The Account of the Deception of Vadavanala

Verse 1 (skanda.7.32.1)

ईश्वर उवाच। ततस्तेषु प्रयातेषु देवदेवेष्वसौ मुनिः। शतवर्षाणि तत्रस्थस्तपसे प्रस्थितो द्विजः

īśvara uvāca| tatasteṣu prayāteṣu devadeveṣvasau muniḥ| śatavarṣāṇi tatrasthastapase prasthito dvijaḥ

Ishvara said: Then, after those gods of gods had departed, that twice-born sage remained there and devoted himself to austerity for a hundred years.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.32.2)

आश्रमादुत्तरात्तस्माद्दिव्यां दिशमथोत्तराम्। सुभद्रापि महाभागा तस्य या परिचारिका

āśramāduttarāttasmāddivyāṁ diśamathottarām| subhadrāpi mahābhāgā tasya yā paricārikā

To the north of that ashram, toward the celestial northern direction, there also dwelt the greatly fortunate Subhadra, who was his attendant.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.32.3)

अस्त्रादानेऽसमर्था सा ऋषिं प्रोवाच भामिनी। नाहं नेतुं समर्थास्मि शस्त्राण्यालभ्य पाणिना

astrādāne'samarthā sā ṛṣiṁ provāca bhāminī| nāhaṁ netuṁ samarthāsmi śastrāṇyālabhya pāṇinā

Unable to lift the weapons, that woman said to the sage: 'I am not able to carry these weapons away, taking them up with my hand.'

Verse 4 (skanda.7.32.4)

जलेन सह तद्वीर्यं पीतवान्स ऋषिस्ततः। आत्मसंस्थानि सर्वाणि दिव्यान्यस्त्राण्यसौ मुनिः। कारयित्वोत्तरामाशां जगाम तपसां निधिः

jalena saha tadvīryaṁ pītavānsa ṛṣistataḥ| ātmasaṁsthāni sarvāṇi divyānyastrāṇyasau muniḥ| kārayitvottarāmāśāṁ jagāma tapasāṁ nidhiḥ

Then that sage drank their power/potency along with the water. That treasury of austerity, having thus absorbed all those divine weapons into his own body, set out toward the northern direction.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.32.5)

गंगाधरं शुक्लतनुं सर्प्पैराकीर्णविग्रहम्। शिववत्सुखदं पुंसामपश्यत्स हिमाचलम्

gaṁgādharaṁ śuklatanuṁ sarppairākīrṇavigraham| śivavatsukhadaṁ puṁsāmapaśyatsa himācalam

He saw the Himalaya mountain, bearer of the Ganga, white of body, its form covered with serpents, granting happiness to men just as Shiva does.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.32.6)

तथाश्रमं ददर्शोच्चैरश्वत्थैः परिपालितम्। चंद्रभागोपकंठस्थं समित्पुष्पकुशान्वितम्

tathāśramaṁ dadarśoccairaśvatthaiḥ paripālitam| caṁdrabhāgopakaṁṭhasthaṁ samitpuṣpakuśānvitam

Likewise he saw an ashram, guarded by tall ashvattha trees, situated on the bank of the Chandrabhaga river, furnished with sacrificial fuel, flowers, and kusha grass.

Verse 7 (skanda.7.32.7)

स तस्मिन्मुनिशादूलो ह्यवसन्मुनिभिः सह। सुभद्रया च संयुक्तश्चंद्रश्चंद्रिकया यथा

sa tasminmuniśādūlo hyavasanmunibhiḥ saha| subhadrayā ca saṁyuktaścaṁdraścaṁdrikayā yathā

That tiger among sages dwelt there with the other sages, and, accompanied by Subhadra, he was like the moon accompanied by its own moonlight.

Verse 8 (skanda.7.32.8)

एकदा वसतस्तस्य सुभद्रा परिचारिका। स्नानार्थं यातुमारब्धा चतुर्थेऽह्नि रजस्वला

ekadā vasatastasya subhadrā paricārikā| snānārthaṁ yātumārabdhā caturthe'hni rajasvalā

Once, while he dwelt there, his attendant Subhadra, on the fourth day of her menstrual period, set out to go bathe.

Verse 9 (skanda.7.32.9)

व्रजन्त्या च तया दृष्टं कौपीनाच्छादनं पुनः। परित्यक्तं विदित्वैवं दैवयोगाद्गृहाण सा

vrajantyā ca tayā dṛṣṭaṁ kaupīnācchādanaṁ punaḥ| parityaktaṁ viditvaivaṁ daivayogādgṛhāṇa sā

As she was going, she saw a loincloth lying discarded; realizing it had been left behind, by a turn of fate she picked it up.

Verse 10 (skanda.7.32.10)

परिधाय पुनः सा तु कौपीनं रेतसायुतम्। एकांते स्नातुमारब्धा जलाभ्याशे यथासुखम्

paridhāya punaḥ sā tu kaupīnaṁ retasāyutam| ekāṁte snātumārabdhā jalābhyāśe yathāsukham

Wearing that loincloth, soaked with semen, once more, she began to bathe happily, alone, near the water.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.32.11)

ततो देवी यथाकाममकस्माद्वीक्षते हि सा। स्वोदरस्थं समुत्पन्नं गर्भं गुरुभरालसा

tato devī yathākāmamakasmādvīkṣate hi sā| svodarasthaṁ samutpannaṁ garbhaṁ gurubharālasā

Thereafter, that goddess suddenly beheld, against her wish, a pregnancy that had arisen in her own womb, and she grew heavy and languid with the burden.

Verse 12 (skanda.7.32.12)

शोचयित्वात्मनात्मानमगर्भाहमिहागता। तत्केन मन्दभागिन्या ममैवं दूषणं कृतम्

śocayitvātmanātmānamagarbhāhamihāgatā| tatkena mandabhāginyā mamaivaṁ dūṣaṇaṁ kṛtam

Grieving over herself, she thought: 'I came here without child; then who has laid this fault upon me, unfortunate as I am?'

Verse 13 (skanda.7.32.13)

लज्जाभिभूता सा तत्र प्रविश्याश्वत्थवाटिकाम्। तत्र तं सुषुवे गर्भमविज्ञाय कुतो ह्ययम्

lajjābhibhūtā sā tatra praviśyāśvatthavāṭikām| tatra taṁ suṣuve garbhamavijñāya kuto hyayam

Overcome with shame, she entered an ashvattha grove there, and, without knowing whence that pregnancy had come, gave birth to it there.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.32.14)

पुनरेव हि सा स्नात्वा अविज्ञायात्मदुष्कृतम्। शापं दातुं समारब्धा गर्भकर्त्तरि दुःसहम्

punareva hi sā snātvā avijñāyātmaduṣkṛtam| śāpaṁ dātuṁ samārabdhā garbhakarttari duḥsaham

Not knowing her own [unwitting] wrongdoing, having bathed once more, she began to pronounce an unbearable curse upon the one who had caused the pregnancy.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.32.15)

ज्ञानाद्वा यदि वाज्ञानाद्येनेयं दूषणा कृता। सोऽद्यैव पंचतां यातु यद्यहं स्यां पतिव्रता

jñānādvā yadi vājñānādyeneyaṁ dūṣaṇā kṛtā| so'dyaiva paṁcatāṁ yātu yadyahaṁ syāṁ pativratā

'Whether knowingly or unknowingly, whoever has caused this defilement — if I am a faithful wife, may he die this very day.'

Verse 16 (skanda.7.32.16)

यद्यहं मनसा वापि कामये नापरं पतिम्। एतेन सत्यवाक्येन यातु जारः स्वयं क्षयम्

yadyahaṁ manasā vāpi kāmaye nāparaṁ patim| etena satyavākyena yātu jāraḥ svayaṁ kṣayam

'If I have never, even in my mind, desired any other husband, then by this true statement, may that adulterer himself perish.'

Verse 17 (skanda.7.32.17)

एवं शप्त्वा तु तं देवी ह्यज्ञात्वा गर्भकारिणम्। पुनर्यातुं समारब्धा तद्दधीचिनिकेतनम्

evaṁ śaptvā tu taṁ devī hyajñātvā garbhakāriṇam| punaryātuṁ samārabdhā taddadhīciniketanam

Having thus cursed, without knowing who had caused the pregnancy, that woman set out once more toward Dadhichi's abode.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.32.18)

तत्र चार्कप्रतीकाशं गर्भमुत्सृज्य सा तदा। प्राप्ता तपोवनं रम्यं यत्रासौ मुनिपुंगवः

tatra cārkapratīkāśaṁ garbhamutsṛjya sā tadā| prāptā tapovanaṁ ramyaṁ yatrāsau munipuṁgavaḥ

There, having abandoned that fetus, radiant as the sun, she reached that lovely penance-grove where that bull among sages dwelt.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.32.19)

अत्रांतरे सर्वदेवा लोकपाला महाबलाः। अस्त्राणां कारणार्थाय मुनेराश्रममागताः

atrāṁtare sarvadevā lokapālā mahābalāḥ| astrāṇāṁ kāraṇārthāya munerāśramamāgatāḥ

Meanwhile, all the mighty gods and world-guardians came to the sage's ashram for the purpose of reclaiming the weapons.

Verse 20 (skanda.7.32.20)

उवाच तं मुनिं शक्रो न्यासो यस्तव सुव्रत। दत्तोऽस्माभिस्तु शस्त्राणां तानि क्षिप्रं प्रयच्छ नः

uvāca taṁ muniṁ śakro nyāso yastava suvrata| datto'smābhistu śastrāṇāṁ tāni kṣipraṁ prayaccha naḥ

Shakra said to that sage: 'O one of good vows, the deposit of weapons given by us to you — return that to us quickly.'

Verse 21 (skanda.7.32.21)

ऋषिराह पुरा यत्र स्थापितानि ममाश्रमे। तत्रैव तानि तिष्ठंति न चानीतानि वासव

ṛṣirāha purā yatra sthāpitāni mamāśrame| tatraiva tāni tiṣṭhaṁti na cānītāni vāsava

The sage said: 'Where they were originally placed in my ashram, there they remain; O Vasava, they have not been carried off anywhere.'

Verse 22 (skanda.7.32.22)

यत्तु तेषां बलं वीर्यं संग्रामे शत्रुसूदन। तन्मया पीतमखिलं सह तोयेन वासव

yattu teṣāṁ balaṁ vīryaṁ saṁgrāme śatrusūdana| tanmayā pītamakhilaṁ saha toyena vāsava

'But, O slayer of enemies, O Vasava, whatever strength and valor they possessed for battle — all of that I have drunk, together with the water.'

Verse 23 (skanda.7.32.23)

एवं स्थिते मयाऽस्त्राणि यदि देयानि तेऽनघ। ततोस्थीनि प्रयच्छामि तदाकाराणि सुव्रत

evaṁ sthite mayā'strāṇi yadi deyāni te'nagha| tatosthīni prayacchāmi tadākārāṇi suvrata

'Given this situation, O sinless one, O good-vowed one, if weapons must be given to you, then I shall give you my bones, in those very same forms.'

Verse 24 (skanda.7.32.24)

एवमुक्तः सहस्राक्षस्तमाह मुनिसत्तमम्। नान्येषु तद्बलं रौद्रं यत्तु तेषु व्यवस्थितम्

evamuktaḥ sahasrākṣastamāha munisattamam| nānyeṣu tadbalaṁ raudraṁ yattu teṣu vyavasthitam

When this was said, the thousand-eyed one (Indra) said to that most excellent sage: 'That terrible power is established only in those [original weapons], not in anything else.'

Verse 25 (skanda.7.32.25)

यस्मात्तेषु विनिक्षिप्य सहस्रांशं स्वतेजसाम्। अस्माकं दत्तवान्रुद्रो रक्षार्थं जगतां शिवः

yasmātteṣu vinikṣipya sahasrāṁśaṁ svatejasām| asmākaṁ dattavānrudro rakṣārthaṁ jagatāṁ śivaḥ

'For Rudra, the auspicious one, having infused a thousandth portion of his own energy into them, gave them to us for the protection of the world.'

Verse 26 (skanda.7.32.26)

तद्वयं तानि सर्वाणि गृहीत्वा च व्यवस्थिताः। लोकस्य रक्षणार्थाय संज्ञेयं तेन लोकपाः

tadvayaṁ tāni sarvāṇi gṛhītvā ca vyavasthitāḥ| lokasya rakṣaṇārthāya saṁjñeyaṁ tena lokapāḥ

'Therefore we, having taken hold of all of them, have become established for the protection of the world; for that reason we are called Lokapalas (world-guardians).'

Verse 27 (skanda.7.32.27)

अमीषामपि शस्त्राणा मुत्तमं वज्रमिष्यते। तद्धारणाद्यतोऽस्माकं देवराजत्वमिष्यते

amīṣāmapi śastrāṇā muttamaṁ vajramiṣyate| taddhāraṇādyato'smākaṁ devarājatvamiṣyate

'Among these weapons, the vajra is held to be supreme; by holding it, our status as king of the gods is attained.'

Verse 28 (skanda.7.32.28)

वज्रादप्युत्तमं चक्रं यत्तद्विष्णुपरिग्रहे। दैत्यदानवसंघानां तदायत्तो जयोऽभवत्

vajrādapyuttamaṁ cakraṁ yattadviṣṇuparigrahe| daityadānavasaṁghānāṁ tadāyatto jayo'bhavat

'Better even than the vajra is the discus that Vishnu possesses; by it, victory over the hosts of Daityas and Danavas was achieved.'

Verse 29 (skanda.7.32.29)

तस्मात्तानि यथास्माभिः प्राप्यते मुनिसत्तम। तथा कुरुष्व संचिन्त्य कार्यं कार्यविदां वर

tasmāttāni yathāsmābhiḥ prāpyate munisattama| tathā kuruṣva saṁcintya kāryaṁ kāryavidāṁ vara

'Therefore, O best of sages, arrange, having thought it through carefully, however we may obtain them again, O best knower of what must be done.'

Verse 30 (skanda.7.32.30)

एवमुक्ते मुनिः प्राह तं शक्रं पुरतः स्थितम्। तत्प्राप्त्यर्थमुपायं तु कथयामि तवापरम्

evamukte muniḥ prāha taṁ śakraṁ purataḥ sthitam| tatprāptyarthamupāyaṁ tu kathayāmi tavāparam

When this was said, the sage spoke to Shakra, who stood before him: 'I shall tell you another means of obtaining them.'

Verse 31 (skanda.7.32.31)

यान्येतानि ममास्थीनि यूयं तैस्तानि सर्वशः। निर्मापयध्वं शस्त्राणि तदाकाराणि सर्वशः

yānyetāni mamāsthīni yūyaṁ taistāni sarvaśaḥ| nirmāpayadhvaṁ śastrāṇi tadākārāṇi sarvaśaḥ

'With these very bones of mine, fashion all the weapons in exactly those same forms.'

Verse 32 (skanda.7.32.32)

एतानि तत्समुत्थानि तेषामप्यधिकं बलम्। साधयिष्यति भवतां संग्रामे यन्ममेहितम्

etāni tatsamutthāni teṣāmapyadhikaṁ balam| sādhayiṣyati bhavatāṁ saṁgrāme yanmamehitam

'These, arising from that, will possess even greater strength than the originals, and will accomplish in battle whatever desired purpose of mine you wish.'

Verse 33 (skanda.7.32.33)

तमुवाच ततः शक्रो दधीचिं तपसोनिधिम्। प्राणहारं प्रकर्तुं ते नाहं शक्तो यमिच्छसि

tamuvāca tataḥ śakro dadhīciṁ tapasonidhim| prāṇahāraṁ prakartuṁ te nāhaṁ śakto yamicchasi

Then Shakra said to Dadhichi, the treasury of austerity: 'What you desire is to take your own life; I am not capable of doing that.'

Verse 34 (skanda.7.32.34)

न चामृतस्य तेऽस्थीनि ग्रहीतुं शक्तिरस्ति नः। तस्मात्सर्वं समालोच्य यत्कर्तव्यं तदुच्यताम्

na cāmṛtasya te'sthīni grahītuṁ śaktirasti naḥ| tasmātsarvaṁ samālocya yatkartavyaṁ taducyatām

'Nor do we have the power to take the bones of you, who are of the nature of the immortal. Therefore, having considered everything, tell us what should be done.'

Verse 35 (skanda.7.32.35)

एवमुक्तो मुनिः प्राह एतदेव कलेवरम्। त्यजामि स्वयमेवाहं देव कार्यार्थसिद्धये

evamukto muniḥ prāha etadeva kalevaram| tyajāmi svayamevāhaṁ deva kāryārthasiddhaye

Thus addressed, the sage said: 'I myself shall give up this very body, for the accomplishment of the task of the gods.'

Verse 36 (skanda.7.32.36)

अध्रुवं सर्वदुःखानामाश्रयं सुजुगुप्सितम्। यदा ह्येतत्तदा युक्तः परित्यागोऽस्य सांप्रतम्

adhruvaṁ sarvaduḥkhānāmāśrayaṁ sujugupsitam| yadā hyetattadā yuktaḥ parityāgo'sya sāṁpratam

'This unstable body, the abode of all sorrows, utterly loathsome — being such, its abandonment now is indeed fitting.'

Verse 37 (skanda.7.32.37)

अस्य त्यागेन मे दुःखं संसारोत्थं न जायते। यस्माज्जन्मांतरे जातो मृतोपि हि भवेत्पुनः

asya tyāgena me duḥkhaṁ saṁsārotthaṁ na jāyate| yasmājjanmāṁtare jāto mṛtopi hi bhavetpunaḥ

'By its abandonment, no sorrow arising from samsara comes to me; for one who dies is born again in another birth.'

Verse 38 (skanda.7.32.38)

भार्या भगिनी दुहिता स्वकर्मफलयोजनात्। जाता तेनैव संसारे रतिकार्ये जुगुप्सिता

bhāryā bhaginī duhitā svakarmaphalayojanāt| jātā tenaiva saṁsāre ratikārye jugupsitā

'Wife, sister, daughter — these are all born, through the connection of one's own karmic fruits, in this very samsara for the loathsome purpose of sensual pleasure.'

Verse 39 (skanda.7.32.39)

यस्माच्च स्वयमेवैतद्वपुस्त्यजति वै ध्रुवम्। तस्मादस्य परित्यागो वरः कार्योऽचिरात्स्वयम्

yasmācca svayamevaitadvapustyajati vai dhruvam| tasmādasya parityāgo varaḥ kāryo'cirātsvayam

'And since this body will certainly abandon itself of its own accord in any case, therefore its own swift, voluntary abandonment is the better course.'

Verse 40 (skanda.7.32.40)

एवं पुरंदरस्याग्रे संकीर्त्य स महामुनिः। दधीचिः प्राणसंहारं कृतवान्सत्वरं तदा

evaṁ puraṁdarasyāgre saṁkīrtya sa mahāmuniḥ| dadhīciḥ prāṇasaṁhāraṁ kṛtavānsatvaraṁ tadā

Having thus proclaimed this before Purandara (Indra), that great sage Dadhichi then swiftly caused his own life-breath to depart.

Verse 41 (skanda.7.32.41)

गतासुं तं विदित्वैवं विबुधास्तत्कलेवरम्। मांसशोणितनिर्मुक्तं कथं कार्यं व्यचिंतयन्

gatāsuṁ taṁ viditvaivaṁ vibudhāstatkalevaram| māṁsaśoṇitanirmuktaṁ kathaṁ kāryaṁ vyaciṁtayan

Knowing that he had thus expired, the gods pondered how his body should be made free of flesh and blood.

Verse 42 (skanda.7.32.42)

ततस्तदस्थिशुद्ध्यर्थमुवाचेदं सुरेश्वरः। गौरीणां कर्कशा जिह्वा ता एतदुत्खिदंत्विति

tatastadasthiśuddhyarthamuvācedaṁ sureśvaraḥ| gaurīṇāṁ karkaśā jihvā tā etadutkhidaṁtviti

Then, for the purification of those bones, the Lord of the gods said: 'Let the rough tongues of the cows lick this away.'

Verse 43 (skanda.7.32.43)

ततस्तैर्विबुधैर्नंदा यदा लोकेषु संस्थिता। ध्याता तदोपयाता सा सखीभिः परिवारिता

tatastairvibudhairnaṁdā yadā lokeṣu saṁsthitā| dhyātā tadopayātā sā sakhībhiḥ parivāritā

Then, when those gods meditated upon Nanda, established among the worlds, she came there, surrounded by her companions.

Verse 44 (skanda.7.32.44)

नंदा सुभद्रा सुरभिः सुशीला सुमनास्तथा। इति गोमातरः पंच गोलोकाच्च समागताः

naṁdā subhadrā surabhiḥ suśīlā sumanāstathā| iti gomātaraḥ paṁca golokācca samāgatāḥ

Nanda, Subhadra, Surabhi, Sushila, and Sumanas — thus these five mother-cows came from Goloka.

Verse 45 (skanda.7.32.45)

ऊचुस्तान्विबुधान्सर्वानस्माभिर्यत्प्रयोजनम्। कर्त्तव्यं तत्करिष्यामः कथ्यतां सुविचारितम्

ūcustānvibudhānsarvānasmābhiryatprayojanam| karttavyaṁ tatkariṣyāmaḥ kathyatāṁ suvicāritam

They said to all those gods: 'Whatever purpose you wish accomplished by us, we shall do it; tell us, having considered it well.'

Verse 46 (skanda.7.32.46)

देवा ऊचुः। यदेतदृषिणा त्यक्तं स्वयमेव कलेवरम्। एतन्मांसादिनिर्मुक्तं क्रियतामस्थिपंजरम्

devā ūcuḥ| yadetadṛṣiṇā tyaktaṁ svayameva kalevaram| etanmāṁsādinirmuktaṁ kriyatāmasthipaṁjaram

The gods said: 'This body which the sage himself has abandoned — let it be freed from flesh and made into a mere skeleton of bones.'

Verse 47 (skanda.7.32.47)

तत्कृत्वा गर्हितं कर्म देवादेशात्सुदारुणम्। पुनः पितामहं द्रष्टुं गतास्ताः सुरसत्तमाः

tatkṛtvā garhitaṁ karma devādeśātsudāruṇam| punaḥ pitāmahaṁ draṣṭuṁ gatāstāḥ surasattamāḥ

Having performed that most terrible, reprehensible deed by the gods' command, those best of gods went again to see the Grandsire.

Verse 48 (skanda.7.32.48)

ततस्तु दारुणं कर्म यच्च ताभिरनुष्ठितम्। पितामहस्य तत्सर्वं समाचख्युर्यथातथम्

tatastu dāruṇaṁ karma yacca tābhiranuṣṭhitam| pitāmahasya tatsarvaṁ samācakhyuryathātatham

Then they related to the Grandsire, exactly as it had happened, that terrible deed which had been carried out by them.

Verse 49 (skanda.7.32.49)

तच्छ्रुत्वा विबुधान्सर्वान्समाहूय पितामहः। सर्वगात्रेष्वस्पृशत सुरभीः शुद्धिकाम्यया

tacchrutvā vibudhānsarvānsamāhūya pitāmahaḥ| sarvagātreṣvaspṛśata surabhīḥ śuddhikāmyayā

Having heard this, the Grandsire summoned all the gods and, desiring their purification, touched all the limbs of those cows (Surabhi and the others).

Verse 50 (skanda.7.32.50)

तास्तु तैर्विबुधैः स्पृष्टाः सुपूताः समवस्थिताः। मुखमेकं परं तासां न स्पृष्टमशुचि स्मृतम्

tāstu tairvibudhaiḥ spṛṣṭāḥ supūtāḥ samavasthitāḥ| mukhamekaṁ paraṁ tāsāṁ na spṛṣṭamaśuci smṛtam

Those cows, touched by the gods, became thoroughly purified and remained so; only their one mouth remained untouched, and was remembered as impure.

Verse 51 (skanda.7.32.51)

अपवित्रं भवेत्तासां मुखमेकं जुगुप्सितम्। शेषं शरीरं सर्वासां विशिष्टं तु सुरैः कृतम्

apavitraṁ bhavettāsāṁ mukhamekaṁ jugupsitam| śeṣaṁ śarīraṁ sarvāsāṁ viśiṣṭaṁ tu suraiḥ kṛtam

Their one mouth would remain impure and reviled; the rest of the body of all of them was made distinguished by the gods.

Verse 52 (skanda.7.32.52)

सरस्वत्या तु ताः प्रोक्ता भवंत्यो ब्रह्मघातिकाः। अन्यथा कारणात्कस्मान्न स्पृष्टममरैर्मुखम्

sarasvatyā tu tāḥ proktā bhavaṁtyo brahmaghātikāḥ| anyathā kāraṇātkasmānna spṛṣṭamamarairmukham

Then Sarasvati said to them: 'You have become killers of a brahmin; otherwise, for what other reason would the gods not have touched your mouth?'

Verse 53 (skanda.7.32.53)

ततस्ताभिस्तु सा प्रोक्ता देवी तत्र सरस्वती। नैतत्ते वचनं युक्तं वक्तुमेवंविधं मुखम्

tatastābhistu sā proktā devī tatra sarasvatī| naitatte vacanaṁ yuktaṁ vaktumevaṁvidhaṁ mukham

Then those cows said to the goddess Sarasvati there: 'It is not proper for you to speak this word, to say such a thing about this mouth.'

Verse 54 (skanda.7.32.54)

अस्माकमेव हृदयमनेन वचसा त्वया। निर्दग्धं येन तस्मात्त्वमचिराद्दाहमाप्स्यसि

asmākameva hṛdayamanena vacasā tvayā| nirdagdhaṁ yena tasmāttvamacirāddāhamāpsyasi

'By this very speech of yours, you have burned our own heart; therefore you too shall soon attain a burning.'

Verse 55 (skanda.7.32.55)

शापं दत्त्वा ततस्तस्याः सरस्वत्यास्तु तास्तदा। गोलोकं गतवत्यस्तु सुरभ्यः सुरपूजिताः

śāpaṁ dattvā tatastasyāḥ sarasvatyāstu tāstadā| golokaṁ gatavatyastu surabhyaḥ surapūjitāḥ

Having given this curse to Sarasvati, those cows, worshipped by the gods, then went to Goloka.

Verse 56 (skanda.7.32.56)

आहूय विश्वकर्माणं तक्षाणं सुरसत्तमाः। अस्माकं कुरु शस्त्राणि तमाहुर्युद्धकारणात्

āhūya viśvakarmāṇaṁ takṣāṇaṁ surasattamāḥ| asmākaṁ kuru śastrāṇi tamāhuryuddhakāraṇāt

The best of the gods, having summoned Vishvakarma, the craftsman, said to him, for the purpose of war: 'Make weapons for us.'

Verse 57 (skanda.7.32.57)

एतद्वचनमाकर्ण्य तानि पूतैर्नवैर्दृढैः। अस्त्राणि कारयामास दर्धोचेरस्थिसंचयैः

etadvacanamākarṇya tāni pūtairnavairdṛḍhaiḥ| astrāṇi kārayāmāsa dardhocerasthisaṁcayaiḥ

Having heard this word, he fashioned those weapons from Dadhichi's pure, fresh, and firm collection of bones.

Verse 58 (skanda.7.32.58)

प्रमाणाकारयुक्तानि देवानां तानि संयुगे। अजेयानि यथा चासंस्तथा चासौ विनिर्ममे

pramāṇākārayuktāni devānāṁ tāni saṁyuge| ajeyāni yathā cāsaṁstathā cāsau vinirmame

Endowed with the measure and form suited for the gods in battle, he made them, just as they had been before, unconquerable once more.

Verse 59 (skanda.7.32.59)

वज्रमिंद्रस्य शक्तिं च वह्नेर्दंडं यमस्य च। खड्गं तु निऋतेः पाशं सम्यक्चक्रे प्रचेतसः

vajramiṁdrasya śaktiṁ ca vahnerdaṁḍaṁ yamasya ca| khaḍgaṁ tu niṛteḥ pāśaṁ samyakcakre pracetasaḥ

The vajra of Indra, the shakti of Agni, the danda of Yama, the sword of Nirriti, and the noose of Varuna (Pracheta) — all of these he properly fashioned.

Verse 60 (skanda.7.32.60)

वायोर्ध्वजं कुबेरस्य गदां गुर्वीं च निर्ममे। विश्वकर्मा तथा शूलमीशानस्य च निर्ममे

vāyordhvajaṁ kuberasya gadāṁ gurvīṁ ca nirmame| viśvakarmā tathā śūlamīśānasya ca nirmame

He also made the banner of Vayu, and Kubera's heavy mace; and Vishvakarma likewise made the trident of Ishana.

Verse 61 (skanda.7.32.61)

गृहीत्वैतानि वै देवाः शस्त्राण्यस्त्रबलं तदा। विजेतुं च ततो दैत्यान्दानवांश्च गतास्तदा

gṛhītvaitāni vai devāḥ śastrāṇyastrabalaṁ tadā| vijetuṁ ca tato daityāndānavāṁśca gatāstadā

Having taken up these weapons — that power of the astras — the gods then set out to conquer the Daityas and Danavas.

Verse 62 (skanda.7.32.62)

अत्रांतरे सुभद्रापि दधीचेरौर्ध्वदैहिकम्। कृत्वा तैर्मुनिभिः सार्धमन्वेष्टुं सा गता सुतम्

atrāṁtare subhadrāpi dadhīceraurdhvadaihikam| kṛtvā tairmunibhiḥ sārdhamanveṣṭuṁ sā gatā sutam

Meanwhile, Subhadra too, having performed Dadhichi's funerary rites together with the sages, set out to search for her son.

Verse 63 (skanda.7.32.63)

अश्वत्थवाटिकायां च तमपश्य न्मनोरमम्। दृष्ट्वा रोदिति जीवंतं मुक्त्वा बाष्पमथाचिरम्

aśvatthavāṭikāyāṁ ca tamapaśya nmanoramam| dṛṣṭvā roditi jīvaṁtaṁ muktvā bāṣpamathāciram

In the ashvattha grove she beheld that lovely child; seeing him alive, she wept and at once began to shed tears.

Verse 64 (skanda.7.32.64)

अंबेत्याभाष्य तेनोक्ता मा रोदीस्त्वं यशस्विनि। सर्वं पुराकृतस्यैतत्फलं तव ममापि हि

aṁbetyābhāṣya tenoktā mā rodīstvaṁ yaśasvini| sarvaṁ purākṛtasyaitatphalaṁ tava mamāpi hi

Calling her 'Mother!', he said to her: 'Do not weep, O glorious one; all of this is the fruit of deeds from a former life, both yours and mine.'

Verse 65 (skanda.7.32.65)

यद्यथा यत्र येनेह कर्म जन्मांतरार्जितम्। तदवश्यं हि भोक्तव्यं त्यज शोकमतोऽखिलम्

yadyathā yatra yeneha karma janmāṁtarārjitam| tadavaśyaṁ hi bhoktavyaṁ tyaja śokamato'khilam

'Whatever karma was earned, by whom, where, and how, in a former birth, must certainly be experienced; therefore abandon all this grief.'

Verse 66 (skanda.7.32.66)

मत्परित्यागलज्जा च न ते कार्येह सुन्दरि। फलं पुराकृतस्यैतद्भोक्तव्यं तन्मयापि हि

matparityāgalajjā ca na te kāryeha sundari| phalaṁ purākṛtasyaitadbhoktavyaṁ tanmayāpi hi

'O beautiful one, you need not feel shame here about abandoning me; this is the fruit of past deeds, which I too must experience.'

Verse 67 (skanda.7.32.67)

मातर्ममोपरि कुरु पुत्रस्नेहं यशस्विनि। बालस्य हि परित्यागा न्माता दोषेण लिप्यते

mātarmamopari kuru putrasnehaṁ yaśasvini| bālasya hi parityāgā nmātā doṣeṇa lipyate

'O mother, O glorious one, bestow a mother's affection upon me; a mother is not tainted by fault through abandoning her infant.'

Verse 68 (skanda.7.32.68)

बालेनाभिहिता सा तु ध्यात्वा देवं जनार्द्दनम्। कृतांजलिरुवाचेदं कथ्यतां मे सुनिश्चितम्

bālenābhihitā sā tu dhyātvā devaṁ janārddanam| kṛtāṁjaliruvācedaṁ kathyatāṁ me suniścitam

Addressed thus by the child, she, meditating on the god Janardana, said with folded hands: 'Tell me this with certainty—'

Verse 69 (skanda.7.32.69)

न विजानाम्यहं तथ्यं कस्यायं वीर्यसंभवः। तस्मात्कथय देवेश मम ते निश्चितं वचः

na vijānāmyahaṁ tathyaṁ kasyāyaṁ vīryasaṁbhavaḥ| tasmātkathaya deveśa mama te niścitaṁ vacaḥ

'—I truly do not know from whose seed this [child] was born. Therefore, O Lord of gods, speak to me your definite word.'

Verse 70 (skanda.7.32.70)

आहोक्ते मातरं कृष्णः सुभद्रां वै जनार्द्दनः। दधीचेस्तनयश्चायं भर्तुस्ते क्षेत्रसंभवः

āhokte mātaraṁ kṛṣṇaḥ subhadrāṁ vai janārddanaḥ| dadhīcestanayaścāyaṁ bhartuste kṣetrasaṁbhavaḥ

When this was said, Krishna Janardana said to the mother, Subhadra: 'This is indeed the son of Dadhichi, born from your husband's own field.'

Verse 71 (skanda.7.32.71)

तस्योत्पत्तिं विदित्वैवं सुभद्रा हृष्टमानसा। बालमंके समारोप्य अरोदीदार्तया गिरा

tasyotpattiṁ viditvaivaṁ subhadrā hṛṣṭamānasā| bālamaṁke samāropya arodīdārtayā girā

Understanding thus his origin, Subhadra, glad at heart, placed the child on her lap and wept with an anguished voice.

Verse 72 (skanda.7.32.72)

आह बालक उत्पन्नः शोकस्य वद कारणम्। अथोक्तः स्तन्यरहितं कथं ते जीवितं धृतम्

āha bālaka utpannaḥ śokasya vada kāraṇam| athoktaḥ stanyarahitaṁ kathaṁ te jīvitaṁ dhṛtam

He said: 'O child born of me, tell me the cause of your grief.' Then she was told: 'Without milk, how have you sustained your life?'

Verse 73 (skanda.7.32.73)

यस्माच्चतुर्विधा सृष्टिर्जीवानां ब्रह्मणा कृता। जरायुजांडजोद्भिज्ज स्वेदजाश्च तथा स्मृताः

yasmāccaturvidhā sṛṣṭirjīvānāṁ brahmaṇā kṛtā| jarāyujāṁḍajodbhijja svedajāśca tathā smṛtāḥ

'Since a fourfold creation of living beings has been made by Brahma: womb-born, egg-born, sprout-born, and sweat-born, thus it is remembered—'

Verse 74 (skanda.7.32.74)

नरस्त्रीनपुंसकाख्याश्च जातिभेदा जरायुजाः। चतुष्पदाश्च पशवो ग्राम्याश्चारण्यजास्तथा

narastrīnapuṁsakākhyāśca jātibhedā jarāyujāḥ| catuṣpadāśca paśavo grāmyāścāraṇyajāstathā

'—men, women, and eunuchs are the caste-divisions among the womb-born, and so too are the four-footed animals, both domestic and wild—'

Verse 75 (skanda.7.32.75)

अण्डजाः पक्षिणः सर्वे मीनाः कूर्मसरीसृपाः। स्वेदजा मत्कुणा यूका दंशाश्च मशकास्तथा

aṇḍajāḥ pakṣiṇaḥ sarve mīnāḥ kūrmasarīsṛpāḥ| svedajā matkuṇā yūkā daṁśāśca maśakāstathā

'—all birds, fish, tortoises, and reptiles are egg-born; bedbugs, lice, gadflies, and mosquitoes are sweat-born—'

Verse 76 (skanda.7.32.76)

उद्भिज्जाः स्थावराः प्रोक्तास्तृणगुल्मलता दयः। अन्येऽप्येवं यथायोगमंतर्भूताः सहस्रशः

udbhijjāḥ sthāvarāḥ proktāstṛṇagulmalatā dayaḥ| anye'pyevaṁ yathāyogamaṁtarbhūtāḥ sahasraśaḥ

'—grass, shrubs, creepers, and the like, being stationary, are declared to be sprout-born; likewise thousands of others are included, each according to its kind.'

Verse 77 (skanda.7.32.77)

अण्डजाः पक्षपातेन जीवंति शिशवो भुवि। ऊष्मणा स्वेदजाः सर्वे उद्भिज्जाः सलिलेन हि

aṇḍajāḥ pakṣapātena jīvaṁti śiśavo bhuvi| ūṣmaṇā svedajāḥ sarve udbhijjāḥ salilena hi

'Egg-born young live on earth by their mother's wing; all sweat-born live by warmth; sprout-born live by water indeed—'

Verse 78 (skanda.7.32.78)

समुदायेन भूतानां पञ्चानामुद्भिजं भुवि। जरायुजाश्च स्तन्येन विना जीवितुमक्षमाः

samudāyena bhūtānāṁ pañcānāmudbhijaṁ bhuvi| jarāyujāśca stanyena vinā jīvitumakṣamāḥ

'—by the combination of the five elements, sprout-born live on earth; but the womb-born are incapable of living without milk.'

Verse 79 (skanda.7.32.79)

विना तेन कथं पुत्र त्वया प्राणा विधारिताः। तां तथा जननीं प्राह स च बाष्पाविलेक्षणाम्

vinā tena kathaṁ putra tvayā prāṇā vidhāritāḥ| tāṁ tathā jananīṁ prāha sa ca bāṣpāvilekṣaṇām

'O son, without that, how have you sustained your life-breath?' Thus he spoke to his mother of tear-filled eyes—

Verse 80 (skanda.7.32.80)

अश्वत्थफलनिर्यासपानात्प्राणा मया धृताः। गौणं तदा तया तस्य पिप्पलादेति कल्पितम्

aśvatthaphalaniryāsapānātprāṇā mayā dhṛtāḥ| gauṇaṁ tadā tayā tasya pippalādeti kalpitam

—'By drinking the sap of the ashvattha fruit, I have sustained my life-breath.' Then she fashioned for him the derivative name 'Pippalada'.

Verse 81 (skanda.7.32.81)

नाम तेन जगत्यस्मिन्नित्यं ख्यातं महात्मनः। तत्रस्थैर्मुनिभिस्तस्य कृताः सर्वैर्यथाक्रमम्

nāma tena jagatyasminnityaṁ khyātaṁ mahātmanaḥ| tatrasthairmunibhistasya kṛtāḥ sarvairyathākramam

By that name, that great-souled one became eternally famous in this world. The sages dwelling there performed all his sacraments in due order—

Verse 82 (skanda.7.32.82)

संस्काराः पिप्पलादस्य वेदोक्ता वेद पारगैः। षडंगोपांगसंयुक्ता वेदास्तेन समुद्धृताः। तदाश्रमनिवासिभ्यो मुनिभ्यश्च सुपुष्कलाः

saṁskārāḥ pippalādasya vedoktā veda pāragaiḥ| ṣaḍaṁgopāṁgasaṁyuktā vedāstena samuddhṛtāḥ| tadāśramanivāsibhyo munibhyaśca supuṣkalāḥ

—the sacraments of Pippalada, as taught by the Veda, performed by sages versed in the Veda. He recovered the Vedas complete with their six limbs and sub-limbs, and gave them most abundantly to the sages dwelling in that ashram.

Verse 83 (skanda.7.32.83)

पुनस्तत्र स्थितश्चासौ दृष्ट्वा मुनिकुमारकान्। स्वपित्रंकगतान्प्राह जननीं तां शुचिस्मिताम्

punastatra sthitaścāsau dṛṣṭvā munikumārakān| svapitraṁkagatānprāha jananīṁ tāṁ śucismitām

Then, dwelling there once more, seeing the sons of the sages seated in their own fathers' laps, he said to his pure-smiling mother—

Verse 84 (skanda.7.32.84)

पिता मे कुत्र भद्रं ते सुभद्रे कथय स्फुटम्। तदेकांतस्थितो येन बालक्रीडां करोम्यहम्

pitā me kutra bhadraṁ te subhadre kathaya sphuṭam| tadekāṁtasthito yena bālakrīḍāṁ karomyaham

—'O Subhadra, where is my father? Tell me clearly, so that, alone with him, I may play a child's games.'

Verse 85 (skanda.7.32.85)

एवं सा जननी तेन यदा पृष्टा तपस्विनी। तदा रोदितुमारब्धा नोत्तरं किञ्चिदब्रवीत्

evaṁ sā jananī tena yadā pṛṣṭā tapasvinī| tadā roditumārabdhā nottaraṁ kiñcidabravīt

When that ascetic mother was thus questioned by him, she began to weep and gave no reply at all.

Verse 86 (skanda.7.32.86)

रुदन्तीं तां समालोक्य कुद्धोऽसौ मुनिदारकः। किमसौ कुत्सितः कश्चिद्येन नाख्यासि तं मम

rudantīṁ tāṁ samālokya kuddho'sau munidārakaḥ| kimasau kutsitaḥ kaścidyena nākhyāsi taṁ mama

Seeing her weeping, that sage's son grew angry: 'Is my father someone despicable, that you will not tell me of him?'

Verse 87 (skanda.7.32.87)

इत्युक्ते सुतमाहैवं विबुधैस्ते पिता हतः। कोपं त्यजस्व भद्रं ते दधीचिः कथितो मया

ityukte sutamāhaivaṁ vibudhaiste pitā hataḥ| kopaṁ tyajasva bhadraṁ te dadhīciḥ kathito mayā

When this was said, she spoke to her son: 'Your father was slain by the gods. Abandon your anger, may it be well with you; he was Dadhichi — this I have told you.'

Verse 88 (skanda.7.32.88)

कोपवह्निप्रदीप्तात्मा प्राह तां जननीं पुनः। किमपकृतं सुराणां मत्पित्रा कथयस्व तत्

kopavahnipradīptātmā prāha tāṁ jananīṁ punaḥ| kimapakṛtaṁ surāṇāṁ matpitrā kathayasva tat

His self ablaze with the fire of anger, he asked his mother again: 'What wrong did my father do to the gods? Tell me that.'

Verse 89 (skanda.7.32.89)

सुभद्रोवाच। शस्त्राणां कारणान्मूढैर्हतोऽसौ मुनिपुंगवः। प्रयच्छन्नपि चान्यानि तदाकाराणि सुव्रत

subhadrovāca| śastrāṇāṁ kāraṇānmūḍhairhato'sau munipuṁgavaḥ| prayacchannapi cānyāni tadākārāṇi suvrata

Subhadra said: 'That bull among sages was slain by fools for the sake of weapons — even while he was offering them other weapons of the very same forms, O good-vowed one.'

Verse 90 (skanda.7.32.90)

श्रुत्वैतद्वचनं सोऽपि मुनिरुग्रतपास्तदा। पिता मे यो हतो देवैस्तेषां कृत्यां महाबलाम्

śrutvaitadvacanaṁ so'pi munirugratapāstadā| pitā me yo hato devaisteṣāṁ kṛtyāṁ mahābalām

Having heard this word, that sage of exceedingly fierce austerity then declared: 'Against those gods by whom my father was slain, I shall produce a mighty and powerful sorcery-weapon—'

Verse 91 (skanda.7.32.91)

उत्थाप्य पातयिष्यामि मूर्द्ध्नि प्राणापहारिकाम्। पितामहमहं मुक्त्वा नैव हन्यो भवेद्यदि

utthāpya pātayiṣyāmi mūrddhni prāṇāpahārikām| pitāmahamahaṁ muktvā naiva hanyo bhavedyadi

'—and, raising it up, I shall cast it down life-destroying upon their heads — unless they take refuge with the Grandsire himself, in which case alone they shall not be slain.'

Verse 92 (skanda.7.32.92)

अन्यान्प्रमथयिष्यामि कृत्याशस्त्रेण संगतान्। शरणं यदि यास्यंति गीर्वाणा मद्भयातुराः। तथापि पातयिष्यामि तेनैव सह संगतान्

anyānpramathayiṣyāmi kṛtyāśastreṇa saṁgatān| śaraṇaṁ yadi yāsyaṁti gīrvāṇā madbhayāturāḥ| tathāpi pātayiṣyāmi tenaiva saha saṁgatān

'I shall destroy all the others too with that sorcery-weapon; even if the gods, tormented by fear of me, seek refuge with someone, I shall still cast down those who have taken refuge together with that very protector.'

Verse 93 (skanda.7.32.93)

मत्वैवं तमृषिं कुद्धं सर्वे ते सुरसत्तमाः। ब्रह्माणं शरणं प्राप्ता भयेन महताऽर्द्दिताः

matvaivaṁ tamṛṣiṁ kuddhaṁ sarve te surasattamāḥ| brahmāṇaṁ śaraṇaṁ prāptā bhayena mahatā'rdditāḥ

Knowing that sage to be thus enraged, all those best of gods, sorely afflicted with great fear, took refuge with Brahma.

Verse 94 (skanda.7.32.94)

तांस्तस्य शरणं प्राप्ताञ्ज्ञात्वा देवः कृपान्वितः। तत्रैव गत्वा त्वरितं प्राह देवाञ्जनार्द्दनः

tāṁstasya śaraṇaṁ prāptāñjñātvā devaḥ kṛpānvitaḥ| tatraiva gatvā tvaritaṁ prāha devāñjanārddanaḥ

Knowing that they had come to him for refuge, the compassionate god Janardana went there swiftly and spoke to the gods—

Verse 95 (skanda.7.32.95)

भवतां रक्षणोपायश्चिंतितोऽत्र मयाऽधुना। तेन तां मोहयिष्यामि कृत्यां हंतुमुपस्थिताम्

bhavatāṁ rakṣaṇopāyaściṁtito'tra mayā'dhunā| tena tāṁ mohayiṣyāmi kṛtyāṁ haṁtumupasthitām

'—a means of your protection has now been devised by me. By that, I shall delude that sorcery-being which has arisen intent upon destruction.'

Verse 96 (skanda.7.32.96)

अत्रांतरे पिप्पलादः पितुर्वैरमनुस्मरन्। हंतुं सुरान्व्यवसितः प्रविवेश हिमाचलम्

atrāṁtare pippalādaḥ piturvairamanusmaran| haṁtuṁ surānvyavasitaḥ praviveśa himācalam

Meanwhile, Pippalada, remembering his father's enmity, resolved to kill the gods and entered the Himalaya.

Verse 97 (skanda.7.32.97)

श्रुत्वा तदप्रियं वाक्यं मातुर्वक्त्राद्विनिर्गतम्। पिप्पलादः पुनर्यातस्तस्मात्स्थानाद्धिमाचलम्

śrutvā tadapriyaṁ vākyaṁ māturvaktrādvinirgatam| pippalādaḥ punaryātastasmātsthānāddhimācalam

Having heard that unpleasant word issue from his mother's mouth, Pippalada went once again from that place toward the Himalaya.

Verse 98 (skanda.7.32.98)

स्वर्गसोपानवत्पुंसां स्थलीभूतमिवांबरम्। शेषस्याभोगसंकाशं प्राप्तोऽसौ तुहिनाचलम्

svargasopānavatpuṁsāṁ sthalībhūtamivāṁbaram| śeṣasyābhogasaṁkāśaṁ prāpto'sau tuhinācalam

He reached that snow-mountain, which was like a stairway to heaven for men, seeming to turn the sky itself into solid ground, resembling the spread hood of Shesha.

Verse 99 (skanda.7.32.99)

प्रतिज्ञां कुरुते यत्र स्थितः स्थाणुरिवाचलः। हंतारो ये मम पितुस्तान्हनिष्यामि चारणात्

pratijñāṁ kurute yatra sthitaḥ sthāṇurivācalaḥ| haṁtāro ye mama pitustānhaniṣyāmi cāraṇāt

There, standing fixed like a post, motionless, he made his vow: 'Those who are the slayers of my father — I shall kill them through austerity—'

Verse 100 (skanda.7.32.100)

कृत्याशस्त्रेण सकलानमरत्वेन गर्वितान्। तस्मिन्स्थितः प्रकुपितः शिवायतनसंसदि

kṛtyāśastreṇa sakalānamaratvena garvitān| tasminsthitaḥ prakupitaḥ śivāyatanasaṁsadi

'—with the sorcery-weapon, all those who are proud of their immortality.' Situated there, exceedingly enraged, in the precinct of Shiva's shrine—

Verse 101 (skanda.7.32.101)

अत्रस्थः साधयिष्यामि तां कृत्यां चिंतयन्हृदि। कृत्यां वा साधयिष्यामि यास्ये वा यमसादनम्

atrasthaḥ sādhayiṣyāmi tāṁ kṛtyāṁ ciṁtayanhṛdi| kṛtyāṁ vā sādhayiṣyāmi yāsye vā yamasādanam

'—remaining right here I shall accomplish that sorcery-weapon, thinking thus in my heart — either I shall accomplish the sorcery-weapon, or I shall go to Yama's abode.'

Verse 102 (skanda.7.32.102)

निर्द्वन्द्वो निर्भयो भूत्वा निराहारो ह्यहर्निशम्। सव्येन पाणिना सव्यं निर्मथ्योरुमहं पुनः

nirdvandvo nirbhayo bhūtvā nirāhāro hyaharniśam| savyena pāṇinā savyaṁ nirmathyorumahaṁ punaḥ

'Free from dualities, fearless, without food day and night, churning my own left thigh with my left hand—'

Verse 103 (skanda.7.32.103)

तस्मादुत्पादयिष्यामि महाकृत्यामिति स्थितः। संवत्सरे तस्य गते ऊरुगात्राद्विनिःसृता

tasmādutpādayiṣyāmi mahākṛtyāmiti sthitaḥ| saṁvatsare tasya gate ūrugātrādviniḥsṛtā

'—from that I shall produce a great sorcery-being'—thus resolved, he remained there. When a year of his had passed, from his thigh there emerged—

Verse 104 (skanda.7.32.104)

वडवा गुरुभारार्त्ता वाडवेनान्विता तदा। ऊरो र्निर्गत्य सा तस्मात्सुषुवे सुमहाबलम्

vaḍavā gurubhārārttā vāḍavenānvitā tadā| ūro rnirgatya sā tasmātsuṣuve sumahābalam

—a mare, afflicted by a heavy burden, at that time pregnant with the vadava-fire; having emerged from the thigh, she gave birth from it to an exceedingly powerful offspring.

Verse 105 (skanda.7.32.105)

वडवा स्वोदराद्गर्भं ज्वालामालासमाकुलम्। विमुच्य तमृषेस्तस्य पुरो गर्भं समुज्जवलम्

vaḍavā svodarādgarbhaṁ jvālāmālāsamākulam| vimucya tamṛṣestasya puro garbhaṁ samujjavalam

That mare, releasing from her own belly that blazing fetus wreathed with garlands of flame, and placing it before that sage—

Verse 106 (skanda.7.32.106)

पुनर्गता क्वापि तदा न ज्ञाता मुनिना हि सा। वडवानलो नरस्तस्याः स गर्भो निःसृतस्तदा

punargatā kvāpi tadā na jñātā muninā hi sā| vaḍavānalo narastasyāḥ sa garbho niḥsṛtastadā

—then went away again, no one knows where, unknown even to that sage; that fetus which had emerged from her at that time was Vadavanala, in male form.

Verse 107 (skanda.7.32.107)

कल्पांत इव भूतानां कालाग्निरिव वर्चसा। विद्युत्पुञ्जप्रतीकाशं तं दृष्ट्वा पुरतः स्थितम्

kalpāṁta iva bhūtānāṁ kālāgniriva varcasā| vidyutpuñjapratīkāśaṁ taṁ dṛṣṭvā purataḥ sthitam

Beholding him, standing before him, resembling the fire of cosmic dissolution, blazing like the fire of time, gleaming like a mass of lightning—

Verse 108 (skanda.7.32.108)

स चापि विस्मितोऽत्यंतं किमेतदिति चिंतयन्। ततस्तेन पुरःस्थेन वाडवेन च वह्निना

sa cāpi vismito'tyaṁtaṁ kimetaditi ciṁtayan| tatastena puraḥsthena vāḍavena ca vahninā

—he too became exceedingly astonished, wondering, 'What is this?' Then, by that vadava-fire standing before him—

Verse 109 (skanda.7.32.109)

ऋषिः प्रोक्तः पिप्पलादः साधितोऽहं त्वया बलात्। इदानीं ते मया कार्यं कर्त्तव्यं यत्समाहितम्

ṛṣiḥ proktaḥ pippalādaḥ sādhito'haṁ tvayā balāt| idānīṁ te mayā kāryaṁ karttavyaṁ yatsamāhitam

—the sage Pippalada was addressed: 'I have been produced by you through force. Now tell me the task that you have resolved I should perform.'

Verse 110 (skanda.7.32.110)

करिष्यामीह तत्सर्वम साध्यमपि साध्यताम्। स्वोरुं निर्मथ्य जनितो येन संवत्सरादहम्। तातोरुणा विहीनोऽपि करिष्ये त्वत्समीहितम्

kariṣyāmīha tatsarvama sādhyamapi sādhyatām| svoruṁ nirmathya janito yena saṁvatsarādaham| tātoruṇā vihīno'pi kariṣye tvatsamīhitam

'I shall accomplish here all that you wish, even if it be impossible — let it be accomplished. I, who was produced by churning your own thigh within a year, even without further need of my father's thigh, shall accomplish your desire.'

Verse 111 (skanda.7.32.111)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य मुनिः कोपसमन्वितः। प्रोवाच विबुधान्सर्वान्मद्दत्तान्भक्षय स्वयम्

tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasya muniḥ kopasamanvitaḥ| provāca vibudhānsarvānmaddattānbhakṣaya svayam

Having heard this word, the sage, filled with anger, said: 'Devour of your own accord all the gods delivered over by me to you.'

Verse 112 (skanda.7.32.112)

पितुर्वधात्क्रोधकृतावधानं मत्वा सुरा रौद्रमतीव घोरम्। समेत्य सर्वे पुरुषं पुराणं समाश्रितास्ते सहसा सभार्याः

piturvadhātkrodhakṛtāvadhānaṁ matvā surā raudramatīva ghoram| sametya sarve puruṣaṁ purāṇaṁ samāśritāste sahasā sabhāryāḥ

Knowing that sage, because of his father's slaying, to have become fixed in terrible and dreadful wrath, all the gods, together with their wives, suddenly gathered together and took refuge with that Primordial Being (Vishnu).

Verse 113 (skanda.7.32.113)

स तान्समाश्वास्य सुरान्वरिष्ठं कोपानलं तत्र ययौ प्रहृष्टः। दृष्ट्वा च तं वै रविपुंजकाशमुवाच विष्णुर्वचनं वरिष्ठम्

sa tānsamāśvāsya surānvariṣṭhaṁ kopānalaṁ tatra yayau prahṛṣṭaḥ| dṛṣṭvā ca taṁ vai ravipuṁjakāśamuvāca viṣṇurvacanaṁ variṣṭham

Having consoled those gods, he went joyfully to that supreme fire of wrath. Beholding him, radiant like a mass of solar splendor, Vishnu spoke this supreme utterance—

Verse 114 (skanda.7.32.114)

अहं सुरेशान तवैव पार्श्वं विसर्जितो जातभयैश्च देवैः। मत्तः शृणु त्वं वचनं हि पथ्यं यच्चारणानां भवतोऽपि पथ्यम्

ahaṁ sureśāna tavaiva pārśvaṁ visarjito jātabhayaiśca devaiḥ| mattaḥ śṛṇu tvaṁ vacanaṁ hi pathyaṁ yaccāraṇānāṁ bhavato'pi pathyam

—'I have been sent by the gods, who have grown fearful, to your very presence, O lord of the gods. Hear from me a beneficial word — beneficial both for the Charanas and for you.'

Verse 115 (skanda.7.32.115)

ज्ञातं बलं ते विबुधैरचिंत्यं विनाशनं चात्मवतां ह्यवश्यम्। एवं स्थिते कुरु वाक्यं सुराणामेकैकमद्धि प्रतिवासरं त्वम्

jñātaṁ balaṁ te vibudhairaciṁtyaṁ vināśanaṁ cātmavatāṁ hyavaśyam| evaṁ sthite kuru vākyaṁ surāṇāmekaikamaddhi prativāsaraṁ tvam

'—the gods have recognized your power to be inconceivable, and destruction for embodied beings is certainly inevitable before it. Given this, follow my word — devour the gods one by one, each day.'

Verse 116 (skanda.7.32.116)

मुख्यानां कोटयस्त्रिंशत्सुराणां बलशालिनाम्। कथं तु भक्षणं तेषां युगपत्त्वं करिष्यसि

mukhyānāṁ koṭayastriṁśatsurāṇāṁ balaśālinām| kathaṁ tu bhakṣaṇaṁ teṣāṁ yugapattvaṁ kariṣyasi

'—there are thirty crores of principal, powerful gods; how will you accomplish devouring them all at once?'

Verse 117 (skanda.7.32.117)

तस्मादेकैकशस्तेषां कर्त्तव्यं भक्षणं त्वया। नैकेन भवता शक्या विधातुं भक्षणक्रिया

tasmādekaikaśasteṣāṁ karttavyaṁ bhakṣaṇaṁ tvayā| naikena bhavatā śakyā vidhātuṁ bhakṣaṇakriyā

'—therefore you should devour them one by one; the act of devouring all of them at once cannot be accomplished by you alone.'

Verse 118 (skanda.7.32.118)

तथा च पांडुरोगित्वं हुतभुक्प्राप्तवान्पुरा। अतिभक्षणं न युक्तं तस्मात्कुरु मतिं मम

tathā ca pāṁḍurogitvaṁ hutabhukprāptavānpurā| atibhakṣaṇaṁ na yuktaṁ tasmātkuru matiṁ mama

'—likewise, in ancient times, the fire-god too contracted jaundice from excessive eating; excessive consumption is not proper, therefore follow my counsel.'

Verse 119 (skanda.7.32.119)

तथा च युगपत्तेषु भक्षितेषु पुनस्त्वया। प्रत्यहं भक्षणोपायश्चिंतितव्यो बुभुक्षया

tathā ca yugapatteṣu bhakṣiteṣu punastvayā| pratyahaṁ bhakṣaṇopāyaściṁtitavyo bubhukṣayā

'—and likewise, if they were all devoured by you at once, then each day thereafter you would have to devise, out of hunger, some new means of feeding.'

Verse 120 (skanda.7.32.120)

सफलैव प्रतिज्ञा ते नानृतं मुनिभाषितम्। एवं कृतेऽपि ते सर्वं भविष्यति समीहितम्

saphalaiva pratijñā te nānṛtaṁ munibhāṣitam| evaṁ kṛte'pi te sarvaṁ bhaviṣyati samīhitam

'—your vow will thus indeed be fulfilled; a sage's spoken word is never false. Even done in this manner, all that you desire shall still come to pass.'

Verse 121 (skanda.7.32.121)

तत्करिष्यायहं सर्वमाहैवं स जनार्दनः। एकैकशः स विबुधान्भक्षयिष्यति वाडवः

tatkariṣyāyahaṁ sarvamāhaivaṁ sa janārdanaḥ| ekaikaśaḥ sa vibudhānbhakṣayiṣyati vāḍavaḥ

'I shall do all of this accordingly'—having said this to Janardana, that vadava-fire began to devour the gods one by one.

Verse 122 (skanda.7.32.122)

ततः सुराः सुरेशानं तं विष्णुममितौजसम्। प्रणम्याहुर्यथायुक्तं शोभनं भवता कृतम्

tataḥ surāḥ sureśānaṁ taṁ viṣṇumamitaujasam| praṇamyāhuryathāyuktaṁ śobhanaṁ bhavatā kṛtam

Then the gods, bowing to that lord of gods, Vishnu, of boundless might, said: 'This has been fittingly and beautifully done by you.'

Verse 123 (skanda.7.32.123)

भूयोऽद्य पुनरेवास्य दोषस्योपशमक्रियाम्। कर्तुं त्वमेव शक्तोऽसि नान्यस्त्राता दिवौक साम्

bhūyo'dya punarevāsya doṣasyopaśamakriyām| kartuṁ tvameva śakto'si nānyastrātā divauka sām

'—now once again, you alone are capable of accomplishing the remedy for this affliction; for the celestials there is no other protector.'

Verse 124 (skanda.7.32.124)

ततः पीतांबरधरः शंखचक्रगदाधरः। युष्मद्भयं हरिष्यामि तत्सुरानाह माधवः

tataḥ pītāṁbaradharaḥ śaṁkhacakragadādharaḥ| yuṣmadbhayaṁ hariṣyāmi tatsurānāha mādhavaḥ

Then Madhava, clad in yellow garments, bearing the conch, discus, and mace, said to the gods: 'I shall remove your fear.'

Verse 125 (skanda.7.32.125)

श्रुत्वैतद्विबुधाः सर्वे हर्षेणोत्फुल्ल लोचनाः

śrutvaitadvibudhāḥ sarve harṣeṇotphulla locanāḥ

Having heard this, all the gods became wide-eyed with joy.

Verse 126 (skanda.7.32.126)

ततस्तान्विबुधान्दृष्ट्वा प्रोवाच स तु वाडवः। किमिदानीं मया कार्यं भवतां कथ्यतां हि तत्

tatastānvibudhāndṛṣṭvā provāca sa tu vāḍavaḥ| kimidānīṁ mayā kāryaṁ bhavatāṁ kathyatāṁ hi tat

Then, seeing those gods, that vadava-fire said: 'What am I now to do? Let that be told by you.'

Verse 127 (skanda.7.32.127)

अत्रान्तरे विश्वतनुर्महौजा विमोहयंस्तं ज्वलनं स्वबुद्ध्या। प्रोवाच पूर्वं विहिता यदापस्ता भक्षयस्वेति महानुभावः

atrāntare viśvatanurmahaujā vimohayaṁstaṁ jvalanaṁ svabuddhyā| provāca pūrvaṁ vihitā yadāpastā bhakṣayasveti mahānubhāvaḥ

Meanwhile, that great and exceedingly powerful one, Vishnu of universal form, deluding that fire through his own wisdom, that great-souled one said: 'Devour the waters that were previously arranged for you.'

Verse 128 (skanda.7.32.128)

एतद्व्यवसितं विष्णोर्यः शृणोति समाहितः। सोऽतिचारभयान्मुक्तो ज्ञानं मुक्तिमवाप्नुयात्

etadvyavasitaṁ viṣṇoryaḥ śṛṇoti samāhitaḥ| so'ticārabhayānmukto jñānaṁ muktimavāpnuyāt

Whoever, with composed mind, hears this resolve of Vishnu is freed from the fear of transgression and attains liberation through knowledge.