The Gods Drink the Nectar

Verse 1 (skanda.1.12.1)

॥लोमश उवाच॥ प्रणम्य परमात्मानं रमायुक्तं जनार्द्दनम्॥ अमृतार्थं ममंथुस्ते सुरासुरगणाः पुनः

||lomaśa uvāca|| praṇamya paramātmānaṃ ramāyuktaṃ janārddanam|| amṛtārthaṃ mamaṃthuste surāsuragaṇāḥ punaḥ

Lomasha said: Bowing to the Supreme Self, Janardana together with Rama, the hosts of gods and demons churned the ocean again for the sake of nectar.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.12.2)

उदधेर्मथ्यमानाच्च निर्गतः सुमहायशाः॥ धन्वंतरिरिति ख्यातो युवा मृत्युञ्जयः परः

udadhermathyamānācca nirgataḥ sumahāyaśāḥ|| dhanvaṃtaririti khyāto yuvā mṛtyuñjayaḥ paraḥ

From the churned ocean there arose the greatly renowned Dhanvantari, ever-youthful, known as the conqueror of death.

Verse 3 (skanda.1.12.3)

पाणिभ्यां पूर्णकलशं सुधायाः परिगृह्य वै॥ यावत्सर्वे सुराः सर्वे निरीक्षंते मनोहरम्

pāṇibhyāṃ pūrṇakalaśaṃ sudhāyāḥ parigṛhya vai|| yāvatsarve surāḥ sarve nirīkṣaṃte manoharam

Holding in both hands a pot brimming with nectar, he stood there while all the gods gazed upon that beautiful form.

Verse 4 (skanda.1.12.4)

तदा दैत्याः समं गत्वा हर्तुकामा बलादिव॥ सुधया पूर्णकलशं धन्वंतरिकरे स्थितम्

tadā daityāḥ samaṃ gatvā hartukāmā balādiva|| sudhayā pūrṇakalaśaṃ dhanvaṃtarikare sthitam

Just then the daityas rushed forward together, seeking by force to snatch that nectar-filled pot from Dhanvantari's hand.

Verse 5 (skanda.1.12.5)

यावत्तरंगमालाभिरावृतोऽभूद्भिषक्तमः॥ शनैः शनैः समायातो दृष्टोऽसौ वृषपर्वणा

yāvattaraṃgamālābhirāvṛto'bhūdbhiṣaktamaḥ|| śanaiḥ śanaiḥ samāyāto dṛṣṭo'sau vṛṣaparvaṇā

As that greatest of physicians, wreathed in garlands of waves, approached slowly, Vrishaparva caught sight of him.

Verse 6 (skanda.1.12.6)

करस्थः कलशस्तस्य हृतस्तेन बलादिव॥ असुराश्च ततः सर्वे जगर्जुरतिभीषणम्

karasthaḥ kalaśastasya hṛtastena balādiva|| asurāśca tataḥ sarve jagarjuratibhīṣaṇam

The pot in his hand was forcibly seized; then all the asuras let out a most terrifying roar.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.12.7)

कलशं सुधया पूर्णं गृहीत्वा ते समुत्सुकाः॥ दैत्याः पातालमाजग्मुस्तदा देवा भ्रमान्विताः

kalaśaṃ sudhayā pūrṇaṃ gṛhītvā te samutsukāḥ|| daityāḥ pātālamājagmustadā devā bhramānvitāḥ

Seizing the nectar-filled pot, the eager demons fled toward the netherworld, and the gods were thrown into confusion.

Verse 8 (skanda.1.12.8)

अनुजग्मुः सुसंनद्धा योद्धुकामाश्च तैः सह॥ तदा देवान्समालोक्य बलिरेवमभाषत

anujagmuḥ susaṃnaddhā yoddhukāmāśca taiḥ saha|| tadā devānsamālokya balirevamabhāṣata

Fully armed and eager for battle, the gods followed close behind them; and seeing the gods, Bali then spoke thus.

Verse 9 (skanda.1.12.9)

॥ बलिरुवाच॥ वयं तु केवलं देवाः सुधया परितोषिताः॥ शीघ्रमेव प्रगंतव्यं भवद्भिश्च सुरोत्तमैः

|| baliruvāca|| vayaṃ tu kevalaṃ devāḥ sudhayā paritoṣitāḥ|| śīghrameva pragaṃtavyaṃ bhavadbhiśca surottamaiḥ

Bali said: "We are but gods content merely with the nectar; you best of gods should now leave this place at once."

Verse 10 (skanda.1.12.10)

त्रिविष्टपं मुदा युक्तैः किमस्माभिः प्रयोजनम्॥ पुरास्माभिः कृतं मैत्रं भवद्भिः स्वार्थतत्परैः॥ अधुना विदितं तत्तु नात्र कार्या विचारणा

triviṣṭapaṃ mudā yuktaiḥ kimasmābhiḥ prayojanam|| purāsmābhiḥ kṛtaṃ maitraṃ bhavadbhiḥ svārthatatparaiḥ|| adhunā viditaṃ tattu nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

"What further need have we of you, who blissfully enjoy heaven? Once, out of self-interest, we made friendship with you; now that truth is known to us, and it needs no further thought."

Verse 11 (skanda.1.12.11)

एवं निर्भार्त्सितास्तेन बलिना सुरसत्तमाः॥ यथागतेन मार्गेण जग्मुर्नारायणं प्रभुम्

evaṃ nirbhārtsitāstena balinā surasattamāḥ|| yathāgatena mārgeṇa jagmurnārāyaṇaṃ prabhum

Rebuked thus by Bali, those foremost gods went back by the very path they had come, to the lord Narayana.

Verse 12 (skanda.1.12.12)

तं दृष्ट्वा विष्णुना सर्वे सुरा भग्नमनोरथा॥ आश्वासिता वचोभिश्च नानानुनयको विदैः

taṃ dṛṣṭvā viṣṇunā sarve surā bhagnamanorathā|| āśvāsitā vacobhiśca nānānunayako vidaiḥ

Seeing all the gods with their hopes broken, Vishnu comforted them with many gentle, coaxing words.

Verse 13 (skanda.1.12.13)

मा त्रासं कुरुतात्रार्थ आनयिष्यामि तां सुधाम्॥ एवमाभाष्य भगवान्मुकुन्दोऽनाथसंश्रयः

mā trāsaṃ kurutātrārtha ānayiṣyāmi tāṃ sudhām|| evamābhāṣya bhagavānmukundo'nāthasaṃśrayaḥ

"Do not fear; I shall surely bring back that nectar." Having spoken thus, the lord Mukunda, refuge of the helpless —

Verse 14 (skanda.1.12.14)

स्थापयित्वा सुरान्सर्वांस्तत्रैव मधुसूदनः॥ मोहनीरूपमास्थाय दैत्यनामग्रतोऽभवत्

sthāpayitvā surānsarvāṃstatraiva madhusūdanaḥ|| mohanīrūpamāsthāya daityanāmagrato'bhavat

having stationed all the gods there, Madhusudana assumed the form of Mohini and appeared before the demons.

Verse 15 (skanda.1.12.15)

तावद्दैत्याः सुसंरब्धाः परस्परमथाब्रुवन्॥ विवादः सर्वदैत्यानाममृतार्थे तदाऽभवत्

tāvaddaityāḥ susaṃrabdhāḥ parasparamathābruvan|| vivādaḥ sarvadaityānāmamṛtārthe tadā'bhavat

At that same moment the greatly agitated demons began quarrelling among themselves over the nectar.

Verse 16 (skanda.1.12.16)

एवं प्रवर्तमाने तु मोहिनीरूपमाश्रिताम्॥ दृष्ट्वा योषां तदा दैवात्सर्वभूतमनोरमाम्

evaṃ pravartamāne tu mohinīrūpamāśritām|| dṛṣṭvā yoṣāṃ tadā daivātsarvabhūtamanoramām

Just then, by chance of fate, they beheld that woman in the form of Mohini, enchanting to every being.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.12.17)

विस्मयेन समाविष्टा बभूवुस्तृषितेक्षणाः॥ तां संमान्य तदा दैत्यराजो बलिरुवाच ह

vismayena samāviṣṭā babhūvustṛṣitekṣaṇāḥ|| tāṃ saṃmānya tadā daityarājo baliruvāca ha

Filled with astonishment, their eyes grew thirsty with longing; then, honouring her, the demon-king Bali spoke —

Verse 18 (skanda.1.12.18)

॥बलिरुवाच॥ सुधा त्वया विभक्तव्या सर्वेषां गतिहेतवे॥ शीघ्रत्वेन महाभागे कुरुष्व वचनं मम

||baliruvāca|| sudhā tvayā vibhaktavyā sarveṣāṃ gatihetave|| śīghratvena mahābhāge kuruṣva vacanaṃ mama

Bali said: "O most fortunate one, quickly heed my request and divide this nectar for the welfare of us all."

Verse 19 (skanda.1.12.19)

एवमुक्ता ह्युवाचेदं स्मयमाना बलिं प्रति॥ स्त्रीणां नैव च विश्वासः कर्तव्यो हि विपश्चिता

evamuktā hyuvācedaṃ smayamānā baliṃ prati|| strīṇāṃ naiva ca viśvāsaḥ kartavyo hi vipaścitā

Hearing this, she smiled and said to Bali: "Wise men should never place their trust in women."

Verse 20 (skanda.1.12.20)

अनृतं साहसं माया मूर्खत्वमति लोभता॥ अशौचं निर्घृणत्वं च स्त्रीणां दोषाः स्वभावजाः

anṛtaṃ sāhasaṃ māyā mūrkhatvamati lobhatā|| aśaucaṃ nirghṛṇatvaṃ ca strīṇāṃ doṣāḥ svabhāvajāḥ

"Falsehood, recklessness, deceit, foolishness, excessive greed, impurity and cruelty — these are women's natural faults."

Verse 21 (skanda.1.12.21)

निःस्नेहत्वं च विज्ञेयं धूर्तत्वं चैव तत्त्वतः॥ स्वस्त्रीणां चैव विज्ञेया दोषा नास्त्यत्र संशयः

niḥsnehatvaṃ ca vijñeyaṃ dhūrtatvaṃ caiva tattvataḥ|| svastrīṇāṃ caiva vijñeyā doṣā nāstyatra saṃśayaḥ

"Coldness of heart, and cunning too, in truth, should be understood; even in one's own women these faults exist, of this there is no doubt."

Verse 22 (skanda.1.12.22)

यथैव श्वापदानां च वृका हिंसापरायणाः॥ काका यतांडजानां च श्वापदानां च जंबुकाः॥ धूर्ता तथा मनुष्याणां स्त्रीज्ञेया सततं बुधैः

yathaiva śvāpadānāṃ ca vṛkā hiṃsāparāyaṇāḥ|| kākā yatāṃḍajānāṃ ca śvāpadānāṃ ca jaṃbukāḥ|| dhūrtā tathā manuṣyāṇāṃ strījñeyā satataṃ budhaiḥ

"As the wolf is given to violence among fierce beasts, the crow among birds, and the jackal among wild creatures, so should the wise ever know woman to be the cunning one among mortals."

Verse 23 (skanda.1.12.23)

मया सह भवद्भिश्च कथं सख्यं प्रवर्तते॥ सर्वथात्र न विज्ञेयाः के यूयं चैव क ह्यहम्

mayā saha bhavadbhiśca kathaṃ sakhyaṃ pravartate|| sarvathātra na vijñeyāḥ ke yūyaṃ caiva ka hyaham

"How, then, can friendship arise between me and all of you? Who you truly are, and who I am, can never be known at all."

Verse 24 (skanda.1.12.24)

तस्माद्भवद्भिः संचिंत्यकार्याकार्यविचक्षणैः॥ कर्तव्यं परया बुद्ध्या प्रयातासुरसत्तमाः

tasmādbhavadbhiḥ saṃciṃtyakāryākāryavicakṣaṇaiḥ|| kartavyaṃ parayā buddhyā prayātāsurasattamāḥ

"Therefore, O foremost of asuras, discerning what should and should not be done, deliberate well yourselves and act with the highest wisdom."

Verse 25 (skanda.1.12.25)

॥बलिरुवाच॥ अद्यामृतं च सर्वेषां विभजस्व यथातथम्॥ त्वया दत्तं च गृह्णीमः सत्यंसत्यं वदामि ते

||baliruvāca|| adyāmṛtaṃ ca sarveṣāṃ vibhajasva yathātatham|| tvayā dattaṃ ca gṛhṇīmaḥ satyaṃsatyaṃ vadāmi te

Bali said: "Divide this nectar yourself among us all today, exactly as is fitting; whatever you give, we shall accept — I speak the truth to you."

Verse 26 (skanda.1.12.26)

एवमुक्ता तदा देवी मोहिनी सर्वमंगला॥ उवाचाथासुरान्सर्वान्रोचयँल्लौकिकीं स्थितिम्

evamuktā tadā devī mohinī sarvamaṃgalā|| uvācāthāsurānsarvānrocaya~llaukikīṃ sthitim

Hearing this, the all-auspicious goddess Mohini, following worldly custom, then said to all the demons —

Verse 27 (skanda.1.12.27)

॥ भगवानुवाच॥ यूयं सर्वे कृतार्थाश्च जाता दैवेन केनचित्॥ अद्योपावाससंयुक्ता अमृतस्याधिवासनम्

|| bhagavānuvāca|| yūyaṃ sarve kṛtārthāśca jātā daivena kenacit|| adyopāvāsasaṃyuktā amṛtasyādhivāsanam

The lord said: "By some divine fortune all of you have arrived here already blessed; today, keeping a fast, first let the nectar be consecrated."

Verse 28 (skanda.1.12.28)

क्रियतामसुराः श्रेष्ठाः शुभेच्छा किंचिदस्ति वः॥ श्वेभूते पारणं कुर्याद्व्रतार्चनरतिश्च वः

kriyatāmasurāḥ śreṣṭhāḥ śubhecchā kiṃcidasti vaḥ|| śvebhūte pāraṇaṃ kuryādvratārcanaratiśca vaḥ

"O foremost asuras, if you wish for good fortune at all, do just this: break the fast in the morning, and remain devoted to the vow and its worship."

Verse 29 (skanda.1.12.29)

न्यायोपार्जितवित्तेन दशमांशेन धीमता॥ कर्तव्यो विनियोगश्च ईशप्रीत्यर्थहेतवे

nyāyopārjitavittena daśamāṃśena dhīmatā|| kartavyo viniyogaśca īśaprītyarthahetave

"A wise man should set aside a tenth part of wealth rightfully earned, and use it for the pleasure of the Lord."

Verse 30 (skanda.1.12.30)

तथेति मत्वा ते सर्वे यथोक्तं देवमायया॥ चक्रुस्तथैव दैतेया मोहिता नातिकोविदाः

tatheti matvā te sarve yathoktaṃ devamāyayā|| cakrustathaiva daiteyā mohitā nātikovidāḥ

Accepting this with "so be it," those daityas, deluded by the divine illusion and lacking discernment, did just as she had said.

Verse 31 (skanda.1.12.31)

मयासुरेण च तदा भवनानि कृतानि वै॥ मनोज्ञानि महार्हाणि सुप्रभाणि महांति च

mayāsureṇa ca tadā bhavanāni kṛtāni vai|| manojñāni mahārhāṇi suprabhāṇi mahāṃti ca

At that time the demon Maya built dwellings that were splendid, costly, radiant and vast.

Verse 32 (skanda.1.12.32)

तेषुपविष्टास्ते सर्वे सुस्नाताः समलंकृताः॥ स्थापयित्वा सुसंरब्धाः पूर्णं कलशमग्रतः

teṣupaviṣṭāste sarve susnātāḥ samalaṃkṛtāḥ|| sthāpayitvā susaṃrabdhāḥ pūrṇaṃ kalaśamagrataḥ

Seated in those dwellings, well bathed and richly adorned, they sat down and, with great eagerness, placed the nectar-filled pot before them.

Verse 33 (skanda.1.12.33)

रात्रौ जागरणं सर्वैः कृतं परमया मुदा॥ अथोषसि प्रवृत्ते च प्रातःस्नानयुता भवन्

rātrau jāgaraṇaṃ sarvaiḥ kṛtaṃ paramayā mudā|| athoṣasi pravṛtte ca prātaḥsnānayutā bhavan

That night all of them kept vigil with the greatest joy; then, when dawn broke, they took their morning bath.

Verse 34 (skanda.1.12.34)

असुरा बलिमुख्याश्च पंक्तिभूता यताक्रमम्॥ सर्वमावश्यकं कृत्वा तदा पानरता भवन्

asurā balimukhyāśca paṃktibhūtā yatākramam|| sarvamāvaśyakaṃ kṛtvā tadā pānaratā bhavan

Bali and the other chief demons seated themselves in orderly rows; having performed all the necessary rites, they turned their minds toward drinking the nectar.

Verse 35 (skanda.1.12.35)

बलिश्च वृषपर्वा च नमुचिः शंख एव च॥ सुदंष्ट्रश्चैव संह्लादी कालनेमिर्विभीषणः

baliśca vṛṣaparvā ca namuciḥ śaṃkha eva ca|| sudaṃṣṭraścaiva saṃhlādī kālanemirvibhīṣaṇaḥ

Bali, Vrishaparva, Namuchi, Shankha, Sudamshtra, Samhradi, Kalanemi and Vibhishana —

Verse 36 (skanda.1.12.36)

वातापिरिल्वलः कुम्भो निकुम्भः प्रच्छदस्तथा॥ तथा सुन्दोपसुन्दौ च निशुम्भः शुम्भ एव च

vātāpirilvalaḥ kumbho nikumbhaḥ pracchadastathā|| tathā sundopasundau ca niśumbhaḥ śumbha eva ca

Vatapi, Ilvala, Kumbha, Nikumbha, Prachchhada, and Sunda together with Upasunda, Nishumbha and Shumbha —

Verse 37 (skanda.1.12.37)

महिषो महिषाक्षश्च बिडालाक्षः प्रतापवान्॥ चिक्षुराख्यो महाबाहुर्जृभणोऽथ वृषासुरः

mahiṣo mahiṣākṣaśca biḍālākṣaḥ pratāpavān|| cikṣurākhyo mahābāhurjṛbhaṇo'tha vṛṣāsuraḥ

Mahisha, Mahishaksha, the valiant Bidalaksha, the mighty-armed Chikshura, Jrimbhana and Vrishasura —

Verse 38 (skanda.1.12.38)

विबाहुर्बाहुको घोरस्तथा वै घोरदर्शनः॥ एते चान्ये च बहवो दैत्यदानवराक्षसाः॥ यथाक्रमं चोपविष्टा राहुः केतुस्तथैव च

vibāhurbāhuko ghorastathā vai ghoradarśanaḥ|| ete cānye ca bahavo daityadānavarākṣasāḥ|| yathākramaṃ copaviṣṭā rāhuḥ ketustathaiva ca

Vibahu, the fierce Bahuka, and the terrible Ghoradarshana — these, and many other daityas, danavas and rakshasas, together with Rahu and Ketu, took their seats in due order.

Verse 39 (skanda.1.12.39)

तेषां तु कोटिसंख्यानां दैत्यानां पंक्तिरास्थिता

teṣāṃ tu koṭisaṃkhyānāṃ daityānāṃ paṃktirāsthitā

There, in that row, sat those demons, numbering in the crores.

Verse 40 (skanda.1.12.40)

ततस्तया तदा देव्या अमृतार्थं हि वै द्विजाः॥ यज्जातं तच्छृणउध्वं हि तया देव्या कृतं महत्

tatastayā tadā devyā amṛtārthaṃ hi vai dvijāḥ|| yajjātaṃ tacchṛṇaudhvaṃ hi tayā devyā kṛtaṃ mahat

Then, O brahmins, hear the great deed that goddess performed for the sake of the nectar.

Verse 41 (skanda.1.12.41)

सर्वे विज्ञापिताः सद्यो गृहीतकलशा तदा॥ शोभया परया युक्ता साक्षात्सा विष्णुमोहिनी

sarve vijñāpitāḥ sadyo gṛhītakalaśā tadā|| śobhayā parayā yuktā sākṣātsā viṣṇumohinī

Having quickly informed them all, taking the pot in hand, that very Mohini, the enchantress in Vishnu's form, came forth, radiant with the highest beauty.

Verse 42 (skanda.1.12.42)

करस्थेन तदा देवी कलशेन विराजिता॥ शुशुभे परया कांत्या जगन्मंगलमंगला

karasthena tadā devī kalaśena virājitā|| śuśubhe parayā kāṃtyā jaganmaṃgalamaṃgalā

Bearing the pot in her hand, the goddess appeared magnificently adorned; auspicious for all the worlds, she shone with the highest radiance.

Verse 43 (skanda.1.12.43)

परिवेषधराः सर्वे सुरास्ते ह्यसुरांतिकम्॥ आगतास्तत्क्षणादेव यत्र ते ह्यसुरोत्तमाः

pariveṣadharāḥ sarve surāste hyasurāṃtikam|| āgatāstatkṣaṇādeva yatra te hyasurottamāḥ

All the gods, seated in their own row, came at that very moment to the place where those foremost asuras were seated.

Verse 44 (skanda.1.12.44)

तान्दृष्ट्वा मोहिनी सद्य उवाच प्रमदोत्तमा

tāndṛṣṭvā mohinī sadya uvāca pramadottamā

Seeing them, Mohini, most excellent among women, spoke at once —

Verse 45 (skanda.1.12.45)

॥मोहिन्युवाच॥ एते ह्यतिथयो ज्ञेया धर्म्मसर्वस्वसाधनाः॥ एभ्यो देयं यताशक्त्या यदि सत्यं वचो मम॥ प्रमाणं भवतां चाद्य कुरुध्वं मा विलंबथ

||mohinyuvāca|| ete hyatithayo jñeyā dharmmasarvasvasādhanāḥ|| ebhyo deyaṃ yatāśaktyā yadi satyaṃ vaco mama|| pramāṇaṃ bhavatāṃ cādya kurudhvaṃ mā vilaṃbatha

Mohini said: "These should be recognised as guests, foremost among all the means of dharma; if my word is true, give to them according to your capacity. Take your own promise as authority today, and delay no longer."

Verse 46 (skanda.1.12.46)

परेषामुपकारं च ये कुर्वंति स्वशक्तितः॥ धन्यास्ते चैव विज्ञेयाः पवित्राः लोकपालकाः

pareṣāmupakāraṃ ca ye kurvaṃti svaśaktitaḥ|| dhanyāste caiva vijñeyāḥ pavitrāḥ lokapālakāḥ

"Those who benefit others according to their own power should be known as truly blessed, pure, and the real protectors of the world."

Verse 47 (skanda.1.12.47)

केवलात्मोदरार्थाय उद्योगं ये प्रकुर्वते॥ ते क्लेशभागिनो ज्ञेया नात्र कार्या विचारणा

kevalātmodarārthāya udyogaṃ ye prakurvate|| te kleśabhāgino jñeyā nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

"Those who labour only to fill their own bellies should be known as sharers of misery alone — there is no need to deliberate over this."

Verse 48 (skanda.1.12.48)

तस्माद्विभजनं कार्यं मयैतस्य शुभव्रताः॥ देवेभ्यश्च प्रयच्छध्वं यद्धि चात्मप्रियाप्रियम्

tasmādvibhajanaṃ kāryaṃ mayaitasya śubhavratāḥ|| devebhyaśca prayacchadhvaṃ yaddhi cātmapriyāpriyam

"Therefore, O you of virtuous vows, I myself shall divide this; whatever seems dear or otherwise to you, give a share of it to the gods as well."

Verse 49 (skanda.1.12.49)

इत्युक्ते वचने देव्या तथा चक्रुरतं द्रिताः॥ आह्वयामासुरसुराः सर्वान्देवान्सवासवान्

ityukte vacane devyā tathā cakrurataṃ dritāḥ|| āhvayāmāsurasurāḥ sarvāndevānsavāsavān

Hearing the goddess's words, they did at once as she said; the demons called all the gods, including Vasava, to join them.

Verse 50 (skanda.1.12.50)

उपविष्टाश्च ते सर्वे अमृतार्थं च भो द्विजाः॥ तेषूपविश्यमानेषु ह्युवाच परमं वचः॥ मोहिनी सर्वधर्म्मज्ञा असुराणां स्मयन्निव

upaviṣṭāśca te sarve amṛtārthaṃ ca bho dvijāḥ|| teṣūpaviśyamāneṣu hyuvāca paramaṃ vacaḥ|| mohinī sarvadharmmajñā asurāṇāṃ smayanniva

O brahmins, they all sat down there for the sake of the nectar; and as they were being seated, Mohini, knower of all dharma, spoke this excellent word to the demons, as though smiling —

Verse 51 (skanda.1.12.51)

॥मोहिन्युवाच॥ आदौ ह्यभ्यागताः पूज्या इति वै वैदिकी श्रुतिः

||mohinyuvāca|| ādau hyabhyāgatāḥ pūjyā iti vai vaidikī śrutiḥ

Mohini said: "Newly arrived guests should be honoured first — this indeed is the teaching of the Vedic scripture."

Verse 52 (skanda.1.12.52)

तस्माद्यूयं वेदपराः सर्वे देवपरायणाः॥ ब्रुवंतु त्वरितेनैव आदौ केषां ददाम्यहम्॥ अमृतं हि महाभागा बलिमुख्या वदंतु भोः

tasmādyūyaṃ vedaparāḥ sarve devaparāyaṇāḥ|| bruvaṃtu tvaritenaiva ādau keṣāṃ dadāmyaham|| amṛtaṃ hi mahābhāgā balimukhyā vadaṃtu bhoḥ

"Therefore all of you, devoted to the Vedas and to the gods, tell me quickly — to whom shall I first give the nectar? O most fortunate Bali and the rest, speak now."

Verse 53 (skanda.1.12.53)

बलिनोक्ता तदा देवी यत्ते मनसि रोचते॥ स्वामिनी त्वं न संदेहो ह्यस्माकं सुंदरानने

balinoktā tadā devī yatte manasi rocate|| svāminī tvaṃ na saṃdeho hyasmākaṃ suṃdarānane

Hearing this, Bali said to the goddess: "Do as your own heart pleases; O lovely-faced one, you alone are our mistress — of this there is no doubt."

Verse 54 (skanda.1.12.54)

एवं संमानिता तेन बलिना भावितात्मना॥ परिवेषणकार्यार्थं कलशं गृह्य सत्वरा

evaṃ saṃmānitā tena balinā bhāvitātmanā|| pariveṣaṇakāryārthaṃ kalaśaṃ gṛhya satvarā

Thus honoured by the devout-hearted Bali, that goddess quickly took up the pot for the task of serving —

Verse 55 (skanda.1.12.55)

तस्मान्नरेन्द्रकरभोरुलसद्दृकूला श्रोणीतटालसगतिर्मविह्वलांगी॥ सा कूजती कनकनूपुरसिंजितेन कुंभस्तनी कलशपाणिरथाविवेश

tasmānnarendrakarabhorulasaddṛkūlā śroṇītaṭālasagatirmavihvalāṃgī|| sā kūjatī kanakanūpurasiṃjitena kuṃbhastanī kalaśapāṇirathāviveśa

With the graceful gait of a royal elephant, her fine silk slipping at the hip, moving with a slow, intoxicating grace, her limbs delicate, her golden anklets jingling, her bosom full as twin pitchers, she entered there with the pot in her hand.

Verse 56 (skanda.1.12.56)

तदा तु देवी परिवेषयंती सा मोहिनी देवगणाय साक्षात्॥ ववर्ष देवेषु सुधारसं पुनः पुनः सुधाहाररसामृतं यथा

tadā tu devī pariveṣayaṃtī sā mohinī devagaṇāya sākṣāt|| vavarṣa deveṣu sudhārasaṃ punaḥ punaḥ sudhāhārarasāmṛtaṃ yathā

Then the goddess Mohini, serving the hosts of gods with her own hand, poured out the nectar-essence again and again, as though showering them with the very essence of immortal food.

Verse 57 (skanda.1.12.57)

पुनश्च ते देवगणाः सुधारसं दत्तं तया परया विश्वमूर्त्या॥ बलिमुख्याः सह लोकपाला गंधर्वयक्षाप्सरसां गणाश्च

punaśca te devagaṇāḥ sudhārasaṃ dattaṃ tayā parayā viśvamūrtyā|| balimukhyāḥ saha lokapālā gaṃdharvayakṣāpsarasāṃ gaṇāśca

That supreme goddess of universal form gave the nectar-essence once more to those hosts of gods — to the guardians of the quarters, to Bali and the other chiefs, and to the throngs of gandharvas, yakshas and apsaras.

Verse 58 (skanda.1.12.58)

सर्वे दैत्या आसनस्था पुनश्च ते देवगणाः सुधारसं दत्तं पीडिताश्च॥ तूष्णींभूता बलिमुख्या द्विजेंद्रा मनस्विनो ध्यानपरा बभूवुः

sarve daityā āsanasthā punaśca te devagaṇāḥ sudhārasaṃ dattaṃ pīḍitāśca|| tūṣṇīṃbhūtā balimukhyā dvijeṃdrā manasvino dhyānaparā babhūvuḥ

All the demons remained seated in their places while the gods were given the nectar-essence once more; distressed at this, Bali and the other foremost among the twice-born fell silent, grave, as though lost in thought.

Verse 59 (skanda.1.12.59)

ततस्तथाविधान्दृष्ट्वा दैत्यांस्तान्मोहमाश्रितान्॥ तदा राहुश्च केतुश्च द्वावेतौ दैत्यपुंगवौ

tatastathāvidhāndṛṣṭvā daityāṃstānmohamāśritān|| tadā rāhuśca ketuśca dvāvetau daityapuṃgavau

Seeing those demons thus overcome by delusion, then Rahu and Ketu, those two foremost among the daityas —

Verse 60 (skanda.1.12.60)

देवानां रूपमास्थाय अमृतार्थं त्वरान्वितौ॥ उपविष्टौ तदा पङ्क्त्यां देवानाममृतार्थिनौ

devānāṃ rūpamāsthāya amṛtārthaṃ tvarānvitau|| upaviṣṭau tadā paṅktyāṃ devānāmamṛtārthinau

assuming the form of gods, and eager beyond measure for the nectar, seated themselves in the very row of the gods, longing for the immortal draught.

Verse 61 (skanda.1.12.61)

यदामृतं पातुकामो राहुः परमदुर्जयः॥ चन्द्रार्काभ्यां प्रकथितो विष्णोरमिततेजसः

yadāmṛtaṃ pātukāmo rāhuḥ paramadurjayaḥ|| candrārkābhyāṃ prakathito viṣṇoramitatejasaḥ

When the utterly invincible Rahu sat down wishing to drink the nectar, the moon and the sun revealed him to Vishnu of boundless splendour.

Verse 62 (skanda.1.12.62)

तदा तस्य शिरश्छिन्नं राहोर्दुर्विग्रहस्य च॥ शिरो गगनमापेदे कबंधं च महीतले॥ भ्रममाणं तदा ह्यद्रींश्चूर्णयामास वै तदा

tadā tasya śiraśchinnaṃ rāhordurvigrahasya ca|| śiro gaganamāpede kabaṃdhaṃ ca mahītale|| bhramamāṇaṃ tadā hyadrīṃścūrṇayāmāsa vai tadā

Then that unruly Rahu's head was severed at once; his head shot into the sky while his trunk fell to the earth, and that whirling trunk began to shatter even the mountains.

Verse 63 (skanda.1.12.63)

साद्रिश्च सर्वभूलोकश्चूर्णितश्च तदाऽभवत्॥ तया तेन च देहेन चूर्णितं सचराचरम्

sādriśca sarvabhūlokaścūrṇitaśca tadā'bhavat|| tayā tena ca dehena cūrṇitaṃ sacarācaram

The whole earth, mountains and all, was shattered then; by the blow of that headless body all creation, moving and unmoving, was crushed.

Verse 64 (skanda.1.12.64)

दृष्ट्वा तदा महादेवस्तस्योपरि तु संस्थितः॥ निवासः सर्वदेवानां तस्याः पादतलेऽभवत्

dṛṣṭvā tadā mahādevastasyopari tu saṃsthitaḥ|| nivāsaḥ sarvadevānāṃ tasyāḥ pādatale'bhavat

Seeing this, Mahadeva came and took his stand upon that trunk; and from then on the dwelling of all the gods came to rest at her, the earth's, very feet.

Verse 65 (skanda.1.12.65)

पीडनं तत्समीपेथ निवास इति नाम वै

pīḍanaṃ tatsamīpetha nivāsa iti nāma vai

That subduing, close by her, thus became known by the name "Nivasa," meaning "the dwelling."

Verse 66 (skanda.1.12.66)

महतामालयं यस्माद्यस्यास्तच्चरणांबुजम्॥ महालयेति विख्याता जगत्त्रयविमोहिनी

mahatāmālayaṃ yasmādyasyāstaccaraṇāṃbujam|| mahālayeti vikhyātā jagattrayavimohinī

Since it is the resting-place of the great, that very lotus foot came to be called "Mahalaya" — and so that goddess, enchantress of the three worlds, became renowned by that name.

Verse 67 (skanda.1.12.67)

केतुश्च धूमरूपोऽसावाकाशे विलयं गतः॥ सुधां समर्प्य चंद्राय तिरोधानगतोऽभवत्

ketuśca dhūmarūpo'sāvākāśe vilayaṃ gataḥ|| sudhāṃ samarpya caṃdrāya tirodhānagato'bhavat

Ketu, in his form of smoke, dissolved into the sky; having offered his portion of nectar to the moon, he too vanished from sight.

Verse 68 (skanda.1.12.68)

वासुदेवो जगद्योनिर्जगतां कारणं परम्॥ विष्णोः प्रसादात्तज्जातं सुराणां कार्यसिद्धिदम्

vāsudevo jagadyonirjagatāṃ kāraṇaṃ param|| viṣṇoḥ prasādāttajjātaṃ surāṇāṃ kāryasiddhidam

Vasudeva is the womb of the universe, its supreme cause; by Vishnu's own grace that nectar had arisen for the fulfilment of the gods' purpose.

Verse 69 (skanda.1.12.69)

असुराणां विनाशाय जातं दैवविपर्ययात्॥ विना दैवेन जानीध्वमुद्यमो हि निरर्थकः

asurāṇāṃ vināśāya jātaṃ daivaviparyayāt|| vinā daivena jānīdhvamudyamo hi nirarthakaḥ

It arose, through the reversal of fate, solely for the destruction of the demons; know that without destiny, all human effort is in vain.

Verse 70 (skanda.1.12.70)

यौगपद्येन तैः सर्वैः क्षीराब्धेर्मंथनं कृतम्॥ सिद्धिर्जाता हि देवानामसिद्धिरसुरान्प्रति

yaugapadyena taiḥ sarvaiḥ kṣīrābdhermaṃthanaṃ kṛtam|| siddhirjātā hi devānāmasiddhirasurānprati

All of them together, in unison, had churned the ocean of milk; yet success fell to the gods alone, and failure to the demons — such was the ordinance of fate.

Verse 71 (skanda.1.12.71)

ततश्च ते देववरान्प्रकोपिता दैत्याश्च मायाप्रवि मोहिताः पुनः॥ अनेकशस्त्रास्त्रयुतास्तदाऽभवन्विष्णौ गते गर्जमानास्तदानीम्

tataśca te devavarānprakopitā daityāśca māyāpravi mohitāḥ punaḥ|| anekaśastrāstrayutāstadā'bhavanviṣṇau gate garjamānāstadānīm

Then, enraged at the boon granted to the gods and once more deluded by that illusion, the demons armed themselves with countless weapons and, the moment Vishnu vanished, began to roar.

Verse 72 (skanda.1.12.72)

छ ॥

cha ||

(Here, at the chapter's end, stands only the scribal mark "cha," the auspicious sign of completion.)