Indra's Curse and the Origin of the Pancharatra Festival

Verse 1 (skanda.6.207.1)

विश्वामित्र उवाच एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं यत्पृष्टोऽस्मि नराधिप बालमंडनमाहात्म्यं सर्वपातकनाशनम्

viśvāmitra uvāca etatte sarvamākhyātaṁ yatpṛṣṭo'smi narādhipa bālamaṁḍanamāhātmyaṁ sarvapātakanāśanam

Vishvamitra said: O king, I have now told you all that you asked — the sin-destroying greatness of the Bala-mandana shrine.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.207.2)

यत्रैकस्मिन्नपि स्नाने कृते पार्थिवसत्तम सर्वेषां लभ्यते पुण्यं तीर्थानां स्नानसंभवम् माघमासे त्रयोदश्यां शुक्लपक्ष उपस्थिते

yatraikasminnapi snāne kṛte pārthivasattama sarveṣāṁ labhyate puṇyaṁ tīrthānāṁ snānasaṁbhavam māghamāse trayodaśyāṁ śuklapakṣa upasthite

O best of kings, when the thirteenth day of the bright fortnight of Magha arrives, a single bath here bestows the merit of bathing in all the sacred fords.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.207.3)

आनर्त उवाच कस्माच्छक्रस्य संस्थानं पंचरात्रं धरातले नाधिकं जायते तेषां यथान्येषां दिवौकसाम्

ānarta uvāca kasmācchakrasya saṁsthānaṁ paṁcarātraṁ dharātale nādhikaṁ jāyate teṣāṁ yathānyeṣāṁ divaukasām

Anarta said: Why does Indra's sojourn on earth last only five nights, and not longer, as it does for the other gods?

Verse 4 (skanda.6.207.4)

वर्षांते कानि चाहानि येषु शक्रो धरातले समागच्छति को मास एतत्सर्वं ब्रवीहि मे

varṣāṁte kāni cāhāni yeṣu śakro dharātale samāgacchati ko māsa etatsarvaṁ bravīhi me

At the year's end, on which days does Indra come to the earth, and in which month? Tell me all of this.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.207.5)

विश्वामित्र उवाच श्रूयतामभिधास्यामि कथा मेनां धराधिप पंचरात्रात्परं शक्रो यथा न स्याद्धरातले

viśvāmitra uvāca śrūyatāmabhidhāsyāmi kathā menāṁ dharādhipa paṁcarātrātparaṁ śakro yathā na syāddharātale

Vishvamitra said: Listen, O king, I shall tell this story of why Indra does not remain on earth beyond five nights.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.207.6)

आसीत्पूर्वं बृहत्कल्पे जयत्सेनः सुरेश्वरः त्रैलोक्यस्य समस्तस्य स्वामी दानवदर्पहा

āsītpūrvaṁ bṛhatkalpe jayatsenaḥ sureśvaraḥ trailokyasya samastasya svāmī dānavadarpahā

In a former age, in the Brihat-kalpa, there was a lord of gods named Jayatsena, ruler of all the three worlds and the crusher of the demons' pride.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.207.7)

त्रैलोक्ये सकले पूजां भजमानः सदैव हि कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य गौतमस्य मुनेः प्रिया

trailokye sakale pūjāṁ bhajamānaḥ sadaiva hi kasyacittvatha kālasya gautamasya muneḥ priyā

He was ever worshipped throughout the three worlds. Now at a certain time, the beloved wife of the sage Gautama—

Verse 8 (skanda.6.207.8)

अहिल्यानाम भार्याऽभूद्रूपेणाप्रतिमा भुवि तां दृष्ट्वा चकमे शक्रः कामदेववशं गतः

ahilyānāma bhāryā'bhūdrūpeṇāpratimā bhuvi tāṁ dṛṣṭvā cakame śakraḥ kāmadevavaśaṁ gataḥ

—was named Ahalya, unmatched in beauty on earth. Seeing her, Indra, overpowered by desire, fell in love with her.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.207.9)

नित्यमेव समागत्य स्वर्गलोकात्स कामभाक् गौतमे निर्गते राजन्समिदिध्मार्थमेव हि दर्भार्थं फलमूलार्थं स्वयमेव महात्मभिः

nityameva samāgatya svargalokātsa kāmabhāk gautame nirgate rājansamididhmārthameva hi darbhārthaṁ phalamūlārthaṁ svayameva mahātmabhiḥ

O king, that lust-driven Indra would come daily from heaven whenever the great sage Gautama himself went out to gather firewood, kusha grass, and roots and fruits.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.207.10)

अथ तस्य समाचख्यौ नारदो मुनिसत्तमः शक्रस्य चेष्टितं सर्वं तथाहिल्यासमुद्भवम्

atha tasya samācakhyau nārado munisattamaḥ śakrasya ceṣṭitaṁ sarvaṁ tathāhilyāsamudbhavam

Then Narada, best of sages, related to Gautama the whole of Indra's conduct and all that had passed with Ahalya.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.207.11)

तच्छ्रुत्वा सहसा तूर्णं गौतमो गृहमभ्यगात् यावत्पश्यति देवेशं सह पत्न्या समागतम्

tacchrutvā sahasā tūrṇaṁ gautamo gṛhamabhyagāt yāvatpaśyati deveśaṁ saha patnyā samāgatam

Hearing this, Gautama swiftly hastened home, and there he saw the lord of gods together with his wife.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.207.12)

शक्रोऽपि गौतमं दृष्ट्वा पलायनपरायणः निर्जगामाश्रमात्तस्माद्विवस्त्रोऽपि भयाकुलः

śakro'pi gautamaṁ dṛṣṭvā palāyanaparāyaṇaḥ nirjagāmāśramāttasmādvivastro'pi bhayākulaḥ

On seeing Gautama, Indra, seized with fear, fled that very instant from the hermitage, even without his garments.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.207.13)

अहिल्यापि भयत्रस्ता दृष्ट्वा भर्तारमागतम् अधोमुखी स्थिता राजंस्तदा व्याकुलितेंद्रिया

ahilyāpi bhayatrastā dṛṣṭvā bhartāramāgatam adhomukhī sthitā rājaṁstadā vyākuliteṁdriyā

O king, Ahalya too, terrified at seeing her husband arrive, stood there with downcast face, her senses thrown into confusion.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.207.14)

गौतमोऽपि च तद्दृष्ट्वा सम्यग्भार्याविचेष्टितम् ददौ शापं महाराज कोपसंरक्तलोचनः

gautamo'pi ca taddṛṣṭvā samyagbhāryāviceṣṭitam dadau śāpaṁ mahārāja kopasaṁraktalocanaḥ

O great king, Gautama, seeing his wife's conduct clearly, his eyes red with fury, pronounced a curse.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.207.15)

यस्माच्छक्र पापकर्म कृतमीदृग्विगर्हितम् भार्या मे दूषिता साध्वी तस्मादवृषणो भव

yasmācchakra pāpakarma kṛtamīdṛgvigarhitam bhāryā me dūṣitā sādhvī tasmādavṛṣaṇo bhava

He said: O Indra, since you have committed so despicable a sin and defiled my chaste wife, therefore become bereft of your testicles.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.207.16)

सहस्रं च भगानां ते वक्त्रे भवतु मा चिरम् येन त्वं विप्लवं यासि त्रैलोक्ये सचराचरे

sahasraṁ ca bhagānāṁ te vaktre bhavatu mā ciram yena tvaṁ viplavaṁ yāsi trailokye sacarācare

And let a thousand vulvas appear at once upon your face, so that you become an object of disgrace throughout the three worlds with all their moving and unmoving beings.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.207.17)

अपरं मर्त्यलोकेऽत्र यद्यागच्छसि वासव पूजाकृते ततो मूर्धा शतधा ते भविष्यति

aparaṁ martyaloke'tra yadyāgacchasi vāsava pūjākṛte tato mūrdhā śatadhā te bhaviṣyati

Moreover, O Vasava, if you come to this mortal world seeking worship, your head shall split into a hundred pieces.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.207.18)

एवं शप्त्वा च तं शक्रं ततोऽहिल्यामुवाच सः कोपसंरक्तनेत्रस्तु भर्त्सयित्वा मुहुर्मुहुः

evaṁ śaptvā ca taṁ śakraṁ tato'hilyāmuvāca saḥ kopasaṁraktanetrastu bhartsayitvā muhurmuhuḥ

Having thus cursed Indra, and rebuking him again and again with fury-reddened eyes, he then spoke to Ahalya.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.207.19)

यस्मात्पापे त्वया कर्म कृतमेतद्विगर्हितम् तस्माच्छिलामयी भूत्वा त्वं तिष्ठ वसुधातले

yasmātpāpe tvayā karma kṛtametadvigarhitam tasmācchilāmayī bhūtvā tvaṁ tiṣṭha vasudhātale

O sinful woman, since you have done this despicable deed, therefore become a mass of stone and remain lying upon the earth.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.207.20)

ततः सा तत्क्षणाज्जाता तस्य भार्या शिलात्मिका इन्द्रोऽपि च परित्यक्तो वृषणाभ्यां तथाऽभवत्

tataḥ sā tatkṣaṇājjātā tasya bhāryā śilātmikā indro'pi ca parityakto vṛṣaṇābhyāṁ tathā'bhavat

At that very instant his wife became a stone, and Indra too, at the same moment, was deprived of his testicles.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.207.21)

सहस्रभगचिह्नस्तु वक्त्रदेशे बभूव ह

sahasrabhagacihnastu vaktradeśe babhūva ha

A thousand vulva-marks appeared upon his face.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.207.22)

अथ मेरोः समासाद्य कंदरं विजनं हरिः सव्रीडः सेवते नित्यं न जगाम निजां पुरीम्

atha meroḥ samāsādya kaṁdaraṁ vijanaṁ hariḥ savrīḍaḥ sevate nityaṁ na jagāma nijāṁ purīm

Then Indra, in shame, betook himself to a lonely cave on Mount Meru and stayed there constantly, never returning to his own city.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.207.23)

ततो देवगणाः सर्वे सोद्वेगास्तेन वर्जिताः नो जानंति च तत्रस्थं कन्दरान्वेषणे रताः

tato devagaṇāḥ sarve sodvegāstena varjitāḥ no jānaṁti ca tatrasthaṁ kandarānveṣaṇe ratāḥ

Then all the hosts of gods, bereft of him, grew agitated; searching among the caves, they could not find where he lay hidden.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.207.24)

पीड्यंते दानवैः रौद्रैः स्वर्गे जाते विराजके

pīḍyaṁte dānavaiḥ raudraiḥ svarge jāte virājake

With heaven left without its king, they began to be harassed by ferocious demons.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.207.25)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे जीवः शक्राण्या भयभीतया सोद्वेगया परिपृष्टः क्व गतोऽथ पुरंदरः

etasminnantare jīvaḥ śakrāṇyā bhayabhītayā sodvegayā paripṛṣṭaḥ kva gato'tha puraṁdaraḥ

Meanwhile, the terrified and distraught Indrani asked Brihaspati (Jiva) where Purandara had gone.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.207.26)

अथ जीवश्चिरं ध्यात्वा दृष्ट्वा तं ज्ञानचक्षुषा जगाम सहितो देवैः प्रोवाचाथ सुनिष्ठुरम्

atha jīvaściraṁ dhyātvā dṛṣṭvā taṁ jñānacakṣuṣā jagāma sahito devaiḥ provācātha suniṣṭhuram

Then Brihaspati, after long meditation, beheld him with his eye of wisdom, and going there with the gods, spoke harsh words to him.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.207.27)

किमित्थं राज्यभोगांस्त्वं त्यक्त्वा विजनमाश्रितः किं त्वया विहितं ध्यानं किं रौद्रं संश्रितं तपः

kimitthaṁ rājyabhogāṁstvaṁ tyaktvā vijanamāśritaḥ kiṁ tvayā vihitaṁ dhyānaṁ kiṁ raudraṁ saṁśritaṁ tapaḥ

He said: Why have you abandoned your kingdom and pleasures to take refuge in this desolate place? What meditation have you undertaken, or what fierce austerity have you embraced?

Verse 28 (skanda.6.207.28)

बृहस्पतेर्वचः श्रुत्वा भगवक्त्रः पुरंदरः प्रोवाच लज्जया युक्तो दीनो बाष्पपरिप्लुतः

bṛhaspatervacaḥ śrutvā bhagavaktraḥ puraṁdaraḥ provāca lajjayā yukto dīno bāṣpapariplutaḥ

Hearing Brihaspati's words, Purandara, his face marked with vulvas, wretched and filled with shame, spoke with eyes brimming with tears.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.207.29)

नाहं राज्यं करिष्यामि त्रैलोक्येऽपि कथंचन पश्य मे यादृशी जाता ह्यवस्था गौतमान्मुनेः

nāhaṁ rājyaṁ kariṣyāmi trailokye'pi kathaṁcana paśya me yādṛśī jātā hyavasthā gautamānmuneḥ

He said: I will never again rule over the three worlds. Look at the condition to which the sage Gautama's curse has brought me.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.207.30)

सहस्रभगचिह्नेन कथं वक्त्रेण तानहम् देवान्संभावयिष्यामि पौलोमीं च तथा शिवम्

sahasrabhagacihnena kathaṁ vaktreṇa tānaham devānsaṁbhāvayiṣyāmi paulomīṁ ca tathā śivam

With this face marked by a thousand vulvas, how shall I face the gods, or Indrani, or Lord Shiva?

Verse 31 (skanda.6.207.31)

मर्त्यलोकोद्भवा पूजा नष्टा मम बृहस्पते गौतमस्य मुनेः शापात्कस्मिंश्चित्कारणांतरे

martyalokodbhavā pūjā naṣṭā mama bṛhaspate gautamasya muneḥ śāpātkasmiṁścitkāraṇāṁtare

O Brihaspati, on account of Gautama's curse over a certain matter, even the worship that used to reach me from the mortal world has been lost.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.207.32)

तच्छ्रुत्वा देवराजस्य बृहस्पतिरुवाचह दुःखेन महता युक्तः सर्वैर्देवैः समावृतः गौतमस्य समीपे च गत्वा प्रोवाच तं स्वयम्

tacchrutvā devarājasya bṛhaspatiruvācaha duḥkhena mahatā yuktaḥ sarvairdevaiḥ samāvṛtaḥ gautamasya samīpe ca gatvā provāca taṁ svayam

Hearing this, Brihaspati, overcome with deep sorrow and accompanied by all the gods, went to Gautama and spoke to him directly.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.207.33)

एतच्छक्रपरित्यक्तं त्रैलोक्यमपि चाखिलम् पीड्यते दानवैर्विप्र नष्टयज्ञोत्सवक्रियम्

etacchakraparityaktaṁ trailokyamapi cākhilam pīḍyate dānavairvipra naṣṭayajñotsavakriyam

He said: O brahmin, with Indra gone, this entire triple world is now oppressed by demons, and all sacrifices and festivals have ceased.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.207.34)

नैष वांछति राज्यं स्वं लज्जया परया युतः तस्मादस्य प्रसादं त्वं यथावत्कर्तुमर्हसि अनुग्रहेण शापस्य मम वाक्याद्द्विजोत्तम

naiṣa vāṁchati rājyaṁ svaṁ lajjayā parayā yutaḥ tasmādasya prasādaṁ tvaṁ yathāvatkartumarhasi anugraheṇa śāpasya mama vākyāddvijottama

Overwhelmed with shame, he no longer even desires his kingdom. Therefore, O best of brahmins, at my word, be gracious to him and grant some mitigation of your curse.

Verse 35 (skanda.6.207.35)

तच्छ्रुत्वा गौतमः प्राह न मे वाक्यं भवेन्मृषा न वाक्यं लोपयिष्यामि यदुक्तं स्वयमेव हि

tacchrutvā gautamaḥ prāha na me vākyaṁ bhavenmṛṣā na vākyaṁ lopayiṣyāmi yaduktaṁ svayameva hi

Hearing this, Gautama said: My word cannot become false; I will not withdraw what I myself have spoken.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.207.36)

ततः प्रोवाच ते विष्णुः स्वयं चापि महेश्वरः तथा देवगणाः सर्वे विनयावनता स्थिताः

tataḥ provāca te viṣṇuḥ svayaṁ cāpi maheśvaraḥ tathā devagaṇāḥ sarve vinayāvanatā sthitāḥ

Then Vishnu himself and Maheshvara too spoke to him, while all the gods stood by, bowed in humility.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.207.37)

अन्यथा ब्रह्मणो वाक्यं न ते कर्तुं प्रयुज्यते तस्मात्कुरुष्व विप्रेन्द्र शापस्यानुग्रहं हरेः

anyathā brahmaṇo vākyaṁ na te kartuṁ prayujyate tasmātkuruṣva viprendra śāpasyānugrahaṁ hareḥ

They said: It is not proper for you to set aside Brahma's word. Therefore, O best of brahmins, at Hari's bidding grant some grace within your curse.

Verse 38 (skanda.6.207.38)

दृष्ट्वा तन्मनसो दार्ढ्यं सुरा विष्णुपुरोगमाः ब्रह्मणोंऽतिकमभ्येत्य तस्मै सर्वं न्यवेदयन्

dṛṣṭvā tanmanaso dārḍhyaṁ surā viṣṇupurogamāḥ brahmaṇoṁ'tikamabhyetya tasmai sarvaṁ nyavedayan

Seeing the firmness of his resolve, the gods headed by Vishnu went to Brahma and reported everything to him.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.207.39)

शापं शक्रस्य संजातं तथा तस्मान्महामुनेः

śāpaṁ śakrasya saṁjātaṁ tathā tasmānmahāmuneḥ

They told him of the curse that had befallen Indra at the hands of that great sage.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.207.40)

यथा विडंबना जाता देवराजस्य गर्हिता तथा च दानवैः सर्वं त्रैलोक्यं व्याकुलीकृतम्

yathā viḍaṁbanā jātā devarājasya garhitā tathā ca dānavaiḥ sarvaṁ trailokyaṁ vyākulīkṛtam

They told how the lord of gods had been so disgracefully humiliated, and how the demons had thrown the whole triple world into turmoil.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.207.41)

यथा न कुरुते राज्यं व्रीडितः स शचीपतिः तच्छ्रुत्वा पद्मजस्तूर्णं हरिशंभुसमन्वितः

yathā na kurute rājyaṁ vrīḍitaḥ sa śacīpatiḥ tacchrutvā padmajastūrṇaṁ hariśaṁbhusamanvitaḥ

—and how Shachi's lord, in shame, refused to reign at all. Hearing this, the lotus-born Brahma, together with Vishnu and Shiva, went there swiftly.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.207.42)

जगाम तत्र यत्रास्ते दुःखितः पाकशासनः गौतमं च समानीय तत्रैव च पितामहः

jagāma tatra yatrāste duḥkhitaḥ pākaśāsanaḥ gautamaṁ ca samānīya tatraiva ca pitāmahaḥ

They went to where the grieving Indra was, and the grandsire Brahma also brought Gautama there.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.207.43)

ततः प्रोवाच प्रत्यक्षं देवानां वासवस्य च अयुक्तं देवराजेन विहितं मुनिसत्तम

tataḥ provāca pratyakṣaṁ devānāṁ vāsavasya ca ayuktaṁ devarājena vihitaṁ munisattama

Then he spoke openly before the gods and before Indra himself: O best of sages, what the lord of gods did was indeed improper.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.207.44)

यत्ते प्रदूषिता भार्या कामोपहतचेतसा न ते दोषोऽस्ति यच्छप्तश्छिद्रे चास्मिन्पुरंदरः परं प्रशस्यते नित्यं मुनीनां परमा क्षमा

yatte pradūṣitā bhāryā kāmopahatacetasā na te doṣo'sti yacchaptaśchidre cāsminpuraṁdaraḥ paraṁ praśasyate nityaṁ munīnāṁ paramā kṣamā

That, overcome by lust, he defiled your wife — in cursing Purandara for this offense you are at no fault; yet supreme forbearance is ever praised as the highest virtue of sages.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.207.45)

यथा त्रैलोक्यराज्यं स्वं प्रकरोति शतक्रतुः त्वया स्वयं प्रसादेन तथा नीतिर्विधीयताम्

yathā trailokyarājyaṁ svaṁ prakaroti śatakratuḥ tvayā svayaṁ prasādena tathā nītirvidhīyatām

So arrange, of your own grace, such a remedy that Shatakratu may once more govern his kingdom of the three worlds.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.207.46)

दत्त्वाऽस्य वृषणौ भूयो नाशयित्वा भगानिमान् मर्त्यलोके गतिश्चास्य यथा स्यात्तत्समाचर

dattvā'sya vṛṣaṇau bhūyo nāśayitvā bhagānimān martyaloke gatiścāsya yathā syāttatsamācara

Restore his testicles, remove these vulva-marks, and arrange things so that he may also have access to the mortal world once more.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.207.47)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तेषां स मुनिर्देवगौरवात् वृषणौ मेषसंभूतौ योजयामास तौ तदा

tacchrutvā vacanaṁ teṣāṁ sa munirdevagauravāt vṛṣaṇau meṣasaṁbhūtau yojayāmāsa tau tadā

Hearing their request, the sage, out of regard for the gods, then fitted him with the testicles of a ram.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.207.48)

तान्भगान्पाणिना स्पृष्ट्वा चक्रे नेत्राणि सन्मुनिः ततः प्रोवाच तान्देवान्गौतमश्च महातपाः

tānbhagānpāṇinā spṛṣṭvā cakre netrāṇi sanmuniḥ tataḥ provāca tāndevāngautamaśca mahātapāḥ

Then, touching those vulva-marks with his hand, the noble sage turned them into eyes. And the great ascetic Gautama then spoke to the gods.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.207.49)

सहस्राक्षो मया शक्रो निर्मितोयं सुरोत्तमाः स मेषवृषणश्चापि स्वं च राज्यं करिष्यति शोभाऽस्य नेत्रजा वक्त्रे सुरम्या संभविष्यति

sahasrākṣo mayā śakro nirmitoyaṁ surottamāḥ sa meṣavṛṣaṇaścāpi svaṁ ca rājyaṁ kariṣyati śobhā'sya netrajā vaktre suramyā saṁbhaviṣyati

O best of gods, I have made this Indra thousand-eyed. Though bearing a ram's testicles, he shall be able to rule his kingdom, and his face shall gain a lovely beauty born of those eyes.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.207.50)

पुंस्त्वं च मेषजोत्थाभ्यां वृषणाभ्यां भविष्यति न च मर्त्ये गतिश्चास्य पूजार्थं संभविष्यति

puṁstvaṁ ca meṣajotthābhyāṁ vṛṣaṇābhyāṁ bhaviṣyati na ca martye gatiścāsya pūjārthaṁ saṁbhaviṣyati

His manhood shall be restored through those ram-born testicles, but he shall not have access to the mortal world for the sake of receiving worship.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.207.51)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे जातः सहस्राक्षः पुरंदरः शोभया परया युक्तो मुनेस्तस्य प्रभावतः

etasminnantare jātaḥ sahasrākṣaḥ puraṁdaraḥ śobhayā parayā yukto munestasya prabhāvataḥ

At that very moment, by the sage's power, Purandara became thousand-eyed and endowed with the highest splendor.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.207.52)

ततः संगृह्य पादौ च गौतमस्य महात्मनः प्रोवाच वचनं शक्रः सर्वदेवसमागमे

tataḥ saṁgṛhya pādau ca gautamasya mahātmanaḥ provāca vacanaṁ śakraḥ sarvadevasamāgame

Then, clasping the feet of the great sage Gautama, Indra spoke these words in the assembly of all the gods.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.207.53)

दुर्लभा मर्त्यलोकोत्था पूजा ब्राह्मणसत्तम सा मे तव प्रसादेन यथा स्यात्तत्समाचर

durlabhā martyalokotthā pūjā brāhmaṇasattama sā me tava prasādena yathā syāttatsamācara

O best of brahmins, worship arising from the mortal world is exceedingly hard to attain; grant, of your grace, that I may obtain it once again.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.207.54)

त्रैलोक्यपतिजा संज्ञा मा नाशं यातु मे द्विज प्रसादात्तव सा नित्यं यथा स्यात्तद्विधीयताम्

trailokyapatijā saṁjñā mā nāśaṁ yātu me dvija prasādāttava sā nityaṁ yathā syāttadvidhīyatām

O brahmin, let not my title as lord of the three worlds be lost; by your grace, arrange that it endure forever.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.207.55)

तच्छ्रुत्वा लज्जयाविष्टः कृपया चाथ सन्मुनिः तमूचे सर्वदेवानां प्रत्यक्षं पाकशासनम्

tacchrutvā lajjayāviṣṭaḥ kṛpayā cātha sanmuniḥ tamūce sarvadevānāṁ pratyakṣaṁ pākaśāsanam

Hearing this, the noble sage, moved by both a sense of propriety and compassion, addressed Indra directly before all the gods.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.207.56)

पंचरात्रं च ते पूजा मर्त्यलोके भविष्यति अनन्यां तृप्तिमभ्येषि यथा चैव तु वत्सरम्

paṁcarātraṁ ca te pūjā martyaloke bhaviṣyati ananyāṁ tṛptimabhyeṣi yathā caiva tu vatsaram

He said: You shall receive worship in the mortal world for five nights, and through it you shall attain such satisfaction as would otherwise require a whole year.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.207.57)

यत्र देशे पुरे ग्रामे पंचरात्रं महोत्सवः तत्र संवत्सरं यावन्नीरोगो भविता जनः

yatra deśe pure grāme paṁcarātraṁ mahotsavaḥ tatra saṁvatsaraṁ yāvannīrogo bhavitā janaḥ

In whatever land, city, or village this five-night festival is celebrated, its people shall remain free from disease for the whole year.

Verse 58 (skanda.6.207.58)

आधयो व्याधयो नैव न दुर्भिक्षं कथंचन न च राज्ञो विनाशः स्यान्नैव लोकेऽसुखं क्वचित्

ādhayo vyādhayo naiva na durbhikṣaṁ kathaṁcana na ca rājño vināśaḥ syānnaiva loke'sukhaṁ kvacit

There shall be no mental afflictions, no bodily diseases, no famine anywhere; the king shall not perish, nor shall any misery befall the people.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.207.59)

यत्र स्थाने महो भावी तावकश्च पुरंदर प्रभूतपयसो गावः प्रभविष्यंति तत्र च सुभिक्षं सुखिनो लोकाः सर्वोपद्रववर्जिताः

yatra sthāne maho bhāvī tāvakaśca puraṁdara prabhūtapayaso gāvaḥ prabhaviṣyaṁti tatra ca subhikṣaṁ sukhino lokāḥ sarvopadravavarjitāḥ

O Purandara, wherever this festival of yours is celebrated, the cows there shall yield abundant milk, food shall be plentiful, and the people shall live happily, free from all calamities.

Verse 60 (skanda.6.207.60)

इन्द्र उवाच यद्येवं शरदि प्राप्ते सर्वसत्त्वमनोहरे सप्तच्छदसमाकीर्णे बन्धूकसुविराजिते

indra uvāca yadyevaṁ śaradi prāpte sarvasattvamanohare saptacchadasamākīrṇe bandhūkasuvirājite

Indra said: If this is so, then when autumn arrives — delightful to every creature, adorned with saptacchada trees and lovely bandhuka blossoms—

Verse 61 (skanda.6.207.61)

मालतीगन्धसंकीर्णे नवसस्यसमाकुले चंद्रज्योत्स्नाकृतोद्द्योते षट्पदारावसंकुले

mālatīgandhasaṁkīrṇe navasasyasamākule caṁdrajyotsnākṛtoddyote ṣaṭpadārāvasaṁkule

—fragrant with malati blossoms, full of fresh grain, lit by the radiance of moonlight, and humming with the drone of bees—

Verse 62 (skanda.6.207.62)

कुमुदोत्पलसंयुक्ते तत्र स्यात्सुमहोत्सवः येन बालोऽपि वृद्धोऽपि संहृष्टस्तत्समाचर

kumudotpalasaṁyukte tatra syātsumahotsavaḥ yena bālo'pi vṛddho'pi saṁhṛṣṭastatsamācara

—and rich with kumuda and utpala lotuses, let there be that great festival then, so that both the young and the old alike may rejoice — arrange it thus.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.207.63)

गौतम उवाच अद्य श्रवणनक्षत्रे तव दत्तो महोत्सवः वैष्णवे पुण्यनक्षत्रे सर्वपापविवर्जिते

gautama uvāca adya śravaṇanakṣatre tava datto mahotsavaḥ vaiṣṇave puṇyanakṣatre sarvapāpavivarjite

Gautama said: Today, on the Shravana asterism — the sacred, sin-free asterism of Vishnu — I grant you this great festival.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.207.64)

त्वया मे धर्षिता भार्या पौष्णे नक्षत्रसंज्ञिते तस्मिन्भविष्यति व्यक्तं तव पातः पुरंदर

tvayā me dharṣitā bhāryā pauṣṇe nakṣatrasaṁjñite tasminbhaviṣyati vyaktaṁ tava pātaḥ puraṁdara

You violated my wife under the Pausha asterism; therefore, O Purandara, it was in that very asterism that your fall openly occurred.

Verse 65 (skanda.6.207.65)

येनैषा मामकी कीर्तिस्तावकं वक्तु कर्म तत् विख्यातिं यातु लोकेऽत्र न कश्चित्पापमाचरेत्

yenaiṣā māmakī kīrtistāvakaṁ vaktu karma tat vikhyātiṁ yātu loke'tra na kaścitpāpamācaret

Let my own renown and the account of that deed of yours become so widely known in this world that no one henceforth commits such a sin.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.207.66)

श्रवणादीनि पंचैव नक्षत्राणि पृथक्पृथक् तव पूजाकृते पंच क्रतुतुल्यानि तानि च भविष्यंति न संदेहः सर्वतीर्थमयानि च

śravaṇādīni paṁcaiva nakṣatrāṇi pṛthakpṛthak tava pūjākṛte paṁca kratutulyāni tāni ca bhaviṣyaṁti na saṁdehaḥ sarvatīrthamayāni ca

The five separate asterisms beginning with Shravana shall, for your worship, each equal a full sacrifice in merit, and shall without doubt hold the sanctity of all sacred fords together.

Verse 67 (skanda.6.207.67)

यो यं काममभिध्याय पूजां तव करिष्यति विशेषात्फलपुष्पैश्च स तं कृत्स्नमवाप्नुयात्

yo yaṁ kāmamabhidhyāya pūjāṁ tava kariṣyati viśeṣātphalapuṣpaiśca sa taṁ kṛtsnamavāpnuyāt

Whoever, cherishing some desire in mind, worships you especially with fruits and flowers, shall attain that desire in its entirety.

Verse 68 (skanda.6.207.68)

परं मूर्तिर्न ते पूज्या कुत्रापि च भविष्यति त्वया मे दूषिता भार्या ब्राह्मणी प्राणसंमता

paraṁ mūrtirna te pūjyā kutrāpi ca bhaviṣyati tvayā me dūṣitā bhāryā brāhmaṇī prāṇasaṁmatā

But no image of you shall ever be worshipped anywhere, for you defiled my brahmin wife, who was as dear to me as life itself.

Verse 69 (skanda.6.207.69)

तस्माद्वृक्षोद्भवां यष्टिं ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगाः तावकैः सकलैर्मंत्रैः स्थापयिष्यंति शक्तितः

tasmādvṛkṣodbhavāṁ yaṣṭiṁ brāhmaṇā vedapāragāḥ tāvakaiḥ sakalairmaṁtraiḥ sthāpayiṣyaṁti śaktitaḥ

Therefore, brahmins learned in the Vedas shall, according to their ability, set up a wooden staff cut from a tree, consecrated with all the mantras proper to you.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.207.70)

पंचरात्रविधानेन यथान्येषां दिवौकसाम् ततः संक्रमणं कृत्वा पूजा मर्त्यसमुद्भवा त्वया ग्राह्या सहस्राक्ष तृप्तिश्चैव भविष्यति

paṁcarātravidhānena yathānyeṣāṁ divaukasām tataḥ saṁkramaṇaṁ kṛtvā pūjā martyasamudbhavā tvayā grāhyā sahasrākṣa tṛptiścaiva bhaviṣyati

O thousand-eyed one, by the same five-night rite observed for other gods, you shall descend into that staff, and it is through accepting the worship arising from the mortal world in this way that you shall find satisfaction.

Verse 71 (skanda.6.207.71)

यो यथा चैव ते यष्टिं सुप्तामुत्थापयिष्यति तस्य तस्याधिका सिद्धिः संभविष्यंति वासव

yo yathā caiva te yaṣṭiṁ suptāmutthāpayiṣyati tasya tasyādhikā siddhiḥ saṁbhaviṣyaṁti vāsava

O Vasava, whoever duly raises up your dormant staff shall attain all the greater accomplishment thereby.

Verse 72 (skanda.6.207.72)

पंचरात्रव्रतरतो यो ब्रह्मचर्यपरायणः प्रकरिष्यति ते पूजां फलपुष्पैर्यथोदितैः

paṁcarātravratarato yo brahmacaryaparāyaṇaḥ prakariṣyati te pūjāṁ phalapuṣpairyathoditaiḥ

Whoever, devoted to the five-night vow and steadfast in continence, worships you with the fruits and flowers as prescribed—

Verse 73 (skanda.6.207.73)

परदारकृतात्पापात्स सर्वान्मुक्तिमेष्यति

paradārakṛtātpāpātsa sarvānmuktimeṣyati

—shall be freed from all sins arising from adultery with another's wife.

Verse 74 (skanda.6.207.74)

नमः शक्राय देवाय शुनासीराय ते नमः नमस्ते वज्रहस्ताय नमस्ते वज्रपाणये

namaḥ śakrāya devāya śunāsīrāya te namaḥ namaste vajrahastāya namaste vajrapāṇaye

Salutation to the god Shakra, salutation to you, O Shunasira; salutation to you, O wielder of the thunderbolt in hand.

Verse 75 (skanda.6.207.75)

मन्त्रेणानेन यश्चार्घ्यं तव शक्र प्रदास्यति परदारकृतं पापं तस्य सर्वं प्रयास्यति

mantreṇānena yaścārghyaṁ tava śakra pradāsyati paradārakṛtaṁ pāpaṁ tasya sarvaṁ prayāsyati

O Shakra, whoever offers you water-oblation with this mantra shall have every sin arising from adultery wiped away.

Verse 76 (skanda.6.207.76)

यश्चेदं तव संवादं मया सार्धं पुरंदर कीर्तयिष्यति सद्भक्त्या तथैवाकर्णयिष्यति

yaścedaṁ tava saṁvādaṁ mayā sārdhaṁ puraṁdara kīrtayiṣyati sadbhaktyā tathaivākarṇayiṣyati

O Purandara, whoever recites or listens with true devotion to this dialogue between you and me—

Verse 77 (skanda.6.207.77)

तस्य संवत्सरं यावन्नैव रोगो भविष्यति तच्छ्रुत्वा विबुधाः सर्वे तथेत्युक्त्वा प्रहर्षिताः

tasya saṁvatsaraṁ yāvannaiva rogo bhaviṣyati tacchrutvā vibudhāḥ sarve tathetyuktvā praharṣitāḥ

—shall remain free of disease for a full year. Hearing this, all the gods, saying "so be it," rejoiced greatly.

Verse 78 (skanda.6.207.78)

जग्मुः शक्रं समादाय पुनरेवामरावतीम् गौतमोऽपि निजावासं गतः कोपसमाश्रितः

jagmuḥ śakraṁ samādāya punarevāmarāvatīm gautamo'pi nijāvāsaṁ gataḥ kopasamāśritaḥ

Taking Indra with them, they returned once more to Amaravati, while Gautama too, still touched by anger, withdrew to his own hermitage.