The Marriage of Gayatri and the Glory of the Gayatri-tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.6.181.1)

सूत उवाच । एतस्मिन्नंतरे सर्वेर्नागरैर्ब्राह्मणोत्तमैः । प्रेषितो मध्यगस्तत्र गर्तातीर्थसमुद्भवः

sūta uvāca etasminnaṁtare sarvernāgarairbrāhmaṇottamaiḥ preṣito madhyagastatra gartātīrthasamudbhavaḥ

Suta said: Meanwhile all the foremost Nagara brahmins sent there a messenger named Madhyaga, born at Gartatirtha.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.181.2)

रेरे मध्यग गत्वा त्वं ब्रूहि तं कुपितामहम् । विप्रवृत्ति प्रहंतारं नीतिमार्गविवर्जितम्

rere madhyaga gatvā tvaṁ brūhi taṁ kupitāmaham vipravṛtti prahaṁtāraṁ nītimārgavivarjitam

Go, Madhyaga, and speak to that Grandsire who has provoked our anger: you destroy the brahmins' due livelihood, forsaking the path of righteousness.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.181.3)

एतत्क्षेत्रं प्रदत्तं नः पूर्वेषां च द्विजन्मनाम् । महेश्वरेण तुष्टेन पूरिते सर्पजे बिले

etatkṣetraṁ pradattaṁ naḥ pūrveṣāṁ ca dvijanmanām maheśvareṇa tuṣṭena pūrite sarpaje bile

This sacred field was given to us, to our forefather brahmins, by Maheshvara, well pleased, when he filled up the pit born of the serpent.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.181.4)

तस्य दत्तस्य चाद्यैव पितामहशतं गतम् । पंचोत्तरमसन्दिग्धं यावत्त्वं कुपितामह

tasya dattasya cādyaiva pitāmahaśataṁ gatam paṁcottaramasandigdhaṁ yāvattvaṁ kupitāmaha

From the day that grant was made until now, without doubt, one hundred and five ancestral generations have passed, O angered Grandsire.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.181.5)

न केनापि कृतोऽस्माकं तिरस्कारो यथाऽधुना । त्वां मुक्त्वा पापकर्माणं न्यायमार्गविवर्जितम्

na kenāpi kṛto'smākaṁ tiraskāro yathā'dhunā tvāṁ muktvā pāpakarmāṇaṁ nyāyamārgavivarjitam

Never before has anyone shown us such dishonor as you do now — sinful and bereft of the path of justice, you have cast us aside.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.181.6)

नागरैर्ब्राह्मणैर्बाह्यं योऽत्र यज्ञं समाचरेत् । श्राद्धं वा स हि वध्यः स्यात्सर्वेषां च द्विजन्मनाम्

nāgarairbrāhmaṇairbāhyaṁ yo'tra yajñaṁ samācaret śrāddhaṁ vā sa hi vadhyaḥ syātsarveṣāṁ ca dvijanmanām

Whoever performs a yajna or a shraddha here excluding the Nagara brahmins deserves death, and all the twice-born who permit it deserve it as well.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.181.7)

न तस्य जायते श्रेयस्तत्समुत्थं कथंचन । एतत्प्रोक्तं तदा तेन यदा स्थानं ददौ हि नः

na tasya jāyate śreyastatsamutthaṁ kathaṁcana etatproktaṁ tadā tena yadā sthānaṁ dadau hi naḥ

No good ever arises from such a rite; this very thing was declared when this place was first given to us.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.181.8)

तस्माद्यत्कुरुषे यज्ञं ब्राह्मणैर्नागरैः कुरु । नान्यथा लप्स्यसे कर्तुं जीवद्भिर्नागरैर्द्विजैः

tasmādyatkuruṣe yajñaṁ brāhmaṇairnāgaraiḥ kuru nānyathā lapsyase kartuṁ jīvadbhirnāgarairdvijaiḥ

Therefore whatever yajna you undertake, perform it together with the Nagara brahmins; you shall not be able to accomplish it otherwise, so long as the Nagara brahmins live.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.181.9)

एवमुक्तस्ततो गत्वा मध्यगो यत्र पद्मजः । यज्ञमण्डपदूरस्थो ब्राह्मणैः परिवारितः

evamuktastato gatvā madhyago yatra padmajaḥ yajñamaṇḍapadūrastho brāhmaṇaiḥ parivāritaḥ

Thus addressed, Madhyaga went to where Padmaja (Brahma) was, and stood some way from the yajna-pavilion, surrounded by brahmins.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.181.10)

यत्प्रोक्तं नागरैः सर्वैः सविशेषं तदा हि सः । तच्छ्रुत्वा पद्मजः प्राह सांत्वपूर्वमिदं वचः

yatproktaṁ nāgaraiḥ sarvaiḥ saviśeṣaṁ tadā hi saḥ tacchrutvā padmajaḥ prāha sāṁtvapūrvamidaṁ vacaḥ

All that the Nagaras had specially said, he related in full; hearing it, Padmaja spoke this conciliatory word:

Verse 11 (skanda.6.181.11)

मानुषं भावमापन्न ऋत्विग्भिः परिवारितः । त्वया सत्यमिदं प्रोक्तं सर्वं मध्यगसत्तम

mānuṣaṁ bhāvamāpanna ṛtvigbhiḥ parivāritaḥ tvayā satyamidaṁ proktaṁ sarvaṁ madhyagasattama

Having assumed a human state, surrounded by ritwik-priests: 'O best of messengers, all that you have said is true.'

Verse 12 (skanda.6.181.12)

किं करोमि वृताः सर्वे मया ते यज्ञकर्मणि । ऋत्विजोऽध्वर्यु पूर्वा ये प्रमादेन न काम्यया

kiṁ karomi vṛtāḥ sarve mayā te yajñakarmaṇi ṛtvijo'dhvaryu pūrvā ye pramādena na kāmyayā

'What am I to do? All these priests and adhvaryus were chosen by me for the sacrifice through oversight, not by design.'

Verse 13 (skanda.6.181.13)

तस्मादानय तान्सर्वानत्र स्थाने द्विजोत्तमान् । अनुज्ञातस्तु तैर्येन गच्छामि मखमण्डपे

tasmādānaya tānsarvānatra sthāne dvijottamān anujñātastu tairyena gacchāmi makhamaṇḍape

'Therefore bring all those foremost brahmins here to this place; only once they permit it shall I go to the yajna-pavilion.'

Verse 14 (skanda.6.181.14)

मध्यग उवाच । त्वं देवत्वं परित्यज्य मानुषं भावमाश्रितः । तत्कथं ते द्विजश्रेष्ठाः समागच्छंति तेंऽतिकम्

madhyaga uvāca tvaṁ devatvaṁ parityajya mānuṣaṁ bhāvamāśritaḥ tatkathaṁ te dvijaśreṣṭhāḥ samāgacchaṁti teṁ'tikam

Madhyaga said: 'You have forsaken your godhood and taken a human state — how then will those foremost brahmins come near you?'

Verse 15 (skanda.6.181.15)

श्रेष्ठा गावः पशूनां च यथा पद्मसमुद्भव । विप्राणामिह सर्वेषां तथा श्रेष्ठा हि नागराः

śreṣṭhā gāvaḥ paśūnāṁ ca yathā padmasamudbhava viprāṇāmiha sarveṣāṁ tathā śreṣṭhā hi nāgarāḥ

'As the cow is foremost among beasts, O lotus-born one, so among all brahmins the Nagaras are foremost.'

Verse 16 (skanda.6.181.16)

तत्माच्चेद्वांछसि प्राप्तिं त्वमेतां यज्ञसंभवाम् । तद्भक्त्यानागरान्सर्वान्प्रसादय पितामह

tatmāccedvāṁchasi prāptiṁ tvametāṁ yajñasaṁbhavām tadbhaktyānāgarānsarvānprasādaya pitāmaha

'Therefore, if you desire this sacrifice's fulfilment, propitiate all the Nagaras with devotion, O Grandsire.'

Verse 17 (skanda.6.181.17)

सूत उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा पद्मजो भीत ऋत्विग्भिः परिवारितः । जगाम तत्र यत्रस्था नागराः कुपिता द्विजाः

sūta uvāca tacchrutvā padmajo bhīta ṛtvigbhiḥ parivāritaḥ jagāma tatra yatrasthā nāgarāḥ kupitā dvijāḥ

Suta said: Hearing this, Padmaja, frightened, surrounded by the ritwiks, went to where the angered Nagara brahmins stood.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.181.18)

प्रणिपत्य ततः सर्वान्विनयेन समन्वितः । प्रोवाच वचनं श्रुत्वा कृतांजलिपुटः स्थितः

praṇipatya tataḥ sarvānvinayena samanvitaḥ provāca vacanaṁ śrutvā kṛtāṁjalipuṭaḥ sthitaḥ

Then, prostrating before them all, filled with humility, having heard their words, he stood with joined palms and said:

Verse 19 (skanda.6.181.19)

जानाम्यहं द्विजश्रेष्ठाः क्षेत्रेऽस्मिन्हाटकेश्वरे । युष्मद्बाह्यं वृथा श्राद्धं यज्ञकर्म तथैव च

jānāmyahaṁ dvijaśreṣṭhāḥ kṣetre'sminhāṭakeśvare yuṣmadbāhyaṁ vṛthā śrāddhaṁ yajñakarma tathaiva ca

'I know, O foremost brahmins, that in this Hatakeshvara field, any shraddha or yajna performed excluding you is vain.'

Verse 20 (skanda.6.181.20)

कलिभीत्या मयाऽऽनीतं स्थानेऽस्मिन्पुष्करं निजम् । तीर्थं च युष्मदीयं च निक्षेपोऽयं समर्पितः

kalibhītyā mayā''nītaṁ sthāne'sminpuṣkaraṁ nijam tīrthaṁ ca yuṣmadīyaṁ ca nikṣepo'yaṁ samarpitaḥ

'Out of fear of the Kali age I have brought and established my own Pushkara here in this place — your tirtha too has been entrusted here as a trust.'

Verse 21 (skanda.6.181.21)

ऋत्विजोऽमी समानीता गुरुणा यज्ञसिद्धये । अजानता द्विजश्रेष्ठा आधिक्यं नागरात्मकम्

ṛtvijo'mī samānītā guruṇā yajñasiddhaye ajānatā dvijaśreṣṭhā ādhikyaṁ nāgarātmakam

'These ritwiks were brought by the preceptor for the sacrifice's fulfilment, O foremost brahmins, not knowing the special eminence of the Nagaras.'

Verse 22 (skanda.6.181.22)

तस्माच्च क्षम्यतां मह्यं यतश्च वरणं कृतम् । एतेषामेव विप्राणामग्निष्टोमकृते मया

tasmācca kṣamyatāṁ mahyaṁ yataśca varaṇaṁ kṛtam eteṣāmeva viprāṇāmagniṣṭomakṛte mayā

'Therefore forgive me, since the selection I made was made only for the sake of these brahmins, for the Agnishtoma rite.'

Verse 23 (skanda.6.181.23)

एतच्च मामकं तीर्थं युष्माकं पापनाशनम् । भविष्यति न सन्देहः कलिकालेऽपि संस्थिते

etacca māmakaṁ tīrthaṁ yuṣmākaṁ pāpanāśanam bhaviṣyati na sandehaḥ kalikāle'pi saṁsthite

'This tirtha of mine shall destroy your sins — without doubt, and it shall remain so even in the Kali age.'

Verse 24 (skanda.6.181.24)

ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः । यदि त्वं नागरैर्बाह्यं यज्ञं चात्र करिष्यसि । तदन्येऽपि सुराः सर्वे तव मार्गानुयायि नः । भविष्यन्ति तथा भूपास्तत्कार्यो न मखस्त्वया

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ yadi tvaṁ nāgarairbāhyaṁ yajñaṁ cātra kariṣyasi tadanye'pi surāḥ sarve tava mārgānuyāyi naḥ bhaviṣyanti tathā bhūpāstatkāryo na makhastvayā

The brahmins said: 'If you perform this yajna here excluding the Nagaras, then all the other gods will follow your path, and kings likewise — this rite ought not be undertaken by you.'

Verse 25 (skanda.6.181.25)

यद्येवमपि देवेश यज्ञकर्म करिष्यसि । अवमन्य द्विजान्सर्वाक्षिप्रं गच्छास्मदंतिकात्

yadyevamapi deveśa yajñakarma kariṣyasi avamanya dvijānsarvākṣipraṁ gacchāsmadaṁtikāt

'If even so, O Lord of gods, you perform this sacrifice while dishonoring all the brahmins, then go quickly away from our presence.'

Verse 26 (skanda.6.181.26)

ब्रह्मोवाच । अद्यप्रभृति यः कश्चिद्यज्ञमत्र करिष्यति । श्राद्धं वा नागरैर्बाह्यं वृथा तत्संभविष्यति

brahmovāca adyaprabhṛti yaḥ kaścidyajñamatra kariṣyati śrāddhaṁ vā nāgarairbāhyaṁ vṛthā tatsaṁbhaviṣyati

Brahma said: 'From this day forward, whoever performs a yajna or a shraddha here excluding the Nagaras, it shall be in vain.'

Verse 27 (skanda.6.181.27)

नागरोऽपि च यो न्यत्र कश्चिद्यज्ञं करिष्यति । एतत्क्षेत्रं परित्यज्य वृथा तत्संभविष्यति

nāgaro'pi ca yo nyatra kaścidyajñaṁ kariṣyati etatkṣetraṁ parityajya vṛthā tatsaṁbhaviṣyati

'And whichever Nagara performs a yajna elsewhere, having abandoned this sacred field, that too shall be in vain.'

Verse 28 (skanda.6.181.28)

मर्यादेयं कृता विप्रा नागराणां मयाऽधुना । कृत्वा प्रसादमस्माकं यज्ञार्थं दातुमर्हथ । अनुज्ञां विधिवद्विप्रा येन यज्ञं करोम्यहम्

maryādeyaṁ kṛtā viprā nāgarāṇāṁ mayā'dhunā kṛtvā prasādamasmākaṁ yajñārthaṁ dātumarhatha anujñāṁ vidhivadviprā yena yajñaṁ karomyaham

'O brahmins, I have now established this rule for the Nagaras; show us your grace and grant permission for the sacrifice duly, that I may accomplish this yajna.'

Verse 29 (skanda.6.181.29)

सूत उवाच । ततस्तैर्ब्राह्मणैस्तुष्टैरनुज्ञातः पितामहः । चकार विधिवद्यज्ञं ये वृता ब्राह्मणाश्च तैः

sūta uvāca tatastairbrāhmaṇaistuṣṭairanujñātaḥ pitāmahaḥ cakāra vidhivadyajñaṁ ye vṛtā brāhmaṇāśca taiḥ

Suta said: Then, permitted by those satisfied brahmins, the Grandsire performed the sacrifice according to rule, with those very chosen brahmins.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.181.30)

विश्वकर्मा समागत्य ततो मस्तकमण्डनम् । चकार ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठा नागराणां मते स्थितः

viśvakarmā samāgatya tato mastakamaṇḍanam cakāra brāhmaṇaśreṣṭhā nāgarāṇāṁ mate sthitaḥ

Then Vishvakarma came and performed the head-adornment rite, O foremost brahmins, standing by the opinion of the Nagaras.

Verse 31 (skanda.6.181.31)

ब्रह्मापि परमं तोषं गत्वा नारदमब्रवीत् । सावित्रीमानय क्षिप्रं येन गच्छामि मण्डपे

brahmāpi paramaṁ toṣaṁ gatvā nāradamabravīt sāvitrīmānaya kṣipraṁ yena gacchāmi maṇḍape

Brahma, having attained supreme satisfaction, went and said to Narada: 'Bring Savitri quickly, that I may go to the pavilion.'

Verse 32 (skanda.6.181.32)

वाद्यमानेषु वाद्येषु सिद्धकिन्नरगुह्यकैः । गन्धर्वैर्गीतसंसक्तैर्वेदोच्चारपरैर्द्विजैः । अरणिं समुपादाय पुलस्त्यो वाक्यमब्रवीत्

vādyamāneṣu vādyeṣu siddhakinnaraguhyakaiḥ gandharvairgītasaṁsaktairvedoccāraparairdvijaiḥ araṇiṁ samupādāya pulastyo vākyamabravīt

While Siddhas, Kinnaras and Guhyakas played instruments, Gandharvas were absorbed in song, and brahmins were engaged in Vedic recitation, Pulastya, taking up the arani sticks, spoke these words:

Verse 33 (skanda.6.181.33)

पत्नी पत्नीति विप्रेन्द्राः प्रोच्चैस्तत्र व्यवस्थिताः

patnī patnīti viprendrāḥ proccaistatra vyavasthitāḥ

'The wife! The wife!' — thus the foremost brahmins, standing there, called out loudly.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.181.34)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे ब्रह्मा नारदं मुनिसत्तमम् । संज्ञया प्रेषयामास पत्नी चानीयतामिति

etasminnaṁtare brahmā nāradaṁ munisattamam saṁjñayā preṣayāmāsa patnī cānīyatāmiti

Meanwhile Brahma, by a sign, sent Narada, foremost of sages, saying: 'Let the wife be brought.'

Verse 35 (skanda.6.181.35)

सोऽपि मंदं समागत्य सावित्रीं प्राह लीलया । युद्धप्रियोंऽतरं वांछन्सावित्र्या सह वेधसः

so'pi maṁdaṁ samāgatya sāvitrīṁ prāha līlayā yuddhapriyoṁ'taraṁ vāṁchansāvitryā saha vedhasaḥ

He too went there leisurely and, wishing playfully for the Creator to have some delaying sport with Savitri, spoke to her:

Verse 36 (skanda.6.181.36)

अहं संप्रेषितः पित्रा तव पार्श्वे सुरेश्वरि । आगच्छ प्रस्थितः स्नातः सांप्रतं यज्ञमण्डपे

ahaṁ saṁpreṣitaḥ pitrā tava pārśve sureśvari āgaccha prasthitaḥ snātaḥ sāṁprataṁ yajñamaṇḍape

'O queen of gods, I have been sent to you by your father. Come — having bathed, he has already set out for the yajna-pavilion.'

Verse 37 (skanda.6.181.37)

परमेकाकिनी तत्र गच्छमाना सुरेश्वरि । कीदृग्रूपा सदसि वै दृश्यसे त्वमनाथवत्

paramekākinī tatra gacchamānā sureśvari kīdṛgrūpā sadasi vai dṛśyase tvamanāthavat

'Going there all alone, O queen of gods, how will you appear in that assembly, as though without protector?'

Verse 38 (skanda.6.181.38)

तस्मादानीयतां सर्वा याः काश्चिद्देवयोषितः । याभिः परिवृता देवि यास्यसि त्वं महामखे

tasmādānīyatāṁ sarvā yāḥ kāściddevayoṣitaḥ yābhiḥ parivṛtā devi yāsyasi tvaṁ mahāmakhe

'Therefore let all the divine women who are here be summoned, so that surrounded by them you may go to this great sacrifice.'

Verse 39 (skanda.6.181.39)

एवमुक्त्वा मुनिश्रेष्ठो नारदो मुनिसत्तमः । अब्रवीत्पितरं गत्वा तातांबाऽऽकारिता मया

evamuktvā muniśreṣṭho nārado munisattamaḥ abravītpitaraṁ gatvā tātāṁbā''kāritā mayā

Having said this, Narada, foremost of sages, went to his father and said: 'Father, mother has been summoned.'

Verse 40 (skanda.6.181.40)

परं तस्याः स्थिरो भावः किंचित्संलक्षितो मया । तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा ततो मन्युसमन्वितः

paraṁ tasyāḥ sthiro bhāvaḥ kiṁcitsaṁlakṣito mayā tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā tato manyusamanvitaḥ

'But I noticed in her mind a certain hesitancy.' Hearing this word of his, then, filled with impatience —

Verse 41 (skanda.6.181.41)

पुलस्त्यं प्रेषयामास सावित्र्या सन्निधौ ततः । गच्छ वत्स त्वमानीहि स्थानं सा शिथिलात्मिका । सोमभारपरिश्रांतं पश्य मामूर्ध्वसंस्थितम्

pulastyaṁ preṣayāmāsa sāvitryā sannidhau tataḥ gaccha vatsa tvamānīhi sthānaṁ sā śithilātmikā somabhārapariśrāṁtaṁ paśya māmūrdhvasaṁsthitam

Brahma sent Pulastya to Savitri's side: 'Go, my child, and bring her — she is lingering. See, I stand here exhausted, weighed down by the soma.'

Verse 42 (skanda.6.181.42)

एष कालात्ययो भावि यज्ञकर्मणि सांप्रतम् । यज्ञयानमुहूर्तोऽयं सावशेषो व्यवस्थितः

eṣa kālātyayo bhāvi yajñakarmaṇi sāṁpratam yajñayānamuhūrto'yaṁ sāvaśeṣo vyavasthitaḥ

'This appointed time for the sacrifice is now passing; only a little remains of the auspicious moment for the yajna's departure.'

Verse 43 (skanda.6.181.43)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा पुलस्त्यः सत्वरं ययौ । सावित्री तिष्ठते यत्र गीतनृत्यसमाकुला

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā pulastyaḥ satvaraṁ yayau sāvitrī tiṣṭhate yatra gītanṛtyasamākulā

Hearing this word, Pulastya went swiftly to where Savitri stood, absorbed in song and dance.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.181.44)

ततः प्रोवाच किं देवि त्वं तिष्ठसि निराकुला । यज्ञयानोचितः कालः सोऽयं शेषस्तु तिष्ठति

tataḥ provāca kiṁ devi tvaṁ tiṣṭhasi nirākulā yajñayānocitaḥ kālaḥ so'yaṁ śeṣastu tiṣṭhati

Then he said: 'Why, O goddess, do you sit here undisturbed? This is the proper time for the yajna's departure — only a little of it now remains.'

Verse 45 (skanda.6.181.45)

तस्मादागच्छ गच्छामस्तातः कृच्छ्रेण तिष्ठति । सोमभारार्द्दितश्चोर्ध्वं सर्वैर्देवैः समावृतः

tasmādāgaccha gacchāmastātaḥ kṛcchreṇa tiṣṭhati somabhārārdditaścordhvaṁ sarvairdevaiḥ samāvṛtaḥ

'Therefore come, let us go — your father waits with difficulty, surrounded by all the gods, oppressed by the weight of the soma, standing above.'

Verse 46 (skanda.6.181.46)

सावित्र्युवाच । सर्वदेववृतस्तात तव तातो व्यवस्थितः । एकाकिनी कथं तत्र गच्छाम्यहमनाथवत्

sāvitryuvāca sarvadevavṛtastāta tava tāto vyavasthitaḥ ekākinī kathaṁ tatra gacchāmyahamanāthavat

Savitri said: 'My child, your father stands surrounded by all the gods; how shall I go there alone, as though without protector?'

Verse 47 (skanda.6.181.47)

तद्ब्रूहि पितरं गत्वा मुहूर्तं परिपाल्यताम्

tadbrūhi pitaraṁ gatvā muhūrtaṁ paripālyatām

'Therefore go and tell your father to wait a moment.'

Verse 48 (skanda.6.181.48)

यावदभ्येति शक्राणी गौरी लक्ष्मीस्तथा पराः । देवकन्याः समाजेऽत्र ताभिरेष्याम्यहं द्रुतम्

yāvadabhyeti śakrāṇī gaurī lakṣmīstathā parāḥ devakanyāḥ samāje'tra tābhireṣyāmyahaṁ drutam

'Until Shachi (Indrani), Gauri, Lakshmi and the other divine maidens have gathered in this assembly, I shall come at once together with them.'

Verse 49 (skanda.6.181.49)

सर्वासां प्रेषितो वायुर्निमत्रणकृते मया । आगमिष्यन्ति ताः शीघ्रमेवं वाच्यः पिता त्वया

sarvāsāṁ preṣito vāyurnimatraṇakṛte mayā āgamiṣyanti tāḥ śīghramevaṁ vācyaḥ pitā tvayā

'I have sent Vayu to invite them all; they will come swiftly — tell your father this.'

Verse 50 (skanda.6.181.50)

सूत उवाच । सोऽपि गत्वा द्रुतं प्राह सोमभारार्दितं विधिम् । नैषाभ्येति जगन्नाथ प्रसक्ता गृहकर्मणि

sūta uvāca so'pi gatvā drutaṁ prāha somabhārārditaṁ vidhim naiṣābhyeti jagannātha prasaktā gṛhakarmaṇi

Suta said: He too went swiftly and said to the Creator, oppressed by the weight of the soma: 'She is not coming, Lord of the world — she is engrossed in household matters.'

Verse 51 (skanda.6.181.51)

सा मां प्राह च देवानां पत्नीभिः सहिता मखे । अहं यास्यामि तासां च नैकाद्यापि प्रदृश्यते

sā māṁ prāha ca devānāṁ patnībhiḥ sahitā makhe ahaṁ yāsyāmi tāsāṁ ca naikādyāpi pradṛśyate

'She told me: "I shall go to the sacrifice accompanied by the wives of the gods" — and not even one of them has yet appeared.'

Verse 52 (skanda.6.181.52)

एवं ज्ञात्वा सुरश्रेष्ठ कुरु यत्ते सुरोचते । अतिक्रामति कालोऽयं यज्ञयानसमुद्रवः । तिष्ठते च गृहव्यग्रा सापि स्त्री शिथिलात्मिका

evaṁ jñātvā suraśreṣṭha kuru yatte surocate atikrāmati kālo'yaṁ yajñayānasamudravaḥ tiṣṭhate ca gṛhavyagrā sāpi strī śithilātmikā

'Knowing this, O best of gods, do as seems fit to you. This time for the yajna's departure is passing, and that woman remains distracted with household cares, lingering.'

Verse 53 (skanda.6.181.53)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य पुलस्त्यस्य पितामहः । समीपस्थं तदा शक्रं प्रोवाच वचनं द्विजाः

tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasya pulastyasya pitāmahaḥ samīpasthaṁ tadā śakraṁ provāca vacanaṁ dvijāḥ

Hearing this word of Pulastya, the Grandsire spoke this word to Shakra (Indra), who stood nearby, O brahmins:

Verse 54 (skanda.6.181.54)

ब्रह्मोवाच । शक्र नायाति सावित्री सापि स्त्री शिथिलात्मिका । अनया भार्यया यज्ञो मया कार्योऽयमेव तु

brahmovāca śakra nāyāti sāvitrī sāpi strī śithilātmikā anayā bhāryayā yajño mayā kāryo'yameva tu

Brahma said: 'O Shakra, Savitri is not coming; that woman is lingering. Yet this sacrifice of mine must be performed with this wife alone.'

Verse 55 (skanda.6.181.55)

गच्छ शक्र समानीहि कन्यां कांचित्त्वरान्वितः । यावन्न क्रमते कालो यज्ञयानसमुद्भवः

gaccha śakra samānīhi kanyāṁ kāṁcittvarānvitaḥ yāvanna kramate kālo yajñayānasamudbhavaḥ

'Go, Shakra, and swiftly bring some maiden, before the time for the yajna's departure passes.'

Verse 56 (skanda.6.181.56)

पितामहवचः श्रुत्वा तदर्थं कन्यका द्विजाः । शक्रेणासादिता शीघ्रं भ्रममाणा समीपतः

pitāmahavacaḥ śrutvā tadarthaṁ kanyakā dvijāḥ śakreṇāsāditā śīghraṁ bhramamāṇā samīpataḥ

Hearing the Grandsire's word, for that very purpose, O brahmins, a maiden wandering nearby was swiftly found by Shakra.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.181.57)

अथ तक्रघटव्यग्रमस्तका तेन वीक्षिता । कन्यका गोपजा तन्वी चंद्रास्या पद्मलोचना

atha takraghaṭavyagramastakā tena vīkṣitā kanyakā gopajā tanvī caṁdrāsyā padmalocanā

Then he saw her — a slender cowherd-maiden, her head laden with a pot of buttermilk, moon-faced and lotus-eyed.

Verse 58 (skanda.6.181.58)

सर्वलक्षणसंपूर्णा यौवनारंभमाश्रिता । सा शक्रेणाथ संपृष्टा का त्वं कमललोचने

sarvalakṣaṇasaṁpūrṇā yauvanāraṁbhamāśritā sā śakreṇātha saṁpṛṣṭā kā tvaṁ kamalalocane

Endowed with every auspicious mark and just come to the beginning of youth, she was asked by Shakra: 'Who are you, O lotus-eyed one?'

Verse 59 (skanda.6.181.59)

कुमारी वा सनाथा वा सुता कस्य ब्रवीहि नः

kumārī vā sanāthā vā sutā kasya bravīhi naḥ

'Are you a maiden, or one who has a protector? Whose daughter are you — tell us.'

Verse 60 (skanda.6.181.60)

कन्यो वाच । गोपकन्यास्मि भद्रं ते तक्रं विक्रेतुमागता । यदि गृह्णासि मे मूल्यं तच्छीघ्रं देहि मा चिरम्

kanyo vāca gopakanyāsmi bhadraṁ te takraṁ vikretumāgatā yadi gṛhṇāsi me mūlyaṁ tacchīghraṁ dehi mā ciram

The maiden said: 'I am a cowherd's daughter, blessings on you; I have come to sell buttermilk. If you will take it, give me its price quickly, without delay.'

Verse 61 (skanda.6.181.61)

तच्छ्रुत्वा त्रिदिवेन्द्रोऽपि मत्वा तां गोपकन्यकाम् । जगृहे त्वरया युक्तस्तक्रं चोत्सृज्य भूतले

tacchrutvā tridivendro'pi matvā tāṁ gopakanyakām jagṛhe tvarayā yuktastakraṁ cotsṛjya bhūtale

Hearing this, the Lord of the Thirty Gods, taking her for a fitting cowherd-maiden, seized her hastily and cast the buttermilk down upon the ground.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.181.62)

अथ तां रुदतीं शक्रः समादाय त्वरान्वितः । गोवक्त्रेण प्रवेश्याथ गुह्येनाकर्षयत्ततः

atha tāṁ rudatīṁ śakraḥ samādāya tvarānvitaḥ govaktreṇa praveśyātha guhyenākarṣayattataḥ

Then, taking that weeping girl in haste, Shakra had her passed in through the mouth of a cow and drawn out through its hidden passage.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.181.63)

एवं मेध्यतमां कृत्वा संस्नाप्य सलिलैः शुभैः । ज्येष्ठकुण्डस्य विप्रेन्द्राः परिधाय्य सुवाससी

evaṁ medhyatamāṁ kṛtvā saṁsnāpya salilaiḥ śubhaiḥ jyeṣṭhakuṇḍasya viprendrāḥ paridhāyya suvāsasī

Thus rendering her utterly pure, and bathing her in the auspicious waters of the Jyeshtha-kunda, O foremost brahmins, he clothed her in a fine pair of garments.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.181.64)

ततश्च हर्षसंयुक्तः प्रोवाच चतुराननम् । द्रुतं गत्वा पुरो धृत्वा सर्वदेवसमागमे

tataśca harṣasaṁyuktaḥ provāca caturānanam drutaṁ gatvā puro dhṛtvā sarvadevasamāgame

Then, filled with joy, he went swiftly to the four-faced one (Brahma) and, standing before him in the assembly of all the gods, said:

Verse 65 (skanda.6.181.65)

कन्यकेयं सुरश्रेष्ठ समानीता मयाऽधुना । तवार्थाय सुरूपांगी सर्वलक्षणलक्षिता

kanyakeyaṁ suraśreṣṭha samānītā mayā'dhunā tavārthāya surūpāṁgī sarvalakṣaṇalakṣitā

'O best of gods, this maiden has now been brought by me for your sake — of beautiful form, marked with every auspicious sign.'

Verse 66 (skanda.6.181.66)

गोपकन्या विदित्वेमां गोवक्त्रेण प्रवेश्य च । आकर्षिता च गुह्येन पावनार्थं चतुर्मुख

gopakanyā viditvemāṁ govaktreṇa praveśya ca ākarṣitā ca guhyena pāvanārthaṁ caturmukha

'Knowing her to be a cowherd's daughter, O four-faced one, she was passed in through the mouth of a cow and drawn out through the hidden passage, so as to purify her.'

Verse 67 (skanda.6.181.67)

श्रीवासुदेव उवाच । गवां च ब्राह्मणानां च कुलमेकं द्विधा कृतम् । एकत्र मंत्रास्तिष्ठंति हविरन्यत्र तिष्ठति

śrīvāsudeva uvāca gavāṁ ca brāhmaṇānāṁ ca kulamekaṁ dvidhā kṛtam ekatra maṁtrāstiṣṭhaṁti haviranyatra tiṣṭhati

Sri Vasudeva said: 'The lineage of cows and of brahmins is a single one, divided into two parts: in one dwell the mantras, in the other the oblation.'

Verse 68 (skanda.6.181.68)

धेनूदराद्विनिष्क्रांता तज्जातेयं द्विजन्मनाम् । अस्याः पाणिग्रहं देव त्वं कुरुष्व मखाप्तये

dhenūdarādviniṣkrāṁtā tajjāteyaṁ dvijanmanām asyāḥ pāṇigrahaṁ deva tvaṁ kuruṣva makhāptaye

'Having issued from a cow's womb, this maiden belongs to that same lineage of the twice-born. O god, take her hand in marriage for the sacrifice's fulfilment —'

Verse 69 (skanda.6.181.69)

यावन्न चलते कालो यज्ञयानसमुद्भवः

yāvanna calate kālo yajñayānasamudbhavaḥ

'— before the time for the yajna's departure passes.'

Verse 70 (skanda.6.181.70)

रुद्र उवाच । प्रविष्टा गोमुखे यस्मादपानेन विनिर्गता । गायत्रीनाम ते पत्नी तस्मादेषा भविष्यति

rudra uvāca praviṣṭā gomukhe yasmādapānena vinirgatā gāyatrīnāma te patnī tasmādeṣā bhaviṣyati

Rudra said: 'Since she entered through the mouth of a cow and issued forth through its hind passage, her name shall be Gayatri, and she shall become your wife.'

Verse 71 (skanda.6.181.71)

ब्रह्मोवाच । वदन्तु ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे गोपकन्याप्यसौ यदि । संभूय ब्राह्मणीश्रेष्ठा यथा पत्नी भवेन्मम

brahmovāca vadantu brāhmaṇāḥ sarve gopakanyāpyasau yadi saṁbhūya brāhmaṇīśreṣṭhā yathā patnī bhavenmama

Brahma said: 'Let all the brahmins declare — if, thus purified, this cowherd-maiden too may become foremost among brahmin women and my wife...'

Verse 72 (skanda.6.181.72)

ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः । एषा स्याद्ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठा गोपजातिविवर्जिता । अस्मद्वाक्याच्चतुर्वक्त्र कुरु पाणिग्रहं द्रुतम्

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ eṣā syādbrāhmaṇaśreṣṭhā gopajātivivarjitā asmadvākyāccaturvaktra kuru pāṇigrahaṁ drutam

The brahmins said: 'Freed from the cowherd caste, she shall become foremost among brahmin women. By our word, O four-faced one, perform the marriage quickly.'

Verse 73 (skanda.6.181.73)

सूत उवाच । ततः पाणिग्रहं चक्रे तस्या देवः पितामहः । कृत्वा सोमं ततो मूर्ध्नि गृह्योक्तविधिना द्विजाः

sūta uvāca tataḥ pāṇigrahaṁ cakre tasyā devaḥ pitāmahaḥ kṛtvā somaṁ tato mūrdhni gṛhyoktavidhinā dvijāḥ

Suta said: Then the god, the Grandsire, took her hand in marriage, and, according to the rite prescribed in the Grhya texts, O brahmins, placed soma upon her head.

Verse 74 (skanda.6.181.74)

संतिष्ठति च तत्रस्था महादेवी सुपावनी । अद्यापि लोके विख्याता धनसौभाग्यदायिनी

saṁtiṣṭhati ca tatrasthā mahādevī supāvanī adyāpi loke vikhyātā dhanasaubhāgyadāyinī

She remains established there as the great Goddess, most purifying; even today she is renowned in the world as the bestower of wealth and good fortune.

Verse 75 (skanda.6.181.75)

यस्तस्यां कुरुते मर्त्यः कन्यादानं समाहितः । समस्तं फलमाप्नोति राजसूयाश्वमेधयोः

yastasyāṁ kurute martyaḥ kanyādānaṁ samāhitaḥ samastaṁ phalamāpnoti rājasūyāśvamedhayoḥ

Whoever performs, with due care, the gift of a maiden in marriage at that place attains the entire fruit of the Rajasuya and Ashvamedha sacrifices.

Verse 76 (skanda.6.181.76)

कन्या हस्तग्रहं तत्र याऽऽप्नोति पतिना सह । सा स्यात्पुत्रवती साध्वी सुखसौभाग्यसंयुता

kanyā hastagrahaṁ tatra yā''pnoti patinā saha sā syātputravatī sādhvī sukhasaubhāgyasaṁyutā

The maiden whose hand is taken there in marriage, together with her husband, becomes a virtuous woman blessed with sons, happiness, and good fortune.

Verse 77 (skanda.6.181.77)

पिंडदानं नरस्तस्यां यः करोति द्विजोत्तमाः । पितरस्तस्य संतुष्टास्तर्पिताः पितृतीर्थवत्

piṁḍadānaṁ narastasyāṁ yaḥ karoti dvijottamāḥ pitarastasya saṁtuṣṭāstarpitāḥ pitṛtīrthavat

The man who offers the pinda-rite there, O foremost brahmins — his forefathers, well satisfied, become as fully content as if satiated at a Pitr-tirtha.