The Legend of Panchapindika Gauri: Padmavati's Devotion

Verse 1 (skanda.6.177.1)

सूत उवाच । तथान्यापि च तत्रास्ति गौरी वै पञ्चपिंडिका । लक्ष्म्या संस्थापिता चैव मानुषत्वंव्यवस्थया

sūta uvāca tathānyāpi ca tatrāsti gaurī vai paṁcapiṁḍikā lakṣmyā saṁsthāpitā caiva mānuṣatvaṁvyavasthayā

Suta said: There too is another goddess — Gauri, in the form of the Five-Mound (Panchapindika); she was established by Lakshmi herself, while dwelling in human form.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.177.2)

तस्या दर्शनमात्रेण नारी सौभाग्यमामुयात् । ज्येष्ठे मासि सिते पक्षे वृषस्थे च दिवाकरे

tasyā darśanamātreṇa nārī saubhāgyamāmuyāt jyeṣṭhe māsi site pakṣe vṛṣasthe ca divākare

By merely beholding her, a woman attains good fortune, especially in the bright fortnight of the month of Jyeshtha, when the sun stands in Taurus.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.177.3)

तस्या उपरि नारी या जलयन्त्रं दधाति वै । स्राव्यमाणं दिवानक्तं सौभाग्यं परमं लभेत्

tasyā upari nārī yā jalayantraṁ dadhāti vai srāvyamāṇaṁ divānaktaṁ saubhāgyaṁ paramaṁ labhet

The woman who sets above her a water-dripping vessel, letting it trickle continuously day and night, attains the highest good fortune.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.177.4)

यत्फलं लभते नारी समस्तैर्विहितैर्व्रतैः । गौरीसमुद्भवैश्चैव दानैर्दत्तैस्तदिष्टजैः । तत्फलं लभते सर्वं जलयन्त्रस्य कारणात्

yatphalaṁ labhate nārī samastairvihitairvrataiḥ gaurīsamudbhavaiścaiva dānairdattaistadiṣṭajaiḥ tatphalaṁ labhate sarvaṁ jalayantrasya kāraṇāt

Whatever fruit a woman gains through the observance of all prescribed vows, through gifts connected with Gauri, and through desired rites — that entire fruit she gains through the water-vessel alone.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.177.5)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन स्त्रीभिः सौभाग्यकारणात् । जलयन्त्रं विधातव्यं ज्येष्ठे गौर्याः प्रयत्नतः

tasmātsarvaprayatnena strībhiḥ saubhāgyakāraṇāt jalayantraṁ vidhātavyaṁ jyeṣṭhe gauryāḥ prayatnataḥ

Therefore, women should, with every effort, for the sake of good fortune, diligently set up the water-vessel before Gauri in the month of Jyeshtha.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.177.6)

किं व्रतैर्नियमैर्वापि स्त्रीणां ब्राह्मणसत्तमाः । जपैर्होमैः कृतैरन्यैर्बहुक्लेशकरैश्च तैः

kiṁ vrataiḥ niyamairvāpi strīṇāṁ brāhmaṇasattamāḥ japairhomaiḥ kṛtairanyairbahukleśakaraiśca taiḥ

O best of brahmins, what use to women are other vows, observances, recitations, and fire-oblations, so laborious and troublesome?

Verse 7 (skanda.6.177.7)

स्त्रीणां ब्राह्मणशार्दूला जलेयन्त्रे धृते सति । गौर्या उपरि सद्भक्त्या वृषस्थे तीक्ष्णदीधितौ

strīṇāṁ brāhmaṇaśārdūlā jalayantre dhṛte sati gauryā upari sadbhaktyā vṛṣasthe tīkṣṇadīdhitau

O tigers among brahmins, when the sharp-rayed sun stands in Taurus, if a woman sets a water-vessel above Gauri with true devotion —

Verse 8 (skanda.6.177.8)

नैवं संजायते वंध्या काकवन्ध्या न जायते । न दौर्भाग्यसमोपेता सप्तजन्मांतराणि सा

naivaṁ saṁjāyate vaṁdhyā kākavaṁdhyā na jāyate na daurbhāgyasamopetā saptajanmāṁtarāṇi sā

— she never becomes barren, nor does she become one who bears only a single child, and for seven lifetimes she is never touched by misfortune.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.177.9)

ऋषय ऊचुः । गौरी चतुर्भुजा प्रोक्ता दृश्यते परमेश्वरी । पञ्चपिंडा कथं जाता ह्येतं नः संशयं वद

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ gaurī caturbhujā proktā dṛśyate parameśvarī paṁcapiṁḍā kathaṁ jātā hyetaṁ naḥ saṁśayaṁ vada

The sages said: 'Gauri is said to be the four-armed supreme goddess — how then did she come to appear as the Five-Mound form? Resolve this doubt of ours.'

Verse 10 (skanda.6.177.10)

सूत उवाच । यदा च प्रलयो भावि तदा त्मानं करोत्यसौ । पश्चपिंडीमयं विप्राः कुरुते रूपमुत्तमम्

sūta uvāca yadā ca pralayo bhāvi tadātmānaṁ karotyasau paṁcapiṁḍīmayaṁ viprāḥ kurute rūpamuttamam

Suta said: When dissolution is about to occur, then that goddess, O brahmins, transforms herself into that excellent form composed of five mounds.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.177.11)

एषा सा परमा शक्तिः सर्वं व्याप्य सुरेश्वरी । तया सर्वमिदं व्याप्तं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम्

eṣā sā paramā śaktiḥ sarvaṁ vyāpya sureśvarī tayā sarvamidaṁ vyāptaṁ trailokyaṁ sacarācaram

She is that supreme power, the goddess of the gods, pervading all things; by her this entire threefold world, moving and unmoving, is pervaded.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.177.12)

पृथिव्यापश्च तेजश्च वायुराकाशमेव च । सृष्ट्यर्थं रक्षयेदेषा ततः स्यात्पंचपिंडिका

pṛthivyāpaśca tejaśca vāyurākāśameva ca sṛṣṭyarthaṁ rakṣayedeṣā tataḥ syātpaṁcapiṁḍikā

Earth, water, fire, air, and ether — for the protection of creation she upholds these five, and hence she is called Panchapindika, the Five-Mound goddess.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.177.13)

यदस्यां पूजितायां तु प्रत्यक्षायां प्रजायते । सहस्रत्रिगुणं तच्च यत्र स्यात्पञ्चपिण्डिका

yadasyāṁ pūjitāyāṁ tu pratyakṣāyāṁ prajāyate sahasratriguṇaṁ tacca yatra syātpaṁcapiṇḍikā

Whatever fruit arises when she is worshipped in a visible manifest form, that fruit becomes three thousand-fold wherever the Panchapindika is present.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.177.14)

ज्येष्ठे मासि विशेषेण जलयंत्रार्चनेन च । अत्र वः कीर्तयिष्यामि त्विति हासं पुरातनम्

jyeṣṭhe māsi viśeṣeṇa jalayaṁtrārcanena ca atra vaḥ kīrtayiṣyāmi tviti hāsaṁ purātanam

Especially in the month of Jyeshtha, through worship with the water-vessel. Concerning this, I shall now relate to you an ancient legend.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.177.15)

यद्वृत्तं काशिराजस्य भार्याया द्विजसत्तमाः । यच्च प्रोक्तं पुरा लक्ष्म्या विष्णवे परिपृष्टया

yadvṛttaṁ kāśirājasya bhāryāyā dvijasattamāḥ yacca proktaṁ purā lakṣmyā viṣṇave paripṛṣṭayā

O best of the twice-born, this is the account of the wife of the king of Kashi, as told long ago by Lakshmi when she was questioned by Vishnu.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.177.16)

लक्ष्मीरुवाच । काशिराजः पुरा ह्यासीज्जयसेन इति श्रुतः । तस्य भार्यासहस्रं तु ह्यासीद्रूपसमन्वितम्

lakṣmīruvāca kāśirājaḥ purā hyāsījjayasena iti śrutaḥ tasya bhāryāsahasraṁ tu hyāsīdrūpasamanvitam

Lakshmi said: Long ago there was a king of Kashi, known by the name Jayasena; he had a thousand wives, all endowed with beauty.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.177.17)

अथ चान्या प्रिया तेन लब्धा भार्या सुशोभना । मनुष्यत्वव्यवस्थाया मम चांशकला हि या । सुता मद्राधिराजस्य विष्वक्सेनस्य धीमतः

atha cānyā priyā tena labdhā bhāryā suśobhanā manuṣyatvavyavasthāyā mama cāṁśakalā hi yā sutā madrādhirājasya viṣvaksenasya dhīmataḥ

Then he took another beloved and most beautiful wife, who, dwelling in human form, was a partial portion of myself — the daughter of the wise Vishvaksena, the great king of Madra.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.177.18)

सा गत्वा प्रातरुत्थाय शुभे गंगातटे तदा । पञ्चपिंडात्मिकां गौरीं कृत्वा कर्द्दमसंभवाम्

sā gatvā prātarutthāya śubhe gaṁgātaṭe tadā paṁcapiṁḍātmikāṁ gaurīṁ kṛtvā karddamasaṁbhavām

Rising at dawn, she would go to the sacred bank of the Ganga and fashion, out of clay, an image of Gauri in the form of five mounds —

Verse 19 (skanda.6.177.19)

ततः संपूजयामास मन्त्रैः पंचभिरेव च । ततो गन्धैः परैर्माल्यैर्धूपैर्वस्त्रैः सुशोभनैः

tataḥ saṁpūjayāmāsa mantraiḥ paṁcabhireva ca tato gaṁdhaiḥ parairmālyairdhūpairvastraiḥ suśobhanaiḥ

— and worship it with five mantras; then further worship it with excellent fragrances, garlands, incense, and beautiful garments.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.177.20)

नैवेद्यैः परमान्नैश्च गीतैर्नृत्यैः प्रवादितैः । ततो विसृज्य तां देवीं तदुद्देशेन वै ततः

naivedyaiḥ paramānnaiśca gītairnṛtyaiḥ pravāditaiḥ tato visṛjya tāṁ devīṁ taduddeśena vai tataḥ

With offerings of the finest food, with songs, dances, and instrumental music; then, having offered it in the goddess's name, she would set the image afloat —

Verse 21 (skanda.6.177.21)

दत्त्वा दानानि भूरीणि गौरिणीनां द्विजन्मनाम् । ततश्च गृहमभ्येति भूरिवादित्रनिःस्वनैः

dattvā dānāni bhūrīṇi gauriṇīnāṁ dvijanmanām tataśca gṛhamabhyeti bhūrivāditraniḥsvanaiḥ

— and, giving abundant gifts to married brahmin women, she would then return home amid the resounding of many musical instruments.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.177.22)

यथायथा च तां पूजां तस्या गौर्या करोति सा । तथातथा तु सौभाग्यं तस्याश्चाप्यधिकं भवेत्

yathāyathā ca tāṁ pūjāṁ tasyā gauryā karoti sā tathātathā tu saubhāgyaṁ tasyāścāpyadhikaṁ bhavet

As she performed that worship of Gauri, so too her good fortune grew greater and greater.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.177.23)

सर्वासां च सपत्नीनां सौभाग्यं वाधिकं भवेत्

sarvāsāṁ ca sapatnīnāṁ saubhāgyaṁ vādhikaṁ bhavet

And her good fortune surpassed that of all her co-wives.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.177.24)

अथ तस्याः सपत्न्यो या सर्वा दुःखसमन्विताः । दृष्ट्वा सौभाग्यवृद्धिं तां तस्या एव दिनेदिने

atha tasyāḥ sapatnyo yā sarvā duḥkhasamanvitāḥ dṛṣṭvā saubhāgyavṛddhiṁ tāṁ tasyā eva dinedine

Then all her co-wives, filled with unhappiness, seeing her good fortune growing day by day —

Verse 25 (skanda.6.177.25)

एकाः प्रोचुः कर्म चैतद्यदेषा कुरुते सदा । मृन्मयांश्च समादाय पूजयेत्पंचपिंडकान्

ekāḥ procuḥ karma caitadyadeṣā kurute sadā mṛnmayāṁśca samādāya pūjayetpaṁcapiṁḍakān

Some said: 'It is this rite she performs always — fashioning clay Five-Mounds and worshipping them.'

Verse 26 (skanda.6.177.26)

अन्यास्तां मंत्रसंसिद्धां प्रवदंति महर्षयः । अन्या वदन्ति पुण्यानि ह्यस्याः पूर्वकृतानि च

anyāstāṁ mantrasaṁsiddhāṁ pravadaṁti maharṣayaḥ anyā vadanti puṇyāni hyasyāḥ pūrvakṛtāni ca

Others said she is perfected through mantras, as the great sages declare; others still say it is the fruit of her merits accumulated in a former life.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.177.27)

एवं तासां सुदुःखानां महान्कालो जगाम ह । कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य सर्वाः संमंत्र्य ता मिथः

evaṁ tāsāṁ suduḥkhānāṁ mahānkālo jagāma ha kasyacittvatha kālasya sarvāḥ saṁmaṁtrya tā mithaḥ

Thus a long time passed for those grief-stricken co-wives; then, after a while, taking counsel among themselves —

Verse 28 (skanda.6.177.28)

तस्याः संनिधिमाजग्मुस्तस्मिन्नेव जलाशये । यत्र सा पूजयेद्गौरीं कृत्वा तां पञ्चपिंडिकाम्

tasyāḥ saṁnidhimājagmustasminneva jalāśaye yatra sā pūjayedgaurīṁ kṛtvā tāṁ paṁcapiṁḍikām

— they went to her presence, to that very pool where she used to fashion and worship Gauri as the Five-Mound.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.177.29)

ततः सर्वाः समालोक्य त्यक्त्वा गौरीप्रपूजनम् । संमुखी प्रययौ तूर्णं कृतांजलिपुटा स्थिता

tataḥ sarvāḥ samālokya tyaktvā gaurīprapūjanam saṁmukhī prayayau tūrṇaṁ kṛtāṁjaliputā sthitā

Seeing them all, she set aside her worship of Gauri and, standing with joined palms, went quickly to greet them.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.177.30)

स्वागतं वो महाभागा भूयः सुस्वागतं च वः । कृत्यं निवेद्यतां शीघ्रं येनाशु प्रकरोम्यहम्

svāgataṁ vo mahābhāgā bhūyaḥ susvāgataṁ ca vaḥ kṛtyaṁ nivedyatāṁ śīghraṁ yenāśu prakaromyaham

'Welcome to you all, greatly fortunate ones, welcome once again. Tell me swiftly your purpose, so that I may accomplish it at once.'

Verse 31 (skanda.6.177.31)

सपत्न्य ऊचुः । वयं सर्वाः समायाताः कौतुके तवांतिकम् । दौर्भाग्यवह्निनिर्दग्धास्तव सौभाग्यजेनच

sapatnya ūcuḥ vayaṁ sarvāḥ samāyātāḥ kautuke tavāṁtikam daurbhāgyavahninirdagdhāstava saubhāgyajenaca

The co-wives said: 'We have all come to you out of curiosity; we are being consumed by the fire of misfortune that your good fortune has kindled in us.'

Verse 32 (skanda.6.177.32)

तस्माद्वद महाभागे मृन्मयां पंचपिंडिकाम् । नित्यमर्चयसि त्वं किं सौभाग्यस्य विवर्धनम्

tasmādvada mahābhāge mṛnmayāṁ paṁcapiṁḍikām nityamarcayasi tvaṁ kiṁ saubhāgyasya vivardhanam

'Therefore tell us, O fortunate one — is it your daily worship of the clay Five-Mound that increases your good fortune?'

Verse 33 (skanda.6.177.33)

किं ते कारणमेतद्धि किं वा मन्त्रसमुद्भवः । प्रभावोऽयं महाभागेगुह्यं चेन्नो वदस्व नः

kiṁ te kāraṇametaddhi kiṁ vā mantrasamudbhavaḥ prabhāvo'yaṁ mahābhāge guhyaṁ cenno vadasva naḥ

'Is this the reason, or is this power born of some mantra? O fortunate one, if it is not a secret, tell us.'

Verse 34 (skanda.6.177.34)

पद्मावत्युवाच । रहस्यं परमं गुह्यं यत्पृष्टास्मि शुभाननाः । अवक्तव्यं वदिष्यामि भवतीनां तथापि च

padmāvatyuvāca rahasyaṁ paramaṁ guhyaṁ yatpṛṣṭāsmi śubhānanāḥ avaktavyaṁ vadiṣyāmi bhavatīnāṁ tathāpi ca

Padmavati said: 'O fair-faced ones, what you have asked me is a most secret mystery; yet, even what should not be spoken, I shall tell you.'

Verse 35 (skanda.6.177.35)

गौरीपूजनकाले तु यस्माच्चैव समागताः । सर्वा मम भगिन्यः स्थ ईर्ष्याधर्मो न मेऽस्ति च

gaurīpūjanakāle tu yasmāccaiva samāgatāḥ sarvā mama bhaginyaḥ stha īrṣyādharmo na me'sti ca

'Since you have come at the time of my Gauri worship, and since you are all my sisters, I harbor no jealousy toward you.'

Verse 36 (skanda.6.177.36)

अहमासं पुरा कन्या पुरे कुसुमसंज्ञिते । वीरसेनस्य शूद्रस्य वणिक्पुत्रस्य धीमतः । तेन दत्ताऽस्मि धर्मेण विवाहार्थं महात्मना

ahamāsaṁ purā kanyā pure kusumasaṁjñite vīrasenasya śūdrasya vaṇikputrasya dhīmataḥ tena dattā'smi dharmeṇa vivāhārthaṁ mahātmanā

'Formerly I was a maiden in the city called Kusuma, daughter of Virasena, a wise merchant of the Shudra caste; it was that great soul who, in accordance with dharma, gave me in marriage.'

Verse 37 (skanda.6.177.37)

ततो विवाहसमये मम दत्तानि वृद्धये । पंचाक्षराणि श्रेष्ठानि योषिता दीक्षया सह । गौरी पूजाकृते चैव प्रोक्ता चाहं ततः परम्

tato vivāhasamaye mama dattāni vṛddhaye paṁcākṣarāṇi śreṣṭhāni yoṣitā dīkṣayā saha gaurī pūjākṛte caiva proktā cāhaṁ tataḥ param

'Then, at the time of my marriage, for my prosperity, a woman gave me five excellent syllables together with initiation, and then told me these were for the worship of Gauri.'

Verse 38 (skanda.6.177.38)

यावत्पुत्रि त्वमात्मानमेतैः पूजयसेऽक्षरैः । जलपानं न कर्तव्यं तावच्चैव कथञ्चन

yāvatputri tvamātmānametaiḥ pūjayase'kṣaraiḥ jalapānaṁ na kartavyaṁ tāvaccaiva kathañcana

'She said: 'O daughter, until you have worshipped with these syllables, you must not drink even a drop of water, whatever the circumstance.'

Verse 39 (skanda.6.177.39)

येन संप्राप्स्यसेऽभीष्टं तत्प्रभावाद्यदीप्सितम् । तथेति च मया प्रोक्तं तस्याश्चैव वरानने

yena saṁprāpsyase'bhīṣṭaṁ tatprabhāvādyadīpsitam tatheti ca mayā proktaṁ tasyāścaiva varānane

'By that power you shall attain whatever you desire. O fair-faced one, I too said to her, 'So be it.'

Verse 40 (skanda.6.177.40)

ततो विवाहे निर्वृत्ते गताऽहं पतिना सह । श्वशुरस्तिष्ठते यत्र श्वश्रूश्चैव सुदारुणा

tato vivāhe nirvṛtte gatā'haṁ patinā saha śvaśurastiṣṭhate yatra śvaśrūścaiva sudāruṇā

'Then, when the marriage was concluded, I went with my husband to where my father-in-law dwelt, and where my exceedingly harsh mother-in-law also lived.'

Verse 41 (skanda.6.177.41)

गौरीपूजाकृते मां च निवारयति सर्वदा । ततोऽहं भयसन्त्रस्ता गौरीभक्तिपरायणा । जलार्थं यत्र गच्छामि तस्मिंश्चैव जलाश्रये

gaurīpūjākṛte māṁ ca nivārayati sarvadā tato'haṁ bhayasantrastā gaurībhaktiparāyaṇā jalārthaṁ yatra gacchāmi tasmiṁścaiva jalāśraye

'She always forbade me my worship of Gauri; then I, though afraid, remained devoted to Gauri, and at that very pool where I went for water —

Verse 42 (skanda.6.177.42)

ततः कर्द्दममादाय मन्त्रैः पंचभिरेवच । तैरेव पूजयाम्येव गौरीं भक्तिपरायणा

tataḥ karddamamādāya mantraiḥ paṁcabhireva ca taireva pūjayāmyeva gaurīṁ bhaktiparāyaṇā

— I would take clay and, devoted in heart, worship Gauri with those same five mantras.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.177.43)

प्रक्षिपामि ततस्तोये ततो गच्छामि मन्दिरम् । कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य भर्ता मे प्रस्थितः शुभः । देशांतरं वणिग्वृत्त्या सोऽपि मार्गं तमाश्रितः

prakṣipāmi tatastoye tato gacchāmi mandiram kasyacittvatha kālasya bhartā me prasthitaḥ śubhaḥ deśāṁtaraṁ vaṇigvṛttyā so'pi mārgaṁ tamāśritaḥ

Then I would cast the image into the water and return home. After some time, my auspicious husband set out for another land on business, and he too took to that same road.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.177.44)

स गच्छन्मरुमार्गेण मां समादाय स्नेहतः । संप्राप्तो निर्जलं देशं सुरौद्रं मरुमंडलम्

sa gacchanmarumārgeṇa māṁ samādāya snehataḥ saṁprāpto nirjalaṁ deśaṁ suraudraṁ marumaṇḍalam

Traveling that desert road, out of affection he took me with him, and he arrived at a most fearsome, waterless expanse of desert.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.177.45)

तथा रौद्रतरे काले वृषस्थे दिवसाधिपे । ततः सार्थः समस्तश्च विश्रांतः स्थलमध्यगः

tathā raudratare kāle vṛṣasthe divasādhipe tataḥ sārthaḥ samastaśca viśrāṁtaḥ sthalamadhyagaḥ

At that most terrible season, when the sun stood in Taurus, the whole caravan halted to rest in the midst of that wasteland.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.177.46)

कूपमेकं समाश्रित्य गम्भीरं जलदोपमम् । एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु मया दृष्टः समीपगः । तोयाकारो मरुद्देशस्तश्चित्ते विचिन्तितम्

kūpamekaṁ samāśritya gambhīraṁ jaladopamam etasminneva kāle tu mayā dṛṣṭaḥ samīpagaḥ toyākāro marudeśastaścitte vicintitam

They camped beside a single deep well, as dark as a rain-cloud. At that very moment I saw nearby a stretch of desert that had the appearance of water, and I thought within myself —

Verse 47 (skanda.6.177.47)

यत्तच्च दृश्यते तोयं समीपस्थं तथा बहु । अत्र स्नात्वा शुचिर्भूत्वा गौरीमभ्यर्च्य भक्तितः । पिबामि सलिलं पश्चात्सुस्वादु सरसीभवम्

yattacca dṛśyate toyaṁ samīpasthaṁ tathā bahu atra snātvā śucirbhūtvā gaurīmabhyarcya bhaktitaḥ pibāmi salilaṁ paścātsusvādu sarasībhavam

'This water that appears so abundant nearby — here I shall bathe, become pure, worship Gauri with devotion, and afterward drink the sweet water of that lake.'

Verse 48 (skanda.6.177.48)

ततः संप्रस्थिता यावत्प्रगच्छामि पदात्पदम् । यावद्दूरतरं यामि तावत्सा मृगतृष्णिका

tataḥ saṁprasthitā yāvatpragacchāmi padātpadam yāvaddūrataraṁ yāmi tāvatsā mṛgatṛṣṇikā

Then as I set out and advanced step by step, the farther I went, the more that mirage receded.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.177.49)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे प्राप्तो नभोमध्यं दिवाकरः । वृषस्थो येन दह्यामि ह्युपरिष्टाच्छुभानना

etasminnantare prāpto nabhomadhyaṁ divākaraḥ vṛṣastho yena dahyāmi hyupariṣṭācchubhānanā

Meanwhile the sun reached the midpoint of the sky, and, standing in Taurus, O fair-faced one, I began to burn from above.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.177.50)

अधोभागे सुतप्ताभिर्वालुकाभिः समंततः । तृष्णार्ताऽहं ततस्तस्मिन्मरुदेशे समाकुला

adhobhāge sutaptābhirvālukābhiḥ samaṁtataḥ tṛṣṇārtā'haṁ tatastasminmarudeśe samākulā

And from below, scorching sand burned me on every side; tormented by thirst, I fell into utter distress in that desert.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.177.51)

ततश्च पतिता भूमौ विस्फोटकसमावृता । ततो मया स्मृता चित्ते कथा भारतसंभवा

tataśca patitā bhūmau visphoṭakasamāvṛtā tato mayā smṛtā citte kathā bhāratasaṁbhavā

I fell to the ground, covered with blisters; then I recalled in my mind a tale arising from the Mahabharata.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.177.52)

नृगेण तु यथा यज्ञो वालुकाभिर्विनिर्मितः । कूपान्तः क्षिप्यमाणेन तृणलोष्टांबुवर्जितम्

nṛgeṇa tu yathā yajño vālukābhirvinirmitaḥ kūpāntaḥ kṣipyamāṇena tṛṇaloṣṭāṁbuvarjitam

Just as King Nriga, while being cast into a well, fashioned a sacrifice out of sand alone — without grass, clods of earth, or water —

Verse 53 (skanda.6.177.53)

भक्तिग्राह्यास्ततो देवास्तुष्टास्तस्य महात्मनः । तदहं वालुकाभिश्च पूजयामि हरप्रियाम्

bhaktigrāhyāstato devāstuṣṭāstasya mahātmanaḥ tadahaṁ vālukābhiśca pūjayāmi harapriyām

— for the gods accept devotion alone, and they were pleased with that great soul; even so, I too worship Hara's beloved, Gauri, with sand alone.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.177.54)

तेन तुष्टा तु सा देवी मम राज्यं प्रयच्छति । अद्य देहान्तरे प्राप्ते मनोभीष्टमनंतकम्

tena tuṣṭā tu sā devī mama rājyaṁ prayacchati adya dehāntare prāpte manobhīṣṭamanaṁtakam

'Pleased by this, may that goddess grant me a kingdom; and now, at the end of this body, may I attain the endless fulfillment of my heart's desire.'

Verse 55 (skanda.6.177.55)

ततस्तु पंचभिर्मन्त्रैस्तैरेव स्मृतिमागतैः । पंचभिर्मुष्टिभिर्देवी वालुकोत्थैः प्रपूजिता

tatastu paṁcabhirmantraistaireva smṛtimāgataiḥ paṁcabhirmuṣṭibhirdevī vālukotthaiḥ prapūjitā

Then, with those same five mantras that I remembered, I worshipped the goddess with five handfuls of sand.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.177.56)

ततः पञ्चत्वमापन्ना तत्कालेऽहं वरांगनाः । दशार्णाधिपतेर्जाता सदने लोकविश्रुते

tataḥ paṁcatvamāpannā tatkāle'haṁ varāṁganāḥ daśārṇādhipaterjātā sadane lokaviśrute

At that very moment, O excellent women, I gave up my body and was born in the world-renowned household of the king of Dasharna.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.177.57)

जातिस्मरणसंयुक्ता तस्या देव्याः प्रसादतः । भवतीनां कनिष्ठास्मि ज्येष्ठा सौभाग्यतः स्थिता

jātismaraṇasaṁyuktā tasyā devyāḥ prasādataḥ bhavatīnāṁ kaniṣṭhāsmi jyeṣṭhā saubhāgyataḥ sthitā

By the grace of that goddess I retained the memory of my former birth. I am the youngest among you all in age, yet the foremost in good fortune.

Verse 58 (skanda.6.177.58)

एतस्मात्कारणाद्गौरीं मुक्त्वैतान्पञ्चपिण्डकान् । कर्द्दमेन विधायाथ पूजयामि दिनेदिने

etasmātkāraṇādgaurīṁ muktvaitānpaṁcapiṇḍakān karddamena vidhāyātha pūjayāmi dinedine

For this reason, setting aside all else, I fashion these Five-Mounds from clay and worship them, in place of Gauri, every single day.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.177.59)

एतद्गुह्यं मया ख्यातं भवतीनामसंशयम् । सत्येनानेन मे गौरी मनोभीष्टं प्रयच्छतु

etadguhyaṁ mayā khyātaṁ bhavatīnāmasaṁśayam satyenānena me gaurī manobhīṣṭaṁ prayacchatu

'This secret I have revealed to you without reservation. By the truth of this account, may Gauri grant me the fulfillment of my heart's desire.'

Verse 60 (skanda.6.177.60)

लक्ष्मीरुवाच । ततः सर्वाः सपत्न्यस्ताः कृतांजलिपुटाः स्थिताः । मामूचुर्विनयाद्वाचा प्रणिपत्य मुहुर्मुहुः

lakṣmīruvāca tataḥ sarvāḥ sapatnyastāḥ kṛtāṁjaliputāḥ sthitāḥ māmūcurvinayādvācā praṇipatya muhurmuhuḥ

Lakshmi said: Then all those co-wives, standing with joined palms, prostrating again and again, spoke to me with humble words.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.177.61)

प्रसादं कुरु चास्माकं दीयतां मन्त्रपंचकम् । तदेव येन ते देवी तुष्टा सा परमेश्वरी

prasādaṁ kuru cāsmākaṁ dīyatāṁ mantrapaṁcakam tadeva yena te devī tuṣṭā sā parameśvarī

'Show us your grace and give us those same five mantras, by which that supreme goddess became pleased with you.'

Verse 62 (skanda.6.177.62)

मया प्रोक्ताश्च ता सर्वाः प्रार्थयध्वं यथेच्छया । अहं सर्वं प्रदास्यामि तत्सत्यं वचनं मम

mayā proktāśca tā sarvāḥ prārthayadhvaṁ yathecchayā ahaṁ sarvaṁ pradāsyāmi tatsatyaṁ vacanaṁ mama

I said to them all: 'Ask for whatever you wish, and I shall grant you everything; this is my true promise.'

Verse 63 (skanda.6.177.63)

ततो देव मया प्रोक्तं तासां तन्मंत्रपंचकम् । शिष्यत्वं गमितानां च वाङ्मनःकायकर्मभिः

tato deva mayā proktaṁ tāsāṁ tanmaṁtrapaṁcakam śiṣyatvaṁ gamitānāṁ ca vāṅmanaḥkāyakarmabhiḥ

'O god, I then gave them those five mantras, once they had, in thought, word, and deed, become my disciples.'

Verse 64 (skanda.6.177.64)

विष्णुरुवाच । ममापि वद देवेशि कीदृक्तन्मन्त्रपञ्चकम् । यत्त्वयाऽनुष्ठितं पूर्वं तया तासां निवेदितम्

viṣṇuruvāca mamāpi vada deveśi kīdṛktanmantrapañcakam yattvayā'nuṣṭhitaṁ pūrvaṁ tayā tāsāṁ niveditam

Vishnu said: 'O goddess of gods, tell me too what those five mantras were, which you yourself once observed, and which she made known to them.'

Verse 65 (skanda.6.177.65)

लक्ष्मीरुवाच । नमः पृथिव्यै क्षांतीशि नम आपोमये शुभे । तेजस्विनि नमस्तुभ्यं नमस्ते वायुरूपिणि

lakṣmīruvāca namaḥ pṛthivyai kṣāṁtīśi nama āpomaye śubhe tejasvini namastubhyaṁ namaste vāyurūpiṇi

Lakshmi said: 'Salutations to her who is Earth, mistress of patience; salutations to the auspicious one who is Water; salutations to you, the Radiant one; salutations to you, who take the form of Wind.'

Verse 66 (skanda.6.177.66)

आकाशरूपसंपन्ने पंचरूपे नमोनमः

ākāśarūpasaṁpanne paṁcarūpe namonamaḥ

'Endowed with the form of Ether, O five-formed goddess, salutations again and again to you.'

Verse 67 (skanda.6.177.67)

एभिर्मन्त्रैर्मया पूर्वं पूजिता परमेश्वरी । तेन राज्यं मया प्राप्तं सर्वस्त्रीणां सुदुर्लभम्

ebhirmantrairmayā pūrvaṁ pūjitā parameśvarī tena rājyaṁ mayā prāptaṁ sarvastrīṇāṁ sudurlabham

'With these very mantras I once worshipped that supreme goddess; and by that power I attained a kingdom most difficult for any woman to obtain.'

Verse 68 (skanda.6.177.68)

ततश्च स्थापिता देवी कृत्वा रत्नमयी शुभा । हाटकेश्वरजे क्षेत्रे मया तत्र सुरेश्वर

tataśca sthāpitā devī kṛtvā ratnamayī śubhā hāṭakeśvaraje kṣetre mayā tatra sureśvara

'O lord of gods, then I fashioned that goddess in an auspicious form made of jewels, and established her there in the Hatakeshvara field.'

Verse 69 (skanda.6.177.69)

तां या पूजयते नारी सद्योऽपि पतिवल्लभा । जायते नात्र सन्देहः सर्वपापविवर्जिता

tāṁ yā pūjayate nārī sadyo'pi pativallabhā jāyate nātra sandehaḥ sarvapāpavivarjitā

'Whatever woman worships her at once becomes beloved of her husband, without any doubt, and becomes free of every sin.'