The Glory of Chakra-tirtha: The Gandharva Sundara

Verse 1 (skanda.2.24.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः । भगवन्राक्षसः कोऽसौ सूत पौराणिकोत्तम । विष्णुभक्तं महात्मानं यो ब्राह्मणमबाधत ।

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ bhagavanrākṣasaḥ ko'sau sūta paurāṇikottama viṣṇubhaktaṁ mahātmānaṁ yo brāhmaṇamabādhata

The sages said: O blessed Suta, best of the tellers of Puranas! Who was that demon who assailed the great-souled brahmin devotee of Vishnu?

Verse 2 (skanda.2.24.2)

श्रीसूत उवाच । वक्ष्यामि राक्षसं क्रूरं तं विप्राः शृणुतादरात् । यथा च राक्षसो जातो मुनीनां शापवैभवात् ।

śrīsūta uvāca vakṣyāmi rākṣasaṁ krūraṁ taṁ viprāḥ śṛṇutādarāt yathā ca rākṣaso jāto munīnāṁ śāpavaibhavāt

Shri Suta said: O brahmins, listen with reverence, and I shall tell you of that cruel demon — how he came to be a demon through the power of a sage's curse.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.24.3)

पुरा वैकुण्ठसदृशे श्रीरङ्गे विष्णुमंदिरे । वसिष्ठात्रिमुखाः सर्वे विष्णुभक्ता महौजसः ।

purā vaikuṇṭhasadṛśe śrīraṁge viṣṇumaṁdire vasiṣṭhātrimukhāḥ sarve viṣṇubhaktā mahaujasaḥ

In ancient times, in the temple of Vishnu at Shri Ranga, resembling Vaikuntha itself, all the mighty devotees of Vishnu headed by Vasishtha and Atri —

Verse 4 (skanda.2.24.4)

श्रीरङ्गनाथं देवेशं भक्तानामभयप्रदम् । उपासांचक्रिरे मुक्त्यै श्रीरङ्गपुरवासिनः ।

śrīraṁganāthaṁ deveśaṁ bhaktānāmabhayapradam upāsāṁcakrire muktyai śrīraṁgapuravāsinaḥ

— dwelling in the city of Shri Ranga, worshipped Shriranganatha, lord of the gods, giver of fearlessness to his devotees, in pursuit of liberation.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.24.5)

कदाचित्तत्र गन्धर्वो वीरबाहुसुतो बली । सुन्दरो नाम विप्रेंद्रा विटगोष्ठीपरायणः ।

kadācittatra gaṁdharvo vīrabāhusuto balī suṁdaro nāma viprendrā viṭagoṣṭhīparāyaṇaḥ

O lords of brahmins, once there dwelt a mighty gandharva, son of Virabahu, named Sundara, who was given over to the company of libertines.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.24.6)

ललनाशतसंयुक्तो विवस्त्रः सलिलाशये । चिक्रीड स विवस्त्राभिः साकं युवतिभिर्मुदा ।

lalanāśatasaṁyukto vivastraḥ salilāśaye cikrīḍa sa vivastrābhiḥ sākaṁ yuvatibhirmudā

Joined with a hundred women, unclad in the water, he sported joyfully there with those unclad young women.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.24.7)

कवेरजायास्तीर्थे तु वसिष्ठो मुनिभिः सह । माध्याह्निकं कर्तुमना ययौ श्रीरंगमंदिरात् ।

kaverajāyāstīrthe tu vasiṣṭho munibhiḥ saha mādhyāhnikaṁ kartumanā yayau śrīraṁgamaṁdirāt

At that time, sage Vasishtha, together with other sages, set out from the Shri Ranga temple toward the tirtha of Kaveri's daughter, intending to perform his midday rites.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.24.8)

तानृषीनवलोक्याथ रामास्ता भयकातराः । वासांस्याच्छादयामासुः सुन्दरो न तु साहसी ।

tānṛṣīnavalokyātha rāmāstā bhayakātarāḥ vāsāṁsyācchādayāmāsuḥ sundaro na tu sāhasī

On seeing those sages, the women, terrified, quickly covered themselves with their garments, but Sundara made no such effort.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.24.9)

ततो वसिष्ठः कुपितः शशापैनं गतत्रपम् ।

tato vasiṣṭhaḥ kupitaḥ śaśāpainaṁ gatatrapam

Then Vasishtha, enraged, cursed that shameless Sundara.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.24.10)

वसिष्ठ उवाच । यस्मात्सुन्दर गन्धर्व दृष्ट्वाऽस्माँल्लज्जया त्वया । वासो नाच्छादितं शीघ्रं याहि राक्षसतां ततः ।

vasiṣṭha uvāca yasmātsuṁdara gaṁdharva dṛṣṭvā'smāṁllajjayā tvayā vāso nācchāditaṁ śīghraṁ yāhi rākṣasatāṁ tataḥ

Vasishtha said: O gandharva Sundara, since you, on seeing us, did not quickly cover yourself out of modesty, therefore go now and become a demon.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.24.11)

एवमुक्ते वसिष्ठेन रामाः प्राञ्जलयस्तदा । प्रणिपत्य वसिष्ठं तं भक्तिनम्रेण चेतसा ।

evamukte vasiṣṭhena rāmāḥ prāñjalayastadā praṇipatya vasiṣṭhaṁ taṁ bhaktinamreṇa cetasā

When Vasishtha had spoken thus, those women, with joined palms, bowing to Vasishtha with hearts humbled in devotion —

Verse 12 (skanda.2.24.12)

मुनिमण्डलमध्ये तु वसिष्ठमिदमब्रुवन् ।

munimaṁḍalamadhye tu vasiṣṭhamidamabruvan

— spoke thus to Vasishtha in the midst of the assembly of sages.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.24.13)

रामा ऊचुः । भगवन्सर्वधर्मज्ञ चतुरानननन्दन । दयासिन्धोऽवलोक्यास्मान्न कोपं कर्तुमर्हसि ।

rāmā ūcuḥ bhagavansarvadharmajña caturānananandana dayāsindho'valokyāsmānna kopaṁ kartumarhasi

The women said: O blessed one, knower of all dharma, son of four-faced Brahma, ocean of compassion! You should not, having seen us, give way to anger.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.24.14)

पतिरेव हि नारीणां भूषणं परमुच्यते । पतिहीना तु या नारी शतपुत्रापि सा मुने ।

patireva hi nārīṇāṁ bhūṣaṇaṁ paramucyate patihīnā tu yā nārī śataputrāpi sā mune

A husband alone is called a woman's supreme ornament; O sage, the woman who is without a husband, even if she has a hundred sons —

Verse 15 (skanda.2.24.15)

विधवेत्युच्यते लोके तासां जन्म निरर्थकम् । तत्प्रसादं कुरु मुने पत्यावस्माकमादरात् ।

vidhavetyucyate loke tāsāṁ janma nirarthakam tatprasādaṁ kuru mune patyāvasmākamādarāt

— is called a widow in this world, and her birth becomes fruitless. Therefore, O sage, show your grace to our husband, out of regard for us.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.24.16)

एकोऽपराधः क्षंतव्यो मुनिभिस्तत्त्वदर्शिभिः । क्षमां कुरु दयासिन्धो युष्मच्छिष्येऽत्र सुन्दरे ।

eko'parādhaḥ kṣaṁtavyo munibhistattvadarśibhiḥ kṣamāṁ kuru dayāsindho yuṣmacchiṣye'tra sundare

A single offense ought to be forgiven by sages who perceive the truth; O ocean of compassion, forgive Sundara here, who is your own disciple.

Verse 17 (skanda.2.24.17)

श्रीसूत उवाच । वसिष्ठः प्रार्थितस्त्वेवं सुन्दरस्यांगनाजनैः । प्रोवाच वचनं भूयः प्रसन्नः स द्विजोत्तमः ।

śrīsūta uvāca vasiṣṭhaḥ prārthitastvevaṁ sundarasyāṁganājanaiḥ provāca vacanaṁ bhūyaḥ prasannaḥ sa dvijottamaḥ

Shri Suta said: Thus entreated by Sundara's womenfolk, that excellent brahmin Vasishtha, becoming gracious, spoke again these words.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.24.18)

वसिष्ठ उवाच । न मे स्याद्वचनं मिथ्या कदाचिदपि सुभ्रुवः । उपायं वः प्रवक्ष्यामि शृणुध्वं श्रद्धया सह ।

vasiṣṭha uvāca na me syādvacanaṁ mithyā kadācidapi subhruvaḥ upāyaṁ vaḥ pravakṣyāmi śṛṇudhvaṁ śraddhayā saha

Vasishtha said: O fair-browed women, my word can never be false at any time; but I shall tell you a remedy — listen with faith.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.24.19)

षोडशाब्दावधिः शापो भर्तुर्वै भविता ध्रुवम् । षोडशाब्दावधौ चैव सुन्दरो राक्षसाकृतिः ।

ṣoḍaśābdāvadhiḥ śāpo bharturvai bhavitā dhruvam ṣoḍaśābdāvadhau caiva sundaro rākṣasākṛtiḥ

Your husband's curse shall certainly last for a period of sixteen years; for those sixteen years alone will Sundara remain in the form of a demon.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.24.20)

यदृच्छया वेंकटाद्रिं सर्वपापहरं शुभम् । गत्वासौ चक्रतीर्थं तद्गमिष्यति सुरांगनाः ।

yadṛcchayā veṁkaṭādriṁ sarvapāpaharaṁ śubham gatvāsau cakratīrthaṁ tadgamiṣyati surāṁganāḥ

Of his own accord he shall go to the auspicious Venkatadri, which removes all sin, and from there proceed to the Chakra-tirtha, frequented even by celestial maidens.

Verse 21 (skanda.2.24.21)

आस्ते तत्र महायोगी पद्मनाभो मुनीश्वरः । भक्षार्थं तं मुनिं सोऽयं राक्षसोऽभिगमिष्यति ।

āste tatra mahāyogī padmanābho munīśvaraḥ bhakṣārthaṁ taṁ muniṁ so'yaṁ rākṣaso'bhigamiṣyati

There dwells the great yogi, the lord of sages, Padmanabha; this demon shall go there to devour that very sage.

Verse 22 (skanda.2.24.22)

ततो ब्राह्मणरक्षार्थ प्रेरितं चक्रमुत्तमम् । विष्णुनास्य शिरः कायाद्धरिष्यति न संशयः ।

tato brāhmaṇarakṣārtha preritaṁ cakramuttamam viṣṇunāsya śiraḥ kāyāddhariṣyati na saṁśayaḥ

Then, for the protection of that brahmin, the supreme discus, sent forth by Vishnu, shall undoubtedly sever his head from his body.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.24.23)

ततः स्वं रूपमासाद्य शापान्मुक्तः स सुन्दरः । पतिर्वस्त्रिदिवं भूयो गन्ता नास्त्यत्र संशयः ।

tataḥ svaṁ rūpamāsādya śāpānmuktaḥ sa sundaraḥ pativastridivaṁ bhūyo gaṁtā nāstyatra saṁśayaḥ

Then, regaining his own form, freed from the curse, that Sundara, your husband, shall go once again to heaven — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.24.24)

ततस्त्रिदिवमासाद्य सुन्दरोऽयं पतिर्हि वः । रमयिष्यति सुन्दर्यो युष्मान्सुन्दरवेषभृत् ।

tatastridivamāsādya sundaro'yaṁ patirhi vaḥ ramayiṣyati suṁdaryo yuṣmānsuṁdaraveṣabhṛt

Then, having attained heaven, this Sundara, your husband, wearing once more his beautiful form, shall bring you, his lovely wives, delight.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.24.25)

श्रीसूत उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा तु वसिष्ठस्ताः सुन्दरस्य वरांगनाः । स्वाश्रमं प्रययौ तूर्णं श्रीरंगेश्वरभक्तिमान् ।

śrīsūta uvāca ityuktvā tu vasiṣṭhastāḥ sundarasya varāṁganāḥ svāśramaṁ prayayau tūrṇaṁ śrīraṁgeśvarabhaktimān

Shri Suta said: Having thus spoken to Sundara's excellent wives, Vasishtha, devoted to the lord of Shri Ranga, swiftly returned to his own hermitage.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.24.26)

अथ रामास्तमालिंग्य सुन्दरं पतिमात्मनः । रुरुदुः शोकसन्तप्ता दुःखसागरमध्यगाः ।

atha rāmāstamāliṁgya sundaraṁ patimātmanaḥ ruruduḥ śokasaṁtaptā duḥkhasāgaramadhyagāḥ

Then those women, embracing their husband Sundara, wept, scorched by grief, as if plunged into an ocean of sorrow.

Verse 27 (skanda.2.24.27)

दृश्यमानासु तास्वेवं सुन्दरो राक्षसोऽभवत् । महादंष्ट्रो महाकायो रक्तश्मश्रुशिरोरुहः ।

dṛśyamānāsu tāsvevaṁ sundaro rākṣaso'bhavat mahādaṁṣṭro mahākāyo raktaśmaśruśiroruhaḥ

Even as they watched, Sundara turned into a demon — with huge fangs, an enormous body, and red beard, moustache, and hair.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.24.28)

तं दृष्ट्वा भयसंविग्ना जग्मू रामास्त्रिविष्टपम् । ततो राक्षसवेषोऽयं सुंदरी भैरवाकृतिः ।

taṁ dṛṣṭvā bhayasaṁvignā jagmū rāmāstriviṣṭapam tato rākṣasaveṣo'yaṁ suṁdarī bhairavākṛtiḥ

Seeing him, the women, overcome with terror, departed for heaven; and thus that Sundara, now in a demon's dreadful guise —

Verse 29 (skanda.2.24.29)

भक्षयन्प्राणिनः सर्वान्देशाद्देशं वनाद्वनम् । भ्रमन्ननिलवेगोऽयं वेंकटाद्रिं नगोत्तमम् ।

bhakṣayanprāṇinaḥ sarvāndeśāddeśaṁ vanādvanam bhramannanilavego'yaṁ veṁkaṭādriṁ nagottamam

— devouring all living creatures, wandering with the speed of the wind from land to land and forest to forest, at last reached that finest of mountains, Venkatadri —

Verse 30 (skanda.2.24.30)

प्रविश्यासौ महापापी चक्रतीर्थं ततो ययौ । एवं षोडशवर्षाणि भ्रमतोऽस्य ययुस्तदा ।

praviśyāsau mahāpāpī cakratīrthaṁ tato yayau evaṁ ṣoḍaśavarṣāṇi bhramato'sya yayustadā

— that greatly sinful one entered, and then went on to Chakra-tirtha; thus, wandering in this way, sixteen years passed for him.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.24.31)

ततस्तु षोडशाब्दान्ते राक्षसोऽयं मुनीश्वराः । भक्षितुं पद्मनाभं तं चक्रतीर्थनिवासिनम् ।

tatastu ṣoḍaśābdānte rākṣaso'yaṁ munīśvarāḥ bhakṣituṁ padmanābhaṁ taṁ cakratīrthanivāsinam

O lords of sages, then at the end of the sixteen years, this demon, to devour Padmanabha who dwelt by Chakra-tirtha —

Verse 32 (skanda.2.24.32)

उपाद्रवद्वायुवेगः सचास्तौषीज्जनार्दनम् । योगिना च स्तुतो विष्णुस्तदा चक्रमचोदयत् ।

upādravadvāyuvegaḥ sacāstauṣījjanārdanam yoginā ca stuto viṣṇustadā cakramacodayat

— attacked with the speed of the wind; then Padmanabha praised Janardana, and Vishnu, thus praised by the yogi, urged forth his discus.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.24.33)

रक्षितुं पद्मनाभं तं राक्षसेन प्रपीडितम् । अथागत्य हरेश्चक्रं राक्षसस्य शिरोऽहरत् ।

rakṣituṁ padmanābhaṁ taṁ rākṣasena prapīḍitam athāgatya hareścakraṁ rākṣasasya śiro'harat

— in order to save Padmanabha, who was sorely afflicted by the demon; then, arriving there, Hari's discus severed the demon's head.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.24.34)

ततोऽयं राक्षसं देहं त्यक्त्वा दिव्यकलेवरः । विमानवरमारुह्य सुन्दरः पुष्पवर्षितः ।

tato'yaṁ rākṣasaṁ dehaṁ tyaktvā divyakalevaraḥ vimānavaramāruhya sundaraḥ puṣpavarṣitaḥ

Then Sundara, casting off his demonic body and assuming a divine form, mounted an excellent celestial chariot, showered with flowers —

Verse 35 (skanda.2.24.35)

प्राञ्जलिः प्रणतो भूत्वा ववंदे तत्सुदर्शनम् । तुष्टाव श्रुतिरम्याभिर्वाग्भिरग्र्याभिरादरात् ।

prāñjaliḥ praṇato bhūtvā vavaṁde tatsudarśanam tuṣṭāva śrutiramyābhirvāgbhiragryābhirādarāt

— with joined palms, bowing down, worshipped that Sudarshana, and praised it with reverence, in words as sweet and excellent as scripture.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.24.36)

सुन्दर उवाच । सुदर्शन नमस्तेऽस्तु विष्णुहस्तैकभूषण । नमस्तेऽसुरसंहर्त्रे सहस्रादित्यतेजसे ।

sundara uvāca sudarśana namaste'stu viṣṇuhastaikabhūṣaṇa namaste'surasaṁhartre sahasrādityatejase

Sundara said: Salutation to you, O Sudarshana, sole ornament of Vishnu's hand! Salutation to you, destroyer of demons, radiant as a thousand suns!

Verse 37 (skanda.2.24.37)

कृपावेशेन भवतस्त्यक्वाहं राक्षसीं तनुम् । स्वं रूपमभजं विष्णोश्चक्रायुध नमोऽस्तु ते ।

kṛpāveśena bhavatastyaktvāhaṁ rākṣasīṁ tanum svaṁ rūpamabhajaṁ viṣṇościakrāyudha namo'stu te

By the force of your grace I have cast off my demonic body and regained my own form; salutation to you, O discus weapon of Vishnu!

Verse 38 (skanda.2.24.38)

अनुजानीहि मां गंतुं त्रिदिवं विष्णुवल्लभ । भार्या मे परिशोचन्ति विरहातुरचेतसः ।

anujānīhi māṁ gaṁtuṁ tridivaṁ viṣṇuvallabha bhāryā me pariśocaṁti virahāturacetasaḥ

O beloved of Vishnu, grant me leave to go to heaven; my wives grieve, their hearts tormented by separation.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.24.39)

त्वन्मनस्को भविष्यामि यावज्जीवं यथा ह्यहम् । तथा रूपं कुरुष्व त्वं मयि चक्र नमोऽस्तु ते ।

tvanmanasko bhaviṣyāmi yāvajjīvaṁ yathā hyaham tathā rūpaṁ kuruṣva tvaṁ mayi cakra namo'stu te

For as long as I live I shall keep my mind fixed upon you; O discus, be gracious to me accordingly — salutation to you.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.24.40)

एवं स्तुतं विष्णुचक्रं सुन्दरेण सभक्तिकम् । अनुजग्राह सहसा तथास्त्विति मुनीश्वराः ।

evaṁ stutaṁ viṣṇucakraṁ sundareṇa sabhaktikam anujagrāha sahasā tathāstviti munīśvarāḥ

O lords of sages, the discus of Vishnu, thus devotedly praised by Sundara, at once graciously granted him his wish, saying, "So be it."

Verse 41 (skanda.2.24.41)

चक्रायुधाभ्यनुज्ञातः सुन्दरो ब्राह्मणोत्तमम् । प्रणम्य तेनानुज्ञातो गन्धर्वस्त्रिदिवं ययौ ।

cakrāyudhābhyanujñātaḥ sundaro brāhmaṇottamam praṇamya tenānujñāto gaṁdharvastridivaṁ yayau

Given leave by the discus weapon, Sundara bowed to the excellent brahmin, and having received his leave as well, that gandharva departed for heaven.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.24.42)

सुन्दरे तु गते स्वर्गं पद्मनाभो मुनीश्वरः । तच्चक्रं प्रार्थयामास विष्ण्वायुध नमोऽस्तु ते ।

sundare tu gate svargaṁ padmanābho munīśvaraḥ taccakraṁ prārthayāmāsa viṣṇvāyudha namo'stu te

When Sundara had gone to heaven, the lord of sages Padmanabha entreated that discus: "O weapon of Vishnu, salutation to you.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.24.43)

चक्रायुध नमामि त्वां महासुरविमर्दन । सन्निधानं कुरुष्व त्वं चक्रतीर्थेऽमले शुभे ।

cakrāyudha namāmi tvāṁ mahāsuravimardana sannidhānaṁ kuruṣva tvaṁ cakratīrthe'male śubhe

O discus weapon, crusher of great demons, I bow to you. Establish your presence here in this pure and auspicious Chakra-tirtha.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.24.44)

त्वत्सन्निधानात्सर्वेषां स्नातानां पापिनामिह । पापनाशं कुरुष्व त्वं मोक्षं च कुरु शाश्वतम् ।

tvatsannidhānātsarveṣāṁ snātānāṁ pāpināmiha pāpanāśaṁ kuruṣva tvaṁ mokṣaṁ ca kuru śāśvatam

By your presence, destroy the sins of all sinners who bathe here, and grant them eternal liberation.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.24.45)

चक्रतीर्थमिति ख्यातिं लोकेऽस्य परिकल्पय । त्वत्सन्निधानादत्रत्यमुनीनां भयनाशनम् ।

cakratīrthamiti khyātiṁ loke'sya parikalpaya tvatsannidhānādatratyamunīnāṁ bhayanāśanam

Establish for this place a renown in the world as 'Chakra-tirtha'; by your presence may the fear of the sages dwelling here be destroyed.

Verse 46 (skanda.2.24.46)

इतः परं भवत्वार्य चक्रायुध नमोऽस्तु ते । भूतप्रेतपिशाचेभ्यो भयं मा भवतु प्रभो ।

itaḥ paraṁ bhavatvārya cakrāyudha namo'stu te bhūtapretapiśācebhyo bhayaṁ mā bhavatu prabho

O noble one, let it be so from now on; salutation to you, O discus weapon! O lord, may there be no fear from spirits, ghosts, or demons."

Verse 47 (skanda.2.24.47)

इति सम्प्रार्थितं चक्रं पद्मनाभेन योगिना । तथैवास्त्विति सम्भाष्य तस्मिंस्तीर्थे तिरोहितम् ।

iti samprārthitaṁ cakraṁ padmanābhena yoginā tathaivāstviti sambhāṣya tasmiṁstīrthe tirohitam

Thus entreated by the yogi Padmanabha, that discus, saying "So be it," disappeared into that very tirtha.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.24.48)

श्रीसूत उवाच । एवं वः कथितं विप्रा राक्षसस्योद्भवे मया । माहात्म्यं चक्रतीर्थस्य कथितं च मलापहम् ।

śrīsūta uvāca evaṁ vaḥ kathitaṁ viprā rākṣasasyodbhave mayā māhātmyaṁ cakratīrthasya kathitaṁ ca malāpaham

Shri Suta said: O brahmins, thus have I told you the tale of the demon's origin, and have also declared the sin-removing glory of Chakra-tirtha.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.24.49)

यच्छुत्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मुच्यते मानवो भुवि ।

yacchrutvā sarvapāpebhyo mucyate mānavo bhuvi

Hearing which, a man on this earth is freed from all sins.