Shankara Reveals His True Form to Parvati

Verse 1 (skanda.1.22.1)

॥सूत उवाच॥ एवमुक्तास्तदा देवा विष्णुना परमेष्ठिना॥ जग्मुः सर्वे महेशं च द्रष्टुकामाः पिनाकिनम्

||sūta uvāca|| evamuktāstadā devā viṣṇunā parameṣṭhinā|| jagmuḥ sarve maheśaṃ ca draṣṭukāmāḥ pinākinam

Suta said: Thus addressed by supreme Vishnu, all the gods, longing to behold Mahesha, then went to the wielder of Pinaka.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.22.2)

परे पारे परमेण समाधिना॥ योगपीठे स्धितं शंभुं गणैश्च परिवारितम्

pare pāre parameṇa samādhinā|| yogapīṭhe sdhitaṃ śaṃbhuṃ gaṇaiśca parivāritam

They found Shambhu there, as if beyond the farthest shore in supreme meditation, seated upon the yoga-seat, surrounded by his hosts of ganas.

Verse 3 (skanda.1.22.3)

यज्ञोपवीतविधिना उरसा बिभ्रतं वृतम्॥ वासुकिं सर्पराजं च कंबलाश्वतरौ तथा

yajñopavītavidhinā urasā bibhrataṃ vṛtam|| vāsukiṃ sarparājaṃ ca kaṃbalāśvatarau tathā

Across his chest, in place of the sacred thread, he wore Vasuki the king of serpents, together with the serpents Kambala and Ashvatara.

Verse 4 (skanda.1.22.4)

कर्णद्वये धारयंतं तथा कर्कोटकेन हि॥ पुलहेन च बाहुभ्यां धारयंतं च कंकणे

karṇadvaye dhārayaṃtaṃ tathā karkoṭakena hi|| pulahena ca bāhubhyāṃ dhārayaṃtaṃ ca kaṃkaṇe

In his two ears he wore the serpent Karkotaka, and on his two arms he wore the serpent Pulaha as bracelets.

Verse 5 (skanda.1.22.5)

सन्नूपुरे शङ्खकपद्मकाभ्यां संधारयंतं च विराजमानम्॥ कर्पूरगौरं शितिकंठमद्भुतं वृषान्वितं देववरं ददर्शुः

sannūpure śaṅkhakapadmakābhyāṃ saṃdhārayaṃtaṃ ca virājamānam|| karpūragauraṃ śitikaṃṭhamadbhutaṃ vṛṣānvitaṃ devavaraṃ dadarśuḥ

Wearing the serpents Shankha and Padmaka as anklets, he shone resplendent. Thus they beheld that best of gods — camphor-white, blue-throated, wondrous, and accompanied by his bull.

Verse 6 (skanda.1.22.6)

तदा ब्रह्मा च विष्णुश्च ऋषयो देवदानवाः॥ तुष्टुवुर्विविधैः सूक्तैर्वेदोपनिषदन्वितैः

tadā brahmā ca viṣṇuśca ṛṣayo devadānavāḥ|| tuṣṭuvurvividhaiḥ sūktairvedopaniṣadanvitaiḥ

Then Brahma, Vishnu, the sages, and the gods and demons together praised him with various hymns drawn from the Vedas and Upanishads.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.22.7)

॥ब्रह्मोवाच॥ नमो रुद्राय देवाय मदनांतकराय च॥ भर्गाय भूरिभाग्याय त्रिनेत्राय त्रिविष्टपे

||brahmovāca|| namo rudrāya devāya madanāṃtakarāya ca|| bhargāya bhūribhāgyāya trinetrāya triviṣṭape

Brahma said: Salutation to Rudra, the god who ended Kama! Salutation to Bharga, of boundless fortune, the three-eyed lord of heaven!

Verse 8 (skanda.1.22.8)

शिपिविष्टाय भीमाय शेषशायिन्नमोनमः॥ त्र्यंबकाय जगद्धात्रे विश्वरूपाय वै नमः

śipiviṣṭāya bhīmāya śeṣaśāyinnamonamaḥ|| tryaṃbakāya jagaddhātre viśvarūpāya vai namaḥ

Salutation to Shipivishta, the terrible one who reclines upon Shesha, salutation again and again! Salutation to Tryambaka, sustainer of the world, whose form is the universe itself!

Verse 9 (skanda.1.22.9)

त्वं धाता सर्वलोकानां पिता माता त्वमीश्वरः॥ कृपया परया युक्तः पाह्यस्मांस्त्वं महेश्वर

tvaṃ dhātā sarvalokānāṃ pitā mātā tvamīśvaraḥ|| kṛpayā parayā yuktaḥ pāhyasmāṃstvaṃ maheśvara

You are the creator of all the worlds, our father, our mother, our lord. O Maheshvara, filled with supreme compassion, protect us.

Verse 10 (skanda.1.22.10)

इत्थं स्तुवत्सु देवेषु नन्दी प्रोवाच तान्प्रति॥ किमर्थमागता यूयं किं वा मनसि वर्तते

itthaṃ stuvatsu deveṣu nandī provāca tānprati|| kimarthamāgatā yūyaṃ kiṃ vā manasi vartate

As the gods were praising him thus, Nandi spoke to them: "Why have you come? What is in your minds?"

Verse 11 (skanda.1.22.11)

ते प्रोचुर्देवकार्यार्थं विज्ञप्तुं शंभुमागता॥ विज्ञप्तो नंदिना तेन शैलादेन महात्मना॥ ध्यानस्थितो महादेवः सुरकार्यार्थसिद्धये

te procurdevakāryārthaṃ vijñaptuṃ śaṃbhumāgatā|| vijñapto naṃdinā tena śailādena mahātmanā|| dhyānasthito mahādevaḥ surakāryārthasiddhaye

They replied, "We have come to petition Shambhu on behalf of the gods." Informed thus by the great-souled Nandi, son of Shilada, Mahadeva — though absorbed in meditation — was approached for the fulfilment of the gods' purpose.

Verse 12 (skanda.1.22.12)

ब्रह्मादयः सुरगणाः सुरसिद्धसंघास्त्वां द्रष्टुमेव सुरवर्य विशेषयंति॥ कार्य्यार्थिनोऽसुरवरैः परिभर्त्स्यमाना अभ्यागताः सपदि शत्रुभिरर्दिताश्च

brahmādayaḥ suragaṇāḥ surasiddhasaṃghāstvāṃ draṣṭumeva suravarya viśeṣayaṃti|| kāryyārthino'suravaraiḥ paribhartsyamānā abhyāgatāḥ sapadi śatrubhirarditāśca

"O best among the gods, Brahma and the hosts of gods, the companies of gods and siddhas, are especially eager just to behold you. Tormented by the foremost of demons and harassed by their enemies, they have come here at once, driven by urgent need."

Verse 13 (skanda.1.22.13)

तस्मात्त्वया हि देवेश त्रातव्याश्चाधुना सुराः॥ एवं तेन तदा शंभुर्विज्ञप्तो नंदिना द्विजाः

tasmāttvayā hi deveśa trātavyāścādhunā surāḥ|| evaṃ tena tadā śaṃbhurvijñapto naṃdinā dvijāḥ

"Therefore, O lord of the gods, you alone must now protect the gods." Thus, O brahmins, did Nandi then petition Shambhu.

Verse 14 (skanda.1.22.14)

शनैःशनैरुपरमच्छंभुः परमकोपनः॥ समाधेः परमात्माऽसावुवाच परमेश्वरः

śanaiḥśanairuparamacchaṃbhuḥ paramakopanaḥ|| samādheḥ paramātmā'sāvuvāca parameśvaraḥ

Shambhu, though of the fiercest temper, slowly withdrew from his samadhi; that supreme soul, Parameshvara, then spoke.

Verse 15 (skanda.1.22.15)

॥महादेव उवाच॥ कस्माद्यूयं महाभागा ह्यागता मत्समीपगाः॥ ब्रह्मादयो ह्यमी देवा ब्रूत कारणमद्य वै

||mahādeva uvāca|| kasmādyūyaṃ mahābhāgā hyāgatā matsamīpagāḥ|| brahmādayo hyamī devā brūta kāraṇamadya vai

Mahadeva said: "Why have you, O fortunate ones — Brahma and these other gods — come here to me? Tell me the reason today."

Verse 16 (skanda.1.22.16)

तदा ब्रह्मा ह्युवाचेदं सुरकार्यं महत्तरम्॥ तारकेण कृतं शंभो देवानां परमाद्भुतम्

tadā brahmā hyuvācedaṃ surakāryaṃ mahattaram|| tārakeṇa kṛtaṃ śaṃbho devānāṃ paramādbhutam

Then Brahma spoke of this most grave matter of the gods: "O Shambhu, Taraka has brought upon the gods a most astonishing calamity."

Verse 17 (skanda.1.22.17)

कष्टात्कष्टतरं देव तद्विज्ञप्तुमिहागताः॥ हे शंभो तव पुत्रेण औरसेन हतो भवेत्॥ तारको देवशत्रुश्च नान्यथा मम भाषितम्

kaṣṭātkaṣṭataraṃ deva tadvijñaptumihāgatāḥ|| he śaṃbho tava putreṇa aurasena hato bhavet|| tārako devaśatruśca nānyathā mama bhāṣitam

"O god, we have come here to tell you a matter more grievous than the gravest grief. O Shambhu, the gods' enemy Taraka can be slain only by your own true-born son — not otherwise; this is my certain word."

Verse 18 (skanda.1.22.18)

तस्मात्त्वया गिरिजा देव शंभो गृहीतव्या पाणिना दक्षिणेन॥ पाणिग्रहेणैव महानुभाव दत्ता गिरीन्द्रेण च तां कुरुष्व

tasmāttvayā girijā deva śaṃbho gṛhītavyā pāṇinā dakṣiṇena|| pāṇigraheṇaiva mahānubhāva dattā girīndreṇa ca tāṃ kuruṣva

"Therefore, O Shambhu, you must take Girija's hand with your own right hand. O magnanimous one, by that very act of taking her hand — she who is given by the lord of the mountains — make her your own."

Verse 19 (skanda.1.22.19)

ब्रह्मणो हि वचः श्रुत्वा प्रहसन्नब्रवीच्छिवः॥ यदा मया कृता देवी गिरिजा सर्वसुन्दरी

brahmaṇo hi vacaḥ śrutvā prahasannabravīcchivaḥ|| yadā mayā kṛtā devī girijā sarvasundarī

Hearing Brahma's words, Shiva laughed and said: "When I take the all-beautiful goddess Girija for my own,"

Verse 20 (skanda.1.22.20)

तदा सर्वे सुरेन्द्राश्च ऋषयो मुनयस्तथा॥ सकामाश्च भविष्यंति अक्षमाश्च परे पथि

tadā sarve surendrāśca ṛṣayo munayastathā|| sakāmāśca bhaviṣyaṃti akṣamāśca pare pathi

"then all the lords of the gods, the rishis, and the munis too will fall prey to desire, and will become incapable of walking the higher path."

Verse 21 (skanda.1.22.21)

मदनो हि मया दग्धः सर्वेषां कार्यसिद्धये॥ मया ह्यधि कृता तन्वी गिरिजा च सुमध्यमा

madano hi mayā dagdhaḥ sarveṣāṃ kāryasiddhaye|| mayā hyadhi kṛtā tanvī girijā ca sumadhyamā

"Kama was burnt by me for the accomplishment of everyone's purpose; and it is I who have set that slender, fair-waisted Girija to her task."

Verse 22 (skanda.1.22.22)

तदानीमेव भो देवाः पार्वती मदनं च सा॥ जीवयिष्यति भो ब्रह्मन्नात्र कार्या विचारणा

tadānīmeva bho devāḥ pārvatī madanaṃ ca sā|| jīvayiṣyati bho brahmannātra kāryā vicāraṇā

"At that very time, O gods, Parvati herself will restore Madana to life, O Brahman; there is no cause for doubt in this."

Verse 23 (skanda.1.22.23)

एवं विमृश्य भो देवाः कार्या कार्यविचारणा॥ मदनेनैव दग्धेन सुरकार्यं महत्कृतम्

evaṃ vimṛśya bho devāḥ kāryā kāryavicāraṇā|| madanenaiva dagdhena surakāryaṃ mahatkṛtam

"Reflect on this, O gods, and consider the matter well: by the very burning of Madana, the great purpose of the gods has already been achieved."

Verse 24 (skanda.1.22.24)

यूयं सर्वे च निष्कामा मया नास्त्यत्र संशयः॥ यथाहं च सुराः सर्वे तथा यूयं प्रयत्नतः

yūyaṃ sarve ca niṣkāmā mayā nāstyatra saṃśayaḥ|| yathāhaṃ ca surāḥ sarve tathā yūyaṃ prayatnataḥ

"Through me you have all become free of desire — of this there is no doubt. As I am, O gods, so through this very effort have you all become."

Verse 25 (skanda.1.22.25)

तपः परमसंयुक्ताः पारयामः सुदुष्करम्॥ परमानन्दसंयुक्ताः सुखिनः सर्व एव हि

tapaḥ paramasaṃyuktāḥ pārayāmaḥ suduṣkaram|| paramānandasaṃyuktāḥ sukhinaḥ sarva eva hi

"United with supreme austerity, we accomplish that which is most difficult; united with supreme bliss, all of us are truly happy."

Verse 26 (skanda.1.22.26)

यूयं समाधिना तेन मदनेन च विस्मृतम्॥ कामो हि नरकायैव तस्मात्क्रोधोऽभिजायते

yūyaṃ samādhinā tena madanena ca vismṛtam|| kāmo hi narakāyaiva tasmātkrodho'bhijāyate

"Through that very samadhi you have all forgotten Madana. Desire indeed leads only to hell, and from it anger is born."

Verse 27 (skanda.1.22.27)

क्रोधाद्भवति संमोहः संमोहाद्भ्रमते मनः॥ कामक्रोधौ परित्यज्य भवद्भिः सुरसत्तमैः॥ सर्वैरेव च मंतव्यं मद्वाक्यं नान्यथा क्वचित्

krodhādbhavati saṃmohaḥ saṃmohādbhramate manaḥ|| kāmakrodhau parityajya bhavadbhiḥ surasattamaiḥ|| sarvaireva ca maṃtavyaṃ madvākyaṃ nānyathā kvacit

"From anger comes delusion, and from delusion the mind wanders astray. Abandoning desire and anger, all of you, O best among the gods, must heed my word alone, and never otherwise."

Verse 28 (skanda.1.22.28)

एवं विश्राव्य भगवान्स हि देवो वृषध्वजः॥ सुरान्प्रबोधयामास तथा ऋषिगणान्मुनीन्

evaṃ viśrāvya bhagavānsa hi devo vṛṣadhvajaḥ|| surānprabodhayāmāsa tathā ṛṣigaṇānmunīn

Having thus proclaimed this, that blessed god, bearer of the bull banner, instructed the gods, and the hosts of sages and munis as well.

Verse 29 (skanda.1.22.29)

तूष्णींभूतोऽभवच्छंभुर्ध्यानमाश्रित्य वै पुनः॥ आस्ते पुरा यथावच्च गणैश्च परिवारितः

tūṣṇīṃbhūto'bhavacchaṃbhurdhyānamāśritya vai punaḥ|| āste purā yathāvacca gaṇaiśca parivāritaḥ

Then Shambhu fell silent and once again took refuge in meditation, remaining as before, surrounded by his ganas.

Verse 30 (skanda.1.22.30)

ध्यानास्थितं च तं दृष्ट्वा नन्दौ सर्वान्विसृज्य तान्॥ सब्रह्मसेन्द्रान्विबुधानुवाच प्रहसन्निव

dhyānāsthitaṃ ca taṃ dṛṣṭvā nandau sarvānvisṛjya tān|| sabrahmasendrānvibudhānuvāca prahasanniva

Seeing him absorbed once more in meditation, Nandi, dismissing them all, spoke to the gods together with Brahma and Indra, as though smiling.

Verse 31 (skanda.1.22.31)

यतागतेन मार्गेण गच्छध्वं मा विलंबितम्॥ तथेति मत्वा ते सर्वे स्वंस्वं स्थानमथाऽव्रजन्

yatāgatena mārgeṇa gacchadhvaṃ mā vilaṃbitam|| tatheti matvā te sarve svaṃsvaṃ sthānamathā'vrajan

"Return by the same path you came; delay no longer." Accepting this, they all then went their way, each to his own abode.

Verse 32 (skanda.1.22.32)

गतेषु तेषु सर्वेषु समाधिस्थोऽभवद्भवः॥ आत्मानमात्मना कृत्वा आत्मन्येन विचंतयन्

gateṣu teṣu sarveṣu samādhistho'bhavadbhavaḥ|| ātmānamātmanā kṛtvā ātmanyena vicaṃtayan

When they had all departed, Bhava entered into deep samadhi, merging the self within the self, contemplating within himself alone.

Verse 33 (skanda.1.22.33)

परात्परतरं स्वच्छं निर्मलं निरवग्रहम्॥ निरञ्जनं निराभासं यस्मिन्मुह्यंति सूरयः

parātparataraṃ svacchaṃ nirmalaṃ niravagraham|| nirañjanaṃ nirābhāsaṃ yasminmuhyaṃti sūrayaḥ

He contemplated That which is beyond even the highest, pure, stainless, and unbound; free of blemish and beyond all appearance — that in which even the greatest sages become bewildered.

Verse 34 (skanda.1.22.34)

भानुर्नभात्यग्निरथो शशी वा न ज्योतिरेवं न च मारुतो न हि॥ यं केवलं वस्तुविचारतोऽपि सूक्ष्मात्परं सूक्ष्मतरात्परं च

bhānurnabhātyagniratho śaśī vā na jyotirevaṃ na ca māruto na hi|| yaṃ kevalaṃ vastuvicārato'pi sūkṣmātparaṃ sūkṣmatarātparaṃ ca

That which neither the sun illumines, nor fire, nor the moon, nor any such light, nor even the wind — that reality which, when truly examined, proves subtler than the subtle, and beyond even that.

Verse 35 (skanda.1.22.35)

अनिर्द्देश्य मचिन्त्यं च निर्विकारं निरामयम्॥ ज्ञप्तिमात्रस्वरूपं च न्यासिनो यांति तत्र वै

anirddeśya macintyaṃ ca nirvikāraṃ nirāmayam|| jñaptimātrasvarūpaṃ ca nyāsino yāṃti tatra vai

Indescribable, inconceivable, changeless and free of all affliction, of the nature of pure awareness alone — it is this that renunciates attain.

Verse 36 (skanda.1.22.36)

शब्दातीनं निर्गुणं निर्विकारं सत्तामात्रं ज्ञानगम्यं त्वगम्यम्॥ यत्तद्वस्तु सर्वदा कथ्यते वै वेदातीतैश्चागमैर्मन्त्रभूतैः

śabdātīnaṃ nirguṇaṃ nirvikāraṃ sattāmātraṃ jñānagamyaṃ tvagamyam|| yattadvastu sarvadā kathyate vai vedātītaiścāgamairmantrabhūtaiḥ

Beyond speech, without attributes, changeless, pure existence alone, reachable through knowledge and yet beyond all reach — it is that very reality of which the scriptures transcending the Vedas, and the mantras that embody them, ever speak.

Verse 37 (skanda.1.22.37)

तद्वस्तुभूतो भगवान्स ईश्वरः पिनाकपाणिर्भगवान्वृध्वजः॥ येनैव साक्षान्मकरध्वजो हतस्तपो जुषाणः परमेश्वरः सः

tadvastubhūto bhagavānsa īśvaraḥ pinākapāṇirbhagavānvṛdhvajaḥ|| yenaiva sākṣānmakaradhvajo hatastapo juṣāṇaḥ parameśvaraḥ saḥ

That very reality embodied is the blessed Lord, wielder of Pinaka, bearer of the bull banner — he by whom Makaradhvaja was directly slain, that supreme lord immersed in tapas.

Verse 38 (skanda.1.22.38)

॥लोमश उवाच॥ गिरिजा हि तदा देवी तताप परमं तपः॥ तपसा तेन रुद्रोऽपि उत्तमं भयमागतः

||lomaśa uvāca|| girijā hi tadā devī tatāpa paramaṃ tapaḥ|| tapasā tena rudro'pi uttamaṃ bhayamāgataḥ

Lomasha said: Then the goddess Girija performed the most supreme austerity; and by that austerity even Rudra himself was filled with the greatest apprehension.

Verse 39 (skanda.1.22.39)

विजित्य तपसा देवी पार्वती परमेण हि॥ शम्भुं सर्वार्थदं स्थाणुं केवलं स्वस्वरूपिणम्

vijitya tapasā devī pārvatī parameṇa hi|| śambhuṃ sarvārthadaṃ sthāṇuṃ kevalaṃ svasvarūpiṇam

By her supreme austerity, the goddess Parvati conquered Shambhu — the giver of all things desired, the unmoving one, abiding in his own nature alone.

Verse 40 (skanda.1.22.40)

यदा जितस्तया देव्या तपसा वृषभध्वजः॥ समाधेश्चलितो भूत्वा यत्र सा पार्वती स्थिता

yadā jitastayā devyā tapasā vṛṣabhadhvajaḥ|| samādheścalito bhūtvā yatra sā pārvatī sthitā

When the bull-bannered lord was thus overcome by the goddess's austerity, he stirred from his samadhi and made his way to where Parvati stood.

Verse 41 (skanda.1.22.41)

जगाम त्वरितेनैव देवदेवः पिनाकधृक्॥ तत्रापश्यत्स्थितां देवीं सखीभिः परिवारिताम्

jagāma tvaritenaiva devadevaḥ pinākadhṛk|| tatrāpaśyatsthitāṃ devīṃ sakhībhiḥ parivāritām

The god of gods, wielder of Pinaka, hastened swiftly there, and beheld the goddess standing, surrounded by her companions.

Verse 42 (skanda.1.22.42)

वेदिकोपरि विन्यस्तां यथैव शशिनः कलाम्॥ स देवस्तां निरीक्ष्याथ बटुर्भूत्वाथ तत्क्षणात्

vedikopari vinyastāṃ yathaiva śaśinaḥ kalām|| sa devastāṃ nirīkṣyātha baṭurbhūtvātha tatkṣaṇāt

Seated upon the altar, she seemed like a digit of the moon itself. Beholding her, the god at that very instant took the form of a young brahmachari.

Verse 43 (skanda.1.22.43)

ब्रह्मचारिस्वरूपेण महेशो भगवान्भवः॥ सखीनां मध्यमाश्रित्य ह्युवाच बटुरूपवान्॥ किमर्थमालिमध्यस्था तन्वी सर्वांगसुन्दरी

brahmacārisvarūpeṇa maheśo bhagavānbhavaḥ|| sakhīnāṃ madhyamāśritya hyuvāca baṭurūpavān|| kimarthamālimadhyasthā tanvī sarvāṃgasundarī

Blessed Bhava, the great lord, taking the form of a brahmachari, went among her companions and, in the guise of the young student, asked: "Why does this slender one, lovely in every limb, sit here amid her friends?"

Verse 44 (skanda.1.22.44)

केयं कस्य कुतो याता किमर्थं तप्यते तपः॥ सर्वं मे कथ्यतां सख्यो याथातथ्येन संप्रति

keyaṃ kasya kuto yātā kimarthaṃ tapyate tapaḥ|| sarvaṃ me kathyatāṃ sakhyo yāthātathyena saṃprati

"Who is she, whose daughter, and from where has she come? For what purpose does she undertake this austerity? Tell me all this truly, O friends, here and now."

Verse 45 (skanda.1.22.45)

तदोवाच जया रुद्रं तपसः कारणं परम्

tadovāca jayā rudraṃ tapasaḥ kāraṇaṃ param

Then Jaya told the disguised Rudra the supreme reason for her austerity.

Verse 46 (skanda.1.22.46)

हिमाद्रेर्दुहितेयं वै तपसा रुद्रमीश्वरम्॥ प्राप्तुकामा पतित्वन सेयमत्रोपविश्य च

himādrerduhiteyaṃ vai tapasā rudramīśvaram|| prāptukāmā patitvana seyamatropaviśya ca

"She is the daughter of the Himalaya, and desiring to win the lord Rudra as her husband through this penance, she has taken her seat here."

Verse 47 (skanda.1.22.47)

तपस्तताप सुमहत्सर्वेषां दुरतिक्रमम्॥ बटो जानीहि मे वाक्यं नान्यथा मम भाषितम्

tapastatāpa sumahatsarveṣāṃ duratikramam|| baṭo jānīhi me vākyaṃ nānyathā mama bhāṣitam

"She has performed so great an austerity that it is beyond all others to surpass. O young brahmachari, know my words to be true; what I say is not otherwise."

Verse 48 (skanda.1.22.48)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्याः प्रहस्येदमुवाच ह॥ श्रृण्वतीनां सखीनां वै महेशो बटुरूपवान्

tacchrutvā vacanaṃ tasyāḥ prahasyedamuvāca ha|| śrṛṇvatīnāṃ sakhīnāṃ vai maheśo baṭurūpavān

Hearing her words, Mahesha, in the guise of the young student, laughed and spoke thus, while her companions all listened.

Verse 49 (skanda.1.22.49)

मूढेयं पार्वती सख्यो न जानाति हिताहितम्॥ किमर्थं च तपः कार्यं रुद्रप्राप्त्यर्थमेव च

mūḍheyaṃ pārvatī sakhyo na jānāti hitāhitam|| kimarthaṃ ca tapaḥ kāryaṃ rudraprāptyarthameva ca

"This Parvati is foolish, O friends; she does not know what is good for her and what is not. Why should such austerity be undertaken merely to win Rudra?"

Verse 50 (skanda.1.22.50)

सोऽमंगलः कपाली च श्मशानालय एव च॥ अशिवः शिवशब्देन भण्यते च वृथाथ वै

so'maṃgalaḥ kapālī ca śmaśānālaya eva ca|| aśivaḥ śivaśabdena bhaṇyate ca vṛthātha vai

"He is inauspicious, a bearer of skulls, one who dwells in the cremation ground; though truly unblessed, he is called by the name 'Shiva' — the auspicious one — in vain."

Verse 51 (skanda.1.22.51)

अनया हि वृतो रुद्रो यदा सख्यः समेष्यति॥ तदेयमशुभा तन्वी भविष्यति न संशयः

anayā hi vṛto rudro yadā sakhyaḥ sameṣyati|| tadeyamaśubhā tanvī bhaviṣyati na saṃśayaḥ

"When Rudra is chosen and won by her, O friends, this slender girl herself will become inauspicious — of this there is no doubt."

Verse 52 (skanda.1.22.52)

यो दक्षशापाद्विकृतो यज्ञबाह्योऽभवद्विटा॥ ये ह्यंगभूताः शर्वस्य सर्पा ह्यासन्महाविषाः

yo dakṣaśāpādvikṛto yajñabāhyo'bhavadviṭā|| ye hyaṃgabhūtāḥ śarvasya sarpā hyāsanmahāviṣāḥ

"He who, cursed by Daksha, became deformed, a wanton excluded from the sacrifice; he, Sharva, whose very limbs are adorned with serpents of the deadliest venom —"

Verse 53 (skanda.1.22.53)

शवभस्मान्वितो रुद्रः कृत्तिवासा ह्यमंगलः॥ पिशाचैः प्रमथैर्भूतैरावृतो हि निरंतरम्

śavabhasmānvito rudraḥ kṛttivāsā hyamaṃgalaḥ|| piśācaiḥ pramathairbhūtairāvṛto hi niraṃtaram

"Rudra, smeared with the ashes of corpses, clad in an animal hide, ever inauspicious, endlessly surrounded by pishachas, pramathas and bhutas —"

Verse 54 (skanda.1.22.54)

तेन रुद्रेण किं कार्यमनया सुकुमारया॥ निवार्यतां सखीभिश्च मर्तुकामा पिशाचवत्

tena rudreṇa kiṃ kāryamanayā sukumārayā|| nivāryatāṃ sakhībhiśca martukāmā piśācavat

"What can this delicate girl want with such a Rudra? Her friends ought to restrain her — she seems bent on death, as though possessed by a spirit."

Verse 55 (skanda.1.22.55)

इंद्रं हित्वा मनोज्ञं च यमं चैव महाप्रभम्॥ नैर्ऋतं च विशालाक्षं वरुणं च अपां पतिम्

iṃdraṃ hitvā manojñaṃ ca yamaṃ caiva mahāprabham|| nairṛtaṃ ca viśālākṣaṃ varuṇaṃ ca apāṃ patim

"Forsaking Indra, so handsome, and mighty Yama, and wide-eyed Nairrita, and Varuna the lord of the waters,"

Verse 56 (skanda.1.22.56)

कुबेरं पवनं चैव तथैव च विभावसुम्॥ एवमादीनि वाक्यानि उवाच परमेश्वरः॥ सखीनां श्रृण्वतीनां च यत्र सा तपसि स्थिता

kuberaṃ pavanaṃ caiva tathaiva ca vibhāvasum|| evamādīni vākyāni uvāca parameśvaraḥ|| sakhīnāṃ śrṛṇvatīnāṃ ca yatra sā tapasi sthitā

"and Kubera, and Vayu, and Vibhavasu too —" such words did Parameshvara speak, as her companions listened, there where she sat immersed in her penance.

Verse 57 (skanda.1.22.57)

इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य रुद्रस्य बटुरूपिणः॥ चुकोप च शिवा साध्वी महेशं बटुरूपिणम्

ityākarṇya vacastasya rudrasya baṭurūpiṇaḥ|| cukopa ca śivā sādhvī maheśaṃ baṭurūpiṇam

Hearing these words of Rudra disguised as the young brahmachari, the virtuous Shiva (Parvati) grew angry at Mahesha in that form.

Verse 58 (skanda.1.22.58)

जये त्वं विजये साध्वि प्रम्लोचेऽप्यथ सुन्दरि॥ सुलोचने महाभागे समीचीनं कृतं हि मे

jaye tvaṃ vijaye sādhvi pramloce'pyatha sundari|| sulocane mahābhāge samīcīnaṃ kṛtaṃ hi me

[Parvati said:] "O Jaya! O virtuous Vijaya! O lovely Pramlocha! O fair-eyed, most blessed ones — a fine thing indeed you have done for me!"

Verse 59 (skanda.1.22.59)

किमेतस्य बटोः कार्यं भवतीनामिहाधुना॥ बटुस्वरूपमास्थाय आगतो देवनिंदकः

kimetasya baṭoḥ kāryaṃ bhavatīnāmihādhunā|| baṭusvarūpamāsthāya āgato devaniṃdakaḥ

"What business do you have now with this young student here? Taking the guise of a brahmachari, this reviler of the gods has come among us."

Verse 60 (skanda.1.22.60)

अयं विसृज्यतां सख्यः किमनेन प्रयोजनम्॥ बटुस्वरूपिणं रुद्रं कुपिता सा ततोऽब्रवीत्

ayaṃ visṛjyatāṃ sakhyaḥ kimanena prayojanam|| baṭusvarūpiṇaṃ rudraṃ kupitā sā tato'bravīt

"Let him be sent away, O friends; what purpose does he serve?" Thus, in her anger, she spoke to Rudra disguised as the young student.

Verse 61 (skanda.1.22.61)

बटो गच्छाशु त्वरितो न स्थेयं च त्वयाऽधुना॥ किमनेन प्रलापेन तव नास्ति प्रयोजनम्

baṭo gacchāśu tvarito na stheyaṃ ca tvayā'dhunā|| kimanena pralāpena tava nāsti prayojanam

"O young brahmachari, go swiftly, at once; you must not remain here any longer. What is the use of this idle talk? It serves you no purpose."

Verse 62 (skanda.1.22.62)

बटुर्निर्भर्त्सितस्तत्र तया चैवं तदा पुनः॥ प्रहस्य वै स्थिरो भूत्वा पुनर्वाक्यमथाब्रवीत्

baṭurnirbhartsitastatra tayā caivaṃ tadā punaḥ|| prahasya vai sthiro bhūtvā punarvākyamathābravīt

Rebuked thus by her, the young brahmachari only laughed, stood his ground, and spoke again.

Verse 63 (skanda.1.22.63)

शनैः शनैरवितथं विजयां प्रति सत्वरम्॥ कस्मात्कोपस्तयातन्वि कृतः केनैव हेतुना

śanaiḥ śanairavitathaṃ vijayāṃ prati satvaram|| kasmātkopastayātanvi kṛtaḥ kenaiva hetunā

Slowly, but in earnest, he at once said to Vijaya: "For what reason, O slender one, has she grown so angry? What has caused it?"

Verse 64 (skanda.1.22.64)

सर्वेषामपि तद्वाच्यं वचनं सूक्तमेव यत्॥ यथोक्तेन च वाक्येन कस्मात्तन्वी प्रकोपिता

sarveṣāmapi tadvācyaṃ vacanaṃ sūktameva yat|| yathoktena ca vākyena kasmāttanvī prakopitā

"What I spoke was itself a fitting utterance, one that anyone might rightly say. Why has this slender girl grown so enraged at these very words of mine?"

Verse 65 (skanda.1.22.65)

यः शंभुरुच्यते लोके भिक्षुको भिक्षुकप्रियः॥ यदि मे ह्यनृतं प्रोक्तं तदा कोप इहोचितः

yaḥ śaṃbhurucyate loke bhikṣuko bhikṣukapriyaḥ|| yadi me hyanṛtaṃ proktaṃ tadā kopa ihocitaḥ

"He who in this world is called Shambhu, a mendicant dear to mendicants — if what I have spoken were untrue, then anger here would indeed be justified."

Verse 66 (skanda.1.22.66)

इयं तावत्सुरूपा च विरूपोऽसौ सदाशिवः॥ विशालाक्षी त्वियं बाला विरूपाक्षो भवस्तथा

iyaṃ tāvatsurūpā ca virūpo'sau sadāśivaḥ|| viśālākṣī tviyaṃ bālā virūpākṣo bhavastathā

"This girl, at least, is of beautiful form, while that Sadashiva is misshapen. This maiden has wide, lovely eyes, while Bhava's eyes are ill-formed."

Verse 67 (skanda.1.22.67)

एवंभूतेन रुद्रेण मोहितेयं कथं भवेत्॥ सभाग्यो हि पतिः स्त्रीणां सदा भाव्यो रतिप्रियः

evaṃbhūtena rudreṇa mohiteyaṃ kathaṃ bhavet|| sabhāgyo hi patiḥ strīṇāṃ sadā bhāvyo ratipriyaḥ

"How could she become so infatuated with a Rudra of this sort? A fortunate husband, ever devoted to love, is what women should rightly desire."

Verse 68 (skanda.1.22.68)

इयं कथं मोहितास्ति निर्गुणेन युगात्मिका॥ न श्रुतो न च विज्ञातो न दृष्टः केन वा शिवः

iyaṃ kathaṃ mohitāsti nirguṇena yugātmikā|| na śruto na ca vijñāto na dṛṣṭaḥ kena vā śivaḥ

"How has she, born for this very age, come to be so deluded by one devoid of any virtue? No one has ever heard of Shiva, known him, or beheld him."

Verse 69 (skanda.1.22.69)

सकामानां च भूतानां दुर्लभो हि सदाशिवः॥ तपसा परमेणैव गर्वितेयं सुमध्यमा

sakāmānāṃ ca bhūtānāṃ durlabho hi sadāśivaḥ|| tapasā parameṇaiva garviteyaṃ sumadhyamā

"For beings still bound by desire, Sadashiva is truly hard to attain. This fair-waisted one has simply grown proud through her own supreme austerity."

Verse 70 (skanda.1.22.70)

निःस्तंभो हि सदा स्थाणुः कथं प्राप्स्यति तं पतिम्॥ मयोक्तं किं विशालाक्षि कस्मान्मे रुषिताऽधुना

niḥstaṃbho hi sadā sthāṇuḥ kathaṃ prāpsyati taṃ patim|| mayoktaṃ kiṃ viśālākṣi kasmānme ruṣitā'dhunā

"That ever-motionless, unassuming lord — how will she ever attain him as husband? What have I said, O wide-eyed one, that has made her so angry with me now?"

Verse 71 (skanda.1.22.71)

यावद्रोषो भवेन्नॄणां नारीणां च विशेषतः॥ तेन रोषेण तत्सर्वं भस्मीभूतं भविष्यति

yāvadroṣo bhavennṝṇāṃ nārīṇāṃ ca viśeṣataḥ|| tena roṣeṇa tatsarvaṃ bhasmībhūtaṃ bhaviṣyati

"So long as anger arises in men, and above all in women, that very anger will reduce everything they have gained to ashes."

Verse 72 (skanda.1.22.72)

सुकृतं चोर्जितं तन्वि सत्यमेवोदितं सति॥ कामः क्रोधश्च लोभश्च दंभो मात्सर्यमेव च

sukṛtaṃ corjitaṃ tanvi satyamevoditaṃ sati|| kāmaḥ krodhaśca lobhaśca daṃbho mātsaryameva ca

"O virtuous, slender one, what I have spoken is simple truth — however excellent one's merit."

Verse 73 (skanda.1.22.73)

हिंसेर्ष्या च प्रपंचश्च तेन सर्वं विनश्यति॥ तस्मात्तपस्विभिर्युक्तं कामक्रोधादिवर्जनम्

hiṃserṣyā ca prapaṃcaśca tena sarvaṃ vinaśyati|| tasmāttapasvibhiryuktaṃ kāmakrodhādivarjanam

"Desire, anger, greed, arrogance, envy, violence, jealousy and worldly entanglement — by these, everything is destroyed. Therefore it befits those devoted to austerity to renounce desire, anger, and all such faults."

Verse 74 (skanda.1.22.74)

यदीश्वरो हृदि मध्ये विभाव्यो मनीषिभिः सर्वदा ज्ञप्तिमात्रः॥ तदा सर्वैर्मुनिवृत्त्या विभाव्यस्तपस्विभिर्नान्यथा चिंतनीयः

yadīśvaro hṛdi madhye vibhāvyo manīṣibhiḥ sarvadā jñaptimātraḥ|| tadā sarvairmunivṛttyā vibhāvyastapasvibhirnānyathā ciṃtanīyaḥ

"If the Lord, whose nature is pure awareness alone, is ever to be contemplated by the wise within the heart, then all ascetics too should meditate upon him in the manner of sages, and think of him in no other way."

Verse 75 (skanda.1.22.75)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य शंभोस्तदाब्रवीद्विजया तं च सर्वम्॥ गच्छात्र किंचित्तव नास्ति कार्यं न वक्तव्यं वचनं बालिशान्यत्

etacchrutvā vacanaṃ tasya śaṃbhostadābravīdvijayā taṃ ca sarvam|| gacchātra kiṃcittava nāsti kāryaṃ na vaktavyaṃ vacanaṃ bāliśānyat

Hearing these words of Shambhu, Vijaya then said to him: "Leave this place; you have no business here at all. Speak no more such childish words."

Verse 76 (skanda.1.22.76)

एवं विवदमानं तं बटुरूपं सदाशिवम्॥ विसर्जयामास तदा विजया वाक्यकोविदा

evaṃ vivadamānaṃ taṃ baṭurūpaṃ sadāśivam|| visarjayāmāsa tadā vijayā vākyakovidā

Thus disputing with him, Sadashiva in the guise of the young brahmachari was then dismissed by Vijaya, skilled in speech.

Verse 77 (skanda.1.22.77)

तिरोधानं गतः सद्यो महेशो गिरिजां प्रति॥ अलक्ष्यमाणः सर्वासां सखीनां परमेश्वरः

tirodhānaṃ gataḥ sadyo maheśo girijāṃ prati|| alakṣyamāṇaḥ sarvāsāṃ sakhīnāṃ parameśvaraḥ

At once Mahesha vanished from before Girija, that supreme lord passing from the sight of all her companions.

Verse 78 (skanda.1.22.78)

प्रादुर्बभूव सहसा निजरूपधरस्तदा॥ यदा ध्यानस्थिता देवी निजध्यानपरा सती

prādurbabhūva sahasā nijarūpadharastadā|| yadā dhyānasthitā devī nijadhyānaparā satī

Then suddenly he appeared in his own true form, at the very moment when the goddess, that devoted lady, sat immersed in her own meditation.

Verse 79 (skanda.1.22.79)

तदा हृदिस्थो देवेशो बहिर्दृष्टिचरोभवत्॥ नेत्रे उन्मील्य सा साध्वी गिरिजायतलोचना॥ अपश्यद्देवदेवेशं सर्वलोकमहेश्वरम्

tadā hṛdistho deveśo bahirdṛṣṭicarobhavat|| netre unmīlya sā sādhvī girijāyatalocanā|| apaśyaddevadeveśaṃ sarvalokamaheśvaram

Then the lord of the gods, who dwelt within her heart, became visible before her outer gaze. Opening her eyes, the virtuous, wide-eyed Girija beheld the lord of the gods, the great lord of all the worlds.

Verse 80 (skanda.1.22.80)

द्विभुजं चैकवक्त्रं कृत्तिवाससमद्भुतम्॥ कपर्दं चंद्ररेखांकं निवीतं गजचर्मणा

dvibhujaṃ caikavaktraṃ kṛttivāsasamadbhutam|| kapardaṃ caṃdrarekhāṃkaṃ nivītaṃ gajacarmaṇā

Two-armed and single-faced, he was wondrously clothed in an animal hide, his matted crown marked with the crescent moon, draped about with an elephant's skin.

Verse 81 (skanda.1.22.81)

कर्णस्थौ हि महानागौ कंबलाश्वतरौ तदा॥ वासुकिः सर्पराजश्च कृताहारो महाद्युतिः

karṇasthau hi mahānāgau kaṃbalāśvatarau tadā|| vāsukiḥ sarparājaśca kṛtāhāro mahādyutiḥ

In his ears were the great serpents Kambala and Ashvatara; and Vasuki, king of serpents, was worn as his necklace — he of surpassing splendour.

Verse 82 (skanda.1.22.82)

वलयानि महार्हाणि तदा सर्पमयानि च॥ कृतानि तेन रुद्रेण तथा शोभाकराणि च

valayāni mahārhāṇi tadā sarpamayāni ca|| kṛtāni tena rudreṇa tathā śobhākarāṇi ca

He wore precious bracelets, fashioned of serpents by Rudra himself, which lent him still greater beauty.

Verse 83 (skanda.1.22.83)

एवंभूतस्तदा शंभुः पार्वतीं प्रति चाग्रतः॥ उवाच त्वरया युक्तो वरं वरय भामिनि

evaṃbhūtastadā śaṃbhuḥ pārvatīṃ prati cāgrataḥ|| uvāca tvarayā yukto varaṃ varaya bhāmini

Appearing thus before Parvati, Shambhu spoke at once: "Choose your boon, O radiant one."

Verse 84 (skanda.1.22.84)

व्रीडया परया युक्ता साध्वी प्रोवाच शंकरम्॥ त्वं नाथो मम देवेश त्वया किं विस्मृतं पुरा

vrīḍayā parayā yuktā sādhvī provāca śaṃkaram|| tvaṃ nātho mama deveśa tvayā kiṃ vismṛtaṃ purā

Overcome with deep modesty, the virtuous one said to Shankara: "You alone are my lord, O god of gods; have you forgotten what happened once before?"

Verse 85 (skanda.1.22.85)

दक्षयज्ञविनाशं च यदर्थं कृतवान्प्रभो॥ स त्वं साहं समुत्पन्ना मेनायां कार्यसिद्धये

dakṣayajñavināśaṃ ca yadarthaṃ kṛtavānprabho|| sa tvaṃ sāhaṃ samutpannā menāyāṃ kāryasiddhaye

"For whose sake, O lord, did you destroy Daksha's sacrifice? You are that same lord, and I am that same one, now born again of Mena for the fulfilment of a purpose."

Verse 86 (skanda.1.22.86)

देवानां देवदेवेश तारकस्य वधं प्रति॥ भवतो हि मया देव भविष्यति कुमारकः

devānāṃ devadeveśa tārakasya vadhaṃ prati|| bhavato hi mayā deva bhaviṣyati kumārakaḥ

"O lord of the gods of gods, for the slaying of Taraka a son shall be born to me through you, O lord."

Verse 87 (skanda.1.22.87)

तस्मात्त्वया हि कर्तव्यं मम वाक्यं महेश्वर॥ गंतव्यं हिमवत्पार्श्वं नात्र कार्या विचारणा

tasmāttvayā hi kartavyaṃ mama vākyaṃ maheśvara|| gaṃtavyaṃ himavatpārśvaṃ nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

"Therefore, O Maheshvara, you must honour my word: you must go to Himavan's side; there is no need for further thought in this matter."

Verse 88 (skanda.1.22.88)

याचस्व मां महादेव ऋषिभिः परिवारितः॥ करिष्यति न संदेहस्तव वाक्यं च मे पिता

yācasva māṃ mahādeva ṛṣibhiḥ parivāritaḥ|| kariṣyati na saṃdehastava vākyaṃ ca me pitā

"O Mahadeva, surrounded by the sages, formally ask for my hand; my father will surely grant your request — of this there is no doubt."

Verse 89 (skanda.1.22.89)

दक्षकन्या पुराहं वै पित्रा दत्ता यदा तव॥ यथोक्तविधिना तत्र विवाहो न कृतस्त्वया

dakṣakanyā purāhaṃ vai pitrā dattā yadā tava|| yathoktavidhinā tatra vivāho na kṛtastvayā

"Long ago, when I was Daksha's daughter and was given to you by my father, the marriage was not performed by you according to proper rite."

Verse 90 (skanda.1.22.90)

न ग्रहाः पूजितास्तेन दक्षेण च महात्मना॥ ग्रहाणां विषयत्वेन सच्छिद्रोऽयं महानभूत्

na grahāḥ pūjitāstena dakṣeṇa ca mahātmanā|| grahāṇāṃ viṣayatvena sacchidro'yaṃ mahānabhūt

"That great-souled Daksha did not worship the planets then, and because the planets were thus neglected, this became a grave flaw."

Verse 91 (skanda.1.22.91)

तस्माद्यथोक्तविधिना कर्तुमर्हसि सुव्रत॥ विवाहं स्वं महाभाग देवानां कार्यसिद्धये

tasmādyathoktavidhinā kartumarhasi suvrata|| vivāhaṃ svaṃ mahābhāga devānāṃ kāryasiddhaye

"Therefore, O steadfast one, O most fortunate one, you must perform your own marriage according to proper rite, for the fulfilment of the gods' purpose."

Verse 92 (skanda.1.22.92)

तदोवाच महाबाहो गिरिजां प्रहसन्निव॥ स्वभावेनैव तत्सर्वं जंगमाजंगमं महत्॥ जातं त्वया मोहितं च त्रिगुणैः परिवेष्टितम्

tadovāca mahābāho girijāṃ prahasanniva|| svabhāvenaiva tatsarvaṃ jaṃgamājaṃgamaṃ mahat|| jātaṃ tvayā mohitaṃ ca triguṇaiḥ pariveṣṭitam

Then that mighty-armed lord, laughing gently, said to Girija: "By its own nature alone has this whole great world of the moving and unmoving come into being; deluded through you, it lies enveloped by the three gunas."

Verse 93 (skanda.1.22.93)

अहंकारात्समुत्पन्नं महत्तत्त्वं च पार्वति॥ महत्तत्त्वात्तमो जातं तमसा वेष्टितं नभः

ahaṃkārātsamutpannaṃ mahattattvaṃ ca pārvati|| mahattattvāttamo jātaṃ tamasā veṣṭitaṃ nabhaḥ

"From ahamkara, O Parvati, sprang the mahat-tattva; from the mahat-tattva came tamas, and from tamas came space, itself enveloped in darkness."

Verse 94 (skanda.1.22.94)

नभसो वायुरुत्पन्नो वायोरग्निरजायत॥ अग्नेरापः समुत्पन्ना अद्भ्यो जाता मही तदा

nabhaso vāyurutpanno vāyoragnirajāyata|| agnerāpaḥ samutpannā adbhyo jātā mahī tadā

"From space came air, from air was born fire; from fire arose water, and from water, in turn, the earth was born."

Verse 95 (skanda.1.22.95)

मह्यादिकानि स्थास्नूनि चराणि च वरानने॥ दृश्यं यत्सर्वमेवैतन्नश्वरं विद्धि मानिनि

mahyādikāni sthāsnūni carāṇi ca varānane|| dṛśyaṃ yatsarvamevaitannaśvaraṃ viddhi mānini

"O fair-faced one, all things beginning with the earth, whether still or moving — know, O proud one, that everything visible in this world is perishable."

Verse 96 (skanda.1.22.96)

एकोऽनेकत्वमापन्नो निर्गुणो हि गुणावृतः॥ स्वज्योतिर्भाति यो नित्यं परज्योत्स्नान्वितोऽभवत्॥ स्वतंत्रः परतंत्रश्च त्वया देवि महत्कृतम्

eko'nekatvamāpanno nirguṇo hi guṇāvṛtaḥ|| svajyotirbhāti yo nityaṃ parajyotsnānvito'bhavat|| svataṃtraḥ parataṃtraśca tvayā devi mahatkṛtam

"The One has become manifold, the attributeless has become clothed in attributes. He who ever shines by his own light alone has become wrapped in another's radiance; the independent has become dependent — all this, O goddess, is your own great doing."

Verse 97 (skanda.1.22.97)

मायामयं कृतमिदं च जगत्समग्रं सर्वात्मना अवधृतं परया च बुद्ध्या॥ सर्वात्मभिः सुकृतिभिः परमार्थभावैः संसक्तिरिंद्रियगणैः परिवेष्टितं च

māyāmayaṃ kṛtamidaṃ ca jagatsamagraṃ sarvātmanā avadhṛtaṃ parayā ca buddhyā|| sarvātmabhiḥ sukṛtibhiḥ paramārthabhāvaiḥ saṃsaktiriṃdriyagaṇaiḥ pariveṣṭitaṃ ca

"This entire world has been fashioned out of maya, though it is grasped by the highest intellect as one with the universal Self. Even virtuous souls turned toward the highest truth remain bound by attachment, enveloped by the senses."

Verse 98 (skanda.1.22.98)

के ग्रहाः के उडुगणाः के बाध्यंते त्वया कृताः॥ विमुक्तं चाधुना देवि शर्वार्थं वरवर्णिनि

ke grahāḥ ke uḍugaṇāḥ ke bādhyaṃte tvayā kṛtāḥ|| vimuktaṃ cādhunā devi śarvārthaṃ varavarṇini

"What are the planets, what the constellations of stars? Who is truly bound by them, all fashioned by you alone? Now, O goddess, O fair one, I stand free of them, for Sharva's own sake."

Verse 99 (skanda.1.22.99)

गुणकार्यप्रसंगेन आवां प्रादुर्भवः कृतः॥ त्वं हि वै प्रकृतिः सूक्ष्मा रजःसत्त्वतमोमयी

guṇakāryaprasaṃgena āvāṃ prādurbhavaḥ kṛtaḥ|| tvaṃ hi vai prakṛtiḥ sūkṣmā rajaḥsattvatamomayī

"It is through the working of the gunas that our own manifestation has come about; you indeed are the subtle Prakriti, composed of rajas, sattva and tamas."

Verse 100 (skanda.1.22.100)

व्यापारदक्षा सततमहं चैव सुमध्यमे॥ हिमालयं न गच्छामि न याचामि कथंचन

vyāpāradakṣā satatamahaṃ caiva sumadhyame|| himālayaṃ na gacchāmi na yācāmi kathaṃcana

"O fair-waisted one, ever skilled in your own workings — but I myself shall not go to the Himalaya, nor shall I ever ask anything of anyone."

Verse 101 (skanda.1.22.101)

देहीति वचनात्सद्यः पुरुषो याति लाघवम्॥ इत्थं ज्ञात्वा च भो देवि किमस्माकं वदस्व वै

dehīti vacanātsadyaḥ puruṣo yāti lāghavam|| itthaṃ jñātvā ca bho devi kimasmākaṃ vadasva vai

"By the mere utterance of the words 'give me', a man is at once diminished. Knowing this well, O goddess, tell me what it is you would have of us."

Verse 102 (skanda.1.22.102)

कार्यं त्वदाज्ञया भद्रे तत्सर्वं वक्तुमर्हसि॥ तेनोक्तात्र तदा साध्वी उवाच कमलेक्षणा

kāryaṃ tvadājñayā bhadre tatsarvaṃ vaktumarhasi|| tenoktātra tadā sādhvī uvāca kamalekṣaṇā

"Whatever is to be done by your command, O gracious one, tell me all of it." Thus addressed, the virtuous, lotus-eyed one then spoke.

Verse 103 (skanda.1.22.103)

त्वमात्मा प्रकृतिश्चाहं नात्र कार्या विचारणा॥ तथापि शंभो कर्तव्यं मम चोद्वहनं महत्

tvamātmā prakṛtiścāhaṃ nātra kāryā vicāraṇā|| tathāpi śaṃbho kartavyaṃ mama codvahanaṃ mahat

"You are the Self, and I am Prakriti — there is no need for doubt in this. And yet, O Shambhu, my great marriage must still be performed."

Verse 104 (skanda.1.22.104)

देहो ह्यविद्ययाक्षिप्तो विदेहो हि भवान्परः॥ तथाप्येवं महादेव शरीरावरणं कुरु

deho hyavidyayākṣipto videho hi bhavānparaḥ|| tathāpyevaṃ mahādeva śarīrāvaraṇaṃ kuru

"The body arises only from ignorance; you, the supreme one, are truly beyond the body. Even so, O Mahadeva, put on this covering of a body."

Verse 105 (skanda.1.22.105)

प्रपंचरचनां शंभो कुरु वाक्यान्मम प्रभो॥ याचस्व मां महादेव सौभाग्यं चैव देहि मे

prapaṃcaracanāṃ śaṃbho kuru vākyānmama prabho|| yācasva māṃ mahādeva saubhāgyaṃ caiva dehi me

"O Shambhu, O lord, carry out this worldly rite at my request. Ask formally for me, O Mahadeva, and grant me my good fortune."

Verse 106 (skanda.1.22.106)

इत्येवमुक्तः स तया महात्मा महेश्वरो लोकविडंबनाय॥ तथेति मत्वा प्रहसञ्जगाम स्वमालयं देववरैः सुपूजितः

ityevamuktaḥ sa tayā mahātmā maheśvaro lokaviḍaṃbanāya|| tatheti matvā prahasañjagāma svamālayaṃ devavaraiḥ supūjitaḥ

Thus addressed by her, that great-souled Maheshvara, for the sake of worldly convention, accepted with a smile, saying "so be it," and, honoured by the finest of the gods, returned to his own abode.

Verse 107 (skanda.1.22.107)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे तत्र हिमवान्गिरिभिः सह॥ मेनया भार्यया सार्द्धमाजगाम त्वरान्वितः

etasminnaṃtare tatra himavāngiribhiḥ saha|| menayā bhāryayā sārddhamājagāma tvarānvitaḥ

Meanwhile Himavan, together with the mountains, along with his wife Mena and surrounded by his sons, hastened there to see Parvati.

Verse 108 (skanda.1.22.108)

पार्वतीदर्शनार्थं च सुतैश्च परिवारितः॥ तेन दृष्टा महादेवी सखीभिः परिवारिता

pārvatīdarśanārthaṃ ca sutaiśca parivāritaḥ|| tena dṛṣṭā mahādevī sakhībhiḥ parivāritā

He beheld the great goddess there, surrounded by her companions.

Verse 109 (skanda.1.22.109)

पार्वत्या च तदा दृष्टो हिमवान्गिरिभिः सह॥ अभ्युत्थानपरा साध्वी प्रणम्य शिरसा तदा॥ पितरौ च तदा भ्रातॄन्बंधूंश्चैव च सर्वशः

pārvatyā ca tadā dṛṣṭo himavāngiribhiḥ saha|| abhyutthānaparā sādhvī praṇamya śirasā tadā|| pitarau ca tadā bhrātṝnbaṃdhūṃścaiva ca sarvaśaḥ

Parvati too then beheld Himavan together with the mountains; rising at once, the virtuous one bowed her head in reverence to her parents, her brothers, and all her kinsfolk.

Verse 110 (skanda.1.22.110)

स्वमंकमारोप्य महायशास्तदा सुतां परिष्वज्य च बाष्पपूरितः॥ उवाच वाक्यं मधुरं हिमालयः किं वै कृतं साध्वि यथा तथेन

svamaṃkamāropya mahāyaśāstadā sutāṃ pariṣvajya ca bāṣpapūritaḥ|| uvāca vākyaṃ madhuraṃ himālayaḥ kiṃ vai kṛtaṃ sādhvi yathā tathena

Setting her upon his own lap, that most illustrious Himalaya embraced his daughter, his eyes brimming with tears, and spoke these tender words: "O virtuous one, tell me — what have you achieved, and how?"

Verse 111 (skanda.1.22.111)

तत्कथ्यतां महाभागे सर्वं शुश्रूषतां हि नः॥ तच्छ्रुत्वा मधुरं वाक्यमुवाच पितरं प्रति

tatkathyatāṃ mahābhāge sarvaṃ śuśrūṣatāṃ hi naḥ|| tacchrutvā madhuraṃ vākyamuvāca pitaraṃ prati

"Tell us everything, O most blessed one, for we long to hear it." Hearing these tender words, she spoke to her father in reply.

Verse 112 (skanda.1.22.112)

तपसा परमेणैव प्रार्थितो मदनांतकः॥ शांतं च मे महात्कार्यं सर्वेषामपि दुर्ल्लभम्

tapasā parameṇaiva prārthito madanāṃtakaḥ|| śāṃtaṃ ca me mahātkāryaṃ sarveṣāmapi durllabham

"By supreme austerity alone I sought out the slayer of Madana. My great purpose has been peacefully accomplished — a thing rare for anyone to attain."

Verse 113 (skanda.1.22.113)

तत्र तुष्टो महादेवो वरणार्थं समागतः॥ स मयोक्तस्तदा शंभुर्ममषाणिग्रहः कथम्

tatra tuṣṭo mahādevo varaṇārthaṃ samāgataḥ|| sa mayoktastadā śaṃbhurmamaṣāṇigrahaḥ katham

"Well pleased by this, Mahadeva came to ask for my hand. I then said to Shambhu: 'How is my hand to be properly taken?'"

Verse 114 (skanda.1.22.114)

क्रियते च तदा शंभो मम पित्रा विनाधुना॥ यतागतेन मार्गेण गतोऽसौ त्रिपुरांतकः

kriyate ca tadā śaṃbho mama pitrā vinādhunā|| yatāgatena mārgeṇa gato'sau tripurāṃtakaḥ

"'This cannot be done now, O Shambhu, without my father's consent.' Then the destroyer of Tripura went back the way he had come."

Verse 115 (skanda.1.22.115)

तस्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा अवाप परमां मुदम्॥ बंधुभिः सह धर्मात्मा उवाच स्वसुतां पुनः

tasyāstadvacanaṃ śrutvā avāpa paramāṃ mudam|| baṃdhubhiḥ saha dharmātmā uvāca svasutāṃ punaḥ

Hearing these words of hers, that righteous soul was filled with the greatest joy, and, together with his kinsmen, spoke once more to his daughter.

Verse 116 (skanda.1.22.116)

स्वगृहं चाद्य गच्छामो वयं सर्वे च भूधराः॥ अनया राधितो देवः पिनाकी वृषभध्वजः

svagṛhaṃ cādya gacchāmo vayaṃ sarve ca bhūdharāḥ|| anayā rādhito devaḥ pinākī vṛṣabhadhvajaḥ

"Let us all now go to our own home, all of us mountains together; by her the god, wielder of Pinaka, bearer of the bull banner, has been won over."

Verse 117 (skanda.1.22.117)

इत्यूचुस्ते सुराः सर्वे हिमालयपुरोगमाः॥ पार्वतीसहिताः सर्वे तुष्टुवुर्वाग्भिरादृताः

ityūcuste surāḥ sarve himālayapurogamāḥ|| pārvatīsahitāḥ sarve tuṣṭuvurvāgbhirādṛtāḥ

Thus spoke all the gods, with Himalaya at their head; together with Parvati, all of them, filled with reverence, praised her in their words.

Verse 118 (skanda.1.22.118)

तां स्तूयमानां च तदा हिमालयो ह्यारोप्य चांसं वरवर्णिनीं च॥ सर्वेथ शैलाः परिवार्य चोत्सुकाः समानयामासुरथ स्वमालयम्

tāṃ stūyamānāṃ ca tadā himālayo hyāropya cāṃsaṃ varavarṇinīṃ ca|| sarvetha śailāḥ parivārya cotsukāḥ samānayāmāsuratha svamālayam

As she was thus praised, Himalaya lifted the fair one onto his own shoulder, and all the mountains, gathering eagerly about her, then brought her to their own abode.

Verse 119 (skanda.1.22.119)

देवदुंदुभयो नेदुः शंखतूर्याण्यनेकशः॥ वादित्राणि बहून्येव वाद्यमानानि सर्वशः

devaduṃdubhayo neduḥ śaṃkhatūryāṇyanekaśaḥ|| vāditrāṇi bahūnyeva vādyamānāni sarvaśaḥ

Divine kettledrums resounded, along with countless conches and trumpets; instruments of every kind were played on every side.

Verse 120 (skanda.1.22.120)

पुष्पवर्षेण महता तेनानीता गृहं प्रति

puṣpavarṣeṇa mahatā tenānītā gṛhaṃ prati

Amid a great shower of flowers, she was thus borne homeward.

Verse 121 (skanda.1.22.121)

सा पूज्यमाना बहुभिस्तदानीं महाविभूत्युल्लसिता तपस्विनी॥ तथैव देवैः सह चारणैश्च महर्षिभिः सिद्धगणैश्च सर्वशः

sā pūjyamānā bahubhistadānīṃ mahāvibhūtyullasitā tapasvinī|| tathaiva devaiḥ saha cāraṇaiśca maharṣibhiḥ siddhagaṇaiśca sarvaśaḥ

Honoured on all sides by many, that ascetic maiden shone then with great splendour, surrounded everywhere by gods, charanas, great sages, and hosts of siddhas.

Verse 122 (skanda.1.22.122)

पूज्यमाना तदा देवी उवाच कमलासनम्॥ देवानृषीन्पितॄन्यक्षानन्यान्सर्वान्समागतान्

pūjyamānā tadā devī uvāca kamalāsanam|| devānṛṣīnpitṝnyakṣānanyānsarvānsamāgatān

Thus honoured, the goddess then spoke to Brahma, seated on the lotus, and to the gods, the sages, the ancestors, the yakshas, and all others who had gathered there.

Verse 123 (skanda.1.22.123)

गच्छध्वं सर्व एवैते येन्ये ह्यत्र समागताः॥ स्वंस्वं स्थानं यताजोषं सेव्यतां परमेश्वरः

gacchadhvaṃ sarva evaite yenye hyatra samāgatāḥ|| svaṃsvaṃ sthānaṃ yatājoṣaṃ sevyatāṃ parameśvaraḥ

"Go now, all of you who have gathered here; return each to your own abode, and there worship Parameshvara according to your own devotion."

Verse 124 (skanda.1.22.124)

एवं तदानीं स्वपितुर्गृहं गता संशोभमाना परमेण वर्चसा॥ सा पार्वती देववरैः सुपूजिता संचिंतयंती मनसा सदाशिवम्

evaṃ tadānīṃ svapiturgṛhaṃ gatā saṃśobhamānā parameṇa varcasā|| sā pārvatī devavaraiḥ supūjitā saṃciṃtayaṃtī manasā sadāśivam

Thus, having returned then to her father's house, shining with supreme splendour, Parvati, duly honoured by the finest of the gods, remained ever absorbed in thought of Sadashiva alone.