The Fulfillment of the Task

Verse 1 (skanda.1.98.1)

॥सूत उवाच॥ अश्वत्थलाक्षावह्नौ च सर्षपान्केसरप्लुतान् ॥ जुह्वतो मंत्रमुख्यैश्च बलातिबलसंज्ञकैः

||sūta uvāca|| aśvatthalākṣāvahnau ca sarṣapānkesaraplutān || juhvato maṁtramukhyaiśca balātibalasaṁjñakaiḥ

Suta said: Offering into the fire ashvattha wood and lac, and mustard seeds soaked in saffron, with the chief mantras called Bala and Atibala,

Verse 2 (skanda.1.98.2)

यामे तु प्रथमे याते काचिन्नारी समाययौ ॥ शोणिताक्तैकवसना महोच्चोर्ध्वशिरोरुहा

yāme tu prathame yāte kācinnārī samāyayau || śoṇitāktaikavasanā mahoccordhvaśiroruhā

when the first watch of the night had passed, a certain woman came, clad in a single blood-soaked garment, her hair standing up tall and wild,

Verse 3 (skanda.1.98.3)

दारुणाक्षी शुक्लदन्ती भयस्यापि भयंकरी ॥ सा रुरोद महारावं प्राप्य तां होमभूमिकाम्

dāruṇākṣī śukladantī bhayasyāpi bhayaṁkarī || sā ruroda mahārāvaṁ prāpya tāṁ homabhūmikām

of terrible eyes, white-toothed, terrifying even to Fear itself; reaching that place of the fire-offering, she let out a mighty wail.

Verse 4 (skanda.1.98.4)

तां दृष्ट्वा चुक्षुभे सद्यो विजयो भीतिमानिव ॥ बर्बरीकश्च निर्भीतिस्तस्याः संमुखमाययौ

tāṁ dṛṣṭvā cukṣubhe sadyo vijayo bhītimāniva || barbarīkaśca nirbhītistasyāḥ saṁmukhamāyayau

Seeing her, Vijaya was instantly shaken, as if afraid; but Barbarika, fearless, went and stood before her.

Verse 5 (skanda.1.98.5)

ततः कण्ठं समाश्लिष्य तस्या मतिमतां वरः ॥ रुरोद द्विगुणं वीरो मेघवन्नादयन्बहु

tataḥ kaṇṭhaṁ samāśliṣya tasyā matimatāṁ varaḥ || ruroda dviguṇaṁ vīro meghavannādayanbahu

Then that hero, best among the wise, seizing her by the throat, wailed twice as loudly, roaring greatly like a thundercloud.

Verse 6 (skanda.1.98.6)

तं दृष्ट्वा विस्मिता सा च यावन्मुंचति कर्तिकाम्॥ तावन्निष्पीडिते कंठे मोक्तुं तस्मिन्न चाशकत्

taṁ dṛṣṭvā vismitā sā ca yāvanmuṁcati kartikām|| tāvanniṣpīḍite kaṁṭhe moktuṁ tasminna cāśakat

Astonished at him, just as she was about to loose her small blade, her throat being crushed, she was unable to release it against him.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.98.7)

पीड्यमाने च बलिना कंठे तस्या मुहुर्मुहुः॥ मुमुोच विविधाञ्छब्दान्वज्राहत इवाचलः

pīḍyamāne ca balinā kaṁṭhe tasyā muhurmuhuḥ|| mumuoca vividhāñchabdānvajrāhata ivācalaḥ

As her throat was gripped again and again by that mighty one, she let out various cries, like a mountain struck by a thunderbolt.

Verse 8 (skanda.1.98.8)

क्षणं रावांस्ततो मुक्त्वा त्राहि मुञ्चेति वक्त्यणु ॥ ततः कृपालुना मुक्ता पादयोः पतिताऽब्रवीत्

kṣaṇaṁ rāvāṁstato muktvā trāhi muñceti vaktyaṇu || tataḥ kṛpālunā muktā pādayoḥ patitā'bravīt

After a moment, ceasing her cries, she faintly said, "Save me, release me!" Then, released by the compassionate one, she fell at his feet and said:

Verse 9 (skanda.1.98.9)

शरणं ते प्रपन्नास्मि दासी कर्मकरी तव ॥ महाजिह्वेति मां विद्धि राक्षसीं कामरूपिणीम्

śaraṇaṁ te prapannāsmi dāsī karmakarī tava || mahājihveti māṁ viddhi rākṣasīṁ kāmarūpiṇīm

"I have taken refuge in you; I am your servant, at your command. Know me as the rakshasi Mahajihva, able to take any form I wish.

Verse 10 (skanda.1.98.10)

काशीश्मशाननिलयां देवदानवदर्पहाम् ॥ ददासि यदि मे वीर दुर्लभां प्राणदक्षिणाम्

kāśīśmaśānanilayāṁ devadānavadarpahām || dadāsi yadi me vīra durlabhāṁ prāṇadakṣiṇām

"I dwell in the cremation-ground of Kashi, the humbler of the pride of gods and demons alike. If, O hero, you grant me the rare gift of my life—

Verse 11 (skanda.1.98.11)

ततस्तपश्चरिष्यामि सर्वभूताभयप्रदा ॥ अस्मिन्नर्थे स्वदेवस्य शपथा मे तथात्मनः

tatastapaścariṣyāmi sarvabhūtābhayapradā || asminnarthe svadevasya śapathā me tathātmanaḥ

"—then I shall perform austerity, and become a giver of freedom-from-fear to all beings. On this matter, I swear by my own tutelary deity and by my own self —

Verse 12 (skanda.1.98.12)

यद्येतद्व्यत्ययं कुर्यां भस्मीभूयां ततः क्षणम् ॥ एवं ब्रुवाणां तां वीरो निगृह्य शपथैर्दृढम्

yadyetadvyatyayaṁ kuryāṁ bhasmībhūyāṁ tataḥ kṣaṇam || evaṁ bruvāṇāṁ tāṁ vīro nigṛhya śapathairdṛḍham

"—that should I break this vow, may I turn to ashes that very instant." Having bound her firmly with such oaths as she spoke thus, the hero...

Verse 13 (skanda.1.98.13)

मुमोच सापि संहृष्टा कृच्छ्रा- न्मुक्ता ययौ वनम् ॥ सोऽपि वीरः खङ्गधारी तत्रैवावस्थितोऽभवत्

mumoca sāpi saṁhṛṣṭā kṛcchrā- nmuktā yayau vanam || so'pi vīraḥ khaṅgadhārī tatraivāvasthito'bhavat

...released her; and she too, overjoyed, freed from that ordeal, went off into the forest. That hero, sword in hand, remained standing right there.

Verse 14 (skanda.1.98.14)

ततो मध्यमरात्रौ च गर्जितं श्रूयते महत् ॥ अन्धकारं च संजज्ञे तमोंऽधनरकप्रभम्

tato madhyamarātrau ca garjitaṁ śrūyate mahat || andhakāraṁ ca saṁjajñe tamoṁ'dhanarakaprabham

Then, in the middle of the night, a great roar was heard, and a darkness arose, black as the darkness of blind hell.

Verse 15 (skanda.1.98.15)

ददृशे च ततः शैलः शतशृंगोऽतिविस्तरः ॥ नानाशिलाः प्रमुमुचे नानावृक्षांश्च सोच्छ्रयान्

dadṛśe ca tataḥ śailaḥ śataśṛṁgo'tivistaraḥ || nānāśilāḥ pramumuce nānāvṛkṣāṁśca socchrayān

Then a mountain was seen, of a hundred peaks, vast in extent, hurling forth all manner of rocks and towering trees of every kind,

Verse 16 (skanda.1.98.16)

नानानिर्झर संघोषं ववृषे शोणितं वहु ॥ तं तथा नगमालोक्य निर्भीतो भैमिनंदनः

nānānirjhara saṁghoṣaṁ vavṛṣe śoṇitaṁ vahu || taṁ tathā nagamālokya nirbhīto bhaiminaṁdanaḥ

roaring with the sound of many waterfalls, and raining down streams of blood. Seeing that mountain thus, Bhima's fearless great-grandson,

Verse 17 (skanda.1.98.17)

पर्वतो द्विगुणो भूत्वा पर्वतं सहसाप्लुतः ॥ तदाभिजघ्ने संहृत्य पर्वतं स्वेन भूभृता

parvato dviguṇo bhūtvā parvataṁ sahasāplutaḥ || tadābhijaghne saṁhṛtya parvataṁ svena bhūbhṛtā

becoming himself twice the size of a mountain, suddenly leapt upon that mountain; and, seizing hold of it, he struck it with a mountain-mass of his own,

Verse 18 (skanda.1.98.18)

तदा विशीर्णः सोऽभूच्च पर्वतो भूमिमंडले ॥ ततो योजनदेहात्मा शतशीर्षः शतोदरः

tadā viśīrṇaḥ so'bhūcca parvato bhūmimaṁḍale || tato yojanadehātmā śataśīrṣaḥ śatodaraḥ

so that the mountain was shattered upon the surface of the earth. Then a being of body a whole yojana long, of a hundred heads and a hundred bellies,

Verse 19 (skanda.1.98.19)

वक्त्रैर्मुंचन्महाज्वालां रेपलेन्द्रोऽभ्यधावत ॥ तं धावमानं दृष्ट्वैव बर्बरीको महाबलः

vaktrairmuṁcanmahājvālāṁ repalendro'bhyadhāvata || taṁ dhāvamānaṁ dṛṣṭvaiva barbarīko mahābalaḥ

hurling great flames from its mouths, named Repalendra, rushed toward him. The moment the mighty Barbarika saw him charging,

Verse 20 (skanda.1.98.20)

विधाय तादृशं रूपं नर्दन्तं चाप्यधावत ॥ ततो मध्यमरात्रौ ती लघु चित्रं च सुष्ठु च

vidhāya tādṛśaṁ rūpaṁ nardantaṁ cāpyadhāvata || tato madhyamarātrau tī laghu citraṁ ca suṣṭhu ca

he too assumed a like form and, roaring, charged toward him. Then, in the middle of that night, swiftly, wondrously, and most skillfully,

Verse 21 (skanda.1.98.21)

युयुधाते बाणजालैर्यथा प्रावृषि तोयदौ ॥ छिन्नचापौ च खङ्गाभ्यां छिन्नखड्गौ च मुष्टिभिः

yuyudhāte bāṇajālairyathā prāvṛṣi toyadau || chinnacāpau ca khaṅgābhyāṁ chinnakhaḍgau ca muṣṭibhiḥ

the two fought with volleys of arrows, like two rain-clouds in the monsoon season; with swords once their bows were shattered, and with fists once their swords were shattered,

Verse 22 (skanda.1.98.22)

पर्वताविव सत्पक्षौ चिरं युयुधतुः स्थिरम् ॥ ततः कक्षे समुत्पाट्य भ्रामयित्वा मुहूर्तकम्

parvatāviva satpakṣau ciraṁ yuyudhatuḥ sthiram || tataḥ kakṣe samutpāṭya bhrāmayitvā muhūrtakam

they fought long and steadily, like two winged mountains of old. Then, seizing him under his arm and whirling him about for a moment,

Verse 23 (skanda.1.98.23)

भूमौ प्रधर्षयामास प्रसृतं च मुमोच ह ॥ चिक्षेप चाग्निकोणे तं महीसागररोधसि

bhūmau pradharṣayāmāsa prasṛtaṁ ca mumoca ha || cikṣepa cāgnikoṇe taṁ mahīsāgararodhasi

Barbarika dashed him violently upon the ground, and let his sprawled body go; and he hurled him toward the south-east corner, onto the bank of the Mahi-Sagara.

Verse 24 (skanda.1.98.24)

तद्दूरे रेपलेन्द्राख्यं ग्राममद्यापि वर्तते ॥ एवं स रेपलोनाम वृत्रतुल्यपराक्रमः

taddūre repalendrākhyaṁ grāmamadyāpi vartate || evaṁ sa repalonāma vṛtratulyaparākramaḥ

Far off there, a village named Repalendra exists even today. Thus that one named Repala, of valor equal to Vritra's,

Verse 25 (skanda.1.98.25)

नाथः श्मशानस्यावन्त्या विघ्नकृन्निहतोऽभवत् ॥ तं निहत्य पुनर्वीरो बर्बरीकः स्थितोऽभवत्

nāthaḥ śmaśānasyāvantyā vighnakṛnnihato'bhavat || taṁ nihatya punarvīro barbarīkaḥ sthito'bhavat

lord of the cremation-ground of Avanti, that maker of obstacles, was slain. Having slain him, the hero Barbarika again stood on guard.

Verse 26 (skanda.1.98.26)

ततस्तृतीययामे च प्रतीच्या दिश आययौ ॥ पर्वताभा महानादा पादैः कम्पयतीव भूः

tatastṛtīyayāme ca pratīcyā diśa āyayau || parvatābhā mahānādā pādaiḥ kampayatīva bhūḥ

Then, in the third watch, from the western direction there came one huge as a mountain, roaring loudly, seeming to shake the earth with her steps —

Verse 27 (skanda.1.98.27)

दुहद्रुहाख्याश्वतरी मेघभ्रष्टा तडिद्यथा ॥ तामायांतीं तथा दृष्ट्वा सूर्यवैश्वानरप्रभाम्

duhadruhākhyāśvatarī meghabhraṣṭā taḍidyathā || tāmāyāṁtīṁ tathā dṛṣṭvā sūryavaiśvānaraprabhām

a mule-demon named Duhadruha, like lightning breaking from a cloud. Seeing her thus approaching, radiant as the sun and as fire,

Verse 28 (skanda.1.98.28)

उपसृत्य जवाद्भैमी रुरोह प्रहसन्निव ॥ वेगात्ततः प्रद्रवतीं तुण्डे प्राहत्य मुष्टिभिः

upasṛtya javādbhaimī ruroha prahasanniva || vegāttataḥ pradravatīṁ tuṇḍe prāhatya muṣṭibhiḥ

Bhima's descendant swiftly approached and, laughing as it were, mounted her; then, as she fled at speed, he struck her muzzle with his fists,

Verse 29 (skanda.1.98.29)

स्थापयामास तत्रैव तस्थौ सा चातिपीडिता ॥ ततः क्रुद्धा महारावं कृत्वाप्लुत्य दुहद्रुहा

sthāpayāmāsa tatraiva tasthau sā cātipīḍitā || tataḥ kruddhā mahārāvaṁ kṛtvāplutya duhadruhā

and made her stand still right there; and she, sorely tormented, remained standing. Then Duhadruha, enraged, letting out a great roar and leaping up,

Verse 30 (skanda.1.98.30)

जगत्यामाशु चिक्षेप बर्बरीकं तथेच्छकम् ॥ ततो नदित्वा चातीव पादघातममुंचत

jagatyāmāśu cikṣepa barbarīkaṁ tathecchakam || tato naditvā cātīva pādaghātamamuṁcata

hurled Barbarika, willing as he was, swiftly down to the ground. Then, roaring furiously, she struck him with the blows of her hooves.

Verse 31 (skanda.1.98.31)

पादौ च वीरः संगृह्य चिक्षेप भुवि लीलया ॥ ततः पुनः समुत्थाय धावंतीं तां निगृह्य सः

pādau ca vīraḥ saṁgṛhya cikṣepa bhuvi līlayā || tataḥ punaḥ samutthāya dhāvaṁtīṁ tāṁ nigṛhya saḥ

But the hero, seizing her legs, threw her down to the ground with ease. Then, as she rose again and fled, he seized her once more,

Verse 32 (skanda.1.98.32)

मुष्टिना पातयित्वैव दंतान्कंठमपीडयत् ॥ क्लिन्नं वास इवापीड्य प्राणानत्याजयद्द्रुतम्

muṣṭinā pātayitvaiva daṁtānkaṁṭhamapīḍayat || klinnaṁ vāsa ivāpīḍya prāṇānatyājayaddrutam

knocked out her teeth with his fist, and crushed her throat; wringing it as one wrings a wet cloth, he swiftly made her give up her life.

Verse 33 (skanda.1.98.33)

एवं सीकोत्तरस्थाने स्मशानैकपदो द्भवा ॥ शाकिनीनामधीशा सा बर्बरीकेण सूदिता

evaṁ sīkottarasthāne smaśānaikapado dbhavā || śākinīnāmadhīśā sā barbarīkeṇa sūditā

Thus was she — born as sole ruler of the cremation-ground in the region north of Sika, mistress of the shakinis — slain by Barbarika.

Verse 34 (skanda.1.98.34)

हत्वा तां चापि चिक्षेप प्रतीच्यामेव लीलया ॥ दुहद्रुहाख्यमद्यापि तत्र ग्रामं स्म वर्तते

hatvā tāṁ cāpi cikṣepa pratīcyāmeva līlayā || duhadruhākhyamadyāpi tatra grāmaṁ sma vartate

Having slain her, he flung her body westward with ease; and a village named Duhadruha exists there even today.

Verse 35 (skanda.1.98.35)

ततस्तथैव संतस्थौ बर्बरीकोऽभिरक्षणे ॥ ततश्चतुर्थे यामे च प्राप्तः क्षपणकोऽद्भुतः

tatastathaiva saṁtasthau barbarīko'bhirakṣaṇe || tataścaturthe yāme ca prāptaḥ kṣapaṇako'dbhutaḥ

Then Barbarika stood on guard just as before; and then, in the fourth watch, a strange Kshapanaka, a naked ascetic mendicant, arrived —

Verse 36 (skanda.1.98.36)

मुंडी नग्नो मयूराणां पिच्छधारी महाव्रतः ॥ प्रोवाच चेदं वचनं हाहा कष्टमतीव भोः

muṁḍī nagno mayūrāṇāṁ picchadhārī mahāvrataḥ || provāca cedaṁ vacanaṁ hāhā kaṣṭamatīva bhoḥ

shaven-headed, naked, bearing peacock feathers, of a great vow, who spoke these words: "Alas, alas! How very grievous, my friends!

Verse 37 (skanda.1.98.37)

अहिंसा परमो धर्मस्तदग्निर्ज्वाल्यते कुतः ॥ हूयमाने यतो वह्नौ सूक्ष्मजीववधो महान्

ahiṁsā paramo dharmastadagnirjvālyate kutaḥ || hūyamāne yato vahnau sūkṣmajīvavadho mahān

"Non-violence is the highest dharma — why, then, is this fire being kindled? For when oblations are offered into the fire, great is the slaughter of tiny living beings within it."

Verse 38 (skanda.1.98.38)

श्रुत्वेदं वचनं तस्य बर्बरीकोऽब्रवीत्स्मयन् ॥ वदने सर्वदेवानां हूयमाने स्म पावके

śrutvedaṁ vacanaṁ tasya barbarīko'bravītsmayan || vadane sarvadevānāṁ hūyamāne sma pāvake

Hearing these words of his, Barbarika, smiling, replied: "It is into the very mouth of all the gods that this oblation is offered into the sacred fire —

Verse 39 (skanda.1.98.39)

अनृतं भाषसे पाप शिक्षायोग्योऽसि दुर्मते ॥ इत्युक्त्वा सहसोत्पत्य कक्षामध्ये स्थिरोऽस्य च

anṛtaṁ bhāṣase pāpa śikṣāyogyo'si durmate || ityuktvā sahasotpatya kakṣāmadhye sthiro'sya ca

"—you speak falsely, O sinner; you deserve to be taught a lesson, evil-minded one!" Having said this, he suddenly leapt up and, firmly gripping him under the arm,

Verse 40 (skanda.1.98.40)

दन्तान्मुष्टिप्रहारैश्च समाहत्याभ्यपातयत् ॥ रुधिराविलवक्त्रं तं मुमोच पतितं भुवि

dantānmuṣṭiprahāraiśca samāhatyābhyapātayat || rudhirāvilavaktraṁ taṁ mumoca patitaṁ bhuvi

knocked out his teeth with blows of his fist and struck him down; and he let him fall to the ground, his face smeared with blood.

Verse 41 (skanda.1.98.41)

स क्षणाच्चेतनां प्राप्य घोरदैत्यवपुर्धरः ॥ भयाद्भैमेः प्रदुद्राव गुहाविवरमाविशत्

sa kṣaṇāccetanāṁ prāpya ghoradaityavapurdharaḥ || bhayādbhaimeḥ pradudrāva guhāvivaramāviśat

He, regaining consciousness in an instant, now assumed the terrible form of a demon, and fled in fear of Bhima's descendant, entering into a mountain cavern.

Verse 42 (skanda.1.98.42)

बहुप्रभेति नगरी षष्टियोजनमायता ॥ तस्यां विवेश सहसा तं चानु बर्बरीककः

bahuprabheti nagarī ṣaṣṭiyojanamāyatā || tasyāṁ viveśa sahasā taṁ cānu barbarīkakaḥ

There lay a city named Bahuprabha, sixty yojanas in extent; into it he suddenly entered, and Barbarika followed close behind him.

Verse 43 (skanda.1.98.43)

बर्बरीकं ततो दृष्ट्वा नादोऽभूच्च पलाशिनाम् ॥ धावध्वं हन्यतामेष छिद्यतां भिद्यतामिति

barbarīkaṁ tato dṛṣṭvā nādo'bhūcca palāśinām || dhāvadhvaṁ hanyatāmeṣa chidyatāṁ bhidyatāmiti

Seeing Barbarika, an uproar arose among the followers of Palashi: "Rush upon him! Strike him down! Cut him! Split him open!"

Verse 44 (skanda.1.98.44)

तच्छ्रुत्वा दैत्यवीराणां कोटयो नव भीषणाः ॥ नानायुधधरा वीरं बर्बरीकमुपाद्रवन्

tacchrutvā daityavīrāṇāṁ koṭayo nava bhīṣaṇāḥ || nānāyudhadharā vīraṁ barbarīkamupādravan

Hearing this, nine crores of fearsome demon-warriors, bearing weapons of every kind, rushed at the hero Barbarika.

Verse 45 (skanda.1.98.45)

दृष्ट्वा तान्कोटिशो दैत्यान्क्रुद्धो भीमात्मजात्मजः ॥ निमील्य सहसा नेत्रे तेषां मध्यमधावत

dṛṣṭvā tānkoṭiśo daityānkruddho bhīmātmajātmajaḥ || nimīlya sahasā netre teṣāṁ madhyamadhāvata

Seeing those countless millions of demons, Bhima's great-grandson, enraged, suddenly shutting his eyes, charged right into their midst,

Verse 46 (skanda.1.98.46)

पादघातैस्ततः कांश्चिद्भुजाघातैस्तथापरान् ॥ हृदयस्याभिघातैश्च क्षणान्निन्ये यमक्षयम्

pādaghātaistataḥ kāṁścidbhujāghātaistathāparān || hṛdayasyābhighātaiśca kṣaṇānninye yamakṣayam

and in an instant sent some to the abode of Yama with blows of his feet, others with blows of his arms, and others still with blows to the heart —

Verse 47 (skanda.1.98.47)

यथा नलवनं क्र्रुद्धः कुर्याद्भूमिसमं करी ॥ नवकोटीस्तथा जघ्ने सह तेन पलाशिना

yathā nalavanaṁ krruddhaḥ kuryādbhūmisamaṁ karī || navakoṭīstathā jaghne saha tena palāśinā

just as an enraged elephant might level a reed-thicket to the ground, so did he destroy those nine crores, together with that Palashi.

Verse 48 (skanda.1.98.48)

ततो नागाः समागम्य वासुकिप्रमुखास्तदा ॥ तुष्टुबुर्विविधैर्वाक्यैरूचुः सुहृदयं च ते

tato nāgāḥ samāgamya vāsukipramukhāstadā || tuṣṭuburvividhairvākyairūcuḥ suhṛdayaṁ ca te

Then the Nagas, led by Vasuki, gathered together and praised him with various words, and said to Suhrdaya:

Verse 49 (skanda.1.98.49)

नागानां परमं कृत्यं कृतं ते भैमिनंदन ॥ पलाशीनाम दैत्योयं नीतो यत्सानुगो यमम्

nāgānāṁ paramaṁ kṛtyaṁ kṛtaṁ te bhaiminaṁdana || palāśīnāma daityoyaṁ nīto yatsānugo yamam

"O great-grandson of Bhima, you have done the highest service for the Nagas, in that this demon named Palashi, together with his followers, has been sent to Yama.

Verse 50 (skanda.1.98.50)

अनेन हि वयं वीर सानुगेन दुरात्मना ॥ पीडिता विविधोपायैः पातालादप्यधः कृताः

anena hi vayaṁ vīra sānugena durātmanā || pīḍitā vividhopāyaiḥ pātālādapyadhaḥ kṛtāḥ

"For by him, O hero, that evil-souled one along with his followers, we were oppressed by various schemes, and driven down even below Patala itself.

Verse 51 (skanda.1.98.51)

वरं वृणीष्व त्वं तस्मान्नागेभ्योऽभिमतं परम् ॥ वरदाः सर्व एव स्म वयं तुभ्यं सुतोषिताः

varaṁ vṛṇīṣva tvaṁ tasmānnāgebhyo'bhimataṁ param || varadāḥ sarva eva sma vayaṁ tubhyaṁ sutoṣitāḥ

"Therefore, ask of us Nagas whatever supreme boon you desire; all of us, greatly pleased with you, are ready to grant it."

Verse 52 (skanda.1.98.52)

॥सुहृदय उवाच॥ यदि देयो वरो मह्यं तदेनं प्रवृणोम्यहम् ॥ सर्वविघ्नविनिर्मुक्तो विजयः सिद्धिमाप्नुयात्

||suhṛdaya uvāca|| yadi deyo varo mahyaṁ tadenaṁ pravṛṇomyaham || sarvavighnavinirmukto vijayaḥ siddhimāpnuyāt

Suhrdaya said: "If a boon is to be given to me, then this is what I choose: may Vijaya, freed from every obstacle, attain his desired accomplishment."

Verse 53 (skanda.1.98.53)

ततस्तथेति तं प्रोचुः प्रहृष्टा वायुभोजनाः ॥ स च तेभ्यः पुरीं दत्त्वा निवृत्तो नागपूजितः

tatastatheti taṁ procuḥ prahṛṣṭā vāyubhojanāḥ || sa ca tebhyaḥ purīṁ dattvā nivṛtto nāgapūjitaḥ

"So be it," said the wind-eating nagas, delighted; and they gave their city over into his charge. He then, honored by the Nagas, was returning,

Verse 54 (skanda.1.98.54)

विवरस्य च मध्येन समागच्छन्महाप्रभम् ॥ सर्वरत्नमयं लिंगं स्थितं कल्पतरोरधः

vivarasya ca madhyena samāgacchanmahāprabham || sarvaratnamayaṁ liṁgaṁ sthitaṁ kalpataroradhaḥ

and, passing through the middle of that cavern, he came upon a linga of the greatest splendor, made entirely of every jewel, standing beneath a wish-fulfilling tree,

Verse 55 (skanda.1.98.55)

अर्च्यमानं सुवह्नीभिर्नागकन्याभिरैक्षत ॥ ततोऽसौ विस्मयाविष्टो नागकन्या ह्यपृच्छत

arcyamānaṁ suvahnībhirnāgakanyābhiraikṣata || tato'sau vismayāviṣṭo nāgakanyā hyapṛcchata

being worshipped by lovely naga-maidens; and struck with wonder, he questioned those naga-maidens:

Verse 56 (skanda.1.98.56)

केनेदं स्थापितं लिंगं सूर्यवैश्वानरप्रभम् ॥ लिंगादपि चतुर्दिक्षु मार्गाश्चेमे तु कीदृशाः

kenedaṁ sthāpitaṁ liṁgaṁ sūryavaiśvānaraprabham || liṁgādapi caturdikṣu mārgāśceme tu kīdṛśāḥ

"By whom was this linga, radiant as the sun and fire, established here? And what are these paths that lead from the linga in the four directions?"

Verse 57 (skanda.1.98.57)

इति वीरवचः श्रुत्वा बृहत्कटिपयोधरा ॥ सव्रीडं सस्मितापांगनिर्मोक्षमिदमब्रवीत्

iti vīravacaḥ śrutvā bṛhatkaṭipayodharā || savrīḍaṁ sasmitāpāṁganirmokṣamidamabravīt

Hearing the hero's words, one of them, of ample hips and full breasts, replied bashfully, with a smiling sidelong glance, in these words:

Verse 58 (skanda.1.98.58)

सर्वपन्नगराजेन शेषेण सुमहात्मना ॥ तप स्तप्त्वा महालिंगमिदमत्र प्रतिष्ठितम्

sarvapannagarājena śeṣeṇa sumahātmanā || tapa staptvā mahāliṁgamidamatra pratiṣṭhitam

"By Shesha, king of all serpents, the great-souled one, having performed austerity, this great linga was established here.

Verse 59 (skanda.1.98.59)

दर्शनात्स्पर्शनाद्ध्यानादर्चनात्सर्वसिद्धिदम् ॥ लिंगात्पूर्वेण मार्गोयं याति श्रीपर्वतं भुवि

darśanātsparśanāddhyānādarcanātsarvasiddhidam || liṁgātpūrveṇa mārgoyaṁ yāti śrīparvataṁ bhuvi

"It grants every attainment through seeing, touching, meditating upon, or worshipping it. This path, eastward from the linga, leads to Shri Parvata upon the earth,

Verse 60 (skanda.1.98.60)

एलापत्रेण विहितो नागानां तत्र प्राप्तये ॥ दक्षिणेन च मार्गोऽयं याति शूर्पारकं भुवि

elāpatreṇa vihito nāgānāṁ tatra prāptaye || dakṣiṇena ca mārgo'yaṁ yāti śūrpārakaṁ bhuvi

"and was made by Elapatra, for the Nagas to reach there. And this path, to the south, leads to Shurparaka upon the earth,

Verse 61 (skanda.1.98.61)

कर्कोटकेन नागेन कृतोऽयं तत्र प्राप्तये ॥ पश्चिमेन च मार्गोऽयं प्रभासं याति सुप्रभम्

karkoṭakena nāgena kṛto'yaṁ tatra prāptaye || paścimena ca mārgo'yaṁ prabhāsaṁ yāti suprabham

"made by the naga Karkotaka, for reaching there. And this path, to the west, leads to radiant Prabhasa,

Verse 62 (skanda.1.98.62)

ऐरावतेन विहितो नागानां गमनाय च ॥ उत्तरेण च मार्गोयं येन यातुं भवान्स्थितः

airāvatena vihito nāgānāṁ gamanāya ca || uttareṇa ca mārgoyaṁ yena yātuṁ bhavānsthitaḥ

"made by Airavata, for the Nagas' journeying. And this path, to the north — by which you yourself are now standing ready to go —

Verse 63 (skanda.1.98.63)

गुप्तक्षेत्रे सिद्धलिंगं याति शक्तिगुहाऽऽकृतः ॥ विहितस्तक्षकेणासौ यातुं तत्र महात्मना

guptakṣetre siddhaliṁgaṁ yāti śaktiguhā''kṛtaḥ || vihitastakṣakeṇāsau yātuṁ tatra mahātmanā

"—leads, in the form of the Shakti-cave, to the Siddha-linga in the Gupta-kshetra, made by the great-souled naga Takshaka for going there."

Verse 64 (skanda.1.98.64)

इतीदं वर्णितं वीर विज्ञप्तिः श्रूयतां मम॥ को भवानधुनैवेतो दैत्यपृष्ठ गतोऽभवत् ॥ अधुनैव तथैकाकी समायातोऽत्र नो वद

itīdaṁ varṇitaṁ vīra vijñaptiḥ śrūyatāṁ mama|| ko bhavānadhunaiveto daityapṛṣṭha gato'bhavat || adhunaiva tathaikākī samāyāto'tra no vada

"Thus has this been described, O hero. Now hear, in turn, our own petition: who are you, that just now went in pursuit of that demon, and have now come here alone? Tell us this."

Verse 65 (skanda.1.98.65)

वयं च सर्वास्ते दास्यस्त्वां पतिं प्रवृणीमहे ॥ अस्माभिः सहितः क्रीड विविधास्वत्र भूमिषु

vayaṁ ca sarvāste dāsyastvāṁ patiṁ pravṛṇīmahe || asmābhiḥ sahitaḥ krīḍa vividhāsvatra bhūmiṣu

"And all of us here are your servants; we choose you as our husband — sport with us here, in these many delightful lands."

Verse 66 (skanda.1.98.66)

॥बर्बरीक उवाच॥ अहं कुरुकुलोत्पन्नः पांडुपुत्रस्य पौत्रकः ॥ बर्बरीक इति ख्यातस्तं दैत्यं हंतुमागतः

||barbarīka uvāca|| ahaṁ kurukulotpannaḥ pāṁḍuputrasya pautrakaḥ || barbarīka iti khyātastaṁ daityaṁ haṁtumāgataḥ

Barbarika said: "I am born of the Kuru line, grandson of a son of Pandu, known as Barbarika; I came here to slay that demon.

Verse 67 (skanda.1.98.67)

स च दैत्यो हतः पापः पुनर्यास्ये महीतलम् ॥ भवतीभिश्च मे नास्ति कृत्यं भोभोः कथंचन

sa ca daityo hataḥ pāpaḥ punaryāsye mahītalam || bhavatībhiśca me nāsti kṛtyaṁ bhobhoḥ kathaṁcana

"And that evil demon has now been slain; I shall return again to the surface of the earth. I have, O gentle ones, no business whatsoever with you—

Verse 68 (skanda.1.98.68)

ब्रह्मचारिव्रतं यस्मादहं सततमास्थितः ॥ इत्युक्त्वाभ्यर्च्य तल्लिंगं प्रणिपत्य च दण्डवत्

brahmacārivrataṁ yasmādahaṁ satatamāsthitaḥ || ityuktvābhyarcya talliṁgaṁ praṇipatya ca daṇḍavat

"—for I am ever committed to the vow of celibacy." Having said this, and having worshipped that linga, and bowed down before it in full prostration,

Verse 69 (skanda.1.98.69)

ऊर्ध्वमाचक्रमे वीरः कातरं ताभिरीक्षितः॥ ततो बहिः समागत्य सप्रकाशं मुखं तदा

ūrdhvamācakrame vīraḥ kātaraṁ tābhirīkṣitaḥ|| tato bahiḥ samāgatya saprakāśaṁ mukhaṁ tadā

the hero ascended upward, gazed at with dismay by them; then, coming out to the surface, his face now radiant,

Verse 70 (skanda.1.98.70)

प्रहर्षेणैव पूर्वस्या विजयं ददृशे दिशः ॥ तस्मिन्काले च विजयः कर्म सर्वं समाप्तवान्

praharṣeṇaiva pūrvasyā vijayaṁ dadṛśe diśaḥ || tasminkāle ca vijayaḥ karma sarvaṁ samāptavān

he joyfully beheld Vijaya from the eastern direction; and at that very moment Vijaya had completed the entire rite.

Verse 71 (skanda.1.98.71)

कांत्या सूर्यसमाभास ऊर्ध्वमाचक्रमे क्षणात् ॥ ततो वियद्गतं देवैः पुष्पवर्षमभून्महत्

kāṁtyā sūryasamābhāsa ūrdhvamācakrame kṣaṇāt || tato viyadgataṁ devaiḥ puṣpavarṣamabhūnmahat

Radiant as the sun in splendor, Vijaya rose up at that instant; and then, from the sky, the gods let fall a great rain of flowers.

Verse 72 (skanda.1.98.72)

जगुर्गंधर्वमुख्याश्च ननृतुश्चाप्सरोगणाः ॥ विजयो बर्बरीकं च ततो वचनमब्रवीत्

jagurgaṁdharvamukhyāśca nanṛtuścāpsarogaṇāḥ || vijayo barbarīkaṁ ca tato vacanamabravīt

The chief gandharvas sang, and the hosts of apsaras danced; and Vijaya then spoke these words to Barbarika:

Verse 73 (skanda.1.98.73)

तव प्रसादाद्वीरेश सिद्धिः प्राप्ता मयातुला ॥ चिरं जीव चिरं नंद चिरं वस चिरं जय

tava prasādādvīreśa siddhiḥ prāptā mayātulā || ciraṁ jīva ciraṁ naṁda ciraṁ vasa ciraṁ jaya

"By your grace, O lord of heroes, I have attained a matchless accomplishment. May you live long, rejoice long, dwell long, and be victorious long!

Verse 74 (skanda.1.98.74)

अत एव हि साधृनां संगमिच्छंति साधवः ॥ औषधं सर्वदोषाणां भवेत्सत्यं गमो यतः

ata eva hi sādhṛnāṁ saṁgamicchaṁti sādhavaḥ || auṣadhaṁ sarvadoṣāṇāṁ bhavetsatyaṁ gamo yataḥ

"For this very reason the virtuous desire the company of the virtuous — for truly, their company is a remedy for every fault.

Verse 75 (skanda.1.98.75)

त्वं च होमस्थितं भस्म सिंदूरसदृशप्रभम् ॥ निःशल्यं सविवरकं पूर्यमाणं गृहाण च

tvaṁ ca homasthitaṁ bhasma siṁdūrasadṛśaprabham || niḥśalyaṁ savivarakaṁ pūryamāṇaṁ gṛhāṇa ca

"Now, take this ash, present here from the sacred fire, red as vermilion in hue, free of any flaw, and inexhaustibly replenishing itself as it is drawn upon —

Verse 76 (skanda.1.98.76)

अक्षय्यमेतत्संग्रामे प्रथमं ते प्रमुंचतः ॥ शत्रूणां स्थानकं मृत्योर्देहं ध्वस्तं करिष्यति

akṣayyametatsaṁgrāme prathamaṁ te pramuṁcataḥ || śatrūṇāṁ sthānakaṁ mṛtyordehaṁ dhvastaṁ kariṣyati

"—this shall never be exhausted; the very first handful of it that you release in battle shall reduce your enemies' bodies, that dwelling-place of death, to ruin.

Verse 77 (skanda.1.98.77)

एवं सुखेन विजयः शत्रूणां ते भविष्यति

evaṁ sukhena vijayaḥ śatrūṇāṁ te bhaviṣyati

"Thus, with ease, you shall gain victory over your enemies."

Verse 78 (skanda.1.98.78)

॥बर्बरीक उवाच॥ उपकुर्यान्निराकांक्षो यः स साधुरितीर्यते ॥ साकांक्षमुपकुर्याद्यः साधुत्वे तस्य को गुणः

||barbarīka uvāca|| upakuryānnirākāṁkṣo yaḥ sa sādhuritīryate || sākāṁkṣamupakuryādyaḥ sādhutve tasya ko guṇaḥ

Barbarika said: "He who helps another without any desire for reward — he alone is called virtuous. What merit of virtue is there in one who helps only while desiring something in return?

Verse 79 (skanda.1.98.79)

तद्देहि भस्म चान्यस्मै केनाप्यर्थो न मेऽण्वपि ॥ प्रसादसुमुखां दृष्टिं विना नान्यद्वृणोमि ते

taddehi bhasma cānyasmai kenāpyartho na me'ṇvapi || prasādasumukhāṁ dṛṣṭiṁ vinā nānyadvṛṇomi te

"Therefore give that ash to someone else; I have not the slightest need of it. Other than your gracious, favoring glance, I ask nothing else of you."

Verse 80 (skanda.1.98.80)

॥देवा ऊचुः॥ कुरूणां पांडवानां च भविष्यति महान्रणः ॥ ततो भूमिस्थितं भस्म प्राप्स्यंति यदि कौरवाः

||devā ūcuḥ|| kurūṇāṁ pāṁḍavānāṁ ca bhaviṣyati mahānraṇaḥ || tato bhūmisthitaṁ bhasma prāpsyaṁti yadi kauravāḥ

The gods said: "There is to be a great war between the Kurus and the Pandavas. If, then, the Kauravas should obtain this ash lying upon the earth—

Verse 81 (skanda.1.98.81)

महाननर्थो भविता पांडवानां ततः स्फुटम् ॥ तस्माद्गृहाण त्वं भस्म सोपि चक्रे तथो वचः

mahānanartho bhavitā pāṁḍavānāṁ tataḥ sphuṭam || tasmādgṛhāṇa tvaṁ bhasma sopi cakre tatho vacaḥ

"—great disaster would surely befall the Pandavas. Therefore, you must take this ash yourself." And he too then did as they said.

Verse 82 (skanda.1.98.82)

देवीभिः सहिता देवाः संमान्य विजयं च ते ॥ सिद्धैश्वर्यं ददुस्तस्मै सिद्धसेनेति नाम च

devībhiḥ sahitā devāḥ saṁmānya vijayaṁ ca te || siddhaiśvaryaṁ dadustasmai siddhaseneti nāma ca

The gods, together with the Goddesses, then honored Vijaya, and granted him the lordship of accomplishment, and the name "Siddhasena."

Verse 83 (skanda.1.98.83)

एवं स विजयो विप्रः सिद्धिं लेभे सुदुर्लभाम् ॥ बर्बरीकश्च कृत्वैतद्देवीभक्तिरतोऽवसत्

evaṁ sa vijayo vipraḥ siddhiṁ lebhe sudurlabhām || barbarīkaśca kṛtvaitaddevībhaktirato'vasat

Thus that brahmin Vijaya obtained an accomplishment most rare to attain; and Barbarika, having done this, remained ever devoted to the Goddess.