The Birth of the Moon as Atri's Son

Verse 1 (skanda.7.20.1)

ईश्वर उवाच। अथ दैत्यावताराणां क्रमो हि कथ्यते पुनः। हिरण्यकशिपू राजा वर्षाणामर्बुदं बभौ

īśvara uvāca| atha daityāvatārāṇāṁ kramo hi kathyate punaḥ| hiraṇyakaśipū rājā varṣāṇāmarbudaṁ babhau

Ishvara said: Now the sequence of the demons' incarnations is told again. King Hiranyakashipu shone for ten crore years.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.20.2)

तथा शत सहस्राणि यानि कानि द्विसप्ततिम्। अशीतिं च सहस्राणि त्रैलोक्यस्येश्वरोऽभवत्

tathā śata sahasrāṇi yāni kāni dvisaptatim| aśītiṁ ca sahasrāṇi trailokyasyeśvaro'bhavat

And for a hundred thousand years more, and seventy-two thousand, and eighty thousand besides, he remained the lord of the three worlds.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.20.3)

सौत्येऽहन्यतिरात्रस्य कश्यपस्याश्वमेधिके

sautye'hanyatirātrasya kaśyapasyāśvamedhike

On the Sautya day of the Atiratra rite, at Kashyapa's horse-sacrifice —

Verse 4 (skanda.7.20.4)

उपक्षिप्ता सनं यत्तु होतुरर्थे हिरण्मयम्। निषसाद स गर्तोऽत्र हिरण्यकशिपुस्ततः

upakṣiptā sanaṁ yattu hoturarthe hiraṇmayam| niṣasāda sa garto'tra hiraṇyakaśipustataḥ

— when a golden seat had been set down for the sake of the Hotri priest, there that Hiranyakashipu sat down in the pit.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.20.5)

शतवर्षसहस्राणां तपश्चक्रे सुदुश्चरम्। दशवर्षसहस्राणि दित्या गर्भे स्थितः पुरा

śatavarṣasahasrāṇāṁ tapaścakre suduścaram| daśavarṣasahasrāṇi dityā garbhe sthitaḥ purā

He performed a most difficult austerity for a hundred thousand years; formerly, he had remained ten thousand years within Diti's womb.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.20.6)

हिरण्यकशिपोर्दैत्यः श्लोको गीतः पुरातनः। राजा हिरण्यकशिपुर्यां यामाशां निरीक्षते

hiraṇyakaśipordaityaḥ śloko gītaḥ purātanaḥ| rājā hiraṇyakaśipuryāṁ yāmāśāṁ nirīkṣate

Of the demon Hiranyakashipu an ancient verse is sung: 'Whatever quarter king Hiranyakashipu looked toward,

Verse 7 (skanda.7.20.7)

तस्यां तस्यां दिशि सुरा नमश्चक्रुः सहर्षिभिः १। पर्याये तस्य राजाभूद्बलिर्वर्षार्बुदं पुनः

tasyāṁ tasyāṁ diśi surā namaścakruḥ saharṣibhiḥ 1| paryāye tasya rājābhūdbalirvarṣārbudaṁ punaḥ

in that very quarter the gods, together with the sages, would bow down.' In succession to him, Bali became king again, for ten crore years.

Verse 8 (skanda.7.20.8)

षष्टिं चैव सहस्राणि त्रिंशच्च नियुतानि च। बले राज्याधिकारस्तु याव त्कालं बभूव ह

ṣaṣṭiṁ caiva sahasrāṇi triṁśacca niyutāni ca| bale rājyādhikārastu yāva tkālaṁ babhūva ha

Sixty thousand years, and thirty niyutas as well — for so long a time did Bali's authority over the kingdom endure.

Verse 9 (skanda.7.20.9)

प्रह्लादो निगृहीतोऽभूत्तावत्कालं तथा सुरैः १। इंद्रादयस्ते विख्याता असुराञ्जघ्नुरोजसा

prahlādo nigṛhīto'bhūttāvatkālaṁ tathā suraiḥ 1| iṁdrādayaste vikhyātā asurāñjaghnurojasā

For that same span Prahlada was held in check by the gods; the renowned Indra and the other gods slew the Asuras by their might.

Verse 10 (skanda.7.20.10)

दैत्यसंस्थमिदं सर्वमा सीद्दशयुगं किल। असपत्नं ततः सर्वमष्टादशयुगं पुनः

daityasaṁsthamidaṁ sarvamā sīddaśayugaṁ kila| asapatnaṁ tataḥ sarvamaṣṭādaśayugaṁ punaḥ

This entire world remained under the demons' rule for ten Yugas; thereafter, for eighteen more Yugas, it was entirely without rival, under the gods.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.20.11)

त्रैलोक्यमिदमव्यग्रं महेंद्रेण तु पालितम्। त्रेतायुगे तु दशमे कार्त्तवीर्यो महाबलः

trailokyamidamavyagraṁ maheṁdreṇa tu pālitam| tretāyuge tu daśame kārttavīryo mahābalaḥ

This triple world was protected, undisturbed, by Mahendra. Then in the tenth Treta Yuga, the mighty Kartavirya —

Verse 12 (skanda.7.20.12)

पंचाशीतिसहस्राणि वर्षाणां वै नराधिपः। स सप्तरत्नवान्सम्राट् चक्रवर्ती बभूव ह

paṁcāśītisahasrāṇi varṣāṇāṁ vai narādhipaḥ| sa saptaratnavānsamrāṭ cakravartī babhūva ha

— was king for eighty-five thousand years; possessed of the seven jewels, he became a sovereign, a universal emperor.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.20.13)

द्वीपेषु सप्तसु स वै खड्गी चर्मी शरासनी। रथी राजा सानुचरो योगाच्चौरानपश्यत

dvīpeṣu saptasu sa vai khaḍgī carmī śarāsanī| rathī rājā sānucaro yogāccaurānapaśyata

Over the seven continents, bearing sword, shield, and bow, mounted on his chariot, with his followers, that king, through his yogic power, could see thieves everywhere.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.20.14)

प्रणष्टद्रव्यता यस्य स्मरणान्न भवेन्नृणाम्। चतुर्युगे त्वतिक्रांते मनौ ह्येकादशे प्रभौ

praṇaṣṭadravyatā yasya smaraṇānna bhavennṛṇām| caturyuge tvatikrāṁte manau hyekādaśe prabhau

By merely remembering him, men would not suffer the loss of their goods. When a Chaturyuga had passed, under the eleventh Manu, the Lord ruled —

Verse 15 (skanda.7.20.15)

अर्द्धावशिष्टे तस्मिंस्तु द्वापरे संप्रवर्तिते। मानवस्य नरिष्यंतो ह्यासीत्पुत्रो मदः किल

arddhāvaśiṣṭe tasmiṁstu dvāpare saṁpravartite| mānavasya nariṣyaṁto hyāsītputro madaḥ kila

— when half of that Yuga remained, in the Dvapara that had then begun, there was a son of the Manava Narishyanta, named Mada.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.20.16)

नवमस्तस्य दायादस्तृणबिंदुरिति स्मृतः। त्रेतायुगमुखे राजा तृतीये संबभूव ह

navamastasya dāyādastṛṇabiṁduriti smṛtaḥ| tretāyugamukhe rājā tṛtīye saṁbabhūva ha

His ninth descendant is remembered as Trinabindu; he became king at the start of the third Treta Yuga.

Verse 17 (skanda.7.20.17)

तस्य कन्या त्विलविला रूपे णाप्रतिमाऽभवत्। पुलस्त्याय स राजर्षिस्तां कन्यां प्रत्यपादयत्

tasya kanyā tvilavilā rūpe ṇāpratimā'bhavat| pulastyāya sa rājarṣistāṁ kanyāṁ pratyapādayat

His daughter, Ilavila, was without equal in beauty; that royal sage gave that daughter in marriage to Pulastya.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.20.18)

ऋषिरैलविलो यस्यां विश्रवाः समपद्यत। तस्य पत्न्यश्च तिस्रस्तु पौलस्त्यकुलमंडनाः

ṛṣirailavilo yasyāṁ viśravāḥ samapadyata| tasya patnyaśca tisrastu paulastyakulamaṁḍanāḥ

From her the sage Vishravas, called Ailavila, was born. He had three wives, who were the ornaments of Pulastya's lineage.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.20.19)

बृहस्पतेः शुभा कन्या नाम्ना वै वेदवर्णिनी। पुष्पोत्कटा च वीका च उभे माल्यवतः सुते

bṛhaspateḥ śubhā kanyā nāmnā vai vedavarṇinī| puṣpotkaṭā ca vīkā ca ubhe mālyavataḥ sute

The auspicious daughter of Brihaspati, named Vedavarnini; and Pushpotkata and Vaka, both daughters of Malyavan.

Verse 20 (skanda.7.20.20)

केकसी मालिनः कन्या तस्यां देवि शृणु प्रजाः। ज्येष्ठं वैश्रवणं तस्य सुषुवे वरवर्णिनी

kekasī mālinaḥ kanyā tasyāṁ devi śṛṇu prajāḥ| jyeṣṭhaṁ vaiśravaṇaṁ tasya suṣuve varavarṇinī

And Kekasi, the daughter of Malin — of her, O Goddess, hear the offspring. That lovely-complexioned wife bore his eldest son, Vaishravana, Kubera.

Verse 21 (skanda.7.20.21)

अष्टदं हरिच्छ्मश्रुं शंकुकर्णं विलोहितम्। श्वपादं ह्रस्वबाहुं च पिंगलं शुचिभूषणम्

aṣṭadaṁ haricchmaśruṁ śaṁkukarṇaṁ vilohitam| śvapādaṁ hrasvabāhuṁ ca piṁgalaṁ śucibhūṣaṇam

He was eight-toothed, tawny-bearded, with spike-like ears, of ruddy hue, dog-footed, short-armed, tawny-eyed, and adorned with pure ornaments.

Verse 22 (skanda.7.20.22)

त्रिपादं तु महाकायं स्थूलशीर्षं महाहनुम्। एवंविधं सुतं दृष्ट्वा विरूपं रूपतस्तदा

tripādaṁ tu mahākāyaṁ sthūlaśīrṣaṁ mahāhanum| evaṁvidhaṁ sutaṁ dṛṣṭvā virūpaṁ rūpatastadā

Three-legged, of vast body, thick-headed, and large-jawed. Seeing such a son, so misshapen in form —

Verse 23 (skanda.7.20.23)

तदा दृष्ट्वाब्रवीत्तं तु कुबेरोऽयमिति स्वयम्। कुत्सायां क्वितिशब्दोयं शरीरं वेरमुच्यते

tadā dṛṣṭvābravīttaṁ tu kubero'yamiti svayam| kutsāyāṁ kvitiśabdoyaṁ śarīraṁ veramucyate

— seeing him then, Vishravas himself called him "Kubera"; this word "ku" expresses contempt, and "vera" means "body."

Verse 24 (skanda.7.20.24)

कुबेरः कुशरीरत्वान्नाम्ना तेन च सोंकितः। तस्य भार्य्याऽभवद्वृद्धिः पुत्रस्तु नलकूबरः

kuberaḥ kuśarīratvānnāmnā tena ca soṁkitaḥ| tasya bhāryyā'bhavadvṛddhiḥ putrastu nalakūbaraḥ

Because of his ill-formed body, he was thus marked with the name Kubera. His wife was Vriddhi, and his son was Nalakubara.

Verse 25 (skanda.7.20.25)

कैकस्यजनयत्पुत्रं रावणं राक्षसाधिपम्। शंकुकर्णं दशग्रीवं पिगलं रक्तमूर्द्धजम्

kaikasyajanayatputraṁ rāvaṇaṁ rākṣasādhipam| śaṁkukarṇaṁ daśagrīvaṁ pigalaṁ raktamūrddhajam

Kaikasi bore a son, Ravana, lord of the Rakshasas — spike-eared, ten-necked, tawny-hued, red-haired.

Verse 26 (skanda.7.20.26)

वसुपादं विंशद्भुजं महाकायं महाबलम्। कालांजननिभं चैव दंष्ट्रिणं रक्तलोचनम्

vasupādaṁ viṁśadbhujaṁ mahākāyaṁ mahābalam| kālāṁjananibhaṁ caiva daṁṣṭriṇaṁ raktalocanam

Eight-legged, twenty-armed, of vast body and immense strength; dark as collyrium, fanged, and red-eyed.

Verse 27 (skanda.7.20.27)

राक्षसेनौजसा युक्तं रूपेण च बलेन च। निसर्गाद्दारुणः क्रूरो रावणाद्रावणः स्मृतः

rākṣasenaujasā yuktaṁ rūpeṇa ca balena ca| nisargāddāruṇaḥ krūro rāvaṇādrāvaṇaḥ smṛtaḥ

Endowed with the might, form, and strength of a Rakshasa, by his very nature dreadful and cruel — from "ravana," a roaring cry, he is remembered as Ravana.

Verse 28 (skanda.7.20.28)

हिरण्यकशिपुस्त्वासीत्स राजा पूर्वजन्मनि। चतुर्युगानि राजा तु तथा दश स राक्षसः

hiraṇyakaśipustvāsītsa rājā pūrvajanmani| caturyugāni rājā tu tathā daśa sa rākṣasaḥ

In a former birth he had been King Hiranyakashipu; he had ruled as that king for several Chaturyugas, and then, as a Rakshasa, for ten more.

Verse 29 (skanda.7.20.29)

पंच कोटीस्तु वर्षाणां संख्यताः संख्याया प्रिये। नियुतान्येकषष्टिं च संख्यावद्भिरुदाहृतम्

paṁca koṭīstu varṣāṇāṁ saṁkhyatāḥ saṁkhyāyā priye| niyutānyekaṣaṣṭiṁ ca saṁkhyāvadbhirudāhṛtam

Five crores of years are reckoned by the count, O beloved; and sixty-one niyutas, as declared by those skilled in reckoning —

Verse 30 (skanda.7.20.30)

षष्टिं चैव सहस्राणि वर्षाणां स हि रावणः। देवतानामृषीणां च घोरं कृत्वा प्रजागरम्

ṣaṣṭiṁ caiva sahasrāṇi varṣāṇāṁ sa hi rāvaṇaḥ| devatānāmṛṣīṇāṁ ca ghoraṁ kṛtvā prajāgaram

— and sixty thousand years besides — for that span did Ravana keep the gods and sages in dreadful sleeplessness —

Verse 31 (skanda.7.20.31)

त्रेतायुगे चतुर्विंशे रावणस्तपसः क्षयात्। रामं दाशरथिं प्राप्य सगणः क्षयमेयिवान्

tretāyuge caturviṁśe rāvaṇastapasaḥ kṣayāt| rāmaṁ dāśarathiṁ prāpya sagaṇaḥ kṣayameyivān

— until, in the twenty-fourth Treta Yuga, Ravana, through the exhaustion of his austerity's merit, met Rama, son of Dasharatha, and perished together with his followers.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.20.32)

योऽसौ देवि दशग्रीवः संबभूवारिमर्द्दनः। दमघोषस्य राजर्षेः पुत्रो विख्यातपौरुषः

yo'sau devi daśagrīvaḥ saṁbabhūvārimarddanaḥ| damaghoṣasya rājarṣeḥ putro vikhyātapauruṣaḥ

That same ten-necked crusher of foes, O Goddess, was born again as the renowned, valorous son of the royal sage Damaghosha —

Verse 33 (skanda.7.20.33)

श्रुतश्रवायां चैद्यस्तु शिशुपालो बभूव ह। रावणं कुंभकर्णं च कन्यां शूर्पणखां तथा

śrutaśravāyāṁ caidyastu śiśupālo babhūva ha| rāvaṇaṁ kuṁbhakarṇaṁ ca kanyāṁ śūrpaṇakhāṁ tathā

— born of Shrutashrava, he became Shishupala, king of Chedi. Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and the daughter Shurpanakha,

Verse 34 (skanda.7.20.34)

विभीषणं चतुर्थं च कैकस्यजनयत्सुतान्। मनोहरः प्रहस्तश्च महापार्श्वः खरस्तथा

vibhīṣaṇaṁ caturthaṁ ca kaikasyajanayatsutān| manoharaḥ prahastaśca mahāpārśvaḥ kharastathā

and Vibhishana as the fourth — these sons Kaikasi bore. And also Manohara, Prahasta, Mahaparshva, and Khara —

Verse 35 (skanda.7.20.35)

पुष्पोत्कटायास्ते पुत्राः कन्या कुम्भीनसी तथा। त्रिशिरा दूषणश्चैव विद्युज्जिह्वश्च राक्षसः। कन्यैका श्यामिका नाम वीकायाः प्रसवः स्मृतः

puṣpotkaṭāyāste putrāḥ kanyā kumbhīnasī tathā| triśirā dūṣaṇaścaiva vidyujjihvaśca rākṣasaḥ| kanyaikā śyāmikā nāma vīkāyāḥ prasavaḥ smṛtaḥ

— these were the sons of Pushpotkata, and the daughter Kumbhinasi as well; and Trishira, Dushana, and the Rakshasa Vidyujjihva. One daughter, named Shyamika, is remembered as Vaka's offspring.

Verse 36 (skanda.7.20.36)

इत्येते क्रूरकर्माणः पौलस्त्या राक्षसा नव। विभीषणो विशुद्धात्मा दशमः परिकीर्तितः

ityete krūrakarmāṇaḥ paulastyā rākṣasā nava| vibhīṣaṇo viśuddhātmā daśamaḥ parikīrtitaḥ

Thus these nine, cruel in their deeds, were the Rakshasas of Pulastya's line; and pure-souled Vibhishana is declared the tenth.

Verse 37 (skanda.7.20.37)

पुलहस्य मृगाः पुत्राः सर्वे व्यालाश्च दंष्ट्रिणः। भूताः पिशाचाः सर्पाश्च शूकरा हस्तिनस्तथा

pulahasya mṛgāḥ putrāḥ sarve vyālāśca daṁṣṭriṇaḥ| bhūtāḥ piśācāḥ sarpāśca śūkarā hastinastathā

The sons of Pulaha were the wild deer, all the fanged serpents, the Bhutas, the Pishachas, the snakes, the boars, and the elephants.

Verse 38 (skanda.7.20.38)

अनपत्यः क्रतुस्त्वस्मिन्स्मृतो वैवस्वतेंतरे। अत्रेः पत्न्यो दशैवासन्सुन्दर्यश्च पतिव्रताः

anapatyaḥ kratustvasminsmṛto vaivasvateṁtare| atreḥ patnyo daśaivāsansundaryaśca pativratāḥ

Kratu is remembered as childless in this Vaivasvata Manvantara. Atri had ten wives, beautiful and devoted to their husband.

Verse 39 (skanda.7.20.39)

भद्राश्वस्य घृताच्यंता जज्ञिरे दश चाप्सराः

bhadrāśvasya ghṛtācyaṁtā jajñire daśa cāpsarāḥ

From Bhadrashva down to Ghritachi, ten Apsaras were born as his wives.

Verse 40 (skanda.7.20.40)

भद्रा शूद्रा च मद्रा च नलदा जलदा तथा। उर्णा पूर्णा च देवेशि या च गोपुच्छला स्मृता

bhadrā śūdrā ca madrā ca naladā jaladā tathā| urṇā pūrṇā ca deveśi yā ca gopucchalā smṛtā

Bhadra, Shudra, Madra, Nalada, and likewise Jalada; Urna and Purna, O Queen of the gods, and she who is remembered as Gopuchchhala,

Verse 41 (skanda.7.20.41)

तथा तामरसा नाम दशमी रक्तकोटिका। एतासां च महादेवि ख्यातो भर्त्ता प्रभाकरः

tathā tāmarasā nāma daśamī raktakoṭikā| etāsāṁ ca mahādevi khyāto bharttā prabhākaraḥ

and the tenth, named Tamarasa, also called Raktakotika. Of these, O great Goddess, the renowned husband was Prabhakara.

Verse 42 (skanda.7.20.42)

स्वर्भानुना हते सूर्ये पतितेस्मिन्दिवो महीम्। तमोऽभिभूते लोकेस्मिन्प्रभा येन प्रवर्त्तिता

svarbhānunā hate sūrye patitesmindivo mahīm| tamo'bhibhūte lokesminprabhā yena pravarttitā

When the Sun, struck by Svarbhanu, was falling from the sky toward the earth, and this world was overcome by darkness, it was by him, Prabhakara, that light was set going again.

Verse 43 (skanda.7.20.43)

स्वस्ति तेस्त्विति चैवोक्तः पतन्निह दिवाकरः। ब्रह्मर्षेर्वचनात्तस्य न पपात यतः प्रभुः

svasti testviti caivoktaḥ patanniha divākaraḥ| brahmarṣervacanāttasya na papāta yataḥ prabhuḥ

The falling Sun, thus addressed here with "may it be well with you," did not fall, by the power of that brahmin-sage's word — for he himself was a lord.

Verse 44 (skanda.7.20.44)

ततः प्रभाकरेत्युक्तः प्रभुरेवं महर्षिभिः। भद्रायां जनयामाम् सोमं पुत्रं यशस्विनम्

tataḥ prabhākaretyuktaḥ prabhurevaṁ maharṣibhiḥ| bhadrāyāṁ janayāmām somaṁ putraṁ yaśasvinam

Thereupon that lord, thus called "Prabhakara" by the great sages, begot in Bhadra a glorious son, Soma, the Moon.

Verse 45 (skanda.7.20.45)

त्विषिमान्धर्मपुत्रस्तु सोमो देवो वरस्तु सः। शीतरश्मिः समुत्पन्नः कृत्तिकासु निशाचरः

tviṣimāndharmaputrastu somo devo varastu saḥ| śītaraśmiḥ samutpannaḥ kṛttikāsu niśācaraḥ

Radiant, the son begotten in righteousness — that excellent god Soma, the cool-rayed, was born, night-wandering, under the Krittikas.

Verse 46 (skanda.7.20.46)

पिता सोमस्य वै देवि जज्ञेऽत्रिर्भगवानृषिः। तत्रात्रिः सर्वलोकेशं भृत्वा स्वे नयने स्थितः

pitā somasya vai devi jajñe'trirbhagavānṛṣiḥ| tatrātriḥ sarvalokeśaṁ bhṛtvā sve nayane sthitaḥ

The father of Soma, O Goddess, was the blessed sage Atri. And there Atri, holding the Lord of all worlds fixed within his own eyes...

Verse 47 (skanda.7.20.47)

कर्मणा मनसा वाचा शुभान्येव समा चरत्। काष्ठकुड्यशिलाभूत ऊर्द्ध्वबाहुर्महाद्युतिः

karmaṇā manasā vācā śubhānyeva samā carat| kāṣṭhakuḍyaśilābhūta ūrddhvabāhurmahādyutiḥ

...moved evenly, in act, mind, and speech, only in auspicious ways, motionless as a piece of wood, a wall, or a stone, his arms raised aloft, of great splendor —

Verse 48 (skanda.7.20.48)

सुदुस्तरं नाम तपस्तेन तप्तं महत्पुरा। त्रीणि वर्षसहस्राणि दिव्यानि सुरसुंदरि

sudustaraṁ nāma tapastena taptaṁ mahatpurā| trīṇi varṣasahasrāṇi divyāni surasuṁdari

— he performed formerly a great austerity called Sudustara, hard to cross, for three thousand divine years, O beautiful one among the gods.

Verse 49 (skanda.7.20.49)

तस्योर्द्ध्वरेतसस्तत्र स्थितस्यानिमिषस्य ह। सोमत्वं वपुरापेदे महाबुद्धेस्तु वै शुभे

tasyorddhvaretasastatra sthitasyānimiṣasya ha| somatvaṁ vapurāpede mahābuddhestu vai śubhe

Of him, standing there with seed held upward, unblinking, of great wisdom, his very body, O auspicious one, took on the nature of Soma.

Verse 50 (skanda.7.20.50)

ऊर्द्ध्वमाचक्रमे तस्य सोमसंभावितात्मनः। नेत्राभ्यां सोमः सुस्राव दशधा द्योतयन्दिशः

ūrddhvamācakrame tasya somasaṁbhāvitātmanaḥ| netrābhyāṁ somaḥ susrāva daśadhā dyotayandiśaḥ

Upward it rose from him whose self had become one with Soma; and from his two eyes the Soma flowed forth, illumining the ten directions.

Verse 51 (skanda.7.20.51)

तद्गर्भं विधिना दृष्टा दिशोदश दधुस्तदा। समेत्य धारयामासुर्न च धर्तुमशक्नुवन्

tadgarbhaṁ vidhinā dṛṣṭā diśodaśa dadhustadā| sametya dhārayāmāsurna ca dhartumaśaknuvan

Seeing that embryo by divine ordinance, the ten directions then received it; coming together they tried to hold it, but were unable to sustain it.

Verse 52 (skanda.7.20.52)

स ताभ्यः सहसैवेह दिग्भ्यो गर्भश्च शाश्वतः। पपात भावयँल्लोकाञ्छीतांशुः सर्वभावनः

sa tābhyaḥ sahasaiveha digbhyo garbhaśca śāśvataḥ| papāta bhāvayãllokāñchītāṁśuḥ sarvabhāvanaḥ

That eternal embryo then suddenly fell here from those directions — the cool-rayed one, animator of all beings, illumining the worlds as he fell.

Verse 53 (skanda.7.20.53)

यदा न धारणे शक्तास्तस्य गर्भस्य ताः स्त्रियः। ततस्ताभ्यः स शीतांशुर्निपपात वसुंधराम्

yadā na dhāraṇe śaktāstasya garbhasya tāḥ striyaḥ| tatastābhyaḥ sa śītāṁśurnipapāta vasuṁdharām

When those women, the directions, were unable to bear that embryo, then from them the cool-rayed one fell down onto the earth.

Verse 54 (skanda.7.20.54)

पतितं सोममालोक्य ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः। रथमारोपयामास लोकानां हितका म्यया

patitaṁ somamālokya brahmā lokapitāmahaḥ| rathamāropayāmāsa lokānāṁ hitakā myayā

Seeing Soma fallen, Brahma, the Grandsire of the worlds, for the welfare of the worlds, set him upon a chariot.

Verse 55 (skanda.7.20.55)

स तदैव मया देवि धर्मार्थं सत्यसंगरः। युक्तो वाजिसहस्रेण सितेन सुरसुंदरि

sa tadaiva mayā devi dharmārthaṁ satyasaṁgaraḥ| yukto vājisahasreṇa sitena surasuṁdari

He, O beautiful one among the gods, was at that very time yoked by me, true to my pledge, for the sake of Dharma, with a thousand white horses.

Verse 56 (skanda.7.20.56)

तस्मिन्निपतिते देवि पुत्रेत्रेः परमात्म नि। तुष्टुवुर्ब्रह्मणः पुत्रा मानसाः सप्त ये श्रुताः

tasminnipatite devi putretreḥ paramātma ni| tuṣṭuvurbrahmaṇaḥ putrā mānasāḥ sapta ye śrutāḥ

When he, the son of Atri, of supreme nature, had thus fallen, O Goddess, the seven mind-born sons of Brahma, renowned in scripture, praised him.

Verse 57 (skanda.7.20.57)

तथैवांगिरसः सर्वे भृगोश्चैवात्मजास्तथा। ऋग्भिस्तु सामभिश्चैव तथैवांगिरसैरपि

tathaivāṁgirasaḥ sarve bhṛgoścaivātmajāstathā| ṛgbhistu sāmabhiścaiva tathaivāṁgirasairapi

And likewise all the sons of Angiras, and the sons of Bhrigu too — with Rig verses, with Sama chants, and likewise with Angirasa hymns as well —

Verse 58 (skanda.7.20.58)

तस्य संस्तूयमानस्य तेजः सोमस्य भास्वतः। आप्यायमानं लोकांस्त्रीन्भासयामास सर्वशः

tasya saṁstūyamānasya tejaḥ somasya bhāsvataḥ| āpyāyamānaṁ lokāṁstrīnbhāsayāmāsa sarvaśaḥ

— as he was thus praised, the radiant splendor of Soma, growing ever fuller, illumined the three worlds in every way.

Verse 59 (skanda.7.20.59)

स तेन रथमुख्येन सागरांतां वसुंधराम्। त्रिःसप्तकृत्वोतियशाश्चकाराभिप्रदक्षिणम्

sa tena rathamukhyena sāgarāṁtāṁ vasuṁdharām| triḥsaptakṛtvotiyaśāścakārābhipradakṣiṇam

With that foremost chariot, he, of exceeding fame, circumambulated the earth bounded by the ocean, twenty-one times.

Verse 60 (skanda.7.20.60)

तस्य यच्चापि तत्तेजः पृथिवीमन्वपद्यत। ओषध्यस्ताः समुत्पन्नास्ते जसाऽज्वलयन्पुनः

tasya yaccāpi tattejaḥ pṛthivīmanvapadyata| oṣadhyastāḥ samutpannāste jasā'jvalayanpunaḥ

And whatever of his splendor fell upon the earth, from it the herbs sprang up, blazing again with that same radiance.

Verse 61 (skanda.7.20.61)

ताभिर्धिनोत्ययं लोकं प्रजाश्चैव चतुर्विधाः। ओषध्यः फलपाकांताः कणाः सप्तदश स्मृताः

tābhirdhinotyayaṁ lokaṁ prajāścaiva caturvidhāḥ| oṣadhyaḥ phalapākāṁtāḥ kaṇāḥ saptadaśa smṛtāḥ

By these he nourishes this world and the fourfold creatures. The grain-herbs, ending in ripened fruit, are remembered as seventeen kinds —

Verse 62 (skanda.7.20.62)

व्रीहयश्च यवाश्चैव गोधूमा अणवस्तिलाः

vrīhayaśca yavāścaiva godhūmā aṇavastilāḥ

— rice, barley, wheat, panic-grass, and sesame,

Verse 63 (skanda.7.20.63)

प्रियंगुः कोविदारश्च कोरदूषाः सतीनकाः। माषा मुद्गा मसूराश्च निष्पावाः सकुलत्थकाः

priyaṁguḥ kovidāraśca koradūṣāḥ satīnakāḥ| māṣā mudgā masūrāśca niṣpāvāḥ sakulatthakāḥ

Priyangu and Kovidara, Koradusha and Satinaka; black gram, green gram, lentils, beans, and horse-gram,

Verse 64 (skanda.7.20.64)

आढक्यश्चणकाश्चैव कणाः सप्तदश स्मृताः। इत्येता ओषधीनां च ग्राम्याणां जातयः स्मृताः

āḍhakyaścaṇakāścaiva kaṇāḥ saptadaśa smṛtāḥ| ityetā oṣadhīnāṁ ca grāmyāṇāṁ jātayaḥ smṛtāḥ

pigeon-pea and chickpea — the grains are declared to be seventeen. These are the kinds of cultivated herbs.

Verse 65 (skanda.7.20.65)

ओषध्यो यज्ञियाश्चैव ग्राम्या रण्याश्चतुर्द्दश। व्रीहयश्च यवाश्चैव गोधूमास्त्वणवस्तिलाः

oṣadhyo yajñiyāścaiva grāmyā raṇyāścaturddaśa| vrīhayaśca yavāścaiva godhūmāstvaṇavastilāḥ

The herbs fit for sacrifice, whether cultivated or wild, are fourteen: rice, barley, wheat, panic-grass, and sesame,

Verse 66 (skanda.7.20.66)

प्रियंगुषष्ठा इत्येते सप्तमास्तु कुलत्थकाः। श्यामाकास्त्वथ नीवारा जर्तिलाः सगवेधुकाः

priyaṁguṣaṣṭhā ityete saptamāstu kulatthakāḥ| śyāmākāstvatha nīvārā jartilāḥ sagavedhukāḥ

with Priyangu as the sixth — and horse-gram as the seventh; then Shyamaka, wild rice, Jartila, and Gavedhuka,

Verse 67 (skanda.7.20.67)

ऊरुविन्दा मर्कटकास्तथा वेणुयवाश्च ये। ग्राम्यारण्यास्तथा ह्येता ओषध्यस्तु चतुर्दश

ūruvindā markaṭakāstathā veṇuyavāśca ye| grāmyāraṇyāstathā hyetā oṣadhyastu caturdaśa

Uruvinda, Markataka, and bamboo-seed — these, whether cultivated or wild, are the fourteen herbs.

Verse 68 (skanda.7.20.68)

तृणगुल्मलता वीरुद्वल्लीगुच्छादि कोटिशः। एतेषामधिपश्चन्द्रो धारयत्यखिलं जगत्

tṛṇagulmalatā vīrudvallīgucchādi koṭiśaḥ| eteṣāmadhipaścandro dhārayatyakhilaṁ jagat

Grasses, shrubs, creepers, climbing plants, vines, and clusters exist in their crores — the Moon, as their lord, sustains this entire world.

Verse 69 (skanda.7.20.69)

ज्योत्स्नाभिर्भगवान्सोमो जगतो हितकाम्यया। ततस्तस्मै ददौ राज्यं ब्रह्मा ब्रह्मविदां वरः

jyotsnābhirbhagavānsomo jagato hitakāmyayā| tatastasmai dadau rājyaṁ brahmā brahmavidāṁ varaḥ

The Blessed Soma, with his moonbeams, sustains the world out of desire for its welfare; then Brahma, best of the knowers of Brahman, gave him a kingdom —

Verse 70 (skanda.7.20.70)

बीजौषधीनां विप्राणां मंत्राणां च वरानने। सोऽभिषिक्तो महातेजा राजा राज्ये निशाकरः

bījauṣadhīnāṁ viprāṇāṁ maṁtrāṇāṁ ca varānane| so'bhiṣikto mahātejā rājā rājye niśākaraḥ

— over the seed-herbs, the brahmins, and the sacred hymns, O fair-faced one. Thus that greatly radiant night-maker was anointed king in his realm.

Verse 71 (skanda.7.20.71)

त्रीँल्लोकान्भावयामास स्वभासा भास्वतां वरः। तं सिनी च कुहूश्चैव द्युतिःपुष्टिः प्रभा वसुः

trī̃llokānbhāvayāmāsa svabhāsā bhāsvatāṁ varaḥ| taṁ sinī ca kuhūścaiva dyutiḥpuṣṭiḥ prabhā vasuḥ

That best of luminaries pervaded the three worlds with his own light; and Sinivali, Kuhu, Dyuti, Pushti, Prabha, and Vasu —

Verse 72 (skanda.7.20.72)

कीर्तिर्धृतिश्च लक्ष्मीश्च नव देव्यः सिषेविरे। सप्तविंशतिरिंदोस्तु दाक्षायण्यो महाव्रताः

kīrtirdhṛtiśca lakṣmīśca nava devyaḥ siṣevire| saptaviṁśatiriṁdostu dākṣāyaṇyo mahāvratāḥ

— Kirti, Dhriti, and Lakshmi: these nine goddesses attended him. And the twenty-seven daughters of Daksha, great in their vows —

Verse 73 (skanda.7.20.73)

ददौ प्राचेतसो दक्षो नक्षत्राणीति या विदुः। स तत्प्राप्य मह्द्राज्यं सोमः सोमवतां वरः

dadau prācetaso dakṣo nakṣatrāṇīti yā viduḥ| sa tatprāpya mahdrājyaṁ somaḥ somavatāṁ varaḥ

— whom the wise know as the lunar asterisms — Daksha, son of Prachetas, gave them in marriage. Having obtained that great kingdom, Soma, best of the possessors of Soma,

Verse 74 (skanda.7.20.74)

समाजह्रे राजसूयं सहस्रशतदक्षिणम्। हिरण्यगर्भश्चोद्गाता ब्रह्मा ब्रह्मत्वमेयिवान्

samājahre rājasūyaṁ sahasraśatadakṣiṇam| hiraṇyagarbhaścodgātā brahmā brahmatvameyivān

performed the Rajasuya sacrifice, with a fee of hundreds of thousands. Hiranyagarbha served as the Udgatri priest, and Brahma attained the office of Brahman, the chief priest.

Verse 75 (skanda.7.20.75)

सदस्यस्तस्य भगवान्हरिर्नारायणः प्रभुः। सनत्कुमारप्रमुखैराद्यैर्ब्रह्मर्षिभिर्वृतः

sadasyastasya bhagavānharirnārāyaṇaḥ prabhuḥ| sanatkumārapramukhairādyairbrahmarṣibhirvṛtaḥ

The Blessed Hari Narayana, the Lord, was the assessor at that sacrifice, surrounded by the foremost primeval Brahmarshis, headed by Sanatkumara.

Verse 76 (skanda.7.20.76)

दक्षिणामददात्सोमस्त्रीँल्लोकांस्तु वरानने। तेभ्यो ब्रह्मर्षिमुख्येभ्यः सदस्येभ्यश्च वै शुभे

dakṣiṇāmadadātsomastrī̃llokāṁstu varānane| tebhyo brahmarṣimukhyebhyaḥ sadasyebhyaśca vai śubhe

Soma gave, as sacrificial fee, the three worlds themselves, O fair-faced one, to those chief Brahmarshis and to the assessors, O auspicious one.

Verse 77 (skanda.7.20.77)

प्राप्यावभृथमव्यग्रः सर्वदेवर्षिपूजितः। अतिराजति राजेन्द्रो दशधा भावयन्दिशः

prāpyāvabhṛthamavyagraḥ sarvadevarṣipūjitaḥ| atirājati rājendro daśadhā bhāvayandiśaḥ

Having undergone the concluding bath, undisturbed, honored by all the gods and sages, that king of kings shone forth exceedingly, illumining the ten directions.

Verse 78 (skanda.7.20.78)

तेन तत्प्राप दुष्प्राप्यमैश्वर्य्यमकृता त्मभिः। स एवं वर्त्तते चन्द्रश्चात्रेय इति विश्रुतः

tena tatprāpa duṣprāpyamaiśvaryyamakṛtā tmabhiḥ| sa evaṁ varttate candraścātreya iti viśrutaḥ

By that sacrifice he attained a sovereignty hard to attain by those of unperfected selves. Thus he abides even now, the Moon, renowned by the name "Atreya," son of Atri.