The Divine Sport of Shiva and Parvati

Verse 1 (skanda.1.131.1)

सूत उवाच । इति श्रुत्वास्य वचनं मार्कंडेयोऽभ्यभाषत । मार्कंडेय उवाच । श्रुतमेव मया देव श्रोतव्यं भवतो मुखात्

sūta uvāca iti śrutvāsya vacanaṁ mārkaṁḍeyo'bhyabhāṣata mārkaṁḍeya uvāca śrutameva mayā deva śrotavyaṁ bhavato mukhāt

Suta said: Having heard his words, Markandeya spoke. Markandeya said: O lord, I have indeed heard this before, yet I wish to hear it from your own mouth.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.131.2)

तथापि कौतुकेनाहमाक्रांतो मुनयोऽप्यमी । गौर्या कथं तपस्तप्तं महादेव्यात्र कथ्यताम्

tathāpi kautukenāhamākrāṁto munayo'pyamī gauryā kathaṁ tapastaptaṁ mahādevyātra kathyatām

Even so, I am filled with curiosity, and so are these sages here. Please tell us how the great Goddess Gauri performed her penance in this place.

Verse 3 (skanda.1.131.3)

नंदिकेश्वर उवाच । कथयामि तदप्येतद्यथाऽधिगतमात्मना । शृणु त्वमवधानेन मार्कंडेय महामते

naṁdikeśvara uvāca kathayāmi tadapyetadyathā'dhigatamātmanā śṛṇu tvamavadhānena mārkaṁḍeya mahāmate

Nandikeshvara said: I shall tell you this too, exactly as I myself have come to know it. Listen with full attention, O wise Markandeya.

Verse 4 (skanda.1.131.4)

ननु जानासि तत्पूर्वं यथा दाक्षायणी शिवः । उपयेमे सतीं नाम सतीनामधिदेवताम्

nanu jānāsi tatpūrvaṁ yathā dākṣāyaṇī śivaḥ upayeme satīṁ nāma satīnāmadhidevatām

You already know how Shiva once wedded Daksha's daughter, named Sati, the presiding deity of all virtuous women.

Verse 5 (skanda.1.131.5)

यथा च सा क्रुधा भर्तुर्द्रुहि दक्षप्रजापतौ । योगादहासीदात्मीयं वपुरित्यपि ते श्रुतम्

yathā ca sā krudhā bharturdruhi dakṣaprajāpatau yogādahāsīdātmīyaṁ vapurityapi te śrutam

And you have also heard how she, enraged at her father Daksha Prajapati for wronging her husband, gave up her own body through the power of yoga.

Verse 6 (skanda.1.131.6)

तदा हराज्ञानिघ्नेन वीरभद्रेण यत्कृतम् । अध्वरध्वंसनं दक्षस्यापि ते विदितं महत्

tadā harājñānighnena vīrabhadreṇa yatkṛtam adhvaradhvaṁsanaṁ dakṣasyāpi te viditaṁ mahat

You also know of the great devastation wrought upon Daksha's sacrifice at that time by Virabhadra, born of Hara's fierce command.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.131.7)

अश्रौषीस्तस्य दक्षस्य गणैः शीर्षासखंडनम् । ब्रह्माच्युतेंद्रमुख्यानां देवानामपि शिक्षणम्

aśrauṣīstasya dakṣasya gaṇaiḥ śīrṣāsakhaṁḍanam brahmācyuteṁdramukhyānāṁ devānāmapi śikṣaṇam

You have heard how the ganas severed the head of that Daksha, and how Brahma, Vishnu, Indra, and other chief gods were likewise chastised.

Verse 8 (skanda.1.131.8)

दंतघातं रवेः पाणिपाटनं जातवेदसः । अदितिप्रभृतीनां च दिव्यस्त्रीणां पराभवम्

daṁtaghātaṁ raveḥ pāṇipāṭanaṁ jātavedasaḥ aditiprabhṛtīnāṁ ca divyastrīṇāṁ parābhavam

The Sun's teeth were struck out, Agni's hands were severed, and the divine women headed by Aditi were humiliated.

Verse 9 (skanda.1.131.9)

सा च देवी पुनर्जन्म लेभे हिमवतो गृहे । उमेति पार्वतीत्याख्यां द्वितीयां विभ्रती पुनः

sā ca devī punarjanma lebhe himavato gṛhe umeti pārvatītyākhyāṁ dvitīyāṁ vibhratī punaḥ

That same Goddess took rebirth in the house of Himavat, now bearing anew the names Uma and Parvati.

Verse 10 (skanda.1.131.10)

देवः स्थाणुवने तां च परिचर्यापरं रहः । अरुरोचयिषुः काममधाक्षीत्कालवह्निना

devaḥ sthāṇuvane tāṁ ca paricaryāparaṁ rahaḥ arurocayiṣuḥ kāmamadhākṣītkālavahninā

The god remained absorbed in Sthanuvana, while she devoted herself to his secret service; then Kama, wishing to kindle Shiva's affection for her, was burnt to ashes by the fire of his wrath.

Verse 11 (skanda.1.131.11)

जितेंद्रियं च तं देवं क्वापि यातं गणैः सह । तपोभिस्तोषयामास गौरी शिखरवासिनी

jiteṁdriyaṁ ca taṁ devaṁ kvāpi yātaṁ gaṇaiḥ saha tapobhistoṣayāmāsa gaurī śikharavāsinī

That god of mastered senses had gone elsewhere with his ganas; then Gauri, dwelling on the mountain peak, pleased him through her penance.

Verse 12 (skanda.1.131.12)

उपयम्याथ तां देवो वृत्तांतैश्चित्तखंडिभिः । रमयामास चैकांते मोदस्वेति विलासिनीम्

upayamyātha tāṁ devo vṛttāṁtaiścittakhaṁḍibhiḥ ramayāmāsa caikāṁte modasveti vilāsinīm

Then the god, having married her, delighted that graceful lady in solitude with heart-stirring conversation, bidding her, "Be joyful."

Verse 13 (skanda.1.131.13)

वैधव्यखिन्नया रत्या प्रार्थिता शैलनंदिनी । कामपीठे तपस्यंती कामं प्रत्युददीपयत्

vaidhavyakhinnayā ratyā prārthitā śailanaṁdinī kāmapīṭhe tapasyaṁtī kāmaṁ pratyudadīpayat

When Rati, grieving in her widowhood, entreated her, the mountain's daughter performed penance at Kamapitha and rekindled Kama back to life.

Verse 14 (skanda.1.131.14)

पुनश्च मेनया मात्रा पित्रा च हिमभूभृता । आनीता भवनं भर्त्रा साकं चिरमरंस्त सा

punaśca menayā mātrā pitrā ca himabhūbhṛtā ānītā bhavanaṁ bhartrā sākaṁ ciramaraṁsta sā

Then, brought home again by her mother Mena and her father, the mountain Himavat, she lived long in joy together with her husband.

Verse 15 (skanda.1.131.15)

तदा शुंभनिशुंभाख्यौ लेभाते वेधसो वरम् । देवदानवमर्त्येषु मास्तु नौ पुरुषान्मृतिः

tadā śuṁbhaniśuṁbhākhyau lebhāte vedhaso varam devadānavamartyeṣu māstu nau puruṣānmṛtiḥ

At that time, the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha obtained this boon from Brahma: "Let no male being — god, demon, or mortal — ever be able to slay us."

Verse 16 (skanda.1.131.16)

इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा जातत्रासैः सुपर्वभिः । अभ्यर्थितोऽवदद्देवो रहश्चक्रधरादिभिः

iti tadvacanaṁ śrutvā jātatrāsaiḥ suparvabhiḥ abhyarthito'vadaddevo rahaścakradharādibhiḥ

On hearing this pronouncement, the gods, struck with terror, together with Vishnu and the others, entreated the god privately; and the god spoke.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.131.17)

माभैष्ट भद्र कालेन तथा प्रतिविधीयते । यथा निषूदितौ स्यातां तादृशौ दानवाविति

mābhaiṣṭa bhadra kālena tathā pratividhīyate yathā niṣūditau syātāṁ tādṛśau dānavāviti

"Fear not, good sirs — in due time such a means will be devised that those two demons shall indeed be destroyed."

Verse 18 (skanda.1.131.18)

दत्ताभयान्मुकुंदादीन्विसृज्यांधकसूदनः । अंतःपुरगतो रेमे देव्या सह यथा पुरा

dattābhayānmukuṁdādīnvisṛjyāṁdhakasūdanaḥ aṁtaḥpuragato reme devyā saha yathā purā

Having granted them refuge and dismissed Vishnu and the other gods, the slayer of Andhaka retired to his private chambers and sported with the Goddess as he had before.

Verse 19 (skanda.1.131.19)

कदाचिन्मर्मलक्ष्येण प्रीत्या कालीति निंदिता । तस्य प्रीत्यै कालिका च त्वचमेवाजहान्निजाम्

kadācinmarmalakṣyeṇa prītyā kālīti niṁditā tasya prītyai kālikā ca tvacamevājahānnijām

Once, when he playfully teased her, touching her tender pride by calling her "Kali" the dark one, Kalika, to please him, cast off her own dark skin.

Verse 20 (skanda.1.131.20)

यत्रोत्क्षिप्तवती चर्म स्वेच्छया परमेश्वरी । महाकाशीप्रपाताख्यं तदभूत्क्षेत्रमुत्तमम्

yatrotkṣiptavatī carma svecchayā parameśvarī mahākāśīprapātākhyaṁ tadabhūtkṣetramuttamam

The spot where the supreme Goddess, by her own will, cast off that skin became the sacred and excellent place known as Mahakashiprapata.

Verse 21 (skanda.1.131.21)

सा च त्वक्कौशिकी नाम्ना काली विंध्याद्रिवासिनी । तपस्यंती वृषस्यंतौ तो जघान महासुरौ

sā ca tvakkauśikī nāmnā kālī viṁdhyādrivāsinī tapasyaṁtī vṛṣasyaṁtau to jaghāna mahāsurau

That skin became Kaushiki, the dark Goddess dwelling on the Vindhya mountain; while she performed her penance there, she slew those two great demons who lusted after her.

Verse 22 (skanda.1.131.22)

देवी च गौरी शिखरे तस्मिन्नेव मनोहरे । तपोभिर्लब्धगौरीत्वाद्भर्त्तारं समतोषयत्

devī ca gaurī śikhare tasminneva manohare tapobhirlabdhagaurītvādbharttāraṁ samatoṣayat

And on that same enchanting peak, the Goddess Gauri, having attained her fair form through penance, delighted her husband.

Verse 23 (skanda.1.131.23)

क्रमेण दौर्हृदवती भूत्वा प्रासूत पार्वती । गजाननं च हेरंबं सेनान्यं च षडाननम्

krameṇa daurhṛdavatī bhūtvā prāsūta pārvatī gajānanaṁ ca heraṁbaṁ senānyaṁ ca ṣaḍānanam

In due course, becoming pregnant, Parvati gave birth to the elephant-faced Heramba (Ganesha) and to the six-faced army commander (Kartikeya).

Verse 24 (skanda.1.131.24)

तौ चागमविदः प्राहुर्नारायणचतुर्मुखौ । पूर्वापराधशुद्ध्यर्थं देवीगर्भसमुद्भवौ

tau cāgamavidaḥ prāhurnārāyaṇacaturmukhau pūrvāparādhaśuddhyarthaṁ devīgarbhasamudbhavau

Those versed in the scriptures say that these two were indeed Narayana and the four-faced Brahma, born from the Goddess's womb to atone for past transgressions.

Verse 25 (skanda.1.131.25)

वर्धमानौ च तौ बालौ पित्रोरालोकमानयोः । मग्नयोरिव वर्षाब्धौ प्रेमग्रंथिरभूद्दृढा

vardhamānau ca tau bālau pitrorālokamānayoḥ magnayoriva varṣābdhau premagraṁthirabhūddṛḍhā

As those two children grew up before their parents' eyes, a bond of love grew firm between them, as though the parents were immersed in an ocean of affection.

Verse 26 (skanda.1.131.26)

जातु वीणानिनादेन कदाचिच्चित्रलेखनैः । विजह्रतुश्शिवौ स्वैरमेकदा मंडनैर्मिथः

jātu vīṇāninādena kadāciccitralekhanaiḥ vijahratuśśivau svairamekadā maṁḍanairmithaḥ

Sometimes with the music of the veena, sometimes by painting pictures, and at other times by adorning one another, the divine pair sported together freely.

Verse 27 (skanda.1.131.27)

जातु विद्यागमालापैः कदाचिच्चित्रवस्तुभिः । एकदा लोकवृत्तांतैर्दंपतिभ्यां विनोदितम्

jātu vidyāgamālāpaiḥ kadāciccitravastubhiḥ ekadā lokavṛttāṁtairdaṁpatibhyāṁ vinoditam

Sometimes with discussions of scripture and learning, sometimes with curious objects, and sometimes with tales of the world, the divine pair diverted themselves.

Verse 28 (skanda.1.131.28)

पुष्पावचयनैर्जातु कदाचिद्वारिखेलनैः । अदीव्यतां च रागार्द्रौ दोलाकेलिभिरेकदा

puṣpāvacayanairjātu kadācidvārikhelanaiḥ adīvyatāṁ ca rāgārdrau dolākelibhirekadā

Sometimes by gathering flowers, sometimes by playing in the water, and once, tender with affection, by swinging together on a swing, the two of them made merry.

Verse 29 (skanda.1.131.29)

मैनाकेनार्चितौ जातु मेनया जातु पूजितौ । जात्वर्हितौ हिमवता दंपती तौ विनोदितौ

mainākenārcitau jātu menayā jātu pūjitau jātvarhitau himavatā daṁpatī tau vinoditau

At times honored by Mainaka, at times worshipped by Mena, and at times revered by Himavat, that divine couple found delight.

Verse 30 (skanda.1.131.30)

जातु द्यूतविनोदेन गतिगोष्ठ्या कदाचन । एकदा दानलीलाभिः शिवौ चिक्रीडतुश्चिरम्

jātu dyūtavinodena gatigoṣṭhyā kadācana ekadā dānalīlābhiḥ śivau cikrīḍatuściram

Sometimes with a game of dice, sometimes conversing as they strolled, and once with playful acts of giving, Shiva and Parvati sported together for a long while.

Verse 31 (skanda.1.131.31)

द्यूतनिर्जितमाच्छिद्य पत्युरुत्संगतां गतम् । वलयीकृतमेणांकं ताटंकीकृतवत्युमा

dyūtanirjitamācchidya patyurutsaṁgatāṁ gatam valayīkṛtameṇāṁkaṁ tāṭaṁkīkṛtavatyumā

Having won it at dice, Uma snatched away the crescent moon that adorned her husband's head, and fashioned it now into a bangle, now into an earring.

Verse 32 (skanda.1.131.32)

इति तौ पितरौ चराचराणां निवसंतौ कनकाचलादिकेषु । रुचिरेषु पदेषु कामभोगानतिहृद्यान्सुचिरं किलान्वभूताम्

iti tau pitarau carācarāṇāṁ nivasaṁtau kanakācalādikeṣu rucireṣu padeṣu kāmabhogānatihṛdyānsuciraṁ kilānvabhūtām

Thus those two parents of all moving and unmoving creation, dwelling in Kanakachala and other lovely places, are said to have long enjoyed the most heart-delighting pleasures of love.