The Birth of Kumara and the Slaying of Taraka

Verse 1 (padma.1.44.1)

शर्व उवाच। शरीरे मम तन्वंगि सिते भास्यसितद्युतिः। भुजंगी वा सिता शुभ्रे संश्लिष्टा चंदनेतरौ

śarva uvāca śarīre mama tanvaṁgi site bhāsyasitadyutiḥ bhujaṁgī vā sitā śubhre saṁśliṣṭā caṁdanetarau

Sharva said: "On my white-ashen body, slender one, your dark radiance shines — are you a white serpent, or sandalwood smeared unevenly?"

Verse 2 (padma.1.44.2)

चंद्रातपेन संपृक्ता रुधिराम्बरसंवृता। रजनी वा सिते पक्षे दृष्टिदोषं ददासि मे

caṁdrātapena saṁpṛktā rudhirāmbarasaṁvṛtā rajanī vā site pakṣe dṛṣṭidoṣaṁ dadāsi me

"Joined with moonlight, wrapped in blood-red garments — are you Night herself in the bright fortnight? You afflict my very sight."

Verse 3 (padma.1.44.3)

इत्युक्ता गिरिजा तेन मुक्तकंठा पिनाकिनम्। उवाच कोपरक्ताक्षी भ्रुकुटी विकृतानना

ityuktā girijā tena muktakaṁṭhā pinākinam uvāca koparaktākṣī bhrukuṭī vikṛtānanā

Thus addressed, Girija, freed from restraint, her eyes red with anger, brow furrowed, face contorted, spoke to the Pinaka-bearer.

Verse 4 (padma.1.44.4)

देव्युवाच-। स्वकृतेन जनः सर्वो जाड्येन परिभूयते। अवश्यमर्थी प्राप्नोति खंडनं शशिमंडन

devyuvāca- svakṛtena janaḥ sarvo jāḍyena paribhūyate avaśyamarthī prāpnoti khaṁḍanaṁ śaśimaṁḍana

The goddess said: "Every person is overcome by their own folly through their own deeds. One who truly seeks it meets rebuke, O moon-crowned one."

Verse 5 (padma.1.44.5)

तपोभिर्दीर्घचरितैर्या त्वां प्रार्थितवत्यहं। तस्या मेनि यतस्त्वेष ह्यवमानः पदे पदे

tapobhirdīrghacaritairyā tvāṁ prārthitavatyahaṁ tasyā meni yatastveṣa hyavamānaḥ pade pade

"I, who sought you through such long austerities — this insult of yours comes at every single step."

Verse 6 (padma.1.44.6)

नैवास्मि कुटिला शर्व विषमा न च धूर्जटे। सविषस्त्वं जगत्ख्यातो व्यक्तदोषाकराश्रयः

naivāsmi kuṭilā śarva viṣamā na ca dhūrjaṭe saviṣastvaṁ jagatkhyāto vyaktadoṣākarāśrayaḥ

"I am not crooked, Sharva, nor perverse, Dhurjati. You are the one renowned in the world as poison-bearing, the refuge of manifest faults."

Verse 7 (padma.1.44.7)

त्वं हि मुष्णासि दशनान्नेत्रहंता भगस्य च। आदित्यस्त्वां विजानाति भगवान्द्वादशात्मकः

tvaṁ hi muṣṇāsi daśanānnetrahaṁtā bhagasya ca ādityastvāṁ vijānāti bhagavāndvādaśātmakaḥ

"You are the one who stole [Pushan's] teeth, the destroyer of Bhaga's eye. Blessed Aditya, of twelvefold form, well knows you for this."

Verse 8 (padma.1.44.8)

मूर्ध्नि शूलं जनयसि स्वैर्दोषैर्मामधिक्षिपन्। यस्त्वं मामात्थकृष्णेति महाकालोसि विश्रुतः

mūrdhni śūlaṁ janayasi svairdoṣairmāmadhikṣipan yastvaṁ māmātthakṛṣṇeti mahākālosi viśrutaḥ

"You who generate a very torment in my head, reviling me with your own faults — you who call me 'dark one' — you yourself are renowned as Mahakala!"

Verse 9 (padma.1.44.9)

यास्याम्यहं परित्यक्तुमात्मानं तपसा गिरिम्। जीवंत्या न मया कृत्यं धूर्तेन परिभूतया

yāsyāmyahaṁ parityaktumātmānaṁ tapasā girim jīvaṁtyā na mayā kṛtyaṁ dhūrtena paribhūtayā

"I shall go to the mountain, to give up myself in austerity. Living on, insulted by a rogue, serves no purpose for me."

Verse 10 (padma.1.44.10)

कापालिकेन क्षुद्रेण श्मशाने नित्यवासिना। भूत्या विलिप्त स्वांगेन मातृमध्यस्थ चारिणा

kāpālikena kṣudreṇa śmaśāne nityavāsinā bhūtyā vilipta svāṁgena mātṛmadhyastha cāriṇā

"—by a mere skull-bearing wretch, an eternal dweller in cremation-grounds, limbs smeared with ash, who wanders amid the Mother-goddesses!"

Verse 11 (padma.1.44.11)

निशम्य तस्या वचनं कोपतीक्ष्णाक्षरं हरः। उवाचानिष्टसंभ्रांतः प्रचलेनेंदुमौलिना

niśamya tasyā vacanaṁ kopatīkṣṇākṣaraṁ haraḥ uvācāniṣṭasaṁbhrāṁtaḥ pracaleneṁdumaulinā

Hearing her words, sharp with anger, Hara, disturbed at this unwelcome turn, his moon-crest trembling, spoke.

Verse 12 (padma.1.44.12)

शर्व उवाच। अगात्मजासि गिरिजे नाहं निंदापरस्तव। चाटूक्तिबुध्या तु मया कृत उन्मादसंश्रयः

śarva uvāca agātmajāsi girije nāhaṁ niṁdāparastava cāṭūktibudhyā tu mayā kṛta unmādasaṁśrayaḥ

Sharva said: "You are the mountain's own daughter, Girija; I am not truly intent on reviling you. It was only playful teasing."

Verse 13 (padma.1.44.13)

विकल्पः स्वस्थचित्ते तु गिरिजे न मम क्रमात्। यद्येवं कुपिता भीरु तत्तवाहं न वै पुनः

vikalpaḥ svasthacitte tu girije na mama kramāt yadyevaṁ kupitā bhīru tattavāhaṁ na vai punaḥ

"There was no true doubt in my composed mind about you — that was never my way. But if you're so angered, timid one, I shall never again—"

Verse 14 (padma.1.44.14)

नर्मवादी भविष्यामि जहि कोपं शुचिस्मिते। शिरसा प्रणतेनैष रचितस्ते मयांजलि

narmavādī bhaviṣyāmi jahi kopaṁ śucismite śirasā praṇatenaiṣa racitaste mayāṁjali

"—speak in jest. Cast away your anger, pure-smiling one — with my head bowed I offer you these joined hands."

Verse 15 (padma.1.44.15)

नि हीनो ह्यपमानेन निंदिते नैति विक्रियाम्। असतां तु सतां न स्यान्मर्मस्पृष्टो नरः किल

ni hīno hyapamānena niṁdite naiti vikriyām asatāṁ tu satāṁ na syānmarmaspṛṣṭo naraḥ kila

"A truly base man, insulted, does not feel disturbed by further insult; but a good man, touched to the heart, indeed does."

Verse 16 (padma.1.44.16)

अनेकैश्चाटुभिर्देवी देवेन प्रतिबोधिता। कोपं तीव्रं न तत्याज सती मर्मणि घट्टिता

anekaiścāṭubhirdevī devena pratibodhitā kopaṁ tīvraṁ na tatyāja satī marmaṇi ghaṭṭitā

Though soothed by the god with many tender words, the goddess, wounded to her core, that chaste lady, did not give up her fierce anger.

Verse 17 (padma.1.44.17)

अवष्टब्धमथाच्छिद्य वासः शंकरपाणिना। विपर्यस्तालकावेगाद्गन्तुमैच्छच्च शैलजा

avaṣṭabdhamathācchidya vāsaḥ śaṁkarapāṇinā viparyastālakāvegādgantumaicchacca śailajā

Wrenching her garment free from Shankara's grasp, hair disheveled, the mountain's daughter wished to leave.

Verse 18 (padma.1.44.18)

तस्या व्रजंत्याः कोपेन पुनराह पुरांतकः। सत्यं सर्वैरवयवैस्तनोषि सदृशां पितुः

tasyā vrajaṁtyāḥ kopena punarāha purāṁtakaḥ satyaṁ sarvairavayavaistanoṣi sadṛśāṁ pituḥ

As she went off in anger, the destroyer of the triple city spoke again: "Truly, in every limb, you show yourself worthy of your father—"

Verse 19 (padma.1.44.19)

हिमाचलस्य शृंगस्थमेव जालाकुलं मनः। तथा दुरवगाह्येभ्यो गहनो हि तवाशयः

himācalasya śṛṁgasthameva jālākulaṁ manaḥ tathā duravagāhyebhyo gahano hi tavāśayaḥ

"—your mind, like the Himalaya's peak, is tangled and confused; your heart too is impenetrable and deep."

Verse 20 (padma.1.44.20)

काठिन्यमश्मसारेभ्यो वनेभ्यो बहुलां गता। कुटिलत्वं निम्नगाभ्यो दुःसेव्यत्वं हिमादपि

kāṭhinyamaśmasārebhyo vanebhyo bahulāṁ gatā kuṭilatvaṁ nimnagābhyo duḥsevyatvaṁ himādapi

"Your hardness exceeds rocks; your denseness, forests; your crookedness, rivers; your unapproachability exceeds even snow."

Verse 21 (padma.1.44.21)

संक्रांतं सर्वमेवैतत्तन्वंगि हिमभूधरात्। इत्युक्ता सा पुनः प्राह गिरिशं शैलकन्यका

saṁkrāṁtaṁ sarvamevaitattanvaṁgi himabhūdharāt ityuktā sā punaḥ prāha giriśaṁ śailakanyakā

"All of this, slender one, has passed into you from your snow-mountain father." Thus addressed, the mountain's daughter spoke again to the lord of the mountain—

Verse 22 (padma.1.44.22)

कोपकंपितमूर्द्धा सा प्रस्फुरद्दशनच्छदा। उमोवाच-। स्यात्सर्वं दोषदानेन निंदायां गुणिनो बलात्

kopakaṁpitamūrddhā sā prasphuraddaśanacchadā umovāca- syātsarvaṁ doṣadānena niṁdāyāṁ guṇino balāt

—her head trembling with anger, lips quivering. Uma said: "By finding fault, one forcibly finds fault even in a virtuous one when reviling."

Verse 23 (padma.1.44.23)

तवापि दुष्टसंपर्कात्संक्रांतं सर्वमेव हि। व्यालेभ्योनेकजिह्वत्वं भस्मनोऽस्नेहवृत्तिता

tavāpi duṣṭasaṁparkātsaṁkrāṁtaṁ sarvameva hi vyālebhyonekajihvatvaṁ bhasmano'snehavṛttitā

"For into you too, from evil company, everything has passed — your many-tonguedness from serpents, your lovelessness from ash—"

Verse 24 (padma.1.44.24)

हृत्कालुष्यं शशांकोत्थं दुर्बाधत्वं विषादपि। किं चात्र बहुनोक्तेन अलं वाचां श्रमेण ते

hṛtkāluṣyaṁ śaśāṁkotthaṁ durbādhatvaṁ viṣādapi kiṁ cātra bahunoktena alaṁ vācāṁ śrameṇa te

"—the murkiness of your heart from the moon, your unassailability, and your poison too. What use in saying more?"

Verse 25 (padma.1.44.25)

श्मशानवासान्निर्भीस्त्वं नग्नत्वात्तवनत्रपा। निर्घृणत्वं कपालित्वाद्दया ते विगता चिरम्

śmaśānavāsānnirbhīstvaṁ nagnatvāttavanatrapā nirghṛṇatvaṁ kapālitvāddayā te vigatā ciram

"From dwelling in cremation-grounds you are fearless; from nakedness shameless; from bearing a skull pitiless — your compassion has long departed."

Verse 26 (padma.1.44.26)

इत्युक्त्वा मंदिरात्तस्मान्निर्जगाम हिमाद्रिजा। तस्यां व्रजंत्यां देवेश्यां गणैः किलकिलाकृता

ityuktvā maṁdirāttasmānnirjagāma himādrijā tasyāṁ vrajaṁtyāṁ deveśyāṁ gaṇaiḥ kilakilākṛtā

Having said this, the Himalaya's daughter went out from that palace. As the queen of the gods departed, amid the Ganas' clamoring—

Verse 27 (padma.1.44.27)

क्व मातर्गच्छसीत्युक्त्वा रुदद्भिर्धावितं पुनः। विष्टभ्य चरणौ देव्या वीरको बाष्पगद्गदः

kva mātargacchasītyuktvā rudadbhirdhāvitaṁ punaḥ viṣṭabhya caraṇau devyā vīrako bāṣpagadgadaḥ

—who cried "Where are you going, mother?" and ran weeping after her; Viraka, planting himself before the goddess's feet, voice choked with tears—

Verse 28 (padma.1.44.28)

प्रोवाच मातः किन्न्वेतत्क्व यासि कुपितातुरा। अहं त्वामनुयास्यामि व्रजंतीं स्नेहवर्जिताम्

provāca mātaḥ kinnvetatkva yāsi kupitāturā ahaṁ tvāmanuyāsyāmi vrajaṁtīṁ snehavarjitām

—said: "Mother, what is this? Where do you go, angered and distressed? I shall follow you, though you seem to abandon your love."

Verse 29 (padma.1.44.29)

नोचेत्पतिष्ये शिखराद्गिरेरस्य त्वयोज्झितः। उन्नम्यवदनं देवी दक्षिणेन तु पाणिना

nocetpatiṣye śikharādgirerasya tvayojjhitaḥ unnamyavadanaṁ devī dakṣiṇena tu pāṇinā

"Or else, abandoned by you, I shall throw myself from this mountain's peak." Raising his face with her right hand, the goddess—

Verse 30 (padma.1.44.30)

उवाच वीरकं माता त्वं शोकं पुत्र मा कृथाः। शैलाग्रात्पतितुं नैव न च गंतुं मया सह

uvāca vīrakaṁ mātā tvaṁ śokaṁ putra mā kṛthāḥ śailāgrātpatituṁ naiva na ca gaṁtuṁ mayā saha

—said to Viraka: "Do not grieve, my son. Neither throw yourself from the peak, nor come with me."

Verse 31 (padma.1.44.31)

युक्तं ते पुत्र गच्छामि येन कार्येण तच्छृणु। कृष्णेत्युक्ता हरेणाहं स्तंभितास्म्यवमानिता

yuktaṁ te putra gacchāmi yena kāryeṇa tacchṛṇu kṛṣṇetyuktā hareṇāhaṁ staṁbhitāsmyavamānitā

"It is fitting, my son, that I go for a reason — hear it. Called 'dark one' by Hara, I have been humiliated, left speechless."

Verse 32 (padma.1.44.32)

साहं तपः करिष्यामि येन गौरीत्वमाप्नुयाम्। एष स्त्रीलंपटो देवो यातायां मय्यनंतरम्

sāhaṁ tapaḥ kariṣyāmi yena gaurītvamāpnuyām eṣa strīlaṁpaṭo devo yātāyāṁ mayyanaṁtaram

"I shall now perform austerity, that I may attain fairness of complexion. This god is lustful — once I have gone, immediately after—"

Verse 33 (padma.1.44.33)

द्वाररक्षा त्वया कार्या नित्यं रन्ध्रान्ववेक्षणम्। यथा न काचित्प्रविशेद्योषित्तत्र हरांतिकम्

dvārarakṣā tvayā kāryā nityaṁ randhrānvavekṣaṇam yathā na kācitpraviśedyoṣittatra harāṁtikam

"—guard duty at the door must be kept by you, ever watchful of every opening, so no woman may enter into Hara's presence."

Verse 34 (padma.1.44.34)

दृष्ट्वा परस्त्रियं चापि वदेथा मम पुत्रक। शीघ्रमेव करिष्यामि यथायुक्तमनंतरम्

dṛṣṭvā parastriyaṁ cāpi vadethā mama putraka śīghrameva kariṣyāmi yathāyuktamanaṁtaram

"And should you see any strange woman, tell me at once, my child; I shall then swiftly do whatever is fitting."

Verse 35 (padma.1.44.35)

एवमस्त्विति देवेशीं वीरकोवाच सांप्रतम्। मातुराज्ञामृताहार प्लावितांगो गतज्वरः

evamastviti deveśīṁ vīrakovāca sāṁpratam māturājñāmṛtāhāra plāvitāṁgo gatajvaraḥ

"So be it," Viraka said at once to the queen of the gods; drinking his mother's command like nectar, his body flooded with joy, his anguish gone—

Verse 36 (padma.1.44.36)

जगाम रक्षां स द्रष्टुं प्रणिपत्य तु मातरम्। देवी चापश्यदायांतीं सखीं मातुर्विभूषिताम्

jagāma rakṣāṁ sa draṣṭuṁ praṇipatya tu mātaram devī cāpaśyadāyāṁtīṁ sakhīṁ māturvibhūṣitām

—he went, bowing to his mother, to keep watch. Meanwhile the goddess saw approaching her a friend of her mother's, richly adorned—

Verse 37 (padma.1.44.37)

कुसुमामोहिनीं नाम तस्य शैलस्य देवताम्। सापि दृष्ट्वा गिरिसुतां स्नेहविक्लवमानसा

kusumāmohinīṁ nāma tasya śailasya devatām sāpi dṛṣṭvā girisutāṁ snehaviklavamānasā

—named Kusumamohini, the very deity of that mountain. She too, seeing the mountain's daughter, mind overcome with affection—

Verse 38 (padma.1.44.38)

क्व पुत्रि गच्छसीत्युच्चैरालिग्योवाच देवता। सा तस्याः सर्वमाचख्यौ शंकरात्कोपकारणम्

kva putri gacchasītyuccairāligyovāca devatā sā tasyāḥ sarvamācakhyau śaṁkarātkopakāraṇam

—embraced her, crying "Where are you going, my child?" And the goddess told her all — the very cause of her anger at Shankara.

Verse 39 (padma.1.44.39)

पुनश्चोवाचगिरिजा देवतां मातृसंमिताम्। उमोवाच-। नित्यं शैलाधिराजस्य देवतात्वमनिंदिते

punaścovācagirijā devatāṁ mātṛsaṁmitām umovāca- nityaṁ śailādhirājasya devatātvamaniṁdite

Girija then said again to that goddess, honored like a mother: Uma said: "You are ever the presiding deity of the king of mountains, blameless one—"

Verse 40 (padma.1.44.40)

सर्वतः सन्निधानं ते मनसातीव वत्सला। अतस्तु ते प्रवक्ष्यामि यद्विधेयं त्वयांबिके

sarvataḥ sannidhānaṁ te manasātīva vatsalā atastu te pravakṣyāmi yadvidheyaṁ tvayāṁbike

"—your presence is everywhere, your heart exceedingly loving. So I shall tell you, mother-goddess, what must be done."

Verse 41 (padma.1.44.41)

अन्यस्त्रीसंप्रवेशस्तु त्वया रक्ष्यः प्रयत्नतः। सरहस्ये प्रयत्नेन निषेव्यः सततं गिरौ

anyastrīsaṁpraveśastu tvayā rakṣyaḥ prayatnataḥ sarahasye prayatnena niṣevyaḥ satataṁ girau

"You must guard with all effort against any other woman's entry; keep constant, secret watch on this mountain."

Verse 42 (padma.1.44.42)

पिनाकिनः प्रविष्टायां वक्तव्यं मे त्वयानघे। ततोहं संविधास्यामि यत्क्षमं तदनंतरम्

pinākinaḥ praviṣṭāyāṁ vaktavyaṁ me tvayānaghe tatohaṁ saṁvidhāsyāmi yatkṣamaṁ tadanaṁtaram

"Should any woman enter to the Pinaka-bearer, tell me, sinless one; then I shall do whatever is fitting, at once."

Verse 43 (padma.1.44.43)

इत्युक्ता तां तथेत्युक्त्त्वा जगाम सा गिरिं शुभा। उमापि पितुरुद्यानं जगामाद्रिसुताद्भुतम्

ityuktā tāṁ tathetyukttvā jagāma sā giriṁ śubhā umāpi piturudyānaṁ jagāmādrisutādbhutam

Thus addressed, she said "so be it," and that blessed goddess went to the mountain. Uma too went to her father's wondrous garden.

Verse 44 (padma.1.44.44)

अंतरिक्षं समाविश्य मेघमालाविलप्रभम्। भूषणानि ततो न्यस्य वृक्षवल्कलधारिणी

aṁtarikṣaṁ samāviśya meghamālāvilaprabham bhūṣaṇāni tato nyasya vṛkṣavalkaladhāriṇī

Entering a spot in the sky, dim as clouds, she set aside her ornaments and wore tree-bark garments.

Verse 45 (padma.1.44.45)

ग्रीष्मे पंचाग्निसंतप्ता वर्षासु च जलोषिता। वन्याहारा निराहारा शुष्कस्थंडिलशायिनी

grīṣme paṁcāgnisaṁtaptā varṣāsu ca jaloṣitā vanyāhārā nirāhārā śuṣkasthaṁḍilaśāyinī

Scorched by five fires in summer, dwelling in water in the rains, living on forest fare or fasting, sleeping on bare ground—

Verse 46 (padma.1.44.46)

एवं साधयती तत्र तपः सा च व्यवस्थिता। ज्ञात्वा गतां गिरिसुतां दैत्यस्तत्रांतरे बली

evaṁ sādhayatī tatra tapaḥ sā ca vyavasthitā jñātvā gatāṁ girisutāṁ daityastatrāṁtare balī

—thus she remained there, accomplishing her austerity. Meanwhile, knowing the mountain's daughter had gone, a mighty daitya—

Verse 47 (padma.1.44.47)

अंधकस्य सुतो हृष्टः पितुर्वधमनुस्मरन्। देवान्सर्वान्विजित्याजौ बकभ्राता रणोत्कटः

aṁdhakasya suto hṛṣṭaḥ piturvadhamanusmaran devānsarvānvijityājau bakabhrātā raṇotkaṭaḥ

—the son of Andhaka, delighted, recalling his father's slaying, having conquered all the gods in battle, brother of Baka, fierce in war—

Verse 48 (padma.1.44.48)

आडिर्नामांतरप्रेक्षी सततं चंद्रमौलिनः। आजगामामररिपुः पुरं त्रिपुरघातिनः

āḍirnāmāṁtaraprekṣī satataṁ caṁdramaulinaḥ ājagāmāmararipuḥ puraṁ tripuraghātinaḥ

—named Adi, ever watching for an opening against the moon-crested one, that enemy of the immortals came to the city of Tripurantaka.

Verse 49 (padma.1.44.49)

स तत्रागत्य ददृशे वीरकं द्वार्यवस्थितम्। विचिंत्य सोपि च वरं दत्तं कमलयोनिना

sa tatrāgatya dadṛśe vīrakaṁ dvāryavasthitam viciṁtya sopi ca varaṁ dattaṁ kamalayoninā

Coming there, he saw Viraka stationed at the gate; he reflected on the boon that had been granted by the lotus-born one.

Verse 50 (padma.1.44.50)

हते किलांधके दैत्ये गिरिशेनासुरद्विषा। आडिश्चकार विपुलं तपः परमदारुणम्

hate kilāṁdhake daitye giriśenāsuradviṣā āḍiścakāra vipulaṁ tapaḥ paramadāruṇam

When the daitya Andhaka had been slain by the lord of the mountain, foe of the asuras, Adi performed vast, extremely severe austerity.

Verse 51 (padma.1.44.51)

समागत्याब्रवीद्ब्रह्मा तपसा परितोषितः। किमाडे दानवश्रेष्ठ तपसा प्राप्तुमिच्छसि

samāgatyābravīdbrahmā tapasā paritoṣitaḥ kimāḍe dānavaśreṣṭha tapasā prāptumicchasi

Brahma, coming to him, pleased by his austerity, said: "What do you wish to obtain by this austerity, O Adi, best of danavas?"

Verse 52 (padma.1.44.52)

ब्रह्माणमाह दैत्यस्तु निर्मृत्युत्वमहं वृणे। ब्रह्मोवाच-। जातानामिह संसारे विना मृत्युं न युज्यते

brahmāṇamāha daityastu nirmṛtyutvamahaṁ vṛṇe brahmovāca- jātānāmiha saṁsāre vinā mṛtyuṁ na yujyate

The daitya said to Brahma: "I choose freedom from death." Brahma said: "For those born in this world, there is no possibility without death."

Verse 53 (padma.1.44.53)

यतस्ततोपि दैत्येंद्र मृत्युः प्राप्यश्शरीरिभिः। इत्युक्तो दैत्यसिंहस्तु प्रोवाचांबुजसंभवम्

yatastatopi daityeṁdra mṛtyuḥ prāpyaśśarīribhiḥ ityukto daityasiṁhastu provācāṁbujasaṁbhavam

"Therefore, lord of daityas, death must be attained by all embodied beings." Thus addressed, that lion among daityas spoke to the lotus-born one.

Verse 54 (padma.1.44.54)

रूपस्यपरिवर्तो मे यदा स्यात्पद्मसंभव। तदा मृत्युर्मम भवेदन्यथा त्वमरोस्म्यहम्

rūpasyaparivarto me yadā syātpadmasaṁbhava tadā mṛtyurmama bhavedanyathā tvamarosmyaham

"When my form should change, O lotus-born one, then let death come to me — otherwise let me be immortal."

Verse 55 (padma.1.44.55)

इत्युक्तस्तु तदोवाच तुष्टः कमलसंभवः। यदा द्वितीयो रूपस्य विवर्त्तस्ते भविष्यति

ityuktastu tadovāca tuṣṭaḥ kamalasaṁbhavaḥ yadā dvitīyo rūpasya vivarttaste bhaviṣyati

Thus addressed, the lotus-born one, pleased, said: "When a second transformation of your form shall come to pass—"

Verse 56 (padma.1.44.56)

तदा ते भविता मृत्युरन्यथा न भविष्यति। इत्युक्तोमरतां मेने दैत्यसूनुर्महाबलः

tadā te bhavitā mṛtyuranyathā na bhaviṣyati ityuktomaratāṁ mene daityasūnurmahābalaḥ

"—then death shall be yours; otherwise not." Thus addressed, the mighty son of the daitya considered himself immortal.

Verse 57 (padma.1.44.57)

तस्मिन्काले त्वसंस्मृत्य तद्वधोपायमात्मनः। प्रतिहर्तुर्दृष्टिपथे वीरकस्याभवंस्तदा

tasminkāle tvasaṁsmṛtya tadvadhopāyamātmanaḥ pratiharturdṛṣṭipathe vīrakasyābhavaṁstadā

At that time, without recalling the very means of his own death, he came then into the sight of Viraka—

Verse 58 (padma.1.44.58)

भुजंगरूपी रंध्रेण प्रविवेश दृशःपथम्। परिहृत्य गणेशस्य दानवो रौद्रदुर्जयः

bhujaṁgarūpī raṁdhreṇa praviveśa dṛśaḥpatham parihṛtya gaṇeśasya dānavo raudradurjayaḥ

Taking a serpent's form, he entered through a crevice into the path of sight, avoiding the Ganesh's notice, that fierce, unconquerable danava.

Verse 59 (padma.1.44.59)

अलक्षितो गणेशेन प्रविश्याथ परां तनुम्। भुजंगरूपं संत्यज्य जग्राहाथ महासुरः

alakṣito gaṇeśena praviśyātha parāṁ tanum bhujaṁgarūpaṁ saṁtyajya jagrāhātha mahāsuraḥ

Unnoticed by the lord of the Ganas, having entered, that great asura cast off his serpent form and took another supreme body.

Verse 60 (padma.1.44.60)

उमारूपं रमयितुं गिरिशं मूढचेतनः। कृत्वा मायामयं रूपमप्रतर्क्यं मनोहरम्

umārūpaṁ ramayituṁ giriśaṁ mūḍhacetanaḥ kṛtvā māyāmayaṁ rūpamapratarkyaṁ manoharam

Deluded in mind, to seduce the lord of the mountain, he fashioned an illusory, inconceivably enchanting form in the very likeness of Uma.

Verse 61 (padma.1.44.61)

सर्वैरवयवैः पूर्णं सर्वाभिज्ञानबृंहितम्। कृत्वा भगांतरे दंतं दैत्यो वज्रमयं दृढम्

sarvairavayavaiḥ pūrṇaṁ sarvābhijñānabṛṁhitam kṛtvā bhagāṁtare daṁtaṁ daityo vajramayaṁ dṛḍham

Complete in every limb, augmented with every mark of Uma's recognition — the daitya placed within that disguised form a firm, adamantine tooth—

Verse 62 (padma.1.44.62)

तीक्ष्णाग्रं बुद्धिमोहेन गिरिशं हंतुमुद्यतः। कृत्वोमारूपसंस्थानं गतो दैत्यो हरांतिकम्

tīkṣṇāgraṁ buddhimohena giriśaṁ haṁtumudyataḥ kṛtvomārūpasaṁsthānaṁ gato daityo harāṁtikam

—sharp-tipped, resolved through delusion to slay the lord of the mountain. Having assumed Uma's form, the daitya went into Hara's presence.

Verse 63 (padma.1.44.63)

पापो रम्याकृतिश्चित्र भूषणांबरसंयुतः। तं दृष्ट्वा गिरिशस्तुष्टस्तमालिंग्य महासुरम्

pāpo ramyākṛtiścitra bhūṣaṇāṁbarasaṁyutaḥ taṁ dṛṣṭvā giriśastuṣṭastamāliṁgya mahāsuram

That sinful one, of lovely form, adorned with wondrous ornaments — seeing him, the pleased lord of the mountain embraced that great asura—

Verse 64 (padma.1.44.64)

मन्यमानो गिरिसुतां सर्वैरवयवांतरैः। अपृच्छत्साधुभावं ते गिरिपुत्रि न कृत्रिमम्

manyamāno girisutāṁ sarvairavayavāṁtaraiḥ apṛcchatsādhubhāvaṁ te giriputri na kṛtrimam

—believing him, from every limb, to be the mountain's own daughter. He asked: "Your good nature, mountain's daughter, is surely not feigned—"

Verse 65 (padma.1.44.65)

या त्वं मदाशयं ज्ञात्वा प्राप्तेह वरवर्णिनी। त्वया विरहितं शून्यं मम स्थानं जगत्त्रयम्

yā tvaṁ madāśayaṁ jñātvā prāpteha varavarṇinī tvayā virahitaṁ śūnyaṁ mama sthānaṁ jagattrayam

"—you who, knowing my very longing, have come here now, fair one. Without you, my abode — the three worlds — has been empty."

Verse 66 (padma.1.44.66)

प्राप्ता प्रसन्नवदने युक्तमेवंविधं त्वयि। इत्युक्तो दानवेंद्रस्तु तं बभाषे स्मितं शनैः

prāptā prasannavadane yuktamevaṁvidhaṁ tvayi ityukto dānaveṁdrastu taṁ babhāṣe smitaṁ śanaiḥ

"You have come, glad-faced one — such a thing is fitting in you." Thus addressed, the lord of the danavas spoke, smiling slowly.

Verse 67 (padma.1.44.67)

स चाबुध्यदभिज्ञानैः प्राह त्रिपुरघातिनम्। दैत्य उवाच। यातास्मि तपसः कामाद्वरं लब्धुं हिमाचलम्

sa cābudhyadabhijñānaiḥ prāha tripuraghātinam daitya uvāca yātāsmi tapasaḥ kāmādvaraṁ labdhuṁ himācalam

Yet he answered with contrived signs of recognition, saying to the destroyer of the triple city. The daitya said: "I went to the Himalaya for austerity, to obtain a boon—"

Verse 68 (padma.1.44.68)

रतिश्च तत्र मेनाभूत्ततः प्राप्ता त्वदंतिकम्। इत्युक्तः शंकरः शंकां चित्ते प्राप्तो विचारयन्

ratiśca tatra menābhūttataḥ prāptā tvadaṁtikam ityuktaḥ śaṁkaraḥ śaṁkāṁ citte prāpto vicārayan

"—there I felt no true delight; so I have come now to you." Thus addressed, Shankara felt doubt arise in his mind, and pondered.

Verse 69 (padma.1.44.69)

हृदयेन समाधाय देवः प्रहसिताननः। कुपिता कुपितं बुद्ध्वा प्रकृत्या च दृढव्रता

hṛdayena samādhāya devaḥ prahasitānanaḥ kupitā kupitaṁ buddhvā prakṛtyā ca dṛḍhavratā

Composing himself inwardly, the smiling god thought: "She was angered, knew me angered too — and yet by nature so firm in her vows—"

Verse 70 (padma.1.44.70)

अप्राप्तकामा संप्राप्ता किमेतत्संविजानती। इति चिंत्य हरस्तस्या अभिज्ञानं विचारयन्

aprāptakāmā saṁprāptā kimetatsaṁvijānatī iti ciṁtya harastasyā abhijñānaṁ vicārayan

"—how has she come here now, her desire unfulfilled, fully aware?" Reflecting thus, Hara sought the true marks of recognition upon her.

Verse 71 (padma.1.44.71)

नापश्यद्वामपार्श्वे तु तदंकं पद्मलक्षणम्। लोम्नामावर्तरचितं ततो देवः पिनाकधृक्

nāpaśyadvāmapārśve tu tadaṁkaṁ padmalakṣaṇam lomnāmāvartaracitaṁ tato devaḥ pinākadhṛk

He did not see, on her left side, that lotus-shaped mark formed by a whorl of hair. Then the Pinaka-bearing god—

Verse 72 (padma.1.44.72)

बुद्ध्वा तां दानवीं मायामाकारं गूहयंस्ततः। मेढ्रदंष्ट्रास्त्रमादाय दानवं तमसादयत्

buddhvā tāṁ dānavīṁ māyāmākāraṁ gūhayaṁstataḥ meḍhradaṁṣṭrāstramādāya dānavaṁ tamasādayat

—recognizing that danava's illusion, concealing his own understanding, took up his tooth-weapon and thereby overcame that danava.

Verse 73 (padma.1.44.73)

न चाबुध्यत तद्वृत्तं वीरको द्वाररक्षकः। कुसुमामोदिनं दृष्ट्वा स्त्रीरूपं दानवेश्वरम्

na cābudhyata tadvṛttaṁ vīrako dvārarakṣakaḥ kusumāmodinaṁ dṛṣṭvā strīrūpaṁ dānaveśvaram

Viraka the door-keeper did not perceive what had happened; he had seen only a woman's form, the lord of the danavas [in disguise].

Verse 74 (padma.1.44.74)

दूतेन मारुतेनाशु बोधिता हिमशैलजा। श्रुत्वा वायुमुखाद्देवी क्रोधरक्ताविलेक्षणा

dūtena mārutenāśu bodhitā himaśailajā śrutvā vāyumukhāddevī krodharaktāvilekṣaṇā

Swiftly informed by the messenger Vayu, hearing it from Vayu's mouth, the Himalaya's daughter, her eyes red and troubled with anger—

Verse 75 (padma.1.44.75)

अपश्यद्वीरकं पुत्रं हृदयेनैव दूयता। देव्युवाच। मातरं मां परित्यज्य यस्मात्त्वं स्नेहविक्लवाम्

apaśyadvīrakaṁ putraṁ hṛdayenaiva dūyatā devyuvāca mātaraṁ māṁ parityajya yasmāttvaṁ snehaviklavām

—her heart aching, saw her son Viraka. The goddess said: "Since you, having abandoned me, your mother, love-forsaken—"

Verse 76 (padma.1.44.76)

विहितावसरः स्त्रीणां शंकरस्य रहोविधौ। तस्मात्ते मानुषे रूक्षा जडा हृदयवर्जिता

vihitāvasaraḥ strīṇāṁ śaṁkarasya rahovidhau tasmātte mānuṣe rūkṣā jaḍā hṛdayavarjitā

"—have granted an opportunity for women to reach Shankara in his private hour, therefore in your human birth you shall be harsh, dull, heartless—"

Verse 77 (padma.1.44.77)

गणेशाकारसदृशी शिला माता भविष्यति। निमित्त एष विख्यातो वीरकस्य सुतादरात्

gaṇeśākārasadṛśī śilā mātā bhaviṣyati nimitta eṣa vikhyāto vīrakasya sutādarāt

"—your mother shall become a mere stone, resembling Ganesha's form. This shall be renowned through Viraka's regard for his son—"

Verse 78 (padma.1.44.78)

संभवे प्रक्रमे चैव विचित्राख्या न संशयः। एवमुत्सृष्टशापायां गिरिपुत्र्यामनंतरं

saṁbhave prakrame caiva vicitrākhyā na saṁśayaḥ evamutsṛṣṭaśāpāyāṁ giriputryāmanaṁtaraṁ

"—in both your birth and course, and your name shall be Vichitra, the strange one, without doubt." Immediately after the mountain's daughter pronounced this curse—

Verse 79 (padma.1.44.79)

निर्जगाम मुखात्क्रोधः सिंहरूपी महाबलः। स तु सिंहः करालास्यः सटाजटिलकंधरः

nirjagāma mukhātkrodhaḥ siṁharūpī mahābalaḥ sa tu siṁhaḥ karālāsyaḥ saṭājaṭilakaṁdharaḥ

—Wrath itself emerged from her mouth, in the form of a mighty lion. That lion, terrible of face, its mane thick around its neck—

Verse 80 (padma.1.44.80)

ऊर्ध्वप्रोद्भूतलांगूलो दंष्ट्रोत्कटमुखावटः। व्यादितास्यो लंबजिह्वः क्षामः कुक्षिबलादिषु

ūrdhvaprodbhūtalāṁgūlo daṁṣṭrotkaṭamukhāvaṭaḥ vyāditāsyo laṁbajihvaḥ kṣāmaḥ kukṣibalādiṣu

—its tail raised, its gaping mouth fierce with fangs, jaws open wide, tongue lolling, lean of flank though mighty.

Verse 81 (padma.1.44.81)

अस्यास्ये वर्तितुं देवी व्यवस्थितवती तदा। ज्ञात्वा मनोगतं तस्या भगवांश्चतुराननः

asyāsye vartituṁ devī vyavasthitavatī tadā jñātvā manogataṁ tasyā bhagavāṁścaturānanaḥ

The goddess then resolved to remain, as it were, within that very mouth [her wrath]. Knowing her mind, the blessed four-faced one—

Verse 82 (padma.1.44.82)

आजगामाश्रमपदं संपदामाश्रयं यतः। आगम्योवाच देवेशो गिरिजां स्पष्टया गिरा

ājagāmāśramapadaṁ saṁpadāmāśrayaṁ yataḥ āgamyovāca deveśo girijāṁ spaṣṭayā girā

—came to that hermitage, the refuge of all fortune. Having come, the lord of the gods spoke plainly to Girija.

Verse 83 (padma.1.44.83)

ब्रह्मोवाच-। किं पुनः प्राप्तुकामासि किमलभ्यं ददामि ते। विरम्यतामतिक्लेशात्तपसोस्मान्मदाज्ञया

brahmovāca- kiṁ punaḥ prāptukāmāsi kimalabhyaṁ dadāmi te viramyatāmatikleśāttapasosmānmadājñayā

Brahma said: "What further do you wish to obtain? What is unattainable that I might give you? Cease, at my command, from this excessive austerity."

Verse 84 (padma.1.44.84)

तच्छ्रुत्वोवाचगिरिजा गुरोर्गौरवयंत्रितं। वाक्यं वाचाहरोद्गीर्णवर्णनिर्गमवांछितं

tacchrutvovācagirijā gurorgauravayaṁtritaṁ vākyaṁ vācāharodgīrṇavarṇanirgamavāṁchitaṁ

Hearing this, Girija, restrained by respect for her elder, spoke a word whose very syllables longed to voice Hara's name.

Verse 85 (padma.1.44.85)

देव्युवाच-। तपसा दुष्करेणाप्तः पतिर्वै शंकरो मया। समां श्यामलवर्णेति बहुशः प्रोक्तवान्रहः

devyuvāca- tapasā duṣkareṇāptaḥ patirvai śaṁkaro mayā samāṁ śyāmalavarṇeti bahuśaḥ proktavānrahaḥ

The goddess said: "By hard austerity I obtained Shankara as husband. Yet he has called me, in private, again and again, 'dark-hued' one—"

Verse 86 (padma.1.44.86)

तस्मादहं कांचनाभवर्णा तन्नामसंयुता। भर्तुर्भूतपतेरंगमेकतो निर्विषं भवेत्

tasmādahaṁ kāṁcanābhavarṇā tannāmasaṁyutā bharturbhūtapateraṁgamekato nirviṣaṁ bhavet

"—therefore let me become golden-hued, bearing that very name. And let one part of my husband, the lord of beings', body become forever free of poison."

Verse 87 (padma.1.44.87)

तस्यास्तद्भाषितं श्रुत्वा प्रोवाच जगदीश्वरः। एवं भव त्वं भूयश्च भर्तुर्देहार्द्धचारिणी

tasyāstadbhāṣitaṁ śrutvā provāca jagadīśvaraḥ evaṁ bhava tvaṁ bhūyaśca bharturdehārddhacāriṇī

Hearing her words, the lord of the universe said: "So be it — and moreover, you shall walk on as one who inhabits half your husband's own body."

Verse 88 (padma.1.44.88)

ततस्तत्याजतां कृष्णां फुल्लनीलोत्पलत्वचं। त्वक्च साप्यभवद्भीमा घंटाहस्तात्रिलोचना

tatastatyājatāṁ kṛṣṇāṁ phullanīlotpalatvacaṁ tvakca sāpyabhavadbhīmā ghaṁṭāhastātrilocanā

Then she cast off that dark skin, colored like a blooming blue lotus; and that skin itself became a terrible, three-eyed goddess, bell in hand—

Verse 89 (padma.1.44.89)

नानाभरणसंपूर्णा पीतकौशेयधारिणी। तामब्रवीत्ततो ब्रह्मा देवीं नीलांबुजत्विषं

nānābharaṇasaṁpūrṇā pītakauśeyadhāriṇī tāmabravīttato brahmā devīṁ nīlāṁbujatviṣaṁ

—fully adorned with various ornaments, clad in yellow silk. Then Brahma spoke to that blue-lotus-hued goddess—

Verse 90 (padma.1.44.90)

निशे भूधरजा देह संपर्का त्वं मदाज्ञया। संप्राप्ता कृतकृत्यत्वमेकानंशा पुरो ह्यसि

niśe bhūdharajā deha saṁparkā tvaṁ madājñayā saṁprāptā kṛtakṛtyatvamekānaṁśā puro hyasi

"O Night, born from contact with the mountain-daughter's body, by my command you have attained fulfillment; you were indeed Ekanamsha even before."

Verse 91 (padma.1.44.91)

य एष सिंहः प्रोद्भूतो देव्याः क्रोधाद्वरानने। स तेस्तु वाहनं देवि केतौ चास्तु महाबलः

ya eṣa siṁhaḥ prodbhūto devyāḥ krodhādvarānane sa testu vāhanaṁ devi ketau cāstu mahābalaḥ

"That very lion which arose from the goddess's wrath, fair one — let him become your mount, goddess, and grace your banner too."

Verse 92 (padma.1.44.92)

गच्छ विंध्याचलं तत्र सुरकार्यं करिष्यसि। पंचालो नाम यक्षोयं यक्षलक्षपदानुगः

gaccha viṁdhyācalaṁ tatra surakāryaṁ kariṣyasi paṁcālo nāma yakṣoyaṁ yakṣalakṣapadānugaḥ

"Go to the Vindhya mountain; there you shall accomplish the gods' task. This yaksha named Panchala, followed by a hundred thousand yakshas—"

Verse 93 (padma.1.44.93)

दत्तस्ते किंकरो देवि मया मायाशतैर्युतः। इत्युक्त्वा कौशिकी देवी विंध्यशैलं जगाम ह

dattaste kiṁkaro devi mayā māyāśatairyutaḥ ityuktvā kauśikī devī viṁdhyaśailaṁ jagāma ha

"—is given to you as servant, goddess, endowed with hundreds of illusions." Having been told this, the goddess Kaushiki went to the Vindhya mountain.

Verse 94 (padma.1.44.94)

उमापि प्राप्तसंकल्पा जगाम गिरिशांतिकं। प्रविशंतीं तु तां द्वारादपहृत्य समाहितः

umāpi prāptasaṁkalpā jagāma giriśāṁtikaṁ praviśaṁtīṁ tu tāṁ dvārādapahṛtya samāhitaḥ

Uma too, her resolve attained, went toward the lord of the mountain. But as she was entering through the gate, resolutely intent—

Verse 95 (padma.1.44.95)

रुरोध वीरको देवीं हेमवेत्रलताधरः। तामुवाच च कोपेन रूपे तु व्यभिचारिणीं

rurodha vīrako devīṁ hemavetralatādharaḥ tāmuvāca ca kopena rūpe tu vyabhicāriṇīṁ

—Viraka, bearing his golden cane, blocked the goddess. In anger he spoke to her, taking her appearance to be some deceitful woman—

Verse 96 (padma.1.44.96)

प्रयोजनं न तेत्रास्ति गच्छ यावन्न भक्ष्यसे। देव्यारूपधरो दैत्यो देवं वंचितुमागतः

prayojanaṁ na tetrāsti gaccha yāvanna bhakṣyase devyārūpadharo daityo devaṁ vaṁcitumāgataḥ

"—'You have no business here; go, before you are devoured! A daitya, wearing the goddess's form, once came here to deceive the god—'"

Verse 97 (padma.1.44.97)

प्रविष्टो न च दृष्टोसौ स च देवेन घातितः। घातिते चाहमाज्ञप्तो नीलकंठेन कोपिना

praviṣṭo na ca dṛṣṭosau sa ca devena ghātitaḥ ghātite cāhamājñapto nīlakaṁṭhena kopinā

"—'he entered unseen, and was slain by the god. When he was slain, I was commanded by the wrathful blue-throated one—'"

Verse 98 (padma.1.44.98)

द्वारे त्वनवधानं ते यस्मात्पश्यामि वै ततः। भविष्यसि न मे द्वास्थो वर्षपूगाननेकशः

dvāre tvanavadhānaṁ te yasmātpaśyāmi vai tataḥ bhaviṣyasi na me dvāstho varṣapūgānanekaśaḥ

"—'Since I see this negligence of yours at the gate, you shall not be my gatekeeper for many years.'"

Verse 99 (padma.1.44.99)

अतस्ते नात्र दास्यामि प्रवेशं गम्यतां द्रुतम्। एकां मुक्त्वा गिरिसुतां मातरं स्नेहवत्सलाम्

ataste nātra dāsyāmi praveśaṁ gamyatāṁ drutam ekāṁ muktvā girisutāṁ mātaraṁ snehavatsalām

"—'Therefore I shall grant you no entry; go away swiftly. Except for the one mountain-daughter, my own loving mother—'"

Verse 100 (padma.1.44.100)

प्रवेशं लभते नान्या नारी कमललोचने। इत्युक्त्वा तु तदा देवी चिंतयामास चेतसा

praveśaṁ labhate nānyā nārī kamalalocane ityuktvā tu tadā devī ciṁtayāmāsa cetasā

"—'no other woman gains entry, lotus-eyed one.'" Thus addressed, the goddess reflected within her own mind.

Verse 101 (padma.1.44.101)

नारी नैव स दैतेयो वायुर्मे यामभाषत। वृथैव वीरकश्शप्तो मया क्रोधपरीतया

nārī naiva sa daiteyo vāyurme yāmabhāṣata vṛthaiva vīrakaśśapto mayā krodhaparītayā

"That was no woman at all — it was the daitya of whom Vayu spoke to me. In vain have I cursed Viraka, overcome by my own anger."

Verse 102 (padma.1.44.102)

अकार्यं क्रियते मूढैः प्रायः क्रोधसमन्वितैः। क्रोधेन नश्यते कीर्तिः क्रोधो हंति स्थितां श्रियम्

akāryaṁ kriyate mūḍhaiḥ prāyaḥ krodhasamanvitaiḥ krodhena naśyate kīrtiḥ krodho haṁti sthitāṁ śriyam

"For the most part, deeds not to be done are done by the foolish, overcome with anger. By anger fame is destroyed; anger slays even settled fortune."

Verse 103 (padma.1.44.103)

अपरिच्छिन्नतत्वार्था पुत्रं शापितवत्यहं। विपरीतार्थबुद्धीनां सुलभो विपदागमः

aparicchinnatatvārthā putraṁ śāpitavatyahaṁ viparītārthabuddhīnāṁ sulabho vipadāgamaḥ

"Without discerning the true matter, I have cursed my own son. For those whose understanding grasps things backward, calamity comes easily."

Verse 104 (padma.1.44.104)

संचिंत्यैवमुवाचेदं वीरकं प्रति शैलजा। सज्जलज्जाविकारेण वदनेनाम्बुजत्विषा

saṁciṁtyaivamuvācedaṁ vīrakaṁ prati śailajā sajjalajjāvikāreṇa vadanenāmbujatviṣā

Reflecting thus, the mountain's daughter spoke this to Viraka, her lotus-like face touched with shame.

Verse 105 (padma.1.44.105)

देव्युवाच-। अहं वीरक ते माता न तेस्तु मनसो भ्रमः। शंकरस्यास्मि दयिता सुता तुहिनभूभृतः

devyuvāca- ahaṁ vīraka te mātā na testu manaso bhramaḥ śaṁkarasyāsmi dayitā sutā tuhinabhūbhṛtaḥ

The goddess said: "I am your true mother, Viraka; let there be no confusion. I am Shankara's beloved, the daughter of the snow-mountain."

Verse 106 (padma.1.44.106)

मम गात्रच्छविभ्रांत्या मा शंकां पुत्र धारय। तुष्टेन गौरता दत्ता ममेयं पद्मजन्मना

mama gātracchavibhrāṁtyā mā śaṁkāṁ putra dhāraya tuṣṭena gauratā dattā mameyaṁ padmajanmanā

"Do not doubt me, my son, on account of my body's changed hue — this fairness was granted by the pleased lotus-born one."

Verse 107 (padma.1.44.107)

मया शप्तोस्यविदिते वृत्तांते दैत्यनिर्मिते। ज्ञात्वा नारीप्रवेशं तु शंकरे रहसि स्थिते

mayā śaptosyavidite vṛttāṁte daityanirmite jñātvā nārīpraveśaṁ tu śaṁkare rahasi sthite

"You have been cursed by me, in ignorance of the true matter, the daitya's own doing; I knew only of a woman's entry while Shankara sat privately."

Verse 108 (padma.1.44.108)

ननिवर्तयितुं शक्यः शापः किंतु ब्रवीमि ते। शीघ्रमेष्यसि मानुष्यात्सर्वकामसमन्वितः

nanivartayituṁ śakyaḥ śāpaḥ kiṁtu bravīmi te śīghrameṣyasi mānuṣyātsarvakāmasamanvitaḥ

"The curse cannot be withdrawn — but I tell you this: you shall soon return from your human birth, endowed with every desired thing."

Verse 109 (padma.1.44.109)

शिरसा तु ततो वंद्य मातरं पूर्णमानसः। उवाच साध्वीं पूर्णेन्दु द्युतिं तुहिनशैलजां

śirasā tu tato vaṁdya mātaraṁ pūrṇamānasaḥ uvāca sādhvīṁ pūrṇendu dyutiṁ tuhinaśailajāṁ

Then, bowing his head to his mother, mind now at ease, he spoke to that virtuous one, radiant as the full moon, the snow-mountain's daughter—

Verse 110 (padma.1.44.110)

वीरक उवाच-। नतसुरासुरमौलिलसन्मणिप्रवरकांतिकरालिनखाङ्घ्रिके। नगसुते शरणागतवत्सले नवनमोवनतार्त्तिविनाशिनि

vīraka uvāca- natasurāsuramaulilasanmaṇipravarakāṁtikarālinakhāṅghrike nagasute śaraṇāgatavatsale navanamovanatārttivināśini

Viraka said: "O daughter of the mountain, whose feet's nails shine with the radiance of jewels from bowed gods' and demons' crowns; loving to those who take refuge; destroyer of the suffering of those who bow to you—"

Verse 111 (padma.1.44.111)

तपनमंडलमंडितकंधरे पृथुसुवर्णनगद्युतिहारिके। विषमभंगविषंगमभीषितो गिरिसुते भवतीमहमाश्रये

tapanamaṁḍalamaṁḍitakaṁdhare pṛthusuvarṇanagadyutihārike viṣamabhaṁgaviṣaṁgamabhīṣito girisute bhavatīmahamāśraye

"—whose throat is adorned as with the sun's own orb; who outshines the great golden mountain — afflicted by this untimely misfortune, I take refuge in you, mountain's daughter."

Verse 112 (padma.1.44.112)

जगतिकाप्रणताभिमता ददौ झटिति सिद्धिमृते भवतीं यथा। जगतिकां प्रणमेच्छशिशेखरो भुवनभृन्मुनयो भवतीं यथा

jagatikāpraṇatābhimatā dadau jhaṭiti siddhimṛte bhavatīṁ yathā jagatikāṁ praṇamecchaśiśekharo bhuvanabhṛnmunayo bhavatīṁ yathā

"Dear to all who bow before you, you grant success at once, apart from whom no success comes; even the moon-crested one, and the world-sustaining sages, bow to you."

Verse 113 (padma.1.44.113)

विमलयोगविनिर्मितदुर्जये सुतनुतुल्यमहेश्वरमंडली। विदलितांधकबांधवसंहतिः सुरवरैः प्रथमं त्वमभिष्टुता

vimalayogavinirmitadurjaye sutanutulyamaheśvaramaṁḍalī vidalitāṁdhakabāṁdhavasaṁhatiḥ suravaraiḥ prathamaṁ tvamabhiṣṭutā

"Unconquerable, fashioned by stainless yoga, your power equals great Maheshvara's own — you who shattered Andhaka's whole kin, praised first by the best of gods—"

Verse 114 (padma.1.44.114)

सितसटापटलोद्धतकंधराभवमहामृगराजरयस्थिता। विमलशक्तिमुखानलपिंगला यतभुजौघनिपिष्टमहासुरा

sitasaṭāpaṭaloddhatakaṁdharābhavamahāmṛgarājarayasthitā vimalaśaktimukhānalapiṁgalā yatabhujaughanipiṣṭamahāsurā

"—seated upon the swift lion-king with its raised white mane; tawny with the flame at your stainless power's mouth; crushing great asuras beneath your mighty arms—"

Verse 115 (padma.1.44.115)

निगदिता भुवनैरतिचंडिकाजननिशुंभनिशुंभनिषूदिनी। प्रणतचिंतितदा भवदा नवप्रशमनैकरतिस्तरसा भुवि

nigaditā bhuvanairaticaṁḍikājananiśuṁbhaniśuṁbhaniṣūdinī praṇataciṁtitadā bhavadā navapraśamanaikaratistarasā bhuvi

"—proclaimed by all worlds as fiercest Chandika, slayer of Nishumbha and Shumbha; giver of what devotees contemplate, ever devoted to bringing peace swiftly—"

Verse 116 (padma.1.44.116)

वियतिवायुपथे ज्वलनाकुलेवनितले तव देवि च यद्वपुः। तदजितेप्रतिमे प्रणमाम्यहं भुवनभाविनिते भववल्लभे

viyativāyupathe jvalanākulevanitale tava devi ca yadvapuḥ tadajitepratime praṇamāmyahaṁ bhuvanabhāvinite bhavavallabhe

"—whatever your form, in sky, wind, fire, or on earth, O goddess, to that unconquered, incomparable form, mother of the worlds, beloved of Bhava, I bow."

Verse 117 (padma.1.44.117)

जलधयो ललितोद्धतवीचयो हुतवहो द्युतिदग्धचराचरः। फणसहस्रभृतश्च भुजंगमास्त्वमभिधास्यसि मामभयंकरा

jaladhayo lalitoddhatavīcayo hutavaho dyutidagdhacarācaraḥ phaṇasahasrabhṛtaśca bhujaṁgamāstvamabhidhāsyasi māmabhayaṁkarā

"Whether in the oceans' surging waves, in fire burning all things, or among thousand-hooded serpents — may you, fearless one, ever declare yourself to me."

Verse 118 (padma.1.44.118)

भगवति स्थिरभक्तजनाश्रये प्रतिगतो भवतीचरणाश्रयं। करणजातमिहास्तु ममाश्रवैतवविलासमुखानुभवास्यदम्

bhagavati sthirabhaktajanāśraye pratigato bhavatīcaraṇāśrayaṁ karaṇajātamihāstu mamāśravaitavavilāsamukhānubhavāsyadam

"O blessed one, refuge of steadfast devotees, I have returned to your feet; may my senses be given over to the experience of your play."

Verse 119 (padma.1.44.119)

सुप्रसन्ना ततो देवी वीरकस्येति संस्तुता। प्रविवेश शुभंभर्तुर्भुवनं भूधरात्मजा

suprasannā tato devī vīrakasyeti saṁstutā praviveśa śubhaṁbharturbhuvanaṁ bhūdharātmajā

Then, well pleased, thus praised by Viraka, the mountain's daughter, that goddess, entered her husband's auspicious realm.

Verse 120 (padma.1.44.120)

द्वास्थोपि वीरको देवान्हरदर्शनकांक्षिणः। व्यसर्जयत्स्वकानेव गृहानादरपूर्वकं

dvāsthopi vīrako devānharadarśanakāṁkṣiṇaḥ vyasarjayatsvakāneva gṛhānādarapūrvakaṁ

Viraka the gatekeeper too, whenever gods came desiring an audience with Hara, would respectfully send them back to their own homes.

Verse 121 (padma.1.44.121)

नास्त्यत्रावसरो देवा देव्याः सह वृषाकपिः। निभृतः क्रीडतीत्युक्ता ययुस्ते च यथागतं

nāstyatrāvasaro devā devyāḥ saha vṛṣākapiḥ nibhṛtaḥ krīḍatītyuktā yayuste ca yathāgataṁ

"There is no opportunity now, gods — the bull-riding lord is engaged privately at play with the goddess." Thus told, they went back as they had come.

Verse 122 (padma.1.44.122)

गते वर्षसहस्रे तु देवास्त्वरितमानसाः। ज्वलनं चोदयामासुर्ज्ञातुं शंकरचेष्टितं

gate varṣasahasre tu devāstvaritamānasāḥ jvalanaṁ codayāmāsurjñātuṁ śaṁkaraceṣṭitaṁ

When a thousand years had passed, the gods, their minds impatient, urged Agni to go and learn of Shankara's own doings.

Verse 123 (padma.1.44.123)

प्रविश्य पक्षिरंध्रेण शुकरूपी हुताशनः। ददर्श शयने सर्वं रतौ गिरिजया सह

praviśya pakṣiraṁdhreṇa śukarūpī hutāśanaḥ dadarśa śayane sarvaṁ ratau girijayā saha

Entering through a bird's crevice, Agni in a parrot's form saw everything upon the bed, in the act of love, with Girija.

Verse 124 (padma.1.44.124)

ददर्श तं च देवेशो हुताशं शुकरूपिणं। तमुवाच महादेवः किंचित्कोपसमन्वितः

dadarśa taṁ ca deveśo hutāśaṁ śukarūpiṇaṁ tamuvāca mahādevaḥ kiṁcitkopasamanvitaḥ

The lord of the gods saw that Agni in his parrot's form. Mahadeva, somewhat angered, spoke to him.

Verse 125 (padma.1.44.125)

शर्व उवाच। निषिक्तमर्धं देव्यां मे वीर्यं च शुकविग्रह। लज्जया विरतिश्चास्य त्वमर्धं पिब पावक

śarva uvāca niṣiktamardhaṁ devyāṁ me vīryaṁ ca śukavigraha lajjayā viratiścāsya tvamardhaṁ piba pāvaka

Sharva said: "Half my seed has been poured into the goddess, parrot-formed one; from shame the act ceased. Drink the other half yourself, Agni."

Verse 126 (padma.1.44.126)

यस्मात्तु त्वत्कृते विघ्नं तस्मात्त्वय्युपपद्यते। इत्युक्तः प्राञ्जलिर्वह्निरपिबद्वीर्यमाहितं

yasmāttu tvatkṛte vighnaṁ tasmāttvayyupapadyate ityuktaḥ prāñjalirvahnirapibadvīryamāhitaṁ

"Since this interruption came about because of you, it is fitting it fall upon you." Thus addressed, Agni, hands joined, drank that seed.

Verse 127 (padma.1.44.127)

तेनाप्लुतास्ततो देवास्तन्मुखा ऋभवो यतः। विपाट्य जठरं तेषां वीर्यं माहेश्वरं ततः

tenāplutāstato devāstanmukhā ṛbhavo yataḥ vipāṭya jaṭharaṁ teṣāṁ vīryaṁ māheśvaraṁ tataḥ

Overwhelmed by it, the gods and the Ribhus who share Agni's mouth, had that Maheshvara-seed burst forth from their own bellies—

Verse 128 (padma.1.44.128)

निष्क्रांतं तप्तहेमाभं वितते शंकराश्रमे। तस्मिन्सरो महज्जातं विमलं बहुयोजनं

niṣkrāṁtaṁ taptahemābhaṁ vitate śaṁkarāśrame tasminsaro mahajjātaṁ vimalaṁ bahuyojanaṁ

—emerging, radiant as molten gold, spreading throughout Shankara's hermitage; and there a great, spotless lake arose, spanning many yojanas—

Verse 129 (padma.1.44.129)

प्रोत्फुल्लहेमकमलं नानाविहगनादितम्। तच्छ्रुत्वा तु सरो देवी जातं हेममहांबुजम्

protphullahemakamalaṁ nānāvihaganāditam tacchrutvā tu saro devī jātaṁ hemamahāṁbujam

—covered with blooming golden lotuses, resounding with many birds' calls. Hearing of that lake with its great golden lotuses, the goddess—

Verse 130 (padma.1.44.130)

जगाम कौतुकाविष्टा तत्सरः कनकांबुजम्। तत्र कृत्वा जलक्रीडां तदब्जकृतशेखरा

jagāma kautukāviṣṭā tatsaraḥ kanakāṁbujam tatra kṛtvā jalakrīḍāṁ tadabjakṛtaśekharā

—filled with curiosity, went to that golden-lotused lake. There, having sported in the water, and made a crown of its lotuses—

Verse 131 (padma.1.44.131)

उपविष्टा ततस्तस्य तीरे देवी सखीवृता। पातुकामा च तत्तोयं स्वादुनिर्मलपंकजम्

upaviṣṭā tatastasya tīre devī sakhīvṛtā pātukāmā ca tattoyaṁ svādunirmalapaṁkajam

—the goddess sat upon its bank, surrounded by her friends, wishing to drink that sweet, spotless lotus-water.

Verse 132 (padma.1.44.132)

अपश्यत्कृत्तिकास्तास्स षडर्कद्युतिसन्निभाः। पद्मपत्रे तु तद्वारि गृहीत्वा प्रस्थिता गृहम्

apaśyatkṛttikāstāssa ṣaḍarkadyutisannibhāḥ padmapatre tu tadvāri gṛhītvā prasthitā gṛham

She saw the six Krittikas, radiant as the sun; they had taken that water in a lotus-leaf and were setting off homeward.

Verse 133 (padma.1.44.133)

हर्षात्सोवाच पास्यामि पद्मपत्रे स्थितं पयः। ततःस्ता ऊचुरखिलाः कृत्तिका हिमशैलजाम्

harṣātsovāca pāsyāmi padmapatre sthitaṁ payaḥ tataḥstā ūcurakhilāḥ kṛttikā himaśailajām

In delight she said: "Let me drink that water resting in the lotus-leaf." Then all the Krittikas said to the daughter of the snow-mountain—

Verse 134 (padma.1.44.134)

कृत्तिका ऊचुः-। दास्यामो दयिते गर्भे संभूतो यो भविष्यति। सोस्माकमपि पुत्रः स्यादस्मत्त्राता च वृत्तिमान्

kṛttikā ūcuḥ- dāsyāmo dayite garbhe saṁbhūto yo bhaviṣyati sosmākamapi putraḥ syādasmattrātā ca vṛttimān

The Krittikas said: "We shall give it, beloved one, on this condition — that whoever is conceived from it shall also be our son, our protector and sustainer—"

Verse 135 (padma.1.44.135)

त्रिषु लोकेषु विख्यातः सर्वेष्वपि शुभानने। इत्युक्तोवाच गिरिजा कथं मद्गात्रसंभवैः

triṣu lokeṣu vikhyātaḥ sarveṣvapi śubhānane ityuktovāca girijā kathaṁ madgātrasaṁbhavaiḥ

"—renowned in all three worlds, fair one." Thus addressed, Girija said: "How could one born of my very body—"

Verse 136 (padma.1.44.136)

सर्वैरवयवैर्युक्तो भवतीभ्यः सुतो भवेत्। ततस्तां कृत्तिका ऊचुर्विधास्यामोस्य वै वयम्

sarvairavayavairyukto bhavatībhyaḥ suto bhavet tatastāṁ kṛttikā ūcurvidhāsyāmosya vai vayam

"—complete in every limb, become your son too?" Then the Krittikas said to her: "We shall ourselves provide—"

Verse 137 (padma.1.44.137)

उत्तमान्युत्तमांगानि यद्येवं तु भविष्यति। उक्ता वै शैलजा प्राह भवत्वेवमनिंदिताः

uttamānyuttamāṁgāni yadyevaṁ tu bhaviṣyati uktā vai śailajā prāha bhavatvevamaniṁditāḥ

"—the very finest of his limbs, if it should be so." Thus addressed, the mountain's daughter said: "So be it, blameless ones."

Verse 138 (padma.1.44.138)

ततस्तु हर्षसंपूर्णा पद्मपत्रस्थितं पयः। तस्यै ददुस्तया चापि तत्पीतं क्रमशो जलम्

tatastu harṣasaṁpūrṇā padmapatrasthitaṁ payaḥ tasyai dadustayā cāpi tatpītaṁ kramaśo jalam

Then, filled with joy, they gave her that water resting in the lotus-leaf, and she drank that water in due course.

Verse 139 (padma.1.44.139)

पीते तु सलिले चैव तस्मिन्नेव क्षणे वरः। विपाट्य देव्याश्च ततो दक्षिणं कुक्षिमुद्गतः

pīte tu salile caiva tasminneva kṣaṇe varaḥ vipāṭya devyāśca tato dakṣiṇaṁ kukṣimudgataḥ

As soon as that water was drunk, in that very instant, that excellent one burst forth from the goddess's right side—

Verse 140 (padma.1.44.140)

निश्चक्रामाद्भुतो बालो रोगशोकविनाशनः। प्रभाकरकरव्रात प्रकारप्रकरप्रभुः

niścakrāmādbhuto bālo rogaśokavināśanaḥ prabhākarakaravrāta prakāraprakaraprabhuḥ

—that wondrous child emerged, destroyer of disease and sorrow, lord surpassing even the mass of the sun's own rays.

Verse 141 (padma.1.44.141)

गृहीतनिर्मलोदग्र शक्तिशूलांकुशोनलः। दीप्तो मारयितुं दैत्यानुत्थितः कनकच्छविः

gṛhītanirmalodagra śaktiśūlāṁkuśonalaḥ dīpto mārayituṁ daityānutthitaḥ kanakacchaviḥ

Having taken up a stainless spear, trident, goad, and flame, blazing, golden-hued, he rose up to slay the daityas.

Verse 142 (padma.1.44.142)

एतस्मात्कारणादेव कुमारश्चापि सोभवत्। वामं विदार्य निष्क्रांतस्ततो देव्याः पुनः शिशुः

etasmātkāraṇādeva kumāraścāpi sobhavat vāmaṁ vidārya niṣkrāṁtastato devyāḥ punaḥ śiśuḥ

For this very reason he became known as Kumara. Then, once more, another child burst forth from the goddess's left side—

Verse 143 (padma.1.44.143)

स्कंदोथ वदनाद्वह्नेः शुभ्रात्षड्वदनोरिहा। कृत्तिकासलिलादेव शाखाभिः सविशेषतः

skaṁdotha vadanādvahneḥ śubhrātṣaḍvadanorihā kṛttikāsalilādeva śākhābhiḥ saviśeṣataḥ

—Skanda, from Agni's bright mouth, six-faced; and by the water given by the Krittikas, especially through their six branches—

Verse 144 (padma.1.44.144)

शाखाः शिवाः समाख्याताः षट्सुवक्त्रेषु विस्तृताः। यतस्ततो विशाखोसौ ख्यातो लोकेषु षण्मुखः

śākhāḥ śivāḥ samākhyātāḥ ṣaṭsuvaktreṣu vistṛtāḥ yatastato viśākhosau khyāto lokeṣu ṣaṇmukhaḥ

—those auspicious branches, spread across his six fine faces, are so proclaimed; therefore he became known in the worlds as Vishakha, the six-faced.

Verse 145 (padma.1.44.145)

स्कंदो विशाखः षड्वक्त्रः कार्तिकेयश्च विश्रुतः। पक्षे चैत्रस्य बहुले पंचदश्यां महाबलौ

skaṁdo viśākhaḥ ṣaḍvaktraḥ kārtikeyaśca viśrutaḥ pakṣe caitrasya bahule paṁcadaśyāṁ mahābalau

Skanda, Vishakha, the six-faced one, and Kartikeya — thus he became renowned. On the fifteenth of Chaitra's dark fortnight, those two mighty ones—

Verse 146 (padma.1.44.146)

संभूतावर्कसदृशौ विशाले शरकानने। सिते पक्षे तु पंचम्यां तथैतौ पावकानलौ

saṁbhūtāvarkasadṛśau viśāle śarakānane site pakṣe tu paṁcamyāṁ tathaitau pāvakānalau

—radiant as the sun, were born in that vast reed-forest. On the fifth of the bright fortnight, those two, born of Agni's flame—

Verse 147 (padma.1.44.147)

बालकाभ्यां चकारैकं संध्यायामेव भूतये। तस्यामेव ततः षष्ठ्यामभिषिक्तो गुहः प्रभुः

bālakābhyāṁ cakāraikaṁ saṁdhyāyāmeva bhūtaye tasyāmeva tataḥ ṣaṣṭhyāmabhiṣikto guhaḥ prabhuḥ

—became, as two children, one single being, at twilight itself, for the world's welfare. Then, on that sixth day, lord Guha was anointed.

Verse 148 (padma.1.44.148)

सर्वैरमरसंघातैर्ब्रह्मोपेंद्रेंद्र भास्करैः। गंधमाल्यैः शुभैर्धूपैस्तथा क्रीडनकैरपि

sarvairamarasaṁghātairbrahmopeṁdreṁdra bhāskaraiḥ gaṁdhamālyaiḥ śubhairdhūpaistathā krīḍanakairapi

By all the hosts of the immortals — Brahma, Vishnu, Indra, and the sun — with fragrances, garlands, incense, and playthings too—

Verse 149 (padma.1.44.149)

छत्रैश्चामरजालैश्च भूषणैश्च विलेपनैः। अभिषिक्तो विधानेन यथावत्षण्मुखः प्रभुः

chatraiścāmarajālaiśca bhūṣaṇaiśca vilepanaiḥ abhiṣikto vidhānena yathāvatṣaṇmukhaḥ prabhuḥ

—with parasols, fly-whisks, ornaments, and unguents, the six-faced lord was duly anointed according to rite.

Verse 150 (padma.1.44.150)

सुतामस्मै ददौ शक्रो देवसेनेति विश्रुताम्। पत्न्यर्थं देवदेवेशो ददौ विष्णुरथायुधम्

sutāmasmai dadau śakro devaseneti viśrutām patnyarthaṁ devadeveśo dadau viṣṇurathāyudham

Indra gave him his own daughter, renowned as Devasena, as wife. Vishnu gave him a chariot and weapons.

Verse 151 (padma.1.44.151)

यक्षाणां दशलक्षाणि ददावस्य धनाधिपः। ददौ हुताशनस्तेजो ददौ वायुश्च वाहनम्

yakṣāṇāṁ daśalakṣāṇi dadāvasya dhanādhipaḥ dadau hutāśanastejo dadau vāyuśca vāhanam

The lord of wealth gave him ten hundred thousand yakshas. Agni gave him his radiance; Vayu gave him a mount.

Verse 152 (padma.1.44.152)

ददौ क्रीडनकं त्वष्टा कुक्कुटं कामरूपिणम्। एवं सुरास्तु ते सर्वे परिवारमनन्तकम्

dadau krīḍanakaṁ tvaṣṭā kukkuṭaṁ kāmarūpiṇam evaṁ surāstu te sarve parivāramanantakam

Tvashtar gave him a plaything — a shape-shifting cock. Thus all the gods gave him a boundless retinue—

Verse 153 (padma.1.44.153)

। ददुर्मुदितचेतस्काः स्कंदायादित्यवर्चसे। जानुभ्यामवनौ स्थित्वा सुरसंघास्तमस्तुवन्

dadurmuditacetaskāḥ skaṁdāyādityavarcase jānubhyāmavanau sthitvā surasaṁghāstamastuvan

—with joyful hearts, to Skanda, of sun-like brilliance. Resting on their knees, the hosts of gods praised him.

Verse 154 (padma.1.44.154)

स्तोत्रेणानेन वरदं षण्मुखं मुख्यशः सुराः। देवा ऊचुः-। नमः कुमाराय महाप्रभाय स्कंदाय चास्कंदितदानवाय

stotreṇānena varadaṁ ṣaṇmukhaṁ mukhyaśaḥ surāḥ devā ūcuḥ- namaḥ kumārāya mahāprabhāya skaṁdāya cāskaṁditadānavāya

With this hymn the gods praised the boon-granting six-faced one. The gods said: "Salutation to Kumara, of great radiance, to Skanda, who has vanquished the danavas—"

Verse 155 (padma.1.44.155)

नवार्कबिंबप्रतिमप्रभाव नमोस्तु गुह्याय गुहाय तुभ्यम्। नमोस्तु ते लोकभयापहाय नमोस्तु ते लोककृपापराय

navārkabiṁbapratimaprabhāva namostu guhyāya guhāya tubhyam namostu te lokabhayāpahāya namostu te lokakṛpāparāya

"—whose radiance is like the rising sun's orb; salutation to you, secret and hidden, Guha! Salutation, remover of the world's fear, devoted to its mercy."

Verse 156 (padma.1.44.156)

नमो विशालामललोचनाय नमो विशाखाय महाव्रताय। नमो नमस्तेस्तु रणोत्कटाय नमो मयूरोज्ज्वलवाहनाय

namo viśālāmalalocanāya namo viśākhāya mahāvratāya namo namastestu raṇotkaṭāya namo mayūrojjvalavāhanāya

"Salutation to you of wide, spotless eyes! Salutation to Vishakha, of great vows! Salutation, fierce in battle! Salutation, whose mount is the peacock!"

Verse 157 (padma.1.44.157)

नमोस्तु केयूरधराय तुभ्यं नमो धृतोदग्रपताकिने ते। नमः प्रभावप्रणताय तेस्तु नमोऽस्तु घंटाधरधैर्यशालिने

namostu keyūradharāya tubhyaṁ namo dhṛtodagrapatākine te namaḥ prabhāvapraṇatāya testu namo'stu ghaṁṭādharadhairyaśāline

"Salutation, bearer of armlets! Salutation, who hold aloft your own banner! Salutation, before whose power all bow! Salutation, bell-bearer, glorious in firmness!"

Verse 158 (padma.1.44.158)

कुमार उवाच-। कं वः कामं प्रयच्छामि भवंतो ब्रूतनिर्वृताः। यद्यप्य साध्यं कृत्यं नो हृदये चिंतितं चिरम्

kumāra uvāca- kaṁ vaḥ kāmaṁ prayacchāmi bhavaṁto brūtanirvṛtāḥ yadyapya sādhyaṁ kṛtyaṁ no hṛdaye ciṁtitaṁ ciram

Kumara said: "What desire of yours shall I grant? Speak freely, contented ones — even a task long pondered, otherwise unattainable."

Verse 159 (padma.1.44.159)

इत्युक्तास्तु सुरास्तेन प्रोचुः प्रणतमौलयः। सर्व एव महात्मानं गुहं मुदितमानसाः

ityuktāstu surāstena procuḥ praṇatamaulayaḥ sarva eva mahātmānaṁ guhaṁ muditamānasāḥ

Thus addressed, the gods, their crowns bowed, all with joyful minds, spoke to the great-souled Guha.

Verse 160 (padma.1.44.160)

दैत्येंद्रस्तारको नाम सर्वामरकुलांतकृत्। बलवान्दुर्जयस्तीक्ष्णो दुराचारोतिकोपनः

daityeṁdrastārako nāma sarvāmarakulāṁtakṛt balavāndurjayastīkṣṇo durācārotikopanaḥ

"There is a lord of the daityas named Taraka, destroyer of the whole lineage of immortals — mighty, unconquerable, fierce, wrathful."

Verse 161 (padma.1.44.161)

तमेव जहि दुर्धर्षं दैत्यं सर्वविनाशनम्। उपस्थितः कृत्यशेषो ह्यस्माकं च भयावहः

tameva jahi durdharṣaṁ daityaṁ sarvavināśanam upasthitaḥ kṛtyaśeṣo hyasmākaṁ ca bhayāvahaḥ

"Slay that very unassailable, all-destroying daitya. This task alone remains, a source of great fear to us."

Verse 162 (padma.1.44.162)

हिरण्यकशिपुश्चोग्रो ह्यवध्यो देवतागणैः। यज्ञघ्नः पापकर्मा वै येन ब्रह्मापि तापितः

hiraṇyakaśipuścogro hyavadhyo devatāgaṇaiḥ yajñaghnaḥ pāpakarmā vai yena brahmāpi tāpitaḥ

"And there is fierce Hiranyakashipu, unslayable by the gods, destroyer of sacrifice, sinful, by whom even Brahma has been tormented."

Verse 163 (padma.1.44.163)

एतौ हरस्व भद्रं ते तावकं च महाबलम्। एवमुक्तस्तथेत्युक्त्वा सर्वामरपदानुगः

etau harasva bhadraṁ te tāvakaṁ ca mahābalam evamuktastathetyuktvā sarvāmarapadānugaḥ

"Destroy these two with your great strength — blessings on you." Thus addressed, he replied "so be it," followed by all the immortals—

Verse 164 (padma.1.44.164)

जगाम जगतांनाथस्तूयमानोमरेश्वरैः। तारकस्य वधार्थाय जगतां कंटकस्य च

jagāma jagatāṁnāthastūyamānomareśvaraiḥ tārakasya vadhārthāya jagatāṁ kaṁṭakasya ca

—and the lord of the worlds, praised by the lords of the immortals, set forth to slay Taraka, the very thorn of the worlds.

Verse 165 (padma.1.44.165)

ततश्च प्रेषयामास शक्रो गूढसमाश्रयः। दूतं दानवसिंहस्य परुषाक्षरवादिनम्

tataśca preṣayāmāsa śakro gūḍhasamāśrayaḥ dūtaṁ dānavasiṁhasya paruṣākṣaravādinam

Then Indra, secretly on his guard, sent a harsh-worded messenger to that lion among danavas.

Verse 166 (padma.1.44.166)

स तु गत्वाब्रवीद्दैत्यमभयो भीमदर्शनम्। दूत उवाच। शक्रस्त्वामाह देवेशो दैत्यकेतुं दिवस्पतिः

sa tu gatvābravīddaityamabhayo bhīmadarśanam dūta uvāca śakrastvāmāha deveśo daityaketuṁ divaspatiḥ

Fearless, he went and spoke to the terrible-looking daitya. The messenger said: "Indra, lord of the gods, ruler of heaven, says this to you, banner of the daityas—"

Verse 167 (padma.1.44.167)

तारकासुर तच्छक्त्या घटयस्व यथेच्छया। यज्जगज्ज्वलनोद्दीप्तं किल्बिषं च त्वया कृतम्

tārakāsura tacchaktyā ghaṭayasva yathecchayā yajjagajjvalanoddīptaṁ kilbiṣaṁ ca tvayā kṛtam

"—'O demon Taraka, prepare yourself with all your power, for the sin you have committed, blazing like fire against the world.'"

Verse 168 (padma.1.44.168)

तस्याहं सादकस्तेद्य राजास्मि भुवनत्रये। श्रुत्वैतदद्भुतं वाक्यं कोपसंरक्तलोचनः

tasyāhaṁ sādakastedya rājāsmi bhuvanatraye śrutvaitadadbhutaṁ vākyaṁ kopasaṁraktalocanaḥ

"—'I am today the one who shall bring you to ruin — I am king in the three worlds.'" Hearing this astonishing message, his eyes reddened with fury—

Verse 169 (padma.1.44.169)

उवाच दूतं दुष्टात्मा नष्टप्रायविभूतिकः। तारक उवाच-। दृष्टं ते पौरुषं शक्र शतशोथ महारणे

uvāca dūtaṁ duṣṭātmā naṣṭaprāyavibhūtikaḥ tāraka uvāca- dṛṣṭaṁ te pauruṣaṁ śakra śataśotha mahāraṇe

—that wicked-souled one, glory nearly at an end, spoke to the messenger. Taraka said: "Your valor, Indra, has been seen a hundred times in great battle."

Verse 170 (padma.1.44.170)

निस्त्रपत्वान्न ते शांतिर्विद्यते शक्र दुर्मते। एवमुक्ते गते दूते चिंतयामास दानवः

nistrapatvānna te śāṁtirvidyate śakra durmate evamukte gate dūte ciṁtayāmāsa dānavaḥ

"From sheer shamelessness you find no peace, evil-minded Indra." When the messenger had spoken and departed, the danava reflected.

Verse 171 (padma.1.44.171)

नालब्धसंश्रयः शक्रो वक्तुमेवमिहार्हति। जातः स्कंदोधुना शक्राज्ज्ञायते समुपाश्रयात्

nālabdhasaṁśrayaḥ śakro vaktumevamihārhati jātaḥ skaṁdodhunā śakrājjñāyate samupāśrayāt

"Indra, without gaining some new support, would not dare speak thus. It is now known that Skanda has been born, from this very new refuge—"

Verse 172 (padma.1.44.172)

निमित्तौघांस्तदा दुष्टान्सोपश्यन्नाशवेदिनः। पांसुवर्षमसृक्पातं गगनादवनीतले

nimittaughāṁstadā duṣṭānsopaśyannāśavedinaḥ pāṁsuvarṣamasṛkpātaṁ gaganādavanītale

—Then he began to see many evil omens, portents of his own doom: a rain of dust and blood falling from the sky onto the earth—

Verse 173 (padma.1.44.173)

वामनेत्रप्रकंपं च वक्त्रशोषं मनोमयम्। स्वकानां वक्त्रपद्मानां म्लानतां च व्यलोकयत्

vāmanetraprakaṁpaṁ ca vaktraśoṣaṁ manomayam svakānāṁ vaktrapadmānāṁ mlānatāṁ ca vyalokayat

—the throbbing of his left eye, a dryness of the mouth born of anxious thought; and he saw his own people's faces grow wan.

Verse 174 (padma.1.44.174)

दुष्टांश्च प्राणिनो रौद्रान्सोपश्यद्दुष्टवादिनः। तदचिंत्यैव दितिजो न्यस्तचित्तोभवत्क्षणात्

duṣṭāṁśca prāṇino raudrānsopaśyadduṣṭavādinaḥ tadaciṁtyaiva ditijo nyastacittobhavatkṣaṇāt

He saw terrible, ill-omened creatures and ill-speaking men; yet the son of Diti, without reflecting on it, in a moment set his mind aside from it.

Verse 175 (padma.1.44.175)

यावद्गजघटाघंटा घनत्काररवोत्कटाम्। तद्वत्तुरंगसंघातहेषोत्साहविभूषिताम्

yāvadgajaghaṭāghaṁṭā ghanatkāraravotkaṭām tadvatturaṁgasaṁghātaheṣotsāhavibhūṣitām

[Then he beheld the army of the gods:] loud with elephant-bells' deep clanging, adorned with massed horses' eager neighing—

Verse 176 (padma.1.44.176)

सैन्यैस्सेनान्तरोदग्र ध्वजराजैर्विराजिताम्। विमानैश्चाद्भुताकारैश्चलितामलचामरैः

sainyaissenāntarodagra dhvajarājairvirājitām vimānaiścādbhutākāraiścalitāmalacāmaraiḥ

—splendid with troops and towering royal banners, with celestial cars of wondrous form, spotless fly-whisks waving—

Verse 177 (padma.1.44.177)

विभूषणपिनद्धां च किन्नरोद्गीतनादिताम्। नाना नाकतरूत्फुल्ल कुसुमापीडधारिणीम्

vibhūṣaṇapinaddhāṁ ca kinnarodgītanāditām nānā nākatarūtphulla kusumāpīḍadhāriṇīm

—bedecked with ornaments, resounding with kinnaras' songs, crowned with the blooming flowers of heavenly trees—

Verse 178 (padma.1.44.178)

विशोकास्त्रपरिस्फार चर्मनिर्मलदर्शिनीं। विद्युत्पुष्टद्युतिधरां नानावाद्यविनादिताम्

viśokāstraparisphāra carmanirmaladarśinīṁ vidyutpuṣṭadyutidharāṁ nānāvādyavināditām

—free of sorrow, its weapons and spotless shields flashing, bearing a lightning-like radiance, resounding with instruments—

Verse 179 (padma.1.44.179)

सेनां नाकसदां दैत्यः प्रासादस्थो व्यलोकयत्। सचिंतयामास तदा किंचिद्विभ्रांतमानसः

senāṁ nākasadāṁ daityaḥ prāsādastho vyalokayat saciṁtayāmāsa tadā kiṁcidvibhrāṁtamānasaḥ

—the daitya, standing on his palace, gazed upon that army of the heaven-dwellers, and reflected, mind somewhat troubled.

Verse 180 (padma.1.44.180)

अपूर्वः को भवेद्योद्धा यो मया न विनिर्जितः। ततश्चिंताकुलो दैत्यः शुश्राव कटुकाक्षरम्। सिद्धवंदिभिरुद्घुष्टमिदं हृदयदारुणम्

apūrvaḥ ko bhavedyoddhā yo mayā na vinirjitaḥ tataściṁtākulo daityaḥ śuśrāva kaṭukākṣaram siddhavaṁdibhirudghuṣṭamidaṁ hṛdayadāruṇam

"Who could this unprecedented warrior be, whom I have not already conquered?" Then, troubled, the daitya heard, proclaimed by Siddha bards, these harsh, heart-piercing words:

Verse 181 (padma.1.44.181)

जयातुलशक्तिदीधितिपंजरभुजदंडप्रचंडतर। रभससुरवदनकुमुदविकासनविलासनेत्र कुमारवर

jayātulaśaktidīdhitipaṁjarabhujadaṁḍapracaṁḍatara rabhasasuravadanakumudavikāsanavilāsanetra kumāravara

"Victory to you, whose arms, cages of matchless radiant power, are ever fierce! Whose playful eyes bring the eager gods' lotus-faces into bloom! Excellent Kumara!"

Verse 182 (padma.1.44.182)

जय दितिजकुलमहोदधि बडवानल मधुरमयूररथ सुरमकुट कोटि कुंचित चरण नखांकुर महासेन

jaya ditijakulamahodadhi baḍavānala madhuramayūraratha suramakuṭa koṭi kuṁcita caraṇa nakhāṁkura mahāsena

"Victory! The very submarine fire to the great ocean of Diti's race! Whose sweet chariot is a peacock! Whose foot-nails' sprouts are bent by crores of gods' crowns! Great general!"

Verse 183 (padma.1.44.183)

जय चलितललित चूडाकलापनवविमलकमल। दंडकांत दैत्येशवंश दुःसह दावानल

jaya calitalalita cūḍākalāpanavavimalakamala daṁḍakāṁta daityeśavaṁśa duḥsaha dāvānala

"Victory! Whose lovely, swaying crest is like a fresh, spotless lotus! Unbearable forest-fire to the daitya-lord's whole lineage!"

Verse 184 (padma.1.44.184)

जय विशाखविभोजय बालसप्तवासर भुवनालिशोकशमन जय सकललोक दितिसुतधुरंधरनाशक स्कंद

jaya viśākhavibhojaya bālasaptavāsara bhuvanāliśokaśamana jaya sakalaloka ditisutadhuraṁdharanāśaka skaṁda

"Victory, O lord Vishakha! Victory, seven-day-old child, quencher of the world's sorrow! Victory, Skanda, destroyer of Diti's foremost son!"

Verse 185 (padma.1.44.185)

श्रुत्वैतत्तारकः सर्वमुद्घुष्टं देववंदिभिः। सस्मार ब्रह्मणो वाक्यं वधं बालादुपस्थितं

śrutvaitattārakaḥ sarvamudghuṣṭaṁ devavaṁdibhiḥ sasmāra brahmaṇo vākyaṁ vadhaṁ bālādupasthitaṁ

Hearing all this proclaimed by the gods' bards, Taraka called to mind Brahma's own words — that his death at a child's hands was now upon him.

Verse 186 (padma.1.44.186)

स्मृत्वा धर्मौघविध्वंसी सदा वीरपदानुगः। मंदिरान्निर्जगामाशु शोकग्रस्तेन चेतसा

smṛtvā dharmaughavidhvaṁsī sadā vīrapadānugaḥ maṁdirānnirjagāmāśu śokagrastena cetasā

Recalling this, he — ever the destroyer of dharma's stream, ever following the path of a warrior — went forth swiftly, his heart seized with sorrow.

Verse 187 (padma.1.44.187)

कालनेमिमुखा दैत्याः संत्रस्ता भ्रांतचेतसः। स्वेष्वनीकेषु च तदा त्वरा विस्मितचेतसः

kālanemimukhā daityāḥ saṁtrastā bhrāṁtacetasaḥ sveṣvanīkeṣu ca tadā tvarā vismitacetasaḥ

The daityas headed by Kalanemi, terrified, minds confused, hastened to their own respective divisions, minds bewildered—

Verse 188 (padma.1.44.188)

हिरण्यकशिपुः प्राह दानवानां धुरंधरः। त्रपाकरं भवेन्मह्यं बालस्यास्य पलायनम्

hiraṇyakaśipuḥ prāha dānavānāṁ dhuraṁdharaḥ trapākaraṁ bhavenmahyaṁ bālasyāsya palāyanam

—Hiranyakashipu, the leader of the danavas, said: "It would bring me shame to flee before this mere child."

Verse 189 (padma.1.44.189)

यद्यहं हंतवे यामि सोपि वै कमलाश्रितः। हत्वाहं बालकं चैनं दुःस्पर्शः स्यामकारणं

yadyahaṁ haṁtave yāmi sopi vai kamalāśritaḥ hatvāhaṁ bālakaṁ cainaṁ duḥsparśaḥ syāmakāraṇaṁ

"If I go to kill him, he too has the lotus-born as refuge — having slain this child, I would become untouchable without true cause."

Verse 190 (padma.1.44.190)

यात धावत गृह्णीत योजयध्वं वरूथिनीम्। कुमारं तारको दृष्ट्वा बभाषे भीषणाकृतिः

yāta dhāvata gṛhṇīta yojayadhvaṁ varūthinīm kumāraṁ tārako dṛṣṭvā babhāṣe bhīṣaṇākṛtiḥ

"Go, run, seize him, marshal the army!" Seeing Kumara, Taraka, of terrible form, spoke.

Verse 191 (padma.1.44.191)

किं बाल योद्धुकामोसि क्रीडकंदुकलीलया। येनातपो निसृष्टस्ते सत्संगरविभाषक

kiṁ bāla yoddhukāmosi krīḍakaṁdukalīlayā yenātapo nisṛṣṭaste satsaṁgaravibhāṣaka

"Do you wish to fight, child, like a mere ball-game? Who has given you this heat, O boaster of true battle?"

Verse 192 (padma.1.44.192)

बालत्वादथ ते बुद्धिरेवं स्वल्पार्थदर्शिनी। कुमारोपि तमग्रस्थं बभाषे हर्षवत्तमं

bālatvādatha te buddhirevaṁ svalpārthadarśinī kumāropi tamagrasthaṁ babhāṣe harṣavattamaṁ

"Because of your childhood your understanding grasps only small things." Kumara too, delighted, spoke to him standing before him.

Verse 193 (padma.1.44.193)

शृणु तारक शास्त्रार्थ इह नैव निरूप्यते। शस्त्रैरर्था न दृश्यंते समरे निर्भरं भये

śṛṇu tāraka śāstrārtha iha naiva nirūpyate śastrairarthā na dṛśyaṁte samare nirbharaṁ bhaye

"Listen, Taraka: scripture's meaning is not established here by debate; weapons' true meaning is seen only in the fear of battle."

Verse 194 (padma.1.44.194)

शिशुत्वं मावमंस्था मे शिशुः कष्टो भुजंगमः। दुष्प्रेक्षो भास्करो बालस्तथाहं दुर्जयः शिशुः

śiśutvaṁ māvamaṁsthā me śiśuḥ kaṣṭo bhujaṁgamaḥ duṣprekṣo bhāskaro bālastathāhaṁ durjayaḥ śiśuḥ

"Do not despise my childhood — even a young serpent is dangerous; the young sun is hard to gaze upon. So I too, though a child, am unconquerable."

Verse 195 (padma.1.44.195)

अल्पाक्षरो न मंत्रः किं सस्फुरो दैत्य दृश्यते। कुमारे प्रोक्तवत्येवं दैत्यश्चिक्षेप मुद्गरं

alpākṣaro na maṁtraḥ kiṁ sasphuro daitya dṛśyate kumāre proktavatyevaṁ daityaścikṣepa mudgaraṁ

"Is not a mantra of few syllables still seen to be effective, daitya?" When Kumara had spoken thus, the daitya hurled his mace.

Verse 196 (padma.1.44.196)

कुमारस्तं निरासोग्रं चक्रेणामोघवर्चसा। ततश्चिक्षेप दैत्येंद्रो भिंदिपालमयोमयं

kumārastaṁ nirāsograṁ cakreṇāmoghavarcasā tataścikṣepa daityeṁdro bhiṁdipālamayomayaṁ

Kumara warded off that fierce mace with his own unfailing discus. Then the lord of the daityas hurled an iron javelin.

Verse 197 (padma.1.44.197)

करेण तं च जग्राह कार्तिकेयोमरारिहा। गदां मुमोच दैत्याय समुत्थाय खरस्वनाम्

kareṇa taṁ ca jagrāha kārtikeyomarārihā gadāṁ mumoca daityāya samutthāya kharasvanām

Kartikeya, slayer of the immortals' enemies, caught it with his hand. Rising, he hurled at the daitya a mace with a harsh, grating sound.

Verse 198 (padma.1.44.198)

तया हतस्ततो दैत्यश्चकम्पेचलराडिव। मेने च दुर्जयं दैत्यस्तदाबालं सुदुःसहं

tayā hatastato daityaścakampecalarāḍiva mene ca durjayaṁ daityastadābālaṁ suduḥsahaṁ

Struck by it, the daitya trembled like the very king of mountains. And the daitya then knew that child to be unconquerable, utterly unbearable.

Verse 199 (padma.1.44.199)

चिंतयामास बुद्ध्या वै प्राप्तः कालो न संशयः। कंपितं च समालोक्य कालनेमि पुरोगमाः

ciṁtayāmāsa buddhyā vai prāptaḥ kālo na saṁśayaḥ kaṁpitaṁ ca samālokya kālanemi purogamāḥ

He reflected: "My time has surely come, without doubt." Seeing him thus trembling, the daityas headed by Kalanemi—

Verse 200 (padma.1.44.200)

सर्वे देत्यैश्वरा जघ्नुः कुमारं रणदारुणं। स तैः प्रहारैरस्पृष्टस्तथा क्लैशैर्महाद्युतिः

sarve detyaiśvarā jaghnuḥ kumāraṁ raṇadāruṇaṁ sa taiḥ prahārairaspṛṣṭastathā klaiśairmahādyutiḥ

—all those lords of the daityas struck at Kumara, terrible in battle. But that greatly radiant one remained untouched by their blows and torments.

Verse 201 (padma.1.44.201)

स बालो बलिभिर्वेगैरयुध्यद्दानवै रणे। रणशौण्डाश्च दैत्येंद्रा पुःनर्जघ्नुः शिलीमुखैः

sa bālo balibhirvegairayudhyaddānavai raṇe raṇaśauṇḍāśca daityeṁdrā puḥnarjaghnuḥ śilīmukhaiḥ

That child fought in battle against the mighty, swift danavas. The war-skilled lords of the daityas again struck with sharp arrows.

Verse 202 (padma.1.44.202)

कुमारं समरे दैत्या बलिनो देवकंटकाः। कुमारस्य व्यथा नाभूद्दैत्यास्त्रनिहतस्य तु

kumāraṁ samare daityā balino devakaṁṭakāḥ kumārasya vyathā nābhūddaityāstranihatasya tu

The mighty daityas, thorns of the gods, struck Kumara in that combat; yet no true harm came to Kumara from the daityas' weapons.

Verse 203 (padma.1.44.203)

प्राणांतकरणं जातं देवानां दानवा हवं। देवान्निपीडितान्दृष्ट्वा कुमारः कोपमाविशत्

prāṇāṁtakaraṇaṁ jātaṁ devānāṁ dānavā havaṁ devānnipīḍitāndṛṣṭvā kumāraḥ kopamāviśat

[Meanwhile] the battle against the danavas had become one bringing the gods to the brink of death. Seeing the gods thus hard-pressed, Kumara was overcome by anger.

Verse 204 (padma.1.44.204)

ततोस्त्रैर्दारयामास दानावानामनीकिनीम्। तैरस्त्रैर्निष्प्रतीकारैस्ताडितास्सुरकंटकाः

tatostrairdārayāmāsa dānāvānāmanīkinīm tairastrairniṣpratīkāraistāḍitāssurakaṁṭakāḥ

Then with his weapons he tore apart the danavas' army. Struck by those irresistible weapons, the thorns of the gods—

Verse 205 (padma.1.44.205)

कालनेमिमुखाः सर्वे रणे ह्यासन्पराङ्मुखाः। विद्रुतेषु च दैत्येषु प्रहतेषु समंततः

kālanemimukhāḥ sarve raṇe hyāsanparāṅmukhāḥ vidruteṣu ca daityeṣu prahateṣu samaṁtataḥ

—all headed by Kalanemi turned their backs in battle. As the daityas, struck down on every side, fled—

Verse 206 (padma.1.44.206)

किन्नरोद्गारगीतैश्च हास्यसन्यस्तचेतनः। जघ्ने कुमारं गदया निष्टप्तकनकत्विषा

kinnarodgāragītaiśca hāsyasanyastacetanaḥ jaghne kumāraṁ gadayā niṣṭaptakanakatviṣā

—his mind assailed by the mockery in the kinnaras' triumphant songs, Taraka struck Kumara with a mace, radiant like molten gold.

Verse 207 (padma.1.44.207)

शरैर्मयूरं चित्रैश्च चकार विमुखं रणे। दृष्ट्वा पराड्मुखो देवो मुक्तरक्तं स्ववाहनम्

śarairmayūraṁ citraiśca cakāra vimukhaṁ raṇe dṛṣṭvā parāḍmukho devo muktaraktaṁ svavāhanam

With wondrous arrows he turned Kumara's peacock away from the battle. Seeing his mount thus wounded and turned away, the god—

Verse 208 (padma.1.44.208)

जग्राह शक्तिं विमलां रणे कनकभूषणाम्। बाहुना हेमकेयूर रुचिरेण षडाननः

jagrāha śaktiṁ vimalāṁ raṇe kanakabhūṣaṇām bāhunā hemakeyūra rucireṇa ṣaḍānanaḥ

—the six-faced one took up in battle his spotless spear, adorned with gold, in his arm lovely with its golden armlet.

Verse 209 (padma.1.44.209)

ततोब्रवीन्महासेनस्तारकं दानवाधिपम्। तिष्ठतिष्ठ सुदुर्बुद्धे यमलोकं विलोकय

tatobravīnmahāsenastārakaṁ dānavādhipam tiṣṭhatiṣṭha sudurbuddhe yamalokaṁ vilokaya

Then Mahasena spoke to Taraka, lord of the danavas: "Stand, stand, you of wicked understanding! Behold the abode of Yama!"

Verse 210 (padma.1.44.210)

हतो ह्यसि मया शक्त्या स्मर स्वं दैत्यचेष्टितम्। इत्युक्त्वा तु ततः शक्तिं मुमोच दितिजं प्रति

hato hyasi mayā śaktyā smara svaṁ daityaceṣṭitam ityuktvā tu tataḥ śaktiṁ mumoca ditijaṁ prati

"You have been slain by me with this spear — recall your own demonic conduct." Having said this, he let fly that spear against the son of Diti.

Verse 211 (padma.1.44.211)

सा कुमारभुजोत्सृष्टा तत्केयूररवानुगा। बिभेद दैत्यहृदयं वज्रशैलेंद्रकर्कशम्

sā kumārabhujotsṛṣṭā tatkeyūraravānugā bibheda daityahṛdayaṁ vajraśaileṁdrakarkaśam

That spear, released from Kumara's arm, following the sound of his armlet, pierced the daitya's adamant-hard heart.

Verse 212 (padma.1.44.212)

गतासुः स पपातोर्व्यां प्रलये भूधरो यथा। विकीर्णमकुटोष्णीषो विस्रस्ताखिलभूषणः

gatāsuḥ sa papātorvyāṁ pralaye bhūdharo yathā vikīrṇamakuṭoṣṇīṣo visrastākhilabhūṣaṇaḥ

His life gone, he fell upon the earth, like a mountain at the world's dissolution, his crown scattered, all ornaments cast asunder.

Verse 213 (padma.1.44.213)

तस्मिन्विनिहते दैत्ये दानवानां धुरंधरे। नाभूत्कश्चित्तदा दुःखी नरकेष्वपि पापकृत्

tasminvinihate daitye dānavānāṁ dhuraṁdhare nābhūtkaścittadā duḥkhī narakeṣvapi pāpakṛt

When that lord of the danavas had been slain, there was, at that time, not a single soul grieved — not even the sinful in hell.

Verse 214 (padma.1.44.214)

स्तुवंतः षण्मुखं देवाः प्राक्रीडन्नागतस्मिताः। जग्मुः स्वानेव भुवनान्निरस्यासंस्तथोत्सुकाः

stuvaṁtaḥ ṣaṇmukhaṁ devāḥ prākrīḍannāgatasmitāḥ jagmuḥ svāneva bhuvanānnirasyāsaṁstathotsukāḥ

Praising the six-faced one, the gods rejoiced, smiles returning to their faces, and, casting off their sorrow, went eagerly to their own worlds.

Verse 215 (padma.1.44.215)

ददुश्चापि वरं सर्वे देवाश्च षण्मुखं प्रति। तुष्टाः संप्राप्तसर्वार्थास्सहसिद्धैस्तपोधनैः

daduścāpi varaṁ sarve devāśca ṣaṇmukhaṁ prati tuṣṭāḥ saṁprāptasarvārthāssahasiddhaistapodhanaiḥ

And all the gods, with the Siddhas rich in austerity, well pleased, their every purpose fulfilled, also granted a boon to the six-faced one.

Verse 216 (padma.1.44.216)

देवा ऊचुः। यः पठेत्स्कंदसंबंधां कथामेतां महामतिः। शृणुयाच्छ्रावयेद्वापि स भवेत्कीर्तिमान्नरः

devā ūcuḥ yaḥ paṭhetskaṁdasaṁbaṁdhāṁ kathāmetāṁ mahāmatiḥ śṛṇuyācchrāvayedvāpi sa bhavetkīrtimānnaraḥ

The gods said: "Whoever, of great understanding, shall recite this story concerning Skanda, or hear it, or cause others to hear it — that man shall become renowned."

Verse 217 (padma.1.44.217)

बह्वायुः सुभगः श्रीमान्कीर्तिमान्शुभदर्शनः। भूतेभ्यो निर्भयश्चापि सर्वदुःखविवर्जितः

bahvāyuḥ subhagaḥ śrīmānkīrtimānśubhadarśanaḥ bhūtebhyo nirbhayaścāpi sarvaduḥkhavivarjitaḥ

"—of long life, fortunate, prosperous, famed, of auspicious appearance; free from fear of all beings, free from every sorrow."

Verse 218 (padma.1.44.218)

संध्यामुपास्य यः पूर्वां स्कंदस्य चरितं पठेत्। स युक्तः किन्नरैः सर्वैर्महाधनपतिर्भवेत्

saṁdhyāmupāsya yaḥ pūrvāṁ skaṁdasya caritaṁ paṭhet sa yuktaḥ kinnaraiḥ sarvairmahādhanapatirbhavet

"Whoever, having performed the morning twilight rite, recites Skanda's own deeds — that man, joined by all kinnaras, shall become a great lord of wealth."