The War with Magadha and Bhadrayu's Marriage

Verse 1 (skanda.3.105.1)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ दशार्णाधिपतेस्तस्य वज्रबाहोर्महाभुजः ॥ बभूव शत्रुर्बलवान्राजा मगधराट् ततः

sūta uvāca daśārṇādhipatestasya vajrabāhormahābhujaḥ babhūva śatrurbalavānrājā magadharāṭ tataḥ

Suta said: That mighty-armed Vajrabahu, lord of Dasharna, had a powerful enemy, a king, the ruler of Magadha.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.105.2)

स वै हेमरथो नाम बाहुशाली रणोत्कटः ॥ बलेन महतावृत्य दशार्णं न्यरुधद्बली

sa vai hemaratho nāma bāhuśālī raṇotkaṭaḥ balena mahatāvṛtya daśārṇaṁ nyarudhadbalī

He was named Hemaratha, mighty of arm, fierce in battle; that powerful one, surrounding Dasharna with a great army, besieged it.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.105.3)

चमूपास्तस्य दुर्धर्षाः प्राप्य देशं दशार्णकम् ॥ व्यलुंपन्वसुरत्नानि गृहाणि ददहुः परे

camūpāstasya durdharṣāḥ prāpya deśaṁ daśārṇakam vyaluṁpanvasuratnāni gṛhāṇi dadahuḥ pare

His fierce troops, having reached the land of Dasharna, plundered its wealth and jewels, and burned the houses; others too did the same.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.105.4)

केचिद्धनानि जगृहुः केचिद्बालान्स्त्रियोऽपरे ॥ गोधनान्यपरेऽगृह्णन्केचिद्धान्यपरिच्छदान् ॥ केचिदारामसस्यानि गृहोद्यानान्यनाशयत्

keciddhanāni jagṛhuḥ kecidbālānstriyo'pare godhanānyapare'gṛhṇankeciddhānyaparicchadān kecidārāmasasyāni gṛhodyānānyanāśayat

Some seized riches, others children and women; others took cattle-wealth, others grain and stores; some destroyed gardens, crops, houses, and orchards.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.105.5)

एवं विनाश्य तद्राज्यं स्त्रीगोधनजिघृक्षवः ॥ आवृत्य तस्य नगरीं वज्रबाहोस्तु मागधः

evaṁ vināśya tadrājyaṁ strīgodhanajighṛkṣavaḥ āvṛtya tasya nagarīṁ vajrabāhostu māgadhaḥ

Having thus ruined that kingdom, that Magadha king, desiring to seize women and cattle-wealth, surrounded the city of Vajrabahu.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.105.6)

एवं पर्याकुलं वीक्ष्य राजा नगरमेव च ॥ युद्धाय निर्जगामाशु वज्रबाहुः ससै निकः

evaṁ paryākulaṁ vīkṣya rājā nagarameva ca yuddhāya nirjagāmāśu vajrabāhuḥ sasai nikaḥ

Seeing the city thus thrown into confusion, King Vajrabahu swiftly came out to battle, together with his army.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.105.7)

वज्रबाहुश्च भूपालस्तथा मंत्रिपुरःसराः ॥ युयुधुर्मागधैः सार्धं निजघ्नुः शत्रुवाहिनीम्

vajrabāhuśca bhūpālastathā maṁtripuraḥsarāḥ yuyudhurmāgadhaiḥ sārdhaṁ nijaghnuḥ śatruvāhinīm

Vajrabahu the king, and his ministers leading the way, fought together with the Magadhas, and struck down the enemy's forces.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.105.8)

वज्रबाहुर्महेष्वासो दंशितो रथमास्थितः॥ विकिरन्बाणवर्षाणि चकार कदनं महत्

vajrabāhurmaheṣvāso daṁśito rathamāsthitaḥ vikiranbāṇavarṣāṇi cakāra kadanaṁ mahat

Vajrabahu, a great archer, clad in armor, mounted on his chariot, scattering showers of arrows, wrought great slaughter.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.105.9)

दशार्णराजं युध्यंतं दृष्ट्वा युद्धे सुदुःसहम् ॥ तमेव तरसा वव्रुः सर्वे मागधसैनिकाः

daśārṇarājaṁ yudhyaṁtaṁ dṛṣṭvā yuddhe suduḥsaham tameva tarasā vavruḥ sarve māgadhasainikāḥ

Seeing the king of Dasharna fighting, unbearable in battle, all the Magadha soldiers swiftly surrounded him alone.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.105.10)

कृत्वा तु सुचिरं युद्धं मागधा दृढविक्रमाः ॥ तत्सैन्यं नाशयामासुर्लेभिरे च जयश्रियम्

kṛtvā tu suciraṁ yuddhaṁ māgadhā dṛḍhavikramāḥ tatsainyaṁ nāśayāmāsurlebhire ca jayaśriyam

Having fought a very long battle, the Magadhas, of firm valor, destroyed his army and won the glory of victory.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.105.11)

केचित्तस्य रथं जघ्नुः केचित्तद्धनुराच्छिनम् ॥ सूतं तस्य जघानैकस्त्वपरः खड्गमाच्छिनत्

kecittasya rathaṁ jaghnuḥ kecittaddhanurācchinam sūtaṁ tasya jaghānaikastvaparaḥ khaḍgamācchinat

Some struck his chariot, some broke his bow; one slew his charioteer, another cut his sword.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.105.12)

संछिन्नखड्गधन्वानं विरथं हतसारथिम् ॥ बलाद्गृहीत्वा बलिनो बबंधुर्नृपतिं रुषा

saṁchinnakhaḍgadhanvānaṁ virathaṁ hatasārathim balādgṛhītvā balino babaṁdhurnṛpatiṁ ruṣā

Having thus cut his sword and bow, made him chariotless, and slain his charioteer, those mighty ones seized the king by force and bound him in fury.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.105.13)

तस्य मंत्रिगणं सर्वं तत्सैन्यं च विजित्य ते ॥ मागधास्तस्य नगरीं विविशुर्जयकाशिनः

tasya maṁtrigaṇaṁ sarvaṁ tatsainyaṁ ca vijitya te māgadhāstasya nagarīṁ viviśurjayakāśinaḥ

Having conquered all his host of ministers and his army, those victorious Magadhas entered his city.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.105.14)

अश्वान्नरान्गजानुष्ट्रान्पशूंश्चैव धनानि च ॥ जगृहुर्युवतीः सर्वाश्चार्वंगीश्चैव कन्यकाः

aśvānnarāngajānuṣṭrānpaśūṁścaiva dhanāni ca jagṛhuryuvatīḥ sarvāścārvaṁgīścaiva kanyakāḥ

They seized horses, men, elephants, camels, cattle, and wealth; they seized all the young women and lovely-limbed maidens.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.105.15)

राज्ञो बबंधुर्महिषीर्दासीश्चैव सहस्रशः ॥ कोशं च रत्नसंपूर्णं जह्रुस्तेऽप्याततायिनः

rājño babaṁdhurmahiṣīrdāsīścaiva sahasraśaḥ kośaṁ ca ratnasaṁpūrṇaṁ jahruste'pyātatāyinaḥ

They bound the king's queens and thousands of maidservants; those aggressors also seized the treasury, full of jewels.

Verse 16 (skanda.3.105.16)

एवं विनाश्य नगरीं हृत्वा स्त्रीगोधनादिकम् ॥ वज्रबाहुं बलाद्बद्ध्वा रथे स्थाप्य विनिर्ययुः

evaṁ vināśya nagarīṁ hṛtvā strīgodhanādikam vajrabāhuṁ balādbaddhvā rathe sthāpya viniryayuḥ

Having thus destroyed the city, and seized the women, cattle, and wealth, having bound Vajrabahu by force and placed him in a chariot, they set out.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.105.17)

एवं कोलाहले जाते राष्ट्रनाशे च दारुणे ॥ राजपुत्रोऽथ भद्रायुस्तद्वार्तामशृणोद्बली

evaṁ kolāhale jāte rāṣṭranāśe ca dāruṇe rājaputro'tha bhadrāyustadvārtāmaśṛṇodbalī

As this terrible uproar and destruction of the kingdom took place, the mighty prince Bhadrayu heard the news of it.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.105.18)

पितरं शत्रुनिर्बद्धं पितृपत्नीस्तथा हृताः ॥ नष्टं दशार्णराष्ट्रं च श्रुत्वा चुक्रोश सिंहवत्

pitaraṁ śatrunirbaddhaṁ pitṛpatnīstathā hṛtāḥ naṣṭaṁ daśārṇarāṣṭraṁ ca śrutvā cukrośa siṁhavat

Hearing that his father was bound by the enemy, that his father's wives were carried off, and that the Dasharna kingdom was destroyed, he roared like a lion.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.105.19)

स खड्गशंखावादाय वैश्यपुत्रसहायवान् ॥ दंशितो हयमारुह्य कुमारो विजिगीषया

sa khaḍgaśaṁkhāvādāya vaiśyaputrasahāyavān daṁśito hayamāruhya kumāro vijigīṣayā

Taking up his sword and conch, accompanied by the merchant's son, clad in armor and mounted on his horse, that prince set out, desiring victory.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.105.20)

जवेनागत्य तं देशं मागधैरभिपूरितम् ॥ दह्यमानं क्रंदमानं हृतस्त्रीसुतगोधनम्

javenāgatya taṁ deśaṁ māgadhairabhipūritam dahyamānaṁ kraṁdamānaṁ hṛtastrīsutagodhanam

Coming swiftly to that country now filled with Magadha troops, burning and crying out, its women, sons, and cattle-wealth all carried off,

Verse 21 (skanda.3.105.21)

दृष्ट्वा राजजनं सर्वं राज्यं शून्यं भयाकुलम् ॥ क्रोधाध्मातमनास्तूर्णं प्रविश्य रिपुवाहिनीम् ॥ आकर्णाकृष्टकोदंडो ववर्ष शरसंततीः

dṛṣṭvā rājajanaṁ sarvaṁ rājyaṁ śūnyaṁ bhayākulam krodhādhmātamanāstūrṇaṁ praviśya ripuvāhinīm ākarṇākṛṣṭakodaṁḍo vavarṣa śarasaṁtatīḥ

seeing all the royal household, the kingdom empty, filled with fear, his mind swollen with rage, he swiftly entered the enemy army, his bow drawn to his ear, and rained down streams of arrows.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.105.22)

ते हन्यमाना रिपवो राजपुत्रेण सायकैः ॥ तमभिद्रुत्य वेगेन शरैर्विव्यधुरुल्बणैः

te hanyamānā ripavo rājaputreṇa sāyakaiḥ tamabhidrutya vegena śarairvivyadhurulbaṇaiḥ

Those enemies, being slain by the prince's arrows, rushed at him swiftly and pierced him with fierce arrows in return.

Verse 23 (skanda.3.105.23)

हन्यमानोऽस्त्रपूगेन रिपुभिर्युद्धदुर्मदैः ॥ न चचाल रणे धीरः शिववर्माभिरक्षितः

hanyamāno'strapūgena ripubhiryuddhadurmadaiḥ na cacāla raṇe dhīraḥ śivavarmābhirakṣitaḥ

Struck by masses of weapons from those enemies, maddened in battle, that steadfast one did not waver in the fight, protected by the armor of Shiva.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.105.24)

सोऽस्त्रकर्षं प्रसह्याशु प्रविश्य गजलीलया ॥ जघानाशु रथान्नागान्पदातीनपि भूरिशः

so'strakarṣaṁ prasahyāśu praviśya gajalīlayā jaghānāśu rathānnāgānpadātīnapi bhūriśaḥ

He, swiftly withstanding the drawing of their weapons, entering the fray with the grace of an elephant, quickly slew charioteers, elephants, and many foot-soldiers.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.105.25)

तत्रैकं रथिनं हत्वा ससूतं नृपनंदनः ॥ तमेव रथमास्थाय वैश्यनंदनसारथिः ॥ विचचार रणे धीरः सिंहो मृगकुलं यथा

tatraikaṁ rathinaṁ hatvā sasūtaṁ nṛpanaṁdanaḥ tameva rathamāsthāya vaiśyanaṁdanasārathiḥ vicacāra raṇe dhīraḥ siṁho mṛgakulaṁ yathā

There, having slain one charioteer together with his charioteer, that prince mounted that very chariot, with the merchant's son as his charioteer, and roamed the battlefield steadfastly, as a lion among a herd of deer.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.105.26)

अथ सर्वे सुसंरब्धाः शूराः प्रोद्यतकार्मुकाः ॥ अभिसस्रुस्तमेवैकं चमूपा बलशालिनः

atha sarve susaṁrabdhāḥ śūrāḥ prodyatakārmukāḥ abhisasrustamevaikaṁ camūpā balaśālinaḥ

Then all the fierce warriors, their bows raised, mighty commanders of troops, rushed together at him alone.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.105.27)

तेषामापततामग्रे खड्गमुद्यम्य दारुणम् ॥ अभ्युद्ययौ महावीरान्दर्शयन्निव पौरुषम्

teṣāmāpatatāmagre khaḍgamudyamya dāruṇam abhyudyayau mahāvīrāndarśayanniva pauruṣam

Before them as they charged, raising his terrible sword, he advanced against those great heroes, as if displaying his valor.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.105.28)

करालांतकजिह्वाभं तस्य खड्गं महोज्ज्वलम् ॥ दृष्ट्वैव सहसा मम्रुश्च मूपास्तत्प्रभावतः

karālāṁtakajihvābhaṁ tasya khaḍgaṁ mahojjvalam dṛṣṭvaiva sahasā mamruśca mūpāstatprabhāvataḥ

Seeing his sword, blazing brightly, resembling the tongue of terrible Death, the commanders instantly died, by its very power.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.105.29)

येये पश्यंति तं खड्गं प्रस्फुरंतं रणांगणे ॥ ते सर्वे निधनं जग्मुर्वज्रं प्राप्येव कीटकः

yeye paśyaṁti taṁ khaḍgaṁ prasphuraṁtaṁ raṇāṁgaṇe te sarve nidhanaṁ jagmurvajraṁ prāpyeva kīṭakaḥ

Whoever saw that sword flashing on the battlefield, all of them met their death, like an insect meeting a thunderbolt.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.105.30)

अथासौ सर्वसैन्यानां विनाशाय महाभुजः ॥ शंखं दध्मौ महारावं पूरयन्निव रोदसी

athāsau sarvasainyānāṁ vināśāya mahābhujaḥ śaṁkhaṁ dadhmau mahārāvaṁ pūrayanniva rodasī

Then he, mighty-armed, for the destruction of all the armies, blew his conch of great resonance, as if filling heaven and earth.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.105.31)

तेन शंखनिनादेन विषाक्तेनैव भूयसा ॥ श्रुतमात्रेण रिपवो मूर्च्छिताः पतिता भुवि

tena śaṁkhaninādena viṣāktenaiva bhūyasā śrutamātreṇa ripavo mūrcchitāḥ patitā bhuvi

By that conch-blast, exceedingly poisonous in its effect, the enemies, merely on hearing it, fell fainting to the ground.

Verse 32 (skanda.3.105.32)

येऽश्वपृष्ठे रथे ये च ये च दंतिषु संस्थिताः॥ ते विसंज्ञाः क्षणात्पेतुः शंखनादहतौजसः

ye'śvapṛṣṭhe rathe ye ca ye ca daṁtiṣu saṁsthitāḥ te visaṁjñāḥ kṣaṇātpetuḥ śaṁkhanādahataujasaḥ

Those who were on horseback, in chariots, or mounted on elephants, all fell senseless in an instant, their strength struck down by the conch-blast.

Verse 33 (skanda.3.105.33)

तान्भूमौ पतितान्सर्वान्नष्टसंज्ञा न्निरायुधान्॥ विगणय्य शवप्रायाननावधीद्धर्मशास्त्रवित्

tānbhūmau patitānsarvānnaṣṭasaṁjñā nnirāyudhān vigaṇayya śavaprāyānanāvadhīddharmaśāstravit

All of them fallen on the ground, senseless, weaponless, corpse-like, he counted them, and, knowing dharma-shastra, did not slay them.

Verse 34 (skanda.3.105.34)

आत्मनः पितरं बद्धं मोचयित्वा रणाजिरे॥ तत्पत्नीः शत्रुवशगाः सर्वाः सद्यो व्यमोचयत्

ātmanaḥ pitaraṁ baddhaṁ mocayitvā raṇājire tatpatnīḥ śatruvaśagāḥ sarvāḥ sadyo vyamocayat

Having freed his own bound father on the battlefield, he at once freed all his father's wives, who had fallen into enemy hands.

Verse 35 (skanda.3.105.35)

पत्नीश्च मंत्रिमुख्यानां तथान्येषां पुरौकसाम् ॥ स्त्रियो बालांश्च कन्याश्च गोधनादीन्यनेकशः

patnīśca maṁtrimukhyānāṁ tathānyeṣāṁ puraukasām striyo bālāṁśca kanyāśca godhanādīnyanekaśaḥ

And the wives of the chief ministers, and of other citizens, the women, boys and girls, and cattle-wealth of many kinds,

Verse 36 (skanda.3.105.36)

मोचयित्वा रिपुभयात्तमाश्वासयदाकुलः ॥ अथारिसैन्येषु चरंस्तेषां जग्राह योषितः

mocayitvā ripubhayāttamāśvāsayadākulaḥ athārisainyeṣu caraṁsteṣāṁ jagrāha yoṣitaḥ

having freed them all from fear of the enemy, he, troubled, comforted them; then, moving among the enemy's forces, he seized their women too,

Verse 37 (skanda.3.105.37)

मरुन्मनोजवानश्वान्मातंगान्गिरिसन्निभान् ॥ स्यंदनानि च रौक्माणि दासीश्च रुचिराननाः

marunmanojavānaśvānmātaṁgāngirisannibhān syaṁdanāni ca raukmāṇi dāsīśca rucirānanāḥ

their swift horses, fast as thought, their mountain-like elephants, their golden chariots, and their lovely-faced maidservants,

Verse 38 (skanda.3.105.38)

युग्मम् ॥ सर्वमाहृत्य वेगेन गृहीत्वा तद्धनं बहु ॥ मागधेशं हेमरथं निर्बबंध पराजितम्

yugmam sarvamāhṛtya vegena gṛhītvā taddhanaṁ bahu māgadheśaṁ hemarathaṁ nirbabaṁdha parājitam

having swiftly seized all of this, and taken their abundant wealth, he bound the defeated Hemaratha, lord of Magadha.

Verse 39 (skanda.3.105.39)

तन्मंत्रिणश्च भूपांश्च तत्र मुख्यांश्च नायकान्॥ गृहीत्वा तरसा बद्ध्वा पुरीं प्रावेशयद्द्रुतम्

tanmaṁtriṇaśca bhūpāṁśca tatra mukhyāṁśca nāyakān gṛhītvā tarasā baddhvā purīṁ prāveśayaddrutam

And having seized his ministers, kings, and the chief commanders there, and quickly bound them, he swiftly entered his city.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.105.40)

पूर्वं ये समरे भग्ना विवृत्ताः सर्वतोदिशम् ॥ ते मंत्रिमुख्या विश्वस्ता नायकाश्च समाययुः

pūrvaṁ ye samare bhagnā vivṛttāḥ sarvatodiśam te maṁtrimukhyā viśvastā nāyakāśca samāyayuḥ

Those chief ministers and commanders who had earlier been routed in battle and scattered in every direction now came, reassured.

Verse 41 (skanda.3.105.41)

कुमारविक्रमं दृष्ट्वा सर्वे विस्मितमानसाः ॥ तं मेनिरे सुरश्रेष्ठं कारणादागतं भुवम्

kumāravikramaṁ dṛṣṭvā sarve vismitamānasāḥ taṁ menire suraśreṣṭhaṁ kāraṇādāgataṁ bhuvam

Seeing the prince's valor, all of them, astonished in mind, thought him to be the best of gods, come to earth for some purpose.

Verse 42 (skanda.3.105.42)

अहो नः सुमहाभाग्यमहो नस्तपसः फलम् ॥ केनाप्यनेन वीरेण मृताः संजीविताः खलु

aho naḥ sumahābhāgyamaho nastapasaḥ phalam kenāpyanena vīreṇa mṛtāḥ saṁjīvitāḥ khalu

"Ah, what great fortune is ours! Ah, this is the fruit of our austerities! By this hero, the dead have indeed been brought back to life!

Verse 43 (skanda.3.105.43)

एष किं योगसिद्धो वा तपःसिद्धो ऽथवाऽमरः ॥ अमानुषमिद कर्म यदनेन कृतं महत्

eṣa kiṁ yogasiddho vā tapaḥsiddho 'thavā'maraḥ amānuṣamida karma yadanena kṛtaṁ mahat

"Is he perfected in yoga, or perfected in tapas, or an immortal? This great deed he has performed is superhuman.

Verse 44 (skanda.3.105.44)

नूनमस्य भवेन्माता सा गौरीति शिवः पिता ॥ अक्षौहिणीनां नवकं जिगायानंतशक्तिधृक्

nūnamasya bhavenmātā sā gaurīti śivaḥ pitā akṣauhiṇīnāṁ navakaṁ jigāyānaṁtaśaktidhṛk

"Surely his mother must be Gauri herself, and Shiva his father; wielding boundless power, he has conquered nine akshauhinis of troops."

Verse 45 (skanda.3.105.45)

इत्याश्चर्ययुतैर्हृष्टैः प्रशंसद्भिः परस्परम् ॥ पृष्टोऽमात्यजनेनासावात्मानं प्राह तत्त्वतः

ityāścaryayutairhṛṣṭaiḥ praśaṁsadbhiḥ parasparam pṛṣṭo'mātyajanenāsāvātmānaṁ prāha tattvataḥ

Thus, filled with wonder, delighted, praising him to one another, he, questioned by the ministers, told them truly of himself.

Verse 46 (skanda.3.105.46)

समागतं स्वपितरं विस्मयाह्लादविप्लुतम् ॥ मुंचंतमानंदजलं ववंदे प्रेमविह्वलः

samāgataṁ svapitaraṁ vismayāhlādaviplutam muṁcaṁtamānaṁdajalaṁ vavaṁde premavihvalaḥ

His own father, who had come to him, overwhelmed with astonishment and joy, shedding tears of bliss, he bowed to, overcome with love.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.105.47)

स राजा निजपुत्रेण प्रणयादभिवंदितः ॥ आश्लिष्य गाढं तरसा बभाषे प्रेमकातरः

sa rājā nijaputreṇa praṇayādabhivaṁditaḥ āśliṣya gāḍhaṁ tarasā babhāṣe premakātaraḥ

That king, lovingly saluted by his own son, embraced him tightly and swiftly, and, distressed with love, spoke:

Verse 48 (skanda.3.105.48)

कस्त्वं देवो मनुष्यो वा गन्धर्वो वा महामते ॥ का माता जनकः को वा को देशस्तव नाम किम्

kastvaṁ devo manuṣyo vā gandharvo vā mahāmate kā mātā janakaḥ ko vā ko deśastava nāma kim

"Who are you, a god, a man, or a gandharva, O great-minded one? Who is your mother, who your father, what is your country, what is your name?

Verse 49 (skanda.3.105.49)

कस्मान्न शत्रुभिर्बद्धान्मृतानिव हतौजसः ॥ कारुण्यादिह संप्राप्य सपत्नीकान्मुमोच यः

kasmānna śatrubhirbaddhānmṛtāniva hataujasaḥ kāruṇyādiha saṁprāpya sapatnīkānmumoca yaḥ

"How is it that, out of compassion, you freed us here, bound by enemies, as good as dead, our strength destroyed, together with our wives?

Verse 50 (skanda.3.105.50)

कुतो लब्धमिदं शौर्यं धैर्यं तेजो बलोन्नतिः ॥ जिगीषसीव लोकांस्त्रीन्सदेवासुरमानुषान्

kuto labdhamidaṁ śauryaṁ dhairyaṁ tejo balonnatiḥ jigīṣasīva lokāṁstrīnsadevāsuramānuṣān

"Where did you obtain this valor, this fortitude, this splendor, this rising strength? You seem as if you would conquer all three worlds, together with gods, demons, and men.

Verse 51 (skanda.3.105.51)

अपि जन्मसहस्रेण तवानृण्यं महौजसः ॥ कर्तुं नाहं समर्थोस्मि सहैभिर्दारबांधवैः

api janmasahasreṇa tavānṛṇyaṁ mahaujasaḥ kartuṁ nāhaṁ samarthosmi sahaibhirdārabāṁdhavaiḥ

"Even in a thousand lifetimes I would not be able to repay my debt to you, O mighty one, together with these my wives and kinsmen.

Verse 52 (skanda.3.105.52)

इमान्पुत्रानिमाः पत्नीरिदं राज्यमिदं पुरम् ॥ सर्वं विहाय मच्चित्तं त्वय्येव प्रेमबंधनम्

imānputrānimāḥ patnīridaṁ rājyamidaṁ puram sarvaṁ vihāya maccittaṁ tvayyeva premabaṁdhanam

"These sons, these wives, this kingdom, this city, abandoning all of them, my mind is bound in love to you alone.

Verse 53 (skanda.3.105.53)

सर्वं कथय मे तात मत्प्राणपरिरक्षक ॥ एतासां मम पत्नीनां त्वदधीनं हि जीवितम्

sarvaṁ kathaya me tāta matprāṇaparirakṣaka etāsāṁ mama patnīnāṁ tvadadhīnaṁ hi jīvitam

"Tell me everything, my child, protector of my life; the very lives of these my wives depend upon you."

Verse 54 (skanda.3.105.54)

सूत उवाच ॥ इति पृष्टः स भद्रायुः स्वपित्रा तमभाषत ॥ एष वैश्यसुतो राजन्सुनयो नाम मत्सखा

sūta uvāca iti pṛṣṭaḥ sa bhadrāyuḥ svapitrā tamabhāṣata eṣa vaiśyasuto rājansunayo nāma matsakhā

Suta said: Thus questioned by his own father, that Bhadrayu said to him: "This is the merchant's son, O king, named Sunaya, my friend.

Verse 55 (skanda.3.105.55)

अहमस्य गृहे रम्ये वसामि सहमातृकः ॥ भद्रायुर्नाम मद्वृत्तं पश्चाद्विज्ञापयामि ते

ahamasya gṛhe ramye vasāmi sahamātṛkaḥ bhadrāyurnāma madvṛttaṁ paścādvijñāpayāmi te

"I dwell in his lovely house, together with my mother; my own account, named Bhadrayu, I shall reveal to you afterward.

Verse 56 (skanda.3.105.56)

पुरं प्रविश्य भद्रं ते सदारः ससुहृज्जनः ॥ त्यक्त्वा भयमरातिभ्यो विहरस्व यथासुखम्

puraṁ praviśya bhadraṁ te sadāraḥ sasuhṛjjanaḥ tyaktvā bhayamarātibhyo viharasva yathāsukham

"Enter your city now, blessings upon you; together with your wife and your friends, casting aside fear of enemies, enjoy yourself at ease.

Verse 57 (skanda.3.105.57)

नैतान्मुंच रिपूंस्तावद्यावदागमनं मम ॥ अहमद्य गमिष्यामि शीघ्रमात्मनिवेशनम्

naitānmuṁca ripūṁstāvadyāvadāgamanaṁ mama ahamadya gamiṣyāmi śīghramātmaniveśanam

"Do not release these enemies until I return; I shall go now quickly to my own dwelling."

Verse 58 (skanda.3.105.58)

इत्युक्त्वा नृपमामंत्र्य भद्रायुर्नृपनंदनः ॥ आजगाम स्वभवनं मात्रे सर्वं न्यवेदयत्

ityuktvā nṛpamāmaṁtrya bhadrāyurnṛpanaṁdanaḥ ājagāma svabhavanaṁ mātre sarvaṁ nyavedayat

Having said this, and taken leave of the king, Bhadrayu, the prince, came to his own home, and told his mother everything.

Verse 59 (skanda.3.105.59)

सापि हृष्टा स्वतनयं परिरेभेऽश्रुलोचना ॥ स च वैश्यपतिः प्रेम्णा परिष्वज्याभ्यपूजयत्

sāpi hṛṣṭā svatanayaṁ parirebhe'śrulocanā sa ca vaiśyapatiḥ premṇā pariṣvajyābhyapūjayat

She too, delighted, embraced her own son, her eyes filled with tears; and that merchant lord too embraced him with love and honored him.

Verse 60 (skanda.3.105.60)

वज्रबाहुश्च राजेंद्रः प्रविष्टो निजमंदिरम् ॥ स्त्रीपुत्रामात्य सहितः प्रहर्षमतुलं ययौ

vajrabāhuśca rājeṁdraḥ praviṣṭo nijamaṁdiram strīputrāmātya sahitaḥ praharṣamatulaṁ yayau

And King Vajrabahu, entering his own palace, together with his wives, sons and ministers, was filled with boundless joy.

Verse 61 (skanda.3.105.61)

तस्यां निशायां व्युष्टायामृषभो योगिनां वरः ॥ चंद्रांगदं समागत्य सीमंतिन्याः पतिं नृपम्

tasyāṁ niśāyāṁ vyuṣṭāyāmṛṣabho yogināṁ varaḥ caṁdrāṁgadaṁ samāgatya sīmaṁtinyāḥ patiṁ nṛpam

When that night had passed, Rishabha, best of yogis, came to Chandrangada, the king, husband of Simantini,

Verse 62 (skanda.3.105.62)

भद्रायुषः समुत्पत्तिं तस्य कर्माप्यमानुषम् ॥ आवेद्य रहसि प्रेम्णा त्वत्सुतां कीर्तिमालिनीम्

bhadrāyuṣaḥ samutpattiṁ tasya karmāpyamānuṣam āvedya rahasi premṇā tvatsutāṁ kīrtimālinīm

and, having told him privately and lovingly of the birth of Bhadrayu, and of his superhuman deeds, said: "Give your daughter Kirtimalini

Verse 63 (skanda.3.105.63)

भद्रायुषे प्रयच्छेति बोधयित्वा च नैषधम् ॥ ऋषभो निर्जगामाथ देशकालार्थतत्त्ववित्

bhadrāyuṣe prayaccheti bodhayitvā ca naiṣadham ṛṣabho nirjagāmātha deśakālārthatattvavit

to Bhadrayu." Having thus instructed the king of Nishadha, Rishabha, knowing the truth of place, time, and purpose, departed.

Verse 64 (skanda.3.105.64)

विशेषकम् ॥ अथ चंद्रांगदो राजा मुहूर्त्ते मंगलोचिते ॥ भद्रायुषं समाहूय प्रायच्छत्कीर्त्तिमालिनीम्

viśeṣakam atha caṁdrāṁgado rājā muhūrtte maṁgalocite bhadrāyuṣaṁ samāhūya prāyacchatkīrttimālinīm

Then King Chandrangada, at an auspicious hour, summoning Bhadrayu, gave him Kirtimalini.

Verse 65 (skanda.3.105.65)

कृतोद्वाहः स राजेंद्रतनयः सह भार्यया ॥ हेमासनस्थः शुशुभे रोहिण्येव निशाकरः

kṛtodvāhaḥ sa rājeṁdratanayaḥ saha bhāryayā hemāsanasthaḥ śuśubhe rohiṇyeva niśākaraḥ

That prince, married, together with his bride, seated on a golden throne, shone like the moon with Rohini.

Verse 66 (skanda.3.105.66)

वज्रबाहुं तत्पितरं समाहूय स नैषधः ॥ पुरं प्रवेश्य सामात्यः प्रत्युद्गम्याभ्यपूजयत्

vajrabāhuṁ tatpitaraṁ samāhūya sa naiṣadhaḥ puraṁ praveśya sāmātyaḥ pratyudgamyābhyapūjayat

That king of Nishadha, summoning Vajrabahu, that boy's father, having brought him with his ministers into the city, came forward to honor him.

Verse 67 (skanda.3.105.67)

तत्रापश्यत्कृतोद्वाहं भद्रायुषमरिंदमम् ॥ पादयोः पतितं प्रेम्णा हर्षात्तं परिषस्वजे

tatrāpaśyatkṛtodvāhaṁ bhadrāyuṣamariṁdamam pādayoḥ patitaṁ premṇā harṣāttaṁ pariṣasvaje

There he saw Bhadrayu, tamer of foes, now married; falling at his feet with love, he embraced him with joy.

Verse 68 (skanda.3.105.68)

एष मे प्राणदो वीर एष शत्रुनिषूदनः ॥ अथाप्यज्ञातवंशोऽयं मयानंतपराक्रमः

eṣa me prāṇado vīra eṣa śatruniṣūdanaḥ athāpyajñātavaṁśo'yaṁ mayānaṁtaparākramaḥ

"This is my life-giver, this hero, this slayer of enemies; yet his lineage is unknown to me, this one of boundless valor.

Verse 69 (skanda.3.105.69)

एष ते नृप जामाता चंद्रांगद महाबलः ॥ अस्य वंशमथोत्पत्तिं श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वतः

eṣa te nṛpa jāmātā caṁdrāṁgada mahābalaḥ asya vaṁśamathotpattiṁ śrotumicchāmi tattvataḥ

"This mighty Chandrangada, O king, is your son-in-law; I wish to know truly the origin and lineage of this one."

Verse 70 (skanda.3.105.70)

इत्थं दशार्णराजेन प्रार्थितो निषधाधिपः ॥ विविक्त उपसंगम्य प्रहसन्निदमब्रवीत्

itthaṁ daśārṇarājena prārthito niṣadhādhipaḥ vivikta upasaṁgamya prahasannidamabravīt

Thus entreated by the king of Dasharna, the lord of Nishadha, coming aside privately, smiling, said this:

Verse 71 (skanda.3.105.71)

एष ते तनयो राजञ्छैशवे रोगपीडितः ॥ त्वया वने परित्यक्तः सह मात्रा रुजार्तया

eṣa te tanayo rājañchaiśave rogapīḍitaḥ tvayā vane parityaktaḥ saha mātrā rujārtayā

"This is your own son, O king, who in childhood, afflicted with disease, was abandoned by you in the forest, together with his mother, tormented by illness.

Verse 72 (skanda.3.105.72)

परिभ्रमंती विपिने सा नारी शिशुनामुना ॥ दैवाद्वैश्यगृहं प्राप्ता तेन वैश्येन रक्षिता

paribhramaṁtī vipine sā nārī śiśunāmunā daivādvaiśyagṛhaṁ prāptā tena vaiśyena rakṣitā

"That woman, wandering in the forest with this infant, by fate reached the house of a merchant, and was protected by that merchant.

Verse 73 (skanda.3.105.73)

अथासौ बहुरोगार्तो मृतस्तव कुमारकः ॥ केनापि योगिराजेन मृतः संजीवितः पुनः

athāsau bahurogārto mṛtastava kumārakaḥ kenāpi yogirājena mṛtaḥ saṁjīvitaḥ punaḥ

"Then this your son, greatly afflicted with disease, died; by some yogi-king he was brought back to life again.

Verse 74 (skanda.3.105.74)

ऋषभाख्यस्य तस्यैव प्रभावाच्छिवयोगिनः ॥ रूपं च देवसदृशं प्राप्तौ मातृकुमारकौ

ṛṣabhākhyasya tasyaiva prabhāvācchivayoginaḥ rūpaṁ ca devasadṛśaṁ prāptau mātṛkumārakau

"By the power of that very Shiva-yogi named Rishabha, the mother and son both attained a form like that of the gods.

Verse 75 (skanda.3.105.75)

तेन दत्तेन खड्गेन शंखेन रिपुघातिना ॥ जिगाय समरे शत्रूञ्छिववर्माभिरक्षितः

tena dattena khaḍgena śaṁkhena ripughātinā jigāya samare śatrūñchivavarmābhirakṣitaḥ

"With the sword and conch given by him, that destroys enemies, protected by the armor of Shiva, he conquered his enemies in battle.

Verse 76 (skanda.3.105.76)

द्विषट्सहस्रनागानां बलमेको बिभर्त्यसौ ॥ सर्वविद्यासु निष्णातो मम जामातृतां गतः

dviṣaṭsahasranāgānāṁ balameko bibhartyasau sarvavidyāsu niṣṇāto mama jāmātṛtāṁ gataḥ

"He alone bears the strength of twelve thousand elephants; skilled in all learning, he has become my son-in-law.

Verse 77 (skanda.3.105.77)

अत एनं समादाय मातरं चास्य सुव्रताम्॥ गच्छस्व नगरीं राजन्प्राप्स्यसि श्रेय उत्तमम्

ata enaṁ samādāya mātaraṁ cāsya suvratām gacchasva nagarīṁ rājanprāpsyasi śreya uttamam

"Therefore, taking him and his devoted mother, go to your city, O king; you shall obtain the highest good."

Verse 78 (skanda.3.105.78)

इति चंद्रांगदः सर्वमाख्यायांतर्गृहे स्थिताम् ॥ तस्याग्र पत्नीमाहूय दर्शयामास भूषिताम्

iti caṁdrāṁgadaḥ sarvamākhyāyāṁtargṛhe sthitām tasyāgra patnīmāhūya darśayāmāsa bhūṣitām

Thus Chandrangada, having told everything, summoned his own eldest queen, who was staying within the inner chambers, and showed her, adorned, to him.

Verse 79 (skanda.3.105.79)

इत्यादि सर्वमाकर्ण्य दृष्ट्वा च स महीपतिः ॥ व्रीडितो नितरां मौढ्यात्स्वकृतं कर्म गर्हयन्

ityādi sarvamākarṇya dṛṣṭvā ca sa mahīpatiḥ vrīḍito nitarāṁ mauḍhyātsvakṛtaṁ karma garhayan

Having heard and seen all this, that king was exceedingly ashamed of his own foolish deed, censuring his own past action,

Verse 80 (skanda.3.105.80)

प्राप्तश्च परमानन्दं तयोर्दर्शनकौतुकात् ॥ पुलकांकितसर्वांगस्तावुभौ परिषस्वजे

prāptaśca paramānandaṁ tayordarśanakautukāt pulakāṁkitasarvāṁgastāvubhau pariṣasvaje

and attained the greatest bliss at the joyful sight of the two of them; his whole body thrilling with horripilation, he embraced them both.

Verse 81 (skanda.3.105.81)

युग्मम् ॥ एवं निषधराजेन पूजितश्चाभिनन्दितः ॥ स भोजयित्वा तं सम्यक्स्वयं च सह मंत्रिभिः

yugmam evaṁ niṣadharājena pūjitaścābhinanditaḥ sa bhojayitvā taṁ samyaksvayaṁ ca saha maṁtribhiḥ

Thus honored and congratulated by the king of Nishadha, having been duly feasted by him, together with his ministers,

Verse 82 (skanda.3.105.82)

तामात्मनोग्रमहिषीं पुत्रं तमपि तां स्नुषाम् ॥ आदाय सपरीवारो वज्रबाहुः पुरीं ययौ

tāmātmanogramahiṣīṁ putraṁ tamapi tāṁ snuṣām ādāya saparīvāro vajrabāhuḥ purīṁ yayau

Vajrabahu, taking his own chief queen, and his son, and that daughter-in-law, together with his retinue, departed for his city.

Verse 83 (skanda.3.105.83)

स संभ्रमेण महता भद्रायुः पितृमंदिरम्॥ संप्राप्य परमानंदं चक्रे सर्वपुरौकसाम्

sa saṁbhrameṇa mahatā bhadrāyuḥ pitṛmaṁdiram saṁprāpya paramānaṁdaṁ cakre sarvapuraukasām

Bhadrayu, with great excitement, reaching his father's palace, brought the greatest joy to all the citizens.

Verse 84 (skanda.3.105.84)

कालेन दिवमारूढे पितरि प्राप्तयौवनः॥ भद्रायुः पृथिवीं सर्वां शशासाद्भुतविक्रमः

kālena divamārūḍhe pitari prāptayauvanaḥ bhadrāyuḥ pṛthivīṁ sarvāṁ śaśāsādbhutavikramaḥ

In time, when his father ascended to heaven, having attained his youth, Bhadrayu, of wondrous valor, ruled the entire earth.

Verse 85 (skanda.3.105.85)

मागधेशं हेमरथं मोचयामास बंधनात् ॥ संधाय मैत्रीं परमां ब्रह्मर्षीणां च सन्निधौ

māgadheśaṁ hemarathaṁ mocayāmāsa baṁdhanāt saṁdhāya maitrīṁ paramāṁ brahmarṣīṇāṁ ca sannidhau

He released Hemaratha, the king of Magadha, from his bondage, having formed the greatest friendship with him, in the presence of the brahmarshis.

Verse 86 (skanda.3.105.86)

इत्थं त्रिलोकमहितां शिवयोगिपूजां कृत्वा पुरातनभवेऽपि स राजसूनुः ॥ निस्तीर्य दुःसहविपद्गणमाप्तराज्यश्चंद्रांगदस्य सुतया सह साधु रेमे

itthaṁ trilokamahitāṁ śivayogipūjāṁ kṛtvā purātanabhave'pi sa rājasūnuḥ nistīrya duḥsahavipadgaṇamāptarājyaścaṁdrāṁgadasya sutayā saha sādhu reme

Thus, having performed the worship of the Shiva-yogi, honored in all three worlds, even in his former birth, that prince, having crossed over a host of unbearable calamities and obtained his kingdom, lived happily together with the daughter of Chandrangada.