The Origin of the Name Nagara

Verse 1 (skanda.6.114.1)

सूत उवाच। सोऽपि विप्रो द्विजश्रेष्ठाः विस्फोटकपरिप्लुतः। लज्जया परया युक्तो गत्वा किंचिद्वनांतरम्

sūta uvāca so'pi vipro dvijaśreṣṭhāḥ visphoṭakapariplutaḥ lajjayā parayā yukto gatvā kiṁcidvanāṁtaram

Suta said: O best of the twice-born, that brahmin too, covered with blisters and overcome with great shame, went off into a certain forest.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.114.2)

ततो वैराग्यमापन्नो रौद्रे तपसि संस्थितः। त्यक्त्वा गृहादिकं सर्वं स्नेहं दारसुतोद्भवम्

tato vairāgyamāpanno raudre tapasi saṁsthitaḥ tyaktvā gṛhādikaṁ sarvaṁ snehaṁ dārasutodbhavam

Then, having attained dispassion, he devoted himself to fierce austerity, abandoning his home and all else, and the affection born of wife and children.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.114.3)

नियमैः संयमैश्चैव शोषयन्नात्मनस्तनुम्। किंचिज्जलाश्रयं गत्वा स्थापयित्वा महेश्वरम्

niyamaiḥ saṁyamaiścaiva śoṣayannātmanastanum kiṁcijjalāśrayaṁ gatvā sthāpayitvā maheśvaram

Wasting away his own body through vows and restraints, he went to a certain pool of water and installed there an image of Maheshvara.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.114.4)

ततः कालेन महता तुष्टस्तस्य महेश्वरः। प्रोवाच दर्शनं गत्वा प्रार्थयस्व यथेप्सितम्

tataḥ kālena mahatā tuṣṭastasya maheśvaraḥ provāca darśanaṁ gatvā prārthayasva yathepsitam

Then, after a long time, Maheshvara, pleased with him, appeared before him and said: "Ask for whatever you desire."

Verse 5 (skanda.6.114.5)

त्रिजात उवाच। मातृदोषादहं देव वैलक्ष्यं परमं गतः। मध्ये ब्राह्मणमुख्यानामानर्त्ताधिपतेस्तथा

trijāta uvāca mātṛdoṣādahaṁ deva vailakṣyaṁ paramaṁ gataḥ madhye brāhmaṇamukhyānāmānarttādhipatestathā

Trijata said: "O Lord, on account of my mother's fault, I have suffered the greatest disgrace, in the midst of the foremost brahmins and before the lord of Anarta himself."

Verse 6 (skanda.6.114.6)

अहं शक्नोमि नो वक्तुं कस्यचिद्दर्शितुं विभो। त्रिजातोऽस्मीति विज्ञाय भूरिविद्यान्वितोऽपि च

ahaṁ śaknomi no vaktuṁ kasyaciddarśituṁ vibho trijāto'smīti vijñāya bhūrividyānvito'pi ca

"O lord, though endowed with abundant learning, now that I am known to be of mixed birth, I am unable to speak to anyone or show my face."

Verse 7 (skanda.6.114.7)

तस्मात्सर्वोत्तमस्तेषामहं चैव द्विजन्मनाम्। यथा भवामि देवेश तथा नीतिर्विधीयताम्

tasmātsarvottamasteṣāmahaṁ caiva dvijanmanām yathā bhavāmi deveśa tathā nītirvidhīyatām

"Therefore, O lord of gods, ordain some means by which I may become the very foremost among those twice-born."

Verse 8 (skanda.6.114.8)

श्रीभगवानुवाच। चमत्कारपुरे विप्रा ये वसंति द्विजोत्तम। तेषां सर्वोत्तमो नूनं मत्प्रसादाद्भविष्यसि

śrībhagavānuvāca camatkārapure viprā ye vasaṁti dvijottama teṣāṁ sarvottamo nūnaṁ matprasādādbhaviṣyasi

The blessed Lord said: "O best of the twice-born, among the brahmins dwelling in Chamatkarapura, you shall surely become the very foremost, by my grace."

Verse 9 (skanda.6.114.9)

तस्मात्कालं प्रतीक्षस्व कञ्चित्त्वं ब्राह्मणोत्तम। समये समनुप्राप्ते त्वां च नेष्यामि तत्र वै

tasmātkālaṁ pratīkṣasva kañcittvaṁ brāhmaṇottama samaye samanuprāpte tvāṁ ca neṣyāmi tatra vai

"Therefore, O best of brahmins, wait for some time; when the proper occasion arrives, I myself shall lead you there."

Verse 10 (skanda.6.114.10)

एवमुक्त्वा स देवेशस्ततश्चादर्शनं गतः। ब्राह्मणोऽपि तपस्तेपे तथा संपूजयन्हरम्

evamuktvā sa deveśastataścādarśanaṁ gataḥ brāhmaṇo'pi tapastepe tathā saṁpūjayanharam

Having spoken thus, that lord of gods vanished from sight; and the brahmin too continued his austerity, worshipping Hara.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.114.11)

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य चमत्कारपुरे द्विजाः। मौद्गल्यान्वयसंभूतो देवरातोऽभवद्द्विजः

kasyacittvatha kālasya camatkārapure dvijāḥ maudgalyānvayasaṁbhūto devarāto'bhavaddvijaḥ

O brahmins, after some time, in Chamatkarapura there lived a brahmin named Devarata, born in the lineage of Mudgala.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.114.12)

तस्य पुत्रः क्रथोनाम यौवनोद्धतविग्रहः। सदा गर्वसमायुक्तः पौरुषे च व्यवस्थितः

tasya putraḥ krathonāma yauvanoddhatavigrahaḥ sadā garvasamāyuktaḥ pauruṣe ca vyavasthitaḥ

His son, named Kratha, whose body was flushed with youthful vigor, was ever full of pride and given to displays of manly strength.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.114.13)

स कदाचिद्ययौ विप्रो नागतीर्थं प्रति द्विजाः। श्रावणस्यासिते पक्षे पंचम्यां पर्यटन्वने

sa kadācidyayau vipro nāgatīrthaṁ prati dvijāḥ śrāvaṇasyāsite pakṣe paṁcamyāṁ paryaṭanvane

O brahmins, once that young brahmin, wandering in the forest on the fifth day of the dark fortnight of Shravana, went toward the Naga-tirtha.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.114.14)

अथापश्यत्स नागेन्द्रतनयं भूरिवर्च्चसम्। रुद्रमालमिति ख्यातं जनन्या सह संगतम्

athāpaśyatsa nāgendratanayaṁ bhūrivarccasam rudramālamiti khyātaṁ jananyā saha saṁgatam

There he saw the greatly radiant son of the serpent-king, known by the name Rudramala, together with his mother.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.114.15)

अथासौ तं समालोक्य सुलघुं सर्पपुत्रकम्। जलसर्पमिति ज्ञात्वा लगुडेन व्यपोथयत्

athāsau taṁ samālokya sulaghuṁ sarpaputrakam jalasarpamiti jñātvā laguḍena vyapothayat

Then, seeing that small serpent-child and taking him to be an ordinary water-snake, he struck and crushed him with a stick.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.114.16)

हन्यमानेन तेनाथ प्रमुक्तः सुमहान्स्वनः। हा मातस्तात तातेति विपन्नोऽस्मि निरागसः

hanyamānena tenātha pramuktaḥ sumahānsvanaḥ hā mātastāta tāteti vipanno'smi nirāgasaḥ

As he was being struck, a great cry burst forth from him: "O Mother, O Father, I who am innocent am perishing!"

Verse 17 (skanda.6.114.17)

सोऽपि श्रुत्वाऽथ तं शब्दं ब्राह्मणो मानुषोद्भवम्। सर्पस्य भयसंत्रस्तः सत्वरं स्वगृहं ययौ

so'pi śrutvā'tha taṁ śabdaṁ brāhmaṇo mānuṣodbhavam sarpasya bhayasaṁtrastaḥ satvaraṁ svagṛhaṁ yayau

The brahmin too, hearing that human-sounding cry issue from the serpent, became terrified and hurried swiftly to his own home.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.114.18)

अथ सा जननी तस्य निष्क्रांता सलिलाश्रयात्। यावत्पश्यति तीरस्थं तावत्पुत्रं निपातितम्

atha sā jananī tasya niṣkrāṁtā salilāśrayāt yāvatpaśyati tīrasthaṁ tāvatputraṁ nipātitam

Then his mother came out from her watery abode; and as soon as she looked toward the shore, she saw her son lying struck down.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.114.19)

ततो मूर्च्छामनुप्राप्ता दृष्ट्वा पुत्रं तथाविधम्। यष्टिप्रहारनिर्भिन्नं सर्वांगरुधिरोक्षितम्

tato mūrcchāmanuprāptā dṛṣṭvā putraṁ tathāvidham yaṣṭiprahāranirbhinnaṁ sarvāṁgarudhirokṣitam

Seeing her son in that condition, torn open by the blow of the stick, his whole body drenched in blood, she fell into a swoon.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.114.20)

अथ लब्ध्वा पुनः संज्ञां प्रलापानकरोद्बहून्। करुणं शोकसंतप्ता वाष्पपर्याकुलेक्षणा

atha labdhvā punaḥ saṁjñāṁ pralāpānakarodbahūn karuṇaṁ śokasaṁtaptā vāṣpaparyākulekṣaṇā

Then, regaining her senses, she uttered many piteous lamentations, tormented with grief, her eyes clouded with tears.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.114.21)

हाहा पुत्र परित्यक्त्वा मां च क्वासि विनिर्गतः। अनावृत्तिकरं स्थानं किं स्नेहो नास्ति ते मयि

hāhā putra parityaktvā māṁ ca kvāsi vinirgataḥ anāvṛttikaraṁ sthānaṁ kiṁ sneho nāsti te mayi

"Alas, my son, having abandoned me, to what place of no return have you departed? Did you have no affection for me?"

Verse 22 (skanda.6.114.22)

केन त्वं निहतः पुत्र पापेन च दुरात्मना। निष्पापोऽपि च पुत्र त्वं कस्य क्रुद्धोऽद्यवै यमः

kena tvaṁ nihataḥ putra pāpena ca durātmanā niṣpāpo'pi ca putra tvaṁ kasya kruddho'dyavai yamaḥ

"By what sinful, evil-souled one were you slain, my son? And you, though sinless, with whom today has Yama grown angry?"

Verse 23 (skanda.6.114.23)

सपुरस्य सराष्ट्रस्य सकुटुंबस्य दुर्मतेः। येन त्वं निहतोऽद्यापि पंचम्यां पूजितो न च

sapurasya sarāṣṭrasya sakuṭuṁbasya durmateḥ yena tvaṁ nihato'dyāpi paṁcamyāṁ pūjito na ca

"May that evil-minded one who slew you, together with his city, his kingdom, and his family, be destroyed — he who did not even honor the fifth-day rite."

Verse 24 (skanda.6.114.24)

रजसा क्रीडयित्वाऽद्य समागत्य चिरादथ। कामेनोत्संगमागत्य ग्लानिं नैष्यति चांबरम्

rajasā krīḍayitvā'dya samāgatya cirādatha kāmenotsaṁgamāgatya glāniṁ naiṣyati cāṁbaram

"Having played in the dust and, after so long, come running to me, climbing into my lap out of love — never again will you leave a stain of dust upon my garment."

Verse 25 (skanda.6.114.25)

गद्गदानि मनोज्ञानि जनहास्यकराणि च। त्वया विनाऽद्य वाक्यानि को वदिष्यति मे पुरः

gadgadāni manojñāni janahāsyakarāṇi ca tvayā vinā'dya vākyāni ko vadiṣyati me puraḥ

"Without you, who now will speak before me those charming, faltering words that made everyone laugh?"

Verse 26 (skanda.6.114.26)

पितुरुत्संगमाश्रित्य कूर्चाकर्षणपूर्वकम्। कः करिष्यति पुत्राऽद्य सतोषं भवता विना

piturutsaṁgamāśritya kūrcākarṣaṇapūrvakam kaḥ kariṣyati putrā'dya satoṣaṁ bhavatā vinā

"My son, without you, who now will climb into his father's lap and delight him, tugging at his beard?"

Verse 27 (skanda.6.114.27)

निषिद्धोऽसि मया वत्स त्वमायातोऽनुपृष्ठतः। मर्त्यलोकमिमं तात बहुदोषसमाकुलम्

niṣiddho'si mayā vatsa tvamāyāto'nupṛṣṭhataḥ martyalokamimaṁ tāta bahudoṣasamākulam

"I had forbidden you, my child, yet you followed and came into this mortal world, so filled with countless dangers."

Verse 28 (skanda.6.114.28)

एवं विलप्य नागी सा संक्रुद्धा शोककर्षिता। तं मृतं सुतमादाय जगामानंतसंनिधौ

evaṁ vilapya nāgī sā saṁkruddhā śokakarṣitā taṁ mṛtaṁ sutamādāya jagāmānaṁtasaṁnidhau

Having lamented thus, that serpent-woman, enraged and torn by grief, took up her dead son and went into the presence of Ananta (Shesha).

Verse 29 (skanda.6.114.29)

ततस्तदग्रतः क्षिप्त्वा तं मृतं निजबालकम्। प्रलापानकरोद्दीना वियुक्ता कुररी यथा

tatastadagrataḥ kṣiptvā taṁ mṛtaṁ nijabālakam pralāpānakaroddīnā viyuktā kurarī yathā

Then, casting her dead child down before him, she lamented piteously, like a female osprey bereft of her young.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.114.30)

नागराजोऽपि तं दृष्ट्वा स्वपुत्रं विनिपातितम्। जगाम सोऽपि मूर्च्छां च पुत्रशोकेन पीडितः

nāgarājo'pi taṁ dṛṣṭvā svaputraṁ vinipātitam jagāma so'pi mūrcchāṁ ca putraśokena pīḍitaḥ

The serpent-king too, seeing his own son lying slain, and stricken with grief for his son, fell into a swoon.

Verse 31 (skanda.6.114.31)

ततः सिक्तो जलैः शीतैः संज्ञां लब्ध्वा स कृच्छ्रतः। प्रलापान्कृपणांश्चक्रे प्राकृतः पुरुषो यथा

tataḥ sikto jalaiḥ śītaiḥ saṁjñāṁ labdhvā sa kṛcchrataḥ pralāpānkṛpaṇāṁścakre prākṛtaḥ puruṣo yathā

Then, sprinkled with cold water, he regained his senses with difficulty, and lamented piteously, like an ordinary man.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.114.32)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे नागाः सर्वे तत्र समागताः। रुरुदुर्दुःखिताः संतो बाष्पपर्याकुलेक्षणाः

etasminnaṁtare nāgāḥ sarve tatra samāgatāḥ rurudurduḥkhitāḥ saṁto bāṣpaparyākulekṣaṇāḥ

Meanwhile all the serpents gathered there, and, sorrowful, wept, their eyes clouded with tears.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.114.33)

वासुकिः पद्मजः शंखस्तक्षकश्च महाविषः। शंखचूडः सचूडश्च पुंडरीकश्च दारुणः

vāsukiḥ padmajaḥ śaṁkhastakṣakaśca mahāviṣaḥ śaṁkhacūḍaḥ sacūḍaśca puṁḍarīkaśca dāruṇaḥ

Vasuki, Padmaja, Shankha, and the greatly venomous Takshaka; Shankhachuda, Sachuda, and the fearsome Pundarika.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.114.34)

अञ्जनो वामनश्चैव कुमुदश्च तथा परः। कम्बलाश्वतरौ नागौ नागः कर्कोटकस्तथा

añjano vāmanaścaiva kumudaśca tathā paraḥ kambalāśvatarau nāgau nāgaḥ karkoṭakastathā

Anjana, Vamana, and Kumuda too, and another; the serpents Kambala and Ashvatara, and the serpent Karkotaka as well.

Verse 35 (skanda.6.114.35)

पुष्पदंतः सुदंतश्च मूषको मूषकादनः। एलापत्रः सुपत्रश्च दीर्घास्यः पुष्पवाहनः

puṣpadaṁtaḥ sudaṁtaśca mūṣako mūṣakādanaḥ elāpatraḥ supatraśca dīrghāsyaḥ puṣpavāhanaḥ

Pushpadanta and Sudanta, Mushaka and Mushakadana, Elapatra and Supatra, Dirghasya and Pushpavahana.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.114.36)

एते चान्ये तथा नागास्तत्राऽऽयाताः सहस्रशः। पुत्रशोकाभिसतप्तं ज्ञात्वा तं पन्नगाधिपम्

ete cānye tathā nāgāstatrā''yātāḥ sahasraśaḥ putraśokābhisataptaṁ jñātvā taṁ pannagādhipam

These, and thousands of other serpents besides, came there, on learning that the lord of serpents was consumed with grief for his son.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.114.37)

ततः संबोध्य ते सर्वे तमीशं पवनाशनम्। पूर्ववृत्तैः कथोद्भेदैर्दृष्टांतैर्विविधैरपि

tataḥ saṁbodhya te sarve tamīśaṁ pavanāśanam pūrvavṛttaiḥ kathodbhedairdṛṣṭāṁtairvividhairapi

Then all of them tried to console that lord who lived on air (the serpent-king), with accounts of past events and various illustrative examples.

Verse 38 (skanda.6.114.38)

एवं संबोधितस्तैस्तु चिरात्पन्नगसत्तमः। अग्निदाह्यं ततश्चक्रे तस्य पुत्रस्य दुःखितः

evaṁ saṁbodhitastaistu cirātpannagasattamaḥ agnidāhyaṁ tataścakre tasya putrasya duḥkhitaḥ

Thus consoled by them, that foremost of serpents, after a long while, sorrowfully performed the cremation of his son.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.114.39)

जलदानस्य काले च सर्पान्सर्वानुवाच सः। सर्वान्नागान्प्रदानार्थं तोयस्य समुपस्थितान्

jaladānasya kāle ca sarpānsarvānuvāca saḥ sarvānnāgānpradānārthaṁ toyasya samupasthitān

And when the time came for the water-libation, he spoke to all the serpents, who had gathered there for the giving of the water offering.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.114.40)

नाहं तोयं प्रदास्यामि स्वपुत्रस्य कथंचन। भवद्भिः प्रेरितोऽप्येवं तथान्यैरपि बांधवैः

nāhaṁ toyaṁ pradāsyāmi svaputrasya kathaṁcana bhavadbhiḥ prerito'pyevaṁ tathānyairapi bāṁdhavaiḥ

"I will not, in any way, offer the water-libation for my own son, even though urged by you and by my other kinsmen as well."

Verse 41 (skanda.6.114.41)

यावत्तस्य न दुष्टस्य मम पुत्रांतकारिणः। सदारपुत्रभृत्यस्य विहितो न परिक्षयः

yāvattasya na duṣṭasya mama putrāṁtakāriṇaḥ sadāraputrabhṛtyasya vihito na parikṣayaḥ

"...not until the total destruction of that wicked one who ended my son's life, together with his wife, sons, and servants, has been accomplished."

Verse 42 (skanda.6.114.42)

एवमुक्त्वा ततः शेषः शोधयामास तं द्विजम्। येन संसूदितः पुत्रो दंडकाष्ठेन पाप्मना

evamuktvā tataḥ śeṣaḥ śodhayāmāsa taṁ dvijam yena saṁsūditaḥ putro daṁḍakāṣṭhena pāpmanā

Having spoken thus, Shesha then had that brahmin identified — the sinner by whom his son had been slain with a wooden staff.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.114.43)

ततः प्रोवाच तान्नागान्पार्श्वस्थान्पन्नगाधिपः। हाटकेश्वरजे क्षेत्रे यांतु मे सुहृदुत्तमाः

tataḥ provāca tānnāgānpārśvasthānpannagādhipaḥ hāṭakeśvaraje kṣetre yāṁtu me suhṛduttamāḥ

Then the lord of serpents said to the serpents standing beside him: "Let my most excellent friends go to the sacred field of Hatakeshvara."

Verse 44 (skanda.6.114.44)

पुत्रघ्नं तं निहत्याऽऽशु सकुटुम्बपरिग्रहम्। चमत्कारपुरं सर्वं भक्षणीयं ततः परम्

putraghnaṁ taṁ nihatyā''śu sakuṭumbaparigraham camatkārapuraṁ sarvaṁ bhakṣaṇīyaṁ tataḥ param

"Having swiftly slain that killer of my son, together with his whole family, all of Chamatkarapura is thereafter to be devoured."

Verse 45 (skanda.6.114.45)

तत्रैव वसतिः कार्या समस्तैः पन्नगोत्तमैः। यथा भूयो वसेन्नैव तथा कार्यं च तत्पुरम्

tatraiva vasatiḥ kāryā samastaiḥ pannagottamaiḥ yathā bhūyo vasennaiva tathā kāryaṁ ca tatpuram

"There itself, dwelling must be established by all these foremost serpents; and that city must be made such that no one shall ever dwell in it again."

Verse 46 (skanda.6.114.46)

एवमुक्तास्ततस्तेन नागाः प्राधान्यतः श्रुताः। गत्वाथ सत्वरं तत्र प्रथमं तं द्विजोत्तमम्

evamuktāstatastena nāgāḥ prādhānyataḥ śrutāḥ gatvātha satvaraṁ tatra prathamaṁ taṁ dvijottamam

Thus commanded, those serpents, foremost in obedience, having gone there swiftly, first turned upon that brahmin's son...

Verse 47 (skanda.6.114.47)

देवरातसुतं सुप्तं भक्षयित्वा ततः परम्। तत्कुटुंबं समग्रं च क्रोधेन महतान्विताः

devarātasutaṁ suptaṁ bhakṣayitvā tataḥ param tatkuṭuṁbaṁ samagraṁ ca krodhena mahatānvitāḥ

...having devoured Devarata's son as he lay sleeping, then, filled with great fury, they devoured his entire family as well.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.114.48)

ततोऽन्यानपि संक्रुद्धा बालान्वृद्धान्कुमारकान्। भक्षयामासुः सर्वे ते तिर्यग्योनिगता अपि

tato'nyānapi saṁkruddhā bālānvṛddhānkumārakān bhakṣayāmāsuḥ sarve te tiryagyonigatā api

Then, still enraged, they devoured others too — children, the aged, and young boys — and even those born in animal wombs.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.114.49)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे जातः पुरे तत्र सुदारुणः। आक्रंदो ब्राह्मणेंद्राणां सर्पभक्षणसंभवः

etasminnaṁtare jātaḥ pure tatra sudāruṇaḥ ākraṁdo brāhmaṇeṁdrāṇāṁ sarpabhakṣaṇasaṁbhavaḥ

Meanwhile, a most terrible outcry arose in that city among the lords of brahmins, born of being devoured by the serpents.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.114.50)

तत्र भूमौ तथाऽन्यच्च यत्किंचिदपि दृश्यते। तत्सर्वं पन्नगैर्व्याप्तं रौद्रैः कृष्णवपुर्धरैः

tatra bhūmau tathā'nyacca yatkiṁcidapi dṛśyate tatsarvaṁ pannagairvyāptaṁ raudraiḥ kṛṣṇavapurdharaiḥ

Whatever could be seen there, on the ground and elsewhere, all of it was pervaded by fierce, black-bodied serpents.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.114.51)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे प्राप्ताः केचिन्मृत्युवशं गताः। विषसंघूर्णिताः केचित्पतिता धरणीतले

etasminnaṁtare prāptāḥ kecinmṛtyuvaśaṁ gatāḥ viṣasaṁghūrṇitāḥ kecitpatitā dharaṇītale

In that time, some who came there fell under the power of death; some, reeling from the venom, fell to the ground.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.114.52)

अन्ये गृहादिकं सर्वं परित्यज्य सुतादि च। वित्रस्ताः परिधावंति वनमुद्दिश्य दूरतः

anye gṛhādikaṁ sarvaṁ parityajya sutādi ca vitrastāḥ paridhāvaṁti vanamuddiśya dūrataḥ

Others, abandoning their homes and everything, including their children, ran about in terror, fleeing far off toward the forest.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.114.53)

अन्ये मंत्रविदो विप्राः प्रयतंते समंततः। मंदं धावंति संत्रस्ता गृहीत्वौषधयः परे

anye maṁtravido viprāḥ prayataṁte samaṁtataḥ maṁdaṁ dhāvaṁti saṁtrastā gṛhītvauṣadhayaḥ pare

Other brahmins, versed in mantras, strove on every side; others still, terrified, ran about slowly, clutching herbal remedies.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.114.54)

एवं तत्पुरमुद्दिश्य सर्वे ते पन्नगोत्तमाः। प्रचरंति यथा कश्चिन्न तत्र ब्राह्मणो वसेत्

evaṁ tatpuramuddiśya sarve te pannagottamāḥ pracaraṁti yathā kaścinna tatra brāhmaṇo vaset

Thus all those excellent serpents overran that city, so that no brahmin at all remained dwelling there.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.114.55)

अथ शून्यं पुरं कृत्वा सर्वे ते पन्नगोत्तमाः। व्यचरन्स्वेच्छया तत्र तीर्थेष्वायतनेषु च

atha śūnyaṁ puraṁ kṛtvā sarve te pannagottamāḥ vyacaransvecchayā tatra tīrtheṣvāyataneṣu ca

Having made that city empty, all those excellent serpents then roamed there at will, among its tirthas and shrines.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.114.56)

न कश्चित्पन्नगः क्षेत्रात्त्यक्त्वा निर्याति बाह्यतः। प्रविशेन्न परः कश्चित्तत्र क्षेत्रे च मानवः

na kaścitpannagaḥ kṣetrāttyaktvā niryāti bāhyataḥ praviśenna paraḥ kaścittatra kṣetre ca mānavaḥ

No serpent would ever leave that field and go out beyond it; nor would any other human enter that field.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.114.57)

व्यवस्थैवं समुद्भूता सर्पाणां मानुषैः सह। वधभक्षणजान्योन्यं बाह्याभ्यंतरसंभवा

vyavasthaivaṁ samudbhūtā sarpāṇāṁ mānuṣaiḥ saha vadhabhakṣaṇajānyonyaṁ bāhyābhyaṁtarasaṁbhavā

Thus arose this arrangement between the serpents and men, born of mutual killing and devouring, dividing the outer world from that inner domain.

Verse 58 (skanda.6.114.58)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे शेषो मुक्त्वा दुःखं सुतोद्भवम्। प्रहृष्टः प्रददौ तोयं तस्य जातिभिरन्वितः

etasminnaṁtare śeṣo muktvā duḥkhaṁ sutodbhavam prahṛṣṭaḥ pradadau toyaṁ tasya jātibhiranvitaḥ

Meanwhile, Shesha, releasing the grief born of his son's death, delighted, together with his kinsmen, offered the water-libation for him.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.114.59)

अथ ते ब्राह्मणाः केचित्सर्पेभ्यो भयविह्वलाः। सशोका दिङ्मुखान्याशु ते सर्वे संगता मिथः

atha te brāhmaṇāḥ kecitsarpebhyo bhayavihvalāḥ saśokā diṅmukhānyāśu te sarve saṁgatā mithaḥ

Then, terrified of the serpents, those grieving brahmins quickly gathered together, coming from every direction.

Verse 60 (skanda.6.114.60)

ततो वनं समाजग्मुस्त्रिजातो यत्र संस्थितः। हरलब्धवरो हृष्टः सुमहत्तपसि स्थितः

tato vanaṁ samājagmustrijāto yatra saṁsthitaḥ haralabdhavaro hṛṣṭaḥ sumahattapasi sthitaḥ

Then they went to the forest where Trijata dwelt, delighted, having received his boon from Hara, established in very great austerity.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.114.61)

स दृष्ट्वा ताञ्जनान्सर्वांस्तथा दुःखपरिप्लुतान्। पुत्रदारादिकं स्मृत्वा रुदतः करुणं बहु

sa dṛṣṭvā tāñjanānsarvāṁstathā duḥkhapariplutān putradārādikaṁ smṛtvā rudataḥ karuṇaṁ bahu

Seeing all those people overwhelmed with grief, weeping most piteously as they remembered their sons, wives, and the rest...

Verse 62 (skanda.6.114.62)

सोऽपि दुःखसमायुक्तो दृष्ट्वा तान्स्वपुरोद्भवान्। ब्राह्मणेंद्रांस्ततः प्राह बाष्पव्याकुललोचनः

so'pi duḥkhasamāyukto dṛṣṭvā tānsvapurodbhavān brāhmaṇeṁdrāṁstataḥ prāha bāṣpavyākulalocanaḥ

...he too, overcome with sorrow at the sight of those lords of brahmins from his own city, spoke to them, his eyes clouded with tears.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.114.63)

शृण्वंतु ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे वचनं मम सांप्रतम्। मया विनिर्गतेनैव तत्पुरात्तोषितो हरः

śṛṇvaṁtu brāhmaṇāḥ sarve vacanaṁ mama sāṁpratam mayā vinirgatenaiva tatpurāttoṣito haraḥ

"Let all the brahmins now hear my word: by me alone, though driven out of that city, has Hara been made pleased."

Verse 64 (skanda.6.114.64)

तेन मह्यं वरो दत्तो वांछितो द्विजसत्तमाः। गृहीतो न मयाद्यापि प्रार्थयिष्यामि सांप्रतम्

tena mahyaṁ varo datto vāṁchito dvijasattamāḥ gṛhīto na mayādyāpi prārthayiṣyāmi sāṁpratam

"O best of brahmins, a desired boon was given to me by him, which I have not yet claimed; I shall now ask for it."

Verse 65 (skanda.6.114.65)

यथा स्यात्संक्षयस्तेषां नागानां सुदुरात्मनाम्। यैः कृतं नः पुरं कृत्स्नमुद्रसं पापकर्मभिः

yathā syātsaṁkṣayasteṣāṁ nāgānāṁ sudurātmanām yaiḥ kṛtaṁ naḥ puraṁ kṛtsnamudrasaṁ pāpakarmabhiḥ

"...so that there may be the destruction of those most evil-souled serpents, by whose sinful deeds our whole city has been left desolate."

Verse 66 (skanda.6.114.66)

एवमुक्त्वाऽथ विप्रः स त्रिजातः परमेश्वरम्। प्रार्थयामास मे देव तं वरं यच्छ सांप्रतम्

evamuktvā'tha vipraḥ sa trijātaḥ parameśvaram prārthayāmāsa me deva taṁ varaṁ yaccha sāṁpratam

Having spoken thus, that brahmin Trijata besought the supreme Lord: "O God, grant me now that boon."

Verse 67 (skanda.6.114.67)

ततः प्रोवाच देवेशः प्रार्थयस्व द्रुतं द्विज। येनाभीष्टं प्रयच्छामि यद्यपि स्यात्सुदुर्लभम्

tataḥ provāca deveśaḥ prārthayasva drutaṁ dvija yenābhīṣṭaṁ prayacchāmi yadyapi syātsudurlabham

Then the lord of gods said: "Ask quickly, O brahmin, and I shall grant your wish, even should it be most difficult to attain."

Verse 68 (skanda.6.114.68)

त्रिजात उवाच। नागैरस्मत्पुरं कृत्स्नं कृतं जनविवर्जितम्। तत्तस्मात्ते क्षयं यांतु सर्वे वृषभवाहन

trijāta uvāca nāgairasmatpuraṁ kṛtsnaṁ kṛtaṁ janavivarjitam tattasmātte kṣayaṁ yāṁtu sarve vṛṣabhavāhana

Trijata said: "By the serpents our entire city has been emptied of its people; therefore, O rider of the bull, let them all perish."

Verse 69 (skanda.6.114.69)

येन तत्पूर्यते विप्रैर्भूयोऽपि सुरसत्तम। ममापि जायते कीर्तिः स्वस्थानोद्धरणोद्भवा

yena tatpūryate viprairbhūyo'pi surasattama mamāpi jāyate kīrtiḥ svasthānoddharaṇodbhavā

"O foremost of gods, so that it may be filled again with brahmins, and so that I too may gain the glory of having restored my own homeland."

Verse 70 (skanda.6.114.70)

श्रीभगवानुवाच। नायुक्तं विहितं विप्र पन्नगैस्तैर्महात्मभिः। निर्दोषश्चापि पुत्रोऽत्र येषां विप्रेण सूदितः

śrībhagavānuvāca nāyuktaṁ vihitaṁ vipra pannagaistairmahātmabhiḥ nirdoṣaścāpi putro'tra yeṣāṁ vipreṇa sūditaḥ

The blessed Lord said: "O brahmin, what was done by those great-souled serpents was not improper — for their son, though innocent, was slain here by a brahmin."

Verse 71 (skanda.6.114.71)

विशेषेण द्विजश्रेष्ठ संप्राप्ते पंचमीदिने। तत्राऽपि श्रावणे मासि पूज्यंते यत्र पन्नगाः

viśeṣeṇa dvijaśreṣṭha saṁprāpte paṁcamīdine tatrā'pi śrāvaṇe māsi pūjyaṁte yatra pannagāḥ

"This was especially grave, O best of the twice-born, since it occurred on the fifth-day rite, and moreover in the month of Shravana, when serpents are especially worshipped."

Verse 72 (skanda.6.114.72)

तस्मात्तेऽहं प्रवक्ष्यामि सिद्धमंत्रमनुत्तमम्। यस्योच्चारणमात्रेण सर्प्पाणां नश्यते विषम्

tasmātte'haṁ pravakṣyāmi siddhamaṁtramanuttamam yasyoccāraṇamātreṇa sarppāṇāṁ naśyate viṣam

"Nevertheless, I shall now teach you an unsurpassed, perfected mantra, by the mere utterance of which the venom of serpents is destroyed."

Verse 73 (skanda.6.114.73)

तं मंत्रं तत्र गत्वा त्वं तद्विप्रैरखिलैर्वृतः। श्रावयस्व महाभाग तारशब्देन सर्वशः

taṁ maṁtraṁ tatra gatvā tvaṁ tadviprairakhilairvṛtaḥ śrāvayasva mahābhāga tāraśabdena sarvaśaḥ

"Going there, O illustrious one, surrounded by all those brahmins, proclaim that mantra everywhere in a loud voice."

Verse 74 (skanda.6.114.74)

तं श्रुत्वा ये न यास्यंति पातालं पन्नगाधमाः। युष्मद्वाक्याद्भविष्यंति निर्विषास्ते न संशयः

taṁ śrutvā ye na yāsyaṁti pātālaṁ pannagādhamāḥ yuṣmadvākyādbhaviṣyaṁti nirviṣāste na saṁśayaḥ

"Hearing it, whatever lowly serpents do not go down to Patala shall, by your word, without doubt become free of venom."

Verse 75 (skanda.6.114.75)

त्रिजात उवाच। ब्रूहि तं मे महामंत्रं सर्वतीक्ष्णविनाशनम्। येन गत्वा निजं स्थानं सर्पानुत्सादयाम्यहम्

trijāta uvāca brūhi taṁ me mahāmaṁtraṁ sarvatīkṣṇavināśanam yena gatvā nijaṁ sthānaṁ sarpānutsādayāmyaham

Trijata said: "Tell me that great mantra, destroyer of every sharp venom, by which, going to my own place, I may drive out the serpents."

Verse 76 (skanda.6.114.76)

श्रीभगवानुवाच। गरं विषमिति प्रोक्तं न तत्रास्ति च सांप्रतम्। मत्प्रसादात्त्वया ह्येतदुच्चार्यं ब्राह्मणोत्तम

śrībhagavānuvāca garaṁ viṣamiti proktaṁ na tatrāsti ca sāṁpratam matprasādāttvayā hyetaduccāryaṁ brāhmaṇottama

The blessed Lord said: "'Gara' is the word for venom — by my grace it shall no longer be there. O best of brahmins, this alone you must proclaim."

Verse 77 (skanda.6.114.77)

न गरं न गरं चैतच्छ्रुत्वा ये पन्नगाधमाः। तत्र स्थास्यंति ते वध्या भविष्यंति यथासुखम्

na garaṁ na garaṁ caitacchrutvā ye pannagādhamāḥ tatra sthāsyaṁti te vadhyā bhaviṣyaṁti yathāsukham

"Whatever lowly serpents, hearing 'no venom, no venom,' still remain there, they shall become fit to be killed at will."

Verse 78 (skanda.6.114.78)

अद्यप्रभृति तत्स्थानं नगराख्यं धरातले। भविष्यति सुविख्यातं तव कीर्तिविवर्धनम्

adyaprabhṛti tatsthānaṁ nagarākhyaṁ dharātale bhaviṣyati suvikhyātaṁ tava kīrtivivardhanam

"From this day forward, that place shall be well known on this earth by the name 'Nagara,' increasing your own fame."

Verse 79 (skanda.6.114.79)

तथान्योऽपि च यो विप्रो नागरः शुद्धवंशजः। नगराख्येन मंत्रेण अभिमंत्र्य त्रिधा जलम्

tathānyo'pi ca yo vipro nāgaraḥ śuddhavaṁśajaḥ nagarākhyena maṁtreṇa abhimaṁtrya tridhā jalam

"And likewise, any other brahmin of Nagara, of pure lineage, having consecrated water three times with the Nagara-named mantra..."

Verse 80 (skanda.6.114.80)

प्राणिनं कालसंदष्टमपि मृत्युवशंगतम्। प्रकरिष्यति जीवाढ्यं प्रक्षिप्य वदने स्वयम्

prāṇinaṁ kālasaṁdaṣṭamapi mṛtyuvaśaṁgatam prakariṣyati jīvāḍhyaṁ prakṣipya vadane svayam

"...even a creature bitten by a deadly snake and fallen under the sway of death — pouring that water into its mouth with his own hand — shall restore it to life."

Verse 81 (skanda.6.114.81)

अन्यत्रापि स्थितो मर्त्यो मंत्रमेतं त्रिरक्षरम्। यः स्मरिष्यति संसुप्तो न हिंस्यः स्यादहेर्हि सः

anyatrāpi sthito martyo maṁtrametaṁ trirakṣaram yaḥ smariṣyati saṁsupto na hiṁsyaḥ syādaherhi saḥ

"Even a mortal elsewhere, who, though fast asleep, recalls this three-syllabled mantra, shall not be harmed by any serpent."

Verse 82 (skanda.6.114.82)

स्थावरं जंगमं वापि कृत्रिमं वा गरं हि तत्। तदनेन च मंत्रेण संस्पृष्टं त्वमृतायितम्

sthāvaraṁ jaṁgamaṁ vāpi kṛtrimaṁ vā garaṁ hi tat tadanena ca maṁtreṇa saṁspṛṣṭaṁ tvamṛtāyitam

"Whatever venom there be — of plant, of animal, or artificially made — once touched by this mantra, becomes as nectar."

Verse 83 (skanda.6.114.83)

अजीर्णप्रभवा रोगा ये चान्ये जठरोद्भवाः। मंत्रस्यास्य प्रभावेन सर्वे यांति द्रुतं क्षयम्

ajīrṇaprabhavā rogā ye cānye jaṭharodbhavāḥ maṁtrasyāsya prabhāvena sarve yāṁti drutaṁ kṣayam

"Whatever diseases arise from indigestion, or other stomach ailments, by the power of this mantra all swiftly come to an end."

Verse 84 (skanda.6.114.84)

एवमुक्त्वाऽथ तं विप्रं भगवान्वृषभध्वजः। जगामादर्शनं पश्चाद्यथा दीपो वितैलकः

evamuktvā'tha taṁ vipraṁ bhagavānvṛṣabhadhvajaḥ jagāmādarśanaṁ paścādyathā dīpo vitailakaḥ

Having spoken thus to that brahmin, the blessed bull-bannered Lord then vanished from sight, like a lamp when its oil is spent.

Verse 85 (skanda.6.114.85)

त्रिजातोऽपि समं विप्रैर्हतशेषैस्तु तैर्द्रुतम्। जगाम संप्रहृष्टात्मा चमत्कारपुरं प्रति

trijāto'pi samaṁ viprairhataśeṣaistu tairdrutam jagāma saṁprahṛṣṭātmā camatkārapuraṁ prati

Trijata too, greatly overjoyed, went swiftly toward Chamatkarapura, together with those brahmins who remained after the slaughter.

Verse 86 (skanda.6.114.86)

एवं ते ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे त्रिजातेन समन्विताः। न गरं न गरं प्रोच्चैरुच्चरंतः समाययुः

evaṁ te brāhmaṇāḥ sarve trijātena samanvitāḥ na garaṁ na garaṁ proccairuccaraṁtaḥ samāyayuḥ

Thus all those brahmins, together with Trijata, came on, loudly proclaiming "No venom, no venom!"

Verse 87 (skanda.6.114.87)

हाटकेश्वरजं क्षेत्रं यत्तद्व्याप्तं समंततः। रौद्रैराशीविषैः क्रूरैः शेषस्यादेशमाश्रितैः

hāṭakeśvarajaṁ kṣetraṁ yattadvyāptaṁ samaṁtataḥ raudrairāśīviṣaiḥ krūraiḥ śeṣasyādeśamāśritaiḥ

The sacred field of Hatakeshvara had, on every side, become overrun with fierce, venomous, cruel serpents, acting under Shesha's command.

Verse 88 (skanda.6.114.88)

अथ ते पन्नगाः श्रुत्वा सिद्धमंत्रं शिवोद्भवम्। निर्विषास्तेजसा हीनाः समन्तात्ते प्रदुद्रवुः

atha te pannagāḥ śrutvā siddhamaṁtraṁ śivodbhavam nirviṣāstejasā hīnāḥ samantātte pradudravuḥ

Then those serpents, hearing the perfected mantra born of Shiva, became devoid of venom and power, and fled in every direction.

Verse 89 (skanda.6.114.89)

वल्मीकान्केचिदासाद्य चित्ररंध्रांतरोद्भवान्। अन्ये चापि प्रजग्मुश्च पातालं दंदशूककाः

valmīkānkecidāsādya citraraṁdhrāṁtarodbhavān anye cāpi prajagmuśca pātālaṁ daṁdaśūkakāḥ

Some serpents took refuge in anthills, riddled with strange holes; others among those biting creatures fled down to Patala.

Verse 90 (skanda.6.114.90)

ये केचिद्भयसंत्रस्ता वार्द्धक्येन निपीडिताः। वालत्वेन तथा चान्ये शक्नुवंति न सर्पितुम्

ye kecidbhayasaṁtrastā vārddhakyena nipīḍitāḥ vālatvena tathā cānye śaknuvaṁti na sarpitum

Whatever serpents, terrified, were oppressed by old age, or others who, still young, were unable to slither away...

Verse 91 (skanda.6.114.91)

ते सर्वे ब्राह्मणेन्द्रैस्तैः कृतस्य प्रतिकारकैः। निहताः पन्नगास्तत्र दंडकाष्ठैः सहस्रशः

te sarve brāhmaṇendraistaiḥ kṛtasya pratikārakaiḥ nihatāḥ pannagāstatra daṁḍakāṣṭhaiḥ sahasraśaḥ

...all of these serpents were, in retaliation for what had been done, slain there by those lords of brahmins with wooden staves, by the thousands.

Verse 92 (skanda.6.114.92)

एवमुत्साद्य तान्सर्वान्ब्राह्मणास्ते गतव्यथाः। तं त्रिजातं पुरस्कृत्य स्थानकृत्यानि चक्रिरे

evamutsādya tānsarvānbrāhmaṇāste gatavyathāḥ taṁ trijātaṁ puraskṛtya sthānakṛtyāni cakrire

Having thus driven out all of them, those brahmins, freed from their distress, placing Trijata at their head, resumed the duties of that place.

Verse 93 (skanda.6.114.93)

एवं तन्नगरं जातमस्मात्कालादनंतरम्। देवदेवस्य भर्गस्य प्रसादेन द्विजोत्तमाः

evaṁ tannagaraṁ jātamasmātkālādanaṁtaram devadevasya bhargasya prasādena dvijottamāḥ

O best of brahmins, thus, from that time onward, that place became known as "Nagara," by the grace of Bharga, the god of gods.

Verse 94 (skanda.6.114.94)

एतद्यः पठते नित्यमाख्यानं नगरोद्भवम्। न तस्य सर्पजं क्वापि कथंचिज्जायते भयम्

etadyaḥ paṭhate nityamākhyānaṁ nagarodbhavam na tasya sarpajaṁ kvāpi kathaṁcijjāyate bhayam

Whoever constantly recites this account of the origin of Nagara shall never anywhere, in any way, experience fear born of serpents.