The Greatness of Talasvami

Verse 1 (skanda.7.334.1)

देव्युवाच। भगवन्देवदेवेश संसारार्णवतारक। पृच्छामि त्वामहं भक्त्या किञ्चित्कौतूहलात्पुनः

devyuvāca| bhagavandevadeveśa saṁsārārṇavatāraka| pṛcchāmi tvāmahaṁ bhaktyā kiñcitkautūhalātpunaḥ

The Goddess said: O Lord, God of gods, deliverer across the ocean of worldly existence, I ask you again, out of devotion and a little curiosity,

Verse 2 (skanda.7.334.2)

यत्त्वया कथितं देव तलस्वामिमहोदयम्। किं तत्र कारणं देव तलो येन निपातितः

yattvayā kathitaṁ deva talasvāmimahodayam| kiṁ tatra kāraṇaṁ deva talo yena nipātitaḥ

that which you told me, O god — the greatness of Talasvami — what was the cause by which Tala was struck down?

Verse 3 (skanda.7.334.3)

कोऽसौ तलः समाख्यातः किंवीर्यः किंपरायणः। कस्मात्स्थानात्समुत्पन्नः कथं जातश्च मे वद

ko'sau talaḥ samākhyātaḥ kiṁvīryaḥ kiṁparāyaṇaḥ| kasmātsthānātsamutpannaḥ kathaṁ jātaśca me vada

Who is this Tala, thus described? Of what power, devoted to what? From what place did he arise, and how was he born — tell me.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.334.4)

ईश्वर उवाच। शृणु देवि प्रवक्ष्यामि रहस्यं पापनाशनम्। यन्न कस्यचिदाख्यातं तत्ते वक्ष्याम्यशेषतः

īśvara uvāca| śṛṇu devi pravakṣyāmi rahasyaṁ pāpanāśanam| yanna kasyacidākhyātaṁ tatte vakṣyāmyaśeṣataḥ

Ishvara said: Listen, O Devi, I shall tell you a secret that destroys sin, which has not been told to anyone; I shall tell it to you in full.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.334.5)

देवा अपि न जानंति तलस्योत्पत्तिकारणम्। पूर्वं कृतयुगे देवि गोविन्देति प्रकीर्तितः

devā api na jānaṁti talasyotpattikāraṇam| pūrvaṁ kṛtayuge devi govindeti prakīrtitaḥ

Even the gods do not know the cause of Tala's origin. Formerly, in the Krita age, he was renowned as Govinda.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.334.6)

त्रेतायां वामनः स्वामी स्तुतिस्वामी तृतीयके। कलौ युगे महादेवि तलस्वामी प्रकीर्तितः

tretāyāṁ vāmanaḥ svāmī stutisvāmī tṛtīyake| kalau yuge mahādevi talasvāmī prakīrtitaḥ

In the Treta age he was Lord Vamana; in the third age (Dvapara), Stutisvami; in the Kali age, O great Goddess, he is renowned as Talasvami.

Verse 7 (skanda.7.334.7)

तथा तप्तोदकस्वामी तस्य नामांतरं प्रिये। अधुना संप्रवक्ष्यामि तलोत्पत्तिं तव प्रिये

tathā taptodakasvāmī tasya nāmāṁtaraṁ priye| adhunā saṁpravakṣyāmi talotpattiṁ tava priye

And Taptodaka-svami is another name of his, O beloved. Now I shall tell you fully the origin of Tala, O beloved.

Verse 8 (skanda.7.334.8)

आसीन्महेन्द्रनामा च दानवो रौद्ररूपधृक्। कोटिवर्षाणि तेनैव तपस्तप्तं पुरा प्रिये

āsīnmahendranāmā ca dānavo raudrarūpadhṛk| koṭivarṣāṇi tenaiva tapastaptaṁ purā priye

There was a danava named Mahendra, who bore a terrible form; by him, of old, austerities were performed for a crore of years, O beloved.

Verse 9 (skanda.7.334.9)

स तपोबलमाविष्टो जिग्ये देवान्सवासवान्। जित्वा देवांस्ततः सर्वांस्ततः काले समागतः

sa tapobalamāviṣṭo jigye devānsavāsavān| jitvā devāṁstataḥ sarvāṁstataḥ kāle samāgataḥ

Possessed of the power of that austerity, he conquered the gods together with Vasava (Indra); having conquered all the gods, in due time he came to me.

Verse 10 (skanda.7.334.10)

युद्धं स प्रार्थयामास मया सार्द्धं सुभीषणम्। ततोऽभवन्महायुद्धं ब्रह्माण्डक्षयकारकम्

yuddhaṁ sa prārthayāmāsa mayā sārddhaṁ subhīṣaṇam| tato'bhavanmahāyuddhaṁ brahmāṇḍakṣayakārakam

He sought a most fearsome battle with me; then there arose a great battle that threatened to destroy the universe.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.334.11)

ततः कोपान्महायुद्धे मम देहाद्वरानने। ज्वाला तत्र समुत्पन्ना तन्मध्ये स तलोऽभवत्

tataḥ kopānmahāyuddhe mama dehādvarānane| jvālā tatra samutpannā tanmadhye sa talo'bhavat

Then, O fair-faced one, out of my anger in that great battle, a flame arose from my body, and in the midst of it Tala came into being.

Verse 12 (skanda.7.334.12)

तेन दृष्टो महेन्द्रोऽसौ गर्जन्गिरिगुहाश्रयः

tena dṛṣṭo mahendro'sau garjangiriguhāśrayaḥ

He caught sight of that Mahendra, roaring as he took refuge in a mountain cave.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.334.13)

कथं गर्जसि हे मूढ युद्धं कुरु मया सह। इत्युक्ते तत्र देवेशि तेन युद्धमवर्तत

kathaṁ garjasi he mūḍha yuddhaṁ kuru mayā saha| ityukte tatra deveśi tena yuddhamavartata

'Why do you roar thus, O fool? Fight with me!' When this was said, O Deveshi, a battle broke out between them.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.334.14)

तत्र प्रवर्त्तिते युद्धे तलमाहेन्द्रयोस्तयोः

tatra pravarttite yuddhe talamāhendrayostayoḥ

There a battle began between Tala and Mahendra.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.334.15)

रुद्रवीर्यस्य युक्तेन तलेनोदारकर्मणा। मल्लयुद्धेन बलिना महेन्द्रो विनिपातितः

rudravīryasya yuktena talenodārakarmaṇā| mallayuddhena balinā mahendro vinipātitaḥ

By Tala, endowed with the power of Rudra, of noble deeds and great strength, Mahendra was struck down in the wrestling combat.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.334.16)

ततस्तं पतितं दृष्ट्वा विस्मयं स तलो गतः। गतप्राणं तदा ज्ञात्वा हर्षान्नृत्यमथाकरोत्

tatastaṁ patitaṁ dṛṣṭvā vismayaṁ sa talo gataḥ| gataprāṇaṁ tadā jñātvā harṣānnṛtyamathākarot

Then, seeing him fallen, Tala was filled with wonder; and, knowing him to be lifeless, he then began to dance for joy.

Verse 17 (skanda.7.334.17)

तस्मिन्संनृत्यमाने तु सर्वे स्थावरजंगमम्। चकंपे तु वरारोहे प्रभावात्तस्य वीर्यतः

tasminsaṁnṛtyamāne tu sarve sthāvarajaṁgamam| cakaṁpe tu varārohe prabhāvāttasya vīryataḥ

As he danced, O fair one, by the force of his power and might all things moving and unmoving trembled.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.334.18)

ततो भारभराकान्ता धरणी तलपीडिता। अतीवभयसंत्रस्ताः सदेवासुरमानुषाः

tato bhārabharākāntā dharaṇī talapīḍitā| atīvabhayasaṁtrastāḥ sadevāsuramānuṣāḥ

Then the earth, oppressed by the great weight, was afflicted by Tala's tread; gods, asuras and men alike were struck with extreme fear.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.334.19)

क्षुभिता गिरयः सर्वे विद्रुताश्च महार्णवाः। तरवो निधनं जग्मुर्नद्यो वाहांश्च तत्यजुः

kṣubhitā girayaḥ sarve vidrutāśca mahārṇavāḥ| taravo nidhanaṁ jagmurnadyo vāhāṁśca tatyajuḥ

All the mountains were shaken, the great oceans surged from their bounds, trees met their death, and rivers abandoned their courses.

Verse 20 (skanda.7.334.20)

गतप्रभावाः सूर्याद्या ज्योतींषि न विरेजिरे। त्रैलोक्यं व्याकुलीभूतं तलनृत्यप्रभावतः

gataprabhāvāḥ sūryādyā jyotīṁṣi na virejire| trailokyaṁ vyākulībhūtaṁ talanṛtyaprabhāvataḥ

The sun and other luminaries lost their power and shone no more; the three worlds were thrown into turmoil by the power of Tala's dance.

Verse 21 (skanda.7.334.21)

ततो देवगणाः सर्वे शरणं रुद्रमाययुः। वृत्तं यथावत्कथितं ततो रुद्र उवाच तान्

tato devagaṇāḥ sarve śaraṇaṁ rudramāyayuḥ| vṛttaṁ yathāvatkathitaṁ tato rudra uvāca tān

Then all the hosts of gods went for refuge to Rudra; when the whole matter had been duly related, Rudra then said to them:

Verse 22 (skanda.7.334.22)

अवध्यो मे तलो देवाः पुत्रत्वे हि प्रतिष्ठितः। एवमुक्त्वा हृषीकेशं प्रभासक्षेत्रवासिनम्

avadhyo me talo devāḥ putratve hi pratiṣṭhitaḥ| evamuktvā hṛṣīkeśaṁ prabhāsakṣetravāsinam

'Tala cannot be slain by me, O gods, for he stands established as my own son.' Having said this, he pointed them to Hrishikesha (Vishnu), the dweller in the field of Prabhasa,

Verse 23 (skanda.7.334.23)

स्तुतिस्वामीतिनामानं स्थितं दुर्वाससः पुरः। प्रभासक्षेत्रसामीप्ये पूर्वभागे प्रतिष्ठितम्

stutisvāmītināmānaṁ sthitaṁ durvāsasaḥ puraḥ| prabhāsakṣetrasāmīpye pūrvabhāge pratiṣṭhitam

who stood as the one named Stutisvami before Durvasas, established in the eastern part near the field of Prabhasa —

Verse 24 (skanda.7.334.24)

तप्तोदकुंडसामीप्ये तत्र गच्छत भोः सुराः। कल्पेकल्पे तु तेनैव विध्यतेऽसौ हि दानवः

taptodakuṁḍasāmīpye tatra gacchata bhoḥ surāḥ| kalpekalpe tu tenaiva vidhyate'sau hi dānavaḥ

'go there, O gods, near the Taptodaka tank; for in every kalpa that danava is slain by him alone.'

Verse 25 (skanda.7.334.25)

एवमुक्ते तदा देवाः प्रभासं क्षेत्रमागताः। तत्र ते विबुधा जग्मुर्यत्र तप्तोदकाधिपः

evamukte tadā devāḥ prabhāsaṁ kṣetramāgatāḥ| tatra te vibudhā jagmuryatra taptodakādhipaḥ

When this had been said, the gods then came to the field of Prabhasa; those wise ones went to where the lord of Taptodaka dwells.

Verse 26 (skanda.7.334.26)

दृष्ट्वा नारायणं तत्र देवाः श्रद्धासमन्विताः। तुष्टुवुः परया भक्त्या देवदेवं जनार्द्दनम्

dṛṣṭvā nārāyaṇaṁ tatra devāḥ śraddhāsamanvitāḥ| tuṣṭuvuḥ parayā bhaktyā devadevaṁ janārddanam

Seeing Narayana there, the gods, filled with faith, praised with the highest devotion the God of gods, Janardana.

Verse 27 (skanda.7.334.27)

वैकुंठ त्राहि नो देवांस्तलेनोच्चाटिता वयम्। महेन्द्रक्रोधसंभूतरुद्रतेजोद्भवेन वै

vaikuṁṭha trāhi no devāṁstalenoccāṭitā vayam| mahendrakrodhasaṁbhūtarudratejodbhavena vai

'O Vaikuntha, save us, the gods! We have been driven out by Tala, who arose from the fiery power of Rudra born of Mahendra's wrath.'

Verse 28 (skanda.7.334.28)

अस्माभी रुद्रसामीप्ये कार्यं सर्वं निवेदितम्। ततः प्रस्थापिताः सर्वे रुद्रेण परमेष्ठिना। तव पार्श्वे महादेव नस्त्वं देव गतिर्भव

asmābhī rudrasāmīpye kāryaṁ sarvaṁ niveditam| tataḥ prasthāpitāḥ sarve rudreṇa parameṣṭhinā| tava pārśve mahādeva nastvaṁ deva gatirbhava

'We laid the whole matter before Rudra's presence; then we were all sent forth by Rudra, the Supreme Lord, to your side, O Mahadeva — you, O god, be our refuge.'

Verse 29 (skanda.7.334.29)

इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तेषां देवदेवो जनार्द्दनः। दानवस्यवधार्थाय देवानां रक्षणाय च। चक्रे यत्नं महाबाहुः प्रभासक्षेत्रवल्लभः

iti śrutvā vacasteṣāṁ devadevo janārddanaḥ| dānavasyavadhārthāya devānāṁ rakṣaṇāya ca| cakre yatnaṁ mahābāhuḥ prabhāsakṣetravallabhaḥ

Hearing their words, Janardana, God of gods, mighty-armed and beloved lord of the field of Prabhasa, made effort to slay the danava and to protect the gods.

Verse 30 (skanda.7.334.30)

समाहूय तदा दैत्यं प्रभासक्षेत्रमध्यतः। युद्धं चक्रे ततो देवि विश्वप्रलयकारकम्

samāhūya tadā daityaṁ prabhāsakṣetramadhyataḥ| yuddhaṁ cakre tato devi viśvapralayakārakam

Then, having summoned the daitya into the midst of the field of Prabhasa, he waged, O Devi, a battle that seemed to bring the ruin of the universe.

Verse 31 (skanda.7.334.31)

ततस्तु देवाः सर्वे च स्वसैन्यपरिवारिताः। चक्रुर्युद्धं च दैत्येन सुमहल्लोमहर्षणम्

tatastu devāḥ sarve ca svasainyaparivāritāḥ| cakruryuddhaṁ ca daityena sumahallomaharṣaṇam

Then all the gods, surrounded by their own armies, fought a most terrible, hair-raising battle with the daitya.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.334.32)

ततः पर्वतसंकाशं दृष्ट्वा दैत्यं महाबलम्। उवाच चपलापांगो गरुडकृतवाहनः

tataḥ parvatasaṁkāśaṁ dṛṣṭvā daityaṁ mahābalam| uvāca capalāpāṁgo garuḍakṛtavāhanaḥ

Then, seeing the daitya, mighty and huge as a mountain, he of the restless glance, whose mount was Garuda, said:

Verse 33 (skanda.7.334.33)

अहो दैत्य महाबाहो मल्लयुद्धं ददस्व मे। त्वद्बाहुयुगलं दृष्ट्वा न युद्धे वांछितं मम

aho daitya mahābāho mallayuddhaṁ dadasva me| tvadbāhuyugalaṁ dṛṣṭvā na yuddhe vāṁchitaṁ mama

'Ho, O daitya, mighty-armed one, grant me a wrestling match! Seeing your pair of arms, I no longer wish for ordinary battle.'

Verse 34 (skanda.7.334.34)

नारायणवचः श्रुत्वा करमुद्यम्य दानवः। अभ्यधावत्तदा दैत्यः कालान्तकसमप्रभः

nārāyaṇavacaḥ śrutvā karamudyamya dānavaḥ| abhyadhāvattadā daityaḥ kālāntakasamaprabhaḥ

Hearing Narayana's words, the danava, raising his hand, rushed forward — that daitya blazing like Death, the ender of all.

Verse 35 (skanda.7.334.35)

ततः प्रवर्तितं युद्धमन्योन्यं जयकांक्षिणोः। जंघाभ्यां पादबन्धेन बाहुभ्यां बाहुबंधनम्

tataḥ pravartitaṁ yuddhamanyonyaṁ jayakāṁkṣiṇoḥ| jaṁghābhyāṁ pādabandhena bāhubhyāṁ bāhubaṁdhanam

Then a battle broke out between the two, each desiring victory over the other — binding leg with leg by the thighs, arm with arm,

Verse 36 (skanda.7.334.36)

कंठेन बन्धयन्कंठमुदरेणोदरं तथा। एतस्मिन्नन्तरे देवाः सभयाः संबभूविरे

kaṁṭhena bandhayankaṁṭhamudareṇodaraṁ tathā| etasminnantare devāḥ sabhayāḥ saṁbabhūvire

binding neck with neck, and belly with belly likewise. Meanwhile the gods grew fearful.

Verse 37 (skanda.7.334.37)

ततः पीडासमाक्रांतो विष्णुः संस्मरते हरम्। तत्क्षणादागतो रुद्रः किं करोमि महाबलः

tataḥ pīḍāsamākrāṁto viṣṇuḥ saṁsmarate haram| tatkṣaṇādāgato rudraḥ kiṁ karomi mahābalaḥ

Then Vishnu, overcome by the strain, called Hara to mind; that very instant the mighty Rudra arrived: 'What shall I do?'

Verse 38 (skanda.7.334.38)

विष्णुरुवाच। श्रांतोऽहं देवदेवेश मल्लयुद्धेन शंकर। तप्तोदकं कुरुष्वेह श्रमनाशाय सांप्रतम्

viṣṇuruvāca| śrāṁto'haṁ devadeveśa mallayuddhena śaṁkara| taptodakaṁ kuruṣveha śramanāśāya sāṁpratam

Vishnu said: 'I am wearied, O God of gods, Shankara, by this wrestling combat. Make hot water here now, to remove my fatigue —'

Verse 39 (skanda.7.334.39)

ततस्तलं हनिष्यामि क्षणमात्रेण भैरवम्

tatastalaṁ haniṣyāmi kṣaṇamātreṇa bhairavam

'— then I shall slay Tala the terrible in but a moment.'

Verse 40 (skanda.7.334.40)

ईश्वर उवाच। आदौ कृतयुगे कृष्ण उमया यत्कृतं पुरा। ऋषीणां श्रमनाशार्थं तप्तोदं तत्र निर्मितम्

īśvara uvāca| ādau kṛtayuge kṛṣṇa umayā yatkṛtaṁ purā| ṛṣīṇāṁ śramanāśārthaṁ taptodaṁ tatra nirmitam

Ishvara said: 'At the very beginning, in the Krita age, O Krishna, that which was once made there by Uma to remove the sages' fatigue — the hot water —'

Verse 41 (skanda.7.334.41)

तद्दैत्यपापमाहात्म्यात्पुनः शीतलतां गतम्। पुनस्तदुष्णतां नीतं ततः कल्पांतसंस्थितौ

taddaityapāpamāhātmyātpunaḥ śītalatāṁ gatam| punastaduṣṇatāṁ nītaṁ tataḥ kalpāṁtasaṁsthitau

'by the power of that daitya's sin it once again turned cold; it was then brought back to heat, and so it has remained until the end of the kalpa.'

Verse 42 (skanda.7.334.42)

एवमुक्त्वा तदा देवं वीक्षांचक्रे महेश्वरः। तृतीयलोचनेनैव ज्वालामालोपशोभिना

evamuktvā tadā devaṁ vīkṣāṁcakre maheśvaraḥ| tṛtīyalocanenaiva jvālāmālopaśobhinā

Having said this to the god, Maheshvara then gazed upon it with his third eye alone, adorned with a garland of flame.

Verse 43 (skanda.7.334.43)

तेन ज्वालासमूहेन व्याप्तं कुण्डं चतुर्दिशम्। तप्तोदकुण्डमभवत्तेन ख्यातं धरातले

tena jvālāsamūhena vyāptaṁ kuṇḍaṁ caturdiśam| taptodakuṇḍamabhavattena khyātaṁ dharātale

By that mass of flame the tank was filled on every side; it became the Taptodakunda, and by that it grew famed on earth.

Verse 44 (skanda.7.334.44)

ततो नारायणेनेह क्षालितं गात्रमुत्तमम्। क्षालनात्तस्य देवस्य श्रमो नाशमुपागमत्

tato nārāyaṇeneha kṣālitaṁ gātramuttamam| kṣālanāttasya devasya śramo nāśamupāgamat

Then Narayana washed his excellent body there; by that washing the fatigue of that god was destroyed.

Verse 45 (skanda.7.334.45)

ततस्तुष्टमना देवस्तीर्थानां दशकोटिकाः। स स्मृत्वा तत्र विधिवत्क्षिप्त्वा स्नात्वा वरानने

tatastuṣṭamanā devastīrthānāṁ daśakoṭikāḥ| sa smṛtvā tatra vidhivatkṣiptvā snātvā varānane

Then the god, with contented mind, calling to mind the ten crores of tirthas, poured their waters there according to rule, O fair-faced one, and bathed.

Verse 46 (skanda.7.334.46)

ततश्चक्रे महायुद्धं तलेनातिभयंकरम्। जघान स तलं दैत्यं मुष्टिघातेन मस्तके

tataścakre mahāyuddhaṁ talenātibhayaṁkaram| jaghāna sa talaṁ daityaṁ muṣṭighātena mastake

Then he waged a most terrifying great battle with Tala; he struck the daitya Tala on the head with a blow of his fist.

Verse 47 (skanda.7.334.47)

तस्मिन्प्रवृत्ते तुमुले तु युद्धे चकंपिरे भूभिसमेतलोकाः। वित्रस्तदेवा न दिशो विरेजुर्महांधकारावृतमूर्छितं जगत्

tasminpravṛtte tumule tu yuddhe cakaṁpire bhūbhisametalokāḥ| vitrastadevā na diśo virejurmahāṁdhakārāvṛtamūrchitaṁ jagat

When that tumultuous battle broke out, the worlds together with the earth trembled; the frightened gods could no longer make out the directions, and the world, wrapped in great darkness, fell into a swoon.

Verse 48 (skanda.7.334.48)

नष्टाश्च सिद्धा जगतोऽस्य शांतिं करोतु वै पापविनाशनो हरिः। त्राहीति देवेशि महर्षिसंघा भूतानि भीतानि तथा वदन्ति

naṣṭāśca siddhā jagato'sya śāṁtiṁ karotu vai pāpavināśano hariḥ| trāhīti deveśi maharṣisaṁghā bhūtāni bhītāni tathā vadanti

The siddhas of this world perished; 'may Hari, destroyer of sin, bring peace!' — 'Save us!' — thus the hosts of great sages spoke, and the frightened beings likewise.

Verse 49 (skanda.7.334.49)

ततो वै मल्लयुद्धेन पातितो भुवि दानवः। कंठमाक्रम्य पादेन खङ्गेन परिपीडितः

tato vai mallayuddhena pātito bhuvi dānavaḥ| kaṁṭhamākramya pādena khaṅgena paripīḍitaḥ

Then, by the wrestling combat, the danava was felled to the ground; his throat pinned by a foot, he was pressed hard with a sword.

Verse 50 (skanda.7.334.50)

हास्यं चकार दैत्योऽथ विष्णुनाऽऽक्रांतकंधरः। तमाह पुण्डरीकाक्ष किमेतद्धास्यकारणम्

hāsyaṁ cakāra daityo'tha viṣṇunā''krāṁtakaṁdharaḥ| tamāha puṇḍarīkākṣa kimetaddhāsyakāraṇam

Then the daitya, his neck pressed down by Vishnu, laughed. He (Vishnu) said to him: 'O lotus-eyed one, what is the reason for this laughter?'

Verse 51 (skanda.7.334.51)

वृद्धौ हर्षमवाप्नोति क्षये भवति दुःखितः। इत्येषा लौकिकी गाथा तत्ते दैत्य विपर्ययः

vṛddhau harṣamavāpnoti kṣaye bhavati duḥkhitaḥ| ityeṣā laukikī gāthā tatte daitya viparyayaḥ

'In rising one gains joy, in decline one becomes sorrowful — this is the worldly saying; but for you, O daitya, it is reversed.'

Verse 52 (skanda.7.334.52)

इत्युक्तस्तु तदा दैत्यः प्रत्युवाच जनार्द्दनम्। अग्निष्टोमादिभिर्यज्ञैर्वेदाभ्यासैरनेकधा

ityuktastu tadā daityaḥ pratyuvāca janārddanam| agniṣṭomādibhiryajñairvedābhyāsairanekadhā

Thus addressed, the daitya then replied to Janardana: 'Through sacrifices such as the Agnishtoma, through manifold repeated study of the Vedas,'

Verse 53 (skanda.7.334.53)

नित्योपवासनियमैः स्नानदानैर्जपादिभिः। निर्मलैर्योगयुक्तैश्च प्राप्यते यत्परं पदम्

nityopavāsaniyamaiḥ snānadānairjapādibhiḥ| nirmalairyogayuktaiśca prāpyate yatparaṁ padam

'through constant fasting and vows, through bathing, gifts and japa, through those made pure and joined with yoga — that supreme state is attained,'

Verse 54 (skanda.7.334.54)

तन्मया दुष्टभावेन प्राप्तं विष्णोः परं पदम्। इत्युक्ते भगवान्विष्णुर्वरदानपरोऽभवत्

tanmayā duṣṭabhāvena prāptaṁ viṣṇoḥ paraṁ padam| ityukte bhagavānviṣṇurvaradānaparo'bhavat

'that supreme state of Vishnu I have attained through a wicked disposition (through enmity in battle).' When this was said, the Lord Vishnu became intent on granting a boon.

Verse 55 (skanda.7.334.55)

उवाच परमं वाक्यं तलं दैत्याधिनायकम्। वरं वरय दैत्येंद्र यत्ते मनसि संस्थितम्

uvāca paramaṁ vākyaṁ talaṁ daityādhināyakam| varaṁ varaya daityeṁdra yatte manasi saṁsthitam

He spoke a supreme word to Tala, lord of the daityas: 'Choose a boon, O lord of daityas, whatever is fixed in your mind.'

Verse 56 (skanda.7.334.56)

इति विष्णोर्वचः श्रुत्वा प्रार्थयामास दानवः। ममाख्या वर्त्तते लोके तथा कुरु महीधर

iti viṣṇorvacaḥ śrutvā prārthayāmāsa dānavaḥ| mamākhyā varttate loke tathā kuru mahīdhara

Hearing this word of Vishnu's, the danava made his request: 'Let my name endure in the world — grant this, O sustainer of the earth.'

Verse 57 (skanda.7.334.57)

मार्गमासे तु शुक्लायामेकादश्यां समाहितः। यस्त्वां पश्यति भावेन तस्य पापं विनश्यतु

mārgamāse tu śuklāyāmekādaśyāṁ samāhitaḥ| yastvāṁ paśyati bhāvena tasya pāpaṁ vinaśyatu

'Whoever, composed in mind, beholds you with devotion on the bright eleventh day of the month of Margashirsha — let his sin be destroyed.'

Verse 58 (skanda.7.334.58)

एवं भविष्यतीत्युक्त्वा देवो हर्षमुपागतः। नानादुंदुभयो नेदुः पुष्पवर्षं पपात च

evaṁ bhaviṣyatītyuktvā devo harṣamupāgataḥ| nānāduṁdubhayo neduḥ puṣpavarṣaṁ papāta ca

Saying 'so shall it be,' the god became filled with joy; many kettledrums resounded, and a rain of flowers fell.

Verse 59 (skanda.7.334.59)

विष्णोर्मूर्ध्नि महाभागे लोकाः स्वस्था बभूविरे। ततो देवगणाः सर्वे नृत्यंति च मुदान्विताः। वदंति हर्षसंयुक्ता नारायणपरायणाः

viṣṇormūrdhni mahābhāge lokāḥ svasthā babhūvire| tato devagaṇāḥ sarve nṛtyaṁti ca mudānvitāḥ| vadaṁti harṣasaṁyuktā nārāyaṇaparāyaṇāḥ

Upon the head of the glorious Vishnu, the worlds became well again; then all the hosts of gods, filled with delight, began to dance, and, devoted wholly to Narayana, spoke joyfully:

Verse 60 (skanda.7.334.60)

एतत्तीर्थं महातीर्थं सर्वपापप्रणाशनम्। श्रमापनोदनं विष्णोर्ब्रह्महत्यादिशोधनम्

etattīrthaṁ mahātīrthaṁ sarvapāpapraṇāśanam| śramāpanodanaṁ viṣṇorbrahmahatyādiśodhanam

'This tirtha is a great tirtha, destroying all sin, remover of Vishnu's fatigue, and purifier even of the sin of killing a brahmin.'

Verse 61 (skanda.7.334.61)

स्थितो नारायणस्तत्र भैरवस्तत्र शंकरः। क्षेत्रपालस्वरूपेण कालमेघेति विश्रुतः

sthito nārāyaṇastatra bhairavastatra śaṁkaraḥ| kṣetrapālasvarūpeṇa kālamegheti viśrutaḥ

There Narayana abides, and there too is Bhairava, Shankara himself, renowned in the form of the field-guardian as Kalamegha.

Verse 62 (skanda.7.334.62)

तस्य यात्राविधिं वक्ष्ये गत्वा तत्र शुचिर्नरः। स्मरेद्विष्णुं महादेवि तलस्वामीति यः श्रुतः

tasya yātrāvidhiṁ vakṣye gatvā tatra śucirnaraḥ| smaredviṣṇuṁ mahādevi talasvāmīti yaḥ śrutaḥ

I shall now tell the rule of pilgrimage there: a man, having gone there and become pure, should call to mind Vishnu, O great Goddess, who is known as Talasvami.

Verse 63 (skanda.7.334.63)

स्तुयाद्विष्णुं महादेवि इदं विष्णुऋचा प्रिये। सहस्रशीर्षामंत्रेण तर्पणादि प्रकारयेत्

stuyādviṣṇuṁ mahādevi idaṁ viṣṇuṛcā priye| sahasraśīrṣāmaṁtreṇa tarpaṇādi prakārayet

He should praise Vishnu, O great Goddess, with this hymn to Vishnu, O beloved; with the Sahasrashirsha mantra he should perform the tarpana and the rest.

Verse 64 (skanda.7.334.64)

एवं स्नात्वा विधानेन दत्त्वा चार्घ्यं जनार्द्दने। संपूज्य गंधपुष्पैश्च वस्त्रैः पुष्पानुलेपनैः

evaṁ snātvā vidhānena dattvā cārghyaṁ janārddane| saṁpūjya gaṁdhapuṣpaiśca vastraiḥ puṣpānulepanaiḥ

Having thus bathed according to rule, and having offered arghya to Janardana, having worshipped him with fragrances and flowers, with garments and floral unguents,

Verse 65 (skanda.7.334.65)

मधुनेक्षुरसेनैव कुंकुमेन विलेपयेत्। कर्पूरोशीरमिश्रेण मृगनाभियुतेन च

madhunekṣurasenaiva kuṁkumena vilepayet| karpūrośīramiśreṇa mṛganābhiyutena ca

he should anoint him with honey, sugarcane juice and saffron, mixed with camphor and ushira root, and combined with musk;

Verse 66 (skanda.7.334.66)

वस्त्रैः संवेष्टयेत्पश्चाद्दद्यान्नैवेद्यमुत्तमम्। धर्मश्रवणसंयुक्तं कार्यं जागरणं ततः

vastraiḥ saṁveṣṭayetpaścāddadyānnaivedyamuttamam| dharmaśravaṇasaṁyuktaṁ kāryaṁ jāgaraṇaṁ tataḥ

then he should wrap him in garments and offer the finest food-oblation; thereafter a night-vigil should be kept, joined with the hearing of dharma-discourse.

Verse 67 (skanda.7.334.67)

वृषभस्तत्र दातव्यः सुवर्णं वस्त्रयुग्मकम्। विप्राय वेदयुक्ताय श्रोत्रियाय प्रदापयेत्

vṛṣabhastatra dātavyaḥ suvarṇaṁ vastrayugmakam| viprāya vedayuktāya śrotriyāya pradāpayet

A bull, gold and a pair of garments should be given there, presented to a brahmin versed in the Vedas, a shrotriya.

Verse 68 (skanda.7.334.68)

उपवासं ततः कुर्यात्तस्मिन्नहनि भामिनि। रुक्मिणीं च प्रपश्येत नमस्कृत्य जनार्द्दनम्

upavāsaṁ tataḥ kuryāttasminnahani bhāmini| rukmiṇīṁ ca prapaśyeta namaskṛtya janārddanam

He should then observe a fast on that day, O radiant lady, and, having paid homage to Janardana, should behold Rukmini.

Verse 69 (skanda.7.334.69)

एवं कृत्वा नरो भक्त्या लभते जन्मजं फलम्। सर्वेषामेव यज्ञानां दानानां लभते फलम्

evaṁ kṛtvā naro bhaktyā labhate janmajaṁ phalam| sarveṣāmeva yajñānāṁ dānānāṁ labhate phalam

A man who does this with devotion obtains the fruit acquired over births; he obtains the fruit of all sacrifices and of gifts,

Verse 70 (skanda.7.334.70)

तथा च सर्वतीर्थानां व्रतानां लभते फलम्। उद्धरेत्तु पितुर्वर्गं मातृवर्गं तथैव च

tathā ca sarvatīrthānāṁ vratānāṁ labhate phalam| uddharettu piturvargaṁ mātṛvargaṁ tathaiva ca

and likewise the fruit of all tirthas and of vows; he redeems his father's lineage and his mother's lineage as well.

Verse 71 (skanda.7.334.71)

जन्मप्रभृतिपापानां कृतानां नाशनं भवेत्। न दुःखं च न दारिद्र्यं दुर्भगत्वं न जायते

janmaprabhṛtipāpānāṁ kṛtānāṁ nāśanaṁ bhavet| na duḥkhaṁ ca na dāridryaṁ durbhagatvaṁ na jāyate

The sins committed from the time of birth are destroyed; no sorrow, no poverty, and no misfortune befalls him.

Verse 72 (skanda.7.334.72)

सप्त जन्मांतरं यावत्तलस्वामिप्रदर्शनात्। सुवर्णानां सहस्रेण ब्राह्मणे वेदपारगे। दत्तेन यत्फलं देवि तत्कुण्डे स्नानतो लभेत्

sapta janmāṁtaraṁ yāvattalasvāmipradarśanāt| suvarṇānāṁ sahasreṇa brāhmaṇe vedapārage| dattena yatphalaṁ devi tatkuṇḍe snānato labhet

For seven successive births, through the mere sight of Talasvami — whatever merit is gained by giving a thousand gold pieces to a brahmin learned in the Vedas, that same merit, O Devi, is obtained by bathing in that tank.

Verse 73 (skanda.7.334.73)

एवं तलस्वामिचरित्रमुत्तमं श्रुतं पुरा सिद्धमहर्षिसंघैः। श्रुत्वा प्रभावं तलदेवसन्निधौ प्राप्नोति सर्वं मनसा यदीप्सितम्

evaṁ talasvāmicaritramuttamaṁ śrutaṁ purā siddhamaharṣisaṁghaiḥ| śrutvā prabhāvaṁ taladevasannidhau prāpnoti sarvaṁ manasā yadīpsitam

Thus was this excellent legend of Talasvami heard of old by the hosts of siddhas and great sages; whoever hears of this power in the presence of the god Tala obtains, in his mind, all that he desires.