Indradyumna's Journey to Ekamra Vana and the Legend of Shiva's Kashi

Verse 1 (skanda.2.52.1)

जैमिनिरुवाच । उक्ते ब्रह्मसुतेनेत्थमिंद्रद्युम्नो महीपतिः । मुनेस्तुवचनं श्रुत्वा प्रहृष्टेनांतरात्मना । विचार्य परया बुद्ध्या श्रमं मेने फलावहम्

jaiminiruvāca ukte brahmasutenetthamiṁdradyumno mahīpatiḥ munestuvacanaṁ śrutvā prahṛṣṭenāṁtarātmanā vicārya parayā buddhyā śramaṁ mene phalāvaham

Jaimini said: When the son of Brahma had spoken thus, King Indradyumna, having heard the sage's words with a delighted heart, and having reflected with excellent judgment, considered the undertaking to be fruitful.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.52.2)

अहो मे परमं भाग्यं बहुजन्मांतरार्जितम् । व्यवसाये ममोद्युक्तः सर्वलोकपितामहः

aho me paramaṁ bhāgyaṁ bahujanmāṁtarārjitam vyavasāye mamodyuktaḥ sarvalokapitāmahaḥ

Ah, this is my supreme fortune, earned across many lifetimes, that the Grandsire of all worlds himself has become eager to aid my undertaking.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.52.3)

जीवन्मुक्तं स्वतनुजं मत्सहायमकारयत् । सहायो यादृशः पुंसां भवेत्कार्यं हि तादृशम्

jīvanmuktaṁ svatanujaṁ matsahāyamakārayat sahāyo yādṛśaḥ puṁsāṁ bhavetkāryaṁ hi tādṛśam

He made his own liberated son, Narada, my companion; for as is a man's helper, so indeed does his task turn out.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.52.4)

श्रुतं सभासु सर्वासु इति वृद्धानुशासनम् । स इत्थं चिंतयन्राजा विसृज्य च सभासदः

śrutaṁ sabhāsu sarvāsu iti vṛddhānuśāsanam sa itthaṁ ciṁtayanrājā visṛjya ca sabhāsadaḥ

This is heard in every assembly — such is the teaching of the elders. Thus reflecting, the king dismissed his courtiers.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.52.5)

ततो मुनिं करे धृत्वा विवेशांतःपुरे द्विजाः । तमर्चयित्वा विधिवत्पल्यंके सह तेन वै

tato muniṁ kare dhṛtvā viveśāṁtaḥpure dvijāḥ tamarcayitvā vidhivatpalyaṁke saha tena vai

Then, taking the sage by the hand, he entered the inner apartments, O Brahmins; and having duly honoured him, he sat with him upon the couch.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.52.6)

निशावशेषं नृपतिर्निनाय संलपन्मिथः । ततः प्रभाते विमले नित्यं कर्म समाप्य वै

niśāvaśeṣaṁ nṛpatirnināya saṁlapanmithaḥ tataḥ prabhāte vimale nityaṁ karma samāpya vai

The king spent the rest of the night conversing with him; then, at the clear dawn, having completed his daily rites,

Verse 7 (skanda.2.52.7)

पूजयित्वा जगन्नाथं संततार महानदीम् । ओढ्रदेशाधिपेनाग्रे गच्छतादिष्टपद्धतिः

pūjayitvā jagannāthaṁ saṁtatāra mahānadīm oḍhradeśādhipenāgre gacchatādiṣṭapaddhatiḥ

he worshipped Jagannatha and crossed the great river; going by the path shown ahead by the lord of the Odra country,

Verse 8 (skanda.2.52.8)

एकाम्र वनकं क्षेत्रमभियातो बलान्वितः । स गत्वा किंचिदध्वानं प्राप्य गंधवहाभिधाम्

ekāmra vanakaṁ kṣetramabhiyāto balānvitaḥ sa gatvā kiṁcidadhvānaṁ prāpya gaṁdhavahābhidhām

he set out with his army toward the field called Ekamra-vana; and having gone some distance, reaching the river named Gandhavaha,

Verse 9 (skanda.2.52.9)

नदीं वेगवतीं शीततोयामाक्रम्य वेगवान् । पूर्वाह्नपूजासमये कोटिलिंगेश्वरस्य वै

nadīṁ vegavatīṁ śītatoyāmākramya vegavān pūrvāhnapūjāsamaye koṭiliṁgeśvarasya vai

the swift king crossed that swift, cool-watered river; and at the hour of Kotilingeshvara's forenoon worship,

Verse 10 (skanda.2.52.10)

चर्चरीशंखकाहालमृदंगमुरजध्वनिम् । व्यश्नुवानं महारण्यं दूराच्छुश्राव भूपतिः

carcarīśaṁkhakāhālamṛdaṁgamurajadhvanim vyaśnuvānaṁ mahāraṇyaṁ dūrācchuśrāva bhūpatiḥ

from afar the king heard, resounding through the great forest, the sound of cymbals, conches, horns, mridangas and murajas.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.52.11)

मन्यमानो भगवतो नीलाचल निवासिनः । उवाच नारदं प्रीतो ध्वनिः कुत्र महामुने

manyamāno bhagavato nīlācala nivāsinaḥ uvāca nāradaṁ prīto dhvaniḥ kutra mahāmune

Thinking it came from the Lord who dwells on the Nila mountain, he asked Narada with delight: 'O great sage, whence comes this sound?'

Verse 12 (skanda.2.52.12)

नीलाद्रिशिखरावासः प्राप्तः किं परमेश्वरः । यदर्चासमये ह्येष श्रूयते संकुलध्वनिः

nīlādriśikharāvāsaḥ prāptaḥ kiṁ parameśvaraḥ yadarcāsamaye hyeṣa śrūyate saṁkuladhvaniḥ

'Have we then reached the abode of the Supreme Lord on the peak of the Nila mountain? For this is that tumultuous sound heard at the hour of worship.'

Verse 13 (skanda.2.52.13)

उताहोप्यन्यदेवो वा निकटे वर्त्तते मुने । इति पृष्टस्तदा राज्ञा प्रोवाच मुनिपुंगवः

utāhopyanyadevo vā nikaṭe varttate mune iti pṛṣṭastadā rājñā provāca munipuṁgavaḥ

'Or is some other deity nearby, O sage?' Thus questioned by the king, the foremost of sages replied:

Verse 14 (skanda.2.52.14)

राजन्सुदुर्लभं क्षेत्रं गोपितं मुरवैरिणा । न तत्रास्तीति भगवान्कैरपि ज्ञायते नृभिः

rājansudurlabhaṁ kṣetraṁ gopitaṁ muravairiṇā na tatrāstīti bhagavānkairapi jñāyate nṛbhiḥ

'O King, this is a most rare field, concealed by the Foe of Mura (Vishnu); hence men say the Lord is not there, for he is not known by any man at all.'

Verse 15 (skanda.2.52.15)

त्वं हि भाग्यवतां श्रेष्ठस्त्वद्भाग्यात्ते पुरोधसा । दृष्टः कथंचिद्भगवान्संयतेंद्रियवर्त्मना

tvaṁ hi bhāgyavatāṁ śreṣṭhastvadbhāgyātte purodhasā dṛṣṭaḥ kathaṁcidbhagavānsaṁyateṁdriyavartmanā

'You indeed are foremost among the fortunate; by your good fortune your priest, through the path of restrained senses, has somehow beheld the Lord.'

Verse 16 (skanda.2.52.16)

त्वं हि तावद्बलैर्युक्तः षडंगैनृपसत्तम । साहसेऽतिप्रवृत्तोऽसि संशयो मे महीपते

tvaṁ hi tāvadbalairyuktaḥ ṣaḍaṁgainṛpasattama sāhase'tipravṛtto'si saṁśayo me mahīpate

'You indeed are equipped with all six divisions of the army, O best of kings; but you are given to excessive daring — of this I have some misgiving, O lord of the earth.'

Verse 17 (skanda.2.52.17)

संवर्त्तते नीलगिरिर्योजने तु तृतीयके । इदं त्वेकाम्रकवनं क्षेत्रं गौरीपतेर्विभोः । नातिदूरे महीपाल भीतः स शरणागतः

saṁvarttate nīlagiriryojane tu tṛtīyake idaṁ tvekāmrakavanaṁ kṣetraṁ gaurīpatervibhoḥ nātidūre mahīpāla bhītaḥ sa śaraṇāgataḥ

'The Nila mountain lies three yojanas from here; but this Ekamraka forest, not far off, O king, is the field of the Lord, husband of Gauri — he, made afraid, has taken refuge here.'

Verse 18 (skanda.2.52.18)

इंद्रद्युम्न उवाच । कथं स भीतो गौरीशः कं वा शरणमागतः

iṁdradyumna uvāca kathaṁ sa bhīto gaurīśaḥ kaṁ vā śaraṇamāgataḥ

Indradyumna said: 'How did the Lord of Gauri become afraid? And in whom did he take refuge?'

Verse 19 (skanda.2.52.19)

ददाह त्रिपुरं घोरं शरेणैकेन यः पुरा । अत्र मे विस्मयो जातः श्रोतुमिच्छामि दुर्लभम्

dadāha tripuraṁ ghoraṁ śareṇaikena yaḥ purā atra me vismayo jātaḥ śrotumicchāmi durlabham

'He who once burned the terrible Tripura with a single arrow — at this I am amazed; I wish to hear this rare tale.'

Verse 20 (skanda.2.52.20)

रक्षिता भवभीतानां भवः परमपावनः । किमर्थं भयभीतोऽसौ कः समर्थोऽस्य वै जये

rakṣitā bhavabhītānāṁ bhavaḥ paramapāvanaḥ kimarthaṁ bhayabhīto'sau kaḥ samartho'sya vai jaye

'Bhava is the protector of those afraid of worldly existence, and supremely purifying — why then is he himself afraid? Who is capable of conquering him?'

Verse 21 (skanda.2.52.21)

नारद उवाच । अत्र ते कथयिष्यामि पुरावृत्तं महीपते । उपयेमे पुरा गौरीं तपसा वशमागतः

nārada uvāca atra te kathayiṣyāmi purāvṛttaṁ mahīpate upayeme purā gaurīṁ tapasā vaśamāgataḥ

Narada said: 'O King, I shall tell you the ancient story of this. Long ago, brought under her sway by austerity, he married Gauri.'

Verse 22 (skanda.2.52.22)

ब्रह्मचारी हिमगिरौ भगवान्नीललोहितः । उत्सृज्य ब्रह्मचर्यं तु सोऽनंगशरपीडितः

brahmacārī himagirau bhagavānnīlalohitaḥ utsṛjya brahmacaryaṁ tu so'naṁgaśarapīḍitaḥ

The Lord Nilalohita, who had lived as a celibate on the Himalaya, abandoned his celibacy, being pierced by the arrows of the bodiless one, Kama.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.52.23)

तया रेमे रुचिरया यौवनोन्मत्तया नृप । तत्पितुर्विषये भोगान्बुभुजे देवकांक्षितान्

tayā reme rucirayā yauvanonmattayā nṛpa tatpiturviṣaye bhogānbubhuje devakāṁkṣitān

He sported with her, lovely and intoxicated with youth, O king; in her father's realm he enjoyed pleasures desired even by the gods.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.52.24)

कदाचिदथ निर्याती स्ववासभवनात्सती । सामपूर्वं कुलस्त्रीभिर्मात्रोक्ता सस्मितं वचः

kadācidatha niryātī svavāsabhavanātsatī sāmapūrvaṁ kulastrībhirmātroktā sasmitaṁ vacaḥ

Once, the chaste one went out from her own dwelling; there, in the company of the family women, her mother spoke to her with soft, smiling words —

Verse 25 (skanda.2.52.25)

आर्ये महत्तपस्तप्तं वरार्थं गहने वने । निष्कुलो निर्गुणो वृद्धो वरः प्राप्तो वरानने

ārye mahattapastaptaṁ varārthaṁ gahane vane niṣkulo nirguṇo vṛddho varaḥ prāpto varānane

'O noble one, great austerity was performed in the deep forest for the sake of a husband — yet, O fair one, you have obtained a husband without lineage, without virtue, and old.'

Verse 26 (skanda.2.52.26)

दिवारात्रिं न त्यजसि सन्निधिं तादृशस्य वै । को गुणः कथ्यतां वत्से किं वा पत्युः प्रसादजम्

divārātriṁ na tyajasi sannidhiṁ tādṛśasya vai ko guṇaḥ kathyatāṁ vatse kiṁ vā patyuḥ prasādajam

'Day and night you do not leave his presence — tell me, child, what virtue is in him, or what has come of your husband's favour?'

Verse 27 (skanda.2.52.27)

भूषणाच्छादनं प्राप्तं ममैव गृहवासिनी । चिरं तिष्ठसि भद्रे त्वं पितृभोगोपलालिता

bhūṣaṇācchādanaṁ prāptaṁ mamaiva gṛhavāsinī ciraṁ tiṣṭhasi bhadre tvaṁ pitṛbhogopalālitā

'You have received only ornaments and clothing, and still you dwell in my own house; good one, long have you sat here, nourished by your father's bounty.'

Verse 28 (skanda.2.52.28)

त्रैलोक्ये यास्तु कन्या वै परिणीताः पितुर्गृहात् । प्रयात्यलंकृताभर्त्रा भर्तृवेश्मनि शुश्रुम

trailokye yāstu kanyā vai pariṇītāḥ piturgṛhāt prayātyalaṁkṛtābhartrā bhartṛveśmani śuśruma

'We have heard that whatever maidens in the three worlds are given in marriage from their father's house are led forth, adorned, by their husband to his own home.'

Verse 29 (skanda.2.52.29)

अहं तु मानसी कन्या पितृणां पितृलोकतः । आगता तु महाभागे परिणीता हिमाद्रिणा

ahaṁ tu mānasī kanyā pitṛṇāṁ pitṛlokataḥ āgatā tu mahābhāge pariṇītā himādriṇā

'But I am the mind-born daughter of the Fathers, come from the world of the Fathers; and I, O most fortunate one, was given in marriage by the Himalaya himself.'

Verse 30 (skanda.2.52.30)

इत्थमुक्ता मया हास्यान्न क्रोधाच्चललोचने । जामातुरग्रे नो वाच्यं स हि विष्णुसमो मतः

itthamuktā mayā hāsyānna krodhāccalalocane jāmāturagre no vācyaṁ sa hi viṣṇusamo mataḥ

'This I have said only in jest, not in anger, O fickle-eyed one — do not repeat it before your husband, for he is deemed equal to Vishnu.'

Verse 31 (skanda.2.52.31)

नारद उवाच । मातुरित्थं वचः श्रुत्वा भर्तृनिंदाप्रपीडिता । कोपप्रस्फुरदोष्ठी सा वाचं नोचे मनागपि

nārada uvāca māturitthaṁ vacaḥ śrutvā bhartṛniṁdāprapīḍitā kopaprasphuradoṣṭhī sā vācaṁ noce manāgapi

Narada said: Having heard her mother's words, pained by this disparagement of her husband, her lips quivering with anger, she spoke not a word.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.52.32)

प्रययावंतिकं भर्तुर्निह्नुवानांऽबिकावचः । जगाद परुषं वाक्यं स्नेहगर्भं मिताक्षरम्

prayayāvaṁtikaṁ bharturnihnuvānāṁ'bikāvacaḥ jagāda paruṣaṁ vākyaṁ snehagarbhaṁ mitākṣaram

Concealing her mother's words, she went to her husband's presence; and spoke harsh words, though laden with affection, in few syllables —

Verse 33 (skanda.2.52.33)

स्वामिन्न सांप्रतं चैतद्यद्वासः श्वशुरालये । क्षौद्रीयसामपि गुरोस्त्रैलोक्यस्य कथं नु ते

svāminna sāṁprataṁ caitadyadvāsaḥ śvaśurālaye kṣaudrīyasāmapi gurostrailokyasya kathaṁ nu te

'My lord, it is not fitting now that our dwelling be in my father's house — how can this suit you, who are the very guru of the three worlds?'

Verse 34 (skanda.2.52.34)

तदावयोर्नात्र योग्या वसतिर्मे प्रिया विभो । न संति किं ते वासाय योग्या वै भूमयः प्रभोः

tadāvayornātra yogyā vasatirme priyā vibho na saṁti kiṁ te vāsāya yogyā vai bhūmayaḥ prabhoḥ

'Therefore a dwelling here is not fitting for us, nor pleasing to me, O Lord; are there not, for you, O Master, lands fit to dwell in?'

Verse 35 (skanda.2.52.35)

इत्युक्तः शिवया सोऽथ भगवान्वृषभध्वजः । तया सार्द्धं वृषारूढो मध्यदेशं ययौ त्वरन्

ityuktaḥ śivayā so'tha bhagavānvṛṣabhadhvajaḥ tayā sārddhaṁ vṛṣārūḍho madhyadeśaṁ yayau tvaran

Thus addressed by Shiva, the Lord whose banner bears the bull, mounted on his bull, set out swiftly with her toward the Middle Country.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.52.36)

विलंघ्य सर्व तीर्थानि प्रयागं पावनं महत् । पूर्वसागरगामिन्या गंगाया उत्तरे तटे

vilaṁghya sarva tīrthāni prayāgaṁ pāvanaṁ mahat pūrvasāgaragāminyā gaṁgāyā uttare taṭe

Passing over all the sacred fords, and the great, purifying Prayaga, on the northern bank of the Ganga that flows to the eastern ocean,

Verse 37 (skanda.2.52.37)

वाराणसीं नाम पुरीं गौर्या वासाय निर्ममे । पंचक्रोशमितां रम्यां वरप्रासादशोभिताम्

vārāṇasīṁ nāma purīṁ gauryā vāsāya nirmame paṁcakrośamitāṁ ramyāṁ varaprāsādaśobhitām

he fashioned, for Gauri's dwelling, the city named Varanasi — five krosas in extent, delightful, adorned with excellent palaces,

Verse 38 (skanda.2.52.38)

अट्टालकशतैर्युक्तामसंख्योपवनैर्युताम् । नानातीर्थसमायुक्तां नानाजनसमाकुलाम्

aṭṭālakaśatairyuktāmasaṁkhyopavanairyutām nānātīrthasamāyuktāṁ nānājanasamākulām

furnished with hundreds of watch-towers, countless groves, joined to manifold sacred fords, and thronged with people of every kind,

Verse 39 (skanda.2.52.39)

आज्ञया धूर्जटेः शुभ्रां निर्मितां विश्वकर्मणा । पावनैः शीतलैर्गंगातरंगैः क्षपितांहसाम्

ājñayā dhūrjaṭeḥ śubhrāṁ nirmitāṁ viśvakarmaṇā pāvanaiḥ śītalairgaṁgātaraṁgaiḥ kṣapitāṁhasām

bright and pure, built by Vishvakarma at Dhurjati's command — a city whose sins are washed away by the pure, cool waves of the Ganga.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.52.40)

तत्र मध्ये पुरे स्वर्णप्राकाराट्टालशोभिते । रत्नस्तंभैः सुघटिते सर्वाशापरिपूरके

tatra madhye pure svarṇaprākārāṭṭālaśobhite ratnastaṁbhaiḥ sughaṭite sarvāśāparipūrake

There, in the middle of that city, adorned with golden ramparts and towers, well-built with jewelled pillars, and fulfilling every desire,

Verse 41 (skanda.2.52.41)

तया रेमे पशुपतिः श्रियेव मधुसूदनः । सा पुरी विश्वनाथेन कदाचिन्नैव मुच्यते

tayā reme paśupatiḥ śriyeva madhusūdanaḥ sā purī viśvanāthena kadācinnaiva mucyate

Pashupati sported with her, as Madhusudana sports with Shri; that city is never at any time abandoned by Vishvanatha.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.52.42)

अविमुक्तेति सा ख्याता नृणां मुक्तिप्रदायिनी । पुरासीन्मनुजाधीश सेविता भवभीरुभिः

avimukteti sā khyātā nṛṇāṁ muktipradāyinī purāsīnmanujādhīśa sevitā bhavabhīrubhiḥ

It is renowned as 'Avimukta,' the bestower of liberation on men; of old, O lord of men, it was resorted to by those who feared worldly existence.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.52.43)

तत्रोषिता तदा गौरी तेन भर्त्रा स्वलंकृता । मातरं पितरं चापि न सस्मार महीपते

tatroṣitā tadā gaurī tena bhartrā svalaṁkṛtā mātaraṁ pitaraṁ cāpi na sasmāra mahīpate

There Gauri then dwelt, richly adorned by her husband; she remembered, O king, neither her mother nor her father.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.52.44)

एवं बहुयुगेऽतीते कैलासाद्रिं स जग्मिवान् । आत्मनः कोटिलिंगानि तत्र संस्थाप्य वै प्रभुः

evaṁ bahuyuge'tīte kailāsādriṁ sa jagmivān ātmanaḥ koṭiliṁgāni tatra saṁsthāpya vai prabhuḥ

Thus, when many ages had passed, he went to Mount Kailasa; the Lord, having established there his own crore of lingas —

Verse 45 (skanda.2.52.45)

राजानः पालयामासुस्तां पुरीं बहुशो नृप । तत्रासीत्काशिराजाख्यः पुरा द्वापरके युगे

rājānaḥ pālayāmāsustāṁ purīṁ bahuśo nṛpa tatrāsītkāśirājākhyaḥ purā dvāparake yuge

many kings ruled over that city thereafter, O king; there, of old, in the Dvapara age, lived one named the King of Kashi.

Verse 46 (skanda.2.52.46)

शंभुं संतोषयामास तपसोग्रेण वै प्रभुम् । जरासन्धपुरोगाणां राज्ञां जेतारमच्युतम्

śaṁbhuṁ saṁtoṣayāmāsa tapasogreṇa vai prabhum jarāsandhapurogāṇāṁ rājñāṁ jetāramacyutam

He pleased the Lord Shambhu with fierce austerity, desiring to be the conqueror of Achyuta, the vanquisher of kings headed by Jarasandha.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.52.47)

संग्रामे प्रभविष्यामीत्यभिसंधाय पार्थिवः । प्रादात्तस्मै वरं सोऽपि पिनाकी पारितोषितः

saṁgrāme prabhaviṣyāmītyabhisaṁdhāya pārthivaḥ prādāttasmai varaṁ so'pi pinākī pāritoṣitaḥ

'I shall prevail in battle' — resolving thus, that king performed austerity; and the Trident-bearer, pleased, granted him a boon.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.52.48)

जेतासि कंसहंतारं संग्रामे त्वमरिंदम । तवार्थे प्रमथैः सार्द्धमहं योत्स्ये वृषे स्थितः

jetāsi kaṁsahaṁtāraṁ saṁgrāme tvamariṁdama tavārthe pramathaiḥ sārddhamahaṁ yotsye vṛṣe sthitaḥ

'O tamer of foes, you shall vanquish the slayer of Kamsa in battle; for your sake, mounted upon my bull, together with my host of Pramathas, I shall fight.'

Verse 49 (skanda.2.52.49)

शंभोरिति वरं लब्ध्वा प्रमत्तः स नराधिपः । शंखचक्रधरं संख्ये हरिमाह्वत वीर्यवान्

śaṁbhoriti varaṁ labdhvā pramattaḥ sa narādhipaḥ śaṁkhacakradharaṁ saṁkhye harimāhvata vīryavān

Having obtained this boon from Shambhu, that king grew intoxicated with pride; the mighty one challenged Hari, bearer of conch and discus, to battle.

Verse 50 (skanda.2.52.50)

अन्तर्यामी स भगवाञ्ज्ञात्वा वृत्तांतमीदृशम् । चक्रं प्रस्थापयामास काशिराजस्य सूदने

antaryāmī sa bhagavāñjñātvā vṛttāṁtamīdṛśam cakraṁ prasthāpayāmāsa kāśirājasya sūdane

The all-pervading Lord, knowing this event, dispatched his discus for the destruction of the King of Kashi.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.52.51)

तदुग्रदर्शनं चक्रं सहस्रादित्यवर्चसम् । काशिराजशिरश्छित्त्वा तद्बलं तां पुरीं ततः

tadugradarśanaṁ cakraṁ sahasrādityavarcasam kāśirājaśiraśchittvā tadbalaṁ tāṁ purīṁ tataḥ

That discus, terrible to behold, blazing with the splendour of a thousand suns, having severed the head of the King of Kashi, then consumed his army and that city —

Verse 52 (skanda.2.52.52)

ददाह कुपितं राजन्विष्णोराशयवीर्यवित् । तद्दृष्ट्वा सुमहत्कर्म क्रुद्धः पशुपतिस्तदा

dadāha kupitaṁ rājanviṣṇorāśayavīryavit taddṛṣṭvā sumahatkarma kruddhaḥ paśupatistadā

— burned it in wrath, O king, knowing well Vishnu's intent and power. Seeing that mighty deed, Pashupati grew enraged,

Verse 53 (skanda.2.52.53)

गणैर्वृतो वृषारूढः पिनाकी तदुपाद्रवत् । ततः सुदर्शनं चक्रं दृष्ट्वा तं प्रथमं पुरः

gaṇairvṛto vṛṣārūḍhaḥ pinākī tadupādravat tataḥ sudarśanaṁ cakraṁ dṛṣṭvā taṁ prathamaṁ puraḥ

and, surrounded by his hosts, mounted on his bull, the Trident-bearer rushed there; then, seeing the Sudarshana discus first before him,

Verse 54 (skanda.2.52.54)

शंभुः पाशुपतास्त्रं तच्चकारोत्पातसन्निभम् । पुरा विष्णोर्वरं प्राप्तं शंभुना भक्तितोषितात्

śaṁbhuḥ pāśupatāstraṁ taccakārotpātasannibham purā viṣṇorvaraṁ prāptaṁ śaṁbhunā bhaktitoṣitāt

Shambhu made ready that Pashupata weapon, resembling a portent of doom; but of old, pleased by Shambhu's devotion, Vishnu had granted him this boon —

Verse 55 (skanda.2.52.55)

बलेनाप्याययिष्यामि तवास्त्रं संस्मृतस्त्वया । मयि चेत्प्रतिकूलस्त्वं भविष्यति च निष्प्रभम्

balenāpyāyayiṣyāmi tavāstraṁ saṁsmṛtastvayā mayi cetpratikūlastvaṁ bhaviṣyati ca niṣprabham

'— when you remember it, I shall augment your weapon with my own power; but should you turn against me, it will become powerless.'

Verse 56 (skanda.2.52.56)

घोरे पाशुपते चास्मिन्नस्त्रे च विफलीकृते । वाराणस्यां च दग्धायां भयत्रस्तो वृषध्वजः

ghore pāśupate cāsminnastre ca viphalīkṛte vārāṇasyāṁ ca dagdhāyāṁ bhayatrasto vṛṣadhvajaḥ

When that terrible Pashupata weapon was rendered ineffective, and Varanasi lay burnt, the bull-bannered one, now afraid,

Verse 57 (skanda.2.52.57)

तुष्टाव जगतामदिमनादिं पुरुषोत्तमम्

tuṣṭāva jagatāmadimanādiṁ puruṣottamam

praised Purushottama, the beginningless origin of the worlds.

Verse 58 (skanda.2.52.58)

महादेव उवाच । नारायण परंधाम परमात्मन्परात्पर । सच्चिदानन्दविभव निरञ्जन नमोऽस्तु ते

mahādeva uvāca nārāyaṇa paraṁdhāma paramātmanparātpara saccidānandavibhava nirañjana namo'stu te

Mahadeva said: O Narayana, supreme abode, supreme Self, higher than the highest, of the glory of being-consciousness-bliss, stainless one — salutation to you.

Verse 59 (skanda.2.52.59)

जगत्कारणसृष्ट्यादि कर्मकृद्गुणभेदतः । मायया निजया गुप्त स्वप्रकाश नमोऽस्तु ते

jagatkāraṇasṛṣṭyādi karmakṛdguṇabhedataḥ māyayā nijayā gupta svaprakāśa namo'stu te

O cause of the world, doer of creation and the other acts through the distinctions of the gunas, hidden by your own maya, self-luminous — salutation to you.

Verse 60 (skanda.2.52.60)

नांतर्बहिर्बहिश्चांतर्दूरस्थो निकटाश्रयः । गुरुर्लघुः स्थिरोऽणीयान्स्थवीयांश्च नमोऽस्तु ते

nāṁtarbahirbahiścāṁtardūrastho nikaṭāśrayaḥ gururlaghuḥ sthiro'ṇīyānsthavīyāṁśca namo'stu te

Neither within nor without, yet both without and within; far away, yet the refuge close at hand; heavy, light, stable, subtler than the subtle and vaster than the vast — salutation to you.

Verse 61 (skanda.2.52.61)

कोटयश्चतुरास्यस्य पलार्द्धं मम चातुल । यदपांगविलासोत्थं तस्मै कालात्मने नमः

koṭayaścaturāsyasya palārddhaṁ mama cātula yadapāṁgavilāsotthaṁ tasmai kālātmane namaḥ

Crores of years of the four-faced Brahma, and half a moment of mine, O incomparable one, arise from the mere play of your sidelong glance — salutation to you whose self is Time.

Verse 62 (skanda.2.52.62)

एकैकरोमाकलितब्रह्माण्डगणसंवृतम् । मानातीतं वपुर्यस्य तस्मै विश्वात्मने नमः

ekaikaromākalitabrahmāṇḍagaṇasaṁvṛtam mānātītaṁ vapuryasya tasmai viśvātmane namaḥ

Salutation to him whose form, beyond all measure, is pervaded in each single hair by multitudes of cosmic universes, whose self is the universe.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.52.63)

स्वकालपरिमाणेन वेधसः प्रलयोद्भवौ । मन्वंतरादिघटनाकलनाय नमोऽस्तु ते

svakālaparimāṇena vedhasaḥ pralayodbhavau manvaṁtarādighaṭanākalanāya namo'stu te

By your own measure of time occur the Creator's dissolution and origination — salutation to you, ordainer of the Manvantaras and the rest.

Verse 64 (skanda.2.52.64)

सृष्टोऽहं तमसा नाथ त्वत्प्रभावानभिज्ञकः । तत्क्षमस्वापराधं मे त्राहि मां शरणागतम्

sṛṣṭo'haṁ tamasā nātha tvatprabhāvānabhijñakaḥ tatkṣamasvāparādhaṁ me trāhi māṁ śaraṇāgatam

I have arisen from darkness, O Lord, unaware of your power; forgive this offence of mine, protect me who have come for refuge.

Verse 65 (skanda.2.52.65)

स्तुतिमित्थं प्रकुर्वाणे तस्मिंस्त्रिपुरदाहिनि । चक्ररूपं परित्यज्य आविरासीदधोक्षजः

stutimitthaṁ prakurvāṇe tasmiṁstripuradāhini cakrarūpaṁ parityajya āvirāsīdadhokṣajaḥ

While the burner of Tripura was thus offering praise, Adhokshaja, abandoning the form of the discus, made himself manifest —

Verse 66 (skanda.2.52.66)

प्रसन्नवदनः श्रीमाञ्छंखचक्रगदाधरः । तार्क्ष्यपद्मासनगतो वनमालाविभूषणः

prasannavadanaḥ śrīmāñchaṁkhacakragadādharaḥ tārkṣyapadmāsanagato vanamālāvibhūṣaṇaḥ

with a serene face, radiant with glory, bearing conch, discus and mace, seated upon Garuda, adorned with the forest-garland,

Verse 67 (skanda.2.52.67)

हारकुण्डलकेयूरमुकुटादिभिरुज्ज्वलः । वामोत्संगगतां लक्ष्मीं सत्यां दक्षिणपार्श्वगाम्

hārakuṇḍalakeyūramukuṭādibhirujjvalaḥ vāmotsaṁgagatāṁ lakṣmīṁ satyāṁ dakṣiṇapārśvagām

resplendent with necklace, earrings, armlets, crown and the rest, Lakshmi truly seated on his left lap, and on his right side,

Verse 68 (skanda.2.52.68)

बिभ्राणः कृष्णजीमूतकांतदेहं कृपाम्बुधिः । क्रोधाविष्ट इवोवाच बिभ्यतं गिरिजापतिम्

bibhrāṇaḥ kṛṣṇajīmūtakāṁtadehaṁ kṛpāmbudhiḥ krodhāviṣṭa ivovāca bibhyataṁ girijāpatim

bearing a form lovely as a dark rain-cloud, an ocean of compassion — as though seized with anger he spoke to the terrified husband of Girija:

Verse 69 (skanda.2.52.69)

श्रीभगवानुवाच । कालेनैतावता शंभो दुर्बुद्धिः कथमागता । हेतोर्नृपतिकीटस्य मया योद्धुमुपस्थितः

śrībhagavānuvāca kālenaitāvatā śaṁbho durbuddhiḥ kathamāgatā hetornṛpatikīṭasya mayā yoddhumupasthitaḥ

The Blessed Lord said: 'O Shambhu, after all this time, how has such folly come upon you, that for the sake of a mere worm of a king you stand ready to fight with me?'

Verse 70 (skanda.2.52.70)

कति वा मत्प्रभावास्ते नो ज्ञाता धूर्जटे त्वया । सत्यं पाशुपतं तेऽस्त्रं दुर्जयं ससुरासुरैः

kati vā matprabhāvāste no jñātā dhūrjaṭe tvayā satyaṁ pāśupataṁ te'straṁ durjayaṁ sasurāsuraiḥ

'How many of my powers, O Dhurjati, remain unknown to you? True, your Pashupata weapon is unconquerable even by gods and demons together —

Verse 71 (skanda.2.52.71)

मत्क्रोधरूपं तच्चक्रं त्वामपि क्षमते न यत् । मामवज्ञाय जगति भ्रमति त्वामृते हि कः

matkrodharūpaṁ taccakraṁ tvāmapi kṣamate na yat māmavajñāya jagati bhramati tvāmṛte hi kaḥ

'— yet that discus, the very form of my wrath, spares not even you. Who indeed, disdaining me, wanders in this world except you?'

Verse 72 (skanda.2.52.72)

तपोभिर्बहुभिः पूर्वं मच्छरीरतयोर्जितः । सांप्रतं चेच्चिरं रंतुं गौर्या सार्द्धमिहेच्छसि

tapobhirbahubhiḥ pūrvaṁ maccharīratayorjitaḥ sāṁprataṁ cecciraṁ raṁtuṁ gauryā sārddhamihecchasi

'Formerly, through many austerities, you were made mighty by my own grace; now, if you wish to sport here long with Gauri,

Verse 73 (skanda.2.52.73)

पुरीं वाराणसीं चेमां यदीच्छसि चिरस्थिताम् । मन्नाम्ना भुवि विख्यातं क्षेत्रं श्रीपुरुषोत्तमम्

purīṁ vārāṇasīṁ cemāṁ yadīcchasi cirasthitām mannāmnā bhuvi vikhyātaṁ kṣetraṁ śrīpuruṣottamam

'and if you wish this city Varanasi to remain unharmed, then go to the field renowned on earth by my own name, Shri Purushottama,

Verse 74 (skanda.2.52.74)

दक्षिणस्योदधेस्तीरे नीलाचलविभूषितम् । दशयोजनविस्तीर्णं यावद्विरजमण्डलम्

dakṣiṇasyodadhestīre nīlācalavibhūṣitam daśayojanavistīrṇaṁ yāvadvirajamaṇḍalam

'on the shore of the southern sea, adorned by the Nila mountain, extending ten yojanas, as far as the Viraja region,

Verse 75 (skanda.2.52.75)

क्रमशः पावनं क्षेत्रं यावच्चित्रोत्पला नदी । ततः प्रभृति यो देशो यावत्स्याद्दक्षिणार्णवः

kramaśaḥ pāvanaṁ kṣetraṁ yāvaccitrotpalā nadī tataḥ prabhṛti yo deśo yāvatsyāddakṣiṇārṇavaḥ

'progressively purifying, that field extends to the river Chitrotpala; and thence onward, whatever land there is as far as the southern sea,

Verse 76 (skanda.2.52.76)

पदात्पदाच्छ्रेष्ठतमो नीलाद्रिरपवर्गदः । चतुर्देहस्थितोऽहं वै यत्र नीलमणीमयः

padātpadācchreṣṭhatamo nīlādrirapavargadaḥ caturdehasthito'haṁ vai yatra nīlamaṇīmayaḥ

'each step more excellent than the last — the Nila mountain, bestower of liberation, where I abide in four sapphire-hued forms,

Verse 77 (skanda.2.52.77)

तस्योत्तरस्यां विख्यातं वनमेकाम्रकाह्वयम् । पार्वत्या तत्र निवस निर्भयस्त्रिपुरांतक

tasyottarasyāṁ vikhyātaṁ vanamekāmrakāhvayam pārvatyā tatra nivasa nirbhayastripurāṁtaka

'to its north lies the renowned forest called Ekamraka — dwell there with Parvati, without fear, O destroyer of Tripura.

Verse 78 (skanda.2.52.78)

सृजता सर्वलोकानां मन्निदेशात्स्वयंभुवा । तत्रापि कोटिलिंगानां राजा त्वमभिषेक्ष्यसे

sṛjatā sarvalokānāṁ mannideśātsvayaṁbhuvā tatrāpi koṭiliṁgānāṁ rājā tvamabhiṣekṣyase

'By my command the Self-born Brahma, creator of all worlds, [shall arrange]; there too you shall be consecrated king of the Kotilingas.

Verse 79 (skanda.2.52.79)

सर्वतीर्थमयं चेदं तीर्थं यन्मणिकर्णिकम् । इहाहंकारमुत्सृज्य व्रज त्वं सपरिच्छदः

sarvatīrthamayaṁ cedaṁ tīrthaṁ yanmaṇikarṇikam ihāhaṁkāramutsṛjya vraja tvaṁ saparicchadaḥ

'And this ford Manikarnika, which contains all sacred fords within itself — abandoning pride here, depart with your retinue.'

Verse 80 (skanda.2.52.80)

नारद उवाच । इत्युक्तो वासुदेवेन त्र्यंबको नतकन्धरः । कृतांजलिपुटो भूत्वा प्रोवाच मधुसूदनम्

nārada uvāca ityukto vāsudevena tryaṁbako natakandharaḥ kṛtāṁjalipuṭo bhūtvā provāca madhusūdanam

Thus addressed by Vasudeva, the three-eyed Shiva, bowing his head and folding his hands, said to Madhusudana —

Verse 81 (skanda.2.52.81)

महादेव उवाच । देवदेव जगन्नाथ प्रणतार्तिहर प्रभो । त्वदाज्ञापालनं श्रेयः कारणं मे जगत्पते

mahādeva uvāca devadeva jagannātha praṇatārtihara prabho tvadājñāpālanaṁ śreyaḥ kāraṇaṁ me jagatpate

Mahadeva said: 'O God of gods, O Lord of the world, O remover of the suffering of those who take refuge — obedience to your command, O Master of the world, is the cause of my welfare.'

Verse 82 (skanda.2.52.82)

यत्तु मूढतया देव अवलेपः कृतो मया । तवैवानुग्रहस्तत्र प्रभो चांचल्यकारणम्

yattu mūḍhatayā deva avalepaḥ kṛto mayā tavaivānugrahastatra prabho cāṁcalyakāraṇam

'And whatever arrogance I committed out of folly, O God — there too, O Lord, it was your own grace that was the cause of my agitation.'

Verse 83 (skanda.2.52.83)

यदादिशसि देवेश प्रयाणं पुरुषोत्तमम् । तन्मूर्ध्नि कृत्वा यास्यामि क्षेत्रं मुक्तिप्रदं शिवम्

yadādiśasi deveśa prayāṇaṁ puruṣottamam tanmūrdhni kṛtvā yāsyāmi kṣetraṁ muktipradaṁ śivam

'O Lord of gods, the command you give me to go to Purushottama — bearing it upon my head, I shall go to that auspicious, liberation-granting field.'

Verse 84 (skanda.2.52.84)

अभिसंधिं कुरुष्वाद्य ममानुग्रहकारणम् । पुरुषोत्तमं मम क्षेत्रं त्वमेव परिपालय

abhisaṁdhiṁ kuruṣvādya mamānugrahakāraṇam puruṣottamaṁ mama kṣetraṁ tvameva paripālaya

'Make today a resolve for my favour — that you yourself shall protect Purushottama, my own field,

Verse 85 (skanda.2.52.85)

यथा पुनर्नेदृशं तद्विनाशमुपयास्यति । इत्थमेतत्पुरा क्षेत्रं महादेवेन निर्मितम्

yathā punarnedṛśaṁ tadvināśamupayāsyati itthametatpurā kṣetraṁ mahādevena nirmitam

'so that it may never again come to such destruction.' Thus, of old, was this field established by Mahadeva.

Verse 86 (skanda.2.52.86)

बलश्रीसहितं देवमर्चयन्पुरुषोत्तमम् । अत्र साक्षादुमाकांतः स्थापितः परमेष्ठिना

balaśrīsahitaṁ devamarcayanpuruṣottamam atra sākṣādumākāṁtaḥ sthāpitaḥ parameṣṭhinā

Worshipping the god Purushottama together with Bala and Shri, the consort of Uma himself was here established by Brahma, the Supreme Being.

Verse 87 (skanda.2.52.87)

वयं तत्र व्रजिष्यामो द्रक्ष्यामः पुरनाशनम् । सुदृढांतस्तमःस्तोमभास्वंतं गिरिजापतिम्

vayaṁ tatra vrajiṣyāmo drakṣyāmaḥ puranāśanam sudṛḍhāṁtastamaḥstomabhāsvaṁtaṁ girijāpatim

'We shall go there; we shall see the destroyer of that city, the husband of Girija, radiant, dispeller of the deep-rooted mass of inner darkness.'

Verse 88 (skanda.2.52.88)

यदेतच्छांभवं क्षेत्रं तमसो नाशनं परम् । रजःप्रक्षालनं श्रेयः ख्यातं विरजमण्डलम्

yadetacchāṁbhavaṁ kṣetraṁ tamaso nāśanaṁ param rajaḥprakṣālanaṁ śreyaḥ khyātaṁ virajamaṇḍalam

This field of Shambhu is the supreme destroyer of darkness; auspicious in the washing away of impurity, it is renowned as the Viraja region.

Verse 89 (skanda.2.52.89)

सत्त्वोद्रिक्ततया ख्यातं मुक्तिदं पुरुषोत्तमम् । यावत्यन्यानि क्षेत्राणि मुक्तिदानि श्रुतानि ते

sattvodriktatayā khyātaṁ muktidaṁ puruṣottamam yāvatyanyāni kṣetrāṇi muktidāni śrutāni te

Purushottama, renowned for its abundance of purity, grants liberation; whatever other fields are heard of as liberation-granting,

Verse 90 (skanda.2.52.90)

तानि सर्वाणि राजेंद्र ददते मुक्तिमत्र वै । एतत्क्षेत्रं महाराज दुष्कृताविलचेतसाम्

tāni sarvāṇi rājeṁdra dadate muktimatra vai etatkṣetraṁ mahārāja duṣkṛtāvilacetasām

O king of kings, all of them grant liberation here. But this field, O great king, for those whose minds are sullied by evil deeds,

Verse 91 (skanda.2.52.91)

न विश्वासपथं याति रहस्यं चक्रपाणिनः

na viśvāsapathaṁ yāti rahasyaṁ cakrapāṇinaḥ

does not come within the path of belief — it is the very mystery of the Discus-bearer.

Verse 92 (skanda.2.52.92)

जैमिनिरुवाच । नारदस्य वचः श्रुत्वा प्रहृष्टहृदयो नृपः । उवाच मुनिशार्दूलं विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचनः । साधु मे कथितं ब्रह्मन्क्षेत्रं परमपावनम्

jaiminiruvāca nāradasya vacaḥ śrutvā prahṛṣṭahṛdayo nṛpaḥ uvāca muniśārdūlaṁ vismayotphullalocanaḥ sādhu me kathitaṁ brahmankṣetraṁ paramapāvanam

Jaimini said: Having heard Narada's words, the king, his heart delighted and his eyes wide with wonder, said to the foremost of sages: 'Well have you told me, O Brahmin, of this supremely purifying field.'

Verse 93 (skanda.2.52.93)

यत्रोमापतिरास्तेऽसौ पालकः पुरुषोत्तमः । अवश्यं तत्र गच्छामः पन्था यद्यपि वक्रभूः । उद्दिष्टेष्टपरिप्राप्तौ यदिदं कारणं महत्

yatromāpatirāste'sau pālakaḥ puruṣottamaḥ avaśyaṁ tatra gacchāmaḥ panthā yadyapi vakrabhūḥ uddiṣṭeṣṭapariprāptau yadidaṁ kāraṇaṁ mahat

'Where the Lord of Uma dwells as protector under Purushottama's shelter — there we shall certainly go, however crooked the path; for this is the great cause pointed out for attaining the desired goal.'

Verse 94 (skanda.2.52.94)

जैमिनिरुवाच । ततस्तौ मुनिभूपालौ मध्याह्नसमये द्विजाः । प्रापतुः सबलौ क्षेत्रमेकाम्रवनसंज्ञकम्

jaiminiruvāca tatastau munibhūpālau madhyāhnasamaye dvijāḥ prāpatuḥ sabalau kṣetramekāmravanasaṁjñakam

Jaimini said: Then, O Brahmins, the sage and the king, together with the army, reached at midday the field called Ekamra-vana.

Verse 95 (skanda.2.52.95)

बिंदुतीर्थे नृपः स्नात्वा तीरस्थं पुरुषोत्तमम् । संपूज्य विधिवद्यातः कोटीश्वरमहालयम्

biṁdutīrthe nṛpaḥ snātvā tīrasthaṁ puruṣottamam saṁpūjya vidhivadyātaḥ koṭīśvaramahālayam

The king, having bathed at Bindu-tirtha, duly worshipped Purushottama who stood upon its bank, then went duly to the great temple of Koteshvara.

Verse 96 (skanda.2.52.96)

तद्वारि सम्यगाचांतस्तत्प्रीत्यै सुबहूनि सः । गजाश्वधनरत्नानि वस्त्रालंकरणानि च

tadvāri samyagācāṁtastatprītyai subahūni saḥ gajāśvadhanaratnāni vastrālaṁkaraṇāni ca

Having duly sipped its water, for its pleasure he gave very many elephants, horses, wealth, jewels, garments and ornaments —

Verse 97 (skanda.2.52.97)

द्विजेभ्यः प्रददौ राजा सात्त्विकं धर्ममास्थितः । लिंगं त्रिभुवनेशं तं महास्नानेन पूजयन्

dvijebhyaḥ pradadau rājā sāttvikaṁ dharmamāsthitaḥ liṁgaṁ tribhuvaneśaṁ taṁ mahāsnānena pūjayan

— he gave these to the Brahmins, that king established in sattvic dharma; and worshipping with great ablution that linga, lord of the three worlds,

Verse 98 (skanda.2.52.98)

अतुलां प्रीतिमालेभे विष्णोरद्वैतदर्शनः । स्तुत्वा प्रणम्य भक्त्यासौ वीणया चोपगाय्य च

atulāṁ prītimālebhe viṣṇoradvaitadarśanaḥ stutvā praṇamya bhaktyāsau vīṇayā copagāyya ca

he obtained incomparable joy, seeing his non-difference from Vishnu; and having praised and bowed with devotion, and sung to the vina,

Verse 99 (skanda.2.52.99)

कृतांजलिपुटो देवप्रसादनकृतोद्यमः । अनन्यमनसा तस्थौ चिंतयन्वृषभध्वजम्

kṛtāṁjalipuṭo devaprasādanakṛtodyamaḥ ananyamanasā tasthau ciṁtayanvṛṣabhadhvajam

with folded hands, striving to please the god, he stood with undivided mind, meditating on the bull-bannered one.

Verse 100 (skanda.2.52.100)

ततः प्रसन्नो भगवांस्त्र्यंबकः परमेश्वरः । साक्षान्नृपमुवाचेदं स्पष्टाक्षरपदं द्विजाः

tataḥ prasanno bhagavāṁstryaṁbakaḥ parameśvaraḥ sākṣānnṛpamuvācedaṁ spaṣṭākṣarapadaṁ dvijāḥ

Then the pleased Lord, the three-eyed Supreme God, O Brahmins, spoke this directly to the king in clear words —

Verse 101 (skanda.2.52.101)

कोटिलिंगेश उवाच । इन्द्रद्युम्न महाराज वैष्णवस्त्वादृशो भुवि । दुर्लभः खलु ते वांछा चिरात्सम्यग्भविष्यति

koṭiliṁgeśa uvāca indradyumna mahārāja vaiṣṇavastvādṛśo bhuvi durlabhaḥ khalu te vāṁchā cirātsamyagbhaviṣyati

Koteshvara said: 'O great King Indradyumna, a devotee of Vishnu such as you is rare on earth; your desire, after long, shall be entirely fulfilled.'

Verse 102 (skanda.2.52.102)

इत्युक्त्वांतर्दधे शंभुः पश्यतस्तु महीक्षितः । नारदं पुनराहेदं यदादिष्टं स्वयंभुवा

ityuktvāṁtardadhe śaṁbhuḥ paśyatastu mahīkṣitaḥ nāradaṁ punarāhedaṁ yadādiṣṭaṁ svayaṁbhuvā

So saying, Shambhu vanished even as the king watched; then he spoke again to Narada that same thing which the Self-born One had ordained —

Verse 103 (skanda.2.52.103)

तत्कल्पय महाभाग वाजिमेधपुरःसरम् । विष्णोः कलेवरे तस्मिन्क्षेत्रे श्रीपुरुषोत्तमे

tatkalpaya mahābhāga vājimedhapuraḥsaram viṣṇoḥ kalevare tasminkṣetre śrīpuruṣottame

'Arrange, O most fortunate one, that in that field Shri Purushottama, which is the very body of Vishnu, preceded by a horse-sacrifice —

Verse 104 (skanda.2.52.104)

अंतर्वेदी महापुण्या विष्णोर्हृदयसंनिभा । तस्याः संरक्षणायाहं स्थापितो विष्णुनाष्टधा

aṁtarvedī mahāpuṇyā viṣṇorhṛdayasaṁnibhā tasyāḥ saṁrakṣaṇāyāhaṁ sthāpito viṣṇunāṣṭadhā

'— the Antarvedi, most sacred, resembling Vishnu's very heart; for its protection I have been established eightfold by Vishnu.'

Verse 105 (skanda.2.52.105)

शंखाकृतेरग्रभागे नीलकण्ठोऽहमास्थितः । दुर्गया सह विप्रेंद्र तत्रेमं भूपतिं नय

śaṁkhākṛteragrabhāge nīlakaṇṭho'hamāsthitaḥ durgayā saha vipreṁdra tatremaṁ bhūpatiṁ naya

'At the tip of the conch-shaped land I abide as Nilakantha; take this king there, O foremost of Brahmins, together with Durga.'

Verse 106 (skanda.2.52.106)

अन्तर्हितः खल्विदानीं नीलरत्नतनुर्हरिः । तत्र श्रीनरसिंहस्य क्षेत्रं कुरु मदाज्ञया

antarhitaḥ khalvidānīṁ nīlaratnatanurhariḥ tatra śrīnarasiṁhasya kṣetraṁ kuru madājñayā

'Hari, whose body is the sapphire gem, is now hidden; there, by my command, establish the field of Shri Narasimha.'

Verse 107 (skanda.2.52.107)

तत्र नः सन्निधौ वाजिमेधेन यजतामयम् । सहस्रेण नृपश्रेष्ठ तदन्ते तरुमद्भुतम्

tatra naḥ sannidhau vājimedhena yajatāmayam sahasreṇa nṛpaśreṣṭha tadante tarumadbhutam

'Let this best of kings sacrifice in our presence with a thousand horse-sacrifices; at the end of that, the wondrous tree —

Verse 108 (skanda.2.52.108)

दर्शयैनं द्विजश्रेष्ठ ब्रह्मरूपमकल्मषम् । चतस्रः प्रतिमास्तेन विश्वकर्मा घटिष्यति

darśayainaṁ dvijaśreṣṭha brahmarūpamakalmaṣam catasraḥ pratimāstena viśvakarmā ghaṭiṣyati

'— show this stainless Brahman-form to him, O best of Brahmins; from it Vishvakarma shall fashion four images.'

Verse 109 (skanda.2.52.109)

तासां प्रतिष्ठितौ ब्रह्मा स्वयमेवागमिष्यति । यथायं क्षीणपापः स्याद्वाजिमेधैर्यजन्हरिम्

tāsāṁ pratiṣṭhitau brahmā svayamevāgamiṣyati yathāyaṁ kṣīṇapāpaḥ syādvājimedhairyajanharim

'For their consecration Brahma himself shall come, so that this king, sacrificing to Hari with horse-sacrifices, may become free of sin.'

Verse 110 (skanda.2.52.110)

तिष्ठत्वब्दसहस्रं वै तदंते लोकयिष्यति । समस्तजगदाधारं सर्वकल्मषनाशनम्

tiṣṭhatvabdasahasraṁ vai tadaṁte lokayiṣyati samastajagadādhāraṁ sarvakalmaṣanāśanam

'Let him wait a thousand years; at the end of that he shall behold the support of the whole universe, destroyer of all sin —

Verse 111 (skanda.2.52.111)

दारवीं तनुमास्थाय दर्शनादपवर्गदम् । न तस्य चरितं वेत्ति ब्रह्माऽहं त्वं च नारद

dāravīṁ tanumāsthāya darśanādapavargadam na tasya caritaṁ vetti brahmā'haṁ tvaṁ ca nārada

'— who, assuming a wooden body, grants liberation by mere sight. Neither Brahma, nor I, nor you, O Narada, know his ways.'

Verse 112 (skanda.2.52.112)

आज्ञानुष्ठानतो भक्त्या प्रसीदति स केवलम् । नारदोऽपि महादेवं प्रणिपत्य जगद्गुरुम् । उवाच प्रांजलिर्भूत्वा यदादिष्टं त्वया विभो

ājñānuṣṭhānato bhaktyā prasīdati sa kevalam nārado'pi mahādevaṁ praṇipatya jagadgurum uvāca prāṁjalirbhūtvā yadādiṣṭaṁ tvayā vibho

'Only through devoted performance of his command is he pleased.' Narada too, bowing to Mahadeva, guru of the world, said with folded hands: 'What you have commanded, O Lord —

Verse 113 (skanda.2.52.113)

पितामहोऽपि मामित्थं निर्दिदेशास्य कल्पनम् । पितामहश्च त्वं नाथ नो भिन्नौ परमात्मनः

pitāmaho'pi māmitthaṁ nirdideśāsya kalpanam pitāmahaśca tvaṁ nātha no bhinnau paramātmanaḥ

'— the Grandsire too has instructed me in this very plan. And you yourself are the Grandsire, O Lord — you two are not different from the Supreme Self.'

Verse 114 (skanda.2.52.114)

नृपतेरस्य भाग्यर्द्धिरीदृशी यत्कृते विभो । अगोचरोऽसि मनसस्त्र्याणामप्यनुग्रहः

nṛpaterasya bhāgyarddhirīdṛśī yatkṛte vibho agocaro'si manasastryāṇāmapyanugrahaḥ

'Such is this king's fortune, that for his sake, O Lord, your grace — which is beyond the reach even of the mind of the three worlds —

Verse 115 (skanda.2.52.115)

यत्प्रसंगेन तरणं भवाब्धेरपि दुष्कृताम् । अचिंत्यमहिमा ह्येष भगवान्भूतभावनः

yatprasaṁgena taraṇaṁ bhavābdherapi duṣkṛtām aciṁtyamahimā hyeṣa bhagavānbhūtabhāvanaḥ

'— by contact with which even evildoers cross the ocean of worldly existence; inconceivable is the glory of this Lord, the origin of all beings.'

Verse 116 (skanda.2.52.116)

न बुद्धिगोचरे भक्तिर्यावत्या प्रीयते ह्यसौ । चिरं यतंतस्तिष्ठंति वेदानुवचनादिभिः । क्षुद्रोऽपि लभते मुक्तिमनायासेन कर्मणा

na buddhigocare bhaktiryāvatyā prīyate hyasau ciraṁ yataṁtastiṣṭhaṁti vedānuvacanādibhiḥ kṣudro'pi labhate muktimanāyāsena karmaṇā

'That devotion by which he is pleased is beyond the reach of intellect; men strive long through Vedic study and the rest, and yet the lowly attain liberation through effortless devotion.'

Verse 117 (skanda.2.52.117)

गव्योपजीव्या गोप्यस्तु वनचारगृहोषिताः । अरण्यजीवनाः प्रापुर्मुक्तिं कामोपभोगतः

gavyopajīvyā gopyastu vanacāragṛhoṣitāḥ araṇyajīvanāḥ prāpurmuktiṁ kāmopabhogataḥ

'The cowherd women, who lived by their cattle, dwelling in forest huts, whose life was in the wilderness, attained liberation through the mere enjoyment of their desire.'

Verse 118 (skanda.2.52.118)

द्रुहन्निरंतरं प्राप शिशुपालः सभांतरे । व्याधोः हृदयमाविध्य गतिं प्राप सुदुर्लभाम्

druhanniraṁtaraṁ prāpa śiśupālaḥ sabhāṁtare vyādhoḥ hṛdayamāvidhya gatiṁ prāpa sudurlabhām

'Shishupala, forever hating him, attained him even in the midst of the assembly; and the hunter, who pierced his heart, attained a most rare destiny.'

Verse 119 (skanda.2.52.119)

वस्त्राकर्षं गृहं नीत्वा कुब्जैनं बुभुजे पुरा । यं ध्यानलयमापन्ना लभंते न सुरस्त्रियः

vastrākarṣaṁ gṛhaṁ nītvā kubjainaṁ bubhuje purā yaṁ dhyānalayamāpannā labhaṁte na surastriyaḥ

'Pulling him by his garment, taking him to her home, the hunchback once enjoyed him — him whom even celestial women, though absorbed in meditation, cannot attain.'

Verse 120 (skanda.2.52.120)

चंडालाय ददौ मुक्तिं दूरस्थायापि नो पुनः । आसन्नायातिभक्ताय श्रोत्रियाय पुरा विभुः

caṁḍālāya dadau muktiṁ dūrasthāyāpi no punaḥ āsannāyātibhaktāya śrotriyāya purā vibhuḥ

'Of old the Lord granted liberation to an outcaste who dwelt far off, yet not to a Brahmin nearby, most devoted and learned in the Veda —

Verse 121 (skanda.2.52.121)

मायाभिर्वंचयेत्त्वां हि पितामहमपि प्रभुः । तिष्ठंति दुःखबहुलास्तपोभिर्देहबंधनाः

māyābhirvaṁcayettvāṁ hi pitāmahamapi prabhuḥ tiṣṭhaṁti duḥkhabahulāstapobhirdehabaṁdhanāḥ

'— by his powers of illusion he confounds even you, O Grandsire; ascetics, filled with much suffering, remain bound to the body through austerities —

Verse 122 (skanda.2.52.122)

गौतमाद्या ब्रह्मचर्यनिष्ठाः कल्पान्तवासिनः । ईदृक्तादृक्परिच्छेदगोचरं नास्य चेष्टितम्

gautamādyā brahmacaryaniṣṭhāḥ kalpāntavāsinaḥ īdṛktādṛkparicchedagocaraṁ nāsya ceṣṭitam

'— sages such as Gautama, devoted to celibacy, dwelling till the end of the kalpa, remain bound too. His conduct falls within no such definition at all.'

Verse 123 (skanda.2.52.123)

व्यवसायेन बहुना कालेन महता तथा । निर्णेतुं शक्यते नास्य चरितं वा सुमेधसः

vyavasāyena bahunā kālena mahatā tathā nirṇetuṁ śakyate nāsya caritaṁ vā sumedhasaḥ

'By great effort, nor by a very long time, is it possible even for the wise to determine his conduct.'

Verse 124 (skanda.2.52.124)

उपाया बहवः संति ये शास्त्रपरिनिष्ठिताः । विदुषां मोचनायेह बहुशस्तैर्यजंति वै

upāyā bahavaḥ saṁti ye śāstrapariniṣṭhitāḥ viduṣāṁ mocanāyeha bahuśastairyajaṁti vai

'Many means, established in the scriptures, exist by which the learned repeatedly perform sacrifice here for liberation.'

Verse 125 (skanda.2.52.125)

सर्वेषामुत्तमोपायो वसतिः पुरुषोत्तमे । याऽवश्यं स्वामिसायुज्यं प्रापयेत्सुसखा यथा

sarveṣāmuttamopāyo vasatiḥ puruṣottame yā'vaśyaṁ svāmisāyujyaṁ prāpayetsusakhā yathā

'But the best of all means is dwelling in Purushottama, which, like a true friend, surely bestows union with the Lord.'

Verse 126 (skanda.2.52.126)

तदेनं मायिनं प्राप्तुमुपायो नांतरीयकः । स्वयं निधाय हरिणा यत्र वासः सुरक्षितः

tadenaṁ māyinaṁ prāptumupāyo nāṁtarīyakaḥ svayaṁ nidhāya hariṇā yatra vāsaḥ surakṣitaḥ

'Therefore, to attain that master of maya, there is no more indispensable means than dwelling where residence has been secured by Hari himself.'

Verse 127 (skanda.2.52.127)

इंद्रद्युम्नप्रसंगेन जायते सार्वलौकिकः । तदाज्ञापय देवेश गृहीत्वैनं बलान्वितम्

iṁdradyumnaprasaṁgena jāyate sārvalaukikaḥ tadājñāpaya deveśa gṛhītvainaṁ balānvitam

'Through connection with Indradyumna this becomes accessible to the whole world; therefore command, O Lord of gods — taking him with his army,

Verse 128 (skanda.2.52.128)

उपत्यकायां संस्थाप्य दीक्षयित्वा महाक्रतौ । आगमिष्यामि पादाब्जसमीपं ते वृषध्वज

upatyakāyāṁ saṁsthāpya dīkṣayitvā mahākratau āgamiṣyāmi pādābjasamīpaṁ te vṛṣadhvaja

'— establishing him in the foothills, and initiating him for the great sacrifice, I shall come near your lotus feet, O bull-bannered one.'

Verse 129 (skanda.2.52.129)

जैमिनिरुवाच । तथेत्युक्त्वा महादेवः क्षणादंतर्दधे मुनेः । सोऽपि राज्ञो रथे तिष्ठन्प्रययौ क्षेत्रमुत्तमम्

jaiminiruvāca tathetyuktvā mahādevaḥ kṣaṇādaṁtardadhe muneḥ so'pi rājño rathe tiṣṭhanprayayau kṣetramuttamam

Jaimini said: Saying 'so be it,' Mahadeva vanished at once from the sage's sight; and he too, mounted in the king's chariot, set out toward that excellent field.

Verse 130 (skanda.2.52.130)

द्वितीयेऽह्नि कपोतेशस्थलीमासेदिवान्नृपः । दैर्घ्यायामसमायुक्तां जलाशयद्रुमाकुलाम्

dvitīye'hni kapoteśasthalīmāsedivānnṛpaḥ dairghyāyāmasamāyuktāṁ jalāśayadrumākulām

On the second day the king reached the site of Kapoteshvara, a place extending in length and breadth, thronged with pools and trees.

Verse 131 (skanda.2.52.131)

बिल्वेशः पूर्वसीमायां समुद्रतटमास्थितः । सेनानिवेश योग्यां तां मत्रिणा संनिवेदिताम्

bilveśaḥ pūrvasīmāyāṁ samudrataṭamāsthitaḥ senāniveśa yogyāṁ tāṁ matriṇā saṁniveditām

Bilvesha stands on the eastern boundary, by the shore of the ocean; that place, fit for encamping the army, was reported by the minister.

Verse 132 (skanda.2.52.132)

यथायोग्यं यथास्थानं स्थापयित्वा नृपोत्तमः । बिल्वेश्वरकपोतेशं नमस्कृत्य प्रपूज्य च

yathāyogyaṁ yathāsthānaṁ sthāpayitvā nṛpottamaḥ bilveśvarakapoteśaṁ namaskṛtya prapūjya ca

Having stationed the army fittingly, each in its proper place, the best of kings, having bowed to and duly worshipped Bilveshvara and Kapotesha,

Verse 133 (skanda.2.52.133)

रथमास्थाय मतिमान्सहितो ब्रह्मसूनुना । मनसा वचसा विष्णुं नीलाचलनिवासिनम् । चिंतयन्कीर्तयन्विप्रा जगाम संनिधिं हरेः

rathamāsthāya matimānsahito brahmasūnunā manasā vacasā viṣṇuṁ nīlācalanivāsinam ciṁtayankīrtayanviprā jagāma saṁnidhiṁ hareḥ

mounting his chariot, the wise king, together with the son of Brahma, meditating and praising in mind and word Vishnu, dweller of the Nila mountain, went, O Brahmins, into the presence of Hari.