तत्र भोगवती दिव्या वरुणालय उत्तमः
There is the divine city of Bhogavatī, the excellent abode of Varuṇa.
संयमनीपुरी श्रेष्ठा धर्मराजेन पालिता
There is the foremost city of Saṃyamanī, governed by Dharmarāja.
देवतानां पुरी रम्या वासवेनाभिरक्षिता
There is the beautiful city of the gods, protected by Vāsava.
एवंविधानि रम्याणि पुरा बहुतराणि च 5.1.47.
Many such splendid cities exist, even more than these.
क्वचिद्रंभाकृतद्वारा यवांकुरघटाः शुभाः
In some places, the gates are made in the form of plantain trees, and auspicious jars of barley sprouts are set out.
क्वचिद्बालाः पठंति स्म वेदाध्ययनका द्विजाः
Elsewhere, young twice-born boys recite, engaged in Vedic study.
क्वचिच्चावभृथस्नाताः क्वचिद्दानान्यकुर्वत
In some places, people have bathed after sacrifices; in others, they are giving gifts.
क्वचिदारामपूर्तं वै क्वचिद्यात्रावधारणम्
Some are engaged in planting groves or constructing works; elsewhere, some are preparing for pilgrimages.
क्वचित्कथाप्रसंगांश्च परिशंसंति वाचकाः
In some places, speakers praise the topics of stories and discussions.
क्वचिन्मल्ला नियुध्यंते नटा नाट्यपराः क्वचित्
In some places, wrestlers compete; elsewhere, actors are absorbed in drama.
चंचलाश्चपला बालाः श्यामाः षोडशवार्षिकाः
There are lively, playful young girls, dark-complexioned and sixteen years old.
एवं व्यास पुरी रम्या निर्मिता योगमायया
Thus, Vyāsa, the delightful city was created by the power of Yoga-māyā.
विशाला बहुविस्तीर्णा पुण्या पुण्यजनाश्रया
It is vast, greatly expansive, holy, and a refuge for the virtuous.
विशालेति समाख्याता पुरी रम्या सनातनी 5.1.47.
That beautiful, eternal city is known by the name Viśālā.
विशालेति वदेन्नित्यं शिवलोके महीयते
One who always utters the name 'Viśālā' is honored in the realm of Śiva.
विशाला सदृशी चान्या भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदा नृणाम्
Viśālā, and another like her, grant both enjoyment and liberation to people.
तदक्षयं भवेत्तेषां पितृकल्पे च गीयते
Their merit becomes inexhaustible; this is sung of in the rites for ancestors.
यत्र कुत्र गतास्ते वै मृता यांति शिवालयम्
Wherever they may go, when they die, they attain the abode of Śiva.
विशालायां फलं शश्वच्छेषः शक्तो न वर्णितुम् महापापोद्भवात्पापान्मुच्यते नात्र संशयः
The fruit in Viśālā is eternal; the rest cannot be described. There is no doubt that one is freed from even the greatest sins born of evil.
एवं व्यास पुरी जाता विशाला च कुशस्थली
Thus, O Vyāsa, the city was established: Viśālā and Kuśasthalī.
इति श्रीस्कान्दे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां पञ्चम आवंत्यखण्डेऽवन्तीक्षेत्र माहात्म्ये विशालाभिधानकथनंनाम सप्तचत्वारिंशोऽध्यायः
Thus ends the forty-seventh chapter, named 'The Account of Viśālā,' in the section on the greatness of the Avanti region, in the fifth Avanti Khaṇḍa of the eighty-one-thousand-verse Śrī Skanda Mahāpurāṇa.
मया व्यासमुखात्प्राप्ता कल्पभेदे कथा शुभा
I have obtained this auspicious tale from the mouth of Vyāsa, concerning the cycles of creation.
गुह्याद्गुह्यतरा श्रेष्ठा न देया यस्य कस्यचित्
It is most secret, more secret than the secret, and the best; it should not be given to just anyone.
एषा पुण्यतमा व्यास कथा पापहरा परा
This is the most meritorious tale of Vyāsa, supreme and remover of sin.
प्रमाणं कल्पपर्यंतं ब्रह्मणः परमेष्ठिनः
Its authority endures as long as the cycles of Brahmā, the supreme lord.
यावत्संख्या परिमिता तावती शृणु सत्तम
As many as are the limited numbers, so many are there; listen, O noble one.
तामुपादाय गणनां शृणु संख्या द्विजोत्तम
Taking up that enumeration, listen to the numbers, O best of twice-born.
त्रिंशत्कला मुहूर्तस्तु त्रिंशता तैर्मनीषिणः
There are thirty kalās in a muhūrta; so say the wise.
रविर्गतिविशेषेण सन्ध्यायां याति नित्यशः
By the particular movement of the sun, he always enters the twilight.
पक्षौ मासा ऋतुश्चाब्दमयने च प्रकीर्तिते
The two fortnights, the months, the seasons, and the solstices are declared.