Indradyumna's Royal Pilgrimage to the Blue Mountain

Verse 1 (skanda.2.51.1)

जैमिनिरुवाच । नारदाद्ब्रह्मणः पुत्राद्भगवद्भक्तिमुत्तमाम् । श्रुत्वेत्थं परमप्रीत इंद्रद्युम्नोऽप्युवाच तम्

jaiminiruvāca nāradādbrahmaṇaḥ putrādbhagavadbhaktimuttamām śrutvetthaṁ paramaprīta iṁdradyumno'pyuvāca tam

Jaimini said: Having thus heard from Narada, son of Brahma, of the highest devotion to the Lord, Indradyumna too, greatly delighted, spoke to him:

Verse 2 (skanda.2.51.2)

इंद्रद्युम्न उवाच । साधुसंगस्तु विद्वद्भिर्भवव्याधिविनाशनः । ममोपदिष्टो भगवन्सोऽभूत्सांप्रतमेव मे

iṁdradyumna uvāca sādhusaṁgastu vidvadbhirbhavavyādhivināśanaḥ mamopadiṣṭo bhagavanso'bhūtsāṁpratameva me

Indradyumna said: O Lord, the company of the wise, which destroys the sickness of worldly existence, taught to me by you — that has now, this very moment, truly become mine.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.51.3)

येन साक्षात्कृतो विष्णुः परमात्मा परात्परः । स त्वं यन्मंदिरायातस्त्वदन्यः साधुरत्र कः

yena sākṣātkṛto viṣṇuḥ paramātmā parātparaḥ sa tvaṁ yanmaṁdirāyātastvadanyaḥ sādhuratra kaḥ

He by whom Vishnu, the Supreme Self higher than the highest, has been directly realized — that is you, who have come to this very house; what other good man is there here besides you?

Verse 4 (skanda.2.51.4)

त्वत्संनिधानाद्भगवस्तमो मे नाशमभ्यगात् । यन्मे त्वरयते चित्तमर्चितुं नीलमाधवम्

tvatsaṁnidhānādbhagavastamo me nāśamabhyagāt yanme tvarayate cittamarcituṁ nīlamādhavam

By your very presence, O Lord, my darkness has met its end; now my mind hastens to go and worship Nilamadhava.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.51.5)

वेत्सि ब्रह्मांडवृत्तांतं पर्यटन्सार्वलौकिकः । तदावां रथमास्थाय पश्यावो नीलमाधवम्

vetsi brahmāṁḍavṛttāṁtaṁ paryaṭansārvalaukikaḥ tadāvāṁ rathamāsthāya paśyāvo nīlamādhavam

You, who roam through the whole cosmic egg, know the affairs of every world; so let the two of us mount a chariot and go to behold Nilamadhava.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.51.6)

पुरुषोत्तमसंज्ञस्य क्षेत्रस्यालंकृतं शुभम् । तत्र तीर्थानि संतीति बहुभिः कथितानि मे । त्वद्वाक्याद्यदि जानामि भवेयुः सफलानि मे

puruṣottamasaṁjñasya kṣetrasyālaṁkṛtaṁ śubham tatra tīrthāni saṁtīti bahubhiḥ kathitāni me tvadvākyādyadi jānāmi bhaveyuḥ saphalāni me

Many have told me of the beautiful, auspiciously adorned field called Purushottama, and of the sacred fords that lie there; if I may come to know them through your word, then they shall bear fruit for me.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.51.7)

नारद उवाच । हंत ते दर्शयिष्यामि क्षेत्रं क्षेत्रस्थितानि च । तीर्थानि शक्तिशंभूंश्च क्षेत्रमाहात्म्यमेव च

nārada uvāca haṁta te darśayiṣyāmi kṣetraṁ kṣetrasthitāni ca tīrthāni śaktiśaṁbhūṁśca kṣetramāhātmyameva ca

Narada said: Very well, I shall show you the field, and what stands within the field — the sacred fords, the Shaktis and forms of Shambhu, and the very greatness of that field.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.51.8)

साक्षाद्द्रक्ष्यसि देवेशं भक्तस्यात्मसमर्पकम् । तवानुग्रहतः शीघ्रं चतुर्द्धा संव्यवस्थितम्

sākṣāddrakṣyasi deveśaṁ bhaktasyātmasamarpakam tavānugrahataḥ śīghraṁ caturddhā saṁvyavasthitam

By your own merit of grace, you shall soon directly behold the Lord of gods, who gives himself utterly to his devotee, established there in fourfold form.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.51.9)

यस्य संदर्शनान्मर्त्यो जायते भक्तिभाजनम् । एवं कथांते तौ प्रीतावहःकृत्यं समाप्य च

yasya saṁdarśanānmartyo jāyate bhaktibhājanam evaṁ kathāṁte tau prītāvahaḥkṛtyaṁ samāpya ca

By whose sight a mortal becomes a vessel of devotion. Thus, at the end of their conversation, the two of them, delighted, having completed the day's duties,

Verse 10 (skanda.2.51.10)

यात्रानुकूलं निर्णीय पंचम्यां बुधवासरे । ज्येष्ठकृष्णेतरे पक्षे पुष्यर्क्षे लग्न उत्तमे । एकत्र शयितौ रात्रिं निन्यतुर्नृपनारदौ

yātrānukūlaṁ nirṇīya paṁcamyāṁ budhavāsare jyeṣṭhakṛṣṇetare pakṣe puṣyarkṣe lagna uttame ekatra śayitau rātriṁ ninyaturnṛpanāradau

Having determined a day favorable for the journey — the fifth lunar day, a Wednesday, in the bright fortnight of Jyeshtha, under the Pushya asterism, in an excellent ascendant — the king and Narada, lying down together, passed the night.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.51.11)

ततः प्रभाते विमल इंद्रद्युम्नो नृपोत्तमः । घोषणां कारयामास राज्यस्य सह बंधुभिः

tataḥ prabhāte vimala iṁdradyumno nṛpottamaḥ ghoṣaṇāṁ kārayāmāsa rājyasya saha baṁdhubhiḥ

Then, at dawn, the spotless Indradyumna, that best of kings, together with his kinsmen, had a proclamation made throughout his kingdom —

Verse 12 (skanda.2.51.12)

यथाविभवतः सैन्यैर्नीलाद्रिगमनं प्रति । यावज्जीवं तत्र वासं करिष्यामो विनिश्चितम्

yathāvibhavataḥ sainyairnīlādrigamanaṁ prati yāvajjīvaṁ tatra vāsaṁ kariṣyāmo viniścitam

'According to each one's means, with the army, set out toward the Blue Mountain; we have resolved firmly to dwell there for as long as we live.'

Verse 13 (skanda.2.51.13)

या वृत्तिः कल्पिता यस्य स तया तत्र जीवतु । राजानः सावरोधाश्च सामात्याः सपरिच्छदाः

yā vṛttiḥ kalpitā yasya sa tayā tatra jīvatu rājānaḥ sāvarodhāśca sāmātyāḥ saparicchadāḥ

'Whatever livelihood is assigned to each, let him live by that there. Let kings go with their households, ministers with their retinues,'

Verse 14 (skanda.2.51.14)

रथैर्गजैस्तुरगैश्च कोषैः सह पदातिभिः

rathairgajaisturagaiśca koṣaiḥ saha padātibhiḥ

'— with chariots, elephants and horses, with treasuries, together with the foot-soldiers,'

Verse 15 (skanda.2.51.15)

व्रजंतु सज्जितास्तत्र ब्राह्मणाः साग्निहोत्रिणः । वणिजः सह भांडैश्च सपण्याः पण्यजीविनः

vrajaṁtu sajjitāstatra brāhmaṇāḥ sāgnihotriṇaḥ vaṇijaḥ saha bhāṁḍaiśca sapaṇyāḥ paṇyajīvinaḥ

'— go there, fully arrayed: Brahmins who tend the sacred fire, merchants with their goods, and traders who live by commerce,'

Verse 16 (skanda.2.51.16)

राष्ट्रकर्मणि निष्णाता कुशला राजवर्त्मसु । ज्योतिर्विदो नृत्यविदो दंडनीतौ प्रवीणकाः

rāṣṭrakarmaṇi niṣṇātā kuśalā rājavartmasu jyotirvido nṛtyavido daṁḍanītau pravīṇakāḥ

'— those skilled in affairs of state, expert in the ways of kingship, astrologers, masters of dance, those proficient in statecraft,'

Verse 17 (skanda.2.51.17)

नृत्यगायनवादित्रचतुर्विधसुबुद्धयः । गजवाजिनराणां च भैषज्ये शास्त्र उत्तमे

nṛtyagāyanavāditracaturvidhasubuddhayaḥ gajavājinarāṇāṁ ca bhaiṣajye śāstra uttame

'— those wise in the four arts of dance, song and instrumental music, and skilled in the excellent science of medicine for elephants, horses and men,'

Verse 18 (skanda.2.51.18)

कुशला दृष्टकर्माणो विद्यास्वष्टादशस्वपि । उपांगविद्यासु तथा कुहकार्थकुतूहलाः

kuśalā dṛṣṭakarmāṇo vidyāsvaṣṭādaśasvapi upāṁgavidyāsu tathā kuhakārthakutūhalāḥ

'— those skilled and proven in their crafts, versed in the eighteen sciences and in the auxiliary lores as well, and those curious in the arts of illusion,'

Verse 19 (skanda.2.51.19)

वाटसाहसिकाश्चोरास्तथान्ये पश्यतोहराः । विचित्रकथनाजीवाश्चाटुकाराश्च मागधाः

vāṭasāhasikāścorāstathānye paśyatoharāḥ vicitrakathanājīvāścāṭukārāśca māgadhāḥ

'— rope-walkers and acrobats, thieves, and those who steal even before one's eyes, tellers of wondrous tales, flatterers and court-bards,'

Verse 20 (skanda.2.51.20)

शास्त्रोपजीविनश्चैव तथान्ये शल्यहारकाः । द्यूतकाराश्च पुंश्चल्यो वेश्या वेशानुगा विटाः

śāstropajīvinaścaiva tathānye śalyahārakāḥ dyūtakārāśca puṁścalyo veśyā veśānugā viṭāḥ

'— those who live by their sciences, surgeons, gamblers, unchaste women, courtesans and their attendants, and libertines,'

Verse 21 (skanda.2.51.21)

कृषीवलाश्च गोमेपच्छागोष्ट्रखररक्षकाः । शकुंतपालाश्च कपिव्याघ्रशार्दूलरक्षकाः

kṛṣīvalāśca gomepacchāgoṣṭrakhararakṣakāḥ śakuṁtapālāśca kapivyāghraśārdūlarakṣakāḥ

'— farmers, keepers of cows, sheep, goats, camels and asses, bird-keepers, and keepers of monkeys, tigers and lions,'

Verse 22 (skanda.2.51.22)

आहितुंडिकगोरक्ष्य शबरा म्लेच्छजातयः

āhituṁḍikagorakṣya śabarā mlecchajātayaḥ

'— snake-charmers, cowherds, forest tribes, and the outlying peoples,'

Verse 23 (skanda.2.51.23)

अन्ये च ये मालवदेशजाता आज्ञां मदीयामनुपालयंति । ते यांतु सर्वे वसतौ हि नीलाचले यथास्वं कृतवास्तुभागाः

anye ca ye mālavadeśajātā ājñāṁ madīyāmanupālayaṁti te yāṁtu sarve vasatau hi nīlācale yathāsvaṁ kṛtavāstubhāgāḥ

'— and others too, born in the land of Malava, who obey my command — let all of them go and dwell on the Blue Mountain, each assigned his own plot of ground.'

Verse 24 (skanda.2.51.24)

एवमाज्ञाप्य नृपतिर्यात्रायां च कृतक्षणः । नारदेन समागम्य दैवज्ञमिदमाह सः

evamājñāpya nṛpatiryātrāyāṁ ca kṛtakṣaṇaḥ nāradena samāgamya daivajñamidamāha saḥ

Having thus given his command, and having fixed the auspicious moment for the journey, the king, meeting together with Narada, said this to the astrologer:

Verse 25 (skanda.2.51.25)

सांवत्सर मुहूर्त्तं मे निर्णीतं ते यथा पुरा । तावन्मांगलिकं वस्तुजातं सम्यगुपानय

sāṁvatsara muhūrttaṁ me nirṇītaṁ te yathā purā tāvanmāṁgalikaṁ vastujātaṁ samyagupānaya

'You have already determined this auspicious moment of the year for me, as before; now duly bring together the whole array of auspicious articles.'

Verse 26 (skanda.2.51.26)

पुरोहितमतेनास्मिन्क्षणे यावद्विमृग्यते । तेनादिष्टः स गणकः पुरोहितसहायवान्

purohitamatenāsminkṣaṇe yāvadvimṛgyate tenādiṣṭaḥ sa gaṇakaḥ purohitasahāyavān

Whatever, by the family priest's counsel, was needed for this occasion — instructed accordingly, that astrologer, assisted by the priest,

Verse 27 (skanda.2.51.27)

आजहार समस्तानि मांगल्यानि द्विजोत्तमाः । अत्रांतरे स राजर्षिर्दिव्यसिंहासनस्थितः

ājahāra samastāni māṁgalyāni dvijottamāḥ atrāṁtare sa rājarṣirdivyasiṁhāsanasthitaḥ

— gathered together all the auspicious articles, O best of Brahmins. Meanwhile that royal sage, seated upon a splendid throne,

Verse 28 (skanda.2.51.28)

यात्राभिषेकमांगल्यं विप्रैः प्रागनुभावितम् । श्रीसूक्तवह्निसूक्ताभ्यां सूक्तेनाब्दैवतेन च

yātrābhiṣekamāṁgalyaṁ vipraiḥ prāganubhāvitam śrīsūktavahnisūktābhyāṁ sūktenābdaivatena ca

— received the auspicious consecration for the journey, first solemnized by the Brahmins with the Shri-sukta and the Agni-sukta, and with the hymn to the deity of the waters,

Verse 29 (skanda.2.51.29)

पावमान्याब्धिसूक्तेन पृथङ्मांगल्यवर्द्धकैः । तीर्थाद्भिरौषधीभिश्च सर्वगन्धैः पृथक्पृथक्

pāvamānyābdhisūktena pṛthaṅmāṁgalyavarddhakaiḥ tīrthādbhirauṣadhībhiśca sarvagandhaiḥ pṛthakpṛthak

— with the Pavamani hymn and the hymn to the ocean, and other separate auspiciousness-increasing hymns, with waters from sacred fords, with herbs, and with every kind of fragrance in turn,

Verse 30 (skanda.2.51.30)

अभिषिक्तस्ततो राजा चीनांशुकहृतांभसा । रराज वपुषा दीप्तो निर्धूमः पावको यथा

abhiṣiktastato rājā cīnāṁśukahṛtāṁbhasā rarāja vapuṣā dīpto nirdhūmaḥ pāvako yathā

— the king was thus anointed, the water borne in a fine silken cloth; he shone in his radiant body like a smokeless fire.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.51.31)

आमुक्तशुक्लवसनः स्वाचांतः सपवित्रकः । नांदीमुखान्पितृगणान्पूजयित्वा यथाविधि

āmuktaśuklavasanaḥ svācāṁtaḥ sapavitrakaḥ nāṁdīmukhānpitṛgaṇānpūjayitvā yathāvidhi

Clad in white garments, having duly sipped water, wearing the ring of sacred grass, having worshipped the Nandimukha ancestors according to rule,

Verse 32 (skanda.2.51.32)

जयाराष्ट्रभृतो हुत्वा गणहोमांश्च यत्नतः । शंखध्वनिसुगंधाढयं श्वेतवर्णं विधूमकम्

jayārāṣṭrabhṛto hutvā gaṇahomāṁśca yatnataḥ śaṁkhadhvanisugaṁdhāḍhayaṁ śvetavarṇaṁ vidhūmakam

— having carefully offered the Jaya, Rashtrabhrit and Gana oblations into a fire that was fragrant with the sound of the conch, white in hue and free of smoke,

Verse 33 (skanda.2.51.33)

वह्निं प्रदक्षिणं चक्रे दक्षिणावर्त्तगार्चिषा । साक्षात्कारेण ददतं जयं राज्ञे जयार्थिने

vahniṁ pradakṣiṇaṁ cakre dakṣiṇāvarttagārciṣā sākṣātkāreṇa dadataṁ jayaṁ rājñe jayārthine

— he circumambulated that fire, its flame curling to the right, as though it were manifestly granting victory to the king who sought it.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.51.34)

नवग्रहमखांते च ग्रहकुंभेन सेवितः । ग्रहाणां दौष्ट्यनाशाय सौस्थ्यस्यापि विवृद्धये

navagrahamakhāṁte ca grahakuṁbhena sevitaḥ grahāṇāṁ dauṣṭyanāśāya sausthyasyāpi vivṛddhaye

At the end of the nine-planet sacrifice, honored by the planet-vessel set up for the destruction of the planets' malevolence and for the growth of well-being,

Verse 35 (skanda.2.51.35)

ज्योतिःशास्त्रोदितैर्मंत्रैर्दैवज्ञविधिचोदितैः । ततो मांगल्यनेपथ्यविधानमुपचक्रमे

jyotiḥśāstroditairmaṁtrairdaivajñavidhicoditaiḥ tato māṁgalyanepathyavidhānamupacakrame

— with mantras declared in the science of astrology, prompted by the astrologer's own directions, he then began the arrangement of his auspicious attire.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.51.36)

चीनांशुकप्रावरणे विधाय कवचं निजम् । शिरोवेष्टनकं शुभ्रं सुरत्नमुकुटोज्ज्वलम्

cīnāṁśukaprāvaraṇe vidhāya kavacaṁ nijam śiroveṣṭanakaṁ śubhraṁ suratnamukuṭojjvalam

Having put on his own armor beneath a covering of Chinese silk, and a bright turban, radiant with a crown set with fine jewels,

Verse 37 (skanda.2.51.37)

सावतंसे श्रुतियुगे रत्नकुंडलभूषिते । ग्रैवेयकं महार्घं तु हारं तरलभूषितम्

sāvataṁse śrutiyuge ratnakuṁḍalabhūṣite graiveyakaṁ mahārghaṁ tu hāraṁ taralabhūṣitam

— avatamsa ornaments on his pair of ears, adorned with jeweled earrings, a costly neck-ornament, and a necklace set with a shimmering gem,

Verse 38 (skanda.2.51.38)

दधाराथ नृपश्रेष्ठः केयूरांगदमुद्रिकाः । मध्येन त्रिवलीसक्तं स्वर्णसूत्रं त्रिवृद्दधौ

dadhārātha nṛpaśreṣṭhaḥ keyūrāṁgadamudrikāḥ madhyena trivalīsaktaṁ svarṇasūtraṁ trivṛddadhau

— that best of kings then wore armlets, bracelets and rings; around his waist, clinging to its three folds, he wore a threefold cord of gold.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.51.39)

हिरण्यकिंकिणीयुक्त मुक्तातोरणमालिकम् । नानारत्नैः सुघटितां दधाराथ सुमेखलाम्

hiraṇyakiṁkiṇīyukta muktātoraṇamālikam nānāratnaiḥ sughaṭitāṁ dadhārātha sumekhalām

He then wore a beautiful girdle, finely wrought with many jewels, strung with golden bells and an arching garland of pearls.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.51.40)

अनर्घ्ये पादकटके पादयोः संन्यवेशयत् । सम्मुखादर्शितादर्शे ददृशे स्वं विभूषितम्

anarghye pādakaṭake pādayoḥ saṁnyaveśayat sammukhādarśitādarśe dadṛśe svaṁ vibhūṣitam

Priceless anklets were placed upon his two feet. In a mirror held up before him, he beheld his own adorned form.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.51.41)

मंगलारोपणार्थाय हैमपीठमुपाविशत् । प्राङ्मुखः श्रीधरं देवं संस्मरन्मधुसूदनम्

maṁgalāropaṇārthāya haimapīṭhamupāviśat prāṅmukhaḥ śrīdharaṁ devaṁ saṁsmaranmadhusūdanam

For the placing of auspicious articles he sat facing east upon a golden seat, calling to mind Shridhara, the god Madhusudana —

Verse 42 (skanda.2.51.42)

मगलायतनं विष्णुं सर्वमांगल्यकारणम । स्मरणादस्य नश्यंति पातकानि बहून्यपि

magalāyatanaṁ viṣṇuṁ sarvamāṁgalyakāraṇama smaraṇādasya naśyaṁti pātakāni bahūnyapi

— Vishnu, the very abode of every auspiciousness, the cause of all good fortune; by whose mere remembrance even many sins are destroyed.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.51.43)

सौमनस्यामथो मालामार्त्तवीं गंधवर्णिताम् । दधार प्रथमं राजा मंत्रितां स्वपुरोधसा

saumanasyāmatho mālāmārttavīṁ gaṁdhavarṇitām dadhāra prathamaṁ rājā maṁtritāṁ svapurodhasā

The king first wore the Saumanasya garland, made of seasonal flowers dyed with fragrant colors, consecrated with mantras by his own priest.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.51.44)

मृदं दीपं फलं दूर्वा दधि गोरोचनां ततः । मन्त्राभिमंत्रितान्सर्वान्सिद्धार्थैरभिरक्षितः

mṛdaṁ dīpaṁ phalaṁ dūrvā dadhi gorocanāṁ tataḥ mantrābhimaṁtritānsarvānsiddhārthairabhirakṣitaḥ

Then, protected by white mustard seeds, he received clay, a lamp, fruit, durva grass, curd, and gorochana, each consecrated in turn with mantras.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.51.45)

आत्मानं ददृशे राजा सौरभेये हविष्यथ । मुकुरे मंत्रिते पश्चात्स्वं दृष्ट्वा नृपकेसरी

ātmānaṁ dadṛśe rājā saurabheye haviṣyatha mukure maṁtrite paścātsvaṁ dṛṣṭvā nṛpakesarī

The king beheld his own reflection in the ghee; then that lion among kings, having looked at himself in the consecrated mirror,

Verse 46 (skanda.2.51.46)

बह्वृचैः शांतिघोषेण समुदीर्णशुभायतिः । याजुष्कैः पथिसूक्तेन व्रजन्मार्गेऽभिरक्षितः

bahvṛcaiḥ śāṁtighoṣeṇa samudīrṇaśubhāyatiḥ yājuṣkaiḥ pathisūktena vrajanmārge'bhirakṣitaḥ

— his good fortune proclaimed by the Rigvedic priests with a peace-chant, protected on his road by the Yajurvedic priests with the hymn of the path,

Verse 47 (skanda.2.51.47)

पौराणैर्मंगलैर्वाक्यैः कृतवीर्यधृतिर्नृपः । मागधैः स्तुतिपाठेन प्रादुर्भूतपराक्रमः

paurāṇairmaṁgalairvākyaiḥ kṛtavīryadhṛtirnṛpaḥ māgadhaiḥ stutipāṭhena prādurbhūtaparākramaḥ

— his firmness and prowess strengthened by the auspicious words of the reciters of the Puranas, his valor made manifest by the eulogies of the court-bards —

Verse 48 (skanda.2.51.48)

पारिजातहरं सत्यासहितं गरुडध्वजम् । ध्यायन्हृत्पंकजे राजा दक्षिणं पादमुद्दधौ

pārijātaharaṁ satyāsahitaṁ garuḍadhvajam dhyāyanhṛtpaṁkaje rājā dakṣiṇaṁ pādamuddadhau

— that king, meditating in the lotus of his heart on Vishnu, bearer of the Garuda-banner, who once took the Parijata tree, accompanied by Satyabhama, raised his right foot to set forth.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.51.49)

प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य मुनिं नारदं पुरतः स्थितम् । मध्यद्वारमुपागच्छद्वेत्रपाणिभिरावृतः

pradakṣiṇīkṛtya muniṁ nāradaṁ purataḥ sthitam madhyadvāramupāgacchadvetrapāṇibhirāvṛtaḥ

Having circumambulated the sage Narada, who stood before him, and surrounded by cane-bearing attendants, he made his way toward the central gate.

Verse 50 (skanda.2.51.50)

आदिष्टपदमार्गोऽसावग्निहोत्रपुरःसरः । तत्रापश्यत्स्थितान्विप्रानात्मनो दक्षिणेन वै

ādiṣṭapadamārgo'sāvagnihotrapuraḥsaraḥ tatrāpaśyatsthitānviprānātmano dakṣiṇena vai

His path shown by his own attendants, preceded by [priests bearing] the sacred fire, he saw there Brahmins standing to his right,

Verse 51 (skanda.2.51.51)

मांगल्यसूक्तंऽ पठतः शुभ्राभान्पांडुरांशुकान् । लाजाः सपुष्पा राजाग्रे क्षिपतः शंसतः शुभम्

māṁgalyasūktaṁ' paṭhataḥ śubhrābhānpāṁḍurāṁśukān lājāḥ sapuṣpā rājāgre kṣipataḥ śaṁsataḥ śubham

— bright of hue, clothed in pale garments, reciting hymns of good fortune, scattering parched grain and flowers before the king, and pronouncing blessings.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.51.52)

वामपार्श्वस्थिता वेश्याश्चामरव्यग्रपाणयः । शुभ्रालंकारवसनाः स्मेरपद्मानना शुभाः

vāmapārśvasthitā veśyāścāmaravyagrapāṇayaḥ śubhrālaṁkāravasanāḥ smerapadmānanā śubhāḥ

On his left side stood courtesans, their hands busy waving fly-whisks, adorned in bright ornaments and garments, auspicious, their lotus faces smiling.

Verse 53 (skanda.2.51.53)

ब्राह्मणान्पूजयामास भक्तिनम्रो द्विजोत्तमाः । वस्त्रालंकारमाल्यैश्च सुगन्धैरनुलेपनैः

brāhmaṇānpūjayāmāsa bhaktinamro dvijottamāḥ vastrālaṁkāramālyaiśca sugandhairanulepanaiḥ

O best of Brahmins, humbled by devotion, he worshipped the Brahmins with garments, ornaments, garlands, and fragrant unguents.

Verse 54 (skanda.2.51.54)

तोषयामास तान्विप्रान्भगवद्बुद्धि भावितान् । वेश्याभ्यो मागधेभ्यश्च दीनानाथेभ्य एव च

toṣayāmāsa tānviprānbhagavadbuddhi bhāvitān veśyābhyo māgadhebhyaśca dīnānāthebhya eva ca

He gratified those Brahmins, regarding them all the while with the thought of the Lord himself; and likewise he gave to the courtesans, the bards, and the poor and helpless.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.51.55)

राजानुमत्या सचिवो यथार्हं प्रददौ धनम् । श्वेतान्पारावतान्हंसाञ्छ्वेताश्वं श्वेतकुंजरम्

rājānumatyā sacivo yathārhaṁ pradadau dhanam śvetānpārāvatānhaṁsāñchvetāśvaṁ śvetakuṁjaram

With the king's approval, the minister gave wealth to each according to merit. There were white doves, swans, a white horse, a white elephant,

Verse 56 (skanda.2.51.56)

सचूतपल्लवं श्वेतमालाफलविभूषितम् । कदलीकांडसन्नद्धतोरणाधः स्थितं नृपः । पूर्णकुंभं स पश्यन्वै मंगलानि बहून्यपि । सितातपत्रेण शिरःप्रदेशे वारितातपः

sacūtapallavaṁ śvetamālāphalavibhūṣitam kadalīkāṁḍasannaddhatoraṇādhaḥ sthitaṁ nṛpaḥ pūrṇakuṁbhaṁ sa paśyanvai maṁgalāni bahūnyapi sitātapatreṇa śiraḥpradeśe vāritātapaḥ

— an archway of plantain-trunks adorned with mango-shoots and garlands of white flowers and fruit, and beneath it a brimming ceremonial pot; beholding these and many other auspicious signs, with a white parasol shielding his head from the sun, the king,

Verse 57 (skanda.2.51.57)

युगपत्पूर्यमाणैस्तु कंबुभिः शतसंख्यकेः । संमिश्रितानि शुश्राव वादित्राणि बहूनि सः

yugapatpūryamāṇaistu kaṁbubhiḥ śatasaṁkhyakeḥ saṁmiśritāni śuśrāva vāditrāṇi bahūni saḥ

— heard the many musical instruments sounding together, mingled with the blast of hundreds of conches blown all at once.

Verse 58 (skanda.2.51.58)

तथा मंगलगीतानि जयशब्दांश्च भूपतिः । ततो विवेश प्रासादं नृसिंहमवलोकितुम्

tathā maṁgalagītāni jayaśabdāṁśca bhūpatiḥ tato viveśa prāsādaṁ nṛsiṁhamavalokitum

Hearing also the auspicious songs and the cries of victory, the king then entered the palace shrine to behold Narasimha,

Verse 59 (skanda.2.51.59)

यं स्मृत्वा जायते मर्त्यः सर्वकल्याणभाजनम् । दृष्ट्वा स दूरान्नृहरिं दिव्यसिंहासनस्थितम्

yaṁ smṛtvā jāyate martyaḥ sarvakalyāṇabhājanam dṛṣṭvā sa dūrānnṛhariṁ divyasiṁhāsanasthitam

— by remembering whom alone a mortal becomes a vessel of every blessing. Beholding from afar the Man-Lion seated upon his divine throne,

Verse 60 (skanda.2.51.60)

प्रणम्य साष्टावयवं सन्तोष्योपनिषद्गिरा । दक्षपार्श्वस्थितां दुर्गां सर्वदुर्गतिमोचिनीम्

praṇamya sāṣṭāvayavaṁ santoṣyopaniṣadgirā dakṣapārśvasthitāṁ durgāṁ sarvadurgatimocinīm

— having bowed with all eight limbs and pleased him with words drawn from the Upanishads, he then turned to Durga, standing on his right, the deliverer from every evil plight,

Verse 61 (skanda.2.51.61)

ववंदे चरणाभ्याशे पश्यतीं कृपया नृपः । ततः पुरोधा देवांगादवरोप्य शुभा स्रजम्

vavaṁde caraṇābhyāśe paśyatīṁ kṛpayā nṛpaḥ tataḥ purodhā devāṁgādavaropya śubhā srajam

— who was gazing upon him with compassion, and the king paid homage close by her feet. Then the priest, taking down an auspicious garland from the goddess's own form,

Verse 62 (skanda.2.51.62)

आसञ्जयामाम गले सुगंधेनान्वलेपयत् । नीराजयामास राज्ञः शिरश्चावेष्टयन्मुदा

āsañjayāmāma gale sugaṁdhenānvalepayat nīrājayāmāsa rājñaḥ śiraścāveṣṭayanmudā

— placed it around the king's neck and anointed him with fragrant paste; he waved lamps before him, and joyfully bound a cloth about the king's head.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.51.63)

पुनः प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य तौ देवौ नृपसत्तमः । शिबिकायां समारोप्य प्रतस्थे च पुरस्कृतौ

punaḥ pradakṣiṇīkṛtya tau devau nṛpasattamaḥ śibikāyāṁ samāropya pratasthe ca puraskṛtau

Having again circumambulated those two deities, that best of kings, setting them upon a palanquin borne ahead of him, then set forth.

Verse 64 (skanda.2.51.64)

प्रादुर्भूय बहिर्द्वारे रथं दृष्ट्वा सुसज्जितम् । तुरंगमैर्वातजवैर्दशभिः परयोजितम्

prādurbhūya bahirdvāre rathaṁ dṛṣṭvā susajjitam turaṁgamairvātajavairdaśabhiḥ parayojitam

Coming out at the outer gate, he saw a chariot fully equipped, yoked with ten horses swift as the wind.

Verse 65 (skanda.2.51.65)

प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य नृपो नारदेन समाविशत् । ढक्कामृदंगनिःसाणभेरीपणव गोमुखाः

pradakṣiṇīkṛtya nṛpo nāradena samāviśat ḍhakkāmṛdaṁganiḥsāṇabherīpaṇava gomukhāḥ

Having circumambulated it, the king mounted it together with Narada. Dhakka and mridanga drums, nissana drums, bheris, panavas and gomukha horns,

Verse 66 (skanda.2.51.66)

मधुरीचर्चरीशंखा अवाद्यंत सहस्रशः । स्यन्दनाः कोटिशस्तत्र नृपाणामनुजीविनाम्

madhurīcarcarīśaṁkhā avādyaṁta sahasraśaḥ syandanāḥ koṭiśastatra nṛpāṇāmanujīvinām

— madhuri and charchari drums, and conches, sounded there by the thousand all at once. Chariots by the millions, belonging to the vassal kings,

Verse 67 (skanda.2.51.67)

चकाशिरे श्रेणिकृता इन्द्रद्युम्नरथाभितः । नानाप्रहरणोपेताः पताकाभिरलंकृताः

cakāśire śreṇikṛtā indradyumnarathābhitaḥ nānāpraharaṇopetāḥ patākābhiralaṁkṛtāḥ

— shone there, drawn up in rows all around Indradyumna's chariot, fitted with various weapons and adorned with banners,

Verse 68 (skanda.2.51.68)

ध्वजोच्छ्रिताः स्वर्णरौप्यैः किंकिणीजालदर्पणैः । यन्त्रैर्नानाविधैर्युक्ता गंभीर स्निग्धनिःस्वनाः

dhvajocchritāḥ svarṇaraupyaiḥ kiṁkiṇījāladarpaṇaiḥ yantrairnānāvidhairyuktā gaṁbhīra snigdhaniḥsvanāḥ

— their flags raised high, fitted with golden and silver networks of bells and mirrors, and equipped with various devices, producing a deep and mellow sound,

Verse 69 (skanda.2.51.69)

पदातीनां कुञ्जराणां हयानां वातरंहसाम् । पत्तिसंस्फोटनैर्हस्तिबृंहितैर्हयहेषितैः

padātīnāṁ kuñjarāṇāṁ hayānāṁ vātaraṁhasām pattisaṁsphoṭanairhastibṛṁhitairhayaheṣitaiḥ

— mingled with the tramp of foot-soldiers, of elephants, of wind-swift horses, with the trumpeting of elephants and the neighing of horses,

Verse 70 (skanda.2.51.70)

बहुलै रथनिर्घोषैर्मिश्रिता वाद्यनिःस्वनाः । युगांतार्णवनिस्वानतुल्याः शुश्रुविरे जनैः

bahulai rathanirghoṣairmiśritā vādyaniḥsvanāḥ yugāṁtārṇavanisvānatulyāḥ śuśruvire janaiḥ

— the sounds of instruments mingled with the abundant rumble of chariots were heard by the people, resembling the roar of the ocean at the end of an age.

Verse 71 (skanda.2.51.71)

तस्मिन्क्षणे पौरजनाः स्वस्वसंभारसज्जिताः । अश्वकै रासभैरुष्ट्रैर्वाहकैः प्रतितस्थिरे

tasminkṣaṇe paurajanāḥ svasvasaṁbhārasajjitāḥ aśvakai rāsabhairuṣṭrairvāhakaiḥ pratitasthire

At that same moment the citizens too, each equipped with their own goods, set out mounted on horses, donkeys, camels and other beasts of burden.

Verse 72 (skanda.2.51.72)

आंदोलिकाश्च पल्यंकाः कोटिशश्च तुरंगकाः । श्रेणीभूताश्च दृश्यंते राष्ट्रप्रस्थानसंकुले

āṁdolikāśca palyaṁkāḥ koṭiśaśca turaṁgakāḥ śreṇībhūtāśca dṛśyaṁte rāṣṭraprasthānasaṁkule

Palanquins and litters, and horses by the millions, could be seen drawn up in rows, in the crowded departure of the whole realm.

Verse 73 (skanda.2.51.73)

राजावरोधाः शतशो वृता वर्षवरैस्ततः । नानायानसमारूढाः पालिताश्चाधिकारिभिः

rājāvarodhāḥ śataśo vṛtā varṣavaraistataḥ nānāyānasamārūḍhāḥ pālitāścādhikāribhiḥ

The hundreds of women of the royal household, surrounded by chamberlains, mounted upon various vehicles, guarded by officials,

Verse 74 (skanda.2.51.74)

महासैन्यैश्च संरुद्धा राजागाराद्विनिर्ययुः । यज्वानश्चाग्निहोत्राणि शम्यारूढानि वृन्दशः

mahāsainyaiśca saṁruddhā rājāgārādviniryayuḥ yajvānaścāgnihotrāṇi śamyārūḍhāni vṛndaśaḥ

— hemmed in by great armies, went forth from the royal palace. Sacrificing priests, too, carrying their sacred fires mounted on yoke-poles in great numbers,

Verse 75 (skanda.2.51.75)

शकटेषु समारोप्य सपत्नीकाः प्रतस्थिरे । तथा पुस्तकभारांश्च देवतार्चाकरंडकान्

śakaṭeṣu samāropya sapatnīkāḥ pratasthire tathā pustakabhārāṁśca devatārcākaraṁḍakān

— having loaded them upon carts, set out together with their wives; likewise the loads of books and the caskets for the worship of the deities,

Verse 76 (skanda.2.51.76)

इध्मबर्हिकुशान्पात्रीः संभारान्होमसंभृतान् । वाहयामासुरन्यैश्च शकटावाहकद्विजैः

idhmabarhikuśānpātrīḥ saṁbhārānhomasaṁbhṛtān vāhayāmāsuranyaiśca śakaṭāvāhakadvijaiḥ

— firewood, kusha grass, vessels, and the materials gathered for the fire-oblation, were carried along by other Brahmins who drove the carts.

Verse 77 (skanda.2.51.77)

सामन्तामात्यभृत्याश्च पुरोधा ऋत्विजश्च ये । राज्ञः प्रकृतिदासाश्च उपचारनियोगिनः

sāmantāmātyabhṛtyāśca purodhā ṛtvijaśca ye rājñaḥ prakṛtidāsāśca upacāraniyoginaḥ

The feudal lords, ministers, servants, the family priest, the officiating priests, the king's own subject-servants, and those appointed to various services,

Verse 78 (skanda.2.51.78)

सर्वोपचारसंभारानासतेऽन्ये प्रयायिनः । कोषागारनियुक्ताश्च कोषजातमशेषतः

sarvopacārasaṁbhārānāsate'nye prayāyinaḥ koṣāgāraniyuktāśca koṣajātamaśeṣataḥ

— others, setting out, carried every kind of provision; and those appointed over the treasury took up the entire wealth of the treasury,

Verse 79 (skanda.2.51.79)

समादाय ययुस्तूर्णं राज्ञोऽवसरसेवकाः । मालाकारादयः सर्वे पण्यजीवादयस्तथा

samādāya yayustūrṇaṁ rājño'vasarasevakāḥ mālākārādayaḥ sarve paṇyajīvādayastathā

— and went swiftly along with the king's personal attendants. Garland-makers and all the rest, and likewise those who lived by trade,

Verse 80 (skanda.2.51.80)

स्वं स्वं पण्यं समादाय ययू राजनियोगिनः । श्रेष्ठश्रेण्यादयः सर्वे पुरखर्वटवासिभिः

svaṁ svaṁ paṇyaṁ samādāya yayū rājaniyoginaḥ śreṣṭhaśreṇyādayaḥ sarve purakharvaṭavāsibhiḥ

— taking up each their own wares, went along with the king's appointed officers; the guild-masters and all the rest, together with the dwellers of towns and hamlets,

Verse 81 (skanda.2.51.81)

समं विनिर्ययुः स्वस्वव्यवहारविलासकाः । इन्द्रद्युम्नस्य नृपतेर्यात्रासमयवादितान्

samaṁ viniryayuḥ svasvavyavahāravilāsakāḥ indradyumnasya nṛpateryātrāsamayavāditān

— each delighting in their own trade, set out together. [At the sound of] the drums beaten at King Indradyumna's departure —

Verse 82 (skanda.2.51.82)

भेरीमृदंगपटहान्व्यश्नुवानान्दिगंतरम् । श्रुत्वा जनपदावासिजनाः सर्वे ससंभ्रमाः

bherīmṛdaṁgapaṭahānvyaśnuvānāndigaṁtaram śrutvā janapadāvāsijanāḥ sarve sasaṁbhramāḥ

— bheris, mridangas and patahas, pervading every quarter — all the people dwelling out in the countryside, in great agitation,

Verse 83 (skanda.2.51.83)

राजाज्ञां मूर्ध्नि संमान्य निर्गता नीलपर्वतम् । यस्य यश्च ऋजुः पंथाः स च तेनैव जग्मिवान्

rājājñāṁ mūrdhni saṁmānya nirgatā nīlaparvatam yasya yaśca ṛjuḥ paṁthāḥ sa ca tenaiva jagmivān

— honoring the king's command upon their heads, set out for the Blue Mountain; each went by whatever straight path was his own.

Verse 84 (skanda.2.51.84)

न राजमार्गं प्रजवाद्व्यमृग्यंत नृपाज्ञया । नीलाद्रिप्राप्तिमार्गेण दुर्गमेणापि ते ययुः

na rājamārgaṁ prajavādvyamṛgyaṁta nṛpājñayā nīlādriprāptimārgeṇa durgameṇāpi te yayuḥ

By the king's command, in their haste, they did not seek out the royal highway; they went even by the road to the Blue Mountain, difficult though it was.

Verse 85 (skanda.2.51.85)

इन्द्रद्युम्नोऽपि राजेन्द्रः समस्तपुरवासिभिः । चतुरंगानीकिनीभिः सहर्षाभिश्च वेष्टितः

indradyumno'pi rājendraḥ samastapuravāsibhiḥ caturaṁgānīkinībhiḥ saharṣābhiśca veṣṭitaḥ

Indradyumna, that foremost of kings, too, surrounded by all the citizens and by his joyful fourfold army,

Verse 86 (skanda.2.51.86)

श्रेणीभूतक्षितिपतिस्यन्दनावलिमध्यगे । रथे रराज राजर्षिः शक्रतुल्य परिच्छदः

śreṇībhūtakṣitipatisyandanāvalimadhyage rathe rarāja rājarṣiḥ śakratulya paricchadaḥ

— shone as that royal sage in his own chariot, moving amid the ranked rows of the vassal kings' chariots, his retinue equal to that of Indra.

Verse 87 (skanda.2.51.87)

पुरस्त्रीमङ्गलाचारगीतलाजप्रसूनकैः । मङ्गलाचारशोभाभिः प्रसन्नशुभचेतनः

purastrīmaṅgalācāragītalājaprasūnakaiḥ maṅgalācāraśobhābhiḥ prasannaśubhacetanaḥ

With the auspicious songs of the city-women, the scattering of parched grain and flowers, and the beauty of auspicious rites, his mind serene and blessed,

Verse 88 (skanda.2.51.88)

वातरंहैर्हयैर्युक्तरथेन प्रययौ मुदा । अनुकूलानिलप्रोद्यद्घनच्छायसुशीतले

vātaraṁhairhayairyuktarathena prayayau mudā anukūlānilaprodyadghanacchāyasuśītale

— he journeyed joyfully in his chariot yoked with wind-swift horses, through air made cool and pleasant by clouds rising in a favorable breeze,

Verse 89 (skanda.2.51.89)

नीरजस्के महीपृष्ठे समीकृतचतुष्पथे । देशाध्वनीनैः पुरुषैः काननांतरवेदिभिः

nīrajaske mahīpṛṣṭhe samīkṛtacatuṣpathe deśādhvanīnaiḥ puruṣaiḥ kānanāṁtaravedibhiḥ

— over dustless ground, along a road with its crossings leveled, guided by men who knew the region's roads and were familiar with the tracts within the forests,

Verse 90 (skanda.2.51.90)

आदिष्टवर्त्मा नृपतिर्मार्गस्योभयपार्श्वगान् । देशानरण्यानि मुहुःपश्यन्नानन्दलोचनः

ādiṣṭavartmā nṛpatirmārgasyobhayapārśvagān deśānaraṇyāni muhuḥpaśyannānandalocanaḥ

— the king, his path thus shown, gazed again and again with delight-filled eyes upon the lands and forests stretching on either side of the road.

Verse 91 (skanda.2.51.91)

सीमामुत्कलदेशस्य विभजंतीं वनांतरे । मार्गस्थां चर्चिकां प्राप चर्चितां मुंडमालया

sīmāmutkaladeśasya vibhajaṁtīṁ vanāṁtare mārgasthāṁ carcikāṁ prāpa carcitāṁ muṁḍamālayā

He came, in the midst of the forest, upon the goddess Charchika standing beside the road, marking the boundary of the land of Utkala, adorned with a garland of skulls.

Verse 92 (skanda.2.51.92)

अवतीर्य रथाद्राजा विनतो नारदाज्ञया । साष्टांगपातं तां नत्वा तुष्टावानंदचेतनः

avatīrya rathādrājā vinato nāradājñayā sāṣṭāṁgapātaṁ tāṁ natvā tuṣṭāvānaṁdacetanaḥ

Descending humbly from his chariot at Narada's bidding, the king bowed to her with a full prostration of eight limbs, and, his mind filled with joy, praised her.

Verse 93 (skanda.2.51.93)

इन्द्रद्युम्न उवाच । नमस्ते त्रिदशेशानि सर्वापद्विनिवारिणि । ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवाद्याभिः कल्पनाभिरुदीरिते

indradyumna uvāca namaste tridaśeśāni sarvāpadvinivāriṇi brahmaviṣṇuśivādyābhiḥ kalpanābhirudīrite

Indradyumna said: Homage to you, O queen of the thirty gods, remover of every calamity, you who are spoken of through the very conceptions named Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva,

Verse 94 (skanda.2.51.94)

कारणं जगतामाद्ये प्रसीद परमेश्वरि । त्वया विना जगन्नैतत्क्षणमुत्सहते शिवे

kāraṇaṁ jagatāmādye prasīda parameśvari tvayā vinā jagannaitatkṣaṇamutsahate śive

— O supreme Goddess, O primal cause of the worlds, be gracious; without you, O auspicious one, this universe cannot endure even for a single moment.

Verse 95 (skanda.2.51.95)

सिद्धयः सर्वकार्याणां मंगलानि च शाश्वते । त्वत्पादाराधनफलं मर्त्यलोके हि नान्यथा

siddhayaḥ sarvakāryāṇāṁ maṁgalāni ca śāśvate tvatpādārādhanaphalaṁ martyaloke hi nānyathā

O eternal one, the accomplishment of every undertaking, and every blessing, are but the fruit of worshipping your feet; in the mortal world it is never otherwise.

Verse 96 (skanda.2.51.96)

चराचरपतेर्विष्णोः शक्तिस्त्वं परमेश्वरि । यया सृजत्यवति च जगत्संहरते विभुः

carācarapaterviṣṇoḥ śaktistvaṁ parameśvari yayā sṛjatyavati ca jagatsaṁharate vibhuḥ

O supreme Goddess, you are the very power of Vishnu, Lord of the moving and unmoving, by which that all-pervading one creates, sustains and dissolves the universe.

Verse 97 (skanda.2.51.97)

चराचरगुरुं देवं नीलाचलनिवासिनम् । अनुगृह्णीष्व मां देवि यथा पश्ये स्वचक्षुषा

carācaraguruṁ devaṁ nīlācalanivāsinam anugṛhṇīṣva māṁ devi yathā paśye svacakṣuṣā

Be gracious to me, O Goddess, so that I may behold with my own eyes that god, the teacher of the moving and unmoving, who dwells upon the Blue Mountain.

Verse 98 (skanda.2.51.98)

जैमिनिरुवाच । नारदस्योपदेशेन स्तुत्वा देवीं नराधिपः । आरुरोह रथं तूर्णं विवस्वानुदयं यथा

jaiminiruvāca nāradasyopadeśena stutvā devīṁ narādhipaḥ āruroha rathaṁ tūrṇaṁ vivasvānudayaṁ yathā

Jaimini said: At Narada's instruction, having thus praised the goddess, the king swiftly mounted his chariot, like the rising sun.

Verse 99 (skanda.2.51.99)

ततः प्रतस्थे तरसा स राजा श्रांतवाहनः । चित्रोत्पलमहानद्यास्तीरे विरलकानने

tataḥ pratasthe tarasā sa rājā śrāṁtavāhanaḥ citrotpalamahānadyāstīre viralakānane

Then that king set forth swiftly, though his mounts were now weary, and reached the bank of the great river Chitrotpala, where the forest grew sparse,

Verse 100 (skanda.2.51.100)

धातुकन्दरविख्याते न्यवेशयदनीकिनीम् । अपराह्णक्रियां कर्तुं यावदाह्निकमादृतः

dhātukandaravikhyāte nyaveśayadanīkinīm aparāhṇakriyāṁ kartuṁ yāvadāhnikamādṛtaḥ

— a place famed for its mineral-streaked ravines — there he had his army encamped, so that he might, attentive to his daily rites, perform the afternoon ceremony.

Verse 101 (skanda.2.51.101)

जलावतरणे नद्यां विवेश स्वपुरोधसा । पूर्वं संशोधिते प्राज्ञैर्विषकण्टकवर्जिते

jalāvataraṇe nadyāṁ viveśa svapurodhasā pūrvaṁ saṁśodhite prājñairviṣakaṇṭakavarjite

He entered the river at a bathing-place, together with his priest — a spot already purified by the wise, and cleared of poison and thorns.

Verse 102 (skanda.2.51.102)

स्नात्वा संतर्प्य देवांश्च पितॄनथ विशांपतिः । संपूज्य विधिवद्विष्णुं नृपतीन्प्रकृतीस्ततः

snātvā saṁtarpya devāṁśca pitṝnatha viśāṁpatiḥ saṁpūjya vidhivadviṣṇuṁ nṛpatīnprakṛtīstataḥ

Having bathed, offered libations to the gods and ancestors, and duly worshipped Vishnu, that lord of the people then, in turn,

Verse 103 (skanda.2.51.103)

संमानयामास नृपः संनिवेशासनादिभिः । नारदेन सह श्रीमान्प्रविश्यांतःपुरं ततः

saṁmānayāmāsa nṛpaḥ saṁniveśāsanādibhiḥ nāradena saha śrīmānpraviśyāṁtaḥpuraṁ tataḥ

— honored the vassal kings and his own people with lodgings, seats and the rest; then that glorious king, together with Narada, entered the inner apartments.

Verse 104 (skanda.2.51.104)

सुधारसानि भोज्यानि बुभुजे प्रीतमानसः । पश्चिमाद्रिं ततो याते विवस्वति विशांपतिः

sudhārasāni bhojyāni bubhuje prītamānasaḥ paścimādriṁ tato yāte vivasvati viśāṁpatiḥ

With a joyful mind he partook of foods as sweet as nectar. Then, when the sun had gone toward the western mountain, that lord of the people,

Verse 105 (skanda.2.51.105)

सायं विधिं समाप्याशु शीतभानौ समुद्यते । अनुजीविविशां नाथः सभामध्य उपाविशत्

sāyaṁ vidhiṁ samāpyāśu śītabhānau samudyate anujīviviśāṁ nāthaḥ sabhāmadhya upāviśat

— having quickly completed the evening rite, when the cool-rayed moon had risen, that lord of his subjects took his seat in the midst of the assembly.

Verse 106 (skanda.2.51.106)

तत्र तस्मिन्नरपतिर्बभौ सात्राज्यलक्षणः । संपूर्णमंडलश्चन्द्रो ज्योतिषामिव शारदः

tatra tasminnarapatirbabhau sātrājyalakṣaṇaḥ saṁpūrṇamaṁḍalaścandro jyotiṣāmiva śāradaḥ

There the king shone, bearing the very marks of empire, like the full-orbed autumn moon shining among the stars.

Verse 107 (skanda.2.51.107)

कवयः कवयांचकुः कीर्तिं तस्य सुधामलाम् । जगुर्गाथां सुग्रथितां गायकाः कलसुस्वराः

kavayaḥ kavayāṁcakuḥ kīrtiṁ tasya sudhāmalām jagurgāthāṁ sugrathitāṁ gāyakāḥ kalasusvarāḥ

Poets composed poems on his fame, spotless as nectar; sweet-voiced singers sang finely woven ballads.

Verse 108 (skanda.2.51.108)

रूपयौवनलावण्यगर्विता गणिकास्ततः । लयतानांगहारैश्च सुशुद्धैर्ननृतुः पुरः

rūpayauvanalāvaṇyagarvitā gaṇikāstataḥ layatānāṁgahāraiśca suśuddhairnanṛtuḥ puraḥ

Courtesans, proud of their beauty, youth and grace, then danced before him with pure rhythm and graceful movements of limb.

Verse 109 (skanda.2.51.109)

मागधास्तुष्टुवुश्चैनं लोकोत्तरशुभाकृतिम् । गद्यपद्यप्रबन्धाद्यैश्चित्रैः पदकदम्बकैः

māgadhāstuṣṭuvuścainaṁ lokottaraśubhākṛtim gadyapadyaprabandhādyaiścitraiḥ padakadambakaiḥ

The court-bards praised him, of matchless and auspicious form, with varied compositions in prose and verse and clusters of well-crafted words.

Verse 110 (skanda.2.51.110)

ततः स राजा प्रानर्च वैष्णवाग्र्यान्सभासदः । सुसंमतैर्गंधमाल्यतांबूलैरतिशोभनैः

tataḥ sa rājā prānarca vaiṣṇavāgryānsabhāsadaḥ susaṁmatairgaṁdhamālyatāṁbūlairatiśobhanaiḥ

Then that king honored the foremost Vaishnavas present in the assembly with the finest perfumes, garlands and betel, held in great esteem,

Verse 111 (skanda.2.51.111)

नृपांश्च शतशस्तत्र सुखासीनान्नृपाज्ञया । संभावयामास यथायोग्यं नृपतिभाजनैः

nṛpāṁśca śataśastatra sukhāsīnānnṛpājñayā saṁbhāvayāmāsa yathāyogyaṁ nṛpatibhājanaiḥ

— and, by his own order, likewise honored, as was fitting, the hundreds of kings seated at ease there, with gifts befitting their rank.

Verse 112 (skanda.2.51.112)

अथापृच्छन्मुनिवरं नारदं भगवत्प्रियम् । सिंहासनार्हे स्वासीनं बहुमानपुरःसरम् । भगवच्चरितं श्रोतुं सर्वपापापनोदनम्

athāpṛcchanmunivaraṁ nāradaṁ bhagavatpriyam siṁhāsanārhe svāsīnaṁ bahumānapuraḥsaram bhagavaccaritaṁ śrotuṁ sarvapāpāpanodanam

Then, wishing to hear the deeds of the Lord, which drive away every sin, he questioned the great sage Narada, dear to the Lord, seated with great honor upon a throne worthy of him.

Verse 113 (skanda.2.51.113)

इन्द्रद्युम्न उवाच । भगवन्वेदवेदांगनिधान भगवत्प्रिय । त्वमेव चरितं विष्णोर्जानासि ज्ञानचक्षुषा

indradyumna uvāca bhagavanvedavedāṁganidhāna bhagavatpriya tvameva caritaṁ viṣṇorjānāsi jñānacakṣuṣā

Indradyumna said: O venerable one, treasury of the Vedas and Vedangas, beloved of the Lord — you alone know the deeds of Vishnu with the eye of knowledge.

Verse 114 (skanda.2.51.114)

हरेश्चारित्रसुधया दृढपंकमलीमसम् । क्षालयांतर्मम मुने यद्यनुक्रोशको मयि

hareścāritrasudhayā dṛḍhapaṁkamalīmasam kṣālayāṁtarmama mune yadyanukrośako mayi

If you have compassion for me, O sage, then wash away, with the very nectar of Hari's deeds, the deep, mire-like impurity within me.

Verse 115 (skanda.2.51.115)

इत्थमालापसंमिश्रे मुनिराज्ञोः कथांतरे । प्रविवेश नृपं द्वाःस्थ उत्कलेशप्रसेवकः

itthamālāpasaṁmiśre munirājñoḥ kathāṁtare praviveśa nṛpaṁ dvāḥstha utkaleśaprasevakaḥ

While the sage and the king were thus engaged in this mingled conversation, a doorkeeper, in the service of the king of Utkala, came in to the king.

Verse 116 (skanda.2.51.116)

उवाच देवद्वारांते तिष्ठत्युत्कलभूमिपः । सोपायनो देवपादपद्मं द्रष्टुं समौलिकः

uvāca devadvārāṁte tiṣṭhatyutkalabhūmipaḥ sopāyano devapādapadmaṁ draṣṭuṁ samaulikaḥ

He said: 'O god-like one, at the outer gate stands the king of the land of Utkala, bearing gifts, crowned, wishing to behold your lotus feet.'

Verse 117 (skanda.2.51.117)

विज्ञापितः स राजर्षि द्वास्थेनैवं ससंभ्रमः । उवाच तं हि भो विप्राः श्रुत्वा तद्देशमण्डनम्

vijñāpitaḥ sa rājarṣi dvāsthenaivaṁ sasaṁbhramaḥ uvāca taṁ hi bho viprāḥ śrutvā taddeśamaṇḍanam

That royal sage, thus informed by the doorkeeper, grew a little agitated; and, O Brahmins, having heard of him as the very ornament of that land, he said —

Verse 118 (skanda.2.51.118)

क्षेत्रं श्रीपुरुषेशस्य तद्वार्त्ताकर्णनोत्सुकः । प्रवेशयाविलंबं तं श्रीमदोढ्रमहीपतिम्

kṣetraṁ śrīpuruṣeśasya tadvārttākarṇanotsukaḥ praveśayāvilaṁbaṁ taṁ śrīmadoḍhramahīpatim

— eager to hear news of the field of the glorious Lord of men, 'Bring the glorious king of Odra in without delay.'

Verse 119 (skanda.2.51.119)

स हि नीलगिरौ विष्णुं समाराध्य सुनिर्मलः । यस्य संदर्शनात्सर्वे भविष्यामो हतांहसः

sa hi nīlagirau viṣṇuṁ samārādhya sunirmalaḥ yasya saṁdarśanātsarve bhaviṣyāmo hatāṁhasaḥ

'For he, most pure, has worshipped Vishnu on the Blue Mountain — by the mere sight of him we shall all become freed from sin.'

Verse 120 (skanda.2.51.120)

श्रुत्वा तद्वचनं सद्यो द्वारपालो महीपतिम् । प्रवेशयामास सभामिंद्रद्युम्नस्य भूपतेः

śrutvā tadvacanaṁ sadyo dvārapālo mahīpatim praveśayāmāsa sabhāmiṁdradyumnasya bhūpateḥ

Hearing these words, the gatekeeper at once brought that king into the assembly of King Indradyumna.

Verse 121 (skanda.2.51.121)

विवेशोढ्रपतिस्तूर्णं सचिवैवैर्ष्णवैः सह । ननामांघ्रियुगं वन्द्यमिन्द्रद्युम्नस्य सादरम्

viveśoḍhrapatistūrṇaṁ sacivaivairṣṇavaiḥ saha nanāmāṁghriyugaṁ vandyamindradyumnasya sādaram

The lord of Odra entered swiftly, together with his Vaishnava ministers, and respectfully bowed to Indradyumna's venerable pair of feet.

Verse 122 (skanda.2.51.122)

तमुत्थाप्य च राजेंद्रः पुरस्कृत्य स वैष्णवम् । स्वासनांते निवेश्याथ प्रोचे सप्रश्रयं वचः

tamutthāpya ca rājeṁdraḥ puraskṛtya sa vaiṣṇavam svāsanāṁte niveśyātha proce sapraśrayaṁ vacaḥ

That foremost of kings raised him up, and, honoring him as a Vaishnava, seated him close beside his own throne, then spoke these courteous words:

Verse 123 (skanda.2.51.123)

राजन्सर्वत्र कुशली भवानोढ्रपते किल । अपि देवो विजयते नीलाद्रिशिखरालयः

rājansarvatra kuśalī bhavānoḍhrapate kila api devo vijayate nīlādriśikharālayaḥ

'O king, O lord of Odra, are you indeed well in every way? And does that god who dwells upon the peak of the Blue Mountain still reign victorious?'

Verse 124 (skanda.2.51.124)

कच्चित्ते निर्मला बुद्धिर्भगवत्पादपद्मयोः । उपैति समचित्तस्य सर्वभूतेषु ते हरौ

kaccitte nirmalā buddhirbhagavatpādapadmayoḥ upaiti samacittasya sarvabhūteṣu te harau

'Does your pure mind still rest ever upon the Lord's lotus feet, you who hold an even regard for Hari present in all beings?'

Verse 125 (skanda.2.51.125)

ओढ्राधीशस्तदा तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा कृतांजलिः । उवाच प्रश्रितं वाक्यं हर्षविस्मयचंचुकः

oḍhrādhīśastadā tasya vacaḥ śrutvā kṛtāṁjaliḥ uvāca praśritaṁ vākyaṁ harṣavismayacaṁcukaḥ

The lord of Odra, then hearing his words, with joined palms, his face astir with joy and wonder, spoke this courteous reply:

Verse 126 (skanda.2.51.126)

स्वामिन्सर्वत्र कुशलं त्वत्पादानुग्रहान्मम । सूर्ये तपत्यंधकारः कथं वा प्रभविष्यति

svāminsarvatra kuśalaṁ tvatpādānugrahānmama sūrye tapatyaṁdhakāraḥ kathaṁ vā prabhaviṣyati

'My lord, by the grace of your feet, all is well with me in every way. How, indeed, could darkness prevail while the sun is blazing?'

Verse 127 (skanda.2.51.127)

निसर्गगुणसंसर्गवशीकृतमहीभुजा । त्वया सनाथा पृथिवी जिष्णुनेवामरावती

nisargaguṇasaṁsargavaśīkṛtamahībhujā tvayā sanāthā pṛthivī jiṣṇunevāmarāvatī

'By you, who through your own inborn virtues have brought kings under your sway, this earth is as well-protected as Amaravati is by the conquering Indra.'

Verse 128 (skanda.2.51.128)

सदा धर्मश्चतुष्पादस्त्वयि शासति मेदिनीम् । निषेधाचरण राजन्केवलं श्रूयते श्रुतौ

sadā dharmaścatuṣpādastvayi śāsati medinīm niṣedhācaraṇa rājankevalaṁ śrūyate śrutau

'While you rule the earth, Dharma stands ever firm upon its four feet; O king, forbidden conduct is heard of only in the scriptures, never in your realm.'

Verse 129 (skanda.2.51.129)

राजनीतिषु ये राज्ञां गुणाः समुदितास्त्वयि । त एकैकं क्षितिभुजां गता दार्ष्टांतिकं विभो

rājanītiṣu ye rājñāṁ guṇāḥ samuditāstvayi ta ekaikaṁ kṣitibhujāṁ gatā dārṣṭāṁtikaṁ vibho

'O mighty one, whatever virtues of kings the treatises on statecraft enumerate are all found gathered together in you; other kings possess them, if at all, only singly, as mere approximations.'

Verse 130 (skanda.2.51.130)

एतावदपि साम्राज्यं दुर्लभं ते नृपोत्तम । अष्टादशद्वीपवती क्षितिरेकगृहोपमा

etāvadapi sāmrājyaṁ durlabhaṁ te nṛpottama aṣṭādaśadvīpavatī kṣitirekagṛhopamā

'O best of kings, even so vast an empire is not beyond you; this earth with its eighteen continents is to you but a single household.'

Verse 131 (skanda.2.51.131)

यदि त्वां नासृजद्ब्रह्मा वत्सलं सर्वजंतुषु । कथं शोकविहीनाः स्युर्मृतेष्वात्मजबंधुषु

yadi tvāṁ nāsṛjadbrahmā vatsalaṁ sarvajaṁtuṣu kathaṁ śokavihīnāḥ syurmṛteṣvātmajabaṁdhuṣu

'Had Brahma not created you, so tender toward all living beings, how could people ever be free of grief at the death of their own sons and kinsmen?'

Verse 132 (skanda.2.51.132)

साधारणा नृपतयो विष्णोरंशा इति श्रुतिः । भवान्साक्षात्तु भगवान्कोऽन्य ईदृग्गुणाकरः

sādhāraṇā nṛpatayo viṣṇoraṁśā iti śrutiḥ bhavānsākṣāttu bhagavānko'nya īdṛgguṇākaraḥ

'Scripture says that ordinary kings are but partial portions of Vishnu; but you are the Lord himself, directly — what other could be such a mine of virtues?'

Verse 133 (skanda.2.51.133)

दक्षिणोदधि तीरेऽस्ति नीलाद्रिः काननावृतः । न तत्र लोकसंचारस्तत्रास्ते साऽपि देवता

dakṣiṇodadhi tīre'sti nīlādriḥ kānanāvṛtaḥ na tatra lokasaṁcārastatrāste sā'pi devatā

'On the shore of the southern ocean stands the Blue Mountain, covered in forest; there is no passage of ordinary folk there, yet that deity dwells there still.'

Verse 134 (skanda.2.51.134)

वात्यया वालुकाकीर्णः सांप्रतं श्रूयते तु सः । तद्वशान्मम राज्येऽपि दुर्भिक्षमरकादिकम्

vātyayā vālukākīrṇaḥ sāṁprataṁ śrūyate tu saḥ tadvaśānmama rājye'pi durbhikṣamarakādikam

'But now it is heard that a whirlwind has buried it in sand; because of that, even in my own kingdom famine, pestilence and the like have arisen.'

Verse 135 (skanda.2.51.135)

त्वय्यागते तु सर्वस्मिन्कुशलं मे भविष्यति । इत्युक्तवंतं नृपतिरुत्कलेशं द्विजोत्तमाः

tvayyāgate tu sarvasminkuśalaṁ me bhaviṣyati ityuktavaṁtaṁ nṛpatirutkaleśaṁ dvijottamāḥ

'But once you have come, all will again be well.' Having spoken thus, O best of Brahmins, to that king of Utkala,

Verse 136 (skanda.2.51.136)

विसर्जयामास तदा संनिवेशाय मानयन् । नारदं प्रेक्ष्य निर्विण्णः किमेतदिति भो मुने

visarjayāmāsa tadā saṁniveśāya mānayan nāradaṁ prekṣya nirviṇṇaḥ kimetaditi bho mune

— he was dismissed with honor, to be given lodging. Then, looking at Narada, dejected, the king said: 'O sage, what has happened here?'

Verse 137 (skanda.2.51.137)

यदर्थं मे श्रमस्तं च विफलं हि वितर्कये । इत्युक्तवंतं तं प्राह नारदस्तु त्रिकालवित्

yadarthaṁ me śramastaṁ ca viphalaṁ hi vitarkaye ityuktavaṁtaṁ taṁ prāha nāradastu trikālavit

'The very purpose for which I undertook this trouble now seems to me to be in vain.' To him, having spoken thus, Narada, knower of the three times, replied —

Verse 138 (skanda.2.51.138)

न कार्यो विस्मयस्तेऽत्र भाग्यवान्वैष्णवोत्तमः । वैष्णवानां न वांछा हि विफला जायते क्वचित्

na kāryo vismayaste'tra bhāgyavānvaiṣṇavottamaḥ vaiṣṇavānāṁ na vāṁchā hi viphalā jāyate kvacit

'You need feel no astonishment at this; you are fortunate, and foremost among Vaishnavas. The desire of Vaishnavas never becomes fruitless.'

Verse 139 (skanda.2.51.139)

अवश्यं प्रेक्षसे राजन्बिभ्रतं पार्थिवं वपुः । कारणं जगतामादिं नारायणमनामयम्

avaśyaṁ prekṣase rājanbibhrataṁ pārthivaṁ vapuḥ kāraṇaṁ jagatāmādiṁ nārāyaṇamanāmayam

'O king, you shall surely behold Narayana, the primal cause of the worlds, free of all affliction, bearing an earthly form.'

Verse 140 (skanda.2.51.140)

त्वदनुग्रहहेतोर्वै क्षिताववतरिष्यति । जगच्चराचरं सर्वं विष्णोर्वशमुपागतम्

tvadanugrahahetorvai kṣitāvavatariṣyati jagaccarācaraṁ sarvaṁ viṣṇorvaśamupāgatam

'For the sake of showing grace to you, he shall descend upon the earth. The whole moving and unmoving universe has come under the sway of Vishnu;'

Verse 141 (skanda.2.51.141)

न कस्यापि वशे सोऽपि परमात्मा सनातनः । केवलं भक्तिवशगो भगवान्भक्तवत्सलः

na kasyāpi vaśe so'pi paramātmā sanātanaḥ kevalaṁ bhaktivaśago bhagavānbhaktavatsalaḥ

'— yet that eternal Supreme Self is himself under the sway of no one; the Lord, tender to his devotees, is subject only to devotion.'

Verse 142 (skanda.2.51.142)

ब्रह्मादिकीटपर्यंतं सुगुप्तं यस्य मायया । स कथं परतंत्रः स्यादृते भक्तजनान्नृप

brahmādikīṭaparyaṁtaṁ suguptaṁ yasya māyayā sa kathaṁ parataṁtraḥ syādṛte bhaktajanānnṛpa

'O king, he by whose maya everything, from Brahma down to the smallest insect, is well concealed — how could he be dependent on anyone but his own devotees?'

Verse 143 (skanda.2.51.143)

धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां मूलं भक्तिर्मुरद्विषः । सैव तद्ग्रहणोपायस्तामृते नास्ति किंचन

dharmārthakāmamokṣāṇāṁ mūlaṁ bhaktirmuradviṣaḥ saiva tadgrahaṇopāyastāmṛte nāsti kiṁcana

'Devotion to the enemy of Mura is the very root of dharma, artha, kama and moksha; it alone is the means of attaining them — apart from it, there is nothing at all.'

Verse 144 (skanda.2.51.144)

एक एव यदा विष्णुर्बहुधा स्वस्य मायया । तमृते परमात्मानं सुखहेतुर्न विद्यते

eka eva yadā viṣṇurbahudhā svasya māyayā tamṛte paramātmānaṁ sukhaheturna vidyate

'Since Vishnu, though one alone, becomes manifold through his own maya, apart from that Supreme Self there exists no other cause of happiness.'

Verse 145 (skanda.2.51.145)

येऽप्यन्ये शिवदुर्गाद्यास्तैस्तैः कर्मभिरावृताः । यच्छंति पूजिताः कामं तेऽपि विष्णुपरायणाः

ye'pyanye śivadurgādyāstaistaiḥ karmabhirāvṛtāḥ yacchaṁti pūjitāḥ kāmaṁ te'pi viṣṇuparāyaṇāḥ

'Even the other gods — Shiva, Durga and the rest — veiled by their own respective functions, who when worshipped grant desires, are themselves wholly devoted to Vishnu.'

Verse 146 (skanda.2.51.146)

अन्तर्यामी स भगवान्देवानामपि हृत्स्थितः । यावत्फलं प्रेरयति तावदेव ददत्यमी

antaryāmī sa bhagavāndevānāmapi hṛtsthitaḥ yāvatphalaṁ prerayati tāvadeva dadatyamī

'That indwelling Lord abides even in the hearts of the gods; these gods bestow only so much fruit as he himself impels.'

Verse 147 (skanda.2.51.147)

वैष्णवस्त्वं च राजेंद्र पद्मयोनेश्च पंचमः । अष्टादशानां विद्यानां पारगो वृत्तसंस्थितः

vaiṣṇavastvaṁ ca rājeṁdra padmayoneśca paṁcamaḥ aṣṭādaśānāṁ vidyānāṁ pārago vṛttasaṁsthitaḥ

'O foremost of kings, you yourself are a Vaishnava, born the fifth in descent from the lotus-born Brahma, a master of the eighteen sciences, and firmly established in good conduct.'

Verse 148 (skanda.2.51.148)

न्यायेन रक्षिता पृथ्वीं विशेषाद्ब्राह्मणार्चकः । अवश्यं द्रक्ष्यसि क्षेत्रे वैकुण्ठं चर्मचक्षुषा

nyāyena rakṣitā pṛthvīṁ viśeṣādbrāhmaṇārcakaḥ avaśyaṁ drakṣyasi kṣetre vaikuṇṭhaṁ carmacakṣuṣā

'You have protected the earth with justice, and are, above all, a worshipper of Brahmins; you shall surely behold Vaikuntha with your own fleshly eyes, in that field.'

Verse 149 (skanda.2.51.149)

पितामहोऽप्यत्र कार्ये भवतो मां नियुक्तवान् । सर्वं ते कथयिष्यामि प्राप्ते क्षेत्रोत्तमे नृप

pitāmaho'pyatra kārye bhavato māṁ niyuktavān sarvaṁ te kathayiṣyāmi prāpte kṣetrottame nṛpa

'The Grandsire himself has appointed me to this very task of yours; O king, once we reach that most excellent field, I shall tell you everything.'

Verse 150 (skanda.2.51.150)

सांप्रतं रात्रिशेषो हि तृतीयं याममृच्छति । स्वान्तान्निवेशान्निर्गंतुं राज्ञ आज्ञापयाधुना

sāṁprataṁ rātriśeṣo hi tṛtīyaṁ yāmamṛcchati svāntānniveśānnirgaṁtuṁ rājña ājñāpayādhunā

'Now the remainder of the night is reaching its third watch; give your command now, that the kings may set out from their own encampments.'

Verse 151 (skanda.2.51.151)

त्वमप्यंतर्गृहं याहि निद्राया वशमागतः

tvamapyaṁtargṛhaṁ yāhi nidrāyā vaśamāgataḥ

'You too, go now into your inner chamber, and yield to the hold of sleep.'