Description of Gandhavati and Alaka

Verse 1 (skanda.4.13.1)

गणावूचतुः। इमां गंधवतीं पुण्यां पुरीं वायोर्विलोकय। वारुण्या उत्तरे भागे महाभाग्यनिधे द्विज

gaṇāvūcatuḥ imāṁ gaṁdhavatīṁ puṇyāṁ purīṁ vāyorvilokaya vāruṇyā uttare bhāge mahābhāgyanidhe dvija

The two ganas said: Behold this holy city of Gandhavati, the city of Vayu, O treasure-house of great fortune, O brahmin, situated to the north of Varuna's realm.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.13.2)

अस्यां प्रभंजनो नाम जगत्प्राणोदिगीश्वरः। आराध्य श्रीमहादेवं दिक्पालत्वमवाप्तवान्

asyāṁ prabhaṁjano nāma jagatprāṇodigīśvaraḥ ārādhya śrīmahādevaṁ dikpālatvamavāptavān

In it dwells one named Prabhanjana, the life-breath of the world, lord of a quarter, who attained the office of guardian of a direction by worshipping the glorious Mahadeva.

Verse 3 (skanda.4.13.3)

पुरा कश्यपदायादः पूतात्मेति च विश्रुतः। धूर्जटे राजधान्यां स चचार विपुलं तपः

purā kaśyapadāyādaḥ pūtātmeti ca viśrutaḥ dhūrjaṭe rājadhānyāṁ sa cacāra vipulaṁ tapaḥ

Long ago, a descendant of Kashyapa, renowned by the name Pootatma, performed vast austerities in the capital city of Dhurjati, Shiva.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.13.4)

वाराणस्यां महाभागो वर्षाणामयुतं शतम्। स्थापयित्वा महालिंगं पावनं पवनेश्वरम्

vārāṇasyāṁ mahābhāgo varṣāṇāmayutaṁ śatam sthāpayitvā mahāliṁgaṁ pāvanaṁ pavaneśvaram

That illustrious one, in Varanasi, for a hundred myriads of years, established the great, purifying linga called Pavaneshvara.

Verse 5 (skanda.4.13.5)

यस्य दर्शनमात्रेण पूतात्मा जायते नरः। पापकंचुकमुत्सृज्य स वसेत्पावने पुरे

yasya darśanamātreṇa pūtātmā jāyate naraḥ pāpakaṁcukamutsṛjya sa vasetpāvane pure

By the mere sight of which a man becomes pure of soul; shedding the sheath of sin, he dwells in that purifying city.

Verse 6 (skanda.4.13.6)

ततस्तस्योग्रतपसा तपसाफलदः शिवः। आविरासीत्ततो लिंगाज्ज्योतीरूपो महेश्वरः

tatastasyogratapasā tapasāphaladaḥ śivaḥ āvirāsīttato liṁgājjyotīrūpo maheśvaraḥ

Then, by his fierce austerity, Shiva, the giver of the fruit of austerity, appeared from that linga in the form of light, as Maheshvara.

Verse 7 (skanda.4.13.7)

उवाच च प्रसन्नात्मा करुणामृतसागरः। उत्तिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ पूतात्मन्वरं वरय सुव्रत

uvāca ca prasannātmā karuṇāmṛtasāgaraḥ uttiṣṭhottiṣṭha pūtātmanvaraṁ varaya suvrata

With a pleased soul, that ocean of the nectar of compassion, said: 'Arise, arise, O Pootatma of noble vows, and choose a boon.'

Verse 8 (skanda.4.13.8)

अनेन तपसोग्रेण लिंगस्याराधनेन च। तवादेयं न पूतात्मंस्त्रैलोक्ये सचराचरे

anena tapasogreṇa liṁgasyārādhanena ca tavādeyaṁ na pūtātmaṁstrailokye sacarācare

'By this fierce austerity and by the worship of the linga, O Pootatma, there is nothing in the three worlds, moving or unmoving, that cannot be given to you.'

Verse 9 (skanda.4.13.9)

पूतात्मोवाच। देवदेवमहादेव देवानामभयप्रद। ब्रह्मनारायणेंद्रादि सर्वदेवपदप्रद

pūtātmovāca devadevamahādeva devānāmabhayaprada brahmanārāyaṇeṁdrādi sarvadevapadaprada

Pootatma said: 'O God of gods, Mahadeva, giver of fearlessness to the gods, giver of their respective stations to all the gods beginning with Brahma, Narayana, and Indra.'

Verse 10 (skanda.4.13.10)

वेदास्त्वां न च विंदंति किमात्मक इति प्रभो। प्राप्ताः शतपथत्वं च नेतिनेतीतिवादिनः

vedāstvāṁ na ca viṁdaṁti kimātmaka iti prabho prāptāḥ śatapathatvaṁ ca netinetītivādinaḥ

'Even the Vedas do not comprehend what your true nature is, O Lord; though they have taken a hundred paths, they can only say, "not this, not this."'

Verse 11 (skanda.4.13.11)

ब्रह्मविष्ण्वोपि गिरां गोचरो न च वाक्पतेः। प्रमथेशं कथं स्तोतुं मादृशः प्रभवेत्प्रभो

brahmaviṣṇvopi girāṁ gocaro na ca vākpateḥ pramatheśaṁ kathaṁ stotuṁ mādṛśaḥ prabhavetprabho

'You are beyond the reach of the speech even of Brahma, Vishnu, and the lord of speech, Brihaspati; how then, O Lord of the Pramathas, could one like me be capable of praising you?'

Verse 12 (skanda.4.13.12)

प्रसह्य प्रमिमीतेश भक्तिर्मांस्तुतिकर्मणि। करोमि किं जगन्नाथ न वश्यानींद्रियाणि मे

prasahya pramimīteśa bhaktirmāṁstutikarmaṇi karomi kiṁ jagannātha na vaśyānīṁdriyāṇi me

'Yet devotion, O Lord, forcibly impels me to the act of praise; what can I do, O Lord of the world? My senses are not under my control.'

Verse 13 (skanda.4.13.13)

विश्वं त्वं नास्ति वै भेदस्त्वमेकः सर्वगो यतः। स्तुत्यं स्तोता स्तुतिस्त्वं च सगुणो निर्गुणो भवान्

viśvaṁ tvaṁ nāsti vai bhedastvamekaḥ sarvago yataḥ stutyaṁ stotā stutistvaṁ ca saguṇo nirguṇo bhavān

'You are the universe -- there is truly no distinction, since you alone pervade all; you are the one praised, the praiser, and the praise itself; you are both with qualities and without qualities.'

Verse 14 (skanda.4.13.14)

सर्गात्पुरा भवानेको रूपनाम विवर्जितः। योगिनोपि न ते तत्त्वं विंदंति परमार्थतः

sargātpurā bhavāneko rūpanāma vivarjitaḥ yoginopi na te tattvaṁ viṁdaṁti paramārthataḥ

'Before creation, you alone existed, free of all form and name; even yogis do not truly comprehend your ultimate nature.'

Verse 15 (skanda.4.13.15)

यदैकलो न शक्नोषि रंतुं स्वैरचर प्रभो। तदिच्छा तवयोत्पन्ना सेव्या शक्तिरभूत्तव

yadaikalo na śaknoṣi raṁtuṁ svairacara prabho tadicchā tavayotpannā sevyā śaktirabhūttava

'O Lord who moves at will, when alone you were unable to sport, then your own will arose, and your Shakti came into being to be served by that will.'

Verse 16 (skanda.4.13.16)

त्वमेको द्वित्वमापन्नः शिवशक्तिप्रभेदतः। त्वं ज्ञानरूपो भगवान्स्वेच्छा शक्तिस्वरूपिणी

tvameko dvitvamāpannaḥ śivaśaktiprabhedataḥ tvaṁ jñānarūpo bhagavānsvecchā śaktisvarūpiṇī

'You, being one, became two through the distinction of Shiva and Shakti; you, O Lord, are of the nature of knowledge, while your own will takes the form of Shakti.'

Verse 17 (skanda.4.13.17)

उभाभ्यां शिवशक्तिभ्या युवाभ्यां निजलीलया। उत्पादिता क्रियाशक्तिस्ततः सर्वमिदं जगत्

ubhābhyāṁ śivaśaktibhyā yuvābhyāṁ nijalīlayā utpāditā kriyāśaktistataḥ sarvamidaṁ jagat

'By you both, Shiva and Shakti, through your own divine play, the power of action was brought forth, and from that this whole universe arose.'

Verse 18 (skanda.4.13.18)

ज्ञानशक्तिर्भवानीश इच्छाशक्तिरुमा स्मृता। क्रियाशक्तिरिदं विश्वमस्य त्वं कारणं ततः

jñānaśaktirbhavānīśa icchāśaktirumā smṛtā kriyāśaktiridaṁ viśvamasya tvaṁ kāraṇaṁ tataḥ

'You, O Lord, are the power of knowledge; Uma is known as the power of will; this universe is the power of action; and you are the cause of it all.'

Verse 19 (skanda.4.13.19)

दक्षिणांगं तव विधिर्वामांगं तव चाच्युतः। चंद्रसूर्याग्निनेत्रस्त्वं त्वन्निःश्वासः श्रुतित्रयम्

dakṣiṇāṁgaṁ tava vidhirvāmāṁgaṁ tava cācyutaḥ caṁdrasūryāgninetrastvaṁ tvanniḥśvāsaḥ śrutitrayam

'Brahma is your right side, Vishnu your left side; you have the moon, sun, and fire as your eyes; the three Vedas are your very breath.'

Verse 20 (skanda.4.13.20)

त्वत्स्वेदादंबुनिधयस्तव श्रोत्रं समीरणः। बाहवस्ते दशदिशो मुखं ते ब्राह्मणाः स्मृताः

tvatsvedādaṁbunidhayastava śrotraṁ samīraṇaḥ bāhavaste daśadiśo mukhaṁ te brāhmaṇāḥ smṛtāḥ

'The oceans arose from your sweat; the wind is your ear; the ten directions are your arms; brahmins are known as your mouth.'

Verse 21 (skanda.4.13.21)

राजन्यवर्यास्ते बाहु वैश्या ऊरुसमुद्भवाः। पद्भ्यां शूद्रस्तवेशान केशास्ते जलदाः प्रभो

rājanyavaryāste bāhu vaiśyā ūrusamudbhavāḥ padbhyāṁ śūdrastaveśāna keśāste jaladāḥ prabho

'The finest of the warrior-caste are your arms; the vaishyas arose from your thighs; the shudra from your feet, O Lord; the clouds are your hair, O Master.'

Verse 22 (skanda.4.13.22)

त्वं पुं प्रकृतिरूपेण ब्रह्मांडमसृजः पुरा। मध्ये ब्रह्मांडमखिलं विश्वमेतच्चराचरम्

tvaṁ puṁ prakṛtirūpeṇa brahmāṁḍamasṛjaḥ purā madhye brahmāṁḍamakhilaṁ viśvametaccarācaram

'You, in the form of Purusha and Prakriti, created the cosmic egg of old; within that egg lies this entire universe, moving and unmoving.'

Verse 23 (skanda.4.13.23)

अतस्त्वत्तो न मन्येऽहं किंचिद्भिन्नं जगन्मय। त्वयि सर्वाणि भूतानि सर्वभूतमयो भवान्

atastvatto na manye'haṁ kiṁcidbhinnaṁ jaganmaya tvayi sarvāṇi bhūtāni sarvabhūtamayo bhavān

'Therefore, O all-pervading one, I do not think anything to be different from you; all beings exist in you, and you consist of all beings.'

Verse 24 (skanda.4.13.24)

नमस्तुभ्यं नमस्तुभ्यं नमस्तुऽभ्यं नमोनमः। अयमेव वरो नाथ त्वयि मेऽस्तु स्थिरा मतिः

namastubhyaṁ namastubhyaṁ namastu'bhyaṁ namonamaḥ ayameva varo nātha tvayi me'stu sthirā matiḥ

'Salutations to you, salutations to you, salutations to you, salutations again and again! This alone is the boon I ask, O Lord: let my mind remain ever fixed on you.'

Verse 25 (skanda.4.13.25)

इत्युक्तवति देवेश स्तस्मिन्पूतात्मनि प्रभुः। स्वमूर्तित्वं समारोप्य दिक्पालपदमादधे

ityuktavati deveśa stasminpūtātmani prabhuḥ svamūrtitvaṁ samāropya dikpālapadamādadhe

When Pootatma had spoken thus, O lord of gods, the Lord, investing him with a form like his own, conferred on him the office of guardian of a quarter.

Verse 26 (skanda.4.13.26)

सर्वगो मम रूपेण सर्वतत्त्वावबोधकः। सर्वेषामायुषोरूपं भवानेव भविष्यति

sarvago mama rūpeṇa sarvatattvāvabodhakaḥ sarveṣāmāyuṣorūpaṁ bhavāneva bhaviṣyati

'All-pervading in my own form, the illuminator of all principles, you alone shall be the very form of the life-breath of all beings.'

Verse 27 (skanda.4.13.27)

तव लिंगमिदं दिव्यं ये द्रक्ष्यंतीह मानवाः। सर्वभोगसमृद्धास्ते त्वल्लोकसुखभागिनः

tava liṁgamidaṁ divyaṁ ye drakṣyaṁtīha mānavāḥ sarvabhogasamṛddhāste tvallokasukhabhāginaḥ

'Those men who behold this divine linga of yours shall be enriched with every enjoyment, sharers in the happiness of your realm.'

Verse 28 (skanda.4.13.28)

पवमानेश्वरं लिंगं मध्ये जन्मसकृन्नरः। यथोक्तविधिना पूज्य सुगंधस्नपनादिभिः

pavamāneśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ madhye janmasakṛnnaraḥ yathoktavidhinā pūjya sugaṁdhasnapanādibhiḥ

'A man who, even once in his life, worships the linga Pavamaneshvara according to the prescribed rite, with fragrant ablutions and the like...'

Verse 29 (skanda.4.13.29)

सुगंधचंदनैः पुष्पैर्मम लोके महीयते। ज्येष्ठेशात्पश्चिमेभागे वायुकुंडोत्तरेण तु

sugaṁdhacaṁdanaiḥ puṣpairmama loke mahīyate jyeṣṭheśātpaścimebhāge vāyukuṁḍottareṇa tu

'...with fragrant sandal-paste and flowers, is honored in my world; this linga is situated to the west of Jyeshtheshvara, and to the north of the Vayu-kunda.'

Verse 30 (skanda.4.13.30)

पावमानं समाराध्य पूतो भवति तत्क्षणात्। इति दत्त्वा वरान्देवस्तस्मिँल्लिंगे लयं ययौ

pāvamānaṁ samārādhya pūto bhavati tatkṣaṇāt iti dattvā varāndevastasmi~lliṁge layaṁ yayau

'Worshipping Pavamana, one becomes pure that very instant.' Having granted these boons, the god merged into that linga.

Verse 31 (skanda.4.13.31)

गणावूचतुः। इति गंधवती पुर्याः स्वरूपं ते निरूपितम्। तस्याः प्राच्यां कुबेरस्य श्रीमत्येषालकापुरी

gaṇāvūcatuḥ iti gaṁdhavatī puryāḥ svarūpaṁ te nirūpitam tasyāḥ prācyāṁ kuberasya śrīmatyeṣālakāpurī

The two ganas said: Thus has the true nature of the city of Gandhavati been described to you. To its east is this glorious Alakapuri, the city of Kubera.

Verse 32 (skanda.4.13.32)

शंभोः सखित्वमापेदे नाथोस्या भक्तियोगतः। निधीनां पद्ममुख्यानां दाता भोक्ता हरार्चनात्

śaṁbhoḥ sakhitvamāpede nāthosyā bhaktiyogataḥ nidhīnāṁ padmamukhyānāṁ dātā bhoktā harārcanāt

He, the lord of this city, attained friendship with Shambhu through the practice of devotion; by worshipping Hara he became both the giver and the enjoyer of the treasures beginning with Padma.

Verse 33 (skanda.4.13.33)

शिवशर्मोवाच। कोसौ कस्य पुनः कीदृग्भक्तिरस्य सदाशिवे। यया सखित्वमापन्नो देवदेवस्यधूर्जटेः

śivaśarmovāca kosau kasya punaḥ kīdṛgbhaktirasya sadāśive yayā sakhitvamāpanno devadevasyadhūrjaṭeḥ

Shivasharma said: Who is he, and whose son is he, and what kind of devotion did he have for Sadashiva, by which he attained friendship with Dhurjati, the God of gods?

Verse 34 (skanda.4.13.34)

इति श्रोतुं मम मनः श्रुतिगोचरतां गतम्। युवयोर्वाक्सुधास्वाद मेदुरोदरमंथरम्

iti śrotuṁ mama manaḥ śrutigocaratāṁ gatam yuvayorvāksudhāsvāda medurodaramaṁtharam

My mind, longing to hear this, is set on drawing it within the range of my ears -- rich with the taste of the nectar of your speech, savored slowly.

Verse 35 (skanda.4.13.35)

गणावूचतुः। शिवशर्मन्महाप्राज्ञ परिशुद्धेंद्रियेश्वर। सुतीर्थक्षालिताशेषजन्मजातमहामल

gaṇāvūcatuḥ śivaśarmanmahāprājña pariśuddheṁdriyeśvara sutīrthakṣālitāśeṣajanmajātamahāmala

The two ganas said: O Shivasharma, greatly wise one, master of purified senses, whose vast impurities born of countless births have all been washed away by holy fords.

Verse 36 (skanda.4.13.36)

सुहृदि प्रेमसंपन्ने त्वय्यनुद्यं न किंचन। साधुभिः सह संवादः सर्वश्रेयोऽभिवृद्धये

suhṛdi premasaṁpanne tvayyanudyaṁ na kiṁcana sādhubhiḥ saha saṁvādaḥ sarvaśreyo'bhivṛddhaye

To you, a friend full of love, there is nothing that should not be told; conversation with the virtuous serves to increase all manner of good.

Verse 37 (skanda.4.13.37)

आसीत्कांपिल्यनगरे सोमयाजिकुलोद्भवः। दीक्षितो यज्ञदत्ताख्यो यज्ञविद्याविशारदः

āsītkāṁpilyanagare somayājikulodbhavaḥ dīkṣito yajñadattākhyo yajñavidyāviśāradaḥ

In the city of Kampilya there lived one born in a family of soma-sacrificers, an initiate named Yajnadatta, learned in the science of sacrifice.

Verse 38 (skanda.4.13.38)

वेदवेदांगवेदार्थान्वेदोक्ताचारचंचुरः। राजमान्यो बहुधनो वदान्यः कीर्तिभाजनम्

vedavedāṁgavedārthānvedoktācāracaṁcuraḥ rājamānyo bahudhano vadānyaḥ kīrtibhājanam

Skilled in the Vedas, the Vedangas, the meaning of the Vedas, and in the conduct enjoined by the Veda; honored by the king, wealthy, generous, and possessed of fame.

Verse 39 (skanda.4.13.39)

अग्निशुश्रूषणरतो वेदाध्ययनतत्परः। तस्य पुत्रो गुणनिधिश्चंद्रबिंबसमाकृतिः

agniśuśrūṣaṇarato vedādhyayanatatparaḥ tasya putro guṇanidhiścaṁdrabiṁbasamākṛtiḥ

Devoted to tending the sacred fire, intent on the study of the Veda; his son was Gunanidhi, beautiful as the orb of the moon.

Verse 40 (skanda.4.13.40)

कृतोपनयनः सोथ विद्यां जग्राह भूरिशः। अथ पित्रानभिज्ञातो द्यूतकर्मरतोऽभवत्

kṛtopanayanaḥ sotha vidyāṁ jagrāha bhūriśaḥ atha pitrānabhijñāto dyūtakarmarato'bhavat

Having undergone the sacred-thread ceremony, he studied learning extensively; but then, unknown to his father, he became addicted to gambling.

Verse 41 (skanda.4.13.41)

आदायादाय बहुशो धनं मातुः सकाशतः। ददाति द्यूतकारेभ्यो मैत्री तैश्च चकार सः

ādāyādāya bahuśo dhanaṁ mātuḥ sakāśataḥ dadāti dyūtakārebhyo maitrī taiśca cakāra saḥ

Taking wealth again and again from his mother, he gave it to the gamblers, and made friendship with them.

Verse 42 (skanda.4.13.42)

संत्यक्त ब्राह्मणाचारः संध्यास्नानपराङ्मुखः। निंदको वेदशास्त्राणां देवब्राह्मणनिंदकः

saṁtyakta brāhmaṇācāraḥ saṁdhyāsnānaparāṅmukhaḥ niṁdako vedaśāstrāṇāṁ devabrāhmaṇaniṁdakaḥ

He abandoned brahminical conduct, turned away from the twilight-rites and bathing, reviled the Vedas and the shastras, and reviled the gods and brahmins.

Verse 43 (skanda.4.13.43)

स्मृत्याचारविहीनस्तु गीतवाद्यविनोदभाक्। नटपाखंडिभंडैश्च बद्धप्रेमपरंपरः

smṛtyācāravihīnastu gītavādyavinodabhāk naṭapākhaṁḍibhaṁḍaiśca baddhapremaparaṁparaḥ

Devoid of the conduct enjoined by the Smritis, he took delight in song and music, and formed lasting bonds of affection with actors, heretics, and buffoons.

Verse 44 (skanda.4.13.44)

प्रेरितोपि जनन्या स न याति पितुरंतिकम्। गृहकार्यांतरव्यग्रो दीक्षितो दीक्षितायिनीम्

preritopi jananyā sa na yāti pituraṁtikam gṛhakāryāṁtaravyagro dīkṣito dīkṣitāyinīm

Even when urged by his mother, he would not go near his father. Dikshita, being occupied with other household affairs, would ask Dikshitayini, his wife:

Verse 45 (skanda.4.13.45)

यदा यदैव तां पृच्छेदयेगुणनिधिः सुतः। न दृश्यते मया गेहे क्व याति विदधाति किम्

yadā yadaiva tāṁ pṛcchedayeguṇanidhiḥ sutaḥ na dṛśyate mayā gehe kva yāti vidadhāti kim

'Whenever I ask her, "Where is our son Gunanidhi? I do not see him at home -- where does he go, what does he do?"'

Verse 46 (skanda.4.13.46)

तदा तदेति सा ब्रूयादिदानीं स बहिर्गतः। स्नात्वा समर्च्य वै देवानेतावंतमनेहसम्

tadā tadeti sā brūyādidānīṁ sa bahirgataḥ snātvā samarcya vai devānetāvaṁtamanehasam

Then she would say each time: 'He has just now gone out; having bathed and worshipped the gods, he has been gone this long.'

Verse 47 (skanda.4.13.47)

अधीत्याध्ययनार्थं स द्वित्रैर्मित्रैः समं ययौ। एकपुत्रेति तन्माता प्रतारयति दीक्षितम्

adhītyādhyayanārthaṁ sa dvitrairmitraiḥ samaṁ yayau ekaputreti tanmātā pratārayati dīkṣitam

'He has gone with two or three friends for the purpose of study.' Thus, because he was her only son, his mother would deceive Dikshita.

Verse 48 (skanda.4.13.48)

न तत्कर्म च तद्वृत्तं किंचिद्वेत्ति स दीक्षितः। स च केशांतकर्मास्य कृत्वा वर्षेऽथ षोडशे

na tatkarma ca tadvṛttaṁ kiṁcidvetti sa dīkṣitaḥ sa ca keśāṁtakarmāsya kṛtvā varṣe'tha ṣoḍaśe

That Dikshita knew nothing at all of his son's deeds or conduct. And, having performed his son's hair-cutting rite in his sixteenth year...

Verse 49 (skanda.4.13.49)

गृह्योक्तेन विधानेन पाणिग्राहमकारयत्। प्रत्यहं तस्य जननी सुतं गुणनिधिं मृदु

gṛhyoktena vidhānena pāṇigrāhamakārayat pratyahaṁ tasya jananī sutaṁ guṇanidhiṁ mṛdu

...he had him married according to the rite prescribed in the Grihyasutras. Every day, his mother would gently instruct her son Gunanidhi:

Verse 50 (skanda.4.13.50)

शास्ति स्नेहार्द्रहृदया क्रोधनस्ते पितेत्यलम्। यदि ज्ञास्यति ते वृत्तं त्वां च मां ताडयिष्यति

śāsti snehārdrahṛdayā krodhanaste pitetyalam yadi jñāsyati te vṛttaṁ tvāṁ ca māṁ tāḍayiṣyati

With her heart softened by love, she would chide him: 'Enough! Your father is quick to anger -- if he learns of your conduct, he will beat both you and me.'

Verse 51 (skanda.4.13.51)

आच्छादयामि ते नित्यं पितुरग्रे कुचेष्टितम्। लोकमान्योस्ति ते तातः सदाचारैर्न वै धनैः

ācchādayāmi te nityaṁ pituragre kuceṣṭitam lokamānyosti te tātaḥ sadācārairna vai dhanaiḥ

'I always conceal your misconduct before your father. Your father is honored by the world for his good conduct, not for his wealth.'

Verse 52 (skanda.4.13.52)

ब्राह्मणानां धनं पुत्र सद्विद्या साधुसंगमः। सच्छ्रोत्रियास्त्वनूचाना दीक्षिताः सोमयाजिनः

brāhmaṇānāṁ dhanaṁ putra sadvidyā sādhusaṁgamaḥ sacchrotriyāstvanūcānā dīkṣitāḥ somayājinaḥ

'For brahmins, my son, true wealth is good learning and the company of the virtuous. Your forefathers were revered as learned scholars, initiates, and soma-sacrificers.'

Verse 53 (skanda.4.13.53)

इति रूढिमिह प्राप्तास्तव पूर्वपितामहाः। त्यक्त्वा दुर्वृत्तसंसर्गं साधुसंगरतो भव

iti rūḍhimiha prāptāstava pūrvapitāmahāḥ tyaktvā durvṛttasaṁsargaṁ sādhusaṁgarato bhava

'Thus your ancestors gained renown here. Abandon the company of the wicked and delight in the company of the virtuous.'

Verse 54 (skanda.4.13.54)

सद्विद्या सुमनो धेहि ब्राह्मणाचारमाचर। तवानुरूपारूपेण वयसाकुलशीलतः

sadvidyā sumano dhehi brāhmaṇācāramācara tavānurūpārūpeṇa vayasākulaśīlataḥ

'Apply yourself, good-hearted one, to sound learning, and practice the conduct of a brahmin, befitting your age, your lineage, and your character.'

Verse 55 (skanda.4.13.55)

ऊनविंशतिकोऽसि त्वमेषा षोडशवार्षिकी। तव पत्नी गुणनिधे साध्वी मधुरभाषिणी

ūnaviṁśatiko'si tvameṣā ṣoḍaśavārṣikī tava patnī guṇanidhe sādhvī madhurabhāṣiṇī

'You are nineteen years old, O Gunanidhi, and this wife of yours, sixteen years of age, is virtuous and sweet of speech.'

Verse 56 (skanda.4.13.56)

एतां संवृणु सद्वृत्तां पितृभक्तियुता भव। श्वशुरोपि हि ते मान्यः सर्वत्र गुणशीलतः

etāṁ saṁvṛṇu sadvṛttāṁ pitṛbhaktiyutā bhava śvaśuropi hi te mānyaḥ sarvatra guṇaśīlataḥ

'Cherish her, of such good conduct, and be devoted to your father. Your father-in-law too is honored everywhere for his virtuous character.'

Verse 57 (skanda.4.13.57)

ततोऽपत्रपसे किं न त्यज दुर्वृत्ततां शिशो। मातुलास्तेऽतुलाः पुत्र विद्याशीलकुलादिभिः

tato'patrapase kiṁ na tyaja durvṛttatāṁ śiśo mātulāste'tulāḥ putra vidyāśīlakulādibhiḥ

'Why then do you not feel shame? Abandon this evil conduct, my child. Your maternal uncles, my son, are unrivaled in learning, character, and lineage.'

Verse 58 (skanda.4.13.58)

तेभ्योपि न बिभेषि त्वं शुद्धोस्युभय वंशतः। पश्यैतान्प्रतिवेश्मस्थान्ब्राह्मणानां कुमारकान्

tebhyopi na bibheṣi tvaṁ śuddhosyubhaya vaṁśataḥ paśyaitānprativeśmasthānbrāhmaṇānāṁ kumārakān

'Do you not even fear them? You are pure by both lines of descent. Look at these young sons of brahmins living in the neighboring houses.'

Verse 59 (skanda.4.13.59)

गृहेपि शिष्यान्पश्यैतान्पितुस्ते विनयोचितान्। राजापि श्रोष्यति यदा तव दुश्चेष्टितं सुत

gṛhepi śiṣyānpaśyaitānpituste vinayocitān rājāpi śroṣyati yadā tava duśceṣṭitaṁ suta

'Look even at these disciples in the house, so fit and disciplined -- your father's own students. When the king too comes to hear of your misconduct, my son...'

Verse 60 (skanda.4.13.60)

श्रद्धां विहाय ते ताते वृत्तिलोपं करिष्यति। बालचेष्टितमेवैतद्वदंत्यद्यापि ते जनाः

śraddhāṁ vihāya te tāte vṛttilopaṁ kariṣyati bālaceṣṭitamevaitadvadaṁtyadyāpi te janāḥ

'...he will lose faith in your father and cut off his livelihood-grant. Even now people say this is merely childish behavior.'

Verse 61 (skanda.4.13.61)

अनंतरं हसिष्यंति युक्तं दीक्षिततास्त्विति। सर्वेप्याक्षारयिष्यंति तव विप्रं च मां च वै

anaṁtaraṁ hasiṣyaṁti yuktaṁ dīkṣitatāstviti sarvepyākṣārayiṣyaṁti tava vipraṁ ca māṁ ca vai

'But afterward they will laugh, saying, "this is just what befits the son of a dikshita" -- and everyone will heap reproach on your brahmin father and on me too.'

Verse 62 (skanda.4.13.62)

मातुश्चरित्रं तनयो धत्ते दुर्भाषणैरिति। पिता पितेन पापीयाञ्च्छ्रुतिस्मृतिपथीनकिम्

mātuścaritraṁ tanayo dhatte durbhāṣaṇairiti pitā pitena pāpīyāñcchrutismṛtipathīnakim

'People will say the son bears his mother's character, through his evil speech; his father must be an even greater sinner, for is he not versed in the path of Shruti and Smriti?'

Verse 63 (skanda.4.13.63)

तदंघ्रिलीनमनसो मम साक्षी महेश्वरः। न चर्तुस्नातयापीह मुखं दुष्टस्य वीक्षितम्

tadaṁghrilīnamanaso mama sākṣī maheśvaraḥ na cartusnātayāpīha mukhaṁ duṣṭasya vīkṣitam

'Maheshvara, in whom my mind is ever absorbed, is my witness: even when purified after my monthly bathing, I have never so much as looked upon the face of that wicked man.'

Verse 64 (skanda.4.13.64)

अहो बलीयान्सविधिर्येन जाता भवानिति। प्रतिक्षणं जनन्येति शिक्ष्यमाणोतिदुर्मदः

aho balīyānsavidhiryena jātā bhavāniti pratikṣaṇaṁ jananyeti śikṣyamāṇotidurmadaḥ

'Ah, how powerful is fate, by which you were born thus!' Though instructed every moment by his mother in this way, he, utterly intoxicated with vice...

Verse 65 (skanda.4.13.65)

न तत्याज च तद्धर्मं दुर्बोधो व्यसनी यतः। मृगया मद्य पैशुन्य वेश्याचौर्यदुरोदरैः

na tatyāja ca taddharmaṁ durbodho vyasanī yataḥ mṛgayā madya paiśunya veśyācauryadurodaraiḥ

...being hard to instruct and given to vice, did not abandon that conduct; by hunting, drinking, slander, consorting with courtesans, theft, and gambling...

Verse 66 (skanda.4.13.66)

सपारदारैर्व्यसनैरेभिः कोत्र न खंडितः। यद्यन्मध्ये गृहे पश्येत्तत्तन्नीत्वा सुदुर्मतिः

sapāradārairvyasanairebhiḥ kotra na khaṁḍitaḥ yadyanmadhye gṛhe paśyettattannītvā sudurmatiḥ

...and by adultery with others' wives -- who indeed is not ruined by these vices? Whatever he saw in the house, that evil-minded one would take...

Verse 67 (skanda.4.13.67)

अर्पयेद्द्यूतकाराणां सकुप्यं वसनादिकम्। नवरत्नमयीं मातुः करतः पितुरूर्मिकाम

arpayeddyūtakārāṇāṁ sakupyaṁ vasanādikam navaratnamayīṁ mātuḥ karataḥ piturūrmikāma

...and give it to the gamblers -- metal vessels, clothes, and the like. Once he took from his mother's hand a bracelet set with nine gems, belonging to his father.

Verse 68 (skanda.4.13.68)

स्वपंत्यास्त्वेकदाऽऽदाय दुरोदरिकरेऽर्पयत्। एकदा गच्छता राजभवनान्निजमुद्रिका

svapaṁtyāstvekadā''dāya durodarikare'rpayat ekadā gacchatā rājabhavanānnijamudrikā

Taking it from her while she slept, he once gave it into the hand of a gambler. One day, as he was coming from the royal palace, his own signet ring...

Verse 69 (skanda.4.13.69)

दीक्षितेन परिज्ञाता दैवाद्द्यूतकृतः करे। उवाच दीक्षितस्तं च कुतो लब्धा त्वयोर्मिका। पृष्टस्तेनाथ निर्बंधादसकृत्प्रत्युवाच किम्

dīkṣitena parijñātā daivāddyūtakṛtaḥ kare uvāca dīkṣitastaṁ ca kuto labdhā tvayormikā pṛṣṭastenātha nirbaṁdhādasakṛtpratyuvāca kim

...was recognized by chance on the hand of a gambler. Dikshita said to him: 'Where did you get this ring?' Pressed repeatedly by his insistence, what did he reply?

Verse 70 (skanda.4.13.70)

ममाक्षिपसि विप्रोच्चैः किं मया चौर्य कर्मणा। लब्धा मुद्रा त्वदीयेन पुत्रेणैषा ममार्पिता

mamākṣipasi viproccaiḥ kiṁ mayā caurya karmaṇā labdhā mudrā tvadīyena putreṇaiṣā mamārpitā

'O brahmin, why do you accuse me so loudly, as if I obtained it by theft? This ring was given to me by your own son.'

Verse 71 (skanda.4.13.71)

मम मातुर्हि पूर्वे द्युर्जित्वानीतो हि शाटकः। न केवलं ममाप्येतदंगुलीयं समर्पितम्

mama māturhi pūrve dyurjitvānīto hi śāṭakaḥ na kevalaṁ mamāpyetadaṁgulīyaṁ samarpitam

'Earlier he won and brought a shawl for my mother. Not only this ring was given to me...'

Verse 72 (skanda.4.13.72)

अन्येषां द्यूतकर्तृणां भूरि तेनार्पितं वसु। रत्नकुप्यदुकूलानि भृंगारुप्रभृतीनि च

anyeṣāṁ dyūtakartṛṇāṁ bhūri tenārpitaṁ vasu ratnakupyadukūlāni bhṛṁgāruprabhṛtīni ca

'...but he has given abundant wealth to other gamblers too -- jewels, base metals, fine cloth, ewers, and the like.'

Verse 73 (skanda.4.13.73)

भाजनानि विचित्राणि कांस्य ताम्रमयानि च। नग्नीकृत्यप्रति दिनं बद्ध्यंते द्यूतकारिभिः

bhājanāni vicitrāṇi kāṁsya tāmramayāni ca nagnīkṛtyaprati dinaṁ baddhyaṁte dyūtakāribhiḥ

'Many wondrous vessels of bronze and copper too -- we gamblers grow richer every day through his generosity, and remain bound to him in gratitude.'

Verse 74 (skanda.4.13.74)

न तेन सदृशः कश्चिदाक्षिको भूमिमंडले। अद्य यावत्त्वया विप्र दुरोदरशिरोमणिः

na tena sadṛśaḥ kaścidākṣiko bhūmimaṁḍale adya yāvattvayā vipra durodaraśiromaṇiḥ

'There is no gambler on this earth equal to him; O brahmin, till today, why have you not recognized your own son as the very crown-jewel of gamblers?'

Verse 75 (skanda.4.13.75)

कथं नाज्ञायि तनयो ऽविनयानयकोविदः। इति श्रुत्वा त्रपाभार विनम्रतरकंधरः

kathaṁ nājñāyi tanayo 'vinayānayakovidaḥ iti śrutvā trapābhāra vinamratarakaṁdharaḥ

'How is it that your own son, so skilled in ill-conduct and impropriety, was not known to you?' Hearing this, Dikshita, his neck bowed low under the weight of shame...

Verse 76 (skanda.4.13.76)

प्रावृत्य वाससा मौलिं प्राविशन्निजमंदिरम्। महापतिव्रतामास्य पत्नीं प्रोवाच तामथ

prāvṛtya vāsasā mauliṁ prāviśannijamaṁdiram mahāpativratāmāsya patnīṁ provāca tāmatha

...covering his head with his cloth, entered his own house. He then spoke to his greatly chaste wife:

Verse 77 (skanda.4.13.77)

दीक्षितायिनि कुत्रासि क्व ते गुणनिधिः सुतः। अथ तिष्ठतु किं तेन क्व सा मम शुभोर्मिका

dīkṣitāyini kutrāsi kva te guṇanidhiḥ sutaḥ atha tiṣṭhatu kiṁ tena kva sā mama śubhormikā

'O Dikshitayini, where are you? Where is your son Gunanidhi? But never mind him -- where is that auspicious bracelet of mine?'

Verse 78 (skanda.4.13.78)

अंगोद्वर्तन काले या त्वया मेंऽगुलितो हृता। नवरत्नमयीं शीघ्रं तामानीय प्रयच्छ मे

aṁgodvartana kāle yā tvayā meṁ'gulito hṛtā navaratnamayīṁ śīghraṁ tāmānīya prayaccha me

'The one you took from my finger at the time of my body-massage -- bring that nine-gemmed bracelet to me at once and give it to me.'

Verse 79 (skanda.4.13.79)

इति श्रुत्वाथ तद्वाक्यं भीता सा दीक्षितायिनी। प्रोवाच सा तु माध्याह्नीं क्रियां निष्पादयत्वथ

iti śrutvātha tadvākyaṁ bhītā sā dīkṣitāyinī provāca sā tu mādhyāhnīṁ kriyāṁ niṣpādayatvatha

Hearing these words, that Dikshitayini, frightened, said: 'Please first complete your midday rites.'

Verse 80 (skanda.4.13.80)

व्यग्रास्मि देवपूजार्थमुपहारादि कर्मणि। समयोयमतिक्रामेदतिथीनां प्रियातिथे

vyagrāsmi devapūjārthamupahārādi karmaṇi samayoyamatikrāmedatithīnāṁ priyātithe

'I am busy with the preparation of offerings for the worship of the gods; this time will pass -- O one dear as a guest, do not delay.'

Verse 81 (skanda.4.13.81)

इदानीमेव पक्वान्नकरणव्यग्रया मया। स्थापिता भाजने क्वापि विस्मृतेति न वेद्म्यहम्

idānīmeva pakvānnakaraṇavyagrayā mayā sthāpitā bhājane kvāpi vismṛteti na vedmyaham

'Just now, being occupied with preparing food, I put it somewhere in a vessel -- I have forgotten, I do not know where.'

Verse 82 (skanda.4.13.82)

दीक्षित उवाच। हंहो सत्पुत्रजननि नित्यं सत्यप्रभाषिणि। यदायदा त्वां संपृच्छे तनयः क्व गतस्त्विति

dīkṣita uvāca haṁho satputrajanani nityaṁ satyaprabhāṣiṇi yadāyadā tvāṁ saṁpṛcche tanayaḥ kva gatastviti

Dikshita said: 'Ah, mother of a fine son, ever truthful in speech! Whenever I ask you where our son has gone...'

Verse 83 (skanda.4.13.83)

तदातदेति त्वं ब्रूया नाथेदानीं स निर्गतः। अधीत्याध्ययनार्थं च द्वित्रैर्मित्रैः सयुग्बहिः

tadātadeti tvaṁ brūyā nāthedānīṁ sa nirgataḥ adhītyādhyayanārthaṁ ca dvitrairmitraiḥ sayugbahiḥ

'...you always say the same thing: "He has just gone out, with two or three friends, for the sake of study."'

Verse 84 (skanda.4.13.84)

कुतस्त्वच्छाटकः पत्नि मांजिष्ठो यो मयाऽर्पितः। लंबते वस्त्रधान्यांयस्तथ्यं ब्रूहि भयं त्यज

kutastvacchāṭakaḥ patni māṁjiṣṭho yo mayā'rpitaḥ laṁbate vastradhānyāṁyastathyaṁ brūhi bhayaṁ tyaja

'Where is that madder-red shawl of yours, wife, which I gave you, that hangs on the clothes-line? Tell me the truth, cast off your fear.'

Verse 85 (skanda.4.13.85)

सांप्रतं नेक्ष्यते सोपि भृंगारुर्मणिमंडितः। पट्टसूत्रमयीसापि त्रिपटी क्व नृपार्पिता

sāṁprataṁ nekṣyate sopi bhṛṁgārurmaṇimaṁḍitaḥ paṭṭasūtramayīsāpi tripaṭī kva nṛpārpitā

'That jewel-adorned ewer too is nowhere to be seen now; and where is that triple-woven silk cloth given by the king?'

Verse 86 (skanda.4.13.86)

क्व दाक्षिणात्यं तत्कांस्यं गौडी ताम्रघटी क्व सा। नागदंतमयी सा क्व सुखकौतुकमंचिका

kva dākṣiṇātyaṁ tatkāṁsyaṁ gauḍī tāmraghaṭī kva sā nāgadaṁtamayī sā kva sukhakautukamaṁcikā

'Where is that southern bronze-ware? Where is that Gauda copper-jar?' 'Where is that ivory couch, delightful and eye-catching?'

Verse 87 (skanda.4.13.87)

क्व सा पर्वतदेशीया चंद्रकांतशिलोद्भवा। दीपिका व्यग्रहस्ताग्रा सालंकृच्छालभंजिका

kva sā parvatadeśīyā caṁdrakāṁtaśilodbhavā dīpikā vyagrahastāgrā sālaṁkṛcchālabhaṁjikā

'Where is that lamp carved from moonstone, from the hill country, held out in the hand of that adorned figurine?'

Verse 88 (skanda.4.13.88)

किं बहूक्तेन कुलजे तुभ्यं कुप्याम्यहं वृथा। तदाभ्यवहरिष्येहमुपयंस्याम्यहं यदा

kiṁ bahūktena kulaje tubhyaṁ kupyāmyahaṁ vṛthā tadābhyavahariṣyehamupayaṁsyāmyahaṁ yadā

'What use in saying more, O well-born one? I am angry with you in vain. I shall eat only after I have done what must be done.'

Verse 89 (skanda.4.13.89)

अनपत्योस्मि तेनाहं दुष्टेन कुलदूषिणा। उत्तिष्ठानय दर्भांबु तस्मै दद्यां तिलांजलिम्

anapatyosmi tenāhaṁ duṣṭena kuladūṣiṇā uttiṣṭhānaya darbhāṁbu tasmai dadyāṁ tilāṁjalim

'I am as good as childless because of that wicked defiler of our lineage. Rise, bring me kusha-grass and water -- I shall offer him a libation of sesame and water, as for the dead.'

Verse 90 (skanda.4.13.90)

अपुत्रत्वं वरं नृणां कुपुत्रात्कुलपांसनात्। त्यजेदेकं कुलस्यार्थे नीतिरेषा सनातनी

aputratvaṁ varaṁ nṛṇāṁ kuputrātkulapāṁsanāt tyajedekaṁ kulasyārthe nītireṣā sanātanī

'Childlessness is better for men than a wicked son who is a disgrace to the family. One should abandon a single member for the sake of the family -- this is the eternal law.'

Verse 91 (skanda.4.13.91)

स्नात्वा नित्यविधिं कृत्वा तस्मिन्नेवाह्निकस्यचित्। श्रोत्रियस्य सुतां प्राप्य पाणिं जग्राह दीक्षितः

snātvā nityavidhiṁ kṛtvā tasminnevāhnikasyacit śrotriyasya sutāṁ prāpya pāṇiṁ jagrāha dīkṣitaḥ

Having bathed and performed his daily rites, that very day, on the occasion of one such observance, Dikshita took in marriage the daughter of a learned Shrotriya brahmin.

Verse 92 (skanda.4.13.92)

श्रुत्वा तथा स वृत्तांतं प्राक्तनं स्वं विनिंद्य च। कांचिद्दिशं समालोच्य निर्ययौ दीक्षितांगजः

śrutvā tathā sa vṛttāṁtaṁ prāktanaṁ svaṁ viniṁdya ca kāṁciddiśaṁ samālocya niryayau dīkṣitāṁgajaḥ

Hearing of these events, and reproaching his own past conduct, the son of Dikshita, having chosen some direction, set out from home.

Verse 93 (skanda.4.13.93)

चिंतामवाप महतीं क्व यामि करवाणि किम्। नाहमभ्यस्तविद्योस्मि न चैवास्ति धनोस्म्यहम्

ciṁtāmavāpa mahatīṁ kva yāmi karavāṇi kim nāhamabhyastavidyosmi na caivāsti dhanosmyaham

He fell into deep anxiety: 'Where shall I go, what shall I do? I have not mastered any learning, nor do I have any wealth.'

Verse 94 (skanda.4.13.94)

देशांतरे ह्यस्ति धनः सद्विद्यः सुखमेधते। भयमस्ति धने चौरात्सविद्यः सर्वतोऽभयः

deśāṁtare hyasti dhanaḥ sadvidyaḥ sukhamedhate bhayamasti dhane caurātsavidyaḥ sarvato'bhayaḥ

'In a foreign land, a man of wealth or of good learning prospers happily; wealth brings fear of thieves, but one with learning is fearless everywhere.'

Verse 95 (skanda.4.13.95)

यायजूके कुले जन्म क्वक्व मे व्यसनं तथा। अहो बलीयान्स विधिर्भाविकर्मानुसंधयेत्

yāyajūke kule janma kvakva me vyasanaṁ tathā aho balīyānsa vidhirbhāvikarmānusaṁdhayet

'Birth in a family of officiating priests -- how far is that from the vice into which I have fallen! Ah, how powerful is fate, which shapes one's future according to past deeds.'

Verse 96 (skanda.4.13.96)

भिक्षितुं नाधिगच्छामि न मे परिचितः क्वचित्। न च पार्श्वे धनं किंचित्किमत्र शरणं भवेत्

bhikṣituṁ nādhigacchāmi na me paricitaḥ kvacit na ca pārśve dhanaṁ kiṁcitkimatra śaraṇaṁ bhavet

'I do not know how to beg; I have no acquaintance anywhere; I have no wealth at hand either -- what refuge is there for me here?'

Verse 97 (skanda.4.13.97)

सदाभ्युदिते भानौ प्रसूर्मे मृष्टभोजनम्। दद्यादद्यात्र कं याचे याचेह जननी न मे

sadābhyudite bhānau prasūrme mṛṣṭabhojanam dadyādadyātra kaṁ yāce yāceha jananī na me

'Always, when the sun rose, my mother would give me delicious food to eat -- whom shall I ask for it now? My mother is not here for me to ask.'

Verse 98 (skanda.4.13.98)

इति चिंतयतस्तस्य भानुरस्ताचलं गतः। एतस्मिन्नेव समये कश्चिन्माहेश्वरो नरः

iti ciṁtayatastasya bhānurastācalaṁ gataḥ etasminneva samaye kaścinmāheśvaro naraḥ

As he was thinking thus, the sun set behind the western mountain. At that very time, a certain devotee of Maheshvara...

Verse 99 (skanda.4.13.99)

महोपहारानादाय नगराद्बहिरभ्यगात्। समभ्यर्चितुमीशानं शिवरात्रावुपोषितः

mahopahārānādāya nagarādbahirabhyagāt samabhyarcitumīśānaṁ śivarātrāvupoṣitaḥ

...having taken great offerings, went out of the city, having fasted on the night of Shivaratri, in order to worship Ishana.

Verse 100 (skanda.4.13.100)

पक्वान्नगंधमाघ्राय क्षुधितः स तमन्वगात्। इदमन्नं मया ग्राह्यं शिवायोपस्कृतं निशि

pakvānnagaṁdhamāghrāya kṣudhitaḥ sa tamanvagāt idamannaṁ mayā grāhyaṁ śivāyopaskṛtaṁ niśi

Smelling the fragrance of the cooked food, that hungry one followed him, thinking: 'This food, prepared at night for Shiva, I shall take.'

Verse 101 (skanda.4.13.101)

इत्याशामवलंब्याथ द्वारि शंभोरुपाविशत्। ददर्श च महापूजां तेन भक्तेन निर्मिताम्

ityāśāmavalaṁbyātha dvāri śaṁbhorupāviśat dadarśa ca mahāpūjāṁ tena bhaktena nirmitām

Clinging to this hope, he sat down at the door of Shambhu's temple, and saw the great worship performed by that devotee.

Verse 102 (skanda.4.13.102)

विधाय नृत्यगीतादि भक्ताः सुप्ताः क्षणं यदा। नैवेद्यं स तदाऽऽदातुं गर्भागारं विवेश ह

vidhāya nṛtyagītādi bhaktāḥ suptāḥ kṣaṇaṁ yadā naivedyaṁ sa tadā''dātuṁ garbhāgāraṁ viveśa ha

When, having performed dance, song, and the rest, the devotees fell asleep for a moment, he then entered the inner sanctum to take the food-offering.

Verse 103 (skanda.4.13.103)

दीपं मंदप्रभं दृष्ट्वा पक्वान्नावेक्षणाय सः। निजचैलांचलाद्वर्तिं दत्त्वा समुददीपयत्

dīpaṁ maṁdaprabhaṁ dṛṣṭvā pakvānnāvekṣaṇāya saḥ nijacailāṁcalādvartiṁ dattvā samudadīpayat

Seeing the lamp's light grown dim, in order to see the cooked food, he tore a strip from the hem of his own garment, made a wick, and relit it, brightening the flame.

Verse 104 (skanda.4.13.104)

ततः पक्कान्नमादाय त्वरितं गच्छतो बहिः। तस्य पादतलाघातात्प्रसुप्तः कोप्यबुध्यत

tataḥ pakkānnamādāya tvaritaṁ gacchato bahiḥ tasya pādatalāghātātprasuptaḥ kopyabudhyata

Then, taking the cooked food, as he hurried outside, someone asleep there woke up from the blow of his footstep.

Verse 105 (skanda.4.13.105)

कोयंकोयं त्वरापन्नश्चोरोयं गृह्यतामिति। यावद्भूयात्समागत्य तावत्स पुररक्षकैः

koyaṁkoyaṁ tvarāpannaścoroyaṁ gṛhyatāmiti yāvadbhūyātsamāgatya tāvatsa purarakṣakaiḥ

'Who -- who is this, in such a hurry? This is a thief -- seize him!' -- and as more people gathered, he was set upon by the city-guards.

Verse 106 (skanda.4.13.106)

पलायमानो निहतः क्षणात्पंचत्वमागतः। अभक्षयच्च नैवेद्यं भाविपुण्यबलान्न सः

palāyamāno nihataḥ kṣaṇātpaṁcatvamāgataḥ abhakṣayacca naivedyaṁ bhāvipuṇyabalānna saḥ

...fleeing, he was struck down and in an instant met his death; and by the force of his coming store of merit, he did not get to eat the food-offering.

Verse 107 (skanda.4.13.107)

अथ बद्धः समागत्य पाशमुद्गरपाणिभिः। निनीषुभिः सयमिनीं यामैः स विकटैर्भटैः

atha baddhaḥ samāgatya pāśamudgarapāṇibhiḥ ninīṣubhiḥ sayaminīṁ yāmaiḥ sa vikaṭairbhaṭaiḥ

Then, bound and seized by the fearsome messengers of Yama, noose and mace in hand, who wished to lead him to Samyamani, Yama's city...

Verse 108 (skanda.4.13.108)

तावत्पारिषदाः प्राप्ताः किंकिणीजालमालितम्। दिव्यंविमानमादाय तं नेतुं शूलपाणयः

tāvatpāriṣadāḥ prāptāḥ kiṁkiṇījālamālitam divyaṁvimānamādāya taṁ netuṁ śūlapāṇayaḥ

...at that very moment, the attendants of Shambhu, trident-bearers, arrived, bringing a divine chariot hung with a network of little bells, to take him away.

Verse 109 (skanda.4.13.109)

शंभोर्गणान्समालोक्य भीतैस्तैर्यमकिंकरैः। अवादिप्रणतैरित्थं दुर्वृत्तोयं गणा द्विजः

śaṁbhorgaṇānsamālokya bhītaistairyamakiṁkaraiḥ avādipraṇatairitthaṁ durvṛttoyaṁ gaṇā dvijaḥ

Seeing Shambhu's ganas, those messengers of Yama, frightened, bowed and said: 'O ganas, this brahmin is of wicked conduct.'

Verse 110 (skanda.4.13.110)

कुलाचारप्रतीपोयं पित्रोर्वाक्यपराङ्मुखः। सत्यशौचपरिभ्रष्टःसंध्यास्नानविवर्जितः

kulācārapratīpoyaṁ pitrorvākyaparāṅmukhaḥ satyaśaucaparibhraṣṭaḥsaṁdhyāsnānavivarjitaḥ

'He acted against his family's tradition, turned away from his parents' words, was fallen from truth and purity, and neglected the twilight rites and bathing.'

Verse 111 (skanda.4.13.111)

आस्तां दूरेऽस्य कर्माणि शिवनिर्माल्यहारकः। प्रत्यक्षतोऽत्र वीक्षध्वमस्पृश्योयं भवादृशाम्

āstāṁ dūre'sya karmāṇi śivanirmālyahārakaḥ pratyakṣato'tra vīkṣadhvamaspṛśyoyaṁ bhavādṛśām

'Let his other deeds be set aside -- he is a thief of Shiva's nirmalya, the leftover offering! Behold it here directly for yourselves -- he is untouchable even to ones such as you.'

Verse 112 (skanda.4.13.112)

शिवनिर्माल्यभोक्तारः शिवनिर्माल्यलंघकाः। शिवनिर्माल्यदातारः स्पर्शस्तेषां ह्यपुण्यकृत्

śivanirmālyabhoktāraḥ śivanirmālyalaṁghakāḥ śivanirmālyadātāraḥ sparśasteṣāṁ hyapuṇyakṛt

'Those who eat Shiva's nirmalya, those who trample over it, and even those who merely hand it out -- the touch of all such people brings only sin.'

Verse 113 (skanda.4.13.113)

विषमालोड्य वापे यं श्रेयोवाऽनशनं परम्। सेवितव्यं शिवस्वं न प्राणः कंठगतैरपि

viṣamāloḍya vāpe yaṁ śreyovā'naśanaṁ param sevitavyaṁ śivasvaṁ na prāṇaḥ kaṁṭhagatairapi

'Better to drink poison mixed with water, or to fast to the utmost -- but Shiva's own property is never to be used, even with life at one's very throat.'

Verse 114 (skanda.4.13.114)

यूयं प्रमाणं धर्मेषु यथा न च तथा वयम्। अस्ति चेद्धर्मलेशोस्य गणास्तच्छृणुमो वयम्

yūyaṁ pramāṇaṁ dharmeṣu yathā na ca tathā vayam asti ceddharmaleśosya gaṇāstacchṛṇumo vayam

'You are the authority in matters of dharma, in a way that we are not; if there is even a shred of dharma in him, O ganas, let us hear it.'

Verse 115 (skanda.4.13.115)

इत्थं तद्वाक्यमाकर्ण्य प्रोचुः पारिषदास्ततः। किंकराः शिवधर्मा ये सूक्ष्मास्ते वै भवादृशैः

itthaṁ tadvākyamākarṇya procuḥ pāriṣadāstataḥ kiṁkarāḥ śivadharmā ye sūkṣmāste vai bhavādṛśaiḥ

Hearing these words, the attendants said: 'O servants of Yama, the subtleties of Shiva's dharma are such that ones like you...'

Verse 116 (skanda.4.13.116)

स्थूललक्ष्यैः कथं लक्ष्या लक्ष्या ये सूक्ष्मदृष्टिभिः। अनेनानेन सा कर्म यत्कृतं शृणुतेह तत्

sthūlalakṣyaiḥ kathaṁ lakṣyā lakṣyā ye sūkṣmadṛṣṭibhiḥ anenānena sā karma yatkṛtaṁ śṛṇuteha tat

'...who perceive only the gross, how can perceive what is visible only to those of subtle vision? Listen here to the deed that was done by this very man.'

Verse 117 (skanda.4.13.117)

पतंती लिंगशिरसि दीपच्छाया निवारिता। स्वचैलांचलतोऽनेन दत्त्वादीपे दशां निशि

pataṁtī liṁgaśirasi dīpacchāyā nivāritā svacailāṁcalato'nena dattvādīpe daśāṁ niśi

'The shadow falling upon the head of the linga was removed by him, when at night he gave a wick to the failing lamp, torn from the hem of his own garment.'

Verse 118 (skanda.4.13.118)

अपरोपि परो धर्मो जातस्तत्रास्य किंकराः। शृण्वता शिवनामानि प्रसंगादपिगृह्णतः

aparopi paro dharmo jātastatrāsya kiṁkarāḥ śṛṇvatā śivanāmāni prasaṁgādapigṛhṇataḥ

'A further, higher merit too arose for him there, O servants -- for while there, he heard and, even incidentally, absorbed the names of Shiva.'

Verse 119 (skanda.4.13.119)

भक्तेन विधिना पूजा क्रियमाणा निरीक्षिता। उपोषिते न भूतायामनेन स्थिरचेतसा

bhaktena vidhinā pūjā kriyamāṇā nirīkṣitā upoṣite na bhūtāyāmanena sthiracetasā

'The worship, performed with proper rite by that devotee, was witnessed by him; and though he fasted involuntarily, he watched it with a steady mind.'

Verse 120 (skanda.4.13.120)

कलिंगराजोभविताऽधुनाविधुतकल्मषः। एष द्विजवरो दूता यूयं यात यथागताः

kaliṁgarājobhavitā'dhunāvidhutakalmaṣaḥ eṣa dvijavaro dūtā yūyaṁ yāta yathāgatāḥ

'This excellent brahmin, his sins now shaken off, shall now become the king of Kalinga; go back, O messengers, the way you came.'

Verse 121 (skanda.4.13.121)

पार्षदैर्यमदूतेभ्यो मोचितस्त्विति स द्विजः। अरिंदमस्य तनयः कलिंगाधितेर्दमः

pārṣadairyamadūtebhyo mocitastviti sa dvijaḥ ariṁdamasya tanayaḥ kaliṁgādhiterdamaḥ

Thus released by the attendants of Shiva from the messengers of Yama, that brahmin was reborn as Dama, the son of the ruler of Kalinga, a subduer of foes.

Verse 122 (skanda.4.13.122)

क्रमाद्राज्यमवाप्याथ पितर्युपरते युवा। नान्यं धर्मं विजानाति दुर्दमो भूपतिर्दमः

kramādrājyamavāpyātha pitaryuparate yuvā nānyaṁ dharmaṁ vijānāti durdamo bhūpatirdamaḥ

In due course, when his father passed away, that youth obtained the kingdom; and King Dama, hard to subdue by enemies, knew no other dharma than this:

Verse 123 (skanda.4.13.123)

शिवालयेषु सर्वेषु दीपदानादृते द्विज। ग्रामाधीशान्समाहूय सर्वान्त्स्वविषयस्थितान्

śivālayeṣu sarveṣu dīpadānādṛte dvija grāmādhīśānsamāhūya sarvāntsvaviṣayasthitān

Apart from the giving of lamps in all the Shiva temples, O brahmin, he cared for nothing else. He summoned all the village-headmen residing within his realm.

Verse 124 (skanda.4.13.124)

इत्थमाज्ञापयामास स मे दंड्यो भविष्यति। यस्य यस्याभितो ग्रामं यावंतश्च शिवालयाः

itthamājñāpayāmāsa sa me daṁḍyo bhaviṣyati yasya yasyābhito grāmaṁ yāvaṁtaśca śivālayāḥ

He commanded them thus: 'In whatever village, and however many Shiva temples there may be around it...'

Verse 125 (skanda.4.13.125)

तत्र तत्र सदा दीपो द्योतनीयोऽविचारितम्। ममाज्ञाभंगदोषेण शिरश्छेत्स्याम्यसंशयम्

tatra tatra sadā dīpo dyotanīyo'vicāritam mamājñābhaṁgadoṣeṇa śiraśchetsyāmyasaṁśayam

'...in each and every one, a lamp must be kept burning always, without exception. For the fault of breaking my command, I shall without doubt cut off the offender's head.'

Verse 126 (skanda.4.13.126)

इति तद्भयतो दीप्ता दीपाः प्रति शिवालयम्। अनेनैव स धर्मेण यावज्जीवं दमो नृपः

iti tadbhayato dīptā dīpāḥ prati śivālayam anenaiva sa dharmeṇa yāvajjīvaṁ damo nṛpaḥ

Out of fear of this, lamps burned in every Shiva temple. By this very dharma alone, King Dama, for as long as he lived...

Verse 127 (skanda.4.13.127)

धर्मर्द्धि महतीं प्राप्य कालधर्मवशं गतः। सदीपवासनायागोद्बहून्दीपान्प्रदीप्य वै

dharmarddhi mahatīṁ prāpya kāladharmavaśaṁ gataḥ sadīpavāsanāyāgodbahūndīpānpradīpya vai

...having attained great prosperity through dharma, in time passed under the sway of death; and, with the residual impression of a lifetime of lighting many lamps...

Verse 128 (skanda.4.13.128)

अलकायाः पतिरभूद्रत्नदीपशिखाश्रयः। एवं फलति कालेन शिवेऽल्पमपि यत्कृतम्

alakāyāḥ patirabhūdratnadīpaśikhāśrayaḥ evaṁ phalati kālena śive'lpamapi yatkṛtam

...he became the lord of Alaka, resting upon flames of jeweled lamps. Thus, in time, whatever is done for Shiva, even a little, bears fruit.

Verse 129 (skanda.4.13.129)

इति ज्ञात्वा शिवे कार्यं भजनं स्वसुखार्थिभिः। क्व स दीक्षितदायादः सर्वधर्म पराङ्मुखः

iti jñātvā śive kāryaṁ bhajanaṁ svasukhārthibhiḥ kva sa dīkṣitadāyādaḥ sarvadharma parāṅmukhaḥ

Knowing this, those who desire their own happiness should devote themselves to Shiva. Where was that heir of Dikshita, turned away from all dharma...?

Verse 130 (skanda.4.13.130)

स्वार्थदीपदशोद्योत लिंगमौलि तमोहरः। कलिंगविषये राज्यं प्राप्तो धर्मरतिः सदा

svārthadīpadaśodyota liṁgamauli tamoharaḥ kaliṁgaviṣaye rājyaṁ prāpto dharmaratiḥ sadā

...and where is he now, who through the mere light of a lamp-wick lit for his own purpose, dispelled the darkness on the head of the linga -- he who obtained a kingdom in the land of Kalinga, ever devoted to dharma.

Verse 131 (skanda.4.13.131)

शिवालये समुद्दीप्य दीपान्प्राग्वासनोदयात्। क्वैषा दिक्पालपदवी शिवशर्मन्विलोकय। मनुष्यधर्मणानेन सांप्रतं येह भुज्यते

śivālaye samuddīpya dīpānprāgvāsanodayāt kvaiṣā dikpālapadavī śivaśarmanvilokaya manuṣyadharmaṇānena sāṁprataṁ yeha bhujyate

By kindling lamps in Shiva's temple, through the rising of that former impression from his past life -- behold, O Shivasharma, how this very office of guardian of a quarter is now enjoyed by this man, through that single act of human dharma.

Verse 132 (skanda.4.13.132)

गणावूचतुः। सर्वदैव शिवेनासौ सखित्वं च यथेयिवान्। तदप्येकमना विप्र संशृणुष्व ब्रवावहै

gaṇāvūcatuḥ sarvadaiva śivenāsau sakhitvaṁ ca yatheyivān tadapyekamanā vipra saṁśṛṇuṣva bravāvahai

The two ganas said: How he attained eternal, everlasting friendship with Shiva -- listen to that too, O brahmin, with an attentive mind; we shall tell it.

Verse 133 (skanda.4.13.133)

पाद्मे कल्पे पुरा विप्र ब्रह्मणो मानसात्सुतात्। पुलस्त्याद्विश्रवा जज्ञे तस्य वैश्रवणः सुतः

pādme kalpe purā vipra brahmaṇo mānasātsutāt pulastyādviśravā jajñe tasya vaiśravaṇaḥ sutaḥ

Long ago, O brahmin, in the Padma kalpa, from Pulastya, the mind-born son of Brahma, was born Vishrava; and his son was Vaishravana, Kubera.

Verse 134 (skanda.4.13.134)

तेनेयमलका भुक्ता पुरी विश्वकृता कृता। आराध्यं त्र्यंबकं देवमत्युग्रतपसा पुरा

teneyamalakā bhuktā purī viśvakṛtā kṛtā ārādhyaṁ tryaṁbakaṁ devamatyugratapasā purā

By him was enjoyed this city of Alaka, made by Vishvakarma, after worshipping the three-eyed God of old through extremely fierce austerities.

Verse 135 (skanda.4.13.135)

व्यतीते तत्र कल्पे वै प्रवृत्ते मेघवाहने। याज्ञदत्तिरसौश्रीदस्तपस्तेपे सुदुःसहम्

vyatīte tatra kalpe vai pravṛtte meghavāhane yājñadattirasauśrīdastapastepe suduḥsaham

When that kalpa had passed, and the Meghavahana kalpa had come, that same Shrida, Kubera, now reborn as the son of Yajnadatta, performed extremely difficult austerities.

Verse 136 (skanda.4.13.136)

भक्तिप्रभावं विज्ञाय शंभोस्तद्दीपमात्रतः। पुरीं पुरारेः संप्राप्य काशिकां चित्प्रकाशिकाम्

bhaktiprabhāvaṁ vijñāya śaṁbhostaddīpamātrataḥ purīṁ purāreḥ saṁprāpya kāśikāṁ citprakāśikām

Having learned the power of devotion to Shambhu, merely through that single act with the lamp, he came to the city of the Enemy of the triple city, Shiva -- Kashi, the illuminator of consciousness.

Verse 137 (skanda.4.13.137)

शिवैकदशमुद्बोध्य चित्ररत्नप्रदीपकम्। अनन्यभक्तिस्नेहाढ्यं तन्महोध्याननिश्चलम्

śivaikadaśamudbodhya citraratnapradīpakam ananyabhaktisnehāḍhyaṁ tanmahodhyānaniścalam

...there, having lit a wondrous, jeweled lamp for Shiva, with unwavering, exclusive devotion and love, motionless in that great meditation...

Verse 138 (skanda.4.13.138)

शिवैक्यसुमहापात्रं तपोग्निपरिबृंहितम्। कामक्रोधमहाविघ्नपतंगाघातवर्जितम्

śivaikyasumahāpātraṁ tapogniparibṛṁhitam kāmakrodhamahāvighnapataṁgāghātavarjitam

...making himself a truly great vessel fit for union with Shiva, strengthened by the fire of austerity, free from the assault of the great obstacle-moths of desire and anger...

Verse 139 (skanda.4.13.139)

प्राणसंरोधनिर्वातं निर्मलं निर्मलेक्षणात्। संस्थाप्य शांभवं लिंगं सद्भावकुसुमार्चितम्

prāṇasaṁrodhanirvātaṁ nirmalaṁ nirmalekṣaṇāt saṁsthāpya śāṁbhavaṁ liṁgaṁ sadbhāvakusumārcitam

...windless through the restraint of breath, made pure by his own pure vision, he established a linga of Shambhu, worshipped with the flower of true devotion.

Verse 140 (skanda.4.13.140)

तावत्तताप स तपस्त्वगस्थिपरिशेषितम्। यावद्बभूव तद्वर्ष्म वर्षाणामयुतं शतम्

tāvattatāpa sa tapastvagasthipariśeṣitam yāvadbabhūva tadvarṣma varṣāṇāmayutaṁ śatam

He performed that austerity, reduced to mere skin and bones, for as long as it took for that body to endure a hundred myriads of years.

Verse 141 (skanda.4.13.141)

ततः सह विशालाक्ष्या देवो विश्वेश्वरः स्वयम्। अलकापतिमालोक्य प्रसन्नेनांतरात्मना

tataḥ saha viśālākṣyā devo viśveśvaraḥ svayam alakāpatimālokya prasannenāṁtarātmanā

Then the god Vishveshvara himself, together with the wide-eyed Goddess, beholding the future lord of Alaka, with a pleased inner soul...

Verse 142 (skanda.4.13.142)

लिंगे मनः समाधाय स्थितं स्थाणुस्वरूपिणम्। उवाच वरदोस्मीति तप्त्वालमलकापते

liṁge manaḥ samādhāya sthitaṁ sthāṇusvarūpiṇam uvāca varadosmīti taptvālamalakāpate

...approached him, who remained motionless as a post, his mind fixed upon the linga, and said: 'I am the giver of boons; enough of your austerity, O future lord of Alaka.'

Verse 143 (skanda.4.13.143)

उन्मील्य नयने यावत्स पश्यति तपोधनः। तावदुद्यत्सहस्रांशु सहस्राधिक तेजसम्

unmīlya nayane yāvatsa paśyati tapodhanaḥ tāvadudyatsahasrāṁśu sahasrādhika tejasam

As soon as that man rich in austerity opened his eyes and looked, he saw before him one of splendor a thousand times greater than a thousand rising suns.

Verse 144 (skanda.4.13.144)

पुरो ददर्श श्रीकंठं चंद्रचूडमुमाधवम्। तत्तेजः परिभूताक्षितेजाः संमील्य लोचने

puro dadarśa śrīkaṁṭhaṁ caṁdracūḍamumādhavam tattejaḥ paribhūtākṣitejāḥ saṁmīlya locane

He beheld before him Shrikantha, moon-crested, the lord of Uma; but his own eyes' power being overwhelmed by that splendor, he closed his eyes again...

Verse 145 (skanda.4.13.145)

उवाच देवदेवेशं मनोरथपथातिगम्। निजांघ्रिदर्शनेनाथ दृक्सामर्थ्यं प्रयच्छ मे

uvāca devadeveśaṁ manorathapathātigam nijāṁghridarśanenātha dṛksāmarthyaṁ prayaccha me

...and said to the Lord of the gods of gods, who was beyond the reach of imagination: 'Grant me the power of sight, so that I may behold your very feet.'

Verse 146 (skanda.4.13.146)

अयमेव वरो नाथ यत्त्वं साक्षान्निरीक्ष्यसे। किमन्येन वरेणेश नमस्ते शशिशेखर

ayameva varo nātha yattvaṁ sākṣānnirīkṣyase kimanyena vareṇeśa namaste śaśiśekhara

'This alone is the boon I ask, O Lord -- that I might behold you directly. What use is any other boon, O Lord? Salutations to you, O moon-crested one!'

Verse 147 (skanda.4.13.147)

इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा देवदेव उमापतिः। ददौ दर्शनसामर्थ्यं स्पृष्ट्वा पाणितलेन तम्

iti tadvacanaṁ śrutvā devadeva umāpatiḥ dadau darśanasāmarthyaṁ spṛṣṭvā pāṇitalena tam

Hearing these words, the God of gods, the lord of Uma, touching him with the palm of his hand, granted him the power of vision.

Verse 148 (skanda.4.13.148)

प्रसार्य नयने पूर्वमुमामेव व्यलोकयत्। शंभोः समीपे कायोषिदेषा सर्वांगसुंदरी

prasārya nayane pūrvamumāmeva vyalokayat śaṁbhoḥ samīpe kāyoṣideṣā sarvāṁgasuṁdarī

Opening his eyes, he first beheld Uma alone, standing beside Shambhu -- this woman, beautiful in every limb --

Verse 149 (skanda.4.13.149)

अनया किंतपस्तप्तं ममापि तपसोधिकम्। अहो रूपमहो प्रेम सौभाग्यश्रीरहो भृशम्

anayā kiṁtapastaptaṁ mamāpi tapasodhikam aho rūpamaho prema saubhāgyaśrīraho bhṛśam

and thought: 'What austerity did she perform, greater even than my own? Ah, what beauty! Ah, what love! Ah, such abundant glory of good fortune!'

Verse 150 (skanda.4.13.150)

क्रूरदृग्वीक्षते यावत्पुनःपुनरिदं वदन्। तावत्पुस्फोट तन्नेत्रं वामं वामा विलोकनात

krūradṛgvīkṣate yāvatpunaḥpunaridaṁ vadan tāvatpusphoṭa tannetraṁ vāmaṁ vāmā vilokanāta

As he gazed at her again and again with this thought, staring with an intense eye, his left eye suddenly burst, from the Lady's glance.

Verse 151 (skanda.4.13.151)

अथ देव्यब्रवीद्देवं किमसौ दुष्टतापसः। असकृद्वीक्ष्य मां वक्ति न्यक्कुर्वन्मे तपःप्रभाम्

atha devyabravīddevaṁ kimasau duṣṭatāpasaḥ asakṛdvīkṣya māṁ vakti nyakkurvanme tapaḥprabhām

Then the Goddess said to the Lord: 'Why does this wicked ascetic look at me again and again, speaking as if to belittle the radiance of my austerity?'

Verse 152 (skanda.4.13.152)

असकृद्दक्षिणेनाक्ष्णा पुनर्मामेवपश्यति। असूयमानो मे रूपं प्रेमसौभाग्यसंपदः

asakṛddakṣiṇenākṣṇā punarmāmevapaśyati asūyamāno me rūpaṁ premasaubhāgyasaṁpadaḥ

'Again and again with his right eye he keeps looking at me, as though envious of my beauty and the wealth of my love and fortune.'

Verse 153 (skanda.4.13.153)

इति देवीगिरं श्रुत्वा प्रहस्य प्राह तां प्रभुः। उमे त्वदीयः पुत्रोयं न च क्रूरेण चक्षुषा

iti devīgiraṁ śrutvā prahasya prāha tāṁ prabhuḥ ume tvadīyaḥ putroyaṁ na ca krūreṇa cakṣuṣā

Hearing the Goddess's words, the Lord smiled and said to her: 'O Uma, this is your own son; it is not with a cruel eye...'

Verse 154 (skanda.4.13.154)

संपश्यते तपो लक्ष्मीं तव किं त्वधिवर्णयेत्। इति देवीं समाभाष्य तमीशः पुनरब्रवीत्

saṁpaśyate tapo lakṣmīṁ tava kiṁ tvadhivarṇayet iti devīṁ samābhāṣya tamīśaḥ punarabravīt

'...that he beholds the splendor of your austerity; why then should you think it a slight?' Having thus addressed the Goddess, the Lord spoke again to him:

Verse 155 (skanda.4.13.155)

वरान्ददामि ते वत्स तपसानेन तोषितः। निधीनामधिनाथस्त्वं गुह्यकानां भवेश्वरः

varāndadāmi te vatsa tapasānena toṣitaḥ nidhīnāmadhināthastvaṁ guhyakānāṁ bhaveśvaraḥ

'I grant you boons, my child, pleased by this austerity of yours. Become the supreme lord of the treasures, and the lord of the Guhyakas.'

Verse 156 (skanda.4.13.156)

यक्षाणां किन्नराणां च राजा राज्ञां च सुव्रत। पतिः पुण्यजनानां च सर्वेषां धनदो भव

yakṣāṇāṁ kinnarāṇāṁ ca rājā rājñāṁ ca suvrata patiḥ puṇyajanānāṁ ca sarveṣāṁ dhanado bhava

'Become the king of the Yakshas and the Kinnaras, O one of noble vows, king of kings, and lord of the Punyajanas -- become Dhanada, giver of wealth, to all.'

Verse 157 (skanda.4.13.157)

मया सख्यं च ते नित्यं वत्स्यामि च तवांतिके। अलकां निकषामित्र तव प्रीतिविवृद्धये

mayā sakhyaṁ ca te nityaṁ vatsyāmi ca tavāṁtike alakāṁ nikaṣāmitra tava prītivivṛddhaye

'You shall have eternal friendship with me; and, for the increase of your affection, I shall dwell close beside Alaka.'

Verse 158 (skanda.4.13.158)

आगच्छ पादयोरस्याः पत ते जननी त्वियम्। इति दत्त्वा वरान्देवः पुनराह शिवां शिवः। प्रसादं कुरु देवेशि तपस्विन्यंगजेऽत्र वै

āgaccha pādayorasyāḥ pata te jananī tviyam iti dattvā varāndevaḥ punarāha śivāṁ śivaḥ prasādaṁ kuru deveśi tapasvinyaṁgaje'tra vai

'Come, fall at her feet -- she is your true mother.' Having granted these boons, Shiva spoke again to Shiva, Parvati: 'Show your grace, O Queen of the gods, to this your austere son.'

Verse 159 (skanda.4.13.159)

देव्युवाच। वत्स ते निश्चला भक्तिर्भवे भवतु सर्वदा। भवैकांषेंगोगोनेत्रेण वामेन स्फुटितेन ह

devyuvāca vatsa te niścalā bhaktirbhave bhavatu sarvadā bhavaikāṁṣeṁgogonetreṇa vāmena sphuṭitena ha

The Goddess said: 'My child, may your devotion to Shiva remain unwavering forever.' And regarding his left eye, now become as it were a part of Shiva's own being --

Verse 160 (skanda.4.13.160)

देवेन दत्ता ये तुभ्यं वराः संतु तथैव ते। कुबेरो भव नाम्ना त्वं मम रूपेर्ष्यया सुत

devena dattā ye tubhyaṁ varāḥ saṁtu tathaiva te kubero bhava nāmnā tvaṁ mama rūperṣyayā suta

'Whatever boons have been given to you by the Lord, let them all stand as they are. And, my son, because of your envy of my beauty, be known by the name Kubera, the ill-shaped one.'

Verse 161 (skanda.4.13.161)

त्वयेदं स्थापितं लिंगं तव नाम्ना भविष्यति। सिद्धिदं साधकानां च सर्वपापहरं परम्

tvayedaṁ sthāpitaṁ liṁgaṁ tava nāmnā bhaviṣyati siddhidaṁ sādhakānāṁ ca sarvapāpaharaṁ param

'This linga established by you shall become known by your own name, granting accomplishment to spiritual seekers, and supremely removing all sin.'

Verse 162 (skanda.4.13.162)

न धनेन वियुज्येत न सख्या न च बांधवैः। कुबेरेश्वरलिंगस्य कुर्याद्यो दर्शनं नरः

na dhanena viyujyeta na sakhyā na ca bāṁdhavaiḥ kubereśvaraliṁgasya kuryādyo darśanaṁ naraḥ

'Whoever beholds the linga of Kubereshvara shall never be parted from wealth, from friends, or from kinsmen.'

Verse 163 (skanda.4.13.163)

विश्वेशाद्दक्षिणेभागे कुबेरेशं समर्चयेत्। नरो लिप्येत नो पापैर्न दारिद्र्येण नोऽसुखैः

viśveśāddakṣiṇebhāge kubereśaṁ samarcayet naro lipyeta no pāpairna dāridryeṇa no'sukhaiḥ

'One should worship Kubereshvara, situated to the south of Vishveshvara; a man is then never tainted by sins, by poverty, or by misfortunes.'

Verse 164 (skanda.4.13.164)

इति दत्त्वा वरान्देवो देव्या सह महेश्वरः। धनदाया विवेशाथ धाम वैश्वेश्वरं परम्

iti dattvā varāndevo devyā saha maheśvaraḥ dhanadāyā viveśātha dhāma vaiśveśvaraṁ param

Having granted these boons, the great Lord, together with the Goddess, then, along with Dhanada, Kubera, entered the supreme abode of Vishveshvara.

Verse 165 (skanda.4.13.165)

गणावूचतुः। इत्थं सखित्वं श्रीशंभोः प्रापैष धनदः परम्। अलकां निकषाचैष कैलासः शंकरालयः

gaṇāvūcatuḥ itthaṁ sakhitvaṁ śrīśaṁbhoḥ prāpaiṣa dhanadaḥ param alakāṁ nikaṣācaiṣa kailāsaḥ śaṁkarālayaḥ

The two ganas said: Thus this Dhanada attained the supreme friendship of glorious Shambhu; and close beside Alaka lies Kailasa, the abode of Shankara.

Verse 166 (skanda.4.13.166)

पुर्यां यक्षेश्वराणां ते स्वरूपमिति वर्णितम्। यच्छ्रुत्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो नरो मुच्येदसंशयम्

puryāṁ yakṣeśvarāṇāṁ te svarūpamiti varṇitam yacchrutvā sarvapāpebhyo naro mucyedasaṁśayam

Thus has the true nature of the city of the lord of the Yakshas been described to you; hearing it, a man is undoubtedly freed from all sins.