Ghatotkacha's Journey to Pragjyotishapura

Verse 1 (skanda.1.94.1)

॥शौनक उवाच॥ अत्यद्भुतमिदं सूत गुप्तक्षेत्रस्य पावनम् ॥ महन्माहात्म्यमतुलं कीर्तितं हर्षवर्धनम्

||śaunaka uvāca|| atyadbhutamidaṁ sūta guptakṣetrasya pāvanam || mahanmāhātmyamatulaṁ kīrtitaṁ harṣavardhanam

Shaunaka said: "Most wondrous is this, O Suta — this purifying and incomparably great glory of the Gupta-kshetra that you have told, which increases our joy."

Verse 2 (skanda.1.94.2)

पुनर्यत्सिद्धलिंगस्य पूर्वं माहात्म्यकीर्तने ॥ इत्युक्तं यत्प्रसादेन सिद्धमातुस्तु सेत्स्यति

punaryatsiddhaliṁgasya pūrvaṁ māhātmyakīrtane || ityuktaṁ yatprasādena siddhamātustu setsyati

"And earlier, in the telling of the greatness of the Siddha-linga, it was also said that by whose grace success through Siddhamata, the Mother of Accomplishment, would be attained —"

Verse 3 (skanda.1.94.3)

विजयोनाम पुण्यात्मा साहाय्याच्चंडिलस्य च ॥ को न्वसौ चंडिलोनाम विजयोनाम कस्तथा

vijayonāma puṇyātmā sāhāyyāccaṁḍilasya ca || ko nvasau caṁḍilonāma vijayonāma kastathā

"— that pious-souled one named Vijaya, with the help of one named Chandila. But who indeed is this Chandila, and who is this Vijaya?"

Verse 4 (skanda.1.94.4)

कथं च प्राप्तवान्सिद्धिं सिद्धमातुः प्रसादतः ॥ एतदाचक्ष्व तत्त्वेन श्रोतुं कौतूहलं हि नः

kathaṁ ca prāptavānsiddhiṁ siddhamātuḥ prasādataḥ || etadācakṣva tattvena śrotuṁ kautūhalaṁ hi naḥ

"And how did he attain that accomplishment by Siddhamata's grace? Tell us this in full truth, for we are most eager to hear it."

Verse 5 (skanda.1.94.5)

सतां चरित्रश्रवणे कौतुकं कस्य नो भवेत् ॥ ॥उग्रश्रवा उवाच॥ साधु पृष्टमिदं विप्रा दूरांतरितमप्युत

satāṁ caritraśravaṇe kautukaṁ kasya no bhavet || ||ugraśravā uvāca|| sādhu pṛṣṭamidaṁ viprā dūrāṁtaritamapyuta

"For who would not delight in hearing the deeds of the virtuous?" Ugrashrava said: "Well have you asked this, O brahmins, though this tale spans far and wide —

Verse 6 (skanda.1.94.6)

श्रुता द्वैपायनमुखात्कथां वक्ष्यामि चात्र वः ॥ पुरा द्रुपदराजस्य पुत्रीमासाद्य पांडवाः

śrutā dvaipāyanamukhātkathāṁ vakṣyāmi cātra vaḥ || purā drupadarājasya putrīmāsādya pāṁḍavāḥ

— I shall tell you this tale as I heard it from the mouth of Dvaipayana. Long ago, the Pandavas, having obtained the daughter of King Drupada,

Verse 7 (skanda.1.94.7)

धृतराष्ट्रमते पश्चादिंद्रप्रस्थं न्यवेशयन् ॥ रक्षिता वासुदेवेन कदाचित्तत्र पांडवाः

dhṛtarāṣṭramate paścādiṁdraprasthaṁ nyaveśayan || rakṣitā vāsudevena kadācittatra pāṁḍavāḥ

were afterward, with Dhritarashtra's consent, established at Indraprastha; and the Pandavas, ever protected by Vasudeva, on a certain occasion —

Verse 8 (skanda.1.94.8)

उपविष्टाः सभामध्ये कथाश्चक्रुः पृथग्विधाः ॥ देवर्षिपितृभूतानां राज्ञां चापि प्रकीर्तने

upaviṣṭāḥ sabhāmadhye kathāścakruḥ pṛthagvidhāḥ || devarṣipitṛbhūtānāṁ rājñāṁ cāpi prakīrtane

— seated in the midst of the assembly, were engaged in various tales, recounting the deeds of gods, sages, ancestors, spirits, and kings.

Verse 9 (skanda.1.94.9)

क्रियमाणेऽथ तत्रागाद्भीमपुत्रो घटोत्कचः ॥ तं दृष्ट्वा भ्रातरः पंच वासुदेवश्च वीर्यवान्

kriyamāṇe'tha tatrāgādbhīmaputro ghaṭotkacaḥ || taṁ dṛṣṭvā bhrātaraḥ paṁca vāsudevaśca vīryavān

While this was going on, Bhima's son Ghatotkacha arrived there. Seeing him, the five brothers and the mighty Vasudeva —

Verse 10 (skanda.1.94.10)

उत्थाय सहसा पीठादालिलिंगुर्मुदा युताः ॥ स च तान्प्रणतः प्रह्वो ववंदे भीमनंदनः

utthāya sahasā pīṭhādāliliṁgurmudā yutāḥ || sa ca tānpraṇataḥ prahvo vavaṁde bhīmanaṁdanaḥ

— rose at once from their seats and, filled with joy, embraced him; and Bhima's son, bowing humbly, paid homage to them all.

Verse 11 (skanda.1.94.11)

साशिषं च ततो राज्ञा स्वोत्संग उपवेशितः ॥ आघ्राय स्नेहतो मूर्ध्नि प्रोक्तश्च जनसंसदि

sāśiṣaṁ ca tato rājñā svotsaṁga upaveśitaḥ || āghrāya snehato mūrdhni proktaśca janasaṁsadi

Then the king, blessing him, seated him upon his lap; and, smelling his head with affection, spoke to him there in the assembly:

Verse 12 (skanda.1.94.12)

॥युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥ कुत आगम्यते पुत्र क्व चायं विहृतस्त्वया ॥ कालः क्वचित्सुखं राज्यं कुरुषे मातुलं तव

||yudhiṣṭhira uvāca|| kuta āgamyate putra kva cāyaṁ vihṛtastvayā || kālaḥ kvacitsukhaṁ rājyaṁ kuruṣe mātulaṁ tava

Yudhishthira said: "From where have you come, my son, and where have you spent this time? Is your maternal uncle's realm faring well and happily?

Verse 13 (skanda.1.94.13)

कश्चिद्देवेषु विप्रेषु गोषु साधुषु सर्वदा ॥ हैडंबे नापकुरुषे प्रियमेतद्धरेश्च नः

kaściddeveṣu vipreṣu goṣu sādhuṣu sarvadā || haiḍaṁbe nāpakuruṣe priyametaddhareśca naḥ

Is all ever well with the gods, the brahmins, the cows, and the virtuous? O son of Hidimba, you do not act against them, do you? This is dear to Hari and to us.

Verse 14 (skanda.1.94.14)

हेडंबस्य वनं सर्वं तस्य ये सैन्यराक्षसाः ॥ पाल्यमानास्त्वया साधो वर्धंते जनक्षेमकाः

heḍaṁbasya vanaṁ sarvaṁ tasya ye sainyarākṣasāḥ || pālyamānāstvayā sādho vardhaṁte janakṣemakāḥ

The entire forest of Hidimba, and those army-rakshasas of his, being protected by you, O virtuous one, thrive, and work for the people's welfare.

Verse 15 (skanda.1.94.15)

कच्चिन्नंदति ते माता भृशं नः प्रियकारिणी ॥ कन्यैव या पुरा भीमं त्यक्त्वा मानं पतिं श्रिता

kaccinnaṁdati te mātā bhṛśaṁ naḥ priyakāriṇī || kanyaiva yā purā bhīmaṁ tyaktvā mānaṁ patiṁ śritā

Is your mother rejoicing well — she who is so dear to us, who long ago, while yet a maiden, set aside her pride and took Bhima as her husband?"

Verse 16 (skanda.1.94.16)

इति पृष्टो धर्मराज्ञा स्मयन्हैडंबिरब्रवीत् ॥ हते तस्मिन्दुराचारे मातुलेऽस्मि नियोजितः

iti pṛṣṭo dharmarājñā smayanhaiḍaṁbirabravīt || hate tasmindurācāre mātule'smi niyojitaḥ

Thus questioned by the King of Dharma, Hidimba's son, smiling, replied: "When that evil-conducted uncle of mine was slain, I was appointed to rule in his place.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.94.17)

तद्राज्यं शासने स्थाप्य दुष्टान्निघ्नंश्चराम्यहम् ॥ माता कुशलिनी देवी तपो दिव्यमुपाश्रिता

tadrājyaṁ śāsane sthāpya duṣṭānnighnaṁścarāmyaham || mātā kuśalinī devī tapo divyamupāśritā

Having established that kingdom under my rule, I go about slaying the wicked. My mother, the goddess, fares well, devoted to divine austerity.

Verse 18 (skanda.1.94.18)

मामुवाच सदा पुत्र पितॄणां भक्तिकृद्भव ॥ सोऽहं मातुर्वचः श्रुत्वा मेरुपादात्समागतः

māmuvāca sadā putra pitṝṇāṁ bhaktikṛdbhava || so'haṁ māturvacaḥ śrutvā merupādātsamāgataḥ

"She always tells me: 'My son, be ever devoted to your fathers.' So, having heard my mother's words, I have come here from the foot of Mount Meru —

Verse 19 (skanda.1.94.19)

प्रणामायैव भवतां भक्तिप्रह्वेण चेतसा ॥ आत्मानं च महत्यर्थे कस्मिंश्चित्तु नियोजितम् ॥ भवद्भिरहमिच्छामि फलं यस्मादिदं महत्

praṇāmāyaiva bhavatāṁ bhaktiprahveṇa cetasā || ātmānaṁ ca mahatyarthe kasmiṁścittu niyojitam || bhavadbhirahamicchāmi phalaṁ yasmādidaṁ mahat

"— solely to bow before you with a heart bowed in devotion, and wishing that you might set me to some great task, from which such great fruit might come to me.

Verse 20 (skanda.1.94.20)

यदाज्ञापालनं पुत्रः पितॄणां सर्वदा चरेत् ॥ अथोर्द्ध्वलोकान्स जयेदिह जायेत कीर्तिमान्

yadājñāpālanaṁ putraḥ pitṝṇāṁ sarvadā caret || athorddhvalokānsa jayediha jāyeta kīrtimān

"For a son who ever carries out the command of his fathers thereby conquers the higher worlds, and becomes renowned in this world."

Verse 21 (skanda.1.94.21)

॥सूत उवाच॥ इत्युक्तवंतं तं राजा परिरभ्य पुनःपुनः ॥ उवाच धर्मराट् पुत्रमानंदाश्रुः सगद्गदम्

||sūta uvāca|| ityuktavaṁtaṁ taṁ rājā parirabhya punaḥpunaḥ || uvāca dharmarāṭ putramānaṁdāśruḥ sagadgadam

Suta said: To him who had spoken thus, the king, embracing him again and again, the King of Dharma, with tears of joy and a choked voice, said to his son:

Verse 22 (skanda.1.94.22)

त्वमेव नो भक्तिकारी सहायश्चापि वर्तसे

tvameva no bhaktikārī sahāyaścāpi vartase

"You alone are the one truly devoted to us, and you alone are our helper."

Verse 23 (skanda.1.94.23)

एतदर्थं च हैडंबे पुत्रानिच्छंति साधवः ॥ इहामुत्र तारयंते तादृशाश्चापि पुत्रकाः

etadarthaṁ ca haiḍaṁbe putrānicchaṁti sādhavaḥ || ihāmutra tārayaṁte tādṛśāścāpi putrakāḥ

"For this very reason, O son of Hidimba, the virtuous desire sons — for such sons carry their parents across, both in this world and the next.

Verse 24 (skanda.1.94.24)

अवश्यं यादृशी माता तादृशस्तनयो भवेत् ॥ माता च ते भक्तिमती दृढं नस्त्वं च तादृशः

avaśyaṁ yādṛśī mātā tādṛśastanayo bhavet || mātā ca te bhaktimatī dṛḍhaṁ nastvaṁ ca tādṛśaḥ

"As surely as the mother is, so the son must be. Your mother is deeply devoted, and you too are surely just such a one.

Verse 25 (skanda.1.94.25)

अहो सुदुष्करं देवी कुरुते मे प्रिया वधूः ॥ या भर्तृश्रियमुल्लंघ्य तप एव समाश्रिता

aho suduṣkaraṁ devī kurute me priyā vadhūḥ || yā bhartṛśriyamullaṁghya tapa eva samāśritā

"Ah, how difficult a thing my dear daughter-in-law, the goddess, has undertaken — she who, setting aside a husband's company, has devoted herself wholly to austerity.

Verse 26 (skanda.1.94.26)

नूनं कामेन भोगैर्वा कृत्यं वध्वा न मे मनाक् ॥ या पुत्रसुखमन्वीक्ष्य परलोकार्थमाश्रिता

nūnaṁ kāmena bhogairvā kṛtyaṁ vadhvā na me manāk || yā putrasukhamanvīkṣya paralokārthamāśritā

"Surely my daughter-in-law has not the least concern for desire or enjoyment — she who, having secured the happiness of a son, has taken refuge in the pursuit of the world beyond.

Verse 27 (skanda.1.94.27)

दुष्कुलीनापि या भक्ता सूतेऽपत्यं च भक्तिमत् ॥ कुलीनमेव तन्मन्ये ममेदं मतमुत्तमम्

duṣkulīnāpi yā bhaktā sūte'patyaṁ ca bhaktimat || kulīnameva tanmanye mamedaṁ matamuttamam

"Even one of low birth, if devoted, and whose child too is devoted — that child I consider truly well-born. This is my highest conviction."

Verse 28 (skanda.1.94.28)

एवं बहूनि वाक्यानि तानि तानि वदन्नृपः ॥ धर्मराजः समाभाष्य केशवं वाक्यमब्रवीत्

evaṁ bahūni vākyāni tāni tāni vadannṛpaḥ || dharmarājaḥ samābhāṣya keśavaṁ vākyamabravīt

Speaking thus many such words, the king, the King of Dharma, then turned and addressed Keshava with these words:

Verse 29 (skanda.1.94.29)

पुंडरीकाक्ष जानासि यथा भीमादभूदयम् ॥ जातमात्रस्तु यश्चासीद्यौवनस्थो महाबलः

puṁḍarīkākṣa jānāsi yathā bhīmādabhūdayam || jātamātrastu yaścāsīdyauvanastho mahābalaḥ

"O Lotus-eyed one, you know how this son was born of Bhima — how, the very moment he was born, he stood already in youth, of immense strength.

Verse 30 (skanda.1.94.30)

अष्टानां देवयोनीनां यतो जन्म च यौवनम् ॥ सद्य एव भवेत्तस्मात्सद्योऽस्यासीच्च यौवनम्

aṣṭānāṁ devayonīnāṁ yato janma ca yauvanam || sadya eva bhavettasmātsadyo'syāsīcca yauvanam

"Since, among the eight classes of divine beings, both birth and youth occur instantly, so his youth too came upon him instantly.

Verse 31 (skanda.1.94.31)

तदस्योचितदारार्थे सदा चिंतास्ति कृष्ण मे ॥ उचितं बत हैडंबेः क्व कलत्रं करोम्यहम्

tadasyocitadārārthe sadā ciṁtāsti kṛṣṇa me || ucitaṁ bata haiḍaṁbeḥ kva kalatraṁ karomyaham

"Therefore, O Krishna, I am ever anxious about finding him a fitting wife. Where indeed shall I find a bride suited to Hidimba's son?

Verse 32 (skanda.1.94.32)

तद्भवान्कृष्णसर्वज्ञ त्रिलोकीमपि वेत्सि च ॥ हैडंबेरुचिता दारान्वक्तुमर्हसि यादव

tadbhavānkṛṣṇasarvajña trilokīmapi vetsi ca || haiḍaṁberucitā dārānvaktumarhasi yādava

"You, O Krishna, all-knowing, know even the three worlds — you alone should tell of a bride fit for Hidimba's son, O Yadava."

Verse 33 (skanda.1.94.33)

॥सूत उवाच॥ एवमुक्तो धर्मराज्ञा क्षणं ध्यात्वा जनार्दनः ॥ धर्मराजमिदं वाक्यं पदांतरितमब्रवीत्

||sūta uvāca|| evamukto dharmarājñā kṣaṇaṁ dhyātvā janārdanaḥ || dharmarājamidaṁ vākyaṁ padāṁtaritamabravīt

Suta said: Thus addressed by the King of Dharma, Janardana, having reflected for a moment, spoke to him these measured words:

Verse 34 (skanda.1.94.34)

अस्ति राजन्प्रवक्ष्यामि दारानस्योचितां शुभाम् ॥ सांप्रतं संस्थिता रम्ये प्राग्ज्योतिषपुरे वरे

asti rājanpravakṣyāmi dārānasyocitāṁ śubhām || sāṁprataṁ saṁsthitā ramye prāgjyotiṣapure vare

"There is indeed one, O king — I shall tell you of an auspicious bride fit for him, who now resides in the fair and excellent city of Pragjyotishapura.

Verse 35 (skanda.1.94.35)

सा च पुत्री मुरोः पार्थ दैत्यस्याद्भुतकर्मणः ॥ योऽसौ नरकदैत्यस्य प्राणतुल्यः सखाऽभवत्

sā ca putrī muroḥ pārtha daityasyādbhutakarmaṇaḥ || yo'sau narakadaityasya prāṇatulyaḥ sakhā'bhavat

"She, O Partha, is the daughter of the demon Mura, of wondrous deeds — he who was a friend dear as life to the demon Naraka.

Verse 36 (skanda.1.94.36)

स च मे निहतो घोरः पाशदुर्गसमन्वितः ॥ नरकश्च दुराचारस्त्वमेतद्वेत्सि सर्वशः

sa ca me nihato ghoraḥ pāśadurgasamanvitaḥ || narakaśca durācārastvametadvetsi sarvaśaḥ

"That terrible Mura, protected by his fortress of snares, was slain by me; and so too the evil-conducted Naraka — you know all of this fully well.

Verse 37 (skanda.1.94.37)

ततो हते मुरौ दैत्ये मया तस्य सुताव्रजत् ॥ योद्धुं मामतिवीर्यत्वाद्घोरा कामकटंकटा

tato hate murau daitye mayā tasya sutāvrajat || yoddhuṁ māmativīryatvādghorā kāmakaṭaṁkaṭā

"Then, when the demon Mura had been slain by me, his daughter, the terrible Kamakatankata, came forth to fight me, on account of her surpassing valor.

Verse 38 (skanda.1.94.38)

तां ततोऽहं महायुद्धे खड्गखेटकधारिणीम् ॥ अयोधयं महाबाणैः सुशार्ङ्गधनुषश्च्युतैः

tāṁ tato'haṁ mahāyuddhe khaḍgakheṭakadhāriṇīm || ayodhayaṁ mahābāṇaiḥ suśārṅgadhanuṣaścyutaiḥ

"Her, then, bearing sword and shield, I engaged in a great battle, with mighty arrows loosed from my excellent bow Sharnga.

Verse 39 (skanda.1.94.39)

खड्गेन चिच्छेद बाणान्मम सा च मुरोः सुता ॥ समागम्य च खड्गेन गरुडं मूर्ध्न्यताडयत्

khaḍgena ciccheda bāṇānmama sā ca muroḥ sutā || samāgamya ca khaḍgena garuḍaṁ mūrdhnyatāḍayat

"With her sword she cut down my arrows — she, the daughter of Mura — and closing in, she struck Garuda upon the head with her sword.

Verse 40 (skanda.1.94.40)

स च मोहसमाविष्टो गरुडोऽभूदचेतनः ॥ ततस्तस्या वधार्थाय मया चक्रं समुद्यतम्

sa ca mohasamāviṣṭo garuḍo'bhūdacetanaḥ || tatastasyā vadhārthāya mayā cakraṁ samudyatam

"And overcome by that blow, Garuda fell senseless. Then, in order to slay her, I raised my discus.

Verse 41 (skanda.1.94.41)

चक्रं समुद्यतं दृष्ट्वा मया तस्मिन्रणाजिरे ॥ कामाख्या नाम मां देवी पुरः स्थित्वा वचोऽब्रवीत्

cakraṁ samudyataṁ dṛṣṭvā mayā tasminraṇājire || kāmākhyā nāma māṁ devī puraḥ sthitvā vaco'bravīt

"Seeing the discus raised by me there on that field of battle, the goddess named Kamakhya stood before me and spoke these words:

Verse 42 (skanda.1.94.42)

नैनां हंतुं भवानर्हो रक्षैतां पुरुषोत्तम ॥ अजेयत्वं मया ह्यस्या दत्तं खड्गं च खेटकम्

naināṁ haṁtuṁ bhavānarho rakṣaitāṁ puruṣottama || ajeyatvaṁ mayā hyasyā dattaṁ khaḍgaṁ ca kheṭakam

"'It is not right for you to slay her, O Purushottama — protect her instead. For I have granted her invincibility, and the sword and shield too were given by me.'

Verse 43 (skanda.1.94.43)

बुद्धिरप्रतिमा चापि शक्तिश्च परमा रणे ॥ ततस्त्वया त्रिरात्रेऽपि न जितासीन्मुरोः सुता

buddhirapratimā cāpi śaktiśca paramā raṇe || tatastvayā trirātre'pi na jitāsīnmuroḥ sutā

"'Her intellect too is unmatched, and her power in battle is supreme — that is why, even after three nights of fighting, the daughter of Mura could not be conquered by you.'

Verse 44 (skanda.1.94.44)

एवमुक्ते तदा देवीं वचनं चाहमब्रवम् ॥ अयमेष निवृत्तोऽस्मि वारयैनां च त्वं शुभे

evamukte tadā devīṁ vacanaṁ cāhamabravam || ayameṣa nivṛtto'smi vārayaināṁ ca tvaṁ śubhe

"When she had spoken thus, I then said this to the goddess: 'I withdraw now — restrain her yourself, O auspicious one.'

Verse 45 (skanda.1.94.45)

ततश्चालिंग्य तां भक्तां कामाख्या वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥ भद्रे रणान्निवर्तस्व नायं हंतुं कथंचन

tataścāliṁgya tāṁ bhaktāṁ kāmākhyā vākyamabravīt || bhadre raṇānnivartasva nāyaṁ haṁtuṁ kathaṁcana

"Then Kamakhya, embracing her devotee, spoke these words: 'O gentle one, withdraw from this battle — he cannot possibly be slain—'

Verse 46 (skanda.1.94.46)

शक्यः केनापि समरे माधवो रणदुर्जयः ॥ नाभूदस्ति भविष्यो वा य एनं संयुगे जयेत्

śakyaḥ kenāpi samare mādhavo raṇadurjayaḥ || nābhūdasti bhaviṣyo vā ya enaṁ saṁyuge jayet

"'—Madhava is unconquerable in battle by anyone; there has never been, nor is there, nor shall there ever be, one who could defeat him in combat.'

Verse 47 (skanda.1.94.47)

अपि वा त्र्यंबकः पुत्रि नैनं शक्तः कुतोऽन्यकः ॥ तस्मादेनं नमस्कृत्य भाविनं श्वशुरं शुभे

api vā tryaṁbakaḥ putri nainaṁ śaktaḥ kuto'nyakaḥ || tasmādenaṁ namaskṛtya bhāvinaṁ śvaśuraṁ śubhe

"'Not even Tryambaka himself is capable against him, O daughter — how then could anyone else be? Therefore bow to him as your future father-in-law—'

Verse 48 (skanda.1.94.48)

रणादस्मान्निवर्तस्व तवोचितमिदं स्फुटम् ॥ अस्य भ्रातुर्हि भीमस्य स्नुषा त्वं च भविष्यसि

raṇādasmānnivartasva tavocitamidaṁ sphuṭam || asya bhrāturhi bhīmasya snuṣā tvaṁ ca bhaviṣyasi

"'—and withdraw from this battle; this alone is clearly fitting for you. For you shall become the daughter-in-law of his brother Bhima—'

Verse 49 (skanda.1.94.49)

तस्मात्त्वं श्वशुरं भद्रे सम्मानय जनार्दनम् ॥ न च शोकस्त्वया कार्यः पितरं प्रति पंडिते

tasmāttvaṁ śvaśuraṁ bhadre sammānaya janārdanam || na ca śokastvayā kāryaḥ pitaraṁ prati paṁḍite

"'—therefore, O gentle one, honor Janardana as your father-in-law. And, O wise one, you should not grieve for your father.'

Verse 50 (skanda.1.94.50)

जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्युर्ध्रुव जन्म मृतस्य च ॥ बहवश्चाऽस्य वेत्तारो वद केनापि वार्यते

jātasya hi dhruvo mṛtyurdhruva janma mṛtasya ca || bahavaścā'sya vettāro vada kenāpi vāryate

"'For death is certain for one who is born, and birth is certain for one who has died. Many know this — tell me, by whom can it ever be averted?'

Verse 51 (skanda.1.94.51)

ऋषींश्च देवांश्च महासुरांश्च त्रैविद्यविद्यान्पुरुषान्नृपांश्च ॥ कान्मृत्युरेको न पतेत काले परावरज्ञोऽत्र न मुह्यते क्वचित्

ṛṣīṁśca devāṁśca mahāsurāṁśca traividyavidyānpuruṣānnṛpāṁśca || kānmṛtyureko na pateta kāle parāvarajño'tra na muhyate kvacit

"'Upon which sages, gods, great demons, men learned in the three Vedas, or kings does death not fall in due time? One who discerns the higher from the lower is never deluded in this matter.'

Verse 52 (skanda.1.94.52)

श्लाघ्य एव हि ते मृत्युः पितुरस्माज्जनार्दृनात् ॥ सर्वपातकनिर्मुक्तो गतोऽसौ धाम वैष्णवम्

ślāghya eva hi te mṛtyuḥ piturasmājjanārdṛnāt || sarvapātakanirmukto gato'sau dhāma vaiṣṇavam

"'Praiseworthy indeed was your father's death at the hands of Janardana — freed from all sin, he has gone to the abode of Vishnu.'

Verse 53 (skanda.1.94.53)

एवं कामाख्यया प्रोक्ता सा च कामकटंकटा ॥ त्यक्त्वा क्रोधं च संवृत्य गात्राणि प्रणता च माम्

evaṁ kāmākhyayā proktā sā ca kāmakaṭaṁkaṭā || tyaktvā krodhaṁ ca saṁvṛtya gātrāṇi praṇatā ca mām

"Thus addressed by Kamakhya, that Kamakatankata, setting aside her anger and covering her limbs, bowed down before me.

Verse 54 (skanda.1.94.54)

तामहं साशिषं चापि प्रावोचं भरतर्षभ ॥ अस्मिन्नेव पुरे तिष्ठ भगदत्तप्रपूजिता

tāmahaṁ sāśiṣaṁ cāpi prāvocaṁ bharatarṣabha || asminneva pure tiṣṭha bhagadattaprapūjitā

"To her, O bull among the Bharatas, I too spoke with a blessing: 'Remain in this very city, honored by Bhagadatta—'

Verse 55 (skanda.1.94.55)

मया देव्या पृथिव्या च भगदत्तः कृतो नृपः ॥ स ते पूजां बहुविधां करिष्यति स्वसुर्यथा

mayā devyā pṛthivyā ca bhagadattaḥ kṛto nṛpaḥ || sa te pūjāṁ bahuvidhāṁ kariṣyati svasuryathā

"'—for by me and by the goddess Prithvi, Bhagadatta has been made king; he shall honor you in many ways, as he would his own sister.'

Verse 56 (skanda.1.94.56)

वसंती चात्र तं वीरं हैडिंबं पतिमाप्स्यसि ॥ एवमाश्वास्य तां देवीं मौर्वीं चाहं व्यसर्जयम्

vasaṁtī cātra taṁ vīraṁ haiḍiṁbaṁ patimāpsyasi || evamāśvāsya tāṁ devīṁ maurvīṁ cāhaṁ vyasarjayam

"'And dwelling here, you shall in time obtain that hero, Hidimba's son, as your husband.' Having thus consoled her, I let the goddess Maurvi go free.

Verse 57 (skanda.1.94.57)

सा स्थिता च पुरे तत्र गतोऽहं शक्रसद्म च ॥ ततो द्वारवतीं प्राप्य त्वया सह समागतः

sā sthitā ca pure tatra gato'haṁ śakrasadma ca || tato dvāravatīṁ prāpya tvayā saha samāgataḥ

"She remained there in that city, and I went on to Indra's abode; then, having come to Dvaravati, I met with you.

Verse 58 (skanda.1.94.58)

एवमेषोचिता दारा हैडंबेर्विद्यते शुभा ॥ कामाख्ये च रणे घोरा या विद्युदिव भासते

evameṣocitā dārā haiḍaṁbervidyate śubhā || kāmākhye ca raṇe ghorā yā vidyudiva bhāsate

"Thus there exists this fitting and auspicious bride for Hidimba's son — terrible in battle, and radiant, devoted to Kamakhya, like lightning.

Verse 59 (skanda.1.94.59)

न च रूपं वर्णितं मे श्वशुरस्योचितं यतः ॥ साधोर्हि नैतदुचितं सर्वस्त्रीणां प्रवर्णनम्

na ca rūpaṁ varṇitaṁ me śvaśurasyocitaṁ yataḥ || sādhorhi naitaducitaṁ sarvastrīṇāṁ pravarṇanam

"I have not described her beauty, since that is not fitting for a father-in-law — for it is not proper for the virtuous to describe the appearance of any woman at all.

Verse 60 (skanda.1.94.60)

पुनरेकश्च समयः कृतस्तं शृणु यस्तया ॥ यो मां निरुत्तरां प्रश्ने कृत्वैव विजयेत्पुमान्

punarekaśca samayaḥ kṛtastaṁ śṛṇu yastayā || yo māṁ niruttarāṁ praśne kṛtvaiva vijayetpumān

"There is, moreover, one further vow she has made — hear it: 'Whatever man defeats me in debate, leaving me without an answer—'

Verse 61 (skanda.1.94.61)

यो मे प्रतिबलश्चापि स मे भर्ता भविष्यति ॥ एवं च समयं श्रुत्वा बहवो दैत्यराक्षसाः

yo me pratibalaścāpi sa me bhartā bhaviṣyati || evaṁ ca samayaṁ śrutvā bahavo daityarākṣasāḥ

"'—and who is also my equal in strength, he shall become my husband.' Now, hearing of this vow, many demons and rakshasas...

Verse 62 (skanda.1.94.62)

तस्या जयार्थमगमंस्तेऽपि जित्वा हतास्तया ॥ यो य एनां गतः पूर्वं न स भूयो न्यवर्तत

tasyā jayārthamagamaṁste'pi jitvā hatāstayā || yo ya enāṁ gataḥ pūrvaṁ na sa bhūyo nyavartata

"...went forth to conquer her, but they too, being defeated, were slain by her; whoever went to her before has never returned again —

Verse 63 (skanda.1.94.63)

वह्नेरिव प्रभां दीप्तां पतंगानां समुच्चयः ॥ एवमेतादृशीं मौर्वीं जेतुमुत्सहते यदि

vahneriva prabhāṁ dīptāṁ pataṁgānāṁ samuccayaḥ || evametādṛśīṁ maurvīṁ jetumutsahate yadi

"—like a swarm of moths drawn to the blazing glow of fire. So, if there be one able to conquer this Maurvi of such nature,

Verse 64 (skanda.1.94.64)

घटोत्कचो महावीर्यो भार्यास्य नियतं भवेत्

ghaṭotkaco mahāvīryo bhāryāsya niyataṁ bhavet

"—it is Ghatotkacha, of great valor; she shall surely become his wife."

Verse 65 (skanda.1.94.65)

॥युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥ अलं सर्वगुणैस्तस्या यस्यास्त्वेको गुणो महान् ॥ क्रियते किं हि क्षीरेण यदि तद्विषमिश्रितम्

||yudhiṣṭhira uvāca|| alaṁ sarvaguṇaistasyā yasyāstveko guṇo mahān || kriyate kiṁ hi kṣīreṇa yadi tadviṣamiśritam

Yudhishthira said: "Enough of all her other virtues, if but one great flaw is present in her — for what use is milk, if it is mixed with poison?

Verse 66 (skanda.1.94.66)

प्राणाधिकं भैमसेनिं कथं केवलसाहसात् ॥ क्षिपेयं तव वाक्यानां शुद्धानां चाथ कोविदम्

prāṇādhikaṁ bhaimaseniṁ kathaṁ kevalasāhasāt || kṣipeyaṁ tava vākyānāṁ śuddhānāṁ cātha kovidam

"How could I, out of mere recklessness, cast away Bhimasena's son, dearer to me than life itself? And yet I am well versed in judging your pure and wise words.

Verse 67 (skanda.1.94.67)

अन्या अपि स्त्रियः संति देशे देशे जनार्दन ॥ बह्व्यस्तासां वरां कांचिद्योषितं वक्तुमर्हसि

anyā api striyaḥ saṁti deśe deśe janārdana || bahvyastāsāṁ varāṁ kāṁcidyoṣitaṁ vaktumarhasi

"There are other women too, in land after land, O Janardana; you should tell of some other worthy woman from among the many."

Verse 68 (skanda.1.94.68)

॥भीम उवाच॥ सम्यगुक्तं केशवेन वाक्यं बह्वर्थमुत्तमम् ॥ राज्ञा पुनः स्नेहवशाद्यदुक्तं तन्न भाति मे

||bhīma uvāca|| samyaguktaṁ keśavena vākyaṁ bahvarthamuttamam || rājñā punaḥ snehavaśādyaduktaṁ tanna bhāti me

Bhima said: "Rightly spoken is this excellent and meaningful word by Keshava; but what the king has said, out of mere affection, does not seem right to me.

Verse 69 (skanda.1.94.69)

कार्ये दुःसाध्य एव स्यात्क्षत्रियस्य पराक्रमः ॥ करींद्रस्येव यूथेषु गजानां न मृगेषु च

kārye duḥsādhya eva syātkṣatriyasya parākramaḥ || karīṁdrasyeva yūtheṣu gajānāṁ na mṛgeṣu ca

"A kshatriya's valor is proven precisely in a difficult task — like that of a lordly elephant among herds of elephants, not among deer.

Verse 70 (skanda.1.94.70)

आत्मा प्रख्यातिमानेयः सर्वथा वीरपुंगवैः ॥ सा च ख्यातिः कथं जायेद्दुःसाध्यकरणादृते

ātmā prakhyātimāneyaḥ sarvathā vīrapuṁgavaiḥ || sā ca khyātiḥ kathaṁ jāyedduḥsādhyakaraṇādṛte

"One's true self must always be brought to renown by heroes through the most difficult of deeds — how else could such renown ever arise, except through accomplishing what is hard to achieve?

Verse 71 (skanda.1.94.71)

न ह्यात्मवशगं पार्थ हैडंबेरस्य रक्षणम् ॥ येन दत्तस्त्वयं धात्रा स एनं पालयिष्यति

na hyātmavaśagaṁ pārtha haiḍaṁberasya rakṣaṇam || yena dattastvayaṁ dhātrā sa enaṁ pālayiṣyati

"His protection, O Partha, does not lie within our own control — the Creator who gave him to us will himself watch over him.

Verse 72 (skanda.1.94.72)

सर्वथोच्चपदारोहे यत्नः कार्यो विजानता ॥ तन्न सिध्यति चेद्दैवान्नासौ दोषो विजानतः

sarvathoccapadārohe yatnaḥ kāryo vijānatā || tanna sidhyati ceddaivānnāsau doṣo vijānataḥ

"One who understands this should always make the effort to rise to a lofty station; and if, by fate, it does not succeed, that is no fault of the one who understands.

Verse 73 (skanda.1.94.73)

यथा देवव्रतस्त्वेको जह्रे काशिसुताः पुरा ॥ तथैक एव हैडंबिर्मौर्वीं प्राप्नोतु मा चिरम्

yathā devavratastveko jahre kāśisutāḥ purā || tathaika eva haiḍaṁbirmaurvīṁ prāpnotu mā ciram

"Just as Devavrata alone once carried off the daughters of Kashi, so too let Hidimba's son alone obtain Maurvi, without delay."

Verse 74 (skanda.1.94.74)

॥अर्जुन उवाच॥ केवलं पौरुषपरं भीमेनोक्तमिदं वचः ॥ अबलं दैवहेतुत्वात्प्रबलं प्रतिभाति मे

||arjuna uvāca|| kevalaṁ pauruṣaparaṁ bhīmenoktamidaṁ vacaḥ || abalaṁ daivahetutvātprabalaṁ pratibhāti me

Arjuna said: "This word spoken by Bhima rests solely on manly valor; though, trusting to fate, it may seem weak, yet to me it appears the stronger.

Verse 75 (skanda.1.94.75)

न मृषा हि वचो ब्रूते कामाख्या या पुराऽब्रवीत् ॥ भीमसेनसुतः पाणिं तव भद्रे ग्रहीष्यति

na mṛṣā hi vaco brūte kāmākhyā yā purā'bravīt || bhīmasenasutaḥ pāṇiṁ tava bhadre grahīṣyati

"For Kamakhya does not speak false words — she who once said, 'The son of Bhimasena, O gentle one, shall take your hand.'

Verse 76 (skanda.1.94.76)

अनेन हेतुना यातु शीघ्रं तत्र घटोत्कचः ॥ इति मे रोचते कृष्ण तव किं ब्रूहि रोचते

anena hetunā yātu śīghraṁ tatra ghaṭotkacaḥ || iti me rocate kṛṣṇa tava kiṁ brūhi rocate

"For this very reason, let Ghatotkacha go there swiftly. This is my judgment, O Krishna; tell us — what is your own?"

Verse 77 (skanda.1.94.77)

॥कृष्ण उवाच॥ रोचते मे वचस्तुभ्यं भीमस्य च महात्मनः ॥ न हि तुल्यो भैमसेनेर्बुद्धौ वीर्ये च कश्चन

||kṛṣṇa uvāca|| rocate me vacastubhyaṁ bhīmasya ca mahātmanaḥ || na hi tulyo bhaimasenerbuddhau vīrye ca kaścana

Krishna said: "Your words please me, as do those of the great-souled Bhima. There is indeed none equal to Bhimasena's son in wisdom and in valor.

Verse 78 (skanda.1.94.78)

अंतरात्मा च मे वेत्ति प्राप्तामेव मुरोः सुताम् ॥ तच्छीघ्रं यातु हैडंबिस्त्वं च किं पुत्र मन्यसे

aṁtarātmā ca me vetti prāptāmeva muroḥ sutām || tacchīghraṁ yātu haiḍaṁbistvaṁ ca kiṁ putra manyase

"And my own inner heart tells me that the daughter of Mura is already as good as won. Let Hidimba's son go swiftly. And you, my son — what do you think?"

Verse 79 (skanda.1.94.79)

॥घटोत्कच उवाच॥ न हि न्याय्याः स्वका वक्तुं पूज्यानामग्रतो गुणाः ॥ प्रवृत्ता एव भासंते सद्गुणाश्च रवेः कराः

||ghaṭotkaca uvāca|| na hi nyāyyāḥ svakā vaktuṁ pūjyānāmagrato guṇāḥ || pravṛttā eva bhāsaṁte sadguṇāśca raveḥ karāḥ

Ghatotkacha said: "It is not proper to speak of one's own virtues before those worthy of reverence; good qualities, like the rays of the sun, shine of their own accord, once set in motion.

Verse 80 (skanda.1.94.80)

सर्वथा तत्करिष्यामि पितरो येन मेऽमलाः ॥ लज्जिष्यंति न संसत्सु मया पुत्रेण पांडवाः

sarvathā tatkariṣyāmi pitaro yena me'malāḥ || lajjiṣyaṁti na saṁsatsu mayā putreṇa pāṁḍavāḥ

"I shall in every way act so that my spotless fathers, the Pandavas, shall never be put to shame in any assembly on account of me, their son."

Verse 81 (skanda.1.94.81)

एवमुक्त्वा महाबाहुरुत्थाय प्रणनाम तान् ॥ जयाशीर्भिश्च पितृभिर्वर्द्धितो गंतुमैच्छत

evamuktvā mahābāhurutthāya praṇanāma tān || jayāśīrbhiśca pitṛbhirvarddhito gaṁtumaicchata

Having said this, the mighty-armed one rose and bowed before them; and, strengthened by his fathers' blessings of victory, he wished to depart.

Verse 82 (skanda.1.94.82)

तं गतुकाममाहेदमभिनंद्य जनार्दनः ॥ कथाकथनकाले मां स्मरेथास्त्वं जयावहम्

taṁ gatukāmamāhedamabhinaṁdya janārdanaḥ || kathākathanakāle māṁ smarethāstvaṁ jayāvaham

As he was about to depart, Janardana, congratulating him, said to him: "When the time comes to tell your tale, remember me, the bringer of victory —

Verse 83 (skanda.1.94.83)

यथा बुद्धिं सुदुर्भेद्यां वर्धयामि बलं च ते ॥ इत्युक्त्वालिंग्य तं कृष्णो व्यससर्जत साशिषम्

yathā buddhiṁ sudurbhedyāṁ vardhayāmi balaṁ ca te || ityuktvāliṁgya taṁ kṛṣṇo vyasasarjata sāśiṣam

"—as the one who shall increase your unbreakable wisdom and your strength." Having said this, Krishna embraced him and sent him forth with his blessing.

Verse 84 (skanda.1.94.84)

ततो हिडंबातनयो महौजाः सूर्याक्षकालाक्षमहोदरानुगः ॥ वियत्पथं प्राप्य जगाम तत्पुरं प्राग्ज्योतिषं नाम दिनव्यपाये

tato hiḍaṁbātanayo mahaujāḥ sūryākṣakālākṣamahodarānugaḥ || viyatpathaṁ prāpya jagāma tatpuraṁ prāgjyotiṣaṁ nāma dinavyapāye

Then Hidimba's son, of great might, accompanied by Suryaksha, Kalaksha, and Mahodara, took to the sky-path and journeyed, as the day drew to its close, to that city named Pragjyotisha.