The Slaying of Vritra

Verse 1 (skanda.6.8.1)

सूत उवाच। एवं स्वर्गमनुप्राप्ते त्रिशंकौ नृपसत्तमे। सशरीरे द्विजश्रेष्ठा विश्वामित्रसमुद्यमात्

sūta uvāca| evaṁ svargamanuprāpte triśaṁkau nṛpasattame| saśarīre dvijaśreṣṭhā viśvāmitrasamudyamāt

Suta said: Thus, O best of brahmins, when King Trishanku, best of kings, had reached heaven in his own body through the effort of Vishvamitra —

Verse 2 (skanda.6.8.2)

तत्तीर्थं ख्यातिमायातं समस्ते भुवनत्रये। ततःप्रसूति लोकानां धर्मकामार्थमोक्षदम्

tattīrthaṁ khyātimāyātaṁ samaste bhuvanatraye| tataḥprasūti lokānāṁ dharmakāmārthamokṣadam

— that sacred tirtha attained renown throughout all the three worlds, and thereafter became a source granting to all people dharma, artha, kama, and moksha.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.8.3)

अस्पृष्टं कलिदोषेण तथान्यैरुपपातकैः। ब्रह्महत्यादिकैश्चैवत्रिपुरारेः प्रभावतः

aspṛṣṭaṁ kalidoṣeṇa tathānyairupapātakaiḥ| brahmahatyādikaiścaivatripurāreḥ prabhāvataḥ

By the power of the Destroyer of Tripura, it remained untouched by the taint of the Kali age, and by other minor sins, and even by sins such as the killing of a brahmin.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.8.4)

यस्तत्र त्यजति प्राणाञ्छ्रद्धा युक्तेन चेतसा। स मोक्षमाप्नुयान्मर्त्यो यद्यपि स्यात्सुपापकृत्

yastatra tyajati prāṇāñchraddhā yuktena cetasā| sa mokṣamāpnuyānmartyo yadyapi syātsupāpakṛt

Whatever mortal gives up his life there with a mind full of faith attains liberation, even though he may be a great sinner.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.8.5)

कृमिपक्षिपतंगा ये पशवः पक्षिणो मृगाः। तेऽपि तत्र मृता यांति शिवलोकमसंशयम्

kṛmipakṣipataṁgā ye paśavaḥ pakṣiṇo mṛgāḥ| te'pi tatra mṛtā yāṁti śivalokamasaṁśayam

Even worms, birds, and moths, cattle, fowl, and deer that die there go without doubt to the world of Shiva.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.8.6)

स्नानं ये तत्र कुर्वंति श्रद्धापूतेन चेतसा। त्रिशंकुरिव ते स्वर्गे प्रयांत्यपि विधर्मिणः

snānaṁ ye tatra kurvaṁti śraddhāpūtena cetasā| triśaṁkuriva te svarge prayāṁtyapi vidharmiṇaḥ

Those who bathe there with a mind purified by faith go to heaven just like Trishanku, even if they have failed in their proper duties.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.8.7)

घर्मार्त्ता वा तृषार्ता वा येऽवगाहंति तज्जलम्। तेऽपि यांति परं स्थानं यत्र देवो महेश्वरः

gharmārttā vā tṛṣārtā vā ye'vagāhaṁti tajjalam| te'pi yāṁti paraṁ sthānaṁ yatra devo maheśvaraḥ

Even those who, oppressed by heat or thirst, merely immerse themselves in that water go to the supreme abode where the god Maheshvara dwells.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.8.8)

विश्वामित्रोऽपि तद्दृष्ट्वा तीर्थमाहात्म्यमुत्तमम्। कुरुक्षेत्रं परित्यज्य तत्र वासमथाकरोत्

viśvāmitro'pi taddṛṣṭvā tīrthamāhātmyamuttamam| kurukṣetraṁ parityajya tatra vāsamathākarot

Vishvamitra too, seeing the supreme glory of that tirtha, left Kurukshetra and took up his residence there.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.8.9)

तथान्ये मुनयः शांतास्त्यक्त्वा तीर्थानि दूरतः। तत्राश्रमपदं कृत्वा प्रयाताः परमं पदम्

tathānye munayaḥ śāṁtāstyaktvā tīrthāni dūrataḥ| tatrāśramapadaṁ kṛtvā prayātāḥ paramaṁ padam

And other tranquil sages, abandoning distant tirthas, made their hermitages there and attained the supreme state.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.8.10)

तथैव मनुजाः सर्वे दूरादागत्य सत्वराः। तत्र स्नात्वा दिवं यांति कृत्वा पापशतान्यपि

tathaiva manujāḥ sarve dūrādāgatya satvarāḥ| tatra snātvā divaṁ yāṁti kṛtvā pāpaśatānyapi

Likewise, all people, hastening from afar, bathed there and went to heaven, even though they had committed hundreds of sins.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.8.11)

एवं तस्य प्रभावेण तीर्थस्य द्विजसत्तमाः। गच्छमानेषु लोकेषु सुखेन त्रिदिवालयम्

evaṁ tasya prabhāveṇa tīrthasya dvijasattamāḥ| gacchamāneṣu lokeṣu sukhena tridivālayam

O best of brahmins, thus, through the power of that tirtha, people went joyfully to the abode of the gods.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.8.12)

अग्निष्टोमादिका सर्वाः समुच्छेदं गताः क्रियाः। न कश्चिद्यजते मर्त्यो न व्रतं कुरुते नरः

agniṣṭomādikā sarvāḥ samucchedaṁ gatāḥ kriyāḥ| na kaścidyajate martyo na vrataṁ kurute naraḥ

All rites such as the Agnishtoma fell into disuse; no mortal performed sacrifice, no man observed any vow —

Verse 13 (skanda.6.8.13)

न यच्छति तथा दानं न च तीर्थं निषेवते। केवलं कुरुते स्नानं लिंगभेदे समाहितः

na yacchati tathā dānaṁ na ca tīrthaṁ niṣevate| kevalaṁ kurute snānaṁ liṁgabhede samāhitaḥ

— none gave gifts, none frequented other tirthas; men only bathed there, intent solely on that particular Linga.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.8.14)

ततः प्रगच्छति स्वर्गं विमानवरमाश्रितः

tataḥ pragacchati svargaṁ vimānavaramāśritaḥ

— from there, mounted upon an excellent celestial chariot, he would go straight to heaven.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.8.15)

ततः प्रपूरिताः सर्वे स्वर्गलोका नरैर्द्विजाः। ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवेन्द्रादीन्स्पर्धमानैः सुरोत्तमान्

tataḥ prapūritāḥ sarve svargalokā narairdvijāḥ| brahmaviṣṇuśivendrādīnspardhamānaiḥ surottamān

O brahmins, thereby all the worlds of heaven became filled with men, who now rivaled Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Indra, and the other foremost gods.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.8.16)

ततो देवगणाः सर्वे यज्ञभागविवर्जिताः। कृच्छ्रं परमनुप्राप्ता मन्त्रं चक्रुः परस्परम्

tato devagaṇāḥ sarve yajñabhāgavivarjitāḥ| kṛcchraṁ paramanuprāptā mantraṁ cakruḥ parasparam

Then all the hosts of gods, deprived of their share in sacrifices, fell into the direst distress, and took counsel among themselves.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.8.17)

हाटकेश्वरमाहात्म्यात्स्वर्गलोकः प्रपूरितः। ऊर्ध्वबाहुभिराकीर्णः स्पर्धमानैः समंततः

hāṭakeśvaramāhātmyātsvargalokaḥ prapūritaḥ| ūrdhvabāhubhirākīrṇaḥ spardhamānaiḥ samaṁtataḥ

'Through the glory of Hatakeshvara, the world of heaven has become overrun, filled on every side with rivals, their arms raised in triumph.'

Verse 18 (skanda.6.8.18)

तस्मात्तत्क्रियतां कर्म येनोच्छेदं प्रगच्छति। तीर्थमेद्धरापृष्ठे हाटकेश्वरसंज्ञितम्

tasmāttatkriyatāṁ karma yenocchedaṁ pragacchati| tīrthameddharāpṛṣṭhe hāṭakeśvarasaṁjñitam

'Therefore let some deed be done by which that tirtha called Hatakeshvara, on the surface of the earth, may be brought to ruin.'

Verse 19 (skanda.6.8.19)

ततः संवर्तको वायुः शक्रादेशात्समंततः। तत्क्षेत्रं पूरयामास पांसुभिर्द्विजसत्तमाः

tataḥ saṁvartako vāyuḥ śakrādeśātsamaṁtataḥ| tatkṣetraṁ pūrayāmāsa pāṁsubhirdvijasattamāḥ

O best of brahmins, then, at Indra's command, the destructive wind Samvartaka filled that sacred place completely with dust from every side.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.8.20)

एवं नाशमनुप्राप्ते तस्मिंस्तीर्थे स्थलोच्चये। जाते जाताः क्रियाः सर्वा भूयोऽपि क्रतुसंभवाः

evaṁ nāśamanuprāpte tasmiṁstīrthe sthaloccaye| jāte jātāḥ kriyāḥ sarvā bhūyo'pi kratusaṁbhavāḥ

Thus, when that tirtha had been reduced to a mere mound and destroyed, all the rites arising from sacrifices came into practice once again.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.8.21)

ततः कालेन महता वल्मीकः समपद्यत। तस्मिन्क्षेत्रे स पाताले संप्रयातः शनैःशनैः

tataḥ kālena mahatā valmīkaḥ samapadyata| tasminkṣetre sa pātāle saṁprayātaḥ śanaiḥśanaiḥ

Then, after a long time, an anthill formed there; and in that sacred place it slowly sank down into the netherworld.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.8.22)

अथ पातालतो नागास्तेन मार्गेण कौतुकात्। मर्त्यलोकं समायांति भ्रमंति च धरातले

atha pātālato nāgāstena mārgeṇa kautukāt| martyalokaṁ samāyāṁti bhramaṁti ca dharātale

Then serpents from the netherworld, through that very passage, came out of curiosity into the world of mortals and wandered upon the earth.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.8.23)

तत्र ते मानवान्भोगान्भुक्त्वा चैव यथेच्छया। पुनर्निर्यांति तेनैव मार्गेण निजमंदिरम्

tatra te mānavānbhogānbhuktvā caiva yathecchayā| punarniryāṁti tenaiva mārgeṇa nijamaṁdiram

There, having enjoyed human pleasures according to their desire, they would return again by that very same passage to their own abode.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.8.24)

ततो नागबिलः ख्यातः स सर्वस्मिन्धरातले। गतागतेन नागानां स वल्मीको द्विजोत्तमाः

tato nāgabilaḥ khyātaḥ sa sarvasmindharātale| gatāgatena nāgānāṁ sa valmīko dvijottamāḥ

O best of the twice-born, that anthill thus became renowned throughout the whole earth as the 'Serpent's Burrow,' because of the constant coming and going of the serpents.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.8.25)

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य भगवान्पाकशासनः। ब्रह्महत्यासमोपेतो निस्तेजाः समपद्यत

kasyacittvatha kālasya bhagavānpākaśāsanaḥ| brahmahatyāsamopeto nistejāḥ samapadyata

Now, at a certain time, the venerable Indra, Chastiser of Paka, came to be burdened with the sin of killing a brahmin, and became bereft of his splendor.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.8.26)

ततः पितामहादेशं लब्ध्वा मार्गेण तेन सः। प्रविश्य चेक्षयामास पाताले हाट केश्वरम्

tataḥ pitāmahādeśaṁ labdhvā mārgeṇa tena saḥ| praviśya cekṣayāmāsa pātāle hāṭa keśvaram

Then, receiving instruction from the Grandsire, he entered by that very passage and beheld Hatakeshvara in the netherworld.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.8.27)

अथाऽभूत्पापनिर्मुक्तस्तत्क्षणात्तस्य दर्शनात्। तेजसा च समायुक्तः पुनः प्राप त्रिविष्टपम्

athā'bhūtpāpanirmuktastatkṣaṇāttasya darśanāt| tejasā ca samāyuktaḥ punaḥ prāpa triviṣṭapam

At the very instant of that sight he was freed from his sin, and, endowed once more with his splendor, he regained heaven.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.8.28)

स दृष्ट्वा तत्प्रभावं तल्लिंगं देवस्य शूलिनः। हाटकेश्वरसंज्ञस्य भयं चक्रे नरोद्भवम्

sa dṛṣṭvā tatprabhāvaṁ talliṁgaṁ devasya śūlinaḥ| hāṭakeśvarasaṁjñasya bhayaṁ cakre narodbhavam

Having seen that power of the Linga of the trident-bearing god, named Hatakeshvara, he grew fearful of what men might now accomplish.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.8.29)

यदि कश्चित्पुमानत्र त्रिशंकुरिव भूपतिः। पूजयिष्यति तल्लिंगं विपाप्मा श्रद्धया सह

yadi kaścitpumānatra triśaṁkuriva bhūpatiḥ| pūjayiṣyati talliṁgaṁ vipāpmā śraddhayā saha

'If any man here, like King Trishanku, sinless and full of faith, should worship that Linga —'

Verse 30 (skanda.6.8.30)

यापयिष्यति तन्नूनं मामस्मात्त्रिदशालयात्। तस्मात्संपूरयाम्येनं मार्गं पाता लसंभवम्

yāpayiṣyati tannūnaṁ māmasmāttridaśālayāt| tasmātsaṁpūrayāmyenaṁ mārgaṁ pātā lasaṁbhavam

'— he would surely drive me out of this abode of the gods; therefore I shall fill up this passage that leads to the netherworld.'

Verse 31 (skanda.6.8.31)

ततश्च त्वरया युक्तो रक्तशृंगं नगोत्तमम्। प्रचिक्षेप बिले तस्मिन्स्वयमेव शतक्रतुः

tataśca tvarayā yukto raktaśṛṁgaṁ nagottamam| pracikṣepa bile tasminsvayameva śatakratuḥ

Then, acting with haste, Indra himself hurled the mountain Raktashringa, the foremost of mountains, into that very burrow.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.8.32)

ऋषय ऊचुः। ब्रह्महत्या कथं जाता देवेन्द्रस्य महात्मनः। कस्मिन्काले च सर्वं नो विस्तरात्सूत कीर्तय

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ| brahmahatyā kathaṁ jātā devendrasya mahātmanaḥ| kasminkāle ca sarvaṁ no vistarātsūta kīrtaya

The sages said: How did the sin of killing a brahmin come upon the great-souled lord of the gods, and at what time? Tell us all of this in detail, O Suta.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.8.33)

रक्तशृंगो गिरिः कोऽयं संक्षिप्तस्तत्र तेन यः। मानुषाणां भयं तस्य कतमस्य शचीपतेः

raktaśṛṁgo giriḥ ko'yaṁ saṁkṣiptastatra tena yaḥ| mānuṣāṇāṁ bhayaṁ tasya katamasya śacīpateḥ

What is this mountain Raktashringa, that was thrown down there by him? And what is this fear of his concerning men, this Lord of Shachi?

Verse 34 (skanda.6.8.34)

सूत उवाच। पुरा त्वष्ट्रा द्विजश्रेष्ठा हिरण्यकशिपोः सुता। विवाहिता रमानाम श्रेष्ठरूपगुणान्विता

sūta uvāca| purā tvaṣṭrā dvijaśreṣṭhā hiraṇyakaśipoḥ sutā| vivāhitā ramānāma śreṣṭharūpaguṇānvitā

Suta said: Long ago, O best of brahmins, a daughter of Hiranyakashipu, named Rama, endowed with excellent beauty and virtue, was given in marriage by Tvashtr.

Verse 35 (skanda.6.8.35)

अथ तस्या ययौ कालः सुप्रभूतः सुतं विना। ततो वैराग्यसंपन्ना सुतार्थं तपसि स्थिता

atha tasyā yayau kālaḥ suprabhūtaḥ sutaṁ vinā| tato vairāgyasaṁpannā sutārthaṁ tapasi sthitā

A very long time passed for her without a son; then, filled with detachment, she took to austerities for the sake of a son.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.8.36)

ध्यायमाना सुराधीशं देवदेवं महेश्वरम्। बलिपूजोपहारेण सम्यक्छ्रद्धासमन्विता

dhyāyamānā surādhīśaṁ devadevaṁ maheśvaram| balipūjopahāreṇa samyakchraddhāsamanvitā

She meditated upon the Lord of the gods, the God of gods, Maheshvara, and, filled with proper faith, worshipped him with offerings and oblations.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.8.37)

नियता नियताहारा स्नानजप्यपरायणा। यच्छमाना द्विजाग्र्येभ्यो दानानि विविधानि च

niyatā niyatāhārā snānajapyaparāyaṇā| yacchamānā dvijāgryebhyo dānāni vividhāni ca

Self-restrained, taking limited food, devoted to bathing and japa, she gave various gifts to the foremost brahmins.

Verse 38 (skanda.6.8.38)

ततो वर्षसहस्रांते तस्यास्तुष्टो महेश्वरः। उवाच वरदोऽस्मीति वृणुष्व यदभीप्सितम्

tato varṣasahasrāṁte tasyāstuṣṭo maheśvaraḥ| uvāca varado'smīti vṛṇuṣva yadabhīpsitam

Then, at the end of a thousand years, Maheshvara, pleased with her, said: 'I am a giver of boons; ask for whatever you desire.'

Verse 39 (skanda.6.8.39)

सा वव्रे मम पुत्रोऽस्तु भगवंस्त्वत्प्रसादतः। शूरः शस्त्रैरवध्यश्च विप्रदानवरूपधृक्

sā vavre mama putro'stu bhagavaṁstvatprasādataḥ| śūraḥ śastrairavadhyaśca vipradānavarūpadhṛk

She chose: 'O Lord, let a son be born to me by your grace — heroic, invincible against all weapons, taking the form of both a brahmin and a demon.'

Verse 40 (skanda.6.8.40)

वेदाध्ययन संपन्नो यज्ञकर्मसमुद्यतः। तेजसा यशसा ख्यातः सर्वेषामपि देहिनाम्

vedādhyayana saṁpanno yajñakarmasamudyataḥ| tejasā yaśasā khyātaḥ sarveṣāmapi dehinām

'— accomplished in Vedic study, devoted to the performance of sacrifices, and renowned for splendor and fame among all embodied beings.'

Verse 41 (skanda.6.8.41)

भगवानुवाच। भविष्यति न संदेहः पुत्रस्ते बलवान्सुधीः। अवध्यः सर्वशस्त्राणां महातेजोभिरन्वितः

bhagavānuvāca| bhaviṣyati na saṁdehaḥ putraste balavānsudhīḥ| avadhyaḥ sarvaśastrāṇāṁ mahātejobhiranvitaḥ

The Lord said: Without doubt your son shall be born, mighty and wise, invincible against all weapons, endowed with great splendor.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.8.42)

यज्वा दानपतिः शूरो वेदवेदांगपारगः। ब्राह्मणोक्ताः क्रियाः सर्वाः करिष्यति स कृत्स्नशः। अजेयः संगरे चैव कृत्स्नैरपि सुरासुरैः

yajvā dānapatiḥ śūro vedavedāṁgapāragaḥ| brāhmaṇoktāḥ kriyāḥ sarvāḥ kariṣyati sa kṛtsnaśaḥ| ajeyaḥ saṁgare caiva kṛtsnairapi surāsuraiḥ

'A performer of sacrifices, a great giver of gifts, heroic, learned in the Vedas and their auxiliary sciences, he will perform in full all the rites prescribed for brahmins, and shall be unconquerable in battle even by all the gods and demons together.'

Verse 43 (skanda.6.8.43)

एवमुक्त्वा स देवेशस्ततश्चादर्शनं गतः। ऋतौ सापि दधे गर्भं सकाशाद्विश्वकर्मणः

evamuktvā sa deveśastataścādarśanaṁ gataḥ| ṛtau sāpi dadhe garbhaṁ sakāśādviśvakarmaṇaḥ

Having said this, that Lord of gods vanished from sight; and she, at the proper season, conceived a child by Vishvakarma.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.8.44)

ततश्च सुषुवे पुत्रं दशमे मासि शोभनम्। द्वादशार्कप्रतीकाशं सर्वलक्षणलक्षितम्

tataśca suṣuve putraṁ daśame māsi śobhanam| dvādaśārkapratīkāśaṁ sarvalakṣaṇalakṣitam

Then, in the tenth month, she gave birth to a splendid son, radiant as twelve suns, marked with every auspicious sign.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.8.45)

तस्य चक्रे पिता नाम प्राप्ते द्वादशमे दिने। प्रसिद्धं वृत्र इत्येव पूजयित्वा द्विजोत्तमान्

tasya cakre pitā nāma prāpte dvādaśame dine| prasiddhaṁ vṛtra ityeva pūjayitvā dvijottamān

When the twelfth day arrived, his father gave him a name, honoring the foremost brahmins — the name that became famous: Vritra.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.8.46)

अथासौ ववृधे बालः शुक्लपक्षे यथोडुराट्। पितृमातृकृतानंदो बन्धुवर्गेण लालितः

athāsau vavṛdhe bālaḥ śuklapakṣe yathoḍurāṭ| pitṛmātṛkṛtānaṁdo bandhuvargeṇa lālitaḥ

That child then grew, like the moon in its waxing fortnight, bringing joy to his father and mother, cherished by all his kinsmen.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.8.47)

ततोऽस्य प्रददौ काले व्रतं विप्रजनोचितम्। समभ्येत्य स्वयं शुक्रो दानवस्यापि संद्विजः

tato'sya pradadau kāle vrataṁ viprajanocitam| samabhyetya svayaṁ śukro dānavasyāpi saṁdvijaḥ

Then, at the proper time, Shukra himself came to him and, though he was a demon's own preceptor and yet a proper brahmin, conferred upon him the vow fit for a student.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.8.48)

स चापि चतुरो वेदान्ब्रह्मचारिव्रते स्थितः। वेदांगैः सहितान्वृत्रः पपाठ गुरुवत्सलः

sa cāpi caturo vedānbrahmacārivrate sthitaḥ| vedāṁgaiḥ sahitānvṛtraḥ papāṭha guruvatsalaḥ

And Vritra too, established in the vow of a Vedic student, devoted to his teacher, studied all four Vedas together with their auxiliary sciences.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.8.49)

ततो यौवनमासाद्य भूमिपालानशेषतः। जित्वा धरां वशे चक्रे पातालं तदनंत रम्

tato yauvanamāsādya bhūmipālānaśeṣataḥ| jitvā dharāṁ vaśe cakre pātālaṁ tadanaṁta ram

Then, reaching youth, he conquered every ruler of the earth without exception, and thereafter brought the whole earth and the netherworld under his sway.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.8.50)

ततश्चेंद्रजयाकांक्षी समासाय सुरालयम्। सहस्राक्षमुखान्देवान्युद्धे चक्रे पराङ्मुखान्

tataśceṁdrajayākāṁkṣī samāsāya surālayam| sahasrākṣamukhāndevānyuddhe cakre parāṅmukhān

Then, desiring to conquer Indra, he attacked the abode of the gods and, in battle, put to flight the thousand-eyed Indra and all the gods with him.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.8.51)

अथ तेन समं वज्री चक्रेऽष्टादश संयुगान्। एकस्मिन्नपि नो लेभे विजयं द्विजसत्तमाः

atha tena samaṁ vajrī cakre'ṣṭādaśa saṁyugān| ekasminnapi no lebhe vijayaṁ dvijasattamāḥ

O best of brahmins, the wielder of the thunderbolt fought eighteen battles against him, but did not gain victory in even a single one.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.8.52)

हतशेषैः सुरैः सार्धं सर्वांगक्षतविक्षतैः। ततो जगाम वित्रस्तो ब्रह्मलोकं दिवा लयात्

hataśeṣaiḥ suraiḥ sārdhaṁ sarvāṁgakṣatavikṣataiḥ| tato jagāma vitrasto brahmalokaṁ divā layāt

Then, terrified, together with the surviving gods, their bodies wounded and torn all over, Indra fled from the abode of heaven to the world of Brahma.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.8.53)

वृत्रोऽपि बुभुजे कृत्स्नं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम्। शाक्रं पदं समास्थाय निहताशेषकंटकम्

vṛtro'pi bubhuje kṛtsnaṁ trailokyaṁ sacarācaram| śākraṁ padaṁ samāsthāya nihatāśeṣakaṁṭakam

Vritra then took possession of Indra's position, all its thorns eliminated, and enjoyed the entire threefold universe, with all that moves and does not move.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.8.54)

यज्ञभागभुजश्चक्रे दानवान्बल गर्वितान्। देवस्थानेषु सर्वेषु यथोक्तेषु महाबलः

yajñabhāgabhujaścakre dānavānbala garvitān| devasthāneṣu sarveṣu yathokteṣu mahābalaḥ

That mighty one made demons, proud of their strength, the recipients of the shares of sacrifice, installing them in all the proper stations of the gods.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.8.55)

एवं त्रैलोक्यराज्येऽपि लब्धे तस्य द्विजोत्तमाः। न संतोषश्च संजज्ञे ब्रह्मलोकाभि कांक्षया

evaṁ trailokyarājye'pi labdhe tasya dvijottamāḥ| na saṁtoṣaśca saṁjajñe brahmalokābhi kāṁkṣayā

O best of brahmins, though he had thus obtained sovereignty over the three worlds, he found no contentment, for he now desired the world of Brahma itself.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.8.56)

ततः शुक्रं समाहूय प्रोवाच मधुरं वचः। विनयावनतो भूत्वा चतुर्भिः सचिवैः सह

tataḥ śukraṁ samāhūya provāca madhuraṁ vacaḥ| vinayāvanato bhūtvā caturbhiḥ sacivaiḥ saha

Then, summoning Shukra, and bowing humbly before him together with his four ministers, he spoke sweet words.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.8.57)

वृत्र उवाच। ब्रह्मलोकं गतः शक्रो भयाद्गुरुकुलोद्वह। कथं गतिर्भवेत्तत्र मम ब्रूहि यथातथम्

vṛtra uvāca| brahmalokaṁ gataḥ śakro bhayādgurukulodvaha| kathaṁ gatirbhavettatra mama brūhi yathātatham

Vritra said: Indra has fled in fear to the world of Brahma, O foremost of your teacher's line. Tell me truly, how might I gain access there as well?

Verse 58 (skanda.6.8.58)

येन शक्रं विरंचिं च सूदयिष्ये तथाखिलम्। तुभ्यं दत्त्वा ब्रह्म लोकं भोक्ष्यामि त्रिदिवं स्वयम्

yena śakraṁ viraṁciṁ ca sūdayiṣye tathākhilam| tubhyaṁ dattvā brahma lokaṁ bhokṣyāmi tridivaṁ svayam

'By which I may destroy Indra, Brahma, and the rest entirely; and then, having given the world of Brahma to you, I shall myself enjoy the abode of heaven.'

Verse 59 (skanda.6.8.59)

शुक्र उवाच। न गतिर्विद्यते तत्र तव दानवसत्तम। तस्मात्त्रैलोक्यराज्येन संतोषं कर्तुम र्हसि

śukra uvāca| na gatirvidyate tatra tava dānavasattama| tasmāttrailokyarājyena saṁtoṣaṁ kartuma rhasi

Shukra said: There is no access there for you, O best of demons; therefore you should be content with your sovereignty over the three worlds.

Verse 60 (skanda.6.8.60)

वृत्र उवाच। यावत्तिष्ठति सुत्रामा तावन्नास्ति सुखं मम। तस्मान्निष्कंटकार्थाय यतिष्येऽहं द्विजोत्तम

vṛtra uvāca| yāvattiṣṭhati sutrāmā tāvannāsti sukhaṁ mama| tasmānniṣkaṁṭakārthāya yatiṣye'haṁ dvijottama

Vritra said: As long as Indra remains alive, I shall have no happiness; therefore, O best of the twice-born, I shall strive to remove this last thorn.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.8.61)

कथं शक्रस्य संजाता गतिस्तत्र भृगूद्वह। न भविष्यति मे ब्रूहि कथं साऽद्य महामते

kathaṁ śakrasya saṁjātā gatistatra bhṛgūdvaha| na bhaviṣyati me brūhi kathaṁ sā'dya mahāmate

How did Indra manage to gain access there, O scion of Bhrigu? Tell me, O wise one, why should not the same access now be denied to me?

Verse 62 (skanda.6.8.62)

शुक्र उवाच। तेन पूर्वं तपस्तप्तं नैमिषे दानवोत्तम। यावद्वर्षसहस्रांतं ध्यायमानेन शंकरम्

śukra uvāca| tena pūrvaṁ tapastaptaṁ naimiṣe dānavottama| yāvadvarṣasahasrāṁtaṁ dhyāyamānena śaṁkaram

Shukra said: O best of demons, he once performed austerities in Naimisha for a full thousand years, meditating upon Shankara.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.8.63)

तत्प्रभावाद्गतिस्तस्य तत्र जाता सदैव हि। सभृत्यपरिवारस्य नान्यदस्तीह कारणम्

tatprabhāvādgatistasya tatra jātā sadaiva hi| sabhṛtyaparivārasya nānyadastīha kāraṇam

By the power of that alone did he, together with his servants and retinue, gain permanent access there — there is no other reason for it.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.8.64)

योऽन्योऽपि नैमिषारण्ये तद्रूपं कुरुते तपः। ब्रह्मलोके गतिस्तस्य जायते नात्र संशयः

yo'nyo'pi naimiṣāraṇye tadrūpaṁ kurute tapaḥ| brahmaloke gatistasya jāyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

Whoever else likewise performs such austerity in the Naimisha forest also gains access to the world of Brahma — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 65 (skanda.6.8.65)

सूत उवाच। तच्छ्रुत्वा सत्वरं गत्वा नैमिषं तीर्थमुत्तमम्। तपश्चक्रे ततस्तीव्रं ध्यायमानो महेश्वरम्

sūta uvāca| tacchrutvā satvaraṁ gatvā naimiṣaṁ tīrthamuttamam| tapaścakre tatastīvraṁ dhyāyamāno maheśvaram

Suta said: Hearing this, he quickly went to Naimisha, the finest of tirthas, and there performed severe austerities, meditating upon Maheshvara.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.8.66)

त्रैलोक्यरक्षणार्थाय संनिरूप्य दनूत्त मान्। महाबलसमोपेताञ्छक्राधिकपराक्रमान्

trailokyarakṣaṇārthāya saṁnirūpya danūtta mān| mahābalasamopetāñchakrādhikaparākramān

For the protection of the three worlds, he set out to select the foremost of the Danavas, endowed with great strength, of valor even greater than Indra's.

Verse 67 (skanda.6.8.67)

वर्षास्वाकाशस्थायी स हेमन्ते सलिलाश्रयः। पंचाग्निसाधको ग्रीष्मे स वभूवा निलाशनः

varṣāsvākāśasthāyī sa hemante salilāśrayaḥ| paṁcāgnisādhako grīṣme sa vabhūvā nilāśanaḥ

In the rainy season he stood exposed under the open sky, in winter he took refuge in water, in summer he practiced the five-fire austerity, living on nothing but air.

Verse 68 (skanda.6.8.68)

एवं तस्य व्रतस्थस्य जग्मुर्वर्षशतानि च। तत्र भीतास्ततो देवा ब्रह्मविष्णुपुरःसराः

evaṁ tasya vratasthasya jagmurvarṣaśatāni ca| tatra bhītāstato devā brahmaviṣṇupuraḥsarāḥ

Thus, while he remained fixed in this vow, hundreds of years passed; the gods, led by Brahma and Vishnu, grew fearful there.

Verse 69 (skanda.6.8.69)

चक्रुश्च सततं मंत्रं तद्विनाशाय केवलम्। वीक्षयंति च च्छिद्राणि न च पश्यंति दुःखिताः

cakruśca satataṁ maṁtraṁ tadvināśāya kevalam| vīkṣayaṁti ca cchidrāṇi na ca paśyaṁti duḥkhitāḥ

They constantly held counsel solely for his destruction, and searched for weaknesses, but, sorrowful, could find none.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.8.70)

अथाब्रवीत्स्वयं विष्णुश्चिरं निश्चित्य चेतसा। वधोपायं समालोक्य वृत्रस्य प्रमुदान्वितः

athābravītsvayaṁ viṣṇuściraṁ niścitya cetasā| vadhopāyaṁ samālokya vṛtrasya pramudānvitaḥ

Then Vishnu himself, after long deliberation in his mind, having devised a means of slaying Vritra, spoke joyfully.

Verse 71 (skanda.6.8.71)

विष्णुरुवाच। तस्य शक्र वधोपायो मया ज्ञातोऽधुना ध्रुवम्। तच्छ्रुत्वा कुरु शीघ्रं त्वमुपायो नास्ति कश्चन

viṣṇuruvāca| tasya śakra vadhopāyo mayā jñāto'dhunā dhruvam| tacchrutvā kuru śīghraṁ tvamupāyo nāsti kaścana

Vishnu said: O Indra, I have now, without doubt, discovered a means to slay him. Hear it, and act upon it quickly — there is no other way.

Verse 72 (skanda.6.8.72)

अवध्यः सर्वशस्त्राणां स कृतः शूलपाणिना। तस्मादस्थिमयं वज्रं तद्वधार्थं निरूपय

avadhyaḥ sarvaśastrāṇāṁ sa kṛtaḥ śūlapāṇinā| tasmādasthimayaṁ vajraṁ tadvadhārthaṁ nirūpaya

'He has been made invincible against all weapons by the trident-bearing god; therefore devise a thunderbolt made of bone in order to slay him.'

Verse 73 (skanda.6.8.73)

इन्द्र उवाच। अस्थिभिः कस्य जीवस्य वज्रं देव भविष्यति। गजस्य शरभस्याथ किं वान्यस्य वदस्व मे

indra uvāca| asthibhiḥ kasya jīvasya vajraṁ deva bhaviṣyati| gajasya śarabhasyātha kiṁ vānyasya vadasva me

Indra said: From the bones of which living being, O god, shall the thunderbolt be made? Of an elephant, of a sharabha, or of some other creature? Tell me.

Verse 74 (skanda.6.8.74)

विष्णुरुवाच। शतहस्तप्रमाणं तत्षडस्रि च सुराधिप। मध्ये क्षामं तु पार्श्वाभ्यां स्थूलं रौद्रसमाकृति

viṣṇuruvāca| śatahastapramāṇaṁ tatṣaḍasri ca surādhipa| madhye kṣāmaṁ tu pārśvābhyāṁ sthūlaṁ raudrasamākṛti

Vishnu said: O Lord of gods, it must measure a hundred hands, six-edged, thin in the middle but thick on both sides, of a fearsome shape.

Verse 75 (skanda.6.8.75)

इंद्र उवाच। न तादृग्दृश्यते सत्त्वं त्रैलोक्येपि सुरेश्वर। यस्यास्थिभिर्विधीयेत वजमेवंविधाकृति

iṁdra uvāca| na tādṛgdṛśyate sattvaṁ trailokyepi sureśvara| yasyāsthibhirvidhīyeta vajamevaṁvidhākṛti

Indra said: No creature of such a kind, O Lord of gods, is to be found anywhere in the three worlds, from whose bones a thunderbolt of such a shape might be fashioned.

Verse 76 (skanda.6.8.76)

विष्णुरुवाच। दधीचिर्नाम विप्रोऽस्ति तपः परममा स्थितः। द्विगुणं च तथा दीर्घः सरस्वत्यां कृताश्रमः

viṣṇuruvāca| dadhīcirnāma vipro'sti tapaḥ paramamā sthitaḥ| dviguṇaṁ ca tathā dīrghaḥ sarasvatyāṁ kṛtāśramaḥ

Vishnu said: There is a brahmin named Dadhichi, established in the highest austerity, doubly tall in stature, who has made his hermitage on the Sarasvati.

Verse 77 (skanda.6.8.77)

तं गत्वा प्रार्थयाशु त्वं स्वान्यस्थीनि प्रदास्यति। नादेयं विद्यते किंचित्तस्य संप्रार्थितस्य हि

taṁ gatvā prārthayāśu tvaṁ svānyasthīni pradāsyati| nādeyaṁ vidyate kiṁcittasya saṁprārthitasya hi

'Go to him and ask; he will readily give his own bones — for once properly petitioned, there is nothing at all he would withhold.'

Verse 78 (skanda.6.8.78)

ततः शक्रः सुरैः सार्धं गत्वा तस्य तदाश्रमम्। प्राचीसरस्वतीतीरे पुष्करे द्विजसत्तमाः

tataḥ śakraḥ suraiḥ sārdhaṁ gatvā tasya tadāśramam| prācīsarasvatītīre puṣkare dvijasattamāḥ

O best of brahmins, then Indra, together with the gods, went to his hermitage, on the eastern bank of the Sarasvati, at Pushkara.

Verse 79 (skanda.6.8.79)

अथ देवान्समालोक्य संप्राप्तान्निजमंदिरे। दधीचिः संप्रहृष्टात्मा सत्वरः संमुखं ययौ

atha devānsamālokya saṁprāptānnijamaṁdire| dadhīciḥ saṁprahṛṣṭātmā satvaraḥ saṁmukhaṁ yayau

Then Dadhichi, seeing the gods who had arrived at his own dwelling, his mind filled with joy, at once went out to meet them.

Verse 80 (skanda.6.8.80)

स प्रणम्य सहस्राक्षं तथान्यानपि सन्मुनिः। अर्घ्यादिभिस्ततः पूजां चक्रे तेषां ततः परम्

sa praṇamya sahasrākṣaṁ tathānyānapi sanmuniḥ| arghyādibhistataḥ pūjāṁ cakre teṣāṁ tataḥ param

That good sage bowed to Indra and to the others as well, and then honored them further with offerings of arghya and the like.

Verse 81 (skanda.6.8.81)

ततः प्रोवाच हृष्टात्मा विनयावनतः स्थितः। स्वयमेव सहस्राक्षं प्रणिपत्य मुहुर्मुहुः

tataḥ provāca hṛṣṭātmā vinayāvanataḥ sthitaḥ| svayameva sahasrākṣaṁ praṇipatya muhurmuhuḥ

Then, with a joyful heart, standing bowed in humility, having prostrated himself again and again before Indra, he spoke.

Verse 82 (skanda.6.8.82)

दधीचिरुवाच। किमर्थमागता देवाः कृत्यं चाशु निवेद्यताम्। धन्योऽहमागतो यस्य गृहे त्वं बलसूदन

dadhīciruvāca| kimarthamāgatā devāḥ kṛtyaṁ cāśu nivedyatām| dhanyo'hamāgato yasya gṛhe tvaṁ balasūdana

Dadhichi said: For what purpose have the gods come? Let the task be told to me at once. I count myself fortunate that you, O Slayer of Bala, have come to my house.

Verse 83 (skanda.6.8.83)

शक्र उवाच। वृत्रेण निर्जिताः सर्वे वयं ब्राह्मणसत्तम। स वध्यो नहि शस्त्राणां सर्वेषां वरपुष्टितः

śakra uvāca| vṛtreṇa nirjitāḥ sarve vayaṁ brāhmaṇasattama| sa vadhyo nahi śastrāṇāṁ sarveṣāṁ varapuṣṭitaḥ

Indra said: O best of brahmins, all of us have been conquered by Vritra. He cannot be slain by any weapon, being fortified by a divine boon.

Verse 84 (skanda.6.8.84)

सोऽस्थिसंभववज्रस्य वध्यः स्यादब्रवीद्धरिः। शतहस्तप्रमाणस्य न च जीवोस्ति तादृशः

so'sthisaṁbhavavajrasya vadhyaḥ syādabravīddhariḥ| śatahastapramāṇasya na ca jīvosti tādṛśaḥ

Hari declared that he could be slain only by a thunderbolt made of bone, a hundred hands in measure; but no such creature exists.

Verse 85 (skanda.6.8.85)

त्वां मुक्त्वा ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठ तस्मादस्थीनि यच्छ नः। स्वकीयानि भवेद्येन वज्रं तस्य विनाशकम्

tvāṁ muktvā brāhmaṇaśreṣṭha tasmādasthīni yaccha naḥ| svakīyāni bhavedyena vajraṁ tasya vināśakam

'None but you, O best of brahmins, can give us the bones needed; therefore grant us your own, so that a thunderbolt for his destruction may be made.'

Verse 86 (skanda.6.8.86)

कुरु कृत्यं द्विजश्रेष्ठ देवानामार्तिनाशनम्। अन्यथा विबुधाः सर्वे नाशं यास्यंति कृत्स्नशः

kuru kṛtyaṁ dvijaśreṣṭha devānāmārtināśanam| anyathā vibudhāḥ sarve nāśaṁ yāsyaṁti kṛtsnaśaḥ

'Do this deed, O best of brahmins, which will remove the affliction of the gods; otherwise all the gods without exception will be utterly destroyed.'

Verse 87 (skanda.6.8.87)

सूत उवाच। तच्छ्रुत्वा संप्रहृष्टात्मा दधीचिर्भगवान्मुनिः। अत्यजज्जीवितं तेषां हितार्थाय दिवौकसाम्

sūta uvāca| tacchrutvā saṁprahṛṣṭātmā dadhīcirbhagavānmuniḥ| atyajajjīvitaṁ teṣāṁ hitārthāya divaukasām

Suta said: Hearing this, the venerable sage Dadhichi, his heart filled with joy, gave up his very life for the good of the dwellers of heaven.

Verse 88 (skanda.6.8.88)

ततो देवाः प्रहृष्टास्ते गृहीत्वास्थीनि कृत्स्नशः। ततश्चक्रुर्महावज्रं यादृशं विष्णुनोदितम्

tato devāḥ prahṛṣṭāste gṛhītvāsthīni kṛtsnaśaḥ| tataścakrurmahāvajraṁ yādṛśaṁ viṣṇunoditam

Then the gods, filled with delight, gathered up all his bones, and fashioned from them a great thunderbolt of exactly the shape that Vishnu had described.

Verse 89 (skanda.6.8.89)

अथ शक्रस्तदादाय नैमिषाभिमुखो ययौ। भयेन महता युक्तो वेपमानो निशागमे

atha śakrastadādāya naimiṣābhimukho yayau| bhayena mahatā yukto vepamāno niśāgame

Then Indra, taking that thunderbolt, set out toward Naimisha, gripped by great fear and trembling, at the coming of night.

Verse 90 (skanda.6.8.90)

तत्र ध्यानस्थितं वृत्रं दूरस्थस्त्रिदशाधिपः। वज्रेण ताडयामास पलायनपरायणः

tatra dhyānasthitaṁ vṛtraṁ dūrasthastridaśādhipaḥ| vajreṇa tāḍayāmāsa palāyanaparāyaṇaḥ

There, the lord of the gods, standing at a distance, struck with the thunderbolt Vritra, who remained absorbed in meditation, and then, prepared to flee, ran away.

Verse 91 (skanda.6.8.91)

सोऽपि वजप्रहारेण भस्मसात्सम पद्यत। वृत्रो दानवशार्दूलो वह्निं प्राप्य पतंगवत्

so'pi vajaprahāreṇa bhasmasātsama padyata| vṛtro dānavaśārdūlo vahniṁ prāpya pataṁgavat

Vritra, that tiger among demons, was reduced to ashes by the blow of the thunderbolt, like a moth that has flown into a flame.

Verse 92 (skanda.6.8.92)

शक्रोऽपि भयसंत्रस्तो गत्वा सागरमध्यगम्। पर्वतं सुदुरारोहं तुंगशृंगं समाश्रितः

śakro'pi bhayasaṁtrasto gatvā sāgaramadhyagam| parvataṁ sudurārohaṁ tuṁgaśṛṁgaṁ samāśritaḥ

Indra too, seized with fear, fled and took refuge on a lofty-peaked mountain, exceedingly difficult to climb, in the middle of the ocean.

Verse 93 (skanda.6.8.93)

न जानाति हतं वृत्रं वज्रघातेन तेन तम्। केवलं वीक्षते मार्गं वृत्रागमनसंभवम्

na jānāti hataṁ vṛtraṁ vajraghātena tena tam| kevalaṁ vīkṣate mārgaṁ vṛtrāgamanasaṁbhavam

He did not know that Vritra had been slain by that stroke of the thunderbolt; he only kept watching the path, expecting Vritra's arrival.

Verse 94 (skanda.6.8.94)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे देवाः संप्रहृष्टतनूरुहाः। सूत्रं विनिहतं दृष्ट्वा तुष्टुवुस्त्रिदशाधिपम्

etasminnaṁtare devāḥ saṁprahṛṣṭatanūruhāḥ| sūtraṁ vinihataṁ dṛṣṭvā tuṣṭuvustridaśādhipam

Meanwhile the gods, the very hairs of their bodies bristling with joy, seeing Vritra slain, praised the lord of the gods with hymns.

Verse 95 (skanda.6.8.95)

न जानंति भयान्नष्टं तस्मिन्सागरपर्वते। अन्विष्य चिरकालेन कृच्छ्रात्संप्राप्य तं ततः

na jānaṁti bhayānnaṣṭaṁ tasminsāgaraparvate| anviṣya cirakālena kṛcchrātsaṁprāpya taṁ tataḥ

Not knowing where he had vanished out of fear, they searched for him for a long time, and finally, with great difficulty, found him upon that mountain in the ocean.

Verse 96 (skanda.6.8.96)

वीक्षांचक्रुः समासीनं विषमे गिरिगह्वरे। तेजोहीनं तथा दीनं ब्रह्महत्यापरिप्लुतम्

vīkṣāṁcakruḥ samāsīnaṁ viṣame girigahvare| tejohīnaṁ tathā dīnaṁ brahmahatyāpariplutam

They saw him seated there in a rugged mountain cave, devoid of splendor, wretched, and utterly overwhelmed by the sin of killing a brahmin —

Verse 97 (skanda.6.8.97)

गात्रदुर्गंधितासंगैः पूरयन्तं दिशो दश

gātradurgaṁdhitāsaṁgaiḥ pūrayantaṁ diśo daśa

— his very touch, foul with the stench of his body, filling all the ten directions.

Verse 98 (skanda.6.8.98)

अथोवाच चतुर्वक्त्रो दृष्ट्वा शक्रं तथाविधम्। समस्तान्देवसंघातान्दूरस्थः पापशंकया

athovāca caturvaktro dṛṣṭvā śakraṁ tathāvidham| samastāndevasaṁghātāndūrasthaḥ pāpaśaṁkayā

Then the four-faced Brahma, seeing Indra in that condition, addressed all the assembled hosts of gods from a distance, wary of the sin.

Verse 99 (skanda.6.8.99)

शक्रोऽयं विबुधश्रेष्ठा ब्रह्महत्यापरिप्लुतः। तस्मातत्त्याज्यः सुदूरेण नो चेत्पापमवाप्स्यथ

śakro'yaṁ vibudhaśreṣṭhā brahmahatyāpariplutaḥ| tasmātattyājyaḥ sudūreṇa no cetpāpamavāpsyatha

'This Indra, O foremost of gods, is overwhelmed by the sin of killing a brahmin; therefore he must be avoided from a great distance, or else you too shall incur that sin.'

Verse 100 (skanda.6.8.100)

पश्यध्वं सर्वलिंगानि ब्रह्महत्यान्वितानि च। अस्य गात्रेषु दृश्यंते तस्माद्गच्छामहे दिवि

paśyadhvaṁ sarvaliṁgāni brahmahatyānvitāni ca| asya gātreṣu dṛśyaṁte tasmādgacchāmahe divi

'Behold — all the marks of the sin of killing a brahmin are visible upon his very body; therefore let us go up to heaven, away from here.'

Verse 101 (skanda.6.8.101)

पितामहमुखान्दृष्ट्वा देवान्प्राप्तान्सुराधिपः। पराङ्मुखानकस्माच्च संजातान्विस्मयान्वितः

pitāmahamukhāndṛṣṭvā devānprāptānsurādhipaḥ| parāṅmukhānakasmācca saṁjātānvismayānvitaḥ

The lord of the gods, seeing the gods, headed by the Grandsire, who had come there, suddenly turning their faces away, was struck with astonishment.

Verse 102 (skanda.6.8.102)

ततः प्रोवाच संभ्रांतः किमिदं गम्यते सुराः। दृष्ट्वापि मामनाभाष्य कच्चित्क्षेमं गृहे मम

tataḥ provāca saṁbhrāṁtaḥ kimidaṁ gamyate surāḥ| dṛṣṭvāpi māmanābhāṣya kaccitkṣemaṁ gṛhe mama

Then, bewildered, he said: 'What is this, O gods? Where are you going, having seen me yet not even speaking to me? Is all well at my home?'

Verse 103 (skanda.6.8.103)

कच्चित्स निहतस्तेन मम वज्रेण दानवः। कच्चिन्न मां स युद्धार्थमन्वेष यति दुर्मतिः

kaccitsa nihatastena mama vajreṇa dānavaḥ| kaccinna māṁ sa yuddhārthamanveṣa yati durmatiḥ

'Has that demon indeed been slain by my thunderbolt? Is that evil-minded one not still searching for me to renew the battle?'

Verse 104 (skanda.6.8.104)

ब्रह्मोवाच। निहतः स त्वया शक्र तेन वज्रेण दानवः। गतो मृत्युवशं पापो न भयं कर्तुमर्हसि

brahmovāca| nihataḥ sa tvayā śakra tena vajreṇa dānavaḥ| gato mṛtyuvaśaṁ pāpo na bhayaṁ kartumarhasi

Brahma said: That sinful demon has indeed been slain by you with that thunderbolt, and has gone under the sway of death; you have no cause for fear.

Verse 105 (skanda.6.8.105)

परं तस्य वधाज्जाता ब्रह्महत्या सुगर्हिता। तव शक्र न तेनाद्य स्पृशामोऽस्पृश्यतां गतम्

paraṁ tasya vadhājjātā brahmahatyā sugarhitā| tava śakra na tenādya spṛśāmo'spṛśyatāṁ gatam

'But from his slaying has arisen the deeply reprehensible sin of killing a brahmin. Because of it, O Indra, we do not now touch you, who have become untouchable.'

Verse 106 (skanda.6.8.106)

इन्द्र उवाच। मया विनिहताः पूर्वं बहवः किल दानवाः। ब्रह्महत्या न संजाता मम हत्याधुना कथम्

indra uvāca| mayā vinihatāḥ pūrvaṁ bahavaḥ kila dānavāḥ| brahmahatyā na saṁjātā mama hatyādhunā katham

Indra said: I have surely slain many demons before, and no sin of killing a brahmin ever attached to me then — how has this slaying now become such a sin?

Verse 107 (skanda.6.8.107)

ब्रह्मोवाच। ते त्वया निहता युद्धे क्षात्रधर्मेण वासव। विशुद्धा दानवाः सर्वे तेन जातं न पातकम्

brahmovāca| te tvayā nihatā yuddhe kṣātradharmeṇa vāsava| viśuddhā dānavāḥ sarve tena jātaṁ na pātakam

Brahma said: Those, O Vasava, whom you slew in battle according to the duty of a warrior, were all pure demons; therefore no sin arose from that.

Verse 108 (skanda.6.8.108)

एष यज्ञोपवीताढ्यो विशेषात्तपसि स्थितः। छलेन निहतः शक्र तेन त्वं पापसंयुतः

eṣa yajñopavītāḍhyo viśeṣāttapasi sthitaḥ| chalena nihataḥ śakra tena tvaṁ pāpasaṁyutaḥ

'But this one, wearing the sacred thread, established especially in austerity, was slain by treachery, O Indra; therefore you have incurred this sin.'

Verse 109 (skanda.6.8.109)

इन्द्र उवाच। जानाम्यहं चतुर्वक्त्र स्वं कायं पापसंयुतम्। चिह्नैर्ब्रह्मवधोद्भूतैस्तस्माच्छुद्धिं वदस्व मे

indra uvāca| jānāmyahaṁ caturvaktra svaṁ kāyaṁ pāpasaṁyutam| cihnairbrahmavadhodbhūtaistasmācchuddhiṁ vadasva me

Indra said: O four-faced one, I myself know my body to be marked with sin, by the very signs that arise from the killing of a brahmin. Therefore tell me the means of my purification.

Verse 110 (skanda.6.8.110)

यया याति द्रुतं पापं ब्रह्महत्यासमुद्भवम्। स्पृश्यो भवामि सर्वेषां देवानां प्रपितामह

yayā yāti drutaṁ pāpaṁ brahmahatyāsamudbhavam| spṛśyo bhavāmi sarveṣāṁ devānāṁ prapitāmaha

'— by which this sin, arising from the killing of a brahmin, may swiftly depart, O great-grandsire, and I may become touchable once more to all the gods.'

Verse 111 (skanda.6.8.111)

ब्रह्मोवाच। तीर्थयात्रां सुरश्रेष्ठ तदर्थं कर्तुमर्हसि। तया विना न ते पापं नाशमायाति कृत्स्नशः

brahmovāca| tīrthayātrāṁ suraśreṣṭha tadarthaṁ kartumarhasi| tayā vinā na te pāpaṁ nāśamāyāti kṛtsnaśaḥ

Brahma said: O best of gods, for that purpose you must undertake a pilgrimage to sacred tirthas; without it, your sin will not be entirely destroyed.

Verse 112 (skanda.6.8.112)

सूत उवाच। ततस्तद्वचनाच्छक्रस्तीर्थयात्रापरायणः। बभ्राम सकलां पृथ्वीं स्नानं कुर्वन्पृथक्पृथक्

sūta uvāca| tatastadvacanācchakrastīrthayātrāparāyaṇaḥ| babhrāma sakalāṁ pṛthvīṁ snānaṁ kurvanpṛthakpṛthak

Suta said: Then, at that word, Indra, devoted to pilgrimage, wandered over the entire earth, bathing separately in each and every tirtha.

Verse 113 (skanda.6.8.113)

तीर्थेषु सुप्रसिद्धेषु नदीनदयुतेषु च। वाराणस्यां प्रयागे च प्रभासे कुरुजांगले

tīrtheṣu suprasiddheṣu nadīnadayuteṣu ca| vārāṇasyāṁ prayāge ca prabhāse kurujāṁgale

— at the most famous tirthas, and at those graced with great rivers, at Varanasi, at Prayaga, at Prabhasa, at Kurujangala —

Verse 114 (skanda.6.8.114)

तथान्येषु सहस्राक्षो विपाप्मा न व्यजायत। ततो वैराग्यमापन्नश्चिन्तयामास चेतसि

tathānyeṣu sahasrākṣo vipāpmā na vyajāyata| tato vairāgyamāpannaścintayāmāsa cetasi

— and at many others, yet the thousand-eyed Indra did not become free of his sin. Then, filled with despair, he thought within his mind:

Verse 115 (skanda.6.8.115)

अहं स्नातः समस्तेषु तीर्थेषु धरणीतले। न च पापेन निर्मुक्तः किं करोमि च सांप्रतम्

ahaṁ snātaḥ samasteṣu tīrtheṣu dharaṇītale| na ca pāpena nirmuktaḥ kiṁ karomi ca sāṁpratam

'I have bathed in every tirtha on this earth, and yet I have not been freed from my sin. What shall I do now?'

Verse 116 (skanda.6.8.116)

किं पतामि गिरेः शृंगाद्विषं वा भक्षयामि किम्। त्रैलोक्यराज्यविभ्रष्टो नाहं जीवितुमुत्सहे

kiṁ patāmi gireḥ śṛṁgādviṣaṁ vā bhakṣayāmi kim| trailokyarājyavibhraṣṭo nāhaṁ jīvitumutsahe

'Shall I throw myself from a mountain peak, or shall I swallow poison? Fallen from my sovereignty over the three worlds, I have no wish to live any longer.'

Verse 117 (skanda.6.8.117)

एवं वैराग्यमापन्नो गिरिमारुह्य वासवः। यावत्क्षिपति चात्मानं मरणे कृतनिश्चयः

evaṁ vairāgyamāpanno girimāruhya vāsavaḥ| yāvatkṣipati cātmānaṁ maraṇe kṛtaniścayaḥ

Thus, in utter despair, Indra climbed a mountain and, resolved upon death, was about to hurl himself down —

Verse 118 (skanda.6.8.118)

तावद्देवोत्थिता वाणी गगनाद्द्विजसत्तमाः। मा शक्र साहसं कार्षीर्वैराग्यं प्राप्य चेतसि

tāvaddevotthitā vāṇī gaganāddvijasattamāḥ| mā śakra sāhasaṁ kārṣīrvairāgyaṁ prāpya cetasi

— O best of brahmins, when a divine voice arose from the sky: 'O Indra, do not act rashly, having fallen into despair of heart.'

Verse 119 (skanda.6.8.119)

त्वया राज्यं प्रकर्तव्यं स्वर्गेऽद्यापि युगाष्टकम्। तस्मात्पापविशुद्ध्यर्थं शृणु शक्र समा हितः

tvayā rājyaṁ prakartavyaṁ svarge'dyāpi yugāṣṭakam| tasmātpāpaviśuddhyarthaṁ śṛṇu śakra samā hitaḥ

'You are yet destined to rule over heaven for eight more yugas. Therefore, O Indra, listen attentively, for the purification of your sin.'

Verse 120 (skanda.6.8.120)

कुरुष्व वचनं शीघ्रं भावनीयं न चान्यथा। यत्त्वया पांसुभिः पूर्वं विवरं परिपूरितः

kuruṣva vacanaṁ śīghraṁ bhāvanīyaṁ na cānyathā| yattvayā pāṁsubhiḥ pūrvaṁ vivaraṁ paripūritaḥ

'Carry out at once what I now say, and think of it in no other way: that burrow which you once filled with dust —'

Verse 121 (skanda.6.8.121)

हाटकेश्वरजे क्षेत्रे यत्र देवः स्वयं हरः। तत्र नागबिलो जातो वल्मीकात्त्रिदशाधिप

hāṭakeśvaraje kṣetre yatra devaḥ svayaṁ haraḥ| tatra nāgabilo jāto valmīkāttridaśādhipa

'— O lord of the gods, that burrow which arose from an anthill in the sacred field of Hatakeshvara, where the god Hara himself resides —'

Verse 122 (skanda.6.8.122)

येन नागा धरापृष्ठे निर्गच्छंति व्रजंति च। तेन मार्गेण गत्वा त्वं पाताले हाटकेश्वरम्। स्नात्वा पातालगंगायां पूजयस्व महेश्वरम्

yena nāgā dharāpṛṣṭhe nirgacchaṁti vrajaṁti ca| tena mārgeṇa gatvā tvaṁ pātāle hāṭakeśvaram| snātvā pātālagaṁgāyāṁ pūjayasva maheśvaram

'— through which serpents come out onto the surface of the earth and return again — go by that very passage down to the netherworld, to Hatakeshvara; bathe in the Ganga of the netherworld, and worship Maheshvara there.'

Verse 123 (skanda.6.8.123)

ततः पापविनिर्मुक्तो भविष्यसि न संशयः। संप्राप्स्यसि च भूयोऽपि देवराज्यमकण्टकम्

tataḥ pāpavinirmukto bhaviṣyasi na saṁśayaḥ| saṁprāpsyasi ca bhūyo'pi devarājyamakaṇṭakam

'Then you shall without doubt be freed from your sin, and you shall regain sovereignty over the gods once more, free of every thorn.'

Verse 124 (skanda.6.8.124)

सूत उवाच। अथ शक्रः समाकर्ण्य तां गिरं गगनोत्थिताम्। जगाम सत्वरं तत्र यत्र नागबिलः स च

sūta uvāca| atha śakraḥ samākarṇya tāṁ giraṁ gaganotthitām| jagāma satvaraṁ tatra yatra nāgabilaḥ sa ca

Suta said: Then Indra, having heard that voice arising from the sky, went at once to that very place where the Serpent's Burrow lay.

Verse 125 (skanda.6.8.125)

ततः प्रविश्य पातालं गंगातोयपरिप्लुतः। पूजयामास तल्लिंगं हाटकेश्वरसंज्ञितम्

tataḥ praviśya pātālaṁ gaṁgātoyapariplutaḥ| pūjayāmāsa talliṁgaṁ hāṭakeśvarasaṁjñitam

Then, entering the netherworld and immersing himself in the waters of the Ganga there, he worshipped that Linga called Hatakeshvara.

Verse 126 (skanda.6.8.126)

अथ तस्य क्षणाज्जातं शरीरं मलवर्जितम्। दुर्गन्धश्च गतो नाशं तेजोवृद्धिर्बभूव ह

atha tasya kṣaṇājjātaṁ śarīraṁ malavarjitam| durgandhaśca gato nāśaṁ tejovṛddhirbabhūva ha

At once his body became free of all impurity, its foul stench vanished, and his splendor grew ever greater.

Verse 127 (skanda.6.8.127)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे प्राप्ता ब्रह्मविष्णुमुखाः सुराः। प्रोचुश्च देवराजं तं मुक्तपापं प्रहर्षिताः

etasminnaṁtare prāptā brahmaviṣṇumukhāḥ surāḥ| procuśca devarājaṁ taṁ muktapāpaṁ praharṣitāḥ

Meanwhile the gods, led by Brahma and Vishnu, arrived there and, filled with joy, spoke to that king of the gods, now freed of his sin.

Verse 128 (skanda.6.8.128)

प्राप्तस्तु मेध्यतां शक्र विमुक्तो ब्रह्महत्यया। तस्मादागच्छ गच्छामः सहितास्त्रिदशालयम्

prāptastu medhyatāṁ śakra vimukto brahmahatyayā| tasmādāgaccha gacchāmaḥ sahitāstridaśālayam

'O Indra, you have now attained purity, freed from the sin of killing a brahmin; therefore come, let us all go together to the abode of the gods.'

Verse 129 (skanda.6.8.129)

एतन्नाग बिलं शक्र पुनः पूरय पांसुभिः। नो चेदागत्य चानेन मानुषाः सिद्धिहेतवः

etannāga bilaṁ śakra punaḥ pūraya pāṁsubhiḥ| no cedāgatya cānena mānuṣāḥ siddhihetavaḥ

'But, O Indra, fill up this Serpent's Burrow once more with dust; otherwise men, coming by this passage, will use it as a means to attain perfection —'

Verse 130 (skanda.6.8.130)

एतल्लिंगं समभ्यर्च्य स्नात्वा भागीरथीजले। अपि पापसमायुक्ता यास्यंति परमां गतिम्

etalliṁgaṁ samabhyarcya snātvā bhāgīrathījale| api pāpasamāyuktā yāsyaṁti paramāṁ gatim

'— for by worshipping this Linga and bathing in the waters of the Bhagirathi here, even men laden with sin shall attain the supreme goal.'

Verse 131 (skanda.6.8.131)

ततस्ते त्रिदशाः सर्वे स च देवं शतक्रतुः। प्रणिपत्य पुनः प्रोच्चैः प्रजग्मुस्त्रिदशालयम्

tataste tridaśāḥ sarve sa ca devaṁ śatakratuḥ| praṇipatya punaḥ proccaiḥ prajagmustridaśālayam

Then all the gods, and Indra of a hundred sacrifices among them, having again bowed down before the god, joyfully departed for the abode of heaven.

Verse 132 (skanda.6.8.132)

ततो जज्ञे महांस्तत्र स्वर्गे वृत्रवधोत्सवः। देवेन्द्रत्वमनुप्राप्ते पुनः शक्रे द्विजोत्तमाः

tato jajñe mahāṁstatra svarge vṛtravadhotsavaḥ| devendratvamanuprāpte punaḥ śakre dvijottamāḥ

O best of brahmins, then, when Indra had regained his sovereignty over the gods, a great festival celebrating the slaying of Vritra arose there in heaven.

Verse 133 (skanda.6.8.133)

सूत उवाच। एतद्वः सर्वमाख्यातं हाटकेश्वरसंभवम्। माहात्म्यं ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठाः सर्वपातकनाशनम्

sūta uvāca| etadvaḥ sarvamākhyātaṁ hāṭakeśvarasaṁbhavam| māhātmyaṁ brāhmaṇaśreṣṭhāḥ sarvapātakanāśanam

Suta said: O best of brahmins, all of this has now been related to you — the glory arising from Hatakeshvara, which destroys every sin.

Verse 134 (skanda.6.8.134)

यश्चैतत्कीर्तयेद्भक्त्या शृणोति च समाहितः। स याति परमं स्थानं जरा मरणवर्जितम्

yaścaitatkīrtayedbhaktyā śṛṇoti ca samāhitaḥ| sa yāti paramaṁ sthānaṁ jarā maraṇavarjitam

Whoever recites this account with devotion, or listens to it with a composed mind, attains the supreme abode, free from old age and death.