The Legend of Panchapindika Gauri: Lakshmi's Vow and Boon

Verse 1 (skanda.6.178.1)

लक्ष्मीरुवाच । एवं राज्यं मया प्राप्तं गौरीपूजा कृते विभो । सौभाग्यं परमं चैव दुर्लभं सर्वयोषिताम्

lakṣmīruvāca evaṁ rājyaṁ mayā prāptaṁ gaurīpūjā kṛte vibho saubhāgyaṁ paramaṁ caiva durlabhaṁ sarvayoṣitām

Lakshmi said: 'O mighty one, thus through the worship of Gauri I attained a kingdom, and also that supreme good fortune so difficult for any woman to gain.'

Verse 2 (skanda.6.178.2)

न चापत्यं मया लब्धं तथापि परमेश्वर । तादृशेऽपि च सौभाग्ये तारुण्ये तादृशे स्थिते

na cāpatyaṁ mayā labdhaṁ tathāpi parameśvara tādṛśe'pi ca saubhāgye tāruṇye tādṛśe sthite

'And yet, O supreme lord, I obtained no child, even with such good fortune and such youthfulness as mine.'

Verse 3 (skanda.6.178.3)

दह्यामि तेन दुःखेन दिवानक्तं सुखं न मे । कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य दुर्वासा मुनिसत्तमः

dahyāmi tena duḥkhena divānaktaṁ sukhaṁ na me kasyacittvatha kālasya durvāsā munisattamaḥ

'I burned with that sorrow, day and night, and had no happiness.' After some time, Durvasa, best of sages —

Verse 4 (skanda.6.178.4)

आनर्ताधिपतेर्हर्म्यं संप्राप्तो गौरवाय सः । चातुर्मास्यकृते चैव मृत्तिकाग्रहणाय च

ānartādhipaterharmyaṁ saṁprāpto gauravāya saḥ cāturmāsyakṛte caiva mṛttikāgrahaṇāya ca

— arrived with honor at the palace of the king of Anarta, for the sake of the four-month vow and the taking of clay for it.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.178.5)

ततः संपूजितो राज्ञा आनर्तेन यथाक्रमम् । दत्त्वार्घ्यं मधुपर्कं च ततः प्रोक्तं प्रणम्य च

tataḥ saṁpūjito rājñā ānartena yathākramam dattvārghyaṁ madhuparkaṁ ca tataḥ proktaṁ praṇamya ca

Then the king of Anarta duly honored him, offering him arghya and madhuparka, and, bowing before him, spoke.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.178.6)

स्वागतं ते मुनिश्रेष्ठ भूयः सुस्वागतं च ते । नान्यो धन्यतमो लोके भूयोऽस्ति सदृशो मया

svāgataṁ te muniśreṣṭha bhūyaḥ susvāgataṁ ca te nānyo dhanyatamo loke bhūyo'sti sadṛśo mayā

'Welcome, O best of sages, welcome once again. No one in the world is more blessed than I am now.'

Verse 7 (skanda.6.178.7)

यौ ते पादौ रजोध्वस्तौ केशैर्मे निर्मलीकृतौ । तद्ब्रूहि किंकरोम्यद्य गृहायातस्य ते मुने

yau te pādau rajodhvastau keśairme nirmalīkṛtau tadbrūhi kiṁkaromyadya gṛhāyātasya te mune

'Your two feet, covered with dust, I have wiped clean with my own hair. O sage, tell me — now that you have come to my house, what may I do for you?'

Verse 8 (skanda.6.178.8)

अपि राज्यं प्रयच्छामि का वार्तान्येषु वस्तुषु

api rājyaṁ prayacchāmi kā vārtānyeṣu vastuṣu

'I would even give my kingdom — what need to speak of lesser things?'

Verse 9 (skanda.6.178.9)

दुर्वासा उवाच । चातुर्मासीविधानं ते करिष्ये नृप मंदिरे । मृत्तिकाग्रहणं तावच्छुश्रूषा क्रियतां मम । स तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय मामूचे पार्थिवोत्तमः

durvāsā uvāca cāturmāsīvidhānaṁ te kariṣye nṛpa maṁdire mṛttikāgrahaṇaṁ tāvacchuśrūṣā kriyatāṁ mama sa tatheti pratijñāya māmūce pārthivottamaḥ

Durvasa said: 'O king, I shall observe the four-month vow here in your palace, and take my clay from here too; you shall attend to my service.' That excellent king, promising 'so be it,' then spoke to me.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.178.10)

शुश्रूषा चास्य कर्तव्या सर्वदैव वरानने । चातुर्मासीव्रतं यावद्देवतार्चनपूर्वकम्

śuśrūṣā cāsya kartavyā sarvadaiva varānane cāturmāsīvrataṁ yāvaddevatārcanapūrvakam

'O fair one, you must always attend to his service, for as long as his four-month vow, preceded by divine worship, continues.'

Verse 11 (skanda.6.178.11)

बाढमित्येवमुक्त्वाथ मया सर्वमनुष्ठितम् । शुश्रूषार्हं च यत्कर्म दुहितेव पितुर्यथा

bāḍhamityevamuktvātha mayā sarvamanuṣṭhitam śuśrūṣārhaṁ ca yatkarma duhiteva pituryathā

Saying 'so be it,' I carried out everything — every duty of service, just as a daughter serves her father.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.178.12)

चातुर्मास्यां व्यतीतायां यदा संप्रस्थितो मुनिः । तदा प्रोवाच मां तुष्टः पुत्रि किं करवाणि ते

cāturmāsyāṁ vyatītāyāṁ yadā saṁprasthito muniḥ tadā provāca māṁ tuṣṭaḥ putri kiṁ karavāṇi te

When the four-month vow had ended, and the sage was about to depart, he, pleased, said to me: 'Daughter, what may I do for you?'

Verse 13 (skanda.6.178.13)

ततः स भगवान्प्रोक्तः प्रणिपत्य मया मुहुः । अपत्यं नास्ति मे ब्रह्मंस्तेन दह्याम्यहर्निशम्

tataḥ sa bhagavānproktaḥ praṇipatya mayā muhuḥ apatyaṁ nāsti me brahmaṁstena dahyāmyaharniśam

Then, prostrating before that lord again and again, I said to him: 'O brahmin, I have no child, and by this alone I burn day and night.'

Verse 14 (skanda.6.178.14)

ईदृशे सति राज्ञोऽपि यौवने च महत्तरे । तत्त्वं वद मुनिश्रेष्ठ येन स्यान्मम संततिः

īdṛśe sati rājño'pi yauvane ca mahattare tattvaṁ vada muniśreṣṭha yena syānmama saṁtatiḥ

'Even with a king as my husband, and being in the very fullness of youth — O best of sages, tell me the means by which I might obtain offspring.'

Verse 15 (skanda.6.178.15)

व्रतेन नियमेनाथ दानेन च हुतेन च । ततः स सुचिरं ध्यात्वा मामुवाच स्मयन्निव

vratena niyamenātha dānena ca hutena ca tataḥ sa suciraṁ dhyātvā māmuvāca smayanniva

'Whether by vow, by observance, by charity, or by oblation — tell me.' Then, having pondered for a long while, he spoke to me, as if smiling.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.178.16)

अन्यदेहांतरे पुत्रि त्वया गौरी प्रपूजिता । तप्ताभिर्वालुकाभिः सा मृत्युकाल उपस्थिते

anyadehāṁtare putri tvayā gaurī prapūjitā taptābhirvālukābhiḥ sā mṛtyukāla upasthite

'In a former body, daughter, at the approach of death, you worshipped Gauri with scorching sand.'

Verse 17 (skanda.6.178.17)

तद्भक्त्या लब्धराज्यापि दाहेन परियुज्यसे । गौरी यत्तापसंयुक्ता बालुकाभिः कृता त्वया

tadbhaktyā labdharājyāpi dāhena pariyujyase gaurī yattāpasaṁyuktā bālukābhiḥ kṛtā tvayā

'By that devotion you attained a kingdom, but you are also afflicted with a burning affliction, because it was with scorching sand that you fashioned Gauri.'

Verse 18 (skanda.6.178.18)

न देवो विद्यते काष्ठे पाषाणे मृत्तिकासु च । भावेषु विद्यते देवो मन्त्रसंयोगसंयुतः

na devo vidyate kāṣṭhe pāṣāṇe mṛttikāsu ca bhāveṣu vidyate devo mantrasaṁyogasaṁyutaḥ

'The deity does not dwell in wood, in stone, or in clay; the deity dwells in devotion, joined with the union of mantra.'

Verse 19 (skanda.6.178.19)

भावभक्तिसमायुक्ता मंत्रसंयोजनेन च । देवी मन्त्रसमायाता त्वया वालुकयाऽर्चिता

bhāvabhaktisamāyuktā mantrasaṁyojanena ca devī mantrasamāyātā tvayā vālukayā'rcitā

'Joined with heartfelt devotion, and through the union with mantra, the goddess came present, and you worshipped her with sand alone.'

Verse 20 (skanda.6.178.20)

त्वत्काये तेन संतापः सर्वदाऽयं व्यवस्थितः । तस्माद्रत्नमयीं गौरीं कृत्वा त्वं पंचपिंडिकाम् । हाटकेश्वरजे क्षेत्रे संस्थापय शुभानने

tvatkāye tena saṁtāpaḥ sarvadā'yaṁ vyavasthitaḥ tasmādratnamayīṁ gaurīṁ kṛtvā tvaṁ paṁcapiṁḍikām hāṭakeśvaraje kṣetre saṁsthāpaya śubhānane

'For this reason this burning affliction always remains in your body. Therefore, O fair-faced one, fashion a Panchapindika Gauri of jewels and establish her in the Hatakeshvara field.'

Verse 21 (skanda.6.178.21)

वृषस्थे भास्करे पश्चात्तस्या उपरि स्रावि यत् । जलयन्त्रं दिवारात्रं धारयस्व प्रयत्नतः

vṛṣasthe bhāskare paścāttasyā upari srāvi yat jalayantraṁ divārātraṁ dhārayasva prayatnataḥ

'Then, when the sun is in Taurus, diligently keep a dripping water-vessel set above her, day and night.'

Verse 22 (skanda.6.178.22)

ततो यथायथा तस्याः शीतभावो भविष्यति । तथातथा च ते दाहः शांतिं यास्यत्यहर्निशम्

tato yathāyathā tasyāḥ śītabhāvo bhaviṣyati tathātathā ca te dāhaḥ śāṁtiṁ yāsyatyaharniśam

'Then, as she becomes cool, so too your burning affliction shall find peace, day and night.'

Verse 23 (skanda.6.178.23)

दाहांते भविता गर्भस्ततः पुत्रमवाप्स्यसि । राज्यभारक्षमं शूरं त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतम्

dāhāṁte bhavitā garbhastataḥ putramavāpsyasi rājyabhārakṣamaṁ śūraṁ triṣu lokeṣu viśrutam

'When the burning ends, conception shall occur, and you shall obtain a son, capable of bearing the burden of the kingdom, valiant, renowned throughout the three worlds.'

Verse 24 (skanda.6.178.24)

अन्यापि कामिनी यात्र एवं तां पूजयिष्यति । ज्येष्ठे मासे तथा सापि यथा त्वं प्रभविष्यति

anyāpi kāminī yātra evaṁ tāṁ pūjayiṣyati jyeṣṭhe māse tathā sāpi yathā tvaṁ prabhaviṣyati

'And whatever other woman worships her in this same way, in the month of Jyeshtha, she too shall attain prosperity just as you shall.'

Verse 25 (skanda.6.178.25)

लक्ष्मीरुवाच । ततो मया पुनः प्रोक्तो भगवान्स मुनीश्वरः । मानुषत्वे न मे रागो विरक्तिर्महती स्थिता

lakṣmīruvāca tato mayā punaḥ prokto bhagavānsa munīśvaraḥ mānuṣatve na me rāgo viraktirmahatī sthitā

Lakshmi said: Then I spoke again to that lord of sages: 'I have no attachment to this human state; a great weariness of it has settled within me.'

Verse 26 (skanda.6.178.26)

नदीवेगोपमं दृष्ट्वा जीवितंसर्वदेहिनाम् । तन्मे वद महाभाग यत्किंचिद्व्रतमुत्तमम्

nadīvegopamaṁ dṛṣṭvā jīvitaṁsarvadehinām tanme vada mahābhāga yatkiṁcidvratamuttamam

'Seeing the life of every embodied being as fleeting as the current of a river — O greatly fortunate one, tell me of some excellent vow —

Verse 27 (skanda.6.178.27)

मानुषत्वं न येन स्यात्सम्यक्चीर्णेन सद्द्विज । ततः स सुचिरं ध्यात्वा मामाह परमेश्वर

mānuṣatvaṁ na yena syātsamyakcīrṇena saddvija tataḥ sa suciraṁ dhyātvā māmāha parameśvara

— by rightly observing which I might never again be born to human form, O virtuous brahmin.' Then, O supreme lord, having pondered a long while, he spoke to me.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.178.28)

अस्ति पुत्रि व्रतं पुण्यं गौरी तुष्टिकरं परम् । येन चीर्णेन वै सम्यग्योषिद्देवत्वमाप्नुयात्

asti putri vrataṁ puṇyaṁ gaurī tuṣṭikaraṁ param yena cīrṇena vai samyagyoṣiddevatvamāpnuyāt

'There is, O daughter, a meritorious vow, most pleasing to Gauri; by rightly observing it a woman may attain divinity itself.'

Verse 29 (skanda.6.178.29)

गोमयाख्या महादेवी कृता वै गोमयेन सा । ततो गोलोकमापन्नाः सर्वास्ता वरवर्णिनि

gomayākhyā mahādevī kṛtā vai gomayena sā tato golokamāpannāḥ sarvāstā varavarṇini

'Fashioned from cow-dung, that great goddess is called Gomaya; O fair one, all who do this attain the world of Goloka.'

Verse 30 (skanda.6.178.30)

तां त्वं कुरुष्व कल्याणि येन देवत्वमाप्स्यसि । ततो मया पुनः प्रोक्तः स मुनिः सुरसत्तम

tāṁ tvaṁ kuruṣva kalyāṇi yena devatvamāpsyasi tato mayā punaḥ proktaḥ sa muniḥ surasattama

'Fashion her, O auspicious one, and you shall attain divinity.' Then, O best of gods, I spoke again to that sage.

Verse 31 (skanda.6.178.31)

कस्मिन्काले प्रकर्तव्या विधिना केन सन्मुने । सर्वं विस्तरतो ब्रूहि येन तां प्रकरोम्यहम्

kasminkāle prakartavyā vidhinā kena sanmune sarvaṁ vistarato brūhi yena tāṁ prakaromyaham

'O virtuous sage, tell me in full detail — at what time and by what procedure this must be done, so that I may perform it.'

Verse 32 (skanda.6.178.32)

दुर्वासा उवाच । नभस्ये चासिते पक्षे तृतीयादिवसे स्थिते । प्रातरुत्थाय पश्चाच्च भक्षयेद्दंतधावनम्

durvāsā uvāca nabhasye cāsite pakṣe tṛtīyādivase sthite prātarutthāya paścācca bhakṣayeddaṁtadhāvanam

Durvasa said: 'In the month of Bhadrapada, on the third day of the dark fortnight, one should rise at dawn and first use the tooth-cleansing twig.'

Verse 33 (skanda.6.178.33)

ततश्च नियमं कृत्वा उपवाससमुद्भवम् । गौरीनामसमुच्चार्य श्रद्धापूतेन चेतसा

tataśca niyamaṁ kṛtvā upavāsasamudbhavam gaurīnāmasamuccārya śraddhāpūtena cetasā

'Then, undertaking the observance of a fast, one should utter the name of Gauri with a heart made pure by devotion.'

Verse 34 (skanda.6.178.34)

ततो निशागमे प्राप्ते कृत्वा गौरीचतुष्टयम् । मृन्मयं यादृशं चैव तदिहैकमनाः शृणु

tato niśāgame prāpte kṛtvā gaurīcatuṣṭayam mṛnmayaṁ yādṛśaṁ caiva tadihaikamanāḥ śṛṇu

'Then, when night falls, one should fashion four clay images of Gauri; hear, with a focused mind, of what kind they should be.'

Verse 35 (skanda.6.178.35)

एका गौरी प्रकर्तव्या पंचपिंडा यथोदिता । प्रहरेप्रहरे प्राप्ते तासु पूजां समाचरेत् । यैर्मंत्रैस्तान्निबोध त्वमेकैकस्याः पृथक्पृथक्

ekā gaurī prakartavyā paṁcapiṁḍā yathoditā prahareprahare prāpte tāsu pūjāṁ samācaret yairmaṁtraistānnibodha tvamekaikasyāḥ pṛthakpṛthak

'One Gauri should be fashioned as the Five-Mound, as already described. At each watch of the night, worship should be performed for them; now hear, one by one, the mantras for each.'

Verse 36 (skanda.6.178.36)

हिमाचलगृहे जाता देवि त्वं शंकरप्रिये । मेनागर्भसमुद्भूता पूजां गृह्ण नमोस्तु ते

himācalagṛhe jātā devi tvaṁ śaṁkarapriye menāgarbhasamudbhūtā pūjāṁ gṛhṇa namostu te

'O goddess, born in the house of the Himalaya, beloved of Shankara, arisen from the womb of Mena — accept this worship, salutations to you.'

Verse 37 (skanda.6.178.37)

धूपं दद्यात्ततश्चैव कर्पूरं श्रद्धया सह । रक्तसूत्रेण दीपं च घृतेन परिकल्पयेत्

dhūpaṁ dadyāttataścaiva karpūraṁ śraddhayā saha raktasūtreṇa dīpaṁ ca ghṛtena parikalpayet

'Then incense, together with camphor, should be offered with devotion, and a lamp of clarified butter, with a red-threaded wick, should be prepared.'

Verse 38 (skanda.6.178.38)

जातिपुष्पैः समभ्यर्च्य नैवेद्ये मोदकान्न्यसेत् । रक्तवस्त्रेण संछाद्य अर्घ्यं दत्त्वा ततः परम्

jātipuṣpaiḥ samabhyarcya naivedye modakānnyaset raktavastreṇa saṁchādya arghyaṁ dattvā tataḥ param

'Worshipping with jasmine flowers, one should offer sweet modakas as naivedya, cover the image with red cloth, and thereafter present the arghya offering.'

Verse 39 (skanda.6.178.39)

यस्य वृक्षस्य पुष्पं च तस्य स्याद्दन्तधावनम् । मातुलिंगेन तस्यास्तु मन्त्रेणानेन भक्तितः

yasya vṛkṣasya puṣpaṁ ca tasya syāddantadhāvanam mātuliṁgena tasyāstu mantreṇānena bhaktitaḥ

'The tooth-twig should come from the same tree whose flower was offered; with a citron fruit, together with this mantra, devotedly —

Verse 40 (skanda.6.178.40)

अर्घ्यं दद्यात्प्रयत्नेन गन्धपुष्पाक्षतान्वितम् । शंकरस्य प्रिये देवि हिमाचलसुते शुभे । अर्घ्यमेनं मया दत्तं प्रतिगृह्ण नमोऽस्तु ते

arghyaṁ dadyātprayatnena gaṁdhapuṣpākṣatānvitam śaṁkarasya priye devi himācalasute śubhe arghyamenaṁ mayā dattaṁ pratigṛhṇa namo'stu te

— one should diligently offer arghya joined with fragrance, flowers, and unbroken rice, saying: 'O auspicious goddess, beloved of Shankara, daughter of the Himalaya, accept this arghya I have given; salutations to you.'

Verse 41 (skanda.6.178.41)

तदेव प्राशनं कुर्यात्ततः कायविशुद्धये । प्रहरांते च संपूज्य अर्धनारीश्वरं ततः

tadeva prāśanaṁ kuryāttataḥ kāyaviśuddhaye prahārāṁte ca saṁpūjya ardhanārīśvaraṁ tataḥ

'That very offering should then be tasted, for the purification of the body; at the end of the watch, one should worship Ardhanarishvara.'

Verse 42 (skanda.6.178.42)

सुरभ्या पूजयेद्भक्त्या मन्त्रेणानेन पार्वति । वाममर्धं शरीरस्य या हरस्य व्यवस्थिता । सा मे पूजां प्रगृह्णातु तस्यै देव्यै नमोऽस्तु ते

surabhyā pūjayedbhaktyā mantreṇānena pārvati vāmamardhaṁ śarīrasya yā harasya vyavasthitā sā me pūjāṁ pragṛhṇātu tasyai devyai namo'stu te

'One should worship with fragrant substances, with devotion, using this mantra: O Parvati, you who occupy the left half of Hara's body, accept my worship; salutations to that goddess.'

Verse 43 (skanda.6.178.43)

अगरुं च ततो भक्त्या धूपं दद्यात्तथा शुभे । नैवेद्ये गुणकांश्चैव नालिकेरेण चार्घकम्

agaruṁ ca tato bhaktyā dhūpaṁ dadyāttathā śubhe naivedye guṇakāṁścaiva nālikereṇa cārghakam

'Then, O auspicious one, aloewood incense should be offered with devotion; sweets should be offered as naivedya, and arghya should be given with a coconut.'

Verse 44 (skanda.6.178.44)

मन्त्रेणानेन दातव्यं तदेव प्राशनं स्मृतम् । अर्धनारीश्वरौ यौ च संस्थितौ परमेश्वरौ

mantreṇānena dātavyaṁ tadeva prāśanaṁ smṛtam ardhanārīśvarau yau ca saṁsthitau parameśvarau

'This should be given with this mantra, and this same offering is called the taste-offering: O you two supreme lords, established as Ardhanarishvara —

Verse 45 (skanda.6.178.45)

अर्घ्यो मे गृह्यतां देवौ स्यातं सर्वसुखप्रदौ । तृतीये प्रहरे प्राप्ते शतपत्र्या प्रपूजयेत्

arghyo me gṛhyatāṁ devau syātaṁ sarvasukhapradau tṛtīye prahare prāpte śatapatryā prapūjayet

— accept this arghya from me, O gods, and may you grant every happiness.' At the third watch, worship should be offered with hundred-petaled roses.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.178.46)

उमामहेश्वरौ देवौ मंत्रेणानेन पूजयेत्

umāmaheśvarau devau mantreṇānena pūjayet

The divine pair Uma-Maheshvara should be worshipped with this mantra.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.178.47)

उमामहेश्वरौ देवौ यौ तौ सृष्टिलयान्वितौ । तौ गृह्णीतामिमां पूजां मया दत्तां प्रभक्तितः

umāmaheśvarau devau yau tau sṛṣṭilayānvitau tau gṛhṇītāmimāṁ pūjāṁ mayā dattāṁ prabhaktitaḥ

'O divine pair Uma-Maheshvara, united with creation and dissolution, may you both accept this worship, offered by me with true devotion.'

Verse 48 (skanda.6.178.48)

गुग्गुलोत्थं ततो धूपं नैवेद्यं घारिकात्मकम् । जातीफलेन चार्घ्यं च तदेव प्राशनं स्मृतम्

guggulotthaṁ tato dhūpaṁ naivedyaṁ ghārikātmakam jātīphalena cārghyaṁ ca tadeva prāśanaṁ smṛtam

Then incense of guggulu resin, naivedya in the form of ghevar sweets, and arghya with nutmeg should be offered, and this too is regarded as the taste-offering.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.178.49)

ततश्चार्घ्यः प्रदातव्यो मंत्रेणानेन भक्तितः । ग्रंथिचूर्णेन धूपं च अर्घ्यं मदनजं फलम्

tataścārghyaḥ pradātavyo mantreṇānena bhaktitaḥ graṁthicūrṇena dhūpaṁ ca arghyaṁ madanajaṁ phalam

Then arghya should be offered with this mantra, with devotion; incense should be given with powdered dried ginger, and arghya with the fruit of the madana tree.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.178.50)

तदेव प्राशनं कार्यं ततः कायविशुद्धये

tadeva prāśanaṁ kāryaṁ tataḥ kāyaviśuddhaye

That very offering should then be tasted, for the purification of the body.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.178.51)

उमामहेश्वरौ देवौ सर्वकामसुखप्रदौ । गृह्णीतामर्घ्यमेतं मे दयां कृत्वा महत्तमाम्

umāmaheśvarau devau sarvakāmasukhapradau gṛhṇītāmarghyametaṁ me dayāṁ kṛtvā mahattamām

'O divine pair Uma-Maheshvara, granters of every desire and joy, showing me the greatest compassion, accept this arghya of mine.'

Verse 52 (skanda.6.178.52)

चतुर्थे प्रहरे प्राप्ते तां गौरीं पंचपिंडिकाम् । भृंगराजेन संपूज्य मंत्रेणानेन भक्तितः

caturthe prahare prāpte tāṁ gaurīṁ paṁcapiṁḍikām bhṛṁgarājena saṁpūjya mantreṇānena bhaktitaḥ

At the fourth watch, that Panchapindika Gauri should be worshipped with bhringaraja flowers, with devotion, using this mantra.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.178.53)

पृथिव्यादीनि भूतानि यानि प्रोक्तानि पंच च । पंचरूपाणि देवेशि पूजां गृह्ण नमोऽस्तु ते

pṛthivyādīni bhūtāni yāni proktāni paṁca ca paṁcarūpāṇi deveśi pūjāṁ gṛhṇa namo'stu te

'The five elements, beginning with earth, that have been described — O goddess of gods, you are those very five forms; accept this worship, salutations to you.'

Verse 54 (skanda.6.178.54)

नैवेद्ये घृतपूपांश्च दद्याद्देव्याः प्रभक्तितः । ग्रंथिचूर्णेन धूपं च ह्यर्घ्यं मदनजं फलम् । तदेव प्राशनं कार्यमर्घ्यमंत्रमिदं स्मृतम्

naivedye ghṛtapūpāṁśca dadyāddevyāḥ prabhaktitaḥ graṁthicūrṇena dhūpaṁ ca hyarghyaṁ madanajaṁ phalam tadeva prāśanaṁ kāryamarghyamaṁtramidaṁ smṛtam

As naivedya, ghee-fried cakes should be offered to the goddess with devotion; incense with powdered dried ginger, and arghya with the madana fruit. That very offering should be tasted, and this is recognized as the arghya-mantra.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.178.55)

पंचभूतमयी देवी पंचधा या व्यवस्थिता । अर्घ्यमेनं मया दत्तं सा गृह्णातु सुरेश्वरी

paṁcabhūtamayī devī paṁcadhā yā vyavasthitā arghyamenaṁ mayā dattaṁ sā gṛhṇātu sureśvarī

'The goddess made of the five elements, who abides in fivefold form, may she, the goddess of the gods, accept this arghya from me.'

Verse 56 (skanda.6.178.56)

एवं सर्वा निशा सा च गीतवाद्यादिनिःस्वनैः । तासां चैवाग्रतो नेया नैव निद्रां समाचरेत्

evaṁ sarvā niśā sā ca gītavādyādiniḥsvanaiḥ tāsāṁ caivāgrato neyā naiva nidrāṁ samācaret

In this way the entire night should be spent before those goddesses amid the sounds of song and music; one should not sleep at all.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.178.57)

ततः प्रभाते विमले प्रोद्गते रविमण्डले । स्नात्वा संपूजयेद्विप्रं सह पत्न्या प्रभक्तितः

tataḥ prabhāte vimale prodgate ravimaṇḍale snātvā saṁpūjayedvipraṁ saha patnyā prabhaktitaḥ

Then, at the clear break of dawn, when the orb of the sun has risen, one should bathe and worship a brahmin, together with his wife, with devotion.

Verse 58 (skanda.6.178.58)

वस्त्रैराभरणैश्चैव स्वशक्त्या नृपनंदिनि । गौर्यै भक्ष्यं च दातव्यं मिष्टान्नेन शुचिस्मिते

vastrairābharaṇaiścaiva svaśaktyā nṛpanaṁdini gauryai bhakṣyaṁ ca dātavyaṁ miṣṭānnena śucismite

'O king's daughter, honor him with clothes and ornaments according to your means; O pure-smiling one, sweet food should also be offered to Gauri.'

Verse 59 (skanda.6.178.59)

ततः करेणुमानीय वडवां वा सुमध्यमे । गौरीचतुष्टयं तच्च समारोप्य तथोपरि

tataḥ kareṇumānīya vaḍavāṁ vā sumadhyame gaurīcatuṣṭayaṁ tacca samāropya tathopari

'Then, O slender-waisted one, a female elephant or mare should be brought, and those four Gauri images should be mounted upon it.'

Verse 60 (skanda.6.178.60)

गीतवादित्रशब्देन वेदध्वनियुतेन च । नद्यां वाऽथ तडागे वा वाप्यां वाथ परिक्षिपेत्

gītavāditraśabdena vedadhvaniyutena ca nadyāṁ vā'tha taḍāge vā vāpyāṁ vātha parikṣipet

'Amid the sound of song and music and the chanting of Vedic hymns, they should then be immersed in a river, or a pond, or a stepwell.'

Verse 61 (skanda.6.178.61)

मंत्रेणानेन सद्भक्त्या तवेदं वच्मि सुन्दरि

maṁtreṇānena sadbhaktyā tavedaṁ vacmi sundari

'With this mantra, in true devotion, I say this to you, O beautiful one.'

Verse 62 (skanda.6.178.62)

आहूतासि मया देवि पूजितासि मया शुभे । मम सौभाग्यदानाय यथेष्टं गम्यतामिति

āhūtāsi mayā devi pūjitāsi mayā śubhe mama saubhāgyadānāya yatheṣṭaṁ gamyatāmiti

'O goddess, I have invoked you; O auspicious one, I have worshipped you; now, to grant me good fortune, depart as you wish.'

Verse 63 (skanda.6.178.63)

लक्ष्मीरुवाच । एवं मया कृता देव सा तृतीया यथोदिता । नभस्ये मासि संप्राप्ते भक्त्या परमया विभो

lakṣmīruvāca evaṁ mayā kṛtā deva sā tṛtīyā yathoditā nabhasye māsi saṁprāpte bhaktyā paramayā vibho

Lakshmi said: 'O god, thus I performed that third-day rite, as described, in the month of Bhadrapada, with the utmost devotion, O mighty one.'

Verse 64 (skanda.6.178.64)

द्वितीये च तथा प्राप्ते तृतीये च विशेषतः । यावत्पश्यामि प्रत्यूषे तावद्गौरीचतुष्टयम् । जातं रत्नमयं तच्च मया यत्परिपूजितम्

dvitīye ca tathā prāpte tṛtīye ca viśeṣataḥ yāvatpaśyāmi pratyūṣe tāvadgaurīcatuṣṭayam jātaṁ ratnamayaṁ tacca mayā yatparipūjitam

And when this was done again in the second year, and especially in the third — as often as I looked at dawn, that fourfold Gauri which I had worshipped had turned to jewels.

Verse 65 (skanda.6.178.65)

प्रस्थितां मां नदीतीरमुद्दिश्य च विसर्जनम् । करिष्यामीति सा प्राह व्यक्तीभूता सुरेश्वरी

prasthitāṁ māṁ nadītīramuddiśya ca visarjanam kariṣyāmīti sā prāha vyaktībhūtā sureśvarī

As I set out toward the riverbank, intending to perform the immersion, that goddess of gods manifested herself visibly and spoke.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.178.66)

मा पुत्रि जलमध्येऽत्र मम मूर्तिचतुष्टयम् । परिभावय मद्वाक्यं श्रुत्वा चैव विधीयताम्

mā putri jalamadhye'tra mama mūrticatuṣṭayam paribhāvaya madvākyaṁ śrutvā caiva vidhīyatām

'Do not, my daughter, cast these four images of mine into the water; hear my word, and act accordingly.'

Verse 67 (skanda.6.178.67)

हाटकेश्वरजे क्षेत्रे स्थापय त्वं च मा क्षिप । अक्षयं जायते येन सर्वस्त्रीणां हिताय च

hāṭakeśvaraje kṣetre sthāpaya tvaṁ ca mā kṣipa akṣayaṁ jāyate yena sarvastrīṇāṁ hitāya ca

'Establish them in the Hatakeshvara field; do not discard them, so that this may become imperishable, for the good of all women.'

Verse 68 (skanda.6.178.68)

त्वं प्रार्थय वरं सर्वं ददाम्यहमिहार्चिता । अभ्यर्चिता गिरिसुता मया प्रोक्ता सुरेश्वरी

tvaṁ prārthaya varaṁ sarvaṁ dadāmyahamihārcitā abhyarcitā girisutā mayā proktā sureśvarī

'Ask whatever boon you wish; worshipped here, I shall grant everything.' Thus I spoke to that well-worshipped goddess of gods, the daughter of the mountain.

Verse 69 (skanda.6.178.69)

यदि यच्छसि मे देवि वरं तुष्टा सुरेश्वरि । तदहं मानुषे गर्भे मा भूयासं कथंचन

yadi yacchasi me devi varaṁ tuṣṭā sureśvari tadahaṁ mānuṣe garbhe mā bhūyāsaṁ kathaṁcana

'O goddess, O ruler of gods, if you are pleased and wish to grant me a boon, then let it be that I never again take birth in a human womb.'

Verse 70 (skanda.6.178.70)

भर्त्ता भवतु मे विष्णुः शाश्वताभीष्टदः सदा । नान्यत्किंचिदभीष्टं मे राज्यं त्रिदिवशोभनम्

bhartā bhavatu me viṣṇuḥ śāśvatābhīṣṭadaḥ sadā nānyatkiṁcidabhīṣṭaṁ me rājyaṁ tridivaśobhanam

'May Vishnu be my husband forever, eternally fulfilling my desires; I desire nothing else — a kingdom radiant as the heavens is all I wish.'

Verse 71 (skanda.6.178.71)

अन्यापि कुरुते या च व्रतमेतत्समाहिता । सर्वैव्रतैर्यथातुष्टिस्तथा देवि प्रजायते

anyāpi kurute yā ca vratametatsamāhitā sarvaivratairyathātuṣṭistathā devi prajāyate

'And whatever other woman performs this vow with focused mind, O goddess, she too attains the same fulfillment as through every other vow combined.'

Verse 72 (skanda.6.178.72)

तथा तस्याः प्रकर्तव्यमेकेनानेन पार्वति । तथेति गौरी मामुक्त्वा ततश्चादर्शनं गता

tathā tasyāḥ prakartavyamekenānena pārvati tatheti gaurī māmuktvā tataścādarśanaṁ gatā

'By this one vow alone, O Parvati, all her purpose is accomplished.' Saying 'so be it' to me, Gauri then vanished from sight.

Verse 73 (skanda.6.178.73)

सा देवी च मया तत्र तच्च गौरीचतुष्टयम् । हाटकेश्वरजे क्षेत्रे शुभे संस्थापितं विभो

sā devī ca mayā tatra tacca gaurīcatuṣṭayam hāṭakeśvaraje kṣetre śubhe saṁsthāpitaṁ vibho

'O mighty one, I then established that goddess and that fourfold Gauri in the auspicious field of Hatakeshvara.'

Verse 74 (skanda.6.178.74)

तत्प्रभावान्मया लब्धो भर्त्ता त्वं परमेश्वर । शाश्वतश्चाक्षयश्चैव मुखप्रेक्षश्च सर्वदा

tatprabhāvānmayā labdho bhartā tvaṁ parameśvara śāśvataścākṣayaścaiva mukhaprekṣaśca sarvadā

'By that very power, O supreme lord, I obtained you as my husband — eternal and imperishable, ever attentive to my every wish.'

Verse 75 (skanda.6.178.75)

एतत्सर्वमाख्यातं यत्पृष्टास्मि सुरेश्वर । सत्येनानेन देवेश तव पादौ स्पृशाम्यहम्

etatsarvamākhyātaṁ yatpṛṣṭāsmi sureśvara satyenānena deveśa tava pādau spṛśāmyaham

'O lord of gods, all that I was asked I have now told. O god of gods, by this very truth, I touch your feet.'

Verse 76 (skanda.6.178.76)

सूत उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्याः शंखचक्रगदाधरः । विहस्याथ महालक्ष्मीं तामुवाच प्रहर्षितः । मुहुर्मुहुः समालिंग्य वक्षसश्चोपरि स्थिताम्

sūta uvāca tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasyāḥ śaṁkhacakragadādharaḥ vihasyātha mahālakṣmīṁ tāmuvāca prahaṛṣitaḥ muhurmuhuḥ samāliṁgya vakṣasaścopari sthitām

Suta said: Hearing her words, the wielder of the conch, discus, and mace, smiling and greatly delighted, embraced that great goddess Lakshmi upon his chest again and again, and spoke to her.

Verse 77 (skanda.6.178.77)

साधुमाधु महाभागे सत्यमेतत्त्वयोदितम् । जानतापि मया पृष्टा भवतीं वरवर्णिनि

sādhumādhu mahābhāge satyametattvayoditam jānatāpi mayā pṛṣṭā bhavatīṁ varavarṇini

'Well said, well said, O greatly fortunate one; what you have spoken is true. O fair one, though I already knew it, I asked you this all the same.'

Verse 78 (skanda.6.178.78)

सूत उवाच । एतद्वः सर्वमाख्यातं यत्पृष्टोऽस्मि द्विजोत्तमाः । चतुर्भुजा यथा गौरी संजाता पंचपिंडिका

sūta uvāca etadvaḥ sarvamākhyātaṁ yatpṛṣṭo'smi dvijottamāḥ caturbhujā yathā gaurī saṁjātā paṁcapiṁḍikā

Suta said: O best of the twice-born, all that I was asked has now been told — how the four-armed Gauri came to appear as the Five-Mound.

Verse 79 (skanda.6.178.79)

यश्चैतत्पठते भक्त्या प्रातरुत्थाय मानवः । न स लक्ष्म्या विमुच्येत न च दौर्भाग्यमाप्नुयात्

yaścaitatpaṭhate bhaktyā prātarutthāya mānavaḥ na sa lakṣmyā vimucyeta na ca daurbhāgyamāpnuyāt

Whatever person, rising at dawn, reads this with devotion, is never abandoned by Lakshmi, nor does he ever meet with misfortune.

Verse 80 (skanda.6.178.80)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन पठनीयमिदं शुभम् । आख्यानं गौरिकं विप्रा यन्मया परिकीर्तितम्

tasmātsarvaprayatnena paṭhanīyamidaṁ śubham ākhyānaṁ gaurikaṁ viprā yanmayā parikīrtitam

Therefore, O brahmins, this auspicious account concerning Gauri, which I have now related, should be diligently recited with every effort.