The Origin of Gold: Agni, Ganga and Skanda

Verse 1 (13.131.1)

असुरस्तारको नाम त्वया दत्तवरः प्रभो । सुरानृषींश्च क्लिश्नाति वधस्तस्य विधीयताम् ॥

asurastārako nāma tvayā dattavaraḥ prabho | surānṛṣīṃśca kliśnāti vadhastasya vidhīyatām

"The asura named Taraka, to whom you gave a boon, O Lord, is tormenting the gods and the sages. Let provision be made for his death."

Verse 2 (13.131.2)

तस्माद्भयं समुत्पन्नमस्माकं वै पितामह । परित्रायस्व नो देव न ह्यन्या गतिरस्ति नः ॥

tasmādbhayaṃ samutpannamasmākaṃ vai pitāmaha | paritrāyasva no deva na hyanyā gatirasti naḥ

"From him fear has arisen for us, O Grandfather. Protect us, O God; we have no other refuge."

Verse 3 (13.131.3)

समोऽहं सर्वभूतानामधर्मं नेह रोचये । हन्यतां तारकः क्षिप्र सुरर्षिगणबाधिता ॥

samo'haṃ sarvabhūtānāmadharmaṃ neha rocaye | hanyatāṃ tārakaḥ kṣipra surarṣigaṇabādhitā

"I am the same toward all beings, and I do not approve of unrighteousness here. Let Taraka, the oppressor of the hosts of gods and sages, be slain quickly."

Note on the text: Corrected समोहं → समोऽहं (misprint in Wikisource; missing avagraha; CE samo 'haṃ). Brahma's speech (heading printed). Line 2 ends बाधिता, an agent noun ("oppressor"), where the CE has बाधकः; a good reading, kept.

Verse 4 (13.131.4)

वेदा धर्माश्च नोच्छेदं गच्छेयुः सुरसत्तमाः । विहितं पूर्वमेवात्र मया वै व्येतु वो ज्वरः ॥

vedā dharmāśca nocchedaṃ gaccheyuḥ surasattamāḥ | vihitaṃ pūrvamevātra mayā vai vyetu vo jvaraḥ

"Let the Vedas and the dharmas not come to ruin, O best of gods. The means for this was arranged beforehand by me, so let your distress depart."

Verse 5 (13.131.5)

वरदानाद्भगवतो दैतेयो बलगर्वितः । देवैर्न शक्यते हन्तु स कथं प्रशमं व्रजेत् ॥

varadānādbhagavato daiteyo balagarvitaḥ | devairna śakyate hantu sa kathaṃ praśamaṃ vrajet

"Proud of his strength through the Lord's boon, the Daitya cannot be killed by the gods. How, then, is he to be brought to peace?"

Verse 6 (13.131.6)

स हि नैव स्म देवानां नासुराणां न रक्षसाम् । वध्यः स्यामिति जग्राह वरं त्वत्तः पितामह ॥

sa hi naiva sma devānāṃ nāsurāṇāṃ na rakṣasām | vadhyaḥ syāmiti jagrāha varaṃ tvattaḥ pitāmaha

"For he took this boon from you, Grandfather: that he should be killed neither by gods, nor by asuras, nor by rakshasas."

Verse 7 (13.131.7)

देवाश्च शप्ता रुद्राण्या प्रजोच्छेदे पुरा कृते । न भविष्यति वोऽपत्यमिति सर्वे जगत्पते ॥

devāśca śaptā rudrāṇyā prajocchede purā kṛte | na bhaviṣyati vo'patyamiti sarve jagatpate

"Long ago, when the cutting off of offspring was done, all the gods were cursed by Rudra's consort: 'You shall have no children.' So it stands, O Lord of the world."

Verse 8 (13.131.8)

हुताशनो न तत्रासीच्छापकाले सुरोत्तमाः । स उत्पादयिताऽपत्यं वधाय त्रिदशद्विषाम् ॥

hutāśano na tatrāsīcchāpakāle surottamāḥ | sa utpādayitā'patyaṃ vadhāya tridaśadviṣām

"Agni was not there at the time of the curse, O best of the gods. He will beget a child for the destruction of the enemies of the gods."

Verse 9 (13.131.9)

तद्वै सर्वानतिक्रम्य देवदानवराक्षसान् । मानुषानथ गन्धर्वान्नागानथ च पक्षिणः ॥

tadvai sarvānatikramya devadānavarākṣasān | mānuṣānatha gandharvānnāgānatha ca pakṣiṇaḥ

"That child will surpass all of them, gods, danavas and rakshasas, humans and gandharvas, nagas and birds,"

Verse 10 (13.131.10)

अस्त्रेणामोघपातेन शक्त्या तं घातयिष्यति । यतो वो भयमुत्पन्नं ये चान्ये सुरशत्रवः ॥

astreṇāmoghapātena śaktyā taṃ ghātayiṣyati | yato vo bhayamutpannaṃ ye cānye suraśatravaḥ

"and with an unfailing missile, a spear, he will have that one killed from whom your fear has arisen, and the other enemies of the gods as well."

Note on the text: Corrected भयपुत्पन्नं → भयमुत्पन्नं (misprint in Wikisource; म dropped; CE bhayam utpannam).

Verse 11 (13.131.11)

सनातनो हि सङ्कल्पः काम इत्यभिधीयते । रुद्रस्य तेजः प्रस्कन्नमग्नौ निपतितं च यत् ॥

sanātano hi saṅkalpaḥ kāma ityabhidhīyate | rudrasya tejaḥ praskannamagnau nipatitaṃ ca yat

"Desire (Kama) is called the eternal resolve. The radiance of Rudra that slipped away and fell into Agni—"

Verse 12 (13.131.12)

तत्तेजोऽग्निर्महद्भूतं द्वितीयमिव पावकम् । वधार्थं देवशत्रूणां गङ्गायां जनयिष्यति ॥

tattejo'gnirmahadbhūtaṃ dvitīyamiva pāvakam | vadhārthaṃ devaśatrūṇāṃ gaṅgāyāṃ janayiṣyati

"that radiance, Agni, a great being, like a second fire, will bring forth in the Ganga for the destruction of the enemies of the gods."

Note on the text: Corrected तत्तजोऽग्निर् → तत्तेजोऽग्निर् (misprint in Wikisource; ए-मात्रा dropped; CE tat tejo 'gnir).

Verse 13 (13.131.13)

स तु नावाप तं शापं नष्टः स हुतभुक्तदा । तस्माद्वो भयहृद्देवाः समुत्पत्स्यति पावकिः ॥

sa tu nāvāpa taṃ śāpaṃ naṣṭaḥ sa hutabhuktadā | tasmādvo bhayahṛddevāḥ samutpatsyati pāvakiḥ

"He did not incur that curse, for the fire-eater had vanished from sight at that time. Therefore, O gods, the son of Pavaka, the remover of your fear, will be born."

Verse 14 (13.131.14)

अन्विष्यतां वै ज्वलनस्तथा चाद्य नियुज्यताम् । तारकस्य वधोपायः कथितो वै मयाऽनघाः ॥

anviṣyatāṃ vai jvalanastathā cādya niyujyatām | tārakasya vadhopāyaḥ kathito vai mayā'naghāḥ

"Let Agni be sought out, and let him be engaged today. The means of Taraka's death has been told by me, O sinless ones."

Verse 15 (13.131.15)

न हि तेजस्विनां शापास्तेजःसु प्रभवन्ति वै । बलान्यतिबलं प्राप्य दुर्बलानि भवन्ति वै ॥

na hi tejasvināṃ śāpāstejaḥsu prabhavanti vai | balānyatibalaṃ prāpya durbalāni bhavanti vai

"For curses have no power over the radiant, over those who are full of brilliance; the mighty, meeting one who is mightier, become weak."

Verse 16 (13.131.16)

हन्यादवध्यान्वरदानपि चैव तपस्विनः । सङ्कल्पाभिरुचिः कामः सनातनतमोऽभवत् ॥

hanyādavadhyānvaradānapi caiva tapasvinaḥ | saṅkalpābhiruciḥ kāmaḥ sanātanatamo'bhavat

"Desire, who delights in resolve and is the most ancient of all, can strike down even the unslayable, even the givers of boons and the ascetics."

Verse 17 (13.131.17)

जगत्पतिरनिर्देश्यः सर्वगः सर्वभावनः । हृच्छयः सर्वभूतानां ज्येष्ठो रुद्रादपि प्रभुः ॥

jagatpatiranirdeśyaḥ sarvagaḥ sarvabhāvanaḥ | hṛcchayaḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ jyeṣṭho rudrādapi prabhuḥ

"He is the lord of the world, beyond description, all-pervading, the source of all beings, dwelling in the heart of all creatures, the eldest, a master even above Rudra."

Note on the text: Corrected जगत्पतिरनिर्देश्य → जगत्पतिरनिर्देश्यः (misprint in Wikisource; visarga dropped; CE jagatpatir anirdeśyaḥ).

Verse 18 (13.131.18)

अन्विष्यतां स तु क्षिप्रं तेजोराशिर्हुताशनः । स वो मनोगतं कामं देवः सम्पादयिष्यति ॥

anviṣyatāṃ sa tu kṣipraṃ tejorāśirhutāśanaḥ | sa vo manogataṃ kāmaṃ devaḥ sampādayiṣyati

"Let Agni, that mass of radiance, be sought quickly. That god will fulfil the desire that is in your minds."

Verse 19 (13.131.19)

एतद्वाक्यमुपश्रुत्य ततो देवा महात्मनः । जग्मुः संसिद्धसङ्कल्पाः पर्येषन्तो विभावसुम् ॥

etadvākyamupaśrutya tato devā mahātmanaḥ | jagmuḥ saṃsiddhasaṅkalpāḥ paryeṣanto vibhāvasum

Having heard these words of the great-souled one, the gods, firm in their resolve, set out in search of Vibhavasu.

Note on the text: Corrected जग्मु- संसिद्ध → जग्मुः संसिद्ध (misprint in Wikisource; the visarga is printed as a hyphen; CE jagmuḥ saṃsiddha). Narration by Vasishtha, who tells the whole story to Rama (Parashurama) (cf. the vocative भृगूत्तम in verse 21 and "गदतो मम" in verse 29); the page prints no heading here, and the input carried over Brahma.

Verse 20 (13.131.20)

ततस्त्रैलोक्यमृषयो व्यचिन्वन्त सुरैः सह । काङ्क्षन्तो दर्शनं वह्नेः सर्वे तद्गतमानसाः ॥

tatastrailokyamṛṣayo vyacinvanta suraiḥ saha | kāṅkṣanto darśanaṃ vahneḥ sarve tadgatamānasāḥ

Then the sages, together with the gods, searched the three worlds, longing to see Agni, all of them with their minds fixed on him.

Note on the text: Narration by Vasishtha (no heading printed; the input carried over Brahma).

Verse 21 (13.131.21)

परेण तपसा युक्ताः श्रीमन्तो लोकविश्रुताः । लोकानन्वचरन्सिद्धाः सर्व एव भृगूत्तम । नष्टमात्मनि संलीनं नाभिजग्मुर्हुताशनम् ॥

pareṇa tapasā yuktāḥ śrīmanto lokaviśrutāḥ | lokānanvacaransiddhāḥ sarva eva bhṛgūttama | naṣṭamātmani saṃlīnaṃ nābhijagmurhutāśanam

Endowed with great austerity, glorious and renowned in the worlds, the siddhas, every one of them, O best of the Bhrigus, roamed through the worlds; yet they did not find Agni, who had vanished and was hidden within himself.

Note on the text: Narration by Vasishtha (no heading printed; the input carried over Brahma).

Verse 22 (13.131.22)

ततः संजातसंत्रासानग्निदर्शनलालसान् । जलेचरः क्लान्तमनास्तेजसाऽग्नेः प्रदीपितः । उवाच देवान्मण्डूको रसातलतलोत्थितः ॥

tataḥ saṃjātasaṃtrāsānagnidarśanalālasān | jalecaraḥ klāntamanāstejasā'gneḥ pradīpitaḥ | uvāca devānmaṇḍūko rasātalatalotthitaḥ

Then, as the gods were seized with dread and longed to see Agni, a water-dweller, a frog risen from the depths of Rasatala, weary at heart and scorched by Agni's heat, spoke to them.

Note on the text: Narration by Vasishtha introducing the frog.

Verse 23 (13.131.23)

रसातलतले देवा वसत्यग्निरिति प्रभो । सन्तापादिह सम्प्राप्तः पावकप्रभवादहम् ॥

rasātalatale devā vasatyagniriti prabho | santāpādiha samprāptaḥ pāvakaprabhavādaham

"Agni lives in the depths of Rasatala, O gods, O lord. I have come here driven by the heat that arises from Pavaka."

Note on the text: The frog's speech (no heading printed).

Verse 24 (13.131.24)

स संसुप्तो जले देवा भगवान्हव्यवाहनः । अपः संसृज्य तेजोभिस्तेन सन्तापिता वयम् ॥

sa saṃsupto jale devā bhagavānhavyavāhanaḥ | apaḥ saṃsṛjya tejobhistena santāpitā vayam

"The blessed Havyavahana lies asleep in the water, O gods, having filled the waters with his radiance; by that we have been scorched."

Note on the text: Speaker: the frog (no heading printed; the input carried over Brahma).

Verse 25 (13.131.25)

तस्य दर्शनमिष्टं वो यदि देवा विभावसोः । तत्रैवमधिगच्छध्वं कार्यं वो यदि वह्निना ॥

tasya darśanamiṣṭaṃ vo yadi devā vibhāvasoḥ | tatraivamadhigacchadhvaṃ kāryaṃ vo yadi vahninā

"If you wish to see Vibhavasu, O gods, then go to him there, if you have business with Agni."

Note on the text: Speaker: the frog (no heading printed; the input carried over Brahma).

Verse 26 (13.131.26)

गम्यतां साधयिष्यामो वयं ह्यग्निभयात्सुराः । एतावदुक्त्वा मण्डूकस्त्वरितो जलमाविशत् ॥

gamyatāṃ sādhayiṣyāmo vayaṃ hyagnibhayātsurāḥ | etāvaduktvā maṇḍūkastvarito jalamāviśat

"Go; we shall manage for ourselves, for we are afraid of Agni, O gods." Having said only this, the frog quickly plunged into the water.

Note on the text: Line 1 is the frog's speech and line 2 narration; the whole verse is given to the frog, who opens it.

Verse 27 (13.131.27)

हुताशनस्तु बुबुधे मण्डूकस्य च पैशुनम् । शशाप स तमासाद्य न रसान्वेत्स्यसीति वै ॥

hutāśanastu bubudhe maṇḍūkasya ca paiśunam | śaśāpa sa tamāsādya na rasānvetsyasīti vai

Hutashana learned of the frog's tale-bearing. Coming upon him, he cursed him: "You shall not know tastes."

Note on the text: Narration by Vasishtha.

Verse 28 (13.131.28)

तं वै संयुज्य शापेन मण्डूकं त्वरितो ययौ । अन्यत्र वासाय विभुर्न चात्मानमदर्शयत् ॥

taṃ vai saṃyujya śāpena maṇḍūkaṃ tvarito yayau | anyatra vāsāya vibhurna cātmānamadarśayat

Having bound the frog with that curse, the mighty one quickly went elsewhere to dwell, and did not show himself.

Note on the text: Line 1 is a recension variant of CE 13.84.28a (the CE has pāvako yayau for tvarito yayau); kept as printed. Narration by Vasishtha (no heading printed; the input carried over Brahma).

Verse 29 (13.131.29)

देवास्त्वनुग्रहं चक्रुर्मण्डूकानां भृगूत्तम । यत्तच्छृणु महाबाहो गदतो मम सर्वशः ॥

devāstvanugrahaṃ cakrurmaṇḍūkānāṃ bhṛgūttama | yattacchṛṇu mahābāho gadato mama sarvaśaḥ

But the gods showed favour to the frogs, O best of the Bhrigus. Listen, O mighty-armed one, as I tell you all of it.

Note on the text: Narration by Vasishtha (no heading printed; the input carried over Brahma).

Verse 30 (13.131.30)

अग्निशापादजिह्वाऽपि रसज्ञानबहिष्कृताः । सरस्वतीं बहुविधां यूयमुच्चारयिष्यथ ॥

agniśāpādajihvā'pi rasajñānabahiṣkṛtāḥ | sarasvatīṃ bahuvidhāṃ yūyamuccārayiṣyatha

"Though through Agni's curse you are tongueless and shut out from the knowledge of tastes, you will utter manifold speech."

Note on the text: Corrected यूममुच्चारयिष्यथ → यूयमुच्चारयिष्यथ (misprint in Wikisource; a य dropped; CE yūyam uccārayiṣyatha). The gods' speech (heading printed); it continues through verse 31 and line 1 of verse 32.

Verse 31 (13.131.31)

बिलवासं गतांश्चैव निराहारानचेतसः । गतासूनपि वः शुष्कान्भूमिः सन्धारयिष्यति ॥

bilavāsaṃ gatāṃścaiva nirāhārānacetasaḥ | gatāsūnapi vaḥ śuṣkānbhūmiḥ sandhārayiṣyati

"Even when you have gone into your burrows, without food, without sense, even when lifeless and dried up, the earth will sustain you."

Note on the text: Lines = CE 13.84.31a, 31c.

Verse 32 (13.131.32)

तमोघनायामपि वै निशायां विचरिष्यथ । इत्युक्त्वा तांस्ततो देवाः पुनरेव महीमिमाम् ॥

tamoghanāyāmapi vai niśāyāṃ vicariṣyatha | ityuktvā tāṃstato devāḥ punareva mahīmimām

"And you will move about even on a night thick with darkness." Having said this to them, the gods went round this earth again

Note on the text: Lines = CE 13.84.31e, 32a. Line 1 completes the gods' speech (CE 13.84.31e); line 2 is narration. Given to the gods, who open the verse, under the page's heading.

Verse 33 (13.131.33)

परीयुर्ज्वलनस्यार्थे न चाविन्दन्हुताशनम् । अथ तान्द्विरदः कश्चित्सुरेन्द्रद्विरदोपमः ॥

parīyurjvalanasyārthe na cāvindanhutāśanam | atha tāndviradaḥ kaścitsurendradviradopamaḥ

in search of Agni, but they did not find Hutashana. Then a certain elephant, like Indra's elephant,

Note on the text: Lines = CE 13.84.32c, 33a. Narration by Vasishtha (no heading printed; the input carried over the gods).

Verse 34 (13.131.34)

अश्वत्थस्थोऽग्निरित्येवमाह देवान्भृगूद्वह । शशाप ज्वलनः सर्वान्द्विरदान्क्रोधमूर्च्छितः ॥

aśvatthastho'gnirityevamāha devānbhṛgūdvaha | śaśāpa jvalanaḥ sarvāndviradānkrodhamūrcchitaḥ

told the gods, O best of the Bhrigus, "Agni is in the ashvattha tree." Swooning with rage, Agni cursed all the elephants:

Note on the text: Lines = CE 13.84.33c, 34a. Narration by Vasishtha (no heading printed; the input carried over the gods).

Verse 35 (13.131.35)

प्रतीपा भवतां जिह्वा भवित्रीति भृगूद्वह । इत्युक्त्वा निःसृतोऽश्वत्थादग्निर्वारणसूचितः । प्रविवेश शमीगर्भमथ वह्निः सुषुप्सया ॥

pratīpā bhavatāṃ jihvā bhavitrīti bhṛgūdvaha | ityuktvā niḥsṛto'śvatthādagnirvāraṇasūcitaḥ | praviveśa śamīgarbhamatha vahniḥ suṣupsayā

"Your tongue shall be turned backward," O best of the Bhrigus. Having said this, Agni, who had been pointed out by the elephant, came out of the ashvattha and, wishing to sleep, entered the heart of a shami tree.

Note on the text: Lines = CE 13.84.34c, 35a, 35c (the CE's star lines *392 after 35 are not in Wikisource). Narration by Vasishtha; line 1 gives Agni's curse in indirect form.

Verse 36 (13.131.36)

अनुग्रहं तु नागानां यं चक्रुः शृणु तं प्रभो । देवा भृगुकुलश्रेष्ठ प्रीत्या सत्यपराक्रमाः ॥

anugrahaṃ tu nāgānāṃ yaṃ cakruḥ śṛṇu taṃ prabho | devā bhṛgukulaśreṣṭha prītyā satyaparākramāḥ

Now hear, O lord, what favour the gods, pleased and true in their valour, granted to the elephants, O best of the Bhrigu line.

Note on the text: Narration by Vasishtha (input carried over the gods).

Verse 37 (13.131.37)

प्रतीपया जिह्वयाऽपि सर्वाहारान्हरिष्यथ । वाचं चोच्चारयिष्यध्वमुच्चैरव्यञ्जिताक्षराम् । इत्युक्त्वा पुनरेवाग्निमनुसस्रुर्दिवौकसः ॥

pratīpayā jihvayā'pi sarvāhārānhariṣyatha | vācaṃ coccārayiṣyadhvamuccairavyañjitākṣarām | ityuktvā punarevāgnimanusasrurdivaukasaḥ

"Even with a reversed tongue you will take in every kind of food, and you will utter a loud sound, with indistinct syllables." Having said this, the dwellers in heaven again went after Agni.

Note on the text: Lines 1-2 are the gods' speech (heading printed), line 3 narration; given to the gods.

Verse 38 (13.131.38)

अश्वत्थान्निःसृतश्चाग्निः शमीगर्भमुपाविशत् । शुकेन ख्यापितो विप्र तं देवाः समुपाद्रवन् ॥

aśvatthānniḥsṛtaścāgniḥ śamīgarbhamupāviśat | śukena khyāpito vipra taṃ devāḥ samupādravan

Agni, having come out of the ashvattha, entered the heart of the shami. The parrot gave him away, O brahmin, and the gods rushed upon him.

Note on the text: Lines are recension variants of CE 13.84.38 (the CE reads śamīgarbhagatas tadā in line 1); kept as printed. Narration by Vasishtha (no heading printed; the input carried over the gods).

Verse 39 (13.131.39)

शशाप शुकमग्निस्तु वाग्विहीनो भविष्यसि । जिह्वामावर्तयामास तस्यापि हुतभुक्तदा ॥

śaśāpa śukamagnistu vāgvihīno bhaviṣyasi | jihvāmāvartayāmāsa tasyāpi hutabhuktadā

Agni cursed the parrot: "You shall be without speech." And then Agni turned its tongue back as well.

Note on the text: Corrected सुकमग्निस्तु → शुकमग्निस्तु (misprint in Wikisource; स for श; the bird is the parrot, śuka, as the next verses show; CE śukam agnis tu). Narration by Vasishtha (no heading printed; the input carried over the gods).

Verse 40 (13.131.40)

दृष्ट्वा तु ज्वलनं देवाः शुकमूचुर्दयान्विताः । भविता न त्वमत्यन्तं शुकत्वे नष्टवागिति ॥

dṛṣṭvā tu jvalanaṃ devāḥ śukamūcurdayānvitāḥ | bhavitā na tvamatyantaṃ śukatve naṣṭavāgiti

Seeing Agni, the gods, moved by pity, said to the parrot, "You will not be altogether speechless in your parrot-hood."

Note on the text: Narration by Vasishtha introducing the gods' words to the parrot (the quotation runs on into verse 41).

Verse 41 (13.131.41)

आवृत्तजिह्वस्य सतो वाक्यं कान्तं भविष्यति । बालस्येव प्रवृद्धस्य कलमव्यक्तमद्भुतम् ॥

āvṛttajihvasya sato vākyaṃ kāntaṃ bhaviṣyati | bālasyeva pravṛddhasya kalamavyaktamadbhutam

"Even with a turned-back tongue, your speech will be charming—soft, indistinct and wondrous, like that of a child, though you are grown."

Note on the text: The gods' speech to the parrot (no heading printed).

Verse 42 (13.131.42)

इत्युक्त्वा तं शमीगर्भे वह्निमालक्ष्य देवताः । तदेवायतनं चक्रुः पुण्यं सर्वक्रियास्वपि ॥

ityuktvā taṃ śamīgarbhe vahnimālakṣya devatāḥ | tadevāyatanaṃ cakruḥ puṇyaṃ sarvakriyāsvapi

Having said this, the gods, who had marked Agni inside the shami, made that very tree his abode, sacred in all rites.

Note on the text: Narration by Vasishtha (no heading printed; the input carried over the gods).

Verse 43 (13.131.43)

तदाप्रभृति चाप्यग्निः शमीगर्भेषु दृश्यते । उत्पादने तथोपायमभिजग्मुश्च मानवाः ॥

tadāprabhṛti cāpyagniḥ śamīgarbheṣu dṛśyate | utpādane tathopāyamabhijagmuśca mānavāḥ

From that time on Agni is seen in the heart of the shami, and men took to it as the means of producing fire.

Note on the text: Narration by Vasishtha (no heading printed; the input carried over the gods).

Verse 44 (13.131.44)

आपो रसातले यास्तु संस्पृष्टाश्चित्रभानुना । ताः पर्वतप्रस्रवणैरूष्मां मुञ्चन्ति भार्गव । पावकेनाधिशयता सन्तप्तास्तस्य तेजसा ॥

āpo rasātale yāstu saṃspṛṣṭāścitrabhānunā | tāḥ parvataprasravaṇairūṣmāṃ muñcanti bhārgava | pāvakenādhiśayatā santaptāstasya tejasā

The waters in Rasatala that were touched by Chitrabhanu give out heat through the mountain springs, O descendant of Bhrigu, scorched by his radiance as he lay in them.

Note on the text: Narration by Vasishtha (no heading printed; the input carried over the gods).

Verse 45 (13.131.45)

अथाग्निर्देवता दृष्ट्वा बभूव व्यथितस्तदा । किमागमनमित्येवं तानपृच्छत पावकः ॥

athāgnirdevatā dṛṣṭvā babhūva vyathitastadā | kimāgamanamityevaṃ tānapṛcchata pāvakaḥ

Then Agni, seeing the gods, became troubled, and Pavaka asked them, "What brings you here?"

Note on the text: Narration by Vasishtha (no heading printed; the input carried over the gods).

Verse 46 (13.131.46)

तमूचुर्विबुधाः सर्वे ते चैव परमर्षयः । त्वां नियोक्ष्यामहे कार्ये तद्भवान्कर्तुमर्हति । कृते च तस्मिन्भविता तवापि सुमहान्गुणः ॥

tamūcurvibudhāḥ sarve te caiva paramarṣayaḥ | tvāṃ niyokṣyāmahe kārye tadbhavānkartumarhati | kṛte ca tasminbhavitā tavāpi sumahānguṇaḥ

All the gods and the great sages said to him, "We shall engage you in a task; you ought to do it. And when it is done, a very great benefit will come to you as well."

Note on the text: Line 1 is narration, lines 2-3 the gods' words; given to Vasishtha, who opens the verse.

Verse 47 (13.131.47)

ब्रूत यद्भवतां कार्यं कर्तास्मि तदहं सुराः । भवतां तु नियोज्योऽस्मि मा वोऽत्रास्तु विचारणा ॥

brūta yadbhavatāṃ kāryaṃ kartāsmi tadahaṃ surāḥ | bhavatāṃ tu niyojyo'smi mā vo'trāstu vicāraṇā

"Tell me what your task is, O gods; I shall do it. I am yours to command; let there be no hesitation over it."

Note on the text: Corrected मावोत्रास्तु → मा वोऽत्रास्तु (misprint in Wikisource; words run together and the avagraha dropped; CE mā vo 'trāstu). Corrected नियोज्योस्मि → नियोज्योऽस्मि (misprint in Wikisource; avagraha dropped). Lines are recension variants of CE 13.84.47 (sarvaṃ kartāsmi tat … niyojyo 'haṃ); kept as printed. Agni's speech (heading printed).

Verse 48 (13.131.48)

असुरस्तारको नाम ब्रह्मणो वरदर्पितः । अस्मान्प्रबाधते वीर्याद्वधस्तस्य विधीयताम् ॥

asurastārako nāma brahmaṇo varadarpitaḥ | asmānprabādhate vīryādvadhastasya vidhīyatām

"The asura named Taraka, proud of Brahma's boon, oppresses us with his might. Let provision be made for his death."

Verse 49 (13.131.49)

इमान्देवगणांस्तात प्रजापतिगणांस्तथा । ऋषींश्चापि महाभाग परित्रायस्व पावक ॥

imāndevagaṇāṃstāta prajāpatigaṇāṃstathā | ṛṣīṃścāpi mahābhāga paritrāyasva pāvaka

"Protect these hosts of gods, and the hosts of Prajapatis, and the sages too, dear one, O illustrious Pavaka."

Verse 50 (13.131.50)

अपत्यं तेजसा युक्तं प्रवीरं जनय प्रभो । यद्भयं नोऽसुरात्तस्मान्नाशयेद्धव्यवाहन ॥

apatyaṃ tejasā yuktaṃ pravīraṃ janaya prabho | yadbhayaṃ no'surāttasmānnāśayeddhavyavāhana

"Beget, O lord, a child full of radiance, a mighty hero, who may destroy the fear we have of that asura, O bearer of oblations."

Note on the text: Corrected जनयक → जनय (misprint in Wikisource; stray क; CE janaya).

Verse 51 (13.131.51)

शप्तानां नो महादेव्या नान्यदस्ति परायणम् । अन्यत्र भवतो वीर तस्मात्त्रायस्व नः प्रभो ॥

śaptānāṃ no mahādevyā nānyadasti parāyaṇam | anyatra bhavato vīra tasmāttrāyasva naḥ prabho

"We who are cursed by the Great Goddess have no other refuge than you, O hero; therefore save us, O Lord."

Verse 52 (13.131.52)

इत्युक्तः स तथेत्युक्त्वा भगवान्हव्यवाहनः । जगामाथ दुराधर्षो गङ्गां भागीरथीं प्रति ॥

ityuktaḥ sa tathetyuktvā bhagavānhavyavāhanaḥ | jagāmātha durādharṣo gaṅgāṃ bhāgīrathīṃ prati

Thus addressed, the blessed Havyavahana said, "So be it," and, unassailable, went to the Ganga, the Bhagirathi.

Note on the text: Narration by Vasishtha (no heading printed; the input carried over the gods).

Verse 53 (13.131.53)

तया चाप्यभवन्मिश्रो गर्भं चास्यां दधे तदा । ववृधे स तदा गर्भः कक्षे कृष्णगतिर्यथा ॥

tayā cāpyabhavanmiśro garbhaṃ cāsyāṃ dadhe tadā | vavṛdhe sa tadā garbhaḥ kakṣe kṛṣṇagatiryathā

He united with her, and then she conceived his embryo. The embryo grew then like a fire in dry grass.

Note on the text: Narration by Vasishtha (no heading printed; the input carried over the gods).

Verse 54 (13.131.54)

तेजसा तस्य देवस्य गङ्गा विह्वलचेतना । सन्तापमगमत्तीव्रं वोढुं सा न शशाक ह ॥

tejasā tasya devasya gaṅgā vihvalacetanā | santāpamagamattīvraṃ voḍhuṃ sā na śaśāka ha

Through the radiance of that god, the Ganga was bewildered; she suffered intense burning and was unable to bear it.

Note on the text: Line 2 is a recension variant of CE 13.84.54c; kept as printed. Narration by Vasishtha (no heading printed; the input carried over the gods).

Verse 55 (13.131.55)

आहिते ज्वलनेनाथ गर्भे तेजःसमन्विते । गङ्गायामसुरः कश्चिद्भैरवं नादमानदत् ॥

āhite jvalanenātha garbhe tejaḥsamanvite | gaṅgāyāmasuraḥ kaścidbhairavaṃ nādamānadat

When the embryo, full of radiance, had been placed in the Ganga by Agni, a certain asura let out a terrifying cry in the river.

Note on the text: Narration by Vasishtha (no heading printed; the input carried over the gods).

Verse 56 (13.131.56)

अबुद्धिपतितेनाथ नादेन विपुलेन सा । वित्रस्तोद्धान्तनयना गङ्गा विप्लुतलोचना ॥

abuddhipatitenātha nādena vipulena sā | vitrastoddhāntanayanā gaṅgā viplutalocanā

Struck by that loud cry, which fell upon her unexpectedly, the Ganga, her eyes wild with fright and her gaze unsteady,

Note on the text: Lines = CE 13.84.56a, 56c. Narration by Vasishtha (no heading printed; the input carried over the gods).

Verse 57 (13.131.57)

विसंज्ञा नाशकद्गर्भं वोढुमात्मानमेव च । सा तु तेजःपरीताङ्गी कम्पमाना च जाह्नवी ॥

visaṃjñā nāśakadgarbhaṃ voḍhumātmānameva ca | sā tu tejaḥparītāṅgī kampamānā ca jāhnavī

lost her senses and could not hold the embryo, or even herself. The Jahnavi, her limbs overcome by the radiance, trembling,

Note on the text: Lines = CE 13.84.56e, 57a. Narration by Vasishtha (no heading printed; the input carried over the gods).

Verse 58 (13.131.58)

उवाच ज्वलनं विप्र तदा गर्भबलोद्धुता । न ते शक्ताऽस्मि भगवंस्तेजसोऽस्य विधारणे ॥

uvāca jvalanaṃ vipra tadā garbhabaloddhutā | na te śaktā'smi bhagavaṃstejaso'sya vidhāraṇe

spoke to Agni, O brahmin, overpowered by the force of the embryo: "Lord, I am not able to hold this radiance."

Note on the text: Corrected नते शक्ताऽस्मि → न ते शक्ताऽस्मि (misprint in Wikisource; words run together; CE na te śaktāsmi). Lines = CE 13.84.57c, 57e (line 2 is a recension variant). Line 1 is narration, line 2 Ganga's first words; given to Vasishtha, who opens the verse.

Verse 59 (13.131.59)

विमूढाऽस्मि कृताऽनेन न मे स्वास्थ्यं यथा पुरा । विह्वला चास्मि भगवंश्चेतो नष्टं च मेऽनघ ॥

vimūḍhā'smi kṛtā'nena na me svāsthyaṃ yathā purā | vihvalā cāsmi bhagavaṃśceto naṣṭaṃ ca me'nagha

"I am bewildered by what has been done to me, and I am not at ease as before. I am distraught, Lord, and my mind is lost, O sinless one."

Note on the text: Corrected स्वास्ध्यं → स्वास्थ्यं (misprint in Wikisource; ध for थ; CE svāsthyaṃ). Lines = CE 13.84.58a, 58c (line 2 is a recension variant). Ganga's speech continues (no heading printed).

Verse 60 (13.131.60)

धारणे नास्य शक्ताऽहं गर्भस्य तपतांवर । उत्स्रक्ष्येऽहमिमं दुःखान्न तु कामात्कथञ्चन ॥

dhāraṇe nāsya śaktā'haṃ garbhasya tapatāṃvara | utsrakṣye'hamimaṃ duḥkhānna tu kāmātkathañcana

"I cannot bear this embryo, O best of those who burn; I shall cast it out because of the pain, not at all by choice."

Note on the text: Speaker: Ganga (no heading printed; the input carried over the gods).

Verse 61 (13.131.61)

न तेजसाऽस्ति संस्पर्शो मम देव विभावसो । आपदर्थे हि सम्बन्धः सुसूक्ष्मोऽपि महाद्युते ॥

na tejasā'sti saṃsparśo mama deva vibhāvaso | āpadarthe hi sambandhaḥ susūkṣmo'pi mahādyute

"There is no contact between me and such radiance, O god Vibhavasu; even the slightest association with it, O greatly radiant one, comes only for the sake of calamity."

Note on the text: Speaker: Ganga (no heading printed; the input carried over the gods).

Verse 62 (13.131.62)

यदत्र गुणसम्पन्नमितरद्वा हुताशन । त्वय्येव तदहं मन्ये धर्माधर्मौ च केवलौ ॥

yadatra guṇasampannamitaradvā hutāśana | tvayyeva tadahaṃ manye dharmādharmau ca kevalau

"Whatever is good in this matter, or otherwise, O Hutashana, I regard as resting on you alone; merit and demerit are yours alone."

Note on the text: Speaker: Ganga (no heading printed; the input carried over the gods).

Verse 63 (13.131.63)

तामुवाच ततो वह्निर्धार्यतां धार्यतामिति । गर्भो मत्तेजसा युक्तो महागुणफलोदयः ॥

tāmuvāca tato vahnirdhāryatāṃ dhāryatāmiti | garbho mattejasā yukto mahāguṇaphalodayaḥ

Then Agni said to her, "Bear it, bear it! This embryo, joined with my radiance, will bring the fruit of great virtues."

Note on the text: Line 1 is narration; the quoted words in line 1 and line 2 are Agni's. Given to Vasishtha, who opens the verse.

Verse 64 (13.131.64)

शक्ता ह्यसि महीं कृत्स्नां वोढुं धारयितुं तथा । न हि ते किञ्चिदप्राप्यमन्यतो धारणादृते ॥

śaktā hyasi mahīṃ kṛtsnāṃ voḍhuṃ dhārayituṃ tathā | na hi te kiñcidaprāpyamanyato dhāraṇādṛte

"You are able to bear and to hold the whole earth; there is nothing beyond your reach, except bearing what comes from elsewhere."

Note on the text: Agni's speech continues (no heading printed).

Verse 65 (13.131.65)

एवमुक्ता तु सा देवी तत्रैवान्तरधीयत । पावकश्चापि तेजस्वी कृत्वा कार्यं दिवौकसाम् । जगामेष्टं तदा देशं ततो भार्गवनन्दन ॥

evamuktā tu sā devī tatraivāntaradhīyata | pāvakaścāpi tejasvī kṛtvā kāryaṃ divaukasām | jagāmeṣṭaṃ tadā deśaṃ tato bhārgavanandana

Thus addressed, the goddess vanished right there; and the radiant Pavaka, having done the work of the dwellers in heaven, went to the place he wished, O delight of the Bhargavas.

Note on the text: Removed a stray quotation mark and doubled danda printed after भार्गवनन्दन (Wikisource: ।।'). Not in the critical edition at this place (found in the vulgate recension): these three lines repeat verse 75 below (CE 13.84.72e, 73a, 73c), where the CE has them once, after Ganga's words; here they are an earlier anticipation printed by Wikisource. Kept as printed. Narration by Vasishtha.

Verse 66 (13.131.66)

सा वह्निना वार्यमाणा देवैरपि सरिद्वरा । समुत्ससर्ज तं गर्भं मेरौ गिरिवरे तदा ॥

sā vahninā vāryamāṇā devairapi saridvarā | samutsasarja taṃ garbhaṃ merau girivare tadā

Though held back by Agni and by the gods as well, that best of rivers cast the embryo down then upon Meru, the best of mountains.

Note on the text: Corrected गिरिवेर → गिरिवरे (misprint in Wikisource; misprint; CE girivare). Narration by Vasishtha (no heading printed; the input carried over the gods).

Verse 67 (13.131.67)

समर्था धारणे चापि रुद्रतेजःप्रधर्षिता । नाशकत्सा तदा गर्भं सन्धारयितुमोजसा । समुत्ससर्ज तं दुःखाद्दीप्तवैश्वानरप्रभम् ॥

samarthā dhāraṇe cāpi rudratejaḥpradharṣitā | nāśakatsā tadā garbhaṃ sandhārayitumojasā | samutsasarja taṃ duḥkhāddīptavaiśvānaraprabham

Though she was capable of bearing it, she was overpowered by Rudra's radiance and could not, by her own strength, hold the embryo any longer. In her pain she cast it out, shining like blazing Vaishvanara.

Note on the text: Lines = CE 13.84.65a, 65c, 66a. Narration by Vasishtha (no heading printed; the input carried over the gods).

Verse 68 (13.131.68)

दर्शयामास चाग्निस्तां तदा गङ्गां भृगूद्वह । पप्रच्छ सरितां श्रेष्ठां कच्चिद्गर्भः सुखोदयः ॥

darśayāmāsa cāgnistāṃ tadā gaṅgāṃ bhṛgūdvaha | papraccha saritāṃ śreṣṭhāṃ kaccidgarbhaḥ sukhodayaḥ

Then Agni showed himself to that Ganga, O best of the Bhrigus, and asked the foremost of rivers, "Is the embryo flourishing happily?"

Note on the text: Lines = CE 13.84.66c, 66e. Line 1 is narration, line 2 Agni's question; given to Vasishtha, who opens the verse.

Verse 69 (13.131.69)

कीदृग्गुणोऽपि वा देवि कीदृग्रूपश्च दृश्यते । तेजसा केन वा युक्तः सर्वमेतद्ब्रवीहि मे ॥

kīdṛgguṇo'pi vā devi kīdṛgrūpaśca dṛśyate | tejasā kena vā yuktaḥ sarvametadbravīhi me

"What are its qualities, O goddess, and what is its colour and form as it appears? With what radiance is it endowed? Tell me all of this."

Note on the text: Corrected कीदृग्गुणोपि → कीदृग्गुणोऽपि (misprint in Wikisource; avagraha dropped). Agni's question to Ganga (no heading printed).

Verse 70 (13.131.70)

जातरूपः स गर्भो वै तेजसा त्वमिवानघ । सुवर्णो विमलो दीप्तः पर्वतं चावभासयन् ॥

jātarūpaḥ sa garbho vai tejasā tvamivānagha | suvarṇo vimalo dīptaḥ parvataṃ cāvabhāsayan

"The embryo is of the colour of gold (jatarupa), radiant like you, O sinless one—golden, spotless, shining, lighting up the mountain."

Note on the text: Ganga's speech (heading printed).

Verse 71 (13.131.71)

पद्मोत्पलविमिश्राणां ह्रदानामिव शीतलः । गन्धोऽस्य स कदम्बानां तुल्यो वै तपतांवर ॥

padmotpalavimiśrāṇāṃ hradānāmiva śītalaḥ | gandho'sya sa kadambānāṃ tulyo vai tapatāṃvara

"It is cool, like lakes mingled with lotuses and water-lilies, and its fragrance is like that of kadamba blossoms, O best of those who burn."

Note on the text: Corrected गन्धोस्य → गन्धोऽस्य (misprint in Wikisource; avagraha dropped; CE gandho 'sya).

Verse 72 (13.131.72)

तेजसा तस्य गर्भस्य भास्करस्येव रश्मिभिः । यद्द्रव्यं परिसंसृष्टं पृथिव्यां पर्वतेषु च । तत्सर्वं काञ्चनीभूतं समन्तात्प्रत्यदृश्यत ॥

tejasā tasya garbhasya bhāskarasyeva raśmibhiḥ | yaddravyaṃ parisaṃsṛṣṭaṃ pṛthivyāṃ parvateṣu ca | tatsarvaṃ kāñcanībhūtaṃ samantātpratyadṛśyata

"By the radiance of that embryo, like the rays of the sun, whatever substance was touched on the earth or on the mountains was seen on every side turned to gold."

Verse 73 (13.131.73)

पर्यधावत शैलांश्च नदीः प्रस्रवणानि च । व्यादीपयत्तेजसा च त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम् ॥

paryadhāvata śailāṃśca nadīḥ prasravaṇāni ca | vyādīpayattejasā ca trailokyaṃ sacarācaram

"It ran over the mountains, the rivers and the springs, and with its radiance it lit up the three worlds with all that moves and stands."

Verse 74 (13.131.74)

एवंरूपः स भगवान्पुत्रस्ते हव्यवाहन । सूर्यवैश्वानरसमः कान्त्या सोम इवापरः ॥

evaṃrūpaḥ sa bhagavānputraste havyavāhana | sūryavaiśvānarasamaḥ kāntyā soma ivāparaḥ

"Such is the form of that blessed one, your son, O Havyavahana, like the sun and Vaishvanara in splendour, in beauty a second moon."

Note on the text: Lines = CE 13.84.72a, 72c.

Verse 75 (13.131.75)

एवमुक्त्वा तु सा देवी तत्रैवान्तरधीयत । पावकश्चापि तेजस्वी कृत्वा कार्यं दिवौकसाम् । जगामेष्टं ततो देशं तदा भार्गवनन्दन ॥

evamuktvā tu sā devī tatraivāntaradhīyata | pāvakaścāpi tejasvī kṛtvā kāryaṃ divaukasām | jagāmeṣṭaṃ tato deśaṃ tadā bhārgavanandana

Having spoken thus, the goddess vanished right there; and the radiant Pavaka, having done the work of the dwellers in heaven, went from there to the place he wished, O delight of the Bhargavas.

Note on the text: Lines = CE 13.84.72e, 73a, 73c. Vasishtha's narration resumes (heading printed).

Verse 76 (13.131.76)

एतैः कर्मगुणैर्लोके नामाग्नेः परिगीयते । हिरण्यरेता इति वै ऋषिभिर्विबुधैस्तथा । पृथिवी च तदा देवी ख्याता वसुमतीति वै ॥

etaiḥ karmaguṇairloke nāmāgneḥ parigīyate | hiraṇyaretā iti vai ṛṣibhirvibudhaistathā | pṛthivī ca tadā devī khyātā vasumatīti vai

By these deeds and qualities Agni's name is sung in the world as Hiranyareta, by sages and gods alike; and the earth too, the goddess, became known then as Vasumati.

Verse 77 (13.131.77)

स तु गर्भो महातेजा गाङ्गेयः पावकोद्भवः । दिव्यं शरवणं प्राप्य ववृधेऽद्भुतदर्शनः ॥

sa tu garbho mahātejā gāṅgeyaḥ pāvakodbhavaḥ | divyaṃ śaravaṇaṃ prāpya vavṛdhe'dbhutadarśanaḥ

That embryo of great radiance, Ganga's son, born of Fire, reached the divine reed-thicket (sharavana) and grew there, wondrous to behold.

Verse 78 (13.131.78)

ददृशुः कृत्तिकास्तं तु बालार्कसदृशद्युतिम् । जातस्नेहास्तु तं बालं पुपुषुः स्तन्यविस्रवैः ॥

dadṛśuḥ kṛttikāstaṃ tu bālārkasadṛśadyutim | jātasnehāstu taṃ bālaṃ pupuṣuḥ stanyavisravaiḥ

The Krittikas saw him, radiant like the young sun, and, their affection awakened, they nursed the child with streams of their milk.

Verse 79 (13.131.79)

ततः स कार्तिकेयत्वमवाप परमद्युतिः । स्कन्नत्वात्स्कन्दतां चापि गुहावासाद्गुहोऽभवत् ॥

tataḥ sa kārtikeyatvamavāpa paramadyutiḥ | skannatvātskandatāṃ cāpi guhāvāsādguho'bhavat

Thus he of supreme splendour became Karttikeya; because he had been spilled (skanna) he is also called Skanda, and because he dwelt in a hidden place (guha) he became Guha.

Verse 80 (13.131.80)

एवं सुवर्णमुत्पन्नमपत्यं जातवेदसः । तत्र जाम्बूनदं श्रेष्ठं देवानामपि भूषणम् ॥

evaṃ suvarṇamutpannamapatyaṃ jātavedasaḥ | tatra jāmbūnadaṃ śreṣṭhaṃ devānāmapi bhūṣaṇam

In this way gold arose, the offspring of Jatavedas (Agni). Of it, the Jambunada gold is the best, an ornament even for the gods.

Verse 81 (13.131.81)

ततःप्रभृति चाप्येतञ्जातरूपमुदाहृतम् । रत्नानामुत्तमं रत्नं भूषणानां तथैव च ॥

tataḥprabhṛti cāpyetañjātarūpamudāhṛtam | ratnānāmuttamaṃ ratnaṃ bhūṣaṇānāṃ tathaiva ca

From then on it has been called jatarupa, the best of jewels and likewise the best of ornaments,

Note on the text: Lines = CE 13.84.79a, 81a.

Verse 82 (13.131.82)

पवित्रं च पवित्राणां मङ्गलानां च मङ्गलम् । यत्सुवर्णं स भगवानग्निरीशः प्रजापतिः ॥

pavitraṃ ca pavitrāṇāṃ maṅgalānāṃ ca maṅgalam | yatsuvarṇaṃ sa bhagavānagnirīśaḥ prajāpatiḥ

the purifier of purifiers and the auspicious among auspicious things. Gold is the blessed Agni himself, the Lord, Prajapati.

Note on the text: Lines = CE 13.84.81c, 79c (the CE orders the lines differently).

Verse 83 (13.131.83)

पवित्राणां पवित्रं हि कनकं द्विजसत्तमाः । अग्नीषोमात्मकं चैव जातरूपमुदाहृतम् ॥

pavitrāṇāṃ pavitraṃ hi kanakaṃ dvijasattamāḥ | agnīṣomātmakaṃ caiva jātarūpamudāhṛtam

Gold is the purifier of purifiers, O best of brahmins; it is said to be of the nature of Agni and Soma, and is called jatarupa.