The Devotion of Dirghika, and the Curse and Release of Mandavya

Verse 1 (skanda.6.135.1)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ तथान्यापि च तत्रास्ति दीर्घिकाख्या सुशोभना ॥ सरसी लोकविख्याता सर्वपातकनाशनी

sūta uvāca tathānyāpi ca tatrāsti dīrghikākhyā suśobhanā sarasī lokavikhyātā sarvapātakanāśanī

Suta said: There is also another most beautiful lake there, renowned throughout the world by the name Dirghika, which destroys every sin.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.135.2)

यस्यां स्नातो नरः सम्यग्भास्करस्योदयं प्रति ॥ ज्येष्ठशुक्लचतुर्दश्यां मुच्यते सर्वपातकैः

yasyāṁ snāto naraḥ samyagbhāskarasyodayaṁ prati jyeṣṭhaśuklacaturdaśyāṁ mucyate sarvapātakaiḥ

Whatever man bathes there properly at sunrise on the fourteenth day of the bright fortnight of Jyeshtha is freed from every sin.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.135.3)

आसीत्पूर्वं द्विजो वीरशर्मनामातिविश्रुतः ॥ वेदविद्याव्रतस्नातो वर्धमाने पुरोत्तमे

āsītpūrvaṁ dvijo vīraśarmanāmātiviśrutaḥ vedavidyāvratasnāto vardhamāne purottame

Long ago, in the excellent city of Vardhamana, there lived a brahmin greatly renowned by the name Virasharma, who had completed his vows and mastered the knowledge of the Vedas.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.135.4)

तस्य कन्या समुत्पन्ना कदाचिल्लक्षणाच्च्युता ॥ अतिदीर्घा प्रमाणेन जनहास्यविवर्द्धिनी

tasya kanyā samutpannā kadācillakṣaṇāccyutā atidīrghā pramāṇena janahāsyavivarddhinī

A daughter was born to him who happened to lack the auspicious marks, being of an excessively tall stature, an object of ever-growing ridicule among the people.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.135.5)

ततः सा यौवनं प्राप्ता तद्रूपापि कुमारिका ॥ न कश्चिद्वरयामास शास्त्रवाक्यमनुस्मरन्

tataḥ sā yauvanaṁ prāptā tadrūpāpi kumārikā na kaścidvarayāmāsa śāstravākyamanusmaran

That maiden, still in that same form, reached full youth, yet no man, mindful of scripture's word, would come forward to marry her.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.135.6)

अतिसंक्षिप्तकेशा या अतिदीर्घातिवामना ॥ उद्वाहयति यः कन्यां पुरुषः काममोहितः

atisaṁkṣiptakeśā yā atidīrghātivāmanā udvāhayati yaḥ kanyāṁ puruṣaḥ kāmamohitaḥ

For whatever man, deluded by desire, takes in marriage a maiden with excessively cropped hair, or one excessively tall, or excessively short,

Verse 7 (skanda.6.135.7)

षण्मासाभ्यंतरे मृत्युं स प्राप्नोति नरो ध्रुवम् ॥ एतस्मात्कारणात्सर्वे तां त्यजंति कुमारिकाम्

ṣaṇmāsābhyaṁtare mṛtyuṁ sa prāpnoti naro dhruvam etasmātkāraṇātsarve tāṁ tyajaṁti kumārikām

that man, without doubt, meets death within six months — for this very reason, everyone shunned that maiden.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.135.8)

पुरुषा अतिदीर्घत्वयुक्तां वीक्ष्य समंततः ॥ ततो वैराग्यमापन्ना तपस्तेपेऽतिदारुणम्॥

puruṣā atidīrghatvayuktāṁ vīkṣya samaṁtataḥ tato vairāgyamāpannā tapastepe'tidāruṇam

Seeing men everywhere shunning her on account of her excessive height, she turned to renunciation and undertook the most severe austerities.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.135.9)

चांद्रायणानि कृच्छ्राणि तया चीर्णान्यनेकशः ॥ पाराकाणि यथोक्तानि तथा सांतपनानि च

cāṁdrāyaṇāni kṛcchrāṇi tayā cīrṇānyanekaśaḥ pārākāṇi yathoktāni tathā sāṁtapanāni ca

She performed, time and again, the Chandrayana fasts, the Krichchhra penances, the prescribed Paraka observance, and the Santapana rites.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.135.10)

व्रतं यद्विद्यते किंचिन्नियमः संयमस्तथा ॥ अन्यच्चापि शुभं कृत्यं तत्सर्वं च तया कृतम्

vrataṁ yadvidyate kiṁcinniyamaḥ saṁyamastathā anyaccāpi śubhaṁ kṛtyaṁ tatsarvaṁ ca tayā kṛtam

Whatever vow, rule, and discipline existed, and whatever other auspicious observance there was — all of it she performed.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.135.11)

एवं तस्या व्रतस्थाया जरा सम्यगुपस्थिता ॥ तथापि तेजसो वृद्धिर्ववृधे तपसा कृता

evaṁ tasyā vratasthāyā jarā samyagupasthitā tathāpi tejaso vṛddhirvavṛdhe tapasā kṛtā

Thus, ever fixed in her vows, old age fully overtook her, yet even so the lustre born of her austerity continued to grow.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.135.12)

सा च नित्यं महेन्द्रस्य सभां यात्यतिकौतुकात् ॥ देवर्षीणां मतं श्रोतुं देवतानां विशेषतः

sā ca nityaṁ mahendrasya sabhāṁ yātyatikautukāt devarṣīṇāṁ mataṁ śrotuṁ devatānāṁ viśeṣataḥ

Out of great curiosity, she would go daily to Indra's assembly, to hear the counsel of the divine sages and especially of the gods.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.135.13)

यदा सा स्वासनं त्यक्त्वा प्रयाति स्वगृहोन्मुखी ॥ तदैवाभ्युक्षणं चक्रुस्तत्र शक्रस्य किंकराः

yadā sā svāsanaṁ tyaktvā prayāti svagṛhonmukhī tadaivābhyukṣaṇaṁ cakrustatra śakrasya kiṁkarāḥ

Whenever she left her seat and set out for her own home, at that very moment Indra's attendants would sprinkle water there upon her seat.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.135.14)

तथान्यदिवसे दृष्टं क्रियमाणं तया हि तत् ॥ अभ्युक्षणं स्वकीये च आसने द्विजसत्तमाः ॥

tathānyadivase dṛṣṭaṁ kriyamāṇaṁ tayā hi tat abhyukṣaṇaṁ svakīye ca āsane dvijasattamāḥ

O best of brahmins, in this way, on another day too, she witnessed that very sprinkling being performed upon her own seat.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.135.15)

ततः कोपपरीतांगी दीर्घिका सा कुमारिका ॥ त्रिशाखां भृकुटीं कृत्वा ततः प्राह पुरंदरम्

tataḥ kopaparītāṁgī dīrghikā sā kumārikā triśākhāṁ bhṛkuṭīṁ kṛtvā tataḥ prāha puraṁdaram

Then that tall maiden, her whole body seized with anger, knitting her brows into a triple frown, spoke to Purandara (Indra).

Verse 16 (skanda.6.135.16)

किं दोषं वीक्ष्य मे शक्र प्रोक्षितं चासनं त्वया ॥ परद्वारकृतं दोषं किं मयैतत्कृतं क्वचित्

kiṁ doṣaṁ vīkṣya me śakra prokṣitaṁ cāsanaṁ tvayā paradvārakṛtaṁ doṣaṁ kiṁ mayaitatkṛtaṁ kvacit

O Shakra, what fault have you seen in me that you have sprinkled my seat? Have I ever committed any fault such as trespass upon another's household?

Verse 17 (skanda.6.135.17)

तस्मान्मे पातकं ब्रूहि नो चेच्छापं सुदारुणम् ॥ त्वयि दास्याम्यसंदिग्धं सत्ये नात्मानमालभे

tasmānme pātakaṁ brūhi no cecchāpaṁ sudāruṇam tvayi dāsyāmyasaṁdigdhaṁ satye nātmānamālabhe

Therefore tell me what my sin is, or else I shall without doubt lay upon you a most dreadful curse; in truth I shall not be able to restrain myself.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.135.18)

॥ इन्द्र उवाच ॥ न ते दीर्घेऽस्तिदोषोत्र कश्चिदेकं विना शुभे ॥ तेनाथ क्रियते चैतदासनस्याभिषेचनम्॥

indra uvāca na te dīrghe'stidoṣotra kaścidekaṁ vinā śubhe tenātha kriyate caitadāsanasyābhiṣecanam

Indra said: O Dirghika, O auspicious one, you have no fault at all except for one single thing; it is on account of that alone that this sprinkling of the seat is performed.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.135.19)

त्वं कुमार्यपि संप्राप्ता ऋतुकालं विगर्हिता ॥ तेन दोषं त्वमापन्ना नान्यदस्तीह कारणम्

tvaṁ kumāryapi saṁprāptā ṛtukālaṁ vigarhitā tena doṣaṁ tvamāpannā nānyadastīha kāraṇam

Though still unmarried, you have already reached the age of monthly courses, and that is deplorable; it is that fault alone which has befallen you — there is no other reason here.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.135.20)

तस्मादद्यापि त्वां कश्चिदुद्वाहयति तापसः ॥ त्वं तं वरय भर्त्तारं येन गच्छसि मेध्यताम्

tasmādadyāpi tvāṁ kaścidudvāhayati tāpasaḥ tvaṁ taṁ varaya bharttāraṁ yena gacchasi medhyatām

Therefore, if even now some ascetic will marry you, choose him as your husband, so that you may attain to purity.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.135.21)

ततश्च लज्जया युक्ता सा तदा दीर्घकन्यका ॥ गत्वा भूमितले तूर्णं वर्धमाने पुरोत्तमे

tataśca lajjayā yuktā sā tadā dīrghakanyakā gatvā bhūmitale tūrṇaṁ vardhamāne purottame

Then, overcome with shame, that tall maiden went at once down to earth, to the excellent city of Vardhamana.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.135.22)

ततः फूत्कर्तुमारब्धा चत्वरेषु त्रिकेषु च ॥ उच्छ्रित्य दक्षिणं पाणिं भ्रममाणा इतस्ततः

tataḥ phūtkartumārabdhā catvareṣu trikeṣu ca ucchritya dakṣiṇaṁ pāṇiṁ bhramamāṇā itastataḥ

There, at the crossroads and public squares, she raised her right hand aloft and, wandering here and there, began to cry out loudly.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.135.23)

यदि कश्चिद्द्विजो जात्या करोति मम सांप्रतम् ॥ पाणिग्राहं तपोऽर्द्धस्य श्रेयो यच्छामि तस्य च

yadi kaściddvijo jātyā karoti mama sāṁpratam pāṇigrāhaṁ tapo'rddhasya śreyo yacchāmi tasya ca

If any brahmin by birth will now take my hand in marriage, I shall give him the merit of half my austerity.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.135.24)

एवं तां प्रविजल्पन्तीं श्रुत्वा लोका दिवानिशम् ॥ उन्मत्तामिति मन्वाना हास्यं चक्रुः परस्परम्

evaṁ tāṁ pravijalpantīṁ śrutvā lokā divāniśam unmattāmiti manvānā hāsyaṁ cakruḥ parasparam

Hearing her cry out like this, day and night, the people took her for a madwoman and made sport of her among themselves.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.135.25)

ततः कतिपयाहस्य प्रकुर्वंती च दीर्घिका ॥ कुष्ठव्याधिगृहीतेन ब्राह्मणेन परिश्रुता

tataḥ katipayāhasya prakurvaṁtī ca dīrghikā kuṣṭhavyādhigṛhītena brāhmaṇena pariśrutā

Then, after some days of her continuing thus, a brahmin afflicted with leprosy came to hear of Dirghika.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.135.26)

ततः प्रोवाच मन्दं स समाहूय सुदुःखिताम्

tataḥ provāca mandaṁ sa samāhūya suduḥkhitām

Then he called that most sorrowful woman to him and spoke to her softly.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.135.27)

अहं त्वामुद्वहाम्यद्य कृत्वा पाणिग्रहं तव ॥ यदि मद्वचनं सर्वं सर्वदैवानुतिष्ठसि

ahaṁ tvāmudvahāmyadya kṛtvā pāṇigrahaṁ tava yadi madvacanaṁ sarvaṁ sarvadaivānutiṣṭhasi

I shall marry you today, taking your hand, provided you obey every word of mine, always, without fail.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.135.28)

॥ कुमारिकोवाच ॥ करिष्यामि न संदेहस्तव वाक्यं द्विजाधिप ॥ कुरु पाणिग्रहं मेऽद्य विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा

kumārikovāca kariṣyāmi na saṁdehastava vākyaṁ dvijādhipa kuru pāṇigrahaṁ me'dya vidhidṛṣṭena karmaṇā

The maiden said: O foremost of brahmins, I shall without doubt obey every word of yours; take my hand today according to the prescribed rite.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.135.29)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ ततस्तस्याः कुमार्याः स पाणिं जग्राह दक्षिणम् ॥ गृह्योक्तेन विधानेन देवाग्निगुरुसंनिधौ

sūta uvāca tatastasyāḥ kumāryāḥ sa pāṇiṁ jagrāha dakṣiṇam gṛhyoktena vidhānena devāgnigurusaṁnidhau

Suta said: Then, in the presence of the gods, the sacred fire, and his teacher, he took the right hand of that maiden according to the rite declared in the domestic-ritual texts.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.135.30)

अथ सा प्राह भूयोऽपि विवाहकृतमंगला ॥ आदेशं देहि मे नाथ यं करोमि तवाधुना

atha sā prāha bhūyo'pi vivāhakṛtamaṁgalā ādeśaṁ dehi me nātha yaṁ karomi tavādhunā

Then she, made auspicious by the marriage, spoke again: O my lord, give me your command, whatever it is I should now do for you.

Verse 31 (skanda.6.135.31)

॥ पतिरुवाच ॥ अष्टषष्टिषु तीर्थेषु स्नातुमिच्छामि सुन्दरि ॥ साहाय्येन त्वदीयेन यदि शक्नोषि तत्कुरु

patiruvāca aṣṭaṣaṣṭiṣu tīrtheṣu snātumicchāmi sundari sāhāyyena tvadīyena yadi śaknoṣi tatkuru

The husband said: O beautiful one, I wish to bathe in the sixty-eight tirthas; if it is possible with your help, then do accomplish this.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.135.32)

बाढमित्येव सा प्रोच्य ततस्तूर्णं पतिव्रता ॥ तत्प्रमाणं दृढं कृत्वा रम्यं वंशकुटीरकम्

bāḍhamityeva sā procya tatastūrṇaṁ pativratā tatpramāṇaṁ dṛḍhaṁ kṛtvā ramyaṁ vaṁśakuṭīrakam

Saying so be it, that devoted wife at once fashioned, to fit his exact measure, a sturdy and charming basket of bamboo.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.135.33)

मृदु तूलसमायुक्तं ततः प्राह निजं पतिम् ॥ कृतांजलिपुटा भूत्वा प्रहृष्टेनान्तरात्मना

mṛdu tūlasamāyuktaṁ tataḥ prāha nijaṁ patim kṛtāṁjalipuṭā bhūtvā prahṛṣṭenāntarātmanā

Having lined it with soft cotton, she folded her hands, her heart filled with joy, and said to her husband.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.135.34)

एतत्तव कृते रम्यं कृतं वंशकुटीरकम् ॥ मम नाथारुहाशु त्वं येन कृत्वाथ मूर्धनि ॥ नयामि सर्वतीर्थेषु क्षेत्रेषु सुशुभेषु च

etattava kṛte ramyaṁ kṛtaṁ vaṁśakuṭīrakam mama nāthāruhāśu tvaṁ yena kṛtvātha mūrdhani nayāmi sarvatīrtheṣu kṣetreṣu suśubheṣu ca

O my lord, I have made this charming bamboo carrier for you; get into it quickly, so that, bearing it upon my head, I may take you to every tirtha and auspicious kshetra.

Verse 35 (skanda.6.135.35)

ततः कुष्ठी प्रहृष्टात्मा शनैरुत्थाय भूतलात् ॥ तया चोद्धृतदेहः सन्सुप्तो वंशकुटीरके

tataḥ kuṣṭhī prahṛṣṭātmā śanairutthāya bhūtalāt tayā coddhṛtadehaḥ sansupto vaṁśakuṭīrake

Then that leprous man, filled with joy, rose slowly from the ground and, lifted up by her, lay down in the bamboo carrier.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.135.36)

ततस्तं मस्तके कृत्वा सर्वतीर्थे यथासुखम् ॥ सर्वक्षेत्रेषु बभ्राम स्नापयन्ती निजं पतिम्

tatastaṁ mastake kṛtvā sarvatīrthe yathāsukham sarvakṣetreṣu babhrāma snāpayantī nijaṁ patim

Then, bearing him upon her head, she wandered at ease to every tirtha and every kshetra, bathing her husband as she went.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.135.37)

यथा यथा स चक्रेऽथ स्नानं तीर्थेषु कुष्ठभाक् ॥ तथातथास्य गात्रेषु तेजो वृद्धिं प्रगच्छति

yathā yathā sa cakre'tha snānaṁ tīrtheṣu kuṣṭhabhāk tathātathāsya gātreṣu tejo vṛddhiṁ pragacchati

As that leprous man bathed at tirtha after tirtha, so too the lustre of his limbs kept steadily increasing.

Verse 38 (skanda.6.135.38)

ततः क्रमेण सा साध्वी भ्रममाणा महीतले ॥ हाटकेश्वरजे क्षेत्रे संप्राप्ता रजनी मुखे

tataḥ krameṇa sā sādhvī bhramamāṇā mahītale hāṭakeśvaraje kṣetre saṁprāptā rajanī mukhe

Then, wandering in due course over the surface of the earth, that virtuous woman arrived at the Hatakeshvara kshetra at the fall of night.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.135.39)

क्लान्ता वैक्लव्यमापन्ना भाराक्रान्ता पतिव्रता ॥ निद्रान्धा निश्वसन्ती च प्रस्खलन्ती पदेपदे

klāntā vaiklavyamāpannā bhārākrāntā pativratā nidrāndhā niśvasantī ca praskhalantī padepade

That devoted wife, weary and overcome with distress, weighed down by her burden, blind with sleep, gasping for breath, and stumbling with every step, went on.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.135.40)

अथ तत्र प्रदेशे तु माण्डव्यो मुनिपुंगवः ॥ शूलारोपितगात्रस्तु संतिष्ठति सुदुःखितः

atha tatra pradeśe tu māṇḍavyo munipuṁgavaḥ śūlāropitagātrastu saṁtiṣṭhati suduḥkhitaḥ

There, in that very spot, the eminent sage Mandavya, his body impaled upon a stake, remained standing, in the greatest distress.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.135.41)

अथ सा तं समासाद्य शूलं रात्रौ पतिव्रता ॥ निजगात्रेण भारार्त्ता गच्छमाना महासती

atha sā taṁ samāsādya śūlaṁ rātrau pativratā nijagātreṇa bhārārttā gacchamānā mahāsatī

That great and devoted wife, coming close to that stake in the darkness of night, walking on with her body burdened by the weight she bore,

Verse 42 (skanda.6.135.42)

तया संचालितः सोऽथ मांडव्यो मुनिपुंगवः ॥ परां पीडां समासाद्य ततः प्राह सुदुःखितः

tayā saṁcālitaḥ so'tha māṁḍavyo munipuṁgavaḥ parāṁ pīḍāṁ samāsādya tataḥ prāha suduḥkhitaḥ

jostled the eminent sage Mandavya, who, thereby thrown into the greatest agony, spoke out in deep distress.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.135.43)

केनेदं पाप्मना शल्यं ममांतः परिचालितम् ॥ येनाहं दुःखयुक्तोऽपि भूयो दुःखास्पदीकृतः

kenedaṁ pāpmanā śalyaṁ mamāṁtaḥ paricālitam yenāhaṁ duḥkhayukto'pi bhūyo duḥkhāspadīkṛtaḥ

What sinner has shaken this stake within my body, so that I, already in pain, have been made the seat of yet greater pain?

Verse 44 (skanda.6.135.44)

॥ दीर्घिकोवाच ॥ न मया त्वं महाभाग निद्रोपहतया दृशा ॥ दृष्टस्तेन परिस्पृष्टो ह्यस्पृश्यः पापकृत्तमः

dīrghikovāca na mayā tvaṁ mahābhāga nidropahatayā dṛśā dṛṣṭastena parispṛṣṭo hyaspṛśyaḥ pāpakṛttamaḥ

Dirghika said: O most fortunate one, since my eyes were overcome with sleep, I did not even see you — and is it for that touch alone that you call me untouchable and the greatest of sinners?

Verse 45 (skanda.6.135.45)

न त्वया सदृशश्चान्यः पापात्मास्ति धरातले ॥ शिरस्युद्भूतशूलोऽपि यो मृत्युं नाधिगच्छति

na tvayā sadṛśaścānyaḥ pāpātmāsti dharātale śirasyudbhūtaśūlo'pi yo mṛtyuṁ nādhigacchati

There is no sinner on this earth like you, who, even with such agony rising in your body, still fails to meet death.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.135.46)

अहं पतिव्रता मूढ वहामि शिरसा धृतम् ॥ तीर्थयात्राकृते कांतं विकलांगं सुवल्लभम्

ahaṁ pativratā mūḍha vahāmi śirasā dhṛtam tīrthayātrākṛte kāṁtaṁ vikalāṁgaṁ suvallabham

O fool, I, a faithful wife, am carrying my crippled and most dearly beloved husband upon my very head, for the sake of a pilgrimage.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.135.47)

कस्मात्तस्यास्तिरस्कारं मम यच्छसि निष्ठुरम्॥ अज्ञातां मूढबुद्धिः सन्विशेषान्मानुषोद्भवाम्

kasmāttasyāstiraskāraṁ mama yacchasi niṣṭhuram ajñātāṁ mūḍhabuddhiḥ sanviśeṣānmānuṣodbhavām

Why, with your foolish mind, do you so cruelly heap this scorn upon me, ignorant as I am, in the way natural to mortals?

Verse 48 (skanda.6.135.48)

॥ माण्डव्य उवाच ॥ अहं यादृक्त्वया प्रोक्तस्तादृगेव न संशयः ॥ पापात्मा मूढबुद्धिश्च अस्पृश्यः सर्वदेहिनाम्

māṇḍavya uvāca ahaṁ yādṛktvayā proktastādṛgeva na saṁśayaḥ pāpātmā mūḍhabuddhiśca aspṛśyaḥ sarvadehinām

Mandavya said: Just as you have described me, so, without doubt, I am — sinful, dull-witted, and untouchable to every living being.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.135.49)

यदि प्रातस्तवायं च भर्त्ता जीवति निष्ठुरे ॥ येन मे जनिता पीडा प्राणांतकरणी दृढा

yadi prātastavāyaṁ ca bharttā jīvati niṣṭhure yena me janitā pīḍā prāṇāṁtakaraṇī dṛḍhā

O cruel woman, if this husband of yours, who has caused me such intense pain that it very nearly took my life, is still alive by morning —

Verse 50 (skanda.6.135.50)

तस्मादेष तवाभीष्टः स्पृष्टः सूर्यस्य रश्मिभिः ॥ मया शप्तः परित्यागं जीवितस्य करिष्यति

tasmādeṣa tavābhīṣṭaḥ spṛṣṭaḥ sūryasya raśmibhiḥ mayā śaptaḥ parityāgaṁ jīvitasya kariṣyati

then this beloved husband of yours, the very moment he is touched by the rays of the sun, shall, by my curse, be made to give up his life.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.135.51)

॥ दीर्घिकोवाच ॥ यद्येवं मरणं पत्युः प्रभाते संभविष्यति ॥ मदीयस्य ततः प्रातर्नोद्गमिष्यति भास्करः

dīrghikovāca yadyevaṁ maraṇaṁ patyuḥ prabhāte saṁbhaviṣyati madīyasya tataḥ prātarnodgamiṣyati bhāskaraḥ

Dirghika said: If it is so that my husband's death will come at dawn, then let the sun himself not rise at dawn at all.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.135.52)

एवमुक्त्वा ततः साथ निषसाद धरातले ॥ भूमौ तद्भर्तृसंयुक्तं मुक्त्वा वंशकुटीरकम्

evamuktvā tataḥ sātha niṣasāda dharātale bhūmau tadbhartṛsaṁyuktaṁ muktvā vaṁśakuṭīrakam

Having said this, she then set down upon the ground the bamboo carrier together with her husband and sat down there herself upon the earth.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.135.53)

अथ तां प्राह कुष्ठी स पिपासा संप्रवर्तते ॥ तस्मात्तोयं समानेहि पानार्थमतिशीतलम्

atha tāṁ prāha kuṣṭhī sa pipāsā saṁpravartate tasmāttoyaṁ samānehi pānārthamatiśītalam

Then that leprous man said to her: Thirst is overtaking me; therefore bring me some very cool water to drink.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.135.54)

तथैव सा समाकर्ण्य भर्तुरादेशमुत्सुका ॥ इतस्ततश्च बभ्राम जलार्थं न प्रपश्यति ॥ न च निर्याति दूरं सा त्यक्त्वारण्ये तथाविधम्

tathaiva sā samākarṇya bharturādeśamutsukā itastataśca babhrāma jalārthaṁ na prapaśyati na ca niryāti dūraṁ sā tyaktvāraṇye tathāvidham

Hearing her husband's command, she eagerly wandered here and there in search of water, but found none anywhere; nor could she bear to go far, leaving him thus alone in that desolate forest.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.135.55)

भर्तारं श्वापदोत्थं च भयं हृदि वितन्वती ॥ उपविश्य ततो भूमौ स्पृष्ट्वा पादौ पतेस्तदा ॥ प्रोवाच दीर्घिका वाक्यं तारवाक्येन दुःखिता

bhartāraṁ śvāpadotthaṁ ca bhayaṁ hṛdi vitanvatī upaviśya tato bhūmau spṛṣṭvā pādau patestadā provāca dīrghikā vākyaṁ tāravākyena duḥkhitā

Harbouring in her heart a fear of wild beasts, she sat down there upon the ground, and, touching her husband's two feet, spoke these words aloud, in great distress.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.135.56)

पतिव्रता त्वमाचीर्णं यदि सम्यङ्मया स्फुटम् ॥ तेन सत्येन भूपृष्ठान्निर्गच्छतु जलं शुभम्

pativratā tvamācīrṇaṁ yadi samyaṅmayā sphuṭam tena satyena bhūpṛṣṭhānnirgacchatu jalaṁ śubham

If I have indeed truly and fully upheld the duty of a devoted wife, then, by the power of that truth, let auspicious water spring forth from the surface of the earth.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.135.57)

एवमुक्त्वा जघानाथ पादाघातेन मेदिनीम् ॥ कान्तभक्तिं पुरस्कृत्य तस्य जीवितवांछया

evamuktvā jaghānātha pādāghātena medinīm kāntabhaktiṁ puraskṛtya tasya jīvitavāṁchayā

Having said this, putting her devotion to her husband foremost and desiring his life, she struck the earth with a blow of her foot.

Verse 58 (skanda.6.135.58)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तोयं पादाघातादनन्ततरम् ॥ निष्क्रांतं निर्मलं स्वादु माण्डव्यस्य च पश्यतः

etasminnantare toyaṁ pādāghātādanantataram niṣkrāṁtaṁ nirmalaṁ svādu māṇḍavyasya ca paśyataḥ

At that very instant, from that stroke of her foot, an endless flow of pure, sweet water burst forth, even as Mandavya looked on.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.135.59)

ततस्तं स्नापयामास तस्मिंस्तोये श्रमातुरम् ॥ अपाययत्ततः पश्चात्स्वयं स्नात्वा पपौ जलम्

tatastaṁ snāpayāmāsa tasmiṁstoye śramāturam apāyayattataḥ paścātsvayaṁ snātvā papau jalam

Then she bathed her exhausted husband in that water, gave him to drink, and only after that bathed and drank herself.

Verse 60 (skanda.6.135.60)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे सूर्यः पतिव्रतकृताद्भयात् ॥ नाभ्युदेति समुत्पन्नस्ततः कालात्ययो महान्

etasminnaṁtare sūryaḥ pativratakṛtādbhayāt nābhyudeti samutpannastataḥ kālātyayo mahān

Meanwhile, out of fear caused by that devoted wife, the sun did not rise, and thereby a great disruption of the natural order came about.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.135.61)

अथ रात्रिं समालोक्य दीर्घां ये कामुका जनाः ॥ ते सर्वे तुष्टिमापन्नास्तथा च कुल स्त्रियः

atha rātriṁ samālokya dīrghāṁ ye kāmukā janāḥ te sarve tuṣṭimāpannāstathā ca kula striyaḥ

Then, seeing that lengthened night, all the lustful men were filled with delight, and so too were unchaste women.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.135.62)

कौशिका राक्षसाश्चापि चोरा जाराश्च ये नराः ॥ ते सर्वे प्रोचुः संहृष्टाः समालिंग्य परस्परम्

kauśikā rākṣasāścāpi corā jārāśca ye narāḥ te sarve procuḥ saṁhṛṣṭāḥ samāliṁgya parasparam

Owls, rakshasas, thieves, and adulterous men — all of them, delighted, embraced one another and cried out.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.135.63)

अद्यास्माकं विधिस्तुष्टो भगवान्मन्मथस्तथा ॥ येन दीर्घा कृता रात्रिर्नाशं नीतश्च भास्करः

adyāsmākaṁ vidhistuṣṭo bhagavānmanmathastathā yena dīrghā kṛtā rātrirnāśaṁ nītaśca bhāskaraḥ

Today Fate has favoured us, and so has the blessed Manmatha too, by whose power this night has been made long and the sun has been made to vanish.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.135.64)

ये पुनर्ब्राह्मणाः शांता यज्ञकर्मसमुद्यताः ॥ ते सर्वे दुःखमापन्नाः सूर्योदयविनाकृताः

ye punarbrāhmaṇāḥ śāṁtā yajñakarmasamudyatāḥ te sarve duḥkhamāpannāḥ sūryodayavinākṛtāḥ

But those peaceable brahmins who were engaged in the rites of sacrifice all fell into distress, deprived as they were of the sunrise.

Verse 65 (skanda.6.135.65)

न कश्चिद्यजनं चक्रे याजनं न च सद्द्विजः ॥ न श्राद्धं न च संकल्पं न स्वाध्यायं कथंचन

na kaścidyajanaṁ cakre yājanaṁ na ca saddvijaḥ na śrāddhaṁ na ca saṁkalpaṁ na svādhyāyaṁ kathaṁcana

No worthy brahmin could perform sacrifice, nor officiate at another's sacrifice, nor perform the ancestral rites, nor make any ritual resolve, nor even his daily recitation of scripture.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.135.66)

न स्नानं न च दानं च लोकयात्रां विशेषतः ॥ व्यवहारं न कृत्यं च किंचिद्धर्मसमुद्भवम्

na snānaṁ na ca dānaṁ ca lokayātrāṁ viśeṣataḥ vyavahāraṁ na kṛtyaṁ ca kiṁciddharmasamudbhavam

There was no bathing, no giving of gifts, no carrying on of worldly affairs in particular, no transaction, and no observance whatever born of dharma.

Verse 67 (skanda.6.135.67)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे देवाः सर्वे शक्रपुरोगमाः। परं दौःस्थ्यं समापन्ना यज्ञभागविवर्जिताः

etasminnantare devāḥ sarve śakrapurogamāḥ paraṁ dauḥsthyaṁ samāpannā yajñabhāgavivarjitāḥ

Meanwhile all the gods, with Indra at their head, deprived of their share in the sacrifices, fell into the deepest distress.

Verse 68 (skanda.6.135.68)

ततो भास्करमासाद्य ऊचुर्दुःखसमन्विताः ॥ कस्मान्नोद्गमनं देव प्रकरोषि दिवाकर॥

tato bhāskaramāsādya ūcurduḥkhasamanvitāḥ kasmānnodgamanaṁ deva prakaroṣi divākara

Then, sorrowfully, they went to the sun and said: O divine lord of day, why do you not rise?

Verse 69 (skanda.6.135.69)

एतत्त्वया विना सर्वं जगद्व्याकुलतां गतम्

etattvayā vinā sarvaṁ jagadvyākulatāṁ gatam

Without you, this entire world has fallen into utter turmoil.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.135.70)

तस्माल्लोकहितार्थाय त्वमुद्गच्छ यथापुरा ॥ अग्निष्टोमादिका यज्ञा वर्तंते येन भूतले

tasmāllokahitārthāya tvamudgaccha yathāpurā agniṣṭomādikā yajñā vartaṁte yena bhūtale

Therefore, for the welfare of the world, rise as you did before, so that the Agnishtoma and other sacrifices may continue upon the earth.

Verse 71 (skanda.6.135.71)

॥ सूर्य उवाच ॥ पतिव्रतासमादेशात्त्यक्तश्चाभ्युदयो मया ॥ तस्माद्गत्वा सुराः सर्वे तां वदंतु कृते मम

sūrya uvāca pativratāsamādeśāttyaktaścābhyudayo mayā tasmādgatvā surāḥ sarve tāṁ vadaṁtu kṛte mama

The sun said: At the command of a devoted wife I have given up my rising; therefore go, all you gods, and speak with her on my behalf.

Verse 72 (skanda.6.135.72)

येन तद्वाक्यमासाद्य प्रवर्त्तामि यथासुखम् ॥ अन्यथा मां शपेत्क्रुद्धा नूनं सा हि पतिव्रता

yena tadvākyamāsādya pravarttāmi yathāsukham anyathā māṁ śapetkruddhā nūnaṁ sā hi pativratā

so that, having obtained her leave, I may proceed once more at ease; otherwise she, that devoted wife, being angered, will surely curse me.

Verse 73 (skanda.6.135.73)

एवं सा तपसा युक्ता प्रोत्कृष्टं हि सुरोत्तमाः ॥ पतिव्रतात्वमाधत्ते तथान्यदपरं महत्

evaṁ sā tapasā yuktā protkṛṣṭaṁ hi surottamāḥ pativratātvamādhatte tathānyadaparaṁ mahat

O best of gods, she is endowed with such great austerity, and her devotion to her husband is of so exalted an order, and there is yet more greatness in her besides.

Verse 74 (skanda.6.135.74)

कस्तस्या वचनं शक्तः कर्तुमेवमतोऽन्यथा ॥ एतस्मात्कारणाद्भीतो नोद्गच्छामि कथंचन॥

kastasyā vacanaṁ śaktaḥ kartumevamato'nyathā etasmātkāraṇādbhīto nodgacchāmi kathaṁcana

Who then would be able to set her word aside in this way? For this very reason, in fear, I shall not rise at all.

Verse 75 (skanda.6.135.75)

न तत्क्रतुसहस्रेण यजंतः प्राप्नुयुः फलम् ॥ पतिव्रतात्वमापन्ना यत्स्त्री विंदति केवलम्

na tatkratusahasreṇa yajaṁtaḥ prāpnuyuḥ phalam pativratātvamāpannā yatstrī viṁdati kevalam

Not even those who perform a thousand sacrifices attain the fruit that a woman who has truly attained the state of a devoted wife obtains by that alone.

Verse 76 (skanda.6.135.76)

ततस्ते विबुधाः सर्वे गत्वा तत्क्षेत्रमुत्तमम् ॥ प्रोचुस्तां दीर्घिकां वाक्यैर्मृदुभिः पुरतः स्थिताः

tataste vibudhāḥ sarve gatvā tatkṣetramuttamam procustāṁ dīrghikāṁ vākyairmṛdubhiḥ purataḥ sthitāḥ

Then all those gods, going to that excellent kshetra and standing before her, spoke to Dirghika with gentle words.

Verse 77 (skanda.6.135.77)

त्वया पतिव्रते सूर्यो यन्निषिद्धो न तत्कृतम् ॥ शुभं यतो हताः सर्वा भूतले शोभनाः क्रियाः

tvayā pativrate sūryo yanniṣiddho na tatkṛtam śubhaṁ yato hatāḥ sarvā bhūtale śobhanāḥ kriyāḥ

O devoted wife, in restraining the sun as you have done, you have not acted well, for by this every auspicious rite on earth has been ruined.

Verse 78 (skanda.6.135.78)

तस्मादुद्गच्छतु प्राज्ञे त्वद्वाक्यात्तीक्ष्णदीधितिः ॥ यज्ञक्रिया विशेषेण येन वर्तंति भूतले

tasmādudgacchatu prājñe tvadvākyāttīkṣṇadīdhitiḥ yajñakriyā viśeṣeṇa yena vartaṁti bhūtale

Therefore, O wise one, let the sharp-rayed sun rise by your leave, so that the rites of sacrifice may again proceed upon the earth.

Verse 79 (skanda.6.135.79)

॥ पतिव्रतोवाच ॥ अयं च मे पतिः सद्यः प्राणेभ्योऽपि च यः प्रियः ॥ सोऽभ्येति निधनं देवाः प्रोद्गते रविमंडले

pativratovāca ayaṁ ca me patiḥ sadyaḥ prāṇebhyo'pi ca yaḥ priyaḥ so'bhyeti nidhanaṁ devāḥ prodgate ravimaṁḍale

The devoted wife said: O gods, this husband of mine, dearer to me than my own life, will meet his death the very instant the disc of the sun rises.

Verse 80 (skanda.6.135.80)

शप्तश्चानेन दुष्टेन मांडव्येन सुपाप्मना ॥ कार्यं विनापि निर्दिष्टस्तद्ब्रूयां भास्करं कथम्

śaptaścānena duṣṭena māṁḍavyena supāpmanā kāryaṁ vināpi nirdiṣṭastadbrūyāṁ bhāskaraṁ katham

He has been cursed, without any real cause, by that wicked and most sinful Mandavya — so how could I now tell the sun to rise?

Verse 81 (skanda.6.135.81)

उदयार्थं न मे यज्ञैः कार्यं किंचिन्न चापरैः ॥ श्राद्धदानादिकैः कृत्यैः संजातैर्दर्यितं विना

udayārthaṁ na me yajñaiḥ kāryaṁ kiṁcinna cāparaiḥ śrāddhadānādikaiḥ kṛtyaiḥ saṁjātairdaryitaṁ vinā

Apart from the loss of my dear husband, I have no concern whatsoever with sacrifices, or with the rites of ancestral offering and giving, for the sake of the sunrise.

Verse 82 (skanda.6.135.82)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ ततस्ते विबुधाः सर्वे समालोक्य परस्परम् ॥ चिरकालं सुदुःखार्तास्तामूचुर्विनयान्विताः

sūta uvāca tataste vibudhāḥ sarve samālokya parasparam cirakālaṁ suduḥkhārtāstāmūcurvinayānvitāḥ

Suta said: Then all those gods, looking at one another, remained in deep distress for a long while, and then, with all humility, said to her.

Verse 83 (skanda.6.135.83)

उद्गच्छतु रविर्भद्रे तवायं दयितः पतिः ॥ प्रयातु निधनं सद्यो भूयादेष मुनीश्वर

udgacchatu ravirbhadre tavāyaṁ dayitaḥ patiḥ prayātu nidhanaṁ sadyo bhūyādeṣa munīśvara

O gracious one, let the sun rise; let this beloved husband of yours meet death at once — and let this lord of sages too.

Verse 84 (skanda.6.135.84)

पुनर्जीवापयिष्यामो वयमेनमपि द्रुतम् ॥ मृत्युमार्गमनुप्राप्तं त्वत्कृते पतिवत्सले

punarjīvāpayiṣyāmo vayamenamapi drutam mṛtyumārgamanuprāptaṁ tvatkṛte pativatsale

O wife devoted to your husband, we ourselves shall quickly bring him back to life again, even should he go the path of death, for your sake alone.

Verse 85 (skanda.6.135.85)

पञ्चविंशतिवर्षीयं कामदेवमिवापरम् ॥ त्वं द्रक्ष्यसि सुदीप्तांगं सर्वलक्षणलक्षितम्

pañcaviṁśativarṣīyaṁ kāmadevamivāparam tvaṁ drakṣyasi sudīptāṁgaṁ sarvalakṣaṇalakṣitam

You shall see him again, twenty-five years of age, radiant of limb like a second god of love, marked with every auspicious sign.

Verse 86 (skanda.6.135.86)

भूत्वा पंचदशाब्दीया पद्मपत्रायतेक्षणा ॥ मर्त्यलोके सुखं सम्यक्त्वेच्छया साधयिष्यसि

bhūtvā paṁcadaśābdīyā padmapatrāyatekṣaṇā martyaloke sukhaṁ samyaktvecchayā sādhayiṣyasi

And you too, becoming a girl of fifteen, with eyes as wide as lotus petals, shall enjoy true happiness in the mortal world according to your own desire.

Verse 87 (skanda.6.135.87)

एषोऽपि मुनिशार्दूलो विपाप्मा सांप्रतं शुभे ॥ शूलवेधेन निर्मुक्तः सुखभागी भवत्क्लम॥

eṣo'pi muniśārdūlo vipāpmā sāṁprataṁ śubhe śūlavedhena nirmuktaḥ sukhabhāgī bhavatklama

O auspicious one, this eminent sage too shall now become free of sin, released from the piercing of the stake, and, through your very hardship, shall come to share in happiness.

Verse 88 (skanda.6.135.88)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ बाढमित्येव च प्रोक्ते तया स द्विजसत्तमाः ॥ उद्गतो भगवान्सूर्यस्तत्क्षणादेव वेगतः

sūta uvāca bāḍhamityeva ca prokte tayā sa dvijasattamāḥ udgato bhagavānsūryastatkṣaṇādeva vegataḥ

Suta said: O best of brahmins, the very moment she said so be it, the blessed sun swiftly rose at that very instant.

Verse 89 (skanda.6.135.89)

ततः सूर्यांशुसंस्पृष्टः स मृतश्च सुकुष्ठभाक् ॥ विबुधानां करैः स्पृष्टः पुनरेव समुत्थितः

tataḥ sūryāṁśusaṁspṛṣṭaḥ sa mṛtaśca sukuṣṭhabhāk vibudhānāṁ karaiḥ spṛṣṭaḥ punareva samutthitaḥ

Then, touched by the rays of the sun, that man, severely afflicted with leprosy, died — but, touched by the hands of the gods, he at once rose up again.

Verse 90 (skanda.6.135.90)

पंचविंशतिवर्षीयः कामदेव इवापरः ॥ संस्मरन्पूर्विकां जातिं सर्वा हर्ष समन्वितः

paṁcaviṁśativarṣīyaḥ kāmadeva ivāparaḥ saṁsmaranpūrvikāṁ jātiṁ sarvā harṣa samanvitaḥ

He rose as a man of twenty-five years, like a second god of love, and, remembering all his former existence, was filled entirely with joy.

Verse 91 (skanda.6.135.91)

दीर्घिकापि परिस्पृष्टा स्वयं देवेन शंभुना। संजाता यौवनोपेता दिव्यलक्षणलक्षिता

dīrghikāpi parispṛṣṭā svayaṁ devena śaṁbhunā saṁjātā yauvanopetā divyalakṣaṇalakṣitā

Dirghika too, touched by the god Shambhu himself, became endowed with youth and marked with every divine sign.

Verse 92 (skanda.6.135.92)

पद्मपत्रेक्षणा रम्या चन्द्रबिम्बसमानना ॥ मध्ये क्षामा सुगौरांगी पीनोन्नतपयोधरा

padmapatrekṣaṇā ramyā candrabimbasamānanā madhye kṣāmā sugaurāṁgī pīnonnatapayodharā

She became lovely, with eyes like lotus petals, her face like the orb of the moon, slender at the waist, fair of limb, with full and rounded breasts.

Verse 93 (skanda.6.135.93)

ततस्तं मुनिशार्दूलं शूलाग्रादवतार्य च ॥ प्रोचुश्च विबुधश्रेष्ठाः सादरं हर्षसंयुताः

tatastaṁ muniśārdūlaṁ śūlāgrādavatārya ca procuśca vibudhaśreṣṭhāḥ sādaraṁ harṣasaṁyutāḥ

Then, lifting that eminent sage down from the tip of the stake, those foremost of gods, filled with joy, spoke to him with reverence.

Verse 94 (skanda.6.135.94)

एतत्सत्यं कृतं वाक्यं मुने तव यथोदितम्॥ मृतोऽपि ब्राह्मणः कुष्ठी संस्पृष्टो रविरश्मिभिः॥

etatsatyaṁ kṛtaṁ vākyaṁ mune tava yathoditam mṛto'pi brāhmaṇaḥ kuṣṭhī saṁspṛṣṭo raviraśmibhiḥ

O sage, that word of yours that was spoken has indeed come true — the leprous brahmin, touched by the rays of the sun, did indeed die.

Verse 95 (skanda.6.135.95)

पुनरुत्थापितोऽस्माभिः कृतश्च तरुणः पुनः॥ अनया भार्यया सार्धं तस्मात्त्वं स्वाश्रमं व्रज

punarutthāpito'smābhiḥ kṛtaśca taruṇaḥ punaḥ anayā bhāryayā sārdhaṁ tasmāttvaṁ svāśramaṁ vraja

But we have raised him up again and made him young once more; therefore now go to your own hermitage, together with this your wife.

Verse 96 (skanda.6.135.96)

नास्माकं दर्शनं व्यर्थं कथंचिदपि जायते ॥ तस्मात्प्रार्थय यच्चित्ते तव नित्यं समाश्रितम्

nāsmākaṁ darśanaṁ vyarthaṁ kathaṁcidapi jāyate tasmātprārthaya yaccitte tava nityaṁ samāśritam

Our appearance never proves fruitless in any way whatsoever; therefore ask for whatever boon has forever dwelt within your heart.