The Jalandhara Episode: The Messenger's Words

Verse 1 (skanda.2.114.1)

नारद उवाच । स मां प्रोवाच विधिवत्संपूज्यातीव भक्तिमान् । संप्रहस्य तदा वाक्यं स्नेहपूर्वं च वै नृप

nārada uvāca sa māṁ provāca vidhivatsaṁpūjyātīva bhaktimān saṁprahasya tadā vākyaṁ snehapūrvaṁ ca vai nṛpa

Narada said: He, greatly devoted, having duly honored me, then, smiling, spoke affectionate words, O king:

Verse 2 (skanda.2.114.2)

कुत आगम्यते ब्रह्मन्किचिद्दृष्टं त्वया प्रभो । यदर्थमिह चाऽऽयातस्तदाऽऽज्ञापय मां मुने

kuta āgamyate brahmankiciddṛṣṭaṁ tvayā prabho yadarthamiha cā''yātastadā''jñāpaya māṁ mune

'From where have you come, O Brahman? Have you seen anything notable, O Lord? For what purpose have you come here — tell me that, O sage.'

Verse 3 (skanda.2.114.3)

नारद उवाच । गतः कैलासशिखरं दैत्येंद्राहं यदृच्छया । तत्रोमया समासीनं दृष्टवानस्मि शंकरम्

nārada uvāca gataḥ kailāsaśikharaṁ daityeṁdrāhaṁ yadṛcchayā tatromayā samāsīnaṁ dṛṣṭavānasmi śaṁkaram

Narada said: 'O lord of demons, I went by chance to the peak of Kailasa; there I saw Shankara seated together with Uma,

Verse 4 (skanda.2.114.4)

योजनायुतविस्तीर्णे कल्पवृक्षमहावने । कामधेनुशताकीर्णे चिंतामणिसुदीपिते

yojanāyutavistīrṇe kalpavṛkṣamahāvane kāmadhenuśatākīrṇe ciṁtāmaṇisudīpite

'in a great forest of wish-fulfilling trees, extending ten thousand yojanas, filled with a hundred wish-fulfilling cows, brilliantly lit by wish-granting jewels.'

Verse 5 (skanda.2.114.5)

तद्दृष्ट्वा महदाश्चर्यं विस्मयो मेऽभवत्तदा । क्वाऽपीदृशी भवेदृद्धिस्त्रैलोक्ये वा न वेति च

taddṛṣṭvā mahadāścaryaṁ vismayo me'bhavattadā kvā'pīdṛśī bhavedṛddhistrailokye vā na veti ca

'Seeing this great wonder, I was filled with astonishment then: could such prosperity exist anywhere else in the three worlds, or not?'

Verse 6 (skanda.2.114.6)

तदा तवाऽपि दैत्येंद्र समृद्धिः संस्मृता मया । तद्विलोकनकामोऽस्मि त्वत्सान्निध्यमिहाऽऽगतः

tadā tavā'pi daityeṁdra samṛddhiḥ saṁsmṛtā mayā tadvilokanakāmo'smi tvatsānnidhyamihā''gataḥ

'Then, O lord of demons, I also remembered your prosperity; desiring to behold that, I have come here to your presence.'

Verse 7 (skanda.2.114.7)

त्वत्समृद्धिमिमां पश्यन्स्त्रीरत्नरहितां धुवम् । तर्कयामि शिवादन्यस्त्रिलोक्यां न समृद्धिमान्

tvatsamṛddhimimāṁ paśyanstrīratnarahitāṁ dhuvam tarkayāmi śivādanyastrilokyāṁ na samṛddhimān

'Seeing this prosperity of yours, I see it is certainly devoid of a jewel among women; I conclude that, apart from Shiva, no one in the three worlds is truly prosperous.'

Verse 8 (skanda.2.114.8)

अप्सरोनागकन्याद्या यद्यपि त्वद्वशे स्थिताः । तथाऽपि ता न पार्वत्या रूपेण सदृशा ध्रुवम्

apsaronāgakanyādyā yadyapi tvadvaśe sthitāḥ tathā'pi tā na pārvatyā rūpeṇa sadṛśā dhruvam

'Although apsarases, naga-maidens, and the rest are under your control, still they are certainly not equal to Parvati in beauty.'

Verse 9 (skanda.2.114.9)

यस्या लावण्यजलधौ निमग्नश्चतुराननः । स्वधैर्यममुचत्पूर्वं तया काऽन्योपमीयते

yasyā lāvaṇyajaladhau nimagnaścaturānanaḥ svadhairyamamucatpūrvaṁ tayā kā'nyopamīyate

'In whose ocean of loveliness even the four-faced one once, submerged, lost his own composure — with her, what other woman can be compared?'

Verse 10 (skanda.2.114.10)

वीतरागोऽपि हि यथा मदनारिः स्वलीलया । सौंदर्यगहनेऽभ्रामि शफरीरूपया पुरा

vītarāgo'pi hi yathā madanāriḥ svalīlayā sauṁdaryagahane'bhrāmi śapharīrūpayā purā

'Just as even the passionless enemy of Kama was made by her sport, in the form of a small fish, to wander bewildered in the depths of her beauty long ago.'

Verse 11 (skanda.2.114.11)

यस्याः पुनः पुनः पश्यन्रूपं धाताऽपि सर्जने । ससर्जाऽप्सरसस्तासां तत्समैकाऽपि नाभवत्

yasyāḥ punaḥ punaḥ paśyanrūpaṁ dhātā'pi sarjane sasarjā'psarasastāsāṁ tatsamaikā'pi nābhavat

'Gazing again and again upon her form even while creating, the Creator himself created the Apsarases — yet not even one of them equaled her.'

Verse 12 (skanda.2.114.12)

अतः स्त्रीरत्नसंभोक्तुः समृद्धिस्तस्य सा वरा । तथा न तव दैत्येंद्र सर्वरत्नाऽधिपस्य च

ataḥ strīratnasaṁbhoktuḥ samṛddhistasya sā varā tathā na tava daityeṁdra sarvaratnā'dhipasya ca

'Therefore the prosperity of him who enjoys the jewel of women is that supreme prosperity; not so is yours, O lord of demons, even though you are lord of all other jewels.'

Verse 13 (skanda.2.114.13)

एवमुक्त्वा तमामंत्र्य गते सति स दैत्यराट् । तद्रूप श्रवणादासीदनंगज्वरपीडितः

evamuktvā tamāmaṁtrya gate sati sa daityarāṭ tadrūpa śravaṇādāsīdanaṁgajvarapīḍitaḥ

Having said this, and having taken leave of him, when I had departed, that king of demons, from merely hearing of her beauty, became afflicted with the fever of desire.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.114.14)

अथ संप्रेषयामास स दूतं सिंहिकासुतम् । त्र्यंबकायाऽपि च तदा विष्णुमायाविमोहितः

atha saṁpreṣayāmāsa sa dūtaṁ siṁhikāsutam tryaṁbakāyā'pi ca tadā viṣṇumāyāvimohitaḥ

Then, deluded by Vishnu's maya, he sent as messenger the son of Simhika to the three-eyed one.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.114.15)

कैलासमगमद्राहुः कुर्वञ्छुक्लेंदुवर्चसम् । कार्ष्ण्येन कृष्णपक्षेन्दुवर्चसं स्वांगजेन तम्

kailāsamagamadrāhuḥ kurvañchukleṁduvarcasam kārṣṇyena kṛṣṇapakṣenduvarcasaṁ svāṁgajena tam

Rahu went to Kailasa, his own dark form making the mountain, whose splendor was like the bright moon, take on the appearance of the moon of the dark fortnight.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.114.16)

निवेदितस्तदेशाय नंदिना प्रविवेश सः । त्र्यंबकभ्रूलतासंज्ञा प्रेरितो वाक्यमब्रवीत्

niveditastadeśāya naṁdinā praviveśa saḥ tryaṁbakabhrūlatāsaṁjñā prerito vākyamabravīt

Announced to that lord by Nandi, he entered; and, prompted by a sign from the three-eyed one's eyebrow, he spoke these words:

Verse 17 (skanda.2.114.17)

राहुरुवाच । देवपन्नगसेव्यस्य त्रैलोक्याधिपतेः प्रभोः । सर्वरत्नेश्वरस्य त्वमाज्ञां शृणु वृषध्वज

rāhuruvāca devapannagasevyasya trailokyādhipateḥ prabhoḥ sarvaratneśvarasya tvamājñāṁ śṛṇu vṛṣadhvaja

Rahu said: 'O bull-bannered one, hear the command of the Lord who is served by gods and serpents, the sovereign of the three worlds, the master of all jewels:'

Verse 18 (skanda.2.114.18)

स्मशानवासिनो नित्यमस्थिभारवहस्य च । दिगंबरस्य ते भार्या कथं हैमवती शुभा

smaśānavāsino nityamasthibhāravahasya ca digaṁbarasya te bhāryā kathaṁ haimavatī śubhā

'You, who dwell forever in the cremation ground, who bear a burden of bones, who go naked — how can the auspicious daughter of the Himalaya be your wife?'

Verse 19 (skanda.2.114.19)

अहं रत्नाधिनाथोऽस्मि सा च स्त्रीरत्नसंज्ञिका । तस्मान्ममैव सा योग्या नैव भिक्षाशिनस्तव

ahaṁ ratnādhinātho'smi sā ca strīratnasaṁjñikā tasmānmamaiva sā yogyā naiva bhikṣāśinastava

'I am the lord of jewels, and she is known as the jewel among women; therefore she is fitting for me alone, not at all for you, a beggar living on alms.'

Verse 20 (skanda.2.114.20)

नारद उवाच । वदत्येवं तदा राहौ भ्रूमध्याच्छूलपाणिनः । अभवत्पुरुषो रौद्रस्तीव्राशनिसमस्वनः

nārada uvāca vadatyevaṁ tadā rāhau bhrūmadhyācchūlapāṇinaḥ abhavatpuruṣo raudrastīvrāśanisamasvanaḥ

Narada said: While Rahu was speaking thus, from between the eyebrows of the trident-bearer there arose,

Verse 21 (skanda.2.114.21)

सिंहास्यः प्रललज्जिह्वः स ज्वलन्नयनो महान् । ऊर्ध्वकेशः शुष्कतनुर्नृसिंह इव चाऽपरः

siṁhāsyaḥ pralalajjihvaḥ sa jvalannayano mahān ūrdhvakeśaḥ śuṣkatanurnṛsiṁha iva cā'paraḥ

a fierce man, terrible, with a sound like a sharp thunderbolt, lion-faced, his tongue lolling out, huge, his eyes blazing,

Verse 22 (skanda.2.114.22)

स तं खादितुमायांतं दृष्ट्वा राहुर्भयातुरः । अधावत स वेगेन बहिः स च दधार तम्

sa taṁ khāditumāyāṁtaṁ dṛṣṭvā rāhurbhayāturaḥ adhāvata sa vegena bahiḥ sa ca dadhāra tam

his hair standing on end, his body emaciated, like a second Narasimha. Rahu, seeing him approaching to devour him, terrified,

Verse 23 (skanda.2.114.23)

स च राहुर्महाबाहो मेघगम्भीरया गिरा । उवाच देवदेव त्वं पाहि मां शरणागतम्

sa ca rāhurmahābāho meghagambhīrayā girā uvāca devadeva tvaṁ pāhi māṁ śaraṇāgatam

ran outside swiftly, but that being seized him. O mighty-armed one, that Rahu, in a voice deep as thunder, said:

Verse 24 (skanda.2.114.24)

ब्राह्मणं मां महादेव खादितुं समुपागतः । महादेवो वचः श्रुत्वा ब्राह्मणस्य तदाऽब्रवीत्

brāhmaṇaṁ māṁ mahādeva khādituṁ samupāgataḥ mahādevo vacaḥ śrutvā brāhmaṇasya tadā'bravīt

'O God of gods, protect me, who have come for refuge! O Mahadeva, this being has come to devour me, a brahmin!' Mahadeva, hearing the words of the brahmin, then said:

Verse 25 (skanda.2.114.25)

नैवाऽसौ वध्यतामेति दूतोऽयं परवान्यतः । मुंचेति पुरुषः श्रुत्वा राहुं तत्याज्य सोंऽबरे

naivā'sau vadhyatāmeti dūto'yaṁ paravānyataḥ muṁceti puruṣaḥ śrutvā rāhuṁ tatyājya soṁ'bare

'He should not be killed, for he is a messenger, subject to another's command — release him!' Hearing this, that being let Rahu go, and Rahu fled into the sky.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.114.26)

राहुं त्यक्त्वाऽथ पुरुषस्तदा रुद्रं व्यजिज्ञपत् । पुरुष उवाच । क्षुधा मां वाधतेऽत्यंतं क्षुत्क्षामश्चाऽस्मि सर्वथा

rāhuṁ tyaktvā'tha puruṣastadā rudraṁ vyajijñapat puruṣa uvāca kṣudhā māṁ vādhate'tyaṁtaṁ kṣutkṣāmaścā'smi sarvathā

Having let Rahu go, that being then petitioned Rudra. The being said: 'Hunger torments me exceedingly; I am utterly wasted with hunger.'

Verse 27 (skanda.2.114.27)

किं भक्षयामि देवेश तदाज्ञापय मां प्रभो । ईश्वर उवाच । भक्षयस्वात्मनः शीघ्रं मांसं त्वं हस्तपादयोः

kiṁ bhakṣayāmi deveśa tadājñāpaya māṁ prabho īśvara uvāca bhakṣayasvātmanaḥ śīghraṁ māṁsaṁ tvaṁ hastapādayoḥ

'What shall I eat, O Lord of gods? Command me this, O Lord.' Ishvara said: 'Eat quickly the flesh of your own hands and feet.'

Verse 28 (skanda.2.114.28)

नारद उवाच । स शिवेनैवमाज्ञप्तश्चखाद पुरुषः स्वकम् । हस्तपादोद्भवं मांसं शिरःशेषो यथाऽभवत्

nārada uvāca sa śivenaivamājñaptaścakhāda puruṣaḥ svakam hastapādodbhavaṁ māṁsaṁ śiraḥśeṣo yathā'bhavat

Narada said: Thus commanded by Shiva, that being devoured his own flesh arising from his hands and feet, until only his head remained.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.114.29)

दृष्ट्वा शिरोऽवशेषं तं सुप्रसन्नस्तदा शिवः । उवाच भीमकर्माणं पुरुषं जातविस्मयः

dṛṣṭvā śiro'vaśeṣaṁ taṁ suprasannastadā śivaḥ uvāca bhīmakarmāṇaṁ puruṣaṁ jātavismayaḥ

Seeing him reduced to a mere head, Shiva, greatly pleased, filled with wonder, spoke to that being of terrible deeds:

Verse 30 (skanda.2.114.30)

ईश्वर उवाच । त्वं कीर्तिमुखसंज्ञो हि भव मद्द्वारिगः सदा । त्वदर्चां ये न कुर्वंति नैव ते मे प्रियंकराः

īśvara uvāca tvaṁ kīrtimukhasaṁjño hi bhava maddvārigaḥ sadā tvadarcāṁ ye na kurvaṁti naiva te me priyaṁkarāḥ

Ishvara said: 'You shall indeed be called Kirtimukha, and shall ever stand as my doorkeeper; those who do not worship you shall never be pleasing to me.'

Verse 31 (skanda.2.114.31)

नारद उवाच । तदा प्रभृति देवस्य द्वारि कीर्तिमुखः स्थितः । नार्चयन्तीह ये पूर्वं तेषामर्चा वृथा भवेत्

nārada uvāca tadā prabhṛti devasya dvāri kīrtimukhaḥ sthitaḥ nārcayantīha ye pūrvaṁ teṣāmarcā vṛthā bhavet

Narada said: From that time on, Kirtimukha has stood at the door of the god; those who do not first worship him — for them, any further worship becomes fruitless.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.114.32)

राहुर्विमुक्तो यस्तेन सोऽपि तद्बर्बरे स्थले । अतः स बर्बरोद्भूत इति भूमौ प्रथां गतः

rāhurvimukto yastena so'pi tadbarbare sthale ataḥ sa barbarodbhūta iti bhūmau prathāṁ gataḥ

Rahu, who was released by him at that wild place, hence became renowned on earth as 'born in the wilderness.'

Verse 33 (skanda.2.114.33)

ततः स राहुः पुनरेव जातमात्मानमस्मिन्निति मन्यमानः । समेत्य सर्वं कथयांबभूव जलंधरायैव विचेष्टितं तत्

tataḥ sa rāhuḥ punareva jātamātmānamasminniti manyamānaḥ sametya sarvaṁ kathayāṁbabhūva jalaṁdharāyaiva viceṣṭitaṁ tat

Then that Rahu, thinking of himself as though newly reborn in this event, having gathered himself, related the entire happening to Jalandhara himself.