The Glory of the Bilva Leaf

Verse 1 (skanda.1.43.1)

॥नारद उवाच॥ नाडीजंघबकेनोक्तां वाचमाकर्ण्यभूपतिः॥ मार्कंडेयेन संयुक्तो बभूवातीव दुःखितः

nārada uvāca nāḍījaṁghabakenoktāṁ vācamākarṇyabhūpatiḥ mārkaṁḍeyena saṁyukto babhūvātīva duḥkhitaḥ

Narada said: "Hearing this word spoken by Nadijangha the heron, the king, together with Markandeya, became exceedingly sorrowful.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.43.2)

तं निशम्य मुनिर्भूपं दुःखितं साश्रुलोचनम्॥ समानव्यसनः प्राह तदर्थं स पुनर्बकम्

taṁ niśamya munirbhūpaṁ duḥkhitaṁ sāśrulocanam samānavyasanaḥ prāha tadarthaṁ sa punarbakam

"Seeing that sorrowful king with eyes full of tears, the sage, sharing his very distress, spoke again to the heron on his behalf —

Verse 3 (skanda.1.43.3)

विधायाशां महाभाग त्वदंतिकमुपागतौ॥ आवां चिरायुर्ज्ञातांशाविन्द्रद्युम्नमिति द्विज

vidhāyāśāṁ mahābhāga tvadaṁtikamupāgatau āvāṁ cirāyurjñātāṁśāvindradyumnamiti dvija

"'O greatly fortunate one, we two came to you with our hope set on you; we thought, O twice-born, that through you, long-lived as you are, we would learn of Indradyumna.'

Verse 4 (skanda.1.43.4)

निष्पन्नं नास्य तत्कार्यं प्राणानेष मुमुक्षति॥ वह्निप्रवेशेन परं वैराग्यं समुपागतः

niṣpannaṁ nāsya tatkāryaṁ prāṇāneṣa mumukṣati vahnipraveśena paraṁ vairāgyaṁ samupāgataḥ

"'That purpose of his has gone unfulfilled; now he wishes to give up his very life. Through entering fire he has arrived at the utmost dispassion.'

Verse 5 (skanda.1.43.5)

तन्मामुपागतोऽहं च त्वां सिद्धं नास्य वांछितम्॥ तदेनमनुयास्यामि मरणेन त्वया शपे

tanmāmupāgato'haṁ ca tvāṁ siddhaṁ nāsya vāṁchitam tadenamanuyāsyāmi maraṇena tvayā śape

"'And so I too have come to you; his wish has not been won through you. Therefore I too shall follow him in death — this I swear to you.'

Verse 6 (skanda.1.43.6)

आशां कृत्वाभ्युपायातं निराशं नेक्षितुं क्षमाः॥ भवंति साधवस्तस्माज्जीवितान्मरणं वरम्

āśāṁ kṛtvābhyupāyātaṁ nirāśaṁ nekṣituṁ kṣamāḥ bhavaṁti sādhavastasmājjīvitānmaraṇaṁ varam

"'The virtuous cannot bear to watch one who came to them with hope depart in despair; therefore death is better than such a life.'

Verse 7 (skanda.1.43.7)

प्रार्थितं चामुना हृत्स्थं मया चास्मै प्रतिश्रुतम्॥ त्वां मित्रं तत्परिज्ञाने धृत्वा हृदि चिरायुषम्

prārthitaṁ cāmunā hṛtsthaṁ mayā cāsmai pratiśrutam tvāṁ mitraṁ tatparijñāne dhṛtvā hṛdi cirāyuṣam

"'And what he begged of me, holding it in my heart, I gave him my word — keeping you, his long-lived friend, in mind, for the sake of this very knowledge.'

Verse 8 (skanda.1.43.8)

असंपादयतो नार्थं प्रतिज्ञातं ममायुषा॥ कलुषेणार्थिना माशापूरकेण सखेधुना

asaṁpādayato nārthaṁ pratijñātaṁ mamāyuṣā kaluṣeṇārthinā māśāpūrakeṇa sakhedhunā

"'To leave unfulfilled that pledge, made upon my very life, toward this troubled petitioner, who once fulfilled my own hope, my friend —'

Verse 9 (skanda.1.43.9)

प्रतिश्रुतं कृतं श्लाघ्या दासतांत्यजपक्वणे॥ हरिश्चंद्रस्येव नृणां न श्लाघ्या सत्यसंधता

pratiśrutaṁ kṛtaṁ ślāghyā dāsatāṁtyajapakvaṇe hariścaṁdrasyeva nṛṇāṁ na ślāghyā satyasaṁdhatā

"'a promise fulfilled alone deserves praise — cast aside every half-measure in its keeping. Truthfulness such as Harishchandra's is not something men merely praise in words; it must be lived.'

Verse 10 (skanda.1.43.10)

मित्रस्नेहस्य पर्यायस्तच्च साप्तपदं स्मृतम्॥ स्नेहः स कीदृशो मित्रे दुःखितो यो न दृश्यते

mitrasnehasya paryāyastacca sāptapadaṁ smṛtam snehaḥ sa kīdṛśo mitre duḥkhito yo na dṛśyate

"'This alone is held to be the essence of a friend's love, as if bound by the seven marriage steps. What kind of love for a friend is it, that is nowhere to be seen when that friend grieves?'

Verse 11 (skanda.1.43.11)

तदवश्यमहं साकमधुना वह्निसाधनम्॥ करिष्ये कीर्तिवपुषः कृते सत्यमिदं सखे

tadavaśyamahaṁ sākamadhunā vahnisādhanam kariṣye kīrtivapuṣaḥ kṛte satyamidaṁ sakhe

"'Therefore I too shall now surely enter the fire together with him, for the very sake of his embodiment in fame — this is true, my friend.'

Verse 12 (skanda.1.43.12)

अनुजानीहि मामेतद्दर्शनं तव पश्चिमम्॥ त्वया सह महाभाग नाडीजंघ द्विजोत्तम

anujānīhi māmetaddarśanaṁ tava paścimam tvayā saha mahābhāga nāḍījaṁgha dvijottama

"'Grant me your leave for this — this shall be your last sight of me, O greatly fortunate Nadijangha, best of the twice-born, together with him.'"

Verse 13 (skanda.1.43.13)

॥नारद उवाच॥ वज्रवद्दुःसहां वाचं मार्कंडेयसमीरिताम्॥ शुश्रुवान्स क्षणं ध्यात्वा प्रतीतः प्राह तावुभौ

nārada uvāca vajravadduḥsahāṁ vācaṁ mārkaṁḍeyasamīritām śuśruvānsa kṣaṇaṁ dhyātvā pratītaḥ prāha tāvubhau

Narada said: "Hearing this word, unbearable as a thunderbolt, spoken by Markandeya, he reflected for a moment, and then, resolved, spoke to those two —

Verse 14 (skanda.1.43.14)

॥नाडीजंघ उवाच॥ यद्येवं तदिदं मित्रं विशंतं ज्वलनेऽधुना॥ निवारय मुनिश्रेष्ठ मत्तोऽस्ति चिरजीवितः

nāḍījaṁgha uvāca yadyevaṁ tadidaṁ mitraṁ viśaṁtaṁ jvalane'dhunā nivāraya muniśreṣṭha matto'sti cirajīvitaḥ

Nadijangha said: "If this is so, then stop this friend of yours from entering the fire, O best of sages; there is one more long-lived than I.

Verse 15 (skanda.1.43.15)

प्राकारकर्णनामासावुलूकः शिवपर्वते॥ स ज्ञास्यति महीपालमिंद्रद्युम्नं न संशयः

prākārakarṇanāmāsāvulūkaḥ śivaparvate sa jñāsyati mahīpālamiṁdradyumnaṁ na saṁśayaḥ

"An owl named Prakarakarna dwells upon Shiva's mountain; he will surely know King Indradyumna, of this there is no doubt.

Verse 16 (skanda.1.43.16)

तस्मादहं त्वया सार्धममुना च शिवालयम्॥ व्रजामि तं शिखरिणं मित्रकार्यप्रसिद्धये

tasmādahaṁ tvayā sārdhamamunā ca śivālayam vrajāmi taṁ śikhariṇaṁ mitrakāryaprasiddhaye

"Therefore I shall go, together with you and with him, to Shiva's abode, to that mountain, for the sake of our friend's cause."

Verse 17 (skanda.1.43.17)

इत्येव मुक्त्वा ते जग्मुस्त्रयोऽपि द्विजपुंगवाः॥ कैलासं ददृशुस्तत्र तमुलूकं स्वनीडगम्

ityeva muktvā te jagmustrayo'pi dvijapuṁgavāḥ kailāsaṁ dadṛśustatra tamulūkaṁ svanīḍagam

Having said this, all three of those bulls among the twice-born set out; there upon Kailasa they saw that owl seated in his own nest.

Verse 18 (skanda.1.43.18)

कृतसंविदसौ तेन बकः स्वागतपूजया॥ पृष्टश्च तावुभौ प्राह तत्सर्वमभिवांछितम्

kṛtasaṁvidasau tena bakaḥ svāgatapūjayā pṛṣṭaśca tāvubhau prāha tatsarvamabhivāṁchitam

The heron, already acquainted with him, met him with a welcoming courtesy; and when both questioned him, he told them all they wished to know.

Verse 19 (skanda.1.43.19)

चिरायुरसि जानीषे यदीन्द्रद्युम्नभूपतिम्॥ तद्ब्रूहि तेन ज्ञानेन कार्यं जीवामहे वयम्

cirāyurasi jānīṣe yadīndradyumnabhūpatim tadbrūhi tena jñānena kāryaṁ jīvāmahe vayam

"You are long-lived; if you know King Indradyumna, tell us — upon that knowledge our very lives depend."

Verse 20 (skanda.1.43.20)

इति पृष्टः स विमना मित्रकार्यप्रसाधनात्॥ कौशिकः प्राह जानामि नेन्द्रद्युम्नमहं नृपम्

iti pṛṣṭaḥ sa vimanā mitrakāryaprasādhanāt kauśikaḥ prāha jānāmi nendradyumnamahaṁ nṛpam

Thus questioned, and dispirited at his inability to fulfill his friend's purpose, Kaushika said: "I know of no king named Indradyumna.

Verse 21 (skanda.1.43.21)

अष्टाविंशत्प्रमाणा मे कल्पा जातस्य भूतले॥ न दृष्टो न श्रुतो वासाविंद्रद्युम्नो नृपः क्षितौ

aṣṭāviṁśatpramāṇā me kalpā jātasya bhūtale na dṛṣṭo na śruto vāsāviṁdradyumno nṛpaḥ kṣitau

"Twenty-eight kalpas have passed since my birth upon this earth; no such King Indradyumna has ever, on this earth, been seen or heard of."

Verse 22 (skanda.1.43.22)

तच्छ्रुत्वा विस्मितो भूपस्तस्यायुरतिमात्रतः॥ दुःखितोऽपि तदा हेतुं पप्रच्छासौ तदायुषः

tacchrutvā vismito bhūpastasyāyuratimātrataḥ duḥkhito'pi tadā hetuṁ papracchāsau tadāyuṣaḥ

Hearing this, the king, astonished at that owl's immense lifespan, though sorrowful, asked the cause of that lifespan —

Verse 23 (skanda.1.43.23)

एवमायुर्यदि तव कथं प्राप्तं ब्रवीहि तत्॥ उलूकत्वं कथमिदं जुगुप्सितमतीव च

evamāyuryadi tava kathaṁ prāptaṁ bravīhi tat ulūkatvaṁ kathamidaṁ jugupsitamatīva ca

"'If your life is so long, tell me how it came to be. And how did this most despicable owl-form come upon you?'"

Verse 24 (skanda.1.43.24)

॥प्राकारकर्ण उवाच॥ श्रृणु भद्र यथा दीर्घमायुर्मेशिवपूजनात्॥ जुगुप्सितमुलूकत्वं शापेन च महामुनेः

prākārakarṇa uvāca śrṛṇu bhadra yathā dīrghamāyurmeśivapūjanāt jugupsitamulūkatvaṁ śāpena ca mahāmuneḥ

Prakarakarna said: "Listen, good sir, how my long life came from the worship of Shiva, and this despicable owl-form from the curse of a great sage.

Verse 25 (skanda.1.43.25)

वसिष्ठकुलसंभूतः पुराहमभवं द्विजः॥ घंट इत्यभिविख्यातो वाराणस्यां शिवेरतः

vasiṣṭhakulasaṁbhūtaḥ purāhamabhavaṁ dvijaḥ ghaṁṭa ityabhivikhyāto vārāṇasyāṁ śiverataḥ

"Long ago I was a Brahmin born in the family of Vasishtha, renowned by the name Ghanta, a devotee of Shiva, dwelling in Varanasi.

Verse 26 (skanda.1.43.26)

धर्मश्रवणनिष्ठस्य साधूनां संसदि स्वयम्॥ श्रुत्वास्मि पूजयामीशं बिल्वपत्रैरखंडितैः

dharmaśravaṇaniṣṭhasya sādhūnāṁ saṁsadi svayam śrutvāsmi pūjayāmīśaṁ bilvapatrairakhaṁḍitaiḥ

"Devoted to hearing dharma, I once, in an assembly of the virtuous, heard of it and began to worship Ishvara with unbroken bilva leaves.

Verse 27 (skanda.1.43.27)

न मालती न मंदारः शतपत्रं न मल्लिका॥ तथा प्रियाणि श्रीवृक्षो यथा मदनविद्विषः

na mālatī na maṁdāraḥ śatapatraṁ na mallikā tathā priyāṇi śrīvṛkṣo yathā madanavidviṣaḥ

"Neither jasmine, nor the coral tree, nor the hundred-petaled lotus, nor mallika, is as dear to the foe of Madana as the sacred bilva tree.

Verse 28 (skanda.1.43.28)

अखंडबिल्वपत्रेण एकेन शिवमूर्धनि॥ निहितेन नरैः पुण्यं प्राप्यते लक्षपुष्पजम्

akhaṁḍabilvapatreṇa ekena śivamūrdhani nihitena naraiḥ puṇyaṁ prāpyate lakṣapuṣpajam

"By a single unbroken bilva leaf placed upon Shiva's head, a man wins the merit that comes from a hundred thousand flowers.

Verse 29 (skanda.1.43.29)

अखंडितैर्बिल्वपत्रैः श्रद्धया स्वयमाहृतैः॥ लिंगप्रपूजनं कृत्वा वर्षलक्षं वसेद्दिवि

akhaṁḍitairbilvapatraiḥ śraddhayā svayamāhṛtaiḥ liṁgaprapūjanaṁ kṛtvā varṣalakṣaṁ vaseddivi

"Worshipping the linga with faith, using unbroken bilva leaves gathered with one's own hand, a man dwells a hundred thousand years in heaven.

Verse 30 (skanda.1.43.30)

सच्छास्त्रेभ्य इति श्रुत्वा पूजयाम्यहमीश्वरम्॥ त्रिकालं श्रद्धया पत्रैः श्रीवृक्षस्य त्रिभिस्त्रिभिः

sacchāstrebhya iti śrutvā pūjayāmyahamīśvaram trikālaṁ śraddhayā patraiḥ śrīvṛkṣasya tribhistribhiḥ

"Hearing this from the true scriptures, I began worshipping Ishvara three times a day, with faith, using leaves of the bilva tree, three by three.

Verse 31 (skanda.1.43.31)

ततो वर्षशतस्यांते तुतोष शशिशेखरः॥ प्रत्यक्षीभूय मामाह मेघगंभीरया गिरा

tato varṣaśatasyāṁte tutoṣa śaśiśekharaḥ pratyakṣībhūya māmāha meghagaṁbhīrayā girā

"Then, at the end of a hundred years, the moon-crested one was pleased; becoming manifest before me, he spoke to me in a voice deep as thunderclouds —

Verse 32 (skanda.1.43.32)

॥ईश्वर उवाच॥ तुष्टोस्मि तव विप्रेंद्राखंडबिल्वदलार्चनात्॥ वृणीष्वाभिमतं यत्ते दास्यम्यपि च दुर्लभम्

īśvara uvāca tuṣṭosmi tava vipreṁdrākhaṁḍabilvadalārcanāt vṛṇīṣvābhimataṁ yatte dāsyamyapi ca durlabham

Ishvara said: "I am pleased, O lord of Brahmins, with your worship through unbroken bilva leaves; choose whatever you wish — even what is hardest to attain, I shall grant it.

Verse 33 (skanda.1.43.33)

अखंडबिल्वपत्रेण महातुष्टिः प्रजायते॥ एकनापि यथान्येषां तथा न मम कोटिभिः

akhaṁḍabilvapatreṇa mahātuṣṭiḥ prajāyate ekanāpi yathānyeṣāṁ tathā na mama koṭibhiḥ

"The great satisfaction born of a single unbroken bilva leaf is not gained through millions of other things, nor am I myself as pleased even by millions of other offerings as by this one leaf."

Verse 34 (skanda.1.43.34)

इत्युक्तोऽहं भगवता शंभुना स्वमनः स्थितम्॥ वृणोमि स्म वरं देव कुरु मामजरामरम्

ityukto'haṁ bhagavatā śaṁbhunā svamanaḥ sthitam vṛṇomi sma varaṁ deva kuru māmajarāmaram

Thus addressed by the blessed Shambhu, I asked the boon fixed already in my mind: "O Lord, make me ageless and undying."

Verse 35 (skanda.1.43.35)

अथ लीलाविलासो मां तथेत्युक्त्वाऽविचारितम्॥ ययावदर्शनं प्रीतिमहं च महतीं गतः

atha līlāvilāso māṁ tathetyuktvā'vicāritam yayāvadarśanaṁ prītimahaṁ ca mahatīṁ gataḥ

Then that playful, sportive god said, without further thought, "So be it," and vanished from my sight; and I, filled with great joy,

Verse 36 (skanda.1.43.36)

कृतकृत्यं तदात्मानमज्ञासिपमहं क्षितौ॥ एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु भृगुवंश्योऽभवद्द्विजः

kṛtakṛtyaṁ tadātmānamajñāsipamahaṁ kṣitau etasminneva kāle tu bhṛguvaṁśyo'bhavaddvijaḥ

began to think myself, upon this earth, one whose purpose was fulfilled. At this very time there lived a Brahmin of Bhrigu's lineage,

Verse 37 (skanda.1.43.37)

अवदातत्रिजन्मासवक्षविच्चाक्षरार्थवित्॥ सुदर्शनेति प्रथिता प्रिया तस्याभवत्सती

avadātatrijanmāsavakṣaviccākṣarārthavit sudarśaneti prathitā priyā tasyābhavatsatī

pure through three births, knower of the six Vedic auxiliary sciences, versed in the meaning of every syllable; his beloved and chaste wife was renowned by the name Sudarshana.

Verse 38 (skanda.1.43.38)

अतीव मुदिता पत्युर्मुखं प्रेक्ष्यास्य दर्शनात्॥ तनया देवलस्यैपा रूपेणाप्रतिमा भुवि

atīva muditā patyurmukhaṁ prekṣyāsya darśanāt tanayā devalasyaipā rūpeṇāpratimā bhuvi

Delighted beyond measure at the mere sight of her husband's face, she was the daughter of Devala, unmatched in beauty upon this earth.

Verse 39 (skanda.1.43.39)

तस्यां तस्मादभूत्कन्या निर्विशेषा निजारणेः॥ निवृत्तबालभावाभूत्कुमारी यौवनोन्मुखी

tasyāṁ tasmādabhūtkanyā nirviśeṣā nijāraṇeḥ nivṛttabālabhāvābhūtkumārī yauvanonmukhī

From her a daughter was born, as if she were her mother's own kindling-fire made flesh; when her childhood passed she became a maiden turning toward youth.

Verse 40 (skanda.1.43.40)

नालं बभूव तां दातुं तनयां गुणशालिनीम्॥ कस्यापि जनकः सा च वयःसंधौ मयेक्षिता

nālaṁ babhūva tāṁ dātuṁ tanayāṁ guṇaśālinīm kasyāpi janakaḥ sā ca vayaḥsaṁdhau mayekṣitā

That daughter, endowed with every virtue, her father had not yet been able to give to anyone — and at that very threshold of her youth I first beheld her.

Verse 41 (skanda.1.43.41)

प्रविश्द्यौवनाभोगभावैरतिमनोहरा॥ निर्वास्यमानैरपरैस्तिलतंदुलिताकृतिः

praviśdyauvanābhogabhāvairatimanoharā nirvāsyamānairaparaistilataṁdulitākṛtiḥ

Utterly enchanting in the fullness of budding youth, her form as though shaped from sesame and rice by the makers of such figures,

Verse 42 (skanda.1.43.42)

क्रीडमाना वयस्याभिर्लावण्यप्रतिमेव सा॥ व्यचिंतयमहं विप्र तां निरीक्ष्य सुमध्यमाम्

krīḍamānā vayasyābhirlāvaṇyapratimeva sā vyaciṁtayamahaṁ vipra tāṁ nirīkṣya sumadhyamām

playing there with her companions, she seemed the very image of loveliness. Beholding that slender-waisted girl, O Brahmin, I thought —

Verse 43 (skanda.1.43.43)

अनन्याकृतिमन्योऽसौ विधिर्येनेति निर्मिता॥ ततः सात्त्विकभावानां तत्क्षणादस्मि गोचरम्

ananyākṛtimanyo'sau vidhiryeneti nirmitā tataḥ sāttvikabhāvānāṁ tatkṣaṇādasmi gocaram

"'Surely some other Creator fashioned her, so unmatched is her form.' Then, in that very instant, I fell under the sway of passion,

Verse 44 (skanda.1.43.44)

प्रापितो लीलयाहत्य बाणैः कुसुमधन्विना॥ ततो मया स्खलद्वालं पृष्टा कस्येति तत्सखी

prāpito līlayāhatya bāṇaiḥ kusumadhanvinā tato mayā skhaladvālaṁ pṛṣṭā kasyeti tatsakhī

as if struck, as if in sport, by the arrows of the flower-bowed god. Then, my steps faltering, I asked her companion whose daughter she was.

Verse 45 (skanda.1.43.45)

प्राहेति भृगुवंश्यस्य कन्येयं द्विजजन्मनः॥ अनूढाद्यापि केनापि समायातात्र खेलितुम्

prāheti bhṛguvaṁśyasya kanyeyaṁ dvijajanmanaḥ anūḍhādyāpi kenāpi samāyātātra khelitum

She said: "This is the daughter of a Brahmin of Bhrigu's lineage, still unwed, who has come here to play with anyone at all."

Verse 46 (skanda.1.43.46)

ततः कुसुमबाणेन शरव्रातैर्भृशं हतः॥ पितरं प्रणतो गत्वा ययाचे तां भृगूद्वहम्

tataḥ kusumabāṇena śaravrātairbhṛśaṁ hataḥ pitaraṁ praṇato gatvā yayāce tāṁ bhṛgūdvaham

Then, deeply struck by the arrows of the flower-shafted god, I went bowing to her father, and begged that daughter of Bhrigu's line from him.

Verse 47 (skanda.1.43.47)

स च मां सदृशं ज्ञात्वा शीलेन च कुलेन च॥ अतीव चार्थिनं मह्यं ददौ वाचा पुरः क्रमात्

sa ca māṁ sadṛśaṁ jñātvā śīlena ca kulena ca atīva cārthinaṁ mahyaṁ dadau vācā puraḥ kramāt

And he, finding me his equal in character and lineage, and seeing my great eagerness, gave me his solemn word before witnesses, in due order.

Verse 48 (skanda.1.43.48)

ततः सा तनया तस्य भार्गवस्या श्रृणोदिति॥ दत्तास्मि तस्मै विप्राय विरूपायेति जल्पताम्

tataḥ sā tanayā tasya bhārgavasyā śrṛṇoditi dattāsmi tasmai viprāya virūpāyeti jalpatām

Then that daughter of the Bhargava heard it said — "I have been given to that ugly Brahmin" — as people whispered so among themselves.

Verse 49 (skanda.1.43.49)

रोरूयमाणा जननीमाह पश्य यथा कृतम्॥ अतीवानुचितं दत्त्वा जनकेन तथा वरे

rorūyamāṇā jananīmāha paśya yathā kṛtam atīvānucitaṁ dattvā janakena tathā vare

Weeping bitterly, she said to her mother: "See what my father has done! He has given me to so unfitting a bridegroom...

Verse 50 (skanda.1.43.50)

विषमालोड्य पास्यामि प्रवेक्ष्यामि हुताशनम्॥ वरं न तु विरूपस्योद्वोढुर्भार्या कथंचन

viṣamāloḍya pāsyāmi pravekṣyāmi hutāśanam varaṁ na tu virūpasyodvoḍhurbhāryā kathaṁcana

"...I shall mix poison and drink it, or enter the fire; but never, by any means, shall I become the wife of an ugly husband."

Verse 51 (skanda.1.43.51)

ततः संबोध्य जननी तां सुतामाह भार्गवम्॥ न देयास्मै त्वया कन्या विरूपायेति चाग्रहात्

tataḥ saṁbodhya jananī tāṁ sutāmāha bhārgavam na deyāsmai tvayā kanyā virūpāyeti cāgrahāt

Then the mother, having spoken with her daughter, said to the Bhargava: "You must not give this daughter to that ugly one," insisting on this most firmly.

Verse 52 (skanda.1.43.52)

स वल्लभावचः श्रुत्वा धर्मशास्त्राण्यवेक्ष्य च॥ दत्तामपि हरेत्पूर्वां श्रेयांश्चेद्वर आव्रजेत्

sa vallabhāvacaḥ śrutvā dharmaśāstrāṇyavekṣya ca dattāmapi haretpūrvāṁ śreyāṁścedvara āvrajet

Hearing his beloved wife's words, and weighing the dharma-shastras, he thought: "Even a daughter already given may be reclaimed, should a better bridegroom present himself —

Verse 53 (skanda.1.43.53)

अर्वाक्छिलाक्रमणतो निष्ठा स्यात्सप्तमे पदे॥ इति व्यवस्य प्रददावन्यस्मै तां द्विजः सुताम्

arvākchilākramaṇato niṣṭhā syātsaptame pade iti vyavasya pradadāvanyasmai tāṁ dvijaḥ sutām

"for finality is reached only at the seventh of the seven marriage-steps, before the mounting of the wedding-stone." Resolving thus, that Brahmin gave his daughter instead to another,

Verse 54 (skanda.1.43.54)

श्वोभाविनि विवाहे तु तच्च सर्वं मया श्रुतम्॥ ततोतीव विलक्ष्योहं वयस्यानां पुरस्तदा

śvobhāvini vivāhe tu tacca sarvaṁ mayā śrutam tatotīva vilakṣyohaṁ vayasyānāṁ purastadā

the wedding itself to take place the very next day; and all of this I too came to hear. Then, utterly disgraced before my own companions,

Verse 55 (skanda.1.43.55)

नाशकं वदनं भद्र तथा दर्शयितुं निजम्॥ कामार्तोतीव तां सुप्तामर्वाग्निशि तदाहरम्

nāśakaṁ vadanaṁ bhadra tathā darśayituṁ nijam kāmārtotīva tāṁ suptāmarvāgniśi tadāharam

I could not, good sir, so much as show my face. Overcome with passion, that very night, before the wedding could take place, I carried off that sleeping girl —

Verse 56 (skanda.1.43.56)

नीत्वा दुर्गतमैकांतेऽकार्षमौद्वाहिकं विधिम्॥ गांधर्वेण विवाहेन ततोऽकार्षं हृदीप्सितम्

nītvā durgatamaikāṁte'kārṣamaudvāhikaṁ vidhim gāṁdharveṇa vivāhena tato'kārṣaṁ hṛdīpsitam

and, taking her to a remote place, performed the marriage rite; by the Gandharva form of marriage I fulfilled the desire of my own heart —

Verse 57 (skanda.1.43.57)

अनिच्छंतीं तदा बालां बलात्सुरतसेवनम्॥ अथानुपदमागत्य तत्पिता प्रातरेव माम्

anicchaṁtīṁ tadā bālāṁ balātsuratasevanam athānupadamāgatya tatpitā prātareva mām

forcing that unwilling girl into union against her will. Then, the very next morning, her father, following close behind, found me there —

Verse 58 (skanda.1.43.58)

निश्वस्य संवृतो विप्रास्तां वीक्ष्योद्वाहितां सुताम्॥ शशाप कुपितो भद्र मां तदानीं स भार्गवः

niśvasya saṁvṛto viprāstāṁ vīkṣyodvāhitāṁ sutām śaśāpa kupito bhadra māṁ tadānīṁ sa bhārgavaḥ

sighing, surrounded by Brahmins, seeing his daughter thus wedded — that Bhargava, enraged, then cursed me then, good sir,

Verse 59 (skanda.1.43.59)

॥भार्गव उवाच॥ निशाचरस्य धर्मेण यत्त्वयोद्वाहिता सुता॥ तस्मान्निशाचरः पाप भव त्वमविलंबितम्

bhārgava uvāca niśācarasya dharmeṇa yattvayodvāhitā sutā tasmānniśācaraḥ pāpa bhava tvamavilaṁbitam

Bhargava said: "Since you have wedded my daughter by the way of a creature of the night, therefore, sinner, become at once a creature of the night!"

Verse 60 (skanda.1.43.60)

इति शप्तः प्रण्म्यैनं पादोपग्रहपूर्वकम्॥ हाहेति च ब्रुवन्गाढं साश्रुनेत्रं सगद्गदम्

iti śaptaḥ praṇmyainaṁ pādopagrahapūrvakam hāheti ca bruvangāḍhaṁ sāśrunetraṁ sagadgadam

Thus cursed, I bowed to him, clasping his very feet, crying out 'alas, alas!' loudly, my eyes full of tears, my voice breaking —

Verse 61 (skanda.1.43.61)

ततोहमब्रवं कस्माददोषं मां भवानिति॥ शपते भवता दत्ता मम वाचा पुरा सुता

tatohamabravaṁ kasmādadoṣaṁ māṁ bhavāniti śapate bhavatā dattā mama vācā purā sutā

and then I said: "Why do you curse me, though I am not at fault? This maiden was already given to me by your own word beforehand —

Verse 62 (skanda.1.43.62)

सोद्वाहिता मया कन्या दानं सकृदिति स्मृतिः॥ सकृज्जल्पंति राजानः सकृज्जल्पंति पण्डिताः

sodvāhitā mayā kanyā dānaṁ sakṛditi smṛtiḥ sakṛjjalpaṁti rājānaḥ sakṛjjalpaṁti paṇḍitāḥ

"and that maiden has now been wedded by me; it is remembered that a gift is given only once. Kings speak but once, scholars speak but once,

Verse 63 (skanda.1.43.63)

सकृत्कन्याः प्रदीयंते त्रीण्येतानि सकृत्सकृत्॥ किं च प्रतिश्रुतार्थस्य निर्वाहस्तत्सतां व्रतम्

sakṛtkanyāḥ pradīyaṁte trīṇyetāni sakṛtsakṛt kiṁ ca pratiśrutārthasya nirvāhastatsatāṁ vratam

"maidens too are given but once — each of these three things is done only once. And besides, the fulfilling of what has been promised is itself the vow of the virtuous.

Verse 64 (skanda.1.43.64)

भवादृशानां साधूनां साधूनां तस्य त्यागो विगर्हितः॥ प्रतिश्रुता त्वया लब्धा तदा कालमियं मया

bhavādṛśānāṁ sādhūnāṁ sādhūnāṁ tasya tyāgo vigarhitaḥ pratiśrutā tvayā labdhā tadā kālamiyaṁ mayā

"For men such as you, virtuous as you are, its abandonment is reprehensible even among the good. The word you gave, I received in its proper time,

Verse 65 (skanda.1.43.65)

उद्वोढा चाधुना नाहमुचितः शापभाजनम्॥ वृथा शपन्ति मह्यं च भवंतस्तद्विचार्यताम्

udvoḍhā cādhunā nāhamucitaḥ śāpabhājanam vṛthā śapanti mahyaṁ ca bhavaṁtastadvicāryatām

"and now I have wedded her — I am no fit object for this curse; you curse me needlessly — consider this well."

Verse 66 (skanda.1.43.66)

यो दत्त्वा कन्यकां वाचा पश्चाद्धरति दुर्मतिः॥ स याति नरकं चेति धर्मशास्त्रेषु निश्चितम्

yo dattvā kanyakāṁ vācā paścāddharati durmatiḥ sa yāti narakaṁ ceti dharmaśāstreṣu niścitam

"'He who, having given a maiden by word, later takes her back out of ill will, goes to hell' — this is settled in the dharma-shastras."

Verse 67 (skanda.1.43.67)

तदाकर्ण्य व्यवस्यासौ तथ्यं मद्वचनं हृदा॥ पश्चात्तापसमोपेतो मुनिर्मामित्यथाब्रवीत्

tadākarṇya vyavasyāsau tathyaṁ madvacanaṁ hṛdā paścāttāpasamopeto munirmāmityathābravīt

Hearing this, and recognizing in his own heart the truth of my words, that sage, filled with remorse, then spoke this to me —

Verse 68 (skanda.1.43.68)

न मे स्यादन्यथा वाणी उलूकस्त्वं भविष्यति॥ निशाचरो ह्युलूकोऽपि प्रोच्यते द्विजसत्तम

na me syādanyathā vāṇī ulūkastvaṁ bhaviṣyati niśācaro hyulūko'pi procyate dvijasattama

"'My word cannot be undone — you shall become an owl; for an owl too is called a creature of the night, O best of the twice-born.

Verse 69 (skanda.1.43.69)

यदेंद्रद्युम्नविज्ञाने सहायस्तंव भविष्यसि॥ तदा त्वं प्रकृतिं विप्र प्राप्स्यसीत्यब्रवीत्स माम्

yadeṁdradyumnavijñāne sahāyastaṁva bhaviṣyasi tadā tvaṁ prakṛtiṁ vipra prāpsyasītyabravītsa mām

"'But when you become a helper in the discovery of Indradyumna, then, O Brahmin, you shall regain your own true nature' — so he said to me."

Verse 70 (skanda.1.43.70)

तद्वाक्यसमकालं च कौशिकत्वमिदं मम॥ एतावंति दिनान्यासीदष्टाविंशद्दिनं विधेः

tadvākyasamakālaṁ ca kauśikatvamidaṁ mama etāvaṁti dinānyāsīdaṣṭāviṁśaddinaṁ vidheḥ

At the very moment of his words this owl-form of mine came to be. So many days have since passed — twenty-eight days of Brahma, that is, twenty-eight kalpas.

Verse 71 (skanda.1.43.71)

बिल्वीदलौरिति पुरा शशिशेखरस्य संपूजनेन मम दीर्घतरं किलायुः॥ संजातमत्र च जुगुप्सितमस्य शापात्कैलासरोधसि निशाचररूपमासीत्

bilvīdalauriti purā śaśiśekharasya saṁpūjanena mama dīrghataraṁ kilāyuḥ saṁjātamatra ca jugupsitamasya śāpātkailāsarodhasi niśācararūpamāsīt

Thus, of old, through the worship of the moon-crested god with bilva leaves, this exceedingly long life came to be mine; and here, through that sage's curse, this despicable form of a creature of the night came upon me, upon the slope of Kailasa.