दानं वाऽथ व्रतंवाऽथ मंत्रःस्तोत्रजपोऽथवा
Either charity, or a vow, or mantra, or recitation of hymns,
यद्यस्तिकिंचित्षड्वक्त्र गंगास्नानफलप्रदम्
If there is anything, O six-faced one, that grants the fruit of bathing in the Ganga,
त्वत्तो न वेदस्कंदान्यो गंगागर्भ समुद्भव
No one but you, O Skanda, knows the origin of the Ganga.
स्थाने स्थाने च तीर्थानि जितात्माध्युषितानि च
In every place, the holy sites are inhabited by those who have mastered themselves.
दृष्टप्रत्ययकारीणि महामहिम भांज्यपि
Even among those of great glory, they are seen to produce evident results.
अनेनैवानुमानेन बुद्ध्यस्व कलशोद्भव
By this very inference, O born from the pot, understand.
स्नानकालेऽन्य तीर्थेषु जप्यते जाह्नवी जनैः
At the time of bathing, people recite the name of Jahnavi at other holy sites.
गंगास्नानफलं ब्रह्मन्गंगायामेव लभ्यते 4.1.29.
O Brahman, the fruit of bathing in the Ganga is obtained only in the Ganga.
अस्त्युपाय इह त्वेकः स्याद्येनाविकलं फलम्
Here, however, there is one method by which the fruit is complete.
शिवभक्ताय शांताय विष्णुभक्तिपराय च
For the devotee of Shiva, the peaceful one, and for one devoted to Vishnu,
कथनीयं न चान्यस्य कस्यचित्केनचित्क्वचित्
This should not be spoken of to anyone else, by anyone, anywhere.
महाश्रेयस्करं पुण्यं मनोरथकरं परम्
It is supremely auspicious, meritorious, and fulfills all desires.
नाम्नां सहस्रगंगायाः स्तवराजेषुशो भनम्
This is the king of hymns, the thousand names of Gaṅgā.
जपनीयं प्रयन्नेन मौनिना वाचकं विना
It should be recited in secret, in silence, without a speaker.
स्कंद उवाच ॐनमो गंगादेव्यै अत्युदाराऽभयाऽशोकाऽलकनंदाऽमृताऽमला
Skanda said: Om, obeisance to Goddess Gaṅgā, who is most generous, fearless, free from sorrow, Alakanandā, immortal, and pure.
अनाथवत्सलाऽमोघाऽपांयोनिरमृतप्रदा
She is affectionate to the helpless, unfailing, born of water, bestower of immortality.
अनाथनाथाऽभीष्टार्थसिद्धिदाऽनंगवर्धिनी
Protector of the helpless, granter of desired objects and success, increaser of love.
अचिंत्यशक्तिरनघाऽद्भुतरूपाऽघहारिणी 4.1.29.
Of inconceivable power, sinless, of wondrous form, destroyer of sin.
अक्षुण्णशक्तिरसुदाऽनंततीर्थाऽमृतोदका
Of unbroken strength, giver of nectar, with endless sacred fords, whose waters are immortal.
अशेषदेवतामूर्तिरघोराऽमृतरूपिणी
Embodiment of all deities, gentle, of the form of nectar.
अशेषविघ्नसंहर्त्री त्वशेषगुणगुंफिता
Destroyer of all obstacles, adorned with all virtues.
अभिरामाऽनवद्यांग्यनंतसाराऽकलंकिनी
Charming, flawless in body, of infinite essence, without stain.
आश्चर्यमूर्तिरायुष्या ह्याढ्याऽऽद्याऽऽप्राऽऽर्यसेविता
Of wondrous form, giver of long life, wealthy, primeval, honored by the noble.
आलस्यघ्न्यापदां हंत्री ह्यानंदामृतवर्षिणी
Destroyer of laziness and misfortune, showering the nectar of bliss.
इतिहासश्रुतीड्यार्था त्विहामुत्रशुभप्रदा इज्याशीलसमिज्येष्ठा त्विंद्रादिपरिवंदिता
Praised in history and scripture, bestower of good here and hereafter, foremost in worship and conduct, honored by Indra and others.
इलालंकारमालेद्धा त्विंदिरारम्यमंदिरा
Adorned with the beauty of the earth, the delightful abode of Lakṣmī.
ईतिभीतिहरेड्या च त्वीडनीय चरित्रभृत्
Remover of fear and distress, worthy of praise, upholder of noble conduct.
उदितांबरमार्गोस्रोरगलोकविहारिणी 4.1.29.
She moves in the skyward path, delighting in the worlds of the celestial cows.
उदन्वत्पूर्तिहेतुश्चोदारोत्साहप्रवर्धिनी
She is the cause of fulfillment for the ocean, and her urging increases zeal and enthusiasm.
उत्पत्ति स्थिति संहारकारिण्युपरिचारिणी
She is the agent of creation, preservation, and dissolution, and she moves among all things.