Ganesha's Origin and Shiva's Swallowing of the Poison

Verse 1 (skanda.1.10.1)

॥मुनय ऊचुः॥ यत्त्वया कथितं ब्रह्मन्ब्रह्मांडं सचराचरम्॥ भस्मीभूतं रुद्रकोपात्कालकूटाग्निनाऽथ़खिलम्

||munaya ūcuḥ|| yattvayā kathitaṃ brahmanbrahmāṃḍaṃ sacarācaram|| bhasmībhūtaṃ rudrakopātkālakūṭāgninā'tha़khilam

The sages said: O Brahmin, you have told us that the universe, moving and unmoving, was entirely reduced to ashes by Rudra's wrath, through the fire of the Kalakuta poison.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.10.2)

ब्रह्मांडांतरतः किं तु रुद्रं मन्यामहे वयम्॥ तदा चराचरं नष्टं ब्रह्मविष्णुपुरोगमम्

brahmāṃḍāṃtarataḥ kiṃ tu rudraṃ manyāmahe vayam|| tadā carācaraṃ naṣṭaṃ brahmaviṣṇupurogamam

But we consider Rudra to be within the universe itself — then, when the moving and unmoving world was destroyed, along with Brahma and Vishnu foremost among them,

Verse 3 (skanda.1.10.3)

भस्मीभूतं रुद्रकोपात्कथं सृष्टिः प्रवर्तिता॥ कुतो ब्रह्मा च विष्णुश्च कुतश्चंद्रपुरोगमाः

bhasmībhūtaṃ rudrakopātkathaṃ sṛṣṭiḥ pravartitā|| kuto brahmā ca viṣṇuśca kutaścaṃdrapurogamāḥ

reduced to ashes by Rudra's wrath — how then was creation set going again? From where did Brahma and Vishnu come, and from where the Moon and the others?

Verse 4 (skanda.1.10.4)

अन्ये सुरा सुराः कुत्र भस्मीभूता लयं गताः॥ अत ऊर्ध्वं किमभवत्तत्सर्वं वक्तुमर्हसि

anye surā surāḥ kutra bhasmībhūtā layaṃ gatāḥ|| ata ūrdhvaṃ kimabhavattatsarvaṃ vaktumarhasi

Where are the other gods and demons, who were reduced to ashes and dissolved? What happened after that — all of this you ought to tell us.

Verse 5 (skanda.1.10.5)

व्यासप्रसादात्सकलं वेत्थ त्वं नापरो हि तत्॥ तस्माज्ज्ञानमयं शास्त्रं तज्जानासि न चापरः

vyāsaprasādātsakalaṃ vettha tvaṃ nāparo hi tat|| tasmājjñānamayaṃ śāstraṃ tajjānāsi na cāparaḥ

By Vyasa's grace you know all of this; no one else does. Therefore this science, made of knowledge, you alone know, and none other.

Verse 6 (skanda.1.10.6)

इति पृष्टस्तदा सर्वैर्मुनिभिर्भावितात्मभिः॥ सूतो व्यासं नमस्कृत्य वाक्यं चेदमथाब्रवीत्

iti pṛṣṭastadā sarvairmunibhirbhāvitātmabhiḥ|| sūto vyāsaṃ namaskṛtya vākyaṃ cedamathābravīt

Thus questioned by all those sages of purified soul, Suta, bowing to Vyasa, then spoke these words.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.10.7)

॥ लोमश उवाच॥ यदा ब्रह्मांडमध्यस्था व्याप्ता देवा विषाग्निना॥ हरिब्रह्मादयो ह्येते लोकपालाः सवासवाः॥ तदा विज्ञापितः शंभुर्हेरंबेन महात्मना

|| lomaśa uvāca|| yadā brahmāṃḍamadhyasthā vyāptā devā viṣāgninā|| haribrahmādayo hyete lokapālāḥ savāsavāḥ|| tadā vijñāpitaḥ śaṃbhurheraṃbena mahātmanā

Lomasha said: When Hari, Brahma, and the rest, the guardians of the quarters together with Vasava, dwelling within the universe, were pervaded by the fire of the poison,

Verse 8 (skanda.1.10.8)

॥हेरंब उवाच॥ हे रुद्र हे महादेव हे स्थाणो ह जगत्पते॥ मया विघ्नं विनोदेन कृतं तेषां सुदुर्जयम्

||heraṃba uvāca|| he rudra he mahādeva he sthāṇo ha jagatpate|| mayā vighnaṃ vinodena kṛtaṃ teṣāṃ sudurjayam

then Shambhu was petitioned by the great-souled Heramba.

Verse 9 (skanda.1.10.9)

भयेन मति मोहात्त्वां नार्च्चयंति च मामपि॥ उद्योगं ये प्रकुर्वन्ति तेषां क्लेशोऽधिको भवेत्

bhayena mati mohāttvāṃ nārccayaṃti ca māmapi|| udyogaṃ ye prakurvanti teṣāṃ kleśo'dhiko bhavet

Heramba said: "O Rudra, O Mahadeva, O Sthanu, O Lord of the universe, by me was this obstacle created, out of mere sport, most difficult for them to overcome."

Verse 10 (skanda.1.10.10)

एवमभ्यर्थितस्तेन पिनाकी वृषभध्वजः॥ विघ्नांधकारसूर्येण गणाधिपतिना तदा

evamabhyarthitastena pinākī vṛṣabhadhvajaḥ|| vighnāṃdhakārasūryeṇa gaṇādhipatinā tadā

"Out of fear and delusion, they worship neither you nor me; those who exert effort without such worship — for them affliction only increases."

Verse 11 (skanda.1.10.11)

लिंगरूपोऽब्रवीच्छंभुर्निराकारो निरामयः॥ निरंजनो व्योमकेशः कपर्द्दी नीललोहितः

liṃgarūpo'bravīcchaṃbhurnirākāro nirāmayaḥ|| niraṃjano vyomakeśaḥ kaparddī nīlalohitaḥ

Thus entreated by him, Pinakin, the bull-bannered one, that sun to the darkness of obstacles, the lord of the ganas —

Verse 12 (skanda.1.10.12)

॥महेश्वर उवाच॥ हेरंब श्रृणु मे वाक्यं श्रद्धया परया युतः॥ अहंकारात्मकं चैव जगदेतच्चराचरम्

||maheśvara uvāca|| heraṃba śrṛṇu me vākyaṃ śraddhayā parayā yutaḥ|| ahaṃkārātmakaṃ caiva jagadetaccarācaram

that Shambhu, in the form of the linga, formless, free of disease, stainless, sky-haired, matted-locked, blue-red, spoke.

Verse 13 (skanda.1.10.13)

स्थितिं करोत्यहंकारः प्रलयोत्पत्तिमेव च॥ जगदादौगणपते तदा विज्ञप्तिमात्रतः

sthitiṃ karotyahaṃkāraḥ pralayotpattimeva ca|| jagadādaugaṇapate tadā vijñaptimātrataḥ

Maheshvara said: "O Heramba, listen to my words with the highest faith; this entire moving and unmoving world is of the very nature of ego."

Verse 14 (skanda.1.10.14)

मायाविरहितं शांतं द्वैताद्वैतपरं सदा॥ ज्ञप्तिमात्रस्वरूपं तत्सदानंदैकलक्षणम्

māyāvirahitaṃ śāṃtaṃ dvaitādvaitaparaṃ sadā|| jñaptimātrasvarūpaṃ tatsadānaṃdaikalakṣaṇam

"Ego brings about persistence, and likewise dissolution and arising; O lord of the ganas, in the beginning of the world all this happens through mere manifestation alone."

Verse 15 (skanda.1.10.15)

॥गणपतिरुवाच॥ यदि त्वं केवलो ह्यात्मा परमानन्दलक्षणः॥ तस्मात्त्वदपरं किंचिन्नान्यदस्ति परंतप

||gaṇapatiruvāca|| yadi tvaṃ kevalo hyātmā paramānandalakṣaṇaḥ|| tasmāttvadaparaṃ kiṃcinnānyadasti paraṃtapa

"That which is free of maya, at peace, ever beyond both duality and non-duality, of the very nature of pure awareness alone, characterized solely by eternal bliss —"

Verse 16 (skanda.1.10.16)

नानारूपं कथं जातं सुरासुरविलक्षणम्॥ विचित्रं मोहजननं त्रिभिर्द्देवैश्च लक्षितम्

nānārūpaṃ kathaṃ jātaṃ surāsuravilakṣaṇam|| vicitraṃ mohajananaṃ tribhirddevaiśca lakṣitam

Ganapati said: "If you are the sole Self, characterized by supreme bliss, then, O scorcher of foes, nothing at all exists apart from you."

Verse 17 (skanda.1.10.17)

भूतग्रामैश्चतुर्भिश्च नानाभेदैः समन्वितैः॥ जातं संसारचक्रं च नित्यानित्यविलक्षणम्

bhūtagrāmaiścaturbhiśca nānābhedaiḥ samanvitaiḥ|| jātaṃ saṃsāracakraṃ ca nityānityavilakṣaṇam

"How then has this manifold form arisen, distinct as gods and demons, wondrous, productive of delusion, marked by the three gunas?"

Verse 18 (skanda.1.10.18)

परस्परविरोधेन ज्ञानवादेन मोहिताः॥ कर्मवादरताः केचित्केचित्स्वगुणमाश्रिताः

parasparavirodhena jñānavādena mohitāḥ|| karmavādaratāḥ kecitkecitsvaguṇamāśritāḥ

"Arisen with the four hosts of beings, joined with manifold distinctions, this wheel of worldly existence has come to be, distinguished as both eternal and non-eternal."

Verse 19 (skanda.1.10.19)

ज्ञाननिष्ठाश्च ये केचित्परस्परविरोधिनः॥ एवं संशयमापन्नं त्राहि मां वृषभध्वज

jñānaniṣṭhāśca ye kecitparasparavirodhinaḥ|| evaṃ saṃśayamāpannaṃ trāhi māṃ vṛṣabhadhvaja

"Bewildered by mutually contradictory doctrines of knowledge, some are devoted to the doctrine of action, some rely on their own particular quality,"

Verse 20 (skanda.1.10.20)

अहं गणश्च कुत्रत्याः क्व चायं वृषभः प्रभो॥ एते चान्ये च बहवः कुतो जाताश्च कुत्र वै

ahaṃ gaṇaśca kutratyāḥ kva cāyaṃ vṛṣabhaḥ prabho|| ete cānye ca bahavaḥ kuto jātāśca kutra vai

"and some, though fixed in knowledge, remain mutually opposed to one another — thus fallen into doubt, save me, O bull-bannered one!"

Verse 21 (skanda.1.10.21)

कृताः सर्वे महाभागाः सात्त्विका राजसाश्च वै॥ प्रहस्य भगवाञ्छंभुर्गणेशं वक्तुमुद्यतः

kṛtāḥ sarve mahābhāgāḥ sāttvikā rājasāśca vai|| prahasya bhagavāñchaṃbhurgaṇeśaṃ vaktumudyataḥ

"Where do I and my ganas come from? Where does this bull come from, O Lord? These and many others — whence were they born, and where?"

Verse 22 (skanda.1.10.22)

॥महेश्वर उवाच॥ कालशक्त्या च जातानि रजःसत्त्वतमांसि च॥ तैरावृतं जगत्सर्वं सदेवासुमानुषम्

||maheśvara uvāca|| kālaśaktyā ca jātāni rajaḥsattvatamāṃsi ca|| tairāvṛtaṃ jagatsarvaṃ sadevāsumānuṣam

"How were all these most fortunate ones made — some of the nature of sattva, some of rajas?" The Blessed Shambhu, smiling, made ready to answer Ganesha.

Verse 23 (skanda.1.10.23)

परिदृश्यमानमेतच्चानश्वरं परमार्थतः॥ विद्ध्येतत्सर्वसिद्ध्यैव कृतकत्वाच्च नश्वरम्

paridṛśyamānametaccānaśvaraṃ paramārthataḥ|| viddhyetatsarvasiddhyaiva kṛtakatvācca naśvaram

Maheshvara said: "By the power of Time, rajas, sattva, and tamas arose; by them this entire world — gods, demons, and men alike — is enveloped."

Verse 24 (skanda.1.10.24)

॥ लोमश उवाच॥ यावद्गणेशसंयुक्तो भाषमाणः सदाशिवः॥ लिंगरूपी विश्वरूपः प्रादुर्भूता सदाशिवात्

|| lomaśa uvāca|| yāvadgaṇeśasaṃyukto bhāṣamāṇaḥ sadāśivaḥ|| liṃgarūpī viśvarūpaḥ prādurbhūtā sadāśivāt

"This which is thus perceived is, in ultimate truth, not imperishable; know that it exists only for the sake of complete manifestation, and, being made, it is indeed perishable."

Verse 25 (skanda.1.10.25)

शिवरूपा जगद्योनिः कार्यकारणरूपिणी॥ लिंगरूपी स भगवान्निमग्नस्तत्क्षणादभूत्

śivarūpā jagadyoniḥ kāryakāraṇarūpiṇī|| liṃgarūpī sa bhagavānnimagnastatkṣaṇādabhūt

Lomasha said: While Sadashiva was thus speaking, together with Ganesha, there manifested from Sadashiva, in the form of the linga, the universal form itself —

Verse 26 (skanda.1.10.26)

एका स्थिता परा शक्तिर्ब्रह्मविद्यात्मलक्षणा॥ गणेशो विस्मयाविष्टो ह्यवलोकनतत्परः

ekā sthitā parā śaktirbrahmavidyātmalakṣaṇā|| gaṇeśo vismayāviṣṭo hyavalokanatatparaḥ

that source of the world in the very form of Shiva, of the nature of both cause and effect; that Blessed One, in the form of the linga, became absorbed in that very instant.

Verse 27 (skanda.1.10.27)

॥ऋषय ऊचुः॥ प्रकृत्यन्तर्गतं सर्वं जगदेतच्चराचरम्॥ गणेशस्य पृथक्त्वं च कथं जातं तदुच्यताम्

||ṛṣaya ūcuḥ|| prakṛtyantargataṃ sarvaṃ jagadetaccarācaram|| gaṇeśasya pṛthaktvaṃ ca kathaṃ jātaṃ taducyatām

There remained a single supreme Power, characterized as the very Self of Brahmavidya. Ganesha, filled with wonder, became intent on beholding it.

Verse 28 (skanda.1.10.28)

॥लोमश उवाच॥ साक्षात्प्रकृत्याः संभूतो गणेशो भगवानभूत्॥ यथारूपः शिवः साक्षात्तद्रूपो हि गणेश्वरः

||lomaśa uvāca|| sākṣātprakṛtyāḥ saṃbhūto gaṇeśo bhagavānabhūt|| yathārūpaḥ śivaḥ sākṣāttadrūpo hi gaṇeśvaraḥ

The sages said: How is it that Ganesha's separateness arose, when this entire moving and unmoving world is contained within Prakriti itself? Tell us that.

Verse 29 (skanda.1.10.29)

शिवेन सह संग्रामो ह्यभूत्तस्य महात्मनः॥ अज्ञानात्प्रकृतो भूत्वा बहुकालं निरन्तरम्

śivena saha saṃgrāmo hyabhūttasya mahātmanaḥ|| ajñānātprakṛto bhūtvā bahukālaṃ nirantaram

Lomasha said: Ganesha, the Blessed One, arose directly from Prakriti herself; in whatever form Shiva himself appears, in that very form is the Lord of the Ganas.

Verse 30 (skanda.1.10.30)

तस्य दृष्ट्वा ह्यजेयत्वं गजारूढस्य तत्तदा॥ त्रिशूलेनाहनच्छंभुः सगजं तमपातयत्

tasya dṛṣṭvā hyajeyatvaṃ gajārūḍhasya tattadā|| triśūlenāhanacchaṃbhuḥ sagajaṃ tamapātayat

There arose a battle between him and that great-souled Shiva; having become one with Prakriti out of ignorance, for a long, unbroken time —

Verse 31 (skanda.1.10.31)

तदा स्तुतो महादेवः परशक्त्या परंतपः॥ परशक्तिमुवाचेदं वरं वरय शोभने

tadā stuto mahādevaḥ paraśaktyā paraṃtapaḥ|| paraśaktimuvācedaṃ varaṃ varaya śobhane

seeing that one, mounted on an elephant, to be invincible, Shambhu then struck him with his trident, and felled him, elephant and all.

Verse 32 (skanda.1.10.32)

तदा वृतो महादेवो वरेण परमेण हि॥ योऽयं त्वया हतो देव मम पुत्रो न संशयः

tadā vṛto mahādevo vareṇa parameṇa hi|| yo'yaṃ tvayā hato deva mama putro na saṃśayaḥ

Then Mahadeva, scorcher of foes, was praised by the Supreme Power; he said to that Supreme Power: "Choose a boon, O gracious one."

Verse 33 (skanda.1.10.33)

त्वां न जानात्ययं मूढः प्रकृत्यंशसमुद्भवः॥ तस्मात्पुत्रं जीवयेमं मम तृष्ट्यर्थमेव च

tvāṃ na jānātyayaṃ mūḍhaḥ prakṛtyaṃśasamudbhavaḥ|| tasmātputraṃ jīvayemaṃ mama tṛṣṭyarthameva ca

Then Mahadeva was entreated with a supreme boon: "This one whom you have slain, O God, is my son, without doubt."

Verse 34 (skanda.1.10.34)

प्रहस्य भगवान्रुद्रो मायापुत्रमजीवयत्॥ सिंधुरवदनेनैव मुखे स समयोजयत्

prahasya bhagavānrudro māyāputramajīvayat|| siṃdhuravadanenaiva mukhe sa samayojayat

"This fool, born of a portion of Prakriti, does not know you; therefore, for my very satisfaction, give life to this son."

Verse 35 (skanda.1.10.35)

तदा गजाननो जातः प्रसादाच्छंकरस्य च॥ मायापुत्रोपि निर्मायो ज्ञानवान्संबभूव ह

tadā gajānano jātaḥ prasādācchaṃkarasya ca|| māyāputropi nirmāyo jñānavānsaṃbabhūva ha

Smiling, the Blessed Rudra gave life to that son of Maya, and joined an elephant's head upon him.

Verse 36 (skanda.1.10.36)

आत्मज्ञानामृतेनैव नित्यतृप्तो निरामयः॥ समाधिसंस्थितो रौद्रः कालकालांतकोऽभवत्

ātmajñānāmṛtenaiva nityatṛpto nirāmayaḥ|| samādhisaṃsthito raudraḥ kālakālāṃtako'bhavat

Then, by Shankara's grace, the elephant-faced one was born; that son of Maya too, freed of illusion, became endowed with knowledge.

Verse 37 (skanda.1.10.37)

योगदंडार्थमुत्पाट्य स्वकीयं दशनं महत्॥ करे गृह्य गणाध्यक्षः शब्धब्रह्मातिवर्त्तते॥ ऋद्धिसिद्धिद्वयेनैव एकत्वेन विराजितः

yogadaṃḍārthamutpāṭya svakīyaṃ daśanaṃ mahat|| kare gṛhya gaṇādhyakṣaḥ śabdhabrahmātivarttate|| ṛddhisiddhidvayenaiva ekatvena virājitaḥ

Ever content through the nectar of self-knowledge alone, free from disease, established in samadhi, terrible, he became the very ender of Time and Death.

Verse 38 (skanda.1.10.38)

ये ते गणाश्च विघ्नाश्च ये चान्येऽभ्यधिका भुवि॥ तेषामपि पतिर्जातः कृतोऽसौ शंभुना तदा

ye te gaṇāśca vighnāśca ye cānye'bhyadhikā bhuvi|| teṣāmapi patirjātaḥ kṛto'sau śaṃbhunā tadā

Having plucked out his own great tusk for a yogic staff, taking it in hand, the lord of the ganas transcends even the sound-Brahman; resplendent in unity with Riddhi and Siddhi both.

Verse 39 (skanda.1.10.39)

तस्माद्वि लोकयामास प्रकृतिं विश्वरूपिणीम्॥ पृथक्स्थित्वाग्रतो जानाल्लिंगं प्रकृतिमेव च॥ ददर्श विमलं लिंगं प्रकृतिस्थं स्वभावतः

tasmādvi lokayāmāsa prakṛtiṃ viśvarūpiṇīm|| pṛthaksthitvāgrato jānālliṃgaṃ prakṛtimeva ca|| dadarśa vimalaṃ liṃgaṃ prakṛtisthaṃ svabhāvataḥ

Of those who are ganas, and those who are obstacles, and whatever others are exalted upon the earth — of them too a lord was made, appointed then by Shambhu.

Verse 40 (skanda.1.10.40)

आत्मानं च गणैः साद्धं तथैव च जगत्त्रयम्॥ लीनं लिंगे समस्तं तद्धेरम्बो ज्ञानवानपि

ātmānaṃ ca gaṇaiḥ sāddhaṃ tathaiva ca jagattrayam|| līnaṃ liṃge samastaṃ taddherambo jñānavānapi

He then beheld Prakriti, the universal form; standing apart, in front, he came to know the linga as Prakriti herself; he beheld the stainless linga, established in Prakriti by its very nature.

Verse 41 (skanda.1.10.41)

मुमोह च पुनः संज्ञां प्रतिलभ्य प्रयत्नतः॥ ननाम शिरसा ताभ्यामीशाभ्यां स गणेश्वरः

mumoha ca punaḥ saṃjñāṃ pratilabhya prayatnataḥ|| nanāma śirasā tābhyāmīśābhyāṃ sa gaṇeśvaraḥ

He beheld himself, together with his ganas, and likewise the three worlds, all completely dissolved in the linga — and Heramba, though possessed of knowledge,

Verse 42 (skanda.1.10.42)

तदा ददर्श तत्रैव लोकसंहारकारकम्॥ ब्रह्माणं चैव रुद्रं च विष्णुं चैव सदाशिवम्

tadā dadarśa tatraiva lokasaṃhārakārakam|| brahmāṇaṃ caiva rudraṃ ca viṣṇuṃ caiva sadāśivam

was bewildered once more; then, regaining his awareness with effort, that lord of the ganas bowed his head to those two, Ishvara and Ishvari.

Verse 43 (skanda.1.10.43)

ददर्श प्रेततुल्यानि लिंगशक्त्यात्मकानि च॥ ब्रह्माण्डगोलकान्येव कोटिशः परमाणुवत्

dadarśa pretatulyāni liṃgaśaktyātmakāni ca|| brahmāṇḍagolakānyeva koṭiśaḥ paramāṇuvat

Then he beheld there itself the world-destroyer, and Brahma, and Rudra, and Vishnu, and Sadashiva —

Verse 44 (skanda.1.10.44)

लीयंते च विलीयंते महेशे लिंगरूपिणि॥ प्रकृत्यंतर्गतं लिंगं लिंगस्यांतर्गता च सा

līyaṃte ca vilīyaṃte maheśe liṃgarūpiṇi|| prakṛtyaṃtargataṃ liṃgaṃ liṃgasyāṃtargatā ca sā

he beheld spheres of the universe, resembling ghosts, of the very nature of the linga and the Power, by the tens of millions, like atoms,

Verse 45 (skanda.1.10.45)

शक्त्या लिंगं च संछन्नं तदा सर्वमदृश्यत॥ लिंगेन शक्तिः संछन्ना परस्परमवर्तत

śaktyā liṃgaṃ ca saṃchannaṃ tadā sarvamadṛśyata|| liṃgena śaktiḥ saṃchannā parasparamavartata

dissolving and being dissolved again in Mahesha, in his form as the linga; the linga was contained within Prakriti, and she was contained within the linga —

Verse 46 (skanda.1.10.46)

शिवाभ्यां संश्रितं लोकं जगदेतच्चराचरम्॥ गणेशो वापि तज्ज्ञानं न परेऽपि तथाविदन्

śivābhyāṃ saṃśritaṃ lokaṃ jagadetaccarācaram|| gaṇeśo vāpi tajjñānaṃ na pare'pi tathāvidan

the linga was veiled by the Power, and then everything became invisible; the Power was veiled by the linga — they alternated with one another.

Verse 47 (skanda.1.10.47)

तदोवाच महातेजा गणाध्यक्षो गणैः सह॥ सशक्तिकं स्तूयमानः शक्त्या च परया तदा

tadovāca mahātejā gaṇādhyakṣo gaṇaiḥ saha|| saśaktikaṃ stūyamānaḥ śaktyā ca parayā tadā

This world, moving and unmoving, is entirely dependent upon those two, Shiva and Shakti; even Ganesha did not know that truth, nor did others know it thus.

Verse 48 (skanda.1.10.48)

॥गणेश उवाच॥ नमामि देवं शक्त्यान्वितं ज्ञानरूपं प्रसन्नं ज्ञानात्परं परमंज्योतिरूपम्॥ रूपात्परं परमं तत्त्वरूपं तत्त्वात्परं परमं मंगलं च आनंदाख्यं निष्कलं निर्विषादम्

||gaṇeśa uvāca|| namāmi devaṃ śaktyānvitaṃ jñānarūpaṃ prasannaṃ jñānātparaṃ paramaṃjyotirūpam|| rūpātparaṃ paramaṃ tattvarūpaṃ tattvātparaṃ paramaṃ maṃgalaṃ ca ānaṃdākhyaṃ niṣkalaṃ nirviṣādam

Then that greatly splendid lord of the ganas, together with his hosts, praised by the supreme Power together with Shiva, spoke —

Verse 49 (skanda.1.10.49)

धूमात्परमयोवह्निर्धूमवत्प्रतिभासते॥ प्रकृत्यंतर्गस्त्वं हि लक्ष्यसे ज्ञानिसंभवः॥ प्रकृत्यंतर्गतस्त्वं हि मायाव्यक्तिरितीयसे

dhūmātparamayovahnirdhūmavatpratibhāsate|| prakṛtyaṃtargastvaṃ hi lakṣyase jñānisaṃbhavaḥ|| prakṛtyaṃtargatastvaṃ hi māyāvyaktiritīyase

Ganesha said: "I bow to the God, joined with his Power, of the very form of knowledge, serene, beyond knowledge, the supreme form of light itself; beyond even form, the supreme reality, beyond even that reality, the supreme auspiciousness, called bliss, undivided, free of all sorrow."

Verse 50 (skanda.1.10.50)

एवंविधस्त्वं भगवन्स्वमायया सृजस्यथोलुंपसि पासि विश्वम्॥ अस्माद्गरात्सर्वमिदं प्रनष्टं सब्रह्मविप्रेंद्रयुतं चराचरम्

evaṃvidhastvaṃ bhagavansvamāyayā sṛjasyatholuṃpasi pāsi viśvam|| asmādgarātsarvamidaṃ pranaṣṭaṃ sabrahmavipreṃdrayutaṃ carācaram

"As fire beyond smoke appears as if it were smoke itself, so you, though within Prakriti, are perceived as one born of knowledge; being within Prakriti, you are spoken of as a mere manifestation of maya."

Verse 51 (skanda.1.10.51)

यथा पुरासीर्भगवान्महेशस्त्रैलोक्यनाथोऽसि चराचरात्मा॥ कुरुष्य शीघ्रं सहजीवकोशं चराचरं तत्सकलं प्रदग्धम्

yathā purāsīrbhagavānmaheśastrailokyanātho'si carācarātmā|| kuruṣya śīghraṃ sahajīvakośaṃ carācaraṃ tatsakalaṃ pradagdham

"Being thus, O Blessed One, you create through your own maya, and then you take away, and you protect, the universe; from this poison, all this — together with Brahma and the foremost brahmins — moving and unmoving, has been utterly destroyed."

Verse 52 (skanda.1.10.52)

॥ लोमश उवाच॥ एवं स्तुतो गणेशेन भगवान्भूतभावनः॥ यदुत्थितं कालकूटं लोकसंहारकारकम्

|| lomaśa uvāca|| evaṃ stuto gaṇeśena bhagavānbhūtabhāvanaḥ|| yadutthitaṃ kālakūṭaṃ lokasaṃhārakārakam

"As you were formerly, O Blessed Mahesha, Lord of the three worlds, the very Self of all that moves and moves not — restore quickly, together with its living treasury, this entire moving and unmoving world that has been so utterly consumed."

Verse 53 (skanda.1.10.53)

लिंगरूपेण तद्ग्रस्तं विमलं चाकरोत्तदा॥ सदेवासुरमर्त्याश्च सर्वाणि त्रिजगन्ति च॥ तत्क्षणाद्रक्षितान्येव कृपया परया युतः

liṃgarūpeṇa tadgrastaṃ vimalaṃ cākarottadā|| sadevāsuramartyāśca sarvāṇi trijaganti ca|| tatkṣaṇādrakṣitānyeva kṛpayā parayā yutaḥ

Lomasha said: Thus praised by Ganesha, the Blessed one who brings beings into existence — that Kalakuta poison which had arisen, the destroyer of the worlds —

Verse 54 (skanda.1.10.54)

ब्रह्मा विष्णुः सुरेंद्रश्च लोकपालाः सहर्षयः॥ यक्षा विद्याधराः सिद्धा गंधर्वाप्सरसां गणाः॥ उत्थिताश्चैव ते सर्वे निद्रापरिगता इव

brahmā viṣṇuḥ sureṃdraśca lokapālāḥ saharṣayaḥ|| yakṣā vidyādharāḥ siddhā gaṃdharvāpsarasāṃ gaṇāḥ|| utthitāścaiva te sarve nidrāparigatā iva

he then swallowed it in the form of the linga, and made it pure at once; and all the three worlds, together with gods, demons, and mortals, were at that very instant protected, through his supreme compassion.

Verse 55 (skanda.1.10.55)

विस्मयेन समाविष्टा बभूवुर्जातसाध्वसाः॥ सर्वे देवासुराश्चैव ऊचुराश्चर्यवत्ततः

vismayena samāviṣṭā babhūvurjātasādhvasāḥ|| sarve devāsurāścaiva ūcurāścaryavattataḥ

Brahma, Vishnu, the lord of the gods, the guardians of the quarters together with the sages, yakshas, vidyadharas, siddhas, and the hosts of gandharvas and apsarases — all of them rose up, as if freed from sleep.

Verse 56 (skanda.1.10.56)

क्व कालकूटं सुमहद्येन विद्राविता वयम्॥ मृतप्रायाः कृताः सद्यः सलोकपालका ह्यमी

kva kālakūṭaṃ sumahadyena vidrāvitā vayam|| mṛtaprāyāḥ kṛtāḥ sadyaḥ salokapālakā hyamī

Filled with wonder, and struck with fear, all the gods and demons then spoke, as if in astonishment —

Verse 57 (skanda.1.10.57)

इत्यब्रुवंस्तदा दैत्यास्तूष्णींभूतास्तदा स्थिताः॥ शक्रादयो लोकपाला विष्णुं सर्वेश्वरेश्वरम्॥ ब्रह्माणं च पुरस्कृत्य इदमूचुः समेधिता

ityabruvaṃstadā daityāstūṣṇīṃbhūtāstadā sthitāḥ|| śakrādayo lokapālā viṣṇuṃ sarveśvareśvaram|| brahmāṇaṃ ca puraskṛtya idamūcuḥ samedhitā

"Where is that great Kalakuta by which we were driven to distraction? These, together with the guardians of the quarters, were reduced to a state as good as dead at once!"

Verse 58 (skanda.1.10.58)

केनेदं कारितं विष्णो न विदामोऽल्पमेधसः॥ तदा प्रहस्य भगवान्ब्रह्मणा सह तैः सुरैः

kenedaṃ kāritaṃ viṣṇo na vidāmo'lpamedhasaḥ|| tadā prahasya bhagavānbrahmaṇā saha taiḥ suraiḥ

Thus speaking, the daityas then fell silent and stood there; Shakra and the other guardians of the quarters, placing Vishnu, Lord of all lords, and Brahma at their head, said this, filled with renewed vigor —

Verse 59 (skanda.1.10.59)

समाधिमगमन्सर्वेऽप्येकाग्रमनसस्तदा॥ तत्त्वज्ञानेन निर्हृत्य कामक्रोदादिकान्द्विजाः

samādhimagamansarve'pyekāgramanasastadā|| tattvajñānena nirhṛtya kāmakrodādikāndvijāḥ

"By whom was this brought about, O Vishnu? We, of little understanding, do not know." Then, smiling, the Blessed One, together with Brahma and those gods,

Verse 60 (skanda.1.10.60)

तदात्मनि स्थितं लिंगमपश्यन्वि बुधादयः॥ विष्णुं पुरस्कृत्य तदा तुष्टुवुः परमार्थतः

tadātmani sthitaṃ liṃgamapaśyanvi budhādayaḥ|| viṣṇuṃ puraskṛtya tadā tuṣṭuvuḥ paramārthataḥ

all of them, with focused minds, entered into meditation; O brahmins, having, through knowledge of the truth, cast off desire, anger, and the rest,

Verse 61 (skanda.1.10.61)

आत्मना परमात्मानं योगिनः पर्युपासते

ātmanā paramātmānaṃ yoginaḥ paryupāsate

those wise ones beheld the linga established within the self; and, placing Vishnu foremost, they praised it in the highest sense of truth: "Yogis worship the Supreme Self by means of the self alone."

Verse 62 (skanda.1.10.62)

लिंगमेव परं ज्ञानं लिंगमेव परं तपः॥ लिंगमेव परो धर्मो लिंगमेव परा गतिः॥ तस्माल्लिंगात्परतरं यच्च किंचिन्न विद्यते

liṃgameva paraṃ jñānaṃ liṃgameva paraṃ tapaḥ|| liṃgameva paro dharmo liṃgameva parā gatiḥ|| tasmālliṃgātparataraṃ yacca kiṃcinna vidyate

"The linga alone is the supreme knowledge, the linga alone is supreme austerity; the linga alone is the supreme dharma, the linga alone is the supreme goal; than the linga, nothing whatsoever exists that is higher."

Verse 63 (skanda.1.10.63)

एवं ब्रुवंतो हि तदा सुरासुराः सलोकपाला ऋषिभिश्च साकम्॥ विष्णुं पुरस्कृत्य तमालवर्णं शंभुं शरण्यं शरणं प्रपन्नाः

evaṃ bruvaṃto hi tadā surāsurāḥ salokapālā ṛṣibhiśca sākam|| viṣṇuṃ puraskṛtya tamālavarṇaṃ śaṃbhuṃ śaraṇyaṃ śaraṇaṃ prapannāḥ

Thus speaking, all the gods and demons, together with the guardians of the quarters and the sages, placing tamala-hued Vishnu foremost, took refuge in Shambhu, the refuge of all.

Verse 64 (skanda.1.10.64)

त्राहित्राहि महादेव कृपालो परमेश्वर॥ पुरा त्राता यथा सर्वे तथात्वं त्रातुमर्हसि

trāhitrāhi mahādeva kṛpālo parameśvara|| purā trātā yathā sarve tathātvaṃ trātumarhasi

"Save us, save us, O Mahadeva, compassionate Supreme Lord; as you have saved us all before, so you are fit to save us now."

Verse 65 (skanda.1.10.65)

तद्देवदेव भवतश्चरणारविंदं सेवानुबंधमहिमानमनंतरूपम्॥ त्वदाश्रितं यत्परमानुकंपया नमोऽस्तु ते देववर प्रसीद

taddevadeva bhavataścaraṇāraviṃdaṃ sevānubaṃdhamahimānamanaṃtarūpam|| tvadāśritaṃ yatparamānukaṃpayā namo'stu te devavara prasīda

"O God of gods, to your lotus feet, whose greatness lies bound with service to you, of infinite form — to that which, out of your supreme compassion, is your very own refuge — salutation to you; O best of gods, be gracious."

Verse 66 (skanda.1.10.66)

लिंगस्वरूपमध्यस्थो भगवान्भूतभावनः॥ सर्वैः सुरगणैः साकं बभाषेदं रमापतिः

liṃgasvarūpamadhyastho bhagavānbhūtabhāvanaḥ|| sarvaiḥ suragaṇaiḥ sākaṃ babhāṣedaṃ ramāpatiḥ

That Blessed one who brings beings into being, established in the midst of his own linga-form, the Lord of Rama, spoke thus, together with all the hosts of gods —

Verse 67 (skanda.1.10.67)

त्वं लिंगरूपी भगवाञ्जगतामभयप्रदः॥ विष्णुना संस्तुतो देवो लिंगरूपी महेश्वरः

tvaṃ liṃgarūpī bhagavāñjagatāmabhayapradaḥ|| viṣṇunā saṃstuto devo liṃgarūpī maheśvaraḥ

"You, Blessed One, in the form of the linga, are the giver of fearlessness to the worlds." Praised thus by Vishnu, the God Maheshvara, in the form of the linga —

Verse 68 (skanda.1.10.68)

मृतास्त्राता गरात्सर्वे तस्मान्मृत्युंजय प्रभो॥ रक्षरक्ष महाकाल त्रिपुरांत नमोस्तु ते

mṛtāstrātā garātsarve tasmānmṛtyuṃjaya prabho|| rakṣarakṣa mahākāla tripurāṃta namostu te

"Dead, we have all been saved from that poison; therefore, O Mrityunjaya, O Lord, save us, save us, O Mahakala, O destroyer of the Three Cities, salutation to you."

Verse 69 (skanda.1.10.69)

विष्णुना संस्तुतो देवो लिंगरूपी महेश्वरः॥ प्रादुर्बभूव सांबोऽथ बोधयन्निव तान्सुरान्

viṣṇunā saṃstuto devo liṃgarūpī maheśvaraḥ|| prādurbabhūva sāṃbo'tha bodhayanniva tānsurān

Praised thus by Vishnu, the God Maheshvara, in the form of the linga, then manifested as Samba, as if to instruct those gods.

Verse 70 (skanda.1.10.70)

हे विष्णो हे सुराः सर्व ऋषयः श्रूयतामिदम्॥ मन्यतेऽपि हि संसारे अनित्ये नित्यताकुलम्

he viṣṇo he surāḥ sarva ṛṣayaḥ śrūyatāmidam|| manyate'pi hi saṃsāre anitye nityatākulam

"O Vishnu, O all you gods, all you sages, listen to this: even in this impermanent worldly existence, you consider things joined with permanence as true."

Verse 71 (skanda.1.10.71)

अविलोकयताऽत्मात्मना विबुधादयः॥ किं यज्ञैः किं तपोभिश्च किमुद्योगेन कर्मणाम्

avilokayatā'tmātmanā vibudhādayaḥ|| kiṃ yajñaiḥ kiṃ tapobhiśca kimudyogena karmaṇām

"Without truly seeing your own Self by means of your own self, O you learned ones — what use are sacrifices, what use austerities, what use the effort of ritual action?"

Verse 72 (skanda.1.10.72)

एकत्वेन पृथक्त्वेन किंचिन्नैव प्रयोजनम्॥ यस्माद्भवद्भिर्मिलितैः कृतं यत्कर्म दुष्करम्

ekatvena pṛthaktvena kiṃcinnaiva prayojanam|| yasmādbhavadbhirmilitaiḥ kṛtaṃ yatkarma duṣkaram

"Whether in unity or in separateness, there is truly no purpose; for that reason, all of you together undertook that exceedingly difficult task —"

Verse 73 (skanda.1.10.73)

क्षीराब्धेर्मथनं तत्तु अमृतार्थं कथं कृतम्॥ मृत्युं जयं निराकृत्य अवज्ञाय च मां सदा

kṣīrābdhermathanaṃ tattu amṛtārthaṃ kathaṃ kṛtam|| mṛtyuṃ jayaṃ nirākṛtya avajñāya ca māṃ sadā

"— that churning of the Ocean of Milk — why was it done for the sake of nectar, rejecting Mrityunjaya and ever disregarding me?"

Verse 74 (skanda.1.10.74)

तस्मात्सर्वे मृत्युमुखं पतिता वै न संशयः॥ अस्माभिर्निर्मितो देवो गणेशः कार्यसिद्धये

tasmātsarve mṛtyumukhaṃ patitā vai na saṃśayaḥ|| asmābhirnirmito devo gaṇeśaḥ kāryasiddhaye

"Therefore all of you have fallen into the very jaws of death, without doubt. It was we who fashioned the god Ganesha, for the accomplishment of the task —"

Verse 75 (skanda.1.10.75)

न नमंति गणेशं च दुर्गां चैव तथाविधाम्॥ क्लेशभाजो भविष्यति नात्र कार्या विचारणा

na namaṃti gaṇeśaṃ ca durgāṃ caiva tathāvidhām|| kleśabhājo bhaviṣyati nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

"— those who do not bow to Ganesha, and likewise to Durga in her such form, shall become sharers in affliction; there is no need for deliberation on this."

Verse 76 (skanda.1.10.76)

यूयं सर्वे त्वधर्मिष्ठाः स्तब्धाः पंडितमानिनः॥ कार्याकार्यमविज्ञाय केवलं मानमोहिताः

yūyaṃ sarve tvadharmiṣṭhāḥ stabdhāḥ paṃḍitamāninaḥ|| kāryākāryamavijñāya kevalaṃ mānamohitāḥ

"All of you are unrighteous, obstinate, conceited in your own learning; without knowing what should and should not be done, deluded merely by pride."

Verse 77 (skanda.1.10.77)

तस्मात्कालमुखे सर्वे पतिता नात्र संशयः॥ सर्वे श्रुतिपरा यूयमिंद्राद्या देवतागणाः

tasmātkālamukhe sarve patitā nātra saṃśayaḥ|| sarve śrutiparā yūyamiṃdrādyā devatāgaṇāḥ

"Therefore you have all fallen into the jaws of Time, without doubt. All of you, Indra and the other hosts of gods, are devoted only to Vedic texts —"

Verse 78 (skanda.1.10.78)

प्ररोचनपराः सर्वे क्षुद्राश्चेंद्रादयो वृथा॥ नात्मानं च प्रपंचेन वेत्सि त्वं हि शचीपते

prarocanaparāḥ sarve kṣudrāśceṃdrādayo vṛthā|| nātmānaṃ ca prapaṃcena vetsi tvaṃ hi śacīpate

"— all given only to seeking approval, petty, acting in vain, O Indra; O Lord of Shachi, you do not even know your own self through this manifold display."

Verse 79 (skanda.1.10.79)

कृतः प्रयत्नो हि महानमृतार्थं त्वया शठ॥ अश्वमेधशतेनैव यद्राज्यं प्राप्तवानसि॥ अपि तच्च पराधीन तन्न जानासि दुर्मते

kṛtaḥ prayatno hi mahānamṛtārthaṃ tvayā śaṭha|| aśvamedhaśatenaiva yadrājyaṃ prāptavānasi|| api tacca parādhīna tanna jānāsi durmate

"A great effort was indeed made by you, O deceiver, for the sake of nectar; even the kingdom you obtained through a hundred Ashvamedhas is dependent on another — this you, O evil-minded one, do not know."

Verse 80 (skanda.1.10.80)

यैर्वदवाक्यैस्त्वं मूढ संस्तुतोऽसि तपस्विभिः॥ ते मूढास्तो षयंति त्वां तत्तद्रागपरायणाः

yairvadavākyaistvaṃ mūḍha saṃstuto'si tapasvibhiḥ|| te mūḍhāsto ṣayaṃti tvāṃ tattadrāgaparāyaṇāḥ

"By whatever flattering words you have been praised by ascetics, O fool — those very fools mislead you, being devoted to their own particular attachments."

Verse 81 (skanda.1.10.81)

विष्णो त्वं च पक्षपातान्न जानासि हिताहितम्॥ केचिदधतास्त्वया विष्णो रक्षिताश्चैव केचन

viṣṇo tvaṃ ca pakṣapātānna jānāsi hitāhitam|| kecidadhatāstvayā viṣṇo rakṣitāścaiva kecana

"O Vishnu, out of your own partiality, you too do not know what is beneficial and what is not; some were destroyed by you, O Vishnu, and some indeed were protected."

Verse 82 (skanda.1.10.82)

इच्छायुक्तस्त्वमत्रैव सदा बालकचेष्टितः॥ येऽन्ये च लोकपाः सर्वे तेषां वार्ता कुतस्त्विह

icchāyuktastvamatraiva sadā bālakaceṣṭitaḥ|| ye'nye ca lokapāḥ sarve teṣāṃ vārtā kutastviha

"Ever full of desire, you act here always like a mere child at play; as for the other guardians of the world, what then can be said of their case here?"

Verse 83 (skanda.1.10.83)

अन्यथा हि कृते ह्यर्थे अन्यथात्वं भविष्यति॥ कार्यसिद्धिर्भवेद्येन भवद्भिर्विस्मृतं च तत्

anyathā hi kṛte hyarthe anyathātvaṃ bhaviṣyati|| kāryasiddhirbhavedyena bhavadbhirvismṛtaṃ ca tat

"If a matter is undertaken otherwise than rightly, its outcome shall be otherwise too; that by which the task might have succeeded was forgotten by all of you."

Verse 84 (skanda.1.10.84)

येनाद्य रक्षिताः सर्वे कालकूटमहाभयात्॥ येन नीलीकृतो विष्णुर्येन सर्वे पराजिताः

yenādya rakṣitāḥ sarve kālakūṭamahābhayāt|| yena nīlīkṛto viṣṇuryena sarve parājitāḥ

"By whom you have all today been saved from the great terror of the Kalakuta poison, by whom Vishnu was turned blue-black, by whom all of you were defeated,"

Verse 85 (skanda.1.10.85)

लोका भस्मीकृता येन तस्माद्येनापि रक्षिताः॥ तस्यार्च्चनाविधिः कार्यो गणेशस्य महात्मनः

lokā bhasmīkṛtā yena tasmādyenāpi rakṣitāḥ|| tasyārccanāvidhiḥ kāryo gaṇeśasya mahātmanaḥ

"by whom the worlds were reduced to ashes, and by whom they were also saved — the rite of worshipping that great soul Ganesha ought to be performed."

Verse 86 (skanda.1.10.86)

कर्मारंभे तु विघ्नेशं ये नार्चंति गणाधिपम्॥ कार्यसिद्धिर्न तेषां वै भवेत्तु भवतां यथा

karmāraṃbhe tu vighneśaṃ ye nārcaṃti gaṇādhipam|| kāryasiddhirna teṣāṃ vai bhavettu bhavatāṃ yathā

"Those who, at the beginning of any undertaking, do not worship Vighnesha, the lord of the ganas — for them there shall be no accomplishment of their task, as there shall be for you."

Verse 87 (skanda.1.10.87)

एतन्महेशस्य वचो निशम्य सुरासुराः किंनरचारणाश्च॥ पूजाविधानं परमार्थतोऽपि पप्रच्छुरेनं च तदा गिरीशम्

etanmaheśasya vaco niśamya surāsurāḥ kiṃnaracāraṇāśca|| pūjāvidhānaṃ paramārthato'pi papracchurenaṃ ca tadā girīśam

Hearing these words of Maheshvara, the gods and demons, together with the kinnaras and charanas, then asked him, Girisha, in the truest sense, about the due manner of his worship.