The Curse of Vishnu

Verse 1 (skanda.6.251.1)

गालव उवाच । इत्युक्त्वाऽऽकाशजावाणी विरराम शुभप्रदा । तेऽपि देवास्तदाश्चर्यं महद्दृष्ट्वा महाव्रताः

gālava uvāca ityuktvā''kāśajāvāṇī virarāma śubhapradā te'pi devāstadāścaryaṁ mahaddṛṣṭvā mahāvratāḥ

Galava said: Having said this, the auspicious voice born of the sky fell silent. And the gods too, of great vows, having beheld that great wonder,

Verse 2 (skanda.6.251.2)

चतुष्टयं च वृक्षाणां चातुर्मास्ये समागते । अपूजयंश्च विधिवदैक्यभावेन शूद्रज

catuṣṭayaṁ ca vṛkṣāṇāṁ cāturmāsye samāgate apūjayaṁśca vidhivadaikyabhāvena śūdraja

when Chaturmasya arrived, O son of a Shudra, duly worshipped that group of four trees in a spirit of oneness.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.251.3)

चातुर्मास्येऽथ संपूर्णे देवो हरिहरात्मकः । प्रसन्नस्तानुवाचाथ भक्त्या प्रत्यक्षरूपधृक्

cāturmāsye'tha saṁpūrṇe devo hariharātmakaḥ prasannastānuvācātha bhaktyā pratyakṣarūpadhṛk

Then, when Chaturmasya was complete, the god in the form of Hari-Hara, pleased, and out of devotion assuming a visible form, spoke to them:

Verse 4 (skanda.6.251.4)

यूयं गच्छत देवेश महाव्रतपरायणाः । भुंक्त स्वान्स्वांश्चाधिकारान्मया ते दानवा हताः

yūyaṁ gacchata deveśa mahāvrataparāyaṇāḥ bhuṁkta svānsvāṁścādhikārānmayā te dānavā hatāḥ

'Go now, O gods devoted to great vows; enjoy your own respective domains — those danavas have been slain by me.'

Verse 5 (skanda.6.251.5)

इत्युक्त्वा देवदेवेशावैक्यरूपधरौ यदा । गणानां देवतानां च बुद्धिं निर्भेदतां तदा

ityuktvā devadeveśāvaikyarūpadharau yadā gaṇānāṁ devatānāṁ ca buddhiṁ nirbhedatāṁ tadā

Having said this, when the two Lords of gods, bearing that united form, then turned the minds of the hosts and the gods toward non-difference,

Verse 6 (skanda.6.251.6)

नयन्तौ तौ तदा चेशा बभूवतुररिन्दमौ । तेऽपि देवा निराबाधा हृष्टचित्ता ह्यभेदतः

nayantau tau tadā ceśā babhūvaturarindamau te'pi devā nirābādhā hṛṣṭacittā hyabhedataḥ

leading them thus, those two lords became subduers of their foes; and the gods too, through that very non-difference, became free of affliction and glad of heart,

Verse 7 (skanda.6.251.7)

प्रययुः स्वांश्चाधिकारान्विमानगणकोटिभिः । गालव उवाच । तथा तत्रापि ते देवाः पार्वत्याः शापमोहिताः

prayayuḥ svāṁścādhikārānvimānagaṇakoṭibhiḥ gālava uvāca tathā tatrāpi te devāḥ pārvatyāḥ śāpamohitāḥ

and set out for their own domains with crores of hosts of celestial chariots. Galava said: And even there, those gods, deluded by the curse of Parvati,

Verse 8 (skanda.6.251.8)

स्तुत्वा तां बिल्वपत्रैश्च पूजयित्वा महेश्वरीम् । प्रसन्नवदनां स्तुत्वा प्रणिपत्य पुनःपुनः

stutvā tāṁ bilvapatraiśca pūjayitvā maheśvarīm prasannavadanāṁ stutvā praṇipatya punaḥpunaḥ

praised her and, worshipping the great goddess with Bilva leaves, praised her of the gladdened countenance, and prostrated again and again.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.251.9)

सा प्रोवाच ततो देवान्विश्वमाता तु संस्तुता । मम शापो वृथा नैव भविष्यति सुरोत्तमाः

sā provāca tato devānviśvamātā tu saṁstutā mama śāpo vṛthā naiva bhaviṣyati surottamāḥ

Then she, the Mother of the universe, thus praised, spoke to the gods: 'My curse shall not indeed be in vain, O best of gods.'

Verse 10 (skanda.6.251.10)

तथापि कृतपापानां करवाणि कृपां च वः । स्वर्गे दृषन्मया नैव भविष्यथ सुरोत्तमाः

tathāpi kṛtapāpānāṁ karavāṇi kṛpāṁ ca vaḥ svarge dṛṣanmayā naiva bhaviṣyatha surottamāḥ

'Nevertheless, though you have done wrong, I shall show mercy to you. You shall not, by my doing, become stones in heaven, O best of gods;'

Verse 11 (skanda.6.251.11)

मर्त्यलोकं च संप्राप्य प्रतिमासु च सर्वशः । सर्वे देवाश्च वरदा लोकानां प्रभविष्यथ

martyalokaṁ ca saṁprāpya pratimāsu ca sarvaśaḥ sarve devāśca varadā lokānāṁ prabhaviṣyatha

'but, having reached the world of mortals, and dwelling everywhere in images, all of you gods, as bestowers of boons, shall hold power over the worlds.'

Verse 12 (skanda.6.251.12)

पाणिग्रहेण विहिता ये कुमाराः कुमारिकाः । तेषांतेषां प्रजाश्चैव भविष्यथ न संशयः

pāṇigraheṇa vihitā ye kumārāḥ kumārikāḥ teṣāṁteṣāṁ prajāścaiva bhaviṣyatha na saṁśayaḥ

'For whatever boys and girls are joined by the rite of taking hands in marriage, you shall become present as the offspring of each of them — there is no doubt.'

Verse 13 (skanda.6.251.13)

इत्युक्त्वा सा भगवती देवतानां वरप्रदा । विष्णुं महेश्वरं चैव प्रोवाच कुपिता भृशम्

ityuktvā sā bhagavatī devatānāṁ varapradā viṣṇuṁ maheśvaraṁ caiva provāca kupitā bhṛśam

Having said this, that blessed goddess, the bestower of boons upon the gods, then spoke, greatly enraged, to Vishnu and Maheshvara:

Verse 14 (skanda.6.251.14)

देवास्तस्या भयान्नष्टा मर्त्येषु प्रतिमां गताः । भक्तानां मानसं भावं पूरयन्तः सुसंस्थिताः

devāstasyā bhayānnaṣṭā martyeṣu pratimāṁ gatāḥ bhaktānāṁ mānasaṁ bhāvaṁ pūrayantaḥ susaṁsthitāḥ

Out of fear of her, the gods vanished, passing into images among mortals, well established there, fulfilling the heartfelt wishes of their devotees.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.251.15)

यस्माद्विष्णो महेशानस्त्वयाऽपि न निषेधितः । तस्मात्त्वमपि पाषाणो भविष्यसि न संशयः

yasmādviṣṇo maheśānastvayā'pi na niṣedhitaḥ tasmāttvamapi pāṣāṇo bhaviṣyasi na saṁśayaḥ

'Since, O Vishnu, even Maheshana was not restrained by you, therefore you too shall become stone — there is no doubt.'

Verse 16 (skanda.6.251.16)

हरोऽप्यश्ममयं रूपं प्राप्य लोकविगर्हितम् । लिंगाकारं विप्रशापान्महद्दुःखमवाप्स्यति

haro'pyaśmamayaṁ rūpaṁ prāpya lokavigarhitam liṁgākāraṁ vipraśāpānmahadduḥkhamavāpsyati

'And Hara too, obtaining a form made of stone, in the shape of a linga condemned by the world, shall through a brahmin's curse suffer great sorrow.'

Verse 17 (skanda.6.251.17)

तच्छ्रुत्वा भगवान्विष्णुः पार्वतीमनुकूलयन् । उवाच प्रणतो भूत्वा हरभार्यां महेश्वरीम्

tacchrutvā bhagavānviṣṇuḥ pārvatīmanukūlayan uvāca praṇato bhūtvā harabhāryāṁ maheśvarīm

Hearing this, the blessed Vishnu, seeking to placate Parvati, having bowed down, spoke to the great goddess, consort of Hara:

Verse 18 (skanda.6.251.18)

श्रीविष्णुरुवाच । महाव्रते महादेवि महादेवप्रिया सदा । त्वं हि सत्त्वरजःस्था च तामसी शक्तिरुत्तमा

śrīviṣṇuruvāca mahāvrate mahādevi mahādevapriyā sadā tvaṁ hi sattvarajaḥsthā ca tāmasī śaktiruttamā

Shri Vishnu said: O keeper of great vows, O great goddess, ever beloved of the great god — you indeed abide in sattva and rajas, and you alone are the supreme power abiding in tamas.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.251.19)

मात्रात्रयसमोपेता गुणत्रयविभाविनी । मायादीनां जनित्री त्वं विश्वव्यापकरूपिणी

mātrātrayasamopetā guṇatrayavibhāvinī māyādīnāṁ janitrī tvaṁ viśvavyāpakarūpiṇī

You are equally endowed with the three matras, manifesting the three gunas; you are the mother of Maya and the rest, of a form pervading the whole universe.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.251.20)

वेदत्रयस्तुता त्वं च साध्यारूपेण रागिणी । अरूपा सर्वरूपा त्वं जनसन्तानदायिनी

vedatrayastutā tvaṁ ca sādhyārūpeṇa rāgiṇī arūpā sarvarūpā tvaṁ janasantānadāyinī

Praised by the three Vedas, you, in the form of that which is to be attained, are the one who is passion itself; formless yet all-formed, you are the giver of offspring to humankind.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.251.21)

फलवेला महाकाली महालक्ष्मीः सरस्वती । ओंकारश्च वषट्कारस्त्वमेव हि सुरेश्वरि

phalavelā mahākālī mahālakṣmīḥ sarasvatī oṁkāraśca vaṣaṭkārastvameva hi sureśvari

You are the moment of fruition, Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, Sarasvati; and Omkara and Vashatkara too, O mistress of the gods, are you alone.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.251.22)

भूतधात्रि नमस्तेऽस्तु शिवायै च नमोऽस्तु ते । रागिण्यै च विरागिण्यै विकराले नमः शुभे

bhūtadhātri namaste'stu śivāyai ca namo'stu te rāgiṇyai ca virāgiṇyai vikarāle namaḥ śubhe

O sustainer of beings, salutation to you; salutation to you, O Shiva, the auspicious one. Salutation to you who are passion, and to you who are dispassion, O terrible and gracious one.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.251.23)

एवं स्तुता प्रसन्नाक्षी प्रसन्नेनांतरात्मना । उवाच परमोदारं मिथ्यारोषयुतं वचः

evaṁ stutā prasannākṣī prasannenāṁtarātmanā uvāca paramodāraṁ mithyāroṣayutaṁ vacaḥ

Thus praised, her eyes and her inmost self both gladdened, she spoke words most gracious, though tinged with a feigned anger:

Verse 24 (skanda.6.251.24)

मच्छापो नाऽन्यथा भावी जनार्दन तवाप्ययम् । तत्राऽपि संस्थितस्त्वं हि योगीश्वरविमुक्तिदः

macchāpo nā'nyathā bhāvī janārdana tavāpyayam tatrā'pi saṁsthitastvaṁ hi yogīśvaravimuktidaḥ

'O Janardana, this curse of mine cannot fall otherwise, even upon you. Yet, established even in that form, you shall be the giver of liberation to the lords of yoga,'

Verse 25 (skanda.6.251.25)

कामप्रदश्च भक्तानां चातुर्मास्ये विशेषतः । निम्नगा गंडकीनाम ब्रह्मणो दयिता सुता

kāmapradaśca bhaktānāṁ cāturmāsye viśeṣataḥ nimnagā gaṁḍakīnāma brahmaṇo dayitā sutā

'and the granter of desires to your devotees, especially during Chaturmasya. There is a river named Gandaki, the beloved daughter of Brahma,'

Verse 26 (skanda.6.251.26)

पाषाणसारसंभूता पुण्यदात्री महाजला । तस्याः सुविमले नीरे तव वासो भविष्यति

pāṣāṇasārasaṁbhūtā puṇyadātrī mahājalā tasyāḥ suvimale nīre tava vāso bhaviṣyati

'born of the very essence of stone, a giver of merit, of great and abundant waters; in her perfectly clear waters your dwelling shall be,'

Verse 27 (skanda.6.251.27)

चतुर्विंशतिभेदेन पुराणज्ञैर्निरीक्षितः । मुखे जांबूनदं चैव शालग्रामः प्रकीर्तितः

caturviṁśatibhedena purāṇajñairnirīkṣitaḥ mukhe jāṁbūnadaṁ caiva śālagrāmaḥ prakīrtitaḥ

'observed by the knowers of the Puranas in twenty-four forms, with a mark of gold at the opening — you shall be renowned as the Shalagrama.'

Verse 28 (skanda.6.251.28)

वर्त्तुलस्तेजसः पिंडः श्रिया युक्तो भविष्यसि । सर्वसामर्थ्यसंयुक्तो योगिनामपि मोक्षदः

varttulastejasaḥ piṁḍaḥ śriyā yukto bhaviṣyasi sarvasāmarthyasaṁyukto yogināmapi mokṣadaḥ

'A round mass of radiance, endowed with Shri, you shall become — possessed of all power, and the bestower of liberation even upon yogis.'

Verse 29 (skanda.6.251.29)

ये त्वां शिलागतं विष्णुं पूजयिष्यंति मानवाः । तेषां सुचिन्तितां सिद्धिं भक्तानां संप्रयच्छसि

ye tvāṁ śilāgataṁ viṣṇuṁ pūjayiṣyaṁti mānavāḥ teṣāṁ sucintitāṁ siddhiṁ bhaktānāṁ saṁprayacchasi

'Those men who shall worship you, Vishnu present in the stone — to those devotees you shall grant the well-conceived accomplishment of their minds.'

Verse 30 (skanda.6.251.30)

शिलागतं च देवेशं तुलस्या भक्ति तत्पराः । पूजयिष्यंति मनुजास्तेषां मुक्तिर्न दूरतः

śilāgataṁ ca deveśaṁ tulasyā bhakti tatparāḥ pūjayiṣyaṁti manujāsteṣāṁ muktirna dūrataḥ

'And those men, intent on devotion, who shall worship the Lord of gods present in the stone together with Tulasi — liberation shall not be far from them.'

Verse 31 (skanda.6.251.31)

शिलास्थितं च यः पश्येत्त्वां विष्णुं प्रतिमागतम् । सुचक्रांकितसर्वांगं न स गच्छेद्यमालयम्

śilāsthitaṁ ca yaḥ paśyettvāṁ viṣṇuṁ pratimāgatam sucakrāṁkitasarvāṁgaṁ na sa gacchedyamālayam

'And whoever shall behold you, Vishnu, present in the stone as an image, marked upon every limb with the discus — he shall not go to the abode of Yama.'

Verse 32 (skanda.6.251.32)

गालव उवाच । इति ते कथितं सर्वं शालग्रामस्य कारणम् । यथा स भगवान्विष्णुः पाषाणत्वमुपागतः

gālava uvāca iti te kathitaṁ sarvaṁ śālagrāmasya kāraṇam yathā sa bhagavānviṣṇuḥ pāṣāṇatvamupāgataḥ

Galava said: Thus has the entire cause of the Shalagrama been told to you — how the blessed Vishnu came to attain the state of stone.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.251.33)

गोविन्दोऽपि महाशापं लब्ध्वा स्वभवनं गतः । पार्वती च महेशानं कुपिता प्रणमय्य च

govindo'pi mahāśāpaṁ labdhvā svabhavanaṁ gataḥ pārvatī ca maheśānaṁ kupitā praṇamayya ca

Govinda too, having received that great curse, went to his own abode. And Parvati, still angered, having made great Ishana bow down as well,

Verse 34 (skanda.6.251.34)

एवं स एव भगवान्भवभूत भव्यभूतादिकृत्सकलसंस्थितिनाशनांकः । सोऽपि श्रिया सह भवोऽपि गिरीशपुत्र्या सार्द्धं चतुर्षु च द्रुमेषु निवासमाप

evaṁ sa eva bhagavānbhavabhūta bhavyabhūtādikṛtsakalasaṁsthitināśanāṁkaḥ so'pi śriyā saha bhavo'pi girīśaputryā sārddhaṁ caturṣu ca drumeṣu nivāsamāpa

Thus that same blessed Lord — origin of all beings past and future, the mark of the establishment and dissolution of all things — he, together with Shri, and Bhava too, together with the mountain-king's daughter, took up their dwelling in those four trees.