The Deceit of Kadru and its Atonement

Verse 1 (skanda.3.38.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः सूत कद्रुः कथं मुक्ता क्षीरकुंडनिमज्जनात् छलं कथं कृतवती सपत्न्यां पापनिश्चया

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ sūta kadruḥ kathaṁ muktā kṣīrakuṁḍanimajjanāt chalaṁ kathaṁ kṛtavatī sapatnyāṁ pāpaniścayā

The sages said: O Suta, how was Kadru freed by immersion in Kshirakunda? And how did she, resolved upon sin, practice deceit against her co-wife?

Verse 2 (skanda.3.38.2)

कस्य पुत्री च सा कद्रूः सपत्नीसा च कस्य वै किमर्थमजयत्कद्रूः स्वसपत्नीं छलेन तु एतन्नः श्रद्दधानानां ब्रूहि सूत कृपानिधे

kasya putrī ca sā kadrūḥ sapatnīsā ca kasya vai kimarthamajayatkadrūḥ svasapatnīṁ chalena tu etannaḥ śraddadhānānāṁ brūhi sūta kṛpānidhe

Whose daughter was this Kadru, and whose co-wife was she? And why did Kadru defeat her co-wife by deceit? Tell this to us, who are full of faith, O Suta, ocean of compassion.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.38.3)

श्रीसूत उवाच शृणुध्वं मुनयः सर्वे इतिहासं महाफलम् पुरा कृतयुगे विप्राः प्रजापतिसुते उभे

śrīsūta uvāca śṛṇudhvaṁ munayaḥ sarve itihāsaṁ mahāphalam purā kṛtayuge viprāḥ prajāpatisute ubhe

Suta said: Listen, all you sages, to this history of great merit. Formerly, in the Krita Yuga, O brahmins, there were two daughters of Prajapati,

Verse 4 (skanda.3.38.4)

कद्रूश्च विनता चेति भगिन्यौ संबभूवतुः भार्ये ते कश्यपस्यास्तां कद्रूश्च विनता तथा

kadrūśca vinatā ceti bhaginyau saṁbabhūvatuḥ bhārye te kaśyapasyāstāṁ kadrūśca vinatā tathā

Kadru and Vinata, who were sisters; they became the wives of Kashyapa - Kadru, and likewise Vinata.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.38.5)

विनता सुषुवे पुत्रावरुणं गरुडं तथा भर्त्तुः सकाशात्कद्रूश्च लेभे सर्पान्बहून्सुतान्

vinatā suṣuve putrāvaruṇaṁ garuḍaṁ tathā bharttuḥ sakāśātkadrūśca lebhe sarpānbahūnsutān

Vinata gave birth to two sons, Aruna and Garuda; and from her husband, Kadru obtained many serpents as sons,

Verse 6 (skanda.3.38.6)

अनंतवासुकिमुखान्विषदर्पसमन्वितान् एकदा तु भगिन्यौ ते कद्रूश्च विनता तथा

anaṁtavāsukimukhānviṣadarpasamanvitān ekadā tu bhaginyau te kadrūśca vinatā tathā

headed by Ananta and Vasuki, endowed with the pride of venom. Once, those two sisters, Kadru and Vinata,

Verse 7 (skanda.3.38.7)

अपश्यतां समायांतमुच्चैःश्रवसमं तिकात् विलोक्य कद्रूस्तुरगं विनतामिदमब्रवीत्

apaśyatāṁ samāyāṁtamuccaiḥśravasamaṁ tikāt vilokya kadrūsturagaṁ vinatāmidamabravīt

saw, coming from a distance, the horse Uchchaihshravas; seeing that horse, Kadru said this to Vinata.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.38.8)

श्वेतोऽश्ववालो नीलो वा विनते ब्रूहि तत्त्वतः इत्युक्त्वा विनता विप्राः कद्रूं तामिदमब्र वीत् तुरंगः श्वेतवालो मे प्रतिभाति सुमध्यमे किं वा त्वं मन्यसे कद्रूरिति तां विनताऽब्रवीत्

śveto'śvavālo nīlo vā vinate brūhi tattvataḥ ityuktvā vinatā viprāḥ kadrūṁ tāmidamabra vīt turaṁgaḥ śvetavālo me pratibhāti sumadhyame kiṁ vā tvaṁ manyase kadrūriti tāṁ vinatā'bravīt

'Tell me truly, O Vinata, is the horse's tail white, or black?' Vinata replied: 'The horse's tail seems white to me; but what do you think, Kadru?'

Verse 9 (skanda.3.38.9)

पृष्ट्वैवं विनतां कद्रूर्बभाषे स्वमतं च सा कृष्णवालमहं मन्ये हयमेनमनिंदिते

pṛṣṭvaivaṁ vinatāṁ kadrūrbabhāṣe svamataṁ ca sā kṛṣṇavālamahaṁ manye hayamenamaniṁdite

Having thus questioned Vinata, Kadru stated her own opinion: 'I think this horse's tail is black, O blameless one.'

Verse 10 (skanda.3.38.10)

ततः पराजये कृत्वा दासीभावं पणं मिथः व्यतिष्ठेतां महाभागे सपत्न्यौ ते द्विजोत्तमाः

tataḥ parājaye kṛtvā dāsībhāvaṁ paṇaṁ mithaḥ vyatiṣṭhetāṁ mahābhāge sapatnyau te dvijottamāḥ

Then, having made servitude the mutual stake for the one defeated, those two illustrious co-wives, O best of brahmins, stood firm in their wager.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.38.11)

ततः कद्रूर्निजसुतान्वासुकिप्रमुखानहीन् तस्या नाहं यथा दासी तथा कुरुत पुत्रकाः

tataḥ kadrūrnijasutānvāsukipramukhānahīn tasyā nāhaṁ yathā dāsī tathā kuruta putrakāḥ

Then Kadru said to her own sons, the serpents headed by Vasuki: 'Act, my sons, in such a way that I do not become her servant.'

Verse 12 (skanda.3.38.12)

तस्याभीप्सितसिद्ध्यर्थमित्यवोचद्भृशा तुरा युष्माभिरुच्चैःश्रवसो बालः प्रच्छाद्यतामिति

tasyābhīpsitasiddhyarthamityavocadbhṛśā turā yuṣmābhiruccaiḥśravaso bālaḥ pracchādyatāmiti

For the fulfillment of her desired aim, greatly urgent, she said: 'Let the tail of Uchchaihshravas be concealed by you.'

Verse 13 (skanda.3.38.13)

नांगीचक्रुर्मतं तस्या नागाः कद्रू रुषा तदा अशपत्कुपिता पुत्राञ्ज्वलंती रोषमूर्च्छिता

nāṁgīcakrurmataṁ tasyā nāgāḥ kadrū ruṣā tadā aśapatkupitā putrāñjvalaṁtī roṣamūrcchitā

The serpents did not accept her proposal; then Kadru, in anger, blazing and overcome with fury, cursed her sons.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.38.14)

पारीक्षितस्य सर्वेऽद्धा यूयं सत्रे मरिष्यथ इति शापे कृते मात्रा त्रस्तः कर्कोटकस्तदा

pārīkṣitasya sarve'ddhā yūyaṁ satre mariṣyatha iti śāpe kṛte mātrā trastaḥ karkoṭakastadā

'All of you shall surely die at the sacrifice of the descendant of Parikshit.' When this curse had been pronounced by their mother, Karkotaka, terrified,

Verse 15 (skanda.3.38.15)

प्रणम्य पादयोः कद्रूं दीनो वचनमब्रवीत् अहमुच्चैःश्रवोवालं विधास्याम्यंजनप्रभम्

praṇamya pādayoḥ kadrūṁ dīno vacanamabravīt ahamuccaiḥśravovālaṁ vidhāsyāmyaṁjanaprabham

bowed at Kadru's feet and, humbly, spoke these words: 'I shall make the tail of Uchchaihshravas appear the color of collyrium.'

Verse 16 (skanda.3.38.16)

मा भीरंब त्वया कार्येत्यवादीच्छापविक्लवः श्वेतमुच्चैःश्रवोवालं ततः कर्कोटकोरगः

mā bhīraṁba tvayā kāryetyavādīcchāpaviklavaḥ śvetamuccaiḥśravovālaṁ tataḥ karkoṭakoragaḥ

'Do not fear, mother - this shall be done,' said he, distressed by the curse. Then the serpent Karkotaka, the white tail of Uchchaihshravas,

Verse 17 (skanda.3.38.17)

छादयित्वा स्वभोगेन व्यतनोदंजनद्युतिम् अथ ते विनताकद्र्वौ दास्ये कृतपणे उभे

chādayitvā svabhogena vyatanodaṁjanadyutim atha te vinatākadrvau dāsye kṛtapaṇe ubhe

having covered it with his own coils, made it appear the color of collyrium. Then those two, Vinata and Kadru, having made their wager of servitude,

Verse 18 (skanda.3.38.18)

देवराजहयं द्रष्टुं संरंभादभ्यगच्छ ताम् शशांकशंखमाणिक्यमुक्तैरावतकारणम्

devarājahayaṁ draṣṭuṁ saṁraṁbhādabhyagaccha tām śaśāṁkaśaṁkhamāṇikyamuktairāvatakāraṇam

went eagerly to see the horse of the king of gods, passing the elephant Airavata - made of moon-substance, conch, ruby and pearl -

Verse 19 (skanda.3.38.19)

युगांतकालशयनं योगनिद्राकृतो हरेः अतीत्य कद्रूविनते समुद्रं सरितां पतिम्

yugāṁtakālaśayanaṁ yoganidrākṛto hareḥ atītya kadrūvinate samudraṁ saritāṁ patim

and past the couch of the world-ending deluge where Hari lies in yogic slumber - Kadru and Vinata, having crossed the ocean, the lord of rivers,

Verse 20 (skanda.3.38.20)

ददृशतुर्हयं गत्वा देवराजस्य वाहनम् कृष्णवालं हयं दृष्ट्वा विनता दुःखिताऽभवत्

dadṛśaturhayaṁ gatvā devarājasya vāhanam kṛṣṇavālaṁ hayaṁ dṛṣṭvā vinatā duḥkhitā'bhavat

went and beheld the horse, the mount of the king of gods. Seeing the horse's tail black, Vinata became grief-stricken.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.38.21)

दुःखितां विनतां कद्रूर्दासीकृत्ये न्ययुंक्त सा एतस्मिन्नंतरे तार्क्ष्योऽप्यंडमुद्भिद्य वह्निवत्

duḥkhitāṁ vinatāṁ kadrūrdāsīkṛtye nyayuṁkta sā etasminnaṁtare tārkṣyo'pyaṁḍamudbhidya vahnivat

Kadru put the grieving Vinata to work as her servant. Meanwhile, Tarkshya too, breaking forth from his egg like fire,

Verse 22 (skanda.3.38.22)

प्रादुर्बभूव विप्रेंद्रा गिरिमात्रशरीरवान् दृष्ट्वा तद्देहमाहात्म्यमभूत्त्रस्तं जगत्त्रयम्

prādurbabhūva vipreṁdrā girimātraśarīravān dṛṣṭvā taddehamāhātmyamabhūttrastaṁ jagattrayam

appeared, O foremost of brahmins, with a body as vast as a mountain; seeing the majesty of that body, the three worlds became terrified.

Verse 23 (skanda.3.38.23)

ततस्तं तुष्टुवुर्देवा गरुडं पक्षिणां वरम् दृष्ट्वा तद्देहमाहात्म्यं त्रस्तं स्याद्भुवनत्रयम्

tatastaṁ tuṣṭuvurdevā garuḍaṁ pakṣiṇāṁ varam dṛṣṭvā taddehamāhātmyaṁ trastaṁ syādbhuvanatrayam

Then the gods praised him, Garuda, foremost of birds; for, seeing the majesty of his body, the three worlds had become terrified.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.38.24)

इत्यालोच्योपसंहृत्य देहमत्यंतभीषणम् अरुणं पृष्ठमारोप्य मातुरंतिकमभ्यगात्

ityālocyopasaṁhṛtya dehamatyaṁtabhīṣaṇam aruṇaṁ pṛṣṭhamāropya māturaṁtikamabhyagāt

Reflecting thus, he withdrew his exceedingly fearsome body, and, placing Aruna upon his back, went to his mother's side.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.38.25)

अथाह विनतां कद्रूः प्रणतामतिविह्वलाम् चेटि नागालयं गंतुमुद्योगो मम वर्तते

athāha vinatāṁ kadrūḥ praṇatāmativihvalām ceṭi nāgālayaṁ gaṁtumudyogo mama vartate

Then Kadru said to Vinata, who stood bowed and utterly distressed: 'O servant-woman, I have resolved to go to the abode of the serpents.'

Verse 26 (skanda.3.38.26)

त्वत्पुत्रो गरुडोतो मां मत्पुत्रांश्च वहत्विति ततश्च विनता पुत्रं गरुडं प्रत्यभाषत

tvatputro garuḍoto māṁ matputrāṁśca vahatviti tataśca vinatā putraṁ garuḍaṁ pratyabhāṣata

'Therefore let your son Garuda carry me and my sons.' Then Vinata spoke to her son Garuda.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.38.27)

अहं कद्रूमिमां वक्ष्ये त्वं सर्पान्वह तत्सुतान् तथेति गरुडो मातुः प्रत्यगृह्णद्वचो द्विजाः

ahaṁ kadrūmimāṁ vakṣye tvaṁ sarpānvaha tatsutān tatheti garuḍo mātuḥ pratyagṛhṇadvaco dvijāḥ

'I shall carry this Kadru; you carry the serpents, her sons.' 'So be it,' said Garuda, and accepted his mother's words, O brahmins.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.38.28)

अवहद्विनता कद्रूं सर्वांस्तान्गरुडोऽवहत् रविसामीप्यगाः सर्पास्तत्करैराहतास्तदा

avahadvinatā kadrūṁ sarvāṁstāngaruḍo'vahat ravisāmīpyagāḥ sarpāstatkarairāhatāstadā

Vinata carried Kadru, and Garuda carried all those serpents. Drawing near to the sun, the serpents were then scorched by its rays.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.38.29)

अस्तौषीद्वज्रिणं कद्रूः सुतानां तापशांतये सर्वतापं जलासारैर्देवराजोऽप्यशामयत

astauṣīdvajriṇaṁ kadrūḥ sutānāṁ tāpaśāṁtaye sarvatāpaṁ jalāsārairdevarājo'pyaśāmayata

Kadru praised Indra for the relief of her sons' suffering; and the king of gods pacified all their torment with showers of water.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.38.30)

नीयमानास्तदा सर्पा गरुडेन बलीयसा गत्वा तं देशमचिरादवदन्विनतासुतम्

nīyamānāstadā sarpā garuḍena balīyasā gatvā taṁ deśamacirādavadanvinatāsutam

Then the serpents, being carried by the mighty Garuda, having gone some distance, soon said to the son of Vinata:

Verse 31 (skanda.3.38.31)

वयं द्वीपांतरं गंतुं सर्वे द्रष्टुं कृतत्वराः वह त्वमस्मान्गरुड चेटीसुत ततः क्षणात्

vayaṁ dvīpāṁtaraṁ gaṁtuṁ sarve draṣṭuṁ kṛtatvarāḥ vaha tvamasmāngaruḍa ceṭīsuta tataḥ kṣaṇāt

'We all wish eagerly to go and see another continent; carry us there at once, Garuda, son of the servant-woman.'

Verse 32 (skanda.3.38.32)

ततो मातर मप्राक्षीद्विनतां गरुडो द्विजाः अहं कस्माद्वहामीमांस्त्वं चेमां वहसे सदा

tato mātara maprākṣīdvinatāṁ garuḍo dvijāḥ ahaṁ kasmādvahāmīmāṁstvaṁ cemāṁ vahase sadā

Then, O brahmins, Garuda asked his mother Vinata: 'Why do I carry these serpents, while you always carry that other one?'

Verse 33 (skanda.3.38.33)

चेटीपुत्रेति मामेते कि भणंति सरीसृपाः सर्वमेतद्वद त्वं मे मातस्तत्त्वेन पृच्छतः

ceṭīputreti māmete ki bhaṇaṁti sarīsṛpāḥ sarvametadvada tvaṁ me mātastattvena pṛcchataḥ

'Why do these reptiles call me the servant-woman's son? Tell me, mother, the whole truth of this, since I ask.'

Verse 34 (skanda.3.38.34)

पृष्टैवं जननी तेन गरुडं प्राब्रवीत्सुतम् भगिन्या क्रूरया पुत्र च्छलेनाहं पराजिता

pṛṣṭaivaṁ jananī tena garuḍaṁ prābravītsutam bhaginyā krūrayā putra cchalenāhaṁ parājitā

Thus questioned, his mother spoke to her son Garuda: 'By my cruel sister, my son, I was defeated through deceit.'

Verse 35 (skanda.3.38.35)

तस्या दासी भवाम्यद्य चेटीपुत्रस्ततो भवान् अतस्त्वं वहसे सर्पान्वहाम्येनामहं सदा

tasyā dāsī bhavāmyadya ceṭīputrastato bhavān atastvaṁ vahase sarpānvahāmyenāmahaṁ sadā

'I have therefore become her servant, and so you are called the servant-woman's son. That is why you carry the serpents, while I always carry her.'

Verse 36 (skanda.3.38.36)

इत्यादि सर्ववृत्तांतमादितोऽस्मै न्यवेदयत् अथ तां गरुडोऽवा दीन्मातरं विनतासुतः

ityādi sarvavṛttāṁtamādito'smai nyavedayat atha tāṁ garuḍo'vā dīnmātaraṁ vinatāsutaḥ

Thus she related to him the whole matter from the beginning. Then Garuda, son of Vinata, spoke to his mother.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.38.37)

अस्माद्दास्याद्विमोक्षार्थं किं कार्यं ते मयाधुना इति पृष्टा सुतेनाथ विनता तमभाषत

asmāddāsyādvimokṣārthaṁ kiṁ kāryaṁ te mayādhunā iti pṛṣṭā sutenātha vinatā tamabhāṣata

'What must I now do to free you from this servitude?' Thus questioned by her son, Vinata replied to him.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.38.38)

सर्पान्पृच्छस्व गरुड मम मातृविमोक्षणे युष्माकं मातुः किं कार्यं मयेति वदताधुना

sarpānpṛcchasva garuḍa mama mātṛvimokṣaṇe yuṣmākaṁ mātuḥ kiṁ kāryaṁ mayeti vadatādhunā

'Ask the serpents, Garuda, what is to be done by me for the release of your mother.'

Verse 39 (skanda.3.38.39)

इति मात्रा समुदितो गरुडः पन्नगान्प्रति गत्वाऽपृच्छद्विज श्रेष्ठास्तेऽप्येनमवदंस्तदा

iti mātrā samudito garuḍaḥ pannagānprati gatvā'pṛcchadvija śreṣṭhāste'pyenamavadaṁstadā

Thus urged by his mother, Garuda went to the serpents and asked them; and they, O best of brahmins, then said to him:

Verse 40 (skanda.3.38.40)

यदा हरिष्यसे शीघ्रं सुधां त्वममरालयात् दास्यान्मुक्ता भवेन्माता वैनतेय तवाद्य हि

yadā hariṣyase śīghraṁ sudhāṁ tvamamarālayāt dāsyānmuktā bhavenmātā vainateya tavādya hi

'When you swiftly bring the nectar of immortality from the abode of the immortals, then your mother, O son of Vinata, shall this day be freed from servitude.'

Verse 41 (skanda.3.38.41)

ततो मातरमागम्य गरुडः प्रणतोऽब्रवीत् सुधामंब ममानेतुं गच्छतो भक्ष्यमर्पय

tato mātaramāgamya garuḍaḥ praṇato'bravīt sudhāmaṁba mamānetuṁ gacchato bhakṣyamarpaya

Then Garuda came to his mother and, bowing, said: 'Mother, give me food, for I am going to bring the nectar.'

Verse 42 (skanda.3.38.42)

इतीरिता सुतं प्राह माता तं विनता सुतम् समुद्रमध्ये वर्तंते शबराः कतिचित्सुत

itīritā sutaṁ prāha mātā taṁ vinatā sutam samudramadhye vartaṁte śabarāḥ katicitsuta

Thus addressed, his mother Vinata said to her son: 'In the midst of the ocean, my son, there dwell certain Shabaras;'

Verse 43 (skanda.3.38.43)

तान्भक्षयित्वा शबरानमृतं त्वमिहानय तत्र कश्चिद्द्विजः कामी शवरीसंगकौतुकी

tānbhakṣayitvā śabarānamṛtaṁ tvamihānaya tatra kaściddvijaḥ kāmī śavarīsaṁgakautukī

'having eaten those Shabaras, bring the nectar here. But among them there is a certain lustful brahmin, delighting in union with a Shabara woman -'

Verse 44 (skanda.3.38.44)

त्यज तं ब्राह्मणं कंठं दहंतं ब्रह्मतेजसा पक्षादीनि तवांगानि पांतु देवा मरुन्मुखाः

tyaja taṁ brāhmaṇaṁ kaṁṭhaṁ dahaṁtaṁ brahmatejasā pakṣādīni tavāṁgāni pāṁtu devā marunmukhāḥ

'spare that brahmin, for he would burn your throat with his brahmanical splendor. May the gods headed by the Maruts protect your wings and other limbs.'

Verse 45 (skanda.3.38.45)

इति स्वमातुराशीर्भिर्गरुडो वर्धितो ययौ शबरालयमभ्येत्य तस्य भक्षय तो मुखम्

iti svamāturāśīrbhirgaruḍo vardhito yayau śabarālayamabhyetya tasya bhakṣaya to mukham

Thus strengthened by his mother's blessings, Garuda set out; and, arriving at the abode of the Shabaras, opened his mouth to devour them.

Verse 46 (skanda.3.38.46)

आवृतं प्राविशन्व्याधा वयांसीव दरीं गिरेः अथ स ब्राह्मणोऽप्यागात्तत्कंठं मुनिपुंगवाः

āvṛtaṁ prāviśanvyādhā vayāṁsīva darīṁ gireḥ atha sa brāhmaṇo'pyāgāttatkaṁṭhaṁ munipuṁgavāḥ

The hunters entered his open mouth as birds enter a mountain cave. Then that brahmin also entered, into his throat, O foremost of sages.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.38.47)

कण्ठं दहन्तं विप्रं तमुवाच विनतासुतः विप्र पापोऽप्यवध्यो हि निर्याहि त्वमतो बहिः

kaṇṭhaṁ dahantaṁ vipraṁ tamuvāca vinatāsutaḥ vipra pāpo'pyavadhyo hi niryāhi tvamato bahiḥ

The son of Vinata said to that brahmin, who was burning his throat: 'O brahmin, even a sinner among brahmins may not be slain - come out of here.'

Verse 48 (skanda.3.38.48)

एवमुक्तस्तदा विप्रो गरुडं प्रत्यभाषत किराती मम भार्यापि निर्गंतव्या मया सह

evamuktastadā vipro garuḍaṁ pratyabhāṣata kirātī mama bhāryāpi nirgaṁtavyā mayā saha

Thus addressed, the brahmin replied to Garuda: 'My Kirata wife too must come out along with me.'

Verse 49 (skanda.3.38.49)

एवमस्त्विति तं विप्रमुवाच पतगेश्वरः ततः स गरुडो विप्रमुज्जगार सभार्यकम्

evamastviti taṁ vipramuvāca patageśvaraḥ tataḥ sa garuḍo vipramujjagāra sabhāryakam

'So be it,' said the lord of birds to that brahmin. Then Garuda disgorged the brahmin together with his wife.

Verse 50 (skanda.3.38.50)

विप्रोऽप्यभीप्सितान्देशान्निषाद्या सह निर्ययौ शबरान्भक्षयित्वाऽथ गरुडः पक्षिणां वरः

vipro'pyabhīpsitāndeśānniṣādyā saha niryayau śabarānbhakṣayitvā'tha garuḍaḥ pakṣiṇāṁ varaḥ

And the brahmin, with the Nishada woman, went forth to the regions of his desire. Then Garuda, foremost of birds, having eaten the Shabaras,

Verse 51 (skanda.3.38.51)

आत्मनः पितरं वेगात्कश्यपं समुपेयिवान् कुत्र यासीति तत्पृष्टो गरुडस्तम भाषत

ātmanaḥ pitaraṁ vegātkaśyapaṁ samupeyivān kutra yāsīti tatpṛṣṭo garuḍastama bhāṣata

swiftly approached his own father, Kashyapa. Asked by him, 'Where are you going?', Garuda said to him:

Verse 52 (skanda.3.38.52)

मातुर्दास्यविमोक्षाय सुधामाहर्तुमागमम् बहून्किराताञ्जग्ध्वापि तृप्तिर्मम न जायते

māturdāsyavimokṣāya sudhāmāhartumāgamam bahūnkirātāñjagdhvāpi tṛptirmama na jāyate

'I have come to fetch the nectar, for the release of my mother from servitude. Though I have devoured many Kiratas, no satisfaction has arisen in me;'

Verse 53 (skanda.3.38.53)

अपर्यंतक्षुधा ब्रह्मन्बाधते मामह र्निशम् तन्निवृत्तिप्रदं भक्ष्यं ममार्पय तपोधन

aparyaṁtakṣudhā brahmanbādhate māmaha rniśam tannivṛttipradaṁ bhakṣyaṁ mamārpaya tapodhana

'an endless hunger torments me day and night, O brahmin. Give me food that will remove it, O rich in austerity,'

Verse 54 (skanda.3.38.54)

येनाहं शक्नुयां तात सुधामाहर्तुमोजसा इतीरितः सुतं प्राह कश्यपो विनतोद्भवम्

yenāhaṁ śaknuyāṁ tāta sudhāmāhartumojasā itīritaḥ sutaṁ prāha kaśyapo vinatodbhavam

'so that I may have the strength, father, to fetch the nectar.' Thus addressed, Kashyapa spoke to his son, born of Vinata.

Verse 55 (skanda.3.38.55)

कश्यप उवाच मुनिर्विभावसुर्नाम्ना पुरासीत्तस्य सानुजः सुप्रतीक इति भ्राता तावुभौ वंशवैरिणौ

kaśyapa uvāca munirvibhāvasurnāmnā purāsīttasya sānujaḥ supratīka iti bhrātā tāvubhau vaṁśavairiṇau

Kashyapa said: 'There was formerly a sage named Vibhavasu, and he had a younger brother named Suprateeka; the two of them were at feud over their family inheritance.'

Verse 56 (skanda.3.38.56)

अन्योन्यं शेपतुर्विप्रा महाक्रोधसमाकुलौ गजोऽभवत्सुप्रतीकः कूर्मोऽभूच्च विभावसुः

anyonyaṁ śepaturviprā mahākrodhasamākulau gajo'bhavatsupratīkaḥ kūrmo'bhūcca vibhāvasuḥ

'Overcome with great wrath, O brahmins, they cursed one another; Suprateeka became an elephant, and Vibhavasu became a tortoise.'

Verse 57 (skanda.3.38.57)

एवं वित्तविवादात्तौ शेपतुर्भ्रातरौ मिथः गजः षड्यो जनोच्छ्रायो द्विगुणायामसंयुतः

evaṁ vittavivādāttau śepaturbhrātarau mithaḥ gajaḥ ṣaḍyo janocchrāyo dviguṇāyāmasaṁyutaḥ

'Thus, because of a dispute over wealth, those two brothers cursed each other. The elephant is six yojanas in height, and twice that in length;'

Verse 58 (skanda.3.38.58)

कूर्मस्त्रियोजनोच्छ्रयो दशयोजनविस्तृतः बद्धवैरावुभावेतौ सरस्यस्मिन्विहंगम

kūrmastriyojanocchrayo daśayojanavistṛtaḥ baddhavairāvubhāvetau sarasyasminvihaṁgama

'the tortoise is three yojanas in height, and ten yojanas in breadth. Bound in mutual enmity, the two of them, O bird, in this very lake,'

Verse 59 (skanda.3.38.59)

पूर्ववैरमनुस्मृत्य युध्येते जेतुमिच्छया उभौ तौ भक्षयित्वा त्वं सुधामाहर तृप्तिमान्

pūrvavairamanusmṛtya yudhyete jetumicchayā ubhau tau bhakṣayitvā tvaṁ sudhāmāhara tṛptimān

'remembering their former enmity, fight one another in the desire for victory. Devour them both, and, thus satisfied, go and fetch the nectar.'

Verse 60 (skanda.3.38.60)

एवं पित्रेरितः पक्षी गत्वा तद्गजकच्छपौ समुद्धत्य महाकायौ महाबलपराक्रमौ

evaṁ pitreritaḥ pakṣī gatvā tadgajakacchapau samuddhatya mahākāyau mahābalaparākramau

Thus instructed by his father, the bird went, and, seizing up that elephant and tortoise, both huge of body, mighty in strength and valor,

Verse 61 (skanda.3.38.61)

वहन्नखाभ्यां संतीर्थं विळंबाभिधमभ्यगात् तत्रागतं समालोक्य पक्षिराजं द्विजोसमाः

vahannakhābhyāṁ saṁtīrthaṁ viḷaṁbābhidhamabhyagāt tatrāgataṁ samālokya pakṣirājaṁ dvijosamāḥ

carrying them in his claws, he came to a sacred ford named Vilamba. Seeing the king of birds arrive there, O equals of brahmins,

Verse 62 (skanda.3.38.62)

तत्तीरजो महावृक्षो रोहिणाख्यो महोच्छ्रयः वैनतेयमिदं प्राह महाबलपराक्रमम्

tattīrajo mahāvṛkṣo rohiṇākhyo mahocchrayaḥ vainateyamidaṁ prāha mahābalaparākramam

a great tree growing on that bank, named Rohina, of immense height, said this to Vainateya, mighty in strength and valor:

Verse 63 (skanda.3.38.63)

एनामारुह मच्छाखां शतयोजनमायताम् स्थित्वात्र गजकूर्मौ त्वं भक्षयस्व खगोत्तम

enāmāruha macchākhāṁ śatayojanamāyatām sthitvātra gajakūrmau tvaṁ bhakṣayasva khagottama

'Alight upon this branch of mine, a hundred yojanas long; standing here, devour the elephant and tortoise, O best of birds.'

Verse 64 (skanda.3.38.64)

इत्युक्तस्तरुणा पक्षी स तत्रास्ते मनोजवः तद्भारात्सा तरोः शाखा भग्नाऽभूद्द्विजसत्तमाः

ityuktastaruṇā pakṣī sa tatrāste manojavaḥ tadbhārātsā taroḥ śākhā bhagnā'bhūddvijasattamāḥ

Thus addressed by the tree, that bird, swift as thought, alighted there; and under that weight, the tree's branch broke, O best of brahmins.

Verse 65 (skanda.3.38.65)

वालखिल्यमुनींस्तस्मिल्लँबमानानधोमुखान् दृष्ट्वा तत्पातशंकावाँस्तां शाखां गरुडोऽग्रहीत्

vālakhilyamunīṁstasmillaṁbamānānadhomukhān dṛṣṭvā tatpātaśaṁkāvāṁstāṁ śākhāṁ garuḍo'grahīt

Seeing the Valakhilya sages hanging there head-downward, and fearing their fall, Garuda caught hold of that branch himself.

Verse 66 (skanda.3.38.66)

गजकूर्मो च तां शाखां गृहीत्वा यांतमं बरे पिता तस्याब्रवीत्तत्र गरुडं विनतासुतम्

gajakūrmo ca tāṁ śākhāṁ gṛhītvā yāṁtamaṁ bare pitā tasyābravīttatra garuḍaṁ vinatāsutam

And carrying the elephant, the tortoise, and that branch, as he went through the sky, his father spoke there to Garuda, son of Vinata.

Verse 67 (skanda.3.38.67)

त्यजेमां निर्जने शैले शाखां तं विनतोद्भव इत्युक्तः स तथा गत्वा शाखां निष्पुरुषे नगे

tyajemāṁ nirjane śaile śākhāṁ taṁ vinatodbhava ityuktaḥ sa tathā gatvā śākhāṁ niṣpuruṣe nage

'Drop this branch upon an uninhabited mountain, O son of Vinata.' Thus addressed, he went and, accordingly, upon an uninhabited mountain,

Verse 68 (skanda.3.38.68)

विन्यस्याभक्षयत्पक्षी तौ तदा गजकच्छपौ अथोत्पातः समभवत्तस्मिन्नवसरे दिवि

vinyasyābhakṣayatpakṣī tau tadā gajakacchapau athotpātaḥ samabhavattasminnavasare divi

set down that branch, and the bird then devoured the elephant and tortoise. Then, at that very moment, an evil portent arose in the heavens.

Verse 69 (skanda.3.38.69)

दृष्ट्वोत्पातं बलारातिः पप्रच्छ स्वपुरोहितम् उत्पातकारणं जीव किमत्रेति पुनःपुनः बृहस्पतिस्तदा शक्रं प्रोवाच द्विजसत्तमाः

dṛṣṭvotpātaṁ balārātiḥ papraccha svapurohitam utpātakāraṇaṁ jīva kimatreti punaḥpunaḥ bṛhaspatistadā śakraṁ provāca dvijasattamāḥ

Seeing the portent, Indra asked his own priest again and again: 'O Jiva, what is the cause of this?' Then Brihaspati spoke to Shakra, O best of brahmins.

Verse 70 (skanda.3.38.70)

बृहस्पतिरुवाच काश्यपो हि मुनिः पूर्वमयजत्क्रतुना हरे

bṛhaspatiruvāca kāśyapo hi muniḥ pūrvamayajatkratunā hare

Brihaspati said: 'The sage Kashyapa formerly performed a sacrifice, O Hari (Indra) -'

Verse 71 (skanda.3.38.71)

सर्वान्नृषीन्सुरान्सिद्धान्यक्षान्गंधर्वकिन्नरान् यज्ञसंभारसिद्ध्यर्थं प्रेषयामास स द्विजाः

sarvānnṛṣīnsurānsiddhānyakṣāngaṁdharvakinnarān yajñasaṁbhārasiddhyarthaṁ preṣayāmāsa sa dvijāḥ

'and, for the accomplishment of the sacrificial materials, he sent forth all the sages, gods, siddhas, yakshas, gandharvas and kinnaras, O brahmins.'

Verse 72 (skanda.3.38.72)

वालखिल्यान्ससंभारान्ह्रस्वानंगुष्ठमात्रकान् मज्जतो गोष्पदजले दृष्ट्वा हसितवान्भवान्

vālakhilyānsasaṁbhārānhrasvānaṁguṣṭhamātrakān majjato goṣpadajale dṛṣṭvā hasitavānbhavān

'Seeing the Valakhilyas, tiny as a thumb, sinking in the water of a cow's hoofprint, you laughed at them.'

Verse 73 (skanda.3.38.73)

भवतावमताः क्रुद्धा वालखिल्यास्तदा हरे जुहुवुर्यज्ञवह्नौ ते क्रोधेन ज्वलिताननाः

bhavatāvamatāḥ kruddhā vālakhilyāstadā hare juhuvuryajñavahnau te krodhena jvalitānanāḥ

'Insulted by you, O Hari, the Valakhilyas grew angry; their faces blazing with wrath, they made an oblation into the sacrificial fire, saying:'

Verse 74 (skanda.3.38.74)

देवेंद्रभयदः शत्रुः कश्यपस्य सुतोऽस्त्विति तस्य पुत्रोऽद्य गरुडः सुधाहरणकौतुकी

deveṁdrabhayadaḥ śatruḥ kaśyapasya suto'stviti tasya putro'dya garuḍaḥ sudhāharaṇakautukī

'Let there be born a son of Kashyapa who shall be a terror and an enemy to the king of gods.' That very son of his, Garuda, today, eager to seize the nectar,

Verse 75 (skanda.3.38.75)

समागच्छति तद्धेतुरयमुत्पात आगतः इत्युक्तः सोऽब्रवीदिंद्रो देवानग्निपुरोगमान्

samāgacchati taddheturayamutpāta āgataḥ ityuktaḥ so'bravīdiṁdro devānagnipurogamān

'is approaching; that is the cause of this portent.' Thus addressed, Indra said to the gods headed by Agni:

Verse 76 (skanda.3.38.76)

सुधामाहर्तुमायाति पक्षी सा रक्ष्यतामिति इतींद्रप्रेरिता देवा ररक्षुः सायुधाः सुधाम्

sudhāmāhartumāyāti pakṣī sā rakṣyatāmiti itīṁdrapreritā devā rarakṣuḥ sāyudhāḥ sudhām

'A bird is coming to seize the nectar - let it be guarded!' Thus urged by Indra, the gods, armed with their weapons, guarded the nectar.

Verse 77 (skanda.3.38.77)

पक्षिराजस्तदाभ्यागाद्देवानायुधधारिणः महाबलं ते गरुडं दृष्ट्वाऽकम्पंत वै सुराः

pakṣirājastadābhyāgāddevānāyudhadhāriṇaḥ mahābalaṁ te garuḍaṁ dṛṣṭvā'kampaṁta vai surāḥ

Then the king of birds arrived; seeing that mighty Garuda, the weapon-bearing gods indeed trembled.

Verse 78 (skanda.3.38.78)

गरुडस्य सुराणां च ततो युद्धमभून्महत् अखंडि पक्षितुण्डेन भौवनोऽमृतपालकः

garuḍasya surāṇāṁ ca tato yuddhamabhūnmahat akhaṁḍi pakṣituṇḍena bhauvano'mṛtapālakaḥ

Then a great battle took place between Garuda and the gods. The world-guardian who watched over the nectar was broken apart by the bird's beak.

Verse 79 (skanda.3.38.79)

तदा निजघ्नुगर्रुडं देवाः शस्त्रैरनेकशः अतीव गरुडो देवैर्बाधितः शस्त्रपाणिभिः

tadā nijaghnugarruḍaṁ devāḥ śastrairanekaśaḥ atīva garuḍo devairbādhitaḥ śastrapāṇibhiḥ

Then the gods struck Garuda with weapons of many kinds; greatly harassed by the weapon-bearing gods, Garuda -

Verse 80 (skanda.3.38.80)

पक्षाभ्यामाक्षिपद्दूरे देवानग्निपुरोगमान् तत्पक्षविक्षिता देवास्तदा परमकोपनाः

pakṣābhyāmākṣipaddūre devānagnipurogamān tatpakṣavikṣitā devāstadā paramakopanāḥ

flung the gods headed by Agni far away with his wings. Struck by his wings, the gods then, in extreme fury,

Verse 81 (skanda.3.38.81)

नाराचान्भिंदि पालांश्च नानाशस्त्राणि चाक्षिपन् ततस्तु गरुडो वेगाद्देवदृष्टिविलोपिनीम्

nārācānbhiṁdi pālāṁśca nānāśastrāṇi cākṣipan tatastu garuḍo vegāddevadṛṣṭivilopinīm

hurled iron arrows, discuses, and various other weapons at him. Then Garuda swiftly raised, with his wings, a dust-cloud that obscured the gods' sight,

Verse 82 (skanda.3.38.82)

धूलिमुत्थापयामास पक्षाभ्यां विनतासुतः वायुना शमयामासुस्तान्पांसूंस्त्रिदशोत्तमाः

dhūlimutthāpayāmāsa pakṣābhyāṁ vinatāsutaḥ vāyunā śamayāmāsustānpāṁsūṁstridaśottamāḥ

son of Vinata that he was; and the foremost of the thirty gods stilled that dust with the wind.

Verse 83 (skanda.3.38.83)

रुद्रान्वसूंस्तथादित्यान्मरुतोऽन्यान्सुरांस्तथा गरुडः पक्षतुंडाभ्यां व्यथितानकरोद्द्विजाः

rudrānvasūṁstathādityānmaruto'nyānsurāṁstathā garuḍaḥ pakṣatuṁḍābhyāṁ vyathitānakaroddvijāḥ

The Rudras, the Vasus, the Adityas, the Maruts, and other gods too - Garuda distressed them all with his wings and beak, O brahmins.

Verse 84 (skanda.3.38.84)

पलायितेषु देवेषु सोऽद्राक्षीज्ज्वलनं पुरः ज्वलंतं परितस्त्वग्निं शमापयितुमुद्ययौ

palāyiteṣu deveṣu so'drākṣījjvalanaṁ puraḥ jvalaṁtaṁ paritastvagniṁ śamāpayitumudyayau

When the gods had fled, he saw before him a blazing fire; he set out to extinguish that fire, blazing all around.

Verse 85 (skanda.3.38.85)

स सहस्रमुखो भूत्वा तैः पिबञ्छतशो नदीः तमग्निं नाशयामास तैः पयोभिस्त्वरान्वितः

sa sahasramukho bhūtvā taiḥ pibañchataśo nadīḥ tamagniṁ nāśayāmāsa taiḥ payobhistvarānvitaḥ

Becoming thousand-mouthed, drinking up hundreds of rivers through those mouths, he swiftly extinguished that fire with those waters.

Verse 86 (skanda.3.38.86)

सितधारं भ्रमच्चक्रं सुधारक्षकमंतिके दृष्ट्वा तदरिरंध्रेण संक्षिप्तांगोतराविशत्

sitadhāraṁ bhramaccakraṁ sudhārakṣakamaṁtike dṛṣṭvā tadariraṁdhreṇa saṁkṣiptāṁgotarāviśat

Seeing nearby the whirling discus that guarded the nectar, he contracted his body and, through a gap between its blades, entered within.

Verse 87 (skanda.3.38.87)

ततो ददर्श द्वौ सर्पो व्यक्तास्यौ भीषणाकृती याभ्यां दृष्टोपि भस्म स्यात्तौ सर्पौ गरुडस्तदा

tato dadarśa dvau sarpo vyaktāsyau bhīṣaṇākṛtī yābhyāṁ dṛṣṭopi bhasma syāttau sarpau garuḍastadā

Then he saw two serpents, gaping-mouthed and of fearsome form, by whose mere glance one would be reduced to ashes; Garuda then -

Verse 88 (skanda.3.38.88)

आच्छिद्य पक्षतुंडाभ्यां गृहीत्वाऽमृतमुद्ययौ यंत्रमुत्पाट्य चोद्यंतं गरुडं प्राह माधवः

ācchidya pakṣatuṁḍābhyāṁ gṛhītvā'mṛtamudyayau yaṁtramutpāṭya codyaṁtaṁ garuḍaṁ prāha mādhavaḥ

having torn them apart with wing and beak, seized the nectar and rose up, having uprooted the entire mechanism. As he rose, Vishnu spoke to Garuda.

Verse 89 (skanda.3.38.89)

तव तुष्टोऽस्मि पक्षीश वरं वरय सुव्रत अथ पक्षी तमाह स्म कमलानायकं हरिम्

tava tuṣṭo'smi pakṣīśa varaṁ varaya suvrata atha pakṣī tamāha sma kamalānāyakaṁ harim

'I am pleased with you, O lord of birds; choose a boon, O one of good vows.' Then the bird spoke to Hari, the lord of Lakshmi.

Verse 90 (skanda.3.38.90)

तवोपरि स्थितिर्मे स्यान्मा भूतां च जरामृती तथास्त्विति हरिः प्राह वरं मद्व्रियतामिति

tavopari sthitirme syānmā bhūtāṁ ca jarāmṛtī tathāstviti hariḥ prāha varaṁ madvriyatāmiti

'May my station be above you, and may old age and death never touch me.' 'So be it,' said Hari, 'and now choose a boon of mine in turn.'

Verse 91 (skanda.3.38.91)

इत्युक्तस्तं हरिः प्राह मम त्वं वाहनं भव स्यंदनोपरि केतुश्च मम त्वं विनतासुत

ityuktastaṁ hariḥ prāha mama tvaṁ vāhanaṁ bhava syaṁdanopari ketuśca mama tvaṁ vinatāsuta

Thus addressed, Hari said to him: 'Become my mount; and be also the banner-device atop my chariot, O son of Vinata.'

Verse 92 (skanda.3.38.92)

तथास्त्विति खगोप्याह कमलापतिमच्युतम् हृतामृतं खगं श्रुत्वा तत आखंडलो जवात्

tathāstviti khagopyāha kamalāpatimacyutam hṛtāmṛtaṁ khagaṁ śrutvā tata ākhaṁḍalo javāt

'So be it,' the bird too said to Achyuta, the lord of Lakshmi. Hearing that the bird had carried off the nectar, Indra then, swiftly,

Verse 93 (skanda.3.38.93)

अभिद्रुत्याशु कुलिशं पक्षे चिक्षेप पक्षिणः ततो विहस्य गरुडः पाकशासनमब्रवीत्

abhidrutyāśu kuliśaṁ pakṣe cikṣepa pakṣiṇaḥ tato vihasya garuḍaḥ pākaśāsanamabravīt

rushed forward and hurled his thunderbolt at the bird's wing. Then Garuda, laughing, said to Indra:

Verse 94 (skanda.3.38.94)

कुलिशस्य निपातान्मे न हरे कापि वेदना सफलो वज्रपातस्ते भूयाच्च सुरनायक

kuliśasya nipātānme na hare kāpi vedanā saphalo vajrapātaste bhūyācca suranāyaka

'O Hari, I feel no pain at all from the fall of your thunderbolt; yet let the fall of your thunderbolt still bear fruit, O lord of the gods.'

Verse 95 (skanda.3.38.95)

इतीरयन्पत्रमेकं व्यसृजत्पक्षतस्तदा शोभनं पर्णमस्येति सुपर्ण इति सोभ वत्

itīrayanpatramekaṁ vyasṛjatpakṣatastadā śobhanaṁ parṇamasyeti suparṇa iti sobha vat

Saying this, he then let fall a single feather from his wing; and because 'beautiful is his feather,' he thus became known as 'Suparna.'

Verse 96 (skanda.3.38.96)

तस्मिन्सुपर्णे हेमाभे सर्वे विस्मयमाययुः ततस्तु गरुडः शक्रमब्रवीद्द्विजपुंगवाः

tasminsuparṇe hemābhe sarve vismayamāyayuḥ tatastu garuḍaḥ śakramabravīddvijapuṁgavāḥ

At that golden-hued feather, all were struck with wonder. Then Garuda spoke to Indra, O foremost of brahmins.

Verse 97 (skanda.3.38.97)

भवता साकमखिलं जगदेतच्चराचरम् देवेंद्र सततं वोढुममोघा शक्तिरस्ति मे

bhavatā sākamakhilaṁ jagadetaccarācaram deveṁdra satataṁ voḍhumamoghā śaktirasti me

'O king of gods, I have unfailing power to bear, along with you, this entire moving and unmoving universe forever.'

Verse 98 (skanda.3.38.98)

नाखण्डलसहस्रं मे रणे लभ्यं हरे भवेत् इति ब्रुवाणं गरुडमब्रवीत्पाकशासनः

nākhaṇḍalasahasraṁ me raṇe labhyaṁ hare bhavet iti bruvāṇaṁ garuḍamabravītpākaśāsanaḥ

'Not even a thousand Indras could match me in battle, O Hari.' To Garuda speaking thus, Indra replied.

Verse 99 (skanda.3.38.99)

किं तेऽमृतेन कार्यं स्याद्दीयताममृतं मम इमां सुधां भवान्दद्याद्येभ्यो हि विनतोद्भव

kiṁ te'mṛtena kāryaṁ syāddīyatāmamṛtaṁ mama imāṁ sudhāṁ bhavāndadyādyebhyo hi vinatodbhava

'What need have you of the nectar? Give this nectar back to me. To whomever you would give this nectar, O son of Vinata -'

Verse 100 (skanda.3.38.100)

तेऽधुनाऽमृतपानेन जरामरणवर्जिताः अस्मद्भ्योऽधिकवीर्याः स्युर्बाधेरंस्त्रिदशांस्तथा

te'dhunā'mṛtapānena jarāmaraṇavarjitāḥ asmadbhyo'dhikavīryāḥ syurbādheraṁstridaśāṁstathā

'they, by drinking this nectar, would become free from old age and death, would become mightier than us gods, and would harass the gods.'

Verse 101 (skanda.3.38.101)

इति ब्रुवंतं देवेन्द्रं गरुडोऽप्यब्रवीद्द्विजाः यत्रैतत्स्थापयिष्यामि तत्रागत्य भवानिदम्

iti bruvaṁtaṁ devendraṁ garuḍo'pyabravīddvijāḥ yatraitatsthāpayiṣyāmi tatrāgatya bhavānidam

To the king of gods speaking thus, Garuda too, O brahmins, replied: 'Wherever I shall place this nectar, you may come there and -'

Verse 102 (skanda.3.38.102)

गृह्णातु झटितीत्युक्तो गरुडं प्राह वृत्रहा प्रीतोऽहं तव दास्यामि वरं वृणु महामते

gṛhṇātu jhaṭitītyukto garuḍaṁ prāha vṛtrahā prīto'haṁ tava dāsyāmi varaṁ vṛṇu mahāmate

'seize it at once.' Thus addressed, Indra said to Garuda: 'I am pleased with you; choose a boon, O great-minded one.'

Verse 103 (skanda.3.38.103)

इत्युक्तवन्तं गरुडः पाकशासनमब्रवीत् दास्ये छलप्रयोक्तारो मम मातुः सरीसृपाः

ityuktavantaṁ garuḍaḥ pākaśāsanamabravīt dāsye chalaprayoktāro mama mātuḥ sarīsṛpāḥ

To him who had spoken thus, Garuda said to Indra: 'The reptiles who practiced deceit upon my mother -'

Verse 104 (skanda.3.38.104)

भक्ष्या भवंतु नित्यं मे पाकशासन वृत्रहन् इति तेनेरितः शकस्तथास्त्वित्यवदच्च तम्

bhakṣyā bhavaṁtu nityaṁ me pākaśāsana vṛtrahan iti teneritaḥ śakastathāstvityavadacca tam

'let them become my perpetual food, O slayer of Vritra.' Thus requested, Indra said, 'So be it.'

Verse 105 (skanda.3.38.105)

अथायं गरुडो विप्रा धारयन्नमृतं ययौ यांतं तमनुयाति स्म गरुडं पाकशासनः

athāyaṁ garuḍo viprā dhārayannamṛtaṁ yayau yāṁtaṁ tamanuyāti sma garuḍaṁ pākaśāsanaḥ

Then this Garuda, O brahmins, went forth bearing the nectar; and Indra followed after Garuda as he went.

Verse 106 (skanda.3.38.106)

वेगेन स द्विजश्रेष्ठाः सुधाहरणकौतुकी मातुरभ्याशमागत्य सर्पान्प्राह स पक्षिराट्

vegena sa dvijaśreṣṭhāḥ sudhāharaṇakautukī māturabhyāśamāgatya sarpānprāha sa pakṣirāṭ

Swiftly, O best of brahmins, eager to have fetched the nectar, that king of birds came to his mother's presence and said to the serpents:

Verse 107 (skanda.3.38.107)

कुशेषु न्यस्यते सर्पास्सुधैवमधुना मया स्नात्वा तद्भुङ्ध्वममृतं शुचयः सुसमाहिताः

kuśeṣu nyasyate sarpāssudhaivamadhunā mayā snātvā tadbhuṅdhvamamṛtaṁ śucayaḥ susamāhitāḥ

'O serpents, the nectar is now placed by me upon this kusha grass; having bathed, and being pure and fully composed, drink this nectar.'

Verse 108 (skanda.3.38.108)

मोक्षोऽपि मम मातुः स्याद्दासीभावाद्धि पन्नगाः तथास्त्वित्यवदन्सर्पा गरुडं विनतासुतम्

mokṣo'pi mama mātuḥ syāddāsībhāvāddhi pannagāḥ tathāstvityavadansarpā garuḍaṁ vinatāsutam

'Let my mother also be released from her state of servitude, O serpents.' 'So be it,' said the serpents to Garuda.

Verse 109 (skanda.3.38.109)

मुक्ता तदैव विनता दासीभावाद्द्विजोत्तमाः सर्पास्तेऽमृतभक्षार्थं स्नातुं सर्वे ययुस्तदा

muktā tadaiva vinatā dāsībhāvāddvijottamāḥ sarpāste'mṛtabhakṣārthaṁ snātuṁ sarve yayustadā

Vinata was then and there freed from her servitude, O best of brahmins; and those serpents, in order to eat the nectar, all went to bathe.

Verse 110 (skanda.3.38.110)

तस्मिन्नवसरे शक्रस्तामादाय सुधां ययौ स्नात्वागत्य भुजंगास्ते तत्रादृष्ट्वा तदा सुधाम्

tasminnavasare śakrastāmādāya sudhāṁ yayau snātvāgatya bhujaṁgāste tatrādṛṣṭvā tadā sudhām

At that very moment, Indra took up that nectar and departed. Having bathed and returned, those serpents, not finding the nectar there,

Verse 111 (skanda.3.38.111)

जिह्वाभिर्लिलिहुर्द र्भानेषु न्यस्ता सुधेति हि तदाप्रभृति सर्पाणां जिह्वा दर्भाग्रपाटिताः

jihvābhirlilihurda rbhāneṣu nyastā sudheti hi tadāprabhṛti sarpāṇāṁ jihvā darbhāgrapāṭitāḥ

thinking 'the nectar was placed here,' licked with their tongues the kusha grass. From that time onward, the serpents' tongues were split by the sharp tips of the kusha grass,

Verse 112 (skanda.3.38.112)

द्विधाभवन्मुनिश्रेष्ठा द्विजिह्वास्तेन ते स्मृताः सुधासंयोगतो दर्भाः प्रय युश्च पवित्रताम्

dvidhābhavanmuniśreṣṭhā dvijihvāstena te smṛtāḥ sudhāsaṁyogato darbhāḥ praya yuśca pavitratām

and became forked, O foremost of sages; for that reason they are called 'double-tongued.' And the kusha grass, through its contact with the nectar, attained sacred purity.

Verse 113 (skanda.3.38.113)

मोचयित्वा च गरुडो दासीभावात्स्वमातरम् शशापकुपितः कद्रूं छद्मना जितमातरम्

mocayitvā ca garuḍo dāsībhāvātsvamātaram śaśāpakupitaḥ kadrūṁ chadmanā jitamātaram

And Garuda, having freed his mother from her state of servitude, in anger cursed Kadru, who had defeated his mother through deceit:

Verse 114 (skanda.3.38.114)

कद्रूस्त्वं जननीं यन्मे छलेन जितवत्यसि भर्तुस्त्वं परिचर्यायामतो नार्हा भविष्यसि

kadrūstvaṁ jananīṁ yanme chalena jitavatyasi bhartustvaṁ paricaryāyāmato nārhā bhaviṣyasi

'Kadru, since you have defeated my mother through deceit, you shall henceforth be unfit for the service of your husband.'

Verse 115 (skanda.3.38.115)

शप्त्वैवं गरुडः कद्रूं प्रययौ स यथेच्छया कद्रूश्च विनता चोभे ययतुर्भर्तुरंतिकम्

śaptvaivaṁ garuḍaḥ kadrūṁ prayayau sa yathecchayā kadrūśca vinatā cobhe yayaturbharturaṁtikam

Having thus cursed Kadru, Garuda departed as he wished; and both Kadru and Vinata then went to their husband's presence.

Verse 116 (skanda.3.38.116)

कश्यपो विमुखस्तत्र कद्रूं कोपादथाब्रवीत् यस्माच्छलेन विनतां कद्रूर्निर्जितवत्यसि

kaśyapo vimukhastatra kadrūṁ kopādathābravīt yasmācchalena vinatāṁ kadrūrnirjitavatyasi

Kashyapa there, turning away from Kadru, said to her in anger: 'Because you, Kadru, have defeated Vinata through deceit,'

Verse 117 (skanda.3.38.117)

अतो मत्परिचर्यायां न योग्यासि दुरात्मिके स्त्रियं वा पुरुषं वापि नारी वा पुरुषोऽपि वा

ato matparicaryāyāṁ na yogyāsi durātmike striyaṁ vā puruṣaṁ vāpi nārī vā puruṣo'pi vā

'you are therefore unfit for my service, O evil-souled one. Whether it be a woman or a man,'

Verse 118 (skanda.3.38.118)

छलाद्विजयते योऽसौ स महापातकी भवेत् छलाद्विजयिना सार्धं संभाष्य ब्रह्महा भवेत्

chalādvijayate yo'sau sa mahāpātakī bhavet chalādvijayinā sārdhaṁ saṁbhāṣya brahmahā bhavet

'whoever wins victory through deceit becomes a great sinner. And one who converses with such a deceitful victor becomes equal to a slayer of a brahmin -'

Verse 119 (skanda.3.38.119)

स्तेयी सुरापी विज्ञेयो गुरुदाररतश्च सः संसर्गदोषदुष्टश्च मुनिभिः परिकीर्त्यते

steyī surāpī vijñeyo gurudārarataśca saḥ saṁsargadoṣaduṣṭaśca munibhiḥ parikīrtyate

'is to be reckoned as a thief, a drinker of liquor, and one devoted to his guru's wife; the sages proclaim him corrupted by the fault of such association.'

Verse 120 (skanda.3.38.120)

त्वया संभाषणाद्दोषो मम स्यान्नरकप्रदः तस्मात्प्रयाहि कद्रूस्त्वं मत्समीपाद्धि दारुणे

tvayā saṁbhāṣaṇāddoṣo mama syānnarakapradaḥ tasmātprayāhi kadrūstvaṁ matsamīpāddhi dāruṇe

'By conversing with you, a hell-bringing fault would come upon me. Therefore, depart from my presence, Kadru, O cruel one.'

Verse 121 (skanda.3.38.121)

छलजेत्रा सपंक्तौ यो भुंजीत मनुजो भुवि तेन संभाषणात्सद्यः पतेद्धि नरकार्णवे

chalajetrā sapaṁktau yo bhuṁjīta manujo bhuvi tena saṁbhāṣaṇātsadyaḥ pateddhi narakārṇave

'The man on this earth who eats in the same row as one who has won by deceit, by merely conversing with such a person, falls at once into the ocean of hell.'

Verse 122 (skanda.3.38.122)

विलोक्य च्छलजेतारं तस्य पापस्य शांतये आदित्यं वा जलं वापि पावकं वा विलोकयेत्

vilokya cchalajetāraṁ tasya pāpasya śāṁtaye ādityaṁ vā jalaṁ vāpi pāvakaṁ vā vilokayet

'Having beheld a deceitful victor, for the pacification of that sin, one should look upon the sun, or upon water, or upon fire.'

Verse 123 (skanda.3.38.123)

छलजेता यत्र तिष्ठेदाश्रमेऽपि गृहेऽपिवा वस्तव्यं न हि तत्रान्यैर्वसन्नरकमश्नुते

chalajetā yatra tiṣṭhedāśrame'pi gṛhe'pivā vastavyaṁ na hi tatrānyairvasannarakamaśnute

'Wherever a deceitful victor dwells, whether in a hermitage or in a house, others should not dwell there; one who dwells there attains hell.'

Verse 124 (skanda.3.38.124)

अतो निर्याहि निर्याहि मम त्वं दृष्टिमार्गतः स्वाश्रमात्सरलामेनां विनतां जितवत्यसि

ato niryāhi niryāhi mama tvaṁ dṛṣṭimārgataḥ svāśramātsaralāmenāṁ vinatāṁ jitavatyasi

'Therefore go, go out of the range of my sight - you who have defeated this honest Vinata from her own hermitage.'

Verse 125 (skanda.3.38.125)

इति धिक्कृत्य सहसा कद्रूं तां कश्यपस्तदा विनतां स्वच्छशीलां तां स्वीचकार महामतिः

iti dhikkṛtya sahasā kadrūṁ tāṁ kaśyapastadā vinatāṁ svacchaśīlāṁ tāṁ svīcakāra mahāmatiḥ

Having thus rebuked Kadru at once, Kashyapa, the great-minded one, then accepted Vinata, who was of pure conduct.

Verse 126 (skanda.3.38.126)

कद्रूरित्थं सपरुषं कथिता कश्यपेन सा रुदंती भृशदुःखार्ता पादयोस्तस्य चापतत्

kadrūritthaṁ saparuṣaṁ kathitā kaśyapena sā rudaṁtī bhṛśaduḥkhārtā pādayostasya cāpatat

Kadru, having been thus harshly spoken to by Kashyapa, weeping, overwhelmed with grief, fell at his feet.

Verse 127 (skanda.3.38.127)

पतितां पादयोर्दृष्ट्वा कश्यपो मुनिपुंगवः न जग्राहैव कद्रूं तां स्मरन्पापं तया कृतम्

patitāṁ pādayordṛṣṭvā kaśyapo munipuṁgavaḥ na jagrāhaiva kadrūṁ tāṁ smaranpāpaṁ tayā kṛtam

Seeing her fallen at his feet, Kashyapa, foremost of sages, did not accept Kadru, remembering the sin she had committed.

Verse 128 (skanda.3.38.128)

ततः प्रणम्य विनता कश्यपं वाक्यमब्रवीत् भगवन्भगिनीमेनां स्वीकुरुष्व कृपानिधे

tataḥ praṇamya vinatā kaśyapaṁ vākyamabravīt bhagavanbhaginīmenāṁ svīkuruṣva kṛpānidhe

Then Vinata, bowing, spoke these words to Kashyapa: 'O lord, O ocean of compassion, accept this my sister.'

Verse 129 (skanda.3.38.129)

अज्ञानान्मुग्धया पापं कद्र्वा यदधुना कृतम् क्षंतुमर्हसि तत्सर्वं दयाशीला हि साधवः

ajñānānmugdhayā pāpaṁ kadrvā yadadhunā kṛtam kṣaṁtumarhasi tatsarvaṁ dayāśīlā hi sādhavaḥ

'Whatever sin has now been committed by Kadru, foolish through ignorance, you ought to forgive, for the virtuous are ever compassionate.'

Verse 130 (skanda.3.38.130)

जनन्या गरुडस्यैव कथितः कश्यपो मुनिः उवाच विनते नैनां विना पापस्य निष्कृतिम्

jananyā garuḍasyaiva kathitaḥ kaśyapo muniḥ uvāca vinate naināṁ vinā pāpasya niṣkṛtim

Thus addressed by Garuda's own mother, the sage Kashyapa said: 'O Vinata, there is no expiation for her sin except this -'

Verse 131 (skanda.3.38.131)

ग्रहीष्यामि दुराचारां त्रिस्त्वां शपथयाम्यहम् कश्यपस्य वचः श्रुत्वा विनता पुनरब्रवीत्

grahīṣyāmi durācārāṁ tristvāṁ śapathayāmyaham kaśyapasya vacaḥ śrutvā vinatā punarabravīt

'I swear to you three times, I shall not accept this ill-behaved woman.' Having heard Kashyapa's words, Vinata spoke again.

Verse 132 (skanda.3.38.132)

भगिन्या मम पापस्य ब्रह्मंस्त्वं ब्रूहि निष्कृतिम् येनेयं परिचर्यायां तव योग्या भविष्यति

bhaginyā mama pāpasya brahmaṁstvaṁ brūhi niṣkṛtim yeneyaṁ paricaryāyāṁ tava yogyā bhaviṣyati

'O brahmin, tell me the expiation for my sister's sin, by which she may become fit for your service.'

Verse 133 (skanda.3.38.133)

तयैवमुदितो विप्रा मारीचः कश्यपस्तदा ध्यात्वा मुहूर्तं मनसा पश्चादिदमभाषत

tayaivamudito viprā mārīcaḥ kaśyapastadā dhyātvā muhūrtaṁ manasā paścādidamabhāṣata

Thus addressed by her, O brahmins, Kashyapa, son of Marichi, having reflected a moment, then spoke as follows.

Verse 134 (skanda.3.38.134)

दक्षिणांबुनिधेस्तीरे फुल्लग्रामे विमुक्तिदे अस्ति क्षीरसरोनाम तीर्थं पापविनाशनम्

dakṣiṇāṁbunidhestīre phullagrāme vimuktide asti kṣīrasaronāma tīrthaṁ pāpavināśanam

'On the shore of the southern ocean, in liberation-granting Phullagrama, there is a ford named Kshirasaras, the destroyer of sin.'

Verse 135 (skanda.3.38.135)

तत्तीर्थस्नानमात्रेण दोषश्चास्या विनश्यति प्रायश्चित्तायुतेनापि तत्तीर्थे मज्जनं विना

tattīrthasnānamātreṇa doṣaścāsyā vinaśyati prāyaścittāyutenāpi tattīrthe majjanaṁ vinā

'By mere bathing in that ford, her fault will be destroyed; even by ten thousand acts of atonement, without immersion in that ford,'

Verse 136 (skanda.3.38.136)

न नश्यत्येष दोषो ऽस्यास्तदेषा यातु तत्सरः भर्त्रैवमुदिते कद्रूस्तं प्रणम्य द्विजोत्तमम्

na naśyatyeṣa doṣo 'syāstadeṣā yātu tatsaraḥ bhartraivamudite kadrūstaṁ praṇamya dvijottamam

'this fault will not be destroyed; therefore let her go to that lake.' When her husband had spoken thus, Kadru, bowing to that excellent brahmin,

Verse 137 (skanda.3.38.137)

तत्क्षणात्प्रययौ क्षीरं सरः पुत्रसहायिनी सा कद्रूः पुत्र सहिता गत्वा कतिपयैर्दिनैः

tatkṣaṇātprayayau kṣīraṁ saraḥ putrasahāyinī sā kadrūḥ putra sahitā gatvā katipayairdinaiḥ

set out that very instant for the Kshira lake, accompanied by her sons. That Kadru, together with her sons, having journeyed for some days,

Verse 138 (skanda.3.38.138)

प्राप्य क्षीरसरः पुण्यं प्रयता विजितेंद्रिया सस्नौ नियमपूर्वं च संकल्प्य क्षीरकुंडके

prāpya kṣīrasaraḥ puṇyaṁ prayatā vijiteṁdriyā sasnau niyamapūrvaṁ ca saṁkalpya kṣīrakuṁḍake

reached the sacred Kshirasaras; there, purified and with senses subdued, having made her resolve, she bathed according to due observance in Kshirakunda.

Verse 139 (skanda.3.38.139)

उपोष्य त्रिदिनं सस्नौ तस्मिन्क्षीरसरोजले चतुर्थे दिवसे तस्यां कुर्वत्यां स्नानमादरात् अदेहा व्योमगावाणी समुत्तस्थौ द्विजोत्तमाः

upoṣya tridinaṁ sasnau tasminkṣīrasarojale caturthe divase tasyāṁ kurvatyāṁ snānamādarāt adehā vyomagāvāṇī samuttasthau dvijottamāḥ

Having fasted for three days, she bathed in the waters of that Kshirasaras; on the fourth day, as she was reverently bathing, a bodiless voice arose in the sky, O best of brahmins.

Verse 140 (skanda.3.38.140)

अशरीरिण्युवाच कद्रूस्त्वं मज्जनादत्र च्छलजेतृत्वदोषतः

aśarīriṇyuvāca kadrūstvaṁ majjanādatra cchalajetṛtvadoṣataḥ

The bodiless voice said: 'Kadru, by this immersion, from the fault of having won by deceit,'

Verse 141 (skanda.3.38.141)

विमुक्ता भर्तृशुश्रूषायोग्या चासि न संशयः शापोपि गरुडोक्तस्ते लयं यातोऽत्र मज्जनात्

vimuktā bhartṛśuśrūṣāyogyā cāsi na saṁśayaḥ śāpopi garuḍoktaste layaṁ yāto'tra majjanāt

'you are now freed, and you are fit for the service of your husband, without doubt. And the curse pronounced upon you by Garuda has also come to naught through this immersion.'

Verse 142 (skanda.3.38.142)

गच्छ भर्तृसकाशं त्वं सोऽपि त्वां स्वीकरिष्यति इत्युक्त्वा विररामाथ व्योमवागशरीरिणी

gaccha bhartṛsakāśaṁ tvaṁ so'pi tvāṁ svīkariṣyati ityuktvā virarāmātha vyomavāgaśarīriṇī

'Go to your husband's presence; he too shall accept you.' Having said this, the bodiless voice in the sky then fell silent.

Verse 143 (skanda.3.38.143)

तस्यै वाचे नमस्कृत्य कद्रूः सा प्रीतमानसा तीर्थं प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य नत्वा पुत्रसमन्विता

tasyai vāce namaskṛtya kadrūḥ sā prītamānasā tīrthaṁ pradakṣiṇīkṛtya natvā putrasamanvitā

Having bowed to that voice, Kadru, her mind rejoicing, circumambulated the ford, and, bowing, together with her sons,

Verse 144 (skanda.3.38.144)

प्रययौ भर्तुरभ्याशं तच्छुश्रूषणकौतुकात् आगतातां समालोक्य स्नातां क्षीरसरोजले

prayayau bharturabhyāśaṁ tacchuśrūṣaṇakautukāt āgatātāṁ samālokya snātāṁ kṣīrasarojale

set out for her husband's presence, eager to serve him. Beholding her, arrived and having bathed in the waters of Kshirasaras,

Verse 145 (skanda.3.38.145)

ज्ञात्वा विधूतपापां च कश्यपः स समाधिना अंगीचकार पत्नीं तामात्मशुश्रूषणोचि ताम्

jñātvā vidhūtapāpāṁ ca kaśyapaḥ sa samādhinā aṁgīcakāra patnīṁ tāmātmaśuśrūṣaṇoci tām

and knowing through meditation that her sin had been washed away, Kashyapa accepted her as his wife, now fit to serve him.

Verse 146 (skanda.3.38.146)

एवं वः कथितं विप्राः कद्रूपापविमोक्षणम् मज्जनान्मुक्तिदं पुंसां पुण्ये क्षीरसरोजले

evaṁ vaḥ kathitaṁ viprāḥ kadrūpāpavimokṣaṇam majjanānmuktidaṁ puṁsāṁ puṇye kṣīrasarojale

Thus, O brahmins, I have told you of Kadru's release from sin - how immersion in the sacred waters of Kshirasaras grants liberation to men.

Verse 147 (skanda.3.38.147)

यः शृणोतीममध्यायं पठते वापि मानवः स क्षीरकुंडस्नानस्य लभते फलमुत्तमम्

yaḥ śṛṇotīmamadhyāyaṁ paṭhate vāpi mānavaḥ sa kṣīrakuṁḍasnānasya labhate phalamuttamam

Whoever hears this chapter, or reads it, obtains the supreme fruit of bathing at Kshirakunda.

Verse 148 (skanda.3.38.148)

अश्वमेधादियज्ञानां समग्रं फलमश्नुते गंगादिसर्वतीर्थेषु स स्नातो भवति ध्रुवम्

aśvamedhādiyajñānāṁ samagraṁ phalamaśnute gaṁgādisarvatīrtheṣu sa snāto bhavati dhruvam

He obtains the complete fruit of sacrifices beginning with the horse-sacrifice; he certainly becomes as one who has bathed in all sacred fords, beginning with the Ganga.

Verse 149 (skanda.3.38.149)

यः पठेदिममध्यायं क्षीरकुंडप्रशंसनम् गोसहस्रप्रदातॄणां प्राप्नोत्यविकलं फलम्

yaḥ paṭhedimamadhyāyaṁ kṣīrakuṁḍapraśaṁsanam gosahasrapradātṝṇāṁ prāpnotyavikalaṁ phalam

Whoever reads this chapter, this glorification of Kshirakunda, obtains the complete fruit of those who give a thousand cows.