Parvati's Arrival at Gautama's Hermitage on Arunachala

Verse 1 (skanda.1.105.1)

ब्रह्मोवाच । अथाभ्यधत्त विजया प्रणम्य जगदम्बिकाम् । सांत्वयन्ती स्तुतिशतैरुपायैः शिवदर्शनैः

brahmovāca athābhyadhatta vijayā praṇamya jagadambikām sāṁtvayantī stutiśatairupāyaiḥ śivadarśanaiḥ

Brahma said: Then Vijaya, bowing to the mother of the world, spoke, consoling her through a hundred means of praise and the promise of Shiva's vision.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.105.2)

देवि त्वमविनाभूता सदा देवेन शंभुना । प्राणेश्वरी त्वमेकासि शक्तिस्तस्य परात्मनः

devi tvamavinābhūtā sadā devena śaṁbhunā prāṇeśvarī tvamekāsi śaktistasya parātmanaḥ

'O goddess, you are ever inseparable from the God Shambhu; you alone are the mistress of his very life and the Shakti of that supreme Self.'

Verse 3 (skanda.1.105.3)

तथा मायां त्वमात्मीयां संदर्शयितुमीहसे । पृथग्भावमिवेशानः प्रकाशयति न स्वयम्

tathā māyāṁ tvamātmīyāṁ saṁdarśayitumīhase pṛthagbhāvamiveśānaḥ prakāśayati na svayam

'In just the same way you seek to display your own maya; just as Ishana himself makes apparent difference appear, though he himself never truly manifests as such.'

Verse 4 (skanda.1.105.4)

आदेशं प्रतिगृह्यैव समुपेतासि पार्वति । अलंघनीया सेवाज्ञा शांभवी सर्वदा त्वया

ādeśaṁ pratigṛhyaiva samupetāsi pārvati alaṁghanīyā sevājñā śāṁbhavī sarvadā tvayā

'O Parvati, it is having accepted his command that you have come here; the command of Shambhu's service is, by you, never to be transgressed.'

Verse 5 (skanda.1.105.5)

विधातव्यं तपः प्राप्तं स्थानेस्मिच्छिवकल्पिते । निवृत्त्य निखिलान्कामाच्छंमुमाश्रितया त्वया

vidhātavyaṁ tapaḥ prāptaṁ sthānesmicchivakalpite nivṛttya nikhilānkāmācchaṁmumāśritayā tvayā

'The penance ordained for you in this place designed by Shiva itself is what has come to you, fitting for one who, turning away from every desire, takes refuge in Shambhu.'

Verse 6 (skanda.1.105.6)

अन्यथापि जगद्रक्षा त्वदधीना जगन्मयि । धर्मसंरक्षणं भूयः शिवेन सहितं तव

anyathāpi jagadrakṣā tvadadhīnā jaganmayi dharmasaṁrakṣaṇaṁ bhūyaḥ śivena sahitaṁ tava

'Otherwise too, O you who are the very world, the protection of the world rests upon you alone; the safeguarding of dharma, together with Shiva, is ever your task too.'

Verse 7 (skanda.1.105.7)

निष्कलं शिवमत्यंतं ध्यायंत्यात्मन्यवस्थितम् । वियोगदुःखं कञ्चित्त्वं न स्मरिष्यसि पार्वति

niṣkalaṁ śivamatyaṁtaṁ dhyāyaṁtyātmanyavasthitam viyogaduḥkhaṁ kañcittvaṁ na smariṣyasi pārvati

'Meditating upon the utterly formless Shiva, established within your own self, O Parvati, you shall not so much as recall the pain of separation.'

Verse 8 (skanda.1.105.8)

भक्तानां तव मुख्यानां तवैवाचारसंग्रहः । उपदेशितया लोके प्रथतां धर्मवत्सले

bhaktānāṁ tava mukhyānāṁ tavaivācārasaṁgrahaḥ upadeśitayā loke prathatāṁ dharmavatsale

'O one fond of dharma, let this very conduct of yours, taught to your foremost devotees, become renowned throughout the world as their guide.'

Verse 9 (skanda.1.105.9)

इति तस्या वचः श्रुत्वा गौरी सुस्थिरमानसा । तपः कर्त्तुं समारेभे कंपा नद्यास्तटे शुभे

iti tasyā vacaḥ śrutvā gaurī susthiramānasā tapaḥ karttuṁ samārebhe kaṁpā nadyāstaṭe śubhe

Hearing these words of hers, Gauri, her mind now steadied, set about performing austerity on the auspicious bank of the river Kampa.

Verse 10 (skanda.1.105.10)

विमुच्य विविधा भूषा रुद्राक्षगणभूषिता । विसृज्य दिव्यं वसनं पर्यधाद्वल्कले शुभे

vimucya vividhā bhūṣā rudrākṣagaṇabhūṣitā visṛjya divyaṁ vasanaṁ paryadhādvalkale śubhe

Casting off her varied ornaments, adorned instead with rudraksha, discarding her divine garments, she put on auspicious bark.

Verse 11 (skanda.1.105.11)

अलकैः सहसा शिल्पमनयच्च कपर्दृताम् । अलिंपत तनूं सर्वां भस्मना मुक्तकुंकुमा

alakaiḥ sahasā śilpamanayacca kapardṛtām aliṁpata tanūṁ sarvāṁ bhasmanā muktakuṁkumā

Her locks she suddenly fashioned into matted hair, and, laying aside her vermilion, smeared her whole body with sacred ash.

Verse 12 (skanda.1.105.12)

मृगेषु कृतसंतोषा शिलोंछीकृतवृत्तिषु । जजाप नियमोपेता शिवपंचाक्षरं परम्

mṛgeṣu kṛtasaṁtoṣā śiloṁchīkṛtavṛttiṣu jajāpa niyamopetā śivapaṁcākṣaraṁ param

Content among the deer that lived on gleaned grain and fallen fruit, bound by strict observance, that goddess repeated the supreme five-syllabled mantra of Shiva.

Verse 13 (skanda.1.105.13)

कृत्वा त्रिषवणं स्नानं कम्पा पयसि निर्मले । कृत्वा च सैकतं लिंगं पूजयामास सादरम्

kṛtvā triṣavaṇaṁ snānaṁ kampā payasi nirmale kṛtvā ca saikataṁ liṁgaṁ pūjayāmāsa sādaram

Bathing three times a day in the pure waters of the Kampa, she would fashion a linga of sand and worship it with reverence.

Verse 14 (skanda.1.105.14)

वृक्षप्ररोपणैर्दानैरशेषातिथिपूजनैः । श्रांतिं हरंती जीवानां देवी धर्ममपालयत्

vṛkṣapraropaṇairdānairaśeṣātithipūjanaiḥ śrāṁtiṁ haraṁtī jīvānāṁ devī dharmamapālayat

By planting trees, by giving gifts, and by honouring every guest, that goddess, removing the weariness of living beings, upheld dharma.

Verse 15 (skanda.1.105.15)

ग्रीष्मे पंचाग्निमध्यस्था वर्षासु स्थंडिलेशया । हेमन्ते जलमध्यस्था शिशिरे चाकरोत्तपः

grīṣme paṁcāgnimadhyasthā varṣāsu sthaṁḍileśayā hemante jalamadhyasthā śiśire cākarottapaḥ

In summer standing amid the five fires, in the rains lying upon bare ground, in early winter standing immersed in water, and in the cold season too, she performed her austerity.

Verse 16 (skanda.1.105.16)

पुण्यात्मनां महर्षीणां दर्शनार्थमुपेयुषाम् । विस्मयं जनयामास पूजयामास सादरम्

puṇyātmanāṁ maharṣīṇāṁ darśanārthamupeyuṣām vismayaṁ janayāmāsa pūjayāmāsa sādaram

Filling with wonder the pure-souled great sages who came for her sight, she would honour them with reverence.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.105.17)

कदाचित्स्वयमुच्चित्य वनांतात्पल्लवान्वितम् । पुष्पोत्करं विशेषेण शोधितुं समुपाविशत्

kadācitsvayamuccitya vanāṁtātpallavānvitam puṣpotkaraṁ viśeṣeṇa śodhituṁ samupāviśat

One day, having herself gathered from within the forest a heap of flowers together with fresh sprouts, she sat down to sort them out with special care.

Verse 18 (skanda.1.105.18)

कृत्वा च सैकतं लिंगं कंपारोधसि पावने । संपूजयितुमारेभे न्यासावाहनपूर्वकम्

kṛtvā ca saikataṁ liṁgaṁ kaṁpārodhasi pāvane saṁpūjayitumārebhe nyāsāvāhanapūrvakam

Fashioning a sand-linga on the sacred bank of the Kampa, she began to worship it, beginning with the ritual placement and invocation.

Verse 19 (skanda.1.105.19)

सूर्यमभ्यर्च्य विधिवद्रक्तैः पुष्पैश्च चंदनैः । पंचावरणसंयुक्तं क्रमादानर्च शंकरम्

sūryamabhyarcya vidhivadraktaiḥ puṣpaiśca caṁdanaiḥ paṁcāvaraṇasaṁyuktaṁ kramādānarca śaṁkaram

Duly worshipping the sun with red flowers and sandal-paste, she then worshipped Shankara in due order, together with his fivefold enclosures.

Verse 20 (skanda.1.105.20)

धूपैर्दीपश्च नैवेद्यैर्भक्तिभावसमन्वितैः । अपरोक्षितमीशानमालुलोके पुरोहितम्

dhūpairdīpaśca naivedyairbhaktibhāvasamanvitaiḥ aparokṣitamīśānamāluloke purohitam

Worshipping with incense, lamps, and offerings full of devotion, she gazed upon the very Lord, present there, as one would gaze upon one's own family priest.

Verse 21 (skanda.1.105.21)

अथ देवः शिवः साक्षात्संशोधयितुमंबिकाम् । कंपानद्याः प्रवाहेण महता पर्यवेष्टयत्

atha devaḥ śivaḥ sākṣātsaṁśodhayitumaṁbikām kaṁpānadyāḥ pravāheṇa mahatā paryaveṣṭayat

Then the very God Shiva himself, to test and purify Ambika, surrounded her with the mighty flood of the river Kampa.

Verse 22 (skanda.1.105.22)

अतिवृद्धं प्रवाहं तं कम्पायाः समुपस्थितम् । आलोक्य नियमासीनामाहुः सख्यस्तदांबिकाम्

ativṛddhaṁ pravāhaṁ taṁ kampāyāḥ samupasthitam ālokya niyamāsīnāmāhuḥ sakhyastadāṁbikām

Seeing that exceedingly swollen flood of the Kampa now arrived close by, her companions then said to Ambika, seated there in her observance.

Verse 23 (skanda.1.105.23)

उत्तिष्ठ देवि बहुलः प्रवाहोऽयं विजृंभते । दिशां मुखानि संपूर्य तरसा प्लावयिष्यति

uttiṣṭha devi bahulaḥ pravāho'yaṁ vijṛṁbhate diśāṁ mukhāni saṁpūrya tarasā plāvayiṣyati

'Rise, O goddess! This vast flood is swelling; filling the very quarters of the sky, it will soon sweep everything away in its rush.'

Verse 24 (skanda.1.105.24)

इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा ध्यायंती मीलितेक्षणा । उन्मील्य वेगमतुलं नद्यास्तं समवैक्षत

iti tadvacanaṁ śrutvā dhyāyaṁtī mīlitekṣaṇā unmīlya vegamatulaṁ nadyāstaṁ samavaikṣata

Hearing these words, she, her eyes closed in meditation, opened them and beheld that matchless surge of the river.

Verse 25 (skanda.1.105.25)

अचिंतयच्च सा देवी पूजाविघ्नसमाकुला । किं करोमि न शक्नोमि हातुमारब्धमर्चनम्

aciṁtayacca sā devī pūjāvighnasamākulā kiṁ karomi na śaknomi hātumārabdhamarcanam

That goddess, troubled at the interruption to her worship, reflected: 'What shall I do? I cannot bear to abandon this worship once begun.'

Verse 26 (skanda.1.105.26)

श्रेयः प्राप्तुमविघ्नेन प्रायः पुण्यात्मनां भुवि । घटते धर्मसंयोगो मनोरथफलप्रदः

śreyaḥ prāptumavighnena prāyaḥ puṇyātmanāṁ bhuvi ghaṭate dharmasaṁyogo manorathaphalapradaḥ

'On this earth, for the pure of soul to obtain their good without hindrance is rare indeed; the conjunction of dharma that grants the fruit of one's heart's desire comes about only with difficulty.'

Verse 27 (skanda.1.105.27)

सैकतं लिंगमतुलप्रवाहाल्लयमेष्यति । लिंगनाशे विमोक्तव्यः सद्भक्तैः प्राणसंग्रहः

saikataṁ liṁgamatulapravāhāllayameṣyati liṁganāśe vimoktavyaḥ sadbhaktaiḥ prāṇasaṁgrahaḥ

'This sand-linga will be dissolved in this matchless flood; yet even should the linga be destroyed, true devotees must relinquish attachment even to their own lives.'

Verse 28 (skanda.1.105.28)

प्रवाहोऽयं समायाति शिवमायाविनिर्मितः । विशोधयितुमात्मानं भक्तियुक्तं निजे पदे

pravāho'yaṁ samāyāti śivamāyāvinirmitaḥ viśodhayitumātmānaṁ bhaktiyuktaṁ nije pade

'This flood, fashioned by none other than Shiva's own maya, has come only to purify a devoted soul and establish it in its own true place.'

Verse 29 (skanda.1.105.29)

आलिंग्य सुदृढं दोर्भ्यामेतल्लिंगमनाकुलम् । अहं वत्स्यामि याताशु सख्यो यूयं विदूरतः

āliṁgya sudṛḍhaṁ dorbhyāmetalliṁgamanākulam ahaṁ vatsyāmi yātāśu sakhyo yūyaṁ vidūrataḥ

Saying this, and embracing this steadfast linga firmly with both her arms — 'Go quickly, O friends, withdraw to a distance; I shall remain right here.'

Verse 30 (skanda.1.105.30)

इत्युक्ता सैकतं लिगं गाढमालिंग्य सांबिका । न मुमोच प्रवाहेन वेष्ट्यमानापि वेगतः

ityuktā saikataṁ ligaṁ gāḍhamāliṁgya sāṁbikā na mumoca pravāhena veṣṭyamānāpi vegataḥ

Having said this, Ambika embraced the sand-linga tightly, and, even as she was engulfed with force by the flood, she did not release it.

Verse 31 (skanda.1.105.31)

स्तनचूचुकनिर्मग्नमुद्रादर्शितलांछनम् । महालिंगं स्वसंयुक्तं प्रणनाम तदादरात्

stanacūcukanirmagnamudrādarśitalāṁchanam mahāliṁgaṁ svasaṁyuktaṁ praṇanāma tadādarāt

That great linga, marked deep with the very imprint of her breasts and their nipples pressed into it, joined thus to her own self, she bowed to with reverence.

Verse 32 (skanda.1.105.32)

निमीलितेक्षणा ध्याननिष्ठैकहृदया स्थिता । पुलकांचितसर्वांगी सा स्मरंती सदाशिवम्

nimīlitekṣaṇā dhyānaniṣṭhaikahṛdayā sthitā pulakāṁcitasarvāṁgī sā smaraṁtī sadāśivam

With eyes closed, her heart fixed wholly in meditation, her whole body thrilled with rapture, she remained unmoved, remembering Sadashiva.

Verse 33 (skanda.1.105.33)

कंपस्वेदपरित्राणलज्जाप्रणयकेलिदात् । क्षणमप्यचला लिंगान्न वियोगमपेक्षते

kaṁpasvedaparitrāṇalajjāpraṇayakelidāt kṣaṇamapyacalā liṁgānna viyogamapekṣate

Trembling, breaking into sweat, touched even by the play of shyness and love, unmoving, she desired no separation from the linga even for an instant.

Verse 34 (skanda.1.105.34)

अथ तामब्रवीत्कापि दैवी वागशरीरिणी । विमुंच बालिके लिंगं प्रवाहोऽयं गतो महान्

atha tāmabravītkāpi daivī vāgaśarīriṇī vimuṁca bālike liṁgaṁ pravāho'yaṁ gato mahān

Then a certain divine, bodiless voice spoke to her: 'Release the linga, O maiden; this great flood has now passed.'

Verse 35 (skanda.1.105.35)

त्वयार्चितमिदं लिंगं सैकतं स्थिरवैभवम् । भविष्यति महाभागे वरदं सुरपूजितम्

tvayārcitamidaṁ liṁgaṁ saikataṁ sthiravaibhavam bhaviṣyati mahābhāge varadaṁ surapūjitam

'This sand-linga worshipped by you shall come to possess a lasting glory; O most fortunate one, it shall grant boons and be worshipped by the gods.'

Verse 36 (skanda.1.105.36)

तपश्चर्यां तवालोक्य रचितं धर्मपालनम् । लिंगं चैतन्नमस्कृत्य कृतार्थाः संतु मानवाः

tapaścaryāṁ tavālokya racitaṁ dharmapālanam liṁgaṁ caitannamaskṛtya kṛtārthāḥ saṁtu mānavāḥ

'Beholding your austerity, this form of dharma's preservation has been fashioned; let men, by bowing to this linga, find fulfilment.'

Verse 37 (skanda.1.105.37)

अहं हि तैजसं रूपमास्थाय वसुधातले । वसामि चात्र सिद्ध्यर्थमरुणाचलसंज्ञया

ahaṁ hi taijasaṁ rūpamāsthāya vasudhātale vasāmi cātra siddhyarthamaruṇācalasaṁjñayā

'It is I myself who, taking a form of light, dwell here upon this earth, under the name Arunachala, for the sake of accomplishment.'

Verse 38 (skanda.1.105.38)

रुणद्धि सर्वलोकेभ्यः परुषं पापसंचयम् । रुणो न विद्यते यस्मिन्दृष्टे तेनारुणाचलः

ruṇaddhi sarvalokebhyaḥ paruṣaṁ pāpasaṁcayam ruṇo na vidyate yasmindṛṣṭe tenāruṇācalaḥ

'It checks the harsh accumulation of sin from all the worlds, and, once beheld, no affliction remains — for this it is called Arunachala.'

Verse 39 (skanda.1.105.39)

ऋषयः सिद्धगंधर्वा महात्मानश्च योगिनः । मुक्त्वा कैलासशिखरं मेरुं चैनमुपासते

ṛṣayaḥ siddhagaṁdharvā mahātmānaśca yoginaḥ muktvā kailāsaśikharaṁ meruṁ cainamupāsate

'Sages, siddhas, gandharvas, great souls, and yogis, forsaking even the peak of Kailasa and Meru, worship this alone.'

Verse 40 (skanda.1.105.40)

मदंश जातयोः पूर्वं युध्यतोर्ब्रह्मकृष्णयोः । अहं मोहमपाकर्त्तुं तेजोरूपो व्यवस्थितः

madaṁśa jātayoḥ pūrvaṁ yudhyatorbrahmakṛṣṇayoḥ ahaṁ mohamapākarttuṁ tejorūpo vyavasthitaḥ

'Once, when Brahma and Krishna — both born of a portion of me — were fighting, I stood there in a form of light to dispel their delusion.'

Verse 41 (skanda.1.105.41)

ब्रह्मणा हंसरूपेण विष्णुना क्रोडरूपिणा । अदृष्टशेखरपदः प्रणतो भक्तियोगतः

brahmaṇā haṁsarūpeṇa viṣṇunā kroḍarūpiṇā adṛṣṭaśekharapadaḥ praṇato bhaktiyogataḥ

'Brahma in the form of a swan, and Vishnu in the form of a boar, having never seen its crowning summit, bowed to me through the practice of devotion.'

Verse 42 (skanda.1.105.42)

ततः प्रसन्नः प्रत्यक्षस्तस्यां वरमभीप्सितम् । प्रादां जगत्त्रयस्यास्य संरक्षायां तु कौशलम्

tataḥ prasannaḥ pratyakṣastasyāṁ varamabhīpsitam prādāṁ jagattrayasyāsya saṁrakṣāyāṁ tu kauśalam

'Then, well pleased, I stood manifest before them, and granted to them both the boon they desired — skill in the protection of these three worlds.'

Verse 43 (skanda.1.105.43)

प्रार्थितश्च पुनस्ताभ्यामरुणाचलसंज्ञया । अनैषि तैजसं रूपमहं स्थावरलिंगताम्

prārthitaśca punastābhyāmaruṇācalasaṁjñayā anaiṣi taijasaṁ rūpamahaṁ sthāvaraliṁgatām

'When they two again entreated me, under the name Arunachala, I brought my own form of light into the state of a fixed, unmoving linga.'

Verse 44 (skanda.1.105.44)

गत्वा पृच्छ महाभागं मद्भक्तिं गौतमं मुनिम् । अरुणाचलमाहात्म्यं श्रुत्वा तत्र तपश्चर

gatvā pṛccha mahābhāgaṁ madbhaktiṁ gautamaṁ munim aruṇācalamāhātmyaṁ śrutvā tatra tapaścara

'Go and ask the greatly blessed sage Gautama, devoted to me; having heard the greatness of Arunachala from him, perform your austerity there.'

Verse 45 (skanda.1.105.45)

तत्र ते दर्शयिष्यामि तैजसं रूपमात्मनः । सर्वपापनिवृत्त्यर्थं सर्वलोकहिताय च

tatra te darśayiṣyāmi taijasaṁ rūpamātmanaḥ sarvapāpanivṛttyarthaṁ sarvalokahitāya ca

'There I shall show you my own form of light, for the removal of every sin and for the good of all the worlds.'

Verse 46 (skanda.1.105.46)

इति वाचं समाकर्ण्य निष्कलात्कथितां शिवात् । तथेति सहसा देवी गंतुं समुपचक्रमे

iti vācaṁ samākarṇya niṣkalātkathitāṁ śivāt tatheti sahasā devī gaṁtuṁ samupacakrame

Hearing these words spoken by the formless Shiva, the goddess at once said, 'So be it,' and set out to go there.

Verse 47 (skanda.1.105.47)

अथ देवानृषीन्सर्वान्पश्चात्सेवार्थमागतान् । अवादीदंबिकालोक्य स्नेहपूर्णेन चक्षुषा

atha devānṛṣīnsarvānpaścātsevārthamāgatān avādīdaṁbikālokya snehapūrṇena cakṣuṣā

Then, looking with eyes full of affection upon all the gods and sages who had gathered there in her service, Ambika spoke thus.

Verse 48 (skanda.1.105.48)

तिष्ठतात्रैव वै देवा मुनयश्च दृढव्रताः । नियमांश्चाधितिष्ठंतः कंपारोधसि पावने

tiṣṭhatātraiva vai devā munayaśca dṛḍhavratāḥ niyamāṁścādhitiṣṭhaṁtaḥ kaṁpārodhasi pāvane

'O gods and sages of firm vow, remain right here, upon this very sacred bank of the Kampa, established in your observances.'

Verse 49 (skanda.1.105.49)

सर्वपापक्षयकरं सर्वसौभाग्यवर्द्धनम् । पूज्यतां सैकतं लिंगं कुचकंकणलांछनम्

sarvapāpakṣayakaraṁ sarvasaubhāgyavarddhanam pūjyatāṁ saikataṁ liṁgaṁ kucakaṁkaṇalāṁchanam

'Worship this sand-linga, marked with the imprint of my breast and bangle, which destroys every sin and increases every good fortune.'

Verse 50 (skanda.1.105.50)

अहं च निष्कलं रूपमास्थायैतद्दिवानिशम् । आराधयामि मंत्रेण शोणेश्वरं वरप्रदम्

ahaṁ ca niṣkalaṁ rūpamāsthāyaitaddivāniśam ārādhayāmi maṁtreṇa śoṇeśvaraṁ varapradam

'And I too, taking on a formless state, shall remain here day and night, worshipping with mantra the boon-granting Lord of the red mountain.'

Verse 51 (skanda.1.105.51)

मत्तपश्चरणाल्लोके मद्धर्मपरिपालनात् । मल्लिंगदर्शनाच्चैव सिध्यंत्विष्टविभूतयः

mattapaścaraṇālloke maddharmaparipālanāt malliṁgadarśanāccaiva sidhyaṁtviṣṭavibhūtayaḥ

'Through my very austerity, through the upholding of my dharma, and through the mere sight of my linga alone, let desired prosperity be attained in this world.'

Verse 52 (skanda.1.105.52)

सर्वकामप्रदानेन कामाक्षीमिति कामतः । मां प्रणम्यात्र मद्भक्ता लभंतां वांछितं वरम्

sarvakāmapradānena kāmākṣīmiti kāmataḥ māṁ praṇamyātra madbhaktā labhaṁtāṁ vāṁchitaṁ varam

'Because I grant every desire, I shall here be called Kamakshi; let my devotees, bowing to me here, obtain the boon they long for.'

Verse 53 (skanda.1.105.53)

अहं हि देवदेवस्य शंभोरव्याहतो जनः । आदेशं पालयिष्यामि गत्वारुणमहीधरम्

ahaṁ hi devadevasya śaṁbhoravyāhato janaḥ ādeśaṁ pālayiṣyāmi gatvāruṇamahīdharam

'I am but the unswerving servant of the God of gods, Shambhu; obeying his command, I shall go now to the mountain Aruna.'

Verse 54 (skanda.1.105.54)

तत्र गत्वा तपस्तीव्रं कृत्वा शंभुं प्रसाद्य च । मां तु लब्धवरां यूयं पश्चाद्रक्ष्यथ संगताः

tatra gatvā tapastīvraṁ kṛtvā śaṁbhuṁ prasādya ca māṁ tu labdhavarāṁ yūyaṁ paścādrakṣyatha saṁgatāḥ

'Having gone there and performed intense austerity and pleased Shambhu, I shall obtain my boon; and afterward, all together, you shall protect me.'

Verse 55 (skanda.1.105.55)

इति सर्वान्विसृज्याशु सद्भक्तान्पादसेविनः । अरुणाद्रिं गता बाला तपसे शंकराज्ञया

iti sarvānvisṛjyāśu sadbhaktānpādasevinaḥ aruṇādriṁ gatā bālā tapase śaṁkarājñayā

Thus swiftly taking leave of all those true devotees who served at her feet, that maiden, by Shankara's command, went forth to Arunadri to perform austerity.

Verse 56 (skanda.1.105.56)

नित्याभिसेविताऽकारि सखीभिरभियोगतः । आससादारुणाद्रीशं दिव्यदुंदुभिनादितम्

nityābhisevitā'kāri sakhībhirabhiyogataḥ āsasādāruṇādrīśaṁ divyaduṁdubhināditam

Constantly attended by her companions, she came at last to the presence of the Lord of the red mountain, resounding with divine kettle-drums.

Verse 57 (skanda.1.105.57)

अंतस्तेजोमयं शांतमरुणाचलनायकम् । अप्सरोनृत्यगीतैश्च पूजितं पुष्पवृष्टिभिः

aṁtastejomayaṁ śāṁtamaruṇācalanāyakam apsaronṛtyagītaiśca pūjitaṁ puṣpavṛṣṭibhiḥ

The lord of Arunachala, radiant within with light yet utterly at peace, worshipped there with the dance and song of the celestial nymphs and with showers of flowers —

Verse 58 (skanda.1.105.58)

प्रणम्य स्थावरं लिंगं कौतूहलसमन्विता । सिद्धानां योगिनां सार्थमृषीणां चान्ववैक्षत

praṇamya sthāvaraṁ liṁgaṁ kautūhalasamanvitā siddhānāṁ yogināṁ sārthamṛṣīṇāṁ cānvavaikṣata

bowing to that fixed linga, she, filled with curiosity, began to gaze upon the assembled hosts of siddhas, yogis, and sages.

Verse 59 (skanda.1.105.59)

अत्रिर्भृगुर्भरद्वाजः कश्यपश्चांगिरास्तथा । कुत्सश्च गौतमश्चान्ये सिद्धविद्याधरामराः

atrirbhṛgurbharadvājaḥ kaśyapaścāṁgirāstathā kutsaśca gautamaścānye siddhavidyādharāmarāḥ

Atri, Bhrigu, Bharadvaja, Kashyapa, Angiras, Kutsa, Gautama, and other siddhas, vidyadharas, and gods.

Verse 60 (skanda.1.105.60)

तपः कुर्वंति सततमपेक्षितवराप्तये । गंगाद्याः सरितश्चान्याः परितः पर्युपासते

tapaḥ kurvaṁti satatamapekṣitavarāptaye gaṁgādyāḥ saritaścānyāḥ paritaḥ paryupāsate

were ceaselessly performing austerity there to obtain their desired boons; the Ganga and other rivers too worshipped it from every side.

Verse 61 (skanda.1.105.61)

दिव्यलिंगमिदं पूज्यमरुणाद्रिरिति स्मृतम् । वंदस्वेति सुरैः प्रोक्ता प्रणनाम पुनःपुनः

divyaliṁgamidaṁ pūjyamaruṇādririti smṛtam vaṁdasveti suraiḥ proktā praṇanāma punaḥpunaḥ

'This adorable divine linga is remembered by the name Arunadri; bow to it' — thus told by the gods, she bowed to it again and again.

Verse 62 (skanda.1.105.62)

अभ्यर्थिता पुनः सर्वैरातिथ्यार्थे महर्षिभिः । शिवाज्ञया गौतमो मे द्रष्टव्य इति सावदत्

abhyarthitā punaḥ sarvairātithyārthe maharṣibhiḥ śivājñayā gautamo me draṣṭavya iti sāvadat

Invited once more by the great sages to accept their hospitality, she said: 'By Shiva's command I am to see the sage Gautama.'

Verse 63 (skanda.1.105.63)

अयमत्रर्षिभिर्भक्तैर्निर्दिष्टं तमथाभ्यगात् । स मुनिः शिवभक्तानां प्रथमस्तपसां निधिः

ayamatrarṣibhirbhaktairnirdiṣṭaṁ tamathābhyagāt sa muniḥ śivabhaktānāṁ prathamastapasāṁ nidhiḥ

By the direction of the sages and devotees there, she went to him — that sage foremost among Shiva's devotees, a very treasury of austerities.

Verse 64 (skanda.1.105.64)

वनांतरं गतेः प्रातः समित्कुशफलाहृतेः । अतिथीनाश्रमं प्राप्तानर्चथेति दृढव्रतान्

vanāṁtaraṁ gateḥ prātaḥ samitkuśaphalāhṛteḥ atithīnāśramaṁ prāptānarcatheti dṛḍhavratān

Going into the depths of the forest at dawn to gather fuel, kusha grass, and fruits, that righteous soul had instructed his firm-vowed disciples to honour any guests who arrived at the hermitage —

Verse 65 (skanda.1.105.65)

शिष्यानादिश्य धर्मात्मा गतश्च विपिनांतरम् । अथ सा गौतमं द्रष्टुमागता पर्णशालिकाम्

śiṣyānādiśya dharmātmā gataśca vipināṁtaram atha sā gautamaṁ draṣṭumāgatā parṇaśālikām

having thus instructed his righteous disciples, he had gone deep into the forest; just then that goddess came to Gautama's leaf-hut to see him.

Verse 66 (skanda.1.105.66)

क्व गतो मुनिरित्युक्तैरित आयास्यति क्षणात् । शिष्यैरभ्यर्थितेत्युक्त्वा फलमूलैस्सुगंधिभिः

kva gato munirityuktairita āyāsyati kṣaṇāt śiṣyairabhyarthitetyuktvā phalamūlaissugaṁdhibhiḥ

When asked, 'Where has the sage gone?', the disciples said, 'He shall return here in a moment,' and honoured her with fragrant fruits and roots.

Verse 67 (skanda.1.105.67)

अभ्युत्थानेनासनेन पाद्येनार्घेण सूनृतैः । वचनैः फलमृलेन सार्चिता शिष्यसंपदा

abhyutthānenāsanena pādyenārgheṇa sūnṛtaiḥ vacanaiḥ phalamṛlena sārcitā śiṣyasaṁpadā

With rising to greet her, a seat, water for the feet, offerings of welcome, gentle words, and fruit and roots — with all the wealth the disciples had — they honoured her.

Verse 68 (skanda.1.105.68)

क्षणं क्षमस्वसूनुस्तामन्ये जग्मुस्तदन्तिकम् । देव्यां प्रविष्टमात्रायां महर्षेराश्रमो महान्

kṣaṇaṁ kṣamasvasūnustāmanye jagmustadantikam devyāṁ praviṣṭamātrāyāṁ maharṣerāśramo mahān

Saying, 'Bear with us a moment, he is coming,' some disciples went out toward him; and the very moment the goddess entered, the great sage's hermitage —

Verse 69 (skanda.1.105.69)

अभवत्कल्पबहुलो मणिप्रासादसंकुलः । वनांतरादुपावृत्त्य समित्कुशफलाहरः

abhavatkalpabahulo maṇiprāsādasaṁkulaḥ vanāṁtarādupāvṛttya samitkuśaphalāharaḥ

became filled abundantly with wish-fulfilling trees and crowded with jewelled mansions; and Gautama, returning from the forest with fuel, kusha, and fruit,

Verse 70 (skanda.1.105.70)

अपश्यत्स्वाश्रमं दूरे विमानशतशोभितम् । किमेतदिति साश्चर्यं चिंतयन्मुनिपुंगवः

apaśyatsvāśramaṁ dūre vimānaśataśobhitam kimetaditi sāścaryaṁ ciṁtayanmunipuṁgavaḥ

saw from afar his own hermitage adorned with a hundred celestial chariots; 'what could this be' — filled with wonder, that foremost of sages reflected.

Verse 71 (skanda.1.105.71)

गौर्याः समागमं सर्वमपश्यज्ज्ञानचक्षुषा । शीघ्रं निवर्तमानोऽसौ द्रष्टुं तां लोकमातरम्

gauryāḥ samāgamaṁ sarvamapaśyajjñānacakṣuṣā śīghraṁ nivartamāno'sau draṣṭuṁ tāṁ lokamātaram

With his eye of knowledge he beheld the whole encounter with Gauri, and, to see that mother of the world, he swiftly turned back.

Verse 72 (skanda.1.105.72)

शिष्यैः शीघ्रचरैर्वृत्तमावेदितमथाशृणोत्

śiṣyaiḥ śīghracarairvṛttamāveditamathāśṛṇot

Then he heard the whole account, related to him by his swift-footed disciples.

Verse 73 (skanda.1.105.73)

अथ महर्षिरुपागतकौतुको निजतपःफलमेव तदागमम् । शिवदयाकलितं परिचिन्तयन्नभजदाश्रममाश्रितवत्सलः

atha maharṣirupāgatakautuko nijatapaḥphalameva tadāgamam śivadayākalitaṁ paricintayannabhajadāśramamāśritavatsalaḥ

Then that great sage, filled with wonder, reflecting that this very arrival was the fruit of his own austerity, imbued with Shiva's grace, that sage ever tender to those who took refuge in him, made his way to his hermitage.