Dharma's Austerities Disturbed

Verse 1 (skanda.3.55.1)

व्यास उवाच । श्रूयतां नृपशार्दूल कथां पौराणिकीं शुभाम् । यां श्रुत्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मुच्यते नात्र संशयः

vyāsa uvāca śrūyatāṁ nṛpaśārdūla kathāṁ paurāṇikīṁ śubhām yāṁ śrutvā sarvapāpebhyo mucyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

Vyasa said: Listen, O tiger among kings, to this auspicious puranic tale, hearing which one is freed from all sins, of this there is no doubt.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.55.2)

एकदा धर्मराजो वै तपस्तेपे सुदुष्करम् । ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेशाद्यैर्जलवर्षांतपादिषाट्

ekadā dharmarājo vai tapastepe suduṣkaram brahmaviṣṇumaheśādyairjalavarṣāṁtapādiṣāṭ

Once Dharmaraja performed most difficult austerity, enduring rain, sun and heat and the rest, with a resolve equal to Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesha and the others.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.55.3)

आदौ त्रेतायुगे राजन्वर्षाणामयुतत्रयम् । मध्येवनं तपस्यंतमशोकतरुमूलगम्

ādau tretāyuge rājanvarṣāṇāmayutatrayam madhyevanaṁ tapasyaṁtamaśokatarumūlagam

At the beginning of the Treta Yuga, O king, for thirty thousand years, in the midst of the forest he performed austerities, seated at the root of an ashoka tree —

Verse 4 (skanda.3.55.4)

शुष्कस्नायुपिनद्धास्थिसंचयं निश्चलाकृतिम् । वल्मीककीटिकाकोटिशोषिताशेषशोणितम्

śuṣkasnāyupinaddhāsthisaṁcayaṁ niścalākṛtim valmīkakīṭikākoṭiśoṣitāśeṣaśoṇitam

— his frame motionless, a mass of bones bound by withered sinews, his entire blood dried up by crores of ants and termites that had built anthills upon him —

Verse 5 (skanda.3.55.5)

निर्मांसकीकसचयं स्फटिकोपलनिश्चलम् । शंखकुदेंदुतहिनमहाशंखलसच्छ्रियम्

nirmāṁsakīkasacayaṁ sphaṭikopalaniścalam śaṁkhakudeṁdutahinamahāśaṁkhalasacchriyam

— his frame fleshless, a heap of bones, motionless as a crystal stone; shining with the splendour of a conch, white as a conch-shell, jasmine, moon, or snow.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.55.6)

सत्त्वावलंबितप्राणमायुःशेषेण रक्षितम् । निश्वासोच्छ्वास पवनवृत्तिसूचितजीवितम्

sattvāvalaṁbitaprāṇamāyuḥśeṣeṇa rakṣitam niśvāsocchvāsa pavanavṛttisūcitajīvitam

His life-breath sustained only by inner strength, preserved by the remainder of his lifespan; his being alive indicated only by the movement of inward and outward breath.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.55.7)

निमेषोन्मेषसंचारपशुनीकृतजन्तुकम् । पिशंगितस्फुरद्रश्मिनेत्रदीपितदिङ्मुखम्

nimeṣonmeṣasaṁcārapaśunīkṛtajantukam piśaṁgitasphuradraśminetradīpitadiṅmukham

The mere blinking of his eyelids made even wild creatures approach him as if tame; his tawny, flashing-rayed eyes illumined the very directions of the sky.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.55.8)

तत्तपोग्निशिखादाव चुंबितम्लानकाननम् । तच्छांत्युदसुधावर्षसंसिक्ताखिलभूरुहम

tattapogniśikhādāva cuṁbitamlānakānanam tacchāṁtyudasudhāvarṣasaṁsiktākhilabhūruhama

The flames of his fire of austerity kissed and withered the forest around; yet the nectar-rain of his tranquility sprinkled and revived all the trees of the earth.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.55.9)

साक्षात्तपस्यंतमिव तपो धृत्वा नराकृतिम् । निराकृतिं निराकाशं कृत्वा भक्तिं च कांचनम्

sākṣāttapasyaṁtamiva tapo dhṛtvā narākṛtim nirākṛtiṁ nirākāśaṁ kṛtvā bhaktiṁ ca kāṁcanam

He seemed like Austerity itself performing austerity, having taken on a human form; having made his mind formless, spaceless, and wholly turned toward golden devotion —

Verse 10 (skanda.3.55.10)

कुरंगशावैर्गणशो भ्रमद्भिः परिवारितम् । निनादभीषणास्यैश्च वनजैः परिरक्षितम्

kuraṁgaśāvairgaṇaśo bhramadbhiḥ parivāritam ninādabhīṣaṇāsyaiśca vanajaiḥ parirakṣitam

— surrounded by herds of fawns wandering about him, and guarded by forest creatures whose mouths were fearsome with roaring.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.55.11)

एतादृशं महाभीमं दृष्ट्वा देवाः सवासवाः । ध्यायंतं च महादेवं सर्वेषां चाभयप्रदम्

etādṛśaṁ mahābhīmaṁ dṛṣṭvā devāḥ savāsavāḥ dhyāyaṁtaṁ ca mahādevaṁ sarveṣāṁ cābhayapradam

Seeing him thus, so awesome, the gods together with Vasava went, meditating upon Mahadeva, the giver of fearlessness to all —

Verse 12 (skanda.3.55.12)

ब्रह्माद्या दैवता सर्वे कैलासं प्रति जग्मिरे । पारिजाततरुच्छायामासीनं च सहोमया

brahmādyā daivatā sarve kailāsaṁ prati jagmire pārijātatarucchāyāmāsīnaṁ ca sahomayā

— all the gods headed by Brahma went towards Kailasa, to Shiva seated in the shade of the Parijata tree together with Uma.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.55.13)

नदिर्भृंगिर्महाकालस्तथान्ये च महागणाः । स्कन्दस्वामी च भगवान्गणपश्च तथैव च । तत्र देवाः सब्रह्माद्याः स्वस्वस्थानेषु तस्थिरे

nadirbhṛṁgirmahākālastathānye ca mahāgaṇāḥ skandasvāmī ca bhagavāngaṇapaśca tathaiva ca tatra devāḥ sabrahmādyāḥ svasvasthāneṣu tasthire

Nandin, Bhringi, Mahakala, and other great ganas, Lord Skanda and Lord Ganapati likewise — there the gods, headed by Brahma, took their places each in his own station.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.55.14)

ब्रह्मोवाच ।। । नमोस्त्वनंतरूपाय नीलश्च नमोऽस्तु ते । अविज्ञातस्वरूपाय कैवल्यायामृताय च

brahmovāca namostvanaṁtarūpāya nīlaśca namo'stu te avijñātasvarūpāya kaivalyāyāmṛtāya ca

Brahma said: Salutation to you of infinite form, and salutation to you, the blue-throated one; to you whose true nature is unknown, to Kaivalya, and to the immortal —

Verse 15 (skanda.3.55.15)

नांतं देवा विजानंति यस्य तस्मै नमोनमः । यं न वाचः प्रशंसंति नमस्तस्मै चिदात्मने

nāṁtaṁ devā vijānaṁti yasya tasmai namonamaḥ yaṁ na vācaḥ praśaṁsaṁti namastasmai cidātmane

— salutation again and again to him whose limit even the gods do not know; salutation to him, of the nature of pure consciousness, whom even speech cannot praise —

Verse 16 (skanda.3.55.16)

योगिनो यं हृदः कोशे प्रणिधानेन निश्चलाः । ज्योतीरूपं प्रपश्यति तस्मै श्रीब्रह्मणे नमः

yogino yaṁ hṛdaḥ kośe praṇidhānena niścalāḥ jyotīrūpaṁ prapaśyati tasmai śrībrahmaṇe namaḥ

— salutation to that glorious Brahman, whom yogis, still through deep meditation, behold as a form of light in the sheath of the heart.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.55.17)

कालात्पराय कालाय स्वेच्छया पुरुषाय च । गुणत्रयस्वरूपाय नमः प्रकृतिरूपिणे

kālātparāya kālāya svecchayā puruṣāya ca guṇatrayasvarūpāya namaḥ prakṛtirūpiṇe

Salutation to you who are beyond Time and yet are Time itself, to the Purusha existing by your own will, to the one whose nature is the three gunas, to the form of Prakriti.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.55.18)

विष्णवे सत्त्वरूपाय रजोरूपाय वेधसे । तमोरूपाय रुद्राय स्थितिसर्गांतकारिणे

viṣṇave sattvarūpāya rajorūpāya vedhase tamorūpāya rudrāya sthitisargāṁtakāriṇe

Salutation to you as Vishnu, of the nature of sattva; as Vedhas, of the nature of rajas; as Rudra, of the nature of tamas, the cause of preservation, creation, and destruction.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.55.19)

नमो बुद्धिस्वरूपाय त्रिधाहंकाररूपिणे । पंचतन्मात्ररूपाय नमः प्रकृतिरूपिणे

namo buddhisvarūpāya tridhāhaṁkārarūpiṇe paṁcatanmātrarūpāya namaḥ prakṛtirūpiṇe

Salutation to you of the nature of intellect, of the nature of the threefold ego, of the nature of the five subtle elements; salutation to the form of Prakriti.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.55.20)

नमो नमः स्वरूपाय पंचबुद्धींद्रियात्मने । क्षित्यादिपंचरूपाय नमस्ते विषयात्मने

namo namaḥ svarūpāya paṁcabuddhīṁdriyātmane kṣityādipaṁcarūpāya namaste viṣayātmane

Salutation again and again to you whose self is the five organs of knowledge, whose form is the five elements beginning with earth; salutation to you whose self is all sense-objects.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.55.21)

नमो ब्रह्मांडरूपाय तदंतर्वर्तिने नमः । अर्वाचीनपराचीनविश्वरूपाय ते नमः

namo brahmāṁḍarūpāya tadaṁtarvartine namaḥ arvācīnaparācīnaviśvarūpāya te namaḥ

Salutation to you of the form of the cosmic egg, salutation to you who dwell within it; salutation to you whose form is the universe, both recent and ancient.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.55.22)

अनित्यनित्यरूपाय सदसत्पतये नमः । नमस्ते भक्तकृपया स्वेच्छावि ष्कृतविग्रह

anityanityarūpāya sadasatpataye namaḥ namaste bhaktakṛpayā svecchāvi ṣkṛtavigraha

Salutation to you of both impermanent and eternal form, the lord of the existent and non-existent; salutation to you who, out of compassion for devotees, manifest a form by your own will.

Verse 23 (skanda.3.55.23)

तव निश्वसितं वेदास्तव वेदोऽखिलं जगत् । विश्वाभूतानि ते पादः शिरो द्यौः समवर्तत

tava niśvasitaṁ vedāstava vedo'khilaṁ jagat viśvābhūtāni te pādaḥ śiro dyauḥ samavartata

The Vedas are your very breath; the entire universe is your Veda manifest; all beings are your feet; heaven arose as your head —

Verse 24 (skanda.3.55.24)

नाभ्या आसीदंतरिक्षं लोमानि च वनस्पतिः । चंद्रमा मनसो जातश्चक्षोः सूर्यस्तव प्रभो

nābhyā āsīdaṁtarikṣaṁ lomāni ca vanaspatiḥ caṁdramā manaso jātaścakṣoḥ sūryastava prabho

— from your navel arose the atmosphere, from your body-hairs the trees; the moon was born from your mind, and the sun, O Lord, from your eye.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.55.25)

त्वमेव सर्वं त्वयि देव सर्वं सर्वस्तुति स्तव्य इह त्वमेव । ईश त्वया वास्यमिदं हि सर्वं नमोऽस्तु भूयोऽपि नमो नमस्ते

tvameva sarvaṁ tvayi deva sarvaṁ sarvastuti stavya iha tvameva īśa tvayā vāsyamidaṁ hi sarvaṁ namo'stu bhūyo'pi namo namaste

You alone are everything, O God, and everything is in you; here, you alone are worthy of every praise. O Lord, all this is indeed pervaded by you; salutation, and again salutation, salutation to you.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.55.26)

इति स्तुत्वा महादेवं निपेतुर्दंडवत्क्षितौ । प्रत्युवाच तदा शंभुर्वरदोऽस्मि किमिच्छति

iti stutvā mahādevaṁ nipeturdaṁḍavatkṣitau pratyuvāca tadā śaṁbhurvarado'smi kimicchati

Having thus praised Mahadeva, they fell prostrate upon the ground; then Shambhu replied, 'I am the granter of boons — what does he desire?'

Verse 27 (skanda.3.55.27)

महादेव उवाच । कथं व्यग्राः सुराः सर्वे बृहस्पतिपुरोगमाः । तत्समाचक्ष्व मां ब्रह्मन्भवतां दुःखकारणम्

mahādeva uvāca kathaṁ vyagrāḥ surāḥ sarve bṛhaspatipurogamāḥ tatsamācakṣva māṁ brahmanbhavatāṁ duḥkhakāraṇam

Mahadeva said: Why are all the gods, led by Brihaspati, so agitated? Tell me, O Brahma, the cause of your distress.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.55.28)

ब्रह्मोवाच ।। । नीलकंठ महादेव दुःखनाशाभयप्रद । शृणु त्वं दुःखमस्माकं भवतो यद्वदाम्यहम्

brahmovāca nīlakaṁṭha mahādeva duḥkhanāśābhayaprada śṛṇu tvaṁ duḥkhamasmākaṁ bhavato yadvadāmyaham

Brahma said: O Nilakantha, Mahadeva, destroyer of sorrow, giver of fearlessness — listen to our distress, which I now tell you.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.55.29)

धर्मराजोऽपि धर्मात्मा तपस्तेपे सुदुःसहम् । न जानेऽसौ किमिच्छति देवानां पदमुत्तमम्

dharmarājo'pi dharmātmā tapastepe suduḥsaham na jāne'sau kimicchati devānāṁ padamuttamam

Dharmaraja, the righteous-souled, has performed most unbearable austerity; we do not know whether he desires the supreme station of the gods.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.55.30)

तेन त्रस्तास्तत्तपसा सर्व इंद्रपुरोगमाः । भवतोंघ्रौ चिरेणैव मनस्तेन समर्पितम् । तमुत्थापय देवेश किमिच्छति स धर्मराट्

tena trastāstattapasā sarva iṁdrapurogamāḥ bhavatoṁghrau cireṇaiva manastena samarpitam tamutthāpaya deveśa kimicchati sa dharmarāṭ

By that austerity, all the gods led by Indra are frightened; his mind has long since been offered wholly at your feet. Rouse him, O Lord of gods — find out what that king of Dharma desires.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.55.31)

ईश्वर उवाच । भवतां नास्ति नु भयं धर्मात्सत्यं ब्रवीम्यहम्

īśvara uvāca bhavatāṁ nāsti nu bhayaṁ dharmātsatyaṁ bravīmyaham

Ishvara said: Truly there is no need for fear from Dharma on your part — I tell you the truth.

Verse 32 (skanda.3.55.32)

तत उत्थाय ते सर्वे देवाः सह दिवौकसः । रुद्रं प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य नमस्कृत्वा पुनःपुनः

tata utthāya te sarve devāḥ saha divaukasaḥ rudraṁ pradakṣiṇīkṛtya namaskṛtvā punaḥpunaḥ

Then, rising up, all those gods, together with the heaven-dwellers, circumambulated Rudra and bowed to him again and again.

Verse 33 (skanda.3.55.33)

इन्द्रेण सहिताः सर्वे कैलात्पुनरागताः । स्वस्वस्थाने तदा शीघ्रं गताः सर्वे दिवौकसः

indreṇa sahitāḥ sarve kailātpunarāgatāḥ svasvasthāne tadā śīghraṁ gatāḥ sarve divaukasaḥ

— all, together with Indra, returned again from Kailasa; then all the heaven-dwellers quickly went to their own respective places.

Verse 34 (skanda.3.55.34)

इन्द्रोऽपि वै सुधर्मायां गतवान्प्रभुरीश्वरः । न निद्रां लब्धवांस्तत्र न सुखं न च निर्वृतिम्

indro'pi vai sudharmāyāṁ gatavānprabhurīśvaraḥ na nidrāṁ labdhavāṁstatra na sukhaṁ na ca nirvṛtim

Indra too, the lord, went to his hall Sudharma; but there he found neither sleep, nor happiness, nor peace of mind.

Verse 35 (skanda.3.55.35)

मनसा चिंतयामास विघ्नं मे समुपस्थितम् । अवाप महतीं चितां तदा देवः शचीपतिः

manasā ciṁtayāmāsa vighnaṁ me samupasthitam avāpa mahatīṁ citāṁ tadā devaḥ śacīpatiḥ

In his mind he thought, 'An obstacle has now confronted me'; then the god, the husband of Shachi, fell into great anxiety.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.55.36)

मम स्थानं पराहर्तुं स्तपस्तेपे सुदुश्चरम् । सर्वान्देवान्समाहूय इदं वचनमब्रवीत्

mama sthānaṁ parāhartuṁ stapastepe suduścaram sarvāndevānsamāhūya idaṁ vacanamabravīt

'He performs such most difficult austerity in order to seize my position,' he thought; then, summoning all the gods, he spoke these words:

Verse 37 (skanda.3.55.37)

इन्द्र उवाच । शृण्वंतु देवताः सर्वा मम दुःखस्य कारणम् । दुःखेन मम यल्लब्धं तत्किं वा प्रार्थयेद्यमः । बृहस्पतिः समालोक्य सर्वान्दे वानथाब्रवीत्

indra uvāca śṛṇvaṁtu devatāḥ sarvā mama duḥkhasya kāraṇam duḥkhena mama yallabdhaṁ tatkiṁ vā prārthayedyamaḥ bṛhaspatiḥ samālokya sarvānde vānathābravīt

Indra said: Let all the gods hear the cause of my distress. What I obtained through hardship — does Dharmaraja now seek that very thing? Brihaspati, considering this, then spoke to all the gods:

Verse 38 (skanda.3.55.38)

बृहस्पतिरुवाच ।। । तपसे नास्ति सामर्थ्यं विघ्नं कर्तुं दिवौकसः । उर्वश्याद्या समाहूय संप्रेष्यंतां च तत्र वै

bṛhaspatiruvāca tapase nāsti sāmarthyaṁ vighnaṁ kartuṁ divaukasaḥ urvaśyādyā samāhūya saṁpreṣyaṁtāṁ ca tatra vai

Brihaspati said: O heaven-dwellers, we ourselves have no power to obstruct his austerity. Let Urvashi and the others be summoned and sent there.

Verse 39 (skanda.3.55.39)

तासामाकारणार्थाय प्रतिद्वारं प्रतस्थिवान् । स गत्वा ताः समादाय सभायां शीघ्रमाययौ

tāsāmākāraṇārthāya pratidvāraṁ pratasthivān sa gatvā tāḥ samādāya sabhāyāṁ śīghramāyayau

To summon them, the messenger set out to each of their doors; having gone and gathered them, he quickly came to the assembly.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.55.40)

आगतास्ता हरिः प्राह महत्कार्यमुपस्थितम् । गच्छन्तु त्वरिताः सर्वा धर्मारण्यं प्रति द्रुतम्

āgatāstā hariḥ prāha mahatkāryamupasthitam gacchantu tvaritāḥ sarvā dharmāraṇyaṁ prati drutam

When they arrived, Indra said: 'A great task has arisen. Let all of you go quickly, swiftly, towards Dharmaranya —'

Verse 41 (skanda.3.55.41)

यत्र वै धर्मराजोसौ तपश्चक्रे सुदुष्करम् । हास्यभावकटाक्षैश्च गीतनृत्यादिभिस्तथा

yatra vai dharmarājosau tapaścakre suduṣkaram hāsyabhāvakaṭākṣaiśca gītanṛtyādibhistathā

— 'to where that Dharmaraja performs his most difficult austerity; by laughter, amorous glances, song and dance and the rest —'

Verse 42 (skanda.3.55.42)

तं लोभयध्वं यमिनं तपःस्थानाच्च्युतिर्भवेत् । देवस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा तथा अप्सरसां गणाः

taṁ lobhayadhvaṁ yaminaṁ tapaḥsthānāccyutirbhavet devasya vacanaṁ śrutvā tathā apsarasāṁ gaṇāḥ

— 'entice that ascetic, so that he may fall from his place of austerity.' Having heard the god's words, the hosts of apsarases —

Verse 43 (skanda.3.55.43)

मिथः संरेभिरे कर्तुं विचार्य च परस्परम् । धर्मारण्यं प्रतस्थेसावुर्वशी स्वर्वरांगना

mithaḥ saṁrebhire kartuṁ vicārya ca parasparam dharmāraṇyaṁ pratasthesāvurvaśī svarvarāṁganā

— consulted among themselves, deliberating with one another over how to do it; and Urvashi, the finest woman of heaven, set out for Dharmaranya.

Verse 44 (skanda.3.55.44)

तुष्टुवुः पुष्पवर्षाश्च ससृजुस्तच्छिरस्यमी । ततस्तु देवैर्विप्रैश्च स्तूयमानः समंततः

tuṣṭuvuḥ puṣpavarṣāśca sasṛjustacchirasyamī tatastu devairvipraiśca stūyamānaḥ samaṁtataḥ

They praised her and showered flowers, scattering them upon her head; then, praised on all sides by gods and brahmins —

Verse 45 (skanda.3.55.45)

निर्ययौ परमप्रीत्या वनं परमपावनम् । बिल्वार्कखदिराकीर्णं कपित्थधवसंकुलम्

niryayau paramaprītyā vanaṁ paramapāvanam bilvārkakhadirākīrṇaṁ kapitthadhavasaṁkulam

— she set out with great delight for that most sacred forest, thickly covered with bilva, arka, and khadira trees, crowded with kapittha and dhava trees —

Verse 46 (skanda.3.55.46)

न सूर्यो भाति तत्रैव महांधकार संयुतम् । निर्जनं निर्मनुष्यं च बहुयोजनमायतम्

na sūryo bhāti tatraiva mahāṁdhakāra saṁyutam nirjanaṁ nirmanuṣyaṁ ca bahuyojanamāyatam

— where the sun did not shine at all, filled with deep darkness; empty of people, empty of men, extending for many yojanas.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.55.47)

मृगैः सिंहैर्वृतं घोरेरन्यैश्चापि वनेचरैः । पुष्पितैः पादपैः कीर्णं सुमनोहरशाद्वलम्

mṛgaiḥ siṁhairvṛtaṁ ghoreranyaiścāpi vanecaraiḥ puṣpitaiḥ pādapaiḥ kīrṇaṁ sumanoharaśādvalam

— surrounded by deer, by fearsome lions and other forest-dwellers, strewn with flowering trees, its meadows exceedingly enchanting.

Verse 48 (skanda.3.55.48)

विपुलं मधुरानादैर्नादितं विहगैस्तथा । पुंस्कोकिलनिनादाढ्यं झिल्लीकगणनादितम्

vipulaṁ madhurānādairnāditaṁ vihagaistathā puṁskokilaninādāḍhyaṁ jhillīkagaṇanāditam

Vast, resounding with the sweet cries of birds, rich with the calls of the male cuckoo, and echoing with swarms of crickets.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.55.49)

प्रवृद्धविकटैर्वृक्षैः सुखच्छायैः समावृतम् ।। । वृक्षैराच्छादिततलं लक्ष्म्या परमया युतम्

pravṛddhavikaṭairvṛkṣaiḥ sukhacchāyaiḥ samāvṛtam vṛkṣairācchāditatalaṁ lakṣmyā paramayā yutam

Covered with tall, massive trees offering pleasant shade; its ground covered over by trees, endowed with the highest beauty.

Verse 50 (skanda.3.55.50)

नापुष्पः पादपः कश्चिन्नाफलो नापि कंटकी । षट्पदैरप्यनाकीर्णं नास्मिन्वै काननेभवेत्

nāpuṣpaḥ pādapaḥ kaścinnāphalo nāpi kaṁṭakī ṣaṭpadairapyanākīrṇaṁ nāsminvai kānanebhavet

No tree there was without flowers, none without fruit, none merely thorny; nor was there any tree in that forest uncrowded by bees.

Verse 51 (skanda.3.55.51)

विहंगैर्नादितं पुष्पैरलंकृतमतीव हि । सर्वर्तुकुसमैर्वृक्षैः सुखच्छायैः समावृतम्

vihaṁgairnāditaṁ puṣpairalaṁkṛtamatīva hi sarvartukusamairvṛkṣaiḥ sukhacchāyaiḥ samāvṛtam

Resounding with birds, adorned exceedingly with flowers; covered with trees bearing the blossoms of every season, offering pleasant shade.

Verse 52 (skanda.3.55.52)

मारुताकलितास्तत्र द्रुमाः कुसुमशाखिनः । पुष्पवृष्टिं विचित्रां तु विसृजंति च पादपाः

mārutākalitāstatra drumāḥ kusumaśākhinaḥ puṣpavṛṣṭiṁ vicitrāṁ tu visṛjaṁti ca pādapāḥ

There, the flower-laden trees, stirred by the wind, released a wondrous shower of blossoms.

Verse 53 (skanda.3.55.53)

दिवस्पृशोऽथ संपुष्टाः पक्षिभिर्मधुरस्वनैः । विरेजुः पादपास्तत्र सुगन्धकुसुमैर्वृताः

divaspṛśo'tha saṁpuṣṭāḥ pakṣibhirmadhurasvanaiḥ virejuḥ pādapāstatra sugandhakusumairvṛtāḥ

The sky-touching trees, richly graced by sweet-voiced birds, shone there, covered with fragrant blossoms.

Verse 54 (skanda.3.55.54)

तिष्ठंति च प्रवालेषु पुष्पभारावनादिषु । रुवंति मधुरालापाः षट्पदा मधुलिप्सवः

tiṣṭhaṁti ca pravāleṣu puṣpabhārāvanādiṣu ruvaṁti madhurālāpāḥ ṣaṭpadā madhulipsavaḥ

On the shoots weighed down with flower-clusters, bees eager for honey settled, humming sweet sounds.

Verse 55 (skanda.3.55.55)

तत्र प्रदेशांश्च बहूनामोदांकुरमंडितान् । लतागृह परिक्षिप्तान्मनसः प्रीतिवर्द्धनान्

tatra pradeśāṁśca bahūnāmodāṁkuramaṁḍitān latāgṛha parikṣiptānmanasaḥ prītivarddhanān

There, Urvashi beheld many spots adorned with fragrant sprouts, enclosed by bowers of creepers, increasing the delight of the mind —

Verse 56 (skanda.3.55.56)

संपश्यंती महातेजा बभूव मुदिता तदा । परस्पराश्लिष्टशाखैः पादपैः कुसमाचितैः

saṁpaśyaṁtī mahātejā babhūva muditā tadā parasparāśliṣṭaśākhaiḥ pādapaiḥ kusamācitaiḥ

— beholding these, that greatly radiant one became delighted, seeing trees laden with blossoms, their branches embracing one another.

Verse 57 (skanda.3.55.57)

अशोभत वनं तत्तु महेंद्रध्वजसन्निभैः । सुखशीतसुगन्धी च पुष्परेणुवहोऽनिलः

aśobhata vanaṁ tattu maheṁdradhvajasannibhaiḥ sukhaśītasugandhī ca puṣpareṇuvaho'nilaḥ

That forest shone with trees resembling the banner of Indra; and the breeze, cool, fragrant and pleasant, carried the pollen of flowers.

Verse 58 (skanda.3.55.58)

एवंगुणसमायुक्तं ददर्श सा वनं तदा । तदा सूर्योद्भवां तत्र पवित्रां परिशोभिताम्

evaṁguṇasamāyuktaṁ dadarśa sā vanaṁ tadā tadā sūryodbhavāṁ tatra pavitrāṁ pariśobhitām

She then beheld the forest thus endowed with such qualities; and there she saw a sacred river, sprung from the Sun, shining all around.

Verse 59 (skanda.3.55.59)

आश्रमप्रवरं तत्र ददर्श च मनोरमम् । पतिभिर्वालखिल्यैश्च वृतं मुनिगणा वृतम्

āśramapravaraṁ tatra dadarśa ca manoramam patibhirvālakhilyaiśca vṛtaṁ munigaṇā vṛtam

There she beheld an excellent, delightful hermitage, surrounded by the Valakhilya sages with their wives, surrounded by hosts of munis.

Verse 60 (skanda.3.55.60)

अग्न्यगारैश्च बहुभिर्वृक्षशाखावलंबितैः । धूगम्रपानकणैस्तत्र दिग्वासोयतिभिस्तथा

agnyagāraiśca bahubhirvṛkṣaśākhāvalaṁbitaiḥ dhūgamrapānakaṇaistatra digvāsoyatibhistathā

With many fire-chambers, hung about with tree-branches; there dwelt ascetics clad only in the directions, amid smoke and the drops from oblations.

Verse 61 (skanda.3.55.61)

पाल्या वन्या मृगास्तत्र सौम्या भूयो बभूविरे । मार्जारा मूषकैस्तत्र सर्पैश्च नकुलास्तथा

pālyā vanyā mṛgāstatra saumyā bhūyo babhūvire mārjārā mūṣakaistatra sarpaiśca nakulāstathā

There, wild creatures had become gentle as if reared; there cats dwelt at peace with mice, and mongooses with serpents.

Verse 62 (skanda.3.55.62)

मृगशावैस्तथा सिंहाः सत्त्वरूपा बभूविरे । परस्परं चिक्रीडुस्ते यथा चैव सहोदराः । दूराद्ददर्श च वनं तत्र देवोऽब्रवीत्तदा

mṛgaśāvaistathā siṁhāḥ sattvarūpā babhūvire parasparaṁ cikrīḍuste yathā caiva sahodarāḥ dūrāddadarśa ca vanaṁ tatra devo'bravīttadā

And lions with fawns had become gentle in nature; they played with one another as if they were siblings. Beholding that forest from afar, the god Indra then spoke:

Verse 63 (skanda.3.55.63)

इन्द्र उवाच । अयं च खलु धर्मराड् तपस्तुग्रेवतिष्ठते । मम राज्याभिकांक्षोऽसावतोर्थे यत्यतामिह

indra uvāca ayaṁ ca khalu dharmarāḍ tapastugrevatiṣṭhate mama rājyābhikāṁkṣo'sāvatorthe yatyatāmiha

Indra said: Here indeed is that Dharmaraja, engaged in the height of austerity; he desires my kingdom — therefore let effort be made here to stop him.

Verse 64 (skanda.3.55.64)

तपोविघ्नं प्रकुर्वंतु ममाज्ञा तत्र गम्यताम् । इन्द्रस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा उर्वशी च तिलोत्तमा

tapovighnaṁ prakurvaṁtu mamājñā tatra gamyatām indrasya vacanaṁ śrutvā urvaśī ca tilottamā

'Let them create an obstacle to his austerity — this is my command; go there.' Having heard Indra's words, Urvashi, Tilottama —

Verse 65 (skanda.3.55.65)

सुकेशी मंजुघोषा च घृताची मेनका तथा । विश्वाची चैव रंभा च प्रम्लोचा चारुभाषिणी

sukeśī maṁjughoṣā ca ghṛtācī menakā tathā viśvācī caiva raṁbhā ca pramlocā cārubhāṣiṇī

— Sukeshi, Manjughosha, Ghritachi, Menaka, Vishvachi, Rambha, and the sweet-speaking Pramlocha —

Verse 66 (skanda.3.55.66)

पूर्वचित्तिः सुरूपा च अनुम्लोचा यशस्विनी । एताश्चान्याश्च बहुशस्तत्र संस्था व्यचिंतयन्

pūrvacittiḥ surūpā ca anumlocā yaśasvinī etāścānyāśca bahuśastatra saṁsthā vyaciṁtayan

— Purvachitti, the beautiful one, and the illustrious Anumlocha — these and many others, gathered there, deliberated.

Verse 67 (skanda.3.55.67)

परस्परं विलोक्यैव शंकमाना भयेन हि । यमश्चैव तथा शक्र उभौ वायतनं हि वः

parasparaṁ vilokyaiva śaṁkamānā bhayena hi yamaścaiva tathā śakra ubhau vāyatanaṁ hi vaḥ

Looking at one another, they were apprehensive out of fear — for both Yama and Indra alike held their fate in hand.

Verse 68 (skanda.3.55.68)

एवं विचार्य बहुधा वर्द्धनी नाम भारत । सर्वासामप्सरसां श्रेष्ठा सर्वाभरणभूषिता

evaṁ vicārya bahudhā varddhanī nāma bhārata sarvāsāmapsarasāṁ śreṣṭhā sarvābharaṇabhūṣitā

Having thus deliberated in many ways, O Bharata, there was one named Vardhani, the foremost of all the apsarases, adorned with every ornament —

Verse 69 (skanda.3.55.69)

उवाचैवोर्वशी तत्र किं खिद्यसि शुभानने । देवानां कार्यसिद्ध्यर्थं मायारूपबलेन च । वर्णधर्मो यथा भूयात्करिष्ये पाकशासन

uvācaivorvaśī tatra kiṁ khidyasi śubhānane devānāṁ kāryasiddhyarthaṁ māyārūpabalena ca varṇadharmo yathā bhūyātkariṣye pākaśāsana

Urvashi then said: 'Why do you grieve, O fair-faced one? By the power of my illusory form, for the accomplishment of the gods' purpose, I shall act so that Indra's wish may be fulfilled.'

Verse 70 (skanda.3.55.70)

इन्द्र उवाच । साधुसाधु महाभागे वर्द्धनी नाम सुव्रता । शीघ्रं गच्छ स्वयं भद्रे कुरु कार्यं कृशोदरि

indra uvāca sādhusādhu mahābhāge varddhanī nāma suvratā śīghraṁ gaccha svayaṁ bhadre kuru kāryaṁ kṛśodari

Indra said: 'Well said, well said, O illustrious, well-vowed Vardhani! Go quickly yourself, O gentle, slender-waisted one, and accomplish the task.'

Verse 71 (skanda.3.55.71)

धीराणामवने शक्ता नान्या सुभ्रु त्वया विना । वर्द्धनी च तथेत्युक्त्वा गता यत्र स धर्मराट्

dhīrāṇāmavane śaktā nānyā subhru tvayā vinā varddhanī ca tathetyuktvā gatā yatra sa dharmarāṭ

'None other than you, O fair-browed one, is capable in the art of disturbing the resolute.' Vardhani, saying 'so be it,' went to where that Dharmaraja was.

Verse 72 (skanda.3.55.72)

महता भूषणेनैव रूपं कृत्वा मनोरमम् । कुंकुमैः कज्जलैर्वस्त्रैर्भूषणैश्चैव भूषिता

mahatā bhūṣaṇenaiva rūpaṁ kṛtvā manoramam kuṁkumaiḥ kajjalairvastrairbhūṣaṇaiścaiva bhūṣitā

Having fashioned an enchanting form with great ornamentation, adorned with saffron, kohl, garments, and jewels —

Verse 73 (skanda.3.55.73)

कुसुमं च तथा वस्त्रं किंकिणीकटिराजिता । झणत्कारैस्तथा कष्टैर्भूषिता च पदद्वये

kusumaṁ ca tathā vastraṁ kiṁkiṇīkaṭirājitā jhaṇatkāraistathā kaṣṭairbhūṣitā ca padadvaye

— wearing flowers and fine garments, her waist adorned with a girdle of tinkling bells, her two feet adorned with anklets that jingled sweetly.

Verse 74 (skanda.3.55.74)

नानाभूषणभूषाढ्या नानाचंदनचर्चिता । नानाकुसुम मालाढ्या दुकूलेनावृता शुभा

nānābhūṣaṇabhūṣāḍhyā nānācaṁdanacarcitā nānākusuma mālāḍhyā dukūlenāvṛtā śubhā

— rich with manifold ornaments, anointed with manifold sandal-paste, rich with garlands of manifold flowers, that auspicious one clad in fine silk.

Verse 75 (skanda.3.55.75)

प्रगृह्य वीणां संशुद्धां करे सर्वांगसुन्दरी । नर्तनं त्रिविधं तत्र चक्रे लोकमनोरमम्

pragṛhya vīṇāṁ saṁśuddhāṁ kare sarvāṁgasundarī nartanaṁ trividhaṁ tatra cakre lokamanoramam

Taking a fine vina in her hand, that all-limb-beautiful one performed there a threefold dance, enchanting to all the world.

Verse 76 (skanda.3.55.76)

तारस्वरेण मधुरैर्वंशनादेन मिश्रितम्

tārasvareṇa madhurairvaṁśanādena miśritam

— mixed with the high, sweet notes of the flute's sound —

Verse 77 (skanda.3.55.77)

मूर्च्छनातालसंयुक्तं तंत्रीलयसमन्वितम् । क्षणेन सहसा देवो धर्मराजो जितात्मवान् । विमनाः स तदा जातो धर्मराजो नृपात्मजः

mūrcchanātālasaṁyuktaṁ taṁtrīlayasamanvitam kṣaṇena sahasā devo dharmarājo jitātmavān vimanāḥ sa tadā jāto dharmarājo nṛpātmajaḥ

— joined with modulated melody and rhythm, accompanied by the rhythm of the vina-strings — in an instant, suddenly, the god Dharmaraja, though self-controlled, that son of the king, became then troubled in mind.

Verse 78 (skanda.3.55.78)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच । आश्चर्यं परमं ब्रह्मञ्जातं मे ब्रह्मसत्तम । कथं ब्रह्मोपपन्नस्य तपश्छेदो बभूव ह

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca āścaryaṁ paramaṁ brahmañjātaṁ me brahmasattama kathaṁ brahmopapannasya tapaśchedo babhūva ha

Yudhishthira said: A supreme wonder has arisen in me, O Brahmin, O best knower of Brahman! How did the austerity of one endowed with Brahman come to be broken?

Verse 79 (skanda.3.55.79)

धर्मे धरा च नाकश्च धर्मे पातालमेव च । धर्मे चंद्रार्कमापश्च धर्मे च पवनोऽनलः

dharme dharā ca nākaśca dharme pātālameva ca dharme caṁdrārkamāpaśca dharme ca pavano'nalaḥ

In Dharma rest the earth and heaven, in Dharma the netherworld itself; in Dharma the moon, sun, and waters, in Dharma the wind and fire —

Verse 80 (skanda.3.55.80)

धर्मे चैवाखिलं विश्वं स धर्मो व्यग्रतां कथम् । गतः स्वामिंस्तद्वैयग्र्यं तथ्यं कथय सुव्रत

dharme caivākhilaṁ viśvaṁ sa dharmo vyagratāṁ katham gataḥ svāmiṁstadvaiyagryaṁ tathyaṁ kathaya suvrata

— and in Dharma indeed rests the entire universe. How then did that very Dharma fall into agitation? O master, well-vowed one, tell me truly the cause of that agitation.

Verse 81 (skanda.3.55.81)

व्यास उवाच । पतनं साहसानां च नरकस्यैव कारणम् । योनिकुण्डमिदं सृष्टं कुंभीपाकसमं भुवि

vyāsa uvāca patanaṁ sāhasānāṁ ca narakasyaiva kāraṇam yonikuṇḍamidaṁ sṛṣṭaṁ kuṁbhīpākasamaṁ bhuvi

Vyasa said: The fall of the reckless is indeed the cause of hell; this pit of carnal desire was created on earth, equal to the hell called Kumbhipaka.

Verse 82 (skanda.3.55.82)

नेत्ररज्ज्वा दृढं बद्ध्वा धर्षयंति मनस्विनः । कुचरूपैर्महादंडैस्ताड्यमानमचेतसम्

netrarajjvā dṛḍhaṁ baddhvā dharṣayaṁti manasvinaḥ kucarūpairmahādaṁḍaistāḍyamānamacetasam

Binding the resolute firmly with the rope of their eyes, women overpower them; struck by the great cudgels that are their breasts, a man becomes senseless —

Verse 83 (skanda.3.55.83)

कृत्वा वै पातयंत्याशु नरकं नृपसत्तम । मोहनं सर्वभूतानां नारी चैवं विनिर्मिता

kṛtvā vai pātayaṁtyāśu narakaṁ nṛpasattama mohanaṁ sarvabhūtānāṁ nārī caivaṁ vinirmitā

— and having done so, they swiftly cast him down into hell, O best of kings; woman was thus fashioned as the deluder of all beings.

Verse 84 (skanda.3.55.84)

तावद्धंत मनःस्थैर्यं श्रुतं सत्यमनाकुलम् । यावन्मत्तांगनाग्रे न वागुरेव सुचेतसा म्

tāvaddhaṁta manaḥsthairyaṁ śrutaṁ satyamanākulam yāvanmattāṁganāgre na vāgureva sucetasā m

Alas, only so long does steadiness of mind, learning, and truth remain untroubled, as long as, before an intoxicating woman, it does not become like a snare for even the well-minded.

Verse 85 (skanda.3.55.85)

तावत्तपोभिवृद्धिस्तु तावद्दानं दया दमः । तावत्स्वाध्यायवृत्तं च तावच्छौचं धृतं व्रतम्

tāvattapobhivṛddhistu tāvaddānaṁ dayā damaḥ tāvatsvādhyāyavṛttaṁ ca tāvacchaucaṁ dhṛtaṁ vratam

So long does austerity increase, so long does giving, compassion, and self-control remain firm; so long does the practice of scriptural study, purity, steadfastness, and vows remain firm —

Verse 86 (skanda.3.55.86)

यावत्त्रस्तमृगीदृष्टिं चपलां न विलोकयेत् । तावन्माता पिता तावद्धाता तावत्ससुहृज्जनः

yāvattrastamṛgīdṛṣṭiṁ capalāṁ na vilokayet tāvanmātā pitā tāvaddhātā tāvatsasuhṛjjanaḥ

— as long as one does not gaze upon the fickle, doe-eyed glance of a woman. So long does one hold to mother, father, so long the protector, so long one's own kinsfolk and friends —

Verse 87 (skanda.3.55.87)

तावल्लज्जा भयं तावत्स्वाचारस्तावदेव हि । ज्ञानमौदार्यमैश्वर्यं तावदेव हि भासते । यावन्मत्तांगनापाशैः पातितो नैव बन्धनैः

tāvallajjā bhayaṁ tāvatsvācārastāvadeva hi jñānamaudāryamaiśvaryaṁ tāvadeva hi bhāsate yāvanmattāṁganāpāśaiḥ pātito naiva bandhanaiḥ

— so long shame, fear, and good conduct remain; so long indeed do knowledge, generosity, and prosperity shine forth — as long as one is not cast down by the bonds and snares of an intoxicating woman.