The Origin of Bhattika Tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.6.117.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः। भट्टिकाख्या पुरा प्रोक्ता या त्वया सूतनन्दन। कस्मात्तस्याः शरीरान्ताद्दंष्ट्रा नागसमुद्भवाः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ bhaṭṭikākhyā purā proktā yā tvayā sūtanandana kasmāttasyāḥ śarīrāntāddaṁṣṭrā nāgasamudbhavāḥ

The sages said: "O son of Suta, that woman named Bhattika whom you spoke of earlier — how did the serpent-born fangs, upon touching her body,..."

Verse 2 (skanda.6.117.2)

विशीर्णाः किं प्रभावश्च तपसः सूतनन्दन। किं वा मंत्रप्रभावश्च एतन्नः कौतुकं परम्

viśīrṇāḥ kiṁ prabhāvaśca tapasaḥ sūtanandana kiṁ vā maṁtraprabhāvaśca etannaḥ kautukaṁ param

"...shatter? Was it the power of austerity, O son of Suta, or the power of some mantra? This is our great curiosity."

Verse 3 (skanda.6.117.3)

यन्मानुषशरीरेऽपि विशीर्णास्ता विषोल्बणाः। नागानां तु विशेषेण तस्मात्सर्वं प्रकीर्तय

yanmānuṣaśarīre'pi viśīrṇāstā viṣolbaṇāḥ nāgānāṁ tu viśeṣeṇa tasmātsarvaṁ prakīrtaya

"...that even upon a human body those fiercely venomous fangs of the serpents in particular should shatter — therefore, tell us the whole of it."

Verse 4 (skanda.6.117.4)

सूत उवाच। सा पुरा ब्राह्मणी बाल्ये वर्तमाना पितुर्गृहे। वैधव्येन समायुक्ता जाता कर्मविपाकतः

sūta uvāca sā purā brāhmaṇī bālye vartamānā piturgṛhe vaidhavyena samāyuktā jātā karmavipākataḥ

Suta said: That brahmin woman, formerly, while still a child in her father's house, became a widow through the ripening of her past karma.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.117.5)

ततो बाल्येऽपि शुश्राव शास्त्राणि विविधानि च। देवयात्रां प्रचक्रेऽथ तीर्थे स्नाति समाहिता

tato bālye'pi śuśrāva śāstrāṇi vividhāni ca devayātrāṁ pracakre'tha tīrthe snāti samāhitā

Then, even in childhood, she studied various scriptures, undertook pilgrimages to the gods, and bathed at the tirtha with focused mind.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.117.6)

तत्र केदारदेवं च गत्वा नित्यं समाहिता। प्रातरुत्थाय गीतं च भक्त्या चक्रे तदग्रतः

tatra kedāradevaṁ ca gatvā nityaṁ samāhitā prātarutthāya gītaṁ ca bhaktyā cakre tadagrataḥ

There, going daily with focused mind to the god Kedara, rising at dawn, she would devotedly sing before him.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.117.7)

ततस्तद्गीतलौल्येन पातालात्समुपेत्य च। तक्षको वासुकिश्चैव द्विजरूपधरावुभौ

tatastadgītalaulyena pātālātsamupetya ca takṣako vāsukiścaiva dvijarūpadharāvubhau

Then, drawn by fascination for that song, both Takshaka and Vasuki came up from Patala, taking the form of brahmins.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.117.8)

साऽपि तत्र महद्गीतं तानैः सर्वैरलंकृतम्। मूर्च्छनाभिः समोपेतं सप्तस्वरविराजितम्

sā'pi tatra mahadgītaṁ tānaiḥ sarvairalaṁkṛtam mūrcchanābhiḥ samopetaṁ saptasvaravirājitam

There she sang a great song, adorned with all the tanas, complete with murchhanas, resplendent with the seven notes.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.117.9)

यतिभिश्च तथा ग्रामैर्वर्णग्रामैः पृथग्विधैः। ततं च विततं चैव घनं सुषिरमेव च

yatibhiśca tathā grāmairvarṇagrāmaiḥ pṛthagvidhaiḥ tataṁ ca vitataṁ caiva ghanaṁ suṣirameva ca

With pauses, with the various grama-modes and varna-modes, with stringed, wind, percussion, and hollow instruments alike...

Verse 10 (skanda.6.117.10)

तालकालक्रियामानवर्धमानादिकं च यत्। अविदग्धापि सा तेषां गीतांगानां द्विजांगना। केवलं कंठसंशुद्ध्या ताभ्यां तोषं समादधे

tālakālakriyāmānavardhamānādikaṁ ca yat avidagdhāpi sā teṣāṁ gītāṁgānāṁ dvijāṁganā kevalaṁ kaṁṭhasaṁśuddhyā tābhyāṁ toṣaṁ samādadhe

With rhythm, timing, tempo, and measure — though untrained in the technical parts of song, that brahmin girl, by the mere purity of her voice, brought great delight to those two.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.117.11)

ततस्तद्गीतलोभेन सर्वे तत्पुरवासिनः। प्रातरुत्थाय केदारं समागच्छंति कौतुकात्

tatastadgītalobhena sarve tatpuravāsinaḥ prātarutthāya kedāraṁ samāgacchaṁti kautukāt

Then, drawn by longing for that song, all the residents of that city would rise at dawn and, out of curiosity, come to Kedara.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.117.12)

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य नागौ तौ स्वपुरं प्रति। निन्युर्बलात्समुद्यम्य सर्वलोकस्य पश्यतः

kasyacittvatha kālasya nāgau tau svapuraṁ prati ninyurbalātsamudyamya sarvalokasya paśyataḥ

After some time, those two serpents forcibly seized her and carried her off toward their own city, in full view of all the people.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.117.13)

नागरूपं समाधाय रौद्रं जनविभीषणम्। भोगाग्र्येण च संवेष्ट्य पातालतलमभ्ययुः

nāgarūpaṁ samādhāya raudraṁ janavibhīṣaṇam bhogāgryeṇa ca saṁveṣṭya pātālatalamabhyayuḥ

Assuming their fearsome serpent forms, terrifying to behold, and wrapping her in their great coils, they went down to the depths of Patala.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.117.14)

अथ तां स्वगृहं नीत्वा प्रोचतुः कामपीडितौ। भवावाभ्यां विशालाक्षि भार्या धर्मपरायणा। एतदर्थं समानीता त्वं पाताले महीतलात्

atha tāṁ svagṛhaṁ nītvā procatuḥ kāmapīḍitau bhavāvābhyāṁ viśālākṣi bhāryā dharmaparāyaṇā etadarthaṁ samānītā tvaṁ pātāle mahītalāt

Then, having taken her to their own dwelling, those two, tormented by desire, said: "O wide-eyed one, become the dharma-devoted wife of us both; for this purpose you have been brought down to Patala from the surface of the earth."

Verse 15 (skanda.6.117.15)

भट्टिकोवाच। यत्त्वं तक्षक मां शांतामनपेक्षां रतोत्सवे। आनैषीरपहृत्याशु ब्राह्मणान्वयसंभवाम्

bhaṭṭikovāca yattvaṁ takṣaka māṁ śāṁtāmanapekṣāṁ ratotsave ānaiṣīrapahṛtyāśu brāhmaṇānvayasaṁbhavām

Bhattika said: "O Takshaka, since you have swiftly abducted and brought me — me, calm and indifferent to the pleasures of love, born of a brahmin lineage..."

Verse 16 (skanda.6.117.16)

मानुषं रूपमास्थाय पुरा मां त्वं समाश्रितः। कामोपहृतचित्तात्मा तस्मान्मर्त्यो भविष्यसि

mānuṣaṁ rūpamāsthāya purā māṁ tvaṁ samāśritaḥ kāmopahṛtacittātmā tasmānmartyo bhaviṣyasi

"...taking a human form, and formerly resorted to me, your mind seized by desire — therefore you shall become mortal."

Verse 17 (skanda.6.117.17)

यदि मां त्वं दुराचार धर्षयिष्यसि वीर्यतः। शतधा तव मूर्धाऽयं सद्य एव भविष्यति

yadi māṁ tvaṁ durācāra dharṣayiṣyasi vīryataḥ śatadhā tava mūrdhā'yaṁ sadya eva bhaviṣyati

"And if you, O wicked one, should violate me by force, this head of yours shall this very instant split into a hundred pieces."

Verse 18 (skanda.6.117.18)

तं श्रुत्वा सुमहाशापं तस्याः स भयविह्वलः। ततः प्रसादयामास कृतांजलिपुटः स्थितः

taṁ śrutvā sumahāśāpaṁ tasyāḥ sa bhayavihvalaḥ tataḥ prasādayāmāsa kṛtāṁjalipuṭaḥ sthitaḥ

Hearing that most great curse of hers, he, overcome with fear, then stood with joined palms and sought to appease her.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.117.19)

मया त्वं कामसक्तेन समानीता सुमोहतः। तस्मात्कुरु प्रसादं मे शापस्यांतो यथा भवेत्

mayā tvaṁ kāmasaktena samānītā sumohataḥ tasmātkuru prasādaṁ me śāpasyāṁto yathā bhavet

"Overcome by great delusion and consumed by desire, I brought you here; therefore show me favor, that this curse may come to an end."

Verse 20 (skanda.6.117.20)

सूत उवाच। एवं प्रसादिता तेन तक्षकेण द्विजात्मजा। ततः प्रोवाच तं नागं बाष्पव्याकुललोचना

sūta uvāca evaṁ prasāditā tena takṣakeṇa dvijātmajā tataḥ provāca taṁ nāgaṁ bāṣpavyākulalocanā

Suta said: Thus placated by Takshaka, that brahmin's daughter, her eyes clouded with tears, then spoke to the serpent.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.117.21)

यदि मां मर्त्यलोके त्वं भूयो न यसि तक्षक। तत्र शापस्य पर्यंतं करिष्यामि न संशयः

yadi māṁ martyaloke tvaṁ bhūyo na yasi takṣaka tatra śāpasya paryaṁtaṁ kariṣyāmi na saṁśayaḥ

"O Takshaka, if you do not take me again to the mortal world, then, without doubt, I shall bring this curse to an end."

Verse 22 (skanda.6.117.22)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे ज्ञात्वा मानुषीं स्वगृहागताम्। तक्षकेण समानीतां कामोपहतचेतसा

etasminnaṁtare jñātvā mānuṣīṁ svagṛhāgatām takṣakeṇa samānītāṁ kāmopahatacetasā

Meanwhile, learning that a human woman had come into his household, brought by Takshaka whose mind had been overcome by desire...

Verse 23 (skanda.6.117.23)

ततस्तस्य कलत्राणि महेर्ष्यासंश्रितानि च। तस्या नाशार्थमाजग्मुः कोपरक्तेक्षणानि च

tatastasya kalatrāṇi maherṣyāsaṁśritāni ca tasyā nāśārthamājagmuḥ koparaktekṣaṇāni ca

...then his other wives, filled with great jealousy, their eyes red with anger, came to destroy her.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.117.24)

अथ तासां परिज्ञाय तक्षकः स विचेष्टितम्। वाञ्छञ्छापस्य पर्यंतं तत्पार्श्वाद्भयसंयुतः

atha tāsāṁ parijñāya takṣakaḥ sa viceṣṭitam vāñchañchāpasya paryaṁtaṁ tatpārśvādbhayasaṁyutaḥ

Then Takshaka, perceiving their intent, and desiring the end of the curse, moved away from her side, filled with fear.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.117.25)

वज्रां नामास्मरद्विद्यां तस्या गात्रं ततस्तया। योजयामास रक्षार्थं प्राप्ता चाथ भुजंगमी

vajrāṁ nāmāsmaradvidyāṁ tasyā gātraṁ tatastayā yojayāmāsa rakṣārthaṁ prāptā cātha bhujaṁgamī

He recalled a spell named Vajra, and by it fortified her body for protection; then a serpent-woman arrived there.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.117.26)

अदशत्तां ततः क्रुद्धा ब्राह्मणस्य सुतां सतीम्। सपत्नीं मन्यमानोच्चैः शीर्णदंष्ट्रा व्यजायत

adaśattāṁ tataḥ kruddhā brāhmaṇasya sutāṁ satīm sapatnīṁ manyamānoccaiḥ śīrṇadaṁṣṭrā vyajāyata

She, enraged, thinking that virtuous brahmin's daughter to be her rival wife, bit her at once — and thereby her own fangs shattered.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.117.27)

अथ तामपि सा क्रुद्धा शशाप द्विजसंभवा। दृष्ट्वा सापत्न्यजैर्भावैर्वर्तमानां सहेर्ष्यया

atha tāmapi sā kruddhā śaśāpa dvijasaṁbhavā dṛṣṭvā sāpatnyajairbhāvairvartamānāṁ saherṣyayā

Then, seeing her behaving with feelings of jealous rivalry, that brahmin-born woman, enraged, cursed her in turn.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.117.28)

यस्मात्त्वं दोषहीनां मां सदोषामिव मन्यसे। तस्माद्भव द्रुतं पापे मानुषी दुःखभागिनी

yasmāttvaṁ doṣahīnāṁ māṁ sadoṣāmiva manyase tasmādbhava drutaṁ pāpe mānuṣī duḥkhabhāginī

"Since you take me, who am free of fault, to be at fault, therefore, O sinful one, become at once a human woman, sharing in sorrow."

Verse 29 (skanda.6.117.29)

अथ तां संगृहीत्वा स तक्षको नागसत्तमः। केदारायतने तस्मिन्नर्धरात्रे मुमोच ह

atha tāṁ saṁgṛhītvā sa takṣako nāgasattamaḥ kedārāyatane tasminnardharātre mumoca ha

Then Takshaka, that foremost of serpents, taking her up, released her at midnight in that shrine of Kedara.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.117.30)

ततः प्रोवाच तां देवीं कृतांजलिपुटः स्थितः। शापांतं कुरु मे साध्वि स्वगृहं येन याम्यहम्

tataḥ provāca tāṁ devīṁ kṛtāṁjalipuṭaḥ sthitaḥ śāpāṁtaṁ kuru me sādhvi svagṛhaṁ yena yāmyaham

Then, standing with joined palms, he said to that virtuous woman: "O saintly one, bring my curse to an end, so that I may go to my own home."

Verse 31 (skanda.6.117.31)

भट्टिकोवाच। सौराष्ट्रविषये राजा त्वं भविष्यसि पन्नग। भूमौ रैवतको नाम भोगानां भाजनं सदा

bhaṭṭikovāca saurāṣṭraviṣaye rājā tvaṁ bhaviṣyasi pannaga bhūmau raivatako nāma bhogānāṁ bhājanaṁ sadā

Bhattika said: "O serpent, you shall become a king in the country of Saurashtra, named Raivataka upon this earth, ever a vessel of enjoyments."

Verse 32 (skanda.6.117.32)

ततश्चैव तनुं त्यक्त्वा क्षेत्रेष्वाश्रममध्यतः। संप्राप्स्यसि निजं स्थानं तत्क्षेत्रस्य प्रभावतः

tataścaiva tanuṁ tyaktvā kṣetreṣvāśramamadhyataḥ saṁprāpsyasi nijaṁ sthānaṁ tatkṣetrasya prabhāvataḥ

"And then, giving up that body in the midst of a hermitage in the sacred fields, you shall attain your own true place, through the power of that field."

Verse 33 (skanda.6.117.33)

तक्षक उवाच। एषा मम प्रिया कांता त्वया शापेन योजिता। या सा भवतु मे भार्या मानुषत्वेऽपि वर्तिते

takṣaka uvāca eṣā mama priyā kāṁtā tvayā śāpena yojitā yā sā bhavatu me bhāryā mānuṣatve'pi vartite

Takshaka said: "This my beloved wife, whom you have joined with a curse — even remaining in human form, may she still be my wife."

Verse 34 (skanda.6.117.34)

एतत्कुरु प्रसादं मे दीनस्य परियाचतः। माऽस्या भवतु चान्येन पुरुषेण समागमः

etatkuru prasādaṁ me dīnasya pariyācataḥ mā'syā bhavatu cānyena puruṣeṇa samāgamaḥ

"Grant me, humbly beseeching, this favor: let her never have union with any other man."

Verse 35 (skanda.6.117.35)

भट्टिकोवाच। आनर्ताधिपतेरेषा भवित्री दुहिता शुभा। ततः पाणिग्रहं प्राप्य भार्या तव भविष्यति

bhaṭṭikovāca ānartādhipatereṣā bhavitrī duhitā śubhā tataḥ pāṇigrahaṁ prāpya bhāryā tava bhaviṣyati

Bhattika said: "This auspicious woman shall become the daughter of the lord of Anarta; then, having received your hand in marriage, she shall become your wife."

Verse 36 (skanda.6.117.36)

क्षेमंकरीति विख्याता रूपयौवनशालिनी। त्वया सार्धं बहून्भोगान्भुक्त्वाऽथ पृथिवीतले। परलोके पुनस्त्वां वै चानुयास्यति शोभना

kṣemaṁkarīti vikhyātā rūpayauvanaśālinī tvayā sārdhaṁ bahūnbhogānbhuktvā'tha pṛthivītale paraloke punastvāṁ vai cānuyāsyati śobhanā

"Known as Kshemankari, endowed with beauty and youth, having enjoyed many pleasures with you upon this earth, that lovely woman shall follow you again into the world beyond."

Verse 37 (skanda.6.117.37)

सूत उवाच। एवं च स तया प्रोक्तः क्षम्यतामिति सादरम्। प्रणिपत्य जगामाऽथ निजं स्थानं प्रहर्षितः

sūta uvāca evaṁ ca sa tayā proktaḥ kṣamyatāmiti sādaram praṇipatya jagāmā'tha nijaṁ sthānaṁ praharṣitaḥ

Suta said: Thus addressed by her, respectfully bowing and saying "let it be forgiven," he then went, greatly rejoicing, to his own abode.

Verse 38 (skanda.6.117.38)

साऽपि प्राप्ते निशाशेषे केदारस्य पुरः स्थिता। पुनश्चक्रे च तद्गीतं श्रुतिसौख्यकरं परम्

sā'pi prāpte niśāśeṣe kedārasya puraḥ sthitā punaścakre ca tadgītaṁ śrutisaukhyakaraṁ param

She too, when the remaining part of the night had passed, standing before Kedara, again sang that song, most delightful to the ear.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.117.39)

अथ तस्य समायाताः केदारस्य दिदृक्षवः। पुनः केदारभक्त्याढ्या ब्राह्मणाः शतशः परम्

atha tasya samāyātāḥ kedārasya didṛkṣavaḥ punaḥ kedārabhaktyāḍhyā brāhmaṇāḥ śataśaḥ param

Then hundreds of brahmins, desirous of beholding Kedara, filled with devotion to him, came there once again.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.117.40)

ते तां दृष्ट्वा समायातां भट्टिंकां तां द्विजोद्भवाम्। विस्मयेन समायुक्ताः पप्रच्छुस्तदनंतरम्

te tāṁ dṛṣṭvā samāyātāṁ bhaṭṭiṁkāṁ tāṁ dvijodbhavām vismayena samāyuktāḥ papracchustadanaṁtaram

They, seeing that brahmin-born Bhattika present there, filled with astonishment, then asked her.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.117.41)

कोऽसौ ब्राह्मणरूपेण नागः प्राप्तः सुशोभने। तेन त्वं कुत्र नीतासि किमर्थं च वदस्व नः

ko'sau brāhmaṇarūpeṇa nāgaḥ prāptaḥ suśobhane tena tvaṁ kutra nītāsi kimarthaṁ ca vadasva naḥ

"O beautiful one, who was that serpent that came in the form of a brahmin? Where did he take you, and for what purpose — tell us."

Verse 42 (skanda.6.117.42)

कस्मात्पुनः प्रमुक्ताऽसि सर्वं वद यथातथम्। अत्र नः कौतुकं जातं सुमहत्तव कारणात्

kasmātpunaḥ pramuktā'si sarvaṁ vada yathātatham atra naḥ kautukaṁ jātaṁ sumahattava kāraṇāt

"And by what means were you released again? Tell us everything just as it happened — we are filled with great curiosity because of you."

Verse 43 (skanda.6.117.43)

सूत उवाच। ततः सा कथयामास सर्वं तक्षकसंभवम्। वृत्तांतं नागसंभूतं शापानुग्रहजं तथा

sūta uvāca tataḥ sā kathayāmāsa sarvaṁ takṣakasaṁbhavam vṛttāṁtaṁ nāgasaṁbhūtaṁ śāpānugrahajaṁ tathā

Suta said: Then she related the whole account arising from Takshaka, the event that came from the serpent, and likewise what arose from the curse and the boon.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.117.44)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे प्राप्तं सर्वं तस्याः कुटुम्बकम्। रोरूयमाणं दुःखार्तं श्रुत्वा तां तत्र चागताम्

etasminnaṁtare prāptaṁ sarvaṁ tasyāḥ kuṭumbakam rorūyamāṇaṁ duḥkhārtaṁ śrutvā tāṁ tatra cāgatām

Meanwhile, all her family, hearing that she had arrived there, came, weeping and stricken with grief.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.117.45)

अथ सा जननी तस्या वाष्पपर्याकुलेक्षणा। सस्वजे तां तथा चान्याः सख्यः स्निग्धेन चेतसा

atha sā jananī tasyā vāṣpaparyākulekṣaṇā sasvaje tāṁ tathā cānyāḥ sakhyaḥ snigdhena cetasā

Then her mother, her eyes clouded with tears, embraced her, and so too did her other friends, with affectionate hearts.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.117.46)

ततो निन्युर्गृहं स्वं च शृण्वंतश्च मुहुर्मुहुः। नागलोकोद्भवां वार्तां विस्मयाविष्टचेतसः

tato ninyurgṛhaṁ svaṁ ca śṛṇvaṁtaśca muhurmuhuḥ nāgalokodbhavāṁ vārtāṁ vismayāviṣṭacetasaḥ

Then, their minds filled with astonishment as they listened again and again to the account arising from the world of serpents, they brought her back to their own home.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.117.47)

अथ तत्र पुरे पौराः सर्वे प्रोचुः परस्परम्। अयुक्तं कृतमेतेन ब्राह्मणेन दुरात्मना

atha tatra pure paurāḥ sarve procuḥ parasparam ayuktaṁ kṛtametena brāhmaṇena durātmanā

Then all the citizens of that city said to one another: "This evil-minded brahmin has done what is improper."

Verse 48 (skanda.6.117.48)

यदानीता सुतरुणी परहर्म्योषिता तया। अन्येषामपि विप्राणां संति नार्यो ह्यनेकशः

yadānītā sutaruṇī paraharmyoṣitā tayā anyeṣāmapi viprāṇāṁ saṁti nāryo hyanekaśaḥ

"For this very young woman was brought here after having dwelt in another's house; other brahmins too have many such women in similar circumstances..."

Verse 49 (skanda.6.117.49)

तरुण्यो रूपवत्यश्च वैधव्येन समन्विताः। तासामपि च सर्वासामेष न्यायो भविष्यति। योनिसंकरजो नूनं तस्मान्निर्वास्यतामिति

taruṇyo rūpavatyaśca vaidhavyena samanvitāḥ tāsāmapi ca sarvāsāmeṣa nyāyo bhaviṣyati yonisaṁkarajo nūnaṁ tasmānnirvāsyatāmiti

"...young, beautiful, and widowed — for all of them too this same rule would then apply; surely this is born of mixed birth, therefore let her be banished."

Verse 50 (skanda.6.117.50)

एकीभूय ततः सर्वे ब्राह्मणं तं द्विजोत्तमाः। सामपूर्वमिदं वाक्यं प्रोचुः शास्त्रसमुद्भवम्

ekībhūya tataḥ sarve brāhmaṇaṁ taṁ dvijottamāḥ sāmapūrvamidaṁ vākyaṁ procuḥ śāstrasamudbhavam

Then all those best of the twice-born, gathering together, spoke to that brahmin these conciliatory words founded on scripture.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.117.51)

एषा तव सुता विप्र तरुणी रूपसंयुता। सानुरागेण नागेण पाताले च समाहृता

eṣā tava sutā vipra taruṇī rūpasaṁyutā sānurāgeṇa nāgeṇa pātāle ca samāhṛtā

"O brahmin, this young, beautiful daughter of yours was carried off to Patala by an infatuated serpent."

Verse 52 (skanda.6.117.52)

तद्वक्ष्यति प्रमुक्ताहं निर्दोषा तेन रागिणा। न श्रद्धां याति लोकोऽयं शुद्धैषा समुदाहृता

tadvakṣyati pramuktāhaṁ nirdoṣā tena rāgiṇā na śraddhāṁ yāti loko'yaṁ śuddhaiṣā samudāhṛtā

"She will say, 'I was released by that infatuated one, blameless as I am' — but this world will not simply trust that; she must be declared pure by proof."

Verse 53 (skanda.6.117.53)

तस्माच्छुद्धिं द्विजेंद्राणां प्रयच्छतु द्विजोत्तम। येनान्येषामपि प्राज्ञ विनश्यंति न योषितः

tasmācchuddhiṁ dvijeṁdrāṇāṁ prayacchatu dvijottama yenānyeṣāmapi prājña vinaśyaṁti na yoṣitaḥ

"O best of brahmins, therefore let her offer proof of purity to the lords of brahmins, so that, O wise one, the women of others too may not come to ruin by the same excuse."

Verse 54 (skanda.6.117.54)

बाढमित्येव स प्रोक्त्वा ततस्तां विजने सुताम्। पप्रच्छ यदि ते दोषः कश्चिदस्ति प्रकीर्तय

bāḍhamityeva sa proktvā tatastāṁ vijane sutām papraccha yadi te doṣaḥ kaścidasti prakīrtaya

Saying only "So be it," he then, in private, asked his daughter: "If there is any fault in you, declare it."

Verse 55 (skanda.6.117.55)

नो चेत्प्रयच्छ संशुद्धिं ब्राह्मणानां प्रतुष्टये

no cetprayaccha saṁśuddhiṁ brāhmaṇānāṁ pratuṣṭaye

"But if not, then offer proof of your purity, for the satisfaction of the brahmins."

Verse 56 (skanda.6.117.56)

भट्टिकोवाच। युक्तमुक्तं त्वया तात तथान्यैरपि च द्विजैः। युक्ता स्याद्योषितः शुद्धिर्द्वारातिक्रमणादपि

bhaṭṭikovāca yuktamuktaṁ tvayā tāta tathānyairapi ca dvijaiḥ yuktā syādyoṣitaḥ śuddhirdvārātikramaṇādapi

Bhattika said: "What you have said, father, and what the other brahmins have said too, is right — for a woman, purification may rightly be required even for merely stepping beyond her own doorway."

Verse 57 (skanda.6.117.57)

किं पुनः परदेशं च गताया रागिणा सह। तस्मादहं न संदेहः प्रातः स्नाता हुताशनम्

kiṁ punaḥ paradeśaṁ ca gatāyā rāgiṇā saha tasmādahaṁ na saṁdehaḥ prātaḥ snātā hutāśanam

"How much more, then, for one who went to another realm with an infatuated one! Therefore, without doubt, having bathed at dawn, I shall enter the sacred fire..."

Verse 58 (skanda.6.117.58)

प्रविश्य सर्वविप्राणां शुद्धिं दास्याम्यसंशयम्। अहमत्र च पानं च यच्चान्यदपि किंचन। प्राशयिष्यामि संप्राप्य शुद्धिं चैव हुताशनात्

praviśya sarvaviprāṇāṁ śuddhiṁ dāsyāmyasaṁśayam ahamatra ca pānaṁ ca yaccānyadapi kiṁcana prāśayiṣyāmi saṁprāpya śuddhiṁ caiva hutāśanāt

"...and give proof of purity to all the brahmins, without doubt; and here, whatever offering or anything else there may be, I shall partake of it, having obtained purity from the sacred fire itself."

Verse 59 (skanda.6.117.59)

एवमुक्तस्तया सोऽथ हर्षेण महतान्वितः। प्रातरुत्थाय दारूणि पुरबाह्ये न्ययोजयत्

evamuktastayā so'tha harṣeṇa mahatānvitaḥ prātarutthāya dārūṇi purabāhye nyayojayat

Thus addressed by her, filled with great joy, he rose at dawn and had logs of wood arranged outside the city.

Verse 60 (skanda.6.117.60)

भट्टिकाऽपि ततः स्नात्वा शुक्लांबरधरा शुचिः। सर्वैः परिजनैः सार्धं तथा निजकुटुंबकैः

bhaṭṭikā'pi tataḥ snātvā śuklāṁbaradharā śuciḥ sarvaiḥ parijanaiḥ sārdhaṁ tathā nijakuṭuṁbakaiḥ

Bhattika too, having bathed, clad in white garments, purified, together with all her attendants and her own family...

Verse 61 (skanda.6.117.61)

प्रसन्नवदना हृष्टा विष्णुध्यानपरायणा। जगाम तत्र यत्रास्ते सुमहान्दारुपर्वतः

prasannavadanā hṛṣṭā viṣṇudhyānaparāyaṇā jagāma tatra yatrāste sumahāndāruparvataḥ

...her face serene, joyful, devoted wholly to meditation on Vishnu, went to that place where the great mountain of wood stood.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.117.62)

ततो वह्निं समाधाय स्वयं तत्र द्विजोत्तमाः। प्रदक्षिणात्रयं कृत्वा प्राह चैव कृतांजलिः

tato vahniṁ samādhāya svayaṁ tatra dvijottamāḥ pradakṣiṇātrayaṁ kṛtvā prāha caiva kṛtāṁjaliḥ

O best of brahmins, then, having herself set the fire there, and having circumambulated it three times, she spoke with joined palms.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.117.63)

यदि मेऽस्ति क्वचिद्दोषः कामजोऽल्पोऽपि गात्रके। कृतो वाऽपि बलात्तेन तक्षकेण दुरात्मना

yadi me'sti kvaciddoṣaḥ kāmajo'lpo'pi gātrake kṛto vā'pi balāttena takṣakeṇa durātmanā

"If there be in me any fault at all, born of desire, however slight, upon my body, whether committed by force by that evil-souled Takshaka..."

Verse 64 (skanda.6.117.64)

अन्येनापि च केनापि भविष्यत्यथवा परः। तस्मात्प्रदहतु क्षिप्रं समिद्धोऽयं हुताशनः

anyenāpi ca kenāpi bhaviṣyatyathavā paraḥ tasmātpradahatu kṣipraṁ samiddho'yaṁ hutāśanaḥ

"...or by any other, whoever it might be — then let this blazing fire consume me at once."

Verse 65 (skanda.6.117.65)

एवमुक्त्वाऽथ सा साध्वी प्रविष्टा निजहर्म्यवत्। सुसमिद्धो हुतो वह्निर्जातो जलमयः क्षणात्

evamuktvā'tha sā sādhvī praviṣṭā nijaharmyavat susamiddho huto vahnirjāto jalamayaḥ kṣaṇāt

Having spoken thus, that virtuous woman entered it as if it were her own home; and that blazing, well-kindled fire, in an instant, turned into water.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.117.66)

सा च पश्यति चात्मानं जलमध्यगतां शुभा। पपाताऽथ महावृष्टिः कुसुमानां नभस्तलात्

sā ca paśyati cātmānaṁ jalamadhyagatāṁ śubhā papātā'tha mahāvṛṣṭiḥ kusumānāṁ nabhastalāt

And that auspicious woman saw herself standing in the midst of water; then a great shower of flowers fell from the vault of the sky.

Verse 67 (skanda.6.117.67)

देवदूतो विमानस्थ इदं वाक्यमुवाच ह। शुद्धासि त्वं महाभागे चारित्रैर्निजगात्रजैः

devadūto vimānastha idaṁ vākyamuvāca ha śuddhāsi tvaṁ mahābhāge cāritrairnijagātrajaiḥ

A messenger of the gods, standing in a celestial chariot, spoke these words: "O illustrious one, you are pure, in the conduct arising from your own body."

Verse 68 (skanda.6.117.68)

न त्वया सदृशी चान्या काचिन्नारी भविष्यति। तिस्रः कोट्योर्धकोटी च यानि लोमानि मानुषे। प्रभवंति महाभागे सर्वगात्रेषु सर्वदा

na tvayā sadṛśī cānyā kācinnārī bhaviṣyati tisraḥ koṭyordhakoṭī ca yāni lomāni mānuṣe prabhavaṁti mahābhāge sarvagātreṣu sarvadā

"No other woman shall ever equal you. O illustrious one, of the three and a half crore hairs that grow always upon a human being's whole body..."

Verse 69 (skanda.6.117.69)

तेषां मध्ये न ते साध्वि पापमेकमपि क्वचित्। तस्माच्छीघ्रं ग्रहं गच्छ निजं बांधवसंयुता

teṣāṁ madhye na te sādhvi pāpamekamapi kvacit tasmācchīghraṁ grahaṁ gaccha nijaṁ bāṁdhavasaṁyutā

"...among all of them, O virtuous one, not even a single sin can be found in you. Therefore go now, quickly, to your own home, together with your kinsmen."

Verse 70 (skanda.6.117.70)

कुरु कृत्यानि पुण्यानि समाराधय केशवम्। एतच्चैव चितेः स्थानं त्वदीयं जलपूरितम्

kuru kṛtyāni puṇyāni samārādhaya keśavam etaccaiva citeḥ sthānaṁ tvadīyaṁ jalapūritam

"Perform meritorious deeds, and worship Keshava well. And this very place of your pyre, now filled with water, shall belong to you."

Verse 71 (skanda.6.117.71)

तव नाम्ना सुविख्यातं तीर्थं लोके भविष्यति। येऽत्र स्नानं करिष्यंति शयने बोधने हरेः

tava nāmnā suvikhyātaṁ tīrthaṁ loke bhaviṣyati ye'tra snānaṁ kariṣyaṁti śayane bodhane hareḥ

"It shall become a tirtha renowned in the world under your own name. Whoever bathes here at the time of Hari's going to sleep or his awakening..."

Verse 72 (skanda.6.117.72)

ते यास्यंति परां सिद्धिं दुष्प्राप्या याऽमरैरपि। उक्त्वैवं विरता वाणी देवदूतसमुद्भवा

te yāsyaṁti parāṁ siddhiṁ duṣprāpyā yā'marairapi uktvaivaṁ viratā vāṇī devadūtasamudbhavā

"...shall attain the supreme perfection, difficult of attainment even for the immortals." Having spoken thus, the voice arising from the divine messenger fell silent.

Verse 73 (skanda.6.117.73)

भट्टिका तु ततो हृष्टा प्रणम्य जनकं निजम्। नाहं गृहं गमिष्यामि किं करिष्याम्यहं गृहे

bhaṭṭikā tu tato hṛṣṭā praṇamya janakaṁ nijam nāhaṁ gṛhaṁ gamiṣyāmi kiṁ kariṣyāmyahaṁ gṛhe

Bhattika then, rejoicing, bowing to her own father, said: "I shall not go home; what would I do at home?"

Verse 74 (skanda.6.117.74)

अत्रैवाराधयिष्यामि निजतीर्थे सदाऽच्युतम्। तथा तपः करिष्यामि भिक्षान्नकृतभोजना

atraivārādhayiṣyāmi nijatīrthe sadā'cyutam tathā tapaḥ kariṣyāmi bhikṣānnakṛtabhojanā

"Here, in my own tirtha, I shall always worship the Imperishable One, and I shall perform austerity, taking my food only as alms."

Verse 75 (skanda.6.117.75)

तस्मात्तात गृहं गच्छ स्थिताऽहं चाग्रसंश्रये

tasmāttāta gṛhaṁ gaccha sthitā'haṁ cāgrasaṁśraye

"Therefore, father, go home; I shall remain here, taking refuge in this foremost sanctuary."

Verse 76 (skanda.6.117.76)

ततः स जनकस्तस्यास्ते वाऽपि पुरवासिनः। संप्रहृष्टा गृहं जग्मुः शंसतस्तां पृथक्पृथक्

tataḥ sa janakastasyāste vā'pi puravāsinaḥ saṁprahṛṣṭā gṛhaṁ jagmuḥ śaṁsatastāṁ pṛthakpṛthak

Then her father, and the other city-dwellers too, greatly rejoicing, each separately praising her, went to their homes.

Verse 77 (skanda.6.117.77)

तया त्रैविक्रमी तत्र प्रतिमा प्राग्विनिर्मिता। पश्चान्माहेश्वरं लिंगं कृत्वा प्रासादमुत्तमम्

tayā traivikramī tatra pratimā prāgvinirmitā paścānmāheśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ kṛtvā prāsādamuttamam

By her, an image of Trivikrama was first installed there; and afterward, having established a Maheshvara linga, an excellent temple was built.

Verse 78 (skanda.6.117.78)

ततः परं तपश्चक्रे भिक्षान्नकृतभोजना। शस्यमाना जनैः सर्वैश्चमत्कारपुरोद्भवैः

tataḥ paraṁ tapaścakre bhikṣānnakṛtabhojanā śasyamānā janaiḥ sarvaiścamatkārapurodbhavaiḥ

After that, she performed austerity, eating only food obtained by begging, praised by all the people of Chamatkarapura.

Verse 79 (skanda.6.117.79)

सूत उवाच। एतद्वः सर्वमाख्यातं यत्पृष्टोऽस्मि द्विजोत्तमाः। यथा तस्या दृढं कायमभेद्यं संस्थितं सदा

sūta uvāca etadvaḥ sarvamākhyātaṁ yatpṛṣṭo'smi dvijottamāḥ yathā tasyā dṛḍhaṁ kāyamabhedyaṁ saṁsthitaṁ sadā

Suta said: O best of brahmins, all this has been related to you, as you asked — how her body remained ever firm and impenetrable.

Verse 80 (skanda.6.117.80)

सर्पाणां च तथाऽन्येषां शस्त्रादीनामपि द्विजाः। यश्चैतत्पठते नित्यं भट्टिकाख्यानमुत्तमम्। नापवादो भवेत्तस्य कुकृतो द्विजसत्तमाः

sarpāṇāṁ ca tathā'nyeṣāṁ śastrādīnāmapi dvijāḥ yaścaitatpaṭhate nityaṁ bhaṭṭikākhyānamuttamam nāpavādo bhavettasya kukṛto dvijasattamāḥ

O brahmins — impenetrable to serpents and to other weapons as well. O best of brahmins, whoever constantly recites this excellent tale of Bhattika, upon him no false accusation of wrongdoing shall ever fall.