The Slaying of Vritrasura

Verse 1 (skanda.1.17.1)

॥लोमश उवाच॥ ततः सर्वे सुरगणा दृष्ट्वा तं विलयं गतम्॥ चिंतयंतः सुरगणाः कथं च विदधामहे

||lomaśa uvāca|| tataḥ sarve suragaṇā dṛṣṭvā taṃ vilayaṃ gatam|| ciṃtayaṃtaḥ suragaṇāḥ kathaṃ ca vidadhāmahe

Lomasha said: Then, seeing Dadhichi gone to his end, all the hosts of gods fell into anxious thought, wondering: "What shall we do now?"

Verse 2 (skanda.1.17.2)

सुरभिं चाह्वयित्वाथ तदोवाच शचीपतिः॥ कलेवरं दधीचस्य लिह्यास्त्वं वचनान्मम

surabhiṃ cāhvayitvātha tadovāca śacīpatiḥ|| kalevaraṃ dadhīcasya lihyāstvaṃ vacanānmama

Then Indra summoned the divine cow Surabhi and said to her: "At my bidding, lick clean the body of Dadhichi."

Verse 3 (skanda.1.17.3)

तथेति च वचोमत्वा तत्क्षणादेव लिह्य तत्॥ निर्मांसं च कृतं सद्यस्तया धेन्वा कलेवरम्

tatheti ca vacomatvā tatkṣaṇādeva lihya tat|| nirmāṃsaṃ ca kṛtaṃ sadyastayā dhenvā kalevaram

Saying "so be it," the cow at once licked the body, and in that very moment stripped it clean of flesh.

Verse 4 (skanda.1.17.4)

जगृहुस्तानि चास्थीनि चक्रुः शस्त्राणि वै सुराः॥ तस्य वंशोद्भवं वज्रं शिरो ब्रह्मशिरस्तथा

jagṛhustāni cāsthīni cakruḥ śastrāṇi vai surāḥ|| tasya vaṃśodbhavaṃ vajraṃ śiro brahmaśirastathā

The gods then gathered those bones and fashioned weapons from them: from his spine they made the thunderbolt, and from his skull the Brahmashira weapon.

Verse 5 (skanda.1.17.5)

अन्यानि चास्थीनि बहूनि तस्य ऋषेस्तदानीं जगृहुः सुराश्च॥ तथा शिराजालमयांश्च पाशांश्चक्रुः सुरा वैरयुताश्च दैत्यान्

anyāni cāsthīni bahūni tasya ṛṣestadānīṃ jagṛhuḥ surāśca|| tathā śirājālamayāṃśca pāśāṃścakruḥ surā vairayutāśca daityān

The gods also gathered many of the sage's other bones, and from the network of his sinews they wove nooses; thus, filled with enmity, they prepared themselves against the daityas.

Verse 6 (skanda.1.17.6)

शस्त्राणि कृत्वा ते सर्वे महाबलपराक्रमाः॥ ययुर्देवातस्त्वरायुक्ता वृत्रघातनतत्पराः

śastrāṇi kṛtvā te sarve mahābalaparākramāḥ|| yayurdevātastvarāyuktā vṛtraghātanatatparāḥ

Having made their weapons, all those gods of great strength and valour set out in haste, intent upon slaying Vritra.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.17.7)

ततः सुवर्च्चाश्च दधीचिपत्नी या प्रेषिता सा सुरकार्यसिद्धये॥ व्यलोकयत्तत्र समेत्य सर्वं मृतं पतिं देहमथो ददर्शतम्

tataḥ suvarccāśca dadhīcipatnī yā preṣitā sā surakāryasiddhaye|| vyalokayattatra sametya sarvaṃ mṛtaṃ patiṃ dehamatho dadarśatam

Meanwhile Suvarcha, Dadhichi's wife, who had been sent away for the fulfilment of the gods' purpose, now came there, and she beheld it all — she saw the lifeless body of her husband.

Verse 8 (skanda.1.17.8)

ज्ञात्वा च तत्सर्वमिदं सुराणां कृत्यं तदानीं च चुकोप साध्वी॥ ददौ सती शापमतीव रुष्टा तदा सुवर्चा ऋषिवर्यपत्नी

jñātvā ca tatsarvamidaṃ surāṇāṃ kṛtyaṃ tadānīṃ ca cukopa sādhvī|| dadau satī śāpamatīva ruṣṭā tadā suvarcā ṛṣivaryapatnī

Realising that all this was the doing of the gods, that virtuous woman grew furious; and Suvarcha, wife of that foremost sage, in her great wrath, pronounced a curse.

Verse 9 (skanda.1.17.9)

अहो सुरा दुष्टतराश्च सर्वे सर्वे ह्यशक्ताश्च तथैव लुब्धाः॥ तस्माच्च सर्वेऽप्रजसो भवंतु दिवौकसोऽद्यप्रभृतित्युवाच सा

aho surā duṣṭatarāśca sarve sarve hyaśaktāśca tathaiva lubdhāḥ|| tasmācca sarve'prajaso bhavaṃtu divaukaso'dyaprabhṛtityuvāca sā

"Ah, these gods are all utterly wicked, powerless, and greedy alike! Therefore, from this day, let all the dwellers of heaven be without offspring" — so she declared.

Verse 10 (skanda.1.17.10)

एव शापं ददौ तेषां सुराणां सा तपस्विनी॥ प्रवीश्याश्वत्थमूले सा स्वोदरं दारयत्तदा

eva śāpaṃ dadau teṣāṃ surāṇāṃ sā tapasvinī|| pravīśyāśvatthamūle sā svodaraṃ dārayattadā

Having thus cursed the gods, that ascetic woman went to the root of a peepal tree and there tore open her own womb.

Verse 11 (skanda.1.17.11)

निर्गतो जठराद्गर्भो दधीचस्य महात्मनः॥ साक्षाद्रुद्रावतारोऽसौ पिप्लादो महाप्रभः

nirgato jaṭharādgarbho dadhīcasya mahātmanaḥ|| sākṣādrudrāvatāro'sau piplādo mahāprabhaḥ

From her womb there came forth the child of the great-souled Dadhichi — none other than an incarnation of Rudra himself, the radiant Pippalada.

Verse 12 (skanda.1.17.12)

प्रहस्य जननी गर्भमुवाच रुषितेक्षणा॥ सुवर्चा तं पिप्पलादं चिरं तिष्ठास्य सन्निधौ

prahasya jananī garbhamuvāca ruṣitekṣaṇā|| suvarcā taṃ pippalādaṃ ciraṃ tiṣṭhāsya sannidhau

Smiling even in her fury, the mother Suvarcha said to that Pippalada: "May you dwell here, near this peepal tree, for a long age."

Verse 13 (skanda.1.17.13)

अश्वत्थस्य महाभाग सर्वेषां सफलो भवेः॥ तथैव भाषमाणा सा सुवर्चा तनयं प्रति॥ पतिमन्वगमत्साध्वी परमेण समाधिना

aśvatthasya mahābhāga sarveṣāṃ saphalo bhaveḥ|| tathaiva bhāṣamāṇā sā suvarcā tanayaṃ prati|| patimanvagamatsādhvī parameṇa samādhinā

"O most blessed one, dwelling by this peepal, may you bring fruit to all who come" — having spoken thus to her son, that virtuous Suvarcha, through deep meditation, followed her husband to the world beyond.

Verse 14 (skanda.1.17.14)

एवं दधीचपत्नी सा पतिना स्वर्गमाव्रजत्

evaṃ dadhīcapatnī sā patinā svargamāvrajat

Thus did Dadhichi's wife journey to heaven together with her husband.

Verse 15 (skanda.1.17.15)

ते देवाः कृतशस्त्रास्त्रा दैत्यान्प्रति समुत्सुकाः॥ आजग्मुश्चेंद्रमुख्यास्ते महाबलपराक्रमाः

te devāḥ kṛtaśastrāstrā daityānprati samutsukāḥ|| ājagmuśceṃdramukhyāste mahābalaparākramāḥ

Armed now with their weapons, those mighty and valiant gods, eager to move against the daityas, came there with Indra at their head.

Verse 16 (skanda.1.17.16)

गुरुं पुरस्कृत्य तदाज्ञया ते गणाः सुराणां बहवस्तदानीम्॥ भुवं समागत्य च मध्यदेशमूचुश्च सर्वे परमास्त्रयुक्ताः

guruṃ puraskṛtya tadājñayā te gaṇāḥ surāṇāṃ bahavastadānīm|| bhuvaṃ samāgatya ca madhyadeśamūcuśca sarve paramāstrayuktāḥ

Placing their preceptor Brihaspati at their head, and at his command, the many hosts of gods came down to earth, to the Madhyadesha, all of them armed with the mightiest of weapons.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.17.17)

समागतानुपसृत्य देवांश्चेंद्रपुरोगमान्॥ ययौ वृत्रो महादैत्यो दैत्यवृन्दसमावृतः

samāgatānupasṛtya devāṃśceṃdrapurogamān|| yayau vṛtro mahādaityo daityavṛndasamāvṛtaḥ

Approaching those assembled gods, led by Indra, came the great daitya Vritra, surrounded by hosts of demons.

Verse 18 (skanda.1.17.18)

यथा मेरोश्च शिखरं परिपूर्णं प्रदृश्यते॥ तथा सोऽपि महातेजा विश्वकर्म्मसुतो महान्

yathā merośca śikharaṃ paripūrṇaṃ pradṛśyate|| tathā so'pi mahātejā viśvakarmmasuto mahān

As the peak of Mount Meru appears in its full grandeur, so too did that great and radiant son of Vishvakarma appear before them.

Verse 19 (skanda.1.17.19)

तेन दृष्टो महेन्द्रश्च महेंद्रेण महासुरः॥ देवानां दानवानां च दर्शनं च महाद्भुतम्

tena dṛṣṭo mahendraśca maheṃdreṇa mahāsuraḥ|| devānāṃ dānavānāṃ ca darśanaṃ ca mahādbhutam

He beheld the great Indra, and Indra beheld that mighty asura; most wondrous indeed was that meeting of the eyes of gods and demons.

Verse 20 (skanda.1.17.20)

तदा ते बद्धवैराश्च देवदैत्याः परस्परम्॥ अन्योन्यमभिसंरब्धा जगर्जुः परमाद्भुतम्

tadā te baddhavairāśca devadaityāḥ parasparam|| anyonyamabhisaṃrabdhā jagarjuḥ paramādbhutam

Then, bound by their mutual enmity, the gods and demons, enraged against one another, let out a most tremendous roar.

Verse 21 (skanda.1.17.21)

वादित्राणि च भीमानि वाद्यमानानि सर्वशः॥ श्रूयंतेऽत्र गभीराणि सुरा सुरसमागमे

vāditrāṇi ca bhīmāni vādyamānāni sarvaśaḥ|| śrūyaṃte'tra gabhīrāṇi surā surasamāgame

On every side, fearsome instruments of war sounded with deep and dreadful notes, as gods and demons met in that gathering.

Verse 22 (skanda.1.17.22)

वाद्यमानेषु तूर्येषु ते सर्वे त्वरयान्विताः॥ अनेकैः शस्त्रसंघातैर्जघ्नुरन्योन्यमोजसा

vādyamāneṣu tūryeṣu te sarve tvarayānvitāḥ|| anekaiḥ śastrasaṃghātairjaghnuranyonyamojasā

As the trumpets blared, all of them, eager for battle, fell upon one another with great force, striking with a multitude of weapons.

Verse 23 (skanda.1.17.23)

तदा देवासुरे युद्धे त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम्॥ भयेन महता युक्तं बभूव गतचेतनम्

tadā devāsure yuddhe trailokyaṃ sacarācaram|| bhayena mahatā yuktaṃ babhūva gatacetanam

In that battle of gods and demons, the three worlds together with all moving and unmoving beings were seized with such terror that they seemed to lose all sense.

Verse 24 (skanda.1.17.24)

छेदिताः स्फोटिताश्चैव केचिच्छस्त्रैर्द्विधा कृताः॥ नाराचैश्च तथा केचिच्छस्त्रास्त्रैः शकलीकृताः

cheditāḥ sphoṭitāścaiva kecicchastrairdvidhā kṛtāḥ|| nārācaiśca tathā kecicchastrāstraiḥ śakalīkṛtāḥ

Some were cut down, some torn apart, some sliced clean in two by weapons; others were shattered to pieces by iron arrows and other missiles.

Verse 25 (skanda.1.17.25)

भल्लैश्चेरुर्हताः केचिद्व्यंगभूता दिवौकसः॥ रश्मयो मेघसंभूताः प्रकाशंते नभस्स्विव

bhallaiścerurhatāḥ kecidvyaṃgabhūtā divaukasaḥ|| raśmayo meghasaṃbhūtāḥ prakāśaṃte nabhassviva

Some dwellers of heaven, struck by broad-headed arrows, were maimed of limb; and in the sky it seemed as though rays of light broke forth from clouds.

Verse 26 (skanda.1.17.26)

शिरांसि पतितान्येव बहूनिच नभस्तलात्॥ नक्षत्राणीव च यथा महाप्रलयसंकुलम्

śirāṃsi patitānyeva bahūnica nabhastalāt|| nakṣatrāṇīva ca yathā mahāpralayasaṃkulam

Many severed heads came falling from the vault of the sky, as though stars were falling in the great dissolution of the world.

Verse 27 (skanda.1.17.27)

प्रवर्तितं मध्यदेशे सर्वबूतक्षयावहम्॥ शक्रेण सह संग्रामं चकार नमुचिस्तदा

pravartitaṃ madhyadeśe sarvabūtakṣayāvaham|| śakreṇa saha saṃgrāmaṃ cakāra namucistadā

Thus, in the Madhyadesha, there raged a battle bringing destruction to every being; and then it was that Namuchi joined combat with Indra himself.

Verse 28 (skanda.1.17.28)

वज्रेण जघ्ने तरसा नमुचिं देवराट् स्वयम्॥ न रोमैकं च त्रुचितं तमुचेरसुरस्य च

vajreṇa jaghne tarasā namuciṃ devarāṭ svayam|| na romaikaṃ ca trucitaṃ tamucerasurasya ca

The king of the gods himself struck Namuchi swiftly with his thunderbolt, but not even a single hair of that asura Namuchi was so much as cut.

Verse 29 (skanda.1.17.29)

वज्रेणापि तदा सर्वे विस्मयं परमं गताः॥ असुराश्च सुराश्चैव महेंद्रो व्रीडितस्तदा

vajreṇāpi tadā sarve vismayaṃ paramaṃ gatāḥ|| asurāśca surāścaiva maheṃdro vrīḍitastadā

Seeing that even the thunderbolt had no effect, both asuras and gods alike were struck with the greatest wonder, and Mahendra himself was filled with shame.

Verse 30 (skanda.1.17.30)

गदया नमुचिं जघ्ने गदा सापि विचूर्णिता॥ नमुचेरंगलग्नापि पपात वसुधातले

gadayā namuciṃ jaghne gadā sāpi vicūrṇitā|| namuceraṃgalagnāpi papāta vasudhātale

Then Indra struck Namuchi with his mace, but that mace too, on touching Namuchi's body, was shattered to fragments and fell to the earth.

Verse 31 (skanda.1.17.31)

तथा शूलेन महता तं जघान पुरंदरः॥ तच्छूलं शतधा चूर्णं नमुचेरंगमाश्रितम्

tathā śūlena mahatā taṃ jaghāna puraṃdaraḥ|| tacchūlaṃ śatadhā cūrṇaṃ namuceraṃgamāśritam

Then Purandara struck him with his mighty trident, but that trident too, upon touching Namuchi's body, was shattered into a hundred fragments.

Verse 32 (skanda.1.17.32)

एवं तं वविधैः शस्त्रैराजघान सुरारिहा॥ प्रहस्य मानो नमुचिर्न जघान पुरंदरम्

evaṃ taṃ vavidhaiḥ śastrairājaghāna surārihā|| prahasya māno namucirna jaghāna puraṃdaram

Thus did that slayer of the gods' foes strike him with weapon after weapon, yet Namuchi, only smiling in his pride, did not even trouble to strike back at Purandara.

Verse 33 (skanda.1.17.33)

तूष्णींभूतस्तदा चेंद्रश्चिंतया परया युतः॥ किं कार्यं किमकार्यं वा इतींद्रो नाविदत्तदा

tūṣṇīṃbhūtastadā ceṃdraściṃtayā parayā yutaḥ|| kiṃ kāryaṃ kimakāryaṃ vā itīṃdro nāvidattadā

Then Indra fell silent, sunk in the deepest anxiety; he could no longer tell what was to be done and what was not.

Verse 34 (skanda.1.17.34)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे तत्र महायुद्धे महाभये॥ जाता नभोगता वाणी इंद्रसुद्दिश्य सत्वरम्

etasminnaṃtare tatra mahāyuddhe mahābhaye|| jātā nabhogatā vāṇī iṃdrasuddiśya satvaram

At that very moment, in the midst of that great and terrible battle, a voice sounded from the sky, addressed swiftly to Indra.

Verse 35 (skanda.1.17.35)

जह्येनमद्याशु महेंद्र दैत्यं दिवौकसां घोरतरं भयावहम्॥ फेनेन चैवाशु महासुरेन्द्रमपां समीपेन दुरासदेन

jahyenamadyāśu maheṃdra daityaṃ divaukasāṃ ghorataraṃ bhayāvaham|| phenena caivāśu mahāsurendramapāṃ samīpena durāsadena

"O Mahendra, slay this daitya at once — this dread and terrible menace to the gods! With the foam of the waters, unassailable as it is, strike down this lord of the great asuras."

Verse 36 (skanda.1.17.36)

अन्येन शस्त्रेण च आहतोऽसौ वध्यः कदाचिन्न भवत्ययं तु॥ तस्माच्च देवेश वधार्थमस्य कुरु प्रयत्नं नमुचेर्दुरात्मनः

anyena śastreṇa ca āhato'sau vadhyaḥ kadācinna bhavatyayaṃ tu|| tasmācca deveśa vadhārthamasya kuru prayatnaṃ namucerdurātmanaḥ

"Struck by any other weapon, he can never be slain; therefore, O lord of the gods, make your effort now to destroy this evil-souled Namuchi."

Verse 37 (skanda.1.17.37)

निशम्य वाचं परमार्थयुक्तां दैवीं सदानंदकरीं शुभावहाम्॥ चक्रे परं यत्नवतां वरिष्ठो गत्वोदधेः पारमनंतवीर्यः

niśamya vācaṃ paramārthayuktāṃ daivīṃ sadānaṃdakarīṃ śubhāvahām|| cakre paraṃ yatnavatāṃ variṣṭho gatvodadheḥ pāramanaṃtavīryaḥ

Hearing that divine voice, so full of deep meaning, ever joy-bringing and auspicious, Indra, foremost of the diligent and of boundless might, went to the shore of the ocean and set himself to his great effort.

Verse 38 (skanda.1.17.38)

तत्रागतं समीक्ष्याथ नमुचिः क्रोधमूर्छितः॥ हत्वा शूलेन देवेंद्रं प्रहसन्निदमब्रवीत्

tatrāgataṃ samīkṣyātha namuciḥ krodhamūrchitaḥ|| hatvā śūlena deveṃdraṃ prahasannidamabravīt

Seeing Indra go there, Namuchi, half senseless with fury, struck at him with his trident and, laughing, spoke these words —

Verse 39 (skanda.1.17.39)

समुद्रस्य तटः कस्मात्सेवितः सुरसत्तम॥ विहाय रणभूमिं च त्यक्तशस्त्रोऽभवद्भवान्

samudrasya taṭaḥ kasmātsevitaḥ surasattama|| vihāya raṇabhūmiṃ ca tyaktaśastro'bhavadbhavān

"O best of the gods, why have you sought the shore of the ocean, abandoning the battlefield and casting aside your weapons?"

Verse 40 (skanda.1.17.40)

त्वदीयेनैव वज्रेण किं कृतं मम दुर्मते

tvadīyenaiva vajreṇa kiṃ kṛtaṃ mama durmate

"O fool, what has your own thunderbolt accomplished against me?"

Verse 41 (skanda.1.17.41)

तथान्यानि च शस्त्राणि अस्त्राणि सुबहूनि च॥ गृहीतानि पुरा मंद हंतुं मामेव चाधुना

tathānyāni ca śastrāṇi astrāṇi subahūni ca|| gṛhītāni purā maṃda haṃtuṃ māmeva cādhunā

"O simpleton, before this too you took up so many other weapons and missiles, all to slay me —"

Verse 42 (skanda.1.17.42)

किं करिष्यसि मां हंतुं युद्धाय समुपस्थितः॥ केन शस्त्रेण रे मंद योद्धुमिच्छसि संयुगे

kiṃ kariṣyasi māṃ haṃtuṃ yuddhāya samupasthitaḥ|| kena śastreṇa re maṃda yoddhumicchasi saṃyuge

"Now that you stand ready for battle, what will you do to kill me? O fool, with what weapon do you now wish to fight?"

Verse 43 (skanda.1.17.43)

त्वां गातयामि चाद्यैव यदि तिष्ठसि संयुगे॥ नो चेद्गच्छ मया मुक्तश्चिरं जीव सुखी भव

tvāṃ gātayāmi cādyaiva yadi tiṣṭhasi saṃyuge|| no cedgaccha mayā muktaściraṃ jīva sukhī bhava

"If you remain in this battle, I shall kill you this very day; if not, then go — spared by me, live long and happily."

Verse 44 (skanda.1.17.44)

एवं स गर्वितं तस्य वाक्यमाहवशोभिनः॥ श्रुत्वा महेंद्रोऽपि रुषा जगृहे फेनमद्भुतम्

evaṃ sa garvitaṃ tasya vākyamāhavaśobhinaḥ|| śrutvā maheṃdro'pi ruṣā jagṛhe phenamadbhutam

Hearing this arrogant speech of that battle-splendid Namuchi, Mahendra, filled with fury, took up that wondrous foam.

Verse 45 (skanda.1.17.45)

फेनं करस्थं दृष्ट्वा तु असुरा जहसुस्तदा

phenaṃ karasthaṃ dṛṣṭvā tu asurā jahasustadā

Seeing the mere foam in his hand, the asuras burst out laughing.

Verse 46 (skanda.1.17.46)

क्षयं गतानि चास्त्राणि पेनेनैव पुरंदरः॥ हंतुमिच्छति मामद्य शतक्रतुरुदारधीः

kṣayaṃ gatāni cāstrāṇi penenaiva puraṃdaraḥ|| haṃtumicchati māmadya śatakraturudāradhīḥ

"His weapons are all spent," they said, "and now this noble-minded Shatakratu wishes to slay me with mere foam!"

Verse 47 (skanda.1.17.47)

एवं प्रहस्य नमुचिरज्ञाय पुरंदरम्॥ सावज्ञं पुरतस्तस्थौ नमुचिर्दैत्यपुंगवः

evaṃ prahasya namucirajñāya puraṃdaram|| sāvajñaṃ puratastasthau namucirdaityapuṃgavaḥ

Thus laughing, and not knowing Purandara's true power, that foremost of daityas, Namuchi, stood before him with utter contempt.

Verse 48 (skanda.1.17.48)

तदैव तं स फेनेन शीघ्रमिंद्रो जघान ह

tadaiva taṃ sa phenena śīghramiṃdro jaghāna ha

At that very instant, Indra struck him down swiftly with that foam.

Verse 49 (skanda.1.17.49)

हते तु नमुचौ देवाः सर्वे चैव मुदान्विताः॥ साधुसाध्विति शब्देन ऋषयश्चाभ्यपूजयन्

hate tu namucau devāḥ sarve caiva mudānvitāḥ|| sādhusādhviti śabdena ṛṣayaścābhyapūjayan

With Namuchi slain, all the gods were filled with joy, and the sages honoured Indra, crying out "Well done! Well done!"

Verse 50 (skanda.1.17.50)

तदा सर्वे जयं प्राप्ता हत्वा नमुचिमाहवे॥ दैत्यास्ते कोपसंरब्धा योद्धुकामा मुदान्विताः

tadā sarve jayaṃ prāptā hatvā namucimāhave|| daityāste kopasaṃrabdhā yoddhukāmā mudānvitāḥ

Thus, having slain Namuchi in that battle, the gods were all victorious; but the demons, seething with rage, grew eager once more for battle.

Verse 51 (skanda.1.17.51)

पुनः प्रववृते युद्धं देवानां दानवैः सह॥ शस्त्रास्त्रैर्बहुधा मुक्तैः परस्परवधैषिबिः

punaḥ pravavṛte yuddhaṃ devānāṃ dānavaiḥ saha|| śastrāstrairbahudhā muktaiḥ parasparavadhaiṣibiḥ

Then battle broke out afresh between the gods and the danavas; both sides, each seeking the other's death, let loose a rain of countless weapons and missiles.

Verse 52 (skanda.1.17.52)

यदा ते ह्यसुरा देवैः पातिताश्च पुनःपुनः॥ तदा वृत्रो महातेजाः शतक्रतुमुपाव्रजत्

yadā te hyasurā devaiḥ pātitāśca punaḥpunaḥ|| tadā vṛtro mahātejāḥ śatakratumupāvrajat

When the asuras were struck down again and again by the gods, then the mighty and radiant Vritra himself advanced upon Indra.

Verse 53 (skanda.1.17.53)

वृत्रं दृष्ट्वा तदा सर्वे ससुरासुरमानवाः॥ भयेन महताविष्टाः पतिता भुवि शेरते

vṛtraṃ dṛṣṭvā tadā sarve sasurāsuramānavāḥ|| bhayena mahatāviṣṭāḥ patitā bhuvi śerate

At the very sight of Vritra, gods, demons and men alike were overcome with such terror that they fell to the ground and lay there as though lifeless.

Verse 54 (skanda.1.17.54)

एवं भीतेषु सर्वेषु सुरसिद्धेषु वै तदा॥ इंद्रश्चैरावणारूढो वज्रपाणिः प्रतापवान्

evaṃ bhīteṣu sarveṣu surasiddheṣu vai tadā|| iṃdraścairāvaṇārūḍho vajrapāṇiḥ pratāpavān

While all the gods and siddhas thus lay stricken with fear, the mighty and majestic Indra, thunderbolt in hand, advanced mounted upon Airavata.

Verse 55 (skanda.1.17.55)

छत्रेण ध्रियमाणेन चामरेण विराजितः॥ तदा सर्वैः समेतो हि लोकपालैः प्रतापितः

chatreṇa dhriyamāṇena cāmareṇa virājitaḥ|| tadā sarvaiḥ sameto hi lokapālaiḥ pratāpitaḥ

A great umbrella was held over him, and he shone bright with the waving of the fly-whisk; all the guardians of the world stood gathered about him, adding to his splendour.

Verse 56 (skanda.1.17.56)

वृत्रं विलोक्य ते सर्वे लोकपाला महेश्वराः॥ भयभीताश्च ते सर्वे शिवं शरणमन्वयुः

vṛtraṃ vilokya te sarve lokapālā maheśvarāḥ|| bhayabhītāśca te sarve śivaṃ śaraṇamanvayuḥ

Yet even those mighty guardians of the world, on seeing Vritra, were overcome with fear and turned for refuge to Shiva.

Verse 57 (skanda.1.17.57)

मनसाचिंतयन्सर्वे शंकरं लोकशंकरम्॥ लिंगं संपूज्य विधिवन्महेंद्रो जयकामुकः

manasāciṃtayansarve śaṃkaraṃ lokaśaṃkaram|| liṃgaṃ saṃpūjya vidhivanmaheṃdro jayakāmukaḥ

All of them meditated in their hearts upon Shankara, bringer of good to all the worlds; and Mahendra, desiring victory, worshipped the linga with due rite.

Verse 58 (skanda.1.17.58)

गुरुणा विदितः सद्यो विश्वासेन परेण हि॥ उवाच च तदा शक्रं बृहस्पतिरुदारधीः

guruṇā viditaḥ sadyo viśvāsena pareṇa hi|| uvāca ca tadā śakraṃ bṛhaspatirudāradhīḥ

At once his preceptor, understanding this with perfect confidence, that noble-minded Brihaspati, spoke to Shakra —

Verse 59 (skanda.1.17.59)

॥बृहस्पतिरुवाच॥ कार्तिके शुक्लपक्षे तु मंदवारे त्रयोदशी॥ समग्रा यदि लभ्येत सर्वप्राप्तयै न संशयः

||bṛhaspatiruvāca|| kārtike śuklapakṣe tu maṃdavāre trayodaśī|| samagrā yadi labhyeta sarvaprāptayai na saṃśayaḥ

Brihaspati said: "In the bright fortnight of Kartika, if the thirteenth day falls complete upon a Saturday, then without doubt it grants the fulfilment of every desire."

Verse 60 (skanda.1.17.60)

तस्यां प्रदोषसमये लिंगरूपी सदाशिवः॥ पूजनीयो हि देवेंद्र सर्वकामार्थसिद्धये

tasyāṃ pradoṣasamaye liṃgarūpī sadāśivaḥ|| pūjanīyo hi deveṃdra sarvakāmārthasiddhaye

"On that day, O lord of the gods, at the hour of Pradosha, Sadashiva in the form of the linga must be worshipped, for the fulfilment of every wish."

Verse 61 (skanda.1.17.61)

स्नात्वा मध्याह्नसमये तिलामलकसंयुतम्॥ शिवस्य कुर्याद्गंधपुष्पफलादिभिः

snātvā madhyāhnasamaye tilāmalakasaṃyutam|| śivasya kuryādgaṃdhapuṣpaphalādibhiḥ

"At midday, one should bathe with water mixed with sesame and amla, and then worship Shiva with scent, flowers, fruit and the rest."

Verse 62 (skanda.1.17.62)

पश्चात्प्रदोषवेलायां स्थावरं लिंगमर्च्चयेत्॥ स्वयंभु स्थापितं चापि पौरुषेयमपौरुषम्

paścātpradoṣavelāyāṃ sthāvaraṃ liṃgamarccayet|| svayaṃbhu sthāpitaṃ cāpi pauruṣeyamapauruṣam

"Thereafter, at the hour of Pradosha, one should worship the fixed linga — whether it be self-manifest, ceremonially installed, made by human hands, or not."

Verse 63 (skanda.1.17.63)

जने वा विजने वापि अरण्ये वा तपोवने॥ तल्लिंगमर्च्चयेद्भक्त्या प्रदोषे तु विशेषतः

jane vā vijane vāpi araṇye vā tapovane|| talliṃgamarccayedbhaktyā pradoṣe tu viśeṣataḥ

"Whether it stands in a crowded place, in solitude, in a forest, or in a hermitage of penance, that linga should be worshipped with devotion, especially at the hour of Pradosha."

Verse 64 (skanda.1.17.64)

ग्रामद्बहिः स्थितं लिंगं ग्रामाच्छतगुणं फलम्॥ ब्राह्मच्छतगुणं पुण्यमरण्ये लिंगमद्भुतम्

grāmadbahiḥ sthitaṃ liṃgaṃ grāmācchataguṇaṃ phalam|| brāhmacchataguṇaṃ puṇyamaraṇye liṃgamadbhutam

"The fruit of worshipping a linga outside a village is a hundred times that of one within it; and worshipping the wondrous linga found in a forest earns merit a hundred times greater still."

Verse 65 (skanda.1.17.65)

आरण्याच्छतगुणं पुण्यमर्चितं पार्वतं यथा॥ पार्वताच्चैव लिंगाच्च फलं चायुतसंज्ञितम्॥ तपोवनाश्रितं लिंगं पूजितं वा महाफलम्

āraṇyācchataguṇaṃ puṇyamarcitaṃ pārvataṃ yathā|| pārvatāccaiva liṃgācca phalaṃ cāyutasaṃjñitam|| tapovanāśritaṃ liṃgaṃ pūjitaṃ vā mahāphalam

"Greater still, a hundredfold beyond the forest linga, is the merit of worshipping one set upon a mountain; and beyond that, ten thousandfold, is the great fruit of worshipping the linga found within a hermitage of penance."

Verse 66 (skanda.1.17.66)

तस्मादेतद्विभागेन शिवपूजनार्चनं बुधैः॥ कर्त्वयं निपुणत्वेन तीर्थस्नानादिकं तथा

tasmādetadvibhāgena śivapūjanārcanaṃ budhaiḥ|| kartvayaṃ nipuṇatvena tīrthasnānādikaṃ tathā

"Therefore the wise should perform the worship of Shiva according to this graded scheme, and likewise the bathing at sacred fords, with all due skill."

Verse 67 (skanda.1.17.67)

पंचपिंडान्समुद्धृत्य स्नानमात्रेण शोभनम्॥ कूपे स्नानं प्रकुर्वीत उद्धृतेन विसेषतः

paṃcapiṃḍānsamuddhṛtya snānamātreṇa śobhanam|| kūpe snānaṃ prakurvīta uddhṛtena viseṣataḥ

"When bathing at a well, it is especially auspicious to draw out five lumps of earth from it and bathe with water thus drawn."

Verse 68 (skanda.1.17.68)

तडागे दश पिंडांश्च उद्धृत्य स्नानमाचरेत्॥ नदीस्नानं विश्ष्टं च महानद्यां विशेषतः

taḍāge daśa piṃḍāṃśca uddhṛtya snānamācaret|| nadīsnānaṃ viśṣṭaṃ ca mahānadyāṃ viśeṣataḥ

"At a pond, one should draw out ten such lumps before bathing; but bathing in a river, and especially in a great river, is held still more excellent."

Verse 69 (skanda.1.17.69)

सर्वेषामपि तीर्थानां गंगास्नानं विशिष्यते॥ देवखाते च तत्तुल्यं प्रशस्तं स्नानमाचरेत्

sarveṣāmapi tīrthānāṃ gaṃgāsnānaṃ viśiṣyate|| devakhāte ca tattulyaṃ praśastaṃ snānamācaret

"Among all sacred fords, bathing in the Ganga is held supreme; and bathing in a devakhata, a pool dug by the gods themselves, is praised as equal to it."

Verse 70 (skanda.1.17.70)

प्रदीपानां सहस्रेण दीपनीयः सदाशिवः॥ तथा दीपशतेनापि द्वात्रिंशद्दीपमालया

pradīpānāṃ sahasreṇa dīpanīyaḥ sadāśivaḥ|| tathā dīpaśatenāpi dvātriṃśaddīpamālayā

"One should offer arati to Sadashiva with a thousand lamps; or, failing that, with a hundred lamps, or with a garland of thirty-two lamps."

Verse 71 (skanda.1.17.71)

घृतेन दीपयेद्दीपाञ्छिवस्य परितुष्टये॥ तथा फलैश्च दीपैश्च नैवेद्यैर्गंधधूपकैः

ghṛtena dīpayeddīpāñchivasya parituṣṭaye|| tathā phalaiśca dīpaiśca naivedyairgaṃdhadhūpakaiḥ

"For Shiva's contentment, the lamps should be lit with ghee, and offerings of fruit, further lamps, food offerings, scent and incense should also be made."

Verse 72 (skanda.1.17.72)

उपचारैः षोडशभिर्लिंगरूपी सदा शिवः॥ पूज्यः प्रदोषवेलायां नृभिः सर्वार्थसिद्धये

upacāraiḥ ṣoḍaśabhirliṃgarūpī sadā śivaḥ|| pūjyaḥ pradoṣavelāyāṃ nṛbhiḥ sarvārthasiddhaye

"With the sixteen ceremonial offerings, Sadashiva in the form of the linga should be worshipped by men at the hour of Pradosha, for the fulfilment of every purpose."

Verse 73 (skanda.1.17.73)

प्रदक्षिणं प्रकुर्वीत शतमष्टोत्तरं तथा॥ नमस्कारान्प्रकुर्वीत तावत्संख्यान्प्रयत्नतः

pradakṣiṇaṃ prakurvīta śatamaṣṭottaraṃ tathā|| namaskārānprakurvīta tāvatsaṃkhyānprayatnataḥ

"One hundred and eight circumambulations should be made, and just as many prostrations offered with careful devotion."

Verse 74 (skanda.1.17.74)

प्रदक्षिणनमस्कारैः पूजनीयः सदाशिवः॥ नाम्नां शतेन रुद्रोऽसौ स्तवनीयो यताविधि

pradakṣiṇanamaskāraiḥ pūjanīyaḥ sadāśivaḥ|| nāmnāṃ śatena rudro'sau stavanīyo yatāvidhi

"Thus should Sadashiva be worshipped with circumambulation and prostration, and Rudra should then be praised, according to rite, with a hundred of his names."

Verse 75 (skanda.1.17.75)

नमो रुद्राय भीमाय नीलकण्ठाय वेधसे॥ कपर्द्धिने सुरेशाय व्योमकेशाय वै नमः

namo rudrāya bhīmāya nīlakaṇṭhāya vedhase|| kaparddhine sureśāya vyomakeśāya vai namaḥ

"Salutation to Rudra, to the terrible one, to the blue-throated, to the ordainer of all; salutation to the matted-haired lord of the gods, and to him whose locks are the very sky."

Verse 76 (skanda.1.17.76)

वृषध्वजाय सोमाय नीलकण्ठाय वै नमः॥ दिगंबराय भर्गाय उमाकांतकपर्द्दिने

vṛṣadhvajāya somāya nīlakaṇṭhāya vai namaḥ|| digaṃbarāya bhargāya umākāṃtakaparddine

"Salutation to him whose banner bears the bull, to the moon-crowned one, to the blue-throated; to him who is clad in the very directions, to Bharga, to the matted-haired beloved of Uma."

Verse 77 (skanda.1.17.77)

तपोमयाय व्याप्ताय शिपिविष्टाय वै नमः॥ व्यालप्रियाय व्यालाय व्यालानां पतये नमः

tapomayāya vyāptāya śipiviṣṭāya vai namaḥ|| vyālapriyāya vyālāya vyālānāṃ pataye namaḥ

"Salutation to him who is made of penance, to the all-pervading one, to Shipivishta; to him who loves serpents, who is himself serpent-formed, the lord of serpents."

Verse 78 (skanda.1.17.78)

महीधराय व्याघ्राय पशूनां पतये नमः॥ त्रिपुरांतकसिंहाय शार्दूलोग्ररवाय च

mahīdharāya vyāghrāya paśūnāṃ pataye namaḥ|| tripurāṃtakasiṃhāya śārdūlograravāya ca

"Salutation to the mountain-bearer, to the tiger-formed one, to the lord of all creatures; to the lion who ended the three cities, and to him whose roar is fierce as a tiger's."

Verse 79 (skanda.1.17.79)

मीनाय मीननाथाय सिद्धाय परमेष्ठिने॥ कामांतकाय बुद्धाय बुद्धीनां पतये नमः

mīnāya mīnanāthāya siddhāya parameṣṭhine|| kāmāṃtakāya buddhāya buddhīnāṃ pataye namaḥ

"Salutation to the fish, to the lord of fishes, to the accomplished one, to him seated in the highest; to the ender of desire, to the awakened one, to the lord of all understanding."

Verse 80 (skanda.1.17.80)

कपोताय विशिष्टाय शिष्टाय परमात्मने॥ वेदाय वेदबीजाय देवगुह्याय वै नमः

kapotāya viśiṣṭāya śiṣṭāya paramātmane|| vedāya vedabījāya devaguhyāya vai namaḥ

"Salutation to the dove, to the distinguished one, to the well-disciplined one, to the supreme self; to the Veda itself, to the seed of the Veda, to the secret of the gods."

Verse 81 (skanda.1.17.81)

दीर्घाय दीर्घदीर्घाय दीर्घार्घाय महाय च॥ नमो जगत्प्रतिष्ठाय व्योमरूपाय वै नमः

dīrghāya dīrghadīrghāya dīrghārghāya mahāya ca|| namo jagatpratiṣṭhāya vyomarūpāya vai namaḥ

"Salutation to the far-extending, to the ever more far-extending, to him of vast worth, to the great one; salutation to the foundation of the universe, to him whose very form is the sky."

Verse 82 (skanda.1.17.82)

गजासुरविनाशाय ह्यंधकासुरभेदिने॥ नीललोहितशुक्लाय चण्डमुण्डप्रियाय च

gajāsuravināśāya hyaṃdhakāsurabhedine|| nīlalohitaśuklāya caṇḍamuṇḍapriyāya ca

"Salutation to the destroyer of the elephant-demon, to the piercer of Andhakasura; to him of blue, red and white hues, to him who delights in Chanda and Munda."

Verse 83 (skanda.1.17.83)

भक्तिप्रियाय देवाय ज्ञानज्ञानाव्ययाय च॥ महेशाय नमस्तुभ्यं महादेवहराय च

bhaktipriyāya devāya jñānajñānāvyayāya ca|| maheśāya namastubhyaṃ mahādevaharāya ca

"Salutation to the god who loves devotion, to knowledge itself and to imperishable wisdom; salutation to you, O Mahesha, O Mahadeva, O Hara."

Verse 84 (skanda.1.17.84)

त्रिनेत्राय त्रिवेदाय वेदांगाय नमोनमः॥ अर्थाय अर्थरूपाय परमार्थाय वै नमः

trinetrāya trivedāya vedāṃgāya namonamaḥ|| arthāya artharūpāya paramārthāya vai namaḥ

"Salutation again and again to the three-eyed one, to him who is the three Vedas, to the limbs of the Veda; salutation to meaning itself, to meaning made form, to the highest truth."

Verse 85 (skanda.1.17.85)

विश्वरूपाय विश्वाय विश्वनाताय वै नमः॥ शंकराय च कालाय कालावयवरूपिणे

viśvarūpāya viśvāya viśvanātāya vai namaḥ|| śaṃkarāya ca kālāya kālāvayavarūpiṇe

"Salutation to the universal form, to the universe itself, to the lord of the universe; to Shankara, to time, to him whose limbs are made of time's own parts."

Verse 86 (skanda.1.17.86)

अरूपाय च सूक्ष्माय सूक्ष्मसूक्ष्माय वै नमः॥ श्मशानवासिने तुभ्यं नमस्ते कृत्तिवाससे

arūpāya ca sūkṣmāya sūkṣmasūkṣmāya vai namaḥ|| śmaśānavāsine tubhyaṃ namaste kṛttivāsase

"Salutation to the formless, to the subtle, to the subtlest of the subtle; salutation to you who dwell in the cremation ground, to you who wear the elephant's hide."

Verse 87 (skanda.1.17.87)

शशांकशेखरायैव रुद्रविश्वाश्रयाय च॥ दुर्गाय दुर्गसाराय दुर्गावयवसाक्षिणे

śaśāṃkaśekharāyaiva rudraviśvāśrayāya ca|| durgāya durgasārāya durgāvayavasākṣiṇe

"Salutation to him who wears the crescent moon, to Rudra, refuge of the whole universe; to the unreachable one, to the essence of the unreachable, to the witness within its every part."

Verse 88 (skanda.1.17.88)

लिंगरूपाय लिंगाय लिंगानां पतये नमः॥ प्रणवरूपाय प्रणवार्थाय वै नमः

liṃgarūpāya liṃgāya liṃgānāṃ pataye namaḥ|| praṇavarūpāya praṇavārthāya vai namaḥ

"Salutation to him whose very form is the linga, to the linga itself, to the lord of all lingas; salutation to the form of Om, to the meaning held within Om."

Verse 89 (skanda.1.17.89)

नमोनमः कारणकारणाय ते मृत्युंजयायात्मभवस्वरूपिणे॥ त्रियंबकायासितकंठ भर्ग गौरिपते सकलमंगलहेतवे नमः

namonamaḥ kāraṇakāraṇāya te mṛtyuṃjayāyātmabhavasvarūpiṇe|| triyaṃbakāyāsitakaṃṭha bharga gauripate sakalamaṃgalahetave namaḥ

"Salutation upon salutation to you, O cause of all causes, O conqueror of death, O self-existent one! To you, three-eyed one, dark-throated Bharga, lord of Gauri, source of every auspicious thing, salutation."

Verse 90 (skanda.1.17.90)

॥बृहस्पतिरुवाच॥ नाम्नां शतं महेशस्य उच्चार्यं व्रतिना तदा॥ प्रदक्षिणनमस्कारैरेतत्संख्यैः प्रयत्नतः॥ कार्यं प्रदोषसमये तुष्ट्यर्थं संकरस्य च

||bṛhaspatiruvāca|| nāmnāṃ śataṃ maheśasya uccāryaṃ vratinā tadā|| pradakṣiṇanamaskārairetatsaṃkhyaiḥ prayatnataḥ|| kāryaṃ pradoṣasamaye tuṣṭyarthaṃ saṃkarasya ca

Brihaspati said: "The one observing this vow should recite these hundred names of Mahesha, and, at the hour of Pradosha, should with diligence perform circumambulation and prostration in that same number, for Shankara's satisfaction."

Verse 91 (skanda.1.17.91)

एवं व्रतं समुद्दिष्टं तव शक्र महामते॥ शीघ्रं कुरु महाभाग पश्चाद्युद्धं कुरु प्रभो

evaṃ vrataṃ samuddiṣṭaṃ tava śakra mahāmate|| śīghraṃ kuru mahābhāga paścādyuddhaṃ kuru prabho

"Thus, O wise Shakra, has this vow been explained to you; O most fortunate lord, perform it swiftly, and only then take up the battle again."

Verse 92 (skanda.1.17.92)

शंभोः प्रसादात्सर्वं ते भविष्यति जयादिकम्

śaṃbhoḥ prasādātsarvaṃ te bhaviṣyati jayādikam

"By Shambhu's grace, victory and all else besides shall surely come to you."

Verse 93 (skanda.1.17.93)

वृत्रो ह्ययं महातेजा दैतेयस्तपसा पुरा॥ शिवं प्रसादयामास पर्वते गंधमादने

vṛtro hyayaṃ mahātejā daiteyastapasā purā|| śivaṃ prasādayāmāsa parvate gaṃdhamādane

"This mighty and radiant daitya Vritra had, in an earlier time, propitiated Shiva through penance on Mount Gandhamadana."

Verse 94 (skanda.1.17.94)

नाम्ना चित्ररथो राजा वनं चित्ररथस्य तत्॥ एतज्जानीहि भो इन्द्र शिवपुर्याः समीपतः

nāmnā citraratho rājā vanaṃ citrarathasya tat|| etajjānīhi bho indra śivapuryāḥ samīpataḥ

"Know this too, O Indra: he was once a king named Chitraratha, and near Shiva's own city lay a forest that was his, called after his name."

Verse 95 (skanda.1.17.95)

यस्मिन्वने महाभाग न संति च षडूर्मयः॥ तस्माच्चैत्ररथं नाम वनं परममंगलम्॥ तस्य राज्ञः शिवेनैव दत्तं यानं महाद्भुतम्

yasminvane mahābhāga na saṃti ca ṣaḍūrmayaḥ|| tasmāccaitrarathaṃ nāma vanaṃ paramamaṃgalam|| tasya rājñaḥ śivenaiva dattaṃ yānaṃ mahādbhutam

"O most fortunate one, in that forest none of the six waves of worldly affliction — hunger, thirst and the rest — held sway; and so it was called the Chaitraratha, that most auspicious wood. To that king, Shiva himself had granted a wondrous chariot."

Verse 96 (skanda.1.17.96)

कामगं किंकिणीयुक्तं सिद्धचारणसेवितम्॥ गंधर्वैरप्सरोयक्षैः किंनरैरुपशोभितम्

kāmagaṃ kiṃkiṇīyuktaṃ siddhacāraṇasevitam|| gaṃdharvairapsaroyakṣaiḥ kiṃnarairupaśobhitam

"That chariot moved wherever he wished, adorned with tinkling bells, attended by siddhas and charanas, and made splendid by gandharvas, apsarases, yakshas and kinnaras."

Verse 97 (skanda.1.17.97)

ततस्तेनैव यानेन पृथिवीं पर्यटन्पुरा॥ तथा गिरीशमुख्यांश्च द्वीपांश्च विविधांस्तथा

tatastenaiva yānena pṛthivīṃ paryaṭanpurā|| tathā girīśamukhyāṃśca dvīpāṃśca vividhāṃstathā

"In that same chariot he would once roam over the whole earth, over the greatest of mountains and over the many islands too."

Verse 98 (skanda.1.17.98)

एकदा पर्यटन्राजा नाम्ना चित्ररथो महान्॥ कैलासमागतस्तत्र स ददर्श पराद्भुतम्

ekadā paryaṭanrājā nāmnā citraratho mahān|| kailāsamāgatastatra sa dadarśa parādbhutam

"Once, while thus wandering, that great king named Chitraratha came to Kailasa, and there he beheld a most wondrous sight."

Verse 99 (skanda.1.17.99)

सभातलं महेशस्य गणैश्चैव विराजितम्॥ अर्द्धागलग्नया देव्या शोभितं च महेश्वरम्

sabhātalaṃ maheśasya gaṇaiścaiva virājitam|| arddhāgalagnayā devyā śobhitaṃ ca maheśvaram

"There stood the assembly-hall of Mahesha, resplendent with his hosts, and Maheshvara himself was seated there, glorious with the goddess united to his very body."

Verse 100 (skanda.1.17.100)

निरीक्ष्य देव्या सहितं सदाशिवं देव्यान्वितं वाक्यमिदं बभाषे

nirīkṣya devyā sahitaṃ sadāśivaṃ devyānvitaṃ vākyamidaṃ babhāṣe

Beholding Sadashiva there together with the Goddess, that king spoke these words —

Verse 101 (skanda.1.17.101)

वयं च शंभो विषयान्विताश्च मंत्र्यादयः स्त्रीजिताश्चापि चान्ये॥ न लोकमध्ये वयमेव चाज्ञाः स्त्रीसेवनं लज्जया नैव कुर्मः

vayaṃ ca śaṃbho viṣayānvitāśca maṃtryādayaḥ strījitāścāpi cānye|| na lokamadhye vayameva cājñāḥ strīsevanaṃ lajjayā naiva kurmaḥ

"O Shambhu, we who are caught up in worldly pleasures, and ministers and others too, who are ruled by women — even we, out of shame, do not openly wait upon our wives before the world; no one, however unlearned, does such a thing."

Verse 102 (skanda.1.17.102)

एतद्वाक्यं निशम्याथ महेशः प्रहसन्निव॥ उवाच न्यायसंयुक्तं सर्वेषामपि श्रृण्वताम्

etadvākyaṃ niśamyātha maheśaḥ prahasanniva|| uvāca nyāyasaṃyuktaṃ sarveṣāmapi śrṛṇvatām

Hearing these words, Mahesha, smiling faintly, spoke a just reply before all who were listening —

Verse 103 (skanda.1.17.103)

भयं लोकापवादाच्च सर्वेषामपि नान्यथा॥ ग्रासितं कालकूटं च सर्वेषामपि दुर्जरम्

bhayaṃ lokāpavādācca sarveṣāmapi nānyathā|| grāsitaṃ kālakūṭaṃ ca sarveṣāmapi durjaram

"Fear of the world's censure troubles all alike; yet even that halahala poison, which none could digest, I myself once swallowed."

Verse 104 (skanda.1.17.104)

तथापि उपहासो मे कृतो राज्ञा हि दुर्जरः॥ तं चित्ररथमाहूय गिरिजा वाक्यमब्रवीत्

tathāpi upahāso me kṛto rājñā hi durjaraḥ|| taṃ citrarathamāhūya girijā vākyamabravīt

"And yet this king has mocked me — a thing hard to bear." Then, calling Chitraratha before her, Girija spoke these words —

Verse 105 (skanda.1.17.105)

॥गीरिजोवाच॥ रे दुरात्मन्कथं त्वज्ञ शंकरश्चोपहासितः॥ मया सहैव मंदात्मन्द्रक्ष्यसे कर्मणः फलम्

||gīrijovāca|| re durātmankathaṃ tvajña śaṃkaraścopahāsitaḥ|| mayā sahaiva maṃdātmandrakṣyase karmaṇaḥ phalam

Girija said: "O evil-minded fool, how dare you mock Shankara so? O dull-witted one, in my very presence now you shall see the fruit of this deed."

Verse 106 (skanda.1.17.106)

साधूनां समचित्तानामुपहासं करोति यः॥ देवो वाप्यथ वा मर्त्यः स विज्ञेयोऽधमाधमः

sādhūnāṃ samacittānāmupahāsaṃ karoti yaḥ|| devo vāpyatha vā martyaḥ sa vijñeyo'dhamādhamaḥ

"Whether god or mortal, whoever mocks the saintly and even-minded is to be known as the very lowest of the low."

Verse 107 (skanda.1.17.107)

एते मुनींद्राश्च महानुभावास्तथा ह्यमी ऋषयो वेदगर्भाः॥ तथैव सर्वे सनकादयो ह्यमी अज्ञाश्च सर्वे शिवमर्चयंते?

ete munīṃdrāśca mahānubhāvāstathā hyamī ṛṣayo vedagarbhāḥ|| tathaiva sarve sanakādayo hyamī ajñāśca sarve śivamarcayaṃte?

"Are these great sages, these foremost of seers who hold the Veda in their very womb, and Sanaka and the rest besides, all of them fools, that they should worship Shiva?"

Verse 108 (skanda.1.17.108)

रे मूढ सर्वेषु जनेष्वभिज्ञस्त्वमेव एवाद्य न चापरे जनाः॥ तस्मादभिज्ञं हि करोमि दैत्यं देवैर्द्विजैश्चापि बहिष्कृतं त्वाम्

re mūḍha sarveṣu janeṣvabhijñastvameva evādya na cāpare janāḥ|| tasmādabhijñaṃ hi karomi daityaṃ devairdvijaiścāpi bahiṣkṛtaṃ tvām

"O fool, are you alone wise among all people, and no one else? Therefore I shall make you a daitya, cast out from gods and brahmins alike."

Verse 109 (skanda.1.17.109)

एवं शप्तस्तया देव्या भवान्या राजसत्तमः॥ राजा चित्ररथः सद्यः पपात सहसा दिवः

evaṃ śaptastayā devyā bhavānyā rājasattamaḥ|| rājā citrarathaḥ sadyaḥ papāta sahasā divaḥ

Thus cursed by the goddess Bhavani, that foremost of kings, Chitraratha, fell at once, headlong, from heaven.

Verse 110 (skanda.1.17.110)

आसुरीं योनिमासाद्य वृत्रोनाम्नाऽभवत्तदा॥ तपसा परमेणैव त्वष्ट्रा संयोजितः क्रमात्

āsurīṃ yonimāsādya vṛtronāmnā'bhavattadā|| tapasā parameṇaiva tvaṣṭrā saṃyojitaḥ kramāt

Taking birth in a demon's womb, he came to be known by the name Vritra; and in due course, through Tvashta's own great penance, he was brought into being.

Verse 111 (skanda.1.17.111)

तपसा तेन महता अजेयो वृत्र उच्यत॥ तस्माच्छंभुं समभ्यर्च्य प्रदोषे विधिनाऽधुना

tapasā tena mahatā ajeyo vṛtra ucyata|| tasmācchaṃbhuṃ samabhyarcya pradoṣe vidhinā'dhunā

By the power of that great penance, Vritra came to be called invincible; therefore now, having duly worshipped Shambhu at the hour of Pradosha —

Verse 112 (skanda.1.17.112)

जहि वृत्रं महादैत्यं देवानां कार्यसिद्धये॥ गुरोस्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा उवाचाथ शतक्रतुः॥ सोद्यापनविधिं ब्रूहि प्रदोषस्य च मेऽधुना

jahi vṛtraṃ mahādaityaṃ devānāṃ kāryasiddhaye|| gurostadvacanaṃ śrutvā uvācātha śatakratuḥ|| sodyāpanavidhiṃ brūhi pradoṣasya ca me'dhunā

"— slay the great daitya Vritra, for the fulfilment of the gods' purpose." Hearing his preceptor's words, Shatakratu said: "Now tell me also the rite for the completion of this Pradosha vow."

Verse 113 (skanda.1.17.113)

॥बृहस्पतिरुवाच॥ कार्तिके मासि संप्राप्ते मंदवारे त्रयोदशी॥ संपूर्तिस्तु भवेत्तत्र संपूर्णव्रतसिद्धये

||bṛhaspatiruvāca|| kārtike māsi saṃprāpte maṃdavāre trayodaśī|| saṃpūrtistu bhavettatra saṃpūrṇavratasiddhaye

Brihaspati said: "When the thirteenth day falls upon a Saturday in the month of Kartika, that is the time for the completion of the vow, for its full accomplishment."

Verse 114 (skanda.1.17.114)

वृषभो राजतः कार्यः पृष्ठे तस्य सुपीठकम्॥ तस्योपरिन्यसेद्देवमुमाकांतं त्रिलोचनम्

vṛṣabho rājataḥ kāryaḥ pṛṣṭhe tasya supīṭhakam|| tasyoparinyaseddevamumākāṃtaṃ trilocanam

"A bull of silver should be made, with a fine pedestal set upon its back, and upon that should be placed the image of the three-eyed lord, Uma's beloved."

Verse 115 (skanda.1.17.115)

पंचवक्त्रं दशभुजमर्द्धांगे गिरिजां सतीम्॥ एवं चोमामहेशं च सौवर्णं कारयेद्बुधः

paṃcavaktraṃ daśabhujamarddhāṃge girijāṃ satīm|| evaṃ comāmaheśaṃ ca sauvarṇaṃ kārayedbudhaḥ

"Five-faced and ten-armed should that god be shown, with the virtuous Girija joined to his very side; thus should the wise have a golden image of Uma and Mahesha made."

Verse 116 (skanda.1.17.116)

सवृषं ताम्रपत्रे च वस्त्रेण परिगुंठिते॥ स्थापयित्वोमया सार्द्धं नानाबोगसमन्वितम्

savṛṣaṃ tāmrapatre ca vastreṇa pariguṃṭhite|| sthāpayitvomayā sārddhaṃ nānābogasamanvitam

"That image, with its bull, should be set upon a copper plate covered with cloth, together with Uma, and offered with manifold delicacies."

Verse 117 (skanda.1.17.117)

विधिना जागरं कुर्याद्रात्रौ श्रद्धासमन्वितः॥ पंचामृतेन स्नपनं कार्यमादौ प्रयत्नतः

vidhinā jāgaraṃ kuryādrātrau śraddhāsamanvitaḥ|| paṃcāmṛtena snapanaṃ kāryamādau prayatnataḥ

"Through the night one should keep vigil, with due rite and full faith, and first of all, with careful devotion, bathe the image in the five nectars."

Verse 118 (skanda.1.17.118)

गोक्षीरस्नानं देवेश गोक्षीरेण मया कृतम्॥ स्नपनं देवदेवेश गृहाण परमेश्वर

gokṣīrasnānaṃ deveśa gokṣīreṇa mayā kṛtam|| snapanaṃ devadeveśa gṛhāṇa parameśvara

"'O lord of the gods, I have bathed you now with cow's milk; O god of gods, O supreme lord, accept this offering' — so should one say."

Verse 119 (skanda.1.17.119)

दध्ना चैव मया देव स्नपनं क्रियतेऽधुना॥ गृहाम च मया दत्तं सुप्रसन्नो भवाद्य वै

dadhnā caiva mayā deva snapanaṃ kriyate'dhunā|| gṛhāma ca mayā dattaṃ suprasanno bhavādya vai

"'O god, now with curd have I bathed you; accept what I have offered, and this day be well pleased.'"

Verse 120 (skanda.1.17.120)

सर्पिषा च मया देव स्नपनं क्रियतेऽधुना॥ गृहाण श्रद्धया दत्तं तव प्रीत्यर्थमेव च

sarpiṣā ca mayā deva snapanaṃ kriyate'dhunā|| gṛhāṇa śraddhayā dattaṃ tava prītyarthameva ca

"'O god, now with ghee is your bathing performed; accept what is offered in faith, only for your delight.'"

Verse 121 (skanda.1.17.121)

इदं मधु मया दत्तं तव प्रीत्यर्थमेव च॥ गृहाम त्वं हि देवेश मम शांतिप्रदो भव

idaṃ madhu mayā dattaṃ tava prītyarthameva ca|| gṛhāma tvaṃ hi deveśa mama śāṃtiprado bhava

"'This honey I have offered only for your delight; accept it, O lord of the gods, and grant me peace.'"

Verse 122 (skanda.1.17.122)

सितया देवदेवेश स्नपनं क्रियतेऽधुना॥ गृहाण श्रद्धया दत्तां सुप्रसन्नो भव प्रभो

sitayā devadeveśa snapanaṃ kriyate'dhunā|| gṛhāṇa śraddhayā dattāṃ suprasanno bhava prabho

"'O god of gods, now with sugar is your bathing performed; accept what is offered in faith, O lord, and be well pleased.'"

Verse 123 (skanda.1.17.123)

एवं पंचामृतेनैव स्नपनीयो वृषध्वजः॥ पश्चादर्घ्यं प्रदातव्यं ताम्रपात्रेण धीमता॥ अनेनैव च मंत्रेण उमाकांतस्य तृष्टये

evaṃ paṃcāmṛtenaiva snapanīyo vṛṣadhvajaḥ|| paścādarghyaṃ pradātavyaṃ tāmrapātreṇa dhīmatā|| anenaiva ca maṃtreṇa umākāṃtasya tṛṣṭaye

Thus should the bull-bannered lord be bathed with the five nectars; and thereafter the wise devotee should offer arghya in a copper vessel, with this very mantra, for the satisfaction of Uma's beloved.

Verse 124 (skanda.1.17.124)

अर्घ्योऽसि त्वमुमाकांत अर्घेणानेन वै प्रभो॥ गृहाण त्वं मया दत्तं प्रसन्नो भव शंकर

arghyo'si tvamumākāṃta argheṇānena vai prabho|| gṛhāṇa tvaṃ mayā dattaṃ prasanno bhava śaṃkara

"'O beloved of Uma, O lord, you alone are worthy of this offering; accept it from me, O Shankara, and be pleased.'"

Verse 125 (skanda.1.17.125)

मया दत्तं च ते पाद्यं पुष्पगंधसमन्वितम्॥ गृहाण देवदेवेश प्रसन्नो वरदो भव

mayā dattaṃ ca te pādyaṃ puṣpagaṃdhasamanvitam|| gṛhāṇa devadeveśa prasanno varado bhava

"'O god of gods, I have offered you this water for the feet, mixed with flowers and scent; accept it, and, well pleased, grant your boons.'"

Verse 126 (skanda.1.17.126)

विष्टरं विष्टरेणैव मया दत्तं च वै प्रभो॥ शांत्यरथं तव देवेश वरदो भव मे सदा

viṣṭaraṃ viṣṭareṇaiva mayā dattaṃ ca vai prabho|| śāṃtyarathaṃ tava deveśa varado bhava me sadā

"'O lord, I have offered you a seat, fitting to the occasion; O lord of the gods, for my peace, be ever the granter of boons.'"

Verse 127 (skanda.1.17.127)

आचमनीयं मया दत्तं तव विश्वेश्वर प्रभो॥ गृहाण परमेशान तुष्टो भव ममाद्य वै

ācamanīyaṃ mayā dattaṃ tava viśveśvara prabho|| gṛhāṇa parameśāna tuṣṭo bhava mamādya vai

"'O lord of the universe, I have offered you water for sipping; O supreme lord, accept it, and this day be satisfied with me.'"

Verse 128 (skanda.1.17.128)

ब्रह्मग्रन्थिसमायुक्तं ब्रह्मकर्मप्रवर्तकम्॥ यज्ञोपवीतं सौवर्णं मया दत्तं तव प्रभो

brahmagranthisamāyuktaṃ brahmakarmapravartakam|| yajñopavītaṃ sauvarṇaṃ mayā dattaṃ tava prabho

"'O lord, I have offered you this sacred thread of gold, bound with the knot of Brahma, that sets in motion the works of Brahma.'"

Verse 129 (skanda.1.17.129)

सुगंधं चंदनं देव मया दत्तं च वै प्रभो॥ भक्त्या पर मया शंभो सुगंधं कुरु मां भव

sugaṃdhaṃ caṃdanaṃ deva mayā dattaṃ ca vai prabho|| bhaktyā para mayā śaṃbho sugaṃdhaṃ kuru māṃ bhava

"'O lord god, I have offered you this fragrant sandal with devotion; O Shambhu, make me too fragrant with your grace.'"

Verse 130 (skanda.1.17.130)

दीपं हि परमं शंभो घृतप्रज्वलितं मया॥ दत्तं गृहाण देवेश मम ज्ञानप्रदो भव

dīpaṃ hi paramaṃ śaṃbho ghṛtaprajvalitaṃ mayā|| dattaṃ gṛhāṇa deveśa mama jñānaprado bhava

"'O Shambhu, this supreme lamp, lit with ghee, I have offered; O lord of the gods, accept it, and grant me knowledge.'"

Verse 131 (skanda.1.17.131)

दीपं विशिष्टं परमं सर्वौषधिविजृंभितम्॥ गृहाण परमेशान मम शांत्यर्थमेव च

dīpaṃ viśiṣṭaṃ paramaṃ sarvauṣadhivijṛṃbhitam|| gṛhāṇa parameśāna mama śāṃtyarthameva ca

"'O supreme lord, accept this special and most excellent lamp, made rich with every herb, only for my peace.'"

Verse 132 (skanda.1.17.132)

दीपावलिं मया दत्तां कृहाण परमेश्वर॥ आरार्तिकप्रदानेन मम तेजः प्रदो भव

dīpāvaliṃ mayā dattāṃ kṛhāṇa parameśvara|| ārārtikapradānena mama tejaḥ prado bhava

"'O supreme lord, accept this row of lamps that I have offered you; through this offering of arati, grant me your splendour.'"

Verse 133 (skanda.1.17.133)

फलदीपादिनैवेद्यतांबूलादिक्रमेण च॥ पूजनीयो विधानज्ञैस्तस्यां रात्रौ प्रयत्नतः

phaladīpādinaivedyatāṃbūlādikrameṇa ca|| pūjanīyo vidhānajñaistasyāṃ rātrau prayatnataḥ

In this same order, offering fruit, lamps, food and betel in turn, those versed in the rite should worship the lord with diligence through that whole night.

Verse 134 (skanda.1.17.134)

पश्चाज्जागरणं कार्यं गृहे वा देवतालये॥ वितानमंडपं कृत्वा नानाश्चर्यसमन्वितम्॥ गीतवादित्रनृत्येन अर्चनीयः सदाशिवः

paścājjāgaraṇaṃ kāryaṃ gṛhe vā devatālaye|| vitānamaṃḍapaṃ kṛtvā nānāścaryasamanvitam|| gītavāditranṛtyena arcanīyaḥ sadāśivaḥ

Thereafter, a vigil should be kept, either at home or in a temple; a canopied pavilion, adorned with manifold wonders, should be raised, and Sadashiva worshipped with song, music and dance.

Verse 135 (skanda.1.17.135)

अनेनैव विधानेन प्रदोषोद्यापने विधिः॥ कार्ये विधिमता शक्र सर्वकार्यार्थसिद्धये

anenaiva vidhānena pradoṣodyāpane vidhiḥ|| kārye vidhimatā śakra sarvakāryārthasiddhaye

"O Shakra, such is the rite for the completion of the Pradosha vow; it should be performed with due care, for the accomplishment of every purpose."

Verse 136 (skanda.1.17.136)

गुरुणा कथितं सर्वं तच्चकार शतक्रतुः॥ तेनैव च सहायेन इंद्रो युद्धपरायणः

guruṇā kathitaṃ sarvaṃ taccakāra śatakratuḥ|| tenaiva ca sahāyena iṃdro yuddhaparāyaṇaḥ

All that his preceptor had thus taught him, Shatakratu duly performed; and with that very help, Indra turned once more to the battle.

Verse 137 (skanda.1.17.137)

वृत्रं प्रति सुरैः सार्द्धं युयुधे च शतक्रतुः॥ तुमुलं युद्धमभवद्देवानां दानावैः सह

vṛtraṃ prati suraiḥ sārddhaṃ yuyudhe ca śatakratuḥ|| tumulaṃ yuddhamabhavaddevānāṃ dānāvaiḥ saha

Shatakratu, together with the gods, joined battle against Vritra; and a tumultuous war broke out between the gods and the danavas.

Verse 138 (skanda.1.17.138)

तस्मिन्सुतुमुले गाढे देवदैत्यक्षयावहे॥ द्वंद्वयुद्धं सुतुमुलमतिवेलं भयावहम्

tasminsutumule gāḍhe devadaityakṣayāvahe|| dvaṃdvayuddhaṃ sutumulamativelaṃ bhayāvaham

In that most tumultuous and fierce battle, bringing destruction to gods and daityas alike, many single combats too broke out, terrible beyond measure.

Verse 139 (skanda.1.17.139)

व्योमो यमेन युयुधे ह्यग्निना तीक्ष्णकोपनः॥ वरुणेन महादंष्ट्रो वायुना च महाबलः

vyomo yamena yuyudhe hyagninā tīkṣṇakopanaḥ|| varuṇena mahādaṃṣṭro vāyunā ca mahābalaḥ

Vyoma fought against Yama, fierce Tikshnakopa against Agni, mighty-tusked one against Varuna, and the immensely strong one against Vayu.

Verse 140 (skanda.1.17.140)

द्वन्द्वयुद्ध रताः सर्वे अन्योन्यबलकांक्षिणः

dvandvayuddha ratāḥ sarve anyonyabalakāṃkṣiṇaḥ

Thus all of them, each eager to test the other's strength, engaged themselves in single combat.

Verse 141 (skanda.1.17.141)

तथैव ते देववरा महाभुजाः संग्रामशूरा जयिनस्तदाऽभवन्॥ पराजयं दैत्यवाराश्च सर्वे प्राप्तास्तदानीं परमं समंतात्

tathaiva te devavarā mahābhujāḥ saṃgrāmaśūrā jayinastadā'bhavan|| parājayaṃ daityavārāśca sarve prāptāstadānīṃ paramaṃ samaṃtāt

Those foremost gods, mighty of arm and heroic in battle, thus won the day, and the finest of the daityas were, in that moment, utterly and completely routed.

Verse 142 (skanda.1.17.142)

दृष्ट्वा सुरैर्दैत्यवरान्पराजितान्पलायमानानथ कान्दिशीकान्॥ तदैव वृत्रः परमेण मन्युना महाबलो वाक्य मिदं बभाषे

dṛṣṭvā surairdaityavarānparājitānpalāyamānānatha kāndiśīkān|| tadaiva vṛtraḥ parameṇa manyunā mahābalo vākya midaṃ babhāṣe

Seeing the finest of the daityas defeated by the gods and fleeing in disarray, not knowing which way to turn, the mighty Vritra, in towering fury, spoke these words —

Verse 143 (skanda.1.17.143)

॥वृत्र उवाच॥ हे दैत्याः परमार्ताश्च कस्माद्यूयं भयातुराः॥ पलायनपराः सर्वे विसृज्य रणमद्भुतम्

||vṛtra uvāca|| he daityāḥ paramārtāśca kasmādyūyaṃ bhayāturāḥ|| palāyanaparāḥ sarve visṛjya raṇamadbhutam

Vritra said: "O daityas, why are you all, so utterly stricken and fear-ridden, fleeing thus, abandoning this wondrous battle?"

Verse 144 (skanda.1.17.144)

स्वंस्वं पराक्रमं वीरा युद्धाय कृतनिश्चयाः॥ दर्शयध्वं सुरगणास्सूदयध्वं महाबलाः

svaṃsvaṃ parākramaṃ vīrā yuddhāya kṛtaniścayāḥ|| darśayadhvaṃ suragaṇāssūdayadhvaṃ mahābalāḥ

"O heroes, resolve yourselves for battle and show forth each your own valour; O mighty ones, cut down these hosts of gods."

Verse 145 (skanda.1.17.145)

गदाभिः पट्टिशैः खड्गैः शक्तितोमरमुद्गरैः॥ असिभिर्भि दिपालैश्च पाशतोमरमुष्टिभिः

gadābhiḥ paṭṭiśaiḥ khaḍgaiḥ śaktitomaramudgaraiḥ|| asibhirbhi dipālaiśca pāśatomaramuṣṭibhiḥ

"With maces, spears, swords, javelins, lances, hammers, blades, throwing-clubs, nooses, and with your very fists —"

Verse 146 (skanda.1.17.146)

तदा देवाश्च युयुधुर्दधीचास्थिसमुद्भवैः॥ शस्त्रैरस्त्रैश्च परमैरसुरान्समदारयन्

tadā devāśca yuyudhurdadhīcāsthisamudbhavaiḥ|| śastrairastraiśca paramairasurānsamadārayan

There the gods, fighting with those supreme weapons forged from Dadhichi's bones, began to tear the asuras apart.

Verse 147 (skanda.1.17.147)

पुनर्दैत्या हता देवैः प्राप्तास्तेपि पराजयम्॥ पुनश्च तेन वृत्रेण नोद्यमानाः सुरान्प्रति

punardaityā hatā devaiḥ prāptāstepi parājayam|| punaśca tena vṛtreṇa nodyamānāḥ surānprati

The daityas, struck down once more by the gods, were again defeated; and once again Vritra roused them to turn back against the gods.

Verse 148 (skanda.1.17.148)

यदा हि ते दैत्यवराः सुरेशैर्निहन्यमानाश्च विदुद्रुवुर्दिशः॥ केचिद्दृष्ट्वा दानवास्ते तदानीं भीतित्रस्ताः क्लीबरूपाः क्रमेणा

yadā hi te daityavarāḥ sureśairnihanyamānāśca vidudruvurdiśaḥ|| keciddṛṣṭvā dānavāste tadānīṃ bhītitrastāḥ klībarūpāḥ krameṇā

When those foremost daityas, struck down by the lords of the gods, scattered fleeing in every direction, some of the danavas, watching this, grew faint with terror and, one by one, lost all their manhood of spirit.

Verse 149 (skanda.1.17.149)

वृत्रेण कोपिना चैवं धिक्कृता दैत्यपुंगवाः॥ हे पुलोमन्महाभाग वृषपर्वन्नमोस्तु ते

vṛtreṇa kopinā caivaṃ dhikkṛtā daityapuṃgavāḥ|| he pulomanmahābhāga vṛṣaparvannamostu te

The enraged Vritra rebuked those foremost daityas thus: "O most fortunate Puloman, O Vrishaparvan, salutation to you—"

Verse 150 (skanda.1.17.150)

हे धूम्राक्ष महाकाल महादैत्य वृकासुर॥ स्थूलाक्ष हे महादैत्य स्थूलदंष्ट्र नमोस्तु ते

he dhūmrākṣa mahākāla mahādaitya vṛkāsura|| sthūlākṣa he mahādaitya sthūladaṃṣṭra namostu te

"— to you, O Dhumraksha, O Mahakala, O great daitya Vrikasura, O Sthulaksha, O great daitya Sthuladamshtra, salutation to you as well—"

Verse 151 (skanda.1.17.151)

स्वर्गद्वारं विहायैव क्षत्रियाणां मनस्विनाम्॥ पलायध्वे किमर्थं वा संग्रामाङ्गणमुत्तमम्

svargadvāraṃ vihāyaiva kṣatriyāṇāṃ manasvinām|| palāyadhve kimarthaṃ vā saṃgrāmāṅgaṇamuttamam

"— yet why do you flee, abandoning this noble battlefield, the very gateway to heaven for spirited warriors?"

Verse 152 (skanda.1.17.152)

संगरे मरणं येषां ते यांति परमं पदम्॥ यत्र तत्र च लिप्सेत संग्रामे मरणं बुधः

saṃgare maraṇaṃ yeṣāṃ te yāṃti paramaṃ padam|| yatra tatra ca lipseta saṃgrāme maraṇaṃ budhaḥ

"Those who die in battle attain the highest state; therefore the wise should seek death only upon the field of war, wherever it may find them."

Verse 153 (skanda.1.17.153)

त्यजन्ति संगरं ये वै ते यांति निरयं ध्रुवम्

tyajanti saṃgaraṃ ye vai te yāṃti nirayaṃ dhruvam

"Those who forsake the battle and flee are bound, without doubt, for hell."

Verse 154 (skanda.1.17.154)

ये ब्राह्मणार्थे भृत्यार्थे स्वार्थे वै शस्त्रपाणयः॥ संग्रामं ये प्रकुर्वंति महापातकिनो नराः

ye brāhmaṇārthe bhṛtyārthe svārthe vai śastrapāṇayaḥ|| saṃgrāmaṃ ye prakurvaṃti mahāpātakino narāḥ

"Whoever takes up weapons and fights, whether for a brahmin's sake, for a master's sake, or for his own — even if he be a man of the gravest sins —"

Verse 155 (skanda.1.17.155)

शस्त्रघातहता ये वै मृता वा संगरे तथा॥ ते यांति परमं स्थानं नात्र कार्या विचारणा

śastraghātahatā ye vai mṛtā vā saṃgare tathā|| te yāṃti paramaṃ sthānaṃ nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

"— if he be struck down by weapons and dies thus in battle, he attains the highest abode; of this there is no doubt at all."

Verse 156 (skanda.1.17.156)

शस्त्रैर्विच्छिन्नदेहा ये गवार्थे स्वामिकारणात्॥ रणे मृताः क्षता ये वै ते यांति परमां गतिम्

śastrairvicchinnadehā ye gavārthe svāmikāraṇāt|| raṇe mṛtāḥ kṣatā ye vai te yāṃti paramāṃ gatim

"Those whose bodies are cut to pieces by weapons, who die wounded in battle for the sake of cattle or for their master's cause, attain the highest path."

Verse 157 (skanda.1.17.157)

तस्माद्रणेऽपि ये शूराः पापिनो निहताः पुरः॥ प्राप्नुवंति परं स्थानं दुर्लभं ज्ञानिनामपि

tasmādraṇe'pi ye śūrāḥ pāpino nihatāḥ puraḥ|| prāpnuvaṃti paraṃ sthānaṃ durlabhaṃ jñānināmapi

"Thus even sinful heroes, slain upon the battlefield, attain that highest state which is hard to reach even for the wise."

Verse 158 (skanda.1.17.158)

अथवा तीर्थगमनं वेदाध्ययनमेव च॥ देवतार्चनयज्ञादिश्रेयांसि विविधानि च

athavā tīrthagamanaṃ vedādhyayanameva ca|| devatārcanayajñādiśreyāṃsi vividhāni ca

"Now, pilgrimage to sacred fords, study of the Veda, worship of the gods, sacrifice, and other manifold virtuous deeds—"

Verse 159 (skanda.1.17.159)

ऐकपद्येन तान्येव कलां नार्हंति षोडशीम्॥ संग्रामे पतितानां च सर्वशास्त्रेष्वयं विधिः

aikapadyena tānyeva kalāṃ nārhaṃti ṣoḍaśīm|| saṃgrāme patitānāṃ ca sarvaśāstreṣvayaṃ vidhiḥ

"— all these together do not equal even a sixteenth part of the merit of those who fall in battle; such is the teaching declared in every scripture."

Verse 160 (skanda.1.17.160)

तस्माद्युद्धावदानं च कर्तव्यमविशंकितैः॥ भवद्भिर्नान्यथा कार्यं देववाक्यप्रमाणतः

tasmādyuddhāvadānaṃ ca kartavyamaviśaṃkitaiḥ|| bhavadbhirnānyathā kāryaṃ devavākyapramāṇataḥ

"Therefore, without hesitation, you must show forth valour in this war; on the authority of this very word of the gods, you must do nothing otherwise."

Verse 161 (skanda.1.17.161)

यूयं सर्वे शौरवृत्त्या समेताः कुलेन शीलेन महानुभावाः॥ पदानि तान्येव पलायमाना गच्छंत्यशूरा रणमंडलाच्च

yūyaṃ sarve śauravṛttyā sametāḥ kulena śīlena mahānubhāvāḥ|| padāni tānyeva palāyamānā gacchaṃtyaśūrā raṇamaṃḍalācca

"All of you are men of great worth, endowed with valour, noble lineage and good character; only cowards flee, step by step, from the field of war."

Verse 162 (skanda.1.17.162)

त एव सर्वे खलु पापलोकान्गच्छंति नूनं वचनात्स्मृतेश्च

ta eva sarve khalu pāpalokāngacchaṃti nūnaṃ vacanātsmṛteśca

"By the very word of the sacred law, such men go, without doubt, to worlds of sin."

Verse 163 (skanda.1.17.163)

ये पापिष्ठास्त्वधर्म्मस्था ब्रह्मघ्ना गुरुतल्पगाः॥ नरकं यांति ते पापं तथैव रणविच्युताः

ye pāpiṣṭhāstvadharmmasthā brahmaghnā gurutalpagāḥ|| narakaṃ yāṃti te pāpaṃ tathaiva raṇavicyutāḥ

"Just as the most wicked — those given to unrighteousness, slayers of brahmins, violators of the guru's bed — go to hell, so too do those who flee from battle, sinful in that same measure."

Verse 164 (skanda.1.17.164)

तस्माद्भवद्भिर्योद्धव्यं स्वामिकार्यभरक्षमैः॥ एवमुक्तास्तदा तेन वृत्रेणापि महात्मना

tasmādbhavadbhiryoddhavyaṃ svāmikāryabharakṣamaiḥ|| evamuktāstadā tena vṛtreṇāpi mahātmanā

"Therefore you, who are able to bear your lord's burden, must fight on." Thus addressed by the great-souled Vritra —

Verse 165 (skanda.1.17.165)

चक्रुस्ते वचंनं तस्य असुराश्च सुरान्प्रति॥ चक्रुः सुतुमुलं युद्धं सर्वलोकभयंकरम्

cakruste vacaṃnaṃ tasya asurāśca surānprati|| cakruḥ sutumulaṃ yuddhaṃ sarvalokabhayaṃkaram

— the asuras, heeding his word, turned again upon the gods and waged a most tumultuous war, striking terror into every world.

Verse 166 (skanda.1.17.166)

तस्मिन्प्रवृत्ते तुमुले विगाढे वृत्रो महादैत्यपतिः स एकः॥ उवाच रोषेण महाद्भुतेन शतक्रतुं देववरैः समेतम्

tasminpravṛtte tumule vigāḍhe vṛtro mahādaityapatiḥ sa ekaḥ|| uvāca roṣeṇa mahādbhutena śatakratuṃ devavaraiḥ sametam

As that fierce and raging battle unfolded, Vritra, lord of the great daityas, standing alone, spoke in towering wrath to Shatakratu, surrounded by the finest of the gods —

Verse 167 (skanda.1.17.167)

॥वृत्र उवाच॥ श्रृणु वाक्यं मया चोक्तं धर्म्मार्थसहितं हितम्॥ त्वं देवानां पतिर्भूत्वा न जानासि हिताहितम्

||vṛtra uvāca|| śrṛṇu vākyaṃ mayā coktaṃ dharmmārthasahitaṃ hitam|| tvaṃ devānāṃ patirbhūtvā na jānāsi hitāhitam

Vritra said: "Hear these words of mine, wholesome and rooted in dharma and right conduct: you, who are lord of the gods, do not even know what is beneficial and what is not."

Verse 168 (skanda.1.17.168)

किंबलार्थपरो भूत्वा विश्वरूपो हतस्त्वया॥ प्राप्तमद्यैव भो इंद्र तस्येदं कर्म्मणः फलम्

kiṃbalārthaparo bhūtvā viśvarūpo hatastvayā|| prāptamadyaiva bho iṃdra tasyedaṃ karmmaṇaḥ phalam

"Drunk on your own strength, you slew Vishvarupa; O Indra, this very day, you now reap the fruit of that deed."

Verse 169 (skanda.1.17.169)

ये दीर्घदर्शिनो मंदा मूढा धर्मबहिष्कृताः॥ अकल्पाः कार्यसिद्ध्यर्थं यत्कुर्वंति च निष्फलम्॥ तत्सर्वं विद्धि देवेंद्र मनसा संप्रधार्यताम्

ye dīrghadarśino maṃdā mūḍhā dharmabahiṣkṛtāḥ|| akalpāḥ kāryasiddhyarthaṃ yatkurvaṃti ca niṣphalam|| tatsarvaṃ viddhi deveṃdra manasā saṃpradhāryatām

"Those who, though far-sighted, are yet foolish, dull-witted and cast out from dharma, are unfit for the accomplishment of any task, and whatever they do comes only to nothing — O lord of the gods, ponder this well within your mind."

Verse 170 (skanda.1.17.170)

तस्माद्धर्म्मपरो भूत्वा युध्यस्व गतकल्मषः॥ भ्रातृहा त्वं ममैवेंद्र तस्मात्त्वा घातयाम्यहम्

tasmāddharmmaparo bhūtvā yudhyasva gatakalmaṣaḥ|| bhrātṛhā tvaṃ mamaiveṃdra tasmāttvā ghātayāmyaham

"Therefore fight now, devoted to dharma and free of your former guilt; O Indra, you are the slayer of my own brother, and for that I shall now destroy you."

Verse 171 (skanda.1.17.171)

मा प्रयाहि स्थिरो भूत्वा देवैश्च परिवारितः॥ एव मुक्तस्तु वृत्रेण शक्रोऽतीव रुषान्वितः॥ ऐरावतं समारुह्य ययौ वृत्रजिघांसया

mā prayāhi sthiro bhūtvā devaiśca parivāritaḥ|| eva muktastu vṛtreṇa śakro'tīva ruṣānvitaḥ|| airāvataṃ samāruhya yayau vṛtrajighāṃsayā

"Do not flee — stand firm, surrounded by your gods." Thus addressed by Vritra, Shakra, filled with fury, mounted Airavata and advanced, intent on Vritra's destruction.

Verse 172 (skanda.1.17.172)

इंद्रमायांतमालोक्य वृत्रो बलवतां वरः॥ उवाच प्रहसन्वाक्यं सर्वेषां श्रृण्वतामपि

iṃdramāyāṃtamālokya vṛtro balavatāṃ varaḥ|| uvāca prahasanvākyaṃ sarveṣāṃ śrṛṇvatāmapi

Seeing Indra advance, Vritra, foremost among the mighty, spoke laughing, before the ears of all who were present —

Verse 173 (skanda.1.17.173)

आदौ मां प्रहरस्वेति तस्मात्त्वां घातयाम्यहम्

ādau māṃ praharasveti tasmāttvāṃ ghātayāmyaham

"Strike me first — and then I shall destroy you."

Verse 174 (skanda.1.17.174)

इत्येवमुक्तो देवेंद्रो जघान गदया भृशम्॥ वृत्रं बलवतां श्रेष्ठं जानुदेशे महाबलम्

ityevamukto deveṃdro jaghāna gadayā bhṛśam|| vṛtraṃ balavatāṃ śreṣṭhaṃ jānudeśe mahābalam

Thus addressed, Indra struck a fierce blow with his mace upon the knee of Vritra, that mighty and foremost of the strong.

Verse 175 (skanda.1.17.175)

तामापतंतिं जग्राह करेणैकेन लीलया॥ तयैवैनं जघानाशु गदया त्रिदिवेश्वरम्

tāmāpataṃtiṃ jagrāha kareṇaikena līlayā|| tayaivainaṃ jaghānāśu gadayā tridiveśvaram

Vritra caught that oncoming mace with a single hand, as though in play, and with that very mace at once struck back at the lord of heaven.

Verse 176 (skanda.1.17.176)

सा गदा पातयामास सवज्रं च पुरंदरम्॥ पतितं शक्रमालोक्य वृत्र ऊचे सुरान्प्रति

sā gadā pātayāmāsa savajraṃ ca puraṃdaram|| patitaṃ śakramālokya vṛtra ūce surānprati

That mace felled Purandara, thunderbolt and all; and seeing Shakra fallen, Vritra spoke to the gods —

Verse 177 (skanda.1.17.177)

नयध्वं स्वामिनं देवाः स्वपुरीममरावतीम्

nayadhvaṃ svāminaṃ devāḥ svapurīmamarāvatīm

"O gods, take your lord back to your own city of Amaravati."

Verse 178 (skanda.1.17.178)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचः सत्यं वृत्रस्य च महात्नः॥ तथा चक्रुः सुराः सर्वे रणाच्चेंद्रं समुत्सुकाः

etacchrutvā vacaḥ satyaṃ vṛtrasya ca mahātnaḥ|| tathā cakruḥ surāḥ sarve raṇācceṃdraṃ samutsukāḥ

Hearing that true and gracious word from the great-souled Vritra, all the gods, moved with concern, set at once to carrying Indra away from the field.

Verse 179 (skanda.1.17.179)

अपोवाह्य गजस्थं हि परिवार्य भयातुराः॥ सुराः सर्वे रणं हित्वा जग्मुस्ते त्रिदिवं प्रति

apovāhya gajasthaṃ hi parivārya bhayāturāḥ|| surāḥ sarve raṇaṃ hitvā jagmuste tridivaṃ prati

Placing him upon the elephant, and gathering fearfully about him, all the gods left the battlefield behind and set out for the heavens.

Verse 180 (skanda.1.17.180)

ततो गतेषु देवेषु ननर्त च महासुरः॥ वृत्रो जहास च परं तेना पूर्यत दिक्तटम्

tato gateṣu deveṣu nanarta ca mahāsuraḥ|| vṛtro jahāsa ca paraṃ tenā pūryata diktaṭam

When the gods had gone, that great asura Vritra began to dance, and laughed so loudly that the very quarters of the sky rang with the sound.

Verse 181 (skanda.1.17.181)

चचाल च मही सर्वा सशैलवनकानना॥ चुक्षुभे च तदा सर्वं जंगमं स्थावरं तथा

cacāla ca mahī sarvā saśailavanakānanā|| cukṣubhe ca tadā sarvaṃ jaṃgamaṃ sthāvaraṃ tathā

The whole earth, with its mountains and forests, trembled, and everything moving and unmoving was thrown into turmoil.

Verse 182 (skanda.1.17.182)

श्रुत्वा प्रयातं देवेंद्रं ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः॥ उपयातोऽथ देवेंद्र स्वकमण्डलुवारिणा॥ अस्पृशल्लब्धसंज्ञोऽभूत्तत्क्षणाच्च पुरंदरः

śrutvā prayātaṃ deveṃdraṃ brahmā lokapitāmahaḥ|| upayāto'tha deveṃdra svakamaṇḍaluvāriṇā|| aspṛśallabdhasaṃjño'bhūttatkṣaṇācca puraṃdaraḥ

Hearing what had befallen Indra, Brahma, grandsire of the worlds, came there and touched him with the water of his own kamandalu; and at that very instant Purandara regained his senses.

Verse 183 (skanda.1.17.183)

दृष्ट्वा पितामहं चाग्रे व्रीडायुक्तोऽभवत्तदा॥ महेंद्रं त्रपया युक्तं ब्रह्मोवाच पितामहः

dṛṣṭvā pitāmahaṃ cāgre vrīḍāyukto'bhavattadā|| maheṃdraṃ trapayā yuktaṃ brahmovāca pitāmahaḥ

Seeing the grandsire before him, he was overcome with shame; and to that shame-filled Mahendra, grandsire Brahma then spoke —

Verse 184 (skanda.1.17.184)

॥ब्रह्मोवाच॥ वृत्रो हि तपसा युक्तो ब्रह्मचर्यव्रते स्थितः॥ त्वष्टुश्च तपसा युक्तो वृत्रश्चायं महायशाः॥ अजेयस्तपसोग्रेण तस्मात्त्वं तपसा जय

||brahmovāca|| vṛtro hi tapasā yukto brahmacaryavrate sthitaḥ|| tvaṣṭuśca tapasā yukto vṛtraścāyaṃ mahāyaśāḥ|| ajeyastapasogreṇa tasmāttvaṃ tapasā jaya

Brahma said: "This Vritra is endowed with great penance, and stands firm in the vow of celibacy; joined too to Tvashta's own austerity, this glorious Vritra is invincible by virtue of that fierce penance alone — therefore you too must conquer him through penance."

Verse 185 (skanda.1.17.185)

वृत्रासुरो दैत्यपतिश्च शक्र ते समाधिना परमेणैव जय्यः॥ निशम्य वाक्यं परमेष्ठिनो हरिः सस्मार देवं वृषभध्वजं तदा

vṛtrāsuro daityapatiśca śakra te samādhinā parameṇaiva jayyaḥ|| niśamya vākyaṃ parameṣṭhino hariḥ sasmāra devaṃ vṛṣabhadhvajaṃ tadā

"O Shakra, this lord of the daityas, Vritrasura, can be conquered by you only through the deepest meditation." Hearing the word of the grandsire, Indra at once called to mind the bull-bannered god.

Verse 186 (skanda.1.17.186)

स्तुत्या तदातं स्तवमानो महात्मा पुरंदरो गुरुणा नोदितो हि

stutyā tadātaṃ stavamāno mahātmā puraṃdaro guruṇā nodito hi

Urged on by his preceptor, the great-souled Purandara began to praise that god with a hymn.

Verse 187 (skanda.1.17.187)

॥इंद्र उवाच॥ नमो भर्गाय देवाय देवानामतिदुर्गम॥ वरदो भव देवेश देवानां कार्यसिद्धये

||iṃdra uvāca|| namo bhargāya devāya devānāmatidurgama|| varado bhava deveśa devānāṃ kāryasiddhaye

Indra said: "Salutation to you, O Bharga, O god who is beyond the reach even of the gods; O lord of the gods, be the granter of boons, for the fulfilment of the gods' purpose."

Verse 188 (skanda.1.17.188)

एवं स्तितिपरो भूत्वा शचीपतिरुदारधीः॥ स्वकार्यदक्षो मंदात्मा प्रपंचाभिरतः खलु

evaṃ stitiparo bhūtvā śacīpatirudāradhīḥ|| svakāryadakṣo maṃdātmā prapaṃcābhirataḥ khalu

Thus given over to praise, that noble-minded lord of Shachi — skilled indeed in his own affairs, yet, in his lesser wisdom, still bound up in the world's manifold concerns —

Verse 189 (skanda.1.17.189)

प्रपंचाभिरता मूढाः शिवभक्तिपरा ह्यपि॥ न प्राप्नुवंति ते स्थानं परमीशस्यरागिणः

prapaṃcābhiratā mūḍhāḥ śivabhaktiparā hyapi|| na prāpnuvaṃti te sthānaṃ paramīśasyarāgiṇaḥ

Fools who remain absorbed in the world's manifold concerns, even when devoted to Shiva, cannot attain the supreme lord's highest abode, so long as attachment still clings to them.

Verse 190 (skanda.1.17.190)

निर्मला निरहंकारा ये जनाः पर्युपासते॥ मृडं ज्ञानप्रदं चेशं परेशं शंभुमेव च

nirmalā nirahaṃkārā ye janāḥ paryupāsate|| mṛḍaṃ jñānapradaṃ ceśaṃ pareśaṃ śaṃbhumeva ca

But those who, pure and free of pride, worship Mrida, the giver of knowledge, the supreme lord Shambhu —

Verse 191 (skanda.1.17.191)

तेषां परेषां वरद इहामुत्र च शंकरः॥ महेंद्रेण स्तुतः शर्वो रागिणा परमेण हि

teṣāṃ pareṣāṃ varada ihāmutra ca śaṃkaraḥ|| maheṃdreṇa stutaḥ śarvo rāgiṇā parameṇa hi

— for them alone Shankara becomes the granter of boons, both in this world and the next. Mahendra, though bound still by deep attachment, had thus praised Sharva.

Verse 192 (skanda.1.17.192)

रागिणां हि सदा शंभुर्दुर्लभो नात्र संशयः॥ तस्माद्विरागिणां नित्यं सन्मुखो हि सदाशिवः

rāgiṇāṃ hi sadā śaṃbhurdurlabho nātra saṃśayaḥ|| tasmādvirāgiṇāṃ nityaṃ sanmukho hi sadāśivaḥ

For those bound by attachment, Shambhu ever remains hard to attain, without doubt; therefore Sadashiva ever stands revealed only before those free of worldly desire.

Verse 193 (skanda.1.17.193)

राजा सुराणां हि महानुरागी स्वकर्मसंसिद्धिमहाप्रवीणः॥ तस्मात्सदा क्लेशपरः शचीपतिः स्वकामभावात्मपरो हि नित्यम्

rājā surāṇāṃ hi mahānurāgī svakarmasaṃsiddhimahāpravīṇaḥ|| tasmātsadā kleśaparaḥ śacīpatiḥ svakāmabhāvātmaparo hi nityam

This king of the gods, deeply attached and skilled only in the accomplishment of his own ends, remained thus, ever bound to his own desires, forever caught in that same suffering.

Verse 194 (skanda.1.17.194)

स्तवमानं तदा चेंद्रमब्रवीत्कार्यगौरवात्॥ विज्ञायाखिलदृग्द्रष्टा महेशो लिंगरूपवान्

stavamānaṃ tadā ceṃdramabravītkāryagauravāt|| vijñāyākhiladṛgdraṣṭā maheśo liṃgarūpavān

Yet even then, mindful of the gravity of the task, Mahesha, the all-seeing witness in the form of the linga, understanding all, spoke to Indra even as he praised him —

Verse 195 (skanda.1.17.195)

इंद्र गच्छ सुरैः सार्द्धं वृत्रं वै दानवं प्रति॥ तपसैव च साध्योऽयं रणे जेतुं शतक्रतो

iṃdra gaccha suraiḥ sārddhaṃ vṛtraṃ vai dānavaṃ prati|| tapasaiva ca sādhyo'yaṃ raṇe jetuṃ śatakrato

"O Indra, go now with the gods against the danava Vritra; yet, O Shatakratu, know that he can be conquered in battle only through penance."

Verse 196 (skanda.1.17.196)

॥इंद्र उवाच॥ केनोपायेन साध्योऽयं वृत्रो दैत्यवरो महान्॥ त्चछीघ्रं कथ्यतां शंभो येन मे विजयो भवेत्

||iṃdra uvāca|| kenopāyena sādhyo'yaṃ vṛtro daityavaro mahān|| tcachīghraṃ kathyatāṃ śaṃbho yena me vijayo bhavet

Indra said: "O Shambhu, by what means can this great and foremost of daityas, Vritra, be overcome? Tell me swiftly, that I might attain victory."

Verse 197 (skanda.1.17.197)

॥रुद्र उवाच॥ रणे न शक्यते हंतुमपि देववरैरपि॥ तस्मात्त्वया हि कर्तव्यं कुत्सितं कर्म चाद्य वै

||rudra uvāca|| raṇe na śakyate haṃtumapi devavarairapi|| tasmāttvayā hi kartavyaṃ kutsitaṃ karma cādya vai

Rudra said: "In open battle, he cannot be slain even by the finest of the gods; therefore you must resort, this very day, to a deed that is otherwise held disgraceful."

Verse 198 (skanda.1.17.198)

अस्य शापः पुरा दत्तः पार्वत्या मम सन्निधौ॥ असौ चित्ररथो नाम्ना विख्यातो भुवनत्रये

asya śāpaḥ purā dattaḥ pārvatyā mama sannidhau|| asau citraratho nāmnā vikhyāto bhuvanatraye

"Long ago, in my very presence, Parvati laid a curse upon him; he was once known throughout the three worlds by the name Chitraratha."

Verse 199 (skanda.1.17.199)

पर्यटन्सु विमानेन मया दत्तेन भास्वता॥ उपहासादिमां योनिं संप्राप्तो दत्यपुंगवः

paryaṭansu vimānena mayā dattena bhāsvatā|| upahāsādimāṃ yoniṃ saṃprāpto datyapuṃgavaḥ

"Wandering about in that radiant chariot which I myself had given him, it was through his own mockery that this foremost of daityas came to be born in this demon's form."

Verse 200 (skanda.1.17.200)

तस्मादजेयं जानीहि रणे रणविदां वर॥ एवमुक्तो महेंद्रोऽयं शंभुना योगिना भृशम्

tasmādajeyaṃ jānīhi raṇe raṇavidāṃ vara|| evamukto maheṃdro'yaṃ śaṃbhunā yoginā bhṛśam

"Therefore know him, O foremost among those skilled in war, to be truly unconquerable in open battle." Thus repeatedly instructed by the great yogi Shambhu —

Verse 201 (skanda.1.17.201)

तथेति मत्वा शक्रोऽसौ नियमं तमुपाददे

tatheti matvā śakro'sau niyamaṃ tamupādade

— Indra, accepting this as true, took up that very discipline.

Verse 202 (skanda.1.17.202)

रंध्रं प्रतीक्ष्य वृत्रस्य तत्समीपे सहस्रकम्॥ वत्सराणां महाभागा वसन्हंतुं मनो दधे

raṃdhraṃ pratīkṣya vṛtrasya tatsamīpe sahasrakam|| vatsarāṇāṃ mahābhāgā vasanhaṃtuṃ mano dadhe

Watching for some flaw in Vritra, that most fortunate Indra dwelt near him for a thousand years, ever intent upon his destruction.

Verse 203 (skanda.1.17.203)

अंतर्वेद्यां बहिः स्थित्वा वज्रपाणिरनुज्ञया॥ गुरोः पुरोधसश्चैव स्वकार्यमकरोद्भृशम्

aṃtarvedyāṃ bahiḥ sthitvā vajrapāṇiranujñayā|| guroḥ purodhasaścaiva svakāryamakarodbhṛśam

With the permission of his preceptor and priest, Indra, thunderbolt in hand, remained just outside the Antarvedi, and there pursued his purpose without pause.

Verse 204 (skanda.1.17.204)

एकदा नर्म्मदायां वै वृत्रो दानवपुंगवः॥ दैत्यैः परिवृतः सर्वैः समायातो यदृच्छया

ekadā narmmadāyāṃ vai vṛtro dānavapuṃgavaḥ|| daityaiḥ parivṛtaḥ sarvaiḥ samāyāto yadṛcchayā

One day, that foremost of danavas, Vritra, surrounded by all the daityas, happened by chance to come to the Narmada river.

Verse 205 (skanda.1.17.205)

इंद्रः पराभवं प्राप्तो नीतो देवैर्द्दिवं प्रति॥ अहमेव हतारिश्च नान्योस्ति सदृशो मम

iṃdraḥ parābhavaṃ prāpto nīto devairddivaṃ prati|| ahameva hatāriśca nānyosti sadṛśo mama

There he thought to himself: "Indra was defeated and carried off by the gods to heaven; I alone have slain my enemy, and none is my equal."

Verse 206 (skanda.1.17.206)

मन्यमानः सदा वृत्रः पौरुषेण समन्वितः॥ प्रदोषसमये विप्रा नर्मदायामुपस्थितः

manyamānaḥ sadā vṛtraḥ pauruṣeṇa samanvitaḥ|| pradoṣasamaye viprā narmadāyāmupasthitaḥ

Ever proud of his own strength and manhood, Vritra found himself, at that hour of Pradosha, standing there upon the bank of the Narmada.

Verse 207 (skanda.1.17.207)

दृष्टश्चेंद्रेण सुमहानसुरैः परिवारितः॥ वृत्रो बलवतां श्रेष्ठः प्रदोषसमये तदा

dṛṣṭaśceṃdreṇa sumahānasuraiḥ parivāritaḥ|| vṛtro balavatāṃ śreṣṭhaḥ pradoṣasamaye tadā

There, at that hour of Pradosha, Indra caught sight of him — that vast Vritra, foremost among the mighty, surrounded by his asuras.

Verse 208 (skanda.1.17.208)

तस्मिन्प्रदेषे संयुक्ता मंदवारे त्रयोदशी॥ नोदितो गुरुणा चेंद्रः करे गृह्य बृहस्पतिः

tasminpradeṣe saṃyuktā maṃdavāre trayodaśī|| nodito guruṇā ceṃdraḥ kare gṛhya bṛhaspatiḥ

By chance, that Pradosha fell together with a Saturday thirteenth; and Brihaspati, taking Indra by the hand, urged him on.

Verse 209 (skanda.1.17.209)

प्रदक्षिणानमस्कारैर्यथोक्तविधिना तदा॥ पूजितो लिंगरूपी च ओंकारो नर्मदातटे

pradakṣiṇānamaskārairyathoktavidhinā tadā|| pūjito liṃgarūpī ca oṃkāro narmadātaṭe

Then, on the bank of the Narmada, with circumambulation and prostration performed according to the prescribed rite, the linga in the form of Omkara was worshipped.

Verse 210 (skanda.1.17.210)

प्रदोषव्रतमाहात्म्याद्वज्रपाणिः प्रतापवान्॥ संजातस्तत्क्षणादेव प्रसादाच्छंकरस्गयच

pradoṣavratamāhātmyādvajrapāṇiḥ pratāpavān|| saṃjātastatkṣaṇādeva prasādācchaṃkarasgayaca

By the greatness of the Pradosha vow and through Shankara's grace, Indra, thunderbolt in hand, was at once filled with renewed power and majesty.

Verse 211 (skanda.1.17.211)

वृत्रोपि तपसा युक्तः प्रदोषसमये महान्॥ निद्रासक्तोऽभवत्तत्र शुंडेन प्रति बोधितः

vṛtropi tapasā yuktaḥ pradoṣasamaye mahān|| nidrāsakto'bhavattatra śuṃḍena prati bodhitaḥ

At that same hour of Pradosha, even the great and penance-endowed Vritra fell there into sleep, and was roused again by his own attendant.

Verse 212 (skanda.1.17.212)

स्वापात्प्रदोषवेलायां तपसा चार्जितं फलम्॥ प्रनष्टं तत्क्षणादेव निःश्रीकत्वमुपागतः

svāpātpradoṣavelāyāṃ tapasā cārjitaṃ phalam|| pranaṣṭaṃ tatkṣaṇādeva niḥśrīkatvamupāgataḥ

By sleeping through the hour of Pradosha, the merit he had gained through his penance was destroyed in that very instant, and he found himself stripped of all his former glory.

Verse 213 (skanda.1.17.213)

देव्याः शापाच्च संजातो वृत्रो भग्नमनोरथः

devyāḥ śāpācca saṃjāto vṛtro bhagnamanorathaḥ

Vritra, who had come into being through the goddess's own curse, now found his every purpose broken.

Verse 214 (skanda.1.17.214)

संध्यापादो गतो यावद्धृत्र स्तीर्थमुपाविशत्॥ परीतो विविधैर्द्दैत्यैत्यैर्नानायुधसमन्वितैः

saṃdhyāpādo gato yāvaddhṛtra stīrthamupāviśat|| parīto vividhairddaityaityairnānāyudhasamanvitaiḥ

As the twilight hour passed, Vritra, surrounded by daityas of every kind, armed with weapons of every sort, went and sat down at that sacred ford.

Verse 215 (skanda.1.17.215)

तस्य तत्कर्मणश्छिद्रं छिद्रान्वेषी शचीपतिः॥ ज्ञात्वा गतः शनैर्हतुमात्मशत्रुं शतक्रतुः

tasya tatkarmaṇaśchidraṃ chidrānveṣī śacīpatiḥ|| jñātvā gataḥ śanairhatumātmaśatruṃ śatakratuḥ

Perceiving that flaw now opened in his enemy's guard, Shatakratu, who had long watched for just such a weakness, advanced softly to slay his foe.

Verse 216 (skanda.1.17.216)

तावद्दैत्याः सुसंरब्धा भीमा भीमपराक्रमाः॥ उत्तस्थुर्युगपत्सर्वे दुःसहाश्च शतक्रतुम्

tāvaddaityāḥ susaṃrabdhā bhīmā bhīmaparākramāḥ|| uttasthuryugapatsarve duḥsahāśca śatakratum

At that very instant, those terrible and mighty daityas, roused to fury, rose up all together, becoming a force too great for Shatakratu to withstand alone.

Verse 217 (skanda.1.17.217)

ततस्तैरभवद्युद्धमतिप्रबलदंडिभिः॥ सर्वे देवाः सहायार्थं तदाऽजग्मुः शतक्रतोः

tatastairabhavadyuddhamatiprabaladaṃḍibhiḥ|| sarve devāḥ sahāyārthaṃ tadā'jagmuḥ śatakratoḥ

Then battle broke out with those most powerful demons; and at that moment all the gods came to Shatakratu's aid.

Verse 218 (skanda.1.17.218)

तदा दैत्याश्च देवाश्च युयुधुस्ते तरस्विनः॥ रात्रौ युद्धं समाभवत्सुरासुरविमर्दनम्

tadā daityāśca devāśca yuyudhuste tarasvinaḥ|| rātrau yuddhaṃ samābhavatsurāsuravimardanam

Then those swift and mighty daityas and gods fought against one another; through the night there raged that battle, grinding gods and asuras alike.

Verse 219 (skanda.1.17.219)

अनेकशस्त्रसंवीतं महारौद्रमवर्तत॥ एवं प्रवर्तमाने तु संग्रमे रौद्रदारुणे॥ तदा वृत्रोऽथ सन्नद्धो गृहीत्वा शूलमुल्बणम्

anekaśastrasaṃvītaṃ mahāraudramavartata|| evaṃ pravartamāne tu saṃgrame raudradāruṇe|| tadā vṛtro'tha sannaddho gṛhītvā śūlamulbaṇam

Filled with a multitude of weapons, that battle raged on in most terrible fury; and as this dreadful and fearsome war unfolded, Vritra too armed himself, taking up his massive trident.

Verse 220 (skanda.1.17.220)

इंद्र प्रमुखतो भूत्वा जगर्जातिविभीषणम्॥ तस्य नादप्रणादेन त्रासितं भुवनत्रयम्

iṃdra pramukhato bhūtvā jagarjātivibhīṣaṇam|| tasya nādapraṇādena trāsitaṃ bhuvanatrayam

Standing before Indra, he let out a roar of terrifying fury, and at the sound of that reverberation the three worlds trembled with fear.

Verse 221 (skanda.1.17.221)

ऐरावणं समारुह्य महेंद्रः शुशुभे तदा॥ ध्रियमाणेनच्छत्रेण चंद्रमंडलशोभिना

airāvaṇaṃ samāruhya maheṃdraḥ śuśubhe tadā|| dhriyamāṇenacchatreṇa caṃdramaṃḍalaśobhinā

At that moment, mounted upon Airavata, Mahendra shone forth in splendour, with an umbrella held over him, radiant as the very orb of the moon.

Verse 222 (skanda.1.17.222)

चामरैर्वीज्यमानोऽथ बभाषे दैत्यपुंगवम्

cāmarairvījyamāno'tha babhāṣe daityapuṃgavam

As the fly-whisks waved about him, he spoke to that foremost of daityas —

Verse 223 (skanda.1.17.223)

॥इंद्र उवाच॥ संग्रामं कुरु मे वृत्र बलेन महता वृतः॥ शूरस्त्वमसि शूराणां तपसा परमेण हि

||iṃdra uvāca|| saṃgrāmaṃ kuru me vṛtra balena mahatā vṛtaḥ|| śūrastvamasi śūrāṇāṃ tapasā parameṇa hi

Indra said: "O Vritra, join battle with me now, surrounded as you are by your mighty strength; you are indeed a hero among heroes, by virtue of your own supreme penance."

Verse 224 (skanda.1.17.224)

एवमुक्तस्तदा तेन वृत्रो वाक्यमुवाच ह॥ आदौ प्रहर मामिंद्रपश्चात्त्वां घातयाम्यहम्

evamuktastadā tena vṛtro vākyamuvāca ha|| ādau prahara māmiṃdrapaścāttvāṃ ghātayāmyaham

Thus addressed, Vritra spoke in reply: "Strike me first, O Indra — and then I shall destroy you."

Verse 225 (skanda.1.17.225)

तथेति मत्वा तदतीव दुःसहं वज्रं तदानीं शतधारमेव॥ स मोक्तुकामो हि तदा पुरंदरो निवारितस्तेन महाप्रभेण॥ पुरोधसा बुद्धिमतां वरेण तथेति मत्वा स चकार चेंद्रः

tatheti matvā tadatīva duḥsahaṃ vajraṃ tadānīṃ śatadhārameva|| sa moktukāmo hi tadā puraṃdaro nivāritastena mahāprabheṇa|| purodhasā buddhimatāṃ vareṇa tatheti matvā sa cakāra ceṃdraḥ

Agreeing to this, Purandara resolved to loose that most terrible thunderbolt of a hundred edges; but the radiant priest, foremost among the wise, held him back — and so, accepting this counsel, Indra did as he was told.

Verse 226 (skanda.1.17.226)

गदां प्रगृह्य देवेंद्रो वृत्रं विव्याध तां गदाम्॥ वारयामास वृत्रोसा वतिथिं कृपणो यथा

gadāṃ pragṛhya deveṃdro vṛtraṃ vivyādha tāṃ gadām|| vārayāmāsa vṛtrosā vatithiṃ kṛpaṇo yathā

Indra, taking up his mace, struck at Vritra with it; but Vritra warded off that mace, just as a miser wards off an unwelcome guest.

Verse 227 (skanda.1.17.227)

व्यार्थां च स्वगदां दृष्ट्वा इंद्रश्चिंतामवाप ह

vyārthāṃ ca svagadāṃ dṛṣṭvā iṃdraściṃtāmavāpa ha

Seeing his own mace rendered useless, Indra fell into deep anxiety.

Verse 228 (skanda.1.17.228)

तं चिंत्यमानं स तदा पुरंदरं वृत्रो बभाषे परिभर्त्समानः॥ पुराकृतं शक्र महाद्भुतं त्वया जुगुप्सितं कर्म्म च विस्मृतं किम्॥ येनैव जातोऽसि सहस्रनेत्रः शापान्महर्षेरथ गौतमस्य

taṃ ciṃtyamānaṃ sa tadā puraṃdaraṃ vṛtro babhāṣe paribhartsamānaḥ|| purākṛtaṃ śakra mahādbhutaṃ tvayā jugupsitaṃ karmma ca vismṛtaṃ kim|| yenaiva jāto'si sahasranetraḥ śāpānmaharṣeratha gautamasya

To that anxious Purandara, Vritra spoke, taunting him: "O Shakra, have you forgotten that shameful deed you once committed — the very one for which, cursed by the great sage Gautama, you became thousand-eyed?"

Verse 229 (skanda.1.17.229)

ये शूराश्चेंद्रियग्रामं वर्तंते हि नियम्य तु॥ ते जयं प्राप्नुवंतीह नेतरे हि भवादृशाः

ye śūrāśceṃdriyagrāmaṃ vartaṃte hi niyamya tu|| te jayaṃ prāpnuvaṃtīha netare hi bhavādṛśāḥ

"Only those heroes who hold their host of senses in restraint attain victory here — not men like you, given over to your senses."

Verse 230 (skanda.1.17.230)

रणाजिरं महाघोरं पापिनां नात्र संशयः

raṇājiraṃ mahāghoraṃ pāpināṃ nātra saṃśayaḥ

"This dread and terrible field of battle belongs only to sinners — of this there is no doubt."

Verse 231 (skanda.1.17.231)

एवं निर्भर्त्सयामास देवेंद्रं दैत्यपुंगवः॥ त्रिशूलं धूनयामास देवेंद्रो हि तडित्समम्

evaṃ nirbhartsayāmāsa deveṃdraṃ daityapuṃgavaḥ|| triśūlaṃ dhūnayāmāsa deveṃdro hi taḍitsamam

Thus did that foremost of daityas taunt the lord of the gods; and in answer, Indra brandished his trident, flashing like lightning itself.

Verse 232 (skanda.1.17.232)

तेन शूलेन महता वृत्रोऽद्भुतपराक्रमः॥ बभौ तीव्रेण तपसा यथा रुद्रो युगांतकृत्

tena śūlena mahatā vṛtro'dbhutaparākramaḥ|| babhau tīvreṇa tapasā yathā rudro yugāṃtakṛt

With that mighty trident before him, Vritra of wondrous valour shone forth, through the intensity of his penance, like Rudra himself at the ending of the age.

Verse 233 (skanda.1.17.233)

तथाभूतं समालक्ष्य देवराजः शतक्रतुः॥ अभ्युद्ययौ हंतुकामो वृत्रे दानवपुंगवम्

tathābhūtaṃ samālakṣya devarājaḥ śatakratuḥ|| abhyudyayau haṃtukāmo vṛtre dānavapuṃgavam

Seeing him thus, the king of the gods, Shatakratu, advanced upon that foremost of danavas, Vritra, intent upon his destruction.

Verse 234 (skanda.1.17.234)

तमायांतमभिप्रेक्ष्य हंतुकामं पुरंदरम्॥ जहास परमं तत्र शक्रस्य च भयावहम्॥ मुखं प्रसार्य सुमहदागतो हि पुरंदरम्

tamāyāṃtamabhiprekṣya haṃtukāmaṃ puraṃdaram|| jahāsa paramaṃ tatra śakrasya ca bhayāvaham|| mukhaṃ prasārya sumahadāgato hi puraṃdaram

Seeing Purandara advance thus, intent on killing him, Vritra let out a most terrifying laugh, and, opening his vast mouth wide, came bearing down upon Purandara.

Verse 235 (skanda.1.17.235)

ग्रस्तुकामो महातेजा दैत्यानामधिपस्तदा॥ आगत्य सहसा शक्रं ग्रासयित्वा सकुंजरम्

grastukāmo mahātejā daityānāmadhipastadā|| āgatya sahasā śakraṃ grāsayitvā sakuṃjaram

That radiant lord of the daityas, driven by the desire to devour him, came upon Shakra suddenly and swallowed him whole, elephant and all.

Verse 236 (skanda.1.17.236)

सवज्रं सकिरीटं च ननर्त च जगर्ज्ज च॥ निमिषांतरमात्रेण ग्रसितोऽसौ पुरंदरः

savajraṃ sakirīṭaṃ ca nanarta ca jagarjja ca|| nimiṣāṃtaramātreṇa grasito'sau puraṃdaraḥ

With his thunderbolt and his crown, Purandara was swallowed whole in the mere space of a blink, and Vritra danced and roared in triumph.

Verse 237 (skanda.1.17.237)

हाहाकारो महानासीद्देवानां तत्र पश्यताम्॥ भूकम्पो हि तदा ह्यसीदुल्कापातः सहस्रशः

hāhākāro mahānāsīddevānāṃ tatra paśyatām|| bhūkampo hi tadā hyasīdulkāpātaḥ sahasraśaḥ

A great cry of despair rose among the gods who stood watching there; and at that very moment the earth quaked, and a thousand meteors fell from the sky.

Verse 238 (skanda.1.17.238)

तिमिरेणावृतं सर्वं जगत्स्थावरजंगमम्॥ नर्तमानस्तदा वृत्रो बभूव परमद्युतिः

timireṇāvṛtaṃ sarvaṃ jagatsthāvarajaṃgamam|| nartamānastadā vṛtro babhūva paramadyutiḥ

The whole world, moving and unmoving, was wrapped in darkness; and Vritra, dancing there, blazed with the most supreme radiance.

Verse 239 (skanda.1.17.239)

विध्यमानास्तदा सर्वे देवा ब्रह्माण मागताः॥ शशंसुः सर्वमेवैतद्वृत्रासुरविचेष्टितम्

vidhyamānāstadā sarve devā brahmāṇa māgatāḥ|| śaśaṃsuḥ sarvamevaitadvṛtrāsuraviceṣṭitam

Then all the gods, stricken with distress, went to Brahma and told him of all that the asura Vritra had done.

Verse 240 (skanda.1.17.240)

तच्छ्रुत्वा भगवान्ब्रह्मा व्यथितोऽतीव विस्मितः॥ कथं जातं महेंद्रस्य व्यसनं परमाद्भुतम्

tacchrutvā bhagavānbrahmā vyathito'tīva vismitaḥ|| kathaṃ jātaṃ maheṃdrasya vyasanaṃ paramādbhutam

Hearing this, the lord Brahma was seized with distress and astonishment: "How could such a strange and terrible calamity have befallen Mahendra?"

Verse 241 (skanda.1.17.241)

देवैः सह तदा ब्रह्मा सर्वलोकपितामहः॥ तुष्टाव गिरिशं देवं परमेण समाधिना

devaiḥ saha tadā brahmā sarvalokapitāmahaḥ|| tuṣṭāva giriśaṃ devaṃ parameṇa samādhinā

Then Brahma, grandsire of all the worlds, together with the gods, praised the mountain lord with the deepest meditation.

Verse 242 (skanda.1.17.242)

॥ब्रह्मोवाच॥ ॐनमो लिंगरूपाय महादेवाय वै नमः॥ विश्वरूपाय देवाय विरुपाक्षाय वै नमः

||brahmovāca|| oṃnamo liṃgarūpāya mahādevāya vai namaḥ|| viśvarūpāya devāya virupākṣāya vai namaḥ

Brahma said: "Om, salutation to the great god in the form of the linga; salutation to the god of universal form, to Virupaksha."

Verse 243 (skanda.1.17.243)

त्राहित्राहि त्रिलोकेश वृत्रग्रस्तं पुरंदरम्॥ तदा नभोगतावाणी सर्वेषामेव श्रृण्वताम्

trāhitrāhi trilokeśa vṛtragrastaṃ puraṃdaram|| tadā nabhogatāvāṇī sarveṣāmeva śrṛṇvatām

"Save him, save him, O lord of the three worlds — Purandara, swallowed by Vritra!" Then, before the ears of all, a voice sounded from the sky —

Verse 244 (skanda.1.17.244)

उवाच हितकामाय विधिं लिंगार्चने सती॥ प्रदोषव्रतयुक्तेन इंद्रेण विकृतं कृतम्

uvāca hitakāmāya vidhiṃ liṃgārcane satī|| pradoṣavratayuktena iṃdreṇa vikṛtaṃ kṛtam

That gracious voice, wishing well for all, spoke of the true rite of worshipping the linga, and declared that Indra, even while keeping the Pradosha vow, had committed a fault.

Verse 245 (skanda.1.17.245)

निर्माल्यं पीठिकां चैव च्छायाप्रासादमेव च॥ प्रदक्षिणां कृतवता पीठिकालंघनं कृतम्

nirmālyaṃ pīṭhikāṃ caiva cchāyāprāsādameva ca|| pradakṣiṇāṃ kṛtavatā pīṭhikālaṃghanaṃ kṛtam

"While performing his circumambulation, he had crossed over the discarded offerings, the pedestal, and the shadow of the shrine — thus transgressing the bounds of the pedestal itself."

Verse 246 (skanda.1.17.246)

लंघयंति च ये मूढास्ते वै दंड्या न संशयः॥ चंडस्य गणमुख्यस्य तस्मात्कुर्यात्प्रयत्नतः॥ प्रदक्षिणानमस्कारौ लिंगार्च्चनसमन्वितः

laṃghayaṃti ca ye mūḍhāste vai daṃḍyā na saṃśayaḥ|| caṃḍasya gaṇamukhyasya tasmātkuryātprayatnataḥ|| pradakṣiṇānamaskārau liṃgārccanasamanvitaḥ

"Whoever transgresses thus, in his folly, is without doubt liable to the chastisement of Chanda, chief of Shiva's hosts; therefore circumambulation and prostration should always be performed with the greatest care, together with the worship of the linga."

Verse 247 (skanda.1.17.247)

श्रेयःप्राप्तयेकबुद्ध्या वै प्रयत्नाल्लिंगपूजनम्॥ कार्यं दीक्षा परैर्नित्यं सर्वपापोपशांतये

śreyaḥprāptayekabuddhyā vai prayatnālliṃgapūjanam|| kāryaṃ dīkṣā parairnityaṃ sarvapāpopaśāṃtaye

"For the attainment of true good, the worship of the linga should be performed with single-minded diligence; and those who are duly initiated should perform it daily, for the quelling of every sin."

Verse 248 (skanda.1.17.248)

आशरीरं च तद्वाक्यं श्रुत्वा ब्रह्मादयः सुराः॥ पप्रच्छुस्ते प्रांजलयो नभोवाणीं शुभावहाम्

āśarīraṃ ca tadvākyaṃ śrutvā brahmādayaḥ surāḥ|| papracchuste prāṃjalayo nabhovāṇīṃ śubhāvahām

Hearing that bodiless voice from the sky, Brahma and the other gods, with folded hands, asked of that auspicious voice —

Verse 249 (skanda.1.17.249)

कथमर्चामहे लिंगं केनैव विधिना ततः॥ प्रातर्मध्याह्नसमये सायंकाले तथैव च

kathamarcāmahe liṃgaṃ kenaiva vidhinā tataḥ|| prātarmadhyāhnasamaye sāyaṃkāle tathaiva ca

"How should we worship the linga, and by what rite — in the morning, at midday, and likewise in the evening?"

Verse 250 (skanda.1.17.250)

कानि पुष्पाणि सायाह्ने मध्याह्ने च तथैव हि॥ प्रातः काले तु तान्येन कथयस्व यथातथम्

kāni puṣpāṇi sāyāhne madhyāhne ca tathaiva hi|| prātaḥ kāle tu tānyena kathayasva yathātatham

"And which flowers should be offered in the evening, at midday, and in the morning — tell us this truly, just as it is."

Verse 251 (skanda.1.17.251)

तदा नभोगता वाणी कथयामास विस्तरम्

tadā nabhogatā vāṇī kathayāmāsa vistaram

Then that voice from the sky declared it all in full detail.

Verse 252 (skanda.1.17.252)

करवीरं चार्कपुष्पं बृहतीपुष्पमेवच॥ धत्तूरकुसुमं चैव शतपत्रं तथैव च

karavīraṃ cārkapuṣpaṃ bṛhatīpuṣpamevaca|| dhattūrakusumaṃ caiva śatapatraṃ tathaiva ca

"Kanera, the flower of the arka, the flower of the brihati, the datura blossom, and the hundred-petalled lotus —"

Verse 253 (skanda.1.17.253)

आरग्वधं च पुन्नागं बकुलं नागकेशरम्॥ ब्रध्नोत्पलं कदम्बं च मंदारकुसुमं तथा

āragvadhaṃ ca punnāgaṃ bakulaṃ nāgakeśaram|| bradhnotpalaṃ kadambaṃ ca maṃdārakusumaṃ tathā

"Amaltas, punnaga, bakula, nagakesara, the tawny lotus, kadamba, and the mandara blossom —"

Verse 254 (skanda.1.17.254)

बहूनि वरपुष्पाणि बहूनि कमलान्यपि॥ त्रिकाले च पवित्राणि ज्ञेयानि सततं बुधैः

bahūni varapuṣpāṇi bahūni kamalānyapi|| trikāle ca pavitrāṇi jñeyāni satataṃ budhaiḥ

"These many excellent flowers, and many lotuses too, the wise should always know as pure offerings for any of the three times of worship."

Verse 255 (skanda.1.17.255)

जातीपुष्पं मल्लिकायाश्च पुष्पं पुष्पं मोगरकं नीलपुष्पं तथैव॥ तथा पुष्पं कुटजं कर्णिकारं कौसुम्भाख्यं वारिजं रक्तवर्णनम्

jātīpuṣpaṃ mallikāyāśca puṣpaṃ puṣpaṃ mogarakaṃ nīlapuṣpaṃ tathaiva|| tathā puṣpaṃ kuṭajaṃ karṇikāraṃ kausumbhākhyaṃ vārijaṃ raktavarṇanam

"The jasmine blossom, the flower of the malati, the flower of the mogra, the blue lotus, the flower of the kutaja, the karnikara, the kusumbha, and the crimson water-lily —"

Verse 256 (skanda.1.17.256)

एतान्येव य पुष्पाणि मध्याह्ने लिंगपूजने॥ विशिष्टानि मयोक्तानि सायाह्ने कथयाम्यहम्

etānyeva ya puṣpāṇi madhyāhne liṃgapūjane|| viśiṣṭāni mayoktāni sāyāhne kathayāmyaham

"These very flowers are those I have declared best for the midday worship of the linga; now I shall speak of those fit for evening."

Verse 257 (skanda.1.17.257)

चं पकानि त्रिकाले च पवित्राणि न संशयः॥ रात्रौ मोगरकाण्येव पवित्राणि न संशयः

caṃ pakāni trikāle ca pavitrāṇi na saṃśayaḥ|| rātrau mogarakāṇyeva pavitrāṇi na saṃśayaḥ

"The champaka flower is pure at all three times, without doubt; and at night, the mogra flower alone is held pure, without doubt."

Verse 258 (skanda.1.17.258)

एवमर्च्चनभेदांश्च ज्ञात्वा तल्लिंगपूजने॥ कार्यो विधिर्विधिज्ञैश्च सततं च शिवालये

evamarccanabhedāṃśca jñātvā talliṃgapūjane|| kāryo vidhirvidhijñaiśca satataṃ ca śivālaye

"Thus, knowing these distinctions in worship, those versed in the rite should always perform the ceremony of the linga's worship in Shiva's temple."

Verse 259 (skanda.1.17.259)

वृषभांतरितो भूत्वा पीठिकांतरमेव च॥ प्रदक्षिणां न कुर्वीत कुर्वन्किल्बिषमश्नुते

vṛṣabhāṃtarito bhūtvā pīṭhikāṃtarameva ca|| pradakṣiṇāṃ na kurvīta kurvankilbiṣamaśnute

"One should never circumambulate by passing between the bull and the shrine, nor through the middle of the pedestal; whoever does so incurs sin."

Verse 260 (skanda.1.17.260)

तथा ह्यनेन शक्रेण कृतं चैव प्रदक्षिणम्॥ राजसं भावमाश्रित्य तस्माज्जातंच निष्फलम्

tathā hyanena śakreṇa kṛtaṃ caiva pradakṣiṇam|| rājasaṃ bhāvamāśritya tasmājjātaṃca niṣphalam

"Even so had Indra himself performed his circumambulation, but overtaken by a mood of restless passion — and for that very reason it had come to nothing."

Verse 261 (skanda.1.17.261)

ग्रसितोऽद्यैव वृत्रेण सगजो हि पुरंदरः॥ भवद्भिरेव तत्कार्यं येन इन्द्रः प्रमुच्यते

grasito'dyaiva vṛtreṇa sagajo hi puraṃdaraḥ|| bhavadbhireva tatkāryaṃ yena indraḥ pramucyate

"This very day, Purandara has been swallowed, elephant and all, by Vritra; now it falls to you to do whatever is needed to free Indra."

Verse 262 (skanda.1.17.262)

महारुद्रविधानेन मुक्तो भवति तत्क्षणात्॥ पुरंदरो ह्ययं देवा नात्र कार्या विचारणा

mahārudravidhānena mukto bhavati tatkṣaṇāt|| puraṃdaro hyayaṃ devā nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

"Only through the great rite of Rudra can Purandara be freed at once, O gods; of this there should be no doubt."

Verse 263 (skanda.1.17.263)

तेनैव वचसा देवा रुद्रमभ्यर्च्य यत्नतः॥ यथोक्तेन विधानेन रुद्रसूक्तेन यत्नतः

tenaiva vacasā devā rudramabhyarcya yatnataḥ|| yathoktena vidhānena rudrasūktena yatnataḥ

Following that very word, the gods diligently worshipped Rudra with the Rudra-sukta, according to the prescribed rite.

Verse 264 (skanda.1.17.264)

तथा चैकादशीरुद्र्या रुद्रमभ्यर्च्य वै सुराः॥ हवनं प्रत्यहं चक्रुर्द्दशांशेन द्विजोत्तमाः

tathā caikādaśīrudryā rudramabhyarcya vai surāḥ|| havanaṃ pratyahaṃ cakrurddaśāṃśena dvijottamāḥ

The gods worshipped Rudra with the elevenfold hymn to the Rudras, and the foremost brahmins offered oblations daily, a tenth part of the recitations, into the sacred fire.

Verse 265 (skanda.1.17.265)

जपं च पूजां हवनं च चक्रुर्विमोक्तुकामाः सहसा पुरंदरम्॥ शंभोः प्रसादात्सहसा विनिर्गतः कुक्षिं भित्त्वा देवराजस्तदानीम्

japaṃ ca pūjāṃ havanaṃ ca cakrurvimoktukāmāḥ sahasā puraṃdaram|| śaṃbhoḥ prasādātsahasā vinirgataḥ kukṣiṃ bhittvā devarājastadānīm

Desiring to free Purandara without delay, they performed recitation, worship and oblation together; and by Shambhu's grace, the king of the gods at once burst forth, tearing his way out through Vritra's very belly.

Verse 266 (skanda.1.17.266)

तं निर्गतं समीक्ष्याथ देवदेवेंद्रमोजसा॥ सगजं च स वज्रं च सकिरीटं सकुण्डलम्॥ श्रिया परमया युक्तं पुरंदरं महौजसम्

taṃ nirgataṃ samīkṣyātha devadeveṃdramojasā|| sagajaṃ ca sa vajraṃ ca sakirīṭaṃ sakuṇḍalam|| śriyā paramayā yuktaṃ puraṃdaraṃ mahaujasam

Thus emerged, with all his might, the lord of the gods — with his elephant, his thunderbolt, his crown and his earrings intact, that great and glorious Purandara, radiant with the highest splendour.

Verse 267 (skanda.1.17.267)

देवदुंदुभयो नेदुस्तथा शंखा ह्यनेकशः॥ गंधर्वाप्सरसो यक्षा ऋषयश्च मुदान्विताः

devaduṃdubhayo nedustathā śaṃkhā hyanekaśaḥ|| gaṃdharvāpsaraso yakṣā ṛṣayaśca mudānvitāḥ

The divine kettledrums resounded, and countless conches blared forth; gandharvas, apsarases, yakshas and sages were filled with joy.

Verse 268 (skanda.1.17.268)

एकपद्येन सर्वेषां महाहर्षो दिवौकसाम्॥ संजातस्तत्क्षणादेव यदा मुक्तः पुरंदरः॥ तदा शची समायाता यत्र मुक्तः पुरंदरः

ekapadyena sarveṣāṃ mahāharṣo divaukasām|| saṃjātastatkṣaṇādeva yadā muktaḥ puraṃdaraḥ|| tadā śacī samāyātā yatra muktaḥ puraṃdaraḥ

The very instant Purandara was freed, all the dwellers of heaven, as one, were overcome with the greatest joy; and Shachi too came at once to the place where her lord had been set free.

Verse 269 (skanda.1.17.269)

तत्र शच्या समेतोऽसावभिषिक्तो महर्षिभिः॥ पुण्याहवाचनं तस्य कृतं सर्वैः प्रयत्नतः

tatra śacyā sameto'sāvabhiṣikto maharṣibhiḥ|| puṇyāhavācanaṃ tasya kṛtaṃ sarvaiḥ prayatnataḥ

There, together with Shachi, he was anointed by the great sages, and all of them joined together to perform for him the ceremony of the auspicious blessing.

Verse 270 (skanda.1.17.270)

एवं तदाभिषिक्तोऽसौ महेंद्र ऋषिभिः पुनः॥ मही मंगलभूयिष्ठा तदा जाता द्विजोत्तमाः

evaṃ tadābhiṣikto'sau maheṃdra ṛṣibhiḥ punaḥ|| mahī maṃgalabhūyiṣṭhā tadā jātā dvijottamāḥ

Thus once more anointed by the sages, that great Indra rejoiced; and, O foremost of brahmins, the whole earth then became filled with auspiciousness.

Verse 271 (skanda.1.17.271)

दिशः प्रसन्नतां याता निर्मलं चाभवन्नभः॥ शांतास्तदाग्नयो ह्यासन्मनांसि च महात्मनाम्

diśaḥ prasannatāṃ yātā nirmalaṃ cābhavannabhaḥ|| śāṃtāstadāgnayo hyāsanmanāṃsi ca mahātmanām

The quarters of the sky grew serene, and the heavens became clear; the sacred fires burned calm, and the hearts of the great-souled ones found peace.

Verse 272 (skanda.1.17.272)

एवमादीन्यनेकानि मंगलानि ततोऽभवन्॥ मुक्ते शतक्रतौ तस्मिन्बभूव परमाद्भुतम्

evamādīnyanekāni maṃgalāni tato'bhavan|| mukte śatakratau tasminbabhūva paramādbhutam

Thus, with Shatakratu now set free, countless such auspicious signs appeared, and everything took on a most wondrous aspect.

Verse 273 (skanda.1.17.273)

एवं प्रवर्तमाने तु महतां च महोत्सवे॥ तावद्वृत्रस्य पतितं शरीरं च भयानकम्

evaṃ pravartamāne tu mahatāṃ ca mahotsave|| tāvadvṛtrasya patitaṃ śarīraṃ ca bhayānakam

While this great festival of joy was thus unfolding, at that very moment Vritra's own dread body fell lifeless to the ground.

Verse 274 (skanda.1.17.274)

तत्रैव ब्रह्महत्या च पापिष्ठा पतिता भुवि॥ गंगायमुनयोर्मध्ये अंतर्वेदीति कथ्यते

tatraiva brahmahatyā ca pāpiṣṭhā patitā bhuvi|| gaṃgāyamunayormadhye aṃtarvedīti kathyate

There, too, that sinful Brahmahatya fell down to earth — in that very tract between the Ganga and the Yamuna known as Antarvedi.

Verse 275 (skanda.1.17.275)

पुण्यभूमिरिति ख्याता प्रसिद्धा लोकपावनी॥ वृत्रहत्याप्रतिष्ठा सा यस्मिदेशे स पापवान्

puṇyabhūmiriti khyātā prasiddhā lokapāvanī|| vṛtrahatyāpratiṣṭhā sā yasmideśe sa pāpavān

That land is renowned as a holy ground, famed as a purifier of the world; yet the very land where the sin of Vritra's slaying came to settle also became, thereby, a place of sin.

Verse 276 (skanda.1.17.276)

मलस्य बहुसंभूत्या मालावेति प्रकीर्तिता॥ तस्यां तु मलभूम्यां वै वृत्रस्य च महच्छिरः

malasya bahusaṃbhūtyā mālāveti prakīrtitā|| tasyāṃ tu malabhūmyāṃ vai vṛtrasya ca mahacchiraḥ

Because so much impurity gathered there, that land came to be called Malava; and it was there, upon that tainted ground, that Vritra's great head too had fallen.

Verse 277 (skanda.1.17.277)

षण्मासेष्वपतत्सर्वैः कृत्तं देवैः सवासवैः॥ एवं वृत्रवधं कृत्वा शक्रो जयमवाप ह

ṣaṇmāseṣvapatatsarvaiḥ kṛttaṃ devaiḥ savāsavaiḥ|| evaṃ vṛtravadhaṃ kṛtvā śakro jayamavāpa ha

After six months, all the gods together with Vasava cut it down; and thus, having accomplished the slaying of Vritra, Shakra won his victory.

Verse 278 (skanda.1.17.278)

इंद्रासने चोपविष्टो निरातंकः शचीपतिः॥ एतस्मिन्नंतरे दैत्याः पातालवासिनं बलिम्॥ शशंसुः सर्वमागत्य शक्रस्य च विचेष्टितम्

iṃdrāsane copaviṣṭo nirātaṃkaḥ śacīpatiḥ|| etasminnaṃtare daityāḥ pātālavāsinaṃ balim|| śaśaṃsuḥ sarvamāgatya śakrasya ca viceṣṭitam

The lord of Shachi now sat fearless upon his throne once more; and in the meantime the daityas went to Bali, who dwelt in Patala, and told him all that had befallen Shakra.

Verse 279 (skanda.1.17.279)

तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा वैरोचनी रुषान्वितः॥ शुक्रं पप्रच्छ स तदा सथमिंद्रो वशी भवेत्

teṣāṃ tadvacanaṃ śrutvā vairocanī ruṣānvitaḥ|| śukraṃ papraccha sa tadā sathamiṃdro vaśī bhavet

Hearing their words, Virochana's son, filled with anger, asked Shukra how Indra might now be brought under his power.

Verse 280 (skanda.1.17.280)

तेनोक्तं बलये राजञ्जयस्यन्दनलब्धये॥ महायज्ञं कुरुष्वाद्य तेन ते विजयो भवेत्

tenoktaṃ balaye rājañjayasyandanalabdhaye|| mahāyajñaṃ kuruṣvādya tena te vijayo bhavet

Shukra said to King Bali: "This very day, perform a great sacrifice, so as to obtain a chariot for victory; through that alone shall victory come to you."

Verse 281 (skanda.1.17.281)

तेनोक्तो भृगुणा चैवं बलिर्यज्ञार्थमुद्यतः॥ दधौ यानीह द्रव्याणि यज्ञयोग्यानि तानि वै॥ मेलयित्वा त्वरेणैव वैरोचनिरुदारधीः

tenokto bhṛguṇā caivaṃ baliryajñārthamudyataḥ|| dadhau yānīha dravyāṇi yajñayogyāni tāni vai|| melayitvā tvareṇaiva vairocanirudāradhīḥ

Thus advised by Shukra, son of Bhrigu, the noble-minded Bali, son of Virochana, made himself ready for the sacrifice, and swiftly gathered together all the materials fit for that great rite.

Verse 282 (skanda.1.17.282)

प्रवर्तितो महायज्ञो भार्गवेण महात्मना॥ दीक्षायुक्तो बलिरभूज्जुहुवे हघ्यवाहनम्

pravartito mahāyajño bhārgaveṇa mahātmanā|| dīkṣāyukto balirabhūjjuhuve haghyavāhanam

That great sacrifice was set in motion by the great-souled descendant of Bhrigu; and Bali, having undergone initiation, offered oblations into the sacred fire.

Verse 283 (skanda.1.17.283)

हूयमाने तदाग्नौ तु कर्मणा विधिहेतुना॥ तस्माद्बलेः समुत्पन्नः स्यंदनः परमाद्भुतः

hūyamāne tadāgnau tu karmaṇā vidhihetunā|| tasmādbaleḥ samutpannaḥ syaṃdanaḥ paramādbhutaḥ

As the oblations were offered into the fire according to the prescribed rite, from that fire there arose for Bali a most wondrous chariot.

Verse 284 (skanda.1.17.284)

हयैश्चतुर्भिः संयुक्तो ध्वजेसिंहो महाप्रभः॥ शस्त्रास्त्रैः संयुतः श्रीमान्हयैः श्वेतैरलंकृतः

hayaiścaturbhiḥ saṃyukto dhvajesiṃho mahāprabhaḥ|| śastrāstraiḥ saṃyutaḥ śrīmānhayaiḥ śvetairalaṃkṛtaḥ

It was drawn by four horses, and bore upon its banner the emblem of a lion; radiant, richly furnished with weapons, resplendent and adorned with white steeds.

Verse 285 (skanda.1.17.285)

ततश्चावभृथस्नानं चक्रे शुक्रप्रणोदितः॥ स्यंदनं पूजयित्वाथ आरुरोह बलिस्तदा

tataścāvabhṛthasnānaṃ cakre śukrapraṇoditaḥ|| syaṃdanaṃ pūjayitvātha āruroha balistadā

Then, urged on by Shukra, Bali performed the closing ritual bath, worshipped that chariot, and mounted upon it.

Verse 286 (skanda.1.17.286)

दैत्यैः परिवृतः सद्यो योद्धुकामः पुरंदरम्॥ सद्य एव दिवं प्राप्तो बलिर्वैरोचनो महान्

daityaiḥ parivṛtaḥ sadyo yoddhukāmaḥ puraṃdaram|| sadya eva divaṃ prāpto balirvairocano mahān

Surrounded by his daityas, eager now to do battle with Purandara, the great Bali, son of Virochana, reached heaven that very instant.

Verse 287 (skanda.1.17.287)

आगत्य सेनया सार्द्धमारुरो हामरावतीम्॥ संरुद्धां तां पुरीं दृष्ट्वा तदा ते सुरसत्तमाः॥ विर्शयित्वा सुचिरमूचुः सर्वे बृहस्पतिम्

āgatya senayā sārddhamāruro hāmarāvatīm|| saṃruddhāṃ tāṃ purīṃ dṛṣṭvā tadā te surasattamāḥ|| virśayitvā suciramūcuḥ sarve bṛhaspatim

Arriving with his army, he laid siege to Amaravati itself; and seeing their city thus surrounded, the foremost of the gods, after long deliberation, all together spoke to Brihaspati —

Verse 288 (skanda.1.17.288)

किं कुर्मोऽद्य महाभाग आगता दैत्यपुंगवाः॥ योद्धुकामा महाघोराः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः

kiṃ kurmo'dya mahābhāga āgatā daityapuṃgavāḥ|| yoddhukāmā mahāghorāḥ sarve yuddhaviśāradāḥ

"O most fortunate one, what shall we do now? These foremost of daityas have come here, most dreadful and skilled in war, and all of them eager for battle."

Verse 289 (skanda.1.17.289)

तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा बृहस्पतिरभाषत

teṣāṃ tadvacanaṃ śrutvā bṛhaspatirabhāṣata

Hearing their words, Brihaspati spoke —

Verse 290 (skanda.1.17.290)

एते घृतमुखा घोरा भृगुणानोदिताः सुराः॥ अजेयाश्चैव ते सर्वे तपसा विक्रमेण च

ete ghṛtamukhā ghorā bhṛguṇānoditāḥ surāḥ|| ajeyāścaiva te sarve tapasā vikrameṇa ca

"O gods, these dreadful ones, roused by Bhrigu's son, are made mighty by the very fire of sacrifice; through their own penance and valour, all of them stand unconquerable."

Verse 291 (skanda.1.17.291)

एतन्निशम्य वचनं च गुणाभियुक्तं सर्वे सुराः समभवंस्त्रपयाभियुक्ताः॥ इंद्रोऽपि बुद्धिविकलः परिचिंतया च व्रीडायुतः समभवत्परिभर्त्स्यमानः

etanniśamya vacanaṃ ca guṇābhiyuktaṃ sarve surāḥ samabhavaṃstrapayābhiyuktāḥ|| iṃdro'pi buddhivikalaḥ pariciṃtayā ca vrīḍāyutaḥ samabhavatparibhartsyamānaḥ

Hearing these well-reasoned words of Brihaspati, all the gods were overcome with shame; and Indra too, his wits scattered by deep anxiety, filled with humiliation, seemed as though rebuked before them all.