The Consecration of Chaturbhuja

Verse 1 (skanda.4.23.1)

शिवशर्मोवाच । सत्यलोकेश्वर विधे सर्वेषां प्रपितामह । किंचिद्विज्ञप्तुकामोस्मि न भयाद्वक्तुमुत्सहे

śivaśarmovāca satyalokeśvara vidhe sarveṣāṁ prapitāmaha kiṁcidvijñaptukāmosmi na bhayādvaktumutsahe

Shivasharma said: "O Lord of Satyaloka, O Vidhi, great-grandfather of all beings, I wish to submit something to you, yet out of fear I do not dare to speak."

Verse 2 (skanda.4.23.2)

ब्रह्मोवाच । यत्त्वं प्रष्टुमना विप्र ज्ञातं ते तन्मनोगतम् । पिपृच्छिषुस्त्वं निर्वाणं गणौ तत्कथयिष्यतः

brahmovāca yattvaṁ praṣṭumanā vipra jñātaṁ te tanmanogatam pipṛcchiṣustvaṁ nirvāṇaṁ gaṇau tatkathayiṣyataḥ

Brahma said: "O brahmin, whatever is in your mind that you wish to ask, I already know it; you wish to ask about liberation -- these two ganas will tell you of it."

Verse 3 (skanda.4.23.3)

नेतयोर्विष्णुगणयोरगोचरमिहास्ति हि । सर्वमेतौ विजानीतो यत्किंचिद्ब्रह्मगो लके

netayorviṣṇugaṇayoragocaramihāsti hi sarvametau vijānīto yatkiṁcidbrahmago lake

"There is nothing here beyond the ken of these two ganas of Vishnu; they know everything, whatever exists within Brahma's own sphere."

Verse 4 (skanda.4.23.4)

इत्युक्त्वा सत्कृतास्ते वै ब्रह्मणा भगवद्गणाः । प्रणम्य लोककर्तारं तेऽपि हृष्टाः प्रतस्थिरे

ityuktvā satkṛtāste vai brahmaṇā bhagavadgaṇāḥ praṇamya lokakartāraṁ te'pi hṛṣṭāḥ pratasthire

Having said this, those ganas of the Lord were duly honored by Brahma; and they too, having bowed to the creator of the worlds, set out again, rejoicing.

Verse 5 (skanda.4.23.5)

पुनः स्वयानमारुह्य वैकुंठमभितो ययुः । गच्छतापि पुनस्तत्र द्विजेनापृच्छितौ गणौ

punaḥ svayānamāruhya vaikuṁṭhamabhito yayuḥ gacchatāpi punastatra dvijenāpṛcchitau gaṇau

Mounting their own celestial car once more, they proceeded on towards Vaikuntha; and as they went, the brahmin again questioned the two ganas.

Verse 6 (skanda.4.23.6)

शिवशर्मोवाच । कियद्दूरे वयं प्राप्ता गंतव्यं च कियत्पुनः । पृच्छाम्यन्यच्च वां भद्रौ ब्रूतं प्रीत्या तदप्यहो

śivaśarmovāca kiyaddūre vayaṁ prāptā gaṁtavyaṁ ca kiyatpunaḥ pṛcchāmyanyacca vāṁ bhadrau brūtaṁ prītyā tadapyaho

Shivasharma said: "How far have we come, and how much farther is there yet to go? I ask you two something else as well, O gracious ones -- tell me that too, with affection."

Verse 7 (skanda.4.23.7)

कांच्यवंती द्वारवती काश्ययोध्या च पंचमी । मायापुरी च मथुरा पुर्यः सप्त विमुक्तिदाः

kāṁcyavaṁtī dvāravatī kāśyayodhyā ca paṁcamī māyāpurī ca mathurā puryaḥ sapta vimuktidāḥ

"Kanchi, Avanti, Dvaravati, and Kashi, with Ayodhya the fifth, Mayapuri, and Mathura -- these seven cities bestow liberation."

Verse 8 (skanda.4.23.8)

विहाय षट्पुरीश्चान्याः काश्यामेवप्रतिष्ठिता । मुक्तिर्विश्वसृजा तत्किं मम मुक्तिर्न संप्रति

vihāya ṣaṭpurīścānyāḥ kāśyāmevapratiṣṭhitā muktirviśvasṛjā tatkiṁ mama muktirna saṁprati

"Setting aside the other six cities, liberation has been established by the Creator of the universe in Kashi alone -- why then should not my own liberation be assured even now?"

Verse 9 (skanda.4.23.9)

इति सर्वं मम पुरः प्रसादाद्वक्तुमर्हतम् । इति तद्वाक्यमाकर्ण्य गणावूचतुरादरात्

iti sarvaṁ mama puraḥ prasādādvaktumarhatam iti tadvākyamākarṇya gaṇāvūcaturādarāt

"All this you should, out of grace, be pleased to explain to me." Hearing these words of his, the two ganas spoke respectfully.

Verse 10 (skanda.4.23.10)

गणावूचतुः । यथार्थं कथयावस्ते यत्पृष्टं भवतानघ । विष्णुप्रसादाज्जानीवो भूतंभाविभवत्तथा

gaṇāvūcatuḥ yathārthaṁ kathayāvaste yatpṛṣṭaṁ bhavatānagha viṣṇuprasādājjānīvo bhūtaṁbhāvibhavattathā

The two ganas said: "We shall tell you truly, O sinless one, what you have asked; by the grace of Vishnu we know what has been, what shall be, and what now is."

Verse 11 (skanda.4.23.11)

विप्रावभासते यावत्किरणैः पुष्पवंतयोः । तावतीभूः समुद्दिष्टा ससमुद्राद्रि कानना

viprāvabhāsate yāvatkiraṇaiḥ puṣpavaṁtayoḥ tāvatībhūḥ samuddiṣṭā sasamudrādri kānanā

"O brahmin, as far as light extends through the rays of the sun and moon, that far the earth is declared to reach, together with its oceans, mountains, and forests."

Verse 12 (skanda.4.23.12)

वियच्च तावदुपरि विस्तारपरिमंडलम् । योजनानां च नियुते भूमेर्भानुर्व्यवस्थितः

viyacca tāvadupari vistāraparimaṁḍalam yojanānāṁ ca niyute bhūmerbhānurvyavasthitaḥ

"And the sky extends in a circle of equal breadth above it. At a distance of two hundred thousand yojanas from the earth, the sun is situated."

Verse 13 (skanda.4.23.13)

भानोः सकाशादुपरि लक्षे लक्ष्यः क्षपाकरः । नक्षत्रधं(मं?)डलं सोमाल्लक्षयोजनमुच्छ्रितम्

bhānoḥ sakāśādupari lakṣe lakṣyaḥ kṣapākaraḥ nakṣatradhaṁ(maṁ?)ḍalaṁ somāllakṣayojanamucchritam

"Above the sun, at a distance of a hundred thousand yojanas, the moon is to be found; and above the moon, the circle of the constellations rises a hundred thousand yojanas higher."

Verse 14 (skanda.4.23.14)

उडुमंडलतः सौम्य उपरिष्टाद्द्विलक्षतः । द्विलक्षे तु बुधाच्छुक्रः शुक्राद्भौमो द्विलक्षके

uḍumaṁḍalataḥ saumya upariṣṭāddvilakṣataḥ dvilakṣe tu budhācchukraḥ śukrādbhaumo dvilakṣake

"Above the circle of the constellations, at two hundred thousand yojanas, is gentle Mercury; two hundred thousand yojanas above Mercury is Venus, and two hundred thousand yojanas above Venus is Mars."

Verse 15 (skanda.4.23.15)

माहेयादुपरिष्टाच्च सुरेज्यो नियुतद्वये । द्विलक्षयोजनोत्सेधः सौरिर्देवपुरोहितात्

māheyādupariṣṭācca surejyo niyutadvaye dvilakṣayojanotsedhaḥ saurirdevapurohitāt

"Above Mars, at two hundred thousand yojanas, is Brihaspati, preceptor of the gods; and two hundred thousand yojanas above the preceptor of the gods rises Saturn."

Verse 16 (skanda.4.23.16)

दशायुतसमुच्छ्रायं सौरेः सप्तर्षिमंडलम् । सप्तर्षिभ्यः सहस्राणां शतादूर्ध्वं ध्रुवस्थितः

daśāyutasamucchrāyaṁ saureḥ saptarṣimaṁḍalam saptarṣibhyaḥ sahasrāṇāṁ śatādūrdhvaṁ dhruvasthitaḥ

"Above Saturn, at a hundred thousand yojanas, is the circle of the Seven Sages; and above the Seven Sages, at a hundred thousand yojanas higher still, Dhruva has his station."

Verse 17 (skanda.4.23.17)

पादगम्यं हि यत्किंचिद्वस्त्वस्ति धरणीतले । तद्भूर्लोक इति ख्यातः साब्धिद्वीपाद्रिकाननम्

pādagamyaṁ hi yatkiṁcidvastvasti dharaṇītale tadbhūrloka iti khyātaḥ sābdhidvīpādrikānanam

"Whatever exists that can be reached by foot upon the surface of the earth, that is known as Bhurloka, together with its oceans, continents, mountains, and forests."

Verse 18 (skanda.4.23.18)

भूर्लोकाच्च भुवर्लोको ब्रध्नावधिरुदाहृतः । आदित्यादाध्रुवं विप्र स्वर्लोक इति गीयते

bhūrlokācca bhuvarloko bradhnāvadhirudāhṛtaḥ ādityādādhruvaṁ vipra svarloka iti gīyate

"Above Bhurloka is Bhuvarloka, said to extend up to the sun; and from the sun up to Dhruva, O brahmin, is sung of as Svarloka."

Verse 19 (skanda.4.23.19)

महर्लोकः क्षितेरूर्ध्वमेककोटिप्रमाणतः । कोटिद्वये तु संख्यातो जनो भूर्लोकतो जनैः

maharlokaḥ kṣiterūrdhvamekakoṭipramāṇataḥ koṭidvaye tu saṁkhyāto jano bhūrlokato janaiḥ

"Maharloka lies above the earth at a measure of one crore yojanas; and Janaloka is reckoned by the wise at two crore yojanas above Bhurloka."

Verse 20 (skanda.4.23.20)

चतुष्कोटिप्रमाणस्तु तपोलोकोऽस्ति भूतलात् । उपरिष्टात्क्षितेरष्टौ कोटयः सत्यमीरितम्

catuṣkoṭipramāṇastu tapoloko'sti bhūtalāt upariṣṭātkṣiteraṣṭau koṭayaḥ satyamīritam

"Tapoloka is at a measure of four crore yojanas from the earth's surface; and eight crore yojanas above the earth, Satyaloka is declared to be."

Verse 21 (skanda.4.23.21)

सत्यादुपरि वैकुंठो योजनानां प्रमाणतः । भूर्लोकात्परिसंख्यातः कोटिषोडशसंमितः

satyādupari vaikuṁṭho yojanānāṁ pramāṇataḥ bhūrlokātparisaṁkhyātaḥ koṭiṣoḍaśasaṁmitaḥ

"Above Satyaloka is Vaikuntha, reckoned in measure of yojanas from Bhurloka as equal to sixteen crores."

Verse 22 (skanda.4.23.22)

यत्रास्ते श्रीपतिः साक्षात्सर्वेषामभयप्रदः । ततस्तु षोडशगुणः कैलासोऽस्ति शिवालयः

yatrāste śrīpatiḥ sākṣātsarveṣāmabhayapradaḥ tatastu ṣoḍaśaguṇaḥ kailāso'sti śivālayaḥ

"There dwells the Lord of Shri himself, in person, the bestower of fearlessness upon all; and sixteen times beyond that lies Kailasa, the abode of Shiva."

Verse 23 (skanda.4.23.23)

पार्वत्या सहितः शंभुर्गजास्य स्कंद नंदिभिः । यत्र तिष्ठति विश्वेशः सकलः स परः स्मूतः

pārvatyā sahitaḥ śaṁbhurgajāsya skaṁda naṁdibhiḥ yatra tiṣṭhati viśveśaḥ sakalaḥ sa paraḥ smūtaḥ

"There Shambhu abides together with Parvati, Ganesha, Skanda, and Nandi; there resides Vishvesha, who is proclaimed to be both the manifest and the Supreme, transcendent Being."

Verse 24 (skanda.4.23.24)

तस्य देवस्य खेलोऽयं स्वलीला मूर्तिधारिणः । स विश्वेश इति ख्यात स्तस्याज्ञाकृदिदं जगत्

tasya devasya khelo'yaṁ svalīlā mūrtidhāriṇaḥ sa viśveśa iti khyāta stasyājñākṛdidaṁ jagat

"This entire universe is but the play of that God, who bears form through his own free sport; he is known as Vishvesha, and this whole world acts under his command."

Verse 25 (skanda.4.23.25)

सर्वेषां शासकश्चासौ तस्य शास्ता न चापरः । स्वयं सृजति भूतानि स्वयं पाति तथात्ति च

sarveṣāṁ śāsakaścāsau tasya śāstā na cāparaḥ svayaṁ sṛjati bhūtāni svayaṁ pāti tathātti ca

"He is the ruler of all, and there is no other ruler over him; he himself creates all beings, himself sustains them, and himself withdraws them again."

Verse 26 (skanda.4.23.26)

सर्वज्ञ एकः स प्रोक्तः स्वेच्छाधीन विचेष्टितः । तस्य प्रवतर्कः कोपि नहि नैव निवर्तकः

sarvajña ekaḥ sa proktaḥ svecchādhīna viceṣṭitaḥ tasya pravatarkaḥ kopi nahi naiva nivartakaḥ

"He alone is declared to be omniscient, his every action dependent on his own free will; there is no one who can either impel or restrain him."

Verse 27 (skanda.4.23.27)

अमूर्तं यत्परं ब्रह्म समूर्तं श्रुतिचोदितम् । सर्वव्यापि सदा नित्यं सत्यं द्वैतविवर्जितम्

amūrtaṁ yatparaṁ brahma samūrtaṁ śruticoditam sarvavyāpi sadā nityaṁ satyaṁ dvaitavivarjitam

"That which is the formless Supreme Brahman, which the Shrutis also proclaim as taking form, all-pervading, eternal, ever true, and free of all duality..."

Verse 28 (skanda.4.23.28)

सर्वेभ्यः कारणेभ्यश्च परात्परतरं परम् । आनंदं ब्रह्मणो रूपं श्रुतयो यत्प्रचक्षते

sarvebhyaḥ kāraṇebhyaśca parātparataraṁ param ānaṁdaṁ brahmaṇo rūpaṁ śrutayo yatpracakṣate

"...that supreme reality, beyond even the highest of causes, that form of Brahman which the Shrutis declare to be bliss itself..."

Verse 29 (skanda.4.23.29)

संविदं तेन यं वेदा विष्णुर्वेद न वै विधिः । यतो वाचो निवर्तंते ह्यप्राप्य मनसा सह

saṁvidaṁ tena yaṁ vedā viṣṇurveda na vai vidhiḥ yato vāco nivartaṁte hyaprāpya manasā saha

"...that consciousness which even Vishnu knows, but which even Brahma does not know; that from which words, together with the mind, turn back, unable to attain it..."

Verse 30 (skanda.4.23.30)

स्वयंवेद्यः परं ज्योतिः सर्वस्य हृदि संस्थितः । योगिगम्यस्त्वनाख्येयो यः प्रमाणैकगोचरः

svayaṁvedyaḥ paraṁ jyotiḥ sarvasya hṛdi saṁsthitaḥ yogigamyastvanākhyeyo yaḥ pramāṇaikagocaraḥ

"...that supreme light knowable only by itself, seated in the heart of all, attainable only by yogis, indescribable, known only through the singular authority of scripture."

Verse 31 (skanda.4.23.31)

नानारूपोप्यरूपो यः सर्वगोपि न गोचरः । अनंतोप्यंतक वपुः सर्ववित्कर्मवर्जितः

nānārūpopyarūpo yaḥ sarvagopi na gocaraḥ anaṁtopyaṁtaka vapuḥ sarvavitkarmavarjitaḥ

"That which, though of manifold forms, is formless; though all-pervading, is not perceivable by the senses; though infinite, has the form of Death itself; all-knowing, yet free of all action..."

Verse 32 (skanda.4.23.32)

तस्येदमैश्वरं रूपं खंडचंद्रावतंसकम् । तमालश्यामलगलं स्फुरद्भालविलोचनम्

tasyedamaiśvaraṁ rūpaṁ khaṁḍacaṁdrāvataṁsakam tamālaśyāmalagalaṁ sphuradbhālavilocanam

"...that Being's own divine, majestic form is now described: crowned with the crescent moon, its throat dark as the tamala tree, its forehead gleaming with the third eye..."

Verse 33 (skanda.4.23.33)

लसद्वामार्धनारीकं कृतशेषशुभांगदम् । गंगातरंगसत्संग सदाधौतजटातटम्

lasadvāmārdhanārīkaṁ kṛtaśeṣaśubhāṁgadam gaṁgātaraṁgasatsaṁga sadādhautajaṭātaṭam

"...its left half radiant as woman, its arm adorned with the Shesha serpent as a bracelet, its matted locks ever washed pure by the touch of the Ganga's waves..."

Verse 34 (skanda.4.23.34)

स्मरांगरजःपुंज पूजितावयवोज्ज्वलम् । विचित्रगात्रविधृतमहाव्यालविभूषणम्

smarāṁgarajaḥpuṁja pūjitāvayavojjvalam vicitragātravidhṛtamahāvyālavibhūṣaṇam

"...its radiant limbs, worshipped even by the very ash of the body of Kama, its wondrous body adorned with great serpents as ornaments..."

Verse 35 (skanda.4.23.35)

महोक्षस्यंदनगमं विरुताजगवायुधम्। गजाजिनोत्तरासंगं दशार्धवदनं शुभम्

mahokṣasyaṁdanagamaṁ virutājagavāyudham gajājinottarāsaṁgaṁ daśārdhavadanaṁ śubham

"...moving upon the great bull as its chariot, wielding the resounding Ajagava bow as its weapon, wearing the elephant-hide as its upper garment, its auspicious face fivefold..."

Verse 36 (skanda.4.23.36)

उत्त्रासित महामृत्यु महाबलगणावृतम् । शरणार्थिकृतत्राणं नत निर्वाणकारणम् । मनोरथपथातीतं वरदानपरायणम्

uttrāsita mahāmṛtyu mahābalagaṇāvṛtam śaraṇārthikṛtatrāṇaṁ nata nirvāṇakāraṇam manorathapathātītaṁ varadānaparāyaṇam

"...at which even great Death himself trembles in awe, surrounded by hosts of tremendous power, granting protection to those who seek its refuge, the cause of liberation for those who bow to it, beyond the very path of imagination, ever intent on granting boons."

Verse 37 (skanda.4.23.37)

तस्य तत्त्वस्वरूपस्य रूपातीतस्य भो द्विज । परावरे रुद्ररूपे सर्वेव्याप्यावतिष्ठत

tasya tattvasvarūpasya rūpātītasya bho dvija parāvare rudrarūpe sarvevyāpyāvatiṣṭhata

"O brahmin, that Being, whose true nature transcends all form, abides pervading everything, both in the highest and in this Rudra-form manifest below."

Verse 38 (skanda.4.23.38)

निराकारोपि साकारः शिव एव हि कारणम । मुक्तये भुक्तये वापि न शिवान्मोक्षदो परः

nirākāropi sākāraḥ śiva eva hi kāraṇama muktaye bhuktaye vāpi na śivānmokṣado paraḥ

"Though formless, he takes on form; Shiva alone is the true cause, whether for liberation or for worldly enjoyment. There is no bestower of liberation greater than Shiva."

Verse 39 (skanda.4.23.39)

यथा तेनाखिलं ह्येतत्पार्वतीपतिसात्कृतम । इदं चराचरं सर्वं दृश्यादृश्यमरूपिणा

yathā tenākhilaṁ hyetatpārvatīpatisātkṛtama idaṁ carācaraṁ sarvaṁ dṛśyādṛśyamarūpiṇā

"Just as this entire moving and unmoving universe, visible and invisible, has been wholly made subject to the Lord of Parvati, though himself formless..."

Verse 40 (skanda.4.23.40)

तथा मृडानीकांतेन विष्णुसादखिलंजगत । विधाय क्रीड्यते विप्र नित्यं स्वच्छंद लीलया

tathā mṛḍānīkāṁtena viṣṇusādakhilaṁjagata vidhāya krīḍyate vipra nityaṁ svacchaṁda līlayā

"...so too the Lord of Mridani, having placed this entire world under Vishnu's authority, sports eternally, O brahmin, in his own free and independent play."

Verse 41 (skanda.4.23.41)

यथाशिवस्तथा विष्णुर्यथाविष्णुस्तथा शिवः । अंतरं शिवविष्ण्वोश्च मनागपि न विद्यते

yathāśivastathā viṣṇuryathāviṣṇustathā śivaḥ aṁtaraṁ śivaviṣṇvośca manāgapi na vidyate

"As is Shiva, so is Vishnu; as is Vishnu, so is Shiva. Between Shiva and Vishnu there exists not even the slightest difference."

Verse 42 (skanda.4.23.42)

आहूय पूर्वं ब्रह्मादीन्समस्तान्देवतागणान् । विद्याधरोरगादींश्च सिद्धगंधर्वचारणान्

āhūya pūrvaṁ brahmādīnsamastāndevatāgaṇān vidyādharoragādīṁśca siddhagaṁdharvacāraṇān

Having first summoned Brahma and all the assembled hosts of gods, together with the Vidyadharas, the serpent races, and the Siddhas, Gandharvas, and Charanas...

Verse 43 (skanda.4.23.43)

निजसिंहासनसमं कृत्वा सिंहासनं शुभम् । उपवेश्य हरिं तत्र च्छत्रं कृत्वा मनोहरम्

nijasiṁhāsanasamaṁ kṛtvā siṁhāsanaṁ śubham upaveśya hariṁ tatra cchatraṁ kṛtvā manoharam

...and having a splendid throne made equal to his own, Shiva seated Hari upon it, and had a beautiful royal parasol made for him.

Verse 44 (skanda.4.23.44)

श्लक्ष्णं कोटिशलाकं च विश्वकर्मविनिर्मितम् । पांडुरं रत्नदंडं च स्थूलमुक्तावलंबितम्

ślakṣṇaṁ koṭiśalākaṁ ca viśvakarmavinirmitam pāṁḍuraṁ ratnadaṁḍaṁ ca sthūlamuktāvalaṁbitam

That smooth parasol, with countless ribs, fashioned by Vishvakarma, white in hue, its shaft studded with jewels, hung all about with large pearls...

Verse 45 (skanda.4.23.45)

कलशेन विचित्रेण ह्युपरिष्टाद्विराजितम् । सहस्रयोजनायामं सर्वरत्नमयं शुभम्

kalaśena vicitreṇa hyupariṣṭādvirājitam sahasrayojanāyāmaṁ sarvaratnamayaṁ śubham

...crowned above by a wondrous finial, extending a thousand yojanas in span, entirely of jewels, most auspicious.

Verse 46 (skanda.4.23.46)

पट्टसूत्रमयैरम्यैश्चामरैश्च परिष्कृतम् । राजाभिषेकयोग्यैश्च द्रव्यैः सर्वौषधादिभिः

paṭṭasūtramayairamyaiścāmaraiśca pariṣkṛtam rājābhiṣekayogyaiśca dravyaiḥ sarvauṣadhādibhiḥ

It was adorned with beautiful chowries made of silken thread, together with all the substances fit for a royal consecration -- herbs and the rest.

Verse 47 (skanda.4.23.47)

प्रत्यक्षतीर्थपाथोभिः पंचकुंभैर्मनोहरैः । सिद्धार्थाक्षतदूर्वाभिर्मंत्रैः स्वयमुपस्थितैः

pratyakṣatīrthapāthobhiḥ paṁcakuṁbhairmanoharaiḥ siddhārthākṣatadūrvābhirmaṁtraiḥ svayamupasthitaiḥ

With the actual waters of the sacred fords, in five lovely pitchers, with white mustard, unbroken rice, and durva grass, and with mantras that of themselves came to hand...

Verse 48 (skanda.4.23.48)

देवानां च तथर्षीणां सिद्धानां फणिनामपि । आनीय मंगलकराः कन्याः षोडशषोडश

devānāṁ ca tatharṣīṇāṁ siddhānāṁ phaṇināmapi ānīya maṁgalakarāḥ kanyāḥ ṣoḍaśaṣoḍaśa

...and, bringing sixteen auspicious maidens each from among the daughters of the gods, the sages, the Siddhas, and the serpents...

Verse 49 (skanda.4.23.49)

वीणामृदंगाब्जभेरी मरु डिंडिमझर्झरैः । आनकैः कांस्यतालाद्यै र्वाद्यैर्ललितगायनैः

vīṇāmṛdaṁgābjabherī maru ḍiṁḍimajharjharaiḥ ānakaiḥ kāṁsyatālādyai rvādyairlalitagāyanaiḥ

...amid the sound of vina, mridanga, kettle-drum, war-drum, small drum, jharjhara, large drum, cymbals, and the rest, with graceful singing...

Verse 50 (skanda.4.23.50)

ब्रह्मघोषमहारावैरापूरितनभोंगणे । शुभे तिथौ शुभे लग्ने ताराचंद्रबलान्विते

brahmaghoṣamahārāvairāpūritanabhoṁgaṇe śubhe tithau śubhe lagne tārācaṁdrabalānvite

...and with the great resounding chant of Vedic recitation, filling the whole vault of the sky, on an auspicious lunar day, at an auspicious hour, blessed with the strength of stars and moon...

Verse 51 (skanda.4.23.51)

आबद्धमुकुटं रम्यं कृतकौतुकमंगलम् । मृडानीकृतशृंगारं सुश्रिया सुश्रियायुतम्

ābaddhamukuṭaṁ ramyaṁ kṛtakautukamaṁgalam mṛḍānīkṛtaśṛṁgāraṁ suśriyā suśriyāyutam

...Hari, his crown bound about him, lovely, adorned with auspicious ritual threads, his ornaments arranged by Mridani herself, endowed with the fair goddess Shri...

Verse 52 (skanda.4.23.52)

अभिषिच्य महेशेन स्वयं ब्रह्मांडमंडपे । दत्तं समस्तमैश्वर्यं यन्निजं नान्यगामि च

abhiṣicya maheśena svayaṁ brahmāṁḍamaṁḍape dattaṁ samastamaiśvaryaṁ yannijaṁ nānyagāmi ca

...Mahesha himself, in the very pavilion of the cosmic egg, anointed with the consecration; and he bestowed upon him complete sovereignty, his own, never to pass to another.

Verse 53 (skanda.4.23.53)

ततस्तुष्टाव देवेशः प्रमथैः सह शार्ङ्गिणम् । ब्रह्माणं लोककर्तारमुवाच च वचस्त्विदम्

tatastuṣṭāva deveśaḥ pramathaiḥ saha śārṅgiṇam brahmāṇaṁ lokakartāramuvāca ca vacastvidam

Then the Lord of the gods, together with his Pramathas, praised the wielder of the Sharnga bow; and he spoke these words to Brahma, the creator of the worlds:

Verse 54 (skanda.4.23.54)

मम वंद्यस्त्वयं विष्णुः प्रणमत्वममुं हरिम् । इत्युक्त्वाथ स्वयं रुद्रो ननाम गरुडध्वजम्

mama vaṁdyastvayaṁ viṣṇuḥ praṇamatvamamuṁ harim ityuktvātha svayaṁ rudro nanāma garuḍadhvajam

"This Vishnu is worthy of my own veneration; let all bow before this Hari." Having said this, Rudra himself bowed before the one whose banner bears Garuda.

Verse 55 (skanda.4.23.55)

ततो गणेश्वरैः सर्वैंर्ब्रह्मणा च मरुद्गणैः । योगिभिः सनकाद्यैश्च सिद्धैर्देवर्षिभिस्तथा

tato gaṇeśvaraiḥ sarvaiṁrbrahmaṇā ca marudgaṇaiḥ yogibhiḥ sanakādyaiśca siddhairdevarṣibhistathā

Then, by all the lords of the ganas, by Brahma and the hosts of the Maruts, by yogis such as Sanaka, by the Siddhas, and by the divine sages as well...

Verse 56 (skanda.4.23.56)

विद्याधरैः सगंधर्वैर्यक्षरक्षोप्सरोगणैः । गुह्यकैश्चारणैर्भूतैः शेष वासुकि तक्षकैः

vidyādharaiḥ sagaṁdharvairyakṣarakṣopsarogaṇaiḥ guhyakaiścāraṇairbhūtaiḥ śeṣa vāsuki takṣakaiḥ

...and by the Vidyadharas, along with the Gandharvas, the hosts of Yakshas, Rakshasas, and Apsaras, by the Guhyakas, the Charanas, the Bhutas, and by Shesha, Vasuki, and Takshaka...

Verse 57 (skanda.4.23.57)

पतत्रिभिः किंनरैश्च सर्वैः स्थावरजंगमैः । ततो जयजयेत्युक्त्वा नमोस्त्विति नमोस्त्विति

patatribhiḥ kiṁnaraiśca sarvaiḥ sthāvarajaṁgamaiḥ tato jayajayetyuktvā namostviti namostviti

...by the birds, the Kinnaras, and by all things moving and unmoving, "Victory, victory!" was proclaimed, and "Salutation, salutation!" again and again.

Verse 58 (skanda.4.23.58)

ततोहरिर्महेशेन संसदि द्युसदां तदा । एतैर्महारवै रम्यैश्चानर्चि परमार्चिषा

tatoharirmaheśena saṁsadi dyusadāṁ tadā etairmahāravai ramyaiścānarci paramārciṣā

Then Hari, in the assembly of the celestial beings, was worshipped by Mahesha himself with the highest reverence, amid these great and delightful sounds of acclaim.

Verse 59 (skanda.4.23.59)

त्वं कर्ता सर्वभूतानां पाता हर्ता त्वमेव च । त्वमेव जगतां पूज्यस्त्वमेव जगदीश्वरः

tvaṁ kartā sarvabhūtānāṁ pātā hartā tvameva ca tvameva jagatāṁ pūjyastvameva jagadīśvaraḥ

[Shiva said:] "You are the creator of all beings, and you alone are their sustainer and destroyer as well; you alone are worthy of the worship of the worlds, you alone are the Lord of the universe."

Verse 60 (skanda.4.23.60)

दाता धर्मार्थकामानां शास्ता दुर्नयकारिणाम् । अजेयस्त्वं च संग्रामे ममापि हि भविष्यसि

dātā dharmārthakāmānāṁ śāstā durnayakāriṇām ajeyastvaṁ ca saṁgrāme mamāpi hi bhaviṣyasi

"You are the bestower of dharma, artha, and kama, the chastiser of the wicked; and you shall be invincible in battle, even to me."

Verse 61 (skanda.4.23.61)

इच्छाशक्तिः क्रियाशक्तिर्ज्ञानशक्तिस्तथोत्तमा । शक्तित्रयमिदं विष्णो गृहाण प्रापितं मया

icchāśaktiḥ kriyāśaktirjñānaśaktistathottamā śaktitrayamidaṁ viṣṇo gṛhāṇa prāpitaṁ mayā

"The power of will, the power of action, and the supreme power of knowledge -- these three powers, O Vishnu, receive from me, offered to you."

Verse 62 (skanda.4.23.62)

त्वद्द्वेष्टारो हरे नूनं मया शास्याः प्रयत्नतः । त्वद्भक्तानां मया विष्णो देयं निर्वाणमुत्तमम्

tvaddveṣṭāro hare nūnaṁ mayā śāsyāḥ prayatnataḥ tvadbhaktānāṁ mayā viṣṇo deyaṁ nirvāṇamuttamam

"Your haters, O Hari, shall surely be diligently chastised by me; and to your devotees, O Vishnu, I myself shall grant the highest liberation."

Verse 63 (skanda.4.23.63)

मायां चापि गृहाणेमां दुष्प्रणोद्यां सुरासुरैः । यया संमोहितं विश्वमकिंचिज्ज्ञं भविष्यति

māyāṁ cāpi gṛhāṇemāṁ duṣpraṇodyāṁ surāsuraiḥ yayā saṁmohitaṁ viśvamakiṁcijjñaṁ bhaviṣyati

"Take also this power of Maya, impossible to dispel by gods or demons, by which the whole universe, thus deluded, shall become utterly unknowing."

Verse 64 (skanda.4.23.64)

वामबाहुर्मदीयस्त्वं दक्षिणोसौ पितामहः । अस्यापि हि विधेः पाता जनितापि भविष्यसि

vāmabāhurmadīyastvaṁ dakṣiṇosau pitāmahaḥ asyāpi hi vidheḥ pātā janitāpi bhaviṣyasi

"You are my own left arm; that Grandsire Brahma is my right. And you too shall become the protector, indeed even the begetter, of this Creator himself."

Verse 65 (skanda.4.23.65)

वैकुंठैश्वर्यमासाद्य हरेरित्थं हरः स्वयम् । कैलासे प्रमथैः सार्धं स्वैरं क्रीडत्युमापतिः

vaikuṁṭhaiśvaryamāsādya hareritthaṁ haraḥ svayam kailāse pramathaiḥ sārdhaṁ svairaṁ krīḍatyumāpatiḥ

Having thus bestowed upon Hari the sovereignty of Vaikuntha, Hara himself, the Lord of Uma, sports freely on Kailasa together with his Pramathas.

Verse 66 (skanda.4.23.66)

तदा प्रभृति देवोसौ शार्ङ्गधन्वा गदाधरः । त्रैलोक्यमखिलं शास्ति दानवांतकरो हरिः

tadā prabhṛti devosau śārṅgadhanvā gadādharaḥ trailokyamakhilaṁ śāsti dānavāṁtakaro hariḥ

From that time onward, that god, wielder of the Sharnga bow, bearer of the mace, Hari the destroyer of the Danavas, rules over the entire three worlds.

Verse 67 (skanda.4.23.67)

इति ते कथिता विप्र लोकानां च परिस्थितिः । इदानीं कथयिष्यावस्तवनिर्वाण कारणम्

iti te kathitā vipra lokānāṁ ca paristhitiḥ idānīṁ kathayiṣyāvastavanirvāṇa kāraṇam

"Thus, O brahmin, has the arrangement of the worlds been told to you; now we shall tell you the cause of your own liberation."

Verse 68 (skanda.4.23.68)

इदं तु परमाख्यानं शृणुयाद्यः समाहितः । स्वर्लोकमभिगम्याथ काश्यां निर्वाणमाप्नुयात्

idaṁ tu paramākhyānaṁ śṛṇuyādyaḥ samāhitaḥ svarlokamabhigamyātha kāśyāṁ nirvāṇamāpnuyāt

"Whoever listens to this supreme narrative with a composed mind shall attain to Svarloka, and thereafter attain liberation in Kashi."

Verse 69 (skanda.4.23.69)

यज्ञोत्सवे विवाहे च मंगलेष्वखिलेष्वपि । राज्याभिषेक समये देवस्थापनकर्मणि

yajñotsave vivāhe ca maṁgaleṣvakhileṣvapi rājyābhiṣeka samaye devasthāpanakarmaṇi

"At sacrificial festivals, at weddings, on all auspicious occasions whatsoever, at the time of a royal coronation, and at the rite of installing a deity..."

Verse 70 (skanda.4.23.70)

सर्वाधिकारदानेषु नववेश्मप्रवेशने । पठितव्यं प्रयत्नेन तत्कार्य परिसिद्धये

sarvādhikāradāneṣu navaveśmapraveśane paṭhitavyaṁ prayatnena tatkārya parisiddhaye

"...at the granting of every kind of authority, and at the entering of a new house -- this should be diligently recited, for the complete success of that undertaking."

Verse 71 (skanda.4.23.71)

अपुत्रो लभते पुत्रमधनो धनवान्भवेत् । व्याधितो मुच्यते रोगाद्बद्धो मुच्येत बंधनात्

aputro labhate putramadhano dhanavānbhavet vyādhito mucyate rogādbaddho mucyeta baṁdhanāt

"The childless obtains a son, the poor becomes wealthy; the sick is freed from disease, the bound is freed from bondage."

Verse 72 (skanda.4.23.72)

जप्यमेतत्प्रयत्नेन सततं मंगलार्थिना । अमंगलानां शमनं हरनारायणप्रियम

japyametatprayatnena satataṁ maṁgalārthinā amaṁgalānāṁ śamanaṁ haranārāyaṇapriyama

"This should be constantly recited with diligence by one who desires auspiciousness; it is the queller of all misfortune, and dear to both Hara and Narayana."