The Story of the Gandharva's Daughter

Verse 1 (skanda.7.25.1)

ईश्वर उवाच। स गन्धर्वस्तदा देवि आरिराधयिषुर्भवम्। सोमवारव्रतंनाम पप्रच्छ मुनिसत्तमम्

īśvara uvāca| sa gandharvastadā devi ārirādhayiṣurbhavam| somavāravrataṁnāma papraccha munisattamam

Ishvara said: That Gandharva then, O Goddess, desiring to worship Bhava, asked the best of sages about the observance called the Somavara-vrata.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.25.2)

गन्धर्व उवाच। कथं सोमव्रतं कार्यं विधानं तस्य कीदृशम्। कस्मिन्काले च तत्कार्यं सर्वं विस्तरतो वद

gandharva uvāca| kathaṁ somavrataṁ kāryaṁ vidhānaṁ tasya kīdṛśam| kasminkāle ca tatkāryaṁ sarvaṁ vistarato vada

The Gandharva said: How is the Soma-vow to be performed? What is its procedure? And at what time is it to be done? Tell me all of this in detail.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.25.3)

गोशृंग उवाच। साधुसाधु महाप्राज्ञ सर्वसत्त्वोपकारकम्। यन्न कस्यचिदाख्यातं तदद्य कथयामि ते

gośṛṁga uvāca| sādhusādhu mahāprājña sarvasattvopakārakam| yanna kasyacidākhyātaṁ tadadya kathayāmi te

Goshringa said: Well said, well said, O greatly wise one! That which is beneficial to all beings, and which has never been told to anyone, that I shall now tell you.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.25.4)

सर्वरोगहरं दिव्यं सर्वसिद्धिप्रदायकम्। सोमवारव्रतंनाम सर्वकामफलप्रदम्

sarvarogaharaṁ divyaṁ sarvasiddhipradāyakam| somavāravrataṁnāma sarvakāmaphalapradam

That divine observance called the Somavara-vrata removes all diseases, bestows all accomplishments, and grants the fruit of every desire.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.25.5)

सर्वकालिकमादेयं वर्णानां शुभकारकम्। नारी नरैः सदा कार्यं दृष्ट्वादृष्ट्वा फलोदयम्

sarvakālikamādeyaṁ varṇānāṁ śubhakārakam| nārī naraiḥ sadā kāryaṁ dṛṣṭvādṛṣṭvā phalodayam

It may be undertaken at any time, and brings good fortune to all the classes; it is to be performed always, by women and men alike, whether the fruit has been seen or not.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.25.6)

ब्रह्मविष्ण्वादिभिर्देवैः कृतमेतन्महाव्रतम्। पुनस्तु सोमराजेन दक्षशापहतेन च

brahmaviṣṇvādibhirdevaiḥ kṛtametanmahāvratam| punastu somarājena dakṣaśāpahatena ca

This great vow was performed by Brahma, Vishnu, and the other gods; and again by King Soma, when he had been struck by Daksha's curse.

Verse 7 (skanda.7.25.7)

आराधितोऽनेन शंभुः शंभुध्यानपरेण तु। ततस्तुष्टो महादेवः सोमराजस्य भक्तितः

ārādhito'nena śaṁbhuḥ śaṁbhudhyānapareṇa tu| tatastuṣṭo mahādevaḥ somarājasya bhaktitaḥ

By this, Shambhu was worshipped by him who was devoted to meditation on Shambhu; then the great God, pleased by King Soma's devotion —

Verse 8 (skanda.7.25.8)

तेनोक्तं यदि तुष्टोऽसि प्रतिष्ठास्थो निरंतरम्

tenoktaṁ yadi tuṣṭo'si pratiṣṭhāstho niraṁtaram

— was told by him: "If you are pleased, remain ever established here continually" —

Verse 9 (skanda.7.25.9)

यावच्चंद्रश्च सूर्यश्च यावत्तिष्ठंति भूधराः। तावन्मे स्थापितं लिंगमुमया सह तिष्ठतु

yāvaccaṁdraśca sūryaśca yāvattiṣṭhaṁti bhūdharāḥ| tāvanme sthāpitaṁ liṁgamumayā saha tiṣṭhatu

"— as long as the sun and moon endure, as long as the mountains stand, may my installed Linga remain, together with Uma."

Verse 10 (skanda.7.25.10)

स्थापितं तु तदा तेन प्रार्थयित्वा महेश्वरम्। आत्मनामांकितं कृत्वा ततो रोगैर्व्यमुच्यत

sthāpitaṁ tu tadā tena prārthayitvā maheśvaram| ātmanāmāṁkitaṁ kṛtvā tato rogairvyamucyata

Having thus prayed to Maheshvara, it was then installed by him, marked with his own name; and thereafter he was freed of his diseases.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.25.11)

ततः शुद्धशरीरोऽसौ गगनस्थो विराजते

tataḥ śuddhaśarīro'sau gaganastho virājate

Then, his body purified, he shines forth, established in the sky.

Verse 12 (skanda.7.25.12)

तदाप्रभृति ये केचित्कुर्वंति भुवि मानवाः। तेऽपि तत्पदमायांति विमलांगाश्च सोमवत्

tadāprabhṛti ye kecitkurvaṁti bhuvi mānavāḥ| te'pi tatpadamāyāṁti vimalāṁgāśca somavat

From that time onward, whatever men on earth perform this vow, they too attain that same state, becoming spotless in body, just like Soma.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.25.13)

अथ किं बहुनोक्तेन विधानं तस्य कीर्त्तये। यस्मिन्कस्मिंश्च मासे वा शुक्ले सोमस्य वासरे

atha kiṁ bahunoktena vidhānaṁ tasya kīrttaye| yasminkasmiṁśca māse vā śukle somasya vāsare

Now, what need for many words? I shall declare its procedure. In whatever month, on the bright fortnight's day of the Moon —

Verse 14 (skanda.7.25.14)

दंतकाष्ठं पुरा ब्राह्मे कृत्वा स्नानं समाचरेत्। स्वधर्मविहितं कर्म कृत्वा स्थाने मनोरमे

daṁtakāṣṭhaṁ purā brāhme kṛtvā snānaṁ samācaret| svadharmavihitaṁ karma kṛtvā sthāne manorame

— having first, in the Brahma-muhurta, cleaned the teeth with a twig, one should bathe; and, having performed the rites enjoined by one's own duty, in a pleasant place,

Verse 15 (skanda.7.25.15)

सुसमे भूतले शुद्धे न्यस्य कुम्भं सुशोभितम्। चूतपल्लवविन्यस्ते चंदनेन सुचित्रिते

susame bhūtale śuddhe nyasya kumbhaṁ suśobhitam| cūtapallavavinyaste caṁdanena sucitrite

on a level, pure spot of ground, one should place a beautifully adorned water-pot, set with mango-leaves, exquisitely marked with sandal-paste,

Verse 16 (skanda.7.25.16)

श्वेतवस्त्रपरीधाने सर्वाभरणभूषिते। आदौ पात्रे तु संन्यस्य आधारसहितं शिवम्

śvetavastraparīdhāne sarvābharaṇabhūṣite| ādau pātre tu saṁnyasya ādhārasahitaṁ śivam

clothed in white cloth, adorned with every ornament. First placing Shiva, together with his pedestal, in the vessel,

Verse 17 (skanda.7.25.17)

अष्टमूर्त्यष्टकं दिक्षु सोमनाथं सशक्तिकम्। उमया सहितं तत्र श्वेतपुष्पैश्च पूजयेत्

aṣṭamūrtyaṣṭakaṁ dikṣu somanāthaṁ saśaktikam| umayā sahitaṁ tatra śvetapuṣpaiśca pūjayet

and the eight forms in the directions, one should worship Somanatha, together with his Shakti, with Uma, with white flowers.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.25.18)

विविधं भक्ष्यभोज्यं च फलं वै बीजपूर कम्। अनेनैव तु मंत्रेण सर्वं तत्रैव कारयेत्

vividhaṁ bhakṣyabhojyaṁ ca phalaṁ vai bījapūra kam| anenaiva tu maṁtreṇa sarvaṁ tatraiva kārayet

Various foods to eat and chew, and the fruit called Bijapuraka — all this should be offered there with this very mantra:

Verse 19 (skanda.7.25.19)

ओं नमः पंचवक्त्राय दशबाहुत्रिनेत्रिणे। श्वेतं वृषभमारूढ श्वेताभरणभूषित

oṁ namaḥ paṁcavaktrāya daśabāhutrinetriṇe| śvetaṁ vṛṣabhamārūḍha śvetābharaṇabhūṣita

"Om, homage to the Five-Faced One, of ten arms and three eyes; mounted upon a white bull, adorned with white ornaments,

Verse 20 (skanda.7.25.20)

उमादेहार्द्धसंयुक्त नमस्ते सर्वमूर्तये। अनेनैव तु मंत्रेण पूजां होमं च कारयेत्

umādehārddhasaṁyukta namaste sarvamūrtaye| anenaiva tu maṁtreṇa pūjāṁ homaṁ ca kārayet

united with Uma as half of your body, homage to you, whose form is all things." With this very mantra one should perform the worship and the fire-oblation.

Verse 21 (skanda.7.25.21)

कृत्वैवं च दिने रात्रौ पश्यंश्चैवं स्वपेन्नरः। दर्भशय्या समारूढो ध्यायन्सोमेश्वरं हरम्

kṛtvaivaṁ ca dine rātrau paśyaṁścaivaṁ svapennaraḥ| darbhaśayyā samārūḍho dhyāyansomeśvaraṁ haram

Having done this by day, at night the man should sleep while contemplating the God, mounted upon a bed of darbha-grass, meditating upon Hara, Someshvara.

Verse 22 (skanda.7.25.22)

एवं कृतेऽष्टादशानां कुष्ठानां नाशनं भवेत्। द्वितीये सोमवारे तु करंजं दन्तधावनम्

evaṁ kṛte'ṣṭādaśānāṁ kuṣṭhānāṁ nāśanaṁ bhavet| dvitīye somavāre tu karaṁjaṁ dantadhāvanam

By doing thus, there comes about the destruction of the eighteen kinds of leprosy. On the second Monday, one should clean the teeth with a Karanja twig,

Verse 23 (skanda.7.25.23)

देवं संपूजयेत्सूक्ष्मं ज्येष्ठाशक्तिसमन्वितम्। शतपत्रैः पूजयित्वा मधु प्राश्य यथाविधि

devaṁ saṁpūjayetsūkṣmaṁ jyeṣṭhāśaktisamanvitam| śatapatraiḥ pūjayitvā madhu prāśya yathāvidhi

and worship the subtle God, together with his eldest Shakti; having worshipped with hundred-petalled lotuses, and duly partaken of honey,

Verse 24 (skanda.7.25.24)

नारंगं तत्र दत्त्वा तु शेषं पूर्ववदाचरेत्। एवं कृते द्वितीये तु गोलक्षफलमाप्नुयात्

nāraṁgaṁ tatra dattvā tu śeṣaṁ pūrvavadācaret| evaṁ kṛte dvitīye tu golakṣaphalamāpnuyāt

and having offered an orange there, the rest should be done as before. By doing this on the second Monday, one obtains the fruit of giving a lakh of cows.

Verse 25 (skanda.7.25.25)

सोमवारे तृतीये तु अपामार्गसमुद्भवम्। दंतकाष्ठादिकं कृत्वा त्रिनेत्रं च प्रपूजयेत्

somavāre tṛtīye tu apāmārgasamudbhavam| daṁtakāṣṭhādikaṁ kṛtvā trinetraṁ ca prapūjayet

On the third Monday, having used a tooth-twig born of Apamarga and the like, one should worship the Three-Eyed One,

Verse 26 (skanda.7.25.26)

फलं च दाडिमं दद्याज्जातीपुष्पैश्च पूजयेत्। रजन्यामंगुरं प्राश्य सिद्धियुक्तं तु पूजयेत्

phalaṁ ca dāḍimaṁ dadyājjātīpuṣpaiśca pūjayet| rajanyāmaṁguraṁ prāśya siddhiyuktaṁ tu pūjayet

and offer the pomegranate fruit, and worship with Jati flowers; at night, having eaten ginger, one should worship him, endowed with all accomplishments.

Verse 27 (skanda.7.25.27)

चतुर्थे सोमवारे तु काष्ठमौदुम्बरं स्मृतम्। पूजयेत्तत्र गौरीशं सूक्ष्मया सहितं तथा

caturthe somavāre tu kāṣṭhamaudumbaraṁ smṛtam| pūjayettatra gaurīśaṁ sūkṣmayā sahitaṁ tathā

On the fourth Monday, the twig of udumbara wood is prescribed; one should there worship the Lord of Gauri, together with his subtle Shakti,

Verse 28 (skanda.7.25.28)

नारिकेलफलं दद्याद्दमनेन प्रपूजयेत्। शर्करां प्राशयेद्रात्रौ जागरं चैव कारयेत्

nārikelaphalaṁ dadyāddamanena prapūjayet| śarkarāṁ prāśayedrātrau jāgaraṁ caiva kārayet

and offer a coconut, and worship with Damana leaves; at night one should partake of sugar, and observe a vigil.

Verse 29 (skanda.7.25.29)

पञ्चमे सोमवारे तु पूजयेच्च गणाधिपम्। विभूत्या सहितं देवं कुन्दपुष्पैः प्रपूजयेत्

pañcame somavāre tu pūjayecca gaṇādhipam| vibhūtyā sahitaṁ devaṁ kundapuṣpaiḥ prapūjayet

On the fifth Monday, one should also worship Ganadhipa; one should worship the God, together with Vibhuti, with Kunda flowers,

Verse 30 (skanda.7.25.30)

आश्वत्थं दन्तकाष्ठं च अर्घ्यं वै द्राक्षया तथा। मोचं च प्राशयेद्रात्रावश्वमेधफलं लभेत्

āśvatthaṁ dantakāṣṭhaṁ ca arghyaṁ vai drākṣayā tathā| mocaṁ ca prāśayedrātrāvaśvamedhaphalaṁ labhet

using a tooth-twig of Ashvattha wood, and offering the arghya with grapes, and eating plantain-flower at night — one obtains the fruit of an Ashvamedha.

Verse 31 (skanda.7.25.31)

षष्ठे सोमस्य वारे तु सुरूपं नाम पूजयेत्। कर्पूरं प्राशयेत्तत्र भक्त्या परमया युतः

ṣaṣṭhe somasya vāre tu surūpaṁ nāma pūjayet| karpūraṁ prāśayettatra bhaktyā paramayā yutaḥ

On the sixth Monday of the Moon, one should worship the form called Surupa; there, endowed with supreme devotion, one should partake of camphor.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.25.32)

सप्तमे सोमवारे तु दन्तकाष्ठं च मल्लिका। सर्वज्ञं पूजयेत्तत्र दीप्तया सहितं तथा

saptame somavāre tu dantakāṣṭhaṁ ca mallikā| sarvajñaṁ pūjayettatra dīptayā sahitaṁ tathā

On the seventh Monday, with a Mallika tooth-twig, one should worship the Omniscient One there, together with Dipta,

Verse 33 (skanda.7.25.33)

जम्बीरं च फलं दद्याज्जातीपुष्पैश्च पूजयेत्। लवङ्गं प्राशयेत्तत्र तस्यानन्तफलं भवेत्

jambīraṁ ca phalaṁ dadyājjātīpuṣpaiśca pūjayet| lavaṅgaṁ prāśayettatra tasyānantaphalaṁ bhavet

and offer the citron fruit, and worship with Jati flowers; partaking of cloves there — the fruit of this is endless.

Verse 34 (skanda.7.25.34)

अष्टमे सोमवारे तु अमोघायुतमीश्वरम्। कदलीफलकेनार्घ्यं मरुबकेन पूजयेत्। रात्रौ तु प्राशयेद्दुग्धमग्निष्टोमफलं लभेत्

aṣṭame somavāre tu amoghāyutamīśvaram| kadalīphalakenārghyaṁ marubakena pūjayet| rātrau tu prāśayeddugdhamagniṣṭomaphalaṁ labhet

On the eighth Monday, one should worship the Lord together with Amogha, offer the arghya with plantain fruit, worship with Marubaka; at night one should partake of milk — one obtains the fruit of an Agnishtoma sacrifice.

Verse 35 (skanda.7.25.35)

गंगास्नाने कृते सम्यक्कोटिधा यत्फलं स्मृतम्। दशहेमसहस्राणां कुरुक्षेत्रे रवेर्ग्रहे

gaṁgāsnāne kṛte samyakkoṭidhā yatphalaṁ smṛtam| daśahemasahasrāṇāṁ kurukṣetre ravergrahe

The fruit remembered as coming, multiplied a crore-fold, from a proper bath in the Ganga; the fruit of ten thousand gold pieces given at Kurukshetra during a solar eclipse;

Verse 36 (skanda.7.25.36)

ब्राह्मणे वेदविदुषे यद्दत्त्वा फल माप्नुयात्। तत्पुण्यं कोटिगुणितमस्मिन्नाचरिते व्रते

brāhmaṇe vedaviduṣe yaddattvā phala māpnuyāt| tatpuṇyaṁ koṭiguṇitamasminnācarite vrate

whatever fruit is obtained by giving such things to a brahmin learned in the Veda — that merit, multiplied a crore-fold, is obtained when this vow is observed.

Verse 37 (skanda.7.25.37)

गजानां तु शते दत्ते लक्षे च रथवाजिनाम्। तत्फलं कोटिगुणितं सोमवारव्रते कृते

gajānāṁ tu śate datte lakṣe ca rathavājinām| tatphalaṁ koṭiguṇitaṁ somavāravrate kṛte

The fruit of giving a hundred elephants, and a lakh of chariots and horses — that fruit, multiplied a crore-fold, comes from performing the Somavara-vrata.

Verse 38 (skanda.7.25.38)

गुग्गुलोर्धूपनं कृत्वा कोटिशो यत्फलं लभेत्। तत्पुण्यं तु भवेत्तस्य सोमवारव्रते कृते

guggulordhūpanaṁ kṛtvā koṭiśo yatphalaṁ labhet| tatpuṇyaṁ tu bhavettasya somavāravrate kṛte

Whatever fruit, multiplied a crore-fold, is obtained by burning Guggulu incense — that merit too belongs to him who performs the Somavara-vrata.

Verse 39 (skanda.7.25.39)

सर्वैश्वर्यसमायुक्तः शिवतुल्यपराक्रमः। रुद्रलोके वसेत्तावद्ब्रह्मणः प्रलयावधि

sarvaiśvaryasamāyuktaḥ śivatulyaparākramaḥ| rudraloke vasettāvadbrahmaṇaḥ pralayāvadhi

Endowed with all sovereignty, of valor equal to Shiva's, he dwells in Rudraloka for as long as until the dissolution of a Brahma.

Verse 40 (skanda.7.25.40)

संप्राप्ते नवमे वारे कुर्यादुद्यापनं शुभम्। यथा भवति गन्धर्व तथा वक्ष्यामि तेऽधुना

saṁprāpte navame vāre kuryādudyāpanaṁ śubham| yathā bhavati gandharva tathā vakṣyāmi te'dhunā

When the ninth Monday has arrived, one should perform the auspicious concluding rite; I shall now tell you, O Gandharva, how it is done.

Verse 41 (skanda.7.25.41)

मंडलं मंडपं कुण्डं पताकाध्वजशोभितम्। तोरणानि च चत्वारि कुण्डं कृत्वा विधानतः

maṁḍalaṁ maṁḍapaṁ kuṇḍaṁ patākādhvajaśobhitam| toraṇāni ca catvāri kuṇḍaṁ kṛtvā vidhānataḥ

A mandala, a pavilion, and a fire-pit, adorned with banners and flags; and four archways; having duly made the fire-pit,

Verse 42 (skanda.7.25.42)

मध्ये वेदिः प्रकर्त्तव्या चतुरस्रा सुशोभना। निष्पाद्य मंडलं तत्र मध्ये पद्मं प्रकल्पयेत्

madhye vediḥ prakarttavyā caturasrā suśobhanā| niṣpādya maṁḍalaṁ tatra madhye padmaṁ prakalpayet

in the middle a beautiful, square altar should be made; having drawn the mandala, one should fashion a lotus in its center.

Verse 43 (skanda.7.25.43)

कलशानष्टदिग्भागे सहिरण्यान्पृथक्पृथक्। स्थापयित्वा तु शक्तिस्ता वामाद्याः पूर्वतः क्रमात्

kalaśānaṣṭadigbhāge sahiraṇyānpṛthakpṛthak| sthāpayitvā tu śaktistā vāmādyāḥ pūrvataḥ kramāt

Having placed, in the eight directions, separate water-pots each with gold within them, one should invoke the Shaktis, beginning with Vama, in order from the east —

Verse 44 (skanda.7.25.44)

कर्णिकायां तु पद्मस्य श्रीसोमेशं महाप्रभम्। प्रतिमारूपसंपन्नं हेमजं शक्तिसंयुतम्

karṇikāyāṁ tu padmasya śrīsomeśaṁ mahāprabham| pratimārūpasaṁpannaṁ hemajaṁ śaktisaṁyutam

— and on the pericarp of the lotus, install glorious, greatly radiant Someshvara, in the form of an image, made of gold, together with his Shakti,

Verse 45 (skanda.7.25.45)

रुक्मशय्यासमारूढं मनोन्मन्या समन्वितम्। हेमपात्रादिके पात्रे मधुना परिपूरिते

rukmaśayyāsamārūḍhaṁ manonmanyā samanvitam| hemapātrādike pātre madhunā paripūrite

mounted upon a golden couch, joined with Manonmani, in a vessel of gold and the like, filled with honey,

Verse 46 (skanda.7.25.46)

रुक्मशय्यासमाच्छन्ने तत्रस्थं पूजयेत्क्रमात्। अनंतादिशिखंड्यंतैर्नामभिः क्रमशोऽर्चयेत्

rukmaśayyāsamācchanne tatrasthaṁ pūjayetkramāt| anaṁtādiśikhaṁḍyaṁtairnāmabhiḥ kramaśo'rcayet

covered over with the golden couch; established there, he should be worshipped in due order, honored in sequence by the names from Ananta to Shikhandin.

Verse 47 (skanda.7.25.47)

गन्धस्रग्धूपदीपैश्च नैवेद्यैश्च पृथग्विधैः। वस्त्रालंकारतांबूलच्छत्रचामरदर्प्पणम्

gandhasragdhūpadīpaiśca naivedyaiśca pṛthagvidhaiḥ| vastrālaṁkāratāṁbūlacchatracāmaradarppaṇam

With fragrant paste, garlands, incense, lamps, and various kinds of food offerings; garments, ornaments, betel, an umbrella, a fly-whisk, and a mirror,

Verse 48 (skanda.7.25.48)

दीपघंटावितानं च पर्यंकं च सतू लिकम्। सोमेश्वरं समुद्दिश्य देयं पौराणिके गुरौ

dīpaghaṁṭāvitānaṁ ca paryaṁkaṁ ca satū likam| someśvaraṁ samuddiśya deyaṁ paurāṇike gurau

a lamp, a bell, a canopy, and a couch with its cushion — all these are to be given, with Someshvara as the object of dedication, to a preceptor learned in the Puranas.

Verse 49 (skanda.7.25.49)

भूषयित्वा तथाऽऽचार्य्यं होमं तत्रैव कारयेत्। बलिकर्मावसाने च रात्रौ तत्रैव जागृयात्

bhūṣayitvā tathā''cāryyaṁ homaṁ tatraiva kārayet| balikarmāvasāne ca rātrau tatraiva jāgṛyāt

Having likewise adorned the preceptor, one should perform the fire-oblation there; and, at the conclusion of the offering rite, one should keep vigil there through the night.

Verse 50 (skanda.7.25.50)

पञ्चगव्यं ततः पीत्वा ध्यायेत्सोमेश्वरं हृदि। प्रभाते तु ततः स्नात्वा ध्यायेत्तं च विधानतः

pañcagavyaṁ tataḥ pītvā dhyāyetsomeśvaraṁ hṛdi| prabhāte tu tataḥ snātvā dhyāyettaṁ ca vidhānataḥ

Then, having drunk the five products of the cow, one should meditate on Someshvara in the heart; and, in the morning, having bathed, one should meditate on him duly.

Verse 51 (skanda.7.25.51)

ततो भक्त्या च गंधर्व क्षीरखण्डादिनिर्म्मितम्। भक्ष्यभोज्यैरनेकैश्च भोजयेद्ब्राह्मणानथ

tato bhaktyā ca gaṁdharva kṣīrakhaṇḍādinirmmitam| bhakṣyabhojyairanekaiśca bhojayedbrāhmaṇānatha

Then, O Gandharva, with devotion, one should feed the brahmins with dishes made of milk and sugar and the like, and with many other foods to eat and chew.

Verse 52 (skanda.7.25.52)

वस्त्रयुग्मं ततो दत्त्वा गां च दत्त्वा विसर्जयेत्

vastrayugmaṁ tato dattvā gāṁ ca dattvā visarjayet

Then, having given a pair of garments, and having given a cow, one should take leave of them.

Verse 53 (skanda.7.25.53)

एवं चीर्णव्रतः सम्यग्लभते पुण्यमक्षयम्। धनधान्यसमृद्धात्मा पुत्रदारसमन्वितः

evaṁ cīrṇavrataḥ samyaglabhate puṇyamakṣayam| dhanadhānyasamṛddhātmā putradārasamanvitaḥ

Thus, one who has properly observed the vow obtains imperishable merit; he becomes rich in wealth and grain, blessed with sons and wife.

Verse 54 (skanda.7.25.54)

न कुले जायते तस्य दरिद्रो दुःखितोऽपिवा। अपुत्रो लभते पुत्रान्वन्ध्या पुत्रवती भवेत्

na kule jāyate tasya daridro duḥkhito'pivā| aputro labhate putrānvandhyā putravatī bhavet

In his family, no one is born poor or suffering; a childless man obtains sons; a barren woman becomes one who has sons.

Verse 55 (skanda.7.25.55)

काकवंध्या तु या नारी मृतवत्सा च दुर्भगा। कन्याप्रसूश्च या कार्यमाभिरेतद्विशेषतः

kākavaṁdhyā tu yā nārī mṛtavatsā ca durbhagā| kanyāprasūśca yā kāryamābhiretadviśeṣataḥ

A woman who bears only one child, one whose children die, an unfortunate woman, and one who bears only daughters — by these especially, this vow should be performed.

Verse 56 (skanda.7.25.56)

एवं कृते विधाने तु देहपाते शिवं व्रजेत्। कल्पकोटिसहस्राणि कल्पकोटिशतानि च। भुंक्तेऽसौ विपुलान्भो गान्यावदाभूतसंप्लवम्

evaṁ kṛte vidhāne tu dehapāte śivaṁ vrajet| kalpakoṭisahasrāṇi kalpakoṭiśatāni ca| bhuṁkte'sau vipulānbho gānyāvadābhūtasaṁplavam

When this rite is thus performed, at the fall of the body one goes to Shiva; for thousands of crores of Kalpas, and hundreds of crores of Kalpas, he enjoys vast pleasures, until the dissolution of all beings.

Verse 57 (skanda.7.25.57)

इति ते कथितं सर्वं सोमवारव्रतं क्रमात्। गच्छ शीघ्रं महाभाग यत्र सोमेश्वरः स्थितः

iti te kathitaṁ sarvaṁ somavāravrataṁ kramāt| gaccha śīghraṁ mahābhāga yatra someśvaraḥ sthitaḥ

Thus the entire Somavara-vrata has been told to you in order. Go quickly, O most fortunate one, to where Someshvara abides.

Verse 58 (skanda.7.25.58)

ईश्वर उवाच। इत्युक्तः सच गन्धर्वः पुत्र्या सह वरानने। सर्वोपहारसंयुक्तः प्रभासक्षेत्रमाश्रितः

īśvara uvāca| ityuktaḥ saca gandharvaḥ putryā saha varānane| sarvopahārasaṁyuktaḥ prabhāsakṣetramāśritaḥ

Ishvara said: Thus addressed, that Gandharva, O fair-faced one, together with his daughter, provided with all offerings, took refuge in the field of Prabhasa.

Verse 59 (skanda.7.25.59)

तत्र सोमेश्वरं दृष्ट्वा आनन्दाश्रुपरिप्लुतः। यात्राक्रमेण संपूज्य चक्रे सोमव्रतं क्रमात्

tatra someśvaraṁ dṛṣṭvā ānandāśrupariplutaḥ| yātrākrameṇa saṁpūjya cakre somavrataṁ kramāt

Seeing Someshvara there, overflowing with tears of joy, having worshipped him in the order of pilgrimage, he performed the Soma-vow in due order.

Verse 60 (skanda.7.25.60)

पुत्र्या सह महाभागस्तस्य तुष्टो महेश्वरः। सर्वरोगविनाशं च सर्वकामसमृद्धिदम्। ददौ गन्धर्वराज्यं च भक्तिं चैवात्मनस्तथा

putryā saha mahābhāgastasya tuṣṭo maheśvaraḥ| sarvarogavināśaṁ ca sarvakāmasamṛddhidam| dadau gandharvarājyaṁ ca bhaktiṁ caivātmanastathā

Maheshvara, pleased with that most fortunate one together with his daughter, granted the destruction of all disease, and the fulfillment of every desire; and he gave him the kingdom of the Gandharvas, and devotion to himself as well.