Badarikāśrama-māhātmya · Chapter 6
Source।। स्कंद उवाच ।। ।। कराद्विगलितं यत्र कपालं ते महेश्वर ।। तस्य तीर्थस्य माहात्म्यं कृपया वद मे पितः ।। १ ।। ।। ।। शिव उवाच ।। ।। अतिगुह्यमिदं तीर्थं सुरासुरनमस्कृतम् ।। ब्रह्महाऽपि नरो यत्र स्नानमात्रेण शुद्ध्यति ।। २ ।। पंच तीर्थानि तिष्ठंति कपाले पापमोचने ।। तत्र स्नानं तपो दानं सर्वमक्षयमिष्यते ।। ३ ।। पिंडं विधाय विधिवन्नरकात्तारयेत्पितॄन् ।। पितृतीर्थमिदं प्रोक्तं गयातोऽष्टगुणाधिकम् ।। ४ ।। तिलतर्प्पणतो यांति पितरः स्वर्गमुत्तमम् ।। ५ ।। अहोरात्रं स्थिरो भूत्वा जपनिष्ठः समाहितः ।। तस्येष्टसिद्धिर्महती तत्क्षणादेव जायते ।। ६ ।। पारलौकिककर्माणि सर्वाण्यव्याहतानि च ।। कपालमोचने तीर्थे नाधिकं पितृकर्मणि ।। ७ ।। ।। स्कंद उवाच ।। ।। कुत्र वा ब्रह्मतीर्थं वै फलं वा कीदृशं भवेत् ।। के वा तत्र वसंतीह कृपया वद मे पितः ।। ८ ।। शिव उवाच ।। ।। एकदा विष्णुनाभ्यम्भोरुहस्थस्य प्रजापतेः ।। वेदान्मुखांबुजाद्धृत्वा जग्मतुर्मधुकैटभौ ।। ९ ।। ततो ह्युत्थाय शयनात्सिसृक्षुरब्जसंभवः ।। स्रष्टुं विनाऽगमं लोके न शशाक हृतस्मृतिः ।। 2.3.6.१० ।। तदा बदरिकामेत्य हरिणा प्रतिपालिताम् ।। तुष्टाव प्रणतो भूत्वा भगवंतं सनातनम् ।। ११ ।। ततः कुंडात्समुद्भूतो हयशीर्षो निजायुधः ।। पीतांबरधरः शुक्लश्चतुर्बाहुः सुदृप्तदृक् ।। १२ ।। अत्यद्भुतः प्रकटकठोरलोचनश्चलच्छटाविच्छुरितमेघडंबरः ।। स्वतेजसा हतनिखिलप्रभाकुलः कृपान्वितो द्रुहिणपुरःसरोऽभवत् ।। १३ ।। निरीक्ष्य तं विधिरपि विस्मयाकुलः प्रणम्य च स्तुतिमकरोत्प्रसन्नदृक् ।। १४ ।। ।। ।। ब्रह्मोवाच ।। ।। नमः कमलनाभाय नमस्ते कमलाश्रय ।। नमस्ते कमलावासविशालवनमालिने ।। १५ ।। नमो विज्ञानभात्राय गुहावास निवासिने ।। हृषीकेशाय शांताय तुभ्यं भगवते नमः ।। १६ ।। स्वभक्तरक्षणकृते धृतदेहाय शार्ङ्गिणे ।। अनंतक्लेशनाशाय गदिने ब्रह्मणे नमः ।।।। १७ ।। संसारविविधासारनिवृत्तिकृतकर्मणे ।। रक्षित्रे सर्वजंतूनां विष्णवे जिष्णवे नमः ।। १८ ।। नमो विश्वंभराशेषनिवृत्तगुणवृत्तये ।। सुरासुरवरस्तंभनिवृत्तिस्थितिकीर्तये ।।१९।। इतीरितः सुरपतिना महेश्वरो हृदिस्थितोऽखिलविदशेषकर्मभिः ।। ततोऽन्तरं सपदि गतो निबध्य तौ सुरद्रुहौ किल निजघान लीलया ।। 2.3.6.२० ।। ततो निगममादाय ब्रह्मणोंऽतिकमाययौ।। दत्त्वा स्वनिगमं तस्मै स्वस्थोऽभूत्स समीडितः ।। २१ ।। ततः प्रभृति तत्तीर्थं ब्रह्मणा प्रकटीकृतम् ।। ब्रह्मकुंडमिति ख्यातं त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतम् ।। २२ ।। यस्य दर्शनमात्रेण महापातकिनो जनाः ।। विमुक्तकिल्बिषाः सद्यो ब्रह्मलोकं व्रजंति ते ।। २३ ।। स्नानं कुर्वंति ये लोका व्रतचर्यामथापि वा ।। ब्रह्मलोकमतिक्रम्य विष्णुलोकं व्रजंति ते ।। २४ ।। ।। स्कंद उवाच ।। ।। ततः किमकरोद्धाता लब्ध्वा वेदाञ्जनार्द्दनात् ।। एतदन्यच्च सर्वं मे कृपया वद सांप्रतम् ।। २५ ।। ।। महादेव उवाच ।। ।। चतुर्णामपि वेदानां दृष्ट्वा बदरिकाश्रमम् ।। मतिर्न जायते गंतुं ब्रह्मणा सह पुत्रक ।। २६ ।। ततस्तु विकलं दृष्ट्वा ब्रह्माणं जनवासिनः ।। सिद्धास्तु विधिवत्स्तुत्वा प्रणिपत्येदमब्रुवन् ।। २७ ।। ।। सिद्धा ऊचुः ।। ।। आज्ञा भगवतः कार्या सर्वैः स्थावरजंगमैः ।। भगवान्सर्वजंतूनां कर्त्ता हर्ता पिता गुरुः ।। २८ ।। स्थितिर्ब्रह्मांतिके वश्च हरिणैवानुकल्पिता ।। निवृत्तिर्वर्तते चैषा तथाप्येतन्निरामयम् ।।२९।। एकांते द्रवरूपेण मूर्तिर्वोऽत्रावतिष्ठताम् ।। द्वितीया ब्रह्मणा सार्द्धं ब्रह्मलोकं व्रजेत्पुनः ।। 2.3.6.३० ।। ततः सहृदया वेदा द्वैधीकृतात्मरूपकाः ।। ब्रह्मणा ब्रह्मलोकं ते ययुः सार्द्धं प्रहर्षिताः ।। ३१ ।। ततस्त्रिलोकं विधिवत्ससर्ज चतुराननः ।। द्रवरूपेषु वेदेषु स्नानदानतपःक्रियाः ।। कृता विच्छेदिता न स्युर्यावदाभूतसंप्लवम् ।। ३२ ।। फलमुद्दिश्य कुर्वंति उपवासत्रयं नराः ।। चतुर्णामपि वेदानां व्याख्यातारो न संशयः ।। ३३ ।। अनुक्रमेण तिष्ठंति वेदाश्चत्वार एव च ।। ऋग्यजुःसामाथर्वाख्या भगवत्पार्श्ववर्तिनः ।। ३४ ।। ये पुण्यवंतोऽकलुषा वेदवेदांगपारगाः ।। ते वेदघोषं विरलाः शृण्वंत्यपि कलौ युगे ।। ३५ ।। चतुर्णामपि वेदानामुदगस्ति सरस्वती ।। जप्ताथ सा नृणां हंति जडतां जलरूपिणी ।। ३६ ।। सरस्वत्या जले स्थित्वा जपं कृत्वा समाहितः ।। मनोस्तस्य न विच्छेदः कदाचिदपि जायते ।। ३७ ।। वेदव्यासोऽपि भगवान्यत्प्रसादादुदारधीः ।। पुराणसंहितार्थज्ञोऽभवदत्र न संशयः ।। ३८ ।। त्रयाणामपि लोकानां हिताय जगतां पतिः ।। स्थापयामास विधिना वाणीं वाग्विभवप्रदाम् ।। ३९ ।। दर्शनस्पर्शनस्नानपूजास्तुत्यभिवन्दनैः ।। सरस्वत्या न विच्छेदः कुले तस्य कदाचन ।। 2.3.6.४० ।। मन्त्रसिद्धिर्विशेषेण सरस्वत्यास्तटे नृणाम् ।। जपतामचिरणैव जायते नात्र संशयः ।।४१।। बहुना किमिहोक्तेन वाणी वाग्विभवप्रदा ।। द्रवरूपधरा नृणां दर्शनात्पूतिरुज्ज्वला ।। ४२ ।। ततोऽर्वाग्दक्षिणे भागे द्रवधारेति विश्रुतम् ।। तीर्थमिंद्रपदं यत्र तपश्चक्रे पुरंदरः ।। ४३ ।। सुदारुणं तपः कृत्वा परितोष्य जनार्द्दनम् ।। पदमैंद्रं समालेभे सुरासुरनमस्कृतम् ।। ४४ ।। तपो दानं जपो होमो व्रतानि नियमा यमाः ।। तत्रानन्तगुणं प्रोक्तं तत्तीर्थमतिदुर्लभम् ।। ४५ ।। प्रतिमासे त्रयोदश्यां शुक्लायां हरितोषणे ।। स्नात्वा सुतीर्थे सुत्रामाच्छन्दं चोपेत्य संगतः ।। ४६ ।। उपवासद्वयं कृत्वा पूजयित्वा जनार्द्दनम् ।। सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तः शक्रलोके महीयते ।। ४७ ।। तत्रैव मानसोद्भेदः सर्वपापप्रणाशनः ।। दुर्लभः सर्वजंतूनां यत्र ते स्युर्महर्षयः ।। ४८ ।। मानसं चिदचिद्ग्रन्थिमुद्ग्रथ्नंति च सर्वतः ।। मानसोद्भेव इत्याख्या ऋषिभिः परिगीयते ।। ४९ ।। भिंदंति हृदयग्रंथीश्छिंदन्ति बहुसंशयम् ।। कर्माणि क्षपयन्त्यस्मान्मानसोद्भेद इत्यभूत् ।। 2.3.6.५० ।। यदि भाग्यवशादत्र बिंदुमात्रं लभेन्नरः ।। तत्क्षणान्मुक्तिमाप्नोति किमतस्त्वधिकं भवेत् ।। ५१ ।। गिरिदरीनिलये निवसत्यमी ऋषिगणाः फलमूलजलाशनाः ।। जितमनोविषयाः शितबुद्धयः कलिभयादिव पापभयाकुलाः ।। ५२ ।। फलसमीरणगह्वरनिर्झराश्रमभरादुपलब्धपटोत्तमाः ।। त्रिषवणक्रमनिर्जितदुर्जयेन्द्रियपराक्रमणा मुनयस्त्वमी ।। ५३ ।। साधनानि बहून्येव कायक्लेशकराण्यहो ।। सुलभं साधनं लोके मानसोद्भेददर्शनम् ।। ५४ ।। यस्मिन्दिने जलं चैतल्लभते पुण्यवाञ्जनः ।। भवति व्याससदृशो यमपितृसमः क्रमात् ।। ५५ ।। काम्यतीर्थमिदं नॄणां कामनावशकृत्पुनः ।। अकामतस्तु मुक्तिः स्यादुभयोरेष निश्चयः ।। ५६ ।। यदि कश्चित्प्रमादेन कामनां कुरुते नरः ।। फलं भुक्त्वा पुनर्मुक्तिर्भवत्येव न संशयः ।।५७।। महरादिषु लोकेषु भुक्त्वा भोगान्यथेप्सितान् ।। भोगे भुक्ते पुनर्याति कामनावशतो जनः ।।५८।। पुरुषार्थसमावाप्त्यै यतनीयं मनीषिभिः ।। मानसोद्भेदने तीर्थे नापेत्यत्रेति मे मतिः ।। ५९ ।। मानसोद्भेदनात्प्रत्यग्दिशि सर्वमनोहरम् ।। वसुधारेति विख्यातं तीर्थं त्रैलोक्यदुर्लभम् ।। ।। 2.3.6.६० ।। त्रिलोक्यां सर्वतीर्थेभ्यः श्रेष्ठो बदरिकाश्रमः ।। श्रुत्वा तन्नारदात्सर्वे वसवः समुपागताः ।। ६१ ।। त्रिंशद्वर्षसहस्राणि तपः परमदारुणम् ।। दलांबुप्राशनाश्चक्रुस्ततः सिद्धिमुपाययुः ।। ६२ ।। भगवद्दर्शनात्प्राप्तानंदनिर्वृत्तविक्लमाः ।। हृदयानन्दसंदोहप्रफुल्लितमुखांबुजाः ।। ६३ ।। दृष्ट्वा नारायणं देवं वरं लब्ध्वा मनोरमम्।। हरिभक्तिसुखैश्वर्य्यं परं लब्ध्वा मुदं ययुः।।६४।। अत्र स्नात्वा जलं पीत्वा पूजयित्वा जनार्द्दनम्।। इह लोके सुखं भुक्त्वा यात्यंते परमं पदम् ।।६५।। अत्र पुण्यवतां ज्योतिर्दृश्यते जलमध्यतः।। यद्दृष्ट्वा न पुनर्भूयो गर्भवासं प्रपद्यते ।। ६६ ।। येऽशुद्धपितृजाः पापाः पाषंडमतिवृत्तयः ।। न तेषां शिरसि प्रायः पतंत्यापः कदाचन ।। ६७ ।। दिनत्रयं शुचिर्भूत्वा पूजयित्वा जनार्दनम् ।। उपोष्य भगवद्भक्त्या सिद्धान्पश्यंति साधवः ।।६८।। ये तत्र चपलास्तथ्यं न वदंति च लोलुपाः ।। परिहासपरद्रव्यपरस्त्रीकपटाग्रहाः ।।६९।। मलचैलावृताऽशांताऽशुचयस्त्यक्तसत्क्रियाः ।। तेषां मलिनचित्तानां फलमत्र न जायते ।। 2.3.6.७० ।। ये तत्र साधकाः शांता विरला विधिवर्त्मगाः ।। तेषां जपस्तपोहोमो दानव्रतजपक्रियाः ।। ।। ७१ ।। क्रियमाणा यथाशक्त्या ह्यक्षय्यफलदायकाः ।। ७२ ।। यत्किंचिच्छुभकर्माणि क्रियमाणानि देहिनाम् ।। महदादिफलं दद्युर्निःश्रेयसमनुत्तमम् ।। ७३ ।। श्रावणीयमिह किं फलाधिकं यत्र यांति विबुधाः फलार्थिनः ।। पूजितादनु हरेः प्रियार्थिनः स्वर्गमार्गनिरताः प्रमोदिनः ।। ७४ ।। यत्र संति न च विघ्नकारिणः कर्मणां हरिभयात्सुसिध्यति ।। निर्विशंति च फलं विवेकिनः कर्ममार्गनिरताः सुदेहिनः ।। ७५ ।। ये पठंत्यथ च पाठयंत्यहो पुण्यतीर्थविषयं प्रकाशितम् ।। भक्तिभावसमलंकृताश्च ते संप्रयान्ति हरिमंदिरं शुभम् ।। ७६ ।। इति श्रीस्कान्दे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां द्वितीये वैष्णवखण्डे बदरिकाश्रममाहात्म्ये शिवकार्त्तिकेयसंवादे वसुधारातीर्थमाहात्म्यवर्णनंनाम षष्ठोऽध्यायः ।। ६ ।। ।। ।। शिव उवाच ।। ।।
|| skaṃda uvāca || || karādvigalitaṃ yatra kapālaṃ te maheśvara || tasya tīrthasya māhātmyaṃ kṛpayā vada me pitaḥ || 1 || || || śiva uvāca || || atiguhyamidaṃ tīrthaṃ surāsuranamaskṛtam || brahmahā'pi naro yatra snānamātreṇa śuddhyati || 2 || paṃca tīrthāni tiṣṭhaṃti kapāle pāpamocane || tatra snānaṃ tapo dānaṃ sarvamakṣayamiṣyate || 3 || piṃḍaṃ vidhāya vidhivannarakāttārayetpitṝn || pitṛtīrthamidaṃ proktaṃ gayāto'ṣṭaguṇādhikam || 4 || tilatarppaṇato yāṃti pitaraḥ svargamuttamam || 5 || ahorātraṃ sthiro bhūtvā japaniṣṭhaḥ samāhitaḥ || tasyeṣṭasiddhirmahatī tatkṣaṇādeva jāyate || 6 || pāralaukikakarmāṇi sarvāṇyavyāhatāni ca || kapālamocane tīrthe nādhikaṃ pitṛkarmaṇi || 7 || || skaṃda uvāca || || kutra vā brahmatīrthaṃ vai phalaṃ vā kīdṛśaṃ bhavet || ke vā tatra vasaṃtīha kṛpayā vada me pitaḥ || 8 || śiva uvāca || || ekadā viṣṇunābhyambhoruhasthasya prajāpateḥ || vedānmukhāṃbujāddhṛtvā jagmaturmadhukaiṭabhau || 9 || tato hyutthāya śayanātsisṛkṣurabjasaṃbhavaḥ || sraṣṭuṃ vinā'gamaṃ loke na śaśāka hṛtasmṛtiḥ || 2.3.6.10 || tadā badarikāmetya hariṇā pratipālitām || tuṣṭāva praṇato bhūtvā bhagavaṃtaṃ sanātanam || 11 || tataḥ kuṃḍātsamudbhūto hayaśīrṣo nijāyudhaḥ || pītāṃbaradharaḥ śuklaścaturbāhuḥ sudṛptadṛk || 12 || atyadbhutaḥ prakaṭakaṭhoralocanaścalacchaṭāvicchuritameghaḍaṃbaraḥ || svatejasā hatanikhilaprabhākulaḥ kṛpānvito druhiṇapuraḥsaro'bhavat || 13 || nirīkṣya taṃ vidhirapi vismayākulaḥ praṇamya ca stutimakarotprasannadṛk || 14 || || || brahmovāca || || namaḥ kamalanābhāya namaste kamalāśraya || namaste kamalāvāsaviśālavanamāline || 15 || namo vijñānabhātrāya guhāvāsa nivāsine || hṛṣīkeśāya śāṃtāya tubhyaṃ bhagavate namaḥ || 16 || svabhaktarakṣaṇakṛte dhṛtadehāya śārṅgiṇe || anaṃtakleśanāśāya gadine brahmaṇe namaḥ |||| 17 || saṃsāravividhāsāranivṛttikṛtakarmaṇe || rakṣitre sarvajaṃtūnāṃ viṣṇave jiṣṇave namaḥ || 18 || namo viśvaṃbharāśeṣanivṛttaguṇavṛttaye || surāsuravarastaṃbhanivṛttisthitikīrtaye ||19|| itīritaḥ surapatinā maheśvaro hṛdisthito'khilavidaśeṣakarmabhiḥ || tato'ntaraṃ sapadi gato nibadhya tau suradruhau kila nijaghāna līlayā || 2.3.6.20 || tato nigamamādāya brahmaṇoṃ'tikamāyayau|| dattvā svanigamaṃ tasmai svastho'bhūtsa samīḍitaḥ || 21 || tataḥ prabhṛti tattīrthaṃ brahmaṇā prakaṭīkṛtam || brahmakuṃḍamiti khyātaṃ triṣu lokeṣu viśrutam || 22 || yasya darśanamātreṇa mahāpātakino janāḥ || vimuktakilbiṣāḥ sadyo brahmalokaṃ vrajaṃti te || 23 || snānaṃ kurvaṃti ye lokā vratacaryāmathāpi vā || brahmalokamatikramya viṣṇulokaṃ vrajaṃti te || 24 || || skaṃda uvāca || || tataḥ kimakaroddhātā labdhvā vedāñjanārddanāt || etadanyacca sarvaṃ me kṛpayā vada sāṃpratam || 25 || || mahādeva uvāca || || caturṇāmapi vedānāṃ dṛṣṭvā badarikāśramam || matirna jāyate gaṃtuṃ brahmaṇā saha putraka || 26 || tatastu vikalaṃ dṛṣṭvā brahmāṇaṃ janavāsinaḥ || siddhāstu vidhivatstutvā praṇipatyedamabruvan || 27 || || siddhā ūcuḥ || || ājñā bhagavataḥ kāryā sarvaiḥ sthāvarajaṃgamaiḥ || bhagavānsarvajaṃtūnāṃ karttā hartā pitā guruḥ || 28 || sthitirbrahmāṃtike vaśca hariṇaivānukalpitā || nivṛttirvartate caiṣā tathāpyetannirāmayam ||29|| ekāṃte dravarūpeṇa mūrtirvo'trāvatiṣṭhatām || dvitīyā brahmaṇā sārddhaṃ brahmalokaṃ vrajetpunaḥ || 2.3.6.30 || tataḥ sahṛdayā vedā dvaidhīkṛtātmarūpakāḥ || brahmaṇā brahmalokaṃ te yayuḥ sārddhaṃ praharṣitāḥ || 31 || tatastrilokaṃ vidhivatsasarja caturānanaḥ || dravarūpeṣu vedeṣu snānadānatapaḥkriyāḥ || kṛtā viccheditā na syuryāvadābhūtasaṃplavam || 32 || phalamuddiśya kurvaṃti upavāsatrayaṃ narāḥ || caturṇāmapi vedānāṃ vyākhyātāro na saṃśayaḥ || 33 || anukrameṇa tiṣṭhaṃti vedāścatvāra eva ca || ṛgyajuḥsāmātharvākhyā bhagavatpārśvavartinaḥ || 34 || ye puṇyavaṃto'kaluṣā vedavedāṃgapāragāḥ || te vedaghoṣaṃ viralāḥ śṛṇvaṃtyapi kalau yuge || 35 || caturṇāmapi vedānāmudagasti sarasvatī || japtātha sā nṛṇāṃ haṃti jaḍatāṃ jalarūpiṇī || 36 || sarasvatyā jale sthitvā japaṃ kṛtvā samāhitaḥ || manostasya na vicchedaḥ kadācidapi jāyate || 37 || vedavyāso'pi bhagavānyatprasādādudāradhīḥ || purāṇasaṃhitārthajño'bhavadatra na saṃśayaḥ || 38 || trayāṇāmapi lokānāṃ hitāya jagatāṃ patiḥ || sthāpayāmāsa vidhinā vāṇīṃ vāgvibhavapradām || 39 || darśanasparśanasnānapūjāstutyabhivandanaiḥ || sarasvatyā na vicchedaḥ kule tasya kadācana || 2.3.6.40 || mantrasiddhirviśeṣeṇa sarasvatyāstaṭe nṛṇām || japatāmaciraṇaiva jāyate nātra saṃśayaḥ ||41|| bahunā kimihoktena vāṇī vāgvibhavapradā || dravarūpadharā nṛṇāṃ darśanātpūtirujjvalā || 42 || tato'rvāgdakṣiṇe bhāge dravadhāreti viśrutam || tīrthamiṃdrapadaṃ yatra tapaścakre puraṃdaraḥ || 43 || sudāruṇaṃ tapaḥ kṛtvā paritoṣya janārddanam || padamaiṃdraṃ samālebhe surāsuranamaskṛtam || 44 || tapo dānaṃ japo homo vratāni niyamā yamāḥ || tatrānantaguṇaṃ proktaṃ tattīrthamatidurlabham || 45 || pratimāse trayodaśyāṃ śuklāyāṃ haritoṣaṇe || snātvā sutīrthe sutrāmācchandaṃ copetya saṃgataḥ || 46 || upavāsadvayaṃ kṛtvā pūjayitvā janārddanam || sarvapāpavinirmuktaḥ śakraloke mahīyate || 47 || tatraiva mānasodbhedaḥ sarvapāpapraṇāśanaḥ || durlabhaḥ sarvajaṃtūnāṃ yatra te syurmaharṣayaḥ || 48 || mānasaṃ cidacidgranthimudgrathnaṃti ca sarvataḥ || mānasodbheva ityākhyā ṛṣibhiḥ parigīyate || 49 || bhiṃdaṃti hṛdayagraṃthīśchiṃdanti bahusaṃśayam || karmāṇi kṣapayantyasmānmānasodbheda ityabhūt || 2.3.6.50 || yadi bhāgyavaśādatra biṃdumātraṃ labhennaraḥ || tatkṣaṇānmuktimāpnoti kimatastvadhikaṃ bhavet || 51 || giridarīnilaye nivasatyamī ṛṣigaṇāḥ phalamūlajalāśanāḥ || jitamanoviṣayāḥ śitabuddhayaḥ kalibhayādiva pāpabhayākulāḥ || 52 || phalasamīraṇagahvaranirjharāśramabharādupalabdhapaṭottamāḥ || triṣavaṇakramanirjitadurjayendriyaparākramaṇā munayastvamī || 53 || sādhanāni bahūnyeva kāyakleśakarāṇyaho || sulabhaṃ sādhanaṃ loke mānasodbhedadarśanam || 54 || yasmindine jalaṃ caitallabhate puṇyavāñjanaḥ || bhavati vyāsasadṛśo yamapitṛsamaḥ kramāt || 55 || kāmyatīrthamidaṃ nṝṇāṃ kāmanāvaśakṛtpunaḥ || akāmatastu muktiḥ syādubhayoreṣa niścayaḥ || 56 || yadi kaścitpramādena kāmanāṃ kurute naraḥ || phalaṃ bhuktvā punarmuktirbhavatyeva na saṃśayaḥ ||57|| maharādiṣu lokeṣu bhuktvā bhogānyathepsitān || bhoge bhukte punaryāti kāmanāvaśato janaḥ ||58|| puruṣārthasamāvāptyai yatanīyaṃ manīṣibhiḥ || mānasodbhedane tīrthe nāpetyatreti me matiḥ || 59 || mānasodbhedanātpratyagdiśi sarvamanoharam || vasudhāreti vikhyātaṃ tīrthaṃ trailokyadurlabham || || 2.3.6.60 || trilokyāṃ sarvatīrthebhyaḥ śreṣṭho badarikāśramaḥ || śrutvā tannāradātsarve vasavaḥ samupāgatāḥ || 61 || triṃśadvarṣasahasrāṇi tapaḥ paramadāruṇam || dalāṃbuprāśanāścakrustataḥ siddhimupāyayuḥ || 62 || bhagavaddarśanātprāptānaṃdanirvṛttaviklamāḥ || hṛdayānandasaṃdohapraphullitamukhāṃbujāḥ || 63 || dṛṣṭvā nārāyaṇaṃ devaṃ varaṃ labdhvā manoramam|| haribhaktisukhaiśvaryyaṃ paraṃ labdhvā mudaṃ yayuḥ||64|| atra snātvā jalaṃ pītvā pūjayitvā janārddanam|| iha loke sukhaṃ bhuktvā yātyaṃte paramaṃ padam ||65|| atra puṇyavatāṃ jyotirdṛśyate jalamadhyataḥ|| yaddṛṣṭvā na punarbhūyo garbhavāsaṃ prapadyate || 66 || ye'śuddhapitṛjāḥ pāpāḥ pāṣaṃḍamativṛttayaḥ || na teṣāṃ śirasi prāyaḥ pataṃtyāpaḥ kadācana || 67 || dinatrayaṃ śucirbhūtvā pūjayitvā janārdanam || upoṣya bhagavadbhaktyā siddhānpaśyaṃti sādhavaḥ ||68|| ye tatra capalāstathyaṃ na vadaṃti ca lolupāḥ || parihāsaparadravyaparastrīkapaṭāgrahāḥ ||69|| malacailāvṛtā'śāṃtā'śucayastyaktasatkriyāḥ || teṣāṃ malinacittānāṃ phalamatra na jāyate || 2.3.6.70 || ye tatra sādhakāḥ śāṃtā viralā vidhivartmagāḥ || teṣāṃ japastapohomo dānavratajapakriyāḥ || || 71 || kriyamāṇā yathāśaktyā hyakṣayyaphaladāyakāḥ || 72 || yatkiṃcicchubhakarmāṇi kriyamāṇāni dehinām || mahadādiphalaṃ dadyurniḥśreyasamanuttamam || 73 || śrāvaṇīyamiha kiṃ phalādhikaṃ yatra yāṃti vibudhāḥ phalārthinaḥ || pūjitādanu hareḥ priyārthinaḥ svargamārganiratāḥ pramodinaḥ || 74 || yatra saṃti na ca vighnakāriṇaḥ karmaṇāṃ haribhayātsusidhyati || nirviśaṃti ca phalaṃ vivekinaḥ karmamārganiratāḥ sudehinaḥ || 75 || ye paṭhaṃtyatha ca pāṭhayaṃtyaho puṇyatīrthaviṣayaṃ prakāśitam || bhaktibhāvasamalaṃkṛtāśca te saṃprayānti harimaṃdiraṃ śubham || 76 || iti śrīskānde mahāpurāṇa ekāśītisāhasryāṃ saṃhitāyāṃ dvitīye vaiṣṇavakhaṇḍe badarikāśramamāhātmye śivakārttikeyasaṃvāde vasudhārātīrthamāhātmyavarṇanaṃnāma ṣaṣṭho'dhyāyaḥ || 6 || || || śiva uvāca || ||
English translation
Note: [ Vasudhārā is] a waterfall four miles north of Badrīnāth near the village Manal. It is the source of Alakanandā , a tributary of Gaṅgā . (Dc 3, 26)
Skanda asked :
1. O my father Maheśvara , kindly recount to me the greatness of that Tīrtha where the skull dropped down from your hand.
Jaimini said :
2. This Tīrtha is a great secret. It is bowed down to by Suras and Asuras . Merely by bathing therein even a man guilty of the murder of a Brāhmaṇa becomes purified.
3. There are five Tīrthas in the holy place named Kapālamocana
which rids one of all the sins. Penance, charitable gifts and holy ablution therein (the merit accrued from) everything is expected to be inexhaustible.
4. By making rice-balls duly (and offering them to Pitṛs ) one can redeem the Pitṛs from hell. This is called Pitṛtīrtha , eight times more meritorious than Gayā .
5. By the libation of water and gingelly seeds, the Pitṛs go to the excellent heaven.
6. If the devotee is steadily engaged in Japa day and night with concentration and mental purity, the fulfilment of his desire shall be great and instantaneous.
7. All the holy rites pertaining to the other world are unobstructed in the Tīrtha called Kapālamocana. Nothing more remains to be done about Pitṛs.
Skanda said :
8. Where is this Brahmatīrtha ? Of what sort is its benefit? Who stay there? Kindly recount this to me, O father.
Śiva said :
9-10. Once Madhu and Kaiṭabha carried away the Vedas from the lotus-like mouth of Prajāpati who was stationed in the lotus coming out through the navel of Viṣṇu . They went away. Then the Lotus-born Lord got up from his bed and was desirous of creating (the universe). But without the Vedas he could not create the world. His power of memory was affected.
11. Then he came to Badarikā guarded by Han. Bending his head down, he eulogized the eternal Lord.
12-14. Then, from the holy pit rose up the horse-headed Lord equipped with his own weapons. He was clad in yellow robes. He was white in complexion. He had four arms and very proud eyes. He was very wonderful in his features, with prominently keen eyes. He resembled a cloud tinged with moving lustre. By his own refulgence he had subdued all sorts of lustres. Endowed with mercy he appeared in front of Brahmā . On seeing him Brahmā became agitated with surprise. With his delight evident in his eyes he bowed down and eulogized him.
Brahmā said :
15. Obeisance to you having the lotus in your navel. Bow to you, O support of Kamalā (Goddess of fortune). Obeisance to you, O abode of Kamalā. Salute to the Lord wearing a large garland of sylvan flowers.
16. Obeisance to the Lord of the nature of pure knowledge, to the Lord residing in his abode in the cavity (hearts of all beings); obeisance to you, to Lord Hṛṣīkeśa , the calm one.
17. Salute to the Lord who have assumed many bodies for the sake of protecting your own devotees, to the wielder of the Śārṅga bow; obeisance to Brahman , to the wielder of the iron club for destroying infinite pain (of devotees).
18. Obeisance to the victorious Viṣṇu, to the protector of all creatures, to the Lord who engage yourself in various activities to stop the worthless worldly existence(?).
19. O Lord supporting the universe, obeisance to you from whom all the activities of the Guṇas have receded, O Lord, the excellent supporting pillar of Suras and Asuras; obeisance to you, the cause of recession, sustenance and renown?
20. On being praised thus by the Lord of Suras, the great Īśvara who is stationed in the heart and who knows everything along with all activities, came in between those demons suddenly, bound them and killed them sportingly.
21. Thereafter he took the Nigama (Vedas) and came near Brahmā. After giving his own Nigama unto him, he became happy and composed, and was eulogized.
22. Ever since then that Tīrtha which was manifested by Brahmā became well-known as Brahmakuṇḍa . It is famous in all the three worlds .
23. Merely by visiting it people of great sins become absolved of their sins. They immediately go to the world of Brahmā.
24. Those people who take their holy bath or perform holy rites there, go beyond the world of Brahmā, to that of Viṣṇu.
Skanda said :
25. What did Brahmā do after obtaining the Vedas from Janārdana ? Kindly recount this and everything else to me now.
Mahādeva narrated :
26. Having seen Badarikāśrama , all the four Vedas were not inclined to go along with Brahmā, O dear son.
27. Thereupon Brahmā became depressed. On seeing him so, Siddhas , the residents of Janaloka , duly eulogized, prostrated and spoke thus:
Siddhas said :
28. The command of the Lord must be earned out by all the beings, mobile and immobile. The Lord is the maker, the annihilator, the father (protector) and the preceptor unto all the creatures.
29. Your stay (residence) near Brahmā has been commanded by Lord Hari himself. There is a way out, still without much of worry.
30. One form of yours should stay here in the liquid form and let the second form go with Brahmā to his world.
31. Thereafter, the Vedas with due consideration assumed two forms. They went to the world of Brahmā along with him with great delight.
32. Thereafter, the Four-faced Lord duly created the three worlds. The holy bath, charitable gifts, penances and other holy rites performed in the liquid forms of the Vedas will not be broken or interrupted until the ultimate annihilation of all living beings.
33. Men who observe fast for three days with some benefit in view become undoubtedly the commentators and expounders of the four Vedas.
34. All the four Vedas stand in the proper order at the side of the Lord. They are called Ṛk, Yajus , Sāman and Atharvan .
35. Even in Kaliyuga there are very few people who are meritorious, devoid of sins and masters of the Vedas and Vedāṅgas . Very few of them hear the chanting of the Vedas even.
36. Sarasvatī is above the four Vedas. If her name is repeated frequently, Sarasvatī [1] in the form of water dispels the inertia of men.
37. If a person stands in the waters of Sarasvatī and performs Japa (of a Mantra ) with concentration and mental purity, that Mantra will never be broken.
38. Even the holy lord, sage Vedavyāsa of a liberal mind, became conversant with the import or contents of the Purāṇa collection, by the favour of Sarasvatī.
39. For the welfare of all the three worlds the Lord of the worlds duly established Vāṇī (Goddess of speech) who bestows the (rich) gift of speech.
40. If a person visits, touches, takes bath in it, worships it, eulogizes it or rejoices in it, his family will never have separation from Sarasvatī (Learning).
41. If men perform Japas on the banks of Sarasvatī, they will attain perfection in (the employment of) Mantras ere long. There is no doubt about it.
42. Of what avail is much talk? Vāṇī, having the liquid form (i.e. River Sarasvatī) bestows the gift of speech on men. (Merely) by seeing it, there shall result brilliant (excellent) purification.
43. Behind it on the southern side there is the Tīrtha Indrapada well-known as Dravadhārā, where Indra had performed penance.
44. After performing a very severe penance, he propitiated Janārdana. Then he obtained the position of Indra bowed to by Suras and Asuras.
45. Penance, charitable gifts, Homa , holy rites, pious observances and restraints—all these are said to yield merit, multiplied infinite-fold. That Tīrtha is difficult of access.
46-47. Every month, on the thirteenth day in the bright half, a devotee should take bath in the excellent Tīrtha (named) Haritoṣaṇa. He should approach Sutrāmācchanda in its company(?) He should then fast for two days and worship Janārdana. He shall thereby be liberated and honoured in the world of (Indra).
48. There itself is (the holy spot) Mānasodbheda that is destructive of all sins. It is difficult of access to all creatures. There are great sages in that place.
49. They completely untie the mental knot of Cit and Acit . The name Mānasodbheda is proclaimed everywhere by the sages.
50. They split the knots in the heart and clarify many doubts. They destroy Karmas . Therefore (the holy spot) became (known as) Mānasodbheda.
51. If by chance a man obtains only a drop (from the Tīrtha) here, he attains liberation instantaneously. What can be superior to this?
52. These sages live in their abodes in the caves of the mountain. They subsist on the diet of fruits, roots and water. They have conquered their minds and (desire for) objects. They have keen intellect. They are agitated due to their fear of sins as well as that of the Kali Age. ( Defective Text )
53. They get good clothes after exertions for (collecting) fruit (and bringing) water from springs in deep caverns. Everyday they take bath three times. Thereby these sages have subdued the onslaughts (strong impulses) of the sense organs.
54. There are many means (to salvation) involving physical strain. But the easiest means in the world is visiting Mānasodbheda.
55. On the day when a meritorious person obtains the (sacred) waters, he becomes similar to Vyāsa , Yama and the Pitṛs in due course.
56. This Tīrtha is one worthy of being desired by men. It keeps desires and ambitions under control by fulfilling them. There shall be salvation even if there is no desire. This is certain in both the cases.
57. If any man, by mistake, were to entertain desires, he will enjoy the fruits and later he will have liberation. There is no doubt about this.
58. People will enjoy all the pleasures in the worlds beginning with Maharloka as they desire. After the pleasures have been enjoyed, they go again (to this world) being subject to desires.
59. Learned men should endeavour for the acquisition of the aims of life. In my opinion their endeavour here in the holy spot Mānasodbheda does not go in vain.
60. On the western side of Mānasodbhedana there is the famous Tīrtha named Vasudhārā. It is the most fascinating of all. It is the rarest of Tīrthas in all the three worlds.
61. On hearing from Nārada that Badarikāśrama is the most excellent one among all the Tīrthas in the three worlds, all the Vasus came here.
62. They performed very severe penance for thirty thousand years with leaves and water for their diet. Thereby they attained Siddhi .
63-64. Their fatigue has been dispelled by the happiness of seeing the Lord. Their lotus-like faces became full-blown due to the mass of delight in their hearts. After seeing Lord Nārāyaṇa and securing a fine boon, they obtained the happiness, prosperity and devotion to Hari. Thus they became joyous.
65. By taking bath here, drinking the water and worshipping Janārdana, one enjoys happiness in this world and attains the greatest region in the end.
66. To meritorious persons a fiery refulgence is visible here in the middle of the water. On seeing this one does not stay further within any womb (i.e. gets Mokṣa ).
67. If sinners of impure parentage, whose minds and activities are those of heretics, come here, the waters generally do not fall on their heads.
68. Good people who remain pure, worship Janārdana and fast for three days with great devotion to the Lord, see the Siddhas.
69-70. Those who are fickle-minded and covetous, who do not speak the truth there, who fraudulently take away the wealth and wives of other people and ridicule others, who are clad in dirty clothes, who are not calm, who are not pure, who have abandoned good holy rites and whose minds also are impure, never attain any benefit here.
71-72. The few calm and quiet Sādhakas (aspirants) who take the path enjoined in the Vedas (attain happiness). Their Japas, penances, Homas , charitable gifts, holy rites, pious observances etc. pursued in accordance with their capacity bestow everlasting benefits.
73. Even the least bit of auspicious rites performed by embodied beings may yield a great result and even excellent salvation.
74. Is it necessary to recount more about the benefits of a place where (even) Devas go seeking benefit? After Hari’s worship those people who sought pleasing things became joyous and are engaged in the path leading to heaven.
75. (This is a holy spot) where there are no persons who create obstacles to holy rites. Afraid of Hari, they (? holy rites) become fructified. Those who possess the power of discrimination enjoy the benefit. All good souls engaged in the path of duty (enjoy the benefit).
76. Those who read, teach and recite (this sacred treatise) that has been revealed, that has reference to the holy Tīrtha, become adorned with devotional feelings. They go to the auspicious region of Hari.
[1]: [1] : This revulet is a tributary of Alakanandā. It is different from the Vedic Sarasvatī rising in Sirmur hill in Sewalik range or that near Somanātha (Gujarat) or Harakhaiti in East Afghanistan. (De 180-81).
Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 14466, revision 365516 (2023-01-18T10:21:41Z). English is G. V. Tagare’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-skanda-purana/d/doc371638.html and the archival publication witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.