Khakholkaditya and Garudesha

Verse 1 (skanda.4.50.1)

॥ स्कंद उवाच॥ वाराणस्यां तथादित्या ये चान्ये तान्वदाम्यतः॥ कलशोद्भव ते प्रीत्या सर्वे सर्वाघनाशनाः

skaṁda uvāca vārāṇasyāṁ tathādityā ye cānye tānvadāmyataḥ kalaśodbhava te prītyā sarve sarvāghanāśanāḥ

Skanda said: O jar-born one, I shall now tell you of the other Suns present in Varanasi as well; all of them, out of their own grace, are destroyers of every sin.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.50.2)

खखोल्को नाम भगवानादित्य परिकीर्तितः॥ त्रिविष्टपोत्तरे भागे सर्वव्याधिविघातकृत्

khakholko nāma bhagavānāditya parikīrtitaḥ triviṣṭapottare bhāge sarvavyādhivighātakṛt

There is a divine Sun renowned by the name Khakholka, dwelling in the northern quarter, the destroyer of every disease.

Verse 3 (skanda.4.50.3)

यथा खखोल्क इत्याख्या तस्यादित्यस्य तच्छृणु॥ पुरा कद्रूश्च विनता दक्षस्य तनये शुभे

yathā khakholka ityākhyā tasyādityasya tacchṛṇu purā kadrūśca vinatā dakṣasya tanaye śubhe

Hear now how that Sun came to bear the name Khakholka. Long ago, Kadru and Vinata, the two auspicious daughters of Daksha —

Verse 4 (skanda.4.50.4)

कश्यपस्य च ते पत्न्यौ मारीचेः प्राक्प्रजापतेः॥ क्रीडंत्यावेकदान्योन्यं मुने ते ऊचतुस्त्विति

kaśyapasya ca te patnyau mārīceḥ prākprajāpateḥ krīḍaṁtyāvekadānyonyaṁ mune te ūcatustviti

— the wives of Kashyapa, son of Marichi, the ancient Prajapati — one day, while playing together, O sage, said this to one another.

Verse 5 (skanda.4.50.5)

॥ कद्रूरुवाच॥ विनते त्वं विजानासि यदि तद्ब्रूहि मेग्रतः॥ अखंडिता गतिस्तेस्ति यतो गगनमंडले

kadrūruvāca vinate tvaṁ vijānāsi yadi tadbrūhi megrataḥ akhaṁḍitā gatistesti yato gaganamaṁḍale

Kadru said: "O Vinata, since your movement through the vault of the sky is unhindered, tell me, if you know —"

Verse 6 (skanda.4.50.6)

योसावुच्चैःश्रवा वाजी श्रूयते सवितूरथे॥ किं रूपःसोस्ति शबलो धवलो वा वदाशु मे

yosāvuccaiḥśravā vājī śrūyate savitūrathe kiṁ rūpaḥsosti śabalo dhavalo vā vadāśu me

"That horse Uchchaihshravas, said to draw the chariot of the Sun — what colour is it? Is it dappled, or is it white? Tell me at once."

Verse 7 (skanda.4.50.7)

पणं च कुरु कल्याणि तुभ्यं यो रोचतेनघे॥ एवमेव न यात्येष कालक्रीडनकं विना

paṇaṁ ca kuru kalyāṇi tubhyaṁ yo rocatenaghe evameva na yātyeṣa kālakrīḍanakaṁ vinā

"And, O gracious, sinless one, let us make a wager too, whatever pleases you; time never passes idly without some game to fill it."

Verse 8 (skanda.4.50.8)

॥ विनतोवाच॥ किं पणेन भगिन्यत्र कथयाम्येवमेव हि॥ त्वज्जये का च मे प्रीतिर्मज्जये किं नु ते सुखम्

vinatovāca kiṁ paṇena bhaginyatra kathayāmyevameva hi tvajjaye kā ca me prītirmajjaye kiṁ nu te sukham

Vinata said: "What need is there for a wager here, sister? I shall simply tell you. What joy would your victory bring me, or what pleasure would mine bring you?"

Verse 9 (skanda.4.50.9)

ज्ञात्वा पणो न कर्तव्यो मिथः स्नेहमभीप्सता॥ ध्रुवमेकस्य विजये क्रोधोन्स्येह जायते

jñātvā paṇo na kartavyo mithaḥ snehamabhīpsatā dhruvamekasya vijaye krodhonsyeha jāyate

"One who desires true affection between friends should never knowingly make a wager; for when one side wins, anger, without fail, arises in the other."

Verse 10 (skanda.4.50.10)

कद्रूरुवाच॥ क्रीडेयं नात्र भगिनि कारणं किमपि क्रुधः॥ खेलस्य व्यवहारोयं पणे यत्किंचिदुच्यते॥ ॥ विनतोवाच॥ तथा कुरु यथा प्रीतिस्तवास्ति पवनाशिनि॥ अथ तां विनतामाह कद्रूः कुटिलमानसा

kadrūruvāca krīḍeyaṁ nātra bhagini kāraṇaṁ kimapi krudhaḥ khelasya vyavahāroyaṁ paṇe yatkiṁciducyate vinatovāca tathā kuru yathā prītistavāsti pavanāśini atha tāṁ vinatāmāha kadrūḥ kuṭilamānasā

Kadru said: "This is only play, sister; there's no cause here for anger at all. It's simply the custom of a game that something be wagered." Vinata said: "Do as pleases you." Then Kadru, her mind already crooked, spoke thus to Vinata.

Verse 11 (skanda.4.50.11)

तस्यास्तु सा भवेद्दासी पराजीयेत या यया॥ अस्मिन्पणे इमाः सर्वाः सख्यः साक्षिण्य एव नौ

tasyāstu sā bhaveddāsī parājīyeta yā yayā asminpaṇe imāḥ sarvāḥ sakhyaḥ sākṣiṇya eva nau

"Whoever loses shall become the other's slave; and in this wager, all these friends of ours here shall stand as witnesses."

Verse 12 (skanda.4.50.12)

इत्यन्योन्यं पणीकृत्य सर्पिण्यपि पतत्त्रिणी॥ उवाच कर्बुरं कद्रूरश्वं श्वेतं गरुत्मती

ityanyonyaṁ paṇīkṛtya sarpiṇyapi patattriṇī uvāca karburaṁ kadrūraśvaṁ śvetaṁ garutmatī

Having thus made a wager with each other, the mother of serpents said the horse was dappled, while the mother of birds said it was white.

Verse 13 (skanda.4.50.13)

कदागंतव्यमिति च चक्राते ते गमावधिम्॥ जग्मतुश्च विरम्याथ क्रीडनात्स्वस्वमालयम्

kadāgaṁtavyamiti ca cakrāte te gamāvadhim jagmatuśca viramyātha krīḍanātsvasvamālayam

Having fixed a time for their return, they both ceased their play and went off, each to her own home.

Verse 14 (skanda.4.50.14)

विनतायां गतायां तु कद्रूराहूय चांगजान्॥ उवाच यात वै पुत्रा द्रुतं वचनतो मम

vinatāyāṁ gatāyāṁ tu kadrūrāhūya cāṁgajān uvāca yāta vai putrā drutaṁ vacanato mama

When Vinata had left, Kadru summoned her own sons and said: "Go quickly, my sons, and do as I say."

Verse 15 (skanda.4.50.15)

तुरंगमुच्चैःश्रवसं प्रोद्भूतं क्षीरनीरधेः॥ सुरासुरैर्मथ्यमानान्मंदराघातसाध्वसात्

turaṁgamuccaiḥśravasaṁ prodbhūtaṁ kṣīranīradheḥ surāsurairmathyamānānmaṁdarāghātasādhvasāt

"That horse Uchchaihshravas, which arose from the Ocean of Milk while it was being churned by gods and demons, terrified by the striking of Mount Mandara —"

Verse 16 (skanda.4.50.16)

कार्यकारणरूपस्य सादृश्यमधिगच्छति॥ अतस्तं क्षीरवर्णाभं कल्माषयत पुत्रकाः

kāryakāraṇarūpasya sādṛśyamadhigacchati atastaṁ kṣīravarṇābhaṁ kalmāṣayata putrakāḥ

"— has, as effect resembles cause, taken on the very hue of its cause, milk itself, and so is white. Therefore, my sons, go now and make that milk-white horse dappled."

Verse 17 (skanda.4.50.17)

तस्य वालधिमध्यास्य कृष्णकुंतलतां गताः॥ तथा तदंगलोमानि विधत्तविषसीत्कृतैः

tasya vāladhimadhyāsya kṛṣṇakuṁtalatāṁ gatāḥ tathā tadaṁgalomāni vidhattaviṣasītkṛtaiḥ

"Settling upon its tail, turn yourselves into black hairs there; and likewise, with the hissing venom of your own breath, mark its body-hair the same way."

Verse 18 (skanda.4.50.18)

इति श्रुत्वा वचो मातुः काद्रवेयाः परस्परम्॥ संमंत्र्य मातरं प्रोचुः कद्रूं कद्रूपमागताः

iti śrutvā vaco mātuḥ kādraveyāḥ parasparam saṁmaṁtrya mātaraṁ procuḥ kadrūṁ kadrūpamāgatāḥ

Hearing their mother's words, Kadru's sons took counsel among themselves and, resolved on this shameful deed, spoke thus to their mother.

Verse 19 (skanda.4.50.19)

॥ नागा ऊचुः॥ मातर्वयं त्वदाह्वानाद्विहाय क्रीडनं बलात्॥ प्राप्ताः प्रहृष्टा मृष्टान्नं दास्यत्यद्य प्रसूरिति॥ मृष्टं तिष्ठतु तद्दूरं विषादप्यधिकं कटु॥ तत्त्वया वादियन्मंत्रैरौषधैर्नोपशाम्यति

nāgā ūcuḥ mātarvayaṁ tvadāhvānādvihāya krīḍanaṁ balāt prāptāḥ prahṛṣṭā mṛṣṭānnaṁ dāsyatyadya prasūriti mṛṣṭaṁ tiṣṭhatu taddūraṁ viṣādapyadhikaṁ kaṭu tattvayā vādiyanmaṁtrairauṣadhairnopaśāmyati

The Nagas said: "Mother, we came here at your call, giving up our play at once, thinking, 'Today our mother will give us some fine food.' Let that fine food be far from us now — what you ask of us is more bitter than poison itself, a thing no mantra or medicine could ever cure."

Verse 20 (skanda.4.50.20)

वयं न यामो यद्भाव्यं तदस्माकं भवत्विह॥ इति प्रोक्तं विषास्यैस्तैस्तदा कुटिलगामिभिः

vayaṁ na yāmo yadbhāvyaṁ tadasmākaṁ bhavatviha iti proktaṁ viṣāsyaistaistadā kuṭilagāmibhiḥ

"We shall not go — whatever is to befall us, let it befall us here." Thus spoke those venom-mouthed, crooked-crawling serpents.

Verse 21 (skanda.4.50.21)

॥ स्कंद उवाच॥ अन्येपि ये कुटिलगाः पररंध्रनिषेविणः॥ अकर्णाः कूरहृदयाः पितरौ व्रीडयंति ते

skaṁda uvāca anyepi ye kuṭilagāḥ pararaṁdhraniṣeviṇaḥ akarṇāḥ kūrahṛdayāḥ pitarau vrīḍayaṁti te

Skanda said: Others too, who move by crooked ways, who prey upon another's weaknesses, who turn a deaf ear, whose hearts are cruel — such as these bring shame upon their own parents as well.

Verse 22 (skanda.4.50.22)

पित्रोर्गिरं निराकृत्य ये तिष्ठेयुः सुदुर्मदाः॥ अत्याहितमिह प्राप्य गच्छेयुस्तेऽचिराल्लयम्

pitrorgiraṁ nirākṛtya ye tiṣṭheyuḥ sudurmadāḥ atyāhitamiha prāpya gaccheyuste'cirāllayam

Those most arrogant beings who reject their parents' word and persist in their own way meet with grave misfortune here, and soon come to their own ruin.

Verse 23 (skanda.4.50.23)

तेषां वचनमाकर्ण्य नयाम इति सोरगी॥ शशाप तान्क्रुधाविष्टा नागांश्चागः समागतान्

teṣāṁ vacanamākarṇya nayāma iti soragī śaśāpa tānkrudhāviṣṭā nāgāṁścāgaḥ samāgatān

Hearing this defiance, that serpent-mother, overcome with fury, saying "Then I shall bring it upon you myself," cursed those Nagas who had come before her in this sin.

Verse 24 (skanda.4.50.24)

तार्क्ष्यस्य भक्ष्या भवत यूयं मद्वाक्यलंघनात्॥ जातमात्राश्च सर्पिण्यो भक्षयंतु स्वबालकान्

tārkṣyasya bhakṣyā bhavata yūyaṁ madvākyalaṁghanāt jātamātrāśca sarpiṇyo bhakṣayaṁtu svabālakān

"Since you have defied my word, become food for Tarkshya; and let serpent-mothers, henceforth, devour their own young the very moment they are born."

Verse 25 (skanda.4.50.25)

इति शापानलाद्भीतैः कैश्चित्पातालमाश्रितम्॥ जिजीविषुभिरन्यैश्च द्वित्रैश्चक्रे प्रसूवचः

iti śāpānalādbhītaiḥ kaiścitpātālamāśritam jijīviṣubhiranyaiśca dvitraiścakre prasūvacaḥ

Terrified by this fiery curse, some fled and took refuge in the nether world; but two or three others, wishing to live, carried out their mother's command.

Verse 26 (skanda.4.50.26)

ते पुच्छमौच्चैःश्रवसमधिगम्य महाधियः॥ सुनीलचिकुराभासं चक्रुरंगं च कर्बुरम्

te pucchamauccaiḥśravasamadhigamya mahādhiyaḥ sunīlacikurābhāsaṁ cakruraṁgaṁ ca karburam

Those cunning serpents, reaching the tail of Uchchaihshravas, made it appear as if covered in dark blue hair, and turned its whole body dappled as well.

Verse 27 (skanda.4.50.27)

तत्क्ष्वेडानल धूमौघैः फूत्कारभरनिःसृतैः॥ मातृवाक्कृतिजाद्धर्मान्न दग्धा भानुभानुभिः

tatkṣveḍānala dhūmaughaiḥ phūtkārabharaniḥsṛtaiḥ mātṛvākkṛtijāddharmānna dagdhā bhānubhānubhiḥ

Through the streams of smoke from the fire of their own venom, released with hissing breath, they — because they acted out of the duty owed to their mother's word — were not consumed even by the brilliant rays of the sun.

Verse 28 (skanda.4.50.28)

विनतापृष्ठमारुह्य कद्रूः स्नेहवशात्ततः॥ वियन्मार्गमलंकृत्य ददर्शोष्णांशुमंडलम्॥ तिग्मरश्मिप्रभावेण व्याकुलीभूतमानसा॥ कद्रुस्ततः खगीं प्राह विस्रब्धं विनते व्रज

vinatāpṛṣṭhamāruhya kadrūḥ snehavaśāttataḥ viyanmārgamalaṁkṛtya dadarśoṣṇāṁśumaṁḍalam tigmaraśmiprabhāveṇa vyākulībhūtamānasā kadrustataḥ khagīṁ prāha visrabdhaṁ vinate vraja

Then Kadru, out of affection, mounted upon Vinata's back, and, gracing the path of the sky, beheld the burning disc of the sun; her mind troubled by the power of its sharp rays, Kadru said to the bird-woman: "O Vinata, fly on unafraid."

Verse 29 (skanda.4.50.29)

उष्णगोरुष्णगोभिर्मे ताप्यते नितरां तनुः॥ विस्रब्धाहं स्वभावेन त्वं सापेक्षाहि सर्वतः

uṣṇagoruṣṇagobhirme tāpyate nitarāṁ tanuḥ visrabdhāhaṁ svabhāvena tvaṁ sāpekṣāhi sarvataḥ

"My own body is being scorched terribly by the hot rays of the hot-rayed Sun; I myself am trusting by nature, but you should stay watchful on every side."

Verse 30 (skanda.4.50.30)

स्वरूपेण पतंगी त्वं पतंगोसौ सहस्रगुः॥ अतएव न ते बाधा गगने तापसंभवा

svarūpeṇa pataṁgī tvaṁ pataṁgosau sahasraguḥ ataeva na te bādhā gagane tāpasaṁbhavā

"By your very nature you are a creature of flight, and that Sun too is a thousand-rayed traveller of the sky; therefore you suffer no distress from its heat up here."

Verse 31 (skanda.4.50.31)

वियत्सरसि हंसोयं भवती हंसगामिनी॥ चंडरश्मिप्रतापाग्निस्त्वामतो नेह बाधते

viyatsarasi haṁsoyaṁ bhavatī haṁsagāminī caṁḍaraśmipratāpāgnistvāmato neha bādhate

"This Sun is the very swan of the sky's own lake, and you yourself move with a swan's gait; and so the fierce fire of its blazing rays cannot trouble you here."

Verse 32 (skanda.4.50.32)

खगीमुद्गीयमानां खे पुनरूचे बिलेशया॥ त्राहित्राहि भगिन्यत्र यावोन्यत्र वियत्पथः

khagīmudgīyamānāṁ khe punarūce bileśayā trāhitrāhi bhaginyatra yāvonyatra viyatpathaḥ

While thus being flattered in the sky, that dweller-in-holes spoke again: "Save me, save me, sister — let us go elsewhere along the path of the sky."

Verse 33 (skanda.4.50.33)

विनते विनतां मां त्वं किं नावसि पतत्त्रिणी॥ तव दासी भविष्यामि त्वदुच्छिष्टनिषेविणी

vinate vinatāṁ māṁ tvaṁ kiṁ nāvasi patattriṇī tava dāsī bhaviṣyāmi tvaducchiṣṭaniṣeviṇī

"O Vinata, bent low with fear as I am, O winged one, why do you not save me? I shall become your slave, content to live on what you leave behind."

Verse 34 (skanda.4.50.34)

यावज्जीवमहं भूयां त्वत्पादोदकपायिनी॥ खखोल्कानि पतेदेषा भृशगद्गदभाषिणी

yāvajjīvamahaṁ bhūyāṁ tvatpādodakapāyinī khakholkāni patedeṣā bhṛśagadgadabhāṣiṇī

"As long as I live, let me be one who drinks the water that has washed your feet." — And, choking with fear, stammering, this word "Khakholkani" burst forth from her.

Verse 35 (skanda.4.50.35)

मूर्च्छां गतवती पक्षपुटौ धृत्वा बिडोरगी॥ सख्युल्कानि पतेदेषा वक्तव्ये त्विति संभ्रमात्

mūrcchāṁ gatavatī pakṣapuṭau dhṛtvā biḍoragī sakhyulkāni patedeṣā vaktavye tviti saṁbhramāt

That hole-dwelling serpent-woman, fainting, clutching at Vinata's wings, meant to say something like "May meteors fall upon my friend," but in her confusion —

Verse 36 (skanda.4.50.36)

खखोल्केति यदुक्ता गीः कद्र्वा संभ्रातचेतसा॥ तदा खखोल्कनामार्कः स्तुतो विनतया बहु

khakholketi yaduktā gīḥ kadrvā saṁbhrātacetasā tadā khakholkanāmārkaḥ stuto vinatayā bahu

— the word that actually escaped from the confused Kadru's lips was "Khakholka"; and so, thus repeatedly invoked by Vinata, the Sun came to bear this very name, Khakholka.

Verse 37 (skanda.4.50.37)

मनागतिग्मतां प्राप्ते खे प्रयाति विवस्वति॥ ताभ्यां तुरंगमो दर्शि किंचित्किर्मीरवान्रथे॥ उक्ता विनतयैवैषा तापोपहतलोचना॥ क्रूरा सरीसृपी सत्यवादिन्या विश्वमान्यया

manāgatigmatāṁ prāpte khe prayāti vivasvati tābhyāṁ turaṁgamo darśi kiṁcitkirmīravānrathe uktā vinatayaivaiṣā tāpopahatalocanā krūrā sarīsṛpī satyavādinyā viśvamānyayā

When the Sun's fierce heat had somewhat abated and he moved on across the sky, the two of them beheld the horse in its chariot, appearing with some dappled markings. Then, by Vinata herself — the truthful, world-honoured one — the cruel, crawling serpent-woman, her eyes still afflicted from the heat, was told —

Verse 38 (skanda.4.50.38)

कद्रु त्वया जितं भद्रे यत उच्चैःश्रवा हयः॥ चंद्ररश्मिप्रभोप्येष कल्माष इव भासते

kadru tvayā jitaṁ bhadre yata uccaiḥśravā hayaḥ caṁdraraśmiprabhopyeṣa kalmāṣa iva bhāsate

"O Kadru, O gracious one, you have won; for that horse Uchchaihshravas, radiant though it was as moonbeams, now appears dappled."

Verse 39 (skanda.4.50.39)

विधिर्बलीयान्भुजगि चित्रं जयपराजये॥ क्रूरोपि विजयी क्वापि त्वक्रूरोपि पराजयी

vidhirbalīyānbhujagi citraṁ jayaparājaye krūropi vijayī kvāpi tvakrūropi parājayī

"Fate, O serpent-woman, is stronger than all; how strange it is, this matter of victory and defeat — even the cruel may triumph, and even the guileless may be defeated."

Verse 40 (skanda.4.50.40)

विनताविनताधारा वदंतीति यथागतम्॥ कद्रूनिवेशनं प्राप्ता तस्या दास्यमचीकरत्

vinatāvinatādhārā vadaṁtīti yathāgatam kadrūniveśanaṁ prāptā tasyā dāsyamacīkarat

Thus speaking, Vinata, bowed low, returned as she had come, and, reaching Kadru's dwelling, began to serve her as a slave.

Verse 41 (skanda.4.50.41)

कदाचिद्विनतादर्शि सुपर्णनाश्रुलोचना॥ विच्छाया मलिना दीना दीर्घनिःश्वासवत्यपि

kadācidvinatādarśi suparṇanāśrulocanā vicchāyā malinā dīnā dīrghaniḥśvāsavatyapi

Once, Suparna beheld Vinata with tears in her eyes, her radiance faded, gloomy and wretched, heaving long, deep sighs.

Verse 42 (skanda.4.50.42)

सुपर्ण उवाच॥ प्रातःप्रातरहो मातः क्व यासि त्वं दिनेदिने॥ सायमायासि च कुतो विच्छाया दीनमानसा

suparṇa uvāca prātaḥprātaraho mātaḥ kva yāsi tvaṁ dinedine sāyamāyāsi ca kuto vicchāyā dīnamānasā

Suparna said: "O Mother, every morning where do you go, day after day? And from where do you return each evening, your glow gone, your heart so heavy?"

Verse 43 (skanda.4.50.43)

कुतो निःश्वसिसि प्रोच्चैरश्रुपूर्ण विलोचना॥ यथा क्लीबसुता योषिद्यथापति तिरस्कृता

kuto niḥśvasisi proccairaśrupūrṇa vilocanā yathā klībasutā yoṣidyathāpati tiraskṛtā

"Why do you sigh so heavily, your eyes brimming with tears — like a woman whose son is impotent, or like a wife scorned by her husband?"

Verse 44 (skanda.4.50.44)

ब्रूहि मातर्झटित्यद्य कुतो दूनासि पत्त्रिणि॥ मयि जीवति ते बाले कालेपि कृतसाध्वसे

brūhi mātarjhaṭityadya kuto dūnāsi pattriṇi mayi jīvati te bāle kālepi kṛtasādhvase

"Tell me at once, Mother, why you are so distressed today, O winged one — when I, your own child, still live, and you yourself could strike fear even into Time itself?"

Verse 45 (skanda.4.50.45)

अश्रुनिर्माणकरणे कारणं किं तपस्विनि॥ सुचरित्रा सुनारीषु नामंगलमिहेष्यते

aśrunirmāṇakaraṇe kāraṇaṁ kiṁ tapasvini sucaritrā sunārīṣu nāmaṁgalamiheṣyate

"What has caused these tears, O long-suffering one? Among virtuous, upright women, misfortune is not something one expects to find."

Verse 46 (skanda.4.50.46)

धिक्तांश्च पुत्रान्यन्माता तेषु जीवत्सु दुःखभाक्॥ वरं वंध्यैव सा यस्याः सुता वंध्यमनोरथाः॥ इत्यूर्जस्वलमाकर्ण्य वचः सूनोर्गरुत्मतः॥ विनता प्राह तं पुत्रं मातृभक्तिसमन्वितम्

dhiktāṁśca putrānyanmātā teṣu jīvatsu duḥkhabhāk varaṁ vaṁdhyaiva sā yasyāḥ sutā vaṁdhyamanorathāḥ ityūrjasvalamākarṇya vacaḥ sūnorgarutmataḥ vinatā prāha taṁ putraṁ mātṛbhaktisamanvitam

"Shame upon those sons in whose lifetime their own mother must suffer; better a barren woman than one whose son's own wishes come to nothing." Hearing this bold declaration from her son Garutman, Vinata spoke to her devoted son.

Verse 47 (skanda.4.50.47)

अहं दास्यस्मि रे बाल कद्र्वाश्च क्रूरचेतसः॥ पृष्ठे वहामि तां नित्यं तत्पुत्रानपि पुत्रक

ahaṁ dāsyasmi re bāla kadrvāśca krūracetasaḥ pṛṣṭhe vahāmi tāṁ nityaṁ tatputrānapi putraka

"O child, I am the slave of that cruel-hearted Kadru; I carry her, and her sons too, my son, upon my own back, day after day."

Verse 48 (skanda.4.50.48)

कदाचिन्मंदरं यामि कदाचिन्मलयाचलम्॥ कदाचिदंतरीपेषु चरेयं तदुदन्वताम्

kadācinmaṁdaraṁ yāmi kadācinmalayācalam kadācidaṁtarīpeṣu careyaṁ tadudanvatām

"Sometimes I go to Mandara, sometimes to the Malaya mountain; sometimes I roam among the islands of the sea."

Verse 49 (skanda.4.50.49)

यत्रयत्र नयेयुस्ते काद्रवेयाः सुदुर्मदाः॥ व्रजेयं तत्रतत्राहं तदधीना यतः सुत

yatrayatra nayeyuste kādraveyāḥ sudurmadāḥ vrajeyaṁ tatratatrāhaṁ tadadhīnā yataḥ suta

"Wherever those insolent sons of Kadru wish to take me, there I go, my son, for I am wholly under their command."

Verse 50 (skanda.4.50.50)

गरुड उवाच॥ दासीत्वकारणं मातः किं ते जातं सुलक्षणे॥ दक्षप्रजापतेः पुत्रि कश्यपस्यप्रियेऽनघे

garuḍa uvāca dāsītvakāraṇaṁ mātaḥ kiṁ te jātaṁ sulakṣaṇe dakṣaprajāpateḥ putri kaśyapasyapriye'naghe

Garuda said: "O Mother, of the most auspicious marks, O daughter of Prajapati Daksha, O sinless and beloved wife of Kashyapa — what has caused this slavery of yours?"

Verse 51 (skanda.4.50.51)

विनतोवाच गरुडं पुरावृत्तमशेषतः॥ दासीत्वकारणं यद्वदादित्याश्वविलोकनम्

vinatovāca garuḍaṁ purāvṛttamaśeṣataḥ dāsītvakāraṇaṁ yadvadādityāśvavilokanam

Vinata told Garuda the whole story of what had happened before, in full — the cause of her slavery: the sighting of the Sun's own horse.

Verse 52 (skanda.4.50.52)

श्रुत्वेति गरुडः प्राह मातरं सत्वरं व्रज॥ पृच्छाद्य मातस्तान्दुष्टान्काद्रवेयानिदं वचः

śrutveti garuḍaḥ prāha mātaraṁ satvaraṁ vraja pṛcchādya mātastānduṣṭānkādraveyānidaṁ vacaḥ

Hearing this, Garuda said: "Mother, go quickly, and ask those wicked sons of Kadru this very thing today —"

Verse 53 (skanda.4.50.53)

यद्दुर्लभं हि भवतां यत्रात्यंतरुचिश्च वः॥ मद्दासीत्वविमोक्षाय तद्याचध्वं ददाम्यहम्

yaddurlabhaṁ hi bhavatāṁ yatrātyaṁtaruciśca vaḥ maddāsītvavimokṣāya tadyācadhvaṁ dadāmyaham

"— whatever is hardest for them to attain, whatever they most desire — let them ask it of me, for my mother's release from slavery, and I shall give it to them."

Verse 54 (skanda.4.50.54)

तथाकरोच्च विनता तेपि श्रुत्वा तदीरितम्॥ सर्पाः संमंत्र्य तां प्रोचुर्विनतां हृष्टमानसाः

tathākarocca vinatā tepi śrutvā tadīritam sarpāḥ saṁmaṁtrya tāṁ procurvinatāṁ hṛṣṭamānasāḥ

Vinata did exactly this; and the serpents, hearing this offer, took counsel among themselves and, their hearts delighted, spoke to Vinata.

Verse 55 (skanda.4.50.55)

मातृशापविमोक्षाय यदि दास्यति नः सुधाम्॥ तदा समीहितं तेस्तु न दास्यत्यथ दास्यसि॥ इत्योंकृत्य समापृच्छ्य कद्रूं द्रुतगतिः खगी॥ गरुत्मंतं समाचष्ट दृष्ट्वा संहृष्टमानसम्

mātṛśāpavimokṣāya yadi dāsyati naḥ sudhām tadā samīhitaṁ testu na dāsyatyatha dāsyasi ityoṁkṛtya samāpṛcchya kadrūṁ drutagatiḥ khagī garutmaṁtaṁ samācaṣṭa dṛṣṭvā saṁhṛṣṭamānasam

"If he can give us the nectar of immortality, to free us from our mother's curse, then your wish shall be granted; otherwise, you remain a slave still." Agreeing to this, taking leave of Kadru, the swift-flying Vinata told this to Garutman, and found him delighted at heart.

Verse 56 (skanda.4.50.56)

नागांतकस्ततः प्राह मातरं चिंतयातुराम्॥ आनीतं विद्धि पीयूषं मातर्मे देहि भोजनम्

nāgāṁtakastataḥ prāha mātaraṁ ciṁtayāturām ānītaṁ viddhi pīyūṣaṁ mātarme dehi bhojanam

Then Garuda, destroyer of serpents, said to his mother, sick with worry: "Consider the nectar already won, Mother; now give me food."

Verse 57 (skanda.4.50.57)

विनता प्राह तं पुत्रं संप्रहृष्टतनूरुहा॥ भोः सुपर्णार्णवं तूर्णं याहि मंगलमस्तु ते

vinatā prāha taṁ putraṁ saṁprahṛṣṭatanūruhā bhoḥ suparṇārṇavaṁ tūrṇaṁ yāhi maṁgalamastu te

Vinata, her whole body thrilling with joy, said to her son: "O Suparna, go swiftly to the ocean; may good fortune go with you."

Verse 58 (skanda.4.50.58)

संति तत्रापि बहुशो निषादा मत्स्यघातिनः॥ वेलातटनिवासाश्च तान्भक्षय दुरात्मनः

saṁti tatrāpi bahuśo niṣādā matsyaghātinaḥ velātaṭanivāsāśca tānbhakṣaya durātmanaḥ

"There, too, along the shore, dwell many evil-minded fisherfolk who kill fish; devour those wretches."

Verse 59 (skanda.4.50.59)

परप्राणैर्निजप्राणान्ये पुष्णंतीह दुर्धियः॥ शासनीयाः प्रयत्नेन श्रेयस्तच्छासनं परम्

paraprāṇairnijaprāṇānye puṣṇaṁtīha durdhiyaḥ śāsanīyāḥ prayatnena śreyastacchāsanaṁ param

"Those foolish beings who nourish their own lives on the lives of others deserve to be punished with all diligence; such punishment is itself the highest good."

Verse 60 (skanda.4.50.60)

बहुहिंसाकृतां हिंसा भवेत्स्वर्गस्य साधनम्॥ विहिंसितेषु दुष्टेषु रक्ष्यते भूरिशो यतः

bahuhiṁsākṛtāṁ hiṁsā bhavetsvargasya sādhanam vihiṁsiteṣu duṣṭeṣu rakṣyate bhūriśo yataḥ

"Violence done to those who commit great violence becomes itself a means to heaven, for when the wicked are struck down, a great many others are thereby saved."

Verse 61 (skanda.4.50.61)

निषादेष्वपि चेद्विप्रः कश्चिद्भवति पुत्रक॥ संरक्षणीयो यत्नेन भक्षणीयो न कर्हिचित्

niṣādeṣvapi cedvipraḥ kaścidbhavati putraka saṁrakṣaṇīyo yatnena bhakṣaṇīyo na karhicit

"But, my son, should there happen to be any Brahmin among those Nishadas, he must be carefully protected, and never devoured."

Verse 62 (skanda.4.50.62)

॥ गरुड उवाच॥ मत्स्यादिनां वसन्मध्ये कथं ज्ञेयो द्विजो मया ॥ अभक्ष्यो यस्त्वया प्रोक्तस्तच्चिह्नं किं चनात्थ मे

garuḍa uvāca matsyādināṁ vasanmadhye kathaṁ jñeyo dvijo mayā abhakṣyo yastvayā proktastaccihnaṁ kiṁ canāttha me

Garuda said: "Dwelling among these fish-eaters, how am I to recognize a Brahmin? Tell me some mark by which I may know the one you say is not to be eaten."

Verse 63 (skanda.4.50.63)

॥ विनतोवाच॥ यज्ञसूत्रं गले यस्य सोत्तरीयं सुनिर्मलम्॥ नित्यधौतानि वासांसि भालं तिलक लांछितम्

vinatovāca yajñasūtraṁ gale yasya sottarīyaṁ sunirmalam nityadhautāni vāsāṁsi bhālaṁ tilaka lāṁchitam

Vinata said: "Whoever bears the sacred thread about his neck, a spotless upper garment, ever-clean clothes, and a forehead marked with a tilaka —"

Verse 64 (skanda.4.50.64)

सपवित्रौ करौ यस्य यन्नीवी कुशगर्भिणी॥ यन्मौलिः सशिखाग्रंथिः स ज्ञेयो ब्राह्मणस्त्वया॥ उच्चरेदृग्यजुःसाम्नामृचमेकामपीह यः॥ गायत्रीमात्रमंत्रोपि स विज्ञेयो द्विजस्त्वया

sapavitrau karau yasya yannīvī kuśagarbhiṇī yanmauliḥ saśikhāgraṁthiḥ sa jñeyo brāhmaṇastvayā uccaredṛgyajuḥsāmnāmṛcamekāmapīha yaḥ gāyatrīmātramaṁtropi sa vijñeyo dvijastvayā

"— whose hands bear the sacred kusha-grass rings, whose waist-cord is bound with kusha grass, whose topknot is properly tied — him you should recognize as a Brahmin. And whoever recites even one verse of the Rig, Yajur, or Sama Veda, even one who knows only the Gayatri mantra — him too you should know to be twice-born."

Verse 65 (skanda.4.50.65)

गरुड उवाच॥ मध्ये सदा निषादानां यो वसेज्जननि द्विजः॥ तस्यैतेष्वेकमप्येव न मन्ये लक्ष्मबोधकम्

garuḍa uvāca madhye sadā niṣādānāṁ yo vasejjanani dvijaḥ tasyaiteṣvekamapyeva na manye lakṣmabodhakam

Garuda said: "Mother, if a Brahmin were to dwell constantly among the Nishadas, I do not think even one of these signs of yours would still be discernible in him."

Verse 66 (skanda.4.50.66)

लक्ष्मांतरं समाचक्ष्व द्विजबोधकरं प्रसूः॥ येन विज्ञाय तं विप्रं त्यजेयमपि कंठगम्

lakṣmāṁtaraṁ samācakṣva dvijabodhakaraṁ prasūḥ yena vijñāya taṁ vipraṁ tyajeyamapi kaṁṭhagam

"O mother, tell me another mark that will let me know a Brahmin, so that, recognizing him even after he has entered my throat, I may still let him go."

Verse 67 (skanda.4.50.67)

तच्छ्रुत्वा विनता प्राह यस्ते कंठगतोंऽगज॥ खदिरांगारवद्दह्यात्तमपाकुरु दूरतः

tacchrutvā vinatā prāha yaste kaṁṭhagatoṁ'gaja khadirāṁgāravaddahyāttamapākuru dūrataḥ

Hearing this, Vinata said: "My child, whoever, once he reaches your throat, burns you like a live coal of khadira wood — cast him far away at once."

Verse 68 (skanda.4.50.68)

द्विजमात्रेपि या हिंसा सा हिंसा कुशलाय न॥ देशं वंशं श्रियं स्वं च निर्मूलयति कालतः

dvijamātrepi yā hiṁsā sā hiṁsā kuśalāya na deśaṁ vaṁśaṁ śriyaṁ svaṁ ca nirmūlayati kālataḥ

"For violence done even to an ordinary Brahmin brings no good at all; in time, it uproots one's own land, lineage, and fortune altogether."

Verse 69 (skanda.4.50.69)

निशम्य काश्यपिरितिप्रसूपादौप्रणम्य च॥ गृहीताशीर्ययौ शीघ्रं खमार्गेण खगेश्वरः

niśamya kāśyapiritiprasūpādaupraṇamya ca gṛhītāśīryayau śīghraṁ khamārgeṇa khageśvaraḥ

Having heard this, Kashyapa's son bowed at his mother's feet, received her blessing, and set out swiftly along the pathway of the sky, that lord of birds.

Verse 70 (skanda.4.50.70)

दूरादालोकयांचक्रे निषादान्मत्स्यजीविनः॥ पक्षौ विधूय पक्षींद्रो रजसापूर्य रोदसी

dūrādālokayāṁcakre niṣādānmatsyajīvinaḥ pakṣau vidhūya pakṣīṁdro rajasāpūrya rodasī

From afar he spotted those fisherfolk who lived off fish; and that king of birds, beating his wings, filled the sky and earth with clouds of dust.

Verse 71 (skanda.4.50.71)

अंधीकृत्य दिशोभागानब्धिरोधस्युपाविशत्॥ व्यादाय वदनं घोरं महाकंदरसन्निभम्

aṁdhīkṛtya diśobhāgānabdhirodhasyupāviśat vyādāya vadanaṁ ghoraṁ mahākaṁdarasannibham

Blinding every quarter of the sky, he settled upon the ocean's shore, and opened wide his terrible mouth, gaping like some vast cavern.

Verse 72 (skanda.4.50.72)

कांदिशीका निषादास्तु विविशुस्तत्र च स्वयम्॥ मन्वानेष्वथ पंथानं तेषु कंठं विशत्स्वपि

kāṁdiśīkā niṣādāstu viviśustatra ca svayam manvāneṣvatha paṁthānaṁ teṣu kaṁṭhaṁ viśatsvapi

The terrified Nishadas, fleeing in every direction, mistaking that gaping mouth for a way of escape, rushed straight into it themselves; and as they entered his throat —

Verse 73 (skanda.4.50.73)

जज्वालेंगलसंस्पर्शो द्विजस्तत्कंठकंदलीम्॥ प्राक्प्रविष्टानथो तार्क्ष्यो निषादानौदरीं दरीम्॥ प्रवेश्य कंठतालुस्थं तं विज्ञाय द्विजस्फुटम्॥ भयादुदगिरत्तूर्णं मातृवाक्येन यंत्रितः

jajvāleṁgalasaṁsparśo dvijastatkaṁṭhakaṁdalīm prākpraviṣṭānatho tārkṣyo niṣādānaudarīṁ darīm praveśya kaṁṭhatālusthaṁ taṁ vijñāya dvijasphuṭam bhayādudagirattūrṇaṁ mātṛvākyena yaṁtritaḥ

— one of them, a Brahmin, burned that very hollow of his throat as if touched by a live coal. Tarkshya sent the previously-entered Nishadas down into the cavern of his belly, but, clearly recognizing this one lodged in the palate of his throat as a Brahmin, and bound by his mother's own word, he swiftly, in alarm, spat him out.

Verse 74 (skanda.4.50.74)

तमुद्गीर्णं नरं दृष्ट्वा पक्षिराट्समभाषत॥ कस्त्वं जात्यासि निगद मम कंठविदाहकृत्

tamudgīrṇaṁ naraṁ dṛṣṭvā pakṣirāṭsamabhāṣata kastvaṁ jātyāsi nigada mama kaṁṭhavidāhakṛt

Seeing the man he had disgorged, the king of birds asked: "Who are you, by caste? Tell me — you who set my very throat aflame."

Verse 75 (skanda.4.50.75)

स तदाहेति विप्रोहं पृष्टः सन्गरुडाग्रतः॥ वसाम्येषु निषादेषु जातिमात्रोपजीवकः

sa tadāheti viprohaṁ pṛṣṭaḥ sangaruḍāgrataḥ vasāmyeṣu niṣādeṣu jātimātropajīvakaḥ

Questioned thus by Garuda, he replied: "I am indeed a Brahmin, but I dwell among these Nishadas, sustaining my life by birthright alone."

Verse 76 (skanda.4.50.76)

तं प्रेष्य गरुडो दूरं भक्षयित्वाथ भूरिशः॥ नभो विक्षोभयांचक्रे प्रलयानिल सन्निभः

taṁ preṣya garuḍo dūraṁ bhakṣayitvātha bhūriśaḥ nabho vikṣobhayāṁcakre pralayānila sannibhaḥ

Sending him safely away, and having devoured a great many of the rest, Garuda then set the sky churning, like the very wind of universal dissolution.

Verse 77 (skanda.4.50.77)

तं दृष्ट्वा तिग्मतेजस्कं ज्वालाततदिगंतरम्॥ ज्वलद्दावानलं शैलमिव बिभ्युर्दिवौकसः

taṁ dṛṣṭvā tigmatejaskaṁ jvālātatadigaṁtaram jvaladdāvānalaṁ śailamiva bibhyurdivaukasaḥ

Seeing him, fierce with splendour, his flames spreading through every quarter, the gods grew afraid, as if before a mountain ablaze with wildfire.

Verse 78 (skanda.4.50.78)

ते सन्नह्यंत युद्धाय सज्जीकृत बलायुधाः॥ अध्यास्य वाहनान्याशु सर्वे वर्मभृतः सुराः

te sannahyaṁta yuddhāya sajjīkṛta balāyudhāḥ adhyāsya vāhanānyāśu sarve varmabhṛtaḥ surāḥ

They armed themselves for battle, readying their forces and weapons; all the gods swiftly mounted their vehicles and donned their armour.

Verse 79 (skanda.4.50.79)

तिर्यग्गतीरविर्नायं नायमग्निः सधूमवान्॥ क्षणप्रभाप्यसौ नैव को नः सम्मुख एत्यसौ

tiryaggatīravirnāyaṁ nāyamagniḥ sadhūmavān kṣaṇaprabhāpyasau naiva ko naḥ sammukha etyasau

[They said:] "This is not the sun moving crosswise; nor is it fire, for it bears no smoke; nor is it the momentary flash of lightning — who, then, is this that comes to face us?"

Verse 80 (skanda.4.50.80)

न दैत्येषु प्रभेदृक्स्यान्नाकृतिर्दानवेष्वियम्॥ महासाध्वसदः कोयमस्माकं हृत्प्रकंपनः

na daityeṣu prabhedṛksyānnākṛtirdānaveṣviyam mahāsādhvasadaḥ koyamasmākaṁ hṛtprakaṁpanaḥ

"No such splendour is found among the Daityas, nor is this form seen among the Danavas either; who is this that strikes such great terror, that makes our very hearts tremble?"

Verse 81 (skanda.4.50.81)

यावत्संभावयंतीति नीतिज्ञा अपि निर्जराः॥ तावद्दुधाव स्वौ पक्षौ पक्षिराजो महाबलः

yāvatsaṁbhāvayaṁtīti nītijñā api nirjarāḥ tāvaddudhāva svau pakṣau pakṣirājo mahābalaḥ

While the gods, skilled in statecraft though they were, were still puzzling over this, the mighty king of birds shook out his own two wings.

Verse 82 (skanda.4.50.82)

निपेतुः पक्षवातेन सायुधाश्च सवाहनाः॥ न ज्ञायंते क्व संप्राप्ता वात्यया पार्णतार्णवत्॥ अथ तेषु प्रणष्टेषु बुद्ध्या विज्ञाय पक्षिराट्॥ कोशागारं सुधायाः स तत्रापश्यच्च रक्षिणः

nipetuḥ pakṣavātena sāyudhāśca savāhanāḥ na jñāyaṁte kva saṁprāptā vātyayā pārṇatārṇavat atha teṣu praṇaṣṭeṣu buddhyā vijñāya pakṣirāṭ kośāgāraṁ sudhāyāḥ sa tatrāpaśyacca rakṣiṇaḥ

By the very blast of his wings, they fell, weapons and mounts alike, and no one could tell where they had scattered off to, like dry leaves caught in a storm. Then, once they had vanished, the king of birds, perceiving it with his own wisdom, beheld there the treasury of nectar, and its guardians.

Verse 83 (skanda.4.50.83)

शस्त्रास्त्रोद्यतपाणींस्तान्सुरानाधूय सर्वशः॥ ददर्श कर्तरीयंत्रममृतोपरिसंस्थितम्

śastrāstrodyatapāṇīṁstānsurānādhūya sarvaśaḥ dadarśa kartarīyaṁtramamṛtoparisaṁsthitam

Shaking off, on every side, those gods with weapons and missiles raised, he beheld the scissor-like device stationed above the nectar.

Verse 84 (skanda.4.50.84)

मनःपवनवेगेन भ्रममाणं महारयम्॥ अपिस्पृशंतं मशकं यत्खंडयति कोटिशः

manaḥpavanavegena bhramamāṇaṁ mahārayam apispṛśaṁtaṁ maśakaṁ yatkhaṁḍayati koṭiśaḥ

— whirling with the speed of mind and wind, of terrible power, cutting even a mosquito that merely brushed against it into countless pieces.

Verse 85 (skanda.4.50.85)

उपोपविश्य पक्षींद्रस्तस्य यंत्रस्य निर्भयः॥ क्षणं विचारयामास किमत्र करवाण्यहो

upopaviśya pakṣīṁdrastasya yaṁtrasya nirbhayaḥ kṣaṇaṁ vicārayāmāsa kimatra karavāṇyaho

The king of birds, seating himself near that device, unafraid, reflected for a moment: "Ah, what am I to do here?"

Verse 86 (skanda.4.50.86)

स्प्रष्टुं न लभ्यते चैतद्वात्या न प्रभवेदिह॥ क उपायोत्र कर्तव्यो वृथा जातो ममोद्यमः

spraṣṭuṁ na labhyate caitadvātyā na prabhavediha ka upāyotra kartavyo vṛthā jāto mamodyamaḥ

"This cannot even be touched, and here even the force of wind can do nothing; what expedient is there — has my whole effort come to nothing?"

Verse 87 (skanda.4.50.87)

न बलं प्रभवेदत्र न किंचिदपि पौरुषम्॥ अहो प्रयत्नो देवानामेतत्पीयूषरक्षणे

na balaṁ prabhavedatra na kiṁcidapi pauruṣam aho prayatno devānāmetatpīyūṣarakṣaṇe

"Neither strength nor any valour avails here at all; ah, how remarkable is the effort the gods have made to guard this nectar!"

Verse 88 (skanda.4.50.88)

यदि मे शंकरे भक्तिर्निर्द्वंद्वातीव निश्चला॥ तदा स देवदेवो मां वियुनक्तु महाऽधिया

yadi me śaṁkare bhaktirnirdvaṁdvātīva niścalā tadā sa devadevo māṁ viyunaktu mahā'dhiyā

"If my devotion to Shankara is truly beyond all duality, utterly steadfast, then may that God of gods now endow me with great wisdom."

Verse 89 (skanda.4.50.89)

यद्यहं मातृभक्तोस्मि स्वामिनः शंकरादपि॥ तदा मे बुद्धिरत्रास्तु पीयूषहरणं क्षमा

yadyahaṁ mātṛbhaktosmi svāminaḥ śaṁkarādapi tadā me buddhiratrāstu pīyūṣaharaṇaṁ kṣamā

"If I am indeed as devoted to my mother as I am even to my Lord Shankara, then let my own wisdom here prove capable of winning this nectar."

Verse 90 (skanda.4.50.90)

आत्मार्थं नोद्यमश्चायं हृत्स्थो वेत्तीति विश्वगः॥ मातुर्दास्यविमोक्षाय यतेहममृतं प्रति

ātmārthaṁ nodyamaścāyaṁ hṛtstho vettīti viśvagaḥ māturdāsyavimokṣāya yatehamamṛtaṁ prati

"May the all-pervading Lord, dwelling within my very heart, know that this effort of mine is not for myself; I strive here for the nectar only to free my mother from her bondage."

Verse 91 (skanda.4.50.91)

जरितौ पितरौ यस्य बालापत्यश्च यः पुमान्॥ साध्वी भार्या च तत्पुष्ट्यै दोषोऽकृत्येपि तस्य न॥ इति चिंतयतस्तस्य बुद्धिरासीन्महात्मनः

jaritau pitarau yasya bālāpatyaśca yaḥ pumān sādhvī bhāryā ca tatpuṣṭyai doṣo'kṛtyepi tasya na iti ciṁtayatastasya buddhirāsīnmahātmanaḥ

"For one whose parents are old, whose children are still young, and whose wife is virtuous — for their sake, even an ordinarily forbidden act brings no fault upon him." So reflecting, that great soul hit upon an idea.

Verse 92 (skanda.4.50.92)

देहं चकार सोत्यंतमणीयांसमणोरपि॥ परमाणुसहस्रांशं कृत्वा रूपं महाद्भुतम्

dehaṁ cakāra sotyaṁtamaṇīyāṁsamaṇorapi paramāṇusahasrāṁśaṁ kṛtvā rūpaṁ mahādbhutam

He made his body exceedingly minute, smaller even than an atom, taking on a most wondrous form the size of a thousandth part of an atom.

Verse 93 (skanda.4.50.93)

प्रविश्य कर्तरीयंत्रमधोदेहस्य लाघवात्॥ बिभ्यत्तद्यंत्रतो देहं वंचयन्वायुखंडनात्॥ मूलमुत्पाट्य तरसा गृहीत्वाऽमृतभाजनम्

praviśya kartarīyaṁtramadhodehasya lāghavāt bibhyattadyaṁtrato dehaṁ vaṁcayanvāyukhaṁḍanāt mūlamutpāṭya tarasā gṛhītvā'mṛtabhājanam

Entering the scissor-device from below, thanks to the lightness of his own body, and, though wary of that device, keeping his body clear of its cutting blast, he swiftly tore it up by its very roots and seized the vessel of nectar.

Verse 94 (skanda.4.50.94)

निर्ययौ पावने मार्गे क्रोशत्सु स्वर्गसद्मसु

niryayau pāvane mārge krośatsu svargasadmasu

He came forth along that sacred pathway, as the dwellers of heaven cried out in dismay behind him.

Verse 95 (skanda.4.50.95)

तथा वैकुंठनाथं ते गत्वा प्रोचुः सुधाभुजः॥ निर्जित्य नीयते चक्रिन्सुधा नो जीवितं परम्

tathā vaikuṁṭhanāthaṁ te gatvā procuḥ sudhābhujaḥ nirjitya nīyate cakrinsudhā no jīvitaṁ param

Then those nectar-drinking gods went to the Lord of Vaikuntha and said: "O discus-bearer, our nectar — our very life-breath — is being carried away, and we have been utterly defeated."

Verse 96 (skanda.4.50.96)

इत्याकर्ण्य हरिस्तेभ्योऽभयं दत्त्वा त्वरायुतः॥ कृत्वा युद्धं च सुमहद्विंशार्कघटिकाद्वयम्

ityākarṇya haristebhyo'bhayaṁ dattvā tvarāyutaḥ kṛtvā yuddhaṁ ca sumahadviṁśārkaghaṭikādvayam

Hearing this, Hari, granting them assurance of safety, swiftly waged a most mighty battle lasting some forty ghatikas.

Verse 97 (skanda.4.50.97)

शुंभदेव्योर्यथासूत गरुडस्तत्र चाधिकः॥ तदा प्रसन्नो भगवान्महायुद्धेन सर्वदः

śuṁbhadevyoryathāsūta garuḍastatra cādhikaḥ tadā prasanno bhagavānmahāyuddhena sarvadaḥ

In that great battle, Garuda proved himself the mightier; then the Lord, giver of all, well pleased by that great combat —

Verse 98 (skanda.4.50.98)

गत्वा गरुडमाहेदं प्रसन्नोस्मि खगेश्वर॥ वरं वृणीहि भद्रं ते जितवृंदारवृंदक

gatvā garuḍamāhedaṁ prasannosmi khageśvara varaṁ vṛṇīhi bhadraṁ te jitavṛṁdāravṛṁdaka

— went up to Garuda and said this: "I am well pleased with you, O lord of birds; ask for a boon — may good befall you, O conqueror of the whole assembly of gods."

Verse 99 (skanda.4.50.99)

हसित्वा गरुडः प्राह विश्वरूपं जनार्दनम्॥ अहमेव प्रसन्नोस्मि त्वं प्रार्थय वरद्वयम्

hasitvā garuḍaḥ prāha viśvarūpaṁ janārdanam ahameva prasannosmi tvaṁ prārthaya varadvayam

Laughing, Garuda said to Janardana, of the universal form: "It is I who am pleased with you; you ask two boons of me instead."

Verse 100 (skanda.4.50.100)

ततः कैटभजित्प्राह वैनतेयं मुदान्वितः॥ वृतंवृतं महोदार देहिदेहि वरद्वयम्॥ इति विष्णूदितं श्रुत्वा प्रहसन्नाह पक्षिराट्॥ किं विलंबेन तद्ब्रूहि दत्तं दत्तं वरद्वयम्

tataḥ kaiṭabhajitprāha vainateyaṁ mudānvitaḥ vṛtaṁvṛtaṁ mahodāra dehidehi varadvayam iti viṣṇūditaṁ śrutvā prahasannāha pakṣirāṭ kiṁ vilaṁbena tadbrūhi dattaṁ dattaṁ varadvayam

Then Kaitabhajit, delighted, said to Vainateya: "Granted, granted, O most generous one — give me, give me two boons." Hearing Vishnu say this, the king of birds laughed and said: "Why delay? Speak, then — granted, granted, two boons."

Verse 101 (skanda.4.50.101)

अलब्धलाभे संजाते द्यूतादि विजयोदये॥ दातव्यं सुधियापात्रे सदा लाभजयौ क्व वा

alabdhalābhe saṁjāte dyūtādi vijayodaye dātavyaṁ sudhiyāpātre sadā lābhajayau kva vā

When some unlooked-for gain occurs, as in a victory at dice or the like, a wise man should always give something to a worthy recipient; for when, after all, are gain and victory ever certain?

Verse 102 (skanda.4.50.102)

॥ श्रीविष्णुरुवाच॥ बलवानसि पक्षींद्र तन्मे वाहनतां व्रज॥ एको वरोयं वरद द्वितीयं शृणु काश्यप

śrīviṣṇuruvāca balavānasi pakṣīṁdra tanme vāhanatāṁ vraja eko varoyaṁ varada dvitīyaṁ śṛṇu kāśyapa

Shri Vishnu said: "O king of birds, you are mighty indeed; become my own mount. This is my first request, O granter of boons; hear now the second, O son of Kashyapa."

Verse 103 (skanda.4.50.103)

दर्शयित्वामृतं प्राज्ञ मातृदास्यविमोक्षकम्॥ द्विजिह्वेभ्यः कुरु तथा द्रागश्नंति न ते यथा

darśayitvāmṛtaṁ prājña mātṛdāsyavimokṣakam dvijihvebhyaḥ kuru tathā drāgaśnaṁti na te yathā

"O wise one, having shown the nectar to secure your mother's freedom from slavery, arrange things so that the forked-tongued serpents may not swiftly drink it."

Verse 104 (skanda.4.50.104)

देया सुधा सुधाभुग्भ्यो द्वितीयोस्तु वरो मम॥ तथेति स प्रतिज्ञाय निर्ययौ पक्षिराड्दिवः

deyā sudhā sudhābhugbhyo dvitīyostu varo mama tatheti sa pratijñāya niryayau pakṣirāḍdivaḥ

"Let the nectar be given only to those who rightly drink it, the gods — this is my second boon." "So be it," Garuda promised, and the king of birds departed from heaven.

Verse 105 (skanda.4.50.105)

स मातरं विनिर्मोच्य दास्यात्काश्यपनंदनः॥ नागानां पुरतो धृत्वा महामृतकमंडलुम्

sa mātaraṁ vinirmocya dāsyātkāśyapanaṁdanaḥ nāgānāṁ purato dhṛtvā mahāmṛtakamaṁḍalum

Kashyapa's son, to release his mother from slavery, held that great vessel of nectar before the Nagas —

Verse 106 (skanda.4.50.106)

अमृतं पातुकामांस्तानित्याचष्ट महामतिः॥ नागाः शुचित्वमासाद्य भोक्तव्यैषा सुधा शुभा

amṛtaṁ pātukāmāṁstānityācaṣṭa mahāmatiḥ nāgāḥ śucitvamāsādya bhoktavyaiṣā sudhā śubhā

— and said to those eager to drink it, that most wise one: "O Nagas, this auspicious nectar should be partaken of only after attaining purity."

Verse 107 (skanda.4.50.107)

नोचेदशुचिभिः स्पृष्टा स्नानादि परिवर्जितैः॥ यास्यत्यदृश्यतामेषा सुधाऽनिमिषरक्षिता

nocedaśucibhiḥ spṛṣṭā snānādi parivarjitaiḥ yāsyatyadṛśyatāmeṣā sudhā'nimiṣarakṣitā

"Otherwise, if touched by impure hands — those who have not bathed or purified themselves — this nectar, guarded even by the unwinking gods, shall vanish from sight altogether."

Verse 108 (skanda.4.50.108)

सामान्यमपि यद्रक्ष्यं स्पृश्यतेऽशुचिभिः क्वचित्॥ हरंति तद्रसं देवास्तच्च तिष्ठति नीरसम्

sāmānyamapi yadrakṣyaṁ spṛśyate'śucibhiḥ kvacit haraṁti tadrasaṁ devāstacca tiṣṭhati nīrasam

"Even an ordinary thing worth guarding, if it is ever touched by the impure, has its very essence taken away by the gods, and it remains thereafter without any savour."

Verse 109 (skanda.4.50.109)

इत्युक्त्वा सहितो मात्रा वैनतेयो विनिर्ययौ॥ कुशासने च तैरुक्तो धृत्वा पीयूषभाजनम्॥ यावत्स्नातुं गताः सर्पास्तावत्पीयूषभाजनम्॥ आदाय विष्णुना दत्तं देवेभ्य इव जीवितम्

ityuktvā sahito mātrā vainateyo viniryayau kuśāsane ca tairukto dhṛtvā pīyūṣabhājanam yāvatsnātuṁ gatāḥ sarpāstāvatpīyūṣabhājanam ādāya viṣṇunā dattaṁ devebhya iva jīvitam

Having said this, Vainateya, with his mother, placed the vessel of nectar upon a bed of kusha grass, as instructed, and departed. And while the serpents went off to bathe, he took up that vessel of nectar — granted by Vishnu as though it were the very life of the gods —

Verse 110 (skanda.4.50.110)

आगत्य भुजगाः स्नात्वा न दृष्ट्वामृतभाजनम्॥ अहो प्रतारिता नीतममृतं चेति चुक्रुशुः

āgatya bhujagāḥ snātvā na dṛṣṭvāmṛtabhājanam aho pratāritā nītamamṛtaṁ ceti cukruśuḥ

— and left. The serpents, returning from their bath and finding the vessel of nectar gone, cried out: "Ah, we have been tricked! Our nectar has been carried off!"

Verse 111 (skanda.4.50.111)

ततः पर्यलिहन्दर्भान्पीयूषस्पर्शकांक्षिणः॥ आस्तां तावत्सुधा दूरं जिह्वास्तेषां द्विधाभवन्

tataḥ paryalihandarbhānpīyūṣasparśakāṁkṣiṇaḥ āstāṁ tāvatsudhā dūraṁ jihvāsteṣāṁ dvidhābhavan

Then, longing for even a touch of the nectar, they licked at the very kusha grass on which it had stood; the nectar remained far beyond their reach, but their very tongues split into two.

Verse 112 (skanda.4.50.112)

अन्येप्यन्यायलब्धार्थं ये बुभुक्षंति केवलम्॥ तन्नो परिणतिं गच्छेद्भोक्तुं वातैर्न लभ्यते

anyepyanyāyalabdhārthaṁ ye bubhukṣaṁti kevalam tanno pariṇatiṁ gacchedbhoktuṁ vātairna labhyate

In just the same way, others too who merely long to enjoy wealth got by unjust means never see it come to its proper fruition; such gains can never truly be enjoyed by the greedy.

Verse 113 (skanda.4.50.113)

न्यायाध्वस्थेन तार्क्ष्येण सुधा प्राप्तातिदुर्लभा॥ लब्धाप्यन्यायतो नागैर्दृष्टमात्रा क्षणाद्गता

nyāyādhvasthena tārkṣyeṇa sudhā prāptātidurlabhā labdhāpyanyāyato nāgairdṛṣṭamātrā kṣaṇādgatā

Tarkshya, walking the path of righteousness, won that most hard-to-obtain nectar; but the Nagas, though they obtained it unjustly, saw it vanish in an instant, no sooner glimpsed than gone.

Verse 114 (skanda.4.50.114)

अथ दास्याद्विनिर्मुक्ता विनतोवाच खेचरम्॥ पुत्र काशीं प्रयास्यामि दास्यपापापनुत्तये

atha dāsyādvinirmuktā vinatovāca khecaram putra kāśīṁ prayāsyāmi dāsyapāpāpanuttaye

Then, freed at last from her servitude, Vinata said to her sky-borne son: "My son, I shall go to Kashi, to wash away the sin of my slavery."

Verse 115 (skanda.4.50.115)

तावत्पापानि जृंभंते नानाजन्मार्जितान्यपि॥ यावत्काशी न हृत्संस्था पुनर्भवविघातिनी

tāvatpāpāni jṛṁbhaṁte nānājanmārjitānyapi yāvatkāśī na hṛtsaṁsthā punarbhavavighātinī

"Sins, even those accumulated over countless births, continue to flourish only so long as Kashi — the destroyer of rebirth — has not taken root within one's own heart."

Verse 116 (skanda.4.50.116)

काशीस्मरणमात्रेण किं चित्रं यदघं व्रजेत्॥ गर्भवासोपि नश्येत विश्वेशानुग्रहात्परात्

kāśīsmaraṇamātreṇa kiṁ citraṁ yadaghaṁ vrajet garbhavāsopi naśyeta viśveśānugrahātparāt

"What wonder is it that sin should vanish merely at the thought of Kashi? By the supreme grace of Vishvesha, even the very dwelling in the womb is destroyed."

Verse 117 (skanda.4.50.117)

यत्र विश्वेश्वरः साक्षात्तारापतिविभूषणः॥ तारयेत्तारकद्रोण्या दुस्तराद्भवसागरात्

yatra viśveśvaraḥ sākṣāttārāpativibhūṣaṇaḥ tārayettārakadroṇyā dustarādbhavasāgarāt

"Where Vishveshvara himself, adorned with the crescent moon, dwells in person, he ferries souls across the impassable ocean of worldly existence, in the very boat of the taraka-mantra."

Verse 118 (skanda.4.50.118)

विश्वेशानुगृहीतानां विच्छिन्नाखिलकर्मणाम्॥ भवेत्काशीं प्रति मतिर्नेतरेषां कदाचन॥ काशीं प्रति मनो येषां निःशेषक्षालितैनसाम्॥ त एव मानवा लोके सत्यं नृप शवोपरे

viśveśānugṛhītānāṁ vicchinnākhilakarmaṇām bhavetkāśīṁ prati matirnetareṣāṁ kadācana kāśīṁ prati mano yeṣāṁ niḥśeṣakṣālitainasām ta eva mānavā loke satyaṁ nṛpa śavopare

"Only those graced by Vishvesha, all their binding karma cut away, have their minds turn towards Kashi — never anyone else. Those whose minds are fixed on Kashi have every sin utterly washed clean; truly, O king, they alone are men in this world, even lying there as mere corpses."

Verse 119 (skanda.4.50.119)

तैरेव कालो विजितस्त एव हि गतैनसः॥ अपुनर्गर्भवासास्ते प्राप्ता वाराणसीह यैः

taireva kālo vijitasta eva hi gatainasaḥ apunargarbhavāsāste prāptā vārāṇasīha yaiḥ

By them alone has Time itself been conquered; they alone are free of sin. Those who have attained Varanasi here shall never again dwell in the womb.

Verse 120 (skanda.4.50.120)

श्रेयसां भाजनं चैतन्नृजन्मन मुधा नयेत्॥ देवानामपिदुष्प्राप्यं काशीसंदर्शनादृते

śreyasāṁ bhājanaṁ caitannṛjanmana mudhā nayet devānāmapiduṣprāpyaṁ kāśīsaṁdarśanādṛte

This human birth is a vessel of every blessing; let no one squander it in vain, without the sight of Kashi — a thing hard to attain even for the gods.

Verse 121 (skanda.4.50.121)

कः कलिः कोथवा कालः किं वा कर्माण्यनेकधा॥ परानंदप्रदं क्षेत्रमविमुक्तं यदीक्षितम्

kaḥ kaliḥ kothavā kālaḥ kiṁ vā karmāṇyanekadhā parānaṁdapradaṁ kṣetramavimuktaṁ yadīkṣitam

What then are Kali, or Time itself, or the countless burdens of karma, once the field of Avimukta, bestower of supreme bliss, has been beheld?

Verse 122 (skanda.4.50.122)

ते गर्भवासे तिष्ठंति पुनस्ते गर्भवासिनः॥ ये न गर्भवनच्छेत्रीं सेवंते वरणामसिम्

te garbhavāse tiṣṭhaṁti punaste garbhavāsinaḥ ye na garbhavanacchetrīṁ sevaṁte varaṇāmasim

Those who do not serve that sacred field, lying between the Varana and Asi rivers, which cuts away the very forest of the womb, remain forever destined to dwell in the womb again and again.

Verse 123 (skanda.4.50.123)

निशम्येति वचः प्राह तार्क्ष्यो नत्वाथ मातरम्॥ अहमप्यागमिष्यामि काशीं द्रष्टुं शिवार्चिताम्

niśamyeti vacaḥ prāha tārkṣyo natvātha mātaram ahamapyāgamiṣyāmi kāśīṁ draṣṭuṁ śivārcitām

Hearing these words, Tarkshya bowed to his mother and said: "I too shall come, to behold Kashi, worshipped by Shiva himself."

Verse 124 (skanda.4.50.124)

मातुराज्ञामथ प्राप्य जनन्या सह पक्षिराट्॥ क्षणाद्वाराणसीं प्राप मोक्षनिक्षेपभूमिकाम्

māturājñāmatha prāpya jananyā saha pakṣirāṭ kṣaṇādvārāṇasīṁ prāpa mokṣanikṣepabhūmikām

Then, with his mother's leave, the king of birds, together with her, reached Varanasi in but an instant — that ground where liberation itself is stored.

Verse 125 (skanda.4.50.125)

उभावपि च तेपाते तप उग्रं महामती॥ संस्थाप्य शांभवं लिंगं पतत्त्रींद्रोऽचलेंद्रियः

ubhāvapi ca tepāte tapa ugraṁ mahāmatī saṁsthāpya śāṁbhavaṁ liṁgaṁ patattrīṁdro'caleṁdriyaḥ

Both of those great-minded ones there practised the fiercest austerity; the king of birds, his senses now perfectly stilled, established there a linga of Shambhu.

Verse 126 (skanda.4.50.126)

नाम्ना खखोल्कमादित्यं संस्थाप्य विनता शुभम्॥ अचिरेणैव कालेन महतस्तपसस्तयोः

nāmnā khakholkamādityaṁ saṁsthāpya vinatā śubham acireṇaiva kālena mahatastapasastayoḥ

Vinata established the auspicious Sun under the name Khakholka; and, in a short time, through the power of their great austerity —

Verse 127 (skanda.4.50.127)

काश्यां प्रसन्नौ संजातौ देवौ शंकरभास्करौ॥ गरुडस्थापिताल्लिंगादाविरासीदुमापतिः॥ गरुडाय वरान्प्रादात्स बहूनतिदुर्लभान्॥ खगेंद्र मम भक्तोसि तव ज्ञानं भविष्यति

kāśyāṁ prasannau saṁjātau devau śaṁkarabhāskarau garuḍasthāpitālliṁgādāvirāsīdumāpatiḥ garuḍāya varānprādātsa bahūnatidurlabhān khageṁdra mama bhaktosi tava jñānaṁ bhaviṣyati

— the two gods Shankara and Bhaskara both became pleased with them in Kashi. From the very linga Garuda had established, the consort of Uma appeared in person, and granted Garuda many boons, exceedingly hard to attain: "O king of birds, you are my own devotee; knowledge shall be yours."

Verse 128 (skanda.4.50.128)

वेत्स्यसि त्वं रहस्यं मे यन्न ज्ञातं सुरैरपि॥ त्वयैतत्स्थापितं लिंगं गरुडेश्वरसंज्ञितम्

vetsyasi tvaṁ rahasyaṁ me yanna jñātaṁ surairapi tvayaitatsthāpitaṁ liṁgaṁ garuḍeśvarasaṁjñitam

"You shall come to know my own secret, which even the gods have not known. This linga you have established shall be called Garudeshvara."

Verse 129 (skanda.4.50.129)

परमज्ञानदं पुंसां दृष्टं स्पृष्टं समर्चितम् ॥ अन्यच्च शृणु पक्षींद्र हितं ते वच्मि सांप्रतम्

paramajñānadaṁ puṁsāṁ dṛṣṭaṁ spṛṣṭaṁ samarcitam anyacca śṛṇu pakṣīṁdra hitaṁ te vacmi sāṁpratam

"Merely seen, touched, and duly worshipped, it grants men the highest knowledge. Hear one thing more, O king of birds; I shall now tell you something for your own good."

Verse 130 (skanda.4.50.130)

असावहं स वै विष्णुर्मास्तु ते भेददृक्च नौ॥ एवं तस्यैव पक्षींद्र दैत्येंद्र बलहारिण

asāvahaṁ sa vai viṣṇurmāstu te bhedadṛkca nau evaṁ tasyaiva pakṣīṁdra daityeṁdra balahāriṇa

"That Vishnu is myself, and I am he; let there be, in your eyes, no distinction between the two of us at all. Thus, O king of birds, O vanquisher of the might of the lord of the Daityas —"

Verse 131 (skanda.4.50.131)

प्राप्य सत्पत्रतां पत्रिंस्त्वमप्यर्च्यो भविष्यसि॥ इति दत्त्वा वरं शंभुः स्वभक्ताय गरुत्मते

prāpya satpatratāṁ patriṁstvamapyarcyo bhaviṣyasi iti dattvā varaṁ śaṁbhuḥ svabhaktāya garutmate

"— attaining true nobility as a winged one, O bird, you too shall become worthy of worship." Thus, having granted this boon to his own devotee Garutman, Shambhu —

Verse 132 (skanda.4.50.132)

तत्रैवांतर्हितो जातो गरुडोपि हरिं ययौ॥ हरे रथत्वं संप्राप्य सोपि पूज्योऽभवद्भुवि

tatraivāṁtarhito jāto garuḍopi hariṁ yayau hare rathatvaṁ saṁprāpya sopi pūjyo'bhavadbhuvi

— then vanished right there; and Garuda too went to Hari, and, becoming Hari's own mount, he too became an object of worship on earth.

Verse 133 (skanda.4.50.133)

तपस्यंतीमथालोक्य कदाचिद्विनतां प्रभुः॥ शिवस्यैव परामूर्तिः खखोल्को नाम भास्करः

tapasyaṁtīmathālokya kadācidvinatāṁ prabhuḥ śivasyaiva parāmūrtiḥ khakholko nāma bhāskaraḥ

Then, once, beholding Vinata still absorbed in her austerity, that Lord — Bhaskara, named Khakholka, the supreme form of Shiva himself —

Verse 134 (skanda.4.50.134)

दत्त्वा वरं च पापघ्नं शिवज्ञानसमन्वितम्॥ काशीवासिजनानेक भवपापक्षयंकरः

dattvā varaṁ ca pāpaghnaṁ śivajñānasamanvitam kāśīvāsijanāneka bhavapāpakṣayaṁkaraḥ

— granted her a sin-destroying boon, endowed with the very knowledge of Shiva; and became, for the many people who dwell in Kashi, the destroyer of the sin of worldly existence.

Verse 135 (skanda.4.50.135)

विनतादित्य इत्याख्यः खखोल्कस्तत्र संस्थितः॥ इत्थं खखोल्क आदित्यः काशीविघ्नतमोहरः

vinatāditya ityākhyaḥ khakholkastatra saṁsthitaḥ itthaṁ khakholka ādityaḥ kāśīvighnatamoharaḥ

Under the name Vinataditya, that Khakholka is established there. Thus the Sun Khakholka is the remover of the darkness of every obstacle in Kashi.

Verse 136 (skanda.4.50.136)

तस्य दर्शनमात्रेण सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते॥ काश्यां पैशंगिले तीर्थे खखोल्कस्य विलोकनात्॥ नरश्चिंतितमाप्नोति नीरोगो जायते क्षणात्॥ नरः श्रुत्वैतदाख्यानं खखोल्कादित्यसंभवम्॥ गरुडेशेन सहितं सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते

tasya darśanamātreṇa sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate kāśyāṁ paiśaṁgile tīrthe khakholkasya vilokanāt naraściṁtitamāpnoti nīrogo jāyate kṣaṇāt naraḥ śrutvaitadākhyānaṁ khakholkādityasaṁbhavam garuḍeśena sahitaṁ sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

By merely beholding him, a man is freed from every sin. By gazing upon Khakholka at the sacred Paishangila site in Kashi, a man attains his heart's desire, and becomes free of disease in an instant. Whoever hears this account of the origin of Khakholkaditya, together with Garudesha, is freed from every sin.