The Churning of the Ocean and the Halahala Poison

Verse 1 (skanda.1.9.1)

॥लोमश उवाच॥ एकदा तु सभामध्य आस्थितो देवराट् स्वयम्॥ लोकपालैः परिवृतो देवैश्च ऋषिभिस्तथा

||lomaśa uvāca|| ekadā tu sabhāmadhya āsthito devarāṭ svayam|| lokapālaiḥ parivṛto devaiśca ṛṣibhistathā

Lomasha said: Once, Devaraja himself was seated in the midst of the assembly, surrounded by the guardians of the quarters and by gods and sages likewise,

Verse 2 (skanda.1.9.2)

अप्सरोगणसंवीतो गंधर्वैश्च पुरस्कृतः॥ उपगीयमानविजयः सिद्धविद्याधरैरपि

apsarogaṇasaṃvīto gaṃdharvaiśca puraskṛtaḥ|| upagīyamānavijayaḥ siddhavidyādharairapi

surrounded by hosts of apsarases, honored by gandharvas, his victories being sung even by siddhas and vidyadharas.

Verse 3 (skanda.1.9.3)

तदा शिष्यैः परिवृतो देवराजगुरुः सुधीः॥ आगतोऽसौ महाभागो बृहस्पति रुदारधीः

tadā śiṣyaiḥ parivṛto devarājaguruḥ sudhīḥ|| āgato'sau mahābhāgo bṛhaspati rudāradhīḥ

At that moment, surrounded by his disciples, the wise guru of the king of gods, that most fortunate and noble-minded Brihaspati, arrived.

Verse 4 (skanda.1.9.4)

तं दृष्ट्वा सहसा देवाः प्रणेमुः समुपस्थिताः॥ इंद्रोपि ददृशे तत्र प्राप्तं वाचस्पतिं तदा

taṃ dṛṣṭvā sahasā devāḥ praṇemuḥ samupasthitāḥ|| iṃdropi dadṛśe tatra prāptaṃ vācaspatiṃ tadā

Seeing him, the gods present rose at once and bowed; Indra too saw Vachaspati arrived there,

Verse 5 (skanda.1.9.5)

नोवाच किंचिद्दुर्मेधावचो मानुपुरःसरम्॥ नाह्वानं नासनं तस्य न विसर्जनमेव च

novāca kiṃciddurmedhāvaco mānupuraḥsaram|| nāhvānaṃ nāsanaṃ tasya na visarjanameva ca

but, dull-witted, he said nothing befitting a proper reception — no invitation, no seat, no fitting send-off.

Verse 6 (skanda.1.9.6)

शक्रं प्रमत्तं ज्ञात्वाथ मदाद्राज्यस्य दुर्मतिम्॥ तिरोधानमनुप्राप्तो बृहस्पती रुषान्वितः

śakraṃ pramattaṃ jñātvātha madādrājyasya durmatim|| tirodhānamanuprāpto bṛhaspatī ruṣānvitaḥ

Knowing Shakra to be intoxicated and of evil intent through the pride of his kingdom, Brihaspati, filled with fury, disappeared from sight.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.9.7)

गते देवगुरौ तस्मिन्विमनस्काऽभवन्सुराः॥ यक्षा नागाः सगंधर्वा ऋषयोऽपि तथा द्विजाः

gate devagurau tasminvimanaskā'bhavansurāḥ|| yakṣā nāgāḥ sagaṃdharvā ṛṣayo'pi tathā dvijāḥ

When the guru of the gods had gone, the gods became downcast — yakshas, nagas, gandharvas, and sages and brahmins too.

Verse 8 (skanda.1.9.8)

गांधर्वस्या वसाने तु लब्धसंज्ञो हरिः सुरान्॥ पप्रच्छ त्वरितेनवै क्व गतो हि महातपाः

gāṃdharvasyā vasāne tu labdhasaṃjño hariḥ surān|| papraccha tvaritenavai kva gato hi mahātapāḥ

At the end of a gandharva's song, Indra, regaining his senses, quickly asked the gods: "Where has that great ascetic gone?"

Verse 9 (skanda.1.9.9)

तदैव नारदेनोक्तः शक्रो देवाधिपस्तथा॥ त्वया कृता ह्यवज्ञा च गुरोर्नस्त्यत्र संशयः

tadaiva nāradenoktaḥ śakro devādhipastathā|| tvayā kṛtā hyavajñā ca gurornastyatra saṃśayaḥ

At that very moment Narada said to Shakra, lord of the gods: "You have shown disrespect to your guru, there is no doubt of this."

Verse 10 (skanda.1.9.10)

गुरोरवज्ञया राज्यं गतं ते बलसूदन॥ तस्मात्क्षमापनीयोऽसौ सर्वभावेन हि त्वया

guroravajñayā rājyaṃ gataṃ te balasūdana|| tasmātkṣamāpanīyo'sau sarvabhāvena hi tvayā

"Through disrespect to your guru, your kingdom is lost, O slayer of Bala; therefore he must be appeased by you with your whole heart."

Verse 11 (skanda.1.9.11)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य नारदस्य महात्मनः॥ आसनात्सहसोत्थाय तैः सर्वैः परिवारितः॥ आगच्छत्त्वरया शक्रो गुरोर्गेहमतंद्रितः

etacchrutvā vacastasya nāradasya mahātmanaḥ|| āsanātsahasotthāya taiḥ sarvaiḥ parivāritaḥ|| āgacchattvarayā śakro gurorgehamataṃdritaḥ

Hearing these words of the great soul Narada, rising suddenly from his seat, surrounded by all of them, Shakra, without delay, went to his guru's house.

Verse 12 (skanda.1.9.12)

पृष्ट्वा तारां प्रणम्यादौ क्व गतो हि महातपाः॥ न जानामीत्युवाचेदं तारा शक्रं निरीक्षती

pṛṣṭvā tārāṃ praṇamyādau kva gato hi mahātapāḥ|| na jānāmītyuvācedaṃ tārā śakraṃ nirīkṣatī

Having first bowed to Tara and asked, "Where has that great ascetic gone?", Tara, looking at Shakra, said: "I do not know."

Verse 13 (skanda.1.9.13)

तदा चिंतान्वितो भूत्वा शक्रः स्वगृहमाव्रजत्॥ एतस्मिन्नंतरे स्वर्गे ह्यनिष्टान्द्भुतानि च

tadā ciṃtānvito bhūtvā śakraḥ svagṛhamāvrajat|| etasminnaṃtare svarge hyaniṣṭāndbhutāni ca

Then, filled with anxiety, Shakra returned to his own home. Meanwhile, in heaven, evil and portentous wonders began to occur —

Verse 14 (skanda.1.9.14)

अभवन्सर्वदुःखार्थे शक्रस्य च महात्मनः॥ पातालस्थेन बलिना ज्ञातं शक्रस्य चेष्टितम्

abhavansarvaduḥkhārthe śakrasya ca mahātmanaḥ|| pātālasthena balinā jñātaṃ śakrasya ceṣṭitam

occurring for the sorrow of the great-souled Shakra. Bali, dwelling in Patala, learned of Shakra's plight.

Verse 15 (skanda.1.9.15)

ययौ दैत्यैः परिवृतः पातालादमरावतीम्॥ तदा युद्धमतीवासीद्देवानां दानवैः सह

yayau daityaiḥ parivṛtaḥ pātālādamarāvatīm|| tadā yuddhamatīvāsīddevānāṃ dānavaiḥ saha

Surrounded by daityas, he went from Patala to Amaravati; then a fierce war took place between the gods and the danavas.

Verse 16 (skanda.1.9.16)

देवाः पराजिता दैत्यै राज्यं शक्रस्य तत्क्षणात्॥ संप्राप्तं सकलं तस्य मूढस्य च दुरात्मनः

devāḥ parājitā daityai rājyaṃ śakrasya tatkṣaṇāt|| saṃprāptaṃ sakalaṃ tasya mūḍhasya ca durātmanaḥ

The gods were defeated by the daityas, and Shakra's entire kingdom passed, at that very instant, into the hands of that foolish and evil-minded one.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.9.17)

नीतं सर्वप्रयत्नेन पातालं त्वरितं गताः॥ शुक्रप्रसादात्ते सर्वे तथा विजयिनोऽभवन्

nītaṃ sarvaprayatnena pātālaṃ tvaritaṃ gatāḥ|| śukraprasādātte sarve tathā vijayino'bhavan

With every effort it was swiftly carried off to Patala; by Shukra's grace, all of them became victorious.

Verse 18 (skanda.1.9.18)

शक्रोऽपि निःश्रिको जातो देवैस्त्यक्तस्ततो भृशम्॥ देवी तिरोधानगता बभूव कमलेक्षणा

śakro'pi niḥśriko jāto devaistyaktastato bhṛśam|| devī tirodhānagatā babhūva kamalekṣaṇā

Shakra too became without prosperity, utterly abandoned by the gods; the lotus-eyed Goddess too disappeared from sight.

Verse 19 (skanda.1.9.19)

ऐरावतो महानागस्तथैवोच्चैःश्रवा हयः॥ एवमादीनि रत्नानि अनेकानि बहून्यपि॥ नीतानि सहसा दैत्यैर्लोभादसाधुवृत्तिभिः

airāvato mahānāgastathaivoccaiḥśravā hayaḥ|| evamādīni ratnāni anekāni bahūnyapi|| nītāni sahasā daityairlobhādasādhuvṛttibhiḥ

Airavata, the great elephant, and likewise Uchchaihshravas, the horse — these and many other jewels were suddenly carried off by the greedy and ill-behaved daityas.

Verse 20 (skanda.1.9.20)

पुण्यभांजि च तान्येव पतितानि च सागरे॥ तदा स विस्मयाविष्टो बलिराह गुरुं प्रति

puṇyabhāṃji ca tānyeva patitāni ca sāgare|| tadā sa vismayāviṣṭo balirāha guruṃ prati

But those very meritorious treasures fell into the ocean. Then, filled with wonder, Bali said to his guru —

Verse 21 (skanda.1.9.21)

देवान्निर्जित्य चास्माभिरानीतानि बहूनि च॥ रत्नानि तु समुद्रेऽथ पतितानि तदद्भुतम्

devānnirjitya cāsmābhirānītāni bahūni ca|| ratnāni tu samudre'tha patitāni tadadbhutam

"Having conquered the gods, we carried off many jewels — yet they fell into the ocean; this is indeed a great wonder."

Verse 22 (skanda.1.9.22)

बलेस्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा उशना प्रत्युवाच तम्॥ अश्वमेधशतेनैव सुरराज्यं भविष्यति॥ दीक्षितस्य न संदेहस्तस्माद्भोक्त स एव च

balestadvacanaṃ śrutvā uśanā pratyuvāca tam|| aśvamedhaśatenaiva surarājyaṃ bhaviṣyati|| dīkṣitasya na saṃdehastasmādbhokta sa eva ca

Hearing Bali's words, Ushanas replied to him: "Only through a hundred Ashvamedha sacrifices will the sovereignty of the gods be secured; without doubt, whoever is duly consecrated shall be its true enjoyer."

Verse 23 (skanda.1.9.23)

अश्वमेधं विना किंचित्स्वर्गं भोक्तं न पार्यते

aśvamedhaṃ vinā kiṃcitsvargaṃ bhoktaṃ na pāryate

"Without the Ashvamedha, no one can enjoy heaven at all."

Verse 24 (skanda.1.9.24)

गुरोर्वचनमाज्ञाय तूष्णींभूतो बलिस्ततः॥ बभूव देवैः सार्द्धं च यथोचितमकारयत्

gurorvacanamājñāya tūṣṇīṃbhūto balistataḥ|| babhūva devaiḥ sārddhaṃ ca yathocitamakārayat

Having understood his guru's word, Bali then fell silent and thereafter behaved fittingly with the gods.

Verse 25 (skanda.1.9.25)

इन्द्रोपि शोच्यतां प्राप्तो जगाम परमेष्ठिनम्.॥ विज्ञापयामास तथा सर्वं राज्यभयादिकम्

indropi śocyatāṃ prāpto jagāma parameṣṭhinam.|| vijñāpayāmāsa tathā sarvaṃ rājyabhayādikam

Indra too, having come to a pitiable state, went to the Supreme Lord and reported to him the whole matter of the loss of his kingdom and his fear.

Verse 26 (skanda.1.9.26)

शक्रस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा परमेष्ठी उवाच ह

śakrasya vacanaṃ śrutvā parameṣṭhī uvāca ha

Hearing Shakra's words, the Supreme Lord said —

Verse 27 (skanda.1.9.27)

संमिलित्वा सुरान्सर्वांस्त्वया साकं त्वरान्विताः॥ आराधनार्थं गच्छामो विष्णुं सर्वेश्वरेश्वरम्

saṃmilitvā surānsarvāṃstvayā sākaṃ tvarānvitāḥ|| ārādhanārthaṃ gacchāmo viṣṇuṃ sarveśvareśvaram

"Gathering all the gods together, swiftly, together with you, let us go to worship Vishnu, Lord of all lords."

Verse 28 (skanda.1.9.28)

तथेति गत्वा ते सर्वे शक्राद्या लोकपालकाः॥ ब्रह्माणं च पुरस्कृत्य तटं क्षीरार्णवस्य च॥ प्राप्योपविश्य ते सर्वे हरिं स्तोतुं प्रचक्रमुः

tatheti gatvā te sarve śakrādyā lokapālakāḥ|| brahmāṇaṃ ca puraskṛtya taṭaṃ kṣīrārṇavasya ca|| prāpyopaviśya te sarve hariṃ stotuṃ pracakramuḥ

Saying "So be it," all of them — Shakra and the other guardians of the quarters — went; placing Brahma at their head, reaching the shore of the Ocean of Milk, they all sat down and began to praise Hari.

Verse 29 (skanda.1.9.29)

॥ब्रह्मोवाच॥ देवदेव जगान्नाथ सुरासुरनमस्कृत॥ पुण्यश्लोकाव्ययानंत परमात्मन्नमोऽस्तु ते

||brahmovāca|| devadeva jagānnātha surāsuranamaskṛta|| puṇyaślokāvyayānaṃta paramātmannamo'stu te

Brahma said: "O God of gods, O Lord of the world, worshipped by gods and demons, O one of blessed renown, imperishable, endless, Supreme Self, salutation to you."

Verse 30 (skanda.1.9.30)

यज्ञोऽसि यज्ञरूपोऽसि यज्ञांगोऽसि रमापते॥ ततोऽद्य कृपया विष्णो देवानां वरदो भव

yajño'si yajñarūpo'si yajñāṃgo'si ramāpate|| tato'dya kṛpayā viṣṇo devānāṃ varado bhava

"You are the sacrifice, you are the very form of sacrifice, you are the limb of sacrifice, O Lord of Rama; therefore, today, O Vishnu, out of compassion, become the granter of boons to the gods."

Verse 31 (skanda.1.9.31)

गुरोरवज्ञया चाद्य भ्रष्टराज्यः शतक्रतुः॥ जातः सुरर्षिभिः साकं तस्मादेनं समुद्धर

guroravajñayā cādya bhraṣṭarājyaḥ śatakratuḥ|| jātaḥ surarṣibhiḥ sākaṃ tasmādenaṃ samuddhara

"Through disrespect to his guru, Shatakratu has today fallen from his kingdom, together with the divine sages; therefore, deliver him."

Verse 32 (skanda.1.9.32)

॥श्रीभगवानुवाच॥ दुकोकलज्ञया सर्वं नस्यतीति किमद्भुतम्॥ ये पापिनो ह्यधर्मिष्ठाः केवलं विषयात्मकाः॥ पितरौ निंदितौ यैश्च निर्दैवात्वेन संशयः

||śrībhagavānuvāca|| dukokalajñayā sarvaṃ nasyatīti kimadbhutam|| ye pāpino hyadharmiṣṭhāḥ kevalaṃ viṣayātmakāḥ|| pitarau niṃditau yaiśca nirdaivātvena saṃśayaḥ

Sri Bhagavan said: "That everything perishes through folly's ignorance — what wonder is there in that? Those who are sinful and unrighteous, given only to sense-pleasures, who have reviled their own elders — of their fall there is no doubt."

Verse 33 (skanda.1.9.33)

अनेन यत्कृतं ब्रह्मन्सद्यस्तत्फलमागतम्॥ कर्मणा चास्य शक्रस्य सर्वेषां संकटागमः

anena yatkṛtaṃ brahmansadyastatphalamāgatam|| karmaṇā cāsya śakrasya sarveṣāṃ saṃkaṭāgamaḥ

"O Brahma, whatever this one has done, its fruit has swiftly come upon him; through this very action of Shakra's, distress has come upon all of you."

Verse 34 (skanda.1.9.34)

विपरीतो यदा कालः पुरुषस्य भवेत्तदा॥ भूतमैत्रीं प्रकुर्वंति सर्वकार्यार्थसिद्धये

viparīto yadā kālaḥ puruṣasya bhavettadā|| bhūtamaitrīṃ prakurvaṃti sarvakāryārthasiddhaye

"When a man's time turns adverse, he forms alliances even with lesser beings, for the accomplishment of all his purposes."

Verse 35 (skanda.1.9.35)

तेन वै कारणेनेंद्र मदीयं वचनं कुरु॥ कार्यहेतोस्त्वया कार्यो दैत्यैः सह समागमः

tena vai kāraṇeneṃdra madīyaṃ vacanaṃ kuru|| kāryahetostvayā kāryo daityaiḥ saha samāgamaḥ

"For that very reason, O Indra, follow my counsel: for the accomplishment of your task, you must reconcile with the daityas."

Verse 36 (skanda.1.9.36)

एवं भगवतादिष्टः शक्रः परमबुद्धिमान्॥ अमरावतीं ययौ हित्वा सुतलं दैवतैः सह

evaṃ bhagavatādiṣṭaḥ śakraḥ paramabuddhimān|| amarāvatīṃ yayau hitvā sutalaṃ daivataiḥ saha

Thus instructed by the Blessed Lord, Shakra, of the highest wisdom, leaving Amaravati, went to Sutala together with the gods.

Verse 37 (skanda.1.9.37)

इन्द्रं समागतं श्रुत्वा इंद्रसेनो रुषान्वितः॥ बभूव सह सैन्येन हंतुकामः पुरंदरम्

indraṃ samāgataṃ śrutvā iṃdraseno ruṣānvitaḥ|| babhūva saha sainyena haṃtukāmaḥ puraṃdaram

Hearing that Indra had arrived, Indrasena, filled with fury, made ready, together with his army, to slay Purandara.

Verse 38 (skanda.1.9.38)

नारदेन तदा दैत्या बलिश्च बलिनां वरः॥ निवारितस्तद्वधाच्च वाक्यैरुच्चावचैस्तथा

nāradena tadā daityā baliśca balināṃ varaḥ|| nivāritastadvadhācca vākyairuccāvacaistathā

Then Narada, with words both harsh and gentle, restrained the daityas and Bali, best of the mighty, from slaying him.

Verse 39 (skanda.1.9.39)

ऋषेस्तस्यैव वचनात्त्यक्तमन्युर्बलिस्तदा॥ बभूव सह सैन्येन आगतो हि शतक्रतुः

ṛṣestasyaiva vacanāttyaktamanyurbalistadā|| babhūva saha sainyena āgato hi śatakratuḥ

At that very sage's word, Bali, abandoning his wrath, then welcomed Shatakratu, who had come there with his army.

Verse 40 (skanda.1.9.40)

इन्द्रसेनेन दृष्टोऽसौ लोकपालैः समावृतः॥ उवाच त्वरया युक्तः प्रहसन्निव दैत्यराट्

indrasenena dṛṣṭo'sau lokapālaiḥ samāvṛtaḥ|| uvāca tvarayā yuktaḥ prahasanniva daityarāṭ

Seeing Indra surrounded by the guardians of the quarters, that king of daityas, swiftly, said, as if smiling —

Verse 41 (skanda.1.9.41)

कस्मादिहागतः शक्र सुतलं प्रति कथ्यताम्॥ तस्यैतद्वचनं श्रुत्वा स्मयमान उवाचतम्.। वयं कश्यपदायादा यूयं सर्वे तथैव च॥ यथा वयं तथा यूयं विग्रहो हि निरर्थकः

kasmādihāgataḥ śakra sutalaṃ prati kathyatām|| tasyaitadvacanaṃ śrutvā smayamāna uvācatam.| vayaṃ kaśyapadāyādā yūyaṃ sarve tathaiva ca|| yathā vayaṃ tathā yūyaṃ vigraho hi nirarthakaḥ

"Why have you come here to Sutala, Shakra? Tell me." Hearing his words, smiling, he replied: "We are both descendants of Kashyapa alike; as we are, so are you; this quarrel is pointless."

Verse 42 (skanda.1.9.42)

मम राज्यं क्षणेनैव नीतं दैववशात्तवया॥ तथा ह्येतानि तान्येन रत्नानि सुबहून्यपि॥ गतानि तत्क्षणादेव यत्नानीतानि वै त्वया

mama rājyaṃ kṣaṇenaiva nītaṃ daivavaśāttavayā|| tathā hyetāni tānyena ratnāni subahūnyapi|| gatāni tatkṣaṇādeva yatnānītāni vai tvayā

"My kingdom was, through fate, taken by you in an instant; likewise those many jewels of mine, painstakingly gathered, were lost to you in that very moment."

Verse 43 (skanda.1.9.43)

तस्माद्विमर्शः कर्तव्यः पुरुषेण विपश्चिता॥ विमर्शज्जायते ज्ञानं ज्ञानान्मोक्षो भविष्यति

tasmādvimarśaḥ kartavyaḥ puruṣeṇa vipaścitā|| vimarśajjāyate jñānaṃ jñānānmokṣo bhaviṣyati

"Therefore a wise man should reflect; from reflection knowledge is born, and from knowledge liberation shall come."

Verse 44 (skanda.1.9.44)

किं तु मे बत उक्तेन जाने न च तवाग्रतः॥ शरणार्थी ह्यहं प्राप्तः सुरैः सह तवांतिकम्

kiṃ tu me bata uktena jāne na ca tavāgrataḥ|| śaraṇārthī hyahaṃ prāptaḥ suraiḥ saha tavāṃtikam

"But, alas, what use in saying more — I intend nothing against you; I have come, together with the gods, seeking refuge with you."

Verse 45 (skanda.1.9.45)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु शक्रस्य वाक्यं वाक्यविदां वरः॥ प्रहस्योवाच मतिमाञ्छक्रं प्रति विदां वरः

etacchrutvā tu śakrasya vākyaṃ vākyavidāṃ varaḥ|| prahasyovāca matimāñchakraṃ prati vidāṃ varaḥ

Hearing Shakra's words, that foremost among the eloquent, wise, smiling, said to Shakra —

Verse 46 (skanda.1.9.46)

त्वमागतोसि देवेंद्र किमर्थं तन्न वेद्मयहम्

tvamāgatosi deveṃdra kimarthaṃ tanna vedmayaham

"You have come, O lord of gods — but for what purpose, I do not know."

Verse 47 (skanda.1.9.47)

शक्रस्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा ह्यश्रुपूर्णाकुलेक्षणः॥ किंचिन्नोवाच तत्रैनं नारदो वाक्यमब्रवीत्

śakrastadvacanaṃ śrutvā hyaśrupūrṇākulekṣaṇaḥ|| kiṃcinnovāca tatrainaṃ nārado vākyamabravīt

Hearing this, Shakra, his eyes filled with tears and troubled, said nothing there; then Narada spoke these words —

Verse 48 (skanda.1.9.48)

बले त्वं किं न जानासि कार्याकार्यविचारणाम्॥ धर्मो हि महतामेष शरणागतपालनम्

bale tvaṃ kiṃ na jānāsi kāryākāryavicāraṇām|| dharmo hi mahatāmeṣa śaraṇāgatapālanam

"O Bali, do you not know how to discern what should and should not be done? This indeed is the very dharma of the great: the protection of those who seek refuge."

Verse 49 (skanda.1.9.49)

शरणागतं च विप्रं च रोगिणं वृद्धमेव च॥ यएतान्न च रक्षंति ते वै ब्रह्महणो नराः

śaraṇāgataṃ ca vipraṃ ca rogiṇaṃ vṛddhameva ca|| yaetānna ca rakṣaṃti te vai brahmahaṇo narāḥ

"Those who do not protect a refuge-seeker, a brahmin, the sick, or the aged — such men are indeed slayers of brahmins."

Verse 50 (skanda.1.9.50)

शरणागतशब्देन आगतस्तव सन्निधौ॥ संरक्षणाय योग्यश्च त्वया नास्त्यत्र संशयः॥ एवमुक्तो नारदेन तदा दैत्यपतिः स्वयम्

śaraṇāgataśabdena āgatastava sannidhau|| saṃrakṣaṇāya yogyaśca tvayā nāstyatra saṃśayaḥ|| evamukto nāradena tadā daityapatiḥ svayam

"By the very word 'sharanagata,' one who has taken refuge, he has come into your presence; without doubt he is fit to be protected by you." Thus addressed by Narada, the lord of the daityas himself,

Verse 51 (skanda.1.9.51)

विमृश्य परया बुद्ध्या कार्याकार्यविचारणाम्॥ शक्रं प्रपूजयामास बहुमानपुरःसरम्॥ लोकपालैः समेतं च तथा सुरगणैः सह

vimṛśya parayā buddhyā kāryākāryavicāraṇām|| śakraṃ prapūjayāmāsa bahumānapuraḥsaram|| lokapālaiḥ sametaṃ ca tathā suragaṇaiḥ saha

having reflected with the highest wisdom on what should and should not be done, honored Shakra with the greatest respect, together with the guardians of the quarters and the hosts of gods.

Verse 52 (skanda.1.9.52)

प्रत्ययार्थं च सत्त्वानि ह्यनेकानि व्रतानि वै॥ बलिप्रत्ययभूतानि स चकारः पुरंदरः

pratyayārthaṃ ca sattvāni hyanekāni vratāni vai|| balipratyayabhūtāni sa cakāraḥ puraṃdaraḥ

And, for the sake of assurance, Purandara performed many rites and vows, serving as pledges of good faith to Bali.

Verse 53 (skanda.1.9.53)

एवं स समयं कृत्वा शक्रः स्वार्थपरायणः॥ बलिना सह चावासीदर्थशास्त्रपरो महान्

evaṃ sa samayaṃ kṛtvā śakraḥ svārthaparāyaṇaḥ|| balinā saha cāvāsīdarthaśāstraparo mahān

Thus, having made this pact, Shakra, intent on his own advantage, remained dwelling together with Bali, that great one skilled in statecraft.

Verse 54 (skanda.1.9.54)

एवं निवसतस्तस्य सुतलेऽपि शतक्रतोः॥ वत्सरा बहवो ह्यासंस्तदा बुद्धिमकल्पयत्॥ संस्मृत्य वचनं विष्णोर्विमृश्य च पुनःपुनः

evaṃ nivasatastasya sutale'pi śatakratoḥ|| vatsarā bahavo hyāsaṃstadā buddhimakalpayat|| saṃsmṛtya vacanaṃ viṣṇorvimṛśya ca punaḥpunaḥ

Thus, as Shatakratu dwelt in Sutala, many years passed; then, recalling Vishnu's words and reflecting on them again and again, he formed a plan.

Verse 55 (skanda.1.9.55)

एकदा तु सभामध्य आसीनो देवराट्स्वयम्॥ उवाच प्रहसन्वाक्यं बलिमुद्दिश्य नीतिमान्

ekadā tu sabhāmadhya āsīno devarāṭsvayam|| uvāca prahasanvākyaṃ balimuddiśya nītimān

Once, seated in the midst of the assembly, that skilled statesman, the king of the gods, laughing, spoke, addressing Bali —

Verse 56 (skanda.1.9.56)

प्राप्तव्यानि त्वया वीर अस्माकं च त्वया बले॥ गजादीनि बहून्येव रत्नानि विविधानि च

prāptavyāni tvayā vīra asmākaṃ ca tvayā bale|| gajādīni bahūnyeva ratnāni vividhāni ca

"O hero Bali, elephants and the like, and manifold jewels of various kinds, were to be obtained by both of us —"

Verse 57 (skanda.1.9.57)

गतानि तत्क्षणादेव सागरे पतितानि वै॥ प्रयत्नो हि प्रकर्तव्यो ह्यस्माभिस्त्वयान्वितैः

gatāni tatkṣaṇādeva sāgare patitāni vai|| prayatno hi prakartavyo hyasmābhistvayānvitaiḥ

"— all of these, in that very instant, fell into the ocean. Therefore an effort ought to be made by us, together with you."

Verse 58 (skanda.1.9.58)

तेषां चोद्धरणे दैत्य रत्नानामिह सागरात्॥ तर्हि निर्मथनं कार्यं भवता कार्यसिद्धये

teṣāṃ coddharaṇe daitya ratnānāmiha sāgarāt|| tarhi nirmathanaṃ kāryaṃ bhavatā kāryasiddhaye

"For the recovery of those jewels from the ocean, O daitya, a churning must be undertaken by you, for the accomplishment of the task."

Verse 59 (skanda.1.9.59)

बलिः प्रवर्तितस्तेन शक्रेण सुरसूदनः॥ उवाच शक्रं त्वरितः केनेदं मथनं भवेत्

baliḥ pravartitastena śakreṇa surasūdanaḥ|| uvāca śakraṃ tvaritaḥ kenedaṃ mathanaṃ bhavet

Thus set in motion by Shakra, Bali swiftly asked Shakra: "By what means shall this churning be done?"

Verse 60 (skanda.1.9.60)

तदा नभोगता वाणी मेघगंभीरनिःस्वना॥ उवाच देवा दैत्याश्च मंथध्वं क्षीरसागरम्

tadā nabhogatā vāṇī meghagaṃbhīraniḥsvanā|| uvāca devā daityāśca maṃthadhvaṃ kṣīrasāgaram

Then a voice arose in the sky, deep as thunder-clouds, and said: "O gods and daityas, churn the Ocean of Milk;"

Verse 61 (skanda.1.9.61)

भवतां बलवृद्धिश्च भविष्यति न संशयः

bhavatāṃ balavṛddhiśca bhaviṣyati na saṃśayaḥ

"your strength shall surely increase, there is no doubt."

Verse 62 (skanda.1.9.62)

मंदरं चैव मंथानं रज्जुं कुरुत वासुकिम्॥ पश्चाद्देवाश्च दैत्याश्च मेलयित्वा विमथ्यताम्

maṃdaraṃ caiva maṃthānaṃ rajjuṃ kuruta vāsukim|| paścāddevāśca daityāśca melayitvā vimathyatām

"Make Mandara the churning-rod and Vasuki the rope; then let the gods and daityas join together and churn."

Verse 63 (skanda.1.9.63)

नभोगतां च तां वाणीं निशम्याथ तदाःसुराः॥ दैत्यैः सार्द्धं ततः सर्व उद्यमं चक्रुरुद्यताः

nabhogatāṃ ca tāṃ vāṇīṃ niśamyātha tadāḥsurāḥ|| daityaiḥ sārddhaṃ tataḥ sarva udyamaṃ cakrurudyatāḥ

Hearing that voice from the sky, all the gods, together with the daityas, at once made ready and set about the effort.

Verse 64 (skanda.1.9.64)

पातालान्निर्गताः सर्वे तदा तेऽथ सुरासुराः॥ आजग्मुरतुलं सर्वे मंदरं पर्वतोत्तमम्

pātālānnirgatāḥ sarve tadā te'tha surāsurāḥ|| ājagmuratulaṃ sarve maṃdaraṃ parvatottamam

Coming forth from Patala, all those gods and demons arrived at Mandara, that peerless and foremost of mountains.

Verse 65 (skanda.1.9.65)

दैत्याश्च कोटिसंख्याकास्तथा देवा न संशयः॥ उद्युक्ताः सहसा प्राऽयुर्मंदरं कनकप्रभम्

daityāśca koṭisaṃkhyākāstathā devā na saṃśayaḥ|| udyuktāḥ sahasā prā'yurmaṃdaraṃ kanakaprabham

The daityas, numbering in the tens of millions, and the gods too, without doubt, eagerly and swiftly reached golden-radiant Mandara,

Verse 66 (skanda.1.9.66)

सरत्नं वर्तुलाकारं स्थूलं चैव महाप्रभम्॥ अनेकरत्नसंवीतं नानाद्रुमनिषेवितम्

saratnaṃ vartulākāraṃ sthūlaṃ caiva mahāprabham|| anekaratnasaṃvītaṃ nānādrumaniṣevitam

adorned with gems, round in shape, massive and of great splendor, encircled with manifold gems and frequented by various trees,

Verse 67 (skanda.1.9.67)

चंदनैः पारिजातैश्च नागपुन्नागचंपकैः॥ नानामृगगणाकीर्णं सिंहशार्दूलसेवितम्

caṃdanaiḥ pārijātaiśca nāgapunnāgacaṃpakaiḥ|| nānāmṛgagaṇākīrṇaṃ siṃhaśārdūlasevitam

with sandal trees and coral trees, with naga, punnaga, and champaka trees, teeming with manifold beasts, frequented by lions and tigers —

Verse 68 (skanda.1.9.68)

महाशैलं दृष्ट्वा ते सुरसत्तमाः॥ ऊचुः प्रांजलयः सर्वे तदा ते सुरसत्तमाः

mahāśailaṃ dṛṣṭvā te surasattamāḥ|| ūcuḥ prāṃjalayaḥ sarve tadā te surasattamāḥ

Beholding that great mountain, all those best of gods, with joined palms, spoke.

Verse 69 (skanda.1.9.69)

॥देवा ऊचुः॥ अद्रे सुरा वयं सर्वे विज्ञप्तुमिह चागताः॥ तच्छृणुष्व महाशैल परेषामुपकारकः

||devā ūcuḥ|| adre surā vayaṃ sarve vijñaptumiha cāgatāḥ|| tacchṛṇuṣva mahāśaila pareṣāmupakārakaḥ

The gods said: "O mountain, we, the gods, have all come here to petition you; hear this, O great mountain, benefactor of others."

Verse 70 (skanda.1.9.70)

एवमुक्तस्तदा शैलो दवैर्दैत्यैः स मंदरः॥ उवाच निःसृतो भूत्वा परं विग्रहवान्वचः

evamuktastadā śailo davairdaityaiḥ sa maṃdaraḥ|| uvāca niḥsṛto bhūtvā paraṃ vigrahavānvacaḥ

Thus addressed, that mountain Mandara, taking bodily form, emerged and spoke these further words —

Verse 71 (skanda.1.9.71)

तेन रूपेण रूपी स पर्वतो मंदराचलः॥ किमर्थमागताः सर्वे मत्समीपं तदुच्यताम्

tena rūpeṇa rūpī sa parvato maṃdarācalaḥ|| kimarthamāgatāḥ sarve matsamīpaṃ taducyatām

In that very form, embodied, that mountain Mandara said: "For what purpose have you all come to me? Tell me that."

Verse 72 (skanda.1.9.72)

तदा बलिरुवाचेदं प्रस्तावसदृशं वचः॥ इंद्रोपि त्वरया युक्तो बभाषे सूनृतं वचः

tadā baliruvācedaṃ prastāvasadṛśaṃ vacaḥ|| iṃdropi tvarayā yukto babhāṣe sūnṛtaṃ vacaḥ

Then Bali spoke words fitting the occasion; Indra too, swiftly, spoke true and gentle words —

Verse 73 (skanda.1.9.73)

अस्माभिः सह कार्यार्थे भव त्वं मंदराचल॥ अमृतोत्पादनार्थे त्वं मंथानं भव सुव्रत

asmābhiḥ saha kāryārthe bhava tvaṃ maṃdarācala|| amṛtotpādanārthe tvaṃ maṃthānaṃ bhava suvrata

"Be, O Mandarachala, our helper in this task; become the churning-rod for the production of the nectar of immortality, O you of good vows."

Verse 74 (skanda.1.9.74)

तथेति मत्वा तद्वाक्यं देवानां कार्यसिद्धये॥ ऊचे देवासुरांश्चेदमिन्द्रं प्रति विशेषतः

tatheti matvā tadvākyaṃ devānāṃ kāryasiddhaye|| ūce devāsurāṃścedamindraṃ prati viśeṣataḥ

Accepting this for the accomplishment of the gods' task, he said to the gods and demons, addressing Indra especially —

Verse 75 (skanda.1.9.75)

छेदितौ च त्वया पक्षौ वज्रेण शतपर्वणा॥ गंतुं कथं समर्थोऽहं भवतां कार्यसिद्धये

cheditau ca tvayā pakṣau vajreṇa śataparvaṇā|| gaṃtuṃ kathaṃ samartho'haṃ bhavatāṃ kāryasiddhaye

"My wings were cut off by you with your hundred-jointed thunderbolt; how then am I able to go, for the accomplishment of your task?"

Verse 76 (skanda.1.9.76)

तदा देवासुराः सर्वे स्तूयमाना महाचलम्॥ उत्पाटयेयुरतुलं मंदरं च ततोद्भुतम्

tadā devāsurāḥ sarve stūyamānā mahācalam|| utpāṭayeyuratulaṃ maṃdaraṃ ca tatodbhutam

Then all the gods and demons, praising that peerless and wondrous great mountain, uprooted it.

Verse 77 (skanda.1.9.77)

क्षीरार्णवं नेतुकामा ह्यशक्तास्ते ततोऽभवन्॥ पर्वतः पतितः सद्यो देवदैत्योपरि ध्रुवम्

kṣīrārṇavaṃ netukāmā hyaśaktāste tato'bhavan|| parvataḥ patitaḥ sadyo devadaityopari dhruvam

Wishing to carry it to the Ocean of Milk, they became unable to do so; the mountain at once fell certainly upon the gods and demons.

Verse 78 (skanda.1.9.78)

केचिद्भग्ना मृताः केचित्केचिन्मूर्छापरा भवन्॥ परीवादरताः केचित्केचित्क्लेशत्वमागताः

kecidbhagnā mṛtāḥ kecitkecinmūrchāparā bhavan|| parīvādaratāḥ kecitkecitkleśatvamāgatāḥ

Some were crushed and died, some fainted; some fell to mutual recrimination, some were reduced to affliction.

Verse 79 (skanda.1.9.79)

ेवं भग्नोद्यमा जाता असुराःसुरदानवाः॥ चेतनां परमां प्राप्तास्तुष्टुवुर्जगदीश्वरम्

evaṃ bhagnodyamā jātā asurāḥsuradānavāḥ|| cetanāṃ paramāṃ prāptāstuṣṭuvurjagadīśvaram

Thus, their effort broken, the asuras, gods, and danavas, regaining supreme consciousness, began to praise the Lord of the universe.

Verse 80 (skanda.1.9.80)

रक्षरक्ष महाविष्णो शरणागतवत्सल॥ त्वया ततमिदं सर्वं जंगमाजंगमं च यत्

rakṣarakṣa mahāviṣṇo śaraṇāgatavatsala|| tvayā tatamidaṃ sarvaṃ jaṃgamājaṃgamaṃ ca yat

"Save us, save us, O great Vishnu, tender to those who seek refuge; by you this entire moving and unmoving universe is pervaded."

Verse 81 (skanda.1.9.81)

देवानां कार्यसिद्ध्यर्थं प्रादुर्भूतो हरिस्तदा॥ तान्दृष्ट्वा सहसा विष्णुर्गरुडोपरि संस्थितः

devānāṃ kāryasiddhyarthaṃ prādurbhūto haristadā|| tāndṛṣṭvā sahasā viṣṇurgaruḍopari saṃsthitaḥ

Then, for the accomplishment of the gods' task, Hari manifested himself; seeing them, Vishnu, at once mounted upon Garuda,

Verse 82 (skanda.1.9.82)

लीलया पर्वतश्रेष्ठमुत्तभ्यारोपयत्क्षणात्॥ गरुत्मति तदा देवः सर्वेषामभयं ददौ

līlayā parvataśreṣṭhamuttabhyāropayatkṣaṇāt|| garutmati tadā devaḥ sarveṣāmabhayaṃ dadau

effortlessly lifted up that foremost of mountains and set it down in an instant; then that God, seated upon Garuda, gave assurance of safety to all.

Verse 83 (skanda.1.9.83)

तत उत्थाय तान्देवान्क्षीरोस्योत्तरं तटम्॥ नीत्वा तं पर्वतं वृद्धं निक्षिप्याप्सु ततो ययौ

tata utthāya tāndevānkṣīrosyottaraṃ taṭam|| nītvā taṃ parvataṃ vṛddhaṃ nikṣipyāpsu tato yayau

Then, having risen, he took the gods to the northern shore of the Ocean of Milk, carried that great and ancient mountain there, and, having set it down in the waters, departed.

Verse 84 (skanda.1.9.84)

तदा सर्वे सुरगणाः स्वागत्य असुरैः सह॥ वासुकिं च समादाय चक्रिरे समयंच तम्

tadā sarve suragaṇāḥ svāgatya asuraiḥ saha|| vāsukiṃ ca samādāya cakrire samayaṃca tam

Then all the hosts of gods, coming together with the asuras, took hold of Vasuki, and made a compact with him.

Verse 85 (skanda.1.9.85)

मंथानं मंदरं चैव वासुकिं रज्जुमेव च॥ कृत्वा सुराऽसुराः सर्वे ममंथुः श्रीरसागरम्

maṃthānaṃ maṃdaraṃ caiva vāsukiṃ rajjumeva ca|| kṛtvā surā'surāḥ sarve mamaṃthuḥ śrīrasāgaram

Making Mandara the churning-rod and Vasuki the rope, all the gods and demons churned that ocean, abode of Sri.

Verse 86 (skanda.1.9.86)

क्षीराब्धेर्मथ्यमानस्य पर्वतो हि रसातलम्॥ गतः स तत्क्षणादेव कूर्मो भूत्वा रमापतिः॥ उद्धृतस्तत्क्षणादेव तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्

kṣīrābdhermathyamānasya parvato hi rasātalam|| gataḥ sa tatkṣaṇādeva kūrmo bhūtvā ramāpatiḥ|| uddhṛtastatkṣaṇādeva tadadbhutamivābhavat

As the Ocean of Milk was being churned, that mountain began to sink toward the netherworld; that very instant, the Lord of Lakshmi, becoming a tortoise, raised it up again — a wondrous thing it was.

Verse 87 (skanda.1.9.87)

भ्राम्यमाणस्ततः शैलो नोदितः सुरदानवैः॥ भ्रममाणो निराधारो बोधश्चेव गुरुं विना

bhrāmyamāṇastataḥ śailo noditaḥ suradānavaiḥ|| bhramamāṇo nirādhāro bodhaśceva guruṃ vinā

As that mountain, thus set spinning, was urged on by gods and demons, it whirled about, unsupported, like understanding itself without a guru.

Verse 88 (skanda.1.9.88)

परमात्मा तदा विष्णुराधारो मंदरस्य च॥ दोर्भिश्चतुर्भिः संगृह्य ममंथाब्धिं सुखावहम्

paramātmā tadā viṣṇurādhāro maṃdarasya ca|| dorbhiścaturbhiḥ saṃgṛhya mamaṃthābdhiṃ sukhāvaham

Then the Supreme Self, Vishnu, became the support of Mandara; with his four arms he grasped it, and churned that ocean, bringer of delight.

Verse 89 (skanda.1.9.89)

तदा सुरासुराः सर्वे ममंथुः क्षीरसागरम्॥ एकीभूत्वा बलेनैवमतिमात्रं बलोत्कटाः

tadā surāsurāḥ sarve mamaṃthuḥ kṣīrasāgaram|| ekībhūtvā balenaivamatimātraṃ balotkaṭāḥ

Then all the gods and demons churned the Ocean of Milk, joined together as one in their exceeding and overwhelming strength.

Verse 90 (skanda.1.9.90)

पृष्ठकंठोरुजान्वंतः कमठस्य महात्मनः॥ तथासौ पर्वतश्रेष्ठो वज्रसारमयो दृढः॥ उभयोर्घर्षणादेव वडवाग्निः समुत्थितः

pṛṣṭhakaṃṭhorujānvaṃtaḥ kamaṭhasya mahātmanaḥ|| tathāsau parvataśreṣṭho vajrasāramayo dṛḍhaḥ|| ubhayorgharṣaṇādeva vaḍavāgniḥ samutthitaḥ

Upon the back, neck, thighs, and knees of that great tortoise, and upon that foremost mountain, hard as adamant — from the friction of the two, the submarine fire arose.

Verse 91 (skanda.1.9.91)

हलाहलं च संजातं तदॄष्ट्वा नारदेन हि॥ ततो देवानुवाचेदं देवर्षिरमितद्युतिः

halāhalaṃ ca saṃjātaṃ tadṝṣṭvā nāradena hi|| tato devānuvācedaṃ devarṣiramitadyutiḥ

Seeing that the Halahala poison had thus come into being, the divine sage Narada, of measureless splendor, said this to the gods —

Verse 92 (skanda.1.9.92)

न कार्यं मथनं चाब्धेर्भवद्भिरधुनाऽखिलैः॥ प्रार्थयध्वं शिवं देवाः सर्वे दक्षस्य याजनम्॥ तद्विस्मृतिं च वोयातं वीरभद्रेण यत्कृतम्

na kāryaṃ mathanaṃ cābdherbhavadbhiradhunā'khilaiḥ|| prārthayadhvaṃ śivaṃ devāḥ sarve dakṣasya yājanam|| tadvismṛtiṃ ca voyātaṃ vīrabhadreṇa yatkṛtam

"The churning of the ocean should not now be continued by all of you; entreat Shiva, O gods, all of you, regarding Daksha's sacrifice and the forgetting of what Virabhadra did."

Verse 93 (skanda.1.9.93)

तस्माच्छिवः स्मर्यतां चाशु देवाः परः पराणामपि वा परश्च॥ परात्परः परमानंदरूपो योगिध्येयो निष्प्रपंचो ह्यरूपः

tasmācchivaḥ smaryatāṃ cāśu devāḥ paraḥ parāṇāmapi vā paraśca|| parātparaḥ paramānaṃdarūpo yogidhyeyo niṣprapaṃco hyarūpaḥ

"Therefore, O gods, let Shiva be remembered swiftly — he who is beyond even the highest of the high, supreme beyond the supreme, of the form of supreme bliss, meditated upon by yogis, free of all manifoldness, formless."

Verse 94 (skanda.1.9.94)

ते मथ्यमानास्त्वरिता देवाः स्वात्मार्थसाधकाः॥ अभिलाषपराः सर्वे न श्रृण्वंति यतो जडाः

te mathyamānāstvaritā devāḥ svātmārthasādhakāḥ|| abhilāṣaparāḥ sarve na śrṛṇvaṃti yato jaḍāḥ

Those gods, engrossed in churning, intent only on their own selfish purpose, given wholly to desire, did not listen at all, being so dull-witted.

Verse 95 (skanda.1.9.95)

उपदेशैश्च बहुभिर्नोपदेश्याः कदाचन॥ ते रागद्वेषसंघाताः सर्वे शिवपराङ्मुखाः

upadeśaiśca bahubhirnopadeśyāḥ kadācana|| te rāgadveṣasaṃghātāḥ sarve śivaparāṅmukhāḥ

Not to be instructed even by many teachings, bound together in attachment and aversion, all of them turned their faces away from Shiva.

Verse 96 (skanda.1.9.96)

केवलोद्यमसंवीता ममंथुः क्षीरसागरम्॥ अतिनिर्मथनाज्जातं क्षीराब्धेश्चहलाहलम्

kevalodyamasaṃvītā mamaṃthuḥ kṣīrasāgaram|| atinirmathanājjātaṃ kṣīrābdheścahalāhalam

Devoted only to their own effort, they churned the Ocean of Milk; from that excessive churning, the Halahala poison arose from the Ocean of Milk.

Verse 97 (skanda.1.9.97)

त्रैलोक्यदहने प्रौढं प्राप्तं हंतुं दिवौकसः॥ अत ऊर्ध्वं दिशः सर्वा व्याप्तं कृत्स्नं नभस्तलम्॥ ग्रसितुं सर्वभूतानां कालकूटं समभ्ययात्

trailokyadahane prauḍhaṃ prāptaṃ haṃtuṃ divaukasaḥ|| ata ūrdhvaṃ diśaḥ sarvā vyāptaṃ kṛtsnaṃ nabhastalam|| grasituṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ kālakūṭaṃ samabhyayāt

Grown mighty enough to burn up the three worlds, it advanced, ready to slay the dwellers of heaven; spreading upward through every quarter and the entire vault of the sky, that Kalakuta poison advanced to devour all beings.

Verse 98 (skanda.1.9.98)

दृष्ट्वा बृहंतं स्वकरस्थमोजसा तं सर्पराजं सह पर्वतेन॥ तत्रैव हित्वापययुस्तदानीं पलायमाना ह्यसुरैः समेताः

dṛṣṭvā bṛhaṃtaṃ svakarasthamojasā taṃ sarparājaṃ saha parvatena|| tatraiva hitvāpayayustadānīṃ palāyamānā hyasuraiḥ sametāḥ

Seeing that great serpent-king, in his might, held together with the mountain, they all abandoned it there at once and fled, together with the asuras.

Verse 99 (skanda.1.9.99)

तथैव सर्व ऋषयो भृग्वाद्याः शतशाम्यति॥ दक्षस्य यजनं तेन यथा जातं तथाभवत्

tathaiva sarva ṛṣayo bhṛgvādyāḥ śataśāmyati|| dakṣasya yajanaṃ tena yathā jātaṃ tathābhavat

In the same way, all the sages, Bhrigu and the rest, by the hundreds, fell into stillness — just as had happened at Daksha's sacrifice, so it happened here too.

Verse 100 (skanda.1.9.100)

सत्यलोकं गताः सर्वे भुगुणा नोदिता भृशम्॥ वेदवाक्यैश्च विविधैः कालकूटं शतशस्ततः॥ देवा नास्त्यत्र संदेहः सत्यं सत्यं वदामि वः

satyalokaṃ gatāḥ sarve bhuguṇā noditā bhṛśam|| vedavākyaiśca vividhaiḥ kālakūṭaṃ śataśastataḥ|| devā nāstyatra saṃdehaḥ satyaṃ satyaṃ vadāmi vaḥ

Urgently roused by Bhrigu, all of them went to Satyaloka and, with manifold Vedic utterances, said again and again to the gods: "The Kalakuta poison, O gods, there is no doubt of this — I tell you the very truth, the truth."

Verse 101 (skanda.1.9.101)

भृगुणोक्तं वचः श्रुत्वा कालकूटविषार्द्दिताः॥ सत्यलोकं समासाद्य ब्रह्माणं शरणं ययुः

bhṛguṇoktaṃ vacaḥ śrutvā kālakūṭaviṣārdditāḥ|| satyalokaṃ samāsādya brahmāṇaṃ śaraṇaṃ yayuḥ

Hearing Bhrigu's words, tormented by the Kalakuta poison, they went to Satyaloka and took refuge in Brahma.

Verse 102 (skanda.1.9.102)

तदा जाज्वल्यमानं वै कालकूटं प्रभोज्जवलम्॥ दृष्ट्वा ब्रह्माथ तान्दृष्ट्वा ह्यकर्मज्ञानसुरासुरान्॥ तेषां शपितुमारेभे नारदेन निवारितः

tadā jājvalyamānaṃ vai kālakūṭaṃ prabhojjavalam|| dṛṣṭvā brahmātha tāndṛṣṭvā hyakarmajñānasurāsurān|| teṣāṃ śapitumārebhe nāradena nivāritaḥ

Then, seeing that blazing, exceedingly radiant Kalakuta poison, and seeing those gods and demons ignorant of right action, Brahma began to curse them, but was restrained by Narada.

Verse 103 (skanda.1.9.103)

॥ब्रह्मोवाच॥ अकार्यं किं कृतं देवाः कस्मात्क्षोभोयमुद्यतः॥ ईश्वरस्य च जातोऽद्य नान्यथा मम भाषितम्

||brahmovāca|| akāryaṃ kiṃ kṛtaṃ devāḥ kasmātkṣobhoyamudyataḥ|| īśvarasya ca jāto'dya nānyathā mama bhāṣitam

Brahma said: "O gods, what wrong action have you done, that this disturbance has now arisen? This has come about today on account of Ishvara — my words are not otherwise."

Verse 104 (skanda.1.9.104)

ततो देवैः परिवृतो वेदोपनिषदैस्तथा॥ नानागमैः परिवृतः कालकूटभयाद्ययौ

tato devaiḥ parivṛto vedopaniṣadaistathā|| nānāgamaiḥ parivṛtaḥ kālakūṭabhayādyayau

Then, surrounded by the gods, and by the Vedas and Upanishads, and by manifold Agamas, he went forth, out of fear of the Kalakuta poison.

Verse 105 (skanda.1.9.105)

ततश्चिंतान्विता देवा इदमूचुः परस्परम्॥ अविद्याकामसंवीताः कुर्यामः शंकरं च कम्

tataściṃtānvitā devā idamūcuḥ parasparam|| avidyākāmasaṃvītāḥ kuryāmaḥ śaṃkaraṃ ca kam

Then, filled with anxiety, the gods said to one another: "Bound as we are by ignorance and desire, what recourse have we now with Shankara?"

Verse 106 (skanda.1.9.106)

ब्रह्माणं च पुरस्कृत्य तदा देवास्त्वरान्विताः॥ वैकुण्ठमाव्रजन्सर्वे कालकूट भयार्द्दिताः

brahmāṇaṃ ca puraskṛtya tadā devāstvarānvitāḥ|| vaikuṇṭhamāvrajansarve kālakūṭa bhayārdditāḥ

Then, placing Brahma at their head, tormented by fear of the Kalakuta poison, all the gods swiftly went toward Vaikuntha.

Verse 107 (skanda.1.9.107)

ब्रह्मादयश्चर्षिगणाश्च तदा परेशं विष्णुं पुराणपुरुषं प्रभविष्णुमीशम्॥ वैकुण्ठमाश्रितमधोक्षजमाधवं ते सर्वे सुरासुरगणाः शरणं प्रयाताः

brahmādayaścarṣigaṇāśca tadā pareśaṃ viṣṇuṃ purāṇapuruṣaṃ prabhaviṣṇumīśam|| vaikuṇṭhamāśritamadhokṣajamādhavaṃ te sarve surāsuragaṇāḥ śaraṇaṃ prayātāḥ

Brahma and the other hosts of sages then took refuge in that Supreme Lord Vishnu — the eternal Being, mighty and sovereign Ishvara, dwelling in Vaikuntha, Adhokshaja, Madhava; all the hosts of gods and demons took refuge in him.

Verse 108 (skanda.1.9.108)

तावत्प्रवृद्धं सुमहत्कालकूटं समभ्ययात्॥ दग्ध्वादो ब्रह्मणो लोकं वैकुण्ठं च ददाह वै

tāvatpravṛddhaṃ sumahatkālakūṭaṃ samabhyayāt|| dagdhvādo brahmaṇo lokaṃ vaikuṇṭhaṃ ca dadāha vai

Meanwhile that exceedingly vast Kalakuta poison advanced further; burning Brahma's own world, it set even Vaikuntha ablaze.

Verse 109 (skanda.1.9.109)

कालकूटाग्निना दग्धो विष्णुः सर्वगुहाशयः॥ पार्षदैः सहितः सद्यस्तमालसदृशच्छविः

kālakūṭāgninā dagdho viṣṇuḥ sarvaguhāśayaḥ|| pārṣadaiḥ sahitaḥ sadyastamālasadṛśacchaviḥ

Burnt by the fire of the Kalakuta poison, Vishnu, dwelling in every heart, together with his attendants, at once took on a hue like the dark tamala tree.

Verse 110 (skanda.1.9.110)

वैकुण्ठं च सुनीलं च सर्वलोकैः समावृतम्॥ जलकल्मषसंवीताः सर्वे लोकास्तदाभवन्

vaikuṇṭhaṃ ca sunīlaṃ ca sarvalokaiḥ samāvṛtam|| jalakalmaṣasaṃvītāḥ sarve lokāstadābhavan

That deep-blue Vaikuntha, and all the worlds, became encompassed by it; all the worlds then became covered over with the filth of the poisoned water.

Verse 111 (skanda.1.9.111)

अष्टावरणसंवीतं ब्रह्मांडं ब्रह्मणा सह॥ भस्मीभूतं चकाराशु जलकल्मषमद्भुतम्

aṣṭāvaraṇasaṃvītaṃ brahmāṃḍaṃ brahmaṇā saha|| bhasmībhūtaṃ cakārāśu jalakalmaṣamadbhutam

The universe, enveloped in its eight coverings, together with Brahma, was swiftly reduced to ashes by that wondrous poisonous filth.

Verse 112 (skanda.1.9.112)

नोभूमिर्न जलं चाग्निर्न वायुर्न नभस्तदा॥ नाहंकारो न च महान्मूलाविद्या तथैव च॥ शिवस्य कोपात्संजातं तदा भस्माकुलं जगत्

nobhūmirna jalaṃ cāgnirna vāyurna nabhastadā|| nāhaṃkāro na ca mahānmūlāvidyā tathaiva ca|| śivasya kopātsaṃjātaṃ tadā bhasmākulaṃ jagat

Then there was no longer earth, nor water, nor fire, nor wind, nor sky; no ego-sense, nor the great principle, nor even root ignorance — born from Shiva's wrath, the entire universe then became filled with ashes.