The Glory of Vireshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.5.117.1)

श्रीहर उवाच। षट्चत्वारिंशकं देवि वीरेश्वरमथो शृणु। यस्य दर्शनमात्रेण कुलवृद्धिर्भवेद्ध्रुवम्॥

śrīhara uvāca| ṣaṭcatvāriṁśakaṁ devi vīreśvaramatho śṛṇu| yasya darśanamātreṇa kulavṛddhirbhaveddhruvam||

Shri Hara said: Now hear, O Devi, of the forty-sixth, Vireshvara, by the mere sight of whom the increase of one's lineage surely comes about.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.117.2)

निशामय महाद्वीर वीरेशाविर्भवं परम्। यच्छ्रुत्वा पितरः पुण्यं प्राप्नुयुर्विपुलं शिवे॥

niśāmaya mahādvīra vīreśāvirbhavaṁ param| yacchrutvā pitaraḥ puṇyaṁ prāpnuyurvipulaṁ śive||

Listen to the supreme, great manifestation of the hero Vireshvara — hearing which, O Shive, the ancestors obtain abundant merit.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.117.3)

आसीदमित्रजिन्नाम राजा परपुरंजयः। धार्मिकः सत्त्वसंपन्नः प्रजारंजनतत्परः॥

āsīdamitrajinnāma rājā parapuraṁjayaḥ| dhārmikaḥ sattvasaṁpannaḥ prajāraṁjanatatparaḥ||

There was a king named Amitrajit, a conqueror of enemy cities, righteous, endowed with goodness, devoted to delighting his subjects.

Verse 4 (skanda.5.117.4)

यशोधनो वदान्यश्च सुधीर्ब्राह्मणदैवतः। सदैवावभृथस्नातः परिक्लिन्नशिरोरुहः॥

yaśodhano vadānyaśca sudhīrbrāhmaṇadaivataḥ| sadaivāvabhṛthasnātaḥ pariklinnaśiroruhaḥ||

Rich in fame, generous, wise, devoted to Brahmins as to gods, ever bathed after sacrifice, his hair still moist,

Verse 5 (skanda.5.117.5)

विनीतो नीतिसंपन्नः कुशलः सर्वकर्मसु। विद्याविशारदश्चाथ गुणवान्गुणिवत्सलः॥

vinīto nītisaṁpannaḥ kuśalaḥ sarvakarmasu| vidyāviśāradaścātha guṇavānguṇivatsalaḥ||

disciplined, versed in statecraft, skilled in every undertaking, learned in the sciences, virtuous, tender toward the virtuous,

Verse 6 (skanda.5.117.6)

कृतज्ञो मधुरालापः पापकर्मपराङ्मुखः। सत्यवाञ्छौचनिलयः सत्यवाग्विजितेंद्रियः॥

kṛtajño madhurālāpaḥ pāpakarmaparāṅmukhaḥ| satyavāñchaucanilayaḥ satyavāgvijiteṁdriyaḥ||

grateful, sweet of speech, averse to sinful deeds, truthful, an abode of purity, truth-speaking, master of his senses,

Verse 7 (skanda.5.117.7)

रणांगणे कृतांतस्य संख्यावांश्च सदोजिरे। कामिनीकेलिकालज्ञो युवापि स्थविरप्रियः॥

raṇāṁgaṇe kṛtāṁtasya saṁkhyāvāṁśca sadojire| kāminīkelikālajño yuvāpi sthavirapriyaḥ||

reckoned among the foremost of Yama himself on the battlefield, wise in the time for the sport of women, though young, dear to elders,

Verse 8 (skanda.5.117.8)

धर्मार्थधनकोशश्च समृद्धबलवाहनः। सुभगश्च सुरूपश्च सुमेधाः सुप्रजाप्रियः॥

dharmārthadhanakośaśca samṛddhabalavāhanaḥ| subhagaśca surūpaśca sumedhāḥ suprajāpriyaḥ||

a treasury of dharma, artha and wealth, rich in army and mounts, handsome, fair of form, of good intellect, dear to good subjects,

Verse 9 (skanda.5.117.9)

स्थैर्यधैर्यसमापन्नो देशकालविचक्षणः। मान्यानां मानदो नित्यं सर्वदूषणवर्जितः॥

sthairyadhairyasamāpanno deśakālavicakṣaṇaḥ| mānyānāṁ mānado nityaṁ sarvadūṣaṇavarjitaḥ||

endowed with steadiness and courage, discerning of place and time, ever giving honour to the honourable, free from every fault —

Verse 10 (skanda.5.117.10)

वासुदेवांघ्रियुगले चेतोवृत्तिं निधाय च। चकार राज्यं निर्द्वंद्वं धिग्धिगीतिविवर्जितम्॥

vāsudevāṁghriyugale cetovṛttiṁ nidhāya ca| cakāra rājyaṁ nirdvaṁdvaṁ dhigdhigītivivarjitam||

fixing his mind's disposition upon the two lotus-feet of Vasudeva, he ruled his kingdom free of strife, devoid of all discontented murmuring.

Verse 11 (skanda.5.117.11)

अलंघ्यशासनः श्रीमान्विष्णुभक्तिपरायणः। अभुनक्प्रवरान्भोगान्समंताद्विष्णुसंस्कृतान्॥

alaṁghyaśāsanaḥ śrīmānviṣṇubhaktiparāyaṇaḥ| abhunakpravarānbhogānsamaṁtādviṣṇusaṁskṛtān||

His command unbreakable, glorious, wholly devoted to devotion to Vishnu, he enjoyed the finest pleasures, all consecrated to Vishnu.

Verse 12 (skanda.5.117.12)

हरेराराधनान्युच्चैः प्रतिसौधं पदेपदे। तस्य राज्ये समभवन्महाभागनिधेः शिवे॥

harerārādhanānyuccaiḥ pratisaudhaṁ padepade| tasya rājye samabhavanmahābhāganidheḥ śive||

The worship-rites of Hari, loudly performed, mansion by mansion, at every step — such became present in his kingdom, O auspicious one, that treasury of great fortune.

Verse 13 (skanda.5.117.13)

गोवृन्दगोपगोपालगोपीजनमनोहर। गदापाणे गुणातीत गुणाश्च गरुडध्वज।

govṛndagopagopālagopījanamanohara| gadāpāṇe guṇātīta guṇāśca garuḍadhvaja|

(His subjects, at every temple, cried out:) "O delight of the herds of cows, of cowherds, of cowherd-boys and cowherd-women! O mace-bearer! O beyond all qualities, yet possessed of all qualities! O Garuda-bannered one!"

Verse 14 (skanda.5.117.14)

केशिहन्कैटभाराते कंसारे कमलापते।

keśihankaiṭabhārāte kaṁsāre kamalāpate|

"O slayer of Keshi! O foe of Kaitabha! O enemy of Kamsa! O husband of Kamala!"

Verse 15 (skanda.5.117.15)

कृष्ण केशव कंजाक्ष कीनाशभयनाशन। पुरुषोत्तम पापारे पुण्डरीकविलोचन।

kṛṣṇa keśava kaṁjākṣa kīnāśabhayanāśana| puruṣottama pāpāre puṇḍarīkavilocana|

"O Krishna! O Keshava! O lotus-eyed one! O destroyer of the fear of death! O Purushottama! O foe of sin! O lotus-eyed one!"

Verse 16 (skanda.5.117.16)

पीतकौशेयवसन पद्मनाभ परात्पर। जनार्द्दनजगन्नाथ जाह्नवीजलजन्मभूः।

pītakauśeyavasana padmanābha parātpara| janārddanajagannātha jāhnavījalajanmabhūḥ|

"O clad in yellow silk! O lotus-naveled one! O supreme beyond the supreme! O Janardana! O lord of the universe! O born from the waters of the Jahnavi!"

Verse 17 (skanda.5.117.17)

जन्मिनां जन्महरण जंजपूकौघनाशन। श्रीवत्सवक्षः श्रीकंठ श्रीकर श्रेयसांनिधे।

janmināṁ janmaharaṇa jaṁjapūkaughanāśana| śrīvatsavakṣaḥ śrīkaṁṭha śrīkara śreyasāṁnidhe|

"O taker-away of birth for the embodied! O destroyer of the flood of confusion for the born! O Shrivatsa-chested one! O Shrikantha! O bestower of Shri! O treasury of all blessings!"

Verse 18 (skanda.5.117.18)

श्रीरंग शार्ङ्गकोदंड शौरे शीतांशुलोचन। दैत्यारे दानवाराते दामोदर दुरंतक।

śrīraṁga śārṅgakodaṁḍa śaure śītāṁśulocana| daityāre dānavārāte dāmodara duraṁtaka|

"O Shri Ranga! O bearer of the Sharnga bow! O Shauri! O moon-eyed one! O enemy of the daityas! O foe of the danavas! O Damodara! O hard-to-overcome one!"

Verse 19 (skanda.5.117.19)

देवकीहृदयानंद दंदशूकेश्वरेशय। विष्णो वैकुण्ठनिलय बाणारे विष्टरश्रवः।

devakīhṛdayānaṁda daṁdaśūkeśvareśaya| viṣṇo vaikuṇṭhanilaya bāṇāre viṣṭaraśravaḥ|

"O joy of Devaki's heart! O lord reclining upon the serpent-king! O Vishnu! O dweller in Vaikuntha! O foe of Bana! O one whose glory is vast!"

Verse 20 (skanda.5.117.20)

विष्वक्सेन विभो वीर वनमालिन्बलिप्रिय। त्रिविक्रम त्रिलोकेश चक्रपाणे चतुर्भुज।

viṣvaksena vibho vīra vanamālinbalipriya| trivikrama trilokeśa cakrapāṇe caturbhuja|

"O Vishvaksena! O mighty one! O hero! O wearer of the forest-flower garland! O dear to Bali! O Trivikrama! O lord of the three worlds! O discus-bearer! O four-armed one!"

Verse 21 (skanda.5.117.21)

इत्यादीनि पवित्राणि नामानि प्रतिमंदिरे। स्त्रीवृद्धबालगोपालवदनोदीरितानि तु॥

ityādīni pavitrāṇi nāmāni pratimaṁdire| strīvṛddhabālagopālavadanodīritāni tu||

Such and other pure names, in every temple, uttered from the mouths of women, elders, children and cowherds,

Verse 22 (skanda.5.117.22)

श्रूयंते यत्र कुत्रापि रम्याणि मधुविद्विषः। सुरम्यकाननान्येव विलोक्यंते गृहेगृहे॥

śrūyaṁte yatra kutrāpi ramyāṇi madhuvidviṣaḥ| suramyakānanānyeva vilokyaṁte gṛhegṛhe||

were to be heard delightfully, wherever one went, of the slayer of Madhu; lovely groves were to be seen in every single home.

Verse 23 (skanda.5.117.23)

विचित्राणि चरित्राणि गीयंते च गृहेगृहे। सौधभित्तिषु दृश्यंते चित्राणि कृत्रिमाणि च॥

vicitrāṇi caritrāṇi gīyaṁte ca gṛhegṛhe| saudhabhittiṣu dṛśyaṁte citrāṇi kṛtrimāṇi ca||

Wondrous stories were sung in house after house; artistic paintings were to be seen upon the walls of the mansions.

Verse 24 (skanda.5.117.24)

ऋते हरिकथायास्तु नान्या वार्त्ता निशम्यते। हरिणा नैव वध्यंते हरिणा मांसधारिणः॥

ṛte harikathāyāstu nānyā vārttā niśamyate| hariṇā naiva vadhyaṁte hariṇā māṁsadhāriṇaḥ||

Except for the story of Hari, no other tale was ever heard; deer, bearers of flesh, were never slain by hunters —

Verse 25 (skanda.5.117.25)

तस्य राज्ञो भयाद्व्याधैररण्ये सुखचारिणः। न मत्स्या नैव च बका वराहाश्च न केनचित्॥

tasya rājño bhayādvyādhairaraṇye sukhacāriṇaḥ| na matsyā naiva ca bakā varāhāśca na kenacit||

for fear of that king, wandering happily in the forest; nor were fish, nor herons, nor boars slain by anyone,

Verse 26 (skanda.5.117.26)

हन्यंते क्वापि तद्भीत्या मत्स्यमांसाशिनाऽपि व। अपुत्रा न नरास्तस्य राष्ट्रेऽमित्रजितः क्वचित्॥

hanyaṁte kvāpi tadbhītyā matsyamāṁsāśinā'pi va| aputrā na narāstasya rāṣṭre'mitrajitaḥ kvacit||

for fear of him were they slain anywhere, even by those who eat fish and flesh; nowhere in the realm of Amitrajit were men without sons.

Verse 27 (skanda.5.117.27)

स्तनपानं न कुर्वंति संप्राप्य हरिवासरम्। पशवोऽपि तृणाहारं परित्यज्य हरेर्दिने। उपोषणपरा जाता अन्येषां का कथा नृणाम्॥

stanapānaṁ na kurvaṁti saṁprāpya harivāsaram| paśavo'pi tṛṇāhāraṁ parityajya harerdine| upoṣaṇaparā jātā anyeṣāṁ kā kathā nṛṇām||

On the arrival of Hari's day, infants did not take their mother's milk; even cattle abandoned their fodder on the day of Hari and became devoted to fasting — what then to speak of other men?

Verse 28 (skanda.5.117.28)

महामहोत्सवः सर्वैः पुरौकोभिर्वितन्यते। अस्मिन्प्रशासति भुवं संप्राप्ते हरिवासरे॥

mahāmahotsavaḥ sarvaiḥ puraukobhirvitanyate| asminpraśāsati bhuvaṁ saṁprāpte harivāsare||

A great festival was celebrated by all the townsfolk, whenever, while he ruled the earth, the day of Hari arrived.

Verse 29 (skanda.5.117.29)

यो विष्णुभक्तिरहितः प्राणैरपि धनैरपि। स एव दण्ड्यो भुंक्ते यो राज्ञोऽमित्रजितः क्षितौ॥

yo viṣṇubhaktirahitaḥ prāṇairapi dhanairapi| sa eva daṇḍyo bhuṁkte yo rājño'mitrajitaḥ kṣitau||

Whoever was devoid of devotion to Vishnu — he alone, even with his life and wealth, was punished, whoever dwelt in the land of that king Amitrajit.

Verse 30 (skanda.5.117.30)

अन्त्यजा अपि तद्राष्ट्रे शंखचक्रांकधारिणः। संप्राप्य वैष्णवीं दीक्षां दीक्षिता इति संस्थिताः॥

antyajā api tadrāṣṭre śaṁkhacakrāṁkadhāriṇaḥ| saṁprāpya vaiṣṇavīṁ dīkṣāṁ dīkṣitā iti saṁsthitāḥ||

Even the outcastes in that realm, bearing the marks of the conch and discus, having received Vaishnava initiation, stood established, thus initiated.

Verse 31 (skanda.5.117.31)

शुभानि यानि कर्माणि क्रियंतेऽनुदिनं जनैः। वासुदेवे समर्प्यंते तानि तैरफलेप्सुभिः॥

śubhāni yāni karmāṇi kriyaṁte'nudinaṁ janaiḥ| vāsudeve samarpyaṁte tāni tairaphalepsubhiḥ||

Whatever auspicious deeds were performed daily by the people, those were offered up to Vasudeva by them, desiring no fruit for themselves.

Verse 32 (skanda.5.117.32)

विना मुकुंदगोविंद परमानंदमच्युतम्। नान्यो जप्येत नम्येत सभाज्येत जनः क्वचित्। कृष्ण एव परो बंधुस्तस्यासीदवनीपतेः॥

vinā mukuṁdagoviṁda paramānaṁdamacyutam| nānyo japyeta namyeta sabhājyeta janaḥ kvacit| kṛṣṇa eva paro baṁdhustasyāsīdavanīpateḥ||

Apart from Mukunda, Govinda, the supreme bliss, Achyuta, no one else was ever recited, bowed to, or honoured by the people anywhere; Krishna alone was the supreme kinsman of that lord of the earth.

Verse 33 (skanda.5.117.33)

एवं तस्मिन्महीपाले राज्ये सम्यक्प्रशासति। एकदा नारदः श्रीमांस्तं दिदृक्षुः समाययौ॥

evaṁ tasminmahīpāle rājye samyakpraśāsati| ekadā nāradaḥ śrīmāṁstaṁ didṛkṣuḥ samāyayau||

Thus, while that king ruled his kingdom well, once the glorious Narada came, desiring to see him.

Verse 34 (skanda.5.117.34)

राज्ञा समर्चितः सोऽथ मधुपर्कविधानतः। नारदो वर्णयामास तममित्रजितं नृपम्॥

rājñā samarcitaḥ so'tha madhuparkavidhānataḥ| nārado varṇayāmāsa tamamitrajitaṁ nṛpam||

Honoured by the king with the rite of madhuparka, Narada then praised that king Amitrajit.

Verse 35 (skanda.5.117.35)

श्रीनारद उवाच। धन्योऽसि कृतकृत्योऽसि मान्योऽप्यसि दिवौकसाम्। सर्वभूतेषु गोविंदं परिपश्यन्विशांपते॥

śrīnārada uvāca| dhanyo'si kṛtakṛtyo'si mānyo'pyasi divaukasām| sarvabhūteṣu goviṁdaṁ paripaśyanviśāṁpate||

Shri Narada said: "Blessed are you, fulfilled are you, and honoured even by the dwellers of heaven, O lord of the people, since you behold Govinda in all beings."

Verse 36 (skanda.5.117.36)

यो वेदपुरुषो विष्णुर्यो यज्ञपुरुषो हरिः। योंऽतरात्मास्य जगतः कर्ता हर्ताविता विभुः॥

yo vedapuruṣo viṣṇuryo yajñapuruṣo hariḥ| yoṁ'tarātmāsya jagataḥ kartā hartāvitā vibhuḥ||

"He who is Vishnu, the Person of the Veda, he who is Hari, the Person of sacrifice, he who is the inner self of this world, the creator, destroyer and sustainer, the all-pervading Lord,"

Verse 37 (skanda.5.117.37)

तन्मयं पश्यतो विश्वं तव भूपालसत्तम। दर्शनं प्राप्य शुभदं शुचित्वमगमं परम्॥

tanmayaṁ paśyato viśvaṁ tava bhūpālasattama| darśanaṁ prāpya śubhadaṁ śucitvamagamaṁ param||

"seeing the entire universe as pervaded by him, O best of kings — having obtained your auspicious sight, I have attained supreme purity."

Verse 38 (skanda.5.117.38)

एष एव हि सारोऽत्र संसारे क्षणभंगुरे। कमलाकांतपादाब्जभक्तिभावोऽखिलप्रदः॥

eṣa eva hi sāro'tra saṁsāre kṣaṇabhaṁgure| kamalākāṁtapādābjabhaktibhāvo'khilapradaḥ||

"This alone is the essence in this momentary, fleeting world — devotion to the lotus-feet of the lord of Kamala, which bestows everything."

Verse 39 (skanda.5.117.39)

परित्यज्य हि यः सर्वं विष्णुमेकं सदा भजेत्। सुमेधसं भजंते तं पदार्थाः सर्व एव हि॥

parityajya hi yaḥ sarvaṁ viṣṇumekaṁ sadā bhajet| sumedhasaṁ bhajaṁte taṁ padārthāḥ sarva eva hi||

"He who, having abandoned everything, ever worships Vishnu alone — all things themselves come to serve that wise one."

Verse 40 (skanda.5.117.40)

हृषीकेशे हृषीकाणि यस्य स्थैर्यं गतान्यहो। स एव स्थैर्यमाप्नोति ब्रह्मांडेऽतीव चंचले॥

hṛṣīkeśe hṛṣīkāṇi yasya sthairyaṁ gatānyaho| sa eva sthairyamāpnoti brahmāṁḍe'tīva caṁcale||

"He whose senses have found steadfastness in Hrishikesha, ah, he alone attains steadiness in this exceedingly fickle universe."

Verse 41 (skanda.5.117.41)

यौवनं धनमायुष्यं जलं पद्मदले यथा। अतीव चंचलं ज्ञात्वाऽच्युतमेव सदाश्रयेत्॥

yauvanaṁ dhanamāyuṣyaṁ jalaṁ padmadale yathā| atīva caṁcalaṁ jñātvā'cyutameva sadāśrayet||

"Youth, wealth, and lifespan are like water on a lotus leaf; knowing them to be exceedingly fickle, one should ever take refuge in Achyuta alone."

Verse 42 (skanda.5.117.42)

वाचि चेतसि कर्णेऽथ यस्य देवो जनार्दनः। स एव सर्वदा वेद्यो नररूपी जनार्द्दनः। निर्व्याजप्रणिधानेन शीलयित्वा श्रियःपतिम्॥

vāci cetasi karṇe'tha yasya devo janārdanaḥ| sa eva sarvadā vedyo nararūpī janārddanaḥ| nirvyājapraṇidhānena śīlayitvā śriyaḥpatim||

"He in whose speech, mind, and ear the God Janardana ever dwells — he alone is always to be known, as if Janardana himself in human form. By worshipping the lord of Shri with sincere devotion,"

Verse 43 (skanda.5.117.43)

पुरुषोत्तमतां को न प्राप्तस्त्वमिव भूतले। अनया विष्णुभक्त्या ते संतुष्टेंद्रियमानसः। उपकर्तुमना ब्रूयां तन्निशामय भूपते॥

puruṣottamatāṁ ko na prāptastvamiva bhūtale| anayā viṣṇubhaktyā te saṁtuṣṭeṁdriyamānasaḥ| upakartumanā brūyāṁ tanniśāmaya bhūpate||

"Who on this earth has not attained a Purushottama-like excellence as you have? By this devotion to Vishnu, your senses and mind being content, I wish to speak, desiring to help you; hear it, O king."

Verse 44 (skanda.5.117.44)

मालाविद्याधरसुता नाम्ना मलयगंधिनी। क्रीडंती पितुराक्रोडे हृता कंकालकेतुना॥

mālāvidyādharasutā nāmnā malayagaṁdhinī| krīḍaṁtī piturākroḍe hṛtā kaṁkālaketunā||

"The daughter of the vidyadhara Mala, named Malayagandhini, while playing in her father's lap, was carried off by Kankalaketu,"

Verse 45 (skanda.5.117.45)

कपालकेतुपुत्रेण दानवेन बलीयसा। आगामिन्यां तृतीयायां तस्याः पाणिग्रहः किल॥

kapālaketuputreṇa dānavena balīyasā| āgāminyāṁ tṛtīyāyāṁ tasyāḥ pāṇigrahaḥ kila||

"the mighty danava, son of Kapalaketu; on the coming third lunar day her hand is to be taken in marriage."

Verse 46 (skanda.5.117.46)

पाताले चंपकावत्यां नगर्यां सास्ति सांप्रतम्। हाटकेशात्समागच्छंस्तयाऽहं साश्रुनेत्रया॥

pātāle caṁpakāvatyāṁ nagaryāṁ sāsti sāṁpratam| hāṭakeśātsamāgacchaṁstayā'haṁ sāśrunetrayā||

"She is now in the netherworld, in the city of Champakavati. As I was coming from Hatakesha, by her, with tearful eyes,"

Verse 47 (skanda.5.117.47)

दृष्टः प्रणम्य विज्ञप्तो यथा तच्च निशामय। ब्रह्मचारिन्मुनिश्रेष्ठ गंधमादनशैलतः॥

dṛṣṭaḥ praṇamya vijñapto yathā tacca niśāmaya| brahmacārinmuniśreṣṭha gaṁdhamādanaśailataḥ||

"I was seen, and, bowing, she petitioned me thus — hear it: 'O celibate one, foremost of sages, coming from Mount Gandhamadana,"

Verse 48 (skanda.5.117.48)

बालक्रीडनकासक्तां मां जह्रे त्रस्तमानसाम्। कंकालकेतुर्दुर्वृत्तस्तस्य नास्ति च पातकः॥

bālakrīḍanakāsaktāṁ māṁ jahre trastamānasām| kaṁkālaketurdurvṛttastasya nāsti ca pātakaḥ||

"'the wicked Kankalaketu carried me off, absorbed in childish play, my mind terrified — for him there is no sin forbidden.'"

Verse 49 (skanda.5.117.49)

स स्वत्रिशूलघातेन म्रियते नान्यथा रणे। जगत्पर्याकुलीकृत्य निद्रात्यथ विनिर्भयः॥

sa svatriśūlaghātena mriyate nānyathā raṇe| jagatparyākulīkṛtya nidrātyatha vinirbhayaḥ||

"'He dies only by a blow from his own trident, and by no other means in battle; having thrown the world into turmoil, he sleeps fearlessly.'"

Verse 50 (skanda.5.117.50)

यदि कोपि कृतज्ञो मां हत्वेमं दुष्टदानवम्। मद्दत्तेन त्रिशूलेन नयेद्भद्रं च वै कृतम्॥

yadi kopi kṛtajño māṁ hatvemaṁ duṣṭadānavam| maddattena triśūlena nayedbhadraṁ ca vai kṛtam||

"'If some grateful man, having slain this wicked danava with the trident given by me, should lead me away, a good deed indeed will have been done.'"

Verse 51 (skanda.5.117.51)

यद्यत्रोपचिकीर्षुस्त्वं रक्ष मां दुष्ट दानवात्। ममापि हि वरो दत्तो भगवत्योमया पुरा। विष्णुभक्तो युवा धीमान्पुत्रि त्वां परिणेष्यति॥

yadyatropacikīrṣustvaṁ rakṣa māṁ duṣṭa dānavāt| mamāpi hi varo datto bhagavatyomayā purā| viṣṇubhakto yuvā dhīmānputri tvāṁ pariṇeṣyati||

"'If you wish to do good here, save me from that wicked danava. To me too, the blessed Uma once granted a boon: a young, wise devotee of Vishnu, my daughter, shall marry you.'"

Verse 52 (skanda.5.117.52)

आतृतीयातिथि यथा तद्वाक्यं तथ्यतां व्रजेत्। तथा निमित्तमात्रं त्वं भव यत्नं समाचर॥

ātṛtīyātithi yathā tadvākyaṁ tathyatāṁ vrajet| tathā nimittamātraṁ tvaṁ bhava yatnaṁ samācara||

"'So that, by the third lunar day, that word may come true, become just the instrument for it; make the effort.'"

Verse 53 (skanda.5.117.53)

इति तद्वचनाद्राजन्विष्णुभक्तिपरायणम्। युवानं चापि धीमन्तं त्वामनुप्राप्तवानहम्॥

iti tadvacanādrājanviṣṇubhaktiparāyaṇam| yuvānaṁ cāpi dhīmantaṁ tvāmanuprāptavānaham||

"O king, on account of that word of hers, I have come to you, who are devoted to Vishnu-bhakti, young, and wise."

Verse 54 (skanda.5.117.54)

तद्गच्छ कार्यसिद्ध्यै त्वं हत्वा तं दुष्टदानवम्। आनयाशु महाबाहो शुभां मलयगंधिनीम्॥

tadgaccha kāryasiddhyai tvaṁ hatvā taṁ duṣṭadānavam| ānayāśu mahābāho śubhāṁ malayagaṁdhinīm||

"Therefore go, for the accomplishment of this task, having slain that wicked danava; O mighty-armed one, bring the auspicious Malayagandhini quickly."

Verse 55 (skanda.5.117.55)

सा तु विद्याधरी बाला विलोक्य त्वां नरेश्वर। अवश्यमेव तच्छूलं दास्यतीति विनिश्चितम्। पार्वतीवचनाद्दुष्टं घातयिष्यस्यसंशयम्॥

sā tu vidyādharī bālā vilokya tvāṁ nareśvara| avaśyameva tacchūlaṁ dāsyatīti viniścitam| pārvatīvacanādduṣṭaṁ ghātayiṣyasyasaṁśayam||

"That vidyadhara maiden, O lord of men, upon seeing you, will surely give you that trident — this is certain. By Parvati's word, you will without doubt slay that wicked one."

Verse 56 (skanda.5.117.56)

इति नारदवाक्यं स निशम्यामित्रजिन्नृपः। अनल्पोत्कलिको जातो विद्याधरसुतां प्रति। उपायं चापि पप्रच्छ गंतुं वै चंपकावतीम्॥

iti nāradavākyaṁ sa niśamyāmitrajinnṛpaḥ| analpotkaliko jāto vidyādharasutāṁ prati| upāyaṁ cāpi papraccha gaṁtuṁ vai caṁpakāvatīm||

Hearing these words of Narada, King Amitrajit became greatly eager for the vidyadhara maiden, and also asked for a means to go to Champakavati.

Verse 57 (skanda.5.117.57)

नारदेन पुनः प्रोक्तः स राजा गिरिराजजे। तूर्णमर्णवमासाद्य पूर्णिमादिवसे नृप॥

nāradena punaḥ proktaḥ sa rājā girirājaje| tūrṇamarṇavamāsādya pūrṇimādivase nṛpa||

Narada again said to that king, O daughter of the mountain-king — "Reaching the ocean quickly, O king, on the day of the full moon,"

Verse 58 (skanda.5.117.58)

भवान्द्रक्ष्यति पोतस्थकल्पवृक्षरथास्थिताम्। तत्र दिव्यांगनां कांचिद्दिव्यपर्यंकसुस्थिताम्। वीणामादाय गायंतीं गाथामत्यंतसुस्वरम्॥

bhavāndrakṣyati potasthakalpavṛkṣarathāsthitām| tatra divyāṁganāṁ kāṁciddivyaparyaṁkasusthitām| vīṇāmādāya gāyaṁtīṁ gāthāmatyaṁtasusvaram||

"'you shall see, seated aboard a ship, in a chariot fashioned like a wishing-tree, some divine woman, comfortably seated on a divine couch, taking up a vina and singing a ballad in an exceedingly sweet voice.'"

Verse 59 (skanda.5.117.59)

यत्कर्म विहितं येन शुभं वाप्यथवाऽशुभम्। स एव भुंक्ते तत्तथ्यं विधिस्तत्र नियंत्रितः॥

yatkarma vihitaṁ yena śubhaṁ vāpyathavā'śubham| sa eva bhuṁkte tattathyaṁ vidhistatra niyaṁtritaḥ||

(The gist of the ballad is:) "'Whatever deed is done by someone, whether good or bad, he himself experiences its fruit — that is true; even fate is bound by it there.'"

Verse 60 (skanda.5.117.60)

गाथामिमां तु संगीय सरथा समहीरुहा। सपर्यंका क्षणादेव मध्येसिंधुं प्रवेक्ष्यति॥

gāthāmimāṁ tu saṁgīya sarathā samahīruhā| saparyaṁkā kṣaṇādeva madhyesiṁdhuṁ pravekṣyati||

"'Having sung this ballad, she, together with her chariot, her wishing-tree, and her couch, shall in a moment enter into the midst of the ocean.'"

Verse 61 (skanda.5.117.61)

भवानप्यविशंकं च ततः पोतान्महार्णवे। तमनुव्रजतु क्षिप्रं यज्ञवाराहसात्मवान्॥

bhavānapyaviśaṁkaṁ ca tataḥ potānmahārṇave| tamanuvrajatu kṣipraṁ yajñavārāhasātmavān||

"You too, without hesitation, having gone from the ship into the great ocean, with a mind devoted to the sacrificial Boar, should quickly follow her."

Verse 62 (skanda.5.117.62)

ततो द्रक्ष्यसि पाताले नगरीं चंपकावतीम्। महामनोहरा राजन्सनाथां बालया तया॥

tato drakṣyasi pātāle nagarīṁ caṁpakāvatīm| mahāmanoharā rājansanāthāṁ bālayā tayā||

"Then you shall see in the netherworld the city of Champakavati, O king, most enchanting, graced by that maiden."

Verse 63 (skanda.5.117.63)

इत्युक्त्वांतर्हितो देवि स चतुर्मुखनंदनः। राजाप्यर्णवमासाद्य यथोक्तं परिलक्ष्य च॥

ityuktvāṁtarhito devi sa caturmukhanaṁdanaḥ| rājāpyarṇavamāsādya yathoktaṁ parilakṣya ca||

Having said this, O Devi, that son of the four-faced one vanished; the king too, having reached the ocean and observed all as had been told,

Verse 64 (skanda.5.117.64)

विवेशांतः समुद्रं च नगरीमाससाद ताम्। सापि विद्याधरी बाला नेत्रयोः प्राघुणीकृता॥

viveśāṁtaḥ samudraṁ ca nagarīmāsasāda tām| sāpi vidyādharī bālā netrayoḥ prāghuṇīkṛtā||

entered within the ocean and reached that city; and that vidyadhara maiden too became a guest to his eyes.

Verse 65 (skanda.5.117.65)

तेन राज्ञा त्रिजगतीसौंदर्यश्रीरिवैकिका। पाताले देवतेयं वा मम नेत्रोत्सवाय किम्॥

tena rājñā trijagatīsauṁdaryaśrīrivaikikā| pātāle devateyaṁ vā mama netrotsavāya kim||

To that king it seemed as though the beauty of the three worlds itself stood there alone, or, "Is this some goddess of the netherworld, come for the festival of my eyes,

Verse 66 (skanda.5.117.66)

निरमायि प्रमोद्देशात्स्रष्टृसृष्टिर्विलक्षणा। कुहूराहुभयद्वेषात्कांतिश्चांद्रमसी किमु॥

niramāyi pramoddeśātsraṣṭṛsṛṣṭirvilakṣaṇā| kuhūrāhubhayadveṣātkāṁtiścāṁdramasī kimu||

fashioned as an extraordinary creation by the Creator for the purpose of delight? Or is this the very radiance of the moon, in aversion to the fear of the new moon and Rahu,

Verse 67 (skanda.5.117.67)

योषिद्रूपं समाश्रित्य तिष्ठत्यत्राकुतोभया। इत्थं क्षणं च निर्वर्ण्य स राजाऽगच्छदंतिकम्॥

yoṣidrūpaṁ samāśritya tiṣṭhatyatrākutobhayā| itthaṁ kṣaṇaṁ ca nirvarṇya sa rājā'gacchadaṁtikam||

taking on a woman's form and dwelling here, unafraid of anything?" Having thus gazed for a moment, that king approached near.

Verse 68 (skanda.5.117.68)

सा विलोक्याथ तं बालं नितरां मधुराकृतिम्। विशालोरःस्थलतलप्रलंयतुलसीस्रजम्॥

sā vilokyātha taṁ bālaṁ nitarāṁ madhurākṛtim| viśāloraḥsthalatalapralaṁyatulasīsrajam||

She too then beheld that youth of exceedingly sweet form, a garland of tulasi hanging down upon his broad chest,

Verse 69 (skanda.5.117.69)

शंखचक्रांकसुभगभुजद्वयविराजितम्। हरिनामाक्षरसुधासुधौतरदनावलिम्॥

śaṁkhacakrāṁkasubhagabhujadvayavirājitam| harināmākṣarasudhāsudhautaradanāvalim||

shining with the marks of conch and discus upon both his arms, his row of teeth cleansed by the nectar-stream of the syllables of Hari's name,

Verse 70 (skanda.5.117.70)

भवानीभक्तिबीजोत्थभूरुहं पुरुषाकृतिम्। अनेनात्र कृतं कस्य भवनं मधुराकृति॥

bhavānībhaktibījotthabhūruhaṁ puruṣākṛtim| anenātra kṛtaṁ kasya bhavanaṁ madhurākṛti||

like a tree grown from the seed of devotion to Bhavani, of manly form; she thought — "whose home has this sweet-formed one made here?"

Verse 71 (skanda.5.117.71)

इति पर्याकुलीकृत्य चक्षुषी च मुहुर्मुहुः। कंकालकेतुर्दुर्वृत्तस्त्ववध्यः परहेतिभिः॥

iti paryākulīkṛtya cakṣuṣī ca muhurmuhuḥ| kaṁkālaketurdurvṛttastvavadhyaḥ parahetibhiḥ||

Thus troubling her eyes again and again, she said: "The wicked Kankalaketu is invulnerable to others' weapons;"

Verse 72 (skanda.5.117.72)

तावद्गुप्तं समातिष्ठ शस्त्रागारेऽत्र गह्वरे। न मे कन्याव्रतं भग्नं सामर्थ्याच्चण्डिकावरात्॥

tāvadguptaṁ samātiṣṭha śastrāgāre'tra gahvare| na me kanyāvrataṁ bhagnaṁ sāmarthyāccaṇḍikāvarāt||

"until then, remain hidden here, in this cave that is the armoury; my vow of maidenhood has not been broken, by the power of Chandika's boon."

Verse 73 (skanda.5.117.73)

आगामिन्यां तृतीयायां परश्वः पाणिपीडनम्। स चिकीर्षति दुष्टात्मा गतायुर्मम शापतः॥

āgāminyāṁ tṛtīyāyāṁ paraśvaḥ pāṇipīḍanam| sa cikīrṣati duṣṭātmā gatāyurmama śāpataḥ||

"On the day after tomorrow, the coming third day, that evil-souled one intends to perform the marriage-rite for me; but by my curse his life is now spent."

Verse 74 (skanda.5.117.74)

मा तद्भीतिं कुरु युवंस्त्वत्कार्यं भविताचिरात्। विद्याधर्येति चोक्तः स शस्त्रागारे निगूढवत्॥

mā tadbhītiṁ kuru yuvaṁstvatkāryaṁ bhavitācirāt| vidyādharyeti coktaḥ sa śastrāgāre nigūḍhavat||

"Have no fear of him, O young man; your purpose will soon be accomplished." Thus addressed by the vidyadhara maiden, he, as though concealed within that armoury,

Verse 75 (skanda.5.117.75)

स्थिरो वीरो महाबाहुर्दानवागमनेक्षणः॥

sthiro vīro mahābāhurdānavāgamanekṣaṇaḥ||

remained there, steady, heroic, mighty-armed, watching for the coming of the danava.

Verse 76 (skanda.5.117.76)

अथ सायं समायातो दानवो भीषणाकृतिः। त्रिशूलं कलयन्पाणौ मृत्योरपि भयावहम्॥

atha sāyaṁ samāyāto dānavo bhīṣaṇākṛtiḥ| triśūlaṁ kalayanpāṇau mṛtyorapi bhayāvaham||

Then, in the evening, the danava of terrifying form arrived, holding in his hand a trident dreadful even to Death itself.

Verse 77 (skanda.5.117.77)

आगत्य दानवो रौद्रः प्रलयांबुदनिस्वनः। विद्याधरीं जगादेति मदाघूर्णितलोचनः॥

āgatya dānavo raudraḥ pralayāṁbudanisvanaḥ| vidyādharīṁ jagādeti madāghūrṇitalocanaḥ||

Coming there, that fierce danava, his voice like the roar of the clouds of dissolution, his eyes reeling with intoxication, said to the vidyadhara maiden:

Verse 78 (skanda.5.117.78)

गृहाणेमानि रत्नानि दिव्यानि वरवर्णिनि। कन्यात्वं हि परश्वस्ते पाणिग्राहो भविष्यति॥

gṛhāṇemāni ratnāni divyāni varavarṇini| kanyātvaṁ hi paraśvaste pāṇigrāho bhaviṣyati||

"Take these divine jewels, O fair one. O maiden, the day after tomorrow I shall be the one to take your hand."

Verse 79 (skanda.5.117.79)

दासीनामयुतं प्रातर्दास्यामि तव सुंदरि। आसुरीणां सुरीणां च दानवीनां मनोहरम्॥

dāsīnāmayutaṁ prātardāsyāmi tava suṁdari| āsurīṇāṁ surīṇāṁ ca dānavīnāṁ manoharam||

"In the morning, O beautiful one, I shall give you ten thousand handmaidens, lovely ones from among the daughters of asuras, of gods, and of danavas,"

Verse 80 (skanda.5.117.80)

गन्धर्वीणां किंनरीणां सततं परिचारिकाः। विद्याधरीणां नागीनां यक्षीणां च शतानि षट्॥

gandharvīṇāṁ kiṁnarīṇāṁ satataṁ paricārikāḥ| vidyādharīṇāṁ nāgīnāṁ yakṣīṇāṁ ca śatāni ṣaṭ||

"constant attendants from among gandharva and kinnara women, and six hundred each from among vidyadhari, naga, and yaksha women,"

Verse 81 (skanda.5.117.81)

राक्षसीनां शतान्यष्टौ शतमप्सरसां वरम्। एतास्ते परिचारिण्यो भविष्यंत्यमलाशये॥

rākṣasīnāṁ śatānyaṣṭau śatamapsarasāṁ varam| etāste paricāriṇyo bhaviṣyaṁtyamalāśaye||

"eight hundred from among rakshasi women, and a hundred excellent apsaras — these shall become your attendants, O pure-hearted one."

Verse 82 (skanda.5.117.82)

यावत्संपत्तिसंभारो दिक्पालानां गृहेषु वै। मत्परिग्रहतां प्राप्तौ तावतस्त्वं महेश्वरी॥

yāvatsaṁpattisaṁbhāro dikpālānāṁ gṛheṣu vai| matparigrahatāṁ prāptau tāvatastvaṁ maheśvarī||

"Whatever wealth exists in the mansions of the guardians of the directions has come into my possession; over all of that, O great lady, you shall become mistress."

Verse 83 (skanda.5.117.83)

दिव्यान्भोगान्मया सार्द्धं भोक्ष्यसे मत्परिग्रहात्। कदा परश्वो भविता यस्मिन्वैवाहिको विधिः॥

divyānbhogānmayā sārddhaṁ bhokṣyase matparigrahāt| kadā paraśvo bhavitā yasminvaivāhiko vidhiḥ||

"Divine pleasures gained through my possessions you shall enjoy together with me. When will that day after tomorrow come, on which the marriage rite is to be?"

Verse 84 (skanda.5.117.84)

त्वदंगसंगसंस्पर्शसुखस्वादातिमेदुरः। परां निर्वृतिमाप्स्यामि परश्वो निकटं यदि॥

tvadaṁgasaṁgasaṁsparśasukhasvādātimeduraḥ| parāṁ nirvṛtimāpsyāmi paraśvo nikaṭaṁ yadi||

"Deeply satiated with the taste of the joy of touching and embracing your body, I shall attain supreme bliss, if the day after tomorrow draws near."

Verse 85 (skanda.5.117.85)

मनोरथाश्चिरं यावद्ये मे हृदि समेधिताः। तान्कृतार्थी करिष्यामि परश्वस्तव संगमात्॥

manorathāściraṁ yāvadye me hṛdi samedhitāḥ| tānkṛtārthī kariṣyāmi paraśvastava saṁgamāt||

"Whatever desires have long been cherished in my heart, those I shall fulfil the day after tomorrow, through union with you."

Verse 86 (skanda.5.117.86)

जित्वा देवान्रणे सर्वानिंद्रादीन्मृगलोचने। त्रैलोक्यैश्वर्यसंपत्तेस्त्वां करिष्यामि चेश्वरीम्॥

jitvā devānraṇe sarvāniṁdrādīnmṛgalocane| trailokyaiśvaryasaṁpattestvāṁ kariṣyāmi ceśvarīm||

"Having conquered in battle all the gods headed by Indra, O doe-eyed one, I shall make you mistress of the wealth and lordship of the three worlds."

Verse 87 (skanda.5.117.87)

आधायांके त्रिशूलं च सुष्वापेति प्रलप्य सः। नरमांसस्य स्वादेन प्रमत्तो वीतसाध्वसः॥

ādhāyāṁke triśūlaṁ ca suṣvāpeti pralapya saḥ| naramāṁsasya svādena pramatto vītasādhvasaḥ||

Having thus raved, placing the trident upon his lap, intoxicated with the taste of human flesh and utterly fearless, he fell asleep.

Verse 88 (skanda.5.117.88)

वरं स्मरंती सा गौर्या विद्याधरकुमारिका। विज्ञाय तं प्रमत्तं च प्रसुप्तं चातिनिर्भयम्। आहूय तं नरवरं वरं सर्वांगसुंदरम्॥

varaṁ smaraṁtī sā gauryā vidyādharakumārikā| vijñāya taṁ pramattaṁ ca prasuptaṁ cātinirbhayam| āhūya taṁ naravaraṁ varaṁ sarvāṁgasuṁdaram||

Remembering the boon given by Gauri, that vidyadhara maiden, knowing him to be intoxicated and fast asleep, utterly fearless, called that excellent man, beautiful in every limb,

Verse 89 (skanda.5.117.89)

विष्णुभक्तिकृतत्राणं प्राणनाथेति जल्प्य च। शूलं तदंकादादाय ददौ तस्मै च सुंदरी॥

viṣṇubhaktikṛtatrāṇaṁ prāṇanātheti jalpya ca| śūlaṁ tadaṁkādādāya dadau tasmai ca suṁdarī||

and, saying "O lord of my life, your protection is wrought by devotion to Vishnu," that beautiful one, taking the trident from his lap, gave it to him.

Verse 90 (skanda.5.117.90)

तमादाय त्रिशूलं च स तदामित्रजिन्नृपः। संस्मरंश्चक्रिणं चित्ते जगद्रक्षामणिं हरिम्॥

tamādāya triśūlaṁ ca sa tadāmitrajinnṛpaḥ| saṁsmaraṁścakriṇaṁ citte jagadrakṣāmaṇiṁ harim||

Taking that trident, King Amitrajit then, remembering in his heart the discus-bearing Hari, the jewel that protects the world,

Verse 91 (skanda.5.117.91)

जगादोत्तिष्ठ रे दुष्ट कन्यादूषणलालस। युध्यस्व च मया सार्द्धं न सुप्तं हन्म्यहं रिपुम्॥

jagādottiṣṭha re duṣṭa kanyādūṣaṇalālasa| yudhyasva ca mayā sārddhaṁ na suptaṁ hanmyahaṁ ripum||

said: "Rise, O wicked one, greedy to defile a maiden! Fight with me; I do not slay a sleeping enemy."

Verse 92 (skanda.5.117.92)

इति संश्रुत्य संप्राप्तः कस्य दृष्टोद्य चांतकः। क आयुषाद्य संत्यक्तो यः प्राप्तो मम गोचरम्॥

iti saṁśrutya saṁprāptaḥ kasya dṛṣṭodya cāṁtakaḥ| ka āyuṣādya saṁtyakto yaḥ prāpto mama gocaram||

Hearing this, he awoke and arose, saying: "Whose death has been seen today? Who today has abandoned his own life, that he has come within my sight?"

Verse 93 (skanda.5.117.93)

मम प्रचंडदोर्दंडकंडूकंडूयनक्षमः। माल्यो नरोऽयं भविता किं त्रिशूलेन सुंदरि॥

mama pracaṁḍadordaṁḍakaṁḍūkaṁḍūyanakṣamaḥ| mālyo naro'yaṁ bhavitā kiṁ triśūlena suṁdari||

"This man shall become capable of scratching the itch of my mighty arm-clubs — a mere garland for me. O fair one, what use is a trident?"

Verse 94 (skanda.5.117.94)

मा भैर्मे कौतुकं पश्य भक्षोयं मम सांप्रतम्। कालेन मत्तो भीतेन स्वयमेवोपढौकितः॥

mā bhairme kautukaṁ paśya bhakṣoyaṁ mama sāṁpratam| kālena matto bhītena svayamevopaḍhaukitaḥ||

"Fear not, watch my sport; this shall now become my food. Death itself, fearing me, has of its own accord sent him to me."

Verse 95 (skanda.5.117.95)

इत्युक्त्वा मुष्टिघातेन तेनोच्चैर्दंडसूनुना। हृदये निहतो राजा शिलातिकठिने द्रुतम्॥

ityuktvā muṣṭighātena tenoccairdaṁḍasūnunā| hṛdaye nihato rājā śilātikaṭhine drutam||

Having said this, that son of the daitya struck the king swiftly on the chest with a blow of his raised, club-like fist, harder than stone.

Verse 96 (skanda.5.117.96)

स चक्रिणा कृतत्राणः पीडां नाल्पीयसीमपि। विवेद कठिनोरस्कः करस्तस्य प्रपीडितः॥

sa cakriṇā kṛtatrāṇaḥ pīḍāṁ nālpīyasīmapi| viveda kaṭhinoraskaḥ karastasya prapīḍitaḥ||

Protected by the discus-bearer, he felt not the slightest pain; rather, his hard chest striking it, that danava's own hand was hurt.

Verse 97 (skanda.5.117.97)

अथ कोपवता राज्ञा हतो वक्त्रे चपेटया। आघूर्णितशिरा भूमौ पतित्वा पुनरुत्थितः। उवाच च वचो धैर्यमवष्टभ्य महाबली॥

atha kopavatā rājñā hato vaktre capeṭayā| āghūrṇitaśirā bhūmau patitvā punarutthitaḥ| uvāca ca vaco dhairyamavaṣṭabhya mahābalī||

Then the enraged king struck him on the face with a slap; his head reeling, he fell to the ground, then rose again, and that mighty one, steadying himself with resolve, spoke these words:

Verse 98 (skanda.5.117.98)

दानव उवाच। ज्ञातं तत्त्वं मनुष्योसि नृरूपेण चतुर्भुजः। ततस्त्वं छिद्रमासाद्य हंतुं मां दानवांतक॥

dānava uvāca| jñātaṁ tattvaṁ manuṣyosi nṛrūpeṇa caturbhujaḥ| tatastvaṁ chidramāsādya haṁtuṁ māṁ dānavāṁtaka||

The danava said: "I understand the truth — you are not a man, but four-armed in human form; that is why, finding an opening, you have sought to slay me, O ender of danavas."

Verse 99 (skanda.5.117.99)

एवंविधो हि मधुभिद्यदि त्वं बलवानसि। विहायैतन्महच्छूलं युध्यस्व स्वायुधैर्मया॥

evaṁvidho hi madhubhidyadi tvaṁ balavānasi| vihāyaitanmahacchūlaṁ yudhyasva svāyudhairmayā||

"If you are indeed so powerful, O slayer of Madhu, then, abandoning this great trident, fight with me using your own weapons."

Verse 100 (skanda.5.117.100)

त्वया कपटरूपेण बलिना कैटभादयः। न बलेन हताः संख्ये हता एव च्छलेन हि॥

tvayā kapaṭarūpeṇa balinā kaiṭabhādayaḥ| na balena hatāḥ saṁkhye hatā eva cchalena hi||

"By you, taking on a deceptive form, the mighty Kaitabha and others were slain in battle — not by strength, but indeed by trickery."

Verse 101 (skanda.5.117.101)

बलिं पातालमनयस्त्वं नृवामनतां दधत्। नृमृगत्वेन भवता हिरण्यकशिपुर्हतः॥

baliṁ pātālamanayastvaṁ nṛvāmanatāṁ dadhat| nṛmṛgatvena bhavatā hiraṇyakaśipurhataḥ||

"Assuming the human-dwarf form, you sent Bali to the netherworld; in the form of a man-lion, Hiranyakashipu was slain by you."

Verse 102 (skanda.5.117.102)

तथा जटिलरूपेण लंकेशो विनिपातितः। गोपालवेषमालंब्य कंसाद्या घातितास्त्वया। स्त्रीभूय चाहरस्त्वं हि विप्रतार्यासुरान्सुधाम्॥

tathā jaṭilarūpeṇa laṁkeśo vinipātitaḥ| gopālaveṣamālaṁbya kaṁsādyā ghātitāstvayā| strībhūya cāharastvaṁ hi vipratāryāsurānsudhām||

"Likewise, in a matted-hair ascetic's form, the lord of Lanka was struck down; assuming the guise of a cowherd, Kamsa and others were slain by you; and, becoming a woman, you deceived the asuras and took away the nectar."

Verse 103 (skanda.5.117.103)

यादोरूपेण भवता शंखाद्या निहता इह। मायाविना त्वयाऽगण्याः सर्वमर्मज्ञ माधव॥

yādorūpeṇa bhavatā śaṁkhādyā nihatā iha| māyāvinā tvayā'gaṇyāḥ sarvamarmajña mādhava||

"In the form of an aquatic creature, Shankha and others were slain here by you; O Madhava, knower of every secret, countless deeds have been done through your maya."

Verse 104 (skanda.5.117.104)

न त्वत्तोऽहं बिभेम्यद्य सद्यः पातः शरीरिणाम्। वरं तव श्रये मृत्युं बलेनापि छलेन वा॥

na tvatto'haṁ bibhemyadya sadyaḥ pātaḥ śarīriṇām| varaṁ tava śraye mṛtyuṁ balenāpi chalena vā||

"I do not fear you today; the fall of embodied beings comes swiftly in any case. Better it is for me to find death at your hands, whether by strength or by trickery."

Verse 105 (skanda.5.117.105)

न त्यक्ष्यसि त्रिशूलं त्वं न त्वां योत्स्याम्यहं रणे। अवश्यमेव मर्त्तव्यं मया प्रातः शरीरिणा॥

na tyakṣyasi triśūlaṁ tvaṁ na tvāṁ yotsyāmyahaṁ raṇe| avaśyameva marttavyaṁ mayā prātaḥ śarīriṇā||

"You will not give up the trident, nor shall I fight you in battle; for I, embodied as I am, must inevitably die at dawn."

Verse 106 (skanda.5.117.106)

इयं विद्याधरी कन्या न मया दूषिता सती। साक्षाच्छ्रीरिव मंतव्या तवार्थं रक्षिता मया॥

iyaṁ vidyādharī kanyā na mayā dūṣitā satī| sākṣācchrīriva maṁtavyā tavārthaṁ rakṣitā mayā||

"This chaste vidyadhara maiden has not been defiled by me; regard her as Shri herself — I have preserved her for your sake."

Verse 107 (skanda.5.117.107)

इत्युक्त्वा वामदोर्दंडप्रहारेणापि निष्ठुरम्। निजघान दनोः सूनुस्तं शिलोच्चयघातिना॥

ityuktvā vāmadordaṁḍaprahāreṇāpi niṣṭhuram| nijaghāna danoḥ sūnustaṁ śiloccayaghātinā||

Having said this, that son of Danu struck him harshly with a blow of his left arm, a blow that could shatter a mountain.

Verse 108 (skanda.5.117.108)

नृपतिस्त्वथ संधार्य विषह्य रणमूर्द्धनि। जघानाशु तदा क्रूरं त्रिशूलेनाथ वक्षसि॥

nṛpatistvatha saṁdhārya viṣahya raṇamūrddhani| jaghānāśu tadā krūraṁ triśūlenātha vakṣasi||

The king, steadying himself and enduring it, at the height of the battle then quickly struck that cruel one on the chest with the trident.

Verse 109 (skanda.5.117.109)

तत्प्रहारान्महाबाहुः पंचत्वमगमत्क्षणात्। लक्ष्यीचकार तद्वक्त्रं त्रिशूलं तोलयन्करे॥

tatprahārānmahābāhuḥ paṁcatvamagamatkṣaṇāt| lakṣyīcakāra tadvaktraṁ triśūlaṁ tolayankare||

By that blow, that mighty-armed one attained death in a moment; the king, balancing the trident in his hand, had aimed it at his face.

Verse 110 (skanda.5.117.110)

पश्यतोऽस्य महाबाहोः स च प्राणाञ्जहौ क्षणात्। इत्थं कंकालकेतुं स निहत्य सुरकंपनम्॥

paśyato'sya mahābāhoḥ sa ca prāṇāñjahau kṣaṇāt| itthaṁ kaṁkālaketuṁ sa nihatya surakaṁpanam||

Before the very eyes of that mighty-armed one, he gave up his life in an instant. Thus, having slain Kankalaketu, the terror of the gods,

Verse 111 (skanda.5.117.111)

विद्याधरीं प्रपश्यंतीं प्राह हृष्टतनूरुहः। नारदस्य मुनेर्वाक्यात्तव सुश्रोणि वांछितम्॥

vidyādharīṁ prapaśyaṁtīṁ prāha hṛṣṭatanūruhaḥ| nāradasya munervākyāttava suśroṇi vāṁchitam||

To the vidyadhara maiden, who was watching, his body thrilling with joy, he said: "O fair-hipped one, by the word of the sage Narada, your desire —"

Verse 112 (skanda.5.117.112)

कृतं मया कृतज्ञे किं करवाण्यधुना वद। श्रुत्वेति तस्य सा वाक्यं प्राह गंभीरचेतसा॥

kṛtaṁ mayā kṛtajñe kiṁ karavāṇyadhunā vada| śrutveti tasya sā vākyaṁ prāha gaṁbhīracetasā||

"has been fulfilled by me, O grateful one; now tell me, what shall I do?" Hearing his words, she, with a composed mind, said:

Verse 113 (skanda.5.117.113)

मलयगंधिन्युवाच। अत्युदारमते वीर निजप्राणैः पणीकृताम्। किं मां पृच्छसि युवतीं कुलकन्यामदूषिताम्॥

malayagaṁdhinyuvāca| atyudāramate vīra nijaprāṇaiḥ paṇīkṛtām| kiṁ māṁ pṛcchasi yuvatīṁ kulakanyāmadūṣitām||

Malayagandhini said: "O most magnanimous hero, why do you ask this young woman — a maiden of good family, undefiled, saved by staking your very own life?"

Verse 114 (skanda.5.117.114)

इति ब्रुवंत्यां कन्यायां पुनः स्वैरचरो मुनिः। अतर्कितागमः प्राप्तो नारदो देवलोकतः॥

iti bruvaṁtyāṁ kanyāyāṁ punaḥ svairacaro muniḥ| atarkitāgamaḥ prāpto nārado devalokataḥ||

While the maiden was saying this, once again the freely-wandering sage Narada, his coming unexpected, arrived there from the world of the gods.

Verse 115 (skanda.5.117.115)

ततस्तुष्टुवतुस्तौ तु तं दृष्ट्वा मुनिसत्तमम्। कृतप्रणामौ मुनिना प्रतिज्ञाप्रापिताशिषौ॥

tatastuṣṭuvatustau tu taṁ dṛṣṭvā munisattamam| kṛtapraṇāmau muninā pratijñāprāpitāśiṣau||

Then, seeing that foremost of sages, both of them praised him; having offered obeisance, they were granted blessings by the sage, in fulfilment of his promise.

Verse 116 (skanda.5.117.116)

पाणिग्रहेण विधिनाऽभिषिक्तौ नारदेन तु। जग्मतुर्नारदादिष्टवर्त्मना कृतमंगलौ॥

pāṇigraheṇa vidhinā'bhiṣiktau nāradena tu| jagmaturnāradādiṣṭavartmanā kṛtamaṁgalau||

Duly consecrated by Narada with the ceremony of the taking of the hand, having performed the auspicious rites, the two of them set out by the path directed by Narada.

Verse 117 (skanda.5.117.117)

तया मलयगंधिन्या वृतः सोऽमित्रजिन्नृपः। पुरीं चोज्जयिनीं प्राप्य पौरैर्विहितमंगलाम्॥

tayā malayagaṁdhinyā vṛtaḥ so'mitrajinnṛpaḥ| purīṁ cojjayinīṁ prāpya paurairvihitamaṁgalām||

That king Amitrajit, accompanied by Malayagandhini, reached the city of Ujjayini, where the townsfolk had arranged festivities.

Verse 118 (skanda.5.117.118)

तद्वीक्षणादपि नरो नारकीं नैव जातुचित्। गतिं प्राप्नोति मेधावी तां पुरीमविशन्नृपः॥

tadvīkṣaṇādapi naro nārakīṁ naiva jātucit| gatiṁ prāpnoti medhāvī tāṁ purīmaviśannṛpaḥ||

By merely beholding it, a man never at all attains a hellish state; that wise king entered that city.

Verse 119 (skanda.5.117.119)

यस्यां पुर्यां प्रवेशं न लभन्ते वासवादयः। कैवल्यजयजैत्र्यां हि तां पुरीमविशन्नृपः॥

yasyāṁ puryāṁ praveśaṁ na labhante vāsavādayaḥ| kaivalyajayajaitryāṁ hi tāṁ purīmaviśannṛpaḥ||

Into that city, into which even Vasava and the other gods do not gain entry, that city victorious in the conquest of liberation, the king made his entry.

Verse 120 (skanda.5.117.120)

सापि विद्याधर्यवंतीं समृद्धां वीक्ष्य दूरतः। निनिंद स्वर्गलोकं च पातालनगरीमपि॥

sāpi vidyādharyavaṁtīṁ samṛddhāṁ vīkṣya dūrataḥ| niniṁda svargalokaṁ ca pātālanagarīmapi||

That vidyadhara maiden too, beholding prosperous Avanti from afar, disparaged both the heavenly world and the netherworld city.

Verse 121 (skanda.5.117.121)

प्राप्यामित्रजितं कांतं तथा हृष्टा न सा वधूः। यथा दृष्ट्वाप्यहोऽवंतीं परमानंददायिनीम्॥

prāpyāmitrajitaṁ kāṁtaṁ tathā hṛṣṭā na sā vadhūḥ| yathā dṛṣṭvāpyaho'vaṁtīṁ paramānaṁdadāyinīm||

Even having obtained her beloved Amitrajit as husband, that bride was not as delighted as she was, wondrously, upon beholding Avanti, the bestower of supreme bliss.

Verse 122 (skanda.5.117.122)

सा कृतार्थामिवात्मानं मन्यमाना मनस्विनी। तेन पत्योज्जयिन्यां च परां निर्वृतिमाप सा॥

sā kṛtārthāmivātmānaṁ manyamānā manasvinī| tena patyojjayinyāṁ ca parāṁ nirvṛtimāpa sā||

That high-spirited woman, considering herself fulfilled, attained supreme bliss together with that husband in Ujjayini.

Verse 123 (skanda.5.117.123)

सोऽप्यमित्रजिदासाद्य पत्नीं मलयगंधिनीम्। धर्मप्रधानं संसेव्य कामं प्रापोत्तमं सुखम्॥

so'pyamitrajidāsādya patnīṁ malayagaṁdhinīm| dharmapradhānaṁ saṁsevya kāmaṁ prāpottamaṁ sukham||

Amitrajit too, having obtained his wife Malayagandhini, and, holding dharma as foremost, partaking of kama, attained the highest happiness.

Verse 124 (skanda.5.117.124)

सा पतिं विष्णुभजने रतं प्रोवाच भामिनी॥

sā patiṁ viṣṇubhajane rataṁ provāca bhāminī||

That lovely woman said to her husband, who was devoted to the worship of Vishnu:

Verse 125 (skanda.5.117.125)

राज्ञ्युवाच। भूपाभीष्टतृतीयायां चरिष्यामि महाव्रतम्। राजोवाच। देव्यभीष्टतृतीयायां व्रतं कीदृग्भवेद्वद॥

rājñyuvāca| bhūpābhīṣṭatṛtīyāyāṁ cariṣyāmi mahāvratam| rājovāca| devyabhīṣṭatṛtīyāyāṁ vrataṁ kīdṛgbhavedvada||

The queen said: "O king, on the Abhishta-tritiya, I shall observe a great vow." The king said: "O Devi, what kind of vow is this Abhishta-tritiya? Tell me."

Verse 126 (skanda.5.117.126)

इति राज्ञोदिता राज्ञी प्रवक्तुमुपचक्रमे। इति कर्तव्यतां तस्य व्रतस्य सविधानकाम्॥

iti rājñoditā rājñī pravaktumupacakrame| iti kartavyatāṁ tasya vratasya savidhānakām||

Thus addressed by the king, the queen began to explain the procedure of that vow, together with its due observances.

Verse 127 (skanda.5.117.127)

राज्ञ्युवाच। पुरा देवर्षिणा चेदं व्रतं लक्ष्म्यै प्रतिश्रुतम्। तया प्राप्तास्तु सकलाः कामाः स्वर्गापवर्गदाः॥

rājñyuvāca| purā devarṣiṇā cedaṁ vrataṁ lakṣmyai pratiśrutam| tayā prāptāstu sakalāḥ kāmāḥ svargāpavargadāḥ||

The queen said: "Formerly this vow was taught by the divine sage to Lakshmi; by it, she obtained all her desires, granters of heaven and liberation."

Verse 128 (skanda.5.117.128)

मार्गशीर्षतृतीयायां शुक्लायां कलशोपरि। ताम्रपात्रं निधायैव तंदुलैः परिपूरितम्॥

mārgaśīrṣatṛtīyāyāṁ śuklāyāṁ kalaśopari| tāmrapātraṁ nidhāyaiva taṁdulaiḥ paripūritam||

"On the third day of the bright fortnight of Margashirsha, upon a water-jar, a copper vessel filled with rice should be placed,"

Verse 129 (skanda.5.117.129)

अच्छिद्रं च नवीनं च रजनीरागरंजितम्। वासः पात्रोपरि न्यस्य सूक्ष्मात्सूक्ष्मतरं परम्॥

acchidraṁ ca navīnaṁ ca rajanīrāgaraṁjitam| vāsaḥ pātropari nyasya sūkṣmātsūkṣmataraṁ param||

"and upon that vessel a cloth without a hole, new, dyed with turmeric's colour, exceedingly fine, should be placed,"

Verse 130 (skanda.5.117.130)

तस्योपरि शुभं पद्मं रविरश्मिप्रकाशितम्। तत्कर्णिकाया उपरि चतुःस्वर्णविनिर्मितम्। विधिं संपूजयेद्भक्त्या रक्तमाल्यांबरादिभिः॥

tasyopari śubhaṁ padmaṁ raviraśmiprakāśitam| tatkarṇikāyā upari catuḥsvarṇavinirmitam| vidhiṁ saṁpūjayedbhaktyā raktamālyāṁbarādibhiḥ||

"and upon it an auspicious lotus, radiant as if lit by the sun's rays; upon its pericarp, four figures wrought of gold, worshipped with devotion, duly, with red garlands and garments and the like."

Verse 131 (skanda.5.117.131)

पुष्पैः सुगंधैः कर्पूरकस्तूर्यादिभिरर्चयेत्। रात्रौ जागरणं कार्यं विप्राणां परमोत्सवैः॥

puṣpaiḥ sugaṁdhaiḥ karpūrakastūryādibhirarcayet| rātrau jāgaraṇaṁ kāryaṁ viprāṇāṁ paramotsavaiḥ||

"It should be worshipped with fragrant flowers, camphor, musk and the like; a night-vigil, with great festivities for the Brahmins, is to be held."

Verse 132 (skanda.5.117.132)

होमः कार्यो महाभक्त्या सहस्रपरिसंख्यया। नवप्रसूतां कपिलां दद्याच्च सुपयस्विनीम्॥

homaḥ kāryo mahābhaktyā sahasraparisaṁkhyayā| navaprasūtāṁ kapilāṁ dadyācca supayasvinīm||

"A fire-offering of a thousand oblations should be performed with great devotion; and a newly-calved, well-milking tawny cow should be given in gift."

Verse 133 (skanda.5.117.133)

दद्यादाचार्यवर्याय सालंकारां सदक्षिणाम्। उपोष्य दंपती भक्त्या नवांबरविभूषितौ॥

dadyādācāryavaryāya sālaṁkārāṁ sadakṣiṇām| upoṣya daṁpatī bhaktyā navāṁbaravibhūṣitau||

"It should be given to the excellent preceptor together with ornaments and a fee; the couple, having fasted with devotion, adorned in new garments,"

Verse 134 (skanda.5.117.134)

प्रातः स्नात्वा चतुर्थ्यां च संपूज्याचार्यमादितः। वस्त्रैराभरणैर्माल्यैर्दक्षिणाभिर्मुदान्वितः। सोपस्करां च तां मूर्तिमाचार्याय प्रदापयेत्॥

prātaḥ snātvā caturthyāṁ ca saṁpūjyācāryamāditaḥ| vastrairābharaṇairmālyairdakṣiṇābhirmudānvitaḥ| sopaskarāṁ ca tāṁ mūrtimācāryāya pradāpayet||

"on the fourth day, having bathed at dawn, should worship the preceptor first — with garments, ornaments, garlands, and fees, joyfully — and should present that image, together with its accessories, to the preceptor."

Verse 135 (skanda.5.117.135)

मंत्रः। नमो विश्वविधानज्ञे विद्ये विविधकारिणि। सुतं च शंकरं देहि तुष्टा ह्यस्माद्व्रतोत्तमात्॥

maṁtraḥ| namo viśvavidhānajñe vidye vividhakāriṇi| sutaṁ ca śaṁkaraṁ dehi tuṣṭā hyasmādvratottamāt||

(The mantra:) "Salutation to you, O knowledge of the ordinance of the universe, worker of manifold deeds; pleased by this excellent vow, grant me a son like Shankara."

Verse 136 (skanda.5.117.136)

सहस्रं भोजयित्वाथ द्विजानां भक्तिपूर्वकम्। भुक्तशेषेण चान्नेन कुर्याद्वै पारणं ततः॥

sahasraṁ bhojayitvātha dvijānāṁ bhaktipūrvakam| bhuktaśeṣeṇa cānnena kuryādvai pāraṇaṁ tataḥ||

"Thereafter, having fed a thousand Brahmins with devotion, one should then break the fast with the remainder of the food."

Verse 137 (skanda.5.117.137)

इत्थमेतद्व्रतं नाथ चिकीर्षामि त्वदाज्ञया। कुरु चैतत्प्रियं मह्यमभीष्टफललब्धये॥

itthametadvrataṁ nātha cikīrṣāmi tvadājñayā| kuru caitatpriyaṁ mahyamabhīṣṭaphalalabdhaye||

"Thus, my lord, I wish to observe this vow by your leave; grant me this favour, dear to me, for the attainment of my desired fruit."

Verse 138 (skanda.5.117.138)

इति भूपालवर्येण श्रुत्वा संहृष्टचेतसा। तदा व्रतं समाचीर्णं सांतर्वत्नी बभूव ह॥

iti bhūpālavaryeṇa śrutvā saṁhṛṣṭacetasā| tadā vrataṁ samācīrṇaṁ sāṁtarvatnī babhūva ha||

Hearing this, that excellent king, with a delighted heart, gave his consent; then the vow was duly observed, and she became pregnant.

Verse 139 (skanda.5.117.139)

तयाथ प्रार्थिता गौरी गर्भिण्या भक्तितोषिता। पुत्रं देहि महामाये साक्षाद्विष्ण्वंशसंभवम्॥

tayātha prārthitā gaurī garbhiṇyā bhaktitoṣitā| putraṁ dehi mahāmāye sākṣādviṣṇvaṁśasaṁbhavam||

Then, being pregnant, she entreated Gauri, who was pleased by her devotion: "O great Maya, grant me a son born directly of a portion of Vishnu."

Verse 140 (skanda.5.117.140)

जातमात्रो व्रजेत्स्वर्गं पुनरायाति चात्र वै। भक्तः सदाशिवेऽत्यर्थं प्रसिद्धः सर्वभूतले। विनैव स्तन्यपानेन षोडशाब्दाकृतिः क्षणात्॥

jātamātro vrajetsvargaṁ punarāyāti cātra vai| bhaktaḥ sadāśive'tyarthaṁ prasiddhaḥ sarvabhūtale| vinaiva stanyapānena ṣoḍaśābdākṛtiḥ kṣaṇāt||

"One who, no sooner born, would go to heaven and then return here again; who would be exceedingly devoted to Sadashiva, renowned over the whole earth; who, without ever taking mother's milk, would in an instant assume the form of a sixteen-year-old —"

Verse 141 (skanda.5.117.141)

एवंभूतः सुतो गौरि यथा स्यान्मे तथा कुरु। मृडान्यापि तथेत्युक्ता राज्ञी भक्त्यातितुष्टया॥

evaṁbhūtaḥ suto gauri yathā syānme tathā kuru| mṛḍānyāpi tathetyuktā rājñī bhaktyātituṣṭayā||

"such a son, O Gauri, may I have; grant it so." Mridani too, exceedingly pleased by her devotion, said "so be it" to the queen.

Verse 142 (skanda.5.117.142)

अथ कालेन तनयं मूलर्क्षे साऽप्यजीजनत्। हितैरमात्यैरथ सा विज्ञप्तारिष्टसंस्थिता॥

atha kālena tanayaṁ mūlarkṣe sā'pyajījanat| hitairamātyairatha sā vijñaptāriṣṭasaṁsthitā||

Then, in time, she gave birth to her son under the Mula constellation; then, since this was considered an inauspicious configuration, she was petitioned by well-wishing ministers:

Verse 143 (skanda.5.117.143)

देवि राजार्थिनी त्वं तु त्यज दुष्टर्क्षजं सुतम्। सा मंत्रिवाक्यमाकर्ण्य केवलं पतिदेवता॥

devi rājārthinī tvaṁ tu tyaja duṣṭarkṣajaṁ sutam| sā maṁtrivākyamākarṇya kevalaṁ patidevatā||

"O Devi, you who desire the kingdom's welfare, abandon this son born under an evil constellation." Hearing the ministers' words, that queen, regarding her husband alone as her deity,

Verse 144 (skanda.5.117.144)

अत्याक्षीत्तं तथा प्राप्तं तनयं नयकोविदा। धात्रिकां तु समाहूय प्राहेदं सा नृपांगना॥

atyākṣīttaṁ tathā prāptaṁ tanayaṁ nayakovidā| dhātrikāṁ tu samāhūya prāhedaṁ sā nṛpāṁganā||

skilled in policy, thus abandoned the son she had obtained; that royal lady, summoning the nurse, said this to her:

Verse 145 (skanda.5.117.145)

पंचमुद्रे महापीठे विकटानाम मातृका। तदग्रे स्थापयित्वामुं बालं धात्रि त्विदं वद॥

paṁcamudre mahāpīṭhe vikaṭānāma mātṛkā| tadagre sthāpayitvāmuṁ bālaṁ dhātri tvidaṁ vada||

"At the great seat named Panchamudra there is a Matrika named Vikata; having placed this child before her, O nurse, say this:"

Verse 146 (skanda.5.117.146)

गौरि दत्तः शिशुरसौ तवाग्रे विनिवेदितः। राज्ञ्या पत्युः प्रियैषिण्या मंत्रिविज्ञप्तिनुन्नया॥

gauri dattaḥ śiśurasau tavāgre viniveditaḥ| rājñyā patyuḥ priyaiṣiṇyā maṁtrivijñaptinunnayā||

"'O Gauri, this infant is given to you, presented before you — by the queen, desiring her husband's good, moved by the counsel of the ministers.'"

Verse 147 (skanda.5.117.147)

सापि राज्ञ्युदितं श्रुत्वा बालं शिशुशशिप्रभम्। विकटायाः पुरोभागे संस्थाप्य गृहमागता॥

sāpi rājñyuditaṁ śrutvā bālaṁ śiśuśaśiprabham| vikaṭāyāḥ purobhāge saṁsthāpya gṛhamāgatā||

Hearing what the queen had said, she, having placed that moon-radiant infant before Vikata, returned home.

Verse 148 (skanda.5.117.148)

अथ सा विकटा देवी समाहूय च योगिनीः। उवाच नयत क्षिप्रं शिशुं मातृगणाग्रतः॥

atha sā vikaṭā devī samāhūya ca yoginīḥ| uvāca nayata kṣipraṁ śiśuṁ mātṛgaṇāgrataḥ||

Then that goddess Vikata, summoning the yoginis, said: "Take this infant quickly before the Mothers,"

Verse 149 (skanda.5.117.149)

तासामाज्ञां च कुरुत रक्षतामुं प्रयत्नतः। योगिन्यो विकटावाक्यात्खेचर्यस्तत्क्षणेन तम्॥

tāsāmājñāṁ ca kuruta rakṣatāmuṁ prayatnataḥ| yoginyo vikaṭāvākyātkhecaryastatkṣaṇena tam||

"and, following their command, protect it with care." At Vikata's word, the sky-going yoginis, that very instant, took him,

Verse 150 (skanda.5.117.150)

निन्युर्गगनमार्गेण ब्राह्म्याद्या यत्र मातरः। प्रणम्य योगिनीवृन्दं तं शिशुं सूर्यवर्चसम्॥

ninyurgaganamārgeṇa brāhmyādyā yatra mātaraḥ| praṇamya yoginīvṛndaṁ taṁ śiśuṁ sūryavarcasam||

through the pathway of the sky, to where the Mothers headed by Brahmani dwelt; bowing to the assembly of yoginis, that infant, radiant as the sun,

Verse 151 (skanda.5.117.151)

पुरो निधाय मातॄणां प्रोचुश्च विकटोदितम्। ब्रह्माणी वैष्णवी रौद्री वाराही नारसिंहिका॥

puro nidhāya mātṝṇāṁ procuśca vikaṭoditam| brahmāṇī vaiṣṇavī raudrī vārāhī nārasiṁhikā||

they set him before the Mothers, and delivered Vikata's message. Brahmani, Vaishnavi, Raudri, Varahi, Narasimhi,

Verse 152 (skanda.5.117.152)

कौमारी चापि माहेन्द्री चामुण्डा चैव चंडिका। दृष्ट्वा तं बालकं रम्यं विकटाप्रेषितं ततः॥

kaumārī cāpi māhendrī cāmuṇḍā caiva caṁḍikā| dṛṣṭvā taṁ bālakaṁ ramyaṁ vikaṭāpreṣitaṁ tataḥ||

Kaumari, Mahendri, Chamunda, and Chandika — beholding that lovely child, sent by Vikata,

Verse 153 (skanda.5.117.153)

पप्रच्छुर्युगपद्वाक्यं कस्ते बाल प्रमुख्यकः। मातृभिश्चेति पृष्टस्तु यदा किंचिन्न वक्ति सः॥

papracchuryugapadvākyaṁ kaste bāla pramukhyakaḥ| mātṛbhiśceti pṛṣṭastu yadā kiṁcinna vakti saḥ||

all together asked: "O child, who is your protector?" When, thus asked by the Mothers, he said nothing at all,

Verse 154 (skanda.5.117.154)

तदा च योगिनीचक्रं प्राह मातृगणस्त्विति। राज्ययोग्यो भवत्येष महालक्षणलक्षितः॥

tadā ca yoginīcakraṁ prāha mātṛgaṇastviti| rājyayogyo bhavatyeṣa mahālakṣaṇalakṣitaḥ||

then the group of Mothers said to the circle of yoginis: "This one, marked with great auspicious signs, is fit for kingship;"

Verse 155 (skanda.5.117.155)

पुनस्तत्रैव नेतव्यो योगिन्यस्त्वविलंबितम्। पञ्चमुद्रा महादेवी तिष्ठते यत्र कामदा॥

punastatraiva netavyo yoginyastvavilaṁbitam| pañcamudrā mahādevī tiṣṭhate yatra kāmadā||

"O yoginis, take him back without delay to that very place where the great goddess Panchamudra, granter of desires, resides."

Verse 156 (skanda.5.117.156)

यस्याः संसेवनान्नॄणां निर्वाणश्रीरदूरतः। तत्पीठसेवनादस्य षोडशाब्दाकृतेः शिशोः॥

yasyāḥ saṁsevanānnṝṇāṁ nirvāṇaśrīradūrataḥ| tatpīṭhasevanādasya ṣoḍaśābdākṛteḥ śiśoḥ||

"by service to whom liberation's fortune comes near for men; by service to her seat, this infant, of the form of a sixteen-year-old,"

Verse 157 (skanda.5.117.157)

सिद्धिर्भवित्री परमा रुद्रस्यानुग्रहात्परा। एवं मातृगणात्सद्यो योगिनीभिः क्षणेन तु॥

siddhirbhavitrī paramā rudrasyānugrahātparā| evaṁ mātṛgaṇātsadyo yoginībhiḥ kṣaṇena tu||

"shall attain supreme accomplishment, surpassing, by the grace of Rudra." Thus, immediately upon this word from the Mothers, in a moment, by the yoginis,

Verse 158 (skanda.5.117.158)

प्रापितो मातृवाक्येन पञ्चमुद्रांतिकं पुनः। संप्राप्य तन्महापीठं स्वर्गलोकादिहागतः॥

prāpito mātṛvākyena pañcamudrāṁtikaṁ punaḥ| saṁprāpya tanmahāpīṭhaṁ svargalokādihāgataḥ||

at the Mothers' word, he was brought back near to Panchamudra; having reached that great seat, that one, having come here from the heavenly world,

Verse 159 (skanda.5.117.159)

महाकालवने पुण्ये तताप विपुलं तपः। तपसातीव तीव्रेण निश्चलेन्द्रियमानसः॥

mahākālavane puṇye tatāpa vipulaṁ tapaḥ| tapasātīva tīvreṇa niścalendriyamānasaḥ||

began to perform vast austerity in the holy Mahakala forest; by that exceedingly intense austerity, his senses and mind became unwavering.

Verse 160 (skanda.5.117.160)

तस्य राजकुमारस्य प्रसन्नोऽभूदुमाधवः। आविर्बभूव पुरतो लिंगरूपेण शंकरः॥

tasya rājakumārasya prasanno'bhūdumādhavaḥ| āvirbabhūva purato liṁgarūpeṇa śaṁkaraḥ||

With that prince Umadhava became pleased; Shankara manifested before him in the form of a linga,

Verse 161 (skanda.5.117.161)

उवाच च प्रसन्नोस्मि वरं ब्रूहि नृपांगज। सर्वज्योतिर्मयं लिंगं पुरतो दृष्टवान्स्वयम्॥

uvāca ca prasannosmi varaṁ brūhi nṛpāṁgaja| sarvajyotirmayaṁ liṁgaṁ purato dṛṣṭavānsvayam||

and said: "I am pleased, O prince; ask for a boon." He himself beheld before him a linga wholly made of light,

Verse 162 (skanda.5.117.162)

सप्तपातालमुद्भिद्योत्थितं बृहदनुग्रहात्। प्रणम्य दंडवद्भूमौ परितुष्टाव धूर्जटिम्॥

saptapātālamudbhidyotthitaṁ bṛhadanugrahāt| praṇamya daṁḍavadbhūmau parituṣṭāva dhūrjaṭim||

which had arisen piercing through the seven netherworlds, by immense grace; prostrating flat upon the ground, he thoroughly praised Dhurjati,

Verse 163 (skanda.5.117.163)

सूक्तैर्जन्मांतराभ्यासात्सुहृष्टो रुद्रदैवतैः। वरं च प्रार्थयांचक्रे परिहृष्टतनूरुहः॥

sūktairjanmāṁtarābhyāsātsuhṛṣṭo rudradaivataiḥ| varaṁ ca prārthayāṁcakre parihṛṣṭatanūruhaḥ||

with hymns to the deities of Rudra, greatly delighted through the practice carried from a former birth; and, his body thrilling, he asked for a boon:

Verse 164 (skanda.5.117.164)

देवदेव महादेव यदि देयो वरो मम। तदत्र भवता स्थेयं भवतापहृता सदा॥

devadeva mahādeva yadi deyo varo mama| tadatra bhavatā stheyaṁ bhavatāpahṛtā sadā||

"O God of gods, Mahadeva, if a boon is to be given to me, then, O Bhava, remain here always, removing the torment of worldly existence."

Verse 165 (skanda.5.117.165)

अस्मिँल्लिंगे स्थितः शंभो कुरु भक्तसमीहितम्। विना मुद्रादिकरणं मंत्रेणापि विना विभो॥

asmĩlliṁge sthitaḥ śaṁbho kuru bhaktasamīhitam| vinā mudrādikaraṇaṁ maṁtreṇāpi vinā vibho||

"O Shambhu, remaining in this linga, fulfil the wishes of your devotees — without the performance of mudras and the like, O Lord, even without mantras."

Verse 166 (skanda.5.117.166)

अस्य लिंगस्य ये भक्ता मनोवाक्कायकर्मभिः। सदैवानुग्रहस्तेषु कर्त्तव्यो वर एष मे॥

asya liṁgasya ye bhaktā manovākkāyakarmabhiḥ| sadaivānugrahasteṣu karttavyo vara eṣa me||

"Whoever are devotees of this linga in thought, word, and deed, upon them grace should always be shown — this is my boon."

Verse 167 (skanda.5.117.167)

इति तद्वरमाकर्ण्य लिंगरूपोऽवदत्प्रभुः। एवमस्तु यदुक्तं ते वीर वैष्णवसूनुना॥

iti tadvaramākarṇya liṁgarūpo'vadatprabhuḥ| evamastu yaduktaṁ te vīra vaiṣṇavasūnunā||

Hearing that boon, the Lord, in the form of the linga, said: "So be it, as you have said, O hero, O son of the devotee of Vishnu."

Verse 168 (skanda.5.117.168)

वीर वीरेश्वरंनाम लिंगमेतत्त्वदाख्यया। अवंत्यां संप्रदास्यामि भक्तानां चिंतितान्यहो॥

vīra vīreśvaraṁnāma liṁgametattvadākhyayā| avaṁtyāṁ saṁpradāsyāmi bhaktānāṁ ciṁtitānyaho||

"O hero, by your very name this linga, named Vireshvara, I shall establish in Avanti; wondrously, I shall grant the desires cherished by my devotees."

Verse 169 (skanda.5.117.169)

अत्र दत्तं हुतं जप्तं स्तुतमर्चितमेव च। तदक्षयं भवेदत्र भक्तानां नात्र संशयः॥

atra dattaṁ hutaṁ japtaṁ stutamarcitameva ca| tadakṣayaṁ bhavedatra bhaktānāṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ||

"Whatever is given, offered in fire, recited, praised, or worshipped here — that shall become imperishable here for the devotees; there is no doubt of it."

Verse 170 (skanda.5.117.170)

त्वं तु राज्यं परं प्राप्य सर्वभूपालदुर्लभम्। भुक्त्वा भोगांश्च विपुलानंते सिद्धिमवाप्स्यसि॥

tvaṁ tu rājyaṁ paraṁ prāpya sarvabhūpāladurlabham| bhuktvā bhogāṁśca vipulānaṁte siddhimavāpsyasi||

"And you, having obtained supreme kingship rare even for all kings, and having enjoyed abundant pleasures, shall in the end attain accomplishment."

Verse 171 (skanda.5.117.171)

एष ते कथितो देवि प्रभावः पापनाशनः। वीरेश्वरस्य देवस्य नूपुरेशमथो शृणु॥

eṣa te kathito devi prabhāvaḥ pāpanāśanaḥ| vīreśvarasya devasya nūpureśamatho śṛṇu||

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