The Glory of Trilochaneshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.5.116.1)

श्रीदेवदेव उवाच। पंचचत्वारिकं विद्धि देवं त्रिलोचनेश्वरम्। यस्य दर्शनमात्रेण सर्वसिद्धिरवाप्यते॥

śrīdevadeva uvāca| paṁcacatvārikaṁ viddhi devaṁ trilocaneśvaram| yasya darśanamātreṇa sarvasiddhiravāpyate||

Shri Devadeva said: Know the forty-fifth, the God Trilochaneshvara, by the mere sight of whom all accomplishment is obtained.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.116.2)

इतिहासमिहासीद्यत्पीठे विरजसंज्ञके। त्रिलोचनस्य प्रासादे मणिमाणिक्यनिर्मिते॥

itihāsamihāsīdyatpīṭhe virajasaṁjñake| trilocanasya prāsāde maṇimāṇikyanirmite||

Here is an account that took place at the seat called Virajas, in the temple of Trilochana, built of gems and rubies,

Verse 3 (skanda.5.116.3)

नानाभंगिगवाक्षाढ्ये रत्नसानाविवापरे। देदीप्यमानसौवर्णकलशेन विराजिते॥

nānābhaṁgigavākṣāḍhye ratnasānāvivāpare| dedīpyamānasauvarṇakalaśena virājite||

rich with lattice-windows of manifold design, like another mountain of jewels, resplendent with a gleaming golden pinnacle,

Verse 4 (skanda.5.116.4)

पार्वणेन शशांकेन खेदादिव समासिते। तत्र पारावतद्वंद्वं वसत्स्वैरं कृतालयम्॥

pārvaṇena śaśāṁkena khedādiva samāsite| tatra pārāvatadvaṁdvaṁ vasatsvairaṁ kṛtālayam||

as if the full moon itself had settled there in weariness. There, a pair of pigeons dwelt freely, having made their home.

Verse 5 (skanda.5.116.5)

प्रातः सायं च मध्याह्ने कुर्वन्नित्यप्रदक्षिणम्। उड्डीयमानं परितः पक्षवातैरितस्ततः॥

prātaḥ sāyaṁ ca madhyāhne kurvannityapradakṣiṇam| uḍḍīyamānaṁ paritaḥ pakṣavātairitastataḥ||

Performing circumambulation daily, at morning, evening and noon, flying about on every side with the wind of their wings,

Verse 6 (skanda.5.116.6)

रजःप्रासादसंलग्नं दूरीकुर्वद्दिशो दश। त्रिलोचनेति सततं नाम भक्तैरुदाहृतम्। त्रिविष्टपेति च तथा तयोः कर्णातिथीभवेत्॥

rajaḥprāsādasaṁlagnaṁ dūrīkurvaddiśo daśa| trilocaneti satataṁ nāma bhaktairudāhṛtam| triviṣṭapeti ca tathā tayoḥ karṇātithībhavet||

scattering to the ten directions the dust settled on the temple, the name "Trilochana," continually uttered by devotees, and likewise "Trivishtapa," became a guest in their ears.

Verse 7 (skanda.5.116.7)

चतुर्विधानि वाद्यानि शंभुप्रीतिकराण्यलम्। तयोः कर्णगुहां प्राप्य प्रतिशब्दं प्रतन्वते॥

caturvidhāni vādyāni śaṁbhuprītikarāṇyalam| tayoḥ karṇaguhāṁ prāpya pratiśabdaṁ pratanvate||

The four kinds of musical instruments, delighting to Shambhu, reaching the cavern of their ears, spread their echo there.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.116.8)

मंगलारात्रिकज्योतिस्त्रिसंध्यं पक्षिणोस्तयोः। नेत्रांतं निर्विशन्नित्यं भक्तचेष्टां प्रदर्शयत्॥

maṁgalārātrikajyotistrisaṁdhyaṁ pakṣiṇostayoḥ| netrāṁtaṁ nirviśannityaṁ bhaktaceṣṭāṁ pradarśayat||

The light of the auspicious evening lamp, at the three twilights, entering daily into the eyes of those two birds, seemed to display to them the conduct of a devotee.

Verse 9 (skanda.5.116.9)

प्राणयात्रां विहायापि कदाचित्स्थिरमानसौ। नोड्डीय वांछितं यातः पश्यंतौ कौतुकं खगौ॥

prāṇayātrāṁ vihāyāpi kadācitsthiramānasau| noḍḍīya vāṁchitaṁ yātaḥ paśyaṁtau kautukaṁ khagau||

Even setting aside their quest for sustenance, those two birds, steady of mind, sometimes did not fly off wherever they wished, but stayed watching in wonder.

Verse 10 (skanda.5.116.10)

तत्रासकृज्जनाकीर्णं प्रासादं परितोऽवनौ। तंडुलादि चरंतौ तौ कुर्वंतौ च प्रदक्षिणम्॥

tatrāsakṛjjanākīrṇaṁ prāsādaṁ parito'vanau| taṁḍulādi caraṁtau tau kurvaṁtau ca pradakṣiṇam||

There, again and again, around that temple thronged with people, pecking at grains of rice on the ground, they also performed circumambulation.

Verse 11 (skanda.5.116.11)

देवदक्षिणदिग्भागे विष्णुदेहोद्भवं जलम्। तृषार्त्तौ पिबतो नित्यं स्नात्वा चाजग्मतुश्च तौ॥

devadakṣiṇadigbhāge viṣṇudehodbhavaṁ jalam| tṛṣārttau pibato nityaṁ snātvā cājagmatuśca tau||

On the southern side of the God, the water sprung from Vishnu's body, when tormented by thirst, they drank daily, and, having bathed, returned.

Verse 12 (skanda.5.116.12)

तयोरित्थं विचरतोस्त्रिलोचनसमीपतः। अगाद्बहुतिथः कालो द्विजयोः साधुचेष्टयोः॥

tayoritthaṁ vicaratostrilocanasamīpataḥ| agādbahutithaḥ kālo dvijayoḥ sādhuceṣṭayoḥ||

Thus, as those two twice-born birds of virtuous conduct wandered about near Trilochana, a long span of time passed.

Verse 13 (skanda.5.116.13)

अथ देवालयस्कंधे गवाक्षांतर्गतौ च तौ। श्येनेन केनचिद्दृष्टौ क्रूरदृष्ट्या सुखं स्थितौ॥

atha devālayaskaṁdhe gavākṣāṁtargatau ca tau| śyenena kenaciddṛṣṭau krūradṛṣṭyā sukhaṁ sthitau||

Then, one day, on the ridge of the temple, seated happily within a lattice-window, they were spied by a certain hawk, with a cruel eye.

Verse 14 (skanda.5.116.14)

तच्च पारावतद्वंद्वं श्येनः परिजिघृक्षया। अवतीर्यांबरादाशु उपविष्टः शिवालये॥

tacca pārāvatadvaṁdvaṁ śyenaḥ parijighṛkṣayā| avatīryāṁbarādāśu upaviṣṭaḥ śivālaye||

That hawk, with the desire of seizing that pair of pigeons, descended quickly from the sky and settled upon the Shiva temple.

Verse 15 (skanda.5.116.15)

ततो विलोकयामास तदागमविनिर्गमौ। केन मार्गेण विशतो दुर्गमेण पतत्रिणौ॥

tato vilokayāmāsa tadāgamavinirgamau| kena mārgeṇa viśato durgameṇa patatriṇau||

Then he began to observe their coming and going — by what difficult path those two birds entered,

Verse 16 (skanda.5.116.16)

केनाध्वना च निर्यातः किंकाले कुरुतश्च किम्। कथं युगपदेतौ मे ग्राह्यौ स्वैरं भविष्यतः॥

kenādhvanā ca niryātaḥ kiṁkāle kurutaśca kim| kathaṁ yugapadetau me grāhyau svairaṁ bhaviṣyataḥ||

by what path they went out, what they did and at what time, and how these two might become easy for him to seize together at once.

Verse 17 (skanda.5.116.17)

दुर्बलोऽप्याकलयितुं सहसारिर्न शक्यते। करिणां च सहस्रेण वराश्वानां च लक्षतः॥

durbalo'pyākalayituṁ sahasārirna śakyate| kariṇāṁ ca sahasreṇa varāśvānāṁ ca lakṣataḥ||

Even a weak enemy, entrenched, cannot be overcome by a sudden assault — not even with a thousand elephants and a hundred thousand fine horses.

Verse 18 (skanda.5.116.18)

न कर्म सिद्ध्येन्नृपतेर्दुगेणैकेन यद्भवेत्। दुर्गस्थो नाभिभूयेत विपक्षः केनचित्क्वचित्। स्वतंत्रं यदि दुर्गं स्यादपमार्गप्रकाशकम्॥

na karma siddhyennṛpaterdugeṇaikena yadbhavet| durgastho nābhibhūyeta vipakṣaḥ kenacitkvacit| svataṁtraṁ yadi durgaṁ syādapamārgaprakāśakam||

A king's purpose is not accomplished by a single fortress alone; an enemy entrenched in a fortress cannot be overcome by anyone, anywhere — especially if the fortress is self-sufficient and also reveals an escape route.

Verse 19 (skanda.5.116.19)

इति दुर्गे बलं शंसञ्छ्येनो रोषारुणेक्षणः। असाध्वसौ कलरवौ वीक्ष्य यातो नभोंगणे॥

iti durge balaṁ śaṁsañchyeno roṣāruṇekṣaṇaḥ| asādhvasau kalaravau vīkṣya yāto nabhoṁgaṇe||

Thus acknowledging the strength of the fortress, the hawk, his eyes red with anger, seeing those two cooing fearlessly, went off into the expanse of the sky.

Verse 20 (skanda.5.116.20)

अथ पारावती दक्षा विपक्षक्षपणेक्षणम्। महाबलं दुर्गबलात्प्राह पारावतं पतिम्॥

atha pārāvatī dakṣā vipakṣakṣapaṇekṣaṇam| mahābalaṁ durgabalātprāha pārāvataṁ patim||

Then the clever female pigeon spoke to her husband, the male pigeon, about that mighty hawk — intent on destroying his foes, strong through his fortress:

Verse 21 (skanda.5.116.21)

कलरव्युवाच। प्रिय पारावत प्राज्ञ सर्वकामसुखारव। तव दृग्विषयं प्राप्तः श्येनोऽयं प्रबलो रिपुः॥

kalaravyuvāca| priya pārāvata prājña sarvakāmasukhārava| tava dṛgviṣayaṁ prāptaḥ śyeno'yaṁ prabalo ripuḥ||

The cooing female said: "O beloved pigeon, O wise one, whose call is all delight and desire — this powerful enemy, the hawk, has come within your sight."

Verse 22 (skanda.5.116.22)

स च तद्वाक्यमाकर्ण्य पारावत्याश्च सत्पतिः। पारावतीमुवाचेदं का चिंतेति तव प्रिये॥

sa ca tadvākyamākarṇya pārāvatyāśca satpatiḥ| pārāvatīmuvācedaṁ kā ciṁteti tava priye||

Hearing that speech, the good husband of the female pigeon said to her: "What is this worry of yours, my dear?"

Verse 23 (skanda.5.116.23)

पारावत उवाच। कति नाम न संतीह सुभगे व्योमचारिणः। कति देवालयाद्येषु खगा नोपवसंति हि॥

pārāvata uvāca| kati nāma na saṁtīha subhage vyomacāriṇaḥ| kati devālayādyeṣu khagā nopavasaṁti hi||

The male pigeon said: "O fortunate one, how many sky-wanderers are there not here? How many birds do not dwell in temples and the like?"

Verse 24 (skanda.5.116.24)

कति चैव न पश्यंति नौ सुखस्थाविह प्रिये। तेभ्यो यदीह भेतव्यं कुतो नौ तत्सुखं प्रिये॥

kati caiva na paśyaṁti nau sukhasthāviha priye| tebhyo yadīha bhetavyaṁ kuto nau tatsukhaṁ priye||

"How many do not even see us, dwelling here happily, O dear one? If we must be afraid of them here, then, my dear, where would our happiness be?"

Verse 25 (skanda.5.116.25)

रम त्वं च मया सार्द्ध त्यज चिंतामिमां शुभे। अस्य श्येनवराकस्य गणनापि न मे हृदि॥

rama tvaṁ ca mayā sārddha tyaja ciṁtāmimāṁ śubhe| asya śyenavarākasya gaṇanāpi na me hṛdi||

"Delight with me, O auspicious one, and abandon this worry; this wretched hawk does not even register in my heart."

Verse 26 (skanda.5.116.26)

इत्थं पारावतवराच्छुत्वा पारावती वचः। मौनमालम्ब्य संतस्थे पत्युः पादार्पितेक्षणा॥

itthaṁ pārāvatavarācchutvā pārāvatī vacaḥ| maunamālambya saṁtasthe patyuḥ pādārpitekṣaṇā||

Hearing these words from her excellent pigeon-husband, the female pigeon fell silent, her gaze fixed upon her husband's feet, and remained so.

Verse 27 (skanda.5.116.27)

हितवत्योपदिश्यापि प्रियं प्रियचिकीर्षया। पत्न्या जोषं समास्थेयं कार्यं पत्युर्वचः सदा॥

hitavatyopadiśyāpi priyaṁ priyacikīrṣayā| patnyā joṣaṁ samāstheyaṁ kāryaṁ patyurvacaḥ sadā||

Even when a wife, wishing her beloved's good, has advised what is beneficial out of a desire to please, she should then remain silent; her husband's word is always to be followed.

Verse 28 (skanda.5.116.28)

अन्येद्युरप्यथायातः श्येनः पश्यन्स दंपती। अपरिच्छिन्नया दृष्ट्या यथा मृत्युर्गतायुषम्॥

anyedyurapyathāyātaḥ śyenaḥ paśyansa daṁpatī| aparicchinnayā dṛṣṭyā yathā mṛtyurgatāyuṣam||

The next day too the hawk came, watching that pair with an unbroken gaze, as death watches one whose life-span is spent.

Verse 29 (skanda.5.116.29)

अथ मंडलगत्या स प्रासादं परितो भ्रमन्। प्रोवाच प्रेयसी नाथ दृष्टो दुष्टस्त्वयाऽहितः॥

atha maṁḍalagatyā sa prāsādaṁ parito bhraman| provāca preyasī nātha dṛṣṭo duṣṭastvayā'hitaḥ||

Then he began circling round the temple in a wheeling flight; the beloved said: "My lord, that wicked foe has been sighted."

Verse 30 (skanda.5.116.30)

तस्या वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य पुनः कलरवोऽब्रवीत्। किं करिष्यत्यसौ मुग्धे मम व्योमविहारिणः॥

tasyā vākyaṁ samākarṇya punaḥ kalaravo'bravīt| kiṁ kariṣyatyasau mugdhe mama vyomavihāriṇaḥ||

Hearing her words, the male again said: "O innocent one, what can he do to me, a wanderer of the sky?"

Verse 31 (skanda.5.116.31)

दुर्गं च स्वर्गतुल्यं मे यत्र नास्त्यरितो भयम्। अयं न तां गतिं वेत्ति यां वेदाहं नभोंगणे॥

durgaṁ ca svargatulyaṁ me yatra nāstyarito bhayam| ayaṁ na tāṁ gatiṁ vetti yāṁ vedāhaṁ nabhoṁgaṇe||

"My fortress is like heaven to me, where there is no fear from an enemy; he does not know that skill of flight which I know in the expanse of the sky."

Verse 32 (skanda.5.116.32)

प्रडीनोड्डीनसंडीनकांडव्यांडकपाटिका। स्रंसिनी मंडलवती गतयोऽष्टावुदाहृताः॥

praḍīnoḍḍīnasaṁḍīnakāṁḍavyāṁḍakapāṭikā| sraṁsinī maṁḍalavatī gatayo'ṣṭāvudāhṛtāḥ||

"Pradina, uddina, sandina, kandavya, andakapatika, sramsini, and mandalavati — these are declared to be the eight modes of flight."

Verse 33 (skanda.5.116.33)

यथैतासु हि कौशल्यं मयि वर्त्तति च प्रिये। गतिषु क्वापि कस्यापि पक्षिणो न तथांबरे। सुखेन तिष्ठ का चिंता मयि जीवति ते प्रिये॥

yathaitāsu hi kauśalyaṁ mayi varttati ca priye| gatiṣu kvāpi kasyāpi pakṣiṇo na tathāṁbare| sukhena tiṣṭha kā ciṁtā mayi jīvati te priye||

"In these, the skill I possess, O dear one, no bird anywhere has the like, in any mode of flight, in the sky. Stay at ease; while I live, what worry have you?"

Verse 34 (skanda.5.116.34)

इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा आस्थिता मूकवत्सती। अपरेद्युरपि श्येनस्तत्रायातः शिलातले॥

iti tadvacanaṁ śrutvā āsthitā mūkavatsatī| aparedyurapi śyenastatrāyātaḥ śilātale||

Hearing his words, the virtuous one remained silent, as though mute. The next day too that hawk came there, onto the stone ledge.

Verse 35 (skanda.5.116.35)

कियदंतरमासाद्य उपविष्टोऽतिहृष्टवत्। आयामांते च स स्थित्वा तत्कुलायकुलस्य च॥

kiyadaṁtaramāsādya upaviṣṭo'tihṛṣṭavat| āyāmāṁte ca sa sthitvā tatkulāyakulasya ca||

Having come to a short distance, he sat there as if exceedingly delighted, and remained standing at the very edge of their nest.

Verse 36 (skanda.5.116.36)

पुनः श्येनो विनिर्यातः सापि कांताऽब्रवीत्पुनः। प्रिय स्थानमिदं त्याज्यं दुष्टदृष्टिविदूषितम्॥

punaḥ śyeno viniryātaḥ sāpi kāṁtā'bravītpunaḥ| priya sthānamidaṁ tyājyaṁ duṣṭadṛṣṭividūṣitam||

When the hawk had again departed, the beloved once more said: "My dear, this place should now be abandoned; it has been defiled by that wicked one's gaze."

Verse 37 (skanda.5.116.37)

असौ क्रूरोऽतिनिकटमुपविष्टोऽतिहृष्टवत्। सावज्ञं स पुनः प्राह किं करिष्यत्यसौ प्रिये॥

asau krūro'tinikaṭamupaviṣṭo'tihṛṣṭavat| sāvajñaṁ sa punaḥ prāha kiṁ kariṣyatyasau priye||

"That cruel one sat very close, as if delighted." He again said dismissively: "What will he do, my dear?"

Verse 38 (skanda.5.116.38)

मृगाक्षीणां स्वभावोयं प्रायशो भीरुवृत्तयः। इतरेद्युरपि प्राप्तः स च श्येनो महाबलः॥

mṛgākṣīṇāṁ svabhāvoyaṁ prāyaśo bhīruvṛttayaḥ| itaredyurapi prāptaḥ sa ca śyeno mahābalaḥ||

"It is the nature of doe-eyed women to be mostly of a timid disposition." The next day too that mighty hawk arrived.

Verse 39 (skanda.5.116.39)

तयोरभिमुखं तत्र स्थितो यामद्वयावधि। पुनर्विलोक्य तद्वर्त्म शीघ्रं यातो यथागतम्॥

tayorabhimukhaṁ tatra sthito yāmadvayāvadhi| punarvilokya tadvartma śīghraṁ yāto yathāgatam||

There he remained facing the two of them for the span of two watches; then, having again observed their path, he departed quickly as he had come.

Verse 40 (skanda.5.116.40)

गतेथ शकुनौ तस्मिन्सा बभाषे विहंगमम्। नाथ स्थानांतरं यावो मृत्युर्वै निकटेऽन्वगात्॥

gatetha śakunau tasminsā babhāṣe vihaṁgamam| nātha sthānāṁtaraṁ yāvo mṛtyurvai nikaṭe'nvagāt||

When that bird had gone, she said to her mate: "My lord, let us go to another place; death itself has drawn near."

Verse 41 (skanda.5.116.41)

पुनर्दृष्टे प्रणष्टः स्यादावासश्च सुखं प्रिय। प्रिय यस्यास्ति पक्षस्य गतिः सर्वत्र सिद्धिदा॥

punardṛṣṭe praṇaṣṭaḥ syādāvāsaśca sukhaṁ priya| priya yasyāsti pakṣasya gatiḥ sarvatra siddhidā||

"If seen again, our dwelling and our happiness will be destroyed, my dear. My dear, one who has wings whose flight succeeds everywhere,"

Verse 42 (skanda.5.116.42)

स किं स्वदेशरागेण नाशं प्राप्नोति बुद्धिमान्। सोपसर्गं निजं देशं त्यक्त्वा योन्यं तु न व्रजेत्॥

sa kiṁ svadeśarāgeṇa nāśaṁ prāpnoti buddhimān| sopasargaṁ nijaṁ deśaṁ tyaktvā yonyaṁ tu na vrajet||

"would such a wise one meet destruction out of attachment to his own home? One who, though beset by danger, does not leave his own place for another,"

Verse 43 (skanda.5.116.43)

स पंगुर्ना शमाप्नोति कूलस्थित इव द्रुमः। प्रियोदितं निशम्येति स भवित्रीदशार्द्दितः॥

sa paṁgurnā śamāpnoti kūlasthita iva drumaḥ| priyoditaṁ niśamyeti sa bhavitrīdaśārdditaḥ||

"he attains no peace, like a lame man, or like a tree standing on a riverbank." Hearing this said by his beloved, he, afflicted by what was destined to be,

Verse 44 (skanda.5.116.44)

तां वाक्यं पुनरप्याह प्रिये मा भैः खगार्दिता। अपरस्मिन्नहनि च स श्येनः प्रातरेव हि॥

tāṁ vākyaṁ punarapyāha priye mā bhaiḥ khagārditā| aparasminnahani ca sa śyenaḥ prātareva hi||

again said to her: "Fear not, my dear, tormented one." And on the next day, that very hawk, right at dawn,

Verse 45 (skanda.5.116.45)

तद्द्वारदेशमासाद्य सायं यावत्स्थितोऽचलः। अस्ताचलस्य शिखरं याते भानौ गते खगे॥

taddvāradeśamāsādya sāyaṁ yāvatsthito'calaḥ| astācalasya śikharaṁ yāte bhānau gate khage||

having reached the doorway of their nest, remained motionless until evening; when the sun had gone to the peak of the setting mountain and that bird too had departed,

Verse 46 (skanda.5.116.46)

कुलायाद्बाह्यमागत्योवाच पारावती पतिम्। नाथ निर्गमनस्यायं कालः कालोऽस्ति दूरतः॥

kulāyādbāhyamāgatyovāca pārāvatī patim| nātha nirgamanasyāyaṁ kālaḥ kālo'sti dūrataḥ||

coming outside the nest, the female pigeon said to her husband: "My lord, this is the time to leave; that distant time is drawing near."

Verse 47 (skanda.5.116.47)

यावत्तावद्विनिर्याहि त्यक्त्वा मामपि शंसिनीम्। त्वयि जीवति दुष्प्राप्यं न किंचिज्जगतीतले॥

yāvattāvadviniryāhi tyaktvā māmapi śaṁsinīm| tvayi jīvati duṣprāpyaṁ na kiṁcijjagatītale||

"While there is still time, go forth, even abandoning me who speaks to you; while you live, nothing on this earth is unattainable."

Verse 48 (skanda.5.116.48)

पुनर्दाराः पुनः पुत्राः पुनर्वसु पुनर्गृहम्। यद्यात्मारक्षितः पुंसां दारैपि धनैरपि॥

punardārāḥ punaḥ putrāḥ punarvasu punargṛham| yadyātmārakṣitaḥ puṁsāṁ dāraipi dhanairapi||

"Wife again, sons again, wealth again, a home again — all these can be regained if a man's own self is preserved, more than even his wife or his wealth."

Verse 49 (skanda.5.116.49)

तदा सर्वं हरिश्चंद्रभूपतेरिव लभ्यते। अयमात्मा प्रियो बंधुरयमात्मा महद्धनम्॥

tadā sarvaṁ hariścaṁdrabhūpateriva labhyate| ayamātmā priyo baṁdhurayamātmā mahaddhanam||

"then everything is regained, as it was for King Harishchandra. This self is one's dear kinsman; this self is one's great wealth."

Verse 50 (skanda.5.116.50)

धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणामयमात्मार्जकः परः। यावदात्मनि वै क्षेमं तावत्क्षेमं जगत्त्रये॥

dharmārthakāmamokṣāṇāmayamātmārjakaḥ paraḥ| yāvadātmani vai kṣemaṁ tāvatkṣemaṁ jagattraye||

"This self alone is the supreme earner of dharma, artha, kama and moksha. As long as there is welfare for the self, so long is there welfare in the three worlds."

Verse 51 (skanda.5.116.51)

सोऽपि क्षेमः सुगतिना यशसा सह वांछ्यते। यशोहीनं तु यत्क्षेमं तत्क्षेमान्निधनं वरम्॥

so'pi kṣemaḥ sugatinā yaśasā saha vāṁchyate| yaśohīnaṁ tu yatkṣemaṁ tatkṣemānnidhanaṁ varam||

"Even that welfare is desirable only together with a good end and fame; but welfare devoid of fame — better than that welfare is death."

Verse 52 (skanda.5.116.52)

तद्यशः प्राप्यते पुंभिर्नीतिमार्गं प्रवर्तिभिः। अतो नीतिपथं चिंत्यं नाथ स्थानादितो व्रज। न व्रजिष्यसि चेत्प्रातस्ततो मां संस्मरिष्यसि॥

tadyaśaḥ prāpyate puṁbhirnītimārgaṁ pravartibhiḥ| ato nītipathaṁ ciṁtyaṁ nātha sthānādito vraja| na vrajiṣyasi cetprātastato māṁ saṁsmariṣyasi||

"That fame is attained by men who follow the path of right conduct. Therefore consider the path of prudence, my lord, and leave this place. If you do not go, then in the morning you will remember me with regret."

Verse 53 (skanda.5.116.53)

इत्युक्तोऽपि स वै पत्न्या पारावत्या सुमेधया। न निर्ययौ ततः स्थानाद्भवित्र्या प्रतिवारितः॥

ityukto'pi sa vai patnyā pārāvatyā sumedhayā| na niryayau tataḥ sthānādbhavitryā prativāritaḥ||

Though thus urged by his wise wife, the female pigeon, he did not depart from that place, held back by what was destined to be.

Verse 54 (skanda.5.116.54)

अथोषसि समागत्य श्येनेन बलिना तदा। निर्गमद्वारमारुद्धं किंचिद्भक्ष्यवता तदा॥

athoṣasi samāgatya śyenena balinā tadā| nirgamadvāramāruddhaṁ kiṁcidbhakṣyavatā tadā||

Then, arriving at dawn, the powerful hawk, having brought some food, blocked their exit passage at that time.

Verse 55 (skanda.5.116.55)

दिनानि कतिचित्तत्रातिष्ठच्छयेनो महाबलः। पारावतमुवाचेदं धिक्त्वा पौरुषवर्जितम्॥

dināni katicittatrātiṣṭhacchayeno mahābalaḥ| pārāvatamuvācedaṁ dhiktvā pauruṣavarjitam||

That mighty hawk remained there for several days, and said to the male pigeon, scornfully: "Shame on you, devoid of manhood —"

Verse 56 (skanda.5.116.56)

किं वा युध्यस्व दुर्बुद्धे किं वा निर्याहि मे गिरा। क्षुधाक्षीणो मृतः पश्चान्निरयं पश्यसि धुवम्। विधिरेव हि साहाय्यं न कुर्यात्तव नोदितम्॥

kiṁ vā yudhyasva durbuddhe kiṁ vā niryāhi me girā| kṣudhākṣīṇo mṛtaḥ paścānnirayaṁ paśyasi dhuvam| vidhireva hi sāhāyyaṁ na kuryāttava noditam||

"either fight, O foolish one, or come out at my word. Wasted by hunger and then dead, you will surely see hell afterward. Providence itself gives no help to one who does not act even when urged."

Verse 57 (skanda.5.116.57)

इत्थं श्येनेन स प्रोक्तः पत्न्या स सहितः खगः। अयुध्यत्तेन श्येनेन स्वदुर्गद्वारमाश्रितः॥

itthaṁ śyenena sa proktaḥ patnyā sa sahitaḥ khagaḥ| ayudhyattena śyenena svadurgadvāramāśritaḥ||

Thus addressed by the hawk, that bird, together with his wife, taking refuge at the entrance of his fortress, fought with that hawk.

Verse 58 (skanda.5.116.58)

क्षुधितस्तृषितः सोऽथ श्येनेन बलिना धृतः। चरणेन दृढेनाशु चंच्वा सापि धृता खगी॥

kṣudhitastṛṣitaḥ so'tha śyenena balinā dhṛtaḥ| caraṇena dṛḍhenāśu caṁcvā sāpi dhṛtā khagī||

Hungry and thirsty, he was then quickly seized by the powerful hawk with his firm talon; the female bird too was seized in his beak.

Verse 59 (skanda.5.116.59)

तावादायोड्डयांचक्रे श्येनो व्योमनि सत्वरम्। चिंतयन्भक्षणस्थानमन्यत्पक्षिविवर्जितम्॥

tāvādāyoḍḍayāṁcakre śyeno vyomani satvaram| ciṁtayanbhakṣaṇasthānamanyatpakṣivivarjitam||

Taking both of them, the hawk swiftly rose into the sky, seeking out another place to feed, free of other birds.

Verse 60 (skanda.5.116.60)

अथ पत्न्या कलरवः प्रोक्तस्तत्र सुमेधया। यतोऽवमानिता नाथ त्वयाहं स्त्रीति बुद्धितः॥

atha patnyā kalaravaḥ proktastatra sumedhayā| yato'vamānitā nātha tvayāhaṁ strīti buddhitaḥ||

Then there the wise wife said to her mate: "Since, my lord, you disregarded me, thinking me merely a woman,"

Verse 61 (skanda.5.116.61)

अतोऽवस्थामिमां प्राप्तः किं कुर्यामबला यतः। अधुनापि वचश्चैकं करोषि यदि मे प्रिय॥

ato'vasthāmimāṁ prāptaḥ kiṁ kuryāmabalā yataḥ| adhunāpi vacaścaikaṁ karoṣi yadi me priya||

"therefore we have come to this plight; what could I, a helpless woman, do? Even now, my dear, if you will do one thing I ask,"

Verse 62 (skanda.5.116.62)

तदा हितं ते वक्ष्यामि कुर्वे तदविचारितम्। ममैकवाक्यकरणात्स्त्रीजितो न भविष्यसि॥

tadā hitaṁ te vakṣyāmi kurve tadavicāritam| mamaikavākyakaraṇātstrījito na bhaviṣyasi||

"then I shall tell you what is beneficial; do it without hesitation. By carrying out this one word of mine, you will not be called 'ruled by a woman.'"

Verse 63 (skanda.5.116.63)

यावदास्यं गतास्म्यस्य यावत्खस्थो न भूमिगः। तावदात्मविमुक्त्यै त्वं चंच्वा पादं दृढं दश॥

yāvadāsyaṁ gatāsmyasya yāvatkhastho na bhūmigaḥ| tāvadātmavimuktyai tvaṁ caṁcvā pādaṁ dṛḍhaṁ daśa||

"While I am within its beak, and while it is still in the sky, not yet come down to the earth, then, for your own release, bite its foot firmly with your beak."

Verse 64 (skanda.5.116.64)

इति पत्नीवचः श्रुत्वा तथा स कृतवान्खगः। स पीडितो दृढं पादे श्येनश्चीत्कृतवान्बहु॥

iti patnīvacaḥ śrutvā tathā sa kṛtavānkhagaḥ| sa pīḍito dṛḍhaṁ pāde śyenaścītkṛtavānbahu||

Hearing his wife's words, the bird did just so; the hawk, sharply hurt in the foot, cried out loudly.

Verse 65 (skanda.5.116.65)

तेन चीत्करणेनाथ मुक्ता सा मुखसंपुटात्। पादांगुलीनां शून्यत्वे सोऽपि पारावतोऽपतत्॥

tena cītkaraṇenātha muktā sā mukhasaṁpuṭāt| pādāṁgulīnāṁ śūnyatve so'pi pārāvato'patat||

By that outcry, she was then released from the cage of his beak; and, the hawk's talon-grip having gone slack, the male pigeon too fell down.

Verse 66 (skanda.5.116.66)

विपद्यपि च प्राज्ञैर्न संत्याज्यः क्वचिदुद्यमः। क्व च चंचुपुटस्तस्य क्व च तत्पादपीडनम्॥

vipadyapi ca prājñairna saṁtyājyaḥ kvacidudyamaḥ| kva ca caṁcupuṭastasya kva ca tatpādapīḍanam||

Even in adversity, the wise should never abandon effort. Where was her being trapped in his beak, and where his foot being bitten,

Verse 67 (skanda.5.116.67)

क्व च द्वयोस्तथाभूतं दूरे मोक्षणमद्भुतम्। दुर्बलेऽप्युद्यमः श्रेयानिति शास्त्रेषु गीयते॥

kva ca dvayostathābhūtaṁ dūre mokṣaṇamadbhutam| durbale'pyudyamaḥ śreyāniti śāstreṣu gīyate||

and where such a wondrous release for both, from so far up? "Even for the weak, effort is beneficial" — thus it is proclaimed in the scriptures.

Verse 68 (skanda.5.116.68)

तस्माद्भाग्यानुसारेण फलत्येव सदोद्यमः। प्रशंसंत्युद्यमं चातो विपद्यपि मनीषिणः॥

tasmādbhāgyānusāreṇa phalatyeva sadodyamaḥ| praśaṁsaṁtyudyamaṁ cāto vipadyapi manīṣiṇaḥ||

Therefore, in accordance with fortune, effort always bears fruit; hence the wise praise effort even in adversity.

Verse 69 (skanda.5.116.69)

अथ तौ कालयोगेन जंबूमार्गे मृतौ तदा। जंबूमार्गे मृता ये वै तेषां स्वर्गः सदाऽक्षयः॥

atha tau kālayogena jaṁbūmārge mṛtau tadā| jaṁbūmārge mṛtā ye vai teṣāṁ svargaḥ sadā'kṣayaḥ||

Then, by the working of time, both of them died there on the Jambu-path; and those who die on the Jambu-path attain heaven, ever imperishable.

Verse 70 (skanda.5.116.70)

पुण्यशेषे तदा जातो गंधर्वतनयः शुभः। मंदारदामतनयो नाम्ना परिमलालयः॥

puṇyaśeṣe tadā jāto gaṁdharvatanayaḥ śubhaḥ| maṁdāradāmatanayo nāmnā parimalālayaḥ||

Then, from the remainder of his merit, he was born as an auspicious son of a gandharva, the son of Mandaradama, named Parimalalaya.

Verse 71 (skanda.5.116.71)

अनेकविद्यानिलयः कलाकौशलभाजनम्। कौमारं वपुरासाद्य शिवभक्तिपरोऽभवत्॥

anekavidyānilayaḥ kalākauśalabhājanam| kaumāraṁ vapurāsādya śivabhaktiparo'bhavat||

A repository of many branches of knowledge, a vessel of skill in the arts, having attained a youthful body he became devoted to the worship of Shiva.

Verse 72 (skanda.5.116.72)

नियमं चापि जग्राह विजितेद्रियमानसः। एकपत्नीव्रतं नित्यं चरिष्यामीति निश्चितम्॥

niyamaṁ cāpi jagrāha vijitedriyamānasaḥ| ekapatnīvrataṁ nityaṁ cariṣyāmīti niścitam||

With his senses and mind subdued, he also took a vow, resolving: "I shall ever observe the vow of a single wife."

Verse 73 (skanda.5.116.73)

परयोषित्समासक्तिरायुः कीर्तिं बलं सुखम्। हरेत्स्वर्गगतिं चापि तस्मात्तां वर्जयेत्सुधीः॥

parayoṣitsamāsaktirāyuḥ kīrtiṁ balaṁ sukham| haretsvargagatiṁ cāpi tasmāttāṁ varjayetsudhīḥ||

Attachment to another's wife destroys longevity, fame, strength, happiness, and even the passage to heaven; therefore the wise should shun it.

Verse 74 (skanda.5.116.74)

अपरं चापि नियमं स शुचिष्मान्समाददे। गतजन्मांतराभ्यासाविलोचनसमाश्रयात्॥

aparaṁ cāpi niyamaṁ sa śuciṣmānsamādade| gatajanmāṁtarābhyāsāvilocanasamāśrayāt||

That pure-souled one also took up another observance, on account of the practice carried over from a former birth, through recourse to spotless Trilochana.

Verse 75 (skanda.5.116.75)

समस्तपुण्यनिलयः समस्तार्थप्रकाशकः। समस्तकामजनकं परानंदैककारणम्॥

samastapuṇyanilayaḥ samastārthaprakāśakaḥ| samastakāmajanakaṁ parānaṁdaikakāraṇam||

Trilochana is the abode of all merit, the revealer of every purpose, the generator of every desire, the sole cause of supreme bliss —

Verse 76 (skanda.5.116.76)

यावच्छरीरं निरुजं यावन्नेद्रियविप्लवः। तावत्त्रिलोचनोवंत्यां मंतव्यो नात्र संशयः॥

yāvaccharīraṁ nirujaṁ yāvannedriyaviplavaḥ| tāvattrilocanovaṁtyāṁ maṁtavyo nātra saṁśayaḥ||

as long as the body is free of disease, as long as the senses have not collapsed, so long should Trilochana in Avanti be meditated upon — there is no doubt of this.

Verse 77 (skanda.5.116.77)

इत्थं मंदारदामिः स काश्यां परिमलालयः। नित्यं त्रिविष्टपं द्रष्टुं समागच्छेत्प्रयत्नतः॥

itthaṁ maṁdāradāmiḥ sa kāśyāṁ parimalālayaḥ| nityaṁ triviṣṭapaṁ draṣṭuṁ samāgacchetprayatnataḥ||

Thus that son of Mandaradama, Parimalalaya, though residing at Kashi, would daily come with effort to behold Trivishtapa.

Verse 78 (skanda.5.116.78)

पारावत्यपि संजाता रत्नदीपस्य मंदिरे। नागराजस्य पाताले नाम्ना रत्नावलीति च॥

pārāvatyapi saṁjātā ratnadīpasya maṁdire| nāgarājasya pātāle nāmnā ratnāvalīti ca||

The female pigeon too was born, in the netherworld, in the palace of the serpent-king Ratnadipa, named Ratnavali.

Verse 79 (skanda.5.116.79)

समस्तनागकन्यानां रूपशीलकलागुणैः। एकैव रत्नभूताऽऽसीद्रत्नदीपोरगात्मजा॥

samastanāgakanyānāṁ rūpaśīlakalāguṇaiḥ| ekaiva ratnabhūtā''sīdratnadīporagātmajā||

Among all the serpent-maidens, in beauty, character, accomplishment and virtue, that serpent-daughter of Ratnadipa alone was like a jewel.

Verse 80 (skanda.5.116.80)

तस्याः सखीद्वयं चासीदेका नाम्ना प्रभावती। कलावती तथान्या च नित्यं तदनुगे शुभे॥

tasyāḥ sakhīdvayaṁ cāsīdekā nāmnā prabhāvatī| kalāvatī tathānyā ca nityaṁ tadanuge śubhe||

She had two friends — one named Prabhavati, and the other Kalavati, auspicious women who always followed her,

Verse 81 (skanda.5.116.81)

स्वदेहादनपायिन्यौ छायाकांती यथा तथा। पूर्वे सख्यौ भवेतां हि रत्नावल्या महेश्वरि॥

svadehādanapāyinyau chāyākāṁtī yathā tathā| pūrve sakhyau bhavetāṁ hi ratnāvalyā maheśvari||

never departing, like his shadow or his radiance from his own body; O Maheshvari, they had been Ratnavali's friends in a former birth as well.

Verse 82 (skanda.5.116.82)

सा तु बाल्ये व्यतिक्रांते किंचिदुद्भिन्नयौवना। शिवभक्तं स्वपितरं दृष्ट्वा नियममग्रहीत्॥

sā tu bālye vyatikrāṁte kiṁcidudbhinnayauvanā| śivabhaktaṁ svapitaraṁ dṛṣṭvā niyamamagrahīt||

When her childhood had passed and her youth had begun somewhat to blossom, seeing her father, a devotee of Shiva, she took up a vow:

Verse 83 (skanda.5.116.83)

पितस्त्रिलोचनं काश्यामर्चयित्वा दिनेदिने। आभ्यां सखीभ्यां सहिता मौनं त्यक्ष्यामि नान्यथा॥

pitastrilocanaṁ kāśyāmarcayitvā dinedine| ābhyāṁ sakhībhyāṁ sahitā maunaṁ tyakṣyāmi nānyathā||

"O father, day by day, together with these two friends, I shall not break my silence except by worshipping Trilochana at Kashi."

Verse 84 (skanda.5.116.84)

एवं नागकुमारी सा सखीद्वयसमन्विता। त्रिलोचनं समभ्यर्च्य गृहानहरहर्व्रजत्॥

evaṁ nāgakumārī sā sakhīdvayasamanvitā| trilocanaṁ samabhyarcya gṛhānaharaharvrajat||

Thus that serpent-maiden, accompanied by her two friends, having duly worshipped Trilochana, would return home every single day.

Verse 85 (skanda.5.116.85)

मां प्रत्यग्रैः सुकुसुमैः सुशुभैरिष्टगंधिभिः। सुविचित्राणि माल्यानि परिगुंफ्यार्चयेद्विभुम्॥

māṁ pratyagraiḥ sukusumaiḥ suśubhairiṣṭagaṁdhibhiḥ| suvicitrāṇi mālyāni pariguṁphyārcayedvibhum||

With fresh, most auspicious, sweetly fragrant flowers, weaving many wondrous garlands, she would worship me, the all-pervading Lord.

Verse 86 (skanda.5.116.86)

तिस्रोऽपि गीतं गायंति ललितं चैव सुस्वरम्। नारीमंडलभेदेन लास्यं तिस्रोऽपि कुर्वते॥

tisro'pi gītaṁ gāyaṁti lalitaṁ caiva susvaram| nārīmaṁḍalabhedena lāsyaṁ tisro'pi kurvate||

All three sang a lovely song, in sweet melody; and, in the manner of a circle of women, all three also performed the dance.

Verse 87 (skanda.5.116.87)

वीणावेणुमृदंगांश्च लयतालविचक्षणाः। वादयंति मुदायुक्तास्तिस्रोऽपि विरमंति वै॥

vīṇāveṇumṛdaṁgāṁśca layatālavicakṣaṇāḥ| vādayaṁti mudāyuktāstisro'pi viramaṁti vai||

Skilled in rhythm and tempo, all three, filled with joy, played on vina, flute, and mridanga, and then together paused.

Verse 88 (skanda.5.116.88)

इत्थमाराधयंतीशं तिस्रो नागकुमारिकाः। विचित्रभंगीमालाभिरर्चयंत्यस्त्रिलोचनम्॥

itthamārādhayaṁtīśaṁ tisro nāgakumārikāḥ| vicitrabhaṁgīmālābhirarcayaṁtyastrilocanam||

Thus worshipping the Lord, those three serpent-maidens honoured Trilochana with garlands of wondrous variety.

Verse 89 (skanda.5.116.89)

प्रातश्चतुर्थ्यां ताः स्नात्वा तीर्थे पिलिपिले शुभे। त्रिलोचनं समर्च्याथ प्रसुप्ता रंगमण्डपे॥

prātaścaturthyāṁ tāḥ snātvā tīrthe pilipile śubhe| trilocanaṁ samarcyātha prasuptā raṁgamaṇḍape||

On the fourth lunar day, having bathed at dawn in the auspicious Pilipila sacred pool, and having worshipped Trilochana, they fell asleep in the assembly hall.

Verse 90 (skanda.5.116.90)

सुप्तासु तासु स शिवस्त्रिनेत्रः शशिभूषणः। वामार्द्धविलसच्छक्तिर्नागयज्ञोपवीतकः॥

suptāsu tāsu sa śivastrinetraḥ śaśibhūṣaṇaḥ| vāmārddhavilasacchaktirnāgayajñopavītakaḥ||

While they slept, that Shiva, three-eyed, moon-crowned, with his Shakti gleaming on his left side, wearing serpents as his sacred thread,

Verse 91 (skanda.5.116.91)

लिंगादेव हि निर्गत्य गंगापन्नगमेखलः। प्रत्युवाच ततः कन्या विभुरुत्तिष्ठतेति सः॥

liṁgādeva hi nirgatya gaṁgāpannagamekhalaḥ| pratyuvāca tataḥ kanyā vibhuruttiṣṭhateti saḥ||

emerging right out of the linga, girdled with the Ganga and with serpents, that Lord then said to the maidens: "Arise!"

Verse 92 (skanda.5.116.92)

उत्थाय ता विनिर्मथ्य लोचने श्रुतिसंगमे। अंगमोटनवत्यश्च तदा निर्घूर्णितेक्षणाः॥

utthāya tā vinirmathya locane śrutisaṁgame| aṁgamoṭanavatyaśca tadā nirghūrṇitekṣaṇāḥ||

Rising, rubbing their eyes that reached to their ears, stretching their limbs, they then looked about with reeling gaze.

Verse 93 (skanda.5.116.93)

यावत्पश्यंति पुरतः संभ्रमापन्नमानसाः। अतर्कितागमस्तावत्ताभिर्दृष्टस्त्रिलोचनः॥

yāvatpaśyaṁti purataḥ saṁbhramāpannamānasāḥ| atarkitāgamastāvattābhirdṛṣṭastrilocanaḥ||

As, their minds seized with astonishment, they looked before them, they beheld Trilochana, whose coming was unexpected.

Verse 94 (skanda.5.116.94)

ववंदिरेऽथ ता बाला ज्ञात्वा लक्ष्मभिरीश्वरम्। तुष्टुवुश्च प्रहृष्टास्ताः सन्नकंठ्योऽतिविक्लवम्॥

vavaṁdire'tha tā bālā jñātvā lakṣmabhirīśvaram| tuṣṭuvuśca prahṛṣṭāstāḥ sannakaṁṭhyo'tiviklavam||

Then those maidens, recognizing the Lord by his signs, bowed to him, and, delighted, with choked voices, praised him most fervently, overcome with emotion.

Verse 95 (skanda.5.116.95)

जय शंभो जयेशान जय सर्वग सर्वद। जय त्रिपुरसंहर्तर्जयांधकनिषूदन॥

jaya śaṁbho jayeśāna jaya sarvaga sarvada| jaya tripurasaṁhartarjayāṁdhakaniṣūdana||

"Victory, O Shambhu! Victory, O Ishana! Victory, O all-pervading, all-giving one! Victory, O destroyer of Tripura! Victory, O slayer of Andhaka!"

Verse 96 (skanda.5.116.96)

जय जालंधरहर जय कंदर्पदर्पहृत्। जय त्रैलोक्यजनक जय त्रैलोक्यवंदित। जय भक्तजनाधीश जय प्रमथनायक॥

jaya jālaṁdharahara jaya kaṁdarpadarpahṛt| jaya trailokyajanaka jaya trailokyavaṁdita| jaya bhaktajanādhīśa jaya pramathanāyaka||

"Victory, O destroyer of Jalandhara! Victory, O crusher of Kandarpa's pride! Victory, O begetter of the three worlds! Victory, O venerated by the three worlds! Victory, O lord of your devotees! Victory, O leader of the Pramathas!"

Verse 97 (skanda.5.116.97)

नमस्तुभ्यं नमस्तुभ्यं नमस्तुभ्यं नमोनमः। त्रिलोचन नमस्तुभ्यं त्रिविष्टप नमोऽस्तु ते॥

namastubhyaṁ namastubhyaṁ namastubhyaṁ namonamaḥ| trilocana namastubhyaṁ triviṣṭapa namo'stu te||

"Salutation to you, salutation to you, salutation to you, salutation again and again. O Trilochana, salutation to you; O Trivishtapa, salutation be to you."

Verse 98 (skanda.5.116.98)

इत्युक्त्वा दंडवद्भूमौ प्रणिपेतुः कुमारिकाः। अथोत्थाप्य कुमारीस्ताः प्रोवाच शशिभूषणः॥

ityuktvā daṁḍavadbhūmau praṇipetuḥ kumārikāḥ| athotthāpya kumārīstāḥ provāca śaśibhūṣaṇaḥ||

Having said this, the maidens prostrated themselves flat on the ground; then the moon-crowned one, raising up the maidens, said:

Verse 99 (skanda.5.116.99)

सुतो मंदारदाम्नश्च नाम्ना परिमलालयः। पतिर्विद्याधरवरो भवतीनां भविष्यति॥

suto maṁdāradāmnaśca nāmnā parimalālayaḥ| patirvidyādharavaro bhavatīnāṁ bhaviṣyati||

"The son of Mandaradama, named Parimalalaya, that excellent vidyadhara, shall become the husband of all of you."

Verse 100 (skanda.5.116.100)

चिरं विद्याधरे लोके भोगान्भुक्त्वा समंततः। ततो ह्यवंतिकां प्राप्य मां ध्यात्वा सिद्धिमाप्स्यथ॥

ciraṁ vidyādhare loke bhogānbhuktvā samaṁtataḥ| tato hyavaṁtikāṁ prāpya māṁ dhyātvā siddhimāpsyatha||

"Having long enjoyed pleasures in every way in the world of the vidyadharas, then, having reached Avantika, meditating upon me, you shall attain accomplishment."

Verse 101 (skanda.5.116.101)

जन्मांतरेपि मे भक्तिर्भवतीभिश्च तेन च। विहिता तेन वो जन्म निर्मलं भक्तिभावितम्॥

janmāṁtarepi me bhaktirbhavatībhiśca tena ca| vihitā tena vo janma nirmalaṁ bhaktibhāvitam||

"In a former birth too, devotion was rendered to me by you and by him; for that reason your birth in this life is spotless, imbued with devotion."

Verse 102 (skanda.5.116.102)

एतत्प्रभावतीस्तोत्रं ये पठिष्यंति मे पुरः। तेभ्यः कामान्प्रदास्यामि भवतीनामयं वरः॥

etatprabhāvatīstotraṁ ye paṭhiṣyaṁti me puraḥ| tebhyaḥ kāmānpradāsyāmi bhavatīnāmayaṁ varaḥ||

"Those who shall recite this hymn beginning with Prabhavati before me, to them I shall grant their desires — this is the boon for you."

Verse 103 (skanda.5.116.103)

इत्युक्तवति देवेशे ताः कन्या हृष्टमानसाः। प्रणम्य प्रोचुरीशानं प्रबद्धकरसंपुटाः॥

ityuktavati deveśe tāḥ kanyā hṛṣṭamānasāḥ| praṇamya procurīśānaṁ prabaddhakarasaṁpuṭāḥ||

When the Lord of gods had thus spoken, those maidens, their minds delighted, bowing and with joined palms, said to Ishana:

Verse 104 (skanda.5.116.104)

नागकन्या ऊचुः। पृच्छामो ब्रूहि नो नाथ करुणाकर शंकर। जन्मांतरे कथं सेवा चतुर्भिर्भवतः कृता॥

nāgakanyā ūcuḥ| pṛcchāmo brūhi no nātha karuṇākara śaṁkara| janmāṁtare kathaṁ sevā caturbhirbhavataḥ kṛtā||

The serpent-maidens said: "We ask you; tell us, O Lord, O compassionate Shankara, how in a former birth was your service rendered by these four?"

Verse 105 (skanda.5.116.105)

ततः प्राक्तनवृत्तांतमेतस्यापि कृतात्मनः। अस्माकमपि चाख्याहि कृपां कुरु कृपानिधे॥

tataḥ prāktanavṛttāṁtametasyāpi kṛtātmanaḥ| asmākamapi cākhyāhi kṛpāṁ kuru kṛpānidhe||

"Tell us also, then, the former history of this accomplished one, and of ourselves as well; be gracious, O treasury of compassion."

Verse 106 (skanda.5.116.106)

इति श्रुत्वा प्रणयतो बालोदीरितमीप्सितम्। प्रोवाच तासामपि च भवांतरविचेष्टितम्॥

iti śrutvā praṇayato bālodīritamīpsitam| provāca tāsāmapi ca bhavāṁtaraviceṣṭitam||

Hearing this desired request, spoken affectionately by the maidens, he then related to them also the doings of their former birth.

Verse 107 (skanda.5.116.107)

ईश्वर उवाच। शृणुध्वं नागतनयास्तिस्रोपि हि समाहिताः। प्राग्भवं भवतीनां च तस्यापि कथयाम्यहम्॥

īśvara uvāca| śṛṇudhvaṁ nāgatanayāstisropi hi samāhitāḥ| prāgbhavaṁ bhavatīnāṁ ca tasyāpi kathayāmyaham||

Ishvara said: "Listen, O daughters of the serpent-king, all three of you, with attentive minds; I shall tell of your former birth and his as well."

Verse 108 (skanda.5.116.108)

एषा रत्नावली पूर्वमासीत्पारावती खगी। स च विद्याधरवरः पतिरस्याः खगोऽभवत्॥

eṣā ratnāvalī pūrvamāsītpārāvatī khagī| sa ca vidyādharavaraḥ patirasyāḥ khago'bhavat||

This Ratnavali was formerly the female pigeon Paravati; and this excellent vidyadhara was her husband, the male pigeon.

Verse 109 (skanda.5.116.109)

प्रासादे च ममैताभ्यामुषितं सुचिरं सुखम्। रजः प्रासादसंलग्नं नुन्नं पक्षानिलैः पुनः॥

prāsāde ca mamaitābhyāmuṣitaṁ suciraṁ sukham| rajaḥ prāsādasaṁlagnaṁ nunnaṁ pakṣānilaiḥ punaḥ||

By these two, in my temple, happiness was dwelt in for a long time; the dust settled upon the temple was again and again driven off by the wind of their wings.

Verse 110 (skanda.5.116.110)

उपरिष्टादधस्ताच्च कृता भूरिप्रदक्षिणाः। व्योम्नि संचरमाणाभ्यां संचीर्णं च ममाजिरे॥

upariṣṭādadhastācca kṛtā bhūripradakṣiṇāḥ| vyomni saṁcaramāṇābhyāṁ saṁcīrṇaṁ ca mamājire||

From above and from below, many circumambulations were made; wandering in the sky, much roaming took place in my courtyard as well.

Verse 111 (skanda.5.116.111)

स्नातं चतुर्नदे तीर्थे पीतं तत्रांबु चासकृत्। आभ्यां कलरवाभ्यां च कृताः कलरवा मुदा॥

snātaṁ caturnade tīrthe pītaṁ tatrāṁbu cāsakṛt| ābhyāṁ kalaravābhyāṁ ca kṛtāḥ kalaravā mudā||

Bathing took place in the Chaturnada sacred pool, and its water was drunk there repeatedly; by these two cooing ones, cooing was made joyfully.

Verse 112 (skanda.5.116.112)

एताभ्यां स्थिरचित्ताभ्यां मुदिता त्वमतीव हि। दृष्ट्वा हि कौतुकान्यत्र मम भक्तैः कृतान्यपि॥

etābhyāṁ sthiracittābhyāṁ muditā tvamatīva hi| dṛṣṭvā hi kautukānyatra mama bhaktaiḥ kṛtānyapi||

By these two, steady of mind, you too, O Devi, were exceedingly delighted, having seen the wonders performed here even by my devotees.

Verse 113 (skanda.5.116.113)

अमूभ्यां बहुशो दृष्टा मम मंगलदीपिकाः। पीतं श्रुतिपुटाभ्यां च मम नामाक्षरामृतम्। तिर्यग्योनिप्रभावेन न मृतौ मम संनिधौ॥

amūbhyāṁ bahuśo dṛṣṭā mama maṁgaladīpikāḥ| pītaṁ śrutipuṭābhyāṁ ca mama nāmākṣarāmṛtam| tiryagyoniprabhāvena na mṛtau mama saṁnidhau||

By these two, my auspicious lamps were beheld again and again, and, with the cups of their ears, the nectar of the syllables of my name was drunk in; yet by the constraint of their animal birth, they did not die in my very presence.

Verse 114 (skanda.5.116.114)

जंबूमार्गे मृतौ यस्मात्स्वर्गप्राप्तिकरे ध्रुवम्। तस्मात्पारावती ह्येषा रत्नदीपसुताऽभवत्॥

jaṁbūmārge mṛtau yasmātsvargaprāptikare dhruvam| tasmātpārāvatī hyeṣā ratnadīpasutā'bhavat||

Since they died on the Jambu-path, which surely brings the attainment of heaven, therefore this same Paravati became the daughter of Ratnadipa.

Verse 115 (skanda.5.116.115)

पतिः पारावतोऽस्याश्च जातो विद्याधरांगजः। एषा प्रभावती नागी नागराजस्य सद्मनि। इह जन्मनि कन्यासीत्पूर्वजन्म ब्रवीमि च॥

patiḥ pārāvato'syāśca jāto vidyādharāṁgajaḥ| eṣā prabhāvatī nāgī nāgarājasya sadmani| iha janmani kanyāsītpūrvajanma bravīmi ca||

And her husband, the male pigeon, was born as a son among the vidyadharas. This serpent-maiden Prabhavati, in this present birth, was a daughter in the house of the serpent-king; now I shall tell of her former birth.

Verse 116 (skanda.5.116.116)

त्रिशिखस्योरगेंद्रस्य सुता चेयं कलावती। एतस्या अपि वृत्तांतं निशामय तु वच्म्यहम्॥

triśikhasyorageṁdrasya sutā ceyaṁ kalāvatī| etasyā api vṛttāṁtaṁ niśāmaya tu vacmyaham||

And this Kalavati is the daughter of the serpent-lord Trishikha; hear her account too, which I shall now relate.

Verse 117 (skanda.5.116.117)

भवांतरे तृतीयेतः कन्ये चारायणस्य च। आस्तां महर्षेः शीलाढ्ये प्रेमवत्यौ परस्परम्॥

bhavāṁtare tṛtīyetaḥ kanye cārāyaṇasya ca| āstāṁ maharṣeḥ śīlāḍhye premavatyau parasparam||

Three births before this, these two were the daughters of the great sage Charayana, endowed with good character, loving toward one another.

Verse 118 (skanda.5.116.118)

पित्रा चारायणेनापि ताभ्यां संप्रेरितेन वै। आमुष्यायणपुत्राय दत्ते नारायणाय हि॥

pitrā cārāyaṇenāpi tābhyāṁ saṁpreritena vai| āmuṣyāyaṇaputrāya datte nārāyaṇāya hi||

By their father Charayana, moved by their own wish, they were both given in marriage to Narayana, son of Amushyayana.

Verse 119 (skanda.5.116.119)

अप्राप्तयौवनोरण्ये समिदाहरणाय वै। गतो विधिवशाद्दष्टो दंदशूकेन कानने॥

aprāptayauvanoraṇye samidāharaṇāya vai| gato vidhivaśāddaṣṭo daṁdaśūkena kānane||

Before he had yet attained his youth, he went into the forest to gather sacrificial fuel, and there, by the working of fate, he was bitten by a serpent in the woods.

Verse 120 (skanda.5.116.120)

भवानीगौतमीनाम्न्यौ ते तु चारायणांगजे। वैधव्यदुःखमापन्ने दैन्यग्रस्ते बभूवतुः॥

bhavānīgautamīnāmnyau te tu cārāyaṇāṁgaje| vaidhavyaduḥkhamāpanne dainyagraste babhūvatuḥ||

Those two daughters of Charayana, named Bhavani and Gautami, fell into the sorrow of widowhood and became stricken with wretchedness.

Verse 121 (skanda.5.116.121)

अत एव प्रयत्नेन परिणेता विवर्जयेत। देवतासरिदाह्वानकन्यापाणिग्रहं सुधीः॥

ata eva prayatnena pariṇetā vivarjayeta| devatāsaridāhvānakanyāpāṇigrahaṁ sudhīḥ||

Therefore, a wise man about to marry should carefully avoid taking the hand of a girl named after a deity, a river, or a summoning-name.

Verse 122 (skanda.5.116.122)

अथर्षेः कस्यचिद्दैवादाश्रमे देवसन्निभे। रंभाफलान्यदत्तानि मोहाज्जग्रहतुस्तदा॥

atharṣeḥ kasyaciddaivādāśrame devasannibhe| raṁbhāphalānyadattāni mohājjagrahatustadā||

Then, by chance, in the divine-like hermitage of a certain sage, plantains that had not been given were taken by them out of delusion.

Verse 123 (skanda.5.116.123)

कृत्वा नानोपवासादिव्रतानि ब्राह्मणांगजे। अध्यास्य निधनं कालाच्छाखामृग्यौ बभूवतुः॥

kṛtvā nānopavāsādivratāni brāhmaṇāṁgaje| adhyāsya nidhanaṁ kālācchākhāmṛgyau babhūvatuḥ||

Those two daughters of a Brahmin, having performed many fasts and other vows, and having in time met their death, became female monkeys.

Verse 124 (skanda.5.116.124)

फलचौर्यविपाकेन वानरत्वं तयोरभूत्। शीलरक्षणभावेनावंत्यां जनिमवापतुः॥

phalacauryavipākena vānaratvaṁ tayorabhūt| śīlarakṣaṇabhāvenāvaṁtyāṁ janimavāpatuḥ||

By the ripening of their theft of fruit, monkey-birth came to them; but by virtue of having preserved their chastity, they obtained birth in Avanti.

Verse 125 (skanda.5.116.125)

स च नारायणो विप्रः पितृशुश्रूषणे रतः। दष्टोऽपि दंदशूकेन काश्यां पारावतो भवत॥

sa ca nārāyaṇo vipraḥ pitṛśuśrūṣaṇe rataḥ| daṣṭo'pi daṁdaśūkena kāśyāṁ pārāvato bhavata||

And that Brahmin Narayana, devoted to serving his father, though bitten by the serpent, became the male pigeon at Kashi.

Verse 126 (skanda.5.116.126)

एवं भवांतरे चासीदेतयोः पतिरेव सः। तिसृणां भवतीनां च भावी भर्ता पुनः स वै॥

evaṁ bhavāṁtare cāsīdetayoḥ patireva saḥ| tisṛṇāṁ bhavatīnāṁ ca bhāvī bhartā punaḥ sa vai||

Thus, in that former birth too, he was indeed the husband of these two; and of you three as well, he shall again become the destined husband.

Verse 127 (skanda.5.116.127)

प्रासादस्यापि पार्श्वे तु न्यग्रोधश्च महानगः। तस्मिञ्छाखिनि वासाढ्ये शाखामृग्यो बभूवतुः॥

prāsādasyāpi pārśve tu nyagrodhaśca mahānagaḥ| tasmiñchākhini vāsāḍhye śākhāmṛgyo babhūvatuḥ||

Beside that temple there was a great banyan tree; upon that tree, rich with its dwellers, those two lived as female monkeys.

Verse 128 (skanda.5.116.128)

विष्णुदेहजले तीर्थे क्रीडया च ममज्जतुः। पपतुश्चापि पानीयं तस्मिंस्तीर्थे तृषातुरे॥

viṣṇudehajale tīrthe krīḍayā ca mamajjatuḥ| papatuścāpi pānīyaṁ tasmiṁstīrthe tṛṣāture||

In the sacred pool of water sprung from Vishnu's body, they dove playfully, and, tormented by thirst, they also drank the water of that pool.

Verse 129 (skanda.5.116.129)

जातिस्वभावचापल्यात्कीडंत्यौ च प्रदक्षिणम्। चक्रतुर्बहुकृत्वश्च लिंगं ददृशतुर्बहु॥

jātisvabhāvacāpalyātkīḍaṁtyau ca pradakṣiṇam| cakraturbahukṛtvaśca liṁgaṁ dadṛśaturbahu||

Out of the natural fickleness of their species, playing, they made circumambulation many times, and beheld the linga again and again.

Verse 130 (skanda.5.116.130)

विचरंत्यावितः स्वैरं तत्र न्यग्रोधसंनिधौ। केनचिद्योगवेषेण पाशेन च नियंत्रिते॥

vicaraṁtyāvitaḥ svairaṁ tatra nyagrodhasaṁnidhau| kenacidyogaveṣeṇa pāśena ca niyaṁtrite||

While roaming freely there near the banyan tree, they were captured with a snare by someone disguised in the garb of a yogi,

Verse 131 (skanda.5.116.131)

भिक्षार्थं शिक्षिते तेन न प्लुतिर्न निवर्त्तनम्। अथ ते क्वापि मर्कट्यौ कालधर्मवशंगते॥

bhikṣārthaṁ śikṣite tena na plutirna nivarttanam| atha te kvāpi markaṭyau kāladharmavaśaṁgate||

and trained by him for begging purposes, no longer leaping away or resisting. Then, in some place, those two she-monkeys came under the sway of death's law.

Verse 132 (skanda.5.116.132)

अवन्तीवासपुण्येन त्रिलोचनस्य सेवया। प्रादक्षिण्यानुरूपेण जाते नागसुते अपि॥

avantīvāsapuṇyena trilocanasya sevayā| prādakṣiṇyānurūpeṇa jāte nāgasute api||

By the merit of dwelling in Avanti, by service to Trilochana, and in accordance with their circumambulation, they were both born as serpent-maidens.

Verse 133 (skanda.5.116.133)

अधुना तं पतिं प्राप्य विद्याधरकुमारकम्। निर्विश्य स्वर्गभोगांश्चावंत्यां निर्वृतिमाप्स्यथ॥

adhunā taṁ patiṁ prāpya vidyādharakumārakam| nirviśya svargabhogāṁścāvaṁtyāṁ nirvṛtimāpsyatha||

Now, having obtained that vidyadhara youth as your husband, and having enjoyed the pleasures of heaven, you shall attain supreme peace in Avanti.

Verse 134 (skanda.5.116.134)

यैरल्पमपि चावंत्या कृतं कर्म शुभावहम्। तस्य मोक्षः परीपाको निश्चितं मदनुग्रहात्। त्रैलोक्येऽपि च सर्वस्मिञ्छ्रेष्ठाऽवन्तीपुरी सदा॥

yairalpamapi cāvaṁtyā kṛtaṁ karma śubhāvaham| tasya mokṣaḥ parīpāko niścitaṁ madanugrahāt| trailokye'pi ca sarvasmiñchreṣṭhā'vantīpurī sadā||

Whoever performs even a little auspicious deed at Avanti — the ripened fruit of that is, by my grace, certainly liberation; and in the entire threefold world, the city of Avanti is ever the foremost.

Verse 135 (skanda.5.116.135)

ततोऽपि लिंगमोंकारं ततोऽप्यत्र त्रिलोचनम्। तिष्ठगानोऽत्र लिंगेऽहं भुक्तिं मुक्तिं ददामि वै॥

tato'pi liṁgamoṁkāraṁ tato'pyatra trilocanam| tiṣṭhagāno'tra liṁge'haṁ bhuktiṁ muktiṁ dadāmi vai||

Beyond even that is the Omkara linga, and beyond even that, here, is Trilochana; remaining in this linga, I grant here both enjoyment and liberation.

Verse 136 (skanda.5.116.136)

अतः सर्वप्रयत्नेनावन्त्यां पूज्यस्त्रिलोचनः। इत्युक्त्वा देवदेवेशस्तत्प्रासादांतरेऽविशत्॥

ataḥ sarvaprayatnenāvantyāṁ pūjyastrilocanaḥ| ityuktvā devadeveśastatprāsādāṁtare'viśat||

Therefore Trilochana is to be worshipped at Avanti with every effort. Having said this, the Lord of gods entered within that temple,

Verse 137 (skanda.5.116.137)

लिंगस्वरूपमासाद्य शुभं त्रिभुवनादपि। ताश्च स्वसदनं प्राप्य तद्वृत्तांतमशेषतः। स्वमातुः पुरतश्चोक्त्वा कृतकृत्या इवाभवन्॥

liṁgasvarūpamāsādya śubhaṁ tribhuvanādapi| tāśca svasadanaṁ prāpya tadvṛttāṁtamaśeṣataḥ| svamātuḥ purataścoktvā kṛtakṛtyā ivābhavan||

taking on the auspicious form of the linga, more excellent than the three worlds. Those maidens too, reaching their own homes, having told this entire account before their mothers, became as if fulfilled.

Verse 138 (skanda.5.116.138)

एकदा माधवे मासि सह सार्थाः समागताः। विद्याधरास्तथा नागा मिलिताः सपरिच्छदाः॥

ekadā mādhave māsi saha sārthāḥ samāgatāḥ| vidyādharāstathā nāgā militāḥ saparicchadāḥ||

Once, in the month of Madhava, together with their caravans, the vidyadharas and the serpents, with their retinues, gathered together.

Verse 139 (skanda.5.116.139)

विरजस्के महाक्षेत्रे त्रिलोचनसमीपतः। देवस्य वरदानाच्च पृष्ट्वान्योन्यं कुलावलिम्॥

virajaske mahākṣetre trilocanasamīpataḥ| devasya varadānācca pṛṣṭvānyonyaṁ kulāvalim||

At the great sacred field of Virajas, near Trilochana, in accordance with the God's boon, they inquired of one another about their lineages.

Verse 140 (skanda.5.116.140)

विद्याधराय ताः कन्या नागैस्तिस्रोऽपि कल्पिताः। मंदारदामा सन्तुष्टः प्राप्य तच्च स्नुशत्रयम्॥

vidyādharāya tāḥ kanyā nāgaistisro'pi kalpitāḥ| maṁdāradāmā santuṣṭaḥ prāpya tacca snuśatrayam||

By the serpents, those three maidens were given in marriage to the vidyadhara; Mandaradama too, having gained those three daughters-in-law, was content.

Verse 141 (skanda.5.116.141)

रत्नदीपैश्च नागेन्द्रः पद्मी च भुजगेश्वरः। विशिखोऽपि फणींद्रश्च हृष्टा एते त्रयोऽपि च। जामातरं समासाद्य शुभं परिमलालयम्॥

ratnadīpaiśca nāgendraḥ padmī ca bhujageśvaraḥ| viśikho'pi phaṇīṁdraśca hṛṣṭā ete trayo'pi ca| jāmātaraṁ samāsādya śubhaṁ parimalālayam||

The serpent-lord Ratnadipa, the serpent-lord Padmi, and the serpent-lord Trishikha — these three also rejoiced greatly, having gained the auspicious Parimalalaya as their son-in-law.

Verse 142 (skanda.5.116.142)

अन्योऽन्यं स्वजनास्ते तु मुदा विकसितेक्षणाः। विवाहोत्सवमारच्य स्वंस्वं भवनमाविशन्॥

anyo'nyaṁ svajanāste tu mudā vikasitekṣaṇāḥ| vivāhotsavamāracya svaṁsvaṁ bhavanamāviśan||

Those kinsfolk, their eyes blossoming with joy at one another, having celebrated the marriage festival, entered each their own dwelling.

Verse 143 (skanda.5.116.143)

त्रिलोचनस्य लिंगस्य वर्णयंतोऽपि गौरवम्। स च विद्याधरः श्रीमान्नागीभिर्विपुलं सुखम्। भुक्त्वावन्तीं ततः प्राप्य संसेव्य च त्रिलोचनम्॥

trilocanasya liṁgasya varṇayaṁto'pi gauravam| sa ca vidyādharaḥ śrīmānnāgībhirvipulaṁ sukham| bhuktvāvantīṁ tataḥ prāpya saṁsevya ca trilocanam||

They continued to recount the majesty of the linga Trilochana. And that glorious vidyadhara, having enjoyed abundant happiness with the serpent-maidens, then reaching Avanti and duly worshipping Trilochana,

Verse 144 (skanda.5.116.144)

गायन्गीतं सुमधुरं नागीभिः सहितः कृती। आत्मानं चातिविस्मृत्य मध्येलिंगं लयं गतः॥

gāyangītaṁ sumadhuraṁ nāgībhiḥ sahitaḥ kṛtī| ātmānaṁ cātivismṛtya madhyeliṁgaṁ layaṁ gataḥ||

singing a most sweet song together with the serpent-maidens, that accomplished one, utterly forgetting himself, attained dissolution within the very midst of the linga.

Verse 145 (skanda.5.116.145)

त्रिलोचनस्य महिमा कलौ देवेन गोपितः। ततोल्पसत्त्वा मनुजा न तल्लिंगमुपासते॥

trilocanasya mahimā kalau devena gopitaḥ| tatolpasattvā manujā na talliṁgamupāsate||

In the Kali age, the majesty of Trilochana has been kept concealed by the God; therefore men of little inner strength do not worship that linga.

Verse 146 (skanda.5.116.146)

त्रिलोचनकथामेतां श्रुत्वा पापान्वितोऽप्यहो। विपापो जायते मर्त्यो लभते च परां गतिम्॥

trilocanakathāmetāṁ śrutvā pāpānvito'pyaho| vipāpo jāyate martyo labhate ca parāṁ gatim||

Having heard this account of Trilochana, even a sinful mortal, wondrously, becomes free of sin and attains the supreme state.

Verse 147 (skanda.5.116.147)

एष ते कथितो देवि प्रभावः पापनाशनः। त्रिलोचनस्य देवस्य शृणु वीरेश्वरं परम्॥

eṣa te kathito devi prabhāvaḥ pāpanāśanaḥ| trilocanasya devasya śṛṇu vīreśvaraṁ param||

O Devi, this sin-destroying power of the God Trilochana has been told to you; now hear next of Vireshvara.