The Tale of Chitrangadeshvara and Phalavati

Verse 1 (skanda.6.144.1)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ ॥ सा गत्वा त्रिदिवं पश्चात्सहस्राक्षं सुरैर्युतम् ॥ प्रोवाच भगवन्दिष्ट्या क्षोभितोऽसौ महामुनिः

sūta uvāca sā gatvā tridivaṁ paścātsahasrākṣaṁ surairyutam provāca bhagavandiṣṭyā kṣobhito'sau mahāmuniḥ

Suta said: She (Rambha) then went to heaven and, coming before Sahasraksha (Indra) together with the gods, said: O Lord, by good fortune that great sage has been agitated.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.144.2)

तपस्तस्य हतं कृत्स्नं यत्कृच्छ्रेण समाचितम् ॥ तथा निस्तेजसत्वं च नीतस्त्वं सुखभाग्भव

tapastasya hataṁ kṛtsnaṁ yatkṛcchreṇa samācitam tathā nistejasatvaṁ ca nītastvaṁ sukhabhāgbhava

All his austerity, accumulated through such hardship, has been destroyed, and he has been reduced to a state without power; now you may be at ease.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.144.3)

एवमुक्त्वाऽथ सा रंभा शंसिता निखिलैः सुरैः ॥ अमोघरेतसस्तस्य दध्रे गर्भं निजोदरे

evamuktvā'tha sā raṁbhā śaṁsitā nikhilaiḥ suraiḥ amogharetasastasya dadhre garbhaṁ nijodare

Having said this, Rambha, praised by all the gods, conceived in her womb the seed of that sage of unfailing potency.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.144.4)

जाबालिरपि कृत्वा च पश्चात्तापमनेकधा ॥ भूयस्तु तपसि स्थित्वा स्थितस्तत्रैव चाश्रमे

jābālirapi kṛtvā ca paścāttāpamanekadhā bhūyastu tapasi sthitvā sthitastatraiva cāśrame

Jabali too, afterward repenting in many ways, again settled into austerity and remained there in that very hermitage.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.144.5)

ततस्तु दशमे मासि संप्राप्ते सुषुवे शुभाम् ॥ कन्यां सरोजपत्राक्षीं दिव्यलक्षणलक्षिताम्

tatastu daśame māsi saṁprāpte suṣuve śubhām kanyāṁ sarojapatrākṣīṁ divyalakṣaṇalakṣitām

Then, when the tenth month arrived, she gave birth to an auspicious daughter, lotus-petal-eyed, marked with divine signs.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.144.6)

अथ तां मानुषोद्भूतां मत्वा तस्यैव चाश्रमम् ॥ गत्वा मुमोच प्रत्यक्षं तस्यर्षेश्चेदमब्रवीत्

atha tāṁ mānuṣodbhūtāṁ matvā tasyaiva cāśramam gatvā mumoca pratyakṣaṁ tasyarṣeścedamabravīt

Then, considering her a being of human birth, going to that very sage's hermitage, she left her openly before the sage, and said this.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.144.7)

तव वीर्यसमुद्भूतामेनां मज्जठरोषिताम् ॥ कन्यकां मुनिशार्दूल तस्मात्पालय सांप्रतम्

tava vīryasamudbhūtāmenāṁ majjaṭharoṣitām kanyakāṁ muniśārdūla tasmātpālaya sāṁpratam

O tiger among sages, this maiden, born of your own seed and nurtured in my womb, must now be reared by you.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.144.8)

न स्वर्गे विद्यते वासो मानुषाणां कथंचन ॥ एतस्मात्कारणात्तुभ्यं मया ब्रह्मन्समर्पिता

na svarge vidyate vāso mānuṣāṇāṁ kathaṁcana etasmātkāraṇāttubhyaṁ mayā brahmansamarpitā

There is no way for humans to dwell in heaven; for this reason, O brahmin, I have entrusted her to you.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.144.9)

एवमुक्त्वा ययौ रंभा सत्वरं त्रिदशालयम् ॥ जाबालिरपि तां दृष्ट्वा कन्यकां स्नेहमाविशत्

evamuktvā yayau raṁbhā satvaraṁ tridaśālayam jābālirapi tāṁ dṛṣṭvā kanyakāṁ snehamāviśat

Having said this, Rambha quickly departed for the abode of the gods; Jabali too, on beholding that girl, was filled with affection.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.144.10)

ततस्तां कन्यकां कृत्वा सुष्ठु गुप्ते लतागृहे ॥ रसैर्मिष्टफलोद्भूतैः पुपोष च दिवानिशम्

tatastāṁ kanyakāṁ kṛtvā suṣṭhu gupte latāgṛhe rasairmiṣṭaphalodbhūtaiḥ pupoṣa ca divāniśam

Then, keeping that girl in a well-hidden bower of creepers, he nourished her day and night with the juices of sweet fruits.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.144.11)

सापि कन्या परां वृद्धिं शनैर्याति दिनेदिने । शुक्लपक्षं समासाद्य यथा चन्द्रकला दिवि

sāpi kanyā parāṁ vṛddhiṁ śanairyāti dinedine śuklapakṣaṁ samāsādya yathā candrakalā divi

That girl too grew steadily, day by day, like the crescent of the moon waxing in the bright fortnight of the sky.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.144.12)

यथायथाथ सा याति वृद्धिं कमललोचना ॥ तथातथास्य सुस्नेहो जाबालेरप्यवर्धत

yathāyathātha sā yāti vṛddhiṁ kamalalocanā tathātathāsya susneho jābālerapyavardhata

As that lotus-eyed girl grew, so too grew Jabali's tender affection for her.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.144.13)

सा शिशुत्वे मृगैः सार्द्धं पक्षिभिश्च सुशोभना ॥ क्रीडां चक्रे सुविश्रब्धैर्वर्धयंती मुनेर्मुदम्

sā śiśutve mṛgaiḥ sārddhaṁ pakṣibhiśca suśobhanā krīḍāṁ cakre suviśrabdhairvardhayaṁtī munermudam

In her childhood, that lovely girl would play trustingly with the deer and birds, increasing the sage's joy.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.144.14)

ततो बाल्यं परित्यक्त्वा वल्कलावृतगात्रिका ॥ तस्यर्षेः सर्वकृत्येषु साहाय्यं प्रकरोति च

tato bālyaṁ parityaktvā valkalāvṛtagātrikā tasyarṣeḥ sarvakṛtyeṣu sāhāyyaṁ prakaroti ca

Then, having left childhood behind, clothed in bark garments, she began to help that sage in all his tasks.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.144.15)

समित्कुशादि यत्किंचित्फलपुष्पसमन्वितम् ॥ वनात्तदानयामास तस्य प्रीतिमवर्धयत्

samitkuśādi yatkiṁcitphalapuṣpasamanvitam vanāttadānayāmāsa tasya prītimavardhayat

Whatever fuel-sticks, kusha grass, or fruits and flowers she brought from the forest increased his delight.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.144.16)

ततः कतिपयाहस्य फलार्थं सा मृगेक्षणा ॥ निदाघसमये दूरं स्वाश्रमात्प्रजगाम ह

tataḥ katipayāhasya phalārthaṁ sā mṛgekṣaṇā nidāghasamaye dūraṁ svāśramātprajagāma ha

Then, one day, in the season of summer heat, that doe-eyed girl went far from her hermitage in search of fruit.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.144.17)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे तत्र विमानवरमाश्रितः ॥ प्राप्तश्चित्रांगदोनाम गन्धर्वस्त्रिदिवौकसाम्

etasminnaṁtare tatra vimānavaramāśritaḥ prāptaścitrāṁgadonāma gandharvastridivaukasām

Meanwhile, there arrived, mounted upon a fine celestial chariot, a gandharva named Chitrangada, one of the dwellers of heaven.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.144.18)

तेन सा विजने बाला पूर्णचन्द्रनिभानना ॥ दृष्टा चांद्रमसी लेखा पतितेव धरातले

tena sā vijane bālā pūrṇacandranibhānanā dṛṣṭā cāṁdramasī lekhā patiteva dharātale

In that solitude he saw that maiden, her face like the full moon, as if a moonbeam itself had fallen to the earth.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.144.19)

ततः कामपरीतांगः सोवतीर्य धरातलम्॥ विमानान्मधुरैर्वाक्यैस्तामुवाच कृतांजलिः

tataḥ kāmaparītāṁgaḥ sovatīrya dharātalam vimānānmadhurairvākyaistāmuvāca kṛtāṁjaliḥ

Then, his body overcome by desire, he descended from his chariot to the earth and, with joined palms, spoke to her in sweet words.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.144.20)

का त्वं कमलगर्भाभा निर्जनेऽथ महावने ॥ भ्रमस्येकाकिनी बाले वनमध्ये सुलोचने

kā tvaṁ kamalagarbhābhā nirjane'tha mahāvane bhramasyekākinī bāle vanamadhye sulocane

Who are you, O maiden radiant as the heart of a lotus, wandering alone, O fair-eyed one, in the midst of this desolate great forest?

Verse 21 (skanda.6.144.21)

॥ कन्योवाच ॥ ॥ अहं फलवतीनाम जाबालेर्दुहिता मुने ॥ फलपुष्पार्थमायाता तदर्थमिह कानने

kanyovāca ahaṁ phalavatīnāma jābālerduhitā mune phalapuṣpārthamāyātā tadarthamiha kānane

The maiden said: O sage, I am the daughter of Jabali, named Phalavati; I have come into this forest for the sake of fruits and flowers.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.144.22)

॥ चित्रांगद उवाच ॥ ॥ कुमारब्रह्मचारी स श्रूयते मुनिसत्तमः ॥ तत्कथं तस्य वामोरु त्वं जाता भार्यया विना

citrāṁgada uvāca kumārabrahmacārī sa śrūyate munisattamaḥ tatkathaṁ tasya vāmoru tvaṁ jātā bhāryayā vinā

Chitrangada said: That foremost of sages is renowned as a lifelong celibate; then, O fair-thighed one, how were you born to him without a wife?

Verse 23 (skanda.6.144.23)

॥ कन्योवाच ॥ ॥ सत्यमेतन्महाभाग नास्ति दारपरिग्रहः ॥ तस्यर्षेः किं तु संजाता यथा तन्मेऽवधारय

kanyovāca satyametanmahābhāga nāsti dāraparigrahaḥ tasyarṣeḥ kiṁ tu saṁjātā yathā tanme'vadhāraya

The maiden said: O blessed one, it is true he has taken no wife; but hear from me how I nonetheless came to be born of that sage.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.144.24)

रंभा नामाप्सरास्तेन पुरा दृष्टा सुरांगना ॥ ततः कामपरीतेन सेविता च यथासुखम्

raṁbhā nāmāpsarāstena purā dṛṣṭā surāṁganā tataḥ kāmaparītena sevitā ca yathāsukham

Formerly he beheld a celestial apsara named Rambha, and thereafter, overcome by desire, he enjoyed her as he pleased.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.144.25)

ततस्तदुदराज्जाता देवलोके महत्तरे ॥ तयापि चेह तस्यर्षेर्भूय एव नियोजिता

tatastadudarājjātā devaloke mahattare tayāpi ceha tasyarṣerbhūya eva niyojitā

Then, having been born from her womb in that greater world of the gods, she in turn entrusted me back to that very sage here.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.144.26)

एवं स मे पिता जातो जाबालिर्मुनिसत्तमः ॥ पोषिताऽहं ततस्तेन नानाफलसमुद्रवैः

evaṁ sa me pitā jāto jābālirmunisattamaḥ poṣitā'haṁ tatastena nānāphalasamudravaiḥ

Thus the great sage Jabali became my father; thereafter it was he who reared me on the juices of various fruits.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.144.27)

ततः फलवती नाम कृतं तेन महात्मना ॥ ममानुरूपमेतद्धि यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसि

tataḥ phalavatī nāma kṛtaṁ tena mahātmanā mamānurūpametaddhi yanmāṁ tvaṁ paripṛcchasi

Then that great soul gave me the name Phalavati; this indeed is fitting, as you now ask me about it.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.144.28)

॥ चित्रांगद उवाच ॥ ॥ तव रूपं समालोक्य कामस्याहं वशं गतः ॥ तस्माद्भजस्व मां भीरु नो चेद्यास्यामि संक्षयम्

citrāṁgada uvāca tava rūpaṁ samālokya kāmasyāhaṁ vaśaṁ gataḥ tasmādbhajasva māṁ bhīru no cedyāsyāmi saṁkṣayam

Chitrangada said: Beholding your beauty, I have fallen under the sway of desire; therefore, O timid one, unite with me, or else I shall perish.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.144.29)

अहं चित्रांगदोनाम गन्धर्वस्त्रिदिवौकसाम् ॥ तीर्थयात्राकृते प्राप्तः क्षेत्रेऽस्मिञ्छ्रद्धयाऽन्वितः

ahaṁ citrāṁgadonāma gandharvastridivaukasām tīrthayātrākṛte prāptaḥ kṣetre'smiñchraddhayā'nvitaḥ

I am a gandharva named Chitrangada, one of the dwellers of heaven, and I have come to this sacred field, filled with devotion, for the sake of pilgrimage.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.144.30)

॥ कन्योवाच ॥ ॥ कुमारधर्मिणी चाहमद्यापि वशगा पितुः ॥ कामधर्मं न जानामि चित्रांगद कथंचन

kanyovāca kumāradharmiṇī cāhamadyāpi vaśagā pituḥ kāmadharmaṁ na jānāmi citrāṁgada kathaṁcana

The maiden said: O Chitrangada, I still follow the way of a maiden and remain under my father's authority; I know nothing at all of the ways of desire.

Verse 31 (skanda.6.144.31)

तस्मात्प्रार्थय मे तातं स मां तुभ्यं प्रदास्यति ॥ अनुरूपाय योग्याय तरुणाय मनस्विनीम्

tasmātprārthaya me tātaṁ sa māṁ tubhyaṁ pradāsyati anurūpāya yogyāya taruṇāya manasvinīm

Therefore entreat my father; he will give this thoughtful woman to you, a suitable, worthy, and youthful match.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.144.32)

ममापि रुचितं चित्ते तव वाक्यमिदं शुभम् ॥ धन्याहं यदि ते कण्ठमालिंगामि यथेच्छया

mamāpi rucitaṁ citte tava vākyamidaṁ śubham dhanyāhaṁ yadi te kaṇṭhamāliṁgāmi yathecchayā

This auspicious speech of yours pleases my heart too; I would count myself blessed if I could embrace your neck at will.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.144.33)

॥ चित्रांगद उवाच ॥ ॥ न शक्नोमि महाभागे तावत्कालं प्रतीक्षितुम् ॥ मां दहत्येष गात्रोत्थः सुमहान्कामपावकः

citrāṁgada uvāca na śaknomi mahābhāge tāvatkālaṁ pratīkṣitum māṁ dahatyeṣa gātrotthaḥ sumahānkāmapāvakaḥ

Chitrangada said: O blessed one, I cannot wait that long; this great fire of desire, risen within my body, is burning me.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.144.34)

तस्मात्कुरु प्रसादं मे रतिदानेन शोभने ॥ को जानाति हि तच्चित्तं कीदृग्रूपं भविष्यति

tasmātkuru prasādaṁ me ratidānena śobhane ko jānāti hi taccittaṁ kīdṛgrūpaṁ bhaviṣyati

Therefore, O lovely one, show me grace by granting me union; who knows what shape the mind may take hereafter?

Verse 35 (skanda.6.144.35)

॥ कन्योवाच ॥ ॥ एवं ते वर्तमानस्य मम तातः प्रकोपतः ॥ दहिष्यति न संदेहः शापं दत्त्वा सुदारुणम्

kanyovāca evaṁ te vartamānasya mama tātaḥ prakopataḥ dahiṣyati na saṁdehaḥ śāpaṁ dattvā sudāruṇam

The maiden said: If you act thus, my father, enraged, will without doubt burn you to ashes with a most terrible curse.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.144.36)

॥ चित्रांगद उवाच ॥ ॥ तव तातः स कालेन मां दहिष्यति मानदे ॥ कामानलः पुनः सद्य एष भस्म करिष्यति

citrāṁgada uvāca tava tātaḥ sa kālena māṁ dahiṣyati mānade kāmānalaḥ punaḥ sadya eṣa bhasma kariṣyati

Chitrangada said: O gracious one, your father may burn me in time, but this fire of desire will reduce me to ashes this very instant.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.144.37)

एवमुक्त्वाऽथ तां बालां वेपमानां त्रपावतीम् ॥ गृहीत्वा दक्षिणे पाणौ प्रविवेश सुरालयम्

evamuktvā'tha tāṁ bālāṁ vepamānāṁ trapāvatīm gṛhītvā dakṣiṇe pāṇau praviveśa surālayam

Having said this, taking that trembling, bashful girl by her right hand, he entered a celestial dwelling.

Verse 38 (skanda.6.144.38)

तत्र तां रमयामास तदा कामप्रपीडितः ॥ तत्कालजातरागांधां निर्लज्जत्वमुपागताम्

tatra tāṁ ramayāmāsa tadā kāmaprapīḍitaḥ tatkālajātarāgāṁdhāṁ nirlajjatvamupāgatām

There, tormented by desire, he made love to her, who, blinded by passion born in that instant, had lost all sense of shame.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.144.39)

एवं तस्याः समं तेन स्थिताया दिवसो गतः ॥ निमेषवन्मुनिश्रेष्ठास्ततश्चास्तं गतो रविः

evaṁ tasyāḥ samaṁ tena sthitāyā divaso gataḥ nimeṣavanmuniśreṣṭhāstataścāstaṁ gato raviḥ

O foremost of sages, thus, remaining with him, her whole day passed as if in the blink of an eye, and thereafter the sun set.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.144.40)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे विप्रो जाबालिर्दुःख संयुतः ॥ अनायातां सुतां ज्ञात्वा परिबभ्राम सर्वतः

etasminnaṁtare vipro jābālirduḥkha saṁyutaḥ anāyātāṁ sutāṁ jñātvā paribabhrāma sarvataḥ

Meanwhile, the brahmin Jabali, grieved, learning that his daughter had not returned, began to wander about in every direction.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.144.41)

अहो सा दुहिता मह्यं किमु व्यालैः प्रभक्षिता ॥ वृक्षं कंचित्समारूढा पतिता धरणी तले

aho sā duhitā mahyaṁ kimu vyālaiḥ prabhakṣitā vṛkṣaṁ kaṁcitsamārūḍhā patitā dharaṇī tale

He lamented: Alas, has that daughter of mine been devoured by serpents? Or, having climbed some tree, has she fallen to the ground?

Verse 42 (skanda.6.144.42)

किं वा जलाशयं कंचित्प्राप्य गाधमजानती ॥ निमग्ना तत्र सा बाला संप्रविष्टा जलार्थिनी

kiṁ vā jalāśayaṁ kaṁcitprāpya gādhamajānatī nimagnā tatra sā bālā saṁpraviṣṭā jalārthinī

Or has that girl, entering some pool of water in search of water without knowing its depth, drowned there?

Verse 43 (skanda.6.144.43)

एवं स प्रलपन्विप्रो बभ्राम गहने वने ॥ कुशकण्टकविद्धांगः क्षुत्पिपासासमाकुलः

evaṁ sa pralapanvipro babhrāma gahane vane kuśakaṇṭakaviddhāṁgaḥ kṣutpipāsāsamākulaḥ

Thus lamenting, that brahmin wandered through the dense forest, his body pierced by kusha grass and thorns, distraught with hunger and thirst.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.144.44)

यंयं शृणोति शब्दं स मृगपक्षिसमुद्भवम् ॥ रजन्यां तत्र निर्याति मत्वा फलवतीं च ताम्

yaṁyaṁ śṛṇoti śabdaṁ sa mṛgapakṣisamudbhavam rajanyāṁ tatra niryāti matvā phalavatīṁ ca tām

Whatever sound he heard, arising from deer or birds, in the night he would rush toward it, mistaking it for Phalavati's voice.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.144.45)

अथ क्रमात्समायातो हरहर्म्यं स सन्मुनिः ॥ यत्र चित्रांगदोपेता सा संतिष्ठति कन्यका

atha kramātsamāyāto haraharmyaṁ sa sanmuniḥ yatra citrāṁgadopetā sā saṁtiṣṭhati kanyakā

Then, in due course, that virtuous sage came to that dwelling of Hara, where the maiden was staying together with Chitrangada.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.144.46)

निःशंका जल्पमाना च रागवाक्यान्यनेकशः ॥ अनर्हाणि कुमारीणां ब्रह्मजानां विशेषतः

niḥśaṁkā jalpamānā ca rāgavākyānyanekaśaḥ anarhāṇi kumārīṇāṁ brahmajānāṁ viśeṣataḥ

She was speaking without any restraint, many words full of passion — words unbecoming for maidens, and especially for one born into a brahmin family.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.144.47)

ततः स सुचिरं श्रुत्वा दूरस्थो विस्मयान्वितः ॥ कुमार्याश्चेष्टितं दृष्ट्वा कोपसंरक्तलोचनः

tataḥ sa suciraṁ śrutvā dūrastho vismayānvitaḥ kumāryāśceṣṭitaṁ dṛṣṭvā kopasaṁraktalocanaḥ

Standing at a distance, having listened for a long while, he was struck with astonishment, and, seeing the maiden's conduct, his eyes turned red with rage.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.144.48)

अथ दुद्राव वेगेन गृह्य काष्ठसमुच्चयम् ॥ द्वाभ्यामेव विनाशाय भर्त्समानो मुहुर्मुहुः

atha dudrāva vegena gṛhya kāṣṭhasamuccayam dvābhyāmeva vināśāya bhartsamāno muhurmuhuḥ

Then, seizing a bundle of sticks, he rushed forward swiftly to destroy them both, rebuking them again and again.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.144.49)

धिग्धिक्पापसमाचारे कौमार्यं दूषितं त्वया ॥ लांछनं च समानीतं मम लोकत्रयेऽपि च

dhigdhikpāpasamācāre kaumāryaṁ dūṣitaṁ tvayā lāṁchanaṁ ca samānītaṁ mama lokatraye'pi ca

He said: Shame, shame upon you, wicked one! You have defiled your maidenhood, and brought disgrace upon me throughout the three worlds.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.144.50)

नितरां पतिमासाद्य कर्मणानेन चाधमे ॥ तस्मादनेन पापेन युक्तां त्वां नाशयाम्यहम्

nitarāṁ patimāsādya karmaṇānena cādhame tasmādanena pāpena yuktāṁ tvāṁ nāśayāmyaham

O vile one, having done this deed altogether without a husband, you have committed this — therefore, joined to this sin, I shall now destroy you.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.144.51)

एवमुक्त्वा प्रहारं स यावत्क्षिपति सन्मुनिः ॥ तावच्चित्रांगदो नष्टो व्योममार्गेण सत्वरम्

evamuktvā prahāraṁ sa yāvatkṣipati sanmuniḥ tāvaccitrāṁgado naṣṭo vyomamārgeṇa satvaram

Having said this, just as that virtuous sage raised his blow, Chitrangada that instant fled swiftly by the path of the sky.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.144.52)

विवस्त्रा सापि तत्रैव खिन्नांगी कामसेवया ॥ न शशाक क्वचिद्गंतुं समुत्थाय ततः क्षितौ

vivastrā sāpi tatraiva khinnāṁgī kāmasevayā na śaśāka kvacidgaṁtuṁ samutthāya tataḥ kṣitau

She too, unclothed, her limbs exhausted from the act of desire, though she rose from the ground, was unable to go anywhere.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.144.53)

ततः काष्ठप्रहारोघैर्हत्वा तां पतितां क्षितौ॥ मृतामिति परिज्ञाय स क्रोधपरिवारितः

tataḥ kāṣṭhaprahāroghairhatvā tāṁ patitāṁ kṣitau mṛtāmiti parijñāya sa krodhaparivāritaḥ

Then, overcome with rage, striking her down with repeated blows of the wood, he took her, fallen upon the ground, to be dead.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.144.54)

ततश्चित्रांगदस्यापि ददौ शापं सुदारुणम् ॥ स दृष्ट्वाऽऽकाशमार्गेण गच्छमानं भयातुरम्

tataścitrāṁgadasyāpi dadau śāpaṁ sudāruṇam sa dṛṣṭvā''kāśamārgeṇa gacchamānaṁ bhayāturam

Thereafter, seeing Chitrangada fleeing in terror by the path of the sky, he pronounced upon him too a most terrible curse.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.144.55)

य एष कन्यकां मह्यं धर्षयित्वा समुत्पतेत् ॥ स पतत्वचिरात्पापश्छिन्नपक्ष इवांडजः

ya eṣa kanyakāṁ mahyaṁ dharṣayitvā samutpatet sa patatvacirātpāpaśchinnapakṣa ivāṁḍajaḥ

He said: May this sinner, who, having violated my daughter, flies away, fall at once, like a bird with severed wings.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.144.56)

कुष्ठव्याधिसमायुक्तश्चलितुं नैव च क्षमः ॥ एतस्मिन्नन्तरे भूमौ स पपात नभस्तलात्

kuṣṭhavyādhisamāyuktaścalituṁ naiva ca kṣamaḥ etasminnantare bhūmau sa papāta nabhastalāt

Afflicted with leprosy, and unable even to move — meanwhile, that very instant, he fell from the sky to the ground.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.144.57)

कुष्ठव्याधिसमायुक्तः स च चित्रांगदो युवा ॥ ततस्तं स मुनिः प्राह काष्ठोद्यतकरः क्रुधा

kuṣṭhavyādhisamāyuktaḥ sa ca citrāṁgado yuvā tatastaṁ sa muniḥ prāha kāṣṭhodyatakaraḥ krudhā

That young Chitrangada too became afflicted with leprosy; then the sage, his hand raised with a stick, spoke to him in fury.

Verse 58 (skanda.6.144.58)

कस्त्वं पापसमाचार येन मे धर्षिता बलात् ॥ कुमारी तन्नयाम्येष त्वामद्य यम शासनम्

kastvaṁ pāpasamācāra yena me dharṣitā balāt kumārī tannayāmyeṣa tvāmadya yama śāsanam

Who are you, O evildoer, who by force violated my maiden daughter? Now I shall this instant send you to the realm of Yama's rule.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.144.59)

॥ चित्रांगद उवाच ॥ ॥ अहं चित्रांगदोनाम गन्धर्वस्त्रिदिवौकसाम् ॥ तीर्थयात्राप्रसंगेन क्षेत्रेऽस्मिन्समुपागतः

citrāṁgada uvāca ahaṁ citrāṁgadonāma gandharvastridivaukasām tīrthayātrāprasaṁgena kṣetre'sminsamupāgataḥ

Chitrangada said: I am a gandharva named Chitrangada, one of the dwellers of heaven, and I came to this sacred field on the occasion of a pilgrimage.

Verse 60 (skanda.6.144.60)

ततस्तु कन्यकां दृष्ट्वा कामदेववशं गतः

tatastu kanyakāṁ dṛṣṭvā kāmadevavaśaṁ gataḥ

Then, having beheld that maiden, I fell under the sway of the god of desire.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.144.61)

ततः सेवितवानत्र लताहर्म्ये जनच्युते ॥ तस्मात्कुरु क्षमां मह्यं दीनस्य प्रणतस्य च

tataḥ sevitavānatra latāharmye janacyute tasmātkuru kṣamāṁ mahyaṁ dīnasya praṇatasya ca

Thereafter I made love to her here in this bower of creepers, empty of people; therefore show mercy to me, wretched and prostrate before you.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.144.62)

यथा व्याधेर्भवेन्नाशो यथा स्याद्गगने गतिः ॥ भूयोऽपि त्वत्प्रसादेन स्वल्पः कोपो हि साधुषु

yathā vyādherbhavennāśo yathā syādgagane gatiḥ bhūyo'pi tvatprasādena svalpaḥ kopo hi sādhuṣu

So that my disease may be destroyed and I may again gain the power of flight through the sky, may this be so by your grace — for in noble men, anger is ever slight.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.144.63)

॥ जाबालिरुवाच ॥ ॥ ईदृग्रूपधरस्त्वं हि मम वाक्याद्भविष्यसि ॥ एषापि मत्सुता पापा वस्त्रहीना सदेदृशी

jābāliruvāca īdṛgrūpadharastvaṁ hi mama vākyādbhaviṣyasi eṣāpi matsutā pāpā vastrahīnā sadedṛśī

Jabali said: By my word, you shall remain forever bearing this very form; and this sinful daughter of mine, too, shall remain forever without clothing, just as she is now.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.144.64)

भविष्यति न संदेहो जीवयिष्यति चेत्क्वचित् ॥ यद्येषा धास्यति क्वापि वस्त्रं गात्रे निजे क्वचित्

bhaviṣyati na saṁdeho jīvayiṣyati cetkvacit yadyeṣā dhāsyati kvāpi vastraṁ gātre nije kvacit

There is no doubt of this — if this girl ever places any garment upon her own body,

Verse 65 (skanda.6.144.65)

तन्नूनं च शिरोऽप्यस्याः फलिष्यति न संशयः ॥ एवमुक्त्वा विकोपश्च स जगाम निजाश्रमम्

tannūnaṁ ca śiro'pyasyāḥ phaliṣyati na saṁśayaḥ evamuktvā vikopaśca sa jagāma nijāśramam

then her very head shall surely burst apart — of that there is no doubt. Having said this, freed of his anger, he departed for his own hermitage.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.144.66)

चित्रांगदोऽपि तत्रैव तया सार्धं तथा स्थितः ॥ कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य तत्र क्षेत्रे समाययौ

citrāṁgado'pi tatraiva tayā sārdhaṁ tathā sthitaḥ kasyacittvatha kālasya tatra kṣetre samāyayau

Chitrangada too remained there in that state, together with her. Then, after some time, Shiva arrived in that field.

Verse 67 (skanda.6.144.67)

चैत्रशुक्लचतुर्दश्यां भगवाञ्छशिशेखरः ॥ गन्तुं चित्रेश्वरे पीठे गणै रौद्रैः समावृतः ॥ योगिनीभिः प्रचण्डाभिः सार्धं प्राप्ते निशामुखे

caitraśuklacaturdaśyāṁ bhagavāñchaśiśekharaḥ gantuṁ citreśvare pīṭhe gaṇai raudraiḥ samāvṛtaḥ yoginībhiḥ pracaṇḍābhiḥ sārdhaṁ prāpte niśāmukhe

On the fourteenth of the bright half of Chaitra, as night began, Lord Chandrashekhara, surrounded by fierce ganas and terrible yoginis, arrived there on his way to the Chitreshvara seat.

Verse 68 (skanda.6.144.68)

अथ प्राप्ते निशार्धे तु योगिन्यस्ताः सुदारुणाः ॥ महामांसं महामांसमित्यूचुर्भक्षणाय वै

atha prāpte niśārdhe tu yoginyastāḥ sudāruṇāḥ mahāmāṁsaṁ mahāmāṁsamityūcurbhakṣaṇāya vai

Then, when midnight arrived, those most terrible yoginis began crying out, "Great flesh! Great flesh!" — for the sake of devouring it.

Verse 69 (skanda.6.144.69)

नृत्यमानाः पुरस्तस्य देवदेवस्य शूलिनः ॥ सस्पर्धा गणमुख्यैस्तैर्नर्तमानैः समंततः

nṛtyamānāḥ purastasya devadevasya śūlinaḥ saspardhā gaṇamukhyaistairnartamānaiḥ samaṁtataḥ

They danced before that god of gods, the trident-bearer, vying all around with the chief ganas who were themselves dancing.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.144.70)

यस्तत्र समये तासां महामांसं प्रयच्छति ॥ मंत्रपूतं स संसिद्धिं समवाप्नोति वांछिताम्

yastatra samaye tāsāṁ mahāmāṁsaṁ prayacchati maṁtrapūtaṁ sa saṁsiddhiṁ samavāpnoti vāṁchitām

Whoever, at that time, offers them great flesh consecrated with mantra, obtains the accomplishment he desires.

Verse 71 (skanda.6.144.71)

मद्यं मांसं तथा चान्यन्नैवेद्यं वा फलादिकम् ॥ तस्य सिद्धिः समादिष्टा यथा स्वहृदये स्थिता

madyaṁ māṁsaṁ tathā cānyannaivedyaṁ vā phalādikam tasya siddhiḥ samādiṣṭā yathā svahṛdaye sthitā

For one who offers wine, meat, or other food offerings or fruits and the like, success is granted just as it is fixed in his own heart.

Verse 72 (skanda.6.144.72)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे कन्या सा जाबालिसमुद्भवा ॥ स च चित्रांगदस्तत्र गत्वा प्रोवाच सादरम्

etasminnaṁtare kanyā sā jābālisamudbhavā sa ca citrāṁgadastatra gatvā provāca sādaram

Meanwhile, that maiden born of Jabali and that Chitrangada, going there together, spoke respectfully.

Verse 73 (skanda.6.144.73)

अस्मदीयमिदं मांसं योगिन्यो हर्षसंयुताः ॥ भक्षयन्तु यथासौख्यं स्वयमेव प्रकल्पितम्

asmadīyamidaṁ māṁsaṁ yoginyo harṣasaṁyutāḥ bhakṣayantu yathāsaukhyaṁ svayameva prakalpitam

They said: O yoginis, joyfully partake, as you please, of this our own flesh, offered by ourselves.

Verse 74 (skanda.6.144.74)

अथ तं पुरुषं दृष्ट्वा कुष्ठव्याधिसमावृतम् ॥ विवस्त्रां कन्यकां तां च सर्वास्ता विस्मयान्विताः

atha taṁ puruṣaṁ dṛṣṭvā kuṣṭhavyādhisamāvṛtam vivastrāṁ kanyakāṁ tāṁ ca sarvāstā vismayānvitāḥ

Then, beholding that man afflicted with leprosy and that unclothed maiden, all those yoginis were struck with amazement.

Verse 75 (skanda.6.144.75)

ते च सर्वे गणा रौद्राः स च देवस्त्रिलोचनः ॥ पप्रच्छ कौतुकाविष्टस्तत्र चित्रांगदं प्रभुः

te ca sarve gaṇā raudrāḥ sa ca devastrilocanaḥ papraccha kautukāviṣṭastatra citrāṁgadaṁ prabhuḥ

All those fierce ganas too, and that three-eyed god, filled with curiosity, questioned Chitrangada there.

Verse 76 (skanda.6.144.76)

कस्त्वं धैर्यसमायुक्तो महत्सत्त्वे व्यवस्थितः ॥ यः प्रयच्छसि जीवं त्वं कीटस्यापि सुवल्लभम्

kastvaṁ dhairyasamāyukto mahatsattve vyavasthitaḥ yaḥ prayacchasi jīvaṁ tvaṁ kīṭasyāpi suvallabham

They asked: Who are you, endowed with such courage and established in such great fortitude, that you offer up your own life, dear even to a lowly worm?

Verse 77 (skanda.6.144.77)

केयं च वसनैंर्हीना त्वया सार्धं गतव्यथा ॥ प्रयच्छति निजं देहं यद्देयं नैव कस्यचित्

keyaṁ ca vasanaiṁrhīnā tvayā sārdhaṁ gatavyathā prayacchati nijaṁ dehaṁ yaddeyaṁ naiva kasyacit

And who is this woman, bereft of clothing, who, at ease together with you, offers up her own body — a body that ought never to be given to anyone?

Verse 78 (skanda.6.144.78)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ ॥ ततः स कथयामास सर्वमात्मविचेष्टितम् ॥ यथा कन्यासमं संगः कृतः शापश्च सन्मुनेः

sūta uvāca tataḥ sa kathayāmāsa sarvamātmaviceṣṭitam yathā kanyāsamaṁ saṁgaḥ kṛtaḥ śāpaśca sanmuneḥ

Suta said: Then he related the whole story of his own conduct — how he had united with the maiden, and how the virtuous sage had cursed him.

Verse 79 (skanda.6.144.79)

ततश्चित्रांगदं दृष्ट्वा स गन्धर्वं दिवौकसाम् ॥ तथारूपं कृपाविष्टस्ततः प्रोवाच शंकरः

tataścitrāṁgadaṁ dṛṣṭvā sa gandharvaṁ divaukasām tathārūpaṁ kṛpāviṣṭastataḥ provāca śaṁkaraḥ

Then, seeing that gandharva Chitrangada, one of the celestials, in such a state, Shankara, filled with compassion, spoke to him.

Verse 80 (skanda.6.144.80)

मम संदर्शनं प्राप्य न मृत्युर्जायते क्वचित् ॥ न वृथा दर्शनं चैतत्तस्मात्प्रार्थय सादरम्

mama saṁdarśanaṁ prāpya na mṛtyurjāyate kvacit na vṛthā darśanaṁ caitattasmātprārthaya sādaram

Having attained sight of me, no death ever comes to anyone; and this vision of me is never in vain — therefore ask respectfully for a boon.

Verse 81 (skanda.6.144.81)

॥ चित्रांगद उवाच ॥. ॥ व्याधिनाऽहं सुनिर्विण्णस्तेन देवात्र चागतः ॥ येन व्याधिक्षयो भावी देहनाशेन शंकर

citrāṁgada uvāca . vyādhinā'haṁ sunirviṇṇastena devātra cāgataḥ yena vyādhikṣayo bhāvī dehanāśena śaṁkara

Chitrangada said: O Lord, I have come here utterly wearied by this disease, so that, O Shankara, the destruction of my body might bring about the destruction of my disease.

Verse 82 (skanda.6.144.82)

तस्मात्कुरु क्षयं व्याधेर्यदि यच्छसि मे वरम् ॥ खेचरत्वं पुनर्देहि येन स्वर्गं व्रजाम्यहम्

tasmātkuru kṣayaṁ vyādheryadi yacchasi me varam khecaratvaṁ punardehi yena svargaṁ vrajāmyaham

Therefore, if you would grant me a boon, destroy this disease, and give me back the power of moving through the sky, that I may go to heaven.

Verse 83 (skanda.6.144.83)

॥ श्रीशंकर उवाच ॥ ॥ त्वं स्थापयात्र मल्लिंगं पीठे गन्धर्वसत्तम ॥ ततश्चाराधय प्रीत्या यावद्वर्षमुपस्थितम्

śrīśaṁkara uvāca tvaṁ sthāpayātra malliṁgaṁ pīṭhe gandharvasattama tataścārādhaya prītyā yāvadvarṣamupasthitam

Shri Shankara said: O foremost of gandharvas, install my linga here upon this seat, and thereafter worship it with devotion for a full year.

Verse 84 (skanda.6.144.84)

यथायथा सुपूजां त्वं मल्लिंगस्य करिष्यसि ॥ दिनेदिने तथा व्याधेस्तव नाशो भविष्यति

yathāyathā supūjāṁ tvaṁ malliṁgasya kariṣyasi dinedine tathā vyādhestava nāśo bhaviṣyati

As you continue to worship my linga well, so, day by day, will your disease be destroyed.

Verse 85 (skanda.6.144.85)

ततस्तु खे गतिं प्राप्य पुनः स्वर्गं प्रयास्यसि ॥ मत्प्रसादान्न सन्देहः सत्यमेतन्मयोदितम्

tatastu khe gatiṁ prāpya punaḥ svargaṁ prayāsyasi matprasādānna sandehaḥ satyametanmayoditam

Thereafter, regaining the power of flight, you will go once more to heaven; by my grace there is no doubt of this — this I have spoken truly.

Verse 86 (skanda.6.144.86)

एषापि कन्यका यस्मात्प्रविष्टा पीठमध्यतः ॥ तस्मात्फलवतीनाम योगिनी सम्भविष्यति

eṣāpi kanyakā yasmātpraviṣṭā pīṭhamadhyataḥ tasmātphalavatīnāma yoginī sambhaviṣyati

And this maiden too, since she has entered into the midst of this seat, shall become a yogini named Phalavati.

Verse 87 (skanda.6.144.87)

अनेनैव तु रूपेण नग्नत्वेन व्यवस्थिता ॥ मुख्यामवाप्स्यते पूजां वांछितं च प्रदास्यति ॥ पूजकानां स्थितं चित्ते शतसंख्यगुणं तदा

anenaiva tu rūpeṇa nagnatvena vyavasthitā mukhyāmavāpsyate pūjāṁ vāṁchitaṁ ca pradāsyati pūjakānāṁ sthitaṁ citte śatasaṁkhyaguṇaṁ tadā

In this very form, established in nakedness, she shall receive foremost worship, and shall grant to her worshippers, a hundredfold, whatever is held desired in their hearts.

Verse 88 (skanda.6.144.88)

एतां संपूजयेन्मर्त्यः पीठमेतत्ततः परम्॥ पूजयिष्यति तस्येष्टा सिद्धिरेवं भविष्यति

etāṁ saṁpūjayenmartyaḥ pīṭhametattataḥ param pūjayiṣyati tasyeṣṭā siddhirevaṁ bhaviṣyati

The mortal who worships her, and thereafter worships this seat as well — for him, in this way, the desired accomplishment shall come to be.

Verse 89 (skanda.6.144.89)

एवमुक्त्वा ततः साऽथ हर्षेण महताऽन्विता ॥ योगिनीवृंदमध्यस्था नृत्यं चक्रे ततः परम्

evamuktvā tataḥ sā'tha harṣeṇa mahatā'nvitā yoginīvṛṁdamadhyasthā nṛtyaṁ cakre tataḥ param

Hearing this, she then, filled with great joy, standing in the midst of the throng of yoginis, thereafter began to dance.

Verse 90 (skanda.6.144.90)

एवं बभूव सा तत्र योगिनी च वरांगना ॥ तथा चक्रे परं नृत्यं यथा तुष्टो महेश्वरः

evaṁ babhūva sā tatra yoginī ca varāṁganā tathā cakre paraṁ nṛtyaṁ yathā tuṣṭo maheśvaraḥ

Thus that fair one became a yogini there, and performed such supreme a dance that Maheshvara was pleased.

Verse 91 (skanda.6.144.91)

ततः प्रोवाच तां हृष्टः सर्वयोगिनिसंनिधौ ॥ अनेन तव नृत्येन गीतेन च विशेषतः

tataḥ provāca tāṁ hṛṣṭaḥ sarvayoginisaṁnidhau anena tava nṛtyena gītena ca viśeṣataḥ

Then, pleased, he said to her in the presence of all the yoginis: By this dance of yours, and especially by your song,

Verse 92 (skanda.6.144.92)

परितुष्टोस्मि ते वत्से तस्माच्छृणु वचो मम ॥ निशीथेऽद्य दिने प्राप्ते यस्ते पूजां करिष्यति

parituṣṭosmi te vatse tasmācchṛṇu vaco mama niśīthe'dya dine prāpte yaste pūjāṁ kariṣyati

O child, I am well pleased with you; therefore hear my word — from today, whoever, at the hour of midnight, performs your worship,

Verse 93 (skanda.6.144.93)

सुरा मांसान्नसत्कारैर्मंत्रैरागमसंभवैः ॥ स भविष्यति तत्कालं शापानुग्रहशक्तिमान्

surā māṁsānnasatkārairmaṁtrairāgamasaṁbhavaiḥ sa bhaviṣyati tatkālaṁ śāpānugrahaśaktimān

with wine, meat, food, and other offerings, and with mantras arising from the tantric texts — he shall at that very moment become endowed with the power both to curse and to bless.

Verse 94 (skanda.6.144.94)

बंधनं मोहनं चापि शत्रोरुच्चाटनं तथा ॥ करिष्यति न सन्देहो वशीकरणमेव च

baṁdhanaṁ mohanaṁ cāpi śatroruccāṭanaṁ tathā kariṣyati na sandeho vaśīkaraṇameva ca

Without doubt he shall be able to perform binding, deluding, the driving away of an enemy, and also subjugation.

Verse 95 (skanda.6.144.95)

त्रिकोणं कुण्डमास्थाय दिशां पालान्प्रपूजयेत् । क्षेत्रपालं च सर्वास्ता देवता गमनोद्भवाः

trikoṇaṁ kuṇḍamāsthāya diśāṁ pālānprapūjayet kṣetrapālaṁ ca sarvāstā devatā gamanodbhavāḥ

Setting up a triangular fire-pit, he should worship the guardians of the directions, the Kshetrapala, and all the deities arising along that path.

Verse 96 (skanda.6.144.96)

तथा चत्वरपूजां च प्रकृत्वा विधिपूर्वकम् ॥ पश्चात्त्वां पूजयित्वा च होमं यश्च करिष्यति

tathā catvarapūjāṁ ca prakṛtvā vidhipūrvakam paścāttvāṁ pūjayitvā ca homaṁ yaśca kariṣyati

And, having duly worshipped the crossroads, and thereafter worshipped you, whoever performs the fire-offering,

Verse 97 (skanda.6.144.97)

शत्रुवामपदोत्थेन स्पृष्टेन रजसाऽथवा ॥ गुग्गुलेन सहस्रांतं स्तंभनं च करिष्यति

śatruvāmapadotthena spṛṣṭena rajasā'thavā guggulena sahasrāṁtaṁ staṁbhanaṁ ca kariṣyati

with guggulu that has been touched by dust from beneath the enemy's left foot, offered a thousand times, he shall be able to paralyze that enemy.

Verse 98 (skanda.6.144.98)

यश्च शत्रुं हृदि स्थाप्य शत्रूद्वर्तनसंभवम् ॥ मलं धात्रीफलैः सार्धं मोहनं स करिष्यति

yaśca śatruṁ hṛdi sthāpya śatrūdvartanasaṁbhavam malaṁ dhātrīphalaiḥ sārdhaṁ mohanaṁ sa kariṣyati

And whoever, fixing the enemy in his heart, offers the residue from the enemy's own body-scrub together with amla fruits, shall be able to delude him.

Verse 99 (skanda.6.144.99)

यः शत्रोः स्नानजं तोयं गृहीत्वा चाथ कर्दमम् ॥ शिवनिर्माल्यसंयुक्तं जुह्वयिष्यति पावके

yaḥ śatroḥ snānajaṁ toyaṁ gṛhītvā cātha kardamam śivanirmālyasaṁyuktaṁ juhvayiṣyati pāvake

Whoever takes water in which the enemy has bathed, together with mud from it, and offers it in fire mixed with Shiva's discarded worship-offerings,

Verse 100 (skanda.6.144.100)

तवाग्रे स नरो नूनं शत्रुमुच्चाटयिष्यति ॥ एषोपि तव संगेन तव चित्रांगदः प्रियः ॥ संप्राप्स्यति च सत्पूजामनुषंगात्त्वदुद्भवात्

tavāgre sa naro nūnaṁ śatrumuccāṭayiṣyati eṣopi tava saṁgena tava citrāṁgadaḥ priyaḥ saṁprāpsyati ca satpūjāmanuṣaṁgāttvadudbhavāt

that man shall surely, in your presence, drive away his enemy. And this Chitrangada, dear to you, too, by his association with you and his connection arising from you, shall attain excellent worship.

Verse 101 (skanda.6.144.101)

॥ फलवत्युवाच ॥ ॥ यदि देव प्रसन्नो मे तथान्यमपि सद्वरम्

phalavatyuvāca yadi deva prasanno me tathānyamapi sadvaram

Phalavati said: O Lord, if you are pleased with me, then grant me one more excellent boon as well.

Verse 102 (skanda.6.144.102)

हृदिस्थं देहि मे सौख्यं येन संजायतेऽखिलम् ॥ पिता ममैष जाबालिर्निर्मुक्तो वसनैः सदा

hṛdisthaṁ dehi me saukhyaṁ yena saṁjāyate'khilam pitā mamaiṣa jābālirnirmukto vasanaiḥ sadā

Grant me that happiness which is fixed in my heart, by which everything may come about — my father Jabali here is forever without clothing.

Verse 103 (skanda.6.144.103)

अहं यथा तथात्रैव संतिष्ठतु दिवानिशम् । येन संतापमायाति पश्यन्मम विरोधिनीम्

ahaṁ yathā tathātraiva saṁtiṣṭhatu divāniśam yena saṁtāpamāyāti paśyanmama virodhinīm

Just as I remain, so let him too remain here day and night, so that, seeing me, his adversary, he may continually be tormented.

Verse 104 (skanda.6.144.104)

क्रीडां ब्राह्मणवंशस्य मद्यमांससमुद्भवाम् ॥ मद्यगन्धं समाघ्राति मांसं पश्यति संस्कृतम् ॥ मां स्वच्छंदरतां नित्यं दुःखं याति दिनेदिने

krīḍāṁ brāhmaṇavaṁśasya madyamāṁsasamudbhavām madyagandhaṁ samāghrāti māṁsaṁ paśyati saṁskṛtam māṁ svacchaṁdaratāṁ nityaṁ duḥkhaṁ yāti dinedine

Let him, witnessing this sport born of wine and flesh in a brahmin's own lineage, smelling the scent of wine, seeing meat prepared and dressed, and beholding me forever at unrestrained pleasure, be plunged into sorrow day after day.

Verse 105 (skanda.6.144.105)

॥ श्रीभगवानुवाच ॥ ॥ एवं भविष्यति प्रोक्तं संजातं चाधुना शुभे ॥ अहं यास्यामि कैलासं त्वं तिष्ठात्र यथोदिता

śrībhagavānuvāca evaṁ bhaviṣyati proktaṁ saṁjātaṁ cādhunā śubhe ahaṁ yāsyāmi kailāsaṁ tvaṁ tiṣṭhātra yathoditā

The Blessed Lord said: O auspicious one, it shall be as spoken, and even now it has come to pass; I now go to Kailasa — you remain here as declared.

Verse 106 (skanda.6.144.106)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ ॥ एवं स भगवान्प्रोक्त्वा गतश्चादर्शनं हरः ॥ योगिन्यश्चैव ताः सर्वाः स्वेस्वे स्थाने व्यवस्थिताः

sūta uvāca evaṁ sa bhagavānproktvā gataścādarśanaṁ haraḥ yoginyaścaiva tāḥ sarvāḥ svesve sthāne vyavasthitāḥ

Suta said: Having spoken thus, the Lord Hara vanished from sight, and all those yoginis too took up their own respective stations.

Verse 107 (skanda.6.144.107)

चित्रांगदोपि तत्रैव कृत्वा प्रासादमुत्तमम् ॥ लिंगं संस्थापयामास देवदेवस्य शूलिनः

citrāṁgadopi tatraiva kṛtvā prāsādamuttamam liṁgaṁ saṁsthāpayāmāsa devadevasya śūlinaḥ

Chitrangada too, building an excellent shrine there, installed the linga of the trident-bearing god of gods.

Verse 108 (skanda.6.144.108)

ततश्चाराधयामास दिवारात्रमतंद्रितः

tataścārādhayāmāsa divārātramataṁdritaḥ

Thereafter, tireless, he worshipped it day and night.

Verse 109 (skanda.6.144.109)

ततः संवत्सरस्यांते व्याधिमुक्तः सुरूपधृक् ॥ विमानवरमारूढो जगाम त्रिदशालयम् ॥ सोऽपि जाबालिनामाथ विवस्त्र समपद्यत

tataḥ saṁvatsarasyāṁte vyādhimuktaḥ surūpadhṛk vimānavaramārūḍho jagāma tridaśālayam so'pi jābālināmātha vivastra samapadyata

Then, at the end of a year, freed from disease and having regained a fair form, he mounted an excellent celestial chariot and departed to the abode of the gods. Jabali too remained thereafter without clothing.

Verse 110 (skanda.6.144.110)

जनहास्यकरो लोके स्थितस्तत्रैव सर्वदा ॥ पश्यमानो विकारांस्तान्दुःखितः स्वसुतोद्भवान्

janahāsyakaro loke sthitastatraiva sarvadā paśyamāno vikārāṁstānduḥkhitaḥ svasutodbhavān

He remained there forever, an object of people's ridicule, grieving as he witnessed those disorders arisen from his own daughter.

Verse 111 (skanda.6.144.111)

ततश्च गर्हयामास स्त्रीणां जन्म महामुनिः ॥ तस्मिन्पीठे समासाद्य दुःखेन महताऽन्वितः

tataśca garhayāmāsa strīṇāṁ janma mahāmuniḥ tasminpīṭhe samāsādya duḥkhena mahatā'nvitaḥ

Thereafter, dwelling there at that seat, overcome with great sorrow, that great sage began to condemn the very birth of women.

Verse 112 (skanda.6.144.112)

अहो पापात्मनां पुंसां संभविष्यंति योषितः ॥ यासामीदृक्समाचारो द्विजवंशोद्भवास्वपि

aho pāpātmanāṁ puṁsāṁ saṁbhaviṣyaṁti yoṣitaḥ yāsāmīdṛksamācāro dvijavaṁśodbhavāsvapi

He said: Alas, only in the homes of sinful men will such women be born, whose conduct is such as this — even one born into a brahmin lineage!

Verse 113 (skanda.6.144.113)

सकृदेव मया संगः कृतो नार्या समन्वितः ॥ आजन्ममरणं यावत्पापं प्राप्तं यथेदृशम्

sakṛdeva mayā saṁgaḥ kṛto nāryā samanvitaḥ ājanmamaraṇaṁ yāvatpāpaṁ prāptaṁ yathedṛśam

I united with a woman but a single time, and yet I have obtained a sin such as this, lasting from birth to death.

Verse 114 (skanda.6.144.114)

ये पुनस्तासु संसक्ताः सदैव पुरुषाधमाः ॥ का तेषां जायते लोके गतिर्वेद्मि न चिंतयन्

ye punastāsu saṁsaktāḥ sadaiva puruṣādhamāḥ kā teṣāṁ jāyate loke gatirvedmi na ciṁtayan

Those base men who remain forever attached to them — what fate becomes theirs, even thinking of it, I cannot fathom.

Verse 115 (skanda.6.144.115)

एवं तस्य ब्रुवाणस्य योगिन्यस्ताः क्रुधान्विताः ॥ तमूचुर्ब्राह्मणं तत्र घृणया परिवारितम्

evaṁ tasya bruvāṇasya yoginyastāḥ krudhānvitāḥ tamūcurbrāhmaṇaṁ tatra ghṛṇayā parivāritam

As he spoke thus, those yoginis grew filled with anger, and, overcome with contempt, spoke to that brahmin.

Verse 116 (skanda.6.144.116)

॥ योगिन्य ऊचुः ॥ मा निंदां कुरु मूढात्मंस्त्वं स्त्रीणां योगमाश्रितः ॥ एतच्चराचरं विश्वं स्त्रीभिः संधार्यते यतः

yoginya ūcuḥ mā niṁdāṁ kuru mūḍhātmaṁstvaṁ strīṇāṁ yogamāśritaḥ etaccarācaraṁ viśvaṁ strībhiḥ saṁdhāryate yataḥ

The yoginis said: O foolish one, do not revile women — you yourself came into being through union with a woman; for this entire universe of moving and unmoving things is upheld by women.

Verse 117 (skanda.6.144.117)

याभिः संजनितः शेषः कूर्मश्च तदनंतरम् ॥ याभ्यां संधार्यते पृथ्वी यस्यां विश्वं प्रतिष्ठितम्

yābhiḥ saṁjanitaḥ śeṣaḥ kūrmaśca tadanaṁtaram yābhyāṁ saṁdhāryate pṛthvī yasyāṁ viśvaṁ pratiṣṭhitam

By whom Shesha was brought forth, and after him the Tortoise too, and by whom the earth is upheld, on which this entire universe rests.

Verse 118 (skanda.6.144.118)

धन्येयं ते सुता मूढ या प्राप्ता योगमुत्तमम् ॥ प्राप्ता च परमं स्थानं स्तोकैरेवात्र वासरैः

dhanyeyaṁ te sutā mūḍha yā prāptā yogamuttamam prāptā ca paramaṁ sthānaṁ stokairevātra vāsaraiḥ

O fool, blessed is this daughter of yours, who has attained the supreme yoga, and has, in but a few days here, attained the highest station too.

Verse 119 (skanda.6.144.119)

त्वं पुनर्मूर्खतां प्राप्तश्छांदसं मार्गमास्थितः ॥ अविद्यया समायुक्तः संसारेऽत्र भ्रमिष्यसि

tvaṁ punarmūrkhatāṁ prāptaśchāṁdasaṁ mārgamāsthitaḥ avidyayā samāyuktaḥ saṁsāre'tra bhramiṣyasi

You, on the other hand, having fallen into folly, clinging only to the path of ritual formulas, bound by ignorance, shall continue to wander in this cycle of existence.

Verse 120 (skanda.6.144.120)

॥ मुनिरुवाच ॥ स्त्रियो निंद्यतमाः सर्वाः सर्वावस्थासु दुःखदाः ॥ इहलोके परे चैव ताभ्यः सौख्यं न लभ्यते

muniruvāca striyo niṁdyatamāḥ sarvāḥ sarvāvasthāsu duḥkhadāḥ ihaloke pare caiva tābhyaḥ saukhyaṁ na labhyate

The sage said: Women, in every condition, are utterly blameworthy and bring only sorrow; from them one obtains happiness neither in this world nor the next.

Verse 121 (skanda.6.144.121)

यदर्थं निहतः शुम्भो निशुम्भश्च महासुरः ॥ रावणो दण्डभूपश्च तथान्येऽपि सहस्रशः

yadarthaṁ nihataḥ śumbho niśumbhaśca mahāsuraḥ rāvaṇo daṇḍabhūpaśca tathānye'pi sahasraśaḥ

For whose sake were slain the great demons Shumbha and Nishumbha, kings like Ravana and Danda, and thousands of others besides.

Verse 122 (skanda.6.144.122)

प्राप्य तादृग्द्विजं कांतं गौतमं स्त्रीस्वभावतः ॥ अहिल्या शक्रमासाद्य चकमे शीलवर्जिता

prāpya tādṛgdvijaṁ kāṁtaṁ gautamaṁ strīsvabhāvataḥ ahilyā śakramāsādya cakame śīlavarjitā

Even having obtained so excellent a brahmin husband as Gautama, by her very nature as a woman, Ahalya, forsaking her virtue, took Indra and made love with him.

Verse 123 (skanda.6.144.123)

॥ कन्योवाच ॥ ॥ यच्च निंदसि मूढात्मन्संति निंद्याश्च योषितः ॥ तद्वदस्व मया सार्धं येन त्वां बोधयाम्यहम्

kanyovāca yacca niṁdasi mūḍhātmansaṁti niṁdyāśca yoṣitaḥ tadvadasva mayā sārdhaṁ yena tvāṁ bodhayāmyaham

The maiden said: O foolish one, whatever it is that makes you say some women are blameworthy — say it with me, so that I may enlighten you.

Verse 124 (skanda.6.144.124)

न तेऽस्ति हृदये बुद्धिर्न लज्जा न दया मुने ॥ किमंत्यजोऽपि तत्कर्म कुरुते यत्त्वया कृतम्

na te'sti hṛdaye buddhirna lajjā na dayā mune kimaṁtyajo'pi tatkarma kurute yattvayā kṛtam

O sage, in your heart there is neither wisdom, nor shame, nor mercy; even an outcaste would not do the deed that you have done.

Verse 125 (skanda.6.144.125)

अहं तावत्प्रहारेण त्वया व्यापादिताऽधम ॥ स्त्रीहत्योद्भवपापस्य न चिन्ता विधृता हृदि

ahaṁ tāvatprahāreṇa tvayā vyāpāditā'dhama strīhatyodbhavapāpasya na cintā vidhṛtā hṛdi

O vile one, you struck and killed me with your blows, and yet you hold in your heart no anxiety at all over the sin arising from the killing of a woman.

Verse 126 (skanda.6.144.126)

विशेषेण सुतायाश्च कोपाविष्टेन चेतसा ॥ गच्छंति पातकान्यत्र प्रायश्चित्तैः पृथग्विधैः

viśeṣeṇa sutāyāśca kopāviṣṭena cetasā gacchaṁti pātakānyatra prāyaścittaiḥ pṛthagvidhaiḥ

Especially the killing of one's own daughter, done with a mind full of anger — sins from which release comes only through various distinct acts of atonement.

Verse 127 (skanda.6.144.127)

स्त्रीवधोत्थं पुनर्याति यदि तत्त्वं प्रकीर्तय ॥ एतन्मे न च दुःखं स्याद्यद्धतास्मि द्विजाधम

strīvadhotthaṁ punaryāti yadi tattvaṁ prakīrtaya etanme na ca duḥkhaṁ syādyaddhatāsmi dvijādhama

If the sin arising from the killing of a woman can indeed still be removed, then tell me that truth; O vile twice-born, it is not my own death that grieves me so much as this.

Verse 128 (skanda.6.144.128)

यच्छप्ता नग्नसद्भावं नीता तत्पातकं च ते ॥ कल्पांतेऽपि सुदुर्बुद्धे न संयास्यति कुत्रचित्

yacchaptā nagnasadbhāvaṁ nītā tatpātakaṁ ca te kalpāṁte'pi sudurbuddhe na saṁyāsyati kutracit

For that sin you incurred by cursing me and reducing me to nakedness — O wretched-minded one, that shall not depart, even at the end of the eon.

Verse 129 (skanda.6.144.129)

तस्माद्भुंक्ष्व सुदुःखार्तः स्थितोऽत्रैव मया सह ॥ न भूयो निंदसि प्रायो न च व्यापादयिष्यसि

tasmādbhuṁkṣva suduḥkhārtaḥ sthito'traiva mayā saha na bhūyo niṁdasi prāyo na ca vyāpādayiṣyasi

Therefore, greatly tormented, remain here together with me and endure this; never again shall you thus revile, nor shall you ever again kill.

Verse 130 (skanda.6.144.130)

अनिंद्या योषितः सर्वा नैता दुष्यंति कर्हिचित् ॥ मासिमासि रजो ह्यासां दुष्कृतान्यपकर्षति

aniṁdyā yoṣitaḥ sarvā naitā duṣyaṁti karhicit māsimāsi rajo hyāsāṁ duṣkṛtānyapakarṣati

All women are beyond reproach; they are never truly defiled — for month after month, their menstrual flow draws away all their wrongdoing.

Verse 131 (skanda.6.144.131)

॥ मुनि रुवाच ॥ ॥ स्त्रियः पापसमाचारा नैताः शुध्यंति कर्हिचित् ॥ परकांते रतिर्यासामंत्यजत्वं प्रयच्छति

muni ruvāca striyaḥ pāpasamācārā naitāḥ śudhyaṁti karhicit parakāṁte ratiryāsāmaṁtyajatvaṁ prayacchati

The sage said: Women of sinful conduct are never purified; passion for another's husband brings them only to the state of an outcaste.

Verse 132 (skanda.6.144.132)

॥ कन्योवाच ॥ ॥ मा मैवं वद मूढात्मन्नमेध्या इति योषितः ॥ अत्र श्लोकः पुरा गीतो मनुना तं निबोध मे

kanyovāca mā maivaṁ vada mūḍhātmannamedhyā iti yoṣitaḥ atra ślokaḥ purā gīto manunā taṁ nibodha me

The maiden said: O foolish one, do not say that women are impure; on this matter there is a verse sung long ago by Manu — hear it from me.

Verse 133 (skanda.6.144.133)

ब्राह्मणाः पादतो मेध्या गावो मेध्यास्तु पृष्ठतः ॥ अजाश्वा मुखतो मेध्या स्त्रियो मेध्याश्च सर्वतः

brāhmaṇāḥ pādato medhyā gāvo medhyāstu pṛṣṭhataḥ ajāśvā mukhato medhyā striyo medhyāśca sarvataḥ

Brahmins are pure from the foot, cows are pure from the rear, goats and horses are pure from the mouth, and women are pure everywhere, throughout their whole body.

Verse 134 (skanda.6.144.134)

॥ मुनिरुवाच ॥ ॥ ब्राह्मणाः सर्वतो मेध्या गावो मेध्याश्च सर्वतः ॥ अजाश्वा मुखतो मेध्या न मेध्याश्च स्त्रियः क्वचित्

muniruvāca brāhmaṇāḥ sarvato medhyā gāvo medhyāśca sarvataḥ ajāśvā mukhato medhyā na medhyāśca striyaḥ kvacit

The sage said: Brahmins are pure throughout, cows too are pure throughout, goats and horses are pure from the mouth — but women are pure nowhere at all.

Verse 135 (skanda.6.144.135)

॥ कन्योवाच ॥ ॥ तस्य चिंतामणिर्हस्ते तस्य कल्पद्रुमो गृहे ॥ कुबेरः किंकरस्तस्य यस्य स्यात्कामिनी गृहे

kanyovāca tasya ciṁtāmaṇirhaste tasya kalpadrumo gṛhe kuberaḥ kiṁkarastasya yasya syātkāminī gṛhe

The maiden said: He in whose house there is a beloved wife has, as it were, a wish-fulfilling gem in his hand, a wishing-tree in his house, and even Kubera as his servant.

Verse 136 (skanda.6.144.136)

॥ मुनिरुवाच ॥ ॥ तस्यापदोऽखिला दुःखं दुःखं तस्याखिलं गृहे ॥ नरकः सर्वतस्तस्य यस्य स्यात्कामिनीगृहे

muniruvāca tasyāpado'khilā duḥkhaṁ duḥkhaṁ tasyākhilaṁ gṛhe narakaḥ sarvatastasya yasya syātkāminīgṛhe

The sage said: For him in whose house there is a wife, calamity is everywhere, sorrow fills his entire house, and hell is on every side.

Verse 137 (skanda.6.144.137)

॥ कन्योवाच ॥ ॥ यानि कान्यत्र सौख्यानि भोगस्थानानि यानि च ॥ धर्मार्थकामजातानि तानि स्त्रीभ्यो भवंति हि

kanyovāca yāni kānyatra saukhyāni bhogasthānāni yāni ca dharmārthakāmajātāni tāni strībhyo bhavaṁti hi

The maiden said: Whatever joys exist in this world, whatever places of enjoyment there are, and all things born of dharma, artha, and kama — all these come indeed from women.

Verse 138 (skanda.6.144.138)

॥ मुनिरुवाच ॥ ॥ यानि कानि सुदुःखानि क्लेशानि यानि देहिनाम् ॥ यानि कष्टान्यनिष्टानि स्त्रीभ्यस्तानि भवंति च

muniruvāca yāni kāni suduḥkhāni kleśāni yāni dehinām yāni kaṣṭānyaniṣṭāni strībhyastāni bhavaṁti ca

The sage said: Whatever sorrows exist, whatever afflictions embodied beings endure, and whatever painful misfortunes there are — all these too arise from women.

Verse 139 (skanda.6.144.139)

॥ कन्योवाच ॥ ॥ धर्मार्थकाममोक्षान्स्त्री चतुरोऽपि चतसृभिः ॥ वह्निप्रदक्षिणाभिस्तान्विवाहेऽपि प्रदर्शयेत्

kanyovāca dharmārthakāmamokṣānstrī caturo'pi catasṛbhiḥ vahnipradakṣiṇābhistānvivāhe'pi pradarśayet

The maiden said: Even at the time of marriage, by her four circumambulations of the sacred fire, a woman reveals all four goals of life — dharma, artha, kama, and moksha.

Verse 140 (skanda.6.144.140)

॥ मुनिरुवाच ॥ ॥ संसारभ्रमणं नारी प्रथमेऽपि समागमे ॥ वह्निप्रदक्षिणान्यायव्याजेनैव प्रदर्शयेत्

muniruvāca saṁsārabhramaṇaṁ nārī prathame'pi samāgame vahnipradakṣiṇānyāyavyājenaiva pradarśayet

The sage said: Already at that very first union of marriage, a woman, under the pretext of circling the fire, in truth reveals only the wandering round of birth and death.

Verse 141 (skanda.6.144.141)

॥ कन्योवाच ॥ ॥ के नाम न विरज्यंति ज्ञानाढ्या अपि मानवाः ॥ कर्णांतलग्ननेत्रांतां दृष्ट्वा पीन पयोधराम्

kanyovāca ke nāma na virajyaṁti jñānāḍhyā api mānavāḥ karṇāṁtalagnanetrāṁtāṁ dṛṣṭvā pīna payodharām

The maiden said: Even men rich in wisdom — who does not become enamored, beholding a woman whose eyes stretch to her ears and whose bosom is full?

Verse 142 (skanda.6.144.142)

॥ मुनिरुवाच ॥ ॥ के नाम न विनश्यंति मूढज्ञाना नितंबिनीम् ॥ रम्यबुद्ध्योपसर्पंति ये ज्वालाः शलभा इव

muniruvāca ke nāma na vinaśyaṁti mūḍhajñānā nitaṁbinīm ramyabuddhyopasarpaṁti ye jvālāḥ śalabhā iva

The sage said: Foolish men of shallow wisdom who, thinking her delightful, approach a woman as moths approach a flame — who among them is not destroyed?

Verse 143 (skanda.6.144.143)

॥ कन्योवाच ॥ ॥ निर्मुखौ च कठोरौ च प्रोद्धतौ च मनोरमौ ॥ स्त्रीस्तनौ सेवते धन्यो मधुमांसे विशेषतः

kanyovāca nirmukhau ca kaṭhorau ca proddhatau ca manoramau strīstanau sevate dhanyo madhumāṁse viśeṣataḥ

The maiden said: Blessed is he who partakes of a woman's two breasts — mouthless, firm, high, and delightful — as though they were honey and flesh in one.

Verse 144 (skanda.6.144.144)

॥ मुनिरुवाच ॥ ॥ आभोगिनौ मंडलिनौ तत्क्षणान्मुक्तकंचुकौ॥ वरमाशीविषौ स्पृष्टौ न तु पत्न्याः पयोधरौ

muniruvāca ābhoginau maṁḍalinau tatkṣaṇānmuktakaṁcukau varamāśīviṣau spṛṣṭau na tu patnyāḥ payodharau

The sage said: Better to touch two hooded, coiled venomous serpents, shedding their skin that very instant, than to touch a wife's two breasts.

Verse 145 (skanda.6.144.145)

॥ कन्योवाच ॥ ॥ न चासां रचनामात्रं केवलं रम्यमंगिभिः । परिष्वंगोऽपि रामाणां सौख्याय पुलकाय च

kanyovāca na cāsāṁ racanāmātraṁ kevalaṁ ramyamaṁgibhiḥ pariṣvaṁgo'pi rāmāṇāṁ saukhyāya pulakāya ca

The maiden said: It is not merely the form of women's bodies that is delightful to embodied beings — the embrace of these lovely ones too brings joy and thrilling delight.

Verse 146 (skanda.6.144.146)

॥ मुनिरुवाच ॥ ॥ न चासां रचनामात्रं रम्यं स्यात्पापदं दृशः ॥ वपुः स्पृष्टं विनाशाय स्त्रीणां प्रेत्य नरकाय च

muniruvāca na cāsāṁ racanāmātraṁ ramyaṁ syātpāpadaṁ dṛśaḥ vapuḥ spṛṣṭaṁ vināśāya strīṇāṁ pretya narakāya ca

The sage said: Not only is the mere form of women not truly delightful — it is sinful to even look upon; a woman's body, once touched, leads only to ruin, and after death, to hell.

Verse 147 (skanda.6.144.147)

॥ कन्योवाच ॥ ॥ को नाम न सुखी लोके को नाम सुकृती न च ॥ स्पृहणीयतमः को न स्त्रीजनो यस्य रज्यते

kanyovāca ko nāma na sukhī loke ko nāma sukṛtī na ca spṛhaṇīyatamaḥ ko na strījano yasya rajyate

The maiden said: In this world, who is not happy, who is not blessed with merit, who is not most desirable — he with whom womankind falls in love?

Verse 148 (skanda.6.144.148)

॥ मुनिरुवाच ॥ ॥ को न मुक्तिं व्रजेत्तत्र को न शस्यतरो भवेत् ॥ को न स्यात्क्षेमसंयुक्तः स्त्रीजने यो न रज्यते

muniruvāca ko na muktiṁ vrajettatra ko na śasyataro bhavet ko na syātkṣemasaṁyuktaḥ strījane yo na rajyate

The sage said: Who does not attain liberation, who is not most excellent, who is not endowed with well-being — he who does not fall in love with womankind?

Verse 149 (skanda.6.144.149)

॥ कन्योवाच ॥ ॥ संसारांतः प्रसुप्तस्य कीटस्यापि प्ररोचते ॥ स्त्रीशरीरं नरस्यात्र किं पुनर्न विवेकिनः

kanyovāca saṁsārāṁtaḥ prasuptasya kīṭasyāpi prarocate strīśarīraṁ narasyātra kiṁ punarna vivekinaḥ

The maiden said: Even a worm, sunk in this world's slumber, delights in a woman's body — how then should it not delight even a discerning man?

Verse 150 (skanda.6.144.150)

॥ मुनिरुवाच ॥ ॥ अमेध्यजा तस्य यथा तथा तद्रोचनं कृमेः ॥ तथा संसारसूतस्य स्त्रीशरीरं च कामिनः

muniruvāca amedhyajā tasya yathā tathā tadrocanaṁ kṛmeḥ tathā saṁsārasūtasya strīśarīraṁ ca kāminaḥ

The sage said: Just as the worm born in filth delights only in that filth, so too the desirous man, born of this world, delights in a woman's body.

Verse 151 (skanda.6.144.151)

॥ कन्योवाच ॥ ॥ सौख्यस्थानं नृणां किंचिद्वेधसा ऽन्यदपश्यता ॥ शाश्वतं चिंतयित्वाथ स्त्रीरत्नमिदमाहृतम्

kanyovāca saukhyasthānaṁ nṛṇāṁ kiṁcidvedhasā 'nyadapaśyatā śāśvataṁ ciṁtayitvātha strīratnamidamāhṛtam

The maiden said: The Creator, finding no other lasting abode of happiness for men, after due thought, brought forth this jewel of womanhood.

Verse 152 (skanda.6.144.152)

॥ मुनिरुवाच ॥ ॥ बंधनं जगतः किंचिद्वेधसाऽन्यदपश्यता ॥ स्त्रीरूपेण ततः कोपि पाशोऽयं स्त्रीमयः कृतः

muniruvāca baṁdhanaṁ jagataḥ kiṁcidvedhasā'nyadapaśyatā strīrūpeṇa tataḥ kopi pāśo'yaṁ strīmayaḥ kṛtaḥ

The sage said: The Creator, finding no other means to bind the world, fashioned instead this very snare, made wholly of woman, in the form of a woman.

Verse 153 (skanda.6.144.153)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ ॥ एवं स मुनिशार्दूलस्तयातीव समागमे ॥ निरुत्तरीकृतो यावत्ततः प्राह निजां सुताम्

sūta uvāca evaṁ sa muniśārdūlastayātīva samāgame niruttarīkṛto yāvattataḥ prāha nijāṁ sutām

Suta said: Thus, when that tiger among sages had been rendered utterly speechless by her in this intense exchange, he then said this to his own daughter.

Verse 154 (skanda.6.144.154)

॥ मुनिरुवाच ॥ ॥ त्वया सह न संवादो मया कार्योऽधुना क्वचित् ॥ या त्वं बालापि मामेवं निषेधयसि सर्वतः

muniruvāca tvayā saha na saṁvādo mayā kāryo'dhunā kvacit yā tvaṁ bālāpi māmevaṁ niṣedhayasi sarvataḥ

The sage said: I shall now have no further debate with you at all — you, though so young, thus refute me from every side.

Verse 155 (skanda.6.144.155)

तस्माद्धन्यतरं मन्ये अहमात्मानमद्य वै ॥ यस्य मे त्वं सुता ईदृगीदृक्छास्त्रविचक्षणा

tasmāddhanyataraṁ manye ahamātmānamadya vai yasya me tvaṁ sutā īdṛgīdṛkchāstravicakṣaṇā

Therefore today I count myself truly blessed indeed, that I have a daughter such as you, so skilled in the scriptures.

Verse 156 (skanda.6.144.156)

तस्मान्न मे महाभागे कोपः स्वल्पोऽपि विद्यते ॥ तस्माद्यथेच्छया क्रीडां कुरु योगिनिमध्यगा

tasmānna me mahābhāge kopaḥ svalpo'pi vidyate tasmādyathecchayā krīḍāṁ kuru yoginimadhyagā

Therefore, O blessed one, I hold not the slightest anger against you; so remain here amid the yoginis and take your delight as you please.

Verse 157 (skanda.6.144.157)

ततः सा लज्जिता दृष्ट्वा पितरं स्नेहवत्सलम् । प्रणिपत्य पुनःप्राह योगिनीमध्यसंस्थिता

tataḥ sā lajjitā dṛṣṭvā pitaraṁ snehavatsalam praṇipatya punaḥprāha yoginīmadhyasaṁsthitā

Then, seeing her affectionate father, she grew abashed, and, seated in the midst of the yoginis, bowing to him, spoke once more.

Verse 158 (skanda.6.144.158)

अज्ञानाद्यदि वा ज्ञानात्त्वं निषिद्धो मया प्रभो ॥ क्षंतव्यं सकलं मेऽद्य वालिकाया विशेषतः

ajñānādyadi vā jñānāttvaṁ niṣiddho mayā prabho kṣaṁtavyaṁ sakalaṁ me'dya vālikāyā viśeṣataḥ

O lord, whether from ignorance or from knowledge, if I have contradicted you, forgive me, a mere girl, wholly and especially today.

Verse 159 (skanda.6.144.159)

अत्र पीठे समागत्य प्रथमं ते द्विजोत्तमाः ॥ पूजां सर्वे करिष्यंति मानवा भक्तितत्पराः ॥ पश्चाच्च सर्वपीठस्य यास्यंति च परां गतिम्

atra pīṭhe samāgatya prathamaṁ te dvijottamāḥ pūjāṁ sarve kariṣyaṁti mānavā bhaktitatparāḥ paścācca sarvapīṭhasya yāsyaṁti ca parāṁ gatim

O best of brahmins, coming to this seat, devoted people will first of all perform worship to me, and thereafter, worshipping the entire seat, shall attain the highest state.

Verse 160 (skanda.6.144.160)

एवं सा तत्र संजाता जाबालिमुनिसंभवा ॥ जाबालिश्च मुनिश्रेष्ठस्तथा चित्रांगदेश्वरः

evaṁ sā tatra saṁjātā jābālimunisaṁbhavā jābāliśca muniśreṣṭhastathā citrāṁgadeśvaraḥ

Thus that maiden, born of the sage Jabali, came to be established there; and the great sage Jabali, and Chitrangadeshvara too, remained there as well.

Verse 161 (skanda.6.144.161)

त्रयाणामपि यस्तेषां पूजां मर्त्यः समाचरेत्॥ दिवसेदिवसे तत्र स सिद्धिं समवाप्नुयात्

trayāṇāmapi yasteṣāṁ pūjāṁ martyaḥ samācaret divasedivase tatra sa siddhiṁ samavāpnuyāt

Whatever mortal performs worship to any one of these three obtains, day after day, accomplishment there.

Verse 162 (skanda.6.144.162)

नासाध्यं विद्यते किंचित्तावदत्र धरातले ॥ पूज्यते भूमिपालाद्यैर्भोगान्दिव्यांस्तथा लभेत्

nāsādhyaṁ vidyate kiṁcittāvadatra dharātale pūjyate bhūmipālādyairbhogāndivyāṁstathā labhet

For him, nothing on this earth remains unattainable; he is honored by kings and others, and obtains celestial enjoyments as well.

Verse 163 (skanda.6.144.163)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन स मुनिः सा च कन्यका ॥ पूजनीया विशेषेण स देवोऽथ महेश्वरः

tasmātsarvaprayatnena sa muniḥ sā ca kanyakā pūjanīyā viśeṣeṇa sa devo'tha maheśvaraḥ

Therefore, with every effort, that sage, and that maiden, and especially that god Maheshvara, are to be worshipped.

Verse 164 (skanda.6.144.164)

एतद्वः सर्वमाख्यातमाख्यानं सर्वकामदम् ॥ पठतां शृण्वतां चैव इहलोके परत्र च

etadvaḥ sarvamākhyātamākhyānaṁ sarvakāmadam paṭhatāṁ śṛṇvatāṁ caiva ihaloke paratra ca

This entire narrative, which grants every desire, has now been told to you — beneficial, both in this world and the next, to those who read it and to those who hear it.