The Birth of Girija

Verse 1 (skanda.1.20.1)

॥ऋषय ऊचुः॥ ब्रह्मा विष्णुश्च रुद्रश्च सगुणाः कीर्तितास्त्वया॥ लिंगरूपी तथैवेशो निर्गुणोऽसौ कथं वद

||ṛṣaya ūcuḥ|| brahmā viṣṇuśca rudraśca saguṇāḥ kīrtitāstvayā|| liṃgarūpī tathaiveśo nirguṇo'sau kathaṃ vada

The sages said: "You have declared Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra to be endowed with qualities; but how is the lord, in the form of the linga, said to be without qualities? Tell us this."

Verse 2 (skanda.1.20.2)

त्रिभिर्गुणैर्व्याप्तमिदं चराचरं जगन्महद्व्याप्यथ वाल्पकं वा॥ मायामयं सर्वमिदं विभाति लिंगं विना केन कुतोविभाति

tribhirguṇairvyāptamidaṃ carācaraṃ jaganmahadvyāpyatha vālpakaṃ vā|| māyāmayaṃ sarvamidaṃ vibhāti liṃgaṃ vinā kena kutovibhāti

"This whole world, moving and unmoving, great or small, is pervaded by the three gunas; all of it, woven of maya, shines forth — but without the linga, by what, and how, could it shine at all?"

Verse 3 (skanda.1.20.3)

यद्दृश्यमानं महदल्पकं च तन्नश्वरं कृतकत्वाच्च सूत

yaddṛśyamānaṃ mahadalpakaṃ ca tannaśvaraṃ kṛtakatvācca sūta

"O Suta, whatever is visible, whether great or small, is perishable, since it is a made thing."

Verse 4 (skanda.1.20.4)

तस्माद्विमृश्य भोः सूत संशयं छेत्तुमर्हसि॥ व्यासप्रसादात्सकलं जानासि त्वं न चापरः

tasmādvimṛśya bhoḥ sūta saṃśayaṃ chettumarhasi|| vyāsaprasādātsakalaṃ jānāsi tvaṃ na cāparaḥ

"Therefore, O Suta, having reflected well, you alone are fit to cut through this doubt of ours; by Vyasa's grace, you alone know all things, and no other."

Verse 5 (skanda.1.20.5)

॥सुत उवाच॥ व्यासेन कथितं सर्वमस्मिन्नर्थे शुकं प्रति॥ शुक उवाच॥ लिंगरूपी कथं शंभुर्निर्गुणः कथते त्वया॥ एतन्मे संशयं तात च्छेत्तुमर्हस्यशेषतः

||suta uvāca|| vyāsena kathitaṃ sarvamasminnarthe śukaṃ prati|| śuka uvāca|| liṃgarūpī kathaṃ śaṃbhurnirguṇaḥ kathate tvayā|| etanme saṃśayaṃ tāta cchettumarhasyaśeṣataḥ

Suta said: On this very matter, Vyasa spoke thus to Shuka. Shuka asked: "You say that Shambhu, in the form of the linga, is without qualities — how can this be? O father, resolve this doubt of mine completely."

Verse 6 (skanda.1.20.6)

॥व्यास उवाच॥ श्रुणु वत्स ब्रवीम्येतत्पुरा प्रोक्तं च नंदिना॥ अगस्त्यं पृच्छमानं च येन सर्वं श्रुतं शुक

||vyāsa uvāca|| śruṇu vatsa bravīmyetatpurā proktaṃ ca naṃdinā|| agastyaṃ pṛcchamānaṃ ca yena sarvaṃ śrutaṃ śuka

Vyasa said: "Listen, my child, I shall tell you what Nandi once declared, when questioned by Agastya, and which I too heard, O Shuka."

Verse 7 (skanda.1.20.7)

निर्गुणं परमात्मानं विद्धि लिंगस्वरूपिणम्॥ परा शक्तिस्तथा ज्ञेया निर्गुणा शाश्वती सती

nirguṇaṃ paramātmānaṃ viddhi liṃgasvarūpiṇam|| parā śaktistathā jñeyā nirguṇā śāśvatī satī

"Know the supreme self, in the form of the linga, to be without qualities; and likewise the supreme power should be known as without qualities, eternal, and true."

Verse 8 (skanda.1.20.8)

यया कृतिमिदं सर्वं गुणत्रयविभावितम्॥ एतच्चराचरं विश्वं नश्वरं परमार्थतः

yayā kṛtimidaṃ sarvaṃ guṇatrayavibhāvitam|| etaccarācaraṃ viśvaṃ naśvaraṃ paramārthataḥ

"By that very power was fashioned this entire made world, moving and unmoving, formed of the three gunas — which, in the highest truth, is perishable."

Verse 9 (skanda.1.20.9)

एक एव परो ह्यात्मा लिंगरूपी निरंजनः॥ प्रकृत्या सह ते सर्वे त्रिगुणा विलयं गताः

eka eva paro hyātmā liṃgarūpī niraṃjanaḥ|| prakṛtyā saha te sarve triguṇā vilayaṃ gatāḥ

"That one supreme self alone, in the form of the linga, is stainless and pure; and prakriti together with all three gunas ultimately dissolve into him."

Verse 10 (skanda.1.20.10)

यस्मिन्नेव ततो लिंगं लयनात्कथितं पुरा॥ तस्माल्लिंगे लयं प्राप्ता परा शक्तिः कुतोऽपरे

yasminneva tato liṃgaṃ layanātkathitaṃ purā|| tasmālliṃge layaṃ prāptā parā śaktiḥ kuto'pare

"Because all things dissolve into him, he was, of old, called the linga; into that very linga even the supreme power attains dissolution — how then could anything else remain apart?"

Verse 11 (skanda.1.20.11)

लीना गुणाश्च रुद्रोक्त्या यैरिदं बद्धमेव च॥ चराचरं महाभाग तस्माल्लिंगं प्रपूजयेत्

līnā guṇāśca rudroktyā yairidaṃ baddhameva ca|| carācaraṃ mahābhāga tasmālliṃgaṃ prapūjayet

"O most fortunate one, the very gunas by which this world, moving and unmoving, is bound, dissolve, by Rudra's own word, into him alone; therefore the linga should be worshipped."

Verse 12 (skanda.1.20.12)

लिंगं च निर्गुणं साक्षाज्जानीध्वं भो द्रिजोतमाः॥ लयाल्लिंगस्य माहात्म्यं गुणानां परिकीर्त्यते

liṃgaṃ ca nirguṇaṃ sākṣājjānīdhvaṃ bho drijotamāḥ|| layālliṃgasya māhātmyaṃ guṇānāṃ parikīrtyate

"O foremost of brahmins, know the linga to be, in very truth, without qualities; it is precisely because the gunas dissolve into it that the linga's greatness is proclaimed."

Verse 13 (skanda.1.20.13)

शंकरः सुखदाता हि उच्यमानो मनीषिभिः॥ सर्वो हि कथ्यते विप्राः सर्वेषामाश्रयो हि स

śaṃkaraḥ sukhadātā hi ucyamāno manīṣibhiḥ|| sarvo hi kathyate viprāḥ sarveṣāmāśrayo hi sa

"Wise men call Shankara the giver of happiness; O brahmins, he is also called 'Sarva,' for he alone is the refuge of all beings."

Verse 14 (skanda.1.20.14)

शंभुर्हि कथ्यते विप्रा यस्माच्च शुभसंभवः

śaṃbhurhi kathyate viprā yasmācca śubhasaṃbhavaḥ

"O brahmins, he is called 'Shambhu' because from him alone arises all that is auspicious."

Verse 15 (skanda.1.20.15)

एवं सर्वाणि नामानि सार्थकानि महात्मनः॥ तेनावृतं जगत्सर्वं शंभुना परमेष्ठिना

evaṃ sarvāṇi nāmāni sārthakāni mahātmanaḥ|| tenāvṛtaṃ jagatsarvaṃ śaṃbhunā parameṣṭhinā

"Thus every one of that great soul's names carries true meaning; and it is by that supreme lord Shambhu that this entire world is enveloped."

Verse 16 (skanda.1.20.16)

॥ऋषय ऊचुः॥ यदा दाक्षायणी चाग्नौ पतिता यज्ञकर्मणि॥ दक्षस्य च महाभागा तिरोधानगता सती

||ṛṣaya ūcuḥ|| yadā dākṣāyaṇī cāgnau patitā yajñakarmaṇi|| dakṣasya ca mahābhāgā tirodhānagatā satī

The sages said: "When Dakshayani fell into the fire during her father Daksha's sacrifice, and that most fortunate Sati vanished from sight —"

Verse 17 (skanda.1.20.17)

प्रादुर्भूता कदा सूत कथ्यतां तत्त्वयाऽधुना॥ परा शक्तिर्महेशस्य मिलिता च कथं पुनः

prādurbhūtā kadā sūta kathyatāṃ tattvayā'dhunā|| parā śaktirmaheśasya militā ca kathaṃ punaḥ

"— when, O Suta, did that supreme power of Mahesha appear again, and how did she come once more to be united with him? Tell us this now."

Verse 18 (skanda.1.20.18)

एतत्सर्वं महाभाग पूर्ववृत्तं च तत्त्वतः॥ कथनीयं च अस्माकं नान्यो वक्तास्ति कश्चन

etatsarvaṃ mahābhāga pūrvavṛttaṃ ca tattvataḥ|| kathanīyaṃ ca asmākaṃ nānyo vaktāsti kaścana

"O most fortunate one, this whole former history should be told to us in its true form; there is no one else fit to tell it, save you."

Verse 19 (skanda.1.20.19)

॥सूत उवाच॥ जज्ञे दाक्षायणी ब्रह्मन्विदग्धावयवा यदा॥ विना शक्त्या महेशोऽपि तताप परमं तपः

||sūta uvāca|| jajñe dākṣāyaṇī brahmanvidagdhāvayavā yadā|| vinā śaktyā maheśo'pi tatāpa paramaṃ tapaḥ

Suta said: "O brahmins, when Dakshayani's very limbs were consumed by fire, Mahesha too, now bereft of his power, took up the most severe penance."

Verse 20 (skanda.1.20.20)

लीलागृहीतवपुषा पर्वते हिमवद्गिरौ॥ भृंगिणा सह विश्वेन नंदिना च तथैव च

līlāgṛhītavapuṣā parvate himavadgirau|| bhṛṃgiṇā saha viśvena naṃdinā ca tathaiva ca

Taking on a body in his playful way, upon Mount Himalaya, together with Bhringi, Vishva, and Nandi —

Verse 21 (skanda.1.20.21)

तथा चंडेन मुंडेन तथान्यैर्बहुभिर्वृतः॥ दशभिः कोटिगुणितैर्गणैश्च परिवारितः

tathā caṃḍena muṃḍena tathānyairbahubhirvṛtaḥ|| daśabhiḥ koṭiguṇitairgaṇaiśca parivāritaḥ

— as well as Chanda, Munda, and countless other attendants, surrounded by ten crore of his hosts, he took his seat there.

Verse 22 (skanda.1.20.22)

गणानां चैव कोट्या च तथा षष्टिसहस्रकैः॥ एवं तत्र गणैर्देव आवृतो वृषभध्वजः

gaṇānāṃ caiva koṭyā ca tathā ṣaṣṭisahasrakaiḥ|| evaṃ tatra gaṇairdeva āvṛto vṛṣabhadhvajaḥ

With crores of hosts, and sixty thousand more besides, that bull-bannered god remained there, thus surrounded by his own attendants.

Verse 23 (skanda.1.20.23)

तपो जुषाणः सहसा महात्मा हिमालयस्याग्रगतस्तथैव॥ गणैर्वृतो वीरभद्रप्रधानैः स केवलो मूलविद्याविहीनः

tapo juṣāṇaḥ sahasā mahātmā himālayasyāgragatastathaiva|| gaṇairvṛto vīrabhadrapradhānaiḥ sa kevalo mūlavidyāvihīnaḥ

That great soul went at once to the summit of the Himalaya and took up his penance there, surrounded by Virabhadra and his other chief attendants, yet alone, deprived of his own primal power.

Verse 24 (skanda.1.20.24)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे दैत्याः प्रादुर्भूता ह्यविद्यया॥ विष्णुना हि बलिर्बद्धस्तथा ते वै महाबलाः

etasminnaṃtare daityāḥ prādurbhūtā hyavidyayā|| viṣṇunā hi balirbaddhastathā te vai mahābalāḥ

In the meantime, through avidya, many daityas came into being; even though Bali had been bound by Vishnu, those mighty demons continued to arise.

Verse 25 (skanda.1.20.25)

जाता दैत्यास्ततो विप्रा इंद्रोपद्रवकारकाः॥ कालखंजा महारौद्राः कालकायास्तथापरे

jātā daityāstato viprā iṃdropadravakārakāḥ|| kālakhaṃjā mahāraudrāḥ kālakāyāstathāpare

O brahmins, then were born daityas who brought trouble upon Indra — the Kalakhanjas, the terrible Maharaudras, the Kalakayas, and others besides.

Verse 26 (skanda.1.20.26)

निवातकवचाः सर्वे रवरावकसंज्ञकाः॥ अन्ये च बहवो दैत्याः प्रजासंहारकारकाः

nivātakavacāḥ sarve ravarāvakasaṃjñakāḥ|| anye ca bahavo daityāḥ prajāsaṃhārakārakāḥ

The Nivatakavachas, those called Raravakas, and many other daityas besides, all of them bent on the destruction of all beings.

Verse 27 (skanda.1.20.27)

तारको नमुचेः पुत्रस्तपसा परमेण हि॥ ब्रह्माणं तोषयामास ब्रह्मा तस्य तुतोष वै

tārako namuceḥ putrastapasā parameṇa hi|| brahmāṇaṃ toṣayāmāsa brahmā tasya tutoṣa vai

There was also Taraka, son of Namuchi, who through the most extreme penance pleased Brahma; and Brahma became greatly satisfied with him.

Verse 28 (skanda.1.20.28)

वरान्ददौ यथेष्टांश्च तारकाय दुरात्मने॥ वरं वृणीष्व भद्रं ते सर्वान्कामान्ददामि ते

varāndadau yatheṣṭāṃśca tārakāya durātmane|| varaṃ vṛṇīṣva bhadraṃ te sarvānkāmāndadāmi te

He granted that evil-souled Taraka whatever boons he desired: "Ask for a boon, may good fortune be yours; I shall grant your every desire."

Verse 29 (skanda.1.20.29)

तच्छत्वा वचनं तस्य ब्रह्मणः परमेष्ठिनः॥ वरयामास च तदा वरं लोकभयावहम्

tacchatvā vacanaṃ tasya brahmaṇaḥ parameṣṭhinaḥ|| varayāmāsa ca tadā varaṃ lokabhayāvaham

Hearing these words of Brahma, the supreme grandsire, he then asked for a boon that would strike terror into every world.

Verse 30 (skanda.1.20.30)

यदि मे त्वं प्रसन्नऽसि अजरामरतां प्रभो॥ देहि मे यद्विजानासि अजेयत्वं तथैव च

yadi me tvaṃ prasanna'si ajarāmaratāṃ prabho|| dehi me yadvijānāsi ajeyatvaṃ tathaiva ca

"If you are pleased with me, O lord, grant me freedom from age and death; and whatever else you deem fit, grant me also invincibility."

Verse 31 (skanda.1.20.31)

एवमुक्तस्तदा तेन तारकेण दुरात्मना॥ उवाच प्रहसन्वाक्यममरत्वं कुतस्तव

evamuktastadā tena tārakeṇa durātmanā|| uvāca prahasanvākyamamaratvaṃ kutastava

Thus addressed by the evil-souled Taraka, Brahma spoke, laughing: "How could immortality ever be yours?"

Verse 32 (skanda.1.20.32)

जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्युरेतज्जानीहि तत्त्वतः॥ प्रहस्य तारकः प्राह अजेयत्वं च देहि मे

jātasya hi dhruvo mṛtyuretajjānīhi tattvataḥ|| prahasya tārakaḥ prāha ajeyatvaṃ ca dehi me

"For whoever is born, death is certain — know this to be the very truth." Then Taraka too, laughing, said: "Then grant me at least invincibility."

Verse 33 (skanda.1.20.33)

ब्रह्मोवाच तदा दैत्यजेयत्वं तवानघ॥ विनार्भकेण दत्तं वै ह्यर्भकस्त्वां विजेष्यते

brahmovāca tadā daityajeyatvaṃ tavānagha|| vinārbhakeṇa dattaṃ vai hyarbhakastvāṃ vijeṣyate

Brahma said: "O sinless daitya, your invincibility shall be this: none shall ever conquer you, save a mere child — only a child shall be your conqueror."

Verse 34 (skanda.1.20.34)

तदा स तारकः प्राह ब्रह्माणं प्रणतः प्रभो॥ कृतार्थोऽहं हि देवेश प्रसादात्तव संप्रति

tadā sa tārakaḥ prāha brahmāṇaṃ praṇataḥ prabho|| kṛtārtho'haṃ hi deveśa prasādāttava saṃprati

Then Taraka bowed and said to Brahma: "O lord of the gods, O lord, by your grace, I am now well satisfied."

Verse 35 (skanda.1.20.35)

एवं लब्धवरो भूत्वा तारको हि महाबलः॥ देवान्युद्धार्थमाहूय युयुधे तैः सहासुरः

evaṃ labdhavaro bhūtvā tārako hi mahābalaḥ|| devānyuddhārthamāhūya yuyudhe taiḥ sahāsuraḥ

Having thus obtained his boon, that mighty asura Taraka challenged the gods to battle, and fought against them.

Verse 36 (skanda.1.20.36)

मुचुकुन्दं समाश्रित्य देवास्ते जयिनोऽभवन्॥ पुनः पुनर्विकुर्वाणा देवास्ते तारकेण हि

mucukundaṃ samāśritya devāste jayino'bhavan|| punaḥ punarvikurvāṇā devāste tārakeṇa hi

Relying upon Muchukunda, the gods gained victory, yet again and again they were also driven back and defeated by Taraka.

Verse 37 (skanda.1.20.37)

मुचुकुन्दबलेनैव जयमापुःसुरास्तदा॥ किं कर्तव्यं हि चास्माकं युध्यमानैर्निरंतरम्

mucukundabalenaiva jayamāpuḥsurāstadā|| kiṃ kartavyaṃ hi cāsmākaṃ yudhyamānairniraṃtaram

Only through Muchukunda's strength did the gods manage to win victory at that time; and they began to wonder: "What more is left for us to do, fighting on without end?"

Verse 38 (skanda.1.20.38)

भवितव्यमिति स्मृत्वा गतास्ते ब्रह्मणः पदम्॥ ब्रह्मणश्चाग्रतो भूत्वा ह्यब्रुवंस्ते सवासवाः

bhavitavyamiti smṛtvā gatāste brahmaṇaḥ padam|| brahmaṇaścāgrato bhūtvā hyabruvaṃste savāsavāḥ

Reflecting that "whatever is destined must come to pass," they went to Brahma's abode; and standing before Brahma, the gods, together with Indra, spoke thus —

Verse 39 (skanda.1.20.39)

॥ देवा ऊचूः॥ बलिना सह पातालमास्तेऽसौ मधुसूदनः॥ विष्णुं विना हि ते सर्वे वृषाद्याः पतिताः परैः

|| devā ūcūḥ|| balinā saha pātālamāste'sau madhusūdanaḥ|| viṣṇuṃ vinā hi te sarve vṛṣādyāḥ patitāḥ paraiḥ

The gods said: "That slayer of Madhu, Vishnu, now dwells in Patala together with Bali; without Vishnu, all of us have been struck down by these very foes."

Verse 40 (skanda.1.20.40)

दैत्येंद्रैश्च महाभाग त्रातुमर्हसि नः प्रभो॥ तदा नभोगता वाणी ह्युवाच परिसांत्व्य वै

daityeṃdraiśca mahābhāga trātumarhasi naḥ prabho|| tadā nabhogatā vāṇī hyuvāca parisāṃtvya vai

"O most fortunate one, O lord, you alone are fit to save us from these lords of the daityas" — then, soothingly, a voice sounded from the sky —

Verse 41 (skanda.1.20.41)

हे देवाः क्रियतामाशु मम वाक्यं हि तत्त्वतः॥ शिवात्मजो यदा देवा भविष्यति महाबलः

he devāḥ kriyatāmāśu mama vākyaṃ hi tattvataḥ|| śivātmajo yadā devā bhaviṣyati mahābalaḥ

"O gods, act at once, taking my word to be true — when a mighty son is born to Shiva —"

Verse 42 (skanda.1.20.42)

युद्धे पुनस्तारकं च वधिष्यति न संशयः॥ येनोपायेन भगवाञ्छंभुः सर्वगुहाशयः

yuddhe punastārakaṃ ca vadhiṣyati na saṃśayaḥ|| yenopāyena bhagavāñchaṃbhuḥ sarvaguhāśayaḥ

"— then he shall slay Taraka in battle, without any doubt. Now, by whatever means the lord Shambhu, who dwells within every heart —"

Verse 43 (skanda.1.20.43)

दारापरिग्रही देवास्तथा नीतिर्विधीयताम्॥ क्रियतां च परो यत्नो भवद्भिर्नान्यथा वचः

dārāparigrahī devāstathā nītirvidhīyatām|| kriyatāṃ ca paro yatno bhavadbhirnānyathā vacaḥ

"— may once more take a consort, O gods, that very course must now be arranged; make every effort toward this, for my word shall not prove otherwise."

Verse 44 (skanda.1.20.44)

यूयं देवा विजानीध्वमित्युवाचाशरीरवाक्॥ परं विस्मयमापन्ना ऊचुर्देवाः परस्परम्

yūyaṃ devā vijānīdhvamityuvācāśarīravāk|| paraṃ vismayamāpannā ūcurdevāḥ parasparam

"O gods, understand this well yourselves" — thus spoke that bodiless voice; and the gods, filled with the greatest wonder, spoke among themselves —

Verse 45 (skanda.1.20.45)

श्रुत्वा नभोगतां वाणीमाजग्मुस्ते हिमालयम्॥ बृहस्पतिं पुरस्कृत्य सर्वे देवा वचोऽब्रुवन्

śrutvā nabhogatāṃ vāṇīmājagmuste himālayam|| bṛhaspatiṃ puraskṛtya sarve devā vaco'bruvan

Hearing that voice from the sky, they all went to the Himalaya; and with Brihaspati placed at their head, all the gods spoke these words —

Verse 46 (skanda.1.20.46)

हिमालयं महाभागाः सर्वे कार्यार्थगौरवात्॥ हिमालय महाभाग श्रूयतां नोऽधुना वचः

himālayaṃ mahābhāgāḥ sarve kāryārthagauravāt|| himālaya mahābhāga śrūyatāṃ no'dhunā vacaḥ

All those most fortunate gods, moved by the gravity of their purpose, spoke to the Himalaya: "O most fortunate Himalaya, hear now our words."

Verse 47 (skanda.1.20.47)

तारकस्त्रासयत्यस्मान्साहाय्यं तद्वधे कुरु॥ त्वं शरण्यो भवास्माकं सर्वेषां च तपस्विनाम्॥ तस्मात्सर्वे वयं याता महेंद्रसहिता विभो

tārakastrāsayatyasmānsāhāyyaṃ tadvadhe kuru|| tvaṃ śaraṇyo bhavāsmākaṃ sarveṣāṃ ca tapasvinām|| tasmātsarve vayaṃ yātā maheṃdrasahitā vibho

"Taraka strikes terror into us; help us in his destruction. O lord, be the refuge of us all, and of every ascetic besides; and it is for this reason that all of us, together with Mahendra, have come here."

Verse 48 (skanda.1.20.48)

॥ लोमश उवाच॥ एवमभ्यर्थितो देवैर्हिमवान्गिरिसत्तमः॥ उवाच देवान्प्रहसन्वाक्यं वाक्यविदां वरः

|| lomaśa uvāca|| evamabhyarthito devairhimavāngirisattamaḥ|| uvāca devānprahasanvākyaṃ vākyavidāṃ varaḥ

Lomasha said: Thus entreated by the gods, Himavan, foremost of mountains and skilled in speech, spoke, laughing, these words to the gods —

Verse 49 (skanda.1.20.49)

महेन्द्र मुद्दिश्य तदा ह्युपहाससमन्वितः॥ अक्षमाश्च वयं सर्वे महेन्द्रेण कृताः सुराः

mahendra muddiśya tadā hyupahāsasamanvitaḥ|| akṣamāśca vayaṃ sarve mahendreṇa kṛtāḥ surāḥ

Referring to Mahendra, he said mockingly: "We gods have all been rendered helpless — and it is Mahendra himself who has done this to us."

Verse 50 (skanda.1.20.50)

किं कुर्मः सुरकार्यं च तारकस्य वधं प्रति॥ पक्षयुक्ता वयं सर्वे यदि स्याम सुरोत्तमाः

kiṃ kurmaḥ surakāryaṃ ca tārakasya vadhaṃ prati|| pakṣayuktā vayaṃ sarve yadi syāma surottamāḥ

"What can we do for the gods' cause, toward the slaying of Taraka? If all of us foremost gods were joined together in a common cause —"

Verse 51 (skanda.1.20.51)

तदा वयं घातयामस्तारकं सह बांधवैः॥ अचलोहं विपक्षश्च किं कार्यं करवाणि व

tadā vayaṃ ghātayāmastārakaṃ saha bāṃdhavaiḥ|| acalohaṃ vipakṣaśca kiṃ kāryaṃ karavāṇi va

"— then we would slay Taraka together with all his kin. But I am unmoving by nature, and no partisan either — what, then, should I do?"

Verse 52 (skanda.1.20.52)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सर्वे देवास्तमब्रुवन्॥ सर्वे यूयं वयं चैव असमर्था वधं प्रति॥ तारकस्य महाभाग एतत्कार्यं विचंत्यताम्

tasya tadvacanaṃ śrutvā sarve devāstamabruvan|| sarve yūyaṃ vayaṃ caiva asamarthā vadhaṃ prati|| tārakasya mahābhāga etatkāryaṃ vicaṃtyatām

Hearing his words, all the gods said to him: "Both we and you together are unable to accomplish Taraka's destruction; O most fortunate one, deliberate upon this matter."

Verse 53 (skanda.1.20.53)

येन साध्यो भवेच्छत्रुस्तारको हि महाबलः॥ तदोवाच महातेजा हिमवान्स सुरान्प्रति

yena sādhyo bhavecchatrustārako hi mahābalaḥ|| tadovāca mahātejā himavānsa surānprati

"Tell us the means by which this mighty foe, Taraka, might be overcome" — then the radiant Himavan said to the gods —

Verse 54 (skanda.1.20.54)

केनोपायेन भो देवास्तारकं हंतुमिच्छथ॥ कथयंतुत्वरेणैव कार्यं वेत्तुं ममैव हि

kenopāyena bho devāstārakaṃ haṃtumicchatha|| kathayaṃtutvareṇaiva kāryaṃ vettuṃ mamaiva hi

"O gods, by what means do you wish to slay Taraka? Tell me this swiftly, so that I too may understand what is to be done."

Verse 55 (skanda.1.20.55)

तदा सुरैः कथितं सर्वमेतद्वाण्या चोक्तं यत्पुरा कार्यहेतोः॥ श्रुतं तदा गिरिणा वाक्यमेत xxxxxxx हिमवान्पर्वतो हि

tadā suraiḥ kathitaṃ sarvametadvāṇyā coktaṃ yatpurā kāryahetoḥ|| śrutaṃ tadā giriṇā vākyameta xxxxxxx himavānparvato hi

Then the gods told him all that had earlier been declared by that voice from the sky, for the fulfilment of their purpose; and Himavan, the mountain, heard those very words.

Verse 56 (skanda.1.20.56)

शिवस्य पुत्रेण च धीमता यदा वध्यो दैत्यस्तारको वै महात्मा॥ तदा सर्वं सुरगकार्यं शुभंस्याद्वाण्या चोक्तं सत्यमेतद्भवेच्च

śivasya putreṇa ca dhīmatā yadā vadhyo daityastārako vai mahātmā|| tadā sarvaṃ suragakāryaṃ śubhaṃsyādvāṇyā coktaṃ satyametadbhavecca

When, by Shiva's wise son, that great-souled daitya Taraka would be slain, then all the purpose of the gods would prove auspicious — that word from the sky would surely come true.

Verse 57 (skanda.1.20.57)

तस्मात्तदेनत्क्रियतां भवद्भिर्यथा महेशः कुरुते परिग्रहम्॥ कन्या यथा तस्य शिवस्य योग्या निरीक्ष्यतामाशु सुरैरिदानीम्

tasmāttadenatkriyatāṃ bhavadbhiryathā maheśaḥ kurute parigraham|| kanyā yathā tasya śivasya yogyā nirīkṣyatāmāśu surairidānīm

"Therefore now let this be arranged among you: that Mahesha should take a bride; the gods must now swiftly look about for a maiden fit to be Shiva's own."

Verse 58 (skanda.1.20.58)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा प्रहस्योचुः सुरास्तदा॥ जनितव्या त्वया कन्या शिवार्थं कार्यसिद्धये

tasya tadvacanaṃ śrutvā prahasyocuḥ surāstadā|| janitavyā tvayā kanyā śivārthaṃ kāryasiddhaye

Hearing his words, the gods, laughing, said: "You yourself must give birth to a daughter, for Shiva's sake, for the fulfilment of this purpose."

Verse 59 (skanda.1.20.59)

सुराणां च गिरे वाक्यं कुरु शीघ्रं महामते॥ आधारस्त्वं तु देवानां भविष्यसि न संशयः

surāṇāṃ ca gire vākyaṃ kuru śīghraṃ mahāmate|| ādhārastvaṃ tu devānāṃ bhaviṣyasi na saṃśayaḥ

"O wise one, accept swiftly this word of the gods; you alone shall become the very support of the gods, of this there is no doubt."

Verse 60 (skanda.1.20.60)

इत्युक्तो गिरिराजोऽथ देवैः स्वगृहमामाविशत्॥ पत्नीं मेनां च पप्रच्छ सुकार्यं समागतम्

ityukto girirājo'tha devaiḥ svagṛhamāmāviśat|| patnīṃ menāṃ ca papraccha sukāryaṃ samāgatam

Thus addressed by the gods, the lord of mountains, Himavan, returned to his own home, and asked his wife Mena about this auspicious task that had now come before them.

Verse 61 (skanda.1.20.61)

जनितव्या सुकन्यैका सुरकार्यार्थसिद्धये॥ देवानां च ऋषीणां च तथैव च तपस्विनाम्

janitavyā sukanyaikā surakāryārthasiddhaye|| devānāṃ ca ṛṣīṇāṃ ca tathaiva ca tapasvinām

"For the fulfilment of the purpose of the gods, the sages and the ascetics, a beautiful daughter must be born to us."

Verse 62 (skanda.1.20.62)

प्रियं न भवति स्त्रीणां कन्याजननसेव च॥ तथापि जनितव्या च कन्यैका च वरानने

priyaṃ na bhavati strīṇāṃ kanyājananaseva ca|| tathāpi janitavyā ca kanyaikā ca varānane

"For women, the bearing of a daughter is never a welcome thing; and yet, O fair-faced one, we must indeed give birth to a daughter."

Verse 63 (skanda.1.20.63)

प्रहस्य मेना प्रोवाच स्वपतिं च हिमालयम्॥ यदुक्तं भवता वाक्यं श्रूयतां मे त्वयाऽधुना

prahasya menā provāca svapatiṃ ca himālayam|| yaduktaṃ bhavatā vākyaṃ śrūyatāṃ me tvayā'dhunā

Mena, smiling, said to her husband Himalaya: "You have spoken these words to me — now hear mine in return —"

Verse 64 (skanda.1.20.64)

कन्या सदा दुःखकरी नृणां पते स्त्रीणां तथा शोककरी महामते॥ तस्माद्विमृश्य सुचिरं स्वयमेव बुद्ध्या यथा हितं शैलपते तदुच्यताम्

kanyā sadā duḥkhakarī nṛṇāṃ pate strīṇāṃ tathā śokakarī mahāmate|| tasmādvimṛśya suciraṃ svayameva buddhyā yathā hitaṃ śailapate taducyatām

"O lord, O wise one, a daughter ever brings sorrow to men, and to women even greater grief; therefore, O lord of the mountains, having deliberated long and well, decide as your own judgment finds most fitting."

Verse 65 (skanda.1.20.65)

हिमवांस्तदुपश्रुत्या प्रियाया वचनं तदा॥ उवाच वाक्यं मेधावी परोपकरणान्वितम्

himavāṃstadupaśrutyā priyāyā vacanaṃ tadā|| uvāca vākyaṃ medhāvī paropakaraṇānvitam

Hearing his beloved wife's words, the wise Himavan spoke these words, filled with concern for the good of others —

Verse 66 (skanda.1.20.66)

येनयेन प्रकारेण परेषामुपजीवनम्॥ भविष्यति च तत्कार्यं धीमता पुरुषेण हि

yenayena prakāreṇa pareṣāmupajīvanam|| bhaviṣyati ca tatkāryaṃ dhīmatā puruṣeṇa hi

"Whatever course brings benefit to others, that alone should a wise man undertake."

Verse 67 (skanda.1.20.67)

स्त्रियापि चैव तत्कार्यं परोपकरणान्वितम्॥ एवं प्रवर्तिता तेन गिरिणा महिषी तदा॥ दधार जठरे कन्यां मेना भाग्यवती तदा

striyāpi caiva tatkāryaṃ paropakaraṇānvitam|| evaṃ pravartitā tena giriṇā mahiṣī tadā|| dadhāra jaṭhare kanyāṃ menā bhāgyavatī tadā

"A woman too should do only that which benefits others." Thus persuaded by that lord of mountains, the fortunate Mena conceived that daughter within her very womb.

Verse 68 (skanda.1.20.68)

महाविद्या महामाया महामेधास्वरूपिणी॥ रुद्रकाली च अंबा च सती दाक्षायणी परा

mahāvidyā mahāmāyā mahāmedhāsvarūpiṇī|| rudrakālī ca aṃbā ca satī dākṣāyaṇī parā

She was the great wisdom, the great illusion, the very embodiment of supreme intellect — Rudrakali, Amba, and that same supreme Sati, Dakshayani reborn.

Verse 69 (skanda.1.20.69)

तां विभूतिं विशालाक्षी जठरे परमां सती॥ बभार सा महाभागा मेना चारुविलोचना

tāṃ vibhūtiṃ viśālākṣī jaṭhare paramāṃ satī|| babhāra sā mahābhāgā menā cāruvilocanā

That most fortunate Mena, wide-eyed and lovely of glance, bore that supreme radiance within her very womb.

Verse 70 (skanda.1.20.70)

स्तुतिं चक्रुस्तदा देवा ऋषयो यक्षकिन्नराः॥ मेनाया भूरिभाग्यायास्तथा हिमवतो गिरेः

stutiṃ cakrustadā devā ṛṣayo yakṣakinnarāḥ|| menāyā bhūribhāgyāyāstathā himavato gireḥ

Then the gods, sages, yakshas and kinnaras all began to sing the praises of that most fortunate Mena and of Himavan, the mountain lord.

Verse 71 (skanda.1.20.71)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे जाता गिरिजा नाम नामतः॥ प्रादुर्भूता यदा देवी सर्वेषां च सुखप्रदा

etasminnaṃtare jātā girijā nāma nāmataḥ|| prādurbhūtā yadā devī sarveṣāṃ ca sukhapradā

In due course, that goddess, renowned by the name Girija, was born — she who brings happiness to every being.

Verse 72 (skanda.1.20.72)

देवदुंदुभयो नेदुर्ननृतुश्चाप्सरोगणाः॥ जगुर्गंधर्वपतयो ननृतुश्चाप्सरोगणाः

devaduṃdubhayo nedurnanṛtuścāpsarogaṇāḥ|| jagurgaṃdharvapatayo nanṛtuścāpsarogaṇāḥ

The divine kettledrums resounded, and troupes of apsarases danced; the lords of the gandharvas sang, and the hosts of apsarases danced once more.

Verse 73 (skanda.1.20.73)

पुष्पवर्षेण महता ववृषुर्विबुधास्तथा॥ तदा प्रसन्नमभवत्सर्वं त्रैलोक्यमेव च

puṣpavarṣeṇa mahatā vavṛṣurvibudhāstathā|| tadā prasannamabhavatsarvaṃ trailokyameva ca

The gods rained down a great shower of flowers; and at that moment the whole of the three worlds was filled with joy.

Verse 74 (skanda.1.20.74)

यदावतीर्णा गिरिजा महासती तदैव दैत्या भयमाविशंस्ते॥ प्राप्ता मुदं देवगणा महर्षयः सचारणाः सिद्धगणास्तथैव

yadāvatīrṇā girijā mahāsatī tadaiva daityā bhayamāviśaṃste|| prāptā mudaṃ devagaṇā maharṣayaḥ sacāraṇāḥ siddhagaṇāstathaiva

When that great and virtuous Girija thus descended, fear at once seized the daityas, while the gods, the great sages, the charanas and the hosts of siddhas were all filled with joy.