The Birth of Pippalada

Verse 1 (skanda.6.174.1)

सूत उवाच । तथान्यदपि वो वच्मि लिंगं यत्तत्र संस्थितम् । स्थापितं पिप्पलादेन कंसारेश्वरमित्यहो

sūta uvāca tathānyadapi vo vacmi liṅgaṁ yattatra saṁsthitam sthāpitaṁ pippalādena kaṁsāreśvaramityaho

Suta said: Now let me tell you of another linga established there — it was set up by Pippalada, and is wondrously known as Kansareshvara.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.174.2)

यस्मिन्दृष्टे तु लोकानां पापं याति दिनोद्भवम् । नते षाण्मासिकं चैव पूजिते वर्षसंभवम्

yasmindṛṣṭe tu lokānāṁ pāpaṁ yāti dinodbhavam nate ṣāṇmāsikaṁ caiva pūjite varṣasaṁbhavam

By the mere sight of it, sins accumulated in a single day are destroyed; by bowing before it, six months' worth; and by worshipping it, a whole year's accumulated sin is destroyed.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.174.3)

ऋषय ऊचुः । पिप्पलादेन यल्लिंगं स्थापितं सूतनन्दन । कंसारेश्वरमित्युक्तं कस्मात्तच्च ब्रवीहि नः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ pippalādena yalliṅgaṁ sthāpitaṁ sūtanandana kaṁsāreśvaramityuktaṁ kasmāttacca bravīhi naḥ

The sages said: O son of Suta, tell us why the linga established by Pippalada came to be called Kansareshvara.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.174.4)

क एष पिप्पलादस्तु कस्य पुत्रो वदस्व नः । किमर्थं स्थापितं लिंगं क्षेत्रे तत्र महात्मना

ka eṣa pippalādastu kasya putro vadasva naḥ kimarthaṁ sthāpitaṁ liṅgaṁ kṣetre tatra mahātmanā

Who was this Pippalada, and whose son was he — tell us; and for what purpose did that great soul establish the linga in that sacred field?

Verse 5 (skanda.6.174.5)

सूत उवाच । प्रश्नभारो महानेष भवद्भिः समुदाहृतः । तथापि कथयिष्यामि नमस्कृत्वा स्वयंभुवम्

sūta uvāca praśnabhāro mahāneṣa bhavadbhiḥ samudāhṛtaḥ tathāpi kathayiṣyāmi namaskṛtvā svayaṁbhuvam

Suta said: This is indeed a weighty question you have posed; nevertheless, having bowed to the Self-born Brahma, I shall relate it.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.174.6)

याज्ञवल्क्यस्य भगिनी कंसारीति च विश्रुता । कुमारब्रह्मचर्येण तपस्तेपे सुदारुणम्

yājñavalkyasya bhaginī kaṁsārīti ca viśrutā kumārabrahmacaryeṇa tapastepe sudāruṇam

Yajnavalkya had a sister renowned by the name Kansari; observing lifelong maidenly celibacy, she performed most severe austerity.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.174.7)

याज्ञवल्क्याश्रमे पुण्ये बांधवेन समन्विता । कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य याज्ञवल्क्यस्य भो द्विजाः

yājñavalkyāśrame puṇye bāṁdhavena samanvitā kasyacittvatha kālasya yājñavalkyasya bho dvijāḥ

She dwelt with her brother in Yajnavalkya's sacred hermitage. Now, O brahmins, after some time, from Yajnavalkya's own body —

Verse 8 (skanda.6.174.8)

चस्कन्द रेतः स्वप्नांते दृष्ट्वा कांचिद्वराप्सराम् । तारुण्यभावसंस्थस्य तपोयुक्तस्य सद्द्विजाः

caskanda retaḥ svapnāṁte dṛṣṭvā kāṁcidvarāpsarām tāruṇyabhāvasaṁsthasya tapoyuktasya saddvijāḥ

— who, still in the prime of youth and devoted to austerity, seed fell from him at the close of a dream, O good brahmins, upon seeing a beautiful apsaras.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.174.9)

रेतसा तस्य महता परिधानं परिप्लुतम् । तच्च तेन परित्यक्तं प्रभाते समुपस्थिते

retasā tasya mahatā paridhānaṁ pariplutam tacca tena parityaktaṁ prabhāte samupasthite

His garment became drenched with that abundant seed; and when morning came, he cast the garment aside.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.174.10)

कंसारिकाऽथ जग्राह स्नानार्थं वसनं च तत् । अमोघरेतसा क्लिन्नमजानन्ती द्विजोत्तमाः

kaṁsārikā'tha jagrāha snānārthaṁ vasanaṁ ca tat amogharetasā klinnamajānantī dvijottamāḥ

Then Kansarika picked up that very garment for her bath, not knowing, O best of the twice-born, that it was wet with that unfailing seed.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.174.11)

कुर्वन्त्या यजनं तस्या जलं वीर्यसमन्वितम् । प्रविष्टं भगमध्ये तु ऋतुकाल उपस्थिते

kurvantyā yajanaṁ tasyā jalaṁ vīryasamanvitam praviṣṭaṁ bhagamadhye tu ṛtukāla upasthite

As she performed her ablutions with it, the water mingled with that seed entered her womb, for her fertile season had come.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.174.12)

ततो गर्भः समभवत्तस्यास्तूदरमध्यगः । वृद्धिं चाप्यगमन्नित्यं शुक्लपक्षे यथोडुराट्

tato garbhaḥ samabhavattasyāstūdaramadhyagaḥ vṛddhiṁ cāpyagamannityaṁ śuklapakṣe yathoḍurāṭ

Then a fetus formed within her womb, and it grew daily, just as the moon waxes in the bright fortnight.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.174.13)

साऽपि तं गर्भमादाय स्वोदरस्थं तपस्विनी । दुःखेन महता युक्ता लज्जयाऽथ तदाऽऽवृता

sā'pi taṁ garbhamādāya svodarasthaṁ tapasvinī duḥkhena mahatā yuktā lajjayā'tha tadā'vṛtā

That ascetic woman, bearing that fetus within her womb, was overcome with great sorrow and enveloped in shame.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.174.14)

चिन्तयामास सुचिरं विस्मयेन समन्विता । गोपायन्ती तदाऽऽत्मानं दर्शनं याति नो नृणाम्

cintayāmāsa suciraṁ vismayena samanvitā gopāyantī tadā'tmānaṁ darśanaṁ yāti no nṛṇām

For a long while she pondered, filled with astonishment, and concealing herself, she avoided coming into the sight of anyone.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.174.15)

व्रतचर्यामिषं कृत्वा सदा रहसि संस्थिता । संप्राप्ते दशमे मासि निशीथे समुपस्थिते । तस्याः कुमारको जातो वालार्कसदृशद्युतिः

vratacaryāmiṣaṁ kṛtvā sadā rahasi saṁsthitā saṁprāpte daśame māsi niśīthe samupasthite tasyāḥ kumārako jāto vālārkasadṛśadyutiḥ

Under the pretext of observing a vow, she kept herself always in seclusion. When the tenth month arrived and midnight came, a boy was born to her, radiant as the rising sun.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.174.16)

अथ सा तं समादाय सूक्ष्मवस्त्रेण वेष्टितम् । कृत्वा जगाम चारण्यं मनुष्यपरिवर्जितम् । अश्रुपूर्णेक्षणा दीना रुदन्ती गुप्तमेव च

atha sā taṁ samādāya sūkṣmavastreṇa veṣṭitam kṛtvā jagāma cāraṇyaṁ manuṣyaparivarjitam aśrupūrṇekṣaṇā dīnā rudantī guptameva ca

Then, taking up that child, she wrapped him in a fine cloth and set out for a forest empty of men; her eyes brimming with tears, wretched, she went weeping in secret.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.174.17)

ततो गत्वा च साऽश्वत्थं विजने सुमहत्तरम् । तस्याधस्ताद्विमुच्याथ वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह

tato gatvā ca sā'śvatthaṁ vijane sumahattaram tasyādhastādvimucyātha vākyametaduvāca ha

Going there, she set the child down beneath a great, solitary Ashvattha tree, and spoke these words.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.174.18)

अश्वत्थ विष्णुरूपोऽसि त्वं देवेषु प्रतिष्ठितः । तस्माद्रक्षस्व मे पुत्रं सर्वतस्त्वं वनस्पते

aśvattha viṣṇurūpo'si tvaṁ deveṣu pratiṣṭhitaḥ tasmādrakṣasva me putraṁ sarvatastvaṁ vanaspate

O Ashvattha, you are the very form of Vishnu, established among the gods; therefore, O lord of trees, protect my son in every way.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.174.19)

एष ते शरणं प्राप्तो मम पुत्रस्तु बालकः । पापाया निर्दयायाश्च तस्माद्रक्षां समाचर

eṣa te śaraṇaṁ prāpto mama putrastu bālakaḥ pāpāyā nirdayāyāśca tasmādrakṣāṁ samācara

This infant son of mine has come to you for refuge; protect him from me, his sinful and merciless mother.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.174.20)

एवमुक्त्वा रुदित्वा च सुचिरं सा तपस्विनी । जगाम स्वाश्रमं पश्चाद्वाष्पव्याकुललोचना

evamuktvā ruditvā ca suciraṁ sā tapasvinī jagāma svāśramaṁ paścādvāṣpavyākulalocanā

Having said this and wept for a long while, that ascetic woman, her eyes blurred with tears, returned to her hermitage.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.174.21)

यावद्रोदिति सा माता तस्याधस्ताद्वनस्पतेः । तावदाकाशजा वाणी संजाता मेघनिःस्वना

yāvadroditi sā mātā tasyādhastādvanaspateḥ tāvadākāśajā vāṇī saṁjātā meghaniḥsvanā

As long as that mother wept beneath that tree, a voice arose from the sky, resounding like thunder.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.174.22)

मा त्वं शोकं कुरुष्वास्य बालकस्य कृते शुभे । एष शापादुतथ्यस्य ज्येष्ठभ्रातुर्बृहस्पतिः । अवतीर्णो धरापृष्ठे योग्यतां समवाप्स्यति

mā tvaṁ śokaṁ kuruṣvāsya bālakasya kṛte śubhe eṣa śāpādutathyasya jyeṣṭhabhrāturbṛhaspatiḥ avatīrṇo dharāpṛṣṭhe yogyatāṁ samavāpsyati

O auspicious one, do not grieve for this child. This is none other than Brihaspati, who through the curse of his elder brother Utathya has descended upon the earth, and he shall attain great worthiness.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.174.23)

एष चाथर्वणं वेदं शतकल्पं सुविस्तरम् । शतभेदं च नवधा पंचकल्पं करिष्यति

eṣa cātharvaṇaṁ vedaṁ śatakalpaṁ suvistaram śatabhedaṁ ca navadhā paṁcakalpaṁ kariṣyati

He shall take the Atharvaveda, vast in its hundred branches and hundred divisions, and in nine ways reduce it to five branches.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.174.24)

पिप्पलस्य तरोरेष रसं संभक्षयिष्यति । पिप्पलाद इति ख्यातस्ततो लोके भविष्यति

pippalasya taroreṣa rasaṁ saṁbhakṣayiṣyati pippalāda iti khyātastato loke bhaviṣyati

He shall live by feeding on the sap of the Pippala tree, and for this reason he shall become known in the world as Pippalada.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.174.25)

या त्वं विस्मयमापन्ना पुरुषेण विना शिशुः । संजातोऽयं मम प्रांशुस्ततस्तत्कारणं शृणु

yā tvaṁ vismayamāpannā puruṣeṇa vinā śiśuḥ saṁjāto'yaṁ mama prāṁśustatastatkāraṇaṁ śṛṇu

And as for your astonishment that this tall child was born of you without union with a man — hear the reason for it.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.174.26)

स्नानवस्त्रं च ते भ्रातू रेतसा यत्परिप्लुतम् । तत्त्वया ऋतुकाले तु परिधानं कृतं शुभे

snānavastraṁ ca te bhrātū retasā yatpariplutam tattvayā ṛtukāle tu paridhānaṁ kṛtaṁ śubhe

O auspicious one, your brother's bathing garment, which had become soaked with seed — that very garment you wore during your fertile time.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.174.27)

स्नानकाले तु तोयानि रेतोदकमथास्पृशन् । अमोघरेतसा तेन पुत्रोऽयं तव संस्थितः

snānakāle tu toyāni retodakamathāspṛśan amogharetasā tena putro'yaṁ tava saṁsthitaḥ

At the time of your bath, the waters carrying that seed touched you; it is by the power of that unfailing seed that this son has come to you.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.174.28)

एवं ज्ञात्वा महाभागे यद्युक्तं तत्समाचर

evaṁ jñātvā mahābhāge yadyuktaṁ tatsamācara

Knowing this, O greatly fortunate one, do whatever is fitting.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.174.29)

सूत उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा देवलोकस्य वज्रपातोपमं वचः । हाहाकारपरा भूत्वा निपपात धरातले

sūta uvāca tacchrutvā devalokasya vajrapātopamaṁ vacaḥ hāhākāraparā bhūtvā nipapāta dharātale

Suta said: On hearing that voice from the celestial world, striking like a thunderbolt, she cried out in anguish and fell to the ground.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.174.30)

छिन्नवृक्षलता यद्वत्पतिता सा तपस्विनी

chinnavṛkṣalatā yadvatpatitā sā tapasvinī

That ascetic woman fell as a creeper falls when its supporting tree is severed.

Verse 31 (skanda.6.174.31)

चिरायन्त्यां तु तस्यां स याज्ञवल्क्यो महामुनिः । शून्यं तमाश्रमं दृष्ट्वा पप्रच्छान्यान्मुनीश्वरान्

cirāyantyāṁ tu tasyāṁ sa yājñavalkyo mahāmuniḥ śūnyaṁ tamāśramaṁ dṛṣṭvā papracchānyānmunīśvarān

When she had been gone a long while, the great sage Yajnavalkya, finding the hermitage deserted, asked the other lordly sages.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.174.32)

क्व च मे भगिनी याता कंसारी सुतपस्विनी । तया विनाऽद्य मे सर्वं शून्यमाश्रममंडलम्

kva ca me bhaginī yātā kaṁsārī sutapasvinī tayā vinā'dya me sarvaṁ śūnyamāśramamaṁḍalam

Where has my sister Kansari, so devoted an ascetic, gone? Without her, my whole hermitage stands empty today.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.174.33)

आचख्यौ तापसः कश्चिद्भगिनी ते यवीयसी । निश्चेष्टा पतिता भूमावश्वत्थस्य समीपतः

ācakhyau tāpasaḥ kaścidbhaginī te yavīyasī niśceṣṭā patitā bhūmāvaśvatthasya samīpataḥ

A certain ascetic told him: 'Your younger sister lies fallen upon the ground, motionless, near the Ashvattha tree.'

Verse 34 (skanda.6.174.34)

मया दृष्टा मुनिश्रेष्ठ तां त्वं भावय मा चिरम् । अथासौ त्वरया युक्तः संभ्रांतस्तु प्रधावितः

mayā dṛṣṭā muniśreṣṭha tāṁ tvaṁ bhāvaya mā ciram athāsau tvarayā yuktaḥ saṁbhrāṁtastu pradhāvitaḥ

'O best of sages, I have seen her myself; go to her without delay.' Thereupon, filled with haste and alarm, he ran off.

Verse 35 (skanda.6.174.35)

यत्र सा कथिता तेन तापसेन तपस्विनी । वीक्षते यावत्तत्रस्था श्वसमाना व्यवस्थिता

yatra sā kathitā tena tāpasena tapasvinī vīkṣate yāvattatrasthā śvasamānā vyavasthitā

When he reached the place named by that ascetic, he saw the ascetic woman lying there just as described, only faintly breathing.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.174.36)

अथ तोयेन शीतेन सेचयित्वा मुहुर्मुहुः । दत्त्वा भूयोऽपि वातं च यावच्चक्रे सचेतनाम् । तावत्कात्यायनी प्राप्ता मैत्रेयी च ससंभ्रमम्

atha toyena śītena secayitvā muhurmuhuḥ dattvā bhūyo'pi vātaṁ ca yāvaccakre sacetanām tāvatkātyāyanī prāptā maitreyī ca sasaṁbhramam

Then, sprinkling her again and again with cool water, and fanning her repeatedly, he worked to restore her to consciousness; and even as he did so, Katyayani and Maitreyi arrived in great alarm.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.174.37)

किमिदं किमिदं जातं ननांदर्वद मा चिरम्

kimidaṁ kimidaṁ jātaṁ nanāṁdarvada mā ciram

'What has happened, what has happened? O sister-in-law, tell us at once!'

Verse 38 (skanda.6.174.38)

किं वा सर्पेण दष्टासि सन्निपातेन दूषिता । किं वा भूतगृहीताऽसि माहेंद्रेण ज्वरेण वा

kiṁ vā sarpeṇa daṣṭāsi sannipātena dūṣitā kiṁ vā bhūtagṛhītā'si māheṁdreṇa jvareṇa vā

'Has a serpent bitten you, or has some fatal disease overtaken you? Or are you possessed by a spirit, or gripped by a violent fever?'

Verse 39 (skanda.6.174.39)

अथ सा चेतनां लब्ध्वा याज्ञवल्क्यं पुरः स्थितम् । भार्यया सहितं दृष्ट्वा व्रीडयाऽसून्मुमोच ह

atha sā cetanāṁ labdhvā yājñavalkyaṁ puraḥ sthitam bhāryayā sahitaṁ dṛṣṭvā vrīḍayā'sūnmumoca ha

Then, regaining consciousness and seeing Yajnavalkya standing before her together with his wife, out of shame she gave up her life.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.174.40)

अथ तां च मृतां दृष्ट्वा रुदित्वा च चिरं द्विजाः । याज्ञवल्क्यः सभार्यस्तु दत्त्वा वह्निं च शोकधृक् । जगाम स्वाश्रमं पश्चाद्दत्त्वा च सलिलाञ्जलिम्

atha tāṁ ca mṛtāṁ dṛṣṭvā ruditvā ca ciraṁ dvijāḥ yājñavalkyaḥ sabhāryastu dattvā vahniṁ ca śokadhṛk jagāma svāśramaṁ paścāddattvā ca salilāñjalim

O brahmins, seeing her dead, Yajnavalkya and his wife wept for a long time; then, heavy with grief, he performed her cremation, and having offered the water oblation, returned to his hermitage.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.174.41)

सोऽपि बालोऽथ ववृधे पिप्पलास्वादपुष्टिधृक् । अश्वत्थस्य तले तस्य वृद्धिं याति शनैःशनैः

so'pi bālo'tha vavṛdhe pippalāsvādapuṣṭidhṛk aśvatthasya tale tasya vṛddhiṁ yāti śanaiḥśanaiḥ

Meanwhile that child too grew, nourished on the taste of Pippala sap; beneath that very Ashvattha tree he grew up little by little.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.174.42)

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य नारदो मुनिसत्तमः । तीर्थयात्राप्रसंगेन तेन मार्गेण चागतः

kasyacittvatha kālasya nārado munisattamaḥ tīrthayātrāprasaṁgena tena mārgeṇa cāgataḥ

After some time, Narada, best of sages, came that way while on a pilgrimage to holy places.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.174.43)

स दृष्ट्वा बालकं तत्र द्वादशार्कसमप्रभम् । एकाकिनं वने शून्ये पिप्पलास्वादतत्परम् । पप्रच्छ विस्मयाविष्ट एकाकी को भवानिह

sa dṛṣṭvā bālakaṁ tatra dvādaśārkasamaprabham ekākinaṁ vane śūnye pippalāsvādatatparam papraccha vismayāviṣṭa ekākī ko bhavāniha

Seeing there a boy radiant as twelve suns, alone in that empty forest, absorbed in tasting the Pippala fruit, he asked in astonishment: 'Who are you here, all alone?'

Verse 44 (skanda.6.174.44)

वने शून्ये महारौद्रे सिंहव्याघ्रसमाकुले । क्व ते माता पिता चैव किमर्थं चेह तिष्ठसि

vane śūnye mahāraudre siṁhavyāghrasamākule kva te mātā pitā caiva kimarthaṁ ceha tiṣṭhasi

In this terrible, empty forest, thronged with lions and tigers — where are your mother and father, and why do you dwell here?

Verse 45 (skanda.6.174.45)

निवससि कथं चैव सर्वं मे विस्तराद्वद

nivasasi kathaṁ caiva sarvaṁ me vistarādvada

And how do you live here — tell me all of this in full.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.174.46)

पिप्पलाद उवाच । नाहं जानामि पितरं मातरं न च बांधवम् । नापि त्वां कोऽत्र चायातो मम पार्श्वे तु सांप्रतम्

pippalāda uvāca nāhaṁ jānāmi pitaraṁ mātaraṁ na ca bāṁdhavam nāpi tvāṁ ko'tra cāyāto mama pārśve tu sāṁpratam

Pippalada said: 'I know neither father, nor mother, nor any kinsman; nor even do I know who you are, who have now come to my side.'

Verse 47 (skanda.6.174.47)

सूत उवाच । तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा चिरं ध्यात्वा मुनीश्वरः । ततस्तं प्रहसन्प्राह ज्ञात्वा दिव्येन चक्षुषा

sūta uvāca tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā ciraṁ dhyātvā munīśvaraḥ tatastaṁ prahasanprāha jñātvā divyena cakṣuṣā

Suta said: Hearing his words, that lord of sages meditated for a long while; then, perceiving everything with his divine sight, he addressed him, smiling.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.174.48)

नारद उवाच । मया ज्ञातोऽसि वत्स त्वं याज्ञवल्क्यस्य रेतसा । दैवयोगात्समुत्पन्नो भगिन्या उदरे ह्यृतौ

nārada uvāca mayā jñāto'si vatsa tvaṁ yājñavalkyasya retasā daivayogātsamutpanno bhaginyā udare hyṛtau

Narada said: 'I know you, child — you were born of Yajnavalkya's seed, by a stroke of fate, in the womb of his sister during her fertile season.'

Verse 49 (skanda.6.174.49)

उतथ्यशापदोषेण देवाचार्यो बृहस्पतिः । देवकार्यस्य सिद्ध्यर्थं तस्मात्तच्छृणु कारणम्

utathyaśāpadoṣeṇa devācāryo bṛhaspatiḥ devakāryasya siddhyarthaṁ tasmāttacchṛṇu kāraṇam

It is Brihaspati, the preceptor of the gods, who through the fault of Utathya's curse has come in this form for the fulfillment of the gods' purpose; hear now the reason for it.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.174.50)

अथर्ववेदो यश्चैष शतशाखो विनिर्मितः । शतकल्पश्च गूढार्थो भूपानां कार्यसिद्धये

atharvavedo yaścaiṣa śataśākho vinirmitaḥ śatakalpaśca gūḍhārtho bhūpānāṁ kāryasiddhaye

This Atharvaveda, composed in a hundred branches and a hundred sections, is of hidden meaning, meant for the accomplishment of the works of kings —

Verse 51 (skanda.6.174.51)

नवशाखः पंचकल्पस्त्वया कार्यः सुखावहः

navaśākhaḥ paṁcakalpastvayā kāryaḥ sukhāvahaḥ

— this you are to fashion into nine branches and five sections, bringing well-being to all.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.174.52)

तव मात्रा महाभाग रेतसा च परिप्लुतम् । यद्वस्त्रं याज्ञवल्क्यस्य परिधानं कृतं च यत्

tava mātrā mahābhāga retasā ca pariplutam yadvastraṁ yājñavalkyasya paridhānaṁ kṛtaṁ ca yat

O greatly fortunate one, your mother wore that garment of Yajnavalkya's which had become soaked with seed —

Verse 53 (skanda.6.174.53)

भगिन्या सुतपस्विन्या स्नानार्थं न च काम्यया । तद्रेतो जलमिश्रं तु भगमध्ये विनिर्गतम्

bhaginyā sutapasvinyā snānārthaṁ na ca kāmyayā tadreto jalamiśraṁ tu bhagamadhye vinirgatam

— that excellent ascetic sister wore it only for bathing, with no desire whatever; that seed, mingled with the water, entered her womb.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.174.54)

अमोघं तेन संभूतस्त्वमत्र जगतीतले । माता वै मृत्युमापन्ना ज्ञात्वैवं लज्जया तया

amoghaṁ tena saṁbhūtastvamatra jagatītale mātā vai mṛtyumāpannā jñātvaivaṁ lajjayā tayā

By that unfailing seed you were born here on earth; and your mother, learning all of this, died of shame.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.174.55)

चमत्कारपुरे तुभ्यं मातुलो जनकस्तथा । संतिष्ठते महाभाग तत्पार्श्वे त्वमितो वज

camatkārapure tubhyaṁ mātulo janakastathā saṁtiṣṭhate mahābhāga tatpārśve tvamito vaja

O greatly fortunate one, your maternal uncle, who is also your father, dwells in Chamatkarapura; go there from here to be with him.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.174.56)

सांप्रतं व्रतकालस्ते वर्षं चैवाष्टमं स्थितम् । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य लज्जयाऽधोमुखः स्थितः

sāṁprataṁ vratakālaste varṣaṁ caivāṣṭamaṁ sthitam tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasya lajjayā'dhomukhaḥ sthitaḥ

You are now in your eighth year, the time for the sacred-thread vow. Hearing his words, the boy stood with head bowed low in shame.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.174.57)

ततश्चिरेण दीनं स वाक्यमेतदुवाच तम् । किं मया पापमाख्याहि पूर्वदेहांतरे कृतम्

tataścireṇa dīnaṁ sa vākyametaduvāca tam kiṁ mayā pāpamākhyāhi pūrvadehāṁtare kṛtam

Then, after a long silence, he spoke to him in a wretched voice: 'Tell me, what sin did I commit in a former birth —

Verse 58 (skanda.6.174.58)

येनेदं गर्हितं जन्म वियोगो मातृसंभवः । परित्यक्ष्यामि जीवं स्वं दुःखेनानेन सन्मुने

yenedaṁ garhitaṁ janma viyogo mātṛsaṁbhavaḥ parityakṣyāmi jīvaṁ svaṁ duḥkhenānena sanmune

— that has brought me this reproachable birth and separation from my mother? O virtuous sage, I shall give up my very life from this sorrow.'

Verse 59 (skanda.6.174.59)

नारद उवाच । न त्वया दुष्कृतं किंचित्पूर्वदेहांतरे कृतम् । परं येन सुसंजातं तवेदं व्यसनं शृणु

nārada uvāca na tvayā duṣkṛtaṁ kiṁcitpūrvadehāṁtare kṛtam paraṁ yena susaṁjātaṁ tavedaṁ vyasanaṁ śṛṇu

Narada said: 'You committed no wrong in any former birth; but hear the cause by which this misfortune has truly come upon you.'

Verse 60 (skanda.6.174.60)

जन्मस्थेन भवाञ्जातः शनिना नाऽत्र संशयः । तेनावस्थामिमां प्राप्तो नान्यदस्ति हि कारणम्

janmasthena bhavāñjātaḥ śaninā nā'tra saṁśayaḥ tenāvasthāmimāṁ prāpto nānyadasti hi kāraṇam

Doubtless you were born under Shani stationed in your natal house; it is because of him alone that you have come to this condition — there is no other cause.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.174.61)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य कोपसंरक्तलोचनः । ऊर्ध्वमालोकयामास समुद्दिश्य शनैश्चरम्

tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasya kopasaṁraktalocanaḥ ūrdhvamālokayāmāsa samuddiśya śanaiścaram

Hearing this, the boy, his eyes reddened with rage, looked upward, fixing his gaze directly upon Shani.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.174.62)

तस्य दृष्टिनिपातेन न्यपतत्स तु तत्क्षणात् । विमानात्स्वाद्रवेः पुत्रो ययातिरिव नाहुषः

tasya dṛṣṭinipātena nyapatatsa tu tatkṣaṇāt vimānātsvādraveḥ putro yayātiriva nāhuṣaḥ

The instant his gaze fell upon him, the son of the Sun, Shani, fell that very moment from his celestial chariot, just as Yayati, son of Nahusha, once fell from heaven.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.174.63)

अधोवक्त्रो द्विजश्रेष्ठाः पितुरादेशमाश्रितः । बालभावेऽपि तेनैव दग्धौ पादौ तदा रवेः

adhovaktro dvijaśreṣṭhāḥ piturādeśamāśritaḥ bālabhāve'pi tenaiva dagdhau pādau tadā raveḥ

O best of the twice-born, obeying the command of his father the Sun, he fell face downward; and even in his infancy, by that boy's gaze, both feet of Shani, son of the Sun, were burned.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.174.64)

अथ तं नारदः प्राह पतमानमधोमुखम् । बाल्यभावादनेन त्वं पातितोऽसि शनैश्चर

atha taṁ nāradaḥ prāha patamānamadhomukham bālyabhāvādanena tvaṁ pātito'si śanaiścara

Then Narada spoke to Shani, who was falling face-first: 'O Shanaishchara, it is only because of this boy's childish innocence that you have been cast down.'

Verse 65 (skanda.6.174.65)

तस्मान्मा वीक्षयस्वैनं भविष्यति प्रकोपभाक् । मा पतस्व तथा भूमौ बलान्मद्वाक्यसंभवात्

tasmānmā vīkṣayasvainaṁ bhaviṣyati prakopabhāk mā patasva tathā bhūmau balānmadvākyasaṁbhavāt

Therefore do not gaze upon him further, or you shall meet his full fury. And by the power of my word, do not fall forcibly to the ground.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.174.66)

स्तंभयित्वा तथाप्येवं गगनस्थं शनैश्चरम् । ततः प्रोवाच तं बालं पिप्पलादं मुनीश्वरः

staṁbhayitvā tathāpyevaṁ gaganasthaṁ śanaiścaram tataḥ provāca taṁ bālaṁ pippalādaṁ munīśvaraḥ

Having thus held Shanaishchara suspended fixed in the sky, that lord of sages then spoke to the boy Pippalada.

Verse 67 (skanda.6.174.67)

मा कोपं कुरु बाल त्वमेष सूर्यसुतो ग्रहः । देवानामपि पीडां च कुरुतेऽष्टमराशिगः

mā kopaṁ kuru bāla tvameṣa sūryasuto grahaḥ devānāmapi pīḍāṁ ca kurute'ṣṭamarāśigaḥ

'Do not be angry, child; this is the planet Shani, son of the Sun, who, occupying the eighth sign, brings affliction even upon the gods.'

Verse 68 (skanda.6.174.68)

जन्मस्थस्तु विशेषेण द्वितीयस्तु तथापरः । यद्येष कुपितस्त्वां तु वीक्षयिष्यति कर्हिचित्

janmasthastu viśeṣeṇa dvitīyastu tathāparaḥ yadyeṣa kupitastvāṁ tu vīkṣayiṣyati karhicit

'Especially when in the natal sign, and likewise in the second sign, he brings affliction. If, in anger, he should ever look upon you —

Verse 69 (skanda.6.174.69)

करिष्यति न संदेहो भस्मराशिं ममाग्रतः । अनेन वीक्षितौ पादौ जातमात्रेण सूर्यकौ

kariṣyati na saṁdeho bhasmarāśiṁ mamāgrataḥ anena vīkṣitau pādau jātamātreṇa sūryakau

— he will, without doubt, reduce even me to a heap of ashes before his very eyes. Already, at the moment of his birth, this child's gaze has fallen upon the two feet of the Sun's son.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.174.70)

आयातस्य तु तुष्टस्य पुत्रदर्शनवाञ्छया । अन्तर्धानीकृते वस्त्रे ज्ञात्वा तं रौद्रचक्षुषम्

āyātasya tu tuṣṭasya putradarśanavāṁchayā antardhānīkṛte vastre jñātvā taṁ raudracakṣuṣam

When he had come joyfully, wishing to see his son, and his garment had been made to vanish, and recognizing that terrible-eyed child —

Verse 71 (skanda.6.174.71)

ततो दग्धावुभौ चापि तिष्ठतश्चर्मवेष्टितौ । दृश्येतेऽद्यापि मूर्त्तौ तौ घटितायां धरातले

tato dagdhāvubhau cāpi tiṣṭhataścarmaveṣṭitau dṛśyete'dyāpi mūrttau tau ghaṭitāyāṁ dharātale

— his two feet were burned and remained bound in leather; and those two forms are still seen there today, set into the earth.

Verse 72 (skanda.6.174.72)

सूत उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य नारदस्य स बालकः । भयेन महता युक्तस्ततः पप्रच्छ तं मुनिम्

sūta uvāca tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasya nāradasya sa bālakaḥ bhayena mahatā yuktastataḥ papraccha taṁ munim

Suta said: Hearing these words of Narada, the boy became greatly frightened, and then questioned that sage.

Verse 73 (skanda.6.174.73)

कथं यास्यति मे तुष्टिं वदैष मम सन्मुने । अज्ञानात्पातितो व्योम्नः शक्तिं चास्याविजानता

kathaṁ yāsyati me tuṣṭiṁ vadaiṣa mama sanmune ajñānātpātito vyomnaḥ śaktiṁ cāsyāvijānatā

'O virtuous sage, tell me how he may be appeased. I cast him down from the sky in ignorance, not knowing his power.'

Verse 74 (skanda.6.174.74)

नारद उवाच । ग्रहा गावो नरेंद्राश्च ब्राह्मणाश्च विशेषतः । पूजिताः प्रतिपूज्यंते निर्दहंत्यपमानिताः

nārada uvāca grahā gāvo narendrāśca brāhmaṇāśca viśeṣataḥ pūjitāḥ pratipūjyaṁte nirdahaṁtyapamānitāḥ

Narada said: 'Planets, cows, kings, and brahmins above all — when honored, they return honor; when insulted, they burn one to ashes.'

Verse 75 (skanda.6.174.75)

तस्मात्कुरु स्तुतिं चास्य स्वशक्त्या भास्करेः प्रभो । प्रसादं गच्छते येन कोपं त्यजति पातजम्

tasmātkuru stutiṁ cāsya svaśaktyā bhāskareḥ prabho prasādaṁ gacchate yena kopaṁ tyajati pātajam

'Therefore, O lord, praise the son of the Sun as best you can, so that he becomes gracious and abandons the wrath born of his fall.'

Verse 76 (skanda.6.174.76)

ततः कृतांजलिर्भूत्वा स्तुतिं चक्रे स बालकः । भयेन महता युक्तस्ततः संपृच्छ्य तं मुनिम्

tataḥ kṛtāṁjalirbhūtvā stutiṁ cakre sa bālakaḥ bhayena mahatā yuktastataḥ saṁpṛcchya taṁ munim

Then, with joined palms and filled with great fear, having consulted with the sage, the boy began his hymn of praise.

Verse 77 (skanda.6.174.77)

पिप्पलादो द्विजश्रेष्ठाः प्रणिपत्य मुहुर्मुहुः । नमस्ते क्रोधसंस्थाय पिंगलाय नमोऽस्तु ते

pippalādo dvijaśreṣṭhāḥ praṇipatya muhurmuhuḥ namaste krodhasaṁsthāya piṁgalāya namo'stu te

O best of the twice-born, Pippalada, prostrating again and again, said: 'Salutations to you who dwell in wrath, salutations to you of the tawny hue.'

Verse 78 (skanda.6.174.78)

नमस्ते वसुरूपाय कृष्णाय च नमोऽस्तु ते । नमस्ते रौद्रदेहाय नमस्ते चांतकाय च

namaste vasurūpāya kṛṣṇāya ca namo'stu te namaste raudradehāya namaste cāṁtakāya ca

'Salutations to you in the form of Vasu, salutations to you of dark hue; salutations to you of terrible body, and salutations to you as the ender of life.'

Verse 79 (skanda.6.174.79)

नमस्ते यमसंज्ञाय नमस्ते सौरये विभो । नमस्ते मन्दसंज्ञाय शनैश्चर नमोऽस्तु ते

namaste yamasaṁjñāya namaste saurave vibho namaste mandasaṁjñāya śanaiścara namo'stu te

'Salutations to you known as Yama, salutations to you, O mighty son of the Sun; salutations to you known as the slow-moving one, salutations to you, O Shanaishchara.'

Verse 80 (skanda.6.174.80)

प्रसादं कुरु देवेश दीनस्य प्रणतस्य च

prasādaṁ kuru deveśa dīnasya praṇatasya ca

'O lord of gods, show your grace upon this wretched one who bows before you.'

Verse 81 (skanda.6.174.81)

शनैश्चर उवाच । परितुष्टोऽस्मि ते वत्स स्तोत्रेणानेन सांप्रतम् । वरं वरय भद्रं ते येन यच्छामि सांप्रतम्

śanaiścara uvāca parituṣṭo'smi te vatsa stotreṇānena sāṁpratam varaṁ varaya bhadraṁ te yena yacchāmi sāṁpratam

Shanaishchara said: 'I am, O child, greatly pleased with you now through this hymn; ask for a boon, may good befall you, and I shall grant it to you now.'

Verse 82 (skanda.6.174.82)

पिप्पलाद उवाच । अद्यप्रभृति नो पीडा बालानां सूर्यनन्दन । त्वया कार्या महाभाग स्वकीया च कथंचन

pippalāda uvāca adyaprabhṛti no pīḍā bālānāṁ sūryanandana tvayā kāryā mahābhāga svakīyā ca kathaṁcana

Pippalada said: 'O son of the Sun, from this day forth, may you never in any way inflict affliction upon children, of your own accord.'

Verse 83 (skanda.6.174.83)

यावद्वर्षाष्टमं जातं मम वाक्येन सूर्यज । स्तोत्रेणानेन योऽत्र त्वां स्तूयात्प्रातः समुत्थितः

yāvadvarṣāṣṭamaṁ jātaṁ mama vākyena sūryaja stotreṇānena yo'tra tvāṁ stūyātprātaḥ samutthitaḥ

'O son of the Sun, by my word, until a boy reaches eight years of age, and whoever, rising at dawn, praises you with this hymn —

Verse 84 (skanda.6.174.84)

तस्य पीडा न कर्तव्या त्वया भास्करनन्दन । तव वारे च संजाते तैलाभ्यंगं करोति यः

tasya pīḍā na kartavyā tvayā bhāskaranandana tava vāre ca saṁjāte tailābhyaṁgaṁ karoti yaḥ

— him, O son of the Sun, you shall never afflict. And whoever, on the day of your week, anoints himself with oil —

Verse 85 (skanda.6.174.85)

दिनाष्टकं न कर्तव्या तस्य पीडा कथंचन । यस्त्वां लोहमयं कृत्वा तैलमध्ये ह्यधोमुखम्

dināṣṭakaṁ na kartavyā tasya pīḍā kathaṁcana yastvāṁ lohamayaṁ kṛtvā tailamadhye hyadhomukham

— his affliction shall not occur for eight days. And whoever fashions your image in iron and, placing it face-down within oil —

Verse 86 (skanda.6.174.86)

धारयेत्तेन तैलेन ततः स्नानं समाचरेत् । तस्य पीडा न कर्तव्या देयो लाभो महीभुजः

dhārayettena tailena tataḥ snānaṁ samācaret tasya pīḍā na kartavyā deyo lābho mahībhujaḥ

— holds it there, and then bathes with that oil — him too you shall not afflict; rather, benefit should be granted, even to a king.

Verse 87 (skanda.6.174.87)

अध्यर्द्धाष्टमिकायोगे तावके संस्थिते नरः । तववारे तु संप्राप्ते यस्तिलाँल्लोहसंयुतान्

adhyarddhāṣṭamikāyoge tāvake saṁsthite naraḥ tavavāre tu saṁprāpte yastilāṁllohasaṁyutān

When your seven-and-a-half-year period rests upon a person, and, on the day of your week, whoever offers sesame combined with iron —

Verse 88 (skanda.6.174.88)

स्वशक्त्या राति नो तस्य पीडा कार्या त्वया विभो । कृष्णां गां यस्तु विप्राय तवोद्देशेन यच्छति

svaśaktyā rāti no tasya pīḍā kāryā tvayā vibho kṛṣṇāṁ gāṁ yastu viprāya tavoddeśena yacchati

— as a gift according to his means, O mighty one, him you shall not afflict. And whoever, in your name, gives a black cow to a brahmin —

Verse 89 (skanda.6.174.89)

अध्यर्द्धाष्टमजा पीडा नाऽस्य कार्या त्वया विभो । शमी समिद्भिर्यो होमं तवोद्देशेन यच्छति

adhyarddhāṣṭamajā pīḍā nā'sya kāryā tvayā vibho śamī samidbhiryo homaṁ tavoddeśena yacchati

— to him, O mighty one, the affliction of that seven-and-a-half-year period shall not come. And whoever offers oblation with Shami-wood fuel in your name —

Verse 90 (skanda.6.174.90)

तथा कृष्णतिलैश्चैव कृष्णपुष्पानुलेपनैः । पूजां करोति यस्तुभ्यं धूपं वै गुग्गुलं दहेत् । कृष्णवस्त्रेण संवेष्ट्य त्याज्या तस्य व्यथा त्वया

tathā kṛṣṇatilaiścaiva kṛṣṇapuṣpānulepanaiḥ pūjāṁ karoti yastubhyaṁ dhūpaṁ vai guggulaṁ dahet kṛṣṇavastreṇa saṁveṣṭya tyājyā tasya vyathā tvayā

— or worships you with black sesame, black flowers, and unguents, burns guggulu incense, and wraps you in black cloth — his affliction you must set aside.

Verse 91 (skanda.6.174.91)

सूत उवाच । एवमुक्तः शनिस्तेन बाढमित्येव जल्प्य च । नारदं समनुज्ञाप्य जगाम निजसंश्रयम्

sūta uvāca evamuktaḥ śanistena bāḍhamityeva jalpya ca nāradaṁ samanujñāpya jagāma nijasaṁśrayam

Suta said: Thus addressed, Shani said, 'So be it,' and, taking leave of Narada, departed for his own abode.

Verse 92 (skanda.6.174.92)

नारदोऽपि तमादाय वालकं कृपयान्वितः । चमत्कारपुरं गत्वा याज्ञवल्क्याय चार्पयत्

nārado'pi tamādāya vālakaṁ kṛpayānvitaḥ camatkārapuraṁ gatvā yājñavalkyāya cārpayat

Narada too, taking the boy with compassion, went to Chamatkarapura and delivered him to Yajnavalkya.

Verse 93 (skanda.6.174.93)

कथयामास वृत्तांतं तस्य संभूतिसंभवम् । यद्दृष्टं ज्ञानदीपेन तस्मै सर्वं न्यवेदयत्

kathayāmāsa vṛttāṁtaṁ tasya saṁbhūtisaṁbhavam yaddṛṣṭaṁ jñānadīpena tasmai sarvaṁ nyavedayat

He related to him the whole account of the child's birth; all that he had seen with the lamp of his wisdom, he made known to him.

Verse 94 (skanda.6.174.94)

एष ते वीर्यसंभूतो बालको भगिनीसुतः । मयाऽश्वत्थतले लब्धः काननेऽश्वत्थसंनिधौ

eṣa te vīryasaṁbhūto bālako bhaginīsutaḥ mayā'śvatthatale labdhaḥ kānane'śvatthasaṁnidhau

'This child, your sister's son, was born of your own seed; I found him in the forest, at the foot of the Ashvattha tree, near it.'

Verse 95 (skanda.6.174.95)

व्रतबंधं कुरुष्वास्य सांप्रतं चाष्टवार्षिकः । नात्र दोषोऽस्ति विप्रेंद्र न भगिन्यास्तथा तव । तस्माद्गृहाण पुत्रं स्वं भागिनेयं विशेषतः

vratabaṁdhaṁ kuruṣvāsya sāṁprataṁ cāṣṭavārṣikaḥ nātra doṣo'sti viprendra na bhaginyāstathā tava tasmādgṛhāṇa putraṁ svaṁ bhāgineyaṁ viśeṣataḥ

'He is now eight years old — perform his sacred-thread ceremony. O foremost of brahmins, there is no fault in this, neither yours nor your sister's; therefore accept him as your own son, and especially as your nephew.'

Verse 96 (skanda.6.174.96)

सूत उवाच । एवमुक्त्वा स देवर्षिस्ततश्चादर्शनं गतः । याज्ञवल्क्योऽपि तच्छ्रुत्वा विषादं परमं गतः

sūta uvāca evamuktvā sa devarṣistataścādarśanaṁ gataḥ yājñavalkyo'pi tacchrutvā viṣādaṁ paramaṁ gataḥ

Suta said: Having said this, that divine sage vanished from sight; and Yajnavalkya, hearing this, fell into the deepest sorrow.

Verse 97 (skanda.6.174.97)

पापं तच्चिंतयन्नेव न शांतिमधिगच्छति । आत्मानं गर्हयन्नित्यं दिवानक्तं च शोचति

pāpaṁ taccintayanneva na śāntimadhigacchati ātmānaṁ garhayannityaṁ divānaktaṁ ca śocati

Constantly dwelling on that sin, he found no peace; forever reproaching himself, he grieved day and night.

Verse 98 (skanda.6.174.98)

तं च पुत्रं परिज्ञाय तैस्तैश्चिह्नैर्निजैः स्थितैः । ततस्तु पोषयित्वा तं व्रतेन समयोजयत्

taṁ ca putraṁ parijñāya taistaiścihnairnijaiḥ sthitaiḥ tatastu poṣayitvā taṁ vratena samayojayat

Then, recognizing that child as his own son by those various family marks, he raised him and united him with the sacred-thread vow.