Barbarika's Attainment of the Great Wisdom

Verse 1 (skanda.1.97.1)

॥शौनक उवाच॥ सूत श्रुता पुरास्माभिरुत्पत्तिर्गणपस्य च ॥ क्षेत्रनाथः कथं जज्ञे वदैतच्छृण्वतां हि नः

||śaunaka uvāca|| sūta śrutā purāsmābhirutpattirgaṇapasya ca || kṣetranāthaḥ kathaṁ jajñe vadaitacchṛṇvatāṁ hi naḥ

Shaunaka said: "O Suta, we have already heard from you of the origin of Ganapati. Tell us now how the Kshetranatha, the Guardian of the Field, came to be born — we are eager to hear this."

Verse 2 (skanda.1.97.2)

॥सूत उवाच॥ यदा दारुकदैत्येन पीड्यमाना दिवौकसः ॥ शिवं देव्या सहासीनं प्रणिपत्येदमब्रुवन्

||sūta uvāca|| yadā dārukadaityena pīḍyamānā divaukasaḥ || śivaṁ devyā sahāsīnaṁ praṇipatyedamabruvan

Suta said: When the dwellers of heaven were being oppressed by the demon Daruka, they went and, bowing before Shiva, who was seated together with the Goddess, spoke thus:

Verse 3 (skanda.1.97.3)

देव दैत्येन घोरेण दुर्जयेन सुरासुरैः ॥ पीडिता दारुकेण स्मः स्वस्थानाच्चापि च्याविताः

deva daityena ghoreṇa durjayena surāsuraiḥ || pīḍitā dārukeṇa smaḥ svasthānāccāpi cyāvitāḥ

"O Lord, we have been oppressed by the terrible demon Daruka, unconquerable by gods and demons alike, and driven even from our own abodes.

Verse 4 (skanda.1.97.4)

न विष्णुना न चंद्रेण न चान्येनापि केनचित् ॥ शक्यो हंतुं स दुष्टात्मा अर्धनारीश्वरं विना

na viṣṇunā na caṁdreṇa na cānyenāpi kenacit || śakyo haṁtuṁ sa duṣṭātmā ardhanārīśvaraṁ vinā

"That evil-souled one cannot be slain by Vishnu, nor by Chandra, nor by any other, save by Ardhanarishvara, the Lord who is half woman.

Verse 5 (skanda.1.97.5)

तेन संपीड्यमानानामस्माकं शरणं भव ॥ इत्युक्त्वा रुरुदुर्देवास्त्राहित्राहीति चाब्रुवन्

tena saṁpīḍyamānānāmasmākaṁ śaraṇaṁ bhava || ityuktvā rurudurdevāstrāhitrāhīti cābruvan

"Be our refuge, we who are so grievously oppressed by him!" Having said this, the gods wept and cried out, "Save us! Save us!"

Verse 6 (skanda.1.97.6)

ततोऽतिकृपयाविष्टहरकंठस्य कालिमाम् ॥ गृहीत्वा पार्वती चक्रे नारीमेकां महाभयाम्

tato'tikṛpayāviṣṭaharakaṁṭhasya kālimām || gṛhītvā pārvatī cakre nārīmekāṁ mahābhayām

Then, filled with great compassion, Parvati took the dark poison-stain from Hara's throat and fashioned from it a single, greatly fearsome woman.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.97.7)

आत्मशक्तिं तत्र मुक्त्वा प्रोवाचेदं वचः शुभा ॥ यस्मादतीव कालासि नाम्ना त्वं कालिका भव

ātmaśaktiṁ tatra muktvā provācedaṁ vacaḥ śubhā || yasmādatīva kālāsi nāmnā tvaṁ kālikā bhava

Infusing her own power into her, the auspicious Goddess spoke these words: "Since you are of such deep blackness, you shall be named Kalika.

Verse 8 (skanda.1.97.8)

देवारिं च दुरात्मानं शीघ्रं नाशय शोभने ॥ एवमुक्ता महारावा कालिका प्राप्य तं तदा

devāriṁ ca durātmānaṁ śīghraṁ nāśaya śobhane || evamuktā mahārāvā kālikā prāpya taṁ tadā

"Now, O radiant one, quickly destroy this evil-souled enemy of the gods." Thus commanded, Kalika, roaring loudly, reached him,

Verse 9 (skanda.1.97.9)

रवेणैव मृतं चक्रे सानुगं स्फुटितहृदम् ॥ ततोवन्ती श्मशानस्था महारावानमुंचत

raveṇaiva mṛtaṁ cakre sānugaṁ sphuṭitahṛdam || tatovantī śmaśānasthā mahārāvānamuṁcata

and by her mere roar alone caused him and his followers to die, their hearts bursting. Then, standing in the cremation ground, still enraged, she let loose mighty roars,

Verse 10 (skanda.1.97.10)

यैरासन्विकला लोकास्त्रयोऽपि प्रमृता यथा ॥ ततो रुद्रो बालरूपं कृत्वा विश्वकृते विभुः

yairāsanvikalā lokāstrayo'pi pramṛtā yathā || tato rudro bālarūpaṁ kṛtvā viśvakṛte vibhuḥ

by which all three worlds became distraught, as though they too had died. Then Rudra, the mighty maker of the universe, taking the form of an infant,

Verse 11 (skanda.1.97.11)

रुदंस्तस्याः समीपे चाप्यागतः प्रेतसद्मनि ॥ रुदंतं च ततो बालं कृत्वोत्संगे कृपान्विता

rudaṁstasyāḥ samīpe cāpyāgataḥ pretasadmani || rudaṁtaṁ ca tato bālaṁ kṛtvotsaṁge kṛpānvitā

came weeping to her side, into that abode of the dead. Seeing the weeping infant, she, filled with compassion, took him upon her lap,

Verse 12 (skanda.1.97.12)

कालिकाऽपाययत्स्तन्यं मा रुदेति प्रजल्पती ॥ स्तन्य व्याजेन बालोऽपि पपौ क्रोधं तदंगजम्

kālikā'pāyayatstanyaṁ mā rudeti prajalpatī || stanya vyājena bālo'pi papau krodhaṁ tadaṁgajam

and Kalika gave him her breast, saying, "Do not weep." And the infant, under the guise of drinking milk, drank in instead the wrath born in her body.

Verse 13 (skanda.1.97.13)

योऽसौ हरकंठभवविषादासीत्सुदुर्धरः ॥ पीतक्रोधस्वभावे च सौम्यासीत्कालिका तदा

yo'sau harakaṁṭhabhavaviṣādāsītsudurdharaḥ || pītakrodhasvabhāve ca saumyāsītkālikā tadā

That fury, which had arisen from the poison in Hara's throat and had been so unbearable — once its wrathful nature was thus drunk away, Kalika then became gentle and calm.

Verse 14 (skanda.1.97.14)

बालोऽपि बालरूपं तत्त्यक्तुमैच्छत्कृतक्रिहयाः

bālo'pi bālarūpaṁ tattyaktumaicchatkṛtakrihayāḥ

The infant, too, having accomplished his purpose, then wished to give up that infant form.

Verse 15 (skanda.1.97.15)

ततो देवाः कालिकायाः शंकमानाः पुनर्भयम् ॥ ऊचुर्मा बाल बालत्वं परित्यज कृपां कुरु

tato devāḥ kālikāyāḥ śaṁkamānāḥ punarbhayam || ūcurmā bāla bālatvaṁ parityaja kṛpāṁ kuru

But then the gods, fearing renewed danger from Kalika, said: "O child, do not abandon your infant form — show mercy!"

Verse 16 (skanda.1.97.16)

॥बाल उवाच॥ न भेतव्यं कालिकायाः सौम्या देवी यतः कृता ॥ अस्ति चेद्भवतां भीतिरन्यान्स्रक्ष्यामि बालकान् ॥ चतुःषष्टिक्षेत्रपालानित्युक्त्वा सोऽसृजन्मुखात्

||bāla uvāca|| na bhetavyaṁ kālikāyāḥ saumyā devī yataḥ kṛtā || asti cedbhavatāṁ bhītiranyānsrakṣyāmi bālakān || catuḥṣaṣṭikṣetrapālānityuktvā so'sṛjanmukhāt

The child said: "There is no need to fear Kalika, for she has become a gentle Goddess. Yet if you still have fear, I shall create other children." So saying, he created from his mouth sixty-four Kshetrapalas, guardians of the field.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.97.17)

प्राह तान्बालरूपांश्च बालरूपी महेश्वरः ॥ स्वर्गेषु पंचविशानां पातालेषु च तावताम्

prāha tānbālarūpāṁśca bālarūpī maheśvaraḥ || svargeṣu paṁcaviśānāṁ pātāleṣu ca tāvatām

Maheshvara, himself in infant form, spoke to those infant-formed guardians: "Twenty-five of you shall dwell in the heavens, and as many in the netherworlds,

Verse 18 (skanda.1.97.18)

चतुर्दशानां भूर्लोके वासो वः पालनं तथा ॥ अयमेव श्मशानस्थो भविता श्वा च वाहनम्

caturdaśānāṁ bhūrloke vāso vaḥ pālanaṁ tathā || ayameva śmaśānastho bhavitā śvā ca vāhanam

"and fourteen shall dwell and keep watch in the earthly realm. This one here, who dwells in the cremation-ground, shall have the dog as his mount.

Verse 19 (skanda.1.97.19)

नैवेद्यं भवतां राजमाषतंदुलमिश्रकाः ॥ अनभ्यर्च्य च यो युष्मान्किंचित्कृत्यं विधास्यति

naivedyaṁ bhavatāṁ rājamāṣataṁdulamiśrakāḥ || anabhyarcya ca yo yuṣmānkiṁcitkṛtyaṁ vidhāsyati

"Your food-offering shall be a mixture of black gram and rice. And whoever performs any undertaking without first worshipping you—

Verse 20 (skanda.1.97.20)

तस्य तन्निष्फलं भावि भुक्तं प्रेतैश्च राक्षसैः ॥ इत्युक्त्वा भगवान्रुद्रस्तत्रैवां तरधीयत

tasya tanniṣphalaṁ bhāvi bhuktaṁ pretaiśca rākṣasaiḥ || ityuktvā bhagavānrudrastatraivāṁ taradhīyata

"—that undertaking of his shall become fruitless, consumed instead by ghosts and rakshasas." Having said this, the Lord Rudra vanished then and there,

Verse 21 (skanda.1.97.21)

क्षेत्रपालाः स्थिताश्चैव यथास्थाने निरूपिताः ॥ इति वः क्षेत्रपालानां सृष्टिः प्रोक्ता समासतः

kṣetrapālāḥ sthitāścaiva yathāsthāne nirūpitāḥ || iti vaḥ kṣetrapālānāṁ sṛṣṭiḥ proktā samāsataḥ

and the Kshetrapalas took up their appointed stations, each as assigned. Thus has the creation of the Kshetrapalas been briefly told to you.

Verse 22 (skanda.1.97.22)

आराधनं प्रवक्ष्यामि येन प्रीता भवंति ते

ārādhanaṁ pravakṣyāmi yena prītā bhavaṁti te

Now I shall declare their mode of worship, by which they become pleased.

Verse 23 (skanda.1.97.23)

ॐक्षां क्षेत्रपालाय नमः ॥ इति नवाक्षरो महामंत्रः

oṁkṣāṁ kṣetrapālāya namaḥ || iti navākṣaro mahāmaṁtraḥ

"Om kṣāṁ kṣetrapālāya namaḥ" — this is the nine-syllabled great mantra.

Verse 24 (skanda.1.97.24)

अनेनात्र चंदनादि दत्त्वा राजमाषतण्डुलमिश्रकाश्च चतुःषष्टिकृतभागान्वटकान्निवेद्य तावत्यो दीपिकास्तावन्ति पत्राणि पूगानि निवेद्य दण्डवत्प्रणम्य महास्तुतिमेतां जपेत्

anenātra caṁdanādi dattvā rājamāṣataṇḍulamiśrakāśca catuḥṣaṣṭikṛtabhāgānvaṭakānnivedya tāvatyo dīpikāstāvanti patrāṇi pūgāni nivedya daṇḍavatpraṇamya mahāstutimetāṁ japet

With this mantra, one should here offer sandal-paste and the like, and offer sixty-four small cakes made of black gram and rice divided into that many portions, along with that same number of lamps, betel leaves, and areca nuts; then, prostrating fully on the ground, one should recite this great hymn of praise:

Verse 25 (skanda.1.97.25)

ॐऊर्ध्वकेशा विरू पाक्षा नित्यं ये घोररूपिणः ॥ रक्तनेत्राश्च पिंगाक्षाः क्षेत्रपालान्नमामि तान्

oṁūrdhvakeśā virū pākṣā nityaṁ ye ghorarūpiṇaḥ || raktanetrāśca piṁgākṣāḥ kṣetrapālānnamāmi tān

Om. I bow to those Kshetrapalas, ever terrible in form, with hair standing on end, of misshapen eyes, red-eyed and tawny-eyed —

Verse 26 (skanda.1.97.26)

अह्वरो ह्यापकुम्भश्च इडाचारस्तथैव यः ॥ इंद्रमूर्तिश्च कोलाक्ष उपपाद ऋतुंसनः

ahvaro hyāpakumbhaśca iḍācārastathaiva yaḥ || iṁdramūrtiśca kolākṣa upapāda ṛtuṁsanaḥ

Ahvara, Apakumbha, and likewise Idachara, Indramurti, Kolaksha, Upapada, Ritumsana —

Verse 27 (skanda.1.97.27)

सिद्धेयश्चैव वलिको नीलपादेकदंष्ट्रिकः ॥ इरापतिश्चाघहारी विघ्नहारी तथांतकः

siddheyaścaiva valiko nīlapādekadaṁṣṭrikaḥ || irāpatiścāghahārī vighnahārī tathāṁtakaḥ

Siddheya, Valika, Nilapada, Ekadamshtrika, Irapati, Aghahari, Vighnahari, and Antaka —

Verse 28 (skanda.1.97.28)

ऊर्ध्वपादः कम्बलश्च खंजनः खर एव च ॥ गोमुखश्चैव जंघालो गणनाथश्च वारणः

ūrdhvapādaḥ kambalaśca khaṁjanaḥ khara eva ca || gomukhaścaiva jaṁghālo gaṇanāthaśca vāraṇaḥ

Urdhvapada, Kambala, Khanjana, Khara, Gomukha, Janghala, Gananatha, and Varana —

Verse 29 (skanda.1.97.29)

जटालोप्यजटालश्च नौमि स्वःक्षेत्रपालकान् ॥ ऋकारो हठकारी च टंकपाणिः खणिस्तथा

jaṭālopyajaṭālaśca naumi svaḥkṣetrapālakān || ṛkāro haṭhakārī ca ṭaṁkapāṇiḥ khaṇistathā

Jatala and Ajatala — I bow to these guardians of the heavenly field. Rikara, Hathakari, Tankapani, and Khani —

Verse 30 (skanda.1.97.30)

ठंठंकणो जंबरश्च स्फुलिंगास्यस्तडिद्रुचिः ॥ दंतुरो घननादश्च नन्दकश्च तथा परः

ṭhaṁṭhaṁkaṇo jaṁbaraśca sphuliṁgāsyastaḍidruciḥ || daṁturo ghananādaśca nandakaśca tathā paraḥ

Thamthamkana, Jambara, Sphulingasya, Tadidruchi, Dantura, Ghananada, and Nandaka —

Verse 31 (skanda.1.97.31)

फेत्कारकारी पंचास्यो बर्बरी भीमरूपवान् ॥ भग्नपक्षः कालमेघो युवानो भास्करस्तथा

phetkārakārī paṁcāsyo barbarī bhīmarūpavān || bhagnapakṣaḥ kālamegho yuvāno bhāskarastathā

Phetkarakari, Panchasya, Barbari, of terrible form, Bhagnapaksha, Kalamegha, Yuvana, and Bhaskara —

Verse 32 (skanda.1.97.32)

रौरवश्चापि लंबोष्ठो वणिजः सुजटालिकः ॥ सुगंधो हुहुकश्चैव नौमि पातालरक्षकान्

rauravaścāpi laṁboṣṭho vaṇijaḥ sujaṭālikaḥ || sugaṁdho huhukaścaiva naumi pātālarakṣakān

Raurava, Lambostha, Vanija, Sujatalika, Sugandha, and Huhuka — I bow to these guardians of the netherworlds.

Verse 33 (skanda.1.97.33)

सर्वलिंगेषु हुंकारः स्मशानेषु भयावहः ॥ महालक्षो वने घोरे ज्वालाक्षो वसतौ स्थितः

sarvaliṁgeṣu huṁkāraḥ smaśāneṣu bhayāvahaḥ || mahālakṣo vane ghore jvālākṣo vasatau sthitaḥ

Hunkara dwells in every linga-shrine; the fearsome one in cremation grounds; Mahalaksha in the terrible forest; Jvalaksha, stationed in dwellings;

Verse 34 (skanda.1.97.34)

एकवृक्षश्च वृक्षेषु करालवदनो निशि ॥ घण्टारवो गुहावासी पद्मखंजो जले स्थितः

ekavṛkṣaśca vṛkṣeṣu karālavadano niśi || ghaṇṭāravo guhāvāsī padmakhaṁjo jale sthitaḥ

Ekavriksha among trees; the terrible-faced one by night; Ghantarava dwells in caves; Padmakhanja, stationed in the waters;

Verse 35 (skanda.1.97.35)

चत्वरेषु दुरारोहः पर्वते कुरवस्तथा ॥ निर्झरेषु प्रवाहाख्यो माणिभद्रो निधिष्वपि

catvareṣu durārohaḥ parvate kuravastathā || nirjhareṣu pravāhākhyo māṇibhadro nidhiṣvapi

Duraroha in crossroads; likewise Kurava on mountains; Pravaha in waterfalls; Manibhadra also over treasures;

Verse 36 (skanda.1.97.36)

रसक्षेत्रे रसाध्यक्षो यज्ञवाटेषु कोटनः ॥ चतुर्दश भुवं व्याप्य स्थिताश्चैवं नमामि तान्

rasakṣetre rasādhyakṣo yajñavāṭeṣu koṭanaḥ || caturdaśa bhuvaṁ vyāpya sthitāścaivaṁ namāmi tān

Rasadhyaksha, lord of the realm of minerals; Kotana in sacrificial enclosures — thus, these fourteen earthly guardians, pervading the earth, dwell everywhere; to them I bow.

Verse 37 (skanda.1.97.37)

एवं चतुःषष्टिमिताञ्छरणं यामि क्षेत्रपान् ॥ प्रसीदंतु प्रसीदंतु तृप्यंतु मम पूजया

evaṁ catuḥṣaṣṭimitāñcharaṇaṁ yāmi kṣetrapān || prasīdaṁtu prasīdaṁtu tṛpyaṁtu mama pūjayā

Thus I take refuge in these sixty-four Kshetrapalas. May they be gracious, may they be gracious, and may they be satisfied by my worship.

Verse 38 (skanda.1.97.38)

सर्वकार्येषु यश्चैवं क्षेत्रपानर्चयेच्छुचिः ॥ क्षेत्रपास्तस्य तुष्यंति यच्छंति च समीहितम्

sarvakāryeṣu yaścaivaṁ kṣetrapānarcayecchuciḥ || kṣetrapāstasya tuṣyaṁti yacchaṁti ca samīhitam

Whoever, being pure, worships the Kshetrapalas thus before every undertaking — the Kshetrapalas become pleased with him and grant him what he desires.

Verse 39 (skanda.1.97.39)

इमं क्षेत्रपकल्पं च विजानन्विजयस्तथा ॥ यथोक्तविधिनाभ्यर्च्य सिद्धेयं तुष्टुवे च तम्

imaṁ kṣetrapakalpaṁ ca vijānanvijayastathā || yathoktavidhinābhyarcya siddheyaṁ tuṣṭuve ca tam

Knowing this Kshetrapa-rite well, Vijaya too worshipped them according to the prescribed rule, and Siddheya joined in praising them.

Verse 40 (skanda.1.97.40)

प्रणम्य च ततो देवीमानर्च वटयक्षिणीम् ॥ पुरा यदा नारदेन कलापग्रामतो द्विजाः

praṇamya ca tato devīmānarca vaṭayakṣiṇīm || purā yadā nāradena kalāpagrāmato dvijāḥ

Then, having bowed to the Goddess, he worshipped Vatayakshini, the Banyan-tree Yakshini. Her story is thus: long ago, when the twice-born were brought by Narada from the village of Kalapa,

Verse 41 (skanda.1.97.41)

समानीतास्तैश्च साकं सुनंदा नाम ब्राह्मणी ॥ विधवाभ्यागता तत्र तपस्तप्तुं महीतटे

samānītāstaiśca sākaṁ sunaṁdā nāma brāhmaṇī || vidhavābhyāgatā tatra tapastaptuṁ mahītaṭe

along with them came a brahmin woman named Sunanda, a widow, who arrived there to perform austerity on the bank of the Mahi river.

Verse 42 (skanda.1.97.42)

सा कृच्छ्राणि पराकांश्च अतिकृच्छ्राणि कुर्वती ॥ ज्यैष्ठे भाद्रपदे चक्रे सावित्र्या द्वे त्रिरात्रिके

sā kṛcchrāṇi parākāṁśca atikṛcchrāṇi kurvatī || jyaiṣṭhe bhādrapade cakre sāvitryā dve trirātrike

Performing the Krichchhra, Paraka, and Atikrichchhra penances, she observed, in the months of Jyeshtha and Bhadrapada, two three-night fasts dedicated to Savitri,

Verse 43 (skanda.1.97.43)

मासोपवासं च तथा कार्तिके कुलनंदिनी ॥ सप्तलिंगानि संपूज्य देवीपूजां सदा व्यधात्

māsopavāsaṁ ca tathā kārtike kulanaṁdinī || saptaliṁgāni saṁpūjya devīpūjāṁ sadā vyadhāt

and, that increaser of her family's joy, a month-long fast in Kartika; she worshipped the seven lingas and ever performed worship of the Goddess,

Verse 44 (skanda.1.97.44)

दर्शे स्नानं तथा चक्रे महीसागरसंगमे ॥ इत्यादिबहुभिस्तैस्तैर्नित्यं नियमपालनैः

darśe snānaṁ tathā cakre mahīsāgarasaṁgame || ityādibahubhistaistairnityaṁ niyamapālanaiḥ

and bathed at the new-moon day at the confluence of Mahi and Sagara. By these and many other such daily observances,

Verse 45 (skanda.1.97.45)

धूतपापा ययौ लोकमुमायाः कृतस्वागता ॥ अंशेन च तटे तस्मिन्संभूता वटयक्षिणी

dhūtapāpā yayau lokamumāyāḥ kṛtasvāgatā || aṁśena ca taṭe tasminsaṁbhūtā vaṭayakṣiṇī

her sins washed away, she went, warmly welcomed, to the world of Uma; and by a portion of herself she came to be manifest on that riverbank as Vatayakshini.

Verse 46 (skanda.1.97.46)

तस्यास्तुष्टो वरं प्रादात्सिद्धलिंगस्थितो हरः ॥ अनभ्यर्च्य य एनां च मत्पूजां प्रकरिष्यति

tasyāstuṣṭo varaṁ prādātsiddhaliṁgasthito haraḥ || anabhyarcya ya enāṁ ca matpūjāṁ prakariṣyati

Pleased with her, Hara, abiding in the Siddha-linga, granted her a boon: "Whoever performs worship of me without first worshipping her—

Verse 47 (skanda.1.97.47)

तस्य तन्निष्फलं सर्वमित्युक्तं पाल्यमेव मे ॥ तस्मात्प्रपूजयेन्नित्यं वटस्थां वटयक्षिणीम् ॥ पुष्पैर्धूपैस्तु नैवेद्यैर्मंत्रेणानेन भक्तितः

tasya tanniṣphalaṁ sarvamityuktaṁ pālyameva me || tasmātprapūjayennityaṁ vaṭasthāṁ vaṭayakṣiṇīm || puṣpairdhūpaistu naivedyairmaṁtreṇānena bhaktitaḥ

"—all of that shall be fruitless. This is my decree, to be always upheld. Therefore, one should daily worship, with devotion, Vatayakshini who dwells in the banyan tree, with flowers, incense, and food-offerings, using this mantra:

Verse 48 (skanda.1.97.48)

सुनंदे नंदनीयासि पूजामेतां गृहाण मे ॥ प्रसीद् सर्वकालेषु मम त्वं वटयक्षिणि

sunaṁde naṁdanīyāsi pūjāmetāṁ gṛhāṇa me || prasīd sarvakāleṣu mama tvaṁ vaṭayakṣiṇi

"'O Sunanda, worthy of rejoicing, accept this worship of mine. Be gracious to me at all times, O Vatayakshini.'"

Verse 49 (skanda.1.97.49)

एवं संपूज्य तां नत्वा क्षमाप्य वटयक्षिणीम् ॥ सर्वान्कामानवाप्नोति नरो नारी च सर्वदा

evaṁ saṁpūjya tāṁ natvā kṣamāpya vaṭayakṣiṇīm || sarvānkāmānavāpnoti naro nārī ca sarvadā

Thus worshipping her, bowing to her, and asking Vatayakshini's forgiveness, a man or a woman obtains all desires, always.

Verse 50 (skanda.1.97.50)

विजयश्चापि माहात्म्यमिदं जानन्महामतिः ॥ आनर्च वटवृक्षस्थां भक्तितो वटयक्षिणीम्

vijayaścāpi māhātmyamidaṁ jānanmahāmatiḥ || ānarca vaṭavṛkṣasthāṁ bhaktito vaṭayakṣiṇīm

Vijaya too, the wise one, knowing this greatness, worshipped with devotion Vatayakshini, dwelling in the banyan tree.

Verse 51 (skanda.1.97.51)

ततः सिद्धांबिकां स्तुत्वा जप्तवानपराजिताम् ॥ महाविद्यां वैष्णवीं तु साधनेन समन्विताम्

tataḥ siddhāṁbikāṁ stutvā japtavānaparājitām || mahāvidyāṁ vaiṣṇavīṁ tu sādhanena samanvitām

Then, having praised Siddhambika, he recited the Aparajita, the great Vaishnavi Mahavidya spell, together with its full sadhana.

Verse 52 (skanda.1.97.52)

यस्याः स्मरणमात्रेण सर्वदुःखक्षयो भवेत् ॥ तां विद्यां कीर्तयिष्यामि शृणुध्वं विप्रपुंगवाः

yasyāḥ smaraṇamātreṇa sarvaduḥkhakṣayo bhavet || tāṁ vidyāṁ kīrtayiṣyāmi śṛṇudhvaṁ viprapuṁgavāḥ

By the mere remembrance of which all sorrow is destroyed — I shall now declare that Vidya; listen, O foremost of brahmins:

Verse 53 (skanda.1.97.53)

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय नमोऽनंताय सहस्रशीर्षाय क्षीरोदार्णवशायिने शेषभोगपर्यंकाय गरुडवाहनाय पीतवाससे वासुदेव संकर्षण प्रद्युम्नानिरुद्ध हयशिरो वराह नरसिंह वामन त्रिविक्रम राम राम वरप्रद नमोऽस्तु ते नमोऽ स्तुते असुरदैत्यदानवयक्षराक्षस भूतप्रेतपिशाचकुंभांड सिद्धयोगिनी डाकिनी स्कंदपुरोगमान्ग्रहान्नक्षत्रग्रहांश्चान्यांश्च हन २ दह २ पच २ मथ २ विध्वंसय २ विद्रावय २ शंखेन चक्रेण वज्रेण गदया मुशलेन हलेन भस्मीकुरु सहस्रबाहवे सहस्रचरणायुध जय २ विजय २ अपराजित अप्रतिहत सहस्रनेत्र ज्वल २ प्रज्वल २ विश्वरूप बहुरूप मधुसूदन महावराह महापुरुष वैकुंठ नारायण पद्मनाभ गोविंद दामोदर हृषीकेश सर्वासुरो त्सादन सर्वभूतवशंकर सर्वदुःखप्रभेदन सर्वयंत्रप्रभंजन सर्वनागप्रमर्दन सर्वदेवमहेश्वर सर्वबंधविमोक्षण सर्वाहितप्रमर्दन सर्वज्वरप्रणाशन सर्वग्रह निवारण सर्वपापप्रशमन जनार्दन जनानंदकर नमोऽस्तु ते स्वाहा

oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya namo'naṁtāya sahasraśīrṣāya kṣīrodārṇavaśāyine śeṣabhogaparyaṁkāya garuḍavāhanāya pītavāsase vāsudeva saṁkarṣaṇa pradyumnāniruddha hayaśiro varāha narasiṁha vāmana trivikrama rāma rāma varaprada namo'stu te namo' stute asuradaityadānavayakṣarākṣasa bhūtapretapiśācakuṁbhāṁḍa siddhayoginī ḍākinī skaṁdapurogamāngrahānnakṣatragrahāṁścānyāṁśca hana 2 daha 2 paca 2 matha 2 vidhvaṁsaya 2 vidrāvaya 2 śaṁkhena cakreṇa vajreṇa gadayā muśalena halena bhasmīkuru sahasrabāhave sahasracaraṇāyudha jaya 2 vijaya 2 aparājita apratihata sahasranetra jvala 2 prajvala 2 viśvarūpa bahurūpa madhusūdana mahāvarāha mahāpuruṣa vaikuṁṭha nārāyaṇa padmanābha goviṁda dāmodara hṛṣīkeśa sarvāsuro tsādana sarvabhūtavaśaṁkara sarvaduḥkhaprabhedana sarvayaṁtraprabhaṁjana sarvanāgapramardana sarvadevamaheśvara sarvabaṁdhavimokṣaṇa sarvāhitapramardana sarvajvarapraṇāśana sarvagraha nivāraṇa sarvapāpapraśamana janārdana janānaṁdakara namo'stu te svāhā

"Om, salutation to the Blessed Lord Vasudeva! Salutation to the Infinite One, of a thousand heads, who reclines on the ocean of milk, whose couch is the coils of Shesha, whose mount is Garuda, clad in yellow garments! O Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumna, Aniruddha! O Hayashira, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Trivikrama, Rama, Rama, granter of boons — salutation be to you, salutation be to you! Against asuras, daityas, danavas, yakshas, rakshasas, bhutas, pretas, pishachas, kumbhandas, siddhas, yoginis, dakinis, and the planetary spirits led by Skanda, and the lunar mansions and other planets — strike, strike! Burn, burn! Cook, cook! Crush, crush! Destroy, destroy! Rout, rout! — with the conch, the discus, the thunderbolt, the mace, the club, and the plough, reduce them to ashes! O thousand-armed one, wielder of a thousand feet as weapons — victory, victory! Triumph, triumph! O Unconquered, Unobstructed, Thousand-eyed one — blaze, blaze! Flame forth, flame forth! O of Universal Form, of Manifold Forms, Slayer of Madhu, Great Boar, Great Being, Lord of Vaikuntha, Narayana, Lotus-Naveled One, Govinda, Damodara, Hrishikesha! Destroyer of all asuras, subduer of all beings, breaker of all sorrows, shatterer of every hostile device, crusher of all serpents, Lord of all gods, releaser from all bondage, crusher of all who wish us ill, destroyer of all fevers, averter of all planetary afflictions, queller of all sins, O Janardana, bringer of joy to all people — salutation be to you! Svaha!"

Verse 54 (skanda.1.97.54)

इमामपराजितां परमवैष्णवीं महाविद्यां जपति पठति शृणोति स्मरति धारयति कीर्तयति न च तस्य वाय्वग्निवज्रोपलाशनिवर्षभयं न समुद्रभयं न ग्रहभयं न च चौरभयं न च श्वापदभयं वा भवेत्

imāmaparājitāṁ paramavaiṣṇavīṁ mahāvidyāṁ japati paṭhati śṛṇoti smarati dhārayati kīrtayati na ca tasya vāyvagnivajropalāśanivarṣabhayaṁ na samudrabhayaṁ na grahabhayaṁ na ca caurabhayaṁ na ca śvāpadabhayaṁ vā bhavet

For whoever recites, reads, hears, remembers, holds in mind, or proclaims this Aparajita, this supreme Vaishnavi Mahavidya — for him there shall be no fear of wind, fire, thunderbolt, hailstone, or storm; no fear of the ocean; no fear of planetary affliction; no fear of thieves; nor any fear of wild beasts.

Verse 55 (skanda.1.97.55)

क्वचिद्रात्र्यंधकारस्त्रीराजकुलविषोपविषगरदवशीकरण विद्वेषणोच्चाटनवधबंधभयं वा न भवेदेतैर्मंत्रपदैरुदाहृतैर्हृदा बद्धैः संसिद्धपूजितैः

kvacidrātryaṁdhakārastrīrājakulaviṣopaviṣagaradavaśīkaraṇa vidveṣaṇoccāṭanavadhabaṁdhabhayaṁ vā na bhavedetairmaṁtrapadairudāhṛtairhṛdā baddhaiḥ saṁsiddhapūjitaiḥ

Nor shall there ever be fear of night, of darkness, of women, of the royal court, of poison or venom, of magical potions, of being brought under another's control, of being made an object of hatred, of being driven out, of execution, or of imprisonment — for these mantra-syllables, once uttered, held fast in the heart, and duly perfected and worshipped, ward off all such dangers.

Verse 56 (skanda.1.97.56)

तद्यथा ॥ नमोनमस्तेऽस्तु अभये अनघे अजिते अत्रसिते अमृते अपराजिते पठितसिद्धे स्मरितसिद्ध एकानंशे उमे ध्रुवे अरुंधति सावित्रि गायत्रि जातवेदसि मानस्तोके सरसि सरस्वति धरणि धारिणि सौदामिनि अदिते विनते गौरि गांधारि मातंगि कृष्णे यशोदे सत्यवादिनि ब्रह्मवादिनि कालि कपालिनि सद्योवयवचयनकरि स्थलगतं जलगतमंतरिक्षगतं वा रक्ष २ सर्वभूतभयोपद्रवेभ्यो रक्ष २ स्वाहा

tadyathā || namonamaste'stu abhaye anaghe ajite atrasite amṛte aparājite paṭhitasiddhe smaritasiddha ekānaṁśe ume dhruve aruṁdhati sāvitri gāyatri jātavedasi mānastoke sarasi sarasvati dharaṇi dhāriṇi saudāmini adite vinate gauri gāṁdhāri mātaṁgi kṛṣṇe yaśode satyavādini brahmavādini kāli kapālini sadyovayavacayanakari sthalagataṁ jalagatamaṁtarikṣagataṁ vā rakṣa 2 sarvabhūtabhayopadravebhyo rakṣa 2 svāhā

It runs thus: "Salutation, salutation to you — O Fearless One, O Sinless One, O Unconquered One, O Untrembling One, O Immortal One, O Unvanquished One, O you who are accomplished by mere recitation, O you who are accomplished by mere remembrance, O Ekanamsha, O Uma, O Dhruva, O Arundhati, O Savitri, O Gayatri, O Jatavedasi, O guardian against the loss of a son, O Sarasi, O Sarasvati, O Dharani, O Dharini, O Lightning, O Aditi, O Vinata, O Gauri, O Gandhari, O Matangi, O Krishna, O Yashoda, O Truth-speaking One, O Brahma-speaking One, O Kali, O Kapalini, O gatherer of scattered limbs — whether on land, in water, or in the sky, protect, protect! Protect, protect us from every terror and calamity of all beings! Svaha!"

Verse 57 (skanda.1.97.57)

यस्याः प्रणश्यते पुष्पं गर्भो वा पतते यदि ॥ म्रियंते बालका यस्याः काकवंध्या च या भवेत् ॥ धारयेत इमां विद्यामेभिर्दोषैर्न लिप्यते

yasyāḥ praṇaśyate puṣpaṁ garbho vā patate yadi || mriyaṁte bālakā yasyāḥ kākavaṁdhyā ca yā bhavet || dhārayeta imāṁ vidyāmebhirdoṣairna lipyate

For any woman whose menstrual flow ceases abnormally, or whose pregnancy miscarries, or whose children die, or who becomes barren after a single child — should she hold this Vidya, she shall never be touched by these afflictions.

Verse 58 (skanda.1.97.58)

रणे राजकुले द्यूते नित्यं तस्य जयो भवेत् ॥ शस्त्र धारयते ह्येषां समरे कांडधारिणी

raṇe rājakule dyūte nityaṁ tasya jayo bhavet || śastra dhārayate hyeṣāṁ samare kāṁḍadhāriṇī

In battle, in the royal court, and at gambling, he who holds it shall always be victorious; for she, bearing her arrow, protects the weapon-bearer in combat.

Verse 59 (skanda.1.97.59)

गुल्मशूलाक्षिरोगाणां नित्यं नाशकरी तथा ॥ शिरोरोगज्वराणां च नाशनी सर्वदेहिनाम्

gulmaśūlākṣirogāṇāṁ nityaṁ nāśakarī tathā || śirorogajvarāṇāṁ ca nāśanī sarvadehinām

It is ever the destroyer of abdominal tumors, colic pain, and eye diseases, and likewise the destroyer of headaches and fevers for all embodied beings.

Verse 60 (skanda.1.97.60)

तद्यथा ॥ हन २ कालि सर २ कालि सर २ गौरि धम २ गौरि धम २ विद्ये आले ताले माले गंधे वधे पच २ विद्ये नाशय पापं हन् दुःस्वप्नं विनाशय कष्टनाशिनि रजनि संध्ये दुंदुभिनादे मानसवेगे शंखिनि चक्रिणि वज्रिणि शूलिनि अपमृत्युविनाशिनि विश्वेश्वरि द्रविडि द्राविडि केशवदयिते पशुपतिमहिते दुर्द्दमदमिनि शर्वरि किराति मातंगि ॐह्राँह्रँह्रँह्रँक्राँक्रँक्रँक्रँत्वर २ ये मां द्विषति प्रत्यक्षं परोक्षं वा सर्वान्दम २ मर्द्द २ तापय २ पातय २ शोषय २ उत्सादय २ ब्रह्माणि माहेश्वरि वाराहि विनायकि ऐंद्रि आग्नेयि चामुंडे वारुणि प्रचंडविद्योते इंदोपेंद्रभगिनि विजये शांतिस्वस्तिपुष्टिविवर्धिनि कामांकुशे कामदुधे सर्वकामवरप्रदे सर्वभूतेषु वासिनि प्रति विद्यां कुरु २ आकर्षिणि वेशिनि ज्वालामालिनि रमणि रामणि धरणि धारिणि मानोन्मानिनि रक्ष २ वायव्ये ज्वालामालिनि तापनि शोषणि नीलपताकिनि महागौरि महाश्रये महामयूरि आदित्यरश्मि जाह्नवि यमधंटे किणि २ चिंतामणि सुरभि सुरोत्पन्ने कामदुघे यथा मनीषितं कार्यं तन्मम सिध्यतु स्वाहा ॐस्वाहा ॐभूः स्वाहा ॐभुवः स्वाहा ॐस्वः स्वाहा ॐभूर्भुवःस्वःस्वाहा यत्रैवागतं पापं तत्रैव प्रतिगच्छतु स्वाहा ॐबले महाबले उासिद्धसाधिनि स्वाहा

tadyathā || hana 2 kāli sara 2 kāli sara 2 gauri dhama 2 gauri dhama 2 vidye āle tāle māle gaṁdhe vadhe paca 2 vidye nāśaya pāpaṁ han duḥsvapnaṁ vināśaya kaṣṭanāśini rajani saṁdhye duṁdubhināde mānasavege śaṁkhini cakriṇi vajriṇi śūlini apamṛtyuvināśini viśveśvari draviḍi drāviḍi keśavadayite paśupatimahite durddamadamini śarvari kirāti mātaṁgi oṁhrā~hra~hra~hra~krā~kra~kra~kra~tvara 2 ye māṁ dviṣati pratyakṣaṁ parokṣaṁ vā sarvāndama 2 mardda 2 tāpaya 2 pātaya 2 śoṣaya 2 utsādaya 2 brahmāṇi māheśvari vārāhi vināyaki aiṁdri āgneyi cāmuṁḍe vāruṇi pracaṁḍavidyote iṁdopeṁdrabhagini vijaye śāṁtisvastipuṣṭivivardhini kāmāṁkuśe kāmadudhe sarvakāmavaraprade sarvabhūteṣu vāsini prati vidyāṁ kuru 2 ākarṣiṇi veśini jvālāmālini ramaṇi rāmaṇi dharaṇi dhāriṇi mānonmānini rakṣa 2 vāyavye jvālāmālini tāpani śoṣaṇi nīlapatākini mahāgauri mahāśraye mahāmayūri ādityaraśmi jāhnavi yamadhaṁṭe kiṇi 2 ciṁtāmaṇi surabhi surotpanne kāmadughe yathā manīṣitaṁ kāryaṁ tanmama sidhyatu svāhā oṁsvāhā oṁbhūḥ svāhā oṁbhuvaḥ svāhā oṁsvaḥ svāhā oṁbhūrbhuvaḥsvaḥsvāhā yatraivāgataṁ pāpaṁ tatraiva pratigacchatu svāhā oṁbale mahābale uāsiddhasādhini svāhā

It runs thus: "Strike, strike, O Kali! Flow forth, flow forth, O Kali! Blow, blow, O Gauri! Blow, blow, O Gauri! O Vidya of Ala, Tala, Mala, Gandha, Vadha — cook, cook, O Vidya! Destroy sin! Strike! Destroy evil dreams! O Destroyer of Affliction, O Night, O Twilight, O Drum-sound, O Speed-of-Mind, O Conch-bearer, O Discus-bearer, O Thunderbolt-bearer, O Trident-bearer, O Destroyer of Untimely Death, O Ruler of the Universe, O Dravidi, O Dravidi, O Beloved of Keshava, O Honored of Pashupati, O Tamer of the Untamable, O Night-wanderer, O Huntress, O Matangi! Om, hrāṁ, hraṁ, hraṁ, hraṁ, krāṁ, kraṁ, kraṁ, kraṁ! Hasten, hasten! Whoever hates me, whether openly or in secret — subdue them all, subdue! Crush, crush! Torment, torment! Cast down, cast down! Wither them, wither! Uproot them, uproot! O Brahmani, O Maheshvari, O Varahi, O Vinayaki, O Aindri, O Agneyi, O Chamunda, O Varuni, O of Fierce Radiance, O Sister of Indra and Upendra, O Victorious One, O Increaser of Peace, Well-being, and Strength, O Goad of Desire, O Yielder of Desires, O Granter of All Desired Boons, O Dweller in All Beings — work, work your counter-spell! O Attractor, O Enchantress, O Garlanded-with-Flame, O Delighter, O Delightress, O Bearer of the Earth, O Sustainer, O Measurer of Measures — protect, protect! O of the Wind-quarter, O Garlanded-with-Flame, O Scorcher, O Withering One, O Blue-bannered, O Great Gauri, O Great Refuge, O Great Peahen, O Ray of the Sun, O Daughter of Jahnu, O Bell of Yama, kiṇi kiṇi, O Wish-fulfilling Jewel, O Fragrant One, O Born of the Gods, O Yielder of Desires — whatever task I have in mind, may that be accomplished for me! Svaha! Om, svaha! Om bhūḥ, svaha! Om bhuvaḥ, svaha! Om svaḥ, svaha! Om bhūr-bhuvaḥ-svaḥ, svaha! May whatever sin has come upon me return to its very source! Svaha! Om, O Strength, O Great Strength, O Accomplisher of Attainments, svaha!"

Verse 61 (skanda.1.97.61)

इतीमां साधयामास वैष्णवीमपरा जिताम् ॥ विजयः संयतो भूत्वा मनोबुद्धिसमाधिभिः

itīmāṁ sādhayāmāsa vaiṣṇavīmaparā jitām || vijayaḥ saṁyato bhūtvā manobuddhisamādhibhiḥ

Thus, being fully disciplined in mind, intellect, and concentration, Vijaya accomplished this Vaishnavi Aparajita rite.

Verse 62 (skanda.1.97.62)

य इमां पठते नित्यं साधनेन विनापि च ॥ तस्यापि सर्वविघ्नानि नश्यंति द्विजपुंगवाः

ya imāṁ paṭhate nityaṁ sādhanena vināpi ca || tasyāpi sarvavighnāni naśyaṁti dvijapuṁgavāḥ

Whoever recites this daily, even without the full ritual practice — for him too, O foremost of the twice-born, all obstacles are destroyed.