पठति श्रद्धयोपेतो यो वा भूमिपते नरः
or the man, O lord of the earth, who recites it with faith,
यत्र नागैस्तपस्तप्तं रम्ये पर्वतरोधसि
Where the serpents performed austerities on the lovely mountain slope,
कद्रूशापं पुरा श्रुत्वा नागाः सर्वे भयातुराः
Having heard long ago of Kadru's curse, all the serpents were filled with fear.
मातृशापेन संतप्ता वयं पन्नगसत्तम
We are tormented by our mother's curse, O best of serpents.
तयोक्तं ये तपोयुक्ता धर्मात्मानः सुसंयताः
She said: Those who are devoted to austerity, righteous, and well-disciplined,
न दहिष्यति तान्वह्निर्यज्ञे पारिक्षितस्य हि
the fire will not burn them in the sacrifice of Parīkṣit.
तत्र यूयं तपोयुक्ता भवध्वं सुसमाहिताः
There, you should be devoted to austerity, well-concentrated.
यस्याः संकीर्त्तनेनापि नश्यंति विपदो ध्रुवम्
By whose mere mention, calamities are surely destroyed.
तस्याः प्रसादतः सर्वे भविष्यथ गतज्वराः दैवो वा मानुषो वाऽपि नान्यो वो मुक्तिकारकः
By her grace, you all shall become free from affliction; whether divine or human, none else can grant you liberation.
प्रणम्य तं ततो जग्मुरर्बुदं पर्वतं प्रति
Having bowed to him, they then departed toward Mount Arbuda.
ते भित्त्वा धरणीपृष्ठं पर्वते तदनन्तरम् 7.3.37.
They broke through the earth's surface on the mountain immediately thereafter.
ततो धृतव्रताः सर्वे देवी भक्तिपरायणाः
Then, all of them, steadfast in their vows and devoted to the goddess, remained there.
तस्थुस्तत्र सदा होमं कुर्वन्तो जाप्यमुत्तमम्
They stood there continually, performing the sacred fire offering and reciting the highest prayers.
दन्तोलूखलिनः केचिदश्मकुट्टास्तथा परे
Some used their teeth as mortars, others crushed with stones.
गीतं वाद्यं तथा चक्रुरन्ये देवाः पुरस्तदा
Others among the gods performed singing and music in front.
ततो देवी सुसन्तुष्टा वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह
Then the goddess, greatly pleased, spoke these words.
देव्युवाच परितुष्टास्मि वो वत्साः किमर्थं तप्यते तपः
The goddess said: 'I am satisfied with you, children. For what purpose is this austerity undertaken?'
नागराजसमादेशाच्छरणं त्वां समागताः
On the command of the serpent king, we have come to you for refuge.
सा त्वं रक्ष भयात्तस्माच्छापवह्निसमुद्भवात् पारिक्षितस्य यज्ञे वः पावको भक्षयिष्यति
You, protect us from the fear arising from the curse and the fire; in Parikṣit's sacrifice, the fire will consume you.
संतिष्ठत विना भीत्या भोगान्भुङ्ध्वं सुपुष्कलान्
Remain without fear and enjoy abundant pleasures.
समाप्ते च क्रतौ भूयो गंतारः स्वं निकेतनम् 7.3.37.
When the sacrifice is completed, you will return again to your own abode.
नागह्रदं तु तत्तीर्थमेतद्भावि धरातले
The Nāga lake, this very sacred place, will manifest on earth.
करिष्यति नरः स्नानं तस्य नाहिकृतं भयम्
Whoever bathes there shall have no fear of calamity.
ये भोगा भूतले ख्याता ये दिव्या ये च मानुषाः
All the pleasures known on earth, divine or human,
देव्याः शरणमापन्नास्तस्थुस्तत्र नगोत्तमे
Those who sought refuge with the goddess remained there on the excellent mountain.
ततः कालेन महता सत्रे पारिक्षितस्य च
Then, after a long time, during the sacrifice of Parikṣit,
देव्या चैवाभ्यनुज्ञाताः प्रणिपत्य मुहुर्मुहुः
Having been granted permission by the goddess, they bowed repeatedly.
अद्यापि कृष्णपंचम्यां श्रावणे मासि पार्थिव
Even today, on the fifth day of Krishna in the month of Śrāvaṇa, O king,
तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन श्राद्धं तत्र समाचरेत्
Therefore, with utmost effort, one should perform the śrāddha there.
इति श्रीस्कान्दे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां सप्तमे प्रभासखण्डे तृतीयेऽर्बुदखण्डे नागोद्भवतीर्थमाहात्म्य वर्णनंनाम सप्तत्रिंशोऽध्यायः
Thus ends the thirty-seventh chapter entitled 'The Glory of Nāgodbhava Tīrtha,' in the third section of Arbuda, in the seventh Prabhāsa section, of the eighty-one-thousand-verse Śrī Skanda Mahāpurāṇa.