The Severing of Brahma's Head

Verse 1 (skanda.5.2.1)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। पुरा त्वेकार्णवे प्राप्ते नष्टे स्थावरजंगमे। नाग्निर्न वायुरादित्यो न भूमिर्न दिशो नभः

sanatkumāra uvāca| purā tvekārṇave prāpte naṣṭe sthāvarajaṁgame| nāgnirna vāyurādityo na bhūmirna diśo nabhaḥ

Sanatkumara said: Formerly, when the single ocean had come and all that was fixed and moving was destroyed, there was no fire, no wind, no sun, no earth, no directions, and no sky.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.2.2)

न नक्षत्राणि न ज्योतिर्न द्यौर्नेंदुर्ग्रहा स्तथा। न देवासुरगंधर्वाः पिशाचोरगराक्षसाः

na nakṣatrāṇi na jyotirna dyaurneṁdurgrahā stathā| na devāsuragaṁdharvāḥ piśācoragarākṣasāḥ

There were no stars, no light, no heaven, no moon or planets; no gods, demons, or gandharvas, no pishachas, serpents, or rakshasas.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.2.3)

सरांसि नैव गिरयो नापगा नाब्धयस्तथा। सर्वमेवतमोभूतं न प्राज्ञायत किंचन

sarāṁsi naiva girayo nāpagā nābdhayastathā| sarvamevatamobhūtaṁ na prājñāyata kiṁcana

There were no lakes, no mountains, no rivers, no oceans; everything had become mere darkness, and nothing at all could be perceived.

Verse 4 (skanda.5.2.4)

तदैको हि महाकालो लोकानुग्रहकारणात्। तस्थौ स्थानान्यशेषाणि काष्ठास्वालोकयन्प्रभुः

tadaiko hi mahākālo lokānugrahakāraṇāt| tasthau sthānānyaśeṣāṇi kāṣṭhāsvālokayanprabhuḥ

Then, for the sake of grace toward the worlds, Mahakala alone remained; that Lord, surveying every quarter, abided in all places at once.

Verse 5 (skanda.5.2.5)

सृष्ट्यर्थं स महाकालः करे कामं प्रतिष्ठितम्। दक्षिणस्य तु तर्जन्यां स ममंथाविशोषितम्

sṛṣṭyarthaṁ sa mahākālaḥ kare kāmaṁ pratiṣṭhitam| dakṣiṇasya tu tarjanyāṁ sa mamaṁthāviśoṣitam

For the sake of creation, that Mahakala—his will fixed within his hand—churned with the forefinger of his right hand something that had lain dried up.

Verse 6 (skanda.5.2.6)

कललं बुद्बुदं भूत्वा तविवेगविवर्द्धितम्। जज्ञे तदंडं सुदृढं सुष्ठु वृत्तं हिरण्मयम्

kalalaṁ budbudaṁ bhūtvā tavivegavivarddhitam| jajñe tadaṁḍaṁ sudṛḍhaṁ suṣṭhu vṛttaṁ hiraṇmayam

Growing with the force of that churning, it became froth and then a bubble, and from it arose a firm, perfectly round, golden egg.

Verse 7 (skanda.5.2.7)

करेण ताडितं तद्धि बभूव द्विदलं महत्। अधःखंडं स्मृता भूमिरूर्ध्वं द्यौस्तारकान्वितम्

kareṇa tāḍitaṁ taddhi babhūva dvidalaṁ mahat| adhaḥkhaṁḍaṁ smṛtā bhūmirūrdhvaṁ dyaustārakānvitam

Struck by his hand, that great egg split into two halves: the lower portion was known as the earth, and the upper became the star-studded sky.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.2.8)

मध्येऽभवत्तदा ब्रह्मा पंचवक्त्रश्चतुर्भुजः। महेश्वरोऽनुमान्यैव तमयोजदनंतरम्

madhye'bhavattadā brahmā paṁcavaktraścaturbhujaḥ| maheśvaro'numānyaiva tamayojadanaṁtaram

In its middle there then arose Brahma, five-faced and four-armed; and Maheshvara, granting his sanction, at once appointed him to the task.

Verse 9 (skanda.5.2.9)

कुरु सृष्टिं महाबाहो विचित्रां मदनुग्रहात्। इत्युक्त्वांतर्हितः क्वापि देवो ब्रह्मा न जग्मिवान्

kuru sṛṣṭiṁ mahābāho vicitrāṁ madanugrahāt| ityuktvāṁtarhitaḥ kvāpi devo brahmā na jagmivān

'Create the manifold creation, O mighty-armed one, through my grace'—having said this, he vanished somewhere; and the god Brahma could not proceed with the task.

Verse 10 (skanda.5.2.10)

प्रेर्यमाणोऽपि वै स्रष्टुं ब्रह्मा देवमचिंतयत्। ब्रह्मणा ध्यायमानश्च ज्ञानार्थं भगवान्भवः

preryamāṇo'pi vai sraṣṭuṁ brahmā devamaciṁtayat| brahmaṇā dhyāyamānaśca jñānārthaṁ bhagavānbhavaḥ

Though urged to create, Brahma meditated upon the Lord; and while thus being meditated upon by Brahma for the sake of knowledge, the blessed Bhava...

Verse 11 (skanda.5.2.11)

ब्रह्मणस्तपसा दृष्टः प्रादाद्वेदं षडंगकम्। लब्धे वेदेऽपि न चिरात्सष्टिं कर्तुं शशाक सः

brahmaṇastapasā dṛṣṭaḥ prādādvedaṁ ṣaḍaṁgakam| labdhe vede'pi na cirātsaṣṭiṁ kartuṁ śaśāka saḥ

...pleased by Brahma's austerity, bestowed upon him the Veda with its six ancillary limbs; yet even having obtained the Veda, he could not accomplish creation quickly.

Verse 12 (skanda.5.2.12)

तपसाऽतिष्ठदा भूयः समाराधयितुं भवम्। नापश्यत्स यदा देवं तदा तुष्टाव भावितः

tapasā'tiṣṭhadā bhūyaḥ samārādhayituṁ bhavam| nāpaśyatsa yadā devaṁ tadā tuṣṭāva bhāvitaḥ

He again undertook austerity in order to worship Bhava; and when he did not behold the Lord, he then, filled with devotion, offered praise.

Verse 13 (skanda.5.2.13)

ब्रह्मोवाच। नमः शिवायामलसत्त्वचेतसे गुणत्रयातीतविसारितेजसे। षडंगवेदस्य ममापि वेधसे परस्वरूपानुभवाय चक्षुषे

brahmovāca| namaḥ śivāyāmalasattvacetase guṇatrayātītavisāritejase| ṣaḍaṁgavedasya mamāpi vedhase parasvarūpānubhavāya cakṣuṣe

Brahma said: Salutation to Shiva, of pure and stainless consciousness, whose radiance extends beyond the three gunas; the ordainer of the six-limbed Veda for me as well, and the very eye for the experience of the supreme nature.

Verse 14 (skanda.5.2.14)

नमोऽ स्तु ते सृष्टिविधौ रजोजुषे जगत्स्थितौ सत्त्वमधिष्ठिताय ते। विनाशहेतौ तमसा महीयसे शिवाय निर्वाणसुखप्रदायिने

namo' stu te sṛṣṭividhau rajojuṣe jagatsthitau sattvamadhiṣṭhitāya te| vināśahetau tamasā mahīyase śivāya nirvāṇasukhapradāyine

Salutation to you who, in the act of creation, partake of rajas; who, in the maintenance of the world, are established in sattva; who, as the cause of destruction, are magnified by tamas—salutation to Shiva, bestower of the bliss of liberation.

Verse 15 (skanda.5.2.15)

अशेषभूतप्रकृतेः परा य वै परात्मरूपाय नमः शिवाय वै। नृबुद्ध्यहंकारमनोविधायिने भर्त्रे च षड्विंशकरूपकाय वै

aśeṣabhūtaprakṛteḥ parā ya vai parātmarūpāya namaḥ śivāya vai| nṛbuddhyahaṁkāramanovidhāyine bhartre ca ṣaḍviṁśakarūpakāya vai

Salutation to Shiva, who is beyond the entire nature of all beings, whose form is the Supreme Self; the ordainer of the intellect, ego, and mind of men, and the supporter of the twenty-six categories.

Verse 16 (skanda.5.2.16)

भूतोयवह्न्यम्बरवायुचंद्रसूर्यात्मरूपाभिरिदं तनूभिः। व्याप्तं जगद्यस्य नमोऽस्तु तस्मै भूतं भविष्यमथ वर्तमानम्

bhūtoyavahnyambaravāyucaṁdrasūryātmarūpābhiridaṁ tanūbhiḥ| vyāptaṁ jagadyasya namo'stu tasmai bhūtaṁ bhaviṣyamatha vartamānam

Salutation to him whose form pervades this world through the bodies of earth, water, fire, air, sky, moon, and sun, and who remains thus in the past, the future, and the present.

Verse 17 (skanda.5.2.17)

यानीह तेजांसि जगंति यानि भूतानि भव्यान्यथ कारणानि। भवंति सृष्टौ विलयं विनाशे व्रजंति यस्यात्मनि तं नमामि

yānīha tejāṁsi jagaṁti yāni bhūtāni bhavyānyatha kāraṇāni| bhavaṁti sṛṣṭau vilayaṁ vināśe vrajaṁti yasyātmani taṁ namāmi

I bow to him in whose Self, at creation, all radiances, worlds, beings, things yet to come, and causes arise, and who, at destruction, receives them all back into dissolution.

Verse 18 (skanda.5.2.18)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। एवं संस्तुवतो व्यास ब्रह्मणो भगवान्परः। अन्तर्हित उवाचेदं ब्रह्मन्संयाच्यतां वरः

sanatkumāra uvāca| evaṁ saṁstuvato vyāsa brahmaṇo bhagavānparaḥ| antarhita uvācedaṁ brahmansaṁyācyatāṁ varaḥ

Sanatkumara said: O Vyasa, while Brahma was thus praising him, the supreme Lord, remaining unseen, spoke thus: O Brahma, a boon may be asked.

Verse 19 (skanda.5.2.19)

स वव्रे मनसा पुत्रं भवं गौरवकारणात्। विज्ञायांतर्गतं तस्य परमेश उवाच तम्

sa vavre manasā putraṁ bhavaṁ gauravakāraṇāt| vijñāyāṁtargataṁ tasya parameśa uvāca tam

Out of a wish for honour, he desired in his mind to have Bhava as a son; and knowing what was in his heart, the supreme Lord spoke to him.

Verse 20 (skanda.5.2.20)

यस्मान्मां मनसा पुत्रं चतुर्मुख समीहसे। कस्मिंश्चित्कारणे तस्मादहं छेत्स्यामि ते शिरः

yasmānmāṁ manasā putraṁ caturmukha samīhase| kasmiṁścitkāraṇe tasmādahaṁ chetsyāmi te śiraḥ

'Since you desire me, O four-faced one, as a mind-born son, for a certain reason I shall on that account sever your head.'

Verse 21 (skanda.5.2.21)

अयाच्यं याचितं यस्मान्ममांशो नीललोहितः। रुद्रो भविष्यति सुतः स च ते हिंस्यति प्रभाम्

ayācyaṁ yācitaṁ yasmānmamāṁśo nīlalohitaḥ| rudro bhaviṣyati sutaḥ sa ca te hiṁsyati prabhām

'Since the unaskable has been asked, a portion of mine, Nilalohita, shall become your son Rudra; and he shall injure your splendour.'

Verse 22 (skanda.5.2.22)

अन्यद्यस्मात्स्मृतो भक्त्या त्वयाहं पितृभावतः। परब्रह्मस्वरूपेण जिज्ञासा मम या कृता

anyadyasmātsmṛto bhaktyā tvayāhaṁ pitṛbhāvataḥ| parabrahmasvarūpeṇa jijñāsā mama yā kṛtā

'And further, since you have remembered me with devotion as a father remembers a son, and have made inquiry into my nature as the Supreme Brahman...'

Verse 23 (skanda.5.2.23)

तस्माद्ब्रह्मेति लोकेऽत्र नाम ख्यातं भविष्यति। पितामहत्वं तेनापि पितामहस्ततो ह्यसि

tasmādbrahmeti loke'tra nāma khyātaṁ bhaviṣyati| pitāmahatvaṁ tenāpi pitāmahastato hyasi

'...therefore your name shall become famed in this world as "Brahma"; and for that same reason you shall also be "Pitamaha", the primal grandsire.'

Verse 24 (skanda.5.2.24)

लब्ध्वा शापवरावेवं पुत्रसृष्टिं चकार सः। स्वतेजोजनितं वह्निं जुह्वतः स्वेदमावहत्

labdhvā śāpavarāvevaṁ putrasṛṣṭiṁ cakāra saḥ| svatejojanitaṁ vahniṁ juhvataḥ svedamāvahat

Having thus obtained both the curse and the boon, he began the creation of offspring; offering oblations into the fire born of his own splendour, he broke into sweat.

Verse 25 (skanda.5.2.25)

समिद्युक्तेन हस्तेन ललाटं मार्जतोऽभवत्। स्विन्नभ्रष्टस्ततो रक्तबिंदुरेको विभावसौ

samidyuktena hastena lalāṭaṁ mārjato'bhavat| svinnabhraṣṭastato raktabiṁdureko vibhāvasau

As he wiped his forehead with a hand still holding sacrificial fuel, a single drop of sweat fell and reddened in the fire.

Verse 26 (skanda.5.2.26)

स नीललोहितोऽभूद्वै स च रुद्रो भवाज्ञया। तदनन्तरमासाद्य उत्ततार सुतोंऽतिकात्

sa nīlalohito'bhūdvai sa ca rudro bhavājñayā| tadanantaramāsādya uttatāra sutoṁ'tikāt

That drop became Nilalohita, and by the command of Bhava the same became Rudra; thereafter that son arose from close beside it.

Verse 27 (skanda.5.2.27)

पंचवक्त्रो दशभुजः शूलचापासिशक्तिमान्। त्रिपंच नयनो रौद्रो व्यालयज्ञोपवीतकः

paṁcavaktro daśabhujaḥ śūlacāpāsiśaktimān| tripaṁca nayano raudro vyālayajñopavītakaḥ

Five-faced and ten-armed, wielding trident, bow, sword, and spear; fifteen-eyed, fierce, wearing a serpent as his sacred thread.

Verse 28 (skanda.5.2.28)

सेन्दुः कपर्दं बिभ्राणः सिंहचर्मांबरंधरः। जातमेवं स दृष्ट्वा तु ब्रह्मा नामाकरोत्तदा

senduḥ kapardaṁ bibhrāṇaḥ siṁhacarmāṁbaraṁdharaḥ| jātamevaṁ sa dṛṣṭvā tu brahmā nāmākarottadā

Bearing matted locks crowned with the crescent moon, clad in a lion-skin garment—seeing him thus born, Brahma then gave him a name.

Verse 29 (skanda.5.2.29)

नीललोहितनामेति भव रुद्र पिनाकधृक्। ततः प्रववृते सृष्टिः स्रष्टुर्लोकपितामहात्

nīlalohitanāmeti bhava rudra pinākadhṛk| tataḥ pravavṛte sṛṣṭiḥ sraṣṭurlokapitāmahāt

'Your name shall be Nilalohita; be Rudra, wielder of the Pinaka bow.' Thereafter creation began to proceed from the Creator, the grandsire of the worlds.

Verse 30 (skanda.5.2.30)

सप्तादौ मानसाञ्जज्ञे सनकादींस्ततोऽपरान्। मरीचि दक्षप्रभृतीन्मन्वादींश्च प्रजासृजः

saptādau mānasāñjajñe sanakādīṁstato'parān| marīci dakṣaprabhṛtīnmanvādīṁśca prajāsṛjaḥ

First he mentally created the seven sages beginning with Sanaka; then Marichi, Daksha and the rest, and the Manus and other progenitors of creatures.

Verse 31 (skanda.5.2.31)

अष्टभेदान्सुरान्कृत्वा तिर्यग्योनिं च पंचधा। मनुष्यानेकभेदांश्च सृष्टिमेवं ससर्ज ह

aṣṭabhedānsurānkṛtvā tiryagyoniṁ ca paṁcadhā| manuṣyānekabhedāṁśca sṛṣṭimevaṁ sasarja ha

Having made the gods of eight kinds, and the animal species fivefold, and human beings of many kinds—thus did he fashion the creation.

Verse 32 (skanda.5.2.32)

सृष्टिः सुरादिका जाता कृत्वा ब्रह्माणमप्यधः। प्रणम्याथ सिषेवुस्ते केवलं नीललोहितम्

sṛṣṭiḥ surādikā jātā kṛtvā brahmāṇamapyadhaḥ| praṇamyātha siṣevuste kevalaṁ nīlalohitam

This creation of gods and the rest, once it had come into being, set even Brahma aside, and bowing down, served and worshipped only Nilalohita.

Verse 33 (skanda.5.2.33)

ततो ब्रह्माऽवदद्रुद्रमपूज्यो हि त्वया कृतः। स्वतेजसा भवान्पूज्यो यतो याहि हिमालयम्

tato brahmā'vadadrudramapūjyo hi tvayā kṛtaḥ| svatejasā bhavānpūjyo yato yāhi himālayam

Then Brahma said to Rudra: 'You have made me unfit to be worshipped; by your own splendour you yourself are worshipped—so go away to the Himalaya.'

Verse 34 (skanda.5.2.34)

तं नीललोहितः प्रोचे भवता नार्चितो ह्यहम्। ततो जगाम रुद्रोऽसौ स यत्र भगवान्भवः

taṁ nīlalohitaḥ proce bhavatā nārcito hyaham| tato jagāma rudro'sau sa yatra bhagavānbhavaḥ

To him Nilalohita replied: 'I have not been honoured by you.' Thereupon that Rudra went to where the blessed Bhava dwelt.

Verse 35 (skanda.5.2.35)

ततो ब्रह्माऽभवन्मूढो रजसा चोपबृंहितः। तताप तेजसा सृष्टिं मन्यमानो मया कृताम्

tato brahmā'bhavanmūḍho rajasā copabṛṁhitaḥ| tatāpa tejasā sṛṣṭiṁ manyamāno mayā kṛtām

Then Brahma, swollen with rajas, became deluded; thinking the creation had been fashioned by himself alone, he burned inwardly with pride.

Verse 36 (skanda.5.2.36)

मत्तुल्यो नास्ति वै देवो येन सृष्टिः प्रवर्द्धिता। सदेवासुरगन्धर्वा पशु पक्षिमृगाकुला

mattulyo nāsti vai devo yena sṛṣṭiḥ pravarddhitā| sadevāsuragandharvā paśu pakṣimṛgākulā

'There is no god equal to me, by whom this creation has been so magnified—filled as it is with gods, demons, gandharvas, cattle, birds, and beasts.'

Verse 37 (skanda.5.2.37)

एवं मूढः स पंचास्यो विरंच्योऽभवद्दर्पितः। प्राग्वक्त्रं सुस्वरं तस्य सामवेदप्रवर्तकम्

evaṁ mūḍhaḥ sa paṁcāsyo viraṁcyo'bhavaddarpitaḥ| prāgvaktraṁ susvaraṁ tasya sāmavedapravartakam

Thus deluded and grown arrogant, that five-faced Virinchi swelled with pride. His forward-facing mouth, sweet of tone, was the propounder of the Samaveda.

Verse 38 (skanda.5.2.38)

द्वितीयं वदनं तस्य ऋग्वेदस्य प्रवर्तकम्। यजुर्वेदधरं चान्यदथर्वाख्यं चतुर्थकम्

dvitīyaṁ vadanaṁ tasya ṛgvedasya pravartakam| yajurvedadharaṁ cānyadatharvākhyaṁ caturthakam

His second face was the propounder of the Rigveda; another bore the Yajurveda, and the fourth was known as the Atharva[veda].

Verse 39 (skanda.5.2.39)

सांगोपांगेतिहासांश्च सरहस्यान्ससंग्रहान्। वेदानधीते वक्त्रेण पंचमेनोपचक्षुषा

sāṁgopāṁgetihāsāṁśca sarahasyānsasaṁgrahān| vedānadhīte vaktreṇa paṁcamenopacakṣuṣā

Together with their limbs and sub-limbs, the Itihasas, and their esoteric doctrines and compendiums, he studied the Vedas with his fifth, overseeing face.

Verse 40 (skanda.5.2.40)

तस्याऽसुराः सुराः सर्वे वक्त्रस्याद्भुततेजसः। तेजसा न प्रकाशंते दीपः सूर्योदये यथा

tasyā'surāḥ surāḥ sarve vaktrasyādbhutatejasaḥ| tejasā na prakāśaṁte dīpaḥ sūryodaye yathā

By the splendour of that face of wondrous radiance, all the gods and demons could no longer shine by their own light—as a lamp is dimmed at sunrise.

Verse 41 (skanda.5.2.41)

सपुत्रा अपि सोद्वेगा बभूवुर्नष्ट चेतसः। नाभिगन्तुं न च द्रष्टुं चिरं तेजोऽपसर्पितुम्

saputrā api sodvegā babhūvurnaṣṭa cetasaḥ| nābhigantuṁ na ca draṣṭuṁ ciraṁ tejo'pasarpitum

Along with their sons they grew agitated, their minds bewildered; they could neither approach that spreading splendour nor gaze upon it for long.

Verse 42 (skanda.5.2.42)

अभिभूतमिवात्मानं मन्यमाना अविद्विषः। सर्वे ते मन्त्रयामासुर्देवा वै हितमा त्मनः

abhibhūtamivātmānaṁ manyamānā avidviṣaḥ| sarve te mantrayāmāsurdevā vai hitamā tmanaḥ

Regarding themselves as overwhelmed, though free from any enmity, all those gods deliberated together for their own good.

Verse 43 (skanda.5.2.43)

गच्छाम शरणं देवं निस्तेजा ब्रह्मतेजसा। किं तु तस्य न जानीमः स्थानं यत्र व्यवस्थितः

gacchāma śaraṇaṁ devaṁ nistejā brahmatejasā| kiṁ tu tasya na jānīmaḥ sthānaṁ yatra vyavasthitaḥ

'Let us go, robbed of our splendour by Brahma's radiance, for refuge to the Lord; but we do not know the place where he now abides.'

Verse 44 (skanda.5.2.44)

तं भीममत्र दक्ष्यामो भक्त्या नान्येन केनचित्। एवं संमन्त्र्य ते देवाः कृतांजलिपुटास्तदा। चक्रुः स्तोत्रं महेशस्य परया स्वरसंपदा

taṁ bhīmamatra dakṣyāmo bhaktyā nānyena kenacit| evaṁ saṁmantrya te devāḥ kṛtāṁjalipuṭāstadā| cakruḥ stotraṁ maheśasya parayā svarasaṁpadā

'We shall behold that awesome god here only through devotion, and by no other means.' Having thus resolved, those gods, with joined palms, offered a hymn to Mahesha in the sweetest richness of voice.

Verse 45 (skanda.5.2.45)

देवा ऊचुः। नमस्ते देवदेवेश महेश्वर नमोनमः

devā ūcuḥ| namaste devadeveśa maheśvara namonamaḥ

The gods said: Salutation to you, O Lord of the lords of gods, O Maheshvara, salutation again and again.

Verse 46 (skanda.5.2.46)

न विद्मः परमं मूढा महिमानं तवातुलम्। यद्योगेन परं ब्रह्म भूतानां त्वं सनातनः

na vidmaḥ paramaṁ mūḍhā mahimānaṁ tavātulam| yadyogena paraṁ brahma bhūtānāṁ tvaṁ sanātanaḥ

'Deluded as we are, we do not know your supreme, matchless glory; through yoga you are the eternal Supreme Brahman of all beings.'

Verse 47 (skanda.5.2.47)

प्रतिष्ठा सर्वभूतानां हेतुः सर्वस्य सर्जने। बिभर्षि चैव नेत्रस्थान्सोमसूर्यविभावसून्

pratiṣṭhā sarvabhūtānāṁ hetuḥ sarvasya sarjane| bibharṣi caiva netrasthānsomasūryavibhāvasūn

'You are the foundation of all beings and the cause of the creation of all; and in your eyes you bear the moon, the sun, and fire.'

Verse 48 (skanda.5.2.48)

नामसंकीर्तनादेव मुच्यन्ते जंतवोऽशुभात्। पृथिव्यबग्निचन्द्रार्कव्योमवायूपलक्षणाः

nāmasaṁkīrtanādeva mucyante jaṁtavo'śubhāt| pṛthivyabagnicandrārkavyomavāyūpalakṣaṇāḥ

'By the mere chanting of your names, creatures are freed from misfortune; you are marked by earth, water, fire, moon, sun, sky, and wind.'

Verse 49 (skanda.5.2.49)

मूर्तयस्ते महादेव व्याप्तमाभिरशेषतः। रजःसत्त्वतमोभावैर्भ्राम्यमाणं त्वया जगत्

mūrtayaste mahādeva vyāptamābhiraśeṣataḥ| rajaḥsattvatamobhāvairbhrāmyamāṇaṁ tvayā jagat

'O Mahadeva, these are all your forms, by which this entire world is pervaded; through the states of rajas, sattva, and tamas, this world is made to turn by you.'

Verse 50 (skanda.5.2.50)

नावबुध्यति सर्वेश सर्वमूर्तिधरो यतः। ब्रह्मादीनां सुरेशानां संमोहनविमोहनम्। त्वं करोषि युगावर्तकाले काले च दुःसहम्

nāvabudhyati sarveśa sarvamūrtidharo yataḥ| brahmādīnāṁ sureśānāṁ saṁmohanavimohanam| tvaṁ karoṣi yugāvartakāle kāle ca duḥsaham

'O Lord of all, since you bear every form, none can fully comprehend you; it is you who, at the turning of ages and time after time, cast Brahma and the other lords of the gods into unbearable delusion.'

Verse 51 (skanda.5.2.51)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। प्रत्यक्षं दर्शनं दत्त्वा देवानामनुकंपया। प्रसन्नवदनो भूत्वा देवैश्चापि नमस्कृतः

sanatkumāra uvāca| pratyakṣaṁ darśanaṁ dattvā devānāmanukaṁpayā| prasannavadano bhūtvā devaiścāpi namaskṛtaḥ

Sanatkumara said: Having granted a direct vision out of compassion for the gods, his countenance gracious, and being saluted by the gods as well...

Verse 52 (skanda.5.2.52)

वासयन्मोहनाम्ना तु सह देवैर्महेश्वरः

vāsayanmohanāmnā tu saha devairmaheśvaraḥ

...Maheshvara, dwelling together with the gods under the name Mohana, the enchanter...

Verse 53 (skanda.5.2.53)

एवं संस्तूयमानोऽसौ देवर्षिपितृमानवैः। अन्तर्हित उवाचेदं देवा ब्रूत यथेप्सितम्

evaṁ saṁstūyamāno'sau devarṣipitṛmānavaiḥ| antarhita uvācedaṁ devā brūta yathepsitam

Being thus praised by gods, seers, ancestors, and men, he, remaining unseen, said: 'O gods, ask as you wish.'

Verse 54 (skanda.5.2.54)

देवा ऊचुः। प्रत्यक्षं दर्शनं स्थाणो प्रार्थयाम सदा तव। त्वया कारुण्यतोऽस्माकं वरश्चापि प्रदीयताम्

devā ūcuḥ| pratyakṣaṁ darśanaṁ sthāṇo prārthayāma sadā tava| tvayā kāruṇyato'smākaṁ varaścāpi pradīyatām

The gods said: 'O Sthanu, we ever pray for a direct vision of you; and out of your compassion, grant us also a boon.'

Verse 55 (skanda.5.2.55)

यदस्माकं महद्वीर्यं तेजश्चैव पराक्रमम्। तत्सर्वं ब्रह्मणा ग्रस्तं पंचमास्यस्य तेजसा

yadasmākaṁ mahadvīryaṁ tejaścaiva parākramam| tatsarvaṁ brahmaṇā grastaṁ paṁcamāsyasya tejasā

'Whatever great vigour, splendour, and prowess was ours, all of it has been swallowed by the radiance of Brahma's fifth face.'

Verse 56 (skanda.5.2.56)

विनेशुः सर्वतेजांसि त्वत्प्रसादात्पुनः प्रभो। जायते तद्यथापूर्वं तथा कुरु महेश्वर

vineśuḥ sarvatejāṁsi tvatprasādātpunaḥ prabho| jāyate tadyathāpūrvaṁ tathā kuru maheśvara

'All our splendours have been destroyed; O Lord, by your grace let them arise again just as before—so do, O Maheshvara.'

Verse 57 (skanda.5.2.57)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। प्रत्यक्षमेत्य वै पश्चाच्चलितः शर्व एव हि। जगाम तत्र यत्रासौ रजोऽहंकारमूर्त्तिमान्। देवाः स्तुवंतो देवेशं परिवार्य उपाविशन्

sanatkumāra uvāca| pratyakṣametya vai paścāccalitaḥ śarva eva hi| jagāma tatra yatrāsau rajo'haṁkāramūrttimān| devāḥ stuvaṁto deveśaṁ parivārya upāviśan

Sanatkumara said: Having granted that direct vision, Sharva then went to where Brahma, the very embodiment of rajas and ego, was seated; the gods, praising the Lord of gods, sat down around him.

Verse 58 (skanda.5.2.58)

ब्रह्मा तमागतं देवं नाजानात्तमसा वृतः। सूर्यकोटिसहस्राणां तेजसा रंजयञ्जगत्

brahmā tamāgataṁ devaṁ nājānāttamasā vṛtaḥ| sūryakoṭisahasrāṇāṁ tejasā raṁjayañjagat

Brahma, veiled by his own pride, did not recognise the god who had arrived, even as he himself tinted the world with the splendour of a thousand million suns.

Verse 59 (skanda.5.2.59)

तदाऽदृश्यत विश्वात्मा विश्वसृग्विश्वभाव नः। स पितामहमासीनं सकले देवमण्डले

tadā'dṛśyata viśvātmā viśvasṛgviśvabhāva naḥ| sa pitāmahamāsīnaṁ sakale devamaṇḍale

Then he, the Self of the universe, its creator and its very nature, appeared there, seated amid the whole assembly of gods, before the Grandsire.

Verse 60 (skanda.5.2.60)

तेजसाभिभवन्रुद्रस्तेन मत्तोऽग्रतः स्थितः। रुद्रतेजोभिभूतं च ब्रह्मवक्त्रं न राजते

tejasābhibhavanrudrastena matto'grataḥ sthitaḥ| rudratejobhibhūtaṁ ca brahmavaktraṁ na rājate

Overwhelming him with his own splendour, Rudra stood before him yet more radiant; overpowered by Rudra's radiance, Brahma's face lost its lustre.

Verse 61 (skanda.5.2.61)

रात्रौ प्रकाशकिरणश्चंद्रः सूर्योदये यथा। सगर्वोथात्मजं दृष्ट्वा रुद्रदेवं सनातनम्

rātrau prakāśakiraṇaścaṁdraḥ sūryodaye yathā| sagarvothātmajaṁ dṛṣṭvā rudradevaṁ sanātanam

As the moon, radiant with light by night, fades when the sun rises, so, gazing with pride upon his own son, the eternal god Rudra...

Verse 62 (skanda.5.2.62)

अवन्दत करेणैव प्राह वै सस्मितं वचः। प्रत्युवाच विरूपाक्षो ब्रह्माणं तं हसन्निव

avandata kareṇaiva prāha vai sasmitaṁ vacaḥ| pratyuvāca virūpākṣo brahmāṇaṁ taṁ hasanniva

...he saluted him only with a gesture of the hand, and spoke smilingly; and Virupaksha, as though laughing, replied to Brahma.

Verse 63 (skanda.5.2.63)

यतो न वेद परमं देवं तत्तेजसावृतः। ततोऽट्टहासं भगवान्मुमोच शशिशेखरः

yato na veda paramaṁ devaṁ tattejasāvṛtaḥ| tato'ṭṭahāsaṁ bhagavānmumoca śaśiśekharaḥ

Because, veiled by his own splendour, Brahma failed to recognise the supreme God, the blessed moon-crested one thereupon let out a great peal of laughter.

Verse 64 (skanda.5.2.64)

पश्यतां सर्वदेवानां शृण्वतां वाचमुक्तवान्। तेनादृहासशब्देन मोहयित्वा पितामहम्

paśyatāṁ sarvadevānāṁ śṛṇvatāṁ vācamuktavān| tenādṛhāsaśabdena mohayitvā pitāmaham

As all the gods watched and listened, he spoke; and having bewildered the Grandsire with the sound of that laughter...

Verse 65 (skanda.5.2.65)

तेजोराशिशशांकाभः शशांकार्काग्निलोचनः। वामांगुष्ठनखाग्रेण ब्रह्मणः पञ्चमं शिरः

tejorāśiśaśāṁkābhaḥ śaśāṁkārkāgnilocanaḥ| vāmāṁguṣṭhanakhāgreṇa brahmaṇaḥ pañcamaṁ śiraḥ

...he, a mass of splendour, moon-hued, having the moon, the sun, and fire for his eyes, with the tip of the nail of his left thumb cut off Brahma's fifth head...

Verse 66 (skanda.5.2.66)

चकर्त कदलीगर्भं नरः कररुहैरिव। छिद्यमानं च तद्वक्त्रं बुबुधे न पितामहः

cakarta kadalīgarbhaṁ naraḥ kararuhairiva| chidyamānaṁ ca tadvaktraṁ bubudhe na pitāmahaḥ

...just as a man cuts the pith of a plantain-stem with his fingernails; and the Grandsire did not even notice his own face being severed.

Verse 67 (skanda.5.2.67)

रुद्रस्य तेजसा तस्मान्मोहितो न नतिं गतः। छिन्नं तस्य शिरः पश्चाद्रुद्रहस्ते स्थितं तदा

rudrasya tejasā tasmānmohito na natiṁ gataḥ| chinnaṁ tasya śiraḥ paścādrudrahaste sthitaṁ tadā

Bewildered by Rudra's splendour, he was unable even to bow; and thereafter his severed head remained resting in Rudra's hand.

Verse 68 (skanda.5.2.68)

अपश्यद्दैवतैः सार्धं रौद्रमतिभयाज्ज्वलत्। महेश्वरकरांतस्थनखैर्वक्त्रं विराजते

apaśyaddaivataiḥ sārdhaṁ raudramatibhayājjvalat| maheśvarakarāṁtasthanakhairvaktraṁ virājate

Together with the gods, they beheld that terrible, blazing, fear-filled form; the face, resting at the tip of Maheshvara's nail, shone forth.

Verse 69 (skanda.5.2.69)

ग्रहमण्डलमध्यस्थो द्वितीय इव चन्द्रमाः। उत्क्षिप्य तत्कपालेन ननर्त शशिशेखरः

grahamaṇḍalamadhyastho dvitīya iva candramāḥ| utkṣipya tatkapālena nanarta śaśiśekharaḥ

Like a second moon amid the circle of planets, having lifted up that skull-bowl, the moon-crested god danced.

Verse 70 (skanda.5.2.70)

शिखरस्थेन सूर्येण कैलास इव पर्वतः। छिन्ने वक्त्रे ततो देवा हृष्टपुष्टा वृषध्वजम्। तुष्टुवुर्विविधैः स्तोत्रैर्देवदेवं कपालिनम्

śikharasthena sūryeṇa kailāsa iva parvataḥ| chinne vaktre tato devā hṛṣṭapuṣṭā vṛṣadhvajam| tuṣṭuvurvividhaiḥ stotrairdevadevaṁ kapālinam

It appeared like Mount Kailasa with the sun resting on its peak; when that face had been severed, the gods, delighted and thriving, praised the bull-bannered, skull-bearing Lord of gods with many hymns.

Verse 71 (skanda.5.2.71)

देवा ऊचुः। नमः कपालिने नित्यं महाकालाय शंखिने

devā ūcuḥ| namaḥ kapāline nityaṁ mahākālāya śaṁkhine

The gods said: Salutation ever to the skull-bearer, the conch-holder, Mahakala.

Verse 72 (skanda.5.2.72)

ऐश्वर्यज्ञानयुक्ताय सर्वभोगप्रदायिने। नमो दर्पविनाशाय सर्वदेवमयाय च

aiśvaryajñānayuktāya sarvabhogapradāyine| namo darpavināśāya sarvadevamayāya ca

'Endowed with sovereignty and knowledge, bestower of all enjoyments; salutation to the destroyer of pride, who consists of all the gods.'

Verse 73 (skanda.5.2.73)

कालसंहारकर्ता त्वं महाकालस्ततो ह्यसि। भक्तानां दुःखशमनो दुःखांतस्तेन रोचसे

kālasaṁhārakartā tvaṁ mahākālastato hyasi| bhaktānāṁ duḥkhaśamano duḥkhāṁtastena rocase

'You are the destroyer even of Time, and therefore you are Mahakala; you shine forth as the appeaser of your devotees' sorrow, the one who brings sorrow to its end.'

Verse 74 (skanda.5.2.74)

शंकरोप्याशु भक्तानां तेन त्वं शंकरः स्मृतः। छित्त्वा ब्रह्मशिरो यस्मात्कपालं च बिभर्षि च

śaṁkaropyāśu bhaktānāṁ tena tvaṁ śaṁkaraḥ smṛtaḥ| chittvā brahmaśiro yasmātkapālaṁ ca bibharṣi ca

'You are ever the bringer of well-being for your devotees, and therefore you are called Shankara; and since, having severed Brahma's head, you bear it as a skull-bowl...'

Verse 75 (skanda.5.2.75)

तेन देव कपाली त्वं स्तुतो ह्यसि प्रसीद नः। एवं स्तुतः प्रसन्नात्मा देवानुत्थाप्य शंकरः

tena deva kapālī tvaṁ stuto hyasi prasīda naḥ| evaṁ stutaḥ prasannātmā devānutthāpya śaṁkaraḥ

'...therefore, O god, being thus praised as "Kapali", be gracious toward us.' Thus praised, gracious of heart, Shankara raised the gods up.

Verse 76 (skanda.5.2.76)

कृपानिधिः स भगवांस्तत्रैवांतरधीयत। शशिशकलमयूखैर्भासित यत्कपर्दं द्रवति गगनगंगातोयवीचीविचेयम्। सितविधृतकपालो मालया रुद्रपार्श्वे स जयति जितवेधा ऊर्जितः प्राज्यतेजाः

kṛpānidhiḥ sa bhagavāṁstatraivāṁtaradhīyata| śaśiśakalamayūkhairbhāsita yatkapardaṁ dravati gaganagaṁgātoyavīcīviceyam| sitavidhṛtakapālo mālayā rudrapārśve sa jayati jitavedhā ūrjitaḥ prājyatejāḥ

That ocean of compassion, the blessed Lord, thereupon vanished on that very spot. His matted locks, lit by the rays of the crescent moon, seem to flow like the rippling waves of the celestial Ganga's waters; garlanded, bearing the white skull, standing beside Rudra—victorious is he, of unvanquished wisdom, mighty, of abundant splendour.