The Origin of Vetalavarada

Verse 1 (skanda.3.8.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः । भगवन्सूतसर्वज्ञ कृष्णद्वैपायनप्रिय । त्वन्मुखाद्वै कथाः श्रुत्वा श्रोत्रकामृतवर्षिणीः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ bhagavansūtasarvajña kṛṣṇadvaipāyanapriya tvanmukhādvai kathāḥ śrutvā śrotrakāmṛtavarṣiṇīḥ

The sages said: O venerable Suta, all-knowing, beloved of Krishna Dvaipayana, hearing from your own mouth these tales, which rain nectar upon the ears —

Verse 2 (skanda.3.8.2)

तृप्तिर्न जायतेऽस्माकं त्वद्वचोमृतपायिनाम् । अतः शुश्रूषमाणानां भूयो ब्रूहि कथाः शुभाः

tṛptirna jāyate'smākaṁ tvadvacomṛtapāyinām ataḥ śuśrūṣamāṇānāṁ bhūyo brūhi kathāḥ śubhāḥ

— we, drinking the nectar of your words, do not become satisfied. Therefore, to us who wish to hear more, tell yet more auspicious tales.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.8.3)

वेतालवरदंनाम चक्रतीर्थस्य दक्षिणे । तीर्थमस्ति महापुण्यमित्यवादीद्भवान्पुरा

vetālavaradaṁnāma cakratīrthasya dakṣiṇe tīrthamasti mahāpuṇyamityavādīdbhavānpurā

You said earlier that, to the south of Chakratirtha, there is a greatly meritorious ford named Vetalavarada.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.8.4)

वेतालवरदाभिख्या तीर्थस्यास्यागता कथम् । किंप्रभावं च तत्तीर्थमेतन्नो वक्तुमर्हसि

vetālavaradābhikhyā tīrthasyāsyāgatā katham kiṁprabhāvaṁ ca tattīrthametanno vaktumarhasi

How did this ford come by the name Vetalavarada, and what is its power? You ought to tell us this.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.8.5)

श्रीसूत उवाच । साधुपृष्टं हि युष्माभिरतिगुह्यं मुनीश्वराः । शृणुध्वं मनसा सार्द्धं ब्रवीम्यत्यद्भुतां कथाम्

śrīsūta uvāca sādhupṛṣṭaṁ hi yuṣmābhiratiguhyaṁ munīśvarāḥ śṛṇudhvaṁ manasā sārddhaṁ bravīmyatyadbhutāṁ kathām

Shri Suta said: This is well asked by you indeed, O lords of sages, a most secret matter; listen with your minds attentive, I shall tell a most wondrous tale.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.8.6)

पामरा अपि मोदन्ते यां वै श्रुत्वा कथां शुभाम् । कथा चेयं महापुण्या पुरा कैलासपर्वते

pāmarā api modante yāṁ vai śrutvā kathāṁ śubhām kathā ceyaṁ mahāpuṇyā purā kailāsaparvate

Even the lowly rejoice on hearing this auspicious tale. And this greatly meritorious tale, long ago, on Mount Kailasa —

Verse 7 (skanda.3.8.7)

केलिकालेषु पावत्यै शंभुना कथिता द्विजाः । तां ब्रवीमि कथामेनामत्यद्भुततरां हि वः

kelikāleṣu pāvatyai śaṁbhunā kathitā dvijāḥ tāṁ bravīmi kathāmenāmatyadbhutatarāṁ hi vaḥ

— was told to Parvati by Shambhu in their moments of play, O brahmins. That very tale, most wondrous, I now tell to you.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.8.8)

पुरा हि गालवोनाम महर्षिः सत्यवाक्छुचिः । चिंतयानः परं ब्रह्म तपस्तेपे निजाश्रमे

purā hi gālavonāma maharṣiḥ satyavākchuciḥ ciṁtayānaḥ paraṁ brahma tapastepe nijāśrame

Long ago, the great sage named Galava, truthful in speech, pure, meditating on the supreme Brahman, performed austerity in his own hermitage.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.8.9)

तस्य कन्या महाभागा रूपयौवनशालिनी । नाम्ना कांतिमती बाला व्यचरत्पितुरंतिके

tasya kanyā mahābhāgā rūpayauvanaśālinī nāmnā kāṁtimatī bālā vyacaratpituraṁtike

His daughter, of great fortune, endowed with beauty and youth, a young woman named Kantimati, moved about near her father.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.8.10)

आहरंती च पुष्पाणि बल्यर्थं तस्य वै मुनेः । वेदिसंमार्जनादीनि समिदाहरणानि च

āharaṁtī ca puṣpāṇi balyarthaṁ tasya vai muneḥ vedisaṁmārjanādīni samidāharaṇāni ca

Gathering flowers for that sage's offerings, and sweeping the sacred altar and other duties, and gathering sacrificial fuel —

Verse 11 (skanda.3.8.11)

कुर्वती पितरं बाला सम्यक्परिचचार ह । कदाचित्सा तु वल्यर्थं पुष्पाण्याहर्तुमुद्यता

kurvatī pitaraṁ bālā samyakparicacāra ha kadācitsā tu valyarthaṁ puṣpāṇyāhartumudyatā

— performing these duties, the young woman served her father well indeed. Once, intent on gathering flowers for the offering —

Verse 12 (skanda.3.8.12)

तस्मिन्वने कांतिमती सुदूरमगमत्तदा । तत्र पुष्पाणि रम्याणि समाहृत्य च पेटके

tasminvane kāṁtimatī sudūramagamattadā tatra puṣpāṇi ramyāṇi samāhṛtya ca peṭake

— Kantimati went then quite far into that forest. There, having gathered beautiful flowers into a basket —

Verse 13 (skanda.3.8.13)

तूर्णं निववृते बाला पितृशुश्रूषणे रता । निवर्तमानां तां कन्यां विद्याधरकुमारकौ

tūrṇaṁ nivavṛte bālā pitṛśuśrūṣaṇe ratā nivartamānāṁ tāṁ kanyāṁ vidyādharakumārakau

— that young woman, devoted to serving her father, swiftly turned back. As that maiden was returning, two vidyadhara princes —

Verse 14 (skanda.3.8.14)

सुदर्शनसुकर्णाख्यौ विमानस्थौ ददर्शतुः । तां दृष्ट्वा गालवसुतां रूपयौवनशालिनीम्

sudarśanasukarṇākhyau vimānasthau dadarśatuḥ tāṁ dṛṣṭvā gālavasutāṁ rūpayauvanaśālinīm

— named Sudarshana and Sukarna, seated in their aerial chariot, saw. Seeing that daughter of Galava, endowed with beauty and youth,

Verse 15 (skanda.3.8.15)

कामस्य पत्नीं ललितां रतिं मूर्तिमतीमिव । सुदर्शनाभिधो ज्येष्ठो विद्याधरकुमारकः

kāmasya patnīṁ lalitāṁ ratiṁ mūrtimatīmiva sudarśanābhidho jyeṣṭho vidyādharakumārakaḥ

— resembling Rati herself, the graceful wife of Kama, in bodily form — Sudarshana, the elder of the two vidyadhara princes,

Verse 16 (skanda.3.8.16)

हर्षसंफुल्लनयनश्चकमे काममोहितः । पूर्णचन्द्राननां तां वै वीक्षमाणो मुहुर्मुहुः

harṣasaṁphullanayanaścakame kāmamohitaḥ pūrṇacandrānanāṁ tāṁ vai vīkṣamāṇo muhurmuhuḥ

— his eyes blooming with delight, overcome by desire, fell in love with her, gazing again and again at her moon-like face.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.8.17)

तया रिरंसुकामोऽसौ विमानाग्रादवातरत् । तामुपेत्य मुनेः कन्यामित्युवाच सुदर्शनः

tayā riraṁsukāmo'sau vimānāgrādavātarat tāmupetya muneḥ kanyāmityuvāca sudarśanaḥ

Desiring union with her, he descended from the front of his aerial chariot. Approaching the sage's daughter, Sudarshana said this:

Verse 18 (skanda.3.8.18)

सुदर्शन उवाच । कासि भद्रे सुता कस्य रूपयौवनशालिनी । रूपमप्रतिमं ह्येतदाह्लादयति मे मनः

sudarśana uvāca kāsi bhadre sutā kasya rūpayauvanaśālinī rūpamapratimaṁ hyetadāhlādayati me manaḥ

Sudarshana said: "Who are you, O gentle one, whose daughter, endowed with beauty and youth? This incomparable beauty of yours delights my mind.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.8.19)

त्वां दृष्ट्वा रतिसंकाशां बाधते मां मनोभवः । सुकण्ठनामधेयस्य विद्याधरपतेरहम्

tvāṁ dṛṣṭvā ratisaṁkāśāṁ bādhate māṁ manobhavaḥ sukaṇṭhanāmadheyasya vidyādharapateraham

Seeing you, resembling Rati, love torments me. I am the son of the lord of the vidyadharas named Sukantha,

Verse 20 (skanda.3.8.20)

आत्मजो रूपसंपन्नो नाम्ना चैव सुदर्शनः । प्रतिगृह्णीष्व मां भद्रे रक्ष मां करुणादृशा

ātmajo rūpasaṁpanno nāmnā caiva sudarśanaḥ pratigṛhṇīṣva māṁ bhadre rakṣa māṁ karuṇādṛśā

— endowed with beauty, named Sudarshana. Accept me, O gentle one; protect me with your compassionate glance.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.8.21)

भर्तारं मां समासाद्य सर्वान्भोगानवाप्स्यसि । इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य विद्याधरसुतस्य सा

bhartāraṁ māṁ samāsādya sarvānbhogānavāpsyasi ityākarṇya vacastasya vidyādharasutasya sā

Obtaining me as your husband, you shall attain every enjoyment." Hearing these words of that vidyadhara's son, she —

Verse 22 (skanda.3.8.22)

तदा कांतिमती वाक्यं धर्मयुक्तमभाषत । सुदर्शन महाभाग विद्याधरपतेः सुत

tadā kāṁtimatī vākyaṁ dharmayuktamabhāṣata sudarśana mahābhāga vidyādharapateḥ suta

— Kantimati, then, spoke a word in accordance with dharma: "O Sudarshana, greatly fortunate son of the lord of vidyadharas,

Verse 23 (skanda.3.8.23)

आत्मजां मां विजानीहि गालवस्य महात्मनः । कन्या चाहमनूढास्मि पितृशु श्रूषणे रता

ātmajāṁ māṁ vijānīhi gālavasya mahātmanaḥ kanyā cāhamanūḍhāsmi pitṛśu śrūṣaṇe ratā

Know me to be the daughter of the great-souled Galava; I am an unmarried maiden, devoted to serving my father.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.8.24)

बल्यर्थं हि पितुश्चाहं पुष्पाण्याहर्तुमागता । आहरंत्याश्च पुष्पाणि याम एको न्यवर्तत

balyarthaṁ hi pituścāhaṁ puṣpāṇyāhartumāgatā āharaṁtyāśca puṣpāṇi yāma eko nyavartata

I have come to gather flowers for my father's offering. While gathering the flowers, a single yama (three hours) has passed.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.8.25)

मद्विलंबेन स मुनिर्देव तार्चनतत्परः । कोपं विधास्यते नूनं तपस्वी मुनिपुंगवः

madvilaṁbena sa munirdeva tārcanatatparaḥ kopaṁ vidhāsyate nūnaṁ tapasvī munipuṁgavaḥ

Due to my delay, that sage, devoted to the worship of the gods, that austere foremost of sages, will surely become angry.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.8.26)

तच्छीघ्रमद्य गच्छामि पुष्पाण्यप्याहृतानि मे । कन्याश्च पितुराधीना न स्वतन्त्राः कदाचन

tacchīghramadya gacchāmi puṣpāṇyapyāhṛtāni me kanyāśca piturādhīnā na svatantrāḥ kadācana

Therefore I must go now quickly; my flowers too have been gathered. And daughters are ever dependent upon their father, never independent.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.8.27)

यदि मामिच्छति भवान्पितरं मम याचय । इति विद्याधरसुतमुक्त्वा कांतिमती तदा

yadi māmicchati bhavānpitaraṁ mama yācaya iti vidyādharasutamuktvā kāṁtimatī tadā

If you desire me, ask my father for me." Having said this to the vidyadhara's son, Kantimati then —

Verse 28 (skanda.3.8.28)

पितुराशंकिता तूर्णमा श्रमं गन्तुमुद्यता । गच्छन्तीं तां समालोक्य विद्याधरकुमारकः

piturāśaṁkitā tūrṇamā śramaṁ gantumudyatā gacchantīṁ tāṁ samālokya vidyādharakumārakaḥ

— fearing her father, quickly prepared to go to the hermitage. Seeing her going, that vidyadhara prince —

Verse 29 (skanda.3.8.29)

तूर्णं जग्राह केशेषु धावित्वा मदनार्दितः । अभ्येत्य निजकेशेषु गृह्णन्ते तं विलोक्य सा

tūrṇaṁ jagrāha keśeṣu dhāvitvā madanārditaḥ abhyetya nijakeśeṣu gṛhṇante taṁ vilokya sā

— tormented by desire, running, swiftly seized her by her hair. Seeing him coming and seizing her by her own hair, she —

Verse 30 (skanda.3.8.30)

उच्चैश्चक्रंद सहसा कुररीव मुनेः सुता । अस्माद्विद्याधरसुताज्जनक त्राहि मां विभो

uccaiścakraṁda sahasā kurarīva muneḥ sutā asmādvidyādharasutājjanaka trāhi māṁ vibho

— that sage's daughter suddenly cried out loudly, like a kurari-bird. "O father, O lord, save me from this vidyadhara's son!

Verse 31 (skanda.3.8.31)

बलाद्गृह्णाति दुष्टात्मा विद्याधरसुतोऽद्य माम् । इत्थमुच्चैः प्रचुक्रोश स्वाश्रमान्नातिदूरतः

balādgṛhṇāti duṣṭātmā vidyādharasuto'dya mām itthamuccaiḥ pracukrośa svāśramānnātidūrataḥ

This evil-souled son of a vidyadhara is today forcibly seizing me!" Thus she cried out loudly, not far from her own hermitage.

Verse 32 (skanda.3.8.32)

तदाक्रंदितमाकर्ण्य गन्धमादनवासिनः । मुनयस्तु पुरस्कृत्य गालवं मुनिपुंगवम्

tadākraṁditamākarṇya gandhamādanavāsinaḥ munayastu puraskṛtya gālavaṁ munipuṁgavam

Hearing that cry, the sages dwelling on Gandhamadana, placing the foremost sage Galava at their head,

Verse 33 (skanda.3.8.33)

किमेतदिति विज्ञातुं तं देशं तूर्णमाययुः । तं देशं तु समागत्य सर्वे ते ऋषिपुंगवाः

kimetaditi vijñātuṁ taṁ deśaṁ tūrṇamāyayuḥ taṁ deśaṁ tu samāgatya sarve te ṛṣipuṁgavāḥ

— swiftly came to that place, to learn what this was. Coming to that place, all those foremost sages —

Verse 34 (skanda.3.8.34)

विद्याधरगृहीतां तां ददृशुर्मु निकन्यकाम् । विद्याधरसुतं चान्यमंतिके समुपस्थितम्

vidyādharagṛhītāṁ tāṁ dadṛśurmu nikanyakām vidyādharasutaṁ cānyamaṁtike samupasthitam

— saw that sage's daughter seized by the vidyadhara, and also the other vidyadhara's son standing nearby.

Verse 35 (skanda.3.8.35)

एतद्दृष्ट्वा महायोगी गालवो मुनिपुंगवः । गतः कोपवशं किंचिद्दुराप्मानं शशाप तम्

etaddṛṣṭvā mahāyogī gālavo munipuṁgavaḥ gataḥ kopavaśaṁ kiṁciddurāpmānaṁ śaśāpa tam

Seeing this, the great yogi Galava, foremost of sages, overcome somewhat by anger, cursed that evil-souled one:

Verse 36 (skanda.3.8.36)

कृतवानीदृशं कार्यं यत्त्वं विद्याधराधम । तद्याहि मानुषीं योनिं स्वस्य दुष्कर्मणः फलम्

kṛtavānīdṛśaṁ kāryaṁ yattvaṁ vidyādharādhama tadyāhi mānuṣīṁ yoniṁ svasya duṣkarmaṇaḥ phalam

"Since you, O vilest of vidyadharas, have done such a deed, therefore go to the human womb, the fruit of your own misdeed.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.8.37)

संप्राप्य मानुषं जन्म बहुदुःखसमाकुलम् । अचिरेण तु कालेन तस्मिन्नेव तु जन्मनि

saṁprāpya mānuṣaṁ janma bahuduḥkhasamākulam acireṇa tu kālena tasminneva tu janmani

Having attained human birth, filled with much sorrow, and within a short time, in that very birth,

Verse 38 (skanda.3.8.38)

मनुष्यैरपि निंद्यं तद्वेतालत्वं प्रयास्यसि । मांसानि शोणितं चैव सर्वदा भक्षयिष्यसि

manuṣyairapi niṁdyaṁ tadvetālatvaṁ prayāsyasi māṁsāni śoṇitaṁ caiva sarvadā bhakṣayiṣyasi

— you shall go to that state of a vetala, despised even by men; you shall forever eat flesh and blood.

Verse 39 (skanda.3.8.39)

वेताला राक्षसप्राया बलाद्गृह्णन्ति योषितः । तस्मात्त्वं मानुषो भूत्वा वेतालत्वमवाप्स्यसि

vetālā rākṣasaprāyā balādgṛhṇanti yoṣitaḥ tasmāttvaṁ mānuṣo bhūtvā vetālatvamavāpsyasi

Vetalas, like rakshasas, seize women by force; therefore, having become a man, you shall attain the state of a vetala.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.8.40)

तव दुष्कर्मणो योऽसावनुमंता कनिष्ठकः । सुकर्ण इति विख्यातो भविता सोपि मानुषः

tava duṣkarmaṇo yo'sāvanumaṁtā kaniṣṭhakaḥ sukarṇa iti vikhyāto bhavitā sopi mānuṣaḥ

He who is the younger, and the one who abetted your evil deed, known as Sukarna — he too shall become a man.

Verse 41 (skanda.3.8.41)

किंतु साक्षान्न कृतवान्यतोऽसावीदृशीं क्रियाम् । तन्मानुषत्व मेवास्य वेतालत्वं तु नो भवेत्

kiṁtu sākṣānna kṛtavānyato'sāvīdṛśīṁ kriyām tanmānuṣatva mevāsya vetālatvaṁ tu no bhavet

But since he did not directly commit such an act himself, his human state alone shall remain; he shall not become a vetala.

Verse 42 (skanda.3.8.42)

विज्ञप्तिकौतुकाभिख्यं यदा विद्याधराधिपम् । द्रक्ष्यतेऽसौ कनिष्ठस्ते तदा शापाद्विमोक्ष्यते

vijñaptikautukābhikhyaṁ yadā vidyādharādhipam drakṣyate'sau kaniṣṭhaste tadā śāpādvimokṣyate

When that younger brother of yours beholds the lord of vidyadharas named Vijnaptikautuka, then he shall be freed from the curse.

Verse 43 (skanda.3.8.43)

ईदृशस्यतु यः कर्ता महापापस्य कर्मणः । स त्वं संप्राप्य मानुष्यं तस्मिन्नेव तु जन्मनि

īdṛśasyatu yaḥ kartā mahāpāpasya karmaṇaḥ sa tvaṁ saṁprāpya mānuṣyaṁ tasminneva tu janmani

But you, who are the doer of such a great sinful deed, having attained humanity, in that very birth —

Verse 44 (skanda.3.8.44)

वेतालजन्म संप्राप्य चिरं लोके चरिष्यसि । इत्युक्त्वा गालवः कन्यां गृहीत्वा मुनिभिः सह

vetālajanma saṁprāpya ciraṁ loke cariṣyasi ityuktvā gālavaḥ kanyāṁ gṛhītvā munibhiḥ saha

— shall attain a vetala birth and wander in the world for a long time." Having said this, Galava, taking his daughter, together with the sages —

Verse 45 (skanda.3.8.45)

विद्याधरसुतौ शप्त्वा स्वाश्रमं प्रति निर्ययौ । ततस्तस्मिन्महाभागे निर्याते मुनिपुंगवे

vidyādharasutau śaptvā svāśramaṁ prati niryayau tatastasminmahābhāge niryāte munipuṁgave

— having cursed the two sons of the vidyadhara, departed toward his own hermitage. Then, when that greatly fortunate foremost of sages had departed,

Verse 46 (skanda.3.8.46)

सुदर्शनसुकर्णाख्यौ विद्याधरपतेः सुतौ । मुनिशापेन दुःखार्तौ चिंतयामासतुर्भृशम्

sudarśanasukarṇākhyau vidyādharapateḥ sutau muniśāpena duḥkhārtau ciṁtayāmāsaturbhṛśam

— Sudarshana and Sukarna, the two sons of the lord of vidyadharas, tormented by grief at the sage's curse, thought deeply.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.8.47)

कर्तव्यं तौ विनिश्चित्य सुदर्शनसुकर्णकौ । गोविंदस्वामिनामानं यमुनातटवासिनम्

kartavyaṁ tau viniścitya sudarśanasukarṇakau goviṁdasvāmināmānaṁ yamunātaṭavāsinam

Having resolved upon what was to be done, Sudarshana and Sukarna, choosing as father a brahmin named Govindasvami, dwelling on the bank of the Yamuna,

Verse 48 (skanda.3.8.48)

ब्राह्मणं शीलसंपन्नं पितृत्वे परिकल्प्य तौ । परित्यज्य स्वकं रूपमजायेतां तदा त्मजौ

brāhmaṇaṁ śīlasaṁpannaṁ pitṛtve parikalpya tau parityajya svakaṁ rūpamajāyetāṁ tadā tmajau

— a brahmin endowed with good character, as their father, abandoning their own forms, then took birth as his sons.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.8.49)

विजयाशोकदत्ताख्यौ तस्य पुत्रौबभूवतुः । सुतो विजयदत्ताख्यो ज्येष्ठो जज्ञे सुदर्शनः

vijayāśokadattākhyau tasya putraubabhūvatuḥ suto vijayadattākhyo jyeṣṭho jajñe sudarśanaḥ

Named Vijayadatta and Ashokadatta, they became his sons; Sudarshana was born as the elder son, named Vijayadatta.

Verse 50 (skanda.3.8.50)

अशोकदत्तनामा तु सुकर्णश्च कनिष्ठकः । विजयाशोकदत्तौ तु क्रमाद्यौवनमापतुः

aśokadattanāmā tu sukarṇaśca kaniṣṭhakaḥ vijayāśokadattau tu kramādyauvanamāpatuḥ

And Sukarna became the younger, named Ashokadatta. Vijayadatta and Ashokadatta, in due course, reached youth.

Verse 51 (skanda.3.8.51)

एतस्मिन्नेव कालेतु यमुनायास्तटे शुभे । अनावृष्ट्या तु दुर्भिक्षमभूद्द्वादशवार्षि कम्

etasminneva kāletu yamunāyāstaṭe śubhe anāvṛṣṭyā tu durbhikṣamabhūddvādaśavārṣi kam

At this very time, on the auspicious bank of the Yamuna, due to lack of rain, a twelve-year famine occurred.

Verse 52 (skanda.3.8.52)

गोविंदस्वामिनामा तु ब्राह्मणो वेदपारगः । दुर्भिक्षोपहतां दृष्ट्वा तदानीं स निजां पुरीम्

goviṁdasvāmināmā tu brāhmaṇo vedapāragaḥ durbhikṣopahatāṁ dṛṣṭvā tadānīṁ sa nijāṁ purīm

The brahmin named Govindasvami, master of the Vedas, seeing his own city stricken by famine at that time,

Verse 53 (skanda.3.8.53)

प्रययौ काशनिगरं सपुत्रः सह भार्यया । स प्रयागं समासाद्य द्वं दृष्ट्वा महावटम्

prayayau kāśanigaraṁ saputraḥ saha bhāryayā sa prayāgaṁ samāsādya dvaṁ dṛṣṭvā mahāvaṭam

— set out for the city of Kashi, with his sons and together with his wife. Reaching Prayaga, and seeing the great banyan tree there,

Verse 54 (skanda.3.8.54)

कपालमालाभरणं सोऽपश्यद्यतिनं पुरः । गोविंदस्वामिनामा तु नमश्चक्रे स तं मुनिम्

kapālamālābharaṇaṁ so'paśyadyatinaṁ puraḥ goviṁdasvāmināmā tu namaścakre sa taṁ munim

— he saw before him an ascetic adorned with a garland of skulls. Govindasvami bowed to that sage.

Verse 55 (skanda.3.8.55)

सपुत्रस्य सभार्यस्य सोऽवादीदाशिषो मुनिः । इदं च वचनं प्राह गोविंदस्वामिनं प्रति

saputrasya sabhāryasya so'vādīdāśiṣo muniḥ idaṁ ca vacanaṁ prāha goviṁdasvāminaṁ prati

That sage gave blessings to him, with his sons and wife; and he spoke this word to Govindasvami:

Verse 56 (skanda.3.8.56)

ज्येष्ठेनानेन पुत्रेण सांप्रतं ब्राह्मणोत्तम । क्षिप्रं विजयदत्तेन वियोगस्ते भविष्यति

jyeṣṭhenānena putreṇa sāṁprataṁ brāhmaṇottama kṣipraṁ vijayadattena viyogaste bhaviṣyati

"O foremost of brahmins, very soon now, separation from your eldest son here, Vijayadatta, shall come upon you."

Verse 57 (skanda.3.8.57)

इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा गोविंदस्वामिनामकः । सूर्ये चास्तं गते तत्र सांध्यं कर्म समाप्य च

iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā goviṁdasvāmināmakaḥ sūrye cāstaṁ gate tatra sāṁdhyaṁ karma samāpya ca

Hearing his words, the one named Govindasvami, when the sun had set there, and having completed his evening rites,

Verse 58 (skanda.3.8.58)

सभार्यः ससुतो विप्रः सुदूराध्वसमाकुलः । उवास तस्यां शर्वर्य्यां शून्ये वै देवतालये

sabhāryaḥ sasuto vipraḥ sudūrādhvasamākulaḥ uvāsa tasyāṁ śarvaryyāṁ śūnye vai devatālaye

— that brahmin, with his wife and sons, exhausted from the long journey, dwelt that night in an empty temple.

Verse 59 (skanda.3.8.59)

तदा त्वशोकदत्तश्च ब्राह्मणी च समाकुलौ । वस्त्रेणास्तीर्य पृथिवीं रात्रौ निद्रां समापतुः

tadā tvaśokadattaśca brāhmaṇī ca samākulau vastreṇāstīrya pṛthivīṁ rātrau nidrāṁ samāpatuḥ

Then Ashokadatta and the brahmin lady, exhausted, spreading a cloth upon the ground, fell asleep that night.

Verse 60 (skanda.3.8.60)

ततो विजयदत्तस्तु दूरमार्गविलंघनात् । बभूवात्यंतमलसो भृशं शीतज्वरार्दितः

tato vijayadattastu dūramārgavilaṁghanāt babhūvātyaṁtamalaso bhṛśaṁ śītajvarārditaḥ

But Vijayadatta, from having crossed the long road, became extremely weary, greatly afflicted by a cold fever.

Verse 61 (skanda.3.8.61)

गोविंदस्वामिना पित्रा शीतवबाधानिवृत्तये । गाढमालिंग्यमानोऽपि शीतबाधां न सोऽत्यजत्

goviṁdasvāminā pitrā śītavabādhānivṛttaye gāḍhamāliṁgyamāno'pi śītabādhāṁ na so'tyajat

Even though tightly embraced by his father Govindasvami, for the relief of the cold affliction, he did not shake off the cold's torment.

Verse 62 (skanda.3.8.62)

बाधतेऽत्यर्थमधुना तात मां शीतलो ज्वरः । एतद्बाधानिवृत्त्यर्थं वह्निमानय मा चिरम्

bādhate'tyarthamadhunā tāta māṁ śītalo jvaraḥ etadbādhānivṛttyarthaṁ vahnimānaya mā ciram

"This cold fever now torments me exceedingly, father. To relieve this affliction, bring fire without delay."

Verse 63 (skanda.3.8.63)

इति पुत्रवचः श्रुत्वा सर्वत्राग्निं गवेषयन् । अलब्धवह्निः प्रोवाच पुन रभ्येत्य पुत्रकम्

iti putravacaḥ śrutvā sarvatrāgniṁ gaveṣayan alabdhavahniḥ provāca puna rabhyetya putrakam

Hearing his son's words, searching everywhere for fire, but not obtaining it, he came back and said to his son:

Verse 64 (skanda.3.8.64)

न वह्निं पुत्र विंदामि मार्गमाणोऽपि सर्वशः । रात्रिमध्ये तु संप्राप्ते द्वारेषु पिहितेषु च

na vahniṁ putra viṁdāmi mārgamāṇo'pi sarvaśaḥ rātrimadhye tu saṁprāpte dvāreṣu pihiteṣu ca

"My son, I cannot find fire, though I have searched everywhere. In the middle of the night, with the doors all shut,

Verse 65 (skanda.3.8.65)

निद्रापरवशाः पौरा नैव दास्यंति पावकम् । इत्थं विजयदत्तोऽसावुक्तः पित्रा ज्वरातुरः

nidrāparavaśāḥ paurā naiva dāsyaṁti pāvakam itthaṁ vijayadatto'sāvuktaḥ pitrā jvarāturaḥ

— the townsfolk, overcome by sleep, will surely not give any fire." Thus addressed by his father, that fever-stricken Vijayadatta —

Verse 66 (skanda.3.8.66)

ययाचे वह्निमेवासौ पितरं दीनया गिरा । शीतज्वरसमुद्भूतशीतबाधाप्रपीडितम्

yayāce vahnimevāsau pitaraṁ dīnayā girā śītajvarasamudbhūtaśītabādhāprapīḍitam

— begged his father for fire once more, in a plaintive voice, tormented by the cold born of the cold fever:

Verse 67 (skanda.3.8.67)

हिमशीकरवान्वायुर्द्विगुणं बाधतेऽद्य माम् । वह्निर्न लब्ध इति वै मिथ्यैवोक्तं पितस्त्वया

himaśīkaravānvāyurdviguṇaṁ bādhate'dya mām vahnirna labdha iti vai mithyaivoktaṁ pitastvayā

"The wind, laden with icy spray, torments me twice as much today. That you have not obtained fire, father — this you say falsely.

Verse 68 (skanda.3.8.68)

दूरादेष पुरोभागे ज्वालामालासमाकुलः । शिखाभिर्लेलिहानोभ्रं दृश्यते पश्य पावकः

dūrādeṣa purobhāge jvālāmālāsamākulaḥ śikhābhirlelihānobhraṁ dṛśyate paśya pāvakaḥ

Far off, there ahead, garlanded with flames, look — a fire is seen, its tongues licking the sky.

Verse 69 (skanda.3.8.69)

तं वह्निमानय क्षिप्रं तात शीतनिवृत्तये । इत्युक्तवन्तं तं पुत्रं स पिता प्रत्यभाषत

taṁ vahnimānaya kṣipraṁ tāta śītanivṛttaye ityuktavantaṁ taṁ putraṁ sa pitā pratyabhāṣata

Bring that fire quickly, father, for the removal of my cold." To that son who had spoken thus, the father replied:

Verse 70 (skanda.3.8.70)

नानृतं वच्मि पुत्राद्य सत्यमेव ब्रवीम्यहम् । वह्निमान्योऽयमुद्देशो दूरादेव विलोक्यते

nānṛtaṁ vacmi putrādya satyameva bravīmyaham vahnimānyo'yamuddeśo dūrādeva vilokyate

"My son, I do not speak falsely today; I speak only the truth. That fire-marked place, seen from afar,

Verse 71 (skanda.3.8.71)

पितृकाननदेशं तं पुत्र जानीहि सांप्रतम् । यद्येषोभ्रंलिहज्वालः पुरस्ताज्ज्वलतेऽनलः

pitṛkānanadeśaṁ taṁ putra jānīhi sāṁpratam yadyeṣobhraṁlihajvālaḥ purastājjvalate'nalaḥ

— know that, my son, to be the place of the ancestral forest (cremation ground). If this sky-licking flame burns there ahead —

Verse 72 (skanda.3.8.72)

पुत्र वित्रासजनकं तं जानीहि चितानलम् । अमंगलो न सेव्योऽयं चिताग्निः स्पर्शदूषितः

putra vitrāsajanakaṁ taṁ jānīhi citānalam amaṁgalo na sevyo'yaṁ citāgniḥ sparśadūṣitaḥ

— know it, my son, to be the terror-inspiring fire of the funeral pyre. It is inauspicious and not to be touched; the fire of the pyre is defiled by contact.

Verse 73 (skanda.3.8.73)

तस्य चायुःक्षयं याति सेवते यश्चितानलम् । तस्मात्तवायुर्हानिर्मा भूयादिति मया सुत

tasya cāyuḥkṣayaṁ yāti sevate yaścitānalam tasmāttavāyurhānirmā bhūyāditi mayā suta

Whoever uses the fire of a pyre, his life is diminished. Therefore, my son, so that no loss of your life should occur —

Verse 74 (skanda.3.8.74)

अमंगलस्तथा स्पृश्यो नानीतोऽयं चितानलः । इत्युक्तवंतं पितरं स दीनः प्रत्यभाषत

amaṁgalastathā spṛśyo nānīto'yaṁ citānalaḥ ityuktavaṁtaṁ pitaraṁ sa dīnaḥ pratyabhāṣata

— being inauspicious and not to be touched, this fire of the pyre has not been brought." To his father speaking thus, he, distressed, replied:

Verse 75 (skanda.3.8.75)

अयं शवानलो वा स्यादध्वरानल एव वा । सर्वथानीयतामेष नोचेन्मे मरणं भवेत्

ayaṁ śavānalo vā syādadhvarānala eva vā sarvathānīyatāmeṣa nocenme maraṇaṁ bhavet

"Whether this be the fire of a corpse, or the fire of a sacrifice, in any case bring it here — otherwise death shall come upon me."

Verse 76 (skanda.3.8.76)

पुत्रस्नेहाभिभूतोऽथ समाहर्तुं चितानलम् । गोविंदस्वामिनामा तु श्मशानं शीघ्रमभ्यगात्

putrasnehābhibhūto'tha samāhartuṁ citānalam goviṁdasvāmināmā tu śmaśānaṁ śīghramabhyagāt

Overcome by love for his son, then, to fetch the fire of the pyre, Govindasvami swiftly went to the cremation ground.

Verse 77 (skanda.3.8.77)

गोविंदस्वामिनि गते समाहर्तुं चितानलम् । तूर्णं विजयदत्तोऽपि तदा गच्छंतमन्वयात्

goviṁdasvāmini gate samāhartuṁ citānalam tūrṇaṁ vijayadatto'pi tadā gacchaṁtamanvayāt

When Govindasvami had gone to fetch the fire of the pyre, Vijayadatta too then swiftly followed him as he went.

Verse 78 (skanda.3.8.78)

संप्राप्य तापनिकटं विकीर्णास्थि चितानलम् । आलिंगन्निव सोद्वेगं शनैर्निर्वृतिमाप्तवान्

saṁprāpya tāpanikaṭaṁ vikīrṇāsthi citānalam āliṁganniva sodvegaṁ śanairnirvṛtimāptavān

Reaching the warmth, near the fire of the pyre, strewn with bones, and as if embracing it, anxious, he slowly attained relief.

Verse 79 (skanda.3.8.79)

अथावादीत्स पितरं तदिदं परिवर्तुलम् । अतिदीप्तं विभात्यग्नौ किं रक्तांबुजसन्निभम्

athāvādītsa pitaraṁ tadidaṁ parivartulam atidīptaṁ vibhātyagnau kiṁ raktāṁbujasannibham

Then he said to his father: "What is this round thing, exceedingly bright, shining in the fire, resembling a red lotus?"

Verse 80 (skanda.3.8.80)

इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा पुत्रस्य ब्राह्मणोत्तमः । निपुणं तं निरूप्यैतद्वचनं पुनरब्रवीत्

iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā putrasya brāhmaṇottamaḥ nipuṇaṁ taṁ nirūpyaitadvacanaṁ punarabravīt

Hearing this word of his son, that foremost of brahmins, carefully examining it, spoke this word again:

Verse 81 (skanda.3.8.81)

गोविंदस्वाम्युवाच । एतत्कपालमनलज्वालावलयवर्तुलम् । वसाकीकसमांसाढ्यमेतद्रक्तांबुजोपमम्

goviṁdasvāmyuvāca etatkapālamanalajvālāvalayavartulam vasākīkasamāṁsāḍhyametadraktāṁbujopamam

Govindasvami said: "This, round with the halo of the fire's flames, rich with marrow, bone, and flesh, resembling a red lotus — this is a skull.

Verse 82 (skanda.3.8.82)

द्विजस्य सूनुः श्रुत्वेति काष्ठाग्रेण जघान तत् । येन तत्स्फुटनोद्गीर्णवसासिक्तमुखोऽभवत्

dvijasya sūnuḥ śrutveti kāṣṭhāgreṇa jaghāna tat yena tatsphuṭanodgīrṇavasāsiktamukho'bhavat

Hearing this, the brahmin's son struck it with the tip of a stick, by which his face became wet with the marrow that gushed out as it burst.

Verse 83 (skanda.3.8.83)

कपालघट्टनाद्रक्तं यत्संसक्तं मुखे तदा । जिह्वया लेलिहानोऽसौ मुहुस्तद्रक्तमा स्वदत्

kapālaghaṭṭanādraktaṁ yatsaṁsaktaṁ mukhe tadā jihvayā lelihāno'sau muhustadraktamā svadat

The blood that clung to his face, from the striking of the skull, that he, licking with his tongue again and again, tasted.

Verse 84 (skanda.3.8.84)

आस्वाद्यैवं समादाय तत्कपालं समाकुलः । पीत्वा वसां महाकायो बभूवातिभयंकरः

āsvādyaivaṁ samādāya tatkapālaṁ samākulaḥ pītvā vasāṁ mahākāyo babhūvātibhayaṁkaraḥ

Having tasted it thus, and taking up that skull, in agitation, drinking its marrow, he became huge-bodied, most terrible.

Verse 85 (skanda.3.8.85)

सद्यो वेता लतां प्राप तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रस्तदा निशि । तस्याट्टहासघोषेण दिशश्च प्रदिशस्तदा

sadyo vetā latāṁ prāpa tīkṣṇadaṁṣṭrastadā niśi tasyāṭṭahāsaghoṣeṇa diśaśca pradiśastadā

He instantly attained the state of a vetala, with sharp fangs, then, in the night. By the sound of his loud laughter, the directions and the intermediate directions then —

Verse 86 (skanda.3.8.86)

द्यौरतरिक्षं भूमिश्च स्फुटिता इव सर्वशः । तस्मिन्वेगात्समाकृष्य पितरं हन्तुमुद्यते

dyauratarikṣaṁ bhūmiśca sphuṭitā iva sarvaśaḥ tasminvegātsamākṛṣya pitaraṁ hantumudyate

— heaven, sky, and earth seemed as if to burst apart entirely. As he, swiftly seizing his father, was about to kill him,

Verse 87 (skanda.3.8.87)

मा कृथाः साहसमिति प्रादुरासीद्वचो दिवि । स दिव्यां गिरमाकर्ण्य वेतालोऽतिभयंकरः

mā kṛthāḥ sāhasamiti prādurāsīdvaco divi sa divyāṁ giramākarṇya vetālo'tibhayaṁkaraḥ

— "Do not do this rash act!" — a voice arose thus in heaven. Hearing that divine voice, that most terrible vetala —

Verse 88 (skanda.3.8.88)

पितरं तं परित्यज्य महावेगसमन्वितः । तूर्णमाकाशमाविश्य प्रययावस्खलद्गतिः

pitaraṁ taṁ parityajya mahāvegasamanvitaḥ tūrṇamākāśamāviśya prayayāvaskhaladgatiḥ

— releasing that father, with tremendous speed, swiftly entering the sky, departed with unimpeded motion.

Verse 89 (skanda.3.8.89)

स गत्वा दूरमध्वानं वेतालैः सह संगतः । तमागतं समालोक्य वेतोलास्सर्व एव ते

sa gatvā dūramadhvānaṁ vetālaiḥ saha saṁgataḥ tamāgataṁ samālokya vetolāssarva eva te

Having traveled a long way, he came together with other vetalas. Seeing him arrive, all those vetalas —

Verse 90 (skanda.3.8.90)

कपालस्फोटनादेष वेतालत्वं यदाप्तवान् । कपालस्फोटनामानमाह्वयांचक्रिरे ततः

kapālasphoṭanādeṣa vetālatvaṁ yadāptavān kapālasphoṭanāmānamāhvayāṁcakrire tataḥ

— since he had attained the state of a vetala through the breaking open of a skull, then called him by the name Kapalasphotana.

Verse 91 (skanda.3.8.91)

ततः कपालस्फोटो ऽसौ वेतालैः सर्वतो वृतः । नरास्थिभूषणाख्यस्य सद्यो वेतालभूपतेः

tataḥ kapālasphoṭo 'sau vetālaiḥ sarvato vṛtaḥ narāsthibhūṣaṇākhyasya sadyo vetālabhūpateḥ

Then that Kapalasphota, surrounded on all sides by vetalas, swiftly reached the presence of the vetala-king named Narasthibhushana,

Verse 92 (skanda.3.8.92)

अन्तिकं सहसा प्राप महाबलसमन्वितः । नरास्थिभूषणश्चैनं सेनाप तिमकल्पयत्

antikaṁ sahasā prāpa mahābalasamanvitaḥ narāsthibhūṣaṇaścainaṁ senāpa timakalpayat

— endowed with great strength. And Narasthibhushana appointed him as his commander.

Verse 93 (skanda.3.8.93)

तं कदाचित्तु गन्धर्वश्चित्रसेनाभिधो बली । नरास्थिभूषणं संख्ये न्यवधीत्सोऽपि संस्थितः

taṁ kadācittu gandharvaścitrasenābhidho balī narāsthibhūṣaṇaṁ saṁkhye nyavadhītso'pi saṁsthitaḥ

Once, a mighty gandharva named Chitrasena slew that Narasthibhushana in battle, while he too stood firm.

Verse 94 (skanda.3.8.94)

नरास्थिभूषणे तस्मि न्गन्धर्वेण हते युधि । तदा कपालस्फोटोऽसौ तत्पदं समवाप्तवान्

narāsthibhūṣaṇe tasmi ngandharveṇa hate yudhi tadā kapālasphoṭo'sau tatpadaṁ samavāptavān

When that Narasthibhushana had been slain in battle by the gandharva, then that Kapalasphota attained his position.

Verse 95 (skanda.3.8.95)

विद्याधरेन्द्रस्य सुतः सुदर्शनो मनुष्यतां वै प्रथमं स गत्वा । वेतालतां प्राप्य महर्षिशापात्क्रमाच्च वेतालपतिर्बभूव

vidyādharendrasya sutaḥ sudarśano manuṣyatāṁ vai prathamaṁ sa gatvā vetālatāṁ prāpya maharṣiśāpātkramācca vetālapatirbabhūva

Sudarshana, son of the lord of vidyadharas, having first gone to the state of a man, and having attained the state of a vetala through the great sage's curse, in due course became lord of the vetalas.