The Appearance of Suvarnamukhari

Verse 1 (skanda.2.32.1)

भरद्वाज उवाच । स कदाचिन्मुनिवरः कृतपौर्वाह्निकक्रियः । विवेश देवतागारं समाराधयितुं शिवम् ।

bharadvāja uvāca sa kadācinmunivaraḥ kṛtapaurvāhnikakriyaḥ viveśa devatāgāraṁ samārādhayituṁ śivam

Bharadvaja said: Once that excellent sage, having performed his morning rites, entered the temple of the deity to worship Shiva.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.32.2)

अदृश्यरूपा वाग्देवी तत्राश्रावि महात्मना । तेनाद्भुतोपपन्नेन व्यक्तवर्णसमुज्ज्वला ।

adṛśyarūpā vāgdevī tatrāśrāvi mahātmanā tenādbhutopapannena vyaktavarṇasamujjvalā

There the goddess of speech, invisible in form, was heard by that great soul, resonant with distinct and radiant syllables, accompanied by a wondrous phenomenon.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.32.3)

आकाशवाण्युवाचैनमगस्त्यं जपतां वरम् । नदीहीनो ह्ययं देशः प्रसिद्धोऽपि न शोभते ।

ākāśavāṇyuvācainamagastyaṁ japatāṁ varam nadīhīno hyayaṁ deśaḥ prasiddho'pi na śobhate

The voice from the sky said to him, to Agastya, foremost of those who chant mantras: "This land, though renowned, lacking a river, does not shine,

Verse 4 (skanda.2.32.4)

ज्ञानविज्ञानविमुखः साकार इव भूसुरः । दीक्षेव दक्षिणाहीना ज्योत्स्नाहीनेव शर्वरी ।

jñānavijñānavimukhaḥ sākāra iva bhūsuraḥ dīkṣeva dakṣiṇāhīnā jyotsnāhīneva śarvarī

like a brahmin who has the mere outward form but is averse to knowledge and true understanding, like an initiation lacking its ritual fee, like a night without moonlight.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.32.5)

न विभाति नदीहीना पृथ्वीयं भूसुरोत्तम । प्रवर्तय नदीं काञ्चिल्लोकानां हितकाम्यया ।

na vibhāti nadīhīnā pṛthvīyaṁ bhūsurottama pravartaya nadīṁ kāñcillokānāṁ hitakāmyayā

This earth, O foremost of brahmins, lacking a river, does not shine. Set flowing some river, for the sake of the welfare of all beings,

Verse 6 (skanda.2.32.6)

अगाधदुरितोद्भूतभीतिमोचनशालिनीम् । हितमेतत्सुरौघानामेतन्मुनिवरार्थितम् ।

agādhaduritodbhūtabhītimocanaśālinīm hitametatsuraughānāmetanmunivarārthitam

one endowed with the power to free from the fear born of unfathomable sin — this would be a benefit for the hosts of gods; this is requested of you, O excellent sage.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.32.7)

भद्रमेतन्मनुष्याणामेतदाचर सुव्रत । देवानामृषिवर्याणां भूजनानां हितावहाम् ।

bhadrametanmanuṣyāṇāmetadācara suvrata devānāmṛṣivaryāṇāṁ bhūjanānāṁ hitāvahām

This would be auspicious for mankind; perform this, O keeper of good vows — bringing benefit to the gods, to the best of sages, and to the people of the earth.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.32.8)

पापपंकप्रशमनीं प्रवर्तय महानदीम् ।

pāpapaṁkapraśamanīṁ pravartaya mahānadīm

Set flowing a great river that quiets the mire of sin."

Verse 9 (skanda.2.32.9)

श्रीभरद्वाज उवाच । तदाकर्ण्य वचो विप्रः क्षणं चिन्तापरायणः । समाप्य देवतापूजां बहिर्वेद्यामुपाविशत् ।

śrībharadvāja uvāca tadākarṇya vaco vipraḥ kṣaṇaṁ cintāparāyaṇaḥ samāpya devatāpūjāṁ bahirvedyāmupāviśat

Shri Bharadvaja said: Having heard those words, the Brahmin, absorbed in thought for a moment, having finished his worship of the deity, sat down outside upon the altar-ground.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.32.10)

आनाययामास तदा तदाश्रमगतान्मुनीन् । तेषामकथयच्चासौ दिव्यवाणीरितं वचः ।

ānāyayāmāsa tadā tadāśramagatānmunīn teṣāmakathayaccāsau divyavāṇīritaṁ vacaḥ

He then summoned the sages who dwelt in that hermitage, and related to them this speech uttered by the divine voice.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.32.11)

तदद्भुतमुपश्रुत्य मुनयो हृष्टमानसाः ।

tadadbhutamupaśrutya munayo hṛṣṭamānasāḥ

Having heard of that wonder, the sages, their minds delighted,

Verse 12 (skanda.2.32.12)

अभिवन्द्य मुनिश्रेष्ठं मैत्रावरुणिमब्रुवन् ।

abhivandya muniśreṣṭhaṁ maitrāvaruṇimabruvan

honoured that foremost of sages, the son of Mitra and Varuna (Agastya), and spoke to him:

Verse 13 (skanda.2.32.13)

मुनय ऊचुः । आश्चर्याणां महाश्चर्यं मंगलानां च मंगलम् । तवैव शोभते दिव्यं त्वच्चरित्रं कृपानिधे ।

munaya ūcuḥ āścaryāṇāṁ mahāścaryaṁ maṁgalānāṁ ca maṁgalam tavaiva śobhate divyaṁ tvaccaritraṁ kṛpānidhe

The sages said: "The wonder of all wonders, the auspiciousness of all auspicious things — your divine conduct alone shines forth, O treasure of compassion.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.32.14)

तव हुंकारमात्रेण भ्रष्टो देवाधिराज्यतः । नहुषः कीटतां प्राप ततश्चित्रं न विद्यते ।

tava huṁkāramātreṇa bhraṣṭo devādhirājyataḥ nahuṣaḥ kīṭatāṁ prāpa tataścitraṁ na vidyate

By your mere utterance of 'Hum!' Nahusha fell from the sovereignty of the gods and became a worm — after that, nothing else remains wondrous.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.32.15)

समावृतधराचक्रः कल्लोलाताडिताम्बरः । किं न्वतो विद्यते चित्रं यदब्धिश्चुलकीकृतः ।

samāvṛtadharācakraḥ kallolātāḍitāmbaraḥ kiṁ nvato vidyate citraṁ yadabdhiśculakīkṛtaḥ

You who encircled the disk of the earth, whose waves lashed the very sky — what wonder is there beyond this, that you drank the ocean in the hollow of your palm?

Verse 16 (skanda.2.32.16)

सूर्यमार्गनिरोधार्थं प्रवृत्तो विन्ध्यभूधरः । त्वया प्रशांतिं गमितः किं न्वतो विद्यते परम् ।

sūryamārganirodhārthaṁ pravṛtto vindhyabhūdharaḥ tvayā praśāṁtiṁ gamitaḥ kiṁ nvato vidyate param

The Vindhya mountain, which had risen to obstruct the sun's path, was brought to stillness by you — what is there beyond this?

Verse 17 (skanda.2.32.17)

तवाद्भुतानि कर्माणि कः स्तोतुं प्रभवेद्भुवि । मन्महाभाग्ययोगात्त्वं प्राप्तोऽसीति शरीरिताम् ।

tavādbhutāni karmāṇi kaḥ stotuṁ prabhavedbhuvi manmahābhāgyayogāttvaṁ prāpto'sīti śarīritām

Who on this earth could be capable of praising your wondrous deeds? By our own great good fortune, you have come to take on this bodily form among us.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.32.18)

वयं कृतार्थाः संजातास्त्रैलोक्ये यन्महामुने । निवसामोऽत्र भवता सनाथा ह्याश्रमस्थले ।

vayaṁ kṛtārthāḥ saṁjātāstrailokye yanmahāmune nivasāmo'tra bhavatā sanāthā hyāśramasthale

We have become fulfilled in all the three worlds, in that, O great sage, we dwell here at this hermitage-site, having you as our protector.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.32.19)

वर्ण्यो हि याम्यतो दूरे विषयोऽयं द्विजोत्तम । समस्तवस्तुपूर्णोपि नदीहीनो न राजते ।

varṇyo hi yāmyato dūre viṣayo'yaṁ dvijottama samastavastupūrṇopi nadīhīno na rājate

This region, O best of the twice-born, deserves to be spoken of as far removed even from the southern realm of Yama — though full of every other thing, without a river it does not shine.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.32.20)

किमलब्धनदीस्नानेनाऽमुना हतजन्मना । अनदीके जनपदे वासादजननं वरम् ।

kimalabdhanadīsnānenā'munā hatajanmanā anadīke janapade vāsādajananaṁ varam

What use is this ill-fated existence to one who has never obtained a river-bath? Better never to be born at all than to dwell in a land without a river.

Verse 21 (skanda.2.32.21)

परिपाकस्तु भाग्यानामस्माकं समुपस्थितः । यदादिष्टोसि विबुधैः प्रवर्तय महानदीम् ।

paripākastu bhāgyānāmasmākaṁ samupasthitaḥ yadādiṣṭosi vibudhaiḥ pravartaya mahānadīm

But now the ripening of our good fortune has arrived, in that you have been commanded by the wise gods — set flowing a great river.

Verse 22 (skanda.2.32.22)

प्रवर्तितायां देशेस्मिन्महानद्यां तवानघ । कदा नु खलु यास्यामः कृतस्नाना कृतार्थताम् ।

pravartitāyāṁ deśesminmahānadyāṁ tavānagha kadā nu khalu yāsyāmaḥ kṛtasnānā kṛtārthatām

Once the great river has begun to flow in this land, O sinless one, when indeed shall we, having bathed in her, attain our fulfilment?

Verse 23 (skanda.2.32.23)

किं वितर्केण बहुना प्रयत्नः क्रियतां धुवम् । समानेतुं जगद्वन्द्यां शरण्यां सरिदुत्तमाम् ।

kiṁ vitarkeṇa bahunā prayatnaḥ kriyatāṁ dhuvam samānetuṁ jagadvandyāṁ śaraṇyāṁ sariduttamām

What use is much speculation — let effort be made without fail to bring here that most excellent of rivers, worshipped by the world, a refuge for all."

Verse 24 (skanda.2.32.24)

श्रीभरद्वाज उवाच । स तेषां वचनं हृद्यं मानयित्वा महाद्विजः । समानेष्यामि सरितमिति चक्रे विनिश्चयम् ।

śrībharadvāja uvāca sa teṣāṁ vacanaṁ hṛdyaṁ mānayitvā mahādvijaḥ samāneṣyāmi saritamiti cakre viniścayam

Shri Bharadvaja said: That great Brahmin, honouring their heartfelt words, resolved firmly: "I shall bring that river here."

Verse 25 (skanda.2.32.25)

मुनीश्वरैरनुज्ञातस्तानभ्यर्च्य सुरानपि । विशेषपूजां विधिवद्विधाय पुरविद्विषः ।

munīśvarairanujñātastānabhyarcya surānapi viśeṣapūjāṁ vidhivadvidhāya puravidviṣaḥ

Given leave by the lords of sages, having worshipped them and the gods as well, and having duly performed special worship of the enemy of the city-demon (Shiva),

Verse 26 (skanda.2.32.26)

अंगीकृत्य व्रतं गाढं बहुलक्लेशदुःसहम् । अनन्यसुलभं यत्नात्स चकार महत्तपः ।

aṁgīkṛtya vrataṁ gāḍhaṁ bahulakleśaduḥsaham ananyasulabhaṁ yatnātsa cakāra mahattapaḥ

undertaking a rigorous vow, unbearable with manifold hardship, attainable by no other, he performed, with great effort, severe austerity.

Verse 27 (skanda.2.32.27)

घोरेषु घर्मदिवसेष्वन्तरस्थो हविर्भुजाम् । चतुर्णां सवितृन्यस्तदृष्टिर्नापययौ क्लमम् ।

ghoreṣu gharmadivaseṣvantarastho havirbhujām caturṇāṁ savitṛnyastadṛṣṭirnāpayayau klamam

In the terrible days of summer's heat, positioned amid the four fires with the sun as the fifth, his gaze fixed upon the sun, he never wearied.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.32.28)

वार्षिकेषु दिनेषूग्रवायुसम्पातदुःसहैः । आसारैस्ताड्यमानोऽपि नोद्वेगमगमद्धृदि ।

vārṣikeṣu dineṣūgravāyusampātaduḥsahaiḥ āsāraistāḍyamāno'pi nodvegamagamaddhṛdi

In the days of the rainy season, though struck by torrents unbearable with the onslaught of fierce winds, he felt no agitation in his heart.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.32.29)

हेमन्ते समये तिष्ठन्कण्ठदघ्नेषु वारिषु । जपध्यानपरो भूत्वा न किञ्चिद्विकृतिं ययौ ।

hemante samaye tiṣṭhankaṇṭhadaghneṣu vāriṣu japadhyānaparo bhūtvā na kiñcidvikṛtiṁ yayau

In the season of winter, standing in water up to his throat, absorbed in japa and meditation, he underwent not the slightest change.

Verse 30 (skanda.2.32.30)

ततः समीहितार्थस्य विलम्बमवलोक्य सः । पुनर्गाढतरां निष्ठां प्रपेदे लोकभीषणाम् ।

tataḥ samīhitārthasya vilambamavalokya saḥ punargāḍhatarāṁ niṣṭhāṁ prapede lokabhīṣaṇām

Then, observing a delay in the fulfilment of his desired aim, he resorted once more to an even more rigorous discipline, terrifying to behold.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.32.31)

निगृह्य मानसीं वृत्तिं निराहारो जितेन्द्रियः । अविज्ञातबहिर्वृत्तिस्तस्थौ पाषाणवत्तदा ।

nigṛhya mānasīṁ vṛttiṁ nirāhāro jitendriyaḥ avijñātabahirvṛttistasthau pāṣāṇavattadā

Restraining the activity of his mind, taking no food, his senses conquered, his outward state unknown even to himself, he then remained motionless like a stone.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.32.32)

एवं तपस्यतस्तस्य सर्वाङ्गेषु हुताशनः । अभ्रंलिहो ज्वलज्ज्योतिर्निश्चक्राम भयङ्करः ।

evaṁ tapasyatastasya sarvāṅgeṣu hutāśanaḥ abhraṁliho jvalajjyotirniścakrāma bhayaṅkaraḥ

As he thus performed austerity, from every limb of his there issued forth a fearsome, sky-licking, blazing radiance of fire.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.32.33)

ततोऽद्भुतशिखाजालैरावृताः सर्वतो दिशः । समुदग्रभयोद्विग्ना जनौघाः परिचुक्रुशुः ।

tato'dbhutaśikhājālairāvṛtāḥ sarvato diśaḥ samudagrabhayodvignā janaughāḥ paricukruśuḥ

Then all the directions were enveloped on every side by wondrous networks of flame, and multitudes of people, overcome by extreme terror, cried out in distress.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.32.34)

तदा तथाविधं घोरं जगत्संक्षोभमागतम् । देवा विज्ञापयामासुर्नमस्कृत्याब्जजन्मने ।

tadā tathāvidhaṁ ghoraṁ jagatsaṁkṣobhamāgatam devā vijñāpayāmāsurnamaskṛtyābjajanmane

Then, seeing this terrible convulsion that had come upon the world, the gods, having bowed to the Lotus-born One (Brahma), reported it to him.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.32.35)

तानाश्वास्य ततो ब्रह्मा सिद्धगन्धर्वसेवितः । प्रादुरासीत्कुम्भभुवः पुरोभागे तपस्यतः ।

tānāśvāsya tato brahmā siddhagandharvasevitaḥ prādurāsītkumbhabhuvaḥ purobhāge tapasyataḥ

Having consoled them, then Brahma, attended by Siddhas and Gandharvas, appeared before the pot-born sage as he performed austerity.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.32.36)

तमागतं समालोक्य ब्रह्माणं परमं द्विजः । प्रणम्य विविधैः स्तोत्रैस्तोषयामास तन्मनाः ।

tamāgataṁ samālokya brahmāṇaṁ paramaṁ dvijaḥ praṇamya vividhaiḥ stotraistoṣayāmāsa tanmanāḥ

Seeing that supreme Brahma who had thus arrived, the twice-born sage, having bowed to him, delighted him, his mind intent, with various hymns of praise.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.32.37)

ततस्तं विनयानम्रमगस्त्यं वीक्ष्य पद्मभूः । प्रसादसुमुखो भूत्वा पूतां गिरमुपाददे ।

tatastaṁ vinayānamramagastyaṁ vīkṣya padmabhūḥ prasādasumukho bhūtvā pūtāṁ giramupādade

Then the Lotus-born One, beholding Agastya bowed low in humility, his face gracious with favour, uttered these purifying words:

Verse 38 (skanda.2.32.38)

ब्रह्मोवाच । परितुष्टोऽस्मि तपसा दुश्चरेण तवानघ । वृणीष्व यद्यदिष्टं ते तत्तद्दास्यामि सुव्रत ।

brahmovāca parituṣṭo'smi tapasā duścareṇa tavānagha vṛṇīṣva yadyadiṣṭaṁ te tattaddāsyāmi suvrata

Brahma said: "I am fully satisfied, O sinless one, by your austerity so difficult to perform; choose whatever you desire, O keeper of good vows, and I shall grant it to you."

Verse 39 (skanda.2.32.39)

अगस्त्य उवाच । तव प्रसादात्सकलमुपपन्नं मम प्रभो । संप्रयच्छसि चेत्कामं याचे निःशंकया धिया ।

agastya uvāca tava prasādātsakalamupapannaṁ mama prabho saṁprayacchasi cetkāmaṁ yāce niḥśaṁkayā dhiyā

Agastya said: "By your grace, O Lord, everything has been accomplished for me; if you are willing to grant my wish, I ask it with an unhesitating mind.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.32.40)

नदीहीनमिमं देशं दृष्ट्वा खिद्यति मे मनः । अर्थाववोधरहितं श्रुतिपाठमिवाधिकम् ।

nadīhīnamimaṁ deśaṁ dṛṣṭvā khidyati me manaḥ arthāvavodharahitaṁ śrutipāṭhamivādhikam

Seeing this land without a river, my heart grieves, as though it were like an excessive recitation of the Vedic text devoid of understanding of its meaning.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.32.41)

उर्वीं पावयितुं दक्षां रक्षितुं च महानदीम् । प्रसादं कुरु देवेश ममेष्टमिदमेव हि ।

urvīṁ pāvayituṁ dakṣāṁ rakṣituṁ ca mahānadīm prasādaṁ kuru deveśa mameṣṭamidameva hi

Grant your favour so that I may purify this capable earth and safeguard it with a great river — this alone is my desire, O Lord of gods."

Verse 42 (skanda.2.32.42)

श्रीभरद्वाज उवाच । अगस्त्यस्य वचः श्रुत्वा भूयादेवमिति ब्रुवन् । सस्मार मनसा ब्रह्मा सुरवर्त्माश्रयां नदीम् ।

śrībharadvāja uvāca agastyasya vacaḥ śrutvā bhūyādevamiti bruvan sasmāra manasā brahmā suravartmāśrayāṁ nadīm

Shri Bharadvaja said: Hearing Agastya's words, saying "So be it," Brahma called to mind in his heart the river that dwells upon the path of the gods (the Ganga).

Verse 43 (skanda.2.32.43)

अथोपेत्य वियद्गंगा पुरस्तात्परमेष्ठिनः । अतिष्ठन्मुकुटन्यस्तप्रशस्ताञ्जलिभासुरा ।

athopetya viyadgaṁgā purastātparameṣṭhinaḥ atiṣṭhanmukuṭanyastapraśastāñjalibhāsurā

Then the Sky-Ganga, approaching, stood before the Supreme Lord (Brahma), radiant with her hands joined in an excellent gesture of reverence placed upon her crown.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.32.44)

स्वशासनात्समायातां विनयानतमस्तकाम् । तां सर्वजगतां धात्रीमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ।

svaśāsanātsamāyātāṁ vinayānatamastakām tāṁ sarvajagatāṁ dhātrīmidaṁ vacanamabravīt

Having thus come at his own command, her head bowed in humility, he spoke these words to her, the sustainer of all the worlds:

Verse 45 (skanda.2.32.45)

ब्रह्मोवाच । गंगे मयानुशास्यासि कार्ये लोकोपकारके । तवापि लोकरक्षायां ममेव नियता स्थितिः ।

brahmovāca gaṁge mayānuśāsyāsi kārye lokopakārake tavāpi lokarakṣāyāṁ mameva niyatā sthitiḥ

Brahma said: "O Ganga, you are to be instructed by me in a task that benefits the world; your position, like mine, is fixed in the protection of the worlds.

Verse 46 (skanda.2.32.46)

देशे नदीविहीनेऽत्र प्रवर्तयितुमापगाम् । हितार्थं सर्वलोकानां कुम्भजन्मा समीहते ।

deśe nadīvihīne'tra pravartayitumāpagām hitārthaṁ sarvalokānāṁ kumbhajanmā samīhate

The pot-born sage strives, for the welfare of all beings, to set a river flowing in this land, which is without one.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.32.47)

तस्मात्त्वमवतीर्योर्वीं स्वांशेनैकेन भूजनान् । पुनीहि गच्छ वसुधामेतद्दर्शितवर्त्मना ।

tasmāttvamavatīryorvīṁ svāṁśenaikena bhūjanān punīhi gaccha vasudhāmetaddarśitavartmanā

Therefore, descending to the earth in but a single portion of yourself, purify the people, and go — proceed to the earth by the path here shown to you.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.32.48)

भूलोके संप्रवृत्ते तु प्रवाहे सिद्धिकांक्षिणः । सेविष्यन्ते सुरवरा मुनिवर्याश्च संततम् ।

bhūloke saṁpravṛtte tu pravāhe siddhikāṁkṣiṇaḥ seviṣyante suravarā munivaryāśca saṁtatam

When your stream has begun to flow in the earthly realm, the foremost gods and the best of sages, desiring accomplishment, shall constantly resort to you.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.32.49)

नदीषूत्तमतां याहि त्राहि त्वत्संश्रयाञ्जनान् । कुरु प्रियमगस्त्यस्य गच्छ भद्रे यथासुखम् ।

nadīṣūttamatāṁ yāhi trāhi tvatsaṁśrayāñjanān kuru priyamagastyasya gaccha bhadre yathāsukham

Go, and attain supremacy among rivers; protect the people who take refuge in you; do this favour for Agastya; go, O gracious one, as you please."

Verse 50 (skanda.2.32.50)

भरद्वाज उवाच । इत्युक्त्वान्तर्दधे ब्रह्मा तया नद्या च तेन च । प्रणामपूजनस्तोत्रैर्विशेषैरभिनन्दितः ।

bharadvāja uvāca ityuktvāntardadhe brahmā tayā nadyā ca tena ca praṇāmapūjanastotrairviśeṣairabhinanditaḥ

Bharadvaja said: Having said this, Brahma disappeared, greeted with special prostrations, worship, and hymns both by that river and by that sage.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.32.51)

अथ गंगा मुनिपतेः पुरस्तात्स्वांशसंभवाम् । दिव्यतेजोमयीं मूर्तिं दर्शयित्वा वचोऽब्रवीत् ।

atha gaṁgā munipateḥ purastātsvāṁśasaṁbhavām divyatejomayīṁ mūrtiṁ darśayitvā vaco'bravīt

Then Ganga, before the lord of sages, having shown a divine, radiant form born of a portion of herself, spoke these words:

Verse 52 (skanda.2.32.52)

गंगोवाच । मदीयांशोऽयमवनीं संप्राप्य मुनिवल्लभ । पूरयिष्यति तेऽभीष्टं नदीरूपं समाश्रितः ।

gaṁgovāca madīyāṁśo'yamavanīṁ saṁprāpya munivallabha pūrayiṣyati te'bhīṣṭaṁ nadīrūpaṁ samāśritaḥ

Ganga said: "This portion of mine, having reached the earth, O beloved of sages, shall fulfil your desire, taking on the form of a river."

Verse 53 (skanda.2.32.53)

भरद्वाज उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा सिद्धवाहिन्यां गतायां तत्प्रयुक्तया । गन्तव्यं वर्त्मना केनेत्युक्तो मुनिरुवाच ताम् ।

bharadvāja uvāca ityuktvā siddhavāhinyāṁ gatāyāṁ tatprayuktayā gantavyaṁ vartmanā kenetyukto muniruvāca tām

Bharadvaja said: Having said this, when she had gone forth in that magical, sped-along course, the sage, being asked by what path he should proceed, said this to her:

Verse 54 (skanda.2.32.54)

अगस्त्य उवाच । गच्छन्पुरस्तात्कल्याणि त्वदीयगमनोचितम् । अहं प्रदर्शयिष्यामि मार्गं त्वं मामनुव्रज ।

agastya uvāca gacchanpurastātkalyāṇi tvadīyagamanocitam ahaṁ pradarśayiṣyāmi mārgaṁ tvaṁ māmanuvraja

Agastya said: "Going ahead, O auspicious one, by the path suitable for your own journey, I myself shall show you the way; follow after me."

Verse 55 (skanda.2.32.55)

इत्युक्ता मुनिना तेन संप्रहृष्टा तवानघ । यदिष्टं तत्करिष्येऽहमिति प्रोवाच सा शुभा ।

ityuktā muninā tena saṁprahṛṣṭā tavānagha yadiṣṭaṁ tatkariṣye'hamiti provāca sā śubhā

Thus addressed by that sage, she, greatly delighted, O sinless one, that auspicious one, replied: "Whatever you wish, that I shall do."

Verse 56 (skanda.2.32.56)

अथ मुनिरवतार्य तां नगेन्द्राद्धृततटिनीतनुमभ्रसंगिशृङ्गात् । मुदिततरमना ययौ पुरस्तात्तदभिमतां पदवीं प्रदर्शयन्सः ।

atha muniravatārya tāṁ nagendrāddhṛtataṭinītanumabhrasaṁgiśṛṅgāt muditataramanā yayau purastāttadabhimatāṁ padavīṁ pradarśayansaḥ

Then the sage, bringing her body as a river down from the mountain-lord's peak that touched the clouds, his mind exceedingly delighted, went on ahead, showing her the path she desired.