नारदीयं सरो ह्येतद्विख्यात जगतीतले
This lake is known as Nārada's, famed across the earth.
यदत्र दीयते दानं हूयते यच्च पावके 1.2.53.
Whatever charity is given here, and whatever is offered into the fire,
नारदीये सरःश्रेष्ठे स्नात्वा यो नारदेश्व रम्
Whoever bathes in the best of lakes, Nārada's, and delights in Nārada's region,
अत्र तीर्थे पुरा पार्थ सर्वनागैस्तपः कृतम्
O Partha, in this holy place, all the nāgas once performed austerities.
ततः सिद्धिं परां प्राप्ता एतर्त्तार्थप्रभावतः
Then, through the power of this place, they attained the highest accomplishment.
नारदादुत्तरे भागे सर्वे नागाः प्रहर्षिताः
North of Nārada, all the nāgas became joyful.
नागेश्वरं महाभक्त्या तस्य पुण्यमनन्तकम्
With great devotion, they worshipped Nāgeśvara, whose merit is endless.
इति नारदीयसरोमाहात्म्यम् नारद उवाच अपरद्वारकानाम देवी चात्रास्ति पांडव
Thus is the greatness of Nārada's lake. Nārada said: O Pāṇḍava, here too is the goddess called Aparadvārakā.
सा च ब्रह्मांडद्वारे वै सदैव विहितालया
She always dwells at the gate of the cosmic egg.
ततो दीर्घं तपस्तप्त्वा मयानीतात्र तोषिता
After performing long austerities, I brought her here, pleased.
पूर्वस्मिन्नगरद्वारे स्थापिता द्वारवासिनी
She was established at the former city gate, as the guardian of the entrance.
कुण्डे स्नानं नरः कृत्वा तां च देवीं प्रपूजयेत् 1.2.53.
After bathing in the pond, a person should worship that goddess.
सप्तजन्मकृतं पापं नाशमायाति तत्क्षणात्
Sin accumulated over seven births is destroyed instantly.
वन्ध्या च लभते पुत्रं स्नानमात्रेण तत्र वै
A barren woman obtains a son merely by bathing there.
विघ्नानि नाशयेद्देवी सर्व सिद्धिं प्रयच्छति
The goddess removes obstacles and grants all success.
उत्तरद्वारकां चापि पूज्यैवं विधिवन्नरः
In the same way, a man should worship at the northern gate, following the prescribed rite.
पूर्वद्वारे तु वै देवी या स्थिता द्वारवासिनी
At the eastern gate, the goddess known as Dvāravāsinī is established.
आश्विने मासि संप्राप्ते नव रात्रे विशेषतः
When the month of Āśvina arrives, especially during the nine nights,
पूजयेद्देवतां भक्त्या पुष्पधूपान्नतर्पणैः
One should worship the goddess with devotion, offering flowers, incense, food, and libations.
वन्ध्या प्रसूयते पार्थ नात्र कार्या विचारणा
A barren woman gives birth, O Pārtha; there is no need for doubt in this.
इति श्रीस्कांदे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां प्रथमे माहेश्वर खण्डे कौमारिकाखंडे कोटितीर्थादिमाहात्म्यवर्णनंनाम त्रिपंचाशत्तमोऽध्यायः
Thus ends the fifty-third chapter, entitled 'The Greatness of Koṭitīrtha and Other Holy Places,' in the Kaumārikā section of the first Māheśvara book of the eighty-one-thousand-verse Mahāpurāṇa called Skanda.
तत्र नाहं त्यजाम्यंग च्छत्रदण्डविभूषिताम्
There, O dear one, I do not abandon those adorned with umbrella and staff.
कार्तिकस्य तु या शुक्ला भवत्येकादशी शुभा
Indeed, the auspicious eleventh day of the bright half of Kārtika occurs.
पृच्छतस्तं च मे विप्र न क्रोधं कर्तुमर्हसि
O brāhmaṇa, as you ask me, you should not become angry.
सदा त्वं मोक्षधर्मेषु परिनिष्ठां परां गतः
You have always attained the highest perfection in the dharmas leading to liberation.
त्यक्तनिंदास्तुतिर्मौनी मोक्षस्थः परिकीर्त्यसे
You are described as one who has renounced blame and praise, silent, and established in liberation.
सौदामिनीव विचरन्दृश्यसे प्राज्ञसंमतः
You are seen, esteemed by the wise, moving like lightning.
बहूनां हि सहस्राणि देवगंधर्वरक्षसाम्
For there are many thousands of gods, gandharvas, and rākṣasas.
कस्मात्तदेषा चेष्टा ते संदेहं मे हर द्विज
Why is this your conduct? Remove my doubt, O twice-born one.
प्रहसन्निव बाभ्रव्यवदनं स निरैक्षत
He looked at Bābhravya’s face, as if smiling.