Skip to main content

Vaiśākhamāsa-māhātmya · Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Unit 157 of 221Vaiśākhamāsa-māhātmya · Chapter 3Vaiśākhamāsa-māhātmya · Chapter 31 source entries

Vaiśākhamāsa-māhātmya · Chapter 3

Source

।। नारद उवाच ।। ।। यो मर्त्यो द्विजवर्याय पर्यंकं तु ददाति हि ।। यत्र स्वस्थः सुखं शेते शीतानिलनिषेवितः ।। १ ।। धर्मसाधनभूते हि देहे नैरुज्यमाप्नुते ।। तं दत्त्वा सकलं तापं निरस्य गतकल्मषः ।। २ ।। अखण्डपदवीं याति योगिनामपि दुर्लभाम् ।। वैशाखे घर्मतप्तानां श्रान्तानां तु द्विजन्मनाम् ।।३।। दत्त्वा श्रमापहं दिव्यं पर्यंकं मनुजेश्वर ।। न जातु सीदते लोके जन्ममृत्युजरादिभिः।।४।। गृहीत्वा ब्राह्मणो यत्र शेते चाजीवमास्थितः ।। आसीने सकलं पापं ज्ञानतोऽज्ञानतः कृतम् ।। ५ ।। विलयं याति राजेंद्र कर्पूर इव चाग्निना ।। शयने ब्रह्मनिर्वाणं स नरो याति निश्चितम् ।। ६ ।। यो दद्यात्कशिपुं मासे वैशाखे स्नानवल्लभे ।। सर्वभोगसमायुक्तस्तस्मिन्नेव हि जन्मनि ।। ७ ।। सान्वयो वर्तते नूनं रोगादिभिरनाहतः ।। आयुष्यं परमारोग्यं यशो धैर्यं च विंदति ।। ८ ।। नाधार्मिकः कुले तस्य जायते शतपौरुषम् ।। भुक्त्वा तु सकलान्भोगांस्ततः पञ्चत्वमेष्यति ।। ९ ।। निर्धूताखिलपापस्तु ब्रह्मनिर्वाणमृच्छति ।। श्रो त्रियाय द्विजेंद्राय यो दद्यादुपबर्हणम् ।। 2.7.3.१० ।। सुखं निद्रा विना येन न नृणां जायते क्वचित् ।। सर्वेषामाश्रयो भूत्वा भुवि साम्राज्यमश्नुते ।। ११ ।। पुनः सुखी पुनर्भोगी पुनर्धर्मपरायणः ।। आसप्तजन्म राजेंद्र जायते सर्वतो जयी ।। १२ ।। पश्चात्सप्तकुलैर्युक्तो ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते ।। तार्णं कटं तु यो दद्यात्कटमन्यदथापि वा ।। १३ ।। तत्र शेते स्वयं विष्णुर्यत्रस्थः परमेश्वरः ।। यथा जलगता चोर्णा न जलैर्भिद्यते क्वचित् ।। १४ ।। तथा संसारगो जन्तुः संसारे न च बध्यते ।। आसने शयने सक्तः कटदः सर्वतः सुखी ।। १५ ।। प्रश्रये शयनार्थाय यो दद्यात्कटकंबलम् ।। तावन्मात्रेण मुक्तः स्यान्नात्र कार्या विचारणा ।। १६ ।। निद्रया हीयते दुःखं निद्रया हीयते श्रमः ।। सा निद्रा कटसंस्थस्य सुखं संजायते धुवम् ।। १७ ।। यो दयात्कंबलं राजन्वैशाखे माधवाऽऽगमे ।। अपमृत्योः कालमृत्योर्मुक्तो जीवति वै शतम् ।। १८ ।। दद्याद्वस्त्रं सूक्ष्मतरं द्विजेंद्रे घर्मकर्शिते ।। पूर्णमायुः समाप्नोति परत्र च परां गतिम् ।। १९ ।। अतस्तापहरं दिव्यं कर्पूरं तु द्विजातये ।। दत्त्वा मोक्षमवाप्नोति दुःखशांतिं च विंदति ।। 2.7.3.२० ।। कुसुमानि च यो दद्यात्कुकुमं च द्विजातये ।। सार्वभौमो भवेद्राजा सर्वलोकवशंकरः ।। २१ ।। पुत्रपौत्रादिभोगांश्च भुक्त्वा मोक्षमवाप्नुयात् ।। त्वगस्थिगतसंतापं सद्यो हरति चन्दनम् ।। २२ ।। तापत्रयविनिर्मुक्तस्तद्दत्त्वा मोक्षमाप्नुयात् ।। औशीरं चाषकं कौशं यो दद्याज्जलवासितम् ।। २३ ।। सर्वभोगेषु राजेंद्र स तु देवसहायवान् ।। पापहानिं दुःखहानिं प्राप्य निर्वृतिमाप्नुयात् ।। २४ ।। गोरोचं मृगनाभिं च दद्याद्वैशाखधर्मवित् ।। तापत्रयविनिर्मुक्तः परं निर्वाणमृच्छति ।। २५ ।। तांबूलं च सकर्पूरं यो दद्यान्मेषगे रवौ ।। सार्वभौमसुखं भुक्त्वा परं निर्वाणमृच्छति ।। २६ ।। शतपत्रीं च यूथीं च मेषमासे ददन्नरः ।। स सार्वभौमो भवति पश्चान्मोक्षं च विंदति ।।२७।। केतकीं मल्लिकां वाऽपि यो दद्यान्माधवाऽऽगमे ।। स तु मोक्षमवाप्नोति मधुशासनशासनात् ।। २८ ।। पूगीफलं तु यो दद्यात्सुगन्धं तु द्विजातये ।। नारिकेलफलं राजंस्तस्य पुण्यफलं शृणु ।। ।। २९ ।। सप्त जन्म भवेद्विप्रो धनाढ्यो वेदपारगः ।। पश्चात्सप्तकुलैर्युक्तो विष्णुलोकं स गच्छति ।। 2.7.3.३० ।। विश्राममण्डपं यस्तु कृत्वा दद्याद्द्विजन्मने ।। तस्य पुण्यफलं वक्तुं नाहं शक्नोमि भूपते ।। ३१ ।। सुच्छायामण्डपं यस्तु सिकताऽऽकीर्णमञ्जसा ।। सप्रपं कारयेद्यस्तु स तु लोकाधिपो भवेत् ।। ३२ ।। मार्गोद्यानं तडागं वा कूपं मण्डपमेव च।। यः करोति स धर्मात्मा तस्य पुत्रैस्तु किं फलम् ।। ३३ ।। कूपस्तडागमुद्यानं मण्डपं च प्रपा तथा ।। सद्धर्मकरणं पुत्रः संतानं सप्तधोच्यते ।। ३४ ।। एतेष्वन्यतमाभावे नोर्ध्वं गच्छंति मानवाः ।। सच्छास्त्र श्रवणं तीर्थयात्रा सजनसंगतिः ।। ३५ ।। जलदानं चान्नदानमश्वत्थारोपणं तथा ।। पुत्रश्चेति च संतानं सप्तेमेऽतिविदो विदुः ।। ३६ ।। नासंततिर्लभेल्लोकान्कृत्वा धर्मशतान्यपि ।। तस्मात्संतानमन्विच्छेत्संतानेष्वेकतो व्रजेत् ।। ३७ ।। पशूनां पक्षिणां चैव मृगाणां चैव भूरुहाम् ।। नोर्ध्वलोकं सुखं याति मनुष्याणां तु का कथा ।। ३८ ।। पूगीफलसमायुक्तं नागवल्लीदलैर्युतम् ।। कपूरागुरुसंयुक्तं ददत्तांबूलमुत्तमम् ।। ३९ ।। शारीरैः सकलैः पापैर्मुच्यते नात्र संशयः ।। तांबूलदो यशो धैर्यं श्रियमाप्नोति निश्चितम् ।। 2.7.3.४० ।। रोगी दत्त्वा विरोगः स्यादरोगी मोक्षमाप्नुयात् ।। वैशाखे मासि यो दद्यात्तक्रं तापविनाशनम् ।। ४१ ।। विद्यावान्धनवान्भूमौ जायते नात्र संशयः ।। न तक्रसदृशं दानं घर्मकालेषु विद्यते ।। ४२ ।। तस्मात्तक्रं प्रदातव्यमध्वश्रांतद्विजातये ।। जंबीरसुरसोपेतं लसल्लवणमिश्रितम्।।४३।। यस्तक्रमरुचिघ्नं तु दत्त्वा मोक्षमवाप्नुयात् ।। यो दद्याद्दधिखंडं तु वैशाखे घर्मशांतये ।। ४४ ।। तस्य पुण्यफलं वक्तुं नाहं शक्नोमि भूमिप ।। यो दद्यात्तंडुलान्दिव्यान्मधुसूदनवल्लभे ।। ४५ ।। स लभेत्पूर्णमायुष्यं सर्वयज्ञफलं लभेत् ।। यो घृतं तेजसो रूपं गव्यं दद्याद्द्विजातये ।। सोऽश्वमेधफलं प्राप्य मोदते विष्णुमंदिरे ।। ४६ ।। उर्वारुगुडसंमिश्रं वैशाखे मेषगे रवौ ।। सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तः श्वेतद्वीपे वसेद्ध्रुवम् ।। ४७ ।। यश्चेक्षुदंडं सायाह्ने दिवा तापोपशान्तये ।। ब्राह्मणाय च यो दद्यात्तस्य पुण्यमनंतकम् ।। ४८ ।। वैशाखे पानकं दत्त्वा सायाह्ने श्रमशान्तये ।। सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो विष्णोः सायुज्यमाप्नुयात् ।।४९।। सफलं पानकं मेषमासे सायं द्विजातये ।। दद्यात्तेन पितॄणां तु सुधापानं न संशयः।।2.7.3.५०।। वैशाखे पानकं चूतसुपक्वफलसंयुतम् ।। तस्य सर्वाणि पापानि विनाशं यांति निश्चितम् ।। ५१ ।। यो दद्याच्चैत्रदर्शे तु कुम्भं पूर्णं तु पानकैः ।। गयाश्राद्धशतं तेन कृतमेव न संशयः ।। ५२ ।। कस्तूरी कर्पुरोपेतं मल्लिकोशीरसंयुतम् ।। कलशं पानकैः पूर्णं चैत्रदर्शे तु मानवः ।। दद्यात्पितॄन्समुद्दिश्य स षण्णवतिदो भवेत् ।। ५३ ।। इति श्रीस्कांदे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां द्वितीये वैष्णवखण्डे वैशाखमासमाहात्म्ये नारदाम्बरीषसंवादे दाननिरूपणंनाम तृतीयोऽध्यायः ।। ३ ।। ।। छ ।।

|| nārada uvāca || || yo martyo dvijavaryāya paryaṃkaṃ tu dadāti hi || yatra svasthaḥ sukhaṃ śete śītānilaniṣevitaḥ || 1 || dharmasādhanabhūte hi dehe nairujyamāpnute || taṃ dattvā sakalaṃ tāpaṃ nirasya gatakalmaṣaḥ || 2 || akhaṇḍapadavīṃ yāti yogināmapi durlabhām || vaiśākhe gharmataptānāṃ śrāntānāṃ tu dvijanmanām ||3|| dattvā śramāpahaṃ divyaṃ paryaṃkaṃ manujeśvara || na jātu sīdate loke janmamṛtyujarādibhiḥ||4|| gṛhītvā brāhmaṇo yatra śete cājīvamāsthitaḥ || āsīne sakalaṃ pāpaṃ jñānato'jñānataḥ kṛtam || 5 || vilayaṃ yāti rājeṃdra karpūra iva cāgninā || śayane brahmanirvāṇaṃ sa naro yāti niścitam || 6 || yo dadyātkaśipuṃ māse vaiśākhe snānavallabhe || sarvabhogasamāyuktastasminneva hi janmani || 7 || sānvayo vartate nūnaṃ rogādibhiranāhataḥ || āyuṣyaṃ paramārogyaṃ yaśo dhairyaṃ ca viṃdati || 8 || nādhārmikaḥ kule tasya jāyate śatapauruṣam || bhuktvā tu sakalānbhogāṃstataḥ pañcatvameṣyati || 9 || nirdhūtākhilapāpastu brahmanirvāṇamṛcchati || śro triyāya dvijeṃdrāya yo dadyādupabarhaṇam || 2.7.3.10 || sukhaṃ nidrā vinā yena na nṛṇāṃ jāyate kvacit || sarveṣāmāśrayo bhūtvā bhuvi sāmrājyamaśnute || 11 || punaḥ sukhī punarbhogī punardharmaparāyaṇaḥ || āsaptajanma rājeṃdra jāyate sarvato jayī || 12 || paścātsaptakulairyukto brahmabhūyāya kalpate || tārṇaṃ kaṭaṃ tu yo dadyātkaṭamanyadathāpi vā || 13 || tatra śete svayaṃ viṣṇuryatrasthaḥ parameśvaraḥ || yathā jalagatā corṇā na jalairbhidyate kvacit || 14 || tathā saṃsārago jantuḥ saṃsāre na ca badhyate || āsane śayane saktaḥ kaṭadaḥ sarvataḥ sukhī || 15 || praśraye śayanārthāya yo dadyātkaṭakaṃbalam || tāvanmātreṇa muktaḥ syānnātra kāryā vicāraṇā || 16 || nidrayā hīyate duḥkhaṃ nidrayā hīyate śramaḥ || sā nidrā kaṭasaṃsthasya sukhaṃ saṃjāyate dhuvam || 17 || yo dayātkaṃbalaṃ rājanvaiśākhe mādhavā''game || apamṛtyoḥ kālamṛtyormukto jīvati vai śatam || 18 || dadyādvastraṃ sūkṣmataraṃ dvijeṃdre gharmakarśite || pūrṇamāyuḥ samāpnoti paratra ca parāṃ gatim || 19 || atastāpaharaṃ divyaṃ karpūraṃ tu dvijātaye || dattvā mokṣamavāpnoti duḥkhaśāṃtiṃ ca viṃdati || 2.7.3.20 || kusumāni ca yo dadyātkukumaṃ ca dvijātaye || sārvabhaumo bhavedrājā sarvalokavaśaṃkaraḥ || 21 || putrapautrādibhogāṃśca bhuktvā mokṣamavāpnuyāt || tvagasthigatasaṃtāpaṃ sadyo harati candanam || 22 || tāpatrayavinirmuktastaddattvā mokṣamāpnuyāt || auśīraṃ cāṣakaṃ kauśaṃ yo dadyājjalavāsitam || 23 || sarvabhogeṣu rājeṃdra sa tu devasahāyavān || pāpahāniṃ duḥkhahāniṃ prāpya nirvṛtimāpnuyāt || 24 || gorocaṃ mṛganābhiṃ ca dadyādvaiśākhadharmavit || tāpatrayavinirmuktaḥ paraṃ nirvāṇamṛcchati || 25 || tāṃbūlaṃ ca sakarpūraṃ yo dadyānmeṣage ravau || sārvabhaumasukhaṃ bhuktvā paraṃ nirvāṇamṛcchati || 26 || śatapatrīṃ ca yūthīṃ ca meṣamāse dadannaraḥ || sa sārvabhaumo bhavati paścānmokṣaṃ ca viṃdati ||27|| ketakīṃ mallikāṃ vā'pi yo dadyānmādhavā''game || sa tu mokṣamavāpnoti madhuśāsanaśāsanāt || 28 || pūgīphalaṃ tu yo dadyātsugandhaṃ tu dvijātaye || nārikelaphalaṃ rājaṃstasya puṇyaphalaṃ śṛṇu || || 29 || sapta janma bhavedvipro dhanāḍhyo vedapāragaḥ || paścātsaptakulairyukto viṣṇulokaṃ sa gacchati || 2.7.3.30 || viśrāmamaṇḍapaṃ yastu kṛtvā dadyāddvijanmane || tasya puṇyaphalaṃ vaktuṃ nāhaṃ śaknomi bhūpate || 31 || succhāyāmaṇḍapaṃ yastu sikatā''kīrṇamañjasā || saprapaṃ kārayedyastu sa tu lokādhipo bhavet || 32 || mārgodyānaṃ taḍāgaṃ vā kūpaṃ maṇḍapameva ca|| yaḥ karoti sa dharmātmā tasya putraistu kiṃ phalam || 33 || kūpastaḍāgamudyānaṃ maṇḍapaṃ ca prapā tathā || saddharmakaraṇaṃ putraḥ saṃtānaṃ saptadhocyate || 34 || eteṣvanyatamābhāve nordhvaṃ gacchaṃti mānavāḥ || sacchāstra śravaṇaṃ tīrthayātrā sajanasaṃgatiḥ || 35 || jaladānaṃ cānnadānamaśvatthāropaṇaṃ tathā || putraśceti ca saṃtānaṃ sapteme'tivido viduḥ || 36 || nāsaṃtatirlabhellokānkṛtvā dharmaśatānyapi || tasmātsaṃtānamanvicchetsaṃtāneṣvekato vrajet || 37 || paśūnāṃ pakṣiṇāṃ caiva mṛgāṇāṃ caiva bhūruhām || nordhvalokaṃ sukhaṃ yāti manuṣyāṇāṃ tu kā kathā || 38 || pūgīphalasamāyuktaṃ nāgavallīdalairyutam || kapūrāgurusaṃyuktaṃ dadattāṃbūlamuttamam || 39 || śārīraiḥ sakalaiḥ pāpairmucyate nātra saṃśayaḥ || tāṃbūlado yaśo dhairyaṃ śriyamāpnoti niścitam || 2.7.3.40 || rogī dattvā virogaḥ syādarogī mokṣamāpnuyāt || vaiśākhe māsi yo dadyāttakraṃ tāpavināśanam || 41 || vidyāvāndhanavānbhūmau jāyate nātra saṃśayaḥ || na takrasadṛśaṃ dānaṃ gharmakāleṣu vidyate || 42 || tasmāttakraṃ pradātavyamadhvaśrāṃtadvijātaye || jaṃbīrasurasopetaṃ lasallavaṇamiśritam||43|| yastakramarucighnaṃ tu dattvā mokṣamavāpnuyāt || yo dadyāddadhikhaṃḍaṃ tu vaiśākhe gharmaśāṃtaye || 44 || tasya puṇyaphalaṃ vaktuṃ nāhaṃ śaknomi bhūmipa || yo dadyāttaṃḍulāndivyānmadhusūdanavallabhe || 45 || sa labhetpūrṇamāyuṣyaṃ sarvayajñaphalaṃ labhet || yo ghṛtaṃ tejaso rūpaṃ gavyaṃ dadyāddvijātaye || so'śvamedhaphalaṃ prāpya modate viṣṇumaṃdire || 46 || urvāruguḍasaṃmiśraṃ vaiśākhe meṣage ravau || sarvapāpavinirmuktaḥ śvetadvīpe vaseddhruvam || 47 || yaścekṣudaṃḍaṃ sāyāhne divā tāpopaśāntaye || brāhmaṇāya ca yo dadyāttasya puṇyamanaṃtakam || 48 || vaiśākhe pānakaṃ dattvā sāyāhne śramaśāntaye || sarvapāpavinirmukto viṣṇoḥ sāyujyamāpnuyāt ||49|| saphalaṃ pānakaṃ meṣamāse sāyaṃ dvijātaye || dadyāttena pitṝṇāṃ tu sudhāpānaṃ na saṃśayaḥ||2.7.3.50|| vaiśākhe pānakaṃ cūtasupakvaphalasaṃyutam || tasya sarvāṇi pāpāni vināśaṃ yāṃti niścitam || 51 || yo dadyāccaitradarśe tu kumbhaṃ pūrṇaṃ tu pānakaiḥ || gayāśrāddhaśataṃ tena kṛtameva na saṃśayaḥ || 52 || kastūrī karpuropetaṃ mallikośīrasaṃyutam || kalaśaṃ pānakaiḥ pūrṇaṃ caitradarśe tu mānavaḥ || dadyātpitṝnsamuddiśya sa ṣaṇṇavatido bhavet || 53 || iti śrīskāṃde mahāpurāṇa ekāśītisāhasryāṃ saṃhitāyāṃ dvitīye vaiṣṇavakhaṇḍe vaiśākhamāsamāhātmye nāradāmbarīṣasaṃvāde dānanirūpaṇaṃnāma tṛtīyo'dhyāyaḥ || 3 || || cha ||

English translation

Note: The last chapter discussed the meritorious nature of charitable gifts of food, water, shelter and other amenities which relieve the oppressive heat of Vaiśākha . This chapter describes the importance of the gift of a cot, bedstead (vv 1-13a), mats, blankets (vv 13b-18) and other things helping to minimise the heat-effects of Vaiśākha.

Nārada said :

1-6. If a person gives a cot to an excellent Brāhmaṇa where he lies (can lie) down happily and comfortably enjoying the cool breeze, that person attains freedom from all ailments in his body that is a means to achieve Dharma .

By giving it he gets rid of all distress and becomes free from sins. He attains the state of unbroken (bliss) which is very difficult, for even Yogins to attain.

After giving very excellent cot that dispels weariness, to the Brāhmaṇas tired and distressed due to the heat (of the sun) in the month of Vaiśākha, O lord of men, one never languishes in the world on account of births, deaths, old age etc.

If a Brāhmaṇa accepts a cot and lies down on it all through his life, all the sins (of the donor) whether committed knowingly or unknowingly perish, O great king, like camphor in contact with fire. That man certainly attains absorption in Brahman if the Brāhmaṇa lies on it.

7-10a. If a person gives food and clothing in the month of Vaiśākha (in) which Hari likes the holy bath, that person will be endowed with all kinds of worldly pleasures in that very birth. Along with his family he certainly remains unafflicted with ailments etc. He obtains longevity, very sound health, fame and fortitude. Till a hundred generations are over, no unrighteous person is born in his family. He will die only after enjoying all worldly pleasures. After getting rid of all sins, he attains salvation.

10b-13a. If a person gives to a prominent Brāhmaṇa well-versed in the Vedas , a pillow without which no man can sleep happily anywhere, he shall enjoy a kingdom on the earth after becoming the supporter of all. Again and again he will enjoy all pleasures and will be devoted to virtue. For seven births, O great king, he will be all-conqueror. Thereafter, he becomes competent to go to the world of Brahmā accompanied by the members of his family up to seven generations.

13b-15. If a person gives a grass-mat or any other kind of mat, Viṣṇu himself shall lie down there. Parameśvara will stay there. Just as wool soaked in water is not broken or ruffled by the water, so also that person living in the mundane world is not bound to the worldly existence. The person who gives a mat is in every respect happy while engaged in sitting or lying down on it (?).

16. If a person offers shelter (like a caravanserai) and gives a mat and a blanket for the purpose of lying down, he shall become liberated by that much alone. No doubt need be entertained in this respect.

17. Misery is dispelled by means of sleep. Fatigue is dispelled by means of sleep. The sleep of a person lying on a mat becomes sound and happy surely.

18. O king, he who gives a blanket in the month of Vaiśākha at the advent of the spring season shall become free from premature or accidental death. He will live for a hundred (years).

19. He who gives clothes of fine texture to a good Brāhmaṇa afflicted with heat, shall attain full span of life and the highest goal hereafter.

20. By giving excellent camphor that dispels internal heat, to a Brāhmaṇa, one attains salvation. His miseries are all over.

21. He who gives flowers and saffron to a Brāhmaṇa, shall become an emperor, a ruler who will win over all the peoples.

22-24a. He shall enjoy all worldly pleasures with sons, grandsons etc. and shall attain salvation.

Sandalpaste dispels instantaneously heat and distress of skin and bones. By giving it (sandal-paste) one shall be free from the threefold distress and shall attain salvation.

He who gives the different kinds of unguents, viz. Auśīra [1] , Cāṣaka (?) and Kauśa (?) rendered fragrant by the addition of water, shall have the assistance of Devas , O great king, in (the enjoyment of) worldly pleasures.

24b-25. His sins will be destroyed and miseries will disappear. He shall attain the supreme bliss of salvation. If the devotee conversant with the religious duties in the month of Vaiśākha gives Goroca (yellow orpiment) and musk, he shall be rid of the threefold distress. He shall attain the greatest bliss of salvation.

26. He who gives betel leaves with camphor when the Sun is in Aries, shall share the happiness of an emperor and then attain the highest bliss of salvation.

27. A man who gives blue lotus and jasmine in the month of Meṣa becomes an emperor. Afterwards he attains salvation.

28. He who gives Ketakī or Mallikā at the time of the advent of vernal season shall attain salvation at the behest of the Slayer of Madhu .

29. Listen to the fruit or reward enjoyed by that person, O king, who does the good work of giving arecanuts, coconuts and sweet scents to a Brāhmaṇa.

30. For seven births he shall be a Brāhmaṇa endowed with wealth. He shall be a master of the Vedas. Afterwards, accompanied by seven generations of his family, he shall go to the world of Viṣṇu.

31. O king, I am unable to recount the fruit enjoyed by that person who erects a pavilion for rest and recreation and gives it to a Brāhmaṇa.

32. He who makes a pavilion with good shade, with sand scattered properly and endued with a Prapā (shed for free supply of water) shall become ruler of the world.

33. He who makes parks along the highways, digs lakes and wells, and erects pavilion, is a righteous-souled one. Of what use are sons to him?

34-36. Santāna (progeny) is proclaimed to be of seven types: a well, a lake, a park, a pavilion, Prapā , performing holy rites and a son. If at least one of these is not present, men do not go up (to heaven).

Excellent men conversant with everything know that these seven are to be known as Santāna (progeny): listening to good holy texts, pilgrimage to Tīrthas , association with good people, gift of water, gift of cooked food, planting the seedlings of Aśvattha (holy fig tree) and a son.

37. One without Santāna cannot attain higher worlds, though he may perform hundreds of holy rites. Hence one shall seek Santāna . He should go in for one among the Santānas .

38-40. None among animals, birds, deer and trees goes easily to the higher world. How can we expect it from human beings!

If one gives excellent betel leaves along with arecanuts, camphor and agallochum, one is liberated from all bodily sins. There is no doubt about it. The person who gives Tāṃbūla (collection of all the above) certainly obtains fame, courage and glory.

41-46. If a sick man gives it, he shall be free from illness. A healthy man who gives it shall attain salvation.

He who gives buttermilk that is destructive of heat and distress in the month of Vaiśākha, becomes learned and wealthy on the earth.

There is no other gift on a par with that of buttermilk in summer season. Hence buttermilk should be given to a Brāhmaṇa weary on the way.

He who gives buttermilk mixed with the excellent juice of Jaṃbīra (citron fruit) and fine salt which removes loss of appetite, shall attain salvation.

O king, I am not capable of recounting the fruit enjoyed by that person who gives curds in the month of Vaiśākha for quelling heat.

He who gives excellent rice (in the month of Vaiśākha) that is a favourite of Viṣṇu, shall obtain full span of life. He shall obtain the fruit of all Yajñas .

He who gives ghee from cow’s milk which is a form of Tejas (fire element), to a Brāhmaṇa, obtains the fruit of a horse-sacrifice and rejoices in the world of Viṣṇu.

47. (He who gives) a mixture of tender cucumber and jaggery in the month of Vaiśākha when the Sun is in Aries, shall be rid of all sins and certainly live in Śvetadvīpa .

48. Infinite is the merit of that person who gives a Brāhmaṇa a sugarcane stump in the evening or during the day, for the sake of cessation (cooling) of heat and distress.

49. By giving Pānaka (mixture of water and treacle) in the evening in the month of Vaiśākha for alleviating fatigue, one shall be rid of all sins. He shall obtain Sāyujya with Viṣṇu.

50. One should give Pānaka along with fruits in the evening in the month of Meṣa to a Brāhmaṇa. Thereby the Pitṛs shall have a drink of nectar undoubtedly.

51. If anyone gives Pānaka mixed with fully ripe mango fruits in the month of Vaiśākha, all his sins shall certainly perish.

52. If anyone gives a (big) pot full of Pānaka juice on the new-moon day in the month of Caitra , undoubtedly a hundred Gayāśrāddhas have been performed by him.

53. On the new-moon day in the month of Caitra, a man should give on behalf of the manes, a potful of Pānaka mixed with musk, camphor, jasmine and the fragrant root of the plant Andropogon muricatus . It is as good as offering ninety-six Śrāddhas .

[1]: [1] : Prepared from the roots of Andropogon muricatus .

Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 14515, revision 71540 (2016-06-21T03:13:58Z). English is G. V. Tagare’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-skanda-purana/d/doc371705.html and the archival publication witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.