The Self-Sacrifice of Dadhichi

Verse 1 (skanda.1.16.1)

॥लोमश उवाच॥ ततः शची तान्प्रोवाच वाचं धर्मार्थसंयुताम्॥ मा चिंता क्रियतां देवा बृहस्पतिपुरोगमः

||lomaśa uvāca|| tataḥ śacī tānprovāca vācaṃ dharmārthasaṃyutām|| mā ciṃtā kriyatāṃ devā bṛhaspatipurogamaḥ

Lomasha said: Then Shachi spoke to them words rooted in dharma and right conduct: "O gods, be not troubled; with Brihaspati leading the way —"

Verse 2 (skanda.1.16.2)

गच्छत त्वरिताः सर्वे शक्रं द्रष्टुं विचक्षणाः॥ ब्रह्महत्याभिभूतोऽसौ यत्रास्ते सुरसत्तमः

gacchata tvaritāḥ sarve śakraṃ draṣṭuṃ vicakṣaṇāḥ|| brahmahatyābhibhūto'sau yatrāste surasattamaḥ

"go, all of you wise ones, at once, and see Shakra — that foremost of gods, sitting wherever he is, afflicted by the killing of a brahmin."

Verse 3 (skanda.1.16.3)

बहूनां कारणेनैव विश्वरूपे हि मंदधीः॥ हतस्तेन महेंद्रेण सर्वैः सोऽपि निराकृतः

bahūnāṃ kāraṇenaiva viśvarūpe hi maṃdadhīḥ|| hatastena maheṃdreṇa sarvaiḥ so'pi nirākṛtaḥ

"For many reasons, the dull-witted Vishvarupa was slain by Mahendra, and he too had been shunned by all."

Verse 4 (skanda.1.16.4)

तस्मात्सर्वैर्भवद्भिश्च गंतव्यं यत्र स प्रभुः॥ अवज्ञा हि कृता पूर्वं महेंद्रेण तवानघ

tasmātsarvairbhavadbhiśca gaṃtavyaṃ yatra sa prabhuḥ|| avajñā hi kṛtā pūrvaṃ maheṃdreṇa tavānagha

"Therefore all of you should go where that lord is; O sinless one, it was Mahendra himself who once showed him contempt."

Verse 5 (skanda.1.16.5)

अवज्ञामात्रक्षुबंधेन त्वया शप्तः पुरंदरः॥ तथैव शापितश्चासि मया त्वं हि बृहस्पते

avajñāmātrakṣubaṃdhena tvayā śaptaḥ puraṃdaraḥ|| tathaiva śāpitaścāsi mayā tvaṃ hi bṛhaspate

"It was through the mere resentment of that very contempt that you yourself cursed Purandara; and just so, O Brihaspati, I too have cursed you —"

Verse 6 (skanda.1.16.6)

निरस्तोऽपि हि तस्मात्त्वमवसानपरो भव

nirasto'pi hi tasmāttvamavasānaparo bhava

"therefore, though rejected, may you too find your resolution and peace."

Verse 7 (skanda.1.16.7)

यथा मदर्थमानीतौ शक्रे जीवति तावुभौ॥ त्वयि जीवति भो ब्रहमन्कार्यं तव करिष्यति

yathā madarthamānītau śakre jīvati tāvubhau|| tvayi jīvati bho brahamankāryaṃ tava kariṣyati

"As long as Shakra lives, those two whom I have summoned for my sake shall live too; O brahmin, only while you live will your own purpose be fulfilled."

Verse 8 (skanda.1.16.8)

कोऽपि सौभाग्यवाँल्लोके तव क्षेत्रे जनिष्यति॥ पुत्रं विख्यातनामानमत्रनैवास्ति संशयः

ko'pi saubhāgyavā~lloke tava kṣetre janiṣyati|| putraṃ vikhyātanāmānamatranaivāsti saṃśayaḥ

"A fortunate son of renowned name will surely be born in your own lineage — of this there is no doubt."

Verse 9 (skanda.1.16.9)

गच्छ शीघ्रं सुरैःसार्द्धं शक्रमानय म चिरम्॥ प्रयासि त्वरितो नो चेत्पुनः शापं ददामि ते

gaccha śīghraṃ suraiḥsārddhaṃ śakramānaya ma ciram|| prayāsi tvarito no cetpunaḥ śāpaṃ dadāmi te

"Go quickly with the gods and bring Shakra here without delay; if you do not go swiftly, I shall curse you once more."

Verse 10 (skanda.1.16.10)

शच्योक्तं वचनं श्रुत्वा सुरैः सार्द्धं जगाम सः॥ पुरंदरं गताः सर्वे ब्रह्महत्याभिपीडितम्

śacyoktaṃ vacanaṃ śrutvā suraiḥ sārddhaṃ jagāma saḥ|| puraṃdaraṃ gatāḥ sarve brahmahatyābhipīḍitam

Hearing Shachi's words, he set out together with the gods; all of them went to Purandara, afflicted by that killing of a brahmin.

Verse 11 (skanda.1.16.11)

सरसस्तीरमासाद्य ते शक्रं चाभ्यवादयन्॥ दृष्टाः शक्रेम ते सर्वे तदा ह्यप्सु स्थितेन वै

sarasastīramāsādya te śakraṃ cābhyavādayan|| dṛṣṭāḥ śakrema te sarve tadā hyapsu sthitena vai

Reaching the bank of that pool, they bowed to Shakra; and Shakra, still within the waters, beheld them all at that very moment.

Verse 12 (skanda.1.16.12)

उवाच देवानेदेवेशः कस्माद्यूयमिहागताः॥ अहं हि पातकग्रस्तो ब्रह्महत्यापरिप्सुतः॥ अप्सु तिष्ठामि भो देवा एकाकी तपसान्वितः

uvāca devānedeveśaḥ kasmādyūyamihāgatāḥ|| ahaṃ hi pātakagrasto brahmahatyāparipsutaḥ|| apsu tiṣṭhāmi bho devā ekākī tapasānvitaḥ

The lord of the gods said to the gods: "Why have you all come here? I am steeped in sin, encircled by the killing of a brahmin; O gods, here in these waters I dwell alone, practising austerity."

Verse 13 (skanda.1.16.13)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य सर्वे देवाः शतक्रतोः॥ ऊचुर्विह्वलिता एनं देवराजानमद्भुतम्

tacchrutvā vacanaṃ tasya sarve devāḥ śatakratoḥ|| ūcurvihvalitā enaṃ devarājānamadbhutam

Hearing these words, all the gods of Indra of the hundred sacrifices, deeply moved, spoke thus to that wondrous king of the gods —

Verse 14 (skanda.1.16.14)

एतादृशं न वाच्यं ते परेषामुपकारतः॥ कृतं त्वयैव यत्कर्म विश्वरूपवधादिकम्

etādṛśaṃ na vācyaṃ te pareṣāmupakārataḥ|| kṛtaṃ tvayaiva yatkarma viśvarūpavadhādikam

"You should not speak thus, for in this a benefit was done to others; the deed you performed — the slaying of Vishvarupa and the rest —"

Verse 15 (skanda.1.16.15)

विश्वकर्मसुतेनैव कृतं याजनमद्भुतम्॥ येन देवाः क्षयं यांति ऋषयोऽपि महाप्रभाः

viśvakarmasutenaiva kṛtaṃ yājanamadbhutam|| yena devāḥ kṣayaṃ yāṃti ṛṣayo'pi mahāprabhāḥ

"it was the son of Vishvakarma himself who performed that strange sacrificial rite, by which the gods, and even the most radiant sages, were being drained away."

Verse 16 (skanda.1.16.16)

तस्माद्वतस्त्वया देव परेषामुपकारतः॥ ततः सर्वे वयं प्राप्तास्त्वां नेतुममरावतीम्

tasmādvatastvayā deva pareṣāmupakārataḥ|| tataḥ sarve vayaṃ prāptāstvāṃ netumamarāvatīm

"Therefore, O god, you did this deed for the benefit of others; and it is for this reason that all of us have come here, to bring you to Amaravati."

Verse 17 (skanda.1.16.17)

एवं विवदमानेषु देवेषु च तदाऽब्रवीत्॥ ब्रह्महत्या त्वरायुक्ता देवेंद्रं वरयाम्यहम्

evaṃ vivadamāneṣu deveṣu ca tadā'bravīt|| brahmahatyā tvarāyuktā deveṃdraṃ varayāmyaham

As the gods thus disputed among themselves, Brahmahatya spoke: "I choose Devendra himself, without delay."

Verse 18 (skanda.1.16.18)

तदा बृहस्पतिर्वाक्यमुवाच सहसैव तु

tadā bṛhaspatirvākyamuvāca sahasaiva tu

Then Brihaspati at once spoke these words —

Verse 19 (skanda.1.16.19)

॥बृहस्पतिरुवाच॥ वासार्थं च करिष्यामः स्थानानि तव सांप्रतम्॥ प्रसांत्विता तदा हत्या देवैस्तत्कार्यगौरवात्

||bṛhaspatiruvāca|| vāsārthaṃ ca kariṣyāmaḥ sthānāni tava sāṃpratam|| prasāṃtvitā tadā hatyā devaistatkāryagauravāt

Brihaspati said: "We shall now make dwelling-places for you." Thus, in view of the importance of this task, the gods pacified that Brahmahatya.

Verse 20 (skanda.1.16.20)

विमृश्य सर्वे विभजुश्चतुर्द्धा हत्यां सुरास्ते ऋषयो मनीषिणः॥ यक्षाः पिशाचा उरगाः पतंगास्तथा च सर्वे सुरसिद्धचारणाः

vimṛśya sarve vibhajuścaturddhā hatyāṃ surāste ṛṣayo manīṣiṇaḥ|| yakṣāḥ piśācā uragāḥ pataṃgāstathā ca sarve surasiddhacāraṇāḥ

Having deliberated, all the wise gods, sages, yakshas, pishachas, serpents, birds, and all the gods, siddhas and charanas divided that sin into four parts.

Verse 21 (skanda.1.16.21)

आदौ क्षमां प्रति तदा ऊचुः सर्वे दिवौकसः॥ हे क्षमेंऽशस्त्वया ग्राह्यो हत्यायाः कार्यसिद्धये

ādau kṣamāṃ prati tadā ūcuḥ sarve divaukasaḥ|| he kṣameṃ'śastvayā grāhyo hatyāyāḥ kāryasiddhaye

First, all the dwellers of heaven said to Earth: "O forbearing one, for the fulfilment of this purpose, you too must accept a share of the killing."

Verse 22 (skanda.1.16.22)

सुराणां तद्वचः श्रुत्वा धरित्री कंपिताऽवदत्॥ कथं ग्राह्ये मया ह्यंशो हत्यायास्तद्विमृश्यताम्

surāṇāṃ tadvacaḥ śrutvā dharitrī kaṃpitā'vadat|| kathaṃ grāhye mayā hyaṃśo hatyāyāstadvimṛśyatām

Hearing the gods' words, the trembling earth said: "How can I accept this portion? Consider this well."

Verse 23 (skanda.1.16.23)

अहं हि सर्वभूतानां धात्री विश्वं धराम्यहम्॥ अपवित्रा भविष्यामि एनसा संवृता भृशम्

ahaṃ hi sarvabhūtānāṃ dhātrī viśvaṃ dharāmyaham|| apavitrā bhaviṣyāmi enasā saṃvṛtā bhṛśam

"I alone am the sustainer of all beings, I alone bear the whole universe; encircled by this sin, I shall become utterly impure."

Verse 24 (skanda.1.16.24)

पृथ्वयास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा बृहस्पतिरुवाच ताम्॥ मा भौषीश्चारुसर्वांगि निष्पापासि न चान्यथा

pṛthvayāstadvacanaṃ śrutvā bṛhaspatiruvāca tām|| mā bhauṣīścārusarvāṃgi niṣpāpāsi na cānyathā

Hearing Earth's words, Brihaspati said to her: "O lovely-limbed one, do not fear; you shall remain free of sin, and it shall be no otherwise."

Verse 25 (skanda.1.16.25)

यदा यदुकुले श्रीमान्वासुदेवो भविष्यति॥ तदा तत्पदविन्यासान्नष्पापा त्वं भविष्यसि

yadā yadukule śrīmānvāsudevo bhaviṣyati|| tadā tatpadavinyāsānnaṣpāpā tvaṃ bhaviṣyasi

"When the glorious Vasudeva takes birth in the Yadu lineage, then, by the mere touch of his footsteps, you shall become free of sin."

Verse 26 (skanda.1.16.26)

कुरु वाक्यं त्वमस्माकं नात्र कार्या विचारणा

kuru vākyaṃ tvamasmākaṃ nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

"Accept our word; there is no need to deliberate over this."

Verse 27 (skanda.1.16.27)

इत्युक्ता पृथिवी तेषां निष्पापा साकरोद्वचः॥ ततो वृक्षान्समाहूय सर्वे देवाऽब्रुवन्वचः

ityuktā pṛthivī teṣāṃ niṣpāpā sākarodvacaḥ|| tato vṛkṣānsamāhūya sarve devā'bruvanvacaḥ

Hearing this, Earth gave her assent, saying "I shall become free of sin"; then the gods summoned the trees and spoke these words —

Verse 28 (skanda.1.16.28)

हत्यांशो हि ग्रहीतव्यो भवद्भिः कार्यसिद्धये॥ एवमुक्ताऽब्रुवन्वबृक्षा देवान्सर्वे समागताः

hatyāṃśo hi grahītavyo bhavadbhiḥ kāryasiddhaye|| evamuktā'bruvanvabṛkṣā devānsarve samāgatāḥ

"You too must accept a share of this killing, for the fulfilment of our purpose." Hearing this, all the trees, gathered there, said to the gods —

Verse 29 (skanda.1.16.29)

वयं सर्वे तथा भूतास्तापसानां फलप्रदाः॥ तदा हत्यान्विताः सर्वे भविष्यंति तपस्विनः

vayaṃ sarve tathā bhūtāstāpasānāṃ phalapradāḥ|| tadā hatyānvitāḥ sarve bhaviṣyaṃti tapasvinaḥ

"We too are beings that give fruit to ascetics; if we too become bound with this killing, then all ascetics too —"

Verse 30 (skanda.1.16.30)

पापिनो हि महाभागास्तस्मात्सर्वं विमृश्यताम्॥ तदा पुरोधसा चोक्ताः सर्वे वृक्षाः समागताः

pāpino hi mahābhāgāstasmātsarvaṃ vimṛśyatām|| tadā purodhasā coktāḥ sarve vṛkṣāḥ samāgatāḥ

"will become sinful, O most fortunate ones — consider this fully." Then the priest, Brihaspati, said to all the trees gathered there —

Verse 31 (skanda.1.16.31)

मा चिंता क्रियतां सर्वैः प्रसादाच्च शतक्रतोः॥ छेदिताश्चैव सर्वे वै ह्यनेकांशत्वमागताः

mā ciṃtā kriyatāṃ sarvaiḥ prasādācca śatakratoḥ|| cheditāścaiva sarve vai hyanekāṃśatvamāgatāḥ

"Do not be troubled; by the grace of Indra of the hundred sacrifices, this sin, divided into many parts, will become exceedingly diminished."

Verse 32 (skanda.1.16.32)

ततो विटपिनो नित्यं यूयं सर्वे भविष्यथ॥ इत्युक्तास्ते तदा सर्वेगृह्णन्हत्यां विभागशः

tato viṭapino nityaṃ yūyaṃ sarve bhaviṣyatha|| ityuktāste tadā sarvegṛhṇanhatyāṃ vibhāgaśaḥ

"Then you shall all remain forever as trees with your spreading branches." Hearing this, they all accepted their portion of the killing.

Verse 33 (skanda.1.16.33)

ततो ह्यपः समाहूय ऊचुः सर्वे दिवौकसः॥ अद्भिश्च गृह्यतामद्य हत्यांशः कार्यसिद्धये

tato hyapaḥ samāhūya ūcuḥ sarve divaukasaḥ|| adbhiśca gṛhyatāmadya hatyāṃśaḥ kāryasiddhaye

Then all the dwellers of heaven summoned the waters and said: "Today, for the fulfilment of our purpose, the waters too must accept a share of this killing."

Verse 34 (skanda.1.16.34)

तदा ह्यापो मिलित्वाथ ऊचुः सर्वाः पुरोधसम्॥ यानि कानि च पापानि तथा दुश्चरितानि च

tadā hyāpo militvātha ūcuḥ sarvāḥ purodhasam|| yāni kāni ca pāpāni tathā duścaritāni ca

Then all the waters, joining together, said to the priest: "Whatever sins and evil deeds there are —"

Verse 35 (skanda.1.16.35)

अस्मत्संपर्कसंबंधात्स्नानशौचाशनादिभिः॥ पुनंति प्राणिनः सर्वे पापेन परिवेष्टिताः

asmatsaṃparkasaṃbaṃdhātsnānaśaucāśanādibhiḥ|| punaṃti prāṇinaḥ sarve pāpena pariveṣṭitāḥ

"it is through contact with us — by bathing, purification, drinking and the like — that all beings, however encircled by sin, are made pure."

Verse 36 (skanda.1.16.36)

तासां वचनमाकर्ण्य बृहस्पतिरुवाच ह॥ मा भयं क्रियतामाप एनसा दुस्तरेण हि

tāsāṃ vacanamākarṇya bṛhaspatiruvāca ha|| mā bhayaṃ kriyatāmāpa enasā dustareṇa hi

Hearing their words, Brihaspati said: "O waters, do not fear this insurmountable sin."

Verse 37 (skanda.1.16.37)

आपः पुनंतु सर्वेषां चराचरनिवासिनाम्॥ तदा स्त्रियः समाहूय बृहस्पतिरुवाच ह

āpaḥ punaṃtu sarveṣāṃ carācaranivāsinām|| tadā striyaḥ samāhūya bṛhaspatiruvāca ha

"Let the waters ever purify all beings, moving and unmoving." Then Brihaspati summoned the women and said —

Verse 38 (skanda.1.16.38)

अद्यैव ग्राह्ये हत्यांशः सर्वकार्यार्थसिद्धये॥ निशम्य तद्गुरोर्वाक्यमूचुः सर्वाश्चयोपितः

adyaiva grāhye hatyāṃśaḥ sarvakāryārthasiddhaye|| niśamya tadgurorvākyamūcuḥ sarvāścayopitaḥ

"Today you too must accept a share of this killing, for the fulfilment of all our purpose." Hearing the guru's words, all the women said —

Verse 39 (skanda.1.16.39)

पापमाचरते योषा तेन पापेन नान्यथा॥ लिप्यंते बहवः पक्षा इति वेदानुशासनम्

pāpamācarate yoṣā tena pāpena nānyathā|| lipyaṃte bahavaḥ pakṣā iti vedānuśāsanam

"When a woman commits a sin, it is by that sin alone — and by no other — that many of her kin also become tainted; such is the teaching of the Veda."

Verse 40 (skanda.1.16.40)

श्रुतमस्ति न ते किंचिद्धेपुरोधो विमृश्यताम्॥ योषिद्भिः प्रोच्यमानोऽपि उवाचाथ बृहस्पतिः

śrutamasti na te kiṃciddhepurodho vimṛśyatām|| yoṣidbhiḥ procyamāno'pi uvācātha bṛhaspatiḥ

"Have you not heard this? O priest, consider it well." Thus addressed by the women, Brihaspati said —

Verse 41 (skanda.1.16.41)

मा भयं क्रियतां सर्वाः पापादस्मात्सुलोचनाः॥ भविष्याणां तथान्येषां भविष्यति फलप्रदः॥ हत्यांशो यो हि सर्वासां यथाकामित्वमेव च

mā bhayaṃ kriyatāṃ sarvāḥ pāpādasmātsulocanāḥ|| bhaviṣyāṇāṃ tathānyeṣāṃ bhaviṣyati phalapradaḥ|| hatyāṃśo yo hi sarvāsāṃ yathākāmitvameva ca

"O lovely-eyed ones, be not afraid of this sin; it shall prove fruitful for you and for women yet to come as well — this share of the killing shall remain with all of you, appearing as you will, in its season."

Verse 42 (skanda.1.16.42)

एवमंशाश्च त्यायाश्चत्वारः कल्पिताः सुरैः॥ निवासमकरोत्सद्यस्तेषुतेषु द्विजोत्तमाः

evamaṃśāśca tyāyāścatvāraḥ kalpitāḥ suraiḥ|| nivāsamakarotsadyasteṣuteṣu dvijottamāḥ

Thus the gods conceived of four shares; O best of brahmins, that sin at once took up its dwelling in each of them.

Verse 43 (skanda.1.16.43)

निष्पापो हि तदा जातो महेंद्रो ह्यभिषेचितः॥ देवपुर्यां सुरगणैस्तथैव ऋषभिः सह

niṣpāpo hi tadā jāto maheṃdro hyabhiṣecitaḥ|| devapuryāṃ suragaṇaistathaiva ṛṣabhiḥ saha

Then, freed of sin, Mahendra was anointed in the city of the gods, together with the hosts of gods and sages.

Verse 44 (skanda.1.16.44)

शच्या समेतो हि तदा पुरंदरो बभूव विश्वाधिपतिर्महात्मा॥ देवैः समेतो हि महानुभावैर्मुनीश्वरैः सिद्धगणैस्तदानीम्

śacyā sameto hi tadā puraṃdaro babhūva viśvādhipatirmahātmā|| devaiḥ sameto hi mahānubhāvairmunīśvaraiḥ siddhagaṇaistadānīm

Together with Shachi, the great-souled Purandara then became the lord of the whole universe; at that time, together with the most noble gods, the foremost of sages and the hosts of siddhas —

Verse 45 (skanda.1.16.45)

तदाग्नयः शोभना वायवश्च सर्वे ग्रहाः सुप्रभाः शांतियुक्ताः॥ जाताः सद्यः पृथिवी शोभमाना तथाद्रयो मणिप्रभवा बभूवुः

tadāgnayaḥ śobhanā vāyavaśca sarve grahāḥ suprabhāḥ śāṃtiyuktāḥ|| jātāḥ sadyaḥ pṛthivī śobhamānā tathādrayo maṇiprabhavā babhūvuḥ

then fire grew beautiful, the winds and all the planets grew radiant and full of peace; the earth at once became lovely, and the mountains shone with the splendour of gems.

Verse 46 (skanda.1.16.46)

प्रसन्नानि तथा ह्यासन्मनांसि च मनस्विनाम्

prasannāni tathā hyāsanmanāṃsi ca manasvinām

The hearts of all noble-minded beings too grew glad.

Verse 47 (skanda.1.16.47)

नद्यश्चामृतवाहिन्यो वृक्षा ह्यासन्सदाफलाः॥ अकृष्टपच्यौषधयो बभूवुश्चमृतोपमाः

nadyaścāmṛtavāhinyo vṛkṣā hyāsansadāphalāḥ|| akṛṣṭapacyauṣadhayo babhūvuścamṛtopamāḥ

Rivers flowed with nectar, trees became laden with fruit at every season; herbs that ripened without tilling became like ambrosia.

Verse 48 (skanda.1.16.48)

ऐकपद्येन सर्वेषामिंद्रलोकनिवासिनाम्॥ बभूव परमोत्साहो महामोदकरस्तथा

aikapadyena sarveṣāmiṃdralokanivāsinām|| babhūva paramotsāho mahāmodakarastathā

Among all the dwellers of Indra's world, together, as one, there arose the greatest zeal and profound joy.

Verse 49 (skanda.1.16.49)

॥लोमश उवाच॥ एतस्मिन्नंतरे त्वष्टा दृष्ट्वा चेंद्रमहोत्सवम्॥ बभूव रुषि तोऽतीव पुत्रशोकप्रपीडितः

||lomaśa uvāca|| etasminnaṃtare tvaṣṭā dṛṣṭvā ceṃdramahotsavam|| babhūva ruṣi to'tīva putraśokaprapīḍitaḥ

Lomasha said: In the meantime, Tvashta, seeing this great festival of Indra's, was overcome with grief for his son and filled with fury.

Verse 50 (skanda.1.16.50)

जगाम निर्वेदपरस्तपस्तप्तुं सुदारुणम्॥ तपसा तेन संतुष्टो ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः

jagāma nirvedaparastapastaptuṃ sudāruṇam|| tapasā tena saṃtuṣṭo brahmā lokapitāmahaḥ

Filled with detachment, he went forth to perform the most severe austerities; and pleased by that austerity, Brahma, grandsire of the worlds —

Verse 51 (skanda.1.16.51)

त्वष्टारमब्रवीत्तुष्टो वरं वरय सुव्रत॥ तदा वव्रे वरं त्वष्टा सर्वलोकभयावहम्॥ वरं पुत्रो हि दात्वोय देवानां हि भयावहः

tvaṣṭāramabravīttuṣṭo varaṃ varaya suvrata|| tadā vavre varaṃ tvaṣṭā sarvalokabhayāvaham|| varaṃ putro hi dātvoya devānāṃ hi bhayāvahaḥ

being pleased, said to Tvashta: "O one of good vows, ask for a boon." Then Tvashta asked for a boon that would strike terror into every world: "Grant me a son who shall be a terror to the gods."

Verse 52 (skanda.1.16.52)

तथेति च वरो दत्तो ब्रह्मणा परमेष्ठिना॥ वरदानात्सद्य एव बभूव पुरुषस्तदा

tatheti ca varo datto brahmaṇā parameṣṭhinā|| varadānātsadya eva babhūva puruṣastadā

"So be it," said Brahma, lord of all, and granted him that boon; and by that very boon a being was born at once.

Verse 53 (skanda.1.16.53)

वृत्रनामांकितस्तत्र दैत्यो हि परमाद्भुतः॥ धनुषां शतमात्रं हि प्रत्यहं ववृधेऽसुरः

vṛtranāmāṃkitastatra daityo hi paramādbhutaḥ|| dhanuṣāṃ śatamātraṃ hi pratyahaṃ vavṛdhe'suraḥ

There was born a most wondrous daitya named Vritra, and that asura grew by the length of a hundred bows each day.

Verse 54 (skanda.1.16.54)

पातालान्निर्गता दैत्या ये पुराऽमृतमंथने॥ घातिताः सुरसंघैश्च भृगुणा जीवितास्त्वरात्

pātālānnirgatā daityā ye purā'mṛtamaṃthane|| ghātitāḥ surasaṃghaiśca bhṛguṇā jīvitāstvarāt

Those daityas who had earlier emerged from the netherworld, and who had been slain by the assembled gods at the time of the churning for the nectar, had been swiftly revived by Shukracharya —

Verse 55 (skanda.1.16.55)

सर्वं महीतलं व्याप्तं तेनैकेन महात्मना

sarvaṃ mahītalaṃ vyāptaṃ tenaikena mahātmanā

that great-souled Vritra alone spread across the entire surface of the earth.

Verse 56 (skanda.1.16.56)

तदा सर्वेऽपि ऋषयो वध्यमानास्तपस्विनः॥ ब्रह्माणं त्वरिताः सर्वे ऊचुर्व्यसनमागतम्

tadā sarve'pi ṛṣayo vadhyamānāstapasvinaḥ|| brahmāṇaṃ tvaritāḥ sarve ūcurvyasanamāgatam

Then all the ascetic sages, who were being slain, went at once to Brahma and told him of the calamity that had befallen them.

Verse 57 (skanda.1.16.57)

तथा चेंद्रादयो देवा गंधर्वाः समरुद्गणाः॥ ब्रह्मणा कथितं सर्वं त्वष्टुश्चैतच्चिकीर्षितम्

tathā ceṃdrādayo devā gaṃdharvāḥ samarudgaṇāḥ|| brahmaṇā kathitaṃ sarvaṃ tvaṣṭuścaitaccikīrṣitam

Likewise Indra and the other gods, the gandharvas and the host of Maruts arrived there as well; and Brahma told them all of Tvashta's intent —

Verse 58 (skanda.1.16.58)

भवद्वधार्थं जनितस्तपसा परमेण तु॥ वृत्त्रोनाम महातेजाः सर्वदैत्यापिधो महान्

bhavadvadhārthaṃ janitastapasā parameṇa tu|| vṛttronāma mahātejāḥ sarvadaityāpidho mahān

"This being, born through the supreme austerity, exists only for your destruction — the mighty, most radiant Vritra, who overshadows all the daityas."

Verse 59 (skanda.1.16.59)

तथापि यत्नः क्रियतां यथा वध्यो भवेदसौ॥ निशम्य ब्रह्मणो वाक्यमूचुर्द्देवाः सवासवाः

tathāpi yatnaḥ kriyatāṃ yathā vadhyo bhavedasau|| niśamya brahmaṇo vākyamūcurddevāḥ savāsavāḥ

"Even so, effort must be made, so that he may indeed be slain." Hearing Brahma's words, all the gods, with Vasava at their head, said —

Verse 60 (skanda.1.16.60)

॥ देवा ऊचुः॥ यदा इंद्रो हि हत्याया विमुक्तः स्थापितो दिवि॥ तदास्माभिरकार्यं वै कृतमस्ति दुरासदम्

|| devā ūcuḥ|| yadā iṃdro hi hatyāyā vimuktaḥ sthāpito divi|| tadāsmābhirakāryaṃ vai kṛtamasti durāsadam

The gods said: "When Indra was freed from the killing of a brahmin and re-established in heaven, at that very time we did something exceedingly difficult to undo."

Verse 61 (skanda.1.16.61)

शस्त्राण्यस्त्राण्यनेकानि संक्षिप्तानि ह्यबुद्धितः॥ दधीच स्याश्रमे ब्रह्मन्किं कार्यं करवामहे

śastrāṇyastrāṇyanekāni saṃkṣiptāni hyabuddhitaḥ|| dadhīca syāśrame brahmankiṃ kāryaṃ karavāmahe

"Out of thoughtlessness, we deposited many weapons and missiles at the hermitage of Dadhichi; O Brahma, what should we now do?"

Verse 62 (skanda.1.16.62)

तच्छ्रुत्वा प्रहसन्वाक्यं देवान्ब्रह्मा तदाऽब्रवीत्॥ चिरं स्थितानि विज्ञायागच्छध्वं तानि वै सुराः

tacchrutvā prahasanvākyaṃ devānbrahmā tadā'bravīt|| ciraṃ sthitāni vijñāyāgacchadhvaṃ tāni vai surāḥ

Hearing this, Brahma laughed and said to the gods: "Knowing that those weapons have lain there a long while, go there now, O gods."

Verse 63 (skanda.1.16.63)

गत्वा देवास्तदा सर्वे नापश्यन्स्वं स्वमायुधम्॥ पप्रच्छुश्च दधीचिं ते सोऽवादीन्नैव वेद्भयहम्

gatvā devāstadā sarve nāpaśyansvaṃ svamāyudham|| papracchuśca dadhīciṃ te so'vādīnnaiva vedbhayaham

Going there, none of the gods could find his own weapon; then they asked Dadhichi, who said: "I know nothing at all of this."

Verse 64 (skanda.1.16.64)

पुनर्ब्रह्माणमागात्य ऊचुः सर्वे मुनेर्वचः

punarbrahmāṇamāgātya ūcuḥ sarve munervacaḥ

Then all of them returned once more to Brahma and told him what the sage had said.

Verse 65 (skanda.1.16.65)

ब्रह्मोवाच तदा देवान्सर्वेषां कार्यसिद्धये॥ तस्यास्थीन्येव याचध्वं प्रदास्यति न संशयः

brahmovāca tadā devānsarveṣāṃ kāryasiddhaye|| tasyāsthīnyeva yācadhvaṃ pradāsyati na saṃśayaḥ

Brahma then said to the gods: "For the fulfilment of everyone's purpose, ask him for his very bones; he will surely give them, there is no doubt of this."

Verse 66 (skanda.1.16.66)

तच्छ्रुत्वा ब्राह्मणो वाक्यं शक्रो वचनमब्रवीत्

tacchrutvā brāhmaṇo vākyaṃ śakro vacanamabravīt

Hearing that word of the divine one, Shakra spoke thus —

Verse 67 (skanda.1.16.67)

विश्वरूपो हतो देव देवानां कार्यसिद्धये॥ एक एव तदा ब्रह्मन्पापिष्ठोऽहं कृतः सुरैः

viśvarūpo hato deva devānāṃ kāryasiddhaye|| eka eva tadā brahmanpāpiṣṭho'haṃ kṛtaḥ suraiḥ

"O god, Vishvarupa was slain solely for the fulfilment of the gods' purpose; O Brahma, for that one deed alone the gods made me into the greatest of sinners."

Verse 68 (skanda.1.16.68)

तथा पुरोधसा चैव निःश्रीकस्तत्क्षणात्कृतः॥ दिष्ट्या परमया चाहं प्रविष्टो निजमंदिरम्

tathā purodhasā caiva niḥśrīkastatkṣaṇātkṛtaḥ|| diṣṭyā paramayā cāhaṃ praviṣṭo nijamaṃdiram

"And by that very priest's own act I was, at that instant, stripped of my glory; it was only by the greatest good fortune that I could enter my own dwelling once more."

Verse 69 (skanda.1.16.69)

दधीचं घातयित्वा वै तस्यास्थीनि बहून्यपि॥ अस्त्राणि तानि भगवन्कृतानि ह्यशुभानि वै

dadhīcaṃ ghātayitvā vai tasyāsthīni bahūnyapi|| astrāṇi tāni bhagavankṛtāni hyaśubhāni vai

"And now you say, O lord, that Dadhichi must be put to death, and that from his many bones those ill-omened weapons should be made."

Verse 70 (skanda.1.16.70)

त्वष्ट्रा हि जनितो यो वै वृत्रो नामैष दैत्यराट्॥ कथं तं घातयाम्येवं सततं पापभीरुणा॥ शक्रेणोक्तं निशम्याथ ब्रह्मा वाक्यमुवाच ह

tvaṣṭrā hi janito yo vai vṛtro nāmaiṣa daityarāṭ|| kathaṃ taṃ ghātayāmyevaṃ satataṃ pāpabhīruṇā|| śakreṇoktaṃ niśamyātha brahmā vākyamuvāca ha

"He who was born of Tvashta is known as the daitya-king Vritra; how, then, can I, who have ever dreaded sin, bring myself to slay Dadhichi in order to kill him?" Hearing Shakra's words, Brahma said —

Verse 71 (skanda.1.16.71)

अर्थशास्त्रपरेणैव विधिना तमबोधयत्॥ आततायिनमायांतं ब्राह्मणं वा तपस्विनम्॥ हंतुकामं जिघांसीयान्न तेन ब्रह्महा भवेत्

arthaśāstrapareṇaiva vidhinā tamabodhayat|| ātatāyinamāyāṃtaṃ brāhmaṇaṃ vā tapasvinam|| haṃtukāmaṃ jighāṃsīyānna tena brahmahā bhavet

He instructed him according to the rule laid down in the science of statecraft: "One who comes as an aggressor, or a brahmin or ascetic who comes intending to kill, may be slain by another without that act becoming the killing of a brahmin."

Verse 72 (skanda.1.16.72)

॥इन्द्र उवाच॥ दधीचस्य वधाद्ब्रह्मन्नहं भीतो न संशयः॥ तस्माद्ब्रह्मवधात्सत्यं महदेनो भविष्यति

||indra uvāca|| dadhīcasya vadhādbrahmannahaṃ bhīto na saṃśayaḥ|| tasmādbrahmavadhātsatyaṃ mahadeno bhaviṣyati

Indra said: "O Brahma, I fear the killing of Dadhichi, of this there is no doubt; from the killing of a brahmin great sin will surely arise."

Verse 73 (skanda.1.16.73)

अतो न कार्यमस्माभिर्ब्राह्मणानां तु हेलनम्॥ हेलनाद्बहवो दोषा भविष्यंति न चान्यथा

ato na kāryamasmābhirbrāhmaṇānāṃ tu helanam|| helanādbahavo doṣā bhaviṣyaṃti na cānyathā

"Therefore we should not show contempt to brahmins; from such contempt many faults arise, and not otherwise."

Verse 74 (skanda.1.16.74)

अदृष्टं परमं धर्म्यं विधिना परमेण हि॥ कर्तव्यं मनसा चैवं पुरुषेण विजानता

adṛṣṭaṃ paramaṃ dharmyaṃ vidhinā parameṇa hi|| kartavyaṃ manasā caivaṃ puruṣeṇa vijānatā

"A man of true understanding should devote his mind, according to the highest rule, only to that supreme dharma-act whose fruit is unseen, in the world beyond."

Verse 75 (skanda.1.16.75)

निःस्पृहं तस्य तद्वाक्यं श्रुत्वा ब्रह्मा ह्युवाच तम्॥ शक्रस्वबुद्ध्यावर्तस्व दधीचिं गच्छ सत्वरम्

niḥspṛhaṃ tasya tadvākyaṃ śrutvā brahmā hyuvāca tam|| śakrasvabuddhyāvartasva dadhīciṃ gaccha satvaram

Hearing his selfless words, Brahma said to him: "O Shakra, set aside this scruple of yours; go quickly to Dadhichi."

Verse 76 (skanda.1.16.76)

याचस्व तस्य चास्थीनि दधीचेः कार्यगौरवात्॥ गुरुणा सहितः शक्रो देवैः सह समन्वितः

yācasva tasya cāsthīni dadhīceḥ kāryagauravāt|| guruṇā sahitaḥ śakro devaiḥ saha samanvitaḥ

"In view of the gravity of the task, ask him for his own bones — make this request of Dadhichi." Then Shakra, together with his guru and joined by the gods —

Verse 77 (skanda.1.16.77)

तथेति गत्वा ते सर्वे दधीचस्याश्रमं शुभम्॥ नानासत्त्वसमायुक्तं वैरबावविवर्जितम्

tatheti gatvā te sarve dadhīcasyāśramaṃ śubham|| nānāsattvasamāyuktaṃ vairabāvavivarjitam

"So be it" — saying this, they all went toward Dadhichi's blessed hermitage, filled with creatures of every kind, and utterly free of enmity.

Verse 78 (skanda.1.16.78)

मार्जारमूषकाश्चैव परस्परमुदान्विताः॥ ऐकपद्येन सिंहाश्च गजिन्यः कलभैः सह

mārjāramūṣakāścaiva parasparamudānvitāḥ|| aikapadyena siṃhāśca gajinyaḥ kalabhaiḥ saha

There cats and mice lived together happily; lions and she-elephants with their young, in the very same place —

Verse 79 (skanda.1.16.79)

तथा जात्यश्च विविधाः क्रीडायुक्ताः परस्परम्॥ नकुलैः सह सर्पाश्च क्रीडायुक्ताः परस्परम्

tathā jātyaśca vividhāḥ krīḍāyuktāḥ parasparam|| nakulaiḥ saha sarpāśca krīḍāyuktāḥ parasparam

and likewise creatures of every kind sported together; even mongooses and serpents played there with one another.

Verse 80 (skanda.1.16.80)

एवंविधान्यनेकानि ह्यश्चर्याणि तदाश्रमे॥ पश्यंतो विबुधाः सर्वे विस्मयं परमं ययुः

evaṃvidhānyanekāni hyaścaryāṇi tadāśrame|| paśyaṃto vibudhāḥ sarve vismayaṃ paramaṃ yayuḥ

Beholding many such wonders in that hermitage, all the learned gods were filled with the greatest astonishment.

Verse 81 (skanda.1.16.81)

अथासने मुनिश्रेष्ठं ददृशुः परमास्थितम्॥ तेजसा परमेणैव भ्राजमानं यथा रविम्

athāsane muniśreṣṭhaṃ dadṛśuḥ paramāsthitam|| tejasā parameṇaiva bhrājamānaṃ yathā ravim

Then they beheld that foremost of sages seated upon his seat, blazing with supreme radiance like the sun.

Verse 82 (skanda.1.16.82)

विभावसुं द्वितीयं वा सुवर्चसहितं तदा॥ यथा ब्रह्मा हि सावित्र्या तथासौ मुनिसत्तमः

vibhāvasuṃ dvitīyaṃ vā suvarcasahitaṃ tadā|| yathā brahmā hi sāvitryā tathāsau munisattamaḥ

As though he were Vibhavasu, fire itself, or a second Brahma joined with his own splendour, as Brahma is joined with Savitri, so that foremost of sages shone, seated with his wife.

Verse 83 (skanda.1.16.83)

तं प्रणम्य ततो देवा वचनं चेदमब्रुवन्॥ त्वं दाता त्रिषु लोकेषु त्वत्सकाशमिहगताः

taṃ praṇamya tato devā vacanaṃ cedamabruvan|| tvaṃ dātā triṣu lokeṣu tvatsakāśamihagatāḥ

Bowing to him, the gods then spoke these words: "You are the giver in all three worlds; it is to you alone that we have come here."

Verse 84 (skanda.1.16.84)

निशम्य वचनं तेषां देवानां भुनिरब्रवीत्॥ किमर्थ मागताः सर्वे वदध्वं तत्सुरोत्तमाः

niśamya vacanaṃ teṣāṃ devānāṃ bhunirabravīt|| kimartha māgatāḥ sarve vadadhvaṃ tatsurottamāḥ

Hearing their words, the sage said: "For what reason have you all come? Tell me, O foremost of gods."

Verse 85 (skanda.1.16.85)

प्रयच्छामि न संदेहो नान्यथा मम भाषितम्॥ तदोचुः सहिताः सर्वे दधीचिं स्वार्थकामुकाः

prayacchāmi na saṃdeho nānyathā mama bhāṣitam|| tadocuḥ sahitāḥ sarve dadhīciṃ svārthakāmukāḥ

"I shall surely give you what you seek — of this there is no doubt, my word shall not prove otherwise." Then all of them, moved by their own self-interest, said to Dadhichi —

Verse 86 (skanda.1.16.86)

भयभीता वयं विप्र भवद्दर्शनकांक्षिणः॥ त्रातारं त्वां समाकर्ण्य ब्रह्मणा नोदिता वयम्

bhayabhītā vayaṃ vipra bhavaddarśanakāṃkṣiṇaḥ|| trātāraṃ tvāṃ samākarṇya brahmaṇā noditā vayam

"O brahmin, we have come here in fear, longing for your very sight; knowing you to be our protector, urged on by Brahma, we have come here."

Verse 87 (skanda.1.16.87)

सम्प्राप्ता विद्धि तत्सर्वं दातुमर्होऽथ सुव्रत

samprāptā viddhi tatsarvaṃ dātumarho'tha suvrata

"Know that we have come here as those rightfully entitled to receive that gift; O one of good vows, you alone are worthy to give it."

Verse 88 (skanda.1.16.88)

निशम्य वचनं तेषां किं दातव्यं तदुच्यताम्

niśamya vacanaṃ teṣāṃ kiṃ dātavyaṃ taducyatām

Hearing their words, he said: "Tell me, then, what it is I must give."

Verse 89 (skanda.1.16.89)

ततो देवाब्रुवन्विप्र दैत्यानां निधनायनः॥ शस्त्रनिर्माणकार्यार्थं तवास्थीनि प्रयच्छ वै

tato devābruvanvipra daityānāṃ nidhanāyanaḥ|| śastranirmāṇakāryārthaṃ tavāsthīni prayaccha vai

Then the gods said: "O brahmin, for the destruction of the daityas, for the making of weapons, grant us your very bones."

Verse 90 (skanda.1.16.90)

प्रहस्योवाच विप्रर्षिस्तिष्ठध्वं क्षणमेव हि॥ स्वयमेव त्वहं देवास्त्यक्ष्याम्यद्य कलेवरम्

prahasyovāca viprarṣistiṣṭhadhvaṃ kṣaṇameva hi|| svayameva tvahaṃ devāstyakṣyāmyadya kalevaram

Hearing this, the brahmin-sage smiled and said: "Wait but a moment, all of you; O gods, I myself shall this very day give up my body."

Verse 91 (skanda.1.16.91)

इत्युक्त्वा तानथो पत्नीं समाहूय सुवर्चसम्॥ प्रोवाच स महातेजाः श्रृणु देवी शुचिस्मिते

ityuktvā tānatho patnīṃ samāhūya suvarcasam|| provāca sa mahātejāḥ śrṛṇu devī śucismite

Having said this, he called his radiant wife to him; and that most radiant sage said: "Listen, O goddess of the pure smile —"

Verse 92 (skanda.1.16.92)

अस्थ्यर्थं याचितो देवैस्त्यजाम्येतत्कलेवरम्॥ ब्रह्मलोकं व्रजाम्यद्य परमेण समाधिना

asthyarthaṃ yācito devaistyajāmyetatkalevaram|| brahmalokaṃ vrajāmyadya parameṇa samādhinā

"Being asked by the gods for my bones, I now give up this body; through the highest samadhi I shall go this very day to Brahmaloka."

Verse 93 (skanda.1.16.93)

मयि याते ब्रह्मलोकं त्वं स्वधर्मेण तत्र माम्॥ प्राप्स्यस्येव न संदेहो वृथा चिन्तां च मा कृथाः

mayi yāte brahmalokaṃ tvaṃ svadharmeṇa tatra mām|| prāpsyasyeva na saṃdeho vṛthā cintāṃ ca mā kṛthāḥ

"When I have gone to Brahmaloka, you too, through your own dharma, shall attain me there without fail — do not grieve in vain."

Verse 94 (skanda.1.16.94)

इत्युक्त्वा तां स्वपत्नीं स प्रेषयामास चाश्रमम्॥ ततो देवाग्रतो विप्रः समाधिमगमत्तदा

ityuktvā tāṃ svapatnīṃ sa preṣayāmāsa cāśramam|| tato devāgrato vipraḥ samādhimagamattadā

Having said this, he sent his wife back to the hermitage; and then, in the very presence of the gods, that brahmin entered into samadhi.

Verse 95 (skanda.1.16.95)

समाधिना परेणैव विसृज्य स्वं कलेवरम्॥ ब्रह्मलोकं गतः सद्यः पुनर्नावर्तते यतः

samādhinā pareṇaiva visṛjya svaṃ kalevaram|| brahmalokaṃ gataḥ sadyaḥ punarnāvartate yataḥ

Through that supreme samadhi, giving up his own body, he went at once to Brahmaloka, from whence there is no returning.

Verse 96 (skanda.1.16.96)

दधीचिनामा मुनिवृंदवर्यः शिवप्रियः शिवदीक्षाभियुक्तः॥ परोपकारार्थमिदं कलेवरं शीघ्रं स विप्रोऽत्यजदात्मना तदा

dadhīcināmā munivṛṃdavaryaḥ śivapriyaḥ śivadīkṣābhiyuktaḥ|| paropakārārthamidaṃ kalevaraṃ śīghraṃ sa vipro'tyajadātmanā tadā

That foremost of sages, named Dadhichi, beloved of Shiva and initiated into Shiva's own discipline, gave up his body then, swiftly, and by his own will, for the sake of others' good alone.