The Tale of Mriganana and King Bhoja: Her Seven Former Births

Verse 1 (skanda.7.371.1)

ईश्वर उवाच। अधुना संप्रवक्ष्यामि मंगलात्पश्चिमे व्रजेत्। तत्र सिद्धेश्वरं पश्येत्सर्वसिद्धिप्रदायकम्

īśvara uvāca| adhunā saṁpravakṣyāmi maṁgalātpaścime vrajet| tatra siddheśvaraṁ paśyetsarvasiddhipradāyakam

Ishvara said: Now I shall tell further. One should go west from the site of Mangala; there one should behold Siddheshvara, the bestower of all accomplishments.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.371.2)

तत्रैव चक्रतीर्थं तु तीर्थकोटिफलप्रदम्। लोकेश्वरं स्वयंभूतं पूर्वमिंद्रेश्वरेति च

tatraiva cakratīrthaṁ tu tīrthakoṭiphalapradam| lokeśvaraṁ svayaṁbhūtaṁ pūrvamiṁdreśvareti ca

There too is Chakratirtha, bestowing the fruit of a crore tirthas, and the self-existent Lokeshvara, who was formerly called Indreshvara.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.371.3)

दृष्ट्वा तं विधिवद्देवि ततो यक्षवनं व्रजेत्। मंगलात्पश्चिमे भागे यत्र देवी स्वयं स्थिता

dṛṣṭvā taṁ vidhivaddevi tato yakṣavanaṁ vrajet| maṁgalātpaścime bhāge yatra devī svayaṁ sthitā

Having duly beheld him, O Goddess, one should then go to Yakshavana, in the western part from Mangala, where the Goddess herself abides.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.371.4)

यक्षेश्वरी महाभागा वांछितार्थप्रदायिनी। तां संपूज्य विधानेन ततो वस्त्रापथं पुनः

yakṣeśvarī mahābhāgā vāṁchitārthapradāyinī| tāṁ saṁpūjya vidhānena tato vastrāpathaṁ punaḥ

Yakshesvari, most fortunate, grants one's desired ends. Having worshipped her according to rite, one should then go once more to Vastrapatha.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.371.5)

गिरिं रैवतकं गत्वा कुर्याद्यात्राविधानतः। मृगीकुंडादितीर्थानि संति तत्रैव कोटिशः

giriṁ raivatakaṁ gatvā kuryādyātrāvidhānataḥ| mṛgīkuṁḍāditīrthāni saṁti tatraiva koṭiśaḥ

Having gone to Mount Raivataka, one should perform the pilgrimage rite; there stand tirthas by the crore, beginning with Mrigikunda.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.371.6)

यद्भुक्तिशिखरे देवि सीमालिंगं हि तत्स्मृतम्। दशकोटिस्तु तीर्थानि तत्र संति वरानने

yadbhuktiśikhare devi sīmāliṁgaṁ hi tatsmṛtam| daśakoṭistu tīrthāni tatra saṁti varānane

O Goddess, O fair-faced one, on Bhukti-shikhara stands what is remembered as the Sima-linga; there, ten crore tirthas abide.

Verse 7 (skanda.7.371.7)

यत्र वै यादवाः सिद्धाः कलौ ये बुद्धिरूपिणः। शतसहस्रार्बुदं च लिंगं तत्रैव तिष्ठति

yatra vai yādavāḥ siddhāḥ kalau ye buddhirūpiṇaḥ| śatasahasrārbudaṁ ca liṁgaṁ tatraiva tiṣṭhati

There the Yadavas attained perfection — they who, in the Kali age, embody wisdom itself; and there stand lingas by the hundreds of thousands of crores.

Verse 8 (skanda.7.371.8)

गजेंद्रस्य पदं तत्र तत्रैव रसकूपिकाः। सप्त कुण्डानि तत्रैव रैवते पर्वतोत्तमे

gajeṁdrasya padaṁ tatra tatraiva rasakūpikāḥ| sapta kuṇḍāni tatraiva raivate parvatottame

There is the footprint of the lord of elephants, and there the wells of quicksilver; and on that finest of mountains, Raivataka, are the seven kundas.

Verse 9 (skanda.7.371.9)

अंबिका च स्थिता देवी प्रद्युम्नः सांब एव च। लिंगाकारे पर्वते तु तत्र तीर्थानि कोटिशः

aṁbikā ca sthitā devī pradyumnaḥ sāṁba eva ca| liṁgākāre parvate tu tatra tīrthāni koṭiśaḥ

There too the goddess Ambika abides, and Pradyumna, and Samba as well; upon that linga-shaped mountain are tirthas by the crore.

Verse 10 (skanda.7.371.10)

मृगीकुंडं च तत्रैव कालमेघस्तथैव च। क्षेत्रपालस्वरूपेण महोदधि स्वयं स्थितः। दामोदरश्च तत्रैव भवो ब्रह्माण्डनायकः

mṛgīkuṁḍaṁ ca tatraiva kālameghastathaiva ca| kṣetrapālasvarūpeṇa mahodadhi svayaṁ sthitaḥ| dāmodaraśca tatraiva bhavo brahmāṇḍanāyakaḥ

There too is Mrigikunda, and Kalamegha likewise; the great ocean itself abides there in the form of Kshetrapala; and there too are Damodara, and Bhava, lord of the universe.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.371.11)

पार्वत्युवाच। श्रुतानि तव तीर्थानि देवेश वदतस्तव। गंगा सरस्वती पुण्या यमुना च महानदी

pārvatyuvāca| śrutāni tava tīrthāni deveśa vadatastava| gaṁgā sarasvatī puṇyā yamunā ca mahānadī

Parvati said: O lord of the gods, from your own telling I have heard of these tirthas — the Ganga, the sacred Sarasvati, and the great river Yamuna.

Verse 12 (skanda.7.371.12)

गोदावरी गोमती च नदी तापी च नर्मदा। सरयूः स्वर्णरेखा च तमसा पापनाशिनी

godāvarī gomatī ca nadī tāpī ca narmadā| sarayūḥ svarṇarekhā ca tamasā pāpanāśinī

Godavari, the river Gomati, Tapi, Narmada, Sarayu, Svarnarekha, and Tamasa, destroyer of sin.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.371.13)

नद्यः समुद्रसंयोगाः सर्वाः पुण्याः श्रुता मया। मोक्षारण्यानि दिव्यानि दिव्यक्षेत्राणि यानि च

nadyaḥ samudrasaṁyogāḥ sarvāḥ puṇyāḥ śrutā mayā| mokṣāraṇyāni divyāni divyakṣetrāṇi yāni ca

The sacred confluences of rivers with the ocean — all these holy places I have heard from you; and the divine liberation-forests, and whatever divine kshetras there are.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.371.14)

नगर्यो मुक्तिदायिन्यस्ताः श्रुतास्त्वत्प्रसादतः। ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवादीनां सूर्येंदुवरुणस्य च

nagaryo muktidāyinyastāḥ śrutāstvatprasādataḥ| brahmaviṣṇuśivādīnāṁ sūryeṁduvaruṇasya ca

The liberation-granting cities too I have heard of by your grace; and of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and the others, of Surya, Chandra, and Varuna —

Verse 15 (skanda.7.371.15)

देवतानां ऋषीणां च संति स्थानान्यनेकशः। परं देव त्वया पुण्यं प्रभासं कथितं मम

devatānāṁ ṛṣīṇāṁ ca saṁti sthānānyanekaśaḥ| paraṁ deva tvayā puṇyaṁ prabhāsaṁ kathitaṁ mama

there are many stations of the gods and sages. But, O god, you have told me above all of the sacred Prabhasa.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.371.16)

तस्माद्यच्चाधिकं प्रोक्तं क्षेत्रं वस्त्रापथं त्वया। शृण्वंत्या च मया पूर्वं न पृष्टं कारणं तदा

tasmādyaccādhikaṁ proktaṁ kṣetraṁ vastrāpathaṁ tvayā| śṛṇvaṁtyā ca mayā pūrvaṁ na pṛṣṭaṁ kāraṇaṁ tadā

And of the field of Vastrapatha, told by you as even greater still — though I listened, I did not then ask its reason.

Verse 17 (skanda.7.371.17)

इदानीं च श्रुतं सर्वं स्वस्थाहं कारणं वद। प्रभावं प्रथमं ब्रूहि क्षेत्रस्य च भवस्य च

idānīṁ ca śrutaṁ sarvaṁ svasthāhaṁ kāraṇaṁ vada| prabhāvaṁ prathamaṁ brūhi kṣetrasya ca bhavasya ca

Now I have heard everything, and am at ease of mind; tell me now the reason. First tell me the power of this kshetra, and of Bhava.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.371.18)

कस्मिन्देशे च तत्तीर्थं शिवः केनात्र संस्थितः। स्वयंभूर्भगवान्रुद्रः कथं तत्र स्थितः स्वयम्। प्रभो मे महदाश्चर्यं वर्तते तद्वदाधुना

kasmindeśe ca tattīrthaṁ śivaḥ kenātra saṁsthitaḥ| svayaṁbhūrbhagavānrudraḥ kathaṁ tatra sthitaḥ svayam| prabho me mahadāścaryaṁ vartate tadvadādhunā

In what land is that tirtha, and by whom was Shiva established there? How did the self-existent Lord Rudra come to abide there of his own accord? O Lord, this is a great wonder to me; tell it to me now.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.371.19)

ईश्वर उवाच। वस्त्रापथस्य क्षेत्रस्य प्रभावं प्रथमं शृणु। पश्चाद्भवस्य माहात्म्यं शृणु त्वं च वरानने

īśvara uvāca| vastrāpathasya kṣetrasya prabhāvaṁ prathamaṁ śṛṇu| paścādbhavasya māhātmyaṁ śṛṇu tvaṁ ca varānane

Ishvara said: First hear the power of the field of Vastrapatha; and then, O fair-faced one, hear also the glory of Bhava.

Verse 20 (skanda.7.371.20)

कान्यकुब्जे महाक्षेत्रे राजा भोजेति विश्रुतः। पुरा पुण्ययुगे धर्म्यः प्रजा धर्मेण शासति

kānyakubje mahākṣetre rājā bhojeti viśrutaḥ| purā puṇyayuge dharmyaḥ prajā dharmeṇa śāsati

Long ago, in an age of merit, in the great region of Kanyakubja, there was a righteous king renowned as Bhoja, who ruled his subjects according to dharma.

Verse 21 (skanda.7.371.21)

विशालाक्षो दीर्घबाहुर्विद्वान्वाग्ग्मी प्रियंवदः। सर्वलक्षणसंपूर्णो बह्वाश्चर्यविलोककः

viśālākṣo dīrghabāhurvidvānvāggmī priyaṁvadaḥ| sarvalakṣaṇasaṁpūrṇo bahvāścaryavilokakaḥ

He was wide-eyed, long-armed, learned, eloquent, sweet of speech, endowed with every auspicious mark, and one who beheld many wonders.

Verse 22 (skanda.7.371.22)

वनात्कदाचिदभ्येत्य वनपालोऽब्रवीदिदम्। आश्चर्यं भ्रमता देव वने दृष्टं मयाधुना

vanātkadācidabhyetya vanapālo'bravīdidam| āścaryaṁ bhramatā deva vane dṛṣṭaṁ mayādhunā

One day, the forest-keeper, coming from the forest, said this: O lord, while wandering in the forest, I have just now witnessed a wonder.

Verse 23 (skanda.7.371.23)

गिरौ विषमभूभागे वहुवृक्षसमाकुले। मृगयूथगता नारी मया दृष्टा मृगानना

girau viṣamabhūbhāge vahuvṛkṣasamākule| mṛgayūthagatā nārī mayā dṛṣṭā mṛgānanā

On the mountain, in a rugged, tree-covered stretch of ground, I saw a deer-faced woman moving among a herd of deer.

Verse 24 (skanda.7.371.24)

मृगवत्प्लवते बाला सदा तत्रैव दृश्यते। इति श्रुत्वा वचो राजा तुष्टस्तस्मै धनं ददौ

mṛgavatplavate bālā sadā tatraiva dṛśyate| iti śrutvā vaco rājā tuṣṭastasmai dhanaṁ dadau

The young woman bounds like a deer, and is always to be seen there. Hearing these words, the king, pleased, gave the man wealth.

Verse 25 (skanda.7.371.25)

चतुरं तुरगं दिव्यं वाससी स्वर्णभूषणम्। इदानीमेव यास्यामि सेनाध्यक्ष त्वया सह

caturaṁ turagaṁ divyaṁ vāsasī svarṇabhūṣaṇam| idānīmeva yāsyāmi senādhyakṣa tvayā saha

[He gave him] a fine horse, celestial garments, and golden ornaments. [The king said:] O commander, I shall go this very moment together with you.

Verse 26 (skanda.7.371.26)

अश्वानां दशसाहस्रं वागुराणां त्वनेकधा। पत्तयो यांतु सर्वत्र वेष्टयंतु गिरिंवरम्

aśvānāṁ daśasāhasraṁ vāgurāṇāṁ tvanekadhā| pattayo yāṁtu sarvatra veṣṭayaṁtu giriṁvaram

Let ten thousand horses go, along with nets of many kinds; let the foot-soldiers go everywhere and encircle that fine mountain.

Verse 27 (skanda.7.371.27)

न हंतव्यो मृगः कश्चिद्रक्षणीया हि सा मृगी। स्त्रीवेषधारिणी नारी मृगी भवति भूतले

na haṁtavyo mṛgaḥ kaścidrakṣaṇīyā hi sā mṛgī| strīveṣadhāriṇī nārī mṛgī bhavati bhūtale

Let no deer be killed; that doe must be protected — for she is a woman wearing the guise of a woman, [yet appearing on this earth in] the form of a deer.

Verse 28 (skanda.7.371.28)

क्व यास्यति वराकी सा मद्बलैः परिपीडिता। शस्त्रास्त्रवर्जितं सैन्यं वनपालपदानुगम्

kva yāsyati varākī sā madbalaiḥ paripīḍitā| śastrāstravarjitaṁ sainyaṁ vanapālapadānugam

Where indeed will that poor creature go, surrounded by my forces? Let the army go without weapons, following in the footsteps of the forest-keeper.

Verse 29 (skanda.7.371.29)

अहोरात्रेण संप्राप्तं बहुव्याधजनाग्रतः। अश्वाधिरूढो बलवान्भोजराजो ययौ स्वयम्

ahorātreṇa saṁprāptaṁ bahuvyādhajanāgrataḥ| aśvādhirūḍho balavānbhojarājo yayau svayam

Within a day and a night they arrived, ahead of many huntsmen; and mighty King Bhoja himself rode out, mounted upon his horse.

Verse 30 (skanda.7.371.30)

निःशब्दपदसञ्चारः संज्ञासंकेतभाषकः। गिरिं संवेष्टयामास वागुराभिः स्वयं नृपः

niḥśabdapadasañcāraḥ saṁjñāsaṁketabhāṣakaḥ| giriṁ saṁveṣṭayāmāsa vāgurābhiḥ svayaṁ nṛpaḥ

Moving with soundless footfall, speaking only by gesture and sign, the king himself encircled the mountain with nets.

Verse 31 (skanda.7.371.31)

वनपालेन सहितो मृगयूथं ददर्श सः। सा मृगी मृगमध्यस्था नारीदेहा मुखे मृगी। मृगवच्चेष्टते बाला धावते च मृगैः सह

vanapālena sahito mṛgayūthaṁ dadarśa saḥ| sā mṛgī mṛgamadhyasthā nārīdehā mukhe mṛgī| mṛgavaccheṣṭate bālā dhāvate ca mṛgaiḥ saha

Together with the forest-keeper, he beheld the herd of deer. That doe stood amid the deer — her body was a woman's, only her face that of a deer. The young woman moved like a deer, running along with the herd.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.371.32)

अश्वगंधान्समाघ्राय सन्त्रस्ता मृगयूथपाः। क्षुब्धा भ्रान्ताः क्षणे तस्मिन्सर्वे यांति दिशो दश

aśvagaṁdhānsamāghrāya santrastā mṛgayūthapāḥ| kṣubdhā bhrāntāḥ kṣaṇe tasminsarve yāṁti diśo daśa

Catching the scent of the horses, the herds of deer took fright; in that instant, agitated and confused, they all scattered in the ten directions.

Verse 33 (skanda.7.371.33)

मृगवक्त्रा तु या नारी मृगैः कतिपयैः सह। प्लवमाना निपतिता वागुरायां विचेतना

mṛgavaktrā tu yā nārī mṛgaiḥ katipayaiḥ saha| plavamānā nipatitā vāgurāyāṁ vicetanā

But that deer-faced woman, running along with a few of the deer, fell into the net, bounding forward, and lost her senses.

Verse 34 (skanda.7.371.34)

बलाध्यक्षेण विधृता मृगैः सह शनैर्नृपः। ददर्श महदाश्चर्यं भोजराजो जनैर्वृतः

balādhyakṣeṇa vidhṛtā mṛgaiḥ saha śanairnṛpaḥ| dadarśa mahadāścaryaṁ bhojarājo janairvṛtaḥ

She was held fast by the army-commander, together with the deer. Then, slowly approaching with his retinue, King Bhoja beheld that great wonder.

Verse 35 (skanda.7.371.35)

ततः कोलाहलो जातः परमानंदिनिस्वनः। मृगैः सह समानिन्ये कान्यकुब्जं मृगीं नृपः

tataḥ kolāhalo jātaḥ paramānaṁdinisvanaḥ| mṛgaiḥ saha samāninye kānyakubjaṁ mṛgīṁ nṛpaḥ

Then arose a great uproar of supreme delight. The king brought the deer-woman, together with the deer, to Kanyakubja.

Verse 36 (skanda.7.371.36)

दिव्यवस्त्रसमाच्छन्ना दिव्याभरणभूषिता। नरयानस्थिता नारी प्रविवेश मृगैर्वृता

divyavastrasamācchannā divyābharaṇabhūṣitā| narayānasthitā nārī praviveśa mṛgairvṛtā

Wrapped in celestial garments and adorned with celestial ornaments, the woman, seated in a palanquin, entered the city surrounded by deer.

Verse 37 (skanda.7.371.37)

वादित्रैर्ब्रह्मघोषैश्च नीयते नृपमंदिरम्। जनैर्जानपदैर्मार्गे दृश्यते नृपमन्दिरे

vāditrairbrahmaghoṣaiśca nīyate nṛpamaṁdiram| janairjānapadairmārge dṛśyate nṛpamandire

With musical instruments and the chanting of Vedic hymns, she was led to the royal palace; along the way, the townsfolk beheld her being taken to the king's dwelling.

Verse 38 (skanda.7.371.38)

नीयमाना नागरैश्च महदाश्चर्यभाषकैः। पुण्ये मुहूर्त्ते संप्राप्ते सा मृगी नृपमन्दिरम्

nīyamānā nāgaraiśca mahadāścaryabhāṣakaiḥ| puṇye muhūrtte saṁprāpte sā mṛgī nṛpamandiram

Being brought along, the townsfolk spoke of her with great wonder; at an auspicious moment, that deer-woman arrived at the royal palace.

Verse 39 (skanda.7.371.39)

प्रतीहारेण राजेन्द्र वचसा वारितो जनः। गतः सेनापतिः सैन्यं गृहीत्वा स्वनिकेतनम्

pratīhāreṇa rājeṁdra vacasā vārito janaḥ| gataḥ senāpatiḥ sainyaṁ gṛhītvā svaniketanam

O lord of kings, by the doorkeeper's word the crowd was held back; the commander, taking his army, went to his own quarters.

Verse 40 (skanda.7.371.40)

राजापि स्वगृहं प्राप्य स्नात्वा संपूज्य देवताः। तां मृगीं स्नापयामास दिव्यगन्धानुलेपनाम्

rājāpi svagṛhaṁ prāpya snātvā saṁpūjya devatāḥ| tāṁ mṛgīṁ snāpayāmāsa divyagaṁdhānulepanām

The king too, reaching his own dwelling, having bathed and worshipped the gods, had that deer-woman bathed and anointed with divine fragrant unguents.

Verse 41 (skanda.7.371.41)

कुङ्कुमेन विलिप्तांगीं दिव्यवस्त्रावगुंठिताम्। यथोचितं यथास्थानं दिव्याभरणभूषिताम्

kuṅkumena vilipatāṁgīṁ divyavastrāvaguṁṭhitām| yathocitaṁ yathāsthānaṁ divyābharaṇabhūṣitām

Her body was anointed with saffron, draped in celestial garments, and, each in its proper place, adorned with celestial ornaments.

Verse 42 (skanda.7.371.42)

एकांते निर्जने राजा बभाषे चारुलोचनाम्। का त्वं कस्य सुता केन कारणेन मृगैः सह

ekāṁte nirjane rājā babhāṣe cārulocanām| kā tvaṁ kasya sutā kena kāraṇena mṛgaiḥ saha

In a solitary, empty place, the king spoke to the fair-eyed one: Who are you, whose daughter are you, and for what reason were you among the deer?

Verse 43 (skanda.7.371.43)

स्त्रीणां शरीरं ते कस्मान्मृगीणां वदनं कुतः। इति सर्वं समाचक्ष्व परं कौतूहलं हि मे

strīṇāṁ śarīraṁ te kasmānmṛgīṇāṁ vadanaṁ kutaḥ| iti sarvaṁ samācakṣva paraṁ kautūhalaṁ hi me

Why is your body that of a woman, but your face that of a deer? Tell me all this — I am filled with the greatest curiosity.

Verse 44 (skanda.7.371.44)

एवं सा प्रोच्यमानापि न बभाषे कथंचन। मूकवन्न विजानाति न च भुंक्ते सुलोचना

evaṁ sā procyamānāpi na babhāṣe kathaṁcana| mūkavanna vijānāti na ca bhuṁkte sulocanā

Though thus addressed, she spoke not a word. The fair-eyed one, like a mute, understood nothing, nor did she eat.

Verse 45 (skanda.7.371.45)

न भुंक्ते पृथिवीपालो न राज्यं बहु मन्यते। न दारैर्विद्यते कार्यं नाश्वैर्न च गजै रथैः

na bhuṁkte pṛthivīpālo na rājyaṁ bahu manyate| na dāraivrilidyate kāryaṁ nāśvairna ca gajai rathaiḥ

The king too stopped eating, and no longer cared much for his kingdom; he had no use any more for his wives, his horses, his elephants, or his chariots.

Verse 46 (skanda.7.371.46)

तदेव राज्यं ते दारास्ते गजास्तद्धनं बहु। प्रमदामदसंरक्तं यत्र संक्रीडते मनः

tadeva rājyaṁ te dārāste gajāstaddhanaṁ bahu| pramadāmadasaṁraktaṁ yatra saṁkrīḍate manaḥ

For him, that alone was kingdom, wife, elephants, and abundant wealth — the place where his mind, enraptured by the woman's charm, found its only delight.

Verse 47 (skanda.7.371.47)

आहूयाह प्रतीहारं तया संमोहितो नृपः। पुरोधसं गुरुं विप्रानाचार्याञ्छीघ्रमानय

āhūyāha pratīhāraṁ tayā saṁmohito nṛpaḥ| purodhasaṁ guruṁ viprānācāryāñchīghramānaya

The king, infatuated by her, summoned the doorkeeper and said: Quickly bring the royal priest, the guru, the brahmins, and the teachers.

Verse 48 (skanda.7.371.48)

दैवज्ञानथ मन्त्रज्ञान्भिषजस्तांत्रिकांस्तथा। इति सन्नोदितो राज्ञा प्रतीहारो ययौ स्वयम्

daivajñānatha mantrajñānbhiṣajastāṁtrikāṁstathā| iti sannodito rājñā pratīhāro yayau svayam

And astrologers, mantra-adepts, physicians, and tantric practitioners as well. Thus commanded by the king, the doorkeeper himself departed.

Verse 49 (skanda.7.371.49)

आजगाम स वेगेन समानीय द्विजोत्तमान्। राज्ञे विज्ञापयामास देव विप्राः समागताः

ājagāma sa vegena samānīya dvijottamān| rājñe vijñāpayāmāsa deva viprāḥ samāgatāḥ

He returned swiftly, having gathered the foremost brahmins, and informed the king: O lord, the brahmins have arrived.

Verse 50 (skanda.7.371.50)

प्रवेशय गुरुं द्वाःस्थं संप्राप्तान्मद्धिते रतान्। इति सन्नोदितो राज्ञा तथा चक्रे स बुद्धिमान्

praveśaya guruṁ dvāḥsthaṁ saṁprāptānmaddhite ratān| iti sannodito rājñā tathā cakre sa buddhimān

Let the guru enter, and those at the door who have come devoted to my welfare, said the king to the doorkeeper; thus commanded, that wise man did so.

Verse 51 (skanda.7.371.51)

अभ्युत्थाय नृपः पूर्वं नमस्कृत्य प्रपूज्य च। आसनेषूपविष्टांस्तान्बभाषे कार्यतत्परः

abhyutthāya nṛpaḥ pūrvaṁ namaskṛtya prapūjya ca| āsaneṣūpaviṣṭāṁstānbabhāṣe kāryatatparaḥ

The king first rose, bowed, and honored them; then, once they were seated upon their seats, being eager for the matter at hand, he spoke to them thus.

Verse 52 (skanda.7.371.52)

इदमाश्चर्यमेवैकं कथं शक्यं निवेदितुम्। जानीत हि स्वयं सर्वे लोकतः शास्त्रतोऽपि वा

idamāścaryamevaikaṁ kathaṁ śakyaṁ niveditum| jānīta hi svayaṁ sarve lokataḥ śāstrato'pi vā

How can I even tell of this one wonder alone? All of you should yourselves come to know it, whether through worldly experience or through the shastras.

Verse 53 (skanda.7.371.53)

कथमेषा समुत्पन्ना कस्येदं कर्मणः फलम्। अस्यां केन प्रकारेण वचनं मानुषं भवेत्

kathameṣā samutpannā kasyedaṁ karmaṇaḥ phalam| asyāṁ kena prakāreṇa vacanaṁ mānuṣaṁ bhavet

How did she come to be? Whose karma's fruit is this? By what means can human speech arise in her?

Verse 54 (skanda.7.371.54)

स्वयं मनुष्यवदना कथमेषा भविष्यति। सावधानैर्द्विजैर्भूयः सर्वं संचिन्त्य चोच्यताम्

svayaṁ manuṣyavadanā kathameṣā bhaviṣyati| sāvadhānairdvijairbhūyaḥ sarvaṁ saṁcintya cocyatām

How might she herself come to have a human face? Let the attentive brahmins consider all this once more, and then speak.

Verse 55 (skanda.7.371.55)

विप्रा ऊचुः। देव सारस्वतो नाम कुरुक्षेत्रे द्विजोत्तमः। ऊर्द्ध्वरेताः सरस्वत्यां तपस्तेपे जितेन्द्रियः

viprā ūcuḥ| deva sārasvato nāma kurukṣetre dvijottamaḥ| ūrddhvaretāḥ sarasvatyāṁ tapastepe jitendriyaḥ

The brahmins said: O king, in Kurukshetra there is a foremost brahmin named Sarasvata, a celibate of mastered senses, who performs austerity on the bank of the Sarasvati.

Verse 56 (skanda.7.371.56)

कथयिष्यति सर्वं ते तेनादिष्टा मृगी स्वयम्। इति श्रुत्वा वचो राजा ययौ सारस्वतं द्विजम्

kathayiṣyati sarvaṁ te tenādiṣṭā mṛgī svayam| iti śrutvā vaco rājā yayau sārasvataṁ dvijam

Instructed by him, that deer-woman will herself tell you everything. Hearing these words, the king went to that brahmin Sarasvata.

Verse 57 (skanda.7.371.57)

सरस्वतीजले स्नातं प्रभासे ध्यानतत्परम्। दृष्ट्वा प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य साष्टांगं तं प्रणम्य च। उपविष्टो नृपो भूमौ प्रांजलिः सञ्जितेन्द्रियः

sarasvatījale snātaṁ prabhāse dhyānatatparam| dṛṣṭvā pradakṣiṇīkṛtya sāṣṭāṁgaṁ taṁ praṇamya ca| upaviṣṭo nṛpo bhūmau prāṁjaliḥ sañjitendriyaḥ

Having beheld him, bathed in the waters of the Sarasvati at Prabhasa and absorbed in meditation, having circumambulated him and bowed with all eight limbs, the king, his senses restrained, sat down upon the ground with folded hands.

Verse 58 (skanda.7.371.58)

मनुष्यपदसंचारं श्रुत्वा ज्ञात्वा च कारणम्। सारस्वतो बभाषेऽथ तं नृपं भक्तितत्परम्

manuṣyapadasaṁcāraṁ śrutvā jñātvā ca kāraṇam| sārasvato babhāṣe'tha taṁ nṛpaṁ bhaktitatparam

Having heard of the king's approach, and having discerned the reason, Sarasvata then spoke to that devoted king.

Verse 59 (skanda.7.371.59)

सारस्वत उवाच। भोजराज शुभं तेऽस्तु ज्ञातं तत्कारणं मया। मृगानना त्वया नारी समानीता वनात्किल

sārasvata uvāca| bhojarāja śubhaṁ te'stu jñātaṁ tatkāraṇaṁ mayā| mṛgānanā tvayā nārī samānītā vanātkila

Sarasvata said: O King Bhoja, may good come to you; I know the reason for this. You have, I have heard, brought a deer-faced woman from the forest.

Verse 60 (skanda.7.371.60)

महदाश्चर्यमेवैतत्तव चेतसि वर्त्तते। आदिष्टा तु मया बाला सर्वं ते कथयिष्यति

mahadāścaryamevaitattava cetasi varttate| ādiṣṭā tu mayā bālā sarvaṁ te kathayiṣyati

This alone remains a great wonder in your mind. But that young woman, instructed by me, will tell you everything.

Verse 61 (skanda.7.371.61)

जानाम्यहं महाराज चरित्रं जन्म यादृशम्। आश्चर्यं संभवेल्लोके कथ्यमानं तया स्वयम्

jānāmyahaṁ mahārāja caritraṁ janma yādṛśam| āścaryaṁ saṁbhavellloke kathyamānaṁ tayā svayam

O great king, I know her history, and the manner of her birth. It will seem a wonder to the world when she herself tells it.

Verse 62 (skanda.7.371.62)

इत्यादिश्य गतो वेगाद्रथेनादित्यवर्चसा। अहोरात्रद्वयेनैव संप्राप्तो नृप मन्दिरम्

ityādiśya gato vegādrathenādityavarcasā| ahorātradvayenaiva saṁprāpto nṛpa mandiram

Having said this, he set off swiftly on a chariot radiant as the sun, and reached the king's palace within just two days and nights.

Verse 63 (skanda.7.371.63)

प्रविश्य च मृगीं दृष्ट्वा यत्रास्ते मृगलोचना। तया सारस्वतो ज्ञातो धर्मज्ञः सर्वविद्द्विजः

praviśya ca mṛgīṁ dṛṣṭvā yatrāste mṛgalocanā| tayā sārasvato jñāto dharmajñaḥ sarvaviddvijaḥ

Entering, and beholding the deer-woman where she sat with her deer-like eyes, she recognized that righteous, all-knowing brahmin Sarasvata.

Verse 64 (skanda.7.371.64)

मृग्युवाच। एष सर्वं हि जानाति कारणं यच्च यादृशम्। वर्त्तमानं भविष्यं च भूतं यद्भुवनत्रये

mṛgyuvāca| eṣa sarvaṁ hi jānāti kāraṇaṁ yacca yādṛśam| varttamānaṁ bhaviṣyaṁ ca bhūtaṁ yadbhuvanatraye

The deer-woman said: This one knows everything — whatever the reason is, and of whatever kind; all that is past, present, and future in the three worlds.

Verse 65 (skanda.7.371.65)

एतेन मरणं ज्ञातं मदीयं पूर्वजन्मनि। वस्त्रापथे महाक्षेत्रे तपस्तप्तं भवालये

etena maraṇaṁ jñātaṁ madīyaṁ pūrvajanmani| vastrāpathe mahākṣetre tapastaptaṁ bhavālaye

By this one alone was known my death in a former birth; he performed austerity in the great field of Vastrapatha, in the abode of Bhava.

Verse 66 (skanda.7.371.66)

विधूय कलुषं सर्वं ज्ञानमुत्पाद्य यत्नतः। जरामरणनिर्मुक्तः प्रत्यक्षं दृष्टवान्भवम्

vidhūya kaluṣaṁ sarvaṁ jñānamutpādya yatnataḥ| jarāmaraṇanirmuktaḥ pratyakṣaṁ dṛṣṭavānbhavam

Having washed away all impurity, having brought forth wisdom through effort, freed from old age and death, he beheld Bhava face to face.

Verse 67 (skanda.7.371.67)

अस्य तुष्टो भवो देवो ज्ञातं तीर्थस्य कारणम्। आदिष्टया मया वाच्यं भवेज्जन्मनि कारणम्

asya tuṣṭo bhavo devo jñātaṁ tīrthasya kāraṇam| ādiṣṭayā mayā vācyaṁ bhavejjanmani kāraṇam

Pleased with him, the god Bhava made known to him the very reason for the tirtha. Directed by him, I too must now tell the reason for my birth.

Verse 68 (skanda.7.371.68)

इति चिन्तापरा यावत्तावद्विप्रः समागतः। तस्मै प्रणामपरमा मूर्च्छिता निपपात सा

iti ciṁtāparā yāvattāvadvipraḥ samāgataḥ| tasmai praṇāmaparamā mūrcchitā nipapāta sā

While she was thus absorbed in thought, that very brahmin arrived. Bowing deeply to him, she fell down in a swoon.

Verse 69 (skanda.7.371.69)

अथ सारस्वतो ज्ञानाज्ज्ञातवान्कारणं च तत्। आनयन्तु द्विजा वेगात्कलशं तोयसंभृतम्

atha sārasvato jñānājjñātavānkāraṇaṁ ca tat| ānayantu dvijā vegātkalaśaṁ toyasaṁbhṛtam

Then Sarasvata, through his knowledge, understood that reason, and said: Let the brahmins quickly bring a pitcher filled with water.

Verse 70 (skanda.7.371.70)

सवौंषधीः पल्लवांश्च दूर्वाः पुष्पाणि चाक्षतान्। धूपं च चंदनं चैव गोमयं मधुसर्पिषी

savauṁṣadhīḥ pallavāṁśca dūrvāḥ puṣpāṇi cākṣatān| dhūpaṁ ca caṁdanaṁ caiva gomayaṁ madhusarpiṣī

And herbs, sprigs, durva grass, flowers, unbroken rice, incense, sandal, cow-dung, honey, and ghee as well.

Verse 71 (skanda.7.371.71)

इत्यादिष्टैर्द्विजैर्वेगात्समानीतं नृपाज्ञया। उपलिप्य च भूभागं स्वस्तिकं संनिवेश्य च

ityādiṣṭairdvijairvegātsamānītaṁ nṛpājñayā| upalipya ca bhūbhāgaṁ svastikaṁ saṁniveśya ca

Thus instructed, those brahmins swiftly brought everything by the king's command. Having plastered the ground and set out a svastika mark upon it —

Verse 72 (skanda.7.371.72)

तत्राग्निकार्यं कृत्वाऽथ वेदान्कुंभे निधाय सः। इन्द्रं तस्मिंश्च विन्यस्य दिक्पालांश्च यथाक्रमम्। हुत्वाग्निं स चरुं कृत्वा ग्रहपूजामकारयत्

tatrāgnikāryaṁ kṛtvā'tha vedānkuṁbhe nidhāya saḥ| indraṁ tasmiṁśca vinyasya dikpālāṁśca yathākramam| hutvāgniṁ sa caruṁ kṛtvā grahapūjāmakārayat

having performed the fire-rite there, and having established the Vedas in the pitcher, and set Indra and the guardians of the directions within it in due order, having offered oblation into the fire and prepared the sacrificial rice-offering, he also performed worship of the planets.

Verse 73 (skanda.7.371.73)

तोयं सुवर्णपात्रस्थं कृत्वा कुंभान्स्वयं गुरुः। अभिषेकं ततश्चक्रे मुहूर्ते सार्वकामिके

toyaṁ suvarṇapātrasthaṁ kṛtvā kuṁbhānsvayaṁ guruḥ| abhiṣekaṁ tataścakre muhūrte sārvakāmike

Placing the water into a golden vessel from the pitchers, the guru himself then performed the anointing rite, at the auspicious moment that grants every desire.

Verse 74 (skanda.7.371.74)

अभिषिक्ता तु सा तेन पूता स्नानार्थवारिणा। जाता सचेतना बाला सर्वं पश्यति चक्षुषा

abhiṣiktā tu sā tena pūtā snānārthavāriṇā| jātā sacetanā bālā sarvaṁ paśyati cakṣuṣā

Anointed with that water, purified for bathing, the young woman regained her consciousness, and began to see everything with her own eyes.

Verse 75 (skanda.7.371.75)

शृणोति सर्वं जानाति चरित्रं पूर्वजन्मनः। बदरीफलमात्रं तु पुरोडाशं ददौ गुरुः

śṛṇoti sarvaṁ jānāti caritraṁ pūrvajanmanaḥ| badarīphalamātraṁ tu puroḍāśaṁ dadau guruḥ

She began to hear everything, and to know the history of her former birth. The guru then gave her a sacrificial cake, no larger than a jujube fruit.

Verse 76 (skanda.7.371.76)

तयोपभुक्तं यत्नेन ततश्चक्रे स मार्ज्जनम्। मानुषे वचने कर्णे ददौ ज्ञानं गुरुस्ततः

tayopabhuktaṁ yatnena tataścakre sa mārjjanam| mānuṣe vacane karṇe dadau jñānaṁ gurustataḥ

She partook of it carefully; then the guru performed the purification rite, and bestowed upon her, into her ear, the knowledge of human speech.

Verse 77 (skanda.7.371.77)

गुरवे दक्षिणां दत्त्वा ततः सा च मृगानना। भोजराजाय सर्व च चरित्रं पूर्वजन्मनः

gurave dakṣiṇāṁ dattvā tataḥ sā ca mṛgānanā| bhojarājāya sarva ca caritraṁ pūrvajanmanaḥ

Having given the guru his fee, that deer-faced woman then began to tell King Bhoja the whole history of her former birth.

Verse 78 (skanda.7.371.78)

वक्तुं प्रचक्रमे बाल्याद्यद्वृत्तं पूर्वजन्मनि। नमस्कृत्य गुरुं पूर्वं ब्राह्मणान्क्षत्रियांस्तथा

vaktuṁ pracakrame bālyādyadvṛttaṁ pūrvajanmani| namaskṛtya guruṁ pūrvaṁ brāhmaṇānkṣatriyāṁstathā

Having first bowed to the guru, and then to the brahmins and kshatriyas present, she began to tell all that had happened in her former birth, from its very beginning.

Verse 79 (skanda.7.371.79)

मृग्युवाच। न विषादस्त्वया कार्यो राजञ्च्छ्रुत्वा मयोदितम्। इतस्त्वं सप्तमे स्थाने कलिंगाधिपतेः सुतः

mṛgyuvāca| na viṣādastvayā kāryo rājañcchrutvā mayoditam| itastvaṁ saptame sthāne kaliṁgādhipateḥ sutaḥ

The deer-woman said: O king, you must not grieve on hearing what I now say. Seven births before this one, you were the son of the lord of Kalinga.

Verse 80 (skanda.7.371.80)

मृते पितरि बालस्त्वं स्वभिषिक्तः स्वमंत्रिभिः। अहं हि वंगराजस्य संजाता दुहिता किल

mṛte pitari bālastvaṁ svabhiṣiktaḥ svamaṁtribhiḥ| ahaṁ hi vaṁgarājasya saṁjātā duhitā kila

When your father died, though still a boy, you were anointed king by your own ministers. As for me, I was born, indeed, as the daughter of the king of Vanga.

Verse 81 (skanda.7.371.81)

परिणीता त्वया देव पित्रा दत्ता स्वयं नृप। त्वयाऽहं पट्टमहिषी कृता योषिद्वरा यतः

pariṇītā tvayā deva pitrā dattā svayaṁ nṛpa| tvayā'haṁ paṭṭamahiṣī kṛtā yoṣidvarā yataḥ

O lord, my father himself gave me, and you, O king, married me. You made me your chief queen, for I was the finest among women.

Verse 82 (skanda.7.371.82)

युवा जातः क्रमेणैव हिंस्रः क्रूरो बभूव ह। न वेदशास्त्रकुशलो दयाधर्मविवर्जितः

yuvā jātaḥ krameṇaiva hiṁsraḥ krūro babhūva ha| na vedaśāstrakuśalo dayādharmavivarjitaḥ

As you grew into a young man, you gradually became violent and cruel — unversed in the Vedas and shastras, and devoid of compassion and righteousness.

Verse 83 (skanda.7.371.83)

लुब्धो मानी महाक्रोधी सत्याचार बहिष्कृतः। न देवं न गुरुं विप्रान्नो जानाति दुराशयः

lubdho mānī mahākrodhī satyācāra bahiṣkṛtaḥ| na devaṁ na guruṁ viprānno jānāti durāśayaḥ

You became greedy, proud, prone to great anger, cast out from truthful conduct; evil-minded, you honored neither god, nor guru, nor brahmins.

Verse 84 (skanda.7.371.84)

विरक्ता हि प्रजास्तस्य ब्राह्मणोच्छेदकारकः। समासन्नैर्नृपैस्तस्य देशः सर्वो विलुंपितः। सैन्यं सर्वं समादाय युद्धायोपजगाम सः

viraktā hi prajāstasya brāhmaṇocchedakārakaḥ| samāsannairnṛpaistasya deśaḥ sarvo viluṁpitaḥ| sainyaṁ sarvaṁ samādāya yuddhāyopajagāma saḥ

Your subjects grew disaffected, for you became a destroyer of brahmins; by neighboring kings your whole land was plundered, and then you took your whole army and marched out to war.

Verse 85 (skanda.7.371.85)

सहैवाहं गता देव युद्धं जातं नृपैः सह। हारितं सैनिकैस्तस्य गता नष्टा दिशो दश

sahaivāhaṁ gatā deva yuddhaṁ jātaṁ nṛpaiḥ saha| hāritaṁ sainikaistasya gatā naṣṭā diśo daśa

O lord, I too went along with you. War broke out with the [enemy] kings. Your soldiers were defeated, and scattered, lost, in the ten directions.

Verse 86 (skanda.7.371.86)

त्यक्त्वा धर्मं निजं राजा पलायनपरोऽभवत्। गच्छमानस्तु नृपतिः शत्रुभिः परिपीडितः

tyaktvā dharmaṁ nijaṁ rājā palāyanaparo'bhavat| gacchamānastu nṛpatiḥ śatrubhiḥ paripīḍitaḥ

Abandoning his own dharma, the king took to flight; and as he fled, that king was harried on every side by his enemies.

Verse 87 (skanda.7.371.87)

तवास्मिन्वादे दुष्टात्मा हतो लोकविरोधकः। देहं तस्य गृहीत्वाग्नौ प्रविष्टाहं नृपोत्तम

tavāsminvāde duṣṭātmā hato lokavirodhakaḥ| dehaṁ tasya gṛhītvāgnau praviṣṭāhaṁ nṛpottama

O finest of kings, in that battle that evil-souled self of yours, hostile to the world, was slain. Taking up his body, I entered the fire.

Verse 88 (skanda.7.371.88)

मृतस्यैवं गतिर्नास्ति नरके स विपच्यते। मृतं कांतं समादाय भार्याग्नौ प्रविशेद्यदि

mṛtasyaivaṁ gatirnāsti narake sa vipacyate| mṛtaṁ kāntaṁ samādāya bhāryāgnau praviśedyadi

For one who dies thus, there is no [good] destiny — he is cooked in hell; but if a wife, taking up her dead husband, enters the fire,

Verse 89 (skanda.7.371.89)

सा तारयति पापिष्ठं यावदाभूतसंप्लवम्। इह पापक्षयं कृत्वा पश्चात्स्वर्गे महीयते

sā tārayati pāpiṣṭhaṁ yāvadābhūtasaṁplavam| iha pāpakṣayaṁ kṛtvā paścātsvarge mahīyate

then she saves even the most sinful one, until the dissolution of all beings; and she herself, having exhausted sin here, is thereafter exalted in heaven.

Verse 90 (skanda.7.371.90)

अतस्त्वं ब्राह्मणो जातो देशे मालवके नृप। तस्यैव तत्र भार्याहं संभूता ब्राह्मणी नृप

atastvaṁ brāhmaṇo jāto deśe mālavake nṛpa| tasyaiva tatra bhāryāhaṁ saṁbhūtā brāhmaṇī nṛpa

Thereafter, O king, you were born a brahmin in the land of Malava. And there, O king, I was born as a brahmin woman, his wife.

Verse 91 (skanda.7.371.91)

धनधान्यसमृद्धोऽभूत्तथा जीवधनाधिकः। मृतः पिता मृता माता स च भ्रातृविवर्जितः

dhanadhānyasamṛddho'bhūttathā jīvadhanādhikaḥ| mṛtaḥ pitā mṛtā mātā sa ca bhrātṛvivarjitaḥ

He was rich in wealth and grain, and rich too in livestock; his father was dead, his mother was dead, and he was without brothers.

Verse 92 (skanda.7.371.92)

धनधान्यसमृद्धोऽपि लुब्धो भ्रमति भूतले। अतीव कोपनो विप्रो वेदपाठविवर्जितः

dhanadhānyasamṛddho'pi lubdho bhramati bhūtale| atīva kopano vipro vedapāṭhavivarjitaḥ

Though rich in wealth and grain, he wandered the earth full of greed; that brahmin was exceedingly irascible, and devoid of Vedic recitation.

Verse 93 (skanda.7.371.93)

स्नानसंध्यादिहीनश्च मायावी याचते जनम्। भक्तिं करोमि परमां स च क्रुध्यति मां प्रति

snānasaṁdhyādihīnaśca māyāvī yācate janam| bhaktiṁ karomi paramāṁ sa ca krudhyati māṁ prati

He was devoid of bathing and twilight rites, deceitful, and went about begging from people. I served him with the utmost devotion, yet he would grow angry with me.

Verse 94 (skanda.7.371.94)

संतानं तस्य वै नास्ति धनरक्षापरो हि सः। न ददाति न चाश्नाति न जुहोति स रक्षति

saṁtānaṁ tasya vai nāsti dhanarakṣāparo hi saḥ| na dadāti na cāśnāti na juhoti sa rakṣati

He had no offspring, for he was devoted only to guarding his wealth; he neither gave, nor even ate, nor offered oblation — he only hoarded and guarded.

Verse 95 (skanda.7.371.95)

न तर्पणं तिलैर्विप्रो विदधात्यतिलोभतः। कार्त्तिकेऽपि च संप्राप्ते विष्णुपूजाविवर्जितः

na tarpaṇaṁ tilairvipro vidadhātyatilobhataḥ| kārttike'pi ca saṁprāpte viṣṇupūjāvivarjitaḥ

Out of extreme greed, that brahmin would not even perform the water-offering with sesame seeds; and even when Kartika arrived, he remained without the worship of Vishnu.

Verse 96 (skanda.7.371.96)

दीपं ददाति नो विप्रो मासमेकं निरन्तरम्। न भुंक्ते शाकपत्रं स एकाहारो निरंतरम्

dīpaṁ dadāti no vipro māsamekaṁ nirantaram| na bhuṁkte śākapatraṁ sa ekāhāro niraṁtaram

That brahmin would not even offer a lamp for a full continuous month; nor would he eat leafy greens — he took but a single meal, continuously.

Verse 97 (skanda.7.371.97)

मासे नभस्ये संप्राप्ते प्राप्ते कृष्णे नृपोत्तम। न करोति गृहे श्राद्धं स्नानतर्पणवर्जितः

māse nabhasye saṁprāpte prāpte kṛṣṇe nṛpottama| na karoti gṛhe śrāddhaṁ snānatarpaṇavarjitaḥ

O finest of kings, even when the month of Bhadrapada and its dark fortnight arrived, he performed no shraddha at home, and remained without bathing or the water-offering.

Verse 98 (skanda.7.371.98)

न जानाति दिनं पित्र्यं पक्षमेकं निरन्तरम्। अन्यत्र भुंक्ते विप्रोऽसौ क्षयाहेऽपि समागते

na jānāti dinaṁ pitryaṁ pakṣamekaṁ nirantaram| anyatra bhuṁkte vipro'sau kṣayāhe'pi samāgate

For the whole fortnight, he did not even keep track of the ancestral day; even when his father's death-anniversary arrived, that brahmin would eat elsewhere.

Verse 99 (skanda.7.371.99)

मकरस्थेऽपि संक्रांतौ कृशरान्नं ददाति न। तिलान्सुवर्णं तारं वा वस्त्रं वा फलमेव च। शाकपत्रं स पुष्पं वा न ददाति तथेंधनम्

makarasthe'pi saṁkrāntau kṛśarānnaṁ dadāti na| tilānsuvarṇaṁ tāraṁ vā vastraṁ vā phalameva ca| śākapatraṁ sa puṣpaṁ vā na dadāti tatheṁdhanam

Even at the Makara-samkranti, he would not give a gift of khichdi; not sesame, gold, silver, cloth, or fruit; not leafy greens, or flowers, nor even firewood did he give.

Verse 100 (skanda.7.371.100)

गवां गवाह्निकं नैव कथं मुक्तिर्भविष्यति। न याति विष्णुशरणं संप्राप्ते दक्षिणायने

gavāṁ gavāhnikaṁ naiva kathaṁ muktirbhaviṣyati| na yāti viṣṇuśaraṇaṁ saṁprāpte dakṣiṇāyane

He did not even perform the daily rite of honoring cows — how, then, could liberation come to him? Even when the sun's southward course arrived, he would not take refuge in Vishnu.

Verse 101 (skanda.7.371.101)

धेनुं ददाति नो विप्रो ग्रहणे चंद्रसूर्ययोः

dhenuṁ dadāti no vipro grahaṇe caṁdrasūryayoḥ

That brahmin would give no cow, even at an eclipse of the moon or the sun.

Verse 102 (skanda.7.371.102)

एकापि दत्ता सुपयस्विनी सा सवस्त्रघंटाभरणोपपन्ना। वत्सेन युक्ता हि ददाति दात्रे मुक्तिं कुलस्यास्य करोति वृद्धिम्

ekāpi dattā supayasvinī sā savastraghaṁṭābharaṇopapannā| vatsena yuktā hi dadāti dātre muktiṁ kulasyāsya karoti vṛddhim

Even a single well-yielding cow, if given adorned with cloth, bell, and ornaments, together with her calf, grants liberation to the giver, and brings increase to his family.

Verse 103 (skanda.7.371.103)

यावंति रोमाणि भवंति तस्यास्तावंति वर्षाणि महीयते सः। ब्रह्मालये सिद्ध गणैर्वृतोऽसौ संतिष्ठते सूर्यसमानतेजाः

yāvaṁti romāṇi bhavaṁti tasyāstāvaṁti varṣāṇi mahīyate saḥ| brahmālaye siddha gaṇairvṛto'sau saṁtiṣṭhate sūryasamānatejāḥ

For as many years as there are hairs upon her body, that giver is exalted; in the abode of Brahma, surrounded by hosts of siddhas, he abides, radiant as the sun.

Verse 104 (skanda.7.371.104)

देवालयं नो विदधाति वापीं कूपं तडागं न करोति कुण्डम्। पुण्यं विवाहं सुजनोपकारं नासौ सतां वा द्विजमंदिरं च

devālayaṁ no vidadhāti vāpīṁ kūpaṁ taḍāgaṁ na karoti kuṇḍam| puṇyaṁ vivāhaṁ sujanopakāraṁ nāsau satāṁ vā dvijamaṁdiraṁ ca

He built no temple, no stepwell, no well, no tank, no kunda; nor did he assist a holy marriage, help good people, or build a dwelling for the pious twice-born.

Verse 105 (skanda.7.371.105)

धनं सदा भूमिगतं करोति धर्मं न जानाति कुलस्य चासौ। अहं हि तस्यानुगता भवामि कथं हि कांतं परिवर्जयामि

dhanaṁ sadā bhūmigataṁ karoti dharmaṁ na jānāti kulasya cāsau| ahaṁ hi tasyānugatā bhavāmi kathaṁ hi kāntaṁ parivarjayāmi

He would always bury his wealth in the ground, and knew nothing of his family's dharma. Yet I remained devoted to him — how could I abandon my own husband?

Verse 106 (skanda.7.371.106)

एवं हि वर्त्तमानः स कालधर्ममुपेयिवान्। धनलोभान्मया देव मरणं परिवर्जितम्

evaṁ hi varttamānaḥ sa kāladharmamupeyivān| dhanalobhānmayā deva maraṇaṁ parivarjitam

Living thus, he in time met his death. O lord, out of greed for his wealth, I did not follow him in death.

Verse 107 (skanda.7.371.107)

पश्यन्त्या गोत्रिभिः सर्वं गृहीतं धनसंचयम्। कालेन महता देव मृताऽहं द्विजमंदिरे

paśyantyā gotribhiḥ sarvaṁ gṛhītaṁ dhanasaṁcayam| kālena mahatā deva mṛtā'haṁ dvijamaṁdire

I watched as all that accumulated wealth was taken by his kinsmen. O lord, after a long span of time, I too died in that same brahmin's house.

Verse 108 (skanda.7.371.108)

श्वेतसर्पः समभवद्देशे तस्मिन्नरोत्तम। तत्रैवाहं ब्राह्मणस्य संजाता तनया नृप

śvetasarpaḥ samabhavaddeśe tasminnarottama| tatraivāhaṁ brāhmaṇasya saṁjātā tanayā nṛpa

O finest of men, that brahmin became a white serpent in that land. And there, O king, I was born as the daughter of a brahmin.

Verse 109 (skanda.7.371.109)

वर्षेष्टमे तु संप्राप्ते परिणीता द्विजन्मना। तस्मिन्नेव गृहे सर्पो मदीये वसते नृप

varṣeṣṭame tu saṁprāpte pariṇītā dvijanmanā| tasminneva gṛhe sarpo madīye vasate nṛpa

When I reached my eighth year, I was married by a brahmin. O king, that same serpent dwelt within my very house.

Verse 110 (skanda.7.371.110)

भार्या ममेति संदष्टो रात्रौ भर्त्ता महा हिना। मृतोऽपि ब्राह्मणैः सर्पो लगुडैर्विनिपातितः

bhāryā mameti saṁdaṣṭo rātrau bharttā mahā hinā| mṛto'pi brāhmaṇaiḥ sarpo laguḍairvinipātitaḥ

Thinking, 'she is my wife,' that great serpent bit my husband in the night. He died, and the brahmins in turn struck down the serpent with clubs.

Verse 111 (skanda.7.371.111)

वैधव्यं मम दत्त्वा तु द्विजसर्पौ मृतावुभौ। पित्रा मात्रा महाशोकं कृत्वा मे मुण्डितं शिरः

vaidhavyaṁ mama dattvā tu dvijasarpau mṛtāvubhau| pitrā mātrā mahāśokaṁ kṛtvā me muṇḍitaṁ śiraḥ

Both the brahmin and the serpent thus died, leaving me widowed. My father and mother, in great sorrow, had my head shaved.

Verse 112 (skanda.7.371.112)

वसाना श्वेतवस्त्रं च विष्णुभक्तिपरायणा। मासोपवासनिरता यानि तीर्थान्यनेकशः

vasānā śvetavastraṁ ca viṣṇubhaktiparāyaṇā| māsopavāsaniratā yāni tīrthānyanekaśaḥ

Clad in white garments, devoted wholly to the worship of Vishnu, given to month-long fasts, I visited the many tirthas.

Verse 113 (skanda.7.371.113)

सर्पस्तु मकरो जातो गोदावर्यां शिवालये। देवं भीमेश्वरं द्रष्टुं गताऽहं स्वजनैः सह

sarpastu makaro jāto godāvaryāṁ śivālaye| devaṁ bhīmeśvaraṁ draṣṭuṁ gatā'haṁ svajanaiḥ saha

That serpent, in turn, became a crocodile in the Godavari. I went, together with my kinfolk, to behold the god Bhimeshvara at the shrine on the Godavari.

Verse 114 (skanda.7.371.114)

यावत्स्नातुं प्रविष्टाऽहं वृता सर्वजनैर्नृप। मकरेण तदा दृष्टा भार्येयं मम वल्लभा। गृहीता मकरेणाहं नेतुमंतर्जले नृप

yāvatsnātuṁ praviṣṭā'haṁ vṛtā sarvajanairnṛpa| makareṇa tadā dṛṣṭā bhāryeyaṁ mama vallabhā| gṛhītā makareṇāhaṁ netumaṁtarjale nṛpa

O king, as soon as I stepped in to bathe, surrounded by all my people, the crocodile saw me and thought, 'this is my own beloved wife.' O king, I was seized by that crocodile, to be dragged down into the water.

Verse 115 (skanda.7.371.115)

हाहाकारः समभवज्जनः क्षुब्धः समंततः। कुंताघातेन केनासौ मकरस्तु निपातितः

hāhākāraḥ samabhavajjanaḥ kṣubdhaḥ samaṁtataḥ| kuṁtāghātena kenāsau makarastu nipātitaḥ

A cry of lamentation arose, and the people were thrown into panic on every side. By the thrust of someone's spear, that crocodile was struck down.

Verse 116 (skanda.7.371.116)

झषवक्त्रः स्थिता चाहं मृता कृष्टा जनैर्बहिः। अग्निं दत्त्वा जले क्षिप्त्वा भस्म लोका गृहान्गताः

jhaṣavaktraḥ sthitā cāhaṁ mṛtā kṛṣṭā janairbahiḥ| agniṁ dattvā jale kṣiptvā bhasma lokā gṛhāngatāḥ

I had already died, caught in the fish-mouthed creature's grip; the people drew me out, cremated me, and cast the ashes into the water, and then all returned to their homes.

Verse 117 (skanda.7.371.117)

स्त्रीवधाल्लुब्ध्वको जातो झषस्तीर्थप्रभावतः। मानुषीं योनिमापन्नस्तस्मिन्नेव महावने

strīvadhāllubdhvako jāto jhaṣastīrthaprabhāvataḥ| mānuṣīṁ yonimāpannastasminneva mahāvane

Through the killing of that woman, that greedy fish-creature, by the power of the tirtha, came in turn to attain a human birth, in that very same great forest.

Verse 118 (skanda.7.371.118)

अग्नेर्जलाच्च सर्पाच्च गजात्सिंहादवृषादपि। झषाद्विस्फोटकान्मृत्युर्येषां ते नरके गताः

agnerjalācca sarpācca gajātsiṁhādavṛṣādapi| jhaṣādvisphoṭakānmṛtyuryeṣāṁ te narake gatāḥ

Those who die by fire, by water, by a serpent, by an elephant, a lion, a bull, a fish, or by pox — such as these go to hell —

Verse 119 (skanda.7.371.119)

आत्महा भ्रूणहा स्त्रीहा ब्रह्मघ्नः कूटसाक्ष्यदः। कन्याविक्रयकर्ता च मिथ्या ब्रतधरस्तु यः

ātmahā bhrūṇahā strīhā brahmaghnaḥ kūṭasākṣyadaḥ| kanyāvikrayakartā ca mithyā vratadharastu yaḥ

as does one who kills himself, one who kills an unborn child, a slayer of women, a slayer of a brahmin, a false witness, a seller of daughters, and one who takes up a false vow —

Verse 120 (skanda.7.371.120)

विक्रीणाति क्रतुं यस्तु मद्यपः स्याद्द्विजस्तु यः। राजद्रोही स्वर्णचौरो ब्रह्मवृत्तिविलोपकः

vikrīṇāti kratuṁ yastu madyapaḥ syāddvijastu yaḥ| rājadrohī svarṇacauro brahmavṛttivilopakaḥ

one who sells a sacrifice, a twice-born who drinks liquor, a traitor to the king, a thief of gold, a destroyer of a brahmin's livelihood —

Verse 121 (skanda.7.371.121)

गोघ्नस्तु निक्षेपहरो ग्रामसीमाहरस्तु यः। सर्वे ते नरकं यांति या च स्त्री पतिवंचका

goghnastu nikṣepaharo grāmasīmāharastu yaḥ| sarve te narakaṁ yāṁti yā ca strī pativaṁcakā

a slayer of cows, one who misappropriates a trust, one who encroaches on a village's boundary — all these go to hell, as does any woman who deceives her husband.

Verse 122 (skanda.7.371.122)

झषमृत्युप्रभावेन जाता क्रौंची वने नृप। गोदावरीवने व्याधो भ्रमते मृगमार्गकः

jhaṣamṛtyuprabhāvena jātā krauṁcī vane nṛpa| godāvarīvane vyādho bhramate mṛgamārgakaḥ

O king, through the effect of that death by the fish-creature, I was born a female curlew in the forest. In the forest by the Godavari, a hunter roamed, tracking the paths of deer.

Verse 123 (skanda.7.371.123)

वने क्रौंचः सकामो मां मुदा कामयितुमुद्यतः। दृष्टाहं भ्रमता तेन व्याधेनाकृष्य कार्मुकम्

vane krauṁcaḥ sakāmo māṁ mudā kāmayitumudyataḥ| dṛṣṭāhaṁ bhramatā tena vyādhenākṛṣya kārmukam

In the forest, a curlew, overcome with desire, was eager to court me with joy. That wandering hunter caught sight of me, and drew back his bow.

Verse 124 (skanda.7.371.124)

हतः क्रौंचो मृतो राजन्नष्टा स्थानादहं ततः। गोदावरीवने तस्मिन्नेवंरूपं ददर्श तम्

hataḥ krauṁco mṛto rājannaṣṭā sthānādahaṁ tataḥ| godāvarīvane tasminnevaṁrūpaṁ dadarśa tam

O king, the curlew was struck and died, and I fled that place. In that forest by the Godavari, a sage beheld that very scene.

Verse 125 (skanda.7.371.125)

ऋषिर्व्याधं शशापाथ दृष्ट्वा कर्म विगर्हितम्। कामधर्ममकुर्वाणं प्रिया संभाषतत्परम्। क्रौंचं त्वमवधीर्यस्मात्तस्मात्सिंहो भविष्यसि

ṛṣirvyādhaṁ śaśāpātha dṛṣṭvā karma vigarhitam| kāmadharmamakurvāṇaṁ priyā saṁbhāṣatatparam| krauṁcaṁ tvamavadhīryasmāttasmātsiṁho bhaviṣyasi

Beholding that reprehensible act, the sage cursed the hunter: Since you have slain the curlew, engaged as he was only in courting his beloved, fulfilling love's own duty, you shall become a lion.

Verse 126 (skanda.7.371.126)

ऋषिस्तेन विनीतेन स्थित्वा सन्तोषितो नृप। ऋषिर्वदति तस्याग्रे न मे मिथ्या वचो भवेत्

ṛṣistena vinītena sthitvā saṁtoṣito nṛpa| ṛṣirvadati tasyāgre na me mithyā vaco bhavet

O king, that hunter stood before him humbly, and thereby pleased the sage. The sage said to him: my word cannot prove false.

Verse 127 (skanda.7.371.127)

सिंहस्थस्य प्रसादं ते करिष्ये मुक्तिहेतवे। सुराष्ट्रदेशे भविता सिंहो रैवतके गिरौ

siṁhasthasya prasādaṁ te kariṣye muktihetave| surāṣṭradeśe bhavitā siṁho raivatake girau

But even as a lion, I shall grant you grace for the sake of liberation. You shall become a lion in the land of Saurashtra, on Mount Raivataka.

Verse 128 (skanda.7.371.128)

वस्त्रापथे महा क्षेत्रे मुक्तिस्ते विहिता ध्रुवा। इत्युक्त्वा स ऋषिर्देव गतो भीमेश्वरं प्रति। दुर्वचःश्रवणाद्व्याधः क्रमात्पंचत्वमाययौ

vastrāpathe mahā kṣetre muktiste vihitā dhruvā| ityuktvā sa ṛṣirdeva gato bhīmeśvaraṁ prati| durvacaḥśravaṇādvyādhaḥ kramātpaṁcatvamāyayau

In the great field of Vastrapatha, your liberation is surely ordained. O lord, having said this, that sage went on toward Bhimeshvara. Hearing those harsh words, the hunter, in due course, met his death.

Verse 129 (skanda.7.371.129)

क्रौंची क्रौंचवियोगेन गता सा च वनांतरे। मृता दैववशाज्जाता मृगी रैवतके गिरौ

krauṁcī krauṁcaviyogena gatā sā ca vanāṁtare| mṛtā daivavaśājjātā mṛgī raivatake girau

That female curlew, in separation from her beloved, went deep into the forest; there she died, and by the working of fate, was born a doe upon Mount Raivataka.

Verse 130 (skanda.7.371.130)

मृगयूथगता नित्यं मोदते मदविह्वला। व्याधः सिंहः समभवद्गिरेस्तस्य महावने

mṛgayūthagatā nityaṁ modate madavihvalā| vyādhaḥ siṁhaḥ samabhavadgirestasya mahāvane

Ever among the herd of deer, overcome with rapture, she found her delight. That hunter, in turn, became a lion in the great forest of that same mountain.

Verse 131 (skanda.7.371.131)

कामार्ता भ्रमता दृष्टा मृगी सिंहेन यत्नतः। तत्र संभ्रमते नित्यं सिंहश्चापि मृगी वने

kāmārtā bhramatā dṛṣṭā mṛgī siṁhena yatnataḥ| tatra saṁbhramate nityaṁ siṁhaścāpi mṛgī vane

Wandering, love-stricken, that lion, with effort, caught sight of the doe. There in the forest, both lion and doe roamed about constantly.

Verse 132 (skanda.7.371.132)

सिंहोऽपि दैवयोगेन ममेयमिति मन्यते। परं हिंस्रस्वभावेन तामादातुं प्रचक्रमे

siṁho'pi daivayogena mameyamiti manyate| paraṁ hiṁsrasvabhāvena tāmādātuṁ pracakrame

By the working of fate, the lion too thought, 'she is mine'; yet, being of a violent nature, he began to try to seize her.

Verse 133 (skanda.7.371.133)

चलत्वं मृगजातीनां विहितं वेधसा स्वयम्। पुनर्गता मृगी यूथं क्रीडते चारुलोचना

calatvaṁ mṛgajātīnāṁ vihitaṁ vedhasā svayam| punargatā mṛgī yūthaṁ krīḍate cārulocanā

Restlessness is what the Creator himself has ordained for the deer-kind. The fair-eyed doe returned once more to the herd, and went on sporting there.

Verse 134 (skanda.7.371.134)

भवस्य पश्चिमे भागे तत्र रैवतके गिरौ। अनुयातः शनैः सोऽथ मृगेन्द्रो मृगयूथपः। उत्पपात ततः सिंहो संघस्य मूर्द्धनि

bhavasya paścime bhāge tatra raivatake girau| anuyātaḥ śanaiḥ so'tha mṛgendro mṛgayūthapaḥ| utpapāta tataḥ siṁho saṁghasya mūrddhani

There on Mount Raivataka, to the west of Bhava, that lord of beasts followed slowly behind the herd of deer. Then the lion sprang up over the top of the herd.

Verse 135 (skanda.7.371.135)

सिंहस्य न मृगैः कार्यं हरिणीं प्रति पश्यतः। यत्र सा हरिणी याति ययौ सिंहस्तथैव ताम्

siṁhasya na mṛgaiḥ kāryaṁ hariṇīṁ prati paśyataḥ| yatra sā hariṇī yāti yayau siṁhastathaiva tām

The lion had no concern with the other deer, for his eyes were fixed only on that one doe; wherever she went, the lion likewise followed her.

Verse 136 (skanda.7.371.136)

यदा वेगं मृगी चक्रे सिंहः कुद्धस्तदा वने। सिंहोऽपि वेगवाञ्जातो मृगीवेगाधिकोऽभवत्

yadā vegaṁ mṛgī cakre siṁhaḥ kuddhastadā vane| siṁho'pi vegavāñjāto mṛgīvegādhiko'bhavat

When the doe broke into swift flight, the lion, enraged, gave chase through the forest; and the lion too grew so swift that his speed exceeded even hers.

Verse 137 (skanda.7.371.137)

यदा सिंहेन संक्रांता ददौ झम्पां मृगी तु सा। भवस्याग्रे नदीतोये पतिता जलमूर्द्धनि

yadā siṁhena saṁkrāntā dadau jhampāṁ mṛgī tu sā| bhavasyāgre nadītoye patitā jalamūrddhani

When, overtaken by the lion, that doe made her leap, she fell before Bhava into the waters of the river, striking the surface of the water.

Verse 138 (skanda.7.371.138)

लंबते तु शरीरं मे वेणौ प्रोतं शिरो मम। सिंहः सहैव पतितो मृतः पयसि मध्यतः

laṁbate tu śarīraṁ me veṇau protaṁ śiro mama| siṁhaḥ sahaiva patito mṛtaḥ payasi madhyataḥ

My body was left hanging, my head caught fast in a bamboo-clump; the lion fell together with me, and died there in the midst of the water.

Verse 139 (skanda.7.371.139)

स्वर्णरेषाजले देव विशीर्णं मम तद्वपुः। न तु वक्त्रं निपतितं त्वक्सारशिरसि स्थितम्

svarṇareṣājale deva viśīrṇaṁ mama tadvapuḥ| na tu vaktraṁ nipatitaṁ tvaksāraśirasi sthitam

O lord, my body decayed away in the waters of the Svarnaresha; but my face did not fall — it remained fixed upon my head, held fast within the fibrous bark of the bamboo.

Verse 140 (skanda.7.371.140)

एतच्चरित्रं यत्सर्वं दृष्टं सारस्वतेन वै। तत्तीर्थस्य प्रभावेन सिंहस्त्वं समजायथाः

etaccaritraṁ yatsarvaṁ dṛṣṭaṁ sārasvatena vai| tattīrthasya prabhāvena siṁhastvaṁ samajāyathāḥ

All this history has been seen by Sarasvata through his own knowledge. By the power of that tirtha, you came to be born as a lion.

Verse 141 (skanda.7.371.141)

इदं हि सप्तमं जन्म सर्वपापक्षयोदयम्। कान्यकुब्जे महादेशे राजा भोजेतिविश्रुतः

idaṁ hi saptamaṁ janma sarvapāpakṣayodayam| kānyakubje mahādeśe rājā bhojetiviśrutaḥ

This, then, is your seventh birth, arisen with the destruction of all your past sin — as the king renowned by the name Bhoja, in the great land of Kanyakubja.

Verse 142 (skanda.7.371.142)

अहं हि हरिणीगर्भे जाता मानुषरूपिणी। जातं वक्त्रं मृगीणां मे यस्मान्न पतितं जले

ahaṁ hi hariṇīgarbhe jātā mānuṣarūpiṇī| jātaṁ vaktraṁ mṛgīṇāṁ me yasmānna patitaṁ jale

I too was born from the womb of that same doe, in human form; but since my deer-face had not fallen into the water, that very face was born again upon me.