The Rite of Pradosha Worship and the Story of Dharmagupta

Verse 1 (skanda.3.99.1)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ इत्युक्ता मुनिना साध्वी सा विप्रवनिता पुनः ॥ तं प्रणम्याथ पप्रच्छ शिवपूजाविधेः क्रमम्

sūta uvāca ityuktā muninā sādhvī sā vipravanitā punaḥ taṁ praṇamyātha papraccha śivapūjāvidheḥ kramam

Suta said: Thus addressed by the sage, that virtuous brahmin woman again bowed to him and asked the order of the rite of Shiva-worship.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.99.2)

शांडिल्य उवाच ॥ पक्षद्वये त्रयोदश्यां निराहारो भवेद्यदा ॥ घटीत्रयादस्तमयात्पूर्वं स्नानं समाचरेत्

śāṁḍilya uvāca pakṣadvaye trayodaśyāṁ nirāhāro bhavedyadā ghaṭītrayādastamayātpūrvaṁ snānaṁ samācaret

Shandilya said: When on the thirteenth day, in either fortnight, one observes a fast, one should bathe three ghatikas before sunset.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.99.3)

शुक्लांबरधरो धीरो वाग्यतो नियमान्वितः॥ कृतसंध्याजपविधिः शिवपूजां समारभेत्

śuklāṁbaradharo dhīro vāgyato niyamānvitaḥ kṛtasaṁdhyājapavidhiḥ śivapūjāṁ samārabhet

Clad in white garments, self-controlled, silent, and observing the vows, having performed the evening sandhya and japa, one should begin the worship of Shiva.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.99.4)

देवस्य पुरतः सम्यगुपलिप्य नवांभसा ॥ विधाय मंडलं रम्यं धौतवस्त्रादिभिर्बुधः

devasya purataḥ samyagupalipya navāṁbhasā vidhāya maṁḍalaṁ ramyaṁ dhautavastrādibhirbudhaḥ

Before the deity, having properly smeared the ground with fresh cow-dung and water, the wise one should draw a lovely mandala with cloths washed clean, and the like.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.99.5)

वितानाद्यैरलंकृत्य फलपुष्पनवांकुरैः ॥ विचित्रपद्ममुद्धृत्य वर्णपंचकसंयुतम्

vitānādyairalaṁkṛtya phalapuṣpanavāṁkuraiḥ vicitrapadmamuddhṛtya varṇapaṁcakasaṁyutam

Having decorated it with canopies and so on, with fruits, flowers and fresh sprouts, having drawn a many-colored lotus furnished with the five colors,

Verse 6 (skanda.3.99.6)

तत्रोपविश्य सुशुभे भक्तियुक्तः स्थिरासने ॥ सम्यक्संपादिताशेष पूजोपकरणः शुचिः

tatropaviśya suśubhe bhaktiyuktaḥ sthirāsane samyaksaṁpāditāśeṣa pūjopakaraṇaḥ śuciḥ

sitting there on a firm seat in that most auspicious spot, filled with devotion, pure, having duly gathered all the articles of worship,

Verse 7 (skanda.3.99.7)

आगमोक्तेन मंत्रेण पीठमामंत्रयेत्सुधीः ॥ ततः कृत्वात्मशुद्धिं च भूतशुद्ध्यादिकं क्रमात्

āgamoktena maṁtreṇa pīṭhamāmaṁtrayetsudhīḥ tataḥ kṛtvātmaśuddhiṁ ca bhūtaśuddhyādikaṁ kramāt

the wise one should invoke the seat with the mantra prescribed in the Agamas; then, in order, he should perform the purification of self and of the elements, and so on.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.99.8)

प्राणायामत्रयं कृत्वा बीजवर्णैः सबिंदुकैः ॥ मातृका न्यस्य विधिवद्ध्यात्वा तां देवतां पराम्

prāṇāyāmatrayaṁ kṛtvā bījavarṇaiḥ sabiṁdukaiḥ mātṛkā nyasya vidhivaddhyātvā tāṁ devatāṁ parām

Having done triple pranayama, having placed the matrika letters with their seed-syllables and bindus according to rule, he should meditate on that supreme goddess.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.99.9)

समाप्य मातृका भूयो ध्यात्वा चैव परं शिवम् ॥ वामभागे गुरुं नत्वा दक्षिणे गणपं नमेत्

samāpya mātṛkā bhūyo dhyātvā caiva paraṁ śivam vāmabhāge guruṁ natvā dakṣiṇe gaṇapaṁ namet

Having completed the matrika placement, and meditated again on the supreme Shiva, he should bow to the guru on the left side, and salute Ganapati on the right.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.99.10)

अंसोरुयुग्मे धर्मादीन्न्यस्य नाभौ च पार्श्वयोः ॥ अधर्मादीननंतादीन्हृदि पीठे मनुं न्यसेत्

aṁsoruyugme dharmādīnnyasya nābhau ca pārśvayoḥ adharmādīnanaṁtādīnhṛdi pīṭhe manuṁ nyaset

Having placed dharma and so forth on the two shoulders and thighs, adharma and so forth at the navel and sides, and ananta and so forth, he should place the mantra at the heart, upon the seat.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.99.11)

आधारशक्तिमारभ्य ज्ञानात्मानमनुक्रमात् ॥ उक्तक्रमेण विन्यस्य हृत्पद्मे साधुभाविते

ādhāraśaktimārabhya jñānātmānamanukramāt uktakrameṇa vinyasya hṛtpadme sādhubhāvite

Beginning from the Adhara-shakti up to Jnanatman, having placed them in due order upon the well-prepared lotus of the heart,

Verse 12 (skanda.3.99.12)

नवशक्तिमये रम्ये ध्यायेद्देवमुमापतिम्॥ चन्द्रकोटिप्रतीकाशं त्रिनेत्रं चन्द्रशेखरम्

navaśaktimaye ramye dhyāyeddevamumāpatim candrakoṭipratīkāśaṁ trinetraṁ candraśekharam

delightful and made of the nine shaktis, one should meditate there upon the Lord, husband of Uma — resembling a myriad moons, three-eyed, crowned with the crescent moon,

Verse 13 (skanda.3.99.13)

आपिंगलजटाजूटं रत्नमौलिविराजितम् ॥ नीलग्रीवमुदारांगं नागहारोपशोभितम्

āpiṁgalajaṭājūṭaṁ ratnamaulivirājitam nīlagrīvamudārāṁgaṁ nāgahāropaśobhitam

his matted locks tawny-red, adorned with a jeweled crown, his throat blue, his form majestic, adorned with a garland of serpents,

Verse 14 (skanda.3.99.14)

वरदाभयहस्तं च धारिणं च परश्वधम् ॥ दधानं नागवलयकेयूरांगदमुद्रिकम्

varadābhayahastaṁ ca dhāriṇaṁ ca paraśvadham dadhānaṁ nāgavalayakeyūrāṁgadamudrikam

his hands in gestures of boon-giving and reassurance, holding also the battle-axe, wearing bracelets, armlets and rings of serpents,

Verse 15 (skanda.3.99.15)

व्याघ्रचर्मपरीधानं रत्नसिंहासने स्थितम् ॥ ध्यात्वा तद्वाम भागे च चिंतयेद्गिरिकन्यकाम्

vyāghracarmaparīdhānaṁ ratnasiṁhāsane sthitam dhyātvā tadvāma bhāge ca ciṁtayedgirikanyakām

clad in a tiger-skin, seated upon a jeweled lion-throne. Having meditated thus, one should then contemplate the Mountain's Daughter on his left side —

Verse 16 (skanda.3.99.16)

भास्वज्जपाप्रसूनाभामुदयार्कसमप्रभाम् ॥ विद्युत्पुंजनिभां तन्वीं मनोनयननंदिनीम्

bhāsvajjapāprasūnābhāmudayārkasamaprabhām vidyutpuṁjanibhāṁ tanvīṁ manonayananaṁdinīm

radiant like the hibiscus flower, bright as the rising sun, resembling a mass of lightning, slender, delighting the mind and the eyes,

Verse 17 (skanda.3.99.17)

बालेंदु शेखरां स्निग्धां नीलकुंचितकुन्तलाम् ॥ भृंगसंघातरुचिरां नीलालकविराजिताम्

bāleṁdu śekharāṁ snigdhāṁ nīlakuṁcitakuntalām bhṛṁgasaṁghātarucirāṁ nīlālakavirājitām

crowned with the young moon, tender, her curling locks dark blue, lovely as a cluster of bees, adorned with dark ringlets,

Verse 18 (skanda.3.99.18)

मणिकुंडलविद्योतन्मुखमंडलविभ्रमाम् ॥ नवकुम्कुमपंकांक कपोलदलदर्पणाम्

maṇikuṁḍalavidyotanmukhamaṁḍalavibhramām navakumkumapaṁkāṁka kapoladaladarpaṇām

her moon-like face flashing with jeweled earrings, her cheeks like mirrors smeared with fresh vermilion paste,

Verse 19 (skanda.3.99.19)

मधुरस्मितविभ्राजदरुणाधरपल्लवाम् ॥ कंबुकंठीं शिवामुद्यत्कुचपंकजकुड्मलाम्

madhurasmitavibhrājadaruṇādharapallavām kaṁbukaṁṭhīṁ śivāmudyatkucapaṁkajakuḍmalām

her lower lip red and tender, radiant with a sweet smile, her throat like a conch-shell, auspicious, her breasts like budding lotuses,

Verse 20 (skanda.3.99.20)

पाशांकुशाभयाभीष्टविल सत्सु चतुर्भुजाम् ॥ अनेकरत्नविलसत्कंकणांकितमुद्रिकाम्

pāśāṁkuśābhayābhīṣṭavila satsu caturbhujām anekaratnavilasatkaṁkaṇāṁkitamudrikām

shining with four arms holding noose, goad, and gestures of fearlessness and boon-granting, her rings sparkling with many jewels and bracelets,

Verse 21 (skanda.3.99.21)

वलित्रयेण विलसद्धेमकांचीगुणान्विताम् ॥ रक्तमाल्यांबरधरां दिव्यचंदनच र्चिताम्

valitrayeṇa vilasaddhemakāṁcīguṇānvitām raktamālyāṁbaradharāṁ divyacaṁdanaca rcitām

her waist marked with three folds, adorned with a shining golden girdle, wearing red garlands and garments, anointed with divine sandal-paste,

Verse 22 (skanda.3.99.22)

दिक्पालवनितामौलिसन्नतांघ्रिसरोरुहाम् ॥ रत्नसिंहासनारूढां सर्पराजपरिच्छदाम्

dikpālavanitāmaulisannatāṁghrisaroruhām ratnasiṁhāsanārūḍhāṁ sarparājaparicchadām

her lotus feet bowed to by the crowns of the wives of the guardians of the directions, seated upon a jeweled lion-throne, attended by the serpent-king.

Verse 23 (skanda.3.99.23)

एवं ध्यात्वा महादेवं देवीं च गिरि कन्यकाम् ॥ न्यासक्रमेण संपूज्य देवं गंधादिभिः क्रमात्

evaṁ dhyātvā mahādevaṁ devīṁ ca giri kanyakām nyāsakrameṇa saṁpūjya devaṁ gaṁdhādibhiḥ kramāt

Having thus meditated on Mahadeva and on the goddess, the Mountain's Daughter, having worshipped the Lord in due order of installation with sandal-paste and the rest,

Verse 24 (skanda.3.99.24)

पंचभिर्ब्रह्मभिः कुर्यात्प्रोक्तस्थानेषु वा हृदि ॥ पृथक्पुष्पांजलिं देहे मूलेन च हदि त्रिधा

paṁcabhirbrahmabhiḥ kuryātproktasthāneṣu vā hṛdi pṛthakpuṣpāṁjaliṁ dehe mūlena ca hadi tridhā

one should offer, with the five Brahma-mantras, in the prescribed places or at the heart, a separate handful of flowers to the body, and thrice with the root-mantra at the heart.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.99.25)

पुनः स्वयं शिवो भूत्वा मूलमंत्रेण साधकः ॥ ततः संपूजयेद्देवं बाह्यपीठे पुनः क्रमात्

punaḥ svayaṁ śivo bhūtvā mūlamaṁtreṇa sādhakaḥ tataḥ saṁpūjayeddevaṁ bāhyapīṭhe punaḥ kramāt

Then, having himself become Shiva through the root-mantra, the practitioner should again worship the Lord in due order upon the outer seat.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.99.26)

संकल्पं प्रवदेत्तत्र पूजारंभे समाहितः ॥ कृतांजलिपुटो भूत्वा चिंतयेद्धृदि शंकरम्

saṁkalpaṁ pravadettatra pūjāraṁbhe samāhitaḥ kṛtāṁjalipuṭo bhūtvā ciṁtayeddhṛdi śaṁkaram

There, at the beginning of the worship, composed in mind, he should utter his resolve; joining his palms, he should contemplate Shankara in his heart:

Verse 27 (skanda.3.99.27)

ऋणपातकदौर्भाग्यदारिद्र्यविनिवृत्तये ॥ अशेषाघविनाशाय प्रसीद मम शंकर

ṛṇapātakadaurbhāgyadāridryavinivṛttaye aśeṣāghavināśāya prasīda mama śaṁkara

"For the removal of debt, sin, misfortune and poverty, for the destruction of every sin without remainder, be gracious, O Shankara, to me.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.99.28)

दुःखशोकाग्निसंतप्तं संसारभयपीडितम् ॥ बहुरोगाकुलं दीनं त्राहि मां वृषवाहन

duḥkhaśokāgnisaṁtaptaṁ saṁsārabhayapīḍitam bahurogākulaṁ dīnaṁ trāhi māṁ vṛṣavāhana

"I who am scorched by the fire of sorrow and grief, afflicted by the fear of worldly existence, troubled by many diseases, and wretched — save me, O rider of the bull.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.99.29)

आगच्छ देवदेवेश महादेवाभयंकर ॥ गृहाण सह पार्वत्या तव पूजां मया कृताम्

āgaccha devadeveśa mahādevābhayaṁkara gṛhāṇa saha pārvatyā tava pūjāṁ mayā kṛtām

"Come, O Lord of lords, O Mahadeva who dispels fear; accept, together with Parvati, this worship that I have made for you."

Verse 30 (skanda.3.99.30)

इति संकल्प्य विधिवद्ब्राह्मपूजां समाचरेत् ॥ गुरुं गणपतिं चैव यजेत्सव्यापसव्ययोः

iti saṁkalpya vidhivadbrāhmapūjāṁ samācaret guruṁ gaṇapatiṁ caiva yajetsavyāpasavyayoḥ

Having thus resolved, one should duly perform the worship of Brahma; one should worship the guru and Ganapati on the right and the left.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.99.31)

क्षेत्रेशमीशकोणे तु यजेद्वास्तोष्पतिं क्रमात् ॥ वाग्देवीं च यजेत्तत्र ततः कात्यायनीं यजेत्

kṣetreśamīśakoṇe tu yajedvāstoṣpatiṁ kramāt vāgdevīṁ ca yajettatra tataḥ kātyāyanīṁ yajet

One should worship the guardian of the field in the north-east corner, then Vastoshpati in order; there one should worship the goddess of speech, and then worship Katyayani.

Verse 32 (skanda.3.99.32)

धर्मं ज्ञानं च वैराग्यमैश्वर्यं च नमोंऽतकैः ॥ स्वरैरीशादिकोणेषु पीठपादाननुक्रमात् ॥ आभ्यां बिंदुविसर्गाभ्यामधर्मादीन्प्रपूजयेत्

dharmaṁ jñānaṁ ca vairāgyamaiśvaryaṁ ca namoṁ'takaiḥ svarairīśādikoṇeṣu pīṭhapādānanukramāt ābhyāṁ biṁduvisargābhyāmadharmādīnprapūjayet

Dharma, knowledge, dispassion and lordship — with these names ending in "namah," in the directional corners beginning with the north-east, in due order at the feet of the seat, with the two syllables bindu and visarga one should worship adharma and the rest.

Verse 33 (skanda.3.99.33)

सत्त्वरूपैश्चतुर्दिक्षु मध्येऽनंतं सतारकम् ॥ सत्त्वादींस्त्रिगुणांस्तं तु रूपान्पीठेषु विन्यसेत्

sattvarūpaiścaturdikṣu madhye'naṁtaṁ satārakam sattvādīṁstriguṇāṁstaṁ tu rūpānpīṭheṣu vinyaset

In the four directions in the form of sattva, and in the middle, ananta together with the stars; the three qualities beginning with sattva — these forms he should place upon the seat.

Verse 34 (skanda.3.99.34)

अत ऊर्ध्वच्छदे मायां सह लक्ष्म्या शिवेन च

ata ūrdhvacchade māyāṁ saha lakṣmyā śivena ca

Above that, on the covering, he should worship Maya together with Lakshmi and Shiva.

Verse 35 (skanda.3.99.35)

तदंते चांबुजं भूयः सकलं मंडलत्रयम् ॥ पत्रकेसरकिंजल्कव्याप्तं ताराक्षरैः क्रमात्

tadaṁte cāṁbujaṁ bhūyaḥ sakalaṁ maṁḍalatrayam patrakesarakiṁjalkavyāptaṁ tārākṣaraiḥ kramāt

At the end of that, again the lotus — the entire threefold mandala, filled with petals, filaments and pericarp, marked in order with the star-syllables.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.99.36)

पद्मत्रयं तथाभ्यर्च्य मध्ये मंडलमादरात् ॥ वामां ज्येष्ठां च रौद्रीं च भागाद्यैर्दिक्षु पूजयेत्

padmatrayaṁ tathābhyarcya madhye maṁḍalamādarāt vāmāṁ jyeṣṭhāṁ ca raudrīṁ ca bhāgādyairdikṣu pūjayet

Having thus worshipped the three lotuses, he should reverently worship the mandala in the middle; he should worship Vama, Jyeshtha and Raudri in the directions with their respective portions.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.99.37)

वामाद्या नव शक्तीश्च नवस्वरयुता यजेत् ॥ हृदि बीजत्रयाद्येन पीठमंत्रेण चार्चयेत्

vāmādyā nava śaktīśca navasvarayutā yajet hṛdi bījatrayādyena pīṭhamaṁtreṇa cārcayet

He should worship the nine shaktis beginning with Vama, together with the nine vowels; with the three seed-syllables at the heart, he should worship with the seat-mantra.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.99.38)

आवृत्तैः प्रथमांगैश्च पंचभिर्मूर्त्तिशक्तिभिः ॥ त्रिशक्तिमूर्त्तिभिश्चान्यैर्निधिद्वयसमन्वितैः

āvṛttaiḥ prathamāṁgaiśca paṁcabhirmūrttiśaktibhiḥ triśaktimūrttibhiścānyairnidhidvayasamanvitaiḥ

With the first limbs repeated, with the five embodiment-shaktis, and with the other three embodiment-shaktis, together with the two treasures,

Verse 39 (skanda.3.99.39)

अनंताद्यैः परीताश्च मातृभिश्च वृषादिभिः ॥ सिद्धिभिश्चाणिमाद्याभिरिंद्राद्यैश्च सहायुधैः

anaṁtādyaiḥ parītāśca mātṛbhiśca vṛṣādibhiḥ siddhibhiścāṇimādyābhiriṁdrādyaiśca sahāyudhaiḥ

surrounded by Ananta and the rest, by the Mothers, by Vrisha and the rest, by the siddhis beginning with Anima, and by Indra and the rest together with their weapons —

Verse 40 (skanda.3.99.40)

वृषभक्षेत्रचंडेशदुर्गाश्च स्कंदनंदिनौ ॥ गणेशः सैन्यपश्चैव स्वस्वलक्षणलक्षिताः

vṛṣabhakṣetracaṁḍeśadurgāśca skaṁdanaṁdinau gaṇeśaḥ sainyapaścaiva svasvalakṣaṇalakṣitāḥ

Vrishabha, Kshetra, Chandesha, Durga, and the two sons Skanda and Nandin, Ganesha, and the army-chief, each marked with their own distinguishing signs.

Verse 41 (skanda.3.99.41)

अणिमा महिमा चैव गरिमा लघिमा तथा ॥ ईशित्वं च वशित्वं च प्राप्तिः प्राकाम्यमेव च

aṇimā mahimā caiva garimā laghimā tathā īśitvaṁ ca vaśitvaṁ ca prāptiḥ prākāmyameva ca

Anima, mahima, garima, laghima, ishitva, vashitva, prapti, and prakamya —

Verse 42 (skanda.3.99.42)

अष्टैश्वर्याणि चोक्तानि तेजोरूपाणि केवलम् ॥ पंचभिर्ब्रह्मभिः पूर्वं हृल्लेखाद्यादिभिः क्रमात

aṣṭaiśvaryāṇi coktāni tejorūpāṇi kevalam paṁcabhirbrahmabhiḥ pūrvaṁ hṛllekhādyādibhiḥ kramāta

these eight lordly powers are said to be simply forms of his radiance; with the five Brahma-mantras first, beginning with hrillekha, in due order,

Verse 43 (skanda.3.99.43)

अंगैरुमाद्यैरिंद्राद्यैः पूजोक्ता मुनिभिस्तु तैः ॥ उमाचंडेश्वरादींश्च पूजयेदुत्तरादितः

aṁgairumādyairiṁdrādyaiḥ pūjoktā munibhistu taiḥ umācaṁḍeśvarādīṁśca pūjayeduttarāditaḥ

with the limbs beginning with Uma and Indra, worship is prescribed by the sages; one should worship Uma, Chandeshvara and the rest, beginning from the north.

Verse 44 (skanda.3.99.44)

एवमावरणैर्युक्तं तेजोरूपं सदाशिवम् ॥ उमया सहितं देवमुपचारैः प्रपूजयेत्

evamāvaraṇairyuktaṁ tejorūpaṁ sadāśivam umayā sahitaṁ devamupacāraiḥ prapūjayet

Thus, surrounded by these enclosures, one should worship with due offerings the radiant Sadashiva together with Uma.

Verse 45 (skanda.3.99.45)

सुप्रतिष्ठितशंखस्य तीर्थैः पंचामृतैरपि ॥ अभिषिच्य महादेवं रुद्रसूक्तैः समाहितः

supratiṣṭhitaśaṁkhasya tīrthaiḥ paṁcāmṛtairapi abhiṣicya mahādevaṁ rudrasūktaiḥ samāhitaḥ

Having bathed the well-established linga with the sacred waters and also with the five nectars, having bathed Mahadeva with the Rudra hymns, composed in mind,

Verse 46 (skanda.3.99.46)

कल्पयेद्विविधैर्मंत्रैरासनाद्युपचारकान्॥ आसनं कल्पयेद्धैमं दिव्यवस्त्रसमन्वितम्

kalpayedvividhairmaṁtrairāsanādyupacārakān āsanaṁ kalpayeddhaimaṁ divyavastrasamanvitam

one should arrange with various mantras the articles of worship beginning with the seat; one should offer a golden seat furnished with a divine cloth.

Verse 47 (skanda.3.99.47)

अर्घ्यमष्टगुणोपेतं पाद्यशुद्धोदकेन च ॥ तेनैवाचमनं दद्यान्मधुपर्कं मधूत्तरम्

arghyamaṣṭaguṇopetaṁ pādyaśuddhodakena ca tenaivācamanaṁ dadyānmadhuparkaṁ madhūttaram

one should offer arghya endowed with the eight ingredients, and padya of pure water; with that same water he should give sipping-water, and offer madhuparka with honey.

Verse 48 (skanda.3.99.48)

पुनराचमनं दत्त्वा स्नानं मंत्रै प्रकल्पयेत् ॥ उपवीतं तथा वासो भूषणानि निवेदयेत् ॥ गंधमष्टांगसंयुक्तं सुपूतं विनिवेदयेत्

punarācamanaṁ dattvā snānaṁ maṁtrai prakalpayet upavītaṁ tathā vāso bhūṣaṇāni nivedayet gaṁdhamaṣṭāṁgasaṁyuktaṁ supūtaṁ vinivedayet

Having again offered sipping-water, he should arrange the bathing with mantras; he should offer the sacred thread, garments, and ornaments; he should offer well-purified fragrance made of the eight substances.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.99.49)

ततश्च बिल्वमंदारकह्लारसरसीरुहम् ॥ धत्तूरकं कर्णिकारं शणपुष्पं च मल्लिकाम्

tataśca bilvamaṁdārakahlārasarasīruham dhattūrakaṁ karṇikāraṁ śaṇapuṣpaṁ ca mallikām

Then bilva leaves, mandara, white water-lily, lotus, thorn-apple flowers, karnikara, hemp-flowers, jasmine,

Verse 50 (skanda.3.99.50)

कुशापामार्गतुलसीमाधवीचंपकादिकम् ॥ बृहतीकरवीराणि यथालब्धानि साधकः ॥ निवेदयेत्सुगंधीनि माल्यानि विविधानि च ॥ धूपं कालागरूत्पन्नं दीपं च विमलं शुभम्

kuśāpāmārgatulasīmādhavīcaṁpakādikam bṛhatīkaravīrāṇi yathālabdhāni sādhakaḥ nivedayetsugaṁdhīni mālyāni vividhāni ca dhūpaṁ kālāgarūtpannaṁ dīpaṁ ca vimalaṁ śubham

kusha grass, apamarga, tulasi, madhavi, champaka and the like, brihati and oleander — whatever the practitioner has obtained, he should offer fragrant garlands of various kinds, incense made of black aloewood, and a pure, auspicious lamp.

Verse 51 (skanda.3.99.51)

विशेषकम् ॥ अथ पायसनैवेद्यं सघृतं सोपदंशकम् ॥ मोदकापूपसंयुक्तं शर्करागुडसंयुतम्

viśeṣakam atha pāyasanaivedyaṁ saghṛtaṁ sopadaṁśakam modakāpūpasaṁyuktaṁ śarkarāguḍasaṁyutam

In particular, then he should offer the food-offering of rice-pudding with ghee and side-dishes, together with sweet balls and cakes, mixed with sugar and jaggery,

Verse 52 (skanda.3.99.52)

मधुनाक्तं दधियुतं जलपानसमन्वितम् ॥ तेनैव हविषा वह्नौ जुहुयान्मंत्रभाविते

madhunāktaṁ dadhiyutaṁ jalapānasamanvitam tenaiva haviṣā vahnau juhuyānmaṁtrabhāvite

mixed with honey, together with curds, along with drinking-water; with that very oblation he should make offerings in the fire, consecrated with mantra,

Verse 53 (skanda.3.99.53)

आगमोक्तेन विधिना गुरुवाक्यनियंत्रितः ॥ नैवेद्यं शंभवे भूयो दत्त्वा तांबूलमुत्तमम्

āgamoktena vidhinā guruvākyaniyaṁtritaḥ naivedyaṁ śaṁbhave bhūyo dattvā tāṁbūlamuttamam

according to the rite prescribed in the Agamas, governed by the guru's word; having offered the food-offering to Shambhu again, and excellent betel,

Verse 54 (skanda.3.99.54)

धूपं नीराजनं रम्यं छत्रं दर्पणमुत्तमम् ॥ समर्पयित्वा विधिवन्मंत्रैर्वेदिकतांत्रिकैः

dhūpaṁ nīrājanaṁ ramyaṁ chatraṁ darpaṇamuttamam samarpayitvā vidhivanmaṁtrairvedikatāṁtrikaiḥ

incense, a beautiful arati-lamp, an umbrella, and an excellent mirror — having offered these duly with the mantras of the Vedic and Tantric traditions —

Verse 55 (skanda.3.99.55)

यद्यशक्तः स्वयं निःस्वो यथाविभवमर्चयेत् ॥ भक्त्त्या दत्तेन गौरीशः पुष्पमात्रेण तुष्यति

yadyaśaktaḥ svayaṁ niḥsvo yathāvibhavamarcayet bhakttyā dattena gaurīśaḥ puṣpamātreṇa tuṣyati

if one is unable, being poor himself, he should worship according to his means; Gaurisha is pleased even with a single flower offered with devotion.

Verse 56 (skanda.3.99.56)

अथांगभूतान्सकलान्गणेशादीन्प्रपूजयेत् ॥ स्तवैर्नानाविधैः स्तुत्वा साष्टांगं प्रणमेद्बुधः

athāṁgabhūtānsakalāngaṇeśādīnprapūjayet stavairnānāvidhaiḥ stutvā sāṣṭāṁgaṁ praṇamedbudhaḥ

Then one should worship all the attendant deities beginning with Ganesha; having praised them with various hymns, the wise one should bow with all eight limbs.

Verse 57 (skanda.3.99.57)

ततः प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य वृषचंडेश्वरादिकान् ॥ पूजां समर्प्य विधिवत्प्रार्थयेद्गिरिजापतिम्

tataḥ pradakṣiṇīkṛtya vṛṣacaṁḍeśvarādikān pūjāṁ samarpya vidhivatprārthayedgirijāpatim

Then, having circumambulated Vrisha, Chandeshvara and the rest, having duly offered the worship, one should pray to the Lord of Girija:

Verse 58 (skanda.3.99.58)

जय देव जगन्नाथ जय शंकर शाश्वत ॥ जय सर्व सुराध्यक्ष जय सर्वसुरार्चित

jaya deva jagannātha jaya śaṁkara śāśvata jaya sarva surādhyakṣa jaya sarvasurārcita

"Victory, O Lord, Master of the universe! Victory, O eternal Shankara! Victory, O overseer of all the gods! Victory, O one worshipped by all the gods!

Verse 59 (skanda.3.99.59)

जय सर्वगुणातीत जय सर्ववरप्रद ॥ जय नित्य निराधार जय विश्वंभराव्यय

jaya sarvaguṇātīta jaya sarvavaraprada jaya nitya nirādhāra jaya viśvaṁbharāvyaya

"Victory, O one beyond all qualities! Victory, O giver of all boons! Victory, O eternal, unsupported one! Victory, O imperishable sustainer of the universe!

Verse 60 (skanda.3.99.60)

जय विश्वैकवेद्येश जय नागेंद्रभूषण ॥ जय गौरीपते शंभो जय चंद्रार्धशेखर

jaya viśvaikavedyeśa jaya nāgeṁdrabhūṣaṇa jaya gaurīpate śaṁbho jaya caṁdrārdhaśekhara

"Victory, O sole object of knowledge of the universe! Victory, O one adorned with the serpent-king! Victory, O Shambhu, lord of Gauri! Victory, O one crowned with the half-moon!

Verse 61 (skanda.3.99.61)

जय कोट्यर्कसंकाश जयानंतगुणाश्रय

jaya koṭyarkasaṁkāśa jayānaṁtaguṇāśraya

"Victory, O one resembling a myriad suns! Victory, O refuge of endless virtues!

Verse 62 (skanda.3.99.62)

जय रुद्र विरूपाक्ष जयाचिंत्य निरंजन ॥ जय नाथ कृपासिंधो जय भक्तार्तिभञ्जन ॥ जय दुस्तरसंसारसागरोत्तारण प्रभो

jaya rudra virūpākṣa jayāciṁtya niraṁjana jaya nātha kṛpāsiṁdho jaya bhaktārtibhañjana jaya dustarasaṁsārasāgarottāraṇa prabho

"Victory, O Rudra of the strange eyes! Victory, O inconceivable, stainless one! Victory, O Lord, ocean of compassion! Victory, O destroyer of the sufferings of devotees! Victory, O Lord who ferries across the insurmountable ocean of worldly existence!

Verse 63 (skanda.3.99.63)

प्रसीद मे महादेव संसारार्त्तस्य खिद्यतः ॥ सर्वपापभयं हृत्वा रक्ष मां परमेश्वर

prasīda me mahādeva saṁsārārttasya khidyataḥ sarvapāpabhayaṁ hṛtvā rakṣa māṁ parameśvara

"Be gracious to me, O Mahadeva, afflicted and grieving in this worldly existence; take away the fear of all my sins, and protect me, O Supreme Lord.

Verse 64 (skanda.3.99.64)

महादारिद्र्यमग्नस्य महापापहतस्य च ॥ महाशोकविनष्टस्य महारोगातुरस्य च

mahādāridryamagnasya mahāpāpahatasya ca mahāśokavinaṣṭasya mahārogāturasya ca

"To one sunk in great poverty, struck by great sin, ruined by great sorrow, and afflicted by great disease,

Verse 65 (skanda.3.99.65)

ऋणभारपरीतस्य दह्यमानस्य कर्मभिः ॥ ग्रहैः प्रपीड्यमानस्य प्रसीद मम शंकर

ṛṇabhāraparītasya dahyamānasya karmabhiḥ grahaiḥ prapīḍyamānasya prasīda mama śaṁkara

"surrounded by the burden of debt, being consumed by his own deeds, tormented by the planets — be gracious to me, O Shankara."

Verse 66 (skanda.3.99.66)

दरिद्रः प्रार्थयेदेवं पूजांते गिरिजापतिम् ॥ अर्थाढ्यो वापि राजा वा प्रार्थयेद्देवमीश्वरम्

daridraḥ prārthayedevaṁ pūjāṁte girijāpatim arthāḍhyo vāpi rājā vā prārthayeddevamīśvaram

Thus should the poor man pray to the Lord of Girija at the end of worship; the wealthy man, or the king too, should pray to the Lord God thus:

Verse 67 (skanda.3.99.67)

दीर्घमायुः सदारोग्यं कोशवृद्धिर्बलोन्नतिः ॥ ममास्तु नित्यमानन्दः प्रसादात्तव शंकर

dīrghamāyuḥ sadārogyaṁ kośavṛddhirbalonnatiḥ mamāstu nityamānandaḥ prasādāttava śaṁkara

"May I have long life, health, growth of treasury, increase of strength; may eternal bliss be mine by your grace, O Shankara.

Verse 68 (skanda.3.99.68)

शत्रवः संक्षयं यांतु प्रसीदन्तु मम ग्रहाः ॥ नश्यन्तु दस्यवो राष्ट्रे जनाः संतु निरापदः

śatravaḥ saṁkṣayaṁ yāṁtu prasīdantu mama grahāḥ naśyantu dasyavo rāṣṭre janāḥ saṁtu nirāpadaḥ

"May my enemies come to ruin; may the planets be gracious to me; may thieves perish in the kingdom; may the people be free from calamity.

Verse 69 (skanda.3.99.69)

दुर्भिक्षमारीसंतापाः शमं यांतु महीतले ॥ सर्वसस्यसमृद्धिश्च भूयात्सुखमया दिशः

durbhikṣamārīsaṁtāpāḥ śamaṁ yāṁtu mahītale sarvasasyasamṛddhiśca bhūyātsukhamayā diśaḥ

"May famine, pestilence and affliction be pacified on the earth; may there be abundance of all crops, and may the directions be filled with happiness."

Verse 70 (skanda.3.99.70)

एवमाराधयेद्देवं प्रदोषे गिरिजापतिम् ॥ ब्राह्मणान्भोजयेत्पश्चाद्दक्षिणाभिश्च तोषयेत्

evamārādhayeddevaṁ pradoṣe girijāpatim brāhmaṇānbhojayetpaścāddakṣiṇābhiśca toṣayet

Thus should one worship the Lord, the husband of Girija, at Pradosha; afterward one should feed brahmins and satisfy them with gifts.

Verse 71 (skanda.3.99.71)

सर्वपापक्षयकरी सर्वदारिद्र्यनाशिनी ॥ शिवपूजा मया ख्याता सर्वाभीष्टवरप्रदा

sarvapāpakṣayakarī sarvadāridryanāśinī śivapūjā mayā khyātā sarvābhīṣṭavarapradā

This worship of Shiva, which I have declared, destroys all sin, dispels all poverty, and grants every desired boon.

Verse 72 (skanda.3.99.72)

महापातकसंघातमधिकं चोपपातकम् ॥ शिवद्रव्यापहरणादन्यत्सर्वं निवारयेत्

mahāpātakasaṁghātamadhikaṁ copapātakam śivadravyāpaharaṇādanyatsarvaṁ nivārayet

It removes every collection of great sins and lesser sins as well, other than the theft of Shiva's property.

Verse 73 (skanda.3.99.73)

ब्रह्महत्यादिपापानां पुराणेषु स्मृतिष्वपि ॥ प्रायश्चित्तानि दृष्टानि न शिवद्रव्यहारिणाम्

brahmahatyādipāpānāṁ purāṇeṣu smṛtiṣvapi prāyaścittāni dṛṣṭāni na śivadravyahāriṇām

For the sins beginning with the killing of a brahmin, expiations are seen in the Puranas and the Smritis, but there is none for one who steals what belongs to Shiva.

Verse 74 (skanda.3.99.74)

बहुनात्र किमुक्तेन श्लोकार्धेन ब्रवीम्यहम् ॥ ब्रह्महत्याशतं वापि शिवपूजा विनाशयेत्

bahunātra kimuktena ślokārdhena bravīmyaham brahmahatyāśataṁ vāpi śivapūjā vināśayet

What more need be said of this? I shall tell it in half a verse: even a hundred sins of killing a brahmin, the worship of Shiva can destroy.

Verse 75 (skanda.3.99.75)

मया कथितमेतत्ते प्रदोषे शिवपूजनम् ॥ रहस्यं सर्वजंतूनामत्र नास्त्येव संशयः

mayā kathitametatte pradoṣe śivapūjanam rahasyaṁ sarvajaṁtūnāmatra nāstyeva saṁśayaḥ

This secret worship of Shiva at Pradosha has been told to you by me; it is the secret of all beings — of this there is no doubt at all.

Verse 76 (skanda.3.99.76)

एताभ्यामपि बालाभ्यामेवं पूजा विधीयताम् ॥ अतः संवत्सरादेव परां सिद्धिमवाप्स्यथ

etābhyāmapi bālābhyāmevaṁ pūjā vidhīyatām ataḥ saṁvatsarādeva parāṁ siddhimavāpsyatha

"Let this worship be performed thus even by these two boys; from this, within a single year, you will attain the highest attainment."

Verse 77 (skanda.3.99.77)

इति शांडिल्यवचनमाकर्ण्य द्विजभामिनी ॥ ताभ्यां तु सह बालाभ्यां प्रणनाम मुनेः पदम्

iti śāṁḍilyavacanamākarṇya dvijabhāminī tābhyāṁ tu saha bālābhyāṁ praṇanāma muneḥ padam

Hearing these words of Shandilya, the brahmin woman, together with the two boys, bowed at the sage's feet.

Verse 78 (skanda.3.99.78)

विप्रस्त्र्युवाच ॥ अहमद्य कृतार्थास्मि तव दर्शनमात्रतः ॥ एतौ कुमारौ भगवंस्त्वामेव शरणं गतौ

viprastryuvāca ahamadya kṛtārthāsmi tava darśanamātrataḥ etau kumārau bhagavaṁstvāmeva śaraṇaṁ gatau

The brahmin woman said: Today I am fulfilled, merely by the sight of you. These two boys, O Lord, have taken refuge in you alone.

Verse 79 (skanda.3.99.79)

एष मे तनयो ब्रह्मञ्छुचिव्रत इतीरितः ॥ एष राजसुतो नाम्ना धर्मगुप्तः कृतो मया

eṣa me tanayo brahmañchucivrata itīritaḥ eṣa rājasuto nāmnā dharmaguptaḥ kṛto mayā

"This one, O Brahmin, is my own son, called Shuchivrata; this one, the king's son, I have named Dharmagupta.

Verse 80 (skanda.3.99.80)

एतावहं च भगवन्भवच्चरणकिंकराः ॥ समुद्धरास्मिन्पतितान्घोरे दारिद्र्यसागरे

etāvahaṁ ca bhagavanbhavaccaraṇakiṁkarāḥ samuddharāsminpatitānghore dāridryasāgare

"And we both, O Lord, are servants of your feet; deliver us, fallen as we are into this terrible ocean of poverty."

Verse 81 (skanda.3.99.81)

इति प्रपन्नां शरणं द्विजांगनामाश्वास्य वाक्यैरमृतोपमानैः ॥ उपादिदेशाथ तयोः कुमारयोर्मुनिः शिवाराधनमंत्र विद्याम्

iti prapannāṁ śaraṇaṁ dvijāṁganāmāśvāsya vākyairamṛtopamānaiḥ upādideśātha tayoḥ kumārayormuniḥ śivārādhanamaṁtra vidyām

Having thus reassured the brahmin woman, who had taken refuge with him, with words like nectar, the sage then taught to the two boys the mantra-lore of the worship of Shiva.

Verse 82 (skanda.3.99.82)

अथोपदिष्टौ मुनिना कुमारौ ब्राह्मणी च सा ॥ तं प्रणम्य समामंत्र्य जग्मुस्ते शिवमंदिरात्

athopadiṣṭau muninā kumārau brāhmaṇī ca sā taṁ praṇamya samāmaṁtrya jagmuste śivamaṁdirāt

Then, having been thus instructed by the sage, the two boys and that brahmin woman, having bowed to him and taken leave, departed from the temple of Shiva.

Verse 83 (skanda.3.99.83)

ततः प्रभृति तौ बालौ मुनिवर्योपदेशतः ॥ प्रदोषे पार्वतीशस्य पूजां चक्रतुरंजसा

tataḥ prabhṛti tau bālau munivaryopadeśataḥ pradoṣe pārvatīśasya pūjāṁ cakraturaṁjasā

From then on, those two boys, by the instruction of the excellent sage, faithfully performed the worship of Parvati's lord at Pradosha.

Verse 84 (skanda.3.99.84)

एवं पूजयतोर्देवं द्विजराजकुमारयोः ॥ सुखेनैव व्यतीयाय तयोर्मासचतुष्टयम्

evaṁ pūjayatordevaṁ dvijarājakumārayoḥ sukhenaiva vyatīyāya tayormāsacatuṣṭayam

As the two brahmin-and-royal boys thus worshipped the Lord, four months passed happily for them.

Verse 85 (skanda.3.99.85)

कदाचिद्राजपुत्रेण विनासौ द्विजनंदनः ॥ स्नातुं गतो नदीतीरे चचार बहुलीलया

kadācidrājaputreṇa vināsau dvijanaṁdanaḥ snātuṁ gato nadītīre cacāra bahulīlayā

Once, without the king's son, that brahmin's son went alone to the riverbank to bathe, and wandered about playfully.

Verse 86 (skanda.3.99.86)

तत्र निर्झरनिर्घातनिर्भिन्ने वप्र कुट्टिमे ॥ निधानकलशं स्थूलं प्रस्फुरंतं ददर्श ह

tatra nirjharanirghātanirbhinne vapra kuṭṭime nidhānakalaśaṁ sthūlaṁ prasphuraṁtaṁ dadarśa ha

There, in a mound broken open by the force of a spring, he saw a great treasure-vessel gleaming.

Verse 87 (skanda.3.99.87)

तं दृष्ट्वा सहसागत्य हर्षकौतुकविह्वलः ॥ दैवोपपन्नं मन्वानो गृहीत्वा शिरसा ययौ

taṁ dṛṣṭvā sahasāgatya harṣakautukavihvalaḥ daivopapannaṁ manvāno gṛhītvā śirasā yayau

Seeing it, overwhelmed with joy and curiosity, and thinking it a gift of providence, he came running, took it up upon his head, and went off.

Verse 88 (skanda.3.99.88)

ससंभ्रमं समानीय निधाय कलशं बलात् ॥ निधाय भवनस्यांते मातरं समभाषत

sasaṁbhramaṁ samānīya nidhāya kalaśaṁ balāt nidhāya bhavanasyāṁte mātaraṁ samabhāṣata

Bringing it hastily, having forcibly set down the vessel, and having set it down at the edge of the house, he spoke to his mother:

Verse 89 (skanda.3.99.89)

मातर्मातरिमं पश्य प्रसादं गिरिजापतेः ॥ निधानं कुम्भरूपेण दर्शितं करुणात्मना

mātarmātarimaṁ paśya prasādaṁ girijāpateḥ nidhānaṁ kumbharūpeṇa darśitaṁ karuṇātmanā

"Mother, mother, look at this — the grace of the Lord of Girija! This treasure, in the form of a vessel, has been shown by the compassionate one."

Verse 90 (skanda.3.99.90)

अथ सा विस्मिता साध्वी समाहूय नृपात्मजम् ॥ स्वपुत्रं प्रतिनंद्याह मानयन्ती शिवार्चनम्

atha sā vismitā sādhvī samāhūya nṛpātmajam svaputraṁ pratinaṁdyāha mānayantī śivārcanam

Then that astonished, virtuous woman, calling the king's son, congratulated her own son, while honoring the worship of Shiva, and said:

Verse 91 (skanda.3.99.91)

शृणुतां मे वचः पुत्रौ निधानकलशीमिमाम् ॥ समं विभज्य गृह्णीतं मम शासनगौरवात्

śṛṇutāṁ me vacaḥ putrau nidhānakalaśīmimām samaṁ vibhajya gṛhṇītaṁ mama śāsanagauravāt

"Listen to my words, my two sons: divide this treasure-vessel equally between you and take your shares, out of respect for my command."

Verse 92 (skanda.3.99.92)

इति मातुर्वचः श्रुत्वा तुतोष द्विज नंदनः ॥ प्रत्याह राजपुत्रस्तां विस्रब्धः शंकरार्चने

iti māturvacaḥ śrutvā tutoṣa dvija naṁdanaḥ pratyāha rājaputrastāṁ visrabdhaḥ śaṁkarārcane

Hearing his mother's words, the brahmin's son was pleased; but the king's son, confident because of his devotion to Shankara, replied to her:

Verse 93 (skanda.3.99.93)

मातस्तव सुतस्यैव सुकृतेन समागतम् ॥ नाहं ग्रहीतुमिच्छामि विभक्तं धनसंच यम्

mātastava sutasyaiva sukṛtena samāgatam nāhaṁ grahītumicchāmi vibhaktaṁ dhanasaṁca yam

"Mother, this has come by the merit of your own son alone; I do not wish to take a share of this accumulated wealth.

Verse 94 (skanda.3.99.94)

आत्मनः सुकृताल्लब्धं स्वयमेव भुनक्त्वसौ ॥ स एव भगवानीशः करिष्यति कृपां मयि

ātmanaḥ sukṛtāllabdhaṁ svayameva bhunaktvasau sa eva bhagavānīśaḥ kariṣyati kṛpāṁ mayi

"Let him alone enjoy what he has obtained by his own merit; that same Lord God will show mercy upon me."

Verse 95 (skanda.3.99.95)

एवमर्चयतोः शंभुं भूयोपि परया मुदा ॥ संवत्सरो व्यतीयाय तस्मिन्नेव गृहे तयोः

evamarcayatoḥ śaṁbhuṁ bhūyopi parayā mudā saṁvatsaro vyatīyāya tasminneva gṛhe tayoḥ

As the two thus worshipped Shambhu again with the greatest joy, a full year passed for them in that same house.

Verse 96 (skanda.3.99.96)

अथैकदा राजसूनुः सह तेन द्विजन्मना ॥ वसंतसमये प्राप्ते विजहार वनां तरे

athaikadā rājasūnuḥ saha tena dvijanmanā vasaṁtasamaye prāpte vijahāra vanāṁ tare

Then once, when the season of spring had come, the king's son wandered in the forest together with that brahmin-born boy.

Verse 97 (skanda.3.99.97)

अथ दूरं गतौ क्वापि वने द्विजनृपात्मजौ ॥ गन्धर्वकन्याः क्रीडंती शतशस्तावपश्यताम्

atha dūraṁ gatau kvāpi vane dvijanṛpātmajau gandharvakanyāḥ krīḍaṁtī śataśastāvapaśyatām

Then, having gone some way off into the forest, the brahmin's son and the prince saw hundreds of gandharva maidens at play.

Verse 98 (skanda.3.99.98)

ताः सर्वाश्चारुसर्वांग्यो विहरंत्यो मनोहरम् ॥ दृष्ट्वा द्विजात्मजो दूरादुवाच नृपनंदनम्

tāḥ sarvāścārusarvāṁgyo viharaṁtyo manoharam dṛṣṭvā dvijātmajo dūrāduvāca nṛpanaṁdanam

Seeing all of them, lovely in every limb, sporting there most charmingly, the brahmin's son said to the prince from a distance:

Verse 99 (skanda.3.99.99)

इतः पुरो न गंतव्यं विहरंत्यग्रतः स्त्रियः॥ स्त्रीसंन्निधानं विबुधास्त्यजंति विमलाशयाः

itaḥ puro na gaṁtavyaṁ viharaṁtyagrataḥ striyaḥ strīsaṁnnidhānaṁ vibudhāstyajaṁti vimalāśayāḥ

"We should go no further; women are sporting up ahead. The wise, of pure intent, avoid the presence of women.

Verse 100 (skanda.3.99.100)

एताः कैतवकारिण्यो धनयौवनदुर्मदाः । मोहयन्त्यो जनं दृष्ट्वा वाचानुनयकोविदाः

etāḥ kaitavakāriṇyo dhanayauvanadurmadāḥ mohayantyo janaṁ dṛṣṭvā vācānunayakovidāḥ

"These are deceitful, maddened by wealth and youth, skilled in words of flattery, who bewitch anyone who sees them.

Verse 101 (skanda.3.99.101)

अतः परित्यजेत्त्स्त्रीणां सन्निधिं सहभाषणम् । निज़धर्मरतो विद्वन्ब्रह्मचारी विशेषतः

ataḥ parityajettstrīṇāṁ sannidhiṁ sahabhāṣaṇam nija़dharmarato vidvanbrahmacārī viśeṣataḥ

"Therefore one should avoid the company and conversation of women — especially a wise brahmacharin devoted to his own dharma."

Verse 102 (skanda.3.99.102)

अतोहं नोत्सहे गन्तुं क्रीडास्थानं मृगीदृशाम् ॥ इत्युक्त्वा द्विजपुत्रस्तु निवृत्तो दूरतः स्थितः

atohaṁ notsahe gantuṁ krīḍāsthānaṁ mṛgīdṛśām ityuktvā dvijaputrastu nivṛtto dūrataḥ sthitaḥ

"So I have no wish to go to the playground of these doe-eyed maidens." Having said this, the brahmin's son turned back and stood at a distance.

Verse 103 (skanda.3.99.103)

अथासौ राजपुत्रस्तु कौतुकाविष्टमानसः ॥ तासां विहारपदवीमेक एवाभयो ययौ

athāsau rājaputrastu kautukāviṣṭamānasaḥ tāsāṁ vihārapadavīmeka evābhayo yayau

But the king's son, his mind filled with curiosity, went alone, fearlessly, to the place of their sport.

Verse 104 (skanda.3.99.104)

तत्र गंधर्वकन्यानां मध्ये त्वेका वरानना ॥ दृष्ट्वाऽऽयांतं राजपुत्रं चिंतयामास चेतसा

tatra gaṁdharvakanyānāṁ madhye tvekā varānanā dṛṣṭvā''yāṁtaṁ rājaputraṁ ciṁtayāmāsa cetasā

There, among the gandharva maidens, one of lovely face, seeing the prince approaching, thought within herself:

Verse 105 (skanda.3.99.105)

अहो कोयमुदारांगो युवा सर्वांगसुन्दरः ॥ मत्तमातंग गमनो लावण्यामृतवारिधिः

aho koyamudārāṁgo yuvā sarvāṁgasundaraḥ mattamātaṁga gamano lāvaṇyāmṛtavāridhiḥ

"Ah, who is this noble youth, beautiful in every limb, walking like an elated elephant, an ocean of nectar-like grace,

Verse 106 (skanda.3.99.106)

लीलालोलविशालाक्षी मधुरस्मितपेशलः ॥ मदनोपमरूपश्रीः सुकुमारांगलक्षणः

līlālolaviśālākṣī madhurasmitapeśalaḥ madanopamarūpaśrīḥ sukumārāṁgalakṣaṇaḥ

"his large eyes playfully restless, tender with a sweet smile, his beauty like that of the god of love, his limbs marked with every fine sign?"

Verse 107 (skanda.3.99.107)

इत्याश्चर्ययुता बाला दूराद्दृष्ट्वा नृपात्मजम् ॥ सर्वाः सखीः समालोक्य वचनं चेदमब्रवीत्

ityāścaryayutā bālā dūrāddṛṣṭvā nṛpātmajam sarvāḥ sakhīḥ samālokya vacanaṁ cedamabravīt

Thus filled with wonder, the maiden, having seen the prince from afar, looked at all her companions and spoke these words:

Verse 108 (skanda.3.99.108)

इतो विदूरे हे सख्यो वनमस्त्येकमुत्तमम् ॥ विचित्रचंपकाशोकपुन्नागबकुलैर्युतम्

ito vidūre he sakhyo vanamastyekamuttamam vicitracaṁpakāśokapunnāgabakulairyutam

"Friends, at some distance from here is a lovely forest, full of many kinds of champaka, ashoka, punnaga and bakula trees.

Verse 109 (skanda.3.99.109)

तत्र गत्वा वनं सर्वाः संचीय कुसुमोत्करम् ॥ भवत्यः पुनरायांतु तावत्तिष्ठाम्यहं त्विह

tatra gatvā vanaṁ sarvāḥ saṁcīya kusumotkaram bhavatyaḥ punarāyāṁtu tāvattiṣṭhāmyahaṁ tviha

"Go there, all of you, to that forest, and gather a store of flowers; then come back again — meanwhile I shall stay here."

Verse 110 (skanda.3.99.110)

इत्यादिष्टः सखीवर्गो जगाम विपिनांतरम् ॥ सापि गंधर्वजा तस्थौ न्यस्तदृष्टिर्नृपात्मजे

ityādiṣṭaḥ sakhīvargo jagāma vipināṁtaram sāpi gaṁdharvajā tasthau nyastadṛṣṭirnṛpātmaje

Thus instructed, her band of companions went off into the depths of the forest; but she, the gandharva-born girl, remained, her gaze fixed upon the prince.

Verse 111 (skanda.3.99.111)

तां समालोक्य तन्वंगीं नवयौवनशालिनीम् ॥ बालां स्वरूपसंपत्त्या परैिभूततिलोत्तमाम्

tāṁ samālokya tanvaṁgīṁ navayauvanaśālinīm bālāṁ svarūpasaṁpattyā paraiibhūtatilottamām

Beholding that slender girl, radiant with new youth, whose beauty surpassed even Tilottama's,

Verse 112 (skanda.3.99.112)

राजपुत्रः समागम्य कौतुकोत्फुल्ललोचनः ॥ अवाप दैवयोगेन मदनस्य शरव्यथाम्

rājaputraḥ samāgamya kautukotphullalocanaḥ avāpa daivayogena madanasya śaravyathām

the prince approached, his eyes wide with curiosity, and, by the working of fate, was struck by the arrow of the god of love.

Verse 113 (skanda.3.99.113)

गन्धर्वतनया सापि प्राप्ताय नृपसूनवे ॥ उत्थाय तरसा तस्मै प्रददौ पल्लवासनम्

gandharvatanayā sāpi prāptāya nṛpasūnave utthāya tarasā tasmai pradadau pallavāsanam

That gandharva maiden too, on the prince's approach, rose quickly and offered him a seat of leaves.

Verse 114 (skanda.3.99.114)

कृतोपचारमासीनं तमासाद्य सुमध्यमा ॥ पप्रच्छ तद्रूपगुणैर्ध्वस्तधैर्याकुलेंद्रिया

kṛtopacāramāsīnaṁ tamāsādya sumadhyamā papraccha tadrūpaguṇairdhvastadhairyākuleṁdriyā

When he was seated, having received her hospitality, that slender-waisted girl, her composure shattered by his beauty and virtues, her senses in disarray, asked him:

Verse 115 (skanda.3.99.115)

कस्त्वं कमलपत्राक्ष कस्माद्देशादिहागतः ॥ कस्य पुत्र इति प्रेम्णा पृष्टः सर्वं न्यवेदयत्

kastvaṁ kamalapatrākṣa kasmāddeśādihāgataḥ kasya putra iti premṇā pṛṣṭaḥ sarvaṁ nyavedayat

"Who are you, O lotus-eyed one? From what land have you come here? Whose son are you?" Thus lovingly questioned, he told her everything —

Verse 116 (skanda.3.99.116)

विदर्भ राजतनयं विध्वस्तपितृमातृकम् ॥ शत्रुभिश्च हृतस्थानमात्मानं परराष्ट्रगम्

vidarbha rājatanayaṁ vidhvastapitṛmātṛkam śatrubhiśca hṛtasthānamātmānaṁ pararāṣṭragam

that he was the son of the king of Vidarbha, bereft of both father and mother, driven from his place by enemies, and wandering in another's kingdom.

Verse 117 (skanda.3.99.117)

सर्वमावेद्य भूयस्तां पप्रच्छ नृपनंदनः ॥ का त्वं वामोरु किं चात्र कार्यं ते कस्य चात्मजा

sarvamāvedya bhūyastāṁ papraccha nṛpanaṁdanaḥ kā tvaṁ vāmoru kiṁ cātra kāryaṁ te kasya cātmajā

Having told her everything, the prince in turn asked her: "Who are you, O fair-thighed one? What is your purpose here, and whose daughter are you?

Verse 118 (skanda.3.99.118)

किमवध्यायसि हृदा किं वा वक्तुमिहेच्छसि ॥ इत्युक्ता सा पुनः प्राह शृणु राजेंद्रसत्तम

kimavadhyāyasi hṛdā kiṁ vā vaktumihecchasi ityuktā sā punaḥ prāha śṛṇu rājeṁdrasattama

"What are you pondering in your heart? What do you wish to say here?" Thus asked, she spoke again: "Listen, O best of kings.

Verse 119 (skanda.3.99.119)

अस्त्येको द्रविकोनाम गंधर्वाणां कुलाग्रणीः ॥ तस्याहमस्मि तनया नाम्ना चांशुमती स्मृता

astyeko dravikonāma gaṁdharvāṇāṁ kulāgraṇīḥ tasyāhamasmi tanayā nāmnā cāṁśumatī smṛtā

"There is one named Dravika, foremost among the families of the gandharvas; I am his daughter, known by the name Amshumati.

Verse 120 (skanda.3.99.120)

त्वामायांतं विलोक्याहं त्वत्संभाषण लालसा ॥ त्यक्त्वा सखीजनं सर्वमेकैवास्मि महामते

tvāmāyāṁtaṁ vilokyāhaṁ tvatsaṁbhāṣaṇa lālasā tyaktvā sakhījanaṁ sarvamekaivāsmi mahāmate

"Seeing you approach, I became eager for conversation with you; leaving all my companions, I alone remain here, O great-minded one.

Verse 121 (skanda.3.99.121)

सर्वसंगीतविद्यासु न मत्तोऽन्यास्ति काचन ॥ मम योगेन तुष्यंति सर्वा अपि सुरस्त्रियः

sarvasaṁgītavidyāsu na matto'nyāsti kācana mama yogena tuṣyaṁti sarvā api surastriyaḥ

"In all the arts of music there is none other than me; through my skill, even all the celestial women are delighted.

Verse 122 (skanda.3.99.122)

साहं सर्वकलाभिज्ञा ज्ञातसर्वजनेंगिता ॥ तवाहमीप्सितं वेद्मि मयि ते संगतं मनः

sāhaṁ sarvakalābhijñā jñātasarvajaneṁgitā tavāhamīpsitaṁ vedmi mayi te saṁgataṁ manaḥ

"I am skilled in all the arts, and know the gestures of every person's heart; I know your desire — my mind has become attached to you.

Verse 123 (skanda.3.99.123)

तथा ममापि चौत्सुक्यं दैवेन प्रतिपादितम्॥ आवयोः स्नेहभेदोऽत्र नाभिभूयादितः परम्

tathā mamāpi cautsukyaṁ daivena pratipāditam āvayoḥ snehabhedo'tra nābhibhūyāditaḥ param

"And likewise my own longing has been brought about by fate; may the bond of love between us never be broken from now on."

Verse 124 (skanda.3.99.124)

इति संभाष्य तेनाशु प्रेम्णा गन्धर्वनंदिनी ॥ मुक्ताहारं ददौ तस्मै स्वकुचांतरभूषणम्

iti saṁbhāṣya tenāśu premṇā gandharvanaṁdinī muktāhāraṁ dadau tasmai svakucāṁtarabhūṣaṇam

Having thus spoken with him, the gandharva maiden quickly and lovingly gave him a pearl necklace, the ornament from between her own breasts.

Verse 125 (skanda.3.99.125)

तमादायाद्भुतं हारं स तस्याः प्रणयाकुलः ॥ गाढहर्षभरोत्सिक्तामिदमाह नृपात्मजः

tamādāyādbhutaṁ hāraṁ sa tasyāḥ praṇayākulaḥ gāḍhaharṣabharotsiktāmidamāha nṛpātmajaḥ

Taking that wondrous necklace, the prince, overwhelmed with love for her and swelling with deep joy, said this to her:

Verse 126 (skanda.3.99.126)

सत्यमुक्तं त्वया भीरु तथाप्येकं वदाम्यहम् ॥ त्यक्तराज्यस्य निःस्वस्य कथं मे भवसि प्रिया

satyamuktaṁ tvayā bhīru tathāpyekaṁ vadāmyaham tyaktarājyasya niḥsvasya kathaṁ me bhavasi priyā

"You have spoken truly, O timid one; yet I shall say one thing: how can you become dear to me, who am bereft of my kingdom and penniless?

Verse 127 (skanda.3.99.127)

सा त्वं पितृमती बाला विलंघ्य पितृशासनम् ॥ स्वच्छंदा चरणं कर्तुं मूढेव कथमर्हसि

sā tvaṁ pitṛmatī bālā vilaṁghya pitṛśāsanam svacchaṁdā caraṇaṁ kartuṁ mūḍheva kathamarhasi

"You, a maiden who has a father, transgressing your father's command, acting independently — how, foolish as that would be, could this befit you?"

Verse 128 (skanda.3.99.128)

इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा तं प्रत्याह शुचिस्मिता ॥ अस्तु नाम तथैवाहं करिष्ये पश्य कौतुकम्

iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā taṁ pratyāha śucismitā astu nāma tathaivāhaṁ kariṣye paśya kautukam

Hearing his words, that woman of pure smile replied to him: "So be it, just as you say; but see the wonder I shall perform.

Verse 129 (skanda.3.99.129)

गच्छ स्वभवनं कांत परश्वः प्रातरेव तु ॥ आगच्छ पुनरत्रैव कार्यमस्ति च नो मृषा

gaccha svabhavanaṁ kāṁta paraśvaḥ prātareva tu āgaccha punaratraiva kāryamasti ca no mṛṣā

"Go to your own home, my beloved; the day after tomorrow, in the very morning, come back here again; this task shall not fail."

Verse 130 (skanda.3.99.130)

इत्युक्त्वा तं नृपसुतं सा संगतसखीजना ॥ अपाक्रामत चार्वंगी स चापि नृपनन्दनः

ityuktvā taṁ nṛpasutaṁ sā saṁgatasakhījanā apākrāmata cārvaṁgī sa cāpi nṛpanandanaḥ

Having said this to the prince, that lovely woman, joined again by her companions, departed; and the prince too departed.

Verse 131 (skanda.3.99.131)

स समभ्येत्य हर्षेण द्विजपुत्रस्य सन्निधिम् ॥ सर्वमाख्याय तेनैव सार्धं स्वभवनं ययौ

sa samabhyetya harṣeṇa dvijaputrasya sannidhim sarvamākhyāya tenaiva sārdhaṁ svabhavanaṁ yayau

He came joyfully to the presence of the brahmin's son and, having told him everything, went with him to his own home.

Verse 132 (skanda.3.99.132)

तां च विप्रसतीं भूयो हर्षयित्वा नृपात्मजः ॥ परश्वो द्विजपुत्रेण सार्धं तेन वनं ययौ

tāṁ ca viprasatīṁ bhūyo harṣayitvā nṛpātmajaḥ paraśvo dvijaputreṇa sārdhaṁ tena vanaṁ yayau

Having again gladdened that virtuous brahmin woman, the prince, the day after tomorrow, went to the forest together with the brahmin's son.

Verse 133 (skanda.3.99.133)

स तया पूर्वनिर्दिष्टं स्थानं प्राप्य नृपात्मजः ॥ गन्धर्वराजमद्राक्षीत्स्वदुहित्रा समन्वितम्

sa tayā pūrvanirdiṣṭaṁ sthānaṁ prāpya nṛpātmajaḥ gandharvarājamadrākṣītsvaduhitrā samanvitam

The prince, reaching the place she had earlier indicated, saw the king of the gandharvas together with his daughter.

Verse 134 (skanda.3.99.134)

स गंधर्वपतिः प्राप्तावभिनंद्य कुमारकौ ॥ उपवेश्यासने रम्ये राजपुत्रमभाषत

sa gaṁdharvapatiḥ prāptāvabhinaṁdya kumārakau upaveśyāsane ramye rājaputramabhāṣata

That lord of the gandharvas, having welcomed the two boys on their arrival, seated them on a lovely seat, and spoke to the prince.

Verse 135 (skanda.3.99.135)

गंधर्व उवाच ॥ राजेंद्रपुत्र पूर्वेद्युः कैलासं गतवानहम् ॥ तत्रापश्यं महादेवं पार्वत्या सहितं प्रभुम्

gaṁdharva uvāca rājeṁdraputra pūrvedyuḥ kailāsaṁ gatavānaham tatrāpaśyaṁ mahādevaṁ pārvatyā sahitaṁ prabhum

The gandharva said: O prince, yesterday I went to Kailasa; there I saw the great Lord Mahadeva together with Parvati.

Verse 136 (skanda.3.99.136)

आहूय मां स देवेशः सर्वेषां त्रिदिवौकसाम् ॥ सन्निधावाह भगवान्करुणामृतवारिधिः

āhūya māṁ sa deveśaḥ sarveṣāṁ tridivaukasām sannidhāvāha bhagavānkaruṇāmṛtavāridhiḥ

That Lord of gods, calling me into the presence of all the heaven-dwellers, the compassionate Lord, an ocean of the nectar of mercy, said to me:

Verse 137 (skanda.3.99.137)

धर्मगुप्ताह्वयः कश्चिद्राजपुत्रोऽस्ति भूतले ॥ अकिञ्चनो भ्रष्टराज्यो हृतदेशश्च शत्रुभिः

dharmaguptāhvayaḥ kaścidrājaputro'sti bhūtale akiñcano bhraṣṭarājyo hṛtadeśaśca śatrubhiḥ

"There is a certain prince named Dharmagupta upon the earth, destitute, deprived of his kingdom, his land seized by enemies.

Verse 138 (skanda.3.99.138)

स बालो गुरुवाक्येन मदर्च्चायां रतः सदा ॥ अद्य तत्पितरः सर्वे मां प्राप्तास्तत्प्रभावतः

sa bālo guruvākyena madarccāyāṁ rataḥ sadā adya tatpitaraḥ sarve māṁ prāptāstatprabhāvataḥ

"That boy, by his guru's instruction, is ever devoted to my worship; today, by that power, all his ancestors have attained union with me.

Verse 139 (skanda.3.99.139)

तस्य त्वमपि साहाय्यं कुरु गन्धर्वसत्तम ॥ अथासौ निजराज्यस्थो हतशत्रुर्भविष्यति

tasya tvamapi sāhāyyaṁ kuru gandharvasattama athāsau nijarājyastho hataśatrurbhaviṣyati

"You too, O best of gandharvas, render him assistance; then, established once more in his own kingdom, he shall have his enemies destroyed."

Verse 140 (skanda.3.99.140)

इत्याज्ञप्तो महेशेन संप्राप्तो निजमदिरम् ॥ अनया मद्दुहित्रा च बहुशोऽभ्यर्थितस्तथा

ityājñapto maheśena saṁprāpto nijamadiram anayā madduhitrā ca bahuśo'bhyarthitastathā

Thus commanded by Mahesha, I returned to my own dwelling; and by this daughter of mine, too, I was earnestly entreated in the same way.

Verse 141 (skanda.3.99.141)

ज्ञात्वेमं सकलं शंभोर्नियोगं करुणात्मनः ॥ आदायेमां दुहितरं प्राप्तोऽस्मीदं वनांतरम्

jñātvemaṁ sakalaṁ śaṁbhorniyogaṁ karuṇātmanaḥ ādāyemāṁ duhitaraṁ prāpto'smīdaṁ vanāṁtaram

Knowing this entire injunction of the compassionate Shambhu, taking this my daughter, I have come to this forest.

Verse 142 (skanda.3.99.142)

अत एनां प्रयच्छामि कन्यामंशुमतीं तव ॥ हत्वा शत्रून्स्वराष्टे त्वां स्थापयामि शिवाज्ञया

ata enāṁ prayacchāmi kanyāmaṁśumatīṁ tava hatvā śatrūnsvarāṣṭe tvāṁ sthāpayāmi śivājñayā

Therefore I give to you this maiden, my daughter Amshumati; having slain your enemies, I shall establish you in your own kingdom, by Shiva's command.

Verse 143 (skanda.3.99.143)

तस्मिन्पुरे त्वमनया भुक्त्वा भोगान्यथेप्सितान्॥ दशवर्षसहस्रान्ते गन्तासि गिरिशालयम् ॥ तत्रापि मम कन्येयं त्वामेव प्रतिपत्स्यते ॥ अनेनैव स्वदेहेन दिव्येन शिवसन्निधौ

tasminpure tvamanayā bhuktvā bhogānyathepsitān daśavarṣasahasrānte gantāsi giriśālayam tatrāpi mama kanyeyaṁ tvāmeva pratipatsyate anenaiva svadehena divyena śivasannidhau

In that city you shall enjoy with her the pleasures you desire; at the end of ten thousand years you shall go to the abode of Girisha; there too this daughter of mine shall attain you alone, with this same divine body, in Shiva's presence.

Verse 144 (skanda.3.99.144)

इति गन्धर्वराजस्तमाभाष्य नृपनन्दनम् ॥ तस्मिन्वने स्वदुहितुः पाणिग्रहमकारयत्

iti gandharvarājastamābhāṣya nṛpanandanam tasminvane svaduhituḥ pāṇigrahamakārayat

Having thus spoken to the prince, the king of the gandharvas performed, there in that forest, the marriage of his own daughter.

Verse 145 (skanda.3.99.145)

पारिबर्हमदात्तस्मै रत्नभारान्महोज्ज्वलान् ॥ चूडामणिं चन्द्रनिभं मुक्ताहारांश्च भासुरान्

pāribarhamadāttasmai ratnabhārānmahojjvalān cūḍāmaṇiṁ candranibhaṁ muktāhārāṁśca bhāsurān

He gave to him as bridal gifts great heaps of dazzling jewels, a moon-like crest-jewel, and radiant pearl necklaces,

Verse 146 (skanda.3.99.146)

दिव्यालंकारवासांसि कार्त्तस्वरपरिच्छदान् ॥ गजानामयुतं भूयो नियुतं नीलवाजिनाम्

divyālaṁkāravāsāṁsi kārttasvaraparicchadān gajānāmayutaṁ bhūyo niyutaṁ nīlavājinām

divine ornaments and garments, vessels of gold, ten thousand elephants, and a hundred thousand dark-blue horses,

Verse 147 (skanda.3.99.147)

स्यन्दनानां सहस्राणि सौवर्णानि महांति च ॥ पुनरेकं रथं दिव्यं धनुश्चेन्द्रायुधोपमम्

syandanānāṁ sahasrāṇi sauvarṇāni mahāṁti ca punarekaṁ rathaṁ divyaṁ dhanuścendrāyudhopamam

thousands of great golden chariots, and again one divine chariot, a bow like Indra's own weapon,

Verse 148 (skanda.3.99.148)

अस्त्राणां च सहस्राणि तूणी चाक्षय्यसायकौ ॥ अभेद्यं वर्म सौवर्णं शक्तिं च रिपुमर्दिनीम्

astrāṇāṁ ca sahasrāṇi tūṇī cākṣayyasāyakau abhedyaṁ varma sauvarṇaṁ śaktiṁ ca ripumardinīm

thousands of weapons, two inexhaustible quivers of arrows, an impenetrable golden armor, and a spear that crushes enemies.

Verse 149 (skanda.3.99.149)

दुहितुः परिचर्यार्थं दासीपञ्चसहस्रकम् ॥ ददौ प्रीतमनास्तस्मै धनानि विविधानि च

duhituḥ paricaryārthaṁ dāsīpañcasahasrakam dadau prītamanāstasmai dhanāni vividhāni ca

For his daughter's service, he gave five thousand maidservants, and, well-pleased in mind, gave him also various riches.

Verse 150 (skanda.3.99.150)

गंधर्वसैन्यमत्युग्रं चतुरंगसममन्वितम् ॥ पुनश्च तत्सहायार्थे गन्धर्वाधिपतिर्ददौ

gaṁdharvasainyamatyugraṁ caturaṁgasamamanvitam punaśca tatsahāyārthe gandharvādhipatirdadau

And further, the lord of the gandharvas gave him a most formidable gandharva army with its four divisions, for his assistance.

Verse 151 (skanda.3.99.151)

इत्थं राजेन्द्रतनयः संप्राप्तः श्रियमुत्तमाम् ॥ अभीष्टजायासहितो मुमुदे निजसंपदा

itthaṁ rājendratanayaḥ saṁprāptaḥ śriyamuttamām abhīṣṭajāyāsahito mumude nijasaṁpadā

Thus the king's son attained supreme fortune; united with his beloved bride, he rejoiced in his own new prosperity.

Verse 152 (skanda.3.99.152)

कारयित्वा स्वदुहितुर्विवाहं समयोचितम् ॥ ययौ विमानमारुह्य गंधर्वाधिपतिर्दिवम्

kārayitvā svaduhiturvivāhaṁ samayocitam yayau vimānamāruhya gaṁdharvādhipatirdivam

Having performed his daughter's marriage according to custom, the lord of the gandharvas mounted his celestial chariot and departed for heaven.

Verse 153 (skanda.3.99.153)

धर्मगुप्तः कृतोद्वाहः सह गंधर्वसेनया ॥ पुनः स्वनगरं प्राप्य जघान रिपुवाहिनीम्

dharmaguptaḥ kṛtodvāhaḥ saha gaṁdharvasenayā punaḥ svanagaraṁ prāpya jaghāna ripuvāhinīm

Dharmagupta, now married, together with the gandharva army, reached his own city again and destroyed the enemy forces.

Verse 154 (skanda.3.99.154)

दुर्धर्षणं रणे हत्वा शक्त्या गंधर्वसेनया ॥ निः शेषितारातिबलः प्रविवेश निजं पुरम्

durdharṣaṇaṁ raṇe hatvā śaktyā gaṁdharvasenayā niḥ śeṣitārātibalaḥ praviveśa nijaṁ puram

Having slain the formidable foe in battle by the power of the gandharva army, with the enemy's strength entirely wiped out, he entered his own city.

Verse 155 (skanda.3.99.155)

ततोभिषिक्तः सचिवैर्ब्राह्मणैश्च महोत्तमैः ॥ रत्नसिंहासनारूढश्चक्रे राज्यमकण्टकम्

tatobhiṣiktaḥ sacivairbrāhmaṇaiśca mahottamaiḥ ratnasiṁhāsanārūḍhaścakre rājyamakaṇṭakam

Then, anointed by his ministers and the greatest of brahmins, seated upon a jeweled lion-throne, he ruled his kingdom free of any obstacle.

Verse 156 (skanda.3.99.156)

या विप्रवनिता पूर्वं तमपुष्णात्स्वपुत्रवत् ॥ सैव माताभवत्तस्य स भ्राता द्विजनन्दनः

yā vipravanitā pūrvaṁ tamapuṣṇātsvaputravat saiva mātābhavattasya sa bhrātā dvijanandanaḥ

That brahmin woman who had earlier nursed him as her own son became his mother indeed, and her son became his brother.

Verse 157 (skanda.3.99.157)

गंधर्वतनया जाया विदर्भनगरेश्वरः ॥ आराध्य देवं गिरिशं धर्मगुप्तो नृपोऽभवत्

gaṁdharvatanayā jāyā vidarbhanagareśvaraḥ ārādhya devaṁ giriśaṁ dharmagupto nṛpo'bhavat

With the gandharva's daughter as his wife, having worshipped the Lord Girisha, Dharmagupta became the lord of the city of Vidarbha.

Verse 158 (skanda.3.99.158)

एवमन्ये समाराध्य प्रदोषे गिरिजापतिम् ॥ लभंतेभीप्सितान्कामान्देहांते तु परां गतिम्

evamanye samārādhya pradoṣe girijāpatim labhaṁtebhīpsitānkāmāndehāṁte tu parāṁ gatim

Thus others too, having worshipped the Lord of Girija at Pradosha, attain their desired wishes, and at the end of the body, the supreme goal.

Verse 159 (skanda.3.99.159)

सूत उवाच ॥ एतन्महाव्रतं पुण्यं प्रदोषे शंकरार्चनम् ॥ धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां यदेतत्साधनं परम्

sūta uvāca etanmahāvrataṁ puṇyaṁ pradoṣe śaṁkarārcanam dharmārthakāmamokṣāṇāṁ yadetatsādhanaṁ param

Suta said: This is that sacred great vow — the worship of Shankara at Pradosha — which is the supreme means for dharma, artha, kama and moksha.

Verse 160 (skanda.3.99.160)

य एतच्छृणुयात्पुण्यं माहात्म्यं परमाद्भुतम् ॥ प्रदोषे शिवपूजांते कथयेद्वा समाहितः

ya etacchṛṇuyātpuṇyaṁ māhātmyaṁ paramādbhutam pradoṣe śivapūjāṁte kathayedvā samāhitaḥ

Whoever hears this sacred and supremely wondrous glory, or recounts it composedly at the end of Shiva-worship at Pradosha,

Verse 161 (skanda.3.99.161)

भवेन्न तस्य दारिद्र्यं जन्मान्तरशतेष्वपि ॥ ज्ञानैश्वर्यसमायुक्तः सोन्ते शिवपुरं व्रजेत्

bhavenna tasya dāridryaṁ janmāntaraśateṣvapi jñānaiśvaryasamāyuktaḥ sonte śivapuraṁ vrajet

for him there shall be no poverty even for a hundred lifetimes; endowed with knowledge and lordship, he shall at the end go to the city of Shiva.

Verse 162 (skanda.3.99.162)

ये प्राप्य दुर्लभतरं मनुजाः शरीरं कुर्वंति हंत परमेश्वरपादपूजाम् ॥ धन्यास्त एव निजपुण्यजितत्रिलोकास्तेषां पदांबुजरजो भुवनं पुनाति

ye prāpya durlabhataraṁ manujāḥ śarīraṁ kurvaṁti haṁta parameśvarapādapūjām dhanyāsta eva nijapuṇyajitatrilokāsteṣāṁ padāṁbujarajo bhuvanaṁ punāti

Those mortals who, having obtained this most difficult-to-attain human body, perform, ah, the worship of the Supreme Lord's feet — blessed indeed are they, who by their own merit have conquered the three worlds; the dust of their lotus feet purifies the whole world.