The Glory of Keleshvari, Vatseshvari, and Durga

Verse 1 (skanda.1.100.1)

॥सूत उवाच॥ उषित्वा सप्तरात्राणि तीर्थेस्मिन्भ्रातृभिः सह ॥ युधिष्ठिरो महातेजा गमनायोपचक्रमे

||sūta uvāca|| uṣitvā saptarātrāṇi tīrthesminbhrātṛbhiḥ saha || yudhiṣṭhiro mahātejā gamanāyopacakrame

Suta said: Having dwelt seven nights at this tirtha together with his brothers, the greatly resplendent Yudhishthira then prepared to depart.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.100.2)

प्रभाते विमले स्नात्वा देवीर्लिंगान्यथार्च्य च ॥ कृत्वा प्रदक्षिणं क्षेत्रं देवीस्तोत्रं जजाप सः ॥ प्रयाणकालेषु सदा जप्यं कृष्णेन कीर्तितम्

prabhāte vimale snātvā devīrliṁgānyathārcya ca || kṛtvā pradakṣiṇaṁ kṣetraṁ devīstotraṁ jajāpa saḥ || prayāṇakāleṣu sadā japyaṁ kṛṣṇena kīrtitam

Bathing at clear dawn, and worshipping the Goddesses and the lingas, and having circumambulated the sacred field, he recited the hymn to the Goddess — the very hymn Krishna had declared should always be recited whenever setting out on a journey.

Verse 3 (skanda.1.100.3)

॥युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥ देवि पूज्ये महाशक्ते कृष्णस्य भगिनि प्रिये ॥ नत्वा त्वां शरणं यामि मनोवाक्कायकर्मभिः

||yudhiṣṭhira uvāca|| devi pūjye mahāśakte kṛṣṇasya bhagini priye || natvā tvāṁ śaraṇaṁ yāmi manovākkāyakarmabhiḥ

Yudhishthira said: "O worshipful Goddess, of great power, beloved sister of Krishna, bowing to you, I take refuge in you with mind, speech, body, and deed.

Verse 4 (skanda.1.100.4)

संकर्षणाभयदाने कृष्णच्छविसमप्रभे ॥ एकानंशे महादेवि पुत्रवत्त्राहि मां शिव

saṁkarṣaṇābhayadāne kṛṣṇacchavisamaprabhe || ekānaṁśe mahādevi putravattrāhi māṁ śiva

"O giver of fearlessness to Sankarshana, of splendor like Krishna's own hue, O Ekanamsha, great Goddess, O auspicious one, protect me as your own child.

Verse 5 (skanda.1.100.5)

त्वया ततमिदं विश्वं जगदव्यक्तरूपया ॥ इति मत्वा त्वां गतोऽस्मि शरणं त्राहि मां शुभे

tvayā tatamidaṁ viśvaṁ jagadavyaktarūpayā || iti matvā tvāṁ gato'smi śaraṇaṁ trāhi māṁ śubhe

"By you, in your unmanifest form, this whole universe is pervaded — knowing this, I have come to you for refuge; save me, O auspicious one.

Verse 6 (skanda.1.100.6)

कार्यारम्भेषु सर्वेषु सानुगेन मया तव ॥ स्व आत्मा कल्पितो भद्रे ज्ञात्वैतदनुकंप्यताम

kāryārambheṣu sarveṣu sānugena mayā tava || sva ātmā kalpito bhadre jñātvaitadanukaṁpyatāma

"At the beginning of every undertaking, I, together with my followers, have dedicated my very self to you, O gentle one; knowing this, be moved to compassion."

Verse 7 (skanda.1.100.7)

॥सूत उवाच॥ इति ब्रुवाणं राजानं शिरोबद्धाजलिं तदा ॥ वायुपुत्रः प्रहस्यैव सासूयमिदमब्रवीत्

||sūta uvāca|| iti bruvāṇaṁ rājānaṁ śirobaddhājaliṁ tadā || vāyuputraḥ prahasyaiva sāsūyamidamabravīt

Suta said: To the king who spoke thus, his joined palms raised to his head, the son of the Wind, laughing, spoke these envious words:

Verse 8 (skanda.1.100.8)

ये त्वां राजन्वदंत्येवं सर्वज्ञोऽयं युधिष्ठिरः ॥ वृथैव वचनं तेषां यतस्त्वं वेत्सि नाण्वपि

ye tvāṁ rājanvadaṁtyevaṁ sarvajño'yaṁ yudhiṣṭhiraḥ || vṛthaiva vacanaṁ teṣāṁ yatastvaṁ vetsi nāṇvapi

"Those, O king, who call you all-knowing — their words are empty indeed, since you understand not the least little thing.

Verse 9 (skanda.1.100.9)

को हि प्रज्ञावतां मुख्यः सर्वशास्त्रविदांवरः ॥ स्त्रीणां शरणमापद्येदृजुर्बुद्धिर्यथा भवान्

ko hi prajñāvatāṁ mukhyaḥ sarvaśāstravidāṁvaraḥ || strīṇāṁ śaraṇamāpadyedṛjurbuddhiryathā bhavān

"For what foremost among the wise, what best knower of all the scriptures, would take refuge in a woman, being so simple-minded as you are?

Verse 10 (skanda.1.100.10)

यतस्त्वमेव वेत्सीदं सर्वशास्त्रेषु कीर्त्यते ॥ जडेयं प्रकृतिर्मूढा यया संमोह्यते जगत्

yatastvameva vetsīdaṁ sarvaśāstreṣu kīrtyate || jaḍeyaṁ prakṛtirmūḍhā yayā saṁmohyate jagat

"For you yourself know well what is proclaimed in all the scriptures: that this Prakriti is inert and deluded — it is by her that the world is merely deluded.

Verse 11 (skanda.1.100.11)

सचेतनं च पुरुषं प्रकृतिं च विचेतनाम् ॥ प्राहुर्बुधा नराध्यक्ष पुंसश्चप्रकृतिः प्रिया

sacetanaṁ ca puruṣaṁ prakṛtiṁ ca vicetanām || prāhurbudhā narādhyakṣa puṁsaścaprakṛtiḥ priyā

"The wise declare, O lord of men, that Purusha is conscious and Prakriti unconscious; and Prakriti is merely the beloved consort of Purusha.

Verse 12 (skanda.1.100.12)

तत्स्वयं पुरुषो भूत्वा युधिष्ठिर वृथामते ॥ प्रकृतिं नौषि नत्वा तां हासो मेऽतीव जायते

tatsvayaṁ puruṣo bhūtvā yudhiṣṭhira vṛthāmate || prakṛtiṁ nauṣi natvā tāṁ hāso me'tīva jāyate

"So, being yourself a Purusha, O Yudhishthira of foolish mind, that you bow to and praise mere Prakriti — this makes me laugh a great deal indeed."

Verse 13 (skanda.1.100.13)

आरोहयेच्छिरो नैव क्वचिद्धित्वा उपानहौ ॥ यथा स मूढो भवति देवीभक्तिरतस्तथा

ārohayecchiro naiva kvaciddhitvā upānahau || yathā sa mūḍho bhavati devībhaktiratastathā

"Just as one who, discarding his sandals, would never place them upon his head — such a fool is he who is devoted to worshipping the Goddess.

Verse 14 (skanda.1.100.14)

यदि ते बन्दिवत्पार्थ तिष्ठेद्वाण्यनिवारिता ॥ तत्किमर्थं महादेवं न स्तौषि त्रिपुरान्तकम्

yadi te bandivatpārtha tiṣṭhedvāṇyanivāritā || tatkimarthaṁ mahādevaṁ na stauṣi tripurāntakam

"If your tongue, O Partha, must run on unchecked like a bard's, why then do you not instead praise Mahadeva, the destroyer of Tripura?

Verse 15 (skanda.1.100.15)

अलक्ष्यमिति वा मत्वा महेशानं महामते ॥ ततः किमर्थ दाशार्हं न स्तौषि पुरुषोत्तमम्

alakṣyamiti vā matvā maheśānaṁ mahāmate || tataḥ kimartha dāśārhaṁ na stauṣi puruṣottamam

"Or, thinking Maheshana too far beyond your sight, O great-minded one, why then do you not praise Dasharha, the Supreme Person?

Verse 16 (skanda.1.100.16)

यस्य प्रसादादस्माभिः प्राप्ता द्रुपदनंदिनी ॥ इन्द्रप्रस्थे तथा राज्यं राजसूयस्त्वया कृतः

yasya prasādādasmābhiḥ prāptā drupadanaṁdinī || indraprasthe tathā rājyaṁ rājasūyastvayā kṛtaḥ

"—by whose grace we obtained the daughter of Drupada, and the kingdom at Indraprastha, and by whose grace you performed the Rajasuya sacrifice.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.100.17)

विजयेन धनुर्लब्धं जरासन्धो मया हतः ॥ प्रत्याहर्तुं तथेच्छामः कौरवेभ्यः स्वकां श्रियम्

vijayena dhanurlabdhaṁ jarāsandho mayā hataḥ || pratyāhartuṁ tathecchāmaḥ kauravebhyaḥ svakāṁ śriyam

"By whose grace Vijaya obtained his bow, and Jarasandha was slain by me; and by whose grace we still hope to win back our own kingdom from the Kauravas.

Verse 18 (skanda.1.100.18)

यस्य प्रसादात्तं मुक्त्वा कृष्णं हा स्तौषि यज्जयी ॥ अथ स्वयं कौरवाणामुत्पन्नं कुलसत्तमे

yasya prasādāttaṁ muktvā kṛṣṇaṁ hā stauṣi yajjayī || atha svayaṁ kauravāṇāmutpannaṁ kulasattame

"By whose grace we prosper — leaving him aside, alas, why do you not praise Krishna, the ever-victorious? Or is it that, being yourself born of the noblest of the Kaurava line—

Verse 19 (skanda.1.100.19)

जानन्नात्मानमल्पत्वाद्बुद्धेर्न स्तौषि यादवम् ॥ तत्किमर्थं महावीर्यं न स्तौष्यर्जुनमुत्तमम्

jānannātmānamalpatvādbuddherna stauṣi yādavam || tatkimarthaṁ mahāvīryaṁ na stauṣyarjunamuttamam

"—and knowing yourself to be of meager intellect, you do not praise the Yadava? Then why, at least, do you not praise Arjuna, the excellent one of great valor —

Verse 20 (skanda.1.100.20)

येन विद्धं पुरा लक्ष्यं येन कर्णादयो जिताः ॥ येन तत्खांडवं दग्धं यज्ञे येन नृपा जिताः

yena viddhaṁ purā lakṣyaṁ yena karṇādayo jitāḥ || yena tatkhāṁḍavaṁ dagdhaṁ yajñe yena nṛpā jitāḥ

"—by whom the target was once pierced, by whom Karna and the others were defeated, by whom the Khandava forest was burnt, by whom kings were conquered at the sacrifice,

Verse 21 (skanda.1.100.21)

श्रूयते येन विक्रम्य महेशानोऽपि निर्जितः ॥ स्वर्लोकसंस्थितस्यास्य शरणं याहि स्तौषि च

śrūyate yena vikramya maheśāno'pi nirjitaḥ || svarlokasaṁsthitasyāsya śaraṇaṁ yāhi stauṣi ca

"—by whom, it is heard, even Maheshana himself was once overcome in valor? Go, take refuge in him, now dwelling in the heavenly world, and praise him instead.

Verse 22 (skanda.1.100.22)

अथवा तेन शक्रेण राज्यं मे नार्पितं कुतः ॥ इति मत्वा वृथैव त्वं न स्तौषि भ्रातरं मम

athavā tena śakreṇa rājyaṁ me nārpitaṁ kutaḥ || iti matvā vṛthaiva tvaṁ na stauṣi bhrātaraṁ mama

"Or is it that you think, 'Why has Shakra himself not restored my kingdom to me?' — and, thinking so uselessly, you refuse to praise my own brother?

Verse 23 (skanda.1.100.23)

ततो मां वा कथं वीरं न स्तौषि त्वं युधिष्ठिर ॥ येन त्वं रक्षितः पूर्वं लाक्षागेहाग्निमध्यतः

tato māṁ vā kathaṁ vīraṁ na stauṣi tvaṁ yudhiṣṭhira || yena tvaṁ rakṣitaḥ pūrvaṁ lākṣāgehāgnimadhyataḥ

"Then why, O Yudhishthira, do you not at least praise me, the hero — by whom you were once saved from the very midst of the fire in the house of lac?

Verse 24 (skanda.1.100.24)

वृक्षेणाहत्य मद्रेशो नदीं शुष्कां प्रसारितः ॥ राजराजस्तथा येन जरासंधो निपातितः

vṛkṣeṇāhatya madreśo nadīṁ śuṣkāṁ prasāritaḥ || rājarājastathā yena jarāsaṁdho nipātitaḥ

"—by whom the lord of Madra was struck down with a tree and made to lie flat across a dried-up riverbed; by whom the king of kings, Jarasandha, was likewise felled;

Verse 25 (skanda.1.100.25)

पूर्वा दिङ्निर्जिता येन येन पूर्वं बको हतः ॥ हिडम्बश्च महावीरः किर्मीरश्चाधुना वने

pūrvā diṅnirjitā yena yena pūrvaṁ bako hataḥ || hiḍambaśca mahāvīraḥ kirmīraścādhunā vane

"—by whom the eastern quarter was conquered, by whom Baka was once slain, and the great hero Hidimba, and, but recently, Kirmira in the forest —

Verse 26 (skanda.1.100.26)

कालेकाले च रक्षामि त्वामेवाहं सदानुगः ॥ न तां पश्यामि रक्षंतीं नत्वा यां स्तौषि भारत

kālekāle ca rakṣāmi tvāmevāhaṁ sadānugaḥ || na tāṁ paśyāmi rakṣaṁtīṁ natvā yāṁ stauṣi bhārata

"—it is I who, time and again, ever protect you, always at your side. I have never once seen her, whom you bow to and praise, protecting you at all, O Bharata."

Verse 27 (skanda.1.100.27)

अथ क्षुधाबलं ज्ञात्वा मामौदरिकसत्तमम्॥ क्रूरं साहसिकं चैव न स्तौषि क्षमिणां वरः

atha kṣudhābalaṁ jñātvā māmaudarikasattamam|| krūraṁ sāhasikaṁ caiva na stauṣi kṣamiṇāṁ varaḥ

"Or is it, knowing me to be a slave to my hunger, best of gluttons, cruel and rash — that you, best of the forbearing, refuse to praise me?

Verse 28 (skanda.1.100.28)

ततः सुसंयतो भूत्वा प्रणवं समुदीरयन्॥ कथं न यासि मार्गे त्वं वृथालापो हि दोषभाक्

tataḥ susaṁyato bhūtvā praṇavaṁ samudīrayan|| kathaṁ na yāsi mārge tvaṁ vṛthālāpo hi doṣabhāk

"Well then, become properly composed, and simply utter the sacred syllable Om — why not just proceed along the road? For idle talk indeed invites misfortune.

Verse 29 (skanda.1.100.29)

प्रेताः पिशाचा रक्षांसि वृथालापरतं नरम् ॥ आविशंति तदाविष्टो वक्ताबद्धं पुनः पुनः

pretāḥ piśācā rakṣāṁsi vṛthālāparataṁ naram || āviśaṁti tadāviṣṭo vaktābaddhaṁ punaḥ punaḥ

"Ghosts, pishachas, and rakshasas take possession of a man given to idle talk; and once possessed, he speaks incoherent things again and again.

Verse 30 (skanda.1.100.30)

वृथालापी यदश्नाति यत्करोति शुभं क्वचित् ॥ प्रेतादितृप्तये सर्वमिति शास्त्रविनिश्चयः

vṛthālāpī yadaśnāti yatkaroti śubhaṁ kvacit || pretāditṛptaye sarvamiti śāstraviniścayaḥ

"Whatever an idle talker eats, and whatever meritorious act he performs, all of it, the scriptures conclusively declare, goes only to satisfy ghosts and the like.

Verse 31 (skanda.1.100.31)

नायं तस्यास्ति वै लोकः कुत एव परो भवेत् ॥ तस्माद्विजानता यत्नात्त्याज्यमेव वृथा वचः

nāyaṁ tasyāsti vai lokaḥ kuta eva paro bhavet || tasmādvijānatā yatnāttyājyameva vṛthā vacaḥ

"He gains no benefit even in this world, let alone in the next. Therefore, one who truly understands should carefully abandon idle speech altogether.

Verse 32 (skanda.1.100.32)

एवं संस्मारितोऽपि त्वं यदि भूयः प्रवर्तसे ॥ भूताविष्टश्चिकित्स्यो नो विविधैरौषधैर्भवान्

evaṁ saṁsmārito'pi tvaṁ yadi bhūyaḥ pravartase || bhūtāviṣṭaścikitsyo no vividhairauṣadhairbhavān

"If, even after being thus reminded, you persist in this again, you shall have to be treated, as one possessed by spirits, with various medicines."

Verse 33 (skanda.1.100.33)

॥सूत उवाच॥ इति प्रवर्णितां श्रुत्वा भीमसेनेन भारतीम् ॥ पटीमिव प्रविततां विहस्याह युधिष्ठिरः

||sūta uvāca|| iti pravarṇitāṁ śrutvā bhīmasenena bhāratīm || paṭīmiva pravitatāṁ vihasyāha yudhiṣṭhiraḥ

Suta said: Having heard this speech, spread out at length by Bhimasena like an unrolled cloth, Yudhishthira laughed and said:

Verse 34 (skanda.1.100.34)

नूनं त्वमल्पविज्ञानो वेदाधीतास्त्वया वृथा ॥ मातरं सर्वभूतानामंबिकां यन्न मन्यसे

nūnaṁ tvamalpavijñāno vedādhītāstvayā vṛthā || mātaraṁ sarvabhūtānāmaṁbikāṁ yanna manyase

"Surely you are of little understanding, and the Vedas you have studied have been studied in vain, since you do not honor Ambika, the Mother of all beings.

Verse 35 (skanda.1.100.35)

स्त्रीपक्ष इति मत्वा तामवजानासि भोः कथम् ॥ स्त्री सती न प्रणम्या किं त्वया कुन्ती वृकोदर

strīpakṣa iti matvā tāmavajānāsi bhoḥ katham || strī satī na praṇamyā kiṁ tvayā kuntī vṛkodara

"How is it, thinking her merely 'on the side of women,' that you dare to disrespect her? Is a virtuous woman then not worthy of your reverence — is not even Kunti, O Vrikodara?

Verse 36 (skanda.1.100.36)

यदि न स्यान्महामाया ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवार्चिता ॥ तव देहोद्भवः पार्थ कथं स्यात्तत्त्वतो वद

yadi na syānmahāmāyā brahmaviṣṇuśivārcitā || tava dehodbhavaḥ pārtha kathaṁ syāttattvato vada

"If Mahamaya, worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, did not exist, tell me truly, O Partha, how could your own body ever have come into being?

Verse 37 (skanda.1.100.37)

ईश्वरः परमात्मा तां त्यक्तुं शक्तः कथं न हि ॥ पुनर्भेजे यतो देवीं तेन मन्ये महोर्जिताम्

īśvaraḥ paramātmā tāṁ tyaktuṁ śaktaḥ kathaṁ na hi || punarbheje yato devīṁ tena manye mahorjitām

"Could not the Supreme Lord himself, the Paramatma, have simply cast her aside, had he wished? Yet he ever returns to and reveres the Goddess — by this alone I understand her to be of the greatest power.

Verse 38 (skanda.1.100.38)

वासुदेवोऽपि नित्यं तां स्तौति शक्तिं परात्पराम् ॥ अहं यदि चिकित्स्यः स्यां चिकित्स्यः सोऽपि किं भवान्

vāsudevo'pi nityaṁ tāṁ stauti śaktiṁ parātparām || ahaṁ yadi cikitsyaḥ syāṁ cikitsyaḥ so'pi kiṁ bhavān

"Vasudeva himself constantly praises her, that power beyond the highest. If I, for praising her, deserve treatment as one possessed — then does he too deserve it, or do you claim otherwise?

Verse 39 (skanda.1.100.39)

नैवं भूयः प्रवक्तव्यं मौर्ख्यात्प्रति महेश्वरीम् ॥ भूमौ निपत्य शरणं याहि चेत्सुखमिच्छसि

naivaṁ bhūyaḥ pravaktavyaṁ maurkhyātprati maheśvarīm || bhūmau nipatya śaraṇaṁ yāhi cetsukhamicchasi

"Never again speak thus out of foolishness against the great Goddess. If you desire happiness, fall to the ground and go to her for refuge."

Verse 40 (skanda.1.100.40)

॥भीम उवाच॥ सर्वोपायैर्बोधयंति चाटा हस्तगतं नरम् ॥ इदमेवौषधं तत्र तैः सार्धं जल्पनं न हि

||bhīma uvāca|| sarvopāyairbodhayaṁti cāṭā hastagataṁ naram || idamevauṣadhaṁ tatra taiḥ sārdhaṁ jalpanaṁ na hi

Bhima said: "Flatterers try every trick to win over a man once he is in their grasp — this alone is the remedy in such matters: never to argue at all with them.

Verse 41 (skanda.1.100.41)

मुण्डे मुण्डे मतिर्भिन्ना सत्यमेतन्नृप स्फुटम् ॥ स्वाभीष्टं कुरुते सर्वः कुर्मोऽभीष्टं वयं तथा

muṇḍe muṇḍe matirbhinnā satyametannṛpa sphuṭam || svābhīṣṭaṁ kurute sarvaḥ kurmo'bhīṣṭaṁ vayaṁ tathā

"'Every head has its own separate opinion' — this, O king, is plainly true. Everyone does as he himself pleases; so too shall I do as I please.

Verse 42 (skanda.1.100.42)

नागायुतसमप्राणो वायुपुत्रो वृकोदरः ॥ न स्त्रियं शरणं गच्छेद्वाङ्मात्रेण कथंचन

nāgāyutasamaprāṇo vāyuputro vṛkodaraḥ || na striyaṁ śaraṇaṁ gacchedvāṅmātreṇa kathaṁcana

"I, Vrikodara, son of the Wind, of the strength of ten thousand elephants, shall never in any way go to a woman for refuge merely on someone's word."

Verse 43 (skanda.1.100.43)

इत्युक्त्वा वचनं भीमो ह्यनुवव्राज तं नृपम् ॥ राजापि सानुगो यातो न साध्विति मुहुर्ब्रुवन्

ityuktvā vacanaṁ bhīmo hyanuvavrāja taṁ nṛpam || rājāpi sānugo yāto na sādhviti muhurbruvan

Having said this, Bhima followed after the king; and the king too went on with his followers, repeating again and again, "This is not right."

Verse 44 (skanda.1.100.44)

ततः क्षणेन विकलस्त्वितश्चेतश्च प्रस्खलत् ॥ उवाच वचनं भीमः सुसंभ्रांतो नृपं प्रति

tataḥ kṣaṇena vikalastvitaścetaśca praskhalat || uvāca vacanaṁ bhīmaḥ susaṁbhrāṁto nṛpaṁ prati

Then, within a moment, Bhima became disoriented, stumbling this way and that; and Bhima, greatly alarmed, spoke this word to the king:

Verse 45 (skanda.1.100.45)

धर्मराज महाबुद्धे पश्य मां नृपसत्तम ॥ चक्षुर्भ्यां नैव पश्यामि वैकल्यं किमिदं मम

dharmarāja mahābuddhe paśya māṁ nṛpasattama || cakṣurbhyāṁ naiva paśyāmi vaikalyaṁ kimidaṁ mama

"O King of Dharma, of great wisdom, look at me, O best of kings — I can no longer see with my own eyes! What is this affliction that has come upon me?"

Verse 46 (skanda.1.100.46)

॥राजोवाच॥ भीमभीम ध्रुवं देवी कुपिता ते महेश्वरी ॥ तेन नष्टे चक्षुषी ते महासाहसवल्लभ

||rājovāca|| bhīmabhīma dhruvaṁ devī kupitā te maheśvarī || tena naṣṭe cakṣuṣī te mahāsāhasavallabha

The king said: "O Bhima, Bhima! Surely the great Goddess Maheshvari has become angry with you, O lover of great recklessness — and that is why your eyes have been lost.

Verse 47 (skanda.1.100.47)

तत्सांप्रतमभिप्रैहि शरणं परमेश्वरीम् ॥ पुनः प्रसन्ना ते दद्यात्कदाचिन्नयने पुनः

tatsāṁpratamabhipraihi śaraṇaṁ parameśvarīm || punaḥ prasannā te dadyātkadācinnayane punaḥ

"Therefore go now at once and take refuge in the Supreme Goddess — perhaps, becoming gracious once more, she might yet restore your eyes to you."

Verse 48 (skanda.1.100.48)

॥भीम उवाच॥ अहमप्यंग जानामि समो देव्या न कश्चन ॥ प्रभावप्रत्ययार्थं हि सदा निन्दामि तां पुनः

||bhīma uvāca|| ahamapyaṁga jānāmi samo devyā na kaścana || prabhāvapratyayārthaṁ hi sadā nindāmi tāṁ punaḥ

Bhima said: "I too, dear brother, well know that none is equal to the Goddess — it is only in order to test and confirm her power that I have always mocked her again and again.

Verse 49 (skanda.1.100.49)

तस्मात्प्रभावं दृष्ट्वैवं निपत्य वसुधातले ॥ मनोवाग्बुद्धिभिर्नत्वा शरणं स्तौमि मातरम्

tasmātprabhāvaṁ dṛṣṭvaivaṁ nipatya vasudhātale || manovāgbuddhibhirnatvā śaraṇaṁ staumi mātaram

"Therefore, having now witnessed her power thus, I shall fall upon the earth, and, bowing with mind, speech, and intellect, praise the Mother and take refuge in her."

Verse 50 (skanda.1.100.50)

॥सूत उवाच॥ इत्युक्त्वा भ्रातरं ज्येष्ठं साष्टांगं प्रणिपत्य च ॥ गत्वैव देव्याः शरणं भीमस्तुष्टाव मातरम्

||sūta uvāca|| ityuktvā bhrātaraṁ jyeṣṭhaṁ sāṣṭāṁgaṁ praṇipatya ca || gatvaiva devyāḥ śaraṇaṁ bhīmastuṣṭāva mātaram

Suta said: Having said this to his eldest brother, and prostrating himself in full eight-limbed obeisance, Bhima went straight to take refuge in the Goddess, and praised the Mother:

Verse 51 (skanda.1.100.51)

॥भीम उवाच॥ सर्वभूतांबिके देवि ब्रह्मांडशतपूरके ॥ बालिशं बालकं स्वीयं त्राहित्राहि नमोऽस्तु ते

||bhīma uvāca|| sarvabhūtāṁbike devi brahmāṁḍaśatapūrake || bāliśaṁ bālakaṁ svīyaṁ trāhitrāhi namo'stu te

Bhima said: "O Goddess, Mother of all beings, filling a hundred universes — save, oh save this foolish child of your own; homage to you!

Verse 52 (skanda.1.100.52)

त्वं ब्राह्मी ब्रह्मणः शक्तिर्वैष्णवी त्वं च शांभवी ॥ त्रिमूर्तिः शक्तिरूपा त्वं रक्षरक्ष नमोऽस्तु ते

tvaṁ brāhmī brahmaṇaḥ śaktirvaiṣṇavī tvaṁ ca śāṁbhavī || trimūrtiḥ śaktirūpā tvaṁ rakṣarakṣa namo'stu te

"You are Brahmi, the power of Brahma; you are Vaishnavi, and you are Shambhavi; you, in the form of Shakti, are the three great deities themselves — protect me, protect me, homage to you!

Verse 53 (skanda.1.100.53)

त्वमैन्द्री च त्वमाग्नेयी त्वं याम्या त्वं च नैर्ऋती ॥ त्वं वारुणी त्वं वायव्या त्वं कौबेरी नमोऽस्तु ते

tvamaindrī ca tvamāgneyī tvaṁ yāmyā tvaṁ ca nairṛtī || tvaṁ vāruṇī tvaṁ vāyavyā tvaṁ kauberī namo'stu te

"You are Aindri, and you are Agneyi; you are Yamya, and you are Nairriti; you are Varuni, you are Vayavi, you are Kauberi — homage to you!

Verse 54 (skanda.1.100.54)

ऐशानि देवि वाराहि नारसिंहि जयप्रदे ॥ कौमारि कुलकल्याणि कृपेश्वरि नमोऽस्तु ते

aiśāni devi vārāhi nārasiṁhi jayaprade || kaumāri kulakalyāṇi kṛpeśvari namo'stu te

"O Aishani, O Goddess Varahi, O Narasimhi, giver of victory; O Kaumari, bringer of good fortune to the family, O Lady of Compassion — homage to you!

Verse 55 (skanda.1.100.55)

त्वं सूर्ये त्वं तथा सोमे त्वं भौमे त्वं बुधे गुरौ ॥ त्वं शुक्रे त्वं स्थिता राहौ त्वं केतुषु नमोऽस्तु ते

tvaṁ sūrye tvaṁ tathā some tvaṁ bhaume tvaṁ budhe gurau || tvaṁ śukre tvaṁ sthitā rāhau tvaṁ ketuṣu namo'stu te

"You dwell in the sun, and likewise in the moon; you in Mars, you in Mercury, in Jupiter; you in Venus, you abide in Rahu, you in Ketu — homage to you!

Verse 56 (skanda.1.100.56)

वससि ध्रुवचक्रे त्वं मुनिचक्रे च ते स्थितिः ॥ भचक्रेषु खचक्रेषु भूचक्रे च नमोऽस्तु ते

vasasi dhruvacakre tvaṁ municakre ca te sthitiḥ || bhacakreṣu khacakreṣu bhūcakre ca namo'stu te

"You dwell in the wheel of the pole-star, and your abode is in the wheel of the sages; in the wheels of the stars, in the wheels of the sky, and in the wheel of the earth — homage to you!

Verse 57 (skanda.1.100.57)

सप्तद्वीपेषु त्वं देवि समुद्रेषु च सप्तसु ॥ सप्तस्वपि च पातालेष्ववसंस्थे नमोऽस्तु ते

saptadvīpeṣu tvaṁ devi samudreṣu ca saptasu || saptasvapi ca pātāleṣvavasaṁsthe namo'stu te

"You, O Goddess, dwell in the seven continents, and in the seven oceans, and you abide also in all the seven netherworlds — homage to you!

Verse 58 (skanda.1.100.58)

त्वं देवि चावतारेषु विष्णोः साहाय्यकारिणी ॥ विष्णुनाभ्यर्थ्यसे तस्मात्त्राहि मातर्नमोऽस्तु ते

tvaṁ devi cāvatāreṣu viṣṇoḥ sāhāyyakāriṇī || viṣṇunābhyarthyase tasmāttrāhi mātarnamo'stu te

"You, O Goddess, are the helper of Vishnu in all his incarnations; even Vishnu entreats you — therefore save me, O Mother, homage to you!

Verse 59 (skanda.1.100.59)

चतुर्भुजे चतुर्वक्त्रे फलदे चत्वरप्रिये ॥ चराचरस्तुते देवि चरणौ प्रणमामि ते

caturbhuje caturvaktre phalade catvarapriye || carācarastute devi caraṇau praṇamāmi te

"O four-armed one, O four-faced one, bestower of fruits, fond of crossroads; O Goddess, praised by all moving and unmoving beings, I bow before your feet.

Verse 60 (skanda.1.100.60)

महाघोरे कालरात्रि घंटालि विकटोज्वले ॥ सततं सप्तमीपूज्ये नेत्रदे शरणं भव

mahāghore kālarātri ghaṁṭāli vikaṭojvale || satataṁ saptamīpūjye netrade śaraṇaṁ bhava

"O greatly terrible one, O Kalaratri, adorned with rows of bells, of dreadful blazing form, ever worshipped on the seventh lunar day, giver of eyes — be my refuge.

Verse 61 (skanda.1.100.61)

मेरुवासिनि पिंगाक्षि नेत्रत्राणैककारिणि ॥ हुंहुंकारध्वस्तदैत्ये शरण्ये शरणं भव

meruvāsini piṁgākṣi netratrāṇaikakāriṇi || huṁhuṁkāradhvastadaitye śaraṇye śaraṇaṁ bhava

"O dweller upon Meru, O tawny-eyed one, sole protector of the eyes; O you who destroy demons with the mere sound 'hum hum', O refuge of all, be my refuge.

Verse 62 (skanda.1.100.62)

महानादे महावीर्ये महा मोहविनाशिनि ॥ महाबन्धापहे देवि देहि नेत्रत्रयं मम

mahānāde mahāvīrye mahā mohavināśini || mahābandhāpahe devi dehi netratrayaṁ mama

"O of the mighty roar, of great valor, destroyer of great delusion; O remover of great bondage, O Goddess, grant me the gift of eyes.

Verse 63 (skanda.1.100.63)

सर्वमंगलमंगल्या यदि त्वं सत्यतोंबिके ॥ ततो मे मंगलं देहि नेत्रदानान्नमोस्तु ते

sarvamaṁgalamaṁgalyā yadi tvaṁ satyatoṁbike || tato me maṁgalaṁ dehi netradānānnamostu te

"O Mother, if you are truly the most auspicious of all things auspicious, then grant me that auspiciousness — through the gift of eyes; homage to you!

Verse 64 (skanda.1.100.64)

यदि सर्वकृपालुभ्यः सत्यतस्त्वं कृपावती ॥ ततः कृपां कुरु मयि देहि नेत्रे नमोऽस्तु ते

yadi sarvakṛpālubhyaḥ satyatastvaṁ kṛpāvatī || tataḥ kṛpāṁ kuru mayi dehi netre namo'stu te

"If you are truly the most compassionate among all the compassionate, then show your compassion upon me — grant me my eyes; homage to you!

Verse 65 (skanda.1.100.65)

पापोयमिति यद्देवि प्रकुप्यसि वृथैव तत् ॥ त्वं मां मोहयसि त्वेवं न ते तत्किं नमोऽस्तु ते

pāpoyamiti yaddevi prakupyasi vṛthaiva tat || tvaṁ māṁ mohayasi tvevaṁ na te tatkiṁ namo'stu te

"O Goddess, if you are angry thinking, 'This one is a sinner,' that is truly in vain — for is it not you yourself who deludes me thus? Is that not so? Homage to you!

Verse 66 (skanda.1.100.66)

स्वयमुत्पाद्य यो रेणुं वेष्टितस्तेन कुप्यति ॥ तथा कुप्यसि मे मातरनाथस्यास्य दर्शय

svayamutpādya yo reṇuṁ veṣṭitastena kupyati || tathā kupyasi me mātaranāthasyāsya darśaya

"Like one who, having himself raised up dust, then grows angry at being covered by it — so you seem angry with me. O Mother, show your grace to this helpless one of yours."

Verse 67 (skanda.1.100.67)

इति स्तुता पांडवेन देवी कृष्णच्छविच्छविः ॥ रामा रामाभिवदना प्रत्यक्षा समजायत

iti stutā pāṁḍavena devī kṛṣṇacchavicchaviḥ || rāmā rāmābhivadanā pratyakṣā samajāyata

Thus praised by the Pandava, the Goddess, of complexion dark and lovely as Krishna's own, beautiful, of gracious countenance, appeared there in visible form.

Verse 68 (skanda.1.100.68)

विद्युत्कोटिसमाभास मुकुटेनातिशोभिता ॥ सूर्यबिंबप्रभाभ्यां च कुण्डलाभ्यां विभूषिता

vidyutkoṭisamābhāsa mukuṭenātiśobhitā || sūryabiṁbaprabhābhyāṁ ca kuṇḍalābhyāṁ vibhūṣitā

Radiant like a myriad flashes of lightning, most resplendent with her crown, adorned with earrings blazing like the orb of the sun,

Verse 69 (skanda.1.100.69)

प्रवाहेनेव हारेण सुरनद्या विराजिता ॥ कल्पद्रुमप्रसूनैश्च पूर्णावतंसमंडिता।

pravāheneva hāreṇa suranadyā virājitā || kalpadrumaprasūnaiśca pūrṇāvataṁsamaṁḍitā|

shining as though wearing a necklace that was the very flowing stream of the celestial Ganga, fully adorned with a garland of wish-fulfilling-tree blossoms as her crest-ornament,

Verse 70 (skanda.1.100.70)

दन्तेन्दुकांतिविध्वस्तभक्तमोहमहाभया ॥ खड्गचर्मशूलपात्रचतुर्भुजविराजिता

dantendukāṁtividhvastabhaktamohamahābhayā || khaḍgacarmaśūlapātracaturbhujavirājitā

her moon-bright teeth dispelling the great fear and delusion of her devotees, radiant with her four arms bearing sword, shield, trident, and cup,

Verse 71 (skanda.1.100.71)

वाससा तडिदाभेन मेघलेखेव वेष्टिता ॥ मालया सुममालिन्या भ्राजिता सालिमालया

vāsasā taḍidābhena meghalekheva veṣṭitā || mālayā sumamālinyā bhrājitā sālimālayā

wrapped, as it were, in a streak of cloud through her lightning-hued garment, resplendent with a beautiful flower-garland thronged with bees,

Verse 72 (skanda.1.100.72)

सतां शरणदाभ्यां च पद्भ्यां नूपुरराजिता ॥ जयेति पुष्पवर्षैश्च शक्राद्यैरभिपूजिता

satāṁ śaraṇadābhyāṁ ca padbhyāṁ nūpurarājitā || jayeti puṣpavarṣaiśca śakrādyairabhipūjitā

her anklet-adorned feet the very refuge of the virtuous, honored with showers of flowers and cries of "Victory!" by Indra and the other gods,

Verse 73 (skanda.1.100.73)

गणैर्देवीभिराकीर्णा शतपद्मैर्महामलैः ॥ तां तादृशीं व्योम्नि दृष्ट्वा मातरं व्योमवाहिनीम्

gaṇairdevībhirākīrṇā śatapadmairmahāmalaiḥ || tāṁ tādṛśīṁ vyomni dṛṣṭvā mātaraṁ vyomavāhinīm

surrounded by her attendant goddesses and by a hundred great, spotless lotuses — beholding that Mother, thus arrayed, riding through the sky above,

Verse 74 (skanda.1.100.74)

भूमौ निपत्य राजेंद्रो नमोनम इति स्थितः ॥ भीमोपि मातरं दृष्ट्वा यथा बालोऽभिधावति

bhūmau nipatya rājeṁdro namonama iti sthitaḥ || bhīmopi mātaraṁ dṛṣṭvā yathā bālo'bhidhāvati

the lord of kings fell to the ground, remaining there crying "Salutation, salutation!"; and Bhima, too, beholding his Mother, ran forward like a child,

Verse 75 (skanda.1.100.75)

तथा सम्मुखमाधावज्जय मातरिति ब्रुवन् ॥ दर्शनेनैव देव्याश्च शुभनेत्रत्रयस्तदा

tathā sammukhamādhāvajjaya mātariti bruvan || darśanenaiva devyāśca śubhanetratrayastadā

running to meet her, crying, "Victory to the Mother!" — and then, at the very sight of the three-eyed Goddess,

Verse 76 (skanda.1.100.76)

प्रणिपत्य नमस्तुभ्यं नमस्तुभ्यं मुहुर्जगौ ॥ प्रसीद देवि पद्माक्षि पुनर्मातः प्रसीद मे

praṇipatya namastubhyaṁ namastubhyaṁ muhurjagau || prasīda devi padmākṣi punarmātaḥ prasīda me

he bowed low and repeated again and again, "Salutation to you, salutation to you! Be gracious, O lotus-eyed Goddess; be gracious to me again, O Mother."

Verse 77 (skanda.1.100.77)

पुनः प्रसीद पापस्य क्षमाथीले प्रसीद मे

punaḥ prasīda pāpasya kṣamāthīle prasīda me

"Be gracious once more, O you whose very nature is forgiveness of sin; be gracious to me."

Verse 78 (skanda.1.100.78)

एवं स्तुता भगवती स्वयमुत्थाय पार्थिवम् ॥ भीमं चोत्संगमारोप्य कृपयेदं वचोऽब्रवीत्

evaṁ stutā bhagavatī svayamutthāya pārthivam || bhīmaṁ cotsaṁgamāropya kṛpayedaṁ vaco'bravīt

Thus praised, the Blessed Goddess herself rose, lifted the king of the earth onto her lap, and spoke these words with compassion:

Verse 79 (skanda.1.100.79)

॥श्रीदेव्युवाच॥ यत्त्वयाभिहितं स्तोत्रं तेन तुष्टा तवोपरि ॥ अतो नेत्रत्रयं दत्तं द्वे बाह्ये चांतरं परम्

||śrīdevyuvāca|| yattvayābhihitaṁ stotraṁ tena tuṣṭā tavopari || ato netratrayaṁ dattaṁ dve bāhye cāṁtaraṁ param

The Goddess said: "By the hymn you have uttered, I am pleased with you; therefore I grant you a threefold sight: two outer eyes, and one supreme inner one.

Verse 80 (skanda.1.100.80)

नाहं कोपं यत्र तत्र दर्शयामि वृकोदर ॥ त्वं तु प्रमाणपुरुषस्त्वत्तः क्रोधमदर्शयम्

nāhaṁ kopaṁ yatra tatra darśayāmi vṛkodara || tvaṁ tu pramāṇapuruṣastvattaḥ krodhamadarśayam

"I do not show my anger indiscriminately, O Vrikodara; but you are a man of authority whose word carries weight for others, and so I displayed my anger through you.

Verse 81 (skanda.1.100.81)

नैतत्प्रियं च कृष्णस्य भ्रातुर्मे क्रोधमाचरम् ॥ भवन्तो वासुदेवस्य यत्र प्राणा बहिश्चराः

naitatpriyaṁ ca kṛṣṇasya bhrāturme krodhamācaram || bhavanto vāsudevasya yatra prāṇā bahiścarāḥ

"Yet this was not pleasing to my brother Krishna, that I acted in anger — for you Pandavas are as Vasudeva's very own life-breath, moving about outside his body.

Verse 82 (skanda.1.100.82)

त्वं च निन्दसि मां नित्यं तच्च जाने वृकोदर ॥ मत्प्रभावपरिज्ञानहेतवे कीदृशस्त्विति

tvaṁ ca nindasi māṁ nityaṁ tacca jāne vṛkodara || matprabhāvaparijñānahetave kīdṛśastviti

"And you constantly disparage me — this too I know, O Vrikodara, was done only so as to determine and understand what my power might truly be.

Verse 83 (skanda.1.100.83)

तदेवं नैव भूयस्ते प्रकर्तव्यं कथंचन ॥ अक्षिक्षेपो हि पूज्यानामावहत्यधिकं रुजम्

tadevaṁ naiva bhūyaste prakartavyaṁ kathaṁcana || akṣikṣepo hi pūjyānāmāvahatyadhikaṁ rujam

"Even so, this must never be done by you again in any way — for scornful glances cast at those worthy of reverence bring greater affliction upon oneself.

Verse 84 (skanda.1.100.84)

तदिदानीं सर्वमेवं क्षन्तव्यं च परस्परम् ॥ यच्च ब्रवीमि त्वां वीर तन्निशामय भारत

tadidānīṁ sarvamevaṁ kṣantavyaṁ ca parasparam || yacca bravīmi tvāṁ vīra tanniśāmaya bhārata

"So now, let all of this be mutually forgiven between us. And hear, O hero, O Bharata, what I now say to you:

Verse 85 (skanda.1.100.85)

यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिराविर्भवेद्धरिः ॥ तदातदावतीर्याहं विष्णोरस्य सहायिनी

yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānirāvirbhaveddhariḥ || tadātadāvatīryāhaṁ viṣṇorasya sahāyinī

"Whenever indeed a decline of dharma occurs, Hari descends; then, at that very time, I too descend, as this Vishnu's helper.

Verse 86 (skanda.1.100.86)

इदानीं च हरिर्जातो वसुदेवसुतो भुवि ॥ अहं च गोपनन्दस्य एकानंशाभिधा सुता

idānīṁ ca harirjāto vasudevasuto bhuvi || ahaṁ ca gopanandasya ekānaṁśābhidhā sutā

"And now Hari has been born on earth as Vasudeva's son; and I, named Ekanamsha, am born as the daughter of the cowherd Nanda.

Verse 87 (skanda.1.100.87)

तद्यथा भगवान्कृष्णो मम भ्राताभिपूजितः ॥ भवन्तोऽपि तथा मह्यं भ्रातरः पांडवा सदा

tadyathā bhagavānkṛṣṇo mama bhrātābhipūjitaḥ || bhavanto'pi tathā mahyaṁ bhrātaraḥ pāṁḍavā sadā

"Just as the Blessed Krishna is honored as my own brother, so too are you Pandavas, always, brothers to me as well.

Verse 88 (skanda.1.100.88)

ये भीमभगिनीत्येवं मां स्तोष्यंति नरोत्तमाः ॥ आबाधा नाशयिष्यामि तेषां हर्षसमन्विता

ye bhīmabhaginītyevaṁ māṁ stoṣyaṁti narottamāḥ || ābādhā nāśayiṣyāmi teṣāṁ harṣasamanvitā

"Whatever excellent men shall praise me thus, as 'Bhima's sister' — their afflictions I shall destroy, filled with joy for them.

Verse 89 (skanda.1.100.89)

त्वं च भ्रातुर्जयं वीर प्रदास्यसि महारणे ॥ भुजयोस्ते वसिष्यामि धार्तराष्ट्रनिपातने

tvaṁ ca bhrāturjayaṁ vīra pradāsyasi mahāraṇe || bhujayoste vasiṣyāmi dhārtarāṣṭranipātane

"And you, O hero, shall grant your brother victory in the great battle; I shall dwell within your very arms for the destruction of Dhritarashtra's sons.

Verse 90 (skanda.1.100.90)

कृत्वा राज्यं च वर्षाणि षट्त्रिंशत्तदनन्तरम् ॥ महाप्रस्थानधर्मेण पृथिवीं परिचरिष्यथ

kṛtvā rājyaṁ ca varṣāṇi ṣaṭtriṁśattadanantaram || mahāprasthānadharmeṇa pṛthivīṁ paricariṣyatha

"Having ruled your kingdom for thirty-six years thereafter, you shall wander over the earth according to the rite of the Great Departure.

Verse 91 (skanda.1.100.91)

अस्मिन्नेव ततो देशे लोहोनाम महासुरः ॥ भवतां न्यस्तशस्त्राणां वधार्थं प्रक्रमिष्यति

asminneva tato deśe lohonāma mahāsuraḥ || bhavatāṁ nyastaśastrāṇāṁ vadhārthaṁ prakramiṣyati

"Then, in this very land, a great demon named Loha shall set out to slay you, once you have laid down your weapons.

Verse 92 (skanda.1.100.92)

ततस्तं सर्वभूतानामवध्यं भवतां कृते ॥ अन्धं कृत्वा पातयिष्ये ततो यूयं प्रयास्यथ

tatastaṁ sarvabhūtānāmavadhyaṁ bhavatāṁ kṛte || andhaṁ kṛtvā pātayiṣye tato yūyaṁ prayāsyatha

"Then, since he is unslayable by any being, I shall for your sake strike him blind and cast him down; and thereafter you shall proceed onward.

Verse 93 (skanda.1.100.93)

निस्तीर्य च हिमं सर्वं निमग्नाः बालुकार्णवे ॥ स्वर्गं यास्यति राजैकः सशरीरो गमिष्यति

nistīrya ca himaṁ sarvaṁ nimagnāḥ bālukārṇave || svargaṁ yāsyati rājaikaḥ saśarīro gamiṣyati

"Having crossed through all the snow, sinking one by one into an ocean of sand, only the king alone shall go to heaven, going there in his own bodily form.

Verse 94 (skanda.1.100.94)

अन्धो यत्र कृतो लोहो लोहाणाभिधया पुरम् ॥ भविष्यति च तत्रैव स्थास्येऽहं कलया सदा

andho yatra kṛto loho lohāṇābhidhayā puram || bhaviṣyati ca tatraiva sthāsye'haṁ kalayā sadā

"And where Loha shall have been blinded, a city named Lohana shall come to be there; and I shall abide there forever, in a partial manifestation.

Verse 95 (skanda.1.100.95)

ततः कलियुगे प्राप्ते केलो नाम भविष्यति ॥ मम भक्तस्तस्य नाम्ना भाव्या केलेश्वरीत्यहम्

tataḥ kaliyuge prāpte kelo nāma bhaviṣyati || mama bhaktastasya nāmnā bhāvyā keleśvarītyaham

"Then, when the Kali Yuga arrives, there shall be one named Kelo, my devotee; and by his name I shall come to be known as Keleshvari.

Verse 96 (skanda.1.100.96)

वैलाकश्चापरो भक्तो भविष्यति ममोत्तमः ॥ तस्याराधनतः ख्यातिं प्रयास्यामि कलौ युगे

vailākaścāparo bhakto bhaviṣyati mamottamaḥ || tasyārādhanataḥ khyātiṁ prayāsyāmi kalau yuge

"And another excellent devotee of mine, named Vailaka, shall arise; through his worship I shall attain great renown in the Kali age.

Verse 97 (skanda.1.100.97)

लोहाणासंस्थितां चैव येर्चयिष्यंति मां जनाः ॥ श्रद्धया सितसप्तम्यां तैश्च सर्वत्र पूजिता

lohāṇāsaṁsthitāṁ caiva yercayiṣyaṁti māṁ janāḥ || śraddhayā sitasaptamyāṁ taiśca sarvatra pūjitā

"And whatever people shall worship me, established at Lohana, with faith, on the bright seventh day — by them I shall be worshipped everywhere.

Verse 98 (skanda.1.100.98)

अंधानां च प्रदास्यामि भावीनि नयनान्यहम् ॥ तस्मिन्दिने तर्पिताहं भक्तिभावेन पांडव

aṁdhānāṁ ca pradāsyāmi bhāvīni nayanānyaham || tasmindine tarpitāhaṁ bhaktibhāvena pāṁḍava

"To the blind I shall grant future eyesight; on that day, O Pandava, I am thus made content through their devotion.

Verse 99 (skanda.1.100.99)

पादांगुष्ठेन च भवांस्तत्र कुंडं विधास्यति ॥ सर्वतीर्थस्नान तुल्यं तत्र स्नानं च तद्दिने

pādāṁguṣṭhena ca bhavāṁstatra kuṁḍaṁ vidhāsyati || sarvatīrthasnāna tulyaṁ tatra snānaṁ ca taddine

"And with his big toe, my devotee shall there fashion a sacred pool; and bathing there, on that day, shall equal bathing at all the tirthas.

Verse 100 (skanda.1.100.100)

मत्स्यानां नेत्रनेत्रस्थतेजस्तन्मात्रमुत्तमम् ॥ उद्धृत्य योजयिष्यामि प्रत्यक्षं तद्भविष्यति

matsyānāṁ netranetrasthatejastanmātramuttamam || uddhṛtya yojayiṣyāmi pratyakṣaṁ tadbhaviṣyati

"That supreme, essential radiance dwelling within the very eyes of fish — I shall draw it out and apply it for the healing of the blind; and this shall come to pass visibly, before all eyes.

Verse 101 (skanda.1.100.101)

एवं मम महास्थानं कलौ ख्यातं भविष्यति

evaṁ mama mahāsthānaṁ kalau khyātaṁ bhaviṣyati

"Thus shall my great shrine become renowned in the Kali age.

Verse 102 (skanda.1.100.102)

लोहाणाख्यं महाबाहो नाम केलेश्वरीति च ॥ दुर्गमाख्यं ततो हत्वा अस्मिन्क्षेत्रे च भारत

lohāṇākhyaṁ mahābāho nāma keleśvarīti ca || durgamākhyaṁ tato hatvā asminkṣetre ca bhārata

"—known by the name Lohana, O mighty-armed one, and as Keleshvari. Then, O Bharata, having slain the one named Durgama in this very field,

Verse 103 (skanda.1.100.103)

दुर्गा नाम भविष्यामि महीसागरपूर्वतः ॥ धर्मारण्ये वसिष्यामि भवतां त्राणकारणात्

durgā nāma bhaviṣyāmi mahīsāgarapūrvataḥ || dharmāraṇye vasiṣyāmi bhavatāṁ trāṇakāraṇāt

"I shall become known by the name Durga, to the east of Mahi-Sagara; I shall dwell in Dharmaranya, for the sake of your protection.

Verse 104 (skanda.1.100.104)

धर्मारण्ये स्थितां चैव येऽर्चयिष्यंति मानवाः ॥ आश्विने मासि चैत्रे वा नवम्यां शुक्लपक्षके

dharmāraṇye sthitāṁ caiva ye'rcayiṣyaṁti mānavāḥ || āśvine māsi caitre vā navamyāṁ śuklapakṣake

"And whatever men shall worship me, established in Dharmaranya, in the month of Ashvina or of Chaitra, on the ninth day of the bright fortnight,

Verse 105 (skanda.1.100.105)

स्नात्वा महीसागरे च तेषां दास्यामि वांछितम् ॥ विधिना येऽर्चयिष्यंति मां च श्रद्धास मन्विताः

snātvā mahīsāgare ca teṣāṁ dāsyāmi vāṁchitam || vidhinā ye'rcayiṣyaṁti māṁ ca śraddhāsa manvitāḥ

"having bathed in the Mahi-Sagara — to them I shall grant their heart's desire; and whoever, filled with faith, shall worship me according to the prescribed rite,

Verse 106 (skanda.1.100.106)

पुत्रपौत्रान्प्रदास्यामि स्वर्गं मोक्षं न संशयः ॥ प्रवेशे च कलेः काले भवतां वंशसंभवः ॥ वत्सराजः पांडवानां तोषयिष्यति यत्नतः

putrapautrānpradāsyāmi svargaṁ mokṣaṁ na saṁśayaḥ || praveśe ca kaleḥ kāle bhavatāṁ vaṁśasaṁbhavaḥ || vatsarājaḥ pāṁḍavānāṁ toṣayiṣyati yatnataḥ

"I shall grant them sons and grandsons, and heaven, and liberation, without doubt. And at the very onset of the Kali age, one born of your own lineage, King Vatsa, shall diligently strive to gratify the Pandavas' memory.

Verse 107 (skanda.1.100.107)

यस्य नाम्ना ततः ख्याता भविष्यामि कलौ युगे ॥ वत्सेश्वरीति वत्सस्य राज्ञः सर्वार्थदायिनी

yasya nāmnā tataḥ khyātā bhaviṣyāmi kalau yuge || vatseśvarīti vatsasya rājñaḥ sarvārthadāyinī

"By whose name I shall then become known in the Kali age, as Vatseshvari, granter of every desire to King Vatsa.

Verse 108 (skanda.1.100.108)

मत्प्रसादात्स राजा वै भवनोत्तापकारिणीम् ॥ अट्टालयांनाम तदा राक्षसीं निहनिष्यति

matprasādātsa rājā vai bhavanottāpakāriṇīm || aṭṭālayāṁnāma tadā rākṣasīṁ nihaniṣyati

"By my grace, that king shall then slay the rakshasi named Attalaya, who torments dwellings with terror.

Verse 109 (skanda.1.100.109)

तस्याश्चापि वधस्थानमट्टालजमिति स्थितम् ॥ भविष्यति पुरं तत्र मां च संस्थापयिष्यति

tasyāścāpi vadhasthānamaṭṭālajamiti sthitam || bhaviṣyati puraṁ tatra māṁ ca saṁsthāpayiṣyati

"And the very place of her slaying shall be known as Attalaja; a city shall arise there, and he shall establish me there as well.

Verse 110 (skanda.1.100.110)

अट्टालयाजग्रामे मामर्चयिष्यंति ये जनाः ॥ वत्सेश्वरीं सिताष्टम्यामाश्विने तैः सदार्चिता

aṭṭālayājagrāme māmarcayiṣyaṁti ye janāḥ || vatseśvarīṁ sitāṣṭamyāmāśvine taiḥ sadārcitā

"In the village of Attalayaja, whatever people shall worship me as Vatseshvari on the bright eighth day of Ashvina — by them I shall be worshipped forever.

Verse 111 (skanda.1.100.111)

वत्सेश्वरीं च ये देवीं पूजयिष्यंति मानवाः ॥ तेषां सर्वफलावाप्तिर्भविष्यति न संशयः

vatseśvarīṁ ca ye devīṁ pūjayiṣyaṁti mānavāḥ || teṣāṁ sarvaphalāvāptirbhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ

"And whatever men shall worship the Goddess Vatseshvari, for them the attainment of every fruit shall come, without doubt.

Verse 112 (skanda.1.100.112)

इत्थमट्टालये वासो लोहाणे च भविष्यति ॥ धर्मारण्ये महाक्षेत्रे महीसागरसंनिधौ

itthamaṭṭālaye vāso lohāṇe ca bhaviṣyati || dharmāraṇye mahākṣetre mahīsāgarasaṁnidhau

"Thus my dwellings shall be at Attalaya and at Lohana, in the great sacred field of Dharmaranya, near Mahi-Sagara.

Verse 113 (skanda.1.100.113)

मम लोकहितार्थाय लोहस्य च निशम्यताम् ॥ अधीकृतो मया लोहो बह्वीस्तप्तां तपः समाः

mama lokahitārthāya lohasya ca niśamyatām || adhīkṛto mayā loho bahvīstaptāṁ tapaḥ samāḥ

"Now, for the world's benefit, hear also of Loha: appointed under my direction, Loha performed austerity for many years,

Verse 114 (skanda.1.100.114)

वृत्रासुर इवाजेयो लोकानुत्सादयिष्यति ॥ तं च विश्वपतिर्धीमानवतीर्य बुधो हरिः

vṛtrāsura ivājeyo lokānutsādayiṣyati || taṁ ca viśvapatirdhīmānavatīrya budho hariḥ

"and, unconquerable like the demon Vritra, shall come to destroy the worlds. Then the wise Lord of the universe, Hari, descending,

Verse 115 (skanda.1.100.115)

यत्र हंता तत्र ग्रामं लोहाटीति भविष्यति ॥ गयोनाम महादैत्यो भवतां विघ्नकृत्तदा

yatra haṁtā tatra grāmaṁ lohāṭīti bhaviṣyati || gayonāma mahādaityo bhavatāṁ vighnakṛttadā

"shall slay him there; and where he is slain, a village named Lohati shall come to be. Then a great demon named Gaya shall become an obstacle to you all—

Verse 116 (skanda.1.100.116)

प्रस्थाने लोहवद्भावी करिष्ये तं नपुंसकम् ॥ गयत्राडेति मां तत्र पूजयिष्यंति मानवाः

prasthāne lohavadbhāvī kariṣye taṁ napuṁsakam || gayatrāḍeti māṁ tatra pūjayiṣyaṁti mānavāḥ

"—at the time of your Departure; being fated to become like Loha, I shall render him impotent; there men shall worship me under the name Gayatrada.

Verse 117 (skanda.1.100.117)

ग्रामं चापि गयत्राडं तत्र ख्यातं भविष्यति ॥ गयत्राडे गयत्राडां येऽर्चयिष्यंति मानवाः

grāmaṁ cāpi gayatrāḍaṁ tatra khyātaṁ bhaviṣyati || gayatrāḍe gayatrāḍāṁ ye'rcayiṣyaṁti mānavāḥ

"And a village too, named Gayatrada, shall become renowned there. Whatever men shall worship Gayatrada at the village of Gayatrada,

Verse 118 (skanda.1.100.118)

माघाष्टम्यां न शिष्यंति तस्य सर्वेऽप्युपद्रवाः ॥ ये च मां कोपयिष्यंति पांडवाराधितां सदा

māghāṣṭamyāṁ na śiṣyaṁti tasya sarve'pyupadravāḥ || ye ca māṁ kopayiṣyaṁti pāṁḍavārādhitāṁ sadā

"on the eighth day of Magha — no calamities whatsoever shall remain with him. And whoever shall provoke my anger, I who am ever worshipped by the Pandavas—

Verse 119 (skanda.1.100.119)

तेषां पुंस्त्वं हरिष्यामि महारौद्राधितिष्ठति ॥ परिवारश्च मे चात्र षण्ढः सर्वो भविष्यति

teṣāṁ puṁstvaṁ hariṣyāmi mahāraudrādhitiṣṭhati || parivāraśca me cātra ṣaṇḍhaḥ sarvo bhaviṣyati

"—their manhood I shall take away; a most terrible and fearsome presence shall preside there, and my whole retinue at that place shall likewise consist entirely of eunuchs.

Verse 120 (skanda.1.100.120)

तस्मिन्कलियुगे घोरे रौद्रे रुद्रेऽतिनिर्घृणे ॥ एवं तृतीयं तन्मह्यं स्थानमत्र भविष्यति

tasminkaliyuge ghore raudre rudre'tinirghṛṇe || evaṁ tṛtīyaṁ tanmahyaṁ sthānamatra bhaviṣyati

"In that fearsome Kali age, so terrible, so fierce, so utterly pitiless — thus shall this become my third shrine here.

Verse 121 (skanda.1.100.121)

भवत्सु च स्वर्गतेषु गयोऽपि सुमहत्तपः ॥ तप्त्वा प्राप्य पुनः पुंस्त्वं लोकान्संपीडयिष्यति

bhavatsu ca svargateṣu gayo'pi sumahattapaḥ || taptvā prāpya punaḥ puṁstvaṁ lokānsaṁpīḍayiṣyati

"And once you have all gone to heaven, Gaya too, having performed a very great austerity, shall regain his manhood once more, and shall again oppress the worlds.

Verse 122 (skanda.1.100.122)

गयातीर्थं गतं तं च गयाध्वंसनकाम्यया ॥ बुध एव जगत्स्वामी तत्र तं सूदयिष्यति

gayātīrthaṁ gataṁ taṁ ca gayādhvaṁsanakāmyayā || budha eva jagatsvāmī tatra taṁ sūdayiṣyati

"And when he goes to the tirtha of Gaya, desiring to destroy Gaya itself, the wise Lord of the universe himself shall there put an end to him.

Verse 123 (skanda.1.100.123)

इत्थं श्रीमान्पीतवासा अवतीर्य बुधः प्रभुः ॥ बहूनि कृत्वा कर्माणि स्वस्थानं प्रतिपत्स्यते

itthaṁ śrīmānpītavāsā avatīrya budhaḥ prabhuḥ || bahūni kṛtvā karmāṇi svasthānaṁ pratipatsyate

"Thus the glorious, yellow-robed, wise Lord, having descended and performed many deeds, shall return once more to his own abode.

Verse 124 (skanda.1.100.124)

इति संक्षेपतः प्रोक्तं भविष्यं पांडवा मया ॥ भवतां चित्तनिर्वृत्यै श्रूयतां भूय एव च

iti saṁkṣepataḥ proktaṁ bhaviṣyaṁ pāṁḍavā mayā || bhavatāṁ cittanirvṛtyai śrūyatāṁ bhūya eva ca

"Thus, O Pandavas, have I told you in brief what is to come. For the peace of your hearts, hear yet more still:

Verse 125 (skanda.1.100.125)

इदं तीर्थवरं मह्यं संसेव्यं सर्वदा प्रियम् ॥ कृतं यदत्रागमनं तेन प्रीतिः परा मम

idaṁ tīrthavaraṁ mahyaṁ saṁsevyaṁ sarvadā priyam || kṛtaṁ yadatrāgamanaṁ tena prītiḥ parā mama

"This excellent tirtha is ever dear to me, ever to be resorted to; and in that you have come here, I feel the greatest affection for you.

Verse 126 (skanda.1.100.126)

भीमस्य चापि पौत्रेण दृढं संतोषिताऽस्मि च ॥ देव्यः सर्वाश्च मद्रूपं नैतज्ज्ञेयम तोऽन्यथा

bhīmasya cāpi pautreṇa dṛḍhaṁ saṁtoṣitā'smi ca || devyaḥ sarvāśca madrūpaṁ naitajjñeyama to'nyathā

"And I am also deeply gratified by Bhima's own grandson-descendant. All the goddesses everywhere are but forms of my own self — this should never be understood otherwise.

Verse 127 (skanda.1.100.127)

व्रजध्वं चापि तीर्थानि यानि वो न कृतानि च ॥ आबाधास्वस्मि सर्वासु स्मरणीया स्वसेव च

vrajadhvaṁ cāpi tīrthāni yāni vo na kṛtāni ca || ābādhāsvasmi sarvāsu smaraṇīyā svaseva ca

"Now go also to those tirthas that you have not yet visited. In every affliction, I am to be remembered — as is devotion to me.

Verse 128 (skanda.1.100.128)

आपृच्छे चापि वः सर्वान्यूयं कृष्णसमा मम

āpṛcche cāpi vaḥ sarvānyūyaṁ kṛṣṇasamā mama

"I take my leave of all of you now; you are, to me, equal to Krishna himself."

Verse 129 (skanda.1.100.129)

॥सूत उवाच॥ इति देव्या वचः श्रुत्वा विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचनाः ॥ पुनःपुनः प्रणम्यैनां नापश्यन्दीपवद्गताम्

||sūta uvāca|| iti devyā vacaḥ śrutvā vismayotphullalocanāḥ || punaḥpunaḥ praṇamyaināṁ nāpaśyandīpavadgatām

Suta said: Hearing these words of the Goddess, their eyes wide with wonder, they bowed to her again and again — and then saw her no more, gone like a lamp extinguished.

Verse 130 (skanda.1.100.130)

ततस्ते बर्बरीकं च संस्थाप्यात्रैव निष्ठितम् ॥ आगच्छ योगे चोक्त्वेदं चक्रुस्तीर्थानि मुख्यशः

tataste barbarīkaṁ ca saṁsthāpyātraiva niṣṭhitam || āgaccha yoge coktvedaṁ cakrustīrthāni mukhyaśaḥ

Then, having settled Barbarika there, established firm in his post, and having said to him, "Come to us in meditation when we call," they went on to visit the principal tirthas.