The Mother-Goddesses' Arrival and Savitri's Curse

Verse 1 (skanda.6.188.1)

सूत उवाच । ततस्तु पंचमे चाह्नि संजाते ते द्विजोत्तमाः । श्वेतधौतांबराः सर्वे सुस्नाताः शुचयः स्थिताः

sūta uvāca tatastu paṁcame cāhni saṁjāte te dvijottamāḥ śvetadhautāṁbarāḥ sarve susnātāḥ śucayaḥ sthitāḥ

Suta said: Then, when the fifth day arrived, O best of brahmins, they all stood clad in white, washed garments, well bathed and pure.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.188.2)

चक्रुः सर्वाणि कर्माणि पुलस्त्येन प्रबोधिताः । सदोमध्ये गताश्चैव ऋत्विग्वरणपूर्वकाः

cakruḥ sarvāṇi karmāṇi pulastyena prabodhitāḥ sadomadhye gatāścaiva ṛtvigvaraṇapūrvakāḥ

They performed all the rites as instructed by Pulastya, and went into the midst of the assembly, having first completed the selection of the ritwiks.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.188.3)

अध्वर्युणा समादिष्टान्प्रैषान्प्रोचुर्यथा क्रमम् । होमार्थं दीप्तवह्नौ च ऋत्विग्भिः सुसमाहितैः

adhvaryuṇā samādiṣṭānpraiṣānprocuryathā kramam homārthaṁ dīptavahnau ca ṛtvigbhiḥ susamāhitaiḥ

They pronounced, in due order, the commands appointed by the Adhvaryu for the homa, at the blazing fire, together with the well-composed ritwiks.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.188.4)

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु ह्युद्गात्रा कर्म योजितम् । शंकुभिः क्रियते यच्च साम गीतिप्रसूचितम्

etasminneva kāle tu hyudgātrā karma yojitam śaṁkubhiḥ kriyate yacca sāma gītiprasūcitam

At this very time the Udgatr's work was set in motion — the saman chant which is indicated by the sacrificial pegs (shanku).

Verse 5 (skanda.6.188.5)

सप्तावर्तं द्विजश्रेष्ठाः सदोमध्यगतेन च । यत्राऽऽगच्छंति ते सर्वे देवा यज्ञांशलालसाः

saptāvartaṁ dvijaśreṣṭhāḥ sadomadhyagatena ca yatrā''gacchaṁti te sarve devā yajñāṁśalālasāḥ

Sevenfold, O best of brahmins, from within the assembly, where all the gods, eager for their share of the sacrifice, would come —

Verse 6 (skanda.6.188.6)

सोमपानकृते चैव विशेषेण मुदान्विताः । प्रारब्धे सोमभक्ष्येऽथ गीते चोद्गातृनिर्मिते

somapānakṛte caiva viśeṣeṇa mudānvitāḥ prārabdhe somabhakṣye'tha gīte codgātṛnirmite

especially delighted for the sake of the soma-drinking — as the soma-eating began, and the chant made by the Udgatr commenced,

Verse 7 (skanda.6.188.7)

आगता कन्यका चैका सामगीतिसमुत्सुका । शंकुकर्णनजं चित्रं वांछमाना विचक्षणा

āgatā kanyakā caikā sāmagītisamutsukā śaṁkukarṇanajaṁ citraṁ vāṁchamānā vicakṣaṇā

a certain maiden arrived, eager for the saman-chant, clever, desiring to see the wondrous movement caused by the peg-marker,

Verse 8 (skanda.6.188.8)

छन्दोगस्य सुता श्रेष्ठा देवशर्माभिधस्य च । औदुम्बरीति नाम्ना सा सामश्रवणलालसा

chandogasya sutā śreṣṭhā devaśarmābhidhasya ca audumbarīti nāmnā sā sāmaśravaṇalālasā

the excellent daughter of the Chandoga priest named Devasharma, named Udumbari, eager to hear the saman.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.188.9)

उद्गातारं च सदसि वचनं व्याजहार सा । यथायथा प्रवर्तंते शंकवः सामसूचिताः

udgātāraṁ ca sadasi vacanaṁ vyājahāra sā yathāyathā pravartaṁte śaṁkavaḥ sāmasūcitāḥ

She spoke a word to the Udgatr in the assembly: "As the pegs, indicated by the saman, proceed —"

Verse 10 (skanda.6.188.10)

दक्षिणाग्नौ द्रुतं गत्वा कुरु होमं यथोदितम् । येन त्वं मुच्यसे पापान्न चेद्व्यर्थो भविष्यति

dakṣiṇāgnau drutaṁ gatvā kuru homaṁ yathoditam yena tvaṁ mucyase pāpānna cedvyartho bhaviṣyati

"go quickly to the southern fire and perform the homa as prescribed, by which you shall be freed from sin — otherwise it will be in vain."

Verse 11 (skanda.6.188.11)

तस्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा साभिप्रायं द्विजोत्तमाः । ततः स चिन्तयामास यावत्तद्व्याहृतं वचः

tasyāstadvacanaṁ śrutvā sābhiprāyaṁ dvijottamāḥ tataḥ sa cintayāmāsa yāvattadvyāhṛtaṁ vacaḥ

Hearing her purposeful words, O best of brahmins, he then reflected for as long as that speech had been uttered.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.188.12)

ततः पप्रच्छ तां कन्यामुद्गाता विस्मयान्वितः । कुतस्त्वमसि चाऽऽयाता सुता कस्य वदस्व मे

tataḥ papraccha tāṁ kanyāmudgātā vismayānvitaḥ kutastvamasi cā''yātā sutā kasya vadasva me

Then the Udgatr, filled with wonder, asked that maiden: "Where have you come from? Whose daughter are you? Tell me."

Verse 13 (skanda.6.188.13)

औदुम्बर्युवाच । पर्वतस्य सुता चास्मि विख्याता देवशर्मणः । जातिस्मरा महाभाग प्राप्ता गन्धर्वलोकतः

audumbaryuvāca parvatasya sutā cāsmi vikhyātā devaśarmaṇaḥ jātismarā mahābhāga prāptā gandharvalokataḥ

Udumbari said: "I am the renowned daughter of Parvata, of Devasharma; remembering my past births, O fortunate one, I have come from the world of the Gandharvas."

Verse 14 (skanda.6.188.14)

उद्गातोवाच । गन्धर्वस्य सुता कस्य केन शप्तासि पुत्रिके । कदा ते भविता मोक्षो मानुषत्वस्य कीर्त्तय

udgātovāca gandharvasya sutā kasya kena śaptāsi putrike kadā te bhavitā mokṣo mānuṣatvasya kīrttaya

The Udgatr said: "Whose Gandharva daughter are you, and by whom were you cursed, my child? When shall your release from this human state come? Declare it."

Verse 15 (skanda.6.188.15)

औदुम्बर्युवाच । नारदः पर्वतश्चैव गन्धर्वौ विदितौ जनैः । पर्वतस्य सुता चास्मि शप्ताहं नारदेन हि

audumbaryuvāca nāradaḥ parvataścaiva gandharvau viditau janaiḥ parvatasya sutā cāsmi śaptāhaṁ nāradena hi

Udumbari said: "Narada and Parvata are two Gandharvas known to people; I am the daughter of Parvata, and I was cursed by Narada indeed."

Verse 16 (skanda.6.188.16)

विपंचीं वादयन्स्वैरं दृष्टः स मुनिसत्तमः । अजानंत्या च तानानां विशेषं मूर्च्छनोद्भवम् । मया स हसितोऽतीव तानभंगतया गतः । ततः स कुपितो मह्यं ददौ शापं द्विजोत्तमः । मिथ्यापहसितो यस्मादहं शापमतोऽर्हसि

vipaṁcīṁ vādayansvairaṁ dṛṣṭaḥ sa munisattamaḥ ajānaṁtyā ca tānānāṁ viśeṣaṁ mūrcchanodbhavam mayā sa hasito'tīva tānabhaṁgatayā gataḥ tataḥ sa kupito mahyaṁ dadau śāpaṁ dvijottamaḥ mithyāpahasito yasmādahaṁ śāpamato'rhasi

"That foremost of sages was seen playing the vipanchi lute freely; not knowing the particular modulation of its notes, I laughed at him greatly, for he had lost the melody. Then he, angered, gave me this curse, O best of brahmins: 'Since I have been falsely mocked, you deserve this curse from me.'"

Verse 17 (skanda.6.188.17)

मानुषाणामयं धर्मस्तस्मात्त्वं मानुषी भव । मया प्रसादितः सोऽथ पित्रा सार्धं मुनीश्वरः

mānuṣāṇāmayaṁ dharmastasmāttvaṁ mānuṣī bhava mayā prasāditaḥ so'tha pitrā sārdhaṁ munīśvaraḥ

"'This is the way of humans — therefore become human.' Then, propitiated by me, together with my father, that lord of sages —"

Verse 18 (skanda.6.188.18)

शापांतं कुरु मे नाथ बालिशाया विशेषतः । मानुषत्वं च मे भूयात्सुस्थाने सुकुले विभो

śāpāṁtaṁ kuru me nātha bāliśāyā viśeṣataḥ mānuṣatvaṁ ca me bhūyātsusthāne sukule vibho

"'End my curse, my lord, especially for one so foolish; let my humanity fall in a good place, in a good family, O lord —"

Verse 19 (skanda.6.188.19)

सुस्थाने चांतकालश्च ब्राह्मणस्य निवेशने । ततोऽहं तेन संप्रोक्ता चमत्कारपुरें शुभे देवशर्मा तु विप्रेंद्रः कुलीनः सर्वशास्त्रवित् । तस्य तु ब्राह्मणी नाम्ना सत्यभामेति विश्रुता

susthāne cāṁtakālaśca brāhmaṇasya niveśane tato'haṁ tena saṁproktā camatkārapureṁ śubhe devaśarmā tu vipreṁdraḥ kulīnaḥ sarvaśāstravit tasya tu brāhmaṇī nāmnā satyabhāmeti viśrutā

"'in a good place, and at the time of my death, in a brahmin's household.' Then I was told by him: 'In the auspicious Chamatkarapura.' Devasharma is a foremost brahmin, well-born, versed in every shastra; his brahmin wife is renowned by the name Satyabhama."

Verse 20 (skanda.6.188.20)

तस्या गर्भं समासाद्य मानुषत्वं समाचर । यदा पैतामहो यज्ञस्तस्मिन्क्षेत्रे भविष्यति

tasyā garbhaṁ samāsādya mānuṣatvaṁ samācara yadā paitāmaho yajñastasminkṣetre bhaviṣyati

"'Entering her womb, take up your humanity; when the Grandsire's sacrifice shall come to be at that sacred field,"

Verse 21 (skanda.6.188.21)

उद्गातुः समये तस्य शंकोश्चैव विपर्यये । तदा तु स त्वया वाच्यो ह्यस्थाने शंकुराहितः । सर्वदेवसभा मध्ये तदा मोक्षो भविष्यति

udgātuḥ samaye tasya śaṁkoścaiva viparyaye tadā tu sa tvayā vācyo hyasthāne śaṁkurāhitaḥ sarvadevasabhā madhye tadā mokṣo bhaviṣyati

"'at the time of the Udgatr's office, at the reversal of the peg — then you shall be addressed by him about the peg wrongly placed, in the midst of the assembly of all the gods; then your liberation shall occur.'"

Verse 22 (skanda.6.188.22)

इमां मे दैविकीं कांतां तनुं पश्य द्विजोत्तम । विमानं पश्य चायातं पित्रा संप्रेषितं मम । उद्गातोवाच । तुष्टोऽहं ते विशालाक्षि यज्ञस्याऽविघ्नकारके । न वृथा दर्शनं मे स्याद्विशेषाद्देवसंभवे । वरं वरय मत्तस्त्वं तस्मादौदुम्बरीप्सितम्

imāṁ me daivikīṁ kāṁtāṁ tanuṁ paśya dvijottama vimānaṁ paśya cāyātaṁ pitrā saṁpreṣitaṁ mama udgātovāca tuṣṭo'haṁ te viśālākṣi yajñasyā'vighnakārake na vṛthā darśanaṁ me syādviśeṣāddevasaṁbhave varaṁ varaya mattastvaṁ tasmādaudumbarīpsitam

"Behold this divine, lovely body of mine, O best of brahmins; behold the celestial chariot that has come, sent by my father." The Udgatr said: "I am pleased with you, O wide-eyed one, who prevent obstruction to the sacrifice; let not my sight of you be in vain, especially since you are of divine birth. Choose from me, therefore, whatever boon Udumbari desires."

Verse 23 (skanda.6.188.23)

औदुम्बर्युवाच । यदि मे यच्छसि वरं सन्तुष्टो ब्राह्मणोत्तम । सर्वेषामेव देवानां पुरतश्च ददस्व तम्

audumbaryuvāca yadi me yacchasi varaṁ santuṣṭo brāhmaṇottama sarveṣāmeva devānāṁ purataśca dadasva tam

Udumbari said: "If, being pleased, you grant me a boon, O best of brahmins, grant it before all the gods."

Verse 24 (skanda.6.188.24)

अद्यप्रभृति यः कश्चिद्यज्ञं भूमौ समाचरेत् । तस्मिन्सदसि मध्यस्था मूर्तिः कार्या यथा मम

adyaprabhṛti yaḥ kaścidyajñaṁ bhūmau samācaret tasminsadasi madhyasthā mūrtiḥ kāryā yathā mama

"From this day forward, whoever performs a sacrifice upon the earth — in that assembly a central image should be made, in my likeness."

Verse 25 (skanda.6.188.25)

ततो मत्पुरतश्चैव कार्यं शंकुप्रचारणम् । स्वर्गस्थाया भवेत्तुष्टिर्मम तेन कृतेन च

tato matpurataścaiva kāryaṁ śaṁkupracāraṇam svargasthāyā bhavettuṣṭirmama tena kṛtena ca

"Then, before me, the peg-ceremony should be performed; from that deed shall come satisfaction for me, dwelling in heaven."

Verse 26 (skanda.6.188.26)

सूत उवाच । तस्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा उद्गाता तामथाब्रवीत् । अद्यप्रभृति यः कश्चिद्यज्ञमत्र करिष्यति

sūta uvāca tasyāstadvacanaṁ śrutvā udgātā tāmathābravīt adyaprabhṛti yaḥ kaścidyajñamatra kariṣyati

Suta said: Having heard her words, the Udgatr then said to her: "From this day forward, whoever performs a sacrifice here —"

Verse 27 (skanda.6.188.27)

सदोमध्ये तु तां स्थाप्य पूजयित्वा विलेपनैः । वस्त्रैराभरणैश्चैव गन्धपुष्पानुलेपनैः

sadomadhye tu tāṁ sthāpya pūjayitvā vilepanaiḥ vastrairābharaṇaiścaiva gandhapuṣpānulepanaiḥ

"having established you in the midst of the assembly, and worshipped you with unguents, garments, ornaments, and fragrant flower-anointments,"

Verse 28 (skanda.6.188.28)

ततः शंकुप्रचारं तु करिष्यति तदग्रतः । एतद्वाक्यं मया प्रोक्तं सर्वदेवसमा गमे

tataḥ śaṁkupracāraṁ tu kariṣyati tadagrataḥ etadvākyaṁ mayā proktaṁ sarvadevasamā game

"shall then perform the peg-ceremony before you. This word I have spoken in the assembly of all the gods."

Verse 29 (skanda.6.188.29)

नान्यथा भावि भद्रं ते त्वं संतोषं परं व्रज । त्वया विरहितं भद्रे सदःकर्म करिष्यति

nānyathā bhāvi bhadraṁ te tvaṁ saṁtoṣaṁ paraṁ vraja tvayā virahitaṁ bhadre sadaḥkarma kariṣyati

"It shall not be otherwise, blessed one; go now to your utmost contentment. Without you, the assembly-rite shall be performed in vain —"

Verse 30 (skanda.6.188.30)

वृथा भावि च तत्सर्वं यथा भस्महुतं तथा । या नारी सदसो मध्ये फलैस्त्वां पूजयिष्यति

vṛthā bhāvi ca tatsarvaṁ yathā bhasmahutaṁ tathā yā nārī sadaso madhye phalaistvāṁ pūjayiṣyati

"and all of that shall come to nothing, like an oblation poured upon ashes. Any woman who, in the midst of the assembly, worships you with fruit-offerings,"

Verse 31 (skanda.6.188.31)

फलेफले कोटिगुणं तस्याः श्रेयो भविष्यति । सफलाश्च दिशः सर्वा भविष्यंति न संशयः

phalephale koṭiguṇaṁ tasyāḥ śreyo bhaviṣyati saphalāśca diśaḥ sarvā bhaviṣyaṁti na saṁśayaḥ

"her merit shall multiply a hundred-million-fold with each fruit, and all directions shall become fruitful for her, without doubt."

Verse 32 (skanda.6.188.32)

वस्त्रमाभरणं या च पुष्पधूपादिकं तथा । तुभ्यं दास्यति तत्सर्वं तस्याः कोटिगुणं फलम्

vastramābharaṇaṁ yā ca puṣpadhūpādikaṁ tathā tubhyaṁ dāsyati tatsarvaṁ tasyāḥ koṭiguṇaṁ phalam

"Whatever cloth, ornament, incense, and the like, a woman shall give to you — for her, the merit of it shall be a hundred-million-fold."

Verse 33 (skanda.6.188.33)

परं तावत्प्रतीक्षस्व मा विमानं समारुह । देवि केनापि कार्येण तव पूजां समाचरे

paraṁ tāvatpratīkṣasva mā vimānaṁ samāruha devi kenāpi kāryeṇa tava pūjāṁ samācare

"But wait a while yet — do not ascend your celestial chariot, O goddess; for some purpose, I shall perform your worship."

Verse 34 (skanda.6.188.34)

देवा ऊचुः । युक्तं त्वया द्विजश्रेष्ठ वचनं समुदाहृतम् । अस्माकमपि वाक्येन सत्यमेतद्भविष्यति

devā ūcuḥ yuktaṁ tvayā dvijaśreṣṭha vacanaṁ samudāhṛtam asmākamapi vākyena satyametadbhaviṣyati

The gods said: "What you have declared, O best of brahmins, is fitting; by our word too, this shall become true."

Verse 35 (skanda.6.188.35)

सूत उवाच । उद्गात्रा सैतमुक्ता च तिष्ठतिष्ठेत्यथोदिता । देवी वरविमानेन गृहीता सांऽबरे स्थिता

sūta uvāca udgātrā saitamuktā ca tiṣṭhatiṣṭhetyathoditā devī varavimānena gṛhītā sāṁ'bare sthitā

Suta said: Thus addressed by the Udgatr, told "Wait, wait," the goddess remained, held by the excellent chariot, standing in the sky.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.188.36)

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु देवशर्मसुताऽभवत् । देवी नगरमध्यस्थां सर्वा नार्यो द्विजोत्तमाः

etasminneva kāle tu devaśarmasutā'bhavat devī nagaramadhyasthāṁ sarvā nāryo dvijottamāḥ

At this very time, all the women of the city, O best of brahmins, [hearing] that Devasharma's daughter had become a goddess,

Verse 37 (skanda.6.188.37)

कुतूहलात्समायातास्तस्या दर्शनलालसाः । काचित्फलानि चादाय काचिद्वस्त्राणि भक्तितः । यथार्हं पूजिता ताभिः सर्वाभिश्च द्विजोत्तमाः

kutūhalātsamāyātāstasyā darśanalālasāḥ kācitphalāni cādāya kācidvastrāṇi bhaktitaḥ yathārhaṁ pūjitā tābhiḥ sarvābhiśca dvijottamāḥ

came out of curiosity, eager to see her — some bringing fruits, some bringing garments with devotion; she was worshipped fittingly by all of them, O best of brahmins.

Verse 38 (skanda.6.188.38)

श्रुत्वा स्वदुहितुः सोऽपि देवशर्मा समाययौ । सपत्नीकः प्रहृष्टात्मा विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचनः

śrutvā svaduhituḥ so'pi devaśarmā samāyayau sapatnīkaḥ prahṛṣṭātmā vismayotphullalocanaḥ

Hearing of his own daughter's fame, Devasharma too arrived, together with his wife, his heart delighted, his eyes wide with wonder.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.188.39)

सोऽपि यावत्प्रणामं च तस्याश्चक्रे द्विजोत्तमाः । सपत्नीकस्तदा प्रोक्त्वा निषिद्धस्तु तथा तया

so'pi yāvatpraṇāmaṁ ca tasyāścakre dvijottamāḥ sapatnīkastadā proktvā niṣiddhastu tathā tayā

As he was about to bow to her, together with his wife, O best of brahmins, he was then forbidden by her, who spoke to him:

Verse 40 (skanda.6.188.40)

ताततात नमस्कारं मा मे कुरु सहांबया । प्राप्ता स्वर्गगतिर्नाम मम नाशं प्रयास्यति

tātatāta namaskāraṁ mā me kuru sahāṁbayā prāptā svargagatirnāma mama nāśaṁ prayāsyati

"Father, father, do not bow to me together with mother; the status of going to heaven that I have attained shall come to my own ruin [if you do]."

Verse 41 (skanda.6.188.41)

तिष्ठात्रैव सपत्नीको यावदद्य दिनं विभो । त्वामादाय सपत्नीकं यास्यामि त्रिदिवालयम् । अनेनैव शरीरेण याचयित्वा सुरोत्तमान्

tiṣṭhātraiva sapatnīko yāvadadya dinaṁ vibho tvāmādāya sapatnīkaṁ yāsyāmi tridivālayam anenaiva śarīreṇa yācayitvā surottamān

"Remain here together with your wife until this very day, O lord; taking you both together, I shall go to the abode of the gods, in this very body, having made petition to the best of the gods."

Verse 42 (skanda.6.188.42)

ततस्तौ हर्षितौ तत्र पितरौ हि व्यवस्थितौ । प्रेक्षमाणौ सुतायास्तां पूजां जनविनिर्मिताम् । मन्यमानौ तदात्मानमधिकं सर्व देहिनाम्

tatastau harṣitau tatra pitarau hi vyavasthitau prekṣamāṇau sutāyāstāṁ pūjāṁ janavinirmitām manyamānau tadātmānamadhikaṁ sarva dehinām

Then those two parents stood there delighted, watching this worship made for their daughter by the people, considering themselves then greater than all embodied beings.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.188.43)

तस्य ये स्वजनाः केचित्सर्वे तेऽपि द्विजोत्तमाः । शंसमाना सुतां तां तु तत्समीपं व्यवस्थिताः

tasya ye svajanāḥ kecitsarve te'pi dvijottamāḥ śaṁsamānā sutāṁ tāṁ tu tatsamīpaṁ vyavasthitāḥ

And whatever kinsmen he had, O best of brahmins, all of them too, praising that daughter, remained stationed nearby her.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.188.44)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे प्राप्तो भृगुर्यत्र पितामहः । निष्क्रम्य सदसस्तस्मात्कृताञ्जलिरुवाच तम्

etasminnaṁtare prāpto bhṛguryatra pitāmahaḥ niṣkramya sadasastasmātkṛtāñjaliruvāca tam

Meanwhile Bhrigu arrived where the Grandsire was; coming out from the assembly, with joined palms, he spoke to him:

Verse 45 (skanda.6.188.45)

उद्गात्रा देव चात्मीयो मार्गः श्रुतिविवर्जितः । विहितः कन्यकां धृत्वा सदोमध्ये सुरेश्वर

udgātrā deva cātmīyo mārgaḥ śrutivivarjitaḥ vihitaḥ kanyakāṁ dhṛtvā sadomadhye sureśvara

"O god, a path devised by the Udgatr, of his own accord and contrary to scripture, has been laid down — holding a maiden in the midst of the assembly, O lord of gods."

Verse 46 (skanda.6.188.46)

देवत्वं जल्पितं तस्या नागर्याः सुरसंनिधौ । सोमपानं तथा कुर्मो वयं तत्र तया सह

devatvaṁ jalpitaṁ tasyā nāgaryāḥ surasaṁnidhau somapānaṁ tathā kurmo vayaṁ tatra tayā saha

"Divinity has been proclaimed for this Nagara woman in the presence of the gods; we perform the soma-drinking there together with her."

Verse 47 (skanda.6.188.47)

ततो विधिस्तमानीय पप्रच्छ द्विजसत्तमाः। काऽसौ कन्या किमर्थं च सदोमध्ये धृता त्वया। सोऽब्रवीच्छापभ्रष्टेयं गन्धर्वी ब्राह्मणालये । अवतीर्णा विधेर्यज्ञे मुक्तिरस्याः प्रकीर्तिता

tato vidhistamānīya papraccha dvijasattamāḥ kā'sau kanyā kimarthaṁ ca sadomadhye dhṛtā tvayā so'bravīcchāpabhraṣṭeyaṁ gandharvī brāhmaṇālaye avatīrṇā vidheryajñe muktirasyāḥ prakīrtitā

Then the Ordainer, having summoned him, asked, O best of brahmins: "Who is this maiden, and why has she been held by you in the midst of the assembly?" He replied: "This is a Gandharvi fallen from a curse, now in a brahmin's household; she has descended in the Creator's sacrifice — her liberation is proclaimed."

Verse 48 (skanda.6.188.48)

नारदेन पुरा देव कोपेन च तथा मुदा । तस्या देव वरो दत्तो मया तुष्टेन सांप्रतम्

nāradena purā deva kopena ca tathā mudā tasyā deva varo datto mayā tuṣṭena sāṁpratam

"Formerly, O god, by Narada, both in anger and later in delight, a boon has now been given to her by me, being pleased."

Verse 49 (skanda.6.188.49)

शंकुप्रचारं नो बाह्यं तव संपत्स्यते क्वचित् । देवैः सर्वैः समानीता प्रतिष्ठां प्रपितामह

śaṁkupracāraṁ no bāhyaṁ tava saṁpatsyate kvacit devaiḥ sarvaiḥ samānītā pratiṣṭhāṁ prapitāmaha

"The peg-ceremony shall never be performed by us excluding her; she has been brought here for her own establishment by all the gods, O great-grandsire."

Verse 50 (skanda.6.188.50)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे प्राप्ताः कैलासाच्च द्विजोत्तमाः । श्रुत्वा चौदुंबरीजातं माहात्म्यं धरणीतले

etasminnaṁtare prāptāḥ kailāsācca dvijottamāḥ śrutvā cauduṁbarījātaṁ māhātmyaṁ dharaṇītale

Meanwhile, some came from Kailasa too, O best of brahmins, having heard of the greatness born of Udumbari upon this earth,

Verse 51 (skanda.6.188.51)

यज्ञे पैतामहे चैव हाटकेश्वरसंभवे । क्षेत्रे पुण्यतमे तत्र पूजार्थं द्विजसत्तमाः

yajñe paitāmahe caiva hāṭakeśvarasaṁbhave kṣetre puṇyatame tatra pūjārthaṁ dvijasattamāḥ

at the Grandsire's sacrifice, born at Hatakeshvara, in that most meritorious sacred field, for the purpose of worship, O best of brahmins —

Verse 52 (skanda.6.188.52)

हृष्टा मातृगणा ये च अष्टषष्टिप्रमाणतः । पूज्यंते ये च गन्धर्वैः सिद्धैः साध्यैर्मरुद्गणैः

hṛṣṭā mātṛgaṇā ye ca aṣṭaṣaṣṭipramāṇataḥ pūjyaṁte ye ca gandharvaiḥ siddhaiḥ sādhyairmarudgaṇaiḥ

the delighted host of Mother-goddesses, numbering sixty-eight, who are worshipped by Gandharvas, Siddhas, Sadhyas, and the host of Maruts,

Verse 53 (skanda.6.188.53)

पृथक्पृथग्विधै रूपैर्लोकविस्मयकारकैः । नृत्यंत्यश्च हसंत्यश्च गायंत्यश्च तथापराः

pṛthakpṛthagvidhai rūpairlokavismayakārakaiḥ nṛtyaṁtyaśca hasaṁtyaśca gāyaṁtyaśca tathāparāḥ

in various distinct forms astonishing to the world, dancing and laughing and singing, and others besides.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.188.54)

तासां कोलाहलं श्रुत्वा ब्रह्मविष्णुपुरःसराः । विस्मयं परमं प्राप्ताः सर्वे देवाः सवासवाः

tāsāṁ kolāhalaṁ śrutvā brahmaviṣṇupuraḥsarāḥ vismayaṁ paramaṁ prāptāḥ sarve devāḥ savāsavāḥ

Hearing their uproar, all the gods together with Vasava, with Brahma and Vishnu at their head, were struck with the greatest astonishment.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.188.55)

किमेतदिति जल्पंतः प्रोत्थिता यज्ञमंडपात् । एतस्मिन्नंतरे प्राप्ताः सर्वास्ता यत्र पद्मजः

kimetaditi jalpaṁtaḥ protthitā yajñamaṁḍapāt etasminnaṁtare prāptāḥ sarvāstā yatra padmajaḥ

Saying "What is this?", they rose up from the yajna-pavilion. Meanwhile all of them arrived where Padmaja was.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.188.56)

प्रणम्य शिरसा हृष्टास्ततः प्रोचुस्तु सादरम् । वयमेवं समायाताः श्रुत्वा ते यज्ञमुत्तमम्

praṇamya śirasā hṛṣṭāstataḥ procustu sādaram vayamevaṁ samāyātāḥ śrutvā te yajñamuttamam

Bowing their heads, delighted, they then spoke respectfully: "We have come here in this way, having heard of your excellent sacrifice."

Verse 57 (skanda.6.188.57)

आमंत्रिताश्च देवेश वायुना जगदायुना । यज्ञभागा न चास्माकं विद्यंते यज्ञकर्मणि

āmaṁtritāśca deveśa vāyunā jagadāyunā yajñabhāgā na cāsmākaṁ vidyaṁte yajñakarmaṇi

"We were invited, O Lord of gods, by Vayu, the life-breath of the world; yet we have no share of the sacrifice in this sacrificial rite —"

Verse 58 (skanda.6.188.58)

एतान्येव दिनानीह नायातास्तेन पद्मज । औदुंबरीं वयं श्रुत्वा ह्यपूर्वां तेन संगताः

etānyeva dinānīha nāyātāstena padmaja auduṁbarīṁ vayaṁ śrutvā hyapūrvāṁ tena saṁgatāḥ

"and for that reason we did not come on these very days, O Padmaja; having heard of the unprecedented Udumbari, we have gathered on her account."

Verse 59 (skanda.6.188.59)

सा दृष्ट्वा पूजिताऽस्माभिः प्रणिपातपुरःसरम्। पर्वतस्य सुता यस्माद्गन्धर्वस्य महात्मनः

sā dṛṣṭvā pūjitā'smābhiḥ praṇipātapuraḥsaram parvatasya sutā yasmādgandharvasya mahātmanaḥ

"Seeing her, worshipped by us with prostration foremost — since she is the daughter of Parvata, the great-souled Gandharva,"

Verse 60 (skanda.6.188.60)

सर्वकामप्रदा स्त्रीणां सर्वदेवैः प्रतिष्ठिता । स्थानं दर्शय चास्माकं त्वं देव प्रपितामह

sarvakāmapradā strīṇāṁ sarvadevaiḥ pratiṣṭhitā sthānaṁ darśaya cāsmākaṁ tvaṁ deva prapitāmaha

"the bestower of every desire upon women, established by all the gods — show a place to us as well, O god, great-grandsire."

Verse 61 (skanda.6.188.61)

अष्टषष्टिप्रमाणश्च गणोऽस्माकं व्यवस्थितः । तच्छ्रुत्वा पद्मजो ज्ञात्वा संकीर्णं यतमंडपम् । व्याप्तं देवगणैः सर्वैस्त्रयस्त्रिंशत्प्रमाणकैः

aṣṭaṣaṣṭipramāṇaśca gaṇo'smākaṁ vyavasthitaḥ tacchrutvā padmajo jñātvā saṁkīrṇaṁ yatamaṁḍapam vyāptaṁ devagaṇaiḥ sarvaistrayastriṁśatpramāṇakaiḥ

"Our host is established at a number of sixty-eight." Hearing this, Padmaja, knowing the pavilion overcrowded, pervaded already by all the thirty-three god-hosts,

Verse 62 (skanda.6.188.62)

ततो मध्यगमाहूय स तदा नगरोद्भवम् । श्रुताध्ययनसंपन्नं वृहस्पतिमिवापरम् । अब्रवीच्छ्लक्ष्णया वाचा त्यक्ता मौनं पितामहः

tato madhyagamāhūya sa tadā nagarodbhavam śrutādhyayanasaṁpannaṁ vṛhaspatimivāparam abravīcchlakṣṇayā vācā tyaktā maunaṁ pitāmahaḥ

then summoned Madhyaga, born in that very city, accomplished in learning and study, like a second Brihaspati; the Grandsire, having broken his silence, spoke to him with a gentle voice:

Verse 63 (skanda.6.188.63)

त्वं गत्वा मम वाक्येन विप्रान्नागरसंभवान् । प्रब्रूहि गोत्रमुख्यांश्च ह्यष्टषष्टिप्रमाणतः

tvaṁ gatvā mama vākyena viprānnāgarasaṁbhavān prabrūhi gotramukhyāṁśca hyaṣṭaṣaṣṭipramāṇataḥ

"Go, by my word, to the brahmins born of the Nagaras, and declare to their foremost gotra-heads, according to the number sixty-eight —"

Verse 64 (skanda.6.188.64)

एते मातृगणाः प्राप्ता अष्टषष्टिप्रमाणकाः । एकैक गोत्रमुख्याश्च एकैकस्य प्रमाणतः

ete mātṛgaṇāḥ prāptā aṣṭaṣaṣṭipramāṇakāḥ ekaika gotramukhyāśca ekaikasya pramāṇataḥ

"'These hosts of Mothers have arrived, numbering sixty-eight; let each, according to the measure due to each one's foremost gotra —"

Verse 65 (skanda.6.188.65)

स्वेस्वे भूमिविभागे च स्थानं यच्छतु सांप्रतम् । एतत्साहाय्यकं कार्यं भवद्भिर्मम नागराः । प्रसादं प्रचुरं कृत्वा येन तुष्टिं प्रयांति च

svesve bhūmivibhāge ca sthānaṁ yacchatu sāṁpratam etatsāhāyyakaṁ kāryaṁ bhavadbhirmama nāgarāḥ prasādaṁ pracuraṁ kṛtvā yena tuṣṭiṁ prayāṁti ca

"'be granted now a place in his own portion of land; this assistance must be rendered by you, Nagaras, to me — showing abundant favor, by which they may attain satisfaction.'"

Verse 66 (skanda.6.188.66)

ततः स सत्वरं गत्वा तान्समाहूय नागरान्। प्रोवाच विनयोपेतः प्रणिपत्य ततः परम्

tataḥ sa satvaraṁ gatvā tānsamāhūya nāgarān provāca vinayopetaḥ praṇipatya tataḥ param

Then he went swiftly and, having summoned those Nagaras, spoke to them, filled with humility, having first bowed before them.

Verse 67 (skanda.6.188.67)

तच्छ्रुत्वा नागराः सर्वे संतोषं परमं गताः। एकैकस्य गणस्यैव ददुः स्थानं निजं तदा

tacchrutvā nāgarāḥ sarve saṁtoṣaṁ paramaṁ gatāḥ ekaikasya gaṇasyaiva daduḥ sthānaṁ nijaṁ tadā

Hearing this, all the Nagaras, having attained the greatest satisfaction, then gave to each host its own place.

Verse 68 (skanda.6.188.68)

ततस्ताः मातरः सर्वाः प्रणिपत्य पितामहम्। तदनन्तरमेवाथ गायत्रीं भक्तिपूर्वकम्

tatastāḥ mātaraḥ sarvāḥ praṇipatya pitāmaham tadanantaramevātha gāyatrīṁ bhaktipūrvakam

Then all those Mothers, having bowed to the Grandsire, and thereafter with devotion to Gayatri,

Verse 69 (skanda.6.188.69)

विप्रसंसूचिते स्थाने सर्वाश्चैव व्यवस्थिताः। पूजितास्तर्पिताश्चैव बलिभिर्विविधैरपि

viprasaṁsūcite sthāne sarvāścaiva vyavasthitāḥ pūjitāstarpitāścaiva balibhirvividhairapi

established themselves each in the place shown by the brahmins, and were worshipped and satisfied with various offerings.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.188.70)

ततो गायन्ति ता हृष्टा नृत्यंति च हसंति च। तर्पिता ब्राह्मणेन्द्रैश्च प्रोचुश्च तदनन्तरम्

tato gāyanti tā hṛṣṭā nṛtyaṁti ca hasaṁti ca tarpitā brāhmaṇendraiśca procuśca tadanantaram

Then, delighted, they sang and danced and laughed; satisfied by the foremost brahmins, they then said:

Verse 71 (skanda.6.188.71)

न यास्यामो परं स्थानं स्थास्यामोत्रैव सर्वदा। ईदृशा यत्र विप्रेन्द्राः सर्वे भक्तिसमन्विताः

na yāsyāmo paraṁ sthānaṁ sthāsyāmotraiva sarvadā īdṛśā yatra viprendrāḥ sarve bhaktisamanvitāḥ

"We shall not go to any other place; we shall abide here forever, where such foremost brahmins, all full of devotion, dwell,"

Verse 72 (skanda.6.188.72)

ईदृशं च महाक्षेत्रं हाटकेश्वरसंभवम्। एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु सावित्री तत्र संस्थिता

īdṛśaṁ ca mahākṣetraṁ hāṭakeśvarasaṁbhavam etasminneva kāle tu sāvitrī tatra saṁsthitā

"and such a great sacred field as this, born of Hatakeshvara." At this very time, Savitri, established there,

Verse 73 (skanda.6.188.73)

प्रणिपत्य द्विजैः सर्वैर्गच्छमाना निवारिता। मा देवयजनं गच्छ सावित्रि पतिवल्लभे

praṇipatya dvijaiḥ sarvairgacchamānā nivāritā mā devayajanaṁ gaccha sāvitri pativallabhe

bowing, was prevented by all the brahmins as she went forward: "Do not go to the place of divine worship, O Savitri, beloved of your husband —"

Verse 74 (skanda.6.188.74)

ब्रह्मणा परिणीतास्ति गायत्रीति वरांगना

brahmaṇā pariṇītāsti gāyatrīti varāṁganā

"an excellent maiden named Gayatri has been wedded by Brahma."

Verse 75 (skanda.6.188.75)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तेषां सावित्री भ्रांतलोचना। दुःखशोकसमोपेता बाष्पव्याकुललोचना

tacchrutvā vacanaṁ teṣāṁ sāvitrī bhrāṁtalocanā duḥkhaśokasamopetā bāṣpavyākulalocanā

Hearing their words, Savitri, her eyes bewildered, overcome with grief and sorrow, her eyes clouded with tears,

Verse 76 (skanda.6.188.76)

दृष्ट्वा ता नृत्यमानाश्च गायमानास्तथैव च। उत्कूर्दतीर्धरापृष्ठे संतोषं परमं गताः

dṛṣṭvā tā nṛtyamānāśca gāyamānāstathaiva ca utkūrdatīrdharāpṛṣṭhe saṁtoṣaṁ paramaṁ gatāḥ

seeing them dancing and singing likewise, leaping upon the earth's surface, having attained the greatest contentment —

Verse 77 (skanda.6.188.77)

शशापाथ च सावित्री बाष्पगद्गदया गिरा। सपत्न्या मम यत्पूजां कृत्वा वै सुसमागताः

śaśāpātha ca sāvitrī bāṣpagadgadayā girā sapatnyā mama yatpūjāṁ kṛtvā vai susamāgatāḥ

Savitri then cursed them, in a voice choked with weeping: "Because you, having worshipped my rival, have come here so gladly gathered —"

Verse 78 (skanda.6.188.78)

न प्रणामः कृतोऽस्माकं मम दुःखेन दुःखिताः । तस्मान्नैवापरं स्थानं गमिष्यथ कथंचन

na praṇāmaḥ kṛto'smākaṁ mama duḥkhena duḥkhitāḥ tasmānnaivāparaṁ sthānaṁ gamiṣyatha kathaṁcana

"no salutation was made to us, grieved as we were with our own grief; therefore you shall never go to any other place whatsoever,"

Verse 79 (skanda.6.188.79)

नागराणां च नो पूजा कदाचित्प्रभविष्यति । न प्रासादोऽथ युष्माकं कदाचित्संभविष्यति

nāgarāṇāṁ ca no pūjā kadācitprabhaviṣyati na prāsādo'tha yuṣmākaṁ kadācitsaṁbhaviṣyati

"nor shall worship of the Nagaras ever come to you, nor shall you ever have a shrine of your own,"

Verse 80 (skanda.6.188.80)

शीतकाले तु शीतेन ह्युष्णकाले च रश्मिभिः । वर्षाकाले तु तोयेन क्लेशं यास्य थ भूरिशः

śītakāle tu śītena hyuṣṇakāle ca raśmibhiḥ varṣākāle tu toyena kleśaṁ yāsya tha bhūriśaḥ

"in the cold season you shall suffer greatly from the cold, in the hot season from the sun's rays, and in the rainy season from water."

Verse 81 (skanda.6.188.81)

एवमुक्त्वा ततो देवी सा तत्रैव व्यवस्थिता । नागराणां वरस्त्रीभिः सर्वाभिः परिवारिता

evamuktvā tato devī sā tatraiva vyavasthitā nāgarāṇāṁ varastrībhiḥ sarvābhiḥ parivāritā

Having said this, that goddess then remained established right there, surrounded by all the finest women of the Nagaras,

Verse 82 (skanda.6.188.82)

संबोध्यमाना सततं सुस्त्रीणां चेष्टितेन च । एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु भगवांस्तीक्ष्णदीधितिः

saṁbodhyamānā satataṁ sustrīṇāṁ ceṣṭitena ca etasminneva kāle tu bhagavāṁstīkṣṇadīdhitiḥ

being continually consoled by the conduct of those virtuous women. At this very time, the blessed one of sharp rays (the Sun),

Verse 83 (skanda.6.188.83)

अस्तं गतो महाञ्छब्दः प्रस्थितो यज्ञमंडपे । याज्ञिकानां तु विप्राणां सुमहाञ्छास्त्रसंभवः

astaṁ gato mahāñchabdaḥ prasthito yajñamaṁḍape yājñikānāṁ tu viprāṇāṁ sumahāñchāstrasaṁbhavaḥ

set, with a great sound; they set out for the yajna-pavilion — a very great discourse of shastra then arose among the sacrificing brahmins.