The Uma-Maheshvara Vow: Sharada's Story

Verse 1 (skanda.3.110.1)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ अथाहं संप्रवक्ष्यामि सर्वधर्मोत्तमोत्तमम् ॥ उमामहेश्वरं नाम व्रतं सर्वार्थसिद्धिदम्

sūta uvāca athāhaṁ saṁpravakṣyāmi sarvadharmottamottamam umāmaheśvaraṁ nāma vrataṁ sarvārthasiddhidam

Suta said: Now I shall declare the best of all the best dharmas, the vow called Uma-Maheshvara, the bestower of the accomplishment of every aim.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.110.2)

आनर्त्त संभवः कश्चिन्नाम्ना वेदरथो द्विजः ॥ कलत्रपुत्रसंपन्नो विद्वानुत्तमवंशजः

ānartta saṁbhavaḥ kaścinnāmnā vedaratho dvijaḥ kalatraputrasaṁpanno vidvānuttamavaṁśajaḥ

There was a certain brahmin born in the Anarta country, named Vedaratha, learned, of an excellent lineage, blessed with wife and son.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.110.3)

तस्यैवं वर्तमानस्य ब्राह्मणस्य गृहाश्रमे ॥ बभूव शारदानाम कन्या कमललोचना

tasyaivaṁ vartamānasya brāhmaṇasya gṛhāśrame babhūva śāradānāma kanyā kamalalocanā

To that brahmin, thus living in his householder stage, was born a daughter named Sharada, lotus-eyed.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.110.4)

तां रूपलक्षणोपेतां बालां द्वादशहायनाम् ॥ ययाचे पद्मनाभाख्यो मृतदारश्च स द्विजः

tāṁ rūpalakṣaṇopetāṁ bālāṁ dvādaśahāyanām yayāce padmanābhākhyo mṛtadāraśca sa dvijaḥ

That girl, endowed with beauty and auspicious marks, twelve years of age, was sought in marriage by a brahmin named Padmanabha, whose wife had died.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.110.5)

महाधनस्य शांतस्य सदा राजसखस्य च ॥ याञ्चाभंगभयात्तस्य तां कन्यां प्रददौ पिता

mahādhanasya śāṁtasya sadā rājasakhasya ca yāñcābhaṁgabhayāttasya tāṁ kanyāṁ pradadau pitā

Out of fear of refusing the request of that man of great wealth, tranquil, ever a friend of the king, her father gave him that daughter.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.110.6)

मध्यंदिने कृतोद्वाहः स विप्रः श्वशुरालये ॥ संध्यामुपासितुं सायं सरस्तटमुपाययौ

madhyaṁdine kṛtodvāhaḥ sa vipraḥ śvaśurālaye saṁdhyāmupāsituṁ sāyaṁ sarastaṭamupāyayau

Married at midday, that brahmin, in his father-in-law's house, went in the evening to the bank of the lake to perform the twilight worship.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.110.7)

उपास्य संध्यां विधिवत्प्रत्यागच्छत्तमोवृते ॥ मार्गे दष्टो भुजंगेन ममार निजकर्मणा

upāsya saṁdhyāṁ vidhivatpratyāgacchattamovṛte mārge daṣṭo bhujaṁgena mamāra nijakarmaṇā

Having duly performed the twilight rite, returning in the darkness, he was bitten on the road by a serpent, and died by his own past deeds.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.110.8)

तस्मिन्मृते कृतोद्वाहे सहसा तस्य बांधवाः ॥ चुक्रुशुः शोकसंतप्तौ श्वशुरावस्य कन्यका

tasminmṛte kṛtodvāhe sahasā tasya bāṁdhavāḥ cukruśuḥ śokasaṁtaptau śvaśurāvasya kanyakā

When that newly-married man had died, his kinsmen suddenly cried out; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, and his young bride, were scorched with grief.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.110.9)

निर्हृत्य तं बंधुजना जग्मुः स्वं स्वं निवेशनम् ॥ शारदा प्राप्तवैधव्या पितुरेवालये स्थिता

nirhṛtya taṁ baṁdhujanā jagmuḥ svaṁ svaṁ niveśanam śāradā prāptavaidhavyā piturevālaye sthitā

Having taken him away, his kinsmen went each to their own dwellings; Sharada, having attained widowhood, remained in her father's house alone.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.110.10)

भूताच्छादनभोज्येन भर्त्रा विरहिता सती॥ निनाय कतिचिन्मासान्सा बाला पितृमंदिरे

bhūtācchādanabhojyena bhartrā virahitā satī nināya katicinmāsānsā bālā pitṛmaṁdire

Bereft of her husband, that virtuous woman, sustained only by covering and food given by others, passed a few months in her father's house.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.110.11)

एकदा नैध्रुवो नाम कश्चिद्वृद्धतरो मुनिः॥ अन्धः शिष्यकरग्राही तन्मंदिरमुपाययौ

ekadā naidhruvo nāma kaścidvṛddhataro muniḥ andhaḥ śiṣyakaragrāhī tanmaṁdiramupāyayau

Once, a certain very old sage named Naidhruva, blind, led by the hand of his disciple, came to that house.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.110.12)

तस्मिन्वृद्धे गृहं प्राप्ते क्वापि यातेषु बंधुषु ॥ साक्षादिवात्मनो दैवं सा बाला समुपागमत्

tasminvṛddhe gṛhaṁ prāpte kvāpi yāteṣu baṁdhuṣu sākṣādivātmano daivaṁ sā bālā samupāgamat

When that old man reached the house, all her kinsmen having gone off somewhere, that girl came forward, as if her own fortune had appeared to her in visible form.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.110.13)

स्वागतं ते महाभाग पीठेस्मिन्नुपविश्यताम् ॥ नमस्ते मुनिनाथाय प्रियं ते करवाणि किम्

svāgataṁ te mahābhāga pīṭhesminnupaviśyatām namaste munināthāya priyaṁ te karavāṇi kim

"Welcome to you, O most fortunate one; be seated upon this seat. Salutation to you, lord of sages; what service may I render you that would please you?"

Verse 14 (skanda.3.110.14)

इत्युक्त्वा भक्तिमास्थाय कृत्वा पादावनेजनम् ॥ वीजयित्वा परिश्रांतं तं मुनिं पर्यतोषयत्

ityuktvā bhaktimāsthāya kṛtvā pādāvanejanam vījayitvā pariśrāṁtaṁ taṁ muniṁ paryatoṣayat

Having said this, taking up devotion, having washed his feet, having fanned him as he was weary, she pleased that sage.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.110.15)

श्रांतं पीठे समावेश्य कृत्वाभ्यंगं स्वपाणिना ॥ कृतस्नानं च विधिवत्कृतदेवार्चनं मुनिम्

śrāṁtaṁ pīṭhe samāveśya kṛtvābhyaṁgaṁ svapāṇinā kṛtasnānaṁ ca vidhivatkṛtadevārcanaṁ munim

Having seated the weary one on the seat, having anointed him with oils with her own hands, having given him a proper bath, and having performed his worship of the gods for him,

Verse 16 (skanda.3.110.16)

सुखासनोपविष्टं तं धूपमाल्यानुलेपनैः ॥ अर्चयित्वा वरान्नेन भोजयामास सादरम्

sukhāsanopaviṣṭaṁ taṁ dhūpamālyānulepanaiḥ arcayitvā varānnena bhojayāmāsa sādaram

seated comfortably at ease, she worshipped him with incense, garlands, and unguents, and respectfully fed him with excellent food.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.110.17)

भुक्त्वा च सम्यक्छनकैस्तृप्तश्चानंदनिर्भरः ॥ चकारांधमुनिस्तस्यै सुप्रीतः परमाशिषम्

bhuktvā ca samyakchanakaistṛptaścānaṁdanirbharaḥ cakārāṁdhamunistasyai suprītaḥ paramāśiṣam

Having eaten well and slowly, satisfied and full of bliss, that blind sage, well pleased, gave her a supreme blessing:

Verse 18 (skanda.3.110.18)

विहृत्य भर्त्रा सहसा च तेन लब्ध्वा सुतं सर्वगुणैर्वरिष्ठम् ॥ कीर्तिं च लोके महतीमवाप्य प्रसादयोग्या भव देवतानाम्

vihṛtya bhartrā sahasā ca tena labdhvā sutaṁ sarvaguṇairvariṣṭham kīrtiṁ ca loke mahatīmavāpya prasādayogyā bhava devatānām

"Having sported with your husband, and having suddenly obtained through him a son, foremost in every virtue, and having attained great fame in the world, may you become worthy of the grace of the gods."

Verse 19 (skanda.3.110.19)

इत्यभिव्याहृतं तेन मुनिना गतचक्षुषा ॥ निशम्य विस्मिता बाला प्रत्युवाच कृतांजलिः

ityabhivyāhṛtaṁ tena muninā gatacakṣuṣā niśamya vismitā bālā pratyuvāca kṛtāṁjaliḥ

Hearing this blessing spoken by that sightless sage, the astonished girl replied, with joined palms:

Verse 20 (skanda.3.110.20)

ब्रह्मंस्त्वद्वचनं सत्यं कदाचिन्न मृषा भवेत् ॥ तदेतन्मंदभाग्यायाः कथमेतत्फलिष्यति

brahmaṁstvadvacanaṁ satyaṁ kadācinna mṛṣā bhavet tadetanmaṁdabhāgyāyāḥ kathametatphaliṣyati

"O brahmin, your word is true; it could never be false. But how shall this be fulfilled for one so ill-fated as I?

Verse 21 (skanda.3.110.21)

शिलाग्र्यामिव सद्वृष्टिः शुनक्यामिव सत्क्रिया ॥ विफला मंदभाग्यायामाशीर्ब्रह्मविदामपि

śilāgryāmiva sadvṛṣṭiḥ śunakyāmiva satkriyā viphalā maṁdabhāgyāyāmāśīrbrahmavidāmapi

"Like a good rain upon a bare rock, like a good deed done for a bitch, a blessing, even from a knower of Brahman, is fruitless for the ill-fated.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.110.22)

सैषाहं विधवा ब्रह्मन्दुष्कर्मफलभागिनी ॥ त्वदाशीर्वचनस्यास्य कथं यास्यामि पात्रताम्

saiṣāhaṁ vidhavā brahmanduṣkarmaphalabhāginī tvadāśīrvacanasyāsya kathaṁ yāsyāmi pātratām

"I am that very widow, O brahmin, sharing the fruit of evil deeds; how shall I become worthy of this blessing of yours?"

Verse 23 (skanda.3.110.23)

मुनिरुवाच ॥ त्वामनालक्ष्य यत्प्रोक्तमंधेनापि मयाऽधुना ॥ तदेतत्साधयिष्यामि कुरु मच्छासनं शुभे

muniruvāca tvāmanālakṣya yatproktamaṁdhenāpi mayā'dhunā tadetatsādhayiṣyāmi kuru macchāsanaṁ śubhe

The sage said: "What has now been said by me, blind, without seeing you clearly, this I shall accomplish; do as I command, O auspicious one.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.110.24)

उमामहेश्वरं नाम व्रतं यदि चरिष्यसि ॥ तेन व्रतानुभावेन सद्यः श्रेयोऽनुभोक्ष्यसे

umāmaheśvaraṁ nāma vrataṁ yadi cariṣyasi tena vratānubhāvena sadyaḥ śreyo'nubhokṣyase

"If you will perform the vow called Uma-Maheshvara, by the power of that vow you shall instantly enjoy well-being."

Verse 25 (skanda.3.110.25)

शारदोवाच ॥ त्वयोपदिष्टं यत्नेन चरिष्याम्यपि दुश्चरम् ॥ तद्व्रतं ब्रूहि मे ब्रह्मन्विधानं वद विस्तरात्

śāradovāca tvayopadiṣṭaṁ yatnena cariṣyāmyapi duścaram tadvrataṁ brūhi me brahmanvidhānaṁ vada vistarāt

Sharada said: "I shall perform, with effort, even what you have taught me, however difficult to perform; tell me that vow, O brahmin, tell me its procedure in detail."

Verse 26 (skanda.3.110.26)

मुनिरुवाच ॥ चैत्रे वा मार्गशीर्षे वा शुक्लपक्षे शुभे दिने ॥ व्रतारंभं प्रकुर्वीत यथावद्गुर्वनुज्ञया

muniruvāca caitre vā mārgaśīrṣe vā śuklapakṣe śubhe dine vratāraṁbhaṁ prakurvīta yathāvadgurvanujñayā

The sage said: "In Chaitra or in Margashirsha, in the bright fortnight, on an auspicious day, one should begin the vow duly, with the permission of one's elders.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.110.27)

अष्टम्यां च चतुर्दश्यामुभयोरपि पर्वणोः ॥ संकल्पं विधिवत्कृत्वा प्रातःस्नानं समाचरेत्

aṣṭamyāṁ ca caturdaśyāmubhayorapi parvaṇoḥ saṁkalpaṁ vidhivatkṛtvā prātaḥsnānaṁ samācaret

"On the eighth and fourteenth days, on both the parvan days, having made one's resolve duly, one should perform a morning bath.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.110.28)

सन्तर्प्य पितृदेवादीन्गत्वा स्वभवनं प्रति ॥ मंडपं रचयेद्दिव्यं वितानाद्यैरलंकृतम्

santarpya pitṛdevādīngatvā svabhavanaṁ prati maṁḍapaṁ racayeddivyaṁ vitānādyairalaṁkṛtam

"Having satisfied the ancestors and gods with offerings, and having returned toward one's own house, one should build a divine pavilion, adorned with canopies and the like,

Verse 29 (skanda.3.110.29)

फलपल्लवपुष्पाद्यैस्तोरणैश्च समन्वितम् ॥ पंचवर्णैश्च तन्मध्ये रजोभिः पद्ममुद्धरेत्

phalapallavapuṣpādyaistoraṇaiśca samanvitam paṁcavarṇaiśca tanmadhye rajobhiḥ padmamuddharet

"furnished with festoons of fruits, sprouts, and flowers, and with garlands; in its midst one should draw a lotus with five colors of powder.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.110.30)

चतुर्दशदलैर्बाह्ये द्वाविंशद्भिस्तदंतरे ॥ तदंतरं षोडशभिरष्टभिश्च तदंतरे ॥ एवं पद्मं समुद्धत्य पंचवर्णैर्मनोरमम् ॥ चतुरस्रं ततः कुर्यादंतर्वर्तुलमुत्तमम्

caturdaśadalairbāhye dvāviṁśadbhistadaṁtare tadaṁtaraṁ ṣoḍaśabhiraṣṭabhiśca tadaṁtare evaṁ padmaṁ samuddhatya paṁcavarṇairmanoramam caturasraṁ tataḥ kuryādaṁtarvartulamuttamam

"With fourteen petals outside, twenty-two within them, then sixteen within that, and eight within that, having thus drawn the lovely lotus with five colors, one should then make an excellent square with a circle inside.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.110.31)

व्रीहितंडुलराशिं च तन्मध्ये च सकूर्चकम् ॥ कूर्चोपरि सुसंस्थाप्य कलशं वारिपूरितम्

vrīhitaṁḍularāśiṁ ca tanmadhye ca sakūrcakam kūrcopari susaṁsthāpya kalaśaṁ vāripūritam

"In its midst a heap of unhusked rice, together with a bundle of kusha grass; having placed it well atop the bundle, a water-filled vessel,

Verse 32 (skanda.3.110.32)

कलशोपरि विन्यस्य वस्त्रं वर्णसमन्वितम् ॥ तस्योपरिष्टात्सौवर्ण्यौ प्रतिमे शिवयोः शुभे ॥ निधाय पूजयेद्भक्त्या यथाविभवविस्तरम्

kalaśopari vinyasya vastraṁ varṇasamanvitam tasyopariṣṭātsauvarṇyau pratime śivayoḥ śubhe nidhāya pūjayedbhaktyā yathāvibhavavistaram

"and upon the vessel a cloth of many colors; upon that, two auspicious golden images of Shiva and Parvati, having placed them, one should worship with devotion, as lavishly as one's means allow.

Verse 33 (skanda.3.110.33)

पंचामृतैस्तु संस्नाप्य तथा शुद्धोदकेन च ॥ रुद्रैकादशकं जप्त्वा पंचाक्षरशताष्टकम्

paṁcāmṛtaistu saṁsnāpya tathā śuddhodakena ca rudraikādaśakaṁ japtvā paṁcākṣaraśatāṣṭakam

"Having bathed them with the five nectars and with pure water, having recited the eleven Rudra-hymns and the eight hundred five-syllabled mantras,

Verse 34 (skanda.3.110.34)

अभिमंत्र्य पुनः स्थाप्य पीठं मध्ये तथार्चयेत् ॥ स्वयं शुद्धासनासीनो धौतशुक्लांबरः सुधीः

abhimaṁtrya punaḥ sthāpya pīṭhaṁ madhye tathārcayet svayaṁ śuddhāsanāsīno dhautaśuklāṁbaraḥ sudhīḥ

"having consecrated them again, and having set up the seat in the middle, one should worship there; seated oneself on a pure seat, clad in washed white garments, the wise one,

Verse 35 (skanda.3.110.35)

पीठमामंत्र्य मंत्रेण प्राणायामान्समाचरेत् ॥ संकल्पं प्रवदेत्तत्र शिवाग्रे विहितांजलिः

pīṭhamāmaṁtrya maṁtreṇa prāṇāyāmānsamācaret saṁkalpaṁ pravadettatra śivāgre vihitāṁjaliḥ

"having invoked the seat with a mantra, should perform the pranayamas; there, before Shiva, with joined palms, one should utter one's resolve.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.110.36)

यानि पापानि घोराणि जन्मांतरशतेषु मे ॥ तेषां सर्वविनाशाय शिवपूजां समारभे

yāni pāpāni ghorāṇi janmāṁtaraśateṣu me teṣāṁ sarvavināśāya śivapūjāṁ samārabhe

"'Whatever terrible sins are mine across hundreds of former births, for the destruction of all of them, I undertake this worship of Shiva.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.110.37)

सौभाग्यविजयारोग्यधर्मैश्वर्याभिवृद्धये ॥ स्वर्गापवर्गसिद्ध्यर्थं करिष्ये शिवपूजनम्

saubhāgyavijayārogyadharmaiśvaryābhivṛddhaye svargāpavargasiddhyarthaṁ kariṣye śivapūjanam

"'For the increase of good fortune, victory, health, dharma, and lordship, and for the attainment of heaven and liberation, I shall perform this worship of Shiva.'

Verse 38 (skanda.3.110.38)

इति संकल्पमुच्चार्य यथावत्सुसमाहितः ॥ अंगन्यासं ततः कृत्वा ध्यायेदीशं च पार्वतीम्

iti saṁkalpamuccārya yathāvatsusamāhitaḥ aṁganyāsaṁ tataḥ kṛtvā dhyāyedīśaṁ ca pārvatīm

"Having uttered this resolve duly, well composed, having then performed the limb-placement, one should meditate on the Lord and on Parvati.

Verse 39 (skanda.3.110.39)

कुंदेंदुधवलाकारं नागाभरणभूषितम् ॥ वरदाभयहस्तं च बिभ्राणं परशुं मृगम्

kuṁdeṁdudhavalākāraṁ nāgābharaṇabhūṣitam varadābhayahastaṁ ca bibhrāṇaṁ paraśuṁ mṛgam

"Him of a form white as jasmine or the moon, adorned with serpent ornaments, his hands in the gestures of boon-giving and reassurance, holding an axe and a deer,

Verse 40 (skanda.3.110.40)

सूर्यकोटिप्रतीकाशं जगदानंदकारणम् ॥ जाह्नवीजलसंपर्काद्दीर्घपिंगजटाधरम्

sūryakoṭipratīkāśaṁ jagadānaṁdakāraṇam jāhnavījalasaṁparkāddīrghapiṁgajaṭādharam

"radiant as a myriad suns, the cause of the joy of the universe, his long tawny matted locks touched by the waters of the Ganga,

Verse 41 (skanda.3.110.41)

उरगेंद्रफणोद्भूतमहामुकुटमंडितम् ॥ शीतांशुखंडविलसत्कोटीरांगदभूषणम्

urageṁdraphaṇodbhūtamahāmukuṭamaṁḍitam śītāṁśukhaṁḍavilasatkoṭīrāṁgadabhūṣaṇam

"adorned with a great crown arisen from the hoods of serpent-kings, resplendent with a diadem and armlets shining with a crescent of the cool moon,

Verse 42 (skanda.3.110.42)

उन्मीलद्भालनयनं तथा सूर्येंदुलोचनम् ॥ नीलकंठं चतुर्बाहुं गजेंद्राजिनवाससम्

unmīladbhālanayanaṁ tathā sūryeṁdulocanam nīlakaṁṭhaṁ caturbāhuṁ gajeṁdrājinavāsasam

"his forehead-eye opening, and eyes like the sun and moon, blue-throated, four-armed, clad in the hide of a great elephant,

Verse 43 (skanda.3.110.43)

रत्नसिंहासनारूढं नागाभरणभूषितम् ॥ देवीं च दिव्यवसनां बालसूर्यायुतद्युतिम्

ratnasiṁhāsanārūḍhaṁ nāgābharaṇabhūṣitam devīṁ ca divyavasanāṁ bālasūryāyutadyutim

"seated upon a jeweled lion-throne, adorned with serpent ornaments; and the goddess, in divine garments, radiant as ten thousand rising suns,

Verse 44 (skanda.3.110.44)

बालवेषां च तन्वंगीं बालशीतांशुशेखराम् ॥ पाशांकुशवराभीतिं बिभ्रतीं च चतुर्भुजाम्

bālaveṣāṁ ca tanvaṁgīṁ bālaśītāṁśuśekharām pāśāṁkuśavarābhītiṁ bibhratīṁ ca caturbhujām

"of youthful bearing, slender-limbed, crowned with the young crescent moon, four-armed, holding a noose, a goad, and the gestures of boon-granting and reassurance,

Verse 45 (skanda.3.110.45)

प्रसादसुमुखीमंबां लीलारसविहारिणीम् ॥ लसत्कुरबकाशोकपुन्नागनवचंपकैः

prasādasumukhīmaṁbāṁ līlārasavihāriṇīm lasatkurabakāśokapunnāganavacaṁpakaiḥ

"her gracious face full of favor, the Mother, delighting in sport, her hair adorned with blossoming kuravaka, ashoka, punnaga and fresh champaka flowers,

Verse 46 (skanda.3.110.46)

कृतावतंसामुत्फुल्लमल्लिकोत्कलितालकाम् ॥ कांचीकलापपर्यस्तजघनाभोगशालिनीम्

kṛtāvataṁsāmutphullamallikotkalitālakām kāṁcīkalāpaparyastajaghanābhogaśālinīm

"with locks loosened by blooming jasmine, her broad hips graced by the sweep of her girdle-string,

Verse 47 (skanda.3.110.47)

उदारकिंकिणीश्रेणीनूपुराढ्यपदद्वयाम् ॥ गंडमंडलसंसक्तरत्नकुंडलशोभिताम्

udārakiṁkiṇīśreṇīnūpurāḍhyapadadvayām gaṁḍamaṁḍalasaṁsaktaratnakuṁḍalaśobhitām

"her two feet rich with rows of tinkling anklet-bells, her cheeks adorned with jeweled earrings clinging to their round curve,

Verse 48 (skanda.3.110.48)

बिंबाधरानुरक्तांशुलसद्दशन कुड्मलाम् ॥ महार्हरत्नग्रेवेयतारहारविराजिताम्

biṁbādharānuraktāṁśulasaddaśana kuḍmalām mahārharatnagreveyatārahāravirājitām

"her budding teeth gleaming with the red radiance of her bimba-fruit lips, resplendent with a garland of priceless jewels upon her neck,

Verse 49 (skanda.3.110.49)

नवमाणिक्यरुचिरकंकणांगदमुद्रिकाम् ॥ रक्तांशुकपरीधानां रत्नमाल्यानुलेपनाम्

navamāṇikyarucirakaṁkaṇāṁgadamudrikām raktāṁśukaparīdhānāṁ ratnamālyānulepanām

"her bracelets, armlets and rings lovely with fresh rubies, clad in red garments, anointed with jeweled garlands,

Verse 50 (skanda.3.110.50)

उद्यत्पीनकुचद्वंद्वनिंदितांभोजकुड्मलाम् ॥ लीलालोलासितापांगीं भक्तानुग्रहदायिनीम्

udyatpīnakucadvaṁdvaniṁditāṁbhojakuḍmalām līlālolāsitāpāṁgīṁ bhaktānugrahadāyinīm

"her pair of full, rising breasts putting to shame the buds of the lotus, her dark, playfully restless glance, the bestower of grace upon her devotees.

Verse 51 (skanda.3.110.51)

एवं ध्यात्वा तु हृत्पद्मे जगतः पितरौ शिवौ ॥ जप्त्वा तदात्मकं मंत्रं तदंते बहिरर्चयेत्

evaṁ dhyātvā tu hṛtpadme jagataḥ pitarau śivau japtvā tadātmakaṁ maṁtraṁ tadaṁte bahirarcayet

"Having thus meditated, in the lotus of the heart, upon Shiva and Parvati, the parents of the universe, having recited the mantra embodying them, one should then worship them outwardly, afterward.

Verse 52 (skanda.3.110.52)

आवाह्य प्रतिमायुग्मे कल्पयेदासनादिकम् ॥ अर्घ्यं च दद्याच्छिवयोर्मंत्रेणानेन मंत्रवित्

āvāhya pratimāyugme kalpayedāsanādikam arghyaṁ ca dadyācchivayormaṁtreṇānena maṁtravit

"Having invoked them into the pair of images, one should arrange the seat and other rites; and one should offer arghya to Shiva and Parvati with this mantra, the knower of mantras:

Verse 53 (skanda.3.110.53)

नमस्ते पार्वतीनाथ त्रैलोक्यवरदर्षभ ॥ त्र्यंबकेश महादेव गृहाणार्घ्यं नमोऽस्तु ते

namaste pārvatīnātha trailokyavaradarṣabha tryaṁbakeśa mahādeva gṛhāṇārghyaṁ namo'stu te

"'Salutation to you, Lord of Parvati, bull among the boon-givers of the three worlds; O Tryambakesha, Mahadeva, accept this arghya; salutation to you.

Verse 54 (skanda.3.110.54)

नमस्ते देवदेवेशि प्रपन्नभयहारिणि ॥ अंबिके वरदे देवि गृहाणार्घ्यं शिवप्रिये

namaste devadeveśi prapannabhayahāriṇi aṁbike varade devi gṛhāṇārghyaṁ śivapriye

"'Salutation to you, mistress of the gods of gods, remover of the fear of those who take refuge; O Ambika, boon-giver, goddess, beloved of Shiva, accept this arghya.'

Verse 55 (skanda.3.110.55)

इति त्रिवारमुच्चार्य दद्यादर्घ्यं समाहितः ॥ गन्धपुष्पाक्षतान्सम्यग्धूपदीपान्प्रकल्पयेत्

iti trivāramuccārya dadyādarghyaṁ samāhitaḥ gandhapuṣpākṣatānsamyagdhūpadīpānprakalpayet

"Having thus uttered thrice, composed in mind, one should offer the arghya; one should duly arrange fragrance, flowers, unbroken rice-grains, incense, and lamps.

Verse 56 (skanda.3.110.56)

नैवेद्यं पायसान्नेन घृताक्तं परिकल्पयेत् ॥ जुहुयान्मूलमंत्रेण हविरष्टोत्तरं शतम्

naivedyaṁ pāyasānnena ghṛtāktaṁ parikalpayet juhuyānmūlamaṁtreṇa haviraṣṭottaraṁ śatam

"One should prepare the food-offering of rice-pudding mixed with ghee; one should offer oblations, a hundred and eight in number, with the root-mantra.

Verse 57 (skanda.3.110.57)

तत उद्वास्य नैवेद्यं धूपनीराजनादिकम् ॥ कृत्वा निवेद्य तांबूलं नमस्कुर्यात्समाहितः

tata udvāsya naivedyaṁ dhūpanīrājanādikam kṛtvā nivedya tāṁbūlaṁ namaskuryātsamāhitaḥ

"Then, having removed the food-offering, and performed incense, arati and the like, having offered betel, one should bow, composed in mind.

Verse 58 (skanda.3.110.58)

अथाभ्यर्च्योपचारेण भोजयेद्विप्रदंपती

athābhyarcyopacāreṇa bhojayedvipradaṁpatī

"Then, having worshipped with all these attendant rites, one should feed a brahmin couple.

Verse 59 (skanda.3.110.59)

एवं सायंतनीं पूजां कृत्वा विप्रानुमोदितः ॥ भुंजीत वाग्यतो रात्रौ हविष्यं क्षीरभावितम्

evaṁ sāyaṁtanīṁ pūjāṁ kṛtvā viprānumoditaḥ bhuṁjīta vāgyato rātrau haviṣyaṁ kṣīrabhāvitam

"Thus, having performed the evening worship, permitted by the brahmins, one should eat at night, speech restrained, a sanctified food mixed with milk.

Verse 60 (skanda.3.110.60)

एवं संवत्सरं कुर्याद्व्रतं पक्षद्वये बुधः ॥ ततः संवत्सरे पूर्णे व्रतोद्यापनमाचरेत्

evaṁ saṁvatsaraṁ kuryādvrataṁ pakṣadvaye budhaḥ tataḥ saṁvatsare pūrṇe vratodyāpanamācaret

"Thus the wise one should perform the vow for a full year, on both fortnights; then, when the year is complete, one should perform the concluding rite of the vow.

Verse 61 (skanda.3.110.61)

शतरुद्राभिजप्तेन स्नापयेत्प्रतिमे जलैः ॥ आगमोक्तेन मन्त्रेण संपूज्य गिरिजाशिवौ

śatarudrābhijaptena snāpayetpratime jalaiḥ āgamoktena mantreṇa saṁpūjya girijāśivau

"Having bathed the images with waters consecrated by the recitation of the Shatarudriya, having duly worshipped Girija and Shiva with the mantra prescribed in the Agamas,

Verse 62 (skanda.3.110.62)

सवस्त्रं ससुवर्ण च कलशं प्रति मान्वितम्॥ दत्त्वाचार्याय महते सदाचाररताय च ॥ ब्राह्मणान्भोजयेद्भक्त्या यथाशक्त्याभिपूज्य च

savastraṁ sasuvarṇa ca kalaśaṁ prati mānvitam dattvācāryāya mahate sadācāraratāya ca brāhmaṇānbhojayedbhaktyā yathāśaktyābhipūjya ca

"having given to the great preceptor, devoted to good conduct, a vessel together with its cloth and gold, in proper measure, one should feed brahmins with devotion, having honored them according to one's means.

Verse 63 (skanda.3.110.63)

दद्याच्च दक्षिणां तेभ्यो गोहिरण्यांबरादिकम् ॥ भुंजीत तदनुज्ञातः सहेष्टजनबंधुभिः

dadyācca dakṣiṇāṁ tebhyo gohiraṇyāṁbarādikam bhuṁjīta tadanujñātaḥ saheṣṭajanabaṁdhubhiḥ

"And one should give them dakshina, cows, gold, garments and the like; permitted by them, one should eat together with one's dear ones and kinsmen.

Verse 64 (skanda.3.110.64)

एवं यः कुरुते भक्त्या व्रतं त्रैलोक्यविश्रुतम् ॥ त्रिःसप्तकुलमुद्धृत्य भुक्त्वा भोगान्यथेप्सि तान्

evaṁ yaḥ kurute bhaktyā vrataṁ trailokyaviśrutam triḥsaptakulamuddhṛtya bhuktvā bhogānyathepsi tān

"He who thus performs with devotion this vow, renowned in all three worlds, having delivered twenty-one generations of his lineage, having enjoyed whatever pleasures he desires,

Verse 65 (skanda.3.110.65)

इन्द्रादिलोकपालानां स्थानेषु रमते धुवम् ॥ ब्रह्मलोके च रमते विष्णुलोके च शाश्वते

indrādilokapālānāṁ sthāneṣu ramate dhuvam brahmaloke ca ramate viṣṇuloke ca śāśvate

"sports surely in the abodes of Indra and the other guardians of the worlds; he sports in the world of Brahma, and in the eternal world of Vishnu.

Verse 66 (skanda.3.110.66)

शिवलोकमथ प्राप्य तत्र कल्पशतं पुनः ॥ भुक्त्वा भोगान्सुविपुलाञ्छिवमेव प्रपद्यते

śivalokamatha prāpya tatra kalpaśataṁ punaḥ bhuktvā bhogānsuvipulāñchivameva prapadyate

"Then, having attained the world of Shiva, having enjoyed there vast pleasures for a hundred kalpas, he attains Shiva himself.

Verse 67 (skanda.3.110.67)

महाव्रतमिदं प्रोक्तं त्वमपि श्रद्धया चर ॥ अत्यंतदुर्लभं वापि लप्स्यसे च मनोरथम्

mahāvratamidaṁ proktaṁ tvamapi śraddhayā cara atyaṁtadurlabhaṁ vāpi lapsyase ca manoratham

"This great vow has been declared; you too should perform it with faith; you shall obtain your heart's desire, however exceedingly hard to attain."

Verse 68 (skanda.3.110.68)

इत्यादिष्टा मुनींद्रेण सा बाला मुदिता भृशम् ॥ प्रत्यग्रहीत्सुविश्रब्धा तद्वाक्यं सुमनोहरम्

ityādiṣṭā munīṁdreṇa sā bālā muditā bhṛśam pratyagrahītsuviśrabdhā tadvākyaṁ sumanoharam

Thus instructed by that lord of sages, that girl, greatly delighted, received his most lovely words with complete trust.

Verse 69 (skanda.3.110.69)

अथ तस्याः समायाताः पितृमातृ सहोदराः ॥ तं मुनिं सुखमासीनं ददृशुः कृतभोजनम्

atha tasyāḥ samāyātāḥ pitṛmātṛ sahodarāḥ taṁ muniṁ sukhamāsīnaṁ dadṛśuḥ kṛtabhojanam

Then her father, mother, and siblings arrived, and saw that sage seated comfortably, having finished his meal.

Verse 70 (skanda.3.110.70)

सहसागत्य ते सर्वे नमश्चक्रुर्महात्मने ॥ प्रसीद नः प्रसीदेति गृणतः पर्यपूज यन्

sahasāgatya te sarve namaścakrurmahātmane prasīda naḥ prasīdeti gṛṇataḥ paryapūja yan

Coming suddenly, all of them bowed to that great soul, saying "Be gracious to us, be gracious," and honored him.

Verse 71 (skanda.3.110.71)

श्रुत्वा च ते तया साध्व्या पूजितं परमं मुनिम् ॥ अनुग्रहवतं तस्यै श्रुत्वा हर्षं परं ययुः

śrutvā ca te tayā sādhvyā pūjitaṁ paramaṁ munim anugrahavataṁ tasyai śrutvā harṣaṁ paraṁ yayuḥ

And hearing that he had been worshipped by that virtuous girl, and hearing that he had shown her grace, they went to the greatest joy.

Verse 72 (skanda.3.110.72)

ते कृतांजलयः सर्वे तमूचुर्मुनि पुंगवम्

te kṛtāṁjalayaḥ sarve tamūcurmuni puṁgavam

All of them, with joined palms, said to that bull among sages:

Verse 73 (skanda.3.110.73)

अद्य धन्या वयं सर्वे तवागमनमात्रतः ॥ पावितं नः कुलं सर्वं गृहं च सफलीकृतम्

adya dhanyā vayaṁ sarve tavāgamanamātrataḥ pāvitaṁ naḥ kulaṁ sarvaṁ gṛhaṁ ca saphalīkṛtam

"Today we are all blessed, merely by your arrival; our whole family has been purified, and our house made fruitful.

Verse 74 (skanda.3.110.74)

इयं च शारदा नाम कन्या वैधव्यमागता ॥ केनापि कर्मयोगेन दुर्विलंघ्येन भूयसा

iyaṁ ca śāradā nāma kanyā vaidhavyamāgatā kenāpi karmayogena durvilaṁghyena bhūyasā

"This girl named Sharada has attained widowhood, through some deed of hers, most difficult to overcome.

Verse 75 (skanda.3.110.75)

सैषाद्य तव पादाब्जं प्रपन्ना शरणं सती ॥ इमां समुद्धरासह्यात्सुघोराद्दुःख सागरात्

saiṣādya tava pādābjaṁ prapannā śaraṇaṁ satī imāṁ samuddharāsahyātsughorādduḥkha sāgarāt

"She, this faithful woman, has today taken refuge at your lotus feet; deliver her from this unbearable, most terrible ocean of sorrow.

Verse 76 (skanda.3.110.76)

त्वयापि तावदत्रैव स्थातव्यं नो गृहांतिके ॥ अस्मद्गृहमठेऽप्यस्मिन्स्नानपूजाजपोचिते

tvayāpi tāvadatraiva sthātavyaṁ no gṛhāṁtike asmadgṛhamaṭhe'pyasminsnānapūjājapocite

"You too should stay here for now, near our house, in this our hermitage-house, suited for bathing, worship, and recitation.

Verse 77 (skanda.3.110.77)

एषा बालापि भगवन्कुर्वंती त्वत्पदार्चनम् ॥ व्रतं त्वत्सन्निधावेव चरिष्यति महामुने

eṣā bālāpi bhagavankurvaṁtī tvatpadārcanam vrataṁ tvatsannidhāveva cariṣyati mahāmune

"This girl too, O Lord, performing worship of your feet, shall carry out the vow right here in your presence, O great sage.

Verse 78 (skanda.3.110.78)

यावत्समाप्तिमायाति व्रतमस्यास्त्वदंतिके ॥ उषित्वा तावदत्रैव कृतार्थान्कुरु नो गुरो

yāvatsamāptimāyāti vratamasyāstvadaṁtike uṣitvā tāvadatraiva kṛtārthānkuru no guro

"Until this vow of hers, in your presence, reaches its completion, having dwelt here for that time, make us fulfilled, O guru."

Verse 79 (skanda.3.110.79)

एवमभ्यर्थितः सर्वैस्तस्या भ्रातृजनादिभिः ॥ तथेति स मुनिश्रेष्ठस्तत्रोवास मठे शुभे

evamabhyarthitaḥ sarvaistasyā bhrātṛjanādibhiḥ tatheti sa muniśreṣṭhastatrovāsa maṭhe śubhe

Thus entreated by all of them, her brothers and the rest, that best of sages said "So be it," and dwelt there in that auspicious hermitage.

Verse 80 (skanda.3.110.80)

सापि तेनोपदिष्टेन मार्गेण गिरिजाशिवौ ॥ अर्चयंती व्रतं सम्यक्चचार विमला सती

sāpi tenopadiṣṭena mārgeṇa girijāśivau arcayaṁtī vrataṁ samyakcacāra vimalā satī

And she too, by the path taught by him, worshipping Girija and Shiva, faithfully performed the vow, that pure and virtuous woman.