The Rescue of the Five Apsaras

Verse 1 (skanda.1.36.1)

॥श्रीमुनय ऊचुः॥ दक्षिणार्णवतीरेषु यानि तीर्थानि पंच च॥ तानि ब्रूहि विशालाक्ष वर्णयंत्यति तानि च

śrīmunaya ūcuḥ dakṣiṇārṇavatīreṣu yāni tīrthāni paṁca ca tāni brūhi viśālākṣa varṇayaṁtyati tāni ca

The noble sages said: "On the shores of the southern ocean there are five sacred tirthas — tell us of them, O wide-eyed one, and describe them fully."

Verse 2 (skanda.1.36.2)

सर्वतीर्थफलं येषु नारदाद्य वदंति च॥ तेषां चरितमाहात्म्यं श्रोतुमिच्छामहे वयम्

sarvatīrthaphalaṁ yeṣu nāradādya vadaṁti ca teṣāṁ caritamāhātmyaṁ śrotumicchāmahe vayam

"Those tirthas in which Narada and other sages say the fruit of every pilgrimage place resides — we wish to hear their sacred story and greatness."

Verse 3 (skanda.1.36.3)

॥उग्रश्रवा उवाच॥ श्रृणुध्वचत्यद्भुतपुण्यसत्कथं कुमारनाथस्य महाप्रभावम्॥ द्वैपायनो यन्मम चाह पूर्वं हर्षाबुरोमोद्गमचर्चितांगः

ugraśravā uvāca śrṛṇudhvacatyadbhutapuṇyasatkathaṁ kumāranāthasya mahāprabhāvam dvaipāyano yanmama cāha pūrvaṁ harṣāburomodgamacarcitāṁgaḥ

Ugrashrava said: "Listen to this wondrous and most sacred tale of the great glory of Lord Kumara, which Dvaipayana Vyasa himself once told me, his body thrilling with rising joy."

Verse 4 (skanda.1.36.4)

कुमारगीता गाथात्र श्रूयतां मुनिसत्तमाः॥ या सर्वदेवैर्मुनिभिः पितृभिश्च प्रपूजिता

kumāragītā gāthātra śrūyatāṁ munisattamāḥ yā sarvadevairmunibhiḥ pitṛbhiśca prapūjitā

"Listen here, O foremost of sages, to the song of Kumara, which is honored by all the gods, the sages, and the ancestors."

Verse 5 (skanda.1.36.5)

मध्वाचारस्तं भतीर्थं यो निषेवेत मानवः॥ नियतं तस्य वासः स्याद्ब्रह्मलोके यथा मम

madhvācārastaṁ bhatīrthaṁ yo niṣeveta mānavaḥ niyataṁ tasya vāsaḥ syādbrahmaloke yathā mama

"Whoever, with a sweet and reverent heart, resorts to that tirtha shall surely dwell in Brahmaloka, even as I do."

Verse 6 (skanda.1.36.6)

ब्रह्मलोकाद्विष्णुलोकस्तस्मादपि शिवस्य च॥ पुत्राप्रियत्वात्तस्यापि गुहलोको महत्तमः

brahmalokādviṣṇulokastasmādapi śivasya ca putrāpriyatvāttasyāpi guhaloko mahattamaḥ

"From Brahmaloka one rises to Vishnuloka, and higher still to the world of Shiva; yet because of a father's love for his son, greater than all is the world of Guha, Skanda."

Verse 7 (skanda.1.36.7)

अत्राश्चर्यकथा या च फाल्गुनस्य पुरेरिता॥ नारदेन मुनिश्रेष्ठास्तां वो वक्ष्यामि विस्तरात्

atrāścaryakathā yā ca phālgunasya pureritā nāradena muniśreṣṭhāstāṁ vo vakṣyāmi vistarāt

"Here is a wondrous tale that Narada once told to Phalguna, Arjuna. O best of sages, I shall now relate it to you all in full."

Verse 8 (skanda.1.36.8)

पुरा निमित्ते कस्मिंश्चित्करीटी मणिकूटतः॥ समुद्रे दक्षिणेऽभ्यागात्स्नातुं तीर्थानि पंच च

purā nimitte kasmiṁścitkarīṭī maṇikūṭataḥ samudre dakṣiṇe'bhyāgātsnātuṁ tīrthāni paṁca ca

"Long ago, on a certain occasion, Kiriti, Arjuna, came from Manikuta to the southern ocean to bathe at its five tirthas."

Verse 9 (skanda.1.36.9)

वर्जयंति सदा यानि भयात्तीर्थानि तापसाः॥ कुमारेशस्य पूर्वं च तीर्थमस्ति मुनेः प्रियम्

varjayaṁti sadā yāni bhayāttīrthāni tāpasāḥ kumāreśasya pūrvaṁ ca tīrthamasti muneḥ priyam

"Those which ascetics always shun out of fear — of these, the first is the tirtha dear to the sage Kumaresha."

Verse 10 (skanda.1.36.10)

स्तंभेशस्य द्वितीयं च सौभद्रस्य मुनेः प्रियम्॥ बर्करेश्वरमन्यच्च पौलोमीप्रियमुत्तमम्

staṁbheśasya dvitīyaṁ ca saubhadrasya muneḥ priyam barkareśvaramanyacca paulomīpriyamuttamam

"The second is Stambhesha's, dear to the sage Saubhadra; another, the finest, is Barkareshvara, dear to Paulomi."

Verse 11 (skanda.1.36.11)

चतुर्थं च महाकालं करंधम नृपप्रिययम्॥ भरद्वाजस्य तीर्थं च सिद्धेशाख्यं हि पंचमम्

caturthaṁ ca mahākālaṁ karaṁdhama nṛpapriyayam bharadvājasya tīrthaṁ ca siddheśākhyaṁ hi paṁcamam

"The fourth is Mahakala, dear to King Karandhama, and the fifth is Bharadvaja's tirtha, known as Siddhesha."

Verse 12 (skanda.1.36.12)

एतानि पंच तीर्थानि ददर्श कुरुपुंगवः॥ तपस्विभिर्वर्जितानि महापुण्यानि तानि च

etāni paṁca tīrthāni dadarśa kurupuṁgavaḥ tapasvibhirvarjitāni mahāpuṇyāni tāni ca

"These five tirthas the bull among the Kurus beheld — most sacred places, yet all shunned by ascetics."

Verse 13 (skanda.1.36.13)

दृष्ट्वा पार्श्वे नारदीयानपृच्छत महामुनीन्॥ तीर्थानीमानि रम्याणि प्रभावाद्भुतवंति च

dṛṣṭvā pārśve nāradīyānapṛcchata mahāmunīn tīrthānīmāni ramyāṇi prabhāvādbhutavaṁti ca

Seeing them, he asked the great sages of Narada's lineage who stood nearby.

Verse 14 (skanda.1.36.14)

किमर्थं ब्रूत वर्ज्यंते सदैव ब्रह्मवादिभिः॥ ॥तापसा ऊचुः॥ ग्राहः पंच वसंत्येषु हरंति च तपोधनान्

kimarthaṁ brūta varjyaṁte sadaiva brahmavādibhiḥ tāpasā ūcuḥ grāhaḥ paṁca vasaṁtyeṣu haraṁti ca tapodhanān

He asked: "Why are these lovely tirthas of such wondrous power always shunned by those versed in Brahman?" The ascetics said: "Crocodiles dwell in these five and seize those rich in austerity."

Verse 15 (skanda.1.36.15)

अत एतानि वर्ज्यंते तीर्थानि कुरुनंदन॥ इति श्रुत्वा महाबाहुर्गमनाय मनो दधे

ata etāni varjyaṁte tīrthāni kurunaṁdana iti śrutvā mahābāhurgamanāya mano dadhe

"For this reason, O joy of the Kurus, these tirthas are shunned." Hearing this, the mighty-armed one resolved to go there all the same.

Verse 16 (skanda.1.36.16)

ततस्तं तापसाः प्रोचुत्हंतुं नार्हसि फाल्गुन॥ बहवो भक्षिता ग्राहै राजानो मुनयस्तथा

tatastaṁ tāpasāḥ procuthaṁtuṁ nārhasi phālguna bahavo bhakṣitā grāhai rājāno munayastathā

Then the ascetics said to him: "You must not go to your death, O Phalguna! Many kings and sages have already been devoured by the crocodiles there."

Verse 17 (skanda.1.36.17)

तत्त्व द्वारशवर्षाणि तीर्थानामर्बुदेष्वपि॥ स्नातः किमेतैस्तीर्थैस्ते मा पतंगव्रतो भव

tattva dvāraśavarṣāṇi tīrthānāmarbudeṣvapi snātaḥ kimetaistīrthaiste mā pataṁgavrato bhava

"You have already bathed twelve years at countless tirthas — what need have you of these? Do not become one bent on death, like a moth drawn to a flame."

Verse 18 (skanda.1.36.18)

॥अर्जुन उवाच॥ यदुक्तं करुणासारैः सारं किं तदिहोच्यताम्॥ धर्मार्थी मनुजो यश्च न स वार्यो महात्मभिः

arjuna uvāca yaduktaṁ karuṇāsāraiḥ sāraṁ kiṁ tadihocyatām dharmārthī manujo yaśca na sa vāryo mahātmabhiḥ

Arjuna said: "Let the essence of what you say out of compassion now be told — but a man devoted to dharma should never be forbidden by the noble-souled."

Verse 19 (skanda.1.36.19)

धर्मकामं हि मनुजं यो वारयति मंदधीः॥ तदाश्रितस्य जगतो निःश्वासैर्भस्मसाद्भवेत्

dharmakāmaṁ hi manujaṁ yo vārayati maṁdadhīḥ tadāśritasya jagato niḥśvāsairbhasmasādbhavet

"The dull-minded one who obstructs a man who seeks dharma — by the sighs of the world that depends upon that seeker, the obstructer himself is burnt to ashes."

Verse 20 (skanda.1.36.20)

यज्जीवितं चाचिरांशुसमानक्षणभंगुरम्॥ तच्चेद्धर्मकृते याति यातु दोषोऽस्ति को ननु

yajjīvitaṁ cācirāṁśusamānakṣaṇabhaṁguram tacceddharmakṛte yāti yātu doṣo'sti ko nanu

"This life, fleeting as a flash of lightning — if it is given up for the sake of dharma, what fault indeed could there be in that?"

Verse 21 (skanda.1.36.21)

जीवितं च धनं दाराः पुत्राः क्षेत्रगृहाणि च॥ यान्ति येषआं धर्मकृते त एव भुवि मानवाः

jīvitaṁ ca dhanaṁ dārāḥ putrāḥ kṣetragṛhāṇi ca yānti yeṣaāṁ dharmakṛte ta eva bhuvi mānavāḥ

"Life, wealth, wife, children, fields and home — those men on this earth for whom all these are given for dharma, they alone are truly men."

Verse 22 (skanda.1.36.22)

॥तापसा ऊचुः॥ एवं ते ब्रुवतः पार्थ दीर्घमायुः प्रवर्धताम्॥ सदा धर्मे रतिर्भूयाद्याहि स्वं कुरु वांछितम्

tāpasā ūcuḥ evaṁ te bruvataḥ pārtha dīrghamāyuḥ pravardhatām sadā dharme ratirbhūyādyāhi svaṁ kuru vāṁchitam

The ascetics said: "O Partha, speaking thus, may your life be long! May your devotion to dharma ever increase — go now and do as you wish."

Verse 23 (skanda.1.36.23)

एवमुक्तः प्रणम्यैतानाशीर्भिरभिसंस्तुतः॥ जगाम तानि तीर्थानि द्रष्टुं भरतसत्तमः

evamuktaḥ praṇamyaitānāśīrbhirabhisaṁstutaḥ jagāma tāni tīrthāni draṣṭuṁ bharatasattamaḥ

Thus addressed, he bowed to them, and blessed with their benedictions, that best of the Bharatas set out to see those tirthas.

Verse 24 (skanda.1.36.24)

ततः सौभद्रमासाद्य महर्षेस्तीर्थुमुत्तमम्॥ विगाह्य तरसा वीरः स्नानं चक्रे परंतपः

tataḥ saubhadramāsādya maharṣestīrthumuttamam vigāhya tarasā vīraḥ snānaṁ cakre paraṁtapaḥ

Then, reaching the excellent tirtha of the great sage Saubhadra, that hero, the scorcher of foes, plunged in swiftly and bathed.

Verse 25 (skanda.1.36.25)

अथ तं पुरुषव्याघ्रमंतर्जलचरो महान्॥ निजग्राह जले ग्राहः कुंतीपुत्रं धनंजयम्

atha taṁ puruṣavyāghramaṁtarjalacaro mahān nijagrāha jale grāhaḥ kuṁtīputraṁ dhanaṁjayam

Then a great creature dwelling within the waters seized that tiger among men, Kunti's son Dhananjaya, in the water.

Verse 26 (skanda.1.36.26)

तमादायैव कौतेयो विस्फुरंतं जलेचरम्॥ उदतिष्ठन्महाबाहुर्बलेन बलिनां वरः

tamādāyaiva kauteyo visphuraṁtaṁ jalecaram udatiṣṭhanmahābāhurbalena balināṁ varaḥ

Seizing that thrashing creature at once, mighty-armed Kaunteya, greatest in strength among the strong, rose up from the water.

Verse 27 (skanda.1.36.27)

उद्धृतश्चैव तु ग्राहः सोऽर्जुनेन यशस्विना॥ बभूव नारी कल्याणी सर्वाभरणभूषिता

uddhṛtaścaiva tu grāhaḥ so'rjunena yaśasvinā babhūva nārī kalyāṇī sarvābharaṇabhūṣitā

And when that crocodile was drawn out by glorious Arjuna, it became an auspicious woman, adorned with every ornament.

Verse 28 (skanda.1.36.28)

दीप्यमानशिखा विप्रा दिव्यरूपा मनोरमा॥ तदद्भुतं महद्दृष्ट्वा कुंतीपुत्रो धनंजयः

dīpyamānaśikhā viprā divyarūpā manoramā tadadbhutaṁ mahaddṛṣṭvā kuṁtīputro dhanaṁjayaḥ

Radiant with a blazing crest of light, of divine and enchanting form — beholding this great wonder, Kunti's son Dhananjaya...

Verse 29 (skanda.1.36.29)

तां स्त्रियं परमप्रीत इदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥ का वै त्वमसि कल्याणि कुतो वा जलचारिणी

tāṁ striyaṁ paramaprīta idaṁ vacanamabravīt kā vai tvamasi kalyāṇi kuto vā jalacāriṇī

...greatly delighted with that woman, spoke these words: "Who indeed are you, auspicious one, and from where have you come, moving through the waters?"

Verse 30 (skanda.1.36.30)

किमर्थं च महात्पापमिदं कृतवती ह्यसि॥ ॥नार्युवाच॥ अप्सरा ह्यस्मि कौतेय देवारण्यनिवासिनी

kimarthaṁ ca mahātpāpamidaṁ kṛtavatī hyasi nāryuvāca apsarā hyasmi kauteya devāraṇyanivāsinī

"Why have you committed so great a sin?" The woman said: "I am an Apsara, O Kaunteya, a dweller of the celestial forest."

Verse 31 (skanda.1.36.31)

इष्टा धनपतेर्नित्यं वर्चानाम महाबल॥ मम सख्यश्चतस्रोऽन्याः सर्वाः कामगमाः शुभाः

iṣṭā dhanapaternityaṁ varcānāma mahābala mama sakhyaścatasro'nyāḥ sarvāḥ kāmagamāḥ śubhāḥ

"I am ever beloved of the Lord of Wealth, O mighty one; my name is Varcha. I have four other companions, all lovely, who roam wherever they please."

Verse 32 (skanda.1.36.32)

ताभिः सार्धं प्रयातास्मि देवराजनिवेशनात्॥ ततः पश्यामहे सर्वा ब्राह्मणं चानिकेतनम्

tābhiḥ sārdhaṁ prayātāsmi devarājaniveśanāt tataḥ paśyāmahe sarvā brāhmaṇaṁ cāniketanam

"Together with them I set out from the abode of the king of the gods; and then we beheld a homeless Brahmin."

Verse 33 (skanda.1.36.33)

रूपवंतमधीयानमेकमेकांतचारिणम्॥ तस्य वै तपसा वीर तद्वनं तेजसावृतम्

rūpavaṁtamadhīyānamekamekāṁtacāriṇam tasya vai tapasā vīra tadvanaṁ tejasāvṛtam

"Handsome, absorbed in study, wandering alone in solitude — O hero, his forest was wholly wrapped in the radiance of his austerity."

Verse 34 (skanda.1.36.34)

आदित्य इव तं देशं कृत्स्नमेवान्व भासयत्॥ तस्य दृष्ट्वा तपस्तादृग्रूपं चाद्भुतदर्शनम्

āditya iva taṁ deśaṁ kṛtsnamevānva bhāsayat tasya dṛṣṭvā tapastādṛgrūpaṁ cādbhutadarśanam

"Like the sun, he illumined that entire region. Beholding such austerity and so wondrous a form...

Verse 35 (skanda.1.36.35)

अवतीर्णास्ति तं देशं तपोविघ्नचिकीर्षया॥ अहं च सौरभेयी च सामेयी बुद्बुदालता

avatīrṇāsti taṁ deśaṁ tapovighnacikīrṣayā ahaṁ ca saurabheyī ca sāmeyī budbudālatā

"...we descended into that region, wishing to break his austerity — I, and Saurabheyi, Sameyi, and Budbudalata.

Verse 36 (skanda.1.36.36)

यौगपद्येन तं विप्रमभ्यगच्छाम भारत॥ गायंत्यो ललमानाश्च लोभयंत्यश्च तं द्विजम्

yaugapadyena taṁ vipramabhyagacchāma bhārata gāyaṁtyo lalamānāśca lobhayaṁtyaśca taṁ dvijam

"Together, O Bharata, we approached that Brahmin, singing and playing, seeking to tempt that twice-born one.

Verse 37 (skanda.1.36.37)

स च नास्मासु कृतवान्मनोवीरः कथंचन॥ नाकंपत महातेजाः स्थितस्तपसि निर्मले

sa ca nāsmāsu kṛtavānmanovīraḥ kathaṁcana nākaṁpata mahātejāḥ sthitastapasi nirmale

"But he, the hero of great splendor, was in no way drawn towards us; unshaken, he remained fixed in his pure austerity.

Verse 38 (skanda.1.36.38)

सोऽशपत्कुपितोऽस्मासु ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियर्षभ॥ ग्राहभूता जले यूयं भविष्यथ शतं समाः

so'śapatkupito'smāsu brāhmaṇaḥ kṣatriyarṣabha grāhabhūtā jale yūyaṁ bhaviṣyatha śataṁ samāḥ

"That Brahmin, angered at us, O bull among Kshatriyas, cursed us: 'You shall become crocodiles in the water for a hundred years.'

Verse 39 (skanda.1.36.39)

ततो वयं प्रव्यथिताः सर्वा भरतसत्तम॥ आयाताः शरणं विप्रं तपोधनमकल्मषम्

tato vayaṁ pravyathitāḥ sarvā bharatasattama āyātāḥ śaraṇaṁ vipraṁ tapodhanamakalmaṣam

"Then, O best of the Bharatas, greatly distressed, we all came for refuge to that sinless Brahmin rich in austerity.

Verse 40 (skanda.1.36.40)

रूपेण वयसा चैव कंदर्पेण च दर्पिताः॥ अयुक्तं कृतवत्यः स्म क्षंतुमर्हसि नो द्विज

rūpeṇa vayasā caiva kaṁdarpeṇa ca darpitāḥ ayuktaṁ kṛtavatyaḥ sma kṣaṁtumarhasi no dvija

"Proud of our beauty, youth, and the power of desire, we did an improper deed — O twice-born, you should forgive us.

Verse 41 (skanda.1.36.41)

एष एव वधोऽस्माकं स पर्याप्तस्तपोधन॥ यद्वयं शंसितात्मानं प्रलोब्धुं त्वामुपागताः

eṣa eva vadho'smākaṁ sa paryāptastapodhana yadvayaṁ śaṁsitātmānaṁ pralobdhuṁ tvāmupāgatāḥ

"This alone, O rich in austerity, shall be punishment enough for us — that we dared to tempt one so self-controlled as you.

Verse 42 (skanda.1.36.42)

अवध्याश्च स्त्रियः सृष्टा मन्यंते धर्मचिंतकाः॥ तस्माद्धर्मेण धर्मज्ञ एष वादो मनीषिणाम्

avadhyāśca striyaḥ sṛṣṭā manyaṁte dharmaciṁtakāḥ tasmāddharmeṇa dharmajña eṣa vādo manīṣiṇām

"Women are held to be inviolable — so say those who reflect upon dharma; this, O knower of dharma, is the teaching of the wise.

Verse 43 (skanda.1.36.43)

शरणं च प्रपन्नानां शिष्टाः कुर्वंति पालनम्॥ शरण्यं त्वां प्रपन्नाः स्मस्तस्मात्त्वं क्षंतुमर्हसि

śaraṇaṁ ca prapannānāṁ śiṣṭāḥ kurvaṁti pālanam śaraṇyaṁ tvāṁ prapannāḥ smastasmāttvaṁ kṣaṁtumarhasi

"The virtuous grant protection to those who take refuge; O worthy of shelter, we have taken refuge in you, and so you should forgive us."

Verse 44 (skanda.1.36.44)

एवमुक्तस्तु धर्मात्मा ब्राह्मणः शुभकर्मकृत्॥ प्रसादं कृतवाञ्छूररविसोमसमप्रभः

evamuktastu dharmātmā brāhmaṇaḥ śubhakarmakṛt prasādaṁ kṛtavāñchūraravisomasamaprabhaḥ

Thus addressed, that righteous Brahmin of pure deeds, radiant as the sun and the moon together, was moved to grace.

Verse 45 (skanda.1.36.45)

॥ब्राह्मण उवाच॥ भवतीनां चरित्रेण परिमुह्यामि चेतसि॥ अहो धार्ष्ट्यमहो मोहो यत्पापाय प्रवर्तनम्

brāhmaṇa uvāca bhavatīnāṁ caritreṇa parimuhyāmi cetasi aho dhārṣṭyamaho moho yatpāpāya pravartanam

The Brahmin said: "By your conduct my mind is utterly bewildered. Ah, what boldness, what delusion it is, that leads one into sin!"

Verse 46 (skanda.1.36.46)

मस्त कस्थायिनं मृत्युं यदि पश्येदयं जनः॥ आहारोऽपि न रोचेत किमुताकार्यकारिता

masta kasthāyinaṁ mṛtyuṁ yadi paśyedayaṁ janaḥ āhāro'pi na roceta kimutākāryakāritā

"If a person could see death standing always above his own head, even food would give him no pleasure — how then could he do what should not be done?"

Verse 47 (skanda.1.36.47)

आहो मानुष्यकं जन्म सर्वजन्मसु दुर्लभम्॥ तृणवत्क्रियते कैश्चिद्योषिन्मूढैर्दुराधरैः

āho mānuṣyakaṁ janma sarvajanmasu durlabham tṛṇavatkriyate kaiścidyoṣinmūḍhairdurādharaiḥ

"Ah, this human birth, so hard to attain among all births, is treated like a mere blade of grass by some foolish and reckless women."

Verse 48 (skanda.1.36.48)

तान्वयं समपृच्छामो जनिर्वः किंनिमित्ततः॥ को वा लाभो विचार्यैतन्मनासा सह प्रोच्यताम्

tānvayaṁ samapṛcchāmo janirvaḥ kiṁnimittataḥ ko vā lābho vicāryaitanmanāsā saha procyatām

"We ask you this: for what purpose were you born? Having reflected on it, what benefit would you say your minds have gained?"

Verse 49 (skanda.1.36.49)

न चैताः परिनिन्दामो जनिर्यार्भ्यः प्रवर्तते॥ केवलं तान्विनिंदामो ये च तासु निरर्गलाः

na caitāḥ parinindāmo janiryārbhyaḥ pravartate kevalaṁ tānviniṁdāmo ye ca tāsu nirargalāḥ

"We do not condemn the birth from which such women come; we condemn only those among them who are without restraint.

Verse 50 (skanda.1.36.50)

यतः पद्मभुवा सृष्टं मिथुनं विश्ववृद्धये॥ तत्तथा परिपाल्यं वै नात्र दोषोऽस्ति कश्चन

yataḥ padmabhuvā sṛṣṭaṁ mithunaṁ viśvavṛddhaye tattathā paripālyaṁ vai nātra doṣo'sti kaścana

"For the pair that the Lotus-born Brahma created for the increase of the world should be honored as such; in this there is no fault at all.

Verse 51 (skanda.1.36.51)

या बांधवैः प्रदत्ता स्याद्वह्निद्विजसमागमे॥ गार्हस्थ्यपालनं धन्यं तया साकं हि सर्वदम्

yā bāṁdhavaiḥ pradattā syādvahnidvijasamāgame gārhasthyapālanaṁ dhanyaṁ tayā sākaṁ hi sarvadam

"She who is given by her kinsmen before fire and Brahmins — the keeping of household life together with her is blessed and grants all things.

Verse 52 (skanda.1.36.52)

यथाप्रकृति पुंयोमो यत्नेनापि परस्परम्॥ साध्यामानो गुणाय स्यादगुणायाप्यसाधितः

yathāprakṛti puṁyomo yatnenāpi parasparam sādhyāmāno guṇāya syādaguṇāyāpyasādhitaḥ

"As is fitting to nature, a bond diligently cultivated between the two becomes a virtue; left unattended, it becomes a fault.

Verse 53 (skanda.1.36.53)

एवं यत्नात्साध्यमानं स्वकं गार्हस्थ्यमुत्तमम्॥ गुणाय महते भूयादगुणायाप्यसाधितम्

evaṁ yatnātsādhyamānaṁ svakaṁ gārhasthyamuttamam guṇāya mahate bhūyādaguṇāyāpyasādhitam

"So too, one's own excellent household life, when diligently maintained, may become a great virtue — and if neglected, a great fault.

Verse 54 (skanda.1.36.54)

पुरे पंचमुखे द्वाःस्थ एकादशभटैर्युतः॥ साकं नार्या बह्वपत्यः स कथं स्यादचेतनः

pure paṁcamukhe dvāḥstha ekādaśabhaṭairyutaḥ sākaṁ nāryā bahvapatyaḥ sa kathaṁ syādacetanaḥ

"In the city of five gates, guarded by a doorkeeper accompanied by eleven warriors — how could the man who dwells there with wife and many children be called senseless?

Verse 55 (skanda.1.36.55)

यश्चस्त्रिया समायोगः पंचयज्ञादिकर्मभिः॥ विश्वोपकृतये सृष्टा मूढैर्हा साध्यतेऽन्यथा

yaścastriyā samāyogaḥ paṁcayajñādikarmabhiḥ viśvopakṛtaye sṛṣṭā mūḍhairhā sādhyate'nyathā

"Union with a woman, together with the five great sacrifices and other rites, was ordained for the good of the world — how could fools accomplish it otherwise?

Verse 56 (skanda.1.36.56)

अहो श्रृणुध्वं नो चेद्वः शुश्रूषा जायते शुभा॥ तथापि बाहुमुद्धृत्य रोरूयामः श्रृणोति कः

aho śrṛṇudhvaṁ no cedvaḥ śuśrūṣā jāyate śubhā tathāpi bāhumuddhṛtya rorūyāmaḥ śrṛṇoti kaḥ

"Ah, listen to us! And if you will not, may an auspicious wish to listen still arise in you — yet though we raise our arms and cry out, who truly listens?

Verse 57 (skanda.1.36.57)

षड्धातुसारं तद्वीर्यं समानं परिहाय च॥ विनिक्षेपे कुयोनौ तु तस्येदं प्रोक्तवान्यमः

ṣaḍdhātusāraṁ tadvīryaṁ samānaṁ parihāya ca vinikṣepe kuyonau tu tasyedaṁ proktavānyamaḥ

"Of that seed, the essence of the six bodily elements, cast into an unworthy womb in place of its rightful union, Yama himself has spoken thus:

Verse 58 (skanda.1.36.58)

प्रथमं चौषधीद्रोग्धा आत्मद्रोग्धा ततः पुनः॥ पितृद्रोग्धा विश्वद्रोग्धा यात्यंधं शाश्वतीः समाः

prathamaṁ cauṣadhīdrogdhā ātmadrogdhā tataḥ punaḥ pitṛdrogdhā viśvadrogdhā yātyaṁdhaṁ śāśvatīḥ samāḥ

"First he becomes a betrayer of the healing herbs, then a betrayer of his own self, then a betrayer of the ancestors and of the world — and he goes to blind darkness for endless years.

Verse 59 (skanda.1.36.59)

मनुष्यं पितरो देवा मुनयो मानवास्तथा॥ भृतानि चोपजीवंति तदर्थं नियतो भवेत्

manuṣyaṁ pitaro devā munayo mānavāstathā bhṛtāni copajīvaṁti tadarthaṁ niyato bhavet

"Ancestors, gods, sages, and other men live sustained by human offspring — for this reason one should remain disciplined.

Verse 60 (skanda.1.36.60)

वचसा मनसा चैव जिह्वया करश्रोत्रकैः॥ दांतमाहुर्हि सत्तीर्थं काकतीर्थमतः परम्

vacasā manasā caiva jihvayā karaśrotrakaiḥ dāṁtamāhurhi sattīrthaṁ kākatīrthamataḥ param

"Restraint practiced through speech, mind, tongue, hand, and ear is called the truest tirtha; beyond this lies only the crow's tirtha, a hollow pretense.

Verse 61 (skanda.1.36.61)

काकप्राये नरे यस्मिन्रमंते तामसा जनाः॥ हंसोऽयमिति देवानां कोऽर्थस्तेन विचिंत्यताम्

kākaprāye nare yasminramaṁte tāmasā janāḥ haṁso'yamiti devānāṁ ko'rthastena viciṁtyatām

"In a man dark of nature as a crow, dark-natured people take delight and call him a swan — what purpose is thereby served for the gods? Let this be considered.

Verse 62 (skanda.1.36.62)

एवंविधं हि विश्वस्य निर्माणं स्मरतोहृदि॥ अपि कृते त्रिलोक्याश्च कथं पापे रमेन्मनः

evaṁvidhaṁ hi viśvasya nirmāṇaṁ smaratohṛdi api kṛte trilokyāśca kathaṁ pāpe ramenmanaḥ

"Bearing in the heart the memory of such a creation of the universe, made even for the sake of the three worlds — how could the mind still delight in sin?

Verse 63 (skanda.1.36.63)

तदिदं चान्यमर्त्यानां शास्त्रदृष्टमहो स्त्रियः॥ यमलोके मया दृष्टं मुह्ये प्रत्यक्षतः कथम्

tadidaṁ cānyamartyānāṁ śāstradṛṣṭamaho striyaḥ yamaloke mayā dṛṣṭaṁ muhye pratyakṣataḥ katham

"This is what the scriptures have shown regarding other mortal women; but what I myself have seen with my own eyes in Yama's realm — by that, how could I still be deluded?

Verse 64 (skanda.1.36.64)

भवतीषु च कः कोपो ये यदर्थे हि निर्मिताः॥ ते तमर्थं प्रकुर्वंति सत्यमस्तुभमेव च

bhavatīṣu ca kaḥ kopo ye yadarthe hi nirmitāḥ te tamarthaṁ prakurvaṁti satyamastubhameva ca

"What anger could there be against you, who only fulfill the very purpose for which you were made? May that truth be for your own good as well.

Verse 65 (skanda.1.36.65)

शतं सहस्रं विश्वं च सर्वमक्षय वाचकम्॥ परिमाणं शतं त्वेव नैतदक्षय्यवाचकम्

śataṁ sahasraṁ viśvaṁ ca sarvamakṣaya vācakam parimāṇaṁ śataṁ tveva naitadakṣayyavācakam

"'Hundred,' 'thousand,' and 'the universe' — all these words may point to the boundless; but this measure of 'a hundred' years alone does not mean without end.

Verse 66 (skanda.1.36.66)

यदा च वो ग्राहभूता गृह्णतीः पुरुषाञ्जले॥ उत्कर्षति जलात्कश्चित्स्थले पुरुषसत्तमः

yadā ca vo grāhabhūtā gṛhṇatīḥ puruṣāñjale utkarṣati jalātkaścitsthale puruṣasattamaḥ

"When you, become crocodiles, seize men in the water, and some excellent man draws you out from the water onto dry land...

Verse 67 (skanda.1.36.67)

तदा यूयं पुनः सर्वाः स्वं रूपं प्रतिपत्स्यथ॥ अनृतं नोक्तपूर्वं मे हसतापि कदाचन॥ कल्याणस्य सुपृक्तस्य शुद्धिस्तद्वद्वरा हि वः

tadā yūyaṁ punaḥ sarvāḥ svaṁ rūpaṁ pratipatsyatha anṛtaṁ noktapūrvaṁ me hasatāpi kadācana kalyāṇasya supṛktasya śuddhistadvadvarā hi vaḥ

"...then all of you shall regain your true form again. Never have I spoken falsely, even in jest — the purity of one who is truly pure and blessed shall be excellent for you as well.

Verse 68 (skanda.1.36.68)

॥नार्युवाच॥ ततोभिवाद्य तं विप्रं कृत्वा चैव प्रदक्षिणम्

nāryuvāca tatobhivādya taṁ vipraṁ kṛtvā caiva pradakṣiṇam

The woman said: "Then, having bowed to that Brahmin and circled him in reverence...

Verse 69 (skanda.1.36.69)

अचिंतयामापसृत्य तस्माद्देशात्सुदुःखिताः॥ क्व नु नाम वयं सर्वाः कालेनाल्पेन तं नरम्

aciṁtayāmāpasṛtya tasmāddeśātsuduḥkhitāḥ kva nu nāma vayaṁ sarvāḥ kālenālpena taṁ naram

"...departing from that place, greatly sorrowful, we began to wonder: where, in so short a time, shall we all...

Verse 70 (skanda.1.36.70)

समागच्छेम यो नः स्वं रूपमापादयेत्पुनः॥ ता वयं चिंतयित्वेह मुहूर्तादिव भारत

samāgacchema yo naḥ svaṁ rūpamāpādayetpunaḥ tā vayaṁ ciṁtayitveha muhūrtādiva bhārata

"...meet with that man who might restore to us our true form once more? Thinking thus, O Bharata, within a single moment...

Verse 71 (skanda.1.36.71)

दृष्टवत्यो महाभागं देवर्षिमथ नारदम्॥ सर्वा दृष्टाः स्म तं दृष्ट्वा देवर्षिममितद्युतिम्

dṛṣṭavatyo mahābhāgaṁ devarṣimatha nāradam sarvā dṛṣṭāḥ sma taṁ dṛṣṭvā devarṣimamitadyutim

"...we beheld the greatly blessed celestial sage Narada. Seeing that sage of measureless splendor, all of us...

Verse 72 (skanda.1.36.72)

अभिवाद्य च तं पार्थ स्थिताः स्मो व्यथिताननाः॥ स नोऽपृच्छद्दृःखमूलमुक्तवत्यो वयं च तम्

abhivādya ca taṁ pārtha sthitāḥ smo vyathitānanāḥ sa no'pṛcchaddṛḥkhamūlamuktavatyo vayaṁ ca tam

"...O Partha, bowed to him and stood there with troubled faces. He asked us the cause of our sorrow, and we told him all.

Verse 73 (skanda.1.36.73)

श्रुत्वा तच्च यथातत्त्वमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥ दक्षिणे सागरेऽनूपे पंच तीर्थानि संतिवै

śrutvā tacca yathātattvamidaṁ vacanamabravīt dakṣiṇe sāgare'nūpe paṁca tīrthāni saṁtivai

"Hearing it exactly as it was, he spoke these words: 'In a bay of the southern ocean there are five tirthas.'

Verse 74 (skanda.1.36.74)

पुण्यानि रमणीयानि तानि गच्छत मा चिरम्॥ तत्रस्थाः पुरुषव्याघ्रः पांडवो वो धनंजयः

puṇyāni ramaṇīyāni tāni gacchata mā ciram tatrasthāḥ puruṣavyāghraḥ pāṁḍavo vo dhanaṁjayaḥ

"'Sacred and delightful — go there without delay. There, that tiger among men, the pure-souled Pandava Dhananjaya...'

Verse 75 (skanda.1.36.75)

मोक्षयिष्यति शुद्धात्मा दुःखा दस्मान्न संशयः॥ तस्य सर्वा वयं वीर श्रुत्वा वाक्यमिहागताः

mokṣayiṣyati śuddhātmā duḥkhā dasmānna saṁśayaḥ tasya sarvā vayaṁ vīra śrutvā vākyamihāgatāḥ

"'...will surely deliver you from your sorrow — there is no doubt.' O hero, hearing his word we all came here.

Verse 76 (skanda.1.36.76)

त्वमिदं सत्यवचनं कर्तुमर्हसि पांडव॥ त्वद्विधानां हि साधूनां जन्म दीनोपकारकम्

tvamidaṁ satyavacanaṁ kartumarhasi pāṁḍava tvadvidhānāṁ hi sādhūnāṁ janma dīnopakārakam

"You should make his word come true, O Pandava; for the birth of the virtuous like you is indeed for the sake of helping the distressed."

Verse 77 (skanda.1.36.77)

श्रुत्वेति वचनं तस्याः सस्नौ तीर्थेष्वनुक्रमात्॥ ग्राहभूताश्चोज्जहार यथापूर्वाः स पांडवः

śrutveti vacanaṁ tasyāḥ sasnau tīrtheṣvanukramāt grāhabhūtāścojjahāra yathāpūrvāḥ sa pāṁḍavaḥ

Hearing her words, he bathed in those tirthas one by one, and drew out, as before, all those who had become crocodiles.

Verse 78 (skanda.1.36.78)

ततः प्रणम्य ता वीरं प्रोच्यमाना जयाशिषः॥ गंतुं कृताभिलाषाश्च प्राह पार्थो धनंजयः

tataḥ praṇamya tā vīraṁ procyamānā jayāśiṣaḥ gaṁtuṁ kṛtābhilāṣāśca prāha pārtho dhanaṁjayaḥ

Then, bowing to that hero and being blessed with words of victory, wishing now to depart, Partha Dhananjaya spoke.

Verse 79 (skanda.1.36.79)

एष मे हृदि संदेहः सुदृढः परिवर्तते॥ कस्माद्वोनारदमुनिरनुजज्ञे प्रवासितुम्

eṣa me hṛdi saṁdehaḥ sudṛḍhaḥ parivartate kasmādvonāradamuniranujajñe pravāsitum

"This firm doubt turns ever in my heart: for what reason did the sage Narada allow himself to remain exiled from these tirthas?

Verse 80 (skanda.1.36.80)

सर्वः कोऽप्यतिहीनोऽपि स्वपूज्यस्यार्थसाधकः॥ स्वपूज्यतीर्थेष्वावासं प्रोक्तवान्नारदः कथम्

sarvaḥ ko'pyatihīno'pi svapūjyasyārthasādhakaḥ svapūjyatīrtheṣvāvāsaṁ proktavānnāradaḥ katham

"Everyone, even the humblest, works to serve the one he reveres — how then did Narada permit these women to dwell within tirthas he himself holds sacred?

Verse 81 (skanda.1.36.81)

तथैव नवदुर्गासु सतीष्वतिबलासु च॥ सिद्धेशे सिद्धगणपे चापि वोऽत्र स्थितिः कथम्

tathaiva navadurgāsu satīṣvatibalāsu ca siddheśe siddhagaṇape cāpi vo'tra sthitiḥ katham

"So too, among the nine Durgas, chaste and mighty as they are, and at Siddhesha among the Siddha hosts — how did your dwelling here come to be?

Verse 82 (skanda.1.36.82)

एकैक एषां शक्तो हि अपि देवान्निवारितुम्॥ तीर्थसंरोधकारिण्यः सर्वा नावारयत्कथम्

ekaika eṣāṁ śakto hi api devānnivāritum tīrthasaṁrodhakāriṇyaḥ sarvā nāvārayatkatham

"Each one of these is capable even of restraining the gods — why then did they not restrain you, who barred the tirthas themselves?

Verse 83 (skanda.1.36.83)

इति चिंतयते मह्यं भृशं दोलायते मनः॥ महन्मे कौतुकं जातं सत्यं वा वक्तुमर्हथ

iti ciṁtayate mahyaṁ bhṛśaṁ dolāyate manaḥ mahanme kautukaṁ jātaṁ satyaṁ vā vaktumarhatha

"Thinking thus, my mind wavers greatly; a great curiosity has arisen in me — you should tell me the truth."

Verse 84 (skanda.1.36.84)

॥अप्सरस ऊचुः॥ योग्यं पृच्छसि कौन्तेय पुनः पश्योत्तरां दिशम्

apsarasa ūcuḥ yogyaṁ pṛcchasi kaunteya punaḥ paśyottarāṁ diśam

The Apsaras said: "A fitting question you ask, O Kaunteya — now look once more towards the northern direction."