The Sacrifice of Barbarika and the Glory of Koti-tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.1.101.1)

॥सूत उवाच॥ ततस्त्रयोदशे वर्षे व्यतीते समये तदा ॥ उपप्लवे संगतेषु सर्वराजसु पांडवाः

||sūta uvāca|| tatastrayodaśe varṣe vyatīte samaye tadā || upaplave saṁgateṣu sarvarājasu pāṁḍavāḥ

Suta said: Then, when the thirteenth year had passed, at Upaplavya, when all the kings had assembled, the Pandavas,

Verse 2 (skanda.1.101.2)

योद्धुमागत्य संतस्थुः कुरुक्षेत्रं महारथाः ॥ कौरवाश्चापि संतस्धुर्दुर्योधनपुरोगमाः

yoddhumāgatya saṁtasthuḥ kurukṣetraṁ mahārathāḥ || kauravāścāpi saṁtasdhurduryodhanapurogamāḥ

those great chariot-warriors, came to fight and took their stand at Kurukshetra; and the Kauravas too took their stand there, led by Duryodhana.

Verse 3 (skanda.1.101.3)

ततो भीष्मेण प्रोक्तां च नरैः श्रुत्वा युधिष्ठिरः ॥ रथातिरथसंख्यां तु राज्ञां मध्ये वचोऽब्रवीत्

tato bhīṣmeṇa proktāṁ ca naraiḥ śrutvā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ || rathātirathasaṁkhyāṁ tu rājñāṁ madhye vaco'bravīt

Then Yudhishthira, having heard from his men the count of the ratha and atiratha warriors as declared by Bhishma, spoke these words in the midst of the kings:

Verse 4 (skanda.1.101.4)

भीष्मेण विहिता कृष्ण रथातिरथवर्णना ॥ ततो दुर्योधनोऽपृच्छदिदं स्वीयान्महारथान्

bhīṣmeṇa vihitā kṛṣṇa rathātirathavarṇanā || tato duryodhano'pṛcchadidaṁ svīyānmahārathān

"O Krishna, Bhishma has given his accounting of the ratha and atiratha warriors." Then Duryodhana asked his own great chariot-warriors this:

Verse 5 (skanda.1.101.5)

ससैन्यान्पांडवानेतान्हन्यात्कालेन केन कः ॥ मासेन तु प्रतिज्ञातं भीष्मेण च कृपेण च

sasainyānpāṁḍavānetānhanyātkālena kena kaḥ || māsena tu pratijñātaṁ bhīṣmeṇa ca kṛpeṇa ca

"In what time, and by whom, shall these Pandavas together with their army be slain?" A month was pledged by Bhishma and by Kripa;

Verse 6 (skanda.1.101.6)

पक्षं द्रोणेन चाह्नां च दशभिर्द्रौणिना रणे ॥ षड्भिः कर्णेन च तथा सदा ममभयंकृता

pakṣaṁ droṇena cāhnāṁ ca daśabhirdrauṇinā raṇe || ṣaḍbhiḥ karṇena ca tathā sadā mamabhayaṁkṛtā

a fortnight by Drona; ten days by Drauni in battle; and likewise six days by Karna, who ever inspires me with confidence.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.101.7)

तदहं स्वांश्च पृच्छामि केन कालेन हंति कः ॥ एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचो राज्ञः फाल्गुनो वाक्यमब्रवीत्

tadahaṁ svāṁśca pṛcchāmi kena kālena haṁti kaḥ || etacchrutvā vaco rājñaḥ phālguno vākyamabravīt

"So now I ask my own men: in what time shall each of you destroy them?" Hearing this word of the king, Phalguna spoke this word:

Verse 8 (skanda.1.101.8)

अयुक्तमेतद्भीष्माद्यैः प्रतिज्ञातं युधिष्ठिर ॥ ततो जये च विजये निश्चयो हि मृषैव तत्

ayuktametadbhīṣmādyaiḥ pratijñātaṁ yudhiṣṭhira || tato jaye ca vijaye niścayo hi mṛṣaiva tat

"This pledge made by Bhishma and the others, O Yudhishthira, is improper; any certainty about victory and triumph declared thus is indeed false.

Verse 9 (skanda.1.101.9)

तवापि ये संति नृपाः सन्नद्धा रणसंस्थिताः ॥ पश्यैतान्पुरुषव्याघ्रान्कालकल्पान्दुरासदान्

tavāpi ye saṁti nṛpāḥ sannaddhā raṇasaṁsthitāḥ || paśyaitānpuruṣavyāghrānkālakalpāndurāsadān

"As for the kings who stand ready and armed on your own side, behold these tigers among men, terrible as death itself, unassailable —

Verse 10 (skanda.1.101.10)

द्रुपदं च विराटं च धृष्टकेतुं च कैकयम् ॥ सहदेवं सात्यकिं च चेकितानं च दुर्जयम्

drupadaṁ ca virāṭaṁ ca dhṛṣṭaketuṁ ca kaikayam || sahadevaṁ sātyakiṁ ca cekitānaṁ ca durjayam

"—Drupada, Virata, Dhrishtaketu, the Kaikeya, Sahadeva, Satyaki, and the unconquerable Chekitana,

Verse 11 (skanda.1.101.11)

धृष्टद्युम्नं सपुत्रं च महावीर्यं घटोत्कचम् ॥ भीमादींश्च महेष्वासान्केशवं चापराजितम्

dhṛṣṭadyumnaṁ saputraṁ ca mahāvīryaṁ ghaṭotkacam || bhīmādīṁśca maheṣvāsānkeśavaṁ cāparājitam

"—Dhrishtadyumna together with his son, the greatly valorous Ghatotkacha, Bhima and the other mighty archers, and the unconquered Keshava —

Verse 12 (skanda.1.101.12)

मन्येहमेकस्त्वेतेषां हन्यात्कौरववाहिनीम् ॥ सन्नद्धाः प्रतिदृश्यंते भीष्माद्या बहवो रथाः

manyehamekastveteṣāṁ hanyātkauravavāhinīm || sannaddhāḥ pratidṛśyaṁte bhīṣmādyā bahavo rathāḥ

"—I believe that any single one of these could destroy the whole Kaurava army. Bhishma and the many other warriors we see arrayed there—

Verse 13 (skanda.1.101.13)

तेभ्यो भयं न कार्यं ते फल्गवोऽमी मृगा इव

tebhyo bhayaṁ na kāryaṁ te phalgavo'mī mṛgā iva

"—there is no need to fear them; they are as insignificant as deer."

Verse 14 (skanda.1.101.14)

अस्माकं धनुषां घोषैरिदानीमेव भारत ॥ कौरवा विद्रविष्यंति सिंहत्रस्ता मृगा इव

asmākaṁ dhanuṣāṁ ghoṣairidānīmeva bhārata || kauravā vidraviṣyaṁti siṁhatrastā mṛgā iva

"At the mere twang of our bows, O Bharata, the Kauravas shall flee this very instant, like deer terrified by a lion."

Verse 15 (skanda.1.101.15)

वृद्धाद्भीष्माद्द्विजाद्वृद्धाद्द्रोणादपि कृपादपि॥ बालिशात्किं भयं द्रौणेः सूतपुत्राच्च दुर्मतेः

vṛddhādbhīṣmāddvijādvṛddhāddroṇādapi kṛpādapi|| bāliśātkiṁ bhayaṁ drauṇeḥ sūtaputrācca durmateḥ

"What fear could there be from aged Bhishma, from the aged brahmin Drona, or from Kripa? Or from the callow son of Drona, or from the evil-minded son of a charioteer?

Verse 16 (skanda.1.101.16)

अथवा चित्तनिर्वृत्यै ज्ञातुमिच्छसि भारत ॥ शत्रूणां प्रत्यनीकेषु संधावच्छृणु मे वचः

athavā cittanirvṛtyai jñātumicchasi bhārata || śatrūṇāṁ pratyanīkeṣu saṁdhāvacchṛṇu me vacaḥ

"Or, O Bharata, if for your heart's peace you wish to know, in the very charge against the enemy ranks — hear my word:

Verse 17 (skanda.1.101.17)

एकोऽहमेव संग्रामे सर्वे तिष्ठंतु ते रथाः ॥ एकाह्ना क्षपये सर्वान्कौरवान्सैन्यसंयुतान्

eko'hameva saṁgrāme sarve tiṣṭhaṁtu te rathāḥ || ekāhnā kṣapaye sarvānkauravānsainyasaṁyutān

"I alone shall fight in this battle — let all your other chariot-warriors simply stand by. In a single day I shall destroy all the Kauravas, together with their army."

Verse 18 (skanda.1.101.18)

इत्यर्जुनवचः श्रुत्वा स्मयन्दामोदरोऽब्रवीत् ॥ एवमेतद्यथा प्राह फाल्गुनोऽयं मृषा न तत्

ityarjunavacaḥ śrutvā smayandāmodaro'bravīt || evametadyathā prāha phālguno'yaṁ mṛṣā na tat

Hearing these words of Arjuna, Damodara, smiling, said: "It is indeed so, just as this Phalguna has spoken — this is no falsehood."

Verse 19 (skanda.1.101.19)

ततश्च शंखान्भेरीश्च शतशश्चैव पुष्करान् ॥ निवार्य राजमध्यस्थो बर्बरीको वचोऽब्रवीत्

tataśca śaṁkhānbherīśca śataśaścaiva puṣkarān || nivārya rājamadhyastho barbarīko vaco'bravīt

Then, silencing the conches, kettle-drums, and the hundreds of war-drums, Barbarika, standing in the midst of the kings, spoke this word:

Verse 20 (skanda.1.101.20)

येन तप्तं गुप्तक्षेत्रे येन देव्यः सुतोषिताः ॥ यस्यातुलं बाहुबलं तेन चोक्तं निशम्यताम्

yena taptaṁ guptakṣetre yena devyaḥ sutoṣitāḥ || yasyātulaṁ bāhubalaṁ tena coktaṁ niśamyatām

"Let what is spoken by him who performed austerity in the Gupta-kshetra, by whom the Goddesses were well pleased, and whose arm-strength is unmatched, now be heard.

Verse 21 (skanda.1.101.21)

यद्ब्रवीमि वचः सत्यं शृणुध्वं तन्नराधिपाः ॥ आत्मनो वीर्यसदृशं केवलं न तु दर्पतः

yadbravīmi vacaḥ satyaṁ śṛṇudhvaṁ tannarādhipāḥ || ātmano vīryasadṛśaṁ kevalaṁ na tu darpataḥ

"Hear this true word that I speak, O lords of men — it is spoken only in accordance with my own valor, and not out of mere pride.

Verse 22 (skanda.1.101.22)

यदार्येण प्रतिज्ञातमर्जुनेन महात्मना ॥ न मर्षयामि तद्वाक्यं कालक्षेपो महानयम्

yadāryeṇa pratijñātamarjunena mahātmanā || na marṣayāmi tadvākyaṁ kālakṣepo mahānayam

"I cannot bear to let stand unanswered this pledge made by the noble, great-souled Arjuna — for this prolonged battle plan amounts to a great waste of time.

Verse 23 (skanda.1.101.23)

सर्वे भवंतस्तिष्ठंतु सार्जुनाः सहकेशवाः ॥ एको मुहूर्ताद्भीष्मादीन्सर्वान्नेष्ये यमक्षयम्

sarve bhavaṁtastiṣṭhaṁtu sārjunāḥ sahakeśavāḥ || eko muhūrtādbhīṣmādīnsarvānneṣye yamakṣayam

"Let all of you, together with Arjuna and Keshava, simply stand by. I alone shall, within a single muhurta, send Bhishma and all the rest to the abode of Yama.

Verse 24 (skanda.1.101.24)

मयि तिष्ठति केनापि शस्त्रग्राह्यं न क्षत्रियैः ॥ स्वधर्मशपथो वोऽस्तु मृते ग्राह्यं ततो मयि

mayi tiṣṭhati kenāpi śastragrāhyaṁ na kṣatriyaiḥ || svadharmaśapatho vo'stu mṛte grāhyaṁ tato mayi

"While I remain, let no weapon be taken up by any kshatriya — let this be your oath upon your own dharma; only should I die should weapons then be taken up.

Verse 25 (skanda.1.101.25)

पश्यध्वं मे बलं बाह्वोर्देव्याराधनसंभवम् ॥ माहात्म्यं गुप्तक्षेत्रस्य तथा भक्तिं च पांडुषु

paśyadhvaṁ me balaṁ bāhvordevyārādhanasaṁbhavam || māhātmyaṁ guptakṣetrasya tathā bhaktiṁ ca pāṁḍuṣu

"Behold the strength of my arms, born of my worship of the Goddess — behold too the greatness of the Gupta-kshetra, and my devotion to the sons of Pandu.

Verse 26 (skanda.1.101.26)

पश्यध्वं मे धनुर्घोरं तूणीरावक्षयौ तथा ॥ खड्गं च देव्या यद्दत्तं ततो वच्मि वचस्त्विदम्

paśyadhvaṁ me dhanurghoraṁ tūṇīrāvakṣayau tathā || khaḍgaṁ ca devyā yaddattaṁ tato vacmi vacastvidam

"Behold my terrible bow, and my two inexhaustible quivers, and the sword given to me by the Goddess — and having shown you these, I now say this to you:"

Verse 27 (skanda.1.101.27)

इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा क्षत्रिया विस्मयं ययुः ॥ अर्जुनश्च कटाक्षेपे लज्जितः कृष्णमैक्षत

iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā kṣatriyā vismayaṁ yayuḥ || arjunaśca kaṭākṣepe lajjitaḥ kṛṣṇamaikṣata

Hearing these words of his, the kshatriyas were struck with wonder; and Arjuna, embarrassed at this sidelong rebuke, glanced at Krishna.

Verse 28 (skanda.1.101.28)

तमाह ललितं कृष्णः फाल्गुनं परमं वचः ॥ आत्मौपयिकमेवेदं भैमि पुत्रोऽभ्यभाषत

tamāha lalitaṁ kṛṣṇaḥ phālgunaṁ paramaṁ vacaḥ || ātmaupayikamevedaṁ bhaimi putro'bhyabhāṣata

Krishna spoke gracefully to Phalguna these excellent words — and Bhima's grandson-descendant spoke as pertained to himself:

Verse 29 (skanda.1.101.29)

नवकोटियुतोऽनेन पलाशी निहतः पुरा ॥ क्षणादेव च पाताले श्रूयते महदद्भुतम्

navakoṭiyuto'nena palāśī nihataḥ purā || kṣaṇādeva ca pātāle śrūyate mahadadbhutam

"By him, the demon Palashi, together with his nine crores, was slain of old; and even in Patala this great wonder, accomplished in an instant, is spoken of."

Verse 30 (skanda.1.101.30)

पुनः प्रक्ष्यामदे त्वेनं क्वेनोपायेन कौरवान्॥ मुहूर्ताद्धंसि ब्रूहीति पृच्छयतां चाह तं जयः

punaḥ prakṣyāmade tvenaṁ kvenopāyena kauravān|| muhūrtāddhaṁsi brūhīti pṛcchayatāṁ cāha taṁ jayaḥ

Again they wished to question him: "By what means will you destroy the Kauravas in a moment? Tell us." And as they questioned him thus, Jaya spoke to him.

Verse 31 (skanda.1.101.31)

ततः स्मरन्यादवेंद्रो भैमिपुत्रमभाषत

tataḥ smaranyādaveṁdro bhaimiputramabhāṣata

Then, recalling the matter, the Lord of the Yadavas spoke to Bhima's grandson-descendant:

Verse 32 (skanda.1.101.32)

भीप्मद्रोणकृपद्रौणिकर्णदुर्योधनादिभिः ॥ गुप्तां त्र्यंबकदुर्जेयां सेनां हंसि कथं क्षणात्

bhīpmadroṇakṛpadrauṇikarṇaduryodhanādibhiḥ || guptāṁ tryaṁbakadurjeyāṁ senāṁ haṁsi kathaṁ kṣaṇāt

"How will you, in an instant, destroy this army — guarded by Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Drauni, Karna, Duryodhana and the others, and protected by Tryambaka himself, hard to conquer?

Verse 33 (skanda.1.101.33)

अयं महान्विस्मयस्ते वचसो भैमिनंदन ॥ संभूतः सर्वराज्ञां च फाल्गुनस्य च धीमतः

ayaṁ mahānvismayaste vacaso bhaiminaṁdana || saṁbhūtaḥ sarvarājñāṁ ca phālgunasya ca dhīmataḥ

"This great wonder at your words, O joy of Bhima's line, has arisen among all the kings, and in the wise Phalguna as well.

Verse 34 (skanda.1.101.34)

तद्ब्रूहि केनोपायेन मुहूर्ताद्धंसि कौरवान् ॥ उपायवीर्यं ते ज्ञात्वा मंस्यामो वयमप्युत

tadbrūhi kenopāyena muhūrtāddhaṁsi kauravān || upāyavīryaṁ te jñātvā maṁsyāmo vayamapyuta

"So tell us by what means you will destroy the Kauravas in a moment — knowing the power of your method, we too shall then be convinced."

Verse 35 (skanda.1.101.35)

॥सूत उवाच॥ इत्युक्तो वासुदेवेन सर्वभूतेश्वरेण च ॥ सिंहवक्षाः पर्वताभो नानाभूषणभूषितः

||sūta uvāca|| ityukto vāsudevena sarvabhūteśvareṇa ca || siṁhavakṣāḥ parvatābho nānābhūṣaṇabhūṣitaḥ

Suta said: Thus addressed by Vasudeva, the Lord of all beings, he — lion-chested, huge as a mountain, adorned with manifold ornaments,

Verse 36 (skanda.1.101.36)

घटास्यो घटहासश्च ऊर्ध्वकेशोऽतिदीप्ति मान् ॥ विद्युदक्षो वायुजवो यश्चेच्छेन्नाशयेज्जगत्

ghaṭāsyo ghaṭahāsaśca ūrdhvakeśo'tidīpti mān || vidyudakṣo vāyujavo yaścecchennāśayejjagat

jar-faced, of jar-like laughter, his hair standing on end, of great splendor, lightning-eyed, swift as the wind, one who, should he wish, could destroy the entire world —

Verse 37 (skanda.1.101.37)

देवीदत्तातुलबलो बर्बरीकोऽभ्यभाषत ॥ यदि वो मानसं वीरा उपायस्य प्रदर्शने

devīdattātulabalo barbarīko'bhyabhāṣata || yadi vo mānasaṁ vīrā upāyasya pradarśane

Barbarika, granted matchless strength by the Goddess, spoke: "If it is your wish, O heroes, that I demonstrate my method—

Verse 38 (skanda.1.101.38)

तदहं दर्शयाम्येष पश्यध्वं सहकेशवाः ॥ इत्युक्त्वा धनुरारोप्य संदधे विशिखं त्वरन् ॥ निःशल्यं चापि संपूर्णं सिंदूराभेण भस्मना

tadahaṁ darśayāmyeṣa paśyadhvaṁ sahakeśavāḥ || ityuktvā dhanurāropya saṁdadhe viśikhaṁ tvaran || niḥśalyaṁ cāpi saṁpūrṇaṁ siṁdūrābheṇa bhasmanā

"—then I shall now show it; watch, all of you, together with Keshava." Having said this, he strung his bow and swiftly nocked a single arrow, wholly complete, tipped with vermilion-hued ash,

Verse 39 (skanda.1.101.39)

आकर्णमाकृप्य च तं मुमोच मुखादथोद्भूतमभूच्च भस्म

ākarṇamākṛpya ca taṁ mumoca mukhādathodbhūtamabhūcca bhasma

and, drawing it back to his ear, he loosed it; and forth from it, at once, arose that ash.

Verse 40 (skanda.1.101.40)

सेनाद्वये तच्च पपात शीघ्रं यस्यैव यत्रास्ति च मृत्युमर्म ॥ सर्वरोमसु भीष्मस्य कंठे राधेयद्रोणयोः

senādvaye tacca papāta śīghraṁ yasyaiva yatrāsti ca mṛtyumarma || sarvaromasu bhīṣmasya kaṁṭhe rādheyadroṇayoḥ

And swiftly it fell upon both armies, upon each and every man, wherever his mortal vital point lay — upon every hair-follicle of Bhishma, upon the throats of Radheya and of Drona,

Verse 41 (skanda.1.101.41)

ऊरौ दुर्योधनस्यापि शल्यस्यापि च वक्षसि ॥ कंठे च शकुनेर्दीप्तं भगदत्तस्य चापतत्

ūrau duryodhanasyāpi śalyasyāpi ca vakṣasi || kaṁṭhe ca śakunerdīptaṁ bhagadattasya cāpatat

upon the thigh of Duryodhana too, and upon the chest of Shalya; and, blazing, it fell upon the throat of Shakuni, and upon Bhagadatta,

Verse 42 (skanda.1.101.42)

कृष्णस्य पादतल लके कंठे द्रुपदमत्स्ययोः ॥ शिखंडिनस्तथा कट्यां कंठे सेनापतेस्तथा

kṛṣṇasya pādatala lake kaṁṭhe drupadamatsyayoḥ || śikhaṁḍinastathā kaṭyāṁ kaṁṭhe senāpatestathā

upon the very sole of Krishna's own foot, upon the throats of Drupada and of the king of Matsya, upon the hip of Shikhandin, and likewise upon the throat of the commander-in-chief —

Verse 43 (skanda.1.101.43)

पपात रक्तं तद्भस्म यत्र येषां च मर्म च ॥ केवलं चैव पांडूनां कृपद्रोण्योश्च नास्पृशत

papāta raktaṁ tadbhasma yatra yeṣāṁ ca marma ca || kevalaṁ caiva pāṁḍūnāṁ kṛpadroṇyośca nāspṛśata

that reddened ash fell wherever, and upon whomever, the vital point lay — sparing only the sons of Pandu, and Kripa, and Drona's son, whom it did not touch at all.

Verse 44 (skanda.1.101.44)

इति कृत्वा ततो भूयो बर्बरीकोऽभ्यभाषत ॥ दृष्टं भवद्भिरेवं यन्मया मर्म निरीक्षितम्

iti kṛtvā tato bhūyo barbarīko'bhyabhāṣata || dṛṣṭaṁ bhavadbhirevaṁ yanmayā marma nirīkṣitam

Having done this, Barbarika then spoke once more: "You have thus seen how I have marked out every vital point.

Verse 45 (skanda.1.101.45)

अधुना पातयिष्यामि मर्मस्वेषां शिताञ्छरान् ॥ देवीदत्तानमोघाख्यान्यैर्मरिष्यंत्यमी क्षणात्

adhunā pātayiṣyāmi marmasveṣāṁ śitāñcharān || devīdattānamoghākhyānyairmariṣyaṁtyamī kṣaṇāt

"Now I shall cause sharp arrows — given by the Goddess, named the Unfailing — to fall upon their very vital points; by these they shall all die at once.

Verse 46 (skanda.1.101.46)

शपथा वः स्वधर्मस्य शस्त्रं ग्राह्यं न वः क्वचित् ॥ मुहूर्तात्पातयिष्यामि शत्रूनेताञ्छितैः शरैः

śapathā vaḥ svadharmasya śastraṁ grāhyaṁ na vaḥ kvacit || muhūrtātpātayiṣyāmi śatrūnetāñchitaiḥ śaraiḥ

"By oath upon your own dharma, no weapon is to be taken up by any of you at all. I shall, within a single moment, fell these enemies with my sharp arrows."

Verse 47 (skanda.1.101.47)

ततो विस्मितचित्तानां युधिष्ठिरपुरोगिणाम् ॥ आसीन्निनादः सुमहान्साधुसाध्विति शंस ताम्

tato vismitacittānāṁ yudhiṣṭhirapurogiṇām || āsīnninādaḥ sumahānsādhusādhviti śaṁsa tām

Then, from the astonished hearts of those led by Yudhishthira, a mighty roar of acclaim arose — "Well done! Well done!"

Verse 48 (skanda.1.101.48)

वासुदेवश्च संक्रुद्धश्चक्रेण निशितेन च ॥ एवं ब्रुवत एवास्य शिरश्छित्त्वा न्यपातयत्

vāsudevaśca saṁkruddhaścakreṇa niśitena ca || evaṁ bruvata evāsya śiraśchittvā nyapātayat

And Vasudeva, greatly enraged, with his sharp discus, even as he was still speaking thus, cut off his head and cast it down.

Verse 49 (skanda.1.101.49)

ततः क्षणात्सर्वमासीदाविग्रं राजमं डलम् ॥ व्यलोकयन्केशवं ते विस्मिताश्चाभवन्भृशम्

tataḥ kṣaṇātsarvamāsīdāvigraṁ rājamaṁ ḍalam || vyalokayankeśavaṁ te vismitāścābhavanbhṛśam

Then, in an instant, the entire circle of kings fell silent and still; they stared at Keshava, and became utterly astonished.

Verse 50 (skanda.1.101.50)

किमेतदिति प्राहुश्च बर्बरीकः कुतो हतः॥ पांडवाश्चापि मुमुचुरश्रूणि सहपार्थिवाः

kimetaditi prāhuśca barbarīkaḥ kuto hataḥ|| pāṁḍavāścāpi mumucuraśrūṇi sahapārthivāḥ

"What is this?" they cried. "Why has Barbarika been slain?" And the Pandavas too, together with the other kings, shed tears.

Verse 51 (skanda.1.101.51)

हाहा पुत्रेति च गृणन्प्रस्खलंश्च पदेपदे ॥ घटोत्कचोऽपतद्दीनः पुत्रोपरि विमूर्छितः

hāhā putreti ca gṛṇanpraskhalaṁśca padepade || ghaṭotkaco'pataddīnaḥ putropari vimūrchitaḥ

Crying "Alas, my son! Alas!" and stumbling at every step, the pitiful Ghatotkacha fell fainting upon his son's body.

Verse 52 (skanda.1.101.52)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे देव्यश्चतुर्दश समाययुः

etasminnaṁtare devyaścaturdaśa samāyayuḥ

At this moment, the fourteen Goddesses arrived there together.

Verse 53 (skanda.1.101.53)

सिद्धांबिका क्रोडमाता कपाली तारा सुवर्णा च त्रिलोकजेत्री ॥ भाणेश्वरी चर्चिका चैकवीरा योगेश्वरी चंडिका त्रैपुरा च

siddhāṁbikā kroḍamātā kapālī tārā suvarṇā ca trilokajetrī || bhāṇeśvarī carcikā caikavīrā yogeśvarī caṁḍikā traipurā ca

Siddhambika, Krodamata, Kapali, Tara, and Suvarna, the conqueror of the three worlds; Bhaneshvari, Charchika, Ekavira, Yogeshvari, Chandika, and Traipura —

Verse 54 (skanda.1.101.54)

भूतांबिका हरसिद्धिस्तथामूः संप्राप्य तस्थुर्नृपविस्मयंकराः ॥ श्रीचंडिकाऽऽश्वास्य ततौ घटोत्कचं प्रोवाच वाक्यं महता स्वरेण

bhūtāṁbikā harasiddhistathāmūḥ saṁprāpya tasthurnṛpavismayaṁkarāḥ || śrīcaṁḍikā''śvāsya tatau ghaṭotkacaṁ provāca vākyaṁ mahatā svareṇa

Bhutambika, and Harasiddhi — these Goddesses, having arrived, stood there, filling the kings with wonder; and Shri Chandika, having consoled Ghatotkacha, then spoke these words in a great voice:

Verse 55 (skanda.1.101.55)

शृणुध्वं पार्थिवाः सर्वे कृष्णेन विदितात्मना ॥ हेतुना येन निहतो बर्बरीको महाबलः

śṛṇudhvaṁ pārthivāḥ sarve kṛṣṇena viditātmanā || hetunā yena nihato barbarīko mahābalaḥ

"Hear, all you kings, the reason — known fully to Krishna's own heart — for which mighty Barbarika was slain:

Verse 56 (skanda.1.101.56)

मेरुमूर्ध्नि पुरा पृथ्वी समवेतान्दिवौकसः ॥ भाराक्रांता जगादैतान्भारोऽप ह्रियतां हि मे

merumūrdhni purā pṛthvī samavetāndivaukasaḥ || bhārākrāṁtā jagādaitānbhāro'pa hriyatāṁ hi me

"Long ago, upon the summit of Meru, the Earth, oppressed by her burden, said to the assembled dwellers of heaven: 'Let this burden of mine be removed.'

Verse 57 (skanda.1.101.57)

ततो ब्रह्मा प्राह विष्णुं भगवंस्त्वमिदं शृणु ॥ देवास्त्वानुगमिष्यंति भारं हर भुवः प्रभो

tato brahmā prāha viṣṇuṁ bhagavaṁstvamidaṁ śṛṇu || devāstvānugamiṣyaṁti bhāraṁ hara bhuvaḥ prabho

"Then Brahma said to Vishnu: 'O Lord, hear this — the gods shall follow you in incarnation; remove, O Master, the burden of the earth.'

Verse 58 (skanda.1.101.58)

ततस्तथेति तन्मेने वचनं विष्णुरव्ययः ॥ एतस्मिन्नंतरे बाहुमुद्धृत्योच्चैरभाषत

tatastatheti tanmene vacanaṁ viṣṇuravyayaḥ || etasminnaṁtare bāhumuddhṛtyoccairabhāṣata

"Then the imperishable Vishnu accepted that word, saying, 'So be it.' At that moment, one among them, raising his arm, spoke loudly:

Verse 59 (skanda.1.101.59)

सूर्यवर्चेति यक्षेंद्रश्चतुराशीतिकोटिपः ॥ किमर्थं मानुषे लोके भवद्भिर्जन्म कार्यते

sūryavarceti yakṣeṁdraścaturāśītikoṭipaḥ || kimarthaṁ mānuṣe loke bhavadbhirjanma kāryate

"—the lord of the Yakshas, named Suryavarcha, ruler over eighty-four crores: 'Why should birth in the human world be undertaken by all of you?

Verse 60 (skanda.1.101.60)

मयि तिष्ठति दोषाणामनेकानां महास्पदे ॥ सर्वे भवंतो मोदंतु स्वर्गेषु सह विष्णुना

mayi tiṣṭhati doṣāṇāmanekānāṁ mahāspade || sarve bhavaṁto modaṁtu svargeṣu saha viṣṇunā

"'While I remain — I, the great vessel of many faults, though I be — let all of you simply enjoy yourselves in the heavens, together with Vishnu.'

Verse 61 (skanda.1.101.61)

अहमेकोऽवतीर्यैतान्हनिष्यामि भुवो भरान् ॥ स्वधर्मशपथा वो वै संति चेज्जन्म प्राप्स्यथ

ahameko'vatīryaitānhaniṣyāmi bhuvo bharān || svadharmaśapathā vo vai saṁti cejjanma prāpsyatha

"'I alone shall descend and destroy these burdens of the earth. If oaths upon your own dharma bind you, then indeed I alone need take birth for this.'

Verse 62 (skanda.1.101.62)

इत्युक्तवचने ब्रह्मा क्रुद्धस्तं समभाषत ॥ दुर्मते सर्वदेवानामविषह्यं महाभरम्

ityuktavacane brahmā kruddhastaṁ samabhāṣata || durmate sarvadevānāmaviṣahyaṁ mahābharam

"When these words had been spoken, Brahma, enraged, said to him: 'O evil-minded one — this great burden, unbearable even for all the gods together,

Verse 63 (skanda.1.101.63)

स्वसाध्यं ब्रूषे मोहात्त्वं शापयोग्योऽसि बालिश ॥ देशकालोचितं स्वीयं परस्य च बलं हृदा

svasādhyaṁ brūṣe mohāttvaṁ śāpayogyo'si bāliśa || deśakālocitaṁ svīyaṁ parasya ca balaṁ hṛdā

"'—you claim, out of delusion, to be capable of alone; you deserve a curse, O fool! One who speaks of his own or another's strength, without weighing in his heart what is fitting to time and place—

Verse 64 (skanda.1.101.64)

अविचार्यैव प्रभुषु वक्ति सोऽर्हति दंडनम् ॥ तस्माद्भूभारहरणे युद्धस्योपक्रमे सति

avicāryaiva prabhuṣu vakti so'rhati daṁḍanam || tasmādbhūbhāraharaṇe yuddhasyopakrame sati

"'—and speaks so rashly before his lords, deserves punishment. Therefore, when the burden of the earth is being removed, at the very outset of the great war,

Verse 65 (skanda.1.101.65)

शरीरनाशं कृष्णात्त्वमवाप्स्यसि न संशयः ॥ एवं शप्तो ब्रह्मणाऽसौ विष्णुमेतदयाचत

śarīranāśaṁ kṛṣṇāttvamavāpsyasi na saṁśayaḥ || evaṁ śapto brahmaṇā'sau viṣṇumetadayācata

"'—you shall undergo the destruction of your body at the hands of Krishna, without doubt.' Thus cursed by Brahma, he entreated Vishnu with this:

Verse 66 (skanda.1.101.66)

यद्येवं भविता नाशस्तदेकं देव प्रार्थये ॥ जन्मप्रभृति मे देहि मतिं सर्वार्थसाधनीम्

yadyevaṁ bhavitā nāśastadekaṁ deva prārthaye || janmaprabhṛti me dehi matiṁ sarvārthasādhanīm

"'If my destruction must be so, then, O God, I ask one thing: grant me, from my very birth, an intellect capable of accomplishing every purpose.'

Verse 67 (skanda.1.101.67)

ततस्तथेति तं प्राह केशवो देवसंसदि ॥ शिरस्ते पूजयिष्यंति देव्याः पूज्यो भविष्यसि

tatastatheti taṁ prāha keśavo devasaṁsadi || śiraste pūjayiṣyaṁti devyāḥ pūjyo bhaviṣyasi

"Then Keshava said to him, 'So be it,' there in the assembly of the gods: 'The Goddesses shall worship your head; you shall become worthy of worship.'

Verse 68 (skanda.1.101.68)

इत्युक्त्वा चावतीर्णोऽसौ सह देवैर्हरिस्तदा ॥ हरिर्नाम स कृष्णोऽसौ भवंतस्ते तथा सुराः

ityuktvā cāvatīrṇo'sau saha devairharistadā || harirnāma sa kṛṣṇo'sau bhavaṁtaste tathā surāḥ

"Having said this, Hari then descended together with the gods; that Hari is this very Krishna, and you kings here are those very gods incarnate.

Verse 69 (skanda.1.101.69)

सूर्यवर्चाः स चायं हि निहतो भैमिपुत्रकः ॥ प्राक्छापं ब्रह्मणः स्मृत्वा हतोनेन महात्मना ॥ तस्माद्दोषो न कृष्णेऽस्मिन्द्रष्टव्यः सर्वभू मिपैः

sūryavarcāḥ sa cāyaṁ hi nihato bhaimiputrakaḥ || prākchāpaṁ brahmaṇaḥ smṛtvā hatonena mahātmanā || tasmāddoṣo na kṛṣṇe'smindraṣṭavyaḥ sarvabhū mipaiḥ

"And this Suryavarcha is none other than this very grandson-descendant of Bhima who has now been slain, remembering Brahma's earlier curse, slain by this great-souled one. Therefore no fault whatsoever should be seen in this Krishna by any of you kings of the earth."

Verse 70 (skanda.1.101.70)

॥श्रीकृष्ण उवाच॥ यदुक्तं भूमिपा देव्या तत्तथैव न संशयः

||śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca|| yaduktaṁ bhūmipā devyā tattathaiva na saṁśayaḥ

Shri Krishna said: "What the Goddess has told you, O kings of the earth, is exactly so — without doubt.

Verse 71 (skanda.1.101.71)

यद्येनमधुना नैव हन्यां ब्रह्मवचोऽन्यथा ॥ ततो भवेदिति स्मृत्वा मयासौ विनिपातितः

yadyenamadhunā naiva hanyāṁ brahmavaco'nyathā || tato bhavediti smṛtvā mayāsau vinipātitaḥ

"Had I not slain him now, Brahma's word would have proven false. Remembering that this must come to pass, I struck him down.

Verse 72 (skanda.1.101.72)

गुप्तक्षेत्रे मयैवाऽसौ नियुक्तो देव्यनुस्मृतौ ॥ पूर्वं दत्तं वरं स्वीयं स्मरता देवसंसदि

guptakṣetre mayaivā'sau niyukto devyanusmṛtau || pūrvaṁ dattaṁ varaṁ svīyaṁ smaratā devasaṁsadi

"It was I myself who appointed him in the Gupta-kshetra to the remembrance of the Goddess, recalling the very boon I had earlier granted him in the assembly of the gods."

Verse 73 (skanda.1.101.73)

इत्युक्ते चंडिका देवी तदा भक्तशिरस्त्विदम् ॥ अभ्युक्ष्य सुधया शीघ्रमजरं चामरं व्यधात्

ityukte caṁḍikā devī tadā bhaktaśirastvidam || abhyukṣya sudhayā śīghramajaraṁ cāmaraṁ vyadhāt

When this had been said, the Goddess Chandika then sprinkled that devotee's head with nectar, swiftly making it ageless and immortal.

Verse 74 (skanda.1.101.74)

यथा राहुशिरस्तद्वत्तच्छिरः प्रणनाम तान् ॥ उवाच च दिदृक्षामि युद्धं तदनुमन्यताम्

yathā rāhuśirastadvattacchiraḥ praṇanāma tān || uvāca ca didṛkṣāmi yuddhaṁ tadanumanyatām

And that head, like the head of Rahu, bowed before them, and said: "I wish to watch the battle — grant me leave for this."

Verse 75 (skanda.1.101.75)

ततः कृष्णो वचः प्राह मेघगंभीरवाक्प्रभुः ॥ यावन्मही सनक्षत्रा यावच्चंद्रदिवाकरौ

tataḥ kṛṣṇo vacaḥ prāha meghagaṁbhīravākprabhuḥ || yāvanmahī sanakṣatrā yāvaccaṁdradivākarau

Then Krishna, the Lord, whose voice was deep as a thundercloud, spoke this word: "As long as the earth endures together with the stars, as long as the moon and the sun endure—

Verse 76 (skanda.1.101.76)

तावत्त्वं सर्वलोकानां वत्स पूज्यो भविष्यसि ॥ देवीलोकेषु सर्वेषु देवीवद्विचरिष्यसि

tāvattvaṁ sarvalokānāṁ vatsa pūjyo bhaviṣyasi || devīlokeṣu sarveṣu devīvadvicariṣyasi

"—so long, my child, shall you be worshipped by all the worlds; you shall wander through all the worlds of the Goddesses just like a Goddess yourself.

Verse 77 (skanda.1.101.77)

स्वभक्तानां च लोकेषु देवीनां दास्यसे स्थितिम् ॥ बालानां ये भविष्यंति वातपित्तकफोद्भवाः ॥ पिटकास्ताः सुखेनैव शामयिष्यसि पूजनात्

svabhaktānāṁ ca lokeṣu devīnāṁ dāsyase sthitim || bālānāṁ ye bhaviṣyaṁti vātapittakaphodbhavāḥ || piṭakāstāḥ sukhenaiva śāmayiṣyasi pūjanāt

"And among the worlds of your own devotees, you shall grant them the very rank of the Goddesses. And whatever pustular skin-eruptions of children shall arise from wind, bile, or phlegm—

Verse 78 (skanda.1.101.78)

इदं च शृंगमारुह्य पश्य युद्धं यथा भवेत्

idaṁ ca śṛṁgamāruhya paśya yuddhaṁ yathā bhavet

"—these you shall easily pacify through their worship of you. And, climbing this mountain-peak, watch how the battle unfolds—

Verse 79 (skanda.1.101.79)

धावंतः कौरवास्त्वस्मान्वयं यामस्त्वमूनिति ॥ इत्युक्ते वासुदेवेन देव्योऽथांबरमाविशन्

dhāvaṁtaḥ kauravāstvasmānvayaṁ yāmastvamūniti || ityukte vāsudevena devyo'thāṁbaramāviśan

"—the Kauravas fleeing toward us, and we advancing toward them." When Vasudeva had said this, the Goddesses then entered into the sky.

Verse 80 (skanda.1.101.80)

बर्बरीकशिरश्चैव गिरिशृंगमवाप्य तत् ॥ देहस्य भूमिसंस्काराश्चाभवच्छिरसो नहि ॥ ततो युद्धं महदभूत्कुरुपांडवसेनयोः

barbarīkaśiraścaiva giriśṛṁgamavāpya tat || dehasya bhūmisaṁskārāścābhavacchiraso nahi || tato yuddhaṁ mahadabhūtkurupāṁḍavasenayoḥ

And Barbarika's head, having attained that mountain-peak, watched from there; the body received its due funeral rites upon the earth, though the head received none. Then a great battle took place between the armies of the Kurus and the Pandavas.

Verse 81 (skanda.1.101.81)

अष्टादशाहेन हता ये च द्रोणवृषादयः ॥ दुर्योधने हते क्रूरे अष्टादशदिनात्यये

aṣṭādaśāhena hatā ye ca droṇavṛṣādayaḥ || duryodhane hate krūre aṣṭādaśadinātyaye

In eighteen days, Drona and the other mighty ones were slain; and when the cruel Duryodhana had been slain, at the close of those eighteen days,

Verse 82 (skanda.1.101.82)

युधिष्ठिरो ज्ञातिमध्ये गोविंदं समभाषत ॥ पुरुषोत्तम संग्रामममुं संतारिता वयम्

yudhiṣṭhiro jñātimadhye goviṁdaṁ samabhāṣata || puruṣottama saṁgrāmamamuṁ saṁtāritā vayam

Yudhishthira, in the midst of his kinsmen, said to Govinda: "O Purushottama, it is by you that we have been carried safely across this battle;

Verse 83 (skanda.1.101.83)

त्वयैव नाथेन हरे नमस्ते पुरुषोत्तम ॥ श्रुत्वा तस्यापि सासूयमिदं भीमो वचोऽब्रवीत्

tvayaiva nāthena hare namaste puruṣottama || śrutvā tasyāpi sāsūyamidaṁ bhīmo vaco'bravīt

"—by you alone as our lord, O Hari; homage to you, O Purushottama!" Hearing this, Bhima, with some resentment, spoke these words:

Verse 84 (skanda.1.101.84)

येन ध्वस्ता धार्तराष्ट्रास्तं निराकृत्य मां नृप ॥ पुरुषोत्तमं कृष्णमिति ब्रवीषि किमु मूढवत्

yena dhvastā dhārtarāṣṭrāstaṁ nirākṛtya māṁ nṛpa || puruṣottamaṁ kṛṣṇamiti bravīṣi kimu mūḍhavat

"O king, disregarding me, by whom the sons of Dhritarashtra were destroyed, why do you, as though a fool, call Krishna 'Purushottama'?

Verse 85 (skanda.1.101.85)

धृष्टद्युम्नं फाल्गुनं च सात्यकिं मां च पांडव ॥ निराकृत्य ब्रवीष्येव सूतं धिक्त्वा युधिष्ठिर

dhṛṣṭadyumnaṁ phālgunaṁ ca sātyakiṁ māṁ ca pāṁḍava || nirākṛtya bravīṣyeva sūtaṁ dhiktvā yudhiṣṭhira

"Disregarding Dhrishtadyumna, and Phalguna, and Satyaki, and me, O Pandava — shame on you, Yudhishthira, that you speak thus, treating him merely as a charioteer's son!"

Verse 86 (skanda.1.101.86)

॥अर्जुन उवाच॥ मैवं मैवं ब्रूहि भीम न त्वं वेत्सि जनार्दनम् ॥ न मया न त्वया पार्थ नान्येनाप्यरयो हताः

||arjuna uvāca|| maivaṁ maivaṁ brūhi bhīma na tvaṁ vetsi janārdanam || na mayā na tvayā pārtha nānyenāpyarayo hatāḥ

Arjuna said: "Do not, do not speak thus, Bhima — you do not understand Janardana. Neither by me, nor by you, O Partha, nor by any other, were the enemies slain."

Verse 87 (skanda.1.101.87)

अहं हि सर्वदाग्रस्थं नरं पश्यामि संयुगे ॥ निघ्नंतं शात्रवांस्तत्र न जाने कोऽप्यसाविति

ahaṁ hi sarvadāgrasthaṁ naraṁ paśyāmi saṁyuge || nighnaṁtaṁ śātravāṁstatra na jāne ko'pyasāviti

"For I always saw, standing before me in the very forefront of the battle, a man striking down our enemies there — I know not at all who that one might be."

Verse 88 (skanda.1.101.88)

॥भीम उवाच॥ विभ्रांतोऽसि ध्रुवं पार्थ नात्र हंता नरोऽपरः ॥ अथ चेदस्ति त्वत्पौत्रमुच्चस्थं वच्मि हंत कः

||bhīma uvāca|| vibhrāṁto'si dhruvaṁ pārtha nātra haṁtā naro'paraḥ || atha cedasti tvatpautramuccasthaṁ vacmi haṁta kaḥ

Bhima said: "You are surely mistaken, Partha — there is no other man who slays here. Well then, if such a one truly exists, let us ask your grandson standing yonder — tell us, who was the slayer?"

Verse 89 (skanda.1.101.89)

उपसृत्य ततो भीमो बर्बरीकमपृच्छत ॥ ब्रूह्येते केन निहता धार्तराष्ट्रा हि शत्रवः

upasṛtya tato bhīmo barbarīkamapṛcchata || brūhyete kena nihatā dhārtarāṣṭrā hi śatravaḥ

Then Bhima approached and asked Barbarika: "Tell us — by whom were these enemies, the sons of Dhritarashtra, slain?"

Verse 90 (skanda.1.101.90)

॥बर्बरीक उवाच॥ एको मया पुमान्दृष्टो युध्यमानः परैः सह ॥ सव्यतः पंचवक्त्रः स दक्षिणे चैकवक्त्रतः

||barbarīka uvāca|| eko mayā pumāndṛṣṭo yudhyamānaḥ paraiḥ saha || savyataḥ paṁcavaktraḥ sa dakṣiṇe caikavaktrataḥ

Barbarika said: "I saw a single person fighting there with the enemies — on his left side five-faced, and on his right side single-faced,

Verse 91 (skanda.1.101.91)

सव्यतो दशहस्तश्च धृतशूलाद्युदायुधः ॥ दक्षिणे च चतुर्हस्तो धृतचक्राद्युदायुधः

savyato daśahastaśca dhṛtaśūlādyudāyudhaḥ || dakṣiṇe ca caturhasto dhṛtacakrādyudāyudhaḥ

"—on the left ten-armed, bearing trident and other weapons; on the right four-armed, bearing discus and other weapons,

Verse 92 (skanda.1.101.92)

सव्यतश्च जटाधारी दक्षिणे मुकुटोच्चयः ॥ सव्यतो भस्मधारी च दक्षिणे धृतचंदनः

savyataśca jaṭādhārī dakṣiṇe mukuṭoccayaḥ || savyato bhasmadhārī ca dakṣiṇe dhṛtacaṁdanaḥ

"—on the left wearing matted locks, on the right wearing a towering crown; on the left smeared with ash, on the right adorned with sandal-paste,

Verse 93 (skanda.1.101.93)

सव्यतश्चंद्रधारी च दक्षिणे कौस्तुभद्युतिः ॥ ममापि तद्दर्शनतो महद्भयमजायत

savyataścaṁdradhārī ca dakṣiṇe kaustubhadyutiḥ || mamāpi taddarśanato mahadbhayamajāyata

"—on the left bearing the crescent moon, on the right radiant with the Kaustubha gem — even I, at the mere sight of him, felt great fear.

Verse 94 (skanda.1.101.94)

ईदृशो मे नरो दृष्टो न चान्यो यो जघान तान् ॥ इत्युक्ते पुष्पवर्षं तु खादासीत्सुमहाप्रभम्

īdṛśo me naro dṛṣṭo na cānyo yo jaghāna tān || ityukte puṣpavarṣaṁ tu khādāsītsumahāprabham

"Such was the person I saw — there was no other who slew them." When this had been said, a shower of flowers, of very great splendor, fell from the sky,

Verse 95 (skanda.1.101.95)

सस्वनुर्देववाद्यानि साधुसाध्विति वै जगुः ॥ विस्मिताः पांडवाश्चासन्प्रणेमुः पुरुषोत्तमम्

sasvanurdevavādyāni sādhusādhviti vai jaguḥ || vismitāḥ pāṁḍavāścāsanpraṇemuḥ puruṣottamam

divine instruments resounded, and all cried, "Well done, well done!" The astonished Pandavas then bowed before Purushottama.

Verse 96 (skanda.1.101.96)

विलक्षश्चाभवद्भीमो निश्वासांश्चाप्यमुंचत ॥ तं ततः केशवः स्वामी समादाय करे दृढे

vilakṣaścābhavadbhīmo niśvāsāṁścāpyamuṁcata || taṁ tataḥ keśavaḥ svāmī samādāya kare dṛḍhe

Bhima became abashed, and let out deep sighs; then Keshava, his Lord, taking him firmly by the hand,

Verse 97 (skanda.1.101.97)

कुरुशार्दूल एहीति प्रोच्य सस्मार काश्यपिम् ॥ आरुह्य गरुडं पश्चात्स्मृतमात्रमुपस्थितम्

kuruśārdūla ehīti procya sasmāra kāśyapim || āruhya garuḍaṁ paścātsmṛtamātramupasthitam

said, "Come, O tiger among the Kurus," and remembered Kashyapi; and then, mounting Garuda — who appeared the very instant he was thought of —

Verse 98 (skanda.1.101.98)

भीमेन सहितो व्योम्नि प्रयातो दक्षिणां दिशम् ॥ ततोऽर्णवमतीत्यैव सुवेलं च महागिरिम्

bhīmena sahito vyomni prayāto dakṣiṇāṁ diśam || tato'rṇavamatītyaiva suvelaṁ ca mahāgirim

he set off through the sky toward the southern direction, together with Bhima; and, having crossed the ocean, and passing the great mountain Suvela,

Verse 99 (skanda.1.101.99)

लंकासमीपे दृष्ट्वैव सरः कृष्णोऽब्रवीद्वचः ॥ कुरुशार्दूल पश्येदं सरो द्वादशयोजनम्

laṁkāsamīpe dṛṣṭvaiva saraḥ kṛṣṇo'bravīdvacaḥ || kuruśārdūla paśyedaṁ saro dvādaśayojanam

near Lanka, seeing a lake there, Krishna spoke this word: "O tiger among the Kurus, look at this lake, twelve yojanas across —

Verse 100 (skanda.1.101.100)

यदि शूरोऽसि तच्छीघ्रमानयास्यतलान्मृदम् ॥ इत्युक्तो गरुडाच्छीघ्रं न्यपतत्तज्जले बली

yadi śūro'si tacchīghramānayāsyatalānmṛdam || ityukto garuḍācchīghraṁ nyapatattajjale balī

"—if you are truly a hero, quickly bring up mud from its very bottom." Thus told, the mighty one swiftly leapt down from Garuda into that water,

Verse 101 (skanda.1.101.101)

योजनं वायुजवाद्गच्छन्नधो नांतमपश्यत ॥ ततो भीमो विनिःसृत्य भग्नवीर्योऽभ्यभाषत

yojanaṁ vāyujavādgacchannadho nāṁtamapaśyata || tato bhīmo viniḥsṛtya bhagnavīryo'bhyabhāṣata

and, descending a whole yojana with the speed of the wind, saw no bottom at all; then Bhima, coming back out, his pride broken, said:

Verse 102 (skanda.1.101.102)

अगाधमेतत्सुमहत्सरः कैश्चिन्महाबलैः ॥ अहं खादितुमारब्धः कथंचिच्चापि निर्गतः

agādhametatsumahatsaraḥ kaiścinmahābalaiḥ || ahaṁ khāditumārabdhaḥ kathaṁciccāpi nirgataḥ

"This is an unfathomably deep, vast lake; certain mighty beings there began to devour me, and I somehow managed to escape."

Verse 103 (skanda.1.101.103)

एवमुक्तो हसन्कृष्ण उच्चिक्षेप महत्सरः ॥ स्वेनांगुष्ठेन तेजस्वी तदर्धार्धमजायत

evamukto hasankṛṣṇa uccikṣepa mahatsaraḥ || svenāṁguṣṭhena tejasvī tadardhārdhamajāyata

Thus addressed, Krishna, laughing, flung up a portion of that great lake; and with his own thumb, the radiant one, made it shrink to half its former size.

Verse 104 (skanda.1.101.104)

तदृष्ट्वा विस्मितः प्राह किमिदं कृष्ण ब्रूहि मे

tadṛṣṭvā vismitaḥ prāha kimidaṁ kṛṣṇa brūhi me

Seeing this, Bhima, astonished, said: "What is this, Krishna? Tell me."

Verse 105 (skanda.1.101.105)

॥श्रीकृष्ण उवाच॥ कुम्भकर्ण इति ख्यातः पूर्वमासीन्निशाचरः ॥ रामबाणहतस्याभूच्छिरश्छिन्नं सुदुर्मतेः

||śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca|| kumbhakarṇa iti khyātaḥ pūrvamāsīnniśācaraḥ || rāmabāṇahatasyābhūcchiraśchinnaṁ sudurmateḥ

Shri Krishna said: "There was formerly a night-wandering demon known as Kumbhakarna; struck down by Rama's arrow, that evil-minded one's head was severed—

Verse 106 (skanda.1.101.106)

शिरसस्तस्य तालुक्यखंडमेतद्वृकोदर ॥ योजनद्वादशायामं मृदु क्षिप्तं विचूर्णितम्

śirasastasya tālukyakhaṁḍametadvṛkodara || yojanadvādaśāyāmaṁ mṛdu kṣiptaṁ vicūrṇitam

"—and this, O Vrikodara, is a fragment of the palate of that very head, twelve yojanas in extent — soft, now cast about, and pulverized by you.

Verse 107 (skanda.1.101.107)

विधृतस्त्वं च यैस्ते तु सरोगेयाभिधाः सुराः ॥ त्रिकूटस्य शिला भिश्च चूर्णिता ये च कोटिशः

vidhṛtastvaṁ ca yaiste tu sarogeyābhidhāḥ surāḥ || trikūṭasya śilā bhiśca cūrṇitā ye ca koṭiśaḥ

"And you were held fast by those very beings — the gods called the Sarogeya — and by the rocks of Trikuta, beings who were pulverized there by the millions —

Verse 108 (skanda.1.101.108)

एते हि विश्वरिपवो निहताः स्युरुपायतः ॥ गच्छामः पांडवान्भीम द्रौणिर्हि त्वरते दृढम्

ete hi viśvaripavo nihatāḥ syurupāyataḥ || gacchāmaḥ pāṁḍavānbhīma drauṇirhi tvarate dṛḍham

"—for these enemies of the universe were slain by that very means. Let us go now to the Pandavas, O Bhima — for Drauni is hastening with fierce intent."

Verse 109 (skanda.1.101.109)

ततो भीमः प्रणम्याह मनोवाक्कायवृद्धिभिः ॥ कृतमाजन्मतः सव कुकृतं क्षम केशव

tato bhīmaḥ praṇamyāha manovākkāyavṛddhibhiḥ || kṛtamājanmataḥ sava kukṛtaṁ kṣama keśava

Then Bhima, bowing with mind, speech, and body all humbled, said: "Whatever wrong I have done since my very birth — forgive it, O Keshava.

Verse 110 (skanda.1.101.110)

पुरुषोत्तम भवान्नाथ बालिशस्य प्रसीद मे ॥ ततः क्षांतमिति प्रोच्य भीमेन सहितो हरिः

puruṣottama bhavānnātha bāliśasya prasīda me || tataḥ kṣāṁtamiti procya bhīmena sahito hariḥ

"O Purushottama, O my Lord, be gracious to me, your foolish one." Then, saying "It is forgiven," Hari, together with Bhima,

Verse 111 (skanda.1.101.111)

रणाजिरं भूय एत्य बर्बरीकं वचोऽब्रवीत् ॥ चरन्नेवं सुहृदय सर्वलोकेषु नित्यशः

raṇājiraṁ bhūya etya barbarīkaṁ vaco'bravīt || carannevaṁ suhṛdaya sarvalokeṣu nityaśaḥ

returning once more to the field of battle, spoke this word to Barbarika: "Wandering thus forever through all the worlds, O Suhrdaya,

Verse 112 (skanda.1.101.112)

पूजितः सर्वलोकैस्त्वं यच्छंस्तेषां वरान्वृतान् ॥ गुप्तक्षेत्रं च न त्याज्यं सर्वक्षेत्रोत्तमोत्तमम्

pūjitaḥ sarvalokaistvaṁ yacchaṁsteṣāṁ varānvṛtān || guptakṣetraṁ ca na tyājyaṁ sarvakṣetrottamottamam

"—you shall be worshipped by all peoples, granting to them the boons they choose. And the Gupta-kshetra must never be forsaken — it is the very best among all sacred fields.

Verse 113 (skanda.1.101.113)

देहिस्थल्यां तथा वासी क्षमस्व दुष्कृतं च यत् ॥ इत्युक्तस्तान्नमत्कृत्य भैमिः स्वैरं ययौ मुदा

dehisthalyāṁ tathā vāsī kṣamasva duṣkṛtaṁ ca yat || ityuktastānnamatkṛtya bhaimiḥ svairaṁ yayau mudā

"Dwell too at Dehisthali. Forgive whatever wrong has been done." Thus addressed, Bhima's grandson-descendant, bowing to them, departed joyfully at his own will.

Verse 114 (skanda.1.101.114)

वासुदेवोऽपि कार्याणि सर्वाण्यूर्ध्वमकारयत् ॥ इति वो वर्णितोत्पत्तिर्बर्बरीकस्य वाडवाः ॥ स्तवं चास्य प्रवक्ष्यामि येन तुष्यति यक्षराट्

vāsudevo'pi kāryāṇi sarvāṇyūrdhvamakārayat || iti vo varṇitotpattirbarbarīkasya vāḍavāḥ || stavaṁ cāsya pravakṣyāmi yena tuṣyati yakṣarāṭ

Vasudeva too then carried through all the remaining tasks thereafter. Thus, O brahmins, has the origin of Barbarika been told to you; and now I shall declare his hymn of praise, by which the King of the Yakshas becomes pleased:

Verse 115 (skanda.1.101.115)

जयजय चतुरशीतिकोटिपरिवार सूर्यवर्चाभिधान यक्षराज जय भूभारहरणप्रवृत्त लघुशापप्राप्तनैर्ऋतियोनिसंभव जय कामकटंकटाकुक्षिराजहंस जय घटोत्कचानंदवर्धन बर्बरीकाभिधान जय कृष्णोपदिष्टश्रीगुप्तक्षेत्रदे वीसमाराधनप्राप्तातुलवीर्य जय विजयसिद्धिदायक जय पिंगलारेपलेन्द्रदुहद्रुहानवकोटीश्वर पलाशनदावानल जय भूपातालांतराले नागकन्यापरि हारक जय भीममानमर्दन जय सकलकौरवसेनावधमुहूर्तप्रवृत्त जय श्रीकृष्णवरलब्धसर्ववरप्रदानसामर्थ्य जयजय कलिकालवंदितनमोनमस्ते पा हिपाहीति

jayajaya caturaśītikoṭiparivāra sūryavarcābhidhāna yakṣarāja jaya bhūbhāraharaṇapravṛtta laghuśāpaprāptanairṛtiyonisaṁbhava jaya kāmakaṭaṁkaṭākukṣirājahaṁsa jaya ghaṭotkacānaṁdavardhana barbarīkābhidhāna jaya kṛṣṇopadiṣṭaśrīguptakṣetrade vīsamārādhanaprāptātulavīrya jaya vijayasiddhidāyaka jaya piṁgalārepalendraduhadruhānavakoṭīśvara palāśanadāvānala jaya bhūpātālāṁtarāle nāgakanyāpari hāraka jaya bhīmamānamardana jaya sakalakauravasenāvadhamuhūrtapravṛtta jaya śrīkṛṣṇavaralabdhasarvavarapradānasāmarthya jayajaya kalikālavaṁditanamonamaste pā hipāhīti

"Victory, victory to you, O king of Yakshas, named Suryavarcha, with your retinue of eighty-four crores! Victory to you, who set about removing the earth's burden, who through a light curse came to be born in a rakshasa womb! Victory to you, the royal swan born of Kamakatankata's womb! Victory to you, increaser of Ghatotkacha's joy, named Barbarika! Victory to you, who obtained matchless valor through worshipping the Goddess of the glorious Gupta-kshetra as instructed by Krishna! Victory to you, granter of Vijaya's accomplishment! Victory to you, destroyer of Pingala, Repalendra, and Duhadruha, and of the lord of nine crores, the wildfire against the Palasha hordes! Victory to you, who declined the naga-maidens in the realm between earth and the netherworld! Victory to you, crusher of Bhima's pride! Victory to you, who set about slaying the entire Kaurava army in a moment! Victory to you, who through Krishna's boon gained the power to grant every boon! Victory, victory, worshipped in the Kali age — salutation, salutation to you! Protect me, protect me!"

Verse 116 (skanda.1.101.116)

अनेन यः सुहृदयं श्रावणेऽभ्यर्च्य दर्शके ॥ वैशाखे च त्रयोदश्यां कृष्णपक्षे द्विजोत्तमाः ॥ शतदीपैः पूरिकाभिः संस्तवेत्तस्य तुष्यति

anena yaḥ suhṛdayaṁ śrāvaṇe'bhyarcya darśake || vaiśākhe ca trayodaśyāṁ kṛṣṇapakṣe dvijottamāḥ || śatadīpaiḥ pūrikābhiḥ saṁstavettasya tuṣyati

With this hymn, whoever, O best of the twice-born, worships Suhrdaya in the month of Shravana on the day of his appearance, and on the thirteenth of the dark fortnight of Vaishakha, and praises him with a hundred lamps and cakes — with him he becomes well pleased.

Verse 117 (skanda.1.101.117)

ततो विप्रा नारदश्च समाराध्य महेश्वरम् ॥ महीनगरके पुण्ये स्थापयामास शंकरम्

tato viprā nāradaśca samārādhya maheśvaram || mahīnagarake puṇye sthāpayāmāsa śaṁkaram

Then the brahmins, and Narada, having duly worshipped Maheshvara, established Shankara in the sacred town of Mahinagaraka.

Verse 118 (skanda.1.101.118)

लोकानां च हितार्थाय केदारं लिङ्गमुत्तमम् ॥ अत्रीशादुत्तरे भागे महापापप्रणाशनम्

lokānāṁ ca hitārthāya kedāraṁ liṅgamuttamam || atrīśāduttare bhāge mahāpāpapraṇāśanam

For the benefit of the world, they established the supreme linga Kedara, to the north of Atrisha, the destroyer of the greatest sins.

Verse 119 (skanda.1.101.119)

अत्र कुण्डे नरः स्नात्वा श्राद्धं कृत्वा यथाविधि ॥ अत्रीशं च नमस्कृत्य केदारं च प्रपश्यति

atra kuṇḍe naraḥ snātvā śrāddhaṁ kṛtvā yathāvidhi || atrīśaṁ ca namaskṛtya kedāraṁ ca prapaśyati

A man who bathes in this pool here, and performs the shraddha rite duly, and bows to Atrishvara, and beholds Kedara —

Verse 120 (skanda.1.101.120)

मातुः स्तन्यं पुनर्नैव स पिबेन्मुक्तिभाग्भवेत् ॥ ततो रुद्रो नीलकण्ठो नारदाय महात्मने

mātuḥ stanyaṁ punarnaiva sa pibenmuktibhāgbhavet || tato rudro nīlakaṇṭho nāradāya mahātmane

"—shall never again drink a mother's milk, but attains liberation. Then Rudra, the blue-throated, to the great-souled Narada—

Verse 121 (skanda.1.101.121)

वरं दत्त्वा स्वयं तस्थौ महीनगरके शुभे ॥ कोटितीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा नीलकण्ठं प्रपश्यति

varaṁ dattvā svayaṁ tasthau mahīnagarake śubhe || koṭitīrthe naraḥ snātvā nīlakaṇṭhaṁ prapaśyati

"—having granted a boon, himself remained in auspicious Mahinagaraka. A man who bathes at Koti-tirtha and beholds Nilakantha there —

Verse 122 (skanda.1.101.122)

जयादित्यं नमस्कृत्य रुद्रलोकमवाप्नुयात् ॥ जयादित्यं पूजयंति कूपे स्नात्वा नरोत्तमाः

jayādityaṁ namaskṛtya rudralokamavāpnuyāt || jayādityaṁ pūjayaṁti kūpe snātvā narottamāḥ

"—and bows to Jayaditya, attains the world of Rudra. The best of men, having bathed in the well, worship Jayaditya —

Verse 123 (skanda.1.101.123)

न तेषां वंशनाशोऽस्ति जयादित्यप्रसादतः ॥ तेषां कुले न रोगः स्यान्न दारिद्र्यं न लाञ्छनम्

na teṣāṁ vaṁśanāśo'sti jayādityaprasādataḥ || teṣāṁ kule na rogaḥ syānna dāridryaṁ na lāñchanam

"—for them there is no destruction of their lineage, by the grace of Jayaditya; in their family there shall be no disease, no poverty, no disgrace.

Verse 124 (skanda.1.101.124)

पुत्रपौत्रसमायुक्ता धनधान्यसमायुताः ॥ भुक्त्वा भोगानिह बहून्सूर्यलोके वसन्ति ते

putrapautrasamāyuktā dhanadhānyasamāyutāḥ || bhuktvā bhogāniha bahūnsūryaloke vasanti te

Blessed with sons and grandsons, endowed with wealth and grain, having enjoyed many pleasures here, they dwell in the world of the Sun.

Verse 125 (skanda.1.101.125)

इति प्रोक्तं मया विप्रा गुप्तक्षेत्रं समासतः ॥ सप्तक्रोशप्रमाणं च क्षेत्रस्यास्य पुरा द्विजाः ॥ स्वयंभुवा प्रोक्तमिदं सर्वकामार्थसिद्धिदम्

iti proktaṁ mayā viprā guptakṣetraṁ samāsataḥ || saptakrośapramāṇaṁ ca kṣetrasyāsya purā dvijāḥ || svayaṁbhuvā proktamidaṁ sarvakāmārthasiddhidam

Thus, O brahmins, have I told you the Gupta-kshetra in brief. And of old, O twice-born, this field, seven krosha in extent, was declared by the Self-born himself to bestow the accomplishment of every desired object.

Verse 126 (skanda.1.101.126)

इति वो वर्णितः पुण्यो महीसागरसम्भवः ॥ शृण्वन्संकीर्तयंश्चैव सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते

iti vo varṇitaḥ puṇyo mahīsāgarasambhavaḥ || śṛṇvansaṁkīrtayaṁścaiva sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

Thus has this sacred tirtha arisen at Mahi-Sagara been described to you. Whoever hears it, and whoever proclaims it, is freed from all sins.

Verse 127 (skanda.1.101.127)

य इदं श्रावयेद्विद्वान्महामाहात्म्यमुत्तमम् ॥ सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो रुद्रलोकं स गच्छति

ya idaṁ śrāvayedvidvānmahāmāhātmyamuttamam || sarvapāpavinirmukto rudralokaṁ sa gacchati

Whatever learned man causes this supreme, great glory to be heard, he, freed from all sin, goes to the world of Rudra.

Verse 128 (skanda.1.101.128)

गुप्तक्षेत्रस्य माहात्म्यं सकलं श्रावयेद्यदि ॥ सर्वैश्वर्यमवाप्नोति ब्रह्महत्यां व्यपोहति

guptakṣetrasya māhātmyaṁ sakalaṁ śrāvayedyadi || sarvaiśvaryamavāpnoti brahmahatyāṁ vyapohati

If one causes the entire greatness of the Gupta-kshetra to be heard, he obtains every lordship, and wipes away even the sin of slaying a brahmin.

Verse 129 (skanda.1.101.129)

कोटितीर्थस्य माहात्म्यं महीनगरकस्य च ॥ शृणोति श्रावयेद्यस्तु ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते

koṭitīrthasya māhātmyaṁ mahīnagarakasya ca || śṛṇoti śrāvayedyastu brahmabhūyāya kalpate

Whoever hears, or causes to be heard, the greatness of Koti-tirtha and of Mahinagaraka, becomes fit for union with Brahman.

Verse 130 (skanda.1.101.130)

कोटितीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा श्राद्धं कृत्वा प्रयत्नतः ॥ दानं दद्याद्यथाशक्त्या शृणुध्वं तत्फलं हि मे

koṭitīrthe naraḥ snātvā śrāddhaṁ kṛtvā prayatnataḥ || dānaṁ dadyādyathāśaktyā śṛṇudhvaṁ tatphalaṁ hi me

A man who bathes at Koti-tirtha, performs the shraddha rite with diligence, and gives gifts according to his ability — hear from me the fruit of this.

Verse 131 (skanda.1.101.131)

स्वर्गपातालमर्त्येषु यानि तीर्थानि सन्ति वै ॥ तेषु दानेषु यत्पुण्यं तत्फलं प्राप्यते नरैः

svargapātālamartyeṣu yāni tīrthāni santi vai || teṣu dāneṣu yatpuṇyaṁ tatphalaṁ prāpyate naraiḥ

Whatever merit is obtained by giving gifts at all the sacred fords that exist in heaven, in the netherworld, and among mortals — that very fruit is obtained by men here.

Verse 132 (skanda.1.101.132)

अश्वमेधादिभिर्यज्ञैरिष्टैश्चैवाप्तदक्षिणैः ॥ सर्वव्रततपोभिश्च कृतैर्यत्पुण्यमाप्यते

aśvamedhādibhiryajñairiṣṭaiścaivāptadakṣiṇaiḥ || sarvavratatapobhiśca kṛtairyatpuṇyamāpyate

Whatever merit is gained through Ashvamedha and other sacrifices duly performed with full sacrificial fees, and through all vows and austerities undertaken —

Verse 133 (skanda.1.101.133)

तत्पुण्यं प्राप्यते विप्राः कोटितीर्थे न संशयः

tatpuṇyaṁ prāpyate viprāḥ koṭitīrthe na saṁśayaḥ

"—that same merit is obtained, O brahmins, at Koti-tirtha, without doubt.

Verse 134 (skanda.1.101.134)

इदं पवित्रं खलु पुण्यदं सदा यशस्करं पापहरं परात्परम् ॥ शृणोति भक्त्या पुरुषः स पुण्यभागसुक्षये रुद्रसलोकतां व्रजेत्

idaṁ pavitraṁ khalu puṇyadaṁ sadā yaśaskaraṁ pāpaharaṁ parātparam || śṛṇoti bhaktyā puruṣaḥ sa puṇyabhāgasukṣaye rudrasalokatāṁ vrajet

This account is truly purifying, ever bestowing merit, bringing fame, removing sin, higher than the highest. The man who hears it with devotion — he, his store of merit undiminished, attains dwelling in the world of Rudra.

Verse 135 (skanda.1.101.135)

धन्यं यशस्यं नियतं सुपुण्यं स्वर्मोक्षदं पापहरं नराणाम् ॥ शृणोति नित्यं नियतः शुचिः पुमान्भित्त्वा रविं विष्णु पदं प्रयाति

dhanyaṁ yaśasyaṁ niyataṁ supuṇyaṁ svarmokṣadaṁ pāpaharaṁ narāṇām || śṛṇoti nityaṁ niyataḥ śuciḥ pumānbhittvā raviṁ viṣṇu padaṁ prayāti

This is blessed, glorious, truly meritorious, granting heaven and liberation, remover of men's sins. The man who ever hears it, self-controlled and pure, passing beyond the sun, attains the abode of Vishnu.