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Puruṣottama-kṣetra-māhātmya · Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Unit 47 of 221Puruṣottama-kṣetra-māhātmya · Chapter 7Puruṣottama-kṣetra-māhātmya · Chapter 71 source entries

Puruṣottama-kṣetra-māhātmya · Chapter 7

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।। मुनय ऊचुः ।। ।। कस्मिन्युगे स तु नृप इन्द्रद्युम्नोऽभवन्मुने ।। कस्मिन्देशेऽस्य नगरं कथं वा पुरुषोत्तमम् ।। ।। १ ।। गत्वा च विष्णोः प्रतिमां कारयामास वा कथम् ।। एतत्सर्वं विस्तरतः कथयस्व महामुने ।। २ ।। याथातथ्येन सर्वज्ञ परं कौतृहलं हि नः ।। ३ ।। ।। जैमिनिरुवाच ।। ।। साधु साधु द्विजश्रेष्ठा यत्पृच्छध्वं पुरातनम् ।। सर्वपापहरं पुण्यं भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदं शुभम् ।। ।। ४ ।। चरितं तस्य वक्ष्यामि तथावृत्तं कृते युगे ।। शृणुध्वं मुनयः सर्वे सावधाना जितेन्द्रियाः ।। ५ ।। आसीत्कृतयुगे विप्रा इन्द्रद्युम्नो महा नृपः ।। सूर्यवंशे स धर्मात्मा स्रष्टुः पंचमपूरुषः ।। ६ ।। सत्यवादी सदाचारोऽवदातः सात्त्विकाग्रणीः ।। न्यायात्सदा पालयति प्रजाः स्वा इव स प्रजाः ।। ७ ।। अध्यात्मविज्ज्ञानशौंडः शूरः संग्रामवर्द्धनः ।। सदोद्यतः सदा विप्रपूजकः पितृभक्तिमान् ।। ८ ।। अष्टादशसु विद्यासु बृहस्पतिरिवापरः ।। ऐश्वर्येण सुराधीशः कुबेरः कोषसंचये ।। ९ ।। रूपवान्सुभगः शीली दाता भोक्ता प्रियंवदः ।। यष्टा समस्तयज्ञानां ब्रह्मण्यः सत्यसंगरः ।। 2.2.7.१० ।। वल्लभो नरनारीणां पौर्णमास्यां यथा शशी ।। आदित्य इव दुष्प्रेक्ष्यः शत्रुपक्षक्षयंकरः ।। ११ ।। वैष्णवः सत्य संपन्नो जितक्रोधो जितेंद्रियः ।। राजसूयं क्रतुवरं वाजिमेधसहस्रकम् ।। १२ ।। इयाज परमः श्रीमान्मुमुक्षुर्धर्मतत्परः ।। एवं सर्वगुणोपेतः स पृथ्वीं पालयन्नृपः ।। १३ ।। अवंतींनाम नगरीं मालवे भुवि विश्रुताम् ।। उवास सर्वरत्नाढ्यां द्वितीयाममरावतीम् ।। १४ ।। तत्र स्थितो नरपतिर्विष्णौ भक्तिमनुत्तमाम् ।। चकार मनसा वाचा कर्मणा परमाद्भुताम् ।। १५ ।। एवं प्रवर्तमानोऽसौ कदाचिच्छ्रीपतेर्विभोः ।। पूजासमयमासाद्य देवार्चनगृहांतरे ।। १६ ।। विद्वद्भिः कविभिश्चैव तीर्थयात्राप्रसिद्धिभिः ।। दैवज्ञैः श्रोत्रियैः सार्द्धं पुरोहितमवस्थितम् ।। १७ ।। आदृतो व्याजहारेद ज्ञायतां क्षेत्रमुत्तमम् ।। यत्र साक्षाज्जगन्नाथं पश्यामोऽनेन चक्षुषा ।। १८ ।। एवमुक्तो नृपाग्र्येण वैष्णवेन पुरोहितः ।। तीर्थयातृव्रजं पश्यन्नुवाच प्रश्रितं वचः ।। १९ ।। भोभोस्तीर्थाटनव्यग्रा धार्मिकास्तीर्थकोविदाः ।। यदादिशति देवोऽयं युष्माभिस्तच्छ्रुतं किल ।। 2.2.7.२० ।। विज्ञाय तस्याभिप्रायं कश्चित्सुबहुतीर्थगः ।। उवाच वाग्ग्मी राजानं बद्धांजलिपुटं मुदा ।।२१।। राजन्ननेकतीर्थानि व्यचारिषमहं प्रभो ।। आशैशवात्क्षितितले श्रुतान्यन्यैस्तु यानि वै ।। २२ ।। ओढ्रदेश इति ख्यातो वर्षे भारतसंज्ञिते ।। दक्षिणस्योदधेस्तीरे क्षेत्रं श्रीपुरुषोत्तमम् ।। २३ ।। यत्र नीलगिरिर्नाम समंतात्काननावृतः।। तस्योत्संगे कल्पवृक्षः समंतात्क्रोशसंमितः ।। २४ ।। तस्य छायां समाक्रम्य ब्रह्महत्यां व्यपोहति ।। तस्य पश्चाद्दिशि ख्यातं कुंडं रौहिणसंज्ञितम् ।। ।। २५ ।। तत्पूर्णं कारणांभोभिः स्पर्शनादेव मुक्तिदम् ।। तस्य प्राक्तटमास्थाय नीलेंद्रमणिनिर्मिता ।। २६ ।। तनुः श्रीवासुदेवस्य साक्षान्मुक्तिप्रदायिनी ।। तत्र कुंडे तु यः स्नात्वा दृष्ट्वा तु पुरुषोत्तमम् ।। २७ ।। अश्वमेधसहस्रस्य फलं प्राप्य विमुच्यते ।। तत्रास्त आश्रमश्रेष्ठः ख्यातः शबरदीपकः ।। २८ ।। पश्चिमस्यां दिशि विभोर्वेष्टितः शबरालयैः ।। यस्मादेकपदीमार्गो येन विष्ण्वालयं व्रजेत् ।। २९ ।। यत्र साक्षाज्जगन्नाथः शंखचक्रगदाधरः ।। जंतूनां दर्शनान्मुक्तिं यो ददाति कृपानिधिः ।। 2.2.7.३० ।। तत्रोषितं मया राजन्वर्षं श्रीपुरुषोत्तमे ।। तुष्ट्यर्थं देवदेवस्य व्रतिना वनवासिना ।। ३१ ।। प्रतिरात्रं भगवतो दर्शनाय दिवौकसाम् ।। आगतानां महाराज दिव्यगंधो ह्यमानुषः ।। ३२ ।। नानास्तुतिवचःकल्पपुष्पवृष्टिश्च लभ्यते।। महिमैष न कुत्रापि विष्णोः स्थाने प्रकाशते ।। ३३ ।। पौराणिकी प्रवृत्तिश्च श्रुता तत्र महीपते ।। वायसो माधवं दृष्ट्वा तिर्यग्देहोऽपि मुच्यते ।। ३४ ।। नाधिकारी पुण्यकृत्ये ज्ञानहीनोऽपि पार्थिव ।। तृषार्त्तो रौहिणे कुंडे जलं पातुं समागतः ।। ३५ ।। त्यक्त्वा कालवशात्प्राणान्विष्णुसारूप्यमाप्तवान् ।। अहमासं पुरा मूर्खस्तत्प्रसादात्तु सांप्रतम् ।। ३६ ।। अष्टादशसु विद्यासु शेषो वा स्यान्ममापरः ।। मतिश्च निर्मला जाता विष्णोः पश्यामि नापरम् ।। ३७ ।। त्वं यस्माद्विष्णुभक्तोऽसि सततं च दृढव्रतः ।। अतस्तवोपदेशार्थमागतोऽहं तवांतिकम् ।। ३८ ।। नो धनं न च भूमिं च त्वत्तः संप्रार्थ्यतेऽधुना ।। व्यलीकमेतन्मा बुद्ध्वा तत्रस्थं श्रीधरं भज ।। ३९ ।। एवमुक्त्वा तु जटिलः सर्वेषां पश्यतां तदा ।। अंतर्द्धानं जगामाशु राजा परमविस्मयम् ।। 2.2.7.४० ।। अवाप्य व्याकुलमतिः कथं मे निर्वहेदिति ।। पुरोहितमुवाचेदं तस्यैवार्थस्य साधने ।। ४१ ।। ।। इन्द्रद्युम्न उवाच ।। ।। अमानुषमिदं वृत्तं श्रुत्वेदानीममानुषात् ।। बुद्धिस्त्वरयते तत्र यत्रास्तेऽसौ गदाधरः ।। ४२ ।। मम धर्मार्थकामा हि त्वदायत्ता द्विजोत्तम ।। अविरुद्धास्त्वत्प्रसादात्त्रिवर्गः साधितो मया ।। ४३ ।। इदानीं चेद्द्विजश्रेष्ठ त्वमत्रार्थे गमिष्यसि ।। चतुर्वर्गस्तु संपूर्णः प्राप्तः स्यात्सांप्रतं मया ।। ४४ ।। ।। पुरोहित उवाच ।। ।। बाढमेतत्करिष्यामि यथा द्रक्ष्यसि केशवम् ।। वर्माच्छादितचक्षुर्भ्यां साक्षान्मुक्तिप्रदं विभुम् ।। ४५ ।। एवमत्र यतिष्यामि तत्र सर्वे यथा वयम् ।। वत्स्यामः ससहायाश्च क्षेत्रे श्रीपुरुषोत्तमे ।।४६।। साफल्यं किमतो राजञ्जन्मिनो जन्मनो भवेत् ।। पुरुषं तमसः पारं साक्षाद्द्रक्ष्यसि माधवम् ।। ४७ ।। भ्राता विद्यापतिर्नाम कनीयान्मे व्रजिष्यति ।। देशभ्रमणशीलैश्च चारैः सह तवाधुना ।। ४८ ।। तत्र गत्वा जगन्नाथं दृष्ट्वा स हि गिरौ यथा ।। कंटकावाससंस्थानं भूप्रदेशं प्रमीय च ।। ।। ४९ ।। तूर्णं प्रवृत्तिमानेता श्रेयोऽस्माकं भविष्यति ।। तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा राजा पुनरुवाच ह ।। 2.2.7.५० ।। ।। इन्द्रद्युम्न उवाच ।। ।। साधु ब्रह्मन्समाधाय व्यवसायो विचारितः ।। अहं प्रथमतोप्येतच्छ्रुत्वैव कृतनिश्चयः ।। ५१ ।। तत्र क्षेत्रे भगवतः सन्निधौ निवसाम्यहम् ।। तद्गच्छतु तव भ्राता यथेष्टं साधयिष्यति ।। ५२ ।। इत्युक्त्वांतःपुरं राजा प्रविवेश मुदान्वितः ।। पुरोहितोऽपि तान्सर्वान्यथावदनुपूर्वशः ।।५३।। राजाज्ञया पूजयित्वा प्राहिणोत्स्वं स्वमाश्रमम् ।। भ्रातरं सुमुहूर्ते च दैवज्ञकृतनिश्चये ।। ५४ ।। प्रस्थापयामास तदा कृतस्वस्त्ययनं द्विजैः ।। अपसर्पैः प्रत्ययिकैः पुष्पस्यन्दनमास्थितः ।। ५५ ।। ततः संप्रस्थितो विप्राः स तु विद्यापतिर्द्विजः ।। मनसा चिन्तयामास मध्ये स्यन्दनमास्थितः ।। ५६ ।। अहो मे सफलं जन्म सुकल्या शर्वरी च मे ।। द्रक्ष्यामि यद्भगवतो मुखपद्ममघापहम् ।। ५७ ।। श्रवणाद्यैरुपायैर्यं यतमाना अहर्निशम् ।। पश्यंति यतयः चेतः पुंडरीके व्यवस्थितम् ।। ५८ ।। तमद्य नीलशिखरिशृंगस्थं बिभ्रतं वपुः ।। वपुःसंबन्धहरणं साक्षाद्द्रक्ष्यामि चक्रिणम् ।। ५९ ।। श्रुति स्मृतीहासपुराणवाक्यैर्यद्रूपमास्थापयितुं न शक्यम् ।। तच्छ्रीनिधे रूपमदृष्टपूर्वं दृष्ट्वा तरिष्यामि भवांबुराशिम् ।। 2.2.7.६० ।। यन्नामसंकीर्तनतस्त्रिवांहः संघः प्रणाशं स्मरतां प्रयाति ।। तमद्य विश्वेश्वरमप्रमेयं साक्षात्करिष्यामि गिरौ वसन्तम् ।। ६१ ।। यत्पादपद्माननुसंहितस्य पदेपदे दुःखमुपार्जितस्य ।। तमः प्रकांडप्रभवं कदाचिन्नात्माश्रितं कर्मभिरेति नाशम् ।। ६२ ।। आराध्य सूक्ष्मं स्वगुहानिवासं यं पञ्चकोषावृतमात्मसंस्थम् ।। वेदांतगीराह न चापि वेद वंदे स्वविद्यैकनिवेद्यमाद्यम् ।। ६३ ।। ब्रह्मांडमालाकलितानुरोमं सहस्रमूर्द्धांघ्रिदृशं पुराणम् ।। निःश्वासवातोत्थित वेदराशिं सर्वप्रपंचेशमहं प्रपद्ये ।। ६४ ।। यन्मायया निर्मितकूटमेतत्सृष्टिक्षयस्थानविलासि रूपम् ।। निरूपितारोपितहेयरूपस्वरूपहीनं प्रणवस्वरूपम् ।। ६५ ।। तिर्यक्तृषाशांतिनिमित्ततोऽपि यदृच्छया यत्सविधं प्रयातः ।। देहेन तेनैव सरूपमुक्तिमवाप तं दृष्टिपथं करिष्ये ।। ६६ ।। अहो अहो मे खलु भाग्यशंसी यत्कोटिजन्मार्जितपुण्य एकः ।। समुत्थितो मे खलु चर्मदृग्भ्यां विलोकयिष्ये जगदादिकंदम् ।। ६७ ।। इत्थं संचिन्तयन्विप्रः प्रहृष्टेनांतरात्मना ।। अतीतं बहुमध्वानं नाबुध्यद्रथवेगतः ।। ६८ ।। दिनमध्ये व्यतिक्रांते लंबिते बहुवासरे ।। वर्त्मन्यदृश्यताग्रे तु देशो भुवनमंडनः ।। ६९ ।। ओढ्रसंज्ञस्तु भो विप्राः क्षितिमंडलपावनः ।। इत्थं पश्यन्वनांतानि गिरिदुर्गाश्च मार्गगान् ।। सूर्यास्तमनवेलायां महानद्यास्तटेऽभवत् ।। 2.2.7.७० ।। अवरुह्य रथाद्विप्रः कृत्वा चाह्निकमादृतः ।। उपास्य पश्चिमां सन्ध्यां दध्यौ स मधुसूदनम्।। ७१ ।। रथपृष्ठे स्थितो रात्रिं गमयित्वा त्वरान्वितः ।। महानदीं समुत्तीर्य प्रातःकृत्यं समाप्य सः ।। ७२ ।। चिंतयन्नेव गोविंदं प्रतस्थे रथमास्थितः ।। पश्यन्भगवतो मार्गं श्रोत्रियाणां हि यज्वनाम् ।। ७३ ।। वह्निवर्चस्विनां विप्रा ग्रामान्पूगैरलंकृतान् ।। विलंघ्यैकाम्रकवनं यावदायाति स द्विजः ।। ७४ ।। शंखचक्रगदापद्मधारिणो ददृशे जनान् ।। जन्मांतरितमात्मानं बुबुधे दिव्यरूपिणम् ।। ७५ ।। अवरुह्य रथात्तूर्णं साष्टांगं प्रणिपत्य च ।। हर्षाश्रुपूर्णनयनो नान्यत्किंचिदपश्यत ।। ७६ ।। केवलं मनसा विष्णुं पश्यन्बाह्ये च भो द्विजाः ।। एवं व्रजन्यदा विप्रो ध्यायन्पश्यन्स्तुवन्हरिम् ।। ७७ ।। अपश्यत्काननाकीर्णं कल्पन्यग्रोधभूषितम् ।। नीलाचलं लिखंतं खं पश्यतां पापनाशनम् ।। ७८ ।। अत्यद्भुतं निवसंति साक्षात्तनुभृतो हरेः।। उपत्यकायामारूढः समंतान्मार्गयन्द्विजः।।७९।। मार्गं न लेभे विप्रोऽसौ मुकुंदालोकनोत्सुकः।। असुप्यत ततो भूमौ कुशानास्तीर्य वाग्यतः।।2.2.7.८०।। दर्शने तस्य देवस्य तमेव शरणं ययौ।। ततः शुश्राव वचनं गिरेः पश्चादमानुषम्।।८१।। भगवद्भक्तिविषयं संलापं कुर्वतां मिथः।। ततो विद्यापतिर्हृष्टोऽनुसरंस्तं जगाम वै।।८२।। ददर्श शबरागारैर्वेष्टितं परितो द्विजाः।। क्षेत्रस्य दीपसंस्थानं ख्यातं शबरदीपकम्।।८३।। तत्र गत्वा शनैर्विप्रः प्रविश्य विनयान्वितः।। ददर्श विष्णुभक्तांस्ताञ्छंखचक्रगदाधरान्।।८४।। प्रणम्य शिरसा विप्रस्तस्थौ बद्धांजलिस्तदा ।। ततोविश्वावसुर्नाम शबरः पलितांगकः ।। ८५ ।। अवसाय हरेः पूजां पूजाशेषोपशोभितः ।। संप्राप्तो गिरिमध्यात्तु तस्मिन्नेव क्षणे द्विजाः।।८६।। आलोक्य तं द्विजो हर्षमुपयातो व्यचिंतयत्।। एष प्राप्तो हरेः स्थानाच्छ्रांतो निर्माल्यभूषितः।।८७।। वैष्णवाग्र्य इतो वार्तां विष्णोः प्राप्स्यामि दुर्लभाम्।। चिंतयन्नेव विप्रोऽसौ शबरेणाभ्यभाषत।।८८।। ।।शबर उवाच।। कुतः समागतो विप्र काननांतं सुदुस्तरम्।। क्षुत्तृड्भिरतिश्रांतश्च सुखमत्रास्यतां चिरम्।।८९।। पाद्यमासनमर्घं च दत्त्वा विश्वावसुर्द्विजम्।। उवाच प्रश्रयगिरा प्रस्तुतं प्रतिपादयन्।। 2.2.7.९० ।। फलैः पाकेन वा विप्र प्राणयात्रा भवेत्तव ।। यत्तुभ्यं रोचते तद्वै दीयतेऽत्र मया द्विज ।। ९१ ।। भाग्यं ममाद्य भगवञ्जीवितं सफलं च मे ।। प्राप्तोऽसि मद्गृहं विप्र साक्षाद्विष्णुरिवापरः ।। ९२ ।। इति ब्रुवाणं शबरं प्रोवाच द्विजपुंगवः ।। न मे फलैर्न पाकेन कार्यं वैष्णवपुंगव ।। ९३ ।। यदर्थमागतं दूरात्साधो तत्सफलं कुरु ।। इन्द्रद्युम्नस्य नृपतेरवंतिपुरवासिनः ।। ९४ ।। पुरोहितोऽहं संप्राप्तो विष्णोर्दर्शनलालसः ।। राज्ञाग्रे तैर्थिकानां हि समाजावसरे श्रुतम् ।। ९५ ।। तीर्थक्षेत्रप्रसंगेन केनचित्प्रस्तुतं तदा ।। तथा निवेदितं क्षेत्रं राजाग्रे जटिलेन वै ।। ९६ ।। आनुपूर्व्याच्च तत्सर्वं कथयामास स द्विजः ।। एतदर्थमहं साधो राज्ञा चोत्कण्ठितेन वै ।। ९७ ।। प्रेषितोऽहं हरिं द्रष्टुमत्रस्थं नीलमाधवम् ।। दृष्ट्वा यावन्नरपतेर्वार्त्तां नेष्यामि सोऽप्यहम् ।। ९८ ।। निराहारो ध्रुवं साधो तन्मां विष्णुं प्रदर्शय ।। ९९ ।। इति श्रीस्कांदे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां द्वितीये वैष्णवखण्डे पुरुषोत्तमक्षेत्रमाहात्म्ये जैमिनिऋषिसंवादे सप्तमोऽध्यायः ।। ७ ।। ।।

|| munaya ūcuḥ || || kasminyuge sa tu nṛpa indradyumno'bhavanmune || kasmindeśe'sya nagaraṃ kathaṃ vā puruṣottamam || || 1 || gatvā ca viṣṇoḥ pratimāṃ kārayāmāsa vā katham || etatsarvaṃ vistarataḥ kathayasva mahāmune || 2 || yāthātathyena sarvajña paraṃ kautṛhalaṃ hi naḥ || 3 || || jaiminiruvāca || || sādhu sādhu dvijaśreṣṭhā yatpṛcchadhvaṃ purātanam || sarvapāpaharaṃ puṇyaṃ bhuktimuktipradaṃ śubham || || 4 || caritaṃ tasya vakṣyāmi tathāvṛttaṃ kṛte yuge || śṛṇudhvaṃ munayaḥ sarve sāvadhānā jitendriyāḥ || 5 || āsītkṛtayuge viprā indradyumno mahā nṛpaḥ || sūryavaṃśe sa dharmātmā sraṣṭuḥ paṃcamapūruṣaḥ || 6 || satyavādī sadācāro'vadātaḥ sāttvikāgraṇīḥ || nyāyātsadā pālayati prajāḥ svā iva sa prajāḥ || 7 || adhyātmavijjñānaśauṃḍaḥ śūraḥ saṃgrāmavarddhanaḥ || sadodyataḥ sadā viprapūjakaḥ pitṛbhaktimān || 8 || aṣṭādaśasu vidyāsu bṛhaspatirivāparaḥ || aiśvaryeṇa surādhīśaḥ kuberaḥ koṣasaṃcaye || 9 || rūpavānsubhagaḥ śīlī dātā bhoktā priyaṃvadaḥ || yaṣṭā samastayajñānāṃ brahmaṇyaḥ satyasaṃgaraḥ || 2.2.7.10 || vallabho naranārīṇāṃ paurṇamāsyāṃ yathā śaśī || āditya iva duṣprekṣyaḥ śatrupakṣakṣayaṃkaraḥ || 11 || vaiṣṇavaḥ satya saṃpanno jitakrodho jiteṃdriyaḥ || rājasūyaṃ kratuvaraṃ vājimedhasahasrakam || 12 || iyāja paramaḥ śrīmānmumukṣurdharmatatparaḥ || evaṃ sarvaguṇopetaḥ sa pṛthvīṃ pālayannṛpaḥ || 13 || avaṃtīṃnāma nagarīṃ mālave bhuvi viśrutām || uvāsa sarvaratnāḍhyāṃ dvitīyāmamarāvatīm || 14 || tatra sthito narapatirviṣṇau bhaktimanuttamām || cakāra manasā vācā karmaṇā paramādbhutām || 15 || evaṃ pravartamāno'sau kadācicchrīpatervibhoḥ || pūjāsamayamāsādya devārcanagṛhāṃtare || 16 || vidvadbhiḥ kavibhiścaiva tīrthayātrāprasiddhibhiḥ || daivajñaiḥ śrotriyaiḥ sārddhaṃ purohitamavasthitam || 17 || ādṛto vyājahāreda jñāyatāṃ kṣetramuttamam || yatra sākṣājjagannāthaṃ paśyāmo'nena cakṣuṣā || 18 || evamukto nṛpāgryeṇa vaiṣṇavena purohitaḥ || tīrthayātṛvrajaṃ paśyannuvāca praśritaṃ vacaḥ || 19 || bhobhostīrthāṭanavyagrā dhārmikāstīrthakovidāḥ || yadādiśati devo'yaṃ yuṣmābhistacchrutaṃ kila || 2.2.7.20 || vijñāya tasyābhiprāyaṃ kaścitsubahutīrthagaḥ || uvāca vāggmī rājānaṃ baddhāṃjalipuṭaṃ mudā ||21|| rājannanekatīrthāni vyacāriṣamahaṃ prabho || āśaiśavātkṣititale śrutānyanyaistu yāni vai || 22 || oḍhradeśa iti khyāto varṣe bhāratasaṃjñite || dakṣiṇasyodadhestīre kṣetraṃ śrīpuruṣottamam || 23 || yatra nīlagirirnāma samaṃtātkānanāvṛtaḥ|| tasyotsaṃge kalpavṛkṣaḥ samaṃtātkrośasaṃmitaḥ || 24 || tasya chāyāṃ samākramya brahmahatyāṃ vyapohati || tasya paścāddiśi khyātaṃ kuṃḍaṃ rauhiṇasaṃjñitam || || 25 || tatpūrṇaṃ kāraṇāṃbhobhiḥ sparśanādeva muktidam || tasya prāktaṭamāsthāya nīleṃdramaṇinirmitā || 26 || tanuḥ śrīvāsudevasya sākṣānmuktipradāyinī || tatra kuṃḍe tu yaḥ snātvā dṛṣṭvā tu puruṣottamam || 27 || aśvamedhasahasrasya phalaṃ prāpya vimucyate || tatrāsta āśramaśreṣṭhaḥ khyātaḥ śabaradīpakaḥ || 28 || paścimasyāṃ diśi vibhorveṣṭitaḥ śabarālayaiḥ || yasmādekapadīmārgo yena viṣṇvālayaṃ vrajet || 29 || yatra sākṣājjagannāthaḥ śaṃkhacakragadādharaḥ || jaṃtūnāṃ darśanānmuktiṃ yo dadāti kṛpānidhiḥ || 2.2.7.30 || tatroṣitaṃ mayā rājanvarṣaṃ śrīpuruṣottame || tuṣṭyarthaṃ devadevasya vratinā vanavāsinā || 31 || pratirātraṃ bhagavato darśanāya divaukasām || āgatānāṃ mahārāja divyagaṃdho hyamānuṣaḥ || 32 || nānāstutivacaḥkalpapuṣpavṛṣṭiśca labhyate|| mahimaiṣa na kutrāpi viṣṇoḥ sthāne prakāśate || 33 || paurāṇikī pravṛttiśca śrutā tatra mahīpate || vāyaso mādhavaṃ dṛṣṭvā tiryagdeho'pi mucyate || 34 || nādhikārī puṇyakṛtye jñānahīno'pi pārthiva || tṛṣārtto rauhiṇe kuṃḍe jalaṃ pātuṃ samāgataḥ || 35 || tyaktvā kālavaśātprāṇānviṣṇusārūpyamāptavān || ahamāsaṃ purā mūrkhastatprasādāttu sāṃpratam || 36 || aṣṭādaśasu vidyāsu śeṣo vā syānmamāparaḥ || matiśca nirmalā jātā viṣṇoḥ paśyāmi nāparam || 37 || tvaṃ yasmādviṣṇubhakto'si satataṃ ca dṛḍhavrataḥ || atastavopadeśārthamāgato'haṃ tavāṃtikam || 38 || no dhanaṃ na ca bhūmiṃ ca tvattaḥ saṃprārthyate'dhunā || vyalīkametanmā buddhvā tatrasthaṃ śrīdharaṃ bhaja || 39 || evamuktvā tu jaṭilaḥ sarveṣāṃ paśyatāṃ tadā || aṃtarddhānaṃ jagāmāśu rājā paramavismayam || 2.2.7.40 || avāpya vyākulamatiḥ kathaṃ me nirvahediti || purohitamuvācedaṃ tasyaivārthasya sādhane || 41 || || indradyumna uvāca || || amānuṣamidaṃ vṛttaṃ śrutvedānīmamānuṣāt || buddhistvarayate tatra yatrāste'sau gadādharaḥ || 42 || mama dharmārthakāmā hi tvadāyattā dvijottama || aviruddhāstvatprasādāttrivargaḥ sādhito mayā || 43 || idānīṃ ceddvijaśreṣṭha tvamatrārthe gamiṣyasi || caturvargastu saṃpūrṇaḥ prāptaḥ syātsāṃprataṃ mayā || 44 || || purohita uvāca || || bāḍhametatkariṣyāmi yathā drakṣyasi keśavam || varmācchāditacakṣurbhyāṃ sākṣānmuktipradaṃ vibhum || 45 || evamatra yatiṣyāmi tatra sarve yathā vayam || vatsyāmaḥ sasahāyāśca kṣetre śrīpuruṣottame ||46|| sāphalyaṃ kimato rājañjanmino janmano bhavet || puruṣaṃ tamasaḥ pāraṃ sākṣāddrakṣyasi mādhavam || 47 || bhrātā vidyāpatirnāma kanīyānme vrajiṣyati || deśabhramaṇaśīlaiśca cāraiḥ saha tavādhunā || 48 || tatra gatvā jagannāthaṃ dṛṣṭvā sa hi girau yathā || kaṃṭakāvāsasaṃsthānaṃ bhūpradeśaṃ pramīya ca || || 49 || tūrṇaṃ pravṛttimānetā śreyo'smākaṃ bhaviṣyati || tasya tadvacanaṃ śrutvā rājā punaruvāca ha || 2.2.7.50 || || indradyumna uvāca || || sādhu brahmansamādhāya vyavasāyo vicāritaḥ || ahaṃ prathamatopyetacchrutvaiva kṛtaniścayaḥ || 51 || tatra kṣetre bhagavataḥ sannidhau nivasāmyaham || tadgacchatu tava bhrātā yatheṣṭaṃ sādhayiṣyati || 52 || ityuktvāṃtaḥpuraṃ rājā praviveśa mudānvitaḥ || purohito'pi tānsarvānyathāvadanupūrvaśaḥ ||53|| rājājñayā pūjayitvā prāhiṇotsvaṃ svamāśramam || bhrātaraṃ sumuhūrte ca daivajñakṛtaniścaye || 54 || prasthāpayāmāsa tadā kṛtasvastyayanaṃ dvijaiḥ || apasarpaiḥ pratyayikaiḥ puṣpasyandanamāsthitaḥ || 55 || tataḥ saṃprasthito viprāḥ sa tu vidyāpatirdvijaḥ || manasā cintayāmāsa madhye syandanamāsthitaḥ || 56 || aho me saphalaṃ janma sukalyā śarvarī ca me || drakṣyāmi yadbhagavato mukhapadmamaghāpaham || 57 || śravaṇādyairupāyairyaṃ yatamānā aharniśam || paśyaṃti yatayaḥ cetaḥ puṃḍarīke vyavasthitam || 58 || tamadya nīlaśikhariśṛṃgasthaṃ bibhrataṃ vapuḥ || vapuḥsaṃbandhaharaṇaṃ sākṣāddrakṣyāmi cakriṇam || 59 || śruti smṛtīhāsapurāṇavākyairyadrūpamāsthāpayituṃ na śakyam || tacchrīnidhe rūpamadṛṣṭapūrvaṃ dṛṣṭvā tariṣyāmi bhavāṃburāśim || 2.2.7.60 || yannāmasaṃkīrtanatastrivāṃhaḥ saṃghaḥ praṇāśaṃ smaratāṃ prayāti || tamadya viśveśvaramaprameyaṃ sākṣātkariṣyāmi girau vasantam || 61 || yatpādapadmānanusaṃhitasya padepade duḥkhamupārjitasya || tamaḥ prakāṃḍaprabhavaṃ kadācinnātmāśritaṃ karmabhireti nāśam || 62 || ārādhya sūkṣmaṃ svaguhānivāsaṃ yaṃ pañcakoṣāvṛtamātmasaṃstham || vedāṃtagīrāha na cāpi veda vaṃde svavidyaikanivedyamādyam || 63 || brahmāṃḍamālākalitānuromaṃ sahasramūrddhāṃghridṛśaṃ purāṇam || niḥśvāsavātotthita vedarāśiṃ sarvaprapaṃceśamahaṃ prapadye || 64 || yanmāyayā nirmitakūṭametatsṛṣṭikṣayasthānavilāsi rūpam || nirūpitāropitaheyarūpasvarūpahīnaṃ praṇavasvarūpam || 65 || tiryaktṛṣāśāṃtinimittato'pi yadṛcchayā yatsavidhaṃ prayātaḥ || dehena tenaiva sarūpamuktimavāpa taṃ dṛṣṭipathaṃ kariṣye || 66 || aho aho me khalu bhāgyaśaṃsī yatkoṭijanmārjitapuṇya ekaḥ || samutthito me khalu carmadṛgbhyāṃ vilokayiṣye jagadādikaṃdam || 67 || itthaṃ saṃcintayanvipraḥ prahṛṣṭenāṃtarātmanā || atītaṃ bahumadhvānaṃ nābudhyadrathavegataḥ || 68 || dinamadhye vyatikrāṃte laṃbite bahuvāsare || vartmanyadṛśyatāgre tu deśo bhuvanamaṃḍanaḥ || 69 || oḍhrasaṃjñastu bho viprāḥ kṣitimaṃḍalapāvanaḥ || itthaṃ paśyanvanāṃtāni giridurgāśca mārgagān || sūryāstamanavelāyāṃ mahānadyāstaṭe'bhavat || 2.2.7.70 || avaruhya rathādvipraḥ kṛtvā cāhnikamādṛtaḥ || upāsya paścimāṃ sandhyāṃ dadhyau sa madhusūdanam|| 71 || rathapṛṣṭhe sthito rātriṃ gamayitvā tvarānvitaḥ || mahānadīṃ samuttīrya prātaḥkṛtyaṃ samāpya saḥ || 72 || ciṃtayanneva goviṃdaṃ pratasthe rathamāsthitaḥ || paśyanbhagavato mārgaṃ śrotriyāṇāṃ hi yajvanām || 73 || vahnivarcasvināṃ viprā grāmānpūgairalaṃkṛtān || vilaṃghyaikāmrakavanaṃ yāvadāyāti sa dvijaḥ || 74 || śaṃkhacakragadāpadmadhāriṇo dadṛśe janān || janmāṃtaritamātmānaṃ bubudhe divyarūpiṇam || 75 || avaruhya rathāttūrṇaṃ sāṣṭāṃgaṃ praṇipatya ca || harṣāśrupūrṇanayano nānyatkiṃcidapaśyata || 76 || kevalaṃ manasā viṣṇuṃ paśyanbāhye ca bho dvijāḥ || evaṃ vrajanyadā vipro dhyāyanpaśyanstuvanharim || 77 || apaśyatkānanākīrṇaṃ kalpanyagrodhabhūṣitam || nīlācalaṃ likhaṃtaṃ khaṃ paśyatāṃ pāpanāśanam || 78 || atyadbhutaṃ nivasaṃti sākṣāttanubhṛto hareḥ|| upatyakāyāmārūḍhaḥ samaṃtānmārgayandvijaḥ||79|| mārgaṃ na lebhe vipro'sau mukuṃdālokanotsukaḥ|| asupyata tato bhūmau kuśānāstīrya vāgyataḥ||2.2.7.80|| darśane tasya devasya tameva śaraṇaṃ yayau|| tataḥ śuśrāva vacanaṃ gireḥ paścādamānuṣam||81|| bhagavadbhaktiviṣayaṃ saṃlāpaṃ kurvatāṃ mithaḥ|| tato vidyāpatirhṛṣṭo'nusaraṃstaṃ jagāma vai||82|| dadarśa śabarāgārairveṣṭitaṃ parito dvijāḥ|| kṣetrasya dīpasaṃsthānaṃ khyātaṃ śabaradīpakam||83|| tatra gatvā śanairvipraḥ praviśya vinayānvitaḥ|| dadarśa viṣṇubhaktāṃstāñchaṃkhacakragadādharān||84|| praṇamya śirasā viprastasthau baddhāṃjalistadā || tatoviśvāvasurnāma śabaraḥ palitāṃgakaḥ || 85 || avasāya hareḥ pūjāṃ pūjāśeṣopaśobhitaḥ || saṃprāpto girimadhyāttu tasminneva kṣaṇe dvijāḥ||86|| ālokya taṃ dvijo harṣamupayāto vyaciṃtayat|| eṣa prāpto hareḥ sthānācchrāṃto nirmālyabhūṣitaḥ||87|| vaiṣṇavāgrya ito vārtāṃ viṣṇoḥ prāpsyāmi durlabhām|| ciṃtayanneva vipro'sau śabareṇābhyabhāṣata||88|| ||śabara uvāca|| kutaḥ samāgato vipra kānanāṃtaṃ sudustaram|| kṣuttṛḍbhiratiśrāṃtaśca sukhamatrāsyatāṃ ciram||89|| pādyamāsanamarghaṃ ca dattvā viśvāvasurdvijam|| uvāca praśrayagirā prastutaṃ pratipādayan|| 2.2.7.90 || phalaiḥ pākena vā vipra prāṇayātrā bhavettava || yattubhyaṃ rocate tadvai dīyate'tra mayā dvija || 91 || bhāgyaṃ mamādya bhagavañjīvitaṃ saphalaṃ ca me || prāpto'si madgṛhaṃ vipra sākṣādviṣṇurivāparaḥ || 92 || iti bruvāṇaṃ śabaraṃ provāca dvijapuṃgavaḥ || na me phalairna pākena kāryaṃ vaiṣṇavapuṃgava || 93 || yadarthamāgataṃ dūrātsādho tatsaphalaṃ kuru || indradyumnasya nṛpateravaṃtipuravāsinaḥ || 94 || purohito'haṃ saṃprāpto viṣṇordarśanalālasaḥ || rājñāgre tairthikānāṃ hi samājāvasare śrutam || 95 || tīrthakṣetraprasaṃgena kenacitprastutaṃ tadā || tathā niveditaṃ kṣetraṃ rājāgre jaṭilena vai || 96 || ānupūrvyācca tatsarvaṃ kathayāmāsa sa dvijaḥ || etadarthamahaṃ sādho rājñā cotkaṇṭhitena vai || 97 || preṣito'haṃ hariṃ draṣṭumatrasthaṃ nīlamādhavam || dṛṣṭvā yāvannarapatervārttāṃ neṣyāmi so'pyaham || 98 || nirāhāro dhruvaṃ sādho tanmāṃ viṣṇuṃ pradarśaya || 99 || iti śrīskāṃde mahāpurāṇa ekāśītisāhasryāṃ saṃhitāyāṃ dvitīye vaiṣṇavakhaṇḍe puruṣottamakṣetramāhātmye jaiminiṛṣisaṃvāde saptamo'dhyāyaḥ || 7 || ||

English translation

Note: This king ( Indradyumna ) is different from the Indradyumna who was expelled from heaven for becoming obliterated from public memory (Mbh, Vana , Ch. 199). This Indradyumna is a legendary king of Avantī who built the temple of Jagannātha at Puri . His life story forms an essential part of this Purāṇa .

The sages asked :

1-3. O sage, in which Yuga did Indradyumna live? In which land was his (capital) city? How did he go to Puruṣottama and how did he cause the idol to be made? Describe all these truthfully and in detail, O great sage, O omniscient one. We have great eagerness (to hear).

Jaimini said :

4-5. Very well, O excellent Brāhmaṇas , what you ask for is relevant. His (Indradyumna’s) ancient anecdote helps to dispel all sins. It is meritorious and splendid. It yields worldly pleasures and salvation. I shall recount it as it happened in Kṛtayuga . Listen ye all, O sages, with great attention and with all the sense-organs under control.

6. There was a great king in Kṛtayuga, O Brāhmaṇas, (named) Indradyumna. That righteous-souled one belonged to the Solar race and was the fifth person (i.e. descendant) from the creator ( Brahmā ).

7. He was truthful in speech and of good conduct. He was of spotless fame and was the most prominent among sāttvika persons. He protected his subjects like his own children with justice.

8. He was expert in the Science of Spirit (i.e. perfect knowledge of Brahman ). He was a hero with increasing (interest) in war. He was always active with devotion to his parents. He always worshipped Brāhmaṇas.

9. He had mastered the eighteen branches of learning and was like another Bṛhaspati (i.e. Preceptor of gods). In prosperity and glory he was another Indra and in the accumulation of wealth in the treasury he was (another) Kubera .

10. He was handsome with charming features and excellent grace. He was of good behaviour. He was charitable, an enjoyer of pleasures and one of sweet speech. He performed all Yajñas . He was friendly with Brāhmaṇas. He truthfully kept his promises.

11. He was the beloved of men and women like the moon on the full-moon day. (At the same time) he, being the exterminator of his enemies, was too dazzling to look at.

12-14. He was a devotee of Viṣṇu and very truthful. He had subdued anger and the sense-organs. He performed Rājasūya , the most excellent Yajña , and a thousand horse-sacrifices. He was highly glorious, desirous of salvation and devoted to virtue and piety. Thus endowed with all good qualities the king ruled over the earth at the (capital) city named Avantī situated in Mālava [1] country and well known all over the earth. He lived in that city which was rich in all kinds of precious stones and like another Amarāvatī (the capital of Indra).

15. Living there, the king carried on excellent and exceedingly wonderful devotional activities in regard to Viṣṇu mentally, verbally and physically.

16-18. While he was thus (devotionally) active, once, at the time of the worship of the Lord, the consort of Lakṣmī , within the sanctum sanctorum , he respectfully addressed his priest who was seated along with learned men, poets, Brāhmaṇas well-versed in the Vedas as well as Astrologers of great fame, “Let that excellent holy spot be known where we can see Jagannātha (‘Lord of the worlds’) with these (mortal) eyes.”

19. On being asked thus by the excellent king, a follower of Viṣṇu, the priest faced the assembly of pilgrims and spoke these words with humility.

20. “O, O ye virtuous ones, experts in the knowledge of holy spots, eager to undertake pilgrimages, what our Lord intends has been heard by you all indeed.”

21. After knowing his intention, a certain eloquent person who had visited a number of holy spots said to the king joyously, as he stood there with palms joined in reverence:

22. “O Lord, O king, I have travelled through many holy places on the earth ever since my childhood. These ( Tīrthas ) have only been heard of by others.

23. There is a land in the subcontinent of Bharata , famous as Oḍhra Deśa (i.e. Utkala , Orissa ). It is on the shore of the Southern Ocean. The holy spot is Śrī Puruṣottama.

24-25. There is a mountain named Nīlagiri there. It is surrounded by forests all round. In the middle thereof is a Kalpa tree (i.e. a Banyan tree) extending to a Krośa (3 Kms.). If one enters its shade one dispels the sin of the slaughter of a Brāhmaṇa . To the west thereof is the famous holy pool named Rauhiṇa .

26-28. It is filled with primordial waters ( kāraṇāṃbhobhiḥ ). By means of its mere contact it bestows salvation. On its eastern bank is the body (i.e. idol) of Śrīvāsudeva made out of sapphires. [2] It is directly the bestower of salvation. He who takes his holy bath in the Kuṇḍa (holy pool) there and visits Puruṣottama acquires the benefit of a thousand horse-sacrifices and then becomes liberated.

There is an excellent hermitage there, famous as Śabara Dīpaka . [3]

29-30. It is on the western side of the Lord and is encircled by the abodes of Śabaras (hunters). There is a footpath leading to the temple of Viṣṇu. It is there that Jagannātha himself is present holding the conch, the discus and the iron club. The storehouse of mercifulness grants salvation to all living creatures who visit (the Lord).

31. O king, I spent a year there in Śrīpuruṣottama observing holy rites and staying in the forest for the propitiation of the Lord of Devas .

32-33. The divine scent, O great king, of the heaven-dwellers who came there every night for visiting the Lord, is superhuman. Different kinds of prayerful words are heard. Showers of the flowers of Kalpa tree are seen. This greatness is not revealed in any other shrine of Viṣṇu.

34-39. An ancient legend too is heard there, O king. After seeing Mādhava a crow, a being of lower species, became liberated, though it is not authorized to perform any meritorious deed and though it was devoid of knowledge, O king. Being thirsty it came to the Rauhiṇa Kuṇḍa in order to drink water. As the time had come, it gave up its life and attained Sārupya with Viṣṇu.

Formerly I had been stupid and ignorant. But thanks to his favour, now perhaps Śeṣa is second to me in the knowledge of the eighteen branches of learning. My mind has become free from impurities.

I do not see any Lord other than Viṣṇu. Since you are a devotee of Viṣṇu and are always steadfast in holy rites, I have come to you for the sake of instructing you. Neither wealth nor a plot of land is being requested from you now. This is understood by me as useless. Worship Śrīdhara dwelling there.”

40-41. After saying thus that man with matted hair vanished immediately even as everyone was looking on. The king was struck with great wonder. He became excited thinking, ‘How can I carry this on?’ He spoke to the priest in regard to the accomplishment thereof:

Indradyumna said :

42. This incident is superhuman. After hearing this from a superhuman person my intellect prompts me (to go) to the place where that Gadādhara is present.

43. O excellent Brāhmaṇa, my virtue, wealth and love are under your control. The three aims in life have been accomplished through your grace which was not against me (i.e. you were favourable to me).

44. If now, O excellent Brāhmaṇa, you go on this errand, all the four aims of my life shall be achieved by me.

The priest said :

45. Of course, I shall do this so that you will be able to see with your eyes covered with skin (i.e. your physical, human eyes) Keśava , the Lord who directly confers liberation ( from Saṃsāra ).

46. I shall endeavour in this matter (so carefully) that we all shall reside in the holy spot (called) Śrī Puruṣottama along with our associates and assistants.

47. What can be a better success than this, O king, in the birth of a human being, if you can directly perceive Mādhava, the Puruṣa beyond Tamas .

48. My younger brother named Vidyāpati will also go now along with your spies who frequently tour many lands.

49-50. He will go there and after visiting the Lord of the universe there on the mountain, he will make a piece of land fit for the residence of your camp. He will soon bring the news (that everything) has been fully arranged. It will be for our welfare.

On hearing his words the king said again:

Indradyumna said :

51-54a. Good, O Brāhmaṇa! Excellent arrangement has been thought of after due contemplation. Even at the outset, on hearing about this, I have decided that I will reside in that holy place in the presence of the Lord. So let your brother go. He will accomplish everything as desired.

After saying this the king entered the inner apartment joyously. At the behest of the king the priest honoured all of them duly and made them go to their respective hermitages.

54b-56. An auspicious hour was fixed by the astrologers. After performing the holy rites (called Svastyayana [4] ) for his safe journey, the Brāhmaṇa bade him farewell. He got into a flower-bedecked chariot along with trustworthy emissaries.

Then, O Brāhmaṇas, seated in the middle of the chariot that Brāhmaṇa Vidyāpati thought thus in his mind:

57. ‘Oh! my life is fruitful. My night has dawned into a fine morning since I will be viewing the lotus-like face of the Lord that dispels sins.

58-59. Ascetics strive day and night through various means beginning with Śravaṇa (listening) etc. and then see the Lord dwelling in (their) lotus-like heart. i will now see that Discus-bearing Lord directly, the Lord who is residing on the peak of the Nīla mountain, who holds a physical form but who dispels all connections with physical bodies.

60. It is not possible to fix and visualize the form of the Lord through the words of Śruti , Smṛti , Itihāsas and Purāṇas . I will now see that extraordinary form of the Storehouse of Fortune and cross the ocean of worldly existence.

61. To-day I will directly visualize that Lord of the universe who is incomprehensible and immeasurable, who dwells on the mountain and by glorifying whose names the three groups of sins 2 of those who remember him perish. [5]

62. In the case of one who does not meditate on the lotus-like feet of the Lord, the abundant darkness that has settled in his soul does not perish through his Karmas . At every step he will be acquiring more and more misery.

63. The Vedāntic passages say that one may propitiate the subtle spirit dwelling in the soul encased in five sheaths (i.e. those of Anna , Prāṇa etc.) and enclosed in its own cavity, but one may not realize it. I salute that Primordial Being that can be realized only by its own Vidyā (knowledge).

64. I seek refuge in that Lord of the entire universe, each of whose bodily hair supports a Cosmic Egg, who has a thousand (innumerable) heads, feet and eyes, who is ancient and eternal and from whose breath the mass of the Vedas has come out.

65-66. I seek refuge in that Lord who has Praṇava ( Oṃkāra ) for his body, who is devoid of all despicable forms fashioned or superimposed and through whose Māyā this illusory visible world has been created with creation, sustenance and annihilation as its nature. I will directly view that Lord near whom a being of the lower order came casually for the sake of quenching its thirst and attained the Sārūpya type of salvation with that very body.

67. Ah! How wonderful it is that one merit of mine acquired in the course of a crore of lives has cropped up indicating my good luck! With these mortal eyes I will see the bulbous root (i.e. cause) of the universe.’

68. Thinking thus, with a delighted mind, the Brāhmaṇa did not notice that a long distance had been covered, thanks to the speed of the chariot.

69-70. After midday had passed and a greater part of the day yet remained, the land named Oḍhra was seen ahead on the way itself. O Brāhmaṇas, this land is an ornament unto the universe. [6] It sanctifies the sphere of the earth.

Thus observing forest regions, mountains, forts etc. on the way he reached the banks of Mahānadī [7] at the time of sunset.

71. The Brāhmaṇa got down from the chariot and performed the daily religious rites with sincerity. After performing the evening Sandhyā prayer he meditated on the Slayer of Madhu .

72-75. He spent the night within the chariot itself Early in the morning, he concluded his daily religious rites and hurriedly crossed Mahānadī.

Contemplating on Govinda as he was seated in the chariot, he set out. On the way he saw, O Brāhmaṇas, the villages of those well-versed in Vedas, who performed Yajñas and were of fiery splendour. The villages were adorned with areca palms. After passing through the Ekāmraka forest [8] the Brāhmaṇa saw the people holding a conch, a discus, an iron-club and a lotus. He thought as though he had taken a new birth and had adopted a divine form.

76. He immediately got down from the chariot and prostrated with eight limbs touching the ground. His eyes became filled with tears of joy. He did not see anything else.

77-78. O Brāhmaṇas, he saw Viṣṇu mentally and externally. He proceeded thus seeing, meditating on and eulogizing Hari . He saw the Nīla mountain covered with forests and adorned with Kalpa and banyan trees. It scraped the sky and destroyed the sins of those who visit it.

79-80. It is the extremely wonderful abode of Hari in embodied form. Climbing on to the top of the mountain, the Brāhmaṇa who was eager to see Mukunda , sought the path all round but could not see one. Therefore he spread Darbha grass on the ground, and controlling his speech slept there.

81. For the vision of the Lord, he sought refuge in him alone. Thereupon he heard a superhuman speech behind the mountain.

82-84. It was the voice of those who were talking together on the subject of devotion to the Lord. Therefore, Vidyāpati became delighted and followed the voice, O Brāhmaṇas. He saw the seat of lighting of the holy shrine? [9] It was known as Śabaradīpaka. All round, it was surrounded by the houses of Śabaras (hunters). The Brāhmaṇa went there slowly and entered the premises with great humility. (There) he saw those devotees of Viṣṇu holding conch, discus and iron-club.

85-88. The Brāhmaṇa bowed down his head and stood there with palms joined in reverence. Then a Śabara called Viśvāvasu , whose body was covered with grey hair and who had completed the worship of Hari, came out from the middle of the mountain that very moment. He appeared splendid with the remnants of the worship (in his hand). On seeing him the Brāhmaṇa was delighted. He thought thus: ‘This leading devotee of Viṣṇu has come here from the abode of Hari. He is tired. He is bedecked with the remnants of the worship. From him I shall get the rare details of Viṣṇu.’

Even as the Brāhmaṇa was thinking thus, he was addressed by the Śabara:

The Śabara said :

89-90. From where have you come to this impassable forest region? You are extremely tired with hunger and thirst. Be pleased to sit here comfortably for a long time.

He gave him Pādya and a seat as well as Arghya . Viśvāvasu then said to the Brāhmaṇa with humility in his speech, explaining the thing under reference:

91-92. “How do you wish to sustain your life (i.e. satisfy your hunger)? O Brāhmaṇa, with fruits or with cooked food? Whatever is liked by you will be given to you by me, O Brāhmaṇa. It is my good luck, O holy lord. My life has become fruitful since you have come to my house like another Viṣṇu himself.”

93-99. As the Śabara said this, the eminent Brāhmaṇa said to him: “O great devotee of Viṣṇu, I have nothing to do with fruits or cooked food. O good Sir, see that the purpose for which I have come from a great distance is fulfilled. I am the priest of king Indradyumna, a resident of the city of Avantī. I have come here desirous of seeing Viṣṇu,

In front of the king there was an assemblage of pilgrims. At that time this was heard. In the context of Tīrthas and holy spots, this was referred to by someone. This holy spot was mentioned in front of the king by a person with matted hair. That Brāhmaṇa mentioned everything in the proper order. It is for this purpose, O gentle Sir, that I have been sent by the anxious king, i.e. to see Hari Nīlamādhava dwelling here. Until I see the Lord and take the news to the king, I shall be observing fast surely. Hence, O gentle Sir, show Viṣṇu unto me.”

[1]: [1] : Modern Ujjain. Old Purāṇas used it as the name of a country up to circa 200 CE. Avantī came to be known as Mālava after 700-800 CE (AGP 158-59). The mention of Mālava as a country here shows that this portion of the Purāṇa was composed after 700-800.

[2]: [2] : The idol of Vāsudeva may as well be of black stone as ‘ nīla ’ means ‘black’ also.

[3]: [3] : Jagannātha appears to be originally a god of a hill-people called Śabaras.

[4]: [4] : An expiatory rite to avert evil. Benedictory mantras are used therein.

[5]: [5] : Sins committed by thought, word and deed.

[6]: [6] : Such complimentary references to Oḍhra or Utkala (a part of Orissa) throughout the work and a eulogy of that land in one complete chapter (Ch. 6) calling it ‘a Bhūsvarga ’ (Heaven on earth), the ornament of the universe show that the author was a resident of Oḍhra.

[7]: [7] : A famous river in Orissa. Formerly it marked the border of Kaliṅga.

[8]: [8] : Forest area round modern Bhuvaneshvar.

[9]: [9] : Probably ‘the kṣetra shaped like a lamp’ ( kṣetrasya dīpasaṃsthānam ).

Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 22919, revision 71084 (2016-06-11T10:41:14Z). English is G. V. Tagare’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-skanda-purana/d/doc370727.html and the archival publication witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.