The Establishment of Ananda

Verse 1 (skanda.3.68.1)

।। युधिष्ठिर उवाच ।। रक्षसां चैव दैत्यानां यक्षणामथ पक्षिणाम् । भयनाशाय काजेशैर्धर्मारण्यनिवासिनाम् ।

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca rakṣasāṁ caiva daityānāṁ yakṣaṇāmatha pakṣiṇām bhayanāśāya kājeśairdharmāraṇyanivāsinām

Yudhishthira said: For the removal of the fear of rakshasas, daityas, yakshas, and predatory creatures among the dwellers of Dharmaranya, by the lords of Kaja —

Verse 2 (skanda.3.68.2)

शक्तीः संस्थापिता नृनं नानारूपा ह्यनेकशः । तासां स्थानानि नामानि यथारूपाणि मे वद ।

śaktīḥ saṁsthāpitā nṛnaṁ nānārūpā hyanekaśaḥ tāsāṁ sthānāni nāmāni yathārūpāṇi me vada

— many shaktis, in manifold forms, were established for mankind. Tell me their places, their names, and their true forms.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.68.3)

।। व्यास उवाच ।। शृणु पार्थ महाबाहो धर्ममूर्ते नृपोत्तम । स्थाने वै स्थापिता शक्तिः काजेशैश्चैव गोत्रपा ।

vyāsa uvāca śṛṇu pārtha mahābāho dharmamūrte nṛpottama sthāne vai sthāpitā śaktiḥ kājeśaiścaiva gotrapā

Vyasa said: Listen, O son of Pritha, mighty-armed embodiment of dharma, best of kings. In every place, a shakti, guardian of the lineage, was established there by the lords of Kaja.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.68.4)

श्रीमाता मदारिकायां शांता नंदापुरे वरे । रक्षार्थं द्विजमुख्यानां चतुर्दिक्षु स्थिताश्च ताः ।

śrīmātā madārikāyāṁ śāṁtā naṁdāpure vare rakṣārthaṁ dvijamukhyānāṁ caturdikṣu sthitāśca tāḥ

Shrimata in Madarika, Shanta in the excellent city of Nandapura — thus, for the protection of the foremost brahmins, they were established in all four directions.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.68.5)

युक्ताश्चैव सुरैः सर्वैः स्वस्वस्थाने नृपोत्तम । वनमध्ये स्थिताः सर्वा द्विजानां रक्षणाय वै ।

yuktāścaiva suraiḥ sarvaiḥ svasvasthāne nṛpottama vanamadhye sthitāḥ sarvā dvijānāṁ rakṣaṇāya vai

O best of kings, joined with all the gods, each in her own appointed place, they were all established in the midst of the forest, for the protection of the brahmins.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.68.6)

सा बभूव महाराज सावित्रीति प्रथा शिवा । असुराणां वधार्थाय ज्ञानजा स्थापिता सुरैः ।

sā babhūva mahārāja sāvitrīti prathā śivā asurāṇāṁ vadhārthāya jñānajā sthāpitā suraiḥ

O great king, she became renowned by the name of the auspicious Savitri; and, for the destruction of the asuras, a shakti born of knowledge was established there by the gods.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.68.7)

गात्रायी? पक्षिणी देवी छत्रजा द्वारवासिनी । शीहोरी चूटसंज्ञा या पिप्पलाशापुरी तथा । अन्याश्च बहवश्चैव स्थापिता भयरक्षणे ।

gātrāyī? pakṣiṇī devī chatrajā dvāravāsinī śīhorī cūṭasaṁjñā yā pippalāśāpurī tathā anyāśca bahavaścaiva sthāpitā bhayarakṣaṇe

The goddess Gatrayi(?), the bird-form goddess, Chhatraja who dwells at the gateway, Shihori, the one called Chuta, and the goddess of Pippalashapuri — and many others besides were established for protection from fear.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.68.8)

प्रतीच्योदीच्यां याम्यां वै विबुधैः स्थापिता हि सा । नानायुधधरा सा च नानाभरणभूषिता ।

pratīcyodīcyāṁ yāmyāṁ vai vibudhaiḥ sthāpitā hi sā nānāyudhadharā sā ca nānābharaṇabhūṣitā

In the west, north, and south, she was established by the learned, bearing manifold weapons and adorned with manifold ornaments.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.68.9)

नानावाहनमारूढा नानारूपधरा च सा । नानाकोपसमायुक्ता नानाभयविना शिनी ।

nānāvāhanamārūḍhā nānārūpadharā ca sā nānākopasamāyuktā nānābhayavināśinī

Mounted on manifold vehicles, bearing manifold forms, filled with manifold fury, destroying manifold fears — such is this goddess.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.68.10)

स्थाप्या मातर्यथास्थाने यथायोग्या दिशोदिश । गरुडेन समारूढा त्रिशूलवरधारिणी ।

sthāpyā mātaryathāsthāne yathāyogyā diśodiśa garuḍena samārūḍhā triśūlavaradhāriṇī

O mother, in each place she was established as befitted that place — here mounted upon Garuda, bearing an excellent trident.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.68.11)

सिंहारूढा शुद्धरूपा वारुणी पानदर्पिता । खड्गखेटकबाणाढ्यैः करैर्भाति शुभानना ।

siṁhārūḍhā śuddharūpā vāruṇī pānadarpitā khaḍgakheṭakabāṇāḍhyaiḥ karairbhāti śubhānanā

— here mounted on a lion, of pure form, the wine-goddess Varuni, exalted by drink; her hands adorned with sword, shield, and arrows, her face auspicious.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.68.12)

रक्तवस्त्रावृता चैव पीनोन्नतपयोधरा । उद्यदादित्यबिंबाभा मदाघूर्णितलोचना ।

raktavastrāvṛtā caiva pīnonnatapayodharā udyadādityabiṁbābhā madāghūrṇitalocanā

— clad in a red garment, full-bosomed, radiant as the rising disk of the sun, her eyes rolling with intoxication.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.68.13)

एवमेषा महादिव्या काजेशैः स्थापिता तदा । रक्षार्थं सर्वजंतूनां सत्यमंदिरवासिनाम् ।

evameṣā mahādivyā kājeśaiḥ sthāpitā tadā rakṣārthaṁ sarvajaṁtūnāṁ satyamaṁdiravāsinām

Thus was this magnificently divine goddess established by the lords of Kaja, for the protection of all creatures dwelling in Satyamandira.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.68.14)

सा देवी नृपशार्दूल स्तुता संपूजिता सह । ददाति सकलान्कामान्वांछितान्नृपमत्तम ।

sā devī nṛpaśārdūla stutā saṁpūjitā saha dadāti sakalānkāmānvāṁchitānnṛpamattama

O tiger among kings, when duly praised and worshipped, that goddess grants every desired wish, O foremost of kings.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.68.15)

धर्मारण्यात्पश्चिमतः स्थापिता छत्रजा शुभा । तत्रस्था रक्षते विप्रान्कियच्छक्तिसमन्विता ।

dharmāraṇyātpaścimataḥ sthāpitā chatrajā śubhā tatrasthā rakṣate viprānkiyacchaktisamanvitā

To the west of Dharmaranya, the auspicious Chhatraja was established. Abiding there, endowed with immense power, she protects the brahmins.

Verse 16 (skanda.3.68.16)

भैरवं रूपमास्थाय राक्षसानां वधाय च । धारयंत्यायुधानीत्थं विप्राणामभयाय च ।

bhairavaṁ rūpamāsthāya rākṣasānāṁ vadhāya ca dhārayaṁtyāyudhānītthaṁ viprāṇāmabhayāya ca

Taking on a fearsome form, for the slaying of rakshasas, and to grant fearlessness to the brahmins, she bears weapons in this manner.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.68.17)

सरश्चकार तस्याग्रे उत्तमं जल पूरितम् । सरस्यस्मिन्महाभाग कृत्वा स्नानादितर्पणम् ।

saraścakāra tasyāgre uttamaṁ jala pūritam sarasyasminmahābhāga kṛtvā snānāditarpaṇam

She caused an excellent lake, filled with water, to be formed before her. O illustrious one, by bathing and performing tarpana in this lake —

Verse 18 (skanda.3.68.18)

पिंडदानादिकं सर्वमक्षयं चैव जायते । भूमौ क्षिप्तांजलीन्दिव्यान्धूपदीपादिकं सदा ।

piṁḍadānādikaṁ sarvamakṣayaṁ caiva jāyate bhūmau kṣiptāṁjalīndivyāndhūpadīpādikaṁ sadā

— pindadana and all such rites become imperishable in their merit. One who continually offers there divine handfuls of water, incense, lamps, and the like on the ground —

Verse 19 (skanda.3.68.19)

तस्य नो बाधते व्याधिः शत्रूणां नाश एव च । बलिदानादिकं तत्र कुर्याद्भूयः स्वशक्तितः ।

tasya no bādhate vyādhiḥ śatrūṇāṁ nāśa eva ca balidānādikaṁ tatra kuryādbhūyaḥ svaśaktitaḥ

— he is never afflicted by disease, and his enemies are destroyed. One should also, according to one's means, offer bali and such rites there.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.68.20)

शत्रवो नाशमायांति धनं धान्यं विवर्धते । आनंदा स्थापिता राजञ्छक्त्यंशा च मनोरमा ।

śatravo nāśamāyāṁti dhanaṁ dhānyaṁ vivardhate ānaṁdā sthāpitā rājañchaktyaṁśā ca manoramā

Enemies are destroyed, and wealth and grain increase. O king, the lovely portion of shakti called Ananda was also established there.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.68.21)

रक्षणार्थं द्विजातीनां माहात्म्यं शृणु भूपते । शुक्लांबरधरा दिव्या हेमभूषणभूषिता ।

rakṣaṇārthaṁ dvijātīnāṁ māhātmyaṁ śṛṇu bhūpate śuklāṁbaradharā divyā hemabhūṣaṇabhūṣitā

For the protection of the twice-born, O king, hear her greatness — she wears white garments, is divine, and is adorned with golden ornaments.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.68.22)

सिंहारूढा चतुर्हस्ता शशांककृतशेखरा । मुक्ताहारलतोपेता पीतोन्नतपयोधरा ।

siṁhārūḍhā caturhastā śaśāṁkakṛtaśekharā muktāhāralatopetā pītonnatapayodharā

She is mounted on a lion, has four arms, bears the crescent moon as her crown-jewel, is adorned with a garland of pearls, and her full, golden bosom rises high.

Verse 23 (skanda.3.68.23)

अक्षमालासिहस्ता च गुण तोमरधारिणी । दिव्यगंधवराधारा दिव्यमालाविभूषिता ।

akṣamālāsihastā ca guṇa tomaradhāriṇī divyagaṁdhavarādhārā divyamālāvibhūṣitā

In her hands she holds a rosary and a sword, and bears a bowstring and a lance; she is anointed with divine fragrance and adorned with divine garlands.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.68.24)

सात्त्विकी शक्तिरानंदा स्थिता तस्मिन्पुरे पुरा । पूजयेत्तां च वै राजन्कर्पूरारक्त चंदनैः ।

sāttvikī śaktirānaṁdā sthitā tasminpure purā pūjayettāṁ ca vai rājankarpūrārakta caṁdanaiḥ

That sattvic shakti, Ananda, has dwelt in that city since ancient times. O king, she should be worshipped with camphor and red sandalwood.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.68.25)

भोजयेत्पायसैः शुभ्रैर्मध्वाज्यसितया सह । भवान्याः प्रीतये राजन्कुमार्याः पूजनं तथा ।

bhojayetpāyasaiḥ śubhrairmadhvājyasitayā saha bhavānyāḥ prītaye rājankumāryāḥ pūjanaṁ tathā

She should be offered pure milk-pudding mixed with honey, ghee, and sugar. And, O king, for the pleasure of Bhavani, the worship of young maidens should also be performed.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.68.26)

तत्र जप्तं हुतं दत्तं ध्यातं च नृपसत्तम । तत्सर्वं चाक्षयं तत्र जायते नात्र संशयः ।

tatra japtaṁ hutaṁ dattaṁ dhyātaṁ ca nṛpasattama tatsarvaṁ cākṣayaṁ tatra jāyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

O best of kings, whatever is chanted, offered in fire, given as gift, or meditated upon there, all of it becomes imperishable — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.68.27)

त्रिगुणे त्रिगुणा वृद्धिस्तस्मिन्स्थाने नृपोत्तम । साधकस्य भवेन्नूनं धनदारादिसंपदः ।

triguṇe triguṇā vṛddhistasminsthāne nṛpottama sādhakasya bhavennūnaṁ dhanadārādisaṁpadaḥ

O best of kings, in that place, growth becomes threefold upon threefold; the practitioner undoubtedly gains prosperity of wealth, a good wife, and the like.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.68.28)

न हानिर्न च रोगश्च न शत्रुर्न च दुष्कृतम् । गावस्तस्य विवर्द्धंते धनधान्यादिसंकुलम् ।

na hānirna ca rogaśca na śatrurna ca duṣkṛtam gāvastasya vivarddhaṁte dhanadhānyādisaṁkulam

He suffers no loss, no disease, no enemy, no misdeed. His cattle multiply, and he becomes replete with wealth, grain, and every good thing.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.68.29)

न शाकिन्या भयं तस्य न च राज्ञश्च वैरिणः । न च व्याधिभयं चैव सर्वत्र विजयी भवेत् ।

na śākinyā bhayaṁ tasya na ca rājñaśca vairiṇaḥ na ca vyādhibhayaṁ caiva sarvatra vijayī bhavet

He has no fear of shakinis, none of the king or of enemies, and no fear of disease either — he becomes victorious everywhere.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.68.30)

विद्याश्चतुर्द्दशास्यैव भासंते पठिता इव । सूर्यवद्द्योतते भूमावानंदमाश्रितो नरः ।

vidyāścaturddaśāsyaiva bhāsaṁte paṭhitā iva sūryavaddyotate bhūmāvānaṁdamāśrito naraḥ

All fourteen branches of learning shine before him as though already mastered. A man who takes refuge in Ananda shines upon the earth like the sun itself.