Parvati Brings Shiva Back as a Shabari, and Brihaspati's Coronation of Shiva

Verse 1 (skanda.1.35.1)

॥लोमश उवाच॥ वनं गते महादेवे गिरिजा विरहातुरा॥ सुखं न लेभे तन्वंगी हर्म्येष्वायतनेषु वा

||lomaśa uvāca|| vanaṃ gate mahādeve girijā virahāturā|| sukhaṃ na lebhe tanvaṃgī harmyeṣvāyataneṣu vā

Lomasha said: When Mahadeva had gone to the forest, Girija, tormented by separation, that slender-limbed one, found no happiness, neither in her palace nor in her shrines.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.35.2)

चिंतयंती शिवंतन्वी सर्वभावेन शोभना॥ चिंतमानां शिवां ज्ञात्वा ह्युवाच विजया सखी

ciṃtayaṃtī śivaṃtanvī sarvabhāvena śobhanā|| ciṃtamānāṃ śivāṃ jñātvā hyuvāca vijayā sakhī

That slender, beautiful goddess remained lost in thought of Shiva with her whole being; knowing Shiva's own consort to be so absorbed in thought, her companion Vijaya spoke:

Verse 3 (skanda.1.35.3)

॥विजयोवाच॥ तपसा महता चैव शिवं प्राप्तासि शोभने॥ मृषशा द्यूतं कृतं तेन शंकरेण तपस्विना

||vijayovāca|| tapasā mahatā caiva śivaṃ prāptāsi śobhane|| mṛṣaśā dyūtaṃ kṛtaṃ tena śaṃkareṇa tapasvinā

Vijaya said: 'By great austerity alone, O lovely one, you obtained Shiva; and yet it was in a mere trifling game of dice that you played against that ascetic Shankara.'

Verse 4 (skanda.1.35.4)

द्यूते हि वहवो दोषा न श्रुताः किं त्वयाऽनघे॥ क्षमा पय शिवं तन्वि त्वरेणैव विचक्षणे

dyūte hi vahavo doṣā na śrutāḥ kiṃ tvayā'naghe|| kṣamā paya śivaṃ tanvi tvareṇaiva vicakṣaṇe

'Have you not heard, O sinless one, how many faults there are in the game of dice? Go quickly, O wise and slender one, and beg Shiva's forgiveness.'

Verse 5 (skanda.1.35.5)

अस्माभिः सहिता देवि गच्छगच्छ वरानने

asmābhiḥ sahitā devi gacchagaccha varānane

'Go, go, O goddess, O lovely-faced one, together with us.'

Verse 6 (skanda.1.35.6)

यावच्छंभुर्दूरतो नाभिगच्छेत्तावद्गत्वा शंकरं क्षामयस्व॥ नो चेतन्वि क्षामयेथाः शिवं त्वं दुःखं पश्चात्ते भविष्यत्यवश्यम्

yāvacchaṃbhurdūrato nābhigacchettāvadgatvā śaṃkaraṃ kṣāmayasva|| no cetanvi kṣāmayethāḥ śivaṃ tvaṃ duḥkhaṃ paścātte bhaviṣyatyavaśyam

'Before Shambhu can go too far away, go now and beg Shankara's forgiveness; for if you do not seek Shiva's pardon, O slender one, sorrow will surely come to you afterward.'

Verse 7 (skanda.1.35.7)

निशम्य वाक्य विजयाप्रयुक्तं प्रहस्यामाना समधीरचेताः॥ उवाच वाक्यं विजयां सखीं च आश्चर्यभूतं परमार्थयुक्तम्

niśamya vākya vijayāprayuktaṃ prahasyāmānā samadhīracetāḥ|| uvāca vākyaṃ vijayāṃ sakhīṃ ca āścaryabhūtaṃ paramārthayuktam

Hearing that word spoken by Vijaya, she, smiling, her mind composed and steady, spoke to her companion Vijaya these wondrous words, filled with the highest truth:

Verse 8 (skanda.1.35.8)

मया जितोऽसौ निरपत्रपश्च पुरा वृतो वै परया विभूत्या॥ किंचिच्च कृत्यं मम नास्ति सद्यो मया विनासौ च विरूप आस्थितः

mayā jito'sau nirapatrapaśca purā vṛto vai parayā vibhūtyā|| kiṃcicca kṛtyaṃ mama nāsti sadyo mayā vināsau ca virūpa āsthitaḥ

'He has been defeated by me, that shameless one, though long ago obtained by me through the highest devotion; I have nothing further to do — indeed, without me, he now remains only in a distorted state.'

Verse 9 (skanda.1.35.9)

रूपीकृतो मया देवो महेशो नान्यथा वद॥ मया तेन वियोगश्च संयोगो नैव जायते

rūpīkṛto mayā devo maheśo nānyathā vada|| mayā tena viyogaśca saṃyogo naiva jāyate

'The god Mahesha has been given form by me alone, say nothing otherwise; between him and me, neither separation nor union truly arises.'

Verse 10 (skanda.1.35.10)

साकारो हि निराकारो महेशो हि मया कृतः

sākāro hi nirākāro maheśo hi mayā kṛtaḥ

'It is I who have made Mahesha, formless as he is, take on form.'

Verse 11 (skanda.1.35.11)

कृतं मया विश्वमिदं समग्रं चराचरं देववरैः समेतम्॥ क्रीडार्थमस्योद्भववृत्तिहेतुभिश्चिक्रीडितं मे विजये प्रपश्य

kṛtaṃ mayā viśvamidaṃ samagraṃ carācaraṃ devavaraiḥ sametam|| krīḍārthamasyodbhavavṛttihetubhiścikrīḍitaṃ me vijaye prapaśya

'By me alone has this entire universe, moving and unmoving, together with the foremost of gods, been made; for the sake of its play, and by the causes of its arising and continuance, I have sported thus — behold this, O Vijaya.'

Verse 12 (skanda.1.35.12)

एवमुक्त्वा तदा देवी गिरिजा सर्वमंगला॥ शबरीरूपमास्थाय गंतुकामा महेश्वरम्

evamuktvā tadā devī girijā sarvamaṃgalā|| śabarīrūpamāsthāya gaṃtukāmā maheśvaram

Having spoken thus, the all-auspicious goddess Girija, assuming the form of a shabari, resolved to go to Maheshvara.

Verse 13 (skanda.1.35.13)

श्यामा तन्वी शिखरदशना बिंबबिंबाधरोष्ठी सुग्रीवाढ्या कुचभरनता गिरिजा स्निग्धकेशी॥ मध्ये क्षामा पृथुकटितटा हेमरंभोरुगौरी पल्लीयुक्ता वरवलयिनी बर्हिबर्हावतंसा

śyāmā tanvī śikharadaśanā biṃbabiṃbādharoṣṭhī sugrīvāḍhyā kucabharanatā girijā snigdhakeśī|| madhye kṣāmā pṛthukaṭitaṭā hemaraṃbhorugaurī pallīyuktā varavalayinī barhibarhāvataṃsā

Dark of hue, slender, sharp-toothed, her lower lip red as the bimba fruit, lovely-throated, bowed beneath the weight of her breasts, glossy-haired, slim at the waist, broad at the hips, fair as golden plantain in her thighs, adorned with forest-flowers, wearing fine bracelets, her ears crowned with peacock feathers — thus was Girija.

Verse 14 (skanda.1.35.14)

पाणौ मृणालसदृशं दधती च चापं पृष्ठे लसत्कृतककेतकिबाणकोशम्॥ सा तं निरीशमलोकयति स्म तत्र संसेविता सुवदना बहुभिः सखीभिः

pāṇau mṛṇālasadṛśaṃ dadhatī ca cāpaṃ pṛṣṭhe lasatkṛtakaketakibāṇakośam|| sā taṃ nirīśamalokayati sma tatra saṃsevitā suvadanā bahubhiḥ sakhībhiḥ

Bearing in her hand a bow slender as a lotus-stalk, and on her back a shining quiver made of ketaki, that lovely-faced one, served by many companions, looked there upon that lordless one.

Verse 15 (skanda.1.35.15)

भृंगीनादेन महता नादयंती जगत्त्रयम्॥ गिरिजा मन्मथं सद्यो जीवयंती पुनःपुनः

bhṛṃgīnādena mahatā nādayaṃtī jagattrayam|| girijā manmathaṃ sadyo jīvayaṃtī punaḥpunaḥ

Filling the three worlds with the loud humming of bees, Girija, again and again, seemed to bring Kama back to life.

Verse 16 (skanda.1.35.16)

सकामना राजहंसा बभूवुस्तत्क्षणादपि॥ द्विरेफा बर्हिणश्चैव सर्वे ते हृच्छयान्विताः॥ ३५ १६ ॥ एकाकी संस्थितो यत्र यमाधिस्थो महेश्वरः॥ दृष्टस्ततस्तया देव्या भृंगीनादेन मोहितः

sakāmanā rājahaṃsā babhūvustatkṣaṇādapi|| dvirephā barhiṇaścaiva sarve te hṛcchayānvitāḥ|| 35 16 || ekākī saṃsthito yatra yamādhistho maheśvaraḥ|| dṛṣṭastatastayā devyā bhṛṃgīnādena mohitaḥ

At that very instant, the royal swans, the bees, and the peacocks were all filled with desire, overcome by passion; there, where Maheshvara sat alone in samadhi, he was seen by that goddess, and, enchanted by the humming of bees,

Verse 17 (skanda.1.35.17)

प्रबद्धो हि महादेवो निरीक्ष्य शबरीं तदा॥ समाधेरुत्थितः सद्यो महेशो मदनान्वितः

prabaddho hi mahādevo nirīkṣya śabarīṃ tadā|| samādherutthitaḥ sadyo maheśo madanānvitaḥ

— Mahadeva, beholding that huntress, became captivated; Mahesha at once rose from his samadhi, overcome by desire.

Verse 18 (skanda.1.35.18)

यावत्करे गृह्यमाणो गिरिजां स समीपगः॥ तावत्तस्य पुरः सद्यस्तिरोधानं गता सती

yāvatkare gṛhyamāṇo girijāṃ sa samīpagaḥ|| tāvattasya puraḥ sadyastirodhānaṃ gatā satī

As he drew near, wishing to take Girija by the hand, that very moment the faithful goddess vanished from before him.

Verse 19 (skanda.1.35.19)

तद्दृष्ट्वा तत्क्षणादेव देवो भ्रांतिविनाशनः॥ भ्रममाणस्तदा शंभुर्नापश्यदसितेक्षणाम्

taddṛṣṭvā tatkṣaṇādeva devo bhrāṃtivināśanaḥ|| bhramamāṇastadā śaṃbhurnāpaśyadasitekṣaṇām

Seeing this, that very moment, the god who dispels all delusion, Shambhu, though himself now bewildered, could no longer see that dark-eyed one.

Verse 20 (skanda.1.35.20)

विरहेण समायुक्तो हृच्छयेन समन्वितः॥ मदनारिस्तदा शंभुर्ज्ञानरूपो निरंतरम्

viraheṇa samāyukto hṛcchayena samanvitaḥ|| madanāristadā śaṃbhurjñānarūpo niraṃtaram

Overcome with the pain of separation, joined now with love's own passion, Shambhu, the foe of Madana, yet ever of the very nature of knowledge —

Verse 21 (skanda.1.35.21)

निर्मोहो मोहमापन्नो ददर्श गिरिजां पुनः॥ उवाच वाक्यं शबरीं प्रस्ताव सदृशं महत्

nirmoho mohamāpanno dadarśa girijāṃ punaḥ|| uvāca vākyaṃ śabarīṃ prastāva sadṛśaṃ mahat

— though free of delusion, fell into delusion; he beheld Girija once more, and spoke to that huntress a great word fitting the occasion:

Verse 22 (skanda.1.35.22)

॥शिव उवाच॥ वाक्यं मे श्रृणु तन्वंगि श्रुत्वा तत्कर्तुमर्हसि॥ कासि कस्यासि तन्वंगि किमर्थमटनं वने॥ तत्कथ्यतां महाभागे याथातथ्यं सुमध्यमे

||śiva uvāca|| vākyaṃ me śrṛṇu tanvaṃgi śrutvā tatkartumarhasi|| kāsi kasyāsi tanvaṃgi kimarthamaṭanaṃ vane|| tatkathyatāṃ mahābhāge yāthātathyaṃ sumadhyame

Shiva said: 'Listen to my words, O slender one, and having heard them, act accordingly. Who are you, whose are you, O slender one, and for what reason do you wander in this forest? Tell me this truly, O blessed one, O slender-waisted one.'

Verse 23 (skanda.1.35.23)

॥शिवोवाच॥ पतिमन्वेषयिष्यामि सर्वज्ञं सकलार्थदम्॥ स्वतंत्रं निर्विकारं च जगतामीश्वरं वरम्

||śivovāca|| patimanveṣayiṣyāmi sarvajñaṃ sakalārthadam|| svataṃtraṃ nirvikāraṃ ca jagatāmīśvaraṃ varam

Shiva's own consort, disguised, said: 'I am searching for a husband, all-knowing, giver of every good, independent, unchanging, the supreme lord of the worlds.'

Verse 24 (skanda.1.35.24)

इत्युक्तः प्रत्युवाचेदं गिरिजां वृषभध्वजः॥ अहं तवोचितो भद्रे पतिर्नान्यो हि भामिनि

ityuktaḥ pratyuvācedaṃ girijāṃ vṛṣabhadhvajaḥ|| ahaṃ tavocito bhadre patirnānyo hi bhāmini

Thus addressed, the bull-bannered lord replied to Girija: 'I am the fitting husband for you, O auspicious one; there is no other, O lady.'

Verse 25 (skanda.1.35.25)

विमृश्यतां वरारोहे तत्त्वतो हि वरानने॥ वचो निशम्य रुद्रस्य स्मितपूर्वमभाषत

vimṛśyatāṃ varārohe tattvato hi varānane|| vaco niśamya rudrasya smitapūrvamabhāṣata

'Reflect upon this truly, O lovely-hipped one, O lovely-faced one.' Hearing Rudra's words, she spoke, first smiling:

Verse 26 (skanda.1.35.26)

मयार्थितो महाभाग पतिस्त्वं नान्यथा वद॥ किं तु वक्ष्यामि भद्रं ते निर्गुणोऽसि परंतपः

mayārthito mahābhāga patistvaṃ nānyathā vada|| kiṃ tu vakṣyāmi bhadraṃ te nirguṇo'si paraṃtapaḥ

'O blessed one, if I ask you, you say you are my husband and nothing else; but let me tell you, may all good be yours, O scorcher of foes — you are without qualities.'

Verse 27 (skanda.1.35.27)

यया पुरा वृतोऽसि त्वं तपसा च परेण हि॥ परित्यक्ता त्वयारण्ये क्षणमात्रेण भामिनी

yayā purā vṛto'si tvaṃ tapasā ca pareṇa hi|| parityaktā tvayāraṇye kṣaṇamātreṇa bhāminī

'She by whom you were long ago obtained through the highest austerity — that lady you have abandoned in the forest in a mere instant.'

Verse 28 (skanda.1.35.28)

दुराराध्योऽसि सततं सर्वेषां प्राणिनामपि॥ तस्मान्न वाच्यं हि पुनर्यदुक्तं ते ममाग्रतः

durārādhyo'si satataṃ sarveṣāṃ prāṇināmapi|| tasmānna vācyaṃ hi punaryaduktaṃ te mamāgrataḥ

'You are ever most hard to please, even for all beings; therefore what you have just said before me should not be repeated again.'

Verse 29 (skanda.1.35.29)

शबर्या वचनं श्रुत्वा प्रत्युवाच वृषध्वजः॥ मैवं वद विशालाक्षि न त्यक्ता सा तपस्विनी॥ यदि त्यक्ता मया तन्वि किं वक्तुमिह पार्यते

śabaryā vacanaṃ śrutvā pratyuvāca vṛṣadhvajaḥ|| maivaṃ vada viśālākṣi na tyaktā sā tapasvinī|| yadi tyaktā mayā tanvi kiṃ vaktumiha pāryate

Hearing the huntress's words, the bull-bannered lord replied: 'Do not say so, O wide-eyed one; that ascetic lady has not been abandoned. If, O slender one, she had indeed been abandoned by me, what more could be said here?'

Verse 30 (skanda.1.35.30)

एवं ज्ञात्वा विशालाक्षि कृपणं कृपणप्रियम्॥ तस्मात्त्वया हि कर्तव्यं वचनं मे सुमध्यमे

evaṃ jñātvā viśālākṣi kṛpaṇaṃ kṛpaṇapriyam|| tasmāttvayā hi kartavyaṃ vacanaṃ me sumadhyame

'Knowing this, O wide-eyed one, that I am wretched, and dear to the wretched — therefore, O slender-waisted one, my word must be heeded by you.'

Verse 31 (skanda.1.35.31)

एवमभ्यर्थिता तेन बहुधा शूलपाणिना॥ प्रहस्य गिरिजा प्राह उपहासपरं वच

evamabhyarthitā tena bahudhā śūlapāṇinā|| prahasya girijā prāha upahāsaparaṃ vaca

Thus entreated in many ways by the trident-bearer, Girija, laughing, spoke a word full of teasing:

Verse 32 (skanda.1.35.32)

तपोधनोऽसि योगीश विरक्तोऽसि निरंजनः॥ आत्मारामो हि निर्द्वंद्वो मदनो येन घातितः

tapodhano'si yogīśa virakto'si niraṃjanaḥ|| ātmārāmo hi nirdvaṃdvo madano yena ghātitaḥ

'You are rich in austerity, O lord of yogis; you are dispassionate and stainless; you delight in the Self alone, beyond all pairs of opposites, you by whom Kama himself was slain.'

Verse 33 (skanda.1.35.33)

स त्वं साक्षाद्विरूपाक्षो मया दृष्टोसि चाद्य वै॥ अशक्यो हि मया प्राप्तुं सर्वेषां दुरतिक्रमः॥ तस्मात्त्वया न वक्तव्यं यदुक्तं च पुरा मम

sa tvaṃ sākṣādvirūpākṣo mayā dṛṣṭosi cādya vai|| aśakyo hi mayā prāptuṃ sarveṣāṃ duratikramaḥ|| tasmāttvayā na vaktavyaṃ yaduktaṃ ca purā mama

'Yet you, that very Virupaksha, have this day been seen by me as you truly are; you, unattainable even by all, impossible to approach — therefore what you have said before to me should not be repeated.'

Verse 34 (skanda.1.35.34)

तस्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा प्रोवाच मदनांतकः॥ मम भार्या भव त्वं हि नान्यथा कर्तुमर्हसि

tasyāstadvacanaṃ śrutvā provāca madanāṃtakaḥ|| mama bhāryā bhava tvaṃ hi nānyathā kartumarhasi

Hearing her words, the destroyer of Madana said: 'You must become my wife — you should do nothing else.'

Verse 35 (skanda.1.35.35)

इत्युक्त्वा तां करेऽगृह्णाच्छबरीं मदनातुरः॥ उवाच तं स्मयंती सा मुंचमुंचेति सादरम्

ityuktvā tāṃ kare'gṛhṇācchabarīṃ madanāturaḥ|| uvāca taṃ smayaṃtī sā muṃcamuṃceti sādaram

Having spoken thus, tormented by desire, he took hold of the huntress's hand; smiling, she said to him respectfully, 'Release me, release me!'

Verse 36 (skanda.1.35.36)

नोचितं भगवान्कर्तुं तापसेन बलादिदम्॥ याचयस्व पितुर्मे त्वं नान्यथाभिभविष्यसि

nocitaṃ bhagavānkartuṃ tāpasena balādidam|| yācayasva piturme tvaṃ nānyathābhibhaviṣyasi

'It is not fitting, O blessed one, that an ascetic should do this by force; ask my father for my hand — do not overstep in any other way.'

Verse 37 (skanda.1.35.37)

॥महादेव उवाच॥ पितरं कथयाशु त्वं स्थितः कुत्र शुभानने॥ द्रक्ष्यामि तं विशालाक्षि प्रणिपातपुरःसरम्

||mahādeva uvāca|| pitaraṃ kathayāśu tvaṃ sthitaḥ kutra śubhānane|| drakṣyāmi taṃ viśālākṣi praṇipātapuraḥsaram

Mahadeva said: 'Tell me quickly, O auspicious one, where your father dwells; I shall go, O wide-eyed one, with due reverence, to see him.'

Verse 38 (skanda.1.35.38)

एतदुक्तं तदा तेन निशम्यासितनेत्रया॥ आनीतो हि तया तन्व्या पितरं वृषभध्वजः

etaduktaṃ tadā tena niśamyāsitanetrayā|| ānīto hi tayā tanvyā pitaraṃ vṛṣabhadhvajaḥ

Hearing this said by him, that dark-eyed lady then led the bull-bannered lord to her father.

Verse 39 (skanda.1.35.39)

स्थितं कैलासशिखरे हिमवंतं नगोत्तमम्॥ अहिभिर्बहुभिश्चैव संवृतं च महाप्रभम्

sthitaṃ kailāsaśikhare himavaṃtaṃ nagottamam|| ahibhirbahubhiścaiva saṃvṛtaṃ ca mahāprabham

— to Himavan, that foremost of mountains, standing upon the peak of Kailasa, surrounded by many serpents, of great splendour.

Verse 40 (skanda.1.35.40)

द्वारि स्थितं तया देव्या दर्शितं शंकरस्य च॥ असौ मम पिता देव याचस्व विगतत्रपः॥ ददाति मां न संदेहस्तपस्विन्मा विलंबितम्

dvāri sthitaṃ tayā devyā darśitaṃ śaṃkarasya ca|| asau mama pitā deva yācasva vigatatrapaḥ|| dadāti māṃ na saṃdehastapasvinmā vilaṃbitam

Standing at the gate, that goddess showed him to Shankara: 'This is my father, O lord — ask him without shame; he will surely give me to you, O ascetic, do not delay.'

Verse 41 (skanda.1.35.41)

तथेति मत्वा सहसा प्रणम्य हिमालयं वाक्यमिदं बभाषे॥ प्रयच्छ तां चाद्य गिरीशवर्य ह्यार्ताय कन्यां सुभगां महामते

tatheti matvā sahasā praṇamya himālayaṃ vākyamidaṃ babhāṣe|| prayaccha tāṃ cādya girīśavarya hyārtāya kanyāṃ subhagāṃ mahāmate

Thinking 'so be it,' he at once bowed to Himalaya and spoke these words: 'O foremost of mountains, give now this fortunate daughter to me, distressed as I am, O wise one.'

Verse 42 (skanda.1.35.42)

कृपणं वाक्यमाकर्ण्य समुत्थाय हिमालयः॥ महेशं च समादाय ह्युवाच गिरिराट् स्वयम्

kṛpaṇaṃ vākyamākarṇya samutthāya himālayaḥ|| maheśaṃ ca samādāya hyuvāca girirāṭ svayam

Hearing that piteous plea, Himalaya rose up; and taking hold of Mahesha, the king of mountains himself spoke:

Verse 43 (skanda.1.35.43)

किं जल्पसि हि भो देव तावयुक्तं च सांप्रतम्॥ त्वं दाता त्रिषु लोकेषु त्वं स्वामी जगतां विभो

kiṃ jalpasi hi bho deva tāvayuktaṃ ca sāṃpratam|| tvaṃ dātā triṣu lokeṣu tvaṃ svāmī jagatāṃ vibho

'What is this you say, O god — how unfitting for you to speak so now! You are the giver in all three worlds, you are the lord of the universe.'

Verse 44 (skanda.1.35.44)

त्वया ततमिदं विश्वं जगदेतच्चराचरम्॥ एवं स्तुतिपरोऽभूच्च हिमालयागिरिर्महान्॥ आगतो नारदस्तत्र ऋषिभिः परिवारितः

tvayā tatamidaṃ viśvaṃ jagadetaccarācaram|| evaṃ stutiparo'bhūcca himālayāgirirmahān|| āgato nāradastatra ṛṣibhiḥ parivāritaḥ

'By you this entire universe, this whole moving and unmoving world, is pervaded.' Thus the great mountain Himalaya remained devoted to praising him; and there Narada arrived, surrounded by sages.

Verse 45 (skanda.1.35.45)

उवाच प्रहसन्वाक्यं शूलपाणे नमः प्रभो॥ हे शंभो श्रृणु मे वाक्यं तत्त्वसारमयं परम्

uvāca prahasanvākyaṃ śūlapāṇe namaḥ prabho|| he śaṃbho śrṛṇu me vākyaṃ tattvasāramayaṃ param

He spoke, smiling: 'Salutation to you, O trident-bearer, O lord; O Shambhu, hear my word, filled with the very essence of highest truth.'

Verse 46 (skanda.1.35.46)

योषिद्भिः संगति पुंसां विडंबायोपकल्पते॥ त्वं स्वामी जगतां नाथः पराणां परमः परः॥ विमृश्य सर्वं देवेश यथावद्वक्तुमर्हसि

yoṣidbhiḥ saṃgati puṃsāṃ viḍaṃbāyopakalpate|| tvaṃ svāmī jagatāṃ nāthaḥ parāṇāṃ paramaḥ paraḥ|| vimṛśya sarvaṃ deveśa yathāvadvaktumarhasi

'The company of women becomes, for men, a source of derision; you are the lord and master of the worlds, the supreme of the supreme. Reflecting upon everything, O lord of gods, you ought to speak accordingly.'

Verse 47 (skanda.1.35.47)

एवं प्रबोधितस्तेन नारदेन महात्मना॥ प्रबोधमगमच्छंभुर्जहास परमेश्वरः

evaṃ prabodhitastena nāradena mahātmanā|| prabodhamagamacchaṃbhurjahāsa parameśvaraḥ

Thus awakened by that great-souled Narada, Shambhu came to his senses, and the supreme lord laughed.

Verse 48 (skanda.1.35.48)

॥शिव उवाच॥ सत्यमुक्तं त्वया चात्र नान्यथा नारदक्वचित्॥ योषित्संगतिमात्रेण नृणां पतनमेव च

||śiva uvāca|| satyamuktaṃ tvayā cātra nānyathā nāradakvacit|| yoṣitsaṃgatimātreṇa nṛṇāṃ patanameva ca

Shiva said: 'You have spoken the truth here, Narada, and nothing otherwise, ever; by the mere company of women alone comes the downfall of men.'

Verse 49 (skanda.1.35.49)

भविष्यति न संदेहो नान्यथा वचनं तव॥ अनया मोहितोऽद्याहमानीतो गंधमादनम्

bhaviṣyati na saṃdeho nānyathā vacanaṃ tava|| anayā mohito'dyāhamānīto gaṃdhamādanam

'This shall surely come to pass — your word cannot be otherwise; deluded by her, I have today been brought here to Gandhamadana.'

Verse 50 (skanda.1.35.50)

पिशाचवत्कृतमिदं चरितं परमाद्भुतम्

piśācavatkṛtamidaṃ caritaṃ paramādbhutam

'Like a mere ghoul, I have acted in this most wondrous manner.'

Verse 51 (skanda.1.35.51)

तस्मान्न तिष्ठामि गिरेः समीपे व्रजामि चाद्यैव वनांतरं पुनः॥ इत्येवमुक्त्वा स जगाम मार्गं दुरत्ययं योगेनामप्यगम्यम्

tasmānna tiṣṭhāmi gireḥ samīpe vrajāmi cādyaiva vanāṃtaraṃ punaḥ|| ityevamuktvā sa jagāma mārgaṃ duratyayaṃ yogenāmapyagamyam

'Therefore I shall not remain near this mountain; this very day I shall go again into the depths of the forest.' Having spoken thus, he set off upon a path so difficult that even through yoga it could hardly be reached.

Verse 52 (skanda.1.35.52)

निरालंबं स विज्ञाय नारदो वाक्यमब्रवीत्॥ गिरिजां च गिरींद्रं च पार्षदान्प्रति सत्वरम्

nirālaṃbaṃ sa vijñāya nārado vākyamabravīt|| girijāṃ ca girīṃdraṃ ca pārṣadānprati satvaram

Recognising that Shiva had no support left, Narada quickly spoke these words to Girija, to the king of mountains, and to the attendants:

Verse 53 (skanda.1.35.53)

वंदनीयश्च स्तुत्यश्च क्षाम्यतां परमार्थतः॥ महेशोऽयं जगन्नाथस्त्रिपुरारिर्महायशाः

vaṃdanīyaśca stutyaśca kṣāmyatāṃ paramārthataḥ|| maheśo'yaṃ jagannāthastripurārirmahāyaśāḥ

'He is worthy of veneration and worthy of praise; let him be forgiven, in truth. This is Mahesha, lord of the universe, foe of Tripura, of great renown.'

Verse 54 (skanda.1.35.54)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु वचनं नारदस्य मुखोद्गतम्॥ गिरिजां पुरतः कृत्वा गिरयो हि महाप्रभाः

etacchrutvā tu vacanaṃ nāradasya mukhodgatam|| girijāṃ purataḥ kṛtvā girayo hi mahāprabhāḥ

Hearing this word that issued from Narada's mouth, the mountains, of great splendour, placing Girija before them,

Verse 55 (skanda.1.35.55)

दण्डवत्पतिताः सर्वे शंकरं लोकशंकरम्॥ तुष्टुवुः प्रणताः सर्वे प्रमथा गुह्यकादयः

daṇḍavatpatitāḥ sarve śaṃkaraṃ lokaśaṃkaram|| tuṣṭuvuḥ praṇatāḥ sarve pramathā guhyakādayaḥ

— all fell like rods to the ground before Shankara, the benefactor of all the worlds; all the pramathas, guhyakas and the rest bowed reverently and praised him.

Verse 56 (skanda.1.35.56)

स्तूयमानो हि भगवानागतो गंधमादनम्॥ अंगिरसा हि सर्वेशो ह्यभिषिक्तो महात्मभिः

stūyamāno hi bhagavānāgato gaṃdhamādanam|| aṃgirasā hi sarveśo hyabhiṣikto mahātmabhiḥ

Thus praised, the blessed lord came to Gandhamadana; and there, the lord of all, was anointed by Angiras (Brihaspati), together with the great souls.

Verse 57 (skanda.1.35.57)

तदा दुन्दुभयो नेदुर्वादित्राणि बहूनि च॥ इन्द्रादयः सुराः सर्वे पुष्पवर्षं ववर्षिरे

tadā dundubhayo nedurvāditrāṇi bahūni ca|| indrādayaḥ surāḥ sarve puṣpavarṣaṃ vavarṣire

Then dundubhis resounded, and many other instruments too; and Indra and all the gods rained down a shower of flowers.

Verse 58 (skanda.1.35.58)

ब्रह्मादिभिः सुरगणैर्बहुभिः परीतो योगीश्वरो गिरिजया सह विश्ववंद्यः॥ अभ्यर्थितः परममंगल मंगलैश्च दिव्यासनोपरि रराज महाविभूत्या

brahmādibhiḥ suragaṇairbahubhiḥ parīto yogīśvaro girijayā saha viśvavaṃdyaḥ|| abhyarthitaḥ paramamaṃgala maṃgalaiśca divyāsanopari rarāja mahāvibhūtyā

Surrounded by Brahma and the many hosts of gods, that lord of yogis, together with Girija, worshipped by the whole universe, entreated with the most auspicious of blessings, shone forth upon his divine seat in great splendour.

Verse 59 (skanda.1.35.59)

एवंविधान्यनेकानि चरितानि महात्मनः॥ महेशस्य च भो विप्राः पापहारीणि श्रृण्वताम्

evaṃvidhānyanekāni caritāni mahātmanaḥ|| maheśasya ca bho viprāḥ pāpahārīṇi śrṛṇvatām

Such are many of the great deeds of that great-souled Mahesha, O brahmins — hear them now, destroyers of sin as they are, for those who listen.

Verse 60 (skanda.1.35.60)

यानियानीह रुद्रस्य चरितानि महांत्यपि॥ श्रुतानि परमाण्येव भूयः किं कथयामि वः

yāniyānīha rudrasya caritāni mahāṃtyapi|| śrutāni paramāṇyeva bhūyaḥ kiṃ kathayāmi vaḥ

Whatever great deeds of Rudra there are here, the highest of them have now been told; what more shall I say to you?

Verse 61 (skanda.1.35.61)

॥ऋषय ऊचुः॥ एव मुक्तं त्वया सूत चरितं शंकरस्य च॥ अनेन चरितेनैव संतृप्ताः स्मो न संशयः

||ṛṣaya ūcuḥ|| eva muktaṃ tvayā sūta caritaṃ śaṃkarasya ca|| anena caritenaiva saṃtṛptāḥ smo na saṃśayaḥ

The sages said: 'You have thus related, O Suta, the deeds of Shankara; by this very account alone we have become fully satisfied — of this there is no doubt.'

Verse 62 (skanda.1.35.62)

॥सूत उवाच॥ व्यासप्रसादाच्छ्रुतमस्ति सर्वं मया ततं शंकररूपमद्भुतम्॥ सुविस्तृतं चाद्भुतवेदगर्भं ज्ञानात्मकं परमं चेदमुक्तम्

||sūta uvāca|| vyāsaprasādācchrutamasti sarvaṃ mayā tataṃ śaṃkararūpamadbhutam|| suvistṛtaṃ cādbhutavedagarbhaṃ jñānātmakaṃ paramaṃ cedamuktam

Suta said: 'By Vyasa's grace, I have heard and set forth all this wondrous account of Shankara's own nature; this most vast and marvellous account, born of the Veda's very womb, of the nature of knowledge itself and supreme, has thus been spoken.'

Verse 63 (skanda.1.35.63)

श्रद्धया परयोपेताः श्रावयंति शिवप्रियम्॥ श्रृण्वंति चैव ये भक्त्या शंभेर्माहात्म्यमद्भुतम्॥ शिवशास्त्रमिदं प्रीत्या ते यांति मरमां गतिम्

śraddhayā parayopetāḥ śrāvayaṃti śivapriyam|| śrṛṇvaṃti caiva ye bhaktyā śaṃbhermāhātmyamadbhutam|| śivaśāstramidaṃ prītyā te yāṃti maramāṃ gatim

Those endowed with the highest faith who recite this account dear to Shiva, and those who, with devotion, listen to this wondrous greatness of Shambhu — they, reciting this Shaiva scripture with love, attain the supreme destination.

Verse 64 (skanda.1.35.64)

॥ इति श्रीस्कान्दमहापुराणे प्रथमे माहेश्वरखण्डे प्रथमः केदारखण्डः समाप्तः

|| iti śrīskāndamahāpurāṇe prathame māheśvarakhaṇḍe prathamaḥ kedārakhaṇḍaḥ samāptaḥ

Thus concludes the first Kedara Khanda within the Maheshvara Khanda, the first section of the glorious Skanda Mahapurana.