Bakulamalika Tells Dharani of Srinivasa and Kamalalaya's Betrothal

Verse 1 (skanda.2.7.1)

धरण्युवाच । कैषा बत वरा कन्या युष्माभिः संगता कुतः । किमर्थमागता चेह पूज्यैषा प्रतिभाति मे ।

dharaṇyuvāca kaiṣā bata varā kanyā yuṣmābhiḥ saṁgatā kutaḥ kimarthamāgatā ceha pūjyaiṣā pratibhāti me

Dharani said: Who indeed is this excellent maiden who has come here with you all — from where has she come? For what purpose has she come here? She appears worthy of reverence to me.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.7.2)

कन्यका ऊचुः । एषा दिव्याङ्गना देवी त्वयि कार्यार्थमागता । देवालये सङ्गतेयमस्माभिः शिवसन्निधौ ।

kanyakā ūcuḥ eṣā divyāṅganā devī tvayi kāryārthamāgatā devālaye saṅgateyamasmābhiḥ śivasannidhau

The maidens said: This is a divine woman, radiant of form, who has come to you on some business. She met us at the temple, in the presence of Shiva.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.7.3)

पृष्टावदच्च भवतीं द्रष्टुमेवागतेति वै । शक्या द्रष्टुं राजगृहे मया राज्ञी सुखेन वा ।

pṛṣṭāvadacca bhavatīṁ draṣṭumevāgateti vai śakyā draṣṭuṁ rājagṛhe mayā rājñī sukhena vā

Being asked, she said that she had come only to see you: 'Can the queen be seen by me with ease at the royal palace?'

Verse 4 (skanda.2.7.4)

एवं पृष्टास्ततो ब्रूमः सहास्माभिश्च गम्यताम् । वयं तु धरणीदास्यो गमिष्यामो नृपालयम् ।

evaṁ pṛṣṭāstato brūmaḥ sahāsmābhiśca gamyatām vayaṁ tu dharaṇīdāsyo gamiṣyāmo nṛpālayam

Thus questioned, we then said, 'Come along with us'; for we are Dharani's own maidservants, about to go to the king's palace.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.7.5)

इत्युक्तास्माभिरायाता त्वत्समीपं वसुन्धरे । भवत्या पृच्छयतामेषा किमित्यागमनं तव ।

ityuktāsmābhirāyātā tvatsamīpaṁ vasundhare bhavatyā pṛcchayatāmeṣā kimityāgamanaṁ tava

Thus told by us, O Vasundhara, she has come into your presence. Ask her yourself for what reason she has come.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.7.6)

श्रीवराह उवाच । इति तासां वचः श्रुत्वा तामपृच्छद्वसुन्धरा ।

śrīvarāha uvāca iti tāsāṁ vacaḥ śrutvā tāmapṛcchadvasundharā

Shri Varaha said: Having heard the maidens' words thus, Vasundhara (Dharani) questioned her.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.7.7)

धरण्युवाच । कुतस्त्वमागता देवि किं वा कार्यं मया तव । ब्रूहि सत्यं करिष्यामि त्वदागमनकारणम् ।

dharaṇyuvāca kutastvamāgatā devi kiṁ vā kāryaṁ mayā tava brūhi satyaṁ kariṣyāmi tvadāgamanakāraṇam

Dharani said: From where have you come, O goddess? What business do you have with me? Speak the truth — I shall fulfill the reason for your coming.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.7.8)

बकुलमालिकोवाच । वेङ्कटाद्रेः समायाता नाम्ना बकुलमालिका ।

bakulamālikovāca veṅkaṭādreḥ samāyātā nāmnā bakulamālikā

Bakulamalika said: I have come from Venkatadri; my name is Bakulamalika.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.7.9)

स्वामी नारायणोऽस्माकमास्ते श्रीवेंकटाचले । कदाचिद्धयमारुह्य हंसशुक्लं मनोजवम् ।

svāmī nārāyaṇo'smākamāste śrīveṁkaṭācale kadāciddhayamāruhya haṁsaśuklaṁ manojavam

Our Lord Narayana dwells at Sri Venkatachala. Once, mounting his swift white steed named Hamsashukla,

Verse 10 (skanda.2.7.10)

मृगयार्थं गतो राज्ञो वेंकटाद्रेः समीपतः । वनानि विचरन्काले शोभने कुसुमाकरे ।

mṛgayārthaṁ gato rājño veṁkaṭādreḥ samīpataḥ vanāni vicarankāle śobhane kusumākare

he went hunting near Venkatadri like a king, wandering through the forests in that beautiful season of spring.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.7.11)

पश्यन्मृगान्गजान्सिंहान्गवयाञ्छरभान्रुरून् । शुकान्पारावतान्हंसान्पत्रिणोऽन्यान्वनान्तरे ।

paśyanmṛgāngajānsiṁhāngavayāñcharabhānrurūn śukānpārāvatānhaṁsānpatriṇo'nyānvanāntare

Seeing deer, elephants, lions, wild oxen, sharabhas, rurus, parrots, doves, swans, and other birds in the forest,

Verse 12 (skanda.2.7.12)

गजराजं तत्र कञ्चिद्यूथपं मदवर्षिणम् । करेणुसहितं तुंगमन्वगच्छत्सुरोत्तमः ।

gajarājaṁ tatra kañcidyūthapaṁ madavarṣiṇam kareṇusahitaṁ tuṁgamanvagacchatsurottamaḥ

there that best of gods began to follow a certain lordly elephant, tall and in rut, the leader of a herd, accompanied by his female elephant.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.7.13)

वनाद्वनान्तरं गत्वा नृपं शंखमुपागमत् । तपस्यन्तं बृहच्छैले प्रतिष्ठाप्य जनार्दनम् ।

vanādvanāntaraṁ gatvā nṛpaṁ śaṁkhamupāgamat tapasyantaṁ bṛhacchaile pratiṣṭhāpya janārdanam

Going from forest to forest, he came upon King Shankha, who was performing austerities on a great mountain, having installed Janardana there,

Verse 14 (skanda.2.7.14)

श्रीभूमिसहितं नित्यमर्चयन्तं च भक्तितः । शंखनागबिलंनाम सरः पावनमुत्तमम् ।

śrībhūmisahitaṁ nityamarcayantaṁ ca bhaktitaḥ śaṁkhanāgabilaṁnāma saraḥ pāvanamuttamam

worshipping him daily with devotion together with Shri and Bhumi, dwelling near the most pure lake named Shankhanagabila.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.7.15)

तत्सरस्तीरमासाद्य तुरंगादवरुह्य च । राजवेषं समासाद्य तमपृच्छन्नृपोत्तमम् ।

tatsarastīramāsādya turaṁgādavaruhya ca rājaveṣaṁ samāsādya tamapṛcchannṛpottamam

Reaching the bank of that lake, dismounting from his horse, and assuming the guise of a king, he asked that excellent king—

Verse 16 (skanda.2.7.16)

क्रियते किं नृपश्रेष्ठ पादेऽस्मिच्छेषभूभृतः ।

kriyate kiṁ nṛpaśreṣṭha pāde'smiccheṣabhūbhṛtaḥ

'O best of kings, what is being done here at the foot of this mountain of Shesha?'

Verse 17 (skanda.2.7.17)

शंख उवाच । अहं हैहयदेशीयः पुत्रः श्वेतस्य भूभृतः । महाविष्णोः प्रीतयेऽत्र कृतवानखिलान्क्रतून् ।

śaṁkha uvāca ahaṁ haihayadeśīyaḥ putraḥ śvetasya bhūbhṛtaḥ mahāviṣṇoḥ prītaye'tra kṛtavānakhilānkratūn

Shankha said: I am from the Haihaya country, son of King Shveta. Here, for the pleasure of Mahavishnu, I performed all manner of sacrifices,

Verse 18 (skanda.2.7.18)

अदर्शनान्महाविष्णोर्निर्विण्णोहं नृपात्मज । तदानीमवदद्दिव्या वाणी सर्वार्त्तिनाशिनी ।

adarśanānmahāviṣṇornirviṇṇohaṁ nṛpātmaja tadānīmavadaddivyā vāṇī sarvārttināśinī

but not beholding Mahavishnu, I grew despondent, O prince. Then a divine voice, destroyer of all afflictions, spoke to me—

Verse 19 (skanda.2.7.19)

राजन्नात्र भविष्यामि प्रत्यक्षस्ते वचः शृणु । गच्छ नारायणाद्रिं त्वं तपः कुर्विति मां स्फुटम् ।

rājannātra bhaviṣyāmi pratyakṣaste vacaḥ śṛṇu gaccha nārāyaṇādriṁ tvaṁ tapaḥ kurviti māṁ sphuṭam

'O king, I shall not manifest here. Hear my clear words: go to Narayanadri and perform austerity there' — thus it spoke plainly to me.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.7.20)

ततो देशमहं त्यक्त्वा तपसाऽऽराधयाम्यहम् । अत्र देवं नृपाचिंत्यं प्रतिष्ठाप्य श्रियः पतिम् ।

tato deśamahaṁ tyaktvā tapasā''rādhayāmyaham atra devaṁ nṛpāciṁtyaṁ pratiṣṭhāpya śriyaḥ patim

Then, O king, having abandoned my own country, I now worship through austerity, having installed here that inconceivable Lord, the husband of Shri,

Verse 21 (skanda.2.7.21)

अगस्त्यानुग्रहान्नित्यमर्चयामि विधानतः । इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा सोत्प्रासं प्राह तं विभुः ।

agastyānugrahānnityamarcayāmi vidhānataḥ iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā sotprāsaṁ prāha taṁ vibhuḥ

and by the grace of the sage Agastya I worship him daily, according to due rite. Having heard his words, the Lord spoke to him with a taunt—

Verse 22 (skanda.2.7.22)

गच्छ नारायणाद्रिं त्वमस्य पादे किमास्यते । आरुह्यानेन मार्गेण पश्चिमे शिखरे स्थितम् ।

gaccha nārāyaṇādriṁ tvamasya pāde kimāsyate āruhyānena mārgeṇa paścime śikhare sthitam

'Go, then, to Narayanadri — why do you sit at its foot? Ascend by this very path to where he stands upon the western peak.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.7.23)

प्रणम्य विष्वक्सेनं त्वं बालं न्यग्रोधमूलतः । स्वामिपुष्करिणीं गत्वा स्नात्वा तीरेऽथ पश्चिमे ।

praṇamya viṣvaksenaṁ tvaṁ bālaṁ nyagrodhamūlataḥ svāmipuṣkariṇīṁ gatvā snātvā tīre'tha paścime

Bow to Vishvaksena and to the young [form at] the root of the banyan tree, go to the Swami Pushkarini, bathe there, and then on the western bank,

Verse 24 (skanda.2.7.24)

अश्वत्थं तत्र वल्मीकं द्रक्ष्यसे नृपनन्दन । तयोर्मध्यं समासाद्य तपः कुर्वित्यचोदयत् ।

aśvatthaṁ tatra valmīkaṁ drakṣyase nṛpanandana tayormadhyaṁ samāsādya tapaḥ kurvityacodayat

you will see there an ashvattha tree and an anthill, O prince; reach the space between the two and perform austerity' — thus he instructed him.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.7.25)

कश्चिच्छ्वेतो वराहोऽस्मिन्वल्मीके चरति धुवम् । स तु पुण्यवतामेव दर्शनं याति भूपते ।

kaścicchveto varāho'sminvalmīke carati dhuvam sa tu puṇyavatāmeva darśanaṁ yāti bhūpate

'A certain white boar surely dwells and roams in that anthill, O king; he grants his sight only to the truly meritorious.'

Verse 26 (skanda.2.7.26)

श्रीवराह उवाच । इत्यादिश्य हयारूढो जगाम मृगयां विभुः । चरन्वनाद्वनं सुभ्रूः समासाद्यारणीं नदीम् ।

śrīvarāha uvāca ityādiśya hayārūḍho jagāma mṛgayāṁ vibhuḥ caranvanādvanaṁ subhrūḥ samāsādyāraṇīṁ nadīm

Shri Varaha said: Having thus instructed him, the Lord, mounted on his horse, went on to the hunt; wandering from forest to forest, that fair-browed Lord came to the river Arani.

Verse 27 (skanda.2.7.27)

अवरुह्य हयात्तत्र विचचार तटे शुभे । वनान्तादागतो वायुः पद्मकह्लारशीतलः । श्रमापनयनो मन्दं सिषेवे पुरुषोत्तमम् ।

avaruhya hayāttatra vicacāra taṭe śubhe vanāntādāgato vāyuḥ padmakahlāraśītalaḥ śramāpanayano mandaṁ siṣeve puruṣottamam

Dismounting from his horse there, he wandered upon that lovely bank. A breeze from the forest, cooled by lotus and white water-lily, gently soothed the Purushottama, taking away his weariness,

Verse 28 (skanda.2.7.28)

तरवः पुष्पवर्षाणि विकिरन्तः सिषेविरे । एवं स विचरन्देवः पुष्पभारानतांस्तरून् ।

taravaḥ puṣpavarṣāṇi vikirantaḥ siṣevire evaṁ sa vicarandevaḥ puṣpabhārānatāṁstarūn

and the trees served him, scattering showers of blossoms. Thus wandering, that god beheld the trees bowed low with the weight of flowers,

Verse 29 (skanda.2.7.29)

विचिन्वन्गजराजं तं पुष्पलावीर्ददर्श ह । कन्याः सुवेषा रुचिरा मेघेष्विव शतह्रदाः ।

vicinvangajarājaṁ taṁ puṣpalāvīrdadarśa ha kanyāḥ suveṣā rucirā megheṣviva śatahradāḥ

and while searching for that lordly elephant he saw maidens gathering flowers, well-adorned and lovely, like flashes of lightning amid clouds.

Verse 30 (skanda.2.7.30)

तासां मध्यगतां तन्वीं ददर्शातिमनोहराम् । लक्ष्मीसमां हेमवर्णां तस्यां सक्तमना अभूत् ।

tāsāṁ madhyagatāṁ tanvīṁ dadarśātimanoharām lakṣmīsamāṁ hemavarṇāṁ tasyāṁ saktamanā abhūt

Among them he saw one exceedingly enchanting, slender, golden-hued, equal to Lakshmi; his mind became attached to her.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.7.31)

तां गृध्नुराह ताः कन्याः केयमित्येव पूरुषः । उक्तस्ताभिरियं कन्या वियद्राज्ञो महाबल ।

tāṁ gṛdhnurāha tāḥ kanyāḥ keyamityeva pūruṣaḥ uktastābhiriyaṁ kanyā viyadrājño mahābala

That yearning Lord asked those maidens, 'Who is she?' They told him, 'O mighty one, this maiden is the daughter of the sky-king, Akasharaja.'

Verse 32 (skanda.2.7.32)

इदं श्रुत्वा वचस्तासां हयमारुह्य वेगवान् । आजगामाशु भगवान्स्वालयं रुचिरं गिरिम् ।

idaṁ śrutvā vacastāsāṁ hayamāruhya vegavān ājagāmāśu bhagavānsvālayaṁ ruciraṁ girim

Having heard their words, the swift Lord mounted his horse and quickly returned to his own beautiful mountain abode.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.7.33)

तत्र स्वालयमासाद्य स्वामिपुष्करिणीतटे । मामाहूयावदद्देवो हला बकुलमालिके ।

tatra svālayamāsādya svāmipuṣkariṇītaṭe māmāhūyāvadaddevo halā bakulamālike

Having reached his own abode there, on the bank of the Swami Pushkarini, the Lord called me and said, 'O Bakulamalika,

Verse 34 (skanda.2.7.34)

वियद्राजपुरं गत्वा प्रविश्यान्तःपुरं सखि । तत्पत्नीं धरणीं प्राप्य पृष्ट्वा कुशलमेव च ।

viyadrājapuraṁ gatvā praviśyāntaḥpuraṁ sakhi tatpatnīṁ dharaṇīṁ prāpya pṛṣṭvā kuśalameva ca

go to the city of the sky-king, enter the inner apartments, O friend, and having reached his wife Dharani, and inquired after her welfare,

Verse 35 (skanda.2.7.35)

याचस्व तनयां तस्या रुचिरां कमलालयाम् । राज्ञोभिमतमाज्ञाय शीघ्रमागच्छ भामिनि ।

yācasva tanayāṁ tasyā rucirāṁ kamalālayām rājñobhimatamājñāya śīghramāgaccha bhāmini

beg for her lovely daughter Kamalalaya; and once you have learned the king's consent, return quickly, O gracious lady.'

Verse 36 (skanda.2.7.36)

इत्थं दैवेन चाज्ञप्ता देवि त्वद्गृहमागता । यथोचितं कुरुष्वेह राज्ञा मंत्रियुतेन च ।

itthaṁ daivena cājñaptā devi tvadgṛhamāgatā yathocitaṁ kuruṣveha rājñā maṁtriyutena ca

Thus commanded by divine will, O goddess, I have come to your house; do here whatever is fitting, together with the king and his ministers,

Verse 37 (skanda.2.7.37)

कन्यया च विचार्यैव प्रोच्यतामुत्तरं वचः ।

kanyayā ca vicāryaiva procyatāmuttaraṁ vacaḥ

and let the answer be given only after due deliberation with the maiden herself.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.7.38)

श्रीवराह उवाच । अथ तस्या वचः श्रुत्वा प्रीता राज्ञी बभूव ह । आहूयाकाशराजं तमुपेत्य कमलालयाम् ।

śrīvarāha uvāca atha tasyā vacaḥ śrutvā prītā rājñī babhūva ha āhūyākāśarājaṁ tamupetya kamalālayām

Shri Varaha said: Then, having heard her words, the queen became pleased; summoning Akasharaja, she went to Kamalalaya,

Verse 39 (skanda.2.7.39)

मंत्रिमध्येऽवदद्देवी वचनं बकुलस्रजः । श्रुत्वा प्रीतोऽवदद्राजा मंत्रिणः सपुरोहितान् ।

maṁtrimadhye'vadaddevī vacanaṁ bakulasrajaḥ śrutvā prīto'vadadrājā maṁtriṇaḥ sapurohitān

and the goddess spoke Bakulamalika's message before the ministers; hearing it, the pleased king spoke to his ministers together with the priests—

Verse 40 (skanda.2.7.40)

आकाशराज उवाच । कन्या त्वयोनिजा दिव्या सुभगा कमलालया । अर्थिता देवदेवेन वेंकटाद्रिनिवासिना ।

ākāśarāja uvāca kanyā tvayonijā divyā subhagā kamalālayā arthitā devadevena veṁkaṭādrinivāsinā

Akasharaja said: This maiden Kamalalaya — divinely born, not of the womb, radiant with good fortune — has been sought by the God of gods, the dweller of Venkatadri.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.7.41)

पूर्णो मनोरथो मेऽद्य ब्रूत किं संमतं तु वः । श्रुत्वा मंत्रिगणाः सर्वे राज्ञो वचनमुत्तमम् ।

pūrṇo manoratho me'dya brūta kiṁ saṁmataṁ tu vaḥ śrutvā maṁtrigaṇāḥ sarve rājño vacanamuttamam

'My heart's desire is fulfilled today; tell me, what say you all?' Having heard the king's excellent words, all the ministers—

Verse 42 (skanda.2.7.42)

प्रोचुः सुप्रीतमनसो वियद्राजं महीपतिम् । वयं कृतार्था राजेन्द्र कुलं सर्वोन्नतं भवेत् ।

procuḥ suprītamanaso viyadrājaṁ mahīpatim vayaṁ kṛtārthā rājendra kulaṁ sarvonnataṁ bhavet

spoke, with hearts well-pleased, to the sky-king, lord of the earth: 'O king of kings, we are fulfilled — our lineage shall become supremely exalted.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.7.43)

भवत्कन्येयमतुला श्रिया सह रमिष्यति । दीयतां देवदेवाय शार्ङ्गिणे परमात्मने ।

bhavatkanyeyamatulā śriyā saha ramiṣyati dīyatāṁ devadevāya śārṅgiṇe paramātmane

This peerless daughter of yours shall dwell in bliss together with Shri; let her be given to the God of gods, the wielder of the Sharnga bow, the Supreme Self.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.7.44)

अयं वसन्तः श्रीमांश्च शुभं शीघ्रं विधीयताम् ।

ayaṁ vasantaḥ śrīmāṁśca śubhaṁ śīghraṁ vidhīyatām

This spring season too is auspicious and glorious — let this blessed rite be accomplished swiftly.'

Verse 45 (skanda.2.7.45)

आहूय धिषणं लग्नं विवाहार्थं विधीयताम् ।

āhūya dhiṣaṇaṁ lagnaṁ vivāhārthaṁ vidhīyatām

Let Brihaspati (Dhishana) be summoned, and let the auspicious hour be fixed for the wedding.

Verse 46 (skanda.2.7.46)

तथास्त्वित्याह्वयामास सुरलोकाद्बृहस्पतिम् । पप्रच्छ कन्यावरयोर्विवाहार्थं नरेश्वरः ।

tathāstvityāhvayāmāsa suralokādbṛhaspatim papraccha kanyāvarayorvivāhārthaṁ nareśvaraḥ

'So be it,' said the king, and he summoned Brihaspati from the world of the gods; the lord of men asked him about the marriage of bride and groom.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.7.47)

राजोवाच । कन्याया जन्मनक्षत्रं मृगशीर्षमिति स्मृतम् । देवस्य श्रवणर्क्षन्तु तयोर्योगो विचार्यताम् ।

rājovāca kanyāyā janmanakṣatraṁ mṛgaśīrṣamiti smṛtam devasya śravaṇarkṣantu tayoryogo vicāryatām

The king said: The maiden's birth-star is remembered as Mrigashirsha, and the Lord's star is Shravana — let their compatibility be considered.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.7.48)

श्रुत्वाऽब्रवीत्स धिषणस्तयोरुत्तरफल्गुनी । संमता सुखवृद्ध्यर्थं प्रोच्यते दैवचिंतकैः ।

śrutvā'bravītsa dhiṣaṇastayoruttaraphalgunī saṁmatā sukhavṛddhyarthaṁ procyate daivaciṁtakaiḥ

Hearing this, Dhishana said that Uttara Phalguni was fitting for them both; the astrologers declare it auspicious for happiness and prosperity.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.7.49)

तयोरुत्तरफल्गुन्यां विवाहः क्रियतामिति । वैशाखमासे विधिवत्क्रियतामिति सोऽब्रवीत् ।

tayoruttaraphalgunyāṁ vivāhaḥ kriyatāmiti vaiśākhamāse vidhivatkriyatāmiti so'bravīt

'Let the marriage be performed under Uttara Phalguni, in the month of Vaishakha, duly according to rite' — thus he said.

Verse 50 (skanda.2.7.50)

श्रीवराह उवाच । राजा तु धिषणं तत्र संपूज्याथ विसृज्य च । देवस्य दूतिकामाह गच्छ देवालयं शुभे ।

śrīvarāha uvāca rājā tu dhiṣaṇaṁ tatra saṁpūjyātha visṛjya ca devasya dūtikāmāha gaccha devālayaṁ śubhe

Shri Varaha said: The king, having duly honored Dhishana and taken leave of him, then said to the goddess's messenger, 'Go, O auspicious one, to the temple,

Verse 51 (skanda.2.7.51)

वैशाखे देवदेवाय कल्याणं वद सुव्रते । वैवाहिकविधानं तु कृत्वा चागम्यतामिति ।

vaiśākhe devadevāya kalyāṇaṁ vada suvrate vaivāhikavidhānaṁ tu kṛtvā cāgamyatāmiti

and tell the God of gods this auspicious news in Vaishakha, O virtuous one; having made the wedding arrangements, then return' — so he said.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.7.52)

ततो देव्याः प्रियकरं शुकं दूतं तया सह । विसृज्य वायुं स्वसुतमिन्द्राद्यानयनेऽसृजत् ।

tato devyāḥ priyakaraṁ śukaṁ dūtaṁ tayā saha visṛjya vāyuṁ svasutamindrādyānayane'sṛjat

Then, together with the goddess's beloved messenger, the parrot, [the king] sent his own son Vayu to bring Indra and the other gods.

Verse 53 (skanda.2.7.53)

आहूय विश्वकर्माणं पुरालंकारकर्मणि । नियोजयामास सोऽपि निर्ममे निमिषांतरात् ।

āhūya viśvakarmāṇaṁ purālaṁkārakarmaṇi niyojayāmāsa so'pi nirmame nimiṣāṁtarāt

Summoning Vishvakarma, he set him to the task of adorning the city; and he too fashioned everything in the space of an instant.

Verse 54 (skanda.2.7.54)

इन्द्रोऽसृजत्पुष्पवृष्टिं ननृतुश्चाप्सरोगणाः । धनदो धनधान्याद्यैः पूरयामास वेश्म तत् ।

indro'sṛjatpuṣpavṛṣṭiṁ nanṛtuścāpsarogaṇāḥ dhanado dhanadhānyādyaiḥ pūrayāmāsa veśma tat

Indra rained down a shower of flowers, and the hosts of Apsaras danced; Kubera filled that dwelling with wealth, grain, and every provision.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.7.55)

यमस्तु रोगरहितांश्चकार मनुजान्भुवि । वरुणो रत्नजालानि मौक्तिकादीन्यपूरयत् ।

yamastu rogarahitāṁścakāra manujānbhuvi varuṇo ratnajālāni mauktikādīnyapūrayat

Yama made human beings on earth free from disease; Varuna filled it with nets of jewels, pearls, and the like.

Verse 56 (skanda.2.7.56)

एवं संपाद्य सर्वाणि ययुर्देवा वृषाचलम् ।

evaṁ saṁpādya sarvāṇi yayurdevā vṛṣācalam

Having thus accomplished everything, the gods went to Vrishachala.

Verse 57 (skanda.2.7.57)

श्रीवराह उवाच । ततः सा हयमारुह्य शुकेन सहिता ययौ । श्रीवेंकटाद्रिमासाद्य देवालयसमीपतः ।

śrīvarāha uvāca tataḥ sā hayamāruhya śukena sahitā yayau śrīveṁkaṭādrimāsādya devālayasamīpataḥ

Shri Varaha said: Then she, mounting her horse, went accompanied by the parrot, and reached Sri Venkatadri, near the temple.

Verse 58 (skanda.2.7.58)

अवरुह्य तुरंगात्सा सशुकाऽभ्यन्तरं ययौ । दृष्ट्वा देवं रत्नपीठे श्रिया सह सुलोचनम् ।

avaruhya turaṁgātsā saśukā'bhyantaraṁ yayau dṛṣṭvā devaṁ ratnapīṭhe śriyā saha sulocanam

Dismounting from her horse, she went inside together with the parrot; she saw the Lord seated on his jeweled throne with Shri, his eyes beautiful and calm.

Verse 59 (skanda.2.7.59)

प्रणम्य ह्यवदत्प्रीता कृत्यं तत्र कृतं विभो । मांगल्यवार्तां वक्तुं वै शुक एष समागतः ।

praṇamya hyavadatprītā kṛtyaṁ tatra kṛtaṁ vibho māṁgalyavārtāṁ vaktuṁ vai śuka eṣa samāgataḥ

Bowing before him, and pleased, she said, 'O Lord, the task there has been accomplished; this parrot has come to relate the auspicious news.'

Verse 60 (skanda.2.7.60)

वदेति देवेनाज्ञप्तः शुको नत्वा तमब्रवीत् । शुक उवाच । त्वां प्रत्याह सुता भूमेर्मामंगीकुरु माधव ।

vadeti devenājñaptaḥ śuko natvā tamabravīt śuka uvāca tvāṁ pratyāha sutā bhūmermāmaṁgīkuru mādhava

Commanded to 'speak,' the parrot bowed and said to him — the parrot said: The daughter of the Earth tells you, 'O Madhava, accept me;

Verse 61 (skanda.2.7.61)

वदामि तव नामानि स्मरामि त्वद्वपुस्सदा । ध्रियन्ते तव चिह्नानि भुजाद्यंगै रमापते ।

vadāmi tava nāmāni smarāmi tvadvapussadā dhriyante tava cihnāni bhujādyaṁgai ramāpate

I speak your names; ever do I remember your form. O Lord of Lakshmi, I bear your emblems upon my arms and other limbs;

Verse 62 (skanda.2.7.62)

त्वद्भक्तानर्चयामीह पंचसंस्कारसंयुतान् । त्वत्प्रीतये हि कर्माणि करोमि मधुसूदन ।

tvadbhaktānarcayāmīha paṁcasaṁskārasaṁyutān tvatprītaye hi karmāṇi karomi madhusūdana

I here worship your devotees, those consecrated by the five sacraments; O Madhusudana, all my deeds I perform only for your pleasure,

Verse 63 (skanda.2.7.63)

एवं सदैवाचरंत्याः पित्रोरनुमते मम । कुरु प्रसादं देवेश मामंगीकुरु माधव ।

evaṁ sadaivācaraṁtyāḥ pitroranumate mama kuru prasādaṁ deveśa māmaṁgīkuru mādhava

and thus ever conducting myself, with my parents' consent — O Lord of gods, show me your grace, and accept me, O Madhava!'

Verse 64 (skanda.2.7.64)

इति विज्ञापयामास कमलस्था धरासुता । शुकस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा सुप्रियं त्वात्मनो हरिः ।

iti vijñāpayāmāsa kamalasthā dharāsutā śukasya vacanaṁ śrutvā supriyaṁ tvātmano hariḥ

Thus did the Earth's daughter, seated upon the lotus, make her plea. Having heard the parrot's words, most dear to his own heart, Hari—

Verse 65 (skanda.2.7.65)

श्रीभगवानुवाच । कर्तुं कल्याणमुद्वाहमागमिष्यामि चाऽमरैः । शुक गच्छ वदैवं तामित्थं देवोऽब्रवीदिति ।

śrībhagavānuvāca kartuṁ kalyāṇamudvāhamāgamiṣyāmi cā'maraiḥ śuka gaccha vadaivaṁ tāmitthaṁ devo'bravīditi

Shri Bhagavan said: 'To perform the auspicious wedding, I shall come together with the immortals. Go, O parrot, and tell her so' — thus said the Lord.

Verse 66 (skanda.2.7.66)

शुकः श्रुत्वा देववाक्यमादाय वनमालिकाम् । देवदत्तां ययौ शीघ्रं वियद्राजसुतां प्रति ।

śukaḥ śrutvā devavākyamādāya vanamālikām devadattāṁ yayau śīghraṁ viyadrājasutāṁ prati

The parrot, having heard the Lord's words, took the forest-garland given by the god and went swiftly to the sky-king's daughter.

Verse 67 (skanda.2.7.67)

तुलसीमालिकां दत्त्वा मृगनाभिसुगंधिनीम् । प्रणम्य देवीमवदच्छुको देववचः शुभम् ।

tulasīmālikāṁ dattvā mṛganābhisugaṁdhinīm praṇamya devīmavadacchuko devavacaḥ śubham

Giving her the tulsi garland, fragrant with musk, and bowing to the goddess, the parrot spoke the Lord's auspicious words.

Verse 68 (skanda.2.7.68)

श्रुत्वा तन्मालिकां गृह्य भूमिजा शिरसा दधौ । चक्रेऽलंकारमुचितं देवागमनकांक्षिणी ।

śrutvā tanmālikāṁ gṛhya bhūmijā śirasā dadhau cakre'laṁkāramucitaṁ devāgamanakāṁkṣiṇī

Having heard this and taken the garland, the earth-born one placed it upon her head; longing for the Lord's arrival, she adorned herself as was fitting.

Verse 69 (skanda.2.7.69)

वियद्राजोऽपि सानन्दमिन्दुमाहूय सादरम् । अन्नं विधीयतां राजन्विविधं रससंयुतम् ।

viyadrājo'pi sānandamindumāhūya sādaram annaṁ vidhīyatāṁ rājanvividhaṁ rasasaṁyutam

The sky-king too, joyfully and with reverence, summoned Indu and said, 'Let food of many kinds, rich in every flavor, be prepared,

Verse 70 (skanda.2.7.70)

विष्णोर्नैवेद्ययोग्यं यत्परमान्नं विधीयताम् । देवानां च ऋषीणां च नराणामपि संमतम् ।

viṣṇornaivedyayogyaṁ yatparamānnaṁ vidhīyatām devānāṁ ca ṛṣīṇāṁ ca narāṇāmapi saṁmatam

let that supreme food fit for offering to Vishnu be made, agreeable alike to gods, sages, and men,

Verse 71 (skanda.2.7.71)

चतुर्विधं सुगन्धाढ्यममृतांशैः सुधाकर । एवं कृत्वा संविधानं प्रतीक्ष्यागमनं विभोः ।

caturvidhaṁ sugandhāḍhyamamṛtāṁśaiḥ sudhākara evaṁ kṛtvā saṁvidhānaṁ pratīkṣyāgamanaṁ vibhoḥ

'fourfold, richly fragrant, touched with portions of nectar, O Sudhakara' — having thus arranged everything, and awaiting the Lord's arrival,

Verse 72 (skanda.2.7.72)

सभायां मंत्रिसहितः समास्त प्रीतमानसः । पुत्रीमलंकृतां कृत्वा धरणीसहितो नृपः ।

sabhāyāṁ maṁtrisahitaḥ samāsta prītamānasaḥ putrīmalaṁkṛtāṁ kṛtvā dharaṇīsahito nṛpaḥ

the king sat in the assembly hall with his ministers, his heart joyful; having adorned his daughter, he, together with Dharani, awaited the Lord.