The Revival of Bhadrayu by Rishabha the Yogi

Verse 1 (skanda.3.102.1)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ विचित्रं शिवनिर्माणं विचित्र शिवचेष्टितम् ॥ विचित्रं शिवमाहात्म्यं विचित्रं शिवभाषितम्

sūta uvāca vicitraṁ śivanirmāṇaṁ vicitra śivaceṣṭitam vicitraṁ śivamāhātmyaṁ vicitraṁ śivabhāṣitam

Suta said: Wondrous is the creation of Shiva, wondrous the doings of Shiva, wondrous the glory of Shiva, wondrous the words of Shiva.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.102.2)

विचित्रं शिवभक्तानां चरितं पापनाशनम् ॥ स्वर्गापवर्गयोः सत्यं साधनं तद्ब्रवीम्यहम्

vicitraṁ śivabhaktānāṁ caritaṁ pāpanāśanam svargāpavargayoḥ satyaṁ sādhanaṁ tadbravīmyaham

Wondrous too is the sin-destroying conduct of Shiva's devotees; I shall tell that true means for both heaven and liberation.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.102.3)

अवंतीविषये कश्चिद्ब्राह्मणो मंदराह्वयः ॥ बभूव विषयारामः स्त्रीजितो धनसंग्रही

avaṁtīviṣaye kaścidbrāhmaṇo maṁdarāhvayaḥ babhūva viṣayārāmaḥ strījito dhanasaṁgrahī

In the land of Avanti there was a certain brahmin named Mandara, given over to sensual pleasure, enslaved to women, and a hoarder of wealth.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.102.4)

संध्यास्नापरित्यक्तो गंधमाल्यांबरप्रियः ॥ कुस्त्रीसक्तः कुमार्गस्थो यथा पूर्वमजामिलः

saṁdhyāsnāparityakto gaṁdhamālyāṁbarapriyaḥ kustrīsaktaḥ kumārgastho yathā pūrvamajāmilaḥ

Neglecting his twilight prayers and ablutions, fond of fragrance, garlands and fine clothes, attached to a wicked woman, set upon an evil path, like Ajamila of old.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.102.5)

स वेश्यां पिंगलां नाम रममाणो दिवानिशम् ॥ तस्या एव गृहे नित्यमासीदविजितेंद्रियः

sa veśyāṁ piṁgalāṁ nāma ramamāṇo divāniśam tasyā eva gṛhe nityamāsīdavijiteṁdriyaḥ

He, sporting day and night with a courtesan named Pingala, dwelt continually, uncontrolled in his senses, in her very house.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.102.6)

कदाचित्सदने तस्यास्तस्मिन्निवसति द्विजे ॥ ऋषभो नाम धर्मात्मा शिवयोगी समाययौ

kadācitsadane tasyāstasminnivasati dvije ṛṣabho nāma dharmātmā śivayogī samāyayau

Once, while he was residing in her house, there arrived a righteous Shiva-yogi named Rishabha.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.102.7)

तमागतमभिप्रेक्ष्य मत्वा स्वं पुण्यमूर्जितम् ॥ सा वेश्या स च विप्रश्च पर्यपूजयतामुभौ

tamāgatamabhiprekṣya matvā svaṁ puṇyamūrjitam sā veśyā sa ca vipraśca paryapūjayatāmubhau

Seeing him arrive, and considering it their own great merit, that courtesan and that brahmin both honored him together.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.102.8)

तमारोप्य महापीठे कंबलांबरसंभृते ॥ प्रक्षाल्य चरणौ भक्त्या तज्जलं दधतुः शिरः

tamāropya mahāpīṭhe kaṁbalāṁbarasaṁbhṛte prakṣālya caraṇau bhaktyā tajjalaṁ dadhatuḥ śiraḥ

Seating him upon a great seat spread with a blanket and cloth, having washed his feet with devotion, they placed that water upon their heads.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.102.9)

स्वागतार्घ्यनमस्कारैर्गंधपुष्पाक्षतादिभिः ॥ उपचारैः समभ्यर्च्य भोजयामासतुर्मुदा

svāgatārghyanamaskārairgaṁdhapuṣpākṣatādibhiḥ upacāraiḥ samabhyarcya bhojayāmāsaturmudā

Having worshipped him with welcome, arghya, salutations, fragrance, flowers, unbroken rice-grains, and other rites of hospitality, they fed him with joy.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.102.10)

तं भुक्तवंतमाचांतं पर्यंके सुखसंस्तरे ॥ उपवेश्य मुदा युक्तौ तांबूलं प्रत्ययच्छताम्

taṁ bhuktavaṁtamācāṁtaṁ paryaṁke sukhasaṁstare upaveśya mudā yuktau tāṁbūlaṁ pratyayacchatām

Having seated him, fed and having rinsed his mouth, upon a couch spread comfortably, the two, filled with joy, offered him betel.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.102.11)

पादसंवाहनं भक्त्या कुर्वंतौ दैवचो दितौ ॥ कल्पयित्वा तु शुश्रूषां प्रीणयामासतुश्चिरम्

pādasaṁvāhanaṁ bhaktyā kurvaṁtau daivaco ditau kalpayitvā tu śuśrūṣāṁ prīṇayāmāsatuściram

Devotedly massaging his feet, moved by providence, having arranged all manner of service, they gratified him for a long while.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.102.12)

एवं समर्चितस्ताभ्यां शिवयोगी महाद्युतिः ॥ अतिवाह्य निशामेकां ययौ प्रातस्तदादृतः

evaṁ samarcitastābhyāṁ śivayogī mahādyutiḥ ativāhya niśāmekāṁ yayau prātastadādṛtaḥ

Thus honored by the two of them, the greatly radiant Shiva-yogi, having passed one night there, departed the next morning, honored by them.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.102.13)

एवं काले गतप्राये स विप्रो निधनं गतः ॥ सा च वेश्या मृता काले ययौ कर्मार्जितां गतिम्

evaṁ kāle gataprāye sa vipro nidhanaṁ gataḥ sā ca veśyā mṛtā kāle yayau karmārjitāṁ gatim

In time, as the years passed, that brahmin died; and that courtesan too died in due time, going to the destiny earned by her deeds.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.102.14)

स विप्रः कर्मणा नीतो दशार्णधरणीपतेः ॥ वज्रबाहुकुटुंबिन्याः सुमत्या गर्भमास्थितः

sa vipraḥ karmaṇā nīto daśārṇadharaṇīpateḥ vajrabāhukuṭuṁbinyāḥ sumatyā garbhamāsthitaḥ

That brahmin, led by his karma, entered the womb of Sumati, the wife of Vajrabahu, of the household of the lord of the Dasharna country.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.102.15)

तां ज्येष्ठपत्नीं नृपतेर्गर्भसंपदमाश्रिताम् ॥ अवेक्ष्य तस्यै गरलं सपत्न्यश्छद्मना ददुः

tāṁ jyeṣṭhapatnīṁ nṛpatergarbhasaṁpadamāśritām avekṣya tasyai garalaṁ sapatnyaśchadmanā daduḥ

Her co-wives, seeing that eldest queen of the king established in the fortune of pregnancy, deceitfully gave her poison.

Verse 16 (skanda.3.102.16)

सा भुक्त्वा गरलं घोरं न मृता दैवयोगतः ॥ क्लेशमेव परं प्राप मरणादतिदुःसहम्

sā bhuktvā garalaṁ ghoraṁ na mṛtā daivayogataḥ kleśameva paraṁ prāpa maraṇādatiduḥsaham

Having consumed that terrible poison, she did not die, by the working of fate, but obtained instead the most unbearable affliction, worse than death.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.102.17)

अथ काले समायाते पुत्रमे कमजीजनत् ॥ क्लेशेन महता साध्वी पीडिता वरवर्णिनी

atha kāle samāyāte putrame kamajījanat kleśena mahatā sādhvī pīḍitā varavarṇinī

Then, when the time came, that faithful, fair-complexioned woman, afflicted with great suffering, gave birth to a single son.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.102.18)

स निर्दशो राजपुत्रः स्पृष्टपूर्वो गरेण यत् ॥ तेनावाप महाक्लेशं क्रंदमानो दिवानिशम्

sa nirdaśo rājaputraḥ spṛṣṭapūrvo gareṇa yat tenāvāpa mahākleśaṁ kraṁdamāno divāniśam

That prince, not yet ten days old, having been touched beforehand by the poison, obtained great affliction from it, crying day and night.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.102.19)

तस्य बालस्य माता च सर्वांगव्रणपीडिता ॥ बभूवतुरतिक्लिष्टौ गरयोगप्रभावतः

tasya bālasya mātā ca sarvāṁgavraṇapīḍitā babhūvaturatikliṣṭau garayogaprabhāvataḥ

Both the mother and the child, their whole bodies afflicted with sores, became greatly distressed by the effect of that poisoning.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.102.20)

तौ राज्ञा च समानीतौ वैद्यैश्च कृतभेषजौ ॥ न स्वास्थ्यमापतुर्यत्नैरनेकैर्योजितैरपि

tau rājñā ca samānītau vaidyaiśca kṛtabheṣajau na svāsthyamāpaturyatnairanekairyojitairapi

Both were brought before the king, and treated by physicians, but did not regain health despite many remedies applied.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.102.21)

न रात्रौ लभते निद्रां सा राज्ञी विपुलव्यथा ॥ स्वपुत्रस्य च दुःखेन दुःखिता नितरां कृशा

na rātrau labhate nidrāṁ sā rājñī vipulavyathā svaputrasya ca duḥkhena duḥkhitā nitarāṁ kṛśā

That queen, in great pain, could not sleep at night; grieving over her son's suffering, she grew extremely emaciated.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.102.22)

नीत्वैवं कतिचिन्मासान्स राजा मातृपुत्रकौ ॥ जीवंतौ च मृतप्रायौ विलोक्यात्मन्यचिंतयत्

nītvaivaṁ katicinmāsānsa rājā mātṛputrakau jīvaṁtau ca mṛtaprāyau vilokyātmanyaciṁtayat

Having passed some months thus, the king, seeing mother and son alive yet as good as dead, thought within himself:

Verse 23 (skanda.3.102.23)

एतौ मे गृहिणीपुत्रौ निरयादागताविह ॥ अश्रांतरोगौ क्रंदंतौ निद्राभंगविधायिनौ

etau me gṛhiṇīputrau nirayādāgatāviha aśrāṁtarogau kraṁdaṁtau nidrābhaṁgavidhāyinau

"These two, my wife and son, have come here as if from hell, ceaselessly afflicted, crying, breaking my sleep.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.102.24)

अत्रोपायं करिष्यामि पापयोर्ध्रुवमेतयोः ॥ मर्तुं वा जीवितुं वापि न क्षमौ पापभोगिनौ

atropāyaṁ kariṣyāmi pāpayordhruvametayoḥ martuṁ vā jīvituṁ vāpi na kṣamau pāpabhoginau

"I shall find a remedy for these two ill-fated ones; they are fit neither to die nor to live, suffering as they are for their sin."

Verse 25 (skanda.3.102.25)

इत्थं विनिश्चित्य च भूमिपालः सक्तः सपत्नीषु तदात्मजेषु ॥ आहूय सूतं निजदारपुत्रौ निर्वापयामास रथेन दूरम्

itthaṁ viniścitya ca bhūmipālaḥ saktaḥ sapatnīṣu tadātmajeṣu āhūya sūtaṁ nijadāraputrau nirvāpayāmāsa rathena dūram

Having thus resolved, that king, attached to his other queens and their sons, summoned his charioteer and had his own wife and son taken far away by chariot.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.102.26)

तौ सूतेन परित्यक्तौ कुत्रचिद्विजने वने ॥ अवापतुः परां पीडां क्षुत्तृड्भ्यां भृशविह्वलौ

tau sūtena parityaktau kutracidvijane vane avāpatuḥ parāṁ pīḍāṁ kṣuttṛḍbhyāṁ bhṛśavihvalau

Abandoned by the charioteer in some lonely forest, the two of them fell into the greatest distress, overwhelmed with hunger and thirst.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.102.27)

सोद्वहंती निजं बालं निपतंती पदे पदे ॥ निःश्वसंती निजं कर्म निंदंती चकिता भृशम्

sodvahaṁtī nijaṁ bālaṁ nipataṁtī pade pade niḥśvasaṁtī nijaṁ karma niṁdaṁtī cakitā bhṛśam

Carrying her own child, stumbling at every step, sighing over her own deeds, condemning herself, greatly frightened,

Verse 28 (skanda.3.102.28)

क्वचित्कंटकभिन्नांगी मुक्तकेशी भयातुरा ॥ क्वचिद्व्याघ्रस्वनैर्भीता क्वचिद्व्यालैरनुद्रुता

kvacitkaṁṭakabhinnāṁgī muktakeśī bhayāturā kvacidvyāghrasvanairbhītā kvacidvyālairanudrutā

sometimes with her limbs torn by thorns, her hair loose, terrified with fear, sometimes frightened by the roars of tigers, sometimes chased by serpents,

Verse 29 (skanda.3.102.29)

भर्त्स्यमाना पिशाचैश्च वेतालैर्ब्रह्मराक्षसैः ॥ महागुल्मेषु धावंती भिन्नपादा क्षुराश्मभिः

bhartsyamānā piśācaiśca vetālairbrahmarākṣasaiḥ mahāgulmeṣu dhāvaṁtī bhinnapādā kṣurāśmabhiḥ

threatened by pishachas, vetalas and brahma-rakshasas, running through great thickets, her feet cut by sharp stones,

Verse 30 (skanda.3.102.30)

सैवं घोरे महारण्ये भ्रमंती नृपगे हिनी ॥ दैवात्प्राप्ता वणिङ्मार्गं गोवाजिनरसेवितम्

saivaṁ ghore mahāraṇye bhramaṁtī nṛpage hinī daivātprāptā vaṇiṅmārgaṁ govājinarasevitam

thus that king's wife, wandering in the terrible great forest, by fate came upon a merchants' road frequented by cattle, horses, and men.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.102.31)

गच्छंती तेन मार्गेण सुदूरमतियत्नतः ॥ ददर्श वैश्यनगरं वहुस्त्रीनरसेवितम्

gacchaṁtī tena mārgeṇa sudūramatiyatnataḥ dadarśa vaiśyanagaraṁ vahustrīnarasevitam

Going along that road, with great effort, for a long distance, she saw a merchant's city, frequented by many men and women.

Verse 32 (skanda.3.102.32)

तस्य गोप्ता महावैश्यो नगरस्य महाजनः ॥ अस्ति पद्माकरो नाम राजराज इवापरः

tasya goptā mahāvaiśyo nagarasya mahājanaḥ asti padmākaro nāma rājarāja ivāparaḥ

The protector of that city was a great merchant, chief citizen, named Padmakara, like another king of kings.

Verse 33 (skanda.3.102.33)

तस्य वैश्यपतेः काचिद्गृहदासी नृपांगनाम् ॥ आयांती दूरतो दृष्ट्वा तदंतिकमुपाययौ

tasya vaiśyapateḥ kācidgṛhadāsī nṛpāṁganām āyāṁtī dūrato dṛṣṭvā tadaṁtikamupāyayau

A maidservant of that merchant lord, seeing from a distance a royal lady approaching, went near to her.

Verse 34 (skanda.3.102.34)

सा दासी नृपतेः कांतां सपुत्रां भृशपीडिताम् ॥ स्वयं विदितवृत्तांता स्वामिने प्रत्यदर्शयत्

sā dāsī nṛpateḥ kāṁtāṁ saputrāṁ bhṛśapīḍitām svayaṁ viditavṛttāṁtā svāmine pratyadarśayat

That maidservant, having herself learned the whole story, showed her master the king's wife, with her son, greatly afflicted.

Verse 35 (skanda.3.102.35)

स तां दृष्ट्वा विशां नाथो रुजार्त्तां क्लिष्टपुत्रकाम् ॥ नीत्वा रहसि सुव्यक्तं तद्वृत्तांतमपृच्छत

sa tāṁ dṛṣṭvā viśāṁ nātho rujārttāṁ kliṣṭaputrakām nītvā rahasi suvyaktaṁ tadvṛttāṁtamapṛcchata

That lord of the Vaishyas, seeing her afflicted with disease, her son in distress, took her aside privately and asked her plainly for her story.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.102.36)

तया निवेदिताशेषवृत्तांतः स वणिक्पतिः ॥ अहोकष्टमिति ज्ञात्वा निशश्वास मुहुर्मुहुः

tayā niveditāśeṣavṛttāṁtaḥ sa vaṇikpatiḥ ahokaṣṭamiti jñātvā niśaśvāsa muhurmuhuḥ

Being told the entire account by her, that merchant lord, realizing "Ah, what suffering!", sighed again and again.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.102.37)

तामंतिके स्वगेहस्य संनिवेश्य रहोगृहे ॥ वासोन्नपानशयनैर्मातृसाम्यमपूजयत्

tāmaṁtike svagehasya saṁniveśya rahogṛhe vāsonnapānaśayanairmātṛsāmyamapūjayat

Settling her nearby in his own house, in a private chamber, he honored her like a mother, with lodging, food, drink, and bedding.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.102.38)

तस्मिन्गृहे नृपवधूर्निवसंती सुरक्षिता ॥ व्रणयक्ष्मादिरोगाणां न शांतिं प्रत्यपद्यत

tasmingṛhe nṛpavadhūrnivasaṁtī surakṣitā vraṇayakṣmādirogāṇāṁ na śāṁtiṁ pratyapadyata

Dwelling in that house, well-protected, the king's wife did not attain relief from her sores, consumption and other ailments.

Verse 39 (skanda.3.102.39)

ततो दिनैः कतिपयैः स बालो व्रणपीडितः ॥ विलंघितभिषक्सत्त्वो ममार च विधेर्वशात्

tato dinaiḥ katipayaiḥ sa bālo vraṇapīḍitaḥ vilaṁghitabhiṣaksattvo mamāra ca vidhervaśāt

Then, after a few days, that boy, afflicted with sores, having outlasted the physicians' skill, died by the decree of fate.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.102.40)

मृते स्वतनये राज्ञी शोकेन महतावृता ॥ मूर्च्छिता चापतद्भूमौ गजभग्नेव वल्लरी

mṛte svatanaye rājñī śokena mahatāvṛtā mūrcchitā cāpatadbhūmau gajabhagneva vallarī

When her own son died, the queen, overwhelmed with great grief, fainted and fell to the ground, like a creeper broken by an elephant.

Verse 41 (skanda.3.102.41)

दैवात्संज्ञामवाप्याथ वाष्पक्लिन्नपयोधरा ॥ सांत्विताऽपि वणिक्स्त्रीभिर्विललाप सुदुःखिता

daivātsaṁjñāmavāpyātha vāṣpaklinnapayodharā sāṁtvitā'pi vaṇikstrībhirvilalāpa suduḥkhitā

Regaining consciousness by chance, her breasts wet with tears, though comforted by the merchant's women, she wailed in the greatest sorrow:

Verse 42 (skanda.3.102.42)

हा ताततात हा पुत्र हा मम प्राणरक्षक ॥ हा राजकुलपूर्णेन्दो हा ममानंदवर्धन

hā tātatāta hā putra hā mama prāṇarakṣaka hā rājakulapūrṇendo hā mamānaṁdavardhana

"Alas, father, father! Alas, my son! Alas, protector of my life! Alas, full moon of the royal family! Alas, increaser of my joy!

Verse 43 (skanda.3.102.43)

इमामनाथां कृपणां त्वत्प्राणां त्यक्तवबांधवाम् ॥ मातरं ते परित्यज्य क्व यातोऽसि नृपात्मज

imāmanāthāṁ kṛpaṇāṁ tvatprāṇāṁ tyaktavabāṁdhavām mātaraṁ te parityajya kva yāto'si nṛpātmaja

"Leaving me, helpless, wretched, bereft of kinsmen, who lived only for your life, abandoning your mother, where have you gone, O prince?"

Verse 44 (skanda.3.102.44)

इत्येभिरुदितैर्वाक्यैः शोकचिंताविवर्धकैः ॥ विलपंतीं मृतापत्यां को नु सांत्वयितुं क्षमः

ityebhiruditairvākyaiḥ śokaciṁtāvivardhakaiḥ vilapaṁtīṁ mṛtāpatyāṁ ko nu sāṁtvayituṁ kṣamaḥ

With these words, increasing her grief and anguish, who indeed could console her, wailing thus over her dead child?

Verse 45 (skanda.3.102.45)

एतस्मिन्समये तस्या दुःखशोकचिकित्सकः॥ ऋषभः पूर्वमाख्यातः शिवयोगी समाययौ

etasminsamaye tasyā duḥkhaśokacikitsakaḥ ṛṣabhaḥ pūrvamākhyātaḥ śivayogī samāyayau

At that very moment, the physician of her sorrow and grief, that Shiva-yogi Rishabha spoken of before, arrived there.

Verse 46 (skanda.3.102.46)

स योगी वैश्यनाथेन सार्घहस्तेन पूजितः॥ तस्याः सकाशमगमच्छोचन्त्या इदमब्रवीत्

sa yogī vaiśyanāthena sārghahastena pūjitaḥ tasyāḥ sakāśamagamacchocantyā idamabravīt

That yogi, honored by the merchant lord with respectful arghya, came near to her as she grieved, and said this:

Verse 47 (skanda.3.102.47)

ऋषभ उवाच ॥ अकस्मात्किमहो वत्से रोरवीषि विमूढधीः ॥ को जातः कतमो लोके को मृतो वद सांप्रतम्

ṛṣabha uvāca akasmātkimaho vatse roravīṣi vimūḍhadhīḥ ko jātaḥ katamo loke ko mṛto vada sāṁpratam

Rishabha said: "Why, O child, of confused mind, do you wail suddenly like this? Who has been born in this world, who has died, tell me now.

Verse 48 (skanda.3.102.48)

अमी देहादयो भावास्तोयफेनसधर्मकाः ॥ क्वचिद्भ्रांतिः क्वचिच्छांतिः स्थितिर्भवति वा पुनः

amī dehādayo bhāvāstoyaphenasadharmakāḥ kvacidbhrāṁtiḥ kvacicchāṁtiḥ sthitirbhavati vā punaḥ

"These states, such as the body, are like the foam of water; sometimes there is delusion, sometimes calm, or again a period of stability.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.102.49)

अतोऽस्मिन्फेनसदृशे देहे पञ्चत्वमागते ॥ शोकस्यानवकाशत्वान्न शोचंति विपश्चितः

ato'sminphenasadṛśe dehe pañcatvamāgate śokasyānavakāśatvānna śocaṁti vipaścitaḥ

"Therefore, when the fivefold dissolution comes upon this body resembling foam, since there is no place for grief, the wise do not grieve.

Verse 50 (skanda.3.102.50)

गुणैर्भूतानि सृज्यंते भ्राम्यंते निजकर्मभिः ॥ कालेनाथ विकृष्यंते वासनायां च शेरते

guṇairbhūtāni sṛjyaṁte bhrāmyaṁte nijakarmabhiḥ kālenātha vikṛṣyaṁte vāsanāyāṁ ca śerate

"Beings are created by the qualities, driven about by their own deeds; then they are drawn on by time, and rest in their latent tendencies.

Verse 51 (skanda.3.102.51)

माययोत्पत्तिमायांति गुणाः सत्त्वादयस्त्रयः ॥ तैरेव देहा जायंते जातास्तल्लक्षणाश्रयाः

māyayotpattimāyāṁti guṇāḥ sattvādayastrayaḥ taireva dehā jāyaṁte jātāstallakṣaṇāśrayāḥ

"By maya, the three qualities beginning with sattva come into being; by them alone bodies are born, born bearing their characteristics.

Verse 52 (skanda.3.102.52)

देवत्वं यानि सत्त्वेन रजसा च मनुष्यताम् ॥ तिर्यक्त्वं तमसा जंतुर्वासनानुगतोवशः

devatvaṁ yāni sattvena rajasā ca manuṣyatām tiryaktvaṁ tamasā jaṁturvāsanānugatovaśaḥ

"By sattva, beings attain divinity; by rajas, humanity; by tamas, animality; a creature is subject to, and follows, its own latent tendencies.

Verse 53 (skanda.3.102.53)

संसारे वर्तमानेस्मिञ्जंतुः कर्मानुबन्धनात् ॥ दुर्विभाव्यां गतिं याति सुखदुःखमयीं मुहुः

saṁsāre vartamānesmiñjaṁtuḥ karmānubandhanāt durvibhāvyāṁ gatiṁ yāti sukhaduḥkhamayīṁ muhuḥ

"Living in this cycle of rebirth, a creature, bound by the chain of its deeds, repeatedly attains an inconceivable destiny, made of pleasure and pain.

Verse 54 (skanda.3.102.54)

अपि कल्पायुषां तेषां देवानां तु विपर्ययः ॥ अनेकामयबद्धानां का कथा नरदेहिनाम्

api kalpāyuṣāṁ teṣāṁ devānāṁ tu viparyayaḥ anekāmayabaddhānāṁ kā kathā naradehinām

"Even for those gods whose lifespan is a kalpa, there is reversal; what then to say of human beings, bound by manifold afflictions?

Verse 55 (skanda.3.102.55)

केचिद्वदंति देहस्य कालमेव हि कारणम् ॥ कर्म केचिद्गुणान्केचिद्देहः साधारणो ह्ययम्

kecidvadaṁti dehasya kālameva hi kāraṇam karma kecidguṇānkeciddehaḥ sādhāraṇo hyayam

"Some say that time alone is the cause of the body, some say karma, some the qualities; this body is common to all such causes.

Verse 56 (skanda.3.102.56)

कालकर्मगुणाधानं पञ्चात्मकमिदं वपुः ॥ जातं दृष्ट्वा न हृष्यंति न शोचंति मृतं बुधाः

kālakarmaguṇādhānaṁ pañcātmakamidaṁ vapuḥ jātaṁ dṛṣṭvā na hṛṣyaṁti na śocaṁti mṛtaṁ budhāḥ

"This fivefold body, formed by time, karma, and the qualities, the wise neither rejoice at its birth nor grieve at its death.

Verse 57 (skanda.3.102.57)

अव्यक्ते जायते जंतुरव्यक्ते च प्रलीयते ॥ मध्ये व्यक्तवदाभाति जलबुद्बुदसन्निभः

avyakte jāyate jaṁturavyakte ca pralīyate madhye vyaktavadābhāti jalabudbudasannibhaḥ

"A being is born in the unmanifest, and dissolves again into the unmanifest; in between it appears as if manifest, like a bubble on water.

Verse 58 (skanda.3.102.58)

यदा गर्भगतो देही विनाशः कल्पितस्तदा ॥ दैवाज्जीवति वा जातो म्रियते सहसैव वा

yadā garbhagato dehī vināśaḥ kalpitastadā daivājjīvati vā jāto mriyate sahasaiva vā

"When a being is in the womb, its destruction is already ordained; born by fate, it may live, or it may die instantly.

Verse 59 (skanda.3.102.59)

गर्भस्था एव नश्यंति जातमात्रास्तथा परे ॥ क्वचिद्युवानो नश्यंति म्रियंते केपि वार्धके

garbhasthā eva naśyaṁti jātamātrāstathā pare kvacidyuvāno naśyaṁti mriyaṁte kepi vārdhake

"Some perish while still in the womb, others just after birth; some perish in youth, and some others die in old age.

Verse 60 (skanda.3.102.60)

यादृशं प्राक्तनं कर्म तादृशं विंदते वपुः ॥ भुंक्ते तदनुरूपाणि सुखदुःखानि वै ह्यसौ

yādṛśaṁ prāktanaṁ karma tādṛśaṁ viṁdate vapuḥ bhuṁkte tadanurūpāṇi sukhaduḥkhāni vai hyasau

"As is one's past karma, so is the body one obtains; and accordingly, one experiences pleasures and pains in keeping with it.

Verse 61 (skanda.3.102.61)

मायानुभावेरितयोः पित्रोः सुरतसंभ्रमात् ॥ देह उत्पद्यते कोपि पुंयोषित्क्लीबलक्षणः

māyānubhāveritayoḥ pitroḥ suratasaṁbhramāt deha utpadyate kopi puṁyoṣitklībalakṣaṇaḥ

"Impelled by the power of maya, from the confused union of the parents, some body is produced, marked as male, female, or neuter.

Verse 62 (skanda.3.102.62)

आयुः सुखं च दुःख च पुण्यं पापं श्रुतं धनम् ॥ ललाटे लिखितं धात्रा वहञ्जंतुः प्रजायते

āyuḥ sukhaṁ ca duḥkha ca puṇyaṁ pāpaṁ śrutaṁ dhanam lalāṭe likhitaṁ dhātrā vahañjaṁtuḥ prajāyate

"Lifespan, pleasure and pain, merit and sin, learning and wealth, a being is born bearing these written by the Creator upon its forehead.

Verse 63 (skanda.3.102.63)

कर्मणामविलंघ्यत्वात्कालस्याप्यनतिक्रमात् ॥ अनित्यत्वाच्च भावानां न शोकं कर्तुमर्हसि

karmaṇāmavilaṁghyatvātkālasyāpyanatikramāt anityatvācca bhāvānāṁ na śokaṁ kartumarhasi

"Since deeds cannot be transgressed, and time cannot be overstepped, and since all states are impermanent, you ought not grieve.

Verse 64 (skanda.3.102.64)

क्व स्वप्ने नियतं स्थैर्यमिंद्रजाले क्व सत्यता ॥ क्व नित्यता शरन्मेघे क्व शश्वत्त्वं कलेवरे

kva svapne niyataṁ sthairyamiṁdrajāle kva satyatā kva nityatā śaranmeghe kva śaśvattvaṁ kalevare

"Where is fixed stability in a dream? Where is truth in a magician's illusion? Where is permanence in an autumn cloud? Where is constancy in the body?

Verse 65 (skanda.3.102.65)

तव जन्मान्यतीतानि शतकोट्ययुतानि च ॥ अजानंत्याः परं तत्त्वं संप्राप्तोऽयं महाश्रमः

tava janmānyatītāni śatakoṭyayutāni ca ajānaṁtyāḥ paraṁ tattvaṁ saṁprāpto'yaṁ mahāśramaḥ

"You have had countless hundreds of millions of births in the past; not knowing the supreme truth, you have come to this great weariness.

Verse 66 (skanda.3.102.66)

कस्यकस्यासि तनया जननी कस्यकस्य वा ॥ कस्यकस्यासि गृहिणी भवकोटिषु वर्त्तिनी

kasyakasyāsi tanayā jananī kasyakasya vā kasyakasyāsi gṛhiṇī bhavakoṭiṣu varttinī

"Whose daughter have you been, again and again? Whose mother? Whose wife have you been, dwelling through millions of worldly existences?

Verse 67 (skanda.3.102.67)

पञ्चभूतात्मको देहस्त्वगसृङ्मांसबन्धनः ॥ मेदोमज्जास्थिनिचितो विण्मूत्रश्लेष्मभाजनम्

pañcabhūtātmako dehastvagasṛṅmāṁsabandhanaḥ medomajjāsthinicito viṇmūtraśleṣmabhājanam

"The body, made of the five elements, is bound together by skin, blood and flesh, packed with fat, marrow and bone, a vessel of feces, urine and phlegm.

Verse 68 (skanda.3.102.68)

शरीरांतरमप्येतन्निजदेहोद्भवं मलम् ॥ मत्त्वा स्वतनयं मूढे मा शोकं कर्तुमर्हसि

śarīrāṁtaramapyetannijadehodbhavaṁ malam mattvā svatanayaṁ mūḍhe mā śokaṁ kartumarhasi

"This other body too, born of your own body, is but impurity; thinking of your own son thus, O deluded one, you ought not grieve.

Verse 69 (skanda.3.102.69)

यदि नाम जनः कश्चिन्मृत्युं तरति यत्नतः ॥ कथं तर्हि विपद्येरन्सर्वे पूर्वे विपश्चितः

yadi nāma janaḥ kaścinmṛtyuṁ tarati yatnataḥ kathaṁ tarhi vipadyeransarve pūrve vipaścitaḥ

"If indeed someone could escape death by effort, then how would all the wise of former times have perished?

Verse 70 (skanda.3.102.70)

तपसा विद्यया बुद्ध्या मन्त्रौषधिरसायनैः ॥ अतियाति परं मृत्युं न कश्चिदपि पंडितः

tapasā vidyayā buddhyā mantrauṣadhirasāyanaiḥ atiyāti paraṁ mṛtyuṁ na kaścidapi paṁḍitaḥ

"By austerity, by learning, by intellect, by mantras, herbs, and elixirs, no scholar at all can go beyond death.

Verse 71 (skanda.3.102.71)

एकस्याद्य मृतिर्जंतोः श्वश्चान्यस्य वरानने ॥ तस्मादनित्यावयवे न त्वं शोचितुमर्हसि

ekasyādya mṛtirjaṁtoḥ śvaścānyasya varānane tasmādanityāvayave na tvaṁ śocitumarhasi

"Today it is the death of one creature, tomorrow another's, O fair one; therefore, over this impermanent aggregate, you ought not to grieve.

Verse 72 (skanda.3.102.72)

नित्यं सन्निहितो मृत्युः किं सुखं वद देहिनाम् ॥ व्याघ्रे पुरः स्थिते ग्रासः पशूनां किं नु रोचते

nityaṁ sannihito mṛtyuḥ kiṁ sukhaṁ vada dehinām vyāghre puraḥ sthite grāsaḥ paśūnāṁ kiṁ nu rocate

"Death is ever near at hand; what happiness, tell me, can embodied beings have? When a tiger stands before them, what relish can cattle find in their food?

Verse 73 (skanda.3.102.73)

अतो जन्मजरां जेतुं यदीच्छसि वरानने ॥ शरणं व्रज सर्वेशं मृत्युंजयमुमापतिम्

ato janmajarāṁ jetuṁ yadīcchasi varānane śaraṇaṁ vraja sarveśaṁ mṛtyuṁjayamumāpatim

"Therefore, O fair one, if you wish to conquer birth and old age, take refuge in the Lord of all, the conqueror of death, the husband of Uma.

Verse 74 (skanda.3.102.74)

तावन्मृत्युभयं घोरं तावज्जन्मजराभयम् ॥ यावन्नो याति शरणं देही शिवपदांबुजम्

tāvanmṛtyubhayaṁ ghoraṁ tāvajjanmajarābhayam yāvanno yāti śaraṇaṁ dehī śivapadāṁbujam

"So long as the embodied being does not go for refuge to Shiva's lotus feet, so long there remains the terrible fear of death, and the fear of birth and old age.

Verse 75 (skanda.3.102.75)

अनुभूयेह दुःखानि संसारे भृशदारुणे ॥ मनो यदा वियुज्येत तदा ध्येयो महेश्वरः

anubhūyeha duḥkhāni saṁsāre bhṛśadāruṇe mano yadā viyujyeta tadā dhyeyo maheśvaraḥ

"Having experienced sorrows here in this most dreadful worldly existence, when the mind becomes detached, then Maheshvara is to be meditated upon.

Verse 76 (skanda.3.102.76)

मनसा पिबतः पुंसः शिवध्यानरसामृतम् ॥ भूयस्तृष्णा न जायेत संसारविषयासवे

manasā pibataḥ puṁsaḥ śivadhyānarasāmṛtam bhūyastṛṣṇā na jāyeta saṁsāraviṣayāsave

"For a man drinking with his mind the nectar of the essence of Shiva-meditation, no further thirst arises for the wine of worldly objects.

Verse 77 (skanda.3.102.77)

विमुक्तं सर्वसंगैश्च मनो वैराग्ययंत्रितम् ॥ यदा शिवपदे मग्नं तदा नास्ति पुनर्भवः

vimuktaṁ sarvasaṁgaiśca mano vairāgyayaṁtritam yadā śivapade magnaṁ tadā nāsti punarbhavaḥ

"When the mind, freed from all attachments, restrained by dispassion, becomes absorbed in Shiva's state, then there is no more rebirth.

Verse 78 (skanda.3.102.78)

तस्मादिदं मनो भद्रे शिवध्यानैकसाधनम् ॥ शोकमोहसमाविष्टं मा कुरुष्व शिवं भज

tasmādidaṁ mano bhadre śivadhyānaikasādhanam śokamohasamāviṣṭaṁ mā kuruṣva śivaṁ bhaja

"Therefore, O blessed one, this mind, the sole instrument for meditation on Shiva, should not be filled with grief and delusion; worship Shiva."

Verse 79 (skanda.3.102.79)

सूत उवाच ॥ इत्थं सानुनयं राज्ञी बोधिता शिवयोगिना ॥ प्रत्याचष्ट गुरोस्तस्य प्रणम्य चरणां बुजम्

sūta uvāca itthaṁ sānunayaṁ rājñī bodhitā śivayoginā pratyācaṣṭa gurostasya praṇamya caraṇāṁ bujam

Suta said: Thus gently instructed by the Shiva-yogi, the queen, bowing at the feet of that teacher, replied.

Verse 80 (skanda.3.102.80)

राज्ञ्युवाच ॥ भगवन्मृतपुत्रायास्त्यक्तायाः प्रियबन्धुभिः ॥ महारोगातुराया मे का गतिर्मरणं विना

rājñyuvāca bhagavanmṛtaputrāyāstyaktāyāḥ priyabandhubhiḥ mahārogāturāyā me kā gatirmaraṇaṁ vinā

The queen said: "O Lord, for me, whose son has died, abandoned by my dear kinsmen, afflicted with great disease, what refuge is there but death?

Verse 81 (skanda.3.102.81)

अतोऽहं मर्तुमिच्छामि सहैव शिशुनाऽमुना ॥ कृतार्थाहं यदद्य त्वामपश्यं मरणोन्मुखी

ato'haṁ martumicchāmi sahaiva śiśunā'munā kṛtārthāhaṁ yadadya tvāmapaśyaṁ maraṇonmukhī

"Therefore I wish to die, together with this very child; I am fulfilled today, since I have seen you as I face death."

Verse 82 (skanda.3.102.82)

सूत उवाच ॥ इति तस्या वचः श्रुत्वा शिवयोगी दयानिधिः ॥ पूर्वोपकारं संस्मृत्य मृतस्यांतिकमाययौ

sūta uvāca iti tasyā vacaḥ śrutvā śivayogī dayānidhiḥ pūrvopakāraṁ saṁsmṛtya mṛtasyāṁtikamāyayau

Suta said: Hearing her words, that Shiva-yogi, an ocean of compassion, remembering her former kindness to him, went near to the dead child.

Verse 83 (skanda.3.102.83)

स तदा भस्म संगृह्य शिवमन्त्राभिमंत्रितम् ॥ विदीर्णे तन्मुखे क्षिप्त्वा मृतं प्राणैरयोजयत्

sa tadā bhasma saṁgṛhya śivamantrābhimaṁtritam vidīrṇe tanmukhe kṣiptvā mṛtaṁ prāṇairayojayat

He then, having gathered ashes consecrated with Shiva-mantras, cast them into the child's gaping mouth, and restored the dead one to life.

Verse 84 (skanda.3.102.84)

स बालः संगतः प्राणैः शनैरुन्मील्य लोचने ॥ प्राप्तपूर्वेन्द्रियबलो रुरोद स्तन्यकांक्षया

sa bālaḥ saṁgataḥ prāṇaiḥ śanairunmīlya locane prāptapūrvendriyabalo ruroda stanyakāṁkṣayā

That boy, reunited with life-breath, slowly opening his eyes, having regained the strength of his senses as before, cried out with a longing for milk.

Verse 85 (skanda.3.102.85)

मृतस्य पुनरुत्थानं वीक्ष्य बालस्य विस्मिताः ॥ जना मुमुदिरे सर्वे नगरेषु पुरोगमाः

mṛtasya punarutthānaṁ vīkṣya bālasya vismitāḥ janā mumudire sarve nagareṣu purogamāḥ

Seeing the dead boy rise again, all the astonished people, leaders in the city, rejoiced.

Verse 86 (skanda.3.102.86)

अथानंदभरा राज्ञी विह्वलोन्मत्तलोचना ॥ जग्राह तनयं शीघ्रं बाष्पव्याकुललोचना

athānaṁdabharā rājñī vihvalonmattalocanā jagrāha tanayaṁ śīghraṁ bāṣpavyākulalocanā

Then the queen, overwhelmed with joy, her eyes wild and distracted, quickly seized her son, her eyes clouded with tears.

Verse 87 (skanda.3.102.87)

उपगुह्य तदा तन्वी परमानंदनिर्वृता ॥ न वेदात्मानमन्यं वा सुषुप्तेव परिश्रमात्

upaguhya tadā tanvī paramānaṁdanirvṛtā na vedātmānamanyaṁ vā suṣupteva pariśramāt

Embracing him, that slender woman, filled with the greatest bliss, knew neither herself nor anyone else, as if asleep from exhaustion.

Verse 88 (skanda.3.102.88)

पुनश्च ऋषभो योगी तयोर्मातृकुमारयोः ॥ विषव्रणयुतं देहं भस्मनैव परामृशत्

punaśca ṛṣabho yogī tayormātṛkumārayoḥ viṣavraṇayutaṁ dehaṁ bhasmanaiva parāmṛśat

And again the yogi Rishabha touched with that very ash the body of the mother and the child, afflicted with the wounds of poison.

Verse 89 (skanda.3.102.89)

तौ च तद्भस्मना स्पृष्टौ प्राप्तदिव्यकलेवरौ ॥ देवानां सदृशं रूपं दधतुः कांतिभूषितम्

tau ca tadbhasmanā spṛṣṭau prāptadivyakalevarau devānāṁ sadṛśaṁ rūpaṁ dadhatuḥ kāṁtibhūṣitam

Touched by that ash, the two of them attained divine bodies, taking on a form like that of the gods, adorned with radiance.

Verse 90 (skanda.3.102.90)

संप्राप्ते त्रिदिवैश्वर्ये यत्सुखं पुण्यकर्मणाम् ॥ तस्माच्छतगुणं प्राप सा राज्ञी सुखमुत्तमम्

saṁprāpte tridivaiśvarye yatsukhaṁ puṇyakarmaṇām tasmācchataguṇaṁ prāpa sā rājñī sukhamuttamam

That queen obtained a happiness a hundred times greater than the happiness that meritorious souls obtain upon reaching the sovereignty of heaven.

Verse 91 (skanda.3.102.91)

तां पादयोर्निपतितामृषभः प्रेमविह्वलः ॥ उत्थाप्याश्वासयामास दुःखैर्मुक्तामुवाच ह

tāṁ pādayornipatitāmṛṣabhaḥ premavihvalaḥ utthāpyāśvāsayāmāsa duḥkhairmuktāmuvāca ha

To her, fallen at his feet, Rishabha, overwhelmed with affection, raised her up and comforted her, freed now from sorrows, and said:

Verse 92 (skanda.3.102.92)

अयि वत्से महाराज्ञि जीवत्वं शाश्वतीः समाः ॥ यावज्जीवसि लोकेस्मिन्न तावत्प्राप्स्यसे जराम्

ayi vatse mahārājñi jīvatvaṁ śāśvatīḥ samāḥ yāvajjīvasi lokesminna tāvatprāpsyase jarām

"O child, great queen, live for eternal years; as long as you live in this world, you shall not attain old age.

Verse 93 (skanda.3.102.93)

एष ते तनयः साध्वि भद्रायुरिति नामतः ॥ ख्यातिं यास्यति लोकेषु निजं राज्यमवाप्स्यति

eṣa te tanayaḥ sādhvi bhadrāyuriti nāmataḥ khyātiṁ yāsyati lokeṣu nijaṁ rājyamavāpsyati

"This son of yours, O virtuous one, named Bhadrayu, shall attain fame in the world, and shall obtain his own kingdom.

Verse 94 (skanda.3.102.94)

अस्य वैश्यस्य सदने तावत्तिष्ठ शुचिस्मिते ॥ यावदेष कुमारस्ते प्राप्तविद्यो भविष्यति

asya vaiśyasya sadane tāvattiṣṭha śucismite yāvadeṣa kumāraste prāptavidyo bhaviṣyati

"Stay for now, O one of pure smile, in this merchant's house, until this son of yours has completed his education."

Verse 95 (skanda.3.102.95)

सूत उवाच॥ इति तामृषभो योगी तं च राजकुमारकम् ॥ संजीव्य भस्मवीर्येण ययौ देशान्यथेप्सितान्

sūta uvāca iti tāmṛṣabho yogī taṁ ca rājakumārakam saṁjīvya bhasmavīryeṇa yayau deśānyathepsitān

Suta said: Thus that yogi Rishabha, having revived her and the prince by the power of his ash, departed for whatever lands he wished.