Veṅkaṭācala-māhātmya · Chapter 29
Source।। ऋषय ऊचुः ।। ।। तीर्थानामिह सर्वेषां प्रभावः कथितस्त्वया ।। नदीनां पर्वतानां च क्षेत्राणां सरसामपि ।। १ ।। निदेशात्पद्मगर्भस्य सुवर्णमुखरी नदी ।। नीता भुवमगस्त्येन व्याख्याता भवतानघ ।। २ ।। तदुत्पत्तिप्रभावं च तीर्थौघांस्तत्समाश्रयान् ।। श्रोतुं संप्रीतिरुत्पन्ना तन्नो वक्तुं त्वमर्हसि ।। ३ ।। प्रणम्य शम्भुं नन्दीशं षडास्यं व्यासमेव च ।। मुनिभिः प्रार्थितः सूतस्तदा वक्तुं प्रचक्रमे ।। ४ ।। ।। श्रीसूत उवाच ।। ।। साधु पृष्टं महाभाग भवद्भिर्मंगलावहम् ।। आख्यानमेतदाम्नाय श्रवणोद्भूतसिद्धिदम् ।। ५ ।। शृणुतावहिता दिव्यां कथां कल्मषनाशिनीम् ।। भरद्वाजेन कथितां पार्थाय कथयामि वः ।। ६ ।। अवाप्य द्रुपदात्प्राज्ञाद्याज्ञसेनीं पृथासुताः ।। धृतराष्ट्रनिदेशेन जग्मुः करिपुरं शुभम् ।। ७ ।। भीष्मेण चांबिकेयेन तत्र संमानितास्तदा ।। दुर्योधनादिभिः सार्द्धं न्यवसन्पञ्चवत्सरान् ।। ८ ।। ततोऽनुशिष्टो भीष्माद्यैर्धृतराष्ट्रो महायशाः ।। सर्वेषां कुलवृद्धानां वासुदेवस्य चाग्रतः ।। ९ ।। प्रददौ पांडुपुत्रेभ्यस्तत्सेवाहृष्टमानसः ।। सार्धराज्यं पुरवरं खाण्डवप्रस्थसंज्ञिकम् ।। 2.1.29.१० ।। आमंत्र्य पाण्डुतनया धृतराष्ट्रादिकान्कुरून् ।। जग्मुस्तत्खाण्डवप्रस्थं पुरं कृष्णसमन्विताः । ११ ।। इन्द्रप्रस्थाह्वये तत्र रक्षिते विश्वकर्मणा ।। वसन्पुरेऽशिषत्पृथ्वीं सानुजो धर्मनंदनः ।।१२।। गते कृष्णे निजपुरं नारदस्यानुशासनात्।। प्रतिज्ञां चक्रिरे पार्था धर्मज्ञा द्रौपदीं प्रति ।। १३ ।। ।। अथार्जुनतीर्थयात्रोपोद्धातः ।। ।। यथाक्रमेण सा कृष्णा वर्षमेकैकमादरात् ।। एकैकस्य गृहे तिष्ठेत्प्रतिनिर्णयपूर्वकम् ।। १४ ।। यः पश्येत्तां परगृहे स्थितां पांचालनंदिनीम् ।। तेनैकहायनमितं विधेयं तीर्थसेवनम् ।। १५ ।। एवं कृतप्रतिज्ञास्ते पाण्डुभूपालनंदनाः ।। व्यापारैर्लोंकसामान्यैर्निन्युः कालमतंद्रिताः ।। १६ ।। अथ जानपदो विप्रो राजगेहांगणे स्थितः ।। चुक्रोश बहुधा धेनुर्हृता मे तस्करैरिति ।। १७ ।। समाश्वास्य च तं विप्रं प्रविवेश धनंजयः ।। आयुधानि समानेतुं त्वरया शस्त्रमंदिरम् ।। १८ ।। तत्रापश्यत्समासीनौ पांचालीधर्मनन्दनौ ।। जानन्नपि प्रतिज्ञां स धनुर्जग्राह सेषुधि ।। १९ ।। स गत्वा तस्करानाजौ निहत्य नृपनन्दनः ।। निवर्त्य धेनुं तां तस्मै ददौ विप्राय सादरम् ।। 2.1.29.२० ।। अथ विज्ञापयामास फाल्गुनो धर्मनन्दनम् ।। तीर्थयात्रा मया कार्या समयोल्लंघनादिति ।। २१ ।। अनुजस्य वचः श्रुत्वा सर्वधर्मविदां वरः ।। उवाच वचनं धीरः सादरं धर्मनंदनः ।। २२ ।। ।। युधिष्ठिर उवाच ।। ।। गवार्थं ब्राह्मणार्थं च यद्वदेदनृतं वचः ।। यदाचरेदसत्कर्म तत्सत्यं तत्समंजसम् ।। २३ ।। ब्राह्मणार्थं गवार्थं च त्वया कर्मेदृशं कृतम् ।। तदसद्भावमाप्नोति कथं कथय सुव्रत ।। २४ ।। प्रजापालनकृत्यस्य चोरोपेक्षणशिक्षणैः ।। नूनं फलं भवेद्राज्ञो ब्रह्महत्याश्वमेधजम् ।। २५ ।। असाध्यान्वैरिणो ज्ञात्वाऽप्यवनीशो न भद्रभाक् ।। स्वदेशोपप्लवकरास्तस्करा यद्यशिक्षिताः ।। २६ ।। अस्माकं भूभुजां लोकजालस्य च हितं हि यत् ।। त्वयेदृशं कृतं कर्म नास्ति दोषो ह्यतस्तव ।। २७ ।। ।। श्रीसूत उवाच ।। ।। धर्मपुत्रस्य वचनमाकर्ण्य रचितांजलिः ।। पुनर्विज्ञापयामास धर्मनित्यो धनंजयः ।।।। २८ ।। ।। अर्जुन उवाच ।। ।। मैवं भूपाल वादीस्त्वं स्वप्रतिज्ञातिलंघनम् ।। जानता धर्मसर्वस्वमुल्लसद्धर्ममूर्तिना ।। २९ ।। कृत्याकृत्यविदा दक्षेणात्मना प्राक्समीरिता ।। नोल्लंघनीया सततं प्रतिज्ञा पुरुषेण हि ।। 2.1.29.३० ।। अशक्तानां गतिः सेयं यद्बंधुगुरुवाक्यतः ।। धर्मं त्यजंति समयं त्यक्ताः प्राक्स्वं समीरितम् ।। ३१ ।। कृपया तीर्थगमनादार्यो यदि निवर्तयेत् ।। हतप्रतिज्ञं मां लोकाञ्जल्पतः को निवारयेत् ।। ३२ ।। ममापि तीर्थयात्रायां कौतुकोत्तरलं मनः ।। कर्तव्यं च स्मृतं राजन्नारदादिष्टशासनम् ।। ३३ ।। तत्प्रसीद महाराज यत्तीर्थगमनोद्यमे ।। संमाननीयः प्रभुभिः समयो ह्यनुजीविनाम् ।। ३४ ।। तथेति भ्रातृभिः सार्द्धं कृतानुमतिरर्जुनः ।। अग्रजं तोषयामास प्रणामप्रश्रयादिभिः ।। ३५ ।। यथार्हं भीमसेनादीन्भ्रातॄनामन्त्र्य पाण्डवः ।। कृतस्वस्त्ययनो भव्यैर्निर्ययौ धरणीसुरैः ।। ३६ ।। पौराणिका ज्यौतिषिका भिषजो धरणीसुराः ।। अनुजग्मुर्भृत्यगणाः शिल्पिनः सूतमागधाः ।। ३७ ।। युधिष्ठिराज्ञया तस्य भोगत्यागक्षमं धनम् ।। गृहीत्वानुययुः स्निग्धाः सभ्याः कोशाधिकारिणः ।। ३८ ।। ।। अथ अर्जुनस्य गंगादितीर्थावगाहनपूर्वक सुवर्णमुखर्यागमनम् ।। ।। स राजपुत्रः प्रथमं प्राप्य भागीरथीं नदीम् ।। गंगाद्वारं प्रयागं च सिषेवे काशिकामपि ।। ३९ ।। पश्यंस्तीर्थानि जाह्नव्यास्तत्तीरोपान्तवर्त्मना ।। आससाद समुत्तुङ्गकल्लोलं दक्षिणोदधिम् ।। 2.1.29.४० ।। महानदीं महापुण्यां प्रसिद्धं पुरुषोत्तमम् ।। सिंहाचलं च संवीक्ष्य प्राप्तवान्कृतकृत्यताम् ।। ४१ ।। ततो ददर्श कौन्तेयः पुण्यां गोदावरीं नदीम् ।। समस्तदुरितव्रातशातनोत्तीर्णगौरवाम् ।। ४२ ।। कृताभिषेकस्तत्तोयैर्विधिवत्पाण्डुनन्दनः ।। प्रमोदं विविधैर्दानैरकरोद्भूसुवर्णकैः ।। ४३ ।। नदीं मलापहाख्यां च दृष्ट्वा मोदं ययौ शुभम् ।। ततः समाससादासौ कृष्णवेणीं सरिद्वराम् ।। ४४ ।। शिवस्य नियतावासं चतुर्द्वारसमन्वितम् ।। नानातीर्थगणाकीर्णं श्रीपर्वतमवैक्षत ।। ४५ ।। नदीं पिनाकिनीं तीर्त्वा गत्वा देवर्षिसेवितम् ।। नारायणप्रियावासमपश्यद्वेंकटाचलम् ।। ४६ ।। शृङ्गेऽस्य भूभृतस्तुंगे स्थितं लोकैकनायकम् ।। अपूजयद्धरिं भक्त्या प्रसिद्धं शुभसिद्धये ।। ४७ ।। अवरुह्य वेंकटमहाद्रिशृङ्गतः स ददर्श सिद्धमुनिसंघसेविताम् ।। कलशोद्भवेन मुनिना समाहृतां तटिनीं सुवर्णमुखरीसमाह्वयाम् ।। ४८ ।। इति श्रीस्कांदे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां द्वितीये वैष्णवखण्डे श्रीवेंकटाचलमाहात्म्ये सुवर्णमुखरीमाहात्म्ये अर्जुनतीर्थयात्रागमनवर्णनंनामैकोनत्रिंशोऽध्यायः ।। २९ ।।
|| ṛṣaya ūcuḥ || || tīrthānāmiha sarveṣāṃ prabhāvaḥ kathitastvayā || nadīnāṃ parvatānāṃ ca kṣetrāṇāṃ sarasāmapi || 1 || nideśātpadmagarbhasya suvarṇamukharī nadī || nītā bhuvamagastyena vyākhyātā bhavatānagha || 2 || tadutpattiprabhāvaṃ ca tīrthaughāṃstatsamāśrayān || śrotuṃ saṃprītirutpannā tanno vaktuṃ tvamarhasi || 3 || praṇamya śambhuṃ nandīśaṃ ṣaḍāsyaṃ vyāsameva ca || munibhiḥ prārthitaḥ sūtastadā vaktuṃ pracakrame || 4 || || śrīsūta uvāca || || sādhu pṛṣṭaṃ mahābhāga bhavadbhirmaṃgalāvaham || ākhyānametadāmnāya śravaṇodbhūtasiddhidam || 5 || śṛṇutāvahitā divyāṃ kathāṃ kalmaṣanāśinīm || bharadvājena kathitāṃ pārthāya kathayāmi vaḥ || 6 || avāpya drupadātprājñādyājñasenīṃ pṛthāsutāḥ || dhṛtarāṣṭranideśena jagmuḥ karipuraṃ śubham || 7 || bhīṣmeṇa cāṃbikeyena tatra saṃmānitāstadā || duryodhanādibhiḥ sārddhaṃ nyavasanpañcavatsarān || 8 || tato'nuśiṣṭo bhīṣmādyairdhṛtarāṣṭro mahāyaśāḥ || sarveṣāṃ kulavṛddhānāṃ vāsudevasya cāgrataḥ || 9 || pradadau pāṃḍuputrebhyastatsevāhṛṣṭamānasaḥ || sārdharājyaṃ puravaraṃ khāṇḍavaprasthasaṃjñikam || 2.1.29.10 || āmaṃtrya pāṇḍutanayā dhṛtarāṣṭrādikānkurūn || jagmustatkhāṇḍavaprasthaṃ puraṃ kṛṣṇasamanvitāḥ | 11 || indraprasthāhvaye tatra rakṣite viśvakarmaṇā || vasanpure'śiṣatpṛthvīṃ sānujo dharmanaṃdanaḥ ||12|| gate kṛṣṇe nijapuraṃ nāradasyānuśāsanāt|| pratijñāṃ cakrire pārthā dharmajñā draupadīṃ prati || 13 || || athārjunatīrthayātropoddhātaḥ || || yathākrameṇa sā kṛṣṇā varṣamekaikamādarāt || ekaikasya gṛhe tiṣṭhetpratinirṇayapūrvakam || 14 || yaḥ paśyettāṃ paragṛhe sthitāṃ pāṃcālanaṃdinīm || tenaikahāyanamitaṃ vidheyaṃ tīrthasevanam || 15 || evaṃ kṛtapratijñāste pāṇḍubhūpālanaṃdanāḥ || vyāpārairloṃkasāmānyairninyuḥ kālamataṃdritāḥ || 16 || atha jānapado vipro rājagehāṃgaṇe sthitaḥ || cukrośa bahudhā dhenurhṛtā me taskarairiti || 17 || samāśvāsya ca taṃ vipraṃ praviveśa dhanaṃjayaḥ || āyudhāni samānetuṃ tvarayā śastramaṃdiram || 18 || tatrāpaśyatsamāsīnau pāṃcālīdharmanandanau || jānannapi pratijñāṃ sa dhanurjagrāha seṣudhi || 19 || sa gatvā taskarānājau nihatya nṛpanandanaḥ || nivartya dhenuṃ tāṃ tasmai dadau viprāya sādaram || 2.1.29.20 || atha vijñāpayāmāsa phālguno dharmanandanam || tīrthayātrā mayā kāryā samayollaṃghanāditi || 21 || anujasya vacaḥ śrutvā sarvadharmavidāṃ varaḥ || uvāca vacanaṃ dhīraḥ sādaraṃ dharmanaṃdanaḥ || 22 || || yudhiṣṭhira uvāca || || gavārthaṃ brāhmaṇārthaṃ ca yadvadedanṛtaṃ vacaḥ || yadācaredasatkarma tatsatyaṃ tatsamaṃjasam || 23 || brāhmaṇārthaṃ gavārthaṃ ca tvayā karmedṛśaṃ kṛtam || tadasadbhāvamāpnoti kathaṃ kathaya suvrata || 24 || prajāpālanakṛtyasya coropekṣaṇaśikṣaṇaiḥ || nūnaṃ phalaṃ bhavedrājño brahmahatyāśvamedhajam || 25 || asādhyānvairiṇo jñātvā'pyavanīśo na bhadrabhāk || svadeśopaplavakarāstaskarā yadyaśikṣitāḥ || 26 || asmākaṃ bhūbhujāṃ lokajālasya ca hitaṃ hi yat || tvayedṛśaṃ kṛtaṃ karma nāsti doṣo hyatastava || 27 || || śrīsūta uvāca || || dharmaputrasya vacanamākarṇya racitāṃjaliḥ || punarvijñāpayāmāsa dharmanityo dhanaṃjayaḥ |||| 28 || || arjuna uvāca || || maivaṃ bhūpāla vādīstvaṃ svapratijñātilaṃghanam || jānatā dharmasarvasvamullasaddharmamūrtinā || 29 || kṛtyākṛtyavidā dakṣeṇātmanā prāksamīritā || nollaṃghanīyā satataṃ pratijñā puruṣeṇa hi || 2.1.29.30 || aśaktānāṃ gatiḥ seyaṃ yadbaṃdhuguruvākyataḥ || dharmaṃ tyajaṃti samayaṃ tyaktāḥ prāksvaṃ samīritam || 31 || kṛpayā tīrthagamanādāryo yadi nivartayet || hatapratijñaṃ māṃ lokāñjalpataḥ ko nivārayet || 32 || mamāpi tīrthayātrāyāṃ kautukottaralaṃ manaḥ || kartavyaṃ ca smṛtaṃ rājannāradādiṣṭaśāsanam || 33 || tatprasīda mahārāja yattīrthagamanodyame || saṃmānanīyaḥ prabhubhiḥ samayo hyanujīvinām || 34 || tatheti bhrātṛbhiḥ sārddhaṃ kṛtānumatirarjunaḥ || agrajaṃ toṣayāmāsa praṇāmapraśrayādibhiḥ || 35 || yathārhaṃ bhīmasenādīnbhrātṝnāmantrya pāṇḍavaḥ || kṛtasvastyayano bhavyairniryayau dharaṇīsuraiḥ || 36 || paurāṇikā jyautiṣikā bhiṣajo dharaṇīsurāḥ || anujagmurbhṛtyagaṇāḥ śilpinaḥ sūtamāgadhāḥ || 37 || yudhiṣṭhirājñayā tasya bhogatyāgakṣamaṃ dhanam || gṛhītvānuyayuḥ snigdhāḥ sabhyāḥ kośādhikāriṇaḥ || 38 || || atha arjunasya gaṃgāditīrthāvagāhanapūrvaka suvarṇamukharyāgamanam || || sa rājaputraḥ prathamaṃ prāpya bhāgīrathīṃ nadīm || gaṃgādvāraṃ prayāgaṃ ca siṣeve kāśikāmapi || 39 || paśyaṃstīrthāni jāhnavyāstattīropāntavartmanā || āsasāda samuttuṅgakallolaṃ dakṣiṇodadhim || 2.1.29.40 || mahānadīṃ mahāpuṇyāṃ prasiddhaṃ puruṣottamam || siṃhācalaṃ ca saṃvīkṣya prāptavānkṛtakṛtyatām || 41 || tato dadarśa kaunteyaḥ puṇyāṃ godāvarīṃ nadīm || samastaduritavrātaśātanottīrṇagauravām || 42 || kṛtābhiṣekastattoyairvidhivatpāṇḍunandanaḥ || pramodaṃ vividhairdānairakarodbhūsuvarṇakaiḥ || 43 || nadīṃ malāpahākhyāṃ ca dṛṣṭvā modaṃ yayau śubham || tataḥ samāsasādāsau kṛṣṇaveṇīṃ saridvarām || 44 || śivasya niyatāvāsaṃ caturdvārasamanvitam || nānātīrthagaṇākīrṇaṃ śrīparvatamavaikṣata || 45 || nadīṃ pinākinīṃ tīrtvā gatvā devarṣisevitam || nārāyaṇapriyāvāsamapaśyadveṃkaṭācalam || 46 || śṛṅge'sya bhūbhṛtastuṃge sthitaṃ lokaikanāyakam || apūjayaddhariṃ bhaktyā prasiddhaṃ śubhasiddhaye || 47 || avaruhya veṃkaṭamahādriśṛṅgataḥ sa dadarśa siddhamunisaṃghasevitām || kalaśodbhavena muninā samāhṛtāṃ taṭinīṃ suvarṇamukharīsamāhvayām || 48 || iti śrīskāṃde mahāpurāṇa ekāśītisāhasryāṃ saṃhitāyāṃ dvitīye vaiṣṇavakhaṇḍe śrīveṃkaṭācalamāhātmye suvarṇamukharīmāhātmye arjunatīrthayātrāgamanavarṇanaṃnāmaikonatriṃśo'dhyāyaḥ || 29 ||
English translation
Note: From this chapter begins the sub-section of the glorification of river Suvarṇamukharī (see Supra p. 6, Fnt 2)
The sages said :
1. The power of all the holy places as also of the rivers, mountains, holy shrines and lakes has been related by you.
2. It has been described by you, O sinless one, that at the instance of Brahmā the river Suvarṇamukharī was brought to the earth by Agastya .
3. Now a desire has arisen to hear about its origin and power as well as of the groups of Tīrthas depending on it. It behoves you to recount that to us.
4. Sūta who was thus requested by the sages, bowed down to Śaṃbhu , the Lord Nandī , the six-faced Lord Skanda and Vyāsa . Then he began to recount.
Śrī Sūta said :
5-6. O blessed ones, what has been asked by you is relevant and conducive to the good. This narrative bestows the Siddhi that comes from listening to the Vedas .
Listen attentively. I shall recount to you the divine story that is destructive of sins. It had been narrated by Bharadvāja to Arjuna .
7. After getting Yājñasenī (i.e. Draupadī ) from the wise king Drupada the sons of Pṛthā went to the splendid city of Hastinā-pura at the bidding of Dhṛtarāṣṭra .
8. They were honoured thereby Bhīṣma as well as by the son of Aṃbikā (i.e. Dhṛtarāṣṭra). They lived there for five years along with Duryodhana and others.
9-10. As advised by Bhīṣma and others, Dhṛtarāṣṭra of great fame, who was himself delighted in his mind on account of their services, granted to the sons of Pāṇḍu the excellent city named Khāṇḍavaprastha along with half the kingdom in the preseṇce of Vāsudeva and all the elderly members of the family.
11. After taking leave of the Kurus headed by Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the sons of Pāṇḍu went to that city of Khāṇḍavaprastha accompanied by Kṛṣṇa .
12. Residing in that city named Indraprastha which was well guarded by Viśvakarman , Dharmaputra ( Yudhiṣṭhira ) ruled over the kingdom in the company of his brothers.
13. After Kṛṣṇa had gone back to his city, the sons of Pṛthā, well-conversant with Dharma took a vow (i.e. made an agreement) regarding Draupadī at the advice of Nārada .
[ Prelude to the Pilgrimage of Arjuna [1] ]:—
14-16. The agreement was as follows: Kṛṣṇā (i.e. Draupadī) should stay with each one of them ( Pāṇḍava -brothers) in due order, with great respect, for one year, with this proviso that if any one of them were to see the daughter of Pāñcāla staying in another brother’s house, he would proceed on a pilgrimage for a period of one year. [2]
Having taken a vow thus, those sons of king Pāṇḍu spent their time carefully in all those activities common to everyone in the world.
17. Once a Brāhmaṇa from the rural areas came and stood in the palace courtyard and lamented loudly many times, “My cow has been taken away by thieves.”
18. After consoling that Brāhmaṇa Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) hurriedly entered the arsenal to take out his weapons.
19. There he saw Pāñcālī and Dharmaputra seated (together). Though he was fully aware of the vow, he entered the apartment and took out the bow along with the quiver.
20. That Prince went to fight with the thieves, killed them in battle, retrieved the cow and gave it to the Brāhmaṇa with due respect.
21. Thereafter Phālguna intimated to Dharmaputra (Yudhiṣṭhira):
“Pilgrimage has to be undertaken by me, because I have broken the stipulations in the vow.”
22. On hearing the words of his younger brother the wise king Dharmaputra, the most excellent one among those conversant with righteousness, eagerly spoke thus:
Yudhiṣṭhira said :
23. If for the sake of cows and Brāhmaṇas one were to tell a lie, it is truth itself. If for the same purpose one were to commit an evil act, it is appropriate indeed.
24. It is for the sake of a Brāhmaṇa as well as for the sake of a cow that you have done like this. How can it become a vile deed? Tell me, O (brother) of good holy rites.
25. The duty of a king is the protection of his subjects. If he is indifferent to thieves, he will incur the sin of Brāhmaṇa-slaughter. If he punishes the thieves, he shall enjoy the benefit of a horse sacrifice.
26. Even after knowing that they are uncontrollable enemies, if the thieves who oppress the people of his own country are not punished by the king, he will not be entitled to welfare and peace.
27. What has been done by you is an act conducive to the good and welfare of us, the kings, as well as of all the classes of the public. Therefore there is no fault on your part.
Śrī Sūta said :
28. On hearing the words of Dharmaputra, Dhanañjaya who was always virtuous, joined his palms in reverence and submitted once again:
Arjuna said :
29-30. O King, do not speak like this (to approve) a thing that involves the breaking of one’s own vow.
A vow should never be broken by a person who knows everything about Dharma, who is himself the brilliant Dharma incarnate, who is conversant with what should be done and what should not be done (and especially by one) who is competent. A vow that has been proclaimed before by oneself should never be broken.
31. It is a way out for weaklings to forsake their duty on being prompted by the words of kinsmen and elders by casting off their own pledges announced by themselves previously.
32. If out of compassion my noble (brother) were to dissuade me from undertaking the pilgrimage, who can prevent the people from decrying me as one who has broken his vow?
33. My mind is extremely eager for going on a pilgrimage. My duty based on the behest of Nārada has been remembered by me.
34. Hence be pleased, O great King, in the matter of undertaking the pilgrimage. The vow of servants should be honoured by masters.
35. Arjuna was given permission by saying “So be it”. Along with his brothers he delighted his elder brother by means of his humility, obeisance etc.
36. The son of Pāṇḍu took leave of his brothers Bhīmasena and others. Holy rites for his welfare during his travels were performed by excellent Brāhmaṇas.
37-38. At the bidding of Yudhiṣṭhira [3] many persons followed him, viz. Brāhmaṇas conversant with the Purāṇas , astrologers, physicians, artisans, servants, bards and heralds. Affectionate and well-behaved officers of the treasury followed him taking with them sufficient wealth for the sake of Arjuna’s pleasures as well as charitable purposes.
[ Arjuna’s Arrival at Suvarṇamukharī after taking His Holy Bath in Gaṅgā and Other Tīrthas [4] ]:—
39. At the outset the Prince went to the river Bhāgīrathī . He visited the holy places of Gaṅgādvāra , Prayāga and Kāśī .
40. Visiting various Tīrthas and travelling by the path along the banks of Gaṅgā he reached the southern ocean agitated by high waves.
41. After visiting Mahānadī of great merit, the well-known shrine of Puruṣottama (i.e. Jagannātha ) and Siṃhācala he attained great contentment (and peace).
42. Thereafter the son of Kuntī saw the holy river Godāvarī whose greatness is increased on account of its power of dispelling all the masses of sins.
43. He duly took his bath in its waters. The son of Pāṇḍu delighted others by means of different kinds of charitable gifts such as lands and gold.
44. After visiting the river named Malāpahā he experienced splendid pleasure. Then he reached Kṛṣṇaveṇī , the excellent river.
45. He visited Śrīparvata , the permanent residence of Śiva . It has four entrances and there are many Tīrthas there.
46. He crossed the river Pinākinī (modem Pennar) and proceeded ahead. Then he saw Veṅkaṭācala , the favourite abode of Nārāyaṇa , frequented by celestial sages.
47-48. With great devotion he worshipped the famous Hari , the sole leader of all the worlds stationed on the lofty peak of this mountain. He worshipped the Lord for the attainment of the good. He got down from the peak of the great mountain Veṅkaṭa and saw the river named Suvarṇamukharī that had been brought by the Pot-born Sage (i.e. Agastya) and that is frequented and resorted to by groups of Siddhas and Sages.
[1]: [1] : The story here is based on Mbh, Ādi , Chs. 211 and 212. But our author being a good storyteller, wove out an interesting story out of the facts stated in Mbh without borrowing any verses from that text.
[2]: [2] : In Mbh, Ādi 204.28, the penalty for intrusion in privacy was remaining celibate for 12 years in a forest: Here the penalty is limited to one year only.
[3]: [3] : In Mbh, Ādi , Ch. 206, Brāhmaṇas and others followed Arjuna of their own accord. Here it is Yudhiṣṭhira who orders such useful artisans and artists and treasury officers to accompany Arjuna.
[4]: [4] : Arjuna’s route from Indraprastha to Veṅkaṭādri is as follows: indra-prastha->Gaṅgādvāra->Prayāga->Kāśī->the sea along the banks of Gaṅgā->Coastal route->Mahānadī->Jagannātha Purī->Siṃhācala->crossed Godāvarī->Malāpahā?->Kṛṣṇā->Śrīparvata (Śriśailya)->Pennar river->Veṅkaṭācala. The author has a fairly good knowledge of Indian East Coast.
Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 22902, revision 71030 (2016-06-09T21:09:44Z). English is G. V. Tagare’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-skanda-purana/d/doc370708.html and the archival publication witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.