Puruṣottama-kṣetra-māhātmya · Chapter 26
Source।। जैमिनिरुवाच ।। ।। निरुत्पातं समे देशे विधिवर्त्तनयापि च ।। प्रासादनिकटं देवाः प्रापिताः सुमुहुर्त्तके ।। १ ।। ततः शालासुमहती रत्नवर्णविनिर्मिता ।। निदेशादिंद्रद्युम्नस्य निर्मिता विश्वकर्मणा ।। २ ।। सभार्चनायां वस्तूनि हवींषि च समित्कुशाः ।। भोज्यं नानाविधं गीतनृत्यांश्च विविधांस्तथा ।। ३ ।। साम्राज्ये यादृशी पूर्वं संपत्तिरभवत्क्षितौ ।। ततः श्रेष्ठतरा विप्राः प्रतिष्ठायां बभूव ह ।। ४ ।। गालोनाम महीपालस्तदा क्षितितलेऽभवत् ।। सोप्यत्र प्रतिमां कृत्वा माधवाख्यां दृषन्मयीम् ।। ५ ।। स्थापयित्वात्र प्रासादे पूजयामास ऋद्धिमत् ।। कनीयांसं च प्रासादं निर्माय नृपसत्तमः ।। ६ ।। तत्र तां स्थापयामास ततो निष्कृष्य सादरम् ।। ततोऽस्य नृपतिर्दूतमुखाच्छुत्वास्य कर्म तत् ।। ७ ।। गालोऽभ्यागात्ससैन्यः सन्क्रुद्धस्तं नीलपर्वतम् ।। दृष्ट्वा प्रतिष्ठासंभारं मर्त्यैः स्वप्नेऽपि दुर्लभम् ।। ८ ।। विस्मयाविष्टचेताः स तस्थौ गालो नराधिपः ।। किमेतदिति वृत्तान्तं को वा कारयतीदृशम् ।। ।। ९ ।। यत्नाद्दिव्यं स विज्ञाय इन्द्रद्युम्नं नराधिपम् ।। ब्रह्मलोकादागतं तं कर्त्तारं देववेश्मनः ।। 2.2.26.१० ।। प्रतिष्ठापयितुं देवैः सार्द्धं संभारकारकम् ।। सहितं पद्मनिधिना गुरुणा नारदेन च ।। ११ ।। ब्रह्माणं चागमिष्यन्तं प्रतिष्ठायै सुरोत्तमम् ।। श्रुत्वा सर्वं च वृत्तान्तं तद्राजा दिव्यचेष्टितम् ।। ।। १२ ।। मेने कृतार्थमात्मानं तद्राज्ये परमाद्भुतम् ।। इतः श्रेयस्करं कर्म न भूतं न भविष्यति ।। १३ ।। तदस्य निकटे स्थित्वा ज्ञात्वा कर्मक्रमं विधिम् ।। उत्सवांश्चापि विज्ञाय करिष्ये प्रतिवत्सरम् ।। १४ ।। अमुं दारुमयं साक्षाद्ब्रह्मरूपं जनार्दनम् ।। अभाग्योपचयादेतावंतं कालं न जानता ।। १५ ।। असेव्यमानेन कृतं जन्मैव विफलं मया ।। तदेनमिंद्रद्युम्नं वै प्रणिपत्य जगद्गुरुम् ।। १६ ।। महाभागवतश्रेष्ठं ब्रह्मलोकादिहागतम् ।। उपेत्य शरणं साक्षाद्दृष्ट्वा नारायणं विभुम् ।। १७ ।। प्रतिष्ठितं वै प्रासादे मुक्तिमेष्यामि निश्चयम् ।। वैकुण्ठं स प्रतिष्ठाप्य मय्येवारोपयिष्यति ।। १८ ।। ब्रह्मलोकं गतो यो वै किं क्षितौ सोऽवतिष्ठते ।। उपचारान्समादिश्य कोषं संभृत्य च प्रभोः।। ।। १९ ।। ब्रह्मणा सहितोऽवश्यं पुनर्यास्यति तत्क्षयम् ।। विचार्य मंत्रिभिः सार्द्धं ततो गालोऽपि वैष्णवः ।। 2.2.26.२० ।। इन्द्रद्युम्नस्य निकटं विनीतः प्रययौ मुदा ।। गत्वा तं दूरतो दृष्ट्वा प्रणिपातपुरःसरम् ।। २१ ।। बद्धांजलिपुटो राजा मूर्ध्नि वीक्षन्ससाध्वसम् ।। शनैः शनैर्ययौ तस्य निकटं गालपार्थिवः ।। २२ ।। देव त्वं राजराजोऽसि मर्त्योऽसि ब्रह्मलोकगः ।। किं स्तौमि नृपकीटोऽहं त्वां जीवन्मुक्तमीश्वरम् ।। २३ ।। अज्ञात्वा महिमानं ते सचिवैर्मंत्रयन्मुहुः ।। योद्धुमभ्यागतो देव दृष्ट्वा ते पौरुषं महत् ।। २४ ।। अतिमानुषमाश्चर्यं पदं चापि शचीपतेः ।। दृष्ट्वैतन्निश्चितं देव ब्रह्मलोकागतस्य हि ।। २५ ।। ईदृशं हि महत्कर्म यदाज्ञाकृन्महानिधिः ।। चेतः प्रसादप्रवणं मयि धेहि सुरोत्तम ।। २६ ।। त्रैलोक्यवासिनो देवा यदाज्ञावशवर्तिनः ।। २७ ।। ।। जैमिनिरुवाच ।। ।। इत्थं विज्ञापयंतं तं गालं नृपतिकुंजरम् ।। स्मयमान उवाचेदं राजन्किं बहु भाषसे ।। २८।। भवानपि हरेर्भक्तः सार्वभौमो महीपतिः ।। सामान्यमेतद्राज्ञा वै भूस्वाम्यं भुवि वर्त्तताम् ।। २९ ।। सांप्रतं हि भवानत्र पृथिव्यामेकपार्थिवः ।। नृपायत्ताः क्रियाः सर्वा मर्त्यानां मरुतामपि।।2.2.26.३०।। अष्टदिक्पालकांशैस्तु ब्रह्मणा निर्मितो नृपः।। न ह्यल्पपुण्यकृद्राजा प्रजापालनतत्पर ।। ३१ ।। इह कीर्तिं च धर्मश्च यत्र गच्छन्सुवर्त्मनि ।। प्राप्नोति राजशार्दूल विशेषात्त्वं तु वैष्णवः ।।३२।। प्रासादे स्थापयेद्यस्तु हरेरर्चां विधानतः।। न देहबन्धमाप्नोति याति विष्णोः परं पदम् ।।३३।। माधवप्रतिमामेतां दारवीं शुभलक्षणाम् ।। साक्षान्मुक्तिप्रदां भूप स्वयं स्थापितवानसि ।।३४।। निर्विघ्नं कर्म ते जातं मम मन्वंतरं गतम् ।। भवेद्वा संशयो मेऽत्र न स्वतंत्रश्चतुर्मुखः ।। ३५ ।। प्रतिष्ठायै प्रार्थितोऽयं तदन्यः स्थापयेत्कथम् ।। साक्षाद्दार्ववतारस्य प्रासादस्य नृपोत्तम ।। ३६ ।। संनिधानेन चेदत्र विधातानुग्रहिष्यति ।। तदेनं स्थापयित्वा तु चतूरूपं जनार्दनम् ।। ३७ ।। समर्प्य त्वां गमिष्यामि त्वमेवोपचरिष्यसि ।। नित्योपहारं यात्राश्च उत्सवांश्च जगत्पतेः ।। ३८ ।। यानेवोपदिशेद्देवः स्वयं वा प्रपितामहः ।। तांस्तान्प्रयत्नात्कुर्वीत राजा वै धर्मपालकः ।। ३९ ।। ततः स गालो नृपतिः श्रुत्वा तच्चिंतितं स्वयम् ।। इन्द्रद्युम्नादिष्टमेतदिति प्राप परां मुदम् ।। 2.2.26.४० ।। तस्थौ तस्यांतिके गाल आज्ञाकार इव स्वयम् ।। तत्तदाशु करोत्येष इन्द्रद्युम्नो यदादिशत् ।। ४१ ।। एवं संभृतसंभारः सिंहासनगतः प्रभुः ।। देवैः परिवृतश्चेंद्रद्युम्नः शक्र इवाबभौ ।। ४२ ।। ततोऽश्रूयंत निनदा दिव्यदुंदुभिजाः शुभाः ।। मृदंगवेणुवीणादि तालकाहालनिःस्वनाः ।। ४३ ।। ऐरावतादिकरिणां बृंहितानि बहूनि खे ।। समंताज्जयशब्दाश्च पुष्पवृष्टिविमिश्रिताः ।। ४४ ।। आकाशगंगासलिलकणा मन्दारमिश्रिताः ।। दिव्य स्रग्लेपधूपानां गन्धा दिग्व्यापिनस्तथा ।। वैमानिकानां देवानां किंकिणीजालनिःस्वनाः ।। ४५ ।। ततश्च तेजसां राशी रोदसीमध्यपूरकः ।। आविरासीत्क्षितिगत नयनाच्छादको द्विजाः ।। ४६ ।। उत्तोलिताक्षिमालाभिः प्रजाभिर्वीक्षितः पुरः ।। ततः क्रमात्स ददृशे विमानाग्र्यं प्रजापतेः ।। ।। ४७ ।। स्वर्णहंसशतैः स्कंधेनोह्यमानः समंततः ।। दिक्पालैश्चामरव्यग्रहस्तैरासेवितः पुरः ।। ४८ ।। जाह्नवीयमुनानीरप्रकीर्णककरेऽभितः ।। पार्श्वयोश्चन्द्रसूर्याभ्यामुभाभ्यामातपत्रके ।। ४९ ।। धार्यमाणे शनैर्वायोर्गतिचंचलचोलके ।। ब्रह्मर्षिभिर्गौतमाद्यैः स्तूयमानो रहस्यकैः ।। 2.2.26.५० ।। तन्मध्यस्थः प्रजानाथ इंद्रद्युम्नादिभिः स्तुतः ।। आलुलोके देवगणैर्जयशब्दैरभिष्टुतः ।। ५१ ।। रंभादिकाभिर्वेश्याभिर्नृत्यते स्म ससाध्वसम् ।। हाहाहूहूप्रभृतिभिर्गीयमानश्च गायकैः ।। ५२ ।। सिद्धविद्याधरगणैः सादरं चोपवीणितः ।। कृतांजलिपुटैर्दूरात्तपस्विभिरुपासितः ।। ५३ ।। सावित्रीशारदे तस्य वाक्प्रबंधैर्विचित्रकैः ।। तोषमासादयंत्यौ च कोऽन्यस्तत्तोषणे क्षमः ।। ५४ ।। जाह्नवीयमुनानीर प्रकीर्णित कलेवरः ।। ये च गंधर्वसिद्धाद्या नारदप्रमुखा द्विजाः ।। ५५ ।। वेत्रहस्ताः सविनया दिव्यसोपानदर्शनाः ।। संमर्दः स महानासीद्देवानां दिवि गच्छताम् ।। ५६ ।। न कोऽपि गण्यते देवः को वा केन पथा व्रजेत् ।। अहंपूर्विकया तेषां व्रजतां त्रिदिवौकसाम् ।। ५७ ।। संमर्दातिशयात्तेषां विभ्रंशोऽभूत्स्ववाहनैः ।। स्रष्टा पाता च संहर्त्ता जगतां यो जगन्मयः ।। ५८ ।। साक्षाद्व्रजति तत्रैषां सुराणां महिमा कुतः ।। तं दृष्ट्वा साध्वसान्नम्रो भक्त्या बद्धांजलिर्नृपः ।। ५९ ।। तैर्देवैर्गालराजेन नारदप्रमुखेन च ।। सहितो धरणीं प्रायात्साष्टांगं प्रणिपत्य च ।। 2.2.26.६० ।। उत्थाय परया भक्त्या प्रहृष्टेनांतरात्मना ।। पुलकांकितसर्वांगं स्वं मन्वानः कृतार्थकम् ।। ६१ ।। पुरतो जगदीशस्य पश्यञ्छुद्धं पितामहम् ।। कृतांजलिपुटो राजा ममज्जानंदसागरे ।। ६२ ।। इति श्रीस्कांदे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां द्वितीये वैष्णवखण्डे पुरुषोत्तमक्षेत्रमाहात्म्ये जैमिनिऋषिसंवादे षड्विंशोऽध्यायः ।। २६ ।।
|| jaiminiruvāca || || nirutpātaṃ same deśe vidhivarttanayāpi ca || prāsādanikaṭaṃ devāḥ prāpitāḥ sumuhurttake || 1 || tataḥ śālāsumahatī ratnavarṇavinirmitā || nideśādiṃdradyumnasya nirmitā viśvakarmaṇā || 2 || sabhārcanāyāṃ vastūni havīṃṣi ca samitkuśāḥ || bhojyaṃ nānāvidhaṃ gītanṛtyāṃśca vividhāṃstathā || 3 || sāmrājye yādṛśī pūrvaṃ saṃpattirabhavatkṣitau || tataḥ śreṣṭhatarā viprāḥ pratiṣṭhāyāṃ babhūva ha || 4 || gālonāma mahīpālastadā kṣititale'bhavat || sopyatra pratimāṃ kṛtvā mādhavākhyāṃ dṛṣanmayīm || 5 || sthāpayitvātra prāsāde pūjayāmāsa ṛddhimat || kanīyāṃsaṃ ca prāsādaṃ nirmāya nṛpasattamaḥ || 6 || tatra tāṃ sthāpayāmāsa tato niṣkṛṣya sādaram || tato'sya nṛpatirdūtamukhācchutvāsya karma tat || 7 || gālo'bhyāgātsasainyaḥ sankruddhastaṃ nīlaparvatam || dṛṣṭvā pratiṣṭhāsaṃbhāraṃ martyaiḥ svapne'pi durlabham || 8 || vismayāviṣṭacetāḥ sa tasthau gālo narādhipaḥ || kimetaditi vṛttāntaṃ ko vā kārayatīdṛśam || || 9 || yatnāddivyaṃ sa vijñāya indradyumnaṃ narādhipam || brahmalokādāgataṃ taṃ karttāraṃ devaveśmanaḥ || 2.2.26.10 || pratiṣṭhāpayituṃ devaiḥ sārddhaṃ saṃbhārakārakam || sahitaṃ padmanidhinā guruṇā nāradena ca || 11 || brahmāṇaṃ cāgamiṣyantaṃ pratiṣṭhāyai surottamam || śrutvā sarvaṃ ca vṛttāntaṃ tadrājā divyaceṣṭitam || || 12 || mene kṛtārthamātmānaṃ tadrājye paramādbhutam || itaḥ śreyaskaraṃ karma na bhūtaṃ na bhaviṣyati || 13 || tadasya nikaṭe sthitvā jñātvā karmakramaṃ vidhim || utsavāṃścāpi vijñāya kariṣye prativatsaram || 14 || amuṃ dārumayaṃ sākṣādbrahmarūpaṃ janārdanam || abhāgyopacayādetāvaṃtaṃ kālaṃ na jānatā || 15 || asevyamānena kṛtaṃ janmaiva viphalaṃ mayā || tadenamiṃdradyumnaṃ vai praṇipatya jagadgurum || 16 || mahābhāgavataśreṣṭhaṃ brahmalokādihāgatam || upetya śaraṇaṃ sākṣāddṛṣṭvā nārāyaṇaṃ vibhum || 17 || pratiṣṭhitaṃ vai prāsāde muktimeṣyāmi niścayam || vaikuṇṭhaṃ sa pratiṣṭhāpya mayyevāropayiṣyati || 18 || brahmalokaṃ gato yo vai kiṃ kṣitau so'vatiṣṭhate || upacārānsamādiśya koṣaṃ saṃbhṛtya ca prabhoḥ|| || 19 || brahmaṇā sahito'vaśyaṃ punaryāsyati tatkṣayam || vicārya maṃtribhiḥ sārddhaṃ tato gālo'pi vaiṣṇavaḥ || 2.2.26.20 || indradyumnasya nikaṭaṃ vinītaḥ prayayau mudā || gatvā taṃ dūrato dṛṣṭvā praṇipātapuraḥsaram || 21 || baddhāṃjalipuṭo rājā mūrdhni vīkṣansasādhvasam || śanaiḥ śanairyayau tasya nikaṭaṃ gālapārthivaḥ || 22 || deva tvaṃ rājarājo'si martyo'si brahmalokagaḥ || kiṃ staumi nṛpakīṭo'haṃ tvāṃ jīvanmuktamīśvaram || 23 || ajñātvā mahimānaṃ te sacivairmaṃtrayanmuhuḥ || yoddhumabhyāgato deva dṛṣṭvā te pauruṣaṃ mahat || 24 || atimānuṣamāścaryaṃ padaṃ cāpi śacīpateḥ || dṛṣṭvaitanniścitaṃ deva brahmalokāgatasya hi || 25 || īdṛśaṃ hi mahatkarma yadājñākṛnmahānidhiḥ || cetaḥ prasādapravaṇaṃ mayi dhehi surottama || 26 || trailokyavāsino devā yadājñāvaśavartinaḥ || 27 || || jaiminiruvāca || || itthaṃ vijñāpayaṃtaṃ taṃ gālaṃ nṛpatikuṃjaram || smayamāna uvācedaṃ rājankiṃ bahu bhāṣase || 28|| bhavānapi harerbhaktaḥ sārvabhaumo mahīpatiḥ || sāmānyametadrājñā vai bhūsvāmyaṃ bhuvi varttatām || 29 || sāṃprataṃ hi bhavānatra pṛthivyāmekapārthivaḥ || nṛpāyattāḥ kriyāḥ sarvā martyānāṃ marutāmapi||2.2.26.30|| aṣṭadikpālakāṃśaistu brahmaṇā nirmito nṛpaḥ|| na hyalpapuṇyakṛdrājā prajāpālanatatpara || 31 || iha kīrtiṃ ca dharmaśca yatra gacchansuvartmani || prāpnoti rājaśārdūla viśeṣāttvaṃ tu vaiṣṇavaḥ ||32|| prāsāde sthāpayedyastu harerarcāṃ vidhānataḥ|| na dehabandhamāpnoti yāti viṣṇoḥ paraṃ padam ||33|| mādhavapratimāmetāṃ dāravīṃ śubhalakṣaṇām || sākṣānmuktipradāṃ bhūpa svayaṃ sthāpitavānasi ||34|| nirvighnaṃ karma te jātaṃ mama manvaṃtaraṃ gatam || bhavedvā saṃśayo me'tra na svataṃtraścaturmukhaḥ || 35 || pratiṣṭhāyai prārthito'yaṃ tadanyaḥ sthāpayetkatham || sākṣāddārvavatārasya prāsādasya nṛpottama || 36 || saṃnidhānena cedatra vidhātānugrahiṣyati || tadenaṃ sthāpayitvā tu catūrūpaṃ janārdanam || 37 || samarpya tvāṃ gamiṣyāmi tvamevopacariṣyasi || nityopahāraṃ yātrāśca utsavāṃśca jagatpateḥ || 38 || yānevopadiśeddevaḥ svayaṃ vā prapitāmahaḥ || tāṃstānprayatnātkurvīta rājā vai dharmapālakaḥ || 39 || tataḥ sa gālo nṛpatiḥ śrutvā tacciṃtitaṃ svayam || indradyumnādiṣṭametaditi prāpa parāṃ mudam || 2.2.26.40 || tasthau tasyāṃtike gāla ājñākāra iva svayam || tattadāśu karotyeṣa indradyumno yadādiśat || 41 || evaṃ saṃbhṛtasaṃbhāraḥ siṃhāsanagataḥ prabhuḥ || devaiḥ parivṛtaśceṃdradyumnaḥ śakra ivābabhau || 42 || tato'śrūyaṃta ninadā divyaduṃdubhijāḥ śubhāḥ || mṛdaṃgaveṇuvīṇādi tālakāhālaniḥsvanāḥ || 43 || airāvatādikariṇāṃ bṛṃhitāni bahūni khe || samaṃtājjayaśabdāśca puṣpavṛṣṭivimiśritāḥ || 44 || ākāśagaṃgāsalilakaṇā mandāramiśritāḥ || divya sraglepadhūpānāṃ gandhā digvyāpinastathā || vaimānikānāṃ devānāṃ kiṃkiṇījālaniḥsvanāḥ || 45 || tataśca tejasāṃ rāśī rodasīmadhyapūrakaḥ || āvirāsītkṣitigata nayanācchādako dvijāḥ || 46 || uttolitākṣimālābhiḥ prajābhirvīkṣitaḥ puraḥ || tataḥ kramātsa dadṛśe vimānāgryaṃ prajāpateḥ || || 47 || svarṇahaṃsaśataiḥ skaṃdhenohyamānaḥ samaṃtataḥ || dikpālaiścāmaravyagrahastairāsevitaḥ puraḥ || 48 || jāhnavīyamunānīraprakīrṇakakare'bhitaḥ || pārśvayoścandrasūryābhyāmubhābhyāmātapatrake || 49 || dhāryamāṇe śanairvāyorgaticaṃcalacolake || brahmarṣibhirgautamādyaiḥ stūyamāno rahasyakaiḥ || 2.2.26.50 || tanmadhyasthaḥ prajānātha iṃdradyumnādibhiḥ stutaḥ || āluloke devagaṇairjayaśabdairabhiṣṭutaḥ || 51 || raṃbhādikābhirveśyābhirnṛtyate sma sasādhvasam || hāhāhūhūprabhṛtibhirgīyamānaśca gāyakaiḥ || 52 || siddhavidyādharagaṇaiḥ sādaraṃ copavīṇitaḥ || kṛtāṃjalipuṭairdūrāttapasvibhirupāsitaḥ || 53 || sāvitrīśārade tasya vākprabaṃdhairvicitrakaiḥ || toṣamāsādayaṃtyau ca ko'nyastattoṣaṇe kṣamaḥ || 54 || jāhnavīyamunānīra prakīrṇita kalevaraḥ || ye ca gaṃdharvasiddhādyā nāradapramukhā dvijāḥ || 55 || vetrahastāḥ savinayā divyasopānadarśanāḥ || saṃmardaḥ sa mahānāsīddevānāṃ divi gacchatām || 56 || na ko'pi gaṇyate devaḥ ko vā kena pathā vrajet || ahaṃpūrvikayā teṣāṃ vrajatāṃ tridivaukasām || 57 || saṃmardātiśayātteṣāṃ vibhraṃśo'bhūtsvavāhanaiḥ || sraṣṭā pātā ca saṃharttā jagatāṃ yo jaganmayaḥ || 58 || sākṣādvrajati tatraiṣāṃ surāṇāṃ mahimā kutaḥ || taṃ dṛṣṭvā sādhvasānnamro bhaktyā baddhāṃjalirnṛpaḥ || 59 || tairdevairgālarājena nāradapramukhena ca || sahito dharaṇīṃ prāyātsāṣṭāṃgaṃ praṇipatya ca || 2.2.26.60 || utthāya parayā bhaktyā prahṛṣṭenāṃtarātmanā || pulakāṃkitasarvāṃgaṃ svaṃ manvānaḥ kṛtārthakam || 61 || purato jagadīśasya paśyañchuddhaṃ pitāmaham || kṛtāṃjalipuṭo rājā mamajjānaṃdasāgare || 62 || iti śrīskāṃde mahāpurāṇa ekāśītisāhasryāṃ saṃhitāyāṃ dvitīye vaiṣṇavakhaṇḍe puruṣottamakṣetramāhātmye jaiminiṛṣisaṃvāde ṣaḍviṃśo'dhyāyaḥ || 26 ||
English translation
Jaimini said :
1. The deities were brought near the Mansion without any untoward incident via the level ground in accordance with the proper procedure in an auspicious hour.
2. Then a very great chamber, the biggest among all the chambers, was built with various colours and studded with gems at the behest of Indradyumna by Viśvakarman .
3. In that chamber all the things required for the installation and worship, viz. Havis , sacrificial twigs, Darbha grass, different kinds of foodstuffs were acquired and provision for different kinds of music and dances was made.
4. At the time of the installation, O Brāhmaṇas , there was greater prosperity and affluence than what was there before in his empire.
5-9a. At the time there was a king on the earth named Gāla . He had made a stone image called Mādhava and installed it in the Mansion and he had been worshipping it deriving prosperity thereby.
The excellent king (Indradyumna) got a smaller Mansion built. After removing the stone idol from there with great respect, he got it installed in the smaller palace (shrine).
The king (Gāla) heard about this through messengers (and spies) and became furious. He came to Nīla mountain along with his army.
On seeing the materials required for the installation gathered together, which could not be obtained by human beings even in dream, King Gāla became wonder-struck in his mind. He remained (thinking thus in his mind):
9b-13a. ‘What is this? What is the news? Who is making all these?’ He carefully gathered the following information: Indradyumna had divine powers. That king was the original builder of the Mansion of the Lord. He had then come from the world of Brahmā along with the Devas , Padmanidhi and the preceptor Nārada in order to install (the Lord). It was he who had gathered all the requisite materials. Brahmā, the excellent Sura , would be coming (presently) for the purpose of the installation.
After getting all the details and knowing the divine activities, (King Gāla) considered himself blessed and one who had fulfilled the tasks. He knew that it was an extremely wonderful thing in his kingdom.
13b-20a. (He thought thus:) ‘A holy rite more conducive to welfare, has never been performed before, nor will it ever be. So I shall stay near him and follow the details or procedure. I shall celebrate festivals every year after knowing the mode of these.
On account of the increase of my ill luck so long I did not know about Janārdana of this wooden body, the form of Brahman itself. So I have not served him (till now): thereby my very birth has become fruitless.
I should bow down to this Indradyumna, the Sire of the universe. He is the most excellent one among the great devotees of the Lord. He has come here from the world of Brahmā.
I should seek refuge in him. By seeing the Lord Nārāyaṇa directly after the installation in the Mansion I should certainly attain salvation. After installing Lord Viṣṇu he will transfer him to me. Why does one who has gone to the world of Brahmā, stay (long) on the earth? He will instruct me about the offerings and services. He will gather together the treasure of the Lord (entrust it to me) and will certainly go to the abode of Brahmā along with him.’
20b-27. Then Gāla, a devotee of Viṣṇu, had deliberation with his ministers. He joyously and humbly went near Indradyumna. Even after seeing him from afar he fell (on the ground) by way of prostration.
With palms joined in reverence King Gāla gazed at the head of Indradyumna with awe and went near him slowly. (Then he said:)
“O lord, you are the king of kings. You are the man who has gone to the world of Brahmā. You are a living-liberated soul (and hence) an Īśvara (Lord). How can I (adequately) eulogize you? I am only an insect of a king. I did not know your greatness. I had repeated consultations with my ministers and came to fight with you. O lord, I have now seen your great superhuman manliness and a wonderful position (equal to that) of Indra .
After seeing this I have come to the conclusion that a great task like this can be accomplished by only one who has returned from the world of Brahmā and whose behest is carried out by the great treasurer Padmanidhi. O excellent one among Suras , all the Devas staying in the three worlds are under the control of your command, Let your mind be favourably inclined towards me.”
Jaimini said :
28-33. As Gāla, the great king, pleaded thus (King Indradyumna) said thus smilingly: “O king, why do you expatiate? You too are a devotee of Hari . You are an Emperor. The ownership of the earth is common to all kings living on the earth. Now you are the sole ruler of the earth. All the rites of men and Maruts (i.e. Devas) are subject to the king’s approval.
A king is constituted by Brahmā with parts of the eight Guardians of Quarters. A king deficient in merit cannot be eagerly devoted to the protection of the subjects. But you, O tiger among kings, particularly follow the excellent path and obtain fame and virtue here. You are a (real) Vaiṣṇava . One who installs the idol of Hari in accordance with the injunctions in the Mansion does not get involved in the bondage of physical bodies. He goes to the great region of Viṣṇu.
34-39. You yourself have installed this idol of Mādhava made of wood, [1] O king. It has all splendid features and it is directly the bestower of salvation.
Your holy rite has become accomplished without any obstacle. A Manvantara has passed in my case. I have no doubt in regard to this. The self-willed Four-faced Lord has been requested for the purpose of installation. How can one other than he install it? O excellent king, it is the direct incarnation of the Lord in the wooden form. How can another install it in the Palatial Shrine? If Brahmā blesses me with his presence, I shall install Janārdana in fourfold form and entrust him to you and go. You will serve (and worship) him. Whatever the Lord himself or Brahmā directs in regard to the daily offerings and services, processions and festivals of the Lord of the universe, the king, the righteous protector of virtue, shall carefully carry it out.”
40-42. On hearing what had been earlier thought of by himself, King Gāla obtained great delight to know that it had been ordered by Indradyumna himself.
Like an obedient servant King Gāla stood near him. Whatever Indradyumna ordered, he immediately carried out.
Thus Lord Indradyumna who had gathered together all the requisites, who sat on the throne and was surrounded by Devas, shone like Indra.
43-48. Then various auspicious sounds arising from the divine Dundubhi drums were heard. The sounds of Mṛdaṅga drums, flutes , lutes etc., bell-metal cymbals and trumpets were heard.
There were the trumpeting sounds of Airāvata and other elephants in the sky. All round, the shouts of “Be victorious” were heard mixed with showers of flowers.
Drops of the waters of the celestial Gaṅgā mixed with Mandāra flowers (fell down). The fragrance of divine garlands, unguent and incense spread in every direction. There were the sounds of the clusters of tinkling bells from the aerial chariots of Devas.
Then, O Brāhmaṇas, a mass of refulgence appeared filling the space between heaven and earth. It dazzled the eyes of everyone present on the earth.
It was seen in front by the subjects with rows of eyes lifted up. Then gradually the excellent aerial chariot of Brahmā came into view.
It was carried on the shoulders by hundreds of golden swans. It was attended upon in front by the Guardians of Quarters with their hands busily engaged in waving chowries.
49-51. The rivers Jāhnavī and Yamunā held the fly-flaps which they waved all round with their hands. The umbrella was held by the Moon and the Sun standing on either side.
Thanks to the slow movement of the wind, the garment was moving slightly. In the midst there was the Lord of the Subjects (Brahmā) who was eulogized by Gautama and other Brahminical sages who knew the esoteric things.
He was seen being eulogized by Indradyumna and others. He was eulogized by multitudes of Devas with shouts of “Be victorious”.
52-56. Raṃbhā and other heavenly courtesans danced with great awe. The songsters Hāhā and Hūhū and others continued to sing.
Groups of Siddhas and Vidyādharas sang the songs of his praise respectfully on their lutes. He was attended upon by ascetics who stood a little away with palms joined in reverence.
By their wonderfully variegated talks Sāvitrī and Śāradā delighted him very much. Who else is competent to delight him?
The waters of Jāhnavī and Yamunā were sprinkled on his body.
Gandharvas , Siddhas and others, the chief of whom was Nārada, O Brāhmaṇas, had a staff in their hands. They were seen standing humbly in the flight of stairs in the divine chariot. There was a great rush of Devas moving about in the sky.
57. Nobody cared which Deva went where and by which path. The Heaven-dwellers vied with one another in going about here and there.
58-62. Due to their great rush many fell down from their vehicles. The creator, protector and annihilator of all the worlds, the Lord himself who was identical with the universe, proceeded ahead. Who cared for the greatness of these Suras therein?
On seeing him, the king stood humbly with devotion and awe. He had his palms joined in reverence. Along with those Devas, King Gāla and others, the chief of whom was Nārada, he fell on the ground in prostration with the eight limbs touching the ground.
Then he stood up with great devotion and delighted mind. Owing to thrill (of joy of devotion) his hair stood on end all over the body. He considered himself one whose task was accomplished.
Gazing at Brahmā, the pure Lord, the king stood in front of the Lord of the universe with palms joined in reverence. He was immersed in the ocean of bliss.
[1]: [1] : The reading should have been ‘made of stone.’
Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 22948, revision 71130 (2016-06-12T11:22:54Z). English is G. V. Tagare’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-skanda-purana/d/doc370746.html and the archival publication witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.