The Birth of the River Mahi

Verse 1 (skanda.1.42.1)

॥ अर्जुन उवाच॥ महीसागरमाहात्म्यमद्भुतं कीर्तितं त्वया॥ विस्मयः परमो मह्यं प्रहर्षश्चोपजायते

arjuna uvāca mahīsāgaramāhātmyamadbhutaṁ kīrtitaṁ tvayā vismayaḥ paramo mahyaṁ praharṣaścopajāyate

Arjuna said: "Wondrous is the greatness of the Mahi-sagara that you have proclaimed to me; supreme astonishment and delight have arisen in me.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.42.2)

तदहं विस्तराच्छ्रोतुमिदमिच्छामि नारद॥ कस्य यज्ञे मही ग्लाना वह्नितापाभितापिता

tadahaṁ vistarācchrotumidamicchāmi nārada kasya yajñe mahī glānā vahnitāpābhitāpitā

"Therefore, O Narada, I wish to hear this in full detail — at whose sacrifice did the earth grow weary and scorched by the heat of fire?"

Verse 3 (skanda.1.42.3)

॥नारद उवाच॥ महादाख्यानमाख्यास्ये यथा जाता महीनदी॥ श्रृण्वन्नेतां कथां पुण्यां पुण्यमाप्स्यसि पांडव

nārada uvāca mahādākhyānamākhyāsye yathā jātā mahīnadī śrṛṇvannetāṁ kathāṁ puṇyāṁ puṇyamāpsyasi pāṁḍava

Narada said: "I shall tell the great tale of how the river Mahi came to be; hearing this sacred story, O Pandava, you shall gain merit.

Verse 4 (skanda.1.42.4)

पुराभूद्भूपतिर्भूमाविन्द्रद्युम्न इति श्रुतः॥ वदान्यः सर्वधर्मज्ञो मान्यो मानयिता प्रभुः

purābhūdbhūpatirbhūmāvindradyumna iti śrutaḥ vadānyaḥ sarvadharmajño mānyo mānayitā prabhuḥ

"Long ago there lived on this earth a king named Indradyumna — generous, knower of all dharma, honorable, one who honored others, mighty,

Verse 5 (skanda.1.42.5)

उचितज्ञो विवेकस्य निवासो गुणसागरः॥ न तदस्ति धरापृष्ठे नगरं ग्रामपत्तनम्

ucitajño vivekasya nivāso guṇasāgaraḥ na tadasti dharāpṛṣṭhe nagaraṁ grāmapattanam

"knower of what is fitting, an abode of discernment, an ocean of virtues. There was no city, village, or town upon the face of the earth

Verse 6 (skanda.1.42.6)

तदीयपूर्तधर्मस्य चिह्नेन न यदंकितम्॥ कन्यादानानि बहुधा ब्राह्मेण विधिना व्यधात्

tadīyapūrtadharmasya cihnena na yadaṁkitam kanyādānāni bahudhā brāhmeṇa vidhinā vyadhāt

"that was not marked by the sign of his charitable works. He gave many maidens in marriage according to the Brahma rite,

Verse 7 (skanda.1.42.7)

भूपालोऽसौ ददौ दानमासहस्राद्धनार्थिनाम्॥ दशमीदिवसे रात्रौ गजपृष्ठेन दुन्दुभिः

bhūpālo'sau dadau dānamāsahasrāddhanārthinām daśamīdivase rātrau gajapṛṣṭhena dundubhiḥ

"and that king gave gifts to a thousand seekers of wealth. On the tenth day, at night, mounted upon an elephant's back, the great drum...

Verse 8 (skanda.1.42.8)

ताड्यते तत्पुरे प्रातः कार्यमेकादशीव्रतम्॥ यज्वना तेन भूपेन विच्छिन्नं सोमपायिनाम्

tāḍyate tatpure prātaḥ kāryamekādaśīvratam yajvanā tena bhūpena vicchinnaṁ somapāyinām

"...was sounded through his city, and in the morning the vow of Ekadashi was kept. Because of that sacrificing king, the flow of Soma-drinkers was never once broken.

Verse 9 (skanda.1.42.9)

स्वरणैरास्तृता दर्भैर्द्व्यंगुलोत्सेधिता मही॥ गंगायां सिकता धारा वर्षतो दिवि तारकाः

svaraṇairāstṛtā darbhairdvyaṁgulotsedhitā mahī gaṁgāyāṁ sikatā dhārā varṣato divi tārakāḥ

"The earth lay covered two fingers deep in the kusha grass strewn from his sacrifices. The grains of sand in the Ganga, and the stars raining from the sky —

Verse 10 (skanda.1.42.10)

शक्या गणयितुं प्राज्ञैस्तदीयं सुकृतं न तु॥ ईदृशैः सुकृतैरेष तेनैव वपुषा नृपः

śakyā gaṇayituṁ prājñaistadīyaṁ sukṛtaṁ na tu īdṛśaiḥ sukṛtaireṣa tenaiva vapuṣā nṛpaḥ

"these the wise might perhaps count, but never his merit. By such merit, that king, in that very body,

Verse 11 (skanda.1.42.11)

धाम प्रजापतेः प्राप्तो विमानेन कुरूद्वह॥ बुभुजे स तदा भोगान्दुर्लभानमरैरपि

dhāma prajāpateḥ prāpto vimānena kurūdvaha bubhuje sa tadā bhogāndurlabhānamarairapi

"attained, by celestial chariot, the abode of Prajapati, O joy of the Kurus. He then enjoyed pleasures rare even for the immortals.

Verse 12 (skanda.1.42.12)

अथ कल्पशतस्यांते व्यतीते तं महीपतिम्॥ प्राह प्रजापतिः सेवावसरायातमात्मनः

atha kalpaśatasyāṁte vyatīte taṁ mahīpatim prāha prajāpatiḥ sevāvasarāyātamātmanaḥ

"Then, at the passing of a hundred kalpas, Prajapati spoke to that king, who had come to attend upon him —

Verse 13 (skanda.1.42.13)

॥ब्रह्मोवाच॥ इंद्रद्युम्न द्रुतं गच्छ धरापृष्ठं नृपोत्तम॥ न स्तातव्यं मदीयेद्य लोके क्षणमपि त्वया

brahmovāca iṁdradyumna drutaṁ gaccha dharāpṛṣṭhaṁ nṛpottama na stātavyaṁ madīyedya loke kṣaṇamapi tvayā

Brahma said: "Indradyumna, go swiftly down to the surface of the earth, O best of kings; today you must not remain in my world even a moment longer."

Verse 14 (skanda.1.42.14)

॥इंद्रद्युम्न उवाच॥ कस्माद्ब्रह्मन्नितो भूमौ मां प्रेषयसि सम्प्रति॥ सति पुण्ये मदीये तु बहुले वद कारणम्

iṁdradyumna uvāca kasmādbrahmannito bhūmau māṁ preṣayasi samprati sati puṇye madīye tu bahule vada kāraṇam

Indradyumna said: "For what reason, O Brahman, do you send me down to the earth now? My merit is still abundant — tell me the cause."

Verse 15 (skanda.1.42.15)

॥ब्रह्मोवाच॥ न पुण्यं केवलं राजन्गुप्तं स्वर्गस्य साधकम्॥ विना निष्कल्मषां कीर्ति त्रिलोकीतलविस्तृताम्

brahmovāca na puṇyaṁ kevalaṁ rājanguptaṁ svargasya sādhakam vinā niṣkalmaṣāṁ kīrti trilokītalavistṛtām

Brahma said: "Merit alone, O king, kept hidden, cannot by itself secure heaven, without a spotless fame spread across the three worlds.

Verse 16 (skanda.1.42.16)

तव कीर्तिसमुच्छेदः सांप्रतं वसुधातले॥ संजातश्चिरकालेन गत्वा तां कुरु नूतनाम्

tava kīrtisamucchedaḥ sāṁprataṁ vasudhātale saṁjātaścirakālena gatvā tāṁ kuru nūtanām

"With the passing of long ages, your fame has now faded from the surface of the earth; go there and establish it anew,

Verse 17 (skanda.1.42.17)

यदि वांछा महीपाल मम धामनि संस्थितौ

yadi vāṁchā mahīpāla mama dhāmani saṁsthitau

"if, O king, you still wish to remain established here in my abode."

Verse 18 (skanda.1.42.18)

॥इन्द्रद्युम्न उवाच॥ मदीयं सुकृतं ब्रह्मन्कथं भूमौ भवेदिति॥ किं कर्तव्यं मया नैतन्मम चेतसि तिष्ठति

indradyumna uvāca madīyaṁ sukṛtaṁ brahmankathaṁ bhūmau bhavediti kiṁ kartavyaṁ mayā naitanmama cetasi tiṣṭhati

Indradyumna said: "How, O Brahman, might my own merit become manifest on earth? It is not clear to me what I must do."

Verse 19 (skanda.1.42.19)

॥ब्रह्मोवाच॥ बलवानेष भूपाल कालः कलयति स्वयम्

brahmovāca balavāneṣa bhūpāla kālaḥ kalayati svayam

Brahma said: "Time itself, O king, is mighty and reckons all things of its own accord —

Verse 20 (skanda.1.42.20)

ब्रह्मांडान्यपि मां चैव गणना का भवादृशाम्॥ तदेतदेव मन्येऽहं तव भूपाल सांप्रतम्

brahmāṁḍānyapi māṁ caiva gaṇanā kā bhavādṛśām tadetadeva manye'haṁ tava bhūpāla sāṁpratam

"even the reckoning of whole universes, and of me as well — what then is the reckoning of one such as you? Therefore, O king, I now consider this alone fitting for you —

Verse 21 (skanda.1.42.21)

यत्कीर्तिमात्मनो व्यक्तिं नीत्वाभ्येहि पुनर्दिवम्॥ शुश्रुवानिति वाचं स ब्रह्मणः पृथिवीपतिः

yatkīrtimātmano vyaktiṁ nītvābhyehi punardivam śuśruvāniti vācaṁ sa brahmaṇaḥ pṛthivīpatiḥ

"that, having brought your own fame into manifest form, you should come again to heaven." Hearing this word of Brahma, that lord of the earth...

Verse 22 (skanda.1.42.22)

पश्यतिस्म तथात्मानं महीतलमुपागतम्॥ कांपिल्यनगरे भूयः पप्रच्छात्मानमात्मना

paśyatisma tathātmānaṁ mahītalamupāgatam kāṁpilyanagare bhūyaḥ papracchātmānamātmanā

...found himself now arrived upon the surface of the earth, in the city of Kampilya; astonished, he then asked concerning himself —

Verse 23 (skanda.1.42.23)

नगरं स तदा देशमप्राक्षीदिति विस्मितः॥ ॥जना ऊचुः॥ न जानीमो वयं भूपमिंद्रद्युम्नं न तत्पुरम्

nagaraṁ sa tadā deśamaprākṣīditi vismitaḥ janā ūcuḥ na jānīmo vayaṁ bhūpamiṁdradyumnaṁ na tatpuram

he inquired of that city and land about himself. The people said: "We know neither King Indradyumna nor any such city of his;

Verse 24 (skanda.1.42.24)

यत्त्वं पृच्छसि भो भद्र कञ्चित्पृच्छ चिरायुषम्॥ ॥इन्द्रद्युम्न उवाच॥ कः संप्रति धरापृष्ठे चिरायुः प्रथितो जनाः

yattvaṁ pṛcchasi bho bhadra kañcitpṛccha cirāyuṣam indradyumna uvāca kaḥ saṁprati dharāpṛṣṭhe cirāyuḥ prathito janāḥ

"for what you ask, good sir, seek out some man of very long life." Indradyumna said: "Who now upon this earth is renowned for long life,

Verse 25 (skanda.1.42.25)

पृथिवीजयराज्येस्मिन्यत्र प्रबूत मा चिरम्॥ ॥जना ऊचुः॥ श्रूयते नैमिषारण्ये सप्तकल्पस्मरो मुनिः

pṛthivījayarājyesminyatra prabūta mā ciram janā ūcuḥ śrūyate naimiṣāraṇye saptakalpasmaro muniḥ

"in this conquest-driven world — tell me quickly, good people?" They said: "It is said that in the Naimisha forest dwells a sage who remembers seven kalpas,

Verse 26 (skanda.1.42.26)

मार्कंडेय इति ख्यातस्तं गत्वा पृच्छ संशयम्॥ तथोपदिष्टस्तैर्गत्वा तत्र तं मुनिपुंगवम्

mārkaṁḍeya iti khyātastaṁ gatvā pṛccha saṁśayam tathopadiṣṭastairgatvā tatra taṁ munipuṁgavam

"renowned by the name Markandeya; go and ask him your doubt." Thus directed by them, going there to that bull among sages,

Verse 27 (skanda.1.42.27)

निशम्य प्रणिपत्याह नृपः स्वहृदयस्थितम्॥ ॥इंद्रद्युम्न उवाच॥ चिरायुर्भगवान्भूमौ विश्रुतः सांप्रतं ततः

niśamya praṇipatyāha nṛpaḥ svahṛdayasthitam iṁdradyumna uvāca cirāyurbhagavānbhūmau viśrutaḥ sāṁprataṁ tataḥ

the king, having heard and bowed, spoke what lay in his heart. Indradyumna said: "You, sir, are now renowned upon the earth for long life —

Verse 28 (skanda.1.42.28)

पृच्छाम्यहं भवान्वेत्ति इंद्रद्युम्नं नृपं न वा

pṛcchāmyahaṁ bhavānvetti iṁdradyumnaṁ nṛpaṁ na vā

"therefore I ask you — do you know a king named Indradyumna, or not?"

Verse 29 (skanda.1.42.29)

॥श्रीमार्कंडेय उवाच॥ सप्तकल्पान्तरे नाभूत्कोपींद्रद्युम्नसंज्ञितः॥ भूपाल किमहं वच्मि तवान्यत्पृच्छ संशयम्

śrīmārkaṁḍeya uvāca saptakalpāntare nābhūtkopīṁdradyumnasaṁjñitaḥ bhūpāla kimahaṁ vacmi tavānyatpṛccha saṁśayam

Shri Markandeya said: "In all of seven kalpas, no king by the name of Indradyumna ever existed. What more shall I say, O king? Ask me some other doubt."

Verse 30 (skanda.1.42.30)

स निराशस्तदाकर्ण्य वचो भूपोग्निसाधने॥ समुद्योगं तदा चक्रे तं दृष्ट्वाह तदा मुनिः

sa nirāśastadākarṇya vaco bhūpognisādhane samudyogaṁ tadā cakre taṁ dṛṣṭvāha tadā muniḥ

Hearing this word, the king, in despair, then set about preparing a fire to end his own life. Seeing this, the sage said to him —

Verse 31 (skanda.1.42.31)

॥मार्कंडेय उवाच॥ मा साहसमिदं कार्षीर्भद्र वाचं श्रृणुष्व मे॥ एति जीवंतमानंदो नरं वर्षशतादपि

mārkaṁḍeya uvāca mā sāhasamidaṁ kārṣīrbhadra vācaṁ śrṛṇuṣva me eti jīvaṁtamānaṁdo naraṁ varṣaśatādapi

Markandeya said: "Do not commit this rash act, good sir; hear my words. Joy still comes even to a man who lives to be a hundred years old.

Verse 32 (skanda.1.42.32)

तत्करोमि प्रतीकारं तव दुःखोपशांतये॥ श्रृणु भद्र ममास्तीह बको मित्रं चिरंतनः

tatkaromi pratīkāraṁ tava duḥkhopaśāṁtaye śrṛṇu bhadra mamāstīha bako mitraṁ ciraṁtanaḥ

"I shall find a remedy for this, to ease your sorrow. Listen, good sir — I have here an old friend, a heron,

Verse 33 (skanda.1.42.33)

नाडीजंघ इति ख्यातः स त्वा ज्ञास्यत्यसंशयम्॥ तस्मादेहि द्रुतं यावदावां तत्र व्रजावहे

nāḍījaṁgha iti khyātaḥ sa tvā jñāsyatyasaṁśayam tasmādehi drutaṁ yāvadāvāṁ tatra vrajāvahe

"renowned by the name Nadijangha; he shall surely know of you. Come quickly, then, so that we two may go to him together —

Verse 34 (skanda.1.42.34)

परोपकारैकफलं जीवितं हि महात्मनाम्॥ यदि ज्ञास्यत्यसंदिग्धमिंद्रद्युम्नं स वक्ष्यति

paropakāraikaphalaṁ jīvitaṁ hi mahātmanām yadi jñāsyatyasaṁdigdhamiṁdradyumnaṁ sa vakṣyati

"for the life of great souls has helping others as its sole fruit. If he truly knows, he will surely speak of Indradyumna."

Verse 35 (skanda.1.42.35)

तौ प्रस्थिताविति तदा विप्रेंद्रनृपपुंगवौ॥ हिमाचलं प्रति प्रीतौ नाडीजंघालयं प्रति

tau prasthitāviti tadā vipreṁdranṛpapuṁgavau himācalaṁ prati prītau nāḍījaṁghālayaṁ prati

Then those two, lord of Brahmins and best of kings, set out delighted toward the Himalaya, toward Nadijangha's abode.

Verse 36 (skanda.1.42.36)

बकोऽथ मित्रं स्वं वीक्ष्य चिरकालादुपागतम्॥ मार्कंडेयं ययौ प्रीत्युत्कंठितः सम्मुखं द्विजैः

bako'tha mitraṁ svaṁ vīkṣya cirakālādupāgatam mārkaṁḍeyaṁ yayau prītyutkaṁṭhitaḥ sammukhaṁ dvijaiḥ

Then the heron, seeing his friend arrived after so long a time, eager with affection, went out with other Brahmins to receive Markandeya.

Verse 37 (skanda.1.42.37)

कृतसंविदभूत्पूर्वं कुशलस्वागतादिना॥ पप्रच्छानंतरं कार्यं वदागमनकारणम्

kṛtasaṁvidabhūtpūrvaṁ kuśalasvāgatādinā papracchānaṁtaraṁ kāryaṁ vadāgamanakāraṇam

Having first exchanged words of welfare and welcome, he then asked the matter at hand: 'Tell me the reason for your visit.'

Verse 38 (skanda.1.42.38)

मार्कंडेयोथ तं प्राह बकं प्रस्तुतमीप्सितम्॥ इंद्रद्युम्नं भवान्वेत्ति भूपालं पृथिवीतले

mārkaṁḍeyotha taṁ prāha bakaṁ prastutamīpsitam iṁdradyumnaṁ bhavānvetti bhūpālaṁ pṛthivītale

Markandeya then put the desired question to the heron: 'Do you know, upon this earth, a king named Indradyumna?'

Verse 39 (skanda.1.42.39)

एतस्य मम मित्रस्य तेन ज्ञातेन कारणम्॥ नो वायं त्यजति प्राणान्पुरा वह्निप्रवेशनात्

etasya mama mitrasya tena jñātena kāraṇam no vāyaṁ tyajati prāṇānpurā vahnipraveśanāt

"Because of this, my friend here — once this is known, his cause of sorrow will be removed; he will not give up his life by entering fire —

Verse 40 (skanda.1.42.40)

एतस्य प्राणरक्षार्थं ब्रूहि जानासि चेन्नृपम्

etasya prāṇarakṣārthaṁ brūhi jānāsi cennṛpam

"for the sake of saving his life — tell me, if you know this king."

Verse 41 (skanda.1.42.41)

॥नडीजंघ उवाच॥ चतुर्दश स्मराम्यस्मि कल्पान्विप्रेंद्र सांप्रतम्॥ आस्तां तद्दर्शनं वार्तामपि वा न स्मराम्यहम्

naḍījaṁgha uvāca caturdaśa smarāmyasmi kalpānvipreṁdra sāṁpratam āstāṁ taddarśanaṁ vārtāmapi vā na smarāmyaham

Nadijangha said: "I now remember fourteen kalpas, O lord of Brahmins; let alone having seen him, I do not even remember hearing of him.

Verse 42 (skanda.1.42.42)

इंद्रद्युम्नो महीपालः कोऽपि नासीन्महीतले॥ एतावन्मात्रमेवाहं जानामि द्विजपुंगव

iṁdradyumno mahīpālaḥ ko'pi nāsīnmahītale etāvanmātramevāhaṁ jānāmi dvijapuṁgava

"No king named Indradyumna has ever existed on this earth; this alone I know, O bull among the twice-born."

Verse 43 (skanda.1.42.43)

॥नारद उवाच॥ ततः स विस्मयाविष्टस्तस्यायुरिति शुश्रुवान्॥ पप्रच्छ राजा को हेतुर्दानस्य तपसोऽथ वा॥ यदायुरीदृशं दीर्घं संजातमिति विस्मितः

nārada uvāca tataḥ sa vismayāviṣṭastasyāyuriti śuśruvān papraccha rājā ko heturdānasya tapaso'tha vā yadāyurīdṛśaṁ dīrghaṁ saṁjātamiti vismitaḥ

Narada said: "Then, hearing of the heron's lifespan, the astonished king asked: 'What is the cause — was it giving, or was it austerity — by which such a long life came to be?' — so, astonished, he asked.

Verse 44 (skanda.1.42.44)

॥नाडीजंघ उवाच॥ घृतकंबलमाहात्म्यान्मम देवस्य शूलिनः॥ दीर्घमायुरिदं विप्र शापाद्बकवपुः श्रृणु

nāḍījaṁgha uvāca ghṛtakaṁbalamāhātmyānmama devasya śūlinaḥ dīrghamāyuridaṁ vipra śāpādbakavapuḥ śrṛṇu

Nadijangha said: "By the greatness of the ghee-blanket offered to my Lord who bears the trident, this long life came to me, O Brahmin. Now hear the story of how a curse brought me into a heron's body —

Verse 45 (skanda.1.42.45)

पुरा जन्मन्यहं बालो ब्राह्मणस्याभवं भुवि॥ पाराशर्यसगोत्रस्य विश्वरूपस्य सन्मुनेः

purā janmanyahaṁ bālo brāhmaṇasyābhavaṁ bhuvi pārāśaryasagotrasya viśvarūpasya sanmuneḥ

"long ago, in a former birth, I was born a Brahmin's son, son of the excellent sage Vishvarupa, of Parashara's own gotra,

Verse 46 (skanda.1.42.46)

बालको बक इत्येवं प्रतीतोऽतिप्रियः पितुः॥ चपलोऽतीव बालत्वे निसर्गादेव भद्रक

bālako baka ityevaṁ pratīto'tipriyaḥ pituḥ capalo'tīva bālatve nisargādeva bhadraka

"known as the boy Baka, exceedingly dear to my father. Naturally fickle from childhood, good friend,

Verse 47 (skanda.1.42.47)

अथ मारकतं लिंगं देवतावसरात्पितुः॥ चापल्याद्वालभावाच्चापहृत्य निहितं मया

atha mārakataṁ liṁgaṁ devatāvasarātpituḥ cāpalyādvālabhāvāccāpahṛtya nihitaṁ mayā

"once, while my father was engaged in worship, out of childish mischief, I stole the emerald linga and hid it away.

Verse 48 (skanda.1.42.48)

घृतस्य कुंभे संक्रांतौ मकरस्योत्तरायणे॥ अथ प्रातर्व्यतीतायां निशि यावत्पिता मम

ghṛtasya kuṁbhe saṁkrāṁtau makarasyottarāyaṇe atha prātarvyatītāyāṁ niśi yāvatpitā mama

"I placed it inside a pot of ghee, at the time of the sun's entry into Capricorn, at the sun's turning north.

Verse 49 (skanda.1.42.49)

निर्माल्यापनयं चक्रे तावच्छून्यं शिवालयम्॥ निशम्य कांदिशीको मां पप्रच्छ मधुरस्वरम्

nirmālyāpanayaṁ cakre tāvacchūnyaṁ śivālayam niśamya kāṁdiśīko māṁ papraccha madhurasvaram

"Then, the next morning, when the night had passed, as my father cleared away the spent offerings, he found the shrine of Shiva empty;

Verse 50 (skanda.1.42.50)

वत्स क्व नु त्वया लिंगं नूनं विनिहितं वद॥ दास्यामि वांछितं यत्ते भक्ष्यमन्यत्तवेप्सितम्

vatsa kva nu tvayā liṁgaṁ nūnaṁ vinihitaṁ vada dāsyāmi vāṁchitaṁ yatte bhakṣyamanyattavepsitam

"distraught, he asked me gently: 'Child, tell me — where have you hidden the linga? I shall give you whatever you wish, be it food or any other thing you desire.'

Verse 51 (skanda.1.42.51)

ततो मया बालभावाद्भक्ष्यलुब्धेन तत्पितुः॥ घृतकुंभांतराकृष्य भद्रलिंगं समर्पितम्

tato mayā bālabhāvādbhakṣyalubdhena tatpituḥ ghṛtakuṁbhāṁtarākṛṣya bhadraliṁgaṁ samarpitam

"Then I, out of a child's simple hunger for a treat, drew that dear linga out from the pot of ghee and handed it to my father.

Verse 52 (skanda.1.42.52)

अथ काले तु संप्राप्ते प्रमीतोऽहं नृपालये॥ जातो जातिस्मारस्तावदानर्ताधिपतेः सुतः

atha kāle tu saṁprāpte pramīto'haṁ nṛpālaye jāto jātismārastāvadānartādhipateḥ sutaḥ

"Then, when the time came, I died, and was born in a royal palace, remembering my past life, as son of the lord of Anarta.

Verse 53 (skanda.1.42.53)

घृतकंबलमाहात्म्यान्मकरस्थे दिवाकरे॥ अपि बाल्यादवज्ञानात्संयोगाद्घृतलिंगयोः

ghṛtakaṁbalamāhātmyānmakarasthe divākare api bālyādavajñānātsaṁyogādghṛtaliṁgayoḥ

"By the greatness of that ghee-blanket, when the sun stands in Capricorn — even though what I did was mere childish carelessness, no more than a chance meeting of ghee and linga —

Verse 54 (skanda.1.42.54)

ततः संस्थापितं लिंगं प्राग्जन्म स्मरता मया॥ ततः प्रभृति लिंगानि घृतेनाच्छादयाम्यहम्

tataḥ saṁsthāpitaṁ liṁgaṁ prāgjanma smaratā mayā tataḥ prabhṛti liṁgāni ghṛtenācchādayāmyaham

"still, remembering my former birth, I had the linga properly established; and from that day I have covered lingas with ghee.

Verse 55 (skanda.1.42.55)

पितृपैतामहं प्राप्य राज्यं शक्त्यनुरूपतः॥ ततः प्रसन्नो भगवान्पार्वतीपतिराह माम्

pitṛpaitāmahaṁ prāpya rājyaṁ śaktyanurūpataḥ tataḥ prasanno bhagavānpārvatīpatirāha mām

"Having obtained my father's and grandfather's kingdom, and ruling as best I could, the blessed lord of Parvati, well pleased, said to me —

Verse 56 (skanda.1.42.56)

पूर्वजन्मनि तुष्टोऽहं घृतकंबलपूजया॥ प्रयच्छाम्यस्मि त राज्यमधुनाभिमतं वृणु

pūrvajanmani tuṣṭo'haṁ ghṛtakaṁbalapūjayā prayacchāmyasmi ta rājyamadhunābhimataṁ vṛṇu

"'In your former birth I was pleased by your worship with the ghee-blanket; now I grant you a kingdom — choose what you desire.'

Verse 57 (skanda.1.42.57)

ततो मया वृतः प्रादाद्गाणपत्यं मदीप्सितम्॥ कैलासे मां शिवो नित्यं संतुष्टः प्राह चेति च

tato mayā vṛtaḥ prādādgāṇapatyaṁ madīpsitam kailāse māṁ śivo nityaṁ saṁtuṣṭaḥ prāha ceti ca

"Then, when I chose it, he granted me my heart's desire, lordship over the Ganas. On Kailasa, Shiva, ever pleased with me, said this —

Verse 58 (skanda.1.42.58)

तेनैव हि शरिरेण प्रणतं पुरतः स्थितम्॥ अद्यप्रभृति संक्रांतौ मकरस्यापरोपि यः

tenaiva hi śarireṇa praṇataṁ purataḥ sthitam adyaprabhṛti saṁkrāṁtau makarasyāparopi yaḥ

"in that very body, bowing, standing before him — 'From this day forth, whoever else at the solstice of Capricorn...'

Verse 59 (skanda.1.42.59)

घृतेन पूजां कर्तासौ भावी मम गणः स्फुटम्॥ इत्युक्त्वा मां शिवो भद्र गणकोटीश्वरं व्यधात्

ghṛtena pūjāṁ kartāsau bhāvī mama gaṇaḥ sphuṭam ityuktvā māṁ śivo bhadra gaṇakoṭīśvaraṁ vyadhāt

"'...worships with ghee shall in time surely become one of my Ganas.' Speaking thus to me, good friend, Shiva made me lord over ten million Ganas,

Verse 60 (skanda.1.42.60)

प्रतीपपालकंनाम संस्थितं शिवशासनम्॥ ततः कामादिभिः षड्भिः पदैश्चंक्रमणात्मिकाम्

pratīpapālakaṁnāma saṁsthitaṁ śivaśāsanam tataḥ kāmādibhiḥ ṣaḍbhiḥ padaiścaṁkramaṇātmikām

"named Pratipapalaka, set in place under Shiva's own command. Then, gaining that fortune which walks on the six feet beginning with desire,

Verse 61 (skanda.1.42.61)

निसर्गचपलां प्राप्य भ्रमरीमिव तां श्रियम्॥ नैवालमभवं तस्या धारणे दैवयोगतः

nisargacapalāṁ prāpya bhramarīmiva tāṁ śriyam naivālamabhavaṁ tasyā dhāraṇe daivayogataḥ

"naturally fickle, roving like a bee, won by the working of fate...

Verse 62 (skanda.1.42.62)

विचचार तदा मत्तः किलाहं वारणो यथा॥ कृत्याकृत्यविचारेण विमुक्तोऽतीव गर्वितः

vicacāra tadā mattaḥ kilāhaṁ vāraṇo yathā kṛtyākṛtyavicāreṇa vimukto'tīva garvitaḥ

"...I proved unable to hold it fast. Then I roamed about like an intoxicated elephant, wholly free of thought for what should or should not be done, exceedingly proud —

Verse 63 (skanda.1.42.63)

विद्यामभिजनं लक्ष्मीं प्राप्य नीचनरो यथा॥ आपदां पात्रतामेति सिंधूनामिव सागरः

vidyāmabhijanaṁ lakṣmīṁ prāpya nīcanaro yathā āpadāṁ pātratāmeti siṁdhūnāmiva sāgaraḥ

"as a low man, gaining learning, high birth, and fortune, becomes a vessel for misfortune, as the ocean becomes for the rivers.

Verse 64 (skanda.1.42.64)

अथ काले व्यतिक्रांते कियन्मात्रे यदृच्छया॥ विचरन्नगमं शैलं हिमानीरुद्धकंदरम्

atha kāle vyatikrāṁte kiyanmātre yadṛcchayā vicarannagamaṁ śailaṁ himānīruddhakaṁdaram

"Then, after some time, wandering at will, I came upon a mountain whose caverns lay blocked with glacial ice,

Verse 65 (skanda.1.42.65)

तपस्यति मुनिस्तत्र गालवो भार्यया सह॥ सदैव तीव्रतपसा कृशो धमनिसंततः

tapasyati munistatra gālavo bhāryayā saha sadaiva tīvratapasā kṛśo dhamanisaṁtataḥ

"where the sage Galava practiced austerity with his wife, ever wasted by intense penance, his very veins showing through his skin.

Verse 66 (skanda.1.42.66)

ब्राह्मणस्य हि देहोयं नैवैहिकफलप्रियः॥ कृच्छ्राय तपसे चेह प्रेत्यानंतसुखाय च

brāhmaṇasya hi dehoyaṁ naivaihikaphalapriyaḥ kṛcchrāya tapase ceha pretyānaṁtasukhāya ca

"For a Brahmin's body finds no delight in the fruits of this world; it exists for hard austerity here, and for boundless happiness in the world to come.

Verse 67 (skanda.1.42.67)

तस्य भार्याऽतिरूपेण विजिग्ये विश्ववर्णिनी॥ तन्वी श्यामा मृगाक्षी सा पीनोन्नतपयोधरा

tasya bhāryā'tirūpeṇa vijigye viśvavarṇinī tanvī śyāmā mṛgākṣī sā pīnonnatapayodharā

"His wife surpassed the whole world in beauty — slender of frame, dark of hue, doe-eyed, full and high of breast,

Verse 68 (skanda.1.42.68)

हंसगद्गदसंभाषा मत्तमातंगगामिनी॥ विस्तीर्णजघना मध्ये क्षामा दीर्घशिरोरुहा

haṁsagadgadasaṁbhāṣā mattamātaṁgagāminī vistīrṇajaghanā madhye kṣāmā dīrghaśiroruhā

"her speech soft as a swan's, her gait like a rutting elephant's — wide of hip, slender of waist, with long, flowing hair,

Verse 69 (skanda.1.42.69)

निम्ननाभिर्विधात्रैषा निर्मिता संदिदृक्षुणा॥ विकीर्णमिव सौंदर्यमेकपात्रमिव स्थितम्

nimnanābhirvidhātraiṣā nirmitā saṁdidṛkṣuṇā vikīrṇamiva sauṁdaryamekapātramiva sthitam

"deep of navel — as if the creator, longing to see his own work fulfilled, had gathered all beauty, otherwise scattered, into this one vessel alone.

Verse 70 (skanda.1.42.70)

ततोऽविनीतस्तां वीक्ष्य भद्र गालववल्लभाम्॥ अहमासं शरव्रातैस्ताडितः पुष्पधन्विना॥ विवेकिनोऽपि मुनयस्तावदेव विवेकिनः

tato'vinītastāṁ vīkṣya bhadra gālavavallabhām ahamāsaṁ śaravrātaistāḍitaḥ puṣpadhanvinā vivekino'pi munayastāvadeva vivekinaḥ

"Then, beholding her, Galava's beloved wife, good friend, I lost all restraint and was pierced by the arrows of the flower-bowed god. For even discerning sages remain discerning only...

Verse 71 (skanda.1.42.71)

यावन्न हरिणाक्षीणामपांगविवरेक्षिताः॥ मया व्यवसितं चित्ते तदानीं तां जिहीर्षुणा

yāvanna hariṇākṣīṇāmapāṁgavivarekṣitāḥ mayā vyavasitaṁ citte tadānīṁ tāṁ jihīrṣuṇā

"...until they fall under the sidelong glance of a doe-eyed woman. Then, desiring to carry her off, I resolved in my heart —

Verse 72 (skanda.1.42.72)

इति चेति हरिष्यामि तपसा रक्षितां मुनेः॥ अस्याः कृते यदि शपेन्मुनिस्तत्र पराभवः

iti ceti hariṣyāmi tapasā rakṣitāṁ muneḥ asyāḥ kṛte yadi śapenmunistatra parābhavaḥ

"'One way or another, I shall carry her off, though she is guarded by the sage's own austerity; and if the sage should curse me for her sake, and I be humbled there...'

Verse 73 (skanda.1.42.73)

मम भावी भवेदेषा भार्या मृत्युरुतापि मे॥ तस्माच्छिष्यो भवाम्यस्य शुश्रूषानिरतो मुनेः

mama bhāvī bhavedeṣā bhāryā mṛtyurutāpi me tasmācchiṣyo bhavāmyasya śuśrūṣānirato muneḥ

"'...then either she becomes my wife, or this becomes my death. Therefore let me become this sage's disciple, devoted to his service —'

Verse 74 (skanda.1.42.74)

प्राप्यांतरं हरिष्यामि नास्य योग्येयमंगना॥ इति व्यवस्य विद्यार्थिमूर्तिमास्थाय गालवम्

prāpyāṁtaraṁ hariṣyāmi nāsya yogyeyamaṁganā iti vyavasya vidyārthimūrtimāsthāya gālavam

"'and, finding my chance, carry her off — this woman is not fit for him.' Resolving thus, taking the form of a student, I went to Galava,

Verse 75 (skanda.1.42.75)

नमस्कृत्य वचोऽवोचमिति भाव्यर्थनोदितः॥ तथा मतिस्तथा मित्रं व्यवसायस्तथा नृणाम्

namaskṛtya vaco'vocamiti bhāvyarthanoditaḥ tathā matistathā mitraṁ vyavasāyastathā nṛṇām

"and, bowing, driven by that hidden purpose, spoke this word: 'As is a man's mind, so is his friend, so is his resolve —'

Verse 76 (skanda.1.42.76)

भवेदवश्यं तद्भावि यथा पुंभिः पुरा कृतम्॥ विवेकवैराग्ययुतो भगवंस्त्वासमुपस्थितः

bhavedavaśyaṁ tadbhāvi yathā puṁbhiḥ purā kṛtam vivekavairāgyayuto bhagavaṁstvāsamupasthitaḥ

"'that alone comes to pass, just as men of old have found. O blessed one, full of discernment and dispassion, I have come to you —'

Verse 77 (skanda.1.42.77)

शिष्योऽहं भवता पाठ्यं कर्णधारं महामुनिम्॥ अपारपारदं विष्णुं विप्रमूर्तिमुपाश्रितम्

śiṣyo'haṁ bhavatā pāṭhyaṁ karṇadhāraṁ mahāmunim apārapāradaṁ viṣṇuṁ vipramūrtimupāśritam

"'wishing to become your pupil, instructed by you, O great sage, my helmsman, ferryman across the boundless, refuge in a Brahmin's form of Vishnu himself.'

Verse 78 (skanda.1.42.78)

नमस्ये चेतनं ब्रह्मा प्रत्यक्षं गालवाख्यया॥ अविद्याकृष्णसर्पेण दष्टं तद्विषपीडितम्

namasye cetanaṁ brahmā pratyakṣaṁ gālavākhyayā avidyākṛṣṇasarpeṇa daṣṭaṁ tadviṣapīḍitam

"'I bow to you, who under the name Galava are the very living Brahman made manifest — bitten by the black serpent of ignorance, afflicted by its poison,'

Verse 79 (skanda.1.42.79)

उपदेशमहामंत्रैर्मां जांगुलिक जीवय॥ महामोहमहा वृक्षो हृद्यावापसमुत्थितः

upadeśamahāmaṁtrairmāṁ jāṁgulika jīvaya mahāmohamahā vṛkṣo hṛdyāvāpasamutthitaḥ

"'revive me, O healer of serpent-bites, with the great mantras of your teaching. This great tree of delusion, sprung up in the field of my own heart —'

Verse 80 (skanda.1.42.80)

त्वद्वाक्यतीक्ष्णधारेण कुठारेण क्षयं व्रजेत्॥ अपवर्गपथव्यापी मूढसंसर्गसेचनः

tvadvākyatīkṣṇadhāreṇa kuṭhāreṇa kṣayaṁ vrajet apavargapathavyāpī mūḍhasaṁsargasecanaḥ

"'let it be felled by the sharp axe-edge of your word. It spreads across the path to liberation, watered by the company of fools —'

Verse 81 (skanda.1.42.81)

छिद्यतां सूत्रधारेण विद्यापरशुनाधुना॥ भजामि तव शिष्योऽहं वरिवस्यापरश्चिरम्

chidyatāṁ sūtradhāreṇa vidyāparaśunādhunā bhajāmi tava śiṣyo'haṁ varivasyāparaściram

"'let it now be cut down, O guide, by the axe of your teaching. I shall serve you as your disciple, devoted long to that service —'

Verse 82 (skanda.1.42.82)

समिद्दर्भान्मूलफलं दारूणि जलमेव च॥ आहरिष्येऽनुगृह्णीष्व विनीतं मामुपस्थितम्

samiddarbhānmūlaphalaṁ dārūṇi jalameva ca āhariṣye'nugṛhṇīṣva vinītaṁ māmupasthitam

"'and shall bring firewood, kusha grass, roots, fruits, and water. Be gracious to me, humble as I stand before you.'"

Verse 83 (skanda.1.42.83)

इत्थं पुरा बकाभिख्यं बकवृत्तिमुपाश्रितम्॥ तदाऽऽर्जवे कृतमतिरनुजग्राह मां मुनिः

itthaṁ purā bakābhikhyaṁ bakavṛttimupāśritam tadā''rjave kṛtamatiranujagrāha māṁ muniḥ

Thus, of old, taking on a crane's guise, and the crane's habit of feigned humility, the sage, believing my sincerity true, showed me grace;

Verse 84 (skanda.1.42.84)

ततोऽतीव विनीतोऽहं भूत्वा तं ब्राह्मणीयुतम्॥ विश्वासनाय सुदृढं तोषयामि दिनेदिने

tato'tīva vinīto'haṁ bhūtvā taṁ brāhmaṇīyutam viśvāsanāya sudṛḍhaṁ toṣayāmi dinedine

then, becoming exceedingly humble, dwelling with him and his wife, I set about pleasing them firmly, day after day, so as to win their trust.

Verse 85 (skanda.1.42.85)

स च जानन्मुनिः पत्नीं पात्रभूतामविश्वसन्॥ स्त्रीचरित्रविदंके तां विधाय स्वपिति द्विजः

sa ca jānanmuniḥ patnīṁ pātrabhūtāmaviśvasan strīcaritravidaṁke tāṁ vidhāya svapiti dvijaḥ

And that sage, though he knew his wife to be worthy, did not trust wholly, knowing the ways of women; the twice-born always kept her carefully by him as he slept.

Verse 86 (skanda.1.42.86)

अथान्यस्मिन्दिने साभूद्ब्राह्मण्यथ रजस्वला॥ तद्दूरशायिनी रात्रौ विश्वासान्मे तपस्विनी

athānyasmindine sābhūdbrāhmaṇyatha rajasvalā taddūraśāyinī rātrau viśvāsānme tapasvinī

Then, on a certain day, that Brahmin woman entered her monthly course; and so, trusting me, that ascetic woman slept apart that night.

Verse 87 (skanda.1.42.87)

इदमन्तरमित्यंतर्विचिंत्याहं प्रहर्षितः॥ मलिम्लुचाकृतिर्भूत्वा निशीथे तामथाहरम्

idamantaramityaṁtarviciṁtyāhaṁ praharṣitaḥ malimlucākṛtirbhūtvā niśīthe tāmathāharam

Thinking within myself, "This is my chance," I, greatly delighted, took the guise of a thief at the dead of night and carried her off.

Verse 88 (skanda.1.42.88)

विललाप तदा बाला ह्रियमाणा मयोच्चकैः॥ मैवं मैवमिति ज्ञात्वा मां स्वरेणाब्रवीन्मुनिम्

vilalāpa tadā bālā hriyamāṇā mayoccakaiḥ maivaṁ maivamiti jñātvā māṁ svareṇābravīnmunim

Then that young woman, being carried off, wailed aloud; sensing that this was wrong, all wrong, she called out to the sage in her own voice —

Verse 89 (skanda.1.42.89)

बकवृत्तिरयं दुष्टो धर्मकंचुकमाश्रितः॥ हरते मां दुराचारस्तस्मात्त्वं त्राहि गालव

bakavṛttirayaṁ duṣṭo dharmakaṁcukamāśritaḥ harate māṁ durācārastasmāttvaṁ trāhi gālava

"'This wicked one, hiding beneath the crane's ways, cloaked in the guise of dharma, this evil-doer is carrying me off — O Galava, save me!'

Verse 90 (skanda.1.42.90)

तव शिष्यः पुरा भूत्वा कोप्वेषोद्य मलिम्लुचः॥ मां जिहीर्षति तद्रक्ष शरण्य शरणं भव

tava śiṣyaḥ purā bhūtvā kopveṣodya malimlucaḥ māṁ jihīrṣati tadrakṣa śaraṇya śaraṇaṁ bhava

"'Who indeed is this thief today, who was once your very disciple? He would carry me off — O refuge, protect me, give me shelter!'"

Verse 91 (skanda.1.42.91)

तद्वाक्यसमकालं स प्रबुद्धो गालवो मुनिः॥ तिष्ठतिष्ठेति मामुक्त्वा गतिस्तम्भं व्यधान्मम

tadvākyasamakālaṁ sa prabuddho gālavo muniḥ tiṣṭhatiṣṭheti māmuktvā gatistambhaṁ vyadhānmama

At the very sound of her words the sage Galava awoke; crying "Stop, stop!" to me, he froze me where I stood.

Verse 92 (skanda.1.42.92)

ततश्चित्राकृतिरहं स्तम्भितो मुनिनाऽभवम्॥ व्रीडितं प्रविशामीव स्वांगानि किल लज्जया

tataścitrākṛtirahaṁ stambhito muninā'bhavam vrīḍitaṁ praviśāmīva svāṁgāni kila lajjayā

Then, held fast in that strange form by the sage, I seemed, out of shame, to draw my own limbs back into myself.

Verse 93 (skanda.1.42.93)

ततः प्रकुपितः प्राह मामभ्येत्याथ गालवः॥ तद्वज्रदुःसहं वाक्यं येनाहमभवं बकः

tataḥ prakupitaḥ prāha māmabhyetyātha gālavaḥ tadvajraduḥsahaṁ vākyaṁ yenāhamabhavaṁ bakaḥ

Then, greatly enraged, Galava came before me and spoke a word unbearable as a thunderbolt, by which I became a heron —

Verse 94 (skanda.1.42.94)

॥गालव उवाच॥ बकवृत्तिमुपाश्रित्य वंचितोऽहं यतस्त्वया॥ तस्माद्बकस्त्वं भविता चिरकालं नराधम

gālava uvāca bakavṛttimupāśritya vaṁcito'haṁ yatastvayā tasmādbakastvaṁ bhavitā cirakālaṁ narādhama

Galava said: "Since, wearing the crane's guise, you have deceived me, therefore a crane you shall remain for a long time, O basest of men."

Verse 95 (skanda.1.42.95)

इति शप्तोऽहमभवं मुनिनाऽधर्ममाश्रितः॥ परदारोपसेवार्थमनर्थमिममागतः

iti śapto'hamabhavaṁ muninā'dharmamāśritaḥ paradāropasevārthamanarthamimamāgataḥ

Thus cursed by the sage, having taken to adharma, I fell into this ruin for the sake of another man's wife.

Verse 96 (skanda.1.42.96)

न हीदृशमनायुष्यं लोके किंचन विद्यते॥ यादृशं पुरुषस्येह परदारोपसेवनम्

na hīdṛśamanāyuṣyaṁ loke kiṁcana vidyate yādṛśaṁ puruṣasyeha paradāropasevanam

For there is nothing in this world so destructive of a man's own life as the pursuit of another's wife.

Verse 97 (skanda.1.42.97)

ततः सती सा मत्स्पर्शदूषितांगी तपस्विनी॥ मया विमुक्ता स्नात्वा मां तथैवानुशशाप ह

tataḥ satī sā matsparśadūṣitāṁgī tapasvinī mayā vimuktā snātvā māṁ tathaivānuśaśāpa ha

Then I released that chaste ascetic woman, her body defiled by my touch; having bathed, she too cursed me in that same manner.

Verse 98 (skanda.1.42.98)

एवं ताभ्यामहं शप्तो ह्यश्वत्थपर्णवद्भयात्॥ कंपमानः प्रणम्योभाववोचं तत्र दम्पती

evaṁ tābhyāmahaṁ śapto hyaśvatthaparṇavadbhayāt kaṁpamānaḥ praṇamyobhāvavocaṁ tatra dampatī

Thus cursed by both of them, trembling like a peepal leaf, I bowed before that couple there and said —

Verse 99 (skanda.1.42.99)

गणोऽहमीश्वरस्यैव दुर्विनीततरो युवाम्॥ निरोधमेवं कुरुतं भगवंतावनुग्रहम्

gaṇo'hamīśvarasyaiva durvinītataro yuvām nirodhamevaṁ kurutaṁ bhagavaṁtāvanugraham

"'I am myself a gana of the Lord, most ill-mannered before you both; O blessed ones, withdraw this curse and show me grace.'

Verse 100 (skanda.1.42.100)

वाचि क्षुरो नावनीतं हृदयं हि द्विजन्मनाम्॥ प्रकुप्यंति प्रसीदंति क्षणेनापि प्रसादिताः

vāci kṣuro nāvanītaṁ hṛdayaṁ hi dvijanmanām prakupyaṁti prasīdaṁti kṣaṇenāpi prasāditāḥ

"'The twice-born are sharp as a razor in speech, but soft as butter in heart; they grow angry, yet, once appeased, are gracious again in but a moment.'

Verse 101 (skanda.1.42.101)

त्वयि विप्रतिपन्नस्य त्वमेव शरणं मम॥ भूमौ स्खलितपादानां भूमिरेवावलंबनम्

tvayi vipratipannasya tvameva śaraṇaṁ mama bhūmau skhalitapādānāṁ bhūmirevāvalaṁbanam

"'Though I have offended against you, you alone remain my refuge; for those whose feet slip on the ground, the ground itself is their support.'

Verse 102 (skanda.1.42.102)

गणाधिपत्यमपि मे जातं परिभवास्पदम्॥ विषदंता हि जायन्ते दुर्विनीतस्य सम्पदः

gaṇādhipatyamapi me jātaṁ paribhavāspadam viṣadaṁtā hi jāyante durvinītasya sampadaḥ

"'Even my lordship over the Ganas has become a source of humiliation; for the fortunes of the ill-mannered turn into poisoned fangs.'

Verse 103 (skanda.1.42.103)

विदुरेष्यद्धियाऽपायं परतोऽन्ये विवेकिनः॥ नैवोभयं विदुर्नीचा विनाऽनुभवमात्मनः

vidureṣyaddhiyā'pāyaṁ parato'nye vivekinaḥ naivobhayaṁ vidurnīcā vinā'nubhavamātmanaḥ

"'The discerning, through their own foresight, know their downfall before it comes; but the base know neither, until they have lived through it themselves.'

Verse 104 (skanda.1.42.104)

दुर्वीनीतः श्रियं प्राप्य विद्यामैश्वर्यमेव वा॥ न तिष्ठति चिरं स्थाने यथाहं मदगर्वितः

durvīnītaḥ śriyaṁ prāpya vidyāmaiśvaryameva vā na tiṣṭhati ciraṁ sthāne yathāhaṁ madagarvitaḥ

"'The ill-mannered man, gaining fortune, learning, or lordship, does not long remain in that place — as I, swollen with pride, could not.'

Verse 105 (skanda.1.42.105)

विद्यामदो धनमदस्तृतीयोऽभिजनो मदः॥ एते मदा मदांधानामेत एव सतां दमाः

vidyāmado dhanamadastṛtīyo'bhijano madaḥ ete madā madāṁdhānāmeta eva satāṁ damāḥ

"'The pride of learning, the pride of wealth, and third, the pride of birth — these are the very intoxications of the arrogant, and these same are the disciplines of the virtuous.'

Verse 106 (skanda.1.42.106)

नोदर्कशालिनी बुद्धिर्येषामविजितात्मनाम्॥ तैः श्रियश्चपला वाच्यं नीयंते मादृशैर्जनैः

nodarkaśālinī buddhiryeṣāmavijitātmanām taiḥ śriyaścapalā vācyaṁ nīyaṁte mādṛśairjanaiḥ

"'Those whose minds, unmastered, do not remain sound at the end — by such fickle fortunes are men like me led on toward ruin.'

Verse 107 (skanda.1.42.107)

तत्प्रसीद मुनिश्रेष्ठ शापांतं मेऽधुना कुरु॥ दुर्विनीतेष्वपि सदा क्षमाचारा हि साधवः

tatprasīda muniśreṣṭha śāpāṁtaṁ me'dhunā kuru durvinīteṣvapi sadā kṣamācārā hi sādhavaḥ

"'Therefore, O best of sages, be gracious, and end my curse now; for the virtuous ever practice forgiveness, even toward the ill-mannered.'"

Verse 108 (skanda.1.42.108)

इत्थं वचसि विज्ञप्ते विनीतेनापि वै मया॥ प्रसादप्रवणो भूत्वा शापांतं मे तदा व्यधात्

itthaṁ vacasi vijñapte vinītenāpi vai mayā prasādapravaṇo bhūtvā śāpāṁtaṁ me tadā vyadhāt

When this word was thus submitted by me, now humbled, the sage, moved to grace, then brought my curse to its end.

Verse 109 (skanda.1.42.109)

॥गालव उवाच॥ छन्नकीर्तिसमुद्धारसहायस्त्वं भविष्यसि॥ यदेन्द्रद्युम्नभूपस्य तदा मोक्षमवाप्स्यसि

gālava uvāca channakīrtisamuddhārasahāyastvaṁ bhaviṣyasi yadendradyumnabhūpasya tadā mokṣamavāpsyasi

Galava said: "You shall become a helper in the recovery of hidden fame; when the fame of King Indradyumna comes at last to light, only then shall you obtain release."

Verse 110 (skanda.1.42.110)

इत्यहं मुनिशापेन तदाप्रभृति पर्वते॥ हिमाचले बको भूत्वा काश्यपेयो वसामि च

ityahaṁ muniśāpena tadāprabhṛti parvate himācale bako bhūtvā kāśyapeyo vasāmi ca

Thus, by the sage's curse, I have dwelt from that time on this mountain, the Himalaya, a heron, son of Kashyapa.

Verse 111 (skanda.1.42.111)

राज्यं चिरायुरिति मे घृतकम्बलस्य जातिस्मरत्वमधुनापि तथानु भावान्॥ शापाद्बकत्वमभवन्मुनिगालवस्य तद्भद्र सर्वमुदितं भवताद्य पृष्टम्

rājyaṁ cirāyuriti me ghṛtakambalasya jātismaratvamadhunāpi tathānu bhāvān śāpādbakatvamabhavanmunigālavasya tadbhadra sarvamuditaṁ bhavatādya pṛṣṭam

My kingdom, my long life, my remembrance of past births still preserved by the power of the ghee-blanket, and my becoming a heron through the sage Galava's curse — all this, good friend, has now been told, as you asked.