The Gods Prepare for War with Shankhachuda

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.9.20.1)

श्रीनारायण उवाच । ब्रह्मा शिवं सन्नियोज्य संहारे दानवस्य च । जगाम स्वालयं तूर्णं यथास्थानं सुरोत्तमाः

śrīnārāyaṇa uvāca | brahmā śivaṁ sanniyojya saṁhāre dānavasya ca | jagāma svālayaṁ tūrṇaṁ yathāsthānaṁ surottamāḥ

Sri Narayana said: Having charged Shiva with the destruction of that Danava, Brahma quickly returned to his own abode, and the best of the gods each went to their own place.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.9.20.2)

चन्द्रभागानदीतीरे वटमूले मनोहरे । तत्र तस्थौ महादेवो देवविस्तारहेतवे

candrabhāgānadītīre vaṭamūle manohare | tatra tasthau mahādevo devavistārahetave

On the bank of the river Chandrabhaga, beneath a lovely banyan tree, Mahadeva took up his stand there, for the sake of the gods' cause.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.9.20.3)

दूतं कृत्वा चित्ररथं गन्धर्वेश्वरमीप्सितम् । शीघ्रं प्रस्थापयामास शङ्खचूडान्तिकं मुदा

dūtaṁ kṛtvā citrarathaṁ gandharveśvaramīpsitam | śīghraṁ prasthāpayāmāsa śaṅkhacūḍāntikaṁ mudā

Making Chitraratha, that excellent lord of the Gandharvas, his envoy, he joyfully sent him swiftly to Shankhachuda's presence.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.9.20.4)

सर्वेश्वराज्ञया शीघ्रं ययौ तन्नगरं परम् । महेन्द्रनगरोत्कृष्टं कुबेरभवनाधिकम्

sarveśvarājñayā śīghraṁ yayau tannagaraṁ param | mahendranagarotkṛṣṭaṁ kuberabhavanādhikam

By the command of the Lord of all, he swiftly went to that great city, finer than Indra's own city, surpassing even Kubera's abode.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.9.20.5)

पञ्चयोजनविस्तीर्णं दैर्घ्ये तद् द्विगुणं भवेत् । स्फटिकाकारमणिभिर्निर्मितं यानवेष्टितम्

pañcayojanavistīrṇaṁ dairghye tad dviguṇaṁ bhavet | sphaṭikākāramaṇibhirnirmitaṁ yānaveṣṭitam

It was five yojanas wide, and twice that in length; built of crystalline gems, and encircled by vehicles.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.9.20.6)

सप्तभिः परिखाभिश्च दुर्गमाभिः समन्वितम् । ज्वलदग्निनिभैः शश्वत्कल्पितं रत्नकोटिभिः

saptabhiḥ parikhābhiśca durgamābhiḥ samanvitam | jvaladagninibhaiḥ śaśvatkalpitaṁ ratnakoṭibhiḥ

It was ringed with seven impassable moats, ever adorned with crores of gems that blazed like fire.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.9.20.7)

युक्तं च वीथीशतकैर्मणिवेदिविचित्रितैः । परितो वणिजां सौधैर्नानावस्तुविराजितैः

yuktaṁ ca vīthīśatakairmaṇivedivicitritaiḥ | parito vaṇijāṁ saudhairnānāvastuvirājitaiḥ

— furnished with hundreds of avenues adorned with jeweled platforms, ringed about with merchants' mansions resplendent with every kind of goods —

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.9.20.8)

सिन्दूराकारमणिभिर्निर्मितैश्च विचित्रितैः । भूषितं भूषितैर्दिव्यैराश्रमैः शतकोटिभिः

sindūrākāramaṇibhirnirmitaiśca vicitritaiḥ | bhūṣitaṁ bhūṣitairdivyairāśramaiḥ śatakoṭibhiḥ

— decorated with buildings fashioned of vermilion-hued gems, and adorned with a hundred crores of divine hermitages.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.9.20.9)

गत्वा ददर्श तन्मध्ये शङ्खचूडालयं परम् । अतीव वलयाकारं यथा पूर्णेन्दुमण्डलम्

gatvā dadarśa tanmadhye śaṅkhacūḍālayaṁ param | atīva valayākāraṁ yathā pūrṇendumaṇḍalam

Going there, he saw in its midst Shankhachuda's supreme palace, circular in shape like the orb of the full moon.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.9.20.10)

ज्वलदग्निशिखाक्ताभिः परिखाभिश्चतसृभिः । तद्दुर्गमं च शत्रूणामन्येषां सुगमं सुखम्

jvaladagniśikhāktābhiḥ parikhābhiścatasṛbhiḥ | taddurgamaṁ ca śatrūṇāmanyeṣāṁ sugamaṁ sukham

Ringed by four moats seemingly tipped with blazing flame, it was impassable to enemies, yet easy and pleasant for others.

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.9.20.11)

अत्युच्चैर्गगनस्पर्शिमणिशृङ्गविराजितम् । राजितं द्वादशद्वारैर्द्वारपालसमन्वितम्

atyuccairgaganasparśimaṇiśṛṅgavirājitam | rājitaṁ dvādaśadvārairdvārapālasamanvitam

Resplendent with towering jeweled spires touching the sky, adorned with twelve gates, each furnished with its own gatekeepers.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.9.20.12)

मणीन्द्रसारनिर्माणैः शोभितं लक्षमन्दिरैः । शोभितं रत्नसोपानै रत्नस्तम्भविराजितम्

maṇīndrasāranirmāṇaiḥ śobhitaṁ lakṣamandiraiḥ | śobhitaṁ ratnasopānai ratnastambhavirājitam

Adorned with a hundred thousand mansions fashioned of the finest gems, decorated with jeweled steps, resplendent with jeweled pillars.

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.9.20.13)

तद् दृष्ट्वा पुष्पदन्तोऽपि वरं द्वारं ददर्श सः । द्वारे नियुक्तं पुरुषं शूलहस्तं च सस्मितम्

tad dṛṣṭvā puṣpadanto'pi varaṁ dvāraṁ dadarśa saḥ | dvāre niyuktaṁ puruṣaṁ śūlahastaṁ ca sasmitam

Seeing all this, Pushpadanta then saw the main gate, and, stationed at the gate, a smiling man, trident in hand —

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.9.20.14)

तिष्ठन्तं पिङ्गलाक्षं च ताम्रवर्णं भयङ्करम् । कथयामास वृत्तान्तं जगाम तदनुज्ञया

tiṣṭhantaṁ piṅgalākṣaṁ ca tāmravarṇaṁ bhayaṅkaram | kathayāmāsa vṛttāntaṁ jagāma tadanujñayā

— standing there, tawny-eyed and copper-hued, fearsome; he told him his purpose, and by his leave went in.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.9.20.15)

अतिक्रम्य च तद्द्वारं जगामाभ्यन्तरं पुनः । न कोऽपि रक्षति श्रुत्वा दूतरूपं रणस्य च

atikramya ca taddvāraṁ jagāmābhyantaraṁ punaḥ | na ko'pi rakṣati śrutvā dūtarūpaṁ raṇasya ca

Passing through that gate, he went further within; and hearing that he was an envoy come about war, no one hindered him.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.9.20.16)

गत्वा सोऽभ्यन्तरद्वारं द्वारपालमुवाच ह । रणस्य सर्ववृत्तान्तं विज्ञापयत माचिरम्

gatvā so'bhyantaradvāraṁ dvārapālamuvāca ha | raṇasya sarvavṛttāntaṁ vijñāpayata māciram

Going to the inner gate, he said to the gatekeeper: "Announce this whole matter of war without delay."

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.9.20.17)

स च तं कथयित्वा च दूतो गन्तुमुवाच ह । स गत्वा शङ्खचूडं तं ददर्श सुमनोहरम्

sa ca taṁ kathayitvā ca dūto gantumuvāca ha | sa gatvā śaṅkhacūḍaṁ taṁ dadarśa sumanoharam

Having informed the king, he told the envoy to go in; and he went and saw that most enchanting Shankhachuda —

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.9.20.18)

राजमण्डलमध्यस्थं स्वर्णसिंहासने स्थितम् । मणीन्द्ररचितं दिव्यं रत्नदण्डसमन्वितम्

rājamaṇḍalamadhyasthaṁ svarṇasiṁhāsane sthitam | maṇīndraracitaṁ divyaṁ ratnadaṇḍasamanvitam

— seated in the midst of his circle of vassal kings, upon a golden throne, divine, fashioned of the finest gems, furnished with a jeweled staff —

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.9.20.19)

रत्नकृत्रिमपुष्पैश्च प्रशस्तैः शोभितं सदा । भृत्येन मस्तकन्यस्तं स्वर्णच्छत्रं मनोहरम्

ratnakṛtrimapuṣpaiśca praśastaiḥ śobhitaṁ sadā | bhṛtyena mastakanyastaṁ svarṇacchatraṁ manoharam

— ever adorned with fine artificial flowers of gems; an enchanting golden umbrella held over his head by an attendant —

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.9.20.20)

सेवितं पार्षदगणै रुचिरैः श्वेतचामरैः । सुवेषं सुन्दरं रम्यं रत्नभूषणभूषितम्

sevitaṁ pārṣadagaṇai ruciraiḥ śvetacāmaraiḥ | suveṣaṁ sundaraṁ ramyaṁ ratnabhūṣaṇabhūṣitam

— served by hosts of fine attendants with white chowries; well-attired, handsome, delightful, adorned with jeweled ornaments —

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.9.20.21)

माल्येन लेपनं सूक्ष्मं सुवस्त्रं दधतं मुने । दानवेन्द्रैः परिवृतं सुवेषैश्च त्रिकोटिभिः

mālyena lepanaṁ sūkṣmaṁ suvastraṁ dadhataṁ mune | dānavendraiḥ parivṛtaṁ suveṣaiśca trikoṭibhiḥ

— wearing a garland, fine unguents, and fine garments, O sage, surrounded by three crores of well-attired Danava lords —

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.9.20.22)

शतकोटिभिरन्यैश्च भ्रमद्भिरस्त्रपाणिभिः । एवम्भूतञ्च तं दृष्ट्वा पुष्पदन्तः सविस्मयः

śatakoṭibhiranyaiśca bhramadbhirastrapāṇibhiḥ | evambhūtañca taṁ dṛṣṭvā puṣpadantaḥ savismayaḥ

— and a hundred crores of other weapon-bearing soldiers besides, moving about on every side; seeing him thus, Pushpadanta was struck with wonder.

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.9.20.23)

उवाच स च वृत्तान्तं यदुक्तं शङ्करेण च । पुष्पदन्त उवाच । राजेन्द्र शिवभृत्योऽहं पुष्पदन्ताभिधः प्रभो

uvāca sa ca vṛttāntaṁ yaduktaṁ śaṅkareṇa ca | puṣpadanta uvāca | rājendra śivabhṛtyo'haṁ puṣpadantābhidhaḥ prabho

He then delivered the message that Shankara had entrusted to him. Pushpadanta said: "O king of kings, I am Shiva's servant, my lord, named Pushpadanta.

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.9.20.24)

यदुक्तं शङ्करेणैव तद् ब्रवीमि निशामय । राज्यं देहि च देवानामधिकारं च साम्प्रतम्

yaduktaṁ śaṅkareṇaiva tad bravīmi niśāmaya | rājyaṁ dehi ca devānāmadhikāraṁ ca sāmpratam

I speak now what Shankara himself told me to say — hear it: give back to the gods their kingdom and their dominion, now.

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.9.20.25)

देवाश्च शरणापन्ना देवेशं श्रीहरिं परम् । हरिर्दत्त्वास्य शूलं च तेन प्रस्थापितः शिवः

devāśca śaraṇāpannā deveśaṁ śrīhariṁ param | harirdattvāsya śūlaṁ ca tena prasthāpitaḥ śivaḥ

The gods, taking refuge with the Lord of gods, supreme Sri Hari — Hari, having given him his own trident, has sent Shiva here in turn —

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.9.20.26)

पुष्पभद्रानदीतीरे वटमूले त्रिलोचनः । विषयं देहि तेषां च युद्धं वा कुरु निश्चितम्

puṣpabhadrānadītīre vaṭamūle trilocanaḥ | viṣayaṁ dehi teṣāṁ ca yuddhaṁ vā kuru niścitam

— and the three-eyed Shiva now waits on the bank of the river Pushpabhadra beneath a banyan tree. Give back their domain, or else make ready for certain war.

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.9.20.27)

गत्वा वक्ष्यामि किं शम्भुमथ तद्वद मामपि । दूतस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा शङ्खचूडः प्रहस्य च

gatvā vakṣyāmi kiṁ śambhumatha tadvada māmapi | dūtasya vacanaṁ śrutvā śaṅkhacūḍaḥ prahasya ca

Tell me too what I should say to Shambhu upon my return." Hearing the envoy's words, Shankhachuda laughed —

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.9.20.28)

प्रभातेऽहं गमिष्यामि त्वं च गच्छेत्युवाच ह । स गत्वोवाच तं तूर्णं वटमूलस्थमीश्वरम्

prabhāte'haṁ gamiṣyāmi tvaṁ ca gacchetyuvāca ha | sa gatvovāca taṁ tūrṇaṁ vaṭamūlasthamīśvaram

— and said: "At dawn I shall come myself; you may go now." He went and quickly told the Lord, seated beneath the banyan tree —

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.9.20.29)

शङ्खचूडस्य वचनं तदीयं तन्मुखोदितम् । एतस्मिन्नन्तरे स्कन्द आजगाम शिवान्तिकम्

śaṅkhacūḍasya vacanaṁ tadīyaṁ tanmukhoditam | etasminnantare skanda ājagāma śivāntikam

— Shankhachuda's reply, exactly as spoken from his own mouth. Meanwhile Skanda too arrived at Shiva's side —

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.9.20.30)

वीरभद्रश्च नन्दी च महाकालः सुभद्रकः । विशालाक्षश्च बाणश्च पिङ्गलाक्षो विकम्पनः

vīrabhadraśca nandī ca mahākālaḥ subhadrakaḥ | viśālākṣaśca bāṇaśca piṅgalākṣo vikampanaḥ

— Virabhadra, Nandi, Mahakala, Subhadraka; Vishalaksha, Bana, Pingalaksha, Vikampana —

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.9.20.31)

विरूपो विकृतिश्चैव मणिभद्रश्च बाष्कलः । कपिलाख्यो दीर्घदंष्ट्रो विकटस्ताम्रलोचनः

virūpo vikṛtiścaiva maṇibhadraśca bāṣkalaḥ | kapilākhyo dīrghadaṁṣṭro vikaṭastāmralocanaḥ

— Virupa, Vikriti, Manibhadra, Bashkala; Kapila, Dirghadamshtra, Vikata, Tamralochana —

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.9.20.32)

कालकण्ठो बलीभद्रः कालजिह्नः कुटीचरः । बलोन्मत्तो रणश्लाघी दुर्जयो दुर्गमस्तथा

kālakaṇṭho balībhadraḥ kālajihnaḥ kuṭīcaraḥ | balonmatto raṇaślāghī durjayo durgamastathā

— Kalakantha, Balibhadra, Kalajihva, Kutichara; Balonmatta, Ranashlaghi, Durjaya, and Durgama —

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.9.20.33)

अष्टौ च भैरवा रौद्रा रुद्राश्चैकादश स्मृताः । वसवोऽष्टौ वासवश्च आदित्या द्वादश स्मृताः

aṣṭau ca bhairavā raudrā rudrāścaikādaśa smṛtāḥ | vasavo'ṣṭau vāsavaśca ādityā dvādaśa smṛtāḥ

— all together with the eight fierce Bhairavas, the eleven Rudras that scripture remembers, the eight Vasus and Vasava, and the twelve Adityas —

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.9.20.34)

हुताशनश्च चन्द्रश्च विश्वकर्माश्विनौ च तौ । कुबेरश्च यमश्चैव जयन्तो नलकूबरः

hutāśanaśca candraśca viśvakarmāśvinau ca tau | kuberaśca yamaścaiva jayanto nalakūbaraḥ

— Agni, Chandra, Vishvakarma, and the two Ashvins; Kubera, Yama, Jayanta, Nalakubara —

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.9.20.35)

वायुश्च वरुणश्चैव बुधश्च मङ्गलस्तथा । धर्मश्च शनिरीशानः कामदेवश्च वीर्यवान्

vāyuśca varuṇaścaiva budhaśca maṅgalastathā | dharmaśca śanirīśānaḥ kāmadevaśca vīryavān

— Vayu, Varuna, Budha, Mangala; Dharma, Shani, Ishana, and mighty Kamadeva —

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.9.20.36)

उग्रदंष्ट्रा चोग्रदण्डा कोटरा कैटभी तथा । स्वयं चाष्टभुजा देवी भद्रकाली भयङ्करी

ugradaṁṣṭrā cogradaṇḍā koṭarā kaiṭabhī tathā | svayaṁ cāṣṭabhujā devī bhadrakālī bhayaṅkarī

— Ugradamshtra, Ugradanda, Kotara, Kaitabhi; and the eight-armed goddess herself, fearsome Bhadrakali —

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.9.20.37)

रत्नेन्द्रसारनिर्माणविमानोपरि संस्थिता । रक्तवस्त्रपरीधाना रक्तमाल्यानुलेपना

ratnendrasāranirmāṇavimānopari saṁsthitā | raktavastraparīdhānā raktamālyānulepanā

— seated atop a chariot fashioned of the finest gems, clad in red garments, adorned with red garlands and red unguents —

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.9.20.38)

नृत्यन्ती च हसन्ती च गायन्ती सुस्वरं मुदा । अभयं ददाति भक्तेभ्योऽभया सा च भयं रिपुम्

nṛtyantī ca hasantī ca gāyantī susvaraṁ mudā | abhayaṁ dadāti bhaktebhyo'bhayā sā ca bhayaṁ ripum

— dancing, laughing, singing sweetly in delight; fearless herself, she grants fearlessness to her devotees, and terror to their enemies —

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.9.20.39)

बिभ्रती विकटां जिह्वां सुलोलां योजनायताम् । शङ्खचक्रगदापद्मखड्गचर्मधनुःशरान्

bibhratī vikaṭāṁ jihvāṁ sulolāṁ yojanāyatām | śaṅkhacakragadāpadmakhaḍgacarmadhanuḥśarān

— bearing a fearsome, restless tongue a full yojana in length; wielding conch, discus, mace, lotus, sword, shield, bow, and arrows —

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.9.20.40)

खर्परं वर्तुलाकारं गम्भीरं योजनायतम् । त्रिशूलं गगनस्पर्शि शक्तिं च योजनायताम्

kharparaṁ vartulākāraṁ gambhīraṁ yojanāyatam | triśūlaṁ gaganasparśi śaktiṁ ca yojanāyatām

— a round, deep skull-bowl a yojana across; a trident touching the sky, and a spear a full yojana long —

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.9.20.41)

मुद्गरं मुसलं वज्रं खेटं फलकमुज्ज्वलम् । वैष्णवास्त्रं वारुणास्त्रं वाह्नेयं नागपाशकम्

mudgaraṁ musalaṁ vajraṁ kheṭaṁ phalakamujjvalam | vaiṣṇavāstraṁ vāruṇāstraṁ vāhneyaṁ nāgapāśakam

— mace, pestle-club, thunderbolt, shield, and a brilliant buckler; the Vaishnava missile, the Varuna missile, the Fire missile, and the serpent-noose —

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.9.20.42)

नारायणास्त्रं गान्धर्वं ब्रह्मास्त्रं गारुडं तथा । पर्जन्यास्त्रं पाशुपतं जृम्भणास्त्रं च पार्वतम्

nārāyaṇāstraṁ gāndharvaṁ brahmāstraṁ gāruḍaṁ tathā | parjanyāstraṁ pāśupataṁ jṛmbhaṇāstraṁ ca pārvatam

— the Narayana missile, the Gandharva missile, the Brahma missile, the Garuda missile; the Parjanya missile, the Pashupata, the Jrimbhana missile, and the Parvata missile —

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.9.20.43)

माहेश्वरास्त्रं वायव्यं दण्डं सम्मोहनं तथा । अव्यर्थमस्त्रकं दिव्यं दिव्यास्त्रशतकं परम्

māheśvarāstraṁ vāyavyaṁ daṇḍaṁ sammohanaṁ tathā | avyarthamastrakaṁ divyaṁ divyāstraśatakaṁ param

— the Maheshvara missile, the Vayu missile, the Danda missile, and the Sammohana missile; the unfailing divine missile, and a full hundred other supreme divine missiles besides.

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.9.20.44)

आगत्य तत्र तस्थौ च योगिनीनां त्रिकोटिभिः । सार्धं च डाकिनीनां च विकटानां त्रिकोटिभिः

āgatya tatra tasthau ca yoginīnāṁ trikoṭibhiḥ | sārdhaṁ ca ḍākinīnāṁ ca vikaṭānāṁ trikoṭibhiḥ

That goddess came and took her stand there, together with three crores of Yoginis, and three crores of fearsome Dakinis —

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.9.20.45)

भूतप्रेतपिशाचाश्च कूष्माण्डा ब्रह्मराक्षसाः । वेताला राक्षसाश्चैव यक्षाश्चैव तु किन्नराः

bhūtapretapiśācāśca kūṣmāṇḍā brahmarākṣasāḥ | vetālā rākṣasāścaiva yakṣāścaiva tu kinnarāḥ

— together with Bhutas, Pretas, Pishachas, Kushmandas, Brahmarakshasas, Vetalas, Rakshasas, Yakshas, and Kinnaras —

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.9.20.46)

ताभिश्चैव सह स्कन्दः प्रणम्य चन्द्रशेखरम् । पितुः पार्श्वे सहायार्थं समुवास तदाज्ञया

tābhiścaiva saha skandaḥ praṇamya candraśekharam | pituḥ pārśve sahāyārthaṁ samuvāsa tadājñayā

— and together with all of these, Skanda, having bowed to Chandrashekhara, took his seat by his father's side to assist him, at his command.

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.9.20.47)

अथ दूते गते तत्र शङ्खचूडः प्रतापवान् । उवाच तुलसीं वार्तां गत्वाभ्यन्तरमेव च

atha dūte gate tatra śaṅkhacūḍaḥ pratāpavān | uvāca tulasīṁ vārtāṁ gatvābhyantarameva ca

Then, once the envoy had departed, the mighty Shankhachuda went within and told Tulasi the news.

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.9.20.48)

रणवार्तां च सा श्रुत्वा शुष्ककण्ठोष्ठतालुका । उवाच मधुरं साध्वी हृदयेन विदूयता

raṇavārtāṁ ca sā śrutvā śuṣkakaṇṭhoṣṭhatālukā | uvāca madhuraṁ sādhvī hṛdayena vidūyatā

Hearing the news of war, her throat, lips, and palate suddenly dry, that virtuous woman spoke sweetly, though her heart burned with pain.

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.9.20.49)

तुलस्युवाच । हे प्राणबन्धो हे नाथ तिष्ठ मे वक्षसि क्षणम् । हे प्राणाधिष्ठातृदेव रक्ष मे जीवितं क्षणम्

tulasyuvāca | he prāṇabandho he nātha tiṣṭha me vakṣasi kṣaṇam | he prāṇādhiṣṭhātṛdeva rakṣa me jīvitaṁ kṣaṇam

Tulasi said: "O friend of my life, O lord, stay upon my breast a moment; O deity presiding over my very life, protect my life one moment more.

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.9.20.50)

भुङ्क्ष्व जन्म समासाद्य यन्मे मनसि वाञ्छितम् । पश्यामि त्वां क्षणं किञ्चिल्लोचनाभ्यां च सादरम्

bhuṅkṣva janma samāsādya yanme manasi vāñchitam | paśyāmi tvāṁ kṣaṇaṁ kiñcillocanābhyāṁ ca sādaram

Having attained this birth, enjoy that which my heart desires; let me gaze upon you a moment more, with reverence, with my own eyes.

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.9.20.51)

आन्दोलयन्ते प्राणा मे मनो दग्धं च सन्ततम् । दुःस्वप्नश्च मया दृष्टश्चाद्यैव चरमे निशि

āndolayante prāṇā me mano dagdhaṁ ca santatam | duḥsvapnaśca mayā dṛṣṭaścādyaiva carame niśi

My life-breaths tremble, and my mind burns without ceasing; and this very night, in its last watch, I saw an ill-omened dream.

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.9.20.52)

तुलसीवचनं श्रुत्वा भुक्त्वा पीत्वा नृपेश्वर । उवाच वचनं प्राज्ञो हितं सत्यं यथोचितम्

tulasīvacanaṁ śrutvā bhuktvā pītvā nṛpeśvara | uvāca vacanaṁ prājño hitaṁ satyaṁ yathocitam

Hearing Tulasi's words, and having eaten and drunk, that wise lord of kings spoke to her words that were beneficial, true, and fitting.

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.9.20.53)

शङ्खचूड उवाच । कालेन योजितं सर्वं कर्मभोगनिबन्धनम् । शुभं हर्षः सुखं दुःखं भयं शोकश्च मङ्गलम्

śaṅkhacūḍa uvāca | kālena yojitaṁ sarvaṁ karmabhoganibandhanam | śubhaṁ harṣaḥ sukhaṁ duḥkhaṁ bhayaṁ śokaśca maṅgalam

Shankhachuda said: "All is bound together by time — the working out of one's own deeds and their fruit; good and joy, pleasure and pain, fear, sorrow, and fortune —

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.9.20.54)

काले भवन्ति वृक्षाश्च स्कन्धवन्तश्च कालतः । क्रमेण पुष्पवन्तश्च फलवन्तश्च कालतः

kāle bhavanti vṛkṣāśca skandhavantaśca kālataḥ | krameṇa puṣpavantaśca phalavantaśca kālataḥ

— trees come into being by time, and by time they grow their trunks; in due course, by time, they come to flower, and by time to fruit —

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.9.20.55)

तेषां फलानि पक्वानि प्रभवन्त्येव कालतः । ते सर्वे फलिताः काले पातं यान्ति च कालतः

teṣāṁ phalāni pakvāni prabhavantyeva kālataḥ | te sarve phalitāḥ kāle pātaṁ yānti ca kālataḥ

— their fruits too ripen only by time; and all of them, having fruited, fall away again only by time.

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.9.20.56)

काले भवन्ति विश्वानि काले नश्यन्ति सुन्दरि । कालात्स्रष्टा च सृजति पाता पाति च कालतः

kāle bhavanti viśvāni kāle naśyanti sundari | kālātsraṣṭā ca sṛjati pātā pāti ca kālataḥ

By time the worlds come into being, and by time, O beauty, they perish; the Creator creates by time, and the Preserver preserves by time —

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.9.20.57)

संहर्ता संहरेत्काले क्रमेण सञ्चरन्ति ते । ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवादीनामीश्वरः प्रकृतिः परा

saṁhartā saṁharetkāle krameṇa sañcaranti te | brahmaviṣṇuśivādīnāmīśvaraḥ prakṛtiḥ parā

— the Destroyer destroys by time; and thus they all proceed in due order. There is a Lord beyond even Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and the rest — the supreme Prakriti —

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.9.20.58)

स्रष्टा पाता च संहर्ता स चात्मा कालनर्तकः । काले स एव प्रकृतिं स्वाभिन्नां स्वेच्छया प्रभुः

sraṣṭā pātā ca saṁhartā sa cātmā kālanartakaḥ | kāle sa eva prakṛtiṁ svābhinnāṁ svecchayā prabhuḥ

— he is Creator, Preserver, and Destroyer alike, that very Self, the dancer within time; by time, that Lord, of his own free will, brings forth Prakriti, inseparable from himself —

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.9.20.59)

निर्माय कृतवान्सर्वान्विश्वस्थांश्च चराचरान् । सर्वेशः सर्वरूपश्च सर्वात्मा परमेश्वरः

nirmāya kṛtavānsarvānviśvasthāṁśca carācarān | sarveśaḥ sarvarūpaśca sarvātmā parameśvaraḥ

— and, having fashioned it, made all the moving and unmoving beings that dwell in this universe; the Lord of all, of all forms, the Self of all, the Supreme Lord.

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.9.20.60)

जनं जनेन जनिता जनं पाति जनेन यः । जनं जनेन हरते तं देवं भज साम्प्रतम्

janaṁ janena janitā janaṁ pāti janena yaḥ | janaṁ janena harate taṁ devaṁ bhaja sāmpratam

He who through one being gives birth to another, through one being preserves another, and through one being takes another away — worship that God now.

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.9.20.61)

यस्याज्ञया वाति वातः शीघ्रगामी च साम्प्रतम् । यस्याज्ञया च तपनस्तपत्येव यथाक्षणम्

yasyājñayā vāti vātaḥ śīghragāmī ca sāmpratam | yasyājñayā ca tapanastapatyeva yathākṣaṇam

By whose command the swift-moving wind blows even now; by whose command the sun burns at every moment —

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.9.20.62)

यथाक्षणं वर्षतीन्द्रो मृत्युश्चरति जन्तुषु । यथाक्षणं दहत्यग्निश्चन्द्रो भ्रमति शीतवान्

yathākṣaṇaṁ varṣatīndro mṛtyuścarati jantuṣu | yathākṣaṇaṁ dahatyagniścandro bhramati śītavān

— by whose command Indra rains at every moment, and Death moves among creatures at every moment; by whose command Fire burns at every moment, and the cool Moon wanders on —

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.9.20.63)

मृत्योर्मृत्युं कालकालं यमस्य च यमं परम् । विभुं स्रष्टुश्च स्रष्टारं मातुश्च मातृकं भवे

mṛtyormṛtyuṁ kālakālaṁ yamasya ca yamaṁ param | vibhuṁ sraṣṭuśca sraṣṭāraṁ mātuśca mātṛkaṁ bhave

— the Death of Death, the Time of Time, the supreme master of Yama; the all-pervading one, the Creator of the Creator, the very mother of Mother herself in this world —

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.9.20.64)

संहर्तारं च संहर्तुस्तं देवं शरणं व्रज । को वा बन्धुश्च केषां वा सर्वबन्धुं भज प्रिये

saṁhartāraṁ ca saṁhartustaṁ devaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja | ko vā bandhuśca keṣāṁ vā sarvabandhuṁ bhaja priye

— the Destroyer of the Destroyer — take refuge in that God alone. Who indeed is anyone's true kinsman? Worship instead, O beloved, the kinsman of all.

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.9.20.65)

अहं को वा च त्वं का वा विधिना योजितः पुरा । त्वया सार्धं कर्मणा च पुनस्तेन वियोजितः

ahaṁ ko vā ca tvaṁ kā vā vidhinā yojitaḥ purā | tvayā sārdhaṁ karmaṇā ca punastena viyojitaḥ

Who indeed am I, and who are you? By fate we were joined together once, and by our own karma, through that same fate, we shall be parted again.

Verse 66 (devibhagavatam.9.20.66)

अज्ञानी कातरः शोके विपत्तौ न च पण्डितः । सुखे दुःखे भ्रमत्येव कालनेमिक्रमेण च

ajñānī kātaraḥ śoke vipattau na ca paṇḍitaḥ | sukhe duḥkhe bhramatyeva kālanemikrameṇa ca

It is the ignorant who grows fearful in sorrow — not so the wise, even in calamity; all creatures wander on through joy and sorrow alike, by the turning wheel of time.

Verse 67 (devibhagavatam.9.20.67)

नारायणं तं सर्वेशं कान्तं यास्यसि निश्चितम् । तपः कृतं यदर्थं च पुरा बदरिकाश्रमे

nārāyaṇaṁ taṁ sarveśaṁ kāntaṁ yāsyasi niścitam | tapaḥ kṛtaṁ yadarthaṁ ca purā badarikāśrame

You shall certainly attain Narayana, the Lord of all, your true beloved, for whose sake you once performed austerity at Badarikashrama.

Verse 68 (devibhagavatam.9.20.68)

मया त्वं तपसा लब्धा ब्रह्मणस्तु वरेण च । हर्यर्थे यत्तव तपो हरिं प्राप्स्यसि कामिनि

mayā tvaṁ tapasā labdhā brahmaṇastu vareṇa ca | haryarthe yattava tapo hariṁ prāpsyasi kāmini

By austerity, and by Brahma's boon, I obtained you; but the austerity you performed was for Hari's sake alone, and Hari, O beloved, is whom you shall attain.

Verse 69 (devibhagavatam.9.20.69)

वृन्दावने च गोविन्दं गोलोके त्वं लभिष्यसि । अहं यास्यामि तल्लोकं तनुं त्यक्त्वा च दानवीम्

vṛndāvane ca govindaṁ goloke tvaṁ labhiṣyasi | ahaṁ yāsyāmi tallokaṁ tanuṁ tyaktvā ca dānavīm

In Vrindavana, in Goloka, you shall obtain Govinda; and I too shall go to that very world, once I have given up this Danava body.

Verse 70 (devibhagavatam.9.20.70)

तत्र द्रक्ष्यसि मां त्वं च द्रक्ष्यामि त्वां च साम्प्रतम् । अगमं राधिकाशापाद्भारतं च सुदुर्लभम्

tatra drakṣyasi māṁ tvaṁ ca drakṣyāmi tvāṁ ca sāmpratam | agamaṁ rādhikāśāpādbhārataṁ ca sudurlabham

There you shall see me, and I shall see you, just as now. By Radhika's curse I came to this most rare land of Bharata —

Verse 71 (devibhagavatam.9.20.71)

पुनर्यास्यामि तत्रैव कः शोको मे शृणु प्रिये । त्वं च देहं परित्यज्य दिव्यरूपं विधाय च

punaryāsyāmi tatraiva kaḥ śoko me śṛṇu priye | tvaṁ ca dehaṁ parityajya divyarūpaṁ vidhāya ca

— and shall go again to that very place; so what grief could I possibly have, hear me, my beloved? And you too, giving up this body, assuming a divine form —

Verse 72 (devibhagavatam.9.20.72)

तत्कालं प्राप्स्यसि हरिं मा कान्ते कातरा भव । इत्युक्त्वा च दिनान्ते च तया सार्धं मनोहरम्

tatkālaṁ prāpsyasi hariṁ mā kānte kātarā bhava | ityuktvā ca dinānte ca tayā sārdhaṁ manoharam

— shall attain Hari that very instant; do not be afraid, my beloved." Having said this, at the day's end, together with her, most delightfully —

Verse 73 (devibhagavatam.9.20.73)

सुष्वाप शोभने तल्पे पुष्पचन्दनचर्चिते । नानाप्रकारविभवं चकार रत्नमन्दिरे

suṣvāpa śobhane talpe puṣpacandanacarcite | nānāprakāravibhavaṁ cakāra ratnamandire

— he lay down to rest upon a beautiful bed, anointed with flowers and sandal; and in his jeweled chamber he displayed splendor of every kind —

Verse 74 (devibhagavatam.9.20.74)

रत्नप्रदीपसंयुक्ते स्त्रीरत्नं प्राप्य सुन्दरीम् । निनाय रजनीं राजा क्रीडाकौतुकमङ्गलैः

ratnapradīpasaṁyukte strīratnaṁ prāpya sundarīm | nināya rajanīṁ rājā krīḍākautukamaṅgalaiḥ

— and in that chamber lit with jeweled lamps, having that jewel among women, that beauty, the king passed the night in games and auspicious diversions —

Verse 75 (devibhagavatam.9.20.75)

कृत्वा वक्षसि तां कान्तां रुदतीमतिदुःखिताम् । कृशोदरीं निराहारां निमग्नां शोकसागरे

kṛtvā vakṣasi tāṁ kāntāṁ rudatīmatiduḥkhitām | kṛśodarīṁ nirāhārāṁ nimagnāṁ śokasāgare

— taking to his own chest that beloved of his, weeping, greatly sorrowful, her waist grown thin, refusing all food, sunk in an ocean of grief —

Verse 76 (devibhagavatam.9.20.76)

पुनस्तां बोधयामास दिव्यज्ञानेन ज्ञानवित् । पुरा कृष्णेन यद्दत्तं भाण्डीरे तत्त्वमुत्तमम्

punastāṁ bodhayāmāsa divyajñānena jñānavit | purā kṛṣṇena yaddattaṁ bhāṇḍīre tattvamuttamam

— he, the knower of true knowledge, instructed her once more with divine wisdom — that same supreme truth which Krishna had once given at Bhandira —

Verse 77 (devibhagavatam.9.20.77)

स च तस्यै ददौ सर्वं सर्वशोकहरं परम् । ज्ञानं सम्प्राप्य सा देवी प्रसन्नवदनेक्षणा

sa ca tasyai dadau sarvaṁ sarvaśokaharaṁ param | jñānaṁ samprāpya sā devī prasannavadanekṣaṇā

— he gave her that whole teaching, the supreme remover of every sorrow; and having received that knowledge, the goddess grew serene of face and eye.

Verse 78 (devibhagavatam.9.20.78)

क्रीडां चकार हर्षेण सर्वं मत्वेति नश्वरम् । तौ दम्पती च क्रीडन्तौ निमग्नौ सुखसागरे

krīḍāṁ cakāra harṣeṇa sarvaṁ matveti naśvaram | tau dampatī ca krīḍantau nimagnau sukhasāgare

She then sported joyfully, holding all things to be transient; and that couple, sporting together, were immersed in an ocean of delight.

Verse 79 (devibhagavatam.9.20.79)

पुलकाञ्चितसर्वाङ्गौ मूर्च्छितौ निर्जने मुने । अङ्गप्रत्यङ्गसंयुक्तौ सुप्रीतौ सुरतोत्सुको

pulakāñcitasarvāṅgau mūrcchitau nirjane mune | aṅgapratyaṅgasaṁyuktau suprītau suratotsuko

Their whole bodies thrilled with horripilation, half-swooning, O sage, in that solitary place; limb joined to limb, well pleased, eager for love —

Verse 80 (devibhagavatam.9.20.80)

एकाङ्गौ च तथा तौ द्वौ चार्धनारीश्वरो यथा । प्राणेश्वरं च तुलसी मेने प्राणाधिकं परम्

ekāṅgau ca tathā tau dvau cārdhanārīśvaro yathā | prāṇeśvaraṁ ca tulasī mene prāṇādhikaṁ param

— the two of them became as one body, like Ardhanarishvara; and Tulasi held her lord of life dearer than her very own life.

Verse 81 (devibhagavatam.9.20.81)

प्राणाधिकां च तां मेने राजा प्राणेश्वरीं सतीम् । तौ स्थितौ सुखसुप्तौ च तन्द्रितौ सुन्दरौ समौ

prāṇādhikāṁ ca tāṁ mene rājā prāṇeśvarīṁ satīm | tau sthitau sukhasuptau ca tandritau sundarau samau

The king too held his own virtuous mistress of life dearer than his own life; and the two of them lay there, happily asleep, drowsy, beautiful, and matched as equals.

Verse 82 (devibhagavatam.9.20.82)

सुवेषौ सुखसम्भोगादचेष्टौ सुमनोहरौ । क्षणं सुचेतनौ तौ च कथयन्तौ रसाश्रयात्

suveṣau sukhasambhogādaceṣṭau sumanoharau | kṣaṇaṁ sucetanau tau ca kathayantau rasāśrayāt

Well-adorned, motionless from the joy of union, most enchanting; regaining their senses for a moment, they spoke, drawing on that mood of delight —

Verse 83 (devibhagavatam.9.20.83)

कथां मनोरमां दिव्यां हसन्तौ च क्षणं पुनः । क्षणं च केलिसंयुक्तौ रसभावसमन्वितौ

kathāṁ manoramāṁ divyāṁ hasantau ca kṣaṇaṁ punaḥ | kṣaṇaṁ ca kelisaṁyuktau rasabhāvasamanvitau

— a delightful, divine conversation, laughing again for a moment; and for a moment engaged once more in play, filled with that mood of delight —

Verse 84 (devibhagavatam.9.20.84)

सुरते विरतिर्नास्ति तौ तद्विषयपण्डितौ । सततं जययुक्तौ द्वौ क्षणं नैव पराजितौ

surate viratirnāsti tau tadviṣayapaṇḍitau | satataṁ jayayuktau dvau kṣaṇaṁ naiva parājitau

There was no cessation to the lovemaking of those two, skilled as they were in that art; ever triumphant together, neither was defeated, even for a moment.