The Glory of Shaktibheda Tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.5.34.1)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । तीर्थमन्यत्तथा वक्ष्ये शक्तिभेदमिति स्मृतम् । स्कंदस्य च जटाभद्रं चक्रे यत्र पुरा शिवः

sanatkumāra uvāca tīrthamanyattathā vakṣye śaktibhedamiti smṛtam skaṁdasya ca jaṭābhadraṁ cakre yatra purā śivaḥ

Sanatkumāra said: "I shall now declare another ford, remembered as Śaktibheda, and also of Skanda's Jaṭābhadra, where Śiva of old performed the rite..."

Verse 2 (skanda.5.34.2)

तारकं च तथा दैत्यं हत्वा यत्र सुरद्विषम् । शक्तिं स्कंदः स्वयं क्रुद्धो निश्चिक्षेप महीतले

tārakaṁ ca tathā daityaṁ hatvā yatra suradviṣam śaktiṁ skaṁdaḥ svayaṁ kruddho niścikṣepa mahītale

"-- and where, having slain the daitya Tāraka, the enemy of the gods, Skanda himself, enraged, hurled his spear down upon the earth."

Verse 3 (skanda.5.34.3)

व्यास उवाच । भगवन्ब्रूहि यत्नेन संशयो मे महामुने । कथं स्कंदः समुत्पन्न एतदिच्छामि वेदितुम्

vyāsa uvāca bhagavanbrūhi yatnena saṁśayo me mahāmune kathaṁ skaṁdaḥ samutpanna etadicchāmi veditum

Vyāsa said: "O Lord, tell me carefully — I have a doubt, O great sage. How was Skanda born? This I wish to know."

Verse 4 (skanda.5.34.4)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । पुरा देवासुरे युद्धे निर्जिता दानवैः सुराः । दिवं त्यक्त्वा दिशो याताः शक्राद्या भयविह्वलाः

sanatkumāra uvāca purā devāsure yuddhe nirjitā dānavaiḥ surāḥ divaṁ tyaktvā diśo yātāḥ śakrādyā bhayavihvalāḥ

Sanatkumāra said: "Formerly, in the war of gods and asuras, the gods, defeated by the dānavas, abandoning heaven, went off in various directions, Śakra and the others overwhelmed with fear."

Verse 5 (skanda.5.34.5)

तत्र तु देव राजेन तपसोग्रेण वै मुने । आराधितो महादेवस्त्र्यंबकस्त्रिपुरांतकः

tatra tu deva rājena tapasogreṇa vai mune ārādhito mahādevastryaṁbakastripurāṁtakaḥ

"There, O sage, the king of gods, through fierce austerity, propitiated the great god, three-eyed, the destroyer of Tripura."

Verse 6 (skanda.5.34.6)

ततस्तुष्टो महादेवः शक्रस्याभिमुखः स्थितः । उवाच वचनं श्लक्ष्णं वरमिष्टं ददामि ते

tatastuṣṭo mahādevaḥ śakrasyābhimukhaḥ sthitaḥ uvāca vacanaṁ ślakṣṇaṁ varamiṣṭaṁ dadāmi te

Then the pleased Mahādeva, standing before Śakra, spoke a gentle word: "I grant you the boon you desire."

Verse 7 (skanda.5.34.7)

शक्र उवाच । यदि तुष्टोऽसि भगवन्कारुण्यान्मम शंकर । महासेनापतिं देव प्रयच्छ परमेश्वर

śakra uvāca yadi tuṣṭo'si bhagavankāruṇyānmama śaṁkara mahāsenāpatiṁ deva prayaccha parameśvara

Śakra said: "If you are pleased with me out of compassion, O Lord Śaṅkara, then, O supreme god, grant us a great general of the army."

Verse 8 (skanda.5.34.8)

हर उवाच । उत्पादयामि देवेषु स्ववीर्यादूर्जितं सुतम् । सेनान्यां च महासेनं सुराणां भयहारकम्

hara uvāca utpādayāmi deveṣu svavīryādūrjitaṁ sutam senānyāṁ ca mahāsenaṁ surāṇāṁ bhayahārakam

Hara said: "I shall produce, from my own vigour, among the gods, a mighty son — a great general, the remover of the gods' fear."

Verse 9 (skanda.5.34.9)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । इत्युक्त्वांतर्दधे देवः सर्वभूतपतिर्हरः । सुतचिंतापरो देवो जगाम च हिमालयम्

sanatkumāra uvāca ityuktvāṁtardadhe devaḥ sarvabhūtapatirharaḥ sutaciṁtāparo devo jagāma ca himālayam

Sanatkumāra said: Having said this, the god Hara, lord of all beings, vanished; and the god, his mind occupied with thoughts of a son, went to the Himālaya.

Verse 10 (skanda.5.34.10)

देवदारुवने तस्थौ ज्ञानध्यानपरोऽभवत् । ब्रह्मादयोऽपि यं देवं योगिनो ध्यानचिंतकाः

devadāruvane tasthau jñānadhyānaparo'bhavat brahmādayo'pi yaṁ devaṁ yogino dhyānaciṁtakāḥ

He remained in the Devadāru forest, devoted to knowledge and meditation. Him, whom even Brahmā and the others, the yogis intent on meditation --

Verse 11 (skanda.5.34.11)

ध्यायंति नियतात्मनः प्राणायामपरा मुने । लिंगमूर्तिश्च यो नित्यं पूज्यते सर्वजंतुभिः

dhyāyaṁti niyatātmanaḥ prāṇāyāmaparā mune liṁgamūrtiśca yo nityaṁ pūjyate sarvajaṁtubhiḥ

"-- self-controlled, devoted to breath-control, meditate upon, O sage; and whose liṅga-form is ever worshipped by all creatures --"

Verse 12 (skanda.5.34.12)

स ध्यायति किमर्थं तन्न विद्मः परमार्थिनः । वं ध्यानपरे देवे देवी हिमवतो गृहे

sa dhyāyati kimarthaṁ tanna vidmaḥ paramārthinaḥ vaṁ dhyānapare deve devī himavato gṛhe

"-- upon what does he himself meditate? That we, seekers of the highest truth, do not know. While the god was thus absorbed in meditation, the goddess, in the house of Himavat --"

Verse 13 (skanda.5.34.13)

मध्ये वयसि वर्तंती यासीद्दाक्षायणी सती । पितुर्गेहे निजो देहो यया योगाद्विसर्जितः

madhye vayasi vartaṁtī yāsīddākṣāyaṇī satī piturgehe nijo deho yayā yogādvisarjitaḥ

"-- being in the midst of her new age, was she who had been Dākṣāyaṇī Satī, by whom, in her father's house, her own body had been given up through yoga."

Verse 14 (skanda.5.34.14)

निमंत्रितो न मे भर्ता इति कोपं चकार या । तां देवीं हिमवान्पूर्वं श्रुत्वा देवर्षिनारदात्

nimaṁtrito na me bhartā iti kopaṁ cakāra yā tāṁ devīṁ himavānpūrvaṁ śrutvā devarṣināradāt

"-- because 'my husband was not invited' — thus she had become enraged. That goddess, Himavat, having earlier heard of from the divine sage Nārada --"

Verse 15 (skanda.5.34.15)

भवभार्या भवित्रीति नान्यं वरमचिंतयत् । तपस्यति च रुद्राय सा सखीभ्यां समन्विता

bhavabhāryā bhavitrīti nānyaṁ varamaciṁtayat tapasyati ca rudrāya sā sakhībhyāṁ samanvitā

"-- knowing 'she is to become Bhava's wife,' he thought of no other suitor. She, together with her two companions, performed austerity for the sake of Rudra."

Verse 16 (skanda.5.34.16)

कथं हि शंकरो देवो मम भर्ता भविष्यति । यावदेवं गतो देवो देवी हिमवतः सुता

kathaṁ hi śaṁkaro devo mama bhartā bhaviṣyati yāvadevaṁ gato devo devī himavataḥ sutā

"'How indeed shall the god Śaṅkara become my husband?' Thus she thought, while the god had gone thus into meditation — she, the daughter of Himavat."

Verse 17 (skanda.5.34.17)

ततः समागता देवाः कृत्वाग्रे बलसूदनम् । जग्मुर्ब्रह्मसदः पुण्यं द्रष्टुं ब्रह्माणम व्ययम्

tataḥ samāgatā devāḥ kṛtvāgre balasūdanam jagmurbrahmasadaḥ puṇyaṁ draṣṭuṁ brahmāṇama vyayam

Then the gods assembled, and, placing Indra at their head, went to the holy assembly-hall of Brahmā, to behold the imperishable Brahmā.

Verse 18 (skanda.5.34.18)

ते सुरास्तत्स्तुति कृत्वा वाक्यमेतत्समैरयन् । शरणं भव देवानां दानवैर्विजितात्मनाम्

te surāstatstuti kṛtvā vākyametatsamairayan śaraṇaṁ bhava devānāṁ dānavairvijitātmanām

Those gods, having praised him, uttered this word together: "Be a refuge for the gods, whose spirits have been conquered by the dānavas."

Verse 19 (skanda.5.34.19)

ततोऽवोचत्सुरान्ब्रह्मा ज्ञातं कार्यं समाहितम् । नैतच्छंभोर्विना वीर्यात्कार्यसिद्धिर्भविष्यति

tato'vocatsurānbrahmā jñātaṁ kāryaṁ samāhitam naitacchaṁbhorvinā vīryātkāryasiddhirbhaviṣyati

Then Brahmā said to the gods: "The matter is understood and considered; this task's accomplishment shall not come about without the vigour of Śambhu."

Verse 20 (skanda.5.34.20)

तथा यतध्वं देवेशं यथा वांछति पार्वतीम् । इत्युक्त्वांतर्दधे ब्रह्मा स्वप्ने लब्धं धनं यथा

tathā yatadhvaṁ deveśaṁ yathā vāṁchati pārvatīm ityuktvāṁtardadhe brahmā svapne labdhaṁ dhanaṁ yathā

"'Therefore strive so that the Lord of gods may desire Pārvatī.' Having said this, Brahmā vanished, like wealth obtained in a dream."

Verse 21 (skanda.5.34.21)

ततो मेरुं समागत्य पुनर्मंत्रं प्रचक्रिरे । तेषामाहेदृशं शक्रस्तुष्टः शंभुः पुरा मम

tato meruṁ samāgatya punarmaṁtraṁ pracakrire teṣāmāhedṛśaṁ śakrastuṣṭaḥ śaṁbhuḥ purā mama

Then, having come together to Meru, they took counsel again. Śakra said this to them: "Śambhu, pleased with me formerly --"

Verse 22 (skanda.5.34.22)

प्रतिपन्नं च देवेन स्वांगात्सेना पतिं प्रति । तस्मादेवं गते कार्ये कारणं मकरध्वजः

pratipannaṁ ca devena svāṁgātsenā patiṁ prati tasmādevaṁ gate kārye kāraṇaṁ makaradhvajaḥ

"'-- promised, from his own being, to produce a general of the army. Since the matter stands thus, the cause needed is the one with the makara-banner, Kāma.'"

Verse 23 (skanda.5.34.23)

इति संचित्य देवेशः काममाहूय सत्वरम् । उवाच वचनं हृद्यं देवाना मनुकंपया

iti saṁcitya deveśaḥ kāmamāhūya satvaram uvāca vacanaṁ hṛdyaṁ devānā manukaṁpayā

Having thus deliberated, the Lord of gods swiftly summoned Kāma and spoke a pleasing word, out of compassion for the gods:

Verse 24 (skanda.5.34.24)

यथा देवो भजेद्देवीं तथा काम विधीयताम् । कारणं महदेतद्वै देवानां समुपस्थितम्

yathā devo bhajeddevīṁ tathā kāma vidhīyatām kāraṇaṁ mahadetadvai devānāṁ samupasthitam

"'-- O Kāma, act so that the god may take to the goddess; this great matter has arisen for the sake of the gods.'"

Verse 25 (skanda.5.34.25)

कामो वाक्यं हरेः श्रुत्वा प्रहस्येदमुवाच ह । करिष्ये सर्वमेवं हि सखा मे चेद्भवेन्मधुः

kāmo vākyaṁ hareḥ śrutvā prahasyedamuvāca ha kariṣye sarvamevaṁ hi sakhā me cedbhavenmadhuḥ

Kāma, hearing Hari's word, laughing, said: "I shall do all of this indeed, if Madhu becomes my companion."

Verse 26 (skanda.5.34.26)

तस्मिन्क्षणेऽथ शक्रेण कामवाक्यादनंतरम् । समादिष्टो मधुः क्षिप्रं कामस्यानुचरो भव

tasminkṣaṇe'tha śakreṇa kāmavākyādanaṁtaram samādiṣṭo madhuḥ kṣipraṁ kāmasyānucaro bhava

At that very moment, immediately after Kāma's word, Madhu was commanded by Śakra: "Become quickly the attendant of Kāma."

Verse 27 (skanda.5.34.27)

लब्ध्वा कामो मधुं मित्रं प्रतस्थे भार्यया सह । कृत्वा सज्यं धनुर्बाणं पौष्पं पाणौ समाहितः

labdhvā kāmo madhuṁ mitraṁ pratasthe bhāryayā saha kṛtvā sajyaṁ dhanurbāṇaṁ pauṣpaṁ pāṇau samāhitaḥ

Having obtained Madhu as friend, Kāma set out together with his wife, having strung his flower-bow and taken his arrow in hand, composed.

Verse 28 (skanda.5.34.28)

यत्र देवाधिदेवेशो देवदारुवने स्थितः । नन्दीश्वरः प्रतीहारः कृतध्यानोऽवतिष्ठति

yatra devādhideveśo devadāruvane sthitaḥ nandīśvaraḥ pratīhāraḥ kṛtadhyāno'vatiṣṭhati

He went to where the Lord of gods of gods, established in the Devadāru forest, deep in meditation, sat, with Nandīśvara as gatekeeper.

Verse 29 (skanda.5.34.29)

चूतवृक्षाश्रितः कामो यावद्बाणं सुमोहनम् । संदधात्यंतरे चास्मिन्देवी प्राप भवाश्रमम्

cūtavṛkṣāśritaḥ kāmo yāvadbāṇaṁ sumohanam saṁdadhātyaṁtare cāsmindevī prāpa bhavāśramam

Kāma, taking shelter in a mango tree, was just fitting his most bewildering arrow, when, in the meantime, the goddess arrived at Bhava's hermitage.

Verse 30 (skanda.5.34.30)

त्यक्तध्यानव्रतो देवो हृष्टश्चाह्रादचेतनः । ततो विलोकयामास दिशः सर्वाः प्रयत्नतः

tyaktadhyānavrato devo hṛṣṭaścāhrādacetanaḥ tato vilokayāmāsa diśaḥ sarvāḥ prayatnataḥ

The god, his vow of meditation broken, delighted, his mind stirred with excitement, then diligently gazed about in all directions.

Verse 31 (skanda.5.34.31)

चूतवृक्षाश्रितं काममपश्यच्च रुषान्वितः । भस्मीकृतस्तृतीयाक्ष्णा वह्निज्वालावता ततः

cūtavṛkṣāśritaṁ kāmamapaśyacca ruṣānvitaḥ bhasmīkṛtastṛtīyākṣṇā vahnijvālāvatā tataḥ

He saw Kāma sheltered in the mango tree, and, filled with fury, Kāma was then reduced to ashes by the flame of the third eye.

Verse 32 (skanda.5.34.32)

देवोऽप्यन्तर्दधे तस्मात्स्थानादाशु गणैः सह । पार्वती विस्मिता साध्वी लज्जिता दुःखिताऽभवत्

devo'pyantardadhe tasmātsthānādāśu gaṇaiḥ saha pārvatī vismitā sādhvī lajjitā duḥkhitā'bhavat

The god too then vanished swiftly from that place, together with his gaṇas. The virtuous Pārvatī became astonished, ashamed, and sorrowful.

Verse 33 (skanda.5.34.33)

हिमवांस्तां समुत्थाप्य निनायाशु निजं गृहम् । गते देवे च देव्यां च कामपत्नी सुदुः खिता

himavāṁstāṁ samutthāpya nināyāśu nijaṁ gṛham gate deve ca devyāṁ ca kāmapatnī suduḥ khitā

Himavat, raising her up, quickly led her to his own home. When the god and the goddess had gone, Kāma's wife, exceedingly sorrowful --

Verse 34 (skanda.5.34.34)

भस्मीकृतं पतिं दृष्ट्वा विललाप सुदुःखिता । दृष्ट्वा रतिं सुदुःखार्ता वागुवाचाशरीरिणी

bhasmīkṛtaṁ patiṁ dṛṣṭvā vilalāpa suduḥkhitā dṛṣṭvā ratiṁ suduḥkhārtā vāguvācāśarīriṇī

"-- seeing her husband reduced to ashes, lamented in deep grief. Seeing Rati thus afflicted with grief, a bodiless voice spoke --"

Verse 35 (skanda.5.34.35)

आश्वासयंतीं कृपया सखीमिव सुदुः खिताम् । मा रोदीस्त्वं शुभापांगि तव भर्ता करिष्यति

āśvāsayaṁtīṁ kṛpayā sakhīmiva suduḥ khitām mā rodīstvaṁ śubhāpāṁgi tava bhartā kariṣyati

"-- consoling her with compassion, as if a friend consoling a deeply grieving companion: 'Do not weep, O you of the lovely glance; your husband will accomplish --'"

Verse 36 (skanda.5.34.36)

सर्वकार्याण्यनंगोपि मित्रकार्यं विधानतः । यदा चायं महादेवः परिणेष्यति पार्वतीम्

sarvakāryāṇyanaṁgopi mitrakāryaṁ vidhānataḥ yadā cāyaṁ mahādevaḥ pariṇeṣyati pārvatīm

"'-- all tasks, even though bodiless, as a friend's duty, according to rule. When this great god shall wed Pārvatī --'"

Verse 37 (skanda.5.34.37)

ततः शंभोरनुध्यानात्थास्यति न संशयः । द्वापरांते यदा कृष्णो द्वारकायां निवत्स्यति

tataḥ śaṁbhoranudhyānātthāsyati na saṁśayaḥ dvāparāṁte yadā kṛṣṇo dvārakāyāṁ nivatsyati

"'-- then, through the meditation of Śambhu, he shall rise again — of this there is no doubt. At the end of the Dvāpara age, when Kṛṣṇa shall dwell in Dvārakā --'"

Verse 38 (skanda.5.34.38)

तत्पुत्रो भविता देही प्रद्युम्नोनाम ते पतिः । इत्युक्ता साऽजहाच्छोकमाकाशाज्जातया गिरा

tatputro bhavitā dehī pradyumnonāma te patiḥ ityuktā sā'jahācchokamākāśājjātayā girā

"'-- your husband, embodied, shall become his son, named Pradyumna.' Thus addressed, by the voice that arose from the sky, she gave up her grief."

Verse 39 (skanda.5.34.39)

अचिंतयत्तदा देवी उमापि हिमवद्गृहे । कामस्य दहनं तेजः शंभोर्यत्तदनुत्तमम्

aciṁtayattadā devī umāpi himavadgṛhe kāmasya dahanaṁ tejaḥ śaṁbhoryattadanuttamam

Then the goddess Umā too, in Himavat's house, reflected: "That unsurpassed splendour of Śambhu which burnt Kāma --"

Verse 40 (skanda.5.34.40)

कथं भर्त्ता भवेद्देवः कामस्योत्थापनं कथम् । नैतत्तपो विना कार्यं क्वचित्कस्यापि सिध्यति

kathaṁ bharttā bhaveddevaḥ kāmasyotthāpanaṁ katham naitattapo vinā kāryaṁ kvacitkasyāpi sidhyati

"'-- how shall the god become my husband, and how shall Kāma be revived? This task is never accomplished by anyone without austerity.'"

Verse 41 (skanda.5.34.41)

एवं संचिंतयित्वाथ सखीभिः सहिता ततः । तपश्चकार सुमहत्पित्रादेशाच्छुभव्रता

evaṁ saṁciṁtayitvātha sakhībhiḥ sahitā tataḥ tapaścakāra sumahatpitrādeśācchubhavratā

Having thus reflected, then, together with her companions, of auspicious vows, by her father's permission, she performed very great austerity.

Verse 42 (skanda.5.34.42)

वर्षास्वभ्रावकाशस्था हेमंते जलशायिनी । ग्रीष्मे पंचाग्नितप्तांगी तपस्युग्रे समा स्थिता

varṣāsvabhrāvakāśasthā hemaṁte jalaśāyinī grīṣme paṁcāgnitaptāṁgī tapasyugre samā sthitā

In the rains, standing exposed under the open sky; in winter, lying in water; in summer, her limbs scorched by the five fires — thus she remained continually engaged in fierce austerity.

Verse 43 (skanda.5.34.43)

तां दृष्ट्वा तपसोपेतां ब्रह्मचारिवया हरः । आजगामाश्रमं देव्याः कृतातिथ्योऽब्रवीदिदम्

tāṁ dṛṣṭvā tapasopetāṁ brahmacārivayā haraḥ ājagāmāśramaṁ devyāḥ kṛtātithyo'bravīdidam

Seeing her engaged in austerity, Hara, in the guise of a young brahmacārin, came to the goddess's hermitage; having been received as a guest, he said this:

Verse 44 (skanda.5.34.44)

कृशमध्ये कृशापांगि किमर्थं नवयौवने । तपः करोषि कल्याणि कस्यार्थे कारणं वद

kṛśamadhye kṛśāpāṁgi kimarthaṁ navayauvane tapaḥ karoṣi kalyāṇi kasyārthe kāraṇaṁ vada

"'-- O slender-waisted, delicate-eyed one, why, in the bloom of youth, do you perform austerity, O auspicious one? For whose sake — tell me the reason.'"

Verse 45 (skanda.5.34.45)

उवाच चोत्तरं सा वै सत्यं च मधुरं तथा । बटो तपःसमारंभः क्रियते शंकरा प्तये

uvāca cottaraṁ sā vai satyaṁ ca madhuraṁ tathā baṭo tapaḥsamāraṁbhaḥ kriyate śaṁkarā ptaye

She gave this reply, truthful and sweet: "O young brahmacārin, this austerity is undertaken for the sake of obtaining Śaṅkara."

Verse 46 (skanda.5.34.46)

विचार्य च हरः श्रुत्वाऽनंदयत्कार्यमात्मनः । उमाभक्तिपरीक्षार्थं शिवं वाचा निनिन्द वै

vicārya ca haraḥ śrutvā'naṁdayatkāryamātmanaḥ umābhaktiparīkṣārthaṁ śivaṁ vācā nininda vai

Hara, having reflected and heard this, was delighted at the success of his own purpose; yet, to test Umā's devotion, he verbally disparaged Śiva.

Verse 47 (skanda.5.34.47)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा न सेहे सा गिरेः सुता । गंतुकामामुमां मत्वा तस्मात्स्थानान्महेश्वरः । स्वं वपुर्दर्शयामास त्रिनेत्रं शूलपाणिनम्

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā na sehe sā gireḥ sutā gaṁtukāmāmumāṁ matvā tasmātsthānānmaheśvaraḥ svaṁ vapurdarśayāmāsa trinetraṁ śūlapāṇinam

Hearing his words, the daughter of the mountain could not bear it; and, perceiving Umā about to depart from that place, Maheśvara revealed his own true form, three-eyed, trident-bearing.

Verse 48 (skanda.5.34.48)

लज्जिताभूद्भवानीशं दृष्ट्वा तस्थावधोमुखी । विजयाथाह योगीन्द्रं प्रार्थ्या चाभिजने त्वियम् । पार्वतीहरणार्थाय यत्नं च प्रकरोम्यहम्

lajjitābhūdbhavānīśaṁ dṛṣṭvā tasthāvadhomukhī vijayāthāha yogīndraṁ prārthyā cābhijane tviyam pārvatīharaṇārthāya yatnaṁ ca prakaromyaham

Bhavānī, ashamed at seeing him, stood with face bowed down. Then Vijayā said to the lord of yogis: "This one is to be sought in marriage, in due form; I shall exert effort for the winning of Pārvatī."

Verse 49 (skanda.5.34.49)

इत्युक्त्वांतर्दधे देवो देव्यागाच्च पितुर्गृहम् । देवीलाभाय सप्तर्षीन्सस्मार स्मरशासनः

ityuktvāṁtardadhe devo devyāgācca piturgṛham devīlābhāya saptarṣīnsasmāra smaraśāsanaḥ

Having said this, the god vanished, and the goddess went to her father's house. For the winning of the goddess, the chastiser of Smara then called to mind the Seven Sages.

Verse 50 (skanda.5.34.50)

प्रणेमुस्तेप्यथागम्य संस्मृताः परमेश्वरम् । ऊचुश्च प्रांज लिपुटाः कुर्म किं शाधि नो भृशम्

praṇemustepyathāgamya saṁsmṛtāḥ parameśvaram ūcuśca prāṁja lipuṭāḥ kurma kiṁ śādhi no bhṛśam

They too, thus remembered, came and bowed to the Supreme Lord; and, with joined palms, said: "What shall we do? Instruct us fully."

Verse 51 (skanda.5.34.51)

ततोऽब्रवीन्मुनीनीशः समस्तांश्च गिरेर्गृहम् । गत्वा तथा कुरुध्वं मे पार्वती स्याद्यथा प्रिया

tato'bravīnmunīnīśaḥ samastāṁśca girergṛham gatvā tathā kurudhvaṁ me pārvatī syādyathā priyā

Then the Lord said to the sages, all of them: "Go to the house of the Mountain, and act so that Pārvatī may become my beloved."

Verse 52 (skanda.5.34.52)

तथेति ते प्रतिज्ञाय संकेतं शंभुना समम् । कृत्वा जग्मुः सपत्नीका गिरींद्रस्य निवेशनम्

tatheti te pratijñāya saṁketaṁ śaṁbhunā samam kṛtvā jagmuḥ sapatnīkā girīṁdrasya niveśanam

Saying "So be it," they, having made an appointment with Śambhu, went, together with their wives, to the dwelling of the lord of the mountain.

Verse 53 (skanda.5.34.53)

दत्तार्घा भूधरेंद्रेण कृतासन परिग्रहाः । ऊचुरद्रिमुमां यच्छ शंकरायार्थिने प्रियाम्

dattārghā bhūdhareṁdreṇa kṛtāsana parigrahāḥ ūcuradrimumāṁ yaccha śaṁkarāyārthine priyām

Given the guest-offering by the lord of the mountains, having accepted their seats, they said to the Mountain: "Give Umā, your dear one, to Śaṅkara, the suitor."

Verse 54 (skanda.5.34.54)

दत्तेत्युक्ता गिरींद्रेण निरूप्योद्वाहवासरम् । लब्ध्वानुज्ञां समायाता यत्रास्ते स महेश्वरः

dattetyuktā girīṁdreṇa nirūpyodvāhavāsaram labdhvānujñāṁ samāyātā yatrāste sa maheśvaraḥ

Saying "She is given," the lord of the mountain, having determined the wedding day, and the sages, having obtained leave, came to where Maheśvara dwelt.

Verse 55 (skanda.5.34.55)

ऊचुस्ते शंकरं सर्वे दत्ता हिमवता शिवा । कृतकार्याश्च सर्वेऽपि वव्रजुस्ते यथागतम्

ūcuste śaṁkaraṁ sarve dattā himavatā śivā kṛtakāryāśca sarve'pi vavrajuste yathāgatam

They all said to Śaṅkara: "Śivā has been given by Himavat." And, their task accomplished, all of them went back as they had come.

Verse 56 (skanda.5.34.56)

चक्रुर्विवाह सामग्रीं ब्रह्मेन्द्रादिसुरास्तदा । वृषासनो जगामाथ नंदीशप्रमुखैर्गणैः

cakrurvivāha sāmagrīṁ brahmendrādisurāstadā vṛṣāsano jagāmātha naṁdīśapramukhairgaṇaiḥ

Brahmā, Indra, and the other gods then prepared the wedding materials; and he whose seat is the bull then set out, together with his hosts headed by Nandīśa.

Verse 57 (skanda.5.34.57)

शंखदुंदुभिनादैश्च ब्रह्माद्यैरमरैः सह । प्राप्यागेंद्रालयं हीशः कृतकौतुकमंगलः

śaṁkhaduṁdubhinādaiśca brahmādyairamaraiḥ saha prāpyāgeṁdrālayaṁ hīśaḥ kṛtakautukamaṁgalaḥ

With the sound of conches and kettle-drums, together with the immortals headed by Brahmā, the Lord, having performed the auspicious kautuka rite, reached the abode of the lord of mountains.

Verse 58 (skanda.5.34.58)

विवाह्येमां विधानेन जगाम स्वालयं पुनः । तत्रैकांतरतिर्देवो यावत्तिष्ठति कामवान्

vivāhyemāṁ vidhānena jagāma svālayaṁ punaḥ tatraikāṁtaratirdevo yāvattiṣṭhati kāmavān

Having duly married her, he went again to his own abode. There the god, absorbed in solitary passion, remained, filled with desire...

Verse 59 (skanda.5.34.59)

तावत्त्रस्तैः सुरैरग्निः प्रेषितोऽगान्महेश्वरम् । अग्नौ तत्र गते देवो रतिं कृत्वा महेश्वरः

tāvattrastaiḥ surairagniḥ preṣito'gānmaheśvaram agnau tatra gate devo ratiṁ kṛtvā maheśvaraḥ

"...when, the gods being alarmed, Agni was sent, and went to Maheśvara. When Agni had gone there, Maheśvara, having engaged in love --"

Verse 60 (skanda.5.34.60)

निचिक्षेप मुखे वह्नेः स्वरेतो व्रीडितो भृशम् । रेतसा तेन तप्तो ऽग्निर्गंगातोये निक्षिप्तवान्

nicikṣepa mukhe vahneḥ svareto vrīḍito bhṛśam retasā tena tapto 'gnirgaṁgātoye nikṣiptavān

"-- cast his own seed, greatly abashed, into the mouth of Fire. Agni, scorched by that seed, cast it into the water of the Gaṅgā."

Verse 61 (skanda.5.34.61)

हररेतोऽग्निनोद्गीर्णं गंगामध्ये पपात ह । तया तु स्वतटे न्यस्तं दग्धया रुद्ररेतसा

harareto'gninodgīrṇaṁ gaṁgāmadhye papāta ha tayā tu svataṭe nyastaṁ dagdhayā rudraretasā

Hara's seed, vomited forth by Agni, fell into the midst of the Gaṅgā; and she, burnt by Rudra's seed, deposited it upon her own bank.

Verse 62 (skanda.5.34.62)

सप्तर्षीणां च षट्पत्न्यः स्नानार्थं जाह्नवीं ययुः । शीतार्तास्ताः कृतस्नाना दृष्ट्वा तेजस्तटे ज्वलत्

saptarṣīṇāṁ ca ṣaṭpatnyaḥ snānārthaṁ jāhnavīṁ yayuḥ śītārtāstāḥ kṛtasnānā dṛṣṭvā tejastaṭe jvalat

Six of the wives of the Seven Sages went to the Jāhnavī to bathe; suffering from cold, having bathed, they saw a splendour blazing on the bank.

Verse 63 (skanda.5.34.63)

मत्वाग्निमिति ताः सर्वास्तपंति स्म यथेच्छया । तपंतीनां च वै तासां तद्बीजसंभव मुने

matvāgnimiti tāḥ sarvāstapaṁti sma yathecchayā tapaṁtīnāṁ ca vai tāsāṁ tadbījasaṁbhava mune

Thinking it to be fire, all of them warmed themselves as they wished. O sage, as they warmed themselves, that seed's offspring...

Verse 64 (skanda.5.34.64)

षडाननं समारूढं श्रोणिद्वारेण सत्वरम् । यदान्योन्यमुत्पतितुं शक्ता नाग्निपुरोगमात्

ṣaḍānanaṁ samārūḍhaṁ śroṇidvāreṇa satvaram yadānyonyamutpatituṁ śaktā nāgnipurogamāt

"...the six-faced one, ascended into them swiftly through the womb-entrance. When they were unable, on account of the fire that had come first into them, to leap apart from one another --"

Verse 65 (skanda.5.34.65)

चिंतां जग्मुस्तदा सर्वा मुनित्रासात्ततो भयात् । ततश्च तपसो वीर्यान्निष्कृष्य स्वोदरात्ततः

ciṁtāṁ jagmustadā sarvā munitrāsāttato bhayāt tataśca tapaso vīryānniṣkṛṣya svodarāttataḥ

"-- they all fell into anxiety then, from fear of their husbands' wrath. Then, drawing forth from their own wombs the potent seed of that austerity --"

Verse 66 (skanda.5.34.66)

षड्भिरेकत्वमापद्य श्वेतपर्वतमस्तके । मध्ये शराणां वै कृत्य निक्षिप्तं वीर्यमुत्तमम्

ṣaḍbhirekatvamāpadya śvetaparvatamastake madhye śarāṇāṁ vai kṛtya nikṣiptaṁ vīryamuttamam

"-- having by the six of them arrived at unity, that supreme seed was placed and deposited in the midst of a clump of reeds, upon the summit of the White Mountain."

Verse 67 (skanda.5.34.67)

शुक्लायां प्रतिपद्यासीद्द्वितीयायां समीकृतः । तृतीयायां च साकारः सर्वलक्षणलक्षितः

śuklāyāṁ pratipadyāsīddvitīyāyāṁ samīkṛtaḥ tṛtīyāyāṁ ca sākāraḥ sarvalakṣaṇalakṣitaḥ

On the first day of the bright fortnight it came to be; on the second it took shape evenly; on the third it possessed form, marked with every auspicious sign.

Verse 68 (skanda.5.34.68)

चतुर्थ्यां परिपूर्णांगः षण्मुखो द्वादशेक्षणः । अलंकृतस्तु पंचम्यां षष्ठ्यां च स समुत्थितः

caturthyāṁ paripūrṇāṁgaḥ ṣaṇmukho dvādaśekṣaṇaḥ alaṁkṛtastu paṁcamyāṁ ṣaṣṭhyāṁ ca sa samutthitaḥ

On the fourth, his limbs were complete, six-faced, twelve-eyed; on the fifth he was adorned; and on the sixth he arose fully.

Verse 69 (skanda.5.34.69)

तेजसा श्वेतताम्रेण तताप स जगत्त्रयम् । जातमित्थं समाकर्ण्य सर्वे शक्रमुखाः सुराः

tejasā śvetatāmreṇa tatāpa sa jagattrayam jātamitthaṁ samākarṇya sarve śakramukhāḥ surāḥ

With a splendour of white and copper hue, he scorched the three worlds. Hearing that he had thus been born, all the gods, headed by Śakra...

Verse 70 (skanda.5.34.70)

समागत्यास्य संस्कारं ब्रह्मा चक्रे यथाविधि । तुष्टेन पार्वतीशेन शक्तिर्दत्ता दृढा शुभा

samāgatyāsya saṁskāraṁ brahmā cakre yathāvidhi tuṣṭena pārvatīśena śaktirdattā dṛḍhā śubhā

"-- came together, and Brahmā duly performed his consecration-rites; and by the pleased lord of Pārvatī, a strong, auspicious spear was given to him."

Verse 71 (skanda.5.34.71)

ततो गौर्या मयूरश्च वाहने परिकल्पितः । छागश्चैवाग्निना दत्तः कुक्कुटं सरितां पतिः

tato gauryā mayūraśca vāhane parikalpitaḥ chāgaścaivāgninā dattaḥ kukkuṭaṁ saritāṁ patiḥ

Then a peacock was appointed by Gaurī as his mount; and Agni gave him a goat, and the lord of rivers gave a cock.

Verse 72 (skanda.5.34.72)

शूलेन कृत्तिकाभिश्च वर्धितः पुत्रकाम्यया । ततस्तु प्राप्तसंस्कारो ब्रह्माद्यैरभिनंदितः

śūlena kṛttikābhiśca vardhitaḥ putrakāmyayā tatastu prāptasaṁskāro brahmādyairabhinaṁditaḥ

He was nursed by the Kṛttikās with their own trident-like breasts, out of desire for a son. Then, his consecration accomplished, he was congratulated by Brahmā and the others.

Verse 73 (skanda.5.34.73)

शक्तिहस्तोऽभिषिक्तस्तु देवसेनासमादृतः । वित्ताधिपेन साह्येन पावकिः पण्मुखों ऽशतः

śaktihasto'bhiṣiktastu devasenāsamādṛtaḥ vittādhipena sāhyena pāvakiḥ paṇmukhoṁ 'śataḥ

Spear in hand, consecrated, honoured with command of the army of the gods, aided by the lord of wealth, the son of Fire, six-faced, in his various portions --

Verse 74 (skanda.5.34.74)

गांगेयः कार्तिकेयश्च गुहः स्कंद उमासुतः । देवसेनापतिः स्वामी सेनानीश्च शिखिध्वजः

gāṁgeyaḥ kārtikeyaśca guhaḥ skaṁda umāsutaḥ devasenāpatiḥ svāmī senānīśca śikhidhvajaḥ

"-- Gāṅgeya, and Kārtikeya, Guha, Skanda, the son of Umā, the commander of the army of the gods, Svāmī, Senānī, he whose banner is the peacock --"

Verse 75 (skanda.5.34.75)

कुमारः शक्तिधारी च तस्य नामानि षोडश । यः पठेन्मानवो भक्त्या बाधा तस्य न जायते

kumāraḥ śaktidhārī ca tasya nāmāni ṣoḍaśa yaḥ paṭhenmānavo bhaktyā bādhā tasya na jāyate

"-- Kumāra, and the spear-bearer — these are his sixteen names. The man who recites them with devotion, no harm ever befalls him."

Verse 76 (skanda.5.34.76)

एवं जातो महासेनो दानवानां क्षयकरः । कुशस्थल्यां समानीतः शंभुना स्थानकारणात्

evaṁ jāto mahāseno dānavānāṁ kṣayakaraḥ kuśasthalyāṁ samānītaḥ śaṁbhunā sthānakāraṇāt

Thus was born Mahāsena, the destroyer of the dānavas; he was brought by Śambhu to Kuśasthalī, for the sake of establishing a shrine there.

Verse 77 (skanda.5.34.77)

अभिषिक्तः स तेनासौ भद्रितः स जटाः पुरा । तेन भद्रजटंनाम देवतीर्थं च कथ्यते

abhiṣiktaḥ sa tenāsau bhadritaḥ sa jaṭāḥ purā tena bhadrajaṭaṁnāma devatīrthaṁ ca kathyate

He was consecrated by him, and formerly his matted locks were made auspicious; by this, that divine ford is called by the name Bhadrajaṭa.

Verse 78 (skanda.5.34.78)

कृताभिषेकं लब्धास्त्रं महासेनं महेश्वरः । तमुवाच समधुरं सर्वदेवसमागमे

kṛtābhiṣekaṁ labdhāstraṁ mahāsenaṁ maheśvaraḥ tamuvāca samadhuraṁ sarvadevasamāgame

To Mahāsena, whose consecration was performed and who had obtained his weapon, Maheśvara spoke sweetly, in the assembly of all the gods:

Verse 79 (skanda.5.34.79)

रक्षा कार्या त्वया पुत्र सामरस्य शतक्रतोः । देवानां बाधकाः सर्वे निहंतव्याः सुरद्विषः

rakṣā kāryā tvayā putra sāmarasya śatakratoḥ devānāṁ bādhakāḥ sarve nihaṁtavyāḥ suradviṣaḥ

"'-- Protection is to be given by you, my son, to Śatakratu together with the other immortals; all the enemies of the gods who oppress them must be slain.'"

Verse 80 (skanda.5.34.80)

इत्थं महोत्सवे जाते दृप्तप्रमथसागरे । मातरोऽन्वागताः सर्वाः पातालतलसंस्थिताः

itthaṁ mahotsave jāte dṛptapramathasāgare mātaro'nvāgatāḥ sarvāḥ pātālatalasaṁsthitāḥ

When this great festival had thus come to pass, amid the exultant ocean of Pramathas, all the Mother-goddesses, dwelling in the depths of Pātāla, came in attendance.

Verse 81 (skanda.5.34.81)

तासामाहारसंज्ञाभिश्चक्रे नामानि शंकरः । यानि तानि प्रवक्ष्यामि शृणु त्वं मुनिपुंगव

tāsāmāhārasaṁjñābhiścakre nāmāni śaṁkaraḥ yāni tāni pravakṣyāmi śṛṇu tvaṁ munipuṁgava

Śaṅkara gave them names according to their preferred food; which names these are, I shall now declare — listen, O foremost of sages.

Verse 82 (skanda.5.34.82)

वटभोजनकामा या ज्ञेयास्ता वटमातरः । भुञ्जते चर्पटान्यास्तु ता वै चर्पटमातरः

vaṭabhojanakāmā yā jñeyāstā vaṭamātaraḥ bhuñjate carpaṭānyāstu tā vai carpaṭamātaraḥ

Those desiring to eat vaṭa are to be known as the Vaṭa-mothers; those who eat carpaṭas are the Carpaṭa-mothers.

Verse 83 (skanda.5.34.83)

क्रीडार्थं शंभुना चाथ प्राप्ता याः पौलभोजने । षण्णवतिमातरः सत्याः सर्वास्ताः पौलमातरः

krīḍārthaṁ śaṁbhunā cātha prāptā yāḥ paulabhojane ṣaṇṇavatimātaraḥ satyāḥ sarvāstāḥ paulamātaraḥ

Those who, for the sake of sport, were brought by Śambhu to feast on paula, all ninety-six of them, truly, are the Paula-mothers.

Verse 84 (skanda.5.34.84)

सर्वासां दर्शनं पुण्यं ग्रहभूतविनाशनम् । प्रयत्नतः सदा देव्यो द्रष्टव्या मानवैर्मुने

sarvāsāṁ darśanaṁ puṇyaṁ grahabhūtavināśanam prayatnataḥ sadā devyo draṣṭavyā mānavairmune

The sight of all of them is meritorious, destroying evil planets and spirits; O sage, these goddesses should ever diligently be sought out and beheld by men.

Verse 85 (skanda.5.34.85)

लब्ध्वा शक्तिं महासेनो देवसेनो महाव्रतः । जघान दानवेंद्रं तं तारकं तरसा तदा

labdhvā śaktiṁ mahāseno devaseno mahāvrataḥ jaghāna dānaveṁdraṁ taṁ tārakaṁ tarasā tadā

Having obtained his spear, Mahāsena, commander of the army of the gods, of great vows, then swiftly slew that lord of dānavas, Tāraka.

Verse 86 (skanda.5.34.86)

दत्त्वा राज्यं तथेंद्राय स्फीतं निहतकंटकम् । कुशस्थलीं समागम्य तत्र वासं समाचरत्

dattvā rājyaṁ tatheṁdrāya sphītaṁ nihatakaṁṭakam kuśasthalīṁ samāgamya tatra vāsaṁ samācarat

Having given the kingdom, now flourishing and cleared of its thorn, to Indra, he came to Kuśasthalī and took up dwelling there.

Verse 87 (skanda.5.34.87)

एवं निहत्य दैत्येंद्रं स गांगेयो महाब लः । शक्तिं शिप्राजले मुक्त्वा पातालं च बिभेद सा

evaṁ nihatya daityeṁdraṁ sa gāṁgeyo mahāba laḥ śaktiṁ śiprājale muktvā pātālaṁ ca bibheda sā

Thus, having slain the lord of daityas, that mighty Gāṅgeya released his spear into the water of the Śiprā, and it pierced through to Pātāla.

Verse 88 (skanda.5.34.88)

ततो भोगवती व्यास शक्तिभेदेन निर्गता । वंदिता सर्वदेवैश्च मुनिभिश्च तपोधनैः

tato bhogavatī vyāsa śaktibhedena nirgatā vaṁditā sarvadevaiśca munibhiśca tapodhanaiḥ

Then, O Vyāsa, Bhogavatī emerged through that spear-piercing, and it was hailed by all the gods and by the sages rich in austerity.

Verse 89 (skanda.5.34.89)

पृथिव्यां यानि तीर्थानि समुद्रादिगतानि च । शक्तिभेदे तु न्यस्तानि शतकोटिसहस्रशः

pṛthivyāṁ yāni tīrthāni samudrādigatāni ca śaktibhede tu nyastāni śatakoṭisahasraśaḥ

Whatever holy fords exist on the earth, including those reaching to the ocean and beyond, are established at Śaktibheda, hundreds of thousands of crores of them.

Verse 90 (skanda.5.34.90)

अतोऽतिपुण्यं त्रैलोक्ये कोटितीर्थमुदाहृतम् । ब्रह्मणा स्थापितस्तत्र कोटितीर्थेश्वरः शिवः

ato'tipuṇyaṁ trailokye koṭitīrthamudāhṛtam brahmaṇā sthāpitastatra koṭitīrtheśvaraḥ śivaḥ

Therefore, this Koṭitīrtha is declared to be of the greatest merit in the three worlds; Śiva, as Koṭitīrtheśvara, was established there by Brahmā.

Verse 91 (skanda.5.34.91)

कोटितीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा दृष्ट्वा कोटीश्वरं शिवम् । मुच्यते सर्वपापेभ्यो निर्मोकादिव पन्नगः

koṭitīrthe naraḥ snātvā dṛṣṭvā koṭīśvaraṁ śivam mucyate sarvapāpebhyo nirmokādiva pannagaḥ

A man who bathes at Koṭitīrtha and beholds Śiva as Koṭīśvara is freed from all sins, as a serpent from its slough.

Verse 92 (skanda.5.34.92)

श्राद्धं करोति यस्तत्र पितृभक्तो नरो मुने । दशानामश्वमेधानां प्राप्नोति सकलं फलम्

śrāddhaṁ karoti yastatra pitṛbhakto naro mune daśānāmaśvamedhānāṁ prāpnoti sakalaṁ phalam

O sage, the man devoted to his ancestors who performs the śrāddha rite there obtains the entire fruit of ten aśvamedha sacrifices.

Verse 93 (skanda.5.34.93)

पितॄनुद्दिश्य यत्किञ्चित्कोटितीर्थे प्रदीयते । तत्सर्वं कोटिगुणितं जायते नात्र संशयः

pitṝnuddiśya yatkiñcitkoṭitīrthe pradīyate tatsarvaṁ koṭiguṇitaṁ jāyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

Whatever, however little, is given at Koṭitīrtha for the sake of the ancestors, all of it becomes multiplied ten-million-fold — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 94 (skanda.5.34.94)

तत्र तीर्थे नरो यस्तु गां ददाति पयस्विनीम् । सर्वलोकानतिक्रम्य स गच्छेत्प रमां गतिम्

tatra tīrthe naro yastu gāṁ dadāti payasvinīm sarvalokānatikramya sa gacchetpa ramāṁ gatim

The man who gives a milk-yielding cow at that ford, surpassing all other worlds, goes to the supreme path.

Verse 95 (skanda.5.34.95)

यावन्त्यंगेषु रोमाणि तत्प्रसूतिकुलेषु च । तावद्युगसहस्राणि शिवलोके महीयते

yāvantyaṁgeṣu romāṇi tatprasūtikuleṣu ca tāvadyugasahasrāṇi śivaloke mahīyate

As many hairs as are upon the body of that cow and within the lineages of its offspring, for that many thousands of yugas he is honoured in the world of Śiva.

Verse 96 (skanda.5.34.96)

पौर्णमास्याममावास्यां पश्येच्छक्तिधरं तु यः । नापुत्रो नाधनो रोगी सप्तजन्मसु जायते

paurṇamāsyāmamāvāsyāṁ paśyecchaktidharaṁ tu yaḥ nāputro nādhano rogī saptajanmasu jāyate

He who beholds the spear-bearer on the full-moon or new-moon day is never, across seven births, without a son, without wealth, or diseased.

Verse 97 (skanda.5.34.97)

जलप्रवेशं यः कुर्यात्तत्र तीर्थे नरोत्तमः । सोऽक्षयं लभते लोकं यावच्चन्द्र दिवाकरौ

jalapraveśaṁ yaḥ kuryāttatra tīrthe narottamaḥ so'kṣayaṁ labhate lokaṁ yāvaccandra divākarau

The best of men who enters the water at that ford obtains an imperishable world, for as long as the moon and sun endure.

Verse 98 (skanda.5.34.98)

वृषोत्सर्गं तु यः कुर्यात्पितृभक्तो नरो मुने । सोऽक्षयं लभते स्थानं यत्सुरैरपि दुर्लभम्

vṛṣotsargaṁ tu yaḥ kuryātpitṛbhakto naro mune so'kṣayaṁ labhate sthānaṁ yatsurairapi durlabham

O sage, the man devoted to his ancestors who performs the bull-releasing rite obtains an imperishable abode, hard to attain even for the gods.