The Granting of Boons to Soma

Verse 1 (skanda.7.22.1)

ईश्वर उवाच। दक्षेणैवमनुज्ञातः शोचन्कर्म स्वकं तदा। दुःखशोकपरीतात्मा प्रभासं क्षेत्रमागतः

īśvara uvāca| dakṣeṇaivamanujñātaḥ śocankarma svakaṁ tadā| duḥkhaśokaparītātmā prabhāsaṁ kṣetramāgataḥ

Ishvara said: Thus permitted by Daksha, lamenting then over his own deed, his mind overcome with sorrow and grief, he came to the field of Prabhasa.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.22.2)

स गत्वा दक्षिणं तीरं सागरस्य समीपतः। ददर्श पर्वतं तत्र कृतस्मरमिति श्रुतम्

sa gatvā dakṣiṇaṁ tīraṁ sāgarasya samīpataḥ| dadarśa parvataṁ tatra kṛtasmaramiti śrutam

Going to the southern shore, near the ocean, he saw there a mountain known by the name Kritasmara.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.22.3)

यक्षविद्याधराकीर्णं किन्नरैरुपशोभितम्। चंदनागुरुकर्पूरैरशोकैस्तिलकैः शुभैः

yakṣavidyādharākīrṇaṁ kinnarairupaśobhitam| caṁdanāgurukarpūrairaśokaistilakaiḥ śubhaiḥ

Thronged with Yakshas and Vidyadharas, adorned with Kinnaras; with sandal, aloe-wood, camphor, ashoka, and auspicious tilaka trees;

Verse 4 (skanda.7.22.4)

कल्हारैः शतपत्रैश्च पुष्पितैः फलितैः शुभैः। आम्रजम्बूकपित्थैश्च दाडिमैः पनसैस्तथा

kalhāraiḥ śatapatraiśca puṣpitaiḥ phalitaiḥ śubhaiḥ| āmrajambūkapitthaiśca dāḍimaiḥ panasaistathā

with kalhara lotuses, hundred-petalled lotuses, flowering and fruiting auspicious trees; with mango, jambu, kapittha, pomegranate, and jackfruit as well;

Verse 5 (skanda.7.22.5)

निंबुजम्बीरनागैश्च कदलीखंडमंडितैः। क्रमुकैर्नागवल्ल्याद्यैः शालैस्तालैस्तमालकैः

niṁbujambīranāgaiśca kadalīkhaṁḍamaṁḍitaiḥ| kramukairnāgavallyādyaiḥ śālaistālaistamālakaiḥ

with lemon, citron, nagakesara, adorned with groves of plantain; with areca-palms and betel-vines, with sala, palmyra, and tamala trees;

Verse 6 (skanda.7.22.6)

बीजपूरकखर्जूरैर्द्राक्षामधुरपाटलैः। बिल्वचंपकतिंद्वाद्यैः कदंबककुभैस्तथा

bījapūrakakharjūrairdrākṣāmadhurapāṭalaiḥ| bilvacaṁpakatiṁdvādyaiḥ kadaṁbakakubhaistathā

with citron, date-palm, grape, sweet trumpet-flower; with bilva, champaka, tindu and the like, with kadamba and kakubha as well;

Verse 7 (skanda.7.22.7)

धवाशोकशिरीषाद्यैर्नानावृक्षैश्च शोभितम्। कामं कामफलैर्वृक्षैः पुष्पितैः फलितैः शुभैः

dhavāśokaśirīṣādyairnānāvṛkṣaiśca śobhitam| kāmaṁ kāmaphalairvṛkṣaiḥ puṣpitaiḥ phalitaiḥ śubhaiḥ

adorned with dhava, ashoka, shirisha, and various other trees; abounding freely in trees bearing desired fruits, flowering and fruiting, auspicious;

Verse 8 (skanda.7.22.8)

हंसकारंडवाकीर्णं चक्रवाकोपशोभितम्। कोकिलाभिः शुकैश्चैव नानापक्षिनिनादि तम्

haṁsakāraṁḍavākīrṇaṁ cakravākopaśobhitam| kokilābhiḥ śukaiścaiva nānāpakṣininādi tam

thronged with swans and karandava-ducks, beautified with chakravaka birds; resounding with the cries of many kinds of birds — cuckoos, parrots, and others;

Verse 9 (skanda.7.22.9)

जातिस्मराः पक्षिणश्च व्याजह्रुर्मानुषीं गिरम्। गंधर्वकिंनरयुगैः सिद्धविद्याधरोरगैः

jātismarāḥ pakṣiṇaśca vyājahrurmānuṣīṁ giram| gaṁdharvakiṁnarayugaiḥ siddhavidyādharoragaiḥ

birds that remembered their former births spoke there with human voice; with pairs of Gandharvas and Kinnaras, Siddhas, Vidyadharas, and serpents —

Verse 10 (skanda.7.22.10)

क्रीडद्भिर्विविधैर्दिव्यैः शोभितं पर्वतोत्तमम्। देवगंधर्वनृत्यैश्च वेणुवीणानिनादितम्

krīḍadbhirvividhairdivyaiḥ śobhitaṁ parvatottamam| devagaṁdharvanṛtyaiśca veṇuvīṇānināditam

— sporting in various divine ways, that best of mountains was adorned, resounding with the dances of gods and Gandharvas, and with the sound of flutes and vinas;

Verse 11 (skanda.7.22.11)

वेदध्वनितघोषेण यज्ञहोमाग्निहोत्रजैः। समावृतं सर्वमाज्यगंधिभिरुच्छ्रितम्

vedadhvanitaghoṣeṇa yajñahomāgnihotrajaiḥ| samāvṛtaṁ sarvamājyagaṁdhibhirucchritam

surrounded on all sides by the sound of Vedic chanting, and by the fragrance born of sacrifices, oblations, and fire-offerings — pervaded everywhere by the fragrance of clarified butter, and exalted;

Verse 12 (skanda.7.22.12)

शोभितं चर्षिभिर्दिव्यैश्चातुर्विद्यैर्द्विजोत्तमैः। अत्रिश्चैव वसिष्ठश्च पुलस्त्यः पुलहः क्रतुः

śobhitaṁ carṣibhirdivyaiścāturvidyairdvijottamaiḥ| atriścaiva vasiṣṭhaśca pulastyaḥ pulahaḥ kratuḥ

adorned with divine sages, with the best of the twice-born, learned in the four branches of knowledge — Atri, and Vasishtha, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu,

Verse 13 (skanda.7.22.13)

भृगुश्चैव मरीचिश्च भरद्वाजोऽथ कश्यपः। मनुर्यमोंऽगिरा विष्णुः शातातपपराशरौ

bhṛguścaiva marīciśca bharadvājo'tha kaśyapaḥ| manuryamoṁ'girā viṣṇuḥ śātātapaparāśarau

Bhrigu, Marichi, Bharadvaja, Kashyapa, Manu, Yama, Angiras, Vishnu, Shatatapa, and Parashara,

Verse 14 (skanda.7.22.14)

आपस्तंबोऽथ संवर्तः कात्यः कात्यायनो मुनिः। गौतमः शंखलिखितौ तथा वाचस्पतिर्मुनिः

āpastaṁbo'tha saṁvartaḥ kātyaḥ kātyāyano muniḥ| gautamaḥ śaṁkhalikhitau tathā vācaspatirmuniḥ

Apastamba, Samvarta, Katya, the sage Katyayana, Gautama, Shankha and Likhita, and the sage Vachaspati,

Verse 15 (skanda.7.22.15)

जामदग्न्यो याज्ञवल्क्य ऋष्यशृंगो विभांडकः। गार्ग्यशौनकदाल्भ्याश्च व्यास उद्दालकः शुकः

jāmadagnyo yājñavalkya ṛṣyaśṛṁgo vibhāṁḍakaḥ| gārgyaśaunakadālbhyāśca vyāsa uddālakaḥ śukaḥ

Jamadagni's son, Yajnavalkya, Rishyashringa, Vibhandaka, Gargya, Shaunaka, Dalbhya, Vyasa, Uddalaka, Shuka,

Verse 16 (skanda.7.22.16)

नारदः पर्वतश्चैव दुर्वासा उग्रतापसः। शाकल्यो गालवश्चैव जाबालिर्मुद्गलस्तथा

nāradaḥ parvataścaiva durvāsā ugratāpasaḥ| śākalyo gālavaścaiva jābālirmudgalastathā

Narada, and Parvata, Durvasa the fierce ascetic, Shakalya, Galava, Jabali, and Mudgala,

Verse 17 (skanda.7.22.17)

विश्वामित्रः कौशिकश्च जह्नुर्विश्वावसुस्तथा। धौम्यश्चैव शतानन्दो वैशंपायनजिष्णवः

viśvāmitraḥ kauśikaśca jahnurviśvāvasustathā| dhaumyaścaiva śatānando vaiśaṁpāyanajiṣṇavaḥ

Vishvamitra, Kaushika, Jahnu, and Vishvavasu, Dhaumya, Shatananda, Vaishampayana, and Jishnu,

Verse 18 (skanda.7.22.18)

शाकटायनवार्द्धिक्यावग्निको बादरायणः। वालखिल्या महात्मानो ये च भूमण्डले स्थिताः

śākaṭāyanavārddhikyāvagniko bādarāyaṇaḥ| vālakhilyā mahātmāno ye ca bhūmaṇḍale sthitāḥ

Shakatayana, Vriddhaka, Agnika, Badarayana, and the great-souled Valakhilyas — these, and whatever other sages dwell upon the circle of the earth,

Verse 19 (skanda.7.22.19)

ते सर्वे तत्र तिष्ठंति पर्वते तु कृतस्मरे। तेजस्विनो ब्रह्मपुत्रा ऋषयो धार्मिकाः प्रिये

te sarve tatra tiṣṭhaṁti parvate tu kṛtasmare| tejasvino brahmaputrā ṛṣayo dhārmikāḥ priye

all of them dwell there, upon that mountain Kritasmara — radiant sons of Brahma, righteous sages, O beloved.

Verse 20 (skanda.7.22.20)

ज्वलंतस्तपसा सर्वे निर्द्धूमा इव पावकाः। मासोपवासिनः केचित्केचित्पक्षोपवासिनः

jvalaṁtastapasā sarve nirddhūmā iva pāvakāḥ| māsopavāsinaḥ kecitkecitpakṣopavāsinaḥ

All of them blazing with austerity, like smokeless fires; some fasting a month at a time, some fasting a fortnight,

Verse 21 (skanda.7.22.21)

त्रैरात्रिकाः सांतपना निराहारास्तथा परे। केचित्पुष्प फलाहाराः शीर्णपर्णाशिनस्तथा

trairātrikāḥ sāṁtapanā nirāhārāstathā pare| kecitpuṣpa phalāhārāḥ śīrṇaparṇāśinastathā

some observing the three-night fast, the Santapana penance, others taking no food at all; some living on flowers and fruit, others eating only fallen leaves,

Verse 22 (skanda.7.22.22)

केचिद्गोमयभक्षाश्च जलाहारास्तथा परे। साग्निहोत्राः सुविद्वांसो मोक्षमार्गार्थचिन्तकाः

kecidgomayabhakṣāśca jalāhārāstathā pare| sāgnihotrāḥ suvidvāṁso mokṣamārgārthacintakāḥ

some eating only cow-dung, others subsisting on water alone; keeping the sacred fire, greatly learned, intent upon the path and goal of liberation —

Verse 23 (skanda.7.22.23)

इति हासपुराणादिश्रुतिस्मृतिविशारदाः। एते चान्ये च बहवो मार्कंडेयपुरोगमाः

iti hāsapurāṇādiśrutismṛtiviśāradāḥ| ete cānye ca bahavo mārkaṁḍeyapurogamāḥ

— thus skilled in the Itihasas, Puranas, and the rest, in the Shruti and Smriti — these, and many others besides, headed by Markandeya,

Verse 24 (skanda.7.22.24)

प्रभासं क्षेत्रमासाद्य संस्थिता कृतपर्वते। एवं कृतस्मरस्तत्र सर्वदेवनिषेवितः। मन्वंतरेस्मिन्यो देवि निर्दग्धो वडवाग्निना

prabhāsaṁ kṣetramāsādya saṁsthitā kṛtaparvate| evaṁ kṛtasmarastatra sarvadevaniṣevitaḥ| manvaṁtaresminyo devi nirdagdho vaḍavāgninā

having reached the field of Prabhasa, dwell upon that mountain, Kritaparvata. Thus this Kritasmara, there attended by all the gods, is that which, O Goddess, in this Manvantara, was once burned by the submarine fire.

Verse 25 (skanda.7.22.25)

तं दृष्ट्वा पर्वतं रम्यं दृष्ट्वा चैव महोदधिम्। प्रदक्षिणं ततश्चक्रे सप्तकृत्वो निशाकरः। गिरेः प्रदक्षिणां कृत्वा गतो यत्र महेश्वरः

taṁ dṛṣṭvā parvataṁ ramyaṁ dṛṣṭvā caiva mahodadhim| pradakṣiṇaṁ tataścakre saptakṛtvo niśākaraḥ| gireḥ pradakṣiṇāṁ kṛtvā gato yatra maheśvaraḥ

Seeing that lovely mountain, and seeing the great ocean too, the Night-Maker then made circumambulation of it seven times; having circumambulated the mountain, he went to where Maheshvara was.

Verse 26 (skanda.7.22.26)

समीपे तु समुद्रस्य स्पर्शलिंगस्वरूपवान्। प्रसादयामास विभुं प्रसन्नेनांतरात्मना

samīpe tu samudrasya sparśaliṁgasvarūpavān| prasādayāmāsa vibhuṁ prasannenāṁtarātmanā

Near the ocean, in the form of the Touch-Linga, he set about propitiating the Mighty Lord with a pleased and inward heart,

Verse 27 (skanda.7.22.27)

मरणं वेति संध्याय शरणं वा महेश्वरम्। वरं शापाभिघातार्थं मृत्युं वा शंकरान्मम

maraṇaṁ veti saṁdhyāya śaraṇaṁ vā maheśvaram| varaṁ śāpābhighātārthaṁ mṛtyuṁ vā śaṁkarānmama

resolving upon either death or refuge in Maheshvara — resolving that from Shankara he would obtain either a boon to counter the curse's blow, or else death.

Verse 28 (skanda.7.22.28)

इति सोमो मतिं कृत्वा तपसाऽऽ राधयञ्छिवम्। यावद्वर्षसहस्रं तु फलमूलाशनोऽभवत्

iti somo matiṁ kṛtvā tapasā'' rādhayañchivam| yāvadvarṣasahasraṁ tu phalamūlāśano'bhavat

Thus resolving, Soma propitiated Shiva through austerity; for a full thousand years he subsisted only on fruits and roots.

Verse 29 (skanda.7.22.29)

पूर्णे वर्षसहस्रे तु चतुर्थे वरवर्णिनि। तुतोष भगवान्रुद्रो वाक्यं चेदमुवाच ह

pūrṇe varṣasahasre tu caturthe varavarṇini| tutoṣa bhagavānrudro vākyaṁ cedamuvāca ha

When a full thousand years, the fourth of such spans, had passed, O fair one, the Blessed Rudra was pleased, and spoke this word:

Verse 30 (skanda.7.22.30)

परितुष्टोऽस्मि ते चंद्र वरं वरय सुव्रत। किं ते कामं करोम्यद्य ब्रूहि यत्स्यात्सुदुर्ल्लभम्

parituṣṭo'smi te caṁdra varaṁ varaya suvrata| kiṁ te kāmaṁ karomyadya brūhi yatsyātsudurllabham

"I am well pleased with you, O Moon; choose a boon, O one of good vows. What desire of yours shall I fulfill today? Tell me, even if it be something most hard to attain."

Verse 31 (skanda.7.22.31)

एवं प्रत्यक्षमापन्नं दृष्ट्वा देवं वृषध्वजम्। प्रणम्य तं यथाभक्त्या स्तुतिं चक्रे निशाकरः

evaṁ pratyakṣamāpannaṁ dṛṣṭvā devaṁ vṛṣadhvajam| praṇamya taṁ yathābhaktyā stutiṁ cakre niśākaraḥ

Seeing the God of the bull-banner thus made manifest before him, the Night-Maker bowed to him and, according to his devotion, offered praise:

Verse 32 (skanda.7.22.32)

चंद्र उवाच। ॐ नमो देवदेवाय शिवाय परमात्मने। अप्रमेयस्वरूपाय ब्यक्ताव्यक्तस्वरूपिणे

caṁdra uvāca| oṁ namo devadevāya śivāya paramātmane| aprameyasvarūpāya byaktāvyaktasvarūpiṇe

Chandra said: Om, homage to the God of gods, to Shiva, the Supreme Self, of immeasurable nature, whose form is both manifest and unmanifest;

Verse 33 (skanda.7.22.33)

त्वं पतिर्योगिनामीश त्वयि सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितम्। त्वं यज्ञस्त्वं वषट्कारस्त्वमोंकारः प्रजापतिः

tvaṁ patiryogināmīśa tvayi sarvaṁ pratiṣṭhitam| tvaṁ yajñastvaṁ vaṣaṭkārastvamoṁkāraḥ prajāpatiḥ

You are the Lord of yogis, O Ruler; in you all things are established. You are the sacrifice, you the exclamation "Vashat," you the syllable Om, the Lord of Creatures;

Verse 34 (skanda.7.22.34)

चतुर्विंशत्यधिकं च भुवनानां शतद्वयम्। तस्योपरि परं ज्योतिर्जागर्ति तव केवलम्

caturviṁśatyadhikaṁ ca bhuvanānāṁ śatadvayam| tasyopari paraṁ jyotirjāgarti tava kevalam

above the two hundred and twenty-four worlds, only your supreme light alone keeps watch.

Verse 35 (skanda.7.22.35)

कल्पांत आदिवाराहमुक्तब्रह्मांडसंस्थितौ। आधारस्तंभभूताय तेजोलिंगाय ते नमः

kalpāṁta ādivārāhamuktabrahmāṁḍasaṁsthitau| ādhārastaṁbhabhūtāya tejoliṁgāya te namaḥ

Homage to you, the Linga of light, who at the end of the Kalpa become the support-pillar of the universe released by the primal Boar;

Verse 36 (skanda.7.22.36)

नमोऽनामयनाम्ने ते नमस्ते कृत्तिवाससे। नमो भैरवनाथाय नमः सोमेश्वराय ते

namo'nāmayanāmne te namaste kṛttivāsase| namo bhairavanāthāya namaḥ someśvarāya te

homage to you, whose name is Anamaya, "the diseaseless"; homage to you, clad in an animal hide; homage to Bhairavanatha; homage to you, Someshvara;

Verse 37 (skanda.7.22.37)

इति संज्ञाभिरेताभिः स्तुत्याभिरमृतेश्वरः। भूतैर्भव्यैर्भविष्यैश्च स्तूयसे सुरसत्तमैः

iti saṁjñābhiretābhiḥ stutyābhiramṛteśvaraḥ| bhūtairbhavyairbhaviṣyaiśca stūyase surasattamaiḥ

By these very names, fit for praise, you, O Lord of Immortality, are praised by beings past, present, and future, by the best of the gods.

Verse 38 (skanda.7.22.38)

आद्यो विरंचिनामाभूद्ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः। मृत्युञ्जयेति ते नाम तदाऽभूत्पार्वतीपते

ādyo viraṁcināmābhūdbrahmā lokapitāmahaḥ| mṛtyuñjayeti te nāma tadā'bhūtpārvatīpate

When the first was named Virinchi, Brahma the Grandsire of the worlds, then, O Lord of Parvati, your name was "Mrityunjaya," Conqueror of Death;

Verse 39 (skanda.7.22.39)

द्वितीयोऽभूद्यदा ब्रह्मा पद्मभूरिति विश्रुतः। तदा कालाग्निरुद्रेति तव नाम प्रकीर्तितम्

dvitīyo'bhūdyadā brahmā padmabhūriti viśrutaḥ| tadā kālāgnirudreti tava nāma prakīrtitam

when the second Brahma was known as "Padmabhu," Lotus-Born, then your name was declared "Kalagnirudra";

Verse 40 (skanda.7.22.40)

तृतीयोऽभूद्यदा ब्रह्मा स्वयंभूरिति विश्रुतः। अमृतेशेति ते नाम कीर्तितं कीर्तिवर्द्धनम्

tṛtīyo'bhūdyadā brahmā svayaṁbhūriti viśrutaḥ| amṛteśeti te nāma kīrtitaṁ kīrtivarddhanam

when the third Brahma was known as "Svayambhu," then your name, ever increasing in glory, was declared "Amriteshvara";

Verse 41 (skanda.7.22.41)

चतुर्थोऽभूद्यदा ब्रह्मा परमेष्ठीति विश्रुतः। अनामयेति देवेश तव नाम स्मृतं तदा

caturtho'bhūdyadā brahmā parameṣṭhīti viśrutaḥ| anāmayeti deveśa tava nāma smṛtaṁ tadā

when the fourth Brahma was known as "Parameshthin," then, O Lord of gods, your name was remembered as "Anamaya";

Verse 42 (skanda.7.22.42)

पंचमोऽभूद्यदा ब्रह्मा सुरज्येष्ठ इति श्रुतः। कृत्तिवासेति ते नाम बभूव त्रिपुरांतक

paṁcamo'bhūdyadā brahmā surajyeṣṭha iti śrutaḥ| kṛttivāseti te nāma babhūva tripurāṁtaka

when the fifth Brahma was known as "Surajyeshtha," Eldest of the gods, then your name became "Krittivasa," O Slayer of Tripura;

Verse 43 (skanda.7.22.43)

षष्ठश्चाभूद्यदा ब्रह्मा हेमगर्भ इति स्मृतः। तदा भैरवनाथेति तव नाम प्रकीर्तितम्

ṣaṣṭhaścābhūdyadā brahmā hemagarbha iti smṛtaḥ| tadā bhairavanātheti tava nāma prakīrtitam

when the sixth Brahma was remembered as "Hemagarbha," Golden-Wombed, then your name was declared "Bhairavanatha";

Verse 44 (skanda.7.22.44)

अधुना वर्त्तते योऽसौ शतानंद इति श्रुतः। आदिसोमेन यश्चासौ वामनेत्रोद्भवेन ते

adhunā varttate yo'sau śatānaṁda iti śrutaḥ| ādisomena yaścāsau vāmanetrodbhavena te

he who now abides, known as "Shatananda" — the one who was born from your left eye, as the primal Soma —

Verse 45 (skanda.7.22.45)

प्रतिष्ठार्थं तु लिंगस्य आनीतश्चाष्टवार्षिकः। बालरूपी तदा तेन सोमनाथेति कीर्तितम्

pratiṣṭhārthaṁ tu liṁgasya ānītaścāṣṭavārṣikaḥ| bālarūpī tadā tena somanātheti kīrtitam

— brought as an eight-year-old for the sake of the Linga's installation, in that boyish form — by him you were then declared "Somanatha," Lord of Soma;

Verse 46 (skanda.7.22.46)

तदाप्रभृति सोमानां लक्षाणां द्वितयं गतम्

tadāprabhṛti somānāṁ lakṣāṇāṁ dvitayaṁ gatam

from that time onward, two hundred thousand moons have passed,

Verse 47 (skanda.7.22.47)

सहस्रद्वितयं चैव शतं चैव षडुत्तरम्

sahasradvitayaṁ caiva śataṁ caiva ṣaḍuttaram

and likewise two thousand, and one hundred and six more,

Verse 48 (skanda.7.22.48)

सप्तमोऽहं महादेव आत्रेय इति विश्रुतः। प्राचेतसेन दक्षेण शप्तस्त्वां शरणं गतः। रक्ष मां देवदेवेश क्षयिणं पापरोगिणम्

saptamo'haṁ mahādeva ātreya iti viśrutaḥ| prācetasena dakṣeṇa śaptastvāṁ śaraṇaṁ gataḥ| rakṣa māṁ devadeveśa kṣayiṇaṁ pāparogiṇam

I am the seventh, O great God, known as Atreya; cursed by Daksha, son of Prachetas, I have come to you for refuge. Protect me, O Lord of the gods of gods, wasting away with this sinful disease.

Verse 49 (skanda.7.22.49)

इति संस्तुवतस्तस्य चंद्रस्य करुणाकरः। तुतोष भगवान्रुद्रो वाक्यं चेदमुवाच ह

iti saṁstuvatastasya caṁdrasya karuṇākaraḥ| tutoṣa bhagavānrudro vākyaṁ cedamuvāca ha

As Chandra thus praised him, the compassionate Blessed Rudra was pleased, and spoke this word:

Verse 50 (skanda.7.22.50)

परितुष्टोऽस्मि ते चंद्र वरं वरय सुव्रत। कि ते कामं करोम्यद्य ब्रूहि यत्स्यात्सुदुर्ल्लभम्

parituṣṭo'smi te caṁdra varaṁ varaya suvrata| ki te kāmaṁ karomyadya brūhi yatsyātsudurllabham

"I am well pleased with you, O Moon; choose a boon, O one of good vows. What desire of yours shall I fulfill today? Tell me, even if it be hardest to attain.

Verse 51 (skanda.7.22.51)

मम नामानि गुह्यानि मम प्रियतराणि च। पठिष्यंति नरा ये तु दास्ये तेषां मनोगतम्

mama nāmāni guhyāni mama priyatarāṇi ca| paṭhiṣyaṁti narā ye tu dāsye teṣāṁ manogatam

Whatever men recite these secret and most dear names of mine, to them I shall grant what is in their heart.

Verse 52 (skanda.7.22.52)

अतीता ये चंद्रमसो भविष्यंति च येऽधुना। तेषां पूज्यमिदं लिंगं यावदन्योऽष्टवार्षिकः

atītā ye caṁdramaso bhaviṣyaṁti ca ye'dhunā| teṣāṁ pūjyamidaṁ liṁgaṁ yāvadanyo'ṣṭavārṣikaḥ

Whatever Moons have passed, and whatever ones are yet to come now — this Linga is to be worshipped by them, until another eight-year-old Soma comes.

Verse 53 (skanda.7.22.53)

आः परं चतुर्वक्त्रो ब्रह्मा यो भविता यदा। प्राणनाथेति देवस्य तदा नाम भविष्यति

āḥ paraṁ caturvaktro brahmā yo bhavitā yadā| prāṇanātheti devasya tadā nāma bhaviṣyati

And beyond that, when the four-faced Brahma who is yet to be shall come to be, then the God's name shall be 'Prananatha,' Lord of the vital breaths.

Verse 54 (skanda.7.22.54)

प्राणास्तु वायवः प्रोक्तास्तदाराधननाम तत्। प्राणनाथेति संप्रोक्तं मेऽधुना तद्भविष्यति

prāṇāstu vāyavaḥ proktāstadārādhananāma tat| prāṇanātheti saṁproktaṁ me'dhunā tadbhaviṣyati

The vital breaths are declared to be the winds; that name is called by the name of their object of worship — 'Prananatha' shall then become known as mine.

Verse 55 (skanda.7.22.55)

तस्मादग्नीशनामेति कालरुद्रेत्यनंतरम्। तारकेति ततो नाम भविष्यत्येव कीर्तितम्

tasmādagnīśanāmeti kālarudretyanaṁtaram| tāraketi tato nāma bhaviṣyatyeva kīrtitam

After that shall come the name 'Agnisha'; then, next, 'Kalarudra'; then, after that, the name 'Taraka' shall indeed be declared.

Verse 56 (skanda.7.22.56)

मृत्युञ्जयेति देवस्य भविता तदनंतरम्। त्र्यंबकेशस्त्वितीशेति भुवनेशेत्यनन्तरम्

mṛtyuñjayeti devasya bhavitā tadanaṁtaram| tryaṁbakeśastvitīśeti bhuvaneśetyanantaram

After that, the God's name shall be 'Mrityunjaya' again; then 'Tryambakesha'; then, next, 'Bhuvanesha';

Verse 57 (skanda.7.22.57)

भूतनाथेति घोरेति ब्रह्मेशेत्यथ नामकम्। भविष्यं पृथिवीशेति आदिनाथेत्यनंतरम्

bhūtanātheti ghoreti brahmeśetyatha nāmakam| bhaviṣyaṁ pṛthivīśeti ādināthetyanaṁtaram

then 'Bhutanatha,' then 'Ghora,' and then the name 'Brahmesha'; then, in the future, 'Prithivisha'; and then 'Adinatha';

Verse 58 (skanda.7.22.58)

कल्पेश्वरेति देवस्य चंद्रनाथेत्यनन्तरम्। नाम देवस्य यद्भावि सांप्रतं ते प्रकाशितम्

kalpeśvareti devasya caṁdranāthetyanantaram| nāma devasya yadbhāvi sāṁprataṁ te prakāśitam

then 'Kalpeshvara'; and then the God's name, 'Chandranatha' — thus the names of the God that are yet to come have now been revealed to you.

Verse 59 (skanda.7.22.59)

इत्येवमादि नामानि स्वसंख्यातानि षोडश। गतानि संभविष्यंति कालस्यानंतभावतः

ityevamādi nāmāni svasaṁkhyātāni ṣoḍaśa| gatāni saṁbhaviṣyaṁti kālasyānaṁtabhāvataḥ

Thus these sixteen names, so reckoned, some already past, and some yet to come, through the endless nature of Time —

Verse 60 (skanda.7.22.60)

एकैकं वर्तते नाम ब्रह्मणः प्रलयावधि

ekaikaṁ vartate nāma brahmaṇaḥ pralayāvadhi

— each single name endures for the span of one Brahma, until his dissolution.

Verse 61 (skanda.7.22.61)

ततोन्यज्जायते नाम यथा नामानुरूपतः

tatonyajjāyate nāma yathā nāmānurūpataḥ

Thereafter another name arises, each in accordance with what befits it.

Verse 62 (skanda.7.22.62)

अथ किं बहुनोक्तेन रहस्यं ते प्रकाशितम्। वत्स यत्कारणेनेह तपस्तप्तं त्वयाऽखिलम्। तन्मे निःशेषतो ब्रूहि दास्ये तुष्टोऽस्मि ते वरम्

atha kiṁ bahunoktena rahasyaṁ te prakāśitam| vatsa yatkāraṇeneha tapastaptaṁ tvayā'khilam| tanme niḥśeṣato brūhi dāsye tuṣṭo'smi te varam

Now, what need is there for many words? This secret has been revealed to you. O child, tell me in full the reason for which you performed this whole austerity; being pleased, I shall grant you the boon."

Verse 63 (skanda.7.22.63)

चन्द्र उवाच। अहं शप्तस्तु दक्षेण कस्मिंश्चित्कारणांतरे। यक्ष्मणा च क्षयं नीतस्तस्मात्त्वं त्रातुमर्हसि

candra uvāca| ahaṁ śaptastu dakṣeṇa kasmiṁścitkāraṇāṁtare| yakṣmaṇā ca kṣayaṁ nītastasmāttvaṁ trātumarhasi

Chandra said: I was cursed by Daksha for some particular reason; brought to wasting by consumption, you alone are fit to save me from this.

Verse 64 (skanda.7.22.64)

शंभुरुवाच। अधुना भोः समं पश्य सर्वास्ता दक्षकन्यकाः। क्षयस्ते भविता पक्षं पक्षं वृद्धिर्भविष्यति

śaṁbhuruvāca| adhunā bhoḥ samaṁ paśya sarvāstā dakṣakanyakāḥ| kṣayaste bhavitā pakṣaṁ pakṣaṁ vṛddhirbhaviṣyati

Shambhu said: Now, O sir, look equally upon all those daughters of Daksha; you shall wane for one fortnight, and wax for the next.

Verse 65 (skanda.7.22.65)

पूर्वोचितां प्रभां सोम प्राप्स्यसे मत्प्रसादतः। प्राचेतसस्य दक्षस्य तपसा हतपाप्मनः

pūrvocitāṁ prabhāṁ soma prāpsyase matprasādataḥ| prācetasasya dakṣasya tapasā hatapāpmanaḥ

You shall regain, O Soma, your former radiance, by my grace — for the curse of Daksha, son of Prachetas, whose sin was destroyed by his austerity...

Verse 66 (skanda.7.22.66)

तस्यान्यथा वचः कर्तुं शक्यं नान्यैः सुरैरपि। ब्राह्मणाः कुपिता हन्युर्भस्मीकुर्युः स्वतेजसा

tasyānyathā vacaḥ kartuṁ śakyaṁ nānyaiḥ surairapi| brāhmaṇāḥ kupitā hanyurbhasmīkuryuḥ svatejasā

...his word cannot be undone even by other gods. Brahmins, when angered, can slay; they can reduce to ashes by their own splendor;

Verse 67 (skanda.7.22.67)

देवान्कुर्युरदेवांश्च नाशयेयुरिदं जगत्। ब्राह्मणाश्चैव देवाश्च तेज एकं द्विधा कृतम्

devānkuryuradevāṁśca nāśayeyuridaṁ jagat| brāhmaṇāścaiva devāśca teja ekaṁ dvidhā kṛtam

they can make gods into non-gods; they could destroy this whole world. Brahmins and gods are a single splendor, divided into two;

Verse 68 (skanda.7.22.68)

प्रत्यक्षं ब्राह्मणा देवाः परोक्षं दिवि देवताः। न विना ब्राह्मणा देवैर्न देवा ब्राह्मणैर्विना

pratyakṣaṁ brāhmaṇā devāḥ parokṣaṁ divi devatāḥ| na vinā brāhmaṇā devairna devā brāhmaṇairvinā

brahmins are the visible gods, while the gods in heaven are unseen. Brahmins do not exist without the gods, nor the gods without brahmins.

Verse 69 (skanda.7.22.69)

एकत्र मन्त्रा स्तिष्ठन्ति तेज एकत्र तिष्ठति। ब्राह्मणा देवता लोके ब्राह्मणा दिवि देवताः। त्रैलोक्ये ब्राह्मणाः श्रेष्ठा ब्राह्मणा एव कारणम्

ekatra mantrā stiṣṭhanti teja ekatra tiṣṭhati| brāhmaṇā devatā loke brāhmaṇā divi devatāḥ| trailokye brāhmaṇāḥ śreṣṭhā brāhmaṇā eva kāraṇam

In one place the sacred formulas abide, in one place their splendor abides; brahmins are gods on earth, brahmins are gods in heaven; in the three worlds brahmins are supreme — brahmins alone are the cause of all.

Verse 70 (skanda.7.22.70)

पितुर्नियुक्ताः पितरो भवंति क्रियासु दैवीषु भवंति देवाः। द्विजोत्तमा हस्तनिषक्ततोयास्तेनैव देहेन भवंति देवाः

piturniyuktāḥ pitaro bhavaṁti kriyāsu daivīṣu bhavaṁti devāḥ| dvijottamā hastaniṣaktatoyāstenaiva dehena bhavaṁti devāḥ

Appointed as if by a father, they become the ancestors in the rites; in the divine rites they become the gods themselves; the best of the twice-born, with water held in hand, become, in that very body, the gods.

Verse 71 (skanda.7.22.71)

षट्क र्मतत्त्वाभिरतेषु नित्यं विप्रेषु वेदार्थकुतूहलेषु। न तेषु भक्त्या प्रविशंति घोरं महाभयं प्रेतभवं कदाचित्

ṣaṭka rmatattvābhirateṣu nityaṁ vipreṣu vedārthakutūhaleṣu| na teṣu bhaktyā praviśaṁti ghoraṁ mahābhayaṁ pretabhavaṁ kadācit

Among those brahmins ever devoted to the truth of the six duties, curious in the meaning of the Veda — through devotion to them, one never enters the terrible, greatly fearsome state of a departed spirit.

Verse 72 (skanda.7.22.72)

यद्ब्राह्मणाः स्तुत्यतमा वदन्ति तद्देवता कर्मभिराचरंति। तुष्टेषु तुष्टाः सततं भवन्ति प्रत्यक्षदेवेषु परोक्षदेवाः

yadbrāhmaṇāḥ stutyatamā vadanti taddevatā karmabhirācaraṁti| tuṣṭeṣu tuṣṭāḥ satataṁ bhavanti pratyakṣadeveṣu parokṣadevāḥ

Whatever the most praiseworthy brahmins declare, the gods carry out through their deeds; the unseen gods are always pleased when these visible gods are pleased.

Verse 73 (skanda.7.22.73)

यथा रुद्रा यथा देवा मरुतो वसवोऽश्विनौ। ब्रह्मा च सोमसूर्यौ च तथा लोके द्विजोत्तमाः

yathā rudrā yathā devā maruto vasavo'śvinau| brahmā ca somasūryau ca tathā loke dvijottamāḥ

As are the Rudras, as are the gods, the Maruts, the Vasus, the two Ashvins, Brahma, and the Moon and the Sun — so are the best of the twice-born in this world.

Verse 74 (skanda.7.22.74)

देवाधीनाः प्रजाः सर्वा यज्ञाधीनाश्च देवताः। ते यज्ञा ब्राह्मणाधीनास्तस्माद्देवा द्विजोत्तमाः

devādhīnāḥ prajāḥ sarvā yajñādhīnāśca devatāḥ| te yajñā brāhmaṇādhīnāstasmāddevā dvijottamāḥ

All creatures are dependent on the gods, and the gods are dependent on sacrifice; and those sacrifices are dependent on brahmins — therefore the best of the twice-born are the true gods.

Verse 75 (skanda.7.22.75)

ब्राह्मणानर्चयेन्नित्यं ब्राह्मणांस्तर्पयेत्सदा। ब्राह्मणास्तारका लोके ब्राह्मणात्स्वर्गमश्नुते

brāhmaṇānarcayennityaṁ brāhmaṇāṁstarpayetsadā| brāhmaṇāstārakā loke brāhmaṇātsvargamaśnute

One should always worship brahmins, always satisfy brahmins; brahmins are the ones who ferry one across in this world; through a brahmin one attains heaven.

Verse 76 (skanda.7.22.76)

अभेद्यमच्छेद्यमनादिमक्षयं विधिं पुराणं परिपालयन्ति। महामतिस्तानभिपूज्य वै द्विजान्भवेदजेयो दिवि देवराडिव

abhedyamacchedyamanādimakṣayaṁ vidhiṁ purāṇaṁ paripālayanti| mahāmatistānabhipūjya vai dvijānbhavedajeyo divi devarāḍiva

They preserve the ordinance that is unbreakable, uncuttable, beginningless, and imperishable, the ancient rule. A man of great intellect, by honoring these brahmins, becomes unconquerable, like the king of the gods in heaven.

Verse 77 (skanda.7.22.77)

शक्यं हि कवचं भेत्तुं नाराचेन शरेण वा। अपि वज्र सहस्रेण ब्राह्मणाशीः सुदुर्भिदा

śakyaṁ hi kavacaṁ bhettuṁ nārācena śareṇa vā| api vajra sahasreṇa brāhmaṇāśīḥ sudurbhidā

An armor may indeed be pierced by an iron arrow or a shaft, even by a thousand thunderbolts — but the blessing of a brahmin is exceedingly hard to pierce.

Verse 78 (skanda.7.22.78)

हुतेन शाम्यते पापं हुतमन्नेन शाम्यति। अन्नं हिरण्यदानेन हिरण्यं ब्राह्मणाशिषा

hutena śāmyate pāpaṁ hutamannena śāmyati| annaṁ hiraṇyadānena hiraṇyaṁ brāhmaṇāśiṣā

Sin is quelled by oblation; the oblation is quelled by food; food, by the gift of gold; and gold, by the blessing of a brahmin.

Verse 79 (skanda.7.22.79)

य इच्छेन्नरकं गंतुं सपुत्रपशुबांधव। देवेष्वधिकृतं कुर्याद्ब्राह्मणेषु च गोषु च

ya icchennarakaṁ gaṁtuṁ saputrapaśubāṁdhava| deveṣvadhikṛtaṁ kuryādbrāhmaṇeṣu ca goṣu ca

Whoever wishes to go to hell, together with his sons, cattle, and kinsmen, let him lay claim to authority over the gods, over brahmins, and over cows.

Verse 80 (skanda.7.22.80)

ब्राह्मणान्द्वेष्टि यो मोहाद्देवान्गाश्च मखान्यदि। नैव तस्य परो लोको नाऽयं लोको दुरात्मनः

brāhmaṇāndveṣṭi yo mohāddevāngāśca makhānyadi| naiva tasya paro loko nā'yaṁ loko durātmanaḥ

Whoever, out of delusion, hates brahmins, or the gods, or cattle, or sacrifices — neither the next world, nor this one, belongs to that evil-souled man.

Verse 81 (skanda.7.22.81)

अनिन्द्या ब्राह्मणा गावः कांचनं सलिलं स्त्रियः। पृथिवी तु षडेतानि यो निन्दति स पातकी

anindyā brāhmaṇā gāvaḥ kāṁcanaṁ salilaṁ striyaḥ| pṛthivī tu ṣaḍetāni yo nindati sa pātakī

Brahmins, cows, gold, water, women, and the earth — these six are beyond reproach; whoever reproaches them is a sinner.

Verse 82 (skanda.7.22.82)

अग्रं धर्मस्य राजानो मूलं धर्मस्य ब्राह्मणाः। तस्मान्मूलं न हिंसीत मूले ह्यग्रं प्रतिष्ठितम्

agraṁ dharmasya rājāno mūlaṁ dharmasya brāhmaṇāḥ| tasmānmūlaṁ na hiṁsīta mūle hyagraṁ pratiṣṭhitam

Kings are the crown of Dharma, brahmins are its root; therefore one should not harm the root, for the crown is established upon the root.

Verse 83 (skanda.7.22.83)

फलं धर्मस्य राजानः पुष्पं धर्मस्य ब्राह्मणाः। तस्मात्पुष्पं न हिंसीत पुष्पात्संजायते फलम्

phalaṁ dharmasya rājānaḥ puṣpaṁ dharmasya brāhmaṇāḥ| tasmātpuṣpaṁ na hiṁsīta puṣpātsaṁjāyate phalam

Kings are the fruit of Dharma, brahmins are its flower; therefore one should not harm the flower, for from the flower the fruit is born.

Verse 84 (skanda.7.22.84)

राजा वृक्षो ब्राह्मणास्तस्य मूलं पौराः पर्णं मन्त्रिणस्तस्य शाखाः। तस्माद्राज्ञा ब्राह्मणा रक्षणीया मूले गुप्ते नास्ति वृक्षस्य नाशः

rājā vṛkṣo brāhmaṇāstasya mūlaṁ paurāḥ parṇaṁ mantriṇastasya śākhāḥ| tasmādrājñā brāhmaṇā rakṣaṇīyā mūle gupte nāsti vṛkṣasya nāśaḥ

The king is a tree, the brahmins are its root, the citizens its leaves, the ministers its branches; therefore brahmins must be protected by the king — when the root is guarded, there is no destruction of the tree.

Verse 85 (skanda.7.22.85)

आसन्नो हि दहत्यग्निर्दूराद्दहति ब्राह्मणः। प्ररोहत्यग्निना दग्धं ब्रह्मदग्धं न रोहति

āsanno hi dahatyagnirdūrāddahati brāhmaṇaḥ| prarohatyagninā dagdhaṁ brahmadagdhaṁ na rohati

Fire burns only what is near it, but a brahmin burns even from afar; what is burnt by fire sprouts again, but what is burnt by a brahmin's curse never sprouts again.

Verse 86 (skanda.7.22.86)

ब्राह्मणानां च शापेन सर्वभक्षो हुताशनः। समुद्रश्चाप्यपेयस्तु विफलश्च पुरंदरः

brāhmaṇānāṁ ca śāpena sarvabhakṣo hutāśanaḥ| samudraścāpyapeyastu viphalaśca puraṁdaraḥ

By the curse of brahmins, fire became all-consuming; the ocean too became undrinkable, and Purandara, Indra, became fruitless —

Verse 87 (skanda.7.22.87)

त्वं चन्द्र राजयक्ष्मी च पृथिव्यामूषराणि च। सूर्याचन्द्रमसोः पातः पुनरुद्धरणं तयोः

tvaṁ candra rājayakṣmī ca pṛthivyāmūṣarāṇi ca| sūryācandramasoḥ pātaḥ punaruddharaṇaṁ tayoḥ

— and you, O Moon, became consumptive; and the earth's soil became barren; the Sun and Moon fell, and were raised up again —

Verse 88 (skanda.7.22.88)

वनस्पतीनां निर्यासो दानवानां पराजयः। नागानां च वशीकारः क्षत्रस्योत्सादनं तथा। देवोत्पत्ति विपर्यासो लोकानां च विपर्ययः

vanaspatīnāṁ niryāso dānavānāṁ parājayaḥ| nāgānāṁ ca vaśīkāraḥ kṣatrasyotsādanaṁ tathā| devotpatti viparyāso lokānāṁ ca viparyayaḥ

— the exuding of resin from trees, the defeat of the demons, the subjugation of the serpents, and the uprooting of the Kshatriya order, the reversal of the birth of the gods, and the overturning of the worlds —

Verse 89 (skanda.7.22.89)

एवमादीनि तेजांसि ब्राह्मणानां महात्मनाम्। तस्माद्विप्रेषु नृपतिः प्रणमेन्नित्यमेव च

evamādīni tejāṁsi brāhmaṇānāṁ mahātmanām| tasmādvipreṣu nṛpatiḥ praṇamennityameva ca

— such and other things are the powers of the great-souled brahmins; therefore a king should always, without fail, bow down before brahmins.

Verse 90 (skanda.7.22.90)

परा मप्यापदं प्राप्तो ब्राह्मणान्न प्रकोपयेत्। ते ह्येनं कुपिता हन्युः सद्यः सबलवाहनम्

parā mapyāpadaṁ prāpto brāhmaṇānna prakopayet| te hyenaṁ kupitā hanyuḥ sadyaḥ sabalavāhanam

Even when he has fallen into the direst calamity, he should not provoke the brahmins; for they, once angered, could destroy him instantly, together with his army and mounts.

Verse 91 (skanda.7.22.91)

प्रणीतश्चाप्रणीतश्च यथाग्निर्दैवतं महत्। एवं विद्वानविद्वान्वा ब्राह्मणो दैवतं महत्

praṇītaścāpraṇītaśca yathāgnirdaivataṁ mahat| evaṁ vidvānavidvānvā brāhmaṇo daivataṁ mahat

Just as fire, whether kindled with due rites or not, is a great deity, so too a brahmin, whether learned or unlearned, is a great deity.

Verse 92 (skanda.7.22.92)

श्मशानेष्वपि तेजस्वी पावको नैव दुष्यति। हूयमानश्च यज्ञेषु भूय एवाभिवर्द्धते

śmaśāneṣvapi tejasvī pāvako naiva duṣyati| hūyamānaśca yajñeṣu bhūya evābhivarddhate

Even in the cremation-ground, the radiant fire is never defiled; and when oblations are offered into it in sacrifices, it only grows the more.

Verse 93 (skanda.7.22.93)

एवं यद्यप्य निष्टेषु वर्त्तते सर्वकर्मसु। सर्वेषां ब्राह्मणः पूज्यो दैवतं परमं महत्

evaṁ yadyapya niṣṭeṣu varttate sarvakarmasu| sarveṣāṁ brāhmaṇaḥ pūjyo daivataṁ paramaṁ mahat

Even so, though he may engage in various, even undesirable, works of every kind, a brahmin is to be honored by all — the supreme, great deity.

Verse 94 (skanda.7.22.94)

क्षत्रस्यातिप्रवृद्धस्य ब्राह्मणानां प्रभावतः। ब्राह्मं हि परमं पूज्यं क्षत्रं हि ब्रह्मसंभवम्

kṣatrasyātipravṛddhasya brāhmaṇānāṁ prabhāvataḥ| brāhmaṁ hi paramaṁ pūjyaṁ kṣatraṁ hi brahmasaṁbhavam

The Kshatriya order, even when grown exceedingly powerful, owes its power to the might of the brahmins; for the Brahman is supremely to be honored, since Kshatra itself arises from Brahman.

Verse 95 (skanda.7.22.95)

अद्भ्योऽग्निर्ब्रह्मतः क्षत्रमश्मनो लोहमुत्थितम्। तेषां सर्वत्रगं तेजः स्वासु योनिषु शाम्यति

adbhyo'gnirbrahmataḥ kṣatramaśmano lohamutthitam| teṣāṁ sarvatragaṁ tejaḥ svāsu yoniṣu śāmyati

Fire arises from water, Kshatra from Brahman, iron from stone; the all-pervading splendor of these is ultimately stilled again in its own source.

Verse 96 (skanda.7.22.96)

यान्समाश्रित्य तिष्ठन्ति देवलोकाश्च सर्वदा। ब्रह्मैव वचनं येषां को हिंस्यात्ताञ्जिजीविषुः

yānsamāśritya tiṣṭhanti devalokāśca sarvadā| brahmaiva vacanaṁ yeṣāṁ ko hiṁsyāttāñjijīviṣuḥ

Those upon whom the worlds of the gods always depend for their support, whose very word is Brahman itself — who, wishing to live, would dare harm them?

Verse 97 (skanda.7.22.97)

म्रियमाणोऽप्याददीत न राजा ब्राह्मणात्करम्। न च क्षुधा ऽस्य संसीदेद्ब्राह्मणो विषये वसन्

mriyamāṇo'pyādadīta na rājā brāhmaṇātkaram| na ca kṣudhā 'sya saṁsīdedbrāhmaṇo viṣaye vasan

Even when dying of want, a king should not take tribute from a brahmin; nor should any brahmin dwelling in his realm ever suffer distress from hunger.

Verse 98 (skanda.7.22.98)

यस्य राज्ञश्च विषये ब्राह्मणः सीदति क्षुधा। तस्य तच्छतधा राष्ट्रमचिरादेव सीदति

yasya rājñaśca viṣaye brāhmaṇaḥ sīdati kṣudhā| tasya tacchatadhā rāṣṭramacirādeva sīdati

In whatever king's realm a brahmin suffers from hunger, that king's kingdom shall, a hundredfold, soon fall into ruin.

Verse 99 (skanda.7.22.99)

यद्राजा कुरुते पापं प्रमादाद्यच्च विभ्रमात्। वसन्तो ब्राह्मणा राष्ट्रे श्रोत्रियाः शमयन्ति तत्

yadrājā kurute pāpaṁ pramādādyacca vibhramāt| vasanto brāhmaṇā rāṣṭre śrotriyāḥ śamayanti tat

Whatever sin a king commits through negligence or through error — the learned brahmins dwelling in his realm avert its effects.

Verse 100 (skanda.7.22.100)

पूर्वरात्रांतरात्रेषु द्विजैर्यस्य विधीयते। स राजा सह राष्ट्रेण वर्धते ब्रह्मतेजसा

pūrvarātrāṁtarātreṣu dvijairyasya vidhīyate| sa rājā saha rāṣṭreṇa vardhate brahmatejasā

That king for whom rites are performed by the twice-born in the early and later parts of the night prospers, together with his kingdom, through the power of Brahman.

Verse 101 (skanda.7.22.101)

ब्राह्मणान्पूजयेन्नित्यं प्रातरुत्थाय भूमिपः। ब्राह्मणानां प्रसादेन दीव्यन्ति दिवि देवताः

brāhmaṇānpūjayennityaṁ prātarutthāya bhūmipaḥ| brāhmaṇānāṁ prasādena dīvyanti divi devatāḥ

A king should, rising every morning, always honor the brahmins; it is by the favor of the brahmins that the gods themselves shine in heaven.

Verse 102 (skanda.7.22.102)

अथ किं बहुनोक्तेन ब्राह्मणा मामकी तनुः। ये केचित्सागरांतायां पृथिव्यां कीर्तिता द्विजाः। तदूपं देवदेवस्य शिवस्य परमात्मनः

atha kiṁ bahunoktena brāhmaṇā māmakī tanuḥ| ye kecitsāgarāṁtāyāṁ pṛthivyāṁ kīrtitā dvijāḥ| tadūpaṁ devadevasya śivasya paramātmanaḥ

Now, what need for many words — brahmins are my own body. Whatever twice-born are renowned upon this earth bounded by the ocean, that is indeed the form of the God of gods, Shiva, the Supreme Self.

Verse 103 (skanda.7.22.103)

एतान्द्विषंति ये मूढा ब्राह्मणान्संशितव्रतान्। ते मां द्विषंति वै नूनं पूजनात्पूजयन्ति माम्

etāndviṣaṁti ye mūḍhā brāhmaṇānsaṁśitavratān| te māṁ dviṣaṁti vai nūnaṁ pūjanātpūjayanti mām

Whatever fools hate these brahmins of rigorous vows, they surely hate me indeed; and by honoring them, they honor me.

Verse 104 (skanda.7.22.104)

न प्रद्वेषस्ततः कार्यो ब्राह्मणेषु विजानता। प्रद्वेषेणाशु नश्यन्ति ब्रह्मशापहता नराः

na pradveṣastataḥ kāryo brāhmaṇeṣu vijānatā| pradveṣeṇāśu naśyanti brahmaśāpahatā narāḥ

Therefore one who understands this should never harbor hatred toward brahmins; through such hatred, men struck down by a brahmin's curse quickly perish.

Verse 105 (skanda.7.22.105)

इत्येवं कथितश्चन्द्र ब्राह्मणानां गुणार्णवः। कुरुष्वानन्तरं कार्य्यं यद्ब्रवीम्यहमेव ते

ityevaṁ kathitaścandra brāhmaṇānāṁ guṇārṇavaḥ| kuruṣvānantaraṁ kāryyaṁ yadbravīmyahameva te

Thus, O Moon, has the ocean of brahmins' virtues been told to you. Now do, next, that task which I myself shall tell you.

Verse 106 (skanda.7.22.106)

शापस्यानुग्रहो दत्तो मया तव निशाकर। न चान्यथा वचः कर्त्तुं शक्यं तेषां द्रिजन्मनाम्

śāpasyānugraho datto mayā tava niśākara| na cānyathā vacaḥ karttuṁ śakyaṁ teṣāṁ drijanmanām

The grace regarding your curse has been granted by me to you, O Night-Maker; but the word of those twice-born cannot ever be undone otherwise.

Verse 107 (skanda.7.22.107)

शापानुग्रहदैः सर्वै देवैरपि सवासवैः

śāpānugrahadaiḥ sarvai devairapi savāsavaiḥ

— not even by all the gods together, including Vasava, givers of curse and grace though they be.

Verse 108 (skanda.7.22.108)

तस्माच्चन्द्र त्वया शोको नैव कार्यो विजानता

tasmāccandra tvayā śoko naiva kāryo vijānatā

Therefore, O Moon, sorrow should never be entertained by you, who understand this.

Verse 109 (skanda.7.22.109)

क्षयस्ते भविता पक्षं पक्षं वृद्धिर्भविष्यति। अथान्यद्वचनं चन्द्र शृणु कार्यं यथा त्वया

kṣayaste bhavitā pakṣaṁ pakṣaṁ vṛddhirbhaviṣyati| athānyadvacanaṁ candra śṛṇu kāryaṁ yathā tvayā

You shall wane for one fortnight, and wax for the next. Now hear, O Moon, another word — a task that is to be done by you.

Verse 110 (skanda.7.22.110)

इदं यत्सागरोपांते तिष्ठते लिंगमुत्तमम्। धरामध्यगतं तच्च देवानां दृष्टिगोचरम्

idaṁ yatsāgaropāṁte tiṣṭhate liṁgamuttamam| dharāmadhyagataṁ tacca devānāṁ dṛṣṭigocaram

This supreme Linga that stands here at the edge of the ocean, situated in the midst of the earth, visible to the sight of the gods —

Verse 111 (skanda.7.22.111)

कुक्कुटांडसमप्रख्यं सर्पमेखलमंडितम्। ममाद्यं परमं तेजो न चान्यो वेद कश्चन

kukkuṭāṁḍasamaprakhyaṁ sarpamekhalamaṁḍitam| mamādyaṁ paramaṁ tejo na cānyo veda kaścana

— resembling a hen's egg, adorned with a girdle of serpents — is my primal, supreme splendor; no one else knows of it.

Verse 112 (skanda.7.22.112)

इतः सागरमध्ये तु धनुषां च शतत्रये। तिष्ठते तत्र लिंगं तु सुगुप्तं लक्षणान्वितम्

itaḥ sāgaramadhye tu dhanuṣāṁ ca śatatraye| tiṣṭhate tatra liṁgaṁ tu suguptaṁ lakṣaṇānvitam

From here, in the midst of the sea, at a distance of three hundred bow-lengths, there stands another Linga, well hidden, endowed with all the marks —

Verse 113 (skanda.7.22.113)

आदिकल्पे महर्षीणां शापेन पतितं मम। लिंगं सागरमध्ये तु तत्त्वं शीघ्रं समानय

ādikalpe maharṣīṇāṁ śāpena patitaṁ mama| liṁgaṁ sāgaramadhye tu tattvaṁ śīghraṁ samānaya

— fallen, in the primal Kalpa, through the curse of the great sages, my own Linga, now lying in the midst of the sea. Bring it swiftly, in its true form.

Verse 114 (skanda.7.22.114)

स्पर्शाख्यं यत्र मे लिंगं तत्र स्थाने निवेशय। निवेश्य तु प्रयत्नेन सहितो विश्वकर्मणा

sparśākhyaṁ yatra me liṁgaṁ tatra sthāne niveśaya| niveśya tu prayatnena sahito viśvakarmaṇā

Install it in that very place where my Linga called "Sparsha" stands; and having installed it, with effort, together with Vishvakarma —

Verse 115 (skanda.7.22.115)

ततो ब्रह्माणमाहूय समेतं तु मुनीश्वरैः। प्रतिष्ठां कारय विभो इष्ट्वा तत्र महामखैः

tato brahmāṇamāhūya sametaṁ tu munīśvaraiḥ| pratiṣṭhāṁ kāraya vibho iṣṭvā tatra mahāmakhaiḥ

— then, summoning Brahma, together with the great sages, O Mighty One, have the installation performed, after offering great sacrifices there.

Verse 116 (skanda.7.22.116)

एवमुक्त्वा स भगवांस्तत्रैवांतरधीयत। ततः प्रभां पुनर्लेभे रात्रिनाथो वरानने

evamuktvā sa bhagavāṁstatraivāṁtaradhīyata| tataḥ prabhāṁ punarlebhe rātrinātho varānane

Having spoken thus, that Blessed One vanished right there. Thereupon the Lord of Night, O fair-faced one, regained his radiance.

Verse 117 (skanda.7.22.117)

ततः प्रभृति तत्क्षेत्रं प्रभासमिति विश्रुतम्। निष्प्रभस्य प्रभा दत्ता प्रभासं तेन चोच्यते

tataḥ prabhṛti tatkṣetraṁ prabhāsamiti viśrutam| niṣprabhasya prabhā dattā prabhāsaṁ tena cocyate

From that time onward, that field became renowned by the name "Prabhasa"; since radiance was given to the one without radiance, it is thus called Prabhasa.

Verse 118 (skanda.7.22.118)

दक्षस्य तु वृथा शापो न कृतस्तेन लांछनम्। सोमः प्रभासते लोकान्वरं प्राप्य महेश्वरात्। व्यक्तीभूतः स देवेशः सोमस्यैव महात्मनः

dakṣasya tu vṛthā śāpo na kṛtastena lāṁchanam| somaḥ prabhāsate lokānvaraṁ prāpya maheśvarāt| vyaktībhūtaḥ sa deveśaḥ somasyaiva mahātmanaḥ

Thus Daksha's curse was not rendered vain, nor was the mark undone; rather, having obtained a boon from Maheshvara, Soma illumines the worlds — that Lord of gods became manifest for the sake of the great-souled Soma himself.