The Growth of Vindhya

Verse 1 (skanda.4.1.1)

श्रीगणेशाय नमः। तं मन्महे महेशानं महेशानप्रियार्भकम्। गणेशानं करिगणेशानाननमनामयम्

śrīgaṇeśāya namaḥ taṁ manmahe maheśānaṁ maheśānapriyārbhakam gaṇeśānaṁ karigaṇeśānānanamanāmayam

Salutation to glorious Ganesha. We meditate upon that Maheshana, the beloved child of the great Lord Shiva, the ruler of the ganas, whose face is like that of the king of elephants, ever free from affliction.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.1.2)

भूमिष्ठापि न यात्रभूस्त्रिदिवतोप्युच्चैरधःस्थापि या या बद्धा भुवि मुक्तिदास्युरमृतं यस्यां मृता जंतवः। या नित्यं त्रिजगत्पवित्रतटिनी तीरे सुरैः सेव्यते सा काशी त्रिपुरारिराजनगरी पायादपायाज्जगत्

bhūmiṣṭhāpi na yātrabhūstridivatopyuccairadhaḥsthāpi yā yā baddhā bhuvi muktidāsyuramṛtaṁ yasyāṁ mṛtā jaṁtavaḥ yā nityaṁ trijagatpavitrataṭinī tīre suraiḥ sevyate sā kāśī tripurārirājanagarī pāyādapāyājjagat

Though standing on the earth, it does not belong to the earth; though lower than heaven, it is exalted above it. Those bound in this world who dwell there attain liberation, and creatures who die there attain immortality. May that city, on the banks of the river that ever purifies the three worlds, forever served by the gods -- Kashi, the royal city of the Enemy of Tripura -- protect the world from calamity.

Verse 3 (skanda.4.1.3)

नमस्तस्मै महेशाय यस्य संध्यात्त्रयच्छलात्। यातायातं प्रकुर्वंति त्रिजगत्पतयोऽनिशम्

namastasmai maheśāya yasya saṁdhyāttrayacchalāt yātāyātaṁ prakurvaṁti trijagatpatayo'niśam

Salutation to that Mahesha, under the pretext of whose threefold twilight the lords of the three worlds ceaselessly come and go.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.1.4)

अष्टादशपुराणानां कर्त्ता सत्यवतीसुतः। सूताग्रे कथयामास कथां पापापनोदिनीम्

aṣṭādaśapurāṇānāṁ karttā satyavatīsutaḥ sūtāgre kathayāmāsa kathāṁ pāpāpanodinīm

The son of Satyavati, the composer of the eighteen Puranas, related to Suta a story that dispels sin.

Verse 5 (skanda.4.1.5)

श्रीव्यास उवाच। कदाचिन्नारदः श्रीमान्स्नात्वा श्रीनर्मदांभसि। श्रीमदोंकारमभ्यर्च्य सर्वदं सर्वदेहिनाम्

śrīvyāsa uvāca kadācinnāradaḥ śrīmānsnātvā śrīnarmadāṁbhasi śrīmadoṁkāramabhyarcya sarvadaṁ sarvadehinām

Shri Vyasa said: Once the glorious Narada, having bathed in the waters of the sacred Narmada, and having worshipped the glorious Omkara, the giver of all to every embodied being --

Verse 6 (skanda.4.1.6)

व्रजन्विलोकयांचक्रे पुरोविंध्यं धराधरम्। संसारतापसंहारि रेवावारिपरिष्कृतम्

vrajanvilokayāṁcakre puroviṁdhyaṁ dharādharam saṁsāratāpasaṁhāri revāvāripariṣkṛtam

as he journeyed on, he beheld before him the mountain Vindhya, adorned by the waters of the Reva, which destroy the torment of worldly existence.

Verse 7 (skanda.4.1.7)

द्वैरूप्येणापि कुर्वंतं स्थावरेण चरेण च। साभिख्येन यथार्थाख्यामुच्चैर्वसु मतीमिमाम्

dvairūpyeṇāpi kurvaṁtaṁ sthāvareṇa careṇa ca sābhikhyena yathārthākhyāmuccairvasu matīmimām

manifesting through both its immobile and living forms, and thereby giving true meaning, on a grand scale, to the very name of this earth, 'Vasumati', the wealth-bearing one.

Verse 8 (skanda.4.1.8)

रसालयं रसालैस्तैरशोकैः शोकहारिणाम्। तालैस्तमालेर्हिंतालैः सालैः सर्वत्रशालितम्

rasālayaṁ rasālaistairaśokaiḥ śokahāriṇām tālaistamālerhiṁtālaiḥ sālaiḥ sarvatraśālitam

It was an abode of delight, filled with mango trees, adorned with sorrow-dispelling ashoka trees, and everywhere beautified with tala, tamala, hintala, and sala trees.

Verse 9 (skanda.4.1.9)

खपुरैः खपुराकारं श्रीफलं श्रीफलैः किल। गुरुश्रियंत्वगुरुभिः कपिपिंगं कपित्थकैः

khapuraiḥ khapurākāraṁ śrīphalaṁ śrīphalaiḥ kila guruśriyaṁtvagurubhiḥ kapipiṁgaṁ kapitthakaiḥ

beautified with khapura trees, truly resplendent with shriphala (bael) trees, glorious with agaru wood, and tawny like a monkey with rows of kapittha (wood-apple) trees.

Verse 10 (skanda.4.1.10)

वनश्रियः कुचाकारैर्लकुचैश्च मनोहरम्। सुधाफलसमारंभि रंभाभिः परिभासितम्

vanaśriyaḥ kucākārairlakucaiśca manoharam sudhāphalasamāraṁbhi raṁbhābhiḥ paribhāsitam

charming with lakuca fruits like the breasts of the forest's beauty, and shining with plantain trees laden with nectar-sweet fruit.

Verse 11 (skanda.4.1.11)

सुरंगैश्चापि नारंगैरंगमंडपवच्छियः। वानीरैश्चापि जंबीरैर्बीजपूरैः प्रपूरितम्

suraṁgaiścāpi nāraṁgairaṁgamaṁḍapavacchiyaḥ vānīraiścāpi jaṁbīrairbījapūraiḥ prapūritam

lovely with orange trees like a graceful pavilion, and abounding in vanira reeds, lemon, and citron trees.

Verse 12 (skanda.4.1.12)

अनिलालोल कंकोल वल्लीहल्ली सकायितम्। लवलीलवलीलाभिर्लास्यलीलालयं किल

anilālola kaṁkola vallīhallī sakāyitam lavalīlavalīlābhirlāsyalīlālayaṁ kila

where kankola creepers, swaying restlessly in the wind, seemed to dance, and which, through the graceful play of lavali vines, was truly an abode of playful dance.

Verse 13 (skanda.4.1.13)

मंदांदोलितकर्पूर कदलीदल संज्ञया। विश्रमाय श्रमापन्नानाहूयंतमिवाध्वगान्

maṁdāṁdolitakarpūra kadalīdala saṁjñayā viśramāya śramāpannānāhūyaṁtamivādhvagān

which, with its camphor-plantain leaves swaying gently as if in a beckoning gesture, seemed to be calling weary travelers to rest.

Verse 14 (skanda.4.1.14)

पुन्नागमिव पुन्नागपल्लवैःकरपल्लवैः। कलयंतमिवाऽलोलैर्मल्लिकास्तबकस्तनम्

punnāgamiva punnāgapallavaiḥkarapallavaiḥ kalayaṁtamivā'lolairmallikāstabakastanam

which, with the tender shoots of its punnaga trees like outstretched hands, seemed like a noble figure, and with its restless bees seemed to be caressing the breast-like clusters of jasmine blossoms.

Verse 15 (skanda.4.1.15)

विदीर्णदाडिमैः स्वांतं दर्शयंतं तु रागवत्। माधवीं धवरूपेण श्लिष्यंतमिव कानने

vidīrṇadāḍimaiḥ svāṁtaṁ darśayaṁtaṁ tu rāgavat mādhavīṁ dhavarūpeṇa śliṣyaṁtamiva kānane

which, through its split pomegranates, seemed to reveal its own heart tinged with passion, and in the forest seemed to embrace the madhavi creeper as though in the form of its husband, the dhava tree.

Verse 16 (skanda.4.1.16)

उदुंबरैरंबरगैरनंतफलमालितैः। ब्रह्मांडकोटीर्बिभ्रंतमनंतमिव सर्वतः

uduṁbarairaṁbaragairanaṁtaphalamālitaiḥ brahmāṁḍakoṭīrbibhraṁtamanaṁtamiva sarvataḥ

with sky-reaching udumbara (fig) trees garlanded with countless fruits, it seemed on every side like the infinite serpent Ananta bearing crores of universes.

Verse 17 (skanda.4.1.17)

पनसैर्वनासाभैः शुकनासैः पलाशकैः। पलाशनाद्विरहिणां पत्रत्यक्तैरिवावृतम्

panasairvanāsābhaiḥ śukanāsaiḥ palāśakaiḥ palāśanādvirahiṇāṁ patratyaktairivāvṛtam

surrounded by jackfruit trees like the trunks of forest elephants, and by palasha trees resembling parrots' beaks, as though shedding their leaves in sorrow for those parted from their beloveds.

Verse 18 (skanda.4.1.18)

कदंबवादिनो नीपान्दृष्ट्वा कंटकितैरिव। समंततो भ्राजमानं कदंबककदंबकैः

kadaṁbavādino nīpāndṛṣṭvā kaṁṭakitairiva samaṁtato bhrājamānaṁ kadaṁbakakadaṁbakaiḥ

shining all around with cluster upon cluster of kadamba trees, as if thrilled with delight at beholding rival nipa trees vying for the very name 'kadamba'.

Verse 19 (skanda.4.1.19)

नमेरुभिश्च मेरूच्चशिखरैरिव राजितम्। राजादनैश्च मदनैः सदनैरिव कामिनाम्

namerubhiśca merūccaśikharairiva rājitam rājādanaiśca madanaiḥ sadanairiva kāminām

resplendent with nameru trees as though with the lofty peaks of Mount Meru, and with rajadana and madana trees as though with the very abodes of lovers.

Verse 20 (skanda.4.1.20)

तटेतटेपटुवटैरुच्चैःपटकुटी वृतम्। कुटजस्तबकैर्भांतमधिष्ठितबकैरिव

taṭetaṭepaṭuvaṭairuccaiḥpaṭakuṭī vṛtam kuṭajastabakairbhāṁtamadhiṣṭhitabakairiva

surrounded on every slope by sturdy banyan trees like towering tent-pavilions, and gleaming with clusters of kutaja blossoms as though perched with white cranes.

Verse 21 (skanda.4.1.21)

करमर्दैः करीरैश्च करजैश्चकरंबकैः। सहस्रकरवद्भांतमर्थिप्रत्युद्गतैः करैः

karamardaiḥ karīraiśca karajaiścakaraṁbakaiḥ sahasrakaravadbhāṁtamarthipratyudgataiḥ karaiḥ

with karamarda, karira, karaja, and karambaka trees, it shone like the thousand-rayed sun, its branches like hands outstretched in welcome to those who came seeking.

Verse 22 (skanda.4.1.22)

नीराजितमिवोद्दीपैराजचंपककोरकैः। सपुष्पशाल्मलीभिश्च जितपद्माकरश्रियम्

nīrājitamivoddīpairājacaṁpakakorakaiḥ sapuṣpaśālmalībhiśca jitapadmākaraśriyam

as though offered arati with the blazing lamp-like buds of royal champaka trees, and with its flowering shalmali trees surpassing even the beauty of a lotus-pond.

Verse 23 (skanda.4.1.23)

क्वचिच्चलदलैरुच्चैः क्वचित्कांचनकेतकैः। कृतमालैर्न क्तमालैः शोभमानं क्वचित्क्वचित्

kvaciccaladalairuccaiḥ kvacitkāṁcanaketakaiḥ kṛtamālairna ktamālaiḥ śobhamānaṁ kvacitkvacit

in places beautiful with tall trees of trembling leaves, in places with golden ketaki blossoms, and here and there resplendent with kritamala trees.

Verse 24 (skanda.4.1.24)

कर्कंधु बंधुजीवैश्च पुत्रजीवैर्विराजितम्। सतिंदुकेंगुदीभिश्च करुणैःकरुणालयम्

karkaṁdhu baṁdhujīvaiśca putrajīvairvirājitam satiṁdukeṁgudībhiśca karuṇaiḥkaruṇālayam

resplendent with karkandhu, bandhujiva, and putrajiva trees, and, together with its tinduka, ingudi, and karuna trees, seemed truly an abode of compassion.

Verse 25 (skanda.4.1.25)

गलन्मधू ककुसुमैर्धरारूपधरंहरम्। स्वहस्तमुक्तमुक्ताभिरर्चयंतमिवानिशम्

galanmadhū kakusumairdharārūpadharaṁharam svahastamuktamuktābhirarcayaṁtamivāniśam

with its flowers dripping honey, it bore the very form of the earth itself, and seemed ceaselessly to worship Hara with pearl-like drops released from its own branch-like hands.

Verse 26 (skanda.4.1.26)

सर्जार्जुनांजनैर्बीजैर्व्यजनैर्वीज्यमानवत्। नारिकेलैः सखर्जूरैर्धृतच्छत्रमिवांबरे

sarjārjunāṁjanairbījairvyajanairvījyamānavat nārikelaiḥ sakharjūrairdhṛtacchatramivāṁbare

as if fanned by the seed-pods of sarja, arjuna, and anjana trees like fans, and as though holding up a parasol against the sky with its coconut and date-palm trees.

Verse 27 (skanda.4.1.27)

अमंदैः पिचुमंदैश्च मंदारैः कोविदारकैः। पाटलातिंतिणीघोंटाशाखोटैः करहाटकैः

amaṁdaiḥ picumaṁdaiśca maṁdāraiḥ kovidārakaiḥ pāṭalātiṁtiṇīghoṁṭāśākhoṭaiḥ karahāṭakaiḥ

abounding in nimba trees, mandara and kovidara trees, patala, tamarind, ghonta, shakhota, and karahataka trees.

Verse 28 (skanda.4.1.28)

उद्दंडैश्चापि शेहुंडैरेरंडैर्गुडपुष्पकैः। बकुलैस्तिलकैश्चैव तिलकांकितमस्तकम्

uddaṁḍaiścāpi śehuṁḍaireraṁḍairguḍapuṣpakaiḥ bakulaistilakaiścaiva tilakāṁkitamastakam

with tall shehunda, castor, and gudapushpaka trees, and with bakula and tilaka trees, its very summit seemed marked with an auspicious tilaka.

Verse 29 (skanda.4.1.29)

अक्षैः प्लक्षैः शल्लकीभिर्देवदारुहरिद्रुमैः। सदाफलसदापुष्प वृक्षवल्लीविराजितम्

akṣaiḥ plakṣaiḥ śallakībhirdevadāruharidrumaiḥ sadāphalasadāpuṣpa vṛkṣavallīvirājitam

resplendent with aksha, plaksha, shallaki, deodar, and haridru trees, and adorned with trees and creepers that ever bore fruit and flower.

Verse 30 (skanda.4.1.30)

एलालवंग मरिचकुलुं जनवनावृतम्। जंब्वाम्रातकभल्लातशेलुश्रीपर्णिवर्णितम्

elālavaṁga maricakuluṁ janavanāvṛtam jaṁbvāmrātakabhallātaśeluśrīparṇivarṇitam

surrounded by thickets of cardamom, clove, and pepper, and adorned with jambu, amrataka, bhallataka, shelu, and shriparni trees.

Verse 31 (skanda.4.1.31)

शाकशंखवनैरम्यं चदनैरक्तचंदनैः। हरीतकीकर्णिकार धात्रीवनविभूषणम्

śākaśaṁkhavanairamyaṁ cadanairaktacaṁdanaiḥ harītakīkarṇikāra dhātrīvanavibhūṣaṇam

lovely with groves of shaka and shankha trees, adorned with white and red sandalwood, and beautified by forests of haritaki, karnikara, and amalaka trees.

Verse 32 (skanda.4.1.32)

द्राक्षावल्लीनागवल्लीकणावल्लीशतावृतम्। मल्लिकायूथिकाकुंदम दयंती सुगंधिनम्

drākṣāvallīnāgavallīkaṇāvallīśatāvṛtam mallikāyūthikākuṁdama dayaṁtī sugaṁdhinam

covered on every side with hundreds of grape-vines, betel-vines, and kana-creepers, and fragrant with jasmine, yuthika, kunda, and madayanti blossoms.

Verse 33 (skanda.4.1.33)

भ्रमद्भ्रमरमालाभिर्मालतीभिरलंकृतम्। अलिच्छलागतंकृष्णं गोपीरंतुमनेकशः

bhramadbhramaramālābhirmālatībhiralaṁkṛtam alicchalāgataṁkṛṣṇaṁ gopīraṁtumanekaśaḥ

adorned with malati blossoms encircled by hovering swarms of bees -- as if Krishna himself, under the guise of a bee, had come again and again to sport with the gopis.

Verse 34 (skanda.4.1.34)

नानामृगगणाकीर्णं नानापक्षिविनादितम्। नानासरित्सरः स्रोतः पल्वलैः परितो वृतम्

nānāmṛgagaṇākīrṇaṁ nānāpakṣivināditam nānāsaritsaraḥ srotaḥ palvalaiḥ parito vṛtam

thronged with herds of every kind of animal, resounding with the calls of manifold birds, and surrounded on all sides by numerous rivers, lakes, streams, and pools.

Verse 35 (skanda.4.1.35)

तुच्छश्रियः स्वर्गभूमीः परिहायागतैरिव। नानासुरनिकायैश्च विष्वग्भोगेच्छयोषितम्

tucchaśriyaḥ svargabhūmīḥ parihāyāgatairiva nānāsuranikāyaiśca viṣvagbhogecchayoṣitam

as though inhabited on every side by hosts of gods of every kind, who, forsaking the paltry splendor of the heavenly worlds out of longing for true enjoyment, had come to dwell there.

Verse 36 (skanda.4.1.36)

उत्सृजंतमिवार्घ्यं वै पत्रपुष्पैरितस्ततः। केकिकेकारवैर्दूरात्कुर्वंतं स्वागतं किल

utsṛjaṁtamivārghyaṁ vai patrapuṣpairitastataḥ kekikekāravairdūrātkurvaṁtaṁ svāgataṁ kila

as though offering an oblation of scattered leaves and flowers here and there, and truly welcoming him from afar with the cries of peacocks.

Verse 37 (skanda.4.1.37)

अथ सूर्यशताभासं नभसि द्योतितांबरम्। नारदं दृष्टवाञ्छैलो दूरात्प्रत्युज्जगाम तम्

atha sūryaśatābhāsaṁ nabhasi dyotitāṁbaram nāradaṁ dṛṣṭavāñchailo dūrātpratyujjagāma tam

Then the mountain, seeing Narada -- who blazed in the sky like a hundred suns and lit up the very firmament -- went forth from afar to receive him.

Verse 38 (skanda.4.1.38)

ब्रह्मसूनुवपुस्तेजो दूरीकृतदरीतमाः। तमागच्छंतमालोक्य मानसं तम उज्जहौ

brahmasūnuvapustejo dūrīkṛtadarītamāḥ tamāgacchaṁtamālokya mānasaṁ tama ujjahau

The mountain, whose cave-darkness had already been dispelled by the radiance of Brahma's son, on beholding him approach, cast away the darkness of its own mind as well.

Verse 39 (skanda.4.1.39)

ब्रह्मतेजःसमुद्भूत साध्वसः साधुस त्क्रियः। कठिनोपि परित्यज्य धत्ते मृदुलतां किल

brahmatejaḥsamudbhūta sādhvasaḥ sādhusa tkriyaḥ kaṭhinopi parityajya dhatte mṛdulatāṁ kila

Filled with the awe born of that Brahmanic splendor, and devoted to virtuous conduct, the mountain -- hard by nature though it was -- indeed cast off its hardness and took on gentleness.

Verse 40 (skanda.4.1.40)

दृष्ट्वा मृदुलतां तस्य द्वैरूप्येपि स नारदः। मुमुदे सुतरां संतः प्रश्रयग्राह्यमानसाः

dṛṣṭvā mṛdulatāṁ tasya dvairūpyepi sa nāradaḥ mumude sutarāṁ saṁtaḥ praśrayagrāhyamānasāḥ

Seeing this gentleness despite his twofold nature, Narada rejoiced greatly indeed -- for the hearts of the virtuous are ever won over by humility.

Verse 41 (skanda.4.1.41)

गृहानायांतमालोक्य गुरुंवाऽगुरुमेव वा। योऽगुरुर्नम्रतां धत्ते स गुरुर्न गुरुर्गुरुः

gṛhānāyāṁtamālokya guruṁvā'gurumeva vā yo'gururnamratāṁ dhatte sa gururna gururguruḥ

On seeing someone approach one's dwelling, be he of high station or not, whoever shows humility though under no obligation to do so is truly great; one who is merely 'great' in rank alone is not truly great.

Verse 42 (skanda.4.1.42)

तं प्रत्युच्चैः शिराःसोपि विनम्रतरकंधरः। शैलस्त्विलामिलन्मौलिः प्रणनाम महामुनिम्

taṁ pratyuccaiḥ śirāḥsopi vinamratarakaṁdharaḥ śailastvilāmilanmauliḥ praṇanāma mahāmunim

Though his summit was lofty, the mountain, bending his neck low until his very peak touched the earth, bowed down in reverence before the great sage.

Verse 43 (skanda.4.1.43)

तमुत्थाप्य कराग्राभ्यामाशीर्भिरभिनंद्य च। तदुद्दिष्टासनं भेजे मनसोपि समुच्छ्रितम्

tamutthāpya karāgrābhyāmāśīrbhirabhinaṁdya ca taduddiṣṭāsanaṁ bheje manasopi samucchritam

Raising him up with the tips of his hands, and greeting him with words of blessing, Narada then took the seat offered to him -- a seat exalted beyond even thought.

Verse 44 (skanda.4.1.44)

स दध्नामधुनाज्येन नीरार्द्राक्षतदूर्व या। तिलैः कुशैः प्रसूनैस्तमष्टांगार्घ्यैरपूजयत्

sa dadhnāmadhunājyena nīrārdrākṣatadūrva yā tilaiḥ kuśaiḥ prasūnaistamaṣṭāṁgārghyairapūjayat

He then worshipped him with an eightfold arghya of curds, honey, ghee, water-moistened rice grains, durva grass, sesame, kusha grass, and flowers.

Verse 45 (skanda.4.1.45)

गृहीतार्घ्यंकिल श्रांतं पादसंवाहनादिभिः। गतश्रममथालोक्य बभाषे ऽवनतो गिरिः

gṛhītārghyaṁkila śrāṁtaṁ pādasaṁvāhanādibhiḥ gataśramamathālokya babhāṣe 'vanato giriḥ

Having accepted the offering, and having removed the sage's fatigue through foot-massage and other attentions, the mountain, seeing him refreshed, bowed low and spoke.

Verse 46 (skanda.4.1.46)

अद्य सद्यः परिहृतं त्वदंघ्रिरजसारजः। त्वदंगसंगिमहसा सहसाऽप्यांतरंतमः

adya sadyaḥ parihṛtaṁ tvadaṁghrirajasārajaḥ tvadaṁgasaṁgimahasā sahasā'pyāṁtaraṁtamaḥ

'Today, at once, the dust of my sins has been swept away by the dust of your feet; and instantly, by the very splendor that clings to your body, even the darkness within me has been dispelled.'

Verse 47 (skanda.4.1.47)

सफलर्धिरहं चाद्य सुदिवाद्यच मे मुने। प्राक्कृतैः सुकृतैरद्य फलितं मे चिरार्जितैः

saphalardhirahaṁ cādya sudivādyaca me mune prākkṛtaiḥ sukṛtairadya phalitaṁ me cirārjitaiḥ

'O sage, today my prosperity has truly borne fruit, and today is indeed an auspicious day for me -- today the merit I gathered long ago through good deeds has at last come to fruition.'

Verse 48 (skanda.4.1.48)

धराधरत्वं कुलिषुमान्यं मेऽद्य भविष्यति। इति श्रुत्वा तदा किंचिदुच्छुस्य स्थितवान्मुनिः

dharādharatvaṁ kuliṣumānyaṁ me'dya bhaviṣyati iti śrutvā tadā kiṁciducchusya sthitavānmuniḥ

'Today my very mountainhood shall become honored even among the great kula-mountains.' Hearing this, the sage paused a moment, drawing a faint sigh, and stood silent.

Verse 49 (skanda.4.1.49)

पुनरूचे कुलिवरः संभ्रमाप न्नमानसः। उच्छ्वासकारणं ब्रह्मन्ब्रूहि सर्वार्थकोविद

punarūce kulivaraḥ saṁbhramāpa nnamānasaḥ ucchvāsakāraṇaṁ brahmanbrūhi sarvārthakovida

Then the best of mountains, his mind now troubled, spoke again: 'O Brahmin, tell me the reason for your sigh, you who know all things.'

Verse 50 (skanda.4.1.50)

अदृष्टं तव नोदृष्टं यदिष्टंविष्टपत्रये। अनुक्रोशोत्र मयिचेदुच्यतां प्रणतोस्म्यहम्

adṛṣṭaṁ tava nodṛṣṭaṁ yadiṣṭaṁviṣṭapatraye anukrośotra mayiceducyatāṁ praṇatosmyaham

'Nothing desired in all the three worlds is unseen or unattained by you. If you feel any compassion toward me, pray tell me -- I stand bowed before you.'

Verse 51 (skanda.4.1.51)

त्वदागमनजानन्दसंदोहैर्मे दुरारवः। अलं न वक्तुमसकृत्तथाप्येकं वदाम्यहम्

tvadāgamanajānandasaṁdohairme durāravaḥ alaṁ na vaktumasakṛttathāpyekaṁ vadāmyaham

'From the very abundance of joy at your coming, my voice falters and I cannot properly speak; yet even so, I will say this one thing.'

Verse 52 (skanda.4.1.52)

धराधरणसामर्थ्यं मेर्वादौ पूर्वपूरुषैः। वर्ण्यते समुदायात्तदहमेको दधे धराम्

dharādharaṇasāmarthyaṁ mervādau pūrvapūruṣaiḥ varṇyate samudāyāttadahameko dadhe dharām

'The ancients describe the power to sustain the earth as belonging jointly to Meru and the other great mountains together; but I alone bear the earth by myself.'

Verse 53 (skanda.4.1.53)

गौरीगुरुत्वाद्धिमवानादिपत्याच्च भूभृताम्। संबंधित्वात्पशुपतेः स एको मान्यभृत्सताम्

gaurīgurutvāddhimavānādipatyācca bhūbhṛtām saṁbaṁdhitvātpaśupateḥ sa eko mānyabhṛtsatām

'Himavan alone is honored among the earth-bearing mountains only because he is Gauri's father and, through that bond, kin to Pashupati -- that alone is why the virtuous esteem him.'

Verse 54 (skanda.4.1.54)

नमेरुः स्वर्णपूर्णत्वाद्रत्नसानुतयाथवा। सुरसद्मतयावापि क्वापि मान्यो मतो मम

nameruḥ svarṇapūrṇatvādratnasānutayāthavā surasadmatayāvāpi kvāpi mānyo mato mama

'Nor do I consider Meru worthy of honor anywhere -- neither for being full of gold, nor for its jeweled ridges, nor even for being the abode of the gods.'

Verse 55 (skanda.4.1.55)

परं शतं न किंशैला इलाकलनकेलयः। इह संति सतां मान्या मान्यास्ते तु स्वभूमिषु

paraṁ śataṁ na kiṁśailā ilākalanakelayaḥ iha saṁti satāṁ mānyā mānyāste tu svabhūmiṣu

'Leaving aside even a mere hundred, are there not countless other mountains here, playgrounds of the earth's beauty? They too are honored by the virtuous -- whereas those others are honored only within their own domains.'

Verse 56 (skanda.4.1.56)

मन्देहदेहसंदेहादुदयैकदयाश्रितः। निषधो नौषधिधरोऽप्यस्तोप्यस्तमितप्रभः

mandehadehasaṁdehādudayaikadayāśritaḥ niṣadho nauṣadhidharo'pyastopyastamitaprabhaḥ

'Mount Nishadha, dependent merely on the mercy shown at sunrise because of the doubtful Mandeha demons, bears no healing herbs, and its splendor too has, as it were, already set.'

Verse 57 (skanda.4.1.57)

नीलश्च नीलीनिलयो मन्दरो मन्दलोचनः। सर्पालयः समलयो रायं नावैति रैवतः

nīlaśca nīlīnilayo mandaro mandalocanaḥ sarpālayaḥ samalayo rāyaṁ nāvaiti raivataḥ

'Mount Nila is merely a home of indigo-blue, Mandara is dull and sluggish, Malaya is but an abode of serpents, and Raivata knows nothing of true splendor.'

Verse 58 (skanda.4.1.58)

हेमकूटत्रिकूटाद्याः कूटोत्तरपदास्तुते। किष्किंधक्रौंचसह्याद्या भारसह्या न ते भुवः

hemakūṭatrikūṭādyāḥ kūṭottarapadāstute kiṣkiṁdhakrauṁcasahyādyā bhārasahyā na te bhuvaḥ

'Hemakuta, Trikuta, and the rest, whose very names end in kuta, along with Kishkindha, Kraunca, Sahya and others -- none of these mountains is truly capable of bearing the burden of the earth.'

Verse 59 (skanda.4.1.59)

इति विंध्यवचः श्रुत्वा नारदोऽचिन्तयद्धृदि। अखर्वगर्वसंसर्गो न महत्त्वाय कल्पते

iti viṁdhyavacaḥ śrutvā nārado'cintayaddhṛdi akharvagarvasaṁsargo na mahattvāya kalpate

Hearing Vindhya's words, Narada reflected in his heart: 'Consorting with unchecked pride does not lead to true greatness.'

Verse 60 (skanda.4.1.60)

श्रीशैलमुख्याः किंशैलानेह संत्यमलश्रियः। येषां शिखरमात्रादि दर्शनं मुक्तये सताम्

śrīśailamukhyāḥ kiṁśailāneha saṁtyamalaśriyaḥ yeṣāṁ śikharamātrādi darśanaṁ muktaye satām

'Are there not here, O Vindhya, mountains headed by Shrishaila, of spotless splendor, the mere sight of whose peaks grants liberation to the virtuous?'

Verse 61 (skanda.4.1.61)

अद्यास्य बलमालोक्यमिति ध्यात्वाब्रवीन्मुनिः। सत्यमुक्तं हि भवता गि रिसारंविवृण्वता

adyāsya balamālokyamiti dhyātvābravīnmuniḥ satyamuktaṁ hi bhavatā gi risāraṁvivṛṇvatā

Thinking, 'Let me now witness his strength,' the sage said: 'Indeed, what you have spoken, laying bare the true essence of the mountains, is entirely true.'

Verse 62 (skanda.4.1.62)

परं शैलेषु शैलेंद्रो मेरुस्त्वामवमन्यते। मया निःश्वसितं चैतत्त्वयि चापि निवेदितम्

paraṁ śaileṣu śaileṁdro merustvāmavamanyate mayā niḥśvasitaṁ caitattvayi cāpi niveditam

'But among mountains, Meru, the king of mountains, holds you in contempt -- this indeed was the cause of my sigh, and this I have now told you.'

Verse 63 (skanda.4.1.63)

अथवा मद्विधानां हि केयं चिंता महात्मनाम्। स्वस्त्यस्तु तुभ्यमित्युक्त्वा ययौ स व्योमवर्त्मनि

athavā madvidhānāṁ hi keyaṁ ciṁtā mahātmanām svastyastu tubhyamityuktvā yayau sa vyomavartmani

'Or indeed, what concern is such a thing to great souls like myself?' So saying, and bidding him, 'May you prosper,' he departed along the pathway of the sky.

Verse 64 (skanda.4.1.64)

गते मुनौ निनिंदस्वमतीवोद्विग्नमानसः। चिन्तामवाप महतीं विंध्यो र्वंध्यमनोरथः

gate munau niniṁdasvamatīvodvignamānasaḥ cintāmavāpa mahatīṁ viṁdhyo rvaṁdhyamanorathaḥ

When the sage had departed, Vindhya, his mind thrown into great turmoil, began to reproach himself, and -- his cherished desire now rendered barren -- fell into deep anguish.

Verse 65 (skanda.4.1.65)

विंध्य उवाच। धिग्जीवितंशास्त्रकलोज्झितस्य धिग्जीवितं चोद्यमवर्जितस्य। धिग्जीवितं ज्ञातिपराजितस्य धिग्जीवितं व्यथर्मनोरथस्य

viṁdhya uvāca dhigjīvitaṁśāstrakalojjhitasya dhigjīvitaṁ codyamavarjitasya dhigjīvitaṁ jñātiparājitasya dhigjīvitaṁ vyatharmanorathasya

Vindhya said: 'Cursed be the life devoid of learning and skill; cursed be the life devoid of enterprise; cursed be the life defeated by one's own kinsmen; cursed be the life whose cherished hopes lie broken.'

Verse 66 (skanda.4.1.66)

कथं भुनक्ति स दिवा कथं रात्रौ स्वपित्यहो। रहः शर्म कथं तस्य यस्याभिभवनं रिपोः

kathaṁ bhunakti sa divā kathaṁ rātrau svapityaho rahaḥ śarma kathaṁ tasya yasyābhibhavanaṁ ripoḥ

'Alas, how can he eat by day, how can he sleep at night -- what private peace can there be for one humiliated by an enemy?'

Verse 67 (skanda.4.1.67)

अहोदवाग्निदवथुस्तथामां न स बाधते। बाधते तु यथा चित्ते चिन्तासंतापसंततिः

ahodavāgnidavathustathāmāṁ na sa bādhate bādhate tu yathā citte cintāsaṁtāpasaṁtatiḥ

'Ah, not even the burning heat of a forest fire torments me as much as this unbroken chain of anxious torment does within my mind.'

Verse 68 (skanda.4.1.68)

युक्तमुक्तं पुराविद्भिश्चिन्तामूर्तिः सुदारुणा। न भेषजैर्लंघनैर्वा न चान्यैरुपशाम्यति

yuktamuktaṁ purāvidbhiścintāmūrtiḥ sudāruṇā na bheṣajairlaṁghanairvā na cānyairupaśāmyati

'Rightly have those learned in old lore declared that anxiety is a most terrible embodied disease -- it is calmed neither by medicines, nor by fasting, nor by any other remedy.'

Verse 69 (skanda.4.1.69)

चिन्ताज्वरो मनुष्याणां क्षुधांनिद्रांबलं हरेत्। रूपमुत्साहबुद्धिं श्री जीवितं च न संशयः

cintājvaro manuṣyāṇāṁ kṣudhāṁnidrāṁbalaṁ haret rūpamutsāhabuddhiṁ śrī jīvitaṁ ca na saṁśayaḥ

'The fever of anxiety robs men of hunger, sleep, and strength, of beauty, enthusiasm, and intellect, of fortune, and, without doubt, even of life itself.'

Verse 70 (skanda.4.1.70)

ज्वरो व्यतीते षडहे जीर्णज्वर इहोच्यते। असौ चिन्ताज्वरस्तीव्रः प्रत्यहं नवतां व्रजेत्

jvaro vyatīte ṣaḍahe jīrṇajvara ihocyate asau cintājvarastīvraḥ pratyahaṁ navatāṁ vrajet

'An ordinary fever, once six days have passed, is called chronic; but this fierce fever of anxiety renews itself anew every single day.'

Verse 71 (skanda.4.1.71)

धन्यो धन्वतरिर्नात्र चरकश्चरतीह न। नासत्यावपिनाऽ सत्यावत्र चिन्ताज्वरे किल

dhanyo dhanvatarirnātra carakaścaratīha na nāsatyāvapinā' satyāvatra cintājvare kila

'Here even blessed Dhanvantari avails nothing, nor does Charaka have any power, nor even the twin Ashvins -- truly, in this fever of anxiety, no physician has any remedy.'

Verse 72 (skanda.4.1.72)

किं करोमि क्व गच्छामि कथं मेरुं जयाम्यहम्। उत्प्लुत्य तस्य शिरसि पतामि न पताम्यतः

kiṁ karomi kva gacchāmi kathaṁ meruṁ jayāmyaham utplutya tasya śirasi patāmi na patāmyataḥ

'What am I to do, where shall I go, how am I to conquer Meru? Shall I leap up and fall upon his very summit, or shall I not?'

Verse 73 (skanda.4.1.73)

शक्रं कोपयता पूर्वमस्मद्गोत्रेण केनचित्। पक्षहीनः कृतो यत्र धिगपक्षस्यचेष्टितम्

śakraṁ kopayatā pūrvamasmadgotreṇa kenacit pakṣahīnaḥ kṛto yatra dhigapakṣasyaceṣṭitam

'Long ago, some mountain of our own lineage angered Indra, and as a result was stripped of his wings -- cursed indeed is the helpless struggle of one bereft of wings!'

Verse 74 (skanda.4.1.74)

अथवा स कथं मेरुस्तथोच्चैः स्पर्द्धते मया। भूमेर्भारभृतःप्रायो भवंति भ्रांति भूमयः

athavā sa kathaṁ merustathoccaiḥ sparddhate mayā bhūmerbhārabhṛtaḥprāyo bhavaṁti bhrāṁti bhūmayaḥ

'Or how indeed does that Meru so haughtily vie with me? Those who merely bear the weight of the earth generally fall into delusion.'

Verse 75 (skanda.4.1.75)

अलीकवाक्त्वमथवा संभाव्यं नारदे कथम्। ब्रह्मचारिणि वेदज्ञे सत्यलोकनिवासिनि

alīkavāktvamathavā saṁbhāvyaṁ nārade katham brahmacāriṇi vedajñe satyalokanivāsini

'Or how could falsehood even be imagined in Narada -- a celibate sage, learned in the Vedas, a dweller in Satyaloka itself?'

Verse 76 (skanda.4.1.76)

युक्तायुक्तविचारोथ मादृशेनोपयुज्यते। पराक्रमेष्वशक्तानां विचारं गाहते मनः

yuktāyuktavicārotha mādṛśenopayujyate parākrameṣvaśaktānāṁ vicāraṁ gāhate manaḥ

'Yet again, is it even fitting for one such as I to weigh right from wrong? It is the minds of those incapable of valor that sink into such endless deliberation.'

Verse 77 (skanda.4.1.77)

अथवा चिन्तनैरेतैः किंव्यर्थैर्विश्वकारकम्। विश्वेशं शरणं यायां समे बुद्धिं प्रदास्यति

athavā cintanairetaiḥ kiṁvyarthairviśvakārakam viśveśaṁ śaraṇaṁ yāyāṁ same buddhiṁ pradāsyati

'Or rather, what is the use of these futile broodings? Let me go for refuge to Vishvesha, maker of the universe -- he alone will grant me clarity of mind.'

Verse 78 (skanda.4.1.78)

अनाथनाथः सर्वेषां विश्वनाथो हि गीयते। क्षणं मनसि संचित्य भवेदित्थमसंशयम्

anāthanāthaḥ sarveṣāṁ viśvanātho hi gīyate kṣaṇaṁ manasi saṁcitya bhaveditthamasaṁśayam

'For Vishvanatha alone is celebrated as the lord and protector of all the helpless.' Having pondered this for a moment in his mind, he resolved: 'So shall it be, without doubt.'

Verse 79 (skanda.4.1.79)

एतदेव करिष्यामि नेष्टं कालविलंबनम्। विचक्षणैरुपेक्ष्यौ न वर्द्धमानौ परामयौ

etadeva kariṣyāmi neṣṭaṁ kālavilaṁbanam vicakṣaṇairupekṣyau na varddhamānau parāmayau

'This is exactly what I shall do; there is no virtue in delay. The wise never overlook two things once they begin to grow: a rival and a disease.'

Verse 80 (skanda.4.1.80)

मेरुं प्रदक्षिणीकुर्यान्नित्यमेव दिवाकरः। सग्रहर्क्षगणो नूनं मन्यमानो बलाधिकम्

meruṁ pradakṣiṇīkuryānnityameva divākaraḥ sagraharkṣagaṇo nūnaṁ manyamāno balādhikam

'The sun, along with the planets and the host of stars, circles Meru every single day -- surely because he considers him superior in strength.'

Verse 81 (skanda.4.1.81)

इति निश्चित्य विन्ध्याद्रिर्ववृधे स मृधेक्षणः। अनंतगगनस्यांतं कुर्वद्भिः शिखरैरिव

iti niścitya vindhyādrirvavṛdhe sa mṛdhekṣaṇaḥ anaṁtagaganasyāṁtaṁ kurvadbhiḥ śikharairiva

Having thus resolved, Mount Vindhya, his gaze now fierce with the will to contend, began to grow -- as if seeking, with his very peaks, to put an end to the boundless sky itself.

Verse 82 (skanda.4.1.82)

कैश्चित्सार्द्धं विरोधो न कर्तव्यः केनचित्क्वचित्। कर्तव्यश्चेत्प्रयत्नेन यथा नोपहसेज्जनः

kaiścitsārddhaṁ virodho na kartavyaḥ kenacitkvacit kartavyaścetprayatnena yathā nopahasejjanaḥ

One should never take up rivalry with anyone, under any circumstance; but if it must be undertaken, it should be pursued with such effort that no one has cause to mock.

Verse 83 (skanda.4.1.83)

निरुध्य ब्राध्नमध्वानं कृतकृत्य इवाद्रिराट्। स्वस्थोऽभवद्भवाधीना प्राणिनां हि भविष्यता

nirudhya brādhnamadhvānaṁ kṛtakṛtya ivādrirāṭ svastho'bhavadbhavādhīnā prāṇināṁ hi bhaviṣyatā

Having thus blocked the sun's path, the king of mountains grew content, as though his purpose were fulfilled -- for indeed, the future of all beings rests in the hands of fate.

Verse 84 (skanda.4.1.84)

यमद्ययमकर्तासौ दक्षिणं प्रक्रमिष्यति। सकुलीनः स च श्रीमान्समहान्महितः स च

yamadyayamakartāsau dakṣiṇaṁ prakramiṣyati sakulīnaḥ sa ca śrīmānsamahānmahitaḥ sa ca

'Even he whom Yama has not yet claimed, the sun, shall now be forced to take the southern path -- noble of lineage though he is, glorious, great, and honored by all.'

Verse 85 (skanda.4.1.85)

यावत्स्वश क्तिं शक्तोपि न दर्शयति कर्हिचित्। तावत्स लंघ्यः सर्वेषां ज्वलनो दारुगो यथा

yāvatsvaśa ktiṁ śaktopi na darśayati karhicit tāvatsa laṁghyaḥ sarveṣāṁ jvalano dārugo yathā

So long as one who is capable does not display his own strength, so long is he taken lightly by all -- just like fire hidden within wood, until it blazes forth.

Verse 86 (skanda.4.1.86)

इति चिंतामहाभारं त्यक्त्वा तस्थौ स्थिरोद्यमः। आकांक्षमाणस्तरणे रुदयं ब्राह्मणो यथा

iti ciṁtāmahābhāraṁ tyaktvā tasthau sthirodyamaḥ ākāṁkṣamāṇastaraṇe rudayaṁ brāhmaṇo yathā

Thus casting off the great burden of anxiety, Vindhya stood firm in steady resolve, yearning for deliverance, like a weeping Brahmin longing to cross over his troubles.