The Fulfillment of Sharada's Vow

Verse 1 (skanda.3.111.1)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ एवं महाव्रतं तस्याश्चरंत्या गुरुसन्निधौ ॥ संवत्सरो व्यतीयाय नियमासक्तचेतसः

sūta uvāca evaṁ mahāvrataṁ tasyāścaraṁtyā gurusannidhau saṁvatsaro vyatīyāya niyamāsaktacetasaḥ

Suta said: Thus, as she performed this great vow in the presence of the guru, a year passed for her, her mind intent on the discipline.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.111.2)

संवत्सरांते सा बाला तत्रैव पितृमंदिरे ॥ चकारोद्यापनं सम्यग्विप्रभोजनपूर्वकम्

saṁvatsarāṁte sā bālā tatraiva pitṛmaṁdire cakārodyāpanaṁ samyagviprabhojanapūrvakam

At the end of the year, that girl, right there in her father's house, duly performed the concluding rite, beginning with the feeding of brahmins.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.111.3)

दत्त्वा च दक्षिणां तेभ्यो ब्राह्मणेभ्यो यथार्हतः ॥ विसृज्य तान्नमस्कृत्य पितृभ्यामभिनंदिता

dattvā ca dakṣiṇāṁ tebhyo brāhmaṇebhyo yathārhataḥ visṛjya tānnamaskṛtya pitṛbhyāmabhinaṁditā

Having given dakshina to those brahmins according to their worth, having taken leave of them and bowed to them, she was congratulated by her parents.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.111.4)

उपोषिता स्वयं तस्मिन्दिने नियममाश्रिता ॥ जजाप परमं मंत्रमुपदिष्टं महात्मना

upoṣitā svayaṁ tasmindine niyamamāśritā jajāpa paramaṁ maṁtramupadiṣṭaṁ mahātmanā

Fasting herself on that day, devoted to her vow, she recited the supreme mantra taught by that great soul.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.111.5)

अथ प्रदोषसमये प्राप्ते संपूज्य शंकरम् ॥ तस्मिन्गृहांतिकमठे गुरोस्तस्य च सन्निधौ

atha pradoṣasamaye prāpte saṁpūjya śaṁkaram tasmingṛhāṁtikamaṭhe gurostasya ca sannidhau

Then, when the hour of Pradosha arrived, having worshipped Shankara, in that hermitage near the house, in the presence of that guru,

Verse 6 (skanda.3.111.6)

जपार्चनरता साध्वी ध्यायती परमेश्वरम् ॥ तस्मिञ्जागरणे रात्रावुपविष्टा शिवांतिके

japārcanaratā sādhvī dhyāyatī parameśvaram tasmiñjāgaraṇe rātrāvupaviṣṭā śivāṁtike

that virtuous woman, devoted to recitation and worship, meditating on the Supreme Lord, sat that night in vigil near Shiva.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.111.7)

युग्मम् ॥ तस्यां रात्रौ तया सार्धं स मुनिर्जगदंबिकाम् ॥ जपध्यान तपोभिश्च तोषयामास पार्वतीम्

yugmam tasyāṁ rātrau tayā sārdhaṁ sa munirjagadaṁbikām japadhyāna tapobhiśca toṣayāmāsa pārvatīm

That night, together with her, that sage pleased the mother of the universe, Parvati, with recitation, meditation, and austerities.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.111.8)

तस्याश्च भक्त्या व्रतभाविताया मुनेस्तपोयोगसमाधिना च ॥ तुष्टा भवानी जगदेकमाता प्रादुर्बभूवा कृतसांद्रमूर्तिः

tasyāśca bhaktyā vratabhāvitāyā munestapoyogasamādhinā ca tuṣṭā bhavānī jagadekamātā prādurbabhūvā kṛtasāṁdramūrtiḥ

And, pleased by her devotion, matured through the vow, and by the sage's austerity, yoga, and meditation, Bhavani, the one mother of the universe, appeared, her form made dense and manifest.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.111.9)

प्रादुर्भूता यदा गौरी तयोरग्रे जगन्मयी ॥ अन्धोऽपि तत्क्षणादेव मुनिः प्राप दृशोर्द्वयम्

prādurbhūtā yadā gaurī tayoragre jaganmayī andho'pi tatkṣaṇādeva muniḥ prāpa dṛśordvayam

When Gauri, the world-embodying one, appeared before the two of them, that blind sage instantly regained the pair of his eyes.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.111.10)

तां वीक्ष्य जगतां धात्रीमाविर्भूतां पुरःस्थिताम् ॥ निपेततुस्तत्पदयोः स मुनिः सा च कन्यका

tāṁ vīkṣya jagatāṁ dhātrīmāvirbhūtāṁ puraḥsthitām nipetatustatpadayoḥ sa muniḥ sā ca kanyakā

Beholding her, the nurturer of the worlds, manifest and standing before them, that sage and that girl both fell at her feet.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.111.11)

तौ भक्तिभावोच्छ्वसितामलाशयावानंदबाष्पोक्षित सर्वगात्रौ ॥ उत्थाप्य देवी कृपया परिप्लुता प्रेम्णा बभाषे मृदुवल्गुभाषिणी

tau bhaktibhāvocchvasitāmalāśayāvānaṁdabāṣpokṣita sarvagātrau utthāpya devī kṛpayā pariplutā premṇā babhāṣe mṛduvalgubhāṣiṇī

Raising them up, their pure hearts swelling with devotion, their whole bodies sprinkled with tears of bliss, the goddess, overflowing with compassion, spoke to them with love, her voice soft and sweet.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.111.12)

देव्युवाच ॥ प्रीतास्मि ते मुनिश्रेष्ठ वत्से प्रीतास्मि तेऽनघे ॥ किं वा ददाम्यभिमतं देवानामपि दुर्लभम्

devyuvāca prītāsmi te muniśreṣṭha vatse prītāsmi te'naghe kiṁ vā dadāmyabhimataṁ devānāmapi durlabham

The goddess said: "I am pleased with you, best of sages; I am pleased with you too, sinless child. What shall I give that you desire, however hard to obtain even for the gods?"

Verse 13 (skanda.3.111.13)

मुनिरुवाच ॥ एषा तु शारदा नाम कन्या तु गतभतृका ॥ मया प्रतिश्रुतं चास्यै तुष्टेन गतचक्षुषा

muniruvāca eṣā tu śāradā nāma kanyā tu gatabhatṛkā mayā pratiśrutaṁ cāsyai tuṣṭena gatacakṣuṣā

The sage said: "This is the girl named Sharada, whose husband has died; I promised her, pleased, though then sightless,

Verse 14 (skanda.3.111.14)

सह भर्त्रा चिरं कालं विहृत्य सुतमुत्तमम् ॥ लभस्वेति मया प्रोक्तं सत्यं कुरु नमोऽस्तु ते

saha bhartrā ciraṁ kālaṁ vihṛtya sutamuttamam labhasveti mayā proktaṁ satyaṁ kuru namo'stu te

"'Having sported with your husband for a long time, and having obtained an excellent son, you shall attain this,' thus I spoke; make it true; salutation to you."

Verse 15 (skanda.3.111.15)

श्रीदेव्युवाच ॥ एषा पूर्वभवे बाला द्राविडस्य द्विजन्मनः ॥ आसीद्द्वितीया दयिता भामिनी नाम विश्रुता

śrīdevyuvāca eṣā pūrvabhave bālā drāviḍasya dvijanmanaḥ āsīddvitīyā dayitā bhāminī nāma viśrutā

Shri Devi said: "This girl, in a former birth, was the second beloved wife of a Dravida brahmin, renowned by the name Bhamini.

Verse 16 (skanda.3.111.16)

सा भर्तृप्रेयसी नित्यं रूपमाधुर्यपेशला ॥ भर्तारं वशमानिन्ये रूपवश्यादिकैतवैः

sā bhartṛpreyasī nityaṁ rūpamādhuryapeśalā bhartāraṁ vaśamāninye rūpavaśyādikaitavaiḥ

"She, ever dear to her husband, charming in beauty and sweetness, brought her husband under her control through beguiling charms of her beauty.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.111.17)

अस्यां चासक्तहृदयः स विप्रो मोहयंत्रितः ॥ कदाचिदपि नैवागाज्ज्येष्ठपत्नीं पतिव्रताम्

asyāṁ cāsaktahṛdayaḥ sa vipro mohayaṁtritaḥ kadācidapi naivāgājjyeṣṭhapatnīṁ pativratām

"Attached in heart to her, that brahmin, bound by delusion, never once went to his eldest wife, the faithful one.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.111.18)

अनभ्यागमनाद्भर्तुः सा नारी पुत्रवर्जिता ॥ सदा शोकेन संतप्ता कालेन निधनं गता

anabhyāgamanādbhartuḥ sā nārī putravarjitā sadā śokena saṁtaptā kālena nidhanaṁ gatā

"Because of her husband's failure to come to her, that woman, deprived of children, ever scorched with grief, in time met her death.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.111.19)

अस्या गृहसमीपस्थो यः कश्चिद्ब्राह्मणो युवा ॥ इमां वीक्ष्याथ चार्वंगीं कामार्तः करमग्रहीत्

asyā gṛhasamīpastho yaḥ kaścidbrāhmaṇo yuvā imāṁ vīkṣyātha cārvaṁgīṁ kāmārtaḥ karamagrahīt

"A certain young brahmin living near this girl's house, seeing this lovely-limbed woman, tormented by desire, seized her hand.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.111.20)

अनया रोषताम्राक्ष्या स विप्रस्तु निवारितः ॥ इमां स्मरन्दिवानक्तं निधनं प्रत्यपद्यत

anayā roṣatāmrākṣyā sa viprastu nivāritaḥ imāṁ smarandivānaktaṁ nidhanaṁ pratyapadyata

"That brahmin was rebuffed by her, her eyes red with anger; remembering her day and night, he met his own death.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.111.21)

एषा संमोह्य भर्तारं ज्येष्ठपत्न्यां पराङ्मुखम् ॥ चकार तेन पापेन भवेस्मिन्विधवाऽभवत्

eṣā saṁmohya bhartāraṁ jyeṣṭhapatnyāṁ parāṅmukham cakāra tena pāpena bhavesminvidhavā'bhavat

"She, having thus beguiled her husband, turning him away from his eldest wife, by that sin, in this present birth, became a widow.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.111.22)

याः कुर्वंति स्त्रियो लोके जायापत्योश्च विप्रियम् ॥ तासां कौमारवैधव्यमेकविंशतिजन्मसु

yāḥ kurvaṁti striyo loke jāyāpatyośca vipriyam tāsāṁ kaumāravaidhavyamekaviṁśatijanmasu

"Women in this world who cause displeasure between husband and wife suffer widowhood in childhood for twenty-one births.

Verse 23 (skanda.3.111.23)

यदेतया पूर्वभवे मत्पूजा महती कृता ॥ तेन पुण्येन तत्पापं नष्टं सर्वं तदैव हि

yadetayā pūrvabhave matpūjā mahatī kṛtā tena puṇyena tatpāpaṁ naṣṭaṁ sarvaṁ tadaiva hi

"But because, in that former birth, she performed great worship of me, by that merit that sin was entirely destroyed at that very time.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.111.24)

यो विप्रो विरहार्तः सन्मृतः कामविमोहितः ॥ सोऽस्याः पाणिग्रहं कृत्वा भवेस्मिन्निधनं गतः

yo vipro virahārtaḥ sanmṛtaḥ kāmavimohitaḥ so'syāḥ pāṇigrahaṁ kṛtvā bhavesminnidhanaṁ gataḥ

"That brahmin who died, tormented by separation, deluded by desire, having taken her hand in marriage, met his death in this present birth.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.111.25)

प्राग्जन्मपतिरेतस्याः पांड्यराष्ट्रेषु सोऽधुना ॥ जातो विप्रवरः श्रीमान्सदारः सपरिच्छदः

prāgjanmapatiretasyāḥ pāṁḍyarāṣṭreṣu so'dhunā jāto vipravaraḥ śrīmānsadāraḥ saparicchadaḥ

"This girl's husband of a former birth is now born, among the Pandya kingdoms, as an excellent, prosperous brahmin, with a wife and retinue.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.111.26)

तेन भर्त्रा प्रतिनिशं सैषा प्रेम्णाभिसंगता ॥ स्वप्ने रतिसुखं यातु श्रेष्ठं जागरणादपि

tena bhartrā pratiniśaṁ saiṣā premṇābhisaṁgatā svapne ratisukhaṁ yātu śreṣṭhaṁ jāgaraṇādapi

"By that husband, every night, she is united in love; let her attain, in dream, the excellent pleasure of union, superior even to waking.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.111.27)

षष्ट्युत्तरत्रिशतयोजनदूरसंस्थो देशादितो द्विजवरः स च कर्मगत्या ॥ एनां वधूं प्रतिनिशं मनसोभिरामां स्वप्नेषु पश्यति चिरं रतिमादधानः

ṣaṣṭyuttaratriśatayojanadūrasaṁstho deśādito dvijavaraḥ sa ca karmagatyā enāṁ vadhūṁ pratiniśaṁ manasobhirāmāṁ svapneṣu paśyati ciraṁ ratimādadhānaḥ

"At a distance of three hundred and sixty yojanas from this place, that excellent brahmin, by the working of karma,

Verse 28 (skanda.3.111.28)

सैषा वै स्वप्नसंगत्या पत्युः प्रतिनिशं सती ॥ कालेन लप्स्यते पुत्रं वेदवेदांगपारगम्

saiṣā vai svapnasaṁgatyā patyuḥ pratiniśaṁ satī kālena lapsyate putraṁ vedavedāṁgapāragam

"sees this bride, dear to his heart, every night in his dreams, enjoying love with her for a long while.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.111.29)

एतस्यां तनयं जातमात्मनश्चिरसंगमात् ॥ सोऽपि विप्रोऽनिशं स्वप्ने द्रक्ष्यति प्रेमभावितम्

etasyāṁ tanayaṁ jātamātmanaścirasaṁgamāt so'pi vipro'niśaṁ svapne drakṣyati premabhāvitam

"Thus she, faithful, united with her husband every night through the dream-union, shall in time obtain a son, versed in the Vedas and Vedangas.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.111.30)

अनयाराधिता पूर्वे भवे साहं महामुने ॥ अस्यैव वरदानाय प्रादुर्भूतास्मि सांप्रतम्

anayārādhitā pūrve bhave sāhaṁ mahāmune asyaiva varadānāya prādurbhūtāsmi sāṁpratam

"Having, through this long union, conceived his son within herself, that brahmin too shall constantly see, in his dreams, the child he has fathered, filled with love.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.111.31)

सूत उवाच ॥ अथोवाच महादेवी तां बालां प्रति सादरम् ॥ अयि वत्से महाभागे शृणु मे परमं वचः

sūta uvāca athovāca mahādevī tāṁ bālāṁ prati sādaram ayi vatse mahābhāge śṛṇu me paramaṁ vacaḥ

"She worshipped me in a former birth, O great sage; for the sake of granting her this boon alone have I now appeared."

Verse 32 (skanda.3.111.32)

यदा कदापि भर्त्तारं क्वापि देशे पुरातनम् ॥ द्रक्ष्यसि स्वप्नदृष्टं प्राक्ज्ञास्यसे त्वं विचक्षणा

yadā kadāpi bharttāraṁ kvāpi deśe purātanam drakṣyasi svapnadṛṣṭaṁ prākjñāsyase tvaṁ vicakṣaṇā

Suta said: Then the great goddess spoke respectfully to that girl: "O child, most fortunate one, hear my supreme word.

Verse 33 (skanda.3.111.33)

त्वां द्रक्ष्यति स विप्रोपि सुनयां स्वप्नलक्षणाम् ॥ तदा परस्परालापो युवयोः संभविष्यति

tvāṁ drakṣyati sa vipropi sunayāṁ svapnalakṣaṇām tadā parasparālāpo yuvayoḥ saṁbhaviṣyati

"Whenever you shall see, in some land, that former husband whom you have seen in dream, you, discerning one, shall know him beforehand.

Verse 34 (skanda.3.111.34)

तदा स्वतनयं भद्रे तस्मै देहि बहुश्रुतम् ॥ फलमस्य व्रतस्याग्र्यं तस्य हस्ते समर्पय

tadā svatanayaṁ bhadre tasmai dehi bahuśrutam phalamasya vratasyāgryaṁ tasya haste samarpaya

"That brahmin too shall see you, of excellent conduct, in the manner seen in his dream; then conversation shall take place between the two of you.

Verse 35 (skanda.3.111.35)

ततः प्रभृति तस्यैव वशे तिष्ठ सुमध्यमे ॥ युवयोदैहिकः संगो माभूत्स्वप्नरतादृते

tataḥ prabhṛti tasyaiva vaśe tiṣṭha sumadhyame yuvayodaihikaḥ saṁgo mābhūtsvapnaratādṛte

"Then, O blessed one, give your own son, deeply learned, to him; place in his hand the foremost fruit of this vow.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.111.36)

कालात्पंचत्वमापन्ने तस्मिन्ब्राह्मणसत्तमे ॥ अग्निं प्रविश्य तेनैव सह यास्यसि मत्पदम्

kālātpaṁcatvamāpanne tasminbrāhmaṇasattame agniṁ praviśya tenaiva saha yāsyasi matpadam

"From then on, remain under his control alone, O slender-waisted one; let there be no bodily union between you two, except in the pleasure of the dream.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.111.37)

पुत्रस्ते भविता सुभ्रु सर्वलोकमनोरमः ॥ संपदश्च भविष्यंति प्राप्स्यते परमं पदम्

putraste bhavitā subhru sarvalokamanoramaḥ saṁpadaśca bhaviṣyaṁti prāpsyate paramaṁ padam

"When, in time, that best of brahmins attains death, you shall enter the fire and go together with him to my abode.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.111.38)

सूत उवाच ॥ इत्युक्त्वा त्रिजगन्माता दत्त्वा तस्यै मनोरथम् ॥ तयोः संपश्यतोरेव क्षणेनादर्शनं गता

sūta uvāca ityuktvā trijaganmātā dattvā tasyai manoratham tayoḥ saṁpaśyatoreva kṣaṇenādarśanaṁ gatā

"Your son shall be, O fair-browed one, delightful to all the world; and prosperity shall be his; he shall attain the supreme state."

Verse 39 (skanda.3.111.39)

सापि बाला वरं लब्ध्वा पार्वत्याः करुणानिधेः ॥ अवाप परमानंदं पूजयामास तं गुरुम्

sāpi bālā varaṁ labdhvā pārvatyāḥ karuṇānidheḥ avāpa paramānaṁdaṁ pūjayāmāsa taṁ gurum

Suta said: Having said this, the mother of the three worlds, having granted her this desire, vanished in an instant, even as the two of them looked on.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.111.40)

तस्यां रात्र्यां व्यतीतायां स मुनिर्लब्धलोचनः ॥ तस्याः पित्रोश्च तत्सर्वं रहस्याचष्ट धर्मवित्

tasyāṁ rātryāṁ vyatītāyāṁ sa munirlabdhalocanaḥ tasyāḥ pitrośca tatsarvaṁ rahasyācaṣṭa dharmavit

That girl too, having obtained the boon from Parvati, the ocean of compassion, attained the greatest bliss, and worshipped that guru.

Verse 41 (skanda.3.111.41)

अथ सर्वानुपामंत्र्य शारदां च यशस्विनीम् ॥ विधायानुग्रहं तेषां ययौ स्वैरगतिर्मुनिः

atha sarvānupāmaṁtrya śāradāṁ ca yaśasvinīm vidhāyānugrahaṁ teṣāṁ yayau svairagatirmuniḥ

When that night had passed, that sage, his sight regained, related all of that secret to her parents, he who knew dharma.

Verse 42 (skanda.3.111.42)

एवं दिनेषु गच्छत्सु सा बाला च प्रतिक्षणम् ॥ भर्तुः समागमं लेभे स्वप्ने सुख विवर्धनम्

evaṁ dineṣu gacchatsu sā bālā ca pratikṣaṇam bhartuḥ samāgamaṁ lebhe svapne sukha vivardhanam

Then, having taken leave of everyone, and of the renowned Sharada, having bestowed his grace upon them, the sage departed, going wherever he willed.

Verse 43 (skanda.3.111.43)

गौर्या वरप्रदानेन शारदा विशदव्रता ॥ दधार गर्भं स्वप्नेपि भर्तुः संगानुभावतः

gauryā varapradānena śāradā viśadavratā dadhāra garbhaṁ svapnepi bhartuḥ saṁgānubhāvataḥ

Thus, as the days passed, that girl, moment by moment, obtained union with her husband in dream, ever increasing her joy.

Verse 44 (skanda.3.111.44)

तां श्रुत्वा भर्तृरहितां शारदां गर्भिणी सतीम्॥ सर्वे धिगिति प्रोचुस्तां जारिणीति जगुर्जनाः

tāṁ śrutvā bhartṛrahitāṁ śāradāṁ garbhiṇī satīm sarve dhigiti procustāṁ jāriṇīti jagurjanāḥ

By the boon-granting of Gauri, Sharada, of pure vow, conceived a child, even in dream, through the power of union with her husband.

Verse 45 (skanda.3.111.45)

संपरेतस्य तद्भर्तुर्ये जातिकुलवबांधवाः ॥ तां वार्तां दुःसहां श्रुत्वा ययुस्तत्पितृमंदिरम्

saṁparetasya tadbharturye jātikulavabāṁdhavāḥ tāṁ vārtāṁ duḥsahāṁ śrutvā yayustatpitṛmaṁdiram

Hearing that Sharada, without a husband, was pregnant, everyone cried "shame!", and people called her an adulteress.

Verse 46 (skanda.3.111.46)

अथ सर्वे समायाता ग्रामवृद्धाश्च पंडिताः ॥ समाजं चक्रिरे तत्र कुलवृद्धैः समन्वितम्

atha sarve samāyātā grāmavṛddhāśca paṁḍitāḥ samājaṁ cakrire tatra kulavṛddhaiḥ samanvitam

The relatives of caste and lineage of her deceased husband, hearing this unbearable news, went to her father's house.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.111.47)

अन्तर्वत्नीं समाहूय शारदां विनताननाम् ॥ अतर्जयन्सुसंक्रुद्धाः केचिदासन्पराङ्मुखाः

antarvatnīṁ samāhūya śāradāṁ vinatānanām atarjayansusaṁkruddhāḥ kecidāsanparāṅmukhāḥ

Then all the village elders and the learned assembled, and formed an assembly there, together with the elders of the family.

Verse 48 (skanda.3.111.48)

अयि जारिणि दुर्बुद्धे किमेतत्ते विचेष्टितम् ॥ अस्मत्कुले सुदुष्कीर्त्तिं कृतवत्यसि बालिशे

ayi jāriṇi durbuddhe kimetatte viceṣṭitam asmatkule suduṣkīrttiṁ kṛtavatyasi bāliśe

Summoning the pregnant Sharada, her face downcast, some, greatly enraged, threatened her; others turned their faces away.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.111.49)

इति संतर्जयंतस्ते ग्रामवृद्धा मनीषिणः ॥ सर्वे संमंत्रयामासुः किं कुर्म इति भाषिणः

iti saṁtarjayaṁtaste grāmavṛddhā manīṣiṇaḥ sarve saṁmaṁtrayāmāsuḥ kiṁ kurma iti bhāṣiṇaḥ

"O evil-minded adulteress! What is this conduct of yours? You foolish girl, you have brought terrible infamy upon our family!"

Verse 50 (skanda.3.111.50)

तत्रोचुः के च वृद्धास्तां बालां प्रति विनिर्दयाः ॥ एषा पापमतिर्बाला कुलद्वयविनाशिनी

tatrocuḥ ke ca vṛddhāstāṁ bālāṁ prati vinirdayāḥ eṣā pāpamatirbālā kuladvayavināśinī

Thus threatening her, those wise village elders all took counsel together, saying "What shall we do?"

Verse 51 (skanda.3.111.51)

कृत्वास्याः केशवपनं छित्त्वा कर्णौ च नासिकाम् ॥ निर्वास्यतां बहिर्ग्रामात्परित्यज्य स्वगोत्रतः

kṛtvāsyāḥ keśavapanaṁ chittvā karṇau ca nāsikām nirvāsyatāṁ bahirgrāmātparityajya svagotrataḥ

There, some pitiless elders said regarding that girl: "This evil-minded girl is the ruin of two families.

Verse 52 (skanda.3.111.52)

इति सर्वे समालोच्य तां तथा कर्तुमुद्यताः ॥ अथांतरिक्षे संभूता शुश्रुवे वागगोचरा

iti sarve samālocya tāṁ tathā kartumudyatāḥ athāṁtarikṣe saṁbhūtā śuśruve vāgagocarā

"Having shaved her head, cut off her ears and nose, let her be banished from the village, cast out from her own lineage."

Verse 53 (skanda.3.111.53)

अनया न कृतं पापं न चैव कुलदूषणम् ॥ व्रतभंगो न चैतस्यास्सुचरित्रेयमंगना

anayā na kṛtaṁ pāpaṁ na caiva kuladūṣaṇam vratabhaṁgo na caitasyāssucaritreyamaṁganā

Thus, having deliberated, all of them prepared to do this to her; then, arisen in the sky, a bodiless voice was heard:

Verse 54 (skanda.3.111.54)

इतः परमियं नारी जारिणीति वदंति ये ॥ तेषां दोषविमूढानां सद्यो जिह्वा विदीर्यते

itaḥ paramiyaṁ nārī jāriṇīti vadaṁti ye teṣāṁ doṣavimūḍhānāṁ sadyo jihvā vidīryate

"No sin has been committed by her, nor any defilement of the family; nor has her vow been broken; this woman is of pure conduct.

Verse 55 (skanda.3.111.55)

इत्यंतरिक्षे जनितां वाणीं श्रुत्वाऽशरीरिणीम् ॥ सर्वे प्रजहृषुस्तस्या जननीजनकादयः

ityaṁtarikṣe janitāṁ vāṇīṁ śrutvā'śarīriṇīm sarve prajahṛṣustasyā jananījanakādayaḥ

"From now on, whoever calls this woman an adulteress, the tongue of those deluded by fault shall instantly split apart."

Verse 56 (skanda.3.111.56)

ततः ससंभ्रमाः सर्वे ग्रामवृद्धाः सभाजनाः ॥ मुहूर्त्तं मौनमालंब्य भीतास्तस्थुरधोमुखाः

tataḥ sasaṁbhramāḥ sarve grāmavṛddhāḥ sabhājanāḥ muhūrttaṁ maunamālaṁbya bhītāstasthuradhomukhāḥ

Hearing this bodiless voice arisen in the sky, all of them rejoiced, her mother and father and the rest.

Verse 57 (skanda.3.111.57)

तत्र केचिदविश्वस्ता मिथ्यावाणीत्यवादिषुः॥ तेषां जिह्वा द्विधा भिन्ना ववमुस्ते कृमीन्क्षणात्

tatra kecidaviśvastā mithyāvāṇītyavādiṣuḥ teṣāṁ jihvā dvidhā bhinnā vavamuste kṛmīnkṣaṇāt

Then all the village elders and the assembled people, bewildered, holding their silence for a moment, stood afraid, their faces downcast.

Verse 58 (skanda.3.111.58)

ततः संपूजयामासुस्तां बालां ज्ञातिबांधवाः ॥ बांधवाश्च स्त्रियो वृद्धाः शशंसुः साधुसाध्विति

tataḥ saṁpūjayāmāsustāṁ bālāṁ jñātibāṁdhavāḥ bāṁdhavāśca striyo vṛddhāḥ śaśaṁsuḥ sādhusādhviti

There, some who remained unconvinced said, "This is a false voice"; the tongues of those very people split in two, and they instantly vomited worms.

Verse 59 (skanda.3.111.59)

मुमुचुः केचिदानंदबाष्पबिंदून्कुलोत्तमाः॥ कुलस्त्रियः प्रमुदितास्तामुद्दिश्य समाश्वसन्

mumucuḥ kecidānaṁdabāṣpabiṁdūnkulottamāḥ kulastriyaḥ pramuditāstāmuddiśya samāśvasan

Then her kinsmen and relatives began to honor that girl; the relatives, women, and elders proclaimed "Well done, well done!"

Verse 60 (skanda.3.111.60)

अथ तत्रापरे प्रोचुर्देवो वदति नानृतम् ॥ कथमेषां दधौ गर्भं शीलान्न चलिता ध्रुवम्

atha tatrāpare procurdevo vadati nānṛtam kathameṣāṁ dadhau garbhaṁ śīlānna calitā dhruvam

Some of the best of the family shed tears of joy; the women of the family, delighted, took comfort regarding her.

Verse 61 (skanda.3.111.61)

इति सर्वान्सभ्यजना न्संशयाविष्टचेतसः ॥ विलोक्य वृद्धस्तत्रैको सर्वज्ञो लोकतत्त्ववित्

iti sarvānsabhyajanā nsaṁśayāviṣṭacetasaḥ vilokya vṛddhastatraiko sarvajño lokatattvavit

Then others there said: "A god does not speak falsehood; how could she have conceived, her chastity surely unshaken?"

Verse 62 (skanda.3.111.62)

मायामयमिदं विश्वं दृश्यते श्रूयते च यत् ॥ किं भाव्यं किमभाव्यं वा संसारेऽस्मिन्क्षणात्मके

māyāmayamidaṁ viśvaṁ dṛśyate śrūyate ca yat kiṁ bhāvyaṁ kimabhāvyaṁ vā saṁsāre'sminkṣaṇātmake

Thus, seeing all the assembled people filled with doubt, one elder there, omniscient, a knower of the truth of the world,

Verse 63 (skanda.3.111.63)

अनिरूप्यमभूतार्थं मायया जायते स्फुटम् ॥ ईश्वरस्य वशे माया तस्य को वेद चेष्टितम्

anirūpyamabhūtārthaṁ māyayā jāyate sphuṭam īśvarasya vaśe māyā tasya ko veda ceṣṭitam

said: "This universe, whatever is seen and heard, is made of illusion; what is possible, or impossible, in this momentary world of becoming?

Verse 64 (skanda.3.111.64)

यूपकेतोश्च राजर्षेः शुक्रं निपतितं जले ॥ सशुक्रं तज्जलं पीत्वा वेश्या गर्भं दधौ किल

yūpaketośca rājarṣeḥ śukraṁ nipatitaṁ jale saśukraṁ tajjalaṁ pītvā veśyā garbhaṁ dadhau kila

"What is inconceivable, without real substance, clearly comes into being through maya; maya is under the control of the Lord, who can know his workings?

Verse 65 (skanda.3.111.65)

मुनेर्विभांडकस्यापि शुक्रं पीत्वा सहांभसा ॥ हरिणी गर्भिणी भूत्वा ऋष्यशृंगमसूयत

munervibhāṁḍakasyāpi śukraṁ pītvā sahāṁbhasā hariṇī garbhiṇī bhūtvā ṛṣyaśṛṁgamasūyata

"The seed of Yupaketu, the royal sage, fell into water; a courtesan, drinking that water together with the seed, conceived, indeed.

Verse 66 (skanda.3.111.66)

सुराष्ट्रस्य तथा राज्ञः करं स्पृष्ट्वा मृगांगना॥ तत्क्षणाद्गर्भिणी भूत्वा मुनिं प्रासूत तापसम्

surāṣṭrasya tathā rājñaḥ karaṁ spṛṣṭvā mṛgāṁganā tatkṣaṇādgarbhiṇī bhūtvā muniṁ prāsūta tāpasam

"Having drunk the seed of the sage Vibhandaka together with the water, a doe became pregnant and gave birth to Rishyashringa.

Verse 67 (skanda.3.111.67)

तथा सत्यवती नारी शफरीगर्भसंभवा ॥ तथैव महिषीगर्भो जातश्च महिषासुरः

tathā satyavatī nārī śapharīgarbhasaṁbhavā tathaiva mahiṣīgarbho jātaśca mahiṣāsuraḥ

"Likewise, a doe, touching the hand of the king of Surashtra, instantly became pregnant and gave birth to an ascetic sage.

Verse 68 (skanda.3.111.68)

तथा संति पुरा नार्यः कारुण्याद्गर्भसंभवाः॥ तथा हि वसुदेवेन रोहिण्या स्तनयोऽभवत्

tathā saṁti purā nāryaḥ kāruṇyādgarbhasaṁbhavāḥ tathā hi vasudevena rohiṇyā stanayo'bhavat

"Likewise the woman Satyavati was born from the womb of a fish; and likewise a buffalo's womb gave birth to Mahishasura.

Verse 69 (skanda.3.111.69)

देवतानां महर्षीणां शापेन च वरेण च ॥ अयुक्तमपि यत्कर्म युज्यते नात्र संशयः

devatānāṁ maharṣīṇāṁ śāpena ca vareṇa ca ayuktamapi yatkarma yujyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

"Thus there have been, of old, women who conceived out of compassion; thus indeed a son was born to Rohini through Vasudeva.

Verse 70 (skanda.3.111.70)

सांबस्य जठराज्जातं मुसलं मुनिशापतः ॥ युवनाश्वस्य गर्भोऽभून्मुनीनां मंत्रगौरवात्

sāṁbasya jaṭharājjātaṁ musalaṁ muniśāpataḥ yuvanāśvasya garbho'bhūnmunīnāṁ maṁtragauravāt

"By the curse or the boon of gods and great sages, even an unfitting deed becomes possible, of this there is no doubt.

Verse 71 (skanda.3.111.71)

नूनमेषापि कल्याणी महर्षेः पादसेवनात् ॥ महाव्रतानुभावाच्च धत्ते गर्भमनिं दिता

nūnameṣāpi kalyāṇī maharṣeḥ pādasevanāt mahāvratānubhāvācca dhatte garbhamaniṁ ditā

"From the belly of Samba was born a pestle, by a sage's curse; Yuvanashva's pregnancy came about through the weight of sages' mantras.

Verse 72 (skanda.3.111.72)

अस्मिन्नर्थे रहस्येनां सत्यं पृच्छंतु योषितः ॥ ततो निवृत्तसंदेहो भविष्यति महाजनः

asminnarthe rahasyenāṁ satyaṁ pṛcchaṁtu yoṣitaḥ tato nivṛttasaṁdeho bhaviṣyati mahājanaḥ

"Surely this blameless girl too, through service at the feet of a great sage, and through the power of a great vow, has conceived a child.

Verse 73 (skanda.3.111.73)

ततस्तद्वचनादेव तामपृच्छन्स्त्रियो मिथः ॥ ताभ्यः शशंस तत्सर्वं सा स्ववृत्तं महाद्भुतम्

tatastadvacanādeva tāmapṛcchanstriyo mithaḥ tābhyaḥ śaśaṁsa tatsarvaṁ sā svavṛttaṁ mahādbhutam

"In this matter, let the women privately ask her the truth; then this assembly's doubt shall be dispelled."

Verse 74 (skanda.3.111.74)

विजानंतस्ततः सर्वे मानयित्वा च तां सतीम् ॥ मोदमानाः प्रशंसंतः प्रययुः स्वं स्वमालयम्

vijānaṁtastataḥ sarve mānayitvā ca tāṁ satīm modamānāḥ praśaṁsaṁtaḥ prayayuḥ svaṁ svamālayam

Then, at his word, the women asked her privately; she told them the whole, most wondrous account of herself.

Verse 75 (skanda.3.111.75)

अथ काले शुभे प्राप्ते शारदा विमलाशया ॥ असूत तनयं बाला बालार्कसमतेजसम्

atha kāle śubhe prāpte śāradā vimalāśayā asūta tanayaṁ bālā bālārkasamatejasam

Understanding then, all of them, honoring that faithful woman, rejoicing, praising her, departed each to their own home.

Verse 76 (skanda.3.111.76)

स कुमारो महोदारलक्षणः कमलेक्षणः ॥ अवाप्य महतीं विद्यां बाल्य एव महामतिः

sa kumāro mahodāralakṣaṇaḥ kamalekṣaṇaḥ avāpya mahatīṁ vidyāṁ bālya eva mahāmatiḥ

Then, when an auspicious time came, Sharada, of pure heart, gave birth to a son, radiant as the newly-risen sun.

Verse 77 (skanda.3.111.77)

अथोपनीतो गुरुणा काले लोकमनोरमः ॥ स शारदेय एवेति लोके ख्याति मवाप ह

athopanīto guruṇā kāle lokamanoramaḥ sa śāradeya eveti loke khyāti mavāpa ha

That boy, of most noble marks, lotus-eyed, having obtained great learning even in childhood, was of great wisdom.

Verse 78 (skanda.3.111.78)

ऋग्वेदमष्टमे वर्षे नवमे यजुषां गणम् । दशमे सामवेदं च लीलयाध्यगमत्सुधीः

ṛgvedamaṣṭame varṣe navame yajuṣāṁ gaṇam daśame sāmavedaṁ ca līlayādhyagamatsudhīḥ

Then, invested with the sacred thread by his teacher in due time, delightful to the world, he attained fame in the world precisely as "Sharadeya" (son of Sharada).

Verse 79 (skanda.3.111.79)

अथ त्रिलोकमहिते संप्राप्ते शिवपर्वणि ॥ गोकर्णं प्रययुः सर्वे जनाः सर्वनिवासिनः

atha trilokamahite saṁprāpte śivaparvaṇi gokarṇaṁ prayayuḥ sarve janāḥ sarvanivāsinaḥ

In his eighth year he mastered the Rig Veda, in the ninth the collection of the Yajus, and in the tenth the Sama Veda, that wise one, with ease.

Verse 80 (skanda.3.111.80)

शारदापि स्वपुत्रेण गोकर्णं प्रययौ सती

śāradāpi svaputreṇa gokarṇaṁ prayayau satī

Then, when the festival of Shiva, honored in all three worlds, arrived, all the people, dwellers everywhere, went to Gokarna.

Verse 81 (skanda.3.111.81)

तत्रापश्यत्समायातं सदा स्वप्नेषु लक्षितम् ॥ पूर्वजन्मनि भर्त्तारं द्विजबंधुजनावृतम्

tatrāpaśyatsamāyātaṁ sadā svapneṣu lakṣitam pūrvajanmani bharttāraṁ dvijabaṁdhujanāvṛtam

Sharada too, with her own son, that faithful woman, went to Gokarna.

Verse 82 (skanda.3.111.82)

तं दृष्ट्वा प्रेमनिर्विण्णा पुलकांकितविग्रहा ॥ निरुद्धबाष्पप्रसरा तस्थौ तन्न्यस्तलोचना

taṁ dṛṣṭvā premanirviṇṇā pulakāṁkitavigrahā niruddhabāṣpaprasarā tasthau tannyastalocanā

There she saw arrive, always as seen in her dreams, that husband of her former birth, surrounded by brahmin kinsfolk.

Verse 83 (skanda.3.111.83)

स च विप्रोऽपि तां दृष्ट्वा रूपलक्षणलक्षिताम्॥ स्वप्ने सदा भुज्यमानामात्मनो रतिदायिनीम्

sa ca vipro'pi tāṁ dṛṣṭvā rūpalakṣaṇalakṣitām svapne sadā bhujyamānāmātmano ratidāyinīm

Seeing him, overcome with love, her body thrilling with horripilation, her tears held back, she stood with her gaze fixed upon him.

Verse 84 (skanda.3.111.84)

तं कुमारमपि स्वप्ने दृष्ट्वा चात्म शरीरजम् ॥ विलोक्य विस्मयाविष्टस्तदंतिकमुपाययौ

taṁ kumāramapi svapne dṛṣṭvā cātma śarīrajam vilokya vismayāviṣṭastadaṁtikamupāyayau

And that brahmin too, seeing her, marked with beauty and auspicious signs, ever enjoyed in dream, the bestower of his own delight,

Verse 85 (skanda.3.111.85)

भद्रे त्वां प्रष्टुमिच्छामि यत्किंचिन्मनसि स्थितम् ॥ इति प्रथममाभाष्य रहः स्थानं निनाय ताम्

bhadre tvāṁ praṣṭumicchāmi yatkiṁcinmanasi sthitam iti prathamamābhāṣya rahaḥ sthānaṁ nināya tām

and seeing too, in a dream, that boy born of his own body, gazing at him, filled with astonishment, approached near to her.

Verse 86 (skanda.3.111.86)

का त्वं कथय वामोरु कस्य भार्यासि सुव्रते ॥ को देशः कस्य वा पुत्री किन्नामेत्यब्रवीच्च ताम्

kā tvaṁ kathaya vāmoru kasya bhāryāsi suvrate ko deśaḥ kasya vā putrī kinnāmetyabravīcca tām

"Blessed one, I wish to ask you something on my mind," having thus first addressed her, he led her to a private place.

Verse 87 (skanda.3.111.87)

इति तेन समापृष्टा सा नारी बाष्पलोचना ॥ व्याजहारात्मनोवृत्तं बाल्ये वैधव्यकारणम्

iti tena samāpṛṣṭā sā nārī bāṣpalocanā vyājahārātmanovṛttaṁ bālye vaidhavyakāraṇam

"Who are you? Tell me, fair-thighed one, whose wife are you, O woman of good vows? What is your country, or whose daughter are you, what is your name?" thus he asked her.

Verse 88 (skanda.3.111.88)

पुनः पप्रच्छ तां बालां पुत्रः कस्यायमुत्तमः ॥ कथं धृतो वा जठरे बालोऽयं चंद्रसन्निभः

punaḥ papraccha tāṁ bālāṁ putraḥ kasyāyamuttamaḥ kathaṁ dhṛto vā jaṭhare bālo'yaṁ caṁdrasannibhaḥ

Thus questioned by him, that woman, her eyes filled with tears, related her own history, the cause of her widowhood in childhood.

Verse 89 (skanda.3.111.89)

शारदोवाच ॥ एष मे तनयः स्वामिन्सर्वविद्याविशारदः॥ शारदेय इति प्रोक्तो मम नाम्नैव कल्पितः

śāradovāca eṣa me tanayaḥ svāminsarvavidyāviśāradaḥ śāradeya iti prokto mama nāmnaiva kalpitaḥ

He asked that girl again: "Whose excellent son is this? And how was this child, resembling the moon, borne in the womb?"

Verse 90 (skanda.3.111.90)

इति तस्या वचः श्रुत्वा विहस्य ब्राह्मणोत्तमः ॥ प्रोवाच कष्टात्कष्टं हि चरितं तव भामिनि

iti tasyā vacaḥ śrutvā vihasya brāhmaṇottamaḥ provāca kaṣṭātkaṣṭaṁ hi caritaṁ tava bhāmini

Sharada said: "This is my son, my lord, skilled in all learning; he is called Sharadeya, named after my own name."

Verse 91 (skanda.3.111.91)

पाणिग्रहणमात्रं ते कृत्वा भर्त्ता मृतः किल ॥ कथं चायं सुतो जातस्तस्य कारणमुच्यताम्

pāṇigrahaṇamātraṁ te kṛtvā bharttā mṛtaḥ kila kathaṁ cāyaṁ suto jātastasya kāraṇamucyatām

Hearing her words, that excellent brahmin, laughing, said: "Most difficult indeed, O lady, has your life's story been.

Verse 92 (skanda.3.111.92)

इति तेनोदितां वाणीमाकर्ण्यातीव लज्जिता ॥ क्षणं चाश्रुमुखी भूत्वा धैर्यादित्थमभाषत

iti tenoditāṁ vāṇīmākarṇyātīva lajjitā kṣaṇaṁ cāśrumukhī bhūtvā dhairyāditthamabhāṣata

"Your husband died having merely taken your hand in marriage; how then was this son born? Let the reason for it be told."

Verse 93 (skanda.3.111.93)

शारदोवाच ॥ तदलं परिहासोक्त्या त्वं मां वेत्सि महामते ॥ त्वामहं वेद्मि चार्थेऽस्मिन्प्रमाणं मन आवयोः

śāradovāca tadalaṁ parihāsoktyā tvaṁ māṁ vetsi mahāmate tvāmahaṁ vedmi cārthe'sminpramāṇaṁ mana āvayoḥ

Hearing these words spoken by him, exceedingly ashamed, her face tearful for a moment, with courage, she spoke thus:

Verse 94 (skanda.3.111.94)

इत्युक्त्वा सर्वमावेद्य देव्या दत्तं वरादिकम् ॥ व्रतस्यार्धं कुमारं तं ददौ तस्मै धृतव्रतम्

ityuktvā sarvamāvedya devyā dattaṁ varādikam vratasyārdhaṁ kumāraṁ taṁ dadau tasmai dhṛtavratam

Sharada said: "Enough of this jesting speech; you know me, O great-minded one; and I know you; in this matter, our minds are the proof, for both of us."

Verse 95 (skanda.3.111.95)

सोऽपि प्रमुदितो विप्रः कुमारं प्रतिगृह्य तम्॥ पित्रोरनुमतेनैव तां निनाय निजालयम्

so'pi pramudito vipraḥ kumāraṁ pratigṛhya tam pitroranumatenaiva tāṁ nināya nijālayam

Having said this, telling him everything, the boon and the rest given by the goddess, she gave to him that son, half the fruit of the vow, that boy of firm observance.

Verse 96 (skanda.3.111.96)

सापि स्थित्वा बहून्मासांस्तस्य विप्रस्य मंदिरे ॥ तस्मिन्कालवशं प्राप्ते प्रविश्याग्निं तमन्वगात्

sāpi sthitvā bahūnmāsāṁstasya viprasya maṁdire tasminkālavaśaṁ prāpte praviśyāgniṁ tamanvagāt

That brahmin too, delighted, having accepted the boy, with the very consent of her parents, took her to his own home.

Verse 97 (skanda.3.111.97)

ततस्तौ दंपती भूत्वा विमानं दिव्यमास्थितौ ॥ दिव्यभोगसमायुक्तौ जग्मतुः शिवमंदिरम्

tatastau daṁpatī bhūtvā vimānaṁ divyamāsthitau divyabhogasamāyuktau jagmatuḥ śivamaṁdiram

She too, having dwelt many months in that brahmin's house, when he came under the sway of time, entered the fire and followed him.

Verse 98 (skanda.3.111.98)

इत्येततत्पुण्यमाख्यानं मया समनुवर्णितम् ॥ पठतां शृण्वतां सम्यग्भुक्तिमुक्तिफलप्रदम्

ityetatatpuṇyamākhyānaṁ mayā samanuvarṇitam paṭhatāṁ śṛṇvatāṁ samyagbhuktimuktiphalapradam

Then the two of them, husband and wife, mounted a divine celestial chariot, endowed with divine pleasures, and went to the abode of Shiva.

Verse 99 (skanda.3.111.99)

आयुरारोग्यसंपत्तिधनधत्यविवर्द्धनम् ॥ स्त्रीणां मंगलसौभाग्यसंतानसुखसाधनम्

āyurārogyasaṁpattidhanadhatyavivarddhanam strīṇāṁ maṁgalasaubhāgyasaṁtānasukhasādhanam

Thus has this sacred tale been related by me in full, granting the fruit of both enjoyment and liberation to those who read or hear it duly.

Verse 100 (skanda.3.111.100)

एतन्महाख्यानमघौघनाशनं गौरीमहेशव्रतपुण्यकीर्तनम् ॥ भक्त्या सकृद्यः शृणुयाच्च कीर्त्तयेद्भुक्त्वा स भोगान्पदमेति शाश्वतम्

etanmahākhyānamaghaughanāśanaṁ gaurīmaheśavratapuṇyakīrtanam bhaktyā sakṛdyaḥ śṛṇuyācca kīrttayedbhuktvā sa bhogānpadameti śāśvatam

It increases lifespan, health, prosperity, wealth and grain; for women it is the means to auspiciousness, good fortune, progeny and happiness. Whoever, with devotion, once hears or recites this great tale, destroyer of the flood of sin, proclaiming the sacred merit of the vow of Gauri and Mahesha, having enjoyed worldly pleasures, attains the eternal abode.