Vāyu-śāpa-kathanam — The Narration of the Curse upon Vāyu

Verse 1 (skanda.2.173.1)

व्याध उवाच । विष्णुमुद्दिश्य कर्तव्या धर्मा भागवताः शुभाः । तत्राऽपि माधवीयाश्च इत्युक्तं तु त्वया पुरा ॥

vyādha uvāca viṣṇumuddiśya kartavyā dharmā bhāgavatāḥ śubhāḥ tatrā'pi mādhavīyāśca ityuktaṁ tu tvayā purā

The hunter said: You told me earlier that the auspicious Bhagavata dharmas should be performed with Vishnu as their object, and among these the observances of the month of Madhava are foremost.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.173.2)

स विष्णुः कीदृशो ब्रह्मन्किं वा तस्य हि लक्षणम् । किं मानं तस्य सद्भावैः कैर्ज्ञेयो भगवान्विभुः ॥

sa viṣṇuḥ kīdṛśo brahmankiṁ vā tasya hi lakṣaṇam kiṁ mānaṁ tasya sadbhāvaiḥ kairjñeyo bhagavānvibhuḥ

O brahmin, what is Vishnu like, and what are his defining marks? What is the measure of that all-pervading Lord, and by which good qualities is he to be known?

Verse 3 (skanda.2.173.3)

कीदृशा वैष्णवा धर्माः केनाऽसौ प्रीयते हरिः । एतदाचक्ष्व मे ब्रह्मन्किंकराय महामते ॥

kīdṛśā vaiṣṇavā dharmāḥ kenā'sau prīyate hariḥ etadācakṣva me brahmankiṅkarāya mahāmate

What are the Vaishnava dharmas, and by what is Hari pleased? Tell me this, O wise brahmin, to me, your servant.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.173.4)

इति पृष्टस्तु व्याधेन पुनः प्राह स वै द्विजः । प्रणम्य जगतामीशं नारायणमनामयम् ॥

iti pṛṣṭastu vyādhena punaḥ prāha sa vai dvijaḥ praṇamya jagatāmīśaṁ nārāyaṇamanāmayam

Thus questioned by the hunter, that brahmin, having bowed to Narayana, the lord of the universe, free of all blemish, spoke again —

Verse 5 (skanda.2.173.5)

शंख उवाच । शृणु व्याध प्रवक्ष्यामि विष्णुरूपमकल्मषम् । यदचिन्त्यं विरिंच्याद्यैर्मुनिभिर्भावितात्मभिः ॥

śaṅkha uvāca śṛṇu vyādha pravakṣyāmi viṣṇurūpamakalmaṣam yadacintyaṁ viriñcyādyairmunibhirbhāvitātmabhiḥ

Shankha said: Listen, hunter, I shall describe the stainless form of Vishnu, which is inconceivable even to purified sages like Brahma.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.173.6)

पूर्णशक्तिः पूर्णगुणो निर्दिष्टः सकलेश्वरः । निर्गुणो निष्कलोऽनंतः सच्चिदानन्दविग्रहः ॥

pūrṇaśaktiḥ pūrṇaguṇo nirdiṣṭaḥ sakaleśvaraḥ nirguṇo niṣkalo'nantaḥ saccidānandavigrahaḥ

He is of full power and full of every virtue, designated the lord of all; he is beyond attributes, undivided, infinite, and of the very nature of being, consciousness, and bliss.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.173.7)

यदेतदखिलं विश्वं चराचरमनीदृशम् । साधिशंसाऽऽश्रयं यच्च यद्वशे नियतं स्थितम् ॥

yadetadakhilaṁ viśvaṁ carācaramanīdṛśam sādhiśaṁsā'śrayaṁ yacca yadvaśe niyataṁ sthitam

This entire universe of moving and unmoving things, unparalleled as it is, which rests upon his existence and stands ever subject to his control,

Verse 8 (skanda.2.173.8)

अथ ते लक्षणं वच्मि ब्रह्मणः परमात्मनः । उत्पत्तिस्थितिसंहारा ह्यावृत्तिर्नियमस्तथा ॥

atha te lakṣaṇaṁ vacmi brahmaṇaḥ paramātmanaḥ utpattisthitisaṁhārā hyāvṛttirniyamastathā

Now I shall tell you the defining marks of Brahman, the Supreme Self — creation, sustenance, and dissolution, the cycle of return, and governance,

Verse 9 (skanda.2.173.9)

प्रकाशौ बन्धमोक्षौ च वृत्तिर्यस्माद्भवंत्यमी । स विष्णुर्ब्रह्मसंज्ञोऽसौ कवीनां संमतो विभुः ॥

prakāśau bandhamokṣau ca vṛttiryasmādbhavantyamī sa viṣṇurbrahmasaṁjño'sau kavīnāṁ saṁmato vibhuḥ

illumination, bondage, liberation, and function — that from which all these arise is Vishnu, called by the name 'Brahman', held so by the wise, the all-pervading Lord.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.173.10)

साक्षाद्ब्रह्मेति तं प्राहुः पश्चाद्ब्रह्मादिकानपि । ब्रह्मशब्दं सोपपदं ब्रह्मादिषु विदो विदुः ॥

sākṣādbrahmeti taṁ prāhuḥ paścādbrahmādikānapi brahmaśabdaṁ sopapadaṁ brahmādiṣu vido viduḥ

Him alone they call Brahman directly; whereas the wise know that when the word 'Brahman' is used of Brahma and the rest, it is always with a qualifying term attached.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.173.11)

नान्येषां ब्रह्मता क्वाऽपि तच्छक्त्येकांशभागिनाम् । तदेतच्छास्त्रगम्यं हि जन्माद्यस्य महाविभोः ॥

nānyeṣāṁ brahmatā kvā'pi tacchaktyekāṁśabhāginām tadetacchāstragamyaṁ hi janmādyasya mahāvibhoḥ

None of those others, who share only a fragment of his power, possess Brahman-hood anywhere. The origin and all else of that great Lord is knowable only through scripture.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.173.12)

शास्त्रं च वेदाः स्मृतयः पुराणं वै तदात्मकम् । इतिहासः पंचरात्रं भारतं च महामते ॥

śāstraṁ ca vedāḥ smṛtayaḥ purāṇaṁ vai tadātmakam itihāsaḥ pañcarātraṁ bhārataṁ ca mahāmate

Scripture, O wise one, means the Vedas, the Smritis, the Purana which is of that same nature, the Itihasa, the Pancharatra, and the Mahabharata.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.173.13)

एतैरेव महाविष्णुर्ज्ञेयो नान्यैः कथंचन । नावेदविदमुं विष्णुं मनुते च नरः क्वचित् ॥

etaireva mahāviṣṇurjñeyo nānyaiḥ kathañcana nāvedavidamuṁ viṣṇuṁ manute ca naraḥ kvacit

By these alone is the great Vishnu to be known, never by any other means. A man ignorant of the Veda can never comprehend this Vishnu at all.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.173.14)

नेंद्रियैर्नानुमानैश्च न तर्कैः शक्यते विभुम् । ज्ञातुं नारायणं देवं वेदवेद्यं सनातनम् ॥

nendriyairnānumānaiśca na tarkaiḥ śakyate vibhum jñātuṁ nārāyaṇaṁ devaṁ vedavedyaṁ sanātanam

Neither by the senses, nor by inference, nor by logic is it possible to know that all-pervading, eternal god Narayana, who is knowable only through the Veda.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.173.15)

अस्यैव जन्मकर्माणि गुणाञ्ज्ञात्वा यथामति । मुच्यंते जीवसंघाश्च सदा तद्वशवर्तिनः ॥

asyaiva janmakarmāṇi guṇāñjñātvā yathāmati mucyante jīvasaṅghāśca sadā tadvaśavartinaḥ

Knowing his births, deeds, and qualities according to one's own capacity, the multitude of living beings — ever subject to his sway — attain liberation.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.173.16)

क्रमाद्विष्णोश्च माहात्म्यं यथा सातिशयं भवेत् । एकैकस्मिन्स्थिता शक्तिर्देवर्षिपितृमातृके ॥

kramādviṣṇośca māhātmyaṁ yathā sātiśayaṁ bhavet ekaikasminsthitā śaktirdevarṣipitṛmātṛke

Now, in order, I shall show how the glory of Vishnu becomes ever more surpassing — his power resides, in differing measure, in each single one among gods, seers, ancestors, and mother-goddesses.

Verse 17 (skanda.2.173.17)

प्रत्यक्षेणाऽऽगमेनापि तथैवाऽनुमयाऽपि च । आदौ नरोत्तमं विद्याद्बले ज्ञाने सुखे तथा ॥

pratyakṣeṇā'gamenāpi tathaivā'numayā'pi ca ādau narottamaṁ vidyādbale jñāne sukhe tathā

By direct perception, by scripture, and by inference too, one should know that, to begin with, the best among men excels in strength, knowledge, and happiness.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.173.18)

तस्माद्भूतं शतगुणं विद्याज्ज्ञानादिभिर्वृतम् । भूतान्मनुष्यगंधर्वान्विद्याच्छतगुणाधिकान् ॥

tasmādbhūtaṁ śataguṇaṁ vidyājjñānādibhirvṛtam bhūtānmanuṣyagandharvānvidyācchataguṇādhikān

Above such a man, know the spirit-beings to be a hundredfold greater, endowed with knowledge and the like; and above the spirit-beings, know the human gandharvas to be a hundredfold greater still.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.173.19)

तत्त्वाभिमानिनो देवास्तेभ्यो विद्याच्छताधिकान् । तत्त्वाभिमानिदेवेभ्यः सप्तैव ऋषयो वराः ॥

tattvābhimānino devāstebhyo vidyācchatādhikān tattvābhimānidevebhyaḥ saptaiva ṛṣayo varāḥ

Know the deities who preside over the cosmic principles to be a hundredfold greater than those; and greater still than those presiding deities are the seven great seers alone.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.173.20)

सप्तर्षिभ्यो वरो ह्यग्निरग्नेः सूर्यादयस्तथा । सूर्याद्गुरुर्गुरोः प्राणः प्राणादिंद्रो महाबलः ॥

saptarṣibhyo varo hyagniragneḥ sūryādayastathā sūryādgururguroḥ prāṇaḥ prāṇādindro mahābalaḥ

Greater than the seven seers is Agni; greater than Agni is Surya and the like; greater than Surya is Guru (Brihaspati); greater than Guru is Prana; and greater than Prana is the mighty Indra.

Verse 21 (skanda.2.173.21)

इन्द्राच्च गिरिजा देवी देव्याः शंभुर्जगद्गुरुः । शंभोर्बुद्धिर्महादेवी बुद्धेः प्राणो बलाधिकः ॥

indrācca girijā devī devyāḥ śambhurjagadguruḥ śambhorbuddhirmahādevī buddheḥ prāṇo balādhikaḥ

Greater than Indra is the goddess Girija; greater than the goddess is Shambhu, the teacher of the world; greater than Shambhu is the great goddess Buddhi; and greater than Buddhi is Prana, superior in strength.

Verse 22 (skanda.2.173.22)

न प्राणात्परमं किंचित्प्राणे सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितम् । प्राणाज्जातमिदं विश्वं प्राणात्मकमिदं जगत् ॥

na prāṇātparamaṁ kiñcitprāṇe sarvaṁ pratiṣṭhitam prāṇājjātamidaṁ viśvaṁ prāṇātmakamidaṁ jagat

There is nothing higher than Prana; everything rests established in Prana. This universe was born from Prana; this world is of the very nature of Prana.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.173.23)

प्राणे प्रोतमिदं सर्वं प्राणादेव हि चेष्टते । सर्वाधारमिमं प्राहुः सूत्रं नीलांबुदप्रभम् ॥

prāṇe protamidaṁ sarvaṁ prāṇādeva hi ceṣṭate sarvādhāramimaṁ prāhuḥ sūtraṁ nīlāmbudaprabham

All this is strung together upon Prana; it is by Prana alone that everything moves. This is called the 'Thread', the support of all, luminous like a blue rain-cloud.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.173.24)

लक्ष्मीकटाक्षमात्रेण प्राणस्यास्य स्थितिर्भवेत् । सा लक्ष्मीर्देवदेवस्य कृपालेशैकभाजिनी । न विष्णोः परमं किंचिन्न समो वा कथंचन ॥

lakṣmīkaṭākṣamātreṇa prāṇasyāsya sthitirbhavet sā lakṣmīrdevadevasya kṛpāleśaikabhāginī na viṣṇoḥ paramaṁ kiñcinna samo vā kathañcana

By the mere sidelong glance of Lakshmi does this Prana come to abide; and even that Lakshmi partakes of only a fraction of the grace of the God of gods. There is nothing whatsoever higher than Vishnu, nor anything equal to him.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.173.25)

व्याध उवाच । कथं जीवेष्वयं प्राणः सूत्रनामाऽधिकोऽभवत् ॥

vyādha uvāca kathaṁ jīveṣvayaṁ prāṇaḥ sūtranāmā'dhiko'bhavat

The hunter said: How did this Prana, also called by the name 'Sutra', come to be supreme among all living beings?

Verse 26 (skanda.2.173.26)

निर्णयो वा कथं ह्यस्य प्राणाधिक्यं कथं विभो । एतदाचक्ष्व मे ब्रह्मन्कथं प्राणाद्विभुः परः ॥

nirṇayo vā kathaṁ hyasya prāṇādhikyaṁ kathaṁ vibho etadācakṣva me brahmankathaṁ prāṇādvibhuḥ paraḥ

O lord, how was this decided — how was the supremacy of Prana established? Tell me this too, O brahmin: how is the Lord greater even than Prana?

Verse 27 (skanda.2.173.27)

शंख उवाच । शृणु व्याध प्रवक्ष्यामि यत्पृष्टो निर्णयस्तथा । प्राणाधिक्यं समुद्दिश्य जीवैश्च सकलैरपि ॥

śaṅkha uvāca śṛṇu vyādha pravakṣyāmi yatpṛṣṭo nirṇayastathā prāṇādhikyaṁ samuddiśya jīvaiśca sakalairapi

Shankha said: Listen, hunter, I shall tell you the decision you have asked about — how the supremacy of Prana over all living beings was established.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.173.28)

पुरा नारायणो देवः पद्मसृष्टौ सनातनः । सृष्ट्वा ब्रह्मादिकान्देवानिदं प्राह जनार्दनः ॥

purā nārāyaṇo devaḥ padmasṛṣṭau sanātanaḥ sṛṣṭvā brahmādikāndevānidaṁ prāha janārdanaḥ

Long ago, at the beginning of creation, the eternal god Narayana, having created Brahma and the other gods, spoke thus —

Verse 29 (skanda.2.173.29)

साम्राज्येऽहं स्थापयेयं ब्रह्माणं वः पतिं प्रभुम् । यो युष्मास्वधिको देवो यौवराज्ये सुरेश्वराः ॥

sāmrājye'haṁ sthāpayeyaṁ brahmāṇaṁ vaḥ patiṁ prabhum yo yuṣmāsvadhiko devo yauvarāje sureśvarāḥ

I shall establish Brahma as your lord and master upon the sovereign throne. O rulers of the gods, whichever among you is the most excellent, appoint him to the position of crown prince.

Verse 30 (skanda.2.173.30)

तं स्थापयत शीलाढ्यं शौर्यौदार्यगुणान्वितम् । इत्युक्ता विभुना देवाः सर्वे शक्रपुरोगमाः ॥

taṁ sthāpayata śīlāḍhyaṁ śauryaudāryaguṇānvitam ityuktā vibhunā devāḥ sarve śakrapurogamāḥ

Appoint one rich in good character and endowed with the virtues of valour and generosity. Thus addressed by the Lord, all the gods, headed by Shakra (Indra),

Verse 31 (skanda.2.173.31)

एवं विवदिरेऽन्योन्यमहं भूयामहं त्विति । सर्वे विवदमानाश्च सूर्यं केचित्परं विदुः ॥

evaṁ vivadire'nyonyamahaṁ bhūyāmahaṁ tviti sarve vivadamānāśca sūryaṁ kecitparaṁ viduḥ

began to dispute among themselves, each saying 'I shall be it, I shall be it.' As they all disputed thus, some held Surya to be supreme,

Verse 32 (skanda.2.173.32)

शक्रं केचित्परं कामं केचित्तूष्णीं तु तस्थिरे । ते निर्णयमपश्यंतः प्रष्टुं नारायणं ययुः ॥

śakraṁ kecitparaṁ kāmaṁ kecittūṣṇīṁ tu tasthire te nirṇayamapaśyantaḥ praṣṭuṁ nārāyaṇaṁ yayuḥ

Some indeed held Shakra to be supreme, while others remained silent. Finding no resolution, they went to ask Narayana.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.173.33)

नमस्कृत्य पुनः प्राहुः सर्वे प्रांजलयोऽमराः । विचारितं महाविष्णो सर्वैरस्माभिरंजसा ॥

namaskṛtya punaḥ prāhuḥ sarve prāñjalayo'marāḥ vicāritaṁ mahāviṣṇo sarvairasmābhiraṁjasā

Having bowed, all the immortals, with joined palms, said: O great Vishnu, we have all deliberated thoroughly among ourselves.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.173.34)

अस्मासु देवमधिकं नैव विद्मः कथंचन । त्वमेव निर्णयं ब्रूहि देवाः संशयिनः खलु ॥

asmāsu devamadhikaṁ naiva vidmaḥ kathañcana tvameva nirṇayaṁ brūhi devāḥ saṁśayinaḥ khalu

We are quite unable to determine which of us is the greater god. You alone declare the decision — we gods are indeed in doubt.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.173.35)

इति पृष्टोऽमरैः सर्वैः प्रहसन्निदमब्रवीत् । देहादस्माच्च वैराजाद्यस्मिन्निष्क्रामति ह्ययम् ॥

iti pṛṣṭo'maraiḥ sarvaiḥ prahasannidamabravīt dehādasmācca vairājādyasminniṣkrāmati hyayam

Thus questioned by all the immortals, the Lord smilingly replied: Whichever of you, upon departing from this cosmic body,

Verse 36 (skanda.2.173.36)

पतिष्यति प्रविष्टे तु यस्मिन्वै ह्युत्थितो भवेत् । स देवो ह्यधिको नूनं नापरस्तु कथंचन ॥

patiṣyati praviṣṭe tu yasminvai hyutthito bhavet sa devo hyadhiko nūnaṁ nāparastu kathañcana

causes it to fall, and by whose re-entry it rises up again — that god alone is truly the greater, and none other whatsoever.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.173.37)

इत्युक्तास्ते ततः सर्वे तथास्त्विति वचोऽब्रुवन् । निश्चक्राम जयंताह्वः पादात्पूर्वं सुरेश्वरः ॥

ityuktāste tataḥ sarve tathāstviti vaco'bruvan niścakrāma jayantāhvaḥ pādātpūrvaṁ sureśvaraḥ

Thus addressed, all of them said 'so be it.' First of all, the lord of the gods named Jayanta departed from the feet.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.173.38)

तदा पंगुममुं प्राहुर्न देहः पतितस्तदा । शृण्वन्पिबन्वदञ्जिघ्रन्पश्यन्नास्तेऽचलन्नपि ॥

tadā paṅgumamuṁ prāhurna dehaḥ patitastadā śṛṇvanpibanvadañjighrampaśyannāste'calannapi

They then called that body lame, but it did not fall. It remained sitting, unmoving, yet still hearing, drinking, speaking, smelling, and seeing.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.173.39)

पश्चाद्गुह्याद्विनिष्क्रांतो दक्षोनाम प्रजापतिः । तदा षंढममुं प्राहुर्न देहः पतितस्तदा ॥

paścādguhyādviniṣkrānto dakṣonāma prajāpatiḥ tadā ṣaṇḍhamamuṁ prāhurna dehaḥ patitastadā

Then Prajapati Daksha departed from the organ of generation. They then called that body a eunuch, but even then it did not fall.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.173.40)

शृण्वन्पिबन्वदञ्जिघ्रन्पश्यन्नास्ते चलन्नपि । पश्चाद्धस्ताद्विनिष्क्रांत इन्द्रः सर्वामरेश्वरः ॥

śṛṇvanpibanvadañjighrampaśyannāste calannapi paścāddhastādviniṣkrānta indraḥ sarvāmareśvaraḥ

It kept moving about, still hearing, drinking, speaking, smelling, and seeing. Then Indra, the lord of all the immortals, departed from the hands.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.173.41)

हस्तहीनममुं प्राहुर्न देहः पतितस्तदा । शृण्वन्पिबन्वदञ्जिघ्रन्पश्यन्नास्ते चलन्नपि ॥

hastahīnamamuṁ prāhurna dehaḥ patitastadā śṛṇvanpibanvadañjighrampaśyannāste calannapi

They then called that body handless, but even then it did not fall — it kept moving, still hearing, drinking, speaking, smelling, and seeing.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.173.42)

लोचनाभ्यां विनिष्क्रांतः सूर्यस्तेजस्विनां वरः । तदा काणममुं प्राहुर्न देहः पतितस्तदा ॥

locanābhyāṁ viniṣkrāntaḥ sūryastejasvināṁ varaḥ tadā kāṇamamuṁ prāhurna dehaḥ patitastadā

Then Surya, foremost of the radiant ones, departed through the two eyes. They then called that body blind, but even then it did not fall.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.173.43)

शृण्वन्पिबन्वदञ्जिघ्रन्पश्यन्नास्ते चलन्नपि । प्राणात्पश्चाद्विनिष्क्रांतौ नासत्यौ विश्वभेषजौ । अजिघ्राणममुं प्राहुर्न देहः पतितस्तदा ॥

śṛṇvanpibanvadañjighrampaśyannāste calannapi prāṇātpaścādviniṣkrāntau nāsatyau viśvabheṣajau ajighrāṇamamuṁ prāhurna dehaḥ patitastadā

It kept moving about, still hearing, drinking, speaking, smelling, and seeing. Next, the two Nasatyas, the physicians of the universe, departed through the nostrils. They then called that body scentless, but even then it did not fall.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.173.44)

शृण्वन्पिबन्वदन्नैव जिघ्रन्नास्तेऽचलन्नपि । श्रोत्राद्दिशो विनिष्क्रांता न देहः पतितस्तदा । तदामुं बधिरं प्राहुर्मृतं नैव कथंचन ॥

śṛṇvanpibanvadannaiva jighrannāste'calannapi śrotrāddiśo viniṣkrāntā na dehaḥ patitastadā tadāmuṁ badhiraṁ prāhurmṛtaṁ naiva kathañcana

It sat unmoving, still drinking, speaking, and smelling, but no longer hearing. Then the Directions departed through the ears, yet even then the body did not fall. They then called it deaf, but by no means dead.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.173.45)

पिबन्वदन्नपि तदा ह्यशृण्वन्नचलन्नपि । वरुणो रसनायास्तु विनिष्क्रांतस्ततः परम् । तदाऽरसज्ञमेवाहुर्न देहः पतितस्तदा ॥

pibanvadannapi tadā hyaśṛṇvannacalannapi varuṇo rasanāyāstu viniṣkrāntastataḥ param tadā'rasajñamevāhurna dehaḥ patitastadā

It still sat unmoving, drinking and speaking, though not hearing. Then Varuna departed through the tongue. They then called it tasteless, but even then the body did not fall.

Verse 46 (skanda.2.173.46)

जीवंश्चलन्नदन्नास्ते तथा जानञ्च्छ्वसन्नपि । ततो वाचो विनिष्क्रांतो वह्निर्वागीश्वरो विभुः ॥

jīvaṁścalannadannāste tathā jānañcchvasannapi tato vāco viniṣkrānto vahnirvāgīśvaro vibhuḥ

It remained alive, moving, eating, understanding, and breathing. Then the mighty Vahni, lord of speech, departed through speech itself.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.173.47)

तदा मूकममुं प्राहुर्न देहः पतितस्तदा । जीवंश्चलन्नदन्नास्ते तथा जानञ्छ्वसन्नपि ॥

tadā mūkamamuṁ prāhurna dehaḥ patitastadā jīvaṁścalannadannāste tathā jānañchvasannapi

They then called it mute, but even then the body did not fall. It remained alive, moving, eating, understanding, and breathing.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.173.48)

पश्चाद्रुद्रो विनिष्क्रांतो मनसो बोधनात्मकः । तदा जडममुं प्राहुर्न देहः पतितस्तदा ॥

paścādrudro viniṣkrānto manaso bodhanātmakaḥ tadā jaḍamamuṁ prāhurna dehaḥ patitastadā

Then Rudra, of the nature of the mind's own awareness, departed through the mind. They then called it insensate, but even then the body did not fall.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.173.49)

जीवंश्चलन्नदन्नास्ते तथा जानञ्छ्वसन्नपि । पश्चात्प्राणो विनिष्क्रांतो मृतमेनं तदा विदुः । पुनरेवं तदा प्राहुर्देवा विस्मितमानसाः ॥

jīvaṁścalannadannāste tathā jānañchvasannapi paścātprāṇo viniṣkrānto mṛtamenaṁ tadā viduḥ punarevaṁ tadā prāhurdevā vismitamānasāḥ

It remained alive, moving, eating, understanding, and breathing. But then, when Prana departed, they knew it to be truly dead. Then the gods, their minds filled with astonishment, spoke thus once more —

Verse 50 (skanda.2.173.50)

देहमुत्थापयेद्यस्तु पुनरेवं व्यवस्थितः । स एव ह्यधिकोऽस्मासु युवराजा भविष्यति ॥

dehamutthāpayedyastu punarevaṁ vyavasthitaḥ sa eva hyadhiko'smāsu yuvarājā bhaviṣyati

So it is settled: whoever raises this body up again shall indeed be the greatest among us and shall become the crown prince.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.173.51)

इत्येवं तु प्रतिश्रुत्य विविशुश्च यथाक्रमम् । जयंतः प्राविशत्पादौ नोत्तस्थौ तत्कलेवरम् ॥

ityevaṁ tu pratiśrutya viviśuśca yathākramam jayantaḥ prāviśatpādau nottasthau tatkalevaram

Having thus given their pledge, they entered the body again in turn. Jayanta entered the feet, but that body did not rise.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.173.52)

गुह्यं च प्राविशद्दक्षो नोत्तस्थौ तत्कलेवरम् । इन्द्रो हस्तौ विवेशाऽथ नोत्तस्थौ तत्कलेवरम् ॥

guhyaṁ ca prāviśaddakṣo nottasthau tatkalevaram indro hastau viveśā'tha nottasthau tatkalevaram

Daksha entered the organ of generation, but the body did not rise. Then Indra entered the two hands, but the body still did not rise.

Verse 53 (skanda.2.173.53)

चक्षुः सूर्यः प्रविष्टोऽभून्नोत्तस्थौ तत्कलेवरम् । दिशः श्रोत्रे प्रविविशुर्नोत्तस्थौ तत्कलेवरम् ॥

cakṣuḥ sūryaḥ praviṣṭo'bhūnnottasthau tatkalevaram diśaḥ śrotre praviviśurnottasthau tatkalevaram

Surya entered the eyes, but the body did not rise. The Directions entered the ears, but the body did not rise.

Verse 54 (skanda.2.173.54)

वरुणः प्राविशज्जिह्वां नोत्तस्थौ तत्कलेवरम् । नासां विविशतुर्दस्रौ नोत्तस्थौ तत्कलेवरम् ॥

varuṇaḥ prāviśajjihvāṁ nottasthau tatkalevaram nāsāṁ viviśaturdasrau nottasthau tatkalevaram

Varuna entered the tongue, but the body did not rise. The two Ashvins entered the nostrils, but the body did not rise.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.173.55)

वह्निश्च प्राविशद्वाचं नोत्तस्थौ तत्कलेवरम् । मनश्च प्राविशद्रुद्रो नोत्तस्थौ तत्कलेवरम् ॥

vahniśca prāviśadvācaṁ nottasthau tatkalevaram manaśca prāviśadrudro nottasthau tatkalevaram

Vahni entered speech, but the body did not rise. Rudra entered the mind, but the body did not rise.

Verse 56 (skanda.2.173.56)

पश्चात्प्राणो विवेशासौ तदोत्तस्थौ कलेवरम् । तदा देवा विनिश्चित्य प्राणं देवाधिकं विभुम् ॥

paścātprāṇo viveśāsau tadottasthau kalevaram tadā devā viniścitya prāṇaṁ devādhikaṁ vibhum

Finally, when Prana entered, the body rose up at once. Then the gods, having determined that Prana was the mighty one, superior to all the gods,

Verse 57 (skanda.2.173.57)

बले ज्ञाने च धैर्ये च वैराग्ये प्राणनेऽपि च । ततोऽभिषेचयांचक्रुर्यौवराज्ये महाप्रभुम् ॥

bale jñāne ca dhairye ca vairāgye prāṇane'pi ca tato'bhiṣecayāṁcakruryauvarāje mahāprabhum

superior in strength, knowledge, steadfastness, dispassion, and even in the very act of animating life, then anointed that great lord to the office of crown prince.

Verse 58 (skanda.2.173.58)

उत्कृष्टस्थितिहेतुत्वादुक्थमेकं तदा जगुः । तस्मात्प्राणात्मकं विश्वं सर्वं स्थावरजंगमम् ॥

utkṛṣṭasthitihetutvādukthamekaṁ tadā jaguḥ tasmātprāṇātmakaṁ viśvaṁ sarvaṁ sthāvarajaṅgamam

Because he is the very cause of that highest state, they then sang out one exalted utterance — that this whole universe, of moving and unmoving things, is of the very nature of Prana.

Verse 59 (skanda.2.173.59)

अंशैः पूर्णैर्बलाढ्यैश्च पूर्णोऽयं जगतां पतिः ॥

aṁśaiḥ pūrṇairbalāḍhyaiśca pūrṇo'yaṁ jagatāṁ patiḥ

By his own full and mighty portions, this lord of the worlds is himself complete.

Verse 60 (skanda.2.173.60)

न प्राणहीनं जगदस्ति किंचित्प्राणेन हीनं न च वै समेधते । न प्राणहीनं स्थितमत्र किंचित्प्राणेन हीनं न च किंचिदस्ति । तस्मात्प्राणः सर्वजीवाधिकोऽभूद्बलाधिकः सर्वजीवांतरात्मा ॥

na prāṇahīnaṁ jagadasti kiñcitprāṇena hīnaṁ na ca vai samedhate na prāṇahīnaṁ sthitamatra kiñcitprāṇena hīnaṁ na ca kiñcidasti tasmātprāṇaḥ sarvajīvādhiko'bhūdbalādhikaḥ sarvajīvāntarātmā

Nothing in this world exists without Prana; nothing prospers without Prana. Nothing here stands without Prana; without Prana, nothing at all exists. Therefore Prana became superior to all living beings, greater in strength, the inner self of every creature.

Verse 61 (skanda.2.173.61)

प्राणात्कोऽपि ह्यधिको वा समो वा शास्त्रे दृष्टः श्रुतपूर्वो न चाऽऽस्ते ॥

prāṇātko'pi hyadhiko vā samo vā śāstre dṛṣṭaḥ śrutapūrvo na cā'ste

In scripture, none has ever been seen or heard of before who is either greater than or equal to Prana.

Verse 62 (skanda.2.173.62)

तत्तत्कार्यानुगः प्राणो ह्येको देवो ह्यनेकधा । तस्मात्प्राणं वरं प्राहुः प्राणोपासनतत्पराः । लीलयैव जगत्स्रष्टुं हन्तुं पालयितुं प्रभुः ॥

tattatkāryānugaḥ prāṇo hyeko devo hyanekadhā tasmātprāṇaṁ varaṁ prāhuḥ prāṇopāsanatatparāḥ līlayaiva jagatsraṣṭuṁ hantuṁ pālayituṁ prabhuḥ

That one god Prana, following each particular task, manifests in many forms. Therefore those devoted to the worship of Prana declare Prana to be the highest — that lord creates, destroys, and sustains the universe by mere play.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.173.63)

शेषाऽहिशिवशक्राद्याश्चेतनाश्च जडा अपि । वासुदेवादृते कोऽपि नैनं परिभविष्यति ॥

śeṣā'hiśivaśakrādyāścetanāśca jaḍā api vāsudevādṛte ko'pi nainaṁ paribhaviṣyati

Whether Shesha, the serpent, Shiva, Shakra, or any other, sentient or insentient, none — apart from Vasudeva — shall ever overpower this Prana.

Verse 64 (skanda.2.173.64)

सर्वदेवात्मकः प्राणः सर्वदेवमयो विभुः । वासुदेवाऽनुगो नित्यं तथा विष्णुवशस्थितः ॥

sarvadevātmakaḥ prāṇaḥ sarvadevamayo vibhuḥ vāsudevā'nugo nityaṁ tathā viṣṇuvaśasthitaḥ

Prana is the very self of all gods, the all-pervading one composed of all gods, yet he is ever a follower of Vasudeva and abides subject to Vishnu.

Verse 65 (skanda.2.173.65)

वासुदेवप्रतीपं तु न शृणोति न पश्यति । देवाः प्रतीपं कुर्वंति रुद्राद्याः सुरेश्वराः ॥

vāsudevapratīpaṁ tu na śṛṇoti na paśyati devāḥ pratīpaṁ kurvanti rudrādyāḥ sureśvarāḥ

He neither hears nor sees anything contrary to Vasudeva, whereas other lords of the gods, Rudra and the rest, do at times act contrary to him.

Verse 66 (skanda.2.173.66)

प्रतीपं क्वाऽपि कुरुते न प्राणः सर्वगोचरः । तस्मात्प्राणो महाविष्णोर्बलमाहुर्मनीषिणः ॥

pratīpaṁ kvā'pi kurute na prāṇaḥ sarvagocaraḥ tasmātprāṇo mahāviṣṇorbalamāhurmanīṣiṇaḥ

Prana, present in all, never acts contrary to him anywhere. Therefore the wise call Prana the very strength of the great Vishnu.

Verse 67 (skanda.2.173.67)

एवं ज्ञात्वा महाविष्णोर्माहात्म्यं लक्षणं तथा । पूर्वबन्धानुगं लिंगं जीर्णां त्वचमिवोरगः ॥

evaṁ jñātvā mahāviṣṇormāhātmyaṁ lakṣaṇaṁ tathā pūrvabandhānugaṁ liṅgaṁ jīrṇāṁ tvacamivoragaḥ

Thus, having known the glory and the marks of the great Vishnu, just as a serpent sheds its worn-out skin, so too a person casts off the subtle body that follows one's former bondage,

Verse 68 (skanda.2.173.68)

विसृज्य परमं याति नारायणमनामयम् । श्रुत्वा शंखोदितं वाक्यं पुनर्व्याधः प्रसन्नधीः ॥

visṛjya paramaṁ yāti nārāyaṇamanāmayam śrutvā śaṅkhoditaṁ vākyaṁ punarvyādhaḥ prasannadhīḥ

and attains the supreme, blemishless Narayana. Hearing these words spoken by Shankha, the hunter's mind again grew serene.

Verse 69 (skanda.2.173.69)

प्रश्रयाऽवनतो भूत्वा पुनः पप्रच्छ तं मुनिम् । ब्रह्मन्महानुभावस्य प्राणस्याऽस्य जगद्गुरोः ॥

praśrayā'vanato bhūtvā punaḥ papraccha taṁ munim brahmanmahānubhāvasya prāṇasyā'sya jagadguroḥ

Bowing humbly, he again questioned the sage: O brahmin, of this great and majestic Prana, the teacher of the world,

Verse 70 (skanda.2.173.70)

न ख्यातो महिमा लोके कथं सर्वेश्वरस्य वै । देवानां च मुनीनां च भूपानां च महात्मनाम् ॥

na khyāto mahimā loke kathaṁ sarveśvarasya vai devānāṁ ca munīnāṁ ca bhūpānāṁ ca mahātmanām

why is the glory of this lord of all not celebrated in the world? Whereas the glory of gods, sages, and great-souled kings,

Verse 71 (skanda.2.173.71)

महिमा श्रूयते लोके पुराणेषु सहस्रशः । एतदाचक्ष्व मे ब्रह्मञ्छ्रोतुं कौतूहलं हि मे ॥

mahimā śrūyate loke purāṇeṣu sahasraśaḥ etadācakṣva me brahmañchrotuṁ kautūhalaṁ hi me

is heard of a thousand times in the Puranas. Tell me this, O brahmin — I am indeed curious to hear it.

Verse 72 (skanda.2.173.72)

शंख उवाच । पुरा प्राणो हरिं देवं नारायणमनामयम् । अश्वमेधैर्यष्टुकामो गङ्गातीरं ययौ मुदा ॥

śaṅkha uvāca purā prāṇo hariṁ devaṁ nārāyaṇamanāmayam aśvamedhairyaṣṭukāmo gaṅgātīraṁ yayau mudā

Shankha said: Long ago, Prana, desiring to worship the blemishless god Hari Narayana through horse-sacrifices, went joyfully to the bank of the Ganga.

Verse 73 (skanda.2.173.73)

हलैश्चकार भूशुद्धिं नानामुनिगणैर्युतः । अन्तर्वल्मीकलीनस्तु कण्वो नाम समाधिगः ॥

halaiścakāra bhūśuddhiṁ nānāmunigaṇairyutaḥ antarvalmīkalīnastu kaṇvo nāma samādhigaḥ

Together with many groups of sages, he purified the ground with ploughs. There, hidden within an anthill, was a sage named Kanva, absorbed in deep meditation.

Verse 74 (skanda.2.173.74)

हलोत्कृष्टो विनिष्क्रांतः क्रोधादिदमुवाच ह । दृष्ट्वा पुरः स्थितं प्राणं शशाप ह महाविभुम् ॥

halotkṛṣṭo viniṣkrāntaḥ krodhādidamuvāca ha dṛṣṭvā puraḥ sthitaṁ prāṇaṁ śaśāpa ha mahāvibhum

Struck by the plough, he emerged and, in his anger, spoke thus. Seeing the mighty Prana standing before him, he uttered a curse —

Verse 75 (skanda.2.173.75)

अद्यप्रभृति न ख्यातिं महिमा भुवनत्रये । तव प्राप्नोति देवेश भूलोके तु विशेषतः ॥

adyaprabhṛti na khyātiṁ mahimā bhuvanatraye tava prāpnoti deveśa bhūloke tu viśeṣataḥ

From this day on, O lord of the gods, your glory shall never attain fame in the three worlds, and especially not on this earth.

Verse 76 (skanda.2.173.76)

प्रख्यातास्ते भविष्यंति ह्यवतारा जगत्त्रये । इत्युक्तो मुनिना तेन वायुः क्रोधात्तमब्रवीत् ॥

prakhyātāste bhaviṣyanti hyavatārā jagattraye ityukto muninā tena vāyuḥ krodhāttamabravīt

Only your incarnations shall become famous in the three worlds. When the sage had spoken thus, Vayu, filled with anger, said to him —

Verse 77 (skanda.2.173.77)

विनापराधं शप्तोऽस्मि तितिक्षुं मां निरागसम् । तस्मात्कण्व महाबाहो गुरुद्रोही भवाऽऽशु च ॥

vinā'parādhaṁ śapto'smi titikṣuṁ māṁ nirāgasam tasmātkaṇva mahābāho gurudrohī bhavā'śu ca

I, though patient and blameless, have been cursed without any offence. Therefore, O mighty-armed Kanva, may you swiftly become a betrayer of your own teacher,

Verse 78 (skanda.2.173.78)

लोके निन्दितवृत्तिश्च भवेत्याह सदागतिः । ततः प्रभृति लोकेऽस्मिन्प्राणस्याऽस्य महाप्रभो ॥

loke ninditavṛttiśca bhavetyāha sadāgatiḥ tataḥ prabhṛti loke'sminprāṇasyā'sya mahāprabho

and be of conduct despised in the world — so said Sadagati (Vayu). O great lord, from that time onward in this world, of this Prana,

Verse 79 (skanda.2.173.79)

न ख्यातो महिमा लोके भूलोके तु विशेषतः । शापात्कण्वो गुरुं जग्ध्वा सूर्यशिष्योऽभवत्तदा ॥

na khyāto mahimā loke bhūloke tu viśeṣataḥ śāpātkaṇvo guruṁ jagdhvā sūryaśiṣyo'bhavattadā

the glory has not become renowned, especially on this earth. And through that curse, Kanva devoured his own teacher and thereupon became a disciple of Surya instead.

Verse 80 (skanda.2.173.80)

इत्येतत्कथितं सर्वं यत्पृष्टं तु त्वयाऽधुना । यच्छ्रोतव्यमितो व्याध पृच्छ मां मा विचारय ॥

ityetatkathitaṁ sarvaṁ yatpṛṣṭaṁ tu tvayā'dhunā yacchrotavyamito vyādha pṛccha māṁ mā vicāraya

Thus all that you have just now asked has been told. O hunter, whatever else you wish to hear from now, ask me — do not hesitate.