The Account of the World of Fire

Verse 1 (skanda.4.11.1)

अगस्तिरुवाच । शृणु सुश्रोणि सुभगे वैश्वानरसमुद्भवम् । पुण्यशीलसुशीलाभ्यां यथोक्तं शिवशर्मणे

agastiruvāca śṛṇu suśroṇi subhage vaiśvānarasamudbhavam puṇyaśīlasuśīlābhyāṁ yathoktaṁ śivaśarmaṇe

Agastya said: Listen, O fortunate, fair-hipped one, to the origin of Vaishvanara (Agni), exactly as it was told to Shivasharma by Punyashila and Sushila.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.11.2)

अथ कालेन तद्योषिदंतर्वत्नी बभूव ह । विधिवद्विहिते तेन गर्भाधानाख्य कर्मणि

atha kālena tadyoṣidaṁtarvatnī babhūva ha vidhivadvihite tena garbhādhānākhya karmaṇi

Then, in time, that woman conceived, after the rite called Garbhadhana had been duly performed for her according to the prescribed rule.

Verse 3 (skanda.4.11.3)

ततः पुंसवनं तेन स्पंदनात्प्राग्विपश्चिता । गृह्योक्तविधिना सम्यक्कृतं पुंस्त्वविवृद्धये

tataḥ puṁsavanaṁ tena spaṁdanātprāgvipaścitā gṛhyoktavidhinā samyakkṛtaṁ puṁstvavivṛddhaye

Then, before the quickening of the embryo, the wise one duly performed the Pumsavana rite according to the rule of the Grihya texts, for the increase of male vigor.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.11.4)

सीमन्तोथाष्टमे मासि गर्भरूपसमृद्धिकृत् । सुखप्रसव सिद्ध्यै च तेनाकारि क्रियाविदा

sīmantothāṣṭame māsi garbharūpasamṛddhikṛt sukhaprasava siddhyai ca tenākāri kriyāvidā

Then in the eighth month, the Simantonnayana rite was performed by the ritually-skilled father, enriching the form of the embryo and ensuring an easy delivery.

Verse 5 (skanda.4.11.5)

अथातः सत्सुतारासु ताराधिप वराननः । केंद्रे गुरौ शुभे लग्ने सुग्रहेष्वयुगेषु च

athātaḥ satsutārāsu tārādhipa varānanaḥ keṁdre gurau śubhe lagne sugraheṣvayugeṣu ca

Then, with the constellations auspicious, the fair-faced lord of the stars, Jupiter posited in a central house, the ascendant benign, the planets favorable and situated in odd signs,

Verse 6 (skanda.4.11.6)

अरिष्टं दीपयन्दीप्त्या सर्वारिष्टविनाशकृत् । तनयो नाम तस्यां तु शुचिष्मत्यां बभूव ह

ariṣṭaṁ dīpayandīptyā sarvāriṣṭavināśakṛt tanayo nāma tasyāṁ tu śuciṣmatyāṁ babhūva ha

-- a son was born to Shuchishmati, blazing with a splendor that outshone every ill-omen, and destroying all misfortune.

Verse 7 (skanda.4.11.7)

सद्यः समस्तसुखदो भूर्भुवःस्वर्निवासिनाम् । गंधवाहागन्धवाहादिग्वधूमुखवासनाः

sadyaḥ samastasukhado bhūrbhuvaḥsvarnivāsinām gaṁdhavāhāgandhavāhādigvadhūmukhavāsanāḥ

He at once became the giver of complete joy to the dwellers of the three worlds -- earth, atmosphere and heaven; the fragrant breeze perfumed the faces of the brides of the quarters;

Verse 8 (skanda.4.11.8)

इष्टगन्धप्रसूनौघैर्ववर्षुस्ते घनाघनाः । देवदुन्दुभयो नेदुः प्रसेदुः सर्वतोदिशः

iṣṭagandhaprasūnaughairvavarṣuste ghanāghanāḥ devadundubhayo neduḥ praseduḥ sarvatodiśaḥ

those rain-clouds showered down floods of desired, fragrant blossoms; the drums of the gods resounded; and every direction grew serene.

Verse 9 (skanda.4.11.9)

परितः सरितः स्वच्छा भूतानां मानसैः सह ९ । तमोऽताम्यत्तु नितरां रजोपि विरजोभवत्

paritaḥ saritaḥ svacchā bhūtānāṁ mānasaiḥ saha 9 tamo'tāmyattu nitarāṁ rajopi virajobhavat

On every side the rivers grew clear as the minds of all beings; darkness (tamas) grew utterly faint, and even passion (rajas) became free of taint.

Verse 10 (skanda.4.11.10)

सत्त्वाः सत्त्वसमायुक्ता वसुधासीच्छुभा तदा । कल्याणी सर्वतो वाणी प्राणिनः प्रीणयंत्यभूत्

sattvāḥ sattvasamāyuktā vasudhāsīcchubhā tadā kalyāṇī sarvato vāṇī prāṇinaḥ prīṇayaṁtyabhūt

All creatures then became endowed with the quality of goodness, the earth grew auspicious, and everywhere a gracious voice from the sky went about gladdening every living being.

Verse 11 (skanda.4.11.11)

तिलोत्तमोर्वशीरंभा प्रभा विद्युत्प्रभा शुभा । सुमंगला शुभालापा सुशीलाड्या(?) वरांगनाः

tilottamorvaśīraṁbhā prabhā vidyutprabhā śubhā sumaṁgalā śubhālāpā suśīlāḍyā(?) varāṁganāḥ

Tilottama, Urvashi, Rambha, Prabha, Vidyutprabha the auspicious, Sumangala, Shubhalapa, and Sushiladhya(?) -- the finest of celestial women --

Verse 12 (skanda.4.11.12)

क्वणत्कंकण पात्राणि कृत्वा करतलं मुदा । मुक्तमुक्ताफलाढ्यानि यक्षकर्दमवंति च

kvaṇatkaṁkaṇa pātrāṇi kṛtvā karatalaṁ mudā muktamuktāphalāḍhyāni yakṣakardamavaṁti ca

-- joyfully cupping their palms, jingling with bangles, into vessels, filled with loose pearls and with yaksha-kardama, the fragrant unguent of the yakshas --

Verse 13 (skanda.4.11.13)

वज्रवैदूर्य दीपानि हरिद्रा लेपनानि च । गारुत्मतैकरूपाणि शंखशुक्तिदधीनि च

vajravaidūrya dīpāni haridrā lepanāni ca gārutmataikarūpāṇi śaṁkhaśuktidadhīni ca

-- with lamps of diamond and beryl, unguents of turmeric, ornaments wrought uniformly of emerald, and curds served in conch-shells and oyster-shells --

Verse 14 (skanda.4.11.14)

पद्मरागप्रवालाख्यरत्नकुंकुमवंति च । गोमेदपुष्परागेंद्र नीलसन्माल्यभांजि च

padmarāgapravālākhyaratnakuṁkumavaṁti ca gomedapuṣparāgeṁdra nīlasanmālyabhāṁji ca

-- with vessels filled with ruby and coral gems and with saffron, and garlands adorned with hessonite, topaz, and fine sapphire --

Verse 15 (skanda.4.11.15)

विद्याधर्यश्च किन्नर्यस्तथाऽमर्यः सहस्रशः । चामर व्यग्रहस्ताग्र मंगलद्रव्यपाणयः

vidyādharyaśca kinnaryastathā'maryaḥ sahasraśaḥ cāmara vyagrahastāgra maṁgaladravyapāṇayaḥ

Vidyadhari women, Kinnaris, and thousands of celestial women as well, their hands busy waving fly-whisks, their fingertips holding auspicious articles,

Verse 16 (skanda.4.11.16)

गंधर्वोरगयक्षाणां सुवासिन्यः शुभस्वराः । गायंत्यो ललितं गीतं तत्राजग्मुरनेकशः

gaṁdharvoragayakṣāṇāṁ suvāsinyaḥ śubhasvarāḥ gāyaṁtyo lalitaṁ gītaṁ tatrājagmuranekaśaḥ

and the sweet-voiced wives of Gandharvas, Uragas and Yakshas, singing lovely songs, came there in great numbers.

Verse 17 (skanda.4.11.17)

मरीचिरत्रि पुलहः पुलस्त्यः क्रतुरंगिराः । वसिष्ठः कश्यपश्चाहं विभांडो मांडवीसुतः

marīciratri pulahaḥ pulastyaḥ kraturaṁgirāḥ vasiṣṭhaḥ kaśyapaścāhaṁ vibhāṁḍo māṁḍavīsutaḥ

Marichi, Atri, Pulaha, Pulastya, Kratu, Angiras, Vasishtha, Kashyapa, and I myself (Agastya), Vibhandaka the son of Mandavi,

Verse 18 (skanda.4.11.18)

लोमशो लोमचरणो भरद्वाजोथ गौतमः । भृगुस्तु गालवो गर्गो जातूकर्ण्यः पराशरः

lomaśo lomacaraṇo bharadvājotha gautamaḥ bhṛgustu gālavo gargo jātūkarṇyaḥ parāśaraḥ

Lomasha, Lomacharana, Bharadvaja, and Gautama, Bhrigu, Galava, Garga, Jatukarnya, Parashara,

Verse 19 (skanda.4.11.19)

आपस्तंबो याज्ञवल्क्य दक्षवाल्मीकिमुद्गलाः । शातातपश्च लिखितः शिलादः शंखउंछभुक्

āpastaṁbo yājñavalkya dakṣavālmīkimudgalāḥ śātātapaśca likhitaḥ śilādaḥ śaṁkhauṁchabhuk

Apastamba, Yajnavalkya, Daksha, Valmiki, Mudgala, Shatatapa, Likhita, Shilada, and Shankha who lived on mere gleanings,

Verse 20 (skanda.4.11.20)

जमदग्निश्च संवर्तो मतंगो भरतोंशुमान् । व्यासः कात्यायनः कुत्सः शौनकः सुश्रुतः शुकः

jamadagniśca saṁvarto mataṁgo bharatoṁśumān vyāsaḥ kātyāyanaḥ kutsaḥ śaunakaḥ suśrutaḥ śukaḥ

Jamadagni, Samvarta, Matanga, Bharata, Amshuman, Vyasa, Katyayana, Kutsa, Shaunaka, Sushruta, Shuka,

Verse 21 (skanda.4.11.21)

ऋष्यशृंगोथ दुर्वासा रुचिर्नारदतुंबुरू । उत्तंको वामदेवश्च च्यवनोसितदेवलौ

ṛṣyaśṛṁgotha durvāsā rucirnāradatuṁburū uttaṁko vāmadevaśca cyavanositadevalau

Rishyashringa, Durvasa, Ruchi, Narada and Tumburu, Uttanka, Vamadeva, Chyavana, Asita and Devala,

Verse 22 (skanda.4.11.22)

शालंकायनहारी तौ विश्वामित्रोथभार्गवः । मृकंडः सह पुत्रेण दाल्भ्य उद्दालकस्तथा

śālaṁkāyanahārī tau viśvāmitrothabhārgavaḥ mṛkaṁḍaḥ saha putreṇa dālbhya uddālakastathā

Shalankayana, the two named Hari, Vishvamitra and Bhargava, Mrikanda together with his son (Markandeya), Dalbhya, and Uddalaka as well --

Verse 23 (skanda.4.11.23)

धौम्योपमन्युवत्साद्या मुनयो मुनिकन्यकाः । तच्छांत्यर्थं समाजग्मुर्धन्यं विश्वानराश्रमम्

dhaumyopamanyuvatsādyā munayo munikanyakāḥ tacchāṁtyarthaṁ samājagmurdhanyaṁ viśvānarāśramam

-- Dhaumya, Upamanyu, Vatsa, and other such sages, together with sages' daughters, all gathered at the blessed hermitage of Vishvanara for that rite of peace.

Verse 24 (skanda.4.11.24)

ब्रह्मा बृहस्पतियुतो देवो गरुडवाहनः । नंदि भृंगि समायुक्तो गौर्या सह वृषध्वजः

brahmā bṛhaspatiyuto devo garuḍavāhanaḥ naṁdi bhṛṁgi samāyukto gauryā saha vṛṣadhvajaḥ

Brahma came together with Brihaspati; the god whose mount is Garuda (Vishnu) came as well; and the Bull-bannered One (Shiva), accompanied by Nandi and Bhringi, arrived together with Gauri.

Verse 25 (skanda.4.11.25)

महेंद्रमुख्या गीर्वाणा नागाः पातालवासिनः । रत्नान्यादाय बहुशः ससरित्का महाब्धयः

maheṁdramukhyā gīrvāṇā nāgāḥ pātālavāsinaḥ ratnānyādāya bahuśaḥ sasaritkā mahābdhayaḥ

The gods headed by Mahendra, the serpent-folk dwelling in the netherworld bringing many jewels, and the great oceans together with the rivers --

Verse 26 (skanda.4.11.26)

स्थावरा जंगमं रूपं धृत्वा याताः सहस्रशः । महामहोत्सवे तस्मिन्बभूवाकालकौमुदी

sthāvarā jaṁgamaṁ rūpaṁ dhṛtvā yātāḥ sahasraśaḥ mahāmahotsave tasminbabhūvākālakaumudī

-- even immobile beings, taking on mobile form, went there by the thousands; at that great festival it seemed an untimely moonlight of joy had dawned.

Verse 27 (skanda.4.11.27)

जातकर्म स्वयं चक्रे तस्य देवः पितामहः । श्रुतिं विचार्य तद्रूपां नाम्ना गृहपतिस्त्वयम्

jātakarma svayaṁ cakre tasya devaḥ pitāmahaḥ śrutiṁ vicārya tadrūpāṁ nāmnā gṛhapatistvayam

The god Pitamaha (Brahma) himself performed the birth-rite for him; having considered the Vedic text bearing on it, he gave him the name 'Grihapati'.

Verse 28 (skanda.4.11.28)

इति नाम ददौ तस्मै देयमेकादशेहनि । नामकर्मविधानेन तदर्थं श्रुतिमुच्चरन्

iti nāma dadau tasmai deyamekādaśehani nāmakarmavidhānena tadarthaṁ śrutimuccaran

Thus he conferred on him this name, to be given on the eleventh day according to the rule of the naming-rite, reciting the Vedic text appropriate to it --

Verse 29 (skanda.4.11.29)

अयमग्निर्गृहपतिर्गार्हपत्यः प्रजाया वसुवित्तमः । अग्ने गृहपतेभिद्युम्नमभि सह आयच्छस्व

ayamagnirgṛhapatirgārhapatyaḥ prajāyā vasuvittamaḥ agne gṛhapatebhidyumnamabhi saha āyacchasva

"This Agni is the householder, the Garhapatya, the finest bringer of wealth for one's offspring. O Agni, O householder, grant us splendor together with strength."

Verse 30 (skanda.4.11.30)

अग्ने गृहपते स्थित्या परामपि निदर्शयन् । चतुर्निगममंत्रोक्तैराशीर्भिरभिनंद्य च

agne gṛhapate sthityā parāmapi nidarśayan caturnigamamaṁtroktairāśīrbhirabhinaṁdya ca

"O Agni, O householder, showing forth even the supreme steadfastness" -- thus, with blessings uttered from four Vedic mantras, having joyfully greeted the child,

Verse 31 (skanda.4.11.31)

कृत्वा बालोचितां रक्षां हरेण हरिणा सह । निर्ययौ हंसमारुह्य सर्वेषां प्रपितामहः

kṛtvā bālocitāṁ rakṣāṁ hareṇa hariṇā saha niryayau haṁsamāruhya sarveṣāṁ prapitāmahaḥ

-- having performed, together with Hara and Hari, the protective rite befitting an infant, the great-grandfather of all (Brahma) departed, mounting his swan.

Verse 32 (skanda.4.11.32)

अहोरूपमहो तेजस्त्वहो सर्वांगलक्षणम् । अहो शुचिष्मतीभाग्यमाविरासीत्स्वयं हरः

ahorūpamaho tejastvaho sarvāṁgalakṣaṇam aho śuciṣmatībhāgyamāvirāsītsvayaṁ haraḥ

"Oh, what beauty! Oh, what splendor! Oh, what auspicious marks on every limb! Oh, what fortune for Shuchishmati, that Hara himself has appeared in person!"

Verse 33 (skanda.4.11.33)

अथवा किमिदं चित्रं शर्वभक्तजनेष्वहो । आविर्भवेत्स्वयं रुद्रो यतोरुद्रास्तदर्चकाः

athavā kimidaṁ citraṁ śarvabhaktajaneṣvaho āvirbhavetsvayaṁ rudro yatorudrāstadarcakāḥ

"Or rather, what wonder is this among the devotees of Sharva? Rudra himself may well appear among them, since the Rudras themselves are his worshippers."

Verse 34 (skanda.4.11.34)

इति स्तुवंतस्त्वन्योन्यं जग्मुः सर्वे यथागतम् । विश्वानरं समापृच्छ्य संप्रहृष्टतनूरुहाः

iti stuvaṁtastvanyonyaṁ jagmuḥ sarve yathāgatam viśvānaraṁ samāpṛcchya saṁprahṛṣṭatanūruhāḥ

Thus praising one another, their body-hairs bristling with joy, all of them took leave of Vishvanara and departed the way they had come.

Verse 35 (skanda.4.11.35)

अतः पुत्रं समीहंते गृहस्थाश्रमवासिनः । पुत्रेण लोकाञ्जयति श्रुतिरेषा सनातनी

ataḥ putraṁ samīhaṁte gṛhasthāśramavāsinaḥ putreṇa lokāñjayati śrutireṣā sanātanī

For this reason those dwelling in the householder's stage of life long for a son; "by a son one conquers the worlds" -- this is the eternal Vedic teaching.

Verse 36 (skanda.4.11.36)

अपुत्रस्य गृहं शून्यमपुत्रस्यार्जनं वृथा । अपुत्रस्यान्वयश्छिन्नो नापवित्रं ह्यपुत्रतः

aputrasya gṛhaṁ śūnyamaputrasyārjanaṁ vṛthā aputrasyānvayaśchinno nāpavitraṁ hyaputrataḥ

The home of the sonless man is empty; the earnings of the sonless man are futile; the lineage of the sonless man is cut off; indeed nothing is as impure as sonlessness.

Verse 37 (skanda.4.11.37)

न पुत्रात्परमो लाभो न पुत्रात्परमं सुखम् । न पुत्रात्परमं मित्रं परत्रेह च कुत्रचित्

na putrātparamo lābho na putrātparamaṁ sukham na putrātparamaṁ mitraṁ paratreha ca kutracit

There is no gain greater than a son, no happiness greater than a son, no friend greater than a son, anywhere, in this world or the next.

Verse 38 (skanda.4.11.38)

औरसः क्षेत्रजः क्रीतो दत्तः प्राप्तः सुतासुतः । आपत्सुरक्षितश्चान्यः पुत्राः सप्तात्र कीर्तिताः

aurasaḥ kṣetrajaḥ krīto dattaḥ prāptaḥ sutāsutaḥ āpatsurakṣitaścānyaḥ putrāḥ saptātra kīrtitāḥ

The son of one's own body, the field-born son, the bought son, the given son, the found son, the son of one's own daughter, and one more, protected in adversity -- these seven kinds of sons are declared here.

Verse 39 (skanda.4.11.39)

एषामन्यतमः कार्यो गृहस्थेन विपश्चिता । पूर्वपूर्वः सुतः श्रेयान्हीनःस्यादुत्तरोत्तरः

eṣāmanyatamaḥ kāryo gṛhasthena vipaścitā pūrvapūrvaḥ sutaḥ śreyānhīnaḥsyāduttarottaraḥ

A wise householder should procure one of these; each earlier-named type of son is superior, each later one progressively inferior.

Verse 40 (skanda.4.11.40)

गणावूचतुः । निष्क्रमोथ चतुर्थेऽस्य मासि पित्राकृतो गृहात् । अन्नप्राशनमब्दार्धे चूडाब्दे चार्थवत्कृता

gaṇāvūcatuḥ niṣkramotha caturthe'sya māsi pitrākṛto gṛhāt annaprāśanamabdārdhe cūḍābde cārthavatkṛtā

The two ganas said: Then in his fourth month the Nishkramana rite was performed for him by his father; the Annaprashana at six months, and the Chudakarana duly performed in his first year.

Verse 41 (skanda.4.11.41)

कर्णवेधं ततः कृत्वा श्रवणर्क्षे सकर्मवित् । ब्रह्मतेजोभिवृद्ध्यर्थं पंचमेऽब्दे व्रतं ददौ

karṇavedhaṁ tataḥ kṛtvā śravaṇarkṣe sakarmavit brahmatejobhivṛddhyarthaṁ paṁcame'bde vrataṁ dadau

Then the father, skilled in the rites, performed the ear-piercing under the Shravana constellation; and for the increase of Brahmanical radiance, in the fifth year he gave him the vow of the sacred thread.

Verse 42 (skanda.4.11.42)

उपाकर्म ततः कृत्वा वेदानध्यापयत्सुधीः । त्र्यब्दं वेदान्सविधिनाऽध्यैष्ट सांगपदक्रमान्

upākarma tataḥ kṛtvā vedānadhyāpayatsudhīḥ tryabdaṁ vedānsavidhinā'dhyaiṣṭa sāṁgapadakramān

Then, having performed the Upakarma rite, the wise father had him study the Vedas; for three years he studied the Vedas duly, together with their auxiliary limbs and the padakrama methods of recitation.

Verse 43 (skanda.4.11.43)

विद्याजातं समस्तं च साक्षिमात्राद्गुरोर्मुखात् । विनयादिगुणानाविष्कुर्वञ्जग्राह शक्तिमान्

vidyājātaṁ samastaṁ ca sākṣimātrādgurormukhāt vinayādiguṇānāviṣkurvañjagrāha śaktimān

That capable boy grasped the entire body of learning from mere witnessing at his teacher's mouth, all the while manifesting the qualities of humility and the rest.

Verse 44 (skanda.4.11.44)

ततोथ नवमे वर्षे पित्रोः शुश्रूषणे रतम् । वैश्वानरं गृहपतिं दृष्ट्वा कामचरो मुनिः

tatotha navame varṣe pitroḥ śuśrūṣaṇe ratam vaiśvānaraṁ gṛhapatiṁ dṛṣṭvā kāmacaro muniḥ

Then, in his ninth year, the sage who wanders at will, seeing Grihapati Vaishvanara devoted to the service of his parents --

Verse 45 (skanda.4.11.45)

विश्वानरोटजं प्राप्य देवर्षिर्नारदः सुधीः । पप्रच्छ कुशलं तत्र गृहीतार्घासनः क्रमात्

viśvānaroṭajaṁ prāpya devarṣirnāradaḥ sudhīḥ papraccha kuśalaṁ tatra gṛhītārghāsanaḥ kramāt

-- the wise divine sage Narada, arriving at Vishvanara's hut, and having duly received the guest-offering and a seat, inquired there after their welfare.

Verse 46 (skanda.4.11.46)

नारद उवाच । विश्वानर महाभाग शुचिष्मति शुभव्रते । कुरुते युवयोर्वाक्यमयं गृहपतिः शिशुः

nārada uvāca viśvānara mahābhāga śuciṣmati śubhavrate kurute yuvayorvākyamayaṁ gṛhapatiḥ śiśuḥ

Narada said: O most fortunate Vishvanara, O Shuchishmati of blessed vows, does this child Grihapati obey your every word?

Verse 47 (skanda.4.11.47)

नान्यत्तीर्थं न वा देवो न गुरुर्न च सत्किया । विहाय पित्रोर्वचनं नान्यो धर्मः सुतस्य हि

nānyattīrthaṁ na vā devo na gururna ca satkiyā vihāya pitrorvacanaṁ nānyo dharmaḥ sutasya hi

There is no holy place, no deity, no teacher, no good deed equal to it; apart from obedience to the word of one's parents, there is truly no other dharma for a son.

Verse 48 (skanda.4.11.48)

न पित्रोरधिकं किंचित्त्रिलोक्यां तनयस्य हि । गर्भधारणपोषाभ्यां पितुर्माता गरीयसी

na pitroradhikaṁ kiṁcittrilokyāṁ tanayasya hi garbhadhāraṇapoṣābhyāṁ piturmātā garīyasī

For a son, nothing in the three worlds is greater than his parents; through bearing and nourishing him in the womb, the mother is even weightier than the father.

Verse 49 (skanda.4.11.49)

अंभोभिरभिषिच्यस्वं जननीचरणच्युतैः । प्राप्नुयात्स्वर्धुनीशुद्ध कबंधाधिकशुद्धताम्

aṁbhobhirabhiṣicyasvaṁ jananīcaraṇacyutaiḥ prāpnuyātsvardhunīśuddha kabaṁdhādhikaśuddhatām

Bathed with waters that have fallen from his mother's feet, a son attains a purity even surpassing the mist-white purity of the heavenly river Ganga.

Verse 50 (skanda.4.11.50)

संन्यस्ताखिलकर्मापि पितुर्वंद्यो हिमस्करी । सर्ववंद्येन यतिना प्रसूर्वंद्या प्रयत्नतः

saṁnyastākhilakarmāpi piturvaṁdyo himaskarī sarvavaṁdyena yatinā prasūrvaṁdyā prayatnataḥ

Even one who has renounced all action, cool in passion as the moon, must revere his father; and the mother must be revered with great effort even by the ascetic who is himself revered by all.

Verse 51 (skanda.4.11.51)

इदमेव तपोत्युग्रमिदमेवपरं व्रतम् । अयमेव परो धर्मो यत्पित्रोः परितोषणम्

idameva tapotyugramidamevaparaṁ vratam ayameva paro dharmo yatpitroḥ paritoṣaṇam

This alone is the fiercest austerity, this alone the supreme vow, this alone the highest dharma -- the satisfaction of one's parents.

Verse 52 (skanda.4.11.52)

मन्येमान्यो नाधमस्य तथान्यस्य यथा युवाम् । सुखाकारैर्विनीतस्य शिशोर्गृहपतेरहम्

manyemānyo nādhamasya tathānyasya yathā yuvām sukhākārairvinītasya śiśorgṛhapateraham

I hold no one, however honorable, in such regard as I hold you two, the parents of this gentle, well-behaved child Grihapati.

Verse 53 (skanda.4.11.53)

वैश्वानरसमभ्येहि ममोत्संगे निषीद भो । लक्षणानि परीक्षेहं पाणिं दर्शय दक्षिणम्

vaiśvānarasamabhyehi mamotsaṁge niṣīda bho lakṣaṇāni parīkṣehaṁ pāṇiṁ darśaya dakṣiṇam

Come here, Vaishvanara! Sit upon my lap, dear one; let me examine your auspicious marks -- show me your right hand.

Verse 54 (skanda.4.11.54)

इत्युक्तो मुनिना बालः पित्रोराज्ञामवाप्य सः । प्रणम्य नारदं श्रीमान्भक्त्याप्रह्व उपाविशत्

ityukto muninā bālaḥ pitrorājñāmavāpya saḥ praṇamya nāradaṁ śrīmānbhaktyāprahva upāviśat

Thus addressed by the sage, the boy, having obtained his parents' permission, bowed to Narada, and, glorious, sat down humbly with devotion.

Verse 55 (skanda.4.11.55)

ततो दृष्ट्वास्य सर्वांगं तालुजिह्वाद्विजानपि । आनीय कुंकुमारक्तं सूत्रं च त्रिगुणीकृतम्

tato dṛṣṭvāsya sarvāṁgaṁ tālujihvādvijānapi ānīya kuṁkumāraktaṁ sūtraṁ ca triguṇīkṛtam

Then, having examined his whole body -- palate, tongue and teeth as well -- Narada had brought a thread reddened with saffron, doubled into three strands,

Verse 56 (skanda.4.11.56)

स्मृत्वा शिवौ गणाध्यक्षमूर्ध्वीभूतमुदङ्मुखम् । मुनिः परिममौ बालमापादतलमस्तकम्

smṛtvā śivau gaṇādhyakṣamūrdhvībhūtamudaṅmukham muniḥ parimamau bālamāpādatalamastakam

and, remembering Shiva and the lord of ganas (Ganesha), standing upright and facing north, the sage measured the boy from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.

Verse 57 (skanda.4.11.57)

तिर्यगूर्ध्वं समो माने योष्टोत्तरशतांगुलः । स भवेत्पृथिवीपालो बालोऽयं ते यथा द्विज

tiryagūrdhvaṁ samo māne yoṣṭottaraśatāṁgulaḥ sa bhavetpṛthivīpālo bālo'yaṁ te yathā dvija

"One whose measure is equal both crosswise and upright, at one hundred and eight finger-widths -- such a one becomes a ruler of the earth; and such, O Brahmin, is this child of yours."

Verse 58 (skanda.4.11.58)

पंचसूक्ष्मः पंचदीर्घः सप्तरक्तः षडुन्नतः । त्रिपृथुर्लघुगंभीरो द्वात्रिंशल्लक्षणस्त्विति

paṁcasūkṣmaḥ paṁcadīrghaḥ saptaraktaḥ ṣaḍunnataḥ tripṛthurlaghugaṁbhīro dvātriṁśallakṣaṇastviti

"Five features fine, five features long, seven features red, six features raised, three features broad, and light and deep -- thus are reckoned the thirty-two auspicious marks of a great man."

Verse 59 (skanda.4.11.59)

पंचदीर्घाणि शस्यानि यथादीर्घायुषोस्य वै । भुजौ नेत्रे हनुर्जानु नासाऽस्य तनयस्य ते

paṁcadīrghāṇi śasyāni yathādīrghāyuṣosya vai bhujau netre hanurjānu nāsā'sya tanayasya te

"The five long features that are praised, marking long life, are these: his two arms, his two eyes, his jaw, his knee, and his nose."

Verse 60 (skanda.4.11.60)

ग्रीवाजंघा मेहनैश्च त्रिभिर्ह्रस्वोयमीडितः । स्वरेण सत्त्वनाभिभ्यां त्रिगंभीरः शिशुः शुभः

grīvājaṁghā mehanaiśca tribhirhrasvoyamīḍitaḥ svareṇa sattvanābhibhyāṁ trigaṁbhīraḥ śiśuḥ śubhaḥ

"By his neck, shin, and organ -- these three being short -- he is praised; and by his voice, his vital strength, and his navel, this auspicious child is threefold deep."

Verse 61 (skanda.4.11.61)

त्वक्केशांगुलिदशनाः पर्वाण्यंगुलिजान्यपि । तथास्य पंचसूक्ष्माणि दिक्पालपदभाग्यथा

tvakkeśāṁgulidaśanāḥ parvāṇyaṁgulijānyapi tathāsya paṁcasūkṣmāṇi dikpālapadabhāgyathā

"His skin, hair, fingers, teeth, and the joints of his fingers -- these are his five fine features, by which he shall attain the rank of a Guardian of the Quarters."

Verse 62 (skanda.4.11.62)

वक्षः कुक्ष्यलकं स्कंध करं वक्त्रं षडुन्नतम् । तथाऽत्र दृश्यते बाले महदैश्वर्यभाग्यथा

vakṣaḥ kukṣyalakaṁ skaṁdha karaṁ vaktraṁ ṣaḍunnatam tathā'tra dṛśyate bāle mahadaiśvaryabhāgyathā

"Chest, belly, forehead, shoulder, hand and face -- these six raised features are seen in this child, signifying that he shall enjoy great sovereignty."

Verse 63 (skanda.4.11.63)

पाण्योस्तले च नेत्रांते तालुजिह्वाधरौष्ठकम् । सप्तारुणं च सनखमस्मिन्राज्यसुखप्रदम्

pāṇyostale ca netrāṁte tālujihvādharauṣṭhakam saptāruṇaṁ ca sanakhamasminrājyasukhapradam

"The palms of his two hands, the corners of his eyes, palate, tongue, lower lip and nails -- these seven red features bestow upon him the joy of kingship."

Verse 64 (skanda.4.11.64)

ललाटकटिवक्षोभिस्त्रिविस्तीर्णो यथाह्यसौ । सर्वतेजोतिरैश्वर्यं तथा प्राप्स्यति नान्यथा

lalāṭakaṭivakṣobhistrivistīrṇo yathāhyasau sarvatejotiraiśvaryaṁ tathā prāpsyati nānyathā

"Broad in forehead, waist and chest -- being thus threefold broad, he shall surely attain the utmost splendor and sovereignty in all things, not otherwise."

Verse 65 (skanda.4.11.65)

कमठीपृष्ठकठिनावकर्मकरणौ करौ । राज्यहेतू शिशोरस्य पादौ चाध्वनि कोमलौ

kamaṭhīpṛṣṭhakaṭhināvakarmakaraṇau karau rājyahetū śiśorasya pādau cādhvani komalau

"Firm as a tortoise's back, and unfit for menial labor, his two hands are the cause of this child's kingship; and his two feet are tender for the royal path."

Verse 66 (skanda.4.11.66)

अच्छिन्ना तर्जनीं व्याप्य तथा रेखास्य दृश्यते । कनिष्ठा पृष्ठनिर्याता दीर्घायुष्यं यथार्पयेत्

acchinnā tarjanīṁ vyāpya tathā rekhāsya dṛśyate kaniṣṭhā pṛṣṭhaniryātā dīrghāyuṣyaṁ yathārpayet

"An unbroken line is seen on him, reaching up to his index finger; and a line issuing near his little finger, running toward the back of the hand, bestows long life."

Verse 67 (skanda.4.11.67)

पादौ सुमांसलौ रक्तौ समौ सूक्ष्मौ सुशौभनौ । समगुल्फौ स्वेदहीनौ स्निग्धावैश्वर्यसूचकौ

pādau sumāṁsalau raktau samau sūkṣmau suśaubhanau samagulphau svedahīnau snigdhāvaiśvaryasūcakau

"His two feet, full-fleshed and reddish, even, fine, and beautiful, with level ankles, free of sweat, and glossy, indicate sovereignty."

Verse 68 (skanda.4.11.68)

स्वल्पाभिः कररेखाभिरारक्ताभिः सदासुखी । लिंगेन कृशह्रस्वेन राजराजो भविष्यति

svalpābhiḥ kararekhābhirāraktābhiḥ sadāsukhī liṁgena kṛśahrasvena rājarājo bhaviṣyati

"With few, reddish lines on his palms, he shall be ever happy; and by a slender, small organ, he shall become a king of kings."

Verse 69 (skanda.4.11.69)

उत्कंटासनगुल्फास्फिग्नाभिरस्यापि वर्तुला । दक्षिणावर्तमरुणं महदैश्वर्यसूचिका

utkaṁṭāsanagulphāsphignābhirasyāpi vartulā dakṣiṇāvartamaruṇaṁ mahadaiśvaryasūcikā

"His raised heel and hips, and his navel too, rounded, deep-red, and turning to the right, indicate great sovereignty."

Verse 70 (skanda.4.11.70)

धारैका मूत्रयत्यस्मिन्दक्षिणावर्तिनी यदि । गंधश्च मीनमधुनोर्यदि वीर्ये तदा नृपः

dhāraikā mūtrayatyasmindakṣiṇāvartinī yadi gaṁdhaśca mīnamadhunoryadi vīrye tadā nṛpaḥ

"If he passes urine in a single stream, curving to the right, and if his seed carries the fragrance of fish and honey, then he shall become a king."

Verse 71 (skanda.4.11.71)

विस्तीर्णौ मांसलौ स्निग्धौ स्फिचावस्य सुखोचितौ । वामावर्तौ सुप्रलंबौ दोषौ दिग्रक्षणोचितौ

vistīrṇau māṁsalau snigdhau sphicāvasya sukhocitau vāmāvartau supralaṁbau doṣau digrakṣaṇocitau

"His two hips, broad, fleshy and glossy, are fit for a life of comfort; turning to the left, well-set and pendulous, these marks too befit one destined to guard the quarters."

Verse 72 (skanda.4.11.72)

श्रीवत्सवज्रचक्राब्ज मत्स्यकोदंडदंडभृत् । तथास्य करगा रेखा यथा स्यात्त्रिदिवस्पतिः

śrīvatsavajracakrābja matsyakodaṁḍadaṁḍabhṛt tathāsya karagā rekhā yathā syāttridivaspatiḥ

"He bears on his palm lines in the form of the Shrivatsa mark, the thunderbolt, the discus, the lotus, the fish, the bow, and the staff, by which he shall become a lord even among the gods of heaven."

Verse 73 (skanda.4.11.73)

द्वात्रिंशद्दशनश्चायं करकंबु शिरोधरः । कौंचदुंदुभिहंसाभ्र स्वरः सर्वेश्वराधिकः

dvātriṁśaddaśanaścāyaṁ karakaṁbu śirodharaḥ kauṁcaduṁdubhihaṁsābhra svaraḥ sarveśvarādhikaḥ

"He has thirty-two teeth, a conch-like neck, and a voice like the krauncha bird, the kettledrum, the swan, or the thundercloud -- surpassing that of any other lord."

Verse 74 (skanda.4.11.74)

मधुपिंगलनेत्रोऽसौ नैनं श्रीस्त्यजति क्वचित् । पंचरेखललाटस्तु तथा सिंहोदरः शुभः।

madhupiṁgalanetro'sau nainaṁ śrīstyajati kvacit paṁcarekhalalāṭastu tathā siṁhodaraḥ śubhaḥ

"His eyes are tawny as honey, and Fortune shall never abandon him; his forehead is marked with five lines, and his belly is slender as a lion's -- this is auspicious."

Verse 75 (skanda.4.11.75)

ऊर्ध्वरेखांकितपदो निःश्वसन्पद्मगंधवान् । अच्छिद्रपाणिः सुनखो महालक्षणवानयम्

ūrdhvarekhāṁkitapado niḥśvasanpadmagaṁdhavān acchidrapāṇiḥ sunakho mahālakṣaṇavānayam

"His feet are marked with upward lines, his breath is fragrant as the lotus, his hands are unbroken and his nails are fine -- this child is endowed with the great auspicious marks."

Verse 76 (skanda.4.11.76)

किंतु सर्वगुणोपेतं सर्वलक्षणलक्षितम् । संपूर्णनिर्मलकलं पातयेद्विधुवद्विधिः

kiṁtu sarvaguṇopetaṁ sarvalakṣaṇalakṣitam saṁpūrṇanirmalakalaṁ pātayedvidhuvadvidhiḥ

"And yet, one endowed with every virtue, marked with every auspicious sign, whole and spotless like the full moon -- Providence may still cause such a one to wane and fall."

Verse 77 (skanda.4.11.77)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन रक्षणीयस्त्वसौ शिशुः । गुणोपि दोषतां याति वक्रीभूते विधातरि

tasmātsarvaprayatnena rakṣaṇīyastvasau śiśuḥ guṇopi doṣatāṁ yāti vakrībhūte vidhātari

"Therefore this child must be guarded with every possible effort; for even a virtue turns into a fault when fate grows adverse."

Verse 78 (skanda.4.11.78)

शंकेऽस्य द्वादशेवर्षे प्रत्यूहो विद्युदग्नितः । इत्युक्त्वा नारदो धीमान्स जगाम यथागतम्

śaṁke'sya dvādaśevarṣe pratyūho vidyudagnitaḥ ityuktvā nārado dhīmānsa jagāma yathāgatam

"I suspect that in his twelfth year some obstruction shall come to him from lightning-fire." Having said this, the wise Narada departed the way he had come.

Verse 79 (skanda.4.11.79)

विश्वानरः सपत्नीकस्तच्छ्रुत्वा नारदेरितम् । तदैव मन्यमानोभूद्वज्रपातं सुदारुणम्

viśvānaraḥ sapatnīkastacchrutvā nāraderitam tadaiva manyamānobhūdvajrapātaṁ sudāruṇam

Vishvanara, together with his wife, on hearing this spoken by Narada, felt at that very moment as though a most dreadful thunderbolt had fallen upon them.

Verse 80 (skanda.4.11.80)

हाहतोस्मीति वचसा हृदयं समताडयत् । मूर्च्छामवाप महतीं पुत्रशोकसमाकुलः

hāhatosmīti vacasā hṛdayaṁ samatāḍayat mūrcchāmavāpa mahatīṁ putraśokasamākulaḥ

With the cry "Alas, I am struck down!" he beat his own breast, and, overwhelmed with grief for his son, fell into a deep swoon.

Verse 81 (skanda.4.11.81)

शुचिष्मत्यपि दुःखार्ता रुरोदातीव दुःसहम् । आर्तस्वरेण हारावैरत्यंत व्याकुलेद्रिया

śuciṣmatyapi duḥkhārtā rurodātīva duḥsaham ārtasvareṇa hārāvairatyaṁta vyākuledriyā

Shuchishmati too, stricken with sorrow, wept in utterly unbearable anguish; with a piteous voice, her senses thrown into extreme confusion,

Verse 82 (skanda.4.11.82)

हाशिशो हागुणनिधे हा पितुर्वाक्यकारक । हा कुतो मंदभाग्याया जठरे मे समागतः

hāśiśo hāguṇanidhe hā piturvākyakāraka hā kuto maṁdabhāgyāyā jaṭhare me samāgataḥ

"Alas, my child! Alas, treasury of virtues! Alas, you who obeyed your father's word! Alas, whence did you come to be in the womb of unfortunate me?"

Verse 83 (skanda.4.11.83)

त्वदेकपुत्रां हापुत्रकोऽत्र मां त्रायते पुरा । त्वदृते त्वद्गुणोर्म्याढ्ये पतितां शोकसागरे

tvadekaputrāṁ hāputrako'tra māṁ trāyate purā tvadṛte tvadguṇormyāḍhye patitāṁ śokasāgare

"I who have you alone as my son -- alas, who else will save me now, fallen as I am into an ocean of grief surging with waves of your own virtues, apart from you?"

Verse 84 (skanda.4.11.84)

हा बाल हा विमल हा कमलायताक्ष हा लोकलोचनचकोर कुरंगलक्ष्मन् । हा तात तात नयनाब्ज मयूखमालिन्हा मातुरुत्सवसहस्रसुखैकहेतो

hā bāla hā vimala hā kamalāyatākṣa hā lokalocanacakora kuraṁgalakṣman hā tāta tāta nayanābja mayūkhamālinhā māturutsavasahasrasukhaikaheto

"Alas, my child! Alas, my spotless one! Alas, you of eyes wide as the lotus! Alas, moon that is the cakora-bird's delight to the eyes of the world! Alas, dear one, dear one, garlanded with the beams of your lotus-eyes! Alas, sole cause of a thousand joys and festivities for your mother!"

Verse 85 (skanda.4.11.85)

हा पूर्णचंद्रमुख हा सुनखांगुलीक हा चाटुकारवचनामृतवीचिपूर । दुःखैः कियद्भिरहहां गमयात्वमाप्तः किं किं कृतं गृहपते न मया त्वदाप्त्यै

hā pūrṇacaṁdramukha hā sunakhāṁgulīka hā cāṭukāravacanāmṛtavīcipūra duḥkhaiḥ kiyadbhirahahāṁ gamayātvamāptaḥ kiṁ kiṁ kṛtaṁ gṛhapate na mayā tvadāptyai

"Alas, moon-faced one! Alas, you of fine nails and fingers! Alas, you whose coaxing words are a flood of nectar-waves! Through how many sorrows, alas, was I made to attain you? What, what have I not done, O Grihapati, to obtain you?"

Verse 86 (skanda.4.11.86)

नोप्तो बलिर्न बत कासु च देवता सुतीर्थानि कानि न मयाध्युषितानि वत्स । के के मया न नियमौषधमंत्रयंत्राः संसाधितास्तव कृते सुकृतैकलभ्य

nopto balirna bata kāsu ca devatā sutīrthāni kāni na mayādhyuṣitāni vatsa ke ke mayā na niyamauṣadhamaṁtrayaṁtrāḥ saṁsādhitāstava kṛte sukṛtaikalabhya

"To which deity did I not offer worship? In which sacred fords, my child, did I not dwell? What vows, remedies, mantras and ritual instruments did I not accomplish for your sake, O you who are obtainable only through merit?"

Verse 87 (skanda.4.11.87)

संसारसागरतरे हर दुःखभारं सारं मुखेंदुमभिदर्शय सौख्यसिंधो । पुन्नामतीव्रनरकार्णव वाडवाग्नेस्संजीवयस्व पितरं निजवाक्सुधोक्षैः

saṁsārasāgaratare hara duḥkhabhāraṁ sāraṁ mukheṁdumabhidarśaya saukhyasiṁdho punnāmatīvranarakārṇava vāḍavāgnessaṁjīvayasva pitaraṁ nijavāksudhokṣaiḥ

"O you who ferry us across the ocean of worldly existence, take away this heavy burden of our sorrow! Show us your moon-like face, O ocean of happiness! O son who alone quenches the submarine fire of the terrible ocean of hell! Revive your father with the nectar-shower of your own words."

Verse 88 (skanda.4.11.88)

किंदेवता अहह जन्ममहोत्सवेऽस्य ज्ञात्वेति भाविमिलिता युगपत्समस्ताः । एकस्थ सर्वगुण शील कलाकलाप सौंदर्यलक्षणपरीक्षणपूर्णहर्षाः

kiṁdevatā ahaha janmamahotsave'sya jñātveti bhāvimilitā yugapatsamastāḥ ekastha sarvaguṇa śīla kalākalāpa sauṁdaryalakṣaṇaparīkṣaṇapūrṇaharṣāḥ

"Ah, at the great birth-festival of this child, we wondered which deities had all at once assembled here together -- so full of joy were we, beholding in this one place the whole array of every virtue, character, art, beauty, and auspicious mark."

Verse 89 (skanda.4.11.89)

शंभो महेश करुणाकर शूलपाणे मृत्युंजयस्त्वमिति वेदविदो वदंति । त्वद्दत्त बालतनये यदि कालकालः स्यादेवमत्र वद कस्य भवेन्न पातः

śaṁbho maheśa karuṇākara śūlapāṇe mṛtyuṁjayastvamiti vedavido vadaṁti tvaddatta bālatanaye yadi kālakālaḥ syādevamatra vada kasya bhavenna pātaḥ

"O Shambhu, Mahesha, ocean of compassion, wielder of the trident! The knowers of the Veda call you the Conqueror of Death; yet if even a child granted by you should fall to Death, then tell us, whose child would not fall?"

Verse 90 (skanda.4.11.90)

हा हंतहंतभवता भव तापहारी कस्माद्विधेऽत्र विदधे बहुभिः प्रयत्नैः । बालो विशालगुणसिंधुमगाधमध्यं सद्रत्नसारमखिलं सविधं विधाय

hā haṁtahaṁtabhavatā bhava tāpahārī kasmādvidhe'tra vidadhe bahubhiḥ prayatnaiḥ bālo viśālaguṇasiṁdhumagādhamadhyaṁ sadratnasāramakhilaṁ savidhaṁ vidhāya

"Alas, alas! O Bhava, remover of torment! Why then, O Fate, did you fashion, through so many efforts, this child -- this unfathomable ocean of vast virtue, this whole store of true jewels?"

Verse 91 (skanda.4.11.91)

हा कालबालकवती किमुतेन राज्ञी त्वत्कालतां न हृतवान्नसुताननेंदुः । बालेति कोमलमृणाल लतांगलीलं दंभोलिनिष्ठुरकठोरकुठारदंष्ट्रः

hā kālabālakavatī kimutena rājñī tvatkālatāṁ na hṛtavānnasutānaneṁduḥ bāleti komalamṛṇāla latāṁgalīlaṁ daṁbholiniṣṭhurakaṭhorakuṭhāradaṁṣṭraḥ

"Alas, O Death, seizer of children -- what need have you of any other prize? Why, O you whose fangs are cruel and hard as a thunderbolt-axe, must your cruelty fall upon one so tender, whose limbs play like a lotus-stalk, merely because he is still a 'child'?"

Verse 92 (skanda.4.11.92)

इत्थं विलप्य बहुशो नयनांबुधारासंपातजात तटिनी शतमुत्तरंगम् । सा तोकशोकजनितानल तापतप्ता प्रोच्छ्वस्यदीर्घविपुलोष्णमहो शुशोष

itthaṁ vilapya bahuśo nayanāṁbudhārāsaṁpātajāta taṭinī śatamuttaraṁgam sā tokaśokajanitānala tāpataptā procchvasyadīrghavipuloṣṇamaho śuśoṣa

Having thus lamented again and again, until the streams of tears from her eyes formed a river swollen with a hundred waves, she, scorched by the fire of grief born of sorrow for her child, breathing long, deep, burning sighs, at last grew utterly parched with weeping.

Verse 93 (skanda.4.11.93)

आकर्ण्य तत्करुणवत्परिदेवितानि तानि द्रुमा व्रततयः कुसुमाश्रुपातैः । प्रायो रुदंति पततां विरुतार्तरावैरालोल्यमौलिमसकृत्पवनच्छलेन

ākarṇya tatkaruṇavatparidevitāni tāni drumā vratatayaḥ kusumāśrupātaiḥ prāyo rudaṁti patatāṁ virutārtarāvairālolyamaulimasakṛtpavanacchalena

Hearing her piteous lamentations, the trees and creepers, shedding their blossoms like falling tears, seemed almost to weep too, their crowns trembling again and again under the pretext of the wind, as if with anguished sobs.

Verse 94 (skanda.4.11.94)

रुण्णं तया किल तथा बहुमुक्तकंठमार्तस्वरैः प्रतिरवच्छलतो यथोच्चैः । तद्दुःखतोनुरुरुदुर्गिरिकंदरास्याः सर्वा दिशः स्थगितपत्रिमृगागमा हि

ruṇṇaṁ tayā kila tathā bahumuktakaṁṭhamārtasvaraiḥ pratiravacchalato yathoccaiḥ tadduḥkhatonururudurgirikaṁdarāsyāḥ sarvā diśaḥ sthagitapatrimṛgāgamā hi

So loudly did she wail, with unrestrained voice and piteous cries, that, echoing back as if in answer through the mouths of mountain caves, all the directions wept out of that same grief, and the coming and going of birds and beasts everywhere fell still.

Verse 95 (skanda.4.11.95)

श्रुत्वार्तनादमिति विश्वनरोपि मोहं हित्वोत्थितः किमिति किंत्विति किंकिमेतत् । उच्चैर्वदन्गृहपतिः क्व समे बहिस्थः प्राणोंतरात्मनिलयः सकलेंद्रियेशः

śrutvārtanādamiti viśvanaropi mohaṁ hitvotthitaḥ kimiti kiṁtviti kiṁkimetat uccairvadangṛhapatiḥ kva same bahisthaḥ prāṇoṁtarātmanilayaḥ sakaleṁdriyeśaḥ

Hearing this piteous wail, Vishvanara too cast off his stupor and rose up, crying loudly again and again, "What? What is this? What, what is this?" -- as though the very breath, ruler of all the senses, though dwelling within the inmost self, had now gone somewhere outside himself.

Verse 96 (skanda.4.11.96)

अगस्त्य उवाच । ततो दृष्ट्वा स पितरौ बहुशोकसमावृतौ । स्मित्वोवाच ततो मातस्त्रासस्त्वीदृक्कुतो हि वाम्

agastya uvāca tato dṛṣṭvā sa pitarau bahuśokasamāvṛtau smitvovāca tato mātastrāsastvīdṛkkuto hi vām

Agastya said: Then, seeing his parents overwhelmed with such great grief, the boy smiled and said, "Mother, whence indeed comes such terror upon you both?"

Verse 97 (skanda.4.11.97)

न मांकृत वपुस्त्राणं भवच्चरणरेणुभिः । कालः कलयितुं शक्तो वराकी चंचलाल्पिका

na māṁkṛta vapustrāṇaṁ bhavaccaraṇareṇubhiḥ kālaḥ kalayituṁ śakto varākī caṁcalālpikā

"Protected as my body is by the dust of your feet, Time -- that wretched, fickle, feeble thing -- is not able to seize hold of me."

Verse 98 (skanda.4.11.98)

प्रतिज्ञां शृणुतं तातौ यदि वां तनयो ह्यहम् । करिष्येहं तथा तेन विद्युन्मत्तस्त्रसिष्यति

pratijñāṁ śṛṇutaṁ tātau yadi vāṁ tanayo hyaham kariṣyehaṁ tathā tena vidyunmattastrasiṣyati

"Hear my pledge, dear parents: if I am truly your son, I shall act in such a way that even he who is maddened with the thunderbolt shall be made to tremble."

Verse 99 (skanda.4.11.99)

मृत्युंजयं समाराध्य सर्वज्ञं सर्वदं सताम् । कालकालं महाकालं कालकूटविषादिनम्

mṛtyuṁjayaṁ samārādhya sarvajñaṁ sarvadaṁ satām kālakālaṁ mahākālaṁ kālakūṭaviṣādinam

"-- by propitiating Mrityunjaya, the Conqueror of Death, the all-knowing, the giver of all things to the virtuous, the Death of Death, the Great Kala, who once swallowed the Kalakuta poison."

Verse 100 (skanda.4.11.100)

इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य जरितौ द्विजदंपती । अकालामृतवर्षौघ शांततापौ तदोचतुः

iti śrutvā vacastasya jaritau dvijadaṁpatī akālāmṛtavarṣaugha śāṁtatāpau tadocatuḥ

Hearing his words, the aged twice-born couple, their torment stilled as though by an untimely flood of nectar-rain, then said --

Verse 101 (skanda.4.11.101)

अपयोदपयोवृष्टिरदुग्धाब्धिः सुधोदयः । अनिंदुः कौमुदीकांतिः कुतो नौ सुखयत्यलम्

apayodapayovṛṣṭiradugdhābdhiḥ sudhodayaḥ aniṁduḥ kaumudīkāṁtiḥ kuto nau sukhayatyalam

"A rain without a cloud, a rise of nectar without a churned ocean of milk, the splendor of moonlight without the moon -- how can such things ever bring us full happiness?"

Verse 102 (skanda.4.11.102)

पुनर्ब्रूहिपुनर्ब्रूहि कीदृक्कीदृक्पुनःपुनः । कालः कलयितुं नालं वराकी चंचलाल्पिका

punarbrūhipunarbrūhi kīdṛkkīdṛkpunaḥpunaḥ kālaḥ kalayituṁ nālaṁ varākī caṁcalālpikā

"Tell us again, tell us again -- how, how, again and again -- can you say that wretched, fickle, feeble Time is unable to touch you?"

Verse 103 (skanda.4.11.103)

आवयोस्तापनाशाय महोपायस्त्वयेरितः । मृत्युंजयस्य देवस्य समाराधनलक्षणः।

āvayostāpanāśāya mahopāyastvayeritaḥ mṛtyuṁjayasya devasya samārādhanalakṣaṇaḥ

"You have indeed told us of a great remedy for the removal of our torment -- one marked by the worship of the god Mrityunjaya."

Verse 104 (skanda.4.11.104)

तद्गच्छ शरणं तात नातः परतरं हितम् । मनोरथपथातीत कारिणः कालहारिणः

tadgaccha śaraṇaṁ tāta nātaḥ parataraṁ hitam manorathapathātīta kāriṇaḥ kālahāriṇaḥ

"Then go, dear child, for refuge to Him -- there is no greater good than this -- to Him whose deeds lie beyond the reach of mere desire, who steals away Time itself."

Verse 105 (skanda.4.11.105)

किं न श्रुतं त्वया तात श्वेतकेतु यथा पुरा । पाशितं कालपाशेन ररक्ष त्रिपुरांतकः

kiṁ na śrutaṁ tvayā tāta śvetaketu yathā purā pāśitaṁ kālapāśena rarakṣa tripurāṁtakaḥ

"Have you not heard, dear child, how of old the Ender of Tripura protected Shvetaketu when he was bound by the noose of Death?"

Verse 106 (skanda.4.11.106)

शिलादतनयं मृत्युग्रस्तमष्टाब्दमर्भकम् । शिवो निजजनं चक्रे नंदिनं विश्वनंदिनम्

śilādatanayaṁ mṛtyugrastamaṣṭābdamarbhakam śivo nijajanaṁ cakre naṁdinaṁ viśvanaṁdinam

"And how Shiva made the eight-year-old son of Shilada, seized by Death, his own attendant -- Nandin, the joy of the whole universe."

Verse 107 (skanda.4.11.107)

क्षीरोदमथनोद्भूतप्रलयानलसंनिभम् । पीत्वा हालाहलं घोरमरक्षद्भुवनत्रयम्

kṣīrodamathanodbhūtapralayānalasaṁnibham pītvā hālāhalaṁ ghoramarakṣadbhuvanatrayam

"And how, having drunk the terrible Halahala poison that arose from the churning of the milk-ocean, resembling the fire of cosmic dissolution, He protected the three worlds."

Verse 108 (skanda.4.11.108)

जालंधरं महादर्पं हृतत्रैलोक्यसंपदम् । चरणांगुष्ठरेखोत्थचक्रेणनिजघानयः

jālaṁdharaṁ mahādarpaṁ hṛtatrailokyasaṁpadam caraṇāṁguṣṭharekhotthacakreṇanijaghānayaḥ

"And how He slew the greatly arrogant Jalandhara, who had stolen the wealth of the three worlds, with the discus that sprang from the line of His own toe."

Verse 109 (skanda.4.11.109)

य एकेषु निपातोत्थ ज्वलनैस्त्रिपुरं पुरा । विधाय पत्रिणं विष्णुं ज्वालयामास धूर्जटिः

ya ekeṣu nipātottha jvalanaistripuraṁ purā vidhāya patriṇaṁ viṣṇuṁ jvālayāmāsa dhūrjaṭiḥ

"He who once, with flames descending in a single onset, made Vishnu his very arrow and set Tripura ablaze -- that is Dhurjati."

Verse 110 (skanda.4.11.110)

अंधकं यस्त्रिशूलाग्रप्रोतं वर्षायुतं पुरा । त्रैलोक्यैश्वर्यसंमूढं शोषयामास भानुना

aṁdhakaṁ yastriśūlāgraprotaṁ varṣāyutaṁ purā trailokyaiśvaryasaṁmūḍhaṁ śoṣayāmāsa bhānunā

"He who kept Andhaka -- deluded by craving for sovereignty over the three worlds -- impaled for ten thousand years on the point of His trident, and withered him with the sun."

Verse 111 (skanda.4.11.111)

कामं दृष्टिनिपातेन त्रैलोक्यविजयोर्जितम् । निनायानंगपदवीं वीक्षमाणेष्वजादिषु

kāmaṁ dṛṣṭinipātena trailokyavijayorjitam nināyānaṁgapadavīṁ vīkṣamāṇeṣvajādiṣu

"He who, with a mere fall of his glance, reduced Kama -- mighty enough to conquer the three worlds -- to the state of the Bodiless One, while Brahma and the other gods looked on."

Verse 112 (skanda.4.11.112)

तं ब्रह्माद्येककर्तारं मेघवाहनमच्युतम् । प्रयाहि पुत्र शरणं विश्वरक्षामणिं शिवम्

taṁ brahmādyekakartāraṁ meghavāhanamacyutam prayāhi putra śaraṇaṁ viśvarakṣāmaṇiṁ śivam

"Go, my son, for refuge to Him -- the sole doer even of Brahma and the rest, whose vehicle is the storm-cloud, the imperishable Shiva, the very jewel that protects the universe."

Verse 113 (skanda.4.11.113)

पित्रोरनुज्ञां प्राप्येति प्रणम्य चरणौ तयोः । प्रदक्षिणमुपावृत्य बह्वाश्वास्य विनिर्ययौ

pitroranujñāṁ prāpyeti praṇamya caraṇau tayoḥ pradakṣiṇamupāvṛtya bahvāśvāsya viniryayau

Having thus obtained his parents' leave, and having bowed at their feet, circumambulated them, and comforted them at length, he set forth.

Verse 114 (skanda.4.11.114)

स प्राप्य काशीं दुष्प्रापां ब्रह्मनारायणादिभिः । महासंवर्तसंवृत्त तापाद्विश्वेशपालिताम्

sa prāpya kāśīṁ duṣprāpāṁ brahmanārāyaṇādibhiḥ mahāsaṁvartasaṁvṛtta tāpādviśveśapālitām

Having reached Kashi -- hard to attain even by Brahma, Narayana and the rest, guarded by Vishvesha against the torment born of the great cosmic dissolution --

Verse 115 (skanda.4.11.115)

फिरस्वर्धुन्या हारयष्ट्येव राजितां कंठभूमिषु । विचित्रगुणशालिन्याहारनीहारगौरया

phirasvardhunyā hārayaṣṭyeva rājitāṁ kaṁṭhabhūmiṣu vicitraguṇaśālinyāhāranīhāragaurayā

-- Kashi, shining about her throat as if wearing the heavenly river Ganga herself as a string of pearls, adorned with wondrous qualities, fair as a mist-white necklace --

Verse 116 (skanda.4.11.116)

बहुसंसारसंतापसंतप्तजनतोद्भवम् । वारयंतीं वरणया छिंदंतीमसिधारया

bahusaṁsārasaṁtāpasaṁtaptajanatodbhavam vārayaṁtīṁ varaṇayā chiṁdaṁtīmasidhārayā

-- warding off, with her rampart-like protective extent, the suffering born of the manifold torments of worldly existence for its afflicted people, and severing it as with the edge of a sword --

Verse 117 (skanda.4.11.117)

यल्लभ्यते च कैवल्यं सुदृढाष्टांगयोगतः । विकासयंतीं तत्सम्यक्काशिकांयांजगुर्बुधाः ।

yallabhyate ca kaivalyaṁ sudṛḍhāṣṭāṁgayogataḥ vikāsayaṁtīṁ tatsamyakkāśikāṁyāṁjagurbudhāḥ

-- fully unfolding within herself that very liberation which is otherwise attained only through firm eightfold yoga -- her whom the wise have called Kashika --

Verse 118 (skanda.4.11.118)

संसारतापतप्ताभ्यां लोचनाभ्यां स दृष्टवान् । कर्णाकर्णप्रकीर्णाभ्यां प्राग्ययौ मणिकर्णिकाम्

saṁsāratāpataptābhyāṁ locanābhyāṁ sa dṛṣṭavān karṇākarṇaprakīrṇābhyāṁ prāgyayau maṇikarṇikām

-- beholding her with his own eyes, scorched by the torment of worldly existence and streaming with tears down to his very ears, he went first to Manikarnika.

Verse 119 (skanda.4.11.119)

तत्र स्नात्वा विधानेन दृष्ट्वा विश्वेश्वरं विभुम् । त्रैलोक्यप्राणिसंत्राणकारिणं प्रणनाम ह

tatra snātvā vidhānena dṛṣṭvā viśveśvaraṁ vibhum trailokyaprāṇisaṁtrāṇakāriṇaṁ praṇanāma ha

There, having bathed according to the prescribed rule, and having beheld the mighty Vishveshvara, protector of the beings of the three worlds, he bowed down before him.

Verse 120 (skanda.4.11.120)

आलोक्यालोक्य तल्लिंगं तुतोष हृदये बहु । परमानंदकंदाख्यं स्फुटमेतन्न संशयः

ālokyālokya talliṁgaṁ tutoṣa hṛdaye bahu paramānaṁdakaṁdākhyaṁ sphuṭametanna saṁśayaḥ

Gazing again and again upon that Linga, his heart rejoiced greatly: "This is clearly, without any doubt, the very root of supreme bliss itself."

Verse 121 (skanda.4.11.121)

अहो न मत्तो धन्योस्ति त्रैलोक्ये सचराचरे । यदद्राक्षिषमद्याहं श्रीमद्विश्वेश्वरं विभुम्

aho na matto dhanyosti trailokye sacarācare yadadrākṣiṣamadyāhaṁ śrīmadviśveśvaraṁ vibhum

"Ah, in all the three worlds, moving and unmoving, there is none more blessed than I, in that I have today beheld the glorious, mighty Vishveshvara."

Verse 122 (skanda.4.11.122)

त्रिलोकीसारसर्वस्वं पिंडीभूतमिदं किल । किं वा पीयूषपिंडोयमुद्गतः क्षीरनीरधेः

trilokīsārasarvasvaṁ piṁḍībhūtamidaṁ kila kiṁ vā pīyūṣapiṁḍoyamudgataḥ kṣīranīradheḥ

"Is this the very essence and entire wealth of the three worlds condensed into a single form? Or is this a ball of nectar risen up from the ocean of milk?"

Verse 123 (skanda.4.11.123)

आत्मावबोधमहसः किमसौ प्रथमांकुरः । ब्रह्मानंद सुकंदो वा किमु ब्रह्मरसायनम्

ātmāvabodhamahasaḥ kimasau prathamāṁkuraḥ brahmānaṁda sukaṁdo vā kimu brahmarasāyanam

"Is this the very first sprout of the radiance of Self-knowledge? Or the sweet root of Brahman's bliss? Or is it the very elixir of Brahman itself?"

Verse 124 (skanda.4.11.124)

योगिहृत्पद्मनिलयं यदनाकारमुच्यते । तदाकारत्वमापेदे किमिदं लिंगकैतवात्

yogihṛtpadmanilayaṁ yadanākāramucyate tadākāratvamāpede kimidaṁ liṁgakaitavāt

"Has that which dwells in the lotus of the yogi's heart, and which is called formless, taken on this very form -- under the pretext of appearing as a Linga?"

Verse 125 (skanda.4.11.125)

ब्रह्मांडभांडमथवा नाना रत्नौघपूरितम् । अथवा मोक्षवृक्षस्य फलमेतन्नसंशयः

brahmāṁḍabhāṁḍamathavā nānā ratnaughapūritam athavā mokṣavṛkṣasya phalametannasaṁśayaḥ

"Or is this the very vessel of the cosmic egg, filled with a flood of manifold jewels? Or, without doubt, is this the very fruit of the tree of liberation?"

Verse 126 (skanda.4.11.126)

निर्वाणलक्ष्म्याः किमथ केशपाशः सुपुष्पयुक । कैवल्यमल्लीवल्ल्याः किंस्तबकः स्तावकार्थदः

nirvāṇalakṣmyāḥ kimatha keśapāśaḥ supuṣpayuka kaivalyamallīvallyāḥ kiṁstabakaḥ stāvakārthadaḥ

"Is this, then, the braid of hair of the Goddess of Liberation, adorned with lovely blossoms? Or is it a cluster of flowers of the jasmine-creeper of Kaivalya, granting true meaning to those who praise it?"

Verse 127 (skanda.4.11.127)

निःश्रेयसश्रियः किंवाऽऽनंदक्रीडनकंदुकः । अपवर्गो दयाद्रेः किमुदियाय सुधाकरः

niḥśreyasaśriyaḥ kiṁvā''naṁdakrīḍanakaṁdukaḥ apavargo dayādreḥ kimudiyāya sudhākaraḥ

"Or is it the ball with which the Goddess of Supreme Bliss plays in delight? Has the moon of Liberation itself risen up from the mountain of Compassion?"

Verse 128 (skanda.4.11.128)

संसारमोहतिमिरभिदुरःकिमसौ रविः । किमु कल्याणरमणीरम्यशृंगारदर्पणः

saṁsāramohatimirabhiduraḥkimasau raviḥ kimu kalyāṇaramaṇīramyaśṛṁgāradarpaṇaḥ

"Is this the very sun that pierces through the darkness of worldly delusion? Or is it the lovely mirror of adornment for the beautiful Goddess of Fortune?"

Verse 129 (skanda.4.11.129)

आज्ञातं नभवेदन्यत्सर्वेषां देहधारिणाम् । अनेककर्मबीजानां बीजपूरोऽयमद्भुतः

ājñātaṁ nabhavedanyatsarveṣāṁ dehadhāriṇām anekakarmabījānāṁ bījapūro'yamadbhutaḥ

"There is nothing else, indeed, unknown to it among all the manifold seeds of karma of every embodied being; this is that wondrous storehouse gathering all such seeds."

Verse 130 (skanda.4.11.130)

विश्वेषां विश्वबीजानां कर्माख्यानां लयो यतः । अस्मिन्निर्वाणदे लिंगे विश्वलिंगमिदं ततः

viśveṣāṁ viśvabījānāṁ karmākhyānāṁ layo yataḥ asminnirvāṇade liṁge viśvaliṁgamidaṁ tataḥ

"Since in this liberation-bestowing Linga is the dissolution of all the universal seeds called karma, this is therefore truly the Universal Linga."

Verse 131 (skanda.4.11.131)

मम भाग्योदयेनैव नारदेन महर्षिणा । तदागत्य तथोक्तं यत्कृतकृत्योस्म्यहं ततः

mama bhāgyodayenaiva nāradena maharṣiṇā tadāgatya tathoktaṁ yatkṛtakṛtyosmyahaṁ tataḥ

"It was through the rise of my own good fortune alone that the great sage Narada came and spoke to me as he did; and so I have now accomplished all that I set out to do."

Verse 132 (skanda.4.11.132)

इत्यानंदामृतरसैर्विधायसहि पारणम् । ततःशुभेऽह्नि संस्थाप्य लिंगं सर्वहितप्रदम्

ityānaṁdāmṛtarasairvidhāyasahi pāraṇam tataḥśubhe'hni saṁsthāpya liṁgaṁ sarvahitapradam

Thus, having broken his fast with the nectar-rasas of bliss, and then, on an auspicious day, having installed a Linga that bestows benefit on all,

Verse 133 (skanda.4.11.133)

जग्राह नियमान्घोरान्दुष्करानकृतात्मनाम् । अष्टोत्तरशतैः कुंभैः पूर्णैर्गंगामृतोद्रवैः

jagrāha niyamānghorānduṣkarānakṛtātmanām aṣṭottaraśataiḥ kuṁbhaiḥ pūrṇairgaṁgāmṛtodravaiḥ

he took up terrible vows, difficult for those of undisciplined mind, bathing the Linga with one hundred and eight full pitchers of the nectar-like waters of the Ganga --

Verse 134 (skanda.4.11.134)

संस्नाप्य वाससा पूतैः पूतात्मा प्रत्यहं शिवम् । नीलोत्पलमयीं मालां समर्पयति सोऽन्वहम्

saṁsnāpya vāsasā pūtaiḥ pūtātmā pratyahaṁ śivam nīlotpalamayīṁ mālāṁ samarpayati so'nvaham

-- and, having dried it with pure garments, he, his spirit purified, daily offered to Shiva a garland woven of blue lotuses,

Verse 135 (skanda.4.11.135)

अष्टाधिकसहस्रैस्तु सुमनोभिर्विनिर्मिताम् । सपक्षार्धेन षण्मासं कंदमूलफलाशनः

aṣṭādhikasahasraistu sumanobhirvinirmitām sapakṣārdhena ṣaṇmāsaṁ kaṁdamūlaphalāśanaḥ

made of one thousand and eight flowers; for six months, together with a half-fortnight, he lived on roots, bulbs and fruits alone,

Verse 136 (skanda.4.11.136)

शीर्णपर्णाशनः पक्षे त्वाषण्मासं बभूव सः । षण्मासं वायुभक्षोभूत्षण्मासं जलबिंदुभुक्

śīrṇaparṇāśanaḥ pakṣe tvāṣaṇmāsaṁ babhūva saḥ ṣaṇmāsaṁ vāyubhakṣobhūtṣaṇmāsaṁ jalabiṁdubhuk

for a fortnight he lived on withered fallen leaves, then continued so for six months; for another six months he subsisted on air alone, and for six months more on mere drops of water.

Verse 137 (skanda.4.11.137)

एवं वर्षद्वयं तस्य व्यतिक्रांतं तथा सतः । जन्मतो द्वादशे वर्षे तद्वचो नारदेरितम्

evaṁ varṣadvayaṁ tasya vyatikrāṁtaṁ tathā sataḥ janmato dvādaśe varṣe tadvaco nāraderitam

Thus two years passed for him while he lived in this manner; and in the twelfth year from his birth came the very time of which Narada had spoken.

Verse 138 (skanda.4.11.138)

सत्यं करिष्यन्निवतमभ्यगात्कुलिशायुधः । उवाच च वरं ब्रूहि दद्मि तन्मनसि स्थितम्

satyaṁ kariṣyannivatamabhyagātkuliśāyudhaḥ uvāca ca varaṁ brūhi dadmi tanmanasi sthitam

The wielder of the thunderbolt (Indra), as if to make that prophecy come true, approached him and said, "Speak your boon; I shall grant whatever is fixed in your mind."

Verse 139 (skanda.4.11.139)

अहं शतक्रतुर्विप्र प्रसन्नोस्मि शुभव्रतैः । इत्याकर्ण्य महेंद्रस्य वाक्यं मुनिकुमारकः

ahaṁ śatakraturvipra prasannosmi śubhavrataiḥ ityākarṇya maheṁdrasya vākyaṁ munikumārakaḥ

"I, Shatakratu, O Brahmin, am well pleased by your auspicious vows." Hearing these words of Mahendra, the young son of the sage --

Verse 140 (skanda.4.11.140)

उवाच मधुरं धीरः कीरवन्मधुराक्षरम्। मघवन्वृत्रशत्रो त्वां जाने कुलिशपाणिनम्

uvāca madhuraṁ dhīraḥ kīravanmadhurākṣaram maghavanvṛtraśatro tvāṁ jāne kuliśapāṇinam

-- steadfast, replied sweetly, with words as sweet as a cuckoo's: "O Maghavan, foe of Vritra, I know you well as the wielder of the thunderbolt."

Verse 141 (skanda.4.11.141)

नाहं वृणे वरं त्वत्तः शंकरो वरदोस्ति मे

nāhaṁ vṛṇe varaṁ tvattaḥ śaṁkaro varadosti me

"Yet I do not choose a boon from you; Shankara alone is my boon-giver."

Verse 142 (skanda.4.11.142)

इंद्र उवाच । न मत्तः शंकरोस्त्वन्यो देवदेवोस्म्यहं शिशो । विहाय बालिशत्वं त्वं वरयाचस्व मां वरम्

iṁdra uvāca na mattaḥ śaṁkarostvanyo devadevosmyahaṁ śiśo vihāya bāliśatvaṁ tvaṁ varayācasva māṁ varam

Indra said: "There is no Shankara other than me, child; I myself am the God of gods. Set aside your childishness and ask a boon of me."

Verse 143 (skanda.4.11.143)

ब्राह्मण उवाच । गच्छाहल्यापतेऽसाधो गोत्रारे पाकशासन । न प्रार्थये पशुपतेरन्यदेवांतरं स्फुटम्

brāhmaṇa uvāca gacchāhalyāpate'sādho gotrāre pākaśāsana na prārthaye paśupateranyadevāṁtaraṁ sphuṭam

The Brahmin boy said: "Begone, O unworthy lord of Ahalya, O foe of her husband's lineage, O Pakashasana! Clearly, apart from Pashupati, I seek no other deity at all."

Verse 144 (skanda.4.11.144)

इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा क्रोधसंरक्तलोचनः । उद्यम्य कुलिशं घोरं भीषयामास बालकम्

iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā krodhasaṁraktalocanaḥ udyamya kuliśaṁ ghoraṁ bhīṣayāmāsa bālakam

Hearing these words of his, Indra, his eyes reddened with fury, raised his terrible thunderbolt and sought to terrify the boy.

Verse 145 (skanda.4.11.145)

स दृष्ट्वा बालको वज्रं विद्युज्ज्वालाशताकुलम् । स्मरन्नारदवाक्यं च मुमूर्च्छ भयविह्वलः

sa dṛṣṭvā bālako vajraṁ vidyujjvālāśatākulam smarannāradavākyaṁ ca mumūrccha bhayavihvalaḥ

Seeing the thunderbolt crowded with a hundred flashes of lightning, the boy, remembering Narada's words, fell into a swoon, overcome with fear.

Verse 146 (skanda.4.11.146)

अथ गौरीपतिः शंभुराविरासीत्तमोनुदः । उत्तिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ भद्रं ते स्पर्शैः संजीवयन्निव

atha gaurīpatiḥ śaṁbhurāvirāsīttamonudaḥ uttiṣṭhottiṣṭha bhadraṁ te sparśaiḥ saṁjīvayanniva

Then Shambhu, husband of Gauri, dispeller of darkness, appeared, and, as if reviving him with his very touch, said: "Arise, arise! May all be well with you!"

Verse 147 (skanda.4.11.147)

उन्मील्य नेत्रकमले सुप्ते इव दिवाक्षये । अपश्यदग्रे चोत्थाय शंभुमर्कशताधिकम्

unmīlya netrakamale supte iva divākṣaye apaśyadagre cotthāya śaṁbhumarkaśatādhikam

Opening his lotus-eyes as though waking from sleep at day's end, and rising up, he beheld before him Shambhu, more radiant than a hundred suns --

Verse 148 (skanda.4.11.148)

भाले लोचनमालोक्य कंठे कालं वृषध्वजम् । वामांगसंनिविष्टाद्रितनयं चं द्रशेखरम्

bhāle locanamālokya kaṁṭhe kālaṁ vṛṣadhvajam vāmāṁgasaṁniviṣṭādritanayaṁ caṁ draśekharam

-- seeing on his forehead an eye, the dark mark upon his throat, the Bull-bannered One, with the Mountain's Daughter seated on his left side, the Moon-crested One,

Verse 149 (skanda.4.11.149)

कपर्देन विराजंतं त्रिशूलाजगवायुधम् । स्फुरत्कर्पूरगौरांगं परिणद्ध गजाजिनम्

kapardena virājaṁtaṁ triśūlājagavāyudham sphuratkarpūragaurāṁgaṁ pariṇaddha gajājinam

-- resplendent with matted locks, bearing the trident and the Ajagava bow, his body fair and gleaming like camphor, clad in the hide of an elephant,

Verse 150 (skanda.4.11.150)

परिज्ञाय महादेवं गुरुवाक्यत आगमात् । हर्ष बाष्पाकुलः सन्न कठो रोमांचकंचुकः

parijñāya mahādevaṁ guruvākyata āgamāt harṣa bāṣpākulaḥ sanna kaṭho romāṁcakaṁcukaḥ

-- recognizing, both from his guru's word and from this direct experience, that this was Mahadeva himself, he was overcome with tears of joy, his hardness melted away, his body clad in a mantle of horripilation,

Verse 151 (skanda.4.11.151)

क्षणंस्थगितवत्तस्थौ चित्रकृत्रिमपुत्रकः । यथातथा सुसंपन्नो विस्मृत्यात्मानमेव च

kṣaṇaṁsthagitavattasthau citrakṛtrimaputrakaḥ yathātathā susaṁpanno vismṛtyātmānameva ca

-- and he stood for a moment as though frozen, like a wondrous painted doll, wholly overcome, having even forgotten himself,

Verse 152 (skanda.4.11.152)

न स्तोतुं न नमस्कर्तुं किंचिद्विज्ञप्तुमेव च । यदासनशशाकालं तदा स्मित्वाऽऽह शंकरः

na stotuṁ na namaskartuṁ kiṁcidvijñaptumeva ca yadāsanaśaśākālaṁ tadā smitvā''ha śaṁkaraḥ

-- unable to praise, unable to bow, unable even to say anything at all. While he thus sat in that state, Shankara then, smiling, spoke:

Verse 153 (skanda.4.11.153)

ईश्वर उवाच । शिशो गृहपते शक्राद्वज्रोद्यतपरादहो । ज्ञातो भीतोसि मा भैषीर्जिज्ञासा ते कृता मया

īśvara uvāca śiśo gṛhapate śakrādvajrodyataparādaho jñāto bhītosi mā bhaiṣīrjijñāsā te kṛtā mayā

Ishvara said: "Child Grihapati! Terrified though you were by the thunderbolt raised on high by Shakra, you have proven yourself. Fear not; this was but a test I made of you."

Verse 154 (skanda.4.11.154)

मम भक्तस्य नो शक्रो न वज्रं नांतकोपि वा । प्रभवेदिंद्ररूपेण मयैव त्वं हि भाषितः

mama bhaktasya no śakro na vajraṁ nāṁtakopi vā prabhavediṁdrarūpeṇa mayaiva tvaṁ hi bhāṣitaḥ

"For my devotee, neither Shakra, nor the thunderbolt, nor even Death himself has any power; indeed, it was I myself, in the form of Indra, who spoke to you."

Verse 155 (skanda.4.11.155)

वरं ददामि ते भद्र त्वमग्निपदभाग्भव । सर्वेषामेव देवानां वदनं त्वं भविष्यसि

varaṁ dadāmi te bhadra tvamagnipadabhāgbhava sarveṣāmeva devānāṁ vadanaṁ tvaṁ bhaviṣyasi

"I grant you a boon, blessed one: become the possessor of the office of Agni; you shall become the very mouth of all the gods."

Verse 156 (skanda.4.11.156)

सर्वेषामेव भूतानां त्वमग्नेंऽतश्चरो भव । धर्मराजेंद्रयोर्मध्ये दिगीशो राज्यमाप्नुहि

sarveṣāmeva bhūtānāṁ tvamagneṁ'taścaro bhava dharmarājeṁdrayormadhye digīśo rājyamāpnuhi

"Become the fire that moves within all beings; and, positioned between Dharmaraja and Indra, obtain the sovereignty of a Guardian of that quarter."

Verse 157 (skanda.4.11.157)

त्वयेदं स्थापितं लिंगं तव नाम्ना भविष्यति । अग्नीश्वरं इति ख्यातं सर्वतेजोभिबृंहणम्

tvayedaṁ sthāpitaṁ liṁgaṁ tava nāmnā bhaviṣyati agnīśvaraṁ iti khyātaṁ sarvatejobhibṛṁhaṇam

"This Linga established by you shall be known by your own name -- celebrated as Agnishvara, the augmenter of all splendor."

Verse 158 (skanda.4.11.158)

अग्नीश्वरस्य भक्तानां न भयं विद्युदग्निजम् । अग्निमांद्य भयं नैव नाकालमरणं क्वचित्

agnīśvarasya bhaktānāṁ na bhayaṁ vidyudagnijam agnimāṁdya bhayaṁ naiva nākālamaraṇaṁ kvacit

"Devotees of Agnishvara have no fear born of lightning-fire, nor any fear of a weak digestive fire, nor ever any fear of untimely death."

Verse 159 (skanda.4.11.159)

अग्नीश्वरं समभ्यर्च्य काश्यां सर्वसमृद्धिदम् । अन्यत्रापि मृतो दैवादग्निलोके महीयते

agnīśvaraṁ samabhyarcya kāśyāṁ sarvasamṛddhidam anyatrāpi mṛto daivādagniloke mahīyate

"Having worshipped Agnishvara in Kashi -- the giver of all prosperity -- even one who dies elsewhere by fate is glorified in the World of Fire."

Verse 160 (skanda.4.11.160)

ततः काशीं पुनः प्राप्य कल्पांते मोक्षमाप्नुयात् । वीरेश्वरस्य पूर्वेण गंगायाः पश्चिमे तटे

tataḥ kāśīṁ punaḥ prāpya kalpāṁte mokṣamāpnuyāt vīreśvarasya pūrveṇa gaṁgāyāḥ paścime taṭe

"From there, having attained Kashi once more at the end of the kalpa, he attains liberation -- this Linga stands to the east of Vireshvara, on the western bank of the Ganga."

Verse 161 (skanda.4.11.161)

अग्नीश्वरं समाराध्य वह्निलोके वसेन्नरः । पितृभ्यां स्वजनैः सार्धं मित्रबंधुसमायुतः

agnīśvaraṁ samārādhya vahniloke vasennaraḥ pitṛbhyāṁ svajanaiḥ sārdhaṁ mitrabaṁdhusamāyutaḥ

"Having worshipped Agnishvara, a man shall dwell in the World of Fire, together with his ancestors and kinsfolk, accompanied by friends and relatives."

Verse 162 (skanda.4.11.162)

विमानमिदमारुह्य प्रयाह्येव दिशःपते । इत्युक्त्वानीय तद्बंधून् पित्रोश्च परिपश्यतोः । दिक्पतित्वेऽभिषिच्याग्निं तत्र लिंगे शिवोविशत्

vimānamidamāruhya prayāhyeva diśaḥpate ityuktvānīya tadbaṁdhūn pitrośca paripaśyatoḥ dikpatitve'bhiṣicyāgniṁ tatra liṁge śivoviśat

"'Mount this celestial chariot and go forth now, O Lord of the quarter!' Having said this, and having gathered his kinsfolk, and while his parents looked on, having consecrated Agni in the sovereignty of that quarter, Shiva then entered into the Linga there."

Verse 163 (skanda.4.11.163)

गणावूचतुः । इत्थमग्निस्वरूपं ते शिवशर्मन्प्रवर्णितम् । किमन्यच्छ्रोतुकामोसि कथयावस्तदीरय

gaṇāvūcatuḥ itthamagnisvarūpaṁ te śivaśarmanpravarṇitam kimanyacchrotukāmosi kathayāvastadīraya

The two ganas said: "Thus has the true nature of Agni been fully described to you, O Shivasharma. What else do you wish to hear? Tell us, and we shall relate it."