Ganesha's Magical Illusion in Kashi

Verse 1 (skanda.4.56.1)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ अथेशाज्ञां समादाय गजवक्त्रः प्रतस्थिवान् ॥ शंभोः काश्यागमोपायं चिंतयन्मंदराद्रितः

||skaṁda uvāca|| atheśājñāṁ samādāya gajavaktraḥ pratasthivān || śaṁbhoḥ kāśyāgamopāyaṁ ciṁtayanmaṁdarādritaḥ

Skanda said: Then, having received Ishvara's command, the elephant-faced one set forth from Mount Mandara, pondering the means by which Shambhu might come to Kashi.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.56.2)

प्राप्य वाराणसीं तूर्णमाशु स्यंदनगो विभुः ॥ वाडवीं मूर्तिमालंब्य प्राविशच्छकुनैः स्तुतः

prāpya vārāṇasīṁ tūrṇamāśu syaṁdanago vibhuḥ || vāḍavīṁ mūrtimālaṁbya prāviśacchakunaiḥ stutaḥ

Swiftly reaching Varanasi, the mighty lord, assuming a brahmanical form, entered the city, greeted by auspicious birds.

Verse 3 (skanda.4.56.3)

नक्षत्रपाठको भूत्वा वृद्धः प्रत्यवरोधगः ॥ चचार मध्ये नगरं पौराणां प्रीतिमावहन्

nakṣatrapāṭhako bhūtvā vṛddhaḥ pratyavarodhagaḥ || cacāra madhye nagaraṁ paurāṇāṁ prītimāvahan

Becoming an aged reader of the stars with access to the inner apartments, he wandered through the middle of the city, delighting its citizens.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.56.4)

स्वयमेव निशाभागे स्वप्नं संदर्शयन्नृणाम् ॥ प्रातस्तेषां गृहान्गत्वा तेषां वक्ति बलाबलम्

svayameva niśābhāge svapnaṁ saṁdarśayannṛṇām || prātasteṣāṁ gṛhāngatvā teṣāṁ vakti balābalam

At night he himself would show people dreams, and in the morning, going to their houses, he would tell them the good or ill fortune of those dreams.

Verse 5 (skanda.4.56.5)

भवद्भिरद्य रात्रौ यद्दृष्टं स्वप्नविचेष्टितम् ॥ भवत्कौतूहलोत्पत्त्यै तदेव कथयाम्यहम्

bhavadbhiradya rātrau yaddṛṣṭaṁ svapnaviceṣṭitam || bhavatkautūhalotpattyai tadeva kathayāmyaham

"Whatever dream you saw tonight - to satisfy your curiosity, I now tell you that very thing."

Verse 6 (skanda.4.56.6)

स्वपता भवता रात्रौ तुर्ये यामे महाह्रदः ॥ अदर्शि तत्र च भवान्मज्जन्मज्जंस्तटंगतः

svapatā bhavatā rātrau turye yāme mahāhradaḥ || adarśi tatra ca bhavānmajjanmajjaṁstaṭaṁgataḥ

"As you slept, in the fourth watch of the night a great lake appeared, and there you were seen, reaching the bank, sinking and rising again and again."

Verse 7 (skanda.4.56.7)

तदंबुपिच्छिले पंके मग्नोन्मग्नोसि भूरिशः ॥ दुःस्वप्नस्यास्य च महान्विपाकोति भयप्रदः

tadaṁbupicchile paṁke magnonmagnosi bhūriśaḥ || duḥsvapnasyāsya ca mahānvipākoti bhayapradaḥ

"In that watery, slippery mud you sank and rose repeatedly; and the great consequence of this bad dream is fear-bringing."

Verse 8 (skanda.4.56.8)

काषायवसनो मुंडः प्रैक्ष्यहो भवतापि यः ॥ परितापं महानेष जनयिष्यति दारुणम्

kāṣāyavasano muṁḍaḥ praikṣyaho bhavatāpi yaḥ || paritāpaṁ mahāneṣa janayiṣyati dāruṇam

"And, oh, the shaven-headed one clad in ochre robes whom you also saw - this too will produce a great and terrible torment."

Verse 9 (skanda.4.56.9)

रात्रौ सूर्यग्रहो दृष्टो महानिष्टकरो ध्रुवम् ॥ ऐंद्रधनुर्द्वयं रात्रौ यदलोकि न तच्छुभम्

rātrau sūryagraho dṛṣṭo mahāniṣṭakaro dhruvam || aiṁdradhanurdvayaṁ rātrau yadaloki na tacchubham

"A solar eclipse seen at night is surely a bringer of great misfortune. The pair of rainbows seen at night - that too is not auspicious."

Verse 10 (skanda.4.56.10)

प्रतीच्यां रविरागत्य प्रोद्यंतं व्योम्नि शीतगुम् ॥ पातयामास भूपृष्ठे तद्राज्यभयसूचकम्

pratīcyāṁ ravirāgatya prodyaṁtaṁ vyomni śītagum || pātayāmāsa bhūpṛṣṭhe tadrājyabhayasūcakam

"The sun, coming from the west, cast the rising moon down from the sky onto the earth - that portends danger to the kingdom."

Verse 11 (skanda.4.56.11)

युगपत्केतुयुगलं युध्यमानं परस्परम् ॥ यददर्शि न तद्भद्रं राष्ट्रभंगाय केवलम्

yugapatketuyugalaṁ yudhyamānaṁ parasparam || yadadarśi na tadbhadraṁ rāṣṭrabhaṁgāya kevalam

"The pair of comets seen fighting each other at once - that is not auspicious, portending only the ruin of the kingdom."

Verse 12 (skanda.4.56.12)

विशीर्यत्केशदशनं नीयमानं च दक्षिणे ॥ आत्मानं यत्समद्राक्षीः कुटुंबस्यापि भीषणम्

viśīryatkeśadaśanaṁ nīyamānaṁ ca dakṣiṇe || ātmānaṁ yatsamadrākṣīḥ kuṭuṁbasyāpi bhīṣaṇam

"That you saw yourself being carried toward the south, your hair and teeth falling out - this is terrifying even for your family."

Verse 13 (skanda.4.56.13)

प्रासादध्वजभंगोयस्त्वयैक्षत निशाक्षये ॥ राज्यक्षयकरं विद्धि महोत्पाताय निश्चितम्

prāsādadhvajabhaṁgoyastvayaikṣata niśākṣaye || rājyakṣayakaraṁ viddhi mahotpātāya niścitam

"The breaking of the palace-banner you saw at the end of night - know this to be a great portent, certainly bringing the kingdom's ruin."

Verse 14 (skanda.4.56.14)

नगरी प्लाविता स्वप्ने तरंगैः क्षीरनीरधेः ॥ पक्षैस्त्रिचतुरैः शंके महाशंकां पुरौकसाम्

nagarī plāvitā svapne taraṁgaiḥ kṣīranīradheḥ || pakṣaistricaturaiḥ śaṁke mahāśaṁkāṁ puraukasām

"The city, seen flooded in the dream by the waves of the ocean of milk - within three or four fortnights, I suspect, great alarm awaits its people."

Verse 15 (skanda.4.56.15)

स्वप्ने वानरयानेन यत्त्वमूढोसि दक्षिणाम् ॥ अतस्तद्वंचनोपायः पुरत्यागो महामते

svapne vānarayānena yattvamūḍhosi dakṣiṇām || atastadvaṁcanopāyaḥ puratyāgo mahāmate

"That in the dream you were carried southward on a monkey's vehicle - therefore, O wise one, the means to avert it is to abandon the city."

Verse 16 (skanda.4.56.16)

रुदती या त्वया दृष्टा महिलैका निशात्यये ॥ मुक्तकेशी विवसना सा नारी श्रीरिवोद्गता

rudatī yā tvayā dṛṣṭā mahilaikā niśātyaye || muktakeśī vivasanā sā nārī śrīrivodgatā

"The single weeping woman you saw at the end of night, with loosened hair and unclothed - that woman rose up and departed like the goddess Shri."

Verse 17 (skanda.4.56.17)

देवालयस्य कलशो यत्त्वया वीक्षितः पतन् ॥ दिनैः कतिपयैरेव राज्यभंगो भविष्यति

devālayasya kalaśo yattvayā vīkṣitaḥ patan || dinaiḥ katipayaireva rājyabhaṁgo bhaviṣyati

"The temple-finial you saw falling - within just a few days the kingdom will be destroyed."

Verse 18 (skanda.4.56.18)

पुरी परिवृता स्वप्ने मृगयूथैः समंततः ॥ रोरूयमाणैरत्यर्थं मासेनैवोद्वसी भवेत्

purī parivṛtā svapne mṛgayūthaiḥ samaṁtataḥ || rorūyamāṇairatyarthaṁ māsenaivodvasī bhavet

"The city, surrounded in the dream on every side by herds of deer crying out loudly - within a single month it will lie deserted."

Verse 19 (skanda.4.56.19)

आतायियूकगृध्राद्यैः पुरीमुपरिचारिभिः ॥ सूच्यतेत्याहितं किंचिद्ध्रुवमत्र निवासिनाम्

ātāyiyūkagṛdhrādyaiḥ purīmuparicāribhiḥ || sūcyatetyāhitaṁ kiṁciddhruvamatra nivāsinām

"By murderers, lice, vultures and the like hovering over the city - something inauspicious is surely indicated for its residents."

Verse 20 (skanda.4.56.20)

स्वप्नोत्पातानिति बहूञ्शंसञ्शंसन्नितस्ततः ॥ बहूनुच्चाटयांचक्रे स विघ्नेशः पुरौकसः

svapnotpātāniti bahūñśaṁsañśaṁsannitastataḥ || bahūnuccāṭayāṁcakre sa vighneśaḥ puraukasaḥ

Thus proclaiming many dream-omens here and there, that Lord of Obstacles drove many of the city's inhabitants away.

Verse 21 (skanda.4.56.21)

केषांचित्पुरतो वादीद्ग्रहचारं प्रदर्शयन् ॥ एकराशिस्थिताः सौरि सितभौमा न शोभनाः

keṣāṁcitpurato vādīdgrahacāraṁ pradarśayan || ekarāśisthitāḥ sauri sitabhaumā na śobhanāḥ

Before some people, showing the movement of the planets, he declared: "Saturn, Venus, and Mars, standing together in one sign, are not auspicious."

Verse 22 (skanda.4.56.22)

सोयं धूमग्रहो व्योम्नि भित्त्वा सप्तर्षिमंडलम् ॥ प्रयातः पश्चिमामाशां स नाशाय विशांपतेः

soyaṁ dhūmagraho vyomni bhittvā saptarṣimaṁḍalam || prayātaḥ paścimāmāśāṁ sa nāśāya viśāṁpateḥ

"This smoky comet, having pierced the circle of the Seven Sages in the sky, has gone toward the west - it portends the king's destruction."

Verse 23 (skanda.4.56.23)

अतिचारगतो मंदः पुनर्वक्राध्व संस्थितः ॥ पापग्रहसमायुक्तो न युक्तोयमिहेष्यते

aticāragato maṁdaḥ punarvakrādhva saṁsthitaḥ || pāpagrahasamāyukto na yuktoyamiheṣyate

"Saturn, gone into excessive motion and again turned retrograde, joined with malefic planets - this is not favorable here."

Verse 24 (skanda.4.56.24)

व्यतीते वासरे योयं भूकंपः समपद्यत ॥ कंपं जनयतेऽतीव हृदो मेपि पुरौकसः

vyatīte vāsare yoyaṁ bhūkaṁpaḥ samapadyata || kaṁpaṁ janayate'tīva hṛdo mepi puraukasaḥ

"The earthquake that occurred on the day just past causes exceeding trembling even in the heart of me, a citizen."

Verse 25 (skanda.4.56.25)

उदीच्यादक्षिणाशायां येयमुल्का प्रधाविता ॥ विलीना च वियत्येव स निर्घातं न सा शुभा

udīcyādakṣiṇāśāyāṁ yeyamulkā pradhāvitā || vilīnā ca viyatyeva sa nirghātaṁ na sā śubhā

"The meteor that ran from north to south and vanished right in the sky amid a thunderous crash - that is not auspicious."

Verse 26 (skanda.4.56.26)

उन्मूलितो महामूलो महानिलरयेण यः ॥ चत्वरे चैत्यवृक्षोयं महोत्पातं प्रशंसति

unmūlito mahāmūlo mahānilarayeṇa yaḥ || catvare caityavṛkṣoyaṁ mahotpātaṁ praśaṁsati

"This sacred tree at the crossroads, deep-rooted, uprooted by the force of a great wind - it proclaims a great calamity."

Verse 27 (skanda.4.56.27)

सूर्योदयमनुप्राप्य प्राच्यां शुष्कतरूपरि ॥ करटो रारटीत्येष कटूत्कट भयप्रदः

sūryodayamanuprāpya prācyāṁ śuṣkatarūpari || karaṭo rāraṭītyeṣa kaṭūtkaṭa bhayapradaḥ

"Just at sunrise, this crow perched on a dried tree in the east, cawing harsh and shrill - it brings fear."

Verse 28 (skanda.4.56.28)

मध्ये विपणि यतूर्णं कौचिच्चारण्यचारिणौ ॥ मृगौ मृगयतां यातौ पौराणां पुरतोऽहितौ

madhye vipaṇi yatūrṇaṁ kauciccāraṇyacāriṇau || mṛgau mṛgayatāṁ yātau paurāṇāṁ purato'hitau

"Two forest-roaming deer, suddenly running into the middle of the marketplace pursued by hunters, passed before the citizens - an ill omen."

Verse 29 (skanda.4.56.29)

रसालशालमुकुलं वीक्ष्यते यच्छरद्यदः ॥ महाकालभयं मन्येप्यकालेपि पुरौकसाम्

rasālaśālamukulaṁ vīkṣyate yaccharadyadaḥ || mahākālabhayaṁ manyepyakālepi puraukasām

"That mango and sal trees are seen budding in autumn, out of season - I take this as an omen of Mahakala's fear for the citizens, untimely though it is."

Verse 30 (skanda.4.56.30)

साध्वसंजनयित्वेति केचिदुच्चाटिताः पुरः ॥ तेन विघ्नकृतापौराः कपटद्विजरूपिणा

sādhvasaṁjanayitveti keciduccāṭitāḥ puraḥ || tena vighnakṛtāpaurāḥ kapaṭadvijarūpiṇā

Thus creating terror, that maker of obstacles, wearing the deceptive form of a Brahmin, drove a number of the city's people away.

Verse 31 (skanda.4.56.31)

अथ मध्येवरोधं स प्रविश्य निजमायया ॥ दृष्टार्थमेव कथयन्स्त्रीणां विस्रंभभूरभूत्

atha madhyevarodhaṁ sa praviśya nijamāyayā || dṛṣṭārthameva kathayanstrīṇāṁ visraṁbhabhūrabhūt

Then, entering the midst of the inner apartments by his own magic, speaking only things that seemed drawn from direct observation, he became an object of trust for the women there.

Verse 32 (skanda.4.56.32)

तव पुत्रशतं जज्ञे सप्तोनं शुभलक्षणे ॥ तेष्वेकस्तुरगारूढो बाह्याल्यां पतितो मृतः

tava putraśataṁ jajñe saptonaṁ śubhalakṣaṇe || teṣvekasturagārūḍho bāhyālyāṁ patito mṛtaḥ

"O one of auspicious marks, a hundred sons less seven have been born to you; among them one, mounted on a horse, fell in the outer courtyard and died."

Verse 33 (skanda.4.56.33)

अंतर्वत्नी त्वियं कन्या जनयिष्यति शोभनाम् ॥ एषा हि दुर्भगा पूर्वं सांप्रतं सुभगाऽभवत्

aṁtarvatnī tviyaṁ kanyā janayiṣyati śobhanām || eṣā hi durbhagā pūrvaṁ sāṁprataṁ subhagā'bhavat

"This pregnant girl will give birth to a lovely daughter. She who was formerly unfortunate has now become fortunate."

Verse 34 (skanda.4.56.34)

असौ हि राज्ञो राज्ञीनामत्यंतमिहवल्लभा ॥ मुक्तालंकृतिरेतस्यै राज्ञा दत्ता निजोरसः

asau hi rājño rājñīnāmatyaṁtamihavallabhā || muktālaṁkṛtiretasyai rājñā dattā nijorasaḥ

"She indeed is the most beloved among the king's queens; a pearl ornament, taken from his own chest, was given to her by the king."

Verse 35 (skanda.4.56.35)

पंचसप्तदिनान्येव जातानीतीह तर्क्यते ॥ अस्यै राज्ञा प्रसादेन ग्रामौ दातुमुदीरितौ

paṁcasaptadinānyeva jātānītīha tarkyate || asyai rājñā prasādena grāmau dātumudīritau

"It is reckoned that only five or seven days have passed since; and the king, well pleased, has ordered that two villages be given to her."

Verse 36 (skanda.4.56.36)

इति दृष्टार्थकथनै राज्ञीमान्योभवद्द्विजः ॥ वर्णयंति च ता राज्ञः परोक्षेपि गुणान्बहून्

iti dṛṣṭārthakathanai rājñīmānyobhavaddvijaḥ || varṇayaṁti ca tā rājñaḥ parokṣepi guṇānbahūn

Through such words that seemed drawn from direct sight, the Brahmin came to be honored by the queens; and they, even when he was not present, would recount his many virtues.

Verse 37 (skanda.4.56.37)

अहो यादृगसौ विप्रः सर्वत्रातिविचक्षणः ॥ सुशीलश्च सुरूपश्च सत्यवाङ्मितभाषणः

aho yādṛgasau vipraḥ sarvatrātivicakṣaṇaḥ || suśīlaśca surūpaśca satyavāṅmitabhāṣaṇaḥ

"Oh, what a Brahmin this is - exceedingly skilled in everything, of good character, handsome, truthful, and measured in speech!"

Verse 38 (skanda.4.56.38)

अलोलुप उदारश्च सदाचारो जितेंद्रियः ॥ अपि स्वल्पेन संतुष्टः प्रतिग्रहपराङ्मुखः

alolupa udāraśca sadācāro jiteṁdriyaḥ || api svalpena saṁtuṣṭaḥ pratigrahaparāṅmukhaḥ

"Free from greed, generous, of good conduct, master of his senses; content with little, and averse to accepting gifts."

Verse 39 (skanda.4.56.39)

जितक्रोधः प्रसन्नास्यस्त्वनसूयुरवंचकः ॥ कृतज्ञः प्रीतिसुमुखः परिवादपराङ्मुखः

jitakrodhaḥ prasannāsyastvanasūyuravaṁcakaḥ || kṛtajñaḥ prītisumukhaḥ parivādaparāṅmukhaḥ

"One who has conquered anger, of cheerful face, free of envy, without guile; grateful, warmly smiling, and averse to slander."

Verse 40 (skanda.4.56.40)

पुण्योपदेष्टा पुण्यात्मा सर्वव्रतपरायणः ॥ शुचिः शुचिचरित्रश्च श्रुतिस्मृतिविशारदः

puṇyopadeṣṭā puṇyātmā sarvavrataparāyaṇaḥ || śuciḥ śucicaritraśca śrutismṛtiviśāradaḥ

"A teacher of merit, virtuous of soul, devoted to every observance; pure, of pure conduct, and expert in the Vedas and the Smritis."

Verse 41 (skanda.4.56.41)

धीरः पुण्येतिहासज्ञः सर्वदृक्सर्वसंमतः ॥ कलाकलापकुशलो ज्योतिःशास्त्रविदुत्तमः

dhīraḥ puṇyetihāsajñaḥ sarvadṛksarvasaṁmataḥ || kalākalāpakuśalo jyotiḥśāstraviduttamaḥ

"Steadfast, learned in the sacred histories, all-seeing and approved by all; skilled in the whole range of arts, and foremost knower of astral science."

Verse 42 (skanda.4.56.42)

क्षमी कुलीनोऽकृपणो भोक्ता निर्मलमानसः ॥ इत्यादि गुणसंपन्नः कोपि क्वापि न दृग्गतः

kṣamī kulīno'kṛpaṇo bhoktā nirmalamānasaḥ || ityādi guṇasaṁpannaḥ kopi kvāpi na dṛggataḥ

"Forgiving, well-born, not miserly, a rightful enjoyer, stainless of mind - one so endowed with such virtues has never been seen anywhere."

Verse 43 (skanda.4.56.43)

इत्थं तास्तद्गुणग्रामं वर्णयंत्यः पदेपदे ॥ कालं विनोदयंति स्म अंतःपुरचराः स्त्रियः

itthaṁ tāstadguṇagrāmaṁ varṇayaṁtyaḥ padepade || kālaṁ vinodayaṁti sma aṁtaḥpuracarāḥ striyaḥ

Thus, recounting his whole array of virtues at every turn, the women of the inner apartments would while away their time.

Verse 44 (skanda.4.56.44)

एकदावसरं प्राप्य दिवोदासस्य भूभुजः ॥ राज्ञी लीलावती नाम राज्ञे तं विन्यवेदयत्

ekadāvasaraṁ prāpya divodāsasya bhūbhujaḥ || rājñī līlāvatī nāma rājñe taṁ vinyavedayat

One day, finding an occasion, Queen Lilavati told King Divodasa, lord of the earth, about him.

Verse 45 (skanda.4.56.45)

राजन्वृद्धो गुणैर्वृद्धो ब्राह्मणः सुविचक्षणः ॥ एकोस्ति स तु द्रष्टव्यो मूर्तो ब्रह्मनिधिः परः

rājanvṛddho guṇairvṛddho brāhmaṇaḥ suvicakṣaṇaḥ || ekosti sa tu draṣṭavyo mūrto brahmanidhiḥ paraḥ

"O king, there is an aged Brahmin, mature in virtues, most discerning - he alone should be seen; he is the supreme treasury of Brahman in bodily form."

Verse 46 (skanda.4.56.46)

राज्ञी राज्ञा कृतानुज्ञा सखीं प्रेष्य विचक्षणाम् ॥ आनिनाय च तं विप्रं ब्राह्मं तेज इवांगवत्

rājñī rājñā kṛtānujñā sakhīṁ preṣya vicakṣaṇām || ānināya ca taṁ vipraṁ brāhmaṁ teja ivāṁgavat

Having received the king's permission, the queen sent a clever companion and brought that Brahmin, who was like Brahmanical splendor made flesh.

Verse 47 (skanda.4.56.47)

राजापि दूरादायांतं त विलोक्यमहीसुरम् ॥ यत्राकृतिर्गुणास्तत्र जहर्षेति वदन्हृदि

rājāpi dūrādāyāṁtaṁ ta vilokyamahīsuram || yatrākṛtirguṇāstatra jaharṣeti vadanhṛdi

The king too, seeing from a distance that god-on-earth approaching, rejoiced, saying in his heart, "Where such form is, such virtue too must be."

Verse 48 (skanda.4.56.48)

पदैर्द्वित्रैर्नृपतिना कृताभ्युत्थानसत्कृतिः ॥ चतुर्निगमजाभिः स तमाशीर्भिरनंदयत्

padairdvitrairnṛpatinā kṛtābhyutthānasatkṛtiḥ || caturnigamajābhiḥ sa tamāśīrbhiranaṁdayat

Advancing two or three steps, the king rose and honored him, and delighted him with blessings drawn from the four Vedas.

Verse 49 (skanda.4.56.49)

कृतप्रणामो राज्ञा स सादरं दत्तमासनम् ॥ भेजेथ कुशलं पृष्टः स राज्ञा तेन भूपतिः

kṛtapraṇāmo rājñā sa sādaraṁ dattamāsanam || bhejetha kuśalaṁ pṛṣṭaḥ sa rājñā tena bhūpatiḥ

Having bowed to the king, he took the seat respectfully offered; and when asked of his welfare, that Brahmin exchanged greetings with the king in turn.

Verse 50 (skanda.4.56.50)

परस्परं कुशलिनौ कुशलौ च कथागमे ॥ प्रश्नोत्तराभ्यां संतुष्टौ द्विजवर्य क्षमाभृतौ

parasparaṁ kuśalinau kuśalau ca kathāgame || praśnottarābhyāṁ saṁtuṣṭau dvijavarya kṣamābhṛtau

Both, wishing each other well as their conversation began, were satisfied through question and answer - that finest of Brahmins and that king.

Verse 51 (skanda.4.56.51)

कथावसाने राज्ञाथ गेहं विससृजे द्विजः ॥ लब्धमानमहापूजः स स्वमाश्रममाविशत्

kathāvasāne rājñātha gehaṁ visasṛje dvijaḥ || labdhamānamahāpūjaḥ sa svamāśramamāviśat

At the end of their talk, the king gave the Brahmin leave to depart; having received honor and great worship, he entered his own hermitage.

Verse 52 (skanda.4.56.52)

गतेऽथ स्वाश्रमं विप्रे दिवोदासो नरेश्वरः ॥ लीलावत्याः पुरो विप्रं वर्णयामास भूरिशः

gate'tha svāśramaṁ vipre divodāso nareśvaraḥ || līlāvatyāḥ puro vipraṁ varṇayāmāsa bhūriśaḥ

When the Brahmin had gone to his hermitage, King Divodasa spoke at length in praise of him before Lilavati.

Verse 53 (skanda.4.56.53)

महादेवि महाप्राज्ञे लीलावति गुणप्रिये ॥ यथाशंसि तथा विप्रस्ततोपि गुणवत्तरः

mahādevi mahāprājñe līlāvati guṇapriye || yathāśaṁsi tathā viprastatopi guṇavattaraḥ

"O great queen, O most wise, O virtue-loving Lilavati - just as you described him, the Brahmin is even more virtuous than that."

Verse 54 (skanda.4.56.54)

अतीतं वेत्ति सकलं वर्तमानमवैति च ॥ प्रष्टव्यः प्रातराहूय भविष्यं किंचिदेष वै

atītaṁ vetti sakalaṁ vartamānamavaiti ca || praṣṭavyaḥ prātarāhūya bhaviṣyaṁ kiṁcideṣa vai

"He knows the whole past and understands the present too; he should be summoned in the morning and asked something of what is to come."

Verse 55 (skanda.4.56.55)

महाविभव संभारैर्महाभोगैरनेकधा ॥ व्युष्टायां स नृपो रात्र्यां प्रातराहूतवान्द्विजम्

mahāvibhava saṁbhārairmahābhogairanekadhā || vyuṣṭāyāṁ sa nṛpo rātryāṁ prātarāhūtavāndvijam

When that night had passed, the king in the morning summoned the Brahmin with great arrays of wealth and manifold rich gifts.

Verse 56 (skanda.4.56.56)

सत्कृत्य तं द्विजं भक्त्या दुकूलादि प्रदानतः ॥ एकांते तं द्विजं राजा पप्रच्छ निजहृत्स्थितम्

satkṛtya taṁ dvijaṁ bhaktyā dukūlādi pradānataḥ || ekāṁte taṁ dvijaṁ rājā papraccha nijahṛtsthitam

Honoring that Brahmin with devotion, bestowing fine cloth and other gifts, the king in private asked him what lay in his own heart.

Verse 57 (skanda.4.56.57)

॥राजोवाच॥ द्विजवर्यो भवानेकः प्रतिभातीति निश्चितम् ॥ यथातत्त्ववती ते धीर्न तथान्यस्य मे मतिः

||rājovāca|| dvijavaryo bhavānekaḥ pratibhātīti niścitam || yathātattvavatī te dhīrna tathānyasya me matiḥ

The king said: "It is certain that you alone appear as the foremost of Brahmins; no other's mind seems to me as attuned to truth as yours."

Verse 58 (skanda.4.56.58)

दृष्ट्वा त्वां तु महाप्राज्ञं शांतं दांतं तपोनिधिम् ॥ किंचित्प्रष्टुमना विप्र तदाख्याहि यथार्थवत्

dṛṣṭvā tvāṁ tu mahāprājñaṁ śāṁtaṁ dāṁtaṁ taponidhim || kiṁcitpraṣṭumanā vipra tadākhyāhi yathārthavat

"Having seen you, O Brahmin, so wise, peaceful, self-controlled, a treasury of austerity, I wish to ask something - tell me truly."

Verse 59 (skanda.4.56.59)

शासितेयं मया पृथ्वी न तथान्यैस्तु पार्थिवैः ॥ यावद्भूति मया भुक्ता दिव्या भोगा अनेकधा

śāsiteyaṁ mayā pṛthvī na tathānyaistu pārthivaiḥ || yāvadbhūti mayā bhuktā divyā bhogā anekadhā

"This earth has been ruled by me as by no other king; such manifold divine enjoyments and such abundance as I have known, no other has known."

Verse 60 (skanda.4.56.60)

निजौरसेभ्योप्यधिकं रात्रिंदिवमतंद्रितम् ॥ विनिर्जित्य हठाद्दुष्टान्प्रजेयं परिपालिता

nijaurasebhyopyadhikaṁ rātriṁdivamataṁdritam || vinirjitya haṭhādduṣṭānprajeyaṁ paripālitā

"More dearly than my own sons, tirelessly day and night, having forcibly conquered the wicked, this people has been protected by me."

Verse 61 (skanda.4.56.61)

द्विजपादार्चनात्किंचित्सुकृतं वेद्मि नापरम् ॥ अनेनापरिकथ्येन कथितेनेह किं मम

dvijapādārcanātkiṁcitsukṛtaṁ vedmi nāparam || anenāparikathyena kathiteneha kiṁ mama

"Apart from worship at the feet of Brahmins, I know no other merit of my own; what have I gained here by having this hard-to-tell thing recounted?"

Verse 62 (skanda.4.56.62)

निर्विस्ममिव मे चेतः सांप्रतं सर्वकर्मसु ॥ विचार्यार्य शुभोदर्कमत आख्याहि सत्तम

nirvismamiva me cetaḥ sāṁprataṁ sarvakarmasu || vicāryārya śubhodarkamata ākhyāhi sattama

"My mind now seems unmoved by wonder in every deed; therefore, O noble one, O most excellent, reflect and tell me what leads to good."

Verse 63 (skanda.4.56.63)

॥द्विज उवाच॥ अपि स्वल्पतरं कृत्यं यद्भवेद्भूभुजामिह ॥ एकांते तत्तु पृष्टेन वक्तव्यं सुधिया सदा

||dvija uvāca|| api svalpataraṁ kṛtyaṁ yadbhavedbhūbhujāmiha || ekāṁte tattu pṛṣṭena vaktavyaṁ sudhiyā sadā

The Brahmin said: "Whatever matter, however small, concerns kings, it should, when asked, always be spoken by a wise person only in private."

Verse 64 (skanda.4.56.64)

अमात्येनाप्यपृष्टेन न वक्तव्यं नृपाग्रतः ॥ महापमानभीतेन स्तोकमप्यत्र किंचन

amātyenāpyapṛṣṭena na vaktavyaṁ nṛpāgrataḥ || mahāpamānabhītena stokamapyatra kiṁcana

"Even a minister, unasked, should say nothing at all before the king, however little, for fear of great disgrace."

Verse 65 (skanda.4.56.65)

पृष्टश्चेत्कथयामीह मा तत्र कुरु संशयम् ॥ तत्कृते तव गंता वै मनो निर्वेदकारणम्

pṛṣṭaścetkathayāmīha mā tatra kuru saṁśayam || tatkṛte tava gaṁtā vai mano nirvedakāraṇam

"But since I have been asked, I shall speak - have no doubt of it; on account of it, your mind will surely be led to some disquiet."

Verse 66 (skanda.4.56.66)

शृणु राजन्महाबुद्धे नायथार्थं ब्रवीम्यहम् ॥ विक्रांतोस्यतिशूरोसि भाग्यवानसि सर्वदा

śṛṇu rājanmahābuddhe nāyathārthaṁ bravīmyaham || vikrāṁtosyatiśūrosi bhāgyavānasi sarvadā

"Listen, O king of great intelligence - I do not speak falsely. You are valiant, exceedingly brave, ever fortunate."

Verse 67 (skanda.4.56.67)

पुण्येन यशसा बुद्ध्या संपन्नोस्ति भवान्यथा ॥ मन्ये तथामरावत्यां त्रिदशेशोपि नैव हि

puṇyena yaśasā buddhyā saṁpannosti bhavānyathā || manye tathāmarāvatyāṁ tridaśeśopi naiva hi

"Endowed as you are with merit, fame, and wisdom, I do not think even Indra in Amaravati is so endowed."

Verse 68 (skanda.4.56.68)

सुधिया त्वां गुरुं मन्ये प्रसादेन सुधाकरम् ॥ तेजसास्ति भवानर्कः प्रतापेनाशुशुक्षणिः

sudhiyā tvāṁ guruṁ manye prasādena sudhākaram || tejasāsti bhavānarkaḥ pratāpenāśuśukṣaṇiḥ

"In wisdom I hold you to be like the guru of the gods, in graciousness like the moon; in splendor you are the sun, in valor, fire."

Verse 69 (skanda.4.56.69)

प्रभंजनो बलेनासि श्रीदोसि श्रीसमर्पणैः ॥ शासनेन भवान्रुद्रो निर्ऋतिस्त्वं रणांगणे

prabhaṁjano balenāsi śrīdosi śrīsamarpaṇaiḥ || śāsanena bhavānrudro nirṛtistvaṁ raṇāṁgaṇe

"In strength you are the storm-wind, in bestowing gifts a giver of fortune; in rule you are Rudra, on the battlefield, Nirriti."

Verse 70 (skanda.4.56.70)

दुष्टपाशयिता पाशी यमो नियमनेऽसताम् ॥ इंदनात्त्वं महेंद्रोसि क्षमया त्वमसि क्षमा

duṣṭapāśayitā pāśī yamo niyamane'satām || iṁdanāttvaṁ maheṁdrosi kṣamayā tvamasi kṣamā

"In binding the wicked you are the noose-bearer Varuna, in restraining the evil, Yama; in kindled splendor, mighty Indra; in patience, the very earth."

Verse 71 (skanda.4.56.71)

मर्यादया भवानब्धिर्महत्त्वे हिमवानसि ॥ भार्गवो राजनीत्यासि राज्येन मनुना समः

maryādayā bhavānabdhirmahattve himavānasi || bhārgavo rājanītyāsi rājyena manunā samaḥ

"In upholding bounds you are the ocean, in greatness the Himalaya; in statecraft you are Shukra, in rule the equal of Manu."

Verse 72 (skanda.4.56.72)

संतापहर्तांबुदवत्पवित्रो गांगनामवत् ॥ सर्वेषामेव जंतूनां काशीव सुगतिप्रदः

saṁtāpahartāṁbudavatpavitro gāṁganāmavat || sarveṣāmeva jaṁtūnāṁ kāśīva sugatipradaḥ

"A remover of anguish like a rain-cloud, pure as the stream of Ganga; a giver of good destiny to every creature, like Kashi itself."

Verse 73 (skanda.4.56.73)

रुद्रः संहाररूपेण पालनेन चतुर्भुजः ॥ विधिवत्त्वं विधातासि भारती ते मुखांबुजे

rudraḥ saṁhārarūpeṇa pālanena caturbhujaḥ || vidhivattvaṁ vidhātāsi bhāratī te mukhāṁbuje

"In your form of destruction you are Rudra, in protection the four-armed one; in due order you are Brahma, and Sarasvati dwells on your lotus face."

Verse 74 (skanda.4.56.74)

त्वत्पाणिपद्मे कमला त्वत्क्रोधेस्ति हलाहलः ॥ अमृतं तव वागेव त्वद्भुजावश्विनीसुतौ

tvatpāṇipadme kamalā tvatkrodhesti halāhalaḥ || amṛtaṁ tava vāgeva tvadbhujāvaśvinīsutau

"On your lotus hand dwells Lakshmi, in your anger the poison Halahala; your very speech is nectar, your two arms are the twin Ashvins."

Verse 75 (skanda.4.56.75)

तत्किं यत्त्वयि भूजानौ सर्वदेवमयो ह्यसि ॥ तस्मात्तव शुभोदर्को मया ज्ञातोस्ति तत्त्वतः

tatkiṁ yattvayi bhūjānau sarvadevamayo hyasi || tasmāttava śubhodarko mayā jñātosti tattvataḥ

"So what more is there to say - O king, you are made of all the gods themselves. Therefore I have truly known your auspicious future."

Verse 76 (skanda.4.56.76)

आरभ्याद्य दिनाद्भूप ब्राह्मणोऽष्टादशेहनि ॥ उदीच्यः कश्चिदागत्य ध्रुवं त्वामुपदेक्ष्यति

ārabhyādya dinādbhūpa brāhmaṇo'ṣṭādaśehani || udīcyaḥ kaścidāgatya dhruvaṁ tvāmupadekṣyati

"O king, beginning from this very day, on the eighteenth day, a certain Brahmin coming from the north will surely instruct you."

Verse 77 (skanda.4.56.77)

तस्य वाक्यं त्वया राजन्कर्तव्यमविचारितम् ॥ ततस्ते हृत्स्थितं सर्वं सेत्स्यत्येव महामते

tasya vākyaṁ tvayā rājankartavyamavicāritam || tataste hṛtsthitaṁ sarvaṁ setsyatyeva mahāmate

"O king, his word should be carried out by you without question; then, O great one, all that lies in your heart will surely be fulfilled."

Verse 78 (skanda.4.56.78)

इत्युक्त्वा पृच्छ्य राजानं लब्धानुज्ञो द्विजोत्तमः ॥ विवेश स्वाश्रमं तुष्टो नृपोप्याश्चर्यवानभूत्

ityuktvā pṛcchya rājānaṁ labdhānujño dvijottamaḥ || viveśa svāśramaṁ tuṣṭo nṛpopyāścaryavānabhūt

Having said this, and taking leave of the king, the foremost Brahmin returned to his hermitage, well satisfied; and the king too was filled with wonder.

Verse 79 (skanda.4.56.79)

इत्थं विघ्नजिता सर्वा पुरी स्वात्मवशीकृता ॥ सपौरा सावरोधा च सनृपा निजमायया

itthaṁ vighnajitā sarvā purī svātmavaśīkṛtā || sapaurā sāvarodhā ca sanṛpā nijamāyayā

Thus Vighnajit, by his own magic, brought the entire city under his control - its citizens, its inner apartments, and its king all together.

Verse 80 (skanda.4.56.80)

कृतकृत्यमिवात्मानं ततो मत्वा स विघ्नजित् ॥ विधाय बहुधात्मानं काश्यां स्थितिमवाप च

kṛtakṛtyamivātmānaṁ tato matvā sa vighnajit || vidhāya bahudhātmānaṁ kāśyāṁ sthitimavāpa ca

Then, considering his purpose accomplished, that Vighnajit, dividing himself into many forms, took up his abode in Kashi.

Verse 81 (skanda.4.56.81)

यदा स न दिवोदासः प्रागासीत्कुंभसंभव ॥ तदातनं निजं स्थानमलंचक्रे गणाधिपः

yadā sa na divodāsaḥ prāgāsītkuṁbhasaṁbhava || tadātanaṁ nijaṁ sthānamalaṁcakre gaṇādhipaḥ

O jar-born one, even before Divodasa's own time, the lord of the ganas had already made this same place his own.

Verse 82 (skanda.4.56.82)

दिवोदासे नरपतौ विष्णुनोच्चाटिते सति ॥ पुनर्नवीकृतायां च नगर्यां विश्वकर्मणा

divodāse narapatau viṣṇunoccāṭite sati || punarnavīkṛtāyāṁ ca nagaryāṁ viśvakarmaṇā

When King Divodasa had been driven out by Vishnu, and the city had been made new again by Vishvakarma...

Verse 83 (skanda.4.56.83)

स्वयमागत्य देवेन मंदरात्सुंदरां पुरीम् ॥ वाराणसीं प्रथमतस्तुष्टुवे गणनायकम्

svayamāgatya devena maṁdarātsuṁdarāṁ purīm || vārāṇasīṁ prathamatastuṣṭuve gaṇanāyakam

...the god himself, having come from Mount Mandara to the beautiful city of Varanasi, first of all praised the lord of the ganas.

Verse 84 (skanda.4.56.84)

॥अगस्त्य उवाच॥ कथं स्तुतो भगवता देवदेवेन विघ्नजित् ॥ कथं च बहुधात्मानं स चकार विनायकः

||agastya uvāca|| kathaṁ stuto bhagavatā devadevena vighnajit || kathaṁ ca bahudhātmānaṁ sa cakāra vināyakaḥ

Agastya said: "How was Vighnajit praised by the Lord, the God of Gods? And how did Vinayaka make himself into many forms?"

Verse 85 (skanda.4.56.85)

केनकेन स वै नाम्ना काशिपुर्यां व्यवस्थितः ॥ इति सर्वं समासेन कथयस्व षडानन

kenakena sa vai nāmnā kāśipuryāṁ vyavasthitaḥ || iti sarvaṁ samāsena kathayasva ṣaḍānana

"And under what several names is he established in the city of Kashi? Tell all this in brief, O Six-Faced One."

Verse 86 (skanda.4.56.86)

इत्युदीरितमाकर्ण्य कुंभयोनेः षडाननः ॥ यथावत्कथयामास गणराज कथां शुभाम्

ityudīritamākarṇya kuṁbhayoneḥ ṣaḍānanaḥ || yathāvatkathayāmāsa gaṇarāja kathāṁ śubhām

Having heard this spoken by the jar-born sage, the Six-Faced One duly related this auspicious tale to him.