The Glory of the Sharmishtha Tirtha

Verse 1 (skanda.6.62.1)

सूत उवाच॥ एवं स निश्चयं कृत्वा पार्थिवो द्विजसत्तमाः॥ नात्यजत्तां तथोक्तोऽपि दैवज्ञैर्विषकन्यकाम्॥ दीयमानामपि प्रीत्या न च गृह्णाति भूभुजा

sūta uvāca evaṁ sa niścayaṁ kṛtvā pārthivo dvijasattamāḥ nātyajattāṁ tathokto'pi daivajñairviṣakanyakām dīyamānāmapi prītyā na ca gṛhṇāti bhūbhujā

Suta said: Having thus resolved, O best of the twice-born, the king did not abandon the poison-maiden even though the astrologers had so advised; yet though she was lovingly offered in marriage, no king would accept her.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.62.2)

शर्मणष्ठीवनं यस्मात्तया स्वपितुराहितम्॥ शर्मिष्ठेति सुविख्याता ततः सा ह्यभवद्भुवि

śarmaṇaṣṭhīvanaṁ yasmāttayā svapiturāhitam śarmiṣṭheti suvikhyātā tataḥ sā hyabhavadbhuvi

Because she brought her own father comfort and peace, she thereafter became renowned on earth by the name 'Sharmishtha.'

Verse 3 (skanda.6.62.3)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे तस्य शत्रवः पृथिवीपतेः॥ सर्वतः पीडयामास राष्ट्रं क्रोधसमन्विताः

etasminnaṁtare tasya śatravaḥ pṛthivīpateḥ sarvataḥ pīḍayāmāsa rāṣṭraṁ krodhasamanvitāḥ

Meanwhile, that king's enemies, filled with fury, began to assail his kingdom from every side.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.62.4)

अथा सौ पार्थिवः क्रुद्धः स्वसैन्यपरिवारितः॥ युद्धाय निर्ययौ स्थानान्मृत्युं कृत्वा निवर्तने

athā sau pārthivaḥ kruddhaḥ svasainyaparivāritaḥ yuddhāya niryayau sthānānmṛtyuṁ kṛtvā nivartane

Then that king, enraged, marched forth from his capital with his army for battle, resolved on death rather than retreat.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.62.5)

ततः संप्राप्य ताञ्छत्रूंश्चकार स महाहवम्॥ चतुरंगेन सैन्येन यमराष्ट्रविवर्धनम्

tataḥ saṁprāpya tāñchatrūṁścakāra sa mahāhavam caturaṁgena sainyena yamarāṣṭravivardhanam

Then, reaching those enemies, he fought a great battle with his four-fold army — a battle that swelled the very realm of Yama, lord of death.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.62.6)

ततश्च दशमे प्राप्ते शत्रुभिः स महीपतिः॥ निहतो दिवसे सर्वैर्वेष्टयित्वा समन्ततः

tataśca daśame prāpte śatrubhiḥ sa mahīpatiḥ nihato divase sarvairveṣṭayitvā samantataḥ

And then, on the tenth day, all his enemies surrounded him on every side and slew that king.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.62.7)

ततस्तस्य नरेन्द्रस्य हतशेषाश्च ये नराः॥ भयार्तास्ते द्रुतं जग्मुः स्वपुरं प्रति दुःखिताः

tatastasya narendrasya hataśeṣāśca ye narāḥ bhayārtāste drutaṁ jagmuḥ svapuraṁ prati duḥkhitāḥ

Then those soldiers of that king who survived the slaughter, tormented by fear and grief, fled swiftly toward their own city.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.62.8)

तेपि शत्रुगणाः सर्वे संप्रहृष्टा जिगीषवः॥ तत्पुरं वेष्टयामासुस्तत्पुत्रोच्छेदनाय वै

tepi śatrugaṇāḥ sarve saṁprahṛṣṭā jigīṣavaḥ tatpuraṁ veṣṭayāmāsustatputrocchedanāya vai

Those enemy forces too, exultant with joy and hungry for further conquest, laid siege to that city in order to destroy his son.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.62.9)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे पौराः सर्वे शोकपरायणाः॥ जगर्हुः परुषैर्वाक्यैर्दुष्टां तां विषकन्यकाम्

etasminnaṁtare paurāḥ sarve śokaparāyaṇāḥ jagarhuḥ paruṣairvākyairduṣṭāṁ tāṁ viṣakanyakām

Meanwhile, all the grieving townspeople began to revile that wretched poison-maiden with harsh words.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.62.10)

अस्या दोषेण पापाया मृतश्च स महीपतिः॥ तथा राष्ट्रस्य विध्वंसे भविष्यति पुरः क्षयः

asyā doṣeṇa pāpāyā mṛtaśca sa mahīpatiḥ tathā rāṣṭrasya vidhvaṁse bhaviṣyati puraḥ kṣayaḥ

'It is because of this sinful girl's fault that the king has died — and now the kingdom's ruin and the city's destruction will surely follow.'

Verse 11 (skanda.6.62.11)

उक्तः स नृपतिः पूर्वं ब्राह्मणैर्ज्ञानिभिस्तदा॥ त्यजैनां बहुदोषाढ्यां निन्दितां विषकन्यकाम्

uktaḥ sa nṛpatiḥ pūrvaṁ brāhmaṇairjñānibhistadā tyajaināṁ bahudoṣāḍhyāṁ ninditāṁ viṣakanyakām

'That king had already been told by the wise brahmins: Abandon her — this despised poison-maiden, laden with so many faults.'

Verse 12 (skanda.6.62.12)

न तेन तत्कृतं वाक्यमपि तेषां हितैषिणाम्॥ स्नेहपाशनिबद्धेन दयाढ्येन महात्मना

na tena tatkṛtaṁ vākyamapi teṣāṁ hitaiṣiṇām snehapāśanibaddhena dayāḍhyena mahātmanā

'But that well-meant counsel was not followed by him — that compassionate, great-souled king, bound as he was by the fetters of affection.'

Verse 13 (skanda.6.62.13)

तस्मादद्यापि पापैषा वध्यतामाशु कन्यका॥ निर्यास्यतां पुरादस्माद्यावन्न स्यात्पुरक्षयः

tasmādadyāpi pāpaiṣā vadhyatāmāśu kanyakā niryāsyatāṁ purādasmādyāvanna syātpurakṣayaḥ

'Therefore, even now, let this sinful girl be swiftly put to death — or let her be driven out of this city before the city itself is destroyed.'

Verse 14 (skanda.6.62.14)

सूत उवाच॥ सापि श्रुत्वा जनोक्तांस्तानपवादान्पृथग्विधान्॥ वैराग्यं परमं गत्वा निंदां चक्रे तथात्मनः

sūta uvāca sāpi śrutvā janoktāṁstānapavādānpṛthagvidhān vairāgyaṁ paramaṁ gatvā niṁdāṁ cakre tathātmanaḥ

Suta said: She too, hearing all these various reproaches spoken by the people, fell into the deepest renunciation, and began to condemn herself as well.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.62.15)

ततो रात्रौ विनिष्क्रम्य भयशोकसमन्विता॥ प्रतस्थेऽरण्यमासाद्य मरणे कृतनिश्चया

tato rātrau viniṣkramya bhayaśokasamanvitā pratasthe'raṇyamāsādya maraṇe kṛtaniścayā

Then, going out at night, overcome with fear and sorrow, she set out toward the forest, having resolved to die.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.62.16)

अथ दृष्टं तया क्षेत्रं हाटकेश्वरजं महत्॥ तपस्विभिः समाकीर्णं चित्ताह्लादकरं परम्

atha dṛṣṭaṁ tayā kṣetraṁ hāṭakeśvarajaṁ mahat tapasvibhiḥ samākīrṇaṁ cittāhlādakaraṁ param

Then she came upon the great sacred field of Hatakeshvara, thronged with ascetics, and utterly delightful to behold.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.62.17)

अथ तस्याः स्मृतिर्जाता पूर्वजन्मसमुद्भवा॥ चंडालत्वे मया पूर्वं गौरेका वितृषीकृता

atha tasyāḥ smṛtirjātā pūrvajanmasamudbhavā caṁḍālatve mayā pūrvaṁ gaurekā vitṛṣīkṛtā

Then a memory arose in her from a former birth: 'In a past life, when I was born a chandali, I once quenched the thirst of a cow.'

Verse 18 (skanda.6.62.18)

तत्प्रभावादहं जाता सुपुण्ये नृपमंदिरे॥ क्षेत्रस्यास्य प्रभावेन तस्मादत्रैव मे स्थितिः

tatprabhāvādahaṁ jātā supuṇye nṛpamaṁdire kṣetrasyāsya prabhāvena tasmādatraiva me sthitiḥ

'By the power of that deed I was born into this sacred royal house; and it is by the power of this very sacred field that my place is here.'

Verse 19 (skanda.6.62.19)

सूत उवाच॥ अन्यदेहांतरे ह्यासीच्चंडाली सा विगर्हिता॥ बहुप्रसूतिसंयुक्ता दरिद्रेण कदर्थिता

sūta uvāca anyadehāṁtare hyāsīccaṁḍālī sā vigarhitā bahuprasūtisaṁyuktā daridreṇa kadarthitā

Suta said: In another former body, she had been a despised chandali woman, burdened with many children and afflicted by poverty.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.62.20)

अथ सा भ्रममाणाऽत्र क्षेत्रे प्राप्ता तृषार्दिता॥ मध्यंदिनगतेसूर्ये ज्येष्ठमासे सुदारुणे

atha sā bhramamāṇā'tra kṣetre prāptā tṛṣārditā madhyaṁdinagatesūrye jyeṣṭhamāse sudāruṇe

Wandering thus, tormented by thirst, she arrived at this same sacred field — when the sun stood at midday during the fierce heat of the month of Jyeshtha.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.62.21)

अथापश्यत्स्तोकजलां सा तत्र लघुकूपिकाम्॥ तृषार्तां कपिलां गां वर्तमानां तदां तिके

athāpaśyatstokajalāṁ sā tatra laghukūpikām tṛṣārtāṁ kapilāṁ gāṁ vartamānāṁ tadāṁ tike

There she saw a small well with only a little water in it, and near it a tawny cow, likewise tormented by thirst.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.62.22)

ततो दयां समाश्रित्य त्यक्त्वा स्नेहं सुतोद्भवम्॥ आत्मनश्च तथा प्राणान्गां वितृष्णामथाकरोत्

tato dayāṁ samāśritya tyaktvā snehaṁ sutodbhavam ātmanaśca tathā prāṇāngāṁ vitṛṣṇāmathākarot

Then, moved by compassion, setting aside her love for her own children and even concern for her own life, she quenched that cow's thirst.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.62.23)

जलाभावे तथा सा च समस्तैर्बालकैः सह॥ वैवस्वतगृहं प्राप्ता गोभक्तिधृतमानसा

jalābhāve tathā sā ca samastairbālakaiḥ saha vaivasvatagṛhaṁ prāptā gobhaktidhṛtamānasā

Then, for lack of water, she — along with all her children — passed on to the abode of Yama, lord of death, her mind still fixed in devotion to the cow.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.62.24)

ततो नृपगृहे जाता तत्प्रभावाद्द्विजोत्तमाः॥ पूर्वकर्मविपाकेन संजाता विष कन्यका

tato nṛpagṛhe jātā tatprabhāvāddvijottamāḥ pūrvakarmavipākena saṁjātā viṣa kanyakā

Then, O best of the twice-born, by the power of that deed she was born into a royal house; yet by the ripening of an earlier karma, she came to be born a poison-maiden.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.62.25)

ऋषय ऊचुः॥ केन कर्मविपाकेन संजाता विषकन्यका॥ स्वकुलोच्छेदनकरी सर्वं सूत ब्रवीहि नः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ kena karmavipākena saṁjātā viṣakanyakā svakulocchedanakarī sarvaṁ sūta bravīhi naḥ

The sages said: By the ripening of what karma did she become a poison-maiden, destined to destroy her own family? Tell us everything, O Suta.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.62.26)

सूत उवाच॥ चंडालत्वे तया विप्रा वर्तंत्या भ्रममाणया॥ देवतायतने दृष्टा गौरी हेममयी शुभा

sūta uvāca caṁḍālatve tayā viprā vartaṁtyā bhramamāṇayā devatāyatane dṛṣṭā gaurī hemamayī śubhā

Suta said: O brahmins, while living as an outcaste and wandering about, she saw, in a temple, a beautiful golden image of Gauri.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.62.27)

ततस्तां विजने प्राप्य गत्वा देशांतरं मुदा॥ यावत्करोति खंडानि विक्रयार्थं सुनिंदिता॥ तावदन्वेषमाणास्तां संप्राप्ता नृपसेवकाः

tatastāṁ vijane prāpya gatvā deśāṁtaraṁ mudā yāvatkaroti khaṁḍāni vikrayārthaṁ suniṁditā tāvadanveṣamāṇāstāṁ saṁprāptā nṛpasevakāḥ

Then, finding it in a deserted spot, that despicable woman carried it off gladly to another land; and just as she was breaking it into pieces to sell, the king's men, searching for it, caught up with her there.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.62.28)

अथ ते तां समालोक्य भर्त्सयित्वा मुहुर्मुहुः॥ संताड्य लकुटाघातैर्लोष्टघातैश्च मुष्टिभिः

atha te tāṁ samālokya bhartsayitvā muhurmuhuḥ saṁtāḍya lakuṭāghātairloṣṭaghātaiśca muṣṭibhiḥ

Then, seeing her, they rebuked her repeatedly and beat her with blows of sticks, clods of earth, and their fists.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.62.29)

ततः सुवर्णमादाय त्यक्त्वा तां रुधिरप्लुताम्॥ अवध्यैषेति संचिंत्य स्वपुरं प्रति ते गताः

tataḥ suvarṇamādāya tyaktvā tāṁ rudhiraplutām avadhyaiṣeti saṁciṁtya svapuraṁ prati te gatāḥ

Then, taking back the gold and leaving her there drenched in blood — thinking, 'she is not worth killing' — they returned to their own city.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.62.30)

यत्तया पार्वती स्पृष्टा ततो वै खण्डशः कृता॥ तेन कर्मविपाकेन संजाता विषकन्यका

yattayā pārvatī spṛṣṭā tato vai khaṇḍaśaḥ kṛtā tena karmavipākena saṁjātā viṣakanyakā

Because she had touched the image of Parvati and then broken it into pieces, it was by the ripening of that very deed that she was born a poison-maiden.

Verse 31 (skanda.6.62.31)

ततः संस्मृतिमासाद्य पूर्वजन्मसमुद्भवाम्॥ माहात्म्यं जलदानस्य गोपीतस्य विचार्य च॥ चकार कूपिकास्थाने तडागं विमलोदकम्

tataḥ saṁsmṛtimāsādya pūrvajanmasamudbhavām māhātmyaṁ jaladānasya gopītasya vicārya ca cakāra kūpikāsthāne taḍāgaṁ vimalodakam

Then, recalling that memory from her former birth, and reflecting on the greatness of the gift of water — the water she had once given a cow — she built, in place of that small well, a tank of clear and pure water.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.62.32)

समुद्रप्रतिमं चारु पद्मिनीखंडमंडितम्॥ मत्स्यकच्छपसंकीर्णं शिशुमारविराजितम्

samudrapratimaṁ cāru padminīkhaṁḍamaṁḍitam matsyakacchapasaṁkīrṇaṁ śiśumāravirājitam

It was beautiful as the sea, adorned with clusters of lotus blooms, teeming with fish and tortoises, and graced with river-dolphins.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.62.33)

सेवितं बहुभिर्हंसैर्बकैश्चक्रैः समंततः॥ अगाधसलिलं पुण्यं सेवितं जलजंतुभिः

sevitaṁ bahubhirhaṁsairbakaiścakraiḥ samaṁtataḥ agādhasalilaṁ puṇyaṁ sevitaṁ jalajaṁtubhiḥ

It was frequented all around by many swans, herons, and chakravaka birds; its water was unfathomably deep and sacred, and it was home to countless water creatures.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.62.34)

प्रासादं तत्समीपस्थं साधु दृष्टिमनोहरम्॥ कारयित्वातिसंभक्त्या कैलासशिखरोपमम्

prāsādaṁ tatsamīpasthaṁ sādhu dṛṣṭimanoharam kārayitvātisaṁbhaktyā kailāsaśikharopamam

Close beside it, with great devotion, she had a temple built — most excellent, delightful to the eye, resembling the very peak of Kailasa.

Verse 35 (skanda.6.62.35)

ततस्तत्र तपस्तेपे गौरीं संस्थाप्य भक्तितः॥ तदग्रे व्रतमास्थाय यथोक्तं शास्त्र संभवम्

tatastatra tapastepe gaurīṁ saṁsthāpya bhaktitaḥ tadagre vratamāsthāya yathoktaṁ śāstra saṁbhavam

There, having installed the image of Gauri with devotion, she performed austerities before it, undertaking vows exactly as prescribed by scripture.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.62.36)

प्रातः स्नात्वा तु हेमंते गौरीं संपूज्य भक्तितः॥ बलिपूजोपहारैश्च विप्रदानादिभिस्तथा

prātaḥ snātvā tu hemaṁte gaurīṁ saṁpūjya bhaktitaḥ balipūjopahāraiśca vipradānādibhistathā

Bathing each morning, through the winter season she worshipped Gauri with devotion — with offerings, oblations, gifts, and donations to brahmins.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.62.37)

ततश्च शिशिरे प्राप्ते सायं प्रातः समाहिता॥ एकांतरोपवासैः सा स्नानं चक्रे नृपात्मजा

tataśca śiśire prāpte sāyaṁ prātaḥ samāhitā ekāṁtaropavāsaiḥ sā snānaṁ cakre nṛpātmajā

Then, when the cool season came, that princess, composed and disciplined, bathed morning and evening and observed fasts every alternate day.

Verse 38 (skanda.6.62.38)

वसंते नृत्यगीतैश्च तोषयामास पार्वतीम्॥ षष्ठकालाशना साध्वी सस्यदानपरा यणा

vasaṁte nṛtyagītaiśca toṣayāmāsa pārvatīm ṣaṣṭhakālāśanā sādhvī sasyadānaparā yaṇā

In the season of spring, she delighted Parvati with dance and song; that virtuous woman ate only at the sixth period of fasting, and remained devoted to the giving of grain.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.62.39)

पञ्चाग्निसाधका ग्रीष्मे फलाहारं तपस्विनी॥ चकार श्रद्धयोपेता वृकभूमिपतेः सुता

pañcāgnisādhakā grīṣme phalāhāraṁ tapasvinī cakāra śraddhayopetā vṛkabhūmipateḥ sutā

In the heat of summer, that ascetic daughter of King Vrika, filled with faith, practiced the five-fires austerity, subsisting on fruit alone.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.62.40)

वर्षासु च जलाहारा भूत्वा सा विष कन्यका॥ आकाशे शयनं चक्रे परित्यक्तकुटीरका

varṣāsu ca jalāhārā bhūtvā sā viṣa kanyakā ākāśe śayanaṁ cakre parityaktakuṭīrakā

And through the monsoon, that poison-maiden lived on water alone, abandoned her hut, and slept out under the open sky.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.62.41)

वायुभक्षा सती चाऽथ साऽनयच्छरदं ततः॥ कृतजप्यपरा नित्यं पार्वतीगतमानसा

vāyubhakṣā satī cā'tha sā'nayaccharadaṁ tataḥ kṛtajapyaparā nityaṁ pārvatīgatamānasā

Then, subsisting on air alone, that faithful woman passed the autumn season, ever absorbed in silent prayer, her mind fixed continually upon Parvati.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.62.42)

एवमाराधयंत्याश्च तस्या देवीं गिरेः सुताम्॥ जगाम सुमहान्कालो न लेभे फलमीहितम्

evamārādhayaṁtyāśca tasyā devīṁ gireḥ sutām jagāma sumahānkālo na lebhe phalamīhitam

Thus, as she worshipped the Goddess, daughter of the mountain, a very long time passed by, yet she did not obtain the fruit she longed for.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.62.43)

मुखं वलिभिराक्रान्तं पलितैरंकितं शिरः॥ कन्याभावेपि वर्तंत्या न च तुष्टा हरप्रिया

mukhaṁ valibhirākrāntaṁ palitairaṁkitaṁ śiraḥ kanyābhāvepi vartaṁtyā na ca tuṣṭā harapriyā

Her face grew lined with wrinkles, her head marked with grey; though she remained still in her maidenhood, Shiva's beloved Parvati remained unsatisfied.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.62.44)

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य तत्परीक्षार्थमेव सा॥ शक्राणीरूपमास्थाय ततः सन्दर्शनं गता

kasyacittvatha kālasya tatparīkṣārthameva sā śakrāṇīrūpamāsthāya tataḥ sandarśanaṁ gatā

Then, after some time, in order to test her, the Goddess assumed the form of Shachi, Indra's queen, and appeared before her.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.62.45)

सुधावदातं सूर्याभं कैलासशिखरोपमम्॥ सुप्रलंबकरं मत्तं चतुर्दंतं महागजम्

sudhāvadātaṁ sūryābhaṁ kailāsaśikharopamam supralaṁbakaraṁ mattaṁ caturdaṁtaṁ mahāgajam

She rode upon a mighty elephant, white as nectar, radiant as the sun, vast as the peak of Kailasa, its trunk hanging long, rutting and four-tusked.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.62.46)

समास्थाय वृता स्त्रीभिर्देवानां सर्वतो दिशम्॥ दधती मुकुटं मूर्ध्नि हारकेयूरभूषिता

samāsthāya vṛtā strībhirdevānāṁ sarvato diśam dadhatī mukuṭaṁ mūrdhni hārakeyūrabhūṣitā

Mounted so, surrounded on every side by the wives of the gods, wearing a crown upon her head and adorned with necklaces and armlets.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.62.47)

पांडुरेणातपत्रेण ध्रियमाणेन मूर्धनि॥ सेव्यमानाऽप्सरोभिश्च स्तूयमाना च किन्नरैः

pāṁḍureṇātapatreṇa dhriyamāṇena mūrdhani sevyamānā'psarobhiśca stūyamānā ca kinnaraiḥ

A white parasol was held above her head; apsaras attended upon her, and kinnaras sang her praises.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.62.48)

गन्धर्वैर्गीयमानासीत्ततः प्रोवाच सादरम्॥ वरं यच्छामि ते पुत्रि प्रार्थयस्व यथेप्सितम्

gandharvairgīyamānāsīttataḥ provāca sādaram varaṁ yacchāmi te putri prārthayasva yathepsitam

Gandharvas sang songs for her. Then she spoke with kindness: 'I grant you a boon, my daughter — ask for whatever you desire.'

Verse 49 (skanda.6.62.49)

अनेन तपसा तुष्टा पुष्कलेन तवाधुना॥ अहं भार्या सुरेन्द्रस्य शचीति परिकीर्तिता॥ त्रैलोक्येऽपि स्वयं प्राप्ता दयां कृत्वा तवोपरि

anena tapasā tuṣṭā puṣkalena tavādhunā ahaṁ bhāryā surendrasya śacīti parikīrtitā trailokye'pi svayaṁ prāptā dayāṁ kṛtvā tavopari

'Pleased now by this great austerity of yours, I — known throughout the three worlds as Shachi, wife of the lord of the gods — have come here myself, moved by compassion for you.'

Verse 50 (skanda.6.62.50)

त्वया महत्तपस्तप्तं ध्यायंत्या हरवल्लभाम्॥ तपसा तुष्टिमायाता भवानी न सुनिष्ठुरा

tvayā mahattapastaptaṁ dhyāyaṁtyā haravallabhām tapasā tuṣṭimāyātā bhavānī na suniṣṭhurā

'You have performed great austerity, meditating upon Shiva's beloved; Bhavani is not so hard-hearted — she has indeed become pleased by your penance.'

Verse 51 (skanda.6.62.51)

सूत उवाच॥ सा तस्या वचनं श्रुत्वा शक्राण्या विषकन्यका॥ नमस्कृत्वाऽथ तामूचे कृतांजलिपुटा स्थिता

sūta uvāca sā tasyā vacanaṁ śrutvā śakrāṇyā viṣakanyakā namaskṛtvā'tha tāmūce kṛtāṁjalipuṭā sthitā

Suta said: Hearing this speech of Shachi's, the poison-maiden bowed to her, and then, standing with joined palms, spoke to her in reply.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.62.52)

विषकन्योवाच॥ नाहं त्वत्तो वरं देवि प्रार्थयामि कथञ्चन॥ तथान्यासामपींद्राणि देवतानामसंशयम्

viṣakanyovāca nāhaṁ tvatto varaṁ devi prārthayāmi kathañcana tathānyāsāmapīṁdrāṇi devatānāmasaṁśayam

The poison-maiden said: 'O goddess, I ask no boon of you whatsoever — nor, O Indrani, without any doubt, from any other deity either.'

Verse 53 (skanda.6.62.53)

अप्यहं नरकं रौद्रं प्रगच्छामींद्रवल्लभे॥ हरकांता समादेशान्न स्वर्गेऽपि तवाज्ञया

apyahaṁ narakaṁ raudraṁ pragacchāmīṁdravallabhe harakāṁtā samādeśānna svarge'pi tavājñayā

'Even should I have to go to the most terrible hell, O beloved of Indra, I will move only at the command of Shiva's beloved — not even to heaven would I go at your bidding.'

Verse 54 (skanda.6.62.54)

अनादिमध्यपर्य्यन्ता ज्ञानैश्वर्यसम न्विता॥ या देवी पूज्यते देवैर्वरं तस्या वृणोम्यहम्

anādimadhyaparyyantā jñānaiśvaryasama nvitā yā devī pūjyate devairvaraṁ tasyā vṛṇomyaham

'She who is without beginning, middle, or end, endowed with knowledge and sovereign power, the Goddess whom even the gods themselves worship — it is her boon alone that I seek.'

Verse 55 (skanda.6.62.55)

यामाराधयते विष्णुर्ब्रह्मा रुद्रश्च वासवः॥ वांछितार्थं सदा देवीं वरं तस्या वृणो म्यहम्

yāmārādhayate viṣṇurbrahmā rudraśca vāsavaḥ vāṁchitārthaṁ sadā devīṁ varaṁ tasyā vṛṇo myaham

'The Goddess whom Vishnu, Brahma, Rudra, and Indra themselves worship always for the fulfillment of their desires — it is her boon alone that I choose.'

Verse 56 (skanda.6.62.56)

यया व्याप्तमिदं सर्वं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम्॥ स्त्रीरूपैर्विविधैर्देव्या वरं तस्या वृणोम्यहम्

yayā vyāptamidaṁ sarvaṁ trailokyaṁ sacarācaram strīrūpairvividhairdevyā varaṁ tasyā vṛṇomyaham

'The Goddess by whom this entire threefold universe, with all that moves and does not move, is pervaded in her manifold feminine forms — it is her boon alone that I seek.'

Verse 57 (skanda.6.62.57)

श्रीदेव्युवाच॥ अहं भार्या सुरेन्द्रस्य प्राणेभ्योऽपि गरीयसी॥ ममाज्ञां पालयन्ति स्म देवदानवपन्नगाः

śrīdevyuvāca ahaṁ bhāryā surendrasya prāṇebhyo'pi garīyasī mamājñāṁ pālayanti sma devadānavapannagāḥ

The blessed Goddess, still in the form of Shachi, said: 'I am the wife of the lord of the gods, dearer to him than his own life; gods, demons, and serpents alike obey my command.'

Verse 58 (skanda.6.62.58)

किंनरा गुह्का यक्षाः किं पुनर्मर्त्यधर्मिणः॥ तस्मात्त्वं किं न गृह्णासि वरं मत्तः कुतापसि

kiṁnarā guhkā yakṣāḥ kiṁ punarmartyadharmiṇaḥ tasmāttvaṁ kiṁ na gṛhṇāsi varaṁ mattaḥ kutāpasi

'Kinnaras, guhyakas, and yakshas obey me — how much more so mortal men bound by their duties! Why then, O ascetic woman, will you not take a boon from me?'

Verse 59 (skanda.6.62.59)

तन्नूनं वज्रघातेन चूर्णयिष्यामि ते शिरः॥ तस्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा तापस्यथ ततो द्विजाः

tannūnaṁ vajraghātena cūrṇayiṣyāmi te śiraḥ tasyāstadvacanaṁ śrutvā tāpasyatha tato dvijāḥ

'Then I shall surely shatter your head with a blow of the thunderbolt!' Hearing this threat, O brahmins, that ascetic woman then —

Verse 60 (skanda.6.62.60)

धैर्यमालंब्य तां प्राह भूय एव सुरेश्वरीम्॥ स्वामिनी त्वं हि देवानां सत्यमेतदसंशयम्

dhairyamālaṁbya tāṁ prāha bhūya eva sureśvarīm svāminī tvaṁ hi devānāṁ satyametadasaṁśayam

— steadying herself with courage, spoke again to that queen of the gods: 'That you are indeed the mistress of the gods is true, without any doubt.'

Verse 61 (skanda.6.62.61)

यस्याः प्राप्तं त्वयैश्वर्यं परा तां तोषयाम्यहम्॥ स्वल्पमप्यपराधं ते न करोमि सुरेश्वरि

yasyāḥ prāptaṁ tvayaiśvaryaṁ parā tāṁ toṣayāmyaham svalpamapyaparādhaṁ te na karomi sureśvari

'It is she from whom you have received your very sovereignty whom I seek to please, the Supreme Goddess herself. O queen of the gods, I commit no offense against you, however small.'

Verse 62 (skanda.6.62.62)

तथापि वधयोग्यां मां मन्यसे विक्षिपायुधम्॥ अन्यच्चापि वचो मह्यं शक्राणि शृणु सादरम्

tathāpi vadhayogyāṁ māṁ manyase vikṣipāyudham anyaccāpi vaco mahyaṁ śakrāṇi śṛṇu sādaram

'Yet if even so you deem me worthy of death, then hurl your weapon. But hear one more word from me too, O Shachi, I ask with respect.'

Verse 63 (skanda.6.62.63)

तच्छुत्वा कुरु यच्छ्रेयो विचिन्त्य मनसा ततः॥ न त्वं न ते पतिः शक्रो न चान्येपि सुरासुराः॥ मां निषूदयितुं शक्ताः पार्वत्यां शरणं गताम्

tacchutvā kuru yacchreyo vicintya manasā tataḥ na tvaṁ na te patiḥ śakro na cānyepi surāsurāḥ māṁ niṣūdayituṁ śaktāḥ pārvatyāṁ śaraṇaṁ gatām

'Hear it, then reflect well, and do whatever seems best to you. Neither you, nor your husband Indra, nor any other gods or demons are able to slay me — for I have taken refuge in Parvati.'

Verse 64 (skanda.6.62.64)

तस्माद्द्रुतं दिवं गच्छ मा त्वं कोपं वृथा कुरु॥ सन्मार्गे वर्तमानायां मम सर्वसुरेश्वरि

tasmāddrutaṁ divaṁ gaccha mā tvaṁ kopaṁ vṛthā kuru sanmārge vartamānāyāṁ mama sarvasureśvari

'Therefore return swiftly to heaven; do not waste your wrath in vain, O queen of all the gods, upon one who walks only the righteous path.'

Verse 65 (skanda.6.62.65)

सूत उवाच॥ एवं सा तां शचीमुक्त्वा दुःखिता विषकन्यका॥ चिन्तयामास तदिदं मरणे कृतनिश्चया

sūta uvāca evaṁ sā tāṁ śacīmuktvā duḥkhitā viṣakanyakā cintayāmāsa tadidaṁ maraṇe kṛtaniścayā

Suta said: Having spoken thus to Shachi, the sorrowful poison-maiden then, resolved upon death, fell to this thought.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.62.66)

न प्रसीदति मे देवी यस्मात्पर्वतनंदिनी॥ तस्मान्मां यदि शक्राणी नैषा व्यापादयिष्यति

na prasīdati me devī yasmātparvatanaṁdinī tasmānmāṁ yadi śakrāṇī naiṣā vyāpādayiṣyati

'Since the Goddess, daughter of the mountain, has still not been pleased with me — if this Shachi, then, will not slay me herself...'

Verse 67 (skanda.6.62.67)

तन्नूनं ज्वलनं दीप्तं सेवयिष्यामि सत्वरम्॥ अथापश्यत्क्षणेनैव तं चैरावणवारणम्

tannūnaṁ jvalanaṁ dīptaṁ sevayiṣyāmi satvaram athāpaśyatkṣaṇenaiva taṁ cairāvaṇavāraṇam

'...then I shall surely take refuge in blazing fire without delay.' Then, in that very moment, she saw that elephant Airavata —

Verse 68 (skanda.6.62.68)

दुग्धकुंदेन्दुसंकाशं संजातं सहसा वृषम्॥ तस्योपरि स्थितां देवीं शंभुना सह पार्वतीम्

dugdhakuṁdendusaṁkāśaṁ saṁjātaṁ sahasā vṛṣam tasyopari sthitāṁ devīṁ śaṁbhunā saha pārvatīm

— white as milk, the kunda blossom, and the moon — suddenly transform into a bull, and upon it she saw the Goddess Parvati seated together with Shiva.

Verse 69 (skanda.6.62.69)

चतुर्भुजां प्रसन्नास्यां दिव्यरूपसमन्विताम्॥ शुक्लमाल्यांबरधरां चन्द्रार्धकृतमस्तकाम्

caturbhujāṁ prasannāsyāṁ divyarūpasamanvitām śuklamālyāṁbaradharāṁ candrārdhakṛtamastakām

Four-armed, her face serene, adorned with a divine form, dressed in white garlands and garments, bearing the crescent moon upon her head.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.62.70)

ततः सम्यक्समालोक्य ज्ञात्वा तां पर्वतात्मजाम्॥ विषकन्या स्तुतिं चक्रे प्रणिपत्य मुहुर्मुहुः

tataḥ samyaksamālokya jñātvā tāṁ parvatātmajām viṣakanyā stutiṁ cakre praṇipatya muhurmuhuḥ

Then, looking closely and recognizing her as the daughter of the mountain, the poison-maiden, bowing again and again, began her hymn of praise.

Verse 71 (skanda.6.62.71)

नमस्ते देवदेवेशि नमस्ते सर्ववासिनि॥ सर्वकामप्रदे सत्ये जरामरणवर्जिते

namaste devadeveśi namaste sarvavāsini sarvakāmaprade satye jarāmaraṇavarjite

'Salutations to you, O queen of the gods! Salutations to you who dwell within all things — O granter of every desire, O truth itself, O you who are free from old age and death!'

Verse 72 (skanda.6.62.72)

शक्रादयोऽपि देवास्ते परमार्थेन नो विदुः॥ स्वरूपवर्णनं कर्तुं किं पुनर्देवि मानुषी

śakrādayo'pi devāste paramārthena no viduḥ svarūpavarṇanaṁ kartuṁ kiṁ punardevi mānuṣī

'Even the gods, Indra foremost among them, cannot truly describe your real nature — how much less, O Goddess, could a mere mortal woman!'

Verse 73 (skanda.6.62.73)

यस्याः सर्वं महीव्योमजलाग्निपवनात्मकम्॥ ब्रह्मांडमंगसंभूतं सदेवासुरमानुषम्

yasyāḥ sarvaṁ mahīvyomajalāgnipavanātmakam brahmāṁḍamaṁgasaṁbhūtaṁ sadevāsuramānuṣam

'You from whose very body this whole universe — made of earth, sky, water, fire, and wind, together with all gods, demons, and men — has come forth.'

Verse 74 (skanda.6.62.74)

न तस्या जन्मनि ब्रह्मा न नाशाय महेश्वरः॥ पालनाय न गोविंदस्तां त्वां स्तोष्याम्यहं कथम्

na tasyā janmani brahmā na nāśāya maheśvaraḥ pālanāya na goviṁdastāṁ tvāṁ stoṣyāmyahaṁ katham

'Over whose birth even Brahma has no power, over whose dissolution not even Maheshvara, over whose sustaining not even Govinda — how then could I possibly praise you?'

Verse 75 (skanda.6.62.75)

तथाष्टगुणमैश्वर्यं यस्याः स्वाभाविकं परम्॥ निरस्तातिशयं लोके स्पृहणीयतमं सदा

tathāṣṭaguṇamaiśvaryaṁ yasyāḥ svābhāvikaṁ param nirastātiśayaṁ loke spṛhaṇīyatamaṁ sadā

'Yours too is the eightfold sovereign power, supreme and inherent by nature, unsurpassed in all the world, ever the most desirable of all things.'

Verse 76 (skanda.6.62.76)

यस्या रूपाण्यनेकानि सम्यग्ध्यानपरायणाः॥ ध्यायंति मुनयो भक्त्या प्राप्नुवंति च वांछितम्

yasyā rūpāṇyanekāni samyagdhyānaparāyaṇāḥ dhyāyaṁti munayo bhaktyā prāpnuvaṁti ca vāṁchitam

'Whose many forms the sages, wholly devoted to meditation, contemplate with devotion — and thereby attain all that they desire.'

Verse 77 (skanda.6.62.77)

हृदि संकल्प्य यद्रूपं ध्यानेनार्चंति योगिनः॥ सम्यग्भावात्मकैः पुष्पैर्मोक्षाय कृत निश्चयाः

hṛdi saṁkalpya yadrūpaṁ dhyānenārcaṁti yoginaḥ samyagbhāvātmakaiḥ puṣpairmokṣāya kṛta niścayāḥ

'Whose form, held fast within the heart, yogis worship through meditation with flowers born of pure inward devotion, resolved firmly upon liberation.'

Verse 78 (skanda.6.62.78)

तां देवीं मानुषी भूत्वा कथं स्तौमि महेश्वरीम्

tāṁ devīṁ mānuṣī bhūtvā kathaṁ staumi maheśvarīm

'How, being only a mortal woman, can I possibly praise that Goddess, the great Mahesvari?'

Verse 79 (skanda.6.62.79)

देव्युवाच॥ परितुष्टास्मि ते पुत्रि वरं प्रार्थय सुव्रते॥ असंदिग्धं प्रदास्यामि यत्ते हृदि सदा स्थितम्

devyuvāca parituṣṭāsmi te putri varaṁ prārthaya suvrate asaṁdigdhaṁ pradāsyāmi yatte hṛdi sadā sthitam

The Goddess said: 'I am well pleased with you, my daughter. Ask for a boon, O woman of noble vows; whatever has ever dwelt in your heart, that I shall grant you without doubt.'

Verse 80 (skanda.6.62.80)

विषकन्योवाच॥ भर्तुरर्थे मया देवि कृतोऽयं तपउद्यमः॥ तत्किं तेन करिष्यामि सांप्रतं जरयावृता

viṣakanyovāca bharturarthe mayā devi kṛto'yaṁ tapaudyamaḥ tatkiṁ tena kariṣyāmi sāṁprataṁ jarayāvṛtā

The poison-maiden said: 'O Goddess, this austerity was undertaken by me for the sake of gaining a husband; but now, overtaken as I am by old age, what use is it to me any longer?'

Verse 81 (skanda.6.62.81)

तस्मादत्राऽऽश्रमे साकं त्वया स्थेयं सदैव तु॥ हिताय सर्वनारीणां वचनान्मम पार्वति

tasmādatrā''śrame sākaṁ tvayā stheyaṁ sadaiva tu hitāya sarvanārīṇāṁ vacanānmama pārvati

'Therefore, O Parvati, at my word, for the welfare of all women, may you dwell here always, together with your lord, in this very hermitage.'

Verse 82 (skanda.6.62.82)

श्रीदेव्युवाच॥ अद्यप्रभृत्यहं भद्रे श्रेष्ठेऽस्मिन्नाश्रमे शुभे॥ स्वमाश्रमं करिष्यामि यत्ते हृदि समाश्रितम्

śrīdevyuvāca adyaprabhṛtyahaṁ bhadre śreṣṭhe'sminnāśrame śubhe svamāśramaṁ kariṣyāmi yatte hṛdi samāśritam

The blessed Goddess said: 'From this day on, O gracious one, in keeping with what is fixed in your heart, I shall make this excellent and auspicious hermitage my own abode.'

Verse 83 (skanda.6.62.83)

माघशुक्लतृतीयायां या ऽत्र स्नानं करिष्यति॥ नारी सा मत्प्रसादेन लप्स्यते वांछितं फलम्

māghaśuklatṛtīyāyāṁ yā 'tra snānaṁ kariṣyati nārī sā matprasādena lapsyate vāṁchitaṁ phalam

'Whatever woman bathes here on the third day of the bright half of Magha shall, by my grace, obtain whatever fruit she desires.'

Verse 84 (skanda.6.62.84)

अपि कृत्वा महापापं नारी वा पुरुषोऽथवा॥ यत्र स्नात्वा प्रसादान्मे विपाप्मा संभविष्यति

api kṛtvā mahāpāpaṁ nārī vā puruṣo'thavā yatra snātvā prasādānme vipāpmā saṁbhaviṣyati

'Even if a woman or a man has committed a great sin, whoever bathes here shall, by my grace, become free of that sin.'

Verse 85 (skanda.6.62.85)

अत्र ये फलदानं च प्रकरिष्यंति मानवाः॥ सफलाः सकलास्तेषामाशाः स्युर्नात्र संशयः

atra ye phaladānaṁ ca prakariṣyaṁti mānavāḥ saphalāḥ sakalāsteṣāmāśāḥ syurnātra saṁśayaḥ

'Whatever people make offerings of fruit here — all their hopes shall be fulfilled; of this there is no doubt.'

Verse 86 (skanda.6.62.86)

अपि हत्वा स्त्रियं मर्त्यो योऽत्र स्नानं करिष्यति॥ माघशुक्लतृतीयायां विपाप्मा स भविष्यति

api hatvā striyaṁ martyo yo'tra snānaṁ kariṣyati māghaśuklatṛtīyāyāṁ vipāpmā sa bhaviṣyati

'Even a man who has slain a woman, if he bathes here on the third day of the bright fortnight of Magha, shall become free of that very sin.'

Verse 87 (skanda.6.62.87)

या तत्र कन्यका भद्रे स्नानं भक्त्या करि ष्यति॥ तस्मिन्दिने पतिश्रेष्ठं लप्स्यते नात्र संशयः

yā tatra kanyakā bhadre snānaṁ bhaktyā kari ṣyati tasmindine patiśreṣṭhaṁ lapsyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

'O gracious one, whatever maiden bathes there with devotion on that day shall obtain an excellent husband — of this there is no doubt.'

Verse 88 (skanda.6.62.88)

सूत उवाच॥ एवमुक्त्वा ततो गौरी तां च पस्पर्श पाणिना॥ ततश्च तत्क्षणाज्जाता दिव्यरूपवपुर्द्धरा

sūta uvāca evamuktvā tato gaurī tāṁ ca pasparśa pāṇinā tataśca tatkṣaṇājjātā divyarūpavapurddharā

Suta said: Having said this, Gauri touched her with her own hand, and in that very instant she came to bear a divine, radiant form.

Verse 89 (skanda.6.62.89)

वृद्धत्वेन परित्यक्ता दिव्यमाल्यानुलेपना॥ पीनोन्नतकुचाभोगा प्रमत्तगजगामिनी

vṛddhatvena parityaktā divyamālyānulepanā pīnonnatakucābhogā pramattagajagāminī

Freed from the burden of old age, adorned now with celestial garlands and fragrant unguents, her figure full and radiant, she moved with the graceful gait of an elephant in its prime.

Verse 90 (skanda.6.62.90)

ततस्तां सा समादाय विधाय निजकिंकरीम्॥ कैलासं पर्वतश्रेष्ठं जगाम हरसंयुता

tatastāṁ sā samādāya vidhāya nijakiṁkarīm kailāsaṁ parvataśreṣṭhaṁ jagāma harasaṁyutā

Then, taking her along, and making her one of her own handmaidens, the Goddess, together with Shiva, departed for Kailasa, greatest of mountains.

Verse 91 (skanda.6.62.91)

ततःप्रभृति तत्तीर्थं शर्मिष्ठातीर्थमुच्यते॥ प्रख्यातं त्रिषु लोकेषु सर्वपातकनाशनम्

tataḥprabhṛti tattīrthaṁ śarmiṣṭhātīrthamucyate prakhyātaṁ triṣu lokeṣu sarvapātakanāśanam

From that time on, that tirtha has been known as the Sharmishtha-tirtha, celebrated throughout the three worlds as the destroyer of every sin.

Verse 92 (skanda.6.62.92)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन तत्र स्नानं समाचरेत्॥ माघशुक्लतृतीयायां यथावद्द्विजसत्तमाः

tasmātsarvaprayatnena tatra snānaṁ samācaret māghaśuklatṛtīyāyāṁ yathāvaddvijasattamāḥ

Therefore, O best of the twice-born, one should make every effort to bathe there properly, on the third day of the bright fortnight of Magha.

Verse 93 (skanda.6.62.93)

एतत्पवित्रमायुष्यं सर्व पातकनाशनम्॥ स्त्रीतीर्थसंभवं नॄणां माहात्म्यं यन्मयोदितम्

etatpavitramāyuṣyaṁ sarva pātakanāśanam strītīrthasaṁbhavaṁ nṝṇāṁ māhātmyaṁ yanmayoditam

This account is sacred, life-giving, and destroys every sin — this greatness of a tirtha born from a woman, which I have now related to you men.

Verse 94 (skanda.6.62.94)

यश्चैतत्प्रातरुत्थाय सदा पठति मानवः॥ स सर्वाँल्लभते कामान्मनसा वांछितान्सदा

yaścaitatprātarutthāya sadā paṭhati mānavaḥ sa sarvā~llabhate kāmānmanasā vāṁchitānsadā

Whoever rises each morning and constantly recites this shall ever obtain every desire cherished in the mind.

Verse 95 (skanda.6.62.95)

तथा पर्वणि संप्राप्ते यश्चैतत्पठते नरः॥ शृणोति चाशु भक्त्या यः स याति शिवमंदिरम्

tathā parvaṇi saṁprāpte yaścaitatpaṭhate naraḥ śṛṇoti cāśu bhaktyā yaḥ sa yāti śivamaṁdiram

And likewise, whatever man recites this on a sacred festival day, or hears it swiftly with devotion, attains the abode of Shiva.