Damayanti Turned to Stone by the Brahmins' Curse

Verse 1 (skanda.6.111.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः। शिवक्षेत्राणि यैर्विप्रैः समानीतानि तत्र च। तेषां सर्वाणि गोत्राणि वद सूतज विस्तरात्

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ śivakṣetrāṇi yairvipraiḥ samānītāni tatra ca teṣāṁ sarvāṇi gotrāṇi vada sūtaja vistarāt

The sages said: O son of Suta, tell us in full detail the lineages (gotras) of all the brahmins by whom the Shiva-fields were brought and established there.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.111.2)

कस्य गोत्रोद्भवैर्विप्रैः किं क्षेत्रं समुपार्जितम्। शंकरस्य प्रसादेन तस्मिन्काल उपस्थिते

kasya gotrodbhavairvipraiḥ kiṁ kṣetraṁ samupārjitam śaṁkarasya prasādena tasminkāla upasthite

By brahmins born of which gotra was which sacred field acquired, through Shankara's grace, when that time arrived?

Verse 3 (skanda.6.111.3)

कियत्यपि च गोत्राणि चमत्कारपुरोत्तमे। स्थापितानि सुभक्तेन तेनानर्तेन सूतज

kiyatyapi ca gotrāṇi camatkārapurottame sthāpitāni subhaktena tenānartena sūtaja

O son of Suta, how many gotras were established by that devoted king of Anarta in the excellent city of Chamatkarapura?

Verse 4 (skanda.6.111.4)

त्वया प्रोक्तं पुरा दत्तं पुरं कृत्वा द्विजन्मनाम्। न च तेषां कृता संख्या तस्मात्तां परिकीर्तय

tvayā proktaṁ purā dattaṁ puraṁ kṛtvā dvijanmanām na ca teṣāṁ kṛtā saṁkhyā tasmāttāṁ parikīrtaya

You earlier told us that a city was built and given to the twice-born, but their number was not stated — therefore now recount it in full.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.111.5)

सूत उवाच। उपदेशः पुरा दत्तो द्विसप्ततिमुनीश्वरैः। आनर्ताधिपतिः पूर्वं कुष्ठरोग प्रपीडितः। शंखतीर्थं समागत्य स्नानं चक्रे त्वरान्वितः

sūta uvāca upadeśaḥ purā datto dvisaptatimunīśvaraiḥ ānartādhipatiḥ pūrvaṁ kuṣṭharoga prapīḍitaḥ śaṁkhatīrthaṁ samāgatya snānaṁ cakre tvarānvitaḥ

Suta said: Long ago, teaching was given by the seventy-two great sages. Formerly the lord of Anarta, afflicted with leprosy, came in haste to Shankhatirtha and bathed there.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.111.6)

तेन नाशं गतः कुष्ठो भूपतेस्तस्य तत्क्षणात्। तस्य तीर्थस्य माहात्म्यान्निर्विण्णस्य तनुं प्रति

tena nāśaṁ gataḥ kuṣṭho bhūpatestasya tatkṣaṇāt tasya tīrthasya māhātmyānnirviṇṇasya tanuṁ prati

By the greatness of that tirtha, the leprosy of that despondent king vanished at once from his body.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.111.7)

ततः स नीरुजो भूत्वा तोषेण महतान्वितः। तानुवाच मुनिश्रेष्ठान् प्रणिपत्य मुहुर्मुहुः

tataḥ sa nīrujo bhūtvā toṣeṇa mahatānvitaḥ tānuvāca muniśreṣṭhān praṇipatya muhurmuhuḥ

Then, freed of disease and filled with great joy, he bowed again and again and spoke to those foremost sages.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.111.8)

सुवर्णं वा गजाश्वं वा राज्यं सकलमेव वा। भवद्भ्यः संप्रदास्यामि तस्मादब्रूत द्विजोत्तमाः

suvarṇaṁ vā gajāśvaṁ vā rājyaṁ sakalameva vā bhavadbhyaḥ saṁpradāsyāmi tasmādabrūta dvijottamāḥ

"Gold, or elephants and horses, or even my entire kingdom — I shall give to you; therefore, O best of brahmins, speak your wish."

Verse 9 (skanda.6.111.9)

यद्यस्य रोचते यावन्मात्रमन्यदपि द्विजाः। प्रसादः क्रियतां मह्यं दीनस्य प्रणतस्य च

yadyasya rocate yāvanmātramanyadapi dvijāḥ prasādaḥ kriyatāṁ mahyaṁ dīnasya praṇatasya ca

"O brahmins, whatever pleases each of you, in whatever measure — grant that favor to me, humble and bowing as I am."

Verse 10 (skanda.6.111.10)

ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः। निष्परिग्रहधर्माणो वानप्रस्था वयं द्विजाः। सद्यःप्रक्षालकाः किं नो राज्येन विभवेन च

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ niṣparigrahadharmāṇo vānaprasthā vayaṁ dvijāḥ sadyaḥprakṣālakāḥ kiṁ no rājyena vibhavena ca

The brahmins said: "We are forest-dwelling twice-born, vowed to non-acceptance of gifts, purified at once by our own austerity — what use have we for a kingdom or for wealth?"

Verse 11 (skanda.6.111.11)

राजोवाच। उपकारं समासाद्य यः करोति न पापकृत्। उपकारं पुनस्तस्य स कृतघ्न उदाहृतः

rājovāca upakāraṁ samāsādya yaḥ karoti na pāpakṛt upakāraṁ punastasya sa kṛtaghna udāhṛtaḥ

The king said: "He who, having received a kindness, does not return a kindness for that kindness — even though not otherwise a sinner — is declared to be ungrateful."

Verse 12 (skanda.6.111.12)

ब्रह्मघ्नं च सुरापे च चौरे भग्नव्रते शठे। निष्कृतिर्विहिता सद्भिः कृतघ्ने नास्ति निष्कृतिः

brahmaghnaṁ ca surāpe ca caure bhagnavrate śaṭhe niṣkṛtirvihitā sadbhiḥ kṛtaghne nāsti niṣkṛtiḥ

"For the slayer of a brahmin, the drinker of liquor, the thief, the breaker of vows, and the deceitful, atonement has been prescribed by the wise; but for the ungrateful there is no atonement."

Verse 13 (skanda.6.111.13)

तस्मात्कृत्वा प्रसादं मे किंचिद्ब्रूत द्विजोत्तमाः। येनानृण्यं प्रगच्छामि यद्यपि स्यात्सुजीवितम्

tasmātkṛtvā prasādaṁ me kiṁcidbrūta dvijottamāḥ yenānṛṇyaṁ pragacchāmi yadyapi syātsujīvitam

"Therefore, O best of brahmins, showing me favor, tell me something by which I may become free of this debt, even at the cost of my very life."

Verse 14 (skanda.6.111.14)

मुनय ऊचुः। सत्यमेतन्महाभाग कृतघ्ने नास्ति निष्कृतिः। परं तत्र भवेद्दोषो यत्र दाता तु सस्पृहः

munaya ūcuḥ satyametanmahābhāga kṛtaghne nāsti niṣkṛtiḥ paraṁ tatra bhaveddoṣo yatra dātā tu saspṛhaḥ

The sages said: "This is true, O illustrious one — for the ungrateful there is no atonement. But fault arises only where the giver himself is full of desire for return."

Verse 15 (skanda.6.111.15)

निःस्पृहो यत्र राजेन्द्र ह्युपकारपरो भवेत्। न तत्र जायते दोषः स्वल्पोऽपि च कथंचन

niḥspṛho yatra rājendra hyupakāraparo bhavet na tatra jāyate doṣaḥ svalpo'pi ca kathaṁcana

"But where, O lord of kings, the one who does good is free of desire, there no fault whatsoever arises, however slight."

Verse 16 (skanda.6.111.16)

तस्मात्त्वं गच्छ राज्यं स्वं स्वधर्मेण प्रपालय। इह लोके परे चैव येन सौख्यं प्रजायते

tasmāttvaṁ gaccha rājyaṁ svaṁ svadharmeṇa prapālaya iha loke pare caiva yena saukhyaṁ prajāyate

"Therefore go back to your own kingdom and rule it by your own dharma, by which happiness is produced both in this world and the next."

Verse 17 (skanda.6.111.17)

एवं स भूमिपो विप्रैर्निषिद्धः स सहस्रधा। कृच्छ्रेण तान्प्रणम्योच्चैर्जगाम स्वगृहं ततः

evaṁ sa bhūmipo viprairniṣiddhaḥ sa sahasradhā kṛcchreṇa tānpraṇamyoccairjagāma svagṛhaṁ tataḥ

Thus, refused a thousand times over by the brahmins, that king, bowing to them with great difficulty, then departed for his own home.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.111.18)

तत्र गत्वा प्रहृष्टात्मा कृत्वा रम्यं महेश्वरम्। गीतनृत्यसवाद्यैश्च रात्रिजागरणादिभिः। चकार पूर्ववद्राज्यं समंताद्धतकंटकम्

tatra gatvā prahṛṣṭātmā kṛtvā ramyaṁ maheśvaram gītanṛtyasavādyaiśca rātrijāgaraṇādibhiḥ cakāra pūrvavadrājyaṁ samaṁtāddhatakaṁṭakam

Going there with a delighted heart, he made lovely worship of Maheshvara, with songs, dances, music, and night-vigils; and he governed his kingdom as before, its enemies destroyed on every side.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.111.19)

चिंतयानो दिवानक्तं ब्राह्मणान्प्रति तत्सदा। कथं तेषां द्विजेंद्राणामुपकारो भविष्यति। मदीयो मम यैर्दत्तं गात्रमेतत्पुनर्नवम्

ciṁtayāno divānaktaṁ brāhmaṇānprati tatsadā kathaṁ teṣāṁ dvijeṁdrāṇāmupakāro bhaviṣyati madīyo mama yairdattaṁ gātrametatpunarnavam

Yet he thought always, day and night, of the brahmins: "How may I do good for those foremost twice-born, by whom this body of mine was made new again?"

Verse 20 (skanda.6.111.20)

तेऽपि सर्वे मुनिश्रेष्ठाः खेचरत्व समन्विताः। तपःशक्त्या यांति नानातीर्थेषु भक्तितः

te'pi sarve muniśreṣṭhāḥ khecaratva samanvitāḥ tapaḥśaktyā yāṁti nānātīrtheṣu bhaktitaḥ

Those foremost sages, too, all endowed by the power of their austerity with the ability to move through the sky, would go with devotion to various tirthas.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.111.21)

तेषु स्नानं जपं कृत्वा तथैव पितृतर्पणम्। प्राणयात्रां पुनश्चक्रुस्तत्रागत्य स्व आश्रमे

teṣu snānaṁ japaṁ kṛtvā tathaiva pitṛtarpaṇam prāṇayātrāṁ punaścakrustatrāgatya sva āśrame

Having bathed there, recited japa, and likewise offered libations to their ancestors, they would return to their own hermitage and again take up the sustenance of life.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.111.22)

अन्ये तत्रैव कुर्वंति नित्यकृत्यानि ये द्विजाः। तथान्ये दूरमासाद्य तीर्थं दृष्ट्वा मनोहरम्

anye tatraiva kurvaṁti nityakṛtyāni ye dvijāḥ tathānye dūramāsādya tīrthaṁ dṛṣṭvā manoharam

Some of those brahmins performed their daily rites right there, while others journeyed far and beheld a beautiful tirtha.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.111.23)

उषित्वा रजनीं तत्र द्विरात्रं वा पुनर्गृहम्। समागच्छंति चान्ये तु त्रिरात्रेण समाययुः

uṣitvā rajanīṁ tatra dvirātraṁ vā punargṛham samāgacchaṁti cānye tu trirātreṇa samāyayuḥ

Staying there for one night or two, they would return home again; and others still would come back only after three nights.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.111.24)

वाराणस्यां प्रयागे वा पुष्करे वाथ नैमिषे। प्रभासे वाऽथ केदारे ह्यन्यस्मिन्नहि वांछ्यते

vārāṇasyāṁ prayāge vā puṣkare vātha naimiṣe prabhāse vā'tha kedāre hyanyasminnahi vāṁchyate

At Varanasi, or Prayaga, or Pushkara, or Naimisha, or Prabhasa, or Kedara — no other place was ever desired.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.111.25)

कदाचिदथ ते सर्वे कार्तिक्यां पुष्करत्रये। गता विनिश्चयं कृत्वा स्नानार्थं द्विजसत्तमाः

kadācidatha te sarve kārtikyāṁ puṣkaratraye gatā viniścayaṁ kṛtvā snānārthaṁ dvijasattamāḥ

Once, on the full moon of Kartika, all those best of the twice-born, having made a firm resolve, went to the triple Pushkara for the sake of bathing.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.111.26)

पंचरात्रं वसिष्यामो वयं तत्र समाहिताः। तस्माद्वह्निषु दारेषु रक्षा कार्या स्वशक्तितः

paṁcarātraṁ vasiṣyāmo vayaṁ tatra samāhitāḥ tasmādvahniṣu dāreṣu rakṣā kāryā svaśaktitaḥ

"We shall dwell there in concentration for five nights; therefore protection must be arranged, according to one's ability, for our sacred fires and for our wives."

Verse 27 (skanda.6.111.27)

एवं ते समयं कृत्वा गता यावद्द्विजोत्तमाः। तावद्ध पतिना ज्ञाता न कश्चित्तत्र तिष्ठति

evaṁ te samayaṁ kṛtvā gatā yāvaddvijottamāḥ tāvaddha patinā jñātā na kaścittatra tiṣṭhati

Thus, having made this agreement, once those best of the twice-born had departed, no protector remained appointed there by any husband.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.111.28)

तेषां मध्ये मुनींद्राणां सुतीर्थाश्रमवासिनाम्। दमयंतीति विख्याता चंद्रबिंबसमानना

teṣāṁ madhye munīṁdrāṇāṁ sutīrthāśramavāsinām damayaṁtīti vikhyātā caṁdrabiṁbasamānanā

Among the wives of those lords of sages, dwellers of the hermitage at that fair tirtha, there was one renowned as Damayanti, whose face resembled the orb of the moon.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.111.29)

तामुवाच रहस्येवं व्रज त्वं चारुहासिनि। हाटकेश्वरजे क्षेत्रे ममादेशोऽधुना ध्रुवम्

tāmuvāca rahasyevaṁ vraja tvaṁ cāruhāsini hāṭakeśvaraje kṣetre mamādeśo'dhunā dhruvam

To her, someone spoke thus in secret: "O sweetly smiling one, go to the sacred field of Hatakeshvara — this now is my firm command."

Verse 30 (skanda.6.111.30)

तत्र तिष्ठंति याः पत्न्यो मुनीनां भावितात्मनाम्। भूषणानि विचित्राणि तासां यच्छ यथेच्छया

tatra tiṣṭhaṁti yāḥ patnyo munīnāṁ bhāvitātmanām bhūṣaṇāni vicitrāṇi tāsāṁ yaccha yathecchayā

"To the wives of the purified sages who dwell there, give varied ornaments, according to your own wish."

Verse 31 (skanda.6.111.31)

न तासां पतयोऽस्माकं प्रकुर्वंति प्रतिग्रहम्। कथंचिदपि सुश्रोणि लोभ्यमानापि भूरिशः

na tāsāṁ patayo'smākaṁ prakurvaṁti pratigraham kathaṁcidapi suśroṇi lobhyamānāpi bhūriśaḥ

"O fair-hipped one, their husbands, who are of our own company, never accept a gift in any way, however greatly they may be tempted."

Verse 32 (skanda.6.111.32)

स्त्रीणां भूषणजा चिन्ता सदा चैवाधिका भवेत्। लौल्यं च कौतुकं चैव सदा भूषणजं भवेत्

strīṇāṁ bhūṣaṇajā cintā sadā caivādhikā bhavet laulyaṁ ca kautukaṁ caiva sadā bhūṣaṇajaṁ bhavet

"In women, the yearning born of ornaments is always greatest; fickleness and curiosity, too, are always born of ornaments."

Verse 33 (skanda.6.111.33)

अपि मृन्मयकं किंचित्काष्ठसूत्रमयं च वा। जतुकाचमयं वापि नारी धत्ते विभूषणम्

api mṛnmayakaṁ kiṁcitkāṣṭhasūtramayaṁ ca vā jatukācamayaṁ vāpi nārī dhatte vibhūṣaṇam

"Even a trinket of clay, or one made of wood and thread, or one of lac and glass — a woman will still wear it as an ornament."

Verse 34 (skanda.6.111.34)

एष एव भवेत्तेषामुपकारस्य संभवः। उपायः पद्मपत्राक्षि न चान्योऽस्ति कथंचन

eṣa eva bhavetteṣāmupakārasya saṁbhavaḥ upāyaḥ padmapatrākṣi na cānyo'sti kathaṁcana

"This alone can be the means of doing good for them, O lotus-eyed one; there is no other way whatsoever."

Verse 35 (skanda.6.111.35)

सा तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय विचित्राभरणानि च। गृहीत्वा हर्षसंयुका ततस्तत्क्षेत्रमाययौ

sā tatheti pratijñāya vicitrābharaṇāni ca gṛhītvā harṣasaṁyukā tatastatkṣetramāyayau

Saying "So be it," and pledging herself, she took up varied ornaments and, filled with joy, came to that sacred field.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.111.36)

मणिमुक्तामयान्येव कुण्डलानि शुभानि च। तथा चन्द्रोज्ज्वलाहारान्नूपुराणि बृहंति च

maṇimuktāmayānyeva kuṇḍalāni śubhāni ca tathā candrojjvalāhārānnūpurāṇi bṛhaṁti ca

She brought auspicious earrings made of jewels and pearls, necklaces bright as the moon, and large anklets.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.111.37)

इन्द्रनीलमहानीलवैडूर्यखचितानि च। पद्मरागैस्तथा वज्रैर्माणिक्यैश्च मनोरमैः

indranīlamahānīlavaiḍūryakhacitāni ca padmarāgaistathā vajrairmāṇikyaiśca manoramaiḥ

There were ornaments set with sapphires, great sapphires, and cat's-eye gems, and also with lovely rubies, diamonds, and other gems.

Verse 38 (skanda.6.111.38)

केशैः कंकणैर्दिव्यैः शक्रचापनिभैः शुभैः। हेमसूत्रैश्च जात्यैश्च मेखलाभिस्तथैव च

keśaiḥ kaṁkaṇairdivyaiḥ śakracāpanibhaiḥ śubhaiḥ hemasūtraiśca jātyaiśca mekhalābhistathaiva ca

She had lovely divine hair-ornaments and bracelets resembling the rainbow, fine golden cords, and girdles as well.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.111.39)

अथ सा बोधने विष्णोः संप्राप्ते दिवसे शुभे। उपवासपरा स्नाता एकस्मिन्सलिलाशये

atha sā bodhane viṣṇoḥ saṁprāpte divase śubhe upavāsaparā snātā ekasminsalilāśaye

Then, when the auspicious day of Vishnu's Awakening had arrived, she, devoted to fasting, bathed in a certain pool of water.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.111.40)

तीरदेशे निवेश्यैव महाभूषणपर्वतम्। यस्य प्रभाभिरुग्राभिर्व्याप्तं गगनमंडलम्

tīradeśe niveśyaiva mahābhūṣaṇaparvatam yasya prabhābhirugrābhirvyāptaṁ gaganamaṁḍalam

On the shore she set down a great mountain of ornaments, by whose intense radiance the whole vault of the sky was pervaded.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.111.41)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे प्राप्तास्तापस्यः कौतुकान्विताः। कीदृशा राजपत्नी सा किंरूपा किंविभूषणा

etasminnaṁtare prāptāstāpasyaḥ kautukānvitāḥ kīdṛśā rājapatnī sā kiṁrūpā kiṁvibhūṣaṇā

Meanwhile, filled with curiosity, the female ascetics arrived, wondering what kind of woman that king's wife was, of what beauty and what ornaments.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.111.42)

अथ तास्तां समालोक्य दिव्यभूषणभूषिताम्। सुरूपांगीं समाधिस्थां चित्ते चिन्तां प्रचक्रिरे

atha tāstāṁ samālokya divyabhūṣaṇabhūṣitām surūpāṁgīṁ samādhisthāṁ citte cintāṁ pracakrire

Then, beholding her adorned with divine ornaments, of lovely form and seated in meditation, they began to form thoughts in their minds.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.111.43)

धन्येयं भूपतेर्भार्या यैवं भूषणभूषिता। दमयंती सुरूपाढ्या सर्वलक्षणलक्षिता

dhanyeyaṁ bhūpaterbhāryā yaivaṁ bhūṣaṇabhūṣitā damayaṁtī surūpāḍhyā sarvalakṣaṇalakṣitā

"Blessed indeed is this wife of the king, thus adorned with ornaments — Damayanti, rich in beauty, marked with every auspicious sign."

Verse 44 (skanda.6.111.44)

समाध्यंतं समासाद्य तापसीर्वीक्ष्य साऽपि च। दमयंती नमश्चक्रे ताः सर्वा विधिपूर्वकम्

samādhyaṁtaṁ samāsādya tāpasīrvīkṣya sā'pi ca damayaṁtī namaścakre tāḥ sarvā vidhipūrvakam

Coming to the end of her meditation and seeing the female ascetics, Damayanti too bowed to all of them, according to due form.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.111.45)

ताः कृतांजलिना प्राह वल्गुवाक्यं मनोहरम्। मयायं भूषणस्तोम उद्दिश्य गरुडध्वजम्। कल्पितोऽद्य दिने स्नात्वा समुपोष्य दिने हरेः

tāḥ kṛtāṁjalinā prāha valguvākyaṁ manoharam mayāyaṁ bhūṣaṇastoma uddiśya garuḍadhvajam kalpito'dya dine snātvā samupoṣya dine hareḥ

With joined palms she spoke sweet, charming words to them: "This heap of ornaments has been prepared by me today, dedicated to Garuda-bannered Hari, after bathing and fasting on this day sacred to him."

Verse 46 (skanda.6.111.46)

तस्माद्गृह्णंतु तापस्यो मया दत्तानि वांछया। भूषणानि विचित्राणि प्रसादः क्रियतां मम

tasmādgṛhṇaṁtu tāpasyo mayā dattāni vāṁchayā bhūṣaṇāni vicitrāṇi prasādaḥ kriyatāṁ mama

"Therefore let the female ascetics accept these varied ornaments given by me out of affection; let this favor be granted to me."

Verse 47 (skanda.6.111.47)

ततश्चैकाऽब्रवीत्तासामेषा मुक्तावली मम। इमां देहि न मे वांछा विद्यतेऽन्या नृपप्रिये

tataścaikā'bravīttāsāmeṣā muktāvalī mama imāṁ dehi na me vāṁchā vidyate'nyā nṛpapriye

Then one among them said: "O beloved of the king, this pearl-string is mine — give it to me; I desire nothing else."

Verse 48 (skanda.6.111.48)

ततस्तया विहस्योच्चैः प्रक्षाल्य चरणौ स्वयम्। दत्ता मुक्तावली तस्या वस्त्रैर्दिव्यैः समन्विता। यस्याः षण्माषतुल्यानि मौक्तिकान्यमलानि च

tatastayā vihasyoccaiḥ prakṣālya caraṇau svayam dattā muktāvalī tasyā vastrairdivyaiḥ samanvitā yasyāḥ ṣaṇmāṣatulyāni mauktikānyamalāni ca

Then, laughing aloud, she herself washed that ascetic's feet, and gave her the pearl-string along with divine garments — a string whose flawless pearls each weighed as much as six mashas.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.111.49)

शरत्काले यथा व्योम्नि नक्षत्राणि द्विजोत्तमाः। तथान्या स्पर्द्धया युक्ता ययाचेऽमलवर्चसम्। हारं निर्मूल्यतायुक्तं चित्ताह्लादकरं परम्

śaratkāle yathā vyomni nakṣatrāṇi dvijottamāḥ tathānyā sparddhayā yuktā yayāce'malavarcasam hāraṁ nirmūlyatāyuktaṁ cittāhlādakaraṁ param

O best of brahmins, as stars shine in the autumn sky, so another ascetic, moved by rivalry, begged for a spotless, priceless necklace, most delightful to the mind.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.111.50)

अथ सा तं करे कृत्वा तस्या हारं प्रयच्छति। तावदन्या प्रजग्राह हारं शृंगारलालसा

atha sā taṁ kare kṛtvā tasyā hāraṁ prayacchati tāvadanyā prajagrāha hāraṁ śṛṁgāralālasā

Then, taking the necklace in hand and about to give it to her, another ascetic, eager for adornment, at once snatched it away.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.111.51)

ततः शेषाश्च तापस्यो भूषणार्थं समुत्सुकाः। सस्पर्द्धा जगृहुस्तानि भूषणानि स्वयं द्विजाः

tataḥ śeṣāśca tāpasyo bhūṣaṇārthaṁ samutsukāḥ sasparddhā jagṛhustāni bhūṣaṇāni svayaṁ dvijāḥ

Then the rest of the female ascetics too, eager for ornaments, rivaling one another, began seizing those very ornaments themselves, O brahmins.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.111.52)

अन्याश्चान्याकरे कृत्वा भूषणं सुमनोहरम्। बलादाकृष्य जग्राह धर्षयित्वा ततः परम्

anyāścānyākare kṛtvā bhūṣaṇaṁ sumanoharam balādākṛṣya jagrāha dharṣayitvā tataḥ param

Seeing a lovely ornament placed in another's hand, still another would forcibly wrest it away, seizing it after overpowering her.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.111.53)

यथायथा प्रगृह्णंति तापस्यो भूषणार्चिताः। तथातथास्याः संजज्ञे दमयंत्या मुदा हृदि

yathāyathā pragṛhṇaṁti tāpasyo bhūṣaṇārcitāḥ tathātathāsyāḥ saṁjajñe damayaṁtyā mudā hṛdi

In whatever measure the female ascetics, honored with ornaments, took them up, to that same measure joy grew in Damayanti's heart.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.111.54)

अन्यानि च प्रचिक्षेप शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः। न तृप्तिर्जायते तासां तथापि द्विजसत्तमाः

anyāni ca pracikṣepa śataśo'tha sahasraśaḥ na tṛptirjāyate tāsāṁ tathāpi dvijasattamāḥ

She flung out yet more, by the hundreds and then by the thousands; and still, O best of brahmins, no satisfaction arose in them.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.111.55)

भूषणाभावमासाद्य ततः सा पार्थिवप्रिया। हृष्टा प्रोवाच ताः सर्वाः संतोषः क्रियतामिति

bhūṣaṇābhāvamāsādya tataḥ sā pārthivapriyā hṛṣṭā provāca tāḥ sarvāḥ saṁtoṣaḥ kriyatāmiti

When the ornaments ran out, the king's beloved, still delighted, said to them all: "Now be content."

Verse 56 (skanda.6.111.56)

पुनश्चैवानयिष्यामि प्रभाते नात्र संशयः। अन्यानि च विचित्राणि यस्या रोचंति यानि च

punaścaivānayiṣyāmi prabhāte nātra saṁśayaḥ anyāni ca vicitrāṇi yasyā rocaṁti yāni ca

"Tomorrow morning I shall again bring more, other varied ornaments too — of this there is no doubt — whichever please each of you."

Verse 57 (skanda.6.111.57)

ततस्ताः सकलाः प्रोचुर्गच्छ त्वं पार्थिवप्रिये। आगंतव्यं च भूयोऽपि प्रगृह्याभरणानि च

tatastāḥ sakalāḥ procurgaccha tvaṁ pārthivapriye āgaṁtavyaṁ ca bhūyo'pi pragṛhyābharaṇāni ca

Then all of them said: "Go, O beloved of the king; and come again, bringing more ornaments still."

Verse 58 (skanda.6.111.58)

एवमुक्ता ततस्ताभिः प्रणिपत्य नृपप्रिया। प्रहृष्टा प्रययौ तूर्णं स्वपुरं प्रति सद्द्विजाः

evamuktā tatastābhiḥ praṇipatya nṛpapriyā prahṛṣṭā prayayau tūrṇaṁ svapuraṁ prati saddvijāḥ

Thus addressed by them, O good brahmins, the king's beloved bowed to them and, delighted, went swiftly toward her own city.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.111.59)

तापस्योपि गृहं गत्वा वस्त्राणि विविधानि च। भूषणानि च गात्रेषु सस्पर्द्धा निदधुस्तदा

tāpasyopi gṛhaṁ gatvā vastrāṇi vividhāni ca bhūṣaṇāni ca gātreṣu sasparddhā nidadhustadā

The female ascetics too, going to their dwellings, then placed the various garments and ornaments upon their bodies, still in rivalry.

Verse 60 (skanda.6.111.60)

तापसीनां चतुष्कं च परित्यज्य यतव्रतम्। शेषाभिः प्रगृहीतानि मण्डनानि यथेच्छया

tāpasīnāṁ catuṣkaṁ ca parityajya yatavratam śeṣābhiḥ pragṛhītāni maṇḍanāni yathecchayā

Excepting four female ascetics of restrained vows who abstained, all the rest took up ornaments according to their own wish.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.111.61)

ततः प्रभाते विमले प्रोद्गते रविमण्डले। भूयोपि राजपत्नी सा भूषणान्यंबराणि च

tataḥ prabhāte vimale prodgate ravimaṇḍale bhūyopi rājapatnī sā bhūṣaṇānyaṁbarāṇi ca

Then, at clear dawn, when the disc of the sun had risen, the king's wife once again brought ornaments and garments.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.111.62)

तथैव प्रददौ तासां जगृहुश्च तथैव ताः। एवं तस्याः प्रयच्छंत्या अहन्यहनि भक्तितः

tathaiva pradadau tāsāṁ jagṛhuśca tathaiva tāḥ evaṁ tasyāḥ prayacchaṁtyā ahanyahani bhaktitaḥ

In the same way she gave to them, and in the same way they received; thus, as she gave day after day with devotion...

Verse 63 (skanda.6.111.63)

पंचरात्रमतिक्रांतं तृप्तास्तास्तापसप्रियाः। न राज्ञी तृप्तिमायाति प्रयच्छंती प्रभक्तितः

paṁcarātramatikrāṁtaṁ tṛptāstāstāpasapriyāḥ na rājñī tṛptimāyāti prayacchaṁtī prabhaktitaḥ

...the five nights passed, and those dear female ascetics became satisfied; yet the queen herself, giving with such great devotion, never came to feel satisfied.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.111.64)

ततः शुश्राव तापस्यश्चतस्रोऽत्र सुनिःस्पृहाः। वल्कलाजिनधारिण्यो न तस्याः पार्श्वमागताः। न चान्या भूषिता दृष्ट्वा चक्रुरीर्ष्यां कथंचन

tataḥ śuśrāva tāpasyaścatasro'tra suniḥspṛhāḥ valkalājinadhāriṇyo na tasyāḥ pārśvamāgatāḥ na cānyā bhūṣitā dṛṣṭvā cakrurīrṣyāṁ kathaṁcana

Then she heard of four truly desireless female ascetics here, clad in bark-garments and deerskin, who had not come near her, and who, seeing the others adorned, felt no envy whatsoever.

Verse 65 (skanda.6.111.65)

अथ सा त्वरितं गत्वा तासां पार्श्वमनिंदिता। भूषणानि महार्हाणि गृहीत्वा पंचमीदिने

atha sā tvaritaṁ gatvā tāsāṁ pārśvamaniṁditā bhūṣaṇāni mahārhāṇi gṛhītvā paṁcamīdine

Then that blameless queen, taking costly ornaments, went quickly to their side on the fifth day.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.111.66)

ततः प्रोवाच ताः सर्वाः प्रसादः क्रियतामिति। इमानि भूषणार्थाय भूषणानि प्रगृह्यताम्

tataḥ provāca tāḥ sarvāḥ prasādaḥ kriyatāmiti imāni bhūṣaṇārthāya bhūṣaṇāni pragṛhyatām

Then she said to them all: "Grant me this favor — accept these ornaments, for the sake of adornment."

Verse 67 (skanda.6.111.67)

तापस्य ऊचुः। नास्माकं भूषणैः कार्यं भूषिता वल्कलैर्वयम्। तस्माद्गच्छ निजं हर्म्यमर्थिभ्यः संप्रदीयताम्

tāpasya ūcuḥ nāsmākaṁ bhūṣaṇaiḥ kāryaṁ bhūṣitā valkalairvayam tasmādgaccha nijaṁ harmyamarthibhyaḥ saṁpradīyatām

The female ascetics said: "We have no use for ornaments — we are already adorned with bark-garments. Go back to your own palace and give these to those who beg."

Verse 68 (skanda.6.111.68)

वदन्तीनां तया सार्धमेवं तासां द्विजोत्तमाः। चत्वारः पतयः प्राप्ता एकैकस्याः पृथक्पृथक्

vadantīnāṁ tayā sārdhamevaṁ tāsāṁ dvijottamāḥ catvāraḥ patayaḥ prāptā ekaikasyāḥ pṛthakpṛthak

O best of brahmins, while they were speaking thus with her, the husbands of each of those four, separately, arrived there.

Verse 69 (skanda.6.111.69)

शुनःशेपोऽथ शाक्रेयो बौद्धो दान्तश्चतुर्थकः। वियन्मार्गं हि चत्वारः स्वाश्रममाययुः

śunaḥśepo'tha śākreyo bauddho dāntaścaturthakaḥ viyanmārgaṁ hi catvāraḥ svāśramamāyayuḥ

Shunahshepa, then Shakreya, Bauddha, and Danta as the fourth — these four came by the sky-path to their own hermitage.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.111.70)

शेषाः सर्वे गतिभ्रंशं प्राप्य भूमार्गमाश्रिताः। अथ ते स्वाश्रमं दृष्ट्वा विकृताकारभूषणम्। किमिदंकिमिदं प्रोचुर्यत्तापस्यो विडंबिताः

śeṣāḥ sarve gatibhraṁśaṁ prāpya bhūmārgamāśritāḥ atha te svāśramaṁ dṛṣṭvā vikṛtākārabhūṣaṇam kimidaṁkimidaṁ procuryattāpasyo viḍaṁbitāḥ

The rest, having lost their power of flight, were reduced to the earthly path. Then, seeing their hermitage disfigured with this strange show of ornaments, they said: "What is this, what is this, by which the female ascetics have been made a mockery?"

Verse 71 (skanda.6.111.71)

केनैवं पाप्मनाऽस्माकमाश्रमोऽयं विडंबितः। प्रदत्त्वा तापसीनां च भूषणान्यंबराणि च

kenaivaṁ pāpmanā'smākamāśramo'yaṁ viḍaṁbitaḥ pradattvā tāpasīnāṁ ca bhūṣaṇānyaṁbarāṇi ca

"By what sinner has our hermitage been mocked in this way, by giving ornaments and garments to the female ascetics?"

Verse 72 (skanda.6.111.72)

तत्पत्न्य ऊचुः। चमत्कारस्य भूपस्य यैषा भार्या व्यवस्थिता। अनया संप्रदत्तानि सर्वासां भूषणानि वै

tatpatnya ūcuḥ camatkārasya bhūpasya yaiṣā bhāryā vyavasthitā anayā saṁpradattāni sarvāsāṁ bhūṣaṇāni vai

Their wives said: "She who is established as the wife of King Chamatkara — it is she who gave these ornaments to all of us."

Verse 73 (skanda.6.111.73)

अस्माकमपि संप्राप्ता गृहे वै नृपवल्लभा। दातुं विभूषणान्येव निषिद्धाऽस्माभिरद्य सा

asmākamapi saṁprāptā gṛhe vai nṛpavallabhā dātuṁ vibhūṣaṇānyeva niṣiddhā'smābhiradya sā

"To our home too, the king's beloved came only to give ornaments — but today we refused her."

Verse 74 (skanda.6.111.74)

सूत उवाच। तासां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा ततस्ते कोप मूर्च्छिताः। ऊचुस्तां नृपतेर्भार्यां शापं दातुं मुहुर्मुहुः

sūta uvāca tāsāṁ tadvacanaṁ śrutvā tataste kopa mūrcchitāḥ ūcustāṁ nṛpaterbhāryāṁ śāpaṁ dātuṁ muhurmuhuḥ

Suta said: Hearing their wives' words, those sages, overcome with rage, spoke again and again to the king's wife, to pronounce a curse.

Verse 75 (skanda.6.111.75)

द्विसप्ततिर्वयं पापे स्नानार्थं पुष्करे गताः। कार्तिक्यां व्योममार्गेण मनोमारुतरंहसा

dvisaptatirvayaṁ pāpe snānārthaṁ puṣkare gatāḥ kārtikyāṁ vyomamārgeṇa manomārutaraṁhasā

"O sinful woman, we, seventy-two in number, had gone by the sky-path, with the speed of mind and wind, to Pushkara for the sake of bathing on the Kartika full moon."

Verse 76 (skanda.6.111.76)

चत्वारस्त इमे प्राप्ता येषां दारैः प्रतिग्रहः। न कृतस्तस्य भूपस्य कुभार्यायाः कथंचन

catvārasta ime prāptā yeṣāṁ dāraiḥ pratigrahaḥ na kṛtastasya bhūpasya kubhāryāyāḥ kathaṁcana

"Only these four have returned by the sky-path — those whose wives did not accept any gift whatsoever from that king's wicked wife."

Verse 77 (skanda.6.111.77)

तस्माद्विडंबितो यस्मादाश्रमोऽयं तपस्विनाम्। शिलारूपा च भवती तस्माद्भवतु कुत्सिता

tasmādviḍaṁbito yasmādāśramo'yaṁ tapasvinām śilārūpā ca bhavatī tasmādbhavatu kutsitā

"Since through you this hermitage of ascetics has been made a mockery, therefore may you become vile, in the form of stone."

Verse 78 (skanda.6.111.78)

अथ सा तत्क्षणादेव शिलारूपा बभूव ह। निश्चेष्टा तत्क्षणादेव मुनिवाक्यादनंतरम्

atha sā tatkṣaṇādeva śilārūpā babhūva ha niśceṣṭā tatkṣaṇādeva munivākyādanaṁtaram

Then, that very instant, she became a form of stone, motionless at once, immediately following the sages' word.

Verse 79 (skanda.6.111.79)

ततः स परिवारोऽस्यास्तद्दुःखेन समाकुलः। वाष्पपूर्णेक्षणो दीनः प्रस्थितः स्वपुरं प्रति

tataḥ sa parivāro'syāstadduḥkhena samākulaḥ vāṣpapūrṇekṣaṇo dīnaḥ prasthitaḥ svapuraṁ prati

Then her retinue, overwhelmed by that grief, their eyes brimming with tears, set out miserably toward their own city.

Verse 80 (skanda.6.111.80)

कथयामास तत्सर्वं दमयंत्याः समुद्भवम्। वृत्तांतं ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठास्तस्याः शापसमुद्भवम्

kathayāmāsa tatsarvaṁ damayaṁtyāḥ samudbhavam vṛttāṁtaṁ brāhmaṇaśreṣṭhāstasyāḥ śāpasamudbhavam

O best of brahmins, they related the whole account of Damayanti — the entire event that had arisen from her curse.

Verse 81 (skanda.6.111.81)

श्रुत्वा स पार्थिवस्तूर्णं वृत्तांतं शापजं तदा। प्रसादनाय विप्राणां दुःखितः स वनं ययौ

śrutvā sa pārthivastūrṇaṁ vṛttāṁtaṁ śāpajaṁ tadā prasādanāya viprāṇāṁ duḥkhitaḥ sa vanaṁ yayau

Hearing at once that account born of the curse, the king, grief-stricken, went to the forest to appease the brahmins.

Verse 82 (skanda.6.111.82)

ततस्ते मुनयस्तूर्णं चत्वारोऽपि महीपतिम्। ज्ञात्वा प्रसादनार्थाय भार्यार्थं समुपस्थितम्

tataste munayastūrṇaṁ catvāro'pi mahīpatim jñātvā prasādanārthāya bhāryārthaṁ samupasthitam

Then those four sages, quickly learning that the king had come there for his wife's sake, to seek their favor...

Verse 83 (skanda.6.111.83)

अग्रिहोत्राणि दारांश्च समादाय ततः परम्। कुरुक्षेत्रं समाजग्मुः खमार्गेण द्रुतं तदा

agrihotrāṇi dārāṁśca samādāya tataḥ param kurukṣetraṁ samājagmuḥ khamārgeṇa drutaṁ tadā

...then, taking up their sacred fires and their wives, swiftly went by the sky-path to Kurukshetra.

Verse 84 (skanda.6.111.84)

पार्थिवोऽपि समन्वेष्य यत्नात्तान्सर्वतो मुनीन्। निर्विण्णः श्रमार्तश्च भार्याव्यसनदुःखितः

pārthivo'pi samanveṣya yatnāttānsarvato munīn nirviṇṇaḥ śramārtaśca bhāryāvyasanaduḥkhitaḥ

The king too, having searched everywhere with effort for those sages, despondent, weary with toil, and grieving over his wife's misfortune...

Verse 85 (skanda.6.111.85)

ततो जगाम तं देशं यत्र भार्या शिलामयी। सा स्थिता तापसीवृन्दैः सर्वतोऽपि समन्विता

tato jagāma taṁ deśaṁ yatra bhāryā śilāmayī sā sthitā tāpasīvṛndaiḥ sarvato'pi samanvitā

...then went to that place where his wife of stone stood, surrounded on every side by throngs of female ascetics.

Verse 86 (skanda.6.111.86)

अथ तां तादृशीं दृष्ट्वा सेवकैः सकलैर्वृतः। हाहेति स मुहुः प्रोच्य मूर्च्छितः प्रापतत्क्षितौ

atha tāṁ tādṛśīṁ dṛṣṭvā sevakaiḥ sakalairvṛtaḥ hāheti sa muhuḥ procya mūrcchitaḥ prāpatatkṣitau

Then, seeing her in that state, surrounded by all his attendants, he cried "Alas, alas!" again and again, and fell fainting to the ground.

Verse 87 (skanda.6.111.87)

ततः कृच्छ्रात्समासाद्य संज्ञां तोयसमुक्षितः। प्रलापमकरोत्पश्चात्स्मृत्वास्मृत्वा प्रियान्गुणान्

tataḥ kṛcchrātsamāsādya saṁjñāṁ toyasamukṣitaḥ pralāpamakarotpaścātsmṛtvāsmṛtvā priyānguṇān

Then, sprinkled with water, he regained his senses with difficulty, and afterward lamented, remembering again and again his beloved's virtues.

Verse 88 (skanda.6.111.88)

हा प्रिये मृगशावाक्षि मम प्राणविनाशिनि। मां मुक्त्वाऽद्य प्रियं कांतं क्व गतासि शुभानने

hā priye mṛgaśāvākṣi mama prāṇavināśini māṁ muktvā'dya priyaṁ kāṁtaṁ kva gatāsi śubhānane

"Alas, my beloved, fawn-eyed one, destroyer of my very life! Having left me, your loving husband, today, where have you gone, O fair-faced one?"

Verse 89 (skanda.6.111.89)

नाभुक्ते मयि भुक्तासि निद्रां नाऽनिद्रिते गता। न सौभाग्यस्य गर्वेण ममाज्ञा लंघिता क्वचित्

nābhukte mayi bhuktāsi nidrāṁ nā'nidrite gatā na saubhāgyasya garveṇa mamājñā laṁghitā kvacit

"You never ate before I had eaten, nor went to sleep while I was still awake; never, in the pride of your good fortune, did you ever transgress my word."

Verse 90 (skanda.6.111.90)

न स्मरामि त्वया प्रोक्तं कदाचिद्वि कृतं वचः। रहस्यपि विशालाक्षि किमु भोजनसंसदि

na smarāmi tvayā proktaṁ kadācidvi kṛtaṁ vacaḥ rahasyapi viśālākṣi kimu bhojanasaṁsadi

"O wide-eyed one, I do not recall you ever having spoken a harsh word to me, even in private — how then in the company at mealtime?"

Verse 91 (skanda.6.111.91)

सूत उवाच। एवं प्रलपतस्तस्य भूपतेः करुणं बहु। आयाता मंत्रिणस्तस्य श्रुत्वा भूपं तथाविधम्

sūta uvāca evaṁ pralapatastasya bhūpateḥ karuṇaṁ bahu āyātā maṁtriṇastasya śrutvā bhūpaṁ tathāvidham

Suta said: While the king was lamenting thus, most piteously, his ministers, hearing of him in that state, arrived there.

Verse 92 (skanda.6.111.92)

ततः संबोध्य तं कृच्छाद्दृष्टान्तैर्वहुविस्तरैः। राजर्षीणां पुराणानां महद्व्यसनसंभवैः

tataḥ saṁbodhya taṁ kṛcchāddṛṣṭāntairvahuvistaraiḥ rājarṣīṇāṁ purāṇānāṁ mahadvyasanasaṁbhavaiḥ

Then, with great difficulty, they consoled him, with many detailed examples drawn from the great misfortunes of the royal sages of old.

Verse 93 (skanda.6.111.93)

निन्युस्तं भूपतिं दीनं वाष्पव्याकुललोचनम्। निश्वसंतं यथानागं तेजसा परिवर्जितम्

ninyustaṁ bhūpatiṁ dīnaṁ vāṣpavyākulalocanam niśvasaṁtaṁ yathānāgaṁ tejasā parivarjitam

They led away that miserable king, his eyes troubled with tears, sighing like a serpent deprived of its power.

Verse 94 (skanda.6.111.94)

सोऽपि कृत्वाऽऽलयं तस्याः समंतात्सुमनोहरम्। कर्पूरागरुधूपाद्यैर्वस्त्रकुंकुमचन्दनैः। योजयामास तां भार्यां शिलारूपामपि स्थिताम्

so'pi kṛtvā''layaṁ tasyāḥ samaṁtātsumanoharam karpūrāgarudhūpādyairvastrakuṁkumacandanaiḥ yojayāmāsa tāṁ bhāryāṁ śilārūpāmapi sthitām

He too, having built for her an altogether lovely shrine, honored his wife — though she remained in the form of stone — with camphor and aloewood incense, with garments, saffron, and sandal paste.