Sati Goes Uninvited to Daksha's Sacrifice

Verse 1 (skanda.1.2.1)

॥लोमश उवाच॥ एकदा तु तदा तेन यज्ञः प्रारंभितो महान्॥ तत्राहूतास्तदा सर्वे दीक्षितेन तपस्विना

||lomaśa uvāca|| ekadā tu tadā tena yajñaḥ prāraṃbhito mahān|| tatrāhūtāstadā sarve dīkṣitena tapasvinā

Lomasha said: Then once, that austere, consecrated Daksha began a great sacrifice, and on that occasion all were invited by him.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.2.2)

ऋषयो विविधास्तत्र वशिष्ठाद्याः समागताः॥ अगस्त्यः कश्यपोऽत्रिश्च वामदेवस्तथा भृगुः

ṛṣayo vividhāstatra vaśiṣṭhādyāḥ samāgatāḥ|| agastyaḥ kaśyapo'triśca vāmadevastathā bhṛguḥ

There gathered various sages, Vashishtha and others — Agastya, Kashyapa, Atri, Vamadeva, and Bhrigu.

Verse 3 (skanda.1.2.3)

दधीचो भगवान्व्यासो भरद्वाजोऽथ गौतमः॥ एते चान्ये च बहवः समाजग्मुर्महर्षयः

dadhīco bhagavānvyāso bharadvājo'tha gautamaḥ|| ete cānye ca bahavaḥ samājagmurmaharṣayaḥ

Dadhichi, the venerable Vyasa, Bharadvaja, and Gautama — these and many other great sages assembled there.

Verse 4 (skanda.1.2.4)

तथा सर्वे सुरगणा लोकपालस्तथाऽपरे विद्याधराश्च गंधर्वाः किंनराप्सरसां गणाः

tathā sarve suragaṇā lokapālastathā'pare vidyādharāśca gaṃdharvāḥ kiṃnarāpsarasāṃ gaṇāḥ

Likewise all the hosts of gods, the guardians of the quarters, and besides them vidyadharas, gandharvas, and the hosts of kinnaras and apsarases came there.

Verse 5 (skanda.1.2.5)

सप्तलोकात्समानीतो ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः॥ वैकुंठाच्च तथा विष्णुः समानीतो मरवं प्रति

saptalokātsamānīto brahmā lokapitāmahaḥ|| vaikuṃṭhācca tathā viṣṇuḥ samānīto maravaṃ prati

Brahma, grandfather of the worlds, was brought there from the seventh world, and Vishnu too was brought from Vaikuntha to the sacrificial ground.

Verse 6 (skanda.1.2.6)

देवेन्द्रो हि समानीत इंद्राण्या सह सुप्रभः॥ तथा चंद्रो हि रोहिण्या वरुणः प्रिययया सह

devendro hi samānīta iṃdrāṇyā saha suprabhaḥ|| tathā caṃdro hi rohiṇyā varuṇaḥ priyayayā saha

The most splendid Devendra was brought together with Indrani; likewise Chandra with Rohini, and Varuna together with his beloved.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.2.7)

कुबेरः पुष्पकारूढो मृगाऽरूढोऽथ मारुतः॥ बस्ताऽरूढः पावकश्च प्रेताऽरूढोऽथ निर्ऋति

kuberaḥ puṣpakārūḍho mṛgā'rūḍho'tha mārutaḥ|| bastā'rūḍhaḥ pāvakaśca pretā'rūḍho'tha nirṛti

Kubera came mounted on the Pushpaka chariot, Vayu mounted on a deer, Agni mounted on a goat, and Nirriti mounted upon a preta.

Verse 8 (skanda.1.2.8)

एते सर्वे समायाता यज्ञवाटे द्विजन्मनः॥ ते सर्वे सत्कृतास्तेन दक्षेण च दुरात्मना

ete sarve samāyātā yajñavāṭe dvijanmanaḥ|| te sarve satkṛtāstena dakṣeṇa ca durātmanā

All these twice-born ones gathered at the sacrificial enclosure, and that evil-minded Daksha duly honored every one of them.

Verse 9 (skanda.1.2.9)

भवनानि महार्हाणि सुप्रभाणि महांति च॥ त्वष्ट्रा कृतानि दिव्यानि कौशल्येन महात्मना

bhavanāni mahārhāṇi suprabhāṇi mahāṃti ca|| tvaṣṭrā kṛtāni divyāni kauśalyena mahātmanā

There stood magnificent, radiant, and vast mansions — divine dwellings crafted by the great artisan Tvashta with all his skill.

Verse 10 (skanda.1.2.10)

तेषु सर्वेषु धिष्ण्येषु यथाजोषं समास्थिताः

teṣu sarveṣu dhiṣṇyeṣu yathājoṣaṃ samāsthitāḥ

In all those dwellings, each guest settled according to his own liking.

Verse 11 (skanda.1.2.11)

वर्त्तमाने महायज्ञे तीर्थे कनखले तथा॥ ऋत्विजश्च कृतास्तेन भृग्वाद्याश्च तपोधनाः

varttamāne mahāyajñe tīrthe kanakhale tathā|| ṛtvijaśca kṛtāstena bhṛgvādyāśca tapodhanāḥ

As that great sacrifice went forward at the sacred site of Kanakhala, Daksha appointed Bhrigu and other sages of great austerity as its officiating priests.

Verse 12 (skanda.1.2.12)

दीक्षायुक्तस्तदा दक्षः कृतकौतुकमंगलः॥ भार्यया सहितो विप्रैः कृतस्वत्ययनो भृशम्

dīkṣāyuktastadā dakṣaḥ kṛtakautukamaṃgalaḥ|| bhāryayā sahito vipraiḥ kṛtasvatyayano bhṛśam

Daksha, now consecrated for the rite, had performed the auspicious mangala rituals, and together with his wife had the brahmins complete the full purificatory rites for him.

Verse 13 (skanda.1.2.13)

रेजे महत्त्वेन तदा सुहृद्भिः परितः सदा॥ एतस्मिन्नंतरे तत्र दधीचिर्वाक्यमब्रवीत्

reje mahattvena tadā suhṛdbhiḥ paritaḥ sadā|| etasminnaṃtare tatra dadhīcirvākyamabravīt

He shone in his greatness, ever surrounded by his well-wishers. Meanwhile, Dadhichi spoke these words.

Verse 14 (skanda.1.2.14)

॥दधीचिरुवाच॥ एते सुरेशा ऋषयो महत्तराः सलोकपालाश्च समागतास्तव॥ तथाऽपि यज्ञस्तु न शोभते भृशंपिनाकिना तेन महात्मना विना

||dadhīciruvāca|| ete sureśā ṛṣayo mahattarāḥ salokapālāśca samāgatāstava|| tathā'pi yajñastu na śobhate bhṛśaṃpinākinā tena mahātmanā vinā

Dadhichi said: For you, the lords of the gods, the greatest sages, and the guardians of the quarters have all assembled; and yet this sacrifice shines not at all without that great soul, the wielder of the Pinaka.

Verse 15 (skanda.1.2.15)

येनैव सर्वाण्यपि मंगलानि जातानि शंसंति महाविपश्चितः॥ सोऽसौ न दृष्टोऽत्र पुमान्पुराणो वृषध्वजो नीलकण्ठः कपर्दी

yenaiva sarvāṇyapi maṃgalāni jātāni śaṃsaṃti mahāvipaścitaḥ|| so'sau na dṛṣṭo'tra pumānpurāṇo vṛṣadhvajo nīlakaṇṭhaḥ kapardī

The greatest of the wise declare that it is by him alone that every auspicious thing arises — yet that primeval being, bull-bannered, blue-throated, matted-locked, is nowhere to be seen here.

Verse 16 (skanda.1.2.16)

अमंगलान्येव च मंगलानि भवंति येनाधिकृतानि दक्ष॥ त्रियंबकेनाथ सुमंगलानि भवंति सद्योह्यपमंगलानि

amaṃgalānyeva ca maṃgalāni bhavaṃti yenādhikṛtāni dakṣa|| triyaṃbakenātha sumaṃgalāni bhavaṃti sadyohyapamaṃgalāni

O Daksha, by whose authority even inauspicious things become auspicious, by that very three-eyed Tryambaka even the finest auspicious things can turn to misfortune in an instant, if he is slighted.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.2.17)

तस्मात्त्वयैव कर्तव्यमाह्वानं परमेष्ठिना॥ त्वरितं चैव शक्रेण विष्णुना प्रभविष्णुना

tasmāttvayaiva kartavyamāhvānaṃ parameṣṭhinā|| tvaritaṃ caiva śakreṇa viṣṇunā prabhaviṣṇunā

Therefore the invitation ought to be issued by you yourself, swiftly, together with Shakra and the mighty Vishnu.

Verse 18 (skanda.1.2.18)

सर्वैरेव हि गंतव्यं यत्र देवो महेश्वरः

sarvaireva hi gaṃtavyaṃ yatra devo maheśvaraḥ

To wherever the God Maheshvara resides, all indeed ought to go.

Verse 19 (skanda.1.2.19)

दाक्षायण्या समेतं तमानयध्वं त्वरान्विताः॥ तेन सर्वं पवित्रं स्याच्छंभुना योगिना भृशम्

dākṣāyaṇyā sametaṃ tamānayadhvaṃ tvarānvitāḥ|| tena sarvaṃ pavitraṃ syācchaṃbhunā yoginā bhṛśam

Go swiftly and bring him here together with Dakshayani; through this, this entire sacrifice shall become exceedingly pure because of the great yogin Shambhu.

Verse 20 (skanda.1.2.20)

यस्य स्मृत्या च नामोक्त्या समग्रं सुकृतं भवेत्॥ तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन समानेयो वृषध्वजः

yasya smṛtyā ca nāmoktyā samagraṃ sukṛtaṃ bhavet|| tasmātsarvaprayatnena samāneyo vṛṣadhvajaḥ

By whose mere remembrance and utterance of the name alone all merit is obtained — that bull-bannered one must be brought here by every possible effort.

Verse 21 (skanda.1.2.21)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा प्रहसन्नाह दुष्टधीः॥ मूलं विष्णुर्हि देवानां यत्र धर्मः सनातनः

tasya tadvacanaṃ śrutvā prahasannāha duṣṭadhīḥ|| mūlaṃ viṣṇurhi devānāṃ yatra dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ

Hearing his words, that evil-minded Daksha, laughing scornfully, replied: Vishnu alone is the root of the gods, in whom eternal dharma is established.

Verse 22 (skanda.1.2.22)

यस्मिन्वेदाश्च यज्ञाश्च कर्माणिविविधानि च॥ प्रतिष्ठितानि सर्वाणि सोऽसौ विष्णुरिहागतः

yasminvedāśca yajñāśca karmāṇivividhāni ca|| pratiṣṭhitāni sarvāṇi so'sau viṣṇurihāgataḥ

He in whom the Vedas, the sacrifices, and manifold rites are all established — that very Vishnu has come here.

Verse 23 (skanda.1.2.23)

सत्यलोकात्समायातो ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः॥ वेदैश्चोपनिषद्भिश्च आगमैर्विविधैः सह

satyalokātsamāyāto brahmā lokapitāmahaḥ|| vedaiścopaniṣadbhiśca āgamairvividhaiḥ saha

Brahma, grandfather of the worlds, has come here from Satyaloka, together with the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the manifold Agamas.

Verse 24 (skanda.1.2.24)

तथा सुरगणैः साकमागतः सुरराट् स्वयम्॥ तथा यूयं समायाता ऋषयो वीतकल्मषाः

tathā suragaṇaiḥ sākamāgataḥ surarāṭ svayam|| tathā yūyaṃ samāyātā ṛṣayo vītakalmaṣāḥ

Likewise the king of the gods has himself come together with the hosts of gods; and you, blameless sages, have all come here too.

Verse 25 (skanda.1.2.25)

येये यज्ञोचिताः शांतास्तेते सर्वे समागताः॥ वेदवेदार्थतत्त्वज्ञाः सर्वे यूयं दृढव्रताः

yeye yajñocitāḥ śāṃtāstete sarve samāgatāḥ|| vedavedārthatattvajñāḥ sarve yūyaṃ dṛḍhavratāḥ

Whoever was peaceful and fit for the sacrifice has assembled here; all of you are knowers of the truth of the Vedas and their meaning, firm in your vows.

Verse 26 (skanda.1.2.26)

अत्रैव च किमस्माकं रुद्रेणापि प्रयोजनम्.॥ कन्या दत्ता मया विप्रा ब्रह्मणा नोदितेन हि

atraiva ca kimasmākaṃ rudreṇāpi prayojanam.|| kanyā dattā mayā viprā brahmaṇā noditena hi

What need, then, have we here even of Rudra? O brahmins, my daughter was given to him only at Brahma's urging, not by my own wish.

Verse 27 (skanda.1.2.27)

अकुलीनो ह्यसौ विप्रा नष्टो नष्टप्रियः सदा॥ भूतप्रेतपिशाचानां पतिरेको दुरत्ययः

akulīno hyasau viprā naṣṭo naṣṭapriyaḥ sadā|| bhūtapretapiśācānāṃ patireko duratyayaḥ

He is of no good lineage, ever ill-fated and given to ill-fated things — the sole and impenetrable lord of ghosts, spirits, and goblins.

Verse 28 (skanda.1.2.28)

आत्मसंभावितो मूढःस्तब्धो मौनी समत्सरः॥ कर्मण्यस्मिन्नयोग्योऽसौ नानीतो हि मयाऽधुना

ātmasaṃbhāvito mūḍhaḥstabdho maunī samatsaraḥ|| karmaṇyasminnayogyo'sau nānīto hi mayā'dhunā

Self-conceited, foolish, obstinate, silent, and envious — he is unfit for this rite; that is why I have not brought him now.

Verse 29 (skanda.1.2.29)

तस्मात्त्वया न वक्तव्यं पुनरेवं वचोद्विज॥ सर्वैर्भवद्भिः कर्तव्यो यज्ञो मे सफलो महान्

tasmāttvayā na vaktavyaṃ punarevaṃ vacodvija|| sarvairbhavadbhiḥ kartavyo yajño me saphalo mahān

Therefore, O brahmin, do not speak such words again; let all of you together make this great sacrifice of mine fruitful.

Verse 30 (skanda.1.2.30)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य दधीचिर्वाक्यमब्रवीत्

etacchrutvā vacastasya dadhīcirvākyamabravīt

Hearing his words, Dadhichi then made this reply.

Verse 31 (skanda.1.2.31)

॥दधीचिरुवाच॥ सर्वेषामृषिवर्याणां सुराणां भावितात्मनाम्॥ अनयोऽयं महाञ्जातो विना तेन महात्मना

||dadhīciruvāca|| sarveṣāmṛṣivaryāṇāṃ surāṇāṃ bhāvitātmanām|| anayo'yaṃ mahāñjāto vinā tena mahātmanā

Dadhichi said: In the absence of that great soul, a great calamity has now befallen all these foremost sages and these purified-souled gods.

Verse 32 (skanda.1.2.32)

विनाशोऽपि महान्सद्योह्यत्रत्यानां भविष्यति॥ एवमुक्त्वा दधीचोऽसावेक एव विनिर्गतः

vināśo'pi mahānsadyohyatratyānāṃ bhaviṣyati|| evamuktvā dadhīco'sāveka eva vinirgataḥ

And soon a great destruction shall befall all who are present here. Having said this, Dadhichi departed from there, alone.

Verse 33 (skanda.1.2.33)

यज्ञवाटाच्च दक्षस्य त्वरितः स्वाश्रमं ययौ॥ मुनौ विनिर्गते दक्षः प्रहसन्निदमब्रवीत्

yajñavāṭācca dakṣasya tvaritaḥ svāśramaṃ yayau|| munau vinirgate dakṣaḥ prahasannidamabravīt

He went swiftly from Daksha's sacrificial enclosure to his own hermitage. When the sage had departed, Daksha spoke, laughing:

Verse 34 (skanda.1.2.34)

गतः शिवप्रियो वीरो दधीचिर्नाम नामतः॥ आविष्टचित्ता मंदाश्च मिथ्यावादरताः खलाः

gataḥ śivapriyo vīro dadhīcirnāma nāmataḥ|| āviṣṭacittā maṃdāśca mithyāvādaratāḥ khalāḥ

"That hero devoted to Shiva, named Dadhichi, has gone — possessed in mind, dull-witted, delighting in falsehood, and wicked.

Verse 35 (skanda.1.2.35)

वेदबाह्य दुराचारास्त्याज्यास्ते ह्यत्र कर्मणि॥ वेदवादरता यूयं सर्वे विष्णुपुरोगमाः

vedabāhya durācārāstyājyāste hyatra karmaṇi|| vedavādaratā yūyaṃ sarve viṣṇupurogamāḥ

Those who stand outside the Veda and are of evil conduct are to be shunned in this rite; but all of you are devoted to Vedic teaching, with Vishnu foremost among you."

Verse 36 (skanda.1.2.36)

यज्ञं मे सफलं विप्राः कुर्वंतु ह्यचिरादिव॥ तदा ते देवयजनं चक्रुः सर्वे सहर्षयः

yajñaṃ me saphalaṃ viprāḥ kurvaṃtu hyacirādiva|| tadā te devayajanaṃ cakruḥ sarve saharṣayaḥ

"O brahmins, make my sacrifice fruitful without delay." Then all those sages, together, began the worship of the gods.

Verse 37 (skanda.1.2.37)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे तत्र पर्वते गंधमादने॥ धारागृहे विमानेन सखीभिः परिवारिता

etasminnaṃtare tatra parvate gaṃdhamādane|| dhārāgṛhe vimānena sakhībhiḥ parivāritā

Meanwhile, on Mount Gandhamadana, in her water-pavilion borne upon her celestial car, surrounded by her companions —

Verse 38 (skanda.1.2.38)

दाक्षायणी महादेवी चकार विविधास्तदा॥ क्रीडा विमानमध्यस्ता कन्दुकाद्याः सहस्रशः

dākṣāyaṇī mahādevī cakāra vividhāstadā|| krīḍā vimānamadhyastā kandukādyāḥ sahasraśaḥ

The great Goddess Dakshayani, seated amid her aerial car, was engaged in a thousand kinds of play, with balls and the like.

Verse 39 (skanda.1.2.39)

क्रीडासक्ता तदा देवी ददर्शाथ महासती॥ यज्ञं प्रयांतं सोमं च रोहिण्या सहितं प्रभुम्

krīḍāsaktā tadā devī dadarśātha mahāsatī|| yajñaṃ prayāṃtaṃ somaṃ ca rohiṇyā sahitaṃ prabhum

While thus absorbed in play, that great and chaste Goddess then beheld Soma the Moon going toward the sacrifice, together with his beloved Rohini.

Verse 40 (skanda.1.2.40)

क्व गमिष्यति चंद्रोऽयं विजये पृच्छ सत्वरम्॥ तयोक्ता विजया देवी तं पप्रच्छ यथोचितम्

kva gamiṣyati caṃdro'yaṃ vijaye pṛccha satvaram|| tayoktā vijayā devī taṃ papraccha yathocitam

"Where is this Moon going? Ask him quickly, O Vijaya." Thus addressed, the goddess Vijaya asked him in due manner.

Verse 41 (skanda.1.2.41)

कथितं तेन तत्सर्वं दक्षस्यैव मखादिकम्॥ तच्छ्रुत्वा त्वरिता देवी विजया जातसंभ्रमा॥ कथयामास तत्सर्वं यदुक्तं शशिना भृशम्

kathitaṃ tena tatsarvaṃ dakṣasyaiva makhādikam|| tacchrutvā tvaritā devī vijayā jātasaṃbhramā|| kathayāmāsa tatsarvaṃ yaduktaṃ śaśinā bhṛśam

He told her all about Daksha's sacrifice. Hearing this, the goddess Vijaya, swiftly moved and greatly agitated, related in full everything the Moon had said.

Verse 42 (skanda.1.2.42)

विमृश्य कारणं देवी किमाह्वानं करोति न॥ दक्षः पिता मे माता च विस्मृता मां कुतोऽधुना

vimṛśya kāraṇaṃ devī kimāhvānaṃ karoti na|| dakṣaḥ pitā me mātā ca vismṛtā māṃ kuto'dhunā

The Goddess, pondering the reason, thought: "Why is no invitation extended? Daksha is my father, and his wife my mother — why then have I been forgotten now?"

Verse 43 (skanda.1.2.43)

पृच्छामि शंकरं चाद्य कारणं कृतनिश्चया॥ स्थापयित्वा सखीस्तत्र आगता शंकरं प्रति

pṛcchāmi śaṃkaraṃ cādya kāraṇaṃ kṛtaniścayā|| sthāpayitvā sakhīstatra āgatā śaṃkaraṃ prati

"I shall ask Shankara today the reason for this," she resolved; and leaving her companions there, she came before Shankara.

Verse 44 (skanda.1.2.44)

ददर्शतं सभामध्ये त्रिलोचनमवस्थितम्॥ गणैः परिवृतं सर्वैश्चंडमुंडादिभिस्तदा

dadarśataṃ sabhāmadhye trilocanamavasthitam|| gaṇaiḥ parivṛtaṃ sarvaiścaṃḍamuṃḍādibhistadā

She saw the three-eyed one seated in the midst of his assembly, surrounded by all his attendants, Chanda, Munda, and the rest —

Verse 45 (skanda.1.2.45)

बाणो भृंगिस्तथा नंदी शैलादो हि महातपाः॥ महाकालो महाचंडो महामुंडो महाशिराः

bāṇo bhṛṃgistathā naṃdī śailādo hi mahātapāḥ|| mahākālo mahācaṃḍo mahāmuṃḍo mahāśirāḥ

Bana, Bhringi, Nandi, Shailada of great austerity, Mahakala, Mahachanda, Mahamunda, Mahashira,

Verse 46 (skanda.1.2.46)

धूम्राक्षो धूम्रकेतुश्च धूम्रपादस्तथैव च॥ एते चान्ये च बहवो गणा रुद्रानुवर्तिनः

dhūmrākṣo dhūmraketuśca dhūmrapādastathaiva ca|| ete cānye ca bahavo gaṇā rudrānuvartinaḥ

Dhumraksha, Dhumraketu, and likewise Dhumrapada — these and many other ganas, followers of Rudra, were present there.

Verse 47 (skanda.1.2.47)

केचिद्भयानका रौद्राः कबंधाश्च तथा परे॥ विलोचनाश्च केचिच्च वक्षोहीनास्तथा परे

kecidbhayānakā raudrāḥ kabaṃdhāśca tathā pare|| vilocanāśca kecicca vakṣohīnāstathā pare

Some fearsome and terrible, some in the form of headless trunks, some with a single eye, and others without a chest —

Verse 48 (skanda.1.2.48)

एवंभूताश्च शतशः सर्वे ते कृत्तिवाससः॥ जटाकलापसंभूषाः सर्वे रुद्राक्षभूषणाः

evaṃbhūtāśca śataśaḥ sarve te kṛttivāsasaḥ|| jaṭākalāpasaṃbhūṣāḥ sarve rudrākṣabhūṣaṇāḥ

Such were hundreds of them, all clad in hides, adorned with matted locks, and all wearing ornaments of rudraksha.

Verse 49 (skanda.1.2.49)

जितेंद्रिया वीतरागाः सर्वे विषयवैरिणः॥ एभिः सर्वैः परिवृतः शंकरो लोकशंकरः॥ दृष्टस्तया उपाविष्ट आसने परामाद्भुते

jiteṃdriyā vītarāgāḥ sarve viṣayavairiṇaḥ|| ebhiḥ sarvaiḥ parivṛtaḥ śaṃkaro lokaśaṃkaraḥ|| dṛṣṭastayā upāviṣṭa āsane parāmādbhute

Masters of their senses, free from passion, all foes of sense-pleasures — surrounded by all of these, she saw Shankara, benefactor of the worlds, seated upon a most wondrous throne.

Verse 50 (skanda.1.2.50)

आक्षिप्तचित्ता सहसा जगाम शिवसंनिधिम्॥ शिवेन स्थापिता स्वांके प्रीतियुक्तेन वल्लभा

ākṣiptacittā sahasā jagāma śivasaṃnidhim|| śivena sthāpitā svāṃke prītiyuktena vallabhā

With her mind suddenly stirred, she at once reached Shiva's presence; and Shiva, filled with affection, seated his beloved upon his own lap.

Verse 51 (skanda.1.2.51)

प्रेम्णोदिता वचोभिः सा बहुमानपुरःसरम्॥ किमागमनकार्यंमे वद शीघ्रं सुमध्यमे

premṇoditā vacobhiḥ sā bahumānapuraḥsaram|| kimāgamanakāryaṃme vada śīghraṃ sumadhyame

Roused by words full of love and regard, he said: "O fair-waisted one, tell me quickly what brings you here."

Verse 52 (skanda.1.2.52)

एवमुक्ता तदा तेन उवाचासितलोचना

evamuktā tadā tena uvācāsitalocanā

Thus addressed, she of the dark eyes spoke in reply.

Verse 53 (skanda.1.2.53)

॥सत्युवाच॥ पितुर्मम महायज्ञे कस्मात्तव न रोचते॥ गमनं देवदेवश तत्सर्वं कथय प्रभो

||satyuvāca|| piturmama mahāyajñe kasmāttava na rocate|| gamanaṃ devadevaśa tatsarvaṃ kathaya prabho

Sati said: "O God of gods, why does it not please you to go to my father's great sacrifice? Tell me all of this, O Lord."

Verse 54 (skanda.1.2.54)

सुहृदामेष वै धर्मः सुहृद्भिः सह संगतिम्॥ कुर्वंति यन्महादेव सुहृदां प्रीतिवर्धिनीम्

suhṛdāmeṣa vai dharmaḥ suhṛdbhiḥ saha saṃgatim|| kurvaṃti yanmahādeva suhṛdāṃ prītivardhinīm

"O Mahadeva, this indeed is the very duty of friends — that they should keep such company with one another as increases mutual affection."

Verse 55 (skanda.1.2.55)

तसमात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन अनाहूतोऽपि गच्छ भोः॥ यज्ञवाटं पितुर्मेऽद्य वचनान्मे सदाशिव

tasamātsarvaprayatnena anāhūto'pi gaccha bhoḥ|| yajñavāṭaṃ piturme'dya vacanānme sadāśiva

"Therefore, O Sadashiva, at my word, go with every effort to my father's sacrificial ground today, even uninvited."

Verse 56 (skanda.1.2.56)

तस्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा ब भाषे सूनृतं वचः॥ त्वया भद्रे न गंतव्यं दक्षस्य यजनं प्रति

tasyāstadvacanaṃ śrutvā ba bhāṣe sūnṛtaṃ vacaḥ|| tvayā bhadre na gaṃtavyaṃ dakṣasya yajanaṃ prati

Hearing her words, he spoke a true and gentle reply: "O gentle one, you ought not go to Daksha's sacrifice."

Verse 57 (skanda.1.2.57)

तस्य ये मानिनः सर्वे ससुरासुकिंनराः॥ ते स्रेव यजनं प्राप्ताः पितुस्तव न संशयः

tasya ye māninaḥ sarve sasurāsukiṃnarāḥ|| te sreva yajanaṃ prāptāḥ pitustava na saṃśayaḥ

"Those who are honored there — gods, demons, and kinnaras alike — have all reached your father's sacrifice only because they were invited; there is no doubt of this."

Verse 58 (skanda.1.2.58)

अनाहूताश्च ये सुभ्रु गच्छंति परमन्दिरम्॥ अपमानं प्राप्नुवन्ति मरणादधिकं ततः

anāhūtāśca ye subhru gacchaṃti paramandiram|| apamānaṃ prāpnuvanti maraṇādadhikaṃ tataḥ

"O fair-browed one, those who go uninvited to another's dwelling receive there a disrespect worse even than death."

Verse 59 (skanda.1.2.59)

परेषां मंदिरं प्राप्त इंद्रोपि लघुतां व्रजेत्॥ तस्मात्त्वाया न गंतव्यं दक्षस्य यजनं शुभे

pareṣāṃ maṃdiraṃ prāpta iṃdropi laghutāṃ vrajet|| tasmāttvāyā na gaṃtavyaṃ dakṣasya yajanaṃ śubhe

"Even Indra, on reaching another's house uninvited, would come to be belittled; therefore, O auspicious one, you should not go to Daksha's sacrifice."

Verse 60 (skanda.1.2.60)

एवमुक्ता सती तेन महेशेन महात्मना॥ उवाच रोषसंयुक्तं वाक्यं वाक्यविदां वरा

evamuktā satī tena maheśena mahātmanā|| uvāca roṣasaṃyuktaṃ vākyaṃ vākyavidāṃ varā

Thus addressed by that great-souled Maheshvara, Sati, foremost among the eloquent, spoke these words filled with indignation.

Verse 61 (skanda.1.2.61)

यज्ञो हि सत्यं लोके त्वं स त्वं देववरेश्वर॥ अनाहूतोऽसि तेनाद्य पित्रा मे दृष्टचारिणा॥ तत्सर्वं ज्ञातुमिच्छामि तस्य भावं दुरात्मनः

yajño hi satyaṃ loke tvaṃ sa tvaṃ devavareśvara|| anāhūto'si tenādya pitrā me dṛṣṭacāriṇā|| tatsarvaṃ jñātumicchāmi tasya bhāvaṃ durātmanaḥ

"O best Lord of gods, the sacrifice itself is the very truth of this world, and you are that sacrifice made manifest; yet my father, of such ill conduct, has today left even you uninvited — I wish to know fully what that evil-natured man intends."

Verse 62 (skanda.1.2.62)

तस्माच्चाद्यैव गच्छामि यज्ञवाडं पितुर्म्मम॥ अनुज्ञां देहि मे नाथ देवदेव जगत्पते

tasmāccādyaiva gacchāmi yajñavāḍaṃ piturmmama|| anujñāṃ dehi me nātha devadeva jagatpate

"Therefore I shall go this very day to my father's sacrificial ground; grant me your leave, O Lord, God of gods, Master of the world."

Verse 63 (skanda.1.2.63)

इत्युक्तो भगवान्रुद्रस्तया देव्या शिवः स्वयम्॥ विज्ञाताखिलदृग्द्रष्टा भगवान्भूतभावनः

ityukto bhagavānrudrastayā devyā śivaḥ svayam|| vijñātākhiladṛgdraṣṭā bhagavānbhūtabhāvanaḥ

Thus addressed by that goddess, the Lord Rudra, Shiva himself — the all-seeing witness, the one who brings all beings into existence —

Verse 64 (skanda.1.2.64)

स तामुवाच देवेशो महेशः सर्वसिद्धिदः॥ गच्छ देवि त्वरायुक्ता वचनान्मम सुव्रते

sa tāmuvāca deveśo maheśaḥ sarvasiddhidaḥ|| gaccha devi tvarāyuktā vacanānmama suvrate

that Lord of gods, Mahesha, giver of every accomplishment, said to her: "Go, O goddess, swiftly, at my very word, O you of good vows."

Verse 65 (skanda.1.2.65)

एतं नंदिनमारुह्य नानाविधगणान्विता॥ गणाः षष्टिसहस्राणि जग्मूरौद्राः शिवज्ञया

etaṃ naṃdinamāruhya nānāvidhagaṇānvitā|| gaṇāḥ ṣaṣṭisahasrāṇi jagmūraudrāḥ śivajñayā

Mounted upon this Nandin, accompanied by manifold hosts of attendants, sixty thousand fierce ganas set forth at Shiva's command.

Verse 66 (skanda.1.2.66)

तैर्गणैः संवृता देवी जगाम पितृमंदिरम्॥ निरीक्ष्य तद्बलं सर्वं महादेवोतिविस्मितः

tairgaṇaiḥ saṃvṛtā devī jagāma pitṛmaṃdiram|| nirīkṣya tadbalaṃ sarvaṃ mahādevotivismitaḥ

Surrounded by those hosts, the Goddess went toward her father's dwelling; and beholding that entire host, even Mahadeva himself was greatly astonished.

Verse 67 (skanda.1.2.67)

भूषणानि महार्हाणि तेभ्यो देव्यै परंतपः॥ प्रेषयामास चाव्यग्रो महादेवोऽनु पृष्ठतः

bhūṣaṇāni mahārhāṇi tebhyo devyai paraṃtapaḥ|| preṣayāmāsa cāvyagro mahādevo'nu pṛṣṭhataḥ

That scorcher of foes, Mahadeva, remaining unperturbed, then sent precious ornaments after her too, following behind for the Goddess.

Verse 68 (skanda.1.2.68)

देव्या गतं वै स्वपितुर्गृहं तदा विमृश्य सर्वं भगवान्महेशः॥ दाक्षायणी पित्रवमानिता सती न यास्यतीति स्वपुरं पुनर्जगौ

devyā gataṃ vai svapiturgṛhaṃ tadā vimṛśya sarvaṃ bhagavānmaheśaḥ|| dākṣāyaṇī pitravamānitā satī na yāsyatīti svapuraṃ punarjagau

When the Goddess had gone to her own father's house, Lord Mahesha, reflecting on everything, declared in his own city: "Dakshayani, the chaste one, dishonored by her father, shall not return."