The Consoling of Himavat

Verse 1 (skanda.1.58.1)

॥नारद उवाच॥ ततश्च शैलजा देवी चिक्रीड सुभगा तदा॥ देवगंधर्वकन्याभिर्नगकिंनरसंभवाः॥ मुनीनां चापि याः कन्यास्ताभिः सार्धं च शोभना

nārada uvāca tataśca śailajā devī cikrīḍa subhagā tadā devagaṁdharvakanyābhirnagakiṁnarasaṁbhavāḥ munīnāṁ cāpi yāḥ kanyāstābhiḥ sārdhaṁ ca śobhanā

Narada said: Then the auspicious goddess, daughter of the mountain, used to play together with the daughters of gods and Gandharvas, those born of mountain-spirits and Kinnaras, and the daughters of sages too — lovely amid their company.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.58.2)

कदाचिदथ मेरुस्थो वासवः पांडुनंदन॥ सस्मारा मां ययौ चाहं संस्मृतो वासवं तदा

kadācidatha merustho vāsavaḥ pāṁḍunaṁdana sasmārā māṁ yayau cāhaṁ saṁsmṛto vāsavaṁ tadā

Once, O son of Pandu, Vasava, dwelling on Meru, remembered me, and I, thus remembered, went then to Vasava.

Verse 3 (skanda.1.58.3)

मां दृष्ट्वा च सहस्राक्षः समुत्थायातिहर्षितः॥ पूजयामास तां पूजां प्रतिगृह्याहमब्रुवम्

māṁ dṛṣṭvā ca sahasrākṣaḥ samutthāyātiharṣitaḥ pūjayāmāsa tāṁ pūjāṁ pratigṛhyāhamabruvam

Seeing me, the thousand-eyed one rose up, greatly delighted, and honored me with worship; having accepted that worship, I said —

Verse 4 (skanda.1.58.4)

महासुर महोन्मादकालानल दिवस्पते॥ कुशलं विद्यते कच्चिच्च नंदसि

mahāsura mahonmādakālānala divaspate kuśalaṁ vidyate kaccicca naṁdasi

'O lord of heaven, dread fire of doom to the great demons — is all well with you? Are you flourishing?'

Verse 5 (skanda.1.58.5)

पृष्टस्त्वेवं मया शक्रः प्रोवाच वचनं स्मयन्॥ कुशलस्यांकुरस्तावत्संभूतो भुवनत्रये

pṛṣṭastvevaṁ mayā śakraḥ provāca vacanaṁ smayan kuśalasyāṁkurastāvatsaṁbhūto bhuvanatraye

Thus asked by me, Shakra said, smiling: 'A sprout of well-being has indeed sprung up now in the three worlds —'

Verse 6 (skanda.1.58.6)

तत्फलोदयसंपत्तौ तद्भवान्संस्मृतो मुने॥ वेत्सि सर्वमतं त्वं वै तथापि परिनोदकः

tatphalodayasaṁpattau tadbhavānsaṁsmṛto mune vetsi sarvamataṁ tvaṁ vai tathāpi parinodakaḥ

'and for the ripening and fruition of that sprout, you, O sage, have been remembered; you know everyone's mind, and yet it is you who prompts them to speak.'

Verse 7 (skanda.1.58.7)

निर्वृतिं परमां याति निवेद्यार्थं सुहृज्जने

nirvṛtiṁ paramāṁ yāti nivedyārthaṁ suhṛjjane

'One attains supreme contentment by disclosing one's purpose to a friend.'

Verse 8 (skanda.1.58.8)

तद्भवाञ्छैलजां देवीं शैलंद्रं शैलवल्लभाम्॥ हरं संभावय वरं यन्नान्यं रोचयंति ते

tadbhavāñchailajāṁ devīṁ śailaṁdraṁ śailavallabhām haraṁ saṁbhāvaya varaṁ yannānyaṁ rocayaṁti te

'So go to the mountain-born goddess and to the lord of that mountain, and propose Hara as bridegroom for the mountain's beloved daughter — for they will accept no other.'

Verse 9 (skanda.1.58.9)

ततस्तद्वाक्यमाकर्ण्य गतोऽहं शैलसत्तमम्॥ ओषधिप्रस्थनिलयं साक्षादिव दिवस्पतिम्

tatastadvākyamākarṇya gato'haṁ śailasattamam oṣadhiprasthanilayaṁ sākṣādiva divaspatim

Then, hearing those words, I went to that foremost of mountains, whose dwelling was Aushadhiprastha — as majestic as though he were, in person, the lord of heaven.

Verse 10 (skanda.1.58.10)

तत्र हैमे स्वयं तेन महाभक्त्या निवेदिते॥ महासने पूजितोहमुपविष्टो महासुखम्

tatra haime svayaṁ tena mahābhaktyā nivedite mahāsane pūjitohamupaviṣṭo mahāsukham

There, on a golden great seat offered by him himself with great devotion, I, duly honored, sat down in great comfort.

Verse 11 (skanda.1.58.11)

गृहीतार्घ्यं ततो मां च पप्रच्छ श्लक्ष्णया गिरा॥ कुशलं तपसः शैलः शनैः फुल्लाननांबुजः

gṛhītārghyaṁ tato māṁ ca papraccha ślakṣṇayā girā kuśalaṁ tapasaḥ śailaḥ śanaiḥ phullānanāṁbujaḥ

Then, having received the offering of water, the mountain, his lotus-face slowly blossoming, asked me, in a gentle voice, of my welfare and austerities.

Verse 12 (skanda.1.58.12)

अहमप्यस्य तत्प्रोच्य प्रत्यवोचं गिरीश्वरम्॥ त्वया शैलेंद्र पूर्वां वाप्यपरां च दिशं तथा

ahamapyasya tatprocya pratyavocaṁ girīśvaram tvayā śaileṁdra pūrvāṁ vāpyaparāṁ ca diśaṁ tathā

Having told him of that, I in turn said to the lord of mountains: 'By you, O lord of mountains, whether the eastern or the western quarter —'

Verse 13 (skanda.1.58.13)

अवगाह्य स्थितवता क्रियते प्राणिपालना॥ अहो धन्योसि विप्रेंद्राः साहाय्येन तवाचल

avagāhya sthitavatā kriyate prāṇipālanā aho dhanyosi vipreṁdrāḥ sāhāyyena tavācala

'— having been pervaded, and standing there, the protection of creatures is accomplished. Ah, you are blessed, O unmoving one! Through your help the foremost of Brahmins —'

Verse 14 (skanda.1.58.14)

तपोजपव्रतस्नानौः साध्यंत्यात्मनः परम्॥ यज्ञांगसाधनैः कांश्चित्कंदादिफलदानतः

tapojapavratasnānauḥ sādhyaṁtyātmanaḥ param yajñāṁgasādhanaiḥ kāṁścitkaṁdādiphaladānataḥ

'— accomplish their supreme good through austerity, recitation, vows, and ablutions; through the requisites of sacrifice, and by the gift of roots and fruits to some —'

Verse 15 (skanda.1.58.15)

त्वं समुद्धरसि विप्रान्किमतः प्रोच्यते तव॥ अन्येऽपि जीव बहुधात्वामुपाश्रित्य भूधर

tvaṁ samuddharasi viprānkimataḥ procyate tava anye'pi jīva bahudhātvāmupāśritya bhūdhara

'— you uplift the Brahmins; what more need be said of you? Other living beings too, in many ways, taking refuge in you, O mountain-bearer,'

Verse 16 (skanda.1.58.16)

मुदिताः प्रतिवर्तंते गृहस्थमिव प्राणिनः॥ शीतमातपवर्षांश्च क्लेशान्नानाविधान्सहन्

muditāḥ prativartaṁte gṛhasthamiva prāṇinaḥ śītamātapavarṣāṁśca kleśānnānāvidhānsahan

'— return joyfully, as beings return to their own homes; enduring cold, heat, rain, and manifold hardships,'

Verse 17 (skanda.1.58.17)

उपाकरोषि जंतूनामेवंरूपा हि साधवः॥ किमतः प्रोच्यते तुभ्यं धन्यस्त्वं पृथिवीधर

upākaroṣi jaṁtūnāmevaṁrūpā hi sādhavaḥ kimataḥ procyate tubhyaṁ dhanyastvaṁ pṛthivīdhara

'— you render service to living creatures; for such indeed are the virtuous. What more need be said to you? Blessed are you, O bearer of the earth,'

Verse 18 (skanda.1.58.18)

कंदरं यस्य चाध्यास्ते स्वयं तव महेश्वरः॥ इत्युक्तवति वाक्यं च यथार्थं मयिफाल्गुन

kaṁdaraṁ yasya cādhyāste svayaṁ tava maheśvaraḥ ityuktavati vākyaṁ ca yathārthaṁ mayiphālguna

'— in whose very cavern dwells Maheshvara himself.' When I had spoken these true words, O Phalguna,

Verse 19 (skanda.1.58.19)

हिमशैलस्य महिषी मेना आगाद्दिदृक्षया॥ अनुयाता दुहित्रा च स्वल्पाश्च परिचारिकाः

himaśailasya mahiṣī menā āgāddidṛkṣayā anuyātā duhitrā ca svalpāśca paricārikāḥ

Mena, the queen of the Snow Mountain, came desiring to see me, followed by her daughter and a few attendants.

Verse 20 (skanda.1.58.20)

लज्जयानतसर्वांगी प्रविवेश सदो महत्॥ ततो मां शैलमहिषी ववंदे प्रणिपत्य सा

lajjayānatasarvāṁgī praviveśa sado mahat tato māṁ śailamahiṣī vavaṁde praṇipatya sā

Her whole body bent with modesty, she entered the great assembly-hall; then the mountain's queen bowed down and paid homage to me,

Verse 21 (skanda.1.58.21)

वस्त्रनिर्गूढवदना पाणिपद्मकृतांजलिः॥ तामहं सत्यरूपाभिराशीर्भिः समवर्धयम्

vastranirgūḍhavadanā pāṇipadmakṛtāṁjaliḥ tāmahaṁ satyarūpābhirāśīrbhiḥ samavardhayam

her face veiled beneath her garment, her lotus-hands joined in salutation. I blessed her with true, fitting benedictions —

Verse 22 (skanda.1.58.22)

पतिव्रता शुभाचारा सुबगा वीरसूः शुभे॥ सदा वीरवती चापि भव वंशोन्नतिप्रद

pativratā śubhācārā subagā vīrasūḥ śubhe sadā vīravatī cāpi bhava vaṁśonnatiprada

'May you be devoted to your husband, of virtuous conduct, fortunate, the mother of heroes, O auspicious one; ever be blessed with heroic sons, and be the one who exalts your lineage.'

Verse 23 (skanda.1.58.23)

ततोऽहं विस्मिताक्षीं च हिमवद्गिरिपुत्रिकाम्॥ मृदुवाण्या प्रत्यवोचमेहि बाले ममांतिकम्

tato'haṁ vismitākṣīṁ ca himavadgiriputrikām mṛduvāṇyā pratyavocamehi bāle mamāṁtikam

Then I, in a gentle voice, said to the wide-eyed daughter of Himavat: 'Come, child, near to me.'

Verse 24 (skanda.1.58.24)

ततो देवी जगन्माता बालबावं स्वकं मयि॥ दर्शयंती स्वपितरं कंठे गृह्यांकमावि शत्

tato devī jaganmātā bālabāvaṁ svakaṁ mayi darśayaṁtī svapitaraṁ kaṁṭhe gṛhyāṁkamāvi śat

Then the goddess, mother of the world, showing her own childlike nature, clung to her father's neck and climbed into his lap.

Verse 25 (skanda.1.58.25)

उवाच वाचं तां मंदं मुनिं वंदय पुत्रिके॥ मुनेः प्रसादतोऽवश्यं पतिमाप्स्यसि संमतम्

uvāca vācaṁ tāṁ maṁdaṁ muniṁ vaṁdaya putrike muneḥ prasādato'vaśyaṁ patimāpsyasi saṁmatam

He said gently to her: 'Bow to the sage, my daughter; by the sage's grace you shall surely obtain a fitting husband.'

Verse 26 (skanda.1.58.26)

इत्युक्ता सा ततो बाला वस्त्रांतपि हितानना॥ किंचित्सहुंकृतोत्कंपं प्रोच्य नोवाच किंचन

ityuktā sā tato bālā vastrāṁtapi hitānanā kiṁcitsahuṁkṛtotkaṁpaṁ procya novāca kiṁcana

Thus told, that child, her face hidden in the edge of her garment, uttered a faint, trembling sound of assent, but said nothing further.

Verse 27 (skanda.1.58.27)

ततो विस्मितचित्तोहमुपचारविदांवरः॥ प्रत्यवोचं पुनर्देवीमेहि दास्यामि ते शुभे

tato vismitacittohamupacāravidāṁvaraḥ pratyavocaṁ punardevīmehi dāsyāmi te śubhe

Then I, my mind delighted, foremost among those skilled in courtesy, said again to the goddess: 'Come, O auspicious one, I shall give you —'

Verse 28 (skanda.1.58.28)

रत्नक्रीडनकं रम्यं स्तापितं सुचिरं मया॥ इत्युक्ता सा तदोत्थाय पितुरंकात्सवेगतः

ratnakrīḍanakaṁ ramyaṁ stāpitaṁ suciraṁ mayā ityuktā sā tadotthāya pituraṁkātsavegataḥ

'— a lovely jeweled plaything, kept safe by me for a long time.' Thus told, she then rose swiftly from her father's lap,

Verse 29 (skanda.1.58.29)

वंदमाना च मे पादौ मया नीतांक मात्मनः॥ मन्यता तां जगत्पूज्यामुक्तं बाले तवोचितम्

vaṁdamānā ca me pādau mayā nītāṁka mātmanaḥ manyatā tāṁ jagatpūjyāmuktaṁ bāle tavocitam

and bowed to my feet; and I drew her onto my own lap, regarding her as worthy of the world's worship, and said: 'Child, this befits you.'

Verse 30 (skanda.1.58.30)

न तत्पश्यामि यत्तुभ्यं दद्म्याशीः का तवोचिता॥ इत्युक्ते मातृवात्सल्याच्छैलेन्द्र महिषी तदा

na tatpaśyāmi yattubhyaṁ dadmyāśīḥ kā tavocitā ityukte mātṛvātsalyācchailendra mahiṣī tadā

'I see nothing that I might give you — what blessing indeed would befit you?' When this was said, then, out of a mother's tenderness, the queen of the lord of mountains,

Verse 31 (skanda.1.58.31)

नोदयामास मां मंदमानशीःशंकिता तदा॥ भगवन्वेत्सि सर्वं त्वमतीतानागतं प्रभो

nodayāmāsa māṁ maṁdamānaśīḥśaṁkitā tadā bhagavanvetsi sarvaṁ tvamatītānāgataṁ prabho

gently urged me on, somewhat uneasy about the blessing: 'O blessed one, you know all things, past and future, O lord —'

Verse 32 (skanda.1.58.32)

तदहं ज्ञातुमिच्छामि कीदृशोऽस्याः पतिर्भवेत्॥ श्रुत्वेति सस्मितमुखः प्रावोचं नर्मवल्लभः

tadahaṁ jñātumicchāmi kīdṛśo'syāḥ patirbhavet śrutveti sasmitamukhaḥ prāvocaṁ narmavallabhaḥ

'— so I wish to know what sort of husband she shall have.' Hearing this, I, fond of jesting, my face smiling, said —

Verse 33 (skanda.1.58.33)

न जातोऽस्याः पतिर्भद्रे वर्तते च कुलक्षणः॥ नग्नोऽतिनिर्धनः क्रोधीवृतः क्रूरैश्च सर्वदा

na jāto'syāḥ patirbhadre vartate ca kulakṣaṇaḥ nagno'tinirdhanaḥ krodhīvṛtaḥ krūraiśca sarvadā

'Her husband, O gracious lady, has not yet been born; and there exists one of ill omen for the family — naked, utterly destitute, wrathful, and forever surrounded by cruel beings.'

Verse 34 (skanda.1.58.34)

श्रुत्वेति संभ्रमाविष्टो ध्वस्तवीर्यो हिमाचलः॥ मां तदा प्रत्युवाचेदं साश्रुकण्ठो महागिरिः

śrutveti saṁbhramāviṣṭo dhvastavīryo himācalaḥ māṁ tadā pratyuvācedaṁ sāśrukaṇṭho mahāgiriḥ

Hearing this, overcome with agitation, his strength shattered, Himachala, his throat choked with tears, then replied to me thus —

Verse 35 (skanda.1.58.35)

अहो विचित्रः सं सारो दुर्वेद्यो महतामपि॥ प्रवरस्त्वपि शक्त्या यो नरेषु न कृपायते

aho vicitraḥ saṁ sāro durvedyo mahatāmapi pravarastvapi śaktyā yo nareṣu na kṛpāyate

'Ah, how strange is this world, incomprehensible even to the great! He who is foremost in power among men, yet shows no compassion —'

Verse 36 (skanda.1.58.36)

यत्नेन महता तावत्पुण्यैर्बहुविधैरपि॥ साधयत्यात्मनो लोको मानुष्य मतिदुर्लभम्

yatnena mahatā tāvatpuṇyairbahuvidhairapi sādhayatyātmano loko mānuṣya matidurlabham

'With great effort, and by manifold merits, a being achieves for itself this most rare thing: a human birth.'

Verse 37 (skanda.1.58.37)

अध्रुवं तद्ध्रवत्वे च कथंचित्परिकल्प्यते॥ तत्रापि दुर्लभानाम समानव्रतचारिणी

adhruvaṁ taddhravatve ca kathaṁcitparikalpyate tatrāpi durlabhānāma samānavratacāriṇī

'Even that, unstable as it is, is somehow reckoned as if stable; and rarer still, within that, is a wife who follows the same vows —'

Verse 38 (skanda.1.58.38)

साध्वी महाकुलोत्पन्ना भार्याया स्यात्पतिव्रता॥ तत्रापि दुर्लभं यच्च तया धर्मनिषेवणम्

sādhvī mahākulotpannā bhāryāyā syātpativratā tatrāpi durlabhaṁ yacca tayā dharmaniṣevaṇam

'— virtuous, born of a great family, devoted to her husband; and rarer still, within that, is the practice of dharma together with her —'

Verse 39 (skanda.1.58.39)

सह वेदपुराणोक्तं जगत्त्रयहितावहम्॥ एतत्सुदुर्लभं यच्च तस्यां चैव प्रजायते

saha vedapurāṇoktaṁ jagattrayahitāvaham etatsudurlabhaṁ yacca tasyāṁ caiva prajāyate

'— as declared in the Vedas and Puranas, bringing benefit to the three worlds; and rarest of all is that which is then born to her —'

Verse 40 (skanda.1.58.40)

तदपत्यमपत्यार्थं संसारे किल नारद॥ एतेषां दुर्लभानां हि किंचित्प्राप्नोति पुण्यवान्

tadapatyamapatyārthaṁ saṁsāre kila nārada eteṣāṁ durlabhānāṁ hi kiṁcitprāpnoti puṇyavān

'— that offspring, begotten for the sake of offspring, in this world, O Narada. Of these rare things, a man of merit obtains only a portion.'

Verse 41 (skanda.1.58.41)

सर्वमेतदवाप्नोति स कोपि यदिवा न वा॥ किंचित्केनापि हि न्यूनं संसारः कुरुते नरम्

sarvametadavāpnoti sa kopi yadivā na vā kiṁcitkenāpi hi nyūnaṁ saṁsāraḥ kurute naram

'Whether any man obtains all of these together, or not — this world always leaves a man lacking in something or other.'

Verse 42 (skanda.1.58.42)

अथ संसारिको दोषः स्वकृतं यत्र भुज्यते॥ गार्हस्थ्यं च प्रशंसंति वेदाः सर्वेऽपि नारद

atha saṁsāriko doṣaḥ svakṛtaṁ yatra bhujyate gārhasthyaṁ ca praśaṁsaṁti vedāḥ sarve'pi nārada

'Now, this is the flaw of worldly existence — that one experiences only what one has done oneself; and yet all the Vedas praise the householder's life, O Narada —'

Verse 43 (skanda.1.58.43)

नेति केचित्तत्र पुनः कथं ते यदि नो गृही॥ अतो धात्रा च शास्त्रेषु सुतलाभः प्रशंसितः

neti kecittatra punaḥ kathaṁ te yadi no gṛhī ato dhātrā ca śāstreṣu sutalābhaḥ praśaṁsitaḥ

'— some say no; but then, how would they themselves exist, if not through a householder? Therefore the Creator too, in the scriptures, has praised the gaining of offspring —'

Verse 44 (skanda.1.58.44)

पुनश्चसृष्टिवृद्ध्यर्थं नरकत्राणनाय च॥ तत्र स्त्रीणां समुत्पत्तिं विना सृष्टिर्न जायते

punaścasṛṣṭivṛddhyarthaṁ narakatrāṇanāya ca tatra strīṇāṁ samutpattiṁ vinā sṛṣṭirna jāyate

'— again, for the increase of creation, and for saving from hell. And in this, without the birth of women, creation could not come about.'

Verse 45 (skanda.1.58.45)

सा च जातिप्रकृत्यैव कृपणा दैन्यभागिनी॥ तासामुपरि मावज्ञा भवेदिति च वेधसा॥ शास्त्रेषूक्तमसंदिग्धं वाक्यमेतन्महात्फलम्

sā ca jātiprakṛtyaiva kṛpaṇā dainyabhāginī tāsāmupari māvajñā bhavediti ca vedhasā śāstreṣūktamasaṁdigdhaṁ vākyametanmahātphalam

'And she, by the very nature of her birth, is held to share in humility; and so that no contempt should fall upon women, the Ordainer has declared, without doubt, this saying of great fruit in the scriptures —'

Verse 46 (skanda.1.58.46)

दशपुत्रसमा कन्या दशपुत्रान्प्रवर्द्धयन्॥ यत्फलं लभते मर्त्यस्तल्लभ्यं कन्ययैकया

daśaputrasamā kanyā daśaputrānpravarddhayan yatphalaṁ labhate martyastallabhyaṁ kanyayaikayā

'— a daughter is equal to ten sons. Whatever fruit a mortal obtains by raising ten sons, that same fruit is obtainable through a single daughter.'

Verse 47 (skanda.1.58.47)

तस्मात्कन्या पितुः शोच्या सदा दुःखविवर्धिनी

tasmātkanyā pituḥ śocyā sadā duḥkhavivardhinī

'Yet a daughter is ever an object of grief to her father, ever the increaser of his sorrow.'

Verse 48 (skanda.1.58.48)

यापि स्यात्पूर्णसर्वार्था पतिपुत्रधनान्विता॥ त्वयोक्तं च कृते ह्यस्यास्तद्वाक्यं मम शोकदम्

yāpi syātpūrṇasarvārthā patiputradhanānvitā tvayoktaṁ ca kṛte hyasyāstadvākyaṁ mama śokadam

'Even one who might have every good fortune fulfilled, blessed with husband, sons, and wealth — even for such a one, the words you have spoken have become, for me, a cause of grief.'

Verse 49 (skanda.1.58.49)

केन दोषेण मे पुत्री न योग्या आशिषामता॥ न जातोऽस्याः पतिः कस्माद्वर्तते वा कुलक्षणः

kena doṣeṇa me putrī na yogyā āśiṣāmatā na jāto'syāḥ patiḥ kasmādvartate vā kulakṣaṇaḥ

'By what fault is my daughter unworthy of blessing? Why has her husband not yet been born, and why does there exist for her one of ill omen for the family?'

Verse 50 (skanda.1.58.50)

निर्धनश्च मुने कस्मात्सर्वेषां सर्वदः कुतः॥ इति दुर्घटवाक्यं ते मनो मोहयतीव मे

nirdhanaśca mune kasmātsarveṣāṁ sarvadaḥ kutaḥ iti durghaṭavākyaṁ te mano mohayatīva me

'Why is he penniless, O sage, when he is the giver of all things to all? These riddling, contradictory words of yours confound my mind, as it were.'

Verse 51 (skanda.1.58.51)

इति तं पुत्रवात्सल्यात्सभार्यं शोकसंप्लुतम्॥ अहमाश्वासयं वाग्भिः सत्याभिः पांडुनंदन

iti taṁ putravātsalyātsabhāryaṁ śokasaṁplutam ahamāśvāsayaṁ vāgbhiḥ satyābhiḥ pāṁḍunaṁdana

Thus, seeing him overwhelmed with grief out of love for his daughter, together with his wife, I, O son of Pandu, consoled him with true words —

Verse 52 (skanda.1.58.52)

मा शुचः शैलराज त्वं हर्षस्थानेऽतिपुण्यभाक्॥ श्रृणु तद्वचनं मह्यं यन्मयोक्तं च ह्यर्थवत्

mā śucaḥ śailarāja tvaṁ harṣasthāne'tipuṇyabhāk śrṛṇu tadvacanaṁ mahyaṁ yanmayoktaṁ ca hyarthavat

'Grieve not, O king of mountains — you are, in truth, blessed at a moment of joy, most fortunate. Listen to what I have said to you, for my words have real meaning —'

Verse 53 (skanda.1.58.53)

जगन्माता त्वियं बाला पुत्री ते सर्वसिद्धिदा॥ पुरा भवेऽभवद्भार्या सतीनाम्ना भवस्य या

jaganmātā tviyaṁ bālā putrī te sarvasiddhidā purā bhave'bhavadbhāryā satīnāmnā bhavasya yā

'This child, your daughter, is the very mother of the world, the giver of all accomplishment; in a former life, she was the wife of Bhava, known by the name Sati.'

Verse 54 (skanda.1.58.54)

तदस्याः किमहं दद्मि रवेर्दीपमिवाल्पकः॥ संचिंत्येति महादेव्या नाशिषं दत्तवानहम्

tadasyāḥ kimahaṁ dadmi raverdīpamivālpakaḥ saṁciṁtyeti mahādevyā nāśiṣaṁ dattavānaham

'So what could I give her — as trifling as offering a lamp to the sun? Reflecting thus, I gave the great Goddess no blessing.'

Verse 55 (skanda.1.58.55)

न जातोऽभवद्भार्या पतिश्चेति वर्तते च भवो हि सः॥ न स जातो महादेवो भूतभव्यभवोद्भवः

na jāto'bhavadbhāryā patiśceti vartate ca bhavo hi saḥ na sa jāto mahādevo bhūtabhavyabhavodbhavaḥ

'Her husband has not yet been born — thus I said; but he is Bhava himself! For that Mahadeva, the source of all that has been and shall be, is, in this sense, never born —'

Verse 56 (skanda.1.58.56)

शरण्यः शाश्वतः शास्ता शंकरः परमेश्वरः

śaraṇyaḥ śāśvataḥ śāstā śaṁkaraḥ parameśvaraḥ

'— the giver of refuge, the eternal one, the ruler, Shankara, the supreme Lord.'

Verse 57 (skanda.1.58.57)

सर्वे देवा यत्पदमामनंति वेदैश्च सर्वैरपि यो न लभ्यः॥ ब्रह्मादिविश्वं ननु यस्य शैल बालस्य वा क्रीडनकं वदंति

sarve devā yatpadamāmanaṁti vedaiśca sarvairapi yo na labhyaḥ brahmādiviśvaṁ nanu yasya śaila bālasya vā krīḍanakaṁ vadaṁti

'He whose state all the gods revere, and whom even all the Vedas cannot attain — his, O mountain, is this whole universe, with Brahma and all, which they say is but a child's plaything.'

Verse 58 (skanda.1.58.58)

स चामंगल्यशीलोऽपि मंगलां यतनो हरः॥ निर्धनः सर्वदश्चासौ वेद स्वं स्वयमेव सः

sa cāmaṁgalyaśīlo'pi maṁgalāṁ yatano haraḥ nirdhanaḥ sarvadaścāsau veda svaṁ svayameva saḥ

'And he, though seemingly of inauspicious habits, is Hara, the very source of auspiciousness; though penniless, he is the giver of all things — he alone truly knows his own nature.'

Verse 59 (skanda.1.58.59)

स च देवोऽचलः स्थाणुर्महादेवोऽजरो हरः॥ भविष्यति पतिः सोऽस्यास्तत्किमर्थं तु शोचसि

sa ca devo'calaḥ sthāṇurmahādevo'jaro haraḥ bhaviṣyati patiḥ so'syāstatkimarthaṁ tu śocasi

'And that unmoving, ever-fixed, unaging god Mahadeva, Hara — he shall become her husband. So why, then, do you grieve?'