The Glory of Savitri (The Legend of Gayatri and Savitri)

Verse 1 (skanda.7.165.1)

ईश्वर उवाच। ततो गच्छेन्महादेवि सावित्रीं लोकमातरम्। महापापप्रशमनीं सोमेशादीशदिक्स्थिताम्

īśvara uvāca| tato gacchenmahādevi sāvitrīṁ lokamātaram| mahāpāpapraśamanīṁ someśādīśadiksthitām

Ishvara said: Then, O great Goddess, one should go to Savitri, mother of the worlds, the queller of great sins, situated to the northeast of Someshvara.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.165.2)

संयतात्मा नरः पश्येत्तत्र तां नियतात्मवान्

saṁyatātmā naraḥ paśyettatra tāṁ niyatātmavān

A man of restrained and disciplined mind should behold her there.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.165.3)

ब्रह्मणा यष्टुकामेन सावित्री सहधर्मिणी। कृता तां बलतो ज्ञात्वा गायत्रीं कोपमाविशत्

brahmaṇā yaṣṭukāmena sāvitrī sahadharmiṇī| kṛtā tāṁ balato jñātvā gāyatrīṁ kopamāviśat

Brahma, wishing to perform a sacrifice, had made Savitri his lawful wife; learning that Gayatri had been forcibly brought in her place, she was overcome with rage.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.165.4)

ततः संत्यज्य सा देवी ब्रह्माणं कमलोद्भवम्। सपत्नीरोषसन्तप्ता प्रभासं क्षेत्रमाश्रिता

tataḥ saṁtyajya sā devī brahmāṇaṁ kamalodbhavam| sapatnīroṣasaṁtaptā prabhāsaṁ kṣetramāśritā

Then that Goddess abandoned Brahma, the lotus-born, and, burning with anger against her co-wife, took refuge in the sacred field of Prabhasa.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.165.5)

तपः करोति विपुलं देवैरपि सुदुःसहम्। तत्र स्थले स्थिता देवी साऽद्यापि प्रियदर्शना

tapaḥ karoti vipulaṁ devairapi suduḥsaham| tatra sthale sthitā devī sā'dyāpi priyadarśanā

She performs vast austerities, unbearable even for the gods; established at that spot, that lovely-eyed goddess remains there even today.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.165.6)

श्रीदेव्युवाच। किमर्थं सा परित्यक्ता सावित्री ब्रह्मणा पुरा। गायत्री च कथं प्राप्ता केन चास्य निवेदिता

śrīdevyuvāca| kimarthaṁ sā parityaktā sāvitrī brahmaṇā purā| gāyatrī ca kathaṁ prāptā kena cāsya niveditā

The blessed Goddess said: For what reason was Savitri once abandoned by Brahma? And how was Gayatri obtained, and who brought her before him?

Verse 7 (skanda.7.165.7)

कीदृशीं तां च गायत्रीं लब्धवान्पद्मसंभवः। यस्तां पत्नीं समुत्सृज्य तस्यामेव मनो दधौ

kīdṛśīṁ tāṁ ca gāyatrīṁ labdhavānpadmasaṁbhavaḥ| yastāṁ patnīṁ samutsṛjya tasyāmeva mano dadhau

What manner of being was that Gayatri whom the lotus-born obtained, forsaking his own wife and fixing his mind on her alone?

Verse 8 (skanda.7.165.8)

कस्य सा दुहिता देव किमर्थं च विवाहिता। एतन्मे कौतुकं सर्वं यथावद्वक्तुमर्हसि

kasya sā duhitā deva kimarthaṁ ca vivāhitā| etanme kautukaṁ sarvaṁ yathāvadvaktumarhasi

O Lord, whose daughter was she, and for what reason was she married? All this is my curiosity — pray tell it to me as it truly happened.

Verse 9 (skanda.7.165.9)

ईश्वर उवाच। शृणु देवि प्रवक्ष्यामि सावित्र्याश्चरितं महत्। यथा सा ब्रह्मणा त्यक्ता गायत्री च विवाहिता

īśvara uvāca| śṛṇu devi pravakṣyāmi sāvitryāścaritaṁ mahat| yathā sā brahmaṇā tyaktā gāyatrī ca vivāhitā

Ishvara said: Listen, O Goddess, I shall tell the great story of Savitri — how she was forsaken by Brahma and how Gayatri was married.

Verse 10 (skanda.7.165.10)

पुरा बुद्धिः समुत्पन्ना ब्रह्मणोऽव्यक्तजन्मनः। इति वेदा मया प्रोक्ता यज्ञार्थं नात्र संशयः

purā buddhiḥ samutpannā brahmaṇo'vyaktajanmanaḥ| iti vedā mayā proktā yajñārthaṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ

Once, in the mind of Brahma, born of the unmanifest, this thought arose: 'I have proclaimed the Vedas for the sake of sacrifice — of this there is no doubt.'

Verse 11 (skanda.7.165.11)

यज्ञैः संतर्पिता देवा वृष्टिं दास्यंति भूतले। ततश्चौषधयः सर्वा भविष्यंति धरातले

yajñaiḥ saṁtarpitā devā vṛṣṭiṁ dāsyaṁti bhūtale| tataścauṣadhayaḥ sarvā bhaviṣyaṁti dharātale

The gods, satisfied by sacrifices, will grant rain upon the earth; from that, all plants and herbs will spring up on the ground.

Verse 12 (skanda.7.165.12)

तस्मात्संजायते शुक्रं शुक्रात्सृष्टिः प्रवर्तते। सृष्ट्यर्थं सर्वलोकानां ततो यज्ञं करोम्यहम्

tasmātsaṁjāyate śukraṁ śukrātsṛṣṭiḥ pravartate| sṛṣṭyarthaṁ sarvalokānāṁ tato yajñaṁ karomyaham

From that arises seed, and from seed creation proceeds; therefore, for the creation of all the worlds, I shall perform a sacrifice.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.165.13)

दृष्ट्वा मां यज्ञ आसक्तं ये च विप्रा धरातले। ते यज्ञान्प्रचरिष्यंति शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः

dṛṣṭvā māṁ yajña āsaktaṁ ye ca viprā dharātale| te yajñānpracariṣyaṁti śataśo'tha sahasraśaḥ

Seeing me devoted to sacrifice, whatever brahmins exist on earth will themselves perform sacrifices, by the hundreds and thousands.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.165.14)

एवं स निश्चयं कृत्वा यज्ञार्थं सुरसुंदरि। तीर्थं निवेशयामास पुष्करं नाम नामतः

evaṁ sa niścayaṁ kṛtvā yajñārthaṁ surasuṁdari| tīrthaṁ niveśayāmāsa puṣkaraṁ nāma nāmataḥ

O beautiful one among the gods, having made this resolve, he established for the sacrifice the sacred place named Pushkara.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.165.15)

यज्ञवाटो महांस्तत्र आसीत्तस्य महात्मनः। तत्र देवर्षयः सर्वे देवाः सेन्द्रपुरोगमाः

yajñavāṭo mahāṁstatra āsīttasya mahātmanaḥ| tatra devarṣayaḥ sarve devāḥ sendrapurogamāḥ

That great soul had there a vast sacrificial enclosure; there all the divine sages and the gods, led by Indra, were present.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.165.16)

समायाता महादेवि यज्ञे पैतामहे तदा। पुण्यास्तेऽपि द्विजश्रेष्ठास्तत्रर्त्विजः प्रजज्ञिरे

samāyātā mahādevi yajñe paitāmahe tadā| puṇyāstepi dvijaśreṣṭhāstatrartvijaḥ prajajñire

O great Goddess, they all assembled at the sacrifice of the Grandsire; those virtuous, foremost twice-born became the officiating priests there.

Verse 17 (skanda.7.165.17)

सावित्री लोकजननी पत्नी तस्य महात्मनः। गृहकार्ये समासक्ता दीक्षा कालव्यतिक्रमात्। अध्वर्युणा समाहूता सावित्री वाक्यमब्रवीत्

sāvitrī lokajananī patnī tasya mahātmanaḥ| gṛhakārye samāsaktā dīkṣā kālavyatikramāt| adhvaryuṇā samāhūtā sāvitrī vākyamabravīt

Savitri, mother of the worlds, the wife of that great soul, was engrossed in household work, and the time for the consecration was passing; when summoned by the officiating priest, Savitri spoke these words —

Verse 18 (skanda.7.165.18)

सावित्र्युवाच। अद्यापि न कृतो वेषो न गृहे गृहमण्डनम्। लक्ष्मीर्नाद्यापि संप्राप्ता न भवानी न जाह्नवी

sāvitryuvāca| adyāpi na kṛto veṣo na gṛhe gṛhamaṇḍanam| lakṣmīrnādyāpi saṁprāptā na bhavānī na jāhnavī

Savitri said: I have not yet dressed, nor has the house been adorned; Lakshmi has not yet arrived, nor Bhavani, nor Jahnavi (the Ganga).

Verse 19 (skanda.7.165.19)

न स्वाहा न स्वधा चैव तथा चैवाप्यरुंधती। इन्द्राणी देवपत्न्योऽन्याः कथमेकाकिनी व्रजे

na svāhā na svadhā caiva tathā caivāpyaruṁdhatī| indrāṇī devapatnyo'nyāḥ kathamekākinī vraje

Neither Svaha nor Svadha has come, nor Arundhati; neither Indrani nor the other wives of the gods — how then should I go alone?

Verse 20 (skanda.7.165.20)

उक्तः पितामहो गत्वा पुलस्त्येन महात्मना। सावित्री देव नायाति प्रसक्ता गृहकर्मणि

uktaḥ pitāmaho gatvā pulastyena mahātmanā| sāvitrī deva nāyāti prasaktā gṛhakarmaṇi

The great sage Pulastya went and said to the Grandsire: O Lord, Savitri is not coming, engrossed as she is in household duties.

Verse 21 (skanda.7.165.21)

त्वत्पत्नी किमिदं कर्म फलेन संप्रवर्तते। तच्छ्रुत्वा दीक्षितो वाचं शिखी मुंडी मृगाजिनी

tvatpatnī kimidaṁ karma phalena saṁpravartate| tacchrutvā dīkṣito vācaṁ śikhī muṁḍī mṛgājinī

How shall this rite bear fruit without your wife? Hearing this, Brahma — consecrated, tonsured but for his tuft, clad in deerskin — spoke —

Verse 22 (skanda.7.165.22)

पत्नीकोपेन संतप्तः प्राह देवं पुरंदरम्

patnīkopena saṁtaptaḥ prāha devaṁ puraṁdaram

Distressed by his wife's delay, he said to the god Purandara (Indra) —

Verse 23 (skanda.7.165.23)

गच्छ मद्वचनाच्छक्र पत्नीमन्यां कुतश्चन। गृहीत्वा शीघ्रमागच्छ न स्यात्कालात्ययो यथा

gaccha madvacanācchakra patnīmanyāṁ kutaścana| gṛhītvā śīghramāgaccha na syātkālātyayo yathā

O Shakra, at my word, go somewhere and bring another wife quickly, so that the time may not pass.

Verse 24 (skanda.7.165.24)

जगाम बलहा तूर्णं वचनात्परमेष्ठिनः। अपश्यमानः कांचित्स्त्रीं या योग्या हंसवाहने

jagāma balahā tūrṇaṁ vacanātparameṣṭhinaḥ| apaśyamānaḥ kāṁcitstrīṁ yā yogyā haṁsavāhane

Indra, the slayer of Bala, went forth swiftly at the word of the Supreme Lord, but he could not find any woman fit for the rider of the swan (Brahma).

Verse 25 (skanda.7.165.25)

अथ शापाद्बिभीतेन सहस्राक्षेण धीमता। दृष्टा गोपालकन्यैका रूपयौवनशालिनी

atha śāpādbibhītena sahasrākṣeṇa dhīmatā| dṛṣṭā gopālakanyaikā rūpayauvanaśālinī

Then the wise thousand-eyed Indra, fearing the curse, saw a certain cowherd's daughter, resplendent with beauty and youth.

Verse 26 (skanda.7.165.26)

बिभ्रती तत्र पूर्णं सा कुम्भं कन्येत्यचोदयत्। तां गृहीत्वा ततः शक्रः समायाद्यत्र दीक्षितः। देवदेवश्चतुर्वक्त्रो विष्णुरुद्रसमन्वितः

bibhratī tatra pūrṇaṁ sā kumbhaṁ kanyetyacodayat| tāṁ gṛhītvā tataḥ śakraḥ samāyādyatra dīkṣitaḥ| devadevaścaturvaktro viṣṇurudrasamanvitaḥ

She was carrying there a full pitcher; Indra summoned that maiden, and taking her, came to where the four-faced god of gods sat consecrated, in the company of Vishnu and Rudra.

Verse 27 (skanda.7.165.27)

संप्रदानं तु कृतवान्कन्याया मधुसूदनः

saṁpradānaṁ tu kṛtavānkanyāyā madhusūdanaḥ

Madhusudana (Vishnu) then performed the giving away of the maiden.

Verse 28 (skanda.7.165.28)

प्रेरितः शंकरेणैव ब्रह्मा देवर्षिभिस्तथा। परिणीयतां ततो दीक्षां तस्याश्चक्रे यथात्मनः

preritaḥ śaṁkareṇaiva brahmā devarṣibhistathā| pariṇīyatāṁ tato dīkṣāṁ tasyāścakre yathātmanaḥ

Urged on by Shankara and the divine sages, Brahma married her, and performed her consecration just as his own.

Verse 29 (skanda.7.165.29)

ततः प्रवर्तितो यज्ञः सर्वकामसमन्वितः

tataḥ pravartito yajñaḥ sarvakāmasamanvitaḥ

Then the sacrifice, fulfilling every desire, was set in motion.

Verse 30 (skanda.7.165.30)

अत्रिर्होतार्चिकस्तत्र पुलस्त्योऽध्वर्युरेव च। उद्गाताऽथो मरीचिश्च ब्रह्माहं सुरपुंगवः

atrirhotārcikastatra pulastyo'dhvaryureva ca| udgātā'tho marīciśca brahmāhaṁ surapuṁgavaḥ

Atri became the Hotri priest, Pulastya the Adhvaryu, Marichi the Udgatri, and I myself, O foremost of gods, became the Brahma priest.

Verse 31 (skanda.7.165.31)

सनत्कुमारप्रमुखाः सदस्यास्तस्य निर्मिताः। वस्त्रैराभरणैर्युक्ता मुकुटैरंगुलीयकैः

sanatkumārapramukhāḥ sadasyāstasya nirmitāḥ| vastrairābharaṇairyuktā mukuṭairaṁgulīyakaiḥ

Sanatkumara and others were appointed as the assembly-members of that sacrifice, adorned with garments, ornaments, crowns, and rings.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.165.32)

भूषिता भूषणोपेता एकैकस्य पृथक्पृथक्। त्रयस्त्रयः पृष्ठतोऽन्ये ते चैवं षोडशर्त्विजः

bhūṣitā bhūṣaṇopetā ekaikasya pṛthakpṛthak| trayastrayaḥ pṛṣṭhato'nye te caivaṁ ṣoḍaśartvijaḥ

Each was separately adorned with ornaments, with three further assistants behind each; thus there were sixteen officiating priests in all.

Verse 33 (skanda.7.165.33)

प्रोक्ता भवद्भिर्यज्ञेऽस्मिन्ननुगृह्योऽस्मि सर्वदा। पत्नी ममेयं गायत्री यज्ञेऽस्मिन्ननुगृह्यताम्

proktā bhavadbhiryajñe'sminnanugṛhyo'smi sarvadā| patnī mameyaṁ gāyatrī yajñe'sminnanugṛhyatām

[Brahma said:] 'In this sacrifice you have all favored me always; let this wife of mine, Gayatri, also be graciously accepted in this rite.'

Verse 34 (skanda.7.165.34)

मृदुवस्त्रधरां साक्षात्क्षौमवस्त्रावगुण्ठिताम्। निष्क्रम्य पत्नीशालात ऋत्विग्भिर्वेदपारगैः

mṛduvastradharāṁ sākṣātkṣaumavastrāvaguṇṭhitām| niṣkramya patnīśālāta ṛtvigbhirvedapāragaiḥ

Clad in soft garments, veiled directly in silken cloth, she was led forth from the wives' pavilion by the priests versed in the Vedas —

Verse 35 (skanda.7.165.35)

औदुम्बरेण दण्डेन संवृतो मृगचर्मणा। तया सार्धं प्रविष्टश्च ब्रह्मा तं यज्ञमण्डपम्

audumbareṇa daṇḍena saṁvṛto mṛgacarmaṇā| tayā sārdhaṁ praviṣṭaśca brahmā taṁ yajñamaṇḍapam

— and Brahma, holding the fig-wood staff, clad in deerskin, entered that sacrificial pavilion together with her.

Verse 36 (skanda.7.165.36)

ईश्वर उवाच। एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु संप्राप्ता देवयोषितः। संप्राप्ता यत्र सावित्री यज्ञे तस्मिन्निमंत्रिताः

īśvara uvāca| etasminneva kāle tu saṁprāptā devayoṣitaḥ| saṁprāptā yatra sāvitrī yajñe tasminnimaṁtritāḥ

Ishvara said: At that very moment, the wives of the gods, who had been invited to that sacrifice, arrived there — the very place Savitri too had reached.

Verse 37 (skanda.7.165.37)

भृगोः ख्यात्यां समुत्पन्ना विष्णुपत्नी यशस्विनी। आमन्त्रिता सा लक्ष्मीश्च तत्रायाता त्वरान्विता

bhṛgoḥ khyātyāṁ samutpannā viṣṇupatnī yaśasvinī| āmantritā sā lakṣmīśca tatrāyātā tvarānvitā

Born of Khyati, wife of Bhrigu, the glorious Lakshmi, consort of Vishnu, having been invited, also came there in haste.

Verse 38 (skanda.7.165.38)

तत्र देवी महाभागा योगनिद्रादिभूषिता। देवी कांतिस्तथा श्रद्धा द्युतिस्तुष्टिस्तथैव च

tatra devī mahābhāgā yoganidrādibhūṣitā| devī kāṁtistathā śraddhā dyutistuṣṭistathaiva ca

There the most blessed Yoganidra came, adorned with her attendant powers, and also the goddesses Kanti, Shraddha, Dyuti, and Tushti.

Verse 39 (skanda.7.165.39)

सती या दक्षतनया उमा या पार्वती शुभा। त्रैलोक्यसुन्दरी देवी स्त्रीणां सौभाग्यदायका

satī yā dakṣatanayā umā yā pārvatī śubhā| trailokyasundarī devī strīṇāṁ saubhāgyadāyakā

Sati, the daughter of Daksha, the auspicious Uma Parvati, the goddess most beautiful in the three worlds, bestower of good fortune upon women, was there.

Verse 40 (skanda.7.165.40)

जया च विजया चैव गौरी चैव महाधना। मनोजवा वायुपत्नी ऋद्धिश्च धनदप्रिया

jayā ca vijayā caiva gaurī caiva mahādhanā| manojavā vāyupatnī ṛddhiśca dhanadapriyā

Jaya, Vijaya, the greatly wealthy Gauri, the wife of Vayu swift as thought, and Riddhi, the beloved of the lord of wealth, were also present.

Verse 41 (skanda.7.165.41)

देवकन्यास्तथाऽऽयाता दानव्यो दनुवंशजाः। सप्तर्षीणां तथा पत्न्य ऋषीणां च तथैव च

devakanyāstathā'āyātā dānavyo danuvaṁśajāḥ| saptarṣīṇāṁ tathā patnya ṛṣīṇāṁ ca tathaiva ca

The daughters of the gods came too, along with the demon-women born of Danu's line, the wives of the Seven Sages, and the wives of other seers.

Verse 42 (skanda.7.165.42)

प्लवा मित्रा दुहितरो विद्याधरगणास्तथा। पितरो रक्षसां कन्यास्तथाऽन्या लोकमातरः

plavā mitrā duhitaro vidyādharagaṇāstathā| pitaro rakṣasāṁ kanyāstathā'nyā lokamātaraḥ

Plava, Mitra and their daughters, the hosts of Vidyadharas, the ancestral spirits, the daughters of the Rakshasas, and other mothers of the worlds — all came.

Verse 43 (skanda.7.165.43)

वधूभिश्चैव मुख्याभिः सावित्री गन्तुमिच्छति। अदित्याद्यास्तथा देव्यो दक्षकन्याः समागताः

vadhūbhiścaiva mukhyābhiḥ sāvitrī gantumicchati| adityādyāstathā devyo dakṣakanyāḥ samāgatāḥ

Savitri wished to go together with these chief brides; Aditi and the other goddesses, and the daughters of Daksha, had also gathered there.

Verse 44 (skanda.7.165.44)

ताभिः परिवृता सार्धं ब्रह्माणी कमलालया। काश्चिन्मोदकमादाय काश्चित्पूपं वरानने

tābhiḥ parivṛtā sārdhaṁ brahmāṇī kamalālayā| kāścinmodakamādāya kāścitpūpaṁ varānane

O fair one, Brahma's consort, lotus-dwelling Savitri, was surrounded by them all; some carried sweetmeats, some cakes —

Verse 45 (skanda.7.165.45)

फलानि तु समादाय प्रयाता ब्रह्मणोऽन्तिकम्। आढकीश्चैव निष्पावान्राजमाषांस्तथाऽपराः

phalāni tu samādāya prayātā brahmaṇo'ntikam| āḍhakīścaiva niṣpāvānrājamāṣāṁstathā'parāḥ

— and, taking fruits, they went toward Brahma; others carried pigeon-peas, beans, and kidney-beans.

Verse 46 (skanda.7.165.46)

दाडिमानि विचित्राणि मातुलिंगानि शोभने। करीराणि तथा चान्या गृहीत्वा करमर्दकान्

dāḍimāni vicitrāṇi mātuliṁgāni śobhane| karīrāṇi tathā cānyā gṛhītvā karamardakān

O lovely one, some bore wondrous pomegranates and citrons, others bore desert-capers and Carissa berries.

Verse 47 (skanda.7.165.47)

कौसुंभं जीरकं चैव खर्जूरं चापरास्तथा। उततीश्चापरा गृह्य नालिकेराणि चापराः

kausuṁbhaṁ jīrakaṁ caiva kharjūraṁ cāparāstathā| utatīścāparā gṛhya nālikerāṇi cāparāḥ

Some carried safflower-dyed things, cumin, dates; still others held roasted grain, and others coconuts.

Verse 48 (skanda.7.165.48)

द्राक्षया पूरितं चाम्रं शृङ्गाराय यथा पुरा। कर्बुराणि विचित्राणि जंबूकानि शुभानि च

drākṣayā pūritaṁ cāmraṁ śṛṅgārāya yathā purā| karburāṇi vicitrāṇi jaṁbūkāni śubhāni ca

Some bore mangoes filled with grapes for adornment, as of old, and other lovely, variegated jambul fruits —

Verse 49 (skanda.7.165.49)

अक्षोडामलकान्गृह्य जंबीराणि तथा पराः। बिल्वानि परिपक्वानि चिर्भटानि वरानने

akṣoḍāmalakāngṛhya jaṁbīrāṇi tathā parāḥ| bilvāni paripakvāni cirbhaṭāni varānane

O fair one, others bore walnuts and gooseberries, still others lemons, ripe wood-apples, and cucumbers.

Verse 50 (skanda.7.165.50)

अन्नपानाधिकाराणि बहूनि विविधानि च। शर्करापुत्तलीं चान्या वस्त्रे कौसुम्भके तथा

annapānādhikārāṇi bahūni vividhāni ca| śarkarāputtalīṁ cānyā vastre kausuṁbhake tathā

Many varied provisions of food and drink, and others brought sugar-figurines wrapped in saffron-dyed cloths.

Verse 51 (skanda.7.165.51)

एवमादीनि चान्यानि गृह्य पूर्वे वरानने। सावित्र्या सहिताः सर्वाः संप्राप्तास्तु तदा शुभाः

evamādīni cānyāni gṛhya pūrve varānane| sāvitryā sahitāḥ sarvāḥ saṁprāptāstu tadā śubhāḥ

O fair one, thus carrying all such things, all those auspicious women arrived there together with Savitri.

Verse 52 (skanda.7.165.52)

सावित्रीमागतां दृष्ट्वा भीतस्तत्र पुरंदरः। अधोमुखः स्थितो ब्रह्मा किमेषा मां वदिष्यति

sāvitrīmāgatāṁ dṛṣṭvā bhītastatra puraṁdaraḥ| adhomukhaḥ sthito brahmā kimeṣā māṁ vadiṣyati

Seeing Savitri arrive, Purandara (Indra) grew fearful there, and Brahma stood with face downcast, thinking, 'What will she say to me?'

Verse 53 (skanda.7.165.53)

त्रपान्वितौ विष्णुरुद्रौ सर्वे चान्ये द्विजातयः। सभासदस्तथा भीतास्तथैवान्ये दिवौकसः

trapānvitau viṣṇurudrau sarve cānye dvijātayaḥ| sabhāsadastathā bhītāstathaivānye divaukasaḥ

Vishnu and Rudra too were filled with shame, and all the other twice-born, the assembly members, and the other denizens of heaven likewise grew afraid.

Verse 54 (skanda.7.165.54)

पुत्रपौत्रा भागिनेया मातुला भ्रातरस्तथा। ऋतवो नाम ये देवा देवानामपि देवताः

putrapautrā bhāgineyā mātulā bhrātarastathā| ṛtavo nāma ye devā devānāmapi devatāḥ

The sons and grandsons, nephews, uncles, brothers, and the deities called the Seasons — gods even to the gods — all grew afraid.

Verse 55 (skanda.7.165.55)

विलक्षास्तु तथा सर्वे सावित्री किं वदिष्यति। ब्रह्मवाक्यानि वाच्यानि किं नु वै गोपकन्यया

vilakṣāstu tathā sarve sāvitrī kiṁ vadiṣyati| brahmavākyāni vācyāni kiṁ nu vai gopakanyayā

All stood abashed, thinking: 'What will Savitri say? Is a cowherd's daughter's word to be spoken in place of Brahma's own?'

Verse 56 (skanda.7.165.56)

मौनीभूतास्तु शृण्वानाः सर्वेषां वदतां गिरः। अध्वर्युणा समाहूता नागता वरवर्णिनी

maunībhūtāstu śṛṇvānāḥ sarveṣāṁ vadatāṁ giraḥ| adhvaryuṇā samāhūtā nāgatā varavarṇinī

All fell silent, listening to what each other said — for though summoned by the officiating priest, the fair one had not come.

Verse 57 (skanda.7.165.57)

शक्रेणान्या तथाऽऽनीता दत्ता सा विष्णुना स्वयम्। अनुमोदिता च रुद्रेण पित्रा दत्ता स्वयं तथा

śakreṇānyā tathā'ānītā dattā sā viṣṇunā svayam| anumoditā ca rudreṇa pitrā dattā svayaṁ tathā

Indra had brought another in her place, Vishnu himself had given her away, Rudra had assented, and her own father too had given her.

Verse 58 (skanda.7.165.58)

कथं सा भविता यज्ञः समाप्तिं वा कथं व्रजेत्। एवं चिन्तयतां तेषां प्रविष्टा कमलालया

kathaṁ sā bhavitā yajñaḥ samāptiṁ vā kathaṁ vrajet| evaṁ ciṁtayatāṁ teṣāṁ praviṣṭā kamalālayā

'How shall this be resolved, and how shall the sacrifice reach completion?' — while they were pondering thus, the lotus-dwelling Savitri entered.

Verse 59 (skanda.7.165.59)

वृतो ब्रह्मा भार्यया स ऋत्विग्भिर्वेदपारगैः। हूयन्ते चाग्नयस्तत्र ब्राह्मणैर्वेदपारगैः

vṛto brahmā bhāryayā sa ṛtvigbhirvedapāragaiḥ| hūyante cāgnayastatra brāhmaṇairvedapāragaiḥ

Brahma sat there surrounded by his wife and the priests versed in the Vedas; and there the fires were being fed with oblations by brahmins learned in the Vedas.

Verse 60 (skanda.7.165.60)

पत्नीशाले तथा गोपी रौप्यशृंगा समेखला। क्षौमवस्त्रपरीधाना ध्यायन्ती परमेश्वरम्

patnīśāle tathā gopī raupyaśṛṁgā samekhalā| kṣaumavastraparīdhānā dhyāyaṁtī parameśvaram

In the wives' pavilion, that cowherd girl sat, adorned with silver ornaments and a girdle, clothed in silk, meditating upon the Supreme Lord.

Verse 61 (skanda.7.165.61)

पतिव्रता पतिप्राणा प्राधान्येन निवेशिता। कृपान्विता विशालाक्षी तेजसा भास्करोपमा

pativratā patiprāṇā prādhānyena niveśitā| kṛpānvitā viśālākṣī tejasā bhāskaropamā

Devoted to her husband, her life bound up in him, seated in the place of honor, compassionate, wide-eyed, radiant as the sun.

Verse 62 (skanda.7.165.62)

द्योतयंती सदस्तत्र सूर्यस्येव यथा प्रभा। ज्वलमानस्तथा वह्निर्भ्रमंते चर्त्विजस्तथा

dyotayaṁtī sadastatra sūryasyeva yathā prabhā| jvalamānastathā vahnirbhramaṁte cartvijastathā

She lit up the assembly there like the radiance of the sun; the fire blazed, and the officiating priests moved about at their tasks.

Verse 63 (skanda.7.165.63)

पशूनामवदानानि गृह्णंति द्विजसत्तमाः। प्राप्ता भागार्थिनो देवा विलंबसमयोऽभवत्

paśūnāmavadānāni gṛhṇaṁti dvijasattamāḥ| prāptā bhāgārthino devā vilaṁbasamayo'bhavat

The foremost twice-born were taking up the portions of the sacrificial animal; the gods, seeking their share, had arrived, and the time was growing late.

Verse 64 (skanda.7.165.64)

कालहीनं न कर्तव्यं कृतं न फलदं भवेत्। वेदेष्वयमधीकारो दृष्टः सर्वो मनीषिभिः

kālahīnaṁ na kartavyaṁ kṛtaṁ na phaladaṁ bhavet| vedeṣvayamadhīkāro dṛṣṭaḥ sarvo manīṣibhiḥ

A rite performed out of its proper time should not be undertaken, for it bears no fruit; this rule is seen throughout the Vedas, established by the wise.

Verse 65 (skanda.7.165.65)

प्रवर्ग्ये क्रियमाणे तु ब्राह्मणैर्वेदपारगैः। क्षीरद्वये हूयमाने मंत्रेणाध्वर्युणा तथा

pravargye kriyamāṇe tu brāhmaṇairvedapāragaiḥ| kṣīradvaye hūyamāne maṁtreṇādhvaryuṇā tathā

While the Pravargya rite was being performed by the brahmins learned in the Vedas, and the two milk oblations were being poured with mantras by the officiating priest —

Verse 66 (skanda.7.165.66)

उपहूतोपहूतेन आगतेषु द्विजन्मसु। क्रियमाणे तथा भक्ष्ये दृष्ट्वा देवी क्रुधान्विता। उवाच देवी ब्रह्माणं सदोमध्ये तु मौनिनम्

upahūtopahūtena āgateṣu dvijanmasu| kriyamāṇe tathā bhakṣye dṛṣṭvā devī krudhānvitā| uvāca devī brahmāṇaṁ sadomadhye tu mauninam

— as the twice-born who had gathered were summoned one after another, and the sacrificial food was being prepared — seeing all this, the Goddess grew furious and spoke to Brahma, who sat silent amid the assembly —

Verse 67 (skanda.7.165.67)

किमेवं बुध्यते देव कृतमेतद्विचेष्टितम्। मां परित्यज्य यः कामात्कृतवानसि किल्बिषम्

kimevaṁ budhyate deva kṛtametadviceṣṭitam| māṁ parityajya yaḥ kāmātkṛtavānasi kilbiṣam

Is this how you thought it right, O Lord? What conduct is this you have engaged in! Forsaking me, out of desire you have committed this sin.

Verse 68 (skanda.7.165.68)

न तुल्या पादरजसा समा साऽधिशिरः कृता

na tulyā pādarajasā samā sā'dhiśiraḥ kṛtā

One who is not even equal to the dust of my feet — her you have set above your own head.

Verse 69 (skanda.7.165.69)

यद्वदंति नराः सर्वे संगताः सदसि स्थिताः। आश्चर्यं च प्रभूणां तु कुरुते यं यमिच्छति

yadvadaṁti narāḥ sarve saṁgatāḥ sadasi sthitāḥ| āścaryaṁ ca prabhūṇāṁ tu kurute yaṁ yamicchati

All the men assembled here in this gathering say the same thing: 'It is the wonder of the mighty — they do whatever they please.'

Verse 70 (skanda.7.165.70)

भवता रूपलोभेन कृतं कर्म विगर्हितम्

bhavatā rūpalobhena kṛtaṁ karma vigarhitam

Out of greed for her beauty you have done this blameworthy deed.

Verse 71 (skanda.7.165.71)

न पुत्रेषु कृता लज्जा पौत्रेषु च न ते विभो। कामकारकृतं मन्ये ह्येतत्कर्म विगर्हितम्

na putreṣu kṛtā lajjā pautreṣu ca na te vibho| kāmakārakṛtaṁ manye hyetatkarma vigarhitam

O mighty one, you felt no shame before your sons, nor before your grandsons; I consider this blameworthy deed to be nothing but the work of lust.

Verse 72 (skanda.7.165.72)

पितामहोऽसि देवानामृषीणां प्रपितामहः। कथं न ते त्रपा जाता आत्मनः पश्यतस्तनुम्

pitāmaho'si devānāmṛṣīṇāṁ prapitāmahaḥ| kathaṁ na te trapā jātā ātmanaḥ paśyatastanum

You are the Grandsire of the gods and the great-grandsire of the sages; looking upon your own body, how did shame not arise in you?

Verse 73 (skanda.7.165.73)

लोकमध्ये कृतं हास्यमिह चैव विगर्हितः। यद्येष ते स्थितो भावस्तिष्ठ देव नमोऽस्तु ते

lokamadhye kṛtaṁ hāsyamiha caiva vigarhitaḥ| yadyeṣa te sthito bhāvastiṣṭha deva namo'stu te

In the midst of the world you have made yourself a laughingstock, blamed here itself; if this is your fixed intent, then so be it, O Lord — my obeisance to you.

Verse 74 (skanda.7.165.74)

अहं कथं सखीनां तु दर्शयिष्यामि वै मुखम्। भर्त्रा मे विहिता पत्नी कथमेतदहं वदे

ahaṁ kathaṁ sakhīnāṁ tu darśayiṣyāmi vai mukham| bhartrā me vihitā patnī kathametadahaṁ vade

How shall I now show my face to my companions? My husband has taken another wife — how shall I even speak this?

Verse 75 (skanda.7.165.75)

ब्रह्मोवाच। ऋत्विग्भिरहमाज्ञप्तो दीक्षा कालोऽतिवर्तते। पत्नीं विना न होमोत्र शीघ्रं पत्नीमिहानय

brahmovāca| ṛtvigbhirahamājñapto dīkṣā kālo'tivartate| patnīṁ vinā na homotra śīghraṁ patnīmihānaya

Brahma said: The priests directed me, saying the time for the consecration was passing, and that no oblation could proceed here without a wife — 'bring a wife here quickly.'

Verse 76 (skanda.7.165.76)

शक्रेणैषा समानीता दत्ता चैवाऽथ विष्णुना। गृहीता च मया त्वं हि क्षमस्वैकं मया कृतम्। न चापराध्यं भूयोऽन्यं करिष्ये तव सुव्रते

śakreṇaiṣā samānītā dattā caivā'tha viṣṇunā| gṛhītā ca mayā tvaṁ hi kṣamasvaikaṁ mayā kṛtam| na cāparādhyaṁ bhūyo'nyaṁ kariṣye tava suvrate

This one was brought by Indra and given away by Vishnu, and so I accepted her; but you are mine — forgive this one act of mine. O virtuous one, I shall never again commit such an offense.

Verse 77 (skanda.7.165.77)

ईश्वर उवाच। एवमुक्ता तदा क्रुद्धा ब्रह्माणं शप्तुमुद्यता। यदि मेऽस्ति तपस्तप्तं गुरवो यदि तोषिताः

īśvara uvāca| evamuktā tadā kruddhā brahmāṇaṁ śaptumudyatā| yadi me'sti tapastaptaṁ guravo yadi toṣitāḥ

Ishvara said: Hearing this, she grew still more furious and, resolved to curse Brahma, declared: 'If I have performed austerities, if my elders have been pleased with me —'

Verse 78 (skanda.7.165.78)

सर्वब्राह्मणशालासु स्थानेषु विविधेष्वपि। न तु ते ब्राह्मणाः पूजां करिष्यंति कदाचन

sarvabrāhmaṇaśālāsu sthāneṣu vividheṣvapi| na tu te brāhmaṇāḥ pūjāṁ kariṣyaṁti kadācana

'— then in all brahmin assembly-halls and in every various place, those brahmins shall never worship you,'

Verse 79 (skanda.7.165.79)

ऋते वै कार्तिकीमेकां पूजां सांवत्सरीं तव। करिष्यंति द्विजाः सर्वे सत्येनानेन ते शपे। एतद्बुद्ध्वा न कोपोस्तु हतो हन्ति न संशयः

ṛte vai kārtikīmekāṁ pūjāṁ sāṁvatsarīṁ tava| kariṣyaṁti dvijāḥ sarve satyenānena te śape| etadbuddhvā na kopostu hato hanti na saṁśayaḥ

'— except for one annual worship of you in the month of Kartika; by this truth I swear this curse upon all the twice-born. Understanding this, let there be no further anger, for one who has been wounded strikes back — of this there is no doubt.'

Verse 80 (skanda.7.165.80)

सावित्र्युवाच। भोभोः शक्र त्वयानीता आभीरी ब्रह्मणोऽन्तिकम्। यस्मादीदृक्कृतं कर्म तस्मात्त्वं लप्स्यसे फलम्

sāvitryuvāca| bhobhoḥ śakra tvayānītā ābhīrī brahmaṇo'ntikam| yasmādīdṛkkṛtaṁ karma tasmāttvaṁ lapsyase phalam

Savitri said: O Shakra, it was you who brought that cowherd-girl before Brahma; since you have done this deed, you too shall reap its fruit.

Verse 81 (skanda.7.165.81)

यदा संग्राममध्ये त्वं स्थाता शक्र भविष्यसि। तदा त्वं शत्रुभिर्बद्धो नीतः परमिकां दशाम्

yadā saṁgrāmamadhye tvaṁ sthātā śakra bhaviṣyasi| tadā tvaṁ śatrubhirbaddho nītaḥ paramikāṁ daśām

O Shakra, when you shall stand in the midst of battle, then you shall be bound by your enemies and brought to the most abject state.

Verse 82 (skanda.7.165.82)

अकिंचनो नष्टसुतः शत्रूणां नगरे स्थितः। पराभवं महत्प्राप्य अचिरादेव मोक्ष्यसे

akiṁcano naṣṭasutaḥ śatrūṇāṁ nagare sthitaḥ| parābhavaṁ mahatprāpya acirādeva mokṣyase

Destitute and bereft of a son, you shall dwell in the city of your enemies; having suffered great humiliation, you shall soon after be released.

Verse 83 (skanda.7.165.83)

शक्रं शप्त्वा तदा देवी विष्णुं चाऽथ वचोब्रवीत्

śakraṁ śaptvā tadā devī viṣṇuṁ cā'tha vacobravīt

Having cursed Shakra, the Goddess then spoke these words to Vishnu also —

Verse 84 (skanda.7.165.84)

गुरुवाक्येन ते जन्म यदा मर्त्ये भविष्यति। भार्याविरहजं दुःखं तदा त्वं तत्र भोक्ष्यसे

guruvākyena te janma yadā martye bhaviṣyati| bhāryāvirahajaṁ duḥkhaṁ tadā tvaṁ tatra bhokṣyase

When, by a guru's word, you shall take birth in the world of mortals, there you shall suffer the sorrow born of separation from your wife.

Verse 85 (skanda.7.165.85)

हृतां शत्रुगणैः पत्नीं परे पारे महोदधेः। न च त्वं ज्ञायसे सीतां शोकोपहचेतनः

hṛtāṁ śatrugaṇaiḥ patnīṁ pare pāre mahodadheḥ| na ca tvaṁ jñāyase sītāṁ śokopahacetanaḥ

Your wife shall be carried off by your enemies to the far shore of the great ocean, and you, your mind overwhelmed with grief, shall not know where Sita is.

Verse 86 (skanda.7.165.86)

भ्रात्रा सह परां काष्ठामापदं दुःखितस्तथा। पशूनां चैव संयोगश्चिरकालं भविष्यति

bhrātrā saha parāṁ kāṣṭhāmāpadaṁ duḥkhitastathā| paśūnāṁ caiva saṁyogaścirakālaṁ bhaviṣyati

Together with your brother, deeply grieved, you shall reach the extremity of calamity, and your companionship with beasts (the monkey-folk) shall last for a long time.

Verse 87 (skanda.7.165.87)

तथाऽऽह रुद्रं कुपिता यदा दारुवने स्थितः। तदा ते मुनयः क्रुद्धाः शापं दास्यंति ते हर

tathā'āha rudraṁ kupitā yadā dāruvane sthitaḥ| tadā te munayaḥ kruddhāḥ śāpaṁ dāsyaṁti te hara

Then, still enraged, she spoke to Rudra: 'When you shall dwell in the Deodar forest, O Hara, then the sages, enraged, shall pronounce this curse upon you —'

Verse 88 (skanda.7.165.88)

भोभोः कापालिक क्षुद्र पत्न्योऽस्माकं जिहीर्षसि। तदेतद्भूषितं लिंग भूमौ रुद्र पतिष्यति

bhobhoḥ kāpālika kṣudra patnyo'smākaṁ jihīrṣasi| tadetadbhūṣitaṁ liṅga bhūmau rudra patiṣyati

'— O skull-bearing wretch, you seek to steal our wives; therefore, O Rudra, may this adorned linga of yours fall to the ground.'

Verse 89 (skanda.7.165.89)

विहीनः पौरुषेण त्वं मुनिशापाच्च पीडितः। गंगातीरे स्थिता पत्नी सा त्वामाश्वासयिष्यति

vihīnaḥ pauruṣeṇa tvaṁ muniśāpācca pīḍitaḥ| gaṁgātīre sthitā patnī sā tvāmāśvāsayiṣyati

Deprived of your manhood and afflicted by the sages' curse, you shall remain so; and your wife, dwelling on the bank of the Ganga, shall console you.

Verse 90 (skanda.7.165.90)

अग्ने त्वं सर्वभक्षोऽसि पूर्वं पुत्रेण मे कृतः। भ्रूणहा धर्म इत्येष कथं दग्धं दहाम्यहम्

agne tvaṁ sarvabhakṣo'si pūrvaṁ putreṇa me kṛtaḥ| bhrūṇahā dharma ityeṣa kathaṁ dagdhaṁ dahāmyaham

[To Agni she said:] 'O Fire, you are the all-devourer, fashioned before by my son (Brahma); how is it your dharma that you have become a slayer of the unborn? Why should I, already consumed, burn further?'

Verse 91 (skanda.7.165.91)

जातवेदस रुद्रस्त्वां रेतसा प्लावयिष्यति। मेध्येषु च कृतज्वाला ज्वालया त्वां ज्वलिष्यति

jātavedasa rudrastvāṁ retasā plāvayiṣyati| medhyeṣu ca kṛtajvālā jvālayā tvāṁ jvaliṣyati

'O Jataveda, Rudra shall flood you with his own seed, and, kindled in sacrificial things, a flame shall itself burn you with its blaze.'

Verse 92 (skanda.7.165.92)

ब्राह्मणानृत्विजः सर्वान्सावित्री ह्यशपत्तदा

brāhmaṇānṛtvijaḥ sarvānsāvitrī hyaśapattadā

Then Savitri cursed all the brahmin priests as well.

Verse 93 (skanda.7.165.93)

प्रतिग्रहाग्निहोत्राश्च वृथा दारा वृथाश्रमाः। सदा क्षेत्राणि तीर्थानि लोभादेव गमिष्यथ

pratigrahāgnihotrāśca vṛthā dārā vṛthāśramāḥ| sadā kṣetrāṇi tīrthāni lobhādeva gamiṣyatha

'May your gift-receiving and your fire-oblations be in vain, your marriages and your hermit-stages be in vain; you shall go to sacred fields and fords always out of mere greed.'

Verse 94 (skanda.7.165.94)

परान्नेषु सदा तृप्ता अतृप्ताः स्वगृहेषु च। अयाज्ययाजनं कृत्वा कुत्सितस्य प्रतिग्रहम्

parānneṣu sadā tṛptā atṛptāḥ svagṛheṣu ca| ayājyayājanaṁ kṛtvā kutsitasya pratigraham

'Always satisfied by others' food, yet unsatisfied in your own homes; performing sacrifice for the unworthy and accepting gifts from the despicable,'

Verse 95 (skanda.7.165.95)

वृथा धनार्जनं कृत्वा व्यवश्चैव तथा वृथा। मृतानां तेन प्रेतत्वं भविष्यति न संशयः

vṛthā dhanārjanaṁ kṛtvā vyavaścaiva tathā vṛthā| mṛtānāṁ tena pretatvaṁ bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ

'— amassing wealth in vain and trading in vain, by that, when they die, they shall attain the state of restless ghosts — of this there is no doubt.'

Verse 96 (skanda.7.165.96)

एवं शक्रं तथा विष्णुं रुद्रं वै पावकं तथा। ब्रह्माणं ब्राह्मणांश्चैव सर्वांस्तानशपत्तदा

evaṁ śakraṁ tathā viṣṇuṁ rudraṁ vai pāvakaṁ tathā| brahmāṇaṁ brāhmaṇāṁścaiva sarvāṁstānaśapattadā

Thus Shakra, Vishnu, Rudra, Agni, Brahma, and the brahmins — all of these she cursed at that time.

Verse 97 (skanda.7.165.97)

शापं दत्त्वा तथा तेषां तदा सावस्थिता स्थिरा

śāpaṁ dattvā tathā teṣāṁ tadā sāvasthitā sthirā

Having thus pronounced these curses upon them all, she stood there firm and unmoved.

Verse 98 (skanda.7.165.98)

लक्ष्मीः प्राह सखीं तां च इन्द्राणी च वरानना। अन्या देव्यस्तथा प्राहुः साऽऽह स्थास्यामि नात्र वै। तत्र चाहं गमिष्यामि यत्र श्रोष्ये न तु ध्वनिम्

lakṣmīḥ prāha sakhīṁ tāṁ ca indrāṇī ca varānanā| anyā devyastathā prāhuḥ sā'āha sthāsyāmi nātra vai| tatra cāhaṁ gamiṣyāmi yatra śroṣye na tu dhvanim

Lakshmi, the fair-faced Indrani, and the other goddesses, as her companions, tried to console her, but she said: 'I shall not stay here; I shall go where I hear no sound at all.'

Verse 99 (skanda.7.165.99)

ततस्ताः प्रमदाः सर्वाः प्रयाताः स्वं निकेतनम्। सावित्री कुपिता तासां पुनः शापाय चोद्यता

tatastāḥ pramadāḥ sarvāḥ prayātāḥ svaṁ niketanam| sāvitrī kupitā tāsāṁ punaḥ śāpāya codyatā

Then all those women departed to their own dwellings; Savitri, further enraged by this, was again roused to curse them too.

Verse 100 (skanda.7.165.100)

यस्मान्मां संपरित्यज्य गतास्ता देवयोषितः। तासामपि तथा शापं प्रदास्ये कुपिता भृशम्

yasmānmāṁ saṁparityajya gatāstā devayoṣitaḥ| tāsāmapi tathā śāpaṁ pradāsye kupitā bhṛśam

[She said:] 'Since these wives of the gods have left me and departed, I, exceedingly enraged, shall pronounce a curse upon them too.'

Verse 101 (skanda.7.165.101)

नैकत्र वासो लक्ष्म्यास्तु भविष्यति कदाचन। रुद्रापि चंचला तावन्मूर्खेषु च वसिष्यसि

naikatra vāso lakṣmyāstu bhaviṣyati kadācana| rudrāpi caṁcalā tāvanmūrkheṣu ca vasiṣyasi

'Never shall Lakshmi's dwelling be fixed in one place; and you, O fickle one, shall dwell among fools —'

Verse 102 (skanda.7.165.102)

म्लेच्छेषु पर्वतीयेषु कुत्सिते कुष्ठिते तथा। वाचाटे चावलिप्ते च अभिशस्ते दुरात्मनि। एवंविधे नरे तुभ्यं वसतिः शापकारिता

mlecchheṣu parvatīyeṣu kutsite kuṣṭhite tathā| vācāṭe cāvalipte ca abhiśaste durātmani| evaṁvidhe nare tubhyaṁ vasatiḥ śāpakāritā

'— among barbarians, mountain-dwellers, the despised and the leprous, the loud-mouthed and the arrogant, the accursed and the wicked — among such men your dwelling is decreed by this curse.'

Verse 103 (skanda.7.165.103)

शापं दत्त्वा ततस्तस्या इन्द्राणीमशपत्तदा

śāpaṁ dattvā tatastasyā indrāṇīmaśapattadā

Having given this curse, she then cursed Indrani as well.

Verse 104 (skanda.7.165.104)

त्वष्टुर्वाचा गृहीतेन्द्रे पत्यौ ते दुष्टकारिणि। नहुषाय गते राज्ये दृष्ट्वा त्वां याचयिष्यति

tvaṣṭurvācā gṛhītendre patyau te duṣṭakāriṇi| nahuṣāya gate rājye dṛṣṭvā tvāṁ yācayiṣyati

'O wicked one, by Tvashtri's curse, when your husband Indra is seized and the kingdom passes to Nahusha, he, seeing you, shall entreat you —'

Verse 105 (skanda.7.165.105)

अहमिन्द्रः कथं चैषा नोपतिष्ठति चालसा। सर्वान्देवान्हनिष्यामि लप्स्ये नाहं शचीं यदि

ahamindraḥ kathaṁ caiṣā nopatiṣṭhati cālasā| sarvāndevānhaniṣyāmi lapsye nāhaṁ śacīṁ yadi

'— saying, I am now Indra; why then does this lazy one not come to me? If I do not obtain Shachi, I shall slay all the gods.'

Verse 106 (skanda.7.165.106)

नष्टा त्वं च तदा शस्ता वने महति दुःखिता। वसिष्यसि दुराचारे शापेन मम गर्विते

naṣṭā tvaṁ ca tadā śastā vane mahati duḥkhitā| vasiṣyasi durācāre śāpena mama garvite

'Then, O proud one, terrified you shall flee and hide, and, sorrowing, by my curse you shall dwell with the wicked in a vast forest.'

Verse 107 (skanda.7.165.107)

देवभार्यासु सर्वासु तदा शापमयच्छत

devabhāryāsu sarvāsu tadā śāpamayacchat

Then she pronounced a curse upon all the wives of the gods together.

Verse 108 (skanda.7.165.108)

न चापत्यकृता प्रीतिः सर्वास्वेव भविष्यति। दह्यमाना दिवारात्रौ वंध्याशब्देन दुःखिताः

na cāpatyakṛtā prītiḥ sarvāsveva bhaviṣyati| dahyamānā divārātrau vaṁdhyāśabdena duḥkhitāḥ

'None of you shall ever know the joy born of children; burning day and night, you shall grieve at the very word barren.'

Verse 109 (skanda.7.165.109)

गौरीमेवं तथा शप्त्वा सा देवी वरवर्णिनी। उच्चै रुरोद सावित्री भर्तृ यज्ञाद्बहिः स्थिता

gaurīmevaṁ tathā śaptvā sā devī varavarṇinī| uccai ruroda sāvitrī bhartṛ yajñādbahiḥ sthitā

Having thus cursed Gauri as well, that beautiful goddess Savitri, standing outside her husband's sacrifice, wept aloud.

Verse 110 (skanda.7.165.110)

रोदमाना तु सा दृष्टा विष्णुना च प्रसादिता। मा रोदीस्त्वं विशालाक्षि एह्यागच्छ सदः शुभे

rodamānā tu sā dṛṣṭā viṣṇunā ca prasāditā| mā rodīstvaṁ viśālākṣi ehyāgaccha sadaḥ śubhe

Seeing her weeping, Vishnu sought to console her: 'Do not weep, O wide-eyed one; come, O auspicious one, come into the assembly.'

Verse 111 (skanda.7.165.111)

प्रविष्टा च शुभे यागे मेखलां क्षौमवाससी। गृहाण दीक्षां ब्रह्माणि पादौ ते प्रणमे शुभे

praviṣṭā ca śubhe yāge mekhalāṁ kṣaumavāsasī| gṛhāṇa dīkṣāṁ brahmāṇi pādau te praṇame śubhe

'Enter this auspicious sacrifice, take up the girdle and the silken garments; O consort of Brahma, receive the consecration; O auspicious one, I bow at your feet.'

Verse 112 (skanda.7.165.112)

एवमुक्ताऽब्रवीदेनं नाहं कुर्यां वचस्तव। तत्राहं च गमिष्यामि यत्र श्रोष्ये न च ध्वनिम्

evamuktā'bravīdenaṁ nāhaṁ kuryāṁ vacastava| tatrāhaṁ ca gamiṣyāmi yatra śroṣye na ca dhvanim

Thus addressed, she replied to him: 'I shall not do as you say; I shall go where I shall hear no sound at all.'

Verse 113 (skanda.7.165.113)

एतावदुक्त्वा व्यरमदुच्चैः स्थाने क्षितौ स्थिता

etāvaduktvā vyaramaduccaiḥ sthāne kṣitau sthitā

Having said only this much, she fell silent and remained standing on the ground, at that elevated spot.

Verse 114 (skanda.7.165.114)

विष्णुस्तदग्रतः स्थित्वा बद्ध्वा च करसंपुटम्। तुष्टाव प्रणतो भूत्वा भक्त्या परमया युतः

viṣṇustadagrataḥ sthitvā baddhvā ca karasaṁpuṭam| tuṣṭāva praṇato bhūtvā bhaktyā paramayā yutaḥ

Then Vishnu, standing before her, joining his palms and bowing low, filled with utmost devotion, began to praise her.

Verse 115 (skanda.7.165.115)

विष्णुरुवाच। नमोऽस्तु ते महादेवि भूर्भुवःस्वस्त्रयीमयि। सावित्रि दुर्गतरिणि त्वं वाणी सप्तधा स्मृता

viṣṇuruvāca| namo'stu te mahādevi bhūrbhuvaḥsvastrayīmayi| sāvitri durgatariṇi tvaṁ vāṇī saptadhā smṛtā

Vishnu said: Obeisance to you, O great Goddess, who pervade the three realms — earth, sky, and heaven. O Savitri, deliverer from misfortune, you are Speech itself, remembered in seven forms.

Verse 116 (skanda.7.165.116)

सर्वाणि स्तुतिशास्त्राणि लक्षणानि तथैव च। भविष्या सर्वशास्त्राणां त्वं तु देवि नमोऽस्तु ते

sarvāṇi stutiśāstrāṇi lakṣaṇāni tathaiva ca| bhaviṣyā sarvaśāstrāṇāṁ tvaṁ tu devi namo'stu te

You are the source of all hymns of praise and treatises, and of all the scriptures yet to come; O Goddess, obeisance to you.

Verse 117 (skanda.7.165.117)

श्वेता त्वं श्वेतरूपासि शशांकेन समानना। शशिरश्मिप्रकाशेन हरिणोरसि राजसे। दिव्यकुंडलपूर्णाभ्यां श्रवणाभ्यां विभूषिता

śvetā tvaṁ śvetarūpāsi śaśāṁkena samānanā| śaśiraśmiprakāśena hariṇorasi rājase| divyakuṁḍalapūrṇābhyāṁ śravaṇābhyāṁ vibhūṣitā

You are white, of white form, your face like the moon; with radiance like moonbeams you shine upon the deer's heart (the moon's own mark), and your ears are adorned with full, divine earrings.

Verse 118 (skanda.7.165.118)

त्वं सिद्धिस्त्वं तथा ऋद्धिः कीर्तिः श्रीः संततिर्मतिः। संध्या रात्रि प्रभातस्त्वं कालरात्रिस्त्वमेव च

tvaṁ siddhistvaṁ tathā ṛddhiḥ kīrtiḥ śrīḥ saṁtatirmatiḥ| saṁdhyā rātri prabhātastvaṁ kālarātristvameva ca

You are accomplishment, you are prosperity, fame, fortune, progeny, and understanding; you are twilight, night, and dawn, and you are the night of universal dissolution too.

Verse 119 (skanda.7.165.119)

कर्षुकाणां यथा सीता भूतानां धारिणी तथा। एवं स्तुवंतं सावित्री विष्णुं प्रोवाच सुव्रता

karṣukāṇāṁ yathā sītā bhūtānāṁ dhāriṇī tathā| evaṁ stuvaṁtaṁ sāvitrī viṣṇuṁ provāca suvratā

As Sita (the furrow) is to ploughmen, so are you the sustainer of all beings. Thus, to Vishnu who praised her, the virtuous Savitri spoke in reply —

Verse 120 (skanda.7.165.120)

सम्यक्स्तुता त्वया पुत्र अजेयस्त्वं भविष्यसि। अवतारे सदा वत्स पितृमातृसु वल्लभः

samyakstutā tvayā putra ajeyastvaṁ bhaviṣyasi| avatāre sadā vatsa pitṛmātṛsu vallabhaḥ

'O son, you have praised me well, therefore you shall be unconquerable; O child, in every incarnation you shall be beloved of your father and mother.'

Verse 121 (skanda.7.165.121)

अनेन स्तवराजेन स्तोष्यते यस्तु मां सदा। सर्वदोषविनिर्मुक्तः परं स्थानं गमिष्यति

anena stavarājena stoṣyate yastu māṁ sadā| sarvadoṣavinirmuktaḥ paraṁ sthānaṁ gamiṣyati

'Whoever shall ever praise me with this king of hymns shall be freed from all faults and attain the supreme abode.'

Verse 122 (skanda.7.165.122)

गच्छ यज्ञं चिरं तस्य समाप्तिं नय पुत्रक

gaccha yajñaṁ ciraṁ tasya samāptiṁ naya putraka

'Go now, my son, and bring this long sacrifice to its completion.'

Verse 123 (skanda.7.165.123)

कुरुक्षेत्रे प्रयागे च भविष्ये यज्ञकर्मणि। समीपगा स्थिता भर्तुः करिष्ये तव भाषितम्

kurukṣetre prayāge ca bhaviṣye yajñakarmaṇi| samīpagā sthitā bhartuḥ kariṣye tava bhāṣitam

'In Kurukshetra and Prayaga, in sacrifices yet to come, I shall be present; now, going near to my husband, I shall do as you have spoken.'

Verse 124 (skanda.7.165.124)

एवमुक्तो गतो विष्णुर्ब्रह्मणः सद उत्तमम्। सावित्री तु समायाता प्रभासे वरवर्णिनि

evamukto gato viṣṇurbrahmaṇaḥ sada uttamam| sāvitrī tu samāyātā prabhāse varavarṇini

Thus addressed, Vishnu returned to Brahma's most excellent assembly; but Savitri, O fair one, instead came to Prabhasa.

Verse 125 (skanda.7.165.125)

गतायामथ सावित्र्यां गायत्री वाक्यमब्रवीत्

gatāyāmatha sāvitryāṁ gāyatrī vākyamabravīt

When Savitri had departed, Gayatri then spoke these words —

Verse 126 (skanda.7.165.126)

शृण्वंतु मुनयो वाक्यं मदीयं भर्तृसन्निधौ। यदहं वच्मि संतुष्टा वरदानाय चोद्यता

śṛṇvaṁtu munayo vākyaṁ madīyaṁ bhartṛsannidhau| yadahaṁ vacmi saṁtuṣṭā varadānāya codyatā

'Let the sages hear my word here in my husband's presence; being pleased, I am moved to grant boons — hear what I say.'

Verse 127 (skanda.7.165.127)

ब्रह्माणं पूजयिष्यंति नरा भक्तिसमन्विताः। तेषां वस्त्रं धनं धान्यं दाराः सौख्यं सुताश्च वै

brahmāṇaṁ pūjayiṣyaṁti narā bhaktisamanvitāḥ| teṣāṁ vastraṁ dhanaṁ dhānyaṁ dārāḥ saukhyaṁ sutāśca vai

'Whatever men worship Brahma with devotion shall obtain garments, wealth, grain, wives, happiness, and sons,'

Verse 128 (skanda.7.165.128)

अविच्छिन्नं तथा सौख्यं गृहं वै पुत्रपौत्रिकम्। भुक्त्वाऽसौ सुचिरं कालं ततो मोक्षं गमिष्यति

avicchinnaṁ tathā saukhyaṁ gṛhaṁ vai putrapautrikam| bhuktvā'sau suciraṁ kālaṁ tato mokṣaṁ gamiṣyati

'— and unbroken happiness, and a household blessed with sons and grandsons; having enjoyed these for a very long time, he shall then attain liberation.'

Verse 129 (skanda.7.165.129)

शक्राहं ते वरं वच्मि संग्रामे शत्रुभिः सह। तदा ब्रह्मा मोचयिता गत्वा शत्रुनिकेतनम्

śakrāhaṁ te varaṁ vacmi saṁgrāme śatrubhiḥ saha| tadā brahmā mocayitā gatvā śatrunike tanam

'O Shakra, I grant you too a boon — when you are entangled in battle with your enemies, Brahma himself shall go to the enemy's dwelling and set you free.'

Verse 130 (skanda.7.165.130)

सपुत्रशत्रुनाशात्त्वं लप्स्यसे च परं मुदम्। अकंटकं महद्राज्यं त्रैलोक्ये ते भविष्यति

saputraśatrunāśāttvaṁ lapsyase ca paraṁ mudam| akaṁṭakaṁ mahadrājyaṁ trailokye te bhaviṣyati

'By the destruction of your enemy together with his son, you shall obtain supreme joy, and an unrivalled, mighty sovereignty over the three worlds shall be yours.'

Verse 131 (skanda.7.165.131)

मर्त्यलोके यदा विष्णो ह्यवतारं करिष्यसि। भ्रात्रा सह परं दुःखं स्वभार्या हरणं च यत्

martyaloke yadā viṣṇo hyavatāraṁ kariṣyasi| bhrātrā saha paraṁ duḥkhaṁ svabhāryā haraṇaṁ ca yat

'O Vishnu, when you take incarnation in the world of mortals, and the great sorrow that shall come with your brother from the abduction of your own wife —'

Verse 132 (skanda.7.165.132)

हत्वा शत्रुं पुनर्भार्यां लप्स्यसे सुरसन्निधौ। गृहीत्वा तां पुनः प्राज्यं राज्यं कृत्वा गमिष्यसि

hatvā śatruṁ punarbhāryāṁ lapsyase surasannidhau| gṛhītvā tāṁ punaḥ prājyaṁ rājyaṁ kṛtvā gamiṣyasi

'— yet, having slain the enemy, you shall regain your wife in the presence of the gods; having recovered her and ruled a vast kingdom, you shall then depart to your own abode.'

Verse 133 (skanda.7.165.133)

एकादश सहस्राणि कृत्वा राज्यं पुनर्दिवम्। ख्यातिस्ते विपुला लोके चानुरागो भविष्यति

ekādaśa sahasrāṇi kṛtvā rājyaṁ punardivam| khyātiste vipulā loke cānurāgo bhaviṣyati

'Having ruled for eleven thousand years, you shall return again to heaven; your fame in the world shall be vast, and the love of the people shall be yours.'

Verse 134 (skanda.7.165.134)

गायत्री ब्राह्मणांस्तांश्च सर्वानेवाब्रवीदिदम्

gāyatrī brāhmaṇāṁstāṁśca sarvānevābravīdidam

Then Gayatri also spoke this to all those brahmins —

Verse 135 (skanda.7.165.135)

युष्माकं प्रीणनं कृत्वाऽतृप्तिं यास्यंति देवताः। भवंतो भूमिदेवा वै सर्वे पूज्या भविष्यथ

yuṣmākaṁ prīṇanaṁ kṛtvā'tṛptiṁ yāsyaṁti devatāḥ| bhavaṁto bhūmidevā vai sarve pūjyā bhaviṣyatha

'By pleasing you, the gods shall attain satisfaction; you are gods upon the earth, and you shall all be worthy of worship.'

Verse 136 (skanda.7.165.136)

युष्माकं पूजनं कृत्वा दत्त्वा दानान्यनेकशः। प्राणायामेन चैकेन सर्वमेतत्तरिष्यथ

yuṣmākaṁ pūjanaṁ kṛtvā dattvā dānānyanekaśaḥ| prāṇāyāmena caikena sarvametattariṣyatha

'By worshipping you and by giving many gifts — indeed by even a single breath-restraint — one shall cross over all this.'

Verse 137 (skanda.7.165.137)

प्रभासे तु विशेषेण जप्त्वा मां वेदमातरम्। प्रतिग्रहकृतान्दोषान्न प्राप्स्यध्वं द्विजोत्तमाः

prabhāse tu viśeṣeṇa japtvā māṁ vedamātaram| pratigrahakṛtāndoṣānna prāpsyadhvaṁ dvijottamāḥ

'By reciting me, the Mother of the Vedas, especially here in Prabhasa, O foremost of the twice-born, you shall not incur the faults arising from accepting gifts.'

Verse 138 (skanda.7.165.138)

पुष्करे चान्नदानेन प्रीताः सर्वे च देवताः। एकस्मिन्भोजिते विप्रे कोटिर्भवतिभोजिता

puṣkare cānnadānena prītāḥ sarve ca devatāḥ| ekasminbhojite vipre koṭirbhavatibhojitā

'In Pushkara, by the giving of food, all the gods are pleased; feeding a single brahmin there yields the merit of feeding a hundred million.'

Verse 139 (skanda.7.165.139)

ब्रह्महत्यादिपापानि दुरितानि च यानि च। तरिष्यंति नराः सर्वे दत्ते युष्मत्करे धने

brahmahatyādipāpāni duritāni ca yāni ca| tariṣyaṁti narāḥ sarve datte yuṣmatkare dhane

'From sins beginning with brahmin-slaying and from other evils, all men shall be delivered when wealth is placed into your hands.'

Verse 140 (skanda.7.165.140)

महीयध्वे तु जाप्येन प्राणायामैस्त्रिभिः कृतैः। ब्रह्महत्यासमं पापं तत्क्षणादेव नश्यति

mahīyadhve tu jāpyena prāṇāyāmaistribhiḥ kṛtaiḥ| brahmahatyāsamaṁ pāpaṁ tatkṣaṇādeva naśyati

'By recitation and by performing three breath-restraints, you shall become exalted; even a sin equal to brahmin-slaying is destroyed in that very instant.'

Verse 141 (skanda.7.165.141)

दशभिर्जन्मजनितं शतेन तु पुरा कृतम्। त्रियुगं तु सहस्रेण गायत्री हंति किल्बिषम्

daśabhirjanmajanitaṁ śatena tu purā kṛtam| triyugaṁ tu sahasreṇa gāyatrī haṁti kilbiṣam

'With ten recitations, the sin born of this life is destroyed; with a hundred, the sin committed in a past life; and with a thousand, Gayatri destroys sin accumulated over three ages.'

Verse 142 (skanda.7.165.142)

एवं ज्ञात्वा सदा पूज्या जाप्ये च मम वै कृते। भविष्यध्वं न सन्देहो नात्र कार्या विचारणा

evaṁ jñātvā sadā pūjyā jāpye ca mama vai kṛte| bhaviṣyadhvaṁ na sandeho nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

'Knowing this, by reciting me you shall ever be worthy of worship — of this there is no doubt, nor any need to deliberate further.'

Verse 143 (skanda.7.165.143)

ओंकारेण त्रिमात्रेण सार्धेन च विशेषतः। पूज्याः सर्वे न सन्देहो जप्त्वा मां शिरसा सह

oṁkāreṇa trimātreṇa sārdhena ca viśeṣataḥ| pūjyāḥ sarve na sandeho japtvā māṁ śirasā saha

'Especially by the syllable Om with its three-and-a-half measures, reciting me together with its crowning mantra — all shall become worthy of worship, without doubt.'

Verse 144 (skanda.7.165.144)

अष्टाक्षरस्थिता चाहं जगद्व्याप्तं मया त्विदम्। माताऽहं सर्ववेदानां वेदैः सर्वैरलङ्कता

aṣṭākṣarasthitā cāhaṁ jagadvyāptaṁ mayā tvidam| mātā'haṁ sarvavedānāṁ vedaiḥ sarvairalaṅkatā

'I abide in eight syllables, and this entire universe is pervaded by me; I am the mother of all the Vedas, and I am adorned by all the Vedas.'

Verse 145 (skanda.7.165.145)

जत्वा मां परमां सिर्द्धि पश्यन्ति द्विजसत्तमाः। प्राधान्यं मम जाप्येन सर्वेषां वो भविष्यति

jñātvā māṁ paramāṁ siddhiṁ paśyaṁti dvijasattamāḥ| prādhānyaṁ mama jāpyena sarveṣāṁ vo bhaviṣyati

'Knowing me, the foremost twice-born behold the supreme accomplishment; by reciting me, preeminence shall be yours, all of you.'

Verse 146 (skanda.7.165.146)

गायत्रीसारमात्रोऽपि वरं विप्रः सुयन्त्रितः। नायंत्रितश्चतुर्वेदः सर्वाशी सर्वविक्रयी

gāyatrīsāramātro'pi varaṁ vipraḥ suyantritaḥ| nāyaṁtritaścaturvedaḥ sarvāśī sarvavikrayī

'A brahmin who is well-disciplined, even if he knows only the essence of Gayatri, is better than one versed in the four Vedas who is undisciplined, devours anything, and sells everything.'

Verse 147 (skanda.7.165.147)

यस्माद्भवतां सावित्र्या शापो दत्तो सदे त्विह। अत्र दत्तं हुतं चापि सर्वमक्षयकारकम्। दत्तो वरो मया तेन युष्माकं द्विजसत्तमाः

yasmādbhavatāṁ sāvitryā śāpo datto sade tviha| atra dattaṁ hutaṁ cāpi sarvamakṣayakārakam| datto varo mayā tena yuṣmākaṁ dvijasattamāḥ

'O foremost of the twice-born, because Savitri here in this assembly has cursed you, whatever is given and whatever is offered in oblation here shall be imperishable in its fruit; therefore I have granted you this boon.'

Verse 148 (skanda.7.165.148)

अग्निहोत्रपरा विप्रास्त्रिकालं होमदायिनः। स्वर्गं ते तु गमिष्यंति एकविंशतिभिः कुलैः

agnihotraparā viprāstrikālaṁ homadāyinaḥ| svargaṁ te tu gamiṣyaṁti ekaviṁśatibhiḥ kulaiḥ

'Brahmins devoted to the fire-oblation, offering it thrice daily, shall go to heaven along with twenty-one generations of their lineage.'

Verse 149 (skanda.7.165.149)

एवं शक्रे च विष्णौ च रुद्रे वै पावके तथा। ब्रह्मणो ब्रह्मणानां च गायत्री सा वरं ददौ। तस्मिन्काले वरं दत्त्वा ब्रह्मणः पार्श्वगाऽभवत्

evaṁ śakre ca viṣṇau ca rudre vai pāvake tathā| brahmaṇo brahmaṇānāṁ ca gāyatrī sā varaṁ dadau| tasminkāle varaṁ dattvā brahmaṇaḥ pārśvagā'bhavat

Thus Gayatri granted boons to Shakra, Vishnu, Rudra, Agni, Brahma, and the brahmins; having given these boons at that time, she took her seat beside Brahma.

Verse 150 (skanda.7.165.150)

हरिणा तु समाख्यातं लक्ष्म्याः शापस्य कारणम्। युवतीनां च सर्वासां शापस्तासां पृथक्पृथक्

hariṇā tu samākhyātaṁ lakṣmyāḥ śāpasya kāraṇam| yuvatīnāṁ ca sarvāsāṁ śāpastāsāṁ pṛthakpṛthak

Then Hari (Vishnu) related to her the reason for the curse laid upon Lakshmi, and the separate curses laid upon all the other young goddesses.

Verse 151 (skanda.7.165.151)

लक्ष्म्यास्तदा वरं प्रादाद्गायत्री ब्रह्मणः प्रिया

lakṣmyāstadā varaṁ prādādgāyatrī brahmaṇaḥ priyā

Then Gayatri, the beloved of Brahma, granted Lakshmi a boon as well —

Verse 152 (skanda.7.165.152)

अकुत्सिताः सदा पुत्रि तव वासेन शोभने। भविष्यति न संदेहः सर्वेभ्यः प्रीतिदायकाः

akutsitāḥ sadā putri tava vāsena śobhane| bhaviṣyati na saṁdehaḥ sarvebhyaḥ prītidāyakāḥ

'O daughter, O lovely one, those in whose home you dwell shall never be despised — of this there is no doubt — and they shall become bringers of joy to all.'

Verse 153 (skanda.7.165.153)

ये त्वया वीक्षिताः सर्वे सर्वे वै पुण्यभाजनाः। तेषां जातिः कुलं शीलं धर्मश्चैव वरानने

ye tvayā vīkṣitāḥ sarve sarve vai puṇyabhājanāḥ| teṣāṁ jātiḥ kulaṁ śīlaṁ dharmaścaiva varānane

'O fair one, whomever you look upon shall become a vessel of merit, and their caste, lineage, character, and righteousness shall all flourish.'

Verse 154 (skanda.7.165.154)

परित्यक्तास्त्वया ये तु ते नरा दुःखभागिनः। सभायां ते न शोभन्ते मन्यन्ते न च पार्थिवैः

parityaktāstvayā ye tu te narā duḥkhabhāginaḥ| sabhāyāṁ te na śobhante manyante na ca pārthivaiḥ

'But those whom you forsake shall be given over to sorrow; they shall find no honor in any assembly, nor shall kings hold them in regard.'

Verse 155 (skanda.7.165.155)

आशिषश्चैव तेषां तु कुर्वते वै द्विजोत्तमाः। सौजन्यं तेषु कुर्वन्ति नप्ता भ्राता पिता गुरुः

āśiṣaścaiva teṣāṁ tu kurvate vai dvijottamāḥ| saujanyaṁ teṣu kurvaṁti naptā bhrātā pitā guruḥ

'It is for those you favor that the foremost twice-born give their blessings, and it is toward them that grandson, brother, father, and teacher show kindness.'

Verse 156 (skanda.7.165.156)

बांधवोऽसि न संदेहो न जीवेऽहं त्वया विना। त्वयि दृष्टे प्रसन्ना मे दृष्टिर्भवति शोभना। मनः प्रसीदतेऽत्यर्थं सत्यंसत्यं वदामि ते

bāṁdhavo'si na saṁdeho na jīve'haṁ tvayā vinā| tvayi dṛṣṭe prasannā me dṛṣṭirbhavati śobhanā| manaḥ prasīdate'tyarthaṁ satyaṁsatyaṁ vadāmi te

'You are, without doubt, my kinsman; I cannot live without you. Seeing you, my sight becomes glad and radiant, my mind is filled with the deepest contentment — I speak to you nothing but the truth —'

Verse 157 (skanda.7.165.157)

एवंविधानि वाक्यानि त्वया दृष्ट्या निरीक्षिते। सज्जनास्ते वदिष्यन्ति जनानां प्रीतिदायकाः

evaṁvidhāni vākyāni tvayā dṛṣṭyā nirīkṣite| sajjanāste vadiṣyanti janānāṁ prītidāyakāḥ

'— such words shall the virtuous speak of one whom you have looked upon with your glance; such a one shall become dear to all people.'

Verse 158 (skanda.7.165.158)

इन्द्राणि नहुषः प्राप्य स्वर्गं त्वां याचयिष्यति। अदृष्ट्वा तु हतः पापो अगस्त्यवचनाद्द्रुतम्

indrāṇi nahuṣaḥ prāpya svargaṁ tvāṁ yācayiṣyati| adṛṣṭvā tu hataḥ pāpo agastyavacanāddrutam

'O Indrani, having obtained heaven, Nahusha shall entreat you; but failing to obtain sight of you, that sinful one shall swiftly be struck down by Agastya's curse.'

Verse 159 (skanda.7.165.159)

सर्पत्वं समनुप्राप्य प्रार्थयिष्यति तं मुनिम्। दर्पेणाहं विनष्टोऽस्मि शरणं मे मुने भव

sarpatvaṁ samanuprāpya prārthayiṣyati taṁ munim| darpeṇāhaṁ vinaṣṭo'smi śaraṇaṁ me mune bhava

'Having become a serpent, he shall implore that sage: By pride I have been undone; O sage, be my refuge.'

Verse 160 (skanda.7.165.160)

वाक्येन तेन तस्यासौ नृपस्य भगवानृषिः। कृत्वा मनसि कारुण्यमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्

vākyena tena tasyāsau nṛpasya bhagavānṛṣiḥ| kṛtvā manasi kāruṇyamidaṁ vacanamabravīt

Moved by that king's words, the venerable sage, his heart filled with compassion, spoke this reply —

Verse 161 (skanda.7.165.161)

उत्पत्स्यति कुले राजा त्वदीये कुरुनंदन। सार्पं कलेवरं दृष्ट्वा प्रश्नैस्त्वामुद्धरिष्यति

utpatsyati kule rājā tvadīye kurunaṁdana| sārpaṁ kalevaraṁ dṛṣṭvā praśnaistvāmuddhariṣyati

'O joy of the Kurus, in your own lineage a king shall be born; seeing your serpent form, he shall deliver you through his questions.'

Verse 162 (skanda.7.165.162)

सोऽप्यजगरतां त्यक्त्वा पुनः स्वर्गं गमिष्यति। अश्वमेधे कृते भर्त्रा सह यासि पुनर्दिवि। प्राप्स्यसे वरदानेन ममानेन सुलोचने

so'pyajagaratāṁ tyaktvā punaḥ svargaṁ gamiṣyati| aśvamedhe kṛte bhartrā saha yāsi punardivi| prāpsyase varadānena mamānena sulocane

'He too, casting off his python-form, shall return again to heaven; and you, O fair-eyed one, when the horse-sacrifice is completed, shall go with your husband again to heaven — this you shall obtain through this boon of mine.'

Verse 163 (skanda.7.165.163)

देवपत्न्यस्तदा सर्वास्तुष्टया परिभाषिताः। अपत्यैरपि हीनाः स्युर्नैव दुःखं भविष्यति

devapatnyastadā sarvāstuṣṭayā paribhāṣitāḥ| apatyairapi hīnāḥ syurnaiva duḥkhaṁ bhaviṣyati

Being thus content, Gayatri spoke to all the wives of the gods: 'Although you shall remain without offspring, you shall nonetheless feel no sorrow.'

Verse 164 (skanda.7.165.164)

इति दत्त्वा वरान्देवी गायत्री लोकसंमता। जगामादर्शनं देवी सर्वेषां पश्यतां तदा

iti dattvā varāndevī gāyatrī lokasaṁmatā| jagāmādarśanaṁ devī sarveṣāṁ paśyatāṁ tadā

Having thus granted these boons, the goddess Gayatri, honored by all the worlds, vanished from sight there, before the eyes of everyone.

Verse 165 (skanda.7.165.165)

सावित्री तु तदा देवी प्रभासं क्षेत्रमागता। कृतस्मरस्य शृङ्गे तु श्रीसोमेश्वरपूर्वतः

sāvitrī tu tadā devī prabhāsaṁ kṣetramāgatā| kṛtasmarasya śṛṅge tu śrīsomeśvarapūrvataḥ

Then the goddess Savitri, coming to the sacred field of Prabhasa, took up her abode on the peak of Kritasmara, to the east of the blessed Someshvara.

Verse 166 (skanda.7.165.166)

मन्वन्तरे चाक्षुषे च द्वितीये द्वापरे शुभे। तत्र यज्ञः समारब्धो ब्रह्मणा लोककारिणा

manvantare cākṣuṣe ca dvitīye dvāpare śubhe| tatra yajñaḥ samārabdho brahmaṇā lokakāriṇā

In the second auspicious Dvapara age of the Chakshusha Manvantara, there the world-creating Brahma had begun that sacrifice.

Verse 167 (skanda.7.165.167)

यज्ञे याता महात्मानो देवाः सप्तर्षयो वराः। स्वायंभुवे तु ये शस्ताः शप्तास्ते चाभवन्पुरा

yajñe yātā mahātmāno devāḥ saptarṣayo varāḥ| svāyaṁbhuve tu ye śastāḥ śaptāste cābhavanpurā

To that sacrifice came the great-souled gods and the excellent Seven Sages; those who had been praised in the Svayambhuva age were the same ones who had earlier been cursed.

Verse 168 (skanda.7.165.168)

तस्मात्कालात्समारभ्य प्रभासं क्षेत्रमाश्रिताः

tasmātkālātsamārabhya prabhāsaṁ kṣetramāśritāḥ

From that time onward, they all took refuge in the sacred field of Prabhasa.

Verse 169 (skanda.7.165.169)

सावित्री लोकजननी लोकानुग्रहकारिणी। यस्तां पूजयते भक्त्या पक्षमेकं निरंतरम्। ब्रह्मपूजाविधानेन तस्य पुत्रो ध्रुवो भवेत्

sāvitrī lokajananī lokānugrahakāriṇī| yastāṁ pūjayate bhaktyā pakṣamekaṁ niraṁtaram| brahmapūjāvidhānena tasya putro dhruvo bhavet

Savitri is the mother of the worlds, the bestower of grace upon all beings; whoever worships her with devotion continuously for a fortnight, following the rite of Brahma-worship, shall certainly obtain a son.

Verse 170 (skanda.7.165.170)

पाण्डुकूपे नरः स्नात्वा दृष्ट्वा लिंगानि पञ्च वै। पाण्डवैः स्थापितानीह दृष्ट्वा यज्ञफलं लभेत्

pāṇḍukūpe naraḥ snātvā dṛṣṭvā liṅgāni pañca vai| pāṇḍavaiḥ sthāpitānīha dṛṣṭvā yajñaphalaṁ labhet

Having bathed in Pandukupa and beheld the five lingas established here by the Pandavas, one obtains the fruit of a sacrifice.

Verse 171 (skanda.7.165.171)

ज्येष्ठस्य पूर्णिमायां तु सावित्रीस्थलसंनिधौ। पठेद्यो ब्रह्मसूक्तानि मुच्यते सर्वपातकैः

jyeṣṭhasya pūrṇimāyāṁ tu sāvitrīsthalasaṁnidhau| paṭhedyo brahmasūktāni mucyate sarvapātakaiḥ

Whoever recites the Brahma hymns near Savitri's site on the full moon of Jyeshtha is freed from all sins.

Verse 172 (skanda.7.165.172)

एतत्ते सर्वविख्यातमाख्यातं कल्मषापहम्। यश्चेदं शृणुयाद्भक्त्या स गच्छेत्परमं पदम्

etatte sarvavikhyātamākhyātaṁ kalmaṣāpaham| yaścedaṁ śṛṇuyādbhaktyā sa gacchetparamaṁ padam

O Goddess, this widely renowned, sin-effacing account has been told to you; whoever hears it with devotion attains the supreme abode.