The Origin and Praise of Ratneshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.4.67.1)

॥अगस्त्य उवाच॥ रत्नेश्वरसमुत्पतिं कथयस्व षडानन ॥ रत्नभूतं महालिंगं यत्काश्यां परिवर्ण्यते

||agastya uvāca|| ratneśvarasamutpatiṁ kathayasva ṣaḍānana || ratnabhūtaṁ mahāliṁgaṁ yatkāśyāṁ parivarṇyate

Agastya said: Tell me, O six-faced one, the origin of Ratneshvara — the great gem-formed linga that is celebrated in Kashi.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.67.2)

कोस्य लिंगस्य महिमा केनैतच्च प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥ एतं विस्तरतो ब्रूहि गौरीहृदयनंदन

kosya liṁgasya mahimā kenaitacca pratiṣṭhitam || etaṁ vistarato brūhi gaurīhṛdayanaṁdana

What is the greatness of this linga, and by whom was it established? Tell me this in full, O delight of Gauri's heart.

Verse 3 (skanda.4.67.3)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ रत्नेश्वरस्य माहात्म्यं कथयिष्यामि ते मुने ॥ यथा च रत्नलिंगस्य प्रादुर्भावोऽभवद्भुवि

||skaṁda uvāca|| ratneśvarasya māhātmyaṁ kathayiṣyāmi te mune || yathā ca ratnaliṁgasya prādurbhāvo'bhavadbhuvi

Skanda said: I shall tell you, O sage, the greatness of Ratneshvara, and how the manifestation of the gem-linga came to be on earth.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.67.4)

श्रुतं नामापि लिंगस्य यस्य जन्मत्रयार्जितम् ॥ वृजिनं नाशयेत्तस्य प्रादुर्भावं ब्रुवे मुने

śrutaṁ nāmāpi liṁgasya yasya janmatrayārjitam || vṛjinaṁ nāśayettasya prādurbhāvaṁ bruve mune

Even hearing the mere name of this linga destroys sin accumulated over three births; I shall now tell of its manifestation, O sage.

Verse 5 (skanda.4.67.5)

शैलराजेन रत्नानि यानि पुंजीकृतान्यहो ॥ उत्तरे कालराजस्य तानि तस्य गिरेर्वृषात्

śailarājena ratnāni yāni puṁjīkṛtānyaho || uttare kālarājasya tāni tasya girervṛṣāt

The jewels that were heaped up by the king of mountains, to the north of Kalaraja — from the merit of that mountain's virtue —

Verse 6 (skanda.4.67.6)

सर्वरत्नमयं लिंगं जातं तत्सुकृतात्मनः ॥ शक्रचापसमच्छायं सर्वरत्नद्युतिप्रभम्

sarvaratnamayaṁ liṁgaṁ jātaṁ tatsukṛtātmanaḥ || śakracāpasamacchāyaṁ sarvaratnadyutiprabham

— from those, a linga made entirely of gems was born, resembling the rainbow in hue, radiant with the lustre of every gem.

Verse 7 (skanda.4.67.7)

तल्लिंगदर्शनादेव ज्ञानरत्नमवाप्यते ॥ शैलेश्वरं समालोक्य शिवौ तत्र समागतौ

talliṁgadarśanādeva jñānaratnamavāpyate || śaileśvaraṁ samālokya śivau tatra samāgatau

By the mere sight of that linga, the jewel of knowledge is obtained; having beheld Shaileshvara, Shiva and Parvati came there together.

Verse 8 (skanda.4.67.8)

यत्र रत्नमयं लिंगमाविर्भूतं स्वयं मुने ॥ तस्य स्फुरत्प्रभाजालैस्ततमंबरमंडलम्

yatra ratnamayaṁ liṁgamāvirbhūtaṁ svayaṁ mune || tasya sphuratprabhājālaistatamaṁbaramaṁḍalam

There, O sage, where the gem-formed linga had manifested of itself, the whole sphere of the sky was pervaded by its flashing webs of light.

Verse 9 (skanda.4.67.9)

तत्र दृष्ट्वा शुभं लिंगं सर्वरत्नसमुद्भवम् ॥ भवान्यदृष्टपूर्वा हि परिपप्रच्छ शंकरम्

tatra dṛṣṭvā śubhaṁ liṁgaṁ sarvaratnasamudbhavam || bhavānyadṛṣṭapūrvā hi paripapraccha śaṁkaram

There, seeing that auspicious linga, born of every gem, Bhavani, who had never seen it before, questioned Shankara.

Verse 10 (skanda.4.67.10)

देवदेव जगन्नाथ सर्वभक्ताभयप्रद ॥ कुतस्त्यमेतल्लिंगं द्विसप्तपातालमूलवत्

devadeva jagannātha sarvabhaktābhayaprada || kutastyametalliṁgaṁ dvisaptapātālamūlavat

'O god of gods, lord of the universe, giver of fearlessness to all devotees, whence is this linga, whose base seems to reach the fourteen nether worlds —

Verse 11 (skanda.4.67.11)

ज्वालाजटिलिताकाशं प्रभाभासित दिङ्मुखम् ॥ किमाख्यं किं स्वरूपं च किं प्रभावं भवांतक

jvālājaṭilitākāśaṁ prabhābhāsita diṅmukham || kimākhyaṁ kiṁ svarūpaṁ ca kiṁ prabhāvaṁ bhavāṁtaka

— whose flames entangle the very sky, whose radiance illumines every quarter — what is it called, what is its nature, and what is its power, O ender of worldly existence?'

Verse 12 (skanda.4.67.12)

यस्य संवीक्षणादेव मनोमेतीव हृष्टवत् ॥ इहैव रमते नाथ कथयैतत्प्रसादतः

yasya saṁvīkṣaṇādeva manometīva hṛṣṭavat || ihaiva ramate nātha kathayaitatprasādataḥ

'By the mere sight of it, my mind seems as if delighted, and wishes to dwell here alone — tell me this, my lord, out of your grace.'

Verse 13 (skanda.4.67.13)

॥देवदेव उवाच॥ शृण्वपर्णे समाख्यामि यत्त्वया पृच्छि पार्वति ॥ स्वरूपमेतल्लिंगस्य सर्वतेजोनिधेः परम्

||devadeva uvāca|| śṛṇvaparṇe samākhyāmi yattvayā pṛcchi pārvati || svarūpametalliṁgasya sarvatejonidheḥ param

The god of gods said: Listen, O Aparna, I shall declare what you have asked, O Parvati — the supreme nature of this linga, the treasury of all splendour.

Verse 14 (skanda.4.67.14)

तव पित्रा हिमवता गिरिराजेन भामिनि ॥ त्वामुद्दिश्य महारत्नसंभारोत्राप्यनायि हि

tava pitrā himavatā girirājena bhāmini || tvāmuddiśya mahāratnasaṁbhārotrāpyanāyi hi

'By your father Himavan, the lord of mountains, O radiant one, a great mass of jewels was brought here for your sake.'

Verse 15 (skanda.4.67.15)

अत्र तानि च रत्नानि राशीकृत्य हिमाद्रिणा ॥ सुकृतोपार्जितान्येव ययौ स्वसदनं पुनः

atra tāni ca ratnāni rāśīkṛtya himādriṇā || sukṛtopārjitānyeva yayau svasadanaṁ punaḥ

'Having piled up here those jewels, earned through his own righteous deeds, the mountain of snow returned again to his own abode.'

Verse 16 (skanda.4.67.16)

तवार्थं वाममार्थं वा श्रद्धया यत्समर्प्यते ॥ काश्यां तस्य परीपाको भवेदीदृग्विधोऽनघे

tavārthaṁ vāmamārthaṁ vā śraddhayā yatsamarpyate || kāśyāṁ tasya parīpāko bhavedīdṛgvidho'naghe

'Whatever is offered with faith, whether for your sake or another's, O sinless one — in Kashi, its fruition becomes just of this kind.'

Verse 17 (skanda.4.67.17)

लिंगं रत्नेश्वराख्यं वै मत्स्वरूपं हि केवलम् ॥ अस्य प्रभावो हि महान्वाराणस्यामुमे ध्रुवम्

liṁgaṁ ratneśvarākhyaṁ vai matsvarūpaṁ hi kevalam || asya prabhāvo hi mahānvārāṇasyāmume dhruvam

'This linga named Ratneshvara is verily my own form alone; its power, O Uma, is indeed great and certain in Varanasi.'

Verse 18 (skanda.4.67.18)

सर्वेषामिह लिंगानां रत्नभूतमिदं परम् ॥ अतो रत्नेश्वरं नाम परं निर्वाणरत्नदम्

sarveṣāmiha liṁgānāṁ ratnabhūtamidaṁ param || ato ratneśvaraṁ nāma paraṁ nirvāṇaratnadam

'Of all the lingas here, this is the supreme one made of jewels; hence its name Ratneshvara, the supreme bestower of the jewel of liberation.'

Verse 19 (skanda.4.67.19)

अनेनैव सुवर्णेन पित्रा राशीकृतेन च ॥ प्रासादमस्य लिंगस्य विधापय महेश्वरि

anenaiva suvarṇena pitrā rāśīkṛtena ca || prāsādamasya liṁgasya vidhāpaya maheśvari

'With this very gold, heaped up by your father, have a temple built for this linga, O great goddess.'

Verse 20 (skanda.4.67.20)

लिंगप्रासादकरणात्खंडस्फुटित संस्कृतेः ॥ लिंगस्थापनजं पुण्यं हेलयैवेह लभ्यते

liṁgaprāsādakaraṇātkhaṁḍasphuṭita saṁskṛteḥ || liṁgasthāpanajaṁ puṇyaṁ helayaiveha labhyate

'By building a temple for a linga — even by merely repairing a broken one — the merit of establishing a linga is obtained here with ease.'

Verse 21 (skanda.4.67.21)

तथेति भगवत्योक्त्वा गणाः प्रासादनिर्मितौ ॥ सोमनंदि प्रभृतयो ऽसंख्या व्यापारिता मुने

tatheti bhagavatyoktvā gaṇāḥ prāsādanirmitau || somanaṁdi prabhṛtayo 'saṁkhyā vyāpāritā mune

Having said 'So be it,' the goddess set countless attendants, Somanandi and the rest, to work on the building of the temple, O sage.

Verse 22 (skanda.4.67.22)

गणैश्च कांचनमयो नानाकौतुकचित्रितः ॥ निर्ममे याममात्रेण प्रासादो मेरुशृंगवत्

gaṇaiśca kāṁcanamayo nānākautukacitritaḥ || nirmame yāmamātreṇa prāsādo meruśṛṁgavat

And by the attendants, within a single watch of the night, a golden temple was fashioned, adorned with many wonders, resembling the peak of Meru.

Verse 23 (skanda.4.67.23)

देवी प्रदृष्टवदना दृष्ट्वा प्रासादनिर्मितिम् ॥ गणेभ्यो व्यतरद्भूरि समानं पारितोषिकम्

devī pradṛṣṭavadanā dṛṣṭvā prāsādanirmitim || gaṇebhyo vyataradbhūri samānaṁ pāritoṣikam

The goddess, her face beaming, having seen the completed temple, bestowed abundant and equal rewards upon the attendants.

Verse 24 (skanda.4.67.24)

पुनश्च देवी पप्रच्छ प्रणिपातपुरःसरम् ॥ महिमानं महादेवं लिंगस्यास्य महामुने

punaśca devī papraccha praṇipātapuraḥsaram || mahimānaṁ mahādevaṁ liṁgasyāsya mahāmune

And again the goddess, first bowing down, asked Mahadeva, O great sage, about the greatness of this linga.

Verse 25 (skanda.4.67.25)

॥देवदेव उवाच॥ लिंगं त्वनादिसंसिद्धमेतद्देवि शुभप्रदम् ॥ आविर्भूतमिदानीं च त्वत्पितुः पुण्यगौरवात्

||devadeva uvāca|| liṁgaṁ tvanādisaṁsiddhametaddevi śubhapradam || āvirbhūtamidānīṁ ca tvatpituḥ puṇyagauravāt

The god of gods said: This linga, O goddess, giver of good fortune, is beginninglessly self-established, and has now manifested through the weight of your father's merit.

Verse 26 (skanda.4.67.26)

गुह्यानां परमं गुह्यं क्षेत्रेऽस्मिश्चिंतितप्रदम् ॥ कलौ कलुषबुद्धीनां गोपनीयं प्रयत्नतः

guhyānāṁ paramaṁ guhyaṁ kṣetre'smiściṁtitapradam || kalau kaluṣabuddhīnāṁ gopanīyaṁ prayatnataḥ

It is the supreme secret of secrets, granting whatever is thought of in this sacred field; in the Kali age it must be carefully concealed from those of impure mind.

Verse 27 (skanda.4.67.27)

यथा रत्नं गृहे गुप्तं न कैश्चिज्ज्ञायते परैः ॥ अविमुक्ते तथा लिंगं रत्नभूतं गृहे मम

yathā ratnaṁ gṛhe guptaṁ na kaiścijjñāyate paraiḥ || avimukte tathā liṁgaṁ ratnabhūtaṁ gṛhe mama

Just as a jewel hidden in a house is unknown to others outside, so too this jewel-formed linga is hidden in Avimukta, my own house.

Verse 28 (skanda.4.67.28)

यानि ब्रह्मांडमध्येत्र संति लिंगानि पार्वति ॥ तैरर्चितानि सर्वाणि रत्नेशो यैः समर्चितः

yāni brahmāṁḍamadhyetra saṁti liṁgāni pārvati || tairarcitāni sarvāṇi ratneśo yaiḥ samarcitaḥ

'Whatever lingas exist within this universe, O Parvati, all of them are as if worshipped by those who worship Ratnesha.'

Verse 29 (skanda.4.67.29)

प्रमादेनापि यैर्गौरि लिंगं रत्नेशमर्चितम् ॥ ते भवंत्येव नियतं सप्तद्वीपेश्वरा नृपाः

pramādenāpi yairgauri liṁgaṁ ratneśamarcitam || te bhavaṁtyeva niyataṁ saptadvīpeśvarā nṛpāḥ

'O Gauri, those by whom the linga Ratnesha is worshipped even inadvertently, become without fail kings, lords of the seven continents.'

Verse 30 (skanda.4.67.30)

त्रैलोक्ये यानि वस्तूनि रत्नभूतानि तानि तु ॥ रत्नेश्वरं समभ्यर्च्य सकृत्प्राप्नोति मानवः

trailokye yāni vastūni ratnabhūtāni tāni tu || ratneśvaraṁ samabhyarcya sakṛtprāpnoti mānavaḥ

'Whatever things in the three worlds are made of gems — a man obtains all of them by worshipping Ratneshvara even once.'

Verse 31 (skanda.4.67.31)

पूजयिष्यंति ये लिंगं रत्नेशं कामवर्जिताः ॥ ते सर्वे मद्गणा भूत्वा प्रांते द्रक्ष्यंति मामिह

pūjayiṣyaṁti ye liṁgaṁ ratneśaṁ kāmavarjitāḥ || te sarve madgaṇā bhūtvā prāṁte drakṣyaṁti māmiha

'Those who worship the linga Ratnesha free of worldly desire — all of them, becoming my own attendants, shall behold me here at the end of their lives.'

Verse 32 (skanda.4.67.32)

रुद्राणां कोटिजप्येन यत्फलं परिकीर्तितम् ॥ तत्फलं लभ्यते देवि रत्नेशस्य समर्चनात्

rudrāṇāṁ koṭijapyena yatphalaṁ parikīrtitam || tatphalaṁ labhyate devi ratneśasya samarcanāt

'The fruit declared for the repetition of the Rudra-mantra a crore times — that same fruit, O goddess, is obtained by the worship of Ratnesha.'

Verse 33 (skanda.4.67.33)

लिंगे चानादिसंसिद्धे यद्वृत्तं तद्ब्रवीमि ते ॥ इतिहासं महाश्चर्यं सर्वपापनिकृंतनम्

liṁge cānādisaṁsiddhe yadvṛttaṁ tadbravīmi te || itihāsaṁ mahāścaryaṁ sarvapāpanikṛṁtanam

'And regarding this beginninglessly-established linga, I shall tell you what occurred — a most wondrous tale, one that cuts away all sin.'

Verse 34 (skanda.4.67.34)

पुरेह नर्तकी काचिदासीन्नाट्यार्थकोविदा ॥ सैकदा फाल्गुने मासि शिवरात्र्यां कलावती

pureha nartakī kācidāsīnnāṭyārthakovidā || saikadā phālgune māsi śivarātryāṁ kalāvatī

Formerly, here in Kashi, there was a dancing-girl skilled in the art of drama; once, in the month of Phalguna, on Shivaratri, that accomplished woman —

Verse 35 (skanda.4.67.35)

ननर्त जागरं प्राप्य जगौ गीतं च पेशलम् ॥ स्वयं च वादयामास नानावाद्यानि वाद्यवित्

nanarta jāgaraṁ prāpya jagau gītaṁ ca peśalam || svayaṁ ca vādayāmāsa nānāvādyāni vādyavit

— danced, having kept the vigil, sang a lovely song, and, being skilled in music, herself played many kinds of instruments.

Verse 36 (skanda.4.67.36)

तेन तौर्यत्रिकेणापि प्रीणयित्वाथ सा नटी ॥ रत्नेश्वरं महालिंगं देशमिष्टं जगाम ह

tena tauryatrikeṇāpi prīṇayitvātha sā naṭī || ratneśvaraṁ mahāliṁgaṁ deśamiṣṭaṁ jagāma ha

By that triple art of song, dance and instrumental music, that dancer pleased the great linga Ratneshvara, and so attained her desired realm.

Verse 37 (skanda.4.67.37)

कालधर्मवशंयाता तत्र सा वरनर्तकी ॥ सुता गंधर्वराजस्य वसुभूतेर्बभूव ह

kāladharmavaśaṁyātā tatra sā varanartakī || sutā gaṁdharvarājasya vasubhūterbabhūva ha

Having passed under the sway of time's law, that excellent dancer became the daughter of the Gandharva king Vasubhuti.

Verse 38 (skanda.4.67.38)

संगीतस्य सवाद्यस्य तस्य लास्यस्यपुण्यतः ॥ तत्रेशाग्रे कृतस्येह जागरे शिवरात्रिजे

saṁgītasya savādyasya tasya lāsyasyapuṇyataḥ || tatreśāgre kṛtasyeha jāgare śivarātrije

By the merit of that song, instrumental music and dance performed before the Lord on the vigil-night of Shivaratri —

Verse 39 (skanda.4.67.39)

रम्या रत्नावली नाम रूपलावण्यशालिनी ॥ कलाकलापकुशला मधुरालापवादिनी

ramyā ratnāvalī nāma rūpalāvaṇyaśālinī || kalākalāpakuśalā madhurālāpavādinī

— she became the lovely one named Ratnavali, endowed with beauty and grace, skilled in the full range of arts, sweet of speech.

Verse 40 (skanda.4.67.40)

पितुरानंदकृन्नित्यं वसुभूतेर्घटोद्भव ॥ सर्वगांधर्वकुशला गुणरत्नमहाखनिः

piturānaṁdakṛnnityaṁ vasubhūterghaṭodbhava || sarvagāṁdharvakuśalā guṇaratnamahākhaniḥ

O jar-born one, she was ever the source of joy to her father Vasubhuti, accomplished in all Gandharva arts, a great mine of jewel-like virtues.

Verse 41 (skanda.4.67.41)

मुने सखीत्रयं तस्याश्चारु चातुर्यभाजनम् ॥ शशिलेखानंगलेखा चित्रलेखेति नामतः

mune sakhītrayaṁ tasyāścāru cāturyabhājanam || śaśilekhānaṁgalekhā citralekheti nāmataḥ

O sage, she had a threesome of friends, vessels of lovely cleverness, named Shashilekha, Anangalekha, and Chitralekha.

Verse 42 (skanda.4.67.42)

तिसृभिस्ताभिरेकत्र वाग्देवीपरिशीलिता ॥ ताभ्यः सर्वाः कलाः प्रादात्परिप्रीता सरस्वती

tisṛbhistābhirekatra vāgdevīpariśīlitā || tābhyaḥ sarvāḥ kalāḥ prādātpariprītā sarasvatī

Together with these three, she was cultivated by the goddess of speech; Sarasvati, greatly pleased, bestowed all the arts upon them.

Verse 43 (skanda.4.67.43)

प्राप्य रत्नावली गौरि सा जन्मांतरवासनाम् ॥ रत्नेश्वरस्य लिंगस्य जग्राह नियमं शुभम्

prāpya ratnāvalī gauri sā janmāṁtaravāsanām || ratneśvarasya liṁgasya jagrāha niyamaṁ śubham

O Gauri, having obtained the impression of her former birth, Ratnavali took up an auspicious vow regarding the linga Ratneshvara.

Verse 44 (skanda.4.67.44)

रत्नभूतस्य लिंगस्य काश्यां रत्नेश्वरस्य वै ॥ नित्यं संदर्शनं प्राप्य वक्ष्याम्यपि वचो मुखे

ratnabhūtasya liṁgasya kāśyāṁ ratneśvarasya vai || nityaṁ saṁdarśanaṁ prāpya vakṣyāmyapi vaco mukhe

Her vow was: 'Having daily obtained the sight of the gem-formed linga Ratneshvara in Kashi, only then shall I speak a word from my own mouth.'

Verse 45 (skanda.4.67.45)

इत्थं नियमवत्यासीत्सा गंधर्वसुतोत्तमा ॥ ताभिः सखीभिः सहिता नित्यं लिंगं च पश्यति

itthaṁ niyamavatyāsītsā gaṁdharvasutottamā || tābhiḥ sakhībhiḥ sahitā nityaṁ liṁgaṁ ca paśyati

Thus that best of Gandharva daughters kept her vow, and together with those friends, would daily see the linga.

Verse 46 (skanda.4.67.46)

एकदाराध्य रत्नेशं ममैतल्लिंगमुत्तमम् ॥ समानर्च च सा बाला रम्यया गीतमालया

ekadārādhya ratneśaṁ mamaitalliṁgamuttamam || samānarca ca sā bālā ramyayā gītamālayā

One day, having worshipped Ratnesha, that maiden honoured my excellent linga further with a lovely garland of song.

Verse 47 (skanda.4.67.47)

सख्यः प्रदक्षिणीकर्तुं लिंगं तिस्रोऽप्युमे गताः ॥ तस्या गीतेन तुष्टोहं लिंगस्थो वरदोभवम्

sakhyaḥ pradakṣiṇīkartuṁ liṁgaṁ tisro'pyume gatāḥ || tasyā gītena tuṣṭohaṁ liṁgastho varadobhavam

O Uma, while the three friends went to circumambulate the linga, pleased by her song and present in the linga, I became the granter of a boon.

Verse 48 (skanda.4.67.48)

यस्त्वया रंस्यते रात्रावद्य गंधर्वकन्यके ॥ तवनामसमानाख्यः स ते भर्ता भविष्यति

yastvayā raṁsyate rātrāvadya gaṁdharvakanyake || tavanāmasamānākhyaḥ sa te bhartā bhaviṣyati

'O Gandharva maiden, he with whom you shall unite tonight in a dream — one whose name matches your own — he shall become your husband.'

Verse 49 (skanda.4.67.49)

इति लिंगांबुधेर्जातां परिपीय वचःसुधाम् ॥ बभूवानंदसंदोह मंथरातीव ह्रीमती

iti liṁgāṁbudherjātāṁ paripīya vacaḥsudhām || babhūvānaṁdasaṁdoha maṁtharātīva hrīmatī

Having drunk in the nectar of that speech, born from the ocean that is the linga, she became overwhelmed with joy, languid, and exceedingly bashful.

Verse 50 (skanda.4.67.50)

गताथ व्योममार्गेण सखीभिः स्वपितुर्गृहम् ॥ कथयंती निजोदंतं तमालीनां पुरो मुदा

gatātha vyomamārgeṇa sakhībhiḥ svapiturgṛham || kathayaṁtī nijodaṁtaṁ tamālīnāṁ puro mudā

Then, going by the path of the sky with her friends to her father's house, she joyfully related her news before those companions.

Verse 51 (skanda.4.67.51)

ताभिर्दिष्ट्येति दिष्ट्येति सखीभिः परिनंदिता ॥ अद्य ते वांछितं भावि रत्नेशस्य समर्चनात्

tābhirdiṣṭyeti diṣṭyeti sakhībhiḥ parinaṁditā || adya te vāṁchitaṁ bhāvi ratneśasya samarcanāt

'What great fortune! What great fortune!' — her friends congratulated her — 'Today, through the worship of Ratnesha, your desire shall be fulfilled.'

Verse 52 (skanda.4.67.52)

यद्यायाति स ते रात्रावद्य कौमारहारकः ॥ चोरो बाहुलतापाशैः पाशितव्योतियत्नतः

yadyāyāti sa te rātrāvadya kaumārahārakaḥ || coro bāhulatāpāśaiḥ pāśitavyotiyatnataḥ

'If tonight that thief who steals away maidenhood comes to you, he must be bound with every effort by the noose-like tendrils of your arms.'

Verse 53 (skanda.4.67.53)

गोचरीक्रियतेस्माभिर्यथा स सुकृतैकभूः ॥ प्रातरेव तव प्रेयान्रत्नेशादिष्ट इष्टकृत्

gocarīkriyatesmābhiryathā sa sukṛtaikabhūḥ || prātareva tava preyānratneśādiṣṭa iṣṭakṛt

'Let him be made known to us, that sole abode of merit; your beloved, ordained by Ratnesha, the fulfiller of desires, shall be revealed this very morning.'

Verse 54 (skanda.4.67.54)

यातास्वस्मासु हृष्टासु भवती शयगौरवात् ॥ अहो रत्नेश्वरं लिंगं प्रत्यक्षीकृतवत्यसि

yātāsvasmāsu hṛṣṭāsu bhavatī śayagauravāt || aho ratneśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ pratyakṣīkṛtavatyasi

'When we, delighted, have gone, you, out of the weight of sleep — ah! you shall have made manifest before your very eyes the grace of Ratneshvara.'

Verse 55 (skanda.4.67.55)

अहोभाग्योदयो नृणामहो पुण्यसमुच्छ्रयः ॥ एकस्यैव भवेत्सिद्धिर्यदेकत्रापि तिष्ठताम्

ahobhāgyodayo nṛṇāmaho puṇyasamucchrayaḥ || ekasyaiva bhavetsiddhiryadekatrāpi tiṣṭhatām

'Ah, what a rise of fortune for humans, ah, what an increase of merit — that even while dwelling together, accomplishment comes to one alone!'

Verse 56 (skanda.4.67.56)

सत्यं वदंति नासत्यं दैवप्राधान्यवादिनः ॥ दैवमेव फलेदेकं नोद्यमो नापरं बलम्

satyaṁ vadaṁti nāsatyaṁ daivaprādhānyavādinaḥ || daivameva phaledekaṁ nodyamo nāparaṁ balam

'Those who declare the primacy of fate speak the truth, not falsehood; fate alone bears fruit for the one destined, not effort, nor any other strength.'

Verse 57 (skanda.4.67.57)

भवत्या अपि चास्माकमेक एव हि चोद्यमः ॥ परं दैवं फलत्येकं यथा तव न नः पुरः

bhavatyā api cāsmākameka eva hi codyamaḥ || paraṁ daivaṁ phalatyekaṁ yathā tava na naḥ puraḥ

'Even for you and for us, the effort was but one and the same; yet fate bore fruit for one alone, as for you, but not for us.'

Verse 58 (skanda.4.67.58)

लोकानां व्यवहारोयमालिप्रोक्तप्रसंगतः ॥ परं मनोरथावाप्तिस्तव या सैव नः स्फुटम्

lokānāṁ vyavahāroyamāliproktaprasaṁgataḥ || paraṁ manorathāvāptistava yā saiva naḥ sphuṭam

'This is merely the way of the world, spoken in jest by a friend; but the true attainment of the heart's desire is manifestly yours alone.'

Verse 59 (skanda.4.67.59)

इति संव्याहरंतीनामनंतोध्वाऽतितुच्छवत् ॥ क्षणात्तासां व्यतिक्रांतः प्राप्ताश्च स्वंस्वमालयम्

iti saṁvyāharaṁtīnāmanaṁtodhvā'titucchavat || kṣaṇāttāsāṁ vyatikrāṁtaḥ prāptāśca svaṁsvamālayam

Thus conversing, the endless path through the sky passed for them as if utterly trifling, and in a mere instant they arrived each at her own home.

Verse 60 (skanda.4.67.60)

अथ प्रातः समुत्थाय पुनरेकत्र संगताः ॥ सा च मौनवती ताभिः परिभुक्तेव लक्षिता

atha prātaḥ samutthāya punarekatra saṁgatāḥ || sā ca maunavatī tābhiḥ paribhukteva lakṣitā

Then, having risen in the morning, they gathered together again; and she, remaining silent, was regarded by them as one who had indeed been enjoyed in the dream.

Verse 61 (skanda.4.67.61)

तूष्णीं प्राप्याथ काशीं सा स्नात्वा मंदाकिनीजले ॥ सखीभिः सहितापश्यल्लिंगं रत्नेश्वरं मम

tūṣṇīṁ prāpyātha kāśīṁ sā snātvā maṁdākinījale || sakhībhiḥ sahitāpaśyalliṁgaṁ ratneśvaraṁ mama

Silently, then, having come to Kashi and bathed in the waters of the Mandakini, she, together with her friends, beheld my linga Ratneshvara.

Verse 62 (skanda.4.67.62)

निर्वर्त्य नियमं साथ लज्जामुकुलितेक्षणा ॥ निर्बंधेन वयस्याभिः परिपृष्टा जगाद ह

nirvartya niyamaṁ sātha lajjāmukulitekṣaṇā || nirbaṁdhena vayasyābhiḥ paripṛṣṭā jagāda ha

Having completed her vow, her eyes half-closed in shyness, pressed insistently by her companions, she spoke.

Verse 63 (skanda.4.67.63)

॥रत्नावल्युवाच॥ अथ रत्नेश यात्रायाः प्रयातासु स्वमंदिरम् ॥ भवतीषु स्मरंत्येव तद्रत्नेशवचोऽमृतम्

||ratnāvalyuvāca|| atha ratneśa yātrāyāḥ prayātāsu svamaṁdiram || bhavatīṣu smaraṁtyeva tadratneśavaco'mṛtam

Ratnavali said: 'After you all had gone from the Ratnesha pilgrimage to your own homes, I remained, remembering that nectar-like word of Ratnesha.'

Verse 64 (skanda.4.67.64)

सविशेषांगसंस्काराऽविशं संवेशमंदिरम् ॥ निद्रादरिद्रनयना तद्विलोकनलालसा

saviśeṣāṁgasaṁskārā'viśaṁ saṁveśamaṁdiram || nidrādaridranayanā tadvilokanalālasā

'Having adorned my body with special care, I entered my sleeping-chamber, my eyes bereft of sleep, longing to behold him.'

Verse 65 (skanda.4.67.65)

बलात्स्वप्नदशां प्राप्ता भाविनोर्थस्य गौरवात् ॥ आत्मविस्मरणे हेतू ततो मे द्वौ बभूवतुः

balātsvapnadaśāṁ prāptā bhāvinorthasya gauravāt || ātmavismaraṇe hetū tato me dvau babhūvatuḥ

'By force I fell into the state of dream, through the weight of the coming event; then two causes arose in me for the forgetting of myself.'

Verse 66 (skanda.4.67.66)

तंद्री तदंगसंस्पर्शौ मम बोधापहारकौ ॥ तंद्र्या परवशा चासं ततस्तत्स्पर्शनेन च

taṁdrī tadaṁgasaṁsparśau mama bodhāpahārakau || taṁdryā paravaśā cāsaṁ tatastatsparśanena ca

'Drowsiness, and the touch of his body — these two stole away my awareness. I was first overcome by drowsiness, and then by that touch.'

Verse 67 (skanda.4.67.67)

न जाने त्वथ किं वृत्तं काहं क्वाहं स चाथ कः ॥ तं निर्जिगमिषुं सख्यो यावद्धर्तुं प्रसारितः

na jāne tvatha kiṁ vṛttaṁ kāhaṁ kvāhaṁ sa cātha kaḥ || taṁ nirjigamiṣuṁ sakhyo yāvaddhartuṁ prasāritaḥ

'I do not know what happened then — who was I, where was I, who indeed was he? As he was about to depart, O friends, my arm was stretched out to hold him back —'

Verse 68 (skanda.4.67.68)

दोः कंकणेन रिपुणा क्वणितं तावदुत्कटम् ॥ महता सिंजितेनाहं तेनाल्पपरिबोधिता

doḥ kaṁkaṇena ripuṇā kvaṇitaṁ tāvadutkaṭam || mahatā siṁjitenāhaṁ tenālpaparibodhitā

'— but just then the bangle on my arm, that traitor, made a sharp, loud sound, and by that great sound I was half-awakened.'

Verse 69 (skanda.4.67.69)

सुखसंतानपीयूष ह्रदे परिनिमज्य वै ॥ क्षणेन तद्वियोगाग्निकीलासु पतिता बलात्

sukhasaṁtānapīyūṣa hrade parinimajya vai || kṣaṇena tadviyogāgnikīlāsu patitā balāt

'Having been immersed in the very lake of the nectar of unbroken joy, in a mere instant I was forcibly cast into the flames of separation from him.'

Verse 70 (skanda.4.67.70)

किंकुलीयः स नो वेद्मि किंदेशीयः किमाख्यकः ॥ दुनोति नितरां सख्यस्तद्विश्लेषानलो महान्

kiṁkulīyaḥ sa no vedmi kiṁdeśīyaḥ kimākhyakaḥ || dunoti nitarāṁ sakhyastadviśleṣānalo mahān

'Of what family he was, I do not know, nor of what country, nor his name; O friends, the great fire of separation from him torments me exceedingly.'

Verse 71 (skanda.4.67.71)

अनल्पोत्कलितं चेतः पुनस्तत्संगमाशया ॥ प्राणानां मे यियासूनामेकमेव महौषधम्

analpotkalitaṁ cetaḥ punastatsaṁgamāśayā || prāṇānāṁ me yiyāsūnāmekameva mahauṣadham

'My heart is again greatly agitated with the hope of union with him; for my life-breaths, which wish to depart, there is but one great remedy.'

Verse 72 (skanda.4.67.72)

वयस्या निशिभुक्तस्य तस्यैव पुनरीक्षणम् ॥ भवतीनामधीनं च तत्पुनर्दर्शनं मम

vayasyā niśibhuktasya tasyaiva punarīkṣaṇam || bhavatīnāmadhīnaṁ ca tatpunardarśanaṁ mama

'O friends, that remedy is the sight, once more, of him whom I enjoyed by night; and that renewed sight lies in your hands alone.'

Verse 73 (skanda.4.67.73)

काऽलीकमालयो वक्ति स्निग्धमुग्धेसखीजने ॥ तद्दर्शनेन स्थास्यंति प्राणा यास्यंति चान्यथा

kā'līkamālayo vakti snigdhamugdhesakhījane || taddarśanena sthāsyaṁti prāṇā yāsyaṁti cānyathā

'What woman would speak falsely among affectionate, innocent friends? By the sight of him my life shall remain; otherwise, it shall depart.'

Verse 74 (skanda.4.67.74)

दशम्यवस्था सन्नह्येद्बाधितुं माधुना भृशम् ॥ इति तस्या गिरः श्रुत्वा दूनाया नितरां च ताः

daśamyavasthā sannahyedbādhituṁ mādhunā bhṛśam || iti tasyā giraḥ śrutvā dūnāyā nitarāṁ ca tāḥ

'Even now this tenth stage of love-sickness readies itself to afflict me sorely.' Having heard these anguished words of hers, they —

Verse 75 (skanda.4.67.75)

प्रवेपमानहृदयाः प्रोचुर्वीक्ष्य परस्परम्

pravepamānahṛdayāḥ procurvīkṣya parasparam

— their hearts trembling, looking at one another, spoke.

Verse 76 (skanda.4.67.76)

सख्य ऊचुः ॥ यस्य ग्रामो न नो नाम नान्वयो नापि बुध्यते ॥ स कथं प्राप्यते भद्रे क उपायो विधीयताम्

sakhya ūcuḥ || yasya grāmo na no nāma nānvayo nāpi budhyate || sa kathaṁ prāpyate bhadre ka upāyo vidhīyatām

The friends said: 'He whose village we do not know, nor his name, nor even his lineage — how can he be found, O gentle one? What means should be devised?'

Verse 77 (skanda.4.67.77)

इति रत्नावली श्रुत्वा ससंदेहां च तद्गिरम् ॥ वयस्यास्तदवाप्तौ मे यूयं कुंठि मुमूर्छ ह

iti ratnāvalī śrutvā sasaṁdehāṁ ca tadgiram || vayasyāstadavāptau me yūyaṁ kuṁṭhi mumūrcha ha

Hearing this doubt-laden speech, Ratnavali said, 'O friends, in helping me attain him, you have proved powerless' — and then she fainted.

Verse 78 (skanda.4.67.78)

इत्यर्धोक्तेन सा बाला यूयं कुंठितशक्तयः ॥ यद्वक्तव्यं त्विति तया यूयं कुंठीति भाषितम्

ityardhoktena sā bālā yūyaṁ kuṁṭhitaśaktayaḥ || yadvaktavyaṁ tviti tayā yūyaṁ kuṁṭhīti bhāṣitam

With this half-spoken utterance, the maiden meant to say 'your powers are blunted' — but she managed only 'you are blunted' before she collapsed.

Verse 79 (skanda.4.67.79)

ततस्तास्त्वरिताः सख्यः परितापोपहारकान् ॥ बहुशः शीतलोपायान्व्यधुर्मोहप्रशांतये

tatastāstvaritāḥ sakhyaḥ paritāpopahārakān || bahuśaḥ śītalopāyānvyadhurmohapraśāṁtaye

Then those friends, hastening, applied many cooling remedies that relieve distress, in order to calm her swoon.

Verse 80 (skanda.4.67.80)

व्यपैति न यदा मूर्छा तत्तच्छीतोपचारतः ॥ तस्यास्तदैकयानीतं रत्नेशस्नपनोदकम्

vyapaiti na yadā mūrchā tattacchītopacārataḥ || tasyāstadaikayānītaṁ ratneśasnapanodakam

When the swoon did not depart through those cooling treatments, then one of them brought the water that had bathed Ratnesha.

Verse 81 (skanda.4.67.81)

तदुक्षणात्क्षणादेव तन्मूर्छा विरराम ह ॥ सुप्तोत्थितेव सावादीन्मुहुः शिवशिवेति च

tadukṣaṇātkṣaṇādeva tanmūrchā virarāma ha || suptotthiteva sāvādīnmuhuḥ śivaśiveti ca

By the sprinkling of that water, her swoon ceased that very instant; and, as if risen from sleep, she cried out again and again, 'Shiva, Shiva!'

Verse 82 (skanda.4.67.82)

॥स्कदं उवाच॥ श्रद्धावतां स्वभक्तानामुपसर्गे महत्यपि ॥ नोपायांतरमस्त्येव विनेश चरणोदकम्

||skadaṁ uvāca|| śraddhāvatāṁ svabhaktānāmupasarge mahatyapi || nopāyāṁtaramastyeva vineśa caraṇodakam

Skanda said: For faithful devotees, even in a great calamity, there exists no other remedy at all, apart from the water of the Lord's feet.

Verse 83 (skanda.4.67.83)

ये व्याधयोपि दुःसाध्या बहिरंतः शरीरगाः ॥ श्रद्धयेशोदकस्पर्शात्ते नश्यंत्येव नान्यथा

ye vyādhayopi duḥsādhyā bahiraṁtaḥ śarīragāḥ || śraddhayeśodakasparśātte naśyaṁtyeva nānyathā

Whatever diseases, even incurable ones, afflict the body without or within — by the touch, in faith, of the Lord's water, they are destroyed, and not otherwise.

Verse 84 (skanda.4.67.84)

सेवितं येन सततं भगवच्चरणोदकम् ॥ तं बाह्याभ्यंतरशुचिं नोपसर्पति दुर्गतिः

sevitaṁ yena satataṁ bhagavaccaraṇodakam || taṁ bāhyābhyaṁtaraśuciṁ nopasarpati durgatiḥ

He who has constantly partaken of the Lord's foot-water, pure both outwardly and inwardly — misfortune does not come near him.

Verse 85 (skanda.4.67.85)

आधिभौतिकतापं च तापं वाप्याधिदैविकम् ॥ आध्यात्मिकं तथा तापं हरेच्छ्रीचरणोदकम्

ādhibhautikatāpaṁ ca tāpaṁ vāpyādhidaivikam || ādhyātmikaṁ tathā tāpaṁ harecchrīcaraṇodakam

The sacred foot-water removes the suffering caused by other beings, the suffering caused by the gods, and the suffering that arises from within oneself.

Verse 86 (skanda.4.67.86)

व्यपेतसंज्वरा चाथ गंधर्वतनया मुने ॥ उचितज्ञेति होवाच ताः सखीः स्रिग्धधो(धी?)रधीः

vyapetasaṁjvarā cātha gaṁdharvatanayā mune || ucitajñeti hovāca tāḥ sakhīḥ srigdhadho(dhī?)radhīḥ

O sage, then the Gandharva-maiden, her fever gone, her mind steady and affectionate, said this fitting thing to her friends.

Verse 87 (skanda.4.67.87)

॥रत्नावल्युवाच॥ शशिलेखेनंगलेखे चित्रलेखे मदीहितं ॥ यूयं कुंठितसामर्थ्याः कुतो वस्ताः कलाः क्व वा

||ratnāvalyuvāca|| śaśilekhenaṁgalekhe citralekhe madīhitaṁ || yūyaṁ kuṁṭhitasāmarthyāḥ kuto vastāḥ kalāḥ kva vā

Ratnavali said: 'O Shashilekha, Anangalekha, Chitralekha — you say my desire cannot be fulfilled because your powers are blunted — but where, then, are those skills of yours?'

Verse 88 (skanda.4.67.88)

मत्प्रियप्राप्तये सम्यगुपायोऽस्ति मयेक्षितः ॥ रत्नेश्वरानुग्रहतोऽनुतिष्ठत हि तं हिताः

matpriyaprāptaye samyagupāyo'sti mayekṣitaḥ || ratneśvarānugrahato'nutiṣṭhata hi taṁ hitāḥ

'For the attainment of my beloved, I have seen a proper means, by the grace of Ratneshvara; carry it out, as my true well-wishers.'

Verse 89 (skanda.4.67.89)

शशिलेखेभिलषितप्राप्त्यै लेखांस्त्वमालिख ॥ संलिखानंगलेखे त्वं यूनः सर्वावनीचरान्

śaśilekhebhilaṣitaprāptyai lekhāṁstvamālikha || saṁlikhānaṁgalekhe tvaṁ yūnaḥ sarvāvanīcarān

'O Shashilekha, for the attainment of the desired one, draw portraits; you, Anangalekha, draw all the young men who move upon the earth.'

Verse 90 (skanda.4.67.90)

चित्रगे चित्रलेखे त्वं पातालतलशायिनः ॥ किंचिदाविर्भवच्चारु तारुण्यालंकृतीँल्लिख

citrage citralekhe tvaṁ pātālatalaśāyinaḥ || kiṁcidāvirbhavaccāru tāruṇyālaṁkṛtī~llikha

'O Chitralekha, skilled in painting, draw those who dwell in the depths of the netherworld, depicting the beautiful ornaments of youth just beginning to show.'

Verse 91 (skanda.4.67.91)

अथाकण्येति ताः सख्यस्तच्चातुर्यं प्रवर्ण्य च ॥ लिलिखुः क्रमशः सख्यो यूनो यौवन शेवधीन्

athākaṇyeti tāḥ sakhyastaccāturyaṁ pravarṇya ca || lilikhuḥ kramaśaḥ sakhyo yūno yauvana śevadhīn

Hearing this, and admiring her cleverness, the friends, one after another, drew young men, treasuries of youthful beauty.

Verse 92 (skanda.4.67.92)

निर्यत्कौमारलक्ष्मीकान्पुंवत्त्व श्रीसमावृतान् ॥ प्रातःसंध्येव गंधर्वी नृपाद्यांस्तानवैक्षत

niryatkaumāralakṣmīkānpuṁvattva śrīsamāvṛtān || prātaḥsaṁdhyeva gaṁdharvī nṛpādyāṁstānavaikṣata

[Portraits] radiant with the beauty of youthful maturity, clothed in the splendour of full manhood; the Gandharva-maiden, like the morning twilight, looked upon those kings and others depicted.

Verse 93 (skanda.4.67.93)

सर्वान्सुरनिकायान्सा व्यलोकत शुभेक्षणा ॥ न चांचल्यं जहावक्ष्णोस्तेषु स्वर्लोकवासिषु

sarvānsuranikāyānsā vyalokata śubhekṣaṇā || na cāṁcalyaṁ jahāvakṣṇosteṣu svarlokavāsiṣu

That fair-eyed one looked upon all the hosts of gods, but her restless eyes found no rest even among those dwellers of heaven.

Verse 94 (skanda.4.67.94)

ततो मध्यमलोकस्थान्मुनिराजकुमारकान् ॥ विलोक्यापि न सा प्रीतिं क्वाप्याप प्रेमनिर्भरा

tato madhyamalokasthānmunirājakumārakān || vilokyāpi na sā prītiṁ kvāpyāpa premanirbharā

Then, though full of longing, she, having looked also upon the sages and princes of the middle world, found delight nowhere.

Verse 95 (skanda.4.67.95)

अथ रत्नावली बाला कर्णाभ्यर्णविलोचना ॥ दृशौ व्यापारयामास बलिसद्मयुवस्वपि

atha ratnāvalī bālā karṇābhyarṇavilocanā || dṛśau vyāpārayāmāsa balisadmayuvasvapi

Then the maiden Ratnavali, her eyes reaching to her ears, turned her gaze also upon the young men of the netherworld.

Verse 96 (skanda.4.67.96)

दितिजान्दनुजान्वीक्ष्य सा गंधर्वी कुमारकान् ॥ रतिं बबंध न क्वापि तापिता मान्मथैः शरैः

ditijāndanujānvīkṣya sā gaṁdharvī kumārakān || ratiṁ babaṁdha na kvāpi tāpitā mānmathaiḥ śaraiḥ

Having looked upon the sons of Diti and Danu, that Gandharva maiden, tormented by the arrows of Kama, found no attachment to those youths.

Verse 97 (skanda.4.67.97)

सुधाकर करस्पृष्टाप्यतिदूनांगयष्टिका ॥ पश्यंती नागयूनः सा किंचिदुच्छ्वसिताऽभवत्

sudhākara karaspṛṣṭāpyatidūnāṁgayaṣṭikā || paśyaṁtī nāgayūnaḥ sā kiṁciducchvasitā'bhavat

Though touched, as it were, by the rays of the moon, her afflicted body still greatly weary, as she looked upon the youths of the serpent race, she became somewhat relieved.

Verse 98 (skanda.4.67.98)

भोगिनस्तान्विलोक्यापि चित्रंचित्रगतानथ ॥ मनात्संभुक्तभोगेव क्षणमासीत्कुमारिका

bhoginastānvilokyāpi citraṁcitragatānatha || manātsaṁbhuktabhogeva kṣaṇamāsītkumārikā

Having beheld those serpent-lords depicted in the painting, the maiden, for a moment, felt in her mind as though she had already found union.

Verse 99 (skanda.4.67.99)

यूनः प्रत्येकमद्राक्षीदशेषाञ्छेष वंशजान् ॥ तक्षकान्वयगांस्तद्वदथ वासुकिगोत्रजान्

yūnaḥ pratyekamadrākṣīdaśeṣāñcheṣa vaṁśajān || takṣakānvayagāṁstadvadatha vāsukigotrajān

She looked at each of the young men one by one — those born in the line of Shesha, those of Takshaka's family, and those of Vasuki's clan.

Verse 100 (skanda.4.67.100)

पुलीकानंत कर्कोट भद्रसंतानगानपि ॥ दृष्ट्वा नागकुमारांस्ताञ्छंखचूडमथैक्षत

pulīkānaṁta karkoṭa bhadrasaṁtānagānapi || dṛṣṭvā nāgakumārāṁstāñchaṁkhacūḍamathaikṣata

Having seen the serpent-princes descended from Pulika, Ananta, Karkota, and Bhadra, she then beheld Shankhachuda.

Verse 101 (skanda.4.67.101)

शंखचूडेक्षणादेव परां लज्जां बभार सा ॥ उद्भिन्नपुलकाप्यासीदंगप्रत्यंग संधिषु

śaṁkhacūḍekṣaṇādeva parāṁ lajjāṁ babhāra sā || udbhinnapulakāpyāsīdaṁgapratyaṁga saṁdhiṣu

At the very sight of Shankhachuda she felt the utmost shyness, and horripilation broke out upon her at every joint of her limbs.

Verse 102 (skanda.4.67.102)

तत्त्रपाभरतोऽज्ञायि तत्कौमारहरो वरः ॥ तया वैदग्ध्यवरया क्षणतश्चित्रलेखया

tattrapābharato'jñāyi tatkaumāraharo varaḥ || tayā vaidagdhyavarayā kṣaṇataścitralekhayā

By the weight of her shyness, the exceedingly clever Chitralekha knew at once that this was the very one who had taken her maidenhood.

Verse 103 (skanda.4.67.103)

अथ चित्रपटी चित्रलेखा चित्रपटांचलम् ॥ परिक्षिप्यावृणोत्तूर्णं परिहासैकपेशला

atha citrapaṭī citralekhā citrapaṭāṁcalam || parikṣipyāvṛṇottūrṇaṁ parihāsaikapeśalā

Then Chitralekha, ever skilled in playful teasing, quickly threw the edge of the painted canvas over that figure and covered it.

Verse 104 (skanda.4.67.104)

रत्नावली चित्रलेखां ह्रिया मौनावलंबिनी ॥ दृशा कुटिलयाद्राक्षीत्प्रस्फुरद्दशनांबरा

ratnāvalī citralekhāṁ hriyā maunāvalaṁbinī || dṛśā kuṭilayādrākṣītprasphuraddaśanāṁbarā

Ratnavali, resorting to silence out of shyness, looked at Chitralekha with a sidelong glance, her glistening teeth betraying a smile.

Verse 105 (skanda.4.67.105)

कटाक्षितानंगलेखा तयाथ शशिलेखया ॥ चित्रलेखापरिक्षिप्त पटांचलमपाकरोत्

kaṭākṣitānaṁgalekhā tayātha śaśilekhayā || citralekhāparikṣipta paṭāṁcalamapākarot

Given that sidelong glance from Ratnavali, Anangalekha, together with Shashilekha, removed the edge of the canvas that Chitralekha had thrown over it.

Verse 106 (skanda.4.67.106)

वसुभूतिसुता साथ कन्या रत्नावली शुभा ॥ शंखचूडान्ववाये तं रत्नचूडमवैक्षत

vasubhūtisutā sātha kanyā ratnāvalī śubhā || śaṁkhacūḍānvavāye taṁ ratnacūḍamavaikṣata

Then the auspicious maiden Ratnavali, daughter of Vasubhuti, beheld him, Ratnachuda, depicted in the lineage of Shankhachuda.

Verse 107 (skanda.4.67.107)

तदीक्षणक्षणाद्दृष्टिरानंदाश्रुभिरावृता ॥ कपोलभित्तिरभवत्स्वेदोदकणिकांचिता

tadīkṣaṇakṣaṇāddṛṣṭirānaṁdāśrubhirāvṛtā || kapolabhittirabhavatsvedodakaṇikāṁcitā

The instant she beheld him, her eyes filled with tears of joy, and her cheeks became studded with tiny beads of sweat.

Verse 108 (skanda.4.67.108)

चकंपे गात्रलतिका धृतरोमांचकंचुका ॥ चित्रन्यस्तेव तस्तंभ क्षणं मुकुलितानना

cakaṁpe gātralatikā dhṛtaromāṁcakaṁcukā || citranyasteva tastaṁbha kṣaṇaṁ mukulitānanā

Her creeper-like body trembled, clad as if in a garment of horripilation; for a moment, her face closed like a bud, she froze motionless, as if placed in a painting herself.

Verse 109 (skanda.4.67.109)

ततः सा चित्रलेखा तामेत्याश्वासयदातुराम् ॥ मौत्सुक्यं व्रज गंधर्वि सिद्धस्तेद्य मनोरथः

tataḥ sā citralekhā tāmetyāśvāsayadāturām || mautsukyaṁ vraja gaṁdharvi siddhastedya manorathaḥ

Then Chitralekha, going to her, comforted the distressed girl: 'Cast off your longing, O Gandharva maiden — your heart's desire is fulfilled today.'

Verse 110 (skanda.4.67.110)

एतस्यावगतं सर्वं देशनामान्वयादिकम् ॥ मा विषीदालिसुलभस्त्वेष रत्नेश्वरार्पितः

etasyāvagataṁ sarvaṁ deśanāmānvayādikam || mā viṣīdālisulabhastveṣa ratneśvarārpitaḥ

'Everything about him — his country, name, lineage and the rest — is now known; do not despair, my friend, he is easily attained, for he is a gift of Ratneshvara.'

Verse 111 (skanda.4.67.111)

अहो सदृग्वरावाप्त्या रत्नेशेनासि तोषिता ॥ उत्तिष्ठ यामः सदनं रत्नेशः सर्वदोहिनः

aho sadṛgvarāvāptyā ratneśenāsi toṣitā || uttiṣṭha yāmaḥ sadanaṁ ratneśaḥ sarvadohinaḥ

'Ah, by the attainment of so fitting a husband, you have been gratified by Ratnesha; rise, let us go home — Ratnesha grants the wishes of all.'

Verse 112 (skanda.4.67.112)

अथ देववशाद्यांत्यस्ता दृष्टा गगनाध्वगाः ॥ सुबाहुना दानवेन पातालतलवासिना

atha devavaśādyāṁtyastā dṛṣṭā gaganādhvagāḥ || subāhunā dānavena pātālatalavāsinā

Then, as they went by the path of the sky, by the will of fate, they were seen — those travellers of the heavens — by the demon Subahu, a dweller of the netherworld.

Verse 113 (skanda.4.67.113)

गृहीत्वा ताश्चतस्रोपि निरगाद्दानवो गृहम् ॥ हरिर्विकटदंष्ट्रास्यः प्रांतरे हरिणीरिव

gṛhītvā tāścatasropi niragāddānavo gṛham || harirvikaṭadaṁṣṭrāsyaḥ prāṁtare hariṇīriva

Seizing all four of them, the demon went off to his home, like a lion with fearsome fangs seizing a herd of does in the wilderness.

Verse 114 (skanda.4.67.114)

तास्तं विलोक्य गंधर्व्यो दंष्ट्राविकटिताननम् ॥ रुधिरारुणनेत्रं च जाता वेपथुभूमयः

tāstaṁ vilokya gaṁdharvyo daṁṣṭrāvikaṭitānanam || rudhirāruṇanetraṁ ca jātā vepathubhūmayaḥ

Those Gandharva maidens, beholding him, his face terrible with fangs and his eyes red with blood, became overcome with trembling.

Verse 115 (skanda.4.67.115)

हा मातर्हा पितस्त्राहि हा विधे मा विधेहि तत् ॥ यदेतत्कर्तुमारब्धमनाथास्वतिनिष्ठुरम्

hā mātarhā pitastrāhi hā vidhe mā vidhehi tat || yadetatkartumārabdhamanāthāsvatiniṣṭhuram

'Alas, mother! Alas, father, save me! Alas, Fate, do not ordain this — this cruel act begun against us helpless ones!'

Verse 116 (skanda.4.67.116)

हा दैव मंदभाग्याभिः किमस्माभिरनुष्ठितम् ॥ सुकृतेतरवार्तापि नो चित्ते व्याहृता क्वचित्

hā daiva maṁdabhāgyābhiḥ kimasmābhiranuṣṭhitam || sukṛtetaravārtāpi no citte vyāhṛtā kvacit

'Alas, Fate, what evil deed have we, of such ill fortune, ever committed? Never has even the thought of an unrighteous act entered our minds.'

Verse 117 (skanda.4.67.117)

शिशुक्रीडनकं हित्वा हित्वा रत्नेश्वरार्चनम् ॥ पित्रोः स्वाधीन सच्चेष्टा इष्टं विद्मो न किंचन

śiśukrīḍanakaṁ hitvā hitvā ratneśvarārcanam || pitroḥ svādhīna sacceṣṭā iṣṭaṁ vidmo na kiṁcana

'Except for childhood play, the worship of Ratneshvara, and dutiful conduct dependent on our parents, we desire nothing else at all.'

Verse 118 (skanda.4.67.118)

अधोभुवनगा दीना हीनानाथेन कोत्र नः ॥ त्राति त्राणार्थिनीर्बालाः शंभो रत्नेश सर्वग

adhobhuvanagā dīnā hīnānāthena kotra naḥ || trāti trāṇārthinīrbālāḥ śaṁbho ratneśa sarvaga

'We, wretched, gone down into the lower world, bereft and without protector — who here shall save us, poor maidens seeking refuge? O Shambhu, O all-pervading Ratnesha!'

Verse 119 (skanda.4.67.119)

इत्थं गंधर्वतनया विलपंतीः कृपातुरम् ॥ शुश्राव नागराजोसौ रत्नचूडो महामनाः

itthaṁ gaṁdharvatanayā vilapaṁtīḥ kṛpāturam || śuśrāva nāgarājosau ratnacūḍo mahāmanāḥ

As the Gandharva daughters wailed thus, so as to move anyone to compassion, that great-souled serpent-prince Ratnachuda heard them.

Verse 120 (skanda.4.67.120)

कोसौ मत्स्वामिनो नाम रत्नेशस्य महेशितुः ॥ लिंगराजस्य गृह्णाति कर्मबंधनभेदिनः

kosau matsvāmino nāma ratneśasya maheśituḥ || liṁgarājasya gṛhṇāti karmabaṁdhanabhedinaḥ

'Who is this that dares to seize those who invoke the name of my lord, the great ruler Ratnesha, the king of lingas, who breaks the bondage of karma?'

Verse 121 (skanda.4.67.121)

पुनरप्यार्तरावं स श्रुत्वा बालामुखेरितम् ॥ रत्नेश रक्षरक्षेति गृहीतास्त्रो विनिर्ययौ

punarapyārtarāvaṁ sa śrutvā bālāmukheritam || ratneśa rakṣarakṣeti gṛhītāstro viniryayau

Hearing again the anguished cry from the maidens' mouths — 'O Ratnesha, save us, save us!' — he, seizing his weapon, set forth.

Verse 122 (skanda.4.67.122)

तं वसारसपानेन महामांसनिषेवणात् ॥ अत्यंतोन्मत्त दुश्चेष्टं रत्नचूडो निरैक्षत

taṁ vasārasapānena mahāmāṁsaniṣevaṇāt || atyaṁtonmatta duśceṣṭaṁ ratnacūḍo niraikṣata

Ratnachuda beheld him — utterly maddened and misbehaving, from drinking the juice of fat and devouring great quantities of flesh.

Verse 123 (skanda.4.67.123)

अध्याक्षिपच्च रे दुष्ट शिष्टकन्यापहारक ॥ मद्दृष्टिगोचरं यातः क्व यास्यस्यद्य रेऽधम

adhyākṣipacca re duṣṭa śiṣṭakanyāpahāraka || maddṛṣṭigocaraṁ yātaḥ kva yāsyasyadya re'dhama

And he rebuked him: 'You wicked one, abductor of virtuous maidens! Now that you have come within the range of my sight, where will you go today, O vile one?'

Verse 124 (skanda.4.67.124)

मम बाणहतप्राणः प्रयाणं कुरु दुर्मते ॥ आर्तत्राणोद्यतमते वैवस्वतपुरं प्रति

mama bāṇahataprāṇaḥ prayāṇaṁ kuru durmate || ārtatrāṇodyatamate vaivasvatapuraṁ prati

'With your life struck out by my arrow, O evil-minded one, set forth toward the city of Yama — for I am resolved to protect the afflicted!'

Verse 125 (skanda.4.67.125)

रत्नेश्वरस्य यैर्नाम प्रलयापद्यपि स्फुटम् ॥ गृहीतं न भवादृग्भ्यस्तेषु भीतिर्भयात्मसु

ratneśvarasya yairnāma pralayāpadyapi sphuṭam || gṛhītaṁ na bhavādṛgbhyasteṣu bhītirbhayātmasu

'Those by whom the name of Ratneshvara has been clearly taken, even in the calamity of universal dissolution — in them, though otherwise fearful by nature, there is no fear of the likes of you.'

Verse 126 (skanda.4.67.126)

रत्नेश्वरमहानाम कृतत्राणास्तु ये नराः ॥ तेषां जन्मजराव्याधि कलिकालभयं कुतः

ratneśvaramahānāma kṛtatrāṇāstu ye narāḥ || teṣāṁ janmajarāvyādhi kalikālabhayaṁ kutaḥ

'Those men who have taken as their refuge the great name of Ratneshvara — how could birth, old age, disease, or the fear of the Kali age touch them?'

Verse 127 (skanda.4.67.127)

इत्युक्त्वा ता भयत्रस्तास्तन्मुखप्रहितेक्षणाः ॥ व्याघ्रघ्राता इव मृगीर्माभैषिष्टेत्युवाच सः

ityuktvā tā bhayatrastāstanmukhaprahitekṣaṇāḥ || vyāghraghrātā iva mṛgīrmābhaiṣiṣṭetyuvāca saḥ

Having said this, he spoke to those maidens — terrified with fear, their gaze fixed upon his face like does scented by a tiger — 'Do not be afraid.'

Verse 128 (skanda.4.67.128)

इत्याश्वास्याथ गंधर्वीः स वै भुजगराजजः ॥ आकर्णपूर्णमाकृष्य कोदंडं प्राहिणोच्छरम्

ityāśvāsyātha gaṁdharvīḥ sa vai bhujagarājajaḥ || ākarṇapūrṇamākṛṣya kodaṁḍaṁ prāhiṇoccharam

Having thus reassured the Gandharva maidens, the son of the serpent-king, drawing his bow full to the ear, released an arrow.

Verse 129 (skanda.4.67.129)

सोपि क्रुद्धो दनुजराट्पदास्पृष्टभुजंगवत् ॥ आविद्ध्य कालदंडाभं परिघं व्यसृजन्महत्

sopi kruddho danujarāṭpadāspṛṣṭabhujaṁgavat || āviddhya kāladaṁḍābhaṁ parighaṁ vyasṛjanmahat

He too, the enraged lord of demons, like a serpent whose tail has been trodden upon, whirling it about, hurled a great iron club resembling the staff of death.

Verse 130 (skanda.4.67.130)

हृदि रत्नेश्वरं लिंगं यस्य सम्यग्विजृंभते ॥ अलातदंडवत्तस्मिन्कालदंडोपि जायते

hṛdi ratneśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ yasya samyagvijṛṁbhate || alātadaṁḍavattasminkāladaṁḍopi jāyate

For him in whose heart the linga Ratneshvara truly blazes forth, even the staff of death becomes, against him, harmless as a whirled firebrand.

Verse 131 (skanda.4.67.131)

अंतरेव स चिच्छेद परिघं स्वमहेषुभिः ॥ दुर्वृतस्य यथेहायुर्विच्छिद्येतांतरैव हि

aṁtareva sa ciccheda parighaṁ svamaheṣubhiḥ || durvṛtasya yathehāyurvicchidyetāṁtaraiva hi

He cut through that iron club midway with his own great arrows — just as, in this world, the lifespan of one of evil conduct is cut short midway.

Verse 132 (skanda.4.67.132)

ततोस्य बाणं चिक्षेप कालानलसमप्रभम् ॥ स बाणस्तस्य हृदयं प्रविश्य प्रगवेष्य च

tatosya bāṇaṁ cikṣepa kālānalasamaprabham || sa bāṇastasya hṛdayaṁ praviśya pragaveṣya ca

Then he loosed an arrow at him, blazing like the fire of universal destruction; that arrow, piercing into his heart and searching through it —

Verse 133 (skanda.4.67.133)

प्राणानस्य विनिर्यात्य स्वयं तूणमगात्पुनः ॥ हृदिस्थं तस्य दौरात्म्यं सर्वं विज्ञाय तत्त्वतः

prāṇānasya viniryātya svayaṁ tūṇamagātpunaḥ || hṛdisthaṁ tasya daurātmyaṁ sarvaṁ vijñāya tattvataḥ

— having drawn out his life-breaths, returned by itself to the quiver, having truly understood in full the wickedness that dwelt in his heart.

Verse 134 (skanda.4.67.134)

दिगंगनापुरः ख्यातुमिव नागाशुगो गतः

digaṁganāpuraḥ khyātumiva nāgāśugo gataḥ

That swift serpent-arrow went as if to proclaim the deed before the maidens of the directions.

Verse 135 (skanda.4.67.135)

अन्यायोपार्जितैर्द्रव्यैर्यः सुखं भोक्तुमिच्छति ॥ तानि द्रव्याणि यांत्येव स प्राणानि कुतः सुखम

anyāyopārjitairdravyairyaḥ sukhaṁ bhoktumicchati || tāni dravyāṇi yāṁtyeva sa prāṇāni kutaḥ sukhama

He who wishes to enjoy pleasure through wealth unjustly acquired — that wealth departs, and his very life along with it; whence, then, comes happiness?

Verse 136 (skanda.4.67.136)

इति तं दानवं हत्वा नागराजो महाबली ॥ प्रत्युवाचाथ ताः कन्याः का यूयं कस्य चात्मजाः

iti taṁ dānavaṁ hatvā nāgarājo mahābalī || pratyuvācātha tāḥ kanyāḥ kā yūyaṁ kasya cātmajāḥ

Having thus slain that demon, the mighty serpent-prince then said to those maidens: 'Who are you, and whose daughters?'

Verse 137 (skanda.4.67.137)

दुरात्मना कुतोनेन संगता दनुजन्मना ॥ क्व वा रत्नेश्वरं लिंगं भवतीभिर्विलोकितम्

durātmanā kutonena saṁgatā danujanmanā || kva vā ratneśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ bhavatībhirvilokitam

'How did this evil-souled demon-born one come to seize you? And where have you beheld the linga Ratneshvara?'

Verse 138 (skanda.4.67.138)

यस्य नामाक्षरोच्चाराद्व्यपेत परमापदः ॥ यृयमाशु तदाख्यात येन जानामि तत्त्वतः

yasya nāmākṣaroccārādvyapeta paramāpadaḥ || yṛyamāśu tadākhyāta yena jānāmi tattvataḥ

'By the mere utterance of whose name your supreme calamity has departed — tell me this quickly, that I may truly know it.'

Verse 139 (skanda.4.67.139)

इति श्रुत्वा गिरस्तस्य नितरां प्रेमनिर्भराः ॥ परस्परं मुखं वीक्ष्य कोसौ स्याद्दृष्टपूर्ववत्

iti śrutvā girastasya nitarāṁ premanirbharāḥ || parasparaṁ mukhaṁ vīkṣya kosau syāddṛṣṭapūrvavat

Hearing his words, they, filled utterly with love, looked at one another's faces, wondering: 'Who is this, as though seen before?'

Verse 140 (skanda.4.67.140)

अकारण सखा कोसौ प्रांतरे समुपस्थितः ॥ निजप्राणान्पणीकृत्य येन त्राता स्म बालिकाः

akāraṇa sakhā kosau prāṁtare samupasthitaḥ || nijaprāṇānpaṇīkṛtya yena trātā sma bālikāḥ

'Who is this friend without cause, who appeared in the wilderness, and who, staking his own life, has saved us maidens?'

Verse 141 (skanda.4.67.141)

अस्य संदर्शनादेव स्वभाव चपलान्यपि ॥ मंथराणींद्रियाणिस्तु परिपीय सुधामिव

asya saṁdarśanādeva svabhāva capalānyapi || maṁtharāṇīṁdriyāṇistu paripīya sudhāmiva

'At the mere sight of him, our senses, though restless by nature, have become languid, as if having drunk deep of nectar.'

Verse 142 (skanda.4.67.142)

यातुमन्यत्र नो नेत्रे प्रोत्सहेते यथा तथा ॥ अन्यद्वस्त्वंतरं प्रेक्ष्य रमणीयतरंत्वपि

yātumanyatra no netre protsahete yathā tathā || anyadvastvaṁtaraṁ prekṣya ramaṇīyataraṁtvapi

'Our eyes have no inclination to go elsewhere, even upon seeing some other object, however more beautiful it might be.'

Verse 143 (skanda.4.67.143)

वचःपीयूषमाधुर्य नितरां प्राप्य नः श्रुती ॥ शब्दांतरग्रहापेक्षां न कुर्वाते स्वजन्मनः

vacaḥpīyūṣamādhurya nitarāṁ prāpya naḥ śrutī || śabdāṁtaragrahāpekṣāṁ na kurvāte svajanmanaḥ

'Our ears, having attained fully the sweetness of his nectar-like speech, have no further desire to grasp any other sound.'

Verse 144 (skanda.4.67.144)

आप्नुतः पंगुतामेतौ पादौ नश्चंचलावपि ॥ अमुं युवानमालोक्य चोरं नः सन्मनोमणेः

āpnutaḥ paṁgutāmetau pādau naścaṁcalāvapi || amuṁ yuvānamālokya coraṁ naḥ sanmanomaṇeḥ

'Even our restless feet have become as if lame, upon beholding this young man, the thief of the very jewel of our hearts.'

Verse 145 (skanda.4.67.145)

इति ब्रुवंत्यस्ता बालाः परस्परमनुल्बणम् ॥ दृष्ट्वापि चित्रमध्यस्थं विविदुस्तन्न बालिकाः

iti bruvaṁtyastā bālāḥ parasparamanulbaṇam || dṛṣṭvāpi citramadhyasthaṁ vividustanna bālikāḥ

Thus speaking to one another discreetly, those maidens, though they had seen him depicted in the painting, did not recognize that this was the same one.

Verse 146 (skanda.4.67.146)

अतीव भीषणाकार दनुजस्यातिसाध्वसात् ॥ अंधीभूतेक्षणास्तं नाज्ञासिषुर्हरिणीक्षणाः

atīva bhīṣaṇākāra danujasyātisādhvasāt || aṁdhībhūtekṣaṇāstaṁ nājñāsiṣurhariṇīkṣaṇāḥ

Out of extreme terror at the fearsome form of the demon, their doe-like eyes had become as if blinded, and so they had not recognized him at first.

Verse 147 (skanda.4.67.147)

ऊचुश्च तं युवानं ता निजजीवितरक्षिणम् ॥ यदंग भवता पृष्टं स्नेहनिर्भरचेतसा

ūcuśca taṁ yuvānaṁ tā nijajīvitarakṣiṇam || yadaṁga bhavatā pṛṣṭaṁ snehanirbharacetasā

And they said to that young man, the protector of their own lives: 'Dear one, that which you have asked, with a heart full of affection —'

Verse 148 (skanda.4.67.148)

तदाचक्षामहे सर्वमवधेहि क्षणं मनः ॥ इयं गंधर्वराजस्य वसुभूतेस्तनूद्भवा

tadācakṣāmahe sarvamavadhehi kṣaṇaṁ manaḥ || iyaṁ gaṁdharvarājasya vasubhūtestanūdbhavā

'— that we shall relate in full; give your mind for a moment. This one here is the daughter of the Gandharva king Vasubhuti.'

Verse 149 (skanda.4.67.149)

कन्या रत्नावली नाम गुणरत्नमहाखनिः ॥ वयं वयस्या एतस्याश्छायेवानुगताः सदा

kanyā ratnāvalī nāma guṇaratnamahākhaniḥ || vayaṁ vayasyā etasyāśchāyevānugatāḥ sadā

'Her name is Ratnavali, a great mine of jewel-like virtues; we are her companions, ever following her like her own shadow.'

Verse 150 (skanda.4.67.150)

आरभ्य बाल्यमप्येषा लिंगं रत्नेश्वराभिधम् ॥ यांति पित्राप्यनुज्ञाता काश्यामर्चयितुं सदा

ārabhya bālyamapyeṣā liṁgaṁ ratneśvarābhidham || yāṁti pitrāpyanujñātā kāśyāmarcayituṁ sadā

'From childhood itself, permitted by her father, she has always gone to Kashi to worship the linga named Ratneshvara.'

Verse 151 (skanda.4.67.151)

वरोपि दत्तस्तेनास्यै प्रसन्नेनाथ शंभुना ॥ हरिष्यतीति यः स्वप्ने कौमारं ते कुमारिके

varopi dattastenāsyai prasannenātha śaṁbhunā || hariṣyatīti yaḥ svapne kaumāraṁ te kumārike

'A boon too was granted to her by Shambhu, well pleased: He, O maiden, who shall take away your maidenhood in a dream —'

Verse 152 (skanda.4.67.152)

तव नामसमानाख्यः स ते भर्ता भविष्यति ॥ युवानं स्वप्नभोक्तारं प्राप्याप्येषा सुदुःखिता

tava nāmasamānākhyaḥ sa te bhartā bhaviṣyati || yuvānaṁ svapnabhoktāraṁ prāpyāpyeṣā suduḥkhitā

'— he whose name matches your own, he shall become your husband. Having thus met the young man in dream, she yet became greatly grieved —'

Verse 153 (skanda.4.67.153)

पुनस्तद्विरहोत्थेन वह्निनातीव तापिता ॥ कलाकौशल्यतोऽस्माभिः सोपि चित्रे प्रदर्शितः

punastadvirahotthena vahninātīva tāpitā || kalākauśalyato'smābhiḥ sopi citre pradarśitaḥ

'— tormented exceedingly by the fire of separation from him once more. So we, by our skill in painting, depicted him too in a picture.'

Verse 154 (skanda.4.67.154)

यस्य न ग्राम नामापि नान्वयोप्यवबुध्यते ॥ तं दृष्ट्वा चित्रलिखितमप्येषा जीविता पुनः

yasya na grāma nāmāpi nānvayopyavabudhyate || taṁ dṛṣṭvā citralikhitamapyeṣā jīvitā punaḥ

'Him whose village, name, and even lineage were unknown — having seen him thus drawn in the picture, she came alive again.'

Verse 155 (skanda.4.67.155)

ततो रत्नेश्वरं नत्वा स्वगृहायोत्सुकाभवत् ॥ यांतीस्ततोऽनया सार्धं प्रांतरे गगना ध्वनि

tato ratneśvaraṁ natvā svagṛhāyotsukābhavat || yāṁtīstato'nayā sārdhaṁ prāṁtare gaganā dhvani

'Then, having bowed to Ratneshvara, she became eager for her own home; and as we were going with her through the sky —'

Verse 156 (skanda.4.67.156)

अतर्किता यमश्चास्मान्धृत्वा पातालमाविशत् ॥ अनंतरं भवानेव तं वेत्ति दनुजाधमम्

atarkitā yamaścāsmāndhṛtvā pātālamāviśat || anaṁtaraṁ bhavāneva taṁ vetti danujādhamam

'— suddenly, like Yama himself, that demon seized us and carried us down into the netherworld. After that, you yourself know that vile demon's fate.'

Verse 157 (skanda.4.67.157)

अंग इत्येव वृत्तांतो निजोऽस्माभिरुदीरितः ॥ प्रसादं कुरु चास्माकं पुरः कोसि कृपानिधे

aṁga ityeva vṛttāṁto nijo'smābhirudīritaḥ || prasādaṁ kuru cāsmākaṁ puraḥ kosi kṛpānidhe

'Dear one, this is our whole account, as related; now show us your grace, and tell us who you are, O treasury of compassion.'

Verse 158 (skanda.4.67.158)

यदा प्रभृति चास्माभिः स दृष्टो दुष्टदानवः ॥ तदाप्रभृति नो नेत्रे विद्युतेव हतप्रभे

yadā prabhṛti cāsmābhiḥ sa dṛṣṭo duṣṭadānavaḥ || tadāprabhṛti no netre vidyuteva hataprabhe

'From the moment we beheld that wicked demon, our eyes have been as if struck of their light, like lightning flashing and gone.'

Verse 159 (skanda.4.67.159)

कांदिशीका भयत्रातर्न विद्मः किंचिदेव हि ॥ क्व वयं का वयं कस्त्वं किं जातं किं भविष्यति

kāṁdiśīkā bhayatrātarna vidmaḥ kiṁcideva hi || kva vayaṁ kā vayaṁ kastvaṁ kiṁ jātaṁ kiṁ bhaviṣyati

'We are utterly bewildered, O saviour from fear; we know nothing at all — where are we, who are we, who are you, what has happened, and what shall happen?'

Verse 160 (skanda.4.67.160)

निशम्येति स पुण्यात्मा नागराजकुमारकः ॥ आश्वास्य ता भयत्रस्ताः प्रोवाचेदं च पुण्यधीः

niśamyeti sa puṇyātmā nāgarājakumārakaḥ || āśvāsya tā bhayatrastāḥ provācedaṁ ca puṇyadhīḥ

Hearing this, that virtuous-souled serpent-prince, comforting those maidens terrified with fear, spoke this, his mind ever turned to righteousness.

Verse 161 (skanda.4.67.161)

मया सह समायात रत्नेशं दर्थयामि वः ॥ इत्याहूय स ता निन्ये क्रीडावापीं सुखोदकाम्

mayā saha samāyāta ratneśaṁ darthayāmi vaḥ || ityāhūya sa tā ninye krīḍāvāpīṁ sukhodakām

'Come along with me — I shall show you Ratnesha.' So saying, he summoned them and led them to a pleasure-pool of delightful water.

Verse 162 (skanda.4.67.162)

वित्रित्रमणिसोपानां हंसकोककृतारवाम् ॥ कवीनां वासितव्याजात्स्वागतं कुर्वतीमिव

vitritramaṇisopānāṁ haṁsakokakṛtāravām || kavīnāṁ vāsitavyājātsvāgataṁ kurvatīmiva

That pool, with steps of many-coloured gems, resounding with the calls of swans and Chakravaka birds, seeming to welcome them with the fragrance loved by poets —

Verse 163 (skanda.4.67.163)

तत्र तेनाभ्यनुज्ञाताः क्रीडावाप्यां निमज्ज्य ताः ॥ सचैलपुष्पाभरणाः प्रोन्ममज्जुस्ततः पुनः

tatra tenābhyanujñātāḥ krīḍāvāpyāṁ nimajjya tāḥ || sacailapuṣpābharaṇāḥ pronmamajjustataḥ punaḥ

— there, given leave by him, having plunged into that pleasure-pool with their garments, flowers and ornaments still on, they rose up again.

Verse 164 (skanda.4.67.164)

बहिर्निर्गत्य गंधर्व्यः पश्यंत्यः स्थगिता इव ॥ रत्नेशालयमालोक्य कालराजसमीपतः

bahirnirgatya gaṁdharvyaḥ paśyaṁtyaḥ sthagitā iva || ratneśālayamālokya kālarājasamīpataḥ

Coming out, the Gandharva maidens, as if stunned, beheld the abode of Ratnesha, close by the presence of Kalaraja.

Verse 165 (skanda.4.67.165)

परस्परं ततः प्रोचुर्गंधर्व्यो विस्मिता इव ॥ स्वप्नोयं किं नु वा सत्यं खेलो रत्नेश्वरस्य वा

parasparaṁ tataḥ procurgaṁdharvyo vismitā iva || svapnoyaṁ kiṁ nu vā satyaṁ khelo ratneśvarasya vā

Then the Gandharva maidens, as if astonished, said to one another: 'Is this a dream, or is it real, or is it the play of Ratneshvara?'

Verse 166 (skanda.4.67.166)

वयमेव हि वा भ्रांता गंधर्व्यो न वयं किमु ॥ किमेतन्नैव जानीम ऐंद्रजालिक खेलवत्

vayameva hi vā bhrāṁtā gaṁdharvyo na vayaṁ kimu || kimetannaiva jānīma aiṁdrajālika khelavat

'Or have we ourselves become confused — are we no longer even the Gandharva maidens we were? We do not know what this is, it seems like the play of a magician.'

Verse 167 (skanda.4.67.167)

एषोत्तरवहा गंगा स्फुटमेव भवेदिह ॥ शंखचूडस्य वाप्येषा शंखचूडालयस्त्वसौ

eṣottaravahā gaṁgā sphuṭameva bhavediha || śaṁkhacūḍasya vāpyeṣā śaṁkhacūḍālayastvasau

'This is surely the Ganga flowing northward here; this is the pool of Shankhachuda, and that yonder is Shankhachuda's own abode.'

Verse 168 (skanda.4.67.168)

एतत्पंचनदं तीर्थमेष वागीश्वरालयः ॥ यस्य संदर्शनादेव वाग्विभूतिर्विजृंभते

etatpaṁcanadaṁ tīrthameṣa vāgīśvarālayaḥ || yasya saṁdarśanādeva vāgvibhūtirvijṛṁbhate

'This is the sacred bathing-place Panchanada; this is the abode of Vagishvara, at whose sight the glory of speech blossoms forth.'

Verse 169 (skanda.4.67.169)

शंखचूडेश्वरश्चैष शंखचूडप्रतिष्ठितः ॥ यस्य संदर्शनात्पुंसां न भयं कालसर्पजम्

śaṁkhacūḍeśvaraścaiṣa śaṁkhacūḍapratiṣṭhitaḥ || yasya saṁdarśanātpuṁsāṁ na bhayaṁ kālasarpajam

'This is Shankhachudeshvara, established by Shankhachuda, at whose sight men have no fear born of the serpent of death.'

Verse 170 (skanda.4.67.170)

एषा मंदाकिनी नाम दीर्घिका पुण्यतोयभूः ॥ यस्यां कृतोदका मर्त्या मर्त्यलोके विशंति न

eṣā maṁdākinī nāma dīrghikā puṇyatoyabhūḥ || yasyāṁ kṛtodakā martyā martyaloke viśaṁti na

'This is the long pool named Mandakini, the source of sacred water; mortals who perform the water-rite here do not enter again the world of mortals.'

Verse 171 (skanda.4.67.171)

असावाशापुरी देवी या स्तुता त्रिपुरारिणा ॥ त्रिपुरं जेतुकामेन मंदाकिन्यास्तटे शुभे

asāvāśāpurī devī yā stutā tripurāriṇā || tripuraṁ jetukāmena maṁdākinyāstaṭe śubhe

'That is the goddess Ashapuri, who was praised by the destroyer of Tripura, when he desired to conquer Tripura, on this fair bank of the Mandakini.'

Verse 172 (skanda.4.67.172)

याद्यापि पूजिता मर्त्यैराशां पूरयतेर्थिनाम् ॥ मंदाकिन्याः प्रतीच्यां तु एष सिद्ध्यष्टकेश्वरः

yādyāpi pūjitā martyairāśāṁ pūrayaterthinām || maṁdākinyāḥ pratīcyāṁ tu eṣa siddhyaṣṭakeśvaraḥ

'She, worshipped even now by mortals, fulfils the hopes of petitioners. And to the west of the Mandakini is this Siddhyashtakeshvara.'

Verse 173 (skanda.4.67.173)

भवेद्यस्य सपर्यातो गृहे सिद्ध्यष्टकं स्फुटम् ॥ कुंडसिद्ध्यष्टकाख्यं च तत्रैव विरजोदकम्

bhavedyasya saparyāto gṛhe siddhyaṣṭakaṁ sphuṭam || kuṁḍasiddhyaṣṭakākhyaṁ ca tatraiva virajodakam

'From worship of him, the eight great powers of perfection plainly come into one's house; and there too is the tank named Siddhyashtaka, with its water free of impurity.'

Verse 174 (skanda.4.67.174)

यत्र स्नात्वा कृतश्राद्धो विरजस्को दिवं व्रजेत् ॥ मूर्त्यस्ताः सिद्धयश्चाष्टौ याः काश्यां सर्वसिद्धिदाः

yatra snātvā kṛtaśrāddho virajasko divaṁ vrajet || mūrtyastāḥ siddhayaścāṣṭau yāḥ kāśyāṁ sarvasiddhidāḥ

'Bathing there, having performed the shraddha rite, one becomes free of impurity and goes to heaven; these are the embodied forms of the eight perfections, which in Kashi grant every attainment.'

Verse 175 (skanda.4.67.175)

सर्वसिद्धिप्रदश्चासौ महाराजविनायकः ॥ विनायकाः प्रणश्यंति यस्मै प्रणमतां नृणाम्

sarvasiddhipradaścāsau mahārājavināyakaḥ || vināyakāḥ praṇaśyaṁti yasmai praṇamatāṁ nṛṇām

'This is Maharaja-Vinayaka, the bestower of every attainment, for whom, when men bow, all obstacles are destroyed.'

Verse 176 (skanda.4.67.176)

असौ सिद्धेश्वरस्योच्चैः प्रासादः कांचनोज्ज्वलः ॥ रत्नध्वजपताकाश्च सिद्धिः स्याद्यद्विलोकनात्

asau siddheśvarasyoccaiḥ prāsādaḥ kāṁcanojjvalaḥ || ratnadhvajapatākāśca siddhiḥ syādyadvilokanāt

'That is the lofty temple of Siddheshvara, resplendent with gold, with banners and flags of gems; success comes from the mere sight of it.'

Verse 177 (skanda.4.67.177)

क्षेत्रस्य मध्यमे ।। भागे मध्यमेश्वर एष वै ॥ मध्याधोलोकयोर्मध्ये न वसेद्यस्य वीक्षणात्

kṣetrasya madhyame || bhāge madhyameśvara eṣa vai || madhyādholokayormadhye na vasedyasya vīkṣaṇāt

'In the middle part of the sacred field is this Madhyameshvara; by the sight of him, one need not dwell between the middle and the lower worlds.'

Verse 178 (skanda.4.67.178)

मध्यमेशं समभ्यर्च्य नरो मध्यमविष्टपे ॥ आसमुद्रक्षितींद्रः स्यात्ततो मोक्षं च विंदति

madhyameśaṁ samabhyarcya naro madhyamaviṣṭape || āsamudrakṣitīṁdraḥ syāttato mokṣaṁ ca viṁdati

'Having worshipped Madhyamesha, a man becomes lord of the earth to the ocean's bound, and thereafter attains liberation.'

Verse 179 (skanda.4.67.179)

ऐरावतेश्वरं लिंगं तत्प्राच्यामिष्टसिद्धिकृत् ॥ दृश्यते यत्पताकायां रम्य ऐरावतो गजः

airāvateśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ tatprācyāmiṣṭasiddhikṛt || dṛśyate yatpatākāyāṁ ramya airāvato gajaḥ

'To its east is the linga Airavateshvara, granting the fulfilment of desires, on whose banner the beautiful elephant Airavata is seen.'

Verse 180 (skanda.4.67.180)

वृद्धकालेश्वरस्यैष प्रासादो रत्ननिर्मितः ॥ प्रतिदर्शं वसेद्यत्र रात्रौ चंद्रः सतारकः

vṛddhakāleśvarasyaiṣa prāsādo ratnanirmitaḥ || pratidarśaṁ vasedyatra rātrau caṁdraḥ satārakaḥ

'This is the temple of Vriddhakaleshvara, built of gems, in whose every mirror-like surface the moon, with the stars, dwells reflected at night.'

Verse 181 (skanda.4.67.181)

यस्य संदर्शनान्नृणां न कालः प्रभवेद्भवे ॥ न कलिः प्रभवेत्सत्यं न च कल्मषराशयः

yasya saṁdarśanānnṛṇāṁ na kālaḥ prabhavedbhave || na kaliḥ prabhavetsatyaṁ na ca kalmaṣarāśayaḥ

'By the sight of him, neither death, nor the Kali age, nor heaps of sin have any power over men in this worldly existence.'

Verse 182 (skanda.4.67.182)

इति यावत्कथां चक्रुः संभ्रांता इव बालिकाः ॥ तावद्वसुविभूतिः स गंधर्वस्त्वरया ययौ

iti yāvatkathāṁ cakruḥ saṁbhrāṁtā iva bālikāḥ || tāvadvasuvibhūtiḥ sa gaṁdharvastvarayā yayau

While the maidens, as if bewildered, were thus telling this tale, the Gandharva Vasubhuti came hurriedly to that place.

Verse 183 (skanda.4.67.183)

नारदाच्छ्रुतवृत्तांतः सुबाहुदनुजन्मनः ॥ रत्नावली सुता प्रीता ससखीका यथाहृता

nāradācchrutavṛttāṁtaḥ subāhudanujanmanaḥ || ratnāvalī sutā prītā sasakhīkā yathāhṛtā

Having heard from Narada the whole account — how his beloved daughter Ratnavali, together with her friends, had been carried off by the demon Subahu —

Verse 184 (skanda.4.67.184)

रत्नेश्वरात्समायांती शून्ये गगनवर्त्मनि ॥ यथानयच्च पातालं यथा युद्धमभूत्पुनः

ratneśvarātsamāyāṁtī śūnye gaganavartmani || yathānayacca pātālaṁ yathā yuddhamabhūtpunaḥ

— while returning from Ratneshvara, in the empty path of the sky; and how she was carried to the netherworld, and how a battle then took place —

Verse 185 (skanda.4.67.185)

यथा रत्नेश भक्तेन रत्नचूडेन घातितः ॥ स सुबाहुर्दनुजनुर्महेष्वासेन चेषुणा

yathā ratneśa bhaktena ratnacūḍena ghātitaḥ || sa subāhurdanujanurmaheṣvāsena ceṣuṇā

— how Ratnachuda, the devotee of Ratnesha, with his mighty bow and arrow, slew that demon-born Subahu —

Verse 186 (skanda.4.67.186)

यथा च पृष्टवृत्तांतो वापीमार्गेण चानयत् ॥ शंखचूडस्य वापीं तां पातालेषु प्रवर्तिनीम्

yathā ca pṛṣṭavṛttāṁto vāpīmārgeṇa cānayat || śaṁkhacūḍasya vāpīṁ tāṁ pātāleṣu pravartinīm

— how, having asked their story, he brought them by the path of that pool of Shankhachuda, which flows on even in the netherworld —

Verse 187 (skanda.4.67.187)

यथा च प्राप्य निर्याताः काशीं दृष्ट्वापि बालिकाः ॥ भृशं संभ्रांतिमापन्नाः पश्यंत्योपि समुत्सुकाः

yathā ca prāpya niryātāḥ kāśīṁ dṛṣṭvāpi bālikāḥ || bhṛśaṁ saṁbhrāṁtimāpannāḥ paśyaṁtyopi samutsukāḥ

— and how, having emerged and reached Kashi, the maidens, beholding it, fell into great bewilderment even as they gazed about eagerly —

Verse 188 (skanda.4.67.188)

दृष्ट्वा गंधर्वराजस्तां पुनर्जातामिवात्मजाम् ॥ सवयस्यामनाम्लानमुखपंकजसुश्रियम्

dṛṣṭvā gaṁdharvarājastāṁ punarjātāmivātmajām || savayasyāmanāmlānamukhapaṁkajasuśriyam

— having heard all this, the Gandharva king beheld his daughter, together with her friends, as though reborn, her lotus-face still unwithered —

Verse 189 (skanda.4.67.189)

परिष्वज्य समाघ्राय ललाटफलकं मुहुः ॥ अंकमारोप्य पप्रच्छ सर्वं वृत्तांतमादरात्

pariṣvajya samāghrāya lalāṭaphalakaṁ muhuḥ || aṁkamāropya papraccha sarvaṁ vṛttāṁtamādarāt

— he embraced her, kissed her forehead again and again, took her upon his lap, and asked her, with tender care, for the whole account.

Verse 190 (skanda.4.67.190)

अथ सा कथयामास दनुजापहृतेः कथाम् ॥ रत्नेश्वरं वरावाप्तिं स्वप्नावस्थां विहाय च

atha sā kathayāmāsa danujāpahṛteḥ kathām || ratneśvaraṁ varāvāptiṁ svapnāvasthāṁ vihāya ca

Then she related the tale of her abduction by the demon, but, leaving aside the matter of the boon from Ratneshvara and the dream-state —

Verse 191 (skanda.4.67.191)

रत्नावलीमनोवृत्तिं विज्ञायाथ मुखेंगितैः ।। शशिलेखा समाचष्ट स्पष्टवर्णैः सविस्तरम्

ratnāvalīmanovṛttiṁ vijñāyātha mukheṁgitaiḥ || śaśilekhā samācaṣṭa spaṣṭavarṇaiḥ savistaram

— having understood Ratnavali's inner feeling from the gestures of her face, Shashilekha related that part fully, in clear words.

Verse 192 (skanda.4.67.192)

तुतोष नितरां सोथ गंधर्वाधिपतिः कृती ॥ प्रभावं वर्णयामास मुदा रत्नेश्वरस्य च

tutoṣa nitarāṁ sotha gaṁdharvādhipatiḥ kṛtī || prabhāvaṁ varṇayāmāsa mudā ratneśvarasya ca

That accomplished lord of the Gandharvas was then exceedingly delighted, and joyfully extolled the power of Ratneshvara.

Verse 193 (skanda.4.67.193)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ आकर्णय मुनिश्रेष्ठ विंध्यवृद्धि विवर्धन ॥ प्रत्यहं रत्नचूडोपि वापीमार्गेण संयमी

||skaṁda uvāca|| ākarṇaya muniśreṣṭha viṁdhyavṛddhi vivardhana || pratyahaṁ ratnacūḍopi vāpīmārgeṇa saṁyamī

Skanda said: Listen, O best of sages, O increaser of the Vindhya — Ratnachuda too, self-disciplined, would come daily by the path of the pool —

Verse 194 (skanda.4.67.194)

नागलोकात्समागत्य स्नात्वा मंदाकिनी जले ॥ रत्नेश्वरं समभ्यर्च्य रत्नांजल्यष्टकेन वै

nāgalokātsamāgatya snātvā maṁdākinī jale || ratneśvaraṁ samabhyarcya ratnāṁjalyaṣṭakena vai

— coming from the world of serpents, bathing in the waters of the Mandakini, worshipping Ratneshvara with eight handfuls of gems —

Verse 195 (skanda.4.67.195)

सुवर्णपंकजान्यष्टौ समर्पयति हृष्टवत् ॥ एकदा स्वप्नसमये रत्नेशो लिंगरूपधृक्

suvarṇapaṁkajānyaṣṭau samarpayati hṛṣṭavat || ekadā svapnasamaye ratneśo liṁgarūpadhṛk

— joyfully offering eight golden lotuses. One day, at the time of dream, Ratnesha, bearing the form of the linga —

Verse 196 (skanda.4.67.196)

रत्नचूडमुवाचेदं निजभक्तं दृढव्रतम् ॥ दानवेन हृतां कन्यां मोचयिष्यति यां भवान्

ratnacūḍamuvācedaṁ nijabhaktaṁ dṛḍhavratam || dānavena hṛtāṁ kanyāṁ mocayiṣyati yāṁ bhavān

— spoke this to his devotee of firm vows, Ratnachuda: 'The maiden whom you shall rescue, carried off by a demon —'

Verse 197 (skanda.4.67.197)

तं दानवं रणे जित्वा सा ते पत्नी भविष्यति ॥ इति स्मरन्वरं सोथ नागराजो महामनाः

taṁ dānavaṁ raṇe jitvā sā te patnī bhaviṣyati || iti smaranvaraṁ sotha nāgarājo mahāmanāḥ

— '— having conquered that demon in battle, she shall become your wife.' Remembering this boon, that great-souled serpent-prince —

Verse 198 (skanda.4.67.198)

तां कन्यां दानवं हत्वा विमोच्य निज वीर्यतः ॥ वापीमार्गेण पातालादानिनाय पुनर्महीम्

tāṁ kanyāṁ dānavaṁ hatvā vimocya nija vīryataḥ || vāpīmārgeṇa pātālādānināya punarmahīm

— having slain the demon and freed that maiden by his own valour, brought her again by the path of the pool from the netherworld up to the earth.

Verse 199 (skanda.4.67.199)

स्वयं च साधयांचक्रे प्रत्यहं नियमं सुधीः ॥ लिंगं समर्चयित्वाथ कृत्वा चापि प्रदक्षिणम्

svayaṁ ca sādhayāṁcakre pratyahaṁ niyamaṁ sudhīḥ || liṁgaṁ samarcayitvātha kṛtvā cāpi pradakṣiṇam

And he himself, the wise one, kept up his own daily observance — worshipping the linga and performing circumambulation of it.

Verse 200 (skanda.4.67.200)

यावद्बहिः समागच्छेद्रम्याद्रत्नेशमंडपात ॥ तावद्गंधर्वराजाय ताभिः स वसुभूतये

yāvadbahiḥ samāgacchedramyādratneśamaṁḍapāta || tāvadgaṁdharvarājāya tābhiḥ sa vasubhūtaye

As soon as he would come out from the lovely pavilion of Ratnesha, those maidens would point him out to the Gandharva king Vasubhuti —

Verse 201 (skanda.4.67.201)

सोयं सोयं युवा धन्यस्तर्जन्यग्रेण दर्शितः ॥ गंधर्वराजस्तं दृष्ट्वा नागराजकुमारकम्

soyaṁ soyaṁ yuvā dhanyastarjanyagreṇa darśitaḥ || gaṁdharvarājastaṁ dṛṣṭvā nāgarājakumārakam

— with the tip of their forefingers: 'That is he, that is he, the blessed young man!' The Gandharva king, beholding that serpent-prince —

Verse 202 (skanda.4.67.202)

अतीवस्मेरनयनः संप्रहृष्टतनूरुहः ॥ मनस्येनं च संवर्ण्य तद्रूपं सवयोन्वयम्

atīvasmeranayanaḥ saṁprahṛṣṭatanūruhaḥ || manasyenaṁ ca saṁvarṇya tadrūpaṁ savayonvayam

— his eyes exceedingly smiling, the hair of his body bristling with delight, weighing in his mind his form, age and lineage —

Verse 203 (skanda.4.67.203)

धन्योस्म्यनुगृहीतोस्मि रत्नेशेन वरार्पणात् ॥ कन्या धन्यतरा चेयमनुरूपोस्ति यत्पतिः

dhanyosmyanugṛhītosmi ratneśena varārpaṇāt || kanyā dhanyatarā ceyamanurūposti yatpatiḥ

— thought, 'Blessed am I, favoured am I, by Ratnesha's granting of this boon; and blessed indeed is this daughter of mine, whose husband is so fitting!'

Verse 204 (skanda.4.67.204)

संप्रधार्येति हृद्येनं समाकार्य च सुंदरम् ॥ पृष्ट्वा तन्नामगोत्रं च गणयित्वा बलाबलम्

saṁpradhāryeti hṛdyenaṁ samākārya ca suṁdaram || pṛṣṭvā tannāmagotraṁ ca gaṇayitvā balābalam

Having resolved thus in his heart, and having summoned that handsome young man, asked his name and lineage, and weighed his strengths —

Verse 205 (skanda.4.67.205)

रत्नेश्वरस्य पुरतस्तस्मै कन्यां ददौ मुदा ॥ नीत्वा गंधर्वलोकं च कृतकौतुकमंगलम्

ratneśvarasya puratastasmai kanyāṁ dadau mudā || nītvā gaṁdharvalokaṁ ca kṛtakautukamaṁgalam

— before Ratneshvara he joyfully gave him his daughter. Then, having brought them to the Gandharva realm and performed the auspicious rites —

Verse 206 (skanda.4.67.206)

मधुपर्केण संपूज्य पाणिमग्राहयत्ततः ॥ वैवाहिकेन विधिना ददौ रत्नान्यनेकशः

madhuparkeṇa saṁpūjya pāṇimagrāhayattataḥ || vaivāhikena vidhinā dadau ratnānyanekaśaḥ

— having honoured him with madhuparka, he gave him her hand according to the marriage rite, and gave many jewels besides.

Verse 207 (skanda.4.67.207)

शशिलेखानंगलेखा चित्रलेखापि कुंभज ॥ विज्ञाप्य स्वजनेतारं वरयामास तं पतिम्

śaśilekhānaṁgalekhā citralekhāpi kuṁbhaja || vijñāpya svajanetāraṁ varayāmāsa taṁ patim

O jar-born one, Shashilekha, Anangalekha and Chitralekha too, having informed their own parents, chose him as their husband as well.

Verse 208 (skanda.4.67.208)

उपयम्य चतस्रोपि स गंधर्वसुताः शुभाः ॥ रत्नचूडो जगामाथ ताभिः स्वपितृमंदिरम्

upayamya catasropi sa gaṁdharvasutāḥ śubhāḥ || ratnacūḍo jagāmātha tābhiḥ svapitṛmaṁdiram

Having married all four of those auspicious Gandharva daughters, Ratnachuda then went with them to his own father's abode.

Verse 209 (skanda.4.67.209)

यथा चतसृभिः सार्धं श्रुतिभिः प्रणवः शिवम् ॥ स्वपित्रोश्चरणौ नत्वा नवोढाभिः स नागराट्

yathā catasṛbhiḥ sārdhaṁ śrutibhiḥ praṇavaḥ śivam || svapitroścaraṇau natvā navoḍhābhiḥ sa nāgarāṭ

Like the sacred syllable Om, united with the four Vedas, approaching Shiva — so that lord of serpents, with his four newly-wedded brides, bowing at his parents' feet —

Verse 210 (skanda.4.67.210)

विनिवेदितवृत्तांतो रत्नेशानुग्रहस्य च ॥ उवास ताभिः ससुखं पितृभ्यामभिनंदितः

viniveditavṛttāṁto ratneśānugrahasya ca || uvāsa tābhiḥ sasukhaṁ pitṛbhyāmabhinaṁditaḥ

— having related the whole account and Ratnesha's grace, dwelt happily with them, welcomed and honoured by his parents.

Verse 211 (skanda.4.67.211)

॥ईश्वर उवाच॥ रत्नेश्वरस्य लिंगस्य मम स्थावररूपिणः ॥ सर्वेषां सर्वदस्यास्य प्रभावो गिरिजेऽतुलः

||īśvara uvāca|| ratneśvarasya liṁgasya mama sthāvararūpiṇaḥ || sarveṣāṁ sarvadasyāsya prabhāvo girije'tulaḥ

Ishvara said: Of this linga Ratneshvara, my own unmoving form, the power, O Girija, which grants everything to everyone, is beyond compare.

Verse 212 (skanda.4.67.212)

अस्मिँल्लिंगे परां सिद्धि प्राप्ताः सिद्धाः सहस्रशः ॥ गुप्तमासीदिदं लिंगमद्य यावत्सुमध्यमे

asmi~lliṁge parāṁ siddhi prāptāḥ siddhāḥ sahasraśaḥ || guptamāsīdidaṁ liṁgamadya yāvatsumadhyame

Thousands of adepts have attained supreme accomplishment through this linga; O slender-waisted one, this linga remained hidden until now.

Verse 213 (skanda.4.67.213)

तव पित्रा हिमवता मम भक्तेन सर्वथा ॥ पुण्यार्जितैर्महारत्नै रत्नेशः प्रकटीकृतः

tava pitrā himavatā mama bhaktena sarvathā || puṇyārjitairmahāratnai ratneśaḥ prakaṭīkṛtaḥ

By your father Himavan, in every way my devotee, with great jewels earned through merit, Ratnesha was made manifest.

Verse 214 (skanda.4.67.214)

अस्मिँल्लिंगे मम प्रीतिर्नितरामद्रिराजजे ॥ वाराणस्यामिदं लिंगं पूजनीयं प्रयत्नतः

asmi~lliṁge mama prītirnitarāmadrirājaje || vārāṇasyāmidaṁ liṁgaṁ pūjanīyaṁ prayatnataḥ

In this linga, O daughter of the king of mountains, my delight is exceedingly great; this linga in Varanasi is to be worshipped with diligence.

Verse 215 (skanda.4.67.215)

नाना रत्नानि लभ्यंते रत्नेशानुग्रहादुमे ॥ स्त्रीरत्नपुत्ररत्नादि स्वर्गमोक्षावपि प्रिये

nānā ratnāni labhyaṁte ratneśānugrahādume || strīratnaputraratnādi svargamokṣāvapi priye

Various jewels are obtained through the grace of Ratnesha, O Uma — the jewel of a wife, the jewel of a son, and the rest, and, O beloved, heaven and liberation as well.

Verse 216 (skanda.4.67.216)

योऽत्र रत्नेश्वरं नत्वा मृतो देशांतरेष्वपि ॥ न स स्वर्गादिहागच्छेत्कल्पकोटिशतैरपि

yo'tra ratneśvaraṁ natvā mṛto deśāṁtareṣvapi || na sa svargādihāgacchetkalpakoṭiśatairapi

He who, having bowed to Ratneshvara here, dies even in another land — he shall not return here from heaven, even after hundreds of crores of ages.

Verse 217 (skanda.4.67.217)

असितायां चतुर्दश्यामुपोष्य निशि जागरात् ॥ रत्नेशसन्निधौ देवि मम सान्निध्यमाप्नुयात्

asitāyāṁ caturdaśyāmupoṣya niśi jāgarāt || ratneśasannidhau devi mama sānnidhyamāpnuyāt

By fasting on the dark fourteenth day and keeping vigil through the night in the presence of Ratnesha, O goddess, one attains my own presence.

Verse 218 (skanda.4.67.218)

अस्य लिंगस्य पूर्वेण त्वया जन्मांतरे प्रिये ॥ दाक्षायणीश्वरं लिगं मद्भक्त्यात्र प्रतिष्ठितम्

asya liṁgasya pūrveṇa tvayā janmāṁtare priye || dākṣāyaṇīśvaraṁ ligaṁ madbhaktyātra pratiṣṭhitam

To the east of this linga, O beloved, in a former birth, the linga Dakshayanishvara was established here by you, out of devotion to me.

Verse 219 (skanda.4.67.219)

तस्य संदर्शनादेव न नरो याति दुर्गतिम् ॥ अंबिका नाम गौरी त्वं तत्राहं चांबिकेश्वरः

tasya saṁdarśanādeva na naro yāti durgatim || aṁbikā nāma gaurī tvaṁ tatrāhaṁ cāṁbikeśvaraḥ

By the mere sight of it, a man does not go to a bad state; there, you, Gauri, are named Ambika, and I am Ambikeshvara.

Verse 220 (skanda.4.67.220)

मूर्तः षडाननस्तत्र तव पुत्रः सुमध्यमे ॥ एतत्त्रयं नरो दृष्ट्वा न गर्भं प्रविशेदुमे

mūrtaḥ ṣaḍānanastatra tava putraḥ sumadhyame || etattrayaṁ naro dṛṣṭvā na garbhaṁ praviśedume

There, embodied, is your six-faced son, O slender-waisted one; a man who beholds this triad does not enter the womb again.

Verse 221 (skanda.4.67.221)

रत्नेश्वरस्य माहात्म्यं मया ते समुदीरितम् ॥ गोपनीयं प्रयत्नेन कलिकल्मषचेतसाम्

ratneśvarasya māhātmyaṁ mayā te samudīritam || gopanīyaṁ prayatnena kalikalmaṣacetasām

The greatness of Ratneshvara has thus been declared by me to you; it must be diligently kept concealed from those whose minds are stained by the sin of the Kali age.

Verse 222 (skanda.4.67.222)

इदं रत्नेश्वराख्यानं यः पठिष्यति सर्वदा ॥ सपुत्रपौत्रपशुभिर्न वियुज्येत कर्हिचित्

idaṁ ratneśvarākhyānaṁ yaḥ paṭhiṣyati sarvadā || saputrapautrapaśubhirna viyujyeta karhicit

He who shall always recite this tale of Ratneshvara shall never be separated from his sons, grandsons, and cattle.

Verse 223 (skanda.4.67.223)

श्रुत्वा रत्नेश्वरोत्पतिं सेतिहासां नरोत्तमः ॥ अनूढो लभते सत्यं कन्यारत्नं कुलोचितम्

śrutvā ratneśvarotpatiṁ setihāsāṁ narottamaḥ || anūḍho labhate satyaṁ kanyāratnaṁ kulocitam

The best of men who, unmarried, hears this origin of Ratneshvara together with its story, truly obtains a jewel of a bride, fitting to his family.

Verse 224 (skanda.4.67.224)

कन्यापीमं समाकर्ण्य त्वितिहासं मनोरमम् ॥ श्रद्धया सत्पतिं प्राप्य भविष्यति पतिव्रता

kanyāpīmaṁ samākarṇya tvitihāsaṁ manoramam || śraddhayā satpatiṁ prāpya bhaviṣyati pativratā

A maiden too, having heard this delightful tale with faith, shall obtain a worthy husband and become a devoted wife.

Verse 225 (skanda.4.67.225)

इतिहासमिमं श्रुत्वा नारी वा पुरुषोपिवा ॥ न जात्विष्टवियोगाग्नि तापेन परितप्यते

itihāsamimaṁ śrutvā nārī vā puruṣopivā || na jātviṣṭaviyogāgni tāpena paritapyate

Having heard this tale, neither woman nor man is ever again scorched by the torment of the fire of separation from a loved one.