The Marriage of Shiva and Parvati, and the Gods' Plea Against Tarakasura

Verse 1 (skanda.6.245.1)

पैजवन उवाच । शालिग्रामशिलायां च जगदादिः सनातनः । कथं पाषाणतां प्राप्तो गण्डक्यां तच्च मे वद

paijavana uvāca śāligrāmaśilāyāṁ ca jagadādiḥ sanātanaḥ kathaṁ pāṣāṇatāṁ prāpto gaṇḍakyāṁ tacca me vada

Paijavana said: "How did the eternal source of the world come to take the form of stone, in the Shaligrama stone, in the Gandaki? Tell me this."

Verse 2 (skanda.6.245.2)

त्वत्प्रसादेन विप्रर्षे हरौ भक्तिर्दृढा भवेत् । भवंतस्तीर्थरूपा हि दर्शनात्पापहारिणः

tvatprasādena viprarṣe harau bhaktirdṛḍhā bhavet bhavaṁtastīrtharūpā hi darśanātpāpahāriṇaḥ

"By your grace, O sage among brahmins, may my devotion to Hari become firm; for you yourselves are of the very nature of a sacred tirtha, removing sin by the mere sight of you."

Verse 3 (skanda.6.245.3)

तीर्थामृतावगाहेन यथा पवित्रता नृणाम् । भवद्वाक्यामृताज्जाता तथा मम न संशयः

tīrthāmṛtāvagāhena yathā pavitratā nṛṇām bhavadvākyāmṛtājjātā tathā mama na saṁśayaḥ

"Just as men are purified by immersion in the nectar-waters of a sacred tirtha, so has purity arisen in me from the nectar of your words; of this there is no doubt."

Verse 4 (skanda.6.245.4)

गालव उवाच । इतिहासस्त्वयं पुण्यः पुराणेषु च पठ्यते । यथा स एव भगवाञ्छालिग्रामत्वमागतः

gālava uvāca itihāsastvayaṁ puṇyaḥ purāṇeṣu ca paṭhyate yathā sa eva bhagavāñchāligrāmatvamāgataḥ

Galava said: "This is indeed a sacred narrative, recited in the Puranas, telling how that very Lord came to take the form of the Shaligrama."

Verse 5 (skanda.6.245.5)

महेश्वरश्च लिंगत्वं कथयेऽहं तवाऽनघ । पूर्वं प्रजापतिर्दक्षो ब्रह्मणोंऽगुष्ठसंभवः

maheśvaraśca liṁgatvaṁ kathaye'haṁ tavā'nagha pūrvaṁ prajāpatirdakṣo brahmaṇoṁ'guṣṭhasaṁbhavaḥ

"And I shall tell you, O sinless one, how Maheshvara came to take the form of the linga. Long ago, Prajapati Daksha arose from the thumb of Brahma."

Verse 6 (skanda.6.245.6)

तस्यासीद्दुहिता साध्वी सतीनाम्नी सुलक्षणा । हरेणोढा विधिज्ञेन वेदोक्तविधिना ततः

tasyāsīdduhitā sādhvī satīnāmnī sulakṣaṇā hareṇoḍhā vidhijñena vedoktavidhinā tataḥ

"He had a chaste and virtuous daughter, of excellent marks, named Sati; she was taken in marriage by Hara, the knower of scriptural rule, according to the Vedic rite."

Verse 7 (skanda.6.245.7)

स चकार महायज्ञे हरद्वेषं विमूढधीः । तेन द्वेषेण महता सती प्रकुपिता भृशम्

sa cakāra mahāyajñe haradveṣaṁ vimūḍhadhīḥ tena dveṣeṇa mahatā satī prakupitā bhṛśam

"But he, deluded in mind, harbored hatred toward Hara at his great sacrifice; because of that great hatred, Sati became exceedingly enraged."

Verse 8 (skanda.6.245.8)

यज्ञवेद्यां समागम्य वह्निधारणया तदा । प्राणायामपरा भूत्वा देहोत्सर्गं चकार सा

yajñavedyāṁ samāgamya vahnidhāraṇayā tadā prāṇāyāmaparā bhūtvā dehotsargaṁ cakāra sā

"Coming to the sacrificial altar, and then, by holding the fire within her, becoming absorbed in the control of her breath, she gave up her body."

Verse 9 (skanda.6.245.9)

पितृभागं परित्यज्य स्वभागेन युता सती । मनसा ध्यानमगमच्छीतलं च हिमालयम्

pitṛbhāgaṁ parityajya svabhāgena yutā satī manasā dhyānamagamacchītalaṁ ca himālayam

"Rejecting her father's portion of that sacrifice, taking with her only her own share, that virtuous woman, in her meditation, directed her mind toward the cool Himalaya."

Verse 10 (skanda.6.245.10)

यत्रयत्र मनो याति स्वकर्मवशगं मृतौ । अवतारस्तत्रतत्र जायते नात्र संशयः

yatrayatra mano yāti svakarmavaśagaṁ mṛtau avatārastatratatra jāyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

"Wherever the mind goes at the time of death, under the sway of one's own deeds, there, without doubt, one's next rebirth takes place."

Verse 11 (skanda.6.245.11)

दह्यमाना हि सा देवी हिमालयसुताऽभवत् । तत्र सा पार्वती भूत्वा तप उग्रं समाश्रिता

dahyamānā hi sā devī himālayasutā'bhavat tatra sā pārvatī bhūtvā tapa ugraṁ samāśritā

"That goddess, as she was consumed by fire, became the daughter of Himalaya; there, having become Parvati, she took up fierce austerity."

Verse 12 (skanda.6.245.12)

शिवभक्तिरता नित्यं हरव्रतपरायणा । शृंगे हिमवतः पुत्री मनो न्यस्य महेश्वरे

śivabhaktiratā nityaṁ haravrataparāyaṇā śṛṁge himavataḥ putrī mano nyasya maheśvare

"Ever devoted to Shiva-bhakti, wholly given to the vow of Hara, the daughter of Himavan, upon the mountain peak, fixed her mind on Maheshvara."

Verse 13 (skanda.6.245.13)

ततो वर्षसहस्रांते भगवान्भूतभावनः । अथाजगाम तं देशं विप्ररूपो महेश्वरः

tato varṣasahasrāṁte bhagavānbhūtabhāvanaḥ athājagāma taṁ deśaṁ viprarūpo maheśvaraḥ

"Then, at the end of a thousand years, the Lord, the source of all beings, Maheshvara, came to that place in the form of a brahmin."

Verse 14 (skanda.6.245.14)

तां ज्ञात्वा तपसा शुद्धां कर्मभावैः परीक्षितैः । ततो दिव्यवपुर्भूत्वा करे जग्राह पार्वतीम्

tāṁ jñātvā tapasā śuddhāṁ karmabhāvaiḥ parīkṣitaiḥ tato divyavapurbhūtvā kare jagrāha pārvatīm

"Knowing her to be purified by austerity, having tested her through her deeds and dispositions, he then assumed his own divine form and took Parvati's hand."

Verse 15 (skanda.6.245.15)

तपसा निर्जितश्चास्मि करवाणि च किं प्रियम् । ततः प्राह महेशानं प्रमाणं मे पिता गुरुः

tapasā nirjitaścāsmi karavāṇi ca kiṁ priyam tataḥ prāha maheśānaṁ pramāṇaṁ me pitā guruḥ

(He said:) "I am conquered by your austerity; what pleasing thing shall I do for you?" Then she said to the great Lord: "My father is my authority and my guide."

Verse 16 (skanda.6.245.16)

सप्तर्षीन्स तथोक्तस्तु प्रेषयामास शंकरः । ते तत्र गत्वा समयं वक्तुं हिमवता सह

saptarṣīnsa tathoktastu preṣayāmāsa śaṁkaraḥ te tatra gatvā samayaṁ vaktuṁ himavatā saha

Thus addressed, Shankara sent the Seven Sages; they went there to speak of the appointed time together with Himavan.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.245.17)

निवेद्य च महेशानं प्रेषिता मुनयो ययुः । ततो लग्नदिने देवा महेन्द्रादय ईश्वरम्

nivedya ca maheśānaṁ preṣitā munayo yayuḥ tato lagnadine devā mahendrādaya īśvaram

Having announced it on behalf of the great Lord, the sages, thus sent, departed. Then, on the appointed day of the auspicious conjunction, the gods, headed by Mahendra, came to the Lord —

Verse 18 (skanda.6.245.18)

ब्रह्मविष्णुपुरोगाश्च पुरोधायाग्निमाययुः । योगसिद्धा समायांतं वरवेषं वृषध्वजम्

brahmaviṣṇupurogāśca purodhāyāgnimāyayuḥ yogasiddhā samāyāṁtaṁ varaveṣaṁ vṛṣadhvajam

— led by Brahma and Vishnu, placing Agni before them, they came, as he approached, established in yoga, adorned in bridegroom's attire, bearing the bull-banner.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.245.19)

हिमवान्पूजयामास मधुपर्कादिकैः शुभैः । उपचारैर्मुदा युक्तो मानयन्कृतकृत्यताम्

himavānpūjayāmāsa madhuparkādikaiḥ śubhaiḥ upacārairmudā yukto mānayankṛtakṛtyatām

Himavan worshipped him with madhuparka and other auspicious offerings; filled with joy, honoring him with due ceremonies, he felt his life fulfilled.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.245.20)

वेदोक्तेन विधानेन तां कन्यां समयोजयत् । पाणिग्रहेण विधिना द्विजातिगणसंवृतः

vedoktena vidhānena tāṁ kanyāṁ samayojayat pāṇigraheṇa vidhinā dvijātigaṇasaṁvṛtaḥ

According to the rite prescribed by the Veda, he joined that maiden to him, through the rite of taking her hand, surrounded by a host of brahmins.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.245.21)

वह्निं प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य गिरीशस्तदनन्तरम् । दानकाले च गोत्रादि पृष्टो लज्जापरो हर

vahniṁ pradakṣiṇīkṛtya girīśastadanantaram dānakāle ca gotrādi pṛṣṭo lajjāparo hara

Having then circled the fire, the Lord of the Mountain gave the bride; and at the time of the gift, when asked about his lineage and the like, Hara became overcome with bashfulness.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.245.22)

ब्रह्मणो वचनात्तेन विधिशेषोऽवशेषितः । चरुप्राशनकाले तु पंचवक्त्रप्रकाशकृत्

brahmaṇo vacanāttena vidhiśeṣo'vaśeṣitaḥ caruprāśanakāle tu paṁcavaktraprakāśakṛt

By Brahma's word, the remainder of the rite was completed by him. At the time of partaking the sacrificial food, he who displays his five faces —

Verse 23 (skanda.6.245.23)

सहितः सकलैर्देवैः कुतूहलपरायणः । गिरिजार्थं समायुक्तो वरः सोऽपि महेश्वरः

sahitaḥ sakalairdevaiḥ kutūhalaparāyaṇaḥ girijārthaṁ samāyukto varaḥ so'pi maheśvaraḥ

— together with all the gods, filled with eager curiosity, that very bridegroom Maheshvara stood joined for Girija's sake.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.245.24)

नवकोटिमुखां दृष्ट्वा साट्टहासो जनोऽभवत् । वैदिकी श्रुतिरित्युक्ता शिव त्वं स्थिरतां व्रज

navakoṭimukhāṁ dṛṣṭvā sāṭṭahāso jano'bhavat vaidikī śrutirityuktā śiva tvaṁ sthiratāṁ vraja

Seeing his nine-crore-fold faces, the people burst out in loud laughter; then the Vedic revelation itself declared: "O Shiva, remain steady."

Verse 25 (skanda.6.245.25)

लज्जिता सा परित्यागं नाकरोत्पंचजन्मसु । भर्त्तारमसितापांगी हरमेवाभ्यगच्छत

lajjitā sā parityāgaṁ nākarotpaṁcajanmasu bharttāramasitāpāṁgī haramevābhyagacchata

Embarrassed though she was, she did not abandon him through five lifetimes; that woman of dark, lovely eyes went to Hara alone as her husband.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.245.26)

देवानां पर्वतानां च प्रहृष्टं सकलं कुलम् । ततो विवाहे संपूर्णे हरोऽगात्कौतुकौकसि

devānāṁ parvatānāṁ ca prahṛṣṭaṁ sakalaṁ kulam tato vivāhe saṁpūrṇe haro'gātkautukaukasi

The entire lineage of the gods and of the mountains rejoiced greatly; then, when the marriage was complete, Hara went to the house of festivity.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.245.27)

गणानां चापि सान्निध्ये सा नामर्षयदंबिका । पारिबर्हं ततो दत्त्वा शैलेन स विसर्जितः

gaṇānāṁ cāpi sānnidhye sā nāmarṣayadaṁbikā pāribarhaṁ tato dattvā śailena sa visarjitaḥ

Even in the presence of his ganas, Ambika did not take offense; then, having given the bridal gifts, Himavan sent them off.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.245.28)

मानितः सत्कृतश्चापि मन्दराचलमभ्यगात् । विश्वकर्मा ततस्तस्य क्षणेन मणिमद्गृहम्

mānitaḥ satkṛtaścāpi mandarācalamabhyagāt viśvakarmā tatastasya kṣaṇena maṇimadgṛham

Honored and well received, he went to Mount Mandara; then Vishvakarma, in an instant, for him —

Verse 29 (skanda.6.245.29)

निर्ममे देवदेवस्य स्वेच्छावर्द्धिष्णुमंदिरम् । सर्वर्द्धिमत्प्रशस्ताभं मणिविद्रुमभूषितम्

nirmame devadevasya svecchāvarddhiṣṇumaṁdiram sarvarddhimatpraśastābhaṁ maṇividrumabhūṣitam

— fashioned a jewel-studded palace for the God of gods, a dwelling that would grow according to his own wish, endowed with every splendor, resplendent, adorned with gems and coral,

Verse 30 (skanda.6.245.30)

स्थूणासहस्रसंयुक्तं मणिवेदिमनोहरम् । गणा नंदिप्रभृतयो यस्य द्वारि समाश्रिताः

sthūṇāsahasrasaṁyuktaṁ maṇivedimanoharam gaṇā naṁdiprabhṛtayo yasya dvāri samāśritāḥ

furnished with a thousand pillars, with a lovely jeweled dais, at whose door the ganas, beginning with Nandi, took their stand,

Verse 31 (skanda.6.245.31)

त्रिनेत्राः शूलहस्ताश्च बभुः शंकररूपिणः । वाटिका अस्य परितः पारिजाताः सहस्रशः

trinetrāḥ śūlahastāśca babhuḥ śaṁkararūpiṇaḥ vāṭikā asya paritaḥ pārijātāḥ sahasraśaḥ

— three-eyed, trident in hand, shining forth in Shankara's own likeness. All around it lay gardens, with parijata trees by the thousands;

Verse 32 (skanda.6.245.32)

कामधेनुर्मणिर्दिव्यो यस्य द्वारि समाश्रितौ । तस्मिन्मनोहरतरे कामवृद्धिकरे गृहे

kāmadhenurmaṇirdivyo yasya dvāri samāśritau tasminmanoharatare kāmavṛddhikare gṛhe

the wish-granting cow Kamadhenu and a divine jewel stood there, established at its door. In that most beautiful dwelling, which nourished every desire —

Verse 33 (skanda.6.245.33)

पार्वत्या वसतः सार्द्धं कामो दृष्टिपथं ययौ । वायुरूपः शिवं दृष्ट्वा कामः प्रोवाच शंकरम्

pārvatyā vasataḥ sārddhaṁ kāmo dṛṣṭipathaṁ yayau vāyurūpaḥ śivaṁ dṛṣṭvā kāmaḥ provāca śaṁkaram

— while he dwelt there together with Parvati, Kama, the god of desire, came within his sight. Taking the form of the wind, Kama, beholding Shiva, spoke to Shankara:

Verse 34 (skanda.6.245.34)

नमस्ते सर्वरूपाय नमस्ते वृषभध्वज । नमस्ते गणनाथाय पाहि नाथ नमोऽस्तु ते

namaste sarvarūpāya namaste vṛṣabhadhvaja namaste gaṇanāthāya pāhi nātha namo'stu te

"Salutations to you, whose form is all things; salutations to you, O bearer of the bull-banner; salutations to you, lord of the ganas; protect me, O Lord, salutations be to you."

Verse 35 (skanda.6.245.35)

त्वया विरहितं लोकं शववत्स्पृशते मही । न त्वया रहितं किञ्चिद्दृश्यते सचराचरे

tvayā virahitaṁ lokaṁ śavavatspṛśate mahī na tvayā rahitaṁ kiñciddṛśyate sacarācare

"Bereft of you, the earth touches the world as though it were a corpse; without you, nothing at all is seen in this world of the moving and the unmoving."

Verse 36 (skanda.6.245.36)

त्वं गोप्ता त्वं विधाता च लोकसंहारकारकः । कृपां कुरु महादेव देहदानं प्रयच्छ मे

tvaṁ goptā tvaṁ vidhātā ca lokasaṁhārakārakaḥ kṛpāṁ kuru mahādeva dehadānaṁ prayaccha me

"You are the protector, you are the ordainer, and you are the destroyer of the worlds. Show mercy, O Mahadeva; grant me the gift of a body."

Verse 37 (skanda.6.245.37)

ईश्वर उवाच । यन्मया त्वं पुरा दग्धः पर्वते पुरतोऽनघ । तस्या एव समीपे त्वं पुनर्भव स्वदेहवान्

īśvara uvāca yanmayā tvaṁ purā dagdhaḥ parvate purato'nagha tasyā eva samīpe tvaṁ punarbhava svadehavān

Ishvara said: "Since you were once burnt by me upon the mountain, O sinless one, in her very presence you shall now become embodied once more, possessed of your own body again."

Verse 38 (skanda.6.245.38)

एवमुक्तस्ततः कामः स्वशरीरमुपागतः । ववंदे चरणौ शूद्र विनयावनतोऽभवत्

evamuktastataḥ kāmaḥ svaśarīramupāgataḥ vavaṁde caraṇau śūdra vinayāvanato'bhavat

Thus addressed, Kama then regained his own body; O sacchudra, he bowed at the feet of the Lord, humbled in submission.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.245.39)

ततो ननाम चरणौ पार्वत्याः संप्रहृष्टवान् । लब्धप्रसादस्तु तयोः समीपाद्भुवनत्रये

tato nanāma caraṇau pārvatyāḥ saṁprahṛṣṭavān labdhaprasādastu tayoḥ samīpādbhuvanatraye

Then, greatly delighted, he bowed at Parvati's feet as well; having received grace from the two of them, he roamed through the three worlds —

Verse 40 (skanda.6.245.40)

चचार सुमहातेजा महामोहबलान्वितः । पुष्पधन्वा पुष्पबाणस्त्वाकुञ्चितशिरोरुहः

cacāra sumahātejā mahāmohabalānvitaḥ puṣpadhanvā puṣpabāṇastvākuñcitaśiroruhaḥ

— that being of very great splendor, endowed with the power of great delusion, bow of flowers in hand, flower-arrows ready, his hair gently curled,

Verse 41 (skanda.6.245.41)

सदा घूर्णितनेत्रश्च तयोर्देहमुपाविशत् । दिव्यासवैर्दिव्यगंधैर्वस्त्रमाल्यादिभिस्तथा

sadā ghūrṇitanetraśca tayordehamupāviśat divyāsavairdivyagaṁdhairvastramālyādibhistathā

his eyes ever rolling with intoxication; he then took his seat within the bodies of the divine couple. With divine wines and divine fragrances, and with garments, garlands, and the like,

Verse 42 (skanda.6.245.42)

सख्यः संभोगसमये परिचक्रुः समंततः । एवं प्रक्रीडतस्तस्य वत्सराणां शतं ययौ

sakhyaḥ saṁbhogasamaye paricakruḥ samaṁtataḥ evaṁ prakrīḍatastasya vatsarāṇāṁ śataṁ yayau

their companions attended upon them all around at the time of their union. As he sported thus, a hundred years passed for him,

Verse 43 (skanda.6.245.43)

साग्रमेका निशा यद्वन्मैथुने सक्तचेतसः । एतस्मिन्नंतरे देवास्तारकप्रद्रुता भयात् । ब्रह्माणं शरणं जग्मुः स्तुत्वा तं शरणं गताः

sāgramekā niśā yadvanmaithune saktacetasaḥ etasminnaṁtare devāstārakapradrutā bhayāt brahmāṇaṁ śaraṇaṁ jagmuḥ stutvā taṁ śaraṇaṁ gatāḥ

— passing like a single night and a little more, his mind so absorbed in that union. Meanwhile, the gods, driven to flight by fear of Taraka, went to Brahma for refuge, praising him and taking that refuge.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.245.44)

देवा उचुः । तारकोऽसौ महारौद्रस्त्वया दत्तवरः पुरा

devā ucuḥ tārako'sau mahāraudrastvayā dattavaraḥ purā

The gods said: "That terrible Taraka was long ago granted a boon by you."

Verse 45 (skanda.6.245.45)

विजित्य तरसा शक्रं भुंक्ते त्रैलोक्यपूजितः । वधोपायो यथा तस्य जायते त्वं कुरु स्वयम्

vijitya tarasā śakraṁ bhuṁkte trailokyapūjitaḥ vadhopāyo yathā tasya jāyate tvaṁ kuru svayam

"Having forcibly conquered Indra, he now enjoys the three worlds, worshipped by all. Devise yourself the means by which he may be slain."

Verse 46 (skanda.6.245.46)

ब्रह्मा उवाच । मया दत्तवरश्चासौ मयैवोच्छिद्यते नहि । स्वयं संवर्ध्य कटुकं छेत्तुं कोऽपि न चार्हति

brahmā uvāca mayā dattavaraścāsau mayaivocchidyate nahi svayaṁ saṁvardhya kaṭukaṁ chettuṁ ko'pi na cārhati

Brahma said: "He was granted that boon by me; he cannot be cut off by me myself. No one has the right to first nurture a bitter tree and then cut it down."

Verse 47 (skanda.6.245.47)

तस्मात्तस्य वधोपायं कथयामि महात्मनः । पार्वत्यां यो महेशानात्सूनुरुत्पत्स्यते हि सः

tasmāttasya vadhopāyaṁ kathayāmi mahātmanaḥ pārvatyāṁ yo maheśānātsūnurutpatsyate hi saḥ

"Therefore I shall tell you the means for the death of that great being: whoever is born as the son of Parvati from Mahesha —"

Verse 48 (skanda.6.245.48)

दिनसप्तकवान्भूत्वा तारकं स हनिष्यति । इति वाक्यं तु ते श्रुत्वा मंदरं लोकसुंदरम्

dinasaptakavānbhūtvā tārakaṁ sa haniṣyati iti vākyaṁ tu te śrutvā maṁdaraṁ lokasuṁdaram

"— that son, having reached seven days of age, shall slay Taraka." Having heard these words, the gods set out for Mandara, most beautiful in all the worlds,

Verse 49 (skanda.6.245.49)

ब्रह्मलोकात्समाजग्मुः पीडिता दैत्यदानवैः

brahmalokātsamājagmuḥ pīḍitā daityadānavaiḥ

— departing together from Brahma's world, oppressed as they were by the daityas and danavas.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.245.50)

तत्र नंदिप्रभृतयो गणाः शूलभृतः पुरः । गृहद्वारे ह्युपावृत्य तस्थुः संयतचेतसः

tatra naṁdiprabhṛtayo gaṇāḥ śūlabhṛtaḥ puraḥ gṛhadvāre hyupāvṛtya tasthuḥ saṁyatacetasaḥ

There, the ganas headed by Nandi, bearing tridents, took up their post at the door of the house, standing before it with restrained and steady minds.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.245.51)

देवा ऊचुः । देवाश्च दुःखातुरचेतसो भृशं हतप्रभास्त्यक्तगृहाश्रयाखिलाः । संप्राप्य मासांश्चतुरः स्तपः स्थिता देवे प्रसुप्ते हरतोषणं परम्

devā ūcuḥ devāśca duḥkhāturacetaso bhṛśaṁ hataprabhāstyaktagṛhāśrayākhilāḥ saṁprāpya māsāṁścaturaḥ stapaḥ sthitā deve prasupte haratoṣaṇaṁ param

The gods said: "We gods, our minds greatly afflicted by sorrow, our splendor entirely lost, having abandoned all our homes and shelters, now that the four months have come, stand engaged in austerity, for the sake of the highest pleasure of Hari, while the Lord lies asleep."