Mena's Lament and Consolation

Verse 1 (shiva.rudra.107.1)

ब्रह्मोवाच । संज्ञां लब्ध्वा ततः सा च मेना शैलप्रिया सती । विललापातिसङ्क्षुब्धा तिरस्कारमथाकरोत्

brahmovāca saṁjñāṁ labdhvā tataḥ sā ca menā śailapriyā satī vilalāpātisaṅkṣubdhā tiraskāramathākarot

Brahma said: "Having regained her senses, that virtuous Mena, beloved of the mountain, lamented, greatly agitated, and then began to rebuke."

Verse 2 (shiva.rudra.107.2)

तत्र तावत्स्वपुत्रांश्च निनिन्द स्खलिता मुहुः । प्रथमं सा ततः पुत्रीं कथयामास दुर्वचः

tatra tāvatsvaputrāṁśca nininda skhalitā muhuḥ prathamaṁ sā tataḥ putrīṁ kathayāmāsa durvacaḥ

"There, faltering again and again, she first reproached her own sons, and then spoke harsh words to her daughter."

Verse 3 (shiva.rudra.107.3)

मेनोवाच । मुने पुरा त्वया प्रोक्तं वरिष्यति शिवा शिवम् । पश्चाद्धिमवतः कृत्यं पूजार्थं विनिवेशितम्

menovāca mune purā tvayā proktaṁ variṣyati śivā śivam paścāddhimavataḥ kṛtyaṁ pūjārthaṁ viniveśitam

Mena said: "O sage, you once declared that Shiva would choose Shiva as her husband; accordingly Himavan set his duty toward that worship in motion."

Verse 4 (shiva.rudra.107.4)

ततो दृष्टं फलं सत्यं विपरीतमनर्थकम् । मुनेऽधमाहं दुर्बुद्धे सर्वथा वञ्चिता त्वया

tato dṛṣṭaṁ phalaṁ satyaṁ viparītamanarthakam mune'dhamāhaṁ durbuddhe sarvathā vañcitā tvayā

"'Now the true result is seen — the very opposite, disastrous! O sage of base and wicked mind, I have been utterly deceived by you.'"

Verse 5 (shiva.rudra.107.5)

पुनस्तया तपस्तप्तं दुष्करं मुनिभिश्च यत् । तस्य लब्धं फलं ह्येतत्पश्यतां दुःखदायकम्

punastayā tapastaptaṁ duṣkaraṁ munibhiśca yat tasya labdhaṁ phalaṁ hyetatpaśyatāṁ duḥkhadāyakam

"'Again, that difficult austerity, hard even for sages, which she performed — this is the fruit she has obtained from it, a fruit that brings sorrow to all who behold it!'"

Verse 6 (shiva.rudra.107.6)

किं करोमि क्व गच्छामि को मे दुःखं व्यपोहताम् । कुलादिकं विनष्टं मे विहितं जीवितं मम

kiṁ karomi kva gacchāmi ko me duḥkhaṁ vyapohatām kulādikaṁ vinaṣṭaṁ me vihitaṁ jīvitaṁ mama

"'What shall I do? Where shall I go? Who will drive away my sorrow? My lineage and all else is destroyed; my very life has been ruined.'"

Verse 7 (shiva.rudra.107.7)

क्व गता ऋषयो दिव्याः श्मश्रूणि त्रोटयाम्यहम् । तपस्विनी च या पत्नी सा धूर्ता स्वयमागता

kva gatā ṛṣayo divyāḥ śmaśrūṇi troṭayāmyaham tapasvinī ca yā patnī sā dhūrtā svayamāgatā

"'Where have those divine sages gone? I shall tear at my hair! My own ascetic daughter has come here and proven herself a deceiver.'"

Verse 8 (shiva.rudra.107.8)

केषाञ्चैवापराधेन सर्वं नष्टं ममाधुना । इत्युक्त्वा वीक्ष्य च सुतामुवाच वचनं कटु

keṣāñcaivāparādhena sarvaṁ naṣṭaṁ mamādhunā ityuktvā vīkṣya ca sutāmuvāca vacanaṁ kaṭu

"'Through whose fault has everything of mine now been destroyed?' Having said this, and looking at her daughter, she spoke harsh words."

Verse 9 (shiva.rudra.107.9)

किं कृतं ते सुते दुष्टे कर्म दुःखकरं मम । हेम दत्त्वा त्वयानीतः काचो वै दुष्टया स्वयम्

kiṁ kṛtaṁ te sute duṣṭe karma duḥkhakaraṁ mama hema dattvā tvayānītaḥ kāco vai duṣṭayā svayam

"'What have you done, wicked daughter, this deed that brings me such sorrow? Giving up gold, you yourself, wicked girl, have brought back mere glass.'"

Verse 10 (shiva.rudra.107.10)

हित्वा तु चन्दनं भूयो लेपितः कर्दमस्त्वया । हंसमुड्डीय काको वै गृहीतो हस्तपञ्जरे

hitvā tu candanaṁ bhūyo lepitaḥ kardamastvayā haṁsamuḍḍīya kāko vai gṛhīto hastapañjare

"'Abandoning sandal-paste, you have smeared yourself with mud instead; letting the swan fly away, you have caught a crow in your cupped hands.'"

Verse 11 (shiva.rudra.107.11)

हित्वा ब्रह्मजलं दूरे पीतं कूपोदकं त्वया । सूर्यं हित्वा तु खद्योतो गृहीतो यत्नतस्त्वया

hitvā brahmajalaṁ dūre pītaṁ kūpodakaṁ tvayā sūryaṁ hitvā tu khadyoto gṛhīto yatnatastvayā

"'Casting aside the sacred water of Brahma far away, you have drunk well-water instead; abandoning the sun, you have painstakingly seized a firefly.'"

Verse 12 (shiva.rudra.107.12)

तण्डुलांश्च तथा हित्वा कृतं वै तुषभक्षणम् । प्रक्षिप्याज्यं तथा तैलं कारण्डं भुक्तमादरात्

taṇḍulāṁśca tathā hitvā kṛtaṁ vai tuṣabhakṣaṇam prakṣipyājyaṁ tathā tailaṁ kāraṇḍaṁ bhuktamādarāt

"'Likewise, forsaking rice, you have eaten only husks; casting away ghee, you have eagerly eaten oil-cake instead.'"

Verse 13 (shiva.rudra.107.13)

सिंहसेवां तथा मुक्त्वा शृगालः सेवितस्त्वया । ब्रह्मविद्यां तथा मुक्त्वा कुगाथा च श्रुता त्वया

siṁhasevāṁ tathā muktvā śṛgālaḥ sevitastvayā brahmavidyāṁ tathā muktvā kugāthā ca śrutā tvayā

"'Likewise, giving up the service of a lion, you have served a jackal instead; forsaking the knowledge of Brahman, you have listened to worthless tales.'"

Verse 14 (shiva.rudra.107.14)

गृहे यज्ञविभूतिं हि दूरीकृत्य सुमङ्गलाम् । गृहीतश्च चिताभस्म त्वया पुत्रि ह्यमङ्गलम्

gṛhe yajñavibhūtiṁ hi dūrīkṛtya sumaṅgalām gṛhītaśca citābhasma tvayā putri hyamaṅgalam

"'Casting far away the auspicious sacred ash of the sacrifice from our house, you have taken instead, O daughter, the inauspicious ash of the funeral pyre.'"

Verse 15 (shiva.rudra.107.15)

सर्वान् देववरांस्त्यक्त्वा विष्ण्वादीन्परमेश्वरान् । कृतं त्वया कुबुद्ध्या वै शिवार्थं तप ईदृशम्

sarvān devavarāṁstyaktvā viṣṇvādīnparameśvarān kṛtaṁ tvayā kubuddhyā vai śivārthaṁ tapa īdṛśam

"'Forsaking all the best of gods — Vishnu and the other supreme lords — with such perverse understanding, you have performed such great austerity for the sake of Shiva!'"

Verse 16 (shiva.rudra.107.16)

धिक्त्वां च तव बुद्धिं च धिग्रूपं चरितं तव । धिक् चोपदेशकर्तारं धिक्सख्यावपि ते तथा

dhiktvāṁ ca tava buddhiṁ ca dhigrūpaṁ caritaṁ tava dhik copadeśakartāraṁ dhiksakhyāvapi te tathā

"'Shame on you, shame on your understanding; shame on your beauty, shame on your conduct; shame on the one who gave you this counsel; shame too on your very companions!'"

Verse 17 (shiva.rudra.107.17)

आवां च धिक्तथा पुत्रि यौ ते जन्मप्रवर्तकौ । धिक्ते नारद बुद्धिञ्च सप्तर्षींश्च कुबुद्धिदान्

āvāṁ ca dhiktathā putri yau te janmapravartakau dhikte nārada buddhiñca saptarṣīṁśca kubuddhidān

"'Shame on us too, O daughter, who brought about your birth; shame on your understanding, O Narada, and on the seven sages, givers of such wretched counsel!'"

Verse 18 (shiva.rudra.107.18)

धिक्कुलं धिक् क्रियादाक्ष्यं सर्वं धिग्यत्कृतं त्वया । गृहं तु धुक्षितं त्वेतन्मरणं तु ममैव हि

dhikkulaṁ dhik kriyādākṣyaṁ sarvaṁ dhigyatkṛtaṁ tvayā gṛhaṁ tu dhukṣitaṁ tvetanmaraṇaṁ tu mamaiva hi

"'Shame on our family, shame on its skill in ritual — shame on everything that you have done! This house has been set ablaze; only death remains for me now.'"

Verse 19 (shiva.rudra.107.19)

पर्वतानामयं राजा नायातु निकटे मम । सप्तर्षयः स्वयं नैव दर्शयन्तु मुखं मम

parvatānāmayaṁ rājā nāyātu nikaṭe mama saptarṣayaḥ svayaṁ naiva darśayantu mukhaṁ mama

"'Let this king of mountains not come near me; let the seven sages themselves never show me their faces again.'"

Verse 20 (shiva.rudra.107.20)

साधितं किं च सर्वैस्तु मिलित्वा घातितं कुलम् । बन्ध्याहं न कथं जाता गर्भो न गलितः कथम्

sādhitaṁ kiṁ ca sarvaistu militvā ghātitaṁ kulam bandhyāhaṁ na kathaṁ jātā garbho na galitaḥ katham

"'What indeed have you all accomplished together, but the ruin of our lineage? Why was I not born barren? Why did this child not miscarry?'"

Verse 21 (shiva.rudra.107.21)

अथो न वा मृता चाहं पुत्रिका न मृता कथम् । राक्षसाद्यैः कथं नो वा भक्षिता गगने पुनः

atho na vā mṛtā cāhaṁ putrikā na mṛtā katham rākṣasādyaiḥ kathaṁ no vā bhakṣitā gagane punaḥ

"'Or why did I not die? And why did this daughter not die? Why was she not devoured in the sky by rakshasas or the like?'"

Verse 22 (shiva.rudra.107.22)

छेदयामि शिरस्तेऽद्य किं करोमि कलेवरैः । त्यक्त्वा त्वां च कुतो यायां हाहा मे जीवितं हतम्

chedayāmi śiraste'dya kiṁ karomi kalevaraiḥ tyaktvā tvāṁ ca kuto yāyāṁ hāhā me jīvitaṁ hatam

"'I shall cut off your head this very day — what use have I for these bodies? Abandoning you, where indeed shall I go? Alas, my life is ruined!'"

Verse 23 (shiva.rudra.107.23)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्युक्त्वा पतिता सा च मेना भूमौ विमूर्छिता । व्याकुला शोकरोषाद्यैर्न गता भर्तृसन्निधौ

brahmovāca ityuktvā patitā sā ca menā bhūmau vimūrchitā vyākulā śokaroṣādyairna gatā bhartṛsannidhau

Brahma said: "Having said this, Mena fell fainting to the ground; overwhelmed with grief and anger, she did not go into her husband's presence."

Verse 24 (shiva.rudra.107.24)

हाहाकारो महानासीत्तस्मिन्काले मुनीश्वर । सर्वे समागतास्तत्र क्रमात्तत्सन्निधौ सुराः

hāhākāro mahānāsīttasminkāle munīśvara sarve samāgatāstatra kramāttatsannidhau surāḥ

"There arose a great wail of lamentation at that time, O lord of sages; all the gods gathered there in turn, into her presence."

Verse 25 (shiva.rudra.107.25)

पुरा देवमुने चाहमागतस्तु स्वयं तदा । मां दृष्ट्वा त्वं वचस्तां वै प्रावोच ऋषिसत्तम

purā devamune cāhamāgatastu svayaṁ tadā māṁ dṛṣṭvā tvaṁ vacastāṁ vai prāvoca ṛṣisattama

"Long ago, O sage among gods, I myself came there; seeing me, you, O best of sages, spoke these words to her."

Verse 26 (shiva.rudra.107.26)

नारद उवाच । यथार्थं सुन्दरं रूपं न ज्ञातं ते शिवस्य वै । लीलयेदं धृतं रूपं न यथार्थं शिवेन च

nārada uvāca yathārthaṁ sundaraṁ rūpaṁ na jñātaṁ te śivasya vai līlayedaṁ dhṛtaṁ rūpaṁ na yathārthaṁ śivena ca

Narada said: "You have not known Shiva's true, beautiful form. This form was assumed by Shiva only in play — it is not his real form."

Verse 27 (shiva.rudra.107.27)

तस्मात्क्रोधं परित्यज्य स्वस्था भव पतिव्रते । कार्यं कुरु हठं त्यक्त्वा शिवां देहि शिवाय च

tasmātkrodhaṁ parityajya svasthā bhava pativrate kāryaṁ kuru haṭhaṁ tyaktvā śivāṁ dehi śivāya ca

"'Therefore, abandoning your anger, be at peace, O devoted wife. Do what must be done — give up your obstinacy, and give Shiva to Shiva.'"

Verse 28 (shiva.rudra.107.28)

ब्रह्मोवाच । तदाकर्ण्य वचस्ते सा मेना त्वां वाक्यमब्रवीत् । उत्तिष्ठेतो गच्छ दूरं दुष्टाधमवरो भवान्

brahmovāca tadākarṇya vacaste sā menā tvāṁ vākyamabravīt uttiṣṭheto gaccha dūraṁ duṣṭādhamavaro bhavān

Brahma said: "Hearing these words of yours, Mena spoke to you: 'Get up, go far away from here — you are the worst and most wicked of all!'"

Verse 29 (shiva.rudra.107.29)

इत्युक्ते तु तया देवा इन्द्राद्याः सकलाः क्रमात् । समागत्य च दिक्पाला वचनं चेदमब्रुवन्

ityukte tu tayā devā indrādyāḥ sakalāḥ kramāt samāgatya ca dikpālā vacanaṁ cedamabruvan

"When this was said by her, all the gods, headed by Indra, and the guardians of the directions, came in turn and spoke these words:"

Verse 30 (shiva.rudra.107.30)

देवा ऊचुः । हे मेने पितृकन्ये हि शृण्वस्मद्वचनं मुदा । अयं वै परमः साक्षाच्छिवः परसुखावहः

devā ūcuḥ he mene pitṛkanye hi śṛṇvasmadvacanaṁ mudā ayaṁ vai paramaḥ sākṣācchivaḥ parasukhāvahaḥ

The gods said: "O Mena, daughter of the Fathers, hear our words gladly: this is indeed the Supreme, Shiva himself, the bringer of the highest happiness."

Verse 31 (shiva.rudra.107.31)

कृपया च भवत्पुत्र्यास्तपो दृष्ट्वातिदुस्सहम् । दर्शनं दत्तवान् शम्भुर्वरं सद्भक्तवत्सलः

kṛpayā ca bhavatputryāstapo dṛṣṭvātidussaham darśanaṁ dattavān śambhurvaraṁ sadbhaktavatsalaḥ

"'Out of grace, and seeing your daughter's utterly unbearable austerity, Shambhu, ever affectionate to his true devotees, has granted her this excellent sight of himself.'"

Verse 32 (shiva.rudra.107.32)

ब्रह्मोवाच । अथोवाच सुरान्मेना विलप्याति मुहुर्मुहुः । न देया तु मया कन्या गिरिशायोग्ररूपिणे

brahmovāca athovāca surānmenā vilapyāti muhurmuhuḥ na deyā tu mayā kanyā giriśāyograrūpiṇe

Brahma said: "Then Mena, lamenting again and again, said to the gods: 'I will not give my daughter to Girisha, who has such a terrible form!'"

Verse 33 (shiva.rudra.107.33)

किमर्थं तु भवन्तश्च सर्वे देवाः प्रवञ्चिताः । रूपमस्याः परन्नाम व्यर्थीकर्तुं समुद्यताः

kimarthaṁ tu bhavantaśca sarve devāḥ pravañcitāḥ rūpamasyāḥ parannāma vyarthīkartuṁ samudyatāḥ

"'Why then have all of you gods been deceived, and are now intent on making my daughter's supreme beauty go to waste?'"

Verse 34 (shiva.rudra.107.34)

इत्युक्ते च तया तत्र ऋषयःसप्त एव हि । ऊचुस्ते वच आगत्य वसिष्ठाद्या मुनीश्वर

ityukte ca tayā tatra ṛṣayaḥsapta eva hi ūcuste vaca āgatya vasiṣṭhādyā munīśvara

"When she had said this, the seven sages themselves, headed by Vasishtha, O lord of sages, came there and spoke these words:"

Verse 35 (shiva.rudra.107.35)

सप्तर्षय ऊचुः । कार्यं साधयितुं प्राप्ताः पितृकन्ये गिरिप्रिये । विरुद्धं चात्र युक्तार्थे कथं मन्यामहे वयम्

saptarṣaya ūcuḥ kāryaṁ sādhayituṁ prāptāḥ pitṛkanye giripriye viruddhaṁ cātra yuktārthe kathaṁ manyāmahe vayam

The seven sages said: "O daughter of the Fathers, beloved of the mountain, we have come to accomplish this task; how could we consider it opposed to what is truly fitting?"

Verse 36 (shiva.rudra.107.36)

अयं वै परमो लाभो दर्शनं शङ्करस्य यत् । दानपात्रं स ते भूत्वागतस्तव च मन्दिरम्

ayaṁ vai paramo lābho darśanaṁ śaṅkarasya yat dānapātraṁ sa te bhūtvāgatastava ca mandiram

"'This indeed is the highest gain — the very sight of Shankara; he himself has become the worthy recipient of your gift, and has come to your house.'"

Verse 37 (shiva.rudra.107.37)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्युक्ता तैस्ततो मेना मुनिवाक्यं मृषाकरोत् । प्रत्युवाच च रुष्टा सा तानृषीन् ज्ञानदुर्बला

brahmovāca ityuktā taistato menā munivākyaṁ mṛṣākarot pratyuvāca ca ruṣṭā sā tānṛṣīn jñānadurbalā

Brahma said: "Thus addressed by them, Mena declared the sages' words false; enraged, and weak in understanding, she answered those sages:"

Verse 38 (shiva.rudra.107.38)

मेनोवाच । शस्त्राद्यैर्घातयिष्येऽहं न दास्ये शङ्कराय ताम् । दूरं गच्छत सर्वे हि नागन्तव्यं मदन्तिके

menovāca śastrādyairghātayiṣye'haṁ na dāsye śaṅkarāya tām dūraṁ gacchata sarve hi nāgantavyaṁ madantike

Mena said: "I shall have her killed with weapons — I will not give her to Shankara. Go, all of you, far away — none of you should come near me again."

Verse 39 (shiva.rudra.107.39)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्युक्त्वा विररामाशु सा विलप्यातिविह्वला । हाहाकारो महानासीत्तत्र तद्वृत्ततो मुने

brahmovāca ityuktvā virarāmāśu sā vilapyātivihvalā hāhākāro mahānāsīttatra tadvṛttato mune

Brahma said: "Having said this, she fell silent at once, utterly overwhelmed with lamenting; a great cry of woe arose there because of what had happened, O sage."

Verse 40 (shiva.rudra.107.40)

ततो हिमालयस्तत्राजगामातिसमाकुलः । ताञ्च बोधयितुं प्रीत्या प्राह तत्त्वं च दर्शयन्

tato himālayastatrājagāmātisamākulaḥ tāñca bodhayituṁ prītyā prāha tattvaṁ ca darśayan

"Then Himalaya, greatly distressed, came there; and, in order to console her, he spoke to her with affection, showing her the truth of the matter."

Verse 41 (shiva.rudra.107.41)

हिमालय उवाच । शृणु मेने वचो मेऽद्य विकलासि कथं प्रिये । के के समागता गेहं कथं चैतान्विनिन्दसि

himālaya uvāca śṛṇu mene vaco me'dya vikalāsi kathaṁ priye ke ke samāgatā gehaṁ kathaṁ caitānvinindasi

Himalaya said: "Hear my words today, O Mena. Why are you so distraught, my dear? Who all have come to our house, and why do you revile them so?"

Verse 42 (shiva.rudra.107.42)

शङ्करं त्वं च जानासि रूपं दृष्ट्वासि विह्वला । विकटं तस्य शम्भोस्तु नानारूपाभिधस्य हि

śaṅkaraṁ tvaṁ ca jānāsi rūpaṁ dṛṣṭvāsi vihvalā vikaṭaṁ tasya śambhostu nānārūpābhidhasya hi

"'Do you truly know Shankara? You have become distraught merely from seeing one terrible form of that Shambhu, who bears manifold forms and names.'"

Verse 43 (shiva.rudra.107.43)

स शङ्करो मया ज्ञातः सर्वेषां प्रतिपालकः । पूज्यानां पूज्य एवासौ कर्तानुग्रहनिग्रहौ

sa śaṅkaro mayā jñātaḥ sarveṣāṁ pratipālakaḥ pūjyānāṁ pūjya evāsau kartānugrahanigrahau

"'I know that Shankara to be the protector of all; he is worthy of worship even among the worshipful, the doer of both grace and chastisement.'"

Verse 44 (shiva.rudra.107.44)

हठं न कुरु मुञ्च त्वं दुःखं प्राणप्रियेऽनघे । उत्तिष्ठारं तथा कार्यं कर्तुमर्हसि सुव्रते

haṭhaṁ na kuru muñca tvaṁ duḥkhaṁ prāṇapriye'naghe uttiṣṭhāraṁ tathā kāryaṁ kartumarhasi suvrate

"'Do not persist in obstinacy; abandon your sorrow, O sinless one, dear as my very life. Rise now, O woman of good vows — do what must be done.'"

Verse 45 (shiva.rudra.107.45)

यद्वै द्वारगतः शम्भुः पुरा विकटरूपधृक् । नानालीलां च कृतवान् चेतयामि च तामिमाम्

yadvai dvāragataḥ śambhuḥ purā vikaṭarūpadhṛk nānālīlāṁ ca kṛtavān cetayāmi ca tāmimām

"'That Shambhu who stood at our gate before, bearing that terrible form, performed many kinds of play — I understand this matter well.'"

Verse 46 (shiva.rudra.107.46)

तन्माहात्म्यं परं दृष्ट्वा कन्यां दातुं त्वया मया । अङ्गीकृतं तदा देवि तत्प्रमाणं कुरु प्रिये

tanmāhātmyaṁ paraṁ dṛṣṭvā kanyāṁ dātuṁ tvayā mayā aṅgīkṛtaṁ tadā devi tatpramāṇaṁ kuru priye

"'Having seen his supreme greatness, O goddess, both you and I agreed to give him our daughter; honor that agreement now, my dear.'"

Verse 47 (shiva.rudra.107.47)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्युक्त्वा सोऽद्रिनाथो हि विरराम ततो मुने । तदाकर्ण्य शिवामाता मेनोवाच हिमालयम्

brahmovāca ityuktvā so'drinātho hi virarāma tato mune tadākarṇya śivāmātā menovāca himālayam

Brahma said: "Having said this, that lord of the mountain fell silent, O sage; hearing it, Shiva's mother, Mena, spoke to Himalaya:"

Verse 48 (shiva.rudra.107.48)

मेनोवाच । मद्वचः श्रूयतां नाथ तथा कर्तुं त्वमर्हसि । गृहीत्वा तनुजां चैनां बद्ध्वा कण्ठे तु पार्वतीम्

menovāca madvacaḥ śrūyatāṁ nātha tathā kartuṁ tvamarhasi gṛhītvā tanujāṁ caināṁ baddhvā kaṇṭhe tu pārvatīm

Mena said: "Hear my words, my lord — you must do as I say. Take this daughter of ours, Parvati, and, binding a stone about her neck —"

Verse 49 (shiva.rudra.107.49)

अधः पातय निःशङ्कं दास्ये तां न हराय हि । तथैनामथवा नाथ गत्वा वै सागरे सुताम्

adhaḥ pātaya niḥśaṅkaṁ dāsye tāṁ na harāya hi tathaināmathavā nātha gatvā vai sāgare sutām

"'—cast her down without hesitation; I will not give her to Hara. Or else, my lord, take our daughter and go to the ocean —'"

Verse 50 (shiva.rudra.107.50)

निमज्जय दयां त्यक्त्वा ततोऽद्रीश सुखी भव । यदि दास्यसि पुत्रीं त्वं रुद्राय विकटात्मने ॥ तर्हि त्यक्ष्याम्यहं स्वामिन्निश्चयेन कलेवरम्

nimajjaya dayāṁ tyaktvā tato'drīśa sukhī bhava yadi dāsyasi putrīṁ tvaṁ rudrāya vikaṭātmane tarhi tyakṣyāmyahaṁ svāminniścayena kalevaram

"'—and drown her there, casting aside all pity; only then, O lord of the mountains, will you be happy. But if you give our daughter to that terrible-formed Rudra, then, my lord, I shall surely give up my own body.'"

Verse 51 (shiva.rudra.107.51)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्युक्ते च तदा तत्र वचने मेनया हठात् । उवाच वचनं रम्यं पार्वती स्वयमागता

brahmovāca ityukte ca tadā tatra vacane menayā haṭhāt uvāca vacanaṁ ramyaṁ pārvatī svayamāgatā

Brahma said: "When these obstinate words had been spoken there by Mena, Parvati herself came forward and spoke these gracious words:"

Verse 52 (shiva.rudra.107.52)

पार्वत्युवाच । मातस्ते विपरीता हि बुद्धिर्जाताशुभावहा । धर्मावलम्बनात्त्वं हि कथं धर्मं जहासि वै

pārvatyuvāca mātaste viparītā hi buddhirjātāśubhāvahā dharmāvalambanāttvaṁ hi kathaṁ dharmaṁ jahāsi vai

Parvati said: "Mother, your understanding has become perverse, bringing about only misfortune. How can you, who have ever relied upon dharma, now abandon dharma itself?"

Verse 53 (shiva.rudra.107.53)

अयं रुद्रोऽपरः साक्षात्सर्वप्रभव ईश्वरः । शम्भुः सुरूपः सुखदः सर्वश्रुतिषु वर्णितः

ayaṁ rudro'paraḥ sākṣātsarvaprabhava īśvaraḥ śambhuḥ surūpaḥ sukhadaḥ sarvaśrutiṣu varṇitaḥ

"'This Rudra is none other than the very source of all, the Lord himself; Shambhu, of beautiful form, the bestower of happiness, praised throughout all the Vedas.'"

Verse 54 (shiva.rudra.107.54)

महेशः शङ्करश्चायं सर्वदेवप्रभुः स्वराट् । नानारूपाभिधो मातर्हरिर्ब्रह्मादिसेवितः

maheśaḥ śaṅkaraścāyaṁ sarvadevaprabhuḥ svarāṭ nānārūpābhidho mātarharirbrahmādisevitaḥ

"'This is Mahesha, Shankara, the lord of all the gods, self-radiant; O mother, he bears manifold forms and names, and is served by Hari, Brahma, and the rest.'"

Verse 55 (shiva.rudra.107.55)

अधिष्ठानं च सर्वेषां कर्ता हर्ता च स प्रभुः । निर्विकारी त्रिदेवेशो ह्यविनाशी सनातनः

adhiṣṭhānaṁ ca sarveṣāṁ kartā hartā ca sa prabhuḥ nirvikārī trideveśo hyavināśī sanātanaḥ

"'He is the ground of all things, their creator and their destroyer, the Lord; unchanging, the lord of the three gods, imperishable, eternal.'"

Verse 56 (shiva.rudra.107.56)

यदर्थे देवताः सर्वा आयाता किङ्करीकृताः । द्वारि ते सोत्सवाश्चाद्य किमतोऽन्यत्परं सुखम्

yadarthe devatāḥ sarvā āyātā kiṅkarīkṛtāḥ dvāri te sotsavāścādya kimato'nyatparaṁ sukham

"'For whose sake all the gods have come, made into his very servants — today they stand joyfully festive at our very door. What greater happiness could there be than this?'"

Verse 57 (shiva.rudra.107.57)

उत्तिष्ठातः प्रयत्नेन जीवितं सफलं कुरु । देहि मां त्वं शिवायास्मै स्वाश्रमं कुरु सार्थकम्

uttiṣṭhātaḥ prayatnena jīvitaṁ saphalaṁ kuru dehi māṁ tvaṁ śivāyāsmai svāśramaṁ kuru sārthakam

"'Rise up, therefore, with resolve, and make your life fruitful; give me to this Shiva, and make your own household worthwhile.'"

Verse 58 (shiva.rudra.107.58)

देहि मां परमेशाय शङ्कराय जनन्यहो । स्वीकुरु त्वमिमं मातर्विनयं मे ब्रवीमि ते

dehi māṁ parameśāya śaṅkarāya jananyaho svīkuru tvamimaṁ mātarvinayaṁ me bravīmi te

"'Give me, O mother, to the Supreme Lord, Shankara! Accept this humble entreaty of mine, mother — I beg you.'"

Verse 59 (shiva.rudra.107.59)

चेन्न दास्यसि तस्मै मां न वृणेऽन्यमहं वरम् । भागं लभेत्कथं सैंहं शृगालः परवञ्चकः

cenna dāsyasi tasmai māṁ na vṛṇe'nyamahaṁ varam bhāgaṁ labhetkathaṁ saiṁhaṁ śṛgālaḥ paravañcakaḥ

"'If you will not give me to him, I shall accept no other husband. How could a jackal, a deceiver of others, ever obtain the lion's share?'"

Verse 60 (shiva.rudra.107.60)

मनसा वचसा मातः कर्मणा च हरः स्वयम् । मया वृतो वृतश्चैव यदिच्छसि तथा कुरु

manasā vacasā mātaḥ karmaṇā ca haraḥ svayam mayā vṛto vṛtaścaiva yadicchasi tathā kuru

"'In mind, in word, and in deed, O mother, I have chosen Hara himself as my husband, and I have chosen him already; do now as you wish.'"

Verse 61 (shiva.rudra.107.61)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य शिवावाक्यं मेना शैलेश्वरप्रिया । सुविलप्य महाक्रुद्धा गृहीत्वा तत्कलेवरम्

brahmovāca ityākarṇya śivāvākyaṁ menā śaileśvarapriyā suvilapya mahākruddhā gṛhītvā tatkalevaram

Brahma said: "Hearing these words of Shiva, Mena, the beloved of the lord of mountains, lamenting greatly and filled with rage, seized hold of her body."

Verse 62 (shiva.rudra.107.62)

मुष्टिभिः कूर्परैश्चैव दन्तान्धर्षयती च सा । ताडयामास तां पुत्रीं विह्वलातिरुषान्विता

muṣṭibhiḥ kūrparaiścaiva dantāndharṣayatī ca sā tāḍayāmāsa tāṁ putrīṁ vihvalātiruṣānvitā

"With her fists and her elbows, gnashing her teeth, she, overwhelmed and possessed by fury, struck her own daughter."

Verse 63 (shiva.rudra.107.63)

ये तत्र ऋषयस्तात त्वदाद्याश्चापरे मुने । तद्धस्तात्तां परिच्छिद्य निन्युर्दूरतरं ततः

ye tatra ṛṣayastāta tvadādyāścāpare mune taddhastāttāṁ paricchidya ninyurdūrataraṁ tataḥ

"The sages who were there, dear one, headed by you, O sage, and the others, freed her from her mother's grasp and led her far away from there."

Verse 64 (shiva.rudra.107.64)

तान्वै तथाविधान्दृष्ट्वा भर्त्सयित्वा पुनः पुनः । उवाच श्रावयन्ती सा दुर्वचो निखिलान्पुनः

tānvai tathāvidhāndṛṣṭvā bhartsayitvā punaḥ punaḥ uvāca śrāvayantī sā durvaco nikhilānpunaḥ

"Seeing them acting in this way, she rebuked them again and again, and spoke, letting everyone hear once more, harsh words:"

Verse 65 (shiva.rudra.107.65)

मेनोवाच । किमेनां हि करिष्येऽहं दुष्टाग्रहवतीं शिवाम् । दास्याम्यस्यै गरं तीव्रं कूपे क्षेप्स्यामि वा ध्रुवम्

menovāca kimenāṁ hi kariṣye'haṁ duṣṭāgrahavatīṁ śivām dāsyāmyasyai garaṁ tīvraṁ kūpe kṣepsyāmi vā dhruvam

Mena said: "What indeed shall I do with this Shiva, possessed of such wicked obstinacy? I shall give her deadly poison, or surely throw her into a well."

Verse 66 (shiva.rudra.107.66)

छेत्स्यामि कालीमथवा शस्त्रास्त्रैर्भूरिखण्डशः । निमज्जयिष्ये वा सिन्धौ स्वसुतां पार्वतीं खलु

chetsyāmi kālīmathavā śastrāstrairbhūrikhaṇḍaśaḥ nimajjayiṣye vā sindhau svasutāṁ pārvatīṁ khalu

"'Or I shall cut this dark girl into countless pieces with weapons; or I shall surely drown my own daughter Parvati in the ocean.'"

Verse 67 (shiva.rudra.107.67)

अथवा स्वशरीरं हि त्यक्ष्याम्याश्वन्यथा ध्रुवम् । न दास्ये शम्भवे कन्यां दुर्गां विकटरूपिणे

athavā svaśarīraṁ hi tyakṣyāmyāśvanyathā dhruvam na dāsye śambhave kanyāṁ durgāṁ vikaṭarūpiṇe

"'Or else I shall surely give up my own body at once; I will not give my inaccessible daughter to Shambhu, that terrible-formed one.'"

Verse 68 (shiva.rudra.107.68)

वरोऽयं कीदृशो भीमोऽनया लब्धश्च दुष्टया । कारितश्चोपहासो मे गिरेश्चापि कुलस्य हि

varo'yaṁ kīdṛśo bhīmo'nayā labdhaśca duṣṭayā kāritaścopahāso me gireścāpi kulasya hi

"'What sort of dreadful bridegroom has this wicked girl obtained! She has brought ridicule upon me, upon the mountain, and upon our whole family.'"

Verse 69 (shiva.rudra.107.69)

न माता न पिता भ्राता न बन्धुर्गोत्रजोऽपि हि । नो सुरूपं न चातुर्यं न गृहं वास्य किञ्चन

na mātā na pitā bhrātā na bandhurgotrajo'pi hi no surūpaṁ na cāturyaṁ na gṛhaṁ vāsya kiñcana

"'He has no mother, no father, no brother, not even a kinsman of his own lineage; he has no beauty, no cleverness, nor any home whatsoever.'"

Verse 70 (shiva.rudra.107.70)

न वस्त्रं नाप्यलङ्काराः सहायाः केऽपि तस्य न । वाहनं न शुभं ह्यस्य न वयो न धनं तथा

na vastraṁ nāpyalaṅkārāḥ sahāyāḥ ke'pi tasya na vāhanaṁ na śubhaṁ hyasya na vayo na dhanaṁ tathā

"'He has no clothing, no ornaments, no companions of any kind; no auspicious mount, no youthfulness, and likewise no wealth.'"

Verse 71 (shiva.rudra.107.71)

न पावित्र्यं न विद्या च कीदृशः काय आर्तिदः । किं विलोक्य मया पुत्री देयास्मै स्यात्सुमङ्गला

na pāvitryaṁ na vidyā ca kīdṛśaḥ kāya ārtidaḥ kiṁ vilokya mayā putrī deyāsmai syātsumaṅgalā

"'No purity, no learning — what manner of body is this, that brings only affliction? Seeing what in him should I give my most auspicious daughter to him?'"

Verse 72 (shiva.rudra.107.72)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्यादि सुविलप्याथ बहुशो मेनका तदा । रुरोदोच्चैर्मुने सा हि दुःखशोकपरिप्लुता

brahmovāca ityādi suvilapyātha bahuśo menakā tadā rurodoccairmune sā hi duḥkhaśokapariplutā

Brahma said: "Having lamented thus at great length, Menaka then wept aloud, O sage, overwhelmed with sorrow and grief."

Verse 73 (shiva.rudra.107.73)

अथाहं द्रुतमागत्याकथयं मेनकां च ताम् । शिवतत्त्वं च परमं कुज्ञानहरमुत्तमम्

athāhaṁ drutamāgatyākathayaṁ menakāṁ ca tām śivatattvaṁ ca paramaṁ kujñānaharamuttamam

"Then I myself came quickly and spoke to that Menaka, telling her the supreme truth of Shiva, the excellent remover of false understanding."

Verse 74 (shiva.rudra.107.74)

ब्रह्मोवाच । श्रोतव्यं प्रीतितो मेने मदीयं वचनं शुभम् । यस्य श्रवणतः प्रीत्या कुबुद्धिस्ते विनश्यति

brahmovāca śrotavyaṁ prītito mene madīyaṁ vacanaṁ śubham yasya śravaṇataḥ prītyā kubuddhiste vinaśyati

"'O Mena, listen with affection to these my auspicious words; by hearing them with love, your false understanding will be destroyed.'"

Verse 75 (shiva.rudra.107.75)

शङ्करो जगतः कर्ता भर्ता हर्ता तथैव च । न त्वं जानासि तद्रूपं कथं दुःखं समीहसे

śaṅkaro jagataḥ kartā bhartā hartā tathaiva ca na tvaṁ jānāsi tadrūpaṁ kathaṁ duḥkhaṁ samīhase

"'Shankara is the creator of the world, its sustainer, and likewise its destroyer. You do not know his true form — why then do you dwell in sorrow?'"

Verse 76 (shiva.rudra.107.76)

अनेकरूपनामा च नानालीलाकरः प्रभुः । सर्वस्वामी स्वतन्त्रश्च मायाधीशोऽविकल्पकः

anekarūpanāmā ca nānālīlākaraḥ prabhuḥ sarvasvāmī svatantraśca māyādhīśo'vikalpakaḥ

"'The Lord bears countless forms and names, performing manifold acts of play; he is the master of all, independent, the ruler of illusion, beyond all division.'"

Verse 77 (shiva.rudra.107.77)

इति विज्ञाय मेने त्वं शिवां देहि शिवाय वै । कुहठं त्यज कुज्ञानं सर्वकार्यविनाशनम्

iti vijñāya mene tvaṁ śivāṁ dehi śivāya vai kuhaṭhaṁ tyaja kujñānaṁ sarvakāryavināśanam

"'Knowing this, O Mena, give Shiva to Shiva; abandon this wicked obstinacy and false understanding, which destroys every good undertaking.'"

Verse 78 (shiva.rudra.107.78)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्युक्ता सा मया मेना विलपन्ती मुहुर्मुहुः । लज्जां किञ्चिच्छनैस्त्यक्त्वा मुने मां वाक्यमब्रवीत्

brahmovāca ityuktā sā mayā menā vilapantī muhurmuhuḥ lajjāṁ kiñcicchanaistyaktvā mune māṁ vākyamabravīt

Brahma said: "Thus addressed by me, Mena, lamenting again and again, slowly setting aside a little of her shame, O sage, spoke these words to me:"

Verse 79 (shiva.rudra.107.79)

मेनोवाच । किमर्थं तु भवान्ब्रह्मन् रूपमस्या महावरम् । व्यर्थीकरोति किमियं हन्यतां न स्वयं शिवा

menovāca kimarthaṁ tu bhavānbrahman rūpamasyā mahāvaram vyarthīkaroti kimiyaṁ hanyatāṁ na svayaṁ śivā

Mena said: "Why, O Brahma, do you insist on wasting this great beauty of hers upon such a bridegroom? Why should she not simply be put to death instead?"

Verse 80 (shiva.rudra.107.80)

न वक्तव्यं च भवता शिवाय प्रतिदीयताम् । न दास्येऽहं शिवायैनां स्वसुतां प्राणवल्लभाम्

na vaktavyaṁ ca bhavatā śivāya pratidīyatām na dāsye'haṁ śivāyaināṁ svasutāṁ prāṇavallabhām

"'You should say no more that she must be given to Shiva. I will never give this daughter of mine, dear to me as my own life, to Shiva.'"

Verse 81 (shiva.rudra.107.81)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्युक्ते तु तदा सिद्धाः सनकाद्या महामुने । समागत्य महाप्रीत्या वचनं हीदमब्रुवन्

brahmovāca ityukte tu tadā siddhāḥ sanakādyā mahāmune samāgatya mahāprītyā vacanaṁ hīdamabruvan

Brahma said: "When this had been said, the Siddhas, headed by Sanaka, O great sage, came there with great affection and spoke these words:"

Verse 82 (shiva.rudra.107.82)

सिद्धा ऊचुः । अयं वै परमः साक्षाच्छिवः परसुखावहः । कृपया च भवत्पुत्र्यै दर्शनं दत्तवान्प्रभुः

siddhā ūcuḥ ayaṁ vai paramaḥ sākṣācchivaḥ parasukhāvahaḥ kṛpayā ca bhavatputryai darśanaṁ dattavānprabhuḥ

The Siddhas said: "This is indeed the Supreme, Shiva himself, the bringer of the highest happiness; out of grace, the Lord has granted your daughter this sight of himself."

Verse 83 (shiva.rudra.107.83)

ब्रह्मोवाच । अथोवाच तु तान्मेना विलप्य च मुहुर्मुहुः । न देया तु मया सम्यग्गिरिशायोग्ररूपिणे

brahmovāca athovāca tu tānmenā vilapya ca muhurmuhuḥ na deyā tu mayā samyaggiriśāyograrūpiṇe

Brahma said: "Then Mena, lamenting again and again, said to them: 'I will surely never give her to Girisha, who has so terrible a form.'"

Verse 84 (shiva.rudra.107.84)

किमर्थं तु भवन्तश्च सर्वे सिद्धाः प्रपञ्चिनः । रूपमस्याः परं नाम व्यर्थीकर्तुं समुद्यताः

kimarthaṁ tu bhavantaśca sarve siddhāḥ prapañcinaḥ rūpamasyāḥ paraṁ nāma vyarthīkartuṁ samudyatāḥ

"'Why then are all of you Siddhas, so given to deceit, so intent on wasting my daughter's supreme beauty?'"

Verse 85 (shiva.rudra.107.85)

इत्युक्ते च तया तत्र मुनेऽहं चकितोऽभवम् । सर्वे विस्मयमापन्ना देवसिद्धर्षिमानवाः

ityukte ca tayā tatra mune'haṁ cakito'bhavam sarve vismayamāpannā devasiddharṣimānavāḥ

"When she had said this, O sage, I myself became astonished there; all — gods, siddhas, sages, and men — were struck with wonder."

Verse 86 (shiva.rudra.107.86)

एतस्मिन्समये तस्या हठं श्रुत्वा दृढं महत् । द्रुतं शिवप्रियो विष्णुः समागत्याब्रवीदिदम्

etasminsamaye tasyā haṭhaṁ śrutvā dṛḍhaṁ mahat drutaṁ śivapriyo viṣṇuḥ samāgatyābravīdidam

"At that time, hearing of her firm and great obstinacy, Vishnu, dear to Shiva, came there quickly and spoke these words:"

Verse 87 (shiva.rudra.107.87)

विष्णुरुवाच । पितॄणां च प्रिया पुत्री मानसी गुणसंयुता । पत्नी हिमवतः साक्षाद्ब्रह्मणः कुलमुत्तमम्

viṣṇuruvāca pitṝṇāṁ ca priyā putrī mānasī guṇasaṁyutā patnī himavataḥ sākṣādbrahmaṇaḥ kulamuttamam

Vishnu said: "You are the beloved mind-born daughter of the Pitrs, endowed with every virtue, indeed the wife of Himavan, of the most excellent lineage of Brahma."

Verse 88 (shiva.rudra.107.88)

सहायास्तादृशा लोके धन्या ह्यसि वदामि किम् । धर्मस्याधारभूतासि कथं धर्मं जहासि हि

sahāyāstādṛśā loke dhanyā hyasi vadāmi kim dharmasyādhārabhūtāsi kathaṁ dharmaṁ jahāsi hi

"'Your companions in this world are of such a kind — you are indeed blessed; what more shall I say? You are the very foundation of dharma — how then can you abandon dharma itself?'"

Verse 89 (shiva.rudra.107.89)

देवैश्च ऋषिभिश्चैव ब्रह्मणा वा मया तथा । विरुद्धं कथ्यते किं नु त्वयैव सुविचार्यताम्

devaiśca ṛṣibhiścaiva brahmaṇā vā mayā tathā viruddhaṁ kathyate kiṁ nu tvayaiva suvicāryatām

"'Is what is being told to you by the gods, by the sages, by Brahma, and by me as well, truly something contrary and wrong? Consider this well for yourself.'"

Verse 90 (shiva.rudra.107.90)

शिवं त्वं न च जानासि निर्गुणः सगुणः स हि । विरूपः ससुरूपो हि सर्वसेव्यः सतां गतिः

śivaṁ tvaṁ na ca jānāsi nirguṇaḥ saguṇaḥ sa hi virūpaḥ sasurūpo hi sarvasevyaḥ satāṁ gatiḥ

"'You do not truly know Shiva — he is without attributes, and yet possessed of them; without form, and yet possessed of beautiful form; he is to be served by all, the refuge of the virtuous.'"

Verse 91 (shiva.rudra.107.91)

तेनैव निर्मिता देवी मूलप्रकृतिरीश्वरी । तत्पार्श्वे च तदा तेन निर्मितः पुरुषोत्तमः

tenaiva nirmitā devī mūlaprakṛtirīśvarī tatpārśve ca tadā tena nirmitaḥ puruṣottamaḥ

"'By him alone was the Goddess fashioned, the Primal Nature, the Sovereign Mother; and beside her, by him too, was fashioned the Supreme Purusha.'"

Verse 92 (shiva.rudra.107.92)

ताभ्यां चाहं तथा ब्रह्मा ततश्च गुणरूपतः । अवतीर्य स्वयं रुद्रो लोकानां हितकारकः

tābhyāṁ cāhaṁ tathā brahmā tataśca guṇarūpataḥ avatīrya svayaṁ rudro lokānāṁ hitakārakaḥ

"'From those two came I, and likewise Brahma; and then, in accordance with the gunas, Rudra himself descended, the benefactor of all the worlds.'"

Verse 93 (shiva.rudra.107.93)

ततो वेदास्तथा देवा यत्किञ्चिद्दृश्यते जगत् । स्थावरं जङ्गमं चैव तत्सर्वं शकरादभूत्

tato vedāstathā devā yatkiñciddṛśyate jagat sthāvaraṁ jaṅgamaṁ caiva tatsarvaṁ śakarādabhūt

"'From him then came the Vedas, and the gods, and whatever is seen in this world — all that is moving and unmoving — all of it arose from Shankara.'"

Verse 94 (shiva.rudra.107.94)

तद्रूपं वर्णितं केन ज्ञायते केन वा पुनः । मया च ब्रह्मणा यस्य ह्यन्तो लब्धश्च नैव हि

tadrūpaṁ varṇitaṁ kena jñāyate kena vā punaḥ mayā ca brahmaṇā yasya hyanto labdhaśca naiva hi

"'By whom can his form be described, or by whom again can it be known — he whose very end could not be found even by me or by Brahma?'"

Verse 95 (shiva.rudra.107.95)

आब्रह्मस्तम्बपर्यन्तं यत्किञ्चिद् दृश्यते जगत् । तत्सर्वं च शिवं विद्धि नात्र कार्या विचारणा

ābrahmastambaparyantaṁ yatkiñcid dṛśyate jagat tatsarvaṁ ca śivaṁ viddhi nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

"'Know that whatever is seen in this world, from Brahma down to the very blade of grass, all of it is Shiva himself; no doubt need be entertained on this point.'"

Verse 96 (shiva.rudra.107.96)

स एवेदृक्सुरूपेणावतीर्णो निजलीलया । शिवातपःप्रभावाद्धि तव द्वारि समागतः

sa evedṛksurūpeṇāvatīrṇo nijalīlayā śivātapaḥprabhāvāddhi tava dvāri samāgataḥ

"'He himself, by his own play, has descended in this very form, and, by the power of Shiva's own austerity, has come to your very door.'"

Verse 97 (shiva.rudra.107.97)

तस्मात्त्वं हिमवत्पत्नि दुःखं मुञ्च शिवं भज । भविष्यति महानन्दः क्लेशो यास्यति सङ्क्षयम्

tasmāttvaṁ himavatpatni duḥkhaṁ muñca śivaṁ bhaja bhaviṣyati mahānandaḥ kleśo yāsyati saṅkṣayam

"'Therefore, O wife of Himavan, abandon your sorrow, and worship Shiva; great joy will come to you, and all affliction will be utterly destroyed.'"

Verse 98 (shiva.rudra.107.98)

ब्रह्मोवाच । एवं प्रबोधितायास्तु मेनकाया अभून्मुने । तस्यास्तु कोमलं किञ्चिन्मनो विष्णुप्रबोधितम्

brahmovāca evaṁ prabodhitāyāstu menakāyā abhūnmune tasyāstu komalaṁ kiñcinmano viṣṇuprabodhitam

Brahma said: "When Menaka had thus been counseled, O sage, her mind, roused by Vishnu's words, became somewhat softened."

Verse 99 (shiva.rudra.107.99)

परं हठं न तत्याज कन्यां दातुं हराय न । स्वीचकार तदा मेना शिवमायाविमोहिता

paraṁ haṭhaṁ na tatyāja kanyāṁ dātuṁ harāya na svīcakāra tadā menā śivamāyāvimohitā

"Yet she did not abandon her obstinacy entirely; she still would not agree to give her daughter to Hara. Deluded by Shiva's own illusion, Mena would not consent."

Verse 100 (shiva.rudra.107.100)

उवाच च हरिं मेना किञ्चिद्बुद्धा गिरिप्रिया । श्रुत्वा विष्णुवचो रम्यं गिरिजाजननी हि सा

uvāca ca hariṁ menā kiñcidbuddhā giripriyā śrutvā viṣṇuvaco ramyaṁ girijājananī hi sā

"Mena, the beloved of the mountain, mother of Girija, her understanding somewhat awakened upon hearing Vishnu's gracious words, spoke to Hari:"

Verse 101 (shiva.rudra.107.101)

यदि रम्यतनुः सः स्यात्तदा देया मया सुता । नान्यथा कोटिशो यत्नैर्वच्मि सत्यं दृढं वचः

yadi ramyatanuḥ saḥ syāttadā deyā mayā sutā nānyathā koṭiśo yatnairvacmi satyaṁ dṛḍhaṁ vacaḥ

"'If he should have a beautiful form, then I shall give him my daughter — not otherwise, even with millions of efforts. I speak this true and firm word.'"

Verse 102 (shiva.rudra.107.102)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्युक्त्वा वचनं मेना तूष्णीमास दृढव्रता । शिवेच्छाप्रेरिता धन्या तथा याखिलमोहिनी

brahmovāca ityuktvā vacanaṁ menā tūṣṇīmāsa dṛḍhavratā śivecchāpreritā dhanyā tathā yākhilamohinī

Brahma said: "Having spoken this word, Mena, firm in her resolve, fell silent — she, blessed, impelled by Shiva's own will, herself the illusion that bewilders all."