The Greatness of Ambavriddha

Verse 1 (skanda.6.88.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः। यास्त्वया देवताः प्रोक्ताश्चतस्रः सूतनंदन ॥ चमत्कारी महित्था च महालक्ष्मीस्तथाऽपरा

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ yāstvayā devatāḥ proktāścatasraḥ sūtanaṁdana camatkārī mahitthā ca mahālakṣmīstathā'parā

The sages said: "O son of Suta, the four goddesses you have named—Chamatkari, Mahittha, and the other, Mahalakshmi--"

Verse 2 (skanda.6.88.2)

अंबावृद्धा चतुर्थी च तासां तिस्रः प्रकीर्तिताः॥ विस्तरेण चतुर्थी च अंबावृद्धा न कीर्तिता

aṁbāvṛddhā caturthī ca tāsāṁ tisraḥ prakīrtitāḥ vistareṇa caturthī ca aṁbāvṛddhā na kīrtitā

"-- and the fourth, Ambavriddha—of these you have described three at length, but the fourth, Ambavriddha, you have not yet described in detail."

Verse 3 (skanda.6.88.3)

एतस्याः सर्वमाचक्ष्व प्रभावं सूतसंभव ॥ केनैषा निर्मिता यात्रा सर्वं विस्तरतो वद

etasyāḥ sarvamācakṣva prabhāvaṁ sūtasaṁbhava kenaiṣā nirmitā yātrā sarvaṁ vistarato vada

"O son born of Suta, tell us all her greatness; by whom was this pilgrimage-rite established? Tell us everything in full."

Verse 4 (skanda.6.88.4)

सूत उवाच। एषा तपोमयी शक्तिरम्बावृद्धा सुरेश्वरी ॥ यथात्र संस्थिता पूर्वं तत्सर्वं श्रूयतां मम

sūta uvāca eṣā tapomayī śaktirambāvṛddhā sureśvarī yathātra saṁsthitā pūrvaṁ tatsarvaṁ śrūyatāṁ mama

Suta said: This Ambavriddha is a power born wholly of austerity, a queen among the gods; hear from me all that happened, how she came to be established here in ancient times.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.88.5)

चमत्कारमहीपेन पुरमेतद्यदा कृतम्॥ तदा तद्रक्षणार्थाय निर्मिता भावितात्मना ॥ चतस्रो देवता ह्येताः संमतेन द्विजन्मनाम्

camatkāramahīpena purametadyadā kṛtam tadā tadrakṣaṇārthāya nirmitā bhāvitātmanā catasro devatā hyetāḥ saṁmatena dvijanmanām

When King Chamatkara founded this city, that devout-souled king, with the consent of the brahmins, established these four goddesses for its protection.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.88.6)

अथ तस्य महीपस्य अंबानामाभवत्सुता ॥ तथान्या वृद्धसंज्ञा च रूपौदार्यगुणान्विते

atha tasya mahīpasya aṁbānāmābhavatsutā tathānyā vṛddhasaṁjñā ca rūpaudāryaguṇānvite

Now that king had a daughter named Amba, and another named Vriddha, both endowed with beauty and generosity of nature.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.88.7)

उभे ते काशिराजेन परिणीते द्विजोत्तमाः ॥ गृह्योक्तेन विधानेन देवविप्राग्निसंनिधौ

ubhe te kāśirājena pariṇīte dvijottamāḥ gṛhyoktena vidhānena devaviprāgnisaṁnidhau

O best of brahmins, both of them were married to the King of Kashi, in the presence of the gods, brahmins, and sacred fire, according to the rite prescribed in the Grihya-sutras.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.88.8)

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य काशिराजस्य भूपतेः ॥ तैः कालयवनैः सार्धमभवत्संगरो महान्

kasyacittvatha kālasya kāśirājasya bhūpateḥ taiḥ kālayavanaiḥ sārdhamabhavatsaṁgaro mahān

Then, after some time had passed, a great battle broke out between the King of Kashi and those Kalayavanas.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.88.9)

अथ तैर्निहतः संख्ये सभृत्यबलवाहनः ॥ हरलब्धवरै रौद्रैः काशिराजः प्रतापवान्

atha tairnihataḥ saṁkhye sabhṛtyabalavāhanaḥ haralabdhavarai raudraiḥ kāśirājaḥ pratāpavān

There, in that battle, the mighty King of Kashi, together with his attendants, army, and mounts, was slain by those dreadful Yavanas, who had won a boon from Hara.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.88.10)

अथांबा चैव वृद्धा च वैधव्यं प्राप्य दुःखदम् ॥ हाटकेश्वरजं क्षेत्रं गत्वा ते वांछितप्रदम्

athāṁbā caiva vṛddhā ca vaidhavyaṁ prāpya duḥkhadam hāṭakeśvarajaṁ kṣetraṁ gatvā te vāṁchitapradam

Then Amba and Vriddha, both fallen into sorrowful widowhood, went to the field of Hatakeshvara, which grants every desire.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.88.11)

देव्या आराधने यत्नं कृतवत्यौ ततः परम् ॥ नाशार्थं पतिशत्रूणां धृतवत्यौ शुभव्रतम्

devyā ārādhane yatnaṁ kṛtavatyau tataḥ param nāśārthaṁ patiśatrūṇāṁ dhṛtavatyau śubhavratam

There they made every effort to worship the Goddess, and undertook a sacred vow for the destruction of their husband's enemies.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.88.12)

यावद्वर्षशतं साग्रं न च तुष्टा सुरेश्वरी ॥ ततो वैराग्यमासाद्य वांछंत्यौ स्वतनुक्षयम्

yāvadvarṣaśataṁ sāgraṁ na ca tuṣṭā sureśvarī tato vairāgyamāsādya vāṁchaṁtyau svatanukṣayam

Even after a full hundred years had passed, that queen of the gods was not yet pleased; then, overcome with detachment, the two of them desired to destroy their own bodies.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.88.13)

मंत्रैराथर्वणैर्विप्राः क्षुरिकासूक्तसंभवैः ॥ छित्त्वाच्छित्त्वा स्वमांसानि मंत्रपूतानि भक्तितः

maṁtrairātharvaṇairviprāḥ kṣurikāsūktasaṁbhavaiḥ chittvācchittvā svamāṁsāni maṁtrapūtāni bhaktitaḥ

O brahmins, sanctifying their own flesh with mantras drawn from the Atharvan Kshurika-sukta, and cutting it piece by piece with devotion,

Verse 14 (skanda.6.88.14)

कृतवत्यौ ततो होमं सुसमिद्धे हुताशने ॥ अग्निकुण्डात्ततस्तस्माश्चतुर्हस्ता शुभानना

kṛtavatyau tato homaṁ susamiddhe hutāśane agnikuṇḍāttatastasmāścaturhastā śubhānanā

-- they offered it in oblation into the well-kindled fire. Then, from that fire-pit, there emerged a four-armed woman of auspicious countenance --

Verse 15 (skanda.6.88.15)

श्वेतवस्त्रा विनिष्क्रांता नारी बालार्कसव्रिभा ॥ तथान्या च सुनेत्रास्या तप्तहाटकसन्निभा

śvetavastrā viniṣkrāṁtā nārī bālārkasavribhā tathānyā ca sunetrāsyā taptahāṭakasannibhā

"-- clad in white garments, radiant as the rising sun. And, together with her, another—of lovely eyes and face, gleaming like refined gold --"

Verse 16 (skanda.6.88.16)

तस्मात्कुण्डाद्विनिष्क्रांता धृतखड्गा भयावहा ॥ साऽपरापि तथारूपा शक्तिः परमदारुणा

tasmātkuṇḍādviniṣkrāṁtā dhṛtakhaḍgā bhayāvahā sā'parāpi tathārūpā śaktiḥ paramadāruṇā

"-- also emerged from that same pit, sword in hand, terrifying to behold. That other power too was of like form, most dreadful."

Verse 17 (skanda.6.88.17)

प्रोचतुस्ते वरं हृत्स्थं प्रार्थ्यतामिति दुर्लभम्

procatuste varaṁ hṛtsthaṁ prārthyatāmiti durlabham

Those two goddesses said to Amba and Vriddha: "Ask now for the boon, however hard to attain, that lies in your hearts."

Verse 18 (skanda.6.88.18)

ते ऊचतुः। अस्माकं दयितो भर्त्ता काशिराजः प्रतापवान् ॥ निहतः संगरे क्रुद्धैर्यवनैः कालपूर्वकैः

te ūcatuḥ asmākaṁ dayito bharttā kāśirājaḥ pratāpavān nihataḥ saṁgare kruddhairyavanaiḥ kālapūrvakaiḥ

They said: "Our beloved husband, the mighty King of Kashi, was slain in battle by the enraged Yavanas led by Kalayavana."

Verse 19 (skanda.6.88.19)

युष्मदीय प्रसादेन यथा तेषां परिक्षयः ॥ सञ्जायते महादेव्यौ तथा कार्यमसंशयम्

yuṣmadīya prasādena yathā teṣāṁ parikṣayaḥ sañjāyate mahādevyau tathā kāryamasaṁśayam

"O great goddesses, by your grace, bring about their utter destruction—do this deed for us without any doubt."

Verse 20 (skanda.6.88.20)

स्थातव्यं च तथात्रैव उभाभ्यामपि सादरम् ॥ स्वपुरस्य प्ररक्षार्थमेतत्कृत्यं मतं हि नौ

sthātavyaṁ ca tathātraiva ubhābhyāmapi sādaram svapurasya prarakṣārthametatkṛtyaṁ mataṁ hi nau

"And may both of you dwell here with honor as well; it is our wish that this be done for the protection of our own city."

Verse 21 (skanda.6.88.21)

तयोस्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा उभे ते देवते ततः॥ संप्रोच्य बाढमित्येवं तस्मिन्कुण्डे व्यवस्थिते

tayostadvacanaṁ śrutvā ubhe te devate tataḥ saṁprocya bāḍhamityevaṁ tasminkuṇḍe vyavasthite

Hearing their words, those two goddesses said, "So be it," and took their place there in that very fire-pit.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.88.22)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे तस्मात्कुण्डाच्छतसहस्रशः ॥ निष्क्रांताः संख्यया हीना मातरो नैकरूपिकाः

etasminnaṁtare tasmātkuṇḍācchatasahasraśaḥ niṣkrāṁtāḥ saṁkhyayā hīnā mātaro naikarūpikāḥ

Meanwhile, from that very fire-pit there emerged, by the hundreds of thousands, innumerable Mother-goddesses of manifold forms.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.88.23)

एका गजमुखी तत्र तथान्या तुरगानना ॥ सारमेय मुखाश्चान्याः पक्षिच्छागमुखाः पराः

ekā gajamukhī tatra tathānyā turagānanā sārameya mukhāścānyāḥ pakṣicchāgamukhāḥ parāḥ

Among them, one was elephant-faced, another horse-faced; others still were dog-faced, some bird-faced, and others goat-faced.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.88.24)

तिर्यञ्च वपुषश्चान्या वक्त्रैर्मानुषसंभवैः ॥ त्रिशीर्षाः पञ्चशीर्षाश्च दशशीर्षास्तथा पराः

tiryañca vapuṣaścānyā vaktrairmānuṣasaṁbhavaiḥ triśīrṣāḥ pañcaśīrṣāśca daśaśīrṣāstathā parāḥ

Some had animal bodies but human faces; others had three heads, others five, and yet others ten.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.88.25)

गुह्य स्थानस्थितैर्वक्त्रैरेकाश्चान्या हृदिस्थितैः ॥ पार्श्वसंस्थैः स्थिताश्चान्या अन्याः पृष्ठिगतैर्मुखैः

guhya sthānasthitairvaktrairekāścānyā hṛdisthitaiḥ pārśvasaṁsthaiḥ sthitāścānyā anyāḥ pṛṣṭhigatairmukhaiḥ

Some bore faces set upon their private parts, others upon their chests, others upon their flanks, and others still bore faces set upon their backs.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.88.26)

एकहस्ता द्विहस्ताश्च पञ्चहस्तास्तथापराः ॥ अन्या विंशतिहस्ताश्च विहस्ताश्च तथापराः

ekahastā dvihastāśca pañcahastāstathāparāḥ anyā viṁśatihastāśca vihastāśca tathāparāḥ

Some had one arm, some two, some five arms; others had twenty arms, and others had no arms at all.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.88.27)

बहुपादा विपादाश्च एकपादास्तथापराः ॥ तथान्याश्चार्धपादाश्च अधोवक्त्रा विभीषणाः

bahupādā vipādāśca ekapādāstathāparāḥ tathānyāścārdhapādāśca adhovaktrā vibhīṣaṇāḥ

Some had many legs, some none, some only one; and others had half-legs, with faces turned downward, most terrifying to behold.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.88.28)

एकनेत्रा द्विनेत्राश्च त्रिनेत्राश्च तथापराः ॥ काश्चिद्गजसमारूढा हयारूढास्तथापराः

ekanetrā dvinetrāśca trinetrāśca tathāparāḥ kāścidgajasamārūḍhā hayārūḍhāstathāparāḥ

Some had one eye, some two, some three; some rode upon elephants, others upon horses.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.88.29)

वृषवानरसिंहाजव्याघ्रसर्पास्थिताः पराः ॥ गोधाश्वरासभारूढास्तथा च विहगाश्रिताः

vṛṣavānarasiṁhājavyāghrasarpāsthitāḥ parāḥ godhāśvarāsabhārūḍhāstathā ca vihagāśritāḥ

Others were seated upon a bull, a monkey, a lion, a goat, a tiger, or a serpent; others rode upon an iguana, a horse, or a donkey, and others still rested upon birds.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.88.30)

कूर्मकुक्कुटसर्पादिसमारूढाः सहस्रशः ॥ प्रकुर्वंत्यो रुदन्त्यश्च गायन्त्यश्च तथा पराः ॥ नृत्यंत्यश्च हसंत्यश्च क्रीडासक्ताः परस्परम्

kūrmakukkuṭasarpādisamārūḍhāḥ sahasraśaḥ prakurvaṁtyo rudantyaśca gāyantyaśca tathā parāḥ nṛtyaṁtyaśca hasaṁtyaśca krīḍāsaktāḥ parasparam

By the thousands, mounted upon tortoises, cocks, serpents, and the like, some weeping, others singing, others dancing and laughing, they were absorbed in play among themselves.

Verse 31 (skanda.6.88.31)

ऊर्ध्वकेशा विकेशाश्च गात्रकेशाश्च भूरिशः ॥ लंबकेशा विकेशाश्च वाजिकेशास्तथैव च

ūrdhvakeśā vikeśāśca gātrakeśāśca bhūriśaḥ laṁbakeśā vikeśāśca vājikeśāstathaiva ca

Some had hair standing on end, others had no hair at all, others had bodies thickly covered with hair; some had hanging locks, others were bald, and others had manes like a horse's.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.88.32)

ह्रस्वदन्त्यो विदंत्यश्च दीर्घदन्त्यो विभीषणाः ॥ गजदंत्यस्तथैवान्या लोहदंत्योभयावहाः

hrasvadantyo vidaṁtyaśca dīrghadantyo vibhīṣaṇāḥ gajadaṁtyastathaivānyā lohadaṁtyobhayāvahāḥ

Some had short teeth, some no teeth, others long and dreadful teeth; others had tusks like an elephant's, and others teeth of iron, terrible to behold.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.88.33)

लंबकर्ण्यो विकर्ण्यश्च शूर्पकर्ण्यस्तथा पराः ॥ शंकुकर्ण्यः कुकर्ण्यश्च बहुकर्ण्यः सुकर्णिकाः

laṁbakarṇyo vikarṇyaśca śūrpakarṇyastathā parāḥ śaṁkukarṇyaḥ kukarṇyaśca bahukarṇyaḥ sukarṇikāḥ

Some had hanging ears, some no ears, others ears as broad as a winnowing-fan; some had ears sharp as a peg, others misshapen ears, others many ears, and others finely shaped ears.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.88.34)

एकवस्त्रा विवस्त्राश्च बहुवस्त्रास्तथा पराः ॥ चर्मप्रावरणाश्चैव कथाप्रावरणान्विताः

ekavastrā vivastrāśca bahuvastrāstathā parāḥ carmaprāvaraṇāścaiva kathāprāvaraṇānvitāḥ

Some wore but a single garment, others none at all, others many garments; some were wrapped in hides, and others were clad in coverings of yet other kinds.

Verse 35 (skanda.6.88.35)

खङ्गहस्ताः शराहस्ताः कुंतहस्ताश्च भीषणाः ॥ पाशहस्तास्तथैवान्याः प्रासचापकराः पराः ॥ शूलमुद्गरहस्ताश्च भुशुंडिकरभूषिताः

khaṅgahastāḥ śarāhastāḥ kuṁtahastāśca bhīṣaṇāḥ pāśahastāstathaivānyāḥ prāsacāpakarāḥ parāḥ śūlamudgarahastāśca bhuśuṁḍikarabhūṣitāḥ

Some held swords in their hands, some arrows, some spears, dreadful to see; others carried nooses, others javelins and bows; some bore tridents and clubs, and others were adorned with the bhushundi weapon in hand.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.88.36)

अथ ताभ्यां तथाऽकर्ण्य ताः सर्वा हर्षसंयुताः ॥ प्रस्थितास्तत्र ता यत्र ते कालयवनाः स्थिताः

atha tābhyāṁ tathā'karṇya tāḥ sarvā harṣasaṁyutāḥ prasthitāstatra tā yatra te kālayavanāḥ sthitāḥ

Then, hearing the request of those two (Amba and Vriddha), all of them, filled with delight, set out for the place where those Kalayavanas were stationed.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.88.37)

ततस्ते तत्समालोक्य बलं देवीसमुद्रवम् ॥ रौद्र रूपधरं तीव्रं विकृतं विकृतैर्मुखैः

tataste tatsamālokya balaṁ devīsamudravam raudra rūpadharaṁ tīvraṁ vikṛtaṁ vikṛtairmukhaiḥ

Then those Yavanas beheld that army born of the goddesses, terrible in form, fierce, and monstrous with its monstrous faces.

Verse 38 (skanda.6.88.38)

विषण्णवदनाः सर्वे भयभीता समंततः ॥ धावतो भक्षितास्ताभिर्देवताभिः सुनिर्दयम्

viṣaṇṇavadanāḥ sarve bhayabhītā samaṁtataḥ dhāvato bhakṣitāstābhirdevatābhiḥ sunirdayam

All of them, their faces downcast, were struck with terror on every side; and as they fled, they were devoured mercilessly by those goddesses.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.88.39)

बालवृद्धसमोपेतं तेषां राष्ट्रं दुरात्मनाम् ॥ स्त्रीभिश्च सहितं ताभिर्देवताभिः प्रभक्षितम्

bālavṛddhasamopetaṁ teṣāṁ rāṣṭraṁ durātmanām strībhiśca sahitaṁ tābhirdevatābhiḥ prabhakṣitam

The entire realm of those evil-minded ones, together with its children and elders, and together with its women, was devoured by those goddesses.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.88.40)

एवं निर्वास्य तद्राष्ट्रं सर्वास्ता हर्षसंयुताः ॥ भूय एव निजं स्थानं संप्राप्ता द्विजसत्तमाः

evaṁ nirvāsya tadrāṣṭraṁ sarvāstā harṣasaṁyutāḥ bhūya eva nijaṁ sthānaṁ saṁprāptā dvijasattamāḥ

O best of brahmins, having thus laid waste that realm, all of them, rejoicing, returned once more to their own place.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.88.41)

ततः प्रोचुः प्रणम्योच्चैस्ताभ्यां विनयपूर्वकम् ॥ हतास्ते यवनाः कृष्णाः सपुत्रपशुबांधवाः

tataḥ procuḥ praṇamyoccaistābhyāṁ vinayapūrvakam hatāste yavanāḥ kṛṣṇāḥ saputrapaśubāṁdhavāḥ

Then, bowing low to Amba and Vriddha, they said with humility: "Those dark-hued Yavanas, together with their sons, cattle, and kinsfolk, have been slain."

Verse 42 (skanda.6.88.42)

उद्वासितस्तथा सर्वो देशस्तेषां स वै महान् ॥ सांप्रतं दीयतां कश्चिदाहारस्तृप्तिहेतवे ॥ निवासाय ततः स्थानं किंचिच्चावेद्यतां हि नः

udvāsitastathā sarvo deśasteṣāṁ sa vai mahān sāṁprataṁ dīyatāṁ kaścidāhārastṛptihetave nivāsāya tataḥ sthānaṁ kiṁciccāvedyatāṁ hi naḥ

"And their entire vast realm too has been utterly laid waste. Now let some food be given to us for our sustenance, and let some place be appointed to us for our dwelling."

Verse 43 (skanda.6.88.43)

देव्यावूचतुः। मर्त्यलोकेऽत्र या नार्यो गर्भवत्यः स्वपंति च ॥ संध्याकालप्रकाशे च तासां गर्भोऽस्तु वो द्रुतम्

devyāvūcatuḥ martyaloke'tra yā nāryo garbhavatyaḥ svapaṁti ca saṁdhyākālaprakāśe ca tāsāṁ garbho'stu vo drutam

The two goddesses said: "In this mortal world, whatever pregnant women sleep during the light of twilight—their unborn child shall swiftly be yours."

Verse 44 (skanda.6.88.44)

रुदंत्यो या विनिर्यांति चत्वरेषु त्रिकेषु च ॥ तासां गर्भस्तु युष्माकं संप्रदत्तः प्रभुज्यताम्

rudaṁtyo yā viniryāṁti catvareṣu trikeṣu ca tāsāṁ garbhastu yuṣmākaṁ saṁpradattaḥ prabhujyatām

"Whatever women go out weeping into crossroads or three-way junctions—their unborn child too is given over to you; feast upon it."

Verse 45 (skanda.6.88.45)

उच्छिष्टा याः प्रसर्पंति रमन्ते च स्वपंति च ॥ तासां गर्भः समस्तानां युष्माकं भोज नाय वै

ucchiṣṭā yāḥ prasarpaṁti ramante ca svapaṁti ca tāsāṁ garbhaḥ samastānāṁ yuṣmākaṁ bhoja nāya vai

"Whatever women move about, engage in intimacy, or sleep while still in a state of ritual impurity from eating—the unborn child of all such women is for your food."

Verse 46 (skanda.6.88.46)

सूतिकाभवने यस्मिन्नुच्छिष्टं चोपजायते ॥ स बालकस्तु युष्माकं भोजनाय प्रकल्पितः

sūtikābhavane yasminnucchiṣṭaṁ copajāyate sa bālakastu yuṣmākaṁ bhojanāya prakalpitaḥ

"In whatever birthing-chamber ritual impurity from leftover food arises, the child there is ordained for your food."

Verse 47 (skanda.6.88.47)

न षष्ठीजागरो यस्य बालकस्य भविष्यति ॥ स भविष्यति भोज्याय युष्माकं नात्र संशयः

na ṣaṣṭhījāgaro yasya bālakasya bhaviṣyati sa bhaviṣyati bhojyāya yuṣmākaṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ

"The child for whom the night-vigil of the sixth day is not kept shall, without doubt, become food for you."

Verse 48 (skanda.6.88.48)

नाशं यास्यति वा यत्र पावकः सूतिकागृहे ॥ स भविष्यति भोज्याय युष्माकं बालरूपधृक्

nāśaṁ yāsyati vā yatra pāvakaḥ sūtikāgṛhe sa bhaviṣyati bhojyāya yuṣmākaṁ bālarūpadhṛk

"Wherever, in a birthing-chamber, the sacred fire is allowed to go out, the child there, in its infant form, shall likewise become food for you."

Verse 49 (skanda.6.88.49)

मांगल्यैः संपरित्यक्तं यद्भवेत्सूतिकागृहम् ॥ तस्मिन्यस्तिष्ठते बालः स युष्माकं प्रकल्पितः

māṁgalyaiḥ saṁparityaktaṁ yadbhavetsūtikāgṛham tasminyastiṣṭhate bālaḥ sa yuṣmākaṁ prakalpitaḥ

"In whatever birthing-chamber is deprived of the customary auspicious objects, the child dwelling there is ordained for you."

Verse 50 (skanda.6.88.50)

संध्यायां बालका ये वा स्वपंत्याकाशदेशगाः॥ ते सर्वे भोजनार्थाय युष्माकं संनिवेदिताः

saṁdhyāyāṁ bālakā ye vā svapaṁtyākāśadeśagāḥ te sarve bhojanārthāya yuṣmākaṁ saṁniveditāḥ

"Whatever children sleep at twilight lying exposed beneath the open sky—all of them are consigned to you for food."

Verse 51 (skanda.6.88.51)

यस्य जन्मदिने प्राप्ते वर्षांते क्रियते न च ॥ मांगल्यं तस्य यद्गात्रं तद्युष्माकं प्रकल्पितम्

yasya janmadine prāpte varṣāṁte kriyate na ca māṁgalyaṁ tasya yadgātraṁ tadyuṣmākaṁ prakalpitam

"Whoever's body, on the return of their birthday at year's end, is not honored with the customary auspicious rites—that body is ordained for you."

Verse 52 (skanda.6.88.52)

तैलाभ्यंगं नरः कृत्वा यश्च स्नानं करोति न ॥ स दत्तो भोजनार्थाय युष्माकं नात्र संशयः

tailābhyaṁgaṁ naraḥ kṛtvā yaśca snānaṁ karoti na sa datto bhojanārthāya yuṣmākaṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ

"Whatever man, having anointed himself with oil, fails to bathe—he is given to you for food, without any doubt."

Verse 53 (skanda.6.88.53)

उच्छिष्टो यः पुमांस्तिष्ठेद्यो वा चत्वरमध्यगः॥ भक्षणीयः स सर्वाभिर्निर्विकल्पेन चेतसा

ucchiṣṭo yaḥ pumāṁstiṣṭhedyo vā catvaramadhyagaḥ bhakṣaṇīyaḥ sa sarvābhirnirvikalpena cetasā

"Whatever man remains standing while still in a state of eating-impurity, or stands in the middle of a crossroad, is fit to be devoured by all of you, without hesitation."

Verse 54 (skanda.6.88.54)

रजस्वलां व्रजेद्यो वा पुरुषः काममोहितः॥ नग्नः शेते तथा स्नाति भक्षणीयः स सत्वरम्

rajasvalāṁ vrajedyo vā puruṣaḥ kāmamohitaḥ nagnaḥ śete tathā snāti bhakṣaṇīyaḥ sa satvaram

"Whatever man, overcome by desire, approaches a woman in her monthly courses, or sleeps or bathes naked, he is swiftly to be devoured."

Verse 55 (skanda.6.88.55)

दक्षिणाभिमुखो रात्रौ यश्च स्नाति विमूढधीः ॥ शेते च शयने सोऽपि भक्षणीयश्च सत्वरम्

dakṣiṇābhimukho rātrau yaśca snāti vimūḍhadhīḥ śete ca śayane so'pi bhakṣaṇīyaśca satvaram

"Whatever foolish man bathes at night facing south, and likewise sleeps upon his bed facing that direction, he too is swiftly to be devoured."

Verse 56 (skanda.6.88.56)

उदङ्मुखश्च यो रात्रौ दिवा वा दक्षिणामुखः ॥ मूत्रोत्सर्गं पुरीष वा प्रकुर्याद्भक्ष्य एव सः

udaṅmukhaśca yo rātrau divā vā dakṣiṇāmukhaḥ mūtrotsargaṁ purīṣa vā prakuryādbhakṣya eva saḥ

"Whoever passes urine or stool facing north at night, or facing south by day, he too is fit to be devoured."

Verse 57 (skanda.6.88.57)

यः कुर्याद्रजनीवक्त्रे दधिसक्तुप्रभक्षणम् ॥ अंत्यजाभिगमं चाथ भक्षणीयो द्रुतं हि सः

yaḥ kuryādrajanīvaktre dadhisaktuprabhakṣaṇam aṁtyajābhigamaṁ cātha bhakṣaṇīyo drutaṁ hi saḥ

"Whoever eats curd and parched-grain flour at nightfall, or has union with a woman of the lowest caste, he is swiftly to be devoured."

Verse 58 (skanda.6.88.58)

सूत उवाच। एवं ताभ्यां तदा प्रोक्ता देवतास्ताः समंततः ॥ परिवार्य तदा तस्थुः संप्रहृष्टेन चेतसा

sūta uvāca evaṁ tābhyāṁ tadā proktā devatāstāḥ samaṁtataḥ parivārya tadā tasthuḥ saṁprahṛṣṭena cetasā

Suta said: Thus, having received these instructions from the two of them, those goddesses then encircled the place on every side and settled there with joyful hearts.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.88.59)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे राजा चमत्कारः प्रतापवान् ॥ प्रासादं निर्ममे ताभ्यां कैलासशिखरोपमम्

etasminnaṁtare rājā camatkāraḥ pratāpavān prāsādaṁ nirmame tābhyāṁ kailāsaśikharopamam

Meanwhile, the mighty King Chamatkara built for those two (Amba and Vriddha) a temple resembling the peak of Kailasa.

Verse 60 (skanda.6.88.60)

ततः प्रभृति ते ख्याते क्षेत्रे तत्र महोदये ॥ अंबावृद्धाभिधाने च पुररक्षापरे सदा

tataḥ prabhṛti te khyāte kṣetre tatra mahodaye aṁbāvṛddhābhidhāne ca purarakṣāpare sadā

From that time onward, in that renowned and greatly flourishing sacred place, known by the name Ambavriddha, they have ever remained devoted to the protection of the city.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.88.61)

यः पुमान्प्रातरुत्थाय ताभ्यां पश्यति चाननम् ॥ तस्य संवत्सरंयावन्न च च्छिद्रं प्रजायते

yaḥ pumānprātarutthāya tābhyāṁ paśyati cānanam tasya saṁvatsaraṁyāvanna ca cchidraṁ prajāyate

Whatever man, rising in the morning, beholds the face of those two, no misfortune befalls him for a whole year.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.88.62)

वृद्ध्यादौ वाथ चांते वा ताभ्यां पूजां करोति यः ॥ न तस्य जायते च्छिद्रं कथंचिदपि भूतले

vṛddhyādau vātha cāṁte vā tābhyāṁ pūjāṁ karoti yaḥ na tasya jāyate cchidraṁ kathaṁcidapi bhūtale

Whoever worships those two at the beginning or at the end of any undertaking, no obstacle of any kind ever arises for him on this earth.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.88.63)

यात्राकाले पुमान्यश्च ताभ्यां पूजां समाचरेत् ॥ स वांछितफलं प्राप्य शीघ्रं स्वगृहमाप्नुयात्

yātrākāle pumānyaśca tābhyāṁ pūjāṁ samācaret sa vāṁchitaphalaṁ prāpya śīghraṁ svagṛhamāpnuyāt

Whatever man performs worship of those two at the time of setting out on a journey, having obtained his desired fruit, swiftly returns home.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.88.64)

सदाष्टम्यां चतुर्दश्यां यस्ताभ्यां बलिमाहरेत् ॥ स कामानाप्नुयादिष्टानिह प्रेत्य च सद्गतिम्

sadāṣṭamyāṁ caturdaśyāṁ yastābhyāṁ balimāharet sa kāmānāpnuyādiṣṭāniha pretya ca sadgatim

Whoever always offers oblation to those two on the eighth and fourteenth lunar days obtains his desired wishes here, and after death, a blessed state.

Verse 65 (skanda.6.88.65)

यो महानवमीसंज्ञे दिवसे श्रद्धयान्वितः ॥ ताभ्यां समाचरेत्पूजां स सदा स्यादकण्टकी

yo mahānavamīsaṁjñe divase śraddhayānvitaḥ tābhyāṁ samācaretpūjāṁ sa sadā syādakaṇṭakī

Whoever, filled with faith, performs worship of those two on the day known as Mahanavami, remains ever free of obstacles.