The Origin of Vaishvanara

Verse 1 (skanda.5.4.1)

व्यास उवाच। योऽसौ कपाल उत्पन्नो नरोनाम धनुर्धरः। किमेवं सोऽधुना जात उत्पत्तौ विश्वकर्मणः

vyāsa uvāca| yo'sau kapāla utpanno naronāma dhanurdharaḥ| kimevaṁ so'dhunā jāta utpattau viśvakarmaṇaḥ

Vyasa said: That bow-bearer named Nara, who was born in the skull-bowl—how has he now, at the very origin of the universal Creator's work, come to be born in just this way?

Verse 2 (skanda.5.4.2)

कथं रुद्रेण जनितः प्रभुणा बुद्धिपूर्वकम्। विष्णुना वा भगवता ब्रह्मणा भाव भेदतः

kathaṁ rudreṇa janitaḥ prabhuṇā buddhipūrvakam| viṣṇunā vā bhagavatā brahmaṇā bhāva bhedataḥ

How was he begotten deliberately by the mighty Rudra? Or by the blessed Vishnu, or by Brahma, through some difference of intent?

Verse 3 (skanda.5.4.3)

केन कस्मात्समुत्पन्नः शंकराच्युतब्रह्मणाम्। ब्रह्मा हिरण्यगर्भो यो यो जातश्च चतुर्मुखः

kena kasmātsamutpannaḥ śaṁkarācyutabrahmaṇām| brahmā hiraṇyagarbho yo yo jātaśca caturmukhaḥ

By whom and from what was he produced—Shankara, Achyuta, or Brahma? And tell me too how the golden-egg-born, four-faced Brahma came to be born.

Verse 4 (skanda.5.4.4)

अद्भुतं पंचमं वक्त्रं कथं तस्याप्युपस्थितम्। स तस्थौ भगवान्ब्रह्मा कथं रुद्रे मनोऽदधत्

adbhutaṁ paṁcamaṁ vaktraṁ kathaṁ tasyāpyupasthitam| sa tasthau bhagavānbrahmā kathaṁ rudre mano'dadhat

How did that wondrous fifth face also come to be present for him? How did the blessed Brahma remain, and how did he fix his mind upon Rudra?

Verse 5 (skanda.5.4.5)

मूढात्मना नरो येन हंतुं स प्रहितो हरम्

mūḍhātmanā naro yena haṁtuṁ sa prahito haram

...by which, with a deluded mind, Nara was sent forth to slay Hara.

Verse 6 (skanda.5.4.6)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। महेश्वरहरी एतौ द्वावेव सति तिष्ठतः। तयोरविदितं नास्ति सिद्धासिद्धं महात्मनोः

sanatkumāra uvāca| maheśvaraharī etau dvāveva sati tiṣṭhataḥ| tayoraviditaṁ nāsti siddhāsiddhaṁ mahātmanoḥ

Sanatkumara said: Maheshvara and Hari—these two alone truly exist eternally; for these two great souls nothing accomplished or unaccomplished remains unknown.

Verse 7 (skanda.5.4.7)

ब्रह्मणः पंचमं वक्त्रं यत्तदासीन्महात्मनः। तस्यैव मानसः सोग्निः शिरसा तेन वै धृतः

brahmaṇaḥ paṁcamaṁ vaktraṁ yattadāsīnmahātmanaḥ| tasyaiva mānasaḥ sogniḥ śirasā tena vai dhṛtaḥ

That fifth face of Brahma, the great soul, was in fact fire born of his own mind, which he then bore upon his own head.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.4.8)

यो नरो ब्रह्मणः प्रोक्तः सोऽप्यग्निस्तस्य मानसः। दधार तं महादेवः कृत्वांगुल्यंतरांतरे

yo naro brahmaṇaḥ proktaḥ so'pyagnistasya mānasaḥ| dadhāra taṁ mahādevaḥ kṛtvāṁgulyaṁtarāṁtare

The one called Nara, said to be born of Brahma, was likewise that same mind-born fire; Mahadeva held him between his fingers.

Verse 9 (skanda.5.4.9)

पूर्वं दृष्ट्वा समुत्पत्ति मेवं तस्य महान्नरः। तस्मात्कपालमंगुल्यां घट्टमानमजायत

pūrvaṁ dṛṣṭvā samutpatti mevaṁ tasya mahānnaraḥ| tasmātkapālamaṁgulyāṁ ghaṭṭamānamajāyata

Having earlier witnessed his own origin in this way, that great Nara arose from that same fire, which had appeared as the skull-bowl through the rubbing of a finger.

Verse 10 (skanda.5.4.10)

स तं हत्वा शरेणाजौ ब्रह्मणो निहितं रजः। मुमोह रजसा सत्त्वं यदृच्छा कृत्प्रभुर्यतः

sa taṁ hatvā śareṇājau brahmaṇo nihitaṁ rajaḥ| mumoha rajasā sattvaṁ yadṛcchā kṛtprabhuryataḥ

Having slain him with an arrow in that battle—the rajas set within Brahma—he bewildered sattva through rajas, since he is the Lord who acts entirely as he wills.

Verse 11 (skanda.5.4.11)

व्यास उवाच। कथमग्निः समुत्पन्नो योनिः सर्वेण धारितः। विस्तरेण तदाचक्ष्व भगवन्मुनिवंदित

vyāsa uvāca| kathamagniḥ samutpanno yoniḥ sarveṇa dhāritaḥ| vistareṇa tadācakṣva bhagavanmunivaṁdita

Vyasa said: How did fire come into being, the source that is borne by all? Tell that in detail, O blessed one honoured by sages.

Verse 12 (skanda.5.4.12)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। अव्यक्तादीन्ससर्जादावंडं हि तदजायत। जज्ञे सौवर्णवर्णाभो ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः

sanatkumāra uvāca| avyaktādīnsasarjādāvaṁḍaṁ hi tadajāyata| jajñe sauvarṇavarṇābho brahmā lokapitāmahaḥ

Sanatkumara said: In the beginning, having brought forth the unmanifest and the rest, that cosmic egg then came into being; from it was born Brahma, the golden-hued grandsire of the worlds.

Verse 13 (skanda.5.4.13)

स्वयंभूः स तपस्तप्त्वा दिव्यं वर्षशतं महत्। स तपःस्थो व्याजहार भूर्भुवःस्वरिति श्रुतीः

svayaṁbhūḥ sa tapastaptvā divyaṁ varṣaśataṁ mahat| sa tapaḥstho vyājahāra bhūrbhuvaḥsvariti śrutīḥ

The self-born Brahma performed great austerity for a hundred divine years; established in that austerity, he uttered the sacred syllables Bhuh, Bhuvah, Svah.

Verse 14 (skanda.5.4.14)

श्रुतियोगात्तु मनसः पश्चादग्निरजायत। अधोमुखः पपाताग्निः पृथिवीं निर्दहन्यदा

śrutiyogāttu manasaḥ paścādagnirajāyata| adhomukhaḥ papātāgniḥ pṛthivīṁ nirdahanyadā

From the union of those utterances with his mind, fire was then born; it fell with its face turned downward, scorching the earth.

Verse 15 (skanda.5.4.15)

पाणिभ्यां ब्रह्मणा सोग्निर्भूमेरूर्ध्वं निवेशितः। ततो दक्षिणहस्तेन वेद्यामग्निः प्रणीयते

pāṇibhyāṁ brahmaṇā sognirbhūmerūrdhvaṁ niveśitaḥ| tato dakṣiṇahastena vedyāmagniḥ praṇīyate

With his two hands Brahma set that fire upright above the earth; thereafter, with the right hand, fire is led and established upon the altar.

Verse 16 (skanda.5.4.16)

पुरापतन्नधोज्वाल ऊर्ध्वज्वालो यदा धृतः। उत्तानश्च कृतो यस्माद्ब्रह्मणा निर्मितो मिथः

purāpatannadhojvāla ūrdhvajvālo yadā dhṛtaḥ| uttānaśca kṛto yasmādbrahmaṇā nirmito mithaḥ

Formerly it had been falling with its flame turned downward; when it was held with the flame turned upward, it was thus made upright by Brahma, as though by mutual accord.

Verse 17 (skanda.5.4.17)

ज्वालाभिः प्रज्वलन्नूर्ध्वं सर्वशब्दस्फुलिंगवान्। हिरण्यवर्णं ब्रह्माणं तदोवाचानिरुत्कटः

jvālābhiḥ prajvalannūrdhvaṁ sarvaśabdasphuliṁgavān| hiraṇyavarṇaṁ brahmāṇaṁ tadovācānirutkaṭaḥ

Blazing upward with its flames, filled with every sound and every spark, that unbearably fierce fire then spoke to golden-hued Brahma.

Verse 18 (skanda.5.4.18)

किमर्थं तु त्वया देव भूमिभक्षं निवारितम्। बुभुक्षयाहमाविष्ट आहारो मे प्रदीयताम्

kimarthaṁ tu tvayā deva bhūmibhakṣaṁ nivāritam| bubhukṣayāhamāviṣṭa āhāro me pradīyatām

'O god, why have you forbidden me to devour the earth? I am overcome with hunger; let food be given to me.'

Verse 19 (skanda.5.4.19)

एवमुक्तोऽग्नये ब्रह्मा स्वरोमाणि जुहाव सः। कृशश्चखाद अग्निस्तु सर्वरोमाणि ब्रह्मणः

evamukto'gnaye brahmā svaromāṇi juhāva saḥ| kṛśaścakhāda agnistu sarvaromāṇi brahmaṇaḥ

Thus addressed, Brahma offered his own body-hairs into the fire as oblation; but that fire, still lean and unsatisfied, devoured all of Brahma's hairs.

Verse 20 (skanda.5.4.20)

अब्रवीच्च न मे तृप्तिर्न च मे देहनिर्वृतिः। त्वचं जुहाव ब्रह्मा च चखादाग्निस्त्वचं तदा

abravīcca na me tṛptirna ca me dehanirvṛtiḥ| tvacaṁ juhāva brahmā ca cakhādāgnistvacaṁ tadā

And it said: 'I am not satisfied, nor is my body content.' Then Brahma offered his skin, and the fire devoured that skin as well.

Verse 21 (skanda.5.4.21)

अब्रवीत्तं तदा वह्निस्तृप्तिर्नास्ति ममेति हि। जुहाव स्वानि मांसानि त्वचोत्कृत्य प्रजापतिः

abravīttaṁ tadā vahnistṛptirnāsti mameti hi| juhāva svāni māṁsāni tvacotkṛtya prajāpatiḥ

Then the fire said to him: 'I am indeed not yet satisfied.' Prajapati then cut away his skin and offered his own flesh.

Verse 22 (skanda.5.4.22)

अब्रवीच्च न मे तृप्तिर्न च मे देहनिर्वृतिः। जुहाव ब्रह्मा चास्थीनि तान्यश्नात्स बुभुक्षितः

abravīcca na me tṛptirna ca me dehanirvṛtiḥ| juhāva brahmā cāsthīni tānyaśnātsa bubhukṣitaḥ

And it said: 'I am not satisfied, nor is my body content.' Then Brahma offered up his very bones, and the hungry fire devoured those too.

Verse 23 (skanda.5.4.23)

ततो धात्रा हुताशाय कृतो देहो विधातुकः। तमदेहमथो दृष्ट्वा ब्रह्माणमवदच्च सः

tato dhātrā hutāśāya kṛto deho vidhātukaḥ| tamadehamatho dṛṣṭvā brahmāṇamavadacca saḥ

Then a body, capable of further creation, was fashioned for the fire-eater by the Ordainer; and having then beheld Brahma left bodiless, the fire spoke to him.

Verse 24 (skanda.5.4.24)

अहो ब्रह्मन्न मे तृप्तिर्न च मे देहनिर्वृतिः। कुद्धेण ब्रह्मणा सोऽग्निर्हुंकारेण द्विधा कृतः

aho brahmanna me tṛptirna ca me dehanirvṛtiḥ| kuddheṇa brahmaṇā so'gnirhuṁkāreṇa dvidhā kṛtaḥ

'Ah, O Brahman, I am still not satisfied, nor is my body content.' Hearing this, Brahma, in anger, split that fire into two with a roar.

Verse 25 (skanda.5.4.25)

आहतू रुदतावग्नी आहारार्थं प्रजापतिम्। हुंकारेण पुनर्ब्रह्मा द्विधैकैकं चकार वै

āhatū rudatāvagnī āhārārthaṁ prajāpatim| huṁkāreṇa punarbrahmā dvidhaikaikaṁ cakāra vai

The two fires, thus struck, wept before Prajapati, seeking food; and again, with a roar, Brahma split each of the two into two more.

Verse 26 (skanda.5.4.26)

त्रयस्तेषां रुदंति स्म रुदन्ह्येको ह्यसंवृतः। क्रुद्धेन ब्रह्मणा व्यास हुंकारेणैव ताडितः

trayasteṣāṁ rudaṁti sma rudanhyeko hyasaṁvṛtaḥ| kruddhena brahmaṇā vyāsa huṁkāreṇaiva tāḍitaḥ

Three of them wailed aloud, while one, unrestrained, went on weeping; O Vyasa, struck again by the roar of the angered Brahma...

Verse 27 (skanda.5.4.27)

रोरूयमाणे चाग्नौ तु पुनर्ब्रह्मा कृपान्वितः। प्राह कामाभिभूतानां भुंक्ष्व त्वं देहधातुकम्

rorūyamāṇe cāgnau tu punarbrahmā kṛpānvitaḥ| prāha kāmābhibhūtānāṁ bhuṁkṣva tvaṁ dehadhātukam

...as the fire wailed on, Brahma, once more filled with compassion, said: 'Feed upon the bodily substance of creatures overcome by desire.'

Verse 28 (skanda.5.4.28)

स कालस्तस्य कामस्य सा वृत्तिः संप्रकल्पिता। अकाराग्निं सन्निविष्टं दृष्ट्वा मनसि मानसः

sa kālastasya kāmasya sā vṛttiḥ saṁprakalpitā| akārāgniṁ sanniviṣṭaṁ dṛṣṭvā manasi mānasaḥ

That became fixed as the proper time and manner for that desire. Seeing the fire seated within his own mind...

Verse 29 (skanda.5.4.29)

हुंकाराग्निः प्रजज्वाल किमेतदिति चाब्रवीत्। ब्रह्मा तमाह त्वमपि यथेष्टां वृत्तिमाश्रय

huṁkārāgniḥ prajajvāla kimetaditi cābravīt| brahmā tamāha tvamapi yatheṣṭāṁ vṛttimāśraya

...the roar-born fire blazed up and said: 'What is this?' Brahma said to him: 'You too may resort to whatever livelihood you desire.'

Verse 30 (skanda.5.4.30)

देवमध्ये बहिर्वापि मुनीनामाश्रमेषु च। इत्येवमुक्तस्तेनाशु वृत्तिमेतामरोचयत्

devamadhye bahirvāpi munīnāmāśrameṣu ca| ityevamuktastenāśu vṛttimetāmarocayat

'Whether among the gods, or outside, or in the hermitages of sages.' Thus addressed, he at once approved of this livelihood.

Verse 31 (skanda.5.4.31)

अहमेवं प्रदास्यामि पुनः पुनरुवाच ह। यस्मादेष द्वितीयोग्निर्हुंकारात्समजायत

ahamevaṁ pradāsyāmi punaḥ punaruvāca ha| yasmādeṣa dvitīyognirhuṁkārātsamajāyata

'I shall grant it just in this way'—thus he said again and again; and since this second fire had been born from that very roar...

Verse 32 (skanda.5.4.32)

साभिमानोऽपमानो वा हुंकारो यत्र कथ्यते। सा च वृत्तिर्ममादेशाद्बुभुक्षाशांतये तव

sābhimāno'pamāno vā huṁkāro yatra kathyate| sā ca vṛttirmamādeśādbubhukṣāśāṁtaye tava

'...that roar in which pride or insult is expressed shall, by my ordinance, be your livelihood for the appeasing of hunger.'

Verse 33 (skanda.5.4.33)

इकाराग्निं समाहूय ब्रह्मा वचनमब्रवीत्। भवतोग्ने त्वियं वृत्तिरन्नं भुक्तं दहेरिति

ikārāgniṁ samāhūya brahmā vacanamabravīt| bhavatogne tviyaṁ vṛttirannaṁ bhuktaṁ daheriti

Summoning the fire called Ikara, Brahma spoke this word: 'O Agni, this shall be your function: that you digest the food that has been eaten.'

Verse 34 (skanda.5.4.34)

उकाराग्निं समाहूय ब्रह्मा वचनमब्रवीत्। यत्पृथिव्यां गुरुध्यानं भगवंस्तत्समाश्रय

ukārāgniṁ samāhūya brahmā vacanamabravīt| yatpṛthivyāṁ gurudhyānaṁ bhagavaṁstatsamāśraya

Summoning the fire called Ukara, Brahma spoke this word: 'Whatever meditation upon the Guru exists on earth, O blessed one, resort to that.'

Verse 35 (skanda.5.4.35)

अहं च ते विधास्यामि स्थानमाहारमेव च। इत्युक्तः स तु तेनाग्निर्यत्पृथिव्यां शिलाचयः

ahaṁ ca te vidhāsyāmi sthānamāhārameva ca| ityuktaḥ sa tu tenāgniryatpṛthivyāṁ śilācayaḥ

'And I shall ordain for you both a place and food.' Thus addressed, that fire came to dwell on earth within the mass of stones.

Verse 36 (skanda.5.4.36)

यतोऽग्निर्व्यास तेनोक्तो गिरौ दुर्गे महामुने। उकाराग्निः स चाप्येष समुद्रे वडवामुखः

yato'gnirvyāsa tenokto girau durge mahāmune| ukārāgniḥ sa cāpyeṣa samudre vaḍavāmukhaḥ

Hence, O Vyasa, great sage, that fire is said to dwell in the inaccessible places of the mountain; and this same Ukara-fire is also Vadavamukha, the submarine fire in the ocean.

Verse 37 (skanda.5.4.37)

सोऽपि भिन्नः समाहूतो ब्रह्मणा स्थानलिप्सया। त्वं चक्षुः सर्वलोकस्य ब्रह्मा वचनमब्रवीत्

so'pi bhinnaḥ samāhūto brahmaṇā sthānalipsayā| tvaṁ cakṣuḥ sarvalokasya brahmā vacanamabravīt

Dividing that fire too, and desiring to grant it a place, Brahma summoned it and said: 'You shall become the eye of the entire world.'

Verse 38 (skanda.5.4.38)

तस्मात्त्वं संस्कृतां वाणीं द्विजातीनां प्रकाशय। दैवी पुण्या हि पापांश्च आयुष्यं हंत्यसंस्कृता

tasmāttvaṁ saṁskṛtāṁ vāṇīṁ dvijātīnāṁ prakāśaya| daivī puṇyā hi pāpāṁśca āyuṣyaṁ haṁtyasaṁskṛtā

'Therefore illumine the refined, sanctified speech of the twice-born; for even divine and meritorious speech, if left unrefined, destroys both virtue and life.'

Verse 39 (skanda.5.4.39)

तस्माद्द्विजातेर्विज्ञेया वाणी पुण्या प्रकाशिता। वाक्च माता द्विजातीनां मुखे सा संप्रतिष्ठिता

tasmāddvijātervijñeyā vāṇī puṇyā prakāśitā| vākca mātā dvijātīnāṁ mukhe sā saṁpratiṣṭhitā

Therefore that sacred, properly refined speech is to be known as belonging to the twice-born; speech itself is the mother of the twice-born, established within the mouth.

Verse 40 (skanda.5.4.40)

अनृताक्षरविन्यासादमंगल्या ह्यसंस्कृता। वक्तारं हंत्यतो ह्यग्निः सदा संस्कृतकृद्द्विजः

anṛtākṣaravinyāsādamaṁgalyā hyasaṁskṛtā| vaktāraṁ haṁtyato hyagniḥ sadā saṁskṛtakṛddvijaḥ

Unrefined speech, from the disordered placement of false syllables, is inauspicious; it destroys the speaker—therefore fire is ever the twice-born sanctifier of speech.

Verse 41 (skanda.5.4.41)

आहूय भूयोऽकाराग्निं प्रजापतिरचक्षुषम्। वाग्वेदवाणीमवदत्सोपि संमीलितेक्षणः

āhūya bhūyo'kārāgniṁ prajāpatiracakṣuṣam| vāgvedavāṇīmavadatsopi saṁmīlitekṣaṇaḥ

Summoning again the fire called Akara, who was without sight, Prajapati spoke to him the speech of the Veda, while he too kept his eyes closed.

Verse 42 (skanda.5.4.42)

ब्रह्माणमाह वह्निस्तु वाचोहं मुखमस्मि हे। स्थानं मम प्रयच्छस्व सर्वतेजोवरं परम्

brahmāṇamāha vahnistu vācohaṁ mukhamasmi he| sthānaṁ mama prayacchasva sarvatejovaraṁ param

The fire said to Brahma: 'I am the mouth of speech. Grant me a place, supreme and excellent among all splendours.'

Verse 43 (skanda.5.4.43)

ब्रह्मा तमाह यस्मात्त्वं तेजःस्थानं समीहसे। तस्मात्तेजोमयं यत्ते रविस्थानं भविष्यति

brahmā tamāha yasmāttvaṁ tejaḥsthānaṁ samīhase| tasmāttejomayaṁ yatte ravisthānaṁ bhaviṣyati

Brahma said to him: 'Since you desire a place of splendour, therefore your radiant place shall be the sun.'

Verse 44 (skanda.5.4.44)

यस्मात्तेजः प्रपश्यंति चक्षुर्भवति दुर्बलम्। तस्मात्तत्तेजसा युक्तं पश्येदनिमिषं क्वचित्

yasmāttejaḥ prapaśyaṁti cakṣurbhavati durbalam| tasmāttattejasā yuktaṁ paśyedanimiṣaṁ kvacit

'Since the eye grows weak from beholding that splendour, let it, endowed with that same splendour, sometimes gaze unblinking.'

Verse 45 (skanda.5.4.45)

इकारमथ संभिन्नमग्निमाह पितामहः। सौम्यदृष्ट्या तु ब्रह्माणं समुदीक्षमुपागतम्

ikāramatha saṁbhinnamagnimāha pitāmahaḥ| saumyadṛṣṭyā tu brahmāṇaṁ samudīkṣamupāgatam

Then the Grandsire addressed the divided fire called Ikara, who had come gazing toward Brahma with a gentle look.

Verse 46 (skanda.5.4.46)

यस्माच्छीघ्रं महासत्त्व सौम्यदृष्टिरिहागतः। तस्माद्दास्याम्यहं स्थानं सर्वभूतमनोरमम्

yasmācchīghraṁ mahāsattva saumyadṛṣṭirihāgataḥ| tasmāddāsyāmyahaṁ sthānaṁ sarvabhūtamanoramam

'O great being, since you have come here quickly with a gentle gaze, I shall therefore give you a place delightful to all creatures.'

Verse 47 (skanda.5.4.47)

संशीतात्मा शीतरश्मिश्चंद्रमास्त्वं भविष्यसि। सर्वतेजोधिको दिव्यः सौम्यः परमभासुरः

saṁśītātmā śītaraśmiścaṁdramāstvaṁ bhaviṣyasi| sarvatejodhiko divyaḥ saumyaḥ paramabhāsuraḥ

'Cool of nature and cool-rayed, you shall become the moon; surpassing all splendours, divine, gentle, and exceedingly radiant.'

Verse 48 (skanda.5.4.48)

तरुस्थः सर्वतेजांसि तेजसाऽभिभविष्यसि। इत्युक्त्वा तं विसृज्याथ उकाराग्निमथाह्वयत

tarusthaḥ sarvatejāṁsi tejasā'bhibhaviṣyasi| ityuktvā taṁ visṛjyātha ukārāgnimathāhvayata

'Dwelling within trees, you shall overpower all splendours with your own splendour.' Having said this, and released him, he then summoned the fire called Ukara.

Verse 49 (skanda.5.4.49)

इहैहीतीति शिरसि समादाय न्यवेशयत्। तत्रस्थं पंचमं वक्त्रं ऊर्ध्वमेतत्प्रजायते

ihaihītīti śirasi samādāya nyaveśayat| tatrasthaṁ paṁcamaṁ vaktraṁ ūrdhvametatprajāyate

'Come here'—so saying, he took him up and set him upon his head; that fifth face, seated there, thus appeared above the other four.

Verse 50 (skanda.5.4.50)

स एवं रूपवानग्निरुकाराग्निः प्रतिष्ठितः। तस्मादग्निश्च सूर्यश्च एकमेतौ विनिर्दिशेत्

sa evaṁ rūpavānagnirukārāgniḥ pratiṣṭhitaḥ| tasmādagniśca sūryaśca ekametau vinirdiśet

Thus that fire, thus formed, the Ukara-fire, became established; and for this reason fire and the sun should be regarded as one.

Verse 51 (skanda.5.4.51)

भवाग्निरूपं परमं ब्रह्माणमिदमब्रवीत्। ममापि रुचिरं स्थानं प्रयच्छस्व यथा स्वयम्

bhavāgnirūpaṁ paramaṁ brahmāṇamidamabravīt| mamāpi ruciraṁ sthānaṁ prayacchasva yathā svayam

That supreme fire-form of Bhava then said this to Brahma: 'Grant me too a pleasant place, as you yourself see fit.'

Verse 52 (skanda.5.4.52)

ब्रह्मा तमाह कतमं स्थानं ते रोचतेऽनल। अग्निस्तं प्रत्युवाचेदं स्थानं कथय मे परम्

brahmā tamāha katamaṁ sthānaṁ te rocate'nala| agnistaṁ pratyuvācedaṁ sthānaṁ kathaya me param

Brahma said to him: 'Which place pleases you, O fire?' The fire replied to him: 'Tell me yourself that supreme place.'

Verse 53 (skanda.5.4.53)

स्थानं नैवास्ति ते भव्यं ततो ह्येवं भविष्यति। अत्र ते स्थातुमिच्छास्ति यदि संस्थास्यते त्विह

sthānaṁ naivāsti te bhavyaṁ tato hyevaṁ bhaviṣyati| atra te sthātumicchāsti yadi saṁsthāsyate tviha

'There is indeed no special place fitting for you; therefore it shall be thus: if you wish to abide here, then you shall be established right here.'

Verse 54 (skanda.5.4.54)

लोके नित्यं समाचार लोकसंस्थितिहेतुकः। संभवार्थमिहास त्वं निजसत्त्वपराक्रमः

loke nityaṁ samācāra lokasaṁsthitihetukaḥ| saṁbhavārthamihāsa tvaṁ nijasattvaparākramaḥ

'Conduct yourself ever in the world as the cause of the world's stability; abide here, endowed with your own being and valour, for the sake of creation.'

Verse 55 (skanda.5.4.55)

यदिह त्वं महाज्वालाभाभिः कलितशोभनः। प्राप्स्यसे सर्व जंतूनां भासुरत्वमनुत्तमम्। न ह्येष धर्मश्चैवाद्यो मायामोहितकाम्यया

yadiha tvaṁ mahājvālābhābhiḥ kalitaśobhanaḥ| prāpsyase sarva jaṁtūnāṁ bhāsuratvamanuttamam| na hyeṣa dharmaścaivādyo māyāmohitakāmyayā

'If you abide here, adorned with the splendour of great flames, you shall attain unsurpassed radiance among all creatures; yet this indeed is not the primeval order, but arises from a desire deluded by illusion.'

Verse 56 (skanda.5.4.56)

इत्युक्ते ब्रह्मणा सोऽग्निः प्रजज्वाल सहस्रशः। अनंतज्वालाभि ततो नानावर्णादिभिः श्रितः

ityukte brahmaṇā so'gniḥ prajajvāla sahasraśaḥ| anaṁtajvālābhi tato nānāvarṇādibhiḥ śritaḥ

When Brahma had spoken thus, that fire blazed forth in a thousand forms; and thereafter, filled with endless flames of many colours...

Verse 57 (skanda.5.4.57)

अकारेकार ऊकारो ब्रह्मा तमथ दृष्टवान्। नैवासौ शाम्यतां याति वह्निर्भूयो व्यवर्धत

akārekāra ūkāro brahmā tamatha dṛṣṭavān| naivāsau śāmyatāṁ yāti vahnirbhūyo vyavardhata

...Brahma then beheld it in the forms Akara, Ikara, and Ukara; but that fire would not be pacified, and only grew further still.

Verse 58 (skanda.5.4.58)

व्याप्तं भवाग्निना सर्वं तिर्यगूर्ध्वमधस्तथा। ज्वालाभिरुपरि क्षिप्तं दृष्ट्वात्मानं समंततः

vyāptaṁ bhavāgninā sarvaṁ tiryagūrdhvamadhastathā| jvālābhirupari kṣiptaṁ dṛṣṭvātmānaṁ samaṁtataḥ

The whole world was pervaded by that fire of Bhava, crosswise, above, and below alike; and seeing himself too encircled on every side by its flames...

Verse 59 (skanda.5.4.59)

चिंतयंतं तु ब्रह्माणं भीतं चैव विशेषतः। शिरस्यंजलिमाधाय तुष्टावाथ प्रणम्य तम्

ciṁtayaṁtaṁ tu brahmāṇaṁ bhītaṁ caiva viśeṣataḥ| śirasyaṁjalimādhāya tuṣṭāvātha praṇamya tam

...Brahma, anxious and especially frightened, joined his palms upon his head, and, bowing, began to praise him.

Verse 60 (skanda.5.4.60)

तेजोनिधिं च सर्वेशं ज्ञातुमिच्छन्प्रजापतिः। निरुक्तसूक्तराहस्यैर्ऋग्यजुःसामभाषितैः

tejonidhiṁ ca sarveśaṁ jñātumicchanprajāpatiḥ| niruktasūktarāhasyairṛgyajuḥsāmabhāṣitaiḥ

Prajapati, desiring to know that treasury of splendour, the Lord of all, praised him through the esoteric doctrines, hymns, and mysteries expressed in the Rig, Yajur, and Sama Vedas.

Verse 61 (skanda.5.4.61)

ब्रह्मोवाच। सप्ततेजो नमस्तेऽस्तु परस्य परमात्मने। अद्भुतानां प्रतिश्रोत्रे तेजसा निधये नमः

brahmovāca| saptatejo namaste'stu parasya paramātmane| adbhutānāṁ pratiśrotre tejasā nidhaye namaḥ

Brahma said: Salutation to you, of sevenfold splendour, the Supreme Self of the Supreme; salutation to the treasury of splendour, the hearer who answers wonders.

Verse 62 (skanda.5.4.62)

बीजं यो विश्वभावानां संमोहनविमोहनम्। अंधकारो युगावर्तकाले काले च दुःसह

bījaṁ yo viśvabhāvānāṁ saṁmohanavimohanam| aṁdhakāro yugāvartakāle kāle ca duḥsaha

You are the seed of all the states of the universe, both the bewilderment and the dispelling of bewilderment; you are also the unbearable darkness at the turning of the ages, time after time.

Verse 63 (skanda.5.4.63)

ऊर्ध्ववक्त्र नमस्तेस्तु सत्त्वात्मक धरात्मक। ज्वलज्ज्वालोत्पन्नजल जलजेश जलेचर

ūrdhvavaktra namastestu sattvātmaka dharātmaka| jvalajjvālotpannajala jalajeśa jalecara

Salutation to you, upward-faced one, of the nature of sattva, of the nature of the earth; O source of water born amid blazing flame, lord of the water-born, wanderer of the waters.

Verse 64 (skanda.5.4.64)

जलजोत्फुल्लपत्राक्ष जलदेव हुताशन। कृष्णकांते कृष्णमार्ग स्वर्गमार्गप्रदायक

jalajotphullapatrākṣa jaladeva hutāśana| kṛṣṇakāṁte kṛṣṇamārga svargamārgapradāyaka

O you whose eyes are like the opened petals of the lotus born in water, O god of the waters, O consumer of oblations; O dark and lovely one, of dark path, bestower of the path to heaven.

Verse 65 (skanda.5.4.65)

यज्ञाहुतिसमाचार यज्ञरूप नमोनमः। स्वर्णगर्भ शमीगर्भ जय देव सनातन

yajñāhutisamācāra yajñarūpa namonamaḥ| svarṇagarbha śamīgarbha jaya deva sanātana

O you whose conduct is the sacrificial oblation, O very form of sacrifice, salutation again and again; O golden-wombed, O acacia-wombed, victory to you, eternal god.

Verse 66 (skanda.5.4.66)

तमोहार महाहार स्वाप्रिय तमोहर। प्रदीप्तरोचिर्देवेश चित्रभानो नमोस्तु ते

tamohāra mahāhāra svāpriya tamohara| pradīptarocirdeveśa citrabhāno namostu te

O remover of darkness, great consumer, dear to yourself, dispeller of darkness; O blazing-radiant Lord of gods, O many-hued Chitrabhanu, salutation to you.

Verse 67 (skanda.5.4.67)

वैश्वानरानलोदग्र ऊर्ध्वपावक सर्वग विभावसो महाभाग कृष्णवर्त्मन्नमोनमः

vaiśvānarānalodagra ūrdhvapāvaka sarvaga vibhāvaso mahābhāga kṛṣṇavartmannamonamaḥ

O towering fire of Vaishvanara, upward-blazing one, all-pervading—here the source text is damaged and a portion is illegible—O Vibhavasu, greatly fortunate one, O dark-pathed one, salutation, salutation to you.

Verse 68 (skanda.5.4.68)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। एवं स्तुतस्तदा सोग्निर्विरंचिमब्रवीद्वचः। तुष्टोऽहं भवतो ब्रह्मन्भावकर्म प्रसिध्यति

sanatkumāra uvāca| evaṁ stutastadā sognirviraṁcimabravīdvacaḥ| tuṣṭo'haṁ bhavato brahmanbhāvakarma prasidhyati

Sanatkumara said: Thus praised, that fire spoke this word to Virinchi: 'I am pleased with you, O Brahman; your work of creation shall prosper.'

Verse 69 (skanda.5.4.69)

एवमुक्तस्तदा ब्रह्मा नमस्कृत्याब्रवीत्पुनः। ज्ञातुमिच्छाम्यहं देव को हि त्वं भगवानिति

evamuktastadā brahmā namaskṛtyābravītpunaḥ| jñātumicchāmyahaṁ deva ko hi tvaṁ bhagavāniti

Thus addressed, Brahma bowed and said again: 'O god, I wish to know who you are, O Lord.'

Verse 70 (skanda.5.4.70)

अब्रवीत्सोऽथ ब्रह्माणं पुरुषस्त्वं प्रजापतिः। अज्ञेयं परमं रूपं तेन योग्येन पश्य मे

abravītso'tha brahmāṇaṁ puruṣastvaṁ prajāpatiḥ| ajñeyaṁ paramaṁ rūpaṁ tena yogyena paśya me

He then said to Brahma: 'You, O man, are Prajapati; behold my supreme, unknowable form with that vision which is fit for it.'

Verse 71 (skanda.5.4.71)

अथापश्यत्स दिव्येन भगवंतं सनातनम्। सर्वज्ञं विधिकर्तारमीश्वरं सदसत्परम्

athāpaśyatsa divyena bhagavaṁtaṁ sanātanam| sarvajñaṁ vidhikartāramīśvaraṁ sadasatparam

Then, with divine sight, Brahma beheld that eternal Lord—omniscient, the ordainer, the God who is beyond being and non-being alike.

Verse 72 (skanda.5.4.72)

ज्वलनं गगनं भूमिं दृश्यादृश्यं परं पदम्। भूतं भव्यं भविष्यं च जगत्स्थावरजंगमम्। सदैव कुरुते देवो भुंक्ते सर्वं यतः प्रभुः

jvalanaṁ gaganaṁ bhūmiṁ dṛśyādṛśyaṁ paraṁ padam| bhūtaṁ bhavyaṁ bhaviṣyaṁ ca jagatsthāvarajaṁgamam| sadaiva kurute devo bhuṁkte sarvaṁ yataḥ prabhuḥ

Fire, sky, earth, the visible and the invisible, the supreme state; the past, the future, and the present, the world both moving and unmoving—all this the god ever creates, and, being the Lord, sustains and enjoys it all.

Verse 73 (skanda.5.4.73)

अतिसंभूतिभव्येन स्तोत्रेणाथ प्रजापतिः। तुष्टाव देवं प्रकृतं पुराणमजमव्ययम्

atisaṁbhūtibhavyena stotreṇātha prajāpatiḥ| tuṣṭāva devaṁ prakṛtaṁ purāṇamajamavyayam

Then Prajapati, with a hymn of surpassing excellence and auspiciousness, praised that ancient, unborn, imperishable god, exactly as he truly is.

Verse 74 (skanda.5.4.74)

ततोऽतिरक्तवर्णं च दृष्ट्वा देवः प्रजापतिः। विश्वतोबाहुचरणं विश्वतोऽग्निशिरोमुखम्

tato'tiraktavarṇaṁ ca dṛṣṭvā devaḥ prajāpatiḥ| viśvatobāhucaraṇaṁ viśvato'gniśiromukham

Then god Prajapati beheld that form of exceedingly red hue, with arms and feet on every side, its heads and faces of fire on every side.

Verse 75 (skanda.5.4.75)

व्यक्ताव्यक्तप्रणेतारं प्रणमञ्छिरसा स्वयम्। पश्यतेऽथ नमस्तेऽस्तु तुभ्यं विश्वभवात्मने

vyaktāvyaktapraṇetāraṁ praṇamañchirasā svayam| paśyate'tha namaste'stu tubhyaṁ viśvabhavātmane

Bowing his own head to the ordainer of the manifest and the unmanifest, beholding him, he said: 'Salutation to you, O Self of the being of the universe.'

Verse 76 (skanda.5.4.76)

पृथिवी वायुराकाशं यच्चान्यद्भुवनत्रयम्। लोकालोकेश्वरं चैव जगत्स्थावरजंगमम्

pṛthivī vāyurākāśaṁ yaccānyadbhuvanatrayam| lokālokeśvaraṁ caiva jagatsthāvarajaṁgamam

'Earth, wind, sky, and whatever else exists in the three worlds; the Lord of all worlds seen and unseen, and the world both moving and unmoving—all this you are.'

Verse 77 (skanda.5.4.77)

तत्त्वसर्गं भूतसर्गं भावसर्गं तथैव च। ब्रह्मतेजोमयात्मानं संपश्यंश्चक्षुषा स्वतः

tattvasargaṁ bhūtasargaṁ bhāvasargaṁ tathaiva ca| brahmatejomayātmānaṁ saṁpaśyaṁścakṣuṣā svataḥ

'The creation of the elements, the creation of beings, and likewise the creation of states'—thus beholding, with his own eyes, that Self made of the very splendour of Brahman...

Verse 78 (skanda.5.4.78)

यत्किंचिद्वस्तुजातं हि तत्सर्वमचरं चरम्। एवं स्तुतः स तु तदा अनादिर्भगवान्प्रभुः

yatkiṁcidvastujātaṁ hi tatsarvamacaraṁ caram| evaṁ stutaḥ sa tu tadā anādirbhagavānprabhuḥ

'...whatever mass of things there is, moving or unmoving, all of it is you.' Thus praised, that beginningless, blessed Lord...

Verse 79 (skanda.5.4.79)

अथेशः प्राह ब्रह्माणं त्वया दृष्टं यथातथम्। सृजेदानीं प्रजाः सर्वाः स च त्वं विनयान्वितः

atheśaḥ prāha brahmāṇaṁ tvayā dṛṣṭaṁ yathātatham| sṛjedānīṁ prajāḥ sarvāḥ sa ca tvaṁ vinayānvitaḥ

Then Ishvara said to Brahma: 'You have seen me exactly as I am; now, endowed with humility, go and create all the creatures.'

Verse 80 (skanda.5.4.80)

कर्ताहमनुकर्ता त्वं लोकानां स्थितिकारणे। कुरुष्वैतत्तथा भाव्यं मया पूर्वं विनिर्मितम्

kartāhamanukartā tvaṁ lokānāṁ sthitikāraṇe| kuruṣvaitattathā bhāvyaṁ mayā pūrvaṁ vinirmitam

'In the cause of the stability of the worlds, I am the doer and you the co-doer; do accordingly, just as it was ordained by me before.'

Verse 81 (skanda.5.4.81)

इत्युक्तो देवदेवेन ब्रह्मा वचनमब्रवीत्। नमस्तेऽस्तु महादेव भव शर्व नमोऽस्तु ते

ityukto devadevena brahmā vacanamabravīt| namaste'stu mahādeva bhava śarva namo'stu te

Thus addressed by the God of gods, Brahma spoke this word: 'Salutation to you, O Mahadeva; salutation to you, O Bhava, O Sharva.'

Verse 82 (skanda.5.4.82)

त्वत्प्रसादात्प्रजासर्गं कुर्वतो मे महेश्वर। सखायं प्राप्तुमिच्छामि त्वया दत्तं जगत्पते

tvatprasādātprajāsargaṁ kurvato me maheśvara| sakhāyaṁ prāptumicchāmi tvayā dattaṁ jagatpate

'O Maheshvara, as I undertake the creation of offspring by your grace, O Lord of the world, I wish to obtain a companion given by you.'

Verse 83 (skanda.5.4.83)

महेश्वर उवाच। ध्यायतः पुत्रकामस्य स्रष्टु कामस्य ते यतः। कल्पितं भविता देव मदुत्पत्तिं यदीप्स्यसि

maheśvara uvāca| dhyāyataḥ putrakāmasya sraṣṭu kāmasya te yataḥ| kalpitaṁ bhavitā deva madutpattiṁ yadīpsyasi

Maheshvara said: 'O god, since you meditate desiring a son, desiring to create—if you wish for my own birth as your son, it shall be granted.'

Verse 84 (skanda.5.4.84)

पुत्रत्वं प्राप्य हीशस्ते छेत्स्यामि पंचमं शिरः। तत्र चोत्पादयिष्यामि नरनारायणावुभौ

putratvaṁ prāpya hīśaste chetsyāmi paṁcamaṁ śiraḥ| tatra cotpādayiṣyāmi naranārāyaṇāvubhau

'O Ishvara, having attained sonship, I shall sever your fifth head; and from it I shall bring forth both Nara and Narayana.'

Verse 85 (skanda.5.4.85)

ब्रह्मोवाच। कथं नारायणो देवस्तपसा मन्यते स नः। कीर्तयस्व सखा धन्यः स नः पूज्यो भविष्यति

brahmovāca| kathaṁ nārāyaṇo devastapasā manyate sa naḥ| kīrtayasva sakhā dhanyaḥ sa naḥ pūjyo bhaviṣyati

Brahma said: 'How does the god Narayana, through his austerity, regard us? Tell of him—he is a blessed companion; he shall become worthy of our worship.'

Verse 86 (skanda.5.4.86)

अथापश्यत्ततो ब्रह्मा तेजसा हरिमच्युतम्। तं सर्वगमनं गम्यं शिवं नारायणात्मकम्

athāpaśyattato brahmā tejasā harimacyutam| taṁ sarvagamanaṁ gamyaṁ śivaṁ nārāyaṇātmakam

Then, by that splendour, Brahma beheld imperishable Hari, the goal reached by every path, the auspicious one, of the very nature of Narayana.

Verse 87 (skanda.5.4.87)

महेश्वरस्य तेजोर्ध्वं संतं नारायणं प्रभुम्। चकार व्याहरन्नार्तं श्रीरूपं शक्तिसाम्यतः

maheśvarasya tejordhvaṁ saṁtaṁ nārāyaṇaṁ prabhum| cakāra vyāharannārtaṁ śrīrūpaṁ śaktisāmyataḥ

Above his own splendour, Maheshvara, speaking with feeling, brought forth the Lord Narayana present there, a beautiful form equal to himself in power.

Verse 88 (skanda.5.4.88)

अंगुल्या संस्पृशन्देवो ब्रह्माणमब्रवीद्वचः। ब्रह्मंस्ते परमं धाम ऋषिर्नारायणानुगः

aṁgulyā saṁspṛśandevo brahmāṇamabravīdvacaḥ| brahmaṁste paramaṁ dhāma ṛṣirnārāyaṇānugaḥ

Touching him with a finger, the god spoke this word to Brahma: 'O Brahman, this sage who follows Narayana—this is your supreme abode.'

Verse 89 (skanda.5.4.89)

भविता लोकरक्षार्थं श्रेष्ठः सर्वधनुष्मताम्। नारायण महावीर्य शक्तिरेषा मदीयिका

bhavitā lokarakṣārthaṁ śreṣṭhaḥ sarvadhanuṣmatām| nārāyaṇa mahāvīrya śaktireṣā madīyikā

'For the protection of the world, this one shall become the foremost of all wielders of the bow; O Narayana of great valour, this power is my very own.'

Verse 90 (skanda.5.4.90)

इत्युक्त्वा भगवान्देवस्तमग्निं पाणिनाऽग्रहीत्। दक्षहस्तांगुलिनखमध्यस्थं समचीकरत्

ityuktvā bhagavāndevastamagniṁ pāṇinā'grahīt| dakṣahastāṁgulinakhamadhyasthaṁ samacīkarat

Having said this, the blessed god took that fire in his hand, and, setting it between the nail and finger of his right hand, made it level and even.

Verse 91 (skanda.5.4.91)

इति सत्कृत्य सततं नरं चैव महेश्वरः। ब्रह्मणो दर्शयित्वाथ तत्रैवांतरधीयत

iti satkṛtya satataṁ naraṁ caiva maheśvaraḥ| brahmaṇo darśayitvātha tatraivāṁtaradhīyata

Thus continually honouring Nara as well, Maheshvara, having shown him to Brahma, then vanished on that very spot.

Verse 92 (skanda.5.4.92)

अथाब्रवीत्ततो ब्रह्मा अग्निं तं तु युगक्षये। स्पृशन्दक्षिणवामाभ्यां सांत्वयन्निव तं गिरा

athābravīttato brahmā agniṁ taṁ tu yugakṣaye| spṛśandakṣiṇavāmābhyāṁ sāṁtvayanniva taṁ girā

Thereafter Brahma, at the dissolution of the age, spoke to that fire, touching it with his right and left hands as though soothing it with his voice.

Verse 93 (skanda.5.4.93)

भृगुश्चैवांगिराः पुत्रौ भवितारौ न संशयः। अत्रैव मम भवतां वंशे विख्यातकर्मणौ

bhṛguścaivāṁgirāḥ putrau bhavitārau na saṁśayaḥ| atraiva mama bhavatāṁ vaṁśe vikhyātakarmaṇau

'Bhrigu and Angiras, without doubt, shall become two sons, right here, in this our own lineage, renowned for their deeds.'

Verse 94 (skanda.5.4.94)

द्विधा संभज्य तेनाग्निं सृष्टेर्यज्ञो भविष्यति। भवंतौ तिष्ठतस्तत्र पृथिव्यां दानमाश्रितौ

dvidhā saṁbhajya tenāgniṁ sṛṣṭeryajño bhaviṣyati| bhavaṁtau tiṣṭhatastatra pṛthivyāṁ dānamāśritau

'Dividing that fire into two, the sacrifice of creation shall thus be accomplished; and you two shall stand there upon the earth, resorting to the giving of gifts.'

Verse 95 (skanda.5.4.95)

ब्रह्मणाऽग्नी समेतौ तु ब्रह्माणमनुनोदितौ। तस्मादेवं विधातव्यौ निर्मथ्य विधिपूर्वकम्

brahmaṇā'gnī sametau tu brahmāṇamanunoditau| tasmādevaṁ vidhātavyau nirmathya vidhipūrvakam

The two fires, joined together by Brahma and urged on by him, were thus ordained to be duly produced by churning, according to rule.

Verse 96 (skanda.5.4.96)

अतोऽश्वत्थे शमीगर्भे संयोगस्तत्र पठ्यते। भार्गवांगिरसश्चैव द्विविधो दैव उच्यते

ato'śvatthe śamīgarbhe saṁyogastatra paṭhyate| bhārgavāṁgirasaścaiva dvividho daiva ucyate

Hence their union is spoken of in the Ashvattha and the Shami tree; the divine fire is thus said to be twofold, of Bhrigu and of Angiras.

Verse 97 (skanda.5.4.97)

तस्मात्सुतहितः श्रेष्ठश्चतुर्थ इति कथ्यते। एवं व्यास समुत्पन्नो नरोऽसौ पूर्वजन्मनि

tasmātsutahitaḥ śreṣṭhaścaturtha iti kathyate| evaṁ vyāsa samutpanno naro'sau pūrvajanmani

Therefore the one beneficial to offspring is called the foremost, the fourth. Thus, O Vyasa, was that Nara born in a previous birth.

Verse 98 (skanda.5.4.98)

एवं तु ब्रह्मणो वक्त्रं पञ्चमं समपद्यत

evaṁ tu brahmaṇo vaktraṁ pañcamaṁ samapadyata

Thus indeed did that fifth face of Brahma come to be.

Verse 99 (skanda.5.4.99)

एतद्यो बुध्यते देव तेजःसर्गमनुत्तमम्। ब्रह्मणो याति सालोक्यं शांतो दांतो जितेन्द्रियः

etadyo budhyate deva tejaḥsargamanuttamam| brahmaṇo yāti sālokyaṁ śāṁto dāṁto jitendriyaḥ

Whoever, O god, understands this unsurpassed origin of splendour attains the world of Brahma, becoming peaceful, self-controlled, and master of his senses.

Verse 100 (skanda.5.4.100)

एतद्योग्निसमुद्भवं पशुपतेर्माहात्म्यसंसूचकं वह्नेः साधुमतिः शृणोति सततं यः श्रद्धया भावितम्। यो व्यास द्विजदेवताप्रमुखतः संश्रावयेद्भक्तितः सोऽत्यर्थं भवभावितः शिवपुरे संपूज्यते दैवतैः

etadyognisamudbhavaṁ paśupatermāhātmyasaṁsūcakaṁ vahneḥ sādhumatiḥ śṛṇoti satataṁ yaḥ śraddhayā bhāvitam| yo vyāsa dvijadevatāpramukhataḥ saṁśrāvayedbhaktitaḥ so'tyarthaṁ bhavabhāvitaḥ śivapure saṁpūjyate daivataiḥ

Whoever, O Vyasa, of good understanding, ever listens with faith to this account of the origin of fire, which proclaims the glory of Pashupati; and whoever devoutly recites it before Brahmins and gods—that man, wholly devoted to Bhava, is honoured by the gods themselves in the city of Shiva.