The Description of Creation

Verse 1 (skanda.2.35.1)

भरद्वाज उवाच । सुवर्णमुखरी तत्र संगता मंगलप्रदा । कल्यानाम नदी पुण्या कालिन्दी जाह्नवीमिव ।

bharadvāja uvāca suvarṇamukharī tatra saṁgatā maṁgalapradā kalyānāma nadī puṇyā kālindī jāhnavīmiva

Bharadvaja said: There the auspicious Suvarnamukhari was joined by the sacred river named Kalya, as the Kalindi joins the Jahnavi.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.35.2)

वृषभाचलसंभूता तीर्थराजविराजिता । नदीनामुत्तमा कल्या कलुषौघविनाशिनी ।

vṛṣabhācalasaṁbhūtā tīrtharājavirājitā nadīnāmuttamā kalyā kaluṣaughavināśinī

Born from Vrishabhachala, resplendent with the king of tirthas, Kalya is the most excellent among rivers, the destroyer of every flood of impurity,

Verse 3 (skanda.2.35.3)

नानातरुलताव्रातविभूषिततटद्वया । मुनिसंघसुखावासा पुण्याश्रमसमुत्कटा ।

nānātarulatāvrātavibhūṣitataṭadvayā munisaṁghasukhāvāsā puṇyāśramasamutkaṭā

her two banks adorned with clusters of various trees and creepers, a happy dwelling for hosts of sages, thronged with sacred hermitages,

Verse 4 (skanda.2.35.4)

द्विजदत्तार्ध्यविलसत्कुशाक्षतलसत्तटा । अप्सरःकुचकस्तूरीपंकक्षालनपंकिला ।

dvijadattārdhyavilasatkuśākṣatalasattaṭā apsaraḥkucakastūrīpaṁkakṣālanapaṁkilā

her banks gleaming with the kusha grass and unbroken rice offered by Brahmins in their arghya-offerings, her waters made muddy with the washed-off musk-paste from the breasts of Apsaras,

Verse 5 (skanda.2.35.5)

दन्तावलकटच्योतन्मदाम्बुसुरभीकृता । विप्रभूपालविततमखयूपशतावृता ।

dantāvalakaṭacyotanmadāmbusurabhīkṛtā viprabhūpālavitatamakhayūpaśatāvṛtā

made fragrant by the trickling rut-fluid from the temples of elephants, surrounded by the hundreds of sacrificial posts set up by Brahmins and kings,

Verse 6 (skanda.2.35.6)

अनाविलजलापूरतोषिताशेषमानवा । एकैवालं परा कर्तुं महानद्योस्तु पातकम् ।

anāvilajalāpūratoṣitāśeṣamānavā ekaivālaṁ parā kartuṁ mahānadyostu pātakam

her clear, flooding waters satisfying countless people — she alone is capable of undoing the sin of even the greatest rivers.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.35.7)

तयोः संगतयोः स्तोतुं महिमानं क ईशते । यत्र ब्रह्मशिलानाम सरिन्मध्ये च वर्तते ।

tayoḥ saṁgatayoḥ stotuṁ mahimānaṁ ka īśate yatra brahmaśilānāma sarinmadhye ca vartate

Who indeed is capable of praising the majesty of these two rivers joined together, where, in the midst of the river, there stands the rock named Brahma-shila,

Verse 8 (skanda.2.35.8)

अगस्त्यतपसा पश्चाद्गया सांनिध्यमेति च । नदीद्वयजले तत्र स्नाताः पुण्ये कुरूद्वह ।

agastyatapasā paścādgayā sāṁnidhyameti ca nadīdvayajale tatra snātāḥ puṇye kurūdvaha

to which, after Agastya's austerity, Gaya-tirtha itself came to draw near. Bathing there, O joy of the Kurus, in the waters of these two sacred rivers,

Verse 9 (skanda.2.35.9)

मखानां पौण्डरीकाणां शतस्य फलमाप्नुयुः । ब्रह्महत्यादिपापानि समायांति परिक्षयम् ।

makhānāṁ pauṇḍarīkāṇāṁ śatasya phalamāpnuyuḥ brahmahatyādipāpāni samāyāṁti parikṣayam

one obtains the fruit of a hundred Pundarika sacrifices; sins such as the killing of a Brahmin are utterly destroyed.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.35.10)

तत्राभिषेकपूतानां नदीद्वितयसंगमे । सङ्गता भवनाशिन्या कृष्णवेणीव पावनी ।

tatrābhiṣekapūtānāṁ nadīdvitayasaṁgame saṅgatā bhavanāśinyā kṛṣṇaveṇīva pāvanī

There, purified by ablution at the meeting of the two rivers, joined with the world-destroying, purifying Krishnaveni,

Verse 11 (skanda.2.35.11)

राजते स्वर्णमुखरी कल्यया संगता तदा ।

rājate svarṇamukharī kalyayā saṁgatā tadā

the Suvarnamukhari, joined then with the Kalya, shines forth.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.35.12)

अथोदीच्यां महानद्या योजनार्द्धे विराजते । योजनोत्सेधसहितो विख्यातो वेंकटाचलः ।

athodīcyāṁ mahānadyā yojanārddhe virājate yojanotsedhasahito vikhyāto veṁkaṭācalaḥ

Then, to the north of the great river, at a distance of half a yojana, stands the renowned Venkatachala, one yojana in height —

Verse 13 (skanda.2.35.13)

सर्वेषामेव तीर्थानामाश्रयोऽयं नगोत्तमः । अञ्जनानन्तवृषभनीलकेसरिपोत्रिणः ।

sarveṣāmeva tīrthānāmāśrayo'yaṁ nagottamaḥ añjanānantavṛṣabhanīlakesaripotriṇaḥ

this best of mountains is the resort of every single tirtha, home to elephants, cobras, bulls, blue antelope, lions, and boars.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.35.14)

एतान्युपवनान्यद्रेः स्युर्नारायणवेंकटौ । वराहवपुषा पूर्वं स्वीकृतत्वान्मधुद्विषा ।

etānyupavanānyadreḥ syurnārāyaṇaveṁkaṭau varāhavapuṣā pūrvaṁ svīkṛtatvānmadhudviṣā

These groves of the mountain belong to Narayana and to Venkata together, since long ago they were claimed by the Enemy of Madhu in his boar-form.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.35.15)

वराहक्षेत्रमित्यार्यैः कीर्तितोऽयं महीधरः । सुवर्णमुखरीतीरे विख्याते वेंकटाचले ।

varāhakṣetramityāryaiḥ kīrtito'yaṁ mahīdharaḥ suvarṇamukharītīre vikhyāte veṁkaṭācale

For this reason the sages have called this mountain "Varaha-kshetra"; on the renowned Venkatachala, on the bank of the Suvarnamukhari,

Verse 16 (skanda.2.35.16)

निवसत्यच्युतो नित्यमब्धीन्द्रतनयान्वितः । तस्मिन्गिरौ श्रिया सार्द्धं वसन्ते वेंकटाधिपम् ।

nivasatyacyuto nityamabdhīndratanayānvitaḥ tasmingirau śriyā sārddhaṁ vasante veṁkaṭādhipam

Achyuta dwells eternally, together with the daughter of the Lord of the ocean. On that mountain, together with Shri, dwells the Lord of Venkata,

Verse 17 (skanda.2.35.17)

सेवन्ते सिद्धगन्धर्वमुनिमानवदानवाः । तस्मिन्विन्यस्तचित्तानां भक्तानां पुरुषोत्तमे ।

sevante siddhagandharvamunimānavadānavāḥ tasminvinyastacittānāṁ bhaktānāṁ puruṣottame

whom Siddhas, Gandharvas, sages, men, and demons all serve. For those devotees whose minds are fixed upon that Supreme Person there,

Verse 18 (skanda.2.35.18)

वांछितान्याशु सिध्यंति नश्यंति विपदोऽर्जुन । ये स्मरंति जगन्नाथं वेंकटाद्रिनिवासिनम् ।

vāṁchitānyāśu sidhyaṁti naśyaṁti vipado'rjuna ye smaraṁti jagannāthaṁ veṁkaṭādrinivāsinam

their desires are swiftly fulfilled, and calamities are destroyed, O Arjuna; those who remember the Lord of the universe, the dweller on Venkatadri,

Verse 19 (skanda.2.35.19)

निरस्तदोषास्ते यांति शाश्वतं पदमव्ययम् ।

nirastadoṣāste yāṁti śāśvataṁ padamavyayam

have their faults cast away, and go to the eternal, imperishable abode.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.35.20)

अर्जुन उवाच । वेंकटाद्रौ महापुण्ये सुरासुरनमस्कृतः । कथं प्रादुरभूद्देवो भगवान्कमलापतिः ।

arjuna uvāca veṁkaṭādrau mahāpuṇye surāsuranamaskṛtaḥ kathaṁ prādurabhūddevo bhagavānkamalāpatiḥ

Arjuna said: "On the greatly meritorious Venkatadri, bowed to by gods and demons, how did the Lord, the husband of Kamala, come to appear there?

Verse 21 (skanda.2.35.21)

कस्य वा कृतिनस्तत्र प्रसन्नो निजमद्भुतम् । रूपं प्रकाशयांचक्रे भुक्तिमुक्तिफलप्रदम् ।

kasya vā kṛtinastatra prasanno nijamadbhutam rūpaṁ prakāśayāṁcakre bhuktimuktiphalapradam

And for which meritorious devotee, being pleased, did he reveal his own wondrous form, bestowing the fruit of both worldly enjoyment and liberation?

Verse 22 (skanda.2.35.22)

विष्णोर्देवादिदेवस्य महिमानं महामुने । श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वेन तन्मे कथय विस्तरात् ।

viṣṇordevādidevasya mahimānaṁ mahāmune śrotumicchāmi tattvena tanme kathaya vistarāt

I wish to hear, O great sage, in truth and in detail, the greatness of Vishnu, the God of gods — tell me this at length."

Verse 23 (skanda.2.35.23)

भरद्वाज उवाच । शृणु वेंकटनाथस्य महिमानं समाहितः । विस्तरेण समाख्यातुं ब्रह्मणापि न शक्यते ।

bharadvāja uvāca śṛṇu veṁkaṭanāthasya mahimānaṁ samāhitaḥ vistareṇa samākhyātuṁ brahmaṇāpi na śakyate

Bharadvaja said: "Listen, with concentrated mind, to the greatness of the Lord of Venkata; even Brahma himself is unable to declare it fully.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.35.24)

धन्योऽसि देवदेवस्य माहात्म्यं मधुविद्विषः । यद्भक्तियुक्ताभूत्तात श्रोतुं मतिररिन्दम ।

dhanyo'si devadevasya māhātmyaṁ madhuvidviṣaḥ yadbhaktiyuktābhūttāta śrotuṁ matirarindama

Blessed are you, O son, subduer of enemies, whose mind has become devoted to hearing the glory of the God of gods, the Enemy of Madhu.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.35.25)

कृतपुण्योऽस्म्यहं पार्थ सर्वभूतपतेर्हरेः । पवित्राणि चरित्राणि स्तोष्यन्ते यन्मयाऽधुना ।

kṛtapuṇyo'smyahaṁ pārtha sarvabhūtapaterhareḥ pavitrāṇi caritrāṇi stoṣyante yanmayā'dhunā

I too, O Partha, have become meritorious, in that I shall now praise the sacred deeds of Hari, the Lord of all beings.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.35.26)

पुरा भागीरथीतीरे जनकाय महात्मने । क्रतुदीक्षाप्रसक्ताय विशुद्धज्ञानशालिने ।

purā bhāgīrathītīre janakāya mahātmane kratudīkṣāprasaktāya viśuddhajñānaśāline

Long ago, on the bank of the Bhagirathi, to the great-souled Janaka, who was engaged in the initiation for a sacrifice and endowed with pure knowledge,

Verse 27 (skanda.2.35.27)

वामदेवेन कथितां कथां पापप्रणाशिनीम् । कथयिष्यामि ते पार्थ विष्णुकीर्तनपावनीम् ।

vāmadevena kathitāṁ kathāṁ pāpapraṇāśinīm kathayiṣyāmi te pārtha viṣṇukīrtanapāvanīm

Vamadeva told a tale that destroys sin; that same tale, O Partha, purifying through the praise of Vishnu, I shall now tell to you.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.35.28)

सर्वेषामेव भूतानामाद्यो नारायणः प्रभुः । जगन्मयो जगत्कर्ता चित्स्वरूपो निरंजनः ।

sarveṣāmeva bhūtānāmādyo nārāyaṇaḥ prabhuḥ jaganmayo jagatkartā citsvarūpo niraṁjanaḥ

Narayana, the Lord, is the first of all beings, of the very substance of the universe, the creator of the universe, of the nature of pure consciousness, stainless,

Verse 29 (skanda.2.35.29)

सहस्रशीर्षा भगवान्सहस्राक्षः सहस्रपात् । यस्य भासा जगदिदं विभाति सचराचरम् ।

sahasraśīrṣā bhagavānsahasrākṣaḥ sahasrapāt yasya bhāsā jagadidaṁ vibhāti sacarācaram

the Blessed One with a thousand heads, a thousand eyes, and a thousand feet, by whose splendour this whole universe, moving and unmoving, shines forth.

Verse 30 (skanda.2.35.30)

तस्मात्परतरं तेजस्तस्मात्परतरं तपः । तस्मात्परतरं ज्ञानं योगस्तस्मात्परो न च ।

tasmātparataraṁ tejastasmātparataraṁ tapaḥ tasmātparataraṁ jñānaṁ yogastasmātparo na ca

Beyond that there is no higher splendour, beyond that no higher austerity, beyond that no higher knowledge, and beyond that no higher yoga —

Verse 31 (skanda.2.35.31)

विद्या तस्मादपि परा नास्ति पार्थ नरर्षभ । सर्वेष्वपि च भूतेषु सदा सन्निहितः प्रभुः ।

vidyā tasmādapi parā nāsti pārtha nararṣabha sarveṣvapi ca bhūteṣu sadā sannihitaḥ prabhuḥ

nor is there, O Partha, bull among men, any higher wisdom than that. That Lord is ever present within all beings,

Verse 32 (skanda.2.35.32)

सर्वाण्यपि च भूतानि तस्मिन्नेवासते सुखम् । स एव यज्ञो यज्वा च साधनं स्रुक्स्रुवादिकम् ।

sarvāṇyapi ca bhūtāni tasminnevāsate sukham sa eva yajño yajvā ca sādhanaṁ sruksruvādikam

and all beings dwell happily in him alone. He himself is the sacrifice, and the sacrificer, and the instrument — the sacrificial ladle and spoon and the rest,

Verse 33 (skanda.2.35.33)

फलं फलप्रदाता च तत्संप्राप्या गतिस्तथा । वह्नौ प्रणीते पशुना प्रोक्षितेन प्रजुह्वति । ये तं प्रयांति ते यांति गतिं तत्प्रतिपादिताम् ।

phalaṁ phalapradātā ca tatsaṁprāpyā gatistathā vahnau praṇīte paśunā prokṣitena prajuhvati ye taṁ prayāṁti te yāṁti gatiṁ tatpratipāditām

he is the fruit and the giver of the fruit, and likewise the goal attained by that fruit. Those who, offering oblation into the kindled fire with the consecrated sacrificial animal, proceed toward him — they attain the very goal he himself declares.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.35.34)

कर्मबन्धं पशुं कृत्वा ज्ञानाग्नौ संप्रवर्तिते । ये जुह्वते तमुद्दिश्य ते तत्सायुज्यभागिनः ।

karmabandhaṁ paśuṁ kṛtvā jñānāgnau saṁpravartite ye juhvate tamuddiśya te tatsāyujyabhāginaḥ

Those who, having made the bondage of karma into the sacrificial animal, offer it into the fire of knowledge once it is kindled, directing the offering toward him, become sharers in union with him.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.35.35)

हरिः सदाशिवो ब्रह्मा महेन्द्रः परमः स्वराट् । सर्वेश्वरस्य तस्यैते पर्यायाः परिकीर्तिताः ।

hariḥ sadāśivo brahmā mahendraḥ paramaḥ svarāṭ sarveśvarasya tasyaite paryāyāḥ parikīrtitāḥ

Hari, Sadashiva, Brahma, the Great Indra, the Supreme Self-ruler — these are declared to be but names of that one Lord of all.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.35.36)

ममाहितोऽनुसंधत्ते य इदं परमात्मनः । नारायणस्य माहात्म्यं स न याति पुनर्भवम् ।

mamāhito'nusaṁdhatte ya idaṁ paramātmanaḥ nārāyaṇasya māhātmyaṁ sa na yāti punarbhavam

One who, devoted to me, meditates upon this greatness of Narayana, the Supreme Self, does not go again to rebirth.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.35.37)

चिदानन्दमयः साक्षी निर्गुणो निरुपाधिकः । नित्योऽपि भजते तांतामवस्थां स यदृच्छया ।

cidānandamayaḥ sākṣī nirguṇo nirupādhikaḥ nityo'pi bhajate tāṁtāmavasthāṁ sa yadṛcchayā

Consisting of consciousness and bliss, the witness, without qualities, without limiting adjuncts, though eternal, he assumes, by his own free will, this or that condition.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.35.38)

पवित्राणां पवित्रं यो ह्यगतीनां परा गतिः । दैवतं देवतानां च श्रेयसां श्रेय उत्तमम् ।

pavitrāṇāṁ pavitraṁ yo hyagatīnāṁ parā gatiḥ daivataṁ devatānāṁ ca śreyasāṁ śreya uttamam

He who is the purity of the pure, the supreme refuge of the refugeless, the deity of the deities, the highest good of all good things,

Verse 39 (skanda.2.35.39)

बोध्यानां बोध्य एकोऽसौ ध्येयानां ध्येय उत्तमः । विनयानां समधिको विनयो नयसंयुतः ।

bodhyānāṁ bodhya eko'sau dhyeyānāṁ dhyeya uttamaḥ vinayānāṁ samadhiko vinayo nayasaṁyutaḥ

he alone is the one thing worth knowing among things to be known, the highest object of meditation among things to be meditated upon, humility itself surpassing all humility, joined with right conduct,

Verse 40 (skanda.2.35.40)

तेजसां जनकं तेजः प्रकृष्टं तपसां तपः । आधारः सर्वभूतानामनाद्यन्तो जनार्दनः ।

tejasāṁ janakaṁ tejaḥ prakṛṣṭaṁ tapasāṁ tapaḥ ādhāraḥ sarvabhūtānāmanādyanto janārdanaḥ

the splendour that begets all splendours, the supreme austerity among austerities, the support of all beings, without beginning or end — Janardana.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.35.41)

तस्येदं भावविज्ञाने मूढा ब्रह्मादयोऽपि च । अजो गृह्णाति जननं सर्वात्मा हन्ति विद्विषः ।

tasyedaṁ bhāvavijñāne mūḍhā brahmādayo'pi ca ajo gṛhṇāti jananaṁ sarvātmā hanti vidviṣaḥ

Even Brahma and the other gods are bewildered in comprehending the true nature of his being; the Unborn One takes on birth, the Soul of all slays his own enemies.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.35.42)

स्वतन्त्रोऽपि स्वभक्तानां परतन्त्रः प्रवर्तते । स साक्षी कर्मणां देवः सर्वज्ञो गरुडध्वजः ।

svatantro'pi svabhaktānāṁ paratantraḥ pravartate sa sākṣī karmaṇāṁ devaḥ sarvajño garuḍadhvajaḥ

Though independent, he acts as if dependent for the sake of his own devotees; he, the God, is the witness of all deeds, all-knowing, bearing Garuda on his banner.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.35.43)

तस्य स्वरूपं मुनयो मृगयन्ते समाहिताः । सङ्कर्षणो वासुदेवः प्रद्युम्नश्च तथा पुनः ।

tasya svarūpaṁ munayo mṛgayante samāhitāḥ saṅkarṣaṇo vāsudevaḥ pradyumnaśca tathā punaḥ

Sages, with concentrated mind, search for his true nature. Sankarshana, Vasudeva, and likewise Pradyumna,

Verse 44 (skanda.2.35.44)

अनिरुद्ध इति ख्यातं तन्मूर्तीनां चतुष्टयम् । कीर्तितः प्रणवः पश्चाद्धृदयं तस्य भास्वरम् ।

aniruddha iti khyātaṁ tanmūrtīnāṁ catuṣṭayam kīrtitaḥ praṇavaḥ paścāddhṛdayaṁ tasya bhāsvaram

and the one known as Aniruddha — these are declared to be his fourfold forms; and after them is celebrated the Pranava (Om), his radiant heart.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.35.45)

भगवान्वासुदेवश्च मन्त्रोऽयं तत्प्रकाशकः ।

bhagavānvāsudevaśca mantro'yaṁ tatprakāśakaḥ

"Bhagavan Vasudeva" — this very mantra is the revealer of that One.

Verse 46 (skanda.2.35.46)

मन्त्रराजमिमं नित्यं प्रजपेद्यः समाहितः । स विष्णोः करुणायोगात्सिद्धीनां भाजनं भवेत् ।

mantrarājamimaṁ nityaṁ prajapedyaḥ samāhitaḥ sa viṣṇoḥ karuṇāyogātsiddhīnāṁ bhājanaṁ bhavet

One who, with concentrated mind, ever recites this king of mantras, by the grace of Vishnu becomes a vessel for spiritual accomplishments.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.35.47)

आपन्निवारकः संपत्प्रापको भुक्तिमुक्तिदः । यथा ससर्ज भूतानि कल्पादावेव माधवः ।

āpannivārakaḥ saṁpatprāpako bhuktimuktidaḥ yathā sasarja bhūtāni kalpādāveva mādhavaḥ

The remover of misfortune, the bestower of prosperity, the giver of both enjoyment and liberation — hear now how Madhava created beings at the very beginning of the kalpa;

Verse 48 (skanda.2.35.48)

तत्सर्वं कथयिष्यामि समाहितमनाः शृणु । तस्य चिन्तयतः सर्गं तेजोरूपं परं हरेः ।

tatsarvaṁ kathayiṣyāmi samāhitamanāḥ śṛṇu tasya cintayataḥ sargaṁ tejorūpaṁ paraṁ hareḥ

all of that I shall relate — listen with concentrated mind. As Hari meditated upon creation, there arose a supreme form of splendour,

Verse 49 (skanda.2.35.49)

विरिंच इति विख्यातं राजसं गुणमाश्रितम् । तस्य देवस्य वदनाच्छक्रो देवः सपावकः । जज्ञे यश्च त्रिलोकेशः पाककर्मणि यः प्रभुः ।

viriṁca iti vikhyātaṁ rājasaṁ guṇamāśritam tasya devasya vadanācchakro devaḥ sapāvakaḥ jajñe yaśca trilokeśaḥ pākakarmaṇi yaḥ prabhuḥ

known as Virinchi, resting upon the quality of rajas; and from the mouth of that god, Indra, together with fire, was born — he who is lord of the three worlds, the one skilled in the act of cooking.

Verse 50 (skanda.2.35.50)

मनसश्चाभवच्चन्द्रः करुणानित्यशीतलात् । अपां सर्वौषधीनां च विप्राणां रक्षकः सदा ।

manasaścābhavaccandraḥ karuṇānityaśītalāt apāṁ sarvauṣadhīnāṁ ca viprāṇāṁ rakṣakaḥ sadā

and from his mind, ever cool with compassion, the moon was born — the eternal protector of the waters, of all medicinal herbs, and of Brahmins,

Verse 51 (skanda.2.35.51)

नेत्राभ्यामुदभूत्सूर्यस्तस्य विश्वप्रकाशकः । शीतोष्णवर्षकृत्कालकारणं तेजसां निधिः ।

netrābhyāmudabhūtsūryastasya viśvaprakāśakaḥ śītoṣṇavarṣakṛtkālakāraṇaṁ tejasāṁ nidhiḥ

from his two eyes arose the sun, illuminator of the universe, the cause of cold, heat, and rain, and of time, the treasury of all splendours,

Verse 52 (skanda.2.35.52)

प्राणेभ्योऽस्य जगत्प्राणः समीरः समजायत । धर्ता ग्रहर्क्षस्वर्गंगा विमानानां महाबलः ।

prāṇebhyo'sya jagatprāṇaḥ samīraḥ samajāyata dhartā graharkṣasvargaṁgā vimānānāṁ mahābalaḥ

from his breaths was born the wind, the breath of the world, of great strength, sustainer of the planets, constellations, the celestial Ganga, and the aerial chariots,

Verse 53 (skanda.2.35.53)

नाभिदेशात्समुत्पन्नमन्तरिक्षं महात्मनः । तस्यासीच्छिरसो व्योम भूतसंभवकारणम् ।

nābhideśātsamutpannamantarikṣaṁ mahātmanaḥ tasyāsīcchiraso vyoma bhūtasaṁbhavakāraṇam

from the region of that great soul's navel arose the atmosphere; from his head came the sky, the very cause from which all beings arise,

Verse 54 (skanda.2.35.54)

पादाम्बुजाभ्यामुदभूद्भूमिर्भूतगणाश्रया । विनिःसृता दिशः सर्वाः श्रोत्राभ्यां परमात्मनः ।

pādāmbujābhyāmudabhūdbhūmirbhūtagaṇāśrayā viniḥsṛtā diśaḥ sarvāḥ śrotrābhyāṁ paramātmanaḥ

from his lotus-feet arose the earth, the support of all creatures; from the ears of the Supreme Self issued forth all the directions,

Verse 55 (skanda.2.35.55)

भूर्भुवाद्यास्तथा लोकाः स्मरणात्तस्य जज्ञिरे । रसातलादिलोकाश्च यक्षरक्षोगणादयः ।

bhūrbhuvādyāstathā lokāḥ smaraṇāttasya jajñire rasātalādilokāśca yakṣarakṣogaṇādayaḥ

and thus the worlds Bhu, Bhuvar, and the rest were born from his very remembrance, and the netherworlds and their inhabitants — hosts of Yakshas, Rakshasas, and the like.

Verse 56 (skanda.2.35.56)

मुखबाहूरुपादेभ्यो जनयामास स क्रमात् । ब्राह्मणान्क्षत्त्रियान्वैश्याञ्छूद्रादींश्च कुरूद्वह ।

mukhabāhūrupādebhyo janayāmāsa sa kramāt brāhmaṇānkṣattriyānvaiśyāñchūdrādīṁśca kurūdvaha

From his mouth, arms, thighs, and feet, he brought forth, in order, O joy of the Kurus, the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras and the rest,

Verse 57 (skanda.2.35.57)

छन्दांसि यज्ञस्तुरगा गावो मेषाविकादयः । अतर्क्यप्रभवां तस्मादुत्पत्तिं प्रतिपेदिरे ।

chandāṁsi yajñasturagā gāvo meṣāvikādayaḥ atarkyaprabhavāṁ tasmādutpattiṁ pratipedire

and the Vedic metres, sacrifice, horses, cows, sheep, goats, and the like, took their origin, inconceivable in its source, from him.

Verse 58 (skanda.2.35.58)

संकल्पाद्देवदेवस्य तस्य स्थावरजंगमम् । भूतजातमभूत्कालो भूतो भावी भवंस्तथा ।

saṁkalpāddevadevasya tasya sthāvarajaṁgamam bhūtajātamabhūtkālo bhūto bhāvī bhavaṁstathā

By the mere resolve of that God of gods, the whole host of beings, moving and unmoving, came into existence — that which has been, that which is to be, and that which now is.

Verse 59 (skanda.2.35.59)

पिबत्यम्बु समुद्राणां बडवानलरूपधृक् । कल्पान्तकाले तत्सर्वं विसृजत्यात्मनि स्थितम् ।

pibatyambu samudrāṇāṁ baḍavānalarūpadhṛk kalpāntakāle tatsarvaṁ visṛjatyātmani sthitam

Assuming the form of the submarine fire, he drinks up the waters of the oceans; at the end of the kalpa, he withdraws all of that, resting within himself.

Verse 60 (skanda.2.35.60)

सञ्चारयति भूतानां वृत्तिं सूर्येन्दुरूपधृक् । तमोनिरसनाच्चापि कालधर्मप्रवर्तनात् ।

sañcārayati bhūtānāṁ vṛttiṁ sūryendurūpadhṛk tamonirasanāccāpi kāladharmapravartanāt

Assuming the form of the sun and moon, he sets in motion the activity of all beings, both by dispelling darkness and by setting in motion the order of time.

Verse 61 (skanda.2.35.61)

जगन्ति कल्पविरमे विन्यस्य स्वोदरान्तरे । लीलाबालाकृतिः शेते वटपत्रे महाम्बुधौ ।

jaganti kalpavirame vinyasya svodarāntare līlābālākṛtiḥ śete vaṭapatre mahāmbudhau

Having, at the cessation of a kalpa, placed all the worlds within his own belly, he lies, in the sportive form of a child, upon a banyan leaf, on the vast ocean.

Verse 62 (skanda.2.35.62)

अथ चोदग्रभोगीन्द्रभोगतल्पे सुखोचिते । योगनिद्रामवाप्नोति सद्वितीयोऽब्जवासया ।

atha codagrabhogīndrabhogatalpe sukhocite yoganidrāmavāpnoti sadvitīyo'bjavāsayā

Then, upon a couch formed of the coils of the towering serpent-king, well-suited for comfort, he attains yogic slumber, accompanied by his consort who dwells upon the lotus.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.35.63)

नाभिकासारसंभूताज्जनयामास पंकजात् ।

nābhikāsārasaṁbhūtājjanayāmāsa paṁkajāt

From a lotus born of the lake at his navel, he brought into being —

Verse 64 (skanda.2.35.64)

सर्वेषां जगतां नाथो विधातारं चतुर्मुखम् ।

sarveṣāṁ jagatāṁ nātho vidhātāraṁ caturmukham

the four-faced Ordainer, the lord of all the worlds.

Verse 65 (skanda.2.35.65)

लीला ह्येषा मुकुन्दस्य स्वेच्छायोगप्रवर्तिनः । विज्ञायते न केनाऽपि याथार्थ्येन स ईश्वरः ।

līlā hyeṣā mukundasya svecchāyogapravartinaḥ vijñāyate na kenā'pi yāthārthyena sa īśvaraḥ

This is but the sport of Mukunda, who acts of his own free will; that Lord is not truly known by anyone in his real essence.

Verse 66 (skanda.2.35.66)

यदा धर्मस्य हानिः स्यादधर्मो वर्धते यदा । यदा वा महतीं पीडां भजन्ते देवतागणाः ।

yadā dharmasya hāniḥ syādadharmo vardhate yadā yadā vā mahatīṁ pīḍāṁ bhajante devatāgaṇāḥ

When there is a decline of dharma, when adharma increases, or when the hosts of gods undergo great affliction,

Verse 67 (skanda.2.35.67)

यदावलेपदुर्वारा यांति वृद्धिं सुरद्रुहः । भूमेर्भूमिजनानां च यदोदेति महद्भयम् ।

yadāvalepadurvārā yāṁti vṛddhiṁ suradruhaḥ bhūmerbhūmijanānāṁ ca yadodeti mahadbhayam

when the enemies of the gods, unrestrainable through their arrogance, grow in strength, and when great fear arises for the earth and for earth's people,

Verse 68 (skanda.2.35.68)

यदा वा निजभक्तानां साधूनामनिवारिता । दुरन्तातंकजननी विपत्समुपजायते ।

yadā vā nijabhaktānāṁ sādhūnāmanivāritā durantātaṁkajananī vipatsamupajāyate

or when an unavoidable calamity, the source of endless suffering, arises for his own devotees, the righteous,

Verse 69 (skanda.2.35.69)

तदा तदनुरूपाणि रूपाण्यास्थाय कौतुकात् । अधर्ममवधूयाशु कुरुते जगतो हितम् ।

tadā tadanurūpāṇi rūpāṇyāsthāya kautukāt adharmamavadhūyāśu kurute jagato hitam

then, assuming forms suited to those occasions, out of his own sportive will, he swiftly shakes off unrighteousness and brings about the welfare of the world.

Verse 70 (skanda.2.35.70)

सृजति विधिसमाख्यो राजसेनात्मनाऽसौ वहति हरिसमाख्यः सत्त्वनिष्ठः प्रपञ्चम् । हरति हरसमाख्यस्तामसीमेत्य वृत्तिं मधुमथनमहिम्नामस्ति वेत्ता न कोऽपि ।

sṛjati vidhisamākhyo rājasenātmanā'sau vahati harisamākhyaḥ sattvaniṣṭhaḥ prapañcam harati harasamākhyastāmasīmetya vṛttiṁ madhumathanamahimnāmasti vettā na ko'pi

Under the name of Vidhi, abiding in the mode of rajas, he creates; under the name of Hari, established in the mode of sattva, he sustains this manifest universe; under the name of Hara, having taken on the mode of tamas, he destroys — of the glories of the Slayer of Madhu, there is no one who truly knows them all.

Verse 71 (skanda.2.35.71)

यज्ञांगैः कृतसकलांगसंधिबंधं वाराहं वपुरधिगम्य लोकनाथः । शैलेऽस्मिन्नभजदसौ यथा निवासं तद्वक्ष्ये शृणु विबुधाधिनाथसूनो ।

yajñāṁgaiḥ kṛtasakalāṁgasaṁdhibaṁdhaṁ vārāhaṁ vapuradhigamya lokanāthaḥ śaile'sminnabhajadasau yathā nivāsaṁ tadvakṣye śṛṇu vibudhādhināthasūno

Having assumed the form of the Boar, in which all limbs were joined together from the very parts of the sacrifice, the Lord of the worlds made his dwelling on this mountain — I shall tell you how; hear it, O son of the Lord of the wise.