The Ganeshvara Rite in the Attainment of the Great Wisdom

Verse 1 (skanda.1.96.1)

॥सूत उवाच॥ ततो घटोत्कचो मुक्त्वा तत्र कामकटंकटाम्॥ पुत्रेणानुगतो धीमान्वियता द्वारकां ययौ

||sūta uvāca|| tato ghaṭotkaco muktvā tatra kāmakaṭaṁkaṭām|| putreṇānugato dhīmānviyatā dvārakāṁ yayau

Suta said: Then Ghatotkacha, leaving Kamakatankata there, the wise one, accompanied by his son, went by the sky-path to Dvaraka.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.96.2)

आगच्छन्तं च तंदृष्ट्वा राक्षसं राक्षसानुगम् ॥ द्वारकावासिनो योधाश्चक्रुरत्युल्बणं रवम्

āgacchantaṁ ca taṁdṛṣṭvā rākṣasaṁ rākṣasānugam || dvārakāvāsino yodhāścakruratyulbaṇaṁ ravam

Seeing that rakshasa approaching, followed by his rakshasa companions, the warriors dwelling in Dvaraka raised an exceedingly tumultuous outcry.

Verse 3 (skanda.1.96.3)

ग्रामे ग्रामे सुसंनद्धा नवलक्षमिता रथाः ॥ राक्षसौ द्वौ समायातौ पात्येतां विशिखैरिति

grāme grāme susaṁnaddhā navalakṣamitā rathāḥ || rākṣasau dvau samāyātau pātyetāṁ viśikhairiti

In village after village, fully armed warriors gathered, nine hundred thousand chariots strong: "Two rakshasas have come — strike them down with arrows!"

Verse 4 (skanda.1.96.4)

तान्गृहीतायुधान्दृष्ट्वा यदुवीरान्घटोत्कचः ॥ प्रगृह्य विपुलं बाहुं जगौ तारस्वरेण सः

tāngṛhītāyudhāndṛṣṭvā yaduvīrānghaṭotkacaḥ || pragṛhya vipulaṁ bāhuṁ jagau tārasvareṇa saḥ

Seeing those Yadu heroes with weapons raised, Ghatotkacha, lifting his massive arm, cried out in a resounding voice:

Verse 5 (skanda.1.96.5)

राक्षसं वित्त मां वीरा भीमपुत्रं घटोत्कचम् ॥ सुप्रियं वासुदेवस्य प्रणामार्थमुपागतम्

rākṣasaṁ vitta māṁ vīrā bhīmaputraṁ ghaṭotkacam || supriyaṁ vāsudevasya praṇāmārthamupāgatam

"Know me, O heroes, to be the rakshasa Ghatotkacha, son of Bhima, dear to Vasudeva, come here to pay my respects.

Verse 6 (skanda.1.96.6)

निवेदयत मां प्राप्तं यादवेन्द्राय सात्मजम् ॥ इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा ते कृष्णाय न्यवेदयन्

nivedayata māṁ prāptaṁ yādavendrāya sātmajam || iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā te kṛṣṇāya nyavedayan

"Announce to the lord of the Yadavas that I have arrived, with my son." Hearing his words, they reported this to Krishna.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.96.7)

आह देवः सभास्थश्च शीघ्रमत्राव्रजत्वसौ ॥ ततः प्रवेशयामासुर्द्वारकां ते घटोत्कचम्

āha devaḥ sabhāsthaśca śīghramatrāvrajatvasau || tataḥ praveśayāmāsurdvārakāṁ te ghaṭotkacam

The Lord, seated in his court, said: "Let him come here at once." Then they let Ghatotkacha enter Dvaraka.

Verse 8 (skanda.1.96.8)

सपुत्रः सोऽपि रम्याणि वनान्युपवनानि च ॥ क्रीडाशैलांश्च हर्म्याणि संपश्यन्नागतः सभाम्

saputraḥ so'pi ramyāṇi vanānyupavanāni ca || krīḍāśailāṁśca harmyāṇi saṁpaśyannāgataḥ sabhām

He too, with his son, beholding the delightful forests and groves, the pleasure-hills and mansions, came to the assembly hall.

Verse 9 (skanda.1.96.9)

स तत्र उग्रसेनं च वसुदेवं च सात्यकिम् ॥ अक्रूररामप्रमुखान्ववन्दे कृष्णमेव च

sa tatra ugrasenaṁ ca vasudevaṁ ca sātyakim || akrūrarāmapramukhānvavande kṛṣṇameva ca

There he paid homage to Ugrasena, Vasudeva, Satyaki, to Akrura, Rama and the other chiefs, and to Krishna himself.

Verse 10 (skanda.1.96.10)

तं पादयोर्निपतितं समालिंग्य सहात्मजम् ॥ साशिषं स्वसमीपस्थमुपवेश्येदमब्रवीत्

taṁ pādayornipatitaṁ samāliṁgya sahātmajam || sāśiṣaṁ svasamīpasthamupaveśyedamabravīt

Embracing him, fallen at his feet together with his son, and blessing him, Krishna seated him near himself and spoke thus:

Verse 11 (skanda.1.96.11)

पुत्र राक्षसशार्दूल कुरूणां कुलवर्धन ॥ कुशलं सर्वतः कच्चित्किमर्थस्ते समागमः

putra rākṣasaśārdūla kurūṇāṁ kulavardhana || kuśalaṁ sarvataḥ kaccitkimarthaste samāgamaḥ

"My son, tiger among rakshasas, increaser of the Kuru line — is all well with you in every way? What is the purpose of your coming?"

Verse 12 (skanda.1.96.12)

॥घटोत्कच उवाच॥ देव युष्मत्प्रसादेन सर्वतः कुशलं मम ॥ श्रूयतां कारणं स्वामिन्यदर्थमहमागतः

||ghaṭotkaca uvāca|| deva yuṣmatprasādena sarvataḥ kuśalaṁ mama || śrūyatāṁ kāraṇaṁ svāminyadarthamahamāgataḥ

Ghatotkacha said: "O Lord, by your grace all is well with me in every way. Hear now, O Master, the reason for which I have come.

Verse 13 (skanda.1.96.13)

देवोपदिष्ट भार्यायां जातोऽयं तनयो मम ॥ स च प्रश्नं वक्ष्यति त्वां श्रूयतामागतस्त्वतः

devopadiṣṭa bhāryāyāṁ jāto'yaṁ tanayo mama || sa ca praśnaṁ vakṣyati tvāṁ śrūyatāmāgatastvataḥ

"This son of mine was born to the wife you yourself, O Lord, pointed out to me. He himself will now put a question to you — hear it — for it is on his account that I have come."

Verse 14 (skanda.1.96.14)

॥श्रीकृष्ण उवाच॥ वत्स मौर्वेय ब्रूहि त्वं सर्वं पृच्छ यदिच्छसि ॥ यथा घटोत्कचो मह्यं सुप्रियश्च तथा भवान्

||śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca|| vatsa maurveya brūhi tvaṁ sarvaṁ pṛccha yadicchasi || yathā ghaṭotkaco mahyaṁ supriyaśca tathā bhavān

Shri Krishna said: "My child, son of Maurvi, speak — ask whatever you wish to know. Just as Ghatotkacha is dear to me, so are you too."

Verse 15 (skanda.1.96.15)

॥बर्बरीक उवाच॥ प्रणम्य त्वामादिदेवं मनोबुद्धिसमाधिभिः ॥ प्रक्ष्यामि केन श्रेयः स्याज्जंतोर्जातस्य माधव

||barbarīka uvāca|| praṇamya tvāmādidevaṁ manobuddhisamādhibhiḥ || prakṣyāmi kena śreyaḥ syājjaṁtorjātasya mādhava

Barbarika said: "Having bowed to you, the primal God, with mind, intellect and concentrated devotion, I shall ask, O Madhava: by what means does true good come to a being once born?

Verse 16 (skanda.1.96.16)

केचिच्छ्रेयो धर्ममाहुरैश्वर्यं त्यागभोजनम् ॥ केचिद्दमं तपो द्रव्यं भोगान्मुक्तिं च केचन

kecicchreyo dharmamāhuraiśvaryaṁ tyāgabhojanam || keciddamaṁ tapo dravyaṁ bhogānmuktiṁ ca kecana

"Some say the highest good is dharma, or lordship, or renunciation, or enjoyment; some say self-restraint, austerity, wealth; some say worldly pleasure, and some, liberation.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.96.17)

तदेवं शतसंख्येषु श्रेयस्सु पुरुषोत्तम ॥ मम चैवं कुलस्यास्य श्रेयो यद्ब्रूहि निश्चितम्

tadevaṁ śatasaṁkhyeṣu śreyassu puruṣottama || mama caivaṁ kulasyāsya śreyo yadbrūhi niścitam

"Thus, O Purushottama, amid these hundreds of claimed highest goods, tell me with certainty what is the true good for me and for this our family."

Verse 18 (skanda.1.96.18)

॥श्रीकृष्ण उवाच॥ वत्स पृथक्पृथक्प्रोक्तं वर्णानां श्रेय उत्तमम् ॥ ब्राह्मणानां तपो मूलं दमोऽध्ययनमेव च

||śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca|| vatsa pṛthakpṛthakproktaṁ varṇānāṁ śreya uttamam || brāhmaṇānāṁ tapo mūlaṁ damo'dhyayanameva ca

Shri Krishna said: "My child, the highest good has been declared separately for each of the varnas. For brahmins, its root is austerity, self-restraint, and study of the Vedas,

Verse 19 (skanda.1.96.19)

धर्मप्रकटनं चापि श्रेय उक्तं मनीषिभिः ॥ बलं साध्यं पूर्व मेव क्षत्रियाणां प्रकीर्तितम्

dharmaprakaṭanaṁ cāpi śreya uktaṁ manīṣibhiḥ || balaṁ sādhyaṁ pūrva meva kṣatriyāṇāṁ prakīrtitam

"and also the proclaiming of dharma — this is declared by the wise to be their good. For kshatriyas, it is proclaimed that strength must first be attained,

Verse 20 (skanda.1.96.20)

दुष्टानां शासनं चापि साधूनां परिपालनम् ॥ पाशुपाल्यं च वैश्यानां कृषिर्विज्ञानमेव च

duṣṭānāṁ śāsanaṁ cāpi sādhūnāṁ paripālanam || pāśupālyaṁ ca vaiśyānāṁ kṛṣirvijñānameva ca

"and also the chastising of the wicked and the protection of the virtuous. For vaishyas, it is the tending of cattle, agriculture, and skill in commerce,

Verse 21 (skanda.1.96.21)

शूद्रस्य द्विजशुश्रूषा तया जीवन्वणिग्भवेत् ॥ शिल्पैर्वा विविधैर्जीवेद्द्विजातिहितमाचरन्

śūdrasya dvijaśuśrūṣā tayā jīvanvaṇigbhavet || śilpairvā vividhairjīveddvijātihitamācaran

"and for shudras, service to the twice-born; living by that, one may also become a trader, or live by various crafts, acting for the welfare of the twice-born.

Verse 22 (skanda.1.96.22)

भार्यारतिर्भृत्यपोष्टा शुचिः श्रद्धा परायणः ॥ नमस्कारेण मन्त्रेण पंचयज्ञान्न हापयेत्

bhāryāratirbhṛtyapoṣṭā śuciḥ śraddhā parāyaṇaḥ || namaskāreṇa mantreṇa paṁcayajñānna hāpayet

"Devoted to one's wife, a supporter of dependents, pure, devoted to faith — one should never neglect the five daily sacrifices, even if only with the mantra of salutation.

Verse 23 (skanda.1.96.23)

तद्भवान्क्षत्रियकुले जातोऽसि कुरु तच्छृणु ॥ बलं साधय पूर्वं त्वमतुलं तेन शिक्षय

tadbhavānkṣatriyakule jāto'si kuru tacchṛṇu || balaṁ sādhaya pūrvaṁ tvamatulaṁ tena śikṣaya

"Now, you have been born in a kshatriya lineage — hear, then, what you must do. First, you must acquire matchless strength, and through it, discipline yourself,

Verse 24 (skanda.1.96.24)

दुष्टान्पालय साधूंश्च स्वर्गमेवमवाप्स्यसि ॥ बलं च लभ्यते पुत्र देवीनां सुप्रसादतः

duṣṭānpālaya sādhūṁśca svargamevamavāpsyasi || balaṁ ca labhyate putra devīnāṁ suprasādataḥ

"chastise the wicked, and protect the virtuous — thus you shall attain heaven. And strength, my son, is obtained through the great grace of the Goddesses.

Verse 25 (skanda.1.96.25)

तद्भवान्बलप्राप्त्यर्थं देव्याराधनमाचर

tadbhavānbalaprāptyarthaṁ devyārādhanamācara

"Therefore, for the sake of gaining strength, you should undertake the worship of the Goddess."

Verse 26 (skanda.1.96.26)

॥बर्बरीक उवाच॥ कस्मिन्क्षेत्रे च कां देवीं कथमाराधयाम्यहम् ॥ एतत्प्रसादप्रवणं मनः कृत्वा निवेदय

||barbarīka uvāca|| kasminkṣetre ca kāṁ devīṁ kathamārādhayāmyaham || etatprasādapravaṇaṁ manaḥ kṛtvā nivedaya

Barbarika said: "In which sacred place, and which goddess, and in what manner should I worship her? Setting your mind toward this grace, please tell me."

Verse 27 (skanda.1.96.27)

॥सूत उवाच॥ इति पृष्टः क्षणं ध्यात्वा प्राह दामोदरो विभुः ॥ वत्स क्षेत्रं प्रवक्ष्यामि यत्र तप्स्यसि तत्तपः ॥ गुप्तक्षेत्रमिति ख्यातं महीसागरसंगमे

||sūta uvāca|| iti pṛṣṭaḥ kṣaṇaṁ dhyātvā prāha dāmodaro vibhuḥ || vatsa kṣetraṁ pravakṣyāmi yatra tapsyasi tattapaḥ || guptakṣetramiti khyātaṁ mahīsāgarasaṁgame

Suta said: Thus questioned, the mighty Damodara, having reflected a moment, said: "My child, I shall tell you the sacred place where you shall perform that austerity — it is known as the Gupta-kshetra, at the confluence of Mahi and Sagara.

Verse 28 (skanda.1.96.28)

तत्र त्रिभुवने याश्च संति देव्यः पृथग्विधाः ॥ नारदेन समानीतास्ताश्चैक्यं सुमहात्मना

tatra tribhuvane yāśca saṁti devyaḥ pṛthagvidhāḥ || nāradena samānītāstāścaikyaṁ sumahātmanā

"There, all the various goddesses that exist in the three worlds were brought together into unity by the great-souled Narada.

Verse 29 (skanda.1.96.29)

चतस्रस्तस्य दिग्देव्यो नव दुर्गाश्च संति याः ॥ समाराधय ता गत्वा तासामैक्यं हि दुर्लभम्

catasrastasya digdevyo nava durgāśca saṁti yāḥ || samārādhaya tā gatvā tāsāmaikyaṁ hi durlabham

"Its four directional goddesses, and the nine Durgas that dwell there — go and worship them, for their combined presence in one place is rarely found.

Verse 30 (skanda.1.96.30)

नित्यं पूजय ताः पुत्र पुष्पधूपविलेपनैः ॥ स्तुतिभिश्चोपहारैश्च यथा तुष्यति तास्तव

nityaṁ pūjaya tāḥ putra puṣpadhūpavilepanaiḥ || stutibhiścopahāraiśca yathā tuṣyati tāstava

"Worship them daily, my son, with flowers, incense, and sandal-paste, with hymns and offerings, in whatever way they become pleased with you.

Verse 31 (skanda.1.96.31)

तुष्टासु देवीषु बलं धनं च कीर्तिश्च पुत्राः सुभगाश्च दाराः ॥ स्वर्गस्तथा मुक्तिपदं च सत्सुखं न दुर्लभं सत्यमेतत्तवोक्तम्

tuṣṭāsu devīṣu balaṁ dhanaṁ ca kīrtiśca putrāḥ subhagāśca dārāḥ || svargastathā muktipadaṁ ca satsukhaṁ na durlabhaṁ satyametattavoktam

"When the Goddesses are pleased, strength, wealth, fame, sons, and a fortunate wife; heaven likewise, and the state of liberation, and true happiness — none of these is hard to attain. This I declare to you as truth."

Verse 32 (skanda.1.96.32)

॥सूत उवाच॥ एवमुक्त्वा बर्बरीकं कृष्णः प्राह घटोत्कचम् ॥ घटोत्कचार्य पुत्रस्ते दृढं सुहृदयो ह्यसौ

||sūta uvāca|| evamuktvā barbarīkaṁ kṛṣṇaḥ prāha ghaṭotkacam || ghaṭotkacārya putraste dṛḍhaṁ suhṛdayo hyasau

Suta said: Having spoken thus to Barbarika, Krishna said to Ghatotkacha: "O worthy Ghatotkacha, this son of yours is indeed truly good-hearted (suhrdaya).

Verse 33 (skanda.1.96.33)

तस्मात्सुहृदयेत्येवं दत्तं नाम मया द्विकम् ॥ एवमुक्त्वा समालिंग्य संतर्ज्य विविधैर्धनैः

tasmātsuhṛdayetyevaṁ dattaṁ nāma mayā dvikam || evamuktvā samāliṁgya saṁtarjya vividhairdhanaiḥ

"Therefore, I have given him this second name, 'Suhrdaya' (Good-hearted)." Having said this, embracing him and blessing him with many kinds of wealth,

Verse 34 (skanda.1.96.34)

गुप्तक्षेत्राय भगवान्बर्बरीकं समादिशत् ॥ सोऽथ कृष्णं नमस्कृत्य पितरं यादवांश्च तान्

guptakṣetrāya bhagavānbarbarīkaṁ samādiśat || so'tha kṛṣṇaṁ namaskṛtya pitaraṁ yādavāṁśca tān

the Lord instructed Barbarika to go to the Gupta-kshetra. Then, having bowed to Krishna, to his father, and to those Yadavas,

Verse 35 (skanda.1.96.35)

अनुज्ञाप्य च तान्सर्वान्गुप्तक्षेत्रं समाव्रजत् ॥ घटोत्कचोऽपि कृष्णेन विसृष्टः स्ववनं ययौ

anujñāpya ca tānsarvānguptakṣetraṁ samāvrajat || ghaṭotkaco'pi kṛṣṇena visṛṣṭaḥ svavanaṁ yayau

and having taken leave of them all, he set out for the Gupta-kshetra; and Ghatotkacha too, dismissed by Krishna, went to his own forest.

Verse 36 (skanda.1.96.36)

स्मरन्पुत्रगुणान्पत्न्या स्वराज्यं समपालयत् ॥ ततः सुहृदयो धीमान्दग्धस्थल्यां कृताश्रमः

smaranputraguṇānpatnyā svarājyaṁ samapālayat || tataḥ suhṛdayo dhīmāndagdhasthalyāṁ kṛtāśramaḥ

There, remembering with his wife the virtues of their son, he ruled his own kingdom. Meanwhile, the wise Suhrdaya, having made his hermitage at Dagdhasthali,

Verse 37 (skanda.1.96.37)

त्रिकालं पूजयामास देवीः कर्मसमाधिभिः ॥ नित्यं पुष्पैश्च धूपैश्च उपहारैः पृथग्विधैः

trikālaṁ pūjayāmāsa devīḥ karmasamādhibhiḥ || nityaṁ puṣpaiśca dhūpaiśca upahāraiḥ pṛthagvidhaiḥ

worshipped the Goddesses three times a day with disciplined rites, daily, with flowers and incense and offerings of many kinds.

Verse 38 (skanda.1.96.38)

तस्याराधयतो देव्यस्तुतुषुर्हायनैस्त्रिभिः ॥ ततः प्रत्यक्षतो भूत्वा बलात्तस्य महात्मनः

tasyārādhayato devyastutuṣurhāyanaistribhiḥ || tataḥ pratyakṣato bhūtvā balāttasya mahātmanaḥ

As he worshipped thus, the Goddesses became pleased with him within three years; then, manifesting themselves before that great soul,

Verse 39 (skanda.1.96.39)

बलं यत्त्रिषु लोकेषु कस्यचिन्नास्ति दुर्लभम् ॥ ऊचुश्च कंचित्कालं त्वं वसात्रैव महाद्युते

balaṁ yattriṣu lokeṣu kasyacinnāsti durlabham || ūcuśca kaṁcitkālaṁ tvaṁ vasātraiva mahādyute

they granted him strength such that in the three worlds it would be a rarity for anyone; and they said: "For a certain time, remain here, O one of great splendor —

Verse 40 (skanda.1.96.40)

संगत्या विजयस्य त्वं भूयः श्रेयो ह्यवाप्स्यसि ॥ इत्युक्तः सर्वदेवीभिः स तत्रैव व्यवस्थितः

saṁgatyā vijayasya tvaṁ bhūyaḥ śreyo hyavāpsyasi || ityuktaḥ sarvadevībhiḥ sa tatraiva vyavasthitaḥ

"—for through your meeting with Vijaya, you shall attain even greater good." Thus told by all the Goddesses, he remained settled there.

Verse 41 (skanda.1.96.41)

आजगामाथ विजयो नाम्ना मागधब्राह्मणः ॥ स सर्वां पृथिवीं कृत्वा पादाक्रांतां द्विजोत्तमः

ājagāmātha vijayo nāmnā māgadhabrāhmaṇaḥ || sa sarvāṁ pṛthivīṁ kṛtvā pādākrāṁtāṁ dvijottamaḥ

Then there came one named Vijaya, a brahmin of Magadha; that best of the twice-born, having traversed the whole earth on foot,

Verse 42 (skanda.1.96.42)

काश्यां विद्याबलं प्राप्य साधनार्थमुपाययौ ॥ गुहेश्वरमुखान्येष सप्तलिंगान्यपूजयत्

kāśyāṁ vidyābalaṁ prāpya sādhanārthamupāyayau || guheśvaramukhānyeṣa saptaliṁgānyapūjayat

having obtained the power of learning in Kashi, came there for the sake of accomplishing a spiritual attainment. He worshipped the seven lingas beginning with Guheshvara,

Verse 43 (skanda.1.96.43)

आराधयामास चिरं देवीर्विद्याफलाप्तये॥ ततस्तुष्टास्तस्य देव्यः स्वप्ने प्रोचुरिदं वचः

ārādhayāmāsa ciraṁ devīrvidyāphalāptaye|| tatastuṣṭāstasya devyaḥ svapne procuridaṁ vacaḥ

and worshipped the Goddesses for a long time, to obtain the fruit of his learning. Then the Goddesses, pleased with him, spoke these words to him in a dream:

Verse 44 (skanda.1.96.44)

विद्यां साधय त्वं साधो सिद्धमातुः पुरोंऽगणे ॥ अयं भक्तः सुहृदयः साहाय्यं ते करिष्यति

vidyāṁ sādhaya tvaṁ sādho siddhamātuḥ puroṁ'gaṇe || ayaṁ bhaktaḥ suhṛdayaḥ sāhāyyaṁ te kariṣyati

"Accomplish your sadhana, O virtuous one, in the courtyard before Siddhamata's shrine; this devotee, Suhrdaya, will render you assistance."

Verse 45 (skanda.1.96.45)

ततस्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा विजयः स्वप्नमध्यतः ॥ उत्थाय गत्वा देव्यास्तं वव्रे भीमात्म जात्मजम्

tatastadvacanaṁ śrutvā vijayaḥ svapnamadhyataḥ || utthāya gatvā devyāstaṁ vavre bhīmātma jātmajam

Hearing this word, Vijaya, rising from his dream, went and, in the presence of the Goddess, sought out that son of Bhima's grandson.

Verse 46 (skanda.1.96.46)

सोऽपि देवीवचः श्रुत्वा मेने साहाय्यकारणम् ॥ ततः कृष्णचतुर्दश्यामुपोष्य विजयः शुचिः

so'pi devīvacaḥ śrutvā mene sāhāyyakāraṇam || tataḥ kṛṣṇacaturdaśyāmupoṣya vijayaḥ śuciḥ

He too, hearing the Goddess's word, agreed to render assistance. Then, on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight, Vijaya, having fasted and being purified,

Verse 47 (skanda.1.96.47)

स्नात्वाभ्यर्च्यैव लिंगानि देवीश्चैवार्चयत्पृथक् ॥ कृत्वा स्नानमुपोष्यैव बर्बरीकोंऽतिकेऽभवत्

snātvābhyarcyaiva liṁgāni devīścaivārcayatpṛthak || kṛtvā snānamupoṣyaiva barbarīkoṁ'tike'bhavat

bathed, worshipped the lingas, and worshipped each of the Goddesses separately; having bathed and fasted, he then came to Barbarika's side.

Verse 48 (skanda.1.96.48)

प्रथमायां ततो रात्रौ ययौ सिद्धांबिकापुरः ॥ मंडलं तत्र कृत्वा च भगाकारं करान्नव

prathamāyāṁ tato rātrau yayau siddhāṁbikāpuraḥ || maṁḍalaṁ tatra kṛtvā ca bhagākāraṁ karānnava

Then, on the first night, he went before the Siddhambika shrine, and there drew a ritual diagram of nine hands in the shape of a yoni,

Verse 49 (skanda.1.96.49)

अष्टदिक्ष्वष्टकीलांश्च निखन्यैव ससूत्रकान् ॥ कृष्णाजिनधरो भूत्वा बर्बरीकसमन्वितः

aṣṭadikṣvaṣṭakīlāṁśca nikhanyaiva sasūtrakān || kṛṣṇājinadharo bhūtvā barbarīkasamanvitaḥ

and, having driven eight ritual pegs, joined by threads, into the eight directions, clad in a black antelope-skin, together with Barbarika,

Verse 50 (skanda.1.96.50)

शिखामाबद्ध्य दिग्बंधं कृत्वा रेभे ततो विधिम् ॥ मध्ये वै मंडलस्यापि कुंडे शुभ्रे त्रिमेखलं

śikhāmābaddhya digbaṁdhaṁ kṛtvā rebhe tato vidhim || madhye vai maṁḍalasyāpi kuṁḍe śubhre trimekhalaṁ

having tied up his topknot, and having made the protective circle around the directions, he then began the rite; and in the middle of the diagram, in a pure fire-pit encircled by three ledges,

Verse 51 (skanda.1.96.51)

समर्प्य च ततः खड्गं खादिरं मंत्रतेजितम् ॥ संस्थाप्य कीलानभितो बर्बरीकमथाब्रवीत्

samarpya ca tataḥ khaḍgaṁ khādiraṁ maṁtratejitam || saṁsthāpya kīlānabhito barbarīkamathābravīt

having placed there a sword of khadira-wood, empowered by mantra, and having set the pegs all around, he then said to Barbarika:

Verse 52 (skanda.1.96.52)

शुचिर्विनिद्रः संतिष्ठ स्तवं देव्याः समुद्गिरन् ॥ यावत्कर्म करोम्येष यथा विघ्नं न जायते

śucirvinidraḥ saṁtiṣṭha stavaṁ devyāḥ samudgiran || yāvatkarma karomyeṣa yathā vighnaṁ na jāyate

"Remain here, pure and wakeful, reciting the hymn of the Goddess, while I perform this rite, so that no obstacle may arise."

Verse 53 (skanda.1.96.53)

इत्युक्ते संस्थिते तत्र बर्बरीके महाबले ॥ विजयः शोषणं दाहं प्लावनं कृतवान्यमी

ityukte saṁsthite tatra barbarīke mahābale || vijayaḥ śoṣaṇaṁ dāhaṁ plāvanaṁ kṛtavānyamī

When this had been said, and the mighty Barbarika stood there on guard, Vijaya, the self-controlled, performed the preliminary rites of drying, burning, and flooding of the ritual site.

Verse 54 (skanda.1.96.54)

ततः सुखासनो भूत्वा गुंगुरुभ्यो नमः इति ॥ मंत्रमष्टोत्तरशतं जप्त्वा गुरुभ्यः प्रणम्य च ॥ ततो गणेश्वरविधानमारब्धवान्

tataḥ sukhāsano bhūtvā guṁgurubhyo namaḥ iti || maṁtramaṣṭottaraśataṁ japtvā gurubhyaḥ praṇamya ca || tato gaṇeśvaravidhānamārabdhavān

Then, seated comfortably, having recited the mantra "Om, salutations to the gurus" one hundred and eight times, and having bowed to his gurus, he then began the rite of Ganeshvara (Ganapati).

Verse 55 (skanda.1.96.55)

अथातः संप्रवक्ष्यामि मंत्रं गणपतेः परम्

athātaḥ saṁpravakṣyāmi maṁtraṁ gaṇapateḥ param

Now, hereafter, I shall declare the supreme mantra of Ganapati —

Verse 56 (skanda.1.96.56)

सर्वकार्यकरं स्वल्पं महार्थं सर्वसिद्धिदम्

sarvakāryakaraṁ svalpaṁ mahārthaṁ sarvasiddhidam

— accomplisher of all tasks, brief in form yet great in meaning, bestower of every attainment:

Verse 57 (skanda.1.96.57)

ॐगांगींगूंगैंगौंगः सप्ताक्षरोऽयं महामंत्रः ॥ ॐगणपतिमंत्रस्य गणको नाम ऋषिः विघ्नेश्वरो देवता गं बीजम् ॐशक्तिः पूजार्थे जपार्थे वा तिलकार्थे वा मनस ईप्सितार्थे होमार्थे वा विनियोग इति ॥ साध कस्य पूर्वं तिलककरणम् ॥ ॐगांगणपतये नमः ॥ इति तिलकस्योपरि अक्षतान्दद्यात् अनेन मन्त्रेण ॥ ॐ गांगणपतये नमः ॥ इति तिलकमंत्रः ॥ ॐगां गणपतये नमः ॥ अनेन मंत्रेण गणेशाय पुष्पांजलित्रयं दद्यात् ॥ मूलमंत्रेणात्र चंदनगंधपुष्पधूपदीपनैवेद्यपूगीफल तांबूलादिकं दद्यात् ॥ अत ऊर्ध्वं मूलमन्त्रेण जपं कुर्यात् ॥ अष्टोत्तरशतं सहस्रं लक्षं कोटिं चेति यथाशक्ति जप्त्वा दशांशहोमार्थे गणेशाग्नये आवाहयामीति अग्निमावाह्य ॥ ॐ गां गणपतये स्वाहेति मन्त्रेण गुग्गुलगुटिकाभिर्होमं विदध्याद्विनियोगं चेति गाणेश्वरो ता?कल्पः ॥ य एवं सर्व विघ्नेषु साधयेन्मन्त्रमुत्तमम् ॥ सर्वविघ्नानि नश्यंति मनोभीष्टं च सिध्यति

oṁgāṁgīṁgūṁgaiṁgauṁgaḥ saptākṣaro'yaṁ mahāmaṁtraḥ || oṁgaṇapatimaṁtrasya gaṇako nāma ṛṣiḥ vighneśvaro devatā gaṁ bījam oṁśaktiḥ pūjārthe japārthe vā tilakārthe vā manasa īpsitārthe homārthe vā viniyoga iti || sādha kasya pūrvaṁ tilakakaraṇam || oṁgāṁgaṇapataye namaḥ || iti tilakasyopari akṣatāndadyāt anena mantreṇa || oṁ gāṁgaṇapataye namaḥ || iti tilakamaṁtraḥ || oṁgāṁ gaṇapataye namaḥ || anena maṁtreṇa gaṇeśāya puṣpāṁjalitrayaṁ dadyāt || mūlamaṁtreṇātra caṁdanagaṁdhapuṣpadhūpadīpanaivedyapūgīphala tāṁbūlādikaṁ dadyāt || ata ūrdhvaṁ mūlamantreṇa japaṁ kuryāt || aṣṭottaraśataṁ sahasraṁ lakṣaṁ koṭiṁ ceti yathāśakti japtvā daśāṁśahomārthe gaṇeśāgnaye āvāhayāmīti agnimāvāhya || oṁ gāṁ gaṇapataye svāheti mantreṇa guggulaguṭikābhirhomaṁ vidadhyādviniyogaṁ ceti gāṇeśvaro tā?kalpaḥ || ya evaṁ sarva vighneṣu sādhayenmantramuttamam || sarvavighnāni naśyaṁti manobhīṣṭaṁ ca sidhyati

"Om gāṁ gīṁ gūṁ gaiṁ gauṁ gaḥ — this is the seven-syllabled great mantra. Of this Om-Ganapati mantra, the sage (rishi) is named Ganaka; the presiding deity is Vighneshvara; the seed-syllable (bija) is 'gaṁ'; the power (shakti) is 'Om'; its application (viniyoga) is for worship, for recitation, for the tilaka mark, for the fulfillment of a desired purpose in the mind, or for the fire-offering. One should first perform the making of the tilaka mark. With the mantra 'Om gāṁ gaṇapataye namaḥ,' one should offer unbroken rice grains upon the tilaka. 'Om gāṁ gaṇapataye namaḥ' is the tilaka-mantra. With this same mantra, one should offer three handfuls of flowers to Ganesha. With the root mantra, one should here offer sandal-paste, fragrance, flowers, incense, a lamp, food-offerings, areca nut, betel-leaf, and the like. Thereafter, one should perform japa with the root mantra. Having recited it one hundred and eight times, or a thousand, a hundred thousand, or ten million times according to one's capacity, for the sake of the tenth-part fire-offering, one should invoke the sacred fire with the words 'I invoke the fire of Ganesha.' With the mantra 'Om gāṁ gaṇapataye svāhā,' one should perform the fire-offering with pellets of guggulu resin, and complete its application — this is the Ganeshvara-kalpa. Whoever thus accomplishes this supreme mantra amid every obstacle — all obstacles are destroyed for him, and the desire of his heart is fulfilled."

Verse 58 (skanda.1.96.58)

डाकिन्यो यातुधानाश्च प्रेताद्याश्च भयंकराः ॥ शत्रूणां जायते नाशो वशीकरणमेव च

ḍākinyo yātudhānāśca pretādyāśca bhayaṁkarāḥ || śatrūṇāṁ jāyate nāśo vaśīkaraṇameva ca

Dakinis, yatudhanas, ghosts and other fearsome beings are subdued by it; the destruction of enemies is brought about, and so too is the power to bring others under one's control.

Verse 59 (skanda.1.96.59)

इमं गाणेश्वरं कल्पं विजानन्विजयोऽपि च ॥ तिलकं विधिना कृत्वा जप्त्वा चाष्टोत्तरं शतम्

imaṁ gāṇeśvaraṁ kalpaṁ vijānanvijayo'pi ca || tilakaṁ vidhinā kṛtvā japtvā cāṣṭottaraṁ śatam

Knowing this Ganeshvara-rite well, Vijaya too, having applied the tilaka according to the prescribed rule, and having recited the mantra one hundred and eight times,

Verse 60 (skanda.1.96.60)

दशांशं गुटिका हुत्वा पूज्य सिद्धिविनायकम् ॥ सिद्धेयक्षेत्रपालस्य चक्रे पूजां ततो निशि

daśāṁśaṁ guṭikā hutvā pūjya siddhivināyakam || siddheyakṣetrapālasya cakre pūjāṁ tato niśi

having offered a tenth part in guggulu pellets as oblation, and worshipped Siddhi-Vinayaka, then, that night, performed the worship of the Kshetrapala of Siddhi, the guardian deity of the place.