The Glory of the Apsaras Pool

Verse 1 (skanda.5.8.1)

व्यास उवाच। आचारः परमो धर्मः सर्वधर्मपरायणः। स्वधर्मनिरताश्चैव जितक्रोधा जितेंद्रियाः

vyāsa uvāca| ācāraḥ paramo dharmaḥ sarvadharmaparāyaṇaḥ| svadharmaniratāścaiva jitakrodhā jiteṁdriyāḥ

Vyasa said: Conduct is the highest dharma, the very refuge of all dharma; those devoted to their own duty, who have conquered anger and their senses...

Verse 2 (skanda.5.8.2)

रुद्रलोकं व्रजंतीह नात्र चित्रा मतिर्मम। असंशयं च गच्छंति लोकानन्याञ्छशिप्रभैः

rudralokaṁ vrajaṁtīha nātra citrā matirmama| asaṁśayaṁ ca gacchaṁti lokānanyāñchaśiprabhaiḥ

...go in this way to the world of Rudra; my mind has no doubt of this. And without question they attain other worlds too, radiant as the moon.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.8.3)

विनापि क्षेत्रवासेन तथैव नियमेन च। स्त्रियो म्लेच्छाश्च शूद्राश्च पशवः पक्षिणो मृगाः

vināpi kṣetravāsena tathaiva niyamena ca| striyo mlecchāśca śūdrāśca paśavaḥ pakṣiṇo mṛgāḥ

But even without dwelling in the sacred field, and likewise without any observance—women, mlecchas, shudras, cattle, birds, deer...

Verse 4 (skanda.5.8.4)

मूका जडांधबधिरास्तपोनियमवर्जिताः। एषां तु का गतिश्चेत्ते महाकालवने मृताः

mūkā jaḍāṁdhabadhirāstaponiyamavarjitāḥ| eṣāṁ tu kā gatiścette mahākālavane mṛtāḥ

...the mute, the dull, the blind, the deaf, all devoid of austerity and observance—what is the destiny of these, should they die in Mahakalavana?

Verse 5 (skanda.5.8.5)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। स्त्रियो म्लेच्छाश्च मूढाश्च पशवः पक्षिणो मृगाः। कालेनैव मृता व्यास रुद्रलोकं व्रजंति ते

sanatkumāra uvāca| striyo mlecchāśca mūḍhāśca paśavaḥ pakṣiṇo mṛgāḥ| kālenaiva mṛtā vyāsa rudralokaṁ vrajaṁti te

Sanatkumara said: Women, mlecchas, the deluded, cattle, birds, and deer, O Vyasa—if they simply die there in the course of time, they go to the world of Rudra.

Verse 6 (skanda.5.8.6)

शरीरैर्दिव्यरूपैश्च सर्वभोगसमन्विताः। रमंते शंभुना सार्धं स्मशाने प्रेतसंकुले

śarīrairdivyarūpaiśca sarvabhogasamanvitāḥ| ramaṁte śaṁbhunā sārdhaṁ smaśāne pretasaṁkule

With bodies of divine form, endowed with every enjoyment, they delight together with Shambhu in the cremation-ground thronged with spirits.

Verse 7 (skanda.5.8.7)

निर्भत्सिता पुरा देवी कालीति पार्वतीति च। तदा सा कुपिता देवी कटके शंकरं प्रति

nirbhatsitā purā devī kālīti pārvatīti ca| tadā sā kupitā devī kaṭake śaṁkaraṁ prati

Formerly the goddess was rebuked, called Kali and called Parvati; then that goddess grew angry with Shankara, upon the mountain-slope.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.8.8)

एवं हि कलहो जातः शिवगौर्योर्हि यत्र तु। देवस्तत्र समुद्भूतो नाम्ना कलकलेश्वरः

evaṁ hi kalaho jātaḥ śivagauryorhi yatra tu| devastatra samudbhūto nāmnā kalakaleśvaraḥ

Thus a quarrel arose between Shiva and Gauri; and there a deity arose, by the name Kalakaleshvara.

Verse 9 (skanda.5.8.9)

कृतमग्रे तदा कुंडं नाम्ना कलहनाशनम्। स्नाने तत्र कृते व्यास जाताऽकलहिनी प्रिया

kṛtamagre tadā kuṁḍaṁ nāmnā kalahanāśanam| snāne tatra kṛte vyāsa jātā'kalahinī priyā

There a pool was first made, by the name Kalahanashana, destroyer of quarrel; O Vyasa, by bathing there the beloved goddess became free of the quarrel.

Verse 10 (skanda.5.8.10)

तस्मिंस्तीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा पूजयित्वा महेश्वरम्। उपोष्य रजनीमेकां कुलानां तारयेच्छतम्

tasmiṁstīrthe naraḥ snātvā pūjayitvā maheśvaram| upoṣya rajanīmekāṁ kulānāṁ tārayecchatam

A man who bathes in that tirtha, worships Maheshvara, and fasts for a single night delivers a hundred generations of his lineage.

Verse 11 (skanda.5.8.11)

तत्र यच्छति यो दानं त्रुटिमात्रं च चंदनम्। आत्मना तारि तास्तेन दश पूर्वे दशापरे

tatra yacchati yo dānaṁ truṭimātraṁ ca caṁdanam| ātmanā tāri tāstena daśa pūrve daśāpare

Whoever gives even a mere particle of sandalwood there in gift saves, together with himself, ten generations before him and ten after.

Verse 12 (skanda.5.8.12)

भूमिदानं च यस्तत्र प्रदास्यति नरो मुने। अपि गोचर्ममात्रेण सर्वभूम्यधिपो भवेत्

bhūmidānaṁ ca yastatra pradāsyati naro mune| api gocarmamātreṇa sarvabhūmyadhipo bhavet

O sage, whoever gives a gift of land there, even if only the size of a cowhide, becomes lord of the entire earth.

Verse 13 (skanda.5.8.13)

गामेकां रक्ति कामेकां भूमेरप्येकमंगुलम्। यः प्रदास्यति भक्त्या हि स वै राजा भविष्यति

gāmekāṁ rakti kāmekāṁ bhūmerapyekamaṁgulam| yaḥ pradāsyati bhaktyā hi sa vai rājā bhaviṣyati

Whoever, out of devotion, gives even a single cow, a single ruby, or a finger's breadth of land shall surely become a king.

Verse 14 (skanda.5.8.14)

धेनुमश्वांस्तिलान्वस्त्रं भाजनं ताम्रदोहनम्। उपानहश्च च्छत्रं च तथा च श्रेष्ठपादुके

dhenumaśvāṁstilānvastraṁ bhājanaṁ tāmradohanam| upānahaśca cchatraṁ ca tathā ca śreṣṭhapāduke

A milch-cow, horses, sesame, cloth, a vessel, a copper milking-pot, sandals and an umbrella, and likewise fine footwear...

Verse 15 (skanda.5.8.15)

ये प्रदास्यंति विप्रेभ्यस्तेषां लोकाः सदाऽक्षयाः। तस्य दक्षिणपार्श्वे तु पृष्ठे मात्राख्य देवताः

ye pradāsyaṁti viprebhyasteṣāṁ lokāḥ sadā'kṣayāḥ| tasya dakṣiṇapārśve tu pṛṣṭhe mātrākhya devatāḥ

...whoever gives these to Brahmins, their worlds remain ever imperishable. On the right side of that pool, at its rear, are deities called the Mothers.

Verse 16 (skanda.5.8.16)

सा तत्र सर्वलोकानां देवी दुरितहारिणी। सर्वतीर्थं तु विज्ञेयं मणिकर्णिकमुत्तमम्

sā tatra sarvalokānāṁ devī duritahāriṇī| sarvatīrthaṁ tu vijñeyaṁ maṇikarṇikamuttamam

There resides the goddess who removes the misfortune of all the worlds; this supreme site, embodying every tirtha, should be known as Manikarnika.

Verse 17 (skanda.5.8.17)

तस्मिन्स्नात्वा तु यः पश्येत्पृष्ठमातर आदरात्। स मुक्तः सर्वपापेभ्यः सिद्धिमाप्नोति वांछिताम्

tasminsnātvā tu yaḥ paśyetpṛṣṭhamātara ādarāt| sa muktaḥ sarvapāpebhyaḥ siddhimāpnoti vāṁchitām

Whoever, having bathed there, beholds the Mother-goddesses at the rear with reverence is freed from every sin and attains the accomplishment he desires.

Verse 18 (skanda.5.8.18)

तासां तु दर्शनं कृत्वा मार्गे गमनमाचरेत्। न भयं तस्य चोरेभ्यो रक्षोभूतभयं तथा

tāsāṁ tu darśanaṁ kṛtvā mārge gamanamācaret| na bhayaṁ tasya corebhyo rakṣobhūtabhayaṁ tathā

Having beheld them, one should then set out upon the road; he need fear neither thieves nor rakshasas and spirits.

Verse 19 (skanda.5.8.19)

स्वदेशे परदेशे वा पर्वतेष्वटवीषु च। न समुद्रे भयं तस्य तथा वै दुष्टभावना

svadeśe paradeśe vā parvateṣvaṭavīṣu ca| na samudre bhayaṁ tasya tathā vai duṣṭabhāvanā

In his own land or a foreign land, upon mountains or in forests, even at sea he has no fear, nor fear of any evil intent.

Verse 20 (skanda.5.8.20)

ग्रहपीडासु सर्वासु तथा राजभयादिकम्। बस्तं वा यदि वा मेषं महिषं चापि घातयेत्

grahapīḍāsu sarvāsu tathā rājabhayādikam| bastaṁ vā yadi vā meṣaṁ mahiṣaṁ cāpi ghātayet

In every affliction of the planets, and likewise in fear of kings and the like, he remains unafraid. Should one sacrifice a goat, a ram, or even a buffalo...

Verse 21 (skanda.5.8.21)

देवीमुद्दिश्य यो विप्र सोऽभीष्टफलमश्नुते। आश्विनस्य सिताष्टम्यामर्धरात्रिगते नरः

devīmuddiśya yo vipra so'bhīṣṭaphalamaśnute| āśvinasya sitāṣṭamyāmardharātrigate naraḥ

...dedicating it to the goddess, O Brahmin, he obtains the fruit he desires. A man who, when midnight has passed on the bright eighth day of Ashvina...

Verse 22 (skanda.5.8.22)

यः स्नाति पुरतो देव्याः स सिद्धि लभते पराम्। मृतपुत्रा च या नारी कुण्डे स्नात्वा सभर्तृका

yaḥ snāti purato devyāḥ sa siddhi labhate parām| mṛtaputrā ca yā nārī kuṇḍe snātvā sabhartṛkā

...bathes before the goddess attains supreme accomplishment. And a woman whose sons have died, together with her husband, having bathed in the pool...

Verse 23 (skanda.5.8.23)

स्नाति वै फलकुम्भेन अग्रे देव्या विधानतः। स्नात्वा नान्यमुखं पश्येत्कुम्भस्नानेन वै मुने

snāti vai phalakumbhena agre devyā vidhānataḥ| snātvā nānyamukhaṁ paśyetkumbhasnānena vai mune

...bathes before the goddess with a pot of fruit, according to rule; O sage, after this pot-bath one should look upon no other face.

Verse 24 (skanda.5.8.24)

तस्य संजायते पुत्रो यथा देवः षडाननः। पृष्ठे मातुः परं पुण्यं तीर्थमप्सरसां शुभम्

tasya saṁjāyate putro yathā devaḥ ṣaḍānanaḥ| pṛṣṭhe mātuḥ paraṁ puṇyaṁ tīrthamapsarasāṁ śubham

A son is born to her like the six-faced god. At the rear of the Mother is the supreme, sacred, and auspicious tirtha of the Apsarases.

Verse 25 (skanda.5.8.25)

रूपसौभाग्यसंपन्नस्तत्र स्नातो भवेन्नरः। उर्वश्या वै पुरा व्यास तीर्थस्यास्य प्रभावतः

rūpasaubhāgyasaṁpannastatra snāto bhavennaraḥ| urvaśyā vai purā vyāsa tīrthasyāsya prabhāvataḥ

A man who bathes there becomes endowed with beauty and good fortune; O Vyasa, formerly, through the power of this tirtha...

Verse 26 (skanda.5.8.26)

भर्ता पुरूरवा लब्धं ऐलेयोंऽसौ महीपतिः। इति कौतूहलं श्रुत्वा व्यासो वचनमब्रवीत्

bhartā purūravā labdhaṁ aileyoṁ'sau mahīpatiḥ| iti kautūhalaṁ śrutvā vyāso vacanamabravīt

...Urvashi obtained Pururavas, son of Ila, that lord of the earth, as her husband. Hearing this arousing of curiosity, Vyasa spoke this word.

Verse 27 (skanda.5.8.27)

व्यास उवाच। कथमप्सरसां तीर्थं तत्र जातं महामुने। कारणेन यथा तेन यस्मिन्काले प्रतिष्ठितम्। तथा तन्मे सविस्तारं सरहस्यं प्रकीर्तय

vyāsa uvāca| kathamapsarasāṁ tīrthaṁ tatra jātaṁ mahāmune| kāraṇena yathā tena yasminkāle pratiṣṭhitam| tathā tanme savistāraṁ sarahasyaṁ prakīrtaya

Vyasa said: O great sage, how did the tirtha of the Apsarases come to be there? By what cause and at what time it was established—tell me all this in full detail, together with its secret.

Verse 28 (skanda.5.8.28)

कथं पुरूरवाश्चासौ भार्यास्तस्य वराप्सराः। उर्वशीनाम का सा तु केन जाता वरांगना। सर्वमेतद्यथावृत्तं वद कौतूहलं हि मे

kathaṁ purūravāścāsau bhāryāstasya varāpsarāḥ| urvaśīnāma kā sā tu kena jātā varāṁganā| sarvametadyathāvṛttaṁ vada kautūhalaṁ hi me

How did that Pururavas come to obtain that excellent Apsaras as his wife? Who is this Urvashi, and from what was that lovely woman born? Tell me all this just as it happened; I am filled with curiosity.

Verse 29 (skanda.5.8.29)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। नरनारायणौ पूर्वं यत्र वै तेपतुस्तपः

sanatkumāra uvāca| naranārāyaṇau pūrvaṁ yatra vai tepatustapaḥ

Sanatkumara said: Formerly, at the place where Nara and Narayana were practising austerity...

Verse 30 (skanda.5.8.30)

बदरिकाश्रमस्थौ तौ तेनेन्द्रो भयमागतः। सर्वाश्चाप्सरसो हृद्या रूपयौवनदर्पिताः

badarikāśramasthau tau tenendro bhayamāgataḥ| sarvāścāpsaraso hṛdyā rūpayauvanadarpitāḥ

...established at the hermitage of Badari, Indra grew fearful because of them; and all the alluring Apsarases, proud of their beauty and youth...

Verse 31 (skanda.5.8.31)

आदिष्टा या मघवता विघ्नार्थं च समागताः। तौ दृष्ट्वाप्सरसस्तत्र रमन्तीर्मदविह्वलाः

ādiṣṭā yā maghavatā vighnārthaṁ ca samāgatāḥ| tau dṛṣṭvāpsarasastatra ramantīrmadavihvalāḥ

...commanded by Maghavan, gathered there to create an obstacle. Beholding those two sages, the Apsarases, overcome with passion, began to sport there.

Verse 32 (skanda.5.8.32)

विघ्नार्थमिह आयातास्तदा देवौ जजल्पतुः। अस्माकं न स्त्रियः संति तेन वै विघ्नकारणम्

vighnārthamiha āyātāstadā devau jajalpatuḥ| asmākaṁ na striyaḥ saṁti tena vai vighnakāraṇam

'We have come here to create an obstacle,' the two sages then said to one another. 'We have no women here; therein lies the very cause of the obstacle.'

Verse 33 (skanda.5.8.33)

एवं संजल्प्य च नरो नारायणमुवाच ह। करिष्याम्यहमेकां वै आसां तु रूपतोऽधिकाम्

evaṁ saṁjalpya ca naro nārāyaṇamuvāca ha| kariṣyāmyahamekāṁ vai āsāṁ tu rūpato'dhikām

Having said this, Nara spoke to Narayana: 'I shall create a woman more beautiful than all of these.'

Verse 34 (skanda.5.8.34)

मंजर्या सहकारस्य स्त्रीमूरुभ्यां चकार ह। रूपेणाप्रतिमां लोके सर्वाभरणभूषिताम्

maṁjaryā sahakārasya strīmūrubhyāṁ cakāra ha| rūpeṇāpratimāṁ loke sarvābharaṇabhūṣitām

From the bud of a mango-blossom, and from his own two thighs, he fashioned a woman incomparable in beauty in the world, adorned with every ornament.

Verse 35 (skanda.5.8.35)

उत्थितां प्रमदां दृष्ट्वा ज्वलनाभां वरांगनाम्। गत्वा शशंसुस्ताः शक्रं नर्तौ लोभयितुं क्षमाः

utthitāṁ pramadāṁ dṛṣṭvā jvalanābhāṁ varāṁganām| gatvā śaśaṁsustāḥ śakraṁ nartau lobhayituṁ kṣamāḥ

Beholding that risen woman, radiant as flame, that excellent young beauty, and unable to entice those two sages, the Apsarases went to Shakra and told him this.

Verse 36 (skanda.5.8.36)

शक्रस्तासां वचः श्रुत्वा गत्वा देवावुवाच ह। प्रणामावनतो भूत्वा कृत्वा शिरसि चांजलिम्

śakrastāsāṁ vacaḥ śrutvā gatvā devāvuvāca ha| praṇāmāvanato bhūtvā kṛtvā śirasi cāṁjalim

Shakra, hearing their words, went to the two sages, and, bowing in salutation with palms joined above his head, said...

Verse 37 (skanda.5.8.37)

अहमर्थी स्त्रियाश्चास्याः प्रसादः क्रियतामिति। ततस्तां ददतुर्देवाविंद्राय परमेश्वरौ

ahamarthī striyāścāsyāḥ prasādaḥ kriyatāmiti| tatastāṁ dadaturdevāviṁdrāya parameśvarau

'I am a suitor for this woman; let this favour be granted to me.' Then those two supreme lords gave her to Indra.

Verse 38 (skanda.5.8.38)

अस्मद्वचनसामर्थ्याद्गृहाणेमां त्वमुर्वशीम्। ऊरुभ्यां जनिता यस्मान्नरेणेयं वरांगना

asmadvacanasāmarthyādgṛhāṇemāṁ tvamurvaśīm| ūrubhyāṁ janitā yasmānnareṇeyaṁ varāṁganā

'By the power of our word, accept this Urvashi; since this excellent woman was created by Nara from his two thighs...'

Verse 39 (skanda.5.8.39)

मंजर्या सहकारस्य तेनेयमुर्वशी स्मृता। पुरंदरो गृहीत्वा तामुर्वशीं परमांगनाम्

maṁjaryā sahakārasya teneyamurvaśī smṛtā| puraṁdaro gṛhītvā tāmurvaśīṁ paramāṁganām

'...and from the bud of a mango, she is therefore remembered by the name Urvashi.' Purandara, having taken that supreme woman Urvashi...

Verse 40 (skanda.5.8.40)

गत्वा स्वर्गमथाहूय चित्रांगदमुवाच ह। शिक्षाऽस्याः क्रियतां चित्र यथा नृत्ये विचक्षणा

gatvā svargamathāhūya citrāṁgadamuvāca ha| śikṣā'syāḥ kriyatāṁ citra yathā nṛtye vicakṣaṇā

...went to heaven, and, summoning Chitrangada, said: 'O Chitra, let her be so trained that she becomes skilled in dance.'

Verse 41 (skanda.5.8.41)

क्रियतामचिरादेषा यत्नमास्थाय शोभनम्। एवमुक्ते तु शक्रेण कृता तेन विचक्षणा। वरं प्रवीणा सा जाता नृत्ये गीते च कोविदा

kriyatāmacirādeṣā yatnamāsthāya śobhanam| evamukte tu śakreṇa kṛtā tena vicakṣaṇā| varaṁ pravīṇā sā jātā nṛtye gīte ca kovidā

'Let this be accomplished swiftly, with the finest effort.' When Shakra had spoken thus, he made her accomplished; she became greatly skilled and versed in dance and song.

Verse 42 (skanda.5.8.42)

एवं सा न्यवसत्तत्र सुरसद्मनि सुन्दरी। गते बहुतिथे काले तत्रा गात्स नरेश्वरः

evaṁ sā nyavasattatra surasadmani sundarī| gate bahutithe kāle tatrā gātsa nareśvaraḥ

Thus that beautiful woman continued to dwell there in the abode of the gods; and after much time had passed, a certain king came there.

Verse 43 (skanda.5.8.43)

इलस्यपुत्रो धर्मात्मा नाम्ना चैव पुरूरवाः। इन्द्रस्यार्द्धासनगतो नृत्यं पश्यति तत्र ह

ilasyaputro dharmātmā nāmnā caiva purūravāḥ| indrasyārddhāsanagato nṛtyaṁ paśyati tatra ha

The son of Ila, righteous, named Pururavas, seated upon half of Indra's throne, began watching the dance there.

Verse 44 (skanda.5.8.44)

नृत्यन्तीं वासवस्याग्रे उर्वशीं वीक्ष्य कामुकः। हृतचित्तस्तया राजा न किंचित्प्रत्यपद्यत

nṛtyantīṁ vāsavasyāgre urvaśīṁ vīkṣya kāmukaḥ| hṛtacittastayā rājā na kiṁcitpratyapadyata

Beholding Urvashi dancing before Vasava, the king, overcome with desire, had his mind stolen away by her, and could grasp nothing else.

Verse 45 (skanda.5.8.45)

धैर्यं चित्ते समावेश्य मुहूर्तं पर्यवस्थितः। उर्वशी च तदा तेन दर्शनाहतमानसा

dhairyaṁ citte samāveśya muhūrtaṁ paryavasthitaḥ| urvaśī ca tadā tena darśanāhatamānasā

Composing himself with patience, he remained still for a moment; and Urvashi's heart too was struck by the sight of him...

Verse 46 (skanda.5.8.46)

तत्प्रदेशाद्विनिष्क्रम्य कामार्ता चातिविह्वला। भूमौ सा पतिता बाला उच्छ्रिताद्रंगमण्डलात्

tatpradeśādviniṣkramya kāmārtā cātivihvalā| bhūmau sā patitā bālā ucchritādraṁgamaṇḍalāt

...withdrawing from that place, tormented by desire and utterly overwhelmed, that young woman fell to the ground from the raised dancing-stage.

Verse 47 (skanda.5.8.47)

अथात्मानं च संवेद्य उत्थिता भूमिमण्डलात्। दृष्टा सा राजसिंहेन मन्मथेन प्रपीडिता

athātmānaṁ ca saṁvedya utthitā bhūmimaṇḍalāt| dṛṣṭā sā rājasiṁhena manmathena prapīḍitā

Then, recovering herself and rising from the ground, tormented by Manmatha, she was seen by that lion among kings.

Verse 48 (skanda.5.8.48)

गतः पुरूरवा भूमिं तामेव मनसा स्मरन्। स्मरन्ती राजशार्दूलं गता साप्युर्वशी गृहम्

gataḥ purūravā bhūmiṁ tāmeva manasā smaran| smarantī rājaśārdūlaṁ gatā sāpyurvaśī gṛham

Pururavas returned to the earth, thinking of her alone in his heart; and Urvashi too, remembering that tiger among kings, went to her own home.

Verse 49 (skanda.5.8.49)

चित्रांगदगृहे गत्वा दूतं साथ चकार ह। चित्रांगदेन सा नीता रात्रौ यत्र पुरूरवाः

citrāṁgadagṛhe gatvā dūtaṁ sātha cakāra ha| citrāṁgadena sā nītā rātrau yatra purūravāḥ

Going to the house of Chitrangada, she sent forth a messenger; and by Chitrangada she was brought, at night, to where Pururavas was.

Verse 50 (skanda.5.8.50)

उर्वश्या रहितः स्वर्गः शून्योऽप्यासीद्दिवौकसाम्। रात्रावेव च सा तेन आनीता त्रिदिवं पुनः

urvaśyā rahitaḥ svargaḥ śūnyo'pyāsīddivaukasām| rātrāveva ca sā tena ānītā tridivaṁ punaḥ

Bereft of Urvashi, heaven became empty even for the celestials; and on that very night she was brought back by him to the third heaven once more.

Verse 51 (skanda.5.8.51)

तया विरहितः सोऽपि शून्यचित्तः परिभ्रमन्। उन्मत्ततां गतो व्यास षष्टिवर्षाणि पार्थिवः

tayā virahitaḥ so'pi śūnyacittaḥ paribhraman| unmattatāṁ gato vyāsa ṣaṣṭivarṣāṇi pārthivaḥ

Separated from her, he too, his mind void, went on wandering; O Vyasa, that king remained mad for sixty years.

Verse 52 (skanda.5.8.52)

परिभ्रमन्स तीर्थानि महाकालवनं गतः। गंधवेंणोर्वशी स्वर्गे नीता सा परमाप्सराः

paribhramansa tīrthāni mahākālavanaṁ gataḥ| gaṁdhaveṁṇorvaśī svarge nītā sā paramāpsarāḥ

Wandering among the tirthas, he came to Mahakalavana. Urvashi, that supreme Apsaras, had by then been taken back to heaven by the Gandharva.

Verse 53 (skanda.5.8.53)

नापि शेते न वा स्नाति हे राजन्निति जल्पति। तावदप्सरसः सर्वास्ताः प्राप्ता यत्र चोर्वशी

nāpi śete na vā snāti he rājanniti jalpati| tāvadapsarasaḥ sarvāstāḥ prāptā yatra corvaśī

'He neither sleeps nor bathes, O king,' people said of him. Meanwhile all the Apsarases gathered together where Urvashi was.

Verse 54 (skanda.5.8.54)

रंभा च मेनका चैव प्रम्लोचा पुंजिकस्थली। जलपूर्णाश्रुपूर्णा च वसंता चंद्रिका तथा

raṁbhā ca menakā caiva pramlocā puṁjikasthalī| jalapūrṇāśrupūrṇā ca vasaṁtā caṁdrikā tathā

Rambha, and Menaka, Pramlocha, Punjikasthali, Jalapurna, Ashrupurna, and likewise Vasanta and Chandrika...

Verse 55 (skanda.5.8.55)

सूर्यदत्ता विशालाक्षी चंद्रा चन्द्रप्रभा तथा। आगत्य तास्तु सहिता उर्वशीं वाक्यमब्रुवन्

sūryadattā viśālākṣī caṁdrā candraprabhā tathā| āgatya tāstu sahitā urvaśīṁ vākyamabruvan

...Suryadatta, Vishalakshi, Chandra, and likewise Chandraprabha—all of them came together and said this to Urvashi.

Verse 56 (skanda.5.8.56)

किं रोदिषि वरारोहे मर्त्यहेतोः सुलोचने। तद्वाक्यमुर्वशी तासां श्रुत्वा वचनमब्रवीत्

kiṁ rodiṣi varārohe martyahetoḥ sulocane| tadvākyamurvaśī tāsāṁ śrutvā vacanamabravīt

'O fair-hipped, fine-eyed one, why do you weep for the sake of a mortal?' Hearing their words, Urvashi replied.

Verse 57 (skanda.5.8.57)

सौख्यं षण्ढो न जानाति संगात्स्त्रीपुंसयोर्हि यत्। अनयोपमया ज्ञेयं तस्यार्थे कृतनिश्चया

saukhyaṁ ṣaṇḍho na jānāti saṁgātstrīpuṁsayorhi yat| anayopamayā jñeyaṁ tasyārthe kṛtaniścayā

'A eunuch does not know the pleasure that comes from the union of woman and man; this is to be understood only through such comparison by one firmly resolved for its sake.'

Verse 58 (skanda.5.8.58)

श्रुत्वा चेति वचस्तस्यास्ताः संमंत्र्य समाहिताः। अविदिते च देवानां महाकालवने गताः

śrutvā ceti vacastasyāstāḥ saṁmaṁtrya samāhitāḥ| avidite ca devānāṁ mahākālavane gatāḥ

Having heard this word of hers, they deliberated among themselves, composed themselves, and, unknown to the gods, went to Mahakalavana.

Verse 59 (skanda.5.8.59)

नृपं च ददृशुस्तत्र वृक्षच्छायानिषेवितम्। दृष्ट्वा चाथ नृपं सर्वा भृशं जाताः सुविह्वलाः

nṛpaṁ ca dadṛśustatra vṛkṣacchāyāniṣevitam| dṛṣṭvā cātha nṛpaṁ sarvā bhṛśaṁ jātāḥ suvihvalāḥ

There they saw the king resting in the shade of a tree; and beholding the king, all of them became greatly overwhelmed.

Verse 60 (skanda.5.8.60)

दृष्ट्वा तथाविधाः सर्वाः कामार्ता सुरयोषितः। मूढचित्ताः प्रहस्यैवमुर्वशी वाक्यमब्रवीत्

dṛṣṭvā tathāvidhāḥ sarvāḥ kāmārtā surayoṣitaḥ| mūḍhacittāḥ prahasyaivamurvaśī vākyamabravīt

Seeing him thus, all those celestial women grew overcome with desire and bewildered in mind; then, laughing, Urvashi spoke this word.

Verse 61 (skanda.5.8.61)

उर्वश्युवाच। अयं स पुरुषव्याघ्रो विना येनाहमीदृशी। ऐलः पुरूरवा नाम विख्यातो जगतीपतिः

urvaśyuvāca| ayaṁ sa puruṣavyāghro vinā yenāhamīdṛśī| ailaḥ purūravā nāma vikhyāto jagatīpatiḥ

Urvashi said: 'This is that very tiger among men, without whom I would not be as I am—Aila, named Pururavas, the renowned lord of the earth.'

Verse 62 (skanda.5.8.62)

एवं ब्रुवन्त्यां वै तस्यामुर्वश्यामप्सरोगणः। मौनीभूतश्चिरं तस्थौ लज्जयानतकन्धरः

evaṁ bruvantyāṁ vai tasyāmurvaśyāmapsarogaṇaḥ| maunībhūtaściraṁ tasthau lajjayānatakandharaḥ

As Urvashi spoke thus, the whole company of Apsarases fell silent, and stood there a long while, their necks bowed in shame.

Verse 63 (skanda.5.8.63)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे प्रायाद्भगवांस्तत्र नारदः। दृष्ट्वा तथागताः सर्वा उर्वश्या सहितं नृपम्

etasminnantare prāyādbhagavāṁstatra nāradaḥ| dṛṣṭvā tathāgatāḥ sarvā urvaśyā sahitaṁ nṛpam

Meanwhile the blessed Narada happened to arrive there, and beheld all of them in that state, together with the king and Urvashi.

Verse 64 (skanda.5.8.64)

संप्रेक्ष्य च ततः प्राह कि यूयमिह निस्वनाः। त्यक्त्वा तथाविधं रम्यमिन्द्रस्यालयमुत्तमम्

saṁprekṣya ca tataḥ prāha ki yūyamiha nisvanāḥ| tyaktvā tathāvidhaṁ ramyamindrasyālayamuttamam

Seeing them, he said: 'Why are you all here, silent, having abandoned that lovely and supreme abode of Indra?'

Verse 65 (skanda.5.8.65)

वरं च व्रियतां शीघ्रं वियोगो न भविष्यति। माहात्म्यं चास्य तीर्थस्य कथयामास नारदः

varaṁ ca vriyatāṁ śīghraṁ viyogo na bhaviṣyati| māhātmyaṁ cāsya tīrthasya kathayāmāsa nāradaḥ

'Choose a boon quickly; there shall be no separation.' And Narada then related the glory of this tirtha.

Verse 66 (skanda.5.8.66)

अस्मिन्हि दुर्भगा तीर्थे स्नात्वा स्त्री पुरुषोऽपि वा। सौभाग्यं लभते सम्यक्सर्वभोगांस्तथोत्तमान्

asminhi durbhagā tīrthe snātvā strī puruṣo'pi vā| saubhāgyaṁ labhate samyaksarvabhogāṁstathottamān

'In this tirtha, an unfortunate woman or man alike, having bathed, fully obtains good fortune and every excellent enjoyment.'

Verse 67 (skanda.5.8.67)

आत्मानं तोलयेद्यस्तु तिलैर्वा लवणेन वा। शर्कराभिश्च बह्वीभिर्वित्तशाठ्यविवर्जितः

ātmānaṁ tolayedyastu tilairvā lavaṇena vā| śarkarābhiśca bahvībhirvittaśāṭhyavivarjitaḥ

'Whoever weighs himself against sesame seeds, or salt, or abundant sugar, free from any stinginess about wealth...'

Verse 68 (skanda.5.8.68)

गुडेन मधुना वापि देवीमुद्दिस्य पार्वतीम्। लवणेन स्वरूपाढ्यस्तिलैः सर्वांगशोभनः

guḍena madhunā vāpi devīmuddisya pārvatīm| lavaṇena svarūpāḍhyastilaiḥ sarvāṁgaśobhanaḥ

'...or against jaggery or honey, dedicating it to the goddess Parvati, becomes through the salt rich in beauty, and through the sesame lovely in every limb.'

Verse 69 (skanda.5.8.69)

द्रव्यवृद्धिः शर्करया गुडेनांगेषु पूर्णता। मधुना चैव सौभाग्यं तीर्थस्यास्य प्रभावतः

dravyavṛddhiḥ śarkarayā guḍenāṁgeṣu pūrṇatā| madhunā caiva saubhāgyaṁ tīrthasyāsya prabhāvataḥ

'Through sugar comes an increase of wealth, through jaggery a fullness of limb, and through honey good fortune—by the power of this tirtha.'

Verse 70 (skanda.5.8.70)

द्वादशैव तु युग्मानि देव्या देवस्य भोजयेत्। कूपीं नखरिणीं दद्यात्ताटंकं कतकांजनम्

dvādaśaiva tu yugmāni devyā devasya bhojayet| kūpīṁ nakhariṇīṁ dadyāttāṭaṁkaṁ katakāṁjanam

Twelve pairs should be fed in the name of the goddess and the god; a small vessel, a nail-cutter, an earring, and collyrium with its case should be given.

Verse 71 (skanda.5.8.71)

वेत्रजां कंचुकीं चैव वस्त्रे कौसुंभके तथा। श्वेतानुलेपनं पुंसां स्त्रीणां दद्याच्च कुंकुमम्

vetrajāṁ kaṁcukīṁ caiva vastre kausuṁbhake tathā| śvetānulepanaṁ puṁsāṁ strīṇāṁ dadyācca kuṁkumam

A cane bodice, and likewise cloth dyed with safflower; white unguent should be given to the men, and vermilion to the women.

Verse 72 (skanda.5.8.72)

आषाढे श्रावणे वापि मासि भाद्रपदे तथा। शुक्लाश्विनतृतीयाया मुत्तमं व्रतमाचरेत्

āṣāḍhe śrāvaṇe vāpi māsi bhādrapade tathā| śuklāśvinatṛtīyāyā muttamaṁ vratamācaret

In the month of Ashadha, or Shravana, or likewise Bhadrapada, or on the third day of the bright fortnight of Ashvina, this excellent vow should be observed.

Verse 73 (skanda.5.8.73)

उत्तमा जायते नारी यथा देवी उमा तथा। उमामहेश्वरौ कार्यौ सौवर्णौ च स्वशक्तितः

uttamā jāyate nārī yathā devī umā tathā| umāmaheśvarau kāryau sauvarṇau ca svaśaktitaḥ

The woman becomes supreme, as though the goddess Uma herself; images of Uma and Maheshvara should be fashioned in gold, according to one's means.

Verse 74 (skanda.5.8.74)

धार्यौ नार्या हि तौ देवौ स्वयं तुलावरोहणे। फलानि चैव देयानि शाकानि विविधानि च

dhāryau nāryā hi tau devau svayaṁ tulāvarohaṇe| phalāni caiva deyāni śākāni vividhāni ca

The woman should herself hold those two deities while mounting the scale for the weighing; and fruits and vegetables of many kinds should also be given.

Verse 75 (skanda.5.8.75)

तत्र दत्तं हुतं जप्तं सर्वं कोटिगुणं भवेत्। एवं या कुरुते तत्र तीर्थे नारी समाहिता

tatra dattaṁ hutaṁ japtaṁ sarvaṁ koṭiguṇaṁ bhavet| evaṁ yā kurute tatra tīrthe nārī samāhitā

Whatever is given, offered in fire, or recited there becomes a hundred million times more fruitful. Whichever woman, thus composed of mind, performs this at that tirtha...

Verse 76 (skanda.5.8.76)

गन्धर्वाप्सरसां लोके मृता याति न संशयः। अत्र तीर्थे च द्वे लिंगे पूजिते देवदानवैः

gandharvāpsarasāṁ loke mṛtā yāti na saṁśayaḥ| atra tīrthe ca dve liṁge pūjite devadānavaiḥ

...upon death goes, without doubt, to the world of the Gandharvas and Apsarases. In this tirtha there are two lingas, worshipped by gods and demons.

Verse 77 (skanda.5.8.77)

दृष्ट्वा ते परमां सिद्धिं प्राप्नुतो दंपती तदा। कार्तिक्यां तु विशेषेण कृत्वा तत्र प्रजागरम्। संपूज्य गंधपुष्पैश्च रुद्रलोकमवाप्नुयात्

dṛṣṭvā te paramāṁ siddhiṁ prāpnuto daṁpatī tadā| kārtikyāṁ tu viśeṣeṇa kṛtvā tatra prajāgaram| saṁpūjya gaṁdhapuṣpaiśca rudralokamavāpnuyāt

Beholding them, a married couple attains supreme accomplishment; especially at the Karttika full moon, having kept vigil there and worshipped with fragrance and flowers, they attain the world of Rudra.

Verse 78 (skanda.5.8.78)

यथा देव्याः स्वरूपेण वियोगो नैव दृश्यते। तथा तयोर्वियोगश्च दृश्यते न कदाचन

yathā devyāḥ svarūpeṇa viyogo naiva dṛśyate| tathā tayorviyogaśca dṛśyate na kadācana

Just as separation is never seen between the goddess and her very nature, so too is separation never seen between that devoted couple.

Verse 79 (skanda.5.8.79)

एवं कृत्वाथ तां विप्र सर्वाश्च त्रिदिवं गताः। उक्तमप्सरसां तीर्थं तीर्थांतरमथोच्यते

evaṁ kṛtvātha tāṁ vipra sarvāśca tridivaṁ gatāḥ| uktamapsarasāṁ tīrthaṁ tīrthāṁtaramathocyate

O Brahmin, having thus restored her, all of them went to heaven. Thus has the tirtha of the Apsarases been told; now another tirtha is spoken of.

Verse 80 (skanda.5.8.80)

दक्षिणे पृष्ठदेव्या वै माहिषं कुण्डमुच्यते। महिषो दानवः पूर्वं निहतो गणनायकैः

dakṣiṇe pṛṣṭhadevyā vai māhiṣaṁ kuṇḍamucyate| mahiṣo dānavaḥ pūrvaṁ nihato gaṇanāyakaiḥ

To the south, at the rear of the goddess, is the pool called Mahisha; formerly the demon Mahisha was slain there by the leaders of the ganas.

Verse 81 (skanda.5.8.81)

तत्र तीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा मातॄः संपूज्य यत्नतः। प्रेतरक्षः पिशाचानां पीडया स विमुच्यते

tatra tīrthe naraḥ snātvā mātṝḥ saṁpūjya yatnataḥ| pretarakṣaḥ piśācānāṁ pīḍayā sa vimucyate

A man who bathes in that tirtha and diligently worships the Mother-goddesses is freed from affliction by ghosts, rakshasas, and pishachas.