The Glory of the Monday Vow: Chandrangada and Simantini

Verse 1 (skanda.3.100.1)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ नित्यानंदमयं शांतं निर्विकल्पं निरामयम् ॥ शिवतत्त्वमनाद्यंतं ये विदुस्ते परं गताः

sūta uvāca nityānaṁdamayaṁ śāṁtaṁ nirvikalpaṁ nirāmayam śivatattvamanādyaṁtaṁ ye viduste paraṁ gatāḥ

Suta said: Those who know the eternal Shiva-principle, full of everlasting bliss, tranquil, free of change, free of affliction, without beginning or end, attain the supreme goal.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.100.2)

विरक्ताः कामभोगेभ्यो ये प्रकुर्वंत्यहैतुकीम् ॥ भक्तिं परां शिवे धीरास्तेषां मुक्तिर्न संसृतिः

viraktāḥ kāmabhogebhyo ye prakurvaṁtyahaitukīm bhaktiṁ parāṁ śive dhīrāsteṣāṁ muktirna saṁsṛtiḥ

Those steadfast ones who, detached from sensual pleasures, cultivate supreme, unmotivated devotion to Shiva, for them there is liberation, not the cycle of rebirth.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.100.3)

विषयानभिसंधाय ये कुर्वंति शिवे रतिम् ॥ विषयैर्नाभिभूयंते भुंजानास्तत्फलान्यपि

viṣayānabhisaṁdhāya ye kurvaṁti śive ratim viṣayairnābhibhūyaṁte bhuṁjānāstatphalānyapi

Those who, without seeking worldly objects, cultivate love for Shiva, are not overpowered by those objects even while enjoying their fruits.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.100.4)

येन केनापि भावेन शिवभक्तियुतो नरः ॥ न विनश्यति कालेन स याति परमां गतिम्

yena kenāpi bhāvena śivabhaktiyuto naraḥ na vinaśyati kālena sa yāti paramāṁ gatim

A man devoted to Shiva in whatever manner does not perish in time; he attains the supreme goal.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.100.5)

आरुरुक्षुः परं स्थानं विषयासक्तमानसः ॥ पूजयेत्कर्मणा शंभुं भोगांते शिवमाप्नुयात्

ārurukṣuḥ paraṁ sthānaṁ viṣayāsaktamānasaḥ pūjayetkarmaṇā śaṁbhuṁ bhogāṁte śivamāpnuyāt

One who is attached in mind to worldly objects yet desires to rise to the supreme state should worship Shambhu through ritual action; at the end of enjoyment he attains Shiva.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.100.6)

अशक्तः कश्चिदुत्स्रष्टुं प्रायो विषयवासनाम् ॥ अतः कर्ममयी पूजा कामधेनुः शरीरिणाम्

aśaktaḥ kaścidutsraṣṭuṁ prāyo viṣayavāsanām ataḥ karmamayī pūjā kāmadhenuḥ śarīriṇām

One who is generally unable to give up his worldly desires, for such embodied beings, ritual worship is the very wish-fulfilling cow.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.100.7)

मायामयेपि संसारे ये विहृत्य चिरं सुखम् ॥ मुक्तिमिच्छन्ति देहांते तेषां धर्मोयमीरितः

māyāmayepi saṁsāre ye vihṛtya ciraṁ sukham muktimicchanti dehāṁte teṣāṁ dharmoyamīritaḥ

Even in this illusory world, those who, having enjoyed happiness for a long time, desire liberation at the end of the body, for them this is the very dharma declared.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.100.8)

शिवपूजा सदा लोके हेतुः स्वर्गापवर्गयोः ॥ सोमवारे विशेषेण प्रदोषादिगुणान्विते

śivapūjā sadā loke hetuḥ svargāpavargayoḥ somavāre viśeṣeṇa pradoṣādiguṇānvite

The worship of Shiva is ever, in the world, the cause of both heaven and liberation, especially on Monday, endowed with the virtues of Pradosha and the like.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.100.9)

केवलेनापि ये कुर्युः सोमवारे शिवार्चनम् ॥ न तेषां विद्यते किंचिदिहामुत्र च दुर्लभम्

kevalenāpi ye kuryuḥ somavāre śivārcanam na teṣāṁ vidyate kiṁcidihāmutra ca durlabham

Those who perform the worship of Shiva on Monday alone, even by itself, for them nothing is difficult to attain, either in this world or the next.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.100.10)

उपोषितः शुचिर्भूत्वा सोमवारे जितेंद्रियः ॥ वैदिकैर्लौकिकैर्वापि विधिवत्पूजयेच्छिवम्

upoṣitaḥ śucirbhūtvā somavāre jiteṁdriyaḥ vaidikairlaukikairvāpi vidhivatpūjayecchivam

Having fasted, being pure, self-controlled, on Monday, one should worship Shiva duly, whether by Vedic or by popular rites.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.100.11)

ब्रह्मचारी गृहस्थो वा कन्या वापि सभर्त्तृका॥ विभर्तृका वा संपूज्य लभते वरमीप्सितम्

brahmacārī gṛhastho vā kanyā vāpi sabharttṛkā vibhartṛkā vā saṁpūjya labhate varamīpsitam

A celibate student, a householder, an unmarried maiden, or even a widow, by worshipping thus, one obtains the desired boon.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.100.12)

अत्राहं कथयिष्यामि कथां श्रोतृमनोहराम्॥ श्रुत्वा मुक्तिं प्रयांत्येव भर्तिर्भवति शांभवी

atrāhaṁ kathayiṣyāmi kathāṁ śrotṛmanoharām śrutvā muktiṁ prayāṁtyeva bhartirbhavati śāṁbhavī

Here I shall tell a story delightful to the listener; hearing it, devotion to Shambhu arises and leads even to liberation.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.100.13)

आर्यावर्ते नृपः कश्चिदासीद्धर्मभृतां वरः॥ चित्रवर्मेति विख्यातो धर्मराजो दुरात्मनाम्

āryāvarte nṛpaḥ kaścidāsīddharmabhṛtāṁ varaḥ citravarmeti vikhyāto dharmarājo durātmanām

In Aryavarta there was once a king, foremost among upholders of dharma, renowned as Chitravarma, a king of righteousness to the wicked.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.100.14)

स गोप्ता धर्मसेतूनां शास्ता दुष्पथगामिनाम् ॥ यष्टा समस्तयज्ञानां त्राता शरणमिच्छताम्

sa goptā dharmasetūnāṁ śāstā duṣpathagāminām yaṣṭā samastayajñānāṁ trātā śaraṇamicchatām

He was the protector of the bridges of dharma, the chastiser of those on evil paths, the performer of all sacrifices, the savior of those who sought refuge,

Verse 15 (skanda.3.100.15)

कर्त्ता सकलपुण्यानां दाता सकलसंपदाम् ॥ जेता सपत्नवृंदानां भक्तः शिवमुकुन्दयोः

karttā sakalapuṇyānāṁ dātā sakalasaṁpadām jetā sapatnavṛṁdānāṁ bhaktaḥ śivamukundayoḥ

the doer of all meritorious deeds, the giver of all riches, the conqueror of hosts of rivals, devoted to Shiva and to Mukunda.

Verse 16 (skanda.3.100.16)

सोनुकूलासु पत्नीषु लब्ध्वा पुत्रान्महौजसः ॥ चिरेण प्रार्थितां लेभे कन्यामेकां वराननाम्

sonukūlāsu patnīṣu labdhvā putrānmahaujasaḥ cireṇa prārthitāṁ lebhe kanyāmekāṁ varānanām

Having obtained mighty sons from his favorable queens, after long entreaty he obtained one fair-faced daughter.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.100.17)

स लब्ध्वा तनयां दिष्ट्या हिमवानिव पार्वतीम् ॥ आत्मानं देवसदृशं मेने पूर्णमनोरथम्

sa labdhvā tanayāṁ diṣṭyā himavāniva pārvatīm ātmānaṁ devasadṛśaṁ mene pūrṇamanoratham

Having obtained that daughter by good fortune, like the Himalaya obtaining Parvati, he considered himself god-like, his desire fulfilled.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.100.18)

स एकदा जातकलक्षणज्ञानाहूय साधून्द्विजमुख्यवृंदान् ॥ कुतूहलेनाभिनिविष्टचेताः पप्रच्छ कन्याजनने फलानि

sa ekadā jātakalakṣaṇajñānāhūya sādhūndvijamukhyavṛṁdān kutūhalenābhiniviṣṭacetāḥ papraccha kanyājanane phalāni

Once, filled with curiosity, he summoned sages skilled in reading the marks of birth and foremost brahmins, and asked them the fruits to be foretold from this daughter's birth.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.100.19)

अथ तत्राब्रवीदेको बहुज्ञो द्विजसत्तमः ॥ एषा सीमंतिनी नाम्ना कन्या तव महीपते

atha tatrābravīdeko bahujño dvijasattamaḥ eṣā sīmaṁtinī nāmnā kanyā tava mahīpate

Then one learned and excellent brahmin there said: "This daughter of yours, O king, named Simantini,

Verse 20 (skanda.3.100.20)

उमेव मांगल्यवती दमयंतीव रूपिणी ॥ भारतीव कलाभिज्ञा लक्ष्मीरिव महागुणा

umeva māṁgalyavatī damayaṁtīva rūpiṇī bhāratīva kalābhijñā lakṣmīriva mahāguṇā

"auspicious like Uma, beautiful like Damayanti, skilled in the arts like Bharati, of great virtues like Lakshmi,

Verse 21 (skanda.3.100.21)

सुप्रजा देवमातेव जानकीव धृतव्रता ॥ रविप्रभेव सत्कांतिश्चंद्रिकेव मनोरमा

suprajā devamāteva jānakīva dhṛtavratā raviprabheva satkāṁtiścaṁdrikeva manoramā

"blessed with good progeny like the mother of the gods, steadfast in her vows like Janaki, of true radiance like the sun's light, delightful like moonlight,

Verse 22 (skanda.3.100.22)

दशवर्षसहस्राणि सह भर्त्रा प्रमोदते ॥ प्रसूय तनयानष्टौ परं सुखमवाप्स्यति

daśavarṣasahasrāṇi saha bhartrā pramodate prasūya tanayānaṣṭau paraṁ sukhamavāpsyati

"she shall rejoice with her husband for ten thousand years; having given birth to eight sons, she shall attain the highest happiness."

Verse 23 (skanda.3.100.23)

इत्युक्तवंतं नृपतिर्धनैः संपूज्य तं द्विजम् ॥ अवाप परमां प्रीतिं तद्वागमृतसेवया

ityuktavaṁtaṁ nṛpatirdhanaiḥ saṁpūjya taṁ dvijam avāpa paramāṁ prītiṁ tadvāgamṛtasevayā

Having thus spoken, the king honored that brahmin with riches, and obtained the greatest joy by drinking in his nectar-like words.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.100.24)

अथान्योऽपि द्विजः प्राह धैर्यवानमितद्युतिः ॥ एषा चतुर्दशे वर्षे वैधव्यं प्रतिपत्स्यति

athānyo'pi dvijaḥ prāha dhairyavānamitadyutiḥ eṣā caturdaśe varṣe vaidhavyaṁ pratipatsyati

Then another brahmin too, steadfast and of boundless radiance, spoke: "In her fourteenth year, she shall attain widowhood."

Verse 25 (skanda.3.100.25)

इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य वज्रनिर्घातनिष्ठुरम् ॥ मुहूर्तमभवद्राजा चिंताव्याकुलमानसः

ityākarṇya vacastasya vajranirghātaniṣṭhuram muhūrtamabhavadrājā ciṁtāvyākulamānasaḥ

Hearing his words, harsh as the crash of a thunderbolt, the king's mind became troubled with anxiety for a moment.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.100.26)

अथ सर्वान्समुत्सृज्य ब्राह्मणान्ब्रह्मवत्सलः ॥ सर्वं दैवकृतं मत्त्वा निश्चिंतः पार्थिवोऽभवत्

atha sarvānsamutsṛjya brāhmaṇānbrahmavatsalaḥ sarvaṁ daivakṛtaṁ mattvā niściṁtaḥ pārthivo'bhavat

Then, dismissing all the brahmins, that lover of the Brahmin class, considering it all the work of fate, the king became free of care.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.100.27)

सापि सीमंतिनी बाला क्रमेण गतशैशवा ॥ वैधव्यमात्मनो भावि शुश्रावात्मसखीमुखात्

sāpi sīmaṁtinī bālā krameṇa gataśaiśavā vaidhavyamātmano bhāvi śuśrāvātmasakhīmukhāt

That girl Simantini too, as her childhood passed by degrees, heard from the mouth of her own friend of her impending widowhood.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.100.28)

परं निर्वेदमापन्ना चिंतयामास बालिका ॥ याज्ञवल्क्यमुनेः पत्नीं मैत्रेयीं पर्यपृच्छत

paraṁ nirvedamāpannā ciṁtayāmāsa bālikā yājñavalkyamuneḥ patnīṁ maitreyīṁ paryapṛcchata

Filled with the greatest dejection, the girl pondered, and questioned Maitreyi, the wife of the sage Yajnavalkya.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.100.29)

मातस्त्वच्चरणांभोजं प्रपन्नास्मि भयाकुला॥ सौभाग्यवर्धनं कर्म मम शंसितुमर्हसि

mātastvaccaraṇāṁbhojaṁ prapannāsmi bhayākulā saubhāgyavardhanaṁ karma mama śaṁsitumarhasi

"Mother, I have taken refuge at your lotus feet, overcome with fear; you should tell me a deed that increases good fortune."

Verse 30 (skanda.3.100.30)

इति प्रपन्नां नृपतेः कन्यां प्राह मुनेः सती॥ शरणं व्रज तन्वंगि पार्वतीं शिवसंयुताम्

iti prapannāṁ nṛpateḥ kanyāṁ prāha muneḥ satī śaraṇaṁ vraja tanvaṁgi pārvatīṁ śivasaṁyutām

Thus addressed by the king's daughter who had taken refuge with her, that virtuous wife of the sage said: "Go, slender one, for refuge to Parvati, together with Shiva.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.100.31)

सोमवारे शिवं गौरीं पूजयस्व समाहिता॥ उपोषिता वा सुस्नाता विरजाम्बरधारिणी

somavāre śivaṁ gaurīṁ pūjayasva samāhitā upoṣitā vā susnātā virajāmbaradhāriṇī

"On Monday, worship Shiva and Gauri with concentrated mind, having fasted or bathed well, wearing spotless garments,

Verse 32 (skanda.3.100.32)

यतवाङ्निश्चलमनाः पूजां कृत्वा यथोचिताम् ॥ ब्राह्मणान्भोजयित्वाथ शिवं सम्यक्प्रसादयत्

yatavāṅniścalamanāḥ pūjāṁ kṛtvā yathocitām brāhmaṇānbhojayitvātha śivaṁ samyakprasādayat

"with restrained speech and steadfast mind, having performed the worship duly, having fed brahmins, thereby properly pleasing Shiva.

Verse 33 (skanda.3.100.33)

पापक्षयोऽभिषेकेण साम्राज्यं पीठपूजनात् ॥ सौभाग्यमखिलं सौख्यं गंधमाल्याक्षतार्पणात्

pāpakṣayo'bhiṣekeṇa sāmrājyaṁ pīṭhapūjanāt saubhāgyamakhilaṁ saukhyaṁ gaṁdhamālyākṣatārpaṇāt

"Sin is destroyed by the bathing rite; sovereignty is gained by worship of the seat; all good fortune and happiness by offering of fragrance, garlands and unbroken rice-grains;

Verse 34 (skanda.3.100.34)

धूपदानेन सौगंध्यं कांतिर्दीपप्रदानतः ॥ नैवेद्यैश्च महाभोगो लक्ष्मीस्तांबूलदानतः

dhūpadānena saugaṁdhyaṁ kāṁtirdīpapradānataḥ naivedyaiśca mahābhogo lakṣmīstāṁbūladānataḥ

"fragrance by offering incense; radiance by offering a lamp; great enjoyment by food-offerings; wealth by offering betel;

Verse 35 (skanda.3.100.35)

धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाश्च नमस्कारप्रदानतः ॥ अष्टैश्वर्यादिसिद्धीनां जप एव हि कारणम्

dharmārthakāmamokṣāśca namaskārapradānataḥ aṣṭaiśvaryādisiddhīnāṁ japa eva hi kāraṇam

"dharma, artha, kama and moksha by offering prostration; recitation alone is indeed the cause of the eight lordly powers and other attainments.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.100.36)

होमेन सर्वकामानां समृद्धिरुपजायते ॥ सर्वेषामेव देवानां तुष्टिर्ब्राह्मणभोजनात्

homena sarvakāmānāṁ samṛddhirupajāyate sarveṣāmeva devānāṁ tuṣṭirbrāhmaṇabhojanāt

"By fire-offering, abundance of all desires arises; the satisfaction of all the gods comes from feeding brahmins.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.100.37)

इत्थमाराधय शिवं सोमवारे शिवामपि ॥ अत्यापदमपि प्राप्ता निस्तीर्णाभिभवा भवेः

itthamārādhaya śivaṁ somavāre śivāmapi atyāpadamapi prāptā nistīrṇābhibhavā bhaveḥ

"Worship Shiva and Shiva's consort thus on Monday; even one who has fallen into the direst calamity shall be freed from disgrace, from worldly existence.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.100.38)

घोराद्घोरं प्रपन्नापि महाक्लेशं भयानकम् ॥ शिवपूजाप्रभावेण तरिष्यसि महद्भयम्

ghorādghoraṁ prapannāpi mahākleśaṁ bhayānakam śivapūjāprabhāveṇa tariṣyasi mahadbhayam

"Even having fallen into the most terrible, fearsome affliction, by the power of worshipping Shiva you shall cross over the great danger."

Verse 39 (skanda.3.100.39)

इत्थं सीमंतिनीं सम्यगनुशास्य पुनः सती ॥ ययौ सापि वरारोहा राजपुत्री तथाऽकरोत्

itthaṁ sīmaṁtinīṁ samyaganuśāsya punaḥ satī yayau sāpi varārohā rājaputrī tathā'karot

Having thus duly instructed Simantini, that virtuous wife again departed, and that lovely princess too did accordingly.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.100.40)

दमयंत्यां नलस्यासीदिंद्रसेनाभिधः सुतः ॥ तस्य चंद्रांगदो नाम पुत्रोभू च्चंद्रसन्निभः

damayaṁtyāṁ nalasyāsīdiṁdrasenābhidhaḥ sutaḥ tasya caṁdrāṁgado nāma putrobhū ccaṁdrasannibhaḥ

To Damayanti and Nala was born a son named Indrasena; his son was named Chandrangada, resembling the moon.

Verse 41 (skanda.3.100.41)

चित्रवर्मा नृपश्रेष्ठस्तमाहूय नृपात्मजम् ॥ कन्यां सीमंतिनीं तस्मै प्रायच्छद्गुर्वनुज्ञया

citravarmā nṛpaśreṣṭhastamāhūya nṛpātmajam kanyāṁ sīmaṁtinīṁ tasmai prāyacchadgurvanujñayā

King Chitravarma, best of kings, summoning that prince, gave to him his daughter Simantini, with the permission of his elders.

Verse 42 (skanda.3.100.42)

सोऽभून्महोत्सवस्तत्र तस्या उद्वाहकर्मणि ॥ यत्र सर्वमहीपानां समवायो महानभूत्

so'bhūnmahotsavastatra tasyā udvāhakarmaṇi yatra sarvamahīpānāṁ samavāyo mahānabhūt

There was a great festival there at her wedding rite, where a great gathering of all the kings of the earth took place.

Verse 43 (skanda.3.100.43)

तस्याः पाणिग्रहं काले कृत्वा चंद्रांगदः कृती ॥ उवास कतिचिन्मासांस्तत्रैव श्वशुरालये

tasyāḥ pāṇigrahaṁ kāle kṛtvā caṁdrāṁgadaḥ kṛtī uvāsa katicinmāsāṁstatraiva śvaśurālaye

Having performed her marriage rite in due time, the accomplished Chandrangada dwelt for some months there in his father-in-law's house.

Verse 44 (skanda.3.100.44)

एकदा यमुनां तर्तुं स राजतनयो बली ॥ आरुरोह तरीं कैश्चिद्वयस्यैः सह लीलया

ekadā yamunāṁ tartuṁ sa rājatanayo balī āruroha tarīṁ kaiścidvayasyaiḥ saha līlayā

Once, that mighty prince, to cross the Yamuna, boarded a boat with some companions, playfully.

Verse 45 (skanda.3.100.45)

तस्मिंस्तरति कालिंदीं राजपुत्रे विधेर्वशात् ॥ ममज्ज सह कैवतैरावर्त्ताभिहता तरी

tasmiṁstarati kāliṁdīṁ rājaputre vidhervaśāt mamajja saha kaivatairāvarttābhihatā tarī

As that prince was crossing the Kalindi, by the working of fate, the boat, struck by a whirlpool, sank together with the boatmen.

Verse 46 (skanda.3.100.46)

हा हेति शब्दः सुमहानासीत्तस्यास्तटद्वये ॥ पश्यतां सर्वसैन्यानां प्रलापो दिवम स्पृशत्

hā heti śabdaḥ sumahānāsīttasyāstaṭadvaye paśyatāṁ sarvasainyānāṁ pralāpo divama spṛśat

A very great cry of "Alas! Alas!" arose on both banks of the river; the lamentation of all the watching armies touched the very sky.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.100.47)

मज्जंतो मम्रिरे केचित्केचिद्ग्राहोदरं गताः ॥ राजपुत्रादयः केचिन्नादृश्यंत महाजले

majjaṁto mamrire kecitkecidgrāhodaraṁ gatāḥ rājaputrādayaḥ kecinnādṛśyaṁta mahājale

Some sank and died, some were seized in the bellies of crocodiles; the prince and others were nowhere to be seen in the great waters.

Verse 48 (skanda.3.100.48)

तदुपश्रुत्य राजापि चित्रवर्मातिवि ह्वलः ॥ यमुनायास्तटं प्राप्य विचेष्टः समजायत

tadupaśrutya rājāpi citravarmātivi hvalaḥ yamunāyāstaṭaṁ prāpya viceṣṭaḥ samajāyata

Hearing this, King Chitravarma too became overwhelmed; reaching the bank of the Yamuna, he became distraught.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.100.49)

श्रुत्वाथ राजपत्न्यश्च वभूबुर्गतचेतनाः ॥ सा च सीमंतिनी श्रुत्वा पपाप डूवि मूर्च्छिता

śrutvātha rājapatnyaśca vabhūburgatacetanāḥ sā ca sīmaṁtinī śrutvā papāpa ḍūvi mūrcchitā

Hearing it, the king's wives too lost consciousness; and Simantini too, hearing it, fell fainting to the ground.

Verse 50 (skanda.3.100.50)

तथान्ये मंत्रिमुख्याश्च नायकाः सपुरोहिताः॥ विह्वलाः शोकसंतप्ता विलेपुर्मुक्तमूर्धजाः

tathānye maṁtrimukhyāśca nāyakāḥ sapurohitāḥ vihvalāḥ śokasaṁtaptā vilepurmuktamūrdhajāḥ

Likewise the chief ministers, the commanders, and the priests, overwhelmed, scorched with grief, wailed with their hair let loose.

Verse 51 (skanda.3.100.51)

इंद्रसेनोपि राजेद्रः पुत्रवार्त्तां सुदुःखितः॥ आकर्ण्य सह पत्नीभिर्नष्टसंज्ञः पपात ह

iṁdrasenopi rājedraḥ putravārttāṁ suduḥkhitaḥ ākarṇya saha patnībhirnaṣṭasaṁjñaḥ papāta ha

King Indrasena too, greatly grieved on hearing the news of his son, together with his wives, lost consciousness and fell down.

Verse 52 (skanda.3.100.52)

तन्मंत्रिणश्च तत्पौरास्तथा तद्देशवासिनः ॥ आबालवृद्धवनिताश्चुक्रुशुः शोकविह्वलाः

tanmaṁtriṇaśca tatpaurāstathā taddeśavāsinaḥ ābālavṛddhavanitāścukruśuḥ śokavihvalāḥ

His ministers, his citizens, and the inhabitants of that country, men, women, young and old, cried out, overwhelmed with grief.

Verse 53 (skanda.3.100.53)

शोकात्केचिदुरो जघ्नुः शिरो जघ्नुश्च केचन ॥ हा राजपुत्र हा तात क्वासि क्वासीति बभ्रमुः

śokātkeciduro jaghnuḥ śiro jaghnuśca kecana hā rājaputra hā tāta kvāsi kvāsīti babhramuḥ

Some, in their grief, struck their chests; some struck their heads; "Alas, prince! Alas, my son! Where are you, where are you?" they wandered, crying.

Verse 54 (skanda.3.100.54)

एवं शोकाकुलं दीनमिंद्रसेनमहीपतेः ॥ नगरं सहसा क्षुब्धं चित्रवर्मपुरं तथा

evaṁ śokākulaṁ dīnamiṁdrasenamahīpateḥ nagaraṁ sahasā kṣubdhaṁ citravarmapuraṁ tathā

Thus the city of King Indrasena, and likewise the city of Chitravarma, was suddenly thrown into grief-stricken, wretched turmoil.

Verse 55 (skanda.3.100.55)

अथ वृद्धैः समाश्वस्तश्चित्रवर्मा महीपतिः ॥ शनैर्नगरमागत्य सान्त्वयामास चात्मजाम्

atha vṛddhaiḥ samāśvastaścitravarmā mahīpatiḥ śanairnagaramāgatya sāntvayāmāsa cātmajām

Then, being consoled by his elders, King Chitravarma slowly came to the city and comforted his daughter.

Verse 56 (skanda.3.100.56)

स राजांभसिमग्नस्य जामातुस्तस्य बांधवैः ॥ आगतैः कारयामास साकल्यादौर्ध्वदैहिकम्

sa rājāṁbhasimagnasya jāmātustasya bāṁdhavaiḥ āgataiḥ kārayāmāsa sākalyādaurdhvadaihikam

He had the funeral rites of his son-in-law, drowned in the water, duly performed by the relatives who had come, in full accordance with custom.

Verse 57 (skanda.3.100.57)

सा च सीमंतिनी साध्वी भर्तृलोकमतिः सती ॥ पित्रा निषिद्धा स्नेहेन वैधव्यं प्रत्यपद्यत

sā ca sīmaṁtinī sādhvī bhartṛlokamatiḥ satī pitrā niṣiddhā snehena vaidhavyaṁ pratyapadyata

And that virtuous Simantini, faithful in her love toward her husband's world, restrained by her father's affection, nonetheless accepted her widowhood.

Verse 58 (skanda.3.100.58)

मुनेः पत्न्योऽपदिष्टं यत्सोमवारव्रतं शुभम् ॥ न तत्याज शुभाचारा वैधव्यं प्राप्तवत्यपि

muneḥ patnyo'padiṣṭaṁ yatsomavāravrataṁ śubham na tatyāja śubhācārā vaidhavyaṁ prāptavatyapi

She did not abandon that auspicious vow of the Monday-fast taught to her by the sage's wife, that woman of good conduct, even after attaining widowhood.

Verse 59 (skanda.3.100.59)

एवं चतुर्दशे वर्षे दुःखं प्राप्य सुदारुणम् ॥ ध्यायन्ती शिवपादाब्जं वत्सरत्रयमत्यगात्

evaṁ caturdaśe varṣe duḥkhaṁ prāpya sudāruṇam dhyāyantī śivapādābjaṁ vatsaratrayamatyagāt

Thus in her fourteenth year, having met with this most terrible sorrow, meditating on Shiva's lotus feet, she passed three years.

Verse 60 (skanda.3.100.60)

पुत्रशोकादिवोन्मत्तमिंद्रसेनं महीपतिम् ॥ प्रसह्य तस्य दायादाः सप्तांगं जह्रुरोजसा

putraśokādivonmattamiṁdrasenaṁ mahīpatim prasahya tasya dāyādāḥ saptāṁgaṁ jahrurojasā

Meanwhile King Indrasena, as if maddened with grief for his son, was forcibly, violently deprived of his sevenfold kingdom by his own kinsmen.

Verse 61 (skanda.3.100.61)

हृतसिंहासनः शूरैर्दायादैः सोऽप्रजो नृपः ॥ निगृह्य काराभवने सपत्नीको निवेशितः

hṛtasiṁhāsanaḥ śūrairdāyādaiḥ so'prajo nṛpaḥ nigṛhya kārābhavane sapatnīko niveśitaḥ

Deprived of his throne by his valiant kinsmen, that childless king was seized and confined in prison, together with his wife.

Verse 62 (skanda.3.100.62)

चंद्रागदोऽपि तत्पुत्रो निमग्नो यमुनाजले ॥ अधोधोमज्जमानोऽसौ ददर्शोरगकामिनीः

caṁdrāgado'pi tatputro nimagno yamunājale adhodhomajjamāno'sau dadarśoragakāminīḥ

Chandrangada, that son, having sunk in the waters of the Yamuna, sinking further and further down, saw serpent-maidens there.

Verse 63 (skanda.3.100.63)

जलक्रीडासु सक्तास्ता दृष्ट्वा राजकुमार कम् ॥ विस्मितास्तमथो निन्युः पातालं पन्नगालयम्

jalakrīḍāsu saktāstā dṛṣṭvā rājakumāra kam vismitāstamatho ninyuḥ pātālaṁ pannagālayam

Those maidens, engaged in water-sport, seeing the prince, were astonished and carried him off to Patala, the abode of serpents.

Verse 64 (skanda.3.100.64)

स नीयमानस्तरसा पन्नगीभिर्नृपात्मजः ॥ तक्षकस्य पुरं रम्यं विवेश परमाद्भुतम्

sa nīyamānastarasā pannagībhirnṛpātmajaḥ takṣakasya puraṁ ramyaṁ viveśa paramādbhutam

Being swiftly carried off by the serpent-women, the prince entered the lovely, most wondrous city of Takshaka.

Verse 65 (skanda.3.100.65)

सोऽपश्यद्राजतनयो महेंद्रभवनोपमम् ॥ महारत्नपरिभ्राजन्मयूखपरिदीपितम्

so'paśyadrājatanayo maheṁdrabhavanopamam mahāratnaparibhrājanmayūkhaparidīpitam

That prince saw a place resembling the abode of great Indra, illumined by the rays flashing from great jewels,

Verse 66 (skanda.3.100.66)

वज्रवैडूर्यपाचादिप्रासादशतसंकुलम् ॥ माणिक्य गोपुरद्वारं मुक्तादामभिरुज्ज्वलम्

vajravaiḍūryapācādiprāsādaśatasaṁkulam māṇikya gopuradvāraṁ muktādāmabhirujjvalam

crowded with hundreds of palaces of diamond, cat's-eye, and other gems, its gateway-towers of ruby, radiant with strings of pearls,

Verse 67 (skanda.3.100.67)

चंद्रकांतस्थलं रम्यं हेमद्वारकपाटकम् ॥ अनेकशतसाहस्रमणिदीपविराजितम्

caṁdrakāṁtasthalaṁ ramyaṁ hemadvārakapāṭakam anekaśatasāhasramaṇidīpavirājitam

its lovely floor of moonstone, its doors of gold, shining with many hundreds of thousands of jeweled lamps.

Verse 68 (skanda.3.100.68)

तत्रापश्यत्सभा मध्ये निषण्णं रत्नविष्टरे ॥ तक्षकं पन्नगाधीशं फणानेकशतोज्ज्वलम्

tatrāpaśyatsabhā madhye niṣaṇṇaṁ ratnaviṣṭare takṣakaṁ pannagādhīśaṁ phaṇānekaśatojjvalam

There, in the midst of the assembly, he saw Takshaka, the lord of serpents, seated on a jeweled throne, radiant with hundreds of hoods,

Verse 69 (skanda.3.100.69)

दिव्यांबरधरं दीप्तं रत्नकुण्डलराजितम् ॥ नानारत्नपरिक्षिप्तमुकुट द्युतिरंजितम्

divyāṁbaradharaṁ dīptaṁ ratnakuṇḍalarājitam nānāratnaparikṣiptamukuṭa dyutiraṁjitam

clad in divine garments, resplendent, adorned with jeweled earrings, his crown gleaming with the light of many kinds of jewels,

Verse 70 (skanda.3.100.70)

फणामणिमयूखाढ्यैरसंख्यैः पन्नगोत्तमैः ॥ उपासितं प्रांजलिभिश्चित्ररत्नविभूषितैः

phaṇāmaṇimayūkhāḍhyairasaṁkhyaiḥ pannagottamaiḥ upāsitaṁ prāṁjalibhiścitraratnavibhūṣitaiḥ

attended, with joined palms, by countless excellent serpents, rich with the rays of the jewels in their hoods, adorned with many kinds of gems,

Verse 71 (skanda.3.100.71)

रूपयौवनमाधुर्यविलासगति शोभिना ॥ नागकन्यासहस्रेण समंतात्परिवारितम्

rūpayauvanamādhuryavilāsagati śobhinā nāgakanyāsahasreṇa samaṁtātparivāritam

surrounded on all sides by a thousand serpent-maidens, resplendent with beauty, youth, sweetness, and graceful gait,

Verse 72 (skanda.3.100.72)

दिव्याभरणदीप्तांगं दिव्यचंदनचर्चितम् ॥ कालाग्निमिव दुर्धर्षं तेजसादित्यसन्निभम्

divyābharaṇadīptāṁgaṁ divyacaṁdanacarcitam kālāgnimiva durdharṣaṁ tejasādityasannibham

his form blazing with divine ornaments, anointed with divine sandal-paste, irresistible like the fire of dissolution, radiant like the sun in splendor.

Verse 73 (skanda.3.100.73)

दृष्ट्वा राजसुतो धीरः प्रणिपत्य सभास्थले ॥ उत्थितः प्रांजलिस्तस्य तेजसाक्षिप्तलोचनः

dṛṣṭvā rājasuto dhīraḥ praṇipatya sabhāsthale utthitaḥ prāṁjalistasya tejasākṣiptalocanaḥ

Seeing him, the steadfast prince bowed down there in the assembly, and rose again with joined palms, his eyes dazzled by that splendor.

Verse 74 (skanda.3.100.74)

नागराजोपि तं दृष्ट्वा राजपुत्रं मनोरमम् ॥ कोऽयं कस्मादिहायात इति पप्रच्छ पन्नगीः

nāgarājopi taṁ dṛṣṭvā rājaputraṁ manoramam ko'yaṁ kasmādihāyāta iti papraccha pannagīḥ

The serpent-king, too, seeing that charming prince, asked the serpent-maidens: "Who is this, and from where has he come here?"

Verse 75 (skanda.3.100.75)

ता ऊचुर्यमुनातोये दृष्टोऽस्माभिर्यदृच्छया ॥ अज्ञातकुलनामायमानीतस्तव सन्निधिम्

tā ūcuryamunātoye dṛṣṭo'smābhiryadṛcchayā ajñātakulanāmāyamānītastava sannidhim

They said: "We saw him by chance in the waters of the Yamuna; we have brought him into your presence, though his family and name are unknown."

Verse 76 (skanda.3.100.76)

अथ पृष्टो राजपुत्रस्तक्षकेण महात्मना ॥ कस्यासि तनयः कस्त्वं को देशः कथमागतः

atha pṛṣṭo rājaputrastakṣakeṇa mahātmanā kasyāsi tanayaḥ kastvaṁ ko deśaḥ kathamāgataḥ

Then that great-souled Takshaka asked the prince: "Whose son are you? Who are you? What is your country? How did you come here?"

Verse 77 (skanda.3.100.77)

राजपुत्रो वचः श्रुत्वा तक्षकं वाक्यमब्रवीत्

rājaputro vacaḥ śrutvā takṣakaṁ vākyamabravīt

Hearing his words, the prince spoke this reply to Takshaka.

Verse 78 (skanda.3.100.78)

राजपुत्र उवाच ॥ अस्ति भूमंडले कश्चिद्देशो निषधसंज्ञकः ॥ तस्याधिपोऽभवद्राजा नलो नाम महा यशाः ॥ स पुण्यकीर्तिः क्षितिपो दमयन्तीपतिः शुभः

rājaputra uvāca asti bhūmaṁḍale kaściddeśo niṣadhasaṁjñakaḥ tasyādhipo'bhavadrājā nalo nāma mahā yaśāḥ sa puṇyakīrtiḥ kṣitipo damayantīpatiḥ śubhaḥ

The prince said: "There is a certain country on this earth called Nishadha; its ruler was a king named Nala, of great fame, that righteous, celebrated king, husband of Damayanti, the auspicious one.

Verse 79 (skanda.3.100.79)

तस्मादपींद्रसेनाख्यस्तस्य पुत्रो महाबलः ॥ चंद्रांगदोस्मि नाम्नाहं नवोढः श्वशुरालये ॥ विहरन्यमुनातोये निमग्नो देवचोदितः

tasmādapīṁdrasenākhyastasya putro mahābalaḥ caṁdrāṁgadosmi nāmnāhaṁ navoḍhaḥ śvaśurālaye viharanyamunātoye nimagno devacoditaḥ

"From him was born the mighty Indrasena; I am his son, named Chandrangada, newly married in my father-in-law's house. While sporting in the waters of the Yamuna, I was, driven by fate, submerged.

Verse 80 (skanda.3.100.80)

एताभिः पन्नगस्त्रीभिरानीतोस्मि तवांतिकम् ॥ दृष्ट्वाहं तव पादाब्जं पुण्यैर्जन्मांतरार्जितैः

etābhiḥ pannagastrībhirānītosmi tavāṁtikam dṛṣṭvāhaṁ tava pādābjaṁ puṇyairjanmāṁtarārjitaiḥ

"By these serpent-women I have been brought into your presence; having seen your lotus feet, through merit accumulated across former births,

Verse 81 (skanda.3.100.81)

अद्य धन्योऽस्मि धन्योऽस्मि कृतार्थो पितरौ मम ॥ यत्प्रेक्षितोऽहं कारुण्यात्त्वया संभाषितोपि च

adya dhanyo'smi dhanyo'smi kṛtārtho pitarau mama yatprekṣito'haṁ kāruṇyāttvayā saṁbhāṣitopi ca

"today I am blessed, I am blessed, my parents are fulfilled, for I have been seen with compassion, and even conversed with, by you."

Verse 82 (skanda.3.100.82)

सूत उवाच ॥ इत्युदारमसंभ्रांतं वचः श्रुत्वातिपेशलम् ॥ तक्षकः पुनरौत्सुक्याद्बभाषे राजनंदनम्

sūta uvāca ityudāramasaṁbhrāṁtaṁ vacaḥ śrutvātipeśalam takṣakaḥ punarautsukyādbabhāṣe rājanaṁdanam

Suta said: Having heard this speech, noble, composed and most graceful, Takshaka, again with eager curiosity, spoke to the prince.

Verse 83 (skanda.3.100.83)

तक्षक उवाच ॥ भोभो नरेंद्रदायाद मा भैषीर्धीरतां व्रज ॥ सर्वदेवेषु को देवो युष्माभिः पूज्यते सदा

takṣaka uvāca bhobho nareṁdradāyāda mā bhaiṣīrdhīratāṁ vraja sarvadeveṣu ko devo yuṣmābhiḥ pūjyate sadā

Takshaka said: "Ho, scion of kings! Fear not, take courage. Among all the gods, which god do you always worship?"

Verse 84 (skanda.3.100.84)

राजपुत्र उवाच ॥ यो देवः सर्वेदेवेषु महादेवं इति स्मृतः ॥ पूज्यते स हि विश्वात्मा शिवोऽस्माभिरुमापतिः

rājaputra uvāca yo devaḥ sarvedeveṣu mahādevaṁ iti smṛtaḥ pūjyate sa hi viśvātmā śivo'smābhirumāpatiḥ

The prince said: "That god who among all the gods is known as Mahadeva, he, the soul of the universe, is worshipped by us: Shiva, the lord of Uma.

Verse 85 (skanda.3.100.85)

यस्य तेजोंशलेशेन रजसा च प्रजापतिः ॥ कृतरूपोऽसृजद्विश्वं स नः पूज्यो महेश्वरः

yasya tejoṁśaleśena rajasā ca prajāpatiḥ kṛtarūpo'sṛjadviśvaṁ sa naḥ pūjyo maheśvaraḥ

"By a mere fraction of whose splendor and passion Prajapati, having taken form, created the universe, he is our worshipped Maheshvara.

Verse 86 (skanda.3.100.86)

यस्यांशात्सात्त्विकं दिव्यं बिभ्रद्विष्णुः सनातनः ॥ विश्वं बिभर्त्ति भूतात्मा शिवोऽस्माभिः स पूज्यते

yasyāṁśātsāttvikaṁ divyaṁ bibhradviṣṇuḥ sanātanaḥ viśvaṁ bibhartti bhūtātmā śivo'smābhiḥ sa pūjyate

"From a portion of whom the eternal Vishnu, bearing the divine sattva-quality, sustains the universe, being its very soul, that Shiva is worshipped by us.

Verse 87 (skanda.3.100.87)

यस्यांशात्तामसाज्जातो रुद्रः कालाग्निसन्निभः ॥ विश्वमेतद्धरत्यंते स पूज्योऽस्माभिरीश्वरः

yasyāṁśāttāmasājjāto rudraḥ kālāgnisannibhaḥ viśvametaddharatyaṁte sa pūjyo'smābhirīśvaraḥ

"From whose tamasic portion was born Rudra, resembling the fire of dissolution, who at the end destroys this entire universe, he, that Lord, is worshipped by us.

Verse 88 (skanda.3.100.88)

यो विधाता विधातुश्च कारणस्यापि कारणम् ॥ तेजसां परमं तेजः स शिवो नः परा गतिः

yo vidhātā vidhātuśca kāraṇasyāpi kāraṇam tejasāṁ paramaṁ tejaḥ sa śivo naḥ parā gatiḥ

"He who is the ordainer even of the ordainer, the cause even of the cause, the supreme light among all lights, that Shiva is our supreme goal.

Verse 89 (skanda.3.100.89)

योंतिकस्थोऽपि दूरस्थः पापोपहृतचेतसाम् ॥ अपरिच्छेद्य धामासौ शिवो नः परमा गतिः

yoṁtikastho'pi dūrasthaḥ pāpopahṛtacetasām aparicchedya dhāmāsau śivo naḥ paramā gatiḥ

"He who, though near, seems far to those whose minds are led astray by sin, whose abode is beyond measure, that Shiva is our supreme goal.

Verse 90 (skanda.3.100.90)

योऽग्नौ तिष्ठति यो भूमौ यो वायौ सलिले च यः ॥ य आकाशे च विश्वात्मा स पूज्यो नः सदाशिवः

yo'gnau tiṣṭhati yo bhūmau yo vāyau salile ca yaḥ ya ākāśe ca viśvātmā sa pūjyo naḥ sadāśivaḥ

"He who dwells in fire, who dwells in earth, who dwells in air, in water, and who dwells in space, the soul of the universe, that Sadashiva is worshipped by us.

Verse 91 (skanda.3.100.91)

यः साक्षी सर्वभूतानां य आत्मस्थो निरंजनः ॥ यस्येच्छावशगो लोकः सोऽस्माभिः पूज्यते शिवः

yaḥ sākṣī sarvabhūtānāṁ ya ātmastho niraṁjanaḥ yasyecchāvaśago lokaḥ so'smābhiḥ pūjyate śivaḥ

"He who is the witness of all beings, who dwells within the self, stainless, at whose will the world moves, that Shiva is worshipped by us.

Verse 92 (skanda.3.100.92)

यमेकमाद्यं पुरुषं पुराणं वदंति भिन्नं गुणवैकृतेन ॥ क्षेत्रज्ञमेकेथ तुरीयमन्ये कूटस्थमन्ये स शिवो गतिर्नः

yamekamādyaṁ puruṣaṁ purāṇaṁ vadaṁti bhinnaṁ guṇavaikṛtena kṣetrajñameketha turīyamanye kūṭasthamanye sa śivo gatirnaḥ

"Whom some call the one, primal, ancient Purusha, differentiated by the modifications of the qualities; whom others call the knower of the field, the fourth state, and others call the changeless, he, Shiva, is our goal.

Verse 93 (skanda.3.100.93)

यं नास्पृशंश्चैत्यमचिंत्यतत्त्वं दुरंतधामानमतत्स्वरूपम् ॥ मनोवचोवृत्तय आत्मभाजां स एष पूज्यः परमः शिवो नः

yaṁ nāspṛśaṁścaityamaciṁtyatattvaṁ duraṁtadhāmānamatatsvarūpam manovacovṛttaya ātmabhājāṁ sa eṣa pūjyaḥ paramaḥ śivo naḥ

"Whom the inner faculties of mind and speech of embodied beings cannot touch, that inconceivable reality, that abode without end, whose form is beyond form, he indeed is worshipped, the supreme Shiva, by us.

Verse 94 (skanda.3.100.94)

यस्य प्रसादं प्रतिलभ्य संतो वांछंति नैंद्रं पदमुज्ज्वलं वा ॥ निस्तीर्णकर्मार्गलकालचक्राश्चरंत्यभीताः स शिवो गतिर्नः

yasya prasādaṁ pratilabhya saṁto vāṁchaṁti naiṁdraṁ padamujjvalaṁ vā nistīrṇakarmārgalakālacakrāścaraṁtyabhītāḥ sa śivo gatirnaḥ

"Having obtained whose grace the virtuous no longer desire even the radiant seat of Indra; having crossed the bolted gate of karma and the wheel of time, they wander fearless, that Shiva is our goal.

Verse 95 (skanda.3.100.95)

यस्य स्मृतिः सकलपापरुजां विघातं सद्यः करोत्यपि चु पुल्कसजन्मभाजाम् ॥ यस्य स्वरूपमखिलं श्रुतिभिर्विमृग्यं तस्मै शिवाय सततं करवाम पूजाम्

yasya smṛtiḥ sakalapāparujāṁ vighātaṁ sadyaḥ karotyapi cu pulkasajanmabhājām yasya svarūpamakhilaṁ śrutibhirvimṛgyaṁ tasmai śivāya satataṁ karavāma pūjām

"Whose very remembrance instantly destroys all the diseases of sin, even for those born among the outcastes; whose entire nature is to be sought after through the Vedic scriptures, to that Shiva we ever offer worship.

Verse 96 (skanda.3.100.96)

यन्मूर्ध्नि लब्धनिलया सुरलोकसिंधुर्यस्यांगगाँ भगवती जगदंबिका च ॥ यत्कुंडले त्वहह तक्षकवासुकी द्वौ सोऽस्माकमेव गतिरर्धशशांकमौलिः

yanmūrdhni labdhanilayā suralokasiṁdhuryasyāṁgagām̐ bhagavatī jagadaṁbikā ca yatkuṁḍale tvahaha takṣakavāsukī dvau so'smākameva gatirardhaśaśāṁkamauliḥ

"On whose head dwells the celestial river of the gods' world, on whose body clings the goddess, mother of the universe herself; in whose two earrings, wonder of wonders, are Takshaka and Vasuki, he alone is our goal, crowned with the half-moon.

Verse 97 (skanda.3.100.97)

जयति निगमचूडाग्रेषु यस्यांघ्रिपद्मं जयति च हृदि नित्यं योगिनां यस्य मूर्तिः ॥ जयति सकलतत्त्वोद्भासनं यस्य मूर्तिः स विजितगुणसर्गः पूज्यतेऽस्माभिरीशः

jayati nigamacūḍāgreṣu yasyāṁghripadmaṁ jayati ca hṛdi nityaṁ yogināṁ yasya mūrtiḥ jayati sakalatattvodbhāsanaṁ yasya mūrtiḥ sa vijitaguṇasargaḥ pūjyate'smābhirīśaḥ

"Victorious is his lotus-foot at the crest of the Vedas; victorious is his form, ever within the hearts of yogis; victorious is his form, the illumination of all realities; he, who has conquered the creation of the qualities, is worshipped by us as the Lord."

Verse 98 (skanda.3.100.98)

सूत उवाच ॥ इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य तक्षकः प्रीतमानसः ॥ जातभक्तिर्महादेवे राजपुत्रमभाषत

sūta uvāca ityākarṇya vacastasya takṣakaḥ prītamānasaḥ jātabhaktirmahādeve rājaputramabhāṣata

Suta said: Having heard these words, Takshaka, his mind delighted, having conceived devotion to Mahadeva, spoke to the prince.

Verse 99 (skanda.3.100.99)

तक्षक उवाच ॥ परितुष्टोऽस्मि भद्रं स्तात्तव राजेद्रनंदन ॥ बालोपि यत्परं तत्त्वं वेत्सि शैवं परात्परम्

takṣaka uvāca parituṣṭo'smi bhadraṁ stāttava rājedranaṁdana bālopi yatparaṁ tattvaṁ vetsi śaivaṁ parātparam

Takshaka said: "I am well pleased; blessings upon you, O scion of kings! Though a mere boy, you know that supreme, transcendent Shaiva truth.

Verse 100 (skanda.3.100.100)

एष रत्नमयो लोक एताश्चारुदृशोऽबलाः ॥ एते कल्पद्रुमाः सर्वे वाप्योमृतरसांभसः

eṣa ratnamayo loka etāścārudṛśo'balāḥ ete kalpadrumāḥ sarve vāpyomṛtarasāṁbhasaḥ

"This is a world made of jewels, and these are fair-eyed maidens; these are all wish-fulfilling trees, these pools are of nectar-like waters.

Verse 101 (skanda.3.100.101)

नात्र मृत्युभयं घोरं न जरारोगपीडनम् ॥ यथेष्टं विहरात्रैव भुंक्ष्व भोगान्यथोचितान्

nātra mṛtyubhayaṁ ghoraṁ na jarārogapīḍanam yatheṣṭaṁ viharātraiva bhuṁkṣva bhogānyathocitān

"Here there is no terrible fear of death, no affliction of old age or disease; sport here as you wish, and enjoy whatever pleasures suit you."

Verse 102 (skanda.3.100.102)

इत्युक्तो नागराजेन स राजेंद्रकुमारकः ॥ प्रत्युवाच परं प्रीत्या कृतांजलिरुदारधीः

ityukto nāgarājena sa rājeṁdrakumārakaḥ pratyuvāca paraṁ prītyā kṛtāṁjalirudāradhīḥ

Thus addressed by the serpent-king, that noble-minded prince, joining his palms, replied with the greatest affection:

Verse 103 (skanda.3.100.103)

कृतदारोऽस्म्यहं काले सुव्रता गृहिणी मम ॥ शिव पूजापरा नित्यं पितरावेकपुत्रकौ

kṛtadāro'smyahaṁ kāle suvratā gṛhiṇī mama śiva pūjāparā nityaṁ pitarāvekaputrakau

"I have taken a wife in due time; my devoted wife is ever intent on worship of Shiva; my parents have only one son.

Verse 104 (skanda.3.100.104)

ते त्वद्य मां मृतं मत्त्वा शोकेन महतावृताः ॥ प्रायः प्राणैर्वियुज्यंते दैवात्प्राणान्वहंति वा

te tvadya māṁ mṛtaṁ mattvā śokena mahatāvṛtāḥ prāyaḥ prāṇairviyujyaṁte daivātprāṇānvahaṁti vā

"Thinking me dead today, overcome with great grief, they will most likely part with their lives, or perhaps live on by fate.

Verse 105 (skanda.3.100.105)

अतो मया बहुतिथं नात्र स्थेयं कथंचन ॥ तमेव लोकं कृपया मां प्रापयितुमर्हसि

ato mayā bahutithaṁ nātra stheyaṁ kathaṁcana tameva lokaṁ kṛpayā māṁ prāpayitumarhasi

"Therefore I cannot remain here for long, in any way; out of your kindness, you should send me to that same world of mine."

Verse 106 (skanda.3.100.106)

इत्युक्तवंतं नरदेवपुत्रं दिव्यैर्वरान्नैः सुरपादपोत्थैः ॥ आप्याययित्वा वरगंधवासः स्रग्रत्नदिव्याभरणैर्विचित्रैः

ityuktavaṁtaṁ naradevaputraṁ divyairvarānnaiḥ surapādapotthaiḥ āpyāyayitvā varagaṁdhavāsaḥ sragratnadivyābharaṇairvicitraiḥ

Thus addressed by the son of the king of men, having refreshed him with divine, excellent food born of the celestial trees, with excellent fragrant garments, garlands, jeweled and divine ornaments of many kinds,

Verse 107 (skanda.3.100.107)

संतोषयित्वा विविधैश्च भोगैः पुनर्बभाषे भुजगाधिराजः ॥ यदायदा त्वं स्मरसि त्वदग्रे तदा तदाविष्क्रियते मयेति

saṁtoṣayitvā vividhaiśca bhogaiḥ punarbabhāṣe bhujagādhirājaḥ yadāyadā tvaṁ smarasi tvadagre tadā tadāviṣkriyate mayeti

having gratified him with various pleasures, the serpent-king spoke again: "Whenever you remember me, at that very moment I shall appear before you."

Verse 108 (skanda.3.100.108)

पुनश्च राजपुत्राय तक्षकोश्वं च कामगम् ॥ नानाद्वीपसमुद्रेषु लोकेषु च निरर्गलम्

punaśca rājaputrāya takṣakośvaṁ ca kāmagam nānādvīpasamudreṣu lokeṣu ca nirargalam

And further, to the prince, Takshaka gave a horse that could travel at will, unimpeded, through the various islands and oceans and worlds.

Verse 109 (skanda.3.100.109)

दत्तवान्रत्नाभरण दिव्याभरणवाससाम् ॥ वाहनाय ददावेकं राक्षसं पन्नगेश्वरः

dattavānratnābharaṇa divyābharaṇavāsasām vāhanāya dadāvekaṁ rākṣasaṁ pannageśvaraḥ

He gave him jeweled ornaments, divine ornaments and garments; and for his conveyance, that lord of serpents gave him also one rakshasa.

Verse 110 (skanda.3.100.110)

तत्सहायार्थमेकं च पन्नगेंद्रकुमारकम् ॥ नियुज्य तक्षकः प्रीत्या गच्छेति विससर्ज तम्

tatsahāyārthamekaṁ ca pannageṁdrakumārakam niyujya takṣakaḥ prītyā gaccheti visasarja tam

And for his assistance, appointing also one son of a serpent-king, Takshaka, out of affection, sent him off, saying "Go."

Verse 111 (skanda.3.100.111)

इति चंद्रांगदः सोऽथ संगृह्य विविधं धनम् ॥ अश्वं कामगमारुह्य ताभ्यां सह विनिर्ययौ

iti caṁdrāṁgadaḥ so'tha saṁgṛhya vividhaṁ dhanam aśvaṁ kāmagamāruhya tābhyāṁ saha viniryayau

Thus Chandrangada, having gathered various riches, mounted the horse that traveled at will and set out together with those two.

Verse 112 (skanda.3.100.112)

स मूहूर्तादिवोन्मज्ज्य तस्मा देव सरिज्जलात् ॥ विजहार तटे रम्ये दिव्यमारुह्य वाजिनम्

sa mūhūrtādivonmajjya tasmā deva sarijjalāt vijahāra taṭe ramye divyamāruhya vājinam

In a moment, as if surfacing, he rose up from that divine river's waters, and mounting the divine horse, wandered about the lovely riverbank.

Verse 113 (skanda.3.100.113)

अथास्मिन्समये तन्वी सा च सीमंतिनी सती ॥ स्नातुं समाययौ तत्र सखी भिः परिवारिता

athāsminsamaye tanvī sā ca sīmaṁtinī satī snātuṁ samāyayau tatra sakhī bhiḥ parivāritā

Now at that very time, that slender, virtuous Simantini had come there to bathe, surrounded by her companions.

Verse 114 (skanda.3.100.114)

सा ददर्श नदीतीरे विहरंतं नृपात्मजम् ॥ रक्षसा नररूपेण नागपुत्रेण चान्वितम्

sā dadarśa nadītīre viharaṁtaṁ nṛpātmajam rakṣasā nararūpeṇa nāgaputreṇa cānvitam

She saw on the riverbank the prince, sporting there, accompanied by a rakshasa in human form and by the serpent-prince,

Verse 115 (skanda.3.100.115)

दिव्यरत्नसमाकीर्णं दिव्य माल्यावतंसकम् ॥ देहेन दिव्यगंधेन व्याक्षिप्तदशयोजनम्

divyaratnasamākīrṇaṁ divya mālyāvataṁsakam dehena divyagaṁdhena vyākṣiptadaśayojanam

covered with divine jewels, wearing a divine garland as a crest-ornament, his body's divine fragrance spreading for ten yojanas.

Verse 116 (skanda.3.100.116)

तमपूर्वाकृतिं वीक्ष्य दिव्याश्वमधिसंस्थितम् ॥ जडोन्मत्तेव भीतेव तस्थौ तन्न्यस्तलोचना

tamapūrvākṛtiṁ vīkṣya divyāśvamadhisaṁsthitam jaḍonmatteva bhīteva tasthau tannyastalocanā

Beholding that unprecedented figure, mounted upon a divine horse, she stood as if stunned, as if terrified, her gaze fixed upon him.

Verse 117 (skanda.3.100.117)

तां च राजेंद्रपुत्रोऽसौ दृष्टपूर्वामिति स्मरन् ॥ निर्मुक्तकंठाभरणां कंठसूत्रविवर्जिताम्

tāṁ ca rājeṁdraputro'sau dṛṣṭapūrvāmiti smaran nirmuktakaṁṭhābharaṇāṁ kaṁṭhasūtravivarjitām

And that prince too, remembering that he had seen her before, saw her with her throat-ornaments removed, without even a marriage-thread,

Verse 118 (skanda.3.100.118)

असंयोजितधम्मिल्लामंगरागविवर्जिताम् ॥ त्यक्तनीलांजनापांगीं कृशांगीं शोकदूषिताम्

asaṁyojitadhammillāmaṁgarāgavivarjitām tyaktanīlāṁjanāpāṁgīṁ kṛśāṁgīṁ śokadūṣitām

her hair unbound, without any cosmetic adornment, having abandoned the dark collyrium at the corners of her eyes, her body wasted, marred by grief.

Verse 119 (skanda.3.100.119)

दृष्ट्वाऽवतीर्य तुरगादुपविष्टः सरित्तटे ॥ तामाहूय वरारोहामुपवेश्येदम ब्रवीत्

dṛṣṭvā'vatīrya turagādupaviṣṭaḥ sarittaṭe tāmāhūya varārohāmupaveśyedama bravīt

Seeing her, he dismounted from his horse and sat on the riverbank; calling that lovely woman, he seated her and said this:

Verse 120 (skanda.3.100.120)

का त्वं कस्य कलत्रं वा कस्यासि तनया सती ॥ किमिदं तेंगने बाल्ये दुःसहं शोकलक्षणम्

kā tvaṁ kasya kalatraṁ vā kasyāsi tanayā satī kimidaṁ teṁgane bālye duḥsahaṁ śokalakṣaṇam

"Who are you? Whose wife are you, or whose faithful daughter are you? What is this unbearable mark of grief upon you, so young in years?"

Verse 121 (skanda.3.100.121)

इति स्नेहेन संपृष्टा सा वधूरश्रुलोचना ॥ लज्जिता स्वयमाख्यातुं तत्सखी सर्वमब्रवीत्

iti snehena saṁpṛṣṭā sā vadhūraśrulocanā lajjitā svayamākhyātuṁ tatsakhī sarvamabravīt

Thus lovingly questioned, that young woman, her eyes filled with tears, was too ashamed to tell it herself; her companion told everything.

Verse 122 (skanda.3.100.122)

इयं सीमंतिनी नाम्ना स्नुषा निषधभूपतेः ॥ चंद्रांगदस्य महिषी तनया चित्रवर्मणः

iyaṁ sīmaṁtinī nāmnā snuṣā niṣadhabhūpateḥ caṁdrāṁgadasya mahiṣī tanayā citravarmaṇaḥ

"This is Simantini by name, daughter-in-law of the king of Nishadha, the queen of Chandrangada, daughter of Chitravarma.

Verse 123 (skanda.3.100.123)

अस्याः पतिर्दैवयोगान्निमग्नोऽस्मिन्महाजले ॥ तेनेयं प्राप्तवैधव्या बाला दुःखेन शोषिता

asyāḥ patirdaivayogānnimagno'sminmahājale teneyaṁ prāptavaidhavyā bālā duḥkhena śoṣitā

"Her husband, by the working of fate, sank in this very great water; because of that, this young girl attained widowhood, wasted away with sorrow.

Verse 124 (skanda.3.100.124)

एवं वर्षत्रयं नीतं शोकेनातिबलीयसा ॥ अद्येंदुवारे संप्राप्ते स्नातुमत्र समागता

evaṁ varṣatrayaṁ nītaṁ śokenātibalīyasā adyeṁduvāre saṁprāpte snātumatra samāgatā

"Thus three years have passed in overpowering grief; today, as Monday has come, she has come here to bathe.

Verse 125 (skanda.3.100.125)

श्वशुरोऽस्याश्च राजेंद्रो हृतराज्यश्च शत्रु भिः ॥ बलाद्गृहीतो बद्धश्च सभार्यस्तद्वशे स्थितः

śvaśuro'syāśca rājeṁdro hṛtarājyaśca śatru bhiḥ balādgṛhīto baddhaśca sabhāryastadvaśe sthitaḥ

"Her father-in-law, the great king, was deprived of his kingdom by his enemies; seized by force and bound, together with his wife, he remains under their power.

Verse 126 (skanda.3.100.126)

तथाप्येषा शुभाचारा सोमवारे महेश्वरम् ॥ सांबिकं परया भक्त्या पूजयत्यमलाशया

tathāpyeṣā śubhācārā somavāre maheśvaram sāṁbikaṁ parayā bhaktyā pūjayatyamalāśayā

"Yet still, this woman of good conduct, of pure intent, worships Maheshvara together with Ambika on Monday with the greatest devotion."

Verse 127 (skanda.3.100.127)

सूत उवाच ॥ इत्थं सखीमुखेनैव सर्वमावेद्य सुव्रता ॥ ततः सीमंतिनी प्राह स्वयमेव नृपात्मजम्

sūta uvāca itthaṁ sakhīmukhenaiva sarvamāvedya suvratā tataḥ sīmaṁtinī prāha svayameva nṛpātmajam

Suta said: Having thus been told everything through her companion's mouth, that devoted woman, Simantini, then herself spoke to the prince:

Verse 128 (skanda.3.100.128)

कस्त्वं कंदर्पसंकाशः काविमौ तव पार्श्वगौ ॥ देवो नरेंद्रः सिद्धो वा गंधर्वो वाथ किन्नरः

kastvaṁ kaṁdarpasaṁkāśaḥ kāvimau tava pārśvagau devo nareṁdraḥ siddho vā gaṁdharvo vātha kinnaraḥ

"Who are you, resembling the god of love? Who are these two beside you, a god, a king, a siddha, a gandharva, or a kinnara?

Verse 129 (skanda.3.100.129)

किमर्थं मम वृत्तांतं स्नेहवानिव पृच्छसि ॥ किं मां वेत्सि महाबाहो दृष्टवान्किमु कुत्रचित्

kimarthaṁ mama vṛttāṁtaṁ snehavāniva pṛcchasi kiṁ māṁ vetsi mahābāho dṛṣṭavānkimu kutracit

"Why do you ask about my story as if with affection? Do you know me, O mighty-armed one? Have you seen me somewhere before?

Verse 130 (skanda.3.100.130)

दृष्टपूर्व इवाभासि मया च स्वजनो यथा ॥ सर्वं कथय तत्त्वेन सत्यसारा हि साधवः

dṛṣṭapūrva ivābhāsi mayā ca svajano yathā sarvaṁ kathaya tattvena satyasārā hi sādhavaḥ

"You seem as if I have seen you before, as if you were my own kin. Tell me everything truly, for the virtuous are true to their word."

Verse 131 (skanda.3.100.131)

सूत उवाच ॥ एतावदुक्त्वा नरदेवपुत्री सबाष्पकंठं सुचिरं रुरोद ॥ मुमोह भूमौ पतिता सखीभिर्वृता न किंचित्कथितुं शशाक

sūta uvāca etāvaduktvā naradevaputrī sabāṣpakaṁṭhaṁ suciraṁ ruroda mumoha bhūmau patitā sakhībhirvṛtā na kiṁcitkathituṁ śaśāka

Suta said: Having said only this much, the king's daughter, her throat choked with tears, wept for a long while; she fainted, falling to the ground, surrounded by her companions, and could say nothing more.

Verse 132 (skanda.3.100.132)

श्रुत्वा चंद्रांगदः सर्वं प्रियायाः शोककारणम् ॥ मुहूर्त्तमभवतूष्णीं स्वयं शोकसमाकुलः

śrutvā caṁdrāṁgadaḥ sarvaṁ priyāyāḥ śokakāraṇam muhūrttamabhavatūṣṇīṁ svayaṁ śokasamākulaḥ

Hearing the entire cause of his beloved's grief, Chandrangada himself remained silent for a moment, overwhelmed with sorrow.

Verse 133 (skanda.3.100.133)

अथाश्वास्य प्रियां तन्वीं विविधैर्वाक्यनैपुणैः ॥ सिद्धा नाम वयं देवाः कामगा इति सोऽब्रवीत्

athāśvāsya priyāṁ tanvīṁ vividhairvākyanaipuṇaiḥ siddhā nāma vayaṁ devāḥ kāmagā iti so'bravīt

Then, comforting his slender beloved with various skillful words, he said: "We are called siddhas, gods who travel at will."

Verse 134 (skanda.3.100.134)

ततो बलादिवाकृष्य पाणिग्रहणशंकिताम् ॥ पुलकांचितसर्वांगीं तां कर्णे त्विदमब्रवीत्

tato balādivākṛṣya pāṇigrahaṇaśaṁkitām pulakāṁcitasarvāṁgīṁ tāṁ karṇe tvidamabravīt

Then, as if drawing her forcibly, her whole body thrilled with the horripilation of astonishment, wary of the offer of marriage, he whispered this in her ear:

Verse 135 (skanda.3.100.135)

क्वापि लोके मया दृष्टस्तव भर्त्ता वरानने ॥ त्वद्व्रताचरणात्प्रीतः सद्य एवागमिष्यति

kvāpi loke mayā dṛṣṭastava bharttā varānane tvadvratācaraṇātprītaḥ sadya evāgamiṣyati

"Somewhere in this world I have seen your husband, O fair one; pleased by your observance of this vow, he will surely come very soon.

Verse 136 (skanda.3.100.136)

अपनेष्यति ते शोकं द्वित्रैरेव दिनैर्ध्रुवम् ॥ एतच्छंसितुमायातस्तव भर्त्तुः सखाऽस्म्यहम्

apaneṣyati te śokaṁ dvitraireva dinairdhruvam etacchaṁsitumāyātastava bharttuḥ sakhā'smyaham

"He will certainly remove your grief within two or three days; I have come to tell you this, I am your husband's friend.

Verse 137 (skanda.3.100.137)

अत्र कार्यो न संदेहः शपामि शिवपादयोः ॥ तावत्त्वद्धृदये स्थेयं न प्रकाश्यं च कुत्रचित्

atra kāryo na saṁdehaḥ śapāmi śivapādayoḥ tāvattvaddhṛdaye stheyaṁ na prakāśyaṁ ca kutracit

"There is no need for doubt in this matter; I swear it by Shiva's feet. Until then, this must remain in your heart and not be revealed anywhere."

Verse 138 (skanda.3.100.138)

सा तु तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सुधाधाराशताधिकम् ॥ संभ्रमोद्भ्रांतनयना तमेव मुहुरैक्षत

sā tu tadvacanaṁ śrutvā sudhādhārāśatādhikam saṁbhramodbhrāṁtanayanā tameva muhuraikṣata

Hearing his words, sweeter than a hundred streams of nectar, she, her eyes wide with agitation, gazed at him again and again.

Verse 139 (skanda.3.100.139)

प्रेमबंधानुगुणितं वाक्यं चाह रसायनम् ॥ विभ्रमोदारसहितं मधुरापांगवीक्षणम्

premabaṁdhānuguṇitaṁ vākyaṁ cāha rasāyanam vibhramodārasahitaṁ madhurāpāṁgavīkṣaṇam

She spoke a reply, an elixir infused with the bond of love, filled with noble grace, with a sweet sidelong glance,

Verse 140 (skanda.3.100.140)

स्वपाणिस्पर्शनोद्भिन्नपुलकांचितविग्रहम्॥ पूर्व दृष्टानि चांगेषु लक्षणानि स्वरादिषु ॥ वयःप्रमाणं वर्णं च परीक्ष्यैनमतर्कयत्

svapāṇisparśanodbhinnapulakāṁcitavigraham pūrva dṛṣṭāni cāṁgeṣu lakṣaṇāni svarādiṣu vayaḥpramāṇaṁ varṇaṁ ca parīkṣyainamatarkayat

her whole body thrilling at the touch of her own hand; examining the marks previously seen upon his limbs, in his voice and the like, his apparent age, and his complexion, she reasoned within herself:

Verse 141 (skanda.3.100.141)

एष एव पतिर्मे स्याद्ध्रुवं नान्यो भविष्यति ॥ अस्मिन्नेव प्रसक्तं मे हृदयं प्रेमकातरम्

eṣa eva patirme syāddhruvaṁ nānyo bhaviṣyati asminneva prasaktaṁ me hṛdayaṁ premakātaram

"This must surely be my husband, none other; my heart, distressed with love, has become fixed upon him alone.

Verse 142 (skanda.3.100.142)

परलोकादिहायातः कथमेवं स्वरूपधृक् ॥ दुर्भाग्यायाः कथं मे स्याद्भर्तुर्नष्टस्य दर्शनम्

paralokādihāyātaḥ kathamevaṁ svarūpadhṛk durbhāgyāyāḥ kathaṁ me syādbharturnaṣṭasya darśanam

"How has he come here from the other world, bearing this very same form? How, ill-fated as I am, could I obtain the sight of my lost husband?

Verse 143 (skanda.3.100.143)

स्वप्नोयं किमु न स्वप्नो भ्रमोऽयं किं तु न भ्रमः ॥ एष धूर्तोऽथवा कश्चिद्यक्षो गंधर्व एव वा

svapnoyaṁ kimu na svapno bhramo'yaṁ kiṁ tu na bhramaḥ eṣa dhūrto'thavā kaścidyakṣo gaṁdharva eva vā

"Is this a dream, or is it not a dream? Is this an illusion, or is it not an illusion? Is this some deceiver, or a yaksha, or perhaps a gandharva?

Verse 144 (skanda.3.100.144)

मुनिपल्या यदुक्तं मे परमापद्गतापि च ॥ व्रतमेतत्कुरुष्वेति तस्य वा फलमेव वा

munipalyā yaduktaṁ me paramāpadgatāpi ca vratametatkuruṣveti tasya vā phalameva vā

"What the sage's wife told me, when I had fallen into the direst calamity, 'perform this vow,' is this, perhaps, the very fruit of it?

Verse 145 (skanda.3.100.145)

यो वर्षायुत सौभाग्यं ममेत्याह द्विजोत्तमः॥ नूनं तस्य वचः सत्यं को विद्यादीश्वरं विना

yo varṣāyuta saubhāgyaṁ mametyāha dvijottamaḥ nūnaṁ tasya vacaḥ satyaṁ ko vidyādīśvaraṁ vinā

"The excellent brahmin who told me of ten thousand years of good fortune, surely his words are true; who could know but the Lord alone?

Verse 146 (skanda.3.100.146)

निमित्तानि च दृश्यंते मंगलानि दिनेदिने॥ प्रसन्ने पार्वतीनाथे किमसाध्यं शरीरिणाम्

nimittāni ca dṛśyaṁte maṁgalāni dinedine prasanne pārvatīnāthe kimasādhyaṁ śarīriṇām

"Auspicious omens are seen day after day; when the Lord of Parvati is pleased, what is impossible for embodied beings?"

Verse 147 (skanda.3.100.147)

इत्थं विमृश्य बहुधा तां पुनर्मुक्तसंशयाम्॥ लज्जानम्रमुखीं कर्णे शशंसात्मप्रयोजनम्

itthaṁ vimṛśya bahudhā tāṁ punarmuktasaṁśayām lajjānamramukhīṁ karṇe śaśaṁsātmaprayojanam

Having thus pondered in many ways, that woman, now freed of doubt, her face bowed in shyness, he whispered his own purpose in her ear:

Verse 148 (skanda.3.100.148)

इमं वृत्तांतमाख्यातुं तत्पित्रोः शोकतप्तयोः ॥ गच्छामः स्वस्ति ते भद्रे सद्यः पतिमवाप्स्यसि

imaṁ vṛttāṁtamākhyātuṁ tatpitroḥ śokataptayoḥ gacchāmaḥ svasti te bhadre sadyaḥ patimavāpsyasi

"To tell this news to your parents-in-law, scorched with grief, we shall go; farewell to you, blessed one; you shall obtain your husband very soon."

Verse 149 (skanda.3.100.149)

इत्युक्त्वाश्वं समारुह्य जगाम नृपनंदनः ॥ ताभ्यां सह निजं राष्ट्रं प्रत्यपद्यत तत्क्षणात्

ityuktvāśvaṁ samāruhya jagāma nṛpanaṁdanaḥ tābhyāṁ saha nijaṁ rāṣṭraṁ pratyapadyata tatkṣaṇāt

Having said this, the prince mounted his horse and departed; together with those two, he reached his own kingdom that very instant.

Verse 150 (skanda.3.100.150)

स पुरोपवनाभ्याशे स्थित्वा तं फणि पुत्रकम् ॥ विससर्जात्मदायादान्नृपासनगतान्प्रति

sa puropavanābhyāśe sthitvā taṁ phaṇi putrakam visasarjātmadāyādānnṛpāsanagatānprati

Staying near the grove outside the city, he sent that serpent-prince toward those of his own kinsmen who occupied the royal throne.

Verse 151 (skanda.3.100.151)

स गत्वोवाच ताञ्छीघ्रमिंद्रसेनो विमुच्यताम् ॥ चंद्रांगदस्तस्य सुतः प्राप्तोऽयं पन्नगाल यात्

sa gatvovāca tāñchīghramiṁdraseno vimucyatām caṁdrāṁgadastasya sutaḥ prāpto'yaṁ pannagāla yāt

He went and said to them swiftly: "Let Indrasena be released at once! This is Chandrangada, his son, who has arrived here from the abode of serpents.

Verse 152 (skanda.3.100.152)

नृपासनं विमुंचंतु भवंतो न विचार्यताम् ॥ नो चेच्चंद्रागदस्याशु बाणाः प्राणान्हरंति वः

nṛpāsanaṁ vimuṁcaṁtu bhavaṁto na vicāryatām no ceccaṁdrāgadasyāśu bāṇāḥ prāṇānharaṁti vaḥ

"Give up the royal throne, and do not deliberate; otherwise, Chandrangada's arrows will swiftly take your lives."

Verse 153 (skanda.3.100.153)

स मग्नो यमुनातोये गत्वा तक्षकमंदिरम् ॥ लब्ध्वा च तस्य साहाय्यं पुनर्लोकादिहागतः

sa magno yamunātoye gatvā takṣakamaṁdiram labdhvā ca tasya sāhāyyaṁ punarlokādihāgataḥ

"He, having sunk in the waters of the Yamuna, went to the palace of Takshaka, and having obtained his help, has come again from that world."

Verse 154 (skanda.3.100.154)

इत्याख्यातमशेषेण तद्वृत्तांतं निशम्य ते ॥ साधुसाध्विति संभ्रांताः शशंसुः परिपंथिनः

ityākhyātamaśeṣeṇa tadvṛttāṁtaṁ niśamya te sādhusādhviti saṁbhrāṁtāḥ śaśaṁsuḥ paripaṁthinaḥ

Having heard this account related in full, those adversaries, astonished, exclaimed "Well done, well done!"

Verse 155 (skanda.3.100.155)

अथेंद्रसेनाय निवेद्य सत्वरं नष्टस्य पुत्रस्य पुनः समागमम् ॥ प्रसाद्य तं प्राप्तनरेश्वरासनं दायादमुख्यास्तु भयं प्रपेदिरे

atheṁdrasenāya nivedya satvaraṁ naṣṭasya putrasya punaḥ samāgamam prasādya taṁ prāptanareśvarāsanaṁ dāyādamukhyāstu bhayaṁ prapedire

Then, having quickly informed Indrasena of the return of his lost son, and having placated him, he who had now regained the royal throne of men, those chief kinsmen were seized with fear.

Verse 156 (skanda.3.100.156)

अथ पौरजनाः सर्वे पुरोद्याने नृपात्मजम् ॥ दृष्ट्वा राज्ञे द्रुतं प्रोचुर्लेभिरे च महाधनम्

atha paurajanāḥ sarve purodyāne nṛpātmajam dṛṣṭvā rājñe drutaṁ procurlebhire ca mahādhanam

Then all the citizens in the city garden, seeing the prince, swiftly told the king, and received great riches in reward.

Verse 157 (skanda.3.100.157)

आकर्ण्य पुत्रमायांतं राजानंदजलाप्लुतः ॥ न व्यजानादिमं लोकं राज्ञी च परया मुदा

ākarṇya putramāyāṁtaṁ rājānaṁdajalāplutaḥ na vyajānādimaṁ lokaṁ rājñī ca parayā mudā

Hearing that his son had come, the king, flooded with tears of joy, could not recognize this world around him, and the queen too was overcome with the greatest delight.

Verse 158 (skanda.3.100.158)

अथ नागरिकाः सर्वे मंत्रिवृद्धाः पुरोधसः ॥ प्रत्युद्गम्य परिष्वज्य तमानिन्युर्नृपांति कम्

atha nāgarikāḥ sarve maṁtrivṛddhāḥ purodhasaḥ pratyudgamya pariṣvajya tamāninyurnṛpāṁti kam

Then all the townspeople, the elder ministers, and the priests, coming forward and embracing him, brought him near to the king.

Verse 159 (skanda.3.100.159)

अथोत्सवेन महता प्रविश्य निजमंदिरम् ॥ राजपुत्रः स्वपितरौ ववंदे बाष्पमुत्सृजन्

athotsavena mahatā praviśya nijamaṁdiram rājaputraḥ svapitarau vavaṁde bāṣpamutsṛjan

Then, entering his own palace amid a great celebration, the prince bowed to his own parents, shedding tears.

Verse 160 (skanda.3.100.160)

तं पादमूले पतितं स्वपुत्रं विवेद नासौ पृथिवीपतिः क्षणम् ॥ प्रबोधितोऽमात्यजनैः कथंचिदुत्थाय क्लिन्नेन हृदालिलिंग

taṁ pādamūle patitaṁ svaputraṁ viveda nāsau pṛthivīpatiḥ kṣaṇam prabodhito'mātyajanaiḥ kathaṁcidutthāya klinnena hṛdāliliṁga

The king, fallen at his feet, did not for a moment recognize this his own son; roused by his ministers, he somehow rose and embraced him with a heart melted with love.

Verse 161 (skanda.3.100.161)

क्रमेण मातॄरभिवंद्य ताभिः प्रवर्धिताशीः प्रणयाकु लाभिः ॥ आलिंगितः पौरजनानशेषान्संभावयामास स राजसूनुः

krameṇa mātṝrabhivaṁdya tābhiḥ pravardhitāśīḥ praṇayāku lābhiḥ āliṁgitaḥ paurajanānaśeṣānsaṁbhāvayāmāsa sa rājasūnuḥ

Having in turn bowed to his mothers, blessed by them with affectionate benedictions, that prince, embraced, honored all the townspeople without exception.

Verse 162 (skanda.3.100.162)

तेषां मध्ये समासीनः स्ववृत्तांतमशेषतः ॥ पित्रे निवेदयामास तक्षकस्य च मित्रताम्

teṣāṁ madhye samāsīnaḥ svavṛttāṁtamaśeṣataḥ pitre nivedayāmāsa takṣakasya ca mitratām

Seated in their midst, he related to his father his entire story in full, and his friendship with Takshaka.

Verse 163 (skanda.3.100.163)

दत्तं भुजंगराजेन रत्नादिधनसंचयम् ॥ दिव्यं तद्राक्षसानीतं पित्रे सर्वं न्यवेदयत्

dattaṁ bhujaṁgarājena ratnādidhanasaṁcayam divyaṁ tadrākṣasānītaṁ pitre sarvaṁ nyavedayat

He told his father everything about the treasure of jewels and other wealth given by the serpent-king, and the divine gifts brought by the rakshasa.

Verse 164 (skanda.3.100.164)

राजपुत्रस्य चरितं दृष्ट्वा श्रुत्वा च विह्वलः ॥ मेने स्नुषायाः सौभाग्यं महेशाराधनार्जितम्

rājaputrasya caritaṁ dṛṣṭvā śrutvā ca vihvalaḥ mene snuṣāyāḥ saubhāgyaṁ maheśārādhanārjitam

Having seen and heard of the prince's deeds, overwhelmed, he considered the good fortune of his daughter-in-law to have been won through worship of Maheshvara.

Verse 165 (skanda.3.100.165)

सौमांगल्यमयीं वार्तामिमां निषधभूपतिः॥ चारैर्निवेदयामास चित्रवर्ममहीपतेः

saumāṁgalyamayīṁ vārtāmimāṁ niṣadhabhūpatiḥ cārairnivedayāmāsa citravarmamahīpateḥ

The king of Nishadha sent this most auspicious news through messengers to King Chitravarma.

Verse 166 (skanda.3.100.166)

श्रुत्वाऽमृतमयीं वार्त्तां स समुत्थाय संभ्रमात् ॥ तेभ्यो दत्त्वा धनं भूरि ननर्तानंदविह्वलः

śrutvā'mṛtamayīṁ vārttāṁ sa samutthāya saṁbhramāt tebhyo dattvā dhanaṁ bhūri nanartānaṁdavihvalaḥ

Hearing this nectar-like news, he rose up at once in excitement, and, giving abundant riches to the messengers, danced, overwhelmed with joy.

Verse 167 (skanda.3.100.167)

अथाहूय स्वतनयां परिष्वज्याश्रुलोचनः ॥ भूषणैर्भूषयामास त्यक्तवैधव्यलक्षणाम्

athāhūya svatanayāṁ pariṣvajyāśrulocanaḥ bhūṣaṇairbhūṣayāmāsa tyaktavaidhavyalakṣaṇām

Then, summoning his own daughter, embracing her with tearful eyes, he adorned her with ornaments, she who had cast off the marks of widowhood.

Verse 168 (skanda.3.100.168)

अथोत्सवो महानासीद्राष्ट्रग्रामपुरादिषु ॥ सीमंतिन्याः शुभाचारं शशंसुः सर्वतो जनाः

athotsavo mahānāsīdrāṣṭragrāmapurādiṣu sīmaṁtinyāḥ śubhācāraṁ śaśaṁsuḥ sarvato janāḥ

Then there was a great celebration in the kingdom, the villages, the cities and elsewhere; everywhere people praised Simantini's good conduct.

Verse 169 (skanda.3.100.169)

चित्रवर्माथ नृपतिः समाहूयेंद्रसेनजम् ॥ पुनर्विवाहविधिना सुतां तस्मै न्यवेदयत्

citravarmātha nṛpatiḥ samāhūyeṁdrasenajam punarvivāhavidhinā sutāṁ tasmai nyavedayat

Then King Chitravarma, summoning the son of Indrasena, gave his daughter to him again with the rites of marriage.

Verse 170 (skanda.3.100.170)

चन्द्रांगदोऽपि रत्नाद्यैरानीतैस्तक्षकालयात् ॥ स्वां पत्नीं भूषयां चक्रे मर्त्यानामतिदुर्लभैः

candrāṁgado'pi ratnādyairānītaistakṣakālayāt svāṁ patnīṁ bhūṣayāṁ cakre martyānāmatidurlabhaiḥ

Chandrangada too adorned his own wife with the jewels and other gifts brought from Takshaka's abode, most rare among mortals,

Verse 171 (skanda.3.100.171)

अंगरागेण दिव्येन तप्तकांचनशोभिना ॥ शुशुभे सा सुगंधेन दशयोजनगामिना

aṁgarāgeṇa divyena taptakāṁcanaśobhinā śuśubhe sā sugaṁdhena daśayojanagāminā

with divine unguent, gleaming like molten gold; she shone forth with a fragrance that traveled ten yojanas.

Verse 172 (skanda.3.100.172)

अम्लानमालया शश्वत्पद्मकिंजल्कवर्णया ॥ कल्पद्रुमोत्थया बाला भूषिता शुशुभे सती

amlānamālayā śaśvatpadmakiṁjalkavarṇayā kalpadrumotthayā bālā bhūṣitā śuśubhe satī

Adorned with an unfading garland, ever the color of the lotus's filaments, brought from the wish-fulfilling tree, that virtuous girl shone in beauty.

Verse 173 (skanda.3.100.173)

एवं चंद्रांगदः पत्नीमवाप्य समये शुभे ॥ ययौ स्वनगरीं भूयः श्वशुरेणानुमोदितः

evaṁ caṁdrāṁgadaḥ patnīmavāpya samaye śubhe yayau svanagarīṁ bhūyaḥ śvaśureṇānumoditaḥ

Thus Chandrangada, having obtained his wife at an auspicious time, went again to his own city, with his father-in-law's blessing.

Verse 174 (skanda.3.100.174)

इन्द्रसेनोऽपि राजेंद्रो राज्ये स्थाप्य निजात्मजम् ॥ तपसा शिवमाराध्य लेभे संयमिनां गतिम्

indraseno'pi rājeṁdro rājye sthāpya nijātmajam tapasā śivamārādhya lebhe saṁyamināṁ gatim

King Indrasena too, having established his own son in the kingdom, worshipped Shiva through austerity and attained the path of the self-controlled.

Verse 175 (skanda.3.100.175)

दशवर्ष सहस्राणि सीमंतिन्या स्वभार्यया ॥ सार्धं चन्द्रांगदो राजा बुभुजे विषयान्बहून्

daśavarṣa sahasrāṇi sīmaṁtinyā svabhāryayā sārdhaṁ candrāṁgado rājā bubhuje viṣayānbahūn

For ten thousand years King Chandrangada enjoyed many worldly pleasures together with his wife Simantini.

Verse 176 (skanda.3.100.176)

प्रासूत तनयानष्टौ कन्यामेकां वराननाम् ॥ रेमे सीमंतिनी भर्त्रा पूजयती महेश्वरम् ॥ दिनेदिने च सौभाग्यं प्राप्तं चैवेन्दुवासरात्

prāsūta tanayānaṣṭau kanyāmekāṁ varānanām reme sīmaṁtinī bhartrā pūjayatī maheśvaram dinedine ca saubhāgyaṁ prāptaṁ caivenduvāsarāt

She bore him eight sons and one fair-faced daughter; Simantini rejoiced with her husband, worshipping Maheshvara, and day by day her good fortune increased, all beginning from that Monday.

Verse 177 (skanda.3.100.177)

सूत उवाच ॥ विचित्रमिदमाख्यानं मया समनुवर्णितम् ॥ भूयोऽपि वक्ष्ये माहात्म्यं सोमवारव्रतोदितम्

sūta uvāca vicitramidamākhyānaṁ mayā samanuvarṇitam bhūyo'pi vakṣye māhātmyaṁ somavāravratoditam

Suta said: This wondrous tale I have related to you in full; I shall now tell further the glory declared of the Monday vow.