The Story of Vidhuma and the Birth of Udayana

Verse 1 (skanda.3.5.1)

श्रीसूत उवाच । प्रस्तुत्य चक्रतीर्थं तु पुण्यं पापविनाशनम् । पुनरप्यद्भुतं किञ्चित्प्रब्रवीमि मुनीश्वराः

śrīsūta uvāca prastutya cakratīrthaṁ tu puṇyaṁ pāpavināśanam punarapyadbhutaṁ kiñcitprabravīmi munīśvarāḥ

Shri Suta said: Having introduced the meritorious, sin-destroying Chakratirtha, I shall now relate yet another wonder, O lords of sages.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.5.2)

विधूमनामा हि वसुर्देवस्त्री चाप्यलंबुषा । ब्रह्मशापान्महाघोरात्पुरा प्राप्तौ मनुष्यताम्

vidhūmanāmā hi vasurdevastrī cāpyalaṁbuṣā brahmaśāpānmahāghorātpurā prāptau manuṣyatām

A Vasu named Vidhuma, and likewise a celestial woman, Alambusha, once, through a most terrible curse of Brahma, attained the state of humanity.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.5.3)

चक्रतीर्थे महापुण्ये स्नात्वा शापाद्विमोचितौ । ऋषय ऊचुः । सूतसूत महाप्राज्ञ पुराणार्थविशारद

cakratīrthe mahāpuṇye snātvā śāpādvimocitau ṛṣaya ūcuḥ sūtasūta mahāprājña purāṇārthaviśārada

Bathing at the greatly meritorious Chakratirtha, both were released from the curse. The sages said: O Suta, Suta, supremely wise, skilled in the meaning of the Puranas —

Verse 4 (skanda.3.5.4)

प्राज्ञत्वाद्व्यासशिष्य त्वादज्ञातं ते न किंचन । ब्रह्मा केनापराधेन सहालंबुसया वसुम्

prājñatvādvyāsaśiṣya tvādajñātaṁ te na kiṁcana brahmā kenāparādhena sahālaṁbusayā vasum

— since you are the wise disciple of Vyasa, nothing whatever is unknown to you. For what offence did Brahma —

Verse 5 (skanda.3.5.5)

पुरा विधूमनामानं शप्तवांश्चतुराननः । ब्रह्मशापेन घोरेण कयोस्तौ पुत्रतां गतौ

purā vidhūmanāmānaṁ śaptavāṁścaturānanaḥ brahmaśāpena ghoreṇa kayostau putratāṁ gatau

— long ago, that four-faced Brahma, curse the one named Vidhuma? Through that terrible curse of Brahma, whose children did those two become?

Verse 6 (skanda.3.5.6)

शापस्यान्तः कथमभूद्ब्रह्मणा शप्तयोस्तयोः । एतन्नः श्रद्दधानानां विस्तराद्वक्तुमर्हसि

śāpasyāntaḥ kathamabhūdbrahmaṇā śaptayostayoḥ etannaḥ śraddadhānānāṁ vistarādvaktumarhasi

How did the end of the curse come about for those two, cursed by Brahma? You ought to tell this to us, full of faith, in detail.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.5.7)

श्रीसूत उवाच । पुरा हि भगवान्ब्रह्मा स्वयम्भूश्चतुराननः । सावित्र्या च सरस्वत्या पार्श्वयोः प्रविराजितः

śrīsūta uvāca purā hi bhagavānbrahmā svayambhūścaturānanaḥ sāvitryā ca sarasvatyā pārśvayoḥ pravirājitaḥ

Shri Suta said: Long ago, the venerable Brahma, the self-existent, four-faced one, resplendent with Savitri and Sarasvati at his two sides —

Verse 8 (skanda.3.5.8)

सनातनेन मुनिना सनकेन च धीमता । सनत्कुमारनाम्ना च नारदेन महात्मना

sanātanena muninā sanakena ca dhīmatā sanatkumāranāmnā ca nāradena mahātmanā

— attended by the eternal sage, and by the wise Sanaka, and by the one named Sanatkumara, and by the great-souled Narada,

Verse 9 (skanda.3.5.9)

सनन्दनादिभिश्चान्यैः सेव्यमानो मुनीश्वरैः । सुपर्ववृन्दजुष्टेन स्तूयमानो बिडौजसा

sanandanādibhiścānyaiḥ sevyamāno munīśvaraiḥ suparvavṛndajuṣṭena stūyamāno biḍaujasā

— and by Sanandana and other lords of sages, being served; praised by Indra, attended by hosts of gods —

Verse 10 (skanda.3.5.10)

आदित्यादि ग्रहैश्चैव स्तूयमानपदांबुजः । सिद्धैः साध्यैर्मरुद्भिश्च किंनरैश्च समावृतः

ādityādi grahaiścaiva stūyamānapadāṁbujaḥ siddhaiḥ sādhyairmarudbhiśca kiṁnaraiśca samāvṛtaḥ

— his lotus feet being praised by the sun and other planets, surrounded by siddhas, sadhyas, maruts, and kinnaras,

Verse 11 (skanda.3.5.11)

गणैः किंपुरुषाणां च वसुभिश्चाष्टभिर्वृतः । उर्वशीप्रमुखानां च स्वर्वेश्यानां मनोरमम्

gaṇaiḥ kiṁpuruṣāṇāṁ ca vasubhiścāṣṭabhirvṛtaḥ urvaśīpramukhānāṁ ca svarveśyānāṁ manoramam

— surrounded by the hosts of Kimpurushas and by the eight Vasus; delighting again and again in the charming dance —

Verse 12 (skanda.3.5.12)

नृत्यं वादित्रसहितं वीक्ष्यमाणो मुहुर्मुहुः । गोष्ठीं चक्रे सभामध्ये सत्यलोके कदाचन

nṛtyaṁ vāditrasahitaṁ vīkṣyamāṇo muhurmuhuḥ goṣṭhīṁ cakre sabhāmadhye satyaloke kadācana

— accompanied by music, watching it again and again — once held an assembly in the midst of his court, in Satyaloka.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.5.13)

मेघगर्जितगम्भीरो जनानां नंदयन्मुहुः । वीणावेणुमृदंगानां ध्वनिस्तत्र व्यसर्पत

meghagarjitagambhīro janānāṁ naṁdayanmuhuḥ vīṇāveṇumṛdaṁgānāṁ dhvanistatra vyasarpata

There, the sound of vinas, flutes, and mridangas spread forth, deep as the rumble of clouds, delighting the people again and again.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.5.14)

गंगातरंगमालानां शीकरस्पर्शशीतलः । पवमानः सुखस्पर्शो मन्दं मन्दं ववौ तदा

gaṁgātaraṁgamālānāṁ śīkarasparśaśītalaḥ pavamānaḥ sukhasparśo mandaṁ mandaṁ vavau tadā

A gentle breeze, cool with the touch of the spray of the garlands of Ganga's waves, pleasant to the touch, blew softly there.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.5.15)

पर्यायेण तदा सर्वा ननृतुर्देवयोषितः । नृत्यश्रमेण खिन्नासु वेश्यास्वन्यासु सादरम्

paryāyeṇa tadā sarvā nanṛturdevayoṣitaḥ nṛtyaśrameṇa khinnāsu veśyāsvanyāsu sādaram

Then all the celestial women danced in turn; and while the other courtesans were tired from the exertion of dancing, respectfully —

Verse 16 (skanda.3.5.16)

अलंबुसा देवनारी रूपयौ वनशालिनी । मदयन्ती जनान्सर्वान्सभामध्ये ननर्त वै

alaṁbusā devanārī rūpayau vanaśālinī madayantī janānsarvānsabhāmadhye nanarta vai

— the celestial woman Alambusha, in her prime and beauty, indeed danced in the midst of the assembly, enchanting all the people present.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.5.17)

तस्मिन्नवसरे तस्या नृत्यंत्याः संसदि द्विजाः । वस्त्रमाभ्यंतरं वायुर्लीलया समुदक्षिपत्

tasminnavasare tasyā nṛtyaṁtyāḥ saṁsadi dvijāḥ vastramābhyaṁtaraṁ vāyurlīlayā samudakṣipat

O brahmins, at that moment, as she was dancing in the assembly, the wind playfully lifted up her inner garment.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.5.18)

तत्क्षिप्ते वसने स्पष्टमूरुमूलमदृश्यत । तथाभूतां तु तां दृष्ट्वा सर्वे ब्रह्मादयो ह्रिया

tatkṣipte vasane spaṣṭamūrumūlamadṛśyata tathābhūtāṁ tu tāṁ dṛṣṭvā sarve brahmādayo hriyā

When her garment was thus displaced, the base of her thigh became clearly visible. Seeing her thus, all the gods headed by Brahma, out of modesty —

Verse 19 (skanda.3.5.19)

सभामध्ये समासीना निमीलित दृशोऽभवन् । विधूमनामा तु वसुः कामबाणप्रपीडितः

sabhāmadhye samāsīnā nimīlita dṛśo'bhavan vidhūmanāmā tu vasuḥ kāmabāṇaprapīḍitaḥ

— sitting in the midst of the assembly, closed their eyes. But the Vasu named Vidhuma, pierced by the arrow of desire —

Verse 20 (skanda.3.5.20)

तामेव ब्रह्मभवने दृष्ट्वानिलहृतांशुकाम् । हर्षसंफुल्लनयनो हृष्टरोमा ततोऽभवत्

tāmeva brahmabhavane dṛṣṭvānilahṛtāṁśukām harṣasaṁphullanayano hṛṣṭaromā tato'bhavat

— seeing her, her garment stolen by the wind, in the abode of Brahma, his eyes bloomed with delight, and his hair stood on end.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.5.21)

अलंबुसायां तस्यां तु जातकामं विलोक्य तम् । वसुं विधूमनामानं शशाप चतुराननः

alaṁbusāyāṁ tasyāṁ tu jātakāmaṁ vilokya tam vasuṁ vidhūmanāmānaṁ śaśāpa caturānanaḥ

Seeing that Vasu named Vidhuma, whose desire had thus arisen toward Alambusha, the four-faced Brahma cursed him:

Verse 22 (skanda.3.5.22)

यस्मात्त्वमीदृशं कार्यं विधूम कृतवानसि । तस्माद्धि मर्त्यलोके त्वं मानुषत्वमवाप्स्यसि

yasmāttvamīdṛśaṁ kāryaṁ vidhūma kṛtavānasi tasmāddhi martyaloke tvaṁ mānuṣatvamavāpsyasi

"Since, O Vidhuma, you have done such a thing, therefore you shall attain the state of a human being in the world of mortals.

Verse 23 (skanda.3.5.23)

इयं च देवयोषित्ते तत्र भार्या भविष्यति । एवं स ब्रह्मणा शप्तो विधूमः खिन्नमानसः

iyaṁ ca devayoṣitte tatra bhāryā bhaviṣyati evaṁ sa brahmaṇā śapto vidhūmaḥ khinnamānasaḥ

And this celestial woman shall become your wife there." Thus cursed by Brahma, Vidhuma, distressed in mind —

Verse 24 (skanda.3.5.24)

प्रसादयामास वसुर्ब्रह्माणं प्रणिपत्य तु । विधूम उवाच । अस्य शापस्य घोरस्य भगवन्भक्तवत्सल

prasādayāmāsa vasurbrahmāṇaṁ praṇipatya tu vidhūma uvāca asya śāpasya ghorasya bhagavanbhaktavatsala

— that Vasu, bowing down, sought to appease Brahma. Vidhuma said: "O venerable one, who love your devotees, of this terrible curse —

Verse 25 (skanda.3.5.25)

नाहमर्होऽस्मि देवेश रक्ष मां करुणानिधे । एवं प्रसादितस्तेन भारतीपतिरव्ययः

nāhamarho'smi deveśa rakṣa māṁ karuṇānidhe evaṁ prasāditastena bhāratīpatiravyayaḥ

— I am not deserving, O lord of gods; protect me, O treasury of compassion." Thus entreated by him, the imperishable lord of Bharati (Sarasvati) —

Verse 26 (skanda.3.5.26)

कृपया परया युक्तो विधूमं प्राह सांत्वयन् । ब्रह्मोवाच । त्वयि शापोऽप्ययं दत्तो न चासत्यं ब्रवीम्यहम्

kṛpayā parayā yukto vidhūmaṁ prāha sāṁtvayan brahmovāca tvayi śāpo'pyayaṁ datto na cāsatyaṁ bravīmyaham

— filled with the highest compassion, spoke to Vidhuma, consoling him. Brahma said: "This curse has indeed been given to you, and I do not speak falsehood.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.5.27)

ततोऽवधिं कल्पयामि शापस्यास्य तवाधुना । मर्त्यभावं समापन्नः सहालंबुसयाऽनया

tato'vadhiṁ kalpayāmi śāpasyāsya tavādhunā martyabhāvaṁ samāpannaḥ sahālaṁbusayā'nayā

Therefore I now fix a limit for this curse of yours. Having attained the state of mortality, together with this Alambusha —

Verse 28 (skanda.3.5.28)

तत्र भूत्वा महाराजः शासयित्वा चिरं महीम् । पुत्रमप्रतिमं त्वस्यां जनयित्वा महीपतिम्

tatra bhūtvā mahārājaḥ śāsayitvā ciraṁ mahīm putramapratimaṁ tvasyāṁ janayitvā mahīpatim

— becoming a great king there, ruling the earth for a long time, and begetting through her an incomparable son, himself a lord of the earth —

Verse 29 (skanda.3.5.29)

अभिषिच्य च राज्ये तं राज्यरक्षाविचक्षणम् । एतच्छापस्य शांत्यर्थं दक्षिणस्योदधेस्तटे । फुल्लग्रामसमीपस्थे चक्रतीर्थे महत्तरे

abhiṣicya ca rājye taṁ rājyarakṣāvicakṣaṇam etacchāpasya śāṁtyarthaṁ dakṣiṇasyodadhestaṭe phullagrāmasamīpasthe cakratīrthe mahattare

— and having consecrated him, skilled in the protection of the kingdom, on the throne — for the pacification of this curse, at the great Chakratirtha, near the village of Phullagrama, on the shore of the southern ocean,

Verse 30 (skanda.3.5.30)

अनया भार्यया सार्द्धं यदा स्नानं करिष्यसि । तदा त्वं मानुषं भावं जीर्णत्वचमिवोरगः

anayā bhāryayā sārddhaṁ yadā snānaṁ kariṣyasi tadā tvaṁ mānuṣaṁ bhāvaṁ jīrṇatvacamivoragaḥ

— when you shall bathe together with this your wife, then you shall cast off your human state, as a serpent casts off its worn-out skin —

Verse 31 (skanda.3.5.31)

विसृज्य भार्यया सार्द्धं स्वं लोकं प्रतिपत्स्यसे । चक्रतीर्थे विना स्नानं न नश्येच्छाप ईदृशः

visṛjya bhāryayā sārddhaṁ svaṁ lokaṁ pratipatsyase cakratīrthe vinā snānaṁ na naśyecchāpa īdṛśaḥ

— and, together with your wife, shall return to your own world. Without bathing at Chakratirtha, a curse of this kind shall not be destroyed."

Verse 32 (skanda.3.5.32)

इति ब्रह्मवचः श्रुत्वा विधूमो नातिहृष्टवान् । स्ववेश्म प्राविशत्तूर्णमामंत्र्य चतुराननम्

iti brahmavacaḥ śrutvā vidhūmo nātihṛṣṭavān svaveśma prāviśattūrṇamāmaṁtrya caturānanam

Hearing this word of Brahma, Vidhuma was not greatly pleased; taking leave of the four-faced one, he swiftly entered his own dwelling.

Verse 33 (skanda.3.5.33)

चिंतयामास तत्रासौ मर्त्यतां यास्यतो मम । को वा पिता भवेद्भूमौ का वा माता भविष्यति

ciṁtayāmāsa tatrāsau martyatāṁ yāsyato mama ko vā pitā bhavedbhūmau kā vā mātā bhaviṣyati

There he thought to himself: "As I am about to go to mortality, who will be my father on earth, and who will be my mother?

Verse 34 (skanda.3.5.34)

बहुधेत्थं समालोच्य विधूमो निश्चिकाय सः । कौशांबीनगरे राजा शतानीक इति श्रुतः

bahudhetthaṁ samālocya vidhūmo niścikāya saḥ kauśāṁbīnagare rājā śatānīka iti śrutaḥ

Having considered this in many ways, Vidhuma resolved: In the city of Kaushambi, there is a king renowned by the name Shatanika —

Verse 35 (skanda.3.5.35)

अस्ति वीरो महाभागो भार्या चापि पतिव्रता । तस्य विष्णुमतीनाम विष्णोः श्रीरिव वल्लभा

asti vīro mahābhāgo bhāryā cāpi pativratā tasya viṣṇumatīnāma viṣṇoḥ śrīriva vallabhā

— a hero of great fortune, and his wife too is devoted to her husband; his beloved wife, named Vishnumati, is like Vishnu's own Lakshmi.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.5.36)

तमेव पितरं कृत्वा मातरं च विधाय ताम् । संभविष्यामि भूलोके स्वकर्मपरिपाकतः

tameva pitaraṁ kṛtvā mātaraṁ ca vidhāya tām saṁbhaviṣyāmi bhūloke svakarmaparipākataḥ

Making him my father, and her my mother, I shall come to be born on earth through the ripening of my own deeds."

Verse 37 (skanda.3.5.37)

ततः स माल्यवन्तं च पुष्पदंतं बलोत्कटम् । त्रीनाहूयात्मनो भृत्यान्वृत्तमेतन्न्यवे दयत्

tataḥ sa mālyavantaṁ ca puṣpadaṁtaṁ balotkaṭam trīnāhūyātmano bhṛtyānvṛttametannyave dayat

Then he summoned his three servants — Malyavan, Pushpadanta, and Balotkata — and told them of this matter.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.5.38)

भृत्याः शृणुत भद्रं वो ब्रह्मशापान्महाभयात् । जनिष्यामि शतानीकाद्विष्णुमत्यामहं सुतः

bhṛtyāḥ śṛṇuta bhadraṁ vo brahmaśāpānmahābhayāt janiṣyāmi śatānīkādviṣṇumatyāmahaṁ sutaḥ

"O servants, listen, may good befall you — through the great fear of Brahma's curse, I shall be born as the son of Shatanika, through Vishnumati.

Verse 39 (skanda.3.5.39)

इति श्रुत्वा वचो भृत्यास्तस्या प्राणा बहिश्चराः । वाष्पपूर्णमुखाः सर्वे विधूमं वाक्यमब्रुवन्

iti śrutvā vaco bhṛtyāstasyā prāṇā bahiścarāḥ vāṣpapūrṇamukhāḥ sarve vidhūmaṁ vākyamabruvan

Hearing this word, the servants, their very life-breaths seeming to leave them, all, their faces filled with tears, said this to Vidhuma:

Verse 40 (skanda.3.5.40)

भृत्या ऊचुः । त्वद्वियोगं वयं सर्वे त्रयोऽपि न सहामहे । तस्मान्मानुष भावत्वमस्माभिः सह यास्यसि

bhṛtyā ūcuḥ tvadviyogaṁ vayaṁ sarve trayo'pi na sahāmahe tasmānmānuṣa bhāvatvamasmābhiḥ saha yāsyasi

The servants said: "We three, all of us, cannot bear separation from you. Therefore you shall go to the state of humanity together with us.

Verse 41 (skanda.3.5.41)

शतानीकस्य राजर्षेर्मंत्री योऽयं युगन्धरः । सेनानीर्विप्रतीकश्च योऽयं प्राग्रसरो रणे

śatānīkasya rājarṣermaṁtrī yo'yaṁ yugandharaḥ senānīrvipratīkaśca yo'yaṁ prāgrasaro raṇe

Yugandhara, who is minister to the royal sage Shatanika, and Vipratika, who is his general, foremost in battle —

Verse 42 (skanda.3.5.42)

नर्मकर्मसु हृद्विप्रो वल्लभाख्यो महांश्च यः । तेषां पुत्रास्त्रयोऽप्येते भविष्यामो न संशयः

narmakarmasu hṛdvipro vallabhākhyo mahāṁśca yaḥ teṣāṁ putrāstrayo'pyete bhaviṣyāmo na saṁśayaḥ

— and the great brahmin dear to his heart in matters of pleasure, named Vallabha — we three shall become the sons of these three, without doubt.

Verse 43 (skanda.3.5.43)

शतानीकस्य राजर्षेः पुत्रभावं गतस्य ते । शुश्रूषां संविधास्यामस्तेषु तेषु च कर्मसु । तानेवंवादिनः सोऽयं विधूमो वाक्यमब्रवीत्

śatānīkasya rājarṣeḥ putrabhāvaṁ gatasya te śuśrūṣāṁ saṁvidhāsyāmasteṣu teṣu ca karmasu tānevaṁvādinaḥ so'yaṁ vidhūmo vākyamabravīt

We shall render service to you, having become the son of the royal sage Shatanika, in all those various tasks." To them, speaking thus, that Vidhuma said this:

Verse 44 (skanda.3.5.44)

विधूम उवाच । जानेऽहं भवतां स्नेहं तादृशं मय्य नुत्तमम्

vidhūma uvāca jāne'haṁ bhavatāṁ snehaṁ tādṛśaṁ mayya nuttamam

Vidhuma said: "I know your love for me, unsurpassed as it is.

Verse 45 (skanda.3.5.45)

तथापि कथयाम्यद्य तच्छृणुध्वं हितं वचः । ब्रह्मशापेन घोरेण स्वेन दुष्कर्मणा कृतम्

tathāpi kathayāmyadya tacchṛṇudhvaṁ hitaṁ vacaḥ brahmaśāpena ghoreṇa svena duṣkarmaṇā kṛtam

Nevertheless, I speak to you today; listen to this beneficial word. This has been brought about by Brahma's terrible curse, through my own misdeed.

Verse 46 (skanda.3.5.46)

कुत्सितं मानुषं भावमहमेकोऽनुवर्तये । विहितं न हि युष्माकमेतच्छापानुवर्तनम्

kutsitaṁ mānuṣaṁ bhāvamahameko'nuvartaye vihitaṁ na hi yuṣmākametacchāpānuvartanam

I alone should undergo this despised state of humanity; this following of the curse has not been ordained for you.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.5.47)

जुगुप्सितेऽतो मानुष्ये मा कुरुध्वं मनोऽधुना । अतः शापावधिर्यावन्मद्वियोगो विषह्यताम्

jugupsite'to mānuṣye mā kurudhvaṁ mano'dhunā ataḥ śāpāvadhiryāvanmadviyogo viṣahyatām

Therefore, do not now set your mind on this despicable human state; so, until the term of the curse ends, bear my separation."

Verse 48 (skanda.3.5.48)

इत्युक्तवन्तं ते सर्वे माल्यवत्प्रमुखास्तदा । ऊचुः प्रणम्य शिरसा प्रार्थयंतः पुनःपुनः

ityuktavantaṁ te sarve mālyavatpramukhāstadā ūcuḥ praṇamya śirasā prārthayaṁtaḥ punaḥpunaḥ

To him speaking thus, all those headed by Malyavan then, bowing down their heads, said this, entreating again and again:

Verse 49 (skanda.3.5.49)

रक्षित्वा कृपया ह्यस्मान्मा कुरुष्व च साहसम् । परित्यजसि नः सर्वान्भक्तानद्य निरागसः

rakṣitvā kṛpayā hyasmānmā kuruṣva ca sāhasam parityajasi naḥ sarvānbhaktānadya nirāgasaḥ

"Protect us with compassion, and do not act so rashly. You are today abandoning all of us, your devotees, who are without fault.

Verse 50 (skanda.3.5.50)

त्वद्वियोगान्महाघोरान्मानुष्यमपि कुत्सितम् । बहु मन्यामहे देव तस्मान्नस्त्राहि सांप्रतम्

tvadviyogānmahāghorānmānuṣyamapi kutsitam bahu manyāmahe deva tasmānnastrāhi sāṁpratam

We consider even this despised state of humanity preferable to the most terrible separation from you, O lord; therefore, protect us now."

Verse 51 (skanda.3.5.51)

एवं स याचमानांस्त्रीनन्वमन्यत भृत्यकान् । तैस्त्रिभिः सहितः सोऽयं कौशांबीं गन्तुमैच्छत

evaṁ sa yācamānāṁstrīnanvamanyata bhṛtyakān taistribhiḥ sahitaḥ so'yaṁ kauśāṁbīṁ gantumaicchata

Thus he consented to the three entreating servants; together with those three, he then desired to go to Kaushambi.

Verse 52 (skanda.3.5.52)

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु सोमवंशविवर्द्धनः । अर्जुनाभिजने जातो जनमेजयसंभवः

etasminneva kāle tu somavaṁśavivarddhanaḥ arjunābhijane jāto janamejayasaṁbhavaḥ

At this very time, one who increased the glory of the lunar dynasty, born in the family of Arjuna, descended from Janamejaya —

Verse 53 (skanda.3.5.53)

शतानीको महीपालः पृथिवीमन्वपालयत् । बुद्धिमान्नीतिमान्वाग्मी प्रजापालनतत्परः

śatānīko mahīpālaḥ pṛthivīmanvapālayat buddhimānnītimānvāgmī prajāpālanatatparaḥ

— King Shatanika ruled the earth in succession — wise, righteous, eloquent, devoted to the protection of his subjects,

Verse 54 (skanda.3.5.54)

चतुरंगबलोपेतो विक्रमैकधनो युवा । स कौशांबीं महाराजो नगरीमध्युवास वै

caturaṁgabalopeto vikramaikadhano yuvā sa kauśāṁbīṁ mahārājo nagarīmadhyuvāsa vai

— endowed with a fourfold army, whose only wealth was valor, youthful. That great king dwelt in the city of Kaushambi.

Verse 55 (skanda.3.5.55)

तस्य मन्त्ररहस्यज्ञो मन्त्री जातो युगंधरः । सेनानीर्विप्रतीकश्च तस्य प्राग्रसरो रणे

tasya mantrarahasyajño mantrī jāto yugaṁdharaḥ senānīrvipratīkaśca tasya prāgrasaro raṇe

His minister, knower of the secrets of counsel, was one named Yugandhara; and his general, foremost in battle, was Vipratika.

Verse 56 (skanda.3.5.56)

नर्मकर्मसु तस्यासीद्वल्लभाख्यः सखा द्विजः । तस्य विष्णुमती नाम विष्णोः श्रीरिव वल्लभा

narmakarmasu tasyāsīdvallabhākhyaḥ sakhā dvijaḥ tasya viṣṇumatī nāma viṣṇoḥ śrīriva vallabhā

In matters of pleasure, his friend was a brahmin named Vallabha. And his own beloved wife, named Vishnumati, was like Vishnu's own Lakshmi.

Verse 57 (skanda.3.5.57)

स सर्वगुणसंपन्नः शतानीको महामतिः । पुत्रमात्मसमं तस्यां भार्यायां नान्वविंदत

sa sarvaguṇasaṁpannaḥ śatānīko mahāmatiḥ putramātmasamaṁ tasyāṁ bhāryāyāṁ nānvaviṁdata

That Shatanika, endowed with every virtue, of great wisdom, did not obtain, through that wife, a son equal to himself.

Verse 58 (skanda.3.5.58)

आत्मानमसुतं ज्ञात्वा स भृशं पर्यतप्यत । स युगंधरमाहूय मंत्रिणं मन्त्रवित्तमम्

ātmānamasutaṁ jñātvā sa bhṛśaṁ paryatapyata sa yugaṁdharamāhūya maṁtriṇaṁ mantravittamam

Knowing himself to be sonless, he was greatly distressed. He summoned Yugandhara, his minister, most skilled in counsel —

Verse 59 (skanda.3.5.59)

पुत्रलाभः कथं मे स्यादिति कार्यममन्त्रयत् । युगन्धरो मही पालं पुत्रालाभेन पीडितम् । हर्षयन्वचसा स्वेन वाक्यमेतदभाषत

putralābhaḥ kathaṁ me syāditi kāryamamantrayat yugandharo mahī pālaṁ putrālābhena pīḍitam harṣayanvacasā svena vākyametadabhāṣata

— and consulted with him on the matter of how he might obtain a son. Yugandhara, cheering the king, who was troubled at not obtaining a son, with his own words, spoke this:

Verse 60 (skanda.3.5.60)

युगन्धर उवाच । अस्ति शांडिल्यनामा तु महर्षिः सत्यवाक्छुचिः

yugandhara uvāca asti śāṁḍilyanāmā tu maharṣiḥ satyavākchuciḥ

Yugandhara said: "There is a great sage named Shandilya, truthful in speech, pure —

Verse 61 (skanda.3.5.61)

शत्रुमित्रसमो दांतस्तपःस्वाध्यायतत्परः । तमेव मुनिमासाद्य ज्वलंतमिव पावकम्

śatrumitrasamo dāṁtastapaḥsvādhyāyatatparaḥ tameva munimāsādya jvalaṁtamiva pāvakam

— equal toward friend and foe, self-controlled, devoted to austerity and Vedic study. Approaching that very sage, blazing like fire,

Verse 62 (skanda.3.5.62)

पुत्रमात्मसमं राजन्प्रार्थयेथा विनीतवत् । कृपावान्स महर्षिस्तु पुत्रं ते दास्यति ध्रुवम्

putramātmasamaṁ rājanprārthayethā vinītavat kṛpāvānsa maharṣistu putraṁ te dāsyati dhruvam

O king, humbly entreat him for a son equal to yourself; that compassionate great sage shall surely grant you a son.

Verse 63 (skanda.3.5.63)

इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा हर्षसंफुल्ललोचनः । मंत्रिणा तेन संयुक्तस्तस्यागादाश्रमं मुनेः

iti tadvacanaṁ śrutvā harṣasaṁphullalocanaḥ maṁtriṇā tena saṁyuktastasyāgādāśramaṁ muneḥ

Hearing that word, his eyes blooming with delight, together with that minister, he went to the hermitage of that sage.

Verse 64 (skanda.3.5.64)

तमाश्रमे समासीनं प्रणनाम महीपतिः । शांडिल्यस्तु महातेजा राजानं प्राप्तमाश्रमम्

tamāśrame samāsīnaṁ praṇanāma mahīpatiḥ śāṁḍilyastu mahātejā rājānaṁ prāptamāśramam

The king bowed to him, seated in the hermitage. And that greatly radiant Shandilya, seeing the king who had come to the hermitage —

Verse 65 (skanda.3.5.65)

दृष्ट्वा पाद्यादिभिः पूज्य स्वागतं व्याजहार सः । शांडिल्य उवाच । शतानीक किमर्थं त्वमाश्रमं प्राप्तवान्मम

dṛṣṭvā pādyādibhiḥ pūjya svāgataṁ vyājahāra saḥ śāṁḍilya uvāca śatānīka kimarthaṁ tvamāśramaṁ prāptavānmama

— seeing him, honoring him with padya and the like, welcomed him. Shandilya said: "O Shatanika, for what purpose have you come to my hermitage?

Verse 66 (skanda.3.5.66)

यत्कर्तव्यमिदानीं ते तद्वदस्व करोम्यहम् । मुनिमेवं वदंतं तं प्रत्यवादीद्युगंधरः

yatkartavyamidānīṁ te tadvadasva karomyaham munimevaṁ vadaṁtaṁ taṁ pratyavādīdyugaṁdharaḥ

Tell me now what is to be done for you; I shall do it." To the sage speaking thus, Yugandhara replied:

Verse 67 (skanda.3.5.67)

भगवन्नेष वै राजा पुत्रालाभेन कर्षितः । भवंतं शरणं प्राप्तः सांप्रतं पुत्रकारणात्

bhagavanneṣa vai rājā putrālābhena karṣitaḥ bhavaṁtaṁ śaraṇaṁ prāptaḥ sāṁprataṁ putrakāraṇāt

"O venerable one, this king, distressed at not obtaining a son, has now come to you for refuge, for the sake of a son.

Verse 68 (skanda.3.5.68)

अस्यापुत्रत्वजं दुःखं त्वमपाकर्तुमर्हसि । इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा शांडिल्यो मुनिसत्तमः

asyāputratvajaṁ duḥkhaṁ tvamapākartumarhasi iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā śāṁḍilyo munisattamaḥ

You ought to remove this sorrow of his, born of sonlessness." Hearing his words, Shandilya, best of sages —

Verse 69 (skanda.3.5.69)

पुत्रलाभवरं तस्मै प्रतिजज्ञे नृपाय वै । स राज्ञो वरदः श्रीमान्कौशांबीमेत्य सादरम्

putralābhavaraṁ tasmai pratijajñe nṛpāya vai sa rājño varadaḥ śrīmānkauśāṁbīmetya sādaram

— promised that king the boon of obtaining a son. That glorious granter of boons, coming reverently to Kaushambi —

Verse 70 (skanda.3.5.70)

पुत्रेष्ट्या पुत्रकामस्य याजकोऽभून्महामुनिः । ततो मुनिप्रसादेन राजा दशरथोपमः

putreṣṭyā putrakāmasya yājako'bhūnmahāmuniḥ tato muniprasādena rājā daśarathopamaḥ

— that great sage became the officiating priest of the Putreshti sacrifice for the king who desired a son. Then, by the sage's grace, the king, like Dasharatha,

Verse 71 (skanda.3.5.71)

यज्वा राममिव प्राप सहस्रानीकमात्मजम् । एवं विधूमः संजज्ञे शतानीकान्नृपोत्तमात्

yajvā rāmamiva prāpa sahasrānīkamātmajam evaṁ vidhūmaḥ saṁjajñe śatānīkānnṛpottamāt

— having performed the sacrifice, obtained a son, Sahasranika, like Rama. Thus was Vidhuma born from Shatanika, foremost of kings.

Verse 72 (skanda.3.5.72)

अत्रांतरे मंत्रिवरस्सेनानीस्तु महीपतेः । द्विजो नर्मवयस्यश्च पुत्रान्प्रापुः कुलोचितान्

atrāṁtare maṁtrivarassenānīstu mahīpateḥ dvijo narmavayasyaśca putrānprāpuḥ kulocitān

Meanwhile, the king's foremost minister, his general, and his brahmin friend of pleasure, also obtained sons worthy of their lineage.

Verse 73 (skanda.3.5.73)

पुत्रो युगंधरस्यासीन्माल्यवान्नाम भृत्यकः । यौगंधरायणो नाम्ना मन्त्रशास्त्रेषु कोविदः

putro yugaṁdharasyāsīnmālyavānnāma bhṛtyakaḥ yaugaṁdharāyaṇo nāmnā mantraśāstreṣu kovidaḥ

Yugandhara's son was the servant named Malyavan, known by the name Yaugandharayana, skilled in the science of counsel.

Verse 74 (skanda.3.5.74)

विप्रतीकस्य तनयः पुष्पदन्तो बभूव ह । रुमण्वानिति विख्यातः परसैन्यविमर्दनः

vipratīkasya tanayaḥ puṣpadanto babhūva ha rumaṇvāniti vikhyātaḥ parasainyavimardanaḥ

Vipratika's son indeed became Pushpadanta, renowned by the name Rumanvan, a crusher of enemy armies.

Verse 75 (skanda.3.5.75)

वल्लभस्य तदा जज्ञे तनयो वै बलोत्कटः । वसंतक इति ख्यातो नर्मकर्मसु कोविदः

vallabhasya tadā jajñe tanayo vai balotkaṭaḥ vasaṁtaka iti khyāto narmakarmasu kovidaḥ

To Vallabha, then, was born the son who was indeed Balotkata, known by the name Vasantaka, skilled in matters of pleasure.

Verse 76 (skanda.3.5.76)

अथ ते ववृधुः सर्वे राजपुत्रपुरोगमाः । पञ्चहायनतां तेषु यातेषु तदनंतरम्

atha te vavṛdhuḥ sarve rājaputrapurogamāḥ pañcahāyanatāṁ teṣu yāteṣu tadanaṁtaram

Then all of them grew up, led by the prince; and thereafter, when they had reached the age of five years,

Verse 77 (skanda.3.5.77)

अलंबुसापि स्वर्वेश्या भूपतेः कृतवर्मणः । अयोध्यायां महापुर्यां कन्या जाता मृगावती

alaṁbusāpi svarveśyā bhūpateḥ kṛtavarmaṇaḥ ayodhyāyāṁ mahāpuryāṁ kanyā jātā mṛgāvatī

— Alambusha too, the celestial courtesan, was born as the daughter of King Kritavarma in the great city of Ayodhya, named Mrigavati.

Verse 78 (skanda.3.5.78)

एवं विधूममुख्यास्ते जज्ञिरे क्षितिमण्डले । अत्रांतरे महासत्त्वो दुष्टसानुचरो बली

evaṁ vidhūmamukhyāste jajñire kṣitimaṇḍale atrāṁtare mahāsattvo duṣṭasānucaro balī

Thus, Vidhuma and the others were born upon the circle of the earth. Meanwhile, a being of great might, evil, with his followers, powerful —

Verse 79 (skanda.3.5.79)

अहिदंष्ट्र इति ख्यातो महादैत्यो बलोत्कटः । युक्तः स्थूलशिरोनामा सहायेन दुरात्मना

ahidaṁṣṭra iti khyāto mahādaityo balotkaṭaḥ yuktaḥ sthūlaśironāmā sahāyena durātmanā

— a great daitya of tremendous strength, known as Ahidamshtra, joined by an evil-souled companion named Sthulashira —

Verse 80 (skanda.3.5.80)

रुरोध देवनगरं बबाध विबुधानपि । वर्तमाने दिवि महासमरे सुररक्षसाम्

rurodha devanagaraṁ babādha vibudhānapi vartamāne divi mahāsamare surarakṣasām

— besieged the city of the gods and oppressed even the gods. While a great battle between gods and rakshasas was taking place in heaven —

Verse 81 (skanda.3.5.81)

आनिनाय शतानीकं सहायार्थं पुरंदरः । स यौवराज्ये तनयं विधाय विधिना नृपः

ānināya śatānīkaṁ sahāyārthaṁ puraṁdaraḥ sa yauvarājye tanayaṁ vidhāya vidhinā nṛpaḥ

— Indra brought Shatanika for assistance. That king, having duly installed his son in the position of heir apparent —

Verse 82 (skanda.3.5.82)

प्रतस्थे रथमास्थाय युद्धाय दितिजैः सह । नीतो मातलिनाभ्येत्य सादरं स धनुर्धरः

pratasthe rathamāsthāya yuddhāya ditijaiḥ saha nīto mātalinābhyetya sādaraṁ sa dhanurdharaḥ

— mounted his chariot and set out to war against the sons of Diti. That bow-bearer, having been reverently brought there by Matali —

Verse 83 (skanda.3.5.83)

विधाय प्रेक्षकान्देवाञ्जघान दितिजान्रणे । अथ दैत्याधिपः सोऽपि निहतः समरे दिवि

vidhāya prekṣakāndevāñjaghāna ditijānraṇe atha daityādhipaḥ so'pi nihataḥ samare divi

— making the gods mere spectators, slew the sons of Diti in battle. Then that lord of the daityas too was slain in the battle in heaven.

Verse 84 (skanda.3.5.84)

ततः शक्रस्य वचसा परेतं नृपपुंगवम् । रथमारोप्य सहसा कौशांबीं मातलिर्ययौ

tataḥ śakrasya vacasā paretaṁ nṛpapuṁgavam rathamāropya sahasā kauśāṁbīṁ mātaliryayau

But then, by the word of Shakra, having placed that deceased foremost of kings upon the chariot, Matali swiftly went to Kaushambi.

Verse 85 (skanda.3.5.85)

नीत्वा महीतलमसौ तत्सुताय न्यवेदयत् । ततः सहस्रानीकोपि विलप्य वहुदुखितः

nītvā mahītalamasau tatsutāya nyavedayat tataḥ sahasrānīkopi vilapya vahudukhitaḥ

Bringing him down to the earth, he handed him over to his son. Then Sahasranika too, wailing, greatly grieved —

Verse 86 (skanda.3.5.86)

मंत्रिभिः सह संभूय प्रेतकार्यं न्यवर्तयत् । मृतं ज्ञात्वा पतिं राज्ञी सहैवानुममार च

maṁtribhiḥ saha saṁbhūya pretakāryaṁ nyavartayat mṛtaṁ jñātvā patiṁ rājñī sahaivānumamāra ca

— together with the ministers, performed the funeral rites. And the queen, learning that her husband had died, died along with him.

Verse 87 (skanda.3.5.87)

महिष्या सह संप्राप्ते भूपाले कीर्तिशेषताम् । भेजे राज्यं शतानीकतनयो मंत्रिणां गिरा

mahiṣyā saha saṁprāpte bhūpāle kīrtiśeṣatām bheje rājyaṁ śatānīkatanayo maṁtriṇāṁ girā

When the king, together with the queen, had attained the state of one remembered only by fame, Shatanika's son took up the kingdom, on the counsel of the ministers.

Verse 88 (skanda.3.5.88)

युगन्धरे विप्रतीके वल्लभे च मृते सति । यौगन्धरायणमुखास्तत्पुत्राः सर्व एव हि

yugandhare vipratīke vallabhe ca mṛte sati yaugandharāyaṇamukhāstatputrāḥ sarva eva hi

When Yugandhara, Vipratika, and Vallabha had died, all their sons, headed by Yaugandharayana indeed —

Verse 89 (skanda.3.5.89)

शतानीक सुतस्यास्य तत्तत्कार्यमकुर्वत । एवं स पालयामास महीं राजसुतो बली

śatānīka sutasyāsya tattatkāryamakurvata evaṁ sa pālayāmāsa mahīṁ rājasuto balī

— performed all those respective duties for this son of Shatanika. Thus that mighty son of the king ruled the earth.

Verse 90 (skanda.3.5.90)

याते काले महेन्द्रेण सनन्दनमहोत्सवे । निमंत्रितस्तत्कथितां भाविनीमशृणोत्कथाम्

yāte kāle mahendreṇa sanandanamahotsave nimaṁtritastatkathitāṁ bhāvinīmaśṛṇotkathām

As time passed, invited by Mahendra to the great festival of Sanandana, he heard from him a tale about what was to come.

Verse 91 (skanda.3.5.91)

स्वर्योषिद्ब्रह्मणः शापादयोध्यायायामलंबुसा । जाता मृगावती कन्या भूपतेः कृतवर्मणः

svaryoṣidbrahmaṇaḥ śāpādayodhyāyāyāmalaṁbusā jātā mṛgāvatī kanyā bhūpateḥ kṛtavarmaṇaḥ

"Through Brahma's curse, the celestial woman Alambusha was born in Ayodhya, as the daughter Mrigavati, of King Kritavarma.

Verse 92 (skanda.3.5.92)

विधूम नामा च वसुस्त्वं नाकललनां पुरा । तामेव ब्रह्मसदने दृष्ट्वानिलहृतांशुकाम्

vidhūma nāmā ca vasustvaṁ nākalalanāṁ purā tāmeva brahmasadane dṛṣṭvānilahṛtāṁśukām

And you were the Vasu named Vidhuma; long ago, in the abode of Brahma, seeing that very celestial woman, her garment stolen by the wind —

Verse 93 (skanda.3.5.93)

तदैव मादनाक्रांतः शापान्मर्त्यत्वमागतः । सैव ते दयिता राजन्भाविनी न चिरात्सखे

tadaiva mādanākrāṁtaḥ śāpānmartyatvamāgataḥ saiva te dayitā rājanbhāvinī na cirātsakhe

— overcome then by love, you came to the state of mortality through a curse. She herself, O king, shall become your beloved, before long, my friend.

Verse 94 (skanda.3.5.94)

यदा त्वमात्मनः पुत्रं राज्ये संस्थाप्य भूपते । मृगावत्या स्त्रिया सार्द्धं दक्षिणस्योदधेस्तटे

yadā tvamātmanaḥ putraṁ rājye saṁsthāpya bhūpate mṛgāvatyā striyā sārddhaṁ dakṣiṇasyodadhestaṭe

When you, O king, having established your own son upon the throne, together with your wife Mrigavati, on the shore of the southern ocean —

Verse 95 (skanda.3.5.95)

चक्रतीर्थे महापुण्ये फुल्लग्रामसमीपतः । स्नानं करिष्यसि तदा शापान्मुक्तो भविष्यसि

cakratīrthe mahāpuṇye phullagrāmasamīpataḥ snānaṁ kariṣyasi tadā śāpānmukto bhaviṣyasi

— at the greatly meritorious Chakratirtha, near Phullagrama, shall bathe, then you shall be freed from the curse."

Verse 96 (skanda.3.5.96)

इति प्रोवाच भगवन्सत्यलोके पितामहः । इतींद्रवचनं श्रुत्वा सहस्रानीकभूपतिः

iti provāca bhagavansatyaloke pitāmahaḥ itīṁdravacanaṁ śrutvā sahasrānīkabhūpatiḥ

Thus spoke the venerable grandsire (Brahma) in Satyaloka." Having heard this word of Indra, King Sahasranika —

Verse 97 (skanda.3.5.97)

तथोद्वाहकृतोत्साहः समामंत्र्य शचीपतिम् । कौशांबीं प्रस्थितो हृष्टः स तिलोत्तमया पथि

tathodvāhakṛtotsāhaḥ samāmaṁtrya śacīpatim kauśāṁbīṁ prasthito hṛṣṭaḥ sa tilottamayā pathi

— became eager for marriage, and, taking leave of the lord of Shachi (Indra), set out joyfully for Kaushambi; on the way, with Tilottama —

Verse 98 (skanda.3.5.98)

स्मरन्किमपि तां कांतां भाषमाणामनन्यधीः । ध्यायञ्छतक्रतुवचो नालुलोके महीपतिः

smarankimapi tāṁ kāṁtāṁ bhāṣamāṇāmananyadhīḥ dhyāyañchatakratuvaco nāluloke mahīpatiḥ

— while remembering that beloved one, his mind fixed elsewhere, and pondering the words of Indra (Shatakratu), the king, though she was speaking, did not look at her.

Verse 99 (skanda.3.5.99)

सा शशाप नृपं सुभ्रूरनादरतिर स्कृता । आहूयमानोपि मया सहस्रानीक भूपते

sā śaśāpa nṛpaṁ subhrūranādaratira skṛtā āhūyamānopi mayā sahasrānīka bhūpate

She, the fair-browed one, insulted by his disregard, cursed the king: "O King Sahasranika, though called by me —

Verse 100 (skanda.3.5.100)

मृगावतीं हृदा ध्यायन्किमर्थं मामुपेक्षसे । सौभाग्यमत्ता मानिन्यो न सहंतेऽवधीर णाम्

mṛgāvatīṁ hṛdā dhyāyankimarthaṁ māmupekṣase saubhāgyamattā māninyo na sahaṁte'vadhīra ṇām

— meditating in your heart upon Mrigavati, why do you disregard me? Proud women, intoxicated with their own good fortune, cannot bear disdain.

Verse 101 (skanda.3.5.101)

मामवज्ञाय यां राजन्हृदा ध्यायसि सांप्रतम् । तया चतुर्दशसमा वियुक्तस्त्वं भविष्यसि

māmavajñāya yāṁ rājanhṛdā dhyāyasi sāṁpratam tayā caturdaśasamā viyuktastvaṁ bhaviṣyasi

O king, she whom, disregarding me, you now meditate upon in your heart — from her you shall be separated for fourteen years."

Verse 102 (skanda.3.5.102)

इति शप्तवतीं राजा तामु वाच तिलोत्तमाम् । तामेव यदि लभ्येयं तनुजां कृतवर्मणः

iti śaptavatīṁ rājā tāmu vāca tilottamām tāmeva yadi labhyeyaṁ tanujāṁ kṛtavarmaṇaḥ

To Tilottama, who had thus cursed him, the king said: "If I should indeed obtain that very daughter of Kritavarma —

Verse 103 (skanda.3.5.103)

चतुर्दशसमा दुःखं सहिष्ये तद्वियोगजम् । इत्युक्त्वा तद्गतमना नृपः प्रायान्निजां पुरीम्

caturdaśasamā duḥkhaṁ sahiṣye tadviyogajam ityuktvā tadgatamanā nṛpaḥ prāyānnijāṁ purīm

— then I shall bear even fourteen years of the sorrow born of separation from her." Having said this, the king, his mind fixed on her, went to his own city.

Verse 104 (skanda.3.5.104)

ततः कालेन तनया भूपतेः कृतवर्मणः । तमाससाद दयिता सर्वस्वं पुष्पधन्वनः

tataḥ kālena tanayā bhūpateḥ kṛtavarmaṇaḥ tamāsasāda dayitā sarvasvaṁ puṣpadhanvanaḥ

Then, in time, the daughter of King Kritavarma, the beloved one, who was the very embodiment of the flower-bowed god's power, obtained him —

Verse 105 (skanda.3.5.105)

मृगावती समासाद्य विला सतरुवल्लरीम् । विभ्रमांभोधिलहरीं ननंद मदनद्युतिः

mṛgāvatī samāsādya vilā sataruvallarīm vibhramāṁbhodhilaharīṁ nanaṁda madanadyutiḥ

— Mrigavati, resembling a graceful creeper upon a tree, a wave upon the ocean of grace, radiant as love itself, rejoiced upon obtaining him.

Verse 106 (skanda.3.5.106)

सा तस्माद्गर्भमाधत्त भवानीवेंदुशेखरात् । पांडिम्ना शशिलेखेव पीपूषक्षालिता बभौ

sā tasmādgarbhamādhatta bhavānīveṁduśekharāt pāṁḍimnā śaśilekheva pīpūṣakṣālitā babhau

She conceived from him, as Bhavani from the moon-crested Shiva; and, in her pallor, she shone like the crescent moon, bathed as if in nectar.

Verse 107 (skanda.3.5.107)

सुन्दरी दौर्हृदव्यक्तेरथ पौरंदरीव दिक् । रराज राजमहिषी रजनीकरगर्भिणी

sundarī daurhṛdavyakteratha pauraṁdarīva dik rarāja rājamahiṣī rajanīkaragarbhiṇī

That beautiful queen, her pregnancy-cravings now manifest, resplendent with the moon-child within her, shone like the eastern quarter graced by Indra.

Verse 108 (skanda.3.5.108)

सा दौर्हृदवशाद्राज्ञी यंयं काममकाम यत् । सुदुर्लभमपिप्रेम्णा तत्तत्सर्वं समाहरत्

sā daurhṛdavaśādrājñī yaṁyaṁ kāmamakāma yat sudurlabhamapipremṇā tattatsarvaṁ samāharat

Whatever desire that queen, under the sway of her pregnancy-craving, desired, whatever it might be, however hard to obtain, all of that, out of love, he brought to her.

Verse 109 (skanda.3.5.109)

पत्यौ समीहितकरे सा कदाचिन्मृगावती । स्वेच्छया वै मतिं चक्रे रक्तवापीनिमज्जने

patyau samīhitakare sā kadācinmṛgāvatī svecchayā vai matiṁ cakre raktavāpīnimajjane

Once, with her husband ready to fulfill her wishes, Mrigavati, of her own accord, resolved to bathe in a pool of red water.

Verse 110 (skanda.3.5.110)

अभिलाषं सविज्ञाय मृगावत्या महीपतिः । कौसुम्भसलिलैः पूर्णां क्षणाद्वापीमकारयत्

abhilāṣaṁ savijñāya mṛgāvatyā mahīpatiḥ kausumbhasalilaiḥ pūrṇāṁ kṣaṇādvāpīmakārayat

Learning of Mrigavati's desire, the king had a pool made in an instant, filled with waters colored red by safflower.

Verse 111 (skanda.3.5.111)

तस्मिन्रक्तजले राज्ञी स्नानं सादरमातनोत् । ततस्तां रक्ततोयार्द्रां फुल्लकिंशुकसन्निभाम्

tasminraktajale rājñī snānaṁ sādaramātanot tatastāṁ raktatoyārdrāṁ phullakiṁśukasannibhām

In that red water the queen reverently performed her bath. Then, wet with the red water, resembling a blossoming palasha flower —

Verse 112 (skanda.3.5.112)

राजस्त्रीमामिषधिया सुपर्णकुलसंभवः । जहार विकटः पक्षी मुग्धां दग्धविधेर्वशात्

rājastrīmāmiṣadhiyā suparṇakulasaṁbhavaḥ jahāra vikaṭaḥ pakṣī mugdhāṁ dagdhavidhervaśāt

— mistaking the queen for a piece of flesh, a fierce bird of the Garuda race carried away that innocent woman, at the mercy of a cruel fate.

Verse 113 (skanda.3.5.113)

नीत्वा विहायसा दूरं स तामचलसन्निभः । तत्याजमोहविवशामुदयाचलकंदरे

nītvā vihāyasā dūraṁ sa tāmacalasannibhaḥ tatyājamohavivaśāmudayācalakaṁdare

That bird, huge as a mountain, carrying her far away through the sky, abandoned her, overcome with fainting, in a cave of Mount Udaya (the eastern mountain).

Verse 114 (skanda.3.5.114)

लब्धसंज्ञा शनैः कंपविलोलतनुवल्लरी । दृग्भ्यामुत्पलतुल्याभ्यां मुहुरश्रूण्यवर्तयत्

labdhasaṁjñā śanaiḥ kaṁpavilolatanuvallarī dṛgbhyāmutpalatulyābhyāṁ muhuraśrūṇyavartayat

Slowly regaining consciousness, her creeper-like body trembling, she shed tears again and again from her lotus-like eyes.

Verse 115 (skanda.3.5.115)

हा नाथ मंदभाग्याहं त्वद्वियोगेनपीडिता । का गतिः क्व नु गच्छामि द्रक्ष्यामि त्वन्मुखं कदा

hā nātha maṁdabhāgyāhaṁ tvadviyogenapīḍitā kā gatiḥ kva nu gacchāmi drakṣyāmi tvanmukhaṁ kadā

"Alas, my lord! I, of ill fortune, am tormented by separation from you. What refuge is there? Where indeed shall I go? When shall I see your face again?"

Verse 116 (skanda.3.5.116)

इत्युक्त्वा गजसिंहानां पुरोभूद्वधकांक्षिणी । सा सर्वकेसरिगजैस्त्यक्ता न निधनं गता

ityuktvā gajasiṁhānāṁ purobhūdvadhakāṁkṣiṇī sā sarvakesarigajaistyaktā na nidhanaṁ gatā

Having said this, desiring death, she placed herself before elephants and lions; yet, spared by all the lions and elephants, she did not meet her death.

Verse 117 (skanda.3.5.117)

आपत्काले नृणां नूनं मरणं नैव लभ्यते । अतिदीनं समाकर्ण्य तस्याः क्रंदितमुन्मुखाः

āpatkāle nṛṇāṁ nūnaṁ maraṇaṁ naiva labhyate atidīnaṁ samākarṇya tasyāḥ kraṁditamunmukhāḥ

Verily, in times of calamity, death is not obtained by men. Hearing her most pitiful wailing, with upturned faces —

Verse 118 (skanda.3.5.118)

मृगा निष्पंदगतयो न तृणान्यप्यभक्षयन् । ततस्तां करुणासिंधुर्मुनिपुत्रस्तथास्थिताम्

mṛgā niṣpaṁdagatayo na tṛṇānyapyabhakṣayan tatastāṁ karuṇāsiṁdhurmuniputrastathāsthitām

— the deer, motionless, did not even eat the grass. Then, the sage's son, an ocean of compassion, finding her in that condition —

Verse 119 (skanda.3.5.119)

रुदतीं कृपया राज्ञीं समानीय स्वमाश्रमम् । न्यवेदयच्च तां राज्ञीं गुरवे जमदग्नये । जमदग्निस्तु धर्मात्मा तामाश्वासयदंतिके

rudatīṁ kṛpayā rājñīṁ samānīya svamāśramam nyavedayacca tāṁ rājñīṁ gurave jamadagnaye jamadagnistu dharmātmā tāmāśvāsayadaṁtike

— out of compassion, brought the weeping queen to his own hermitage, and presented that queen to his guru, Jamadagni. And Jamadagni, righteous of soul, consoled her nearby.

Verse 120 (skanda.3.5.120)

जमदग्निरुवाच । तथा जानीहि मां भद्रे कृतवर्मा यथा तव

jamadagniruvāca tathā jānīhi māṁ bhadre kṛtavarmā yathā tava

Jamadagni said: "Know me, O gentle one, to be just as your father Kritavarma is to you."

Verse 121 (skanda.3.5.121)

एवमाश्वासिता तत्र कृपया जमदग्निना । चक्रे तत्रैव सा वासमाश्रमे मुनिसंकुले

evamāśvāsitā tatra kṛpayā jamadagninā cakre tatraiva sā vāsamāśrame munisaṁkule

Thus consoled there, with compassion, by Jamadagni, she made her dwelling there itself, in that hermitage crowded with sages.

Verse 122 (skanda.3.5.122)

ततस्स्वल्पेन कालेन विशाखमिव पार्वती । असूत तनयं बाला शौर्यधैर्यगुणान्वितम्

tatassvalpena kālena viśākhamiva pārvatī asūta tanayaṁ bālā śauryadhairyaguṇānvitam

Then, after a short time, that young woman, like Parvati bearing Vishakha (Kartikeya), gave birth to a son endowed with the qualities of valor and courage.

Verse 123 (skanda.3.5.123)

सूतिकागृहकृत्यानि यानि कार्याणि बंधुभिः । चक्रिरे मातृवत्तानि मृगावत्या मुनिस्त्रियः

sūtikāgṛhakṛtyāni yāni kāryāṇi baṁdhubhiḥ cakrire mātṛvattāni mṛgāvatyā munistriyaḥ

Whatever duties of the birthing chamber are performed by relatives, all those, like a mother, the wives of the sages performed for Mrigavati.

Verse 124 (skanda.3.5.124)

तं सुजातं नृपसुतं कापि वागशरीरिणी । उदयाचलजातत्वाच्चकारोदयनाभिधम्

taṁ sujātaṁ nṛpasutaṁ kāpi vāgaśarīriṇī udayācalajātatvāccakārodayanābhidham

For that well-born prince, some bodiless voice, because of his having been born on Mount Udaya, gave him the name Udayana.

Verse 125 (skanda.3.5.125)

आश्रमे स मुनीन्द्रेण कृतचूडादिकव्रतः । जग्राह सकला विद्या जमदग्नेर्महामुनेः

āśrame sa munīndreṇa kṛtacūḍādikavrataḥ jagrāha sakalā vidyā jamadagnermahāmuneḥ

In the hermitage, having had his tonsure and other rites performed by that lord of sages, he received all learning from the great sage Jamadagni.

Verse 126 (skanda.3.5.126)

युवा नृपसुतः सोऽयं कदाचिन्मृगयापरः । अपश्यदेकं भुजगं व्याधेन दृढसंयतम्

yuvā nṛpasutaḥ so'yaṁ kadācinmṛgayāparaḥ apaśyadekaṁ bhujagaṁ vyādhena dṛḍhasaṁyatam

That young prince, once intent on hunting, saw a single serpent, firmly bound by a hunter.

Verse 127 (skanda.3.5.127)

उवाच स कृपायुक्तो व्याध मुंच भुजंगमम् । किं करिष्यस्यनेन त्वं नैनं हिंसितुर्महसि

uvāca sa kṛpāyukto vyādha muṁca bhujaṁgamam kiṁ kariṣyasyanena tvaṁ nainaṁ hiṁsiturmahasi

He, filled with compassion, said: "O hunter, release the serpent. What will you do with it? You ought not to harm it."

Verse 128 (skanda.3.5.128)

तमुवाच ततो व्याधः सर्पेणानेन पूरुष । धनधान्यादिकं लप्स्ये ग्रामेषु नगरेषु च

tamuvāca tato vyādhaḥ sarpeṇānena pūruṣa dhanadhānyādikaṁ lapsye grāmeṣu nagareṣu ca

Then the hunter said to him: "O man, with this serpent, I shall obtain wealth, grain, and the like, in villages and in towns.

Verse 129 (skanda.3.5.129)

अतोहं जीविकामेनं नैव मोक्ष्ये कथंचन । इत्युक्त्वा पेटिकायां तं वबंध शबराधमः

atohaṁ jīvikāmenaṁ naiva mokṣye kathaṁcana ityuktvā peṭikāyāṁ taṁ vabaṁdha śabarādhamaḥ

Therefore, being my livelihood, I shall not release it, in any way." Having said this, that vilest of hunters bound it in a box.

Verse 130 (skanda.3.5.130)

बद्धमालोक्य भुजगं शबराय धनार्थिने । अमोचयत्स्वजननीदत्तं दत्त्वा स कंकणम्

baddhamālokya bhujagaṁ śabarāya dhanārthine amocayatsvajananīdattaṁ dattvā sa kaṁkaṇam

Seeing the serpent thus bound, he freed it by giving to the wealth-seeking hunter a bracelet given to him by his own mother.

Verse 131 (skanda.3.5.131)

मोचितस्तेन सर्पोऽसौ नरो भूत्वा कृतांजलिः । सख्यं कृत्वा च सहसा तं पातालं निनाय वै

mocitastena sarpo'sau naro bhūtvā kṛtāṁjaliḥ sakhyaṁ kṛtvā ca sahasā taṁ pātālaṁ nināya vai

Freed by him, that serpent, becoming a man, with joined palms, quickly made friendship with him and led him down to Patala.

Verse 132 (skanda.3.5.132)

किन्नराख्येन नागेन धृतराष्ट्रसुतेन सः । पातालं प्राविशत्तत्र न्यवसत्पूजितस्सुखम्

kinnarākhyena nāgena dhṛtarāṣṭrasutena saḥ pātālaṁ prāviśattatra nyavasatpūjitassukham

By that naga named Kinnara, son of Dhritarashtra, he was taken into Patala; there he dwelt happily, honored.

Verse 133 (skanda.3.5.133)

धृतराष्ट्रस्य तनयां भगिनीं किन्नरस्य च । ललिताख्यां गुणोपेतां प्रियां भेजे नृपात्मजः

dhṛtarāṣṭrasya tanayāṁ bhaginīṁ kinnarasya ca lalitākhyāṁ guṇopetāṁ priyāṁ bheje nṛpātmajaḥ

The prince took as his beloved wife the daughter of Dhritarashtra, sister of Kinnara, named Lalita, endowed with virtues.

Verse 134 (skanda.3.5.134)

सा तस्माज्जनयामास पुत्रमप्रतिमौजसम् । ततः सा ललिता प्राह त्वरितोदयनं प्रति

sā tasmājjanayāmāsa putramapratimaujasam tataḥ sā lalitā prāha tvaritodayanaṁ prati

She bore from him a son of incomparable might. Then that Lalita quickly spoke to Udayana:

Verse 135 (skanda.3.5.135)

ललितोवाच । अहं विद्या धरी पूर्वं सुकर्णी नाम नामतः । शापात्सर्पत्वमाप्तास्मि शापांतो गर्भ एष मे

lalitovāca ahaṁ vidyā dharī pūrvaṁ sukarṇī nāma nāmataḥ śāpātsarpatvamāptāsmi śāpāṁto garbha eṣa me

Lalita said: "I was formerly a Vidyadhari named Sukarni; through a curse I attained the state of a serpent, and the end of that curse is this very child of mine.

Verse 136 (skanda.3.5.136)

ततोऽमुं प्रतिगृह्णीष्व पुत्रमप्रतिमौजसम् । तांबूलीं स्रजमम्लानां वीणां घोषवतीमपि

tato'muṁ pratigṛhṇīṣva putramapratimaujasam tāṁbūlīṁ srajamamlānāṁ vīṇāṁ ghoṣavatīmapi

Therefore, accept this son of incomparable might, along with a betel-creeper, an unfading garland, and also the vina named Ghoshavati."

Verse 137 (skanda.3.5.137)

तथेति प्रतिजग्राह तत्सर्वं नृपनंदनः । पश्यतां सर्वसर्पाणां साप्यगच्छद्विहायसम्

tatheti pratijagrāha tatsarvaṁ nṛpanaṁdanaḥ paśyatāṁ sarvasarpāṇāṁ sāpyagacchadvihāyasam

"So be it," said the prince, and accepted all of that. And she too, before the eyes of all the serpents, departed into the sky.

Verse 138 (skanda.3.5.138)

ततः सोऽपि गृहीत्वा तु वीणां मालां च पुत्रकम् । दुःखितामात्मजननीं द्रष्टुकामस्त्वरान्वितः

tataḥ so'pi gṛhītvā tu vīṇāṁ mālāṁ ca putrakam duḥkhitāmātmajananīṁ draṣṭukāmastvarānvitaḥ

Then he too, taking the vina, the garland, and his little son, eager to see his grieving mother, in haste —

Verse 139 (skanda.3.5.139)

श्वशुरादीननुज्ञाप्य सहसा स्वाश्रमं ययौ । जननीं शोकसंतप्तामाश्वस्तां जमदग्निना

śvaśurādīnanujñāpya sahasā svāśramaṁ yayau jananīṁ śokasaṁtaptāmāśvastāṁ jamadagninā

— taking leave of his father-in-law and the others, swiftly went to his own hermitage, where his mother, tormented by grief, had been consoled by Jamadagni.

Verse 140 (skanda.3.5.140)

समेत्य तोषयामास वृत्तं चास्यै न्यवेदयत् । तदा प्रहृष्टहृदया सा बभूव मृगावती

sametya toṣayāmāsa vṛttaṁ cāsyai nyavedayat tadā prahṛṣṭahṛdayā sā babhūva mṛgāvatī

Meeting her, he brought her comfort, and related to her all that had happened. Then Mrigavati's heart was filled with delight.

Verse 141 (skanda.3.5.141)

अत्रांतरे स शबरः कौशांब्यां वणिजं ययौ । सहस्रानीकनामांकं विक्रेतुं मणिकंकणम्

atrāṁtare sa śabaraḥ kauśāṁbyāṁ vaṇijaṁ yayau sahasrānīkanāmāṁkaṁ vikretuṁ maṇikaṁkaṇam

Meanwhile, that hunter went to a merchant in Kaushambi, to sell the jeweled bracelet bearing the name of Sahasranika.

Verse 142 (skanda.3.5.142)

राजमुद्रां समालोक्य कंकणे स वणिग्वरः । शबरेण समं गत्वा सर्वं राज्ञे न्यवेदयत्

rājamudrāṁ samālokya kaṁkaṇe sa vaṇigvaraḥ śabareṇa samaṁ gatvā sarvaṁ rājñe nyavedayat

Seeing the royal seal upon the bracelet, that foremost of merchants, going together with the hunter, related everything to the king.

Verse 143 (skanda.3.5.143)

ततः सहस्रानीकोऽयं तत्प्राप्य मणिकंकणम् । मृगावतीविप्रयोगविषाग्निपरिपीडितः

tataḥ sahasrānīko'yaṁ tatprāpya maṇikaṁkaṇam mṛgāvatīviprayogaviṣāgniparipīḍitaḥ

Then that Sahasranika, obtaining that jeweled bracelet, already tormented by the poison-fire of separation from Mrigavati —

Verse 144 (skanda.3.5.144)

तद्बाहुसंगपीयूष शीकरासारशीतलम् । कंकणं हृदये न्यस्य विललाप सुदुःखितः

tadbāhusaṁgapīyūṣa śīkarāsāraśītalam kaṁkaṇaṁ hṛdaye nyasya vilalāpa suduḥkhitaḥ

— placing upon his heart that bracelet, cool as a shower of the nectar-spray of union with her arm, wept, greatly grieved.

Verse 145 (skanda.3.5.145)

उवाच च कथं लब्धं कंकणं शबर त्वया । स चैवमुक्तस्तत्प्राप्ति क्रमं तस्मै न्यवेदयत्

uvāca ca kathaṁ labdhaṁ kaṁkaṇaṁ śabara tvayā sa caivamuktastatprāpti kramaṁ tasmai nyavedayat

And he said: "O hunter, how did you obtain this bracelet?" Thus asked, he related to him the manner of its obtaining.

Verse 146 (skanda.3.5.146)

शबरस्य वचः श्रुत्वा सहस्रानीकभूपतिः । प्रतस्थे मंत्रिभिः सार्द्धं प्रियालोकनकौतुकी

śabarasya vacaḥ śrutvā sahasrānīkabhūpatiḥ pratasthe maṁtribhiḥ sārddhaṁ priyālokanakautukī

Hearing the hunter's words, King Sahasranika, eager to see his beloved, set out together with his ministers.

Verse 147 (skanda.3.5.147)

यत्रेंदुभास्क रमुखा लभंते सहसोदयम् । तमेव गिरिमुद्दिश्य सहसा सोऽभ्यगच्छत

yatreṁdubhāska ramukhā labhaṁte sahasodayam tameva girimuddiśya sahasā so'bhyagacchata

Toward that very mountain where the moon, the sun, and other luminaries suddenly rise, he swiftly made his way.

Verse 148 (skanda.3.5.148)

किंचिन्मार्गं समुल्लंघ्य तस्थौ विश्रांतसैनिकः । तस्मिन्विनिद्रे दयितासंगमध्यानतत्परे

kiṁcinmārgaṁ samullaṁghya tasthau viśrāṁtasainikaḥ tasminvinidre dayitāsaṁgamadhyānatatpare

Having covered some distance, he halted with his weary soldiers. As he lay awake, his mind fixed on the thought of union with his beloved —

Verse 149 (skanda.3.5.149)

वसंतको विचित्रास्तु कथयामास वै कथाः । तत्कथाश्रवणेनैव तां रात्रिं स निनाय वै

vasaṁtako vicitrāstu kathayāmāsa vai kathāḥ tatkathāśravaṇenaiva tāṁ rātriṁ sa nināya vai

— Vasantaka told him various wondrous tales; and by listening to those tales alone, he passed that night.

Verse 150 (skanda.3.5.150)

ततः कालेन ककुभं प्राप्य जंभारिपालिताम् । जमदग्न्याश्रमं गत्वा निर्वैरहरिकुंजरम्

tataḥ kālena kakubhaṁ prāpya jaṁbhāripālitām jamadagnyāśramaṁ gatvā nirvairaharikuṁjaram

Then, in time, reaching that quarter (the east) protected by the slayer of Jambha (Indra), he went to the hermitage of Jamadagni, where lion and elephant lived without enmity —

Verse 151 (skanda.3.5.151)

तपस्यंतं मुनिं दृष्ट्वा शिरसा प्रणनाम सः । आशीर्वादेन स मुनिः प्रतिजग्राह तं नृपम्

tapasyaṁtaṁ muniṁ dṛṣṭvā śirasā praṇanāma saḥ āśīrvādena sa muniḥ pratijagrāha taṁ nṛpam

Seeing the sage performing austerity, he bowed his head to him. That sage received the king with his blessing.

Verse 152 (skanda.3.5.152)

विधिवत्पूजयामास पाद्यार्घ्याचमनीयकैः । उवाच च महीपालं धर्मार्थसहितं वचः

vidhivatpūjayāmāsa pādyārghyācamanīyakaiḥ uvāca ca mahīpālaṁ dharmārthasahitaṁ vacaḥ

He duly honored him with padya, arghya, and water for sipping, and spoke to the king these words, replete with dharma and meaning:

Verse 153 (skanda.3.5.153)

नरनाथ मृगावत्यां जातोऽयं तनयस्तव । यशोनिधिर्महातेजा रामचंद्र इवापरः

naranātha mṛgāvatyāṁ jāto'yaṁ tanayastava yaśonidhirmahātejā rāmacaṁdra ivāparaḥ

"O lord of men, this son of yours has been born through Mrigavati, a treasury of fame, greatly radiant, like another Ramachandra.

Verse 154 (skanda.3.5.154)

भविष्यति दिशां जेता सिंहसंहननो युवा । पौत्र एष महाभाग तथा द्युदयनात्मजः

bhaviṣyati diśāṁ jetā siṁhasaṁhanano yuvā pautra eṣa mahābhāga tathā dyudayanātmajaḥ

He shall become the conqueror of the quarters, of leonine build, youthful; this one, O greatly fortunate one, is your grandson through his own son, Udayana.

Verse 155 (skanda.3.5.155)

इयं मृगावती भार्या पाति व्रत्यपरायणा । तदेतांस्त्रीन्महाराज प्रतिगृह्णीष्व मा चिरम्

iyaṁ mṛgāvatī bhāryā pāti vratyaparāyaṇā tadetāṁstrīnmahārāja pratigṛhṇīṣva mā ciram

This is your wife Mrigavati, devoted to her vow of chastity. So, O great king, accept these three without delay."

Verse 156 (skanda.3.5.156)

उक्त्वैवं मुनिना दत्तांस्तान्गृहीत्वा महीपतिः । प्रियासहायः स्वपुरीं प्रतस्थे मंत्रिभिर्वृतः

uktvaivaṁ muninā dattāṁstāngṛhītvā mahīpatiḥ priyāsahāyaḥ svapurīṁ pratasthe maṁtribhirvṛtaḥ

Having spoken thus, the king, accepting those given by the sage, accompanied by his beloved, surrounded by his ministers, set out for his own city.

Verse 157 (skanda.3.5.157)

ततः प्रविश्य कौशांबीं नगरीं स नृपोत्तमः । स्मरञ्छक्रस्य वचनं मानुषं जन्म कुत्सयन्

tataḥ praviśya kauśāṁbīṁ nagarīṁ sa nṛpottamaḥ smarañchakrasya vacanaṁ mānuṣaṁ janma kutsayan

Then, entering the city of Kaushambi, that foremost of kings, remembering the word of Indra, and despising his human birth —

Verse 158 (skanda.3.5.158)

महीमुदयनायैव ददौ पुत्राय धीमते । तस्मिन्नुदयने पुत्र राज्यपालनदक्षिणे

mahīmudayanāyaiva dadau putrāya dhīmate tasminnudayane putra rājyapālanadakṣiṇe

— gave the kingdom to his wise son Udayana himself. When that son Udayana, skilled in the protection of the realm —

Verse 159 (skanda.3.5.159)

राज्यभारं विनिक्षिप्य स शापविनिवृत्तये । वसंतकरुमण्वद्भ्यां मृगावत्या च भार्यया

rājyabhāraṁ vinikṣipya sa śāpavinivṛttaye vasaṁtakarumaṇvadbhyāṁ mṛgāvatyā ca bhāryayā

— had taken up the burden of the kingdom, he, for the removal of the curse, together with Vasantaka and Rumanvan, and with his wife Mrigavati,

Verse 160 (skanda.3.5.160)

यौगन्धरायणेनापि मंत्रिपुत्रेण संयुतः । चक्रतीर्थे महापुण्ये दक्षिणस्योदधेस्तटे

yaugandharāyaṇenāpi maṁtriputreṇa saṁyutaḥ cakratīrthe mahāpuṇye dakṣiṇasyodadhestaṭe

— and also accompanied by Yaugandharayana, the minister's son, went swiftly to the greatly meritorious Chakratirtha, on the shore of the southern ocean —

Verse 161 (skanda.3.5.161)

स्नानं कर्तुं ययौ तूर्णं सर्वतीर्थोत्त मोत्तमे । वाहनैर्वातरंहोभिरचिराल्लवणोदधिम्

snānaṁ kartuṁ yayau tūrṇaṁ sarvatīrthotta mottame vāhanairvātaraṁhobhiracirāllavaṇodadhim

— the very best of all sacred fords, to perform his bathing; by vehicles swift as the wind, he swiftly reached the salt ocean.

Verse 162 (skanda.3.5.162)

संप्राप्य चक्रतीर्थं च स्नानं चक्रुर्यथाविधि । तेषु च स्नातमात्रेषु चक्रतीर्थे नृपादिषु

saṁprāpya cakratīrthaṁ ca snānaṁ cakruryathāvidhi teṣu ca snātamātreṣu cakratīrthe nṛpādiṣu

Reaching Chakratirtha, they performed their bathing according to rite. And as soon as they, the king and the others, had bathed at Chakratirtha —

Verse 163 (skanda.3.5.163)

विनष्टं तत्क्षणादेव मानुष्यमतिकुत्सितम् । ततो विधूतपापास्ते स्वं रूपं प्रतिपेदिरे

vinaṣṭaṁ tatkṣaṇādeva mānuṣyamatikutsitam tato vidhūtapāpāste svaṁ rūpaṁ pratipedire

— their despised humanity was destroyed that very instant. Then, their sins washed away, they regained their own true forms.

Verse 164 (skanda.3.5.164)

दिव्यांबरधराः सर्वे दिव्यमाल्यानुलेपनाः । विमानानि महार्हाणि समारुह्य विभूषिताः

divyāṁbaradharāḥ sarve divyamālyānulepanāḥ vimānāni mahārhāṇi samāruhya vibhūṣitāḥ

All of them, clad in celestial garments, adorned with celestial garlands and unguents, mounting splendid celestial chariots, richly adorned —

Verse 165 (skanda.3.5.165)

तत्तीर्थं बहु मन्वानाः स्वशापच्छेदकारणम् । पश्यतां सर्वलोकानां स्वर्गलोकं ययुस्तदा

tattīrthaṁ bahu manvānāḥ svaśāpacchedakāraṇam paśyatāṁ sarvalokānāṁ svargalokaṁ yayustadā

— greatly honoring that ford as the cause of the ending of their curse, before the eyes of all the worlds, went then to the world of heaven.

Verse 166 (skanda.3.5.166)

तदाप्रभृति ते सर्वे ज्ञात्वा तत्तीर्थवैभवम् । पावने चक्रतीर्थेऽस्मिन्स्नानं कुर्वंति सर्वदा

tadāprabhṛti te sarve jñātvā tattīrthavaibhavam pāvane cakratīrthe'sminsnānaṁ kurvaṁti sarvadā

From that time onward, all beings, knowing the glory of that ford, always bathe at this sacred Chakratirtha.

Verse 167 (skanda.3.5.167)

एवं प्रभावं तत्तीर्थं ये समागत्य मानवाः । स्नानं सकृच्च कुर्वंति ते सर्वे स्वर्गवासिनः

evaṁ prabhāvaṁ tattīrthaṁ ye samāgatya mānavāḥ snānaṁ sakṛcca kurvaṁti te sarve svargavāsinaḥ

Whatever men come to that ford of such power, and bathe there even once, all of them become dwellers in heaven.

Verse 168 (skanda.3.5.168)

एवं वः कथितं विप्रा विधूमचरितं महत् । यः पठेदिममध्यायं शृणुयाद्वा समाहितः । यं यं कामयते कामं तं सर्वं शीघ्रमाप्नुयात्

evaṁ vaḥ kathitaṁ viprā vidhūmacaritaṁ mahat yaḥ paṭhedimamadhyāyaṁ śṛṇuyādvā samāhitaḥ yaṁ yaṁ kāmayate kāmaṁ taṁ sarvaṁ śīghramāpnuyāt

Thus, O brahmins, has this great story of Vidhuma been told to you. Whoever recites this chapter, or hears it with concentration, whatever desire he desires, he swiftly obtains all of it.