The Greatness of Shri Mata's Sacred Sandals

Verse 1 (skanda.6.89.1)

सूत उवाच। एवं तत्र स्थिते नित्यं तस्मिन्मातृगणे द्विजाः ॥ बालकानां क्षयो जज्ञे ब्राह्मणानां गृहेगृहे

sūta uvāca evaṁ tatra sthite nityaṁ tasminmātṛgaṇe dvijāḥ bālakānāṁ kṣayo jajñe brāhmaṇānāṁ gṛhegṛhe

Suta said: O brahmins, with that host of Mother-goddesses now permanently established there, children began to perish in every household of the brahmins.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.89.2)

तरुणानां विशेषेण चमत्कारपुरोत्तरे ॥ छिद्रमन्वेषमाणास्ता भ्रमंत्यखिलदेवताः

taruṇānāṁ viśeṣeṇa camatkārapurottare chidramanveṣamāṇāstā bhramaṁtyakhiladevatāḥ

Especially of young men, in the northern part of Chamatkarapura, since all those goddesses wandered about seeking out any opening or lapse.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.89.3)

ततस्ते ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे ज्ञात्वा छिद्रसमुद्भवम् ॥ विघातं बालकानां च देवताभिर्विनिर्मितम्

tataste brāhmaṇāḥ sarve jñātvā chidrasamudbhavam vighātaṁ bālakānāṁ ca devatābhirvinirmitam

Then all those brahmins came to understand that this destruction of children was being wrought by the goddesses whenever some lapse gave them opening.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.89.4)

अम्बावृद्धे समासाद्य पूजयित्वा प्रयत्नतः ॥ प्रोचुश्च दुःखसन्तप्ता विनयावनताः स्थिताः

ambāvṛddhe samāsādya pūjayitvā prayatnataḥ procuśca duḥkhasantaptā vinayāvanatāḥ sthitāḥ

They went to Amba-Vriddha, worshipped them with great effort, and, tormented by grief, standing bowed in humility, spoke thus.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.89.5)

रक्षार्थं सर्वविप्राणां चमत्कारेण भूभुजा ॥ भवद्भ्यां निर्मितः श्रेष्ठः प्रासादोऽयं मनोहरः

rakṣārthaṁ sarvaviprāṇāṁ camatkāreṇa bhūbhujā bhavadbhyāṁ nirmitaḥ śreṣṭhaḥ prāsādo'yaṁ manoharaḥ

"For the protection of all the brahmins, King Chamatkara built this excellent and beautiful temple for you both."

Verse 6 (skanda.6.89.6)

ह्रियंते बालका रात्रौ छिद्रं प्राप्य सहस्रशः ॥ युष्मदीयाभिरेताभिर्देवताभिः समन्ततः

hriyaṁte bālakā rātrau chidraṁ prāpya sahasraśaḥ yuṣmadīyābhiretābhirdevatābhiḥ samantataḥ

"Yet, by night, whenever some lapse gives opening, thousands of children are being carried off on every side by these very goddesses of yours."

Verse 7 (skanda.6.89.7)

प्रसादः क्रियतां तस्माद्ब्राह्मणानां महात्मनाम् ॥ नो चेत्पुरं परित्यज्य यास्यामोऽन्यत्र भूतले

prasādaḥ kriyatāṁ tasmādbrāhmaṇānāṁ mahātmanām no cetpuraṁ parityajya yāsyāmo'nyatra bhūtale

"Therefore have mercy upon these great-souled brahmins; otherwise we shall abandon this city and go elsewhere upon the earth."

Verse 8 (skanda.6.89.8)

तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा ततोंऽबा कृपयान्विता ॥ हत्वा पादप्रहारेण भूमिं चक्रे गुहां ततः

teṣāṁ tadvacanaṁ śrutvā tatoṁ'bā kṛpayānvitā hatvā pādaprahāreṇa bhūmiṁ cakre guhāṁ tataḥ

Hearing their words, Amba, moved with compassion, struck the ground with a blow of her foot and thereby created a cave.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.89.9)

तस्यां स्वे पादुके न्यस्य ततः प्रोवाच देवताः ॥ सर्वास्ता नतसर्वांगीर्विनयेन समन्विताः

tasyāṁ sve pāduke nyasya tataḥ provāca devatāḥ sarvāstā natasarvāṁgīrvinayena samanvitāḥ

Placing her own sandals within it, she then spoke to all those goddesses, who stood there with their whole bodies bowed in humility.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.89.10)

इमे मत्पादुके दिव्ये गुहामध्यगते सदा ॥ सर्वाभिः सेवनीये च न गन्तव्यं बहिः क्वचित्

ime matpāduke divye guhāmadhyagate sadā sarvābhiḥ sevanīye ca na gantavyaṁ bahiḥ kvacit

"These divine sandals of mine shall remain forever within this cave; all of you are to serve them here, and none of you shall ever go outside."

Verse 11 (skanda.6.89.11)

या काचिल्लौल्यमास्थाय निष्क्रमिष्यति मोहतः ॥ सा दिव्यभावनिर्मुक्ता शृगाली संभविष्यति

yā kācillaulyamāsthāya niṣkramiṣyati mohataḥ sā divyabhāvanirmuktā śṛgālī saṁbhaviṣyati

"Whoever among you, giving way to restlessness, goes outside out of delusion, shall be stripped of her divine nature and become a jackal."

Verse 12 (skanda.6.89.12)

देवता ऊचुः। अत्र स्थाने महादेवि कोऽस्माकं प्रकरिष्यति ॥ पूजां को वात्र चाहारस्तस्माद्ब्रूहि सुरेश्वरि

devatā ūcuḥ atra sthāne mahādevi ko'smākaṁ prakariṣyati pūjāṁ ko vātra cāhārastasmādbrūhi sureśvari

The goddesses said: "O great goddess, who will worship us in this place, and what shall be our food here? Tell us this, O queen of the gods."

Verse 13 (skanda.6.89.13)

अम्बोवाच। अत्रागत्य विनिर्मुक्ता योगिनो ध्यानचिन्तकाः ॥ पूजां सम्यक्करिष्यंति सर्वासां भक्तिसंयुताः

ambovāca atrāgatya vinirmuktā yogino dhyānacintakāḥ pūjāṁ samyakkariṣyaṁti sarvāsāṁ bhaktisaṁyutāḥ

Amba said: "Liberated yogis, absorbed in meditation, will come here and, filled with devotion, will properly worship all of you."

Verse 14 (skanda.6.89.14)

पादुके मे प्रपूज्यादौ मांस मद्यादिभिः क्रमात् ॥ अवाप्स्यंति च संसिद्धिं दुर्लभाममरैरपि

pāduke me prapūjyādau māṁsa madyādibhiḥ kramāt avāpsyaṁti ca saṁsiddhiṁ durlabhāmamarairapi

"They shall first worship my sandals in due order, with meat, wine, and the like, and shall attain a perfection rare even for the immortals."

Verse 15 (skanda.6.89.15)

ततस्तथेति ताः प्रोच्य गुहामध्ये व्यवस्थिताः ॥ परिवार्य शुभे तस्याः पादुके मोक्षदायिके

tatastatheti tāḥ procya guhāmadhye vyavasthitāḥ parivārya śubhe tasyāḥ pāduke mokṣadāyike

Then, saying "So be it," all of them settled within that cave, surrounding her auspicious, liberation-granting sandals.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.89.16)

ततस्तत्र समागत्य पुरुषा अपि दूरतः ॥ प्रपूज्य पादुके सम्यङ्मातॄस्ताश्च ततः परम्॥ प्रयांति च परां सिद्धिं जन्म मृत्युविवर्जिताम्

tatastatra samāgatya puruṣā api dūrataḥ prapūjya pāduke samyaṅmātṝstāśca tataḥ param prayāṁti ca parāṁ siddhiṁ janma mṛtyuvivarjitām

Then men, coming there even from afar, and properly worshipping the sandals and those Mother-goddesses, attain the highest perfection, freed from birth and death.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.89.17)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे नष्टा अग्निष्टोमादिकाः क्रियाः ॥ तीर्थयात्राव्रतान्येव संयमा नियमाश्च ये

etasminnaṁtare naṣṭā agniṣṭomādikāḥ kriyāḥ tīrthayātrāvratānyeva saṁyamā niyamāśca ye

Meanwhile, sacrificial rites such as the Agnishtoma fell into disuse, along with pilgrimages, vows, self-restraint, and observances.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.89.18)

ये चापि ब्राह्मणाः शांताः सदा मद्यस्य दूषणम् ॥ प्रकुर्वंति स्वहस्तेन तेऽपि मद्यैः पृथग्विधैः

ye cāpi brāhmaṇāḥ śāṁtāḥ sadā madyasya dūṣaṇam prakurvaṁti svahastena te'pi madyaiḥ pṛthagvidhaiḥ

Even those tranquil brahmins who had always with their own hands condemned liquor now, with liquors of many kinds --

Verse 19 (skanda.6.89.19)

तर्पयंति तथा मांसैस्त्यक्ताशेषमखक्रियाः ॥ पादुके मातृभिर्जुष्टे तथा धूपानुलेपनैः

tarpayaṁti tathā māṁsaistyaktāśeṣamakhakriyāḥ pāduke mātṛbhirjuṣṭe tathā dhūpānulepanaiḥ

"-- as well as with meat, made offerings, abandoning entirely their sacrificial rites, worshipping instead, with incense and unguents too, those sandals attended by the Mother-goddesses."

Verse 20 (skanda.6.89.20)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे भीताः सर्वे देवाः सवासवाः ॥ दृष्ट्वा यज्ञक्रियोच्छेदं क्षुत्पिपासा समाकुलाः

etasminnaṁtare bhītāḥ sarve devāḥ savāsavāḥ dṛṣṭvā yajñakriyocchedaṁ kṣutpipāsā samākulāḥ

Meanwhile, seeing the abandonment of sacrificial rites, all the gods, together with Indra, grew fearful and became distressed with hunger and thirst.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.89.21)

प्रोचुर्महेश्वरं गत्वा विनयावनताः स्थिताः ॥ स्तुत्वा पृथग्विधैः सूक्तैर्वेदोक्तैः शतरुद्रियैः

procurmaheśvaraṁ gatvā vinayāvanatāḥ sthitāḥ stutvā pṛthagvidhaiḥ sūktairvedoktaiḥ śatarudriyaiḥ

Going to Maheshvara, they stood there bowed in humility, and, having praised him with various Vedic hymns such as the Shatarudriya, spoke to him.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.89.22)

देवा ऊचुः। हाटकेश्वरजे क्षेत्रे पादुके तत्र संस्थिते ॥ अंबाया मातृभिः सार्धं गुहामध्ये सुगुप्तके

devā ūcuḥ hāṭakeśvaraje kṣetre pāduke tatra saṁsthite aṁbāyā mātṛbhiḥ sārdhaṁ guhāmadhye suguptake

The gods said: "In the field of Hatakeshvara, there stand, well concealed within a cave, Amba's sandals, together with the Mother-goddesses."

Verse 23 (skanda.6.89.23)

ब्राह्मणा अपिदेवेश मद्यमांसेन भक्तितः ॥ ताभ्यां पूजां प्रकुर्वंति प्रयांति परमां गतिम्

brāhmaṇā apideveśa madyamāṁsena bhaktitaḥ tābhyāṁ pūjāṁ prakurvaṁti prayāṁti paramāṁ gatim

"O lord of the gods, even the brahmins now worship them with devotion, using wine and meat, and thereby attain the highest state."

Verse 24 (skanda.6.89.24)

नष्टा धर्मक्रिया सर्वा मर्त्यलोकेत्र सांप्रतम् ॥ अस्माकं संक्षयो जातो यज्ञभागं विना प्रभो

naṣṭā dharmakriyā sarvā martyaloketra sāṁpratam asmākaṁ saṁkṣayo jāto yajñabhāgaṁ vinā prabho

"In this mortal world, all righteous rites have now been destroyed; O Lord, without our share of the sacrifice, we are perishing."

Verse 25 (skanda.6.89.25)

तस्मात्त्वं कुरु देवेश यथा स्यात्पादुकाक्षयः॥ प्रभवंति मखा भूमावस्माकं स्युः परा मुदः

tasmāttvaṁ kuru deveśa yathā syātpādukākṣayaḥ prabhavaṁti makhā bhūmāvasmākaṁ syuḥ parā mudaḥ

"Therefore, O lord of the gods, act so that those sandals may be destroyed, so that sacrifices may flourish again upon the earth, and we may know the highest joy."

Verse 26 (skanda.6.89.26)

श्रीभगवानुवाच। या सा अंबेति विख्याता शक्तिः सा परमेश्वरी॥ जगन्माताऽक्षया साक्षान्ममा पि जननी च सा

śrībhagavānuvāca yā sā aṁbeti vikhyātā śaktiḥ sā parameśvarī jaganmātā'kṣayā sākṣānmamā pi jananī ca sā

Shri Bhagavan said: "That power renowned by the name Amba is herself the Supreme Goddess; she is the imperishable mother of the world, and she is my mother too."

Verse 27 (skanda.6.89.27)

तत्कथं संक्षयस्तस्याः कर्तुं केनापि शक्यते ॥ मनसापि महाभागाः पादुकानां विशेषतः

tatkathaṁ saṁkṣayastasyāḥ kartuṁ kenāpi śakyate manasāpi mahābhāgāḥ pādukānāṁ viśeṣataḥ

"How, then, O blessed ones, could anyone even in thought bring about her destruction—still less that of her sandals?"

Verse 28 (skanda.6.89.28)

परं तत्र करिष्यामि सुखोपायं सुरेश्वराः ॥ युष्मभ्यं पादुकायां च महत्त्वं येन जायते

paraṁ tatra kariṣyāmi sukhopāyaṁ sureśvarāḥ yuṣmabhyaṁ pādukāyāṁ ca mahattvaṁ yena jāyate

"Nevertheless, O lords of the gods, I shall devise there a gentle means, by which both your good and the greatness of those sandals shall be preserved."

Verse 29 (skanda.6.89.29)

एवमुक्त्वा ततो ध्यानं चक्रे देवो महेश्वरः ॥ व्यावृत्यकमलं हृत्स्थमष्टपत्रं सकर्णिकम्

evamuktvā tato dhyānaṁ cakre devo maheśvaraḥ vyāvṛtyakamalaṁ hṛtsthamaṣṭapatraṁ sakarṇikam

Having said this, the god Maheshvara then entered meditation, turning inward to the eight-petalled lotus with its pericarp, seated within his own heart.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.89.30)

तस्यांतर्गतमासीनमंगुष्ठाग्रमितं शुभम् ॥ द्वादशार्कप्रभं सूक्ष्मं स्वमात्मानं व्यलोकयत्

tasyāṁtargatamāsīnamaṁguṣṭhāgramitaṁ śubham dvādaśārkaprabhaṁ sūkṣmaṁ svamātmānaṁ vyalokayat

Within it, seated there, the size of a thumb-tip, auspicious, radiant as twelve suns, subtle, he beheld his own inmost Self.

Verse 31 (skanda.6.89.31)

तस्यैवं ध्यायमानस्य तृतीयनयनात्ततः ॥ श्वेतांबरधरा शुभ्रा निर्गता कन्यका शुभा

tasyaivaṁ dhyāyamānasya tṛtīyanayanāttataḥ śvetāṁbaradharā śubhrā nirgatā kanyakā śubhā

As he meditated thus, from his third eye there emerged an auspicious maiden, clad in white garments, radiant and pure.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.89.32)

अथ सा प्राह तं देवं प्रणिपत्य महेश्वरम् ॥ किमर्थं देव सृष्टास्मि ममादेशः प्रदीयताम्

atha sā prāha taṁ devaṁ praṇipatya maheśvaram kimarthaṁ deva sṛṣṭāsmi mamādeśaḥ pradīyatām

Then, bowing to the god Maheshvara, she said: "O Lord, for what purpose have I been created? Let my command be given."

Verse 33 (skanda.6.89.33)

श्रीभगवानुवाच। हाटकेश्वरजे क्षेत्रे पादुके संस्थिते शुभे ॥ श्रीमातुर्जगतां मुख्ये ताभ्यां पूजां त्वमाचर

śrībhagavānuvāca hāṭakeśvaraje kṣetre pāduke saṁsthite śubhe śrīmāturjagatāṁ mukhye tābhyāṁ pūjāṁ tvamācara

Shri Bhagavan said: "In the field of Hatakeshvara stand those two auspicious sandals of Shri Mata, foremost mother of the worlds; you shall perform worship of them."

Verse 34 (skanda.6.89.34)

कन्यकां संपरित्यज्य तवान्वयविवर्द्धिताम्॥ यः करिष्यति तत्पूजामाहारः स्यात्स मातृषु

kanyakāṁ saṁparityajya tavānvayavivarddhitām yaḥ kariṣyati tatpūjāmāhāraḥ syātsa mātṛṣu

"Save a maiden born of your own lineage, whoever else performs worship of them shall become food for the Mother-goddesses."

Verse 35 (skanda.6.89.35)

कौमारब्रह्मचर्य्येण त्वयापि च सुभक्तितः ॥ ताभ्यां पूजा प्रकर्तव्या नो चेन्नाशमवाप्स्यसि

kaumārabrahmacaryyeṇa tvayāpi ca subhaktitaḥ tābhyāṁ pūjā prakartavyā no cennāśamavāpsyasi

"You too must worship them, keeping the vow of maidenly celibacy, with true devotion; otherwise you too shall meet destruction."

Verse 36 (skanda.6.89.36)

तव पूजा करिष्यन्ति ये नरा भक्तितत्पराः ॥ मातॄणां संमतास्ते स्युः सर्वदैव सुखान्विताः

tava pūjā kariṣyanti ye narā bhaktitatparāḥ mātṝṇāṁ saṁmatāste syuḥ sarvadaiva sukhānvitāḥ

"Whatever men, devoted with true faith, worship you, shall become acceptable also to the Mother-goddesses, and shall ever remain full of happiness."

Verse 37 (skanda.6.89.37)

एवमुक्त्वा ततस्तस्या मंत्रमार्गं यथोचितम् ॥ पूजामार्गं विशेषेण कथयामास विस्तरात्

evamuktvā tatastasyā maṁtramārgaṁ yathocitam pūjāmārgaṁ viśeṣeṇa kathayāmāsa vistarāt

Having said this, he then explained to her, in full detail, the proper path of mantra and the method of worship.

Verse 38 (skanda.6.89.38)

ततो विसर्जयामास दत्त्वा छत्रादिभूषणम् ॥ प्रतिपत्तिं महादेवस्तांश्च सर्वान्सुरेश्वरान्

tato visarjayāmāsa dattvā chatrādibhūṣaṇam pratipattiṁ mahādevastāṁśca sarvānsureśvarān

Then Mahadeva, granting her a parasol and other ornaments, and showing her every honor, dismissed her, and likewise sent away all the gods.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.89.39)

कुमार्युवाच। त्वयेतत्कथितं देव त्वदन्वयसमुद्भवाः ॥ कन्यकाः पूजयिष्यंति पादुके ते सुशोभने

kumāryuvāca tvayetatkathitaṁ deva tvadanvayasamudbhavāḥ kanyakāḥ pūjayiṣyaṁti pāduke te suśobhane

The maiden said: "O Lord, you have told me that maidens born of your own lineage alone shall worship those splendid sandals of yours."

Verse 40 (skanda.6.89.40)

कौमारब्रह्मचर्य्येण भविष्यत्यन्वयः कथम् ॥ एतन्मे विस्तरात्सर्वं यथावद्वक्तुमर्हसि

kaumārabrahmacaryyeṇa bhaviṣyatyanvayaḥ katham etanme vistarātsarvaṁ yathāvadvaktumarhasi

"But while keeping the vow of maidenly celibacy, how shall my lineage come to be? Please explain all this to me, exactly as it is, in full."

Verse 41 (skanda.6.89.41)

श्रीभगवानुवाच। यस्यायस्याः प्रसन्ना त्वं कन्यकाया वदिष्यसि ॥ मंत्रग्राममिमं सम्यक्त्वद्भावा सा भविष्यति

śrībhagavānuvāca yasyāyasyāḥ prasannā tvaṁ kanyakāyā vadiṣyasi maṁtragrāmamimaṁ samyaktvadbhāvā sā bhaviṣyati

Shri Bhagavan said: "Whatever maiden you become pleased with and to whom you properly impart this body of mantras, she shall attain your very nature."

Verse 42 (skanda.6.89.42)

एवं चान्या महाभागे पारंपर्येण कन्यकाः ॥ तव वंशोद्भवाः सर्वाः प्रभविष्यंति मंत्रतः ॥ ततः सा तां समासाद्य पादुकासंभवां गुहाम् ॥ पूजां चक्रे यथान्यायं यथोक्तं त्रिपुरारिणा

evaṁ cānyā mahābhāge pāraṁparyeṇa kanyakāḥ tava vaṁśodbhavāḥ sarvāḥ prabhaviṣyaṁti maṁtrataḥ tataḥ sā tāṁ samāsādya pādukāsaṁbhavāṁ guhām pūjāṁ cakre yathānyāyaṁ yathoktaṁ tripurāriṇā

"Thus, O blessed one, other maidens too, in succession, shall through this mantra be reckoned as born of your own lineage, and shall gain this power." Then she, going to that cave where the sandals were, began to perform worship duly, according to the rite prescribed by the Slayer of the Three Cities.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.89.43)

सूत उवाच। तदन्वयसमुत्थायाः कन्यकायाः करेण यः ॥ पादुकाभ्यां नरः पूजां प्रकरोति समाहितः ॥ इह लोके सुखं प्राप्य स स्यात्प्रेत्य सुखान्वितः

sūta uvāca tadanvayasamutthāyāḥ kanyakāyāḥ kareṇa yaḥ pādukābhyāṁ naraḥ pūjāṁ prakaroti samāhitaḥ iha loke sukhaṁ prāpya sa syātpretya sukhānvitaḥ

Suta said: Whatever man, with focused mind, performs worship of those sandals through the hand of a maiden born in that lineage, attains happiness in this world, and remains happy after death as well.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.89.44)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन कन्याहस्तेन पादुके ॥ पूजनीये विशेषेण पूज्या सा चापि कन्यका

tasmātsarvaprayatnena kanyāhastena pāduke pūjanīye viśeṣeṇa pūjyā sā cāpi kanyakā

Therefore, with all effort, those sandals should be worshipped especially through the hand of a maiden, and that maiden too should be honored.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.89.45)

वांछद्भिः शाश्वतं सौख्यमिह लोके परत्र च ॥ मानवैर्भक्तिसंयुक्तैरित्युवाच महेश्वरः

vāṁchadbhiḥ śāśvataṁ saukhyamiha loke paratra ca mānavairbhaktisaṁyuktairityuvāca maheśvaraḥ

"Men who desire everlasting happiness in this world and the next, filled with devotion, should do just this"—so spoke Maheshvara.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.89.46)

एतद्वः सर्वमाख्यातं माहात्म्यं पादुकोद्भवम् ॥ श्रीमातुरनुषंगेण अंबादेव्या द्विजोत्तमाः

etadvaḥ sarvamākhyātaṁ māhātmyaṁ pādukodbhavam śrīmāturanuṣaṁgeṇa aṁbādevyā dvijottamāḥ

O best of brahmins, thus I have related to you the entire greatness of the sandals, arising in connection with Shri Mata, the goddess Amba.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.89.47)

यश्चैतच्छृणुयाद्भक्त्या चतुर्दश्यां समाहितः ॥ तथाष्टम्यां विशेषेण स प्राप्नोति परं पदम्

yaścaitacchṛṇuyādbhaktyā caturdaśyāṁ samāhitaḥ tathāṣṭamyāṁ viśeṣeṇa sa prāpnoti paraṁ padam

Whoever, with focused mind, hears this with devotion on the fourteenth day, and especially on the eighth, attains the highest state.