Himalaya Prepares Dwellings for the Gods at Parvati's Wedding

Verse 1 (skanda.1.24.1)

॥लोमश उवाच॥ तथैव सर्वं परया मुदान्वितश्चक्रे गिरींद्रः स्वसुतार्थमेव॥ गर्गं पुरस्कृत्य महानुभावो मंगल्यभूमिं परया विभूत्या

||lomaśa uvāca|| tathaiva sarvaṃ parayā mudānvitaścakre girīṃdraḥ svasutārthameva|| gargaṃ puraskṛtya mahānubhāvo maṃgalyabhūmiṃ parayā vibhūtyā

Lomasha said: In the same way, filled with the greatest joy, the lord of mountains did everything for his daughter's sake; that magnanimous one, setting Garga at the forefront, prepared the auspicious ground with the utmost splendour.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.24.2)

आहूय विश्वकर्माणं कारयामास सादरम्॥ मंडपं च सुविस्तीर्णं वेदिकाभिर्मनोरमम्

āhūya viśvakarmāṇaṃ kārayāmāsa sādaram|| maṃḍapaṃ ca suvistīrṇaṃ vedikābhirmanoramam

Summoning Vishvakarma, he had him build, with due honour, a most spacious pavilion, made lovely with its many altars.

Verse 3 (skanda.1.24.3)

अयुतेनैव विस्तारं योजनानां द्विजोत्तमाः॥ मंडपं च गुणोपेतं नानाश्चर्यसमन्विततम्

ayutenaiva vistāraṃ yojanānāṃ dvijottamāḥ|| maṃḍapaṃ ca guṇopetaṃ nānāścaryasamanvitatam

O best of brahmins, that pavilion extended for ten thousand yojanas, endowed with every excellence and filled with manifold wonders.

Verse 4 (skanda.1.24.4)

स्थावरं जंगमं चैव सदृशं च मनोहरम्॥ जंगमं च जितं तत्र स्थावरेण तथैव च

sthāvaraṃ jaṃgamaṃ caiva sadṛśaṃ ca manoharam|| jaṃgamaṃ ca jitaṃ tatra sthāvareṇa tathaiva ca

There the still and the moving alike seemed equally captivating; there the moving too seemed as though surpassed by the still.

Verse 5 (skanda.1.24.5)

जंगमेन च तत्रैव जितं स्थावरमेव च॥ पयसा च जिता तत्र स्थलभूमिरभूत्तदा

jaṃgamena ca tatraiva jitaṃ sthāvarameva ca|| payasā ca jitā tatra sthalabhūmirabhūttadā

and there too the still seemed surpassed by the moving; and the dry ground itself seemed overcome by water.

Verse 6 (skanda.1.24.6)

जलं किं नु स्थलं तत्र न विदुस्तत्त्वतो जनाः॥ क्वचित्सिंहाः क्वचिद्धंसाः सारसाश्च महाप्रभाः

jalaṃ kiṃ nu sthalaṃ tatra na vidustattvato janāḥ|| kvacitsiṃhāḥ kvaciddhaṃsāḥ sārasāśca mahāprabhāḥ

People truly could not tell whether it was water or dry land; here were lions, there swans, and cranes of great splendour.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.24.7)

क्वचिच्छिखंडिनस्तत्र कृत्रिमाः सुमनोहराः॥ तथा नागाः कृत्रिमाश्च हयाश्चैव तथा मृगाः

kvacicchikhaṃḍinastatra kṛtrimāḥ sumanoharāḥ|| tathā nāgāḥ kṛtrimāśca hayāścaiva tathā mṛgāḥ

In places were artificial peacocks, most enchanting; and likewise artificial elephants, horses, and deer as well.

Verse 8 (skanda.1.24.8)

के सत्याः के असत्याश्च संस्कृता विश्वकर्मणा॥ तथैव चैवं विधिना द्वारपाः अद्भुताः कृताः

ke satyāḥ ke asatyāśca saṃskṛtā viśvakarmaṇā|| tathaiva caivaṃ vidhinā dvārapāḥ adbhutāḥ kṛtāḥ

Which were real and which had been fashioned by Vishvakarma could not be told; and in the same manner, wondrous doorkeepers too were made.

Verse 9 (skanda.1.24.9)

पुंसो धनूंषि चोत्कृष्य स्थावरा जंगमोपमाः॥ तथाश्वाः सादिभिश्चैव गजाश्च गजसादिभिः

puṃso dhanūṃṣi cotkṛṣya sthāvarā jaṃgamopamāḥ|| tathāśvāḥ sādibhiścaiva gajāśca gajasādibhiḥ

Figures of men with bows drawn taut, motionless yet seeming alive; and likewise horses with their riders, and elephants with their mahouts.

Verse 10 (skanda.1.24.10)

चामरैर्वीज्यमानाश्च केचित्पुष्पांकुरान्विताः॥ केचिच्च पुरुषास्तत्र विरेजुः स्रग्विणस्तथा

cāmarairvījyamānāśca kecitpuṣpāṃkurānvitāḥ|| kecicca puruṣāstatra virejuḥ sragviṇastathā

Some were fanned with chowries, others decked with sprigs of flowers; and there too shone garlanded figures of men.

Verse 11 (skanda.1.24.11)

कृत्रिमाश्च तथा बह्व्यः पताकाः कल्पितास्तथा॥ द्वारि स्थिता महालक्ष्मीः क्षीरोदधिसमुद्भवा

kṛtrimāśca tathā bahvyaḥ patākāḥ kalpitāstathā|| dvāri sthitā mahālakṣmīḥ kṣīrodadhisamudbhavā

Many artificial banners too fluttered there; and at the gateway stood Mahalakshmi, born of the ocean of milk.

Verse 12 (skanda.1.24.12)

गजाः स्वलंकृता ह्यासन्कृत्रिमा ह्यकृतोपमाः॥ तथाश्वाः सादिभिश्चैव गजाश्च गजसादिभिः

gajāḥ svalaṃkṛtā hyāsankṛtrimā hyakṛtopamāḥ|| tathāśvāḥ sādibhiścaiva gajāśca gajasādibhiḥ

There stood well-adorned elephants, artificial yet indistinguishable from the real; and likewise horses with their riders, and elephants with their mahouts.

Verse 13 (skanda.1.24.13)

रथा रथियुता ह्यासन्कृत्रिमा ह्यकृतोपमाः॥ सर्वेषां मोहनार्थाय तथा च संसदः कृताः

rathā rathiyutā hyāsankṛtrimā hyakṛtopamāḥ|| sarveṣāṃ mohanārthāya tathā ca saṃsadaḥ kṛtāḥ

There were chariots complete with charioteers, artificial yet appearing real; all this was made so as to bewilder everyone, and assembly halls too were built.

Verse 14 (skanda.1.24.14)

महाद्वारि स्थितो नंदी कृतस्तेन हि मंडपे॥ शुद्धस्फटिकसंकाशो यथा नंदी तथैव सः

mahādvāri sthito naṃdī kṛtastena hi maṃḍape|| śuddhasphaṭikasaṃkāśo yathā naṃdī tathaiva saḥ

At the great gate of the pavilion he had set a figure of Nandi, standing there; radiant as pure crystal, resembling Nandi exactly.

Verse 15 (skanda.1.24.15)

तस्योपरि महद्दिव्यं पुष्पकं रत्नभूषितम्॥ राजितं पल्लवाच्छत्रैश्चामरैश्च सुशोभितम्

tasyopari mahaddivyaṃ puṣpakaṃ ratnabhūṣitam|| rājitaṃ pallavācchatraiścāmaraiśca suśobhitam

Above him was set a great, divine, jewel-adorned canopy of flowers, resplendent with umbrellas of tender leaves and made beautiful with chowries.

Verse 16 (skanda.1.24.16)

वामपार्श्वे गजौ द्वौ च शुद्धकाश्मीरसन्निभौ॥ चतुर्दतौ षष्टिवर्षौ महात्मानौ महाप्रभौ

vāmapārśve gajau dvau ca śuddhakāśmīrasannibhau|| caturdatau ṣaṣṭivarṣau mahātmānau mahāprabhau

On the left side stood two elephants, radiant as pure saffron, four-tusked, sixty years of age, majestic and most resplendent.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.24.17)

तथैव दक्षिणे पार्श्वे द्वावश्वौ दंशितौ कृतौ॥ रत्नालंकारसंयुक्ताँल्लोकपालांस्तथैव च

tathaiva dakṣiṇe pārśve dvāvaśvau daṃśitau kṛtau|| ratnālaṃkārasaṃyuktā~llokapālāṃstathaiva ca

And likewise, on the right side, two fully caparisoned horses were fashioned; and likewise too the guardians of the quarters, adorned with jewelled ornaments.

Verse 18 (skanda.1.24.18)

षोडशप्रकृतीस्तेन याथातथ्येन धीमता॥ सर्वे देवा यथार्थेन कृता वै विश्वकर्मणा

ṣoḍaśaprakṛtīstena yāthātathyena dhīmatā|| sarve devā yathārthena kṛtā vai viśvakarmaṇā

By that wise craftsman, the sixteen prakritis were fashioned exactly as they truly are; and all the gods too were faithfully made by Vishvakarma.

Verse 19 (skanda.1.24.19)

तथैव ऋषयः सर्वे भृग्वाद्यश्च तपोधनाः॥ विश्वे च पार्षदैः साकमिंद्रो हि परमार्थतः

tathaiva ṛṣayaḥ sarve bhṛgvādyaśca tapodhanāḥ|| viśve ca pārṣadaiḥ sākamiṃdro hi paramārthataḥ

Likewise all the sages, Bhrigu and the rest, rich in austerity; and the Vishvedevas together with Indra and his attendants, all faithfully rendered.

Verse 20 (skanda.1.24.20)

कृताः सर्वे महात्मानो याथातथ्येन धीमता॥ एवंभूतः कृतस्तेन मंडपो दिव्यरूपवान्

kṛtāḥ sarve mahātmāno yāthātathyena dhīmatā|| evaṃbhūtaḥ kṛtastena maṃḍapo divyarūpavān

All these great souls were fashioned by that wise craftsman exactly as they truly were; thus was that pavilion of divine form brought into being.

Verse 21 (skanda.1.24.21)

अनेकाश्चर्यसंभूतो दिव्यो दिव्यविमोहनः॥ एतस्मिन्नंतरे तत्र आगतो नारदोग्रतः

anekāścaryasaṃbhūto divyo divyavimohanaḥ|| etasminnaṃtare tatra āgato nāradogrataḥ

Filled with countless wonders, divine, bewildering even to the gods; and meanwhile Narada arrived there, ahead of the rest.

Verse 22 (skanda.1.24.22)

ब्रह्मणा नोदितस्तत्र हिमालयगृहं प्रति॥ नारदोथ ददर्शाग्रे आत्मानं विनयान्वितम्

brahmaṇā noditastatra himālayagṛhaṃ prati|| nāradotha dadarśāgre ātmānaṃ vinayānvitam

Sent by Brahma toward Himalaya's abode, Narada, as he advanced, beheld before him what seemed to be his own self, humble in bearing.

Verse 23 (skanda.1.24.23)

भ्रांतो हि नारदस्तेन कृत्रिमेण महायशाः॥ अवलोकपरस्तत्र चरितं विश्वकर्मणः

bhrāṃto hi nāradastena kṛtrimeṇa mahāyaśāḥ|| avalokaparastatra caritaṃ viśvakarmaṇaḥ

That most renowned Narada was bewildered by that artificial figure; and he stood there absorbed in beholding Vishvakarma's handiwork.

Verse 24 (skanda.1.24.24)

प्रविष्टो मंडपं तस्य हिमाद्रे रत्नचित्रितम्॥ सुवर्णकलशैर्जुष्टं रंभाद्यैरुपशोभितम्

praviṣṭo maṃḍapaṃ tasya himādre ratnacitritam|| suvarṇakalaśairjuṣṭaṃ raṃbhādyairupaśobhitam

He entered that pavilion of the Himalaya, richly adorned with jewels, furnished with golden vessels, and beautified with plantain trees and the like.

Verse 25 (skanda.1.24.25)

सहस्रस्तम्भसंयुक्तं ततोऽद्रिः स्वगणैर्वृतः॥ तमृषिं पूजयामास किं कार्यमिति पृष्टवान्

sahasrastambhasaṃyuktaṃ tato'driḥ svagaṇairvṛtaḥ|| tamṛṣiṃ pūjayāmāsa kiṃ kāryamiti pṛṣṭavān

It was furnished with a thousand pillars; then the mountain, surrounded by his own kinsfolk, honoured that sage and asked him his purpose there.

Verse 26 (skanda.1.24.26)

॥नारद उवाच॥ आगतास्ते महात्मानो देवा इन्द्रपुरोगमाः॥ तथा महर्षयः सर्वे गणैश्च परिवारिताः॥ महादेवो वृषारूढो ह्यागतोद्वहनं प्रति

||nārada uvāca|| āgatāste mahātmāno devā indrapurogamāḥ|| tathā maharṣayaḥ sarve gaṇaiśca parivāritāḥ|| mahādevo vṛṣārūḍho hyāgatodvahanaṃ prati

Narada said: "Those great gods, with Indra at their head, have arrived; and all the great sages too, surrounded by the ganas. Mahadeva himself, mounted upon his bull, has come here for the wedding."

Verse 27 (skanda.1.24.27)

ततस्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा हिमवान्गिरिसत्तमः॥ उवाच नारदं वाक्यं प्रशस्तमधुरं महत्

tatastadvacanaṃ śrutvā himavāngirisattamaḥ|| uvāca nāradaṃ vākyaṃ praśastamadhuraṃ mahat

Then, hearing these words, Himavan, foremost of mountains, spoke to Narada in words most excellent, sweet, and weighty.

Verse 28 (skanda.1.24.28)

पूजयित्वा यथान्यायं गच्छ त्वं शंकरं प्रति

pūjayitvā yathānyāyaṃ gaccha tvaṃ śaṃkaraṃ prati

"Having duly honoured you, go now to Shankara."

Verse 29 (skanda.1.24.29)

ततस्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा मुनिर्हिमवतो गिरेः॥ तथैव मत्वा वचनं शैलराजानब्रवीत्॥ मेनाकेन च सह्येन मेरुणा गिरिणा सह

tatastadvacanaṃ śrutvā munirhimavato gireḥ|| tathaiva matvā vacanaṃ śailarājānabravīt|| menākena ca sahyena meruṇā giriṇā saha

Then, hearing this, the sage, accepting the mountain's word, spoke to the king of mountains, together with Mainaka, Sahya, and Meru:

Verse 30 (skanda.1.24.30)

एभिः समेतो ह्यधुनामहामते यतस्व शीघ्रं शिवमत्र चानय॥ देवैः समेतं च महर्षिवर्यैः सुरासुरैर्चितपादपंकजम्

ebhiḥ sameto hyadhunāmahāmate yatasva śīghraṃ śivamatra cānaya|| devaiḥ sametaṃ ca maharṣivaryaiḥ surāsuraircitapādapaṃkajam

"Accompanied by all these, O most wise one, make haste now and bring Shiva here — he whose lotus feet are worshipped by gods and asuras alike, together with the foremost of the great sages."

Verse 31 (skanda.1.24.31)

तथेति मत्वा स जगाम तूर्णां सहै व तैः पर्वतराजभिश्च॥ त्वरागतश्चैकपदेन शंभुं प्राप्नोदृषीणां प्रवरो महात्मा

tatheti matvā sa jagāma tūrṇāṃ sahai va taiḥ parvatarājabhiśca|| tvarāgataścaikapadena śaṃbhuṃ prāpnodṛṣīṇāṃ pravaro mahātmā

Accepting this, he set out swiftly, together with those lords of mountains; and that great-souled, foremost of sages soon reached Shambhu in haste.

Verse 32 (skanda.1.24.32)

तावद्दृष्टो महादेवो देवैश्च परिवारितः॥ तदा ब्रह्मा च विष्णुश्च रुद्रश्चैव सुरैः सह

tāvaddṛṣṭo mahādevo devaiśca parivāritaḥ|| tadā brahmā ca viṣṇuśca rudraścaiva suraiḥ saha

There he beheld Mahadeva, surrounded by the gods; and there too were Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra, together with the gods.

Verse 33 (skanda.1.24.33)

पप्रचछुर्नारदं सर्वे येऽन्ये रुद्रचरा भृशम्॥ कथ्यतां पृच्छमानानामस्माकं कथ्यते न हि

papracachurnāradaṃ sarve ye'nye rudracarā bhṛśam|| kathyatāṃ pṛcchamānānāmasmākaṃ kathyate na hi

All the other attendants of Rudra eagerly questioned Narada: "Tell us! We keep asking, yet nothing is told to us!"

Verse 34 (skanda.1.24.34)

एकैकस्यात्मजाः स्वाः स्वाः सह्यमैनाकमेरवः॥ कन्यां दास्यंति वा शंभोः किं त्विदानीं प्रवर्तते

ekaikasyātmajāḥ svāḥ svāḥ sahyamainākameravaḥ|| kanyāṃ dāsyaṃti vā śaṃbhoḥ kiṃ tvidānīṃ pravartate

"Will Sahya, Mainaka and Meru, each with their own daughters, actually give one to Shambhu? What is happening there now?"

Verse 35 (skanda.1.24.35)

ततोऽवोचन्महातेजा नारदश्चर्षिसत्तमः॥ ब्रह्माणं पुरतः कृत्वा विष्णुं प्रति सहेतुकम्

tato'vocanmahātejā nāradaścarṣisattamaḥ|| brahmāṇaṃ purataḥ kṛtvā viṣṇuṃ prati sahetukam

Then that most radiant Narada, foremost of sages, placing Brahma before him, spoke to Vishnu, explaining the reason.

Verse 36 (skanda.1.24.36)

एकांतमाश्रित्य तदा सुरेन्द्रं स नारदो वाक्यमिदं बभाषे॥ त्वष्ट्रा कृतं वै भवनं महत्तरं येनैव सर्वे च विमोहिता वयम्

ekāṃtamāśritya tadā surendraṃ sa nārado vākyamidaṃ babhāṣe|| tvaṣṭrā kṛtaṃ vai bhavanaṃ mahattaraṃ yenaiva sarve ca vimohitā vayam

Taking Indra aside in private, Narada spoke these words: "Tvashtri has built a truly vast mansion, by which all of us have been utterly bewildered."

Verse 37 (skanda.1.24.37)

पुरा कृतं तस्य महात्मनस्त्वया किं विस्मृतं तत्सकलं शचीपते॥ तस्मादसौ त्वां विजिगीषुकामो गृहे वसंस्तस्यगिरेर्महात्मनः

purā kṛtaṃ tasya mahātmanastvayā kiṃ vismṛtaṃ tatsakalaṃ śacīpate|| tasmādasau tvāṃ vijigīṣukāmo gṛhe vasaṃstasyagirermahātmanaḥ

"Have you forgotten, O lord of Shachi, all that this great-souled one wrought before? It is for this reason that, desiring to outdo you, he now dwells here in the house of the great-souled mountain."

Verse 38 (skanda.1.24.38)

अहो विमोहितस्तेन प्रतिरूपेण भास्वता॥ तथा विष्णुः कृतस्तेन शंखचक्रगदादिभृत्

aho vimohitastena pratirūpeṇa bhāsvatā|| tathā viṣṇuḥ kṛtastena śaṃkhacakragadādibhṛt

"Ah, how utterly bewildered we all were by his radiant likenesses! He even fashioned a Vishnu, bearing conch, discus, mace, and all the rest."

Verse 39 (skanda.1.24.39)

ब्रह्मा चैव तथाभूतस्तं चैव कृतवानसौ

brahmā caiva tathābhūtastaṃ caiva kṛtavānasau

"And in just the same way, he has fashioned a Brahma too."

Verse 40 (skanda.1.24.40)

मायामयो वृषभस्तेन वेषात्कृतो हि नागोश्वतरस्तथैव॥ तथा चान्यान्याप्यनेनामरेन्द्र सर्वाण्येवोल्लिखितान्यत्र विद्धि

māyāmayo vṛṣabhastena veṣātkṛto hi nāgośvatarastathaiva|| tathā cānyānyāpyanenāmarendra sarvāṇyevollikhitānyatra viddhi

"By his illusion he fashioned a bull, and likewise gave the serpent Ashvatara a false form; know, O lord of the immortals, that everything else here too has been depicted by him in just this way."

Verse 41 (skanda.1.24.41)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य देवेंद्रो वाक्यमब्रवीत्

tacchrutvā vacanaṃ tasya deveṃdro vākyamabravīt

Hearing these words of his, Indra, lord of the gods, spoke in reply:

Verse 42 (skanda.1.24.42)

विष्णुं प्रति तदा शीघ्रं दृष्ट्वा यामि वसात्र भोः॥ पुत्रशोकेन तप्तोऽसौ व्याजेनान्येन वाऽकरोत्

viṣṇuṃ prati tadā śīghraṃ dṛṣṭvā yāmi vasātra bhoḥ|| putraśokena tapto'sau vyājenānyena vā'karot

"Let me go at once and see Vishnu about this — has he done this out of grief for his son, or under some other pretext?"

Verse 43 (skanda.1.24.43)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा देवदेवो जनार्द्दनः॥ उवाच प्रहसन्वाक्यं शक्रमाप्तभयं तदा

tasya tadvacanaṃ śrutvā devadevo janārddanaḥ|| uvāca prahasanvākyaṃ śakramāptabhayaṃ tadā

Hearing his words, the god of gods, Janardana, laughing, then spoke to Shakra, who had grown fearful.

Verse 44 (skanda.1.24.44)

निवातकवचैः पूर्वं मोहितोऽसि शचीपते॥ विद्याऽमृता तत्र मया समानीतोपसत्तये

nivātakavacaiḥ pūrvaṃ mohito'si śacīpate|| vidyā'mṛtā tatra mayā samānītopasattaye

"You were bewildered once before too, O lord of Shachi, by the Nivatakavachas; and then, by that nectar-born knowledge, I set it right for a proper resolution."

Verse 45 (skanda.1.24.45)

महाविद्याबलेनैव प्रविश्य मण्डपेऽधुना॥ पर्वतो हिमवानेष तथान्ये पर्वतोत्तमाः

mahāvidyābalenaiva praviśya maṇḍape'dhunā|| parvato himavāneṣa tathānye parvatottamāḥ

"Now, by the power of that great knowledge alone, having entered this pavilion — this Himalaya, and the other foremost mountains as well —"

Verse 46 (skanda.1.24.46)

विपक्षा हि कृताः सर्वे मम वाक्याच्च वासव॥ हेतुं स्मृत्वाथ वै त्वष्टा मायया ह्यकरोदिदम्

vipakṣā hi kṛtāḥ sarve mama vākyācca vāsava|| hetuṃ smṛtvātha vai tvaṣṭā māyayā hyakarodidam

"— were all made my rivals by my own former words, O Vasava; and recalling that very cause, Tvashtri has wrought all this through his illusion."

Verse 47 (skanda.1.24.47)

जयमिच्छंति वै मूढा न च भेतव्यमण्वपि

jayamicchaṃti vai mūḍhā na ca bhetavyamaṇvapi

"Fools seek victory in such ways; but there is not the slightest need for fear in this."

Verse 48 (skanda.1.24.48)

एवं विवदमानांस्तान्देवाञ्छक्रपुरोगमान्॥ सांत्वयामास वै विष्णुर्नारदं ते ततोऽब्रुवन्

evaṃ vivadamānāṃstāndevāñchakrapurogamān|| sāṃtvayāmāsa vai viṣṇurnāradaṃ te tato'bruvan

Thus Vishnu reassured the gods, with Shakra at their head, who had fallen into such dispute; then they said to Narada:

Verse 49 (skanda.1.24.49)

ददाति वा न ददाति कन्यां गिरीन्द्रः स्वां वै कथ्यतां शीघ्रमेव॥ किं तेन दृष्टां किं कृतं चाद्य शंस तत्सर्वं भो नारद ते नमोऽस्तु

dadāti vā na dadāti kanyāṃ girīndraḥ svāṃ vai kathyatāṃ śīghrameva|| kiṃ tena dṛṣṭāṃ kiṃ kṛtaṃ cādya śaṃsa tatsarvaṃ bho nārada te namo'stu

"Will the lord of mountains give his own daughter, or not? Tell us at once! What has he seen, what has he done this day? Tell us all of it, O Narada — our salutations to you."

Verse 50 (skanda.1.24.50)

तच्छ्रुत्वा प्रहसञ्छंभुरुवाच वचनं तदा॥ कन्यां दास्यति चेन्मह्यं पर्वतो हि हिमालयः॥ मायया मम किं कार्यं वद विष्णो यथातथम्

tacchrutvā prahasañchaṃbhuruvāca vacanaṃ tadā|| kanyāṃ dāsyati cenmahyaṃ parvato hi himālayaḥ|| māyayā mama kiṃ kāryaṃ vada viṣṇo yathātatham

Hearing this, Shambhu laughed and spoke these words: "If the mountain Himalaya is indeed to give me his daughter, what need have I for illusion at all? Tell me truly, O Vishnu."

Verse 51 (skanda.1.24.51)

केनाप्वुपायेन फलं हि साध्यमित्युच्यते पंडितैर्न्यायविद्भिः॥ तस्मात्सर्वैर्गम्यतां शीघ्रमेव कार्यार्थोभिश्चेन्द्रपुरोगमैश्च

kenāpvupāyena phalaṃ hi sādhyamityucyate paṃḍitairnyāyavidbhiḥ|| tasmātsarvairgamyatāṃ śīghrameva kāryārthobhiścendrapurogamaiśca

"'By whatever means the desired end is achieved' — so say the learned, versed in right conduct. Therefore let all of you, intent upon the purpose at hand, go swiftly now, with Indra at the head."

Verse 52 (skanda.1.24.52)

तदा शिवोऽपि विश्वात्मा पंचबाणेन मोहितः॥ महाभूतेन भूतेशस्त्वन्येषां चैव का कथा

tadā śivo'pi viśvātmā paṃcabāṇena mohitaḥ|| mahābhūtena bhūteśastvanyeṣāṃ caiva kā kathā

Then even Shiva, the universal self, lord of all beings though he was, was himself bewildered by that mighty being, the five-arrowed Kama — what then is to be said of others?

Verse 53 (skanda.1.24.53)

एवं च विद्यमानेऽसौ शंभुः परमशोभनः॥ कृतो ह्यनंगेन वशे यथान्यः प्राकृतो जनः

evaṃ ca vidyamāne'sau śaṃbhuḥ paramaśobhanaḥ|| kṛto hyanaṃgena vaśe yathānyaḥ prākṛto janaḥ

Thus even Shambhu, most resplendent, was brought under the sway of the Bodiless One, just as any ordinary person might be.

Verse 54 (skanda.1.24.54)

मदनो हि बली लोके येन सर्वमिदं जगत्॥ जितमस्ति निजप्रौढ्या सदेवर्षिसमन्वितम्

madano hi balī loke yena sarvamidaṃ jagat|| jitamasti nijaprauḍhyā sadevarṣisamanvitam

For Madana is truly mighty in this world; by his own power alone he has conquered this entire universe, gods and sages included.

Verse 55 (skanda.1.24.55)

सर्वेषामेव भूतानां देवानां च विशेषतः॥ राजा ह्यनंगो बलवान्यस्य चाज्ञा बलीयसी

sarveṣāmeva bhūtānāṃ devānāṃ ca viśeṣataḥ|| rājā hyanaṃgo balavānyasya cājñā balīyasī

Of all beings, and especially of the gods, the Bodiless One is the mighty king, whose command reigns supreme over all.

Verse 56 (skanda.1.24.56)

पार्वतीस्त्रीस्वरूपेण अजेयो भुवनत्रये॥ तां दृष्ट्वा हि स्त्रियं सर्वे ऋषयोऽपि विचक्षणाः

pārvatīstrīsvarūpeṇa ajeyo bhuvanatraye|| tāṃ dṛṣṭvā hi striyaṃ sarve ṛṣayo'pi vicakṣaṇāḥ

Through the form of the woman Parvati, he remains unconquered across the three worlds; beholding that woman, even the most discerning of sages fell under his sway.

Verse 57 (skanda.1.24.57)

देवा मनुष्या गन्धर्वाः पिशाचोरगराक्षसाः॥ आज्ञानुल्लंघिनः सर्वे मदनस्य महात्मनः

devā manuṣyā gandharvāḥ piśācoragarākṣasāḥ|| ājñānullaṃghinaḥ sarve madanasya mahātmanaḥ

Gods, men, gandharvas, pishachas, serpents, and rakshasas — none of them ever transgress the command of the great-souled Madana.

Verse 58 (skanda.1.24.58)

तपोबलेन महता तथा दानबलेन च॥ वेत्तुं न शक्यो मदंनो विनयेन विना द्विजाः

tapobalena mahatā tathā dānabalena ca|| vettuṃ na śakyo madaṃno vinayena vinā dvijāḥ

Even by the power of the greatest austerity, or the power of generosity, O brahmins, Madana cannot truly be known without humility.

Verse 59 (skanda.1.24.59)

तस्मादनंगस्य महान्क्रोधो हि बलवत्तरः॥ ईश्वरं मदनेनैवं मोहितं वीक्ष्य माधवः

tasmādanaṃgasya mahānkrodho hi balavattaraḥ|| īśvaraṃ madanenaivaṃ mohitaṃ vīkṣya mādhavaḥ

Therefore the great wrath of the Bodiless One is even more powerful still. Seeing Ishvara thus bewildered by Madana, Madhava —

Verse 60 (skanda.1.24.60)

उवाच वाक्यं वाक्यज्ञो मा चिंतां कुरु वै प्रभो॥ यदुक्तं नारदेनैव मंडपं प्रति सर्वशः

uvāca vākyaṃ vākyajño mā ciṃtāṃ kuru vai prabho|| yaduktaṃ nāradenaiva maṃḍapaṃ prati sarvaśaḥ

— he who was skilled in speech spoke these words: "Have no anxiety at all, O lord." As for all that Narada had said concerning the pavilion —

Verse 61 (skanda.1.24.61)

त्वष्ट्रा कृतं विचित्रं च तत्सर्वं मदनात्प्रभोः॥ तदानीं शंकरो वाक्यमुवाच मधुसूदनम्

tvaṣṭrā kṛtaṃ vicitraṃ ca tatsarvaṃ madanātprabhoḥ|| tadānīṃ śaṃkaro vākyamuvāca madhusūdanam

— all that wondrous handiwork fashioned by Tvashtri sprang, in truth, from the power of Madana himself, O lord. Then Shankara spoke these words to Madhusudana.

Verse 62 (skanda.1.24.62)

अविद्यया वृतं तेन कृतं त्वष्ट्रा हि मण्डपम्॥ किं तु वक्ष्यामहे विष्णो मण्डपः केवलेन हि

avidyayā vṛtaṃ tena kṛtaṃ tvaṣṭrā hi maṇḍapam|| kiṃ tu vakṣyāmahe viṣṇo maṇḍapaḥ kevalena hi

"This pavilion, fashioned by Tvashtri, is indeed wrapped in ignorance; but what more shall we say, O Vishnu — the pavilion itself exists by ignorance alone."

Verse 63 (skanda.1.24.63)

विवाहो हि महाभाग अविद्यामूल एव च॥ तस्मात्सर्वे वयं याम उद्वाहार्थं च संप्रति

vivāho hi mahābhāga avidyāmūla eva ca|| tasmātsarve vayaṃ yāma udvāhārthaṃ ca saṃprati

"For marriage itself, O most blessed one, is rooted in nothing but ignorance. Therefore let us all now proceed, for the sake of the wedding."

Verse 64 (skanda.1.24.64)

नारदं च पुरस्कृत्य सर्वे देवाः सवासवाः॥ हिमाद्रिसहिता जग्मुर्मन्दिरं परमाद्भुतम्॥ अनेकाश्चर्यसंयुक्तं विचित्रं विश्वकर्मणा

nāradaṃ ca puraskṛtya sarve devāḥ savāsavāḥ|| himādrisahitā jagmurmandiraṃ paramādbhutam|| anekāścaryasaṃyuktaṃ vicitraṃ viśvakarmaṇā

Placing Narada at their head, all the gods, together with Vasava, accompanied by the Himalaya, then made their way to that most wondrous mansion, filled with countless marvels, so strangely wrought by Vishvakarma.

Verse 65 (skanda.1.24.65)

कृतं च तेनाद्य पवित्रमुत्तमं तं यज्ञवाटं बहुभिः पुरस्कृतम्॥ विचित्रचित्रं मनसो हरं च तं यज्ञवाटं स चकार बुद्धिमान्

kṛtaṃ ca tenādya pavitramuttamaṃ taṃ yajñavāṭaṃ bahubhiḥ puraskṛtam|| vicitracitraṃ manaso haraṃ ca taṃ yajñavāṭaṃ sa cakāra buddhimān

That wise craftsman had fashioned this sacred, most excellent sacrificial enclosure, honoured by many, wondrously adorned and captivating to the mind.

Verse 66 (skanda.1.24.66)

प्रवेक्ष्यमाणास्ते सर्वे सुरेन्द्रा ऋषिभिः सह॥ दृष्टा हिमाद्रिणा तत्र अभ्युत्थानगतोऽभवत्

pravekṣyamāṇāste sarve surendrā ṛṣibhiḥ saha|| dṛṣṭā himādriṇā tatra abhyutthānagato'bhavat

As all the lords of the gods, together with the sages, were about to enter, the Himalaya beheld them there and rose at once to welcome them.

Verse 67 (skanda.1.24.67)

तथैव तेषां च मनोहराणि हर्म्याणि तेन प्रतिकल्पितानि॥ गन्धर्वयक्षाः प्रमथाश्च सिद्धा देवाश्च नागाप्सरसां गणाश्च॥ वसंति यत्रैव सुखेन तेभ्यः स तत्रतत्रोपवनं चकार

tathaiva teṣāṃ ca manoharāṇi harmyāṇi tena pratikalpitāni|| gandharvayakṣāḥ pramathāśca siddhā devāśca nāgāpsarasāṃ gaṇāśca|| vasaṃti yatraiva sukhena tebhyaḥ sa tatratatropavanaṃ cakāra

In the same way, he had prepared lovely mansions for all of them; and wherever the gandharvas, yakshas, pramathas, siddhas, gods, and the hosts of nagas and apsaras might dwell in comfort, he fashioned pleasure-groves for them there as well.

Verse 68 (skanda.1.24.68)

तेषामर्थे महार्हाणि धाराजिरगृहाणि च॥ अत्यद्भुतानि शोभंते कृतान्येव महात्मना

teṣāmarthe mahārhāṇi dhārājiragṛhāṇi ca|| atyadbhutāni śobhaṃte kṛtānyeva mahātmanā

For their sake, precious dwellings with fountained courtyards, most wondrous, shone forth, all fashioned by that great-souled craftsman.

Verse 69 (skanda.1.24.69)

निवासार्थे कल्पितानि सावकाशानि तत्र वै॥ देवानां चैव सर्वेषामृषीणां भावितात्मनाम्

nivāsārthe kalpitāni sāvakāśāni tatra vai|| devānāṃ caiva sarveṣāmṛṣīṇāṃ bhāvitātmanām

There, spacious and well-appointed dwellings were prepared for the residence of all the gods and the sages of purified soul.

Verse 70 (skanda.1.24.70)

एवं विस्तारयामास विश्वकर्मा बहून्यपि॥ मन्दिराणि यथायोग्यं यत्र तत्रैव तिष्ठताम्

evaṃ vistārayāmāsa viśvakarmā bahūnyapi|| mandirāṇi yathāyogyaṃ yatra tatraiva tiṣṭhatām

In this way Vishvakarma extended many more such mansions besides, fittingly suited to wherever each guest was to stay.

Verse 71 (skanda.1.24.71)

भैरवाः क्षेत्रपालाश्च येऽन्ये च क्षेत्रवासिनः॥ श्मशानवासिनश्चान्ये येऽन्ये न्यग्रोधवासिनः

bhairavāḥ kṣetrapālāśca ye'nye ca kṣetravāsinaḥ|| śmaśānavāsinaścānye ye'nye nyagrodhavāsinaḥ

The Bhairavas, the guardians of sacred grounds, and other dwellers of holy sites; and others who dwell in cremation grounds, and still others who dwell beneath banyan trees.

Verse 72 (skanda.1.24.72)

अश्वत्थसेविनश्चान्ये खेचराश्च तथा परे॥ येये यत्रोपविष्टाश्च तत्रतत्रैव तेन वै

aśvatthasevinaścānye khecarāśca tathā pare|| yeye yatropaviṣṭāśca tatratatraiva tena vai

And others who dwell by the peepal tree, and still others who roam the sky — wherever each of these was accustomed to abide, there he made provision for them.

Verse 73 (skanda.1.24.73)

कृतानि च मनोज्ञानि भवनानि महांतिवै॥ तेषामेवानुकूलानि भूतानां विश्वकर्मणा

kṛtāni ca manojñāni bhavanāni mahāṃtivai|| teṣāmevānukūlāni bhūtānāṃ viśvakarmaṇā

Great and lovely mansions were built by Vishvakarma, each one fitted precisely to the nature of these very beings.

Verse 74 (skanda.1.24.74)

तत्रैव ते सर्वगणैः समेता निवासितास्तेन हिमाद्रिणा स्वयम्॥ सेंद्राः सुरा यक्षपिशाचरक्षसां गन्धर्वविद्याप्सरसां समूहाः

tatraiva te sarvagaṇaiḥ sametā nivāsitāstena himādriṇā svayam|| seṃdrāḥ surā yakṣapiśācarakṣasāṃ gandharvavidyāpsarasāṃ samūhāḥ

There, together with all their retinues, the Himalaya himself lodged them all — the gods with Indra, and the hosts of yakshas, pishachas, rakshasas, gandharvas, vidyadharas, and apsaras.