The Glory of the Ekadashi Vow: Vishnu's Reclining upon Vrika

Verse 1 (skanda.6.231.1)

सूत उवाच वृकोऽपि तत्समासाद्य राज्यं त्रैलोक्यसंभवम् यदृच्छया जगत्सर्वं समाज्ञापयत्तदा

sūta uvāca vṛko'pi tatsamāsādya rājyaṁ trailokyasaṁbhavam yadṛcchayā jagatsarvaṁ samājñāpayattadā

Suta said: Vrika too, having obtained that kingdom extending over the three worlds, then ruled the entire universe according to his own will.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.231.2)

सोऽन्धकस्य बले वीर्ये धैर्ये कोपे च दानवः सहस्रगुणितश्चासीद्रौद्रः परमदारुणः

so'ndhakasya bale vīrye dhairye kope ca dānavaḥ sahasraguṇitaścāsīdraudraḥ paramadāruṇaḥ

That demon was, in strength, valour, fortitude, and wrath, a thousand times greater than Andhaka — fierce and utterly terrible.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.231.3)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे कश्चिन्न मर्त्यो यजति क्षितौ न होमं नैव जाप्यं च दैत्याञ्ज्ञात्वा सुरास्पदे

etasminnaṁtare kaścinna martyo yajati kṣitau na homaṁ naiva jāpyaṁ ca daityāñjñātvā surāspade

Meanwhile, on earth, no mortal offered sacrifice, nor fire-oblation, nor recitation, knowing that the demons now held the seat of the gods.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.231.4)

अथ यः कुरुते धर्मं होमं वा जपमेव वा सुगुप्तस्थानमासाद्य करोत्यमरतुष्टये

atha yaḥ kurute dharmaṁ homaṁ vā japameva vā suguptasthānamāsādya karotyamaratuṣṭaye

Whoever performed a righteous rite, a fire-offering, or a recitation, did so only in some well-concealed place, for the satisfaction of the gods.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.231.5)

अथ स्वर्गस्थिता दैत्या यज्ञभागविवर्जिताः तथा मर्त्योद्भवैर्भागैः संदेहं परमं गताः

atha svargasthitā daityā yajñabhāgavivarjitāḥ tathā martyodbhavairbhāgaiḥ saṁdehaṁ paramaṁ gatāḥ

The demons, now stationed in heaven, were deprived of their share of sacrifice, and likewise fell into the gravest doubt over the offerings that might arise from mortals.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.231.6)

ततः कोपपरीतात्मा प्रेषयामास दानवः मर्त्यलोके चरान्गुप्तान्निपुणांश्चाब्रवीत्ततः

tataḥ kopaparītātmā preṣayāmāsa dānavaḥ martyaloke carānguptānnipuṇāṁścābravīttataḥ

Then the demon, his mind overcome with anger, dispatched secret and skilful spies into the world of mortals, and said to them:

Verse 7 (skanda.6.231.7)

यः कश्चिद्देवतानां च प्रगृह्णाति करोति च तदर्थं यजनं होमं दानं वा पृथिवीतले स च वध्यश्च युष्माभिर्मम वाक्यादसंशयम्

yaḥ kaściddevatānāṁ ca pragṛhṇāti karoti ca tadarthaṁ yajanaṁ homaṁ dānaṁ vā pṛthivītale sa ca vadhyaśca yuṣmābhirmama vākyādasaṁśayam

'Whoever accepts or performs, for the sake of the gods, sacrifice, fire-offering, or gift upon this earth, is to be killed by you — this is my command, without doubt.'

Verse 8 (skanda.6.231.8)

अथ ते तद्वचः श्रुत्वा दानवा बलवत्तराः गत्वा च मेदिनीपृष्ठं गुप्ताः सर्पंति सर्वतः

atha te tadvacaḥ śrutvā dānavā balavattarāḥ gatvā ca medinīpṛṣṭhaṁ guptāḥ sarpaṁti sarvataḥ

Then, having heard that command, those mighty demons went to the surface of the earth and crept about everywhere in secret.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.231.9)

यं कञ्चिद्वीक्षयंति स्म जपहोमपरायणम् स्वाध्यायं वा प्रकुर्वाणं तं निघ्नंति शितासिभिः

yaṁ kañcidvīkṣayaṁti sma japahomaparāyaṇam svādhyāyaṁ vā prakurvāṇaṁ taṁ nighnaṁti śitāsibhiḥ

Whomever they saw devoted to recitation or fire-offering, or engaged in Vedic study, him they slew with sharpened swords.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.231.10)

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु सांकृतिर्मुनिसत्तमः गुप्तश्चक्रे ततस्तस्यां गर्तायां छन्नवर्ष्मकः यत्र पूर्वं तपस्तप्तं वृकेण च द्विजाः पुरा

etasminneva kāle tu sāṁkṛtirmunisattamaḥ guptaścakre tatastasyāṁ gartāyāṁ channavarṣmakaḥ yatra pūrvaṁ tapastaptaṁ vṛkeṇa ca dvijāḥ purā

O brahmins, at that very time the great sage Sankriti, hiding his body, practised his austerities secretly in that very pit where Vrika himself had once performed his tapas.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.231.11)

अथ ते तं तदा दृष्ट्वा तद्गुहायां व्यवस्थितम् भर्त्समानास्तपस्तच्च प्रोचुश्च परुषाक्षरैः

atha te taṁ tadā dṛṣṭvā tadguhāyāṁ vyavasthitam bhartsamānāstapastacca procuśca paruṣākṣaraiḥ

Then, seeing him established there in that cave, they rebuked his austerity and spoke to him with harsh words.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.231.12)

दृष्ट्वा तस्याग्रतः संस्थां गन्धपुष्पैश्च पूजिताम् वासुदेवात्मिकां मूर्तिं चतुर्हस्तां द्विजोत्तमाः

dṛṣṭvā tasyāgrataḥ saṁsthāṁ gandhapuṣpaiśca pūjitām vāsudevātmikāṁ mūrtiṁ caturhastāṁ dvijottamāḥ

O best of brahmins, they saw before him a four-armed image of Vasudeva, set up and worshipped with scent and flowers.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.231.13)

ततस्ते शस्त्रमुद्यम्य निर्जघ्नुस्तं क्रुधान्विताः न शेकुस्ते यदा हंतुं संवृतं विष्णुतेजसा कुण्ठतां सर्वशस्त्राणि गतानि विमलान्यपि

tataste śastramudyamya nirjaghnustaṁ krudhānvitāḥ na śekuste yadā haṁtuṁ saṁvṛtaṁ viṣṇutejasā kuṇṭhatāṁ sarvaśastrāṇi gatāni vimalānyapi

Then, raising their weapons, they attacked it in fury; but when they could not destroy it, protected as it was by Vishnu's own splendour, all their weapons, bright though they were, went blunt.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.231.14)

अथ वैलक्ष्यमापन्ना निर्विण्णाः सर्व एव ते तां वार्तां दानवेन्द्राय वृकायोचुश्च ते तदा

atha vailakṣyamāpannā nirviṇṇāḥ sarva eva te tāṁ vārtāṁ dānavendrāya vṛkāyocuśca te tadā

Then, all of them, ashamed and dispirited, went and reported that news to the lord of the demons, Vrika.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.231.15)

कश्चिद्विप्रः समाधाय वैष्णवीं प्रतिमां पुरः तपस्तेपे महाभाग क्षेत्रे वै हाटकेश्वरे

kaścidvipraḥ samādhāya vaiṣṇavīṁ pratimāṁ puraḥ tapastepe mahābhāga kṣetre vai hāṭakeśvare

'O greatly fortunate one, a certain brahmin, having set up an image of Vishnu before him, is practising austerity in the field of Hatakeshvara —'

Verse 16 (skanda.6.231.16)

यत्र त्वया तपस्तप्तं भीत्या सर्वदिवौकसाम् अपि चौर्येण चास्माकं तपस्तपति तादृशम्

yatra tvayā tapastaptaṁ bhītyā sarvadivaukasām api cauryeṇa cāsmākaṁ tapastapati tādṛśam

'—the very place where you performed austerity, to the fear of all the dwellers of heaven; and, as if stealing it from us, he performs a like austerity there.'

Verse 17 (skanda.6.231.17)

येन सर्वाणि शस्त्राणि कुण्ठतां प्रगतानि च तस्य गात्रे प्रहारैश्च तस्मात्कुरु यथोचितम्

yena sarvāṇi śastrāṇi kuṇṭhatāṁ pragatāni ca tasya gātre prahāraiśca tasmātkuru yathocitam

'By him all our weapons were blunted when struck against his body — therefore do to him whatever is fitting.'

Verse 18 (skanda.6.231.18)

तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा वृकः कोपसमन्वितः जगाम सत्वरं तत्र यत्रासौ सांकृतिः स्थितः

teṣāṁ tadvacanaṁ śrutvā vṛkaḥ kopasamanvitaḥ jagāma satvaraṁ tatra yatrāsau sāṁkṛtiḥ sthitaḥ

Hearing their words, Vrika, filled with anger, went swiftly to the very place where that Sankriti was established.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.231.19)

स गत्वा वैष्णवीं मूर्तिं तामुत्क्षिप्य सुदूरतः श्वभ्राद्बहिः प्रचिक्षेप भर्त्समानः पुनः पुनः

sa gatvā vaiṣṇavīṁ mūrtiṁ tāmutkṣipya sudūrataḥ śvabhrādbahiḥ pracikṣepa bhartsamānaḥ punaḥ punaḥ

He went there, lifted up that image of Vishnu, and flung it far outside the pit, rebuking it again and again.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.231.20)

जघान पादघातेन दक्षिणेनेतरेण तम् अब्रवीन्मम वध्यस्त्वं यन्मच्छत्रुं जनार्दनम्

jaghāna pādaghātena dakṣiṇenetareṇa tam abravīnmama vadhyastvaṁ yanmacchatruṁ janārdanam

He struck it with kicks, with both right and left foot, and said: 'You deserve death at my hands, because you worship Janardana, my enemy —'

Verse 21 (skanda.6.231.21)

संपूजयसि चौर्येण तेन प्राणान्हराम्यहम् एवमुक्त्वाथ खड्गेन तं जघान स दैत्यपः

saṁpūjayasi cauryeṇa tena prāṇānharāmyaham evamuktvātha khaḍgena taṁ jaghāna sa daityapaḥ

'—and you worship him deceitfully; therefore I shall take your life.' Having said this, that lord of demons struck it with his sword.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.231.22)

ततस्तस्य स खड्गस्तु तीक्ष्णोऽपि द्विजसत्तमाः तस्य काये प्रहीणस्तु शतधा समपद्यत

tatastasya sa khaḍgastu tīkṣṇo'pi dvijasattamāḥ tasya kāye prahīṇastu śatadhā samapadyata

O best of brahmins, but that sword of his, sharp though it was, when it struck the image's body, shattered into a hundred pieces.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.231.23)

ततः कोपपरीतात्मा तं शशाप स सांकृतिः

tataḥ kopaparītātmā taṁ śaśāpa sa sāṁkṛtiḥ

Then Sankriti, overcome with wrath, cursed him.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.231.24)

यस्मात्पाप त्वयाहं च पादघातैः प्रताडितः तस्मात्ते पततां पादौ सद्य एव धरातले

yasmātpāpa tvayāhaṁ ca pādaghātaiḥ pratāḍitaḥ tasmātte patatāṁ pādau sadya eva dharātale

'Since, O sinner, I have been struck by you with the blows of your feet, therefore let your two feet fall to the ground this very instant.'

Verse 25 (skanda.6.231.25)

सूत उवाच उक्तमात्रे ततस्तेन पादौ तस्य द्विजोत्तमाः पतितौ मेदिनीपृष्ठे पंचशीर्षाविवोरगौ

sūta uvāca uktamātre tatastena pādau tasya dvijottamāḥ patitau medinīpṛṣṭhe paṁcaśīrṣāvivoragau

Suta said: O best of brahmins, as soon as he had spoken, that one's two feet fell to the surface of the earth, like two five-headed serpents.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.231.26)

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु आक्रन्दः सुमहानभूत् वृकस्य सैनिकानां च नारीणां च विशेषतः

etasminneva kāle tu ākrandaḥ sumahānabhūt vṛkasya sainikānāṁ ca nārīṇāṁ ca viśeṣataḥ

At that very moment a great wailing arose, from Vrika's soldiers and especially from the women.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.231.27)

अथ देवाः परिज्ञाय तं तदा पंगुतां गतम् आगत्य मेरुपृष्ठं च निजघ्नुस्तत्परिग्रहम्

atha devāḥ parijñāya taṁ tadā paṁgutāṁ gatam āgatya merupṛṣṭhaṁ ca nijaghnustatparigraham

Then the gods, learning that he had become lame, came to the summit of Meru and slew his followers.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.231.28)

हतशेषाश्च दैत्यास्ते पातालांतःसमा गताः वृकोऽपि पंगुतां प्राप्तस्तस्थौ तपसि सुस्थिरम्

hataśeṣāśca daityāste pātālāṁtaḥsamā gatāḥ vṛko'pi paṁgutāṁ prāptastasthau tapasi susthiram

Those demons who survived the slaughter went down into the depths of Patala; Vrika too, now made lame, remained firmly fixed in austerity.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.231.29)

सर्वैरंतःपुरैः सार्धं दुःखशोकसमन्वितः इन्द्रोऽपि प्राप्तवान्राज्यं तदा निहतकंटकम्

sarvairaṁtaḥpuraiḥ sārdhaṁ duḥkhaśokasamanvitaḥ indro'pi prāptavānrājyaṁ tadā nihatakaṁṭakam

...together with all his household, overcome by grief and sorrow. Indra, meanwhile, regained his kingdom, its thorn now removed.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.231.30)

धर्मक्रियाः प्रवृत्ताश्च ततो भूयो रसातले

dharmakriyāḥ pravṛttāśca tato bhūyo rasātale

And righteous rites once more began to be performed, and again deeper still in Rasatala.

Verse 31 (skanda.6.231.31)

अथ दीर्घेण कालेन तस्य तुष्टः पितामहः उवाच तत्र चागत्य गर्त्तामध्ये द्विजोत्तमाः

atha dīrgheṇa kālena tasya tuṣṭaḥ pitāmahaḥ uvāca tatra cāgatya garttāmadhye dvijottamāḥ

O best of brahmins, then, after a long time, the Grandsire, pleased with him, came there and spoke to him in the midst of the pit:

Verse 32 (skanda.6.231.32)

वृक तुष्टोऽस्मि ते वत्स वरं वरय सुव्रत अहं दास्यामि ते नूनं यद्यपि स्यात्सुदुर्लभम्

vṛka tuṣṭo'smi te vatsa varaṁ varaya suvrata ahaṁ dāsyāmi te nūnaṁ yadyapi syātsudurlabham

'Vrika, I am pleased with you, my child; choose a boon, O man of good vows — I shall certainly grant it to you, even if it be exceedingly hard to obtain.'

Verse 33 (skanda.6.231.33)

वृक उवाच यदि तुष्टोऽसि मे देव यदि देयो वरो मम पाददानं तदा देव मम ब्रह्मन्समाचर पंगुता याति शीघ्रं मे येनेयं ते प्रसादतः

vṛka uvāca yadi tuṣṭo'si me deva yadi deyo varo mama pādadānaṁ tadā deva mama brahmansamācara paṁgutā yāti śīghraṁ me yeneyaṁ te prasādataḥ

Vrika said: If you are pleased with me, O god, and if a boon is to be given to me, then, O Brahman, restore my feet to me, so that by your grace this lameness of mine may swiftly depart.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.231.34)

तच्छ्रुत्वा तं समानीय सांकृतिं तत्र पद्मजः प्रोवाच सांत्वपूर्वं च वृकस्यास्य द्विजोत्तम

tacchrutvā taṁ samānīya sāṁkṛtiṁ tatra padmajaḥ provāca sāṁtvapūrvaṁ ca vṛkasyāsya dvijottama

Having heard this, the lotus-born one brought Sankriti there, and, O best of brahmins, spoke to him gently on Vrika's behalf:

Verse 35 (skanda.6.231.35)

मद्वाक्यात्पंगुता याति येनास्य त्वं तथा कुरु

madvākyātpaṁgutā yāti yenāsya tvaṁ tathā kuru

'Do that by which this man's lameness may depart, at my word.'

Verse 36 (skanda.6.231.36)

सांकृतिरुवाच अनृतं नोक्तपूर्वं मे स्वैरेष्वपि पितामह ज्ञायते देवदेवेश तत्कथं तत्करोम्यहम्

sāṁkṛtiruvāca anṛtaṁ noktapūrvaṁ me svaireṣvapi pitāmaha jñāyate devadeveśa tatkathaṁ tatkaromyaham

Sankriti said: O Grandsire, O Lord of the gods, it is known that I have never before spoken falsehood, even in trivial matters — how then can I do this?

Verse 37 (skanda.6.231.37)

ब्रह्मोवाच मम भक्तिपरो नित्यं वृकोऽयं दैत्यसत्तमः पौत्रस्त्वं दयितो नित्यं तेन त्वां प्रार्थयाम्यहम्

brahmovāca mama bhaktiparo nityaṁ vṛko'yaṁ daityasattamaḥ pautrastvaṁ dayito nityaṁ tena tvāṁ prārthayāmyaham

Brahma said: This foremost of demons, Vrika, is ever devoted to me; and you, my grandson, are ever dear to me — for that reason I entreat you.

Verse 38 (skanda.6.231.38)

तव वाक्यं च नो मिथ्या कर्तुं शक्नोमि सन्मुने

tava vākyaṁ ca no mithyā kartuṁ śaknomi sanmune

'Nor am I able to make your own word false, O virtuous sage.'

Verse 39 (skanda.6.231.39)

सांकृतिरुवाच एष दैत्यः सुदुष्टात्मा देवानामहिते स्थितः विशेषाद्वासुदेवस्य पुरोर्मम महात्मनः

sāṁkṛtiruvāca eṣa daityaḥ suduṣṭātmā devānāmahite sthitaḥ viśeṣādvāsudevasya purormama mahātmanaḥ

Sankriti said: This demon is exceedingly evil-souled, ever set on harming the gods, and especially the great-souled Vasudeva, my own protector.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.231.40)

पंगुतामर्हति प्रायः पापात्मा द्विजदूषकः बलेन महता युक्तो जरामरणवर्जितः

paṁgutāmarhati prāyaḥ pāpātmā dvijadūṣakaḥ balena mahatā yukto jarāmaraṇavarjitaḥ

This sinful defiler of brahmins, endowed with such great strength and freed from old age and death, indeed deserves his lameness.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.231.41)

पुरा कृतस्त्वया देव स चेत्पादाववाप्स्यति हनिष्यति जगत्सर्वं सदेवासुरमानुषम्

purā kṛtastvayā deva sa cetpādāvavāpsyati haniṣyati jagatsarvaṁ sadevāsuramānuṣam

O god, if he — as you made him long ago — should regain his feet, he will destroy the entire universe, together with gods, demons, and men.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.231.42)

तस्मात्तिष्ठतु तद्रूपो न कल्पं कर्तुमर्हसि त्वयापि चिन्ता कर्तव्या त्रैलोक्यस्य यतः प्रभो

tasmāttiṣṭhatu tadrūpo na kalpaṁ kartumarhasi tvayāpi cintā kartavyā trailokyasya yataḥ prabho

Therefore let him remain as he is — you ought not to arrange it otherwise; for you too, O Lord, must have regard for the three worlds.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.231.43)

ब्रह्मोवाच प्रावृट्काले तु सञ्जाते यानं कर्तुं न युज्यते विजिगीषोर्विशेषेण मुक्त्वा शीतातपागमम्

brahmovāca prāvṛṭkāle tu sañjāte yānaṁ kartuṁ na yujyate vijigīṣorviśeṣeṇa muktvā śītātapāgamam

Brahma said: When the rainy season has come, it is not proper for one seeking conquest to march out — except during the arrival of the cold and hot seasons.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.231.44)

तस्माच्च चतुरो मासान्वार्षिकान्पादसंयुतः अगम्यः सर्वलोकानां कुर्यात्कर्माणि धैर्यतः

tasmācca caturo māsānvārṣikānpādasaṁyutaḥ agamyaḥ sarvalokānāṁ kuryātkarmāṇi dhairyataḥ

Therefore, for the four months of the rains, let him, restored with his feet, be unreachable by all the worlds, and steadfastly carry out his deeds.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.231.45)

तद्भूयात्पादसंयुक्तः स वृको दानवोत्तमः येन क्षेमं च देवानां द्विजानां जायते द्विज

tadbhūyātpādasaṁyuktaḥ sa vṛko dānavottamaḥ yena kṣemaṁ ca devānāṁ dvijānāṁ jāyate dvija

O brahmin, so let it be that this foremost of demons, Vrika, be restored with his feet, in such a way that safety is secured for both the gods and the brahmins.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.231.46)

एवं कृते न मिथ्या ते वाक्यं विप्र भविष्यति फलं च तपसस्तस्य न वृथा संभविष्यति

evaṁ kṛte na mithyā te vākyaṁ vipra bhaviṣyati phalaṁ ca tapasastasya na vṛthā saṁbhaviṣyati

If it is done thus, your word, O brahmin, will not become false, nor will the fruit of his austerity go to waste.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.231.47)

सूत उवाच बाढमित्येव तेनोक्ते सांकृतेन महात्मना उत्थितौ सहसा पादौ तस्य गात्रात्पुनर्नवौ

sūta uvāca bāḍhamityeva tenokte sāṁkṛtena mahātmanā utthitau sahasā pādau tasya gātrātpunarnavau

Suta said: As soon as the great-souled Sankriti had said 'So be it,' his two feet at once sprang up anew from his body.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.231.48)

पुनश्च दानवो रौद्रः पशुत्वं समपद्यत तस्यामेव तु गर्तायां संतिष्ठति द्विजोत्तमाः

punaśca dānavo raudraḥ paśutvaṁ samapadyata tasyāmeva tu gartāyāṁ saṁtiṣṭhati dvijottamāḥ

O best of brahmins, but that terrible demon then took on the state of a beast once again; he remains established in that same pit.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.231.49)

मासानष्टौ स दुःखेन सकलत्रः सबांधवः स्मरमाणो महद्वैरं दैवैः सार्धं दिवानिशम्

māsānaṣṭau sa duḥkhena sakalatraḥ sabāṁdhavaḥ smaramāṇo mahadvairaṁ daivaiḥ sārdhaṁ divāniśam

For eight months he dwells there in sorrow, with his wife and kinsmen, remembering his great enmity with the gods day and night.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.231.50)

अन्यांश्च चतुरो मासान्निष्क्रम्य स रुषान्वितः सदा पीडयते देवान्सहेंद्रान्मानुषानपि

anyāṁśca caturo māsānniṣkramya sa ruṣānvitaḥ sadā pīḍayate devānsaheṁdrānmānuṣānapi

Then, for the other four months, emerging full of fury, he continually torments the gods, together with Indra, and men as well.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.231.51)

विध्वंसयति सर्वाणि धर्मस्थानानि यानि च

vidhvaṁsayati sarvāṇi dharmasthānāni yāni ca

He destroys all the places sacred to righteous observance.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.231.52)

विध्वंसयति देवानां स्त्रियो मासचतुष्टयम् उद्यानानि च सर्वाणि सपुराणि गृहाणि च

vidhvaṁsayati devānāṁ striyo māsacatuṣṭayam udyānāni ca sarvāṇi sapurāṇi gṛhāṇi ca

For those four months he devastates the wives of the gods, and all the gardens, cities, and houses as well.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.231.53)

ततो देवाः समभ्येत्य देवदेवं जनार्दनम् क्षीराब्धौ संस्थितं नित्यं शेषपर्यंकशायिनम्

tato devāḥ samabhyetya devadevaṁ janārdanam kṣīrābdhau saṁsthitaṁ nityaṁ śeṣaparyaṁkaśāyinam

Then the gods go together to the God of gods, Janardana, who ever dwells in the Ocean of Milk, reclining upon the couch of Shesha.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.231.54)

चतुरो वार्षिकान्मासांस्तत्र स्थित्वा तदंतिके मासानष्टौ पुनर्जग्मुस्त्रिदिवं प्रति निर्भयाः

caturo vārṣikānmāsāṁstatra sthitvā tadaṁtike māsānaṣṭau punarjagmustridivaṁ prati nirbhayāḥ

Having stayed there, near him, for the four months of the rains, they go back again, unafraid, to heaven for the remaining eight months.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.231.55)

तस्मिन्पंगुत्वमापन्ने दैत्ये परमदारुणे कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य देवराजो बृहस्पतिम् प्रोवाच दुःखसंतप्त आषाढांते सुरोत्तमः

tasminpaṁgutvamāpanne daitye paramadāruṇe kasyacittvatha kālasya devarājo bṛhaspatim provāca duḥkhasaṁtapta āṣāḍhāṁte surottamaḥ

Once, when that most terrible demon had again fallen into lameness, after some time, at the end of Ashadha, the king of the gods, tormented with grief, spoke to Brihaspati:

Verse 56 (skanda.6.231.56)

गुरो स मासः संप्राप्तः प्रावृट्कालो भयावहः आगमिष्यति यत्रासौ लब्धपादो वृकासुरः

guro sa māsaḥ saṁprāptaḥ prāvṛṭkālo bhayāvahaḥ āgamiṣyati yatrāsau labdhapādo vṛkāsuraḥ

'O teacher, that dreadful month of the rainy season has come, when that demon Vrika, his feet regained, will arrive.'

Verse 57 (skanda.6.231.57)

गन्तव्यं च ततोऽस्माभिः क्षीरोदे केशवालये मैवं दीनैस्तथा भाव्यं पराश्रयनिवासिभिः

gantavyaṁ ca tato'smābhiḥ kṣīrode keśavālaye maivaṁ dīnaistathā bhāvyaṁ parāśrayanivāsibhiḥ

'Then we must go to Keshava's abode in the Ocean of Milk. Let it not be that we, so wretched, must live dwelling always upon the shelter of another.'

Verse 58 (skanda.6.231.58)

स्वगृहाणि परित्यज्य शयनान्यासनानि च वाहनानि विचित्राणि यच्चान्यद्दयितं गृहे

svagṛhāṇi parityajya śayanānyāsanāni ca vāhanāni vicitrāṇi yaccānyaddayitaṁ gṛhe

'...abandoning our own homes, our beds and seats, our splendid vehicles, and whatever else is dear to us in our houses.'

Verse 59 (skanda.6.231.59)

तस्मात्कथय चास्माकमुपायं कञ्चिदेव हि व्रतं वा नियमं वाथ होमं वा मुनिसत्तम

tasmātkathaya cāsmākamupāyaṁ kañcideva hi vrataṁ vā niyamaṁ vātha homaṁ vā munisattama

'Therefore tell us of some means — a vow, an observance, or a fire-offering, O foremost of sages —'

Verse 60 (skanda.6.231.60)

अशून्यं शयनं येन स्वकलत्रेण जायते तथा न गृहसंत्यागः स्वकीयस्य प्रजायते

aśūnyaṁ śayanaṁ yena svakalatreṇa jāyate tathā na gṛhasaṁtyāgaḥ svakīyasya prajāyate

'—by which our beds may not go empty of our own wives, and by which the abandonment of our own homes may not occur.'

Verse 61 (skanda.6.231.61)

निर्विण्णोऽहं निजस्थानभ्रंशाद्द्विजवरोत्तम वर्षेवर्षे च सम्प्राप्ते स्थानकस्य च्युतिर्भवेत्

nirviṇṇo'haṁ nijasthānabhraṁśāddvijavarottama varṣevarṣe ca samprāpte sthānakasya cyutirbhavet

'O foremost of brahmins, I am weary of being cast out of my own place; year after year, this loss of my station recurs.'

Verse 62 (skanda.6.231.62)

पुनर्भूमौ शयिष्यामि यावन्मासचतुष्टयम् निष्कलत्रो भयोद्विग्नो ब्रह्मचर्यपरायणः

punarbhūmau śayiṣyāmi yāvanmāsacatuṣṭayam niṣkalatro bhayodvigno brahmacaryaparāyaṇaḥ

'Again I must sleep upon the bare earth for the full four months, deprived of my wife, agitated by fear, devoted to celibacy.'

Verse 63 (skanda.6.231.63)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा भयार्तस्य बृहस्पतिः प्रोवाच सुचिरं ध्यात्वा ततो देवं शतक्रतुम्

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā bhayārtasya bṛhaspatiḥ provāca suciraṁ dhyātvā tato devaṁ śatakratum

Having heard these words of his, terrified as he was, Brihaspati, after long reflection, then said to the god Shatakratu:

Verse 64 (skanda.6.231.64)

अशून्यशयनं नाम व्रतमस्ति महत्तपः विष्णोराराधनार्थाय तत्कुरुष्व समाहितः

aśūnyaśayanaṁ nāma vratamasti mahattapaḥ viṣṇorārādhanārthāya tatkuruṣva samāhitaḥ

'There is a great austerity, a vow named Ashunya-Shayana [the never-empty bed]; perform it, with a focused mind, for the propitiation of Vishnu.'

Verse 65 (skanda.6.231.65)

देवो यत्रास्ति विष्णुः स क्षीराब्धौ मधुसूदनः जलशायी जगद्योनिः स दास्यति हितं च ते

devo yatrāsti viṣṇuḥ sa kṣīrābdhau madhusūdanaḥ jalaśāyī jagadyoniḥ sa dāsyati hitaṁ ca te

'The god Vishnu, Madhusudana, who lies upon the waters in the Ocean of Milk, the source of the universe — he will grant you what is good.'

Verse 66 (skanda.6.231.66)

यथा न शून्यं शयनं गृहभंगः प्रजायते सर्वशत्रुविनाशश्च तत्प्रसादेन वासव

yathā na śūnyaṁ śayanaṁ gṛhabhaṁgaḥ prajāyate sarvaśatruvināśaśca tatprasādena vāsava

'By his grace, O Vasava, your bed will not go empty, no destruction of your household will occur, and all your enemies will be destroyed.'

Verse 67 (skanda.6.231.67)

सूत उवाच तस्मिन्व्रते ततश्चीर्णे ह्यशून्यशयनात्मके तुतोष भगवान्विष्णुस्ततः प्रोवाच देवपम्

sūta uvāca tasminvrate tataścīrṇe hyaśūnyaśayanātmake tutoṣa bhagavānviṣṇustataḥ provāca devapam

Suta said: When that vow of the never-empty bed had thus been observed, the Lord Vishnu was pleased, and then said to the lord of the gods:

Verse 68 (skanda.6.231.68)

शक्र तुष्टोऽस्मि भद्रं ते वरं वरय सुव्रत व्रतेनानेन चीर्णेन चातुर्मास्योद्भवेन च तस्मात्प्रार्थय देवेन्द्र नित्यं यन्मनसि स्थितम्

śakra tuṣṭo'smi bhadraṁ te varaṁ varaya suvrata vratenānena cīrṇena cāturmāsyodbhavena ca tasmātprārthaya devendra nityaṁ yanmanasi sthitam

'Shakra, I am pleased with you — blessings be upon you. By this vow that has been observed, born of the Chaturmasya, choose a boon — ask, O lord of the gods, for whatever is ever fixed in your mind.'

Verse 69 (skanda.6.231.69)

इन्द्र उवाच कृष्ण जानासि त्वं चापि यश्च मेऽत्र पराभवः क्रियते दानवेन्द्रेण वृकेण सुदुरात्मना

indra uvāca kṛṣṇa jānāsi tvaṁ cāpi yaśca me'tra parābhavaḥ kriyate dānavendreṇa vṛkeṇa sudurātmanā

Indra said: O Krishna, you yourself know what humiliation is being inflicted upon me here by the exceedingly evil-souled lord of demons, Vrika.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.231.70)

ममाष्टमासिकं राज्यं त्रैलोक्येऽपि व्यवस्थितम् शेषांश्च चतुरो मासान्वर्षेवर्षे समेति सः

mamāṣṭamāsikaṁ rājyaṁ trailokye'pi vyavasthitam śeṣāṁśca caturo māsānvarṣevarṣe sameti saḥ

My kingdom over the three worlds lasts only eight months of the year; for the remaining four months, year after year, he comes and takes it.

Verse 71 (skanda.6.231.71)

एवं ज्ञात्वा सुरश्रेष्ठ दयां कृत्वा ममोपरि तथा कुरु यथा राज्यं मम स्यात्सार्वकालिकम्

evaṁ jñātvā suraśreṣṭha dayāṁ kṛtvā mamopari tathā kuru yathā rājyaṁ mama syātsārvakālikam

Knowing this, O best of gods, show mercy upon me, and act in such a way that my kingdom may be mine for all time.

Verse 72 (skanda.6.231.72)

विष्णुरुवाच अजरश्चामरश्चापि स कृतः पद्मयोनिना तत्कथं जीवमानेन तेन राज्यं भवेत्तव

viṣṇuruvāca ajaraścāmaraścāpi sa kṛtaḥ padmayoninā tatkathaṁ jīvamānena tena rājyaṁ bhavettava

Vishnu said: He has been made unaging and undying by the lotus-born one; how then, as long as he lives, can the kingdom be yours?

Verse 73 (skanda.6.231.73)

परं तथापि देवेन्द्र करिष्यामि हितं तव

paraṁ tathāpi devendra kariṣyāmi hitaṁ tava

But nonetheless, O lord of the gods, I shall do what is good for you.

Verse 74 (skanda.6.231.74)

क्षीरार्णवं परित्यज्य हाटकेश्वरसंज्ञिते क्षेत्रे गत्वा समं लक्ष्म्या तस्योपरि ततः परम्

kṣīrārṇavaṁ parityajya hāṭakeśvarasaṁjñite kṣetre gatvā samaṁ lakṣmyā tasyopari tataḥ param

Leaving behind the Ocean of Milk, and going, together with Lakshmi, to the field called Hatakeshvara, upon him thereafter —

Verse 75 (skanda.6.231.75)

करिष्यामि त्वहं शक्र शयनं यत्नमास्थितः यावच्च चतुरो मासान्यथा स न चलिष्यति

kariṣyāmi tvahaṁ śakra śayanaṁ yatnamāsthitaḥ yāvacca caturo māsānyathā sa na caliṣyati

—I myself, O Shakra, shall diligently take my rest upon him, for the four months, in such a way that he will not be able to move.

Verse 76 (skanda.6.231.76)

तस्मात्स्थानात्सहस्राक्ष मद्भारेण प्रपीडितः वर्षेवर्षे सदा कार्यं मया तत्सुहितं तव

tasmātsthānātsahasrākṣa madbhāreṇa prapīḍitaḥ varṣevarṣe sadā kāryaṁ mayā tatsuhitaṁ tava

Pinned down by my weight in that very place, O thousand-eyed one — this shall be done by me for your benefit, year after year, forever.

Verse 77 (skanda.6.231.77)

तस्माद्गच्छाधुना स्वर्गे कुरु राज्यमकंटकम् प्रावृट्काले तु संप्राप्ते न भीः कार्या तदुद्भवा

tasmādgacchādhunā svarge kuru rājyamakaṁṭakam prāvṛṭkāle tu saṁprāpte na bhīḥ kāryā tadudbhavā

Therefore go now, and rule your kingdom in heaven free of that thorn; and when the season of the rains comes, no fear of it need be entertained.

Verse 78 (skanda.6.231.78)

यो मां तत्र शयानं तु व्रतेनानेन देवप पूजयिष्यति सद्भक्त्या तस्य दास्यामि वांछितम्

yo māṁ tatra śayānaṁ tu vratenānena devapa pūjayiṣyati sadbhaktyā tasya dāsyāmi vāṁchitam

O lord of the gods, whoever, through this vow, worships me as I lie there with true devotion — to him I shall grant what he desires.

Verse 79 (skanda.6.231.79)

सूत उवाच एवमुक्त्वा हृषीकेशो विससर्ज शतक्रतुम् निःशेषभयनिर्मुक्तं स्वराज्यपरिवृद्धये

sūta uvāca evamuktvā hṛṣīkeśo visasarja śatakratum niḥśeṣabhayanirmuktaṁ svarājyaparivṛddhaye

Suta said: Having said this, Hrishikesha sent Shatakratu away, entirely freed from fear, for the increase of his own kingdom.

Verse 80 (skanda.6.231.80)

आषाढस्य सिते पक्ष एकादश्या दिने सदा हाटकेश्वरजे क्षेत्रे तत्रागत्य स्वयं विभुः

āṣāḍhasya site pakṣa ekādaśyā dine sadā hāṭakeśvaraje kṣetre tatrāgatya svayaṁ vibhuḥ

Ever, on the eleventh day of the bright half of Ashadha, the Lord himself comes there, to the field born at Hatakeshvara.

Verse 81 (skanda.6.231.81)

वृकोपरि ततश्चक्रे शयनं यत्नमास्थितः तेनाक्रांतस्ततः सोऽपि शक्नोति चलितुं न हि

vṛkopari tataścakre śayanaṁ yatnamāsthitaḥ tenākrāṁtastataḥ so'pi śaknoti calituṁ na hi

He then, with careful effort, takes his rest upon Vrika; overwhelmed thereby, he is unable to move at all.

Verse 82 (skanda.6.231.82)

मृतप्रायस्ततो नित्यं तद्भारेण प्रपीडितः कार्तिकस्य सिते पक्ष एकादश्या दिने स्थिते

mṛtaprāyastato nityaṁ tadbhāreṇa prapīḍitaḥ kārtikasya site pakṣa ekādaśyā dine sthite

He remains constantly as if dead, oppressed by that weight, until the eleventh day of the bright half of Karttika arrives.

Verse 83 (skanda.6.231.83)

उत्थानं कुरुते विष्णुः क्षीरोदं प्रति गच्छति सोऽपि सांकृतिशापेन वृकः पंगुत्वमाप्नुयात्

utthānaṁ kurute viṣṇuḥ kṣīrodaṁ prati gacchati so'pi sāṁkṛtiśāpena vṛkaḥ paṁgutvamāpnuyāt

Vishnu then rises and departs toward the Ocean of Milk; and, by the curse of Sankriti, Vrika again becomes lame.

Verse 84 (skanda.6.231.84)

एवं च चतुरो मासान्न त्यजेच्छयनं हरिः भयात्तस्यासुरेंद्रस्य दानवस्य दुरात्मनः

evaṁ ca caturo māsānna tyajecchayanaṁ hariḥ bhayāttasyāsureṁdrasya dānavasya durātmanaḥ

Thus, for four months, Hari does not abandon his repose there, on account of fear of that evil-souled lord of demons.

Verse 85 (skanda.6.231.85)

तत्र मर्त्यैः क्रिया सर्वाः क्रियते न मखोद्भवाः यस्मात्स यज्ञपुरुषो न सुप्तो भागमश्नुते

tatra martyaiḥ kriyā sarvāḥ kriyate na makhodbhavāḥ yasmātsa yajñapuruṣo na supto bhāgamaśnute

During that time no sacrificial rites are performed by mortals, since the very Person of the Sacrifice, while asleep, does not partake of his share.

Verse 86 (skanda.6.231.86)

तथा यज्ञाश्च ये सर्वे विवाहादानादिकाः शुभाः ते सर्वे न क्रियंते च चूडाकरणपूर्वकाः

tathā yajñāśca ye sarve vivāhādānādikāḥ śubhāḥ te sarve na kriyaṁte ca cūḍākaraṇapūrvakāḥ

Likewise, all the auspicious rites — weddings, gift-givings, and the like, beginning with the tonsure ceremony — none of these are performed.

Verse 87 (skanda.6.231.87)

मुक्त्वान्नप्राशनं नाम सीमंतोन्नयनं तथा तस्मात्सुप्ते जगन्नाथे ताः सर्वाः स्युर्वृथा द्विजाः

muktvānnaprāśanaṁ nāma sīmaṁtonnayanaṁ tathā tasmātsupte jagannāthe tāḥ sarvāḥ syurvṛthā dvijāḥ

Nor the first-feeding rite, nor the parting-of-the-hair ceremony; therefore, O brahmins, while the Lord of the universe sleeps, all these would be performed in vain.

Verse 88 (skanda.6.231.88)

व्रतं वा नियमं वाथ तस्मिन्यः कुरुते नरः प्रसुप्ते देवदेवेशे तत्सर्वं निष्फलं भवेत्

vrataṁ vā niyamaṁ vātha tasminyaḥ kurute naraḥ prasupte devadeveśe tatsarvaṁ niṣphalaṁ bhavet

Whatever vow or observance a man performs while the Lord of gods lies asleep, all of it becomes fruitless.

Verse 89 (skanda.6.231.89)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन संप्रसुप्ते जनार्दने व्रतस्थैर्मानवैर्भाव्यं तस्य देवस्य तुष्टये

tasmātsarvaprayatnena saṁprasupte janārdane vratasthairmānavairbhāvyaṁ tasya devasya tuṣṭaye

Therefore, with every effort, while Janardana lies asleep, men ought to remain devoted to their vows for the satisfaction of that god.

Verse 90 (skanda.6.231.90)

एकादश्यां दिने प्राप्ते शयने बोधने हरेः यत्किंचित्क्रियते कर्म श्रेष्ठं तच्चाक्षयं भवेत्

ekādaśyāṁ dine prāpte śayane bodhane hareḥ yatkiṁcitkriyate karma śreṣṭhaṁ taccākṣayaṁ bhavet

On the eleventh day, when Hari's sleeping or waking occurs, whatever excellent deed is performed then becomes imperishable.

Verse 91 (skanda.6.231.91)

किंवात्र बहुनोक्तेन क्रियते यद्व्रतं नरैः तेन तुष्टिं परां याति दैत्योपरि स्थितो हरिः

kiṁvātra bahunoktena kriyate yadvrataṁ naraiḥ tena tuṣṭiṁ parāṁ yāti daityopari sthito hariḥ

But what need is there of saying much more here? Whatever vow is performed by men, by it Hari, resting upon the demon, attains the highest satisfaction.

Verse 92 (skanda.6.231.92)

एवं स भगवान्प्राह सुप्तस्तत्र जनार्दनः किं वा तस्य ज्वरो जातो महती वेदनापि च

evaṁ sa bhagavānprāha suptastatra janārdanaḥ kiṁ vā tasya jvaro jāto mahatī vedanāpi ca

Thus the Lord Janardana, lying asleep there, seems to speak — or is it that he has developed a fever, or suffers some great affliction?

Verse 93 (skanda.6.231.93)

तस्मिन्नहनि पापात्मा योन्नमश्नाति मानवः तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन संप्राप्ते हरिवासरे

tasminnahani pāpātmā yonnamaśnāti mānavaḥ tasmātsarvaprayatnena saṁprāpte harivāsare

Whatever man, evil-souled, eats food on that day — therefore, with all effort, when Hari's day arrives —

Verse 94 (skanda.6.231.94)

अन्यस्मिन्नपि भोक्तव्यं न नरेण विजानता किं पुनः शयनं यत्र कुरुते यत्र बोधनम्

anyasminnapi bhoktavyaṁ na nareṇa vijānatā kiṁ punaḥ śayanaṁ yatra kurute yatra bodhanam

—a discerning man should not eat even on another day nearby, how much less on the very day when the Lord takes his rest, or the day when he wakes.

Verse 95 (skanda.6.231.95)

सूत उवाच एतद्वः सर्वमाख्यातं यत्पृष्टोऽस्मि द्विजोत्तमाः हाटकेश्वरजे क्षेत्रे यस्माच्छेते जनार्दनः

sūta uvāca etadvaḥ sarvamākhyātaṁ yatpṛṣṭo'smi dvijottamāḥ hāṭakeśvaraje kṣetre yasmācchete janārdanaḥ

Suta said: O best of brahmins, all this has been told to you, as you asked, concerning why Janardana lies asleep in the field born at Hatakeshvara —

Verse 96 (skanda.6.231.96)

क्षीराब्धिं संपरित्यज्य सदा मासचतुष्टयम् श्रूयतां च फलं यत्स्यात्तस्मिन्नाराधिते विभो

kṣīrābdhiṁ saṁparityajya sadā māsacatuṣṭayam śrūyatāṁ ca phalaṁ yatsyāttasminnārādhite vibho

—forever leaving the Ocean of Milk, for the four months. Now hear what fruit comes from worshipping that Lord there.

Verse 97 (skanda.6.231.97)

चतुरो वार्षिकान्मासान्यस्तं पूजयते विभुम् व्रतस्थः स नरो याति यत्र देवः स संस्थितः

caturo vārṣikānmāsānyastaṁ pūjayate vibhum vratasthaḥ sa naro yāti yatra devaḥ sa saṁsthitaḥ

Whoever, keeping to his vow, worships that Lord for the four months of the rains, that man goes to the very place where the god himself resides.

Verse 98 (skanda.6.231.98)

किं दानैर्बहुभिर्दत्तैः किं व्रतैः किमुपोषितैः तत्र यः पुंडरीकाक्षं सुप्तं पूजयति ध्रुवम्

kiṁ dānairbahubhirdattaiḥ kiṁ vrataiḥ kimupoṣitaiḥ tatra yaḥ puṁḍarīkākṣaṁ suptaṁ pūjayati dhruvam

What need is there of many gifts given, of vows, of fasts, for one who steadfastly worships there the lotus-eyed Lord as he sleeps?