The Appearance of Lakshmi

Verse 1 (skanda.1.11.1)

॥महेश्वर उवाच॥ प्रतिपक्षे चतुर्थ्यां तु पूजनीयो गणाधिपः॥ स्नात्वा शुक्लतिलैः शुद्धैः शुक्लपक्षे सदा नृभिः

||maheśvara uvāca|| pratipakṣe caturthyāṃ tu pūjanīyo gaṇādhipaḥ|| snātvā śuklatilaiḥ śuddhaiḥ śuklapakṣe sadā nṛbhiḥ

On the fourth day of the bright fortnight, Ganapati is to be worshipped. Bathing with pure white sesame seeds, one should always follow this rite.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.11.2)

कृत्वा चावस्यकं सर्वं गणेशस्यार्चनक्रियाम्॥ प्रयत्नेनैव कुर्वीत गंधमाल्याक्षतादिभिः

kṛtvā cāvasyakaṃ sarvaṃ gaṇeśasyārcanakriyām|| prayatnenaiva kurvīta gaṃdhamālyākṣatādibhiḥ

Having completed all the daily obligatory rites, the worship of Ganesha should be performed with care, using scent, garlands, and unbroken rice.

Verse 3 (skanda.1.11.3)

ध्यानमादौ प्रकर्तव्यं गणेशस्य यथाविधि॥ आगमा बहवो जाता गणेशस्य यथा मम

dhyānamādau prakartavyaṃ gaṇeśasya yathāvidhi|| āgamā bahavo jātā gaṇeśasya yathā mama

Meditation on Ganesha should be done first, according to proper method; many scriptural traditions concerning Ganesha have arisen from me, just as I now describe.

Verse 4 (skanda.1.11.4)

बहुधोपासका यस्मात्तमः सत्त्वरजोन्विताः॥ गणभेदेन तान्येव नामानि बहुधाऽभवत्

bahudhopāsakā yasmāttamaḥ sattvarajonvitāḥ|| gaṇabhedena tānyeva nāmāni bahudhā'bhavat

Because his worshippers are of many kinds, endowed with tamas, sattva and rajas, through this difference among his followers his names too became manifold.

Verse 5 (skanda.1.11.5)

पंचवक्त्रो गणाध्यक्षो दशबाहुस्त्रिलोचनः॥ कांतस्फटिकसंकाशो नीलकंठो गजाननः

paṃcavaktro gaṇādhyakṣo daśabāhustrilocanaḥ|| kāṃtasphaṭikasaṃkāśo nīlakaṃṭho gajānanaḥ

Five-faced, lord of the ganas, ten-armed, three-eyed, radiant as lovely crystal, blue-throated, elephant-faced — such is his form.

Verse 6 (skanda.1.11.6)

मुखानि तस्य पंचैव कथयामि यतातथम्

mukhāni tasya paṃcaiva kathayāmi yatātatham

Now I shall describe his five faces exactly as they are.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.11.7)

मध्यमं तु मुखं गौरं चतुर्दन्तं त्रिलोचनम्॥ शुंडादंडमनोज्ञं च पुष्करे मोदकान्वितम्

madhyamaṃ tu mukhaṃ gauraṃ caturdantaṃ trilocanam|| śuṃḍādaṃḍamanojñaṃ ca puṣkare modakānvitam

The middle face is fair-hued, four-tusked and three-eyed; its trunk is graceful, and it holds sweets in its hand.

Verse 8 (skanda.1.11.8)

तथान्यत्पीतवर्णं च नीलं च शुभलक्षणम्॥ पिंगलं च तथा शुभ्रं गणेशस्य शुभाननम्

tathānyatpītavarṇaṃ ca nīlaṃ ca śubhalakṣaṇam|| piṃgalaṃ ca tathā śubhraṃ gaṇeśasya śubhānanam

The remaining faces are yellow, blue, and marked with auspicious signs; one is tawny and one white — these are Ganesha's blessed faces.

Verse 9 (skanda.1.11.9)

तथा दशभुजेष्वेव ह्यायुधानि ब्रवीमि वः॥ पाशं पस्शुपद्मे च अंकुशं दंतमेव च

tathā daśabhujeṣveva hyāyudhāni bravīmi vaḥ|| pāśaṃ pasśupadme ca aṃkuśaṃ daṃtameva ca

Now I shall tell you the weapons held in his ten arms — noose, axe, lotus, goad and tusk.

Verse 10 (skanda.1.11.10)

अक्षमालां लांगलं च मुसलं वरदं तथा॥ पूर्णं च मोदकैः पात्रं पाणिना च विचिंतयेत्

akṣamālāṃ lāṃgalaṃ ca musalaṃ varadaṃ tathā|| pūrṇaṃ ca modakaiḥ pātraṃ pāṇinā ca viciṃtayet

Rosary, plough, pestle and the gesture of boon-giving; and in one hand a bowl full of sweets — thus should he be meditated upon.

Verse 11 (skanda.1.11.11)

लंबोदर विरूपाक्षं निवीतं मेखलान्वितम्॥ योगासने चोपविष्टं चंद्रलेखां कशेखरम्

laṃbodara virūpākṣaṃ nivītaṃ mekhalānvitam|| yogāsane copaviṣṭaṃ caṃdralekhāṃ kaśekharam

Pot-bellied, wide-eyed, wearing the sacred thread and girdle, seated in yogic posture, crowned with the crescent moon.

Verse 12 (skanda.1.11.12)

ध्यानं च सात्त्विकं ज्ञेयं राजसं हि नृणामिव॥ शुद्धचामीकराभासं गजाननमलौकिकम्

dhyānaṃ ca sāttvikaṃ jñeyaṃ rājasaṃ hi nṛṇāmiva|| śuddhacāmīkarābhāsaṃ gajānanamalaukikam

Meditation is said to be threefold — sattvic, rajasic as suited to men, and the unearthly, gold-radiant elephant-faced form.

Verse 13 (skanda.1.11.13)

चतुर्भुजं त्रिनयनमेकदंतं महोदरम्॥ पाशांकुशधरं देवं दंतमोदकपात्रकम्

caturbhujaṃ trinayanamekadaṃtaṃ mahodaram|| pāśāṃkuśadharaṃ devaṃ daṃtamodakapātrakam

Four-armed, three-eyed, single-tusked, large-bellied, bearing noose and goad, holding his own tusk and a bowl of sweets.

Verse 14 (skanda.1.11.14)

नीलं च तामसं ध्यानमेवं त्रिविधमुच्यते॥ ततः पूजा प्रकर्तव्या भवद्भिः शीघ्रमेव च

nīlaṃ ca tāmasaṃ dhyānamevaṃ trividhamucyate|| tataḥ pūjā prakartavyā bhavadbhiḥ śīghrameva ca

The blue-hued form is called the tamasic meditation — thus three kinds of meditation are described. After this, worship should be performed swiftly.

Verse 15 (skanda.1.11.15)

एकविंशतिदूर्वाभिर्द्वाभ्यां नाम्ना पृथक्पृथक्॥ सर्वनामभिरेकैव दीयते गणनायके

ekaviṃśatidūrvābhirdvābhyāṃ nāmnā pṛthakpṛthak|| sarvanāmabhirekaiva dīyate gaṇanāyake

Twenty-one blades of durva grass are offered to the lord of the ganas — two by each separate name, and one by all the names together.

Verse 16 (skanda.1.11.16)

तथैव नामभिर्देया एकविंशतिमोदकाः॥ दशनामान्यहं वक्ष्ये पूजनार्थं पृथक्पृथक्

tathaiva nāmabhirdeyā ekaviṃśatimodakāḥ|| daśanāmānyahaṃ vakṣye pūjanārthaṃ pṛthakpṛthak

In the same way, twenty-one sweets should be offered name by name; now I shall recite the ten names, one by one, for worship.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.11.17)

गणाधिप नमस्तेस्तु उमापुत्राघनाशन॥ विनायकेशपुत्रोति सर्वसिद्धिप्रदायक

gaṇādhipa namastestu umāputrāghanāśana|| vināyakeśaputroti sarvasiddhipradāyaka

"Salutations to you, Lord of the ganas, son of Uma, destroyer of sin! O Vinayaka, son of Isha, giver of every accomplishment!"

Verse 18 (skanda.1.11.18)

एकदंतेभवक्त्रेति तथा मूषकवाहन॥ कुमारगुरवे तुभ्यं पूजनीयः प्रयत्नतः

ekadaṃtebhavaktreti tathā mūṣakavāhana|| kumāragurave tubhyaṃ pūjanīyaḥ prayatnataḥ

"O single-tusked, elephant-faced, mouse-mounted one!" — O preceptor of Kumara, worship should be offered to you with care.

Verse 19 (skanda.1.11.19)

एवमुक्त्वा सुरान्सद्यः परिष्वज्य च सादरम्॥ विष्णुं गुहाशयं सद्यो ब्रह्माणं च सदाशिवः

evamuktvā surānsadyaḥ pariṣvajya ca sādaram|| viṣṇuṃ guhāśayaṃ sadyo brahmāṇaṃ ca sadāśivaḥ

Having spoken thus, Sadashiva at once embraced the gods respectfully — Vishnu who dwells in the cave of the heart, and Brahma too.

Verse 20 (skanda.1.11.20)

तिरोधान गतः सद्यः शंभुः परमशोभनः॥ प्रणम्य शंभुं ते सर्वे गणाध्यक्षार्च्चने रताः

tirodhāna gataḥ sadyaḥ śaṃbhuḥ paramaśobhanaḥ|| praṇamya śaṃbhuṃ te sarve gaṇādhyakṣārccane ratāḥ

Most auspicious Shambhu at once vanished from sight. Having bowed to Shambhu, all the gods then devoted themselves to worshipping the lord of the ganas.

Verse 21 (skanda.1.11.21)

ततः संपूज्य विधिवद्गणाध्यक्षार्च्चने रताः॥ उपचारैरनेकैश्च दूर्वाभिश्च पृथक्पृथक्

tataḥ saṃpūjya vidhivadgaṇādhyakṣārccane ratāḥ|| upacārairanekaiśca dūrvābhiśca pṛthakpṛthak

Then, duly absorbed in worshipping the lord of the ganas, they honoured him with many offerings and separate blades of durva grass.

Verse 22 (skanda.1.11.22)

संतुष्टो हि गणाध्यक्षो देवानां वरदोऽभवत्॥ प्रदक्षिणं नमस्कृत्य तैः सर्वैरभितोषितः

saṃtuṣṭo hi gaṇādhyakṣo devānāṃ varado'bhavat|| pradakṣiṇaṃ namaskṛtya taiḥ sarvairabhitoṣitaḥ

Well pleased, the lord of the ganas became a giver of boons to the gods; circumambulating and saluting him, they all gratified him.

Verse 23 (skanda.1.11.23)

तमोगुणान्विताः सर्वे ह्यसुरा नाभ्यपूजयन्॥ उपहासपरास्ते वै देवान्प्रत्यसुरोत्तमाः

tamoguṇānvitāḥ sarve hyasurā nābhyapūjayan|| upahāsaparāste vai devānpratyasurottamāḥ

But the asuras, filled with the quality of tamas, did not worship him at all; those foremost demons remained intent only on mocking the gods.

Verse 24 (skanda.1.11.24)

पूजयित्वा शांकरिं ते पुनः क्षीरार्णवं ययुः॥ ब्रह्मा विष्णुश्च ऋषयो देवदैत्याः सुरोत्तमाः

pūjayitvā śāṃkariṃ te punaḥ kṣīrārṇavaṃ yayuḥ|| brahmā viṣṇuśca ṛṣayo devadaityāḥ surottamāḥ

Having worshipped Shankara's son, Brahma, Vishnu, the sages, the gods, the daityas and the foremost of the gods went again to the ocean of milk.

Verse 25 (skanda.1.11.25)

मंथानं मंदरं कृत्वा रज्जुं कृत्वाथ वासुकिम्॥ ममंथुश्च तदा देवा विष्णुं कृत्वाथ सन्निधौ

maṃthānaṃ maṃdaraṃ kṛtvā rajjuṃ kṛtvātha vāsukim|| mamaṃthuśca tadā devā viṣṇuṃ kṛtvātha sannidhau

Making Mount Mandara the churning-rod and Vasuki the rope, with Vishnu stationed nearby, the gods then began churning the ocean.

Verse 26 (skanda.1.11.26)

मथ्यमाने तदाब्धौ च निर्गतश्चंद्र अग्रतः॥ पीयूषपूर्णः सर्वेषां देवानां कार्यसिद्धये

mathyamāne tadābdhau ca nirgataścaṃdra agrataḥ|| pīyūṣapūrṇaḥ sarveṣāṃ devānāṃ kāryasiddhaye

As the ocean was being churned, the moon emerged first of all, brimming with nectar, for the fulfilment of the gods' purpose.

Verse 27 (skanda.1.11.27)

॥ शौनक उवाच॥ अर्णवे किं पुरा चंद्रो निक्षिप्तः केन सुव्रत॥ गजादिकानि रत्नानि कथितानि त्वया पुरा

|| śaunaka uvāca|| arṇave kiṃ purā caṃdro nikṣiptaḥ kena suvrata|| gajādikāni ratnāni kathitāni tvayā purā

Shaunaka said: "O virtuous one, who once cast the moon into the ocean, and why? Tell us too of the elephant and the other jewels you mentioned earlier."

Verse 28 (skanda.1.11.28)

एतत्सर्वं समासेन आदौ कथय मे प्रभो॥ ज्ञात्वा सर्वे वयं सूत पश्चादावर्णयामहे

etatsarvaṃ samāsena ādau kathaya me prabho|| jñātvā sarve vayaṃ sūta paścādāvarṇayāmahe

"O lord, tell us all this briefly at first; having understood it, we shall then set it out in full ourselves, O Suta."

Verse 29 (skanda.1.11.29)

तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सूतो वाक्यमुपाददे

teṣāṃ tadvacanaṃ śrutvā sūto vākyamupādade

Hearing these words of theirs, Suta began to speak.

Verse 30 (skanda.1.11.30)

चंद्र आपोमयो विप्रा अत्रिपुत्रो गुणान्वितः॥ उत्पन्नो ह्यनसूयायां ब्रह्मणोंऽशात्समुद्भवः॥ रुद्रस्यांशाद्धि दुर्वासा विष्णोरंशात्तु दत्तकः

caṃdra āpomayo viprā atriputro guṇānvitaḥ|| utpanno hyanasūyāyāṃ brahmaṇoṃ'śātsamudbhavaḥ|| rudrasyāṃśāddhi durvāsā viṣṇoraṃśāttu dattakaḥ

The moon, of watery nature, is the son of Atri, endowed with fine qualities, born from Anasuya — from a portion of Brahma the moon arose, from a portion of Rudra came Durvasa, and from a portion of Vishnu, Dattatreya.

Verse 31 (skanda.1.11.31)

क्षीराब्धिं मथ्यमानं तु दृष्ट्वा चंद्रो मुदान्वितः॥ क्षीराब्धिरपि चंद्रं च दृष्ट्वा सोऽप्युत्सुकोऽभवत्

kṣīrābdhiṃ mathyamānaṃ tu dṛṣṭvā caṃdro mudānvitaḥ|| kṣīrābdhirapi caṃdraṃ ca dṛṣṭvā so'pyutsuko'bhavat

Seeing the ocean of milk being churned, the moon was filled with joy; and the ocean of milk too, on beholding the moon, grew eager.

Verse 32 (skanda.1.11.32)

प्रविष्टश्चोभयप्रीत्या श्रृण्वतां भो द्विजोत्तमाः॥ चंद्रो ह्यमृत पूर्णोभूदग्रतो देवसन्निधौ

praviṣṭaścobhayaprītyā śrṛṇvatāṃ bho dvijottamāḥ|| caṃdro hyamṛta pūrṇobhūdagrato devasannidhau

Listen, O best of brahmins — moved by mutual affection, the moon entered the ocean, and full of nectar, appeared before the gods.

Verse 33 (skanda.1.11.33)

दृष्ट्वा च कांतिं त्वरितोऽथ चंद्रो नीराजितो देवगणैस्तदानीम्॥ वादित्रगोषैस्तुमुलैरनेकैर्मृदंगशंखैः पटहैरनेकैः

dṛṣṭvā ca kāṃtiṃ tvarito'tha caṃdro nīrājito devagaṇaistadānīm|| vāditragoṣaistumulairanekairmṛdaṃgaśaṃkhaiḥ paṭahairanekaiḥ

Seeing his radiance, the gods at once waved lamps of welcome before the swiftly rising moon, amid the tumultuous sound of mridangas, conches, and many drums.

Verse 34 (skanda.1.11.34)

नमश्चक्रुश्च ते सर्वे ससुरासुरदानवाः॥ तदा गर्गं पृच्छमाना बलं चंद्रस्य तत्त्वतः

namaścakruśca te sarve sasurāsuradānavāḥ|| tadā gargaṃ pṛcchamānā balaṃ caṃdrasya tattvataḥ

All the gods, asuras and danavas together bowed to him; then they asked the sage Garga about the moon's true strength.

Verse 35 (skanda.1.11.35)

गर्गेणोक्तास्तदा सर्वेषां बलमद्य वै॥ केंद्रस्थानगताः सर्वे भवतामुत्तमा ग्रहाः

gargeṇoktāstadā sarveṣāṃ balamadya vai|| keṃdrasthānagatāḥ sarve bhavatāmuttamā grahāḥ

Garga told them: "Today all the finest planets stand in the angular positions — this is the strength that is yours today."

Verse 36 (skanda.1.11.36)

चंद्रं मुरुः समायातो बुधश्चैव समागतः॥ आदित्यश्च तथा शुक्रः शनिरंगारको महान्

caṃdraṃ muruḥ samāyāto budhaścaiva samāgataḥ|| ādityaśca tathā śukraḥ śaniraṃgārako mahān

Toward the moon Mars drew near, and Mercury too approached; and the Sun, and Venus, mighty Saturn and Mars gathered as well.

Verse 37 (skanda.1.11.37)

तस्माच्चंद्रबलं श्रेष्ठं भवतां कार्यसिद्धये॥ गोमंतसंज्ञकोनाम मुहूर्तोऽयं जयप्रदः

tasmāccaṃdrabalaṃ śreṣṭhaṃ bhavatāṃ kāryasiddhaye|| gomaṃtasaṃjñakonāma muhūrto'yaṃ jayapradaḥ

"Therefore the moon's strength is excellent for the fulfilment of your task; this hour, named Gomanta, grants victory."

Verse 38 (skanda.1.11.38)

एवमाश्वासिता देवा गर्गेणैव महात्मना॥ ममंथुरब्धिं त्वरिता गर्जमाना महाबलाः

evamāśvāsitā devā gargeṇaiva mahātmanā|| mamaṃthurabdhiṃ tvaritā garjamānā mahābalāḥ

Reassured thus by the great-souled Garga, the mighty gods, roaring aloud, swiftly churned the ocean once again.

Verse 39 (skanda.1.11.39)

द्विगुणं बलमापन्ना महात्मानो दृढव्रताः॥ महेशं स्मरमाणास्ते गणेशं च पुनः पुनः

dviguṇaṃ balamāpannā mahātmāno dṛḍhavratāḥ|| maheśaṃ smaramāṇāste gaṇeśaṃ ca punaḥ punaḥ

Gaining doubled strength, those great, steadfast souls remembered Mahesha and Ganesha again and again.

Verse 40 (skanda.1.11.40)

निर्मथ्यमानादुदधेर्गर्जमानाच्च सर्वशः॥ निर्गता सुरभिः साक्षाद्देवानां कार्यसिद्धये

nirmathyamānādudadhergarjamānācca sarvaśaḥ|| nirgatā surabhiḥ sākṣāddevānāṃ kāryasiddhaye

From the ocean, churned and roaring on every side, the divine cow Surabhi herself emerged for the fulfilment of the gods' purpose.

Verse 41 (skanda.1.11.41)

तुष्टा कपिलवर्णां सा ऊधोभारेण भूयसा॥ तरंगोपरि गच्छंती शनकैः शनकैस्ततः

tuṣṭā kapilavarṇāṃ sā ūdhobhāreṇa bhūyasā|| taraṃgopari gacchaṃtī śanakaiḥ śanakaistataḥ

That tawny-hued, contented cow, heavy with her laden udder, appeared moving slowly, slowly upon the waves.

Verse 42 (skanda.1.11.42)

कामधेनुं समायांतीं दृष्ट्वा सर्वे सुरासुराः॥ पुष्पवर्षेण महता ववर्षुरमितप्रभाम्

kāmadhenuṃ samāyāṃtīṃ dṛṣṭvā sarve surāsurāḥ|| puṣpavarṣeṇa mahatā vavarṣuramitaprabhām

Seeing Kamadhenu approach, all the gods and demons together rained down a great, radiant shower of flowers.

Verse 43 (skanda.1.11.43)

तदा तूर्याण्यनेकानि नेदुर्वाद्यान्यनेकशः॥ आनीता जलमध्याच्च संवृता गोशतैरपि

tadā tūryāṇyanekāni nedurvādyānyanekaśaḥ|| ānītā jalamadhyācca saṃvṛtā gośatairapi

Then many trumpets and countless instruments sounded; she was brought forth from amid the waters, surrounded by hundreds of cows.

Verse 44 (skanda.1.11.44)

तासु नीलाश्च कृष्णश्च कपिलाश्च कपिंजलाः॥ बभ्रवः श्यामका रक्ता जंबूवर्णाश्च पिंगलाः॥ आभिर्युक्ता तदा गोभिः सुरभिः प्रत्यदृश्यत

tāsu nīlāśca kṛṣṇaśca kapilāśca kapiṃjalāḥ|| babhravaḥ śyāmakā raktā jaṃbūvarṇāśca piṃgalāḥ|| ābhiryuktā tadā gobhiḥ surabhiḥ pratyadṛśyata

Among them were cows blue, black, tawny, dappled, brown, dark, red, plum-hued and yellow — surrounded by these very cows, Surabhi appeared.

Verse 45 (skanda.1.11.45)

असुरासुरसंवीतां कामधेनुं ययाचिरे॥ ऋषयो हर्षसंयुक्ता देवान्दैत्यांश्च तत्क्षणात्

asurāsurasaṃvītāṃ kāmadhenuṃ yayācire|| ṛṣayo harṣasaṃyuktā devāndaityāṃśca tatkṣaṇāt

The sages, filled with joy, at once begged that Kamadhenu, attended by gods and demons, from the gods and daityas themselves.

Verse 46 (skanda.1.11.46)

सर्वेभ्यश्चैव विप्रेभ्यो नानागोत्रेभ्य एव च॥ सुरभीसहिता गावो दातव्या नात्र संशयः

sarvebhyaścaiva viprebhyo nānāgotrebhya eva ca|| surabhīsahitā gāvo dātavyā nātra saṃśayaḥ

"To all the brahmins, of their various lineages, cows together with Surabhi must be given — of this there is no doubt."

Verse 47 (skanda.1.11.47)

तैर्याचितास्तेऽत्र सुरासुराश्च ददुश्च ता गाः शिवतोषणाय॥ तैः स्वीकृतास्ता ऋषिभिः सुमंगलैर्महात्मभिः पुण्यतमैः सुरभ्यः

tairyācitāste'tra surāsurāśca daduśca tā gāḥ śivatoṣaṇāya|| taiḥ svīkṛtāstā ṛṣibhiḥ sumaṃgalairmahātmabhiḥ puṇyatamaiḥ surabhyaḥ

At their request, the gods and demons gave up those cows to please Shiva; the most auspicious, great-souled and holiest of sages accepted them, Surabhi among them.

Verse 48 (skanda.1.11.48)

पुण्याहं मुनिभिः सर्वैः कारितास्ते तदा सुराः॥ देवानां कार्यसिद्ध्यर्थमसुराणां क्षयाय च

puṇyāhaṃ munibhiḥ sarvaiḥ kāritāste tadā surāḥ|| devānāṃ kāryasiddhyarthamasurāṇāṃ kṣayāya ca

Then the sages had the gods perform the rite of punyaha for the fulfilment of the gods' purpose and the destruction of the demons.

Verse 49 (skanda.1.11.49)

पुनः सर्वे सुसंरब्धा ममंथुः क्षीरसागरम्॥ मथ्यमानात्तदा तस्मादुदधेश्च तथाऽभवत्

punaḥ sarve susaṃrabdhā mamaṃthuḥ kṣīrasāgaram|| mathyamānāttadā tasmādudadheśca tathā'bhavat

Again, all of them, greatly impatient, took up the churning of the ocean of milk once more; and from that ocean, being churned, this then came to pass —

Verse 50 (skanda.1.11.50)

कल्पवृक्षः पारिजातश्चूतः संतानकस्तथा॥ तान्द्रुमानेकतः कृत्वा गन्धर्वनगरोपमान्॥ ममंथुरुग्रं त्वरिताः पुनः क्षीरार्णवं बुधा

kalpavṛkṣaḥ pārijātaścūtaḥ saṃtānakastathā|| tāndrumānekataḥ kṛtvā gandharvanagaropamān|| mamaṃthurugraṃ tvaritāḥ punaḥ kṣīrārṇavaṃ budhā

The wish-granting Kalpavriksha, the Parijata, the mango tree and the Santanaka — gathering these trees together into what seemed a Gandharva city, the wise ones churned the ocean of milk fiercely once more.

Verse 51 (skanda.1.11.51)

निर्मथ्यमानादुदधेरभवत्सूर्यवर्चसम्॥ रत्नानामुत्तमं रत्नं कौस्तुभाख्यं महाप्रभम्

nirmathyamānādudadherabhavatsūryavarcasam|| ratnānāmuttamaṃ ratnaṃ kaustubhākhyaṃ mahāprabham

From that churned ocean arose the gem called Kaustubha, radiant as the sun, the finest of all jewels, of the greatest splendour.

Verse 52 (skanda.1.11.52)

स्वकीयेन प्रकाशेन भासयंतं जगत्त्रयम्॥ चिंतामणिं पुरस्कृत्य कौस्तुभं ददृशुर्हि ते

svakīyena prakāśena bhāsayaṃtaṃ jagattrayam|| ciṃtāmaṇiṃ puraskṛtya kaustubhaṃ dadṛśurhi te

Illuminating the three worlds with its own radiance, they beheld the Kaustubha, setting it before the wish-fulfilling Chintamani gem.

Verse 53 (skanda.1.11.53)

सर्वे सुरा ददुस्तं वै कौस्तुभं विष्णवे तदा॥ चिंतामणि ततः कृत्वा मध्ये चैव सुरासुराः॥ ममंथुः पुनरेवाब्धिं गर्जंतस्ते बलोत्कटाः

sarve surā dadustaṃ vai kaustubhaṃ viṣṇave tadā|| ciṃtāmaṇi tataḥ kṛtvā madhye caiva surāsurāḥ|| mamaṃthuḥ punarevābdhiṃ garjaṃtaste balotkaṭāḥ

All the gods then gave the Kaustubha to Vishnu; then, placing the Chintamani in their midst, the mighty gods and demons churned the ocean again, roaring aloud.

Verse 54 (skanda.1.11.54)

मथ्यमानात्ततस्तस्मादुच्चैःश्रवाः समद्भुतम्॥ बभूव अश्वो रत्नानां पुनश्चैरावतो गजः

mathyamānāttatastasmāduccaiḥśravāḥ samadbhutam|| babhūva aśvo ratnānāṃ punaścairāvato gajaḥ

From that churned ocean there arose the wondrous horse Uchchaihshravas, finest among steeds, and then the elephant Airavata.

Verse 55 (skanda.1.11.55)

तथैव गजरत्नं च चतुःषष्ट्या समन्वितम्॥ गजानां पांडुराणां च चतुर्द्दन्तं मदान्वितम्

tathaiva gajaratnaṃ ca catuḥṣaṣṭyā samanvitam|| gajānāṃ pāṃḍurāṇāṃ ca caturddantaṃ madānvitam

Along with it appeared the jewel among elephants, attended by sixty-four white, four-tusked elephants in rut.

Verse 56 (skanda.1.11.56)

तान्सर्वान्मध्यतः कृत्वा पुनश्चैव ममंथिरे॥ निर्मथ्यमानादुदधेर्निर्गतानि बहून्यथ

tānsarvānmadhyataḥ kṛtvā punaścaiva mamaṃthire|| nirmathyamānādudadhernirgatāni bahūnyatha

Placing all these in the midst, they churned once more; and from the ocean, being churned, many more things then emerged —

Verse 57 (skanda.1.11.57)

मदिरा विजया भृंगी तथा लशुनगृंजनाः॥ अतीव उन्मादकरो धत्तूरः पुष्करस्तथा

madirā vijayā bhṛṃgī tathā laśunagṛṃjanāḥ|| atīva unmādakaro dhattūraḥ puṣkarastathā

Wine, the plant Vijaya, Bhringi, garlic and onion, and the intensely maddening datura and lotus.

Verse 58 (skanda.1.11.58)

स्थापिता नैकपद्येन तीरे नदनदीपतेः॥ पुनश्च ते तत्र महासुरेन्द्रा ममंथुरब्धिं सुरसत्तमैः सह

sthāpitā naikapadyena tīre nadanadīpateḥ|| punaśca te tatra mahāsurendrā mamaṃthurabdhiṃ surasattamaiḥ saha

These were all set together upon the shore of the lord of rivers; and there the great lords of the asuras, together with the finest of the gods, churned the ocean once more.

Verse 59 (skanda.1.11.59)

निर्मथ्यमानादुदधेस्तदासीत्सा दिव्य लक्ष्मीर्भुवनैकनाथा॥ आन्वीक्षिकीं ब्रह्मविदो वदंति तथआ चान्ये मूलविद्यां गृणंति

nirmathyamānādudadhestadāsītsā divya lakṣmīrbhuvanaikanāthā|| ānvīkṣikīṃ brahmavido vadaṃti tathaā cānye mūlavidyāṃ gṛṇaṃti

From that churned ocean the divine Lakshmi then arose, sole mistress of the three worlds; knowers of Brahman call her Anvikshiki, the science of reasoning, while others speak of her as the root-wisdom.

Verse 60 (skanda.1.11.60)

ब्रह्मविद्यां केचिदाहुः समर्थाः केचित्सिद्धिमृद्धिमाज्ञा मथाशाम्॥ यां वैष्णवीं योगिनः केचिदाहुस्तथा च मायां मायिनो नित्ययुक्ताः

brahmavidyāṃ kecidāhuḥ samarthāḥ kecitsiddhimṛddhimājñā mathāśām|| yāṃ vaiṣṇavīṃ yoginaḥ kecidāhustathā ca māyāṃ māyino nityayuktāḥ

Some call her the knowledge of Brahman; certain capable ones call her Siddhi, Riddhi, and the fulfilment of desire; the yogis call her Vaishnavi, while the ever-disciplined masters of illusion call her Maya.

Verse 61 (skanda.1.11.61)

वदंति सर्वे केनसिद्धांतयुक्तां यां योगमायां ज्ञानशक्त्यान्विता ये

vadaṃti sarve kenasiddhāṃtayuktāṃ yāṃ yogamāyāṃ jñānaśaktyānvitā ye

Those adepts endowed with the power of knowledge, each according to his own doctrine, speak of her by many names as Yogamaya.

Verse 62 (skanda.1.11.62)

ददृशुस्तां महालक्ष्मीमायांती शनकैस्तदा॥ गौरां च युवतीं स्निग्धां पद्मकिंजल्कभूषणाम्

dadṛśustāṃ mahālakṣmīmāyāṃtī śanakaistadā|| gaurāṃ ca yuvatīṃ snigdhāṃ padmakiṃjalkabhūṣaṇām

Then they beheld that Mahalakshmi slowly approaching — fair, youthful, radiant, adorned with the golden filaments of the lotus.

Verse 63 (skanda.1.11.63)

सुस्मितां सुद्विजां श्यामां नवयौवनभूषणाम्॥ विचित्रवस्त्राभरणरत्नानेकोद्यतप्रभाम्

susmitāṃ sudvijāṃ śyāmāṃ navayauvanabhūṣaṇām|| vicitravastrābharaṇaratnānekodyataprabhām

Sweetly smiling, with lovely teeth, of a dark, glowing hue, adorned with the ornaments of fresh youth, resplendent with countless jewelled robes and gems.

Verse 64 (skanda.1.11.64)

बिंबोष्ठीं सुनसां तन्वीं सुग्रीवां चारुलोचनाम्॥ सुमध्यां चारुजघनां बृहत्कटितटां तथा

biṃboṣṭhīṃ sunasāṃ tanvīṃ sugrīvāṃ cārulocanām|| sumadhyāṃ cārujaghanāṃ bṛhatkaṭitaṭāṃ tathā

With lips like the bimba fruit, a lovely nose, a slender frame, a graceful neck, beautiful eyes, a slim waist, shapely hips, and broad loins.

Verse 65 (skanda.1.11.65)

नानारत्नप्रदीपैश्च नीराजितमुखांबुजाम्॥ चारुप्रसन्नवदनां हारनूपूरशोभिताम्

nānāratnapradīpaiśca nīrājitamukhāṃbujām|| cāruprasannavadanāṃ hāranūpūraśobhitām

Her lotus face was greeted with lamps set with many gems; her countenance was serene and joyful, adorned with necklace and anklets.

Verse 66 (skanda.1.11.66)

मूर्द्धनि ध्रियमाणेन च्छत्रेणापि विराजिताम्॥ चामरैर्वीज्यमानां तां गंगाकल्लोललोहितैः

mūrddhani dhriyamāṇena cchatreṇāpi virājitām|| cāmarairvījyamānāṃ tāṃ gaṃgākallolalohitaiḥ

She shone beneath a parasol held above her head, and was fanned with chowries reddened like the waves of the Ganga.

Verse 67 (skanda.1.11.67)

पांडुरं गजमारूढां स्तूयमानां महर्षिभिः॥ सुरद्रुमपुष्पमालां बिभ्रतीं मल्लिकायुताम्

pāṃḍuraṃ gajamārūḍhāṃ stūyamānāṃ maharṣibhiḥ|| suradrumapuṣpamālāṃ bibhratīṃ mallikāyutām

Mounted upon a white elephant, praised by the great sages, she bore garlands of celestial blossoms interwoven with jasmine.

Verse 68 (skanda.1.11.68)

कराग्रे ध्रियमाणां तां दृष्ट्वा देवाः समुत्सुकाः॥ आलोकनपरा यावत्तावत्तान्ददृशे ह्यसौ

karāgre dhriyamāṇāṃ tāṃ dṛṣṭvā devāḥ samutsukāḥ|| ālokanaparā yāvattāvattāndadṛśe hyasau

Seeing her holding a garland in her hand, the gods grew eager; and even as they gazed at her, she in turn beheld them.

Verse 69 (skanda.1.11.69)

देवांश्च दानवांश्चैव सिद्धचारणपन्नगान्॥ यथा माता स्वपुत्रांश्च महालक्ष्मीस्तथा सती

devāṃśca dānavāṃścaiva siddhacāraṇapannagān|| yathā mātā svaputrāṃśca mahālakṣmīstathā satī

As a mother looks upon her own children, so did the devoted Mahalakshmi look upon the gods, the demons, the siddhas, the charanas and the serpents.

Verse 70 (skanda.1.11.70)

आलोकितास्तथा देवास्तया लक्ष्म्या श्रियान्विताः॥ सञ्जातास्तत्क्षणादेव राज्य लक्षणलक्षिताः॥ दैत्यास्ते निःश्रिका जाता ये श्रियाऽनवलोकिताः

ālokitāstathā devāstayā lakṣmyā śriyānvitāḥ|| sañjātāstatkṣaṇādeva rājya lakṣaṇalakṣitāḥ|| daityāste niḥśrikā jātā ye śriyā'navalokitāḥ

Those gods on whom her gaze fell were at once endowed with glory and marked with the signs of sovereignty; but the demons whom Shri did not look upon became bereft of all fortune.

Verse 71 (skanda.1.11.71)

निरीक्ष्यमाणा च तदा मुकुन्दं तमालनीलं सुकपोलनासम्॥ विभ्राजमानं वपुषा परेण श्रीवत्सलक्ष्मं सदयावलोकम्

nirīkṣyamāṇā ca tadā mukundaṃ tamālanīlaṃ sukapolanāsam|| vibhrājamānaṃ vapuṣā pareṇa śrīvatsalakṣmaṃ sadayāvalokam

Then, gazing about, she beheld Mukunda, dark as the tamala tree, with lovely cheeks and nose, resplendent with matchless brilliance, bearing the mark of Shrivatsa, and a glance full of compassion.

Verse 72 (skanda.1.11.72)

दृष्ट्वा तदैव सहसा वनमालयान्विता लक्ष्मीर्गजादवततार सुविस्मयंती॥ कंठे ससर्ज पुरुषस्य परस्य विष्णोर्मालां श्रिया विरचितां भ्रमरैरुपेताम्

dṛṣṭvā tadaiva sahasā vanamālayānvitā lakṣmīrgajādavatatāra suvismayaṃtī|| kaṃṭhe sasarja puruṣasya parasya viṣṇormālāṃ śriyā viracitāṃ bhramarairupetām

Seeing him, Lakshmi, wearing a forest garland, at once descended from the elephant in great wonder, and placed about the neck of the Supreme Person, Vishnu, a garland fashioned by Shri herself, humming with bees.

Verse 73 (skanda.1.11.73)

वामांगमाश्रित्य तदा महात्मनः सोपाविशत्तत्र समीक्ष्य ता उभौ॥ सुराः सदैत्या मुदमापुरद्भुतां सिद्धाप्सरः किंनरचारणाश्च

vāmāṃgamāśritya tadā mahātmanaḥ sopāviśattatra samīkṣya tā ubhau|| surāḥ sadaityā mudamāpuradbhutāṃ siddhāpsaraḥ kiṃnaracāraṇāśca

She then took her place upon the left side of that great-souled one; and beholding the two of them together, the gods, demons, siddhas, apsaras, kinnaras and charanas were filled with wondrous joy.

Verse 74 (skanda.1.11.74)

सर्वेषामेव लोकानामैकपद्येन सर्वशः॥ हर्षो महानभूत्तत्र लक्ष्मीनारायणागमे

sarveṣāmeva lokānāmaikapadyena sarvaśaḥ|| harṣo mahānabhūttatra lakṣmīnārāyaṇāgame

At this meeting of Lakshmi and Narayana, great rejoicing arose at once, everywhere, throughout all the worlds.

Verse 75 (skanda.1.11.75)

लक्ष्म्या वृतो महाविष्णुर्लक्ष्मीस्तेनैव संवृता॥ एवं परस्परं प्रीत्या ह्यवलोकनतत्परौ

lakṣmyā vṛto mahāviṣṇurlakṣmīstenaiva saṃvṛtā|| evaṃ parasparaṃ prītyā hyavalokanatatparau

Mahavishnu was embraced by Lakshmi, and Lakshmi by him; thus, in mutual love, the two remained gazing upon each other.

Verse 76 (skanda.1.11.76)

शंखाश्च पटहाश्चैव मृदंगानकगोमुखाः॥ भेर्यश्च झर्झरीणां च स शब्दस्तुमुलोऽभवत्

śaṃkhāśca paṭahāścaiva mṛdaṃgānakagomukhāḥ|| bheryaśca jharjharīṇāṃ ca sa śabdastumulo'bhavat

Conches and kettledrums, mridangas, anakas and gomukha-horns, bheri-drums and jharjhara-cymbals rang out in tumultuous sound.

Verse 77 (skanda.1.11.77)

बभूव गायकानां च गायनं सुमहत्तदा॥ ततानि विततान्येन घानानि सुषिराणि च

babhūva gāyakānāṃ ca gāyanaṃ sumahattadā|| tatāni vitatānyena ghānāni suṣirāṇi ca

Then great singing arose among the singers; and instruments of all four kinds — stringed, covered, struck and wind — resounded together.

Verse 78 (skanda.1.11.78)

एवं वाद्यप्रभेदैश्च विष्णुं सर्वात्मना हरिम्॥ अतोषयन्सुगीतज्ञा गंधर्वाप्सरसां गणाः

evaṃ vādyaprabhedaiśca viṣṇuṃ sarvātmanā harim|| atoṣayansugītajñā gaṃdharvāpsarasāṃ gaṇāḥ

Thus, through these varied instruments, the gandharvas and troupes of apsaras skilled in song delighted Hari Vishnu, the all-pervading one, with their whole being.

Verse 79 (skanda.1.11.79)

तथा जगुर्नारदतुंबुरादयो गंधर्वयक्षाः सुरसिद्ध संघाः॥ संसेवमानाः परमात्मरूपं नारायणं देवमगाधबोधम्

tathā jagurnāradatuṃburādayo gaṃdharvayakṣāḥ surasiddha saṃghāḥ|| saṃsevamānāḥ paramātmarūpaṃ nārāyaṇaṃ devamagādhabodham

So too Narada, Tumburu and the other gandharvas, the yakshas, and the assembled gods and siddhas sang in service of Narayana, the Supreme Self embodied, the god of unfathomable wisdom.