The Story of the Cowherd Boy

Verse 1 (skanda.3.97.1)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ शिवो गुरुः शिवो देवः शिवो बंधुः शरीरिणाम् ॥ शिव आत्मा शिवो जीवःशिवादन्यन्न किञ्चन

sūta uvāca śivo guruḥ śivo devaḥ śivo baṁdhuḥ śarīriṇām śiva ātmā śivo jīvaḥśivādanyanna kiñcana

Suta said: Shiva is the guru, Shiva is the deity, Shiva is the kinsman of embodied beings; Shiva is the Self, Shiva is the individual soul -- there is nothing whatsoever apart from Shiva.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.97.2)

शिवमुद्दिश्य यत्किंचिद्दत्तं जप्तं हुतं कृतम् ॥ तदनंतफलं प्रोक्तं सर्वागमविनिश्चितम्

śivamuddiśya yatkiṁciddattaṁ japtaṁ hutaṁ kṛtam tadanaṁtaphalaṁ proktaṁ sarvāgamaviniścitam

Whatever is given, recited, offered in fire, or done for the sake of Shiva is declared to bear infinite fruit -- this is the settled conclusion of all scriptures.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.97.3)

भक्त्या निवेदितं शंभोः पत्रं पुष्पं फलं जलम् ॥ अल्पादल्पतरं वापि तदानंत्याय कल्पते

bhaktyā niveditaṁ śaṁbhoḥ patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ jalam alpādalpataraṁ vāpi tadānaṁtyāya kalpate

A leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water offered to Shambhu with devotion, however small -- even the smallest such offering -- leads to infinite reward.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.97.4)

विहाय सकलान्धर्मान्सकलागमनिश्चितान् ॥ शिवमेकं भजेद्यस्तु मुच्यते सर्वबन्धनात्

vihāya sakalāndharmānsakalāgamaniścitān śivamekaṁ bhajedyastu mucyate sarvabandhanāt

Whoever, setting aside all other duties determined by all the scriptures, worships Shiva alone, is freed from every bondage.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.97.5)

या प्रीतिरात्मनः पुत्रे या कलत्रे धनेपि सा ॥ कृता चेच्छिवपूजायां त्रायतीति किमद्भुतम्

yā prītirātmanaḥ putre yā kalatre dhanepi sā kṛtā cecchivapūjāyāṁ trāyatīti kimadbhutam

The same affection one has for one's own son, for one's wife, or for wealth -- if directed instead toward the worship of Shiva, is it any wonder that it saves one?

Verse 6 (skanda.3.97.6)

तस्मात्केचिन्महात्मानः सकलान्विषयासवान् ॥ त्यजंति शिवपूजार्थे स्वदेहमपि दुस्त्यजम्

tasmātkecinmahātmānaḥ sakalānviṣayāsavān tyajaṁti śivapūjārthe svadehamapi dustyajam

Therefore some great souls abandon all sensory pleasures, and for the sake of Shiva's worship, even their own body, hard as it is to give up.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.97.7)

सा जिह्वा या शिवं स्तौति तन्मनो ध्यायते शिवम् ॥ तौ कर्णौ तत्कथालोलौ तौ हस्तौ तस्य पूजकौ

sā jihvā yā śivaṁ stauti tanmano dhyāyate śivam tau karṇau tatkathālolau tau hastau tasya pūjakau

That alone is a true tongue which praises Shiva; that alone a true mind which meditates on Shiva; those alone true ears which delight in his story; those alone true hands which worship him;

Verse 8 (skanda.3.97.8)

ते नेत्रे पश्यतः पूजां तच्छिरः प्रणतं शिवे ॥ तौ पादौ यौ शिवक्षेत्रं भक्त्या पर्यटतः सदा

te netre paśyataḥ pūjāṁ tacchiraḥ praṇataṁ śive tau pādau yau śivakṣetraṁ bhaktyā paryaṭataḥ sadā

those alone true eyes which behold his worship; that alone a true head which bows before Shiva; those alone true feet which ever wander with devotion to Shiva's sacred places.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.97.9)

यस्येन्द्रियाणि सर्वाणि वर्तंते शिवकर्मसु ॥ स निस्तरति संसारं भुक्तिं मुक्तिं च विंदति

yasyendriyāṇi sarvāṇi vartaṁte śivakarmasu sa nistarati saṁsāraṁ bhuktiṁ muktiṁ ca viṁdati

He whose every sense organ is engaged in Shiva's service crosses beyond worldly existence and attains both enjoyment and liberation.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.97.10)

शिवभक्तियुतो मर्त्यश्चांडालः पुल्कसोपि च ॥ नारी नरो वा षंढो वा सद्यो मुच्येत संसृतेः

śivabhaktiyuto martyaścāṁḍālaḥ pulkasopi ca nārī naro vā ṣaṁḍho vā sadyo mucyeta saṁsṛteḥ

A mortal endowed with devotion to Shiva -- even a chandala, even a pulkasa, whether woman, man, or eunuch -- is instantly freed from the cycle of rebirth.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.97.11)

किं कुलेन किमाचारैः किंशीलेन गुणेन वा ॥ भक्तिलेशयुतः शंभोः स वंद्यः सर्वदेहिनाम्

kiṁ kulena kimācāraiḥ kiṁśīlena guṇena vā bhaktileśayutaḥ śaṁbhoḥ sa vaṁdyaḥ sarvadehinām

What use is lineage, what use conduct, what use character or virtue? Whoever possesses even a trace of devotion to Shambhu is worthy of veneration by all embodied beings.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.97.12)

उज्जयिन्यामभूद्राजा चन्द्रसेनसमाह्वयः ॥ जातो मानवरूपेण द्वितीय इव वासवः

ujjayinyāmabhūdrājā candrasenasamāhvayaḥ jāto mānavarūpeṇa dvitīya iva vāsavaḥ

In Ujjayini there was a king named Chandrasena, born in human form, like a second Indra.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.97.13)

तस्मिन्पुरे महाकालं वसंतं परमेश्वरम् ॥ संपूजयत्यसौ भक्त्या चन्द्रसेनो नृपोत्तमः

tasminpure mahākālaṁ vasaṁtaṁ parameśvaram saṁpūjayatyasau bhaktyā candraseno nṛpottamaḥ

That best of kings, Chandrasena, worshipped with devotion the Supreme Lord Mahakala who dwelt in that city.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.97.14)

तस्याभवत्सखा राज्ञः शिवपारिषदाग्रणीः ॥ मणिभद्रो जिताभद्रः सर्वलोकनमस्कृतः

tasyābhavatsakhā rājñaḥ śivapāriṣadāgraṇīḥ maṇibhadro jitābhadraḥ sarvalokanamaskṛtaḥ

That king had a friend, foremost among the attendants of Shiva, named Manibhadra, who had conquered all misfortune, revered by all the world.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.97.15)

तस्यै कदा महीभर्तुः प्रसन्नः शंकरानुगः ॥ चिन्तामणिं ददौ दिव्यं मणिभद्रो महामतिः

tasyai kadā mahībhartuḥ prasannaḥ śaṁkarānugaḥ cintāmaṇiṁ dadau divyaṁ maṇibhadro mahāmatiḥ

Once, that wise Manibhadra, follower of Shankara, pleased with the king, gave him a divine wish-fulfilling gem (Chintamani).

Verse 16 (skanda.3.97.16)

स मणिः कौस्तुभ इव द्योतमानोर्कसन्निभः ॥ दृष्टः श्रुतो वा ध्यातो वा नृणां यच्छति चिंतितम्

sa maṇiḥ kaustubha iva dyotamānorkasannibhaḥ dṛṣṭaḥ śruto vā dhyāto vā nṛṇāṁ yacchati ciṁtitam

That gem, radiant like the Kaustubha jewel, resembling the sun, when seen, heard of, or even meditated upon, grants to people whatever they desire.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.97.17)

तस्य कांतिलवस्पृष्टं कांस्यं ताम्रमयस्त्रपु ॥ पाषाणादिकमन्यद्वा सद्यो भवति कांचनम्

tasya kāṁtilavaspṛṣṭaṁ kāṁsyaṁ tāmramayastrapu pāṣāṇādikamanyadvā sadyo bhavati kāṁcanam

Bronze, copper, iron, tin, stone, or anything else, merely touched by a fraction of its radiance, instantly turns to gold.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.97.18)

स तं चिन्तामणिं कंठे बिभ्रद्राजासनं गतः ॥ रराज राजा देवानां मध्ये भानुरिव स्वयम्

sa taṁ cintāmaṇiṁ kaṁṭhe bibhradrājāsanaṁ gataḥ rarāja rājā devānāṁ madhye bhānuriva svayam

Wearing that wish-fulfilling gem on his neck and seated on his royal throne, that king shone forth among his court like the sun itself among the gods.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.97.19)

सदा चिन्तामणिग्रीवं तं श्रुत्वा राजसत्तमम् ॥ प्रवृद्धतर्षा राजानः सर्वे क्षुब्धहृदोऽभवन्

sadā cintāmaṇigrīvaṁ taṁ śrutvā rājasattamam pravṛddhatarṣā rājānaḥ sarve kṣubdhahṛdo'bhavan

Hearing of that finest of kings, who always wore the wish-fulfilling gem at his throat, all other kings, their greed intensified, became agitated at heart.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.97.20)

स्नेहात्केचिदयाचंत धार्ष्ट्यात्केचन दुर्मदाः ॥ दैवलब्धमजानंतो मणिं मत्सरिणो नृपाः

snehātkecidayācaṁta dhārṣṭyātkecana durmadāḥ daivalabdhamajānaṁto maṇiṁ matsariṇo nṛpāḥ

Some, out of friendship, requested it; others, arrogant and insolent, demanded it by force; not knowing it had been obtained by divine favor, these envious kings sought it in vain.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.97.21)

सर्वेषां भूभृतां याञ्चा यदा व्यर्थीकृतामुना॥ राजानः सर्वदेशानां संरंभं चक्रिरे तदा

sarveṣāṁ bhūbhṛtāṁ yāñcā yadā vyarthīkṛtāmunā rājānaḥ sarvadeśānāṁ saṁraṁbhaṁ cakrire tadā

When the requests of all these kings were made futile by him, then the kings of all the various lands flew into a rage.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.97.22)

सौराष्ट्राः कैकयाः शाल्वाः कलिंगशकमद्रकाः ॥ पांचालावंतिसौवीरा मागधा मत्स्यसृंजयाः

saurāṣṭrāḥ kaikayāḥ śālvāḥ kaliṁgaśakamadrakāḥ pāṁcālāvaṁtisauvīrā māgadhā matsyasṛṁjayāḥ

The kings of Saurashtra, Kaikaya, Shalva, Kalinga, the Shakas, the Madras, Panchala, Avanti, Sauvira, Magadha, Matsya, and Srinjaya --

Verse 23 (skanda.3.97.23)

एते चान्ये च राजानः सहाश्वरथकुमजराः ॥ चन्द्रसेनं मृधे जेतुमुद्यमं चक्रुरोजसा

ete cānye ca rājānaḥ sahāśvarathakumajarāḥ candrasenaṁ mṛdhe jetumudyamaṁ cakrurojasā

these and other kings, together with their horses, chariots, elephants, and camels, made a great effort with all their might to conquer Chandrasena in battle.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.97.24)

ते तु सर्वे सुसंरब्धाः कंपयंतो वसुन्धराम् ॥ उज्जयिन्याश्चतुर्द्वारं रुरुधुर्बहुसैनिकाः

te tu sarve susaṁrabdhāḥ kaṁpayaṁto vasundharām ujjayinyāścaturdvāraṁ rurudhurbahusainikāḥ

All of them, greatly enraged, causing the very earth to tremble, blockaded the four gates of Ujjayini with vast numbers of soldiers.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.97.25)

संरुध्यमानो स्वपुरीं दृष्ट्वा राजभिरुद्धतैः ॥ चंद्रसेनो महाकालं तमेव शरणं ययौ

saṁrudhyamāno svapurīṁ dṛṣṭvā rājabhiruddhataiḥ caṁdraseno mahākālaṁ tameva śaraṇaṁ yayau

Seeing his own city thus besieged by these arrogant kings, Chandrasena took refuge in none other than Mahakala himself.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.97.26)

निर्विकल्पो निराहारः स राजा दृढनिश्चयः ॥ अर्चयामास गौरीशं दिवा नक्त मनन्यधीः

nirvikalpo nirāhāraḥ sa rājā dṛḍhaniścayaḥ arcayāmāsa gaurīśaṁ divā nakta mananyadhīḥ

That king, free of doubt, taking no food, of firm resolve, with a mind fixed on nothing else, worshipped the Lord of Gauri day and night.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.97.27)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे गोपी काचित्तत्पुरवासिनी ॥ एकपुत्रा भर्तृहीना तत्रैवासीच्चिरंतना

etasminnaṁtare gopī kācittatpuravāsinī ekaputrā bhartṛhīnā tatraivāsīcciraṁtanā

Meanwhile, there was a certain cowherd woman, a resident of that city, who had a single son and no husband, having long lived there.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.97.28)

सा पंचहायनं बालं वहंती गत भर्तृका ॥ राज्ञा कृतां महापूजां ददर्श गिरिजापतेः

sā paṁcahāyanaṁ bālaṁ vahaṁtī gata bhartṛkā rājñā kṛtāṁ mahāpūjāṁ dadarśa girijāpateḥ

She, that widow, carrying her five-year-old boy, saw the great worship of the Lord of Girija being performed by the king.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.97.29)

सा दृष्ट्वा सर्वमाश्चर्यं शिवपूजामहोदयम् ॥ प्रणिपत्य स्वशिबिरं पुनरेवाभ्यपद्यत

sā dṛṣṭvā sarvamāścaryaṁ śivapūjāmahodayam praṇipatya svaśibiraṁ punarevābhyapadyata

Having seen the entire wondrous spectacle of that great worship of Shiva, she bowed down, and then returned again to her own dwelling.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.97.30)

एतत्सर्वमशेषेण स दृष्ट्वा बल्लवीसुतः ॥ कुतूहलेन विदधे शिवपूजां विरक्तिदाम्

etatsarvamaśeṣeṇa sa dṛṣṭvā ballavīsutaḥ kutūhalena vidadhe śivapūjāṁ viraktidām

Having seen all of this in full, that cowherd woman's son, out of curiosity, undertook the worship of Shiva that bestows dispassion.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.97.31)

आनीय हृद्यं पाषाणं शून्ये तु शिबिरोत्तमे ॥ नातिदूरे स्वशिबिराच्छिवलिंगमकल्पयत्

ānīya hṛdyaṁ pāṣāṇaṁ śūnye tu śibirottame nātidūre svaśibirācchivaliṁgamakalpayat

Bringing a pleasing stone, in a vacant spot within his own excellent dwelling, not far from his own hut, he fashioned a Shiva-linga.

Verse 32 (skanda.3.97.32)

यानि कानि च पुष्पाणि हस्तलभ्यानि चात्मनः ॥ आनीय स्नाप्य तल्लिंगं पूजयामास भक्तितः

yāni kāni ca puṣpāṇi hastalabhyāni cātmanaḥ ānīya snāpya talliṁgaṁ pūjayāmāsa bhaktitaḥ

Bringing whatever flowers he could get with his own hands, he bathed that linga and worshipped it with devotion.

Verse 33 (skanda.3.97.33)

गंधालंकारवासांसि धूपदीपाक्षतादिकम् ॥ विधाय कृत्रिमैर्दिव्यैर्नैवेद्यं चाप्यकल्पयत्

gaṁdhālaṁkāravāsāṁsi dhūpadīpākṣatādikam vidhāya kṛtrimairdivyairnaivedyaṁ cāpyakalpayat

He offered fragrance, ornaments, garments, incense, lamps, unbroken rice, and the like, using improvised materials, as if divine, and also prepared an offering of food.

Verse 34 (skanda.3.97.34)

भूयोभूयः समभ्यर्च्य पत्रैः पुष्पैर्मनोरमैः ॥ नृत्यं च विविधं कृत्वा प्रणनाम पुनःपुनः

bhūyobhūyaḥ samabhyarcya patraiḥ puṣpairmanoramaiḥ nṛtyaṁ ca vividhaṁ kṛtvā praṇanāma punaḥpunaḥ

Worshipping it again and again with leaves and lovely flowers, and performing various dances, he bowed down again and again.

Verse 35 (skanda.3.97.35)

एवं पूजां प्रकुर्वाणं शिवस्यानन्यमानसम् ॥ सा पुत्रं प्रणयाद्गोपी भोजनाय समा ह्वयत्

evaṁ pūjāṁ prakurvāṇaṁ śivasyānanyamānasam sā putraṁ praṇayādgopī bhojanāya samā hvayat

While he was thus performing worship, his mind fixed exclusively on Shiva, that cowherd mother, out of love, called her son for his meal.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.97.36)

मात्राहूतोपि बहुशः स पूजासक्तमानसः ॥ बालोपि भोजनं नच्छत्तदा माता स्वयं ययौ

mātrāhūtopi bahuśaḥ sa pūjāsaktamānasaḥ bālopi bhojanaṁ nacchattadā mātā svayaṁ yayau

Though called many times by his mother, that boy, his mind absorbed in worship, did not come to eat; then his mother herself went there.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.97.37)

तं विलोक्य शिवस्याग्रे निषण्णं मी लितेक्षणम्॥ चकर्ष पाणिं संगृह्य कोपेन समताडयत्

taṁ vilokya śivasyāgre niṣaṇṇaṁ mī litekṣaṇam cakarṣa pāṇiṁ saṁgṛhya kopena samatāḍayat

Seeing him seated before the linga of Shiva, his eyes closed, she grabbed his hand, pulled him, and struck him in anger.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.97.38)

आकृष्टस्ताडितो वापि नागच्छत्स्वसुतो यदा ॥ तां पूजां नाशयामास क्षिप्त्वा लिंगं विदूरतः

ākṛṣṭastāḍito vāpi nāgacchatsvasuto yadā tāṁ pūjāṁ nāśayāmāsa kṣiptvā liṁgaṁ vidūrataḥ

When her son, even though pulled and struck, still would not come, she destroyed that worship by hurling the linga far away.

Verse 39 (skanda.3.97.39)

हाहेति रुदमानं तं निर्भर्त्स्य स्वसुतं तदा ॥ पुनर्विवेश स्वगृहं गोपी रोषसमन्विता

hāheti rudamānaṁ taṁ nirbhartsya svasutaṁ tadā punarviveśa svagṛhaṁ gopī roṣasamanvitā

Then, scolding her own son who was crying out "Alas, alas!", that cowherd woman, filled with anger, went back into her own house.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.97.40)

मात्रा विनाशितां पूजां दृष्ट्वा देवस्य शूलिनः ॥ देवदेवेति चुक्रोश निपपात स बालकः

mātrā vināśitāṁ pūjāṁ dṛṣṭvā devasya śūlinaḥ devadeveti cukrośa nipapāta sa bālakaḥ

Seeing the worship of the trident-bearing God destroyed by his mother, that boy cried out "O God of gods!" and fell down.

Verse 41 (skanda.3.97.41)

प्रनष्टसंज्ञः सहसा बाष्पपूरपरिप्लुतः ॥ लब्धसंज्ञो मुहूर्तेन चक्षुषी उदमीलयत्

pranaṣṭasaṁjñaḥ sahasā bāṣpapūrapariplutaḥ labdhasaṁjño muhūrtena cakṣuṣī udamīlayat

Instantly losing consciousness, flooded with a stream of tears, he regained consciousness in a moment and opened his eyes.

Verse 42 (skanda.3.97.42)

ततो मणिस्तंभविराजमानं हिरण्मयद्वारकपाटतोरणम् ॥ महार्हनीलामलवज्रवेदिकं तदेव जातं शिबिरं शिवालयम्

tato maṇistaṁbhavirājamānaṁ hiraṇmayadvārakapāṭatoraṇam mahārhanīlāmalavajravedikaṁ tadeva jātaṁ śibiraṁ śivālayam

Then he saw that very same hut had become a temple of Shiva, resplendent with jeweled pillars, golden door-panels and archways, and a platform of precious, flawless blue diamonds.

Verse 43 (skanda.3.97.43)

संतप्तहेम कलशैर्बहुभिर्विचित्रैः प्रोद्भासितस्फटिकसौधतलाभिरामम् ॥ रम्यं च तच्छिवपुरं वरपीठमध्ये लिंगं च रत्नसहितं स ददर्श बालः

saṁtaptahema kalaśairbahubhirvicitraiḥ prodbhāsitasphaṭikasaudhatalābhirāmam ramyaṁ ca tacchivapuraṁ varapīṭhamadhye liṁgaṁ ca ratnasahitaṁ sa dadarśa bālaḥ

That boy saw that delightful city of Shiva, beautiful with its crystal palace floors gleaming with many wondrous molten-gold pitchers, and, in the midst of its excellent pedestal, a linga adorned with jewels.

Verse 44 (skanda.3.97.44)

स दृष्ट्वा सहसोत्थाय भीतविस्मितमानसः ॥ निमग्न इव संतोषात्परमानंदसागरे

sa dṛṣṭvā sahasotthāya bhītavismitamānasaḥ nimagna iva saṁtoṣātparamānaṁdasāgare

Seeing this, he rose up suddenly, his mind both frightened and astonished, as if immersed, out of joy, in an ocean of supreme bliss.

Verse 45 (skanda.3.97.45)

विज्ञाय शिवपूजाया माहात्म्यं तत्प्रभावतः ॥ ननाम दंडवद्भूमौ स्वमातुरघशांतये

vijñāya śivapūjāyā māhātmyaṁ tatprabhāvataḥ nanāma daṁḍavadbhūmau svamāturaghaśāṁtaye

Understanding, from this manifestation of its power, the greatness of Shiva's worship, he bowed prostrate on the ground for the pacification of his mother's sin.

Verse 46 (skanda.3.97.46)

देव क्षमस्व दुरितं मम मातुरुमापते ॥ मूढायास्त्वामजानंत्याः प्रसन्नो भव शंकर

deva kṣamasva duritaṁ mama māturumāpate mūḍhāyāstvāmajānaṁtyāḥ prasanno bhava śaṁkara

"O Lord, forgive the sin of my mother, O husband of Uma; be gracious, O Shankara, toward this deluded woman who did not know you."

Verse 47 (skanda.3.97.47)

यद्यस्ति मयि यत्किंचित्पुण्यं त्वद्भक्तिसंभवम् ॥ तेनापि शिव मे माता तव कारुण्यमाप्नुयात्

yadyasti mayi yatkiṁcitpuṇyaṁ tvadbhaktisaṁbhavam tenāpi śiva me mātā tava kāruṇyamāpnuyāt

"If there is in me any merit whatsoever arising from devotion to you, by that too, O Shiva, may my mother attain your compassion."

Verse 48 (skanda.3.97.48)

इति प्रसाद्य गिरिशं भूयोभूयः प्रणम्य च ॥ सूर्ये चास्तं गते बालो निर्जगाम शिवालयात्

iti prasādya giriśaṁ bhūyobhūyaḥ praṇamya ca sūrye cāstaṁ gate bālo nirjagāma śivālayāt

Having thus placated Girisha and having bowed again and again, when the sun had set, that boy went out from the temple of Shiva.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.97.49)

अथापश्यत्स्वशिबिरं पुरंदरपुरोपमम् ॥ सद्यो हिरण्मयीभूतं विचित्रविभवोज्ज्वलम्

athāpaśyatsvaśibiraṁ puraṁdarapuropamam sadyo hiraṇmayībhūtaṁ vicitravibhavojjvalam

Then he saw his own dwelling had instantly become like the city of Indra, transformed into gold, resplendent with wondrous splendor.

Verse 50 (skanda.3.97.50)

सोंतः प्रविश्य भवनं मोदमानो निशामुखे ॥ महामणिगणाकीर्णं हेमराशिसमुज्ज्वलम्

soṁtaḥ praviśya bhavanaṁ modamāno niśāmukhe mahāmaṇigaṇākīrṇaṁ hemarāśisamujjvalam

Entering that mansion, rejoicing, at nightfall, he found it strewn with great clusters of jewels and blazing with heaps of gold.

Verse 51 (skanda.3.97.51)

तत्रापश्यत्स्वजननीं स्मरंतीमकुतोभयाम् ॥ महार्हरत्न पर्यंके सितशय्यामधिश्रिताम्

tatrāpaśyatsvajananīṁ smaraṁtīmakutobhayām mahārharatna paryaṁke sitaśayyāmadhiśritām

There he saw his own mother, thinking of him without any fear, seated upon a white bed on a couch of priceless jewels.

Verse 52 (skanda.3.97.52)

रत्नालंकारदीप्तांगीं दिव्यांबरविराजिनीम् ॥ दिव्यलक्षणसंपन्नां साक्षात्सुरवधूमिव

ratnālaṁkāradīptāṁgīṁ divyāṁbaravirājinīm divyalakṣaṇasaṁpannāṁ sākṣātsuravadhūmiva

Her body radiant with jeweled ornaments, resplendent in divine garments, endowed with divine beauty, she appeared like a celestial bride in person.

Verse 53 (skanda.3.97.53)

जवेनोत्थापयामास संभ्रमोत्फुल्ललोचनः ॥ अंब जागृहि भद्रं ते पश्येदं महदद्भुतम्

javenotthāpayāmāsa saṁbhramotphullalocanaḥ aṁba jāgṛhi bhadraṁ te paśyedaṁ mahadadbhutam

His eyes wide with excitement, he swiftly roused her: "Mother, awaken! May good fortune be yours -- behold this great wonder!"

Verse 54 (skanda.3.97.54)

इति प्रबोधिता गोपी स्वपुत्रेण महात्मना ॥ ततोऽपश्यत्स्वजननी स्मयन्ती मुकुटोज्ज्वला

iti prabodhitā gopī svaputreṇa mahātmanā tato'paśyatsvajananī smayantī mukuṭojjvalā

Thus awakened by her own noble son, that cowherd mother, smiling, now resplendent with a crown, then looked about,

Verse 55 (skanda.3.97.55)

ससंभ्रमं समुत्थाय तत्सर्वं प्रत्यवेक्षत ॥ अपूर्वमिव चात्मानमपूर्वमिव बालकम्

sasaṁbhramaṁ samutthāya tatsarvaṁ pratyavekṣata apūrvamiva cātmānamapūrvamiva bālakam

and, rising with excitement, beheld all of it -- her own self as if unprecedented, and her boy too as if transformed and unprecedented.

Verse 56 (skanda.3.97.56)

अपूर्वं च स्वसदनं दृष्ट्वा सीत्सुखविह्वला ॥ श्रुत्वा पुत्रमुखात्सर्वं प्रसादं गिरिजापतेः

apūrvaṁ ca svasadanaṁ dṛṣṭvā sītsukhavihvalā śrutvā putramukhātsarvaṁ prasādaṁ girijāpateḥ

And seeing her own transformed dwelling, she was overcome with joy; having heard from her son's own mouth the whole account of the grace of the Lord of Girija,

Verse 57 (skanda.3.97.57)

राज्ञे विज्ञापयामास यो भजत्यनिशं शिवम् ॥ स राजा सहसागत्य समाप्त नियमो निशि

rājñe vijñāpayāmāsa yo bhajatyaniśaṁ śivam sa rājā sahasāgatya samāpta niyamo niśi

she had it announced to the king -- that king who worships Shiva ceaselessly. That king, having just completed his nightly observance, came there at once,

Verse 58 (skanda.3.97.58)

ददर्श गोपिकासूनोः प्रभावं शिवतोषजम् ॥ हिरण्मयं शिवस्थानं लिंगं मणिमयं तथा

dadarśa gopikāsūnoḥ prabhāvaṁ śivatoṣajam hiraṇmayaṁ śivasthānaṁ liṁgaṁ maṇimayaṁ tathā

and beheld the power, born of Shiva's pleasure, of the cowherd woman's son -- the golden abode of Shiva, and likewise the jewel-encrusted linga,

Verse 59 (skanda.3.97.59)

गोपवध्वाश्च सदनं माणि क्यवरकोज्ज्वलम्॥ दृष्ट्वा महीपतिः सर्वं सामात्यः सपुरोहितः

gopavadhvāśca sadanaṁ māṇi kyavarakojjvalam dṛṣṭvā mahīpatiḥ sarvaṁ sāmātyaḥ sapurohitaḥ

and the cowherd woman's dwelling, resplendent with the finest rubies. Having seen all this, that lord of the earth, together with his ministers and priest --

Verse 60 (skanda.3.97.60)

मुहूर्तं विस्मितधृतिः परमानंदनिर्भरः ॥ प्रेम्णा वाष्पजलं मुंचन्परिरेभे तम र्भकम्

muhūrtaṁ vismitadhṛtiḥ paramānaṁdanirbharaḥ premṇā vāṣpajalaṁ muṁcanparirebhe tama rbhakam

-- for a moment astonished, filled with supreme bliss, shedding tears of love, embraced that child.

Verse 61 (skanda.3.97.61)

एवमत्यद्भुताकाराच्छिवमाहात्म्यकीर्त्तनात् ॥ पौराणां संभ्रमाच्चैव सा रात्रिः क्षणतामगात्

evamatyadbhutākārācchivamāhātmyakīrttanāt paurāṇāṁ saṁbhramāccaiva sā rātriḥ kṣaṇatāmagāt

Thus, through this most wondrous form of the display, through the recounting of Shiva's greatness, and through the excitement of the townspeople, that night passed as if it were but a moment.

Verse 62 (skanda.3.97.62)

अथ प्रभाते युद्धाय पुरं संरुध्य संस्थिताः ॥ राजानश्चारवक्त्रेभ्यः शुश्रुवुः परमाद्भुतम्

atha prabhāte yuddhāya puraṁ saṁrudhya saṁsthitāḥ rājānaścāravaktrebhyaḥ śuśruvuḥ paramādbhutam

Then, at dawn, the kings who had blockaded the city for battle heard, from the mouths of their spies, of this most wondrous event.

Verse 63 (skanda.3.97.63)

ते त्यक्तवैराः सहसा राजानश्चकिता भृशम् ॥ न्यस्तशस्त्रा निविविशुश्चंद्रसेनानुमोदिताः

te tyaktavairāḥ sahasā rājānaścakitā bhṛśam nyastaśastrā niviviśuścaṁdrasenānumoditāḥ

Those kings, greatly astonished, at once abandoned their hostility, laid down their weapons, and, with Chandrasena's approval, entered the city.

Verse 64 (skanda.3.97.64)

तां प्रविश्य पुरीं रम्यां महाकालं प्रणम्य च ॥ तद्गोपवनितागेहमाजग्मुः सर्वभूभृतः

tāṁ praviśya purīṁ ramyāṁ mahākālaṁ praṇamya ca tadgopavanitāgehamājagmuḥ sarvabhūbhṛtaḥ

Entering that beautiful city, and bowing to Mahakala, all those kings then came to the house of that cowherd woman.

Verse 65 (skanda.3.97.65)

ते तत्र चंद्रसेनेन प्रत्युद्गम्याभि पूजिताः ॥ महार्हविष्टरगताः प्रीत्यानंदन्सुविस्मिताः

te tatra caṁdrasenena pratyudgamyābhi pūjitāḥ mahārhaviṣṭaragatāḥ prītyānaṁdansuvismitāḥ

There, welcomed and honored by Chandrasena, seated upon priceless seats, they rejoiced with affection, greatly astonished.

Verse 66 (skanda.3.97.66)

गोपसूनोः प्रसादाय प्रादुर्भूतं शिवालयम् ॥ लिंगं च वीक्ष्य सुमहच्छिवे चक्रुः परां मतिम्

gopasūnoḥ prasādāya prādurbhūtaṁ śivālayam liṁgaṁ ca vīkṣya sumahacchive cakruḥ parāṁ matim

Seeing the temple of Shiva and that magnificent linga which had manifested through grace toward the cowherd's son, they formed the highest conviction regarding Shiva.

Verse 67 (skanda.3.97.67)

तस्मै गोपकुमाराय प्रीतास्ते सर्वभूभुजः ॥ वासोहिरण्यरत्नानि गोमहिष्यादिकं धनम्

tasmai gopakumārāya prītāste sarvabhūbhujaḥ vāsohiraṇyaratnāni gomahiṣyādikaṁ dhanam

Delighted, all those kings gave to that cowherd boy garments, gold, jewels, and wealth in the form of cows, buffaloes, and the like,

Verse 68 (skanda.3.97.68)

गजानश्वान्रथान्रौक्माञ्छत्र यानपरिच्छदान् ॥ दासान्दासीरनेकाश्च ददुः शिवकृपार्थिनः

gajānaśvānrathānraukmāñchatra yānaparicchadān dāsāndāsīranekāśca daduḥ śivakṛpārthinaḥ

elephants, horses, chariots, golden ornaments, parasols, vehicles and equipage, and numerous male and female servants, desiring for themselves the grace of Shiva.

Verse 69 (skanda.3.97.69)

येये सर्वेषु देशेषु गोपास्तिष्ठंति भूरिशः ॥ तेषां तमेव राजानं चक्रिरे सर्व पार्थिवाः

yeye sarveṣu deśeṣu gopāstiṣṭhaṁti bhūriśaḥ teṣāṁ tameva rājānaṁ cakrire sarva pārthivāḥ

And all those kings made him the king of all the numerous cowherds dwelling in every land.

Verse 70 (skanda.3.97.70)

अथास्मिन्नंतरे सर्वैस्त्रिदशैरभिपूजितः ॥ प्रादुर्बभूव तेजस्वी हनूमान्वानरेश्वरः

athāsminnaṁtare sarvaistridaśairabhipūjitaḥ prādurbabhūva tejasvī hanūmānvānareśvaraḥ

Then, meanwhile, worshipped by all the gods, the radiant Hanuman, lord of the monkeys, manifested there.

Verse 71 (skanda.3.97.71)

तस्याभिगमनादेव राजानो जातसंभ्रमाः ॥ प्रत्युत्थाय नमश्चक्रुर्भक्तिनम्रात्ममूर्त्तयः

tasyābhigamanādeva rājāno jātasaṁbhramāḥ pratyutthāya namaścakrurbhaktinamrātmamūrttayaḥ

The very moment he arrived, the kings, filled with excitement, rose up and, their bodies bowed in devotion, offered him salutation.

Verse 72 (skanda.3.97.72)

तेषां मध्ये समासीनः पूजितः प्लवगेश्वरः ॥ गोपात्मजं समाश्लिष्य राज्ञो वीक्ष्येदमववीत्

teṣāṁ madhye samāsīnaḥ pūjitaḥ plavageśvaraḥ gopātmajaṁ samāśliṣya rājño vīkṣyedamavavīt

Seated in their midst, honored, that lord of monkeys, embracing the cowherd's son and looking upon the kings, spoke these words.

Verse 73 (skanda.3.97.73)

सर्वे शृणुत भद्रं वो राजानो ये च देहिनः ॥ शिवपूजामृते नान्या गतिरस्ति शरीरिणाम

sarve śṛṇuta bhadraṁ vo rājāno ye ca dehinaḥ śivapūjāmṛte nānyā gatirasti śarīriṇāma

"All you kings and all embodied beings, listen -- may good fortune be yours; apart from the worship of Shiva, there is no other refuge for embodied souls."

Verse 74 (skanda.3.97.74)

एष गोपसुतो दिष्ट्या प्रदोषे मंदवा सरे ॥ अमंत्रेणापि संपूज्य शिवं शिवमवाप्तवान्

eṣa gopasuto diṣṭyā pradoṣe maṁdavā sare amaṁtreṇāpi saṁpūjya śivaṁ śivamavāptavān

"This cowherd's son, by good fortune, worshipping Shiva at the twilight hour on a Saturday, even without any mantra, has attained Shiva himself."

Verse 75 (skanda.3.97.75)

मंदवारे प्रदोषोऽयं दुर्लभः सर्वदेहिनाम् ॥ तत्रापि दुर्लभतरः कृष्णपक्षे समागते

maṁdavāre pradoṣo'yaṁ durlabhaḥ sarvadehinām tatrāpi durlabhataraḥ kṛṣṇapakṣe samāgate

"This pradosha falling on a Saturday is rare for all embodied beings; and rarer still is it when it coincides with the dark fortnight."

Verse 76 (skanda.3.97.76)

एष पुण्यतमो लोके गोपानां कीर्तिवर्धनः ॥ अस्य वंशेऽष्टमो भावी नंदोनाम महायशाः ॥ प्राप्स्यते तस्य पुत्रत्वं कृष्णो नारा यणः स्वयम्

eṣa puṇyatamo loke gopānāṁ kīrtivardhanaḥ asya vaṁśe'ṣṭamo bhāvī naṁdonāma mahāyaśāḥ prāpsyate tasya putratvaṁ kṛṣṇo nārā yaṇaḥ svayam

"This most meritorious one shall increase the fame of the cowherds in the world. In his lineage, in the eighth generation, there shall be one of great renown named Nanda; and Krishna, Narayana himself, shall become that Nanda's son."

Verse 77 (skanda.3.97.77)

अद्यप्रभृति लोकेस्मिन्नेष गोपालनंदनः ॥ नाम्ना श्रीकर इत्युच्चैर्लोके ख्यातिं गमिष्यति

adyaprabhṛti lokesminneṣa gopālanaṁdanaḥ nāmnā śrīkara ityuccairloke khyātiṁ gamiṣyati

"From this day forward, in this world, this son of a cowherd shall become widely renowned by the name Shrikara ('bringer of prosperity')."

Verse 78 (skanda.3.97.78)

सूत उवाच ॥ एवमुक्त्वांजनीसूनुस्तस्मै गोपकसूनवे ॥ उपदिश्य शिवाचारं तत्रैवांतरधीयत

sūta uvāca evamuktvāṁjanīsūnustasmai gopakasūnave upadiśya śivācāraṁ tatraivāṁtaradhīyata

Suta said: Having spoken thus, Hanuman, son of Anjani, having taught that cowherd's son the proper conduct of worshipping Shiva, vanished there itself.

Verse 79 (skanda.3.97.79)

ते च सर्वे महीपालाः संहृष्टाः प्रतिपूजिताः ॥ चन्द्रसेनं समामंत्र्य प्रतिजग्मुर्यथागतम्

te ca sarve mahīpālāḥ saṁhṛṣṭāḥ pratipūjitāḥ candrasenaṁ samāmaṁtrya pratijagmuryathāgatam

And all those kings, greatly delighted and duly honored, took leave of Chandrasena and returned the way they had come.

Verse 80 (skanda.3.97.80)

श्रीकरोऽपि महातेजा उपदिष्टो हनूमता ॥ ब्राह्मणैः सह धर्मज्ञैश्चक्रे शम्भोः समर्हणम्

śrīkaro'pi mahātejā upadiṣṭo hanūmatā brāhmaṇaiḥ saha dharmajñaiścakre śambhoḥ samarhaṇam

And that greatly radiant Shrikara, instructed by Hanuman, together with brahmins learned in dharma, performed the worship of Shambhu.

Verse 81 (skanda.3.97.81)

कालेन श्रीकरः सोऽपि चंद्रसेनश्च भूपतिः ॥ समाराध्य शिवं भक्त्या प्रापतुः परमं पदम्

kālena śrīkaraḥ so'pi caṁdrasenaśca bhūpatiḥ samārādhya śivaṁ bhaktyā prāpatuḥ paramaṁ padam

In time, both Shrikara and King Chandrasena, having worshipped Shiva with devotion, attained the supreme abode.

Verse 82 (skanda.3.97.82)

इदं रहस्यं परमं पवित्रं यशस्करं पुण्यमहर्द्धिवर्धनम् ॥ आख्यानमाख्यातमघौघनाशनं गौरीशपादांबुजभक्तिवर्धनम्

idaṁ rahasyaṁ paramaṁ pavitraṁ yaśaskaraṁ puṇyamaharddhivardhanam ākhyānamākhyātamaghaughanāśanaṁ gaurīśapādāṁbujabhaktivardhanam

This has been related -- this supremely sacred, secret, glory-bestowing legend, meritorious and prosperity-increasing, the destroyer of masses of sin, the increaser of devotion to the lotus feet of the Lord of Gauri.