The Worship of Ganapati in the Legend of Vishvamitra

Verse 1 (skanda.6.214.1)

सूत उवाच तथान्योपि च तत्रास्ति विश्वामित्रप्रतिष्ठितः गणनाथो द्विजश्रेष्ठाः सर्वसिद्धिप्रदो नृणाम्

sūta uvāca tathānyopi ca tatrāsti viśvāmitrapratiṣṭhitaḥ gaṇanātho dvijaśreṣṭhāḥ sarvasiddhiprado nṛṇām

Suta said: O best of brahmins, there is also another deity established there by Vishvamitra — the lord of the ganas, who grants every accomplishment to mankind.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.214.2)

माघमासे चतुर्थ्यां च शुक्लायां पूजयेत्तु यः स च संवत्सरं यावत्सर्वैर्विघ्नैर्विमुच्यते

māghamāse caturthyāṁ ca śuklāyāṁ pūjayettu yaḥ sa ca saṁvatsaraṁ yāvatsarvairvighnairvimucyate

Whoever worships him on the fourth day of the bright fortnight of Magha remains free of every obstacle for a full year.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.214.3)

ऋषय ऊचुः गणनाथस्य चोत्पत्तिं सांप्रतं सूत नो वद कथमेष समुत्पन्नः किं माहात्म्यः प्रकीर्तितः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ gaṇanāthasya cotpattiṁ sāṁprataṁ sūta no vada kathameṣa samutpannaḥ kiṁ māhātmyaḥ prakīrtitaḥ

The sages said: O Suta, now tell us the origin of the lord of the ganas — how was he born, and what greatness has been declared of him?

Verse 4 (skanda.6.214.4)

सूत उवाच एष चोत्पादितो गौर्या निजांगमलतः स्वयम् क्रीडार्थं मानुषैरंगैर्मातंगाननशोभितः

sūta uvāca eṣa cotpādito gauryā nijāṁgamalataḥ svayam krīḍārthaṁ mānuṣairaṁgairmātaṁgānanaśobhitaḥ

Suta said: He was created by Gauri herself, out of the impurities of her own body, for her amusement — endowed with human limbs, yet adorned with the face of an elephant.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.214.5)

चतुर्हस्तसमोपेत आखुवाहनगस्तथा कुठारहस्तश्च तथा मोदकाशनतोषकृत्

caturhastasamopeta ākhuvāhanagastathā kuṭhārahastaśca tathā modakāśanatoṣakṛt

He was endowed with four arms, took the mouse as his mount, held an axe in his hand, and found his delight in eating sweet modaka cakes.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.214.6)

सर्वसिद्धिप्रदो लोके भक्तानां च विशेषतः एष पूर्वं प्रभोः कार्ये संग्रामे तारकामये

sarvasiddhiprado loke bhaktānāṁ ca viśeṣataḥ eṣa pūrvaṁ prabhoḥ kārye saṁgrāme tārakāmaye

He is the giver of every accomplishment in the world, especially to his devotees. Once, in the great war against Taraka, in the service of his lord Shiva—

Verse 7 (skanda.6.214.7)

संग्राममकरोद्रौद्रं न कृतं यच्च केनचित् निहता दानवाः सर्वे संख्यया परिवर्जिताः

saṁgrāmamakarodraudraṁ na kṛtaṁ yacca kenacit nihatā dānavāḥ sarve saṁkhyayā parivarjitāḥ

—he waged such a terrible battle as none other had ever waged, and countless demons, beyond number, were slain.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.214.8)

ततः शक्रेण तुष्टेन प्रोक्तः संग्रामभूमिपः क्षतविक्षतसर्वांगो रुधिरेण परिप्लुतः

tataḥ śakreṇa tuṣṭena proktaḥ saṁgrāmabhūmipaḥ kṣatavikṣatasarvāṁgo rudhireṇa pariplutaḥ

Then Indra, well pleased, spoke to that lord of the battlefield, his whole body cut and wounded, drenched in blood.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.214.9)

अस्मदर्थे त्वया युद्धं यत्कृतं सुगजानन निहता दानवाः सर्वे संख्यया परिवर्जिताः

asmadarthe tvayā yuddhaṁ yatkṛtaṁ sugajānana nihatā dānavāḥ sarve saṁkhyayā parivarjitāḥ

He said: O fair elephant-faced one, in this battle that you waged for our sake, countless demons, beyond number, have been slain—

Verse 10 (skanda.6.214.10)

तस्मात्त्वं सर्वदेवानामपि पूज्यो भविष्यसि किंपुनर्मानुषाणां च ये नित्यं विघ्नसंप्लुताः

tasmāttvaṁ sarvadevānāmapi pūjyo bhaviṣyasi kiṁpunarmānuṣāṇāṁ ca ye nityaṁ vighnasaṁplutāḥ

—therefore, from now on, you shall be worthy of worship even by all the gods; how much more so by men, who are constantly beset by obstacles.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.214.11)

ये त्वां संपूजयिष्यंति कार्यारंभेषु सर्वतः कार्यसिद्धिर्न संदेहस्तेषां भूयाद्गिरा मम

ye tvāṁ saṁpūjayiṣyaṁti kāryāraṁbheṣu sarvataḥ kāryasiddhirna saṁdehasteṣāṁ bhūyādgirā mama

Whoever worships you fully at the outset of any undertaking shall, by my word, without doubt attain success in that undertaking.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.214.12)

एवमुक्त्वा सहस्राक्षो विससर्जाथ तं तदा संमान्य बहुमानेन गौरीशंकरपार्श्वतः

evamuktvā sahasrākṣo visasarjātha taṁ tadā saṁmānya bahumānena gaurīśaṁkarapārśvataḥ

Having said this, the thousand-eyed Indra dismissed him with the greatest honor, and he returned to the side of Gauri and Shankara.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.214.13)

अयमर्थः पुरा पृष्टो रोहिताश्वेन धीमता सर्वविप्रविनाशार्थं मार्कंडेयं महामुनिम्

ayamarthaḥ purā pṛṣṭo rohitāśvena dhīmatā sarvavipravināśārthaṁ mārkaṁḍeyaṁ mahāmunim

This very matter was once asked in former times by the wise King Rohitashva, to prevent the utter destruction of all his brahmins, of the great sage Markandeya.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.214.14)

तमेवार्थं महाभागाः कथयिष्ये यथार्थतः तच्छृणुध्वं पुरावृत्तं सर्वं सर्वे समाहिताः

tamevārthaṁ mahābhāgāḥ kathayiṣye yathārthataḥ tacchṛṇudhvaṁ purāvṛttaṁ sarvaṁ sarve samāhitāḥ

O illustrious ones, that very account I shall now relate to you in full truth; listen closely, all of you, to that entire ancient tale.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.214.15)

रोहिताश्व उवाच भगवन्नत्र ये मर्त्याः सर्वे विघ्नसमन्विताः शुभकृत्येषु सर्वेषु जायंते शुचयोऽपि च

rohitāśva uvāca bhagavannatra ye martyāḥ sarve vighnasamanvitāḥ śubhakṛtyeṣu sarveṣu jāyaṁte śucayo'pi ca

Rohitashva said: O lord, here on earth all mortals, however pure, become beset with obstacles in every auspicious undertaking—

Verse 16 (skanda.6.214.16)

प्रारब्धेषु च कार्येषु धर्मजेषु विशेषतः तानि विघ्नानि जायन्ते यैस्तत्कार्यं न सिध्यति

prārabdheṣu ca kāryeṣu dharmajeṣu viśeṣataḥ tāni vighnāni jāyante yaistatkāryaṁ na sidhyati

—especially when righteous undertakings are begun, obstacles arise by which that very undertaking fails to succeed.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.214.17)

तस्माद्विघ्नविनाशाय किंचिन्मे व्रतमादिश व्रतं वा नियमो वाऽथ तपो वा दानमेव च

tasmādvighnavināśāya kiṁcinme vratamādiśa vrataṁ vā niyamo vā'tha tapo vā dānameva ca

Therefore, for the destruction of these obstacles, prescribe for me some vow — whether a vow, a discipline, an austerity, or an act of charity.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.214.18)

सकृच्चीर्णेन येनात्र यावज्जीवति मानवः तावन्न जायते विघ्नमाजन्ममरणांतिकम्

sakṛccīrṇena yenātra yāvajjīvati mānavaḥ tāvanna jāyate vighnamājanmamaraṇāṁtikam

By the mere single performance of which a man, as long as he lives, shall never encounter an obstacle from birth until death.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.214.19)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच अत्र ते कीर्तयिष्यामि सर्वविघ्नविनाशनम् व्रतं सर्वगुणोपेतं सर्वपापप्रणाशनम् विश्वामित्रेण सञ्चीर्णं यत्पुरा भावितात्मना

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca atra te kīrtayiṣyāmi sarvavighnavināśanam vrataṁ sarvaguṇopetaṁ sarvapāpapraṇāśanam viśvāmitreṇa sañcīrṇaṁ yatpurā bhāvitātmanā

Markandeya said: I shall now tell you of that vow, destroyer of every obstacle, endowed with every virtue, destroyer of every sin, which the devoted sage Vishvamitra once performed long ago.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.214.20)

विश्वामित्र इति ख्यातो गाधिपुत्रः प्रतापवान् वसिष्ठेन समं तस्य वैरमासीन्महात्मनः

viśvāmitra iti khyāto gādhiputraḥ pratāpavān vasiṣṭhena samaṁ tasya vairamāsīnmahātmanaḥ

That renowned and mighty son of Gadhi, called Vishvamitra, that great soul had a longstanding enmity with Vasishtha.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.214.21)

ब्राह्मण्यार्थे न सम्प्रोक्तः कथंचित्स महातपाः ब्राह्मणस्त्वं वसिष्ठेन ततो वैरमजायत

brāhmaṇyārthe na samproktaḥ kathaṁcitsa mahātapāḥ brāhmaṇastvaṁ vasiṣṭhena tato vairamajāyata

That great ascetic was never once addressed by Vasishtha as 'you are a brahmin,' and it was from this that the enmity between them arose.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.214.22)

रोहिताश्व उवाच कस्मान्न प्रोक्तवान्विप्रो वसिष्ठस्तु कथंचन ब्राह्मणः स परं प्रोक्तो ब्रह्मादिभिरपि स्वयम्

rohitāśva uvāca kasmānna proktavānvipro vasiṣṭhastu kathaṁcana brāhmaṇaḥ sa paraṁ prokto brahmādibhirapi svayam

Rohitashva said: Why did the brahmin Vasishtha never once call him a brahmin, when he himself was declared the foremost of brahmins even by Brahma and the others?

Verse 23 (skanda.6.214.23)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच क्षत्रियश्च स्थितः पूर्वं विश्वामित्रो महीपतिः मृगयासु परिभ्रांतो वसिष्ठस्य तदाऽऽश्रमम् प्रविष्टः क्षुत्पिपासार्त्तः स तेनाथ प्रपूजितः

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca kṣatriyaśca sthitaḥ pūrvaṁ viśvāmitro mahīpatiḥ mṛgayāsu paribhrāṁto vasiṣṭhasya tadā''śramam praviṣṭaḥ kṣutpipāsārttaḥ sa tenātha prapūjitaḥ

Markandeya said: In former times, Vishvamitra was a kshatriya king; wandering in the course of a hunt, famished and parched with thirst, he entered Vasishtha's hermitage, where Vasishtha received him with due honor.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.214.24)

तस्यासीन्नन्दिनीनाम धेनुः कामदुघा सदा सा सूते वाञ्छितं सद्यो यद्वसिष्ठोऽभिवाञ्छति

tasyāsīnnandinīnāma dhenuḥ kāmadughā sadā sā sūte vāñchitaṁ sadyo yadvasiṣṭho'bhivāñchati

Vasishtha possessed a wish-fulfilling cow named Nandini, who instantly yielded whatever Vasishtha desired.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.214.25)

तत्प्रभावात्स भूपालः सभृत्यबलवाहनः तेन तृप्तिपरा नीतो मिष्टान्नैर्विविधैस्ततः

tatprabhāvātsa bhūpālaḥ sabhṛtyabalavāhanaḥ tena tṛptiparā nīto miṣṭānnairvividhaistataḥ

By that cow's power, Vasishtha satisfied that king, together with his servants, army, and mounts, with a variety of sweet delicacies.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.214.26)

पार्थिवोऽयमिति ज्ञात्वा ह्यर्घ्याद्यैर्भोजनैः स च सोऽपि दृष्ट्वा प्रभावं तं सर्वं धेनोश्च संभवम् प्रार्थयामास तां मूल्यैर्गजवाजिसमुद्भवैः

pārthivo'yamiti jñātvā hyarghyādyairbhojanaiḥ sa ca so'pi dṛṣṭvā prabhāvaṁ taṁ sarvaṁ dhenośca saṁbhavam prārthayāmāsa tāṁ mūlyairgajavājisamudbhavaiḥ

Recognizing him as a king, Vasishtha honored him with water-offerings and food; the king, seeing that cow's power fully displayed, then sought to buy her, offering elephants and horses in payment.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.214.27)

न ददौ स तदा विप्रः साम्ना दानेन वा पुनः भेदेन च ततो दण्डं योजयामास वै नृपः

na dadau sa tadā vipraḥ sāmnā dānena vā punaḥ bhedena ca tato daṇḍaṁ yojayāmāsa vai nṛpaḥ

That brahmin gave her neither through conciliation nor as a gift; the king then resorted to intrigue, and finally to force.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.214.28)

कालयामास तां धेनुं ततः कोपात्स पार्थिवः

kālayāmāsa tāṁ dhenuṁ tataḥ kopātsa pārthivaḥ

Then, in anger, that king began to drive that cow away by force.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.214.29)

साऽब्रवीन्नीयमानाऽथ वसिष्ठं किं त्वया विभो दत्ताहमस्य नृपतेर्यन्मां नयति यत्नतः

sā'bravīnnīyamānā'tha vasiṣṭhaṁ kiṁ tvayā vibho dattāhamasya nṛpateryanmāṁ nayati yatnataḥ

As she was being led away, she said to Vasishtha: O lord, have you given me to this king, that he is forcibly carrying me off in this way?

Verse 30 (skanda.6.214.30)

वसिष्ठ उवाच न मया त्वं महाभागे दत्ता चास्य महीपतेः बलान्नयति यद्येष तस्माद्युक्तं समाचर

vasiṣṭha uvāca na mayā tvaṁ mahābhāge dattā cāsya mahīpateḥ balānnayati yadyeṣa tasmādyuktaṁ samācara

Vasishtha said: O illustrious one, I have not given you to this king; if he is taking you by force, then do whatever is fitting.

Verse 31 (skanda.6.214.31)

तच्छ्रुत्वा कोपसंयुक्ता नन्दिनी धेनुरुत्तमा जृंभां चकार तत्सैन्यं समुद्दिश्य नृपोद्भवम्

tacchrutvā kopasaṁyuktā nandinī dhenuruttamā jṛṁbhāṁ cakāra tatsainyaṁ samuddiśya nṛpodbhavam

Hearing this, the excellent cow Nandini, filled with anger, let out a great yawning roar, aimed at the king's army.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.214.32)

धूमावर्तिस्ततो जाता तस्या वक्त्रात्ततः परम् ततो ज्वाला महारौद्रास्ततो योधाः सहस्रशः

dhūmāvartistato jātā tasyā vaktrāttataḥ param tato jvālā mahāraudrāstato yodhāḥ sahasraśaḥ

From her mouth there first arose a swirl of smoke, then from that terrible flames, and from those, thousands of warriors.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.214.33)

नानाशस्त्रधरा रौद्रा यमदूता यथा च ते पुलिन्दा बर्बराभीराः किराता यवनाः शकाः

nānāśastradharā raudrā yamadūtā yathā ca te pulindā barbarābhīrāḥ kirātā yavanāḥ śakāḥ

They bore a variety of weapons and were as terrifying as the messengers of Yama — warriors of the Pulinda, Barbara, Abhira, Kirata, Yavana, and Shaka peoples.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.214.34)

ते प्रोचुस्तां वदास्माकं कस्मात्सृष्टा वयं शुभे

te procustāṁ vadāsmākaṁ kasmātsṛṣṭā vayaṁ śubhe

They said to her: O auspicious one, tell us — for what purpose have we been created?

Verse 35 (skanda.6.214.35)

नन्दिन्युवाच एते मां ये बलात्पापा नयंति नृपसेवकाः तान्निघ्नन्तु समादेशान्नान्यद्वांछामि किंचन

nandinyuvāca ete māṁ ye balātpāpā nayaṁti nṛpasevakāḥ tānnighnantu samādeśānnānyadvāṁchāmi kiṁcana

Nandini said: These wicked servants of the king who are dragging me off by force — slay them, at my command; I desire nothing else at all.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.214.36)

ततस्तैस्तस्य तत्सैन्यं विश्वामित्रस्य सूदितम् युध्यमानं महाराज दशरात्रेण संयुगे

tatastaistasya tatsainyaṁ viśvāmitrasya sūditam yudhyamānaṁ mahārāja daśarātreṇa saṁyuge

Then those warriors, in a battle that raged for ten nights, utterly destroyed Vishvamitra's army, even as it fought on.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.214.37)

विश्वामित्रोऽपि तद्दृष्ट्वा ब्राह्म्यं बलमनुत्तमम् प्रतिज्ञामकरोत्तत्र तारेण सुस्वरेण च

viśvāmitro'pi taddṛṣṭvā brāhmyaṁ balamanuttamam pratijñāmakarottatra tāreṇa susvareṇa ca

Vishvamitra too, seeing that unsurpassed power of brahminical might, then made a vow there in a loud and clear voice.

Verse 38 (skanda.6.214.38)

अथाहं संभविष्यामि ब्राह्मणो नात्र संशयः ममापि जायते येन प्रभावश्चेदृशोऽद्भुतः

athāhaṁ saṁbhaviṣyāmi brāhmaṇo nātra saṁśayaḥ mamāpi jāyate yena prabhāvaścedṛśo'dbhutaḥ

He said: Now, without doubt, I shall become a brahmin, so that in me too such an astonishing power may arise.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.214.39)

तस्मात्तपः करिष्यामि यदसाध्यं सुरैरपि स्वपुत्रं स्वे पदे धृत्वा ततश्चक्रे तपो महत्

tasmāttapaḥ kariṣyāmi yadasādhyaṁ surairapi svaputraṁ sve pade dhṛtvā tataścakre tapo mahat

Therefore I shall perform an austerity unattainable even by the gods; and, installing his own son in his place, he then undertook a great austerity.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.214.40)

ब्राह्मण्यार्थं महारौद्रं सुमहद्दुष्करं तपः ब्राह्मण्यं तेन नैवाप्तं वैलक्ष्यं परमं गतः

brāhmaṇyārthaṁ mahāraudraṁ sumahadduṣkaraṁ tapaḥ brāhmaṇyaṁ tena naivāptaṁ vailakṣyaṁ paramaṁ gataḥ

Despite this most terrible and exceedingly difficult austerity undertaken for the sake of brahminhood, he did not attain it, and fell into the deepest despair.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.214.41)

ततः कैलासमासाद्य देवदेवं महेश्वरम् सम्यगाराधयामास गौरीयुक्तं महेश्वरम्

tataḥ kailāsamāsādya devadevaṁ maheśvaram samyagārādhayāmāsa gaurīyuktaṁ maheśvaram

Then, going to Mount Kailasa, he duly worshipped the god of gods, Maheshvara, together with Gauri.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.214.42)

अहं तपः करिष्यामि ब्राह्मण्यस्य कृते प्रभो त्वदीये पर्वतश्रेष्ठे कैलासे शरणं गतः

ahaṁ tapaḥ kariṣyāmi brāhmaṇyasya kṛte prabho tvadīye parvataśreṣṭhe kailāse śaraṇaṁ gataḥ

He said: O lord, for the sake of attaining brahminhood, I have come for refuge to your supreme mountain of Kailasa, and there shall perform austerity.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.214.43)

तस्माद्विघ्नस्य मे रक्षां देवदेवः प्रयच्छतु यथा नो नाशमायाति तपः सर्वं कृतं महत्

tasmādvighnasya me rakṣāṁ devadevaḥ prayacchatu yathā no nāśamāyāti tapaḥ sarvaṁ kṛtaṁ mahat

Therefore, O god of gods, grant me protection from obstacles, so that all this great austerity I have performed may not go to waste.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.214.44)

श्रीभगवानुवाच शुद्ध्यर्थं चैव यत्कार्यं कार्येस्मिन्नृपसत्तम विनायकसमुद्भूतां तत्त्वं पूजां समाचर

śrībhagavānuvāca śuddhyarthaṁ caiva yatkāryaṁ kāryesminnṛpasattama vināyakasamudbhūtāṁ tattvaṁ pūjāṁ samācara

The Lord said: O best of kings, what you must do for the purity and success of this undertaking is to perform the worship of Vinayaka.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.214.45)

येन ते जायते सिद्धिः सम्यग्ब्राह्मण्यसंभवा

yena te jāyate siddhiḥ samyagbrāhmaṇyasaṁbhavā

By this you shall fully attain the accomplishment consisting in the achievement of brahminhood.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.214.46)

विश्वामित्र उवाच तद्वदस्व सुरश्रेष्ठ तथा तस्य करोम्यहम् पूर्वं पूजां गणेशस्य सर्वविघ्नप्रशान्तये

viśvāmitra uvāca tadvadasva suraśreṣṭha tathā tasya karomyaham pūrvaṁ pūjāṁ gaṇeśasya sarvavighnapraśāntaye

Vishvamitra said: O foremost of gods, tell me that rite, and I shall perform it accordingly, worshipping Ganesha first, for the pacification of every obstacle.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.214.47)

श्रीभगवानुवाच एष गौर्या पुरा कृत्वा निजांगोद्वर्तनं कृतः निर्मलेन कृतः पश्चान्नराकारश्चतुर्भुजः

śrībhagavānuvāca eṣa gauryā purā kṛtvā nijāṁgodvartanaṁ kṛtaḥ nirmalena kṛtaḥ paścānnarākāraścaturbhujaḥ

The Lord said: This one was first fashioned by Gauri from the scented paste rubbed from her own body, and that pure substance was then given a human form with four arms.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.214.48)

क्रीडार्थं मम पुत्रोऽयं बालभावः प्रकल्पितः गजवक्त्रो महाकायो लंबोदरलघूरुकः

krīḍārthaṁ mama putro'yaṁ bālabhāvaḥ prakalpitaḥ gajavaktro mahākāyo laṁbodaralaghūrukaḥ

For sport, he was fashioned in a child's form, as my own son — elephant-faced, of vast build, potbellied, with short thighs.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.214.49)

ततोऽहमनया प्रोक्तः सजीवः क्रियतामयम् पुत्रको मे यथा भावी लोके पूज्यतमो विभो

tato'hamanayā proktaḥ sajīvaḥ kriyatāmayam putrako me yathā bhāvī loke pūjyatamo vibho

Then she said to me: Make this one living, so that he may become my son and, O mighty one, be most worthy of worship in the world.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.214.50)

ततो मयापि संस्पृष्टः सृष्टिसूक्तेन पार्थिव जीवसूक्तेन सम्यक्स प्राणवान्समजायत

tato mayāpi saṁspṛṣṭaḥ sṛṣṭisūktena pārthiva jīvasūktena samyaksa prāṇavānsamajāyata

O king, then I too touched him, reciting the hymn of creation, and by the power of the hymn of life, he became fully imbued with breath and life.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.214.51)

ततो मया प्रहृष्टेन प्रोक्ता देवी हिमाद्रिजा चतुर्थीदिवसे प्राप्ते मयाऽद्यायं विनिर्मितः

tato mayā prahṛṣṭena proktā devī himādrijā caturthīdivase prāpte mayā'dyāyaṁ vinirmitaḥ

Then, filled with joy, I said to the goddess, daughter of the Himalaya: On this very fourth day, I have now brought this one to life.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.214.52)

पुत्रस्तव महाभागे जीवसूक्तप्रभावतः एष सर्वागणानां च मदीयानां सुरेश्वरि भविष्यति सदाऽध्यक्षस्तस्माच्च गणनायकः

putrastava mahābhāge jīvasūktaprabhāvataḥ eṣa sarvāgaṇānāṁ ca madīyānāṁ sureśvari bhaviṣyati sadā'dhyakṣastasmācca gaṇanāyakaḥ

O illustrious one, O queen of the gods, this son of yours, brought to life by the power of the hymn of life, shall forever be the overseer of all my hosts, the ganas, and shall therefore be called their leader.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.214.53)

पठ्यमानेन यश्चैनं जीवसूक्तेन सुन्दरि पूजयिष्यति सद्भक्त्या चतुर्थीदिवसे शुभे

paṭhyamānena yaścainaṁ jīvasūktena sundari pūjayiṣyati sadbhaktyā caturthīdivase śubhe

O beautiful one, whoever, reciting the hymn of life, worships him with true devotion on the auspicious fourth day—

Verse 54 (skanda.6.214.54)

तस्य सर्वेषु कृत्येषु सर्वविघ्नानि कृत्स्नशः प्रयास्यंति क्षयं देवि तमः सूर्योदये यथा

tasya sarveṣu kṛtyeṣu sarvavighnāni kṛtsnaśaḥ prayāsyaṁti kṣayaṁ devi tamaḥ sūryodaye yathā

—O goddess, all obstacles in all his undertakings shall be utterly destroyed, just as darkness is destroyed at the rising of the sun.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.214.55)

नमो लंबोदरायेति नमो गणविभो तथा कुठारधारिणे नित्यं तथा वाक्संगताय च

namo laṁbodarāyeti namo gaṇavibho tathā kuṭhāradhāriṇe nityaṁ tathā vāksaṁgatāya ca

'Salutation to the potbellied one, salutation to the lord of the ganas, salutation ever to the axe-bearer, and salutation to the one endowed with speech'—

Verse 56 (skanda.6.214.56)

नमो मोदकभक्षाय नमो दन्तैकधारिणे

namo modakabhakṣāya namo dantaikadhāriṇe

'Salutation to the eater of modaka cakes, salutation to the one who bears but a single tusk'—

Verse 57 (skanda.6.214.57)

एभिर्मन्त्रैः समभ्यर्च्य पश्चान्मोदकजंशुभम् नैवेद्यं च प्रदातव्यं ततश्चार्घ्यं निवेदयेत्

ebhirmantraiḥ samabhyarcya paścānmodakajaṁśubham naivedyaṁ ca pradātavyaṁ tataścārghyaṁ nivedayet

—having thus duly worshipped him with these mantras, one should then offer him the auspicious naivedya made of modaka cakes, and thereafter present him with the water-offering.

Verse 58 (skanda.6.214.58)

अहं कर्म करिष्यामि यत्किचिच्छंभुसंभवम् अविघ्नं तत्र कर्तव्यं सर्वदैव त्वया विभो

ahaṁ karma kariṣyāmi yatkicicchaṁbhusaṁbhavam avighnaṁ tatra kartavyaṁ sarvadaiva tvayā vibho

'O mighty one, whatever undertaking I perform in the service of Shambhu, may you ever keep it free of every obstacle' — thus one should pray.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.214.59)

ततस्तु ब्राह्मणानां च भोजनं मोदकोद्भवम् यथाशक्त्या प्रदातव्यं वित्तशाठ्यं विवर्जयेत्

tatastu brāhmaṇānāṁ ca bhojanaṁ modakodbhavam yathāśaktyā pradātavyaṁ vittaśāṭhyaṁ vivarjayet

Then a meal of modaka cakes should be given to brahmins according to one's means, avoiding any stinginess with regard to wealth.

Verse 60 (skanda.6.214.60)

एवमुक्तं मया पूर्वं स्वयमेव नृपोत्तम गणनाथं समुद्दिश्य गौर्याः पुरत एव च

evamuktaṁ mayā pūrvaṁ svayameva nṛpottama gaṇanāthaṁ samuddiśya gauryāḥ purata eva ca

O best of kings, this very rite was declared by me myself in former times, in front of Gauri, concerning the lord of the ganas.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.214.61)

ततः प्रहृष्टा सा देवी वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह अद्यप्रभृति यः पुत्रं मदीयं गणनायकम्

tataḥ prahṛṣṭā sā devī vākyametaduvāca ha adyaprabhṛti yaḥ putraṁ madīyaṁ gaṇanāyakam

Then that goddess, greatly pleased, spoke these words: From today, whoever, following this rite—

Verse 62 (skanda.6.214.62)

अनेन विधिना सम्यक्चतुर्थ्यां पूजयिष्यति तस्य विघ्नानि सर्वाणि नाशं यास्यंत्यसंशयम्

anena vidhinā samyakcaturthyāṁ pūjayiṣyati tasya vighnāni sarvāṇi nāśaṁ yāsyaṁtyasaṁśayam

—duly worships my son the leader of the ganas on the fourth day, all his obstacles shall, without doubt, be destroyed.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.214.63)

स्मृत्वा वा पूजयित्वा वा यः कार्याणि करिष्यति भविष्यंति न संदेहस्ततोस्याविचलानि च

smṛtvā vā pūjayitvā vā yaḥ kāryāṇi kariṣyati bhaviṣyaṁti na saṁdehastatosyāvicalāni ca

Whoever, having remembered him or worshipped him, undertakes any task, that undertaking shall, without doubt, become firmly established for him.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.214.64)

न सन्देहस्ततोऽस्य श्रीरचलैव भविष्यति

na sandehastato'sya śrīracalaiva bhaviṣyati

There is no doubt that his fortune too shall thereafter remain unshaken forever.

Verse 65 (skanda.6.214.65)

श्रीभगवानुवाच तस्मात्त्वं हि महाभाग चतुर्थ्यां सम्यगाचर विनायकोद्भवां पूजां येनाभीष्टेन युज्यसे

śrībhagavānuvāca tasmāttvaṁ hi mahābhāga caturthyāṁ samyagācara vināyakodbhavāṁ pūjāṁ yenābhīṣṭena yujyase

The Lord said: Therefore, my illustrious son, duly perform this worship of Vinayaka on the fourth day, by which you shall be joined with your heart's desire.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.214.66)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा विश्वामित्रो महीपतिः गणनाथसमुद्भूतां पूजां कृत्वा यथोचिताम्

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā viśvāmitro mahīpatiḥ gaṇanāthasamudbhūtāṁ pūjāṁ kṛtvā yathocitām

Markandeya said: Hearing his words, King Vishvamitra performed that worship of the lord of the ganas in the manner prescribed.

Verse 67 (skanda.6.214.67)

तपश्चचार विपुलं सर्वविघ्नविवर्जितम् ब्राह्मण्यं च ततः प्राप्तं सर्वेषामपि दुर्लभम्

tapaścacāra vipulaṁ sarvavighnavivarjitam brāhmaṇyaṁ ca tataḥ prāptaṁ sarveṣāmapi durlabham

He then performed vast austerity, free of every obstacle, and thereby attained that brahminhood which is difficult of attainment even for all.

Verse 68 (skanda.6.214.68)

तस्मात्त्वं हि महाभाग विनायकसमुद्भवाम् पूजां कुरु चतुर्थ्यां च संप्राप्तायां विशेषतः संप्राप्नोषि महाभोगान्हृदिस्थान्नात्र संशयः

tasmāttvaṁ hi mahābhāga vināyakasamudbhavām pūjāṁ kuru caturthyāṁ ca saṁprāptāyāṁ viśeṣataḥ saṁprāpnoṣi mahābhogānhṛdisthānnātra saṁśayaḥ

Therefore, my illustrious son, you too should perform this worship of Vinayaka, especially when the fourth day arrives; without doubt you shall obtain the great enjoyments cherished in your heart.

Verse 69 (skanda.6.214.69)

यो यं काममभिध्याय गणनाथं प्रपूजयेत् स तं सर्वमवाप्नोति महेश्वरवचो यथा

yo yaṁ kāmamabhidhyāya gaṇanāthaṁ prapūjayet sa taṁ sarvamavāpnoti maheśvaravaco yathā

Whoever, cherishing any desire in mind, worships the lord of the ganas, obtains that desire in full, as declared by Maheshvara himself.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.214.70)

अपुत्रो लभते पुत्रं धनहीनो महद्धनम् शत्रूञ्जयति संग्रामे स्मृत्वा तं गणनायकम्

aputro labhate putraṁ dhanahīno mahaddhanam śatrūñjayati saṁgrāme smṛtvā taṁ gaṇanāyakam

The sonless obtain a son, the poor obtain great wealth; by remembering that leader of the ganas, a man triumphs over his enemies in battle.

Verse 71 (skanda.6.214.71)

या नारी पतिना त्यक्ता दुर्भगा च विरूपिता सा सौभाग्यमवाप्नोति गणनाथस्य पूजया

yā nārī patinā tyaktā durbhagā ca virūpitā sā saubhāgyamavāpnoti gaṇanāthasya pūjayā

Whatever woman has been forsaken by her husband, is unfortunate, or ill-favored in appearance, attains good fortune through worship of the lord of the ganas.

Verse 72 (skanda.6.214.72)

य इदं पठते नित्यं शृणुयाद्वा समाहितः न विघ्नं जायते तस्य सर्वकृत्येषु सर्वदा

ya idaṁ paṭhate nityaṁ śṛṇuyādvā samāhitaḥ na vighnaṁ jāyate tasya sarvakṛtyeṣu sarvadā

Whoever reads this account daily, or listens to it with a composed mind, never encounters any obstacle in any of his undertakings, at any time.