Shiva's Worship Prescribed for the Cure of Chandra's Consumption

Verse 1 (skanda.7.21.1)

देव्युवाच। श्रुतं सर्वमशेषेण चन्द्रस्योत्पत्ति कारणम्। चिह्नं यथाऽभवत्तस्य सांप्रतं तत्प्रकीर्त्तय

devyuvāca| śrutaṁ sarvamaśeṣeṇa candrasyotpatti kāraṇam| cihnaṁ yathā'bhavattasya sāṁprataṁ tatprakīrttaya

The Goddess said: I have heard in full the cause of the Moon's origin. Now tell me how his mark came to be.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.21.2)

ईश्वर उवाच। ब्रह्मणस्तु पुरा देवि दक्षो नाम सुतोऽभवत्। प्रजाः सृजेति उद्दिष्टः पूर्वं दक्षः स्वयंभुवा

īśvara uvāca| brahmaṇastu purā devi dakṣo nāma suto'bhavat| prajāḥ sṛjeti uddiṣṭaḥ pūrvaṁ dakṣaḥ svayaṁbhuvā

Ishvara said: Formerly, O Goddess, a son of Brahma named Daksha was born; Daksha was instructed by Svayambhu at the very outset, "Create offspring."

Verse 3 (skanda.7.21.3)

षष्टिं दक्षोऽसृजत्कन्या वैरिण्यां वै प्रजापतिः। ददौ स दश धर्माय कश्यपाय त्रयोदश

ṣaṣṭiṁ dakṣo'sṛjatkanyā vairiṇyāṁ vai prajāpatiḥ| dadau sa daśa dharmāya kaśyapāya trayodaśa

Daksha, the Lord of Creatures, begot sixty daughters upon Virini; of these he gave ten to Dharma, and thirteen to Kashyapa.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.21.4)

सप्त विशतिं सोमाय चतस्रोऽरिष्टनेमिने। द्वे चैव भृगुपुत्राय द्वे कृशाश्वाय धीमते

sapta viśatiṁ somāya catasro'riṣṭanemine| dve caiva bhṛguputrāya dve kṛśāśvāya dhīmate

Twenty-seven to Soma, four to Arishtanemi; two to Bhrigu's son, and two to the wise Krishashva.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.21.5)

द्वे चैवांगिरसे तद्वत्तासां नामानि विस्तरात्। शृणु त्वं देवि मातॄणां प्रजाविस्तरमादितः

dve caivāṁgirase tadvattāsāṁ nāmāni vistarāt| śṛṇu tvaṁ devi mātṝṇāṁ prajāvistaramāditaḥ

And two likewise to Angiras. Hear from me in detail their names, O Goddess, and, from the very beginning, the extent of the offspring of these mothers.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.21.6)

मरुत्वती वसुर्जामी लंबा भानुररुन्धती। संकल्पा च मुहूर्ता च साध्या विश्वा च भामिनि

marutvatī vasurjāmī laṁbā bhānurarundhatī| saṁkalpā ca muhūrtā ca sādhyā viśvā ca bhāmini

Marutvati, Vasu, Jami, Lamba, Bhanu, Arundhati, Sankalpa, Muhurta, Sadhya, and Vishva, O radiant one —

Verse 7 (skanda.7.21.7)

धर्म पत्न्यः समाख्याता दक्षः प्राचेतसो ददौ। अदितिर्दितिर्दनुस्तद्वदरिष्टा सुरसैव च

dharma patnyaḥ samākhyātā dakṣaḥ prācetaso dadau| aditirditirdanustadvadariṣṭā surasaiva ca

— these are declared the wives of Dharma, given by Daksha, son of Prachetas. Aditi, Diti, Danu, likewise Arishta, and Surasa too;

Verse 8 (skanda.7.21.8)

सुरभिर्विनता चैव नाम्ना क्रोधवशा त्विला। कद्रूस्त्विषा वसुस्तद्वत्तासां पुत्रान्वदामि वै

surabhirvinatā caiva nāmnā krodhavaśā tvilā| kadrūstviṣā vasustadvattāsāṁ putrānvadāmi vai

and Surabhi, and Vinata, and one named Krodhavasha, and Ila; Kadru, Tvisha, and Vasu likewise — of these I shall now tell the sons.

Verse 9 (skanda.7.21.9)

विश्वेदेवास्तु विश्वायाः साध्या साध्यानजीजनत्। मरुत्वत्यां मरुत्वंतो वसोस्तु वसवस्तथा

viśvedevāstu viśvāyāḥ sādhyā sādhyānajījanat| marutvatyāṁ marutvaṁto vasostu vasavastathā

From Vishva were born the Vishvedevas; Sadhya bore the Sadhyas. From Marutvati came the Marutvantas, and from Vasu, the Vasus.

Verse 10 (skanda.7.21.10)

भानोस्तु भानवस्तेन मुहूर्त्तायां मुहूर्त्तकाः। लंबाया घोषनामानो नागवीथिस्तु जामिजा

bhānostu bhānavastena muhūrttāyāṁ muhūrttakāḥ| laṁbāyā ghoṣanāmāno nāgavīthistu jāmijā

From Bhanu came the Bhanus; from Muhurta, the Muhurtakas; from Lamba, those named Ghosha; and from Jami, the Nagavithi.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.21.11)

संकल्पायास्तु संकल्पो धर्मपुत्रा दश स्मृताः। आपो ध्रुवश्च सोमश्च धरश्चैवानलोऽनिलः

saṁkalpāyāstu saṁkalpo dharmaputrā daśa smṛtāḥ| āpo dhruvaśca somaśca dharaścaivānalo'nilaḥ

From Sankalpa came Sankalpa. The ten sons of Dharma are remembered thus: Apa, Dhruva, Soma, Dhara, Anala, Anila,

Verse 12 (skanda.7.21.12)

प्रत्यूषश्च प्रभासश्च वसवोष्टौ प्रकीर्तिताः। आपस्य पुत्रा वैदंड्यः श्रमः शान्तो ध्वनिस्तथा

pratyūṣaśca prabhāsaśca vasavoṣṭau prakīrtitāḥ| āpasya putrā vaidaṁḍyaḥ śramaḥ śānto dhvanistathā

Pratyusha, and Prabhasa — these eight are declared the Vasus. The sons of Apa are: Vaidandya, Shrama, Shanta, and Dhvani.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.21.13)

ध्रुवस्य पुत्रो भगवान्कालो लोकप्रकालनः। सोमस्य भगवाञ्छर्वो ध्रुवश्च गृहबोधनः

dhruvasya putro bhagavānkālo lokaprakālanaḥ| somasya bhagavāñcharvo dhruvaśca gṛhabodhanaḥ

The son of Dhruva is the blessed Kala, the measurer of the worlds' time. The son of Soma is the blessed Sharva, and Dhruva, the house-waker.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.21.14)

हुतहव्यवहश्चैव धरस्य द्रविण स्मृतः। मनोजवोऽनिलस्यासीदविज्ञातगतिस्तथा

hutahavyavahaścaiva dharasya draviṇa smṛtaḥ| manojavo'nilasyāsīdavijñātagatistathā

Hutahavyavaha, and Dravina, are remembered as the sons of Dhara. Manojava, and Avijnatagati, were the sons of Anila.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.21.15)

देवलो भगवान्योगी प्रत्यूषस्याभवन्सुताः। बृहस्पतेस्तु भगिनी भुवना ब्रह्मवादिनी

devalo bhagavānyogī pratyūṣasyābhavansutāḥ| bṛhaspatestu bhaginī bhuvanā brahmavādinī

The blessed sage Devala was the son of Pratyusha. And the sister of Brihaspati, Bhuvana, the speaker of Brahman —

Verse 16 (skanda.7.21.16)

प्रभासस्य तु सा भार्या वसूनामष्टमस्य च। विश्वकर्मा सुतस्तस्य शिल्पकर्त्ता प्रजापतिः

prabhāsasya tu sā bhāryā vasūnāmaṣṭamasya ca| viśvakarmā sutastasya śilpakarttā prajāpatiḥ

— she was the wife of Prabhasa, the eighth of the Vasus; her son was Vishvakarma, the divine architect, a Lord of Creatures.

Verse 17 (skanda.7.21.17)

तुषितानां तु साध्यानां नामान्येतानि वच्मि ते। मनोऽनुमन्ता प्राणश्च नरोऽपानश्च वीर्यवान्

tuṣitānāṁ tu sādhyānāṁ nāmānyetāni vacmi te| mano'numantā prāṇaśca naro'pānaśca vīryavān

Now I shall tell you the names of the Sadhyas, called the Tushitas: Manas, Anumanta, Prana, Nara, and the mighty Apana,

Verse 18 (skanda.7.21.18)

भक्तिर्भयोऽनघश्चैव हंसो नारायणस्तथा। विभुश्चैव प्रभुश्चैव साध्या द्वादश कीर्तिताः

bhaktirbhayo'naghaścaiva haṁso nārāyaṇastathā| vibhuścaiva prabhuścaiva sādhyā dvādaśa kīrtitāḥ

Bhakti, Bhaya, Anagha, Hamsa, and Narayana, and Vibhu and Prabhu — these twelve are declared the Sadhyas.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.21.19)

कश्यपस्य प्रवक्ष्यामि सन्ततिं वरवर्णिनि। अंशो धाता भगस्त्वष्टा मित्रोऽथ वरुणो र्यमा

kaśyapasya pravakṣyāmi santatiṁ varavarṇini| aṁśo dhātā bhagastvaṣṭā mitro'tha varuṇo ryamā

Now I shall tell, O fair one, the progeny of Kashyapa: Amsha, Dhatri, Bhaga, Tvashtri, Mitra, Varuna, and Aryaman;

Verse 20 (skanda.7.21.20)

विवस्वान्सविता पूषा ह्यंशुमान्विष्णुरेव च। एते सहस्रकिरणा आदित्या द्वादश स्मृताः

vivasvānsavitā pūṣā hyaṁśumānviṣṇureva ca| ete sahasrakiraṇā ādityā dvādaśa smṛtāḥ

Vivasvan, Savitri, Pusha, Amshuman, and Vishnu himself — these, of a thousand rays, are remembered as the twelve Adityas.

Verse 21 (skanda.7.21.21)

अजैकपादहिर्बुध्न्यो विरूपाक्षोऽथ रैवतः

ajaikapādahirbudhnyo virūpākṣo'tha raivataḥ

Ajaikapada, Ahirbudhnya, Virupaksha, and Raivata;

Verse 22 (skanda.7.21.22)

हरश्च बहुरूपश्च त्र्यंबकश्च सुरेश्वरः

haraśca bahurūpaśca tryaṁbakaśca sureśvaraḥ

Hara, Bahurupa, Tryambaka, and Sureshvara;

Verse 23 (skanda.7.21.23)

सावित्रश्च जयन्तश्च पिनाकी चापराजितः। एते रुद्राः समाख्याता एकादश गणेश्वराः

sāvitraśca jayantaśca pinākī cāparājitaḥ| ete rudrāḥ samākhyātā ekādaśa gaṇeśvarāḥ

and Savitra, Jayanta, Pinaki, and Aparajita — these are declared the eleven Rudras, the lords of the Shiva-ganas.

Verse 24 (skanda.7.21.24)

दितिः पुत्रद्वयं लेभे कश्यपाद्बलगर्वितम्। हिरण्यकशिपुं श्रेष्ठं हिरण्याक्षं तथानुजम्

ditiḥ putradvayaṁ lebhe kaśyapādbalagarvitam| hiraṇyakaśipuṁ śreṣṭhaṁ hiraṇyākṣaṁ tathānujam

Diti obtained from Kashyapa two sons proud in their strength: Hiranyakashipu, the elder, and Hiranyaksha, his younger brother.

Verse 25 (skanda.7.21.25)

हिरण्यकशिपोर्दैत्यैः श्लोकोगीतः पुरातनैः

hiraṇyakaśipordaityaiḥ ślokogītaḥ purātanaiḥ

Of Hiranyakashipu a verse was sung by the demons of old —

Verse 26 (skanda.7.21.26)

राजा हिरण्यकशिपुर्यांयामाशां निरीक्षते। तस्यां तस्यां दिशि सुरा नमश्चक्रुर्महर्षिभिः। हिरण्यकशिपोः पुत्राश्चत्वारः सुमहाबलाः

rājā hiraṇyakaśipuryāṁyāmāśāṁ nirīkṣate| tasyāṁ tasyāṁ diśi surā namaścakrurmaharṣibhiḥ| hiraṇyakaśipoḥ putrāścatvāraḥ sumahābalāḥ

"Whatever quarter King Hiranyakashipu looked toward, in that very quarter the gods, together with the great sages, would bow down." Hiranyakashipu had four sons of very great strength.

Verse 27 (skanda.7.21.27)

प्रह्लादः पूर्वजस्तेषामनुह्रादस्ततः परः। ह्रादश्चैव ह्रदश्चैव पुत्राश्चैते प्रकीर्तिताः

prahlādaḥ pūrvajasteṣāmanuhrādastataḥ paraḥ| hrādaścaiva hradaścaiva putrāścaite prakīrtitāḥ

Prahlada was the eldest of them, and Anuhrada came after him; and Hrada and Samhrada — these are declared his sons.

Verse 28 (skanda.7.21.28)

उभौ सुन्दोपसुन्दौ तु ह्रदपुत्रौ बभूवतुः। ह्रादस्य पुत्रस्त्वेकोऽभून्मूक इत्यभिविश्रुतः

ubhau sundopasundau tu hradaputrau babhūvatuḥ| hrādasya putrastveko'bhūnmūka ityabhiviśrutaḥ

Both Sunda and Upasunda became the sons of Samhrada. Anuhrada had one son, renowned by the name Muka.

Verse 29 (skanda.7.21.29)

मारीचः सुंदपुत्रस्तु ताडकायामजायत। दण्डके निहतः सोऽयं राघवेण वलीयसा

mārīcaḥ suṁdaputrastu tāḍakāyāmajāyata| daṇḍake nihataḥ so'yaṁ rāghaveṇa valīyasā

Maricha was born as the son of Sunda, from Tadaka; he was slain in the Dandaka forest by the mighty Raghava, Rama.

Verse 30 (skanda.7.21.30)

मूको विनिहतश्चापि कैराते सब्यसाचिना। संह्रादस्य तु दैत्यस्य निवातकवचाः कुले

mūko vinihataścāpi kairāte sabyasācinā| saṁhrādasya tu daityasya nivātakavacāḥ kule

Muka too was slain, in a boar's guise, by Savyasachin, Arjuna. In the lineage of the demon Samhrada came the Nivatakavachas —

Verse 31 (skanda.7.21.31)

तिस्रः कोट्यस्तु विख्याता निहताः सव्यसाचिना। गवेष्ठी कालनेमिश्च जंभो वल्कल एव च

tisraḥ koṭyastu vikhyātā nihatāḥ savyasācinā| gaveṣṭhī kālanemiśca jaṁbho valkala eva ca

— three crores of them, renowned, slain by Savyasachin. Gaveshthi, Kalanemi, Jambha, and Valkala,

Verse 32 (skanda.7.21.32)

जृंभः षष्ठोनुजस्तेषां स्मृताः प्रह्रादसूनवः। शुंभश्चैव निशुंभश्च गवेष्ठिनः सुतौ स्मृतौ

jṛṁbhaḥ ṣaṣṭhonujasteṣāṁ smṛtāḥ prahrādasūnavaḥ| śuṁbhaścaiva niśuṁbhaśca gaveṣṭhinaḥ sutau smṛtau

and Jrimbha, the sixth and youngest — these are remembered as Prahlada's line. Shumbha and Nishumbha are remembered as the sons of Gaveshthi.

Verse 33 (skanda.7.21.33)

धनुकश्चासिलोमा च शुंभपुत्रौ प्रकीर्तितौ। विरोचनस्य पुत्रस्तु बलिरेकः प्रतापवान्

dhanukaścāsilomā ca śuṁbhaputrau prakīrtitau| virocanasya putrastu balirekaḥ pratāpavān

Dhanuka and Asiloma are declared the sons of Shumbha. The son of Virochana was the single mighty Bali.

Verse 34 (skanda.7.21.34)

हिरण्याक्षसुताः पंच विक्रांताः सुमहाबलाः। अन्धकः शकुनिश्चैव कालनाभस्तथैव च

hiraṇyākṣasutāḥ paṁca vikrāṁtāḥ sumahābalāḥ| andhakaḥ śakuniścaiva kālanābhastathaiva ca

The five sons of Hiranyaksha, valiant and of very great strength, were: Andhaka, Shakuni, and Kalanabha,

Verse 35 (skanda.7.21.35)

महानाभश्च विक्रांतो भूतसंतापनस्तथा। शतं शतसहस्राणि निहतास्तारकामये

mahānābhaśca vikrāṁto bhūtasaṁtāpanastathā| śataṁ śatasahasrāṇi nihatāstārakāmaye

and the valiant Mahanabha, and Bhutasantapana. Ten crores of them were slain in the war with Taraka.

Verse 36 (skanda.7.21.36)

इति संक्षपतः प्रोक्ता कश्यपान्वयसंततिः। यया व्याप्तं जगत्सर्वं सदेवासुरमानुषम्

iti saṁkṣapataḥ proktā kaśyapānvayasaṁtatiḥ| yayā vyāptaṁ jagatsarvaṁ sadevāsuramānuṣam

Thus, in brief, has the progeny of Kashyapa's line been told, by which this entire world, with its gods, demons, and men, is pervaded.

Verse 37 (skanda.7.21.37)

अथ याः कन्यका दत्ताः सप्तविंशतिरिंदवे। तासां मध्ये महादेवि प्रिया तस्य च रोहिणी

atha yāḥ kanyakā dattāḥ saptaviṁśatiriṁdave| tāsāṁ madhye mahādevi priyā tasya ca rohiṇī

Now, of the twenty-seven maidens given to the Moon, among them, O great Goddess, his beloved one was Rohini.

Verse 38 (skanda.7.21.38)

अथ नक्षत्रनाथस्य तासां मध्येतिवल्लभा। बभूव रोहिणी देवी प्राणेभ्योऽपि गरीयसी

atha nakṣatranāthasya tāsāṁ madhyetivallabhā| babhūva rohiṇī devī prāṇebhyo'pi garīyasī

Among them, the goddess Rohini became exceedingly dear to the Lord of the constellations — dearer to him even than his own life-breaths.

Verse 39 (skanda.7.21.39)

सर्वास्ताः संपरित्यज्य रोहिण्या सहितो रहः। रेमे कामपरीतात्मा वनेषूपवनेषु च। रमणीयेषु देशेषु कन्दरेषु गुहासु च

sarvāstāḥ saṁparityajya rohiṇyā sahito rahaḥ| reme kāmaparītātmā vaneṣūpavaneṣu ca| ramaṇīyeṣu deśeṣu kandareṣu guhāsu ca

Abandoning all the others, his mind seized wholly by passion, he sported in secret with Rohini alone — in forests and groves, in lovely places, in mountain clefts and caves.

Verse 40 (skanda.7.21.40)

अथ ता दुःखसंपन्नाः पत्न्यः शेषा यशस्विनि। जग्मुश्च शरणं दक्षं वचनं चेदमब्रुवन्

atha tā duḥkhasaṁpannāḥ patnyaḥ śeṣā yaśasvini| jagmuśca śaraṇaṁ dakṣaṁ vacanaṁ cedamabruvan

Then those remaining wives, overcome with sorrow, O illustrious one, went for refuge to Daksha and spoke these words:

Verse 41 (skanda.7.21.41)

सोमः सर्वा तिक्रम्य रोहिण्या सह मोदते। संवत्सरसहस्रं तु क्रीडमानो यथासुखम्

somaḥ sarvā tikramya rohiṇyā saha modate| saṁvatsarasahasraṁ tu krīḍamāno yathāsukham

"Soma, passing over all of us, takes his pleasure with Rohini alone; for a thousand years he has been sporting with her just as he pleases,

Verse 42 (skanda.7.21.42)

अवशिष्टास्तु षड्विंशन्मलिना विगतश्रियः। पाणिग्रहणमारभ्य रोहिण्या सह चंद्रमाः

avaśiṣṭāstu ṣaḍviṁśanmalinā vigataśriyaḥ| pāṇigrahaṇamārabhya rohiṇyā saha caṁdramāḥ

while we, the remaining twenty-six, have grown dark and lost our beauty. Ever since his wedding, the Moon, together with Rohini —

Verse 43 (skanda.7.21.43)

संवत्सरसहस्रं तु जानात्येकां स शर्वरीम्। परित्यक्ता वयं तात शशिना दोषवर्जिताः

saṁvatsarasahasraṁ tu jānātyekāṁ sa śarvarīm| parityaktā vayaṁ tāta śaśinā doṣavarjitāḥ

— for a thousand years, knows only her as if she were a single night. We have been abandoned, O father, by the Moon, though we are free of any fault.

Verse 44 (skanda.7.21.44)

स रेमे सह रोहिण्या अस्माकमसुखप्रदः। अस्माकं दुःखदग्धानां श्रेयोऽतो मरणं भवेत्

sa reme saha rohiṇyā asmākamasukhapradaḥ| asmākaṁ duḥkhadagdhānāṁ śreyo'to maraṇaṁ bhavet

"He sports with Rohini, bringing us no happiness at all. For us, burned by sorrow, death would be better than this."

Verse 45 (skanda.7.21.45)

तासां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा दुःखार्तानां प्रजापतिः। ब्रह्मतेजः समायुक्तः पुत्रीस्नेहेन कर्षितः। जगाम यत्र ऋक्षेशो वचनं चेदमब्रवीत्

tāsāṁ tadvacanaṁ śrutvā duḥkhārtānāṁ prajāpatiḥ| brahmatejaḥ samāyuktaḥ putrīsnehena karṣitaḥ| jagāma yatra ṛkṣeśo vacanaṁ cedamabravīt

Hearing this speech of his daughters, afflicted with sorrow, the Lord of Creatures, endowed with Brahmanical splendor, drawn by love for his daughters, went to where the Lord of the constellations was, and spoke these words:

Verse 46 (skanda.7.21.46)

समं वर्त्तस्व कन्यासु मामकासु निशाकर। अन्यथा दोषभागी त्वं भविष्यसि न संशयः

samaṁ varttasva kanyāsu māmakāsu niśākara| anyathā doṣabhāgī tvaṁ bhaviṣyasi na saṁśayaḥ

"Conduct yourself equally, O Night-Maker, toward my daughters; otherwise, without doubt, you shall become a partaker of blame."

Verse 47 (skanda.7.21.47)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा लज्जयावनतः स्थितः। बाढमित्येव ऋक्षेंद्रो दक्षस्य पुरतोऽब्रवीत्

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā lajjayāvanataḥ sthitaḥ| bāḍhamityeva ṛkṣeṁdro dakṣasya purato'bravīt

Hearing his words, the Moon stood bowed down in shame; the Lord of the constellations said before Daksha only, "So be it."

Verse 48 (skanda.7.21.48)

अद्यप्रभृति विप्रर्षे समं वर्त्तयितास्म्यहम्। पुत्रीभिस्तव सत्यं वै शपेऽहं शपथेन ते

adyaprabhṛti viprarṣe samaṁ varttayitāsmyaham| putrībhistava satyaṁ vai śape'haṁ śapathena te

"From this day on, O sage among brahmins, I shall behave equally toward your daughters — this is true; I swear it to you with an oath."

Verse 49 (skanda.7.21.49)

एवं प्रतिज्ञासंयुक्ते निशानाथे तदांबिके। सर्वा रूपेण संयुक्तास्तस्य कन्या निवेदिताः

evaṁ pratijñāsaṁyukte niśānāthe tadāṁbike| sarvā rūpeṇa saṁyuktāstasya kanyā niveditāḥ

Thus, O Mother, when the Lord of Night had made this pledge, all his beautiful daughters were entrusted again to him.

Verse 50 (skanda.7.21.50)

दक्षः स्वभवनं गत्वा निर्वृतिं परमां गतः। चन्द्रोऽपि पूर्ववद्देवि रोहिण्यां निरतोऽभवत्

dakṣaḥ svabhavanaṁ gatvā nirvṛtiṁ paramāṁ gataḥ| candro'pi pūrvavaddevi rohiṇyāṁ nirato'bhavat

Daksha, going to his own abode, attained supreme contentment. But the Moon, O Goddess, as before, again became devoted only to Rohini —

Verse 51 (skanda.7.21.51)

संपरित्यज्य ताः सर्वाः कामोपहतमानसः। अथ भूयस्तु ताः सर्वा दक्षं वचनमब्रुवन्

saṁparityajya tāḥ sarvāḥ kāmopahatamānasaḥ| atha bhūyastu tāḥ sarvā dakṣaṁ vacanamabruvan

— abandoning all the others, his mind overpowered by passion. Then again all those wives spoke this word to Daksha:

Verse 52 (skanda.7.21.52)

मलिनास्ताः कृशांग्यश्च दीनाः सर्वा विचेतसः। ततो दृष्ट्वा तथारूपं दक्षो मोहमुपागतः

malināstāḥ kṛśāṁgyaśca dīnāḥ sarvā vicetasaḥ| tato dṛṣṭvā tathārūpaṁ dakṣo mohamupāgataḥ

They were all dark-complexioned, wasted in body, wretched, and bereft of their senses. Seeing them in such a state, Daksha was overcome with confusion.

Verse 53 (skanda.7.21.53)

लब्धसंज्ञः पुनः सोऽपि क्रोधोद्भूततनूरुहः। उवाच सर्वाः स्वाः पुत्रीः किमित्थं मलिनांबराः। किमिदं निष्प्रभाः सर्वाः कथयध्वं ममानघाः

labdhasaṁjñaḥ punaḥ so'pi krodhodbhūtatanūruhaḥ| uvāca sarvāḥ svāḥ putrīḥ kimitthaṁ malināṁbarāḥ| kimidaṁ niṣprabhāḥ sarvāḥ kathayadhvaṁ mamānaghāḥ

Then, regaining his senses, his hair bristling with anger, he said to all his daughters: "Why are you thus, your garments soiled? Why are you all without radiance? Tell me, O my sinless ones."

Verse 54 (skanda.7.21.54)

असुरान्सानुगांश्चैव ये चान्ये सुरसत्तमाः। अद्य शापहतान्पुत्र्यः करिष्यामि न संशयः

asurānsānugāṁścaiva ye cānye surasattamāḥ| adya śāpahatānputryaḥ kariṣyāmi na saṁśayaḥ

"Whether it be demons with their followers, or any others, even the best of the gods, O my daughters — I shall today strike them down with a curse, without doubt."

Verse 55 (skanda.7.21.55)

एवमुक्तास्तु दक्षेण सर्वास्ताः समुदैरयन्

evamuktāstu dakṣeṇa sarvāstāḥ samudairayan

Thus addressed by Daksha, all of them spoke out together:

Verse 56 (skanda.7.21.56)

न चास्माकं निशानाथ ऋतुमात्रमपि प्रभो। प्रयच्छति पुनस्तेन युष्मत्पार्श्वं समागताः

na cāsmākaṁ niśānātha ṛtumātramapi prabho| prayacchati punastena yuṣmatpārśvaṁ samāgatāḥ

"O Lord, the Lord of Night does not grant us even so much as our proper season of union; for that reason we have come again to your side.

Verse 57 (skanda.7.21.57)

अनादृत्य तु ते वाक्यं रोहिण्यां निरतो रहः। रेमे कामपरीतात्मा अस्माकं शोकवर्द्धनः

anādṛtya tu te vākyaṁ rohiṇyāṁ nirato rahaḥ| reme kāmaparītātmā asmākaṁ śokavarddhanaḥ

Disregarding your very words, he remains secretly devoted to Rohini alone; his mind seized by passion, he sports with her, ever increasing our grief."

Verse 58 (skanda.7.21.58)

तासां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा दक्षः कोपमुपागतः। गत्वा चंद्रं महादेवि शशाप प्रमुखे स्थितम्

tāsāṁ tadvacanaṁ śrutvā dakṣaḥ kopamupāgataḥ| gatvā caṁdraṁ mahādevi śaśāpa pramukhe sthitam

Hearing their words, Daksha was overcome with anger; going to the Moon, O great Goddess, he cursed him as he stood there before him:

Verse 59 (skanda.7.21.59)

अनादृत्य हि मे वाक्यं यस्मात्त्वं रोहिणीरतः। संत्यज्य पुत्रीश्चास्माकं शेषा दोषेण वर्जिताः। तस्माद्यक्ष्मा शरीरं ते ग्रसिष्यति न संशयः

anādṛtya hi me vākyaṁ yasmāttvaṁ rohiṇīrataḥ| saṁtyajya putrīścāsmākaṁ śeṣā doṣeṇa varjitāḥ| tasmādyakṣmā śarīraṁ te grasiṣyati na saṁśayaḥ

"Since, disregarding my words, you remain devoted only to Rohini, abandoning the rest of my daughters, who are entirely free of fault — therefore consumption shall seize your body, without doubt."

Verse 60 (skanda.7.21.60)

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु यक्ष्मा पर्वतपुत्रिके। दक्षेण तु समादिष्टस्तस्य कायं समाविशत्

etasminneva kāle tu yakṣmā parvataputrike| dakṣeṇa tu samādiṣṭastasya kāyaṁ samāviśat

At that very moment, O Daughter of the Mountain, Yakshma, the disease of consumption, commanded by Daksha, entered into his body.

Verse 61 (skanda.7.21.61)

यक्ष्मणा ग्रस्तकायोऽसौ क्षयं याति दिनेदिने

yakṣmaṇā grastakāyo'sau kṣayaṁ yāti dinedine

His body seized by that consumption, he wasted away day by day.

Verse 62 (skanda.7.21.62)

एवं सोमस्तु दक्षेण कृतशापो गतप्रभः। पपात वसुधां देवि निश्चेष्टो रोहिणीयुतः

evaṁ somastu dakṣeṇa kṛtaśāpo gataprabhaḥ| papāta vasudhāṁ devi niśceṣṭo rohiṇīyutaḥ

Thus, cursed by Daksha, Soma, bereft of his splendor, fell upon the earth, O Goddess, motionless, together with Rohini.

Verse 63 (skanda.7.21.63)

लब्ध्वसंज्ञो मुहूर्तेन रोहिणीवाक्य मब्रवीत्

labdhvasaṁjño muhūrtena rohiṇīvākya mabravīt

Regaining his senses after a moment, he spoke this word to Rohini:

Verse 64 (skanda.7.21.64)

देवि कार्यं किमधुना त्वत्पित्रा शापितो ह्यहम्। क्षयकुष्ठेन संयुक्तः किं करोम्यधुना प्रिये

devi kāryaṁ kimadhunā tvatpitrā śāpito hyaham| kṣayakuṣṭhena saṁyuktaḥ kiṁ karomyadhunā priye

"O Goddess, what is now to be done? I have been cursed by your father; joined now with wasting consumption, what shall I do, O beloved?"

Verse 65 (skanda.7.21.65)

एवमुक्ता रोहिणी तु बाष्पव्याकुललोचना। दक्षशापहतं दृष्ट्वा सोमं वचनमब्रवीत्

evamuktā rohiṇī tu bāṣpavyākulalocanā| dakṣaśāpahataṁ dṛṣṭvā somaṁ vacanamabravīt

Thus addressed, Rohini, her eyes clouded with tears, seeing Soma struck down by her father's curse, spoke this word:

Verse 66 (skanda.7.21.66)

येन शापस्तु ते दत्तस्तमेव शरणं व्रज। स ते शापाभिभूतस्य नूनं श्रेयो विधास्यति

yena śāpastu te dattastameva śaraṇaṁ vraja| sa te śāpābhibhūtasya nūnaṁ śreyo vidhāsyati

"Go for refuge to that very one by whom the curse was given to you; he will surely grant welfare to you, overcome as you are by his curse.

Verse 67 (skanda.7.21.67)

लप्स्यसे तत्प्रसादात्त्वं प्रभां पूर्वोचितां शुभाम्

lapsyase tatprasādāttvaṁ prabhāṁ pūrvocitāṁ śubhām

By his grace you will regain your former auspicious radiance."

Verse 68 (skanda.7.21.68)

रोहिण्या वचनं श्रुत्वा गतो दक्षसमीपतः। चंद्रः प्रोवाच विनयाद्वाष्प व्याकुललोचनः

rohiṇyā vacanaṁ śrutvā gato dakṣasamīpataḥ| caṁdraḥ provāca vinayādvāṣpa vyākulalocanaḥ

Hearing Rohini's words, the Moon went to Daksha's presence, and, his eyes clouded with tears, spoke humbly:

Verse 69 (skanda.7.21.69)

कुरुष्वानुग्रहं दक्ष प्रसन्नेनांतरात्मना। कोपं त्यज महर्षे त्वं ममोपरि दयां कुरु। त्वया क्रोधपरीतेन कारणे वाप्यकारणे। अनुकंपां च मे कृत्वा कार्यं शापस्य मोक्षणम्

kuruṣvānugrahaṁ dakṣa prasannenāṁtarātmanā| kopaṁ tyaja maharṣe tvaṁ mamopari dayāṁ kuru| tvayā krodhaparītena kāraṇe vāpyakāraṇe| anukaṁpāṁ ca me kṛtvā kāryaṁ śāpasya mokṣaṇam

"Show grace to me, O Daksha, with an inwardly pleased mind; abandon your anger, O great sage, and have compassion upon me. Whether with cause or without, since you were overcome by anger — now, having compassion on me, grant the release from your curse."

Verse 70 (skanda.7.21.70)

विदितं तु महाभाग शप्तोहं येन कर्मणा। कुरुष्वानुग्रहं दक्ष मम दीनस्य याचतः

viditaṁ tu mahābhāga śaptohaṁ yena karmaṇā| kuruṣvānugrahaṁ dakṣa mama dīnasya yācataḥ

"It is known to me, O most fortunate one, the deed for which I was cursed; show grace, O Daksha, to me, wretched, who beg of you."

Verse 71 (skanda.7.21.71)

एवं विलपमानस्य सोमस्य तु महात्मनः। अनुग्रहे मतिं कृत्वा इदं वचनमब्रवीत्

evaṁ vilapamānasya somasya tu mahātmanaḥ| anugrahe matiṁ kṛtvā idaṁ vacanamabravīt

As the great-souled Soma thus lamented, Daksha, resolving upon grace, spoke this word:

Verse 72 (skanda.7.21.72)

दक्ष उवाच। मया शापहतः सोम त्रातुं शक्यो न दैवतैः। यद्यद्ब्रवीम्यहं सोम तत्तथेति न संशयः

dakṣa uvāca| mayā śāpahataḥ soma trātuṁ śakyo na daivataiḥ| yadyadbravīmyahaṁ soma tattatheti na saṁśayaḥ

Daksha said: "O Soma, one struck by my curse cannot be saved even by the gods; whatever I declare, O Soma, that is indeed so, without doubt.

Verse 73 (skanda.7.21.73)

आयुः कर्म च वित्तं च विद्या निधनमेव च। पूर्वसृष्टानि यान्येव संभवंति हि तानि वै

āyuḥ karma ca vittaṁ ca vidyā nidhanameva ca| pūrvasṛṣṭāni yānyeva saṁbhavaṁti hi tāni vai

Lifespan, deeds, wealth, knowledge, and death itself — these very things, ordained from the beginning, do indeed come to pass.

Verse 74 (skanda.7.21.74)

असुराश्च सुराश्चैव ये चान्ये यक्षराक्षसाः। सर्वेपि शक्ता न त्रातुं वर्जयित्वा महेश्वरम्

asurāśca surāścaiva ye cānye yakṣarākṣasāḥ| sarvepi śaktā na trātuṁ varjayitvā maheśvaram

Neither the Asuras nor the gods, nor any other Yakshas or Rakshasas — none of them are able to save from a curse, save Maheshvara alone.

Verse 75 (skanda.7.21.75)

एषां शापो मया दत्तोऽनुग्रहीष्य ति शंकरः। नान्यस्त्रातुं भवेच्छक्तो विना पशुपतिं भवम्। तत्त्वं शीघ्रतरं गच्छ समाराधय शंकर

eṣāṁ śāpo mayā datto'nugrahīṣya ti śaṁkaraḥ| nānyastrātuṁ bhavecchakto vinā paśupatiṁ bhavam| tattvaṁ śīghrataraṁ gaccha samārādhaya śaṁkara

A curse given by me — it is Shankara who alone will show grace regarding it; no other can be capable of saving you, except Bhava, the Lord of Creatures. So go, then, most swiftly, and propitiate Shankara.

Verse 76 (skanda.7.21.76)

न शक्तोऽन्यः पुनश्चंद्रः कर्तुं त्वां निर्मलं पुनः। वर्जयित्वा महादेवं शितिकंठमुमापतिम्

na śakto'nyaḥ punaścaṁdraḥ kartuṁ tvāṁ nirmalaṁ punaḥ| varjayitvā mahādevaṁ śitikaṁṭhamumāpatim

"No one else, O Moon, is able to make you spotless again, except the great God, the blue-throated Lord of Uma."

Verse 77 (skanda.7.21.77)

दक्षस्य च वचः श्रुत्वा कृतांजलिपुटः स्थितः। प्रत्युवाच तदा सोमः प्रहष्टेनांतरात्मना

dakṣasya ca vacaḥ śrutvā kṛtāṁjalipuṭaḥ sthitaḥ| pratyuvāca tadā somaḥ prahaṣṭenāṁtarātmanā

Hearing Daksha's words, standing with joined palms, Soma then replied with a heart filled with joy:

Verse 78 (skanda.7.21.78)

भगवन्यदि तुष्टोसि मम भक्तस्य सुव्रत। अनुग्रहे कृता बुद्धिस्तदाचक्ष्व कुतः शिवः

bhagavanyadi tuṣṭosi mama bhaktasya suvrata| anugrahe kṛtā buddhistadācakṣva kutaḥ śivaḥ

"O blessed one, of good vows, if you are pleased with me, your devotee, and your mind is resolved upon grace, then tell me — where is Shiva to be found?

Verse 79 (skanda.7.21.79)

कस्मिन्स्थाने मया दक्ष द्रष्टव्योऽसौ महेश्वरः। तत्स्थानानि चरिष्यामि यानि तानि वदस्व मे

kasminsthāne mayā dakṣa draṣṭavyo'sau maheśvaraḥ| tatsthānāni cariṣyāmi yāni tāni vadasva me

In what place, O Daksha, am I to see that Maheshvara? I shall go to those very places — tell me which they are."

Verse 80 (skanda.7.21.80)

दक्ष उवाच। शृणु सोम प्रयत्नेन श्रुत्वा चैवावधारय। वारुणीं दिशमाश्रित्य सागरानूपसन्निधौ

dakṣa uvāca| śṛṇu soma prayatnena śrutvā caivāvadhāraya| vāruṇīṁ diśamāśritya sāgarānūpasannidhau

Daksha said: "Listen carefully, O Soma, and having heard, retain it well. Resorting to the western quarter, in the vicinity of the ocean-shore —

Verse 81 (skanda.7.21.81)

कृतस्मरस्यापरतो धन्वंतरशतत्रये। लिंगं महाप्रभावं च स्वयंभूतं व्यवस्थितम्

kṛtasmarasyāparato dhanvaṁtaraśatatraye| liṁgaṁ mahāprabhāvaṁ ca svayaṁbhūtaṁ vyavasthitam

— beyond Kritasmara, at a distance of three hundred bow-lengths, there stands a self-manifest Linga of great power —

Verse 82 (skanda.7.21.82)

सूर्य्यबिंबसमप्रख्यं सर्प मेखलमंडितम्। कुक्कुटांडकमानं तद्भूमिमध्ये व्यवस्थितम्

sūryyabiṁbasamaprakhyaṁ sarpa mekhalamaṁḍitam| kukkuṭāṁḍakamānaṁ tadbhūmimadhye vyavasthitam

— resembling the orb of the sun, adorned with a girdle of serpents, the size of a hen's egg, standing in the midst of the earth.

Verse 83 (skanda.7.21.83)

स्पर्शलिंगं हि तद्विद्धि तद्भक्त्या ज्ञास्यते भवान्। तत्र संनिहितो देवः शंकरः परमेश्वरः

sparśaliṁgaṁ hi tadviddhi tadbhaktyā jñāsyate bhavān| tatra saṁnihito devaḥ śaṁkaraḥ parameśvaraḥ

Know that to be the 'Touch-Linga'; by devotion you shall come to recognize it. There the God Shankara, the Supreme Lord, is ever present.

Verse 84 (skanda.7.21.84)

गच्छ त्वं तपसोग्रेण आराधय सुरेश्वरम्

gaccha tvaṁ tapasogreṇa ārādhaya sureśvaram

Go there, and with fierce austerity propitiate the Lord of the gods.

Verse 85 (skanda.7.21.85)

प्रशस्य देवदेवेशमात्मानं निर्मलं कुरु। यस्याशु वरदानेन प्राप्स्यसे रूपमुत्तमम्

praśasya devadeveśamātmānaṁ nirmalaṁ kuru| yasyāśu varadānena prāpsyase rūpamuttamam

Praise the Lord of the gods of gods, and make yourself spotless; by his swift granting of a boon you shall regain your supreme form."