The Goddess's Union with Shiva

Verse 1 (skanda.1.113.1)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इति संभाषमाणे तु महर्षौ मुनि सेविते । विजहौ गिरिजा शंकां शिवभक्तवधाश्रिताम्

brahmovāca iti saṁbhāṣamāṇe tu maharṣau muni sevite vijahau girijā śaṁkāṁ śivabhaktavadhāśritām

Brahma said: Even as that great sage, served by fellow sages, spoke thus, the mountain's daughter gave up her doubt bound up with the killing of a Shiva-devotee.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.113.2)

अथांतरिक्षादुदभूद्वाणी कर्णमनोहरा । मा गमः शैलकन्ये त्वं पापनिप्कृतिकारणात्

athāṁtarikṣādudabhūdvāṇī karṇamanoharā mā gamaḥ śailakanye tvaṁ pāpanipkṛtikāraṇāt

Then from the sky arose a voice, delightful to the ear: 'O daughter of the mountain, do not go for the sake of atoning for a sin.'

Verse 3 (skanda.1.113.3)

गंगा च यमुना सिंधुर्गोदापि च सरस्वती । नर्मदा सा च कावेरी शोणः शोणनदी च सा

gaṁgā ca yamunā siṁdhurgodāpi ca sarasvatī narmadā sā ca kāverī śoṇaḥ śoṇanadī ca sā

'The Ganga, the Yamuna, the Sindhu, the Godavari, the Sarasvati, the Narmada, that Kaveri, the Shona, and that river Shona too —'

Verse 4 (skanda.1.113.4)

अत्रैव नव तीर्थानि संभवंतु शिलातले । त्वत्खड्गदारिते देवि कुरु तत्राघमर्षणम्

atraiva nava tīrthāni saṁbhavaṁtu śilātale tvatkhaḍgadārite devi kuru tatrāghamarṣaṇam

'— let nine fords arise right here, upon the surface of this very rock; O goddess, perform the aghamarshana rite there, in the place split open by your sword.'

Verse 5 (skanda.1.113.5)

अस्मिन्नाश्वियुजे मासि ज्येष्ठानक्षत्र आगते । निमज्य खड्गतीर्थे त्वं सलिंगा मासमावस

asminnāśviyuje māsi jyeṣṭhānakṣatra āgate nimajya khaḍgatīrthe tvaṁ saliṁgā māsamāvasa

'In this month of Ashvina, when the Jyeshtha asterism arrives, immerse yourself in the Sword-ford and dwell there, together with the linga, for a month.'

Verse 6 (skanda.1.113.6)

निवर्त्य सावनं मासमत्र दिक्पालसंमितम् । ततः पाणिस्थितं लिंगं लब्ध्वा पापविशोधनम्

nivartya sāvanaṁ māsamatra dikpālasaṁmitam tataḥ pāṇisthitaṁ liṁgaṁ labdhvā pāpaviśodhanam

'Completing here a solar month, equal in number to the guardians of the directions, and having then obtained that sin-cleansing linga resting in your hand —'

Verse 7 (skanda.1.113.7)

प्रतिष्ठापय तीर्थाग्रे लोकानुग्रहकारणात् । उत्तीर्य तीर्थवर्येऽस्मिन्स्नात्वा लिंगेऽर्चिते शिवे

pratiṣṭhāpaya tīrthāgre lokānugrahakāraṇāt uttīrya tīrthavarye'sminsnātvā liṁge'rcite śive

'— establish it at the head of the ford, for the grace of the worlds; descending into this excellent ford, bathing there in this worshipped linga-form of Shiva.'

Verse 8 (skanda.1.113.8)

तापत्रयोपशांतिश्च त्रैलोक्यस्य न संशयः । सर्वपापहरं लिंगं स्थावरं तीर्थसन्निधौ

tāpatrayopaśāṁtiśca trailokyasya na saṁśayaḥ sarvapāpaharaṁ liṁgaṁ sthāvaraṁ tīrthasannidhau

'— the threefold affliction of all three worlds shall be allayed, of this there is no doubt; this sin-removing linga, established as a fixed form near the ford —'

Verse 9 (skanda.1.113.9)

स्थापय स्थिरया भक्त्या सदालोकहिताय च । नक्षत्रे वैश्वदैवत्ये देवक्याः संगमाचर

sthāpaya sthirayā bhaktyā sadālokahitāya ca nakṣatre vaiśvadaivatye devakyāḥ saṁgamācara

'— establish it with steadfast devotion, always for the good of the world; observe conjunction with Devaki [the rite] on the Vishvadeva asterism.'

Verse 10 (skanda.1.113.10)

महोत्सवसमायुक्तं यावद्दशदिनावधि । कृत्वा चावभृथं पुण्यनक्षत्रे वह्निदैवते

mahotsavasamāyuktaṁ yāvaddaśadināvadhi kṛtvā cāvabhṛthaṁ puṇyanakṣatre vahnidaivate

'Joined with a great festival lasting up to ten days, and having performed the concluding purificatory bath on the sacred asterism whose deity is fire —'

Verse 11 (skanda.1.113.11)

सायमभ्यर्च्य विधिवच्छोणाचलवपुर्मम । ततस्ते दर्शयिष्यामि तैजसं रूपमात्मनः

sāyamabhyarcya vidhivacchoṇācalavapurmama tataste darśayiṣyāmi taijasaṁ rūpamātmanaḥ

'— worship duly, in the evening, my very body in the form of Shonachala; then I shall show you my own form of light.'

Verse 12 (skanda.1.113.12)

एतत्कृतं ते लोकानां रक्षायै संभविष्यति । इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा महर्षिवचनं च सा

etatkṛtaṁ te lokānāṁ rakṣāyai saṁbhaviṣyati iti tadvacanaṁ śrutvā maharṣivacanaṁ ca sā

'This deed of yours shall serve for the protection of the worlds.' Hearing this word, and the great sage's word too, that daughter of the mountain —

Verse 13 (skanda.1.113.13)

उभयं कर्तुमारेभे तपसा शैलकन्यका । खङ्गेन दारयामास शिलातलमनाकुला

ubhayaṁ kartumārebhe tapasā śailakanyakā khaṅgena dārayāmāsa śilātalamanākulā

— set about accomplishing both through her austerity; undisturbed, she cleaved the surface of the rock with her sword.

Verse 14 (skanda.1.113.14)

उदजृंभत तीर्थानां नवकं तत्र तत्क्षणात् । तस्य कण्ठस्थितं लिगं ध्यायन्ती पर्वतात्मजा

udajṛṁbhata tīrthānāṁ navakaṁ tatra tatkṣaṇāt tasya kaṇṭhasthitaṁ ligaṁ dhyāyantī parvatātmajā

In that very instant, nine fords sprang up there; meditating on the linga still resting at his throat, the mountain's own daughter —

Verse 15 (skanda.1.113.15)

तीर्थे ममज्ज तस्मिन्सा मुनीनामभ्यनुज्ञया । तीर्थानां नवकं तत्र संजातं स्फटिकप्रभम्

tīrthe mamajja tasminsā munīnāmabhyanujñayā tīrthānāṁ navakaṁ tatra saṁjātaṁ sphaṭikaprabham

— with the sages' permission, immersed herself in that ford; there the nine fords arose, radiant as crystal.

Verse 16 (skanda.1.113.16)

अंतर्वसतितः कांत्या मेचकीकृतमंजसा । वसंत्यां शैलकन्यायां तीर्थे त्रिंशद्दिनं त्वथ

aṁtarvasatitaḥ kāṁtyā mecakīkṛtamaṁjasā vasaṁtyāṁ śailakanyāyāṁ tīrthe triṁśaddinaṁ tvatha

Through the radiance of her dwelling within them, they became, at once, tinged with a slight darkness; and the mountain's daughter dwelt in that ford for thirty days.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.113.17)

शम्भोर्विरहसंतप्तं मनश्चंचलतां ययौ । तत्र श्रिया सरोजानि चक्षुषोत्पलकाननम्

śambhorvirahasaṁtaptaṁ manaścaṁcalatāṁ yayau tatra śriyā sarojāni cakṣuṣotpalakānanam

Her mind, scorched with separation from Shambhu, grew restless; there, through her own radiance, lotuses and a very forest of blue water-lilies seemed to rise up in her eyes.

Verse 18 (skanda.1.113.18)

मंदस्मितेन कुमुदं ससर्ज सलिलस्य सा । देव्यास्तेनोदवासेन लोकास्तु निरुपद्रवाः

maṁdasmitena kumudaṁ sasarja salilasya sā devyāstenodavāsena lokāstu nirupadravāḥ

By her gentle smile she brought forth the white lotus of the water; through that dwelling of the Goddess, the worlds became free of every calamity.

Verse 19 (skanda.1.113.19)

कृतार्थास्सहसा जातास्तत्तत्कालफलान्विताः । मासांते सा समुत्तीर्य कृत्वा देव्युत्सवं तथा

kṛtārthāssahasā jātāstattatkālaphalānvitāḥ māsāṁte sā samuttīrya kṛtvā devyutsavaṁ tathā

They were at once fulfilled, endowed with the fruit fitting each season; at the month's end, rising from it, and celebrating a festival of the Goddess,

Verse 20 (skanda.1.113.20)

कार्तिके मासि नक्षत्रे कृत्तिकाख्ये निशोदये । पूजयित्वा तपःसिद्धैरुपचारैर्बहूदयैः

kārtike māsi nakṣatre kṛttikākhye niśodaye pūjayitvā tapaḥsiddhairupacārairbahūdayaiḥ

in the month of Kartika, on the asterism named Krittika, at the rise of night, having worshipped with varied and rich offerings perfected through austerity,

Verse 21 (skanda.1.113.21)

अरुणाद्रिमयं लिंगं तुष्टाव जगदंबिका । नमस्ते विश्वरूपाय शोणाचलवपुर्भृते

aruṇādrimayaṁ liṁgaṁ tuṣṭāva jagadaṁbikā namaste viśvarūpāya śoṇācalavapurbhṛte

the mother of the world praised the linga in the very form of Arunadri: 'Salutation to you, of universal form, bearing the very body of Shonachala.'

Verse 22 (skanda.1.113.22)

तेजोमयाद्रिलिंगाय सर्वपाततकनाशिने । ब्रह्मणा विष्णुना च त्वं दुष्परिच्छेद्यवैभवः

tejomayādriliṁgāya sarvapātatakanāśine brahmaṇā viṣṇunā ca tvaṁ duṣparicchedyavaibhavaḥ

'O radiant mountain-linga, destroyer of every sin — your very majesty is impossible to measure even by Brahma and by Vishnu.'

Verse 23 (skanda.1.113.23)

अग्निरूपोऽपि सञ्छांतो लोकानुग्रहक्लृप्तये । शक्त्या च तत्त्वसंघातकरः कालानलाकृतिः

agnirūpo'pi sañchāṁto lokānugrahaklṛptaye śaktyā ca tattvasaṁghātakaraḥ kālānalākṛtiḥ

'Though of fiery form, at peace for the grace of the worlds, through your Shakti the very binder of the elements, of the very form of the fire of dissolution.'

Verse 24 (skanda.1.113.24)

अद्रिश्रेष्ठारुणाद्रीश रूपलावण्यवारिधे । विचित्ररूपमेतत्ते वेदवेद्यसुरार्चितम्

adriśreṣṭhāruṇādrīśa rūpalāvaṇyavāridhe vicitrarūpametatte vedavedyasurārcitam

'O best of mountains, Lord of the red mountain, ocean of beauty and grace! This wondrous form of yours is known through the Vedas, worshipped by the gods.'

Verse 25 (skanda.1.113.25)

तेजसां देव सर्वेषां बीजभूतं निगद्यसे । दिव्यं हि परमं तेजस्तव देव महेश्वर

tejasāṁ deva sarveṣāṁ bījabhūtaṁ nigadyase divyaṁ hi paramaṁ tejastava deva maheśvara

'O God, you are declared to be the very seed of all radiances; O God Maheshvara, that supreme, divine radiance of yours,'

Verse 26 (skanda.1.113.26)

यत्पुरा ब्रह्मणा दृष्टं विष्णुना च विचिन्वता । अद्य पूतास्मि देवेश तव संदर्शनादहम्

yatpurā brahmaṇā dṛṣṭaṁ viṣṇunā ca vicinvatā adya pūtāsmi deveśa tava saṁdarśanādaham

'— which of old was beheld by Brahma and by Vishnu as he sought it out — today, O Lord of gods, I am purified by that very sight of you.'

Verse 27 (skanda.1.113.27)

तेजो दर्शय मे दिव्यं सर्वदोषहरं परम् । प्रार्थयंत्यां तदा देव्यामरुणाद्रिमयः शिवः

tejo darśaya me divyaṁ sarvadoṣaharaṁ param prārthayaṁtyāṁ tadā devyāmaruṇādrimayaḥ śivaḥ

'Show me your divine, supreme radiance, remover of every fault.' Thus entreated by the Goddess, then Shiva, in the very form of Arunadri,

Verse 28 (skanda.1.113.28)

आविर्बभूव तेजोभिरापूर्य भुवनांतरम् । कोटिसूर्योदयप्रख्यं तुल्यं पूर्णेंदुकोटिभिः

āvirbabhūva tejobhirāpūrya bhuvanāṁtaram koṭisūryodayaprakhyaṁ tulyaṁ pūrṇeṁdukoṭibhiḥ

manifested, filling the very space between the worlds with his radiance, like the rising of a million suns, equal to a million full moons.

Verse 29 (skanda.1.113.29)

कालाग्निकोटिसंकाशं तेजः परमदृश्यत । प्रणम्य परया भक्त्या मुनिभिः सार्धमंबिका

kālāgnikoṭisaṁkāśaṁ tejaḥ paramadṛśyata praṇamya parayā bhaktyā munibhiḥ sārdhamaṁbikā

A supreme radiance, resembling a million fires of dissolution, was seen; bowing with the deepest devotion, together with the sages, Ambika,

Verse 30 (skanda.1.113.30)

विस्मयाक्रांतहृदया ननंद नलिनेक्षणा । अथ तेजोनिधेस्तस्मादरुणाद्रिः समुत्थितः

vismayākrāṁtahṛdayā nanaṁda nalinekṣaṇā atha tejonidhestasmādaruṇādriḥ samutthitaḥ

her heart seized with wonder, lotus-eyed, rejoiced; then, from that very treasury of light, Arunadri arose.

Verse 31 (skanda.1.113.31)

हिरण्मयोऽब्रवीद्वाचं पुरुषः कलकन्धरः । प्रसन्नोऽस्मि तपोभिस्ते स्थानेषु मम कल्पितैः

hiraṇmayo'bravīdvācaṁ puruṣaḥ kalakandharaḥ prasanno'smi tapobhiste sthāneṣu mama kalpitaiḥ

A person of golden hue, his throat dark, spoke this word: 'I am pleased by these austerities of yours, performed in the very places ordained by me.'

Verse 32 (skanda.1.113.32)

तेजोमयमिदं रूपमीक्षितं च त्वयाधुना । कारणैर्बहुभिर्लोकान्रक्षेथास्त्वं जगन्मयि

tejomayamidaṁ rūpamīkṣitaṁ ca tvayādhunā kāraṇairbahubhirlokānrakṣethāstvaṁ jaganmayi

'This form of light has now been beheld by you; for many reasons you must go on to protect the worlds, O you who are one with the very universe.'

Verse 33 (skanda.1.113.33)

तपांसि कुरुषे भूमौ किमन्यत्प्रार्थितं तव । मल्लोचनत्विषा तेद्य तमोराशिः समुत्थितः

tapāṁsi kuruṣe bhūmau kimanyatprārthitaṁ tava mallocanatviṣā tedya tamorāśiḥ samutthitaḥ

'What austerity are you still performing upon this earth? What further boon is there for you to ask? By the very radiance of my own eye a whole mass of darkness had once arisen.'

Verse 34 (skanda.1.113.34)

अशेषो हि प्रशांतोऽभूत्तेजसोऽस्य निरीक्षणात् । अयं तु महिषो दुष्टो मद्भक्तिं लिंगपूजकः

aśeṣo hi praśāṁto'bhūttejaso'sya nirīkṣaṇāt ayaṁ tu mahiṣo duṣṭo madbhaktiṁ liṁgapūjakaḥ

'By the mere sight of this radiance all of it became fully calm. And this wicked Mahisha, established in devotion to me, was a worshipper of the linga.'

Verse 35 (skanda.1.113.35)

जग्राह सहसा ह्येतत्तस्य लिंगं गले स्थितम् । अनेन भक्षितं तच्च नास्तिकस्योपदेशतः

jagrāha sahasā hyetattasya liṁgaṁ gale sthitam anena bhakṣitaṁ tacca nāstikasyopadeśataḥ

'He had suddenly taken up this linga resting at his own throat; it had come to be worn by him at the teaching of an unbeliever.'

Verse 36 (skanda.1.113.36)

अकरोन्मय्यविश्वासं लिंगरूपे गले स्थिते । क्रमेण सोपि संप्राप्तो मुनिजन्म मनोहरम्

akaronmayyaviśvāsaṁ liṁgarūpe gale sthite krameṇa sopi saṁprāpto munijanma manoharam

'Even while bearing that linga-form at his throat, he had held some distrust of me; yet, in due course, he too attained a delightful birth as a sage.'

Verse 37 (skanda.1.113.37)

मामेवाभ्यर्चयन्ध्यायन्गणनाथत्वमावसन् । पूर्वजन्मनि भक्तोऽयं महिषोपि त्वया हतः

māmevābhyarcayandhyāyangaṇanāthatvamāvasan pūrvajanmani bhakto'yaṁ mahiṣopi tvayā hataḥ

'Worshipping and meditating on me alone, dwelling in the rank of a lord of ganas — in a former birth this Mahisha too was my devotee, and he has now been slain by you.'

Verse 38 (skanda.1.113.38)

चिरं मल्लिंगधृग्यस्मात्सिद्धिरस्यापि देव्यतः । शिवलिंगेष्वविश्वासः शिवभक्तावमाननम्

ciraṁ malliṁgadhṛgyasmātsiddhirasyāpi devyataḥ śivaliṁgeṣvaviśvāsaḥ śivabhaktāvamānanam

'Since he bore my very linga for so long, O goddess, his own accomplishment too has thereby come about. Distrust in Shiva-lingas, disrespect toward Shiva's devotees —'

Verse 39 (skanda.1.113.39)

न कर्त्तव्यं सदा भक्तैस्तस्माद्वै मुक्तिकांक्षिभिः । दीक्षया रहितं लिगं येन संधार्यते बलात्

na karttavyaṁ sadā bhaktaistasmādvai muktikāṁkṣibhiḥ dīkṣayā rahitaṁ ligaṁ yena saṁdhāryate balāt

'— these should never be committed by devotees who desire liberation. When someone bears, even by force, a linga devoid of proper initiation,'

Verse 40 (skanda.1.113.40)

न तादृशं फलं दत्ते वज्रवत्तं निहंति च । न दोषस्तत्र किंचित्ते शोणाचलनिरीक्षणात्

na tādṛśaṁ phalaṁ datte vajravattaṁ nihaṁti ca na doṣastatra kiṁcitte śoṇācalanirīkṣaṇāt

'— it does not, for that reason, bear such a fruit, nor does it, like a thunderbolt, kill him; through the mere beholding of Shonachala there is no fault whatsoever in this.'

Verse 41 (skanda.1.113.41)

सफला नयनावाप्तिः सर्वदोषविनाशनात् । त्वत्पुत्रस्तन्यदानेन धात्र्योपकृतमात्मजे

saphalā nayanāvāptiḥ sarvadoṣavināśanāt tvatputrastanyadānena dhātryopakṛtamātmaje

'The very gaining of sight becomes fruitful through the destruction of every fault; just as a nurse benefits even a child not her own by giving her own milk, O daughter —'

Verse 42 (skanda.1.113.42)

त्वामपीतकुचां चक्रे वत्सलां भक्तरक्षिणीम् । नक्षत्रे कृत्तिकाख्येऽत्र तव सन्निधिलोभतः

tvāmapītakucāṁ cakre vatsalāṁ bhaktarakṣiṇīm nakṣatre kṛttikākhye'tra tava sannidhilobhataḥ

'— so I have made you Apitakucha, tender, protectress of my devotees, here on the asterism named Krittika, out of longing for your very presence.'

Verse 43 (skanda.1.113.43)

प्रायश्चित्ताभिधानेन भवापीतकुचाभिधा । पूजाशेषं समाधाय भक्तानुग्रहहेतवे

prāyaścittābhidhānena bhavāpītakucābhidhā pūjāśeṣaṁ samādhāya bhaktānugrahahetave

'Under the name of atonement you have attained the name Apitakucha; having completed the remainder of the worship, for the sake of grace toward devotees —'

Verse 44 (skanda.1.113.44)

भज मां करुणामूर्तिरपीतकुचनायिका । इति देवस्य वचनमाकर्ण्यात्यंतशीतलम्

bhaja māṁ karuṇāmūrtirapītakucanāyikā iti devasya vacanamākarṇyātyaṁtaśītalam

'— worship me, O embodiment of compassion, O Lady named Apitakucha.' Hearing this exceedingly soothing word of the God,

Verse 45 (skanda.1.113.45)

प्रणम्य प्रार्थितवती प्रोवाच च तमंबिका । देवदेव प्रसादेन त्वयानुग्रहशालिना

praṇamya prārthitavatī provāca ca tamaṁbikā devadeva prasādena tvayānugrahaśālinā

bowing, Ambika made her entreaty and said to him: 'O God of gods, by this grace of yours, so full of favour,'

Verse 46 (skanda.1.113.46)

एतत्ते दर्शितं तेजो दृष्टं देवैश्च मानवैः । प्रत्यक्षं कृत्तिकामासि मद्व्रतांतमहोत्सवे

etatte darśitaṁ tejo dṛṣṭaṁ devaiśca mānavaiḥ pratyakṣaṁ kṛttikāmāsi madvratāṁtamahotsave

'— this radiance has been shown to me by you, seen too by gods and men, directly, in the month of Krittika, at the great festival closing my vow.'

Verse 47 (skanda.1.113.47)

नक्षत्रे कृत्तिकाख्येऽस्मिंस्तेजस्ते दृश्यतां परम् । तद्वीक्षितमिदं तेजः परमं प्रतिवत्सरम्

nakṣatre kṛttikākhye'smiṁstejaste dṛśyatāṁ param tadvīkṣitamidaṁ tejaḥ paramaṁ prativatsaram

'Let this supreme radiance of yours be seen always, on this same Krittika asterism; let this supreme radiance be beheld year after year.'

Verse 48 (skanda.1.113.48)

दृष्ट्वा समस्तैर्दुरितैर्मुच्यतां सर्वजंतवः । तथेति देवदेवेन प्रोचेऽथांतर्दधे गिरौ

dṛṣṭvā samastairduritairmucyatāṁ sarvajaṁtavaḥ tatheti devadevena proce'thāṁtardadhe girau

'Beholding it, let all creatures be freed from every affliction.' Saying, 'so be it,' the God of gods spoke, and then vanished upon the mountain.

Verse 49 (skanda.1.113.49)

प्रदक्षिणं चकारैनं सखीभिः सा ततोंऽबिका । घनश्यामलया कांत्या परितो जृंभमाणया

pradakṣiṇaṁ cakārainaṁ sakhībhiḥ sā tatoṁ'bikā ghanaśyāmalayā kāṁtyā parito jṛṁbhamāṇayā

Then Ambika, together with her companions, performed circumambulation of him, her radiance dense and dark, spreading all around.

Verse 50 (skanda.1.113.50)

अरुणाद्रिमयं लिंगं चक्रे मरकतप्रभम् । मंदं चरन्ती जाताभिः प्रभाभिः पादपद्मयोः

aruṇādrimayaṁ liṁgaṁ cakre marakataprabham maṁdaṁ carantī jātābhiḥ prabhābhiḥ pādapadmayoḥ

She made the linga in the form of Arunadri radiant like emerald; walking slowly, with the rays arising from her own lotus feet,

Verse 51 (skanda.1.113.51)

तस्तार परितो भूमिं पद्मपत्रैः सपल्लवैः । प्रफुल्लकनकांभोजनीलोत्पलदलोत्करैः

tastāra parito bhūmiṁ padmapatraiḥ sapallavaiḥ praphullakanakāṁbhojanīlotpaladalotkaraiḥ

she spread the ground all around with lotus-leaves and their fresh shoots, with heaps of petals of blooming golden lotuses and blue water-lilies,

Verse 52 (skanda.1.113.52)

अर्चयन्तीव शोणाद्रिमभितो दृष्टिकांतिभिः । इन्द्रादिलोकपालानामंगनाभिर्निषेविता

arcayantīva śoṇādrimabhito dṛṣṭikāṁtibhiḥ indrādilokapālānāmaṁganābhirniṣevitā

as if worshipping Shonadri all around with the very radiance of her gaze; served by the wives of Indra and the other guardians of the directions.

Verse 53 (skanda.1.113.53)

प्रसादिता मातृगणैर्गंधदानविभूषणैः । छत्रचामरभृंगारतालवृन्तफलाचिकाः

prasāditā mātṛgaṇairgaṁdhadānavibhūṣaṇaiḥ chatracāmarabhṛṁgāratālavṛntaphalācikāḥ

Gladdened by the Mother-hosts with gifts of perfume and ornaments, borne, together with parasols, chowries, ceremonial vessels, fans, and baskets of fruit —

Verse 54 (skanda.1.113.54)

वहन्तीभिः सुरस्त्रीभिर्वृता मुनिवधूयुता । प्रदक्षिणं चकारैनमरुणाद्रिं स्वयंप्रभम्

vahantībhiḥ surastrībhirvṛtā munivadhūyutā pradakṣiṇaṁ cakārainamaruṇādriṁ svayaṁprabham

— by celestial women, surrounded thus, joined too by the wives of the sages, she performed circumambulation of that self-luminous Arunadri.

Verse 55 (skanda.1.113.55)

कांक्षन्ती शिवसायुज्यं विवाहाग्निमिवाद्रिजा । तस्यां प्रदक्षिणं भक्त्या कुर्वाणायां पदेपदे

kāṁkṣantī śivasāyujyaṁ vivāhāgnimivādrijā tasyāṁ pradakṣiṇaṁ bhaktyā kurvāṇāyāṁ padepade

Longing for union with Shiva, the mountain's daughter, as if desiring the very fire of marriage, performing that circumambulation with devotion, step by step —

Verse 56 (skanda.1.113.56)

प्रेषिता शंभुना देवाः परिवव्रुः सुरेश्वराः । सरस्वतीसमं धात्रा विष्णुना च समं रमा

preṣitā śaṁbhunā devāḥ parivavruḥ sureśvarāḥ sarasvatīsamaṁ dhātrā viṣṇunā ca samaṁ ramā

— the gods, lords of the gods, sent by Shambhu, surrounded her — Sarasvati alongside Brahma, and Rama alongside Vishnu.

Verse 57 (skanda.1.113.57)

सर्वदिक्पालकांताभिः समेता शैलबालिका । निरुन्धतीव देवेन्द्रं सलिलैर्वरदानतः

sarvadikpālakāṁtābhiḥ sametā śailabālikā nirundhatīva devendraṁ salilairvaradānataḥ

That mountain-maiden, joined with the consorts of all the guardians of the directions, seemed, in granting boons, almost to restrain the very lord of the gods with waters offered.

Verse 58 (skanda.1.113.58)

अद्रिनाथस्वरूपस्य शीतत्वमिव कुर्वती । तपस्ययाऽविनाभावाद्देवस्येव कृतस्मृतिः

adrināthasvarūpasya śītatvamiva kurvatī tapasyayā'vinābhāvāddevasyeva kṛtasmṛtiḥ

As if bestowing the very coolness of the mountain-lord's own nature; as if, through her austerity, remembering her own inseparable oneness with that God,

Verse 59 (skanda.1.113.59)

दुष्करस्योदवासस्य बोधयन्तीव साधुताम् । ऋषीणां देवमानानामुपदेष्टुमिव क्रमात्

duṣkarasyodavāsasya bodhayantīva sādhutām ṛṣīṇāṁ devamānānāmupadeṣṭumiva kramāt

as if teaching, by stages, the very excellence of this arduous dwelling to the sages and to those of divine measure —

Verse 60 (skanda.1.113.60)

क्रीडामिव पुराभ्यस्तां तपसापि च संगता । आत्मानं विरहोत्तप्तामात्मस्थं तादृश शिवम्

krīḍāmiva purābhyastāṁ tapasāpi ca saṁgatā ātmānaṁ virahottaptāmātmasthaṁ tādṛśa śivam

as if joining now, together with austerity too, a mere sport once practiced of old; her own self, scorched by separation, and that same Shiva dwelling within her own self —

Verse 61 (skanda.1.113.61)

संचिंत्य चोभयोः कर्तुं शीतलत्वं जले स्थिता । तीर्थानामिव सर्वेषामुद्भूतानां शिलातले

saṁciṁtya cobhayoḥ kartuṁ śītalatvaṁ jale sthitā tīrthānāmiva sarveṣāmudbhūtānāṁ śilātale

— reflecting on how to make both of them cool, standing in the water; as if, too, for the coolness of all the fords that had sprung up on that rock-surface,

Verse 62 (skanda.1.113.62)

आधिक्यमथ लोकस्य वक्तुकामा स्वयं स्थिता । दुरितघ्नं च पंचाग्निमर्थावासं सुदुष्करम्

ādhikyamatha lokasya vaktukāmā svayaṁ sthitā duritaghnaṁ ca paṁcāgnimarthāvāsaṁ suduṣkaram

— standing there as if wishing herself to speak of the world's very abundance of merit; that sin-destroying, exceedingly arduous dwelling amid the five fires,

Verse 63 (skanda.1.113.63)

अधिगम्य तपस्तस्य शांतिं कर्तुमिव स्थिता । महिषासुरकंठोत्थरक्तधारापरिप्लुतम्

adhigamya tapastasya śāṁtiṁ kartumiva sthitā mahiṣāsurakaṁṭhottharaktadhārāpariplutam

having attained that austerity, standing there as if to bring it to peace; drenched with the very stream of blood that had risen from Mahishasura's throat —

Verse 64 (skanda.1.113.64)

क्षालयंतीव लिंगं तदमलैस्तीर्थवारिभिः । अरुणाख्यं पुरं रम्यं निर्मितं विश्वकर्मणा

kṣālayaṁtīva liṁgaṁ tadamalaistīrthavāribhiḥ aruṇākhyaṁ puraṁ ramyaṁ nirmitaṁ viśvakarmaṇā

as if washing that very linga with the pure waters of the ford — the delightful city named Aruna, built by Vishvakarma,

Verse 65 (skanda.1.113.65)

अपीतकुचनाथेशशोणाद्रीश्वरतुष्टये । शृंगेषु यस्य सौधेषु वसन्त्यो वारयोषितः

apītakucanātheśaśoṇādrīśvaratuṣṭaye śṛṁgeṣu yasya saudheṣu vasantyo vārayoṣitaḥ

for the pleasure of the Lord of Shonadri, husband of Apitakucha — in whose towers, dwelling upon the palace-tops, celestial courtesans,

Verse 66 (skanda.1.113.66)

अधःकृताभ्रतडितो जिगीषंतीव चामरीः । यत्तुंगसौधशृंगाग्रे गायंतीर्वारयोषितः

adhaḥkṛtābhrataḍito jigīṣaṁtīva cāmarīḥ yattuṁgasaudhaśṛṁgāgre gāyaṁtīrvārayoṣitaḥ

as if striving to bring low and outdo the very lightning of the clouds, sang upon the tip of that lofty palace-spire.

Verse 67 (skanda.1.113.67)

सिद्धचारणगंधर्वविद्याधरविराजितम् । अष्टापदरथाक्रांतमष्टवीथिविराजितम्

siddhacāraṇagaṁdharvavidyādharavirājitam aṣṭāpadarathākrāṁtamaṣṭavīthivirājitam

Adorned with siddhas, charanas, gandharvas, and vidyadharas, thronged with eight-wheeled chariots, resplendent with its eight avenues.

Verse 68 (skanda.1.113.68)

अष्टापदपथाकारमष्टदिक्पालपूजितम् । अष्टसिद्धियुतैः सिद्धैरष्टमूर्तिपदाश्रयैः

aṣṭāpadapathākāramaṣṭadikpālapūjitam aṣṭasiddhiyutaiḥ siddhairaṣṭamūrtipadāśrayaiḥ

In the very shape of an eight-wheeled pathway, worshipped by the eight guardians of the directions, joined with siddhas endowed with the eight powers, taking refuge in the eightfold form.

Verse 69 (skanda.1.113.69)

अष्टांगभक्तियुक्तैस्तैर्युक्तमष्टांगबुद्धिभिः । चातुर्वर्ण्यगुणोपेतमुपवर्णं परिष्कृतम्

aṣṭāṁgabhaktiyuktaistairyuktamaṣṭāṁgabuddhibhiḥ cāturvarṇyaguṇopetamupavarṇaṁ pariṣkṛtam

Joined with those of eightfold devotion, joined with those of eightfold understanding, endowed with the qualities of the four social orders, well adorned, refined.

Verse 70 (skanda.1.113.70)

लसत्सुवर्णदुवर्णशालामालासमास्थितम् । शंखदुंदुभिनिस्साणमृदंगमुरजादिभिः

lasatsuvarṇaduvarṇaśālāmālāsamāsthitam śaṁkhaduṁdubhinissāṇamṛdaṁgamurajādibhiḥ

Established amid rows of gleaming golden and other-hued halls, resounding with conch, kettle-drum, timbrel, mridanga, and drum.

Verse 71 (skanda.1.113.71)

वीणावेणुमुखैस्तालैः सालापैरुपरंजितम् । ब्रह्मघोषनिनादेन महर्षीणां शिवात्मनाम्

vīṇāveṇumukhaistālaiḥ sālāpairuparaṁjitam brahmaghoṣaninādena maharṣīṇāṁ śivātmanām

Delighted by vina, flute, and the chief rhythms, enlivened by conversation, and by the very sound of the Vedic chant of great sages one with Shiva.

Verse 72 (skanda.1.113.72)

सेवितव्यं दिने दिव्यसमदर्शवृषध्वजम् । नवरत्नप्रभाजालैर्नवग्रहसमोदयैः

sevitavyaṁ dine divyasamadarśavṛṣadhvajam navaratnaprabhājālairnavagrahasamodayaiḥ

To be served day by day, divine, of ever-equal aspect, the bull-bannered one — with nets of radiance from nine gems, with the rising of the nine planets alike,

Verse 73 (skanda.1.113.73)

निशादिवसयोरेवं दर्शयन्निव सर्वदा । विष्णुः स्थितश्च तं प्रीत्या सिषेवे पुरतो विभुम्

niśādivasayorevaṁ darśayanniva sarvadā viṣṇuḥ sthitaśca taṁ prītyā siṣeve purato vibhum

— thus, in both night and day, ever showing himself; Vishnu too, remaining there, served that Lord before him with love.

Verse 74 (skanda.1.113.74)

शक्रः सुरगणैः सार्धं सहस्राक्षः समाययौ । पपात दिव्यगंधाढ्या पुष्पवृष्टिः समंततः

śakraḥ suragaṇaiḥ sārdhaṁ sahasrākṣaḥ samāyayau papāta divyagaṁdhāḍhyā puṣpavṛṣṭiḥ samaṁtataḥ

Thousand-eyed Indra came there together with the hosts of gods; a shower of flowers, rich with divine fragrance, fell all around.

Verse 75 (skanda.1.113.75)

व्योमगंगाजलोत्संगशीतलो मरुदाववौ । अतीव सौरभामोदवासिताखिलदिङ्मुखः

vyomagaṁgājalotsaṁgaśītalo marudāvavau atīva saurabhāmodavāsitākhiladiṅmukhaḥ

A breeze blew, cool from the very lap of the heavenly Ganga's waters, perfuming every quarter of the sky with its own fragrance.

Verse 76 (skanda.1.113.76)

कनकांकितशृंगाग्रपरिधूतवनावलिः । दर्पसंभ्रमसंनद्धो ननाद वृषभो मुहुः

kanakāṁkitaśṛṁgāgraparidhūtavanāvaliḥ darpasaṁbhramasaṁnaddho nanāda vṛṣabho muhuḥ

Shaking the rows of forest trees with the tips of its gold-tipped horns, the bull, girded with pride and eagerness, bellowed again and again.

Verse 77 (skanda.1.113.77)

वसंतप्रमुखाः सर्वे सहर्षमृतवः पुरः । असेवंत प्रियकरैः पुष्पैः स्वयमथोचितैः

vasaṁtapramukhāḥ sarve saharṣamṛtavaḥ puraḥ asevaṁta priyakaraiḥ puṣpaiḥ svayamathocitaiḥ

Spring and all the other seasons, joyfully, served before him with their own fitting, delightful flowers.

Verse 78 (skanda.1.113.78)

गणैश्च विविधाकाराः सिद्धाश्च परमर्षयः । सुराश्च कुतुकोपेताः समागच्छन्दिदृक्षवः

gaṇaiśca vividhākārāḥ siddhāśca paramarṣayaḥ surāśca kutukopetāḥ samāgacchandidṛkṣavaḥ

Ganas of varied forms, siddhas and great sages, and the gods too, filled with curiosity, came, eager to see.

Verse 79 (skanda.1.113.79)

कुंकुमक्षोदसंमिश्रकर्पूररजसान्वितः । चर्यामुष्टिमहासारः समकीर्यत सर्वतः

kuṁkumakṣodasaṁmiśrakarpūrarajasānvitaḥ caryāmuṣṭimahāsāraḥ samakīryata sarvataḥ

A great handful of fragrant essence, mixed with the powder of saffron and the dust of camphor, was scattered on every side.

Verse 80 (skanda.1.113.80)

अथ मृदंगकमर्दलझल्लरीपटहदुंदुभितालसमन्वितैः । जलजकीचककाहलनिस्वनैः सुरकृतैर्भुवन समपूरयन्

atha mṛdaṁgakamardalajhallarīpaṭahaduṁdubhitālasamanvitaiḥ jalajakīcakakāhalanisvanaiḥ surakṛtairbhuvana samapūrayan

Then, with mridanga, kamardala, jhallari, patah, dundubhi, and cymbals, with the sounds of conches, bamboo pipes, and horns made by the gods, they filled the whole world.

Verse 81 (skanda.1.113.81)

सुरवधूजननृत्तनिरंतरोल्लुलिततुंबरुगायनगीतिभिः । अभिवृतो मुनिदेवगणान्वितो वृषगतः समदर्शि वृषध्वजः

suravadhūjananṛttaniraṁtarollulitatuṁbarugāyanagītibhiḥ abhivṛto munidevagaṇānvito vṛṣagataḥ samadarśi vṛṣadhvajaḥ

Surrounded by the ceaseless dancing of celestial women and the songs of Tumburu the singer, joined with hosts of sages and gods, mounted on his bull, the bull-bannered one appeared with an equal, gracious aspect.

Verse 82 (skanda.1.113.82)

सरसमेत्य शिवः करुणानिधिर्नतमुखीमपि तामपलज्जया । ललितमंकमनंगरिपुः शिवां धृतिमहानधिरोप्य जहर्ष सः

sarasametya śivaḥ karuṇānidhirnatamukhīmapi tāmapalajjayā lalitamaṁkamanaṁgaripuḥ śivāṁ dhṛtimahānadhiropya jaharṣa saḥ

Approaching tenderly, that ocean of compassion, Shiva, seated Shiva — though she stood with her face lowered in shyness — without hesitation gently upon his own lovely lap, and rejoiced, he, the foe of the bodiless one.

Verse 83 (skanda.1.113.83)

ललितया निजया प्रिययान्वितः सुरमुनींद्रसमाजसमावृतः । ललितमप्सरसां मुहुरादरान्नटनमैक्षत गीतिसमन्वितम्

lalitayā nijayā priyayānvitaḥ suramunīṁdrasamājasamāvṛtaḥ lalitamapsarasāṁ muhurādarānnaṭanamaikṣata gītisamanvitam

Together with his own graceful beloved, surrounded by the assembly of gods and foremost sages, he watched again and again, with reverence, the lovely dance of the nymphs, joined with song.

Verse 84 (skanda.1.113.84)

अथ शिवः सुरराजसमर्पिताञ्छुभपटीरमुखानिलसौरभान् । हिमगिरिप्रहितांश्च समग्रहीन्मृगमदैः सह गंधसमुच्चयान्

atha śivaḥ surarājasamarpitāñchubhapaṭīramukhānilasaurabhān himagiriprahitāṁśca samagrahīnmṛgamadaiḥ saha gaṁdhasamuccayān

Then Shiva accepted the fragrances of the auspicious sandal-scented breeze offered by the king of the gods, and the gathered scents, together with musk, sent by the Himalaya.

Verse 85 (skanda.1.113.85)

समनुलेपितहारसुमंडितावभिगतौ सिततां समलंकृतौ । स्वयमपीतकुचाकुचकुड्मलावरणरंभणचञ्चलसत्करौ

samanulepitahārasumaṁḍitāvabhigatau sitatāṁ samalaṁkṛtau svayamapītakucākucakuḍmalāvaraṇaraṁbhaṇacañcalasatkarau

Both, well adorned with garlands and white ornaments, their own hands trembling as they touched the very swell of Apitakucha's breast-buds —

Verse 86 (skanda.1.113.86)

कठिनतुंगघनस्तनकोरकस्थगितमंगलगंधमनोहराम् । गिरिसुतामधिगम्य शिवः स्वयं विरहतापमशेषमपाकरोत्

kaṭhinatuṁgaghanastanakorakasthagitamaṁgalagaṁdhamanoharām girisutāmadhigamya śivaḥ svayaṁ virahatāpamaśeṣamapākarot

— approaching the mountain's daughter, delightful with the auspicious fragrance held within her firm, high, full breasts, Shiva himself entirely removed the anguish of her separation.

Verse 87 (skanda.1.113.87)

अथ विनोदशतैरुपलक्षितां निजवियोगजताप कृशान्विताम् । अरुणशैलपतिः स्वयमद्रिजां वरमभीप्सितमर्थय चेत्यशात्

atha vinodaśatairupalakṣitāṁ nijaviyogajatāpa kṛśānvitām aruṇaśailapatiḥ svayamadrijāṁ varamabhīpsitamarthaya cetyaśāt

Then, noticing her marked by a hundred playful signs, yet still thin from the pain born of her own separation, the Lord of the red mountain himself said to the mountain's daughter: 'Ask for the boon you desire.'

Verse 88 (skanda.1.113.88)

सकुतुकं प्रणिपत्य नगात्मजा पुररिपुं भुवनत्रयगुप्तये । इममयाचत शोणगिरीश्वरं वरमुदारमनुग्रहसंमुदम्

sakutukaṁ praṇipatya nagātmajā puraripuṁ bhuvanatrayaguptaye imamayācata śoṇagirīśvaraṁ varamudāramanugrahasaṁmudam

Filled with eager delight, bowing before the foe of the triple city, the mountain's daughter asked of this Lord of Shonagiri, for the protection of the three worlds, a generous boon, full of grace.