The Deliverance of King Kalasha and the Greatness of Kalasheshvara

Verse 1 (skanda.6.51.1)

सूत उवाच॥ अथ ताच्छपथाञ्छ्रुत्वा स व्याघ्रो विस्मयान्वितः॥ सत्यं मत्वा पुनः प्राह नन्दिनीं पुत्रवत्सलाम्

sūta uvāca atha tācchapathāñchrutvā sa vyāghro vismayānvitaḥ satyaṁ matvā punaḥ prāha nandinīṁ putravatsalām

Suta said: "Then, hearing those oaths, the tiger, filled with wonder, took them for true and said again to Nandini, who loved her calf dearly."

Verse 2 (skanda.6.51.2)

यद्येवं तद्गृहं गच्छ वीक्षयस्व निजात्मजम्॥ सखीनामर्पयित्वाथ भूय आगमनं कुरु

yadyevaṁ tadgṛhaṁ gaccha vīkṣayasva nijātmajam sakhīnāmarpayitvātha bhūya āgamanaṁ kuru

"If that is so, go home; see your own child. Having entrusted him to your companions, come back again."

Verse 3 (skanda.6.51.3)

सूत उवाच॥ इति व्याघ्रवचः श्रुत्वा सुशीला नन्दिनी तदा॥ गतालयं समुद्दिश्य यत्र बालः सुतः स्थितः

sūta uvāca iti vyāghravacaḥ śrutvā suśīlā nandinī tadā gatālayaṁ samuddiśya yatra bālaḥ sutaḥ sthitaḥ

Suta said: "Hearing these words of the tiger, the virtuous Nandini then went straight to the dwelling where her young son was staying."

Verse 4 (skanda.6.51.4)

अथाकालागतां दृष्ट्वा मातरं त्रस्तचेतसम्॥ रंभमाणां समालोक्य वत्सः प्रोवाच विस्मयात्

athākālāgatāṁ dṛṣṭvā mātaraṁ trastacetasam raṁbhamāṇāṁ samālokya vatsaḥ provāca vismayāt

Then, seeing his mother arrive at an untimely hour with an agitated mind, and hearing her low, the calf, astonished, said:

Verse 5 (skanda.6.51.5)

कस्मात्प्राप्तासि कालेतु कस्मादुद्भ्रान्तमानसा॥ वाष्पक्लिन्नमुखी कस्माद्वद मातर्द्रुतं मम

kasmātprāptāsi kāletu kasmādudbhrāntamānasā vāṣpaklinnamukhī kasmādvada mātardrutaṁ mama

"Mother, why have you come at this untimely hour? Why is your mind so distraught, and why is your face wet with tears? Tell me quickly."

Verse 6 (skanda.6.51.6)

नंदिन्युवाच॥ यदि पृच्छसि मां पुत्र स्तनपानं समाचर॥ येन तृप्तस्य ते सर्वं वृत्तांतं तद्वदाम्यहम्

naṁdinyuvāca yadi pṛcchasi māṁ putra stanapānaṁ samācara yena tṛptasya te sarvaṁ vṛttāṁtaṁ tadvadāmyaham

Nandini said: "If you ask me, my son, first drink your fill of milk; once you are satisfied I shall tell you the whole matter."

Verse 7 (skanda.6.51.7)

सूत उवाच॥ सोऽपि तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा पीत्वा क्षीरं यथोचितम्॥ आघ्रातश्च तया मूर्ध्नि ततः प्रोवाच सत्वरम्

sūta uvāca so'pi tadvacanaṁ śrutvā pītvā kṣīraṁ yathocitam āghrātaśca tayā mūrdhni tataḥ provāca satvaram

Suta said: "Hearing her words, he drank the milk as was fitting, and when she had smelled the top of his head, he quickly said:"

Verse 8 (skanda.6.51.8)

सर्वं कीर्तय वृत्तांतमद्यारण्यसमुद्भवम्॥ येन मे जायते स्वास्थ्यं श्रुत्वा मातस्तवास्यतः

sarvaṁ kīrtaya vṛttāṁtamadyāraṇyasamudbhavam yena me jāyate svāsthyaṁ śrutvā mātastavāsyataḥ

"Tell me the whole matter that happened today in the forest, so that, hearing it from your mouth, mother, I may be at ease."

Verse 9 (skanda.6.51.9)

नंदिन्युवाच॥ अहं गता महारण्ये ह्यद्य पुत्र यथेच्छया॥ व्याघ्रेणासादिता तत्र भ्रममाणा इतस्ततः

naṁdinyuvāca ahaṁ gatā mahāraṇye hyadya putra yathecchayā vyāghreṇāsāditā tatra bhramamāṇā itastataḥ

Nandini said: "I went into the great forest today, my son, as I pleased, and while wandering here and there I was seized there by a tiger."

Verse 10 (skanda.6.51.10)

स मया प्रार्थितः पुत्र भक्षमाणो नखायुधः॥ शपथैरागमिष्यामि गोकुले वीक्ष्य चात्मजम्

sa mayā prārthitaḥ putra bhakṣamāṇo nakhāyudhaḥ śapathairāgamiṣyāmi gokule vīkṣya cātmajam

"I begged him, my son, that claw-weaponed one, as he was about to devour me, and promised under oath: 'I shall come back, once I have seen my child in the cowherd settlement.'"

Verse 11 (skanda.6.51.11)

साहं तेन विनिर्मुक्ता शपथैर्बहुभिः कृतैः॥ भूयस्तत्रैव यास्यामि दृष्टः संभाषितो भवान्

sāhaṁ tena vinirmuktā śapathairbahubhiḥ kṛtaiḥ bhūyastatraiva yāsyāmi dṛṣṭaḥ saṁbhāṣito bhavān

"So I was released by him through the many oaths I made; now that I have seen you and spoken with you, I must go back there again."

Verse 12 (skanda.6.51.12)

वत्स उवाच॥ अहं तत्रैव यास्यामि यत्र त्वं हि प्रगच्छसि॥ श्लाघ्यं हि मरणं सम्यङ्मातुरग्रे ममाधुना

vatsa uvāca ahaṁ tatraiva yāsyāmi yatra tvaṁ hi pragacchasi ślāghyaṁ hi maraṇaṁ samyaṅmāturagre mamādhunā

The calf said: "I too shall go wherever you go; for a death now before my mother's own eyes would truly be praiseworthy for me."

Verse 13 (skanda.6.51.13)

एकाकिनापि मर्तव्यं त्वया हीनेन वै मया॥ विनापि क्षीरपानेन स्वल्पेन समयेन तु

ekākināpi martavyaṁ tvayā hīnena vai mayā vināpi kṣīrapānena svalpena samayena tu

"Even alone, deprived of you, without even drinking milk, I must die within a short while."

Verse 14 (skanda.6.51.14)

यदि मातस्त्वया सार्धं व्याघ्रो मां सूदयिष्यति॥ या गतिर्मातृभक्तानां सा मे नूनं भविष्यति

yadi mātastvayā sārdhaṁ vyāghro māṁ sūdayiṣyati yā gatirmātṛbhaktānāṁ sā me nūnaṁ bhaviṣyati

"If, mother, the tiger kills me together with you, then surely I shall attain the destiny reserved for those devoted to their mothers."

Verse 15 (skanda.6.51.15)

अथवा ये त्वया तस्य विहिताः शपथाः शुभे॥ ते संतु मम तिष्ठ त्वं तस्मादत्रैव गोकुले

athavā ye tvayā tasya vihitāḥ śapathāḥ śubhe te saṁtu mama tiṣṭha tvaṁ tasmādatraiva gokule

"Or else, O auspicious one, let the oaths you swore to him become mine instead; therefore you stay right here in the cowherd settlement."

Verse 16 (skanda.6.51.16)

नास्ति मातृसमो बन्धुर्बालानां क्षीरजीविनाम्॥ नास्ति मातृसमो नाथो नास्ति मातृसमा गतिः

nāsti mātṛsamo bandhurbālānāṁ kṣīrajīvinām nāsti mātṛsamo nātho nāsti mātṛsamā gatiḥ

"For children who live on milk there is no kinsman equal to the mother, no protector equal to the mother, no refuge equal to the mother."

Verse 17 (skanda.6.51.17)

नास्ति मातृसमः पूज्यो नास्ति मातृसमः सखा॥ नास्ति मातृसमो देव इह लोके परत्र च

nāsti mātṛsamaḥ pūjyo nāsti mātṛsamaḥ sakhā nāsti mātṛsamo deva iha loke paratra ca

"There is none as worthy of worship as the mother, none as true a friend as the mother, none a deity equal to the mother, in this world or the next."

Verse 18 (skanda.6.51.18)

एवं मत्वा सदा मातुः कर्तव्या भक्तिरुत्तमैः॥ तमेनं परमं धर्मं प्रजापतिविनिर्मितम्॥ अनुतिष्ठंति ये पुत्रास्ते यांति परमां गतिम्

evaṁ matvā sadā mātuḥ kartavyā bhaktiruttamaiḥ tamenaṁ paramaṁ dharmaṁ prajāpativinirmitam anutiṣṭhaṁti ye putrāste yāṁti paramāṁ gatim

"Knowing this, the noble should always render devotion to the mother; the sons who observe this supreme duty ordained by Prajapati attain the highest state."

Verse 19 (skanda.6.51.19)

तस्मादहं गमिष्यामि त्वं च तिष्ठात्र गोकुले॥ आत्मप्राणैस्तव प्राणान्रक्षयिष्याम्यसंशयम्

tasmādahaṁ gamiṣyāmi tvaṁ ca tiṣṭhātra gokule ātmaprāṇaistava prāṇānrakṣayiṣyāmyasaṁśayam

"Therefore I shall go, and you stay here in the cowherd settlement; with my own life I shall surely protect your life."

Verse 20 (skanda.6.51.20)

नंदिन्युवाच॥ ममैव विहितो मृत्युर्न ते पुत्राद्य वासरे॥ तत्कथं मम जीवं त्वं रक्षस्यसुभिरात्मनः

naṁdinyuvāca mamaiva vihito mṛtyurna te putrādya vāsare tatkathaṁ mama jīvaṁ tvaṁ rakṣasyasubhirātmanaḥ

Nandini said: "Today death is destined for me, my son, not for you; how then can you protect my life with your own breath?"

Verse 21 (skanda.6.51.21)

अपश्चिममिदं पुत्र मातृसंदिष्टमुत्तमम्॥ त्वया कार्यं प्रयत्नेन मद्वाक्यमनुतिष्ठता

apaścimamidaṁ putra mātṛsaṁdiṣṭamuttamam tvayā kāryaṁ prayatnena madvākyamanutiṣṭhatā

"This, my son, is my final and most important instruction; you must carry it out with effort, obeying my words."

Verse 22 (skanda.6.51.22)

भ्रममाणो वने पुत्र मा प्रमादं करिष्यसि॥ लोभात्संजायते नाश इहलोके परत्र च

bhramamāṇo vane putra mā pramādaṁ kariṣyasi lobhātsaṁjāyate nāśa ihaloke paratra ca

"While wandering in the forest, my son, never be careless; from greed comes ruin, both in this world and the next."

Verse 23 (skanda.6.51.23)

समुद्रमटवीं युद्धं विशंते लोभमोहिताः॥ इह तन्नास्ति लोभेन यत्र कुर्वंति मानवाः

samudramaṭavīṁ yuddhaṁ viśaṁte lobhamohitāḥ iha tannāsti lobhena yatra kurvaṁti mānavāḥ

"Deluded by greed, men enter the ocean, the forest, and battle; there is nothing that men, driven by greed, will not do."

Verse 24 (skanda.6.51.24)

लोभात्प्रमादाद्विश्रंभात्पुरुषो वध्यते त्रिभिः॥ तस्माल्लोभो न कर्तव्यो न प्रमादो न विश्वसेत्

lobhātpramādādviśraṁbhātpuruṣo vadhyate tribhiḥ tasmāllobho na kartavyo na pramādo na viśvaset

"A man is destroyed by these three: greed, carelessness, and misplaced trust; therefore one should neither be greedy nor careless, nor should one trust blindly."

Verse 25 (skanda.6.51.25)

आत्मा पुत्र त्वया रक्ष्यः सर्वदैव प्रयत्नतः॥ सर्वेभ्यः श्वापदेभ्यश्च भ्रमता गहने वने

ātmā putra tvayā rakṣyaḥ sarvadaiva prayatnataḥ sarvebhyaḥ śvāpadebhyaśca bhramatā gahane vane

"My son, while wandering in the dense forest, you must always guard yourself carefully against all beasts of prey."

Verse 26 (skanda.6.51.26)

विषमस्थं तृणान्नाद्यं कथंचित्पुत्रक त्वया॥ नैकाकिना प्रगंतव्यं यूथं त्यक्त्वा निजं क्वचित्

viṣamasthaṁ tṛṇānnādyaṁ kathaṁcitputraka tvayā naikākinā pragaṁtavyaṁ yūthaṁ tyaktvā nijaṁ kvacit

"You must never, my little one, eat grass growing in a dangerous spot, and you must never go about alone, leaving your own herd."

Verse 27 (skanda.6.51.27)

एवं संभाष्य तं वत्समवलिह्य मुहुर्मुहुः॥ शोकेन महताविष्टा बाष्पव्याकुललोचना

evaṁ saṁbhāṣya taṁ vatsamavalihya muhurmuhuḥ śokena mahatāviṣṭā bāṣpavyākulalocanā

Having thus spoken to her calf and licked him again and again, she, overcome with great grief, her eyes clouded with tears,

Verse 28 (skanda.6.51.28)

ततः सखीजनं सर्वं गता द्रष्टुं द्विजोत्तमाः॥ नन्दिनीं पुत्रशोकेन पीडितांगी सुविह्वला

tataḥ sakhījanaṁ sarvaṁ gatā draṣṭuṁ dvijottamāḥ nandinīṁ putraśokena pīḍitāṁgī suvihvalā

went, O best of the twice-born, her body afflicted by grief for her son and utterly distraught, to see all her companions.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.51.29)

ततः प्रोवाच ताः सर्वा गत्वाऽरण्यं द्विजोत्तमाः॥ चरंतीः स्वेच्छया हृष्टा वांछितानि तृणानि ताः

tataḥ provāca tāḥ sarvā gatvā'raṇyaṁ dvijottamāḥ caraṁtīḥ svecchayā hṛṣṭā vāṁchitāni tṛṇāni tāḥ

Then, O best of the twice-born, going into the forest she spoke to all those cows, who were grazing joyfully at will on the grass they desired:

Verse 30 (skanda.6.51.30)

बहुले चंपके दामे वसुधारे घटस्रवे॥ हंसनादि प्रियानंदे शुभक्षीरे महोदये

bahule caṁpake dāme vasudhāre ghaṭasrave haṁsanādi priyānaṁde śubhakṣīre mahodaye

"To Bahulā, Campakā, Dāmā, Vasudhārā, Ghaṭasravā, Haṃsanādā, Priyānandā, Śubhakṣīrā, and Mahodayā,

Verse 31 (skanda.6.51.31)

तथान्या धेनवो याश्च संस्थिता गोकुलांतिके॥ शृण्वंतु वचनं मह्यं कुर्वंतु च ततः परम्॥ अद्याहं निजयूथस्य भ्रमंती नातिदूरतः

tathānyā dhenavo yāśca saṁsthitā gokulāṁtike śṛṇvaṁtu vacanaṁ mahyaṁ kurvaṁtu ca tataḥ param adyāhaṁ nijayūthasya bhramaṁtī nātidūrataḥ

and to the other cows as well who dwell near the cowherd settlement -- let all of you hear my word and then do accordingly. 'Today, not going very far from my own herd,

Verse 32 (skanda.6.51.32)

ततश्च गहनं प्राप्ता वनं मानुषवर्जितम्॥ व्याघ्रेणासादिता तत्र भ्रमंती तृणवांछया

tataśca gahanaṁ prāptā vanaṁ mānuṣavarjitam vyāghreṇāsāditā tatra bhramaṁtī tṛṇavāṁchayā

I reached a dense forest empty of men, and while roaming there in search of grass I was seized by a tiger.'

Verse 33 (skanda.6.51.33)

युष्माकं दर्शनार्थाय सुतसंभाषणाय च॥ संप्राप्ता शपथैः कृच्छ्रात्तं विश्वास्य नखायुधम्

yuṣmākaṁ darśanārthāya sutasaṁbhāṣaṇāya ca saṁprāptā śapathaiḥ kṛcchrāttaṁ viśvāsya nakhāyudham

'With great difficulty I have come, having made that claw-weaponed one trust my oaths, for the sake of seeing you all and speaking with my son.'

Verse 34 (skanda.6.51.34)

दृष्टः संभाषितः पुत्रः शासितश्च मया हि सः॥ अधुना भवतीनां च प्रदत्तः पुत्रको यथा

dṛṣṭaḥ saṁbhāṣitaḥ putraḥ śāsitaśca mayā hi saḥ adhunā bhavatīnāṁ ca pradattaḥ putrako yathā

'I have seen my son, spoken with him, and instructed him; now he is entrusted to you all, as if he were your own child.'

Verse 35 (skanda.6.51.35)

अज्ञानाज्ज्ञानतो वापि भवतीनां मया कृतम्॥ यत्किंचिद्दुष्कृतं भद्रास्तत्क्षंतव्यं प्रसादतः

ajñānājjñānato vāpi bhavatīnāṁ mayā kṛtam yatkiṁcidduṣkṛtaṁ bhadrāstatkṣaṁtavyaṁ prasādataḥ

'Whatever wrong I may have done to you, O gentle ones, whether knowingly or unknowingly, may it kindly be forgiven.'

Verse 36 (skanda.6.51.36)

अनाथो ह्यबलो दीनः क्षीरपो मम बालकः॥ मातृशोकाभिसंतप्तः पाल्यः सर्वाभिरेव सः

anātho hyabalo dīnaḥ kṣīrapo mama bālakaḥ mātṛśokābhisaṁtaptaḥ pālyaḥ sarvābhireva saḥ

'My child is now helpless, weak, wretched, still a suckling, and tormented by grief for his mother; he must be cared for by all of you.'

Verse 37 (skanda.6.51.37)

भ्रममाणोऽसमे स्थाने व्रजमानोऽन्यगोकुले॥ अकार्येषु च संसक्तो निवार्यः सर्वदाऽऽदरात्

bhramamāṇo'same sthāne vrajamāno'nyagokule akāryeṣu ca saṁsakto nivāryaḥ sarvadā''darāt

'Should he wander into an unsafe place, or stray into another cowherd settlement, or become attached to improper things, he must always be lovingly restrained.'

Verse 38 (skanda.6.51.38)

अहं तत्र गमिष्यामि स व्याघ्रो यत्र संस्थितः॥ अपश्चिमप्रणामोऽयं सर्वासां विहितो मया

ahaṁ tatra gamiṣyāmi sa vyāghro yatra saṁsthitaḥ apaścimapraṇāmo'yaṁ sarvāsāṁ vihito mayā

'I shall now go to where that tiger waits; this is my final bow of homage, offered to you all.'

Verse 39 (skanda.6.51.39)

धेनव ऊचुः॥ न गंतव्यं त्वया तत्र कथंचिदपि नंदिनि॥ आपद्धर्मं न वेत्सि त्वं नूनं येन प्रगच्छसि

dhenava ūcuḥ na gaṁtavyaṁ tvayā tatra kathaṁcidapi naṁdini āpaddharmaṁ na vetsi tvaṁ nūnaṁ yena pragacchasi

The cows said: "Nandini, you must not go there under any circumstance; surely you do not know the law that governs times of danger, since you insist on going."

Verse 40 (skanda.6.51.40)

न नर्मयुक्तं वचनं हिनस्ति न स्त्रीषु जातिर्न विवाहकाले॥ प्राणात्यये सर्वधनापहारे पंचानृतान्याहुरपातकानि

na narmayuktaṁ vacanaṁ hinasti na strīṣu jātirna vivāhakāle prāṇātyaye sarvadhanāpahāre paṁcānṛtānyāhurapātakāni

"A jesting word does not break truth, nor a word about a woman, nor about caste, nor one spoken at the time of marriage; nor when life is in danger, nor when all one's wealth is being seized -- these five falsehoods, they say, incur no sin."

Verse 41 (skanda.6.51.41)

तस्मात्तत्र न गंतव्यं दोषो नास्त्यत्र ते शुभे॥ पालयस्व निजं पुत्रं व्रजास्माभिर्निजं गृहम्

tasmāttatra na gaṁtavyaṁ doṣo nāstyatra te śubhe pālayasva nijaṁ putraṁ vrajāsmābhirnijaṁ gṛham

"Therefore you need not go there; in this there is no fault for you, O auspicious one. Protect your own son, and come home with us."

Verse 42 (skanda.6.51.42)

नंदिन्युवाच॥ परेषां प्राणयात्रार्थं तत्कर्तुं युज्यते शुभाः॥ आत्मप्राणहितार्थाय न साधूनां प्रशस्यते

naṁdinyuvāca pareṣāṁ prāṇayātrārthaṁ tatkartuṁ yujyate śubhāḥ ātmaprāṇahitārthāya na sādhūnāṁ praśasyate

Nandini said: "It is fitting, O gentle ones, to act thus for the sake of preserving another's life; but to do so merely for the sake of one's own life is not praised among the virtuous."

Verse 43 (skanda.6.51.43)

सत्ये प्रतिष्ठितो लोको धर्मः सत्ये प्रतिष्ठितः॥ उदधिः सत्यवाक्येन मर्यादां न विलंघयेत्

satye pratiṣṭhito loko dharmaḥ satye pratiṣṭhitaḥ udadhiḥ satyavākyena maryādāṁ na vilaṁghayet

"The world rests upon truth, and dharma too rests upon truth; it is by the power of a true word that the ocean does not transgress its shore."

Verse 44 (skanda.6.51.44)

विष्णवे पृथिवीं दत्त्वा बलिः पातालमाश्रितः॥ सत्यवाक्यं समाश्रित्य न निष्क्रामति दैत्यपः

viṣṇave pṛthivīṁ dattvā baliḥ pātālamāśritaḥ satyavākyaṁ samāśritya na niṣkrāmati daityapaḥ

"Having given the earth to Vishnu, Bali took refuge in the netherworld; and, holding fast to his word of truth, that lord of the daityas does not come forth from there."

Verse 45 (skanda.6.51.45)

यः स्वं वाक्यं प्रतिज्ञाय न करोति यथोदितम्॥ किं तेन न कृतं पापं चौरेणाकृत बुद्धिना

yaḥ svaṁ vākyaṁ pratijñāya na karoti yathoditam kiṁ tena na kṛtaṁ pāpaṁ caureṇākṛta buddhinā

"He who, having given his word, does not act as he promised -- what sin has he not committed, being no different in mind from a thief?"

Verse 46 (skanda.6.51.46)

सख्य ऊचुः॥ त्वं नंदिनि नमस्कार्या सर्वेरपि सुरासुरैः॥ या त्वं सत्यप्रतिष्ठार्थं प्राणांस्त्यजसि दुस्त्यजान्

sakhya ūcuḥ tvaṁ naṁdini namaskāryā sarverapi surāsuraiḥ yā tvaṁ satyapratiṣṭhārthaṁ prāṇāṁstyajasi dustyajān

Her companions said: "Nandini, you deserve to be honoured even by all gods and demons, since for the sake of upholding truth you are ready to give up your life, so hard to relinquish."

Verse 47 (skanda.6.51.47)

किं त्वां कल्याणि वक्ष्यामः स्वयं धर्मार्थवादिनीम्॥ सवरेंपि गुणैर्युक्ता नित्यं सत्ये प्रतिष्ठिताम्

kiṁ tvāṁ kalyāṇi vakṣyāmaḥ svayaṁ dharmārthavādinīm savareṁpi guṇairyuktā nityaṁ satye pratiṣṭhitām

"O auspicious one, what more can we say of you, who yourself speak for dharma and truth, endowed with the best of virtues, ever established in truth?"

Verse 48 (skanda.6.51.48)

तस्माद्गच्छ महाभागे न शोच्यः पुत्रकस्तव॥ भवत्या यद्वयं प्रोक्तास्तत्करिष्याम एव हि

tasmādgaccha mahābhāge na śocyaḥ putrakastava bhavatyā yadvayaṁ proktāstatkariṣyāma eva hi

"Therefore go, O most fortunate one; your little son need not be mourned, for we shall indeed do exactly as you have asked of us."

Verse 49 (skanda.6.51.49)

एतत्पुनर्वयं विद्मः सदा सत्यवतां नृणाम्॥ न निष्फलः क्रियारंभः कथंचिदपि जायते

etatpunarvayaṁ vidmaḥ sadā satyavatāṁ nṛṇām na niṣphalaḥ kriyāraṁbhaḥ kathaṁcidapi jāyate

"This, too, we know: for men devoted to truth, an undertaking once begun never becomes fruitless, under any circumstance."

Verse 50 (skanda.6.51.50)

सूत उवाच॥ एवं संभाष्य तं सर्वं नंदिनी स्वसखीजनम्॥ प्रस्थिता व्याघ्रमुद्दिश्य पुत्रशोकेन पीडिता

sūta uvāca evaṁ saṁbhāṣya taṁ sarvaṁ naṁdinī svasakhījanam prasthitā vyāghramuddiśya putraśokena pīḍitā

Suta said: "Having thus spoken to all her companions, Nandini, afflicted by grief for her son, set out toward the tiger."

Verse 51 (skanda.6.51.51)

शोकाग्निनापि संतप्ता निराशा पुत्रदर्शने॥ वियुक्ता चक्रवाकीव लतेव पतिता तरोः

śokāgnināpi saṁtaptā nirāśā putradarśane viyuktā cakravākīva lateva patitā taroḥ

Burning with the fire of grief, without hope of ever seeing her son again, she was like a cakravākī bird parted from her mate, like a creeper fallen from its tree.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.51.52)

अंधेव दृष्टिनिर्मुक्ता प्रस्खलंती पदेपदे॥ वनाधिदेवताः सर्वाः प्राऽर्थयच्च सुतार्थतः

aṁdheva dṛṣṭinirmuktā praskhalaṁtī padepade vanādhidevatāḥ sarvāḥ prā'rthayacca sutārthataḥ

Stumbling at every step as if blind and bereft of sight, she prayed to all the deities of the forest on behalf of her son:

Verse 53 (skanda.6.51.53)

प्रसुप्तं भ्रममाणं वा मम पुत्रं सुबालकम्॥ वनाधिदेवताः सर्वा रक्षंतु वचनान्मम

prasuptaṁ bhramamāṇaṁ vā mama putraṁ subālakam vanādhidevatāḥ sarvā rakṣaṁtu vacanānmama

"Whether he sleeps or wanders about, may all the deities of the forest protect my dear little son, at my word."

Verse 54 (skanda.6.51.54)

एवं प्रलप्य मनसा संप्राप्ता तत्र यत्र सः॥ आस्ते विस्फूर्जितास्यश्च तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रो भयावहः

evaṁ pralapya manasā saṁprāptā tatra yatra saḥ āste visphūrjitāsyaśca tīkṣṇadaṁṣṭro bhayāvahaḥ

Having thus lamented in her mind, she reached the place where he waited -- his mouth wide open, his fangs sharp, terrible to behold.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.51.55)

व्याघ्रः क्षुत्क्षामकण्ठश्च तस्या मार्गावलोककः॥ संरंभाटोपसंयुक्तः सृक्किणी परिलेहयन्

vyāghraḥ kṣutkṣāmakaṇṭhaśca tasyā mārgāvalokakaḥ saṁraṁbhāṭopasaṁyuktaḥ sṛkkiṇī parilehayan

The tiger, his throat gaunt with hunger, watching for her along the path, full of fierce impatience, licked the corners of his mouth.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.51.56)

नंदिन्युवाच॥ आगताहं महाव्याघ्र सत्ये च शपथे स्थिता॥ कुरु तृप्तिं यथाकामं मम मांसेन सांप्रतम्

naṁdinyuvāca āgatāhaṁ mahāvyāghra satye ca śapathe sthitā kuru tṛptiṁ yathākāmaṁ mama māṁsena sāṁpratam

Nandini said: "I have come, great tiger, true to my oath; now satisfy yourself as you wish with my flesh."

Verse 57 (skanda.6.51.57)

तां दृष्ट्वा सोऽपि दुष्टात्मा वैराग्यं परमं गतः॥ सत्याशया पुनः प्राप्ता संत्यज्य प्राणजं भयम्

tāṁ dṛṣṭvā so'pi duṣṭātmā vairāgyaṁ paramaṁ gataḥ satyāśayā punaḥ prāptā saṁtyajya prāṇajaṁ bhayam

Seeing her, even that wicked-natured one was moved to the deepest dispassion -- for the sake of truth she had come back again, having cast off all fear for her life.

Verse 58 (skanda.6.51.58)

व्याघ्र उवाच॥ स्वागतं तव कल्याणि सुधेनो सत्यवादिनि॥ न हि सत्यवतां किंचिदशुभं विद्यते क्वचित्

vyāghra uvāca svāgataṁ tava kalyāṇi sudheno satyavādini na hi satyavatāṁ kiṁcidaśubhaṁ vidyate kvacit

The tiger said: "Welcome to you, O auspicious and truthful cow; for those devoted to truth, indeed, nothing ill ever befalls."

Verse 59 (skanda.6.51.59)

त्वयोक्तं शपथैर्भद्रे आगमिष्याम्यहं पुनः॥ तेन मे कौतुकं जातं किमेषा प्रकरिष्यति

tvayoktaṁ śapathairbhadre āgamiṣyāmyahaṁ punaḥ tena me kautukaṁ jātaṁ kimeṣā prakariṣyati

"You said under oath, gentle one, 'I shall come again'; because of that a curiosity arose in me -- what would she actually do?"

Verse 60 (skanda.6.51.60)

सोऽहं भद्रे दुराचारो नृशंसो जीवघातकः॥ यास्यामि नरकं घोरं कर्मणानेन सर्वदा

so'haṁ bhadre durācāro nṛśaṁso jīvaghātakaḥ yāsyāmi narakaṁ ghoraṁ karmaṇānena sarvadā

"I, gentle one, am wicked in conduct, cruel, a killer of living beings; because of this deed I shall forever go to a terrible hell."

Verse 61 (skanda.6.51.61)

तस्मात्त्वं मे महाभागे पापास्यातिदुरात्मनः॥ उपदेशप्रदानेन प्रसादं कर्तुमर्हसि

tasmāttvaṁ me mahābhāge pāpāsyātidurātmanaḥ upadeśapradānena prasādaṁ kartumarhasi

"Therefore, O most fortunate one, you ought to show me grace by giving instruction to me, this exceedingly sinful and wicked-souled one."

Verse 62 (skanda.6.51.62)

येन मे स्यात्परं श्रेय इह लोके परत्र च॥ न तेऽस्त्यविदितं किंचित्सत्याचारान्मतिर्मम

yena me syātparaṁ śreya iha loke paratra ca na te'styaviditaṁ kiṁcitsatyācārānmatirmama

"Instruction by which the highest good may be mine, in this world and the next; nothing is unknown to you, and my mind is set on right conduct."

Verse 63 (skanda.6.51.63)

तस्मात्त्वं धर्मसर्वस्वं संक्षेपान्मम कीर्तय॥ सत्संगमफलं येन मम संजायतेऽखिलम्

tasmāttvaṁ dharmasarvasvaṁ saṁkṣepānmama kīrtaya satsaṁgamaphalaṁ yena mama saṁjāyate'khilam

"Therefore declare to me, in brief, the very essence of dharma, by which the entire fruit of good company may come to be mine."

Verse 64 (skanda.6.51.64)

नंदिन्युवाच॥ तपः कृते प्रशंसंति त्रेतायां ध्यानमेव च॥ द्वापरे यज्ञयोगं च दानमेकं कलौ युगे॥ सर्वेषामेव दानानां नास्ति दानमतः परम्

naṁdinyuvāca tapaḥ kṛte praśaṁsaṁti tretāyāṁ dhyānameva ca dvāpare yajñayogaṁ ca dānamekaṁ kalau yuge sarveṣāmeva dānānāṁ nāsti dānamataḥ param

Nandini said: "In the Krita age they praise austerity, in Treta meditation, in Dvapara the practice of sacrifice, and in the Kali age giving alone. Yet of all forms of giving, there is none higher than this:"

Verse 65 (skanda.6.51.65)

चराचराणां भूतानामभयं यः प्रयच्छति॥ स सर्वभयनिर्मुक्तः परं ब्रह्मा धिगच्छति

carācarāṇāṁ bhūtānāmabhayaṁ yaḥ prayacchati sa sarvabhayanirmuktaḥ paraṁ brahmā dhigacchati

"He who grants freedom from fear to all moving and unmoving beings is himself freed from all fear and attains the supreme Brahman."

Verse 66 (skanda.6.51.66)

व्याघ्र उवाच॥ अन्येषां चैव भूतानां तद्दानं युज्यते शुभे॥ अहिंसया भवेद्येषां प्राणयात्रान्नपूर्वकम्

vyāghra uvāca anyeṣāṁ caiva bhūtānāṁ taddānaṁ yujyate śubhe ahiṁsayā bhavedyeṣāṁ prāṇayātrānnapūrvakam

The tiger said: "That gift of freedom from fear befits other creatures, O auspicious one, whose sustenance and food are possible without violence."

Verse 67 (skanda.6.51.67)

न हिंसया विनाऽस्माकं यतः स्यात्प्राणधारणम्॥ तस्माद्ब्रूहि महाभागे किञ्चिन्मम सुखावहम्॥ उपदेशं सुधर्माय हिंसकस्यापि देहिनाम्

na hiṁsayā vinā'smākaṁ yataḥ syātprāṇadhāraṇam tasmādbrūhi mahābhāge kiñcinmama sukhāvaham upadeśaṁ sudharmāya hiṁsakasyāpi dehinām

"But for us there can be no sustaining of life without violence; therefore, O most fortunate one, tell me some instruction bringing happiness, some good dharma even for a violent creature such as myself."

Verse 68 (skanda.6.51.68)

नन्दिन्युवाच॥ अत्रास्ति सुमहल्लिंगं पुरा बाणप्रतिष्ठितम्॥ गहने यत्प्रभावेन त्वया मुक्तास्म्यहं ध्रुवम्

nandinyuvāca atrāsti sumahalliṁgaṁ purā bāṇapratiṣṭhitam gahane yatprabhāvena tvayā muktāsmyahaṁ dhruvam

Nandini said: "Here there is a very great linga, established long ago by Bana; it is by its power, deep in this forest, that I have surely just been set free."

Verse 69 (skanda.6.51.69)

तस्य त्वं प्रातरुत्थाय कुरु नित्यं प्रदक्षिणाम्॥ प्रणामं च ततः सिद्धिं वांछितां समवाप्स्यसि

tasya tvaṁ prātarutthāya kuru nityaṁ pradakṣiṇām praṇāmaṁ ca tataḥ siddhiṁ vāṁchitāṁ samavāpsyasi

"Rise each morning and daily circumambulate it, and offer your prostration; then you will attain the accomplishment you desire."

Verse 70 (skanda.6.51.70)

नान्यस्य कर्मणः शक्तिर्विद्यते ते नखायुध॥ पूजादिकस्य हीनत्वाद्धस्ताभ्यामिति मे मतिः

nānyasya karmaṇaḥ śaktirvidyate te nakhāyudha pūjādikasya hīnatvāddhastābhyāmiti me matiḥ

"You are not capable of any other rite, O claw-weaponed one, since you lack the means for worship and the like; circumambulation by your own body, without hands, is in my view the fitting act for you."

Verse 71 (skanda.6.51.71)

सूत उवाच॥ एवमुक्त्वाथ सा धेनुर्व्याघ्रस्याथ वनांतिके॥ तल्लिंगं दर्शयामास पुरः स्थित्वा द्विजोत्तमाः

sūta uvāca evamuktvātha sā dhenurvyāghrasyātha vanāṁtike talliṁgaṁ darśayāmāsa puraḥ sthitvā dvijottamāḥ

Suta said: "Having said this, that cow, standing at the edge of the forest before the tiger, showed him that linga, O best of the twice-born."

Verse 72 (skanda.6.51.72)

सोऽपि संदर्शनात्तस्य तत्क्षणान्मुक्तिमाप्तवान्॥ व्याघ्रत्वात्पार्थिवो भूयः स बभूव यथा पुरा

so'pi saṁdarśanāttasya tatkṣaṇānmuktimāptavān vyāghratvātpārthivo bhūyaḥ sa babhūva yathā purā

And he too, merely by beholding it, at that very instant attained liberation from his condition as a tiger, and became once more a king, as he had been before.

Verse 73 (skanda.6.51.73)

शापं दुर्वाससा दत्तं राज्यं स्वं सहितैः सुतैः॥ सस्मार स नृपश्रेष्ठस्ततः प्रोवाच नंदिनीम्

śāpaṁ durvāsasā dattaṁ rājyaṁ svaṁ sahitaiḥ sutaiḥ sasmāra sa nṛpaśreṣṭhastataḥ provāca naṁdinīm

He then remembered the curse given by Durvasas, and his own kingdom together with his sons; and that best of kings then said to Nandini:

Verse 74 (skanda.6.51.74)

नृपः कलशनामाहं हैहयान्वयसंभवः॥ शप्तो दुर्वाससा पूर्वं कस्मिंश्चित्कारणांतरे

nṛpaḥ kalaśanāmāhaṁ haihayānvayasaṁbhavaḥ śapto durvāsasā pūrvaṁ kasmiṁścitkāraṇāṁtare

"I am a king named Kalasha, born in the line of the Haihayas, cursed formerly by Durvasas for a certain other reason."

Verse 75 (skanda.6.51.75)

ततः प्रसादितेनोक्तस्तेनाहं नंदिनी यदा॥ दर्शयिष्यति तल्लिंगं तदा मुक्तिर्भविष्यति

tataḥ prasāditenoktastenāhaṁ naṁdinī yadā darśayiṣyati talliṁgaṁ tadā muktirbhaviṣyati

"When he was appeased, he told me that when a cow named Nandini shows me that linga, then liberation would come to me."

Verse 76 (skanda.6.51.76)

सा नूनं नन्दिनी त्वं हि ज्ञाता शापान्ततो मया॥ तत्त्वं ब्रूहि प्रदेशोऽयं कतमो वरधेनुके

sā nūnaṁ nandinī tvaṁ hi jñātā śāpāntato mayā tattvaṁ brūhi pradeśo'yaṁ katamo varadhenuke

"Surely you must be that very Nandini -- I recognize it now from the curse. So tell me, O excellent cow, what region is this?"

Verse 77 (skanda.6.51.77)

येन गच्छाम्यहं भूयः स्वगृहं प्रति सत्वरम्॥ मार्गं दृष्ट्वा महाभागे मानुषं प्राप्य कञ्चन

yena gacchāmyahaṁ bhūyaḥ svagṛhaṁ prati satvaram mārgaṁ dṛṣṭvā mahābhāge mānuṣaṁ prāpya kañcana

"So that, having learned the way, O most fortunate one, and meeting some human, I may quickly return once more to my own home."

Verse 78 (skanda.6.51.78)

नंदिन्युवाच॥ चमत्कारपुरक्षेत्रमेतत्पातकनाशनम्॥ सर्वतीर्थमयं राजन्सर्वकामप्रदायकम्

naṁdinyuvāca camatkārapurakṣetrametatpātakanāśanam sarvatīrthamayaṁ rājansarvakāmapradāyakam

Nandini said: "This is the sacred field of Chamatkarapura, which destroys all sin, O king; it is the embodiment of every tirtha and grants every desire."

Verse 79 (skanda.6.51.79)

यदन्यत्र भवेच्छ्रेयो वत्सरेण तपस्विनाम्॥ दिनेनैवात्र तत्सम्यग्जायते नात्र संशयः

yadanyatra bhavecchreyo vatsareṇa tapasvinām dinenaivātra tatsamyagjāyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

"Whatever benefit ascetics elsewhere attain in a full year, that same benefit is fully attained here in a single day -- of this there is no doubt."

Verse 80 (skanda.6.51.80)

एवं मत्वा मया लिंगं स्नापितं पयसा सदा॥ एतद्यूथं परित्यज्य भक्त्या पूतेन चेतसा

evaṁ matvā mayā liṁgaṁ snāpitaṁ payasā sadā etadyūthaṁ parityajya bhaktyā pūtena cetasā

"Knowing this, I have always bathed this linga with milk, leaving this herd behind, with a heart purified by devotion."

Verse 81 (skanda.6.51.81)

राजोवाच॥ गच्छ नन्दिनि भद्रं ते निजं प्राप्नुहि बालकम्॥ गोकुलं च सखीः स्वाश्च तथान्यं च सुहृज्जनम्

rājovāca gaccha nandini bhadraṁ te nijaṁ prāpnuhi bālakam gokulaṁ ca sakhīḥ svāśca tathānyaṁ ca suhṛjjanam

The king said: "Go, Nandini, may all be well with you; return to your own calf, to your cowherd home, to your own friends, and to all your other well-wishers."

Verse 82 (skanda.6.51.82)

एतत्क्षेत्रं मया पूर्वं ब्राह्मणानां मुखाच्छ्रुतम्॥ वांछितं च सदा प्रष्टुं न च द्रष्टुं प्रपारितम्

etatkṣetraṁ mayā pūrvaṁ brāhmaṇānāṁ mukhācchrutam vāṁchitaṁ ca sadā praṣṭuṁ na ca draṣṭuṁ prapāritam

"I had heard of this sacred field before from the mouths of brahmins, and had always wished to ask about it, though I never had the chance to actually see it."

Verse 83 (skanda.6.51.83)

राज्यकर्मप्रसक्तेन भोगासक्तेन नंदिनि॥ स्वयमेवाधुना लब्धं नाहं सन्त्यक्तुमुत्सहे

rājyakarmaprasaktena bhogāsaktena naṁdini svayamevādhunā labdhaṁ nāhaṁ santyaktumutsahe

"Being caught up in the affairs of my kingdom and attached to enjoyment, Nandini, I have now found it entirely on my own -- I cannot bear to leave it."

Verse 84 (skanda.6.51.84)

दिष्ट्या मे मुनिना तेन दत्तः शापो महात्मना॥ कथं स्यादन्यथा प्राप्तिः क्षेत्रस्यास्य सुशोभने

diṣṭyā me muninā tena dattaḥ śāpo mahātmanā kathaṁ syādanyathā prāptiḥ kṣetrasyāsya suśobhane

"It was my great good fortune that the curse was given to me by that great sage; otherwise, O beautiful one, how could I ever have reached this sacred field?"

Verse 85 (skanda.6.51.85)

सूत उवाच॥ एवमुक्त्वा महीपालो नन्दिनीं तां विसृज्य च॥ स्थितस्तत्रैव तल्लिंगं ध्यायमानो दिवानिशम्

sūta uvāca evamuktvā mahīpālo nandinīṁ tāṁ visṛjya ca sthitastatraiva talliṁgaṁ dhyāyamāno divāniśam

Suta said: "Having said this, the king took leave of Nandini and remained right there, meditating on that linga day and night."

Verse 86 (skanda.6.51.86)

प्रासादं तत्कृते मुख्यं विधायाद्भुतदर्शनम्॥ कैलासशिखराकारं तपस्तेपे तदग्रतः

prāsādaṁ tatkṛte mukhyaṁ vidhāyādbhutadarśanam kailāsaśikharākāraṁ tapastepe tadagrataḥ

He built for it a magnificent temple, wondrous to behold, shaped like the peak of Kailasa, and performed austerities before it.

Verse 87 (skanda.6.51.87)

ततस्तस्य प्रभावेन स्वल्पैरेव दिनैर्द्विजाः॥ संप्राप्तः परमां सिद्धिं दुर्लभां याज्ञिकैरपि

tatastasya prabhāvena svalpaireva dinairdvijāḥ saṁprāptaḥ paramāṁ siddhiṁ durlabhāṁ yājñikairapi

Then, O brahmins, by its power, in just a few days he attained that supreme accomplishment, hard to attain even for those devoted to sacrifice.

Verse 88 (skanda.6.51.88)

तत्र यः कार्तिके मासि दीपकं संप्रयच्छति॥ सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तः शिवलोके महीयते

tatra yaḥ kārtike māsi dīpakaṁ saṁprayacchati sarvapāpavinirmuktaḥ śivaloke mahīyate

Whoever offers a lamp there in the month of Kartika is freed from all sin and is honoured in the world of Shiva.

Verse 89 (skanda.6.51.89)

मार्गशीर्षे च सम्प्राप्ते गीतनृत्यादिकं नरः॥ तदग्रे कुरुते भक्त्या स गच्छति परां गतिम्

mārgaśīrṣe ca samprāpte gītanṛtyādikaṁ naraḥ tadagre kurute bhaktyā sa gacchati parāṁ gatim

And when the month of Margashirsha comes, whoever performs song, dance, and the like before it with devotion attains the highest state.

Verse 90 (skanda.6.51.90)

एतद्वः सर्वमाख्यातं सर्वपातकनाशनम्॥ कलशेश्वरमाहात्म्यं विस्तरेण द्विजोत्तमाः

etadvaḥ sarvamākhyātaṁ sarvapātakanāśanam kalaśeśvaramāhātmyaṁ vistareṇa dvijottamāḥ

"I have thus told you all, in detail, the greatness of Kalasheshvara, which destroys all sin, O best of the twice-born."

Verse 91 (skanda.6.51.91)

भक्त्या पठति यश्चैतच्छ्रद्धया परया युतः॥ सोऽपि पापविनिर्मुक्तः शिवलोके महीयते

bhaktyā paṭhati yaścaitacchraddhayā parayā yutaḥ so'pi pāpavinirmuktaḥ śivaloke mahīyate

"Whoever recites this with devotion and supreme faith is likewise freed from sin and honoured in the world of Shiva."