The Grand Assembly and the Vow of a Thousand Horse-Sacrifices

Verse 1 (skanda.2.57.1)

मुनय ऊचुः । प्रतिष्ठिते नारसिंहे क्षेत्रे तस्मिन्नराधिपः । किं चकार मुने ब्रूहि परं कौतूहलं तु तत्

munaya ūcuḥ pratiṣṭhite nārasiṁhe kṣetre tasminnarādhipaḥ kiṁ cakāra mune brūhi paraṁ kautūhalaṁ tu tat

The sages said: When Narasimha had been established in that field, what did the king then do, O sage? Tell us — that is our great curiosity.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.57.2)

जैमिनिरुवाच । इन्द्रादींस्त्रिदशान्सर्वान्न्यमन्त्रयत पूर्वतः । ततः स मन्त्रयामास ऋषीन्विप्रान्सहस्रशः

jaiminiruvāca indrādīṁstridaśānsarvānnyamantrayata pūrvataḥ tataḥ sa mantrayāmāsa ṛṣīnviprānsahasraśaḥ

Jaimini said: First he invited Indra and all the thirty gods; then he invited the sages and Brahmins by the thousand,

Verse 3 (skanda.2.57.3)

अध्येतॄंश्चतुरो वेदान्सषडंगपदक्रमैः । यज्ञविद्यासु कुशलान्मीमांसापरिनिष्ठितान्

adhyetṝṁścaturo vedānsaṣaḍaṁgapadakramaiḥ yajñavidyāsu kuśalānmīmāṁsāpariniṣṭhitān

— those who had mastered the four Vedas together with their six auxiliary disciplines and the padapatha, those skilled in the science of sacrifice, and those fully accomplished in Mimamsa,

Verse 4 (skanda.2.57.4)

सभाष्यकल्पसूत्रैस्तु परिनिष्ठितकर्मिणः । अष्टादशसु विद्यासु कुशलान्धर्मकोविदान्

sabhāṣyakalpasūtraistu pariniṣṭhitakarmiṇaḥ aṣṭādaśasu vidyāsu kuśalāndharmakovidān

— those accomplished in ritual through the commentaries and Kalpa-sutras, those skilled in the eighteen branches of learning, versed in dharma,

Verse 5 (skanda.2.57.5)

सदाचारावदातांश्च कुलीनान्सत्यवादिनः । वैष्णवांश्च विशेषेण मंत्रयामास सादरम्

sadācārāvadātāṁśca kulīnānsatyavādinaḥ vaiṣṇavāṁśca viśeṣeṇa maṁtrayāmāsa sādaram

— those pure in conduct, of good family, truthful; and Vaishnavas in particular he invited with special reverence.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.57.6)

त्रैलोक्ये ये च राजानः सिद्धाः सप्तर्षयो द्विजाः । सच्छूद्रा वणिजो द्वीपपतयश्च निमंत्रिताः

trailokye ye ca rājānaḥ siddhāḥ saptarṣayo dvijāḥ sacchūdrā vaṇijo dvīpapatayaśca nimaṁtritāḥ

Whatever kings, Siddhas, the seven sages, Brahmins, virtuous shudras, merchants, and lords of the continents there were in the three worlds — all were invited.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.57.7)

क्रोशद्वयमिता विप्राः सभासीत्तस्य भूपतेः । पाषाणघटिता सोच्चा सुधया सानुलेपिता

krośadvayamitā viprāḥ sabhāsīttasya bhūpateḥ pāṣāṇaghaṭitā soccā sudhayā sānulepitā

O Brahmins, that king's assembly-hall extended two krosas; built of stone, lofty, plastered with lime,

Verse 8 (skanda.2.57.8)

क्वचिद्रत्नमयी भूमिः क्वचित्कांचननिर्मिता । स्फाटिकी राजती चैव यथायोग्यं कृतस्थली

kvacidratnamayī bhūmiḥ kvacitkāṁcananirmitā sphāṭikī rājatī caiva yathāyogyaṁ kṛtasthalī

— in one place its floor was of jewels, in another of gold, elsewhere of crystal or silver, each surface made fitting to its place;

Verse 9 (skanda.2.57.9)

स्तंभै रत्नमयैः प्रोच्चैर्दुकूलपरिवेष्टितैः । चारुचंद्रातपाढ्या तु गन्धमाल्यैः सचामरैः

staṁbhai ratnamayaiḥ proccairdukūlapariveṣṭitaiḥ cārucaṁdrātapāḍhyā tu gandhamālyaiḥ sacāmaraiḥ

— with tall jeweled pillars wrapped in fine cloth, adorned with a lovely moonlight-white canopy, and with fragrances, garlands, and whisks;

Verse 10 (skanda.2.57.10)

मुक्तादामांतरस्थैश्च चारुवातायना शुभा । कृष्णागुरुस्नेहसिक्ता श्रीखण्डसलिलोक्षिता

muktādāmāṁtarasthaiśca cāruvātāyanā śubhā kṛṣṇāgurusnehasiktā śrīkhaṇḍasalilokṣitā

— adorned with lovely lattice-windows hung between strings of pearls, auspicious, sprinkled with black-aloe oil, moistened with sandal-water;

Verse 11 (skanda.2.57.11)

सर्वर्त्तुकुसुमाकीर्णा प्रांतोपवनसंवृता । वाप्यः स्फटिकसोपानाः पद्मकद्वारमंडिताः

sarvarttukusumākīrṇā prāṁtopavanasaṁvṛtā vāpyaḥ sphaṭikasopānāḥ padmakadvāramaṁḍitāḥ

— strewn with flowers of every season, surrounded at its edges by groves; its step-wells had crystal stairways, adorned with lotus-carved gateways;

Verse 12 (skanda.2.57.12)

चक्रवाकैः प्लवैर्हंसैः सारसैर्मधुरस्वनैः । व्याप्तांतराः स्वच्छशीतसुगंधमधुरांभसः

cakravākaiḥ plavairhaṁsaiḥ sārasairmadhurasvanaiḥ vyāptāṁtarāḥ svacchaśītasugaṁdhamadhurāṁbhasaḥ

— filled with ruddy-geese, waterfowl, swans, and sweet-voiced cranes, their waters clear, cool, fragrant and sweet;

Verse 13 (skanda.2.57.13)

परितः शतशस्तस्याः सुखावतरणा द्विजाः । उपच्छायाविरचनाः शोभमानाः समंततः

paritaḥ śataśastasyāḥ sukhāvataraṇā dvijāḥ upacchāyāviracanāḥ śobhamānāḥ samaṁtataḥ

— around it, by the hundreds, were easy bathing-descents, O Brahmins, and arrangements of shade, resplendent on every side.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.57.14)

यज्ञशाला मरुत्तस्य यथासीद्भो द्विजोत्तमाः । तथेंद्रद्युम्नभूपस्य रचिता विश्वकर्मणा

yajñaśālā maruttasya yathāsīdbho dvijottamāḥ tatheṁdradyumnabhūpasya racitā viśvakarmaṇā

Just as, O best of Brahmins, was the sacrificial hall of King Marutta, so was that of King Indradyumna fashioned by Vishvakarma.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.57.15)

शुभेऽह्नि शुभनक्षत्रे वासयित्वा सभासदः । राज्ञः सिंहासनासीनान्दृष्ट्वासीनानृषीनपि

śubhe'hni śubhanakṣatre vāsayitvā sabhāsadaḥ rājñaḥ siṁhāsanāsīnāndṛṣṭvāsīnānṛṣīnapi

On an auspicious day, under an auspicious asterism, having seated the assembly, and seeing the kings on their thrones and the sages likewise seated,

Verse 16 (skanda.2.57.16)

ससिद्धान्ब्रह्मर्षिगणान्बहुमूल्यकुथस्थितान् । देवान्कांचनपीठस्थान्यथायोग्यमथ द्विजान्

sasiddhānbrahmarṣigaṇānbahumūlyakuthasthitān devānkāṁcanapīṭhasthānyathāyogyamatha dvijān

— the Siddhas and hosts of Brahmarshis on costly seats, the gods on golden thrones, and the Brahmins each fittingly seated,

Verse 17 (skanda.2.57.17)

वरासनस्थानन्यांश्च यथादेशं सुखस्थितान् । मध्ये नृपाणां देवानामृषीणां च शचीपतिम्

varāsanasthānanyāṁśca yathādeśaṁ sukhasthitān madhye nṛpāṇāṁ devānāmṛṣīṇāṁ ca śacīpatim

— and others on fine seats, comfortably placed each according to rank; and, amid the kings, gods and sages, the lord of Shachi [Indra],

Verse 18 (skanda.2.57.18)

साम्राज्यलक्षणे स्वस्य रत्नसिंहासने स्थितम् । दिव्यैर्माल्यैस्तथा गंधैर्वासोभिर्विष्टरादिभिः

sāmrājyalakṣaṇe svasya ratnasiṁhāsane sthitam divyairmālyaistathā gaṁdhairvāsobhirviṣṭarādibhiḥ

— seated upon his own jeweled throne, the mark of his sovereignty, with divine garlands, fragrances, garments, and cushions,

Verse 19 (skanda.2.57.19)

पुरोधसा समं पूर्वमर्चयामास ऋद्धिमत् । विनीतो दीनवत्तस्य चक्रे पूजां तथा नृपः

purodhasā samaṁ pūrvamarcayāmāsa ṛddhimat vinīto dīnavattasya cakre pūjāṁ tathā nṛpaḥ

— together with his priest he first worshipped him with great splendor; and the king, humble, as though a poor man himself, also performed his own worship of him.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.57.20)

आश्चर्यं मन्यतेऽस्यासौ त्रैलोक्येशोऽपि तद्यथा । ततः सिद्धान्देवमुनीनचर्यन्निंद्रवत्तदा

āścaryaṁ manyate'syāsau trailokyeśo'pi tadyathā tataḥ siddhāndevamunīnacaryanniṁdravattadā

Even Indra, lord of the three worlds, deemed this a wonder; then he worshipped the Siddhas and divine sages just as he had worshipped Indra,

Verse 21 (skanda.2.57.21)

विस्मयं जनयामास कुवेरस्याप्यधिश्रियः । ततो देवान्समानर्च प्रभूतस्वस्वसंपदः

vismayaṁ janayāmāsa kuverasyāpyadhiśriyaḥ tato devānsamānarca prabhūtasvasvasaṁpadaḥ

— causing wonder even in Kubera, lord of wealth; then he worshipped the gods, each according to his own abundant treasure,

Verse 22 (skanda.2.57.22)

उपचारैर्महीनाथः सम्यगव्यग्रमानसः । राज्ञः संपूजयामास राजयोग्यैः परिच्छदैः

upacārairmahīnāthaḥ samyagavyagramānasaḥ rājñaḥ saṁpūjayāmāsa rājayogyaiḥ paricchadaiḥ

— the lord of the earth, with proper offerings, his mind wholly undistracted; and he worshipped the other kings with appointments fit for royalty.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.57.23)

यथा ते मेनिरे भूपा भवामः सांप्रतं वयम् । सत्यं राज्यं क्रमात्प्राप्तं नेदृशश्च परिच्छदः

yathā te menire bhūpā bhavāmaḥ sāṁprataṁ vayam satyaṁ rājyaṁ kramātprāptaṁ nedṛśaśca paricchadaḥ

So that those kings thought: "Are we, even now, truly like this? Though we too have obtained kingship in due succession, we have never had such magnificence as this."

Verse 24 (skanda.2.57.24)

आनर्च वैष्णवान्भूय उपचारैः समानयन्। शांता अपि यथा चित्रं मेनिरे विषयागमम्

ānarca vaiṣṇavānbhūya upacāraiḥ samānayan śāṁtā api yathā citraṁ menire viṣayāgamam

He further worshipped the Vaishnavas, bringing forward every offering, so that even those of tranquil disposition thought this arrival of splendor wondrous.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.57.25)

ततो विप्रान्बाहुजातान्वैश्यान्मुनिपुरःसरम् । सम्यक्प्रपूजयामास सत्त्वोद्रिक्तो महीपतिः

tato viprānbāhujātānvaiśyānmunipuraḥsaram samyakprapūjayāmāsa sattvodrikto mahīpatiḥ

Then, led by the sages, that king, overflowing with purity of being, duly and fully worshipped the Brahmins, kshatriyas, and vaishyas.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.57.26)

अन्यांश्च सचिवद्वारा पूजयित्वा ससंभ्रमः । दृष्टः स विनयान्नम्रः कृतांजलिपुटस्तथा

anyāṁśca sacivadvārā pūjayitvā sasaṁbhramaḥ dṛṣṭaḥ sa vinayānnamraḥ kṛtāṁjalipuṭastathā

And having had the rest worshipped through his ministers, humble with agitation, he was seen bowed down, with joined palms.

Verse 27 (skanda.2.57.27)

महेंद्रमुच्चैराहेदं नारदेन पुरोधसा

maheṁdramuccairāhedaṁ nāradena purodhasā

Through his priest Narada, he addressed great Indra aloud with these words —

Verse 28 (skanda.2.57.28)

इन्द्रद्युम्न उवाच । तव प्रसादाद्देवेश इच्छामीदं प्रसीद मे । क्रतुना हयमेधेन प्रयक्ष्ये यज्ञपूरुषम्

indradyumna uvāca tava prasādāddeveśa icchāmīdaṁ prasīda me kratunā hayamedhena prayakṣye yajñapūruṣam

Indradyumna said: "By your grace, O lord of gods, I desire this — be gracious to me: I wish to sacrifice to the Lord of sacrifice with the horse-sacrifice rite.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.57.29)

अनुजानीहि मां देव क्रतूनामीश्वरो भवान् । त्वदाज्ञापालकाः सर्वे त्रैलोक्ये निवसंति ये

anujānīhi māṁ deva kratūnāmīśvaro bhavān tvadājñāpālakāḥ sarve trailokye nivasaṁti ye

"Grant me leave, O god; you are the lord of sacrifices. All who dwell in the three worlds keep your command.

Verse 30 (skanda.2.57.30)

यावत्क्रतुसहस्रस्य संस्था च भवति प्रभो । तावत्त्वं त्रिदशैः सार्द्धं सदोमध्यगतो वस

yāvatkratusahasrasya saṁsthā ca bhavati prabho tāvattvaṁ tridaśaiḥ sārddhaṁ sadomadhyagato vasa

"For as long as the completion of the thousand sacrifices takes, O lord, dwell in the midst of the assembly-hall, together with the gods.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.57.31)

यष्टुमिच्छामि देवेश नाहं त्वत्पदलिप्सया । सर्वेषां वेत्सि देवेश मनोवृत्तिं सदा प्रभो

yaṣṭumicchāmi deveśa nāhaṁ tvatpadalipsayā sarveṣāṁ vetsi deveśa manovṛttiṁ sadā prabho

"I wish to sacrifice, O lord of gods, not out of desire for your own position; O lord of gods, you always know, O lord, the disposition of every heart.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.57.32)

युष्माकं पूर्वदृष्टोऽत्र वपुष्मान्माधवः प्रभुः । उपासनायां सोऽयं यो वालुकाभिस्तिरोदधे

yuṣmākaṁ pūrvadṛṣṭo'tra vapuṣmānmādhavaḥ prabhuḥ upāsanāyāṁ so'yaṁ yo vālukābhistirodadhe

"That embodied Madhava, the Lord, seen before by all of you in the place of worship, has now been hidden away by the sands.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.57.33)

तस्य भूयः प्रकाशार्थं वाजिमेधसहस्रकम्। करिष्ये वचनादिंद्र चतुरास्यस्य शासनात् । पुनः प्रकाशिते तस्मिञ्छ्रेयो वोऽपि भविष्यति

tasya bhūyaḥ prakāśārthaṁ vājimedhasahasrakam kariṣye vacanādiṁdra caturāsyasya śāsanāt punaḥ prakāśite tasmiñchreyo vo'pi bhaviṣyati

"For his manifestation once again, I shall perform a thousand horse-sacrifices, O Indra, by the word and command of the four-faced Brahma; when he is manifest again, good fortune shall come to you all as well."

Verse 34 (skanda.2.57.34)

इति विज्ञापिते राज्ञा महेंद्रप्रमुखाः सुराः । अन्तर्द्धानोतरं या च श्रुता पूर्वं सरस्वती

iti vijñāpite rājñā maheṁdrapramukhāḥ surāḥ antarddhānotaraṁ yā ca śrutā pūrvaṁ sarasvatī

When the king had thus petitioned, the gods, headed by great Indra, recalled that disembodied Sarasvati-voice which had been heard before, after the Lord's disappearance.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.57.35)

अशरीरां स्मरंतस्तामिदं प्रोचुः प्रहर्षिताः । इन्द्रद्युम्न महात्मासि सत्यं सत्यवतो भुवि

aśarīrāṁ smaraṁtastāmidaṁ procuḥ praharṣitāḥ indradyumna mahātmāsi satyaṁ satyavato bhuvi

Remembering that disembodied voice, delighted, they said: "Indradyumna, you are indeed a great soul, truly the foremost of the truthful on this earth.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.57.36)

तच्चेष्टितं पुरास्माभिरन्वभावि भविष्यकम् । सहायास्ते भविष्यामः कार्ये त्रैलोक्यपावने

tacceṣṭitaṁ purāsmābhiranvabhāvi bhaviṣyakam sahāyāste bhaviṣyāmaḥ kārye trailokyapāvane

"That very deed, foretold, we witnessed in advance. We shall become your helpers in this task that purifies the three worlds,

Verse 37 (skanda.2.57.37)

स्रष्टा स जगतां यत्र उद्युक्तः स्वयमेव हि । अत्रैवोवाच भगवानस्माकमपि भूतले

sraṣṭā sa jagatāṁ yatra udyuktaḥ svayameva hi atraivovāca bhagavānasmākamapi bhūtale

"— in which the creator of the worlds himself is engaged. The Lord himself spoke to us also, right here on this earth,

Verse 38 (skanda.2.57.38)

प्रविशंस्तदनुक्रोशवशाद्भूयः प्रकाशनम् । करिष्ये दारवं देहमित्येतत्परिनिष्ठितम्

praviśaṁstadanukrośavaśādbhūyaḥ prakāśanam kariṣye dāravaṁ dehamityetatpariniṣṭhitam

"— as he entered the wood, out of that same compassion: 'I shall manifest myself again, taking a wooden body' — this is fully settled.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.57.39)

नात्रास्माकं व्यलीकं तु नेंद्रस्य च महीपते । अस्मद्दिष्टसमुद्योगस्तव नः प्रीतिकारकः

nātrāsmākaṁ vyalīkaṁ tu neṁdrasya ca mahīpate asmaddiṣṭasamudyogastava naḥ prītikārakaḥ

"In this there is no falsehood, either on our part or on Indra's, O king; this undertaking, told by us, is pleasing to us all.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.57.40)

सुखं यजस्व राजेंद्र वैकुंठं भक्तवत्सलम् । क्रतुना हयमेधेन सहस्रपरिवर्तिना

sukhaṁ yajasva rājeṁdra vaikuṁṭhaṁ bhaktavatsalam kratunā hayamedhena sahasraparivartinā

"Sacrifice in peace, O lord of kings, to Vaikuntha, who loves his devotees, with the horse-sacrifice repeated a thousandfold.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.57.41)

दुराराध्यो हि भगवानस्माकं भक्तवत्सलः । वयमप्यत्र देवत्वं त्यक्त्वा भक्ति परायणाः

durārādhyo hi bhagavānasmākaṁ bhaktavatsalaḥ vayamapyatra devatvaṁ tyaktvā bhakti parāyaṇāḥ

"For the Lord, though hard to propitiate even for us, is one who loves his devotees; we too, here, shall set aside our godhead and devote ourselves wholly to devotion,

Verse 42 (skanda.2.57.42)

आराधयामः क्षेत्रेस्मिन्विनीता नररूपिणः । प्रियं हि मानुषे लोके कर्म सिद्ध्यति वै कृतम्

ārādhayāmaḥ kṣetresminvinītā nararūpiṇaḥ priyaṁ hi mānuṣe loke karma siddhyati vai kṛtam

"— humble, in human form, and worship him in this field; for indeed, action performed in the human world is dear to him and truly bears fruit."

Verse 43 (skanda.2.57.43)

जैमिनिरुवाच । इत्युक्ते त्रिदशैः सेंद्रैः परितुष्टांतरात्मना । आरंभार्थं क्रतो राजा भगवंतमपूजयत्

jaiminiruvāca ityukte tridaśaiḥ seṁdraiḥ parituṣṭāṁtarātmanā āraṁbhārthaṁ krato rājā bhagavaṁtamapūjayat

Jaimini said: When the gods, together with Indra, had spoken thus, the king, his inmost self well satisfied, worshipped the Lord so as to begin the sacrifice,

Verse 44 (skanda.2.57.44)

उपचारसहस्रैस्तु यथावत्प्रतिपादितैः । ततः पितृगणान्राजा निरूप्य श्रद्धयान्वितः

upacārasahasraistu yathāvatpratipāditaiḥ tataḥ pitṛgaṇānrājā nirūpya śraddhayānvitaḥ

— with a thousand offerings, duly presented; then the king, having identified the classes of ancestors, filled with faith,

Verse 45 (skanda.2.57.45)

सदोगृहगतान्विप्रान्याज्ञिकान्समलंकृतान् । कृत्वेष्टदेवं पुरतो वैकुंठं साग्निहोत्रकम्

sadogṛhagatānviprānyājñikānsamalaṁkṛtān kṛtveṣṭadevaṁ purato vaikuṁṭhaṁ sāgnihotrakam

— honored the Brahmins gathered in the assembly-hall, engaged in sacrifice and well adorned; having placed his chosen deity Vaikuntha before him, together with the fire-oblation,

Verse 46 (skanda.2.57.46)

आकांक्षन्कल्पितं लग्नं संवृत्ते स्वस्तिवाचने । उपस्थितः सपत्नीकः शुद्धमांगल्यवेषधृक्

ākāṁkṣankalpitaṁ lagnaṁ saṁvṛtte svastivācane upasthitaḥ sapatnīkaḥ śuddhamāṁgalyaveṣadhṛk

— awaiting the appointed auspicious hour, when the benediction was concluded, he presented himself with his wife, in pure and auspicious garments,

Verse 47 (skanda.2.57.47)

स्वस्ति वाच्य द्विजाञ्छुद्धान्पुण्याहं वृद्धिकर्म च । ततः संभृतसंभारो वरयामास ऋत्विजः

svasti vācya dvijāñchuddhānpuṇyāhaṁ vṛddhikarma ca tataḥ saṁbhṛtasaṁbhāro varayāmāsa ṛtvijaḥ

— and, having had the pure Brahmins recite the benediction, the auspicious-day pronouncement, and the prosperity-rite, with all requisites gathered he chose the officiating priests.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.57.48)

वृतास्ते तु सपत्नीकं दीक्षयंतो नृपोत्तमम् । विहृत्य दीक्षणायेष्टान्न्ययजन्सभ्यचोदिताः

vṛtāste tu sapatnīkaṁ dīkṣayaṁto nṛpottamam vihṛtya dīkṣaṇāyeṣṭānnyayajansabhyacoditāḥ

Those chosen priests, initiating the best of kings together with his wife, having distributed the initiation-gifts, sacrificed as urged on by the assembly.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.57.49)

प्रणीय तं प्रज्वलंतं वेद्यामाहवनीयकम् । त्रैलोक्यमंगलकरं किं साक्षाद्वैष्णवं महः

praṇīya taṁ prajvalaṁtaṁ vedyāmāhavanīyakam trailokyamaṁgalakaraṁ kiṁ sākṣādvaiṣṇavaṁ mahaḥ

Having brought that blazing Ahavaniya fire onto the altar — that bringer of blessing to the three worlds, was it not the very splendor of Vishnu made manifest? —

Verse 50 (skanda.2.57.50)

सुप्रोक्षितं चाभिमंत्र्य अनुज्ञाप्य दिगीश्वरान् । मुमुचुस्ते हयं मुख्यमंगेषु शुभलक्षणम्

suprokṣitaṁ cābhimaṁtrya anujñāpya digīśvarān mumucuste hayaṁ mukhyamaṁgeṣu śubhalakṣaṇam

— having well sprinkled and consecrated it with mantras, and taken leave of the guardians of the directions, they released the chief horse, of auspicious marks upon its limbs.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.57.51)

ततः स दीक्षितो राजा वाग्यतो रौरवीं त्वचम् । अधिष्ठाय सदोमध्ये मृत्युंजय इव स्थितः

tataḥ sa dīkṣito rājā vāgyato rauravīṁ tvacam adhiṣṭhāya sadomadhye mṛtyuṁjaya iva sthitaḥ

Then the king, initiated, silent in speech, seated upon a deerskin in the midst of the assembly-hall, remained as if he were the very conqueror of death.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.57.52)

निमंत्रितानां मुक्त्यर्थं चक्षुषा संदिदेश वै । सुराणां रत्नपात्राणि महार्घाणि नृपाज्ञया

nimaṁtritānāṁ muktyarthaṁ cakṣuṣā saṁdideśa vai surāṇāṁ ratnapātrāṇi mahārghāṇi nṛpājñayā

By his eye alone he directed the arrangements for the meal of the invited guests; by the king's command, precious jeweled vessels were provided for the gods —

Verse 53 (skanda.2.57.53)

सचिवः कारयामास भोजनाय समृद्धिमत् । शुद्धसौवर्णपात्राणि मुनीनां च महीक्षिताम्

sacivaḥ kārayāmāsa bhojanāya samṛddhimat śuddhasauvarṇapātrāṇi munīnāṁ ca mahīkṣitām

— his minister had arranged, for their meal, a splendid abundance: pure golden vessels for the sages and kings,

Verse 54 (skanda.2.57.54)

द्विजानां भोजनार्थाय नवानि प्रत्यहं द्विजाः । क्षत्रियाणां विशां विप्रा राजतानि शुभानि च

dvijānāṁ bhojanārthāya navāni pratyahaṁ dvijāḥ kṣatriyāṇāṁ viśāṁ viprā rājatāni śubhāni ca

— new vessels each day for the Brahmins' meal, O Brahmins; and auspicious silver vessels for the kshatriyas and vaishyas, O Brahmins,

Verse 55 (skanda.2.57.55)

कांस्यनिर्मलपात्राणि शूद्राणां भोजनाय वै । अहन्यहनि पात्राणि भोजनांते द्विजोत्तमाः

kāṁsyanirmalapātrāṇi śūdrāṇāṁ bhojanāya vai ahanyahani pātrāṇi bhojanāṁte dvijottamāḥ

— spotless bronze vessels for the shudras' meal. Day after day, O best of Brahmins, after the meal, those vessels

Verse 56 (skanda.2.57.56)

आकरेषु प्रपात्यंते प्रोच्छिष्टदलवज्जनैः । तत्र यज्ञोत्सवे ये वै भोजनाय निमंत्रिताः

ākareṣu prapātyaṁte procchiṣṭadalavajjanaiḥ tatra yajñotsave ye vai bhojanāya nimaṁtritāḥ

— were cast by the attendants into pits, like discarded leaf-plates. Those who had been invited to eat at that sacrificial festival —

Verse 57 (skanda.2.57.57)

तेषां पुत्राश्च पौत्राश्च प्रपौत्राश्चैव संततिः । नित्यं पंचरसान्नानि बहुमानपुरःसरम्

teṣāṁ putrāśca pautrāśca prapautrāścaiva saṁtatiḥ nityaṁ paṁcarasānnāni bahumānapuraḥsaram

— their sons, grandsons and great-grandsons, their whole line, were daily given food of the five flavors, preceded by great honor,

Verse 58 (skanda.2.57.58)

आदृतैर्भोजिता राज्ञ इंद्रद्युम्नस्य शासनात् । कुटुंबवत्स्थितास्तत्र संस्था यावन्महाक्रतोः

ādṛtairbhojitā rājña iṁdradyumnasya śāsanāt kuṭuṁbavatsthitāstatra saṁsthā yāvanmahākratoḥ

— fed with reverence by King Indradyumna's own order; they dwelt there like one great family, for as long as the great sacrifice lasted.

Verse 59 (skanda.2.57.59)

यद्देशीया जनास्तेषामधिष्ठाता च तान्नृपः । नृपाणामनुसंधाता इंद्रद्युम्नप्रयाचितः

yaddeśīyā janāsteṣāmadhiṣṭhātā ca tānnṛpaḥ nṛpāṇāmanusaṁdhātā iṁdradyumnaprayācitaḥ

Whatever land's people they were, the king who ruled over each was made their overseer; and the one appointed, at Indradyumna's request, to coordinate among the kings —

Verse 60 (skanda.2.57.60)

नारदः समदर्शी तु परोपकृतिलोलुपः । इंद्रादीनां सुरेंद्राणां देवर्षीणां नृपोत्तमः

nāradaḥ samadarśī tu paropakṛtilolupaḥ iṁdrādīnāṁ sureṁdrāṇāṁ devarṣīṇāṁ nṛpottamaḥ

— was Narada, of even vision, ever eager to help others; and, over Indra and the other lords of the gods and the divine sages, the best of kings —

Verse 61 (skanda.2.57.61)

स्वयं नरपतिश्चर्यां चकार क्रतुपूर्त्तये । षड्विधान्यन्नपानानि संस्कृतानि द्विधा नरैः

svayaṁ narapatiścaryāṁ cakāra kratupūrttaye ṣaḍvidhānyannapānāni saṁskṛtāni dvidhā naraiḥ

— himself, the lord of men, personally attended, for the completion of the sacrifice. The six kinds of food and drink were prepared in two ways by men —

Verse 62 (skanda.2.57.62)

देवानां भोजने तत्र मंत्रतंत्रविशारदैः । मर्त्यानां नल विद्यायां कुशलैः संस्कृतानि वै

devānāṁ bhojane tatra maṁtrataṁtraviśāradaiḥ martyānāṁ nala vidyāyāṁ kuśalaiḥ saṁskṛtāni vai

— for the gods' meal there, prepared by those skilled in mantra and ritual technique; for mortals, by those expert in the culinary art.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.57.63)

क्षुत्पिपासानभिज्ञा हि सुधाहारा दिवौकसः । तेषामपि अपूर्वत्वादाश्चर्यं तद्धि भोजनम्

kṣutpipāsānabhijñā hi sudhāhārā divaukasaḥ teṣāmapi apūrvatvādāścaryaṁ taddhi bhojanam

The dwellers of heaven, who feed on nectar, know nothing of hunger and thirst; yet even for them, that meal, in its unprecedented character, was a source of wonder.

Verse 64 (skanda.2.57.64)

नराणां दुर्लभं मर्त्य इंद्रद्युम्नगृहेऽशनम्। इन्द्रद्युम्नस्य चेंद्रस्य विशेषो मर्त्यवासिता

narāṇāṁ durlabhaṁ martya iṁdradyumnagṛhe'śanam indradyumnasya ceṁdrasya viśeṣo martyavāsitā

For mortal men, food such as Indradyumna's household offered is hard to obtain; the only real difference between Indradyumna and Indra is that one dwells among mortals.

Verse 65 (skanda.2.57.65)

अत्यद्भुतकरं ह्येतत्प्रत्यहं च नवं नवम् । संमाननादरावृद्धिर्भोज्यस्य द्विजसत्तमाः

atyadbhutakaraṁ hyetatpratyahaṁ ca navaṁ navam saṁmānanādarāvṛddhirbhojyasya dvijasattamāḥ

This was truly a cause of the greatest wonder — every day something new; O best of Brahmins, honor and reverence toward what was offered grew ever greater,

Verse 66 (skanda.2.57.66)

अन्योन्यस्पर्द्धयैवात्र प्रवर्द्धते परस्परम् । सुगंधसुमनोमाल्यकस्तूर्यादिप्रलेपनम्

anyonyasparddhayaivātra pravarddhate parasparam sugaṁdhasumanomālyakastūryādipralepanam

— growing yet more, here, through mutual rivalry, each outdoing the other; there were fragrant garlands, musk and unguents,

Verse 67 (skanda.2.57.67)

चित्रसूक्ष्मदुकूलानि सोपधानासनानि च । रत्नपल्यंकिका शय्या रत्नदंडप्रकीर्णकम्

citrasūkṣmadukūlāni sopadhānāsanāni ca ratnapalyaṁkikā śayyā ratnadaṁḍaprakīrṇakam

— fine delicately-woven cloths, cushioned seats, jeweled couches for reclining, jeweled-handled fans,

Verse 68 (skanda.2.57.68)

जातीलवंगकर्पूरैर्नागवल्लीदलानि च । मनोहराणि गीतानि नृत्यानि विविधानि च

jātīlavaṁgakarpūrairnāgavallīdalāni ca manoharāṇi gītāni nṛtyāni vividhāni ca

— betel leaves prepared with jasmine, clove and camphor, lovely songs, and dances of every kind,

Verse 69 (skanda.2.57.69)

भरतस्य मुनेः शिक्षापंडितै रचितानि च । स्वस्ववंशयशोऽभिज्ञाः शतशः सूतमागधाः

bharatasya muneḥ śikṣāpaṁḍitai racitāni ca svasvavaṁśayaśo'bhijñāḥ śataśaḥ sūtamāgadhāḥ

— arranged by masters trained in the teaching of the sage Bharata; and hundreds of bards and eulogists, each well versed in the fame of his own lineage.

Verse 70 (skanda.2.57.70)

एतान्यन्यानि वस्तूनि दुर्लभान्यपि यानि वै । त्रिदशाश्चापि मर्त्याश्चान्वभुज्यंत सुसादरम्

etānyanyāni vastūni durlabhānyapi yāni vai tridaśāścāpi martyāścānvabhujyaṁta susādaram

These, and other rare things too, both gods and mortals partook of alike, with the greatest reverence.

Verse 71 (skanda.2.57.71)

एकतोऽन्यत्र चित्राणि न च हीनानि कुत्रचित् । पातालवासिनां चापि भोजनं वै सुधाधिकम्

ekato'nyatra citrāṇi na ca hīnāni kutracit pātālavāsināṁ cāpi bhojanaṁ vai sudhādhikam

On every side everything was wondrous; nowhere was there any deficiency. Even for the dwellers of the netherworld, the food there was more excellent than nectar,

Verse 72 (skanda.2.57.72)

यद्भुक्त्वा नानुवाञ्छन्ति पातालगमनं हि ते । पुराणि यानि पाताले रत्नौघालोकितानि च

yadbhuktvā nānuvāñchanti pātālagamanaṁ hi te purāṇi yāni pātāle ratnaughālokitāni ca

— so that, having eaten it, they no longer wished to return to Patala. And the cities that exist in Patala, illumined by masses of jewels —

Verse 73 (skanda.2.57.73)

विना सूर्यप्रकाशेन तादृशान्येव भूपतिः । ददौ तेषां निवासाय येषु पातालबुद्धयः

vinā sūryaprakāśena tādṛśānyeva bhūpatiḥ dadau teṣāṁ nivāsāya yeṣu pātālabuddhayaḥ

— shining without sunlight — exactly such dwellings the king provided for them, so that the dwellers of Patala should feel it was their own home.

Verse 74 (skanda.2.57.74)

सुखासीनाश्च क्रीडंतो भुंजाना शेरते मुदा । देवानामपि नान्यत्र भूमिस्पर्शनमस्ति वै

sukhāsīnāśca krīḍaṁto bhuṁjānā śerate mudā devānāmapi nānyatra bhūmisparśanamasti vai

Sitting comfortably, sporting, eating, and reposing joyfully; indeed, even the gods elsewhere have no such occasion to touch the ground.

Verse 75 (skanda.2.57.75)

इन्द्रद्युम्नपुरे तत्र स्वर्गादपि मनोहरे । यदृच्छया सुखक्रीडासक्ता नो तत्यजुर्भुवम्

indradyumnapure tatra svargādapi manohare yadṛcchayā sukhakrīḍāsaktā no tatyajurbhuvam

In Indradyumna's city, more lovely even than heaven, freely given over to happy sport, they did not wish to leave that ground.

Verse 76 (skanda.2.57.76)

अभिलाषोपजातं तु सुखं स्वर्गे वदंति हि । अनिच्छयापि भो विप्राः सुखं सर्वत्र तत्र वै

abhilāṣopajātaṁ tu sukhaṁ svarge vadaṁti hi anicchayāpi bho viprāḥ sukhaṁ sarvatra tatra vai

Happiness in heaven, they say, arises only from one's own desire for it; but there, O Brahmins, happiness was present everywhere, even without desiring it.

Verse 77 (skanda.2.57.77)

आदृत्य यत्नान्मन्यंते भोज्यं ते सादरं नराः । न याचितः कोपि जनः कुतो वा स्यात्पराङ्मुखः

ādṛtya yatnānmanyaṁte bhojyaṁ te sādaraṁ narāḥ na yācitaḥ kopi janaḥ kuto vā syātparāṅmukhaḥ

The people there, with effort and reverence, regarded whatever was offered with respect; no one who asked was refused — how, then, could anyone turn away disappointed?

Verse 78 (skanda.2.57.78)

राजाधिराजवेश्मानि जनानां स्वगृहैः समम् । तदासीत्स्वगृहे तेषां न सदा सर्वसंभवः

rājādhirājaveśmāni janānāṁ svagṛhaiḥ samam tadāsītsvagṛhe teṣāṁ na sadā sarvasaṁbhavaḥ

The mansions of that overlord of kings were like the very homes of the common people; for in one's own home, everything is not always available.

Verse 79 (skanda.2.57.79)

तत्र यत्कामनातीतं तद्वस्तु सुलभं बहु । इत्थं प्रवर्तिते यज्ञे यज्ञेशप्रीतये मुदा

tatra yatkāmanātītaṁ tadvastu sulabhaṁ bahu itthaṁ pravartite yajñe yajñeśaprītaye mudā

There, whatever lay beyond desire was abundantly and easily obtained. Thus, as the sacrifice proceeded, for the pleasure of the Lord of sacrifice and with great joy,

Verse 80 (skanda.2.57.80)

पृथिवी हृतसर्वस्वा वाजिमेधेस्य भूपतेः । या पूर्वं साभवद्भूयः स्वर्णवृष्टिसुभूषिता

pṛthivī hṛtasarvasvā vājimedhesya bhūpateḥ yā pūrvaṁ sābhavadbhūyaḥ svarṇavṛṣṭisubhūṣitā

— the earth, though stripped of everything by this king's horse-sacrifice, as had happened before, once again became adorned with a shower of gold.

Verse 81 (skanda.2.57.81)

इत्थं प्रवृत्ते लोकानां तत्र त्रैलोक्यवासिनाम् । दानसंमानभोज्यानां विधौ विधिवतोऽन्वहम्

itthaṁ pravṛtte lokānāṁ tatra trailokyavāsinām dānasaṁmānabhojyānāṁ vidhau vidhivato'nvaham

Thus, as the daily rite of giving gifts, honors, and food to the peoples of the three worlds continued there according to due rule,

Verse 82 (skanda.2.57.82)

अश्वमेधं प्रति जना जगुर्गाथाः परस्परम् । नेदृग्यागस्य संभारो विधेः शास्त्रप्रचोदितः

aśvamedhaṁ prati janā jagurgāthāḥ parasparam nedṛgyāgasya saṁbhāro vidheḥ śāstrapracoditaḥ

— people sang verses among themselves about the horse-sacrifice, saying: "Never has there been such a scripturally-prescribed array of sacrificial requisites

Verse 83 (skanda.2.57.83)

इंद्रद्युम्नस्य राजर्षेर्न भूतो न भविष्यति । न याचितारोऽदातारो मिथो यत्र निमंत्रिताः

iṁdradyumnasya rājarṣerna bhūto na bhaviṣyati na yācitāro'dātāro mitho yatra nimaṁtritāḥ

"— as that of the royal sage Indradyumna, neither before nor hereafter. Here, none of the invited guests ever had to beg, nor was anyone refused,

Verse 84 (skanda.2.57.84)

न कामभंगो यत्रासीद्देवानामपि भो द्विजाः । ईदृक्समृद्धिः क्रतुराट् प्रवृत्तो भूपतेस्तदा

na kāmabhaṁgo yatrāsīddevānāmapi bho dvijāḥ īdṛksamṛddhiḥ kraturāṭ pravṛtto bhūpatestadā

"— nor was any desire ever thwarted, even that of the gods, O Brahmins. Such was the splendor with which this king of sacrifices was conducted by that king."

Verse 85 (skanda.2.57.85)

अधिश्रद्धः सुसंपन्नः पूर्वस्मादपरोऽभवत् । स्मृतिकाराः कल्पकारास्तथा शास्त्रप्रणेतृकाः

adhiśraddhaḥ susaṁpannaḥ pūrvasmādaparo'bhavat smṛtikārāḥ kalpakārāstathā śāstrapraṇetṛkāḥ

Each successive sacrifice grew more richly endowed with faith and more abundant than the one before it. The authors of the Smritis, the framers of the Kalpa-texts, and the composers of the scriptures,

Verse 86 (skanda.2.57.86)

यज्ञानुष्ठानकुशलाः सदाचारावतंसकाः । अग्न्याधानाद्यवभृथप्रचारमनुपूर्वशः

yajñānuṣṭhānakuśalāḥ sadācārāvataṁsakāḥ agnyādhānādyavabhṛthapracāramanupūrvaśaḥ

— skilled in the conduct of sacrifice, the very crown-jewels of virtuous conduct, [carried through] in due order every rite from the establishment of the sacred fires to the concluding bath,

Verse 87 (skanda.2.57.87)

क्रतुः सदस्यानुमते नृपतेः प्रीतये द्विजाः । न मंत्राः स्वरतो हीना वर्णतो वापि कर्हिचित्

kratuḥ sadasyānumate nṛpateḥ prītaye dvijāḥ na maṁtrāḥ svarato hīnā varṇato vāpi karhicit

— the sacrifice, with the assembly's assent, for the king's pleasure, O Brahmins; never once were the mantras deficient in accent or in syllable.

Verse 88 (skanda.2.57.88)

ये वै विधिविधातारस्ते वै कर्मप्रचारकाः । प्रायश्चित्तनिमित्तेन प्रायश्चित्तनिबंधनात्

ye vai vidhividhātāraste vai karmapracārakāḥ prāyaścittanimittena prāyaścittanibaṁdhanāt

Those who devised the ritual procedure also carried out the rites; on any occasion requiring expiation, by the fixed rule for expiation,

Verse 89 (skanda.2.57.89)

कर्मोपघातो नो तत्र योगिनः कर्मयोगिनः । यत्र सप्तर्षयो दिव्याः सदस्याः क्रतुसाक्षिणः

karmopaghāto no tatra yoginaḥ karmayoginaḥ yatra saptarṣayo divyāḥ sadasyāḥ kratusākṣiṇaḥ

— thanks to those masters of the discipline of action, no impairment of the rite occurred there; where the seven divine sages themselves were members of the assembly, witnesses of the sacrifice,

Verse 90 (skanda.2.57.90)

प्रचारयंति कर्माणि गुणदोषविभागिनः । याज्ञवल्क्यादयस्तेऽत्र मुनयस्त्वृत्विजो वृताः

pracārayaṁti karmāṇi guṇadoṣavibhāginaḥ yājñavalkyādayaste'tra munayastvṛtvijo vṛtāḥ

— directing the rites, discerning merit from fault; sages such as Yajnavalkya were there chosen as officiating priests.

Verse 91 (skanda.2.57.91)

सदोगतास्ते मुनयः परस्परकथांतरे । वाकोवाक्यानि सूक्तानि गुह्योपनिषदानि च

sadogatāste munayaḥ parasparakathāṁtare vākovākyāni sūktāni guhyopaniṣadāni ca

Those sages, gathered in the assembly-hall, discussed among themselves dialogues, hymns, and the secret Upanishads,

Verse 92 (skanda.2.57.92)

गाथाः पौराणिकीर्विप्रा विष्णुभक्तिपुरःसराः । चरितानि हरेः सर्वकल्मषौघहराणि च

gāthāḥ paurāṇikīrviprā viṣṇubhaktipuraḥsarāḥ caritāni hareḥ sarvakalmaṣaughaharāṇi ca

— Puranic legends, O Brahmins, devotion to Vishnu ever foremost, and the deeds of Hari that take away every mass of sin —

Verse 93 (skanda.2.57.93)

तत्र संवर्तयामासुस्ते सभायां महीक्षितः । तस्य यज्ञे हविः प्राशुः प्रत्यक्षं वह्निमध्यगाः

tatra saṁvartayāmāsuste sabhāyāṁ mahīkṣitaḥ tasya yajñe haviḥ prāśuḥ pratyakṣaṁ vahnimadhyagāḥ

— these they discoursed upon in the king's assembly-hall; and in his sacrifice, entering visibly into the midst of the fire, they partook of the oblation.

Verse 94 (skanda.2.57.94)

मुदितास्त्रिदशा विप्रा महेंद्रप्रमुखामखे । चिरप्रवासिनो देवा नास्मरंतामरावतीम्

muditāstridaśā viprā maheṁdrapramukhāmakhe cirapravāsino devā nāsmaraṁtāmarāvatīm

The gods, delighted, O Brahmins, at that sacrifice led by great Indra, though long absent from their own realm, no longer even remembered Amaravati.

Verse 95 (skanda.2.57.95)

अमृतं हि हविस्तेषां कल्पितं ब्रह्मणा पुरा । तत्प्राश्य मुदिता देवा वीर्यवन्तश्चिरायुषः

amṛtaṁ hi havisteṣāṁ kalpitaṁ brahmaṇā purā tatprāśya muditā devā vīryavantaścirāyuṣaḥ

For their oblation was nectar itself, fashioned by Brahma of old; having partaken of it, the gods, delighted, grew mighty in vigor and long-lived,

Verse 96 (skanda.2.57.96)

यागानुष्ठानविषयादन्यत्र विषयान्बहून् । इन्द्रद्युम्नेन रचितान्समस्तानुपभुंजते

yāgānuṣṭhānaviṣayādanyatra viṣayānbahūn indradyumnena racitānsamastānupabhuṁjate

and, apart from the sacrificial rites themselves, they enjoyed the many other pleasures arranged by Indradyumna, all of them.

Verse 97 (skanda.2.57.97)

तत्र ये नागराजानः पातालतलवासिनः । ततोऽधिकान्मर्त्यलोके विषयानुपभुंजते

tatra ye nāgarājānaḥ pātālatalavāsinaḥ tato'dhikānmartyaloke viṣayānupabhuṁjate

The serpent-kings there, dwellers of the depths of Patala, enjoyed, in this world of mortals, pleasures even greater than their own realm,

Verse 98 (skanda.2.57.98)

पातालगमनं ते वै नेहंते मनसा धुवम् । इत्थं प्रवर्तितो यज्ञस्त्रैलोक्यप्रीतिकारकः

pātālagamanaṁ te vai nehaṁte manasā dhuvam itthaṁ pravartito yajñastrailokyaprītikārakaḥ

— so that, indeed, they no longer wished in their hearts to return to Patala. Thus was carried forward this sacrifice, a delight to the three worlds —

Verse 99 (skanda.2.57.99)

इन्द्रद्युम्नस्य नृपतेः क्षेत्रेऽस्मिन्पुरुषोत्तमे । जगदीशप्रसादाय पितामहनिदेशतः

indradyumnasya nṛpateḥ kṣetre'sminpuruṣottame jagadīśaprasādāya pitāmahanideśataḥ

— of King Indradyumna, in this field of Purushottama, for the favor of the Lord of the universe, by the direction of Brahma the grandsire.

Verse 100 (skanda.2.57.100)

एकोनं क्रमतः संस्थामवाप पृथिवीपतिः । सहस्रं हयमेधस्य यथावद्विधिचोदितम्

ekonaṁ kramataḥ saṁsthāmavāpa pṛthivīpatiḥ sahasraṁ hayamedhasya yathāvadvidhicoditam

In due order, exactly according to the rule prescribed, the lord of the earth had brought to completion nine hundred and ninety-nine of his thousand horse-sacrifices.

Verse 101 (skanda.2.57.101)

ततः साहस्रिके यज्ञे वाजिमेधे महीपतिः । दिनेदिने दिव्यगतिर्बभूव नृपतिस्तदा

tataḥ sāhasrike yajñe vājimedhe mahīpatiḥ dinedine divyagatirbabhūva nṛpatistadā

Then, at that horse-sacrifice which would complete the thousand, the king, day by day, came to move as though on a divine path.

Verse 102 (skanda.2.57.102)

सुत्यायाः सप्त दिवसाद्या रात्रिरभवत्पुरा । तस्यास्तुरीयप्रहरे दध्यौ स विष्णुमव्ययम्

sutyāyāḥ sapta divasādyā rātrirabhavatpurā tasyāsturīyaprahare dadhyau sa viṣṇumavyayam

On the night before the seventh day of the Soma-pressing, in its fourth watch, he meditated upon the imperishable Vishnu.

Verse 103 (skanda.2.57.103)

ध्याने तस्मिन्ददर्शासौ महाभाग्यवशान्नृपः । प्रत्यक्षमिव स श्वेतद्वीपं स्फटिकनिर्मितम्

dhyāne tasmindadarśāsau mahābhāgyavaśānnṛpaḥ pratyakṣamiva sa śvetadvīpaṁ sphaṭikanirmitam

In that meditation, by the power of his great good fortune, the king beheld, as if directly before his eyes, Shvetadvipa, fashioned of crystal,

Verse 104 (skanda.2.57.104)

समंतात्परिवार्यैनं तिष्ठंतं क्षीरसागरम् । महाकल्पद्रुमैः पुष्पगंधामोदिदिगंतरैः

samaṁtātparivāryainaṁ tiṣṭhaṁtaṁ kṣīrasāgaram mahākalpadrumaiḥ puṣpagaṁdhāmodidigaṁtaraiḥ

— the Ocean of Milk encircling it on every side, with great wish-fulfilling trees whose flower-fragrance perfumed the ends of every quarter,

Verse 105 (skanda.2.57.105)

फलपल्लववल्केषु बहिरंतश्च सर्वशः । शंखचक्रांकितैः शुभ्रैः सर्वालंकारभूषितः

phalapallavavalkeṣu bahiraṁtaśca sarvaśaḥ śaṁkhacakrāṁkitaiḥ śubhraiḥ sarvālaṁkārabhūṣitaḥ

— their fruit, leaves and bark, within and without, marked entirely with conch and discus, pure white, adorned with every ornament,

Verse 106 (skanda.2.57.106)

महामंजिष्ठवर्णैश्च मूर्तिभिस्तैर्मुरद्विषः । तन्मध्ये घटितं दिव्यमणिभिर्मंडपोत्तमम्

mahāmaṁjiṣṭhavarṇaiśca mūrtibhistairmuradviṣaḥ tanmadhye ghaṭitaṁ divyamaṇibhirmaṁḍapottamam

— and with great madder-red figures, forms of the enemy of Mura; in its midst, a supreme pavilion fashioned of divine jewels,

Verse 107 (skanda.2.57.107)

मध्यस्थसूर्यवद्भासिरत्नसिंहासनोज्ज्वलम् । क्षीराब्धिशीतकल्लोलमंदवातमनोहरम्

madhyasthasūryavadbhāsiratnasiṁhāsanojjvalam kṣīrābdhiśītakallolamaṁdavātamanoharam

— blazing with a jeweled throne shining like the sun at its center, made lovely by the cool waves and gentle breeze of the Ocean of Milk.

Verse 108 (skanda.2.57.108)

तन्मध्ये ददृशे देवं शंखचक्रगदाधरम् । नीलजीमूतसंकाशं वनमालाविभूषितम्

tanmadhye dadṛśe devaṁ śaṁkhacakragadādharam nīlajīmūtasaṁkāśaṁ vanamālāvibhūṣitam

In its midst he beheld the god, bearer of conch, discus and mace, resembling a dark blue cloud, adorned with a garland of forest flowers,

Verse 109 (skanda.2.57.109)

सर्वलावण्यभवनं सौंदर्यश्रीनिकेतनम् । निर्भर्त्सयंतं वपुषा पिनद्धं दिव्यभूषणम्

sarvalāvaṇyabhavanaṁ sauṁdaryaśrīniketanam nirbhartsayaṁtaṁ vapuṣā pinaddhaṁ divyabhūṣaṇam

— the very abode of all grace, the dwelling-place of beauty and splendor, his form putting all rivals to shame, adorned with divine ornaments,

Verse 110 (skanda.2.57.110)

दक्षपार्श्वे स्थितं तत्र अनंतं धरणीधरम् । कोटिचन्द्रप्रतीकाशं हिमाद्रिसदृशप्रभम्

dakṣapārśve sthitaṁ tatra anaṁtaṁ dharaṇīdharam koṭicandrapratīkāśaṁ himādrisadṛśaprabham

— and, standing at his right side, Ananta, bearer of the earth, resembling ten million moons, radiant like the Himalayas,

Verse 111 (skanda.2.57.111)

फणामुकुटविस्तारच्छत्रीभूतं मनोहरम् । मणिकुंडलयुग्मांकं चारुनीलनिचोलकम्

phaṇāmukuṭavistāracchatrībhūtaṁ manoharam maṇikuṁḍalayugmāṁkaṁ cārunīlanicolakam

— his hood's crown spread out like a canopy, lovely, marked with a pair of jeweled earrings, wearing a beautiful dark garment,

Verse 112 (skanda.2.57.112)

हललांगलशंखारिस्फुरद्बाहुचतुष्टयम्। हारकेयूरवलय मुद्रिकाभिरलंकृतम्

halalāṁgalaśaṁkhārisphuradbāhucatuṣṭayam hārakeyūravalaya mudrikābhiralaṁkṛtam

— his four arms flashing with plough, plough-blade, conch and discus, adorned with necklace, armlets, bracelets and rings,

Verse 113 (skanda.2.57.113)

मेखलाकटिसूत्राढ्यं दिव्यरत्नप्रसाधनम् । दिव्यहालाक्षीबमूर्तिं चारुहासं सुनेत्रकम्

mekhalākaṭisūtrāḍhyaṁ divyaratnaprasādhanam divyahālākṣībamūrtiṁ cāruhāsaṁ sunetrakam

— his waist richly girdled, adorned with divine jewels, his form as if intoxicated with divine wine, of beautiful smile and lovely eyes;

Verse 114 (skanda.2.57.114)

दक्षपार्श्वस्थितां चास्य लक्ष्मीं तां शुभलक्षणाम् । वराभयाब्जहस्तां वै कुंकुमाभां सुलोचनाम्

dakṣapārśvasthitāṁ cāsya lakṣmīṁ tāṁ śubhalakṣaṇām varābhayābjahastāṁ vai kuṁkumābhāṁ sulocanām

— and, standing at his right side, Lakshmi, of auspicious marks, her hands showing the boon-gesture, fearlessness and the lotus, saffron-hued, lovely-eyed,

Verse 115 (skanda.2.57.115)

त्रैलोक्ययुवतीवृन्ददृष्टांताद्भुतविग्रहाम् । ददर्श पद्मासनगां लावण्यांबुधिपुत्रिकाम्

trailokyayuvatīvṛndadṛṣṭāṁtādbhutavigrahām dadarśa padmāsanagāṁ lāvaṇyāṁbudhiputrikām

— her form so wondrous it would stand as an example even among all the young women of the three worlds; he beheld her seated on a lotus-throne, daughter of the ocean of grace,

Verse 116 (skanda.2.57.116)

पितामहं च ददृशे पुरतोऽस्य कृतांजलिम् । वामपार्श्वस्थितं चक्रं नानामणिमयं विभोः

pitāmahaṁ ca dadṛśe purato'sya kṛtāṁjalim vāmapārśvasthitaṁ cakraṁ nānāmaṇimayaṁ vibhoḥ

— and he beheld Brahma the grandsire before him with joined palms, and, standing at the Lord's left side, the discus made of many jewels,

Verse 117 (skanda.2.57.117)

सनकाद्यैर्मुनींद्रैस्तं स्तूयमानं जगद्गुरुम् । दृष्ट्वा स्वप्ने स राजा वै प्रहृष्टो द्विजसत्तमाः

sanakādyairmunīṁdraistaṁ stūyamānaṁ jagadgurum dṛṣṭvā svapne sa rājā vai prahṛṣṭo dvijasattamāḥ

— and he beheld that guru of the universe being praised by the great sages headed by Sanaka. O best of Brahmins, seeing this in his dream, the king was greatly delighted,

Verse 118 (skanda.2.57.118)

अदृष्टपूर्वरूपं तं ज्योतिर्मयमनंतकम् । तुष्टाव तत्र ध्यानस्थो हर्षगद्गदया गिरा

adṛṣṭapūrvarūpaṁ taṁ jyotirmayamanaṁtakam tuṣṭāva tatra dhyānastho harṣagadgadayā girā

— that form never seen before, made of light, without end. Remaining in meditation, he praised him with a voice choked with joy.

Verse 119 (skanda.2.57.119)

इन्द्रद्युम्न उवाच । नमस्ते जगदाधार जगदात्मन्नमोऽस्तु ते । कैवल्यत्रिगुणातीत गुणांजन नमोऽस्तु ते

indradyumna uvāca namaste jagadādhāra jagadātmannamo'stu te kaivalyatriguṇātīta guṇāṁjana namo'stu te

Indradyumna said: "Homage to you, support of the universe; homage be to you, self of the universe; O you who are absolute oneness, beyond the three gunas, yet the very source of the gunas, homage be to you.

Verse 120 (skanda.2.57.120)

सुशुद्धनिर्मलज्ञानस्वरूपाय नमोऽस्तु ते । शब्दब्रह्माभिधानाय जगद्रूपाय ते नमः

suśuddhanirmalajñānasvarūpāya namo'stu te śabdabrahmābhidhānāya jagadrūpāya te namaḥ

"Homage be to you, whose very nature is pure and spotless knowledge; homage to you, called the Word-Brahman, who takes the form of the universe.

Verse 121 (skanda.2.57.121)

संसारपतितश्रांत दुःखध्वंस नमोऽस्तु ते । दुर्भेद्यहृदयग्रंथिभेदकाय नमोऽस्तु ते

saṁsārapatitaśrāṁta duḥkhadhvaṁsa namo'stu te durbhedyahṛdayagraṁthibhedakāya namo'stu te

"O destroyer of the sorrow of the weary who have fallen into samsara, homage be to you; homage to you, splitter of the knot of the heart so hard to break.

Verse 122 (skanda.2.57.122)

द्विसप्तभुवनागारमूलस्तंभाय ते नमः । ब्रह्मांडकोटिघटनाशिल्पिने चक्रिणे नमः

dvisaptabhuvanāgāramūlastaṁbhāya te namaḥ brahmāṁḍakoṭighaṭanāśilpine cakriṇe namaḥ

"Homage to you, the root-pillar of the mansion of the fourteen worlds; homage, O discus-bearer, to you the craftsman who fashions ten million universes.

Verse 123 (skanda.2.57.123)

करुणामृतपाथोधिसुधाधाम्ने नमो नमः । दीनोद्धारैकगुह्याय कृपापाथोधये नमः

karuṇāmṛtapāthodhisudhādhāmne namo namaḥ dīnoddhāraikaguhyāya kṛpāpāthodhaye namaḥ

"Homage, homage, to you, abode of the nectar that is an ocean of the elixir of compassion; homage to you, the sole secret of the uplifting of the wretched, ocean of mercy.

Verse 124 (skanda.2.57.124)

प्रकाशकानां सूर्यादिज्योतिषां ज्योतिषे नमः । प्रतिस्वस्वनदीप्ताय अन्तःपापाग्नये नमः

prakāśakānāṁ sūryādijyotiṣāṁ jyotiṣe namaḥ pratisvasvanadīptāya antaḥpāpāgnaye namaḥ

"Homage to you, the light of the illuminating lights headed by the sun; homage to you, who blaze in your own splendor within, the fire that consumes sin.

Verse 125 (skanda.2.57.125)

पावकाय पवित्राय पवित्राणां नमो नमः । गरिष्ठाय वरिष्ठाय द्राघिष्ठाय नमो नमः

pāvakāya pavitrāya pavitrāṇāṁ namo namaḥ gariṣṭhāya variṣṭhāya drāghiṣṭhāya namo namaḥ

"Homage, homage, to you, the purifier, pure, the purest of the pure; homage, homage, to you, the weightiest, the most excellent, the most far-extending.

Verse 126 (skanda.2.57.126)

नेदिष्ठाय दविष्ठाय क्षोदिष्ठाय नमो नमः । वरेण्याय सुपुण्याय नारायण नमोऽस्तु ते

nediṣṭhāya daviṣṭhāya kṣodiṣṭhāya namo namaḥ vareṇyāya supuṇyāya nārāyaṇa namo'stu te

"Homage, homage, to you, the nearest, the most distant, the subtlest of the subtle; homage be to you, O Narayana, worthy of choice, of the highest holiness.

Verse 127 (skanda.2.57.127)

परित्राहि जगन्नाथ दीनबन्धो नमोऽस्तु ते । निस्तीर्णोऽहं भवांभोधिं प्राप्य त्वां तरणिं सुखाम्

paritrāhi jagannātha dīnabandho namo'stu te nistīrṇo'haṁ bhavāṁbhodhiṁ prāpya tvāṁ taraṇiṁ sukhām

"Save me, O Lord of the universe; homage be to you, friend of the wretched. I have crossed over the ocean of worldly existence, having found in you a comfortable vessel.

Verse 128 (skanda.2.57.128)

त्वयि दृष्टे रमानाथ क्लेशा व्यपगता मम । चिदानंदस्वरूपं त्वां प्राप्तानां दुःखसंक्षयः

tvayi dṛṣṭe ramānātha kleśā vyapagatā mama cidānaṁdasvarūpaṁ tvāṁ prāptānāṁ duḥkhasaṁkṣayaḥ

"Having beheld you, O lord of Rama, my afflictions have departed; for those who have attained you, of the very nature of consciousness and bliss, sorrow comes to an end.

Verse 129 (skanda.2.57.129)

ध्रुवं नाथ समुत्पन्नपरमानंदहेतुकम् । त्राहि त्राहि भवांभोधिमग्नं मां दीनचेतसम्

dhruvaṁ nātha samutpannaparamānaṁdahetukam trāhi trāhi bhavāṁbhodhimagnaṁ māṁ dīnacetasam

"Assuredly, O Lord, you are the cause of the supreme bliss now arisen. Save, oh save me, sunk in the ocean of worldly existence, wretched in heart."

Verse 130 (skanda.2.57.130)

मध्याह्नार्कोदिते व्योम्नि कुतः संतमसोदयः । ध्यानस्थितः स्तुवन्नेवं प्रणम्य जगदीश्वरम्

madhyāhnārkodite vyomni kutaḥ saṁtamasodayaḥ dhyānasthitaḥ stuvannevaṁ praṇamya jagadīśvaram

"When the midday sun has risen in the sky, whence could deep darkness arise?" Thus, remaining in meditation, praising and bowing to the Lord of the universe —

Verse 131 (skanda.2.57.131)

ध्यानावसाने स पुनः स्वयं जाग्रदबुध्यत । स्वप्नांत इन्द्रद्युम्नोऽपि सस्मारात्मानमात्मना

dhyānāvasāne sa punaḥ svayaṁ jāgradabudhyata svapnāṁta indradyumno'pi sasmārātmānamātmanā

— at the end of his meditation he himself awoke again; Indradyumna, at the end of the dream, remembered himself by his own self.

Verse 132 (skanda.2.57.132)

अत्यद्भुतमिदं स्वप्नं दृष्ट्वा च नृपकुंजरः । मेने कृतार्थमात्मानं हयमेधक्रतोस्तथा

atyadbhutamidaṁ svapnaṁ dṛṣṭvā ca nṛpakuṁjaraḥ mene kṛtārthamātmānaṁ hayamedhakratostathā

Having seen this most wondrous dream, that elephant among kings deemed himself, and likewise his horse-sacrifices, fully accomplished —

Verse 133 (skanda.2.57.133)

सहस्रं सफलं चैव स्वभाग्यं समुपस्थितम् । न हि देवर्षिवचनं वृथा भवति कर्हिचित्

sahasraṁ saphalaṁ caiva svabhāgyaṁ samupasthitam na hi devarṣivacanaṁ vṛthā bhavati karhicit

— the thousand fulfilled, his own good fortune now come to hand; for the word of a divine sage never proves vain.

Verse 134 (skanda.2.57.134)

प्रत्यक्षं मे कथं नाथः स्वयमत्र भविष्यति । इति चिंताकुलो रात्रिशेषं नीत्वा विशांपतिः

pratyakṣaṁ me kathaṁ nāthaḥ svayamatra bhaviṣyati iti ciṁtākulo rātriśeṣaṁ nītvā viśāṁpatiḥ

"How will the Lord himself become directly visible to me here?" — thus troubled with anxiety, the lord of the people spent the remainder of the night,

Verse 135 (skanda.2.57.135)

शशंस नारदस्याग्रे यथा स्वप्नोऽन्वभूयत । स चापि नारदः प्राह शोकस्ते विगतो नृप

śaśaṁsa nāradasyāgre yathā svapno'nvabhūyata sa cāpi nāradaḥ prāha śokaste vigato nṛpa

and related before Narada exactly how the dream had been experienced. Narada too said: "Your sorrow is gone, O king —

Verse 136 (skanda.2.57.136)

अरुणोदयकाले हि भगवंतं ददर्श यत् । दशाहात्फलदः स्वप्नस्तस्मिन्काले नृपोत्तम

aruṇodayakāle hi bhagavaṁtaṁ dadarśa yat daśāhātphaladaḥ svapnastasminkāle nṛpottama

"— for you beheld the Lord at the time of dawn's first light, O best of kings! A dream seen at that hour bears fruit within ten days.

Verse 137 (skanda.2.57.137)

क्रत्वंते भगवानत्र प्रत्यक्षस्ते भविष्यति । यदाह मद्गिरा त्वां हि चराचरगुरुर्विधिः

kratvaṁte bhagavānatra pratyakṣaste bhaviṣyati yadāha madgirā tvāṁ hi carācaragururvidhiḥ

"At the end of the sacrifice, the Lord will indeed become directly visible to you here; for what Brahma, guru of all things moving and unmoving, told you through my own words —

Verse 138 (skanda.2.57.138)

सोऽपि त्वया जगत्स्रष्टा स्वप्नेऽस्मिन्नवलोकितः । तदनुष्ठीयतां यज्ञः पराग्रे न प्रकाशय

so'pi tvayā jagatsraṣṭā svapne'sminnavalokitaḥ tadanuṣṭhīyatāṁ yajñaḥ parāgre na prakāśaya

"— that very creator of the universe, you have now beheld in this dream. Therefore let the sacrifice be carried through; do not reveal this to others beforehand."

Verse 139 (skanda.2.57.139)

स्वप्नोऽयं नृपशार्दूल दुर्बोधाचरितो हरेः । किंतु भाग्यवतस्त्वेव स्वप्नस्तादृक्प्रजायते

svapno'yaṁ nṛpaśārdūla durbodhācarito hareḥ kiṁtu bhāgyavatastveva svapnastādṛkprajāyate

"This dream, O tiger among kings, arises from the ways of Hari, which are hard to fathom; yet it is precisely to one who is truly fortunate that such a dream comes to be."