The Relinquishment of Sati's Body

Verse 1 (skanda.4.88.1)

अगस्त्य उवाच ।। ।। शिवलोकं समासाद्य मुनिना ब्रह्मसूनुना ।। किं चक्रे ब्रूहि षड्वक्त्र कथां कौतुकशालिनीम्

agastya uvāca || || śivalokaṁ samāsādya muninā brahmasūnunā || kiṁ cakre brūhi ṣaḍvaktra kathāṁ kautukaśālinīm

Agastya said: "Having reached the world of Shiva, what did that sage, the son of Brahma, do there? Tell me, O six-faced one, this wondrous tale."

Verse 2 (skanda.4.88.2)

स्कंद उवाच ।। ।। शृणु कुंभज वक्ष्यामि नारदेन महात्मना ।। यत्कृतं तत्र गत्वाशु कैलासं शंकरालयम्

skaṁda uvāca || || śṛṇu kuṁbhaja vakṣyāmi nāradena mahātmanā || yatkṛtaṁ tatra gatvāśu kailāsaṁ śaṁkarālayam

Skanda said: "Listen, O jar-born one, I shall tell what was done by the great-souled Narada, having gone swiftly there, to Kailasa, Shankara's own abode."

Verse 3 (skanda.4.88.3)

मुनिर्गगनमार्गेण प्राप्य तद्धाम शांभवम्।। दृष्ट्वा शिवौ प्रणम्याथ शिवेन विहितादरः

munirgaganamārgeṇa prāpya taddhāma śāṁbhavam|| dṛṣṭvā śivau praṇamyātha śivena vihitādaraḥ

The sage, having reached that abode of Shambhu by the path of the sky, beheld the divine pair, bowed to them, and was received with honour by Shiva.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.88.4)

तदुद्दिष्टासनं भेजे पश्यंस्तत्क्रीडनं परम्।। क्रीडंतौ तौ तु चाक्षाभ्यां यदा न च विरमेतुः

taduddiṣṭāsanaṁ bheje paśyaṁstatkrīḍanaṁ param|| krīḍaṁtau tau tu cākṣābhyāṁ yadā na ca virametuḥ

He took the seat offered to him, watching their supreme game of dice; and as the two of them, playing, did not pause even for a moment —

Verse 5 (skanda.4.88.5)

तदौत्सुक्येन स मुनिः प्रेर्यमाण उवाच ह ।। ।। नारद उवाच ।। ।। देवदेव तव क्रीडाखिलं ब्रह्मांडगोलकम् ।। मासा द्वादश ये नाथ ते सारिफलके गृहाः

tadautsukyena sa muniḥ preryamāṇa uvāca ha || || nārada uvāca || || devadeva tava krīḍākhilaṁ brahmāṁḍagolakam || māsā dvādaśa ye nātha te sāriphalake gṛhāḥ

— driven by his own eagerness, the sage then spoke. Narada said: "O god of gods, your game is the entire globe of the universe itself: the twelve months, my lord, are the squares on your gaming-board;"

Verse 6 (skanda.4.88.6)

कृष्णाः कृष्णेतरा या वै तिथयस्ताश्च सारिकाः ।। द्विपंचदशमासे यास्त्वक्षयुग्मं तथायने

kṛṣṇāḥ kṛṣṇetarā yā vai tithayastāśca sārikāḥ || dvipaṁcadaśamāse yāstvakṣayugmaṁ tathāyane

"the dark and bright lunar days are the very playing-pieces; the thirty days of each month are the pair of dice, and the solstices too;"

Verse 7 (skanda.4.88.7)

सृष्टिप्रलय संज्ञौ द्वौ ग्लहौ जयपराजयौ ।। देवीजये भवेत्सृष्टिरसृष्टिर्धूर्जटेर्जये

sṛṣṭipralaya saṁjñau dvau glahau jayaparājayau || devījaye bhavetsṛṣṭirasṛṣṭirdhūrjaṭerjaye

"the two throws are called creation and dissolution, and victory and defeat; when the goddess wins, creation occurs; when Dhurjati wins, there is no creation;"

Verse 8 (skanda.4.88.8)

भवतोः खेलसमयो यः सा स्थितिरुदाहृता।। इत्थं क्रीडैव सकलमेतद्ब्रह्मांडमीशयोः

bhavatoḥ khelasamayo yaḥ sā sthitirudāhṛtā|| itthaṁ krīḍaiva sakalametadbrahmāṁḍamīśayoḥ

"and the very duration of your game is declared to be the preservation of the world. Thus this entire universe is nothing but the play of you two, the Lord and the Goddess."

Verse 9 (skanda.4.88.9)

न देवी जेष्यति पतिं नेशः शक्तिं विजेष्यति ।। किंचिद्विज्ञप्तुकामोस्मि तन्मातरवधार्यताम्

na devī jeṣyati patiṁ neśaḥ śaktiṁ vijeṣyati || kiṁcidvijñaptukāmosmi tanmātaravadhāryatām

"The Goddess shall never truly defeat her husband, nor shall the Lord ever truly defeat his Shakti. I wish to inform you of something, mother; please attend to it —"

Verse 10 (skanda.4.88.10)

देवः सर्वज्ञनाथोपि न किंचिदवबुध्यति ।। मानापमानयोर्यस्मादसौ दूरे व्यवस्थितः

devaḥ sarvajñanāthopi na kiṁcidavabudhyati || mānāpamānayoryasmādasau dūre vyavasthitaḥ

"— the god, though the omniscient lord, understands nothing of this matter, since he stands far removed from both honour and dishonour."

Verse 11 (skanda.4.88.11)

लीलात्मा गुणवानेष विचारादतिनिर्गुणः ।। कुर्वन्नपि हि कर्माणि बाध्यते नैव कर्मभिः

līlātmā guṇavāneṣa vicārādatinirguṇaḥ || kurvannapi hi karmāṇi bādhyate naiva karmabhiḥ

"He is playful by nature, and yet, when truly considered, utterly beyond qualities; even while performing actions, he is never bound by them."

Verse 12 (skanda.4.88.12)

मध्यस्थोपि हि सर्वस्य माध्यस्थ्यमवलंबतै ।। सर्वत्रायं महेशानो मित्राऽमित्रसमानदृक्

madhyasthopi hi sarvasya mādhyasthyamavalaṁbatai || sarvatrāyaṁ maheśāno mitrā'mitrasamānadṛk

"Though he stands in the midst of all things, he maintains perfect impartiality; this great Lord regards friend and foe alike everywhere."

Verse 13 (skanda.4.88.13)

त्वं शक्तिरस्य देवस्य सर्वेषां मान्यभूः परा ।। दक्षस्यापि त्वया मानो दत्तो पत्यनिमित्तकः

tvaṁ śaktirasya devasya sarveṣāṁ mānyabhūḥ parā || dakṣasyāpi tvayā māno datto patyanimittakaḥ

"You are the very power of this god, the supreme ground of honour for all; even Daksha has been given honour by you, on account of your husband."

Verse 14 (skanda.4.88.14)

परं त्वं सर्वजगतां जनयित्र्येकिका ध्रुवम् ।। त्वत्त आविर्भवंत्येव धातृकेशववासवाः।।

paraṁ tvaṁ sarvajagatāṁ janayitryekikā dhruvam || tvatta āvirbhavaṁtyeva dhātṛkeśavavāsavāḥ||

"Yet you alone are certainly the sole begetter of all the worlds; from you alone do Brahma, Vishnu, and Indra come into being."

Verse 15 (skanda.4.88.15)

त्वमात्मानं न जानासि त्र्यक्षमायाविमोहिता ।। अतएव हि मे चित्तं दुनोत्यतितरां सति

tvamātmānaṁ na jānāsi tryakṣamāyāvimohitā || ataeva hi me cittaṁ dunotyatitarāṁ sati

"You do not know your own true self, deluded by the three-eyed one's own illusion. This is precisely why my heart grieves so exceedingly, O Sati."

Verse 16 (skanda.4.88.16)

अन्या अपि हि याः सत्यः पातिव्रत्यपरायणाः ।। ता भर्तृचरणौ हित्वा किंचिदन्यन्न मन्वते

anyā api hi yāḥ satyaḥ pātivratyaparāyaṇāḥ || tā bhartṛcaraṇau hitvā kiṁcidanyanna manvate

"Even other virtuous women, devoted wholly to their husbands, know nothing at all beyond their husband's feet."

Verse 17 (skanda.4.88.17)

अथवास्तामियं वार्ता प्रस्तुतं प्रब्रवीम्यहम् ।। अद्य नीलगिरेस्तस्माद्धरिद्वारसमीपतः

athavāstāmiyaṁ vārtā prastutaṁ prabravīmyaham || adya nīlagirestasmāddharidvārasamīpataḥ

"But let that matter rest — I shall tell you what is presently relevant. Today, from that Blue Mountain, near Haridwar,"

Verse 18 (skanda.4.88.18)

अपूर्वमिव संवीक्ष्य परिप्राप्तस्तवांतिकम् ।। अत्याश्चर्यविषादाभ्यां किचिद्वक्तुमिहोत्सुकः

apūrvamiva saṁvīkṣya pariprāptastavāṁtikam || atyāścaryaviṣādābhyāṁ kicidvaktumihotsukaḥ

"having witnessed something quite unprecedented, I have come here to you, eager to tell you something, torn between great astonishment and sorrow."

Verse 19 (skanda.4.88.19)

आश्चर्यहेतुरेवायं यत्पुंजातं त्रयीतले ।। तद्दृष्टं सकलत्रं च दक्षस्याध्वरमंडपे

āścaryaheturevāyaṁ yatpuṁjātaṁ trayītale || taddṛṣṭaṁ sakalatraṁ ca dakṣasyādhvaramaṁḍape

"This very cause of astonishment — I saw all the gods, born as men on the earth of the triple Veda, together with their wives, at Daksha's sacrificial pavilion —"

Verse 20 (skanda.4.88.20)

सालंकारं समानं च सानंदमुखपंकजम् ।। विस्मृताखिलकार्यं च दक्षयज्ञप्रवर्तकम्

sālaṁkāraṁ samānaṁ ca sānaṁdamukhapaṁkajam || vismṛtākhilakāryaṁ ca dakṣayajñapravartakam

"— all adorned, all equal, their lotus-faces filled with joy, having forgotten all their other duties, all engaged in furthering Daksha's sacrifice."

Verse 21 (skanda.4.88.21)

विषादे कारणं चैतद्यतो जातमिदं जगत् ।। यस्मिन्प्रवर्तते यत्र लयमेष्यति च ध्रुवम्

viṣāde kāraṇaṁ caitadyato jātamidaṁ jagat || yasminpravartate yatra layameṣyati ca dhruvam

"But here is the cause of my sorrow: that very pair from whom this world was born, in whom it now proceeds, and into whom it shall certainly one day dissolve —"

Verse 22 (skanda.4.88.22)

तदेव तत्र नो दृष्टं भवद्वंद्वं भवापहम् ।। प्रायो विषादजनकं भवतोर्यददर्शनम्

tadeva tatra no dṛṣṭaṁ bhavadvaṁdvaṁ bhavāpaham || prāyo viṣādajanakaṁ bhavatoryadadarśanam

"— that very divine pair, remover of worldly existence, was nowhere to be seen there. This absence of you two is what mostly gives rise to my sorrow."

Verse 23 (skanda.4.88.23)

तदेव नाभवत्तत्र समभूदन्यदेव हि ।। तच्च वक्तुं न शक्येत तद्वक्ता दक्ष एव सः

tadeva nābhavattatra samabhūdanyadeva hi || tacca vaktuṁ na śakyeta tadvaktā dakṣa eva saḥ

"That very thing was absent there, and something else quite different occurred instead — which I cannot bring myself to say; Daksha himself is the one to tell it."

Verse 24 (skanda.4.88.24)

तानि वाक्यानि चाकर्ण्य द्रुहिणेन ययेततः ।। महर्षिणा दधीचेन धिक्कृतो नितरां हि सः

tāni vākyāni cākarṇya druhiṇena yayetataḥ || maharṣiṇā dadhīcena dhikkṛto nitarāṁ hi saḥ

"Hearing those words, Brahma left the place; and that Daksha was utterly reviled by the great sage Dadhichi."

Verse 25 (skanda.4.88.25)

शप्तश्च वीक्षमाणानां देवर्षीणां प्रजापतिः ।। मया च कर्णौ पिहितौ श्रुत्वा तद्गर्हणा गिरः

śaptaśca vīkṣamāṇānāṁ devarṣīṇāṁ prajāpatiḥ || mayā ca karṇau pihitau śrutvā tadgarhaṇā giraḥ

"That Prajapati was cursed, before the very eyes of the divine sages; and I myself covered my ears, upon hearing those words of censure against him."

Verse 26 (skanda.4.88.26)

दधीचिना समं केचिद्दुर्वासः प्रमुखा द्विजाः ।। भवनिंदां समाकर्ण्य कियतोपि विनिर्ययुः

dadhīcinā samaṁ keciddurvāsaḥ pramukhā dvijāḥ || bhavaniṁdāṁ samākarṇya kiyatopi viniryayuḥ

"Together with Dadhichi, certain brahmins, Durvasa foremost among them, hearing that insult to Shiva, likewise all departed."

Verse 27 (skanda.4.88.27)

प्रावर्तत महायागो हृष्टपुष्टमहाजनः ।। तथा द्रष्टुं न शक्नोमि तत आगतवानिह

prāvartata mahāyāgo hṛṣṭapuṣṭamahājanaḥ || tathā draṣṭuṁ na śaknomi tata āgatavāniha

"Yet the great sacrifice went on, with the great crowd delighted and thriving. I could not bear to watch it any longer, and so I have come here."

Verse 28 (skanda.4.88.28)

भगिन्योपि च या देवि तव तत्र सभर्तृकाः ।। तासां गौरवमालोक्य न किंचिद्वक्तुमुत्सहे

bhaginyopi ca yā devi tava tatra sabhartṛkāḥ || tāsāṁ gauravamālokya na kiṁcidvaktumutsahe

"O goddess, your own sisters too were there, together with their husbands; seeing their splendour, I do not dare to say anything further."

Verse 29 (skanda.4.88.29)

इति देवी समाकर्ण्य सती दक्षकुमारिका ।। करादक्षौ समुत्सृज्य दध्यौ किंचित्क्षणं हृदि

iti devī samākarṇya satī dakṣakumārikā || karādakṣau samutsṛjya dadhyau kiṁcitkṣaṇaṁ hṛdi

Hearing this, the goddess Sati, Daksha's daughter, let the dice fall from her hand, and pondered a moment in her heart.

Verse 30 (skanda.4.88.30)

उवाच च भवत्वेवं शरणं भव एव मे ।। संप्रधार्येति मनसि सती दाक्षायणी ततः

uvāca ca bhavatvevaṁ śaraṇaṁ bhava eva me || saṁpradhāryeti manasi satī dākṣāyaṇī tataḥ

And she said: "So be it — Bhava alone is my refuge." Having resolved this in her mind, Sati, the daughter of Daksha, then —

Verse 31 (skanda.4.88.31)

द्रुतमेव समुत्तस्थौ प्रणनाम च शंकरम् ।। मौलावंजलिमाधाय देवी देवं व्यजिज्ञपत्

drutameva samuttasthau praṇanāma ca śaṁkaram || maulāvaṁjalimādhāya devī devaṁ vyajijñapat

— rose up at once, and bowed to Shankara; placing her folded hands upon her head, the goddess made this request to the god:

Verse 32 (skanda.4.88.32)

।। देव्युवाच ।। ।। विजयस्वांधकध्वंसिं त्र्यंबक त्रिपुरांतक ।। चरणौ शरणं ते मे देह्यनुज्ञा सदाशिव

|| devyuvāca || || vijayasvāṁdhakadhvaṁsiṁ tryaṁbaka tripurāṁtaka || caraṇau śaraṇaṁ te me dehyanujñā sadāśiva

The goddess said: "Victory to you, destroyer of Andhaka, O three-eyed one, ender of Tripura! Your two feet are my refuge; grant me leave, O Sadashiva."

Verse 33 (skanda.4.88.33)

मा निषेधीः प्रार्थयामि यास्यमि पितुरंतिकम् ।। उक्त्वेति मौलिमदधादंधकारि पदांबुजे

mā niṣedhīḥ prārthayāmi yāsyami pituraṁtikam || uktveti maulimadadhādaṁdhakāri padāṁbuje

"Do not forbid me — I ask you — I shall go to my father's side." Having said this, she placed her crown at the lotus-feet of Andhaka's foe.

Verse 34 (skanda.4.88.34)

अथोक्ता शंभुना देवी मृडान्युत्तिष्ठ भामिनि ।। किमपूर्णं तवास्त्यत्र वदसौ भाग्यसुंदरि

athoktā śaṁbhunā devī mṛḍānyuttiṣṭha bhāmini || kimapūrṇaṁ tavāstyatra vadasau bhāgyasuṁdari

Then Shambhu said to the goddess: "Rise, Mridani, O passionate one. What is there that remains unfulfilled for you? Tell me, O beauty of good fortune."

Verse 35 (skanda.4.88.35)

लक्ष्म्या अपि च सौभाग्यं ब्रह्माण्यै कांतिरुत्तमा ।। शच्यै नित्यनवीनत्वं भवत्या दत्तमीश्वरि

lakṣmyā api ca saubhāgyaṁ brahmāṇyai kāṁtiruttamā || śacyai nityanavīnatvaṁ bhavatyā dattamīśvari

"Even Lakshmi's good fortune, Brahmani's supreme radiance, and Shachi's ever-renewed youth — all these have been granted by you, O sovereign goddess."

Verse 36 (skanda.4.88.36)

त्वया च शक्तिमानस्मि महदैश्वर्यरक्षणे ।। त्वां च शक्तिं समासाद्य स्वलीलारूपधारिणीम्

tvayā ca śaktimānasmi mahadaiśvaryarakṣaṇe || tvāṁ ca śaktiṁ samāsādya svalīlārūpadhāriṇīm

"Through you I have the power to protect the great sovereignty of the universe; and having obtained you as my very Shakti, taking on forms as your own play —"

Verse 37 (skanda.4.88.37)

एतत्सृजामि पाम्यद्मि त्वल्लीलाप्रेरितोंगने ।। कुतो मां हातुमिच्छेस्त्वं मम वामार्धधारिणि

etatsṛjāmi pāmyadmi tvallīlāpreritoṁgane || kuto māṁ hātumicchestvaṁ mama vāmārdhadhāriṇi

"— I create, protect, and consume this universe, impelled by your very play, O lady. Why would you wish to leave me, you who bear my very left half?"

Verse 38 (skanda.4.88.38)

शिवा शिवोदितं चेति श्रुत्वाप्याह महेश्वरम् ।। जीवितेश विहाय त्वां न क्वापि परियाम्यहम्

śivā śivoditaṁ ceti śrutvāpyāha maheśvaram || jīviteśa vihāya tvāṁ na kvāpi pariyāmyaham

Hearing this speech of Shiva, Shiva [the goddess] said to the great Lord: "O lord of my life, leaving you, I would go nowhere at all —"

Verse 39 (skanda.4.88.39)

मनो मे चरणद्वंद्वे तव स्थास्यति निश्चलम् ।। क्रतुं द्रष्टुं पितुर्यामि नैक्षि यज्ञो मया क्वचित्

mano me caraṇadvaṁdve tava sthāsyati niścalam || kratuṁ draṣṭuṁ pituryāmi naikṣi yajño mayā kvacit

"— my mind shall remain fixed unmoving upon your two feet. I go only to see my father's sacrifice; I have never yet witnessed a sacrifice at all."

Verse 40 (skanda.4.88.40)

शंभुः कात्यायनीवाक्यामिति श्रुत्वा तदाब्रवीत् ।। क्रतुस्त्वया नेक्षितश्चेदाहरामि ततः क्रतुम्

śaṁbhuḥ kātyāyanīvākyāmiti śrutvā tadābravīt || kratustvayā nekṣitaścedāharāmi tataḥ kratum

Hearing this speech of Katyayani, Shambhu then said: "If you have never witnessed a sacrifice, then I shall bring a sacrifice for you right here."

Verse 41 (skanda.4.88.41)

मच्छक्ति धारिणी त्वं वा सृजैवान्यां क्रतुक्रियाम् ।। अन्यो यज्ञपुमानस्तु संत्वन्ये लोकपालकाः

macchakti dhāriṇī tvaṁ vā sṛjaivānyāṁ kratukriyām || anyo yajñapumānastu saṁtvanye lokapālakāḥ

"You, bearing my own power, may create another sacrificial rite yourself; let another be the Person of the sacrifice, and let there be other guardians of the world —"

Verse 42 (skanda.4.88.42)

अन्यानाशु विधेहि त्वमृषीनार्त्विज्यकर्मणि ।। पुनर्जगाद देवीति श्रुत्वा शंभोरुदीरितम्

anyānāśu vidhehi tvamṛṣīnārtvijyakarmaṇi || punarjagāda devīti śrutvā śaṁbhorudīritam

"— appoint other sages swiftly to the priestly rites." Hearing this speech of Shambhu, the goddess spoke again:

Verse 43 (skanda.4.88.43)

पितुर्यज्ञोत्सवो नाथ द्रष्टव्योऽत्र मया ध्रुवम् ।। देह्यनुज्ञां गमिष्यामि मा मे कार्षीर्वचोन्यथा

pituryajñotsavo nātha draṣṭavyo'tra mayā dhruvam || dehyanujñāṁ gamiṣyāmi mā me kārṣīrvaconyathā

"My lord, my father's sacrificial festival must certainly be witnessed by me, in person. Grant me leave — I shall go; do not gainsay my word."

Verse 44 (skanda.4.88.44)

कः प्रतीपयितुं शक्तश्चेतो वा जलमेव वा ।। निम्नायाभ्युद्यतं नाथ माद्य मां प्रतिषेधय

kaḥ pratīpayituṁ śaktaśceto vā jalameva vā || nimnāyābhyudyataṁ nātha mādya māṁ pratiṣedhaya

"Who is able to turn back either the mind or water, once it is set on flowing downward? My lord, do not obstruct me today."

Verse 45 (skanda.4.88.45)

निशम्येति पुनः प्राह सर्वज्ञो भूतनायकः ।। मा याहि देवि मां हित्वा गता च न मिलिष्यसि

niśamyeti punaḥ prāha sarvajño bhūtanāyakaḥ || mā yāhi devi māṁ hitvā gatā ca na miliṣyasi

Hearing this, the omniscient lord of beings said again: "Do not go, goddess; leaving me, once gone, you shall not return to me."

Verse 46 (skanda.4.88.46)

अद्य प्राचीं यियासुं त्वां वारयेत्पंगुवासरः ।। नक्षत्रं च तथा ज्येष्ठा तिथिश्च नवमी प्रिये

adya prācīṁ yiyāsuṁ tvāṁ vārayetpaṁguvāsaraḥ || nakṣatraṁ ca tathā jyeṣṭhā tithiśca navamī priye

"Today, wishing to go eastward, you are hindered by an inauspicious day; and the star is Jyeshtha, and the lunar day is the ninth, my dear."

Verse 47 (skanda.4.88.47)

अद्य सप्तदशो योगो वियोगोद्य तनोऽशुभः ।। धनिष्ठार्ध समुत्पन्ने तव ताराद्य पंचमी ।।

adya saptadaśo yogo viyogodya tano'śubhaḥ || dhaniṣṭhārdha samutpanne tava tārādya paṁcamī ||

"Today is the seventeenth yoga, an inauspicious one, bringing separation of the body; and the birth-star Dhanishtha's latter half has arisen — your own natal star's fifth position falls badly today."

Verse 48 (skanda.4.88.48)

मा गा देवि गताद्य त्वं नहि द्रक्ष्यसि मां पुनः ।। पुनर्देवी बभाषे सा यदि नाम्नाप्यहं सती

mā gā devi gatādya tvaṁ nahi drakṣyasi māṁ punaḥ || punardevī babhāṣe sā yadi nāmnāpyahaṁ satī

"Do not go, goddess; if you go today, you shall not see me again." The goddess spoke again: "If, in name too, I am indeed 'Sati',"

Verse 49 (skanda.4.88.49)

तदा तन्वंतरेणापि करिष्ये तव दासताम् ।। ततो भवः पुनः प्राह को वा वारयितुं प्रभुः

tadā tanvaṁtareṇāpi kariṣye tava dāsatām || tato bhavaḥ punaḥ prāha ko vā vārayituṁ prabhuḥ

"— then even in another body I shall remain your servant." Then Bhava spoke again: "Who indeed has the power to restrain —"

Verse 50 (skanda.4.88.50)

परिक्षुब्धमनोवृत्तिं स्त्रियं वा पुरुषं तु वा ।। पुनर्न दर्शनं देवि मया सत्यं ब्रवीम्यहम्

parikṣubdhamanovṛttiṁ striyaṁ vā puruṣaṁ tu vā || punarna darśanaṁ devi mayā satyaṁ bravīmyaham

"— a woman or a man whose mind is thus utterly agitated? Goddess, I tell you truly: there shall be no seeing me again."

Verse 51 (skanda.4.88.51)

परं न देवि गंतव्यं महामानधनेच्छुभिः ।। अनाहूत तया कांते मातापितृगृहानपि

paraṁ na devi gaṁtavyaṁ mahāmānadhanecchubhiḥ || anāhūta tayā kāṁte mātāpitṛgṛhānapi

"But, my beloved, one who desires the wealth of great honour should never go, uninvited, even to her own mother and father's house —"

Verse 52 (skanda.4.88.52)

यथा सिंधुगता सिंधुर्न पुनः परिवर्तते ।। तथाद्य गंत्र्या नो जातु तवागमनमिष्यते

yathā siṁdhugatā siṁdhurna punaḥ parivartate || tathādya gaṁtryā no jātu tavāgamanamiṣyate

"— just as a river, once it has joined the ocean, never turns back again, so too, if you go today, your return is never desired by me."

Verse 53 (skanda.4.88.53)

।। देव्युवाच ।। ।। अवश्यं यद्यहं रक्ता तव पादाबुंजद्वये ।। तथा त्वमेव मे नाथो भविष्यसि भवांतरे

|| devyuvāca || || avaśyaṁ yadyahaṁ raktā tava pādābuṁjadvaye || tathā tvameva me nātho bhaviṣyasi bhavāṁtare

The goddess said: "If I am indeed truly devoted to your two lotus-feet, then you alone shall certainly be my lord in another birth too."

Verse 54 (skanda.4.88.54)

इत्युक्त्वा निर्ययौ देवी कोपांधीकृतलोचना ।। यियासुभिश्च कार्यार्थं यत्कर्तव्यं न तत्कृतम्

ityuktvā niryayau devī kopāṁdhīkṛtalocanā || yiyāsubhiśca kāryārthaṁ yatkartavyaṁ na tatkṛtam

Having said this, the goddess departed, her eyes blinded by anger; and, in her eagerness to go, she failed to do what should have been done —

Verse 55 (skanda.4.88.55)

न ननाम महादेवं न च चक्रे प्रदक्षिणम् ।। अतएव हि सा देवी न गता पुनरागता

na nanāma mahādevaṁ na ca cakre pradakṣiṇam || ataeva hi sā devī na gatā punarāgatā

"— she did not bow to the great god, nor did she circumambulate him. And this is precisely why that goddess, once gone, never returned."

Verse 56 (skanda.4.88.56)

अप्रणम्य महेशानमकृत्वापि प्रदक्षिणम् ।। अद्यापि न निवर्तंते गताः प्राग्वासरा इव

apraṇamya maheśānamakṛtvāpi pradakṣiṇam || adyāpi na nivartaṁte gatāḥ prāgvāsarā iva

Even to this day, those who go without bowing to the great Lord and without circumambulating him do not return, just as the days once past never return.

Verse 57 (skanda.4.88.57)

तया चरणचारिण्या राज्ञ्या त्रिभुवनेशितुः ।। अपि तत्पावनं वर्त्म मेनेति कठिनं बहु

tayā caraṇacāriṇyā rājñyā tribhuvaneśituḥ || api tatpāvanaṁ vartma meneti kaṭhinaṁ bahu

That queen of the lord of the three worlds, going on foot, considered even that most sacred path exceedingly hard going.

Verse 58 (skanda.4.88.58)

देवोपि तां सतीं यांतीं दृष्ट्वा चरणचारिणीम् ।। अतीव विव्यथे चित्ते गणांश्चाथ समाह्वयत्

devopi tāṁ satīṁ yāṁtīṁ dṛṣṭvā caraṇacāriṇīm || atīva vivyathe citte gaṇāṁścātha samāhvayat

The god too, seeing Sati departing on foot, was exceedingly pained at heart, and then called his ganas:

Verse 59 (skanda.4.88.59)

गणा विमानं नयत मनःपवनचक्रिणम् ।। पंचास्यायुतसंयुक्तं रत्नसानुध्वजोच्छ्रितम्

gaṇā vimānaṁ nayata manaḥpavanacakriṇam || paṁcāsyāyutasaṁyuktaṁ ratnasānudhvajocchritam

"O ganas, bring my celestial chariot, swift as mind and wind, its wheels turning,"

Verse 60 (skanda.4.88.60)

महावातपताकं च महाबुद्ध्यक्षलक्षितम् ।। नर्मदालकनंदा च यत्रेषादंडतांगते

mahāvātapatākaṁ ca mahābuddhyakṣalakṣitam || narmadālakanaṁdā ca yatreṣādaṁḍatāṁgate

"yoked with ten thousand lions, its jewelled banner raised aloft, its great banner streaming in the wind, marked with symbols of great wisdom — where the Narmada and the Alakananda themselves serve as the chariot's very shaft and axle,"

Verse 61 (skanda.4.88.61)

छत्रीभूतौ च यत्रस्तः सूर्याचंद्रमसावपि ।। यस्मिन्मकरतुंडं च वाराहीशक्तिरुत्तमा

[http://vedastudy.tripod.com/pur_index25/ratha.htm rathopari ṭippaṇī] chatrībhūtau ca yatrastaḥ sūryācaṁdramasāvapi || yasminmakaratuṁḍaṁ ca vārāhīśaktiruttamā

"where the Sun and Moon themselves become its royal parasols; where the crocodile-faced, supreme power of Varahi serves as its emblem,"

Verse 62 (skanda.4.88.62)

धूः स्वयं चापि गायत्री रज्जवस्तक्षकादयः ।। सारथिः प्रणवो यत्र क्रेंकारः प्रणवध्वनिः

dhūḥ svayaṁ cāpi gāyatrī rajjavastakṣakādayaḥ || sārathiḥ praṇavo yatra kreṁkāraḥ praṇavadhvaniḥ

"where the Gayatri mantra itself is the chariot-pole, and Takshaka and the other serpents the reins; where Pranava itself is the charioteer, and the syllable 'kreṁ' the very sound of Pranava,"

Verse 63 (skanda.4.88.63)

अंगानि रक्षका यत्र वरूथश्छंदसां गणः ।। इत्याज्ञप्ता गणास्तूर्णं रथं निन्युर्हराज्ञया

aṁgāni rakṣakā yatra varūthaśchaṁdasāṁ gaṇaḥ || ityājñaptā gaṇāstūrṇaṁ rathaṁ ninyurharājñayā

"where the very limbs of that chariot are its guardians, and the multitude of Vedic meters its protective armour." Thus commanded, the ganas swiftly brought that chariot, at Hara's order.

Verse 64 (skanda.4.88.64)

देव्या सनाथं तं कृत्वा विमानं पार्षदा दिवि ।। अनुजग्मुर्महादेवीं दिव्यां तेजोविजृंभिणीम्

devyā sanāthaṁ taṁ kṛtvā vimānaṁ pārṣadā divi || anujagmurmahādevīṁ divyāṁ tejovijṛṁbhiṇīm

Having placed the goddess upon it, Shiva's attendants followed the great Goddess through the sky, that divine one, radiant with blazing splendour.

Verse 65 (skanda.4.88.65)

सा क्षणं त्र्यक्षरमणी वीक्ष्य दक्षसभांगणम्।। नभोंऽगणाद्विमानस्थानतो वेगादवातरत्

sā kṣaṇaṁ tryakṣaramaṇī vīkṣya dakṣasabhāṁgaṇam|| nabhoṁ'gaṇādvimānasthānato vegādavātarat

The beloved of the three-eyed one, having glimpsed for a moment the courtyard of Daksha's assembly, swiftly descended from her place upon the chariot in the expanse of the sky,

Verse 66 (skanda.4.88.66)

अविशद् यज्ञवाटं च चकितंरक्षि वीक्षिता ।। कृतमंगलनेपथ्यां प्रसूं दृष्ट्वा किरीटिनीम्

aviśad yajñavāṭaṁ ca cakitaṁrakṣi vīkṣitā || kṛtamaṁgalanepathyāṁ prasūṁ dṛṣṭvā kirīṭinīm

and entered the sacrificial enclosure, watched over with startled eyes by the guards, upon seeing that crowned mother, adorned in her auspicious finery.

Verse 67 (skanda.4.88.67)

सभर्तृकाश्च भगिनीर्नवालंकृतिशालिनीः ।। साश्चर्याश्च सगर्वाश्च सानंदाश्च ससाध्वसाः

sabhartṛkāśca bhaginīrnavālaṁkṛtiśālinīḥ || sāścaryāśca sagarvāśca sānaṁdāśca sasādhvasāḥ

Her sisters, together with their husbands, resplendent in their new adornments, were astonished, and proud, and joyful, and yet fearful,

Verse 68 (skanda.4.88.68)

अचिंतिता त्वनाहूता विमानाद्धरवल्लभा ।। कथमेषा परिप्राप्ता क्षणमित्थं प्रपश्यतीः।।

aciṁtitā tvanāhūtā vimānāddharavallabhā || kathameṣā pariprāptā kṣaṇamitthaṁ prapaśyatīḥ||

[wondering] — "This beloved of Hara, uninvited and unexpected, has arrived from her celestial chariot — how has she come here?" — thus they gazed for a moment.

Verse 69 (skanda.4.88.69)

असंभाष्या पिताः सर्वा गता दक्षांतिकं सती ।। पित्रा पृष्टा तु मात्रापि भद्रं जातं त्वदागमे

asaṁbhāṣyā pitāḥ sarvā gatā dakṣāṁtikaṁ satī || pitrā pṛṣṭā tu mātrāpi bhadraṁ jātaṁ tvadāgame

Without speaking to her sisters, Sati went straight to her father Daksha; and, questioned by both father and mother — "Is all well, that you have come?" —

Verse 70 (skanda.4.88.70)

।। सत्युवाच ।। ।। यदि भद्रं जनेतर्मे समागमनतो भवेत् ।। कथं नाहं समाहूता यथैता मे सहोदराः

|| satyuvāca || || yadi bhadraṁ janetarme samāgamanato bhavet || kathaṁ nāhaṁ samāhūtā yathaitā me sahodarāḥ

Sati said: "If it were indeed well, O father, at my arrival, then why was I not invited, as my own sisters here were?"

Verse 71 (skanda.4.88.71)

।। दक्ष उवाच ।। ।। अयि कन्ये महाधन्ये ह्यनन्ये सर्वमंगले ।। अयं ते न मनाग्दोषो दोष एष ममैव हि

|| dakṣa uvāca || || ayi kanye mahādhanye hyananye sarvamaṁgale || ayaṁ te na manāgdoṣo doṣa eṣa mamaiva hi

Daksha said: "O daughter, most blessed, unrivalled, all-auspicious one — this is not the slightest fault of yours; the fault is entirely my own."

Verse 72 (skanda.4.88.72)

तादृग्विधाय यत्पत्ये मया दत्ताज्ञबुद्धिना ।। यदहं तं समाज्ञास्यमीश्वरोसौ निरीश्वरः

tādṛgvidhāya yatpatye mayā dattājñabuddhinā || yadahaṁ taṁ samājñāsyamīśvarosau nirīśvaraḥ

"For I, in my ignorance, gave you to such a husband, thinking I truly understood him — that he was a lord, when in fact he is lordless."

Verse 73 (skanda.4.88.73)

तदा कथमदास्यं त्वां तस्मै मायास्वरूपिणं ।। अहं शिवाख्यया तुष्टो न जाने शिवरूपिणम्

tadā kathamadāsyaṁ tvāṁ tasmai māyāsvarūpiṇaṁ || ahaṁ śivākhyayā tuṣṭo na jāne śivarūpiṇam

"How then could I have given you to that illusion-formed being? I was pleased merely by the name 'Shiva', not knowing his true nature."

Verse 74 (skanda.4.88.74)

पितामहेन बहुधा वर्णितोसौ ममाग्रतः ।। शंकरोयमयं शभुरसौ पशुपतिः शिवः

pitāmahena bahudhā varṇitosau mamāgrataḥ || śaṁkaroyamayaṁ śabhurasau paśupatiḥ śivaḥ

"By my own grandfather he was described to me in many ways: 'This is Shankara, this Shambhu, this Pashupati, this Shiva —"

Verse 75 (skanda.4.88.75)

श्रीकंठोसौ महेशोऽसौ सर्वज्ञोसौ वृषध्वजः ।। अस्मै कन्यां प्रयच्छ त्वं महादेवाय धन्विने

śrīkaṁṭhosau maheśo'sau sarvajñosau vṛṣadhvajaḥ || asmai kanyāṁ prayaccha tvaṁ mahādevāya dhanvine

"— this Shrikantha, this Mahesha, this the omniscient, the bull-bannered one — give your daughter to this Mahadeva, the bow-wielder.'"

Verse 76 (skanda.4.88.76)

वाक्याच्छतधृतेस्तस्मात्तस्मै दत्ता मयानघे ।। न जाने तं विरूपाक्षमुक्षगं विषभक्षिणम्

vākyācchatadhṛtestasmāttasmai dattā mayānaghe || na jāne taṁ virūpākṣamukṣagaṁ viṣabhakṣiṇam

"On Brahma's word, then, I gave you to him, O sinless one — not knowing that he was really this misshapen-eyed, bull-riding, poison-eating being,"

Verse 77 (skanda.4.88.77)

पितृकाननसंवासं शूलिनं च कपालिनम् ।। द्विजिह्वसंगसुभगं जलाधारं कपर्दिनम्

pitṛkānanasaṁvāsaṁ śūlinaṁ ca kapālinam || dvijihvasaṁgasubhagaṁ jalādhāraṁ kapardinam

"a dweller in the forest of the dead, trident-bearer, skull-bearer, one who takes fond company with two-tongued serpents, bearer of the river, matted-haired,"

Verse 78 (skanda.4.88.78)

कलंकिकृतमौलिं च धूलिधूसरचर्चितम् ।। क्वचित्कौपीनवसनं नग्नं वातूलवत्क्वचित्

kalaṁkikṛtamauliṁ ca dhūlidhūsaracarcitam || kvacitkaupīnavasanaṁ nagnaṁ vātūlavatkvacit

"his crown made disreputable, smeared grey with dust, sometimes clad only in a loincloth, sometimes naked like a madman,"

Verse 79 (skanda.4.88.79)

क्वचिच्च चर्मवसनं क्वचिद्भिक्षाटनप्रियम् ।। विटंकभूतानुचरं स्थाणुमुग्रं तमोगुणम्।।

kvacicca carmavasanaṁ kvacidbhikṣāṭanapriyam || viṭaṁkabhūtānucaraṁ sthāṇumugraṁ tamoguṇam||

"sometimes clad in animal hide, sometimes fond of wandering for alms, attended by ghosts perched on rooftops, unmoving as a post, fierce, of the dark quality —"

Verse 80 (skanda.4.88.80)

रुद्रं रौद्रपरीवारं महाकालवपुर्धरम् ।। नृकरोटीपरिकरं जातिगोत्रविवर्जितम्

rudraṁ raudraparīvāraṁ mahākālavapurdharam || nṛkaroṭīparikaraṁ jātigotravivarjitam

"Rudra, with his fearsome retinue, bearing the form of Mahakala, girded with human skulls, devoid of caste or lineage."

Verse 81 (skanda.4.88.81)

न सम्यग्वेत्ति तं कश्चिज्जानानोपि प्रतारितः ।। किं बहूक्तेन तनये समस्त नयशालिनि

na samyagvetti taṁ kaścijjānānopi pratāritaḥ || kiṁ bahūktena tanaye samasta nayaśālini

"No one truly knows him rightly; even one who thinks he knows him is deceived. What need for many words, my daughter, so accomplished in every good policy —"

Verse 82 (skanda.4.88.82)

क्व पांसुलपटच्छन्नो महाशंखविभूषणः ।। प्रबद्धसर्पकेयूरः प्रलंबित जटासटः

kva pāṁsulapaṭacchanno mahāśaṁkhavibhūṣaṇaḥ || prabaddhasarpakeyūraḥ pralaṁbita jaṭāsaṭaḥ

"— covered in dusty rags, adorned with a great conch-shell, his arms bound with serpents as armlets, his matted locks hanging long,"

Verse 83 (skanda.4.88.83)

डमड्डमरुकव्यग्र हस्ताग्रः खंडचंद्रभृत् ।। तांडवाडंबररुचिः सर्वामंगल चेष्टितः

ḍamaḍḍamarukavyagra hastāgraḥ khaṁḍacaṁdrabhṛt || tāṁḍavāḍaṁbararuciḥ sarvāmaṁgala ceṣṭitaḥ

"his hand ever busy with the damaru drum going 'dam-dam,' bearing the crescent moon, delighting in the pomp of the tandava dance, his every act ill-omened —"

Verse 84 (skanda.4.88.84)

मृडानि सहरः क्वाऽयमध्वरो मंगलालयः ।। अतएव समाहूता नेह त्वं सर्वमंगले

mṛḍāni saharaḥ kvā'yamadhvaro maṁgalālayaḥ || ataeva samāhūtā neha tvaṁ sarvamaṁgale

"— O Mridani, where does this Hara belong, and where this sacrifice, an abode of auspiciousness? This is precisely why you, O all-auspicious one, were not invited here."

Verse 85 (skanda.4.88.85)

दुकूलान्यनुकूलानि रत्नालंकृतयः शुभाः ।। प्रागेव धारितास्तेत्र पश्यागत्य गृहाण च

dukūlānyanukūlāni ratnālaṁkṛtayaḥ śubhāḥ || prāgeva dhāritāstetra paśyāgatya gṛhāṇa ca

"Fine silks, most fitting, and auspicious jewelled ornaments have already been set aside here for you; come, see them, and take them."

Verse 86 (skanda.4.88.86)

इह मंगलवेशेषु देवेंद्रेषु स शूलधृक् ।। कथमर्हो भवेच्चेति मंगले विषमेक्षणः

iha maṁgalaveśeṣu deveṁdreṣu sa śūladhṛk || kathamarho bhavecceti maṁgale viṣamekṣaṇaḥ

"'Here, amid the gods of Indra, dressed in auspicious finery, how could that trident-bearer, with his uneven eyes, possibly be fitting at this auspicious occasion?'" — thus he spoke.

Verse 87 (skanda.4.88.87)

इत्याकर्ण्य सती साध्वी जनेतुरुदितं तदा ।। अत्यंतदूनहृदया वक्तुं समुपचक्रमे

ityākarṇya satī sādhvī janeturuditaṁ tadā || atyaṁtadūnahṛdayā vaktuṁ samupacakrame

Hearing this spoken by her father, that virtuous Sati, her heart utterly stricken, then began to speak:

Verse 88 (skanda.4.88.88)

सत्युवाच ।। ।। नाकर्णितं मया किंचित्त्वयि प्रब्रुवति प्रभो ।। पदद्वयीं समाकर्ण्य तां च ते कथयाम्यहम्

satyuvāca || || nākarṇitaṁ mayā kiṁcittvayi prabruvati prabho || padadvayīṁ samākarṇya tāṁ ca te kathayāmyaham

Sati said: "Nothing that you have said, my lord, has gone unheard by me. Having heard your two remarks, I shall now respond to them."

Verse 89 (skanda.4.88.89)

न सम्यग्वेत्ति तं कश्चिज्जानानोपि प्रतारितः ।। एतत्सम्यक्त्वयाख्यायि कस्तं वेत्ति सदाशिवम्

na samyagvetti taṁ kaścijjānānopi pratāritaḥ || etatsamyaktvayākhyāyi kastaṁ vetti sadāśivam

"'No one truly knows him rightly; even one who thinks he knows him is deceived' — this you have said quite truly. Who indeed truly knows Sadashiva?"

Verse 90 (skanda.4.88.90)

त्वं तु प्रतारितः पूर्वमधुनापि प्रतारितः ।। कृत्वा तेन च संबंधमसंबद्धप्रलापभाक्

tvaṁ tu pratāritaḥ pūrvamadhunāpi pratāritaḥ || kṛtvā tena ca saṁbaṁdhamasaṁbaddhapralāpabhāk

"But you were deceived before, and you are deceived even now; and, having entered into a marriage-bond with him, you now speak nothing but incoherent raving."

Verse 91 (skanda.4.88.91)

यादृशं वक्षितं शंभुं तादृशं यद्यमन्यथाः ।। कुतो मामददास्तस्मै यं च कश्च न वेद न

yādṛśaṁ vakṣitaṁ śaṁbhuṁ tādṛśaṁ yadyamanyathāḥ || kuto māmadadāstasmai yaṁ ca kaśca na veda na

"If you truly believed Shambhu to be as you have just described him, then why did you give me to him, whom, as you say, no one at all truly knows?"

Verse 92 (skanda.4.88.92)

अथवा तेन संबंधे न हेतुर्भवतो मतिः ।। तत्र हेतुरभूत्तात मम पुण्यैकगौरवम्।।

athavā tena saṁbaṁdhe na heturbhavato matiḥ || tatra heturabhūttāta mama puṇyaikagauravam||

"Or rather — your own judgment was never truly the cause of that marriage-bond with him. The true cause there, father, was the sole weight of my own merit."

Verse 93 (skanda.4.88.93)

अथोक्त्वैवं बहुतरं त्वं जनेतास्य वर्ष्मणः ।। श्रुतानेन च देहेन पत्युः परिविगर्हणा

athoktvaivaṁ bahutaraṁ tvaṁ janetāsya varṣmaṇaḥ || śrutānena ca dehena patyuḥ parivigarhaṇā

"So, having said this much, you, O father, are the very origin of this body of mine; and it is with this same body that I have heard my husband's censure —"

Verse 94 (skanda.4.88.94)

पुरश्चरणमेवैतद्यदस्यैव विसर्जनम् ।। सुश्लाघ्यजन्मया तावत्प्राणितव्यं सुयोषिता ।। यावज्जीवितनाथस्याश्रवणीया विगर्हणा

puraścaraṇamevaitadyadasyaiva visarjanam || suślāghyajanmayā tāvatprāṇitavyaṁ suyoṣitā || yāvajjīvitanāthasyāśravaṇīyā vigarhaṇā

"— therefore, the very casting off of this body is now the fitting preparatory rite. A truly praiseworthy woman, of good birth, ought to go on living only for as long as she need not hear censure of her life's own lord."

Verse 95 (skanda.4.88.95)

इत्युक्त्वा क्रोधदीप्ताग्नौ महादेवस्वरूपिणि ।। जुहाव देहसमिधं प्राणरोधविधानतः

ityuktvā krodhadīptāgnau mahādevasvarūpiṇi || juhāva dehasamidhaṁ prāṇarodhavidhānataḥ

Having said this, she, by the discipline of restraining her breath, offered the very fuel of her body into the fire of her own anger, blazing in the very form of the great god.

Verse 96 (skanda.4.88.96)

ततो विवर्णतां प्राप्ताः सर्वे देवाः सवासवाः ।। नाग्निर्जज्वाल च तथा यथाज्याहुतिभिः पुरा

tato vivarṇatāṁ prāptāḥ sarve devāḥ savāsavāḥ || nāgnirjajvāla ca tathā yathājyāhutibhiḥ purā

Then all the gods, Indra among them, turned pale; and the sacrificial fire no longer blazed as it had before, even with offerings of ghee.

Verse 97 (skanda.4.88.97)

मंत्राः कुंठितसामर्थ्यास्तत्क्षणादेव चाभवन् ।। अहो महानिष्टतरं किमेतत्समुपस्थितम्

maṁtrāḥ kuṁṭhitasāmarthyāstatkṣaṇādeva cābhavan || aho mahāniṣṭataraṁ kimetatsamupasthitam

The mantras instantly lost all their power; and all thought: "Ah, what greater calamity than this has now come to pass?"

Verse 98 (skanda.4.88.98)

केचिदूचुर्द्विजवरा मिथः परियियासवः ।। महाझंझानिलः प्राप्तः पर्वतांदोलनक्षमः

kecidūcurdvijavarā mithaḥ pariyiyāsavaḥ || mahājhaṁjhānilaḥ prāptaḥ parvatāṁdolanakṣamaḥ

Some of the best of brahmins, wishing to flee, said to one another: "A great whirlwind has arrived, capable of shaking mountains!"

Verse 99 (skanda.4.88.99)

मखमंडप भूस्तेन क्षणतः स्थपुटीकृता ।। अकांडं तडिदापातो जातोभूद्भूप्रकपनः

makhamaṁḍapa bhūstena kṣaṇataḥ sthapuṭīkṛtā || akāṁḍaṁ taḍidāpāto jātobhūdbhūprakapanaḥ

The very ground of the sacrificial pavilion was instantly heaved into fissures by it; unexpected bolts of lightning struck, and the earth quaked.

Verse 100 (skanda.4.88.100)

दिवश्चोल्काः प्रपतिताः पिशाचा नृत्यमादधुः ।। आतापिगृध्रैरुपरि गगने मंडलायितम्

divaścolkāḥ prapatitāḥ piśācā nṛtyamādadhuḥ || ātāpigṛdhrairupari gagane maṁḍalāyitam

Meteors fell from the sky, ghouls began to dance, and vultures wheeled in circles above in the sky, screeching.

Verse 101 (skanda.4.88.101)

रवेरधस्तादशिवं शिवास्तत्राप्यरारिषुः ।। मेघारुधिरविपुड्भिस्तत्र वृष्टिं व्यधुः पराम्

raveradhastādaśivaṁ śivāstatrāpyarāriṣuḥ || meghārudhiravipuḍbhistatra vṛṣṭiṁ vyadhuḥ parām

Beneath the sun, jackals howled inauspicious cries there; and the clouds rained down a terrible downpour of drops of blood.

Verse 102 (skanda.4.88.102)

निर्घातनिःस्वनो भूमेरुत्थितो हृत्प्रकंपनः ।। दिव्यायुधानि च मिथो युध्यंति स्मातिभीषणम्

nirghātaniḥsvano bhūmerutthito hṛtprakaṁpanaḥ || divyāyudhāni ca mitho yudhyaṁti smātibhīṣaṇam

A heart-shaking roar of thunderclaps rose up from the earth; and celestial weapons fought one another, most terrifyingly, of their own accord.

Verse 103 (skanda.4.88.103)

हवनीयं महद्रव्यं दूषितं क्रोष्टुभिः श्वभिः ।। चकोराः करटास्तत्र विचेरुर्यज्ञमंडपे

havanīyaṁ mahadravyaṁ dūṣitaṁ kroṣṭubhiḥ śvabhiḥ || cakorāḥ karaṭāstatra viceruryajñamaṁḍape

The great sacrificial offerings were defiled by jackals and dogs; partridges and crows wandered freely through the sacrificial pavilion.

Verse 104 (skanda.4.88.104)

श्मशानवाटवज्जातो यज्ञवाटः स वै क्षणात।। यद्यत्रावस्थितं सर्वं तत्तत्रैव परिष्ठितम्

śmaśānavāṭavajjāto yajñavāṭaḥ sa vai kṣaṇāta|| yadyatrāvasthitaṁ sarvaṁ tattatraiva pariṣṭhitam

In that very instant, the sacrificial enclosure became like a cremation-ground; whatever had been arranged there simply froze in place, unmoving.

Verse 105 (skanda.4.88.105)

चित्रन्यस्तमिवासीच्च वस्तुजातमशोभि च ।। स्थगिता इव संवृत्तास्तत्र चक्रधरादयः

citranyastamivāsīcca vastujātamaśobhi ca || sthagitā iva saṁvṛttāstatra cakradharādayaḥ

Every object there appeared as if painted in a picture, its beauty gone; and Vishnu and the other gods there stood as if utterly paralysed.

Verse 106 (skanda.4.88.106)

दक्षोपि वदनग्लानिमवाप्य सपरिच्छदः ।। पुनर्यथाकथंचिच्च यज्ञं प्रावर्तयन्द्विजाः

dakṣopi vadanaglānimavāpya saparicchadaḥ || punaryathākathaṁcicca yajñaṁ prāvartayandvijāḥ

Daksha too, with his retinue, his face drained of colour, was overcome with dismay; yet the brahmins, somehow, resumed the sacrifice once more.