The Slaying of Mahishasura and the Naming of Devipattana

Verse 1 (skanda.3.7.1)

श्रीसूत उवाच । स्वसैन्यमवलोक्याथ महिषो दानवेश्वरः । हतं देव्या महाक्रोधाच्चंडकोपमथाब्रवीत्

śrīsūta uvāca svasainyamavalokyātha mahiṣo dānaveśvaraḥ hataṁ devyā mahākrodhāccaṁḍakopamathābravīt

Shri Suta said: Then, beholding his own army destroyed by the goddess, Mahisha, lord of the danavas, filled with great rage, said to Chandakopa:

Verse 2 (skanda.3.7.2)

महिष उवाच । चंडकोप महावीर्य युद्ध्यस्वैनां दुरात्मिकाम् । तथास्त्विति स चोक्त्वाथ चंडकोपः प्रतापवान्

mahiṣa uvāca caṁḍakopa mahāvīrya yuddhyasvaināṁ durātmikām tathāstviti sa coktvātha caṁḍakopaḥ pratāpavān

Mahisha said: "O Chandakopa, of great valor, fight this wicked-souled one." "So be it," said he; and then the powerful Chandakopa —

Verse 3 (skanda.3.7.3)

अवाकिरद्बाणवर्षैर्देवीं समरमूर्द्धनि । बाणजालानि तस्याशु चंडकोपस्य लीलया

avākiradbāṇavarṣairdevīṁ samaramūrddhani bāṇajālāni tasyāśu caṁḍakopasya līlayā

— showered the goddess with a rain of arrows at the forefront of battle. The web of his arrows, that of Chandakopa, the goddess swiftly, playfully —

Verse 4 (skanda.3.7.4)

छित्त्वा जघान शस्त्रेण चंडकोपस्य सांबिका । चकर्त वाजिनोऽप्यस्य सारथिं च ध्वजं धनुः

chittvā jaghāna śastreṇa caṁḍakopasya sāṁbikā cakarta vājino'pyasya sārathiṁ ca dhvajaṁ dhanuḥ

— cut apart, and Ambika struck at Chandakopa with her weapon; she severed his horses, and also his charioteer, banner, and bow.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.7.5)

उन्ममाथ रथं चापि तं बाणैर्हृद्यताडयत् । स भग्नधन्वा विरथो हताश्वो हतसारथिः

unmamātha rathaṁ cāpi taṁ bāṇairhṛdyatāḍayat sa bhagnadhanvā viratho hatāśvo hatasārathiḥ

She smashed his chariot too, and struck him with arrows in the heart. He, his bow broken, chariot-less, his horses slain, his charioteer slain —

Verse 6 (skanda.3.7.6)

चंडकोपस्ततो देवीं खड्गचर्मधरोऽभ्यगात् । खड्गेन सिंहमाजघ्ने देव्या वाहं महासुरः

caṁḍakopastato devīṁ khaḍgacarmadharo'bhyagāt khaḍgena siṁhamājaghne devyā vāhaṁ mahāsuraḥ

— Chandakopa then, bearing sword and shield, approached the goddess. That great asura struck the goddess's lion, her mount, with his sword.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.7.7)

देवीमपि भुजे सव्ये खड्गेन प्रजघान सः । खङ्गो देव्या भुजे सव्ये व्यशीर्यत सहस्रधा

devīmapi bhuje savye khaḍgena prajaghāna saḥ khaṅgo devyā bhuje savye vyaśīryata sahasradhā

He struck the goddess too, on her left arm, with his sword. But the sword shattered into a thousand pieces against the goddess's left arm.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.7.8)

ततः शूले न महता चंडकोपं तदांबिका । जघान हृदये सोऽपि पपात च ममार च

tataḥ śūle na mahatā caṁḍakopaṁ tadāṁbikā jaghāna hṛdaye so'pi papāta ca mamāra ca

Then, with her great trident, Ambika struck Chandakopa in the heart, and he too fell, and died.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.7.9)

चंडकोपे हते तस्मिन्महावीर्ये महाबले । चित्रभानुर्गजारूढो देवीं तामभ्यधावत

caṁḍakope hate tasminmahāvīrye mahābale citrabhānurgajārūḍho devīṁ tāmabhyadhāvata

When that Chandakopa, of great valor and might, had been slain, Chitrabhanu, mounted on an elephant, rushed at the goddess.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.7.10)

दिव्यां शक्तिं ससर्जाथ महाघंटारवाकुलाम् । न्यवारयत हुंकारैर्देवी शक्तिं निराकुलाम्

divyāṁ śaktiṁ sasarjātha mahāghaṁṭāravākulām nyavārayata huṁkārairdevī śaktiṁ nirākulām

He hurled a divine spear, resounding with a great bell-clang. The goddess, unperturbed, warded off the spear with her battle-cries.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.7.11)

ततः शूलेन सा देवी चित्रभानुं व्यदारयत् । मृते तस्मिंस्ततो युद्धे करालो द्रुतमभ्यगात्

tataḥ śūlena sā devī citrabhānuṁ vyadārayat mṛte tasmiṁstato yuddhe karālo drutamabhyagāt

Then, with her trident, that goddess tore apart Chitrabhanu. When he had died, then, into battle, Karala swiftly advanced.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.7.12)

करमुष्टिप्रहारेण सोऽपि देव्या निपातितः । ततो देवी मदोन्मत्तं गदया व्यसुमातनोत्

karamuṣṭiprahāreṇa so'pi devyā nipātitaḥ tato devī madonmattaṁ gadayā vyasumātanot

He too was struck down by the goddess with a blow of her fist. Then the goddess made the intoxicated one lifeless with her mace.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.7.13)

बाष्कलं पट्टिशेनापि चक्रेणापि तथांतिकम् । प्राहिणोद्यमलोकाय दुर्गा देवी द्विजोत्तमाः

bāṣkalaṁ paṭṭiśenāpi cakreṇāpi tathāṁtikam prāhiṇodyamalokāya durgā devī dvijottamāḥ

O foremost of brahmins, with a spiked mace she slew Bashkala, and Antika likewise with her discus; the goddess Durga sent them to the world of Yama.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.7.14)

एवमन्यान्महाकायान्मंत्रिणो महिषस्य च । शूलेन प्रोथयित्वाथ प्राहिणोद्यमसादनम्

evamanyānmahākāyānmaṁtriṇo mahiṣasya ca śūlena prothayitvātha prāhiṇodyamasādanam

Thus, piercing with her trident the other huge-bodied ministers of Mahisha as well, she sent them to the abode of Yama.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.7.15)

आत्मसैन्ये हते त्वेवं दुर्गया महिषासुरः । माहिषेणाथ रूपेण गणान्देव्या अभक्षयत्

ātmasainye hate tvevaṁ durgayā mahiṣāsuraḥ māhiṣeṇātha rūpeṇa gaṇāndevyā abhakṣayat

When his own army had thus been destroyed by Durga, Mahishasura, in his buffalo form, began to devour the goddess's ganas.

Verse 16 (skanda.3.7.16)

तुण्डेन निजघानैकान्सुराघातैस्तथापरान् । निश्वासवायुभिश्चान्यान्पातयामास रोषितः

tuṇḍena nijaghānaikānsurāghātaistathāparān niśvāsavāyubhiścānyānpātayāmāsa roṣitaḥ

With his snout he struck down some, others by blows of his hooves, and, enraged, felled others still with the wind of his breath.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.7.17)

देव्या भूतगणं त्वेवं निहत्य महिषासुरः । सिंहं मारयितुं देव्याश्चुक्रोध च ननाद च

devyā bhūtagaṇaṁ tvevaṁ nihatya mahiṣāsuraḥ siṁhaṁ mārayituṁ devyāścukrodha ca nanāda ca

Having thus slain the goddess's host of bhutas, Mahishasura, intent on killing the goddess's lion, roared in fury.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.7.18)

ततः सिंहोऽभवत्क्रुद्धो महावीर्यो महाबलः । सुराभि घातनिर्भिन्नमहीतलमहीधरः

tataḥ siṁho'bhavatkruddho mahāvīryo mahābalaḥ surābhi ghātanirbhinnamahītalamahīdharaḥ

Then that lion, of great valor and might, became enraged, whose blows made the mountains and the surface of the earth shatter.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.7.19)

महिषासुरमायांतं नखैरेनं व्यदारयत् । चंडिकापि ततः क्रुद्धा वधे तस्याकरोन्मतिम्

mahiṣāsuramāyāṁtaṁ nakhairenaṁ vyadārayat caṁḍikāpi tataḥ kruddhā vadhe tasyākaronmatim

He tore apart with his claws Mahishasura as he approached. Chandika too, then enraged, resolved upon his destruction.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.7.20)

बबन्ध पाशैर्महिषं चंडिका कोपमूर्च्छिता । मोचयित्वा ततः पाशांस्त्यक्तमाहिषवेषवान्

babandha pāśairmahiṣaṁ caṁḍikā kopamūrcchitā mocayitvā tataḥ pāśāṁstyaktamāhiṣaveṣavān

Chandika, overcome with anger, bound Mahisha with her nooses. Then, freeing himself from those nooses, having abandoned his buffalo form,

Verse 21 (skanda.3.7.21)

सिंहवेषोऽभवद्दैत्यो महाबलपराक्रमः । देवी तस्य शिरोयावच्छेत्तुं बुद्धिमधारयत्

siṁhaveṣo'bhavaddaityo mahābalaparākramaḥ devī tasya śiroyāvacchettuṁ buddhimadhārayat

— that daitya of great strength and prowess took the form of a lion. Just as the goddess resolved to sever his head,

Verse 22 (skanda.3.7.22)

तावत्स पुरुषो भूत्वा खड्गपाणिरदृश्यत । अथ तं पुरुषं देवी खड्गहस्तं शरोत्करैः

tāvatsa puruṣo bhūtvā khaḍgapāṇiradṛśyata atha taṁ puruṣaṁ devī khaḍgahastaṁ śarotkaraiḥ

— at that very moment he became a man, sword in hand, appearing before her. Then the goddess, with a multitude of arrows, struck that man, sword in hand —

Verse 23 (skanda.3.7.23)

जघान तीक्ष्णधाराग्रैः परमर्मविदारणैः । ततः स पुरुषो विप्रा गजोऽभूद्धस्तदन्तवान्

jaghāna tīkṣṇadhārāgraiḥ paramarmavidāraṇaiḥ tataḥ sa puruṣo viprā gajo'bhūddhastadantavān

— with sharp-edged points, cutting through his vital points. Then, O brahmins, that man became an elephant, with trunk and tusks.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.7.24)

दुर्गाया वाहनं सिंहं करेण विचकर्ष च । ततः सिंहः करं तस्य विचकर्त नखांकुरैः

durgāyā vāhanaṁ siṁhaṁ kareṇa vicakarṣa ca tataḥ siṁhaḥ karaṁ tasya vicakarta nakhāṁkuraiḥ

With his trunk he seized Durga's lion vehicle. Then the lion tore off his trunk with the tips of his claws.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.7.25)

भूयो महासुरो जातो माहिषं वेषमाश्रितः । ततः क्रुद्धा भद्रकाली महत्पानमसेवत

bhūyo mahāsuro jāto māhiṣaṁ veṣamāśritaḥ tataḥ kruddhā bhadrakālī mahatpānamasevata

That great asura again became, taking on his buffalo form once more. Then, enraged, Bhadrakali partook of a great draught (of wine).

Verse 26 (skanda.3.7.26)

ततः पानवशा न्मत्ता जहासारुणलोचना । महिषः सोऽपि गर्वेण शृंगाभ्यां पर्वतोत्करान्

tataḥ pānavaśā nmattā jahāsāruṇalocanā mahiṣaḥ so'pi garveṇa śṛṁgābhyāṁ parvatotkarān

Then, intoxicated by the effect of that drink, her eyes reddened, she laughed. That Mahisha too, in his arrogance, with his two horns, hurled multitudes of mountains —

Verse 27 (skanda.3.7.27)

चंडिकां प्रतिं चिक्षेप सा च तानच्छिनच्छरैः । ततो देवी जग न्माता महिषासुरमब्रवीत्

caṁḍikāṁ pratiṁ cikṣepa sā ca tānacchinaccharaiḥ tato devī jaga nmātā mahiṣāsuramabravīt

— hurled toward Chandika, and she cut them apart with her arrows. Then the goddess, the mother of the universe, said to Mahishasura:

Verse 28 (skanda.3.7.28)

देव्युवाच । कुरु गर्वं क्षणं मूढ मधु यावत्पिबाम्यहम् । निवृत्तमधुपानाहं त्वां नयिष्ये यमक्षयम्

devyuvāca kuru garvaṁ kṣaṇaṁ mūḍha madhu yāvatpibāmyaham nivṛttamadhupānāhaṁ tvāṁ nayiṣye yamakṣayam

The goddess said: "Show your arrogance a moment longer, O fool, while I drink this wine. Once I have finished drinking, I shall send you to Yama's abode.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.7.29)

हते त्वयि दुराधर्षे मया दैवतकंटके । स्वंस्वं स्थानं प्रपद्यंतां सिद्धा साध्या मरुद्गणाः

hate tvayi durādharṣe mayā daivatakaṁṭake svaṁsvaṁ sthānaṁ prapadyaṁtāṁ siddhā sādhyā marudgaṇāḥ

When you, most formidable, the thorn in the side of the gods, are slain by me, let the siddhas, sadhyas, and hosts of maruts return each to his own station."

Verse 30 (skanda.3.7.30)

उक्त्वैवं ताडयामास मुष्टिना महिषासुरम् । ताडितोऽयं ततो देव्या महिषो भृशविह्वलः

uktvaivaṁ tāḍayāmāsa muṣṭinā mahiṣāsuram tāḍito'yaṁ tato devyā mahiṣo bhṛśavihvalaḥ

Having said this, she struck Mahishasura with her fist. Struck by the goddess, that Mahisha, greatly overwhelmed —

Verse 31 (skanda.3.7.31)

दक्षिणस्योदधेस्तीरेप्रदुद्राव त्वरान्वितः । अनुदुद्राव तं देवी सिंहमारुह्य वाहनम्

dakṣiṇasyodadhestīrepradudrāva tvarānvitaḥ anududrāva taṁ devī siṁhamāruhya vāhanam

— fled swiftly toward the shore of the southern ocean. The goddess, mounting her lion vehicle, pursued him.

Verse 32 (skanda.3.7.32)

अनुद्रुतस्ततो देव्या महिषो दानवेश्वरः । धर्मपुष्कीरणीतोये दशयोजनमायते

anudrutastato devyā mahiṣo dānaveśvaraḥ dharmapuṣkīraṇītoye daśayojanamāyate

Pursued by the goddess, Mahisha, lord of the danavas, in the waters of Dharma Pushkarini, ten yojanas in extent,

Verse 33 (skanda.3.7.33)

प्रविश्यांतर्हितस्तस्थौ दुर्गाताडनविह्वलः । ततो दुर्गा समासाद्य धर्मपुष्करिणीतटम्

praviśyāṁtarhitastasthau durgātāḍanavihvalaḥ tato durgā samāsādya dharmapuṣkariṇītaṭam

— entered and hid himself, overwhelmed by Durga's blows. Then Durga, having reached the bank of Dharma Pushkarini,

Verse 34 (skanda.3.7.34)

नददर्शासुरं तत्र महिषं चंडिका तदा । अशरीरा ततो वाणी दुर्गा देवीमभाषत

nadadarśāsuraṁ tatra mahiṣaṁ caṁḍikā tadā aśarīrā tato vāṇī durgā devīmabhāṣata

— did not there see the asura Mahisha. Then a bodiless voice spoke to the goddess Durga:

Verse 35 (skanda.3.7.35)

भद्रकालि महादेवि महिषो दानवस्त्वया । ताडितो मुष्टिना भद्रे धर्मपुष्करिणीजले

bhadrakāli mahādevi mahiṣo dānavastvayā tāḍito muṣṭinā bhadre dharmapuṣkariṇījale

"O Bhadrakali, O great goddess, the danava Mahisha, struck by your fist, O gracious one, lies hidden —

Verse 36 (skanda.3.7.36)

अस्मिन्नंतर्हितः शेते भयार्तो मारयस्व तम् । येनकेनाप्युपायेन चैनं प्राणैर्वियोजय

asminnaṁtarhitaḥ śete bhayārto mārayasva tam yenakenāpyupāyena cainaṁ prāṇairviyojaya

— lies concealed in this pool, terrified. Kill him; by whatever means, deprive him of his life."

Verse 37 (skanda.3.7.37)

एवं वाचाऽशरी रिण्या कथिता चंडिका तदा । प्राह स्ववाहनं सिंहमसुरेंद्रवधोद्यता

evaṁ vācā'śarī riṇyā kathitā caṁḍikā tadā prāha svavāhanaṁ siṁhamasureṁdravadhodyatā

Thus told by the bodiless voice, Chandika, then resolved upon the destruction of that lord of asuras, said to her own lion mount:

Verse 38 (skanda.3.7.38)

मृगेंद्र सिंहविक्रांत महावलपराक्रम । धर्मपुष्कीरणीतोयं निःशेषं पीय तां त्वया

mṛgeṁdra siṁhavikrāṁta mahāvalaparākrama dharmapuṣkīraṇītoyaṁ niḥśeṣaṁ pīya tāṁ tvayā

"O lord of beasts, of leonine prowess, of great strength and valor, drink up the water of Dharma Pushkarini completely."

Verse 39 (skanda.3.7.39)

देव्यैवमुक्तः पंचास्यो धर्मपुष्करिणीजलम् । निःशेषं च पपौ विप्रा यथा पांसुर्भवेत्तथा

devyaivamuktaḥ paṁcāsyo dharmapuṣkariṇījalam niḥśeṣaṁ ca papau viprā yathā pāṁsurbhavettathā

Thus commanded by the goddess, that five-faced one drank up the water of Dharma Pushkarini completely, O brahmins, until it became mere dust.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.7.40)

निरगान्महिषो दीनस्ततस्तस्मा ज्जलाशयात् । आयांतमसुरं देवी पादेनाक्रम्य मूर्द्धनि

niragānmahiṣo dīnastatastasmā jjalāśayāt āyāṁtamasuraṁ devī pādenākramya mūrddhani

Mahisha, wretched, then emerged from that reservoir. As the asura came forth, the goddess, planting her foot upon his head,

Verse 41 (skanda.3.7.41)

कंठं शूलेन तीक्ष्णेन पीडयामास कोपिता । ततो देव्यसिमादाय चकर्तास्य शिरो महत्

kaṁṭhaṁ śūlena tīkṣṇena pīḍayāmāsa kopitā tato devyasimādāya cakartāsya śiro mahat

— angrily pressed her sharp trident against his throat. Then the goddess, taking up her sword, severed his great head.

Verse 42 (skanda.3.7.42)

एवं स महिषो विप्राः सभृत्यबलवाहनः । दुर्गया निहतो भूमौ पपात च ममार च

evaṁ sa mahiṣo viprāḥ sabhṛtyabalavāhanaḥ durgayā nihato bhūmau papāta ca mamāra ca

Thus, O brahmins, that Mahisha, together with his servants, army, and mounts, slain by Durga, fell upon the ground and died.

Verse 43 (skanda.3.7.43)

ततो देवाः सगंधर्वाः सिद्धाश्च परमर्षयः । स्तुत्वा देवीं ततः स्तोत्रैस्तुष्टा जहृषिरे तदा

tato devāḥ sagaṁdharvāḥ siddhāśca paramarṣayaḥ stutvā devīṁ tataḥ stotraistuṣṭā jahṛṣire tadā

Then the gods, together with the gandharvas, siddhas, and great sages, having praised the goddess with hymns, satisfied, rejoiced then.

Verse 44 (skanda.3.7.44)

अनुज्ञातास्ततो देव्या देवा जग्मुर्यथागतम् । ततो देवी जगन्माता स्व नाम्ना पुरमुत्तमम्

anujñātāstato devyā devā jagmuryathāgatam tato devī jaganmātā sva nāmnā puramuttamam

Given leave by the goddess, the gods then went back the way they had come. Then the goddess, the mother of the universe, an excellent city bearing her own name —

Verse 45 (skanda.3.7.45)

दक्षिणस्य समुद्रस्य तीरे चक्रे तदोत्तरे । ततो देव्यनुशिष्टास्ते देवाः शक्रपुरोगमाः

dakṣiṇasya samudrasya tīre cakre tadottare tato devyanuśiṣṭāste devāḥ śakrapurogamāḥ

— made on the northern shore of the southern ocean. Then those gods, headed by Indra, instructed by the goddess —

Verse 46 (skanda.3.7.46)

पूरयामासुरमृतैर्धर्मपुष्क रिणीं तदा । ततो ह्यमृततीर्थाख्यां लेभे तत्तीर्थमुत्तमम्

pūrayāmāsuramṛtairdharmapuṣka riṇīṁ tadā tato hyamṛtatīrthākhyāṁ lebhe tattīrthamuttamam

— then filled Dharma Pushkarini with nectar. Thereupon that supreme ford came to be known by the name Amritatirtha.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.7.47)

ततो देवी वरमदात्स्वपुरस्य मुदान्विता । पशव्यं चापरोगं च पुरमेतद्भवत्विति

tato devī varamadātsvapurasya mudānvitā paśavyaṁ cāparogaṁ ca purametadbhavatviti

Then the goddess, joyfully, granted a boon to her own city: "May this city be free of disease, and blessed with abundant cattle."

Verse 48 (skanda.3.7.48)

ददौ तीर्थाय च वरं स्नातानामत्र वै नृणाम् । यथाभिलाषं सिद्धिः स्यादित्युक्त्वा सा दिवं ययौ

dadau tīrthāya ca varaṁ snātānāmatra vai nṛṇām yathābhilāṣaṁ siddhiḥ syādityuktvā sā divaṁ yayau

And she gave a boon to the ford too: "For men who bathe here, may their desires be accomplished as they wish." Having said this, she departed for heaven.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.7.49)

श्रीसूत उवाच । यत्स्वनाम्ना चकारेदं देवी पुरमनुत्तमम् । देवीपत्तनमित्युक्तं तेन देव्याः पुरोत्तमम्

śrīsūta uvāca yatsvanāmnā cakāredaṁ devī puramanuttamam devīpattanamityuktaṁ tena devyāḥ purottamam

Shri Suta said: Since the goddess made this unsurpassed city in her own name, that supreme city of the goddess is called Devipattana.

Verse 50 (skanda.3.7.50)

देवीपत्तनमारभ्य सुमुहूर्ते दिने द्विजाः । विघ्नेश्वरं प्रणम्यादौ सलिलस्वामिनं तथा

devīpattanamārabhya sumuhūrte dine dvijāḥ vighneśvaraṁ praṇamyādau salilasvāminaṁ tathā

O brahmins, beginning at Devipattana, on an auspicious day and hour, having first bowed to Vighneshvara (Ganesha), and likewise to the lord of the waters (Varuna) —

Verse 51 (skanda.3.7.51)

महादेवाभ्यनुज्ञातो रामचंद्रोऽतिधार्मिकः । स्थापयित्वा स्वहस्तेन पाषाणनवकं मुदा

mahādevābhyanujñāto rāmacaṁdro'tidhārmikaḥ sthāpayitvā svahastena pāṣāṇanavakaṁ mudā

— Ramachandra, most righteous, permitted by Mahadeva, having placed with his own hand, joyfully, nine stones —

Verse 52 (skanda.3.7.52)

सेतुमारब्धवान्विप्रा यावल्लंकामतंद्रितः । सिंहासनं समारुह्य रामो नलकृतं शुभम्

setumārabdhavānviprā yāvallaṁkāmataṁdritaḥ siṁhāsanaṁ samāruhya rāmo nalakṛtaṁ śubham

— began the bridge, O brahmins, tirelessly, all the way to Lanka. Rama, mounting the auspicious throne made by Nala,

Verse 53 (skanda.3.7.53)

वानरैः कारयामास सेतुमब्धौ नलादिभिः । पर्वताञ्छाखिनोवृक्षान्दृषदः काष्ठसंचयान्

vānaraiḥ kārayāmāsa setumabdhau nalādibhiḥ parvatāñchākhinovṛkṣāndṛṣadaḥ kāṣṭhasaṁcayān

— had the bridge built upon the ocean by the vanaras headed by Nala. Mountains, branching trees, stones, and heaps of wood —

Verse 54 (skanda.3.7.54)

तृणानि च समाजह्रुर्वानरा वनमध्यतः

tṛṇāni ca samājahrurvānarā vanamadhyataḥ

— and grass too, the vanaras gathered together from the midst of the forest.

Verse 55 (skanda.3.7.55)

नलस्तानि समादाय चक्रे सेतुं महोदधौ । पंचभिर्दिवसैः सेतुर्यावल्लंकासमीपतः

nalastāni samādāya cakre setuṁ mahodadhau paṁcabhirdivasaiḥ seturyāvallaṁkāsamīpataḥ

Nala, taking those, built the bridge upon the great ocean; within five days, the bridge reached all the way near Lanka.

Verse 56 (skanda.3.7.56)

दशयोजनविस्तीर्णश्शतयोजनमायतः । कृतः सेतुर्नलेनाब्धौ पुण्यः पापविनाशनः

daśayojanavistīrṇaśśatayojanamāyataḥ kṛtaḥ seturnalenābdhau puṇyaḥ pāpavināśanaḥ

Ten yojanas in width, a hundred yojanas in length, the bridge was built by Nala upon the ocean, meritorious, destroying sin.

Verse 57 (skanda.3.7.57)

देवीपुरस्य निकटे नवपाषाणरूपके । सेतुमूले नरः स्नायात्स्वपापपरिशुद्धये

devīpurasya nikaṭe navapāṣāṇarūpake setumūle naraḥ snāyātsvapāpapariśuddhaye

Near Devipura, at the place of the nine stones, at the root of the bridge, a man should bathe for the purification of his own sin.

Verse 58 (skanda.3.7.58)

चक्रतीर्थे तथा स्नायाद्भजेत्सेत्वधिपं हरिम् । देवीपत्तनमारभ्य यत्कृतं सेतुबंधनम्

cakratīrthe tathā snāyādbhajetsetvadhipaṁ harim devīpattanamārabhya yatkṛtaṁ setubaṁdhanam

He should likewise bathe at Chakratirtha, and worship Hari, the lord of the bridge. That building of the bridge which began from Devipattana —

Verse 59 (skanda.3.7.59)

तत्सेतुमूलं विप्रेंद्रा यथार्थं परिकल्पितम् । सेतोस्तु पश्चिमा कोटिर्दर्भशय्या प्रकीर्तिता

tatsetumūlaṁ vipreṁdrā yathārthaṁ parikalpitam setostu paścimā koṭirdarbhaśayyā prakīrtitā

— O foremost of brahmins, that is truly deemed the root of the bridge. The western end of the bridge is proclaimed to be Darbhashayya.

Verse 60 (skanda.3.7.60)

देवीपुरी च प्राक्कोटिरुभयं सेतुमूलकम् । उभयं पुण्यमाख्यातं पवित्रं पापनाशनम्

devīpurī ca prākkoṭirubhayaṁ setumūlakam ubhayaṁ puṇyamākhyātaṁ pavitraṁ pāpanāśanam

And Devipuri is its eastern end; both are the root of the bridge. Both are declared meritorious, sacred, and destructive of sin.

Verse 61 (skanda.3.7.61)

यत्सेतुमूलं गच्छंति येन मार्गेण वै नराः । तत्तन्मार्गगतास्ते ते तस्मिंस्तस्मिन्विमुक्तिदे

yatsetumūlaṁ gacchaṁti yena mārgeṇa vai narāḥ tattanmārgagatāste te tasmiṁstasminvimuktide

By whatever route men go to the root of the bridge, having gone by that particular route, they, at that particular liberation-bestowing place —

Verse 62 (skanda.3.7.62)

स्नात्वादौ सेतुमूले तु चक्रतीर्थे तथैव च । संकल्पपूर्वकं पश्चाद्गच्छेयुः सेतुबंधनम्

snātvādau setumūle tu cakratīrthe tathaiva ca saṁkalpapūrvakaṁ paścādgaccheyuḥ setubaṁdhanam

— should first bathe at the root of the bridge, and likewise at Chakratirtha; and afterward, with due resolve, proceed to the bridge itself.

Verse 63 (skanda.3.7.63)

देवीपुरे तथा दर्भशय्यायामपि भूसुराः । चक्रतीर्थे शिवे स्नानं पुण्यपापविनाशनम्

devīpure tathā darbhaśayyāyāmapi bhūsurāḥ cakratīrthe śive snānaṁ puṇyapāpavināśanam

O brahmins, at Devipura, and likewise at Darbhashayya, and at the auspicious Chakratirtha too, bathing is meritorious and destroys sin.

Verse 64 (skanda.3.7.64)

स्मरणादुभयत्रापि चक्रतीर्थस्य वै द्विजाः । भस्मीभवंति पापानि लक्षजन्मकृतान्यपि

smaraṇādubhayatrāpi cakratīrthasya vai dvijāḥ bhasmībhavaṁti pāpāni lakṣajanmakṛtānyapi

O brahmins, by the mere remembrance of Chakratirtha, at either place, sins committed even over a hundred thousand births are reduced to ashes.

Verse 65 (skanda.3.7.65)

जन्मापि विलयं यायान्मुक्तिश्चापि करे स्थिता । चक्रतीर्थसमं तीर्थं न भूतं न भविष्यति

janmāpi vilayaṁ yāyānmuktiścāpi kare sthitā cakratīrthasamaṁ tīrthaṁ na bhūtaṁ na bhaviṣyati

Even (the cycle of) birth comes to dissolution, and liberation stands as though within one's own hand. There has never been, nor shall there ever be, a ford equal to Chakratirtha.

Verse 66 (skanda.3.7.66)

भूलोके यानि तीर्थानि गंगादीनि द्विजोत्तमाः । चक्रतीर्थस्य तान्यद्धा कलां नार्हंति षोडशीम्

bhūloke yāni tīrthāni gaṁgādīni dvijottamāḥ cakratīrthasya tānyaddhā kalāṁ nārhaṁti ṣoḍaśīm

O foremost of brahmins, whatever sacred fords there are on the earth, beginning with the Ganga, they truly do not equal even a sixteenth part of Chakratirtha.

Verse 67 (skanda.3.7.67)

आदौ तु नवपाषाणमध्येऽब्धौ स्नानमाचरेत् । क्षेत्रपिंडे ततः कुर्याच्चक्रतीर्थे तथैव च

ādau tu navapāṣāṇamadhye'bdhau snānamācaret kṣetrapiṁḍe tataḥ kuryāccakratīrthe tathaiva ca

First one should perform bathing in the ocean amidst the nine stones; then one should perform the offering of pinda at the sacred field, and likewise at Chakratirtha.

Verse 68 (skanda.3.7.68)

सेतुनाथं हरिं सेवेत्स्वपापपरिशुद्धये । एवं हि दर्भशय्यायां कुर्युस्तन्मार्गतो गताः

setunāthaṁ hariṁ sevetsvapāpapariśuddhaye evaṁ hi darbhaśayyāyāṁ kuryustanmārgato gatāḥ

One should worship Hari, the lord of the bridge, for the purification of one's own sin. Thus indeed should those who have gone by that route act at Darbhashayya.

Verse 69 (skanda.3.7.69)

आरूढं रामचंद्रेण यो नमस्कुरुते जनः । सिंहासनं नलकृतं न तस्य नरकाद्भयम्

ārūḍhaṁ rāmacaṁdreṇa yo namaskurute janaḥ siṁhāsanaṁ nalakṛtaṁ na tasya narakādbhayam

Whatever person bows to the throne, made by Nala, which was mounted by Ramachandra — for him there is no fear of hell.

Verse 70 (skanda.3.7.70)

सेतुमादौ नमस्कुर्याद्रामं ध्यायन्हृदा तदा । रघुवीरपदन्यास पवित्रीकृतपांसवे

setumādau namaskuryādrāmaṁ dhyāyanhṛdā tadā raghuvīrapadanyāsa pavitrīkṛtapāṁsave

First, one should bow to the bridge, meditating on Rama in one's heart — "To the bridge, whose dust has been sanctified by the placement of the feet of the Raghu-hero —

Verse 71 (skanda.3.7.71)

दशकंठशिरश्छेदहेतवे सेतवे नमः । केतवे रामचंद्रस्य मोक्षमार्गैकहेतवे

daśakaṁṭhaśiraśchedahetave setave namaḥ ketave rāmacaṁdrasya mokṣamārgaikahetave

— to the cause of the severing of the ten-headed one's head, salutation to the bridge! To the very banner of Ramachandra, the sole cause of the path to liberation —

Verse 72 (skanda.3.7.72)

सीताया मानसांभोजभानवे सेतवे नमः । साष्टांगं प्रणिपत्यादौ मंत्रेणानेन वै द्विजाः

sītāyā mānasāṁbhojabhānave setave namaḥ sāṣṭāṁgaṁ praṇipatyādau maṁtreṇānena vai dvijāḥ

— to the bridge, the very sun to the lotus of Sita's mind, salutation!" O brahmins, having first prostrated with all eight limbs with this mantra —

Verse 73 (skanda.3.7.73)

ततो वेतालवरदं तीर्थं गच्छेन्महाबलम् । तत्र स्नानादवाप्नोति सिद्धिं पारामिकां नरः

tato vetālavaradaṁ tīrthaṁ gacchenmahābalam tatra snānādavāpnoti siddhiṁ pārāmikāṁ naraḥ

— one should then go to the mighty ford Vetalavarada; bathing there, a man attains the highest spiritual accomplishment.

Verse 74 (skanda.3.7.74)

योऽध्यायमेनं पठते मनुष्यः शृणोति वा भक्तियुतो द्विजेंद्राः । स्वर्गादयस्तस्य न दुर्लभाः स्युः कैवल्यमप्यस्य करस्थमेव

yo'dhyāyamenaṁ paṭhate manuṣyaḥ śṛṇoti vā bhaktiyuto dvijeṁdrāḥ svargādayastasya na durlabhāḥ syuḥ kaivalyamapyasya karasthameva

O foremost of brahmins, whatever man, full of devotion, recites this chapter, or hears it — heaven and the like are never hard for him to attain; even liberation itself remains, as it were, in the palm of his hand.