The Marriage of Shripati

Verse 1 (skanda.5.349.1)

श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच। तच्छ्रुत्वानान्तदेवेन विश्वरूपमुदाहृतम्। देवराजस्तथा देवाः परं विस्मयमागताः

śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca| tacchrutvānāntadevena viśvarūpamudāhṛtam| devarājastathā devāḥ paraṁ vismayamāgatāḥ

Shri Markandeya said: Having heard of the boundless universal form described by that god, Narayana, the king of the gods and all the gods were struck with the deepest wonder.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.349.2)

दृष्ट्वा चाप्सरसं पुण्यामुर्वशीं कमलाननाम्। संत्रस्तो विस्मितश्चाभूदिन्द्रो राजश्रिया वृतः

dṛṣṭvā cāpsarasaṁ puṇyāmurvaśīṁ kamalānanām| saṁtrasto vismitaścābhūdindro rājaśriyā vṛtaḥ

Beholding the sacred, lotus-faced apsara Urvashi, Indra, arrayed in royal splendour, became both awestruck and amazed.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.349.3)

न किंचिदुत्तरं वाक्यमुक्तवाञ्जोषमास्थितः। इति वृत्तान्तभूतं हि नारायणविचेष्टितम्

na kiṁciduttaraṁ vākyamuktavāñjoṣamāsthitaḥ| iti vṛttāntabhūtaṁ hi nārāyaṇaviceṣṭitam

He spoke not a word in reply and remained silent. Thus this became the account of Narayana's divine activity.

Verse 4 (skanda.5.349.4)

भृगोः ख्यात्यां समुत्पन्ना लक्ष्मीः श्रुत्वा तु वै नृप। वैश्वरूपं परं रूपं विस्मिताचिन्तयत्तदा

bhṛgoḥ khyātyāṁ samutpannā lakṣmīḥ śrutvā tu vai nṛpa| vaiśvarūpaṁ paraṁ rūpaṁ vismitācintayattadā

O king, Lakshmi, born of Khyati, wife of Bhrigu, hearing of this supreme universal form, was filled with wonder and fell to thinking.

Verse 5 (skanda.5.349.5)

केनोपायेन स स्यान्मे भर्ता नारायणः प्रभुः। व्रतेन तपसा वापि दानेन नियमेन च

kenopāyena sa syānme bhartā nārāyaṇaḥ prabhuḥ| vratena tapasā vāpi dānena niyamena ca

By what means might that Lord Narayana become my husband? By a vow, by austerity, by charity, or by discipline?

Verse 6 (skanda.5.349.6)

वृद्धानां सेवनेनाथ देवताराधनेन वा। इति चिन्तापरां कन्यां सती ज्ञात्वा युधिष्ठिर

vṛddhānāṁ sevanenātha devatārādhanena vā| iti cintāparāṁ kanyāṁ satī jñātvā yudhiṣṭhira

Or by service to elders, or by the worship of the gods? O Yudhishthira, knowing that maiden lost in such thought, her mother, the faithful Khyati—

Verse 7 (skanda.5.349.7)

प्राह प्राप्तो मया भर्ता शङ्करस्तपसा किल। प्रजापतिश्च गायत्र्या ह्यन्याभिरभिवाञ्छिताः

prāha prāpto mayā bhartā śaṅkarastapasā kila| prajāpatiśca gāyatryā hyanyābhirabhivāñchitāḥ

said to her: I myself obtained Shankara as husband through austerity; and Prajapati too was won, through austerity, by Gayatri and by other goddesses as well.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.349.8)

तपसैव हि ते प्राप्यस्तस्मात्तच्चर सुव्रते। तपस्त्वं हि महच्चोग्रं सर्ववाञ्छितदायकम्

tapasaiva hi te prāpyastasmāttaccara suvrate| tapastvaṁ hi mahaccograṁ sarvavāñchitadāyakam

He too is to be attained only through austerity; therefore, O virtuous one, undertake that very practice. For austerity is great and formidable, bestowing all that one desires.

Verse 9 (skanda.5.349.9)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच। सागरान्तं समासाद्य लक्ष्मीः परपुरंजय। चचार विपुलं कालं तपः परमदुश्चरम्

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca| sāgarāntaṁ samāsādya lakṣmīḥ parapuraṁjaya| cacāra vipulaṁ kālaṁ tapaḥ paramaduścaram

Markandeya said: O conqueror of enemy cities, arriving at the shore of the ocean, Lakshmi performed austerity most difficult to accomplish, for a very long time.

Verse 10 (skanda.5.349.10)

स्थाणुवत्संस्थिता साभूद्दिव्यं वर्षसहस्रकम्। तत इन्द्रादयो देवाः शङ्खचक्रगदाधराः

sthāṇuvatsaṁsthitā sābhūddivyaṁ varṣasahasrakam| tata indrādayo devāḥ śaṅkhacakragadādharāḥ

For a thousand divine years she remained still as a pillar. Then Indra and the other gods, bearing conch, discus, and mace—

Verse 11 (skanda.5.349.11)

भूत्वा जग्मुस्तदर्थं ते सा तु पृष्टवती सुरान्। विश्वरूपं वैष्णवं यत्तद्दर्शयत माचिरम्

bhūtvā jagmustadarthaṁ te sā tu pṛṣṭavatī surān| viśvarūpaṁ vaiṣṇavaṁ yattaddarśayata mācaram

went there on her account, having taken this form. She then asked the gods: Show me without delay that universal form of Vishnu.

Verse 12 (skanda.5.349.12)

विलक्षा व्रीडिता देवा गत्वा नारायणं तदा। अब्रुवन् वैश्वरूपं नो शक्ता दर्शयितुं वयम्

vilakṣā vrīḍitā devā gatvā nārāyaṇaṁ tadā| abruvan vaiśvarūpaṁ no śaktā darśayituṁ vayam

Bewildered and abashed, the gods then went to Narayana and said: We are not capable of showing her the universal form.

Verse 13 (skanda.5.349.13)

ततो यथेष्टं ते जग्मुः स च विष्णुरचिन्तयत्। उग्ररूपा स्थिता देवी देहं दहति भार्गवी

tato yatheṣṭaṁ te jagmuḥ sa ca viṣṇuracintayat| ugrarūpā sthitā devī dehaṁ dahati bhārgavī

Then they departed as they wished. Vishnu then reflected: the goddess, daughter of Bhrigu, stands there in a fierce form, scorching her own body with austerity.

Verse 14 (skanda.5.349.14)

तां तस्मात्तत्र गत्वाहं वरं दत्त्वा तु वाञ्छितम्। पुनस्तपः करिष्यामि दर्शयिष्यामि वा पुनः। वैष्णवं विश्वरूपं यद्दुर्दश्यं देवदानवैः

tāṁ tasmāttatra gatvāhaṁ varaṁ dattvā tu vāñchitam| punastapaḥ kariṣyāmi darśayiṣyāmi vā punaḥ| vaiṣṇavaṁ viśvarūpaṁ yaddurdarśyaṁ devadānavaiḥ

Therefore, going there, I shall grant her the desired boon, and shall either have her perform austerity once more, or shall show her again that Vaishnava universal form, so difficult to behold even for gods and demons.

Verse 15 (skanda.5.349.15)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच। ततो गत्वा हृषीकेशः सागरान्तस्थितां श्रियम्। प्राह तुष्टोऽस्मि ते देवि वरं वृणु यथेप्सितम्

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca| tato gatvā hṛṣīkeśaḥ sāgarāntasthitāṁ śriyam| prāha tuṣṭo'smi te devi varaṁ vṛṇu yathepsitam

Markandeya said: Then Hrishikesha, going there, said to Shri, seated by the shore of the ocean: O goddess, I am pleased with you; ask for a boon as you desire.

Verse 16 (skanda.5.349.16)

श्रीरुवाच। यदि तुष्टोऽसि मे देव प्रपन्नाया जनार्दन। तदा दर्शय यद्दृष्टमप्सरोभिस्तवानघ

śrīruvāca| yadi tuṣṭo'si me deva prapannāyā janārdana| tadā darśaya yaddṛṣṭamapsarobhistavānagha

Shri said: If you, O Janardana, are indeed pleased with me, your surrendered devotee, then, O sinless one, show me that which the apsaras beheld of you.

Verse 17 (skanda.5.349.17)

विश्वरूपमनन्तं च भूतभावन केशव। गन्धमादनमासाद्य कृतं यच्च तपस्त्वया

viśvarūpamanantaṁ ca bhūtabhāvana keśava| gandhamādanamāsādya kṛtaṁ yacca tapastvayā

O Keshava, source of all beings, show me that boundless universal form, and also the austerity you performed upon reaching Mount Gandhamadana.

Verse 18 (skanda.5.349.18)

तद्वदस्व विभो विष्णो न मिथ्या यदि केशव। श्रद्दधामि न चैवाहं रूपस्यास्य कथंचन

tadvadasva vibho viṣṇo na mithyā yadi keśava| śraddadhāmi na caivāhaṁ rūpasyāsya kathaṁcana

Tell me this, O all-pervading Vishnu, if it is not false; for, O Keshava, I do not at all place my faith in the reality of this form.

Verse 19 (skanda.5.349.19)

बहुभिर्यक्षरक्षोभिर्मायाचारिप्रचारिभिः। छन्दिता मम जानद्भिर्भावमन्तर्गतं हरौ

bahubhiryakṣarakṣobhirmāyācārapracāribhiḥ| chanditā mama jānadbhirbhāvamantargataṁ harau

Many yakshas and rakshasas, adept in practising illusion, knowing the devotion within my heart toward Hari, have already tried to deceive me.

Verse 20 (skanda.5.349.20)

भूत्वा विष्णुस्वरूपास्ते चक्रिणश्च चतुर्भुजाः। सुव्रीडिता गताः सर्वे विश्वरूपो सहायतः

bhūtvā viṣṇusvarūpāste cakriṇaśca caturbhujāḥ| suvrīḍitā gatāḥ sarve viśvarūpo sahāyataḥ

Assuming the form of Vishnu, bearing the discus, four-armed, they came before me — but, unable to muster the universal form itself, all of them departed in great shame.

Verse 21 (skanda.5.349.21)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच। नारायणोऽथ भगवाञ्छङ्खचक्रगदाभृतम्। तया तथोक्तस्तद्रूपं मुक्त्वा वै सुरपूजितम्

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca| nārāyaṇo'tha bhagavāñchaṅkhacakragadābhṛtam| tayā tathoktastadrūpaṁ muktvā vai surapūjitam

Markandeya said: Then, thus addressed by her, the blessed Lord Narayana set aside that god-worshipped form bearing conch, discus, and mace—

Verse 22 (skanda.5.349.22)

रूपं परं यथोक्तं वै विश्वरूपमदर्शयत्। दर्शयित्वा वचः प्राह पञ्चरात्रविधानतः

rūpaṁ paraṁ yathoktaṁ vai viśvarūpamadarśayat| darśayitvā vacaḥ prāha pañcarātravidhānataḥ

and showed her the supreme universal form exactly as had been described. Having shown it, he spoke these words in accordance with the Pancharatra doctrine.

Verse 23 (skanda.5.349.23)

योऽर्चयिष्यति मां नित्यं स पूज्यः स च पूजितः। धनधान्यसमायुक्तः सर्वभोगसमन्वितः

yo'rcayiṣyati māṁ nityaṁ sa pūjyaḥ sa ca pūjitaḥ| dhanadhānyasamāyuktaḥ sarvabhogasamanvitaḥ

He who worships me constantly shall himself become worthy of worship and shall be honoured; he shall be endowed with wealth and grain, and possessed of every enjoyment.

Verse 24 (skanda.5.349.24)

मूलं हि सर्वधर्माणां ब्रह्मचर्यं परं तपः। तेनाहं तत्र स्थास्यामि मूलश्रीपतिसंज्ञितः

mūlaṁ hi sarvadharmāṇāṁ brahmacaryaṁ paraṁ tapaḥ| tenāhaṁ tatra sthāsyāmi mūlaśrīpatisaṁjñitaḥ

Brahmacharya, celibate discipline, is the root and supreme austerity of all dharmas; therefore I shall abide there under the name Mulashripati.

Verse 25 (skanda.5.349.25)

मूलश्रीः प्रोच्यते ब्राह्मी ब्रह्मचर्यस्वरूपिणी। सर्वयोगमयी पुण्या सर्वपापहरी शुभा

mūlaśrīḥ procyate brāhmī brahmacaryasvarūpiṇī| sarvayogamayī puṇyā sarvapāpaharī śubhā

Mulashri is called Brahmi, embodying the very nature of celibate discipline, filled with all forms of yoga, sacred, auspicious, and the remover of all sin.

Verse 26 (skanda.5.349.26)

पतिस्तस्याः प्रभुरहं वरदः प्राणिनां प्रिये। रेवाजले नरः स्नात्वा योऽर्चयेन्मां यतव्रतः

patistasyāḥ prabhurahaṁ varadaḥ prāṇināṁ priye| revājale naraḥ snātvā yo'rcayenmāṁ yatavrataḥ

I myself am her lord and husband, O beloved, the bestower of boons upon all beings. Whatever man, having bathed in the waters of the Reva and undertaken due observance, worships me—

Verse 27 (skanda.5.349.27)

मूलश्रीपतिनामानं वाञ्छिते प्राप्नुयात्फलम्। दानानि तत्र यो दद्यान्महादानानि च प्रिये

mūlaśrīpatināmānaṁ vāñchite prāpnuyātphalam| dānāni tatra yo dadyānmahādānāni ca priye

worshipping me under the name Mulashripati, shall attain his desired fruit. O beloved, whoever there gives gifts, and great gifts—

Verse 28 (skanda.5.349.28)

सहस्रगुणितं पुण्यमन्यस्थानादवाप्यते। दृष्टं त्वया तत्र देशे सम्यक्चैवावधारितम्। तदर्चित्वा परान् कामानाप्स्यसि त्वं न संशयः

sahasraguṇitaṁ puṇyamanyasthānādavāpyate| dṛṣṭaṁ tvayā tatra deśe samyakcaivāvadhāritam| tadarcitvā parānkāmānāpsyasi tvaṁ na saṁśayaḥ

a thousandfold merit is obtained there compared with any other place. You have now seen and clearly understood that land; by worshipping there, you shall, without doubt, attain your highest desires.

Verse 29 (skanda.5.349.29)

वरं वृणीष्व देवेशि वाञ्छितं दुर्लभं सुरैः। दुर्गसंसारकान्तारपतितैः परमेश्वरि

varaṁ vṛṇīṣva deveśi vāñchitaṁ durlabhaṁ suraiḥ| durgasaṁsārakāntārapatitaiḥ parameśvari

Choose a boon, O goddess of gods, O supreme mistress — one hard to attain even for the gods, one longed for by those fallen into the impenetrable forest of worldly existence.

Verse 30 (skanda.5.349.30)

श्रीरुवाच। नारायण जगद्धातर्नारायण जगत्पते। नारायण परब्रह्म नारायणपरायण

śrīruvāca| nārāyaṇa jagaddhātarnārāyaṇa jagatpate| nārāyaṇa parabrahma nārāyaṇaparāyaṇa

Shri said: O Narayana, sustainer of the world; O Narayana, lord of the world; O Narayana, the Supreme Brahman; O Narayana, refuge of those devoted to Narayana.

Verse 31 (skanda.5.349.31)

प्रसीद पाहि मां भक्त्या सम्यक्सर्गे नियोजय। प्रियो ह्यसि प्रियाहं ते यथा स्यां तत्तथा कुरु

prasīda pāhi māṁ bhaktyā samyaksarge niyojaya| priyo hyasi priyāhaṁ te yathā syāṁ tattathā kuru

Be gracious, protect me, and engage me devotedly and rightly in the work of creation. You are dear to me, and I am dear to you; do whatever will make it so.

Verse 32 (skanda.5.349.32)

गृहं धर्मार्थकामानां कारणं देव संमतम्। तदास्थायाश्रमं पुण्यं मां श्रेयसि नियोजय

gṛhaṁ dharmārthakāmānāṁ kāraṇaṁ deva saṁmatam| tadāsthāyāśramaṁ puṇyaṁ māṁ śreyasi niyojaya

O god, the household life is acknowledged as the very foundation of dharma, artha, and kama; establishing me in that sacred stage of life, engage me toward my own true good.

Verse 33 (skanda.5.349.33)

नारायण उवाच। नारायणगिरा देवि विज्ञप्तोऽस्मि यतस्त्वया। नारायणगिरिर्नाम तेन मेऽत्र भविष्यति

nārāyaṇa uvāca| nārāyaṇagirā devi vijñapto'smi yatastvayā| nārāyaṇagirirnāma tena me'tra bhaviṣyati

Narayana said: O goddess, since you have addressed me with the very name Narayana, here my name shall become Narayanagiri, the Mountain of Narayana.

Verse 34 (skanda.5.349.34)

नारायणस्मृतौ याति दुरितं जन्मकोटिजम्। यस्माद्गिरति तस्माच्च गिरिरित्येव शब्दितम्

nārāyaṇasmṛtau yāti duritaṁ janmakoṭijam| yasmādgirati tasmācca girirityeva śabditam

By the mere remembrance of Narayana, sin accumulated over millions of births departs; and since it swallows up sin, it is called Giri, the mountain that devours.

Verse 35 (skanda.5.349.35)

तस्मात्सर्वाश्रयो देवि गिरिः पर्वतराङ्भवेत्। सुरासुरमनुष्याणां यथाहमपि चाश्रयः

tasmātsarvāśrayo devi giriḥ parvatarāṅbhavet| surāsuramanuṣyāṇāṁ yathāhamapi cāśrayaḥ

Therefore, O goddess, this king of mountains shall become the universal refuge of gods, demons, and men — even as I myself am their refuge.

Verse 36 (skanda.5.349.36)

य एतत्पूजयिष्यन्ति मण्डलस्थं परं मम। नारायणगिरिर्नाम देवरूपं शुभेक्षणे

ya etatpūjayiṣyanti maṇḍalasthaṁ paraṁ mama| nārāyaṇagirirnāma devarūpaṁ śubhekṣaṇe

O auspicious-eyed one, whoever shall worship this supreme, divine form of mine, established in this circle, under the name Narayanagiri—

Verse 37 (skanda.5.349.37)

ते दिव्यज्ञानसम्पन्ना दिव्यदेहविचेष्टिताः। दिव्यं लोकमवाप्स्यन्ति दिव्यभोगसमन्विताः

te divyajñānasampannā divyadehaviceṣṭitāḥ| divyaṁ lokamavāpsyanti divyabhogasamanvitāḥ

shall become endowed with divine knowledge, act with divine bodies, and, possessed of divine enjoyments, shall attain the divine world.

Verse 38 (skanda.5.349.38)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच। तयोरेवं संवदतोर्देवा इन्द्रपुरोगमाः। समागता वनोद्देशं सागरान्ते महर्षयः

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca| tayorevaṁ saṁvadatordevā indrapurogamāḥ| samāgatā vanoddeśaṁ sāgarānte maharṣayaḥ

Markandeya said: While the two of them were thus conversing, the gods headed by Indra, and the great sages, gathered together in that forest region by the shore of the ocean.

Verse 39 (skanda.5.349.39)

ततो भृगुं देवराजो नारायणविचिन्तितम्। वव्रे ज्ञात्वा तु तत्कन्यां धर्मात्मा स ददौ च ताम्

tato bhṛguṁ devarājo nārāyaṇavicintitam| vavre jñātvā tu tatkanyāṁ dharmātmā sa dadau ca tām

Then the king of the gods entreated Bhrigu, on behalf of Narayana's intent; and knowing his own daughter's mind, the righteous Bhrigu gave her in marriage.

Verse 40 (skanda.5.349.40)

धर्मोऽपि विधिवद्वत्स विवाहं समकारयत्। देवदेवस्य राजर्षे देवतार्थे समाहितः

dharmo'pi vidhivadvatsa vivāhaṁ samakārayat| devadevasya rājarṣe devatārthe samāhitaḥ

And Dharma, too, O child, O royal sage, intent upon the purpose of the gods, duly carried out the marriage of the god of gods, according to due rite.

Verse 41 (skanda.5.349.41)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच। धर्मो विवाहमकरोद्विधिवद्यत्त्वयोदितम्। को विधिस्तत्र का दत्ता दक्षिणा भृगुणापि च

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca| dharmo vivāhamakarodvidhivadyattvayoditam| ko vidhistatra kā dattā dakṣiṇā bhṛguṇāpi ca

Yudhishthira said: You have said that Dharma performed the marriage according to proper rite — what was that rite there, and what sacrificial fee was given, also by Bhrigu?

Verse 42 (skanda.5.349.42)

विवाहयज्ञे समभूत्स्रुक्स्रुवग्रहणे च कः। ऋत्विजः के सदस्याश्च तस्यासन् द्विजसत्तम

vivāhayajñe samabhūtsruksruvagrahaṇe ca kaḥ| ṛtvijaḥ ke sadasyāśca tasyāsan dvijasattama

O best of the twice-born, who was it that took up the sacrificial ladles at that marriage-sacrifice? Who were its officiating priests and assembled elders?

Verse 43 (skanda.5.349.43)

किं तस्यावभृथं त्वासीत्तत्सर्वं वद विस्तरात्। त्वद्वाक्यामृतपानेन तृप्तिर्मम न विद्यते

kiṁ tasyāvabhṛthaṁ tvāsīttatsarvaṁ vada vistarāt| tvadvākyāmṛtapānena tṛptirmama na vidyate

What was its concluding ceremonial bath? Tell me all this at length; drinking the nectar of your words, I still find no satiation.

Verse 44 (skanda.5.349.44)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच। नारायणविवाहस्य यज्ञस्य च युधिष्ठिर। तपसस्तस्य देवस्य सम्यगाचरणस्य च

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca| nārāyaṇavivāhasya yajñasya ca yudhiṣṭhira| tapasastasya devasya samyagācaraṇasya ca

Markandeya said: O Yudhishthira, of Narayana's marriage-sacrifice, of that god's austerity, and of his righteous conduct—

Verse 45 (skanda.5.349.45)

वक्तुं समर्थो न गुणान्ब्रह्मापि परमेश्वरः। तथाप्युद्देशतो वच्मि शृणु भूत्वा समाहितः

vaktuṁ samartho na guṇānbrahmāpi parameśvaraḥ| tathāpyuddeśato vacmi śṛṇu bhūtvā samāhitaḥ

not even Brahma, not even the Supreme Lord, is capable of describing them in full. Nevertheless, I shall tell it in outline; listen attentively.

Verse 46 (skanda.5.349.46)

ब्रह्मा सप्तर्षयस्तत्र स्रुक्स्रुवग्रहणे रताः। अग्नीञ्जुहुविरे राजन्वेदिर्धात्री ससागरा

brahmā saptarṣayastatra sruksruvagrahaṇe ratāḥ| agnīñjuhuvire rājanvedirdhātrī sasāgarā

O king, there Brahma and the seven great sages, engaged in taking up the sacrificial ladles, poured oblations into the fires; the altar itself was the earth, together with the ocean.

Verse 47 (skanda.5.349.47)

ददुः समुद्रा रत्नानि ब्रह्मर्षिभ्यो नृपोत्तम। धनदोऽपि ददौ वित्तं सर्वब्राह्मणवाञ्छितम्

dadurasamudrā ratnāni brahmarṣibhyo nṛpottama| dhanado'pi dadau vittaṁ sarvabrāhmaṇavāñchitam

O best of kings, the oceans gave jewels to the Brahmarshis, and Dhanada, the lord of wealth, also bestowed riches upon all the brahmins as they desired.

Verse 48 (skanda.5.349.48)

विश्वकर्माऽपि देवानां ब्रह्मर्षीणां परंतप। वेश्मानि सुविचित्राणि सर्वरत्नमयानि च

viśvakarmā'pi devānāṁ brahmarṣīṇāṁ paraṁtapa| veśmāni suvicitrāṇi sarvaratnamayāni ca

O scorcher of foes, Vishvakarma, the divine architect, for the gods and the Brahmarshis, fashioned most wondrous dwellings, made entirely of every jewel—

Verse 49 (skanda.5.349.49)

कृत्वा प्रदर्शयामास देवेन्द्राय यशस्विने। शतक्रतुस्ततो विप्रान्कापिष्ठलपुरोगमान्

kṛtvā pradarśayāmāsa devendrāya yaśasvine| śatakratustato viprānkāpiṣṭhalapurogamān

and showed them to the illustrious Indra. Then Shatakratu, Indra, asked the brahmins headed by Kapishthala—

Verse 50 (skanda.5.349.50)

शौनकादींश्च पप्रच्छ बष्कलाञ्छागलानपि। आत्रेयानपि राजेन्द्र वृणुध्वमभिवाञ्छितम्

śaunakādīṁśca papraccha baṣkalāñchāgalānapi| ātreyānapi rājendra vṛṇudhvamabhivāñchitam

and those beginning with Shaunaka, as well as the Bashkalas, the Chhagalas, and the Atreyas: O foremost among the sages, ask for whatever you desire.

Verse 51 (skanda.5.349.51)

दृष्ट्वा ते चित्ररत्नानि प्राहुः सर्वेश्वरेश्वरम्। देवानां च ऋषीणां च सङ्गमोऽयं सुपुण्यकृत्

dṛṣṭvā te citraratnāni prāhuḥ sarveśvareśvaram| devānāṁ ca ṛṣīṇāṁ ca saṅgamo'yaṁ supuṇyakṛt

Beholding those wondrous jewels, they said to the lord even of the lords of all: This gathering of gods and sages is most auspicious and meritorious.

Verse 52 (skanda.5.349.52)

अस्मिन्पुण्ये सुरेशान वस्तुं वाञ्छामहे सदा। शतक्रतुः प्राह पुनर्वासो वात्र भविष्यति। सत्यधर्मरता यूयं यावत्कालं भविष्यथ

asminpuṇye sureśāna vastuṁ vāñchāmahe sadā| śatakratuḥ prāha punarvāso vātra bhaviṣyati| satyadharmaratā yūyaṁ yāvatkālaṁ bhaviṣyatha

O lord of the gods, we wish to dwell forever in this sacred place. Shatakratu then said: For as long as you remain devoted to truth and righteousness, your dwelling shall remain here.

Verse 53 (skanda.5.349.53)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच। पृष्टं यद्राजशार्दूल के मखे होत्रिणोऽभवन्। तत्प्रोच्यमानमधुना शृणु भूत्वा समाहितः

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca| pṛṣṭaṁ yadrājaśārdūla ke makhe hotriṇo'bhavan| tatprocyamānamadhunā śṛṇu bhūtvā samāhitaḥ

Markandeya said: O tiger among kings, as to your question of who the invoking priests were at that sacrifice — hear now what I am about to tell, with full attention.

Verse 54 (skanda.5.349.54)

सनत्कुमारप्रमुखाः सदस्यास्तस्य चाभवन्। औद्गात्रमत्र्यङ्गिरसौ मरीचिश्च चकार ह

sanatkumārapramukhāḥ sadasyāstasya cābhavan| audgātramatryaṅgirasau marīciśca cakāra ha

Sanatkumara and others were the assembled elders of that sacrifice. Atri, Angiras, and Marichi performed the office of the Udgatr, the chanting priest.

Verse 55 (skanda.5.349.55)

हौत्रं धर्मवसिष्ठौ च ब्रह्मत्वं सनको मुनिः। षट्त्रिंशद्ग्रामसाहस्रं प्रादात्तेभ्यः शतक्रतुः

hautraṁ dharmavasiṣṭhau ca brahmatvaṁ sanako muniḥ| ṣaṭtriṁśadgrāmasāhasraṁ prādāttebhyaḥ śatakratuḥ

Dharma and Vasishtha performed the office of the Hotr, and the sage Sanaka held the office of the Brahma priest. Shatakratu bestowed upon them thirty-six thousand villages.

Verse 56 (skanda.5.349.56)

लक्ष्मीर्भर्त्रा च संयुक्ताभवत्तत्कृतवान्प्रभुः। ब्रह्मणो जुह्वतो वह्निं यावद्देशस्थितैः सुरैः

lakṣmīrbhartrā ca saṁyuktābhavattatkṛtavānprabhuḥ| brahmaṇo juhvato vahniṁ yāvaddeśasthitaiḥ suraiḥ

Through that act performed by the Lord, Lakshmi became united with her husband. While Brahma continued pouring oblations into the fire, the gods present there—

Verse 57 (skanda.5.349.57)

दृष्टं ललाटं देशोऽसौ ललाट इति संज्ञितः। स देशः श्रीपतेः क्षेत्रपुण्यं देवर्षिसेवितम्

dṛṣṭaṁ lalāṭaṁ deśo'sau lalāṭa iti saṁjñitaḥ| sa deśaḥ śrīpateḥ kṣetrapuṇyaṁ devarṣisevitam

beheld that region as his very forehead, and so that place came to be called Lalata, 'the forehead.' That land is the sacred field of Shripati, frequented by gods and sages.

Verse 58 (skanda.5.349.58)

सर्वाश्चर्यमयं दिव्यं दिव्यसिद्धिसमन्वितम्। ब्राह्मणानां ततः पङ्क्तिं निवेशयितुमुद्यता

sarvāścaryamayaṁ divyaṁ divyasiddhisamanvitam| brāhmaṇānāṁ tataḥ paṅktiṁ niveśayitumudyatā

That land is filled with every wonder, divine, endowed with heavenly accomplishments. Then, eager to settle there a row of brahmins—

Verse 59 (skanda.5.349.59)

लक्ष्मीः श्रीपतिनामानमाह देवं वचस्तदा। श्रीरुवाच। य एते ब्राह्मणाः शिष्या भृग्वादीनां यतव्रताः

lakṣmīḥ śrīpatināmānamāha devaṁ vacastadā| śrīruvāca| ya ete brāhmaṇāḥ śiṣyā bhṛgvādīnāṁ yatavratāḥ

Lakshmi then spoke these words to the god named Shripati. Shri said: These brahmins here, disciples of Bhrigu and the others, bound by strict observances—

Verse 60 (skanda.5.349.60)

तान्निवेशयितुमिच्छामि त्वत्प्रसादादधोक्षज। मरीच्यादयः सुरेन्द्रेण स्थापिता गरुडध्वज

tānniveśayitumicchāmi tvatprasādādadhokṣaja| marīcyādayaḥ surendreṇa sthāpitā garuḍadhvaja

I wish, O Adhokshaja, by your grace, to settle them here. O bearer of the Garuda banner, Marichi and the others have already been established here by the lord of the gods.

Verse 61 (skanda.5.349.61)

नैष्ठिकव्रतिनो विप्रा बहवोऽत्र यतव्रताः। प्राजापत्ये व्रते ब्राह्मे केचिदत्र व्यवस्थिताः। तानहं स्थापयिष्यामि त्वत्प्रसादादधोक्षज

naiṣṭhikavratino viprā bahavo'tra yatavratāḥ| prājāpatye vrate brāhme kecidatra vyavasthitāḥ| tānahaṁ sthāpayiṣyāmi tvatprasādādadhokṣaja

Here there are many brahmins observing the vow of lifelong celibacy; some others here are established in the Prajapatya and Brahma vows. Those too, O Adhokshaja, I shall settle here by your grace.

Verse 62 (skanda.5.349.62)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच। ततः कौतूहलधरो भगवान्वृषभध्वजः। पप्रच्छ व्रतिनः सर्वान्वृत्तिभेदे व्यवस्थितान्

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca| tataḥ kautūhaladharo bhagavānvṛṣabhadhvajaḥ| papraccha vratinaḥ sarvānvṛttibhede vyavasthitān

Markandeya said: Then the curious Lord Vrishabhadhvaja, Shiva, questioned all those observers of vows, established in their differing modes of life.

Verse 63 (skanda.5.349.63)

नारदोऽपि महादेवमुपेत्य च सतीपतिम्। प्राह कृष्णाजिनधरो नैष्ठिका ब्राह्मणा ह्यमी

nārado'pi mahādevamupetya ca satīpatim| prāha kṛṣṇājinadharo naiṣṭhikā brāhmaṇā hyamī

Narada, too, approaching Mahadeva, husband of Sati, said: These brahmins, clad in black antelope skin, are those observing lifelong celibacy.

Verse 64 (skanda.5.349.64)

अमी कार्याः सुवस्त्रेण छन्नगुह्या द्विजोत्तमाः। प्राजापत्याश्चतुर्विंशसहस्राणि नरेश्वर

amī kāryāḥ suvastreṇa channaguhyā dvijottamāḥ| prājāpatyāścaturviṁśasahasrāṇi nareśvara

These excellent twice-born ones should have their private parts covered with fine cloth. O lord of men, those following the Prajapatya vow number twenty-four thousand.

Verse 65 (skanda.5.349.65)

ब्रह्मचर्यव्रतस्थानां व्रतब्रह्मविचारिणाम्। द्वादशैषां सहस्राणि सन्ति वै वृषभध्वज

brahmacaryavratasthānāṁ vratabrahmavicāriṇām| dvādaśaiṣāṁ sahasrāṇi santi vai vṛṣabhadhvaja

O Vrishabhadhvaja, of those established in the vow of celibacy, engaged in the contemplation of vow and Brahman, there are twelve thousand.

Verse 66 (skanda.5.349.66)

नारदस्य वचः श्रुत्वा देवा देवर्षयोऽपि च। साधु साध्वित्यमन्यन्त नोचुः केचन किंचन

nāradasya vacaḥ śrutvā devā devarṣayo'pi ca| sādhu sādhvityamanyanta nocuḥ kecana kiṁcana

Hearing the words of Narada, the gods and the celestial sages too approved, saying 'well said, well said'; none of them spoke anything further.

Verse 67 (skanda.5.349.67)

समाह्वयत्ततो लक्ष्मीस्तान् विप्रान् भक्तिसंयुता। उवाच चरणान्गृह्य प्रसादः क्रियतां मयि

samāhvayattato lakṣmīstān viprān bhaktisaṁyutā| uvāca caraṇāngṛhya prasādaḥ kriyatāṁ mayi

Then Lakshmi, filled with devotion, summoned those brahmins, and, taking hold of their feet, said: Show your grace upon me.

Verse 68 (skanda.5.349.68)

षट्त्रिंशच्च सहस्राणि वेश्मनामत्र संस्थितिः। विश्वकर्मकृतानां तु तेषु तिष्ठन्तु वोऽखिलाः

ṣaṭtriṁśacca sahasrāṇi veśmanāmatra saṁsthitiḥ| viśvakarmakṛtānāṁ tu teṣu tiṣṭhantu vo'khilāḥ

Here stand thirty-six thousand dwellings, fashioned by Vishvakarma; may all of you take up your abode within them.

Verse 69 (skanda.5.349.69)

ते तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय स्थिताः संप्रीतमानसाः। धनधान्यसमृद्धाश्च वाञ्छितप्राप्तिलक्षणाः। सर्वकामसमृद्धाश्च ह्यनारम्भेषु कर्मणाम्

te tatheti pratijñāya sthitāḥ saṁprītamānasāḥ| dhanadhānyasamṛddhāśca vāñchitaprāptilakṣaṇāḥ| sarvakāmasamṛddhāśca hyanārambheṣu karmaṇām

They accepted, saying 'so be it,' and settled there with joyful hearts — prosperous in wealth and grain, marked by the attainment of their desires, and endowed with the fulfilment of every wish even without undertaking any labour.

Verse 70 (skanda.5.349.70)

इति संस्थाप्य तान् विप्रान् सा स्थिता पर्यपालयत्। चतुर्धा तु स्थितो विष्णुः श्रिया देव्याः प्रिये रतः

iti saṁsthāpya tān viprān sā sthitā paryapālayat| caturdhā tu sthito viṣṇuḥ śriyā devyāḥ priye rataḥ

Having thus settled those brahmins, she remained there and watched over them. And Vishnu, established in fourfold form, remained devoted to the love of the goddess Shri.

Verse 71 (skanda.5.349.71)

एवं वैवाहिकमखे निवृत्ते ऋषयस्तु तम्। ऊचुश्चावभृथस्नानं कुत्र कुर्मो जनार्दन

evaṁ vaivāhikamakhe nivṛtte ṛṣayastu tam| ūcuścāvabhṛthasnānaṁ kutra kurmo janārdana

Thus, when the marriage-sacrifice had been completed, the sages said to him: O Janardana, where shall we perform the concluding ceremonial bath?

Verse 72 (skanda.5.349.72)

इति श्रुत्वा तु वचनं श्रीपतिः पादपङ्कजात्। मुमोच जाह्नवीतोयं रेवामध्यगमं शुचि

iti śrutvā tu vacanaṁ śrīpatiḥ pādapaṅkajāt| mumoca jāhnavītoyaṁ revāmadhyagamaṁ śuci

Hearing this word, Shripati released from his lotus feet the sacred waters of the Ganga, which flowed forth to merge into the midst of the Reva.

Verse 73 (skanda.5.349.73)

हरेः पादोदकं दृष्ट्वा निःसृतं मुनयस्तु ते। विस्मिताः समपद्यन्त जानन्तस्तस्य गौरवम्

hareḥ pādodakaṁ dṛṣṭvā niḥsṛtaṁ munayastu te| vismitāḥ samapadyanta jānantastasya gauravam

Beholding that water flowing forth from Hari's feet, those sages were filled with wonder, understanding its majesty.

Verse 74 (skanda.5.349.74)

रुद्रेण सहिताः सर्वे देवता ऋषयस्तथा। संकथा विस्मिताश्चक्रुर्विधुन्वन्तः शिरांसि च

rudreṇa sahitāḥ sarve devatā ṛṣayastathā| saṁkathā vismitāścakrurvidhunvantaḥ śirāṁsi ca

All the gods, together with Rudra, and the sages too, amazed, began to speak among themselves, shaking their heads.

Verse 75 (skanda.5.349.75)

ऋषय ऊचुः। ब्रूहि शम्भो किमत्रायं अकस्माद्वारिसम्भवः। विष्णोः पादाम्बुजोत्थश्च सम्मोहकरणः परः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ| brūhi śambho kimatrāyaṁ akasmādvārisambhavaḥ| viṣṇoḥ pādāmbujotthaśca sammohakaraṇaḥ paraḥ

The sages said: Tell us, O Shambhu, how has this water suddenly arisen here? What is this water, sprung from the lotus feet of Vishnu, that so overwhelms us with wonder?

Verse 76 (skanda.5.349.76)

ईश्वर उवाच। पादोदकमिदं विष्णोरहं जानामि वै सुराः। दशाश्वमेधावभृथैः स्नानमत्रातिरिच्यते

īśvara uvāca| pādodakamidaṁ viṣṇorahaṁ jānāmi vai surāḥ| daśāśvamedhāvabhṛthaiḥ snānamatrātiricyate

Ishvara said: O gods, I know this to be the water from Vishnu's very feet. Bathing here surpasses even the concluding bath of ten horse-sacrifices.

Verse 77 (skanda.5.349.77)

युष्माभिः श्रीपतिः पूज्यः स्नानं चावभृथं कुतः। भविष्यतीति तेनाशु इदं वोऽर्थे विनिर्मितम्

yuṣmābhiḥ śrīpatiḥ pūjyaḥ snānaṁ cāvabhṛthaṁ kutaḥ| bhaviṣyatīti tenāśu idaṁ vo'rthe vinirmitam

You were to worship Shripati, but from where would your concluding bath have come? Knowing this, he has swiftly brought forth this water for your very sake.

Verse 78 (skanda.5.349.78)

स्नात्वात्र त्रिदशेशाना यत्फलं सम्प्रपद्यते। वक्तुं न केनचिद्याति ततः किमुत्तरं वचः

snātvātra tridaśeśānā yatphalaṁ samprapadyate| vaktuṁ na kenacidyāti tataḥ kimuttaraṁ vacaḥ

O lords of the thirty gods, the fruit obtained by bathing here cannot be described by anyone; what further word, then, could there be?

Verse 79 (skanda.5.349.79)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच। एवमुक्त्वा तु ते सर्वे स्नानं कृत्वा यथागतम्। जग्मुर्देवा महेशानपुरोगा भरतर्षभ

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca| evamuktvā tu te sarve snānaṁ kṛtvā yathāgatam| jagmurdevā maheśānapurogā bharatarṣabha

Markandeya said: Having spoken thus, O bull of the Bharatas, all the gods, with Maheshvara at their head, bathed there and then departed as they had come.

Verse 80 (skanda.5.349.80)

ब्राह्मणाश्च ततः सर्वे स्ववेश्मान्येव भेजिरे। देवतीर्थे महाराज सर्वपापप्रणाशने

brāhmaṇāśca tataḥ sarve svaveśmānyeva bhejire| devatīrthe mahārāja sarvapāpapraṇāśane

And thereafter, O great king, all the brahmins took up residence, each in his own dwelling, at that Deva Tirtha, the destroyer of all sin.