The Nature of True Knowledge

Verse 1 (skanda.2.213.1)

श्रीनारायण उवाच । अथ ज्ञानस्वरूपं ते वच्मि सांख्येन निश्चितम् । क्षेत्रादि ज्ञायते येन तज्ज्ञानं हि निरुच्यते

śrīnārāyaṇa uvāca | atha jñānasvarūpaṁ te vacmi sāṁkhyena niścitam | kṣetrādi jñāyate yena tajjñānaṁ hi nirucyate

Sri Narayana said: Now I shall tell you, with Sankhya certainty, the nature of true knowledge; that by which the field (kshetra) and the rest are known is indeed called knowledge.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.213.2)

वासुदेवः परं ब्रह्म बृहत्यक्षरधामनि । आदावेकोऽद्वितीयोऽभून्निर्गुणो दिव्यविग्रहः

vāsudevaḥ paraṁ brahma bṛhatyakṣaradhāmani | ādāveko'dvitīyo'bhūnnirguṇo divyavigrahaḥ

Vasudeva is the Supreme Brahman; in that vast imperishable abode He alone existed in the beginning, without a second, without qualities, of divine form.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.213.3)

स कार्यमूलप्रकृतिः सकालाऽक्षरतेजसि । प्रकाशेऽर्कस्य रात्रीव तिरोभूता तदाऽभवत्

sa kāryamūlaprakṛtiḥ sakālā'kṣaratejasi | prakāśe'rkasya rātrīva tirobhūtā tadā'bhavat

The root-Prakriti together with Time, its cause, remained hidden within that imperishable effulgence, like night within the light of the sun.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.213.4)

सिसृक्षाथाभवत्तस्य ब्रह्माण्डानां यदा तदा । सकालाविर्बभूवादौ महामाया ततो हि सा

sisṛkṣāthābhavattasya brahmāṇḍānāṁ yadā tadā | sakālāvirbabhūvādau mahāmāyā tato hi sā

Then, when the desire to create the universes arose in Him, she — the great Maya, together with Time — first became manifest.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.213.5)

तां कालशक्तिमादाय वासुदेवोऽक्षरात्मना । सिसृक्षयैक्षत यदा सा चुक्षोभ तदैव हि

tāṁ kālaśaktimādāya vāsudevo'kṣarātmanā | sisṛkṣayaikṣata yadā sā cukṣobha tadaiva hi

Taking up that power of Time, Vasudeva, in His imperishable form, cast His glance upon her with the desire to create; and at that very moment she was stirred into agitation.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.213.6)

तस्याः प्रधानपुरुषकोटयो जज्ञिरे मुने । युज्यन्ते स्म प्रधानैस्ते पुरुषाश्चेच्छया प्रभोः

tasyāḥ pradhānapuruṣakoṭayo jajñire mune | yujyante sma pradhānaiste puruṣāścecchayā prabhoḥ

From her, O sage, were born countless Pradhanas and Purushas; and by the will of the Lord, those Purushas united with the Pradhanas.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.213.7)

पुमांसो निदधुर्गर्भांस्तेषु तेभ्यश्च जज्ञिरे । ब्रह्माण्डानि ह्यसङ्ख्यानि तत्रैकं तु विविच्यते

pumāṁso nidadhurgarbhāṁsteṣu tebhyaśca jajñire | brahmāṇḍāni hyasaṅkhyāni tatraikaṁ tu vivicyate

The Purushas deposited seeds in them, and from these were born innumerable universes; of these, one alone is here described.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.213.8)

आदौ जज्ञे महांस्तस्मात्पुंसो वीर्याद्धिरण्मयात् । अहङ्कारस्ततस्तस्माद्गुणाः सत्त्वादयस्त्रयः

ādau jajñe mahāṁstasmātpuṁso vīryāddhiraṇmayāt | ahaṅkārastatastasmādguṇāḥ sattvādayastrayaḥ

First, from the golden seed of that Purusha, Mahat was born; from Mahat came Ahamkara; and from Ahamkara, the three qualities beginning with Sattva.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.213.9)

तमसः पञ्च तन्मात्रा महाभूतानि जज्ञिरे । दशेन्द्रियाणि रजसो बुद्ध्या सह महानसुः

tamasaḥ pañca tanmātrā mahābhūtāni jajñire | daśendriyāṇi rajaso buddhyā saha mahānasuḥ

From Tamas were born the five subtle elements and the great gross elements; from Rajas, the ten senses along with Buddhi and the great vital breath.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.213.10)

सत्त्वादिन्द्रियदेवाश्च जायन्ते स्म मनस्तथा । सामान्यतस्तत्त्वसंज्ञा एते देवाः प्रकीर्त्तिताः

sattvādindriyadevāśca jāyante sma manastathā | sāmānyatastattvasaṁjñā ete devāḥ prakīrttitāḥ

From Sattva were born the presiding deities of the senses, and likewise the mind; these are generally spoken of as the 'principle-deities'.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.213.11)

प्रेरिता वासुदेवेन स्वस्वांशैरैश्वरं वपुः । अजीजनन्विराट्सञ्ज्ञं ते चराचरसंश्रयम्

preritā vāsudevena svasvāṁśairaiśvaraṁ vapuḥ | ajījananvirāṭsañjñaṁ te carācarasaṁśrayam

Impelled by Vasudeva, these, each with their own portion, generated the divine body called Virat, the abode of all moving and unmoving beings.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.213.12)

स च वैराजपुरुषः स्वसृष्टास्वप्स्वशेत यत् । तेन नारायण इति प्रोच्यते निगमादिभिः

sa ca vairājapuruṣaḥ svasṛṣṭāsvapsvaśeta yat | tena nārāyaṇa iti procyate nigamādibhiḥ

And because that Cosmic Person lay upon the waters He Himself had created, He is called 'Narayana' by the Vedas and other scriptures.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.213.13)

तन्नाभिपद्माद्ब्रह्मासीद्राजसोऽथ हृदम्बुजात् । जज्ञे विष्णुः सत्त्वगुणो ललाटात्तामसो हरः

tannābhipadmādbrahmāsīdrājaso'tha hṛdambujāt | jajñe viṣṇuḥ sattvaguṇo lalāṭāttāmaso haraḥ

From the lotus of His navel arose Brahma, of the quality of Rajas; from the lotus of His heart was born Vishnu, of Sattva; and from His forehead, Hara, of Tamas.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.213.14)

एतेभ्य एव स्थानेभ्यस्तिस्र आसंश्च शक्तयः । तत्रासीत्तामसी दुर्गा सावित्री राजसी तथा । सात्त्विकी श्रीश्चेति सर्वा वस्त्रालंकारशोभिताः

etebhya eva sthānebhyastisra āsaṁśca śaktayaḥ | tatrāsīttāmasī durgā sāvitrī rājasī tathā | sāttvikī śrīśceti sarvā vastrālaṁkāraśobhitāḥ

From these same places arose three Shaktis as well: the Tamasic Durga, the Rajasic Savitri, and the Sattvic Shri — all resplendent with garments and ornaments.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.213.15)

ता वैराजाज्ञया त्रींश्च ब्रह्मादीन्प्रतिपेदिरे । दुर्गा रुद्रं च सावित्री ब्रह्माणं विष्णुमन्तिमा

tā vairājājñayā trīṁśca brahmādīnpratipedire | durgā rudraṁ ca sāvitrī brahmāṇaṁ viṣṇumantimā

By the command of the Cosmic Person, these three took up the three: Durga took Rudra, Savitri took Brahma, and the last, Shri, took Vishnu.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.213.16)

चण्डिकाद्याश्च दुर्गाया अंशेनासन्सहस्रशः । त्रयीमुख्याश्च सावित्र्याः शक्तयोंशेन जज्ञिरे । दुस्सहाप्रमुखाश्चासन्नंशेनैव श्रियो मुने

caṇḍikādyāśca durgāyā aṁśenāsansahasraśaḥ | trayīmukhyāśca sāvitryāḥ śaktayoṁśena jajñire | dussahāpramukhāścāsannaṁśenaiva śriyo mune

Chandika and others were born by a portion of Durga, in their thousands; the powers headed by the three Vedas were born by a portion of Savitri; and, O sage, those headed by Dussaha were born by a mere portion of Shri.

Verse 17 (skanda.2.213.17)

तत्रादितो यो ब्रह्मासीद्वैराजनाभिपद्मतः । एकार्णवे तदब्जस्थः स कश्चिदपि नैक्षत

tatrādito yo brahmāsīdvairājanābhipadmataḥ | ekārṇave tadabjasthaḥ sa kaścidapi naikṣata

That Brahma who first arose from the lotus of the navel of the Cosmic Person, seated upon that lotus in the single ocean of dissolution, could see nothing whatsoever.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.213.18)

विसर्गबुद्धिमप्राप्तो नात्मानं च विवेद सः । कोहं कुत इति ध्यायन्नदिदृक्षत्कजाश्रयम्

visargabuddhimaprāpto nātmānaṁ ca viveda saḥ | kohaṁ kuta iti dhyāyannadidṛkṣatkajāśrayam

He had not yet attained the understanding of creation, nor did he know himself; pondering 'Who am I, and whence?', he wished to see the base of the lotus on which he sat.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.213.19)

नालं प्रविश्याऽधो यातुस्तन्मूलं च विचिन्वतः । संवत्सरशतं यातं तस्य नान्तं तु सोलभत्

nālaṁ praviśyā'dho yātustanmūlaṁ ca vicinvataḥ | saṁvatsaraśataṁ yātaṁ tasya nāntaṁ tu solabhat

Entering the stalk and going downward in search of its root, he passed a hundred years, yet he did not find its end.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.213.20)

ऊर्ध्वं पुनरुपेत्याऽथ श्रान्तश्च निषसाद सः । अदृश्यमूर्तिर्भगवानूचे तपतपेति तम्

ūrdhvaṁ punarupetyā'tha śrāntaśca niṣasāda saḥ | adṛśyamūrtirbhagavānūce tapatapeti tam

Then, coming up again and being weary, he sat down; and the Lord, whose form was invisible, said to him: 'Practise austerity, practise austerity.'

Verse 21 (skanda.2.213.21)

तच्छ्रुत्वा तत्प्रवक्तारमदृष्ट्वा च स सर्वतः । गुरूपदिष्टवत्तेपे दिव्यं वर्षसहस्रकम्

tacchrutvā tatpravaktāramadṛṣṭvā ca sa sarvataḥ | gurūpadiṣṭavattepe divyaṁ varṣasahasrakam

Hearing this, and though he saw the speaker nowhere, he performed austerity for a thousand divine years, as though instructed by a guru.

Verse 22 (skanda.2.213.22)

पद्मे तपस्यते तस्मै तपः शुद्धात्मने ततः । समाधौ दर्शयामास धाम वैकुण्ठमच्युतः

padme tapasyate tasmai tapaḥ śuddhātmane tataḥ | samādhau darśayāmāsa dhāma vaikuṇṭhamacyutaḥ

To him who was practising austerity upon the lotus, his self now purified, the Unfallen One showed, in samadhi, the abode of Vaikuntha.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.213.23)

प्राधानिका गुणा यत्र त्रयोपि रजआदयः । न भवन्त्यल्पमपि यत्कालमायाभयं न च

prādhānikā guṇā yatra trayopi rajaādayaḥ | na bhavantyalpamapi yatkālamāyābhayaṁ na ca

There, even the three material qualities beginning with Rajas do not exist even slightly, and there is no fear of Time or Maya.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.213.24)

सहोदितार्कायुतवद्भास्वरे तत्र तेजसि । वासुदेवं ददर्शाऽसौ रम्यदिव्यासिताकृतिम्

sahoditārkāyutavadbhāsvare tatra tejasi | vāsudevaṁ dadarśā'sau ramyadivyāsitākṛtim

There, in that effulgence blazing as if with ten thousand suns risen together, he beheld Vasudeva, of a lovely, divine, dark-hued form.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.213.25)

चतुर्भुजं गदापद्मशंखचक्रधरं विभुम् । पीताम्बरं महारत्नकिरीटादिविभूषणम्

caturbhujaṁ gadāpadmaśaṁkhacakradharaṁ vibhum | pītāmbaraṁ mahāratnakirīṭādivibhūṣaṇam

Four-armed, bearing the mace, lotus, conch, and discus, the all-pervading Lord, clad in yellow garments, adorned with a crown of great jewels.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.213.26)

नन्दतार्क्ष्यादिभिर्ज्जुष्टं पार्षदैश्च चतुर्भुजैः । सिद्धिभिश्चाष्टभिः षड्भिर्बद्धाञ्जलिपुटैर्भगैः

nandatārkṣyādibhirjjuṣṭaṁ pārṣadaiśca caturbhujaiḥ | siddhibhiścāṣṭabhiḥ ṣaḍbhirbaddhāñjalipuṭairbhagaiḥ

Attended by Nanda, Garuda, and others, by four-armed companions, and by the eight Siddhis and the six glories, all standing with joined palms.

Verse 27 (skanda.2.213.27)

सिंहासने श्रिया साकमुपविष्टं तमीश्वरम् । प्रणम्य प्राञ्जलिस्तस्थौ विरिञ्चो हृष्टमानसः

siṁhāsane śriyā sākamupaviṣṭaṁ tamīśvaram | praṇamya prāñjalistasthau viriñco hṛṣṭamānasaḥ

Seated on a lion-throne together with Shri, that Lord — having bowed to Him, Brahma stood with joined palms, his heart filled with joy.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.213.28)

तं प्राह भगवान्ब्रह्मंस्तुष्टोहं तपसा तव । वरं वरय मत्तस्त्वं स्वाभीष्टं यत्प्रियोसि मे

taṁ prāha bhagavānbrahmaṁstuṣṭohaṁ tapasā tava | varaṁ varaya mattastvaṁ svābhīṣṭaṁ yatpriyosi me

The Lord said to him: 'O Brahma, I am pleased with your austerity; choose from Me the boon you desire, for you are dear to Me.'

Verse 29 (skanda.2.213.29)

इत्युक्तस्तेन तं जानंस्तपसि प्रेरकं प्रभुम् । स्वं च विश्वसृजं ब्रह्मा ययाचेऽभिमतं वरम्

ityuktastena taṁ jānaṁstapasi prerakaṁ prabhum | svaṁ ca viśvasṛjaṁ brahmā yayāce'bhimataṁ varam

Thus addressed, and knowing Him to be the Lord who had impelled his austerity and himself to be the creator of the universe, Brahma asked for the boon he desired.

Verse 30 (skanda.2.213.30)

प्रजाविसर्गशक्तिं मे देहि तुभ्यं नमः प्रभो । तत्रापि च न बद्ध्येयं यथा कुरु तथा कृपाम्

prajāvisargaśaktiṁ me dehi tubhyaṁ namaḥ prabho | tatrāpi ca na baddhyeyaṁ yathā kuru tathā kṛpām

'Grant me the power to create beings; homage to You, O Lord. And grant this favour too, that even in that act I should not become bound.'

Verse 31 (skanda.2.213.31)

ततस्तं भगवानूचे सेत्स्यते ते मनोरथः । वैराजेन मयात्मैक्यं भावयित्वा समाधिना । प्रजाः सृजाऽथ स्वासाध्ये कार्ये स्मर्योहमिष्टदः

tatastaṁ bhagavānūce setsyate te manorathaḥ | vairājena mayātmaikyaṁ bhāvayitvā samādhinā | prajāḥ sṛjā'tha svāsādhye kārye smaryohamiṣṭadaḥ

Then the Lord said to him: 'Your desire shall be fulfilled. Meditating in samadhi upon your oneness with the Cosmic Person who is Myself, create beings; and whenever a task proves beyond your power, remember Me, the granter of desires.'

Verse 32 (skanda.2.213.32)

इत्युक्त्वान्तर्दधे विष्णुर्ब्रह्माप्येकसमाधिना । वैराजेनाऽथ लोकान्प्राग्लीनान्सर्वान्स्व ऐक्षत

ityuktvāntardadhe viṣṇurbrahmāpyekasamādhinā | vairājenā'tha lokānprāglīnānsarvānsva aikṣata

Having said this, Vishnu disappeared; and Brahma too, through single-pointed samadhi with the Cosmic Person, beheld within himself all the worlds that had earlier dissolved.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.213.33)

विसर्गशक्तिं संप्राप्य स सर्गाय मनो दधे । ब्रह्मज्योतिर्मयस्तावदादित्यः प्रादुरास ह

visargaśaktiṁ saṁprāpya sa sargāya mano dadhe | brahmajyotirmayastāvadādityaḥ prādurāsa ha

Having obtained the power of creation, he set his mind upon creating; and at once the sun, made of the light of Brahman, came into being.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.213.34)

स्थापयित्वाण्डमध्ये तं ततः स मनसाऽसृजत् । तपोभक्तिविशुद्धेन मुनीनाद्यांश्चतुःसनान्

sthāpayitvāṇḍamadhye taṁ tataḥ sa manasā'sṛjat | tapobhaktiviśuddhena munīnādyāṁścatuḥsanān

Having set that sun within the cosmic egg, he then, with a mind purified by austerity and devotion, mentally created the first sages, the four Sanas.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.213.35)

प्रजाः सृजत चेत्यूचे तांस्तदा ते तु तद्वचः । न जगृहुर्न्नैष्ठिकेन्द्रास्तेभ्यश्चुक्रोध विश्वसृट्

prajāḥ sṛjata cetyūce tāṁstadā te tu tadvacaḥ | na jagṛhurnnaiṣṭhikendrāstebhyaścukrodha viśvasṛṭ

He said to them, 'Create offspring'; but they, foremost among lifelong celibates, did not accept his word, and the Creator of the universe grew angry with them.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.213.36)

क्रुद्धस्य तस्य भालाच्च रुद्र आसीत्तमोमयः । मन्युं नियम्य मनसा प्रजेशान्सोऽसृजत्ततः

kruddhasya tasya bhālācca rudra āsīttamomayaḥ | manyuṁ niyamya manasā prajeśānso'sṛjattataḥ

From the forehead of that angered Brahma arose Rudra, made of Tamas; then, having controlled his wrath by his mind, Brahma created the lords of creatures.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.213.37)

मरीचिमत्रिं पुलहं पुलस्त्यं च भृगुं क्रतुम् । वसिष्ठं कर्दमं चैव दक्षमंगिरसं तथा

marīcimatriṁ pulahaṁ pulastyaṁ ca bhṛguṁ kratum | vasiṣṭhaṁ kardamaṁ caiva dakṣamaṁgirasaṁ tathā

Marichi, Atri, Pulaha, Pulastya, Bhrigu, Kratu, Vasishtha, Kardama, and likewise Daksha and Angiras.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.213.38)

धर्मं ततः स हृदयादधर्मं पृष्ठतस्तथा । मनसः काममास्याच्च वाणीं क्रोधं भ्रुवोऽसृजत्

dharmaṁ tataḥ sa hṛdayādadharmaṁ pṛṣṭhatastathā | manasaḥ kāmamāsyācca vāṇīṁ krodhaṁ bhruvo'sṛjat

Then from his heart he created Dharma, and from his back, Adharma; from his mind, Desire; from his mouth, Speech; and from his brows, Anger.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.213.39)

शौचं तपो दया सत्यमिति धर्मपदानि च । चतुर्भ्यो वदनेभ्यश्च चत्वारि ससृजे ततः

śaucaṁ tapo dayā satyamiti dharmapadāni ca | caturbhyo vadanebhyaśca catvāri sasṛje tataḥ

Purity, austerity, compassion, and truth — these four feet of Dharma he then created from his four mouths.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.213.40)

ऋग्वेदं वदनात्पूर्वाद्यजुर्वेदं च दक्षिणात् । ससर्ज पश्चिमात्साम सौम्याच्चाथर्वसंज्ञितम्

ṛgvedaṁ vadanātpūrvādyajurvedaṁ ca dakṣiṇāt | sasarja paścimātsāma saumyāccātharvasaṁjñitam

From his eastern mouth he created the Rigveda, from the southern the Yajurveda; from the western the Sama, and from the northern the one called Atharva.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.213.41)

इतिहासपुराणानि यज्ञान्विप्रशतं तथा । वस्वादित्यमरुद्विश्वान्साध्यांश्च मुखतोऽसृजत्

itihāsapurāṇāni yajñānvipraśataṁ tathā | vasvādityamarudviśvānsādhyāṁśca mukhato'sṛjat

From his mouths he also created the Itihasas and Puranas, the sacrifices, the hundred classes of Brahmins, and the Vasus, Adityas, Maruts, Vishvas, and Sadhyas.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.213.42)

बाहुभ्यः क्षत्रियशतमूरुभ्यां च विशां शतम् । पद्भ्यां शूद्रशतं चैतान्ससर्ज सह वृत्तिभिः

bāhubhyaḥ kṣatriyaśatamūrubhyāṁ ca viśāṁ śatam | padbhyāṁ śūdraśataṁ caitānsasarja saha vṛttibhiḥ

From his arms he created the hundred classes of Kshatriyas, from his thighs the hundred of Vaishyas, and from his feet the hundred of Shudras — all with their respective occupations.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.213.43)

ब्रह्मचर्यं च हृदयाद्गार्हस्थ्यं जघनस्थलात् । वनाश्रमं तथोरस्तः संन्यासं शिरसोऽसृजत्

brahmacaryaṁ ca hṛdayādgārhasthyaṁ jaghanasthalāt | vanāśramaṁ tathorastaḥ saṁnyāsaṁ śiraso'sṛjat

From his heart he created the student stage, from his loins the householder stage, from his chest the forest-dwelling stage, and from his head, renunciation.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.213.44)

वक्षःस्थलात्पितृगणानसुराञ्जघनस्थलात् । ससर्ज च गुदान्मृत्युं निर्ऋतिं निरयांश्च सः

vakṣaḥsthalātpitṛgaṇānasurāñjaghanasthalāt | sasarja ca gudānmṛtyuṁ nirṛtiṁ nirayāṁśca saḥ

From his chest he created the hosts of ancestors, and from his loins the Asuras; and from his anus he created Death, Nirriti, and the hells.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.213.45)

गन्धर्वांश्चारणान्सिद्धान्सर्पान्यक्षांश्च राक्षसान् । नगान्मेघान्विद्युतश्च समुद्रान्सरितस्तथा

gandharvāṁścāraṇānsiddhānsarpānyakṣāṁśca rākṣasān | nagānmeghānvidyutaśca samudrānsaritastathā

The Gandharvas, Charanas, Siddhas, serpents, Yakshas and Rakshasas; the mountains, clouds, lightnings, oceans, and rivers as well.

Verse 46 (skanda.2.213.46)

वृक्षान्पशून्पक्षिणश्च सर्वान्स्थावरजङ्गमान् । स्वाङ्गेभ्य एव सोस्राक्षीद्ब्रह्मा नारायणात्मकः

vṛkṣānpaśūnpakṣiṇaśca sarvānsthāvarajaṅgamān | svāṅgebhya eva sosrākṣīdbrahmā nārāyaṇātmakaḥ

Trees, beasts, and birds, and all things moving and unmoving — Brahma, one with Narayana, poured forth all these from his own limbs.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.213.47)

सृष्टिमेतां विलोक्यापि नातिप्रीतो यदा तदा । हरिं ध्यात्वा स ससृजे तपोविद्यासमाधिभिः । ऋषीन्स्वायम्भुवादींश्च मनूंश्च मनुजानपि

sṛṣṭimetāṁ vilokyāpi nātiprīto yadā tadā | hariṁ dhyātvā sa sasṛje tapovidyāsamādhibhiḥ | ṛṣīnsvāyambhuvādīṁśca manūṁśca manujānapi

Yet, beholding this creation, he was not greatly pleased; then, meditating upon Hari, he created, through austerity, knowledge, and samadhi, the sages headed by Svayambhuva, the Manus, and human beings as well.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.213.48)

ततः प्रीतः स सर्वेषां निवासाय यथोचितम् । स्वर्लोकं च भुवर्लोकं भूर्लोकं समकल्पयत्

tataḥ prītaḥ sa sarveṣāṁ nivāsāya yathocitam | svarlokaṁ ca bhuvarlokaṁ bhūrlokaṁ samakalpayat

Then, pleased, he fashioned Svarloka, Bhuvarloka, and Bhurloka, as fitting dwellings for all of them.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.213.49)

येषां तु यादृशं कर्म प्राक्कालीनं हि तान्विधिः । संस्थाप्य तादृशे स्थाने वृत्तीस्तेषामकल्पयत्

yeṣāṁ tu yādṛśaṁ karma prākkālīnaṁ hi tānvidhiḥ | saṁsthāpya tādṛśe sthāne vṛttīsteṣāmakalpayat

For each being, according to whatever karma had preceded from before, the Creator established it in a corresponding place and ordained a fitting mode of livelihood.

Verse 50 (skanda.2.213.50)

देवानाममृतं नॄणामृषीणां चान्नमोषधीः । यक्षरक्षोसुरव्याघ्रसर्पादीनां सुरामिषम् । चक्लृपे गोमृगादीनां वृत्तिं स यवसादि च

devānāmamṛtaṁ nṝṇāmṛṣīṇāṁ cānnamoṣadhīḥ | yakṣarakṣosuravyāghrasarpādīnāṁ surāmiṣam | caklṛpe gomṛgādīnāṁ vṛttiṁ sa yavasādi ca

For the gods he ordained nectar as food; for men and sages, grain and herbs; for Yakshas, Rakshasas, Asuras, tigers, serpents and the like, wine and flesh; and for cattle and deer, grass and such things.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.213.51)

स देवानां तु विश्वेषां हव्यं वृत्तिमकल्पयत् । अमूर्तानां च मूर्तानां पितॄणां कव्यमेव च

sa devānāṁ tu viśveṣāṁ havyaṁ vṛttimakalpayat | amūrtānāṁ ca mūrtānāṁ pitṝṇāṁ kavyameva ca

For all the gods he ordained oblation as their sustenance, and for the Pitris, both formless and embodied, the ancestral offering.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.213.52)

दुर्गोद्भवानां शक्तीनां तदुपासनतत्परैः । दैत्यरक्षःपिशाचाद्यैर्दत्तं मद्यामिषादि च

durgodbhavānāṁ śaktīnāṁ tadupāsanatatparaiḥ | daityarakṣaḥpiśācādyairdattaṁ madyāmiṣādi ca

For the powers born of Durga, their food is wine, flesh, and the like, offered by Daityas, Rakshasas, Pishachas and others devoted to their worship.

Verse 53 (skanda.2.213.53)

तथा सावित्र्युद्भवानां शक्तीनां तदुपासकैः । दत्तमृष्यादिभिर्यज्ञे मुन्यन्नं चान्नमोषधीः

tathā sāvitryudbhavānāṁ śaktīnāṁ tadupāsakaiḥ | dattamṛṣyādibhiryajñe munyannaṁ cānnamoṣadhīḥ

Likewise, for the powers born of Savitri, their food is the sages' food, grain, and herbs, offered in sacrifice by the sages and other worshippers.

Verse 54 (skanda.2.213.54)

श्रीजातानां च शक्तीनां तदुपास्तिपरायणैः । दत्तं देवासुरनरैः पायसाज्यसितादि च

śrījātānāṁ ca śaktīnāṁ tadupāstiparāyaṇaiḥ | dattaṁ devāsuranaraiḥ pāyasājyasitādi ca

And for the powers born of Shri, their food is milk-pudding, ghee, sugar, and the like, offered by gods, Asuras, and men devoted to their worship.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.213.55)

प्रजापतीनां स पतिस्ततः प्राहाऽखिलाः प्रजाः । इज्या देवाश्च पितरो हव्यकव्यात्मकैर्मखैः

prajāpatīnāṁ sa patistataḥ prāhā'khilāḥ prajāḥ | ijyā devāśca pitaro havyakavyātmakairmakhaiḥ

Then he, the Lord of the Prajapatis, said to all beings: 'The gods and the ancestors are to be worshipped through sacrifices consisting of havya and kavya offerings.'

Verse 56 (skanda.2.213.56)

इष्टाः संपूरयिष्यन्ति ह्येते युष्मन्मनोरथान् । एतान्ये नार्चयिष्यन्ति ते वै निरयगामिनः

iṣṭāḥ saṁpūrayiṣyanti hyete yuṣmanmanorathān | etānye nārcayiṣyanti te vai nirayagāminaḥ

'Being worshipped, these will surely fulfil your desires; but those who do not worship them will indeed go to hell.'

Verse 57 (skanda.2.213.57)

इत्थं कृता हि मर्यादा तेन नारायणात्मना । दैवं पित्र्यमतो नित्यं जनैः कार्यं यथाविधि

itthaṁ kṛtā hi maryādā tena nārāyaṇātmanā | daivaṁ pitryamato nityaṁ janaiḥ kāryaṁ yathāvidhi

Thus was this ordinance established by him who is one with Narayana; therefore the rites owed to gods and ancestors must always be duly performed by men.

Verse 58 (skanda.2.213.58)

ततो ब्रह्मा स सर्वेषां धर्मसेत्ववनाय च । तत्तज्जातिषु ये मुख्यास्तान्मनूंश्चाप्यतिष्ठिपत्

tato brahmā sa sarveṣāṁ dharmasetvavanāya ca | tattajjātiṣu ye mukhyāstānmanūṁścāpyatiṣṭhipat

Then Brahma, for the protection of the bounds of dharma for all, established as Manus those who were foremost in their respective classes.

Verse 59 (skanda.2.213.59)

वासुदेवेच्छयैवेत्थं वैराजाद्ब्रह्मरूपिणः । कल्पेकल्पे भवत्येव सृष्टिर्बहुविधा मुने

vāsudevecchayaivetthaṁ vairājādbrahmarūpiṇaḥ | kalpekalpe bhavatyeva sṛṣṭirbahuvidhā mune

Thus, O sage, by the will of Vasudeva alone, manifold creation comes forth, again and again, in every kalpa, from the Cosmic Person in the form of Brahma.

Verse 60 (skanda.2.213.60)

प्राक्कल्पे यादृशी संज्ञा वेदाः शास्त्राणि च क्रियाः । कल्पेऽन्ये तादृशाः सर्वे धर्माः स्युश्चाऽधिकारिणः

prākkalpe yādṛśī saṁjñā vedāḥ śāstrāṇi ca kriyāḥ | kalpe'nye tādṛśāḥ sarve dharmāḥ syuścā'dhikāriṇaḥ

Whatever the names, Vedas, scriptures, and rites were in the previous kalpa, all the same duties and their rightful performers come to be again in another kalpa.

Verse 61 (skanda.2.213.61)

विष्णुर्यः कथितः सोपि वैराजपुरुषात्मकः । पोषयत्यखिलाँल्लोकान्मर्यादाः परिपालयन्

viṣṇuryaḥ kathitaḥ sopi vairājapuruṣātmakaḥ | poṣayatyakhilā̃llokānmaryādāḥ paripālayan

That Vishnu who has been spoken of is likewise one with the Cosmic Person; He nourishes all the worlds, ever protecting their established bounds.

Verse 62 (skanda.2.213.62)

मन्वादिभिः पाल्यमानाः सेतवस्त्वसुरैर्यदा । कामरूपैर्विभिद्यन्ते वासुदेवस्तदा स्वयम् । ब्रह्मादिभिः प्रार्थ्यमानः प्रादुर्भवति भूतले

manvādibhiḥ pālyamānāḥ setavastvasurairyadā | kāmarūpairvibhidyante vāsudevastadā svayam | brahmādibhiḥ prārthyamānaḥ prādurbhavati bhūtale

But when the bounds guarded by the Manus and others are broken by Asuras who assume forms at will, then Vasudeva Himself, entreated by Brahma and the other gods, becomes manifest on earth.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.213.63)

अवतारा भगवतो भूता भाव्याश्च सन्ति ये । कर्तुं न शक्यते तेषां संख्यां संख्याविशारदैः

avatārā bhagavato bhūtā bhāvyāśca santi ye | kartuṁ na śakyate teṣāṁ saṁkhyāṁ saṁkhyāviśāradaiḥ

The incarnations of the Lord, past and yet to come, are such that even those skilled in reckoning cannot number them.

Verse 64 (skanda.2.213.64)

सद्धर्मदेवसाधूनां गुप्त्यै तद्द्रोहिमृत्यवे । श्रेयसे सर्वभूतानामाविर्भावोस्ति सत्पतेः

saddharmadevasādhūnāṁ guptyai taddrohimṛtyave | śreyase sarvabhūtānāmāvirbhāvosti satpateḥ

The manifestation of the Lord of the righteous comes about for the protection of true dharma, the gods, and the saints; for the destruction of their enemies; and for the good of all beings.

Verse 65 (skanda.2.213.65)

स वासुदेवः प्रकृतौ पुंसि कार्येषु चैतयोः । अन्वितश्च पृथक्चास्ते सर्वाधीशः स्वधामनि

sa vāsudevaḥ prakṛtau puṁsi kāryeṣu caitayoḥ | anvitaśca pṛthakcāste sarvādhīśaḥ svadhāmani

That Vasudeva, the Lord of all, present within Prakriti, within Purusha, and within the effects of both, yet also remains apart from them, dwelling in His own abode.

Verse 66 (skanda.2.213.66)

व्याप्य स्वांशैरिमाँल्लोकान्यथाग्निवरुणादयः । स्वस्त्यासते स्वस्वलोके तथैष भगवान्मुने

vyāpya svāṁśairimā̃llokānyathāgnivaruṇādayaḥ | svastyāsate svasvaloke tathaiṣa bhagavānmune

Just as Fire, Varuna, and the other gods, pervading these worlds with a portion of themselves, dwell securely each in his own world, so too, O sage, does this Lord.

Verse 67 (skanda.2.213.67)

सर्गात्प्राक्सच्चिदानन्दः शुद्ध एकश्च निर्गुणः । यथासीत्तादृगेवासावन्वितोप्यस्ति निर्मलः

sargātprāksaccidānandaḥ śuddha ekaśca nirguṇaḥ | yathāsīttādṛgevāsāvanvitopyasti nirmalaḥ

As He was before creation — existence, consciousness, and bliss, pure, one, without qualities — just so does He remain, stainless, even while pervading all things.

Verse 68 (skanda.2.213.68)

वायुतेजोजलक्ष्मासु तत्तत्कार्येषु खं यथा । अन्वीयाप्यस्ति निर्लेपं यथा पूर्वं तथैष हि

vāyutejojalakṣmāsu tattatkāryeṣu khaṁ yathā | anvīyāpyasti nirlepaṁ yathā pūrvaṁ tathaiṣa hi

Just as space, though present within air, fire, water, and earth and their various effects, remains untouched, exactly as it was before — so indeed is He.

Verse 69 (skanda.2.213.69)

सर्वोपास्यो नियन्ता च व्यापकश्चैष कीर्तितः । आत्यन्तिके लयेऽथैष भवत्येव यथा पुरा

sarvopāsyo niyantā ca vyāpakaścaiṣa kīrtitaḥ | ātyantike laye'thaiṣa bhavatyeva yathā purā

He is declared to be worthy of worship by all, the controller, and the all-pervading one; and at the final dissolution He remains exactly as He was before.

Verse 70 (skanda.2.213.70)

वैराजः पुरुषो योऽत्र प्रोक्तोऽसावीश्वराभिधः । ज्ञेयः स्वतन्त्रः सर्वज्ञो वश्यमायश्च नारद

vairājaḥ puruṣo yo'tra prokto'sāvīśvarābhidhaḥ | jñeyaḥ svatantraḥ sarvajño vaśyamāyaśca nārada

That Cosmic Person who has here been spoken of is called Ishvara; know him, O Narada, to be independent, all-knowing, and one who has Maya under his control.

Verse 71 (skanda.2.213.71)

एतस्यैव स्वरूपाणि ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवास्त्रयः । रजआदिगुणोपेताः स्वगुणानुगुणक्रियाः

etasyaiva svarūpāṇi brahmaviṣṇuśivāstrayaḥ | rajaādiguṇopetāḥ svaguṇānuguṇakriyāḥ

Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, these three, are forms of this very Ishvara, endowed with the qualities beginning with Rajas, their activities corresponding to their respective qualities.

Verse 72 (skanda.2.213.72)

ब्रह्मणो ये समुत्पन्ना देवासुरनरादयः । ते जीवसंज्ञा ह्यल्पज्ञाः परतन्त्रा भवन्ति च

brahmaṇo ye samutpannā devāsuranarādayaḥ | te jīvasaṁjñā hyalpajñāḥ paratantrā bhavanti ca

The gods, Asuras, men and others who have arisen from Brahma are called jivas; they are of limited knowledge and dependent on another.

Verse 73 (skanda.2.213.73)

जीवानामीश्वराणां च तनवः क्षेत्रसञ्ज्ञकाः । महदादितत्त्वमय्यः क्षेत्रज्ञाख्यास्तु तद्विदः

jīvānāmīśvarāṇāṁ ca tanavaḥ kṣetrasañjñakāḥ | mahadāditattvamayyaḥ kṣetrajñākhyāstu tadvidaḥ

The bodies of the jivas and of the Ishvaras, composed of the principles beginning with Mahat, are called the 'field'; the knowers of the field are called the 'field-knowers'.

Verse 74 (skanda.2.213.74)

क्षेत्राणां च क्षेत्रविदां प्रधानपुरुषस्य च । मायायाः कालशक्तेश्चाऽक्षरस्य च परात्मनः । पृथक्पृथग्लक्षणैर्यज्ज्ञानं तज्ज्ञानमुच्यते

kṣetrāṇāṁ ca kṣetravidāṁ pradhānapuruṣasya ca | māyāyāḥ kālaśakteścā'kṣarasya ca parātmanaḥ | pṛthakpṛthaglakṣaṇairyajjñānaṁ tajjñānamucyate

That knowledge by which the fields, the field-knowers, Pradhana, Purusha, Maya, the power of Time, and the Imperishable Supreme Self are each distinguished by their own particular characteristics — that indeed is called true knowledge.