Parvati's Penance at Ekamra on the Kampa

Verse 1 (skanda.1.104.1)

सनक उवाच । भगवन्नरुणाद्रीश माहात्म्यमिदमद्भुतम् । श्रुतं शिवप्रसादेन दयया ते जगद्गुरोः

sanaka uvāca bhagavannaruṇādrīśa māhātmyamidamadbhutam śrutaṁ śivaprasādena dayayā te jagadguroḥ

Sanaka said: O Lord, O ruler of the red mountain! By your grace, O guru of the world, and by Shiva's favour, I have heard this wondrous greatness.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.104.2)

आश्चर्यमेतन्माहात्म्यं सर्वपापविनाशनम् । आराधयन्पुनः के वा वरदं शोणपर्वतम्

āścaryametanmāhātmyaṁ sarvapāpavināśanam ārādhayanpunaḥ ke vā varadaṁ śoṇaparvatam

This greatness is wondrous, destroying every sin; but who, then, are those who worship again this boon-granting red mountain?

Verse 3 (skanda.1.104.3)

अनादिरंतरहितः शिवः शोणचलाकृतिः । युवयोस्तपसा देव वरदानाय संस्थितः

anādiraṁtarahitaḥ śivaḥ śoṇacalākṛtiḥ yuvayostapasā deva varadānāya saṁsthitaḥ

O God, that beginningless and endless Shiva, taking the form of the red mountain, remained established there to grant boons, pleased by the austerity of you two.

Verse 4 (skanda.1.104.4)

सकृत्संकीर्तिते नाम्नि शोणाद्रिरिति मुक्तिदे । सन्निधिः सर्वकामानां जायते चाघनाशनम्

sakṛtsaṁkīrtite nāmni śoṇādririti muktide sannidhiḥ sarvakāmānāṁ jāyate cāghanāśanam

By merely uttering once the name 'Shonadri', which bestows liberation, the presence of all one's desires and the destruction of sin come about.

Verse 5 (skanda.1.104.5)

शिवशब्दामृतास्वादः शिवार्चनकथाक्रमः । इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा देवदेवः पितामहः

śivaśabdāmṛtāsvādaḥ śivārcanakathākramaḥ iti tadvacanaṁ śrutvā devadevaḥ pitāmahaḥ

The tasting of the nectar that is the name of Shiva, and the sequence of Shiva's worship and its tale — hearing these words, the grandsire, god of gods,

Verse 6 (skanda.1.104.6)

उवाच करुणामूर्तिररुणाद्रीशमानमन् । ब्रह्मोवाच । श्रूयतां वत्स पार्वत्याश्चरितं यत्पुरातनम्

uvāca karuṇāmūrtiraruṇādrīśamānaman brahmovāca śrūyatāṁ vatsa pārvatyāścaritaṁ yatpurātanam

Brahma, the very embodiment of compassion, bowing to the Lord of the red mountain, spoke: Brahma said: Hear, O child, that ancient story of Parvati.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.104.7)

अरुणाद्रीशमाश्रित्य यथा सा निर्वृताभवत् । आससाद महादेवः कदाचित्पार्वतीपतिः

aruṇādrīśamāśritya yathā sā nirvṛtābhavat āsasāda mahādevaḥ kadācitpārvatīpatiḥ

How, taking refuge in the Lord of the red mountain, she came to peace — once it happened thus to Mahadeva, Parvati's lord.

Verse 8 (skanda.1.104.8)

रत्नसिंहासनं दिव्यं रत्नतोरणसंयुतम् । रत्नपुष्पफलोपेत कल्पद्रुममनोहरम्

ratnasiṁhāsanaṁ divyaṁ ratnatoraṇasaṁyutam ratnapuṣpaphalopeta kalpadrumamanoharam

A divine throne set with jewels, adorned with jewelled archways, made beautiful by a wish-tree bearing jewelled flowers and fruit.

Verse 9 (skanda.1.104.9)

परार्ध्य दृषदास्तीर्णं बद्धमुक्तावितानकम् । विमुक्तपुष्पप्रकरदिव्यधूपोरुसौरभम्

parārdhya dṛṣadāstīrṇaṁ baddhamuktāvitānakam vimuktapuṣpaprakaradivyadhūporusaurabham

Spread with priceless stones, hung with a canopy of strung and scattered pearls, filled with heaps of scattered flowers and the rich fragrance of divine incense.

Verse 10 (skanda.1.104.10)

प्रलंबमालिकाजालनिनदद्भृंगसंकुलम् । दिव्यतूर्यघनारावप्रनृत्यद्गुहवाहनम्

pralaṁbamālikājālaninadadbhṛṁgasaṁkulam divyatūryaghanārāvapranṛtyadguhavāhanam

Filled with bees humming in the trailing garlands, with the vehicle of Guha, the peacock, dancing to the deep sound of divine trumpets.

Verse 11 (skanda.1.104.11)

पार्वतीसिंहसंचारपरित्रस्तमहागजम् । अप्सरोभिः प्रनर्त्ताभिर्गायंतीभिश्च केवलम्

pārvatīsiṁhasaṁcāraparitrastamahāgajam apsarobhiḥ pranarttābhirgāyaṁtībhiśca kevalam

With a great elephant terrified by the passage of Parvati's lion mount, attended solely by dancing and singing celestial nymphs.

Verse 12 (skanda.1.104.12)

आसेवितपुरोरंगं दिक्पालकनिषेवितम् । ऋग्यजुःसामजैर्मंत्रैः स्तुवद्भिर्मुनिपुंगवैः

āsevitapuroraṁgaṁ dikpālakaniṣevitam ṛgyajuḥsāmajairmaṁtraiḥ stuvadbhirmunipuṁgavaiḥ

With a stage for dance served before it, attended by the guardians of the directions, and by eminent sages praising with the mantras of the Rig, Yajur, and Sama.

Verse 13 (skanda.1.104.13)

ब्रह्मर्षिभिस्तथा देवैः सिद्धै राजर्षिभिवृतम् । गणैश्च विविधाकारैर्भस्मालंकृतविग्रहैः

brahmarṣibhistathā devaiḥ siddhai rājarṣibhivṛtam gaṇaiśca vividhākārairbhasmālaṁkṛtavigrahaiḥ

Surrounded by brahmarshis and gods, by siddhas and royal sages, and by hosts of gana-attendants of varied form, their bodies adorned with sacred ash.

Verse 14 (skanda.1.104.14)

रुद्राक्षधारसुभगैरापूर्णं शिवतत्परैः । वीणावेणुमृदंगादितौर्यत्रिकजनिस्वनैः

rudrākṣadhārasubhagairāpūrṇaṁ śivatatparaiḥ vīṇāveṇumṛdaṁgāditauryatrikajanisvanaiḥ

Filled with beautiful ones bearing rudraksha and devoted to Shiva, resounding with the sound of vina, flute, mridanga and the other threefold instruments.

Verse 15 (skanda.1.104.15)

घंटाटंकारसुभगैर्वेदध्वनिविमिश्रितैः । मनोहरं महादिव्यमासनं पार्वतीसखः

ghaṁṭāṭaṁkārasubhagairvedadhvanivimiśritaiḥ manoharaṁ mahādivyamāsanaṁ pārvatīsakhaḥ

Filled with the pleasant clang of bells, mingled with the sound of the Vedas — Shiva, the companion of Parvati, adorned this delightful and utterly divine seat.

Verse 16 (skanda.1.104.16)

अलंचकार भगवन्भक्तानुग्रहकाम्यया । आस्थाय विमलं रूपं सर्वतेजोमयं शिवम्

alaṁcakāra bhagavanbhaktānugrahakāmyayā āsthāya vimalaṁ rūpaṁ sarvatejomayaṁ śivam

Doing so out of the wish to show grace to his devotees, and assuming his pure, all-radiant form of Shiva.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.104.17)

अंबिकासहितः श्रीमान्विजहार दयानिधिः । संगीतेन कथाभेदैर्द्यूतक्रीडाविकल्पनैः

aṁbikāsahitaḥ śrīmānvijahāra dayānidhiḥ saṁgītena kathābhedairdyūtakrīḍāvikalpanaiḥ

Together with Ambika, the glorious ocean of compassion sported with music, with varied tales, and with the many forms of the game of dice.

Verse 18 (skanda.1.104.18)

गणानां विकटैर्नृत्यै रमयामास पार्वतीम् । विसृज्य सकलान्देवानृषींश्चापि सभासदः

gaṇānāṁ vikaṭairnṛtyai ramayāmāsa pārvatīm visṛjya sakalāndevānṛṣīṁścāpi sabhāsadaḥ

Delighting Parvati with the wild dances of the ganas, and having dismissed all the gods, the sages, and the members of the assembly.

Verse 19 (skanda.1.104.19)

वरान्प्रदाय विविधान्भक्तलोकाय वाञ्छितान् । आगमेषु विचित्रेषु सर्वर्तुकुसुमेषु च

varānpradāya vividhānbhaktalokāya vāñchitān āgameṣu vicitreṣu sarvartukusumeṣu ca

Having granted to the multitudes of devotees the various boons they desired, amid wondrous scriptures and flowers of every season alike.

Verse 20 (skanda.1.104.20)

विजहारोमया सार्द्धं रत्नप्रासादपंक्तिषु । वापिकासु मनोज्ञासु रत्नसोपानपंक्तिषु

vijahāromayā sārddhaṁ ratnaprāsādapaṁktiṣu vāpikāsu manojñāsu ratnasopānapaṁktiṣu

Together with me they would sport among the rows of jewelled mansions, in delightful pools, and along their flights of jewelled steps.

Verse 21 (skanda.1.104.21)

केलिपर्वतशृंगेषु हेमरंभावनांतरे । गंगातरंगशीतेन फुल्लपंकजगंधिना

keliparvataśṛṁgeṣu hemaraṁbhāvanāṁtare gaṁgātaraṁgaśītena phullapaṁkajagaṁdhinā

On the peaks of pleasure-mountains, amid groves of golden plantain, cooled by the waves of the Ganga, fragrant with blossoming lotuses.

Verse 22 (skanda.1.104.22)

वातेन मंदगतिना विहारविहतश्रमः । स्वकामतः स्वयं देवः प्रेयसीमभ्यनन्दयत्

vātena maṁdagatinā vihāravihataśramaḥ svakāmataḥ svayaṁ devaḥ preyasīmabhyanandayat

His fatigue from sport dispelled by that gently moving breeze, the God, of his own desire, gladdened his beloved.

Verse 23 (skanda.1.104.23)

रतिरूपां शिवां देवीं सर्वसौभाग्यसुन्दरीम् । कदाचिद्रहसि प्रीता निजाज्ञावशवर्त्तिनम्

ratirūpāṁ śivāṁ devīṁ sarvasaubhāgyasundarīm kadācidrahasi prītā nijājñāvaśavarttinam

The goddess Shiva, lovely as Rati herself, beautiful with every good fortune — once, pleased, in a secluded place, made subject to her own command,

Verse 24 (skanda.1.104.24)

रमणं जानती मुग्धा पश्चादभ्येत्य सादरम् । कराभ्यां कमलाभाभ्यां त्रिणेत्राणि जगद्गुरोः

ramaṇaṁ jānatī mugdhā paścādabhyetya sādaram karābhyāṁ kamalābhābhyāṁ triṇetrāṇi jagadguroḥ

the enchanting Parvati, though knowing him to be at play, came up gently from behind and, with her two lotus-like hands, covered the three eyes of the guru of the world.

Verse 25 (skanda.1.104.25)

पिदधे लीलया शंभोः किमेतदिति कौतुकात् । चन्द्रादित्याग्निरूपेण पिहितेष्वक्षिषु क्रमात्

pidadhe līlayā śaṁbhoḥ kimetaditi kautukāt candrādityāgnirūpeṇa pihiteṣvakṣiṣu kramāt

She covered them in play upon Shambhu's own sport, out of the curiosity 'what is this?' — those eyes, being of the form of moon, sun, and fire, closed in succession.

Verse 26 (skanda.1.104.26)

अन्धकारोऽभवत्तत्र चिरकालं भयंकरः । निमिषार्द्धेन देवस्य जग्मुर्वत्सरकोटयः

andhakāro'bhavattatra cirakālaṁ bhayaṁkaraḥ nimiṣārddhena devasya jagmurvatsarakoṭayaḥ

There a terrible darkness spread for a long age; in but half the blink of the God's eye, millions of years passed away.

Verse 27 (skanda.1.104.27)

देवीलीलासमुत्थेन तमसाभूज्जगत्क्षयः । तमसा पूरितं विश्वमपारेण समन्ततः

devīlīlāsamutthena tamasābhūjjagatkṣayaḥ tamasā pūritaṁ viśvamapāreṇa samantataḥ

From that darkness arising out of the goddess's play, the whole world perished; the universe was filled on every side with boundless darkness.

Verse 28 (skanda.1.104.28)

शून्यं ज्योतिः प्रचारेण विनाशं प्रत्यपद्यत । न व्यजृंभत विबुधा न च वेदाश्चकाशिरे

śūnyaṁ jyotiḥ pracāreṇa vināśaṁ pratyapadyata na vyajṛṁbhata vibudhā na ca vedāścakāśire

Devoid of any spread of light, radiance itself was reduced to emptiness and met its ruin; neither did the gods appear, nor did the Vedas shine forth.

Verse 29 (skanda.1.104.29)

नापि जीवाः समभवन्नव्यक्तं केवलं स्थितम् । जगतामपि सर्वेषामकाले वीक्ष्य संक्षयम्

nāpi jīvāḥ samabhavannavyaktaṁ kevalaṁ sthitam jagatāmapi sarveṣāmakāle vīkṣya saṁkṣayam

Not even living beings came into being; only the unmanifest remained. Beholding this untimely destruction of all the worlds,

Verse 30 (skanda.1.104.30)

तपसा लब्धस्फूर्तीनां विचारः समपद्यत । किमेतत्तमसो जन्म भुवनक्षयकारणम्

tapasā labdhasphūrtīnāṁ vicāraḥ samapadyata kimetattamaso janma bhuvanakṣayakāraṇam

those whose insight had been won through austerity fell to reflecting: 'What is this birth of darkness, this cause of the destruction of the worlds?'

Verse 31 (skanda.1.104.31)

भगवानपि सर्वात्मा न नूनं कालमाक्षिपत् । देवी विनोदरूपेण पिधत्ते पुरजिद्दृशः

bhagavānapi sarvātmā na nūnaṁ kālamākṣipat devī vinodarūpeṇa pidhatte purajiddṛśaḥ

The blessed Lord, soul of all, had surely not himself brought on this untimely end; it was the goddess who, in mere sport, had covered the eyes of the destroyer of Tripura.

Verse 32 (skanda.1.104.32)

तेनेदमखिलं जातं निस्तेजो भुवनत्रयम् । अकालतमसा व्याप्ते सकले भुवनत्रये

tenedamakhilaṁ jātaṁ nistejo bhuvanatrayam akālatamasā vyāpte sakale bhuvanatraye

By that alone this entire triple world became bereft of light; when the whole of the three worlds had become pervaded by that untimely darkness,

Verse 33 (skanda.1.104.33)

का गतिर्लब्धराज्यानां तपसो देवजन्मनाम् । न यज्ञाः संप्रवर्तंते न पूज्यन्ते सुरा भुवि

kā gatirlabdharājyānāṁ tapaso devajanmanām na yajñāḥ saṁpravartaṁte na pūjyante surā bhuvi

'What will become of those who hold kingdoms, of the ascetics, of those born as gods? No sacrifices shall proceed, nor shall the gods be worshipped upon the earth' —

Verse 34 (skanda.1.104.34)

इति निश्चित्य मनसा वीक्ष्य ते ज्ञानचक्षुषा । नित्यास्ते सूरयो भक्त्या शंभुमागम्य तुष्टुवुः

iti niścitya manasā vīkṣya te jñānacakṣuṣā nityāste sūrayo bhaktyā śaṁbhumāgamya tuṣṭuvuḥ

having thus resolved in their minds, and beholding it with the eye of knowledge, those eternal sages, with devotion, approached Shambhu and praised him.

Verse 35 (skanda.1.104.35)

नमः सर्वजगत्कर्त्रे शिवाय परमात्मने । मायया शक्तिरूपेण पृथग्भावमुपेयुषे

namaḥ sarvajagatkartre śivāya paramātmane māyayā śaktirūpeṇa pṛthagbhāvamupeyuṣe

Salutation to Shiva, creator of the whole world, the supreme Self, who through Maya assumes, in the form of Shakti, a state of apparent difference.

Verse 36 (skanda.1.104.36)

अविनाभाविनी शक्तिराद्यैका शिवरूपिणी । लीलया जगदुत्पत्तिरक्षासंहृतिकारिणी

avinābhāvinī śaktirādyaikā śivarūpiṇī līlayā jagadutpattirakṣāsaṁhṛtikāriṇī

That inseparable, primal, single Shakti, of the very nature of Shiva, is she who in her play brings about the creation, preservation, and dissolution of the world.

Verse 37 (skanda.1.104.37)

अर्धांगी सा तव देव शिवशक्त्यात्मकं वपुः । एक एव महादेवो न परे त्वद्विना विभो

ardhāṁgī sā tava deva śivaśaktyātmakaṁ vapuḥ eka eva mahādevo na pare tvadvinā vibho

O God, she is your very half; this body of yours is of the nature of Shiva and Shakti together; O Lord, apart from you there is no other Mahadeva — you alone are one.

Verse 38 (skanda.1.104.38)

लीलया तव लोकोयमकाले प्रलयं गतः । करुणा तव निर्व्याजा वर्द्धतां लोकवर्द्धनी

līlayā tava lokoyamakāle pralayaṁ gataḥ karuṇā tava nirvyājā varddhatāṁ lokavarddhanī

By your very play has this world come to an untimely dissolution; let your unfeigned compassion, which fosters the worlds, now increase.

Verse 39 (skanda.1.104.39)

भवतो निमिषार्द्धेन तेजसामुपसंहृतेः । गतान्यनेकवर्षाणि जगतां नाशहेतवे

bhavato nimiṣārddhena tejasāmupasaṁhṛteḥ gatānyanekavarṣāṇi jagatāṁ nāśahetave

In but half the blink of your eye, through the withdrawal of the very sources of light, many years have already passed, bringing about the ruin of the worlds.

Verse 40 (skanda.1.104.40)

ततः प्रसीद करुणामूर्त्ते काल सदाशिव । विरम प्रणयारब्धादमुष्माल्लोकसंक्षयात्

tataḥ prasīda karuṇāmūrtte kāla sadāśiva virama praṇayārabdhādamuṣmāllokasaṁkṣayāt

Therefore, O embodiment of compassion, O Sadashiva who art time itself, be gracious; cease from this destruction of the worlds, begun in mere affection.

Verse 41 (skanda.1.104.41)

इति तेषां वचः श्रुत्वा भक्तानां सिद्धिशालिनाम् । विसृजाक्षोणि गौरीति करुणामूर्त्तिरब्रवीत्

iti teṣāṁ vacaḥ śrutvā bhaktānāṁ siddhiśālinām visṛjākṣoṇi gaurīti karuṇāmūrttirabravīt

Hearing these words of those accomplished devotees, the embodiment of compassion said: 'O Gauri, release the earth.'

Verse 42 (skanda.1.104.42)

विससर्ज च सा देवी पिधानं हरचक्षुषाम् । सोमसूर्याग्निरूपाणां प्रकाशमभवज्जगत्

visasarja ca sā devī pidhānaṁ haracakṣuṣām somasūryāgnirūpāṇāṁ prakāśamabhavajjagat

Then that goddess removed the covering from Hara's eyes, and the world became illumined once more in the forms of moon, sun, and fire.

Verse 43 (skanda.1.104.43)

कियान्कालो गतश्चेति पृष्टैः सिद्धैश्च वै नतैः । उक्तं त्वन्निमिषार्द्धेन जग्मुर्वत्सरकोटयः

kiyānkālo gataśceti pṛṣṭaiḥ siddhaiśca vai nataiḥ uktaṁ tvannimiṣārddhena jagmurvatsarakoṭayaḥ

The siddhas, bowing, asked: 'How much time has passed?' It was said to them: 'In your half-blink, millions of years have gone by.'

Verse 44 (skanda.1.104.44)

अथ देवः कृपामूर्त्तिरालोक्य विहसन्प्रियाम् । अब्रवीत्परमोदारः परं धर्मार्थसंग्रहम्

atha devaḥ kṛpāmūrttirālokya vihasanpriyām abravītparamodāraḥ paraṁ dharmārthasaṁgraham

Then the God, glancing with a smile at his beloved, the most generous embodiment of compassion, spoke, gathering together the very essence of dharma and artha.

Verse 45 (skanda.1.104.45)

अविचार्य कृतं मुग्धे भुवनक्षयकारणात् । अयुक्तमिह पश्यामि जगन्मातुस्तवैव हि

avicārya kṛtaṁ mugdhe bhuvanakṣayakāraṇāt ayuktamiha paśyāmi jaganmātustavaiva hi

'O innocent one, without reflection you have brought about this cause of the world's destruction; O mother of the world, this seems to me here improper indeed.'

Verse 46 (skanda.1.104.46)

अहमप्यखिलाँल्लोकान्संहरिष्यामि संक्षये । प्राप्ते काले त्वया मौग्ध्यादकाले प्रलयं गताः

ahamapyakhilā~llokānsaṁhariṣyāmi saṁkṣaye prāpte kāle tvayā maugdhyādakāle pralayaṁ gatāḥ

'I too destroy all the worlds when the time of dissolution comes, but only when its proper time arrives, not by bringing on, as you did through delusion, a dissolution out of season.'

Verse 47 (skanda.1.104.47)

केयं वा त्वादृशी कुर्यादीदृशं सद्विगर्हितम् । कर्म नर्मण्यपि सदा कृपामूर्तिर्न बाधते

keyaṁ vā tvādṛśī kuryādīdṛśaṁ sadvigarhitam karma narmaṇyapi sadā kṛpāmūrtirna bādhate

'Who else like you could commit such a deed, reproached by the virtuous? Yet the embodiment of compassion never obstructs even a deed done in mere jest.'

Verse 48 (skanda.1.104.48)

इति शम्भोर्वचः श्रुत्वा धर्मलोपभयाकुला । किं करिष्यामि तच्छांत्या इत्यपृच्छत्स्म तं प्रिया

iti śambhorvacaḥ śrutvā dharmalopabhayākulā kiṁ kariṣyāmi tacchāṁtyā ityapṛcchatsma taṁ priyā

Hearing these words of Shambhu, his beloved, alarmed by the lapse of dharma, asked him: 'What shall I do for its atonement?'

Verse 49 (skanda.1.104.49)

अथ देवः प्रसन्नात्मा व्याजहार दयानिधिः । देव्यास्तेनानुतापेन भक्त्या च तोषितः शिवः

atha devaḥ prasannātmā vyājahāra dayānidhiḥ devyāstenānutāpena bhaktyā ca toṣitaḥ śivaḥ

Then the God, gladdened in mind, the ocean of compassion, spoke; pleased by the goddess's remorse and her devotion, Shiva said:

Verse 50 (skanda.1.104.50)

मन्मूर्तेस्तव केयं वा प्रायश्चित्तिरिहोच्यते । अथापि धर्ममार्गोयं त्वयैव परिपाल्यते

manmūrtestava keyaṁ vā prāyaścittirihocyate athāpi dharmamārgoyaṁ tvayaiva paripālyate

'For you, who are but my own very form, what atonement could here be prescribed? And yet this path of dharma is upheld by you alone.'

Verse 51 (skanda.1.104.51)

श्रुतिस्मृतिक्रियाकल्पा विद्याश्च विबुधादयः । त्वद्रूपमेतदखिलं महदर्थोस्मि तन्मयः

śrutismṛtikriyākalpā vidyāśca vibudhādayaḥ tvadrūpametadakhilaṁ mahadarthosmi tanmayaḥ

'Shruti, smriti, the codes of ritual, and all learning, and the gods and the rest — all this is your very form; in this great meaning I am one, wholly given over to you.'

Verse 52 (skanda.1.104.52)

मान्ययाभिन्नया देव्या भाव्यं लोकसिसृक्षया

mānyayābhinnayā devyā bhāvyaṁ lokasisṛkṣayā

'In keeping with the standing of the goddess who is not different from me, my conduct must accord with the desire to create the worlds.'

Verse 53 (skanda.1.104.53)

तस्माल्लोकानुरूपं ते प्रायश्चित्तं विधीयते । षड्विधो गदितो धर्मः श्रुतिस्मृतिविचारतः

tasmāllokānurūpaṁ te prāyaścittaṁ vidhīyate ṣaḍvidho gadito dharmaḥ śrutismṛtivicārataḥ

'Therefore, in keeping with the world, an atonement is now prescribed for you; according to the reckoning of shruti and smriti, dharma is declared to be sixfold.'

Verse 54 (skanda.1.104.54)

स्वामिना नानुपाल्येत यदि त्याज्योऽनुजीविभिः । न त्वां विहाय शक्नोमि क्षणमप्यासितुं क्वचित्

svāminā nānupālyeta yadi tyājyo'nujīvibhiḥ na tvāṁ vihāya śaknomi kṣaṇamapyāsituṁ kvacit

'If a master is not upheld by those who serve him, they become worthy of abandonment; yet I, forsaking you, cannot remain anywhere even for an instant.'

Verse 55 (skanda.1.104.55)

अहमेव तपः सर्वं करिष्याम्यात्मनि स्थितः । पृध्वी च सकला भूयात्तपसा सफला तव

ahameva tapaḥ sarvaṁ kariṣyāmyātmani sthitaḥ pṛdhvī ca sakalā bhūyāttapasā saphalā tava

'Therefore I myself, established within my own self, shall perform this entire penance; and through this austerity of yours, let the whole earth be made fruitful.'

Verse 56 (skanda.1.104.56)

त्वत्पादपद्मसंस्पर्शात्त्वत्तपोदर्शनादपि । निरस्यंति स्वसान्निध्याद्दुष्टजातमुपद्रवम्

tvatpādapadmasaṁsparśāttvattapodarśanādapi nirasyaṁti svasānnidhyādduṣṭajātamupadravam

'By the touch of your lotus feet, and by the mere sight of your penance, beings shall drive away, by that very nearness, the disturbances raised by the wicked.'

Verse 57 (skanda.1.104.57)

कर्मभूमेस्त्वमाधिक्यहेतवे पुण्यमाचर । त्वत्तपश्चरणं लोके वीक्ष्य सर्वोपि संततम्

karmabhūmestvamādhikyahetave puṇyamācara tvattapaścaraṇaṁ loke vīkṣya sarvopi saṁtatam

'For the sake of the greatness of this land of action, practise virtue; beholding your unbroken penance, everyone in this world too —'

Verse 58 (skanda.1.104.58)

धर्मे दृढतरा बुद्धिं निबध्नीयान्न संशयः । कृतार्थयिष्यति महीं दया ते धर्मपालनैः

dharme dṛḍhatarā buddhiṁ nibadhnīyānna saṁśayaḥ kṛtārthayiṣyati mahīṁ dayā te dharmapālanaiḥ

'— shall, without doubt, bind their minds ever more firmly to dharma; your compassion, through the upholding of dharma, shall make this earth fulfilled.'

Verse 59 (skanda.1.104.59)

त्वमेवैतत्सकलं प्रोक्ता वेदैर्देवि सनातनैः । अस्ति कांचीपुरी ख्याता सर्वभूतिसमन्विता

tvamevaitatsakalaṁ proktā vedairdevi sanātanaiḥ asti kāṁcīpurī khyātā sarvabhūtisamanvitā

'O goddess, you yourself are all this that is proclaimed by the eternal Vedas; there is a renowned city called Kanchipuri, endowed with every prosperity.'

Verse 60 (skanda.1.104.60)

या दिवं देवसंपूर्णा प्रत्यक्षयति भूतले । यत्र कृतं तपः किंचिदनंतफलमुच्यते

yā divaṁ devasaṁpūrṇā pratyakṣayati bhūtale yatra kṛtaṁ tapaḥ kiṁcidanaṁtaphalamucyate

'It makes heaven itself, full of the gods, directly visible upon this earth; even the smallest penance performed there is said to bear infinite fruit.'

Verse 61 (skanda.1.104.61)

देवाश्च मुनयः सर्वे वासं वांछंति संततम् । तत्र कंपेति विख्याता महापातकनाशिनी

devāśca munayaḥ sarve vāsaṁ vāṁchaṁti saṁtatam tatra kaṁpeti vikhyātā mahāpātakanāśinī

'The gods and all the sages ever long to dwell there; there flows a river renowned by the name Kampa, destroyer of the greatest sins.'

Verse 62 (skanda.1.104.62)

यत्र स्थितानां मर्त्यानां कम्पन्ते पापकोटयः । तत्र चूतद्रुमश्चैको राजते नित्यपल्लवः

yatra sthitānāṁ martyānāṁ kampante pāpakoṭayaḥ tatra cūtadrumaścaiko rājate nityapallavaḥ

'There, the very millions of sins of the mortals dwelling there tremble; there stands resplendent a single mango tree, ever clothed in fresh leaves.'

Verse 63 (skanda.1.104.63)

संपूर्णशीतलच्छायः प्रसूनफलपल्लवैः । तत्र जप्तं हुतं दत्तमनन्तफलदं भवेत्

saṁpūrṇaśītalacchāyaḥ prasūnaphalapallavaiḥ tatra japtaṁ hutaṁ dattamanantaphaladaṁ bhavet

'Cool with its full shade, rich in flowers, fruit and young leaves — whatever recitation, offering, or gift is made there becomes bearer of endless fruit.'

Verse 64 (skanda.1.104.64)

गणाश्च विविधाकारा डाकिन्यो योगिनीगणाः । परितस्त्वां निषेवंतां विष्णुमुख्यास्तथा पराः

gaṇāśca vividhākārā ḍākinyo yoginīgaṇāḥ paritastvāṁ niṣevaṁtāṁ viṣṇumukhyāstathā parāḥ

'Ganas of varied forms, dakinis, hosts of yoginis, and other gods headed by Vishnu shall serve you there on every side.'

Verse 65 (skanda.1.104.65)

अहं च निष्कलो भूत्वा तव मानसपंकजे । सन्निधास्यामि मा भूस्त्वं देवि मद्विरहाकुला

ahaṁ ca niṣkalo bhūtvā tava mānasapaṁkaje sannidhāsyāmi mā bhūstvaṁ devi madvirahākulā

'And I too, taking on a formless state, shall dwell present within the lotus of your mind; O goddess, do not be troubled by separation from me.'

Verse 66 (skanda.1.104.66)

इत्युक्ता देवदेवेन देवी कंपांतिकं ययौ । तपः कर्तुं सखीयुक्ता विस्मयाक्रान्तलोचना

ityuktā devadevena devī kaṁpāṁtikaṁ yayau tapaḥ kartuṁ sakhīyuktā vismayākrāntalocanā

Thus addressed by the God of gods, the goddess, her eyes filled with wonder, set out with her companion for the vicinity of the Kampa, to perform penance.

Verse 67 (skanda.1.104.67)

कंपां च विमलां सिन्धुं मुनिसमघनिषेविताम् । आलोक्य कोमलदलमेकाम्रं दृष्टिवारणम्

kaṁpāṁ ca vimalāṁ sindhuṁ munisamaghaniṣevitām ālokya komaladalamekāmraṁ dṛṣṭivāraṇam

Beholding the pure river Kampa, served by the assembled sages, and the mango tree, its leaves tender, captivating to the very sight,

Verse 68 (skanda.1.104.68)

फलपुष्पसमाकीर्णं कोकिलालापसंकुलम् । प्रससाद पुनर्देवं सस्मार च महेश्वरम्

phalapuṣpasamākīrṇaṁ kokilālāpasaṁkulam prasasāda punardevaṁ sasmāra ca maheśvaram

laden with fruit and flower and filled with the sweet notes of the koel, the goddess became gladdened once more, and remembered Maheshvara.

Verse 69 (skanda.1.104.69)

कामाग्निपरिवीतांगी तपःक्षामेव साऽभवत् । अभ्यभाषत सा गौरी विजयां पार्श्ववर्त्तिनीम्

kāmāgniparivītāṁgī tapaḥkṣāmeva sā'bhavat abhyabhāṣata sā gaurī vijayāṁ pārśvavarttinīm

Her limbs encircled by the fire of longing, worn thin by penance, Gauri spoke to her companion Vijaya, who stood beside her.

Verse 70 (skanda.1.104.70)

कामशोकपरीतांगी पुरारिविरहाकुला

kāmaśokaparītāṁgī purārivirahākulā

Her body encircled by desire and grief, distressed by separation from the Slayer of Tripura —

Verse 71 (skanda.1.104.71)

इममघहरमागतानिशं स्वयमपि पूजयितुं तपोभिरीशम् । अयमभिनवपल्लवप्रसूनः स्मरयति मां स्मरबन्धुरेकचूतः

imamaghaharamāgatāniśaṁ svayamapi pūjayituṁ tapobhirīśam ayamabhinavapallavaprasūnaḥ smarayati māṁ smarabandhurekacūtaḥ

'This solitary mango tree, as if it had come, day and night, to worship on its own the sin-destroying Lord through its very austerities, with its fresh sprouts and blossoms brings to my mind the friend of Kama himself, spring.'

Verse 72 (skanda.1.104.72)

कथमिव विरहः शिवस्य सह्यः क्षुभितधियात्र भृशं मनोभवेन । तदपि च तरुणेंदुचूडपादस्मरणमहौषधमेकमेव दृष्टम्

kathamiva virahaḥ śivasya sahyaḥ kṣubhitadhiyātra bhṛśaṁ manobhavena tadapi ca taruṇeṁducūḍapādasmaraṇamahauṣadhamekameva dṛṣṭam

'How, with the mind so violently stirred by the god of love, could separation from Shiva ever be borne? And yet the remembrance of the feet of him who wears the young crescent moon is seen here as the one and only great remedy.'