Parvati's Vision of Vishnu and Shiva, Her Reunion with Kartikeya, and the Meditation on the Twelve-Syllabled Mantra

Verse 1 (skanda.6.261.1)

नारद उवाच । कथं नित्या भगवती हरपत्नी यशस्विनी । योगसिद्धिं सुमहतीं प्राप मासचतुष्टये

nārada uvāca kathaṁ nityā bhagavatī harapatnī yaśasvinī yogasiddhiṁ sumahatīṁ prāpa māsacatuṣṭaye

Narada said: How did that eternal, glorious consort of Hara, so renowned, attain such very great accomplishment in yoga within the four months?

Verse 2 (skanda.6.261.2)

मन्त्रराजमिमं जप्त्वा द्वादशाक्षरसंभवम् । एतन्मे विस्तरेण त्वं कथयस्व यथातथम्

mantrarājamimaṁ japtvā dvādaśākṣarasaṁbhavam etanme vistareṇa tvaṁ kathayasva yathātatham

Having recited this king of mantras arisen from the twelve syllables — tell me this in full detail, exactly as it happened.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.261.3)

ब्रह्मोवाच । चातुर्मास्ये हरौ सुप्ते पार्वती नियतव्रता । मनसा कर्मणा वाचा हरिभक्तिपरायणा

brahmovāca cāturmāsye harau supte pārvatī niyatavratā manasā karmaṇā vācā haribhaktiparāyaṇā

Brahma said: During Chaturmasya, when Hari lay asleep, Parvati, observing a strict vow and devoted to Hari in mind, deed, and speech,

Verse 4 (skanda.6.261.4)

चारुशृंगे पितुर्नित्यं तिष्ठंती तपसि स्थिता । देवद्विजाग्निगोऽश्वत्थातिथिपूजापरायणा

cāruśṛṁge piturnityaṁ tiṣṭhaṁtī tapasi sthitā devadvijāgnigo'śvatthātithipūjāparāyaṇā

ever abiding on her father's lovely peak, established in austerity, intent on the worship of gods, brahmins, fire, cows, the ashvattha tree, and guests,

Verse 5 (skanda.6.261.5)

चातुर्मास्येऽथ संप्राप्ते विमले हरिवासरे । जजाप परमं मंत्रं यथादिष्टं पिनाकिना

cāturmāsye'tha saṁprāpte vimale harivāsare jajāpa paramaṁ maṁtraṁ yathādiṣṭaṁ pinākinā

then, when Chaturmasya had arrived, on the pure day of Hari, she recited the supreme mantra just as instructed by Pinakin.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.261.6)

शंखचक्रधरो विष्णुश्चतुर्हस्तः किरीटधृक् । मेघश्यामोंऽबुजाक्षश्च सूर्यकोटिसमप्रभः

śaṁkhacakradharo viṣṇuścaturhastaḥ kirīṭadhṛk meghaśyāmoṁ'bujākṣaśca sūryakoṭisamaprabhaḥ

Vishnu, bearing the conch and discus, four-armed, crowned, dark as a rain-cloud, lotus-eyed, radiant as ten million suns,

Verse 7 (skanda.6.261.7)

गरुडाधिष्ठितो हृष्टो वसन्व्याप्य जगत्त्रयम् । श्रीवत्सकौस्तुभयुतः पीतकौशेयवस्त्रकः

garuḍādhiṣṭhito hṛṣṭo vasanvyāpya jagattrayam śrīvatsakaustubhayutaḥ pītakauśeyavastrakaḥ

mounted upon Garuda, delighted, pervading and filling the three worlds, adorned with the Shrivatsa mark and the Kaustubha jewel, clad in yellow silken garments,

Verse 8 (skanda.6.261.8)

सर्वाभरणशोभाभिरभिदीप्तमहावपुः । बभाषे पार्वतीं विष्णुः प्रसन्नवदनः शुभाम् । देवि तुष्टो ऽस्मि भद्रं ते कथयस्व तवेप्सितम्

sarvābharaṇaśobhābhirabhidīptamahāvapuḥ babhāṣe pārvatīṁ viṣṇuḥ prasannavadanaḥ śubhām devi tuṣṭo 'smi bhadraṁ te kathayasva tavepsitam

his great form ablaze with the splendor of every ornament — Vishnu, his countenance gladdened, spoke to the auspicious Parvati: 'O goddess, I am well pleased; may good befall you — tell me what you desire.'

Verse 9 (skanda.6.261.9)

पार्वत्युवाच । तज्ज्ञानममलं देहि येन नावर्त्तनं भवेत् । इत्युक्तः स महाविष्णुः प्रत्युवाच हरप्रियाम्

pārvatyuvāca tajjñānamamalaṁ dehi yena nāvarttanaṁ bhavet ityuktaḥ sa mahāviṣṇuḥ pratyuvāca harapriyām

Parvati said: 'Grant me that stainless knowledge by which there shall be no more returning to rebirth.' Thus addressed, the great Vishnu replied to Hara's beloved:

Verse 10 (skanda.6.261.10)

स एव देवदेवेशस्तव वक्ष्यत्यसंशयम् । स एव भगवान्साक्षी देहांतरबहिःस्थितः

sa eva devadeveśastava vakṣyatyasaṁśayam sa eva bhagavānsākṣī dehāṁtarabahiḥsthitaḥ

'That very Lord of the gods of gods will surely tell it to you; he alone is the divine Witness, standing both within and beyond the body,'

Verse 11 (skanda.6.261.11)

विश्वस्रष्टा च गोप्ता च पवित्राणां च पावनः । अनादिनिधनो धर्मो धर्मादीनां प्रभुर्हि सः

viśvasraṣṭā ca goptā ca pavitrāṇāṁ ca pāvanaḥ anādinidhano dharmo dharmādīnāṁ prabhurhi saḥ

'the creator and protector of the universe, the purifier of the pure; without beginning or end, he is Dharma itself, and indeed the Lord of Dharma and the other ends of life.'

Verse 12 (skanda.6.261.12)

अक्षरत्रयसेव्यं यत्सकलं ब्रह्म एव सः । मूर्त्तामूर्त्तस्वरूपेण योऽजो जन्मधरो हि सः

akṣaratrayasevyaṁ yatsakalaṁ brahma eva saḥ mūrttāmūrttasvarūpeṇa yo'jo janmadharo hi saḥ

'He who is that entire Brahman worthy of being approached through the three syllables, who, though unborn, assumes birth through his embodied and unembodied forms —'

Verse 13 (skanda.6.261.13)

ममाधिकारो नैवास्ति वक्तुं तव न संशयः । इत्युक्त्वा भगवानीशो विरराम प्रहृष्टवान्

mamādhikāro naivāsti vaktuṁ tava na saṁśayaḥ ityuktvā bhagavānīśo virarāma prahṛṣṭavān

'— I have, without doubt, no authority to tell you this.' Having said this, the Lord Ishvara fell silent, greatly delighted.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.261.14)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे शंभुर्गिरिजाश्रममभ्यगात् । सर्वभूत गणैर्युक्तो विमाने सार्वकामिके

etasminnaṁtare śaṁbhurgirijāśramamabhyagāt sarvabhūta gaṇairyukto vimāne sārvakāmike

Meanwhile, Shambhu, accompanied by all his hosts of spirits, arrived at Girija's hermitage in his wish-fulfilling celestial chariot.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.261.15)

तया वै भगवान्देवः पूजितः परमेश्वरः । सखीनामपि प्रत्यक्षमाश्चर्यं समजायत

tayā vai bhagavāndevaḥ pūjitaḥ parameśvaraḥ sakhīnāmapi pratyakṣamāścaryaṁ samajāyata

That Lord God, the Supreme Ishvara, was worshipped by her; and, visible even to her companions, a wonder came to pass.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.261.16)

स्तुत्वाऽथ तं महादेवं विष्णुर्देहे लयं ययौ । अथोवाच महेशानः पार्वतीं परमेश्वरः

stutvā'tha taṁ mahādevaṁ viṣṇurdehe layaṁ yayau athovāca maheśānaḥ pārvatīṁ parameśvaraḥ

Then, having praised that great God, Vishnu dissolved into his body. Then the great Ishana, the Supreme Lord, spoke to Parvati:

Verse 17 (skanda.6.261.17)

विमानवरमारुह्य तुष्टोऽहं तव सुव्रते । गत्वैकांतप्रदेशं ते कथये परमं महः

vimānavaramāruhya tuṣṭo'haṁ tava suvrate gatvaikāṁtapradeśaṁ te kathaye paramaṁ mahaḥ

'O you of good vows, having mounted this excellent celestial chariot, I am pleased with you; going to a secluded place, I shall tell you the supreme splendor.'

Verse 18 (skanda.6.261.18)

एवमुक्त्वा भगवतीं करे गृह्य मुदान्वितः । विमानवरमारोप्य लीलया प्रययौ तदा

evamuktvā bhagavatīṁ kare gṛhya mudānvitaḥ vimānavaramāropya līlayā prayayau tadā

Having said this, filled with joy, he took the goddess by the hand, and having set her upon the excellent celestial chariot, then set off in play.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.261.19)

नानाधातुमयानद्रीन्नानारत्नविचित्रितान् । नदीनिर्झरकुंजांश्च नदान्कोकिलकूजितान्

nānādhātumayānadrīnnānāratnavicitritān nadīnirjharakuṁjāṁśca nadānkokilakūjitān

[Showing her] mountains made of various minerals, adorned with various gems, rivers, waterfalls, thickets, and streams resounding with the calls of cuckoos,

Verse 20 (skanda.6.261.20)

अखातान्देवखातांश्च गंगाद्याः सरितस्तथा । सौगंधिकांश्च कल्हारान्सहस्रदलपिंजरान्

akhātāndevakhātāṁśca gaṁgādyāḥ saritastathā saugaṁdhikāṁśca kalhārānsahasradalapiṁjarān

natural lakes and divine lakes, rivers such as the Ganga, and fragrant lotuses, kalhara-lilies, and thousand-petaled golden lotuses,

Verse 21 (skanda.6.261.21)

दर्शन्यकर्णिकारांश्च कोविदारान्महाद्रुमान् । तालांस्तमालान्हिंतालान्प्रियंगून्पनसानपि

darśanyakarṇikārāṁśca kovidārānmahādrumān tālāṁstamālānhiṁtālānpriyaṁgūnpanasānapi

karnikara trees delightful to see, kovidara and other great trees, palms, tamalas, hintala palms, priyangu creepers, and jackfruit trees too,

Verse 22 (skanda.6.261.22)

तिलकान्बकुलांश्चैव बहूनपि च पुष्पितान् । क्षेत्राणि कलनाभानि पिञ्जराणि विदर्शयन्

tilakānbakulāṁścaiva bahūnapi ca puṣpitān kṣetrāṇi kalanābhāni piñjarāṇi vidarśayan

tilaka and bakula trees, and many other blossoming trees, showing her fields lovely with fresh shoots and golden-hued expanses,

Verse 23 (skanda.6.261.23)

ययौ देवनदीतीरे गतं शरवणं महत् । फुल्लकाशं स्वर्णमयं शरस्तंबगणान्वितम्

yayau devanadītīre gataṁ śaravaṇaṁ mahat phullakāśaṁ svarṇamayaṁ śarastaṁbagaṇānvitam

he went to the bank of the celestial river, to the great Sharavana that lay there, bright with blossoming kasha-grass, golden, filled with clusters of reed-stalks,

Verse 24 (skanda.6.261.24)

हेम भूमिविभागस्थं वह्निकांतिमृगद्विजम् । तत्र तीरगतानां च मुनीनामूर्ध्वरेतसाम्

hema bhūmivibhāgasthaṁ vahnikāṁtimṛgadvijam tatra tīragatānāṁ ca munīnāmūrdhvaretasām

situated on a golden tract of ground, whose deer and birds gleamed like fire; and there, of the celibate sages dwelling on the banks —

Verse 25 (skanda.6.261.25)

आश्रमान्स विमानाग्रे तिष्ठन्पत्न्यै प्रदर्शयत् । षट्कृत्तिकाश्च ददृशे पार्वती वनसन्निधौ

āśramānsa vimānāgre tiṣṭhanpatnyai pradarśayat ṣaṭkṛttikāśca dadṛśe pārvatī vanasannidhau

— he, standing at the front of the celestial chariot, showed their hermitages to his wife; and Parvati saw the six Krittikas near the forest,

Verse 26 (skanda.6.261.26)

स्नाताः स्वलंकृताश्चन्द्रपत्न्यस्ता विरजांबराः । ऊचुस्ता योजितकरा केऽयं पुत्राय गम्यते

snātāḥ svalaṁkṛtāścandrapatnyastā virajāṁbarāḥ ūcustā yojitakarā ke'yaṁ putrāya gamyate

those wives of the Moon, bathed, well adorned, clad in spotless garments; with hands joined they said: 'Who is this that has come here for a son?'

Verse 27 (skanda.6.261.27)

तत्कथ्यतां महाभागे स च ते दर्शनं गतः

tatkathyatāṁ mahābhāge sa ca te darśanaṁ gataḥ

'Tell us, O most fortunate one — has he indeed come within your sight?'

Verse 28 (skanda.6.261.28)

पार्वत्युवाच । मम भाग्यवशात्पुत्रः कथमुत्संगमाहरेत् । न ह्यभाग्यवशात्पुंसां क्वापि सौख्यं निरन्तरम्

pārvatyuvāca mama bhāgyavaśātputraḥ kathamutsaṁgamāharet na hyabhāgyavaśātpuṁsāṁ kvāpi saukhyaṁ nirantaram

Parvati said: 'How, by my good fortune, could a son come to my lap? For men lacking good fortune, there is never continuous happiness anywhere.'

Verse 29 (skanda.6.261.29)

सुतनाम्नाप्यहं दृष्ट्वा भवतीनां च दर्शनात् । किमर्थमिह संप्राप्ताः कथ्यतामविलंबितम्

sutanāmnāpyahaṁ dṛṣṭvā bhavatīnāṁ ca darśanāt kimarthamiha saṁprāptāḥ kathyatāmavilaṁbitam

'Even at the mere name of a son I am moved, and now seeing you here — for what purpose have you come? Tell me without delay.'

Verse 30 (skanda.6.261.30)

कृत्तिका ऊचुः । वयं तव सुतं न्यस्तं प्रदातुमिह सुन्दरि । चातुर्मास्ये रवौ स्नातुमागता देवनिम्नगाम्

kṛttikā ūcuḥ vayaṁ tava sutaṁ nyastaṁ pradātumiha sundari cāturmāsye ravau snātumāgatā devanimnagām

The Krittikas said: 'O beautiful one, we have come here to give back your son, who was entrusted to us; during Chaturmasya we came on Sunday to bathe in the celestial river.'

Verse 31 (skanda.6.261.31)

पार्वत्युवाच । न हास्यावसरः सख्यः सत्यमेव हि कथ्यताम् । एकांतावसरे हास्यं जायते चेतरेतरम्

pārvatyuvāca na hāsyāvasaraḥ sakhyaḥ satyameva hi kathyatām ekāṁtāvasare hāsyaṁ jāyate cetaretaram

Parvati said: 'This is not an occasion for jest, my friends — speak the truth indeed; jesting arises only when mutual and at a private moment.'

Verse 32 (skanda.6.261.32)

कृत्तिका ऊचुः । सत्यं वदामहे देवि तव त्रैलोक्यशोभिते । अस्य स्तंबसमूहस्य मध्यस्थं बालकं वृणु

kṛttikā ūcuḥ satyaṁ vadāmahe devi tava trailokyaśobhite asya staṁbasamūhasya madhyasthaṁ bālakaṁ vṛṇu

The Krittikas said: 'We speak the truth, O goddess who adorns the three worlds; choose out the child standing in the midst of this cluster of reed-stalks.'

Verse 33 (skanda.6.261.33)

कृत्तिकानां वचः श्रुत्वा शंकिता पार्वती तदा । ददर्श बालं दीप्ताभं षण्मुखं दीप्तवर्चसम्

kṛttikānāṁ vacaḥ śrutvā śaṁkitā pārvatī tadā dadarśa bālaṁ dīptābhaṁ ṣaṇmukhaṁ dīptavarcasam

Hearing the words of the Krittikas, Parvati, doubtful, then beheld a child of blazing splendor, six-faced, of radiant luster,

Verse 34 (skanda.6.261.34)

तडित्कोटिप्रतीकाशं रूपदिव्यश्रिया युतम् । वह्निपुत्रं च गांगेयं कार्तिकेयं महाबलम्

taḍitkoṭipratīkāśaṁ rūpadivyaśriyā yutam vahniputraṁ ca gāṁgeyaṁ kārtikeyaṁ mahābalam

resembling ten million flashes of lightning, endowed with divine beauty of form — the son of Fire, born of the Ganga, the mighty Kartikeya.

Verse 35 (skanda.6.261.35)

सा वत्सेति गृहीत्वा तं कुमारं पाणिना मुदा । विमानमध्यमादाय कृत्वोत्संगे ह्युवाच ह

sā vatseti gṛhītvā taṁ kumāraṁ pāṇinā mudā vimānamadhyamādāya kṛtvotsaṁge hyuvāca ha

Saying 'My child!', she joyfully took that boy by the hand, brought him into the midst of the celestial chariot, set him upon her lap, and spoke:

Verse 36 (skanda.6.261.36)

चिरंजीव चिरं नन्द चिरं नंदय बाधवान् । इत्युक्त्वा गाढमालिंग्य मूर्ध्नि चाघ्राय तं सुतम्

ciraṁjīva ciraṁ nanda ciraṁ naṁdaya bādhavān ityuktvā gāḍhamāliṁgya mūrdhni cāghrāya taṁ sutam

'Live long! Rejoice long! Give joy long to your kinsmen!' Having said this, she embraced her son tightly and kissed him upon the head,

Verse 37 (skanda.6.261.37)

संहृष्टा परमोदारं भास्वरं हृष्टमानसम् । कार्तिकेयो महाप्रेम्णा प्रणिपत्य महेश्वरम्

saṁhṛṣṭā paramodāraṁ bhāsvaraṁ hṛṣṭamānasam kārtikeyo mahāpremṇā praṇipatya maheśvaram

greatly delighted, beholding that supremely noble, radiant one whose mind was joyful; and Kartikeya, with great love, bowed down before Maheshvara,

Verse 38 (skanda.6.261.38)

ततः प्रांजलिरव्यग्रः प्रहृष्टेनांतरात्मना । तद्विमानं ययौ शीघ्रं तीर्त्वा नदनदीपतीन्

tataḥ prāṁjaliravyagraḥ prahṛṣṭenāṁtarātmanā tadvimānaṁ yayau śīghraṁ tīrtvā nadanadīpatīn

then, with joined palms and undisturbed mind, his inner self delighted, he swiftly proceeded in that celestial chariot, crossing over the lords of streams and rivers,

Verse 39 (skanda.6.261.39)

जंबुद्वीपमतिक्रम्य लक्षयोजनमायतम् । ततः समुद्रं द्विगुणं लवणोदं तथैव च

jaṁbudvīpamatikramya lakṣayojanamāyatam tataḥ samudraṁ dviguṇaṁ lavaṇodaṁ tathaiva ca

having passed beyond Jambudvipa, which extends a hundred thousand yojanas, and then likewise the salt ocean, twice as vast,

Verse 40 (skanda.6.261.40)

उत्तरांश्च कुरून्नीत्वा विमानेनार्कतेजसा । समुद्रद्विगुणं द्वीपं कुशनाभेति कीर्तितम्

uttarāṁśca kurūnnītvā vimānenārkatejasā samudradviguṇaṁ dvīpaṁ kuśanābheti kīrtitam

and having carried her past the Uttara Kurus in the sun-radiant celestial chariot, on to the island twice the size of that ocean, proclaimed by the name Kusha,

Verse 41 (skanda.6.261.41)

दिव्यलोकसमाक्रांतं दिव्यपर्वतसंकुलम् । इक्षूदाद्विगुणं द्वीपं तद्द्वीपाद्द्विगुणः पुनः

divyalokasamākrāṁtaṁ divyaparvatasaṁkulam ikṣūdādviguṇaṁ dvīpaṁ taddvīpāddviguṇaḥ punaḥ

pervaded by celestial worlds, thronged with divine mountains; twice the size of the Sugarcane-juice Ocean was the island, and again twice the size of that —

Verse 42 (skanda.6.261.42)

तमतिक्रम्य तत्सिन्धोर्दविगुणं क्रौंचसंज्ञितम् । ततोऽपि द्विगुणः सिन्धुः सुरोदो यक्षसेवितः

tamatikramya tatsindhordaviguṇaṁ krauṁcasaṁjñitam tato'pi dviguṇaḥ sindhuḥ surodo yakṣasevitaḥ

passing beyond that, twice the size of that sea was the island named Kraunca; and beyond that too, twice as large again was the Suroda sea, frequented by Yakshas,

Verse 43 (skanda.6.261.43)

ततोऽपि द्विगुणं द्वीपं शाकद्वीपेतिसंज्ञितम् । अर्णवद्विगुणं तस्मादाज्यरूपं सुनिर्मितं

tato'pi dviguṇaṁ dvīpaṁ śākadvīpetisaṁjñitam arṇavadviguṇaṁ tasmādājyarūpaṁ sunirmitaṁ

and beyond that too, twice as large was the island named Shakadvipa; and beyond that, twice its size, the well-formed ocean in the shape of ghee,

Verse 44 (skanda.6.261.44)

परमस्वादसंपूर्णं यत्र सिद्धाः समंततः । तस्माच्च द्विगुणं द्वीपं शाल्मलीवृक्षसंज्ञितम्

paramasvādasaṁpūrṇaṁ yatra siddhāḥ samaṁtataḥ tasmācca dviguṇaṁ dvīpaṁ śālmalīvṛkṣasaṁjñitam

replete with the finest taste, where Siddhas dwell on every side; and beyond that, twice as large, the island named for the Shalmali tree,

Verse 45 (skanda.6.261.45)

समुद्रो द्विगुणस्तत्र दधिमंडोदसंभवः । साध्या वसंति नियतं महत्तपसि संस्थिताः

samudro dviguṇastatra dadhimaṁḍodasaṁbhavaḥ sādhyā vasaṁti niyataṁ mahattapasi saṁsthitāḥ

where the ocean, twice as large, arose in the form of curd-whey; there the Sadhyas dwell, established in constant, great austerity.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.261.46)

ततोऽपि द्विगुणं द्वीपं प्लक्षनामेति विश्रुतम् । क्षीरोदो द्विगुणस्तत्र यत्रयत्रमहर्षयः

tato'pi dviguṇaṁ dvīpaṁ plakṣanāmeti viśrutam kṣīrodo dviguṇastatra yatrayatramaharṣayaḥ

And beyond that too, twice as large was the island renowned by the name Plaksha; there the Milk Ocean, twice as large, surrounded it, where great sages dwelt on every side.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.261.47)

षडिमानि सुदिव्यानि भौमः स्वर्ग उदाहृतः । तत्र स्वर्णमयी भूमिस्तथा रजतसंयुता

ṣaḍimāni sudivyāni bhaumaḥ svarga udāhṛtaḥ tatra svarṇamayī bhūmistathā rajatasaṁyutā

These six are said to be most divine — an earthly heaven; there the ground is made of gold, and likewise joined with silver.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.261.48)

दृष्टवा मधूपलस्वादैः सर्वकामप्रदायका । यत्र स्त्रीपुरुषाणां च कल्पवृक्षा गृहे स्थिताः

dṛṣṭavā madhūpalasvādaiḥ sarvakāmapradāyakā yatra strīpuruṣāṇāṁ ca kalpavṛkṣā gṛhe sthitāḥ

[The lands] were seen, sweet as honey to the taste, granting every desire, where in the homes of men and women the wish-fulfilling trees stand,

Verse 49 (skanda.6.261.49)

वासांसि भूषणानां च समूहान्हर्षयंति च । एतानि दक्षचिह्नानि द्वीपानि मुनिसत्तम

vāsāṁsi bhūṣaṇānāṁ ca samūhānharṣayaṁti ca etāni dakṣacihnāni dvīpāni munisattama

and delight them with garments and heaps of ornaments — these, O best of sages, are the marks of Daksha's order upon these islands.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.261.50)

महेश्वरो विमानेन व्यतिक्रामद्विहायसा । प्लक्षद्वीपस्य च प्रांते द्विगुणः क्षीरसागरः

maheśvaro vimānena vyatikrāmadvihāyasā plakṣadvīpasya ca prāṁte dviguṇaḥ kṣīrasāgaraḥ

Maheshvara passed on through the sky in his celestial chariot; and at the edge of Plakshadvipa was the Milk Ocean, twice as large,

Verse 51 (skanda.6.261.51)

तन्मध्ये सुमह्द्वीपं श्वेतं नाम सुनिश्चितम् । रम्यकः पर्वतस्तत्र शतशृंगोमितद्रुमः

tanmadhye sumahdvīpaṁ śvetaṁ nāma suniścitam ramyakaḥ parvatastatra śataśṛṁgomitadrumaḥ

in the midst of which was a very great island, certainly named Shveta; there stood the mountain Ramyaka, with its hundred peaks and countless trees.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.261.52)

तस्य शृंगे महद्दिव्ये विमानं स्थापितं तदा । तदाऽमृतफलैर्वृक्षैः सेविते हेमवालुके

tasya śṛṁge mahaddivye vimānaṁ sthāpitaṁ tadā tadā'mṛtaphalairvṛkṣaiḥ sevite hemavāluke

Upon its great, divine peak the celestial chariot was then set down, that place frequented by trees bearing fruits of nectar, with sands of gold,

Verse 53 (skanda.6.261.53)

क्षीरच्छेदेन विहृते शिलातलसुसंवृते । विविक्ते सर्वसुभगे मणिरत्नसमन्विते

kṣīracchedena vihṛte śilātalasusaṁvṛte vivikte sarvasubhage maṇiratnasamanvite

adorned by a flowing stream of milk, well covered with rock surfaces, secluded, altogether lovely, and joined with jewels and gems.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.261.54)

उमायै कथयामास देवदेवः पिनाकधृक् । कार्तिकेयोऽपि शुश्राव गुह्याद्गुह्यतरं महत्

umāyai kathayāmāsa devadevaḥ pinākadhṛk kārtikeyo'pi śuśrāva guhyādguhyataraṁ mahat

There, the God of gods, the wielder of the Pinaka, spoke to Uma; and Kartikeya too listened to that great teaching, more secret than the secret —

Verse 55 (skanda.6.261.55)

ध्यानयोगं मंत्ररूपं द्वादशाक्षरसंज्ञितम् । प्रणवेन युतं साग्रं सरहस्यं श्रुतेः परम्

dhyānayogaṁ maṁtrarūpaṁ dvādaśākṣarasaṁjñitam praṇavena yutaṁ sāgraṁ sarahasyaṁ śruteḥ param

the yoga of meditation in the form of the mantra known by twelve syllables, joined with the pranava, together with its essence and secret meaning, beyond even the Shruti.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.261.56)

ईश्वर उवाच । अक्षरत्रयसंयुक्तो मन्त्रोऽयं सकृदक्षरः । माघमासहितश्चायममाक्षोहेनश्चायममायो विश्वपावनः

īśvara uvāca akṣaratrayasaṁyukto mantro'yaṁ sakṛdakṣaraḥ māghamāsahitaścāyamamākṣohenaścāyamamāyo viśvapāvanaḥ

Ishvara said: This mantra, joined with the three syllables, is of imperishable syllable; associated with the glory of the month of Magha, unshakeable and undecaying, it is the purifier of the universe (the source text is corrupt/fragmentary at this point).

Verse 57 (skanda.6.261.57)

विष्णुगम्यो विष्णु मध्यो मन्त्रत्रयसमन्वितः । तुरीयकलयाऽशेषब्रह्मांडगणसेवितः

viṣṇugamyo viṣṇu madhyo mantratrayasamanvitaḥ turīyakalayā'śeṣabrahmāṁḍagaṇasevitaḥ

approached through Vishnu, having Vishnu at its center, joined with the triad of mantras, served through its fourth portion by the whole multitude of universes,

Verse 58 (skanda.6.261.58)

निष्कामैर्मुनिभिः सेव्यो महाविद्यादिसेवितः । नाभितः शिरसि व्याप्त अखण्डसुखदायकः

niṣkāmairmunibhiḥ sevyo mahāvidyādisevitaḥ nābhitaḥ śirasi vyāpta akhaṇḍasukhadāyakaḥ

resorted to by desireless sages, served by the Mahavidyas and the rest, pervading from the navel to the crown of the head, the giver of unbroken bliss,

Verse 59 (skanda.6.261.59)

ओंकारेति प्रियोक्तिस्ते महादुःखविनाशनः । तं पूर्वं प्रणवं ध्यात्वा ज्ञानरूपं सुखाश्रयम्

oṁkāreti priyoktiste mahāduḥkhavināśanaḥ taṁ pūrvaṁ praṇavaṁ dhyātvā jñānarūpaṁ sukhāśrayam

whose beloved designation is 'Omkara', the destroyer of great sorrow — meditating first upon that pranava, of the form of knowledge, the abode of happiness,

Verse 60 (skanda.6.261.60)

ज्ञात्वा सर्वगतं ब्रह्म देहशोधनतत्परः । पद्मासनपरो भूत्वा संपूज्य ज्ञानलोचनः

jñātvā sarvagataṁ brahma dehaśodhanatatparaḥ padmāsanaparo bhūtvā saṁpūjya jñānalocanaḥ

knowing it as the all-pervading Brahman, intent upon purification of the body, seated in the lotus posture, having duly worshipped it with the eye of knowledge,

Verse 61 (skanda.6.261.61)

नेत्रे मुकुलिते कृत्वा शुरो करौ कृत्वा तु संहतौ । चेतसि ध्यानरूपेण चिंतयेच्छिवमंगलम्

netre mukulite kṛtvā śuro karau kṛtvā tu saṁhatau cetasi dhyānarūpeṇa ciṁtayecchivamaṁgalam

having half-closed the eyes and joined the two hands together, one should meditate in the mind, in the manner of dhyana, upon the auspicious Shiva,

Verse 62 (skanda.6.261.62)

तडित्कोटिप्रतीकाशं सूर्यकोटिसमच्छविम् । चन्द्रलक्षसमच्छन्नं पुरुषं द्योतिताखिलम्

taḍitkoṭipratīkāśaṁ sūryakoṭisamacchavim candralakṣasamacchannaṁ puruṣaṁ dyotitākhilam

resembling ten million flashes of lightning, of a hue equal to ten million suns, veiled as if by a hundred thousand moons, the Person who illumines all,

Verse 63 (skanda.6.261.63)

मूर्त्तामूर्त्तवैराजं तं सदसद्रूप मव्यम् । चिंतयित्वा विराड्रूपं न भूयःस्तनपो भवेत् । चातुर्मास्ये सकृदपि ध्यानात्कल्मषसंक्षयः

mūrttāmūrttavairājaṁ taṁ sadasadrūpa mavyam ciṁtayitvā virāḍrūpaṁ na bhūyaḥstanapo bhavet cāturmāsye sakṛdapi dhyānātkalmaṣasaṁkṣayaḥ

having meditated upon him, of both embodied and unembodied form, the radiant Viraj, of the nature of both being and non-being, imperishable — one who thus meditates upon the form of Viraj is not born again to suckle at the breast; even a single such meditation during Chaturmasya destroys sin.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.261.64)

एवं च मद्रूपमिदं मुरारेरमोघवीर्यं गुण तोप्यपारम् । विलोकयेद्योऽघविनाशनाय क्षणं प्रभुर्जन्मशतोद्भवाय

evaṁ ca madrūpamidaṁ murāreramoghavīryaṁ guṇa topyapāram vilokayedyo'ghavināśanāya kṣaṇaṁ prabhurjanmaśatodbhavāya

Thus this form of mine — which is also the form of Murari, of unfailing power and boundless in its qualities — whoever, even for a moment, beholds it for the destruction of sin, that lord becomes freed from the round of a hundred births.