The Glory of Sarasvati's Descent

Verse 1 (skanda.7.34.1)

ईश्वर उवाच। सरस्वती वरं प्राप्य वरिष्ठं वडवानलात्। पुनस्तं सागरे क्षेप्तुमुद्यता सा मनस्विनी

īśvara uvāca| sarasvatī varaṁ prāpya variṣṭhaṁ vaḍavānalāt| punastaṁ sāgare kṣeptumudyatā sā manasvinī

Ishvara said: Having obtained an excellent boon from the submarine fire (Vadavanala), that resolute Sarasvati then set out to cast it once more into the ocean.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.34.2)

देवादेशात्प्रभासस्य पुरतः संस्थिता तदा। समुद्रमाहूय तदा वाडवार्पणकांक्षिणी

devādeśātprabhāsasya purataḥ saṁsthitā tadā| samudramāhūya tadā vāḍavārpaṇakāṁkṣiṇī

By the command of the gods, she then stood before Prabhasa, and, desiring to hand over the vadava-fire, summoned the Ocean.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.34.3)

त्वमादिः सर्वदेवानां त्वं प्राणः प्राणिनां सदा। देवादेशाद्गृहाण त्वमागत्यार्णव वाडवम्

tvamādiḥ sarvadevānāṁ tvaṁ prāṇaḥ prāṇināṁ sadā| devādeśādgṛhāṇa tvamāgatyārṇava vāḍavam

"You are the origin of all the gods; you are ever the life-breath of living beings. By the command of the gods, come, O Ocean, and receive this vadava-fire."

Verse 4 (skanda.7.34.4)

एवं संचिंतितो देव्या यदासावंभसांपतिः। तथा जलात्समुत्तीर्य समायातो महाद्युतिः

evaṁ saṁciṁtito devyā yadāsāvaṁbhasāṁpatiḥ| tathā jalātsamuttīrya samāyāto mahādyutiḥ

Thus called upon by the Goddess, when that Lord of the Waters, of great splendor, rose up out of the water and came forth—

Verse 5 (skanda.7.34.5)

तं दृष्ट्वा विस्मिता देवी दिव्यं विष्णुमिवापरम्। श्यामं कमलपत्राक्षं सागरं सुमनोरमम्

taṁ dṛṣṭvā vismitā devī divyaṁ viṣṇumivāparam| śyāmaṁ kamalapatrākṣaṁ sāgaraṁ sumanoramam

—seeing him, the Goddess was astonished: he was divine, like another Vishnu, dark-hued, lotus-petal-eyed — the Ocean, exceedingly beautiful.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.34.6)

विचित्रमाल्याभरणं चित्रवस्त्रानुलेपनम्। आपगाभिः सरूपाभिः स्त्रीरूपाभिः समावृतम्

vicitramālyābharaṇaṁ citravastrānulepanam| āpagābhiḥ sarūpābhiḥ strīrūpābhiḥ samāvṛtam

Adorned with wondrous garlands and ornaments, with colorful garments and unguents, and surrounded by rivers in matching female forms.

Verse 7 (skanda.7.34.7)

एवंविधं समालोक्य सा देवी ब्रह्मणः सुता। सरस्वती जलनिधिमुवाचेदं शुचिस्मिता

evaṁvidhaṁ samālokya sā devī brahmaṇaḥ sutā| sarasvatī jalanidhimuvācedaṁ śucismitā

Having beheld him thus, that goddess, Brahma's daughter Sarasvati, with a pure smile, spoke this to the Lord of Waters (the Ocean):

Verse 8 (skanda.7.34.8)

त्वमग्रजः सर्वभवोद्भवानां त्वं जीवितं जन्मवतां नराणाम्। तस्मात्सुराणां कुरु कार्यमिष्टं वह्निं गृहाण त्वमिहोपनीतम्

tvamagrajaḥ sarvabhavodbhavānāṁ tvaṁ jīvitaṁ janmavatāṁ narāṇām| tasmātsurāṇāṁ kuru kāryamiṣṭaṁ vahniṁ gṛhāṇa tvamihopanītam

"You are the firstborn of all beings that have come into existence; you are the very life of men who take birth. Therefore accomplish this desired task for the gods: accept this fire that has been brought here."

Verse 9 (skanda.7.34.9)

अत्रांतरे सोऽपि विमृश्य सर्वं कार्यं स्वबुद्ध्या किमिहोपपन्नम्। कृत्वाऽनलस्य ग्रहणं मयेदं कार्यं सुराणां विहितं भवेच्च

atrāṁtare so'pi vimṛśya sarvaṁ kāryaṁ svabuddhyā kimihopapannam| kṛtvā'nalasya grahaṇaṁ mayedaṁ kāryaṁ surāṇāṁ vihitaṁ bhavecca

Meanwhile, he too reflected with his own wisdom upon the whole matter — "what has come to pass here?" — [and thought:] "By accepting this fire, this task ordained for the gods shall be accomplished through me."

Verse 10 (skanda.7.34.10)

एवं चिंतयतस्तस्य ग्रहणं रुचितं ततः। वाडवाग्नेः समुद्रस्य सुरपीडाकृते यदा

evaṁ ciṁtayatastasya grahaṇaṁ rucitaṁ tataḥ| vāḍavāgneḥ samudrasya surapīḍākṛte yadā

Thus, as he pondered, the acceptance pleased him — when this deed regarding the submarine fire was undertaken by the Ocean for the relief of the gods' distress.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.34.11)

तदा तेन पुरःस्थेन देवी साभिहिता भृशम्। वाडवं संप्रयच्छैनं सुरशत्रुं सरस्वति

tadā tena puraḥsthena devī sābhihitā bhṛśam| vāḍavaṁ saṁprayacchainaṁ suraśatruṁ sarasvati

Then, standing before her, he earnestly said to the Goddess: "O Sarasvati, hand over to me this vadava-fire, the enemy of the gods."

Verse 12 (skanda.7.34.12)

ततस्तया प्रणम्याशु पितामहपुरःसरान्। चारणांश्चारुचित्रांग्या सरस्वत्या दिवि स्थितान्

tatastayā praṇamyāśu pitāmahapuraḥsarān| cāraṇāṁścārucitrāṁgyā sarasvatyā divi sthitān

Then that Sarasvati, of beautifully adorned form, quickly bowed to Grandsire Brahma and those who preceded him, and to the Charanas stationed in heaven.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.34.13)

पुनश्च करसंस्थोऽसौ वाडवोऽभिहितस्तया। त्वमपो भक्षयस्वेति सुरैरुक्त इमा इति

punaśca karasaṁstho'sau vāḍavo'bhihitastayā| tvamapo bhakṣayasveti surairukta imā iti

And again, addressing that vadava-fire resting in her hand, she said: "The gods have commanded that you shall consume these waters."

Verse 14 (skanda.7.34.14)

एवमुक्त्वा समुद्रस्य तदा देव्या समर्प्पितः। वाडवोऽग्निः सरस्वत्या सुरादेशान्महाबलः

evamuktvā samudrasya tadā devyā samarppitaḥ| vāḍavo'gniḥ sarasvatyā surādeśānmahābalaḥ

Having said this, by the command of the gods, Goddess Sarasvati then handed over that mighty vadava-fire to the Ocean.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.34.15)

तं समर्प्य ततस्तस्मि न्नदी भूत्वा सरस्वती। प्रविष्टा सागरं देवी नारदेश्वरमार्गतः

taṁ samarpya tatastasmi nnadī bhūtvā sarasvatī| praviṣṭā sāgaraṁ devī nāradeśvaramārgataḥ

Having handed it over, thereafter Goddess Sarasvati, taking the form of a river, entered the ocean by the path of Naradeshvara.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.34.16)

दैत्यसूदनसांनिध्ये दत्त्वार्घ्यं लवणांभसि। अर्घ्येश्वरं प्रतिष्ठाप्य दैत्यसूदन पश्चिमे

daityasūdanasāṁnidhye dattvārghyaṁ lavaṇāṁbhasi| arghyeśvaraṁ pratiṣṭhāpya daityasūdana paścime

In the presence of Daityasudana (Vishnu, the slayer of demons), having offered arghya into the salt waters, and having established Arghyeshvara to the west of Daityasudana—

Verse 17 (skanda.7.34.17)

ततोऽब्धिं संप्रविष्टा सा पंचस्रोता महानदी। स्वरूपेणैव सा पुण्या पुनः पुण्यतमाऽभवत्

tato'bdhiṁ saṁpraviṣṭā sā paṁcasrotā mahānadī| svarūpeṇaiva sā puṇyā punaḥ puṇyatamā'bhavat

—then she, the great five-streamed river, entered the ocean; that sacred one, in her own form, once more became most holy.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.34.18)

प्रभासक्षेत्रसंपर्कात्समुद्रस्य च संगमात्। सागरोऽपि समासाद्य सरस्वत्यास्तु वाडवम्। निर्धनो वै धनं प्राप्याचिन्तयत्क्व क्षिपाम्यहम्

prabhāsakṣetrasaṁparkātsamudrasya ca saṁgamāt| sāgaro'pi samāsādya sarasvatyāstu vāḍavam| nirdhano vai dhanaṁ prāpyācintayatkva kṣipāmyaham

Through contact with the Prabhasa-kshetra and union with the ocean, the Sea too, having received Sarasvati's vadava-fire, became anxious like a poor man who, having gained wealth, wonders, "where shall I put it?"

Verse 19 (skanda.7.34.19)

स तेनैव करस्थेन दीप्य मानेन सागरः। वह्निना शिखरस्थेन भाति मेरुरिवापरः

sa tenaiva karasthena dīpya mānena sāgaraḥ| vahninā śikharasthena bhāti merurivāparaḥ

That very Ocean, with that blazing fire resting in his hand like a flame atop a peak, shone as though he were another Mount Meru.

Verse 20 (skanda.7.34.20)

तं तथाविधमालोक्य तत्र ये जलचारिणः। यादोगणास्ते मुमुचुर्दाहभीता महास्वनम्

taṁ tathāvidhamālokya tatra ye jalacāriṇaḥ| yādogaṇāste mumucurdāhabhītā mahāsvanam

Beholding him in that condition, the aquatic creatures dwelling there, terrified of being burned, let out a great cry.

Verse 21 (skanda.7.34.21)

तं श्रुत्वा भैरवं शब्दमायातो दैत्यसूदनः। आह यादोगणान्सर्वान्मा भैष्ट सुमहाबलाः

taṁ śrutvā bhairavaṁ śabdamāyāto daityasūdanaḥ| āha yādogaṇānsarvānmā bhaiṣṭa sumahābalāḥ

Hearing that terrifying sound, Daityasudana (Vishnu) came there and said to all the groups of aquatic creatures: "Do not fear, O mighty ones.

Verse 22 (skanda.7.34.22)

यस्मादनेन प्रथमा आपो भक्ष्या न तत्रगाः। प्राणिनस्तन्न भेतव्यं भवद्भिस्तु ममाज्ञया

yasmādanena prathamā āpo bhakṣyā na tatragāḥ| prāṇinastanna bhetavyaṁ bhavadbhistu mamājñayā

—for by this fire the waters alone shall be consumed first, not the creatures dwelling in them. By my command, you creatures need not fear this."

Verse 23 (skanda.7.34.23)

एवमुक्तस्तु कृष्णेन तूष्णींभूता जलेचराः

evamuktastu kṛṣṇena tūṣṇīṁbhūtā jalecarāḥ

Thus addressed by Krishna, the aquatic creatures fell silent.

Verse 24 (skanda.7.34.24)

तूष्णींभूतेषु सर्वेषु जलजेषु जलेश्वरम्। प्राहाच्युतः प्रक्षिप त्वमपां मध्ये तु वाडवम्

tūṣṇīṁbhūteṣu sarveṣu jalajeṣu jaleśvaram| prāhācyutaḥ prakṣipa tvamapāṁ madhye tu vāḍavam

When all the water-born creatures had fallen silent, Achyuta said to the Lord of Waters: "Cast the vadava-fire into the midst of the waters."

Verse 25 (skanda.7.34.25)

अगाधेम्भसि तेनासौ निक्षिप्तो वाडवोऽनलः। वरुणेन पिबन्नास्ते तज्जलं सुमहाबलः

agādhembhasi tenāsau nikṣipto vāḍavo'nalaḥ| varuṇena pibannāste tajjalaṁ sumahābalaḥ

Then he cast that vadava-fire into the fathomless water; that mighty fire remains there, continually drinking Varuna's water.

Verse 26 (skanda.7.34.26)

तस्योच्छ्वासानिलोद्धूतं तत्तोयं सागराद्बहिः। निर्मर्यादेव युवतिरितश्चेतश्चधावति

tasyocchvāsāniloddhūtaṁ tattoyaṁ sāgarādbahiḥ| nirmaryādeva yuvatiritaścetaścadhāvati

That water, stirred up by the wind of his exhalation, rushes out from the ocean; like an unrestrained young woman, it runs hither and thither.

Verse 27 (skanda.7.34.27)

अथ काले गते देवि शुष्यत्यंबु शनैःशनैः। विदित्वा क्षीयमाणास्ता अपो जलनिधिस्ततः

atha kāle gate devi śuṣyatyaṁbu śanaiḥśanaiḥ| viditvā kṣīyamāṇāstā apo jalanidhistataḥ

Then, O Goddess, as time passed, the water began to dry up little by little; realizing that the waters were diminishing, the Lord of Waters then—

Verse 28 (skanda.7.34.28)

आहैवं पुंडरीकाक्षमपः कुरु त्वमक्षयाः। अन्यथा सर्वनाशेन जलानां मामिहाग्रतः। भक्षयिष्यत्यसौ वह्निर्वाडवो हि जनार्द्दन

āhaivaṁ puṁḍarīkākṣamapaḥ kuru tvamakṣayāḥ| anyathā sarvanāśena jalānāṁ māmihāgrataḥ| bhakṣayiṣyatyasau vahnirvāḍavo hi janārddana

—said thus to the lotus-eyed Vishnu: "Make the waters inexhaustible; otherwise, O Janardana, once the waters are utterly destroyed, this vadava-fire will consume me here first."

Verse 29 (skanda.7.34.29)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य समुद्रस्य तु भीषणम्। कृतं तदक्षयं तोयमा त्मनो भयनाशनम्

etacchrutvā vacastasya samudrasya tu bhīṣaṇam| kṛtaṁ tadakṣayaṁ toyamā tmano bhayanāśanam

Having heard this fearful speech of the Ocean, that water was made inexhaustible, thereby removing his own fear.

Verse 30 (skanda.7.34.30)

ज्ञात्वा सुराः सर्वमिदं विचेष्टितं कृत्यानलस्यास्य निबंधनं तथा। प्रलोभनं तोयपुरःसरा द्विषः पुपूजिरे केशवमत्र चारिणम्

jñātvā surāḥ sarvamidaṁ viceṣṭitaṁ kṛtyānalasyāsya nibaṁdhanaṁ tathā| pralobhanaṁ toyapuraḥsarā dviṣaḥ pupūjire keśavamatra cāriṇam

Understanding this whole contrivance — the binding of this destructive fire, and the device of enticing that foe by means of the water — the gods worshipped Keshava, who abides there.

Verse 31 (skanda.7.34.31)

एवं सरस्वती प्राप्ता प्रभासं क्षेत्रमुत्तमम्। ब्रह्मलोकान्महादेवि सर्वपापप्रणाशिनी

evaṁ sarasvatī prāptā prabhāsaṁ kṣetramuttamam| brahmalokānmahādevi sarvapāpapraṇāśinī

O Mahadevi, thus Sarasvati, the destroyer of all sins, came from Brahmaloka to the excellent sacred field of Prabhasa.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.34.32)

सोमेशाद्दक्षिणाग्नेये सागरस्य समी पतः। संस्थिता तु महादेवी वडवानलधारिणी

someśāddakṣiṇāgneye sāgarasya samī pataḥ| saṁsthitā tu mahādevī vaḍavānaladhāriṇī

To the southeast of Someshvara, near the Ocean, that great Goddess who bears the submarine fire abides.

Verse 33 (skanda.7.34.33)

स्नात्वाऽग्नितीर्थे पूर्वं तां पूजयेद्विधिना नरः। दंपत्योर्भोजनं तत्र परिधानं सकञ्चु कम्

snātvā'gnitīrthe pūrvaṁ tāṁ pūjayedvidhinā naraḥ| daṁpatyorbhojanaṁ tatra paridhānaṁ sakañcu kam

Having first bathed in Agnitirtha, a man should worship her according to rule. There, a meal for the couple, along with garments including a bodice, should be offered.

Verse 34 (skanda.7.34.34)

दत्त्वा ततो महादेवं पूजयेच्च कपर्द्दिनम्। इति वृत्तं पुरा देवि चाक्षुषस्यांतरेऽभवत्

dattvā tato mahādevaṁ pūjayecca kaparddinam| iti vṛttaṁ purā devi cākṣuṣasyāṁtare'bhavat

Having given these offerings, one should then worship the matted-locked Great God (Shiva). O Goddess, this event took place in ancient times, during the Chakshusha Manvantara.

Verse 35 (skanda.7.34.35)

दधीच्यन्वयजातस्य वाडवस्य महा त्मनः। अस्मिन्पुनर्महादेवि प्राप्ते वैवस्वतेंऽतरे। और्वस्तु भार्गवे वंशे समुत्पन्नो महाद्विजः

dadhīcyanvayajātasya vāḍavasya mahā tmanaḥ| asminpunarmahādevi prāpte vaivasvateṁ'tare| aurvastu bhārgave vaṁśe samutpanno mahādvijaḥ

Regarding that great-souled vadava-fire born in Dadhichi's lineage — O Mahadevi, when the Vaivasvata Manvantara arrived again, the great sage Aurva was born in the Bhargava (Bhrigu) lineage.

Verse 36 (skanda.7.34.36)

संक्षिप्तोऽसौ सरस्वत्या देवमात्रा महाप्रभः। तावत्स्थास्यत्यपां गर्भे यावन्मन्वतरावधिः

saṁkṣipto'sau sarasvatyā devamātrā mahāprabhaḥ| tāvatsthāsyatyapāṁ garbhe yāvanmanvatarāvadhiḥ

That being of great splendor was reduced by Sarasvati to divine measure; he will remain in the womb of the waters until the completion of the manvantara period.

Verse 37 (skanda.7.34.37)

इति ते कथितं देवि सरस्वत्याः समुद्भवम्। श्रुतं पापहरं नृणां कीर्त्तिदं पुण्यवर्द्धनम्

iti te kathitaṁ devi sarasvatyāḥ samudbhavam| śrutaṁ pāpaharaṁ nṛṇāṁ kīrttidaṁ puṇyavarddhanam

O Goddess, thus I have told you the account of Sarasvati's origin — one which, merely by being heard, removes men's sins, bestows fame, and increases merit.