The Slaying of Mahishasura and the Linga That Clung to the Goddess's Hand

Verse 1 (skanda.1.112.1)

ब्रह्मोवाच । स तु सिंहस्थितां गौरीं ज्वलंती विविधायुधाम् । शैलवर्षेण महता कुपितः समपूरयत्

brahmovāca sa tu siṁhasthitāṁ gaurīṁ jvalaṁtī vividhāyudhām śailavarṣeṇa mahatā kupitaḥ samapūrayat

Brahma said: That enraged Mahisha covered Gauri, seated on her lion, blazing, bearing manifold weapons, with a great shower of mountain-rocks.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.112.2)

शरवर्षेण महता तन्निवार्य विदूरतः । बिभेद निशितैः शस्त्रैरशेषं तस्य विग्रहम्

śaravarṣeṇa mahatā tannivārya vidūrataḥ bibheda niśitaiḥ śastrairaśeṣaṁ tasya vigraham

Warding it off from a distance with a great shower of arrows, she pierced his whole body through with sharp weapons.

Verse 3 (skanda.1.112.3)

भिद्यमानोऽपि दैत्येंद्रः शैलसारप्रदुर्धरः । विषादं नागमत्किंचिद्ववृधे युद्धदुर्मदः

bhidyamāno'pi daityeṁdraḥ śailasārapradurdharaḥ viṣādaṁ nāgamatkiṁcidvavṛdhe yuddhadurmadaḥ

Even as he was pierced, that lord of demons, his body firm as a mountain, frenzied with battle, felt some slight dismay creep over him.

Verse 4 (skanda.1.112.4)

भिद्यमानः स खड्गेन चक्रैरसिभिर्ऋष्टिभिः । शूलेन चायुधैश्चान्यैरंतर्धानमगाहत

bhidyamānaḥ sa khaḍgena cakrairasibhirṛṣṭibhiḥ śūlena cāyudhaiścānyairaṁtardhānamagāhata

Pierced by sword, discus, dagger, spear-blades, trident, and other weapons, he vanished from sight.

Verse 5 (skanda.1.112.5)

ततः सिंहाकृतिर्भीमः प्रचंडनिनदाननः । तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रः शितनखः परिबभ्राम केसरी

tataḥ siṁhākṛtirbhīmaḥ pracaṁḍaninadānanaḥ tīkṣṇadaṁṣṭraḥ śitanakhaḥ paribabhrāma kesarī

Then, becoming a terrible lion, his mouth roaring with dreadful sound, his fangs sharp, his claws keen, he prowled about.

Verse 6 (skanda.1.112.6)

देवीसिंहश्चपेटेन ताडयामास पाणिना । दैत्यसिंहस्य च नखैस्तस्य वक्षो व्यदारयत्

devīsiṁhaścapeṭena tāḍayāmāsa pāṇinā daityasiṁhasya ca nakhaistasya vakṣo vyadārayat

The Goddess's lion struck him with a blow of its paw, and with its claws tore open the chest of that demon-lion.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.112.7)

अथ व्याघ्रतया प्राप्तः स्फुटव्यात्ताननो महान् । तं हंतुं च बलाद्देवी वेगेन करमक्षिपत्

atha vyāghratayā prāptaḥ sphuṭavyāttānano mahān taṁ haṁtuṁ ca balāddevī vegena karamakṣipat

Then, assuming a great tiger's form, his mouth gaping open, he appeared; to slay him, the Goddess swiftly and forcefully swung her hand.

Verse 8 (skanda.1.112.8)

दीर्घाभिर्न्नीलरेखाभिः पूर्णः पिंगलविग्रहः । यानावलिभिराकीर्णः स्वर्णाद्रिरिव संचरन्

dīrghābhirnnīlarekhābhiḥ pūrṇaḥ piṁgalavigrahaḥ yānāvalibhirākīrṇaḥ svarṇādririva saṁcaran

Marked all over with long dark stripes, his body tawny, surrounded by ranks of chariots, he moved about like a very mountain of gold.

Verse 9 (skanda.1.112.9)

मृगैरिव परित्रातुं मुच्यमानोऽग्रतो बली । ज्वलंतमिव रोषाग्निं जिह्वाहेतिभिरावहन्

mṛgairiva paritrātuṁ mucyamāno'grato balī jvalaṁtamiva roṣāgniṁ jihvāhetibhirāvahan

That mighty one, set loose as if seeking, like deer, to save himself, pressed forward, bearing, as it were, a blazing fire of rage through the very lash of his tongue.

Verse 10 (skanda.1.112.10)

आगच्छंतं रयाद्देवी भल्लेन शशिवर्चसा । प्रतिविव्याध तं व्याघ्रं पुरत्रयमिवेश्वरः

āgacchaṁtaṁ rayāddevī bhallena śaśivarcasā prativivyādha taṁ vyāghraṁ puratrayamiveśvaraḥ

As he came on with speed, the Goddess pierced that tiger through with an arrow radiant as the moon, just as the Lord had once pierced the triple city.

Verse 11 (skanda.1.112.11)

स बाणस्तन्मुखे मग्नस्तद्रक्तेन समुक्षितः । जगाहे गगनं भित्त्वा देहमस्य विनिर्गतः

sa bāṇastanmukhe magnastadraktena samukṣitaḥ jagāhe gaganaṁ bhittvā dehamasya vinirgataḥ

That arrow, sinking into his mouth, drenched with his blood, pierced through the very sky as it emerged from his body.

Verse 12 (skanda.1.112.12)

स दैत्यो वारणो भूत्वा देवीमाश्वभ्युपागमत् । बलिभिः पशुभिर्भिन्नैस्तस्याः प्रीतिमिवावहन्

sa daityo vāraṇo bhūtvā devīmāśvabhyupāgamat balibhiḥ paśubhirbhinnaistasyāḥ prītimivāvahan

That demon, becoming an elephant, came quickly toward the Goddess, as if trying to please her with mighty beasts torn asunder.

Verse 13 (skanda.1.112.13)

तं गजेंद्रं समायांतं मदक्लिन्नमहीतलम् । देवीसिंहस्तदा दृष्ट्वा ननर्द च जघान च

taṁ gajeṁdraṁ samāyāṁtaṁ madaklinnamahītalam devīsiṁhastadā dṛṣṭvā nanarda ca jaghāna ca

Beholding that lord of elephants coming, the very ground drenched with his rut, the Goddess's lion roared and slew him.

Verse 14 (skanda.1.112.14)

अथ खड्गधरो वीरश्चर्मपाणिः समुद्गतः । वक्त्रं दधानो बभ्राम दंष्ट्राभ्रुकुटिभीषणम्

atha khaḍgadharo vīraścarmapāṇiḥ samudgataḥ vaktraṁ dadhāno babhrāma daṁṣṭrābhrukuṭibhīṣaṇam

Then a warrior arose, bearing sword and shield, his face terrible with fangs and knitted brows, and prowled about.

Verse 15 (skanda.1.112.15)

देवी च विलसत्खड्गचक्रचक्रलसत्करा । युयोध तेन वीरेण भग्नशीर्षाभ्यपद्यत

devī ca vilasatkhaḍgacakracakralasatkarā yuyodha tena vīreṇa bhagnaśīrṣābhyapadyata

The Goddess too, her hands gleaming with a flashing sword and discus, fought that warrior, and shattered his head.

Verse 16 (skanda.1.112.16)

भूयः स माहिषं रूपमास्थायासुरमायया । देव्या योद्धुं प्रववृते यथापूर्वमनाकुलम्

bhūyaḥ sa māhiṣaṁ rūpamāsthāyāsuramāyayā devyā yoddhuṁ pravavṛte yathāpūrvamanākulam

Once more, taking through demonic maya the very form of a buffalo, he set about fighting the Goddess again, unruffled, just as before.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.112.17)

अथ देवैमुनींद्रैश्च चोदितो गौतमो मुनिः । प्रबोधयितुमारेभे स्तुतिभिर्जगदंबिकाम्

atha devaimunīṁdraiśca codito gautamo muniḥ prabodhayitumārebhe stutibhirjagadaṁbikām

Then, urged on by the gods and the foremost sages, the sage Gautama began, with hymns of praise, to rouse the mother of the world.

Verse 18 (skanda.1.112.18)

त्वयि सर्वस्य जगतः प्राणशक्तिः परा मता । ओजःशक्तिर्ज्ञानशक्तिर्बलशक्तिश्च गम्यते

tvayi sarvasya jagataḥ prāṇaśaktiḥ parā matā ojaḥśaktirjñānaśaktirbalaśaktiśca gamyate

'In you alone is held to dwell the supreme life-force of the whole universe; the power of vigour, the power of knowledge, and the power of strength are all understood to be found in you alone.'

Verse 19 (skanda.1.112.19)

किमेतदद्य मोहाय युद्धमारभ्यते त्वया । उपसंह्रियतामेष दैत्यो भुवनगुप्तये

kimetadadya mohāya yuddhamārabhyate tvayā upasaṁhriyatāmeṣa daityo bhuvanaguptaye

'Why is this battle now being carried on by you as though in mere delusion? Let this demon now be brought to his end for the protection of the world.'

Verse 20 (skanda.1.112.20)

भिन्नानामस्य देहानामुपसंहरणात्तव । वलयश्चोपदिश्यन्ते निगमोक्ता वरप्रदाः

bhinnānāmasya dehānāmupasaṁharaṇāttava valayaścopadiśyante nigamoktā varapradāḥ

'Through this very destruction of his pierced bodies, even the boon-bestowing bracelets spoken of in the Vedas are granted to you.'

Verse 21 (skanda.1.112.21)

अन्यथा तृणकल्पस्य शत्रोरस्य निबर्हणे । कालाग्निवर्चसो देवि किमर्थं संभ्रमस्त्वियान्

anyathā tṛṇakalpasya śatrorasya nibarhaṇe kālāgnivarcaso devi kimarthaṁ saṁbhramastviyān

'Otherwise, O goddess, in the destruction of an enemy no more than a blade of straw, why, though radiant as the very fire of dissolution, do you so delay?'

Verse 22 (skanda.1.112.22)

स्वशक्तिमवसंस्तभ्य समाकर्षयतां रिपोः । प्राणशक्तिं त्रिशूलेन गुणत्रयवपुर्धृता

svaśaktimavasaṁstabhya samākarṣayatāṁ ripoḥ prāṇaśaktiṁ triśūlena guṇatrayavapurdhṛtā

'Steadying your own power, drawing forth the enemy's very life-force with your trident, you who bear a body of the three qualities —'

Verse 23 (skanda.1.112.23)

इति स्म बोधितातेन पुरा भगवती तदा । महिषासुरमाक्रम्य त्रिशूलेनाभ्यधारयत्

iti sma bodhitātena purā bhagavatī tadā mahiṣāsuramākramya triśūlenābhyadhārayat

Thus roused of old by him, the blessed Goddess then attacked Mahishasura and pinned him with her trident.

Verse 24 (skanda.1.112.24)

अनेकगिरिसंकाशं देव्या विग्रहमात्मनः । अशक्तस्तं धारयितुं ससाद महिषासुरः

anekagirisaṁkāśaṁ devyā vigrahamātmanaḥ aśaktastaṁ dhārayituṁ sasāda mahiṣāsuraḥ

Unable to sustain the weight of the Goddess's body, resembling many mountains together, Mahishasura sank down upon the ground.

Verse 25 (skanda.1.112.25)

निष्पिष्टो विलुठन्क्रोशन्नाक्रांतश्च परिस्फुरन् । निर्गंतुमुद्गतशिरा न शशाकासुराधिपः

niṣpiṣṭo viluṭhankrośannākrāṁtaśca parisphuran nirgaṁtumudgataśirā na śaśākāsurādhipaḥ

Crushed, writhing, screaming, pinned down, convulsing, his neck raised, that lord of demons could not manage to escape.

Verse 26 (skanda.1.112.26)

त्रिशूलमुखभिन्नांगरक्तधारासमुद्धतः । समुद्र इव संजातः संध्यारुणकलेवरः

triśūlamukhabhinnāṁgaraktadhārāsamuddhataḥ samudra iva saṁjātaḥ saṁdhyāruṇakalevaraḥ

Rising from the stream of blood flowing from his body pierced by the trident's point, he became as it were an ocean, dyed with the ruddy hue of twilight.

Verse 27 (skanda.1.112.27)

अथ खड्गेन तीक्ष्णेन कर्तयित्वा च तच्छिरः । ननर्त्त तस्य शिरसि तिष्ठन्ती महिषार्दिनी

atha khaḍgena tīkṣṇena kartayitvā ca tacchiraḥ nanartta tasya śirasi tiṣṭhantī mahiṣārdinī

Then, cutting off his head with a sharp sword, Mahisharidni stood upon his very head and danced.

Verse 28 (skanda.1.112.28)

दुर्गां सिद्धाश्च गन्धर्वाः प्रशशंसुर्महर्षयः । पुष्पवृष्टिश्च महती देवैर्मुक्ता समंततः । प्रणतः प्रांजलिर्देवीं तुष्टाव विबुधाधिपः

durgāṁ siddhāśca gandharvāḥ praśaśaṁsurmaharṣayaḥ puṣpavṛṣṭiśca mahatī devairmuktā samaṁtataḥ praṇataḥ prāṁjalirdevīṁ tuṣṭāva vibudhādhipaḥ

Siddhas, gandharvas, and great sages praised Durga; a great shower of flowers was released on every side by the gods; the lord of the gods, joining his hands, bowed low, praised the Goddess.

Verse 29 (skanda.1.112.29)

इन्द्र उवाच । नमस्ते जगतां मात्रे भूतानां बीजसंविदे

indra uvāca namaste jagatāṁ mātre bhūtānāṁ bījasaṁvide

Indra said: 'Salutation to you, mother of the worlds, the very seed-awareness of all beings.'

Verse 30 (skanda.1.112.30)

भक्तिः श्रद्धा च भजतां शक्तिश्चासि त्वमंबिके । कारणं परमा कीर्तिः शातिर्दांतिः कला क्षमा

bhaktiḥ śraddhā ca bhajatāṁ śaktiścāsi tvamaṁbike kāraṇaṁ paramā kīrtiḥ śātirdāṁtiḥ kalā kṣamā

'O Ambika, you are the devotion, the faith, and the very power of those who worship; the supreme cause, glory, peace, self-restraint, art, and forbearance.'

Verse 31 (skanda.1.112.31)

एकैव विश्वरूपा त्वं नामभेदेर्निगद्यसे । तेषुतेषु पदेष्वस्मांस्तपोऽनुगुणसिद्धिषु

ekaiva viśvarūpā tvaṁ nāmabhedernigadyase teṣuteṣu padeṣvasmāṁstapo'nuguṇasiddhiṣu

'You alone, one, of the form of the universe, are spoken of under different names; established in each their own station, in accomplishments fitting each austerity.'

Verse 32 (skanda.1.112.32)

नियुज्य शत्रुं निर्भिद्य शिवा ज्ञेया प्रकाशसे । हतोयं महिषो दुष्टो विनिकृत्तश्च शांभवि

niyujya śatruṁ nirbhidya śivā jñeyā prakāśase hatoyaṁ mahiṣo duṣṭo vinikṛttaśca śāṁbhavi

'Directing the enemy, piercing him through, you manifest, to be known as Shiva's own consort; this wicked Mahisha has been slain and cut to pieces, O Shambhu's own!'

Verse 33 (skanda.1.112.33)

छिन्नमेतस्य तु शिरः सजीवमिव लक्ष्यते । रक्तनेत्रं तीक्ष्णशृगं ज्वलज्जिह्वं चलं शिरः

chinnametasya tu śiraḥ sajīvamiva lakṣyate raktanetraṁ tīkṣṇaśṛgaṁ jvalajjihvaṁ calaṁ śiraḥ

'This severed head of his still seems alive — its eyes red, its horn sharp, its tongue aflame, this quivering head.'

Verse 34 (skanda.1.112.34)

आक्रम्य तव तिष्ठन्त्या रूपमेव सदास्तु नः । चक्रशृंगधनुर्बाणखङ्गचर्मवराभयैः

ākramya tava tiṣṭhantyā rūpameva sadāstu naḥ cakraśṛṁgadhanurbāṇakhaṅgacarmavarābhayaiḥ

'May this very form of yours, standing thus upon him, ever remain before us — bearing discus, horn, bow, arrow, sword, shield, boon-granting and fear-dispelling hands.'

Verse 35 (skanda.1.112.35)

शूलघण्टांकुशकशाकपालकुलिशादिभिः । अशेषदेवतामूर्तिरशेषैदेंवतायुधैः

śūlaghaṇṭāṁkuśakaśākapālakuliśādibhiḥ aśeṣadevatāmūrtiraśeṣaideṁvatāyudhaiḥ

'With trident, bell, goad, whip, skull-cup, thunderbolt, and the rest, embodying every deity and bearing the weapons of every deity —'

Verse 36 (skanda.1.112.36)

आपूरिता त्वमेवांब सर्वशत्रून्निहंसि नः । आयुधानां सहस्राणि तन्मयास्ते विभूतयः

āpūritā tvamevāṁba sarvaśatrūnnihaṁsi naḥ āyudhānāṁ sahasrāṇi tanmayāste vibhūtayaḥ

'— you alone, O Mother, are filled with all of these, and destroy every enemy of ours; the thousands of weapons are but your very own manifestations.'

Verse 37 (skanda.1.112.37)

त्वज्जितारातयः सर्वे विविधायुधवाहनाः । रथनागहयैर्युक्ताः ससैन्या अपि भूभृतः

tvajjitārātayaḥ sarve vividhāyudhavāhanāḥ rathanāgahayairyuktāḥ sasainyā api bhūbhṛtaḥ

'All the enemies conquered by you, possessed of varied weapons and mounts, kings too, together with their armies joined to chariots, elephants, and horses,'

Verse 38 (skanda.1.112.38)

क्षणेन दग्धवीर्याः स्युस्त्वत्प्रसादविवर्जिताः । अपदोऽप्यल्पवीर्योऽपि त्वत्पादांबुजसेवकः

kṣaṇena dagdhavīryāḥ syustvatprasādavivarjitāḥ apado'pyalpavīryo'pi tvatpādāṁbujasevakaḥ

'— deprived of your grace, have their strength burnt to ash in an instant; while the servant of your lotus feet, even one without rank and of little strength —'

Verse 39 (skanda.1.112.39)

त्रिलोकनाथतां प्राप्तः प्रथते कीर्तिमण्डितः । तद्रूपमिदमत्युग्रं ध्यायतामर्चतां सदा

trilokanāthatāṁ prāptaḥ prathate kīrtimaṇḍitaḥ tadrūpamidamatyugraṁ dhyāyatāmarcatāṁ sadā

'— attains lordship of the three worlds and becomes renowned, adorned with glory. For those who ever meditate upon and worship this most fierce form of yours,'

Verse 40 (skanda.1.112.40)

न शत्रुभ्यो भयं किंचिद्भवेद्विजयशालिनाम् । ईदृशं सर्वलोकेषु रूपं ते देववंदितम्

na śatrubhyo bhayaṁ kiṁcidbhavedvijayaśālinām īdṛśaṁ sarvalokeṣu rūpaṁ te devavaṁditam

'— the victorious feel no fear at all from their enemies. In all the worlds this form of yours is bowed to by the gods.'

Verse 41 (skanda.1.112.41)

पूज्यतामिष्टसिद्ध्यर्थं देवैर्भृत्यैश्च सर्वदा । मातरश्च त्वया सृष्टाः सर्वाभीष्टफलप्रदाः

pūjyatāmiṣṭasiddhyarthaṁ devairbhṛtyaiśca sarvadā mātaraśca tvayā sṛṣṭāḥ sarvābhīṣṭaphalapradāḥ

'For the accomplishment of desires, let it ever be worshipped by gods and servants alike; and may the Mothers created by you also grant every desired fruit.'

Verse 42 (skanda.1.112.42)

सगणाः प्रतिपूज्यंतां सर्वस्थानेषु सर्वदा । अयं च निहतो दैत्यस्त्वत्पादकृतलांछनः

sagaṇāḥ pratipūjyaṁtāṁ sarvasthāneṣu sarvadā ayaṁ ca nihato daityastvatpādakṛtalāṁchanaḥ

'Let them, together with their attendant hosts, be duly worshipped in every place, always; and this demon too, slain and marked by your very foot —'

Verse 43 (skanda.1.112.43)

तव भक्तैः सदा पूज्यस्त्वत्प्रमादात्त्वदग्रतः । इत्थं सुरेन्द्रप्रणुता सर्वर्षिसुरसेविता

tava bhaktaiḥ sadā pūjyastvatpramādāttvadagrataḥ itthaṁ surendrapraṇutā sarvarṣisurasevitā

'— should be worshipped by your devotees always, before you, in case of any oversight on your part.' Thus praised by the lord of the gods, served by all the sages and gods,

Verse 44 (skanda.1.112.44)

तथेति वरदा देवी ससर्ज च दिवं प्रति । स्वयमप्यात्मनस्तत्र तद्रूपं विविधायुधम्

tatheti varadā devī sasarja ca divaṁ prati svayamapyātmanastatra tadrūpaṁ vividhāyudham

the boon-granting Goddess, saying 'so be it,' created toward heaven a form of herself with manifold weapons, just as she herself was.

Verse 45 (skanda.1.112.45)

संस्थाप्य मातृभिः सार्धं स्थानरक्षणमातनोत् । संगृह्य विमलं रूपं सखीजनसमावृता

saṁsthāpya mātṛbhiḥ sārdhaṁ sthānarakṣaṇamātanot saṁgṛhya vimalaṁ rūpaṁ sakhījanasamāvṛtā

Establishing it there together with the Mother-goddesses, she extended the guardianship of that place; and, gathering back her own pure form, surrounded by her companions,

Verse 46 (skanda.1.112.46)

महिषस्य शिरोऽपश्यद्विकृतं खङ्गधारया । कथयन्ती पुनस्तस्य चित्रं लोकविभूषणम्

mahiṣasya śiro'paśyadvikṛtaṁ khaṅgadhārayā kathayantī punastasya citraṁ lokavibhūṣaṇam

she beheld Mahisha's head, disfigured by the sword's edge, as though pointing it out to the world as a strange wonder.

Verse 47 (skanda.1.112.47)

सखीभिः सह सा बाला कण्ठं तस्य व्यलोकयत् । अपश्यच्च तदा लिगं कर्त्तुं तस्य च पूजनम्

sakhībhiḥ saha sā bālā kaṇṭhaṁ tasya vyalokayat apaśyacca tadā ligaṁ karttuṁ tasya ca pūjanam

That maiden, together with her companions, looked at his throat, and then, to perform its worship, beheld there a linga.

Verse 48 (skanda.1.112.48)

आदत्त सहसा गौरी लिगं तस्य गले स्थितम् । आलोकयच्च सुचिरं रक्तधारापरिप्लुतम्

ādatta sahasā gaurī ligaṁ tasya gale sthitam ālokayacca suciraṁ raktadhārāpariplutam

Gauri suddenly took into her hand that linga resting on his throat, and gazed for a long while upon it, drenched as it was in a stream of blood.

Verse 49 (skanda.1.112.49)

आसज्जत पुनर्लिंगमस्याः पाणितलं गतम् । विमोचयितुमुद्युक्ता नाशक्नोल्लग्नमंजसा

āsajjata punarliṁgamasyāḥ pāṇitalaṁ gatam vimocayitumudyuktā nāśaknollagnamaṁjasā

That linga then clung fast to her very palm; though she tried her utmost to release it, she could not at once free it from where it had stuck.

Verse 50 (skanda.1.112.50)

अचिंतयच्च सा देवी किमेतदिति विस्मयात् । विषादेन च संयुक्ता महर्षीणां पुरः स्थिता

aciṁtayacca sā devī kimetaditi vismayāt viṣādena ca saṁyuktā maharṣīṇāṁ puraḥ sthitā

'What is this?' — filled with such wonder, the Goddess began to reflect; overcome with dismay, she stood before the great sages.

Verse 51 (skanda.1.112.51)

आहतः शिवभक्तोऽयमिति शोकं समाविशत् । अगर्हत भृशं मौढ्यमात्मनः स्त्रीस्वभावजम्

āhataḥ śivabhakto'yamiti śokaṁ samāviśat agarhata bhṛśaṁ mauḍhyamātmanaḥ strīsvabhāvajam

'This one who has been slain was a devotee of Shiva' — this grief seized her; she reproached herself bitterly for the folly arisen from her own womanly nature.

Verse 52 (skanda.1.112.52)

अविचार समारब्धं शिवभक्तनिबर्हणम् । उपतापपरीतांगी गौतमं मुनिसत्तमम्

avicāra samārabdhaṁ śivabhaktanibarhaṇam upatāpaparītāṁgī gautamaṁ munisattamam

'Without any consideration, the slaying of a Shiva-devotee has been begun' — her limbs consumed with this anguish, she went to Gautama, foremost of sages.

Verse 53 (skanda.1.112.53)

उपगम्याब्रवीद्बाला साहसं कृतमात्मना । भगवन्सर्वधर्मज्ञ गौतमार्य मुनीश्वर

upagamyābravīdbālā sāhasaṁ kṛtamātmanā bhagavansarvadharmajña gautamārya munīśvara

Approaching him, that maiden said: 'I myself have committed this rash deed. O Lord, knower of every dharma, noble Gautama, lord of sages!'

Verse 54 (skanda.1.112.54)

मान्यया धर्मरूपेण कोऽप्यधर्मः प्रकल्पितः । देवानां रक्षणं कर्तुमभयं दातुमुद्यता

mānyayā dharmarūpeṇa ko'pyadharmaḥ prakalpitaḥ devānāṁ rakṣaṇaṁ kartumabhayaṁ dātumudyatā

'Believing it to be dharma, I have, it seems, wrought some adharma, in my eagerness to protect the gods and grant them freedom from fear.'

Verse 55 (skanda.1.112.55)

अज्ञानान्महिषं दैत्यं शिवभक्तिममर्दयम् । रजसाक्रान्तबुद्धीनां न भवेद्धर्मसंग्रहः

ajñānānmahiṣaṁ daityaṁ śivabhaktimamardayam rajasākrāntabuddhīnāṁ na bhaveddharmasaṁgrahaḥ

'Through ignorance I have crushed the very Shiva-devotion of the demon Mahisha; for those whose minds are overrun by the quality of passion, the true grasp of dharma does not come.'

Verse 56 (skanda.1.112.56)

गुरुप्रसादसुलभः स्फुरद्विघ्नशताकुलः । सुदुर्धर्षा निराचारदुर्दमाः शिवसंश्रयाः

guruprasādasulabhaḥ sphuradvighnaśatākulaḥ sudurdharṣā nirācāradurdamāḥ śivasaṁśrayāḥ

'Attained through a guru's grace, filled with a hundred flashing obstacles, exceedingly hard to assail, seeming devoid of conventional observance, indomitable — those who have taken refuge in Shiva.'

Verse 57 (skanda.1.112.57)

विशेषतो लिंगधराः शिवस्तान्बहु मन्यते । पुरा पुरत्रयावासा दैतेया लिंगधारका

viśeṣato liṁgadharāḥ śivastānbahu manyate purā puratrayāvāsā daiteyā liṁgadhārakā

'Shiva especially holds in the highest regard those who wear the linga; of old, the demons who dwelt in the triple city were also bearers of the linga.'

Verse 58 (skanda.1.112.58)

अजिताः शंभुना पूर्वं मुक्तलिंगा निषूदिताः । अस्य कंठस्थितं लिंगं मम पाणिं न मुंचति

ajitāḥ śaṁbhunā pūrvaṁ muktaliṁgā niṣūditāḥ asya kaṁṭhasthitaṁ liṁgaṁ mama pāṇiṁ na muṁcati

'Even Shambhu could not conquer them of old, until their lingas were loosed and had left them; then why does the linga on this one's throat not leave my hand?'

Verse 59 (skanda.1.112.59)

कथं पापं निरस्यामि शिवभक्तवधाश्रितम् । अस्य कंठस्थितं लिंगं धारयंती तपोन्विता

kathaṁ pāpaṁ nirasyāmi śivabhaktavadhāśritam asya kaṁṭhasthitaṁ liṁgaṁ dhārayaṁtī taponvitā

'How am I to remove this sin bound up with the killing of a Shiva-devotee, while this linga from his throat, so full of austerity, remains clinging to my very hand?'

Verse 60 (skanda.1.112.60)

तीर्थयात्रां करिष्यामि यावच्छंभुः प्रसीदति । पुनः कैलासमुख्येषु शंभुस्थानेषु भूरिषु

tīrthayātrāṁ kariṣyāmi yāvacchaṁbhuḥ prasīdati punaḥ kailāsamukhyeṣu śaṁbhusthāneṣu bhūriṣu

'Until Shambhu becomes gracious, I shall undertake a pilgrimage to the fords, going again to many places of Shambhu headed by Kailasa.'

Verse 61 (skanda.1.112.61)

तीर्थेषु रचितस्नाना लप्स्ये पापविशोधनम् । इति तस्याः परिश्रांतिं दुर्धर्मपरिशंकया

tīrtheṣu racitasnānā lapsye pāpaviśodhanam iti tasyāḥ pariśrāṁtiṁ durdharmapariśaṁkayā

'Bathing in the fords, I shall obtain the cleansing of this sin.' Hearing this weary utterance of hers, arising from her suspicion of unrighteousness,

Verse 62 (skanda.1.112.62)

आकर्ण्य शिवधर्मज्ञो भयार्त्तां तामवोचत । मा भैषीर्गिरिजे मोहाच्छिवभक्तो हतस्त्विति

ākarṇya śivadharmajño bhayārttāṁ tāmavocata mā bhaiṣīrgirije mohācchivabhakto hatastviti

the knower of Shiva's own doctrine said to her, tormented with fear: 'Do not be afraid, O daughter of the mountain — it is but delusion to think this Shiva-devotee has been slain.'

Verse 63 (skanda.1.112.63)

धर्मसूक्ष्मार्थवेत्तारौ दुर्लभा गिरिकन्यके । सदा शिवस्य वदनैः सद्योजातादि संश्रितैः

dharmasūkṣmārthavettārau durlabhā girikanyake sadā śivasya vadanaiḥ sadyojātādi saṁśritaiḥ

'Knowers of the subtle meaning of dharma are rare indeed, O daughter of the mountain — ever taking refuge in Shiva's five faces beginning with Sadyojata —'

Verse 64 (skanda.1.112.64)

आगमाः पंचभिः प्रोक्ता अष्टाविंशतिकोटयः । निर्णयाः शिवभक्तानां शिवमार्गस्य शोभनाः

āgamāḥ paṁcabhiḥ proktā aṣṭāviṁśatikoṭayaḥ nirṇayāḥ śivabhaktānāṁ śivamārgasya śobhanāḥ

'— the Agamas, spoken through the five faces, number twenty-eight crore; they set forth the beautiful decisions of Shiva's devotees, upon Shiva's own path.'

Verse 65 (skanda.1.112.65)

तेषुतेषु मुनींद्रैश्च नत्वैव प्रतिपद्यते । कालो मुखं च कंकालं शैवं पाशुपतं तथा

teṣuteṣu munīṁdraiśca natvaiva pratipadyate kālo mukhaṁ ca kaṁkālaṁ śaivaṁ pāśupataṁ tathā

'Even by the foremost sages, only after bowing to them, are they received among each — the Kala, the Mukha, the Kankala, the Shaiva, and the Pashupata.'

Verse 66 (skanda.1.112.66)

महाव्रतं पंच चैताः शिवमार्गप्रवृत्तयः । भेदाश्च बहवस्तेषामन्योन्यस्य शिवे रताः

mahāvrataṁ paṁca caitāḥ śivamārgapravṛttayaḥ bhedāśca bahavasteṣāmanyonyasya śive ratāḥ

'And this fifth, the Mahavrata — these five alike are but modes of the very path of Shiva; and though there are many divisions among them, all of them alike are devoted to Shiva.'

Verse 67 (skanda.1.112.67)

साध्य एको हि बलवान्सर्वैस्तैरनिशं शिवः । सर्व एव सदा पूज्याः स्वधर्मपरिनिष्ठितैः

sādhya eko hi balavānsarvaistairaniśaṁ śivaḥ sarva eva sadā pūjyāḥ svadharmapariniṣṭhitaiḥ

'The one strong Shiva alone is to be constantly accomplished by all of these; and every one of them alike is ever worthy of worship by those established in their own respective dharma.'

Verse 68 (skanda.1.112.68)

अमत्सरैः शिवे भक्तैः शिवाज्ञापरिपालकैः । वेदैश्च बहुभिर्यज्ञैर्भक्त्या च परया शिवः

amatsaraiḥ śive bhaktaiḥ śivājñāparipālakaiḥ vedaiśca bahubhiryajñairbhaktyā ca parayā śivaḥ

'By devotees free of envy, devoted to Shiva, upholding Shiva's own command, through the many Vedas and sacrifices, through supreme devotion —'

Verse 69 (skanda.1.112.69)

आराध्यते महादेवः सर्वदा सर्वदायकः । जीवहिंसा न कर्त्तव्या विशेषण तपस्विभिः

ārādhyate mahādevaḥ sarvadā sarvadāyakaḥ jīvahiṁsā na karttavyā viśeṣaṇa tapasvibhiḥ

'— Mahadeva, the giver of all things, is ever worshipped. Ascetics especially should not commit violence against any living being.'

Verse 70 (skanda.1.112.70)

शिवधर्मस्य भेत्तारो निहंतव्यास्तथांजसा । न वेषजुषि वीक्षेत न लिगं नैव संभवम्

śivadharmasya bhettāro nihaṁtavyāstathāṁjasā na veṣajuṣi vīkṣeta na ligaṁ naiva saṁbhavam

'Yet those who violate the very dharma of Shiva must, in just this manner, be struck down at once; one should not spare regard for outward guise, nor for the linga, nor for the mere possibility of it.'

Verse 71 (skanda.1.112.71)

शिवधर्मस्य भेत्तारं हन्यादेवाविचारयन् । बहुभिः स्फूर्तया बुद्ध्या धर्मविद्भिर्निरूपिते

śivadharmasya bhettāraṁ hanyādevāvicārayan bahubhiḥ sphūrtayā buddhyā dharmavidbhirnirūpite

'One should slay a violator of Shiva's dharma even without deliberation, when this has already been established, in many ways, through the flashing insight of those who know dharma.'

Verse 72 (skanda.1.112.72)

शिवधर्मस्य विलये सद्यः शक्तिः प्रवर्तते । अस्य कर्म पुनर्दिष्टं लिंगमैश्वर्यचर्चितम्

śivadharmasya vilaye sadyaḥ śaktiḥ pravartate asya karma punardiṣṭaṁ liṁgamaiśvaryacarcitam

'At the very destruction of Shiva's dharma, power at once comes into play; his very deed is here re-ordained, through this linga, honoured with its own majesty.'

Verse 73 (skanda.1.112.73)

न जेतुं शक्यते देवि तेनासौ सर्वदैवतैः । यदयं निहतो देवि त्वया शंकरमान्यया

na jetuṁ śakyate devi tenāsau sarvadaivataiḥ yadayaṁ nihato devi tvayā śaṁkaramānyayā

'O goddess, for this reason he could not be conquered even by all the gods; and if he has now been slain by you, O goddess, you are honoured indeed even by Shankara.'

Verse 74 (skanda.1.112.74)

आक्रांतः शापदोषेण महर्षीणां शिवाश्रयात् । अथ ते कुपितास्तस्य वैषम्यादवमानतः

ākrāṁtaḥ śāpadoṣeṇa maharṣīṇāṁ śivāśrayāt atha te kupitāstasya vaiṣamyādavamānataḥ

'He had been overtaken by the fault of a curse from the great sages, precisely because of his refuge in Shiva; then they, angered by his unevenness of conduct and his disrespect toward them,'

Verse 75 (skanda.1.112.75)

शेपुर्महिषवद्दुष्टो महिषोऽयं भवत्विति । ततस्तद्वचनात्सद्यो महिषोऽभूत्क्षणात्तथा

śepurmahiṣavadduṣṭo mahiṣo'yaṁ bhavatviti tatastadvacanātsadyo mahiṣo'bhūtkṣaṇāttathā

'— cursed him, saying, "Let this wicked one become like a buffalo" — and, by that very word, he at once, in that instant, became a buffalo.'

Verse 76 (skanda.1.112.76)

प्रणम्य तोषयामास ययाचे शापमोचनम् । दत्त्वा प्रकामरूपत्वं ददुरस्मै प्रसादिताः

praṇamya toṣayāmāsa yayāce śāpamocanam dattvā prakāmarūpatvaṁ dadurasmai prasāditāḥ

'Bowing before them, he pleased them, and begged for release from the curse; pleased, they granted to him the power to take on any form at will.'

Verse 77 (skanda.1.112.77)

महिषत्वेपि संहारं स्वयं देव्या शिवाज्ञया । विषादो न च कर्त्तव्यो अंगदर्शनतस्त्वया

mahiṣatvepi saṁhāraṁ svayaṁ devyā śivājñayā viṣādo na ca karttavyo aṁgadarśanatastvayā

'Even in his buffalo form, his very destruction, by Shiva's command, at the hands of the Goddess herself, was foreordained; you should feel no distress at the mere sight of his form.'

Verse 78 (skanda.1.112.78)

सिद्धानां शिवरूपाणामवज्ञा कं न बाधते । महिषत्वे समुत्पन्ने दोषेण समुपस्थिते

siddhānāṁ śivarūpāṇāmavajñā kaṁ na bādhate mahiṣatve samutpanne doṣeṇa samupasthite

'Whom does disrespect toward siddhas of Shiva's own form not afflict? When his buffalo-nature arose, brought about by that very fault,'

Verse 79 (skanda.1.112.79)

सिद्धप्रसादाल्लब्धोऽयं शापनाशस्त्वया कृतः । सर्वे लोकाश्च संत्राता दुष्टोयं परिरक्षितः

siddhaprasādāllabdho'yaṁ śāpanāśastvayā kṛtaḥ sarve lokāśca saṁtrātā duṣṭoyaṁ parirakṣitaḥ

'— the release from that curse, obtainable only through the siddhas' grace, has now been completed through you; all the worlds have been saved, and this wicked one too has been delivered.'

Verse 80 (skanda.1.112.80)

शापदोषसमुत्पन्ने महिषत्वे विमोचिते । त्वया च गिरिशप्रीत्यै तपः कुर्वाणयाद्रिजे

śāpadoṣasamutpanne mahiṣatve vimocite tvayā ca giriśaprītyai tapaḥ kurvāṇayādrije

'Now that his buffalo-nature, arisen from the fault of a curse, has been released, O daughter of the mountain, you, performing austerity for the favour of Girisha —'

Verse 81 (skanda.1.112.81)

द्रष्टव्यं तैजसं लिंगमरुणाचलसंज्ञितम् । पूर्वजन्मनि भक्तोऽयमरुणाद्रिपतेः स्फुटम्

draṣṭavyaṁ taijasaṁ liṁgamaruṇācalasaṁjñitam pūrvajanmani bhakto'yamaruṇādripateḥ sphuṭam

'— should behold that very linga of light called Arunachala. He was clearly, in a former birth, a devotee of the Lord of the red mountain.'

Verse 82 (skanda.1.112.82)

महिषत्वे मदाक्रांतः परं लिंगेन संगतः । भक्त्या लिंगधरं हंतुं कः समर्थो जगत्त्रये

mahiṣatve madākrāṁtaḥ paraṁ liṁgena saṁgataḥ bhaktyā liṁgadharaṁ haṁtuṁ kaḥ samartho jagattraye

'Even overcome by pride in his buffalo state, he remained joined to that supreme linga; who in the three worlds is capable of slaying one who bears the linga with devotion?'

Verse 83 (skanda.1.112.83)

दृष्टाः पुरत्रये पूर्वं रुद्रेण पूजितास्त्रयः । त्वत्खड्गपरिकृत्तेन कंठेनास्य वरानने

dṛṣṭāḥ puratraye pūrvaṁ rudreṇa pūjitāstrayaḥ tvatkhaḍgaparikṛttena kaṁṭhenāsya varānane

'Of old, in the triple city, three demons worshipped were first beheld by Rudra himself. O fair-faced one, in this very throat of his, severed by your sword —'

Verse 84 (skanda.1.112.84)

दीक्षादिरहितं लिंगं दत्तं हंतीति चोदितम् । कृतं हि महिषेणापि भक्तितो लिंगधारणम्

dīkṣādirahitaṁ liṁgaṁ dattaṁ haṁtīti coditam kṛtaṁ hi mahiṣeṇāpi bhaktito liṁgadhāraṇam

'— it is said that a linga given without initiation and the rest is what proves fatal to the wearer; but Mahisha too had taken on the linga through devotion alone.'

Verse 85 (skanda.1.112.85)

कदाचित्क्षपणोक्तानां विभाषात्प्रत्ययं गतः । पूर्वजन्मतपोयोगात्स्मरणो लिंगधारणात्

kadācitkṣapaṇoktānāṁ vibhāṣātpratyayaṁ gataḥ pūrvajanmatapoyogātsmaraṇo liṁgadhāraṇāt

'Even had he once gained conviction through the alternative teachings spoken by heterodox mendicants, still, through the discipline of former-birth austerity and the remembrance born of wearing the linga,'

Verse 86 (skanda.1.112.86)

त्वत्पादपद्मसंस्पर्शादयं मुक्तो न संशयः । मदुक्तनिष्कृतीनां तु पातकानां च नाशनम्

tvatpādapadmasaṁsparśādayaṁ mukto na saṁśayaḥ maduktaniṣkṛtīnāṁ tu pātakānāṁ ca nāśanam

'— through the mere touch of your lotus feet he has, without doubt, already been liberated. It is by the atonements I shall now declare that sins alone are destroyed.'

Verse 87 (skanda.1.112.87)

दर्शनं शैलवर्यस्य प्रायश्चित्तं परं मतम् । संस्थाप्य विविधाञ्छैवाञ्छिवसिद्धांतवेदिनः

darśanaṁ śailavaryasya prāyaścittaṁ paraṁ matam saṁsthāpya vividhāñchaivāñchivasiddhāṁtavedinaḥ

'The very sight of this excellent mountain is held to be the supreme atonement. Establish various Shaivas, knowers of the Shaiva doctrine,'

Verse 88 (skanda.1.112.88)

आवाह्य सर्वतीर्थानि सर्वदोषनिवृत्तये । सरः किमपि संपाद्य स्नात्वा तत्र वरानने

āvāhya sarvatīrthāni sarvadoṣanivṛttaye saraḥ kimapi saṁpādya snātvā tatra varānane

'— invoking all the sacred fords, for the removal of every fault, O fair one, having built some sacred pool, bathing there —'

Verse 89 (skanda.1.112.89)

अघमर्षणसंयुक्ता सलिंगा स्नानमाचर । त्रिसंध्यं चैव मासांते देवयागमहोत्सवे

aghamarṣaṇasaṁyuktā saliṁgā snānamācara trisaṁdhyaṁ caiva māsāṁte devayāgamahotsave

'— joined with the aghamarshana mantra, bathe there together with the linga, at all three twilight hours, and, at month's end, during the great festival of the gods' sacrifice.'

Verse 90 (skanda.1.112.90)

आराधयोपचारैस्त्वमरुणाद्रिमयं शिवम्

ārādhayopacāraistvamaruṇādrimayaṁ śivam

'With due ritual offerings, worship that Shiva who dwells in the very form of Arunadri.'

Verse 91 (skanda.1.112.91)

एवं तस्य मुनेर्निशम्य वचनं शैवार्थसंभावितं प्रीता देवनमस्कृता गिरिसुता देवी जगद्रक्षिका । शैवं धर्ममिमं विधातुमुचितं शोणाचलस्याग्रतस्तीर्थागाहनबुद्धिमाशु विदधे कर्तुं त्वघक्षालनम्

evaṁ tasya munerniśamya vacanaṁ śaivārthasaṁbhāvitaṁ prītā devanamaskṛtā girisutā devī jagadrakṣikā śaivaṁ dharmamimaṁ vidhātumucitaṁ śoṇācalasyāgratastīrthāgāhanabuddhimāśu vidadhe kartuṁ tvaghakṣālanam

Thus, hearing this word of the sage, laden with Shaiva meaning, the pleased mountain's daughter, bowed to by the gods, protector of the world, at once resolved, before Shonachala, to fulfil this fitting Shaiva rite and to immerse herself in the sacred ford, for the cleansing of her own transgression.