The Might of King Divodasa

Verse 1 (skanda.4.43.1)

॥ अगस्तिरुवाच॥ दिवोदासं नरपतिं कथं देवस्त्रिलोचनः॥ काशीं संत्याजयामास कथमागाच्च मंदरात्॥ एतदाख्यानमाख्याहि श्रोतॄणां प्रमुदे भगोः

agastiruvāca divodāsaṁ narapatiṁ kathaṁ devastrilocanaḥ kāśīṁ saṁtyājayāmāsa kathamāgācca maṁdarāt etadākhyānamākhyāhi śrotṝṇāṁ pramude bhagoḥ

Agasti said: O Lord, how did the three-eyed God make King Divodasa give up Kashi, and how did He return from Mount Mandara? Tell this tale, for the delight of your listeners.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.43.2)

॥ स्कंद उवाच॥ मंदरं गतवान्देवो ब्रह्मणो वाक्य गौरवात्॥ तपसा तस्य संतुष्टो मंदरस्यैव भूभृतः

skaṁda uvāca maṁdaraṁ gatavāndevo brahmaṇo vākya gauravāt tapasā tasya saṁtuṣṭo maṁdarasyaiva bhūbhṛtaḥ

Skanda said: Out of regard for Brahma's word, the God went to Mount Mandara, for He was pleased with the austerities of Mandara, the lord of mountains himself.

Verse 3 (skanda.4.43.3)

गते विश्वेश्वरे देवे मंदरं गिरिसुंदरम्॥ गिरिशेन समं जग्मुरपि सर्वे दिवौकसः

gate viśveśvare deve maṁdaraṁ girisuṁdaram giriśena samaṁ jagmurapi sarve divaukasaḥ

When Lord Vishveshvara went to the beautiful mountain of Mandara, all the other gods went there too, along with Girisha.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.43.4)

क्षेत्राणि वैष्णवानीह त्यक्त्वा विष्णुरपि क्षितेः॥ प्रयातो मंदरं यत्र देवदेव उमाधवः

kṣetrāṇi vaiṣṇavānīha tyaktvā viṣṇurapi kṣiteḥ prayāto maṁdaraṁ yatra devadeva umādhavaḥ

Vishnu too left his own Vaishnava shrines on earth and journeyed to Mandara, where the God of gods, Umadhava, the consort of Uma, resided.

Verse 5 (skanda.4.43.5)

स्थानानि गाणपत्यानि गणेशोपि ततो व्रजत्॥ हित्वाहमपि विप्रेंद्र गतवान्मंदरं प्रति

sthānāni gāṇapatyāni gaṇeśopi tato vrajat hitvāhamapi vipreṁdra gatavānmaṁdaraṁ prati

Ganesha too left his Ganapatya shrines and set out there. And I myself, O best of sages, also left my abode and went towards Mandara.

Verse 6 (skanda.4.43.6)

सूरः सौराणि संत्यज्य गतश्चायतनादरम्॥ स्वंस्वं स्थानं क्षितौ त्यक्त्वा ययुरन्येपि निर्जराः

sūraḥ saurāṇi saṁtyajya gataścāyatanādaram svaṁsvaṁ sthānaṁ kṣitau tyaktvā yayuranyepi nirjarāḥ

The Sun-god too left his solar shrines and went there with reverence, and, leaving their own respective abodes on earth, the other immortals departed as well.

Verse 7 (skanda.4.43.7)

गतेषु देवसंघेषु पृथिव्याः पृथिवीपतिः॥ चकार राज्यं निर्द्वंद्वं दिवोदासः प्रतापवान्

gateṣu devasaṁgheṣu pṛthivyāḥ pṛthivīpatiḥ cakāra rājyaṁ nirdvaṁdvaṁ divodāsaḥ pratāpavān

When the hosts of gods had thus departed from the earth, the mighty King Divodasa ruled his kingdom unopposed.

Verse 8 (skanda.4.43.8)

विधाय राजधानीं स वाराणस्यां सुनिश्चलाम्॥ एधां चक्रे महाबुद्धिः प्रजाधर्मेण पालयन्

vidhāya rājadhānīṁ sa vārāṇasyāṁ suniścalām edhāṁ cakre mahābuddhiḥ prajādharmeṇa pālayan

Establishing his firm capital in Varanasi, that highly wise king, ruling his subjects with righteousness, made the city flourish.

Verse 9 (skanda.4.43.9)

सूर्यवत्स प्रतपिता दुर्हृदां हृदि नेत्रयोः॥ सोमवत्सुहृदामासीन्मानसेषु स्वकेष्वऽपि

sūryavatsa pratapitā durhṛdāṁ hṛdi netrayoḥ somavatsuhṛdāmāsīnmānaseṣu svakeṣva'pi

Like the sun, he burned in the hearts and eyes of his foes; like the moon, he was soothing in the minds of his friends and his own people.

Verse 10 (skanda.4.43.10)

अखंडमाखंडलवत्कोदंडकलयन्रणे॥ पलायमानैरालोकिशत्रुसैन्यबलाहकैः॥ स धर्मराजवज्जातो धर्माधर्मविवेचकः॥ अदंड्यान्मण्डयन्राजा दंड्यांश्च परिदंडयन्

akhaṁḍamākhaṁḍalavatkodaṁḍakalayanraṇe palāyamānairālokiśatrusainyabalāhakaiḥ sa dharmarājavajjāto dharmādharmavivecakaḥ adaṁḍyānmaṇḍayanrājā daṁḍyāṁśca paridaṁḍayan

Wielding an unbroken bow in battle like Indra, seen only by the fleeing clouds of enemy armies, that king — discerning right from wrong like Dharmaraja himself — honoured those who did not deserve punishment, and duly punished those who did.

Verse 11 (skanda.4.43.11)

धनंजय इवाधाक्षीत्परारण्यान्यनेकशः॥ पाशीव पाशयांचक्रे वैरिचक्रं विदूरगः

dhanaṁjaya ivādhākṣītparāraṇyānyanekaśaḥ pāśīva pāśayāṁcakre vairicakraṁ vidūragaḥ

Like Dhananjaya, he burned many enemy territories; and like the noose-bearing Varuna, though remaining far off, he bound the circle of his foes.

Verse 12 (skanda.4.43.12)

सोभूत्पुण्यजनाधीशो रिपुराक्षसवर्धनः॥ जगत्प्राणसमानश्च जगत्प्राणनतत्परः

sobhūtpuṇyajanādhīśo ripurākṣasavardhanaḥ jagatprāṇasamānaśca jagatprāṇanatatparaḥ

He was like Kubera, lord of the virtuous Yakshas, and a scourge to his demon-like foes; he was as the very life-breath of the world, ever devoted to sustaining it.

Verse 13 (skanda.4.43.13)

राजराजः स एवाभूत्सर्वेषां धनदः सताम्॥ स एव रुद्रमूर्तिश्च प्रेक्षिष्ट रिपुभी रणे

rājarājaḥ sa evābhūtsarveṣāṁ dhanadaḥ satām sa eva rudramūrtiśca prekṣiṣṭa ripubhī raṇe

He himself was the King of Kings, a bestower of wealth on all the virtuous; and to his enemies in battle he appeared as the very form of Rudra.

Verse 14 (skanda.4.43.14)

विश्वेषां स हि देवानां तपसा रूपधृग्यतः॥ विश्वेदेवास्ततस्तं तु स्तुवंति च भजंति च

viśveṣāṁ sa hi devānāṁ tapasā rūpadhṛgyataḥ viśvedevāstatastaṁ tu stuvaṁti ca bhajaṁti ca

Through his austerity he bore a form worthy of all the Vishvedevas, and so the Vishvedevas themselves praised and served him.

Verse 15 (skanda.4.43.15)

असाध्यः स हि साध्यानां वसुभ्यो वसुनाधिकः॥ ग्रहाणां विग्रहधरो दस्रतोऽजस्ररूपभाक्

asādhyaḥ sa hi sādhyānāṁ vasubhyo vasunādhikaḥ grahāṇāṁ vigrahadharo dasrato'jasrarūpabhāk

He was unconquerable even to the Sadhya gods, richer than the Vasus themselves; in war he bore a form as formidable as the planets, and, like the Ashvin twins, his radiance never waned.

Verse 16 (skanda.4.43.16)

मरुद्गणानगणयंस्तुषितांस्तोषयन्गुणैः॥ सर्वविद्याधरो यस्तु सर्वविद्याधरेष्वपि

marudgaṇānagaṇayaṁstuṣitāṁstoṣayanguṇaiḥ sarvavidyādharo yastu sarvavidyādhareṣvapi

Counting the Marut hosts as nothing beside him, he delighted the Tushita gods with his virtues; master of every art, he stood foremost even among the Vidyadharas.

Verse 17 (skanda.4.43.17)

अगर्वानेव गंधर्वान्यश्चक्रे निजगीतिभिः॥ ररक्षुर्यक्षरक्षांसि तद्दुर्गं स्वर्गसोदरम्

agarvāneva gaṁdharvānyaścakre nijagītibhiḥ rarakṣuryakṣarakṣāṁsi taddurgaṁ svargasodaram

With his own singing he humbled even the pride of the Gandharvas; and Yakshas and Rakshasas alike guarded that fortress-city, a very sibling of heaven.

Verse 18 (skanda.4.43.18)

नागानागांसि चक्रुश्च तस्य नागबलीयसः॥ दनुजामनुजाकारं कृत्वा तं च सिषेविरे

nāgānāgāṁsi cakruśca tasya nāgabalīyasaḥ danujāmanujākāraṁ kṛtvā taṁ ca siṣevire

The Nagas paid homage to him, mightier than the Nagas themselves; and the Danava demons, too, took on human form and served him.

Verse 19 (skanda.4.43.19)

जाता गुह्यचरा यस्य गुह्यकाः परितो नृषु॥ संसेविष्यामहे राजन्नसुरास्त्वां स्ववैभवैः॥ वयं यतस्त्वद्विषये सुरावासोऽपि दुर्लभः॥ अशिक्षयत्क्षितिपतेरिह यस्य तुरंगमान्॥ आशुगश्चाशुगामित्वं पावमाने पथिस्थितः

jātā guhyacarā yasya guhyakāḥ parito nṛṣu saṁseviṣyāmahe rājannasurāstvāṁ svavaibhavaiḥ vayaṁ yatastvadviṣaye surāvāso'pi durlabhaḥ aśikṣayatkṣitipateriha yasya turaṁgamān āśugaścāśugāmitvaṁ pāvamāne pathisthitaḥ

His secret agents moved among men everywhere like the Guhyakas themselves. The Asuras declared, "O King, we shall serve you with all our splendour, for even the abode of the gods is hard to find compared with your domain." That lord of the earth had so trained his horses that, coursing along the road, they moved swift as the wind itself.

Verse 20 (skanda.4.43.20)

अगजान्यस्य तु गजान्नगवर्ष्मसुवर्ष्मणः॥ अजस्र दानिनो दृष्ट्वा भवन्नन्येपि दानिनः

agajānyasya tu gajānnagavarṣmasuvarṣmaṇaḥ ajasra dānino dṛṣṭvā bhavannanyepi dāninaḥ

His elephants, though not born of the mountains, were mountain-huge in frame, and ever streaming with ichor; seeing them, other kings too became generous givers.

Verse 21 (skanda.4.43.21)

सदोजिरे च बोद्धारो योद्धारश्चरणाजिरे॥ न यस्य शास्त्रैर्विजिता न शस्त्रैः केनचित्क्वचित्

sadojire ca boddhāro yoddhāraścaraṇājire na yasya śāstrairvijitā na śastraiḥ kenacitkvacit

In the council-hall they were learned scholars, on the field of battle they were warriors; and that king was never vanquished anywhere by anyone, neither in debate nor in arms.

Verse 22 (skanda.4.43.22)

न नेत्रविषये जाता विषये यस्यभूभृतः॥ सदा नष्टपदा द्वेष्यास्तदाऽनष्टपदाः प्रजाः

na netraviṣaye jātā viṣaye yasyabhūbhṛtaḥ sadā naṣṭapadā dveṣyāstadā'naṣṭapadāḥ prajāḥ

In his domain, hateful things never came within sight — their very tracks stayed forever erased — while the stations of his subjects remained forever secure.

Verse 23 (skanda.4.43.23)

कलावानेक एवास्ति त्रिदिवेपि दिवौकसाम्॥ तस्य क्षोणिभृतः क्षोण्यां जनाः सर्वे कलालयाः

kalāvāneka evāsti tridivepi divaukasām tasya kṣoṇibhṛtaḥ kṣoṇyāṁ janāḥ sarve kalālayāḥ

In heaven, among the gods, only one — the Moon — is called an artist; but on that king's earth, all his people were abodes of every art.

Verse 24 (skanda.4.43.24)

एक एव हि कामोस्ति स्वर्गे सोप्यंगवर्जितः॥ सांगोपांगाश्च सर्वेषां सर्वे कामा हि तद्भुवि

eka eva hi kāmosti svarge sopyaṁgavarjitaḥ sāṁgopāṁgāśca sarveṣāṁ sarve kāmā hi tadbhuvi

In heaven there is only a single Kama, and he is bodiless besides; but in that land, everyone's every desire was fulfilled completely, with nothing lacking.

Verse 25 (skanda.4.43.25)

तस्योपवर्तनेप्येको न श्रुतो गोत्रभित्क्वचित्॥ स्वर्गे स्वर्गसदामीशो गोत्रभित्परिकीर्तितः

tasyopavartanepyeko na śruto gotrabhitkvacit svarge svargasadāmīśo gotrabhitparikīrtitaḥ

In his realm, not a single "breaker of clans" was ever heard of; whereas in heaven, the very lord of the heaven-dwellers, Indra, is renowned by that same name, Gotrabhit — "the breaker."

Verse 26 (skanda.4.43.26)

क्षयी च तस्य विषये कोप्याकर्णि न केनचित्॥ त्रिविष्टपे क्षपानाथः पक्षेपक्षे क्षयीष्यते

kṣayī ca tasya viṣaye kopyākarṇi na kenacit triviṣṭape kṣapānāthaḥ pakṣepakṣe kṣayīṣyate

In his kingdom no one was ever heard to waste away; whereas in heaven, the lord of the night himself, the Moon, wanes fortnight after fortnight.

Verse 27 (skanda.4.43.27)

नाके नवग्रहाः संति देशास्तस्याऽनवग्रहाः

nāke navagrahāḥ saṁti deśāstasyā'navagrahāḥ

In heaven there are the nine planets, with all their afflictions; but his land was wholly free of such affliction.

Verse 28 (skanda.4.43.28)

हिरण्यगर्भः स्वर्लोकेप्येक एव प्रकाशते॥ हिरण्यगर्भाः सर्वेषां तत्पौराणामिहालयाः॥ सप्ताश्व एकः स्वर्लोके नितरां भासतेंऽशुमान्॥ सदंशुकाः प्रतिदिनं बह्वश्वास्तत्पुरौकसः

hiraṇyagarbhaḥ svarlokepyeka eva prakāśate hiraṇyagarbhāḥ sarveṣāṁ tatpaurāṇāmihālayāḥ saptāśva ekaḥ svarloke nitarāṁ bhāsateṁ'śumān sadaṁśukāḥ pratidinaṁ bahvaśvāstatpuraukasaḥ

In heaven only one Hiranyagarbha shines; but every house of that city's people was itself golden-wombed, filled with gold. In heaven only the seven-horsed Sun blazes with light; but the people of that city owned many horses and fine silks every single day.

Verse 29 (skanda.4.43.29)

सदप्सरा यथास्वर्भूस्तत्पुर्यपिसदप्सराः॥ एकैव पद्मा वैकुंठे तस्य पद्माकराः शतम्

sadapsarā yathāsvarbhūstatpuryapisadapsarāḥ ekaiva padmā vaikuṁṭhe tasya padmākarāḥ śatam

As heaven is ever graced with Apsaras, so was that city ever graced with women as lovely as Apsaras. In Vaikuntha there is but a single Padma, Lakshmi; but that king had a hundred lotus-ponds of his own.

Verse 30 (skanda.4.43.30)

अनीतयश्च तद्ग्रामानाराजपुरुषाः क्वचित्॥ गृहेगृहेत्र धनदा नाक एकोऽलकापतिः

anītayaśca tadgrāmānārājapuruṣāḥ kvacit gṛhegṛhetra dhanadā nāka eko'lakāpatiḥ

No unjust officials ever oppressed his villages anywhere; in his land every single house had its own giver of wealth, whereas in heaven there is but one lord of Alaka, Kubera.

Verse 31 (skanda.4.43.31)

दिवोदासस्य तस्यैवं काश्यां राज्यं प्रशासतः॥ गतं वर्षं दिनप्रायं शरदामयुताष्टकम्

divodāsasya tasyaivaṁ kāśyāṁ rājyaṁ praśāsataḥ gataṁ varṣaṁ dinaprāyaṁ śaradāmayutāṣṭakam

Thus, while Divodasa ruled his kingdom in Kashi in this way, eight thousand years passed as if they were but a single day.

Verse 32 (skanda.4.43.32)

गीर्वाणा विप्रतीकारमथ तस्य चिकीर्षवः॥ गुरुणा मंत्रयांचक्रुर्धर्मवर्त्मानुयायिनः

gīrvāṇā vipratīkāramatha tasya cikīrṣavaḥ guruṇā maṁtrayāṁcakrurdharmavartmānuyāyinaḥ

Then the gods — themselves followers of the path of righteousness — wishing to find some means of countering him, took counsel with their guru, Brihaspati.

Verse 33 (skanda.4.43.33)

भवादृशामिव मुने प्रायशो धर्मचारिणाम्॥ विबुधा विदधत्येव महतीरापदांततीः

bhavādṛśāmiva mune prāyaśo dharmacāriṇām vibudhā vidadhatyeva mahatīrāpadāṁtatīḥ

"O sage, it is generally upon the righteous, such as yourself, that the gods bring down great chains of calamity."

Verse 34 (skanda.4.43.34)

यद्यप्यसौ धराधीशो व्याधिनोद्दुर्धराध्वरैः॥ तानध्वरभुजोऽत्यंतं तथापि सुहृदो न ते

yadyapyasau dharādhīśo vyādhinoddurdharādhvaraiḥ tānadhvarabhujo'tyaṁtaṁ tathāpi suhṛdo na te

Although that lord of the earth ceaselessly satisfied the gods with unfailing, magnificent sacrifices, still they were not truly his friends.

Verse 35 (skanda.4.43.35)

स्वभाव एव द्युसदां परोत्कर्षासहिष्णुता॥ बलि बाण दधीच्याद्यैरपराद्धं किमत्र तैः

svabhāva eva dyusadāṁ parotkarṣāsahiṣṇutā bali bāṇa dadhīcyādyairaparāddhaṁ kimatra taiḥ

It is simply the very nature of the celestials that they cannot bear another's prosperity — what wrong, after all, had Bali, Bana, Dadhichi and the rest ever done to them?

Verse 36 (skanda.4.43.36)

अंतराया भवंत्येव धर्मस्यापि पदेपदे॥ तथापि न निजो धर्मो धर्मधीभिर्विमुच्यते

aṁtarāyā bhavaṁtyeva dharmasyāpi padepade tathāpi na nijo dharmo dharmadhībhirvimucyate

Obstacles indeed arise at every step, even along the path of dharma; yet those whose minds are set on righteousness never forsake their own duty because of them.

Verse 37 (skanda.4.43.37)

अधर्मिणः समेधंते धनधान्यसमृद्धिभिः॥ अधर्मादेव च परं समूलं यांत्यधोगतिम्॥ प्रजाः पालयतस्तस्य पुत्रानिव निजौरसान्॥ रिपुंजयस्य नाल्पोपि बभूवाधर्मसंग्रहः

adharmiṇaḥ samedhaṁte dhanadhānyasamṛddhibhiḥ adharmādeva ca paraṁ samūlaṁ yāṁtyadhogatim prajāḥ pālayatastasya putrāniva nijaurasān ripuṁjayasya nālpopi babhūvādharmasaṁgrahaḥ

The unrighteous may flourish for a time in wealth and grain, but through that very unrighteousness they are, in the end, utterly destroyed, root and branch. But in that conqueror of foes, who cherished his subjects as his own begotten sons, not even the smallest trace of unrighteousness had ever gathered.

Verse 38 (skanda.4.43.38)

षाड्गुण्यवेदिनस्तस्य त्रिशक्त्यूर्जितचेतसः॥ चतुरोपायवित्तस्य न रंध्रं विविदुः सुराः

ṣāḍguṇyavedinastasya triśaktyūrjitacetasaḥ caturopāyavittasya na raṁdhraṁ vividuḥ surāḥ

Versed in the six expedients of policy, his mind fortified by the three royal powers, and skilled in the four means of diplomacy — in him the gods could find no chink, no weakness at all.

Verse 39 (skanda.4.43.39)

बुद्धिमंतोपि विबुधा विप्रतीकर्तुमुद्यताः॥ मनागपि न संशेकुरपकर्तुं तदीशितुः

buddhimaṁtopi vibudhā vipratīkartumudyatāḥ manāgapi na saṁśekurapakartuṁ tadīśituḥ

Wise though they were, the gods, however eager to find a counter-move, could not manage to harm that ruler even in the slightest.

Verse 40 (skanda.4.43.40)

एकपत्नीव्रताः सर्वे पुमांसस्तस्य मंडले॥ नारीषु काचिन्नैवासीदपतिव्रतधर्मिणी

ekapatnīvratāḥ sarve pumāṁsastasya maṁḍale nārīṣu kācinnaivāsīdapativratadharmiṇī

In his realm, every man kept faith with a single wife; and among the women there was not one who failed in the duty of devotion to her husband.

Verse 41 (skanda.4.43.41)

अनधीतो न विप्रोभूदशूरोनैव बाहुजः॥ वैश्योनभिज्ञो नैवासीदर्थोपार्जनकर्मसु

anadhīto na viprobhūdaśūronaiva bāhujaḥ vaiśyonabhijño naivāsīdarthopārjanakarmasu

There, no Brahmin was without learning, no Kshatriya was without valour, and no Vaishya was ignorant of the work of earning wealth.

Verse 42 (skanda.4.43.42)

अनन्यवृत्तयः शूद्रा द्विजशुश्रूषणं प्रति॥ तस्य राष्ट्रे समभवन्दिवोदासस्य भूपतेः

ananyavṛttayaḥ śūdrā dvijaśuśrūṣaṇaṁ prati tasya rāṣṭre samabhavandivodāsasya bhūpateḥ

In King Divodasa's realm, the Shudras were single-mindedly devoted to the service of the twice-born.

Verse 43 (skanda.4.43.43)

अविप्लुत ब्रह्मचर्यास्तद्राष्ट्रे ब्रह्मचारिणः॥ नित्यं गुरुकुलाधीना वेदग्रहणतत्पराः

avipluta brahmacaryāstadrāṣṭre brahmacāriṇaḥ nityaṁ gurukulādhīnā vedagrahaṇatatparāḥ

In his kingdom the celibate students kept their vow of chastity unbroken; ever under the discipline of their gurukula, they were wholly devoted to mastering the Vedas.

Verse 44 (skanda.4.43.44)

आतिथ्यधर्मप्रवणा धर्मशास्त्रविचक्षणाः॥ नित्यसाधुसमाचारा गृहस्थास्तस्य सर्वतः

ātithyadharmapravaṇā dharmaśāstravicakṣaṇāḥ nityasādhusamācārā gṛhasthāstasya sarvataḥ

Throughout his kingdom, householders everywhere were devoted to the duty of hospitality, learned in the scriptures of dharma, and constant in virtuous conduct.

Verse 45 (skanda.4.43.45)

तृतीयाश्रमिणो यस्मिन्वनवृत्तिकृतादराः॥ निःस्पृहा ग्रामवार्तासु वेदवर्त्मानुसारिणः

tṛtīyāśramiṇo yasminvanavṛttikṛtādarāḥ niḥspṛhā grāmavārtāsu vedavartmānusāriṇaḥ

Those of the third stage of life in his kingdom devoted themselves to forest living, remained indifferent to village concerns, and followed only the path of the Vedas.

Verse 46 (skanda.4.43.46)

सर्वसंगविनिर्मुक्ता निर्मुक्ता निष्परिग्रहाः॥ वाङ्मनःकर्मदंडाढ्या यतयो यत्र निःस्पृहाः॥ अन्येनुलोमजन्मानः प्रतिलो मभवा अपि॥ स्वपारंपर्यतो दृष्टं मनाग्वर्त्म न तत्यजुः

sarvasaṁgavinirmuktā nirmuktā niṣparigrahāḥ vāṅmanaḥkarmadaṁḍāḍhyā yatayo yatra niḥspṛhāḥ anyenulomajanmānaḥ pratilo mabhavā api svapāraṁparyato dṛṣṭaṁ manāgvartma na tatyajuḥ

The ascetics there were free of every attachment, liberated, possessionless, disciplined in speech, mind and body, and utterly desireless; and whether born in the natural order or the reverse order, all the people, without exception, held fast to the path handed down by their own tradition, never straying from it in the least.

Verse 47 (skanda.4.43.47)

अनपत्या न तद्राष्ट्रे धनहीनोपि कोपि न॥ अवृद्धसेवी नो कश्चिदकांडमृतिभाक्च न

anapatyā na tadrāṣṭre dhanahīnopi kopi na avṛddhasevī no kaścidakāṁḍamṛtibhākca na

In his kingdom none was childless, none was poor, none failed to serve their elders, and none met an untimely death.

Verse 48 (skanda.4.43.48)

न चाटा नैव वाचाटा वंचका नो न हिंसकाः॥ न पाषंडा न वै भंडा न रंडा न च शौंडिकाः

na cāṭā naiva vācāṭā vaṁcakā no na hiṁsakāḥ na pāṣaṁḍā na vai bhaṁḍā na raṁḍā na ca śauṁḍikāḥ

There were no flatterers, no loud-mouthed babblers, no cheats, no violent men; no heretics, no buffoons, no widows left to misfortune, and no drunkards.

Verse 49 (skanda.4.43.49)

श्रुतिघोषो हि सर्वत्र शास्त्रवादः पदेपदे॥ सर्वत्र सुभगालापा मुदामंगलगीतयः

śrutighoṣo hi sarvatra śāstravādaḥ padepade sarvatra subhagālāpā mudāmaṁgalagītayaḥ

Everywhere the chanting of the Vedas resounded, at every step there was discourse on the scriptures; everywhere were sweet conversations, and auspicious songs sung in joy.

Verse 50 (skanda.4.43.50)

वीणावेणुप्रवादाश्च मृदंगा मधुरस्वनाः॥ सोमपानं विनान्यत्र पानगोष्ठी न कर्णगा

vīṇāveṇupravādāśca mṛdaṁgā madhurasvanāḥ somapānaṁ vinānyatra pānagoṣṭhī na karṇagā

There the sounds of veena and flute mingled with the sweet notes of the mridanga; and but for the ritual drinking of Soma, no other kind of drinking-party was ever even heard of.

Verse 51 (skanda.4.43.51)

मांसाशिनः पुरोडाशे नैवान्यत्र कदाचन॥ न दुरोदरिणो यत्र नाधमर्णा न तस्कराः

māṁsāśinaḥ puroḍāśe naivānyatra kadācana na durodariṇo yatra nādhamarṇā na taskarāḥ

Meat was eaten only in the form of the sacrificial offering, never otherwise; there were no gamblers, no debtors, and no thieves.

Verse 52 (skanda.4.43.52)

पुत्रस्य पित्रोः पदयोः पूजनं देवपूजनम्॥ उपवासो व्रतं तीर्थं देवताराधनं परम्

putrasya pitroḥ padayoḥ pūjanaṁ devapūjanam upavāso vrataṁ tīrthaṁ devatārādhanaṁ param

For a son, worship of his parents' feet was itself the worship of the gods; fasting, vows and pilgrimage were, for him, nothing less than the highest form of devotion to the divine.

Verse 53 (skanda.4.43.53)

नारीणां भर्तृपद् योरर्चनं तद्वचःश्रुतिः॥ समर्चयंति सततमनुजा निजमग्रजम्

nārīṇāṁ bhartṛpad yorarcanaṁ tadvacaḥśrutiḥ samarcayaṁti satatamanujā nijamagrajam

For women, worship of their husband's feet and obedience to his word were everything; and younger brothers ever paid honour to their own elder brothers.

Verse 54 (skanda.4.43.54)

सपर्ययंति मुदिता भृत्याः स्वामिपदांबुजम्॥ हीनवर्णैरग्रवर्णो वर्ण्यते गुणगौरवैः

saparyayaṁti muditā bhṛtyāḥ svāmipadāṁbujam hīnavarṇairagravarṇo varṇyate guṇagauravaiḥ

Servants gladly attended their masters' lotus-feet; and those of lower station praised those of higher station for the weight of their virtues.

Verse 55 (skanda.4.43.55)

वरिवस्यंति भूयोपि त्रिकालं काशिदेवताः॥ सर्वत्र सर्वे विद्वांसः समर्च्यंते मनोरथैः॥ विद्वद्भिश्च तपोनिष्ठास्तपोनिष्ठैर्जितेंद्रियाः॥ जितेंद्रियैर्ज्ञाननिष्ठा ज्ञानिभिः शिवयोगिनः

varivasyaṁti bhūyopi trikālaṁ kāśidevatāḥ sarvatra sarve vidvāṁsaḥ samarcyaṁte manorathaiḥ vidvadbhiśca taponiṣṭhāstaponiṣṭhairjiteṁdriyāḥ jiteṁdriyairjñānaniṣṭhā jñānibhiḥ śivayoginaḥ

The deities of Kashi were worshipped three times each day; everywhere the learned were honoured according to their heart's wish. The learned honoured those steadfast in austerity; the austere honoured those of mastered senses; the self-mastered honoured those established in true knowledge; and the knowers honoured, above all, the yogis devoted to Shiva.

Verse 56 (skanda.4.43.56)

मंत्रपूतं महार्हं च विधियुक्तं सुसंस्कृतम्॥ वाडवानां मुखाग्नौ च हूयतेऽहर्निशं हविः

maṁtrapūtaṁ mahārhaṁ ca vidhiyuktaṁ susaṁskṛtam vāḍavānāṁ mukhāgnau ca hūyate'harniśaṁ haviḥ

Oblations sanctified by sacred mantras, most precious, duly consecrated according to proper rite, were offered day and night into the sacrificial fire kindled by the Brahmins.

Verse 57 (skanda.4.43.57)

वापीकूपतडागानामारामाणां पदेपदे॥ शुचिभिर्द्रव्यसंभारैः कर्तारो यत्र भूरिशः

vāpīkūpataḍāgānāmārāmāṇāṁ padepade śucibhirdravyasaṁbhāraiḥ kartāro yatra bhūriśaḥ

At every step there were people who, with pure resources and abundant wealth, had built step-wells, wells, ponds, and gardens in great number.

Verse 58 (skanda.4.43.58)

यद्राष्ट्रे हृष्टपुष्टाश्च दृश्यंते सर्वजातयः॥ अनिंद्यसेवा संपन्ना विनामृगयु सौनिकान्

yadrāṣṭre hṛṣṭapuṣṭāśca dṛśyaṁte sarvajātayaḥ aniṁdyasevā saṁpannā vināmṛgayu saunikān

In his kingdom, creatures of every kind were seen thriving and well-fed, all — save for hunters and butchers — engaged in blameless and prosperous service.

Verse 59 (skanda.4.43.59)

इत्थं तस्य महीजानेः सर्वत्र शुचिवर्तिनः॥ उन्मिषंतोप्यनिमिषा मनाक्छिद्रं न लेभिरे

itthaṁ tasya mahījāneḥ sarvatra śucivartinaḥ unmiṣaṁtopyanimiṣā manākchidraṁ na lebhire

Thus in that ruler of the earth, pure in conduct in every respect, even the unblinking gods, however watchfully they searched, could not find the slightest flaw.

Verse 60 (skanda.4.43.60)

अथोवाचामर गुरुर्देवानपचिकीर्षुकान्॥ तस्मिन्राजनि धर्मिष्ठे वरिष्ठे मंत्रवेदिषु

athovācāmara gururdevānapacikīrṣukān tasminrājani dharmiṣṭhe variṣṭhe maṁtravediṣu

Then Brihaspati, the guru of the immortals, spoke to the gods, who longed to harm that most righteous king, foremost among the wise in counsel.

Verse 61 (skanda.4.43.61)

॥ गुरुरुवाच॥ संधिविग्रहयानास्ति सं श्रयं द्वैधभावनम्॥ यथा स राजा संवेत्ति न तथात्रापि कश्चन

gururuvāca saṁdhivigrahayānāsti saṁ śrayaṁ dvaidhabhāvanam yathā sa rājā saṁvetti na tathātrāpi kaścana

The Guru said: "No one here understands treaty, war, expedition, alliance, dual policy and refuge — the arts of statecraft — as well as that king does."

Verse 62 (skanda.4.43.62)

उपायोप्येक एवास्ति चतुर्ष्विह दिवौकसः॥ भेदो नाम स चेत्सिध्येत्तपोबलिनि तत्र हि

upāyopyeka evāsti caturṣviha divaukasaḥ bhedo nāma sa cetsidhyettapobalini tatra hi

"O gods, of the four expedients only one might work here — division. If that alone could succeed against one so mighty in austerity, so be it."

Verse 63 (skanda.4.43.63)

तेन यद्यपि भूभर्त्रा भूमेर्देवा विवासिताः॥ तथापि भूरिशस्तत्र संत्यस्मत्पक्षपातिनः

tena yadyapi bhūbhartrā bhūmerdevā vivāsitāḥ tathāpi bhūriśastatra saṁtyasmatpakṣapātinaḥ

"Although that king has driven the gods from the earth, still there remain there, in great numbers, those who favour our side."

Verse 64 (skanda.4.43.64)

कालो निमिषमात्रोपि यान्विना न सुखं व्रजेत्॥ अस्माकमपि तस्यापि संति ते तत्र मानिताः॥ अंतर्बहिश्चरा नित्यं सर्वविश्रंभ भूमयः॥ समागतेषु तेष्वत्र सर्वं नः सेत्स्यति प्रियम्

kālo nimiṣamātropi yānvinā na sukhaṁ vrajet asmākamapi tasyāpi saṁti te tatra mānitāḥ aṁtarbahiścarā nityaṁ sarvaviśraṁbha bhūmayaḥ samāgateṣu teṣvatra sarvaṁ naḥ setsyati priyam

"Those elements — Fire and the rest — without whom not even a moment can pass in comfort, are honoured equally by us and by him; ever moving within and without, they are trusted everywhere. If they can be won over to our side, all that we desire here shall be accomplished."

Verse 65 (skanda.4.43.65)

समाकर्ण्य च ते सर्वे त्रिदशा गीष्पतीरितम्॥ निर्णीतवंतस्तस्यार्थं तस्मादंतर्बहिश्चरान्॥ अभिनंद्याथ तं सर्वे प्रोचुरित्थं भवेदिति

samākarṇya ca te sarve tridaśā gīṣpatīritam nirṇītavaṁtastasyārthaṁ tasmādaṁtarbahiścarān abhinaṁdyātha taṁ sarve procuritthaṁ bhavediti

Hearing this counsel from Brihaspati, lord of speech, all the Thirty Gods grasped his meaning; and, applauding him for pointing to these elements moving within and without, they all said, "So let it be."

Verse 66 (skanda.4.43.66)

ततः शक्रः समाहूय वीतिहोत्रं पुरःस्थितम्॥ ऊचे मधुरया वाचा बहुमानपुरःसरम्

tataḥ śakraḥ samāhūya vītihotraṁ puraḥsthitam ūce madhurayā vācā bahumānapuraḥsaram

Then Indra summoned Agni, who stood before him, and spoke to him in sweet words, full of the greatest regard.

Verse 67 (skanda.4.43.67)

हव्यवाहन या मूर्तिस्तव तत्र प्रतिष्ठिता॥ तामुपासंहर क्षिप्रं विषयात्तस्य भूपतेः

havyavāhana yā mūrtistava tatra pratiṣṭhitā tāmupāsaṁhara kṣipraṁ viṣayāttasya bhūpateḥ

[Indra said:] "O Havyavahana, carrier of oblations! Withdraw at once, from that king's domain, the form of yours established there."

Verse 68 (skanda.4.43.68)

समागतायां तन्मूर्तौ सर्वानष्टाग्रयः प्रजाः॥ हव्यकव्यक्रियाशून्या विरजिष्यंति राजनि

samāgatāyāṁ tanmūrtau sarvānaṣṭāgrayaḥ prajāḥ havyakavyakriyāśūnyā virajiṣyaṁti rājani

"Once that form of yours withdraws, all his subjects, bereft of hope and unable to perform the rites owed to gods and ancestors, will grow disaffected with their king."

Verse 69 (skanda.4.43.69)

प्रजासु च विरक्तासु राज्यकामदुघासु वै॥ कृच्छ्रेणोपार्जितोऽपार्थो राजशब्दो भविष्यति

prajāsu ca viraktāsu rājyakāmadughāsu vai kṛcchreṇopārjito'pārtho rājaśabdo bhaviṣyati

"And once the subjects — who fulfil a king's desires as a wish-cow fulfils every wish — turn away from him, the title of 'king,' won with such difficulty, will become meaningless."

Verse 70 (skanda.4.43.70)

प्रजानां रंजनाद्राजा येयं रूढिरुपार्जिता॥ तस्यां रूढ्यां प्रनष्टायां राज्यमेव विनंक्ष्यति

prajānāṁ raṁjanādrājā yeyaṁ rūḍhirupārjitā tasyāṁ rūḍhyāṁ pranaṣṭāyāṁ rājyameva vinaṁkṣyati

"The very convention that one is called 'king' because he delights his subjects — once that foundation is destroyed, the kingdom itself will be destroyed with it."

Verse 71 (skanda.4.43.71)

प्रजाविरहितो राजा कोशदुर्गबलादिभिः॥ समृद्धोप्यचिरान्नश्येत्कूलसंस्थ इव द्रुमः

prajāvirahito rājā kośadurgabalādibhiḥ samṛddhopyacirānnaśyetkūlasaṁstha iva drumaḥ

"A king bereft of his people, however rich in treasury, fortresses, and army, will soon perish — like a tree standing on a crumbling riverbank."

Verse 72 (skanda.4.43.72)

त्रिवर्गसाधनाहेतुः प्राक्प्रजैव महीपतेः॥ क्षीणवृत्त्यां प्रजायां वै त्रिवर्गः क्षीयते स्वयम्

trivargasādhanāhetuḥ prākprajaiva mahīpateḥ kṣīṇavṛttyāṁ prajāyāṁ vai trivargaḥ kṣīyate svayam

"For a king, the primary means of attaining the threefold end — dharma, artha, and kama — is his people; and when their livelihood withers, that threefold end withers of itself."

Verse 73 (skanda.4.43.73)

क्षीणे त्रिवर्गे संक्षीणा गतिर्लोकद्वयात्मिका॥ इतींद्रवचनाद्वह्निरह्नाय क्षोणिमंडलात्॥ आचकर्ष निजां मूर्तिं योगमाया बलान्वितः

kṣīṇe trivarge saṁkṣīṇā gatirlokadvayātmikā itīṁdravacanādvahnirahnāya kṣoṇimaṁḍalāt ācakarṣa nijāṁ mūrtiṁ yogamāyā balānvitaḥ

"And when the threefold end declines, one's very fortune in both worlds declines with it." At these words of Indra, Agni, armed with the power of his Yogamaya, instantly withdrew his own form from the surface of the earth.

Verse 74 (skanda.4.43.74)

निन्ये न केवलं त्रेतां जाठराग्निमपि प्रभुः॥ वज्रिणो वचसा वह्निर्निजशक्तिसमन्वितम्

ninye na kevalaṁ tretāṁ jāṭharāgnimapi prabhuḥ vajriṇo vacasā vahnirnijaśaktisamanvitam

At the word of the thunderbolt-bearer Indra, that mighty Agni withdrew not only the sacred triple sacrificial fire but, together with all his power, even the digestive fire within every belly.

Verse 75 (skanda.4.43.75)

वह्नौ स्वर्लोकमापन्ने जाते मध्यंदिने नृपः॥ कृतमाध्याह्निकस्तूर्णं प्राविशद्भोज्यमंडपम्

vahnau svarlokamāpanne jāte madhyaṁdine nṛpaḥ kṛtamādhyāhnikastūrṇaṁ prāviśadbhojyamaṁḍapam

When Agni had withdrawn to heaven and midday had come, the king, having swiftly completed his noonday rites, entered the dining hall.

Verse 76 (skanda.4.43.76)

महानसाधिकृतयो वेपमानास्ततो मुहुः॥ क्षुधार्तमपि भूपालमिदं मंदं व्यजिज्ञपन्

mahānasādhikṛtayo vepamānāstato muhuḥ kṣudhārtamapi bhūpālamidaṁ maṁdaṁ vyajijñapan

Then the officers in charge of the royal kitchen, trembling again and again, timidly informed the king — hungry though he was — of this matter.

Verse 77 (skanda.4.43.77)

सूपकारा ऊचुः॥ अत्यहस्करतेजस्क प्रतापविजितानल॥ किंचिद्विज्ञप्तुकामाः स्मोप्यकांडेरणपंडित

sūpakārā ūcuḥ atyahaskaratejaska pratāpavijitānala kiṁcidvijñaptukāmāḥ smopyakāṁḍeraṇapaṁḍita

The cooks said: "O you whose splendour outshines even the sun, whose might has conquered even Agni! O master of the art of war, though the moment is ill-suited, we wish to submit something to you."

Verse 78 (skanda.4.43.78)

यदि विश्रुणयेद्राजन्भवानभयदक्षिणाम्॥ तदा विज्ञापयिष्यामः प्रबद्धकरसंपुटाः

yadi viśruṇayedrājanbhavānabhayadakṣiṇām tadā vijñāpayiṣyāmaḥ prabaddhakarasaṁpuṭāḥ

"If you, O King, would grant us the promise of safety, then we shall, hands joined in supplication, make our report."

Verse 79 (skanda.4.43.79)

भ्रूसंज्ञयाकृतादेशाः प्रशस्तास्येनभूभुजा॥ मृदु विज्ञापयांचक्रुः पाकशालाधिकारिणः

bhrūsaṁjñayākṛtādeśāḥ praśastāsyenabhūbhujā mṛdu vijñāpayāṁcakruḥ pākaśālādhikāriṇaḥ

Given leave by a mere lift of the king's brow, his face gracious, the officers of the kitchen gently made their report.

Verse 80 (skanda.4.43.80)

न जानीमो वयं नाथ त्वत्प्रतापभयार्दितः॥ कुसृत्याथ कया विद्वान्नष्टो वैश्वानरः पुरात्

na jānīmo vayaṁ nātha tvatpratāpabhayārditaḥ kusṛtyātha kayā vidvānnaṣṭo vaiśvānaraḥ purāt

"We do not know, my lord — whether struck by fear of your own splendour, or through some ill turn of fate — O wise one, Vaishvanara has utterly vanished from the city."

Verse 81 (skanda.4.43.81)

कृशानौ कृशतां प्राप्ते कथं पाकक्रिया भवेत्॥ तथापि सूर्यपाकेन सिद्धा पक्तिर्हि काचन

kṛśānau kṛśatāṁ prāpte kathaṁ pākakriyā bhavet tathāpi sūryapākena siddhā paktirhi kācana

"With Fire himself grown faint, how could cooking possibly go on? And yet, somehow, by the heat of the sun alone, a little cooking has been managed."

Verse 82 (skanda.4.43.82)

प्रभोरादेशमासाद्य तामिहैवानयामहे॥ मन्यामहे च भूजाने पक्तिरद्यतनी शुभा॥ श्रुत्वांधसिकवाक्यं स महासत्त्वो महामतिः॥ नृपतिश्चिंतयामास देवानां वै कृतं त्विदम्

prabhorādeśamāsādya tāmihaivānayāmahe manyāmahe ca bhūjāne paktiradyatanī śubhā śrutvāṁdhasikavākyaṁ sa mahāsattvo mahāmatiḥ nṛpatiściṁtayāmāsa devānāṁ vai kṛtaṁ tvidam

"With your leave, my lord, we shall fetch that sun-cooked food here now; and we trust, O protector of the earth, that today's meal will indeed be good." Hearing the cooks' report, that king of great fortitude and deep wisdom reflected within himself: "This is surely the doing of the gods."

Verse 83 (skanda.4.43.83)

क्षणं संशीलयंस्तत्र ददर्श तपसोबलात्॥ न केवलं जहौ गेहं हुतभुक्चौदरीर्दरीः

kṣaṇaṁ saṁśīlayaṁstatra dadarśa tapasobalāt na kevalaṁ jahau gehaṁ hutabhukcaudarīrdarīḥ

Reflecting for a moment, he perceived, by the power of his own austerity, that Agni had abandoned not merely the household fires but even the very hollows of the belly — the digestive fire itself.

Verse 84 (skanda.4.43.84)

अप्यहासीदितोलोकाज्जगाम च सुरालयम्॥ भवत्विह हि का हानिरस्माकं ज्वलने गतै

apyahāsīditolokājjagāma ca surālayam bhavatviha hi kā hānirasmākaṁ jvalane gatai

[The king thought:] "He has left this world and gone to the abode of the gods. So be it — what loss is it, truly, to us, if Fire himself has departed?"

Verse 85 (skanda.4.43.85)

तेषामेवविचाराच्च हानिरेषा सुपर्वणाम्॥ तद्बलेन च किं राज्यं मयेदमुररीकृतम्

teṣāmevavicārācca hānireṣā suparvaṇām tadbalena ca kiṁ rājyaṁ mayedamurarīkṛtam

"On reflection, this loss is truly theirs, the gods', not ours. And was it, in any case, by their strength that I won and hold this kingdom?"

Verse 86 (skanda.4.43.86)

पितामहेन महतो गौरवात्प्रतिपादितम्॥ इति चिंतयतस्तस्य मध्यलोकशतक्रतोः

pitāmahena mahato gauravātpratipāditam iti ciṁtayatastasya madhyalokaśatakratoḥ

"It was the Grandsire himself who bestowed this kingdom on me, with the greatest honour." Thus reflected that king, who was, in this mortal world, an Indra in his own right.

Verse 87 (skanda.4.43.87)

पौराः समागता द्वारि सह जानपदैर्नरैः॥ द्वास्थेन चाज्ञया राज्ञस्ततस्तेंतः प्रवेशिताः

paurāḥ samāgatā dvāri saha jānapadairnaraiḥ dvāsthena cājñayā rājñastatasteṁtaḥ praveśitāḥ

Meanwhile the citizens, together with the people of the countryside, had gathered at the gate; and the doorkeeper, at the king's command, then ushered them inside.

Verse 88 (skanda.4.43.88)

दत्त्वोपदं यथार्हं ते प्रणेमुः क्षोणिवज्रिणम्॥ केचित्संभाषिता राज्ञादरसोदरया गिरा

dattvopadaṁ yathārhaṁ te praṇemuḥ kṣoṇivajriṇam kecitsaṁbhāṣitā rājñādarasodarayā girā

Offering their gifts as was fitting, they bowed before that earthly Indra; and some among them the king addressed with words full of warm affection.

Verse 89 (skanda.4.43.89)

केचिच्च समुदा दृष्ट्या केचिच्च करसंज्ञया॥ विसर्जिता सना राज्ञा बहुमानपुरःसरम्

kecicca samudā dṛṣṭyā kecicca karasaṁjñayā visarjitā sanā rājñā bahumānapuraḥsaram

Some he honoured with a joyful glance, others with a gesture of the hand; and thus, with the greatest respect, they were all sent away by the king.

Verse 90 (skanda.4.43.90)

तेजिरे भेजिरे सर्वे रत्नार्चिः परिसेविते॥ विजितामोदसंदोहे सुरानोकहसौरभैः॥ राज्ञः शतशलाकस्थच्छत्रस्यच्छाययाशुभे

tejire bhejire sarve ratnārciḥ parisevite vijitāmodasaṁdohe surānokahasaurabhaiḥ rājñaḥ śataśalākasthacchatrasyacchāyayāśubhe

All of them shone and rejoiced beneath the auspicious shade of the king's hundred-ribbed royal parasol, radiant with the gleam of jewels and fragrant with a sweetness surpassing even the perfume of the heavenly Parijata tree.

Verse 91 (skanda.4.43.91)

विशांपतिरथोवाच तन्मुखच्छाययेरितम्॥ विज्ञाय तदभिप्रायमलंभीत्या पुरौकसः॥ विकारकारिभिर्लेखैर्यदिनीतोऽनलो भुवः॥ एतावतैव किं सिद्धयेन्मयि तेषां पराभवः

viśāṁpatirathovāca tanmukhacchāyayeritam vijñāya tadabhiprāyamalaṁbhītyā puraukasaḥ vikārakāribhirlekhairyadinīto'nalo bhuvaḥ etāvataiva kiṁ siddhayenmayi teṣāṁ parābhavaḥ

Then the lord of his people, reading their intent from the look on their faces, and understanding — without undue alarm — the anxiety of his citizens, spoke: "Even if Agni has been withdrawn from the earth by some troubling decree, will that alone be enough to accomplish their victory over me?"

Verse 92 (skanda.4.43.92)

चिकीर्षुरहमेवासं पौराः कार्यमिदंपुरा॥ परं ह्युपेक्षितप्रायं दिष्ट्या तैः स्मारितं चिरात्

cikīrṣurahamevāsaṁ paurāḥ kāryamidaṁpurā paraṁ hyupekṣitaprāyaṁ diṣṭyā taiḥ smāritaṁ cirāt

"O citizens, I myself had long intended to do this very thing, but I had let it slip; how fortunate, then, that they have, after so long, reminded me of it!"

Verse 93 (skanda.4.43.93)

गतोऽनलोऽभवद्भद्रं जगत्प्राणोपि यात्वितः॥ वरुणः पुष्पवंताभ्यामविलंबं प्रयात्वितः

gato'nalo'bhavadbhadraṁ jagatprāṇopi yātvitaḥ varuṇaḥ puṣpavaṁtābhyāmavilaṁbaṁ prayātvitaḥ

"Agni has gone — so be it; let the very breath of the world, the Wind, go too; and let Varuna, together with the Sun and Moon, likewise depart at once, without delay."

Verse 94 (skanda.4.43.94)

अहमेव हि पर्जन्यो भविष्यामि तपोबलात्॥ मुदे जनपदानां च सर्वसस्यसमृद्धिदः

ahameva hi parjanyo bhaviṣyāmi tapobalāt mude janapadānāṁ ca sarvasasyasamṛddhidaḥ

"By the power of my own austerity, I myself shall become Parjanya, the rain-god, for the joy of my subjects and the abundance of every crop."

Verse 95 (skanda.4.43.95)

तपोयोगबलेनाहमात्मानं परिकल्प्य च॥ त्रिधावह्निस्वरूपेण पक्तीष्टिव्युष्टिकृत्तमः

tapoyogabalenāhamātmānaṁ parikalpya ca tridhāvahnisvarūpeṇa paktīṣṭivyuṣṭikṛttamaḥ

"By the strength of my austerity and yoga, I shall transform myself into the threefold form of Fire itself, and become supreme in accomplishing cooking, sacrifice, and prosperity alike."

Verse 96 (skanda.4.43.96)

अंतर्बहिश्च यो द्वेधा नभस्वत्पदवी दधत्॥ सर्वेषामेव वेत्स्यामि त्वंतःकरणचेष्टितम्

aṁtarbahiśca yo dvedhā nabhasvatpadavī dadhat sarveṣāmeva vetsyāmi tvaṁtaḥkaraṇaceṣṭitam

"Taking on the twofold path of the Wind, moving both within and without, I shall come to know even the inner workings of every mind."

Verse 97 (skanda.4.43.97)

विधाय चांभसीं मूर्तिं सर्वजीवैकजीवनीम्॥ प्रजाः संजीवयिप्यामि किं जडैर्विषये मम

vidhāya cāṁbhasīṁ mūrtiṁ sarvajīvaikajīvanīm prajāḥ saṁjīvayipyāmi kiṁ jaḍairviṣaye mama

"And assuming a watery form, the sole sustainer of life for every creature, I shall keep my people alive; what need have I, in my domain, of these inert deities at all?"

Verse 98 (skanda.4.43.98)

यदा खे तमसा पौरा ग्रस्येते शशिभास्करौ॥ तदा न किं विना ताभ्यां जीवामः क्षितिमंडले

yadā khe tamasā paurā grasyete śaśibhāskarau tadā na kiṁ vinā tābhyāṁ jīvāmaḥ kṣitimaṁḍale

"O citizens, when the Sun and Moon are seized by darkness in the sky, do we not still go on living here on earth, even without them?"

Verse 99 (skanda.4.43.99)

श्रियं चांद्रमसीं प्राप्य ह्लादयिष्याम्यहं प्रजाः॥ निशाचरेण किमिह क्षयिणा च कलंकिना

śriyaṁ cāṁdramasīṁ prāpya hlādayiṣyāmyahaṁ prajāḥ niśācareṇa kimiha kṣayiṇā ca kalaṁkinā

"Taking on the moon's own cooling radiance myself, I shall delight my people; what need, after all, have we of that night-wanderer — ever waning, and forever marked with a blemish?"

Verse 100 (skanda.4.43.100)

अस्मत्कुले मूलभूतो भास्करो मान्य एव नः॥ स तिष्ठतु सुखेनात्र यातायातं करोतु च॥ स एको जगतामात्मा विशेषात्कुलदेवता॥ सोपकर्तुं न वेत्त्येव तस्येदं व्रतमुत्तमम्

asmatkule mūlabhūto bhāskaro mānya eva naḥ sa tiṣṭhatu sukhenātra yātāyātaṁ karotu ca sa eko jagatāmātmā viśeṣātkuladevatā sopakartuṁ na vettyeva tasyedaṁ vratamuttamam

"But the Sun, the very root of our own lineage, remains truly venerable to us; let him alone continue to dwell here in peace, and go on his daily round. He alone is the soul of all the worlds, and above all, the presiding deity of our dynasty. He knows only how to do good — that alone is his highest vow."

Verse 101 (skanda.4.43.101)

इति नरपतिवाक्सुधारसौघं श्रुतिपुटकैः परिपीय पौरवर्गः॥ विकसितवदनांबुजो जगामनिजनिजमालयमाधिमुक्तचित्तः

iti narapativāksudhārasaughaṁ śrutipuṭakaiḥ paripīya pauravargaḥ vikasitavadanāṁbujo jagāmanijanijamālayamādhimuktacittaḥ

Having thus drunk in this flood of nectar-like words from the king through the vessels of their ears, the citizens, their lotus-faces blossoming, returned each to their own homes, their minds now free of every care.

Verse 102 (skanda.4.43.102)

क्षितिपतिरपि तत्तथा विधाय तपसोसाध्यमिहास्ति किं त्रिलोक्याम्॥ अतिवह्न्यर्कमसौ दधच्चतेजो द्युसदां शल्यमिवोच्चकैर्बभूव

kṣitipatirapi tattathā vidhāya tapasosādhyamihāsti kiṁ trilokyām ativahnyarkamasau dadhaccatejo dyusadāṁ śalyamivoccakairbabhūva

And the lord of the earth, having accomplished all this through the power of austerity, showed that nothing indeed is beyond reach in all three worlds through tapas. Bearing a splendour that outshone even Fire and the Sun, he became, as it were, a thorn lodged deep in the hearts of the gods.