The Search for Kartikeya, and the Dialogue with Nandi

Verse 1 (shiva.rudra.122.1)

नारद उवाच । देवदेव प्रजानाथ ततः किमभवद्विधे । वदेदानीं कृपातस्तु शिवलीलासमन्वितम्

nārada uvāca devadeva prajānātha tataḥ kimabhavadvidhe vadedānīṁ kṛpātastu śivalīlāsamanvitam

Narada said: O god of gods, lord of creatures, what happened then, O Vidhi? Tell me now, out of compassion, along with Shiva's divine play.

Verse 2 (shiva.rudra.122.2)

ब्रह्मोवाच । कृत्तिकाभिर्गृहीते वै तस्मिन् शम्भुसुते मुने । कश्चित्कालो व्यतीयाय बुबुधे न हिमाद्रिजा

brahmovāca kṛttikābhirgṛhīte vai tasmin śambhusute mune kaścitkālo vyatīyāya bubudhe na himādrijā

Brahma said: When that son of Shambhu had been taken up by the Krittikas, O sage, some time passed, and the daughter of the Himalaya remained unaware of it.

Verse 3 (shiva.rudra.122.3)

तस्मिन्नवसरे दुर्गा स्मेराननसरोरुहा । उवाच स्वामिनं शम्भुं देवदेवेश्वरं प्रभुम्

tasminnavasare durgā smerānanasaroruhā uvāca svāminaṁ śambhuṁ devadeveśvaraṁ prabhum

At that time, Durga, her lotus-face smiling, spoke to her lord Shambhu, the Lord who is god of gods.

Verse 4 (shiva.rudra.122.4)

पार्वत्युवाच । देवदेव महादेव शृणु मे वचनं शुभम् । पूर्वपुण्यातिभारेण त्वं मया प्राप्त ईश्वरः

pārvatyuvāca devadeva mahādeva śṛṇu me vacanaṁ śubham pūrvapuṇyātibhāreṇa tvaṁ mayā prāpta īśvaraḥ

Parvati said: O god of gods, Mahadeva, hear this auspicious word of mine. By the great weight of past merit I have obtained you, the Lord, as my own.

Verse 5 (shiva.rudra.122.5)

कृपया योगिषु श्रेष्ठो विहारैस्तत्परोऽभवः । रतिभङ्गः कृतो देवैस्तत्र मे भवता भव

kṛpayā yogiṣu śreṣṭho vihāraistatparo'bhavaḥ ratibhaṅgaḥ kṛto devaistatra me bhavatā bhava

Out of grace you, foremost among yogis, gave yourself to our love-play; the gods there brought that union of ours to an end — O Bhava, now tell me all of it.

Verse 6 (shiva.rudra.122.6)

भूमौ निपतितं वीर्यं नोदरे मम ते विभो । कुत्र यातं च तद्देव केन देवेन निह्नुतम्

bhūmau nipatitaṁ vīryaṁ nodare mama te vibho kutra yātaṁ ca taddeva kena devena nihnutam

O Lord, that seed of yours fell upon the earth instead of into my womb — O god, where has it gone? Which god has hidden it?

Verse 7 (shiva.rudra.122.7)

कथं मत्स्वामिनो वीर्यममोघं ते महेश्वर । मोघं यातं च किं किं वा शिशुर्जातश्च कुत्रचित्

kathaṁ matsvāmino vīryamamoghaṁ te maheśvara moghaṁ yātaṁ ca kiṁ kiṁ vā śiśurjātaśca kutracit

O Maheshvara, how could the never-failing seed of my Lord go to waste? Or has a child perhaps been born from it somewhere?

Verse 8 (shiva.rudra.122.8)

ब्रह्मोवाच । पार्वतीवचनं श्रुत्वा प्रहस्य जगदीश्वरः । उवाच देवानाहूय मुनींश्चापि मुनीश्वर

brahmovāca pārvatīvacanaṁ śrutvā prahasya jagadīśvaraḥ uvāca devānāhūya munīṁścāpi munīśvara

Brahma said: O lord of sages, hearing Parvati's words, the Lord of the universe smiled, and, summoning the gods and sages, spoke.

Verse 9 (shiva.rudra.122.9)

महेश्वर उवाच । देवाः शृणुत मद्वाक्यं पार्वतीवचनं श्रुतम् । अमोघं कुत्र मे वीर्यं यातं केन च निह्नुतम्

maheśvara uvāca devāḥ śṛṇuta madvākyaṁ pārvatīvacanaṁ śrutam amoghaṁ kutra me vīryaṁ yātaṁ kena ca nihnutam

Maheshvara said: O gods, hear my words — you have heard Parvati's question. Where has my never-failing seed gone? By whom was it hidden?

Verse 10 (shiva.rudra.122.10)

सभयं नाप तत्क्षिप्रं स चेद्दण्डं न चार्हति । शक्तौ राजा न शास्ता यः प्रजाबाध्यश्च भक्षकः

sabhayaṁ nāpa tatkṣipraṁ sa ceddaṇḍaṁ na cārhati śaktau rājā na śāstā yaḥ prajābādhyaśca bhakṣakaḥ

Let whoever holds it declare it at once, without fear — if there be just cause, he does not deserve punishment. A king who, though he has the power, fails to govern becomes nothing but an oppressor and devourer of his own subjects.

Verse 11 (shiva.rudra.122.11)

ब्रह्मोवाच शम्भोस्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा समालोच्य परस्परम् । ऊचुःसर्वे क्रमेणैव त्रस्तास्तु पुरतः प्रभोः

brahmovāca śambhostadvacanaṁ śrutvā samālocya parasparam ūcuḥsarve krameṇaiva trastāstu purataḥ prabhoḥ

Brahma said: Hearing Shambhu's words, and conferring among themselves, all of them, trembling, spoke one after another before the Lord.

Verse 12 (shiva.rudra.122.12)

विष्णुरुवाच । ते मिथ्यावादिनःसन्तु भारते गुरुदारिकाः । गुरुनिन्दारताः शश्वत्त्वद्वीर्यं यैश्च निह्नुतम्

viṣṇuruvāca te mithyāvādinaḥsantu bhārate gurudārikāḥ gurunindāratāḥ śaśvattvadvīryaṁ yaiśca nihnutam

Vishnu said: Let those who have concealed your seed become, in Bharata, liars, defilers of their guru's bed, and forever devoted to reviling their guru.

Verse 13 (shiva.rudra.122.13)

ब्रह्मोवाच । त्वद्वीर्यं निह्नुतं येन पुण्यक्षेत्रे च भारते । स नाऽन्वितो भवेत्तत्र सेवने पूजने तव

brahmovāca tvadvīryaṁ nihnutaṁ yena puṇyakṣetre ca bhārate sa nā'nvito bhavettatra sevane pūjane tava

Brahma said: Whoever has concealed your seed, let him, in the holy land of Bharata, never share in your service and worship.

Verse 14 (shiva.rudra.122.14)

लोकपाला ऊचुः । त्वदवीर्यं निह्नुतं येन पापिना पतितभ्रमात् । भाजनं तस्य सोत्यन्तं तत्तापं कर्म सन्ततम्

lokapālā ūcuḥ tvadavīryaṁ nihnutaṁ yena pāpinā patitabhramāt bhājanaṁ tasya sotyantaṁ tattāpaṁ karma santatam

The guardians of the world said: Whatever sinner has hidden your seed, out of a delusion born of his own fall, let him become the constant vessel of that same torment, through his own deeds.

Verse 15 (shiva.rudra.122.15)

देवा ऊचुः । कृत्वा प्रतिज्ञां यो मूढो नाऽऽपादयति पूर्णताम् । भाजनं तस्य पापस्य त्वद्वीर्यं येन निह्नुतम्

devā ūcuḥ kṛtvā pratijñāṁ yo mūḍho nā''pādayati pūrṇatām bhājanaṁ tasya pāpasya tvadvīryaṁ yena nihnutam

The gods said: Whatever fool, having made a vow, fails to bring it to completion — let that very sin fall upon whoever has hidden your seed.

Verse 16 (shiva.rudra.122.16)

देवपत्न्य ऊचुः । या निन्दति स्वभर्तारं परं गच्छति पूरुषम् । मातृबन्धुविहीना च त्वद्वीर्यं निह्नुतं यया

devapatnya ūcuḥ yā nindati svabhartāraṁ paraṁ gacchati pūruṣam mātṛbandhuvihīnā ca tvadvīryaṁ nihnutaṁ yayā

The wives of the gods said: Whichever of us has hidden your seed, let her become one who reviles her own husband, who turns to another man, and who is left without mother or kin.

Verse 17 (shiva.rudra.122.17)

ब्रह्मोवाच । देवानां वचनं श्रुत्वा देवदेवेश्वरो हरः । कर्मणां साक्षिणश्चाह धर्मादीन्सभयं वचः

brahmovāca devānāṁ vacanaṁ śrutvā devadeveśvaro haraḥ karmaṇāṁ sākṣiṇaścāha dharmādīnsabhayaṁ vacaḥ

Brahma said: Hearing the words of the gods, Hara, the Lord of the gods, spoke fearful words to Dharma and the other witnesses of deeds.

Verse 18 (shiva.rudra.122.18)

श्रीशिव उवाच । देवैर्न निह्नुतं केन तद्वीर्यं निह्नुतं ध्रुवम् । तदमोघं भगवतो महेशस्य मम प्रभोः

śrīśiva uvāca devairna nihnutaṁ kena tadvīryaṁ nihnutaṁ dhruvam tadamoghaṁ bhagavato maheśasya mama prabhoḥ

Shri Shiva said: It was not the gods who hid it; yet surely by someone that seed was hidden — that never-failing seed of me, the Blessed Lord Mahesha.

Verse 19 (shiva.rudra.122.19)

यूयं च साक्षिणो विश्वे सततं सर्वकर्मणाम् । युष्माकं निह्नुतं किं वा किं ज्ञातुं वक्तुमर्हथ

yūyaṁ ca sākṣiṇo viśve satataṁ sarvakarmaṇām yuṣmākaṁ nihnutaṁ kiṁ vā kiṁ jñātuṁ vaktumarhatha

You are the constant witnesses of every deed in the whole universe. Was it hidden by you, or is there something you know that you ought to tell?

Verse 20 (shiva.rudra.122.20)

ब्रह्मोवाच । ईश्वरस्य वचः श्रुत्वा सभायां कम्पिताश्च ते । परस्परं समालोक्य क्रमेणोचुः पुरः प्रभोः

brahmovāca īśvarasya vacaḥ śrutvā sabhāyāṁ kampitāśca te parasparaṁ samālokya krameṇocuḥ puraḥ prabhoḥ

Brahma said: Hearing the Lord's words, they, trembling there in the assembly, looked at one another and spoke, one after another, before the Lord.

Verse 21 (shiva.rudra.122.21)

ब्रह्मोवाच । रते तु तिष्ठतो वीर्यं पपात वसुधातले । मया ज्ञातममोघं तच्छङ्करस्य प्रकोपतः

brahmovāca rate tu tiṣṭhato vīryaṁ papāta vasudhātale mayā jñātamamoghaṁ tacchaṅkarasya prakopataḥ

Brahma said: While they remained absorbed in their union, the seed fell upon the surface of the earth; I came to know it, through Shankara's own fierce power, to be unfailing.

Verse 22 (shiva.rudra.122.22)

क्षितिरुवाच वीर्यं सोढुमशक्ताहं तद्वह्नौ न्यक्षिपं पुरा । अतोऽत्र दुर्वहं ब्रह्मन्नबलां क्षन्तुमर्हसि

kṣitiruvāca vīryaṁ soḍhumaśaktāhaṁ tadvahnau nyakṣipaṁ purā ato'tra durvahaṁ brahmannabalāṁ kṣantumarhasi

Earth said: Unable to bear that seed, I cast it into Agni long ago. Therefore, O Brahman, forgive me, a weak woman, for this unbearable burden.

Verse 23 (shiva.rudra.122.23)

वह्निरुवाच वीर्यं सोढुमशक्तोऽहं तव शङ्कर पर्वते । कैलासे न्यक्षिपं सद्यः कपोतात्मा सुदुस्सहम्

vahniruvāca vīryaṁ soḍhumaśakto'haṁ tava śaṅkara parvate kailāse nyakṣipaṁ sadyaḥ kapotātmā sudussaham

Agni said: Unable to bear that seed, O Shankara, I, in the form of a dove, at once cast that most unbearable thing upon your mountain, Kailasa.

Verse 24 (shiva.rudra.122.24)

गिरिरुवाच वीर्यं सोढुमशक्तोऽहं तव शङ्कर लोकप । गङ्गायां प्राक्षिपं सद्यो दुस्सहं परमेश्वर

giriruvāca vīryaṁ soḍhumaśakto'haṁ tava śaṅkara lokapa gaṅgāyāṁ prākṣipaṁ sadyo dussahaṁ parameśvara

The Mountain said: Unable to bear that seed, O Shankara, lord of the world, O Supreme Lord, I at once cast that unbearable thing into the Ganga.

Verse 25 (shiva.rudra.122.25)

गङ्गोवाच वीर्यं सोढुमशक्ताहं तव शङ्कर लोकप । व्याकुलाऽति प्रभो नाथ न्यक्षिपं शरकानने

gaṅgovāca vīryaṁ soḍhumaśaktāhaṁ tava śaṅkara lokapa vyākulā'ti prabho nātha nyakṣipaṁ śarakānane

Ganga said: Unable to bear that seed, O Shankara, lord of the world, O Lord, O master, greatly distressed, I cast it into the reed-thicket.

Verse 26 (shiva.rudra.122.26)

वायुरुवाच शरेषु पतितं वीर्यं सद्यो बालो बभूव ह । अतीव सुन्दरः शम्भो स्वर्नद्याः पावने तटे

vāyuruvāca śareṣu patitaṁ vīryaṁ sadyo bālo babhūva ha atīva sundaraḥ śambho svarnadyāḥ pāvane taṭe

Vayu said: O Shambhu, the seed, having fallen among the reeds, at once became a child, most beautiful, upon the sacred bank of the celestial river.

Verse 27 (shiva.rudra.122.27)

सूर्य उवाच रुदन्तं बालकं दृष्ट्वागममस्ताचलं प्रभो । प्रेरितः कालचक्रेण निशायां स्थातुमक्षमः

sūrya uvāca rudantaṁ bālakaṁ dṛṣṭvāgamamastācalaṁ prabho preritaḥ kālacakreṇa niśāyāṁ sthātumakṣamaḥ

Surya said: O Lord, though I saw the weeping child, I still went on to the mountain of setting, driven by the wheel of time, for I could not remain through the night.

Verse 28 (shiva.rudra.122.28)

चन्द्र उवाच रुदन्तं बालकं प्राप्य गृहीत्वा कृत्तिकागणः । जगाम स्वालयं शम्भो गच्छन्बदरिकाश्रमम्

candra uvāca rudantaṁ bālakaṁ prāpya gṛhītvā kṛttikāgaṇaḥ jagāma svālayaṁ śambho gacchanbadarikāśramam

The Moon said: O Shambhu, finding the weeping child, the Krittikas took him up and went to their own abode, journeying toward Badarikashrama.

Verse 29 (shiva.rudra.122.29)

जलमुवाच अमुं रुदन्तमानीय स्तन्यपानेन ताः प्रभो । वर्द्धयामासुरीशस्य सुतं तव रविप्रभम्

jalamuvāca amuṁ rudantamānīya stanyapānena tāḥ prabho varddhayāmāsurīśasya sutaṁ tava raviprabham

Water said: O Lord, bringing that weeping child, they nourished, with their own milk, this son of yours, radiant as the sun.

Verse 30 (shiva.rudra.122.30)

सन्ध्योवाच अधुना कृत्तिकानां च वने तं पोष्य पुत्रकम् । तन्नाम चक्रुस्ताः प्रेम्णा कार्त्तिकश्चेति कौतुकात्

sandhyovāca adhunā kṛttikānāṁ ca vane taṁ poṣya putrakam tannāma cakrustāḥ premṇā kārttikaśceti kautukāt

Sandhya said: Now, having reared that child in the forest of the Krittikas, they lovingly and delightedly gave him the name Kartika.

Verse 31 (shiva.rudra.122.31)

रात्रिरुवाच न चक्रुर्बालकं ताश्च लोचनानामगोचरम् । प्राणेभ्योऽपि प्रीतिपात्रं यः पोष्टा तस्य पुत्रक

rātriruvāca na cakrurbālakaṁ tāśca locanānāmagocaram prāṇebhyo'pi prītipātraṁ yaḥ poṣṭā tasya putraka

Ratri said: They never let the child out of the sight of their eyes, for to the one who rears him a child is dearer than life itself.

Verse 32 (shiva.rudra.122.32)

दिनमुवाच यानि यानि च वस्त्राणि भूषणानि वराणि च । प्रशंसितानि स्वादूनि भोजयामासुरेव तम्

dinamuvāca yāni yāni ca vastrāṇi bhūṣaṇāni varāṇi ca praśaṁsitāni svādūni bhojayāmāsureva tam

Dina said: Whatever fine garments and excellent ornaments there were, and whatever praised, delicious foods, they gave him to wear and to eat.

Verse 33 (shiva.rudra.122.33)

ब्रह्मोवाच तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सन्तुष्टः पुरसूदनः । मुदं प्राप्य ददौ प्रीत्या विप्रेभ्यो बहुदक्षिणाम्

brahmovāca teṣāṁ tadvacanaṁ śrutvā santuṣṭaḥ purasūdanaḥ mudaṁ prāpya dadau prītyā viprebhyo bahudakṣiṇām

Brahma said: Hearing their words, the destroyer of the cities, well satisfied, in his joy lovingly gave abundant gifts to the brahmins.

Verse 34 (shiva.rudra.122.34)

पुत्रस्य वार्त्तां सम्प्राप्य पार्वती हृष्टमानसा । कोटिरत्नानि विप्रेभ्यो ददौ बहुधनानि च

putrasya vārttāṁ samprāpya pārvatī hṛṣṭamānasā koṭiratnāni viprebhyo dadau bahudhanāni ca

Receiving news of her son, Parvati, her heart delighted, gave crores of jewels and great wealth to the brahmins.

Verse 35 (shiva.rudra.122.35)

लक्ष्मी सरस्वती मेना सावित्री सर्वयोषितः । विष्णुः सर्वे च देवाश्च ब्राह्मणेभ्यो ददुर्धनम्

lakṣmī sarasvatī menā sāvitrī sarvayoṣitaḥ viṣṇuḥ sarve ca devāśca brāhmaṇebhyo dadurdhanam

Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Mena, Savitri, and all the women, and Vishnu together with all the gods, likewise gave wealth to the brahmins.

Verse 36 (shiva.rudra.122.36)

प्रेरितः स प्रभुर्देवैर्मुनिभिः पर्वतैरथ । दूतान् प्रस्थापयामास स्वपुत्रो यत्र तान् गणान्

preritaḥ sa prabhurdevairmunibhiḥ parvatairatha dūtān prasthāpayāmāsa svaputro yatra tān gaṇān

Urged then by the gods, the sages, and the mountains, the Lord sent forth his own ganas as messengers to where his son was.

Verse 37 (shiva.rudra.122.37)

वीरभद्रं विशालाक्षं शङ्कुकर्णं कराक्रमम् । नन्दीश्वरं महाकालं वज्रद्रंष्ट्रं महोन्मदम्

vīrabhadraṁ viśālākṣaṁ śaṅkukarṇaṁ karākramam nandīśvaraṁ mahākālaṁ vajradraṁṣṭraṁ mahonmadam

Virabhadra, Vishalaksha, Shankukarna, Karakrama, Nandishvara, Mahakala, Vajradamshtra, Mahonmada —

Verse 38 (shiva.rudra.122.38)

गोकर्णास्यं दधिमुखं ज्वलदग्निशिखोपमम् । लक्षं च क्षेत्रपालानां भूतानां च त्रिलक्षकम्

gokarṇāsyaṁ dadhimukhaṁ jvaladagniśikhopamam lakṣaṁ ca kṣetrapālānāṁ bhūtānāṁ ca trilakṣakam

Gokarnasya, Dadhimukha, blazing like a flame of fire, and a hundred thousand kshetrapalas, and three hundred thousand bhutas —

Verse 39 (shiva.rudra.122.39)

रुद्रांश्च भैरवांश्चैव शिवतुल्यपराक्रमान् । अन्यांश्च विकृताकारानसङ्ख्यानपि नारद

rudrāṁśca bhairavāṁścaiva śivatulyaparākramān anyāṁśca vikṛtākārānasaṅkhyānapi nārada

and Rudras and Bhairavas, equal to Shiva in valor, and, O Narada, other beings of strange form, without number —

Verse 40 (shiva.rudra.122.40)

ते सर्वे शिवदूताश्च नानाशस्त्रास्त्रपाणयः । कृत्तिकानां च भवनं वेष्टयामासुरुद्धताः

te sarve śivadūtāśca nānāśastrāstrapāṇayaḥ kṛttikānāṁ ca bhavanaṁ veṣṭayāmāsuruddhatāḥ

all these, Shiva's own messengers, weapons of every kind in hand, surrounded the dwelling of the Krittikas, in their eagerness.

Verse 41 (shiva.rudra.122.41)

दृष्ट्वा तान् कृत्तिकाःसर्वा भयविह्वलमानसाः । कार्त्तिकं कथयामासुर्ज्वलन्तं ब्रह्मतेजसा

dṛṣṭvā tān kṛttikāḥsarvā bhayavihvalamānasāḥ kārttikaṁ kathayāmāsurjvalantaṁ brahmatejasā

Seeing them, all the Krittikas, their minds overwhelmed with fear, spoke to Kartika, who blazed with the splendor of Brahman.

Verse 42 (shiva.rudra.122.42)

कृत्तिका ऊचुः । वत्स सैन्यान्यसङ्ख्यानि वेष्टयामासुरालयम् । किं कर्तव्यं क्व गन्तव्यं महाभयमुपस्थितम्

kṛttikā ūcuḥ vatsa sainyānyasaṅkhyāni veṣṭayāmāsurālayam kiṁ kartavyaṁ kva gantavyaṁ mahābhayamupasthitam

The Krittikas said: O child, countless armies have surrounded our dwelling. What is to be done, where should we go? A great danger has come upon us.

Verse 43 (shiva.rudra.122.43)

कार्तिकेय उवाच भयं त्यजत कल्याण्यो भयं किं वा मयि स्थिते । दुर्निवार्योऽस्मि बालश्च मातरः केन वार्यते

kārtikeya uvāca bhayaṁ tyajata kalyāṇyo bhayaṁ kiṁ vā mayi sthite durnivāryo'smi bālaśca mātaraḥ kena vāryate

Kartikeya said: O blessed ones, cast off fear — what fear can there be while I remain? Though I am a mere child, O mothers, I am unstoppable — by whom can I be checked?

Verse 44 (shiva.rudra.122.44)

ब्रह्मोवाच एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तत्र सैन्येन्द्रो नन्दिकेश्वरः । पुरतः कार्तिकेयस्योपविष्टः समुवाच ह

brahmovāca etasminnantare tatra sainyendro nandikeśvaraḥ purataḥ kārtikeyasyopaviṣṭaḥ samuvāca ha

Brahma said: Meanwhile, the lord of the army, Nandikeshvara, seated himself there before Kartikeya, and spoke.

Verse 45 (shiva.rudra.122.45)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच भ्रातः प्रवृत्तिं शृणु मे मातरश्च शुभावहाम् । प्रेरितोऽहं महेशेन संहर्त्रा शङ्करेण च

nandīśvara uvāca bhrātaḥ pravṛttiṁ śṛṇu me mātaraśca śubhāvahām prerito'haṁ maheśena saṁhartrā śaṅkareṇa ca

Nandishvara said: O brother, and mothers, hear this auspicious news of mine. I have been sent by Mahesha, by Shankara the destroyer.

Verse 46 (shiva.rudra.122.46)

कैलासे सर्वदेवाश्च ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवादयः । सभायां संस्थितास्तात महत्युत्सवमङ्गले

kailāse sarvadevāśca brahmaviṣṇuśivādayaḥ sabhāyāṁ saṁsthitāstāta mahatyutsavamaṅgale

Dear one, at Kailasa all the gods — Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and the rest — are gathered in assembly amid a great and auspicious celebration.

Verse 47 (shiva.rudra.122.47)

तदा शिवा सभायां वै शङ्करं सर्व शङ्करम् । सम्बोध्य कथयामास तवान्वेषणहेतुकम्

tadā śivā sabhāyāṁ vai śaṅkaraṁ sarva śaṅkaram sambodhya kathayāmāsa tavānveṣaṇahetukam

There, in the assembly, Shiva addressed Shankara, the benefactor of all, and told him the reason for seeking you out.

Verse 48 (shiva.rudra.122.48)

पप्रच्छ तान् शिवो देवान् क्रमात्त्वत्प्राप्तिहेतवे । प्रत्युत्तरं ददुस्ते तु प्रत्येकं च यथोचितम्

papraccha tān śivo devān kramāttvatprāptihetave pratyuttaraṁ daduste tu pratyekaṁ ca yathocitam

Shiva then questioned the gods, one after another, so as to find you; and each of them gave his answer, as was fitting.

Verse 49 (shiva.rudra.122.49)

त्वामत्र कृत्तिकास्थाने कथयामासुरीश्वरम् । सर्वे धर्मादयो धर्माधर्मस्य कर्मसाक्षिणः

tvāmatra kṛttikāsthāne kathayāmāsurīśvaram sarve dharmādayo dharmādharmasya karmasākṣiṇaḥ

Dharma and the other witnesses of righteous and unrighteous deeds all told the Lord that you were here, in the abode of the Krittikas.

Verse 50 (shiva.rudra.122.50)

प्रबभूव रहः क्रीडा पार्वतीशिवयोः पुरा । दृष्टस्य च सुरैः शम्भोर्वीर्यं भूमौ पपात ह

prababhūva rahaḥ krīḍā pārvatīśivayoḥ purā dṛṣṭasya ca suraiḥ śambhorvīryaṁ bhūmau papāta ha

Long ago there was a secret love-play between Parvati and Shiva; and Shambhu's seed, once glimpsed by the gods, fell upon the earth.

Verse 51 (shiva.rudra.122.51)

भूमिस्तदक्षिपद्वह्नौ वह्निश्चाद्रौ स भूधरः । गङ्गायां सोऽक्षिपद्वेगात् तरङ्गैः शरकानने

bhūmistadakṣipadvahnau vahniścādrau sa bhūdharaḥ gaṅgāyāṁ so'kṣipadvegāt taraṅgaiḥ śarakānane

The Earth cast it into Agni, and Agni onto the Mountain; that Mountain-bearer swiftly cast it into the Ganga, and she, with her waves, into the reed-thicket.

Verse 52 (shiva.rudra.122.52)

तत्र बालोऽभवस्त्वं हि देवकार्यकृतिः प्रभुः । तत्र लब्धः कृत्तिकाभिस्त्वं भूमिं गच्छ साम्प्रतम्

tatra bālo'bhavastvaṁ hi devakāryakṛtiḥ prabhuḥ tatra labdhaḥ kṛttikābhistvaṁ bhūmiṁ gaccha sāmpratam

There you became a child, O Lord who fulfills the task of the gods; there the Krittikas found you — now go to that place, Kailasa, at once.

Verse 53 (shiva.rudra.122.53)

तवाभिषेकं शम्भुस्तु करिष्यति सुरैः सह । लप्स्यसे सर्वशस्त्राणि तारकाख्यं हनिष्यसि

tavābhiṣekaṁ śambhustu kariṣyati suraiḥ saha lapsyase sarvaśastrāṇi tārakākhyaṁ haniṣyasi

Shambhu, together with the gods, will perform your consecration; you shall receive every weapon, and you shall slay the demon named Taraka.

Verse 54 (shiva.rudra.122.54)

पुत्रस्त्वं विश्वसंहर्त्तुस्त्वां प्राप्तुं चाऽक्षमा इमाः । नाग्निं गोप्तुं यथा शक्तः शुष्कवृक्षः स्वकोटरे

putrastvaṁ viśvasaṁharttustvāṁ prāptuṁ cā'kṣamā imāḥ nāgniṁ goptuṁ yathā śaktaḥ śuṣkavṛkṣaḥ svakoṭare

You are the son of the destroyer of the universe; these Krittikas are unable to hold you, just as a dry tree cannot contain a fire within its own hollow.

Verse 55 (shiva.rudra.122.55)

दीप्तवांस्त्वं च विश्वेषु नासां गेहेषु शोभसे । यथा पतन्महाकूपे द्विजराजो न राजते

dīptavāṁstvaṁ ca viśveṣu nāsāṁ geheṣu śobhase yathā patanmahākūpe dvijarājo na rājate

You blaze forth over the whole universe; you do not truly belong shining within their small houses, just as the moon, were it to fall into some great well, would find no glory there.

Verse 56 (shiva.rudra.122.56)

करोषि च यथाऽऽलोकं नाऽऽच्छन्नोऽस्मासु तेजसा । यथा सूर्यः कलाच्छन्नो न भवेन्मानवस्य च

karoṣi ca yathā''lokaṁ nā''cchanno'smāsu tejasā yathā sūryaḥ kalācchanno na bhavenmānavasya ca

You give light everywhere, and by your own radiance you cannot be hidden among us — just as the sun is never truly concealed from any man by any small covering.

Verse 57 (shiva.rudra.122.57)

विष्णुस्त्वं जगतां व्यापी नान्यो जातोऽसि शाम्भव । यथा न केषां व्याप्यं च तत्सर्वं व्यापकं नभः

viṣṇustvaṁ jagatāṁ vyāpī nānyo jāto'si śāmbhava yathā na keṣāṁ vyāpyaṁ ca tatsarvaṁ vyāpakaṁ nabhaḥ

You are Vishnu, pervading all the worlds; O son of Shambhu, you were not born as anything separate or confined — just as the sky, which pervades everything, is bound by nothing.

Verse 58 (shiva.rudra.122.58)

योगीन्द्रो नाऽनुलिप्तश्च भागी चेत्परिपोषणे । नैव लिप्तो यथात्मा च कर्मयोगेषु जीविनाम्

yogīndro nā'nuliptaśca bhāgī cetparipoṣaṇe naiva lipto yathātmā ca karmayogeṣu jīvinām

The lord of yogis, though sharing in his own nurture, is never tainted by it — just as the Self is never touched by the deeds of living beings.

Verse 59 (shiva.rudra.122.59)

विश्वारम्भस्त्वमीशश्च नासु ते सम्भवेत् स्थितिः । गुणानां तेजसां राशिर्यथात्मानं च योगिनः

viśvārambhastvamīśaśca nāsu te sambhavet sthitiḥ guṇānāṁ tejasāṁ rāśiryathātmānaṁ ca yoginaḥ

You are the origin of the universe and its Lord — your true being cannot rest in these women, just as the mass of all qualities and radiances cannot contain the Self of a yogi.

Verse 60 (shiva.rudra.122.60)

भ्रातर्ये त्वां न जानन्ति ते नरा हतबुद्धयः । नाद्रियन्ते यथा भेकास्त्वेकवासाश्च पङ्कजान्

bhrātarye tvāṁ na jānanti te narā hatabuddhayaḥ nādriyante yathā bhekāstvekavāsāśca paṅkajān

O brother, those men who do not know you are men of ruined intellect — just as frogs, dwelling in the very same pond, pay no regard at all to its lotuses.

Verse 61 (shiva.rudra.122.61)

कार्त्तिकेय उवाच भ्रातःसर्वं विजानासि ज्ञानं त्रैकालिकं च यत् । ज्ञानी त्वं का प्रशंसा ते यतो मृत्युञ्जयाश्रितः

kārttikeya uvāca bhrātaḥsarvaṁ vijānāsi jñānaṁ traikālikaṁ ca yat jñānī tvaṁ kā praśaṁsā te yato mṛtyuñjayāśritaḥ

Kartikeya said: O brother, you know everything, and the knowledge of all three times besides; you are truly wise — what praise of mine could suffice for you, who have taken refuge in the Conqueror of Death?

Verse 62 (shiva.rudra.122.62)

कर्मणां जन्म येषां वा यासु यासु च योनिषु । तासु ते निर्वृतिं भ्रातः प्राप्नुवन्तीह साम्प्रतम्

karmaṇāṁ janma yeṣāṁ vā yāsu yāsu ca yoniṣu tāsu te nirvṛtiṁ bhrātaḥ prāpnuvantīha sāmpratam

O brother, whatever beings, by the working of their deeds, take birth in whatever wombs — in those very wombs they now find their own fulfillment.

Verse 63 (shiva.rudra.122.63)

कृत्तिकाज्ञानवत्यश्च योगिन्यः प्रकृतेः कलाः । स्तन्येनासां वर्द्धितोऽहमुपकारेण सन्ततम्

kṛttikājñānavatyaśca yoginyaḥ prakṛteḥ kalāḥ stanyenāsāṁ varddhito'hamupakāreṇa santatam

The Krittikas are wise yoginis, portions of Prakriti herself; by their milk, through their unbroken kindness, I have been nurtured.

Verse 64 (shiva.rudra.122.64)

आसामहं पोष्यपुत्रो मदंशा योषितस्त्विमाः । तस्याश्च प्रकृतेरंशास्ततस्तत्स्वामिवीर्यजः

āsāmahaṁ poṣyaputro madaṁśā yoṣitastvimāḥ tasyāśca prakṛteraṁśāstatastatsvāmivīryajaḥ

I am their fostered son; these women are themselves portions of that same source, and I was born of the seed of her own Lord.

Verse 65 (shiva.rudra.122.65)

न मद्भवो हे शैलेन्द्रकन्यया नन्दिकेश्वर । सा च मे धर्मतो माता यथेमाः सर्वसम्मताः

na madbhavo he śailendrakanyayā nandikeśvara sā ca me dharmato mātā yathemāḥ sarvasammatāḥ

O Nandikeshvara, I was not born from the daughter of the lord of mountains directly, yet she is my mother by dharma, just as these Krittikas too are my mothers by common consent.

Verse 66 (shiva.rudra.122.66)

शम्भुना प्रेषितस्त्वं च शम्भोः पुत्रसमो महान् । आगच्छामि त्वया सार्द्धं द्रक्ष्यामि देवताकुलम्

śambhunā preṣitastvaṁ ca śambhoḥ putrasamo mahān āgacchāmi tvayā sārddhaṁ drakṣyāmi devatākulam

You have been sent by Shambhu, and to me you are as great as Shambhu's own son; I shall come along with you, and I shall see the whole family of the gods.

Verse 67 (shiva.rudra.122.67)

इत्येवमुक्त्वा तं शीघ्रं सम्बोध्य कृत्तिकागणम् । कार्त्तिकेयः प्रतस्थे हि सार्द्धं शङ्करपार्षदैः

ityevamuktvā taṁ śīghraṁ sambodhya kṛttikāgaṇam kārttikeyaḥ pratasthe hi sārddhaṁ śaṅkarapārṣadaiḥ

Having said this, and quickly comforting the Krittikas, Kartikeya set out from there, together with Shankara's own attendants.