The Glory of the Altar Where Hara Resides

Verse 1 (skanda.6.77.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः॥ यदेतद्भवता प्रोक्तं तत्र तौ परमेश्वरौ॥ उमामहेश्वरौ सूत हरिश्चन्द्रेण भूभुजा

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ yadetadbhavatā proktaṁ tatra tau parameśvarau umāmaheśvarau sūta hariścandreṇa bhūbhujā

The sages said: "What you have told us — that there, those two supreme deities, Uma and Maheshvara, were established by King Harishchandra —"

Verse 2 (skanda.6.77.2)

कृतौ कथयसीत्येवं वेदिमध्यं समाश्रितौ॥ उतान्यौ स्थापितौ तत्र चमत्कारपुरांतिकम्

kṛtau kathayasītyevaṁ vedimadhyaṁ samāśritau utānyau sthāpitau tatra camatkārapurāṁtikam

"— so you say, made and now dwelling in the middle of the altar; or were they instead established there near Chamatkarapura?"

Verse 3 (skanda.6.77.3)

वेदिमध्यगतौ नित्यं पार्वतीपरमेश्वरौ॥ एतत्संश्रूयते सूत विवाहः प्रागभूत्तयोः॥ ओषधिप्रस्थमासाद्य पुरं हिमवतः प्रियम्

vedimadhyagatau nityaṁ pārvatīparameśvarau etatsaṁśrūyate sūta vivāhaḥ prāgabhūttayoḥ oṣadhiprasthamāsādya puraṁ himavataḥ priyam

"Parvati and Parameshvara, we are told, dwell forever in the middle of the altar; but we have also heard, O Suta, that their marriage took place earlier, at Aushadhiprastha, the city dear to Himavat."

Verse 4 (skanda.6.77.4)

अत्र नः संशयो जातः श्रद्धेयमपि ते वचः॥ श्रुत्वा किं वा भ्रमस्तेऽयं किं वाऽस्माकं प्रकीर्तय

atra naḥ saṁśayo jātaḥ śraddheyamapi te vacaḥ śrutvā kiṁ vā bhramaste'yaṁ kiṁ vā'smākaṁ prakīrtaya

"On this point a doubt has arisen in us, though your word is worthy of trust. Tell us: on hearing this, is this our confusion, or is it yours?"

Verse 5 (skanda.6.77.5)

सूत उवाच॥ नास्माकं विभ्रमो जातो युष्माकं तु द्विजोत्तमाः॥ परं यत्कारणं कृत्स्नं तद्ब्रवीमि निबोध्यताम्

sūta uvāca nāsmākaṁ vibhramo jāto yuṣmākaṁ tu dvijottamāḥ paraṁ yatkāraṇaṁ kṛtsnaṁ tadbravīmi nibodhyatām

Suta said: "No confusion has arisen in me, O best of brahmins, but rather in you. But I shall tell you the entire reason for it — understand it well."

Verse 6 (skanda.6.77.6)

य एष ओषधिप्रस्थे विवाहः प्रागभूत्तयोः॥ उमात्रिनेत्रयो रम्यः सर्वदेवप्रमोदकृत्

ya eṣa oṣadhiprasthe vivāhaḥ prāgabhūttayoḥ umātrinetrayo ramyaḥ sarvadevapramodakṛt

"That delightful marriage of Uma and the three-eyed one that took place earlier at Aushadhiprastha, bringing joy to all the gods,"

Verse 7 (skanda.6.77.7)

वैवस्वतेऽन्तरे पूर्वं संजातो द्विजसत्तमाः॥ सप्तमस्य तु विख्यातो युष्माकं विदितोऽत्र यः

vaivasvate'ntare pūrvaṁ saṁjāto dvijasattamāḥ saptamasya tu vikhyāto yuṣmākaṁ vidito'tra yaḥ

"took place, O best of brahmins, in the earlier Vaivasvata Manvantara — the seventh, well known and familiar to you here."

Verse 8 (skanda.6.77.8)

हाटकेश्वरजे क्षेत्रे यश्चोद्वाहस्तयोरभूत्॥ स्वायंभुवमनोराद्ये स संजातः सुविस्तरः

hāṭakeśvaraje kṣetre yaścodvāhastayorabhūt svāyaṁbhuvamanorādye sa saṁjātaḥ suvistaraḥ

"But the marriage of those two that took place in the sacred field of Hatakeshvara occurred at the start of the Svayambhuva Manvantara, and it happened at great length."

Verse 9 (skanda.6.77.9)

ऋषय ऊचुः॥ विवाह ओषधिप्रस्थे यः पुरा समभूत्तयोः॥ पार्वतीहरयोः सूत सोऽस्माभिर्विस्तराच्छ्रुतः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ vivāha oṣadhiprasthe yaḥ purā samabhūttayoḥ pārvatīharayoḥ sūta so'smābhirvistarācchrutaḥ

The sages said: "The marriage of Parvati and Hara that took place formerly at Aushadhiprastha, O Suta — that we have already heard from you in detail."

Verse 10 (skanda.6.77.10)

हाटकेश्वरजे क्षेत्रे दक्षयज्ञे मनोहरे॥ विवाहो वृषयानस्य मनौ स्वायंभुवे पुरा

hāṭakeśvaraje kṣetre dakṣayajñe manohare vivāho vṛṣayānasya manau svāyaṁbhuve purā

"Now tell us of the marriage of the bull-borne one, which took place formerly, in the Svayambhuva Manvantara, at Daksha's delightful sacrifice, in the sacred field of Hatakeshvara."

Verse 11 (skanda.6.77.11)

सोऽस्माकं कीर्तनीयश्च त्वया सूतकुलोद्वह॥ विस्तरेण यथा वृत्तः एतन्न कौतुकं परम्

so'smākaṁ kīrtanīyaśca tvayā sūtakulodvaha vistareṇa yathā vṛttaḥ etanna kautukaṁ param

"That should be recounted to us by you, O foremost of Suta's line, in detail, just as it happened — this is no small matter of curiosity for us."

Verse 12 (skanda.6.77.12)

सूत उवाच॥ अत्र वः कीर्तयिष्यामि सर्वपातकनाशनम्॥ विवाहसमयं सम्यग्देवदेवस्य शूलिनः

sūta uvāca atra vaḥ kīrtayiṣyāmi sarvapātakanāśanam vivāhasamayaṁ samyagdevadevasya śūlinaḥ

Suta said: "I shall now recount to you the marriage occasion of the trident-bearing god of gods, which thoroughly destroys all sins."

Verse 13 (skanda.6.77.13)

ब्रह्मणो दक्षिणांगुष्ठाद्दक्षः प्राचेतसोऽभवत्॥ शतानि पञ्च कन्यानां तस्य जातानि च द्विजाः

brahmaṇo dakṣiṇāṁguṣṭhāddakṣaḥ prācetaso'bhavat śatāni pañca kanyānāṁ tasya jātāni ca dvijāḥ

From the right thumb of Brahma, Daksha, son of Prachetas, was born; and to him, O brahmins, five hundred daughters were born.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.77.14)

तासां ज्येष्ठतमा साध्वी सतीनाम शुचिस्मिता॥ बभूव कन्यका सर्वैर्गुणैर्युक्ताऽऽयतेक्षणा

tāsāṁ jyeṣṭhatamā sādhvī satīnāma śucismitā babhūva kanyakā sarvairguṇairyuktā''yatekṣaṇā

Of them, the eldest was a virtuous, pure-smiling maiden named Sati, endowed with every virtue, and with wide, lovely eyes.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.77.15)

न देवी न च गंधर्वी नासुरी न च नागजा॥ तादृग्रूपाऽभवच्चान्या यादृशी सा सुमध्यमा

na devī na ca gaṁdharvī nāsurī na ca nāgajā tādṛgrūpā'bhavaccānyā yādṛśī sā sumadhyamā

Neither a goddess, nor a gandharvi, nor an asura woman, nor a serpent-born woman was ever of such beauty as that slender-waisted maiden.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.77.16)

अथ तां प्रददौ दक्षः पत्न्यर्थं शूलपाणये॥ प्रार्थितां बहुशो यत्नात्सस्पृहाय स्पृहान्विताम्

atha tāṁ pradadau dakṣaḥ patnyarthaṁ śūlapāṇaye prārthitāṁ bahuśo yatnātsaspṛhāya spṛhānvitām

Then Daksha, having been earnestly entreated many times, gave her — herself desirous — as wife to the trident-bearer, who desired her.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.77.17)

ततः पुण्यतमं क्षेत्रं कन्यादानस्य स क्षमम्॥ संध्याय ससुतामात्यः सभृत्यः समुपस्थितः

tataḥ puṇyatamaṁ kṣetraṁ kanyādānasya sa kṣamam saṁdhyāya sasutāmātyaḥ sabhṛtyaḥ samupasthitaḥ

Then, having chosen the most sacred field, fit for the giving of the maiden in marriage, he arrived there with his daughter, his ministers, and his servants.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.77.18)

ततश्चोद्वाहयोग्यानि वसुनि विविधान्यपि॥ आनयामास भूरीणि मांगल्यानि विशेषतः

tataścodvāhayogyāni vasuni vividhānyapi ānayāmāsa bhūrīṇi māṁgalyāni viśeṣataḥ

Then he brought various kinds of wealth suitable for the wedding, in great abundance, and especially auspicious articles.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.77.19)

अथ चैत्रस्य शुक्लस्य नक्षत्रे भगदैवते॥ त्रयोदश्यां दिने भानोः समायातो महेश्वरः

atha caitrasya śuklasya nakṣatre bhagadaivate trayodaśyāṁ dine bhānoḥ samāyāto maheśvaraḥ

Then, on the thirteenth day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra, under the asterism whose deity is Bhaga, on a Sunday, Maheshvara arrived,

Verse 20 (skanda.6.77.20)

सर्वैः सुरगणैः सार्धं देवविष्णुपुरःसरैः॥ आदित्यैर्वसुभी रुद्रैरश्विभ्यां च तथाऽपरैः

sarvaiḥ suragaṇaiḥ sārdhaṁ devaviṣṇupuraḥsaraiḥ ādityairvasubhī rudrairaśvibhyāṁ ca tathā'paraiḥ

together with all the hosts of gods, led by Vishnu among the gods, with the Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, and the two Ashvins, and other deities too,

Verse 21 (skanda.6.77.21)

सिद्धैः साध्यगणैर्भूतैः प्रेतैर्वैनायकैस्तथा॥ गन्धर्वैश्चारणौघैश्च गुह्यकैर्यक्षराक्षसैः

siddhaiḥ sādhyagaṇairbhūtaiḥ pretairvaināyakaistathā gandharvaiścāraṇaughaiśca guhyakairyakṣarākṣasaiḥ

with the Siddhas, the hosts of Sadhyas, the Bhutas, the Pretas, and the Vinayakas too, with the gandharvas, hosts of charanas, guhyakas, yakshas, and rakshasas.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.77.22)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे दक्षः संप्रहृष्टतनूरुहः॥ प्रययौ संमुखस्तस्य युक्तः सर्वैः सुहृद्गणैः

etasminnaṁtare dakṣaḥ saṁprahṛṣṭatanūruhaḥ prayayau saṁmukhastasya yuktaḥ sarvaiḥ suhṛdgaṇaiḥ

Meanwhile Daksha, the hair of his body bristling with joy, went forth to meet him, accompanied by all his host of friends,

Verse 23 (skanda.6.77.23)

वाद्यमानैर्महावाद्यैः सूतमागधबन्दिभिः॥ पठद्भिः सर्वतोऽनेकैर्गायद्भिर्गायनैस्तथा

vādyamānairmahāvādyaiḥ sūtamāgadhabandibhiḥ paṭhadbhiḥ sarvato'nekairgāyadbhirgāyanaistathā

amid the sound of great instruments being played, with sutas, magadhas, and bards, and many reciters and singers singing all around.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.77.24)

ततः सर्वे सुरास्तत्र स्वयं दक्षेण पूजिताः॥ यथाश्रेष्ठं यथाज्येष्ठमुपविष्टा यथाक्रमम्॥ परिवार्याखिलां वेदिं मंडपांतरवर्तिनीम्

tataḥ sarve surāstatra svayaṁ dakṣeṇa pūjitāḥ yathāśreṣṭhaṁ yathājyeṣṭhamupaviṣṭā yathākramam parivāryākhilāṁ vediṁ maṁḍapāṁtaravartinīm

Then all the gods there, honored by Daksha himself, were seated in due order according to rank and seniority, surrounding the whole altar which stood within the wedding pavilion.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.77.25)

ततः पितामहं प्राह दक्षः प्रीतिपुरःसरम्॥ प्रणिपत्य त्वया कर्म कार्यं वैवाहिकं विभोः

tataḥ pitāmahaṁ prāha dakṣaḥ prītipuraḥsaram praṇipatya tvayā karma kāryaṁ vaivāhikaṁ vibhoḥ

Then Daksha, bowing with affection, said to the Grandsire: "By you the marriage rite of the Lord must be performed,"

Verse 26 (skanda.6.77.26)

स्वयमेव सुताऽस्माकं येन स्यात्सुभगा सती॥ पुत्रपौत्रवती नित्यं सुशीला पतिवल्लभा

svayameva sutā'smākaṁ yena syātsubhagā satī putrapautravatī nityaṁ suśīlā pativallabhā

"so that our own daughter Sati may thereby become fortunate, ever blessed with sons and grandsons, of good conduct, and beloved by her husband."

Verse 27 (skanda.6.77.27)

बाढमित्येव सोऽप्युक्त्वा प्रहृष्टेनांतरात्मना॥ समुत्थाय ततश्चक्रे कृत्यमर्हणपूर्वकम्

bāḍhamityeva so'pyuktvā prahṛṣṭenāṁtarātmanā samutthāya tataścakre kṛtyamarhaṇapūrvakam

Saying "so be it," he too, with a heart full of joy, rose up and performed the rite, beginning with the ceremonial welcome.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.77.28)

संप्रदानक्रियां कृत्वा तत्रैव विधिपूर्वकम्॥ ततो हस्तग्रहं ताभ्यां मिथश्चक्रे यथाक्रमम्॥ मातॄणां पुरतो वेधाः सतीशाभ्यां यथोचितम्

saṁpradānakriyāṁ kṛtvā tatraiva vidhipūrvakam tato hastagrahaṁ tābhyāṁ mithaścakre yathākramam mātṝṇāṁ purato vedhāḥ satīśābhyāṁ yathocitam

Having performed the rite of giving the bride away there according to due procedure, the Creator then, in proper order, caused Sati and her lord to join hands with each other, before the mothers, as was fitting.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.77.29)

अथ वेदिं समासाद्य गृह्योक्तविधिनाऽखिलम्॥ अग्निकार्यं यथोद्दिष्टं चकाराथ सुविस्तरम्

atha vediṁ samāsādya gṛhyoktavidhinā'khilam agnikāryaṁ yathoddiṣṭaṁ cakārātha suvistaram

Then, having approached the sacrificial altar, he performed in full, at great length, the entire fire-rite according to the procedure prescribed in the domestic rituals.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.77.30)

यथायथा स रम्याणि वीक्षतेंऽगानि कौतुकात्॥ सत्याः पितामहो हृष्टः कामार्तोऽभूत्तथातथा

yathāyathā sa ramyāṇi vīkṣateṁ'gāni kautukāt satyāḥ pitāmaho hṛṣṭaḥ kāmārto'bhūttathātathā

As, out of curiosity, the delighted Grandsire kept gazing again and again at Sati's lovely limbs, so more and more did he become overcome with desire.

Verse 31 (skanda.6.77.31)

तेनैकं वदनं मुक्त्वा तस्या वस्त्रावगुंठितम्॥ वीक्षिताऽतिस्मरार्तेन यथा कश्चिन्न बुद्ध्यते

tenaikaṁ vadanaṁ muktvā tasyā vastrāvaguṁṭhitam vīkṣitā'tismarārtena yathā kaścinna buddhyate

Tormented by desire, he revealed her face alone from behind her wedding veil and gazed at it, in such a way that no one else might notice.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.77.32)

न शंभोर्लज्जया वक्त्रं प्रत्यक्षं स व्यलोकयत्॥ न च सा लज्जयाविष्टा करोति प्रकटं मुखम्

na śaṁbhorlajjayā vaktraṁ pratyakṣaṁ sa vyalokayat na ca sā lajjayāviṣṭā karoti prakaṭaṁ mukham

Out of shame before Shambhu, he did not look openly at her face directly; and she too, overcome with shame, did not display her face openly.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.77.33)

ततस्तद्दर्शनार्थाय स उपायं व्यलोकयत्॥ धूमद्वारेण कामार्तश्चकार च ततः परम्

tatastaddarśanārthāya sa upāyaṁ vyalokayat dhūmadvāreṇa kāmārtaścakāra ca tataḥ param

Then, in order to see her, he devised a stratagem, and, tormented by desire, thereupon created a means through smoke.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.77.34)

आर्द्रेंधनानि भूरीणि क्षिप्त्वाक्षित्वा विभावसौ॥ स्वल्पाज्याहुतिविन्यासादार्द्रद्रव्योद्भवस्तथा

ārdreṁdhanāni bhūrīṇi kṣiptvākṣitvā vibhāvasau svalpājyāhutivinyāsādārdradravyodbhavastathā

Casting much damp fuel into the fire, and offering only a small quantity of clarified butter, he thus produced smoke arising from the damp material.

Verse 35 (skanda.6.77.35)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे धूमः प्रादुर्भूतः समंततः॥ तादृग्येन तमोभूतं वेदिमूलं विनिर्मितम्

etasminnaṁtare dhūmaḥ prādurbhūtaḥ samaṁtataḥ tādṛgyena tamobhūtaṁ vedimūlaṁ vinirmitam

Meanwhile, smoke arose all around, of such density that it rendered the base of the altar as if wrapped in darkness.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.77.36)

ततो धूमाकुलेनेत्रे भगवांस्त्रिपुरान्तकः॥ हस्ताभ्यां छादयामास येऽन्ये तत्र व्यवस्थिताः

tato dhūmākulenetre bhagavāṁstripurāntakaḥ hastābhyāṁ chādayāmāsa ye'nye tatra vyavasthitāḥ

Then the blessed destroyer of Tripura, his eyes troubled by the smoke, covered them with his two hands, as did the others who were present there.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.77.37)

ततो वस्त्रं समुत्क्षिप्य सतीवक्त्रं पितामहः॥ वीक्षयामास कामार्तः प्रहृष्टेनांतरात्मना

tato vastraṁ samutkṣipya satīvaktraṁ pitāmahaḥ vīkṣayāmāsa kāmārtaḥ prahṛṣṭenāṁtarātmanā

Then the Grandsire, tormented by desire, lifting up the veil, gazed upon Sati's face with an inwardly delighted heart.

Verse 38 (skanda.6.77.38)

तस्य रेतः प्रचस्कन्द ततस्तद्वीक्षणाद्द्रुतम्॥ पतितं च धरापृष्ठे तुषारचयसंनिभम्

tasya retaḥ pracaskanda tatastadvīkṣaṇāddrutam patitaṁ ca dharāpṛṣṭhe tuṣāracayasaṁnibham

His seed then spilled forth swiftly at that sight, and fell upon the surface of the earth, resembling a mass of frost.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.77.39)

ततश्च सिकतौघेना तत्क्षणात्पद्मसंभवः॥ छादयामास तद्रेतो यथा कश्चिन्न बुद्ध्यते

tataśca sikataughenā tatkṣaṇātpadmasaṁbhavaḥ chādayāmāsa tadreto yathā kaścinna buddhyate

Then, at that very moment, the lotus-born one covered that seed with a heap of sand, so that no one might notice.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.77.40)

अथ तद्भगवाञ्च्छंभुर्ज्ञात्वा दिव्येन चक्षुषा॥ रेतोऽवस्कन्दनात्तस्य कोपादेतदुवाच ह

atha tadbhagavāñcchaṁbhurjñātvā divyena cakṣuṣā reto'vaskandanāttasya kopādetaduvāca ha

But the blessed Shambhu, knowing by his divine eye the spilling of his seed, in anger then spoke thus:

Verse 41 (skanda.6.77.41)

किमेतद्विहितं पाप त्वया कर्म विगर्हितम्॥ नैवार्हा मम कान्ताया वक्त्रवीक्षाऽनुरागतः

kimetadvihitaṁ pāpa tvayā karma vigarhitam naivārhā mama kāntāyā vaktravīkṣā'nurāgataḥ

"What is this sinful, reprehensible deed you have committed? You had no right to gaze with passion upon the face of my beloved."

Verse 42 (skanda.6.77.42)

त्वं वेत्सि शंकरेणैतत्कर्मजालं न विंदितम्॥ त्रैलोक्येऽपि मयाऽप्यस्ति गूढं तत्स्यात्कथं विधे॥ यत्किञ्चित्त्रिषु लोकेषु जंगमं स्थावरं तथा॥ तस्याहं मध्यगो मूढ तैलं यद्वत्तिलांतगम्

tvaṁ vetsi śaṁkareṇaitatkarmajālaṁ na viṁditam trailokye'pi mayā'pyasti gūḍhaṁ tatsyātkathaṁ vidhe yatkiñcittriṣu lokeṣu jaṁgamaṁ sthāvaraṁ tathā tasyāhaṁ madhyago mūḍha tailaṁ yadvattilāṁtagam

"Did you think, O Creator, that this web of your deed was unknown to Shankara? How could anything remain hidden from me, even in the three worlds? Whatever exists in the three worlds, moving or unmoving, in the midst of all of it I dwell, O fool, just as oil pervades the sesame seed."

Verse 43 (skanda.6.77.43)

तस्मात्स्पृश निजं शीर्षं ब्रह्मन्नेतदसंशयम्॥ यावदेवं गते ब्रह्मा शिरः स्पृशति पाणिना॥ तावत्तत्र स्थितः साक्षात्तद्रूपो वृषवाहनः

tasmātspṛśa nijaṁ śīrṣaṁ brahmannetadasaṁśayam yāvadevaṁ gate brahmā śiraḥ spṛśati pāṇinā tāvattatra sthitaḥ sākṣāttadrūpo vṛṣavāhanaḥ

"Therefore, O Brahma, touch your own head — this, without doubt." As soon as this was said, when Brahma touched his head with his hand, right there, in that very form, stood the bull-mounted one in person.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.77.44)

ततो लज्जापरीतांगः स्थितश्चाधोमुखो द्विजाः॥ इन्द्राद्यैरमरैः सर्वैः सहितः सर्वतः स्थितैः

tato lajjāparītāṁgaḥ sthitaścādhomukho dvijāḥ indrādyairamaraiḥ sarvaiḥ sahitaḥ sarvataḥ sthitaiḥ

Then, his whole body overcome with shame, he stood there, O brahmins, with face bowed down, in the presence of Indra and all the other gods standing all around.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.77.45)

अथाऽसौ लज्जयाविष्टः प्रणिपत्य महेश्वरम्॥ प्रोवाच च स्तुतिं कृत्वा क्षम्यतां क्षम्यतामिति

athā'sau lajjayāviṣṭaḥ praṇipatya maheśvaram provāca ca stutiṁ kṛtvā kṣamyatāṁ kṣamyatāmiti

Then, overwhelmed with shame, he bowed down to Maheshvara, and, offering a hymn of praise, said: "Forgive me, forgive me."

Verse 46 (skanda.6.77.46)

अस्य पापस्य शुद्ध्यर्थं प्रायश्चित्तं वद प्रभो॥ निग्रहं च यथान्यायं येन पापं प्रयाति मे

asya pāpasya śuddhyarthaṁ prāyaścittaṁ vada prabho nigrahaṁ ca yathānyāyaṁ yena pāpaṁ prayāti me

"Tell me, O Lord, the atonement for the purification of this sin, and the punishment that is just, by which this sin of mine may depart."

Verse 47 (skanda.6.77.47)

श्रीभगवानुवाच॥ अनेनैव तु रूपेण मस्तकस्थेन वै ततः॥ तपः कुरु समाधिस्थो ममाराधनतत्परः

śrībhagavānuvāca anenaiva tu rūpeṇa mastakasthena vai tataḥ tapaḥ kuru samādhistho mamārādhanatatparaḥ

The Blessed Lord said: In this very form, fixed upon your head, absorbed in meditation and devoted to my worship, perform austerity.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.77.48)

ख्यातिं यास्यति सर्वत्र नाम्ना रुद्रशिरः क्षितौ॥ साधकः सर्वकृत्यानां तेजोभाजां द्विजन्मनाम्

khyātiṁ yāsyati sarvatra nāmnā rudraśiraḥ kṣitau sādhakaḥ sarvakṛtyānāṁ tejobhājāṁ dvijanmanām

This place shall become famous everywhere on earth by the name "Rudrashirsha," effective in every rite for radiant brahmins.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.77.49)

मानुषाणामिदं कृत्यं यस्माच्चीर्णं त्वयाऽऽधुना॥ तस्मात्त्वं मानुषो भूत्वा विचरिष्यसि भूतले

mānuṣāṇāmidaṁ kṛtyaṁ yasmāccīrṇaṁ tvayā''dhunā tasmāttvaṁ mānuṣo bhūtvā vicariṣyasi bhūtale

Since this deed, characteristic of men, has now been committed by you, therefore you shall become as a man and wander upon the earth.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.77.50)

यस्त्वां चानेन रूपेण दृष्ट्वा पृच्छां करिष्यति॥ किमेतद्ब्रह्मणो मूर्ध्नि भगवांस्त्रिपुरांतकः

yastvāṁ cānena rūpeṇa dṛṣṭvā pṛcchāṁ kariṣyati kimetadbrahmaṇo mūrdhni bhagavāṁstripurāṁtakaḥ

Whoever, seeing you in this form, shall ask the question: "What is this — the destroyer of Tripura upon Brahma's head?" —

Verse 51 (skanda.6.77.51)

ततस्ते चेष्टितं सर्वं कौतुकाच्च शृणोति यः॥ परदारकृतात्पापात्ततो मुक्तिं प्रयास्यति

tataste ceṣṭitaṁ sarvaṁ kautukācca śṛṇoti yaḥ paradārakṛtātpāpāttato muktiṁ prayāsyati

and whoever then, out of curiosity, hears the whole story of what you did — he shall attain release from the sin of adultery with another's wife.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.77.52)

यथायथा जनस्त्वेतत्कृत्यं ते कीर्तयिष्यति॥ तथातथा विशुद्धिस्ते पापस्यास्य भविष्यति

yathāyathā janastvetatkṛtyaṁ te kīrtayiṣyati tathātathā viśuddhiste pāpasyāsya bhaviṣyati

The more a person recounts this deed of yours, the more your purification from this sin shall come about.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.77.53)

एतदेव हि ते ब्रह्मन्प्रायश्चित्तं प्रकीर्तितम्॥ जनहास्यकरं लोके तव गर्हाकरं परम्

etadeva hi te brahmanprāyaścittaṁ prakīrtitam janahāsyakaraṁ loke tava garhākaraṁ param

This very thing, O Brahma, is declared to be your atonement — a thing that shall make people laugh in the world, and bring the greatest reproach upon you.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.77.54)

एतच्च तव वीर्यं तु पतितं वेदिमध्यगम्॥ कामार्तस्य मया दृष्टं नैतद्व्यर्थं भविष्यति

etacca tava vīryaṁ tu patitaṁ vedimadhyagam kāmārtasya mayā dṛṣṭaṁ naitadvyarthaṁ bhaviṣyati

And this seed of yours, fallen in the midst of the altar, born of your desire, seen by me — this shall not go to waste.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.77.55)

यावन्मात्रैः परिस्पृष्टमेतत्सैकतरेणुभिः॥ तावन्मात्रा भविष्यंति मुनयः संशितव्रताः

yāvanmātraiḥ parispṛṣṭametatsaikatareṇubhiḥ tāvanmātrā bhaviṣyaṁti munayaḥ saṁśitavratāḥ

By as many grains of sand as have touched it, so many sages of rigorous vows shall come into being,

Verse 56 (skanda.6.77.56)

वालखिल्या इति ख्याताः सर्वेंऽगुष्ठप्रमाणकाः॥ तपोवीर्यसमोपेताः शापानुग्रहकारकाः

vālakhilyā iti khyātāḥ sarveṁ'guṣṭhapramāṇakāḥ tapovīryasamopetāḥ śāpānugrahakārakāḥ

known as the Valakhilyas, all thumb-sized, endowed with the power of their austerities, capable of both cursing and blessing.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.77.57)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे तस्माद्वेदिमध्याच्च तत्क्षणात्॥ अष्टाशीतिसहस्राणि मुनीनां भावितात्मनाम्॥ अंगुष्ठकप्रमाणानि निष्क्रान्तानि द्विजोत्तमाः

etasminnaṁtare tasmādvedimadhyācca tatkṣaṇāt aṣṭāśītisahasrāṇi munīnāṁ bhāvitātmanām aṁguṣṭhakapramāṇāni niṣkrāntāni dvijottamāḥ

Meanwhile, at that very instant, from the middle of the altar, eighty-eight thousand purified-souled sages, each thumb-sized, came forth, O best of brahmins.

Verse 58 (skanda.6.77.58)

ततस्ते प्रणिपत्योच्चैः प्रोचुर्देवं पितामहम्॥ स्थानं दर्शय नस्तात तपोऽर्थं कलिवर्जितम्

tataste praṇipatyoccaiḥ procurdevaṁ pitāmaham sthānaṁ darśaya nastāta tapo'rthaṁ kalivarjitam

Then, bowing low, they loudly said to the god, the Grandsire: "O father, show us a place for our austerities, free from the taint of Kali."

Verse 59 (skanda.6.77.59)

पितामह उवाच॥ अस्मिन्क्षेत्रे मया सार्धं कुरुध्वं पुत्रकास्तपः॥ गमिष्यथ परां सिद्धिं येन लोके सुदुर्लभाम्

pitāmaha uvāca asminkṣetre mayā sārdhaṁ kurudhvaṁ putrakāstapaḥ gamiṣyatha parāṁ siddhiṁ yena loke sudurlabhām

The Grandsire said: In this sacred field, together with me, perform your austerities, my sons; thereby you shall attain the supreme perfection, so hard to attain in the world.

Verse 60 (skanda.6.77.60)

ते तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय कृत्वा तत्राश्रमं शुभम्॥ वालखिल्यास्तपश्चक्रुः संसिद्धिं च परां गताः

te tatheti pratijñāya kṛtvā tatrāśramaṁ śubham vālakhilyāstapaścakruḥ saṁsiddhiṁ ca parāṁ gatāḥ

Saying "so be it," and building an auspicious hermitage there, the Valakhilyas performed austerities and attained the supreme perfection.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.77.61)

अथ ब्रह्मापि तत्कर्म सर्वं वैवाहिकं क्रमात्॥ समाप्तिमनयत्प्रोक्तं यच्छ्रुतौ तेन च स्वयम्

atha brahmāpi tatkarma sarvaṁ vaivāhikaṁ kramāt samāptimanayatproktaṁ yacchrutau tena ca svayam

Then Brahma himself, in due order, brought that entire marriage rite, as prescribed in scripture, to its conclusion.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.77.62)

पतत्सु पुष्पवर्षेषु समन्ताद्गगनांगणात्॥ वाद्यमानेषु वाद्येषु गीयमानैश्च गीतकैः

patatsu puṣpavarṣeṣu samantādgaganāṁgaṇāt vādyamāneṣu vādyeṣu gīyamānaiśca gītakaiḥ

With showers of flowers falling all around from the vault of the sky, with instruments being played, and with songs being sung,

Verse 63 (skanda.6.77.63)

पठत्सु विप्रमुख्येषु नृत्यमानासु रागतः॥ रंभादिषु पुरन्ध्रीषु देवानां दृङ्मनोहरम्

paṭhatsu vipramukhyeṣu nṛtyamānāsu rāgataḥ raṁbhādiṣu purandhrīṣu devānāṁ dṛṅmanoharam

with the chief brahmins reciting, and with Rambha and the other celestial women dancing melodiously, delightful to the eyes of the gods —

Verse 64 (skanda.6.77.64)

एवं महोत्सवो जज्ञे ततस्तुंबुरुपूर्वकैः॥ गीयमानेषु गीतेषु यथापूर्वं त्रिविष्टपे

evaṁ mahotsavo jajñe tatastuṁburupūrvakaiḥ gīyamāneṣu gīteṣu yathāpūrvaṁ triviṣṭape

thus a great festival arose, as songs led by Tumburu and others were sung, just as before, in heaven.

Verse 65 (skanda.6.77.65)

अथ कर्मावसाने स भगवांस्त्रिपुरांतकः॥ प्रोवाच पद्मजं भक्त्या दक्षिणां ते ददामि किम्

atha karmāvasāne sa bhagavāṁstripurāṁtakaḥ provāca padmajaṁ bhaktyā dakṣiṇāṁ te dadāmi kim

Then, at the conclusion of the rite, the blessed destroyer of Tripura affectionately said to the lotus-born one: "What sacrificial fee shall I give you?"

Verse 66 (skanda.6.77.66)

वैवाहिकी सुरश्रेष्ठ यद्यपि स्यात्सुदुर्लभा॥ ब्रूहि शीघ्रं महाभाग नादेयं विद्यते मम

vaivāhikī suraśreṣṭha yadyapi syātsudurlabhā brūhi śīghraṁ mahābhāga nādeyaṁ vidyate mama

"Whatever fee is due for the marriage, O best of gods, however hard to obtain, ask quickly, O noble one — there is nothing I would not give."

Verse 67 (skanda.6.77.67)

पितामह उवाच॥ अनेनैव तु रूपेण वेद्यामस्यां सुरेश्वर॥ त्वया स्थेयं सदैवात्र नृणां पापविशुद्धये

pitāmaha uvāca anenaiva tu rūpeṇa vedyāmasyāṁ sureśvara tvayā stheyaṁ sadaivātra nṛṇāṁ pāpaviśuddhaye

The Grandsire said: In this very form, O lord of the gods, you must remain forever right here upon this altar, for the purification of men's sins.

Verse 68 (skanda.6.77.68)

येन ते सन्निधौ कृत्वा स्वाश्रमं शशिशेखर॥ तपः करोमि नाशाय पापस्यास्य महत्तमम्

yena te sannidhau kṛtvā svāśramaṁ śaśiśekhara tapaḥ karomi nāśāya pāpasyāsya mahattamam

"So that, having built my own hermitage near you, O moon-crested one, I may perform austerities for the utter destruction of this great sin."

Verse 69 (skanda.6.77.69)

चैत्रशुक्लत्रयोदश्यां नक्षत्रे भगदैवते॥ सूर्यवारेण यो भक्त्या वीक्षयिष्यति मानवः॥ तदैव तस्य पापानि प्रयास्यन्ति च संक्षयम्

caitraśuklatrayodaśyāṁ nakṣatre bhagadaivate sūryavāreṇa yo bhaktyā vīkṣayiṣyati mānavaḥ tadaiva tasya pāpāni prayāsyanti ca saṁkṣayam

"Whatever man, on the thirteenth day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra, under the asterism whose deity is Bhaga, on a Sunday, shall behold you with devotion — his sins shall at once come to utter destruction."

Verse 70 (skanda.6.77.70)

या नारी दुर्भगा वन्ध्या काणा रूपविवर्जिता॥ साऽपि त्वद्दर्शनादेव भविष्यति सुरूपधृक्॥ प्रजावती सुभोगाढ्या सुभगा नात्र संशयः

yā nārī durbhagā vandhyā kāṇā rūpavivarjitā sā'pi tvaddarśanādeva bhaviṣyati surūpadhṛk prajāvatī subhogāḍhyā subhagā nātra saṁśayaḥ

"Whatever woman is unfortunate, barren, one-eyed, or devoid of beauty — she too, by the mere sight of you, shall become endowed with beauty, blessed with offspring, rich in enjoyments, and fortunate — of this there is no doubt."

Verse 71 (skanda.6.77.71)

महेश्वर उवाच॥ हिताय सर्वलोकानां वेद्यामस्यां व्यवस्थितः॥ स्थास्यामि सहितः पत्न्या सत्यात्वद्वचनाद्विधे

maheśvara uvāca hitāya sarvalokānāṁ vedyāmasyāṁ vyavasthitaḥ sthāsyāmi sahitaḥ patnyā satyātvadvacanādvidhe

Maheshvara said: For the welfare of all the worlds, established upon this altar, I shall remain, together with my wife, true to your word, O Creator.

Verse 72 (skanda.6.77.72)

सूत उवाच॥ एवं स भगवांस्तत्र सभार्यो वृषभध्वजः॥ विद्यते वेदिमध्यस्थो लोकानां पापनाशनः

sūta uvāca evaṁ sa bhagavāṁstatra sabhāryo vṛṣabhadhvajaḥ vidyate vedimadhyastho lokānāṁ pāpanāśanaḥ

Suta said: Thus that blessed bull-bannered one, together with his wife, remains there, established in the middle of the altar, destroying the sins of all people.

Verse 73 (skanda.6.77.73)

एतद्वः सर्वमाख्यातं यथा तस्य पुराऽभवत्॥ विवाहो वृषनाथस्य मनौ स्वायंभुवे द्विजाः

etadvaḥ sarvamākhyātaṁ yathā tasya purā'bhavat vivāho vṛṣanāthasya manau svāyaṁbhuve dvijāḥ

All this has been told to you, O brahmins, exactly as it happened long ago — the marriage of the bull-lord, in the Svayambhuva Manvantara.

Verse 74 (skanda.6.77.74)

विवाहसमये प्राप्ते प्रारम्भे वा शृणोति यः॥ एतदाख्यानमव्यग्रं संपूज्य वृषभध्वजम्॥ तस्याऽविघ्नं भवेत्सर्वं कर्म वैवाहिकं च यत्

vivāhasamaye prāpte prārambhe vā śṛṇoti yaḥ etadākhyānamavyagraṁ saṁpūjya vṛṣabhadhvajam tasyā'vighnaṁ bhavetsarvaṁ karma vaivāhikaṁ ca yat

Whoever, when the time of a marriage has come, or at its beginning, hears this account with an undistracted mind, having worshipped the bull-bannered one — for him whatever marriage rite there is shall proceed without obstacle,

Verse 75 (skanda.6.77.75)

कन्या च सुखसौभाग्य शीलाचारगुणान्विता॥ तथा स्यात्पुत्रिणी साध्वी पतिव्रतपरायणा

kanyā ca sukhasaubhāgya śīlācāraguṇānvitā tathā syātputriṇī sādhvī pativrataparāyaṇā

and the girl shall become happy, fortunate, endowed with good conduct and virtue, and shall become blessed with sons, virtuous, and devoted to her husband.