The Origin of Bhava at Vastrapatha (Daksha-yajna and the Rudra-tantra)

Verse 1 (skanda.7.374.1)

ब्रह्मोवाच। यदि सृष्टं मया सर्वं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम्। तदा मूर्तिमिमां त्यक्त्वा भवः सृष्टो मयाऽधुना

brahmovāca| yadi sṛṣṭaṁ mayā sarvaṁ trailokyaṁ sacarācaram| tadā mūrtimimāṁ tyaktvā bhavaḥ sṛṣṭo mayā'dhunā

Brahma said: If this whole threefold world, with all that moves and does not move, has been created by me, then let me now, setting aside this present form, create Bhava.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.374.2)

पितामहमहत्त्वं स्यात्तथा शीघ्रं विधीयताम्। ब्रह्मणो वचनं श्रुत्वा विष्णुना स प्रमोदितः

pitāmahamahattvaṁ syāttathā śīghraṁ vidhīyatām| brahmaṇo vacanaṁ śrutvā viṣṇunā sa pramoditaḥ

Thus let my greatness as grandfather of all beings be swiftly established. Hearing this word of Brahma, Vishnu happily encouraged him.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.374.3)

महदाश्चर्यजनके संप्राप्तो गिरिमूर्द्धनि। न विचारस्त्वयाकार्यः कर्त्तव्यं ब्रह्मभाषितम्

mahadāścaryajanake saṁprāpto girimūrddhani| na vicārastvayākāryaḥ karttavyaṁ brahmabhāṣitam

[Vishnu said:] Having come to this mountain-summit, source of great wonders, you should not hesitate — what Brahma has proposed should indeed be done.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.374.4)

तथेत्युक्त्वा शिवो देवस्तत्रैवांतरधीयत। ब्रह्मा ययौ मेरुशृंगं मनसः शिरसि स्थितम्

tathetyuktvā śivo devastatraivāṁtaradhīyata| brahmā yayau meruśṛṅgaṁ manasaḥ śirasi sthitam

Saying 'so be it,' the god Shiva vanished there at once. Brahma went to that peak of Meru, established within the mind, at the crown of the head.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.374.5)

तपस्तेपे प्रजानाथो वेदोच्चारणतत्परः। अथर्ववेदोच्चरणं यावच्चक्रे पितामहः

tapastepe prajānātho vedoccāraṇatatparaḥ| atharvavedoccaraṇaṁ yāvaccakre pitāmahaḥ

That lord of creatures performed austerity, intent on the recitation of the Vedas. As Pitamaha proceeded to recite the Atharva Veda,

Verse 6 (skanda.7.374.6)

मुखाद्रुद्रः समभवद्रौद्ररूपो भवापहः। अर्द्धनारीनरवपुर्दुष्प्रेक्ष्योऽतिभयंकरः

mukhādrudraḥ samabhavadraudrarūpo bhavāpahaḥ| arddhanārīnaravapurduṣprekṣyo'tibhayaṁkaraḥ

from his mouth Rudra came forth, terrible in form, capable of overwhelming existence itself, his body half-woman and half-man, hard to look upon, exceedingly fearsome.

Verse 7 (skanda.7.374.7)

विभजात्मानमित्युक्त्वा ब्रह्मा चांतर्दधे भयात्। तथोक्तोसौ द्विधा स्त्रीत्वं पुरुषत्वं तथाऽकरोत्

vibhajātmānamityuktvā brahmā cāntardadhe bhayāt| tathoktosau dvidhā strītvaṁ puruṣatvaṁ tathā'karot

Saying, 'divide yourself,' Brahma, out of fear, vanished from sight. Thus commanded, he divided himself into two — into femininity and masculinity.

Verse 8 (skanda.7.374.8)

बिभेद पुरुषत्वं च दशधा चैकधा पुनः। एकादशैते कथिता रुद्रास्त्रिभुवनेश्वराः

bibheda puruṣatvaṁ ca daśadhā caikadhā punaḥ| ekādaśaite kathitā rudrāstribhuvaneśvarāḥ

He then divided that male portion into ten, and once more into one more; thus these eleven are told of as the Rudras, lords of the three worlds.

Verse 9 (skanda.7.374.9)

कृत्वा नामानि सर्वेषां देवकार्ये नियोजिताः। विभज्य पुनरीशानी स्वात्मानं शंकराद्विभोः

kṛtvā nāmāni sarveṣāṁ devakārye niyojitāḥ| vibhajya punarīśānī svātmānaṁ śaṁkarādvibhoḥ

Having given each of them names, they were assigned to the work of the gods. Then Ishani, dividing herself once more away from the mighty Shankara,

Verse 10 (skanda.7.374.10)

महादेवनियोगेन पितामहमुपस्थिता। तामाह भगवान्ब्रह्मा दक्षस्य दुहिता भव

mahādevaniyogena pitāmahamupasthitā| tāmāha bhagavānbrahmā dakṣasya duhitā bhava

by Mahadeva's own command, presented herself before Pitamaha. Lord Brahma said to her: Become the daughter of Daksha.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.374.11)

सापि तस्य नियोगेन प्रादुरासीत्प्रजापतेः। नियोगाद्ब्रह्मणो दक्षो ददौ रुद्राय तां सतीम्

sāpi tasya niyogena prādurāsītprajāpateḥ| niyogādbrahmaṇo dakṣo dadau rudrāya tāṁ satīm

By his command, she then appeared as the daughter of the Prajapati Daksha. By Brahma's command, Daksha gave that Sati to Rudra.

Verse 12 (skanda.7.374.12)

दाक्षीं रुद्रोऽपि जग्राह स्वकीयामेव शूलभृत्। अथ ब्रह्मा बभाषे तं सृष्टिं कुरु सतीपते

dākṣīṁ rudro'pi jagrāha svakīyāmeva śūlabhṛt| atha brahmā babhāṣe taṁ sṛṣṭiṁ kuru satīpate

The trident-bearer Rudra in turn took the daughter of Daksha as truly his own. Then Brahma said to him: O husband of Sati, now perform creation.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.374.13)

रुद्र उवाच। सृष्टिर्मया न कर्त्तव्या कर्त्तव्या भवता स्वयम्। पालनं विष्णुना कार्यं संहर्ताऽहं व्यवस्थितः

rudra uvāca| sṛṣṭirmayā na karttavyā karttavyā bhavatā svayam| pālanaṁ viṣṇunā kāryaṁ saṁhartā'haṁ vyavasthitaḥ

Rudra said: Creation is not to be performed by me — it is to be performed by you yourself; sustaining is Vishnu's task, and I am established as the one who withdraws.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.374.14)

स्थाणुवत्संस्थितो यस्मात्तस्मात्स्थाणुर्भवाम्यहम्

sthāṇuvatsaṁsthito yasmāttasmātsthāṇurbhavāmyaham

Since I abide fixed like a pillar, therefore I become known as Sthanu, the unmoving one.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.374.15)

रजोरूपाः सत्त्वरूपास्तमोरूपाश्च ये नराः। सर्वे ते भवता कार्या गुणत्रयविभागतः

rajorūpāḥ sattvarūpāstamorūpāśca ye narāḥ| sarve te bhavatā kāryā guṇatrayavibhāgataḥ

Whatever men are of the nature of rajas, sattva, or tamas — all these are to be created by you, according to the division of the three gunas.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.374.16)

यदा ते तामसैः कार्यं तदा रौद्रो भव स्वयम्। यदा ते राजसैः कार्यं तदा त्वं राजसो भव। सात्त्विकैस्ते यदा कार्यं तदा त्वं सात्त्विको भव

yadā te tāmasaiḥ kāryaṁ tadā raudro bhava svayam| yadā te rājasaiḥ kāryaṁ tadā tvaṁ rājaso bhava| sāttvikaiste yadā kāryaṁ tadā tvaṁ sāttviko bhava

When you must deal with beings of tamas, then become fierce yourself; when you must deal with those of rajas, then become rajasic yourself; and when you must deal with those of sattva, then become sattvic yourself.

Verse 17 (skanda.7.374.17)

ईश्वर उवाच। इत्याज्ञाप्य च ब्रह्माणं स्वयं सृष्ट्यादिकर्मसु। गृहीत्वा तां सतीं रुद्रः कैलासमधितिष्ठति

īśvara uvāca| ityājñāpya ca brahmāṇaṁ svayaṁ sṛṣṭyādikarmasu| gṛhītvā tāṁ satīṁ rudraḥ kailāsamadhitiṣṭhati

Ishvara said: Having thus commanded Brahma himself to the work of creation and the rest, Rudra, taking Sati with him, went to dwell upon Kailasa.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.374.18)

दक्षः कालेन महता हरस्यालयमाययौ

dakṣaḥ kālena mahatā harasyālayamāyayau

After a long span of time, Daksha came to the dwelling of Hara.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.374.19)

अथ रुद्रः समुत्थाय कृतवान्गौरवं बहु। ततो यथोचितां पूजां न दक्षो बहु मन्यते

atha rudraḥ samutthāya kṛtavāngauravaṁ bahu| tato yathocitāṁ pūjāṁ na dakṣo bahu manyate

Rudra rose and paid him much honor; but Daksha did not think much of that fitting reception.

Verse 20 (skanda.7.374.20)

तदा वै तमसाविष्टः सोऽधिकं ब्राह्मणः शुभः। पूजामनर्घ्यामन्विच्छञ्जगाम कुपितो गृहम्

tadā vai tamasāviṣṭaḥ so'dhikaṁ brāhmaṇaḥ śubhaḥ| pūjāmanarghyāmanvicchañjagāma kupito gṛham

Then, overcome by tamas, that otherwise auspicious brahmin, seeking an even more priceless reception, went home in a rage.

Verse 21 (skanda.7.374.21)

कदाचित्तां गृहं प्राप्तां सतीं दक्षः सुदुर्मनाः। भर्त्रा सह विनिंद्यैनां भर्त्सयामास वै रुषा

kadācittāṁ gṛhaṁ prāptāṁ satīṁ dakṣaḥ sudurmanāḥ| bhartrā saha viniṁdyaināṁ bhartsayāmāsa vai ruṣā

Once, when Sati came to visit her home, Daksha, with an exceedingly ill-disposed mind, reviling her husband, angrily rebuked her as well.

Verse 22 (skanda.7.374.22)

पंचवक्त्रो दशभुजो मुखे नेत्रत्रयान्वितः। कपर्द्दी खंडचंद्रोसौ तथासौ नीललोहितः

paṁcavaktro daśabhujo mukhe netratrayānvitaḥ| kapaddī khaṁḍacandrosau tathāsau nīlalohitaḥ

[Daksha said:] He has five faces, ten arms, and three eyes on each face; he wears matted locks, bears the crescent moon, and is of a blue-red hue.

Verse 23 (skanda.7.374.23)

कपाली शूलहस्तोऽसौ गजचर्मावगुंठितः। नास्य माता न च पिता न भ्राता न च बान्धवः

kapālī śūlahasto'sau gajacarmāvaguṁṭhitaḥ| nāsya mātā na ca pitā na bhrātā na ca bāndhavaḥ

He carries a skull, holds a trident in hand, and is wrapped in an elephant's hide; he has no mother, no father, no brother, and no kinsman.

Verse 24 (skanda.7.374.24)

सर्पास्थिमंडितग्रीवस्त्यक्त्वा हेमविभूषणम्। भिक्षया भोजनं यस्य कथमन्नं प्रदास्यति

sarpāsthimaṁḍitagrīvastyaktvā hemavibhūṣaṇam| bhikṣayā bhojanaṁ yasya kathamannaṁ pradāsyati

His neck is adorned with serpents and bones, and he has abandoned golden ornaments; his food comes only from begging — how will he ever provide sustenance?

Verse 25 (skanda.7.374.25)

कदाचित्पूर्वतो याति गच्छन्याति स पश्चिमे। दक्षिणस्यां वृषो याति स्वयं याति स चोत्तरे

kadācitpūrvato yāti gacchanyāti sa paścime| dakṣiṇasyāṁ vṛṣo yāti svayaṁ yāti sa cottare

Sometimes he goes eastward, sometimes, while moving, he goes westward; sometimes his bull goes southward, and sometimes he himself goes northward.

Verse 26 (skanda.7.374.26)

तिर्यगूर्ध्वमधो याति नैव याति न तिष्ठति। इति चित्रं चरित्रं ते भर्त्तुर्नान्यस्य दृश्यते

tiryagūrdhvamadho yāti naiva yāti na tiṣṭhati| iti citraṁ caritraṁ te bharturnānyasya dṛśyate

He goes sideways, upward, downward — he neither goes nor stays. Such is the strange character of your husband, not seen in anyone else.

Verse 27 (skanda.7.374.27)

निर्गुणः स गुणातीतो निःस्नेहो मूकवत्स्थितः। सर्वज्ञः सर्वगः सर्वः पठ्यते भुवनत्रये

nirguṇaḥ sa guṇātīto niḥsneho mūkavatsthitaḥ| sarvajñaḥ sarvagaḥ sarvaḥ paṭhyate bhuvanatraye

He is without qualities, beyond the gunas, devoid of affection, remaining as if mute; yet in the three worlds he is proclaimed to be all-knowing, all-pervading, all.

Verse 28 (skanda.7.374.28)

कदाचिन्नैव जानाति न शृणोति न पश्यति। दैत्यानां दानवानां च राक्षसानां ददाति यः

kadācinnaiva jānāti na śṛṇoti na paśyati| daityānāṁ dānavānāṁ ca rākṣasānāṁ dadāti yaḥ

Sometimes he does not know, does not hear, does not see; and he is one who grants boons to daityas, danavas, and rakshasas.

Verse 29 (skanda.7.374.29)

न चास्य च पिता कश्चिन्न च भ्रातास्ति कश्चन। एक एव वृषारूढो नग्नो भ्रमति भूतले

na cāsya ca pitā kaścinna ca bhrātāsti kaścana| eka eva vṛṣārūḍho nagno bhramati bhūtale

He has neither any father, nor any brother; alone, mounted upon a bull, naked, he wanders about the earth.

Verse 30 (skanda.7.374.30)

न गृहं न धनं गोत्रमनादिनिधनोव्ययः। स्थिरबुद्धिर्न चैवासौ क्रीडते भुवनत्रये

na gṛhaṁ na dhanaṁ gotramanādinidhanovyayaḥ| sthirabuddhirna caivāsau krīḍate bhuvanatraye

He has no home, no wealth, no lineage; he is without beginning or end, imperishable; nor is he of a settled mind, yet he sports throughout the three worlds.

Verse 31 (skanda.7.374.31)

कदाचित्सत्यलोके सौ पातालमधितिष्ठति। गिरिसानुषु शेतेऽसावशिवोपि शिवः स्मृतः

kadācitsatyaloke sau pātālamadhitiṣṭhati| girisānuṣu śete'sāvaśivopi śivaḥ smṛtaḥ

Sometimes he dwells in the Satyaloka, sometimes in the netherworld; sometimes he sleeps upon mountain ridges — this one, though inauspicious, is called 'Shiva,' the auspicious.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.374.32)

श्रीखंडादीनि संत्यज्य सदा भस्मावगुंठितः। सर्वदेति वचः सत्यं किमन्यत्स प्रदास्यति

śrīkhaṁḍādīni saṁtyajya sadā bhasmāvaguṁṭhitaḥ| sarvadeti vacaḥ satyaṁ kimanyatsa pradāsyati

Abandoning sandal-paste and such things, he is always smeared with ashes — the name 'Sarvada, giver of all' is true only in irony; what else could he possibly give?

Verse 33 (skanda.7.374.33)

धिक्त्वां जामातरं धिक्तं ययोः स्नेहः परस्परम्। तस्य त्वं वल्लभा भार्या स च प्राणाधिकस्तव

dhiktvāṁ jāmātaraṁ dhiktaṁ yayoḥ snehaḥ parasparam| tasya tvaṁ vallabhā bhāryā sa ca prāṇādhikastava

Shame on you, shame on such a son-in-law, shame too on this mutual affection between you! You are his beloved wife, and he is dearer to you than your very life.

Verse 34 (skanda.7.374.34)

न च पित्रास्ति ते कार्यं न मात्रा न सखीषु च। केवलं भर्तृभक्ता त्वं तस्माद्गच्छ गृहान्मम

na ca pitrāsti te kāryaṁ na mātrā na sakhīṣu ca| kevalaṁ bhartṛbhaktā tvaṁ tasmādgaccha gṛhānmama

You have no concern now for your father, nor your mother, nor your friends; you are only devoted to your husband — therefore leave my house.

Verse 35 (skanda.7.374.35)

अन्ये जामातरः सर्वे भर्तुस्तव पिनाकिनः। त्वमद्यैवाशु चास्माकं गृहाद्गच्छ वरं प्रति

anye jāmātaraḥ sarve bhartustava pinākinaḥ| tvamadyaivāśu cāsmākaṁ gṛhādgaccha varaṁ prati

All my other sons-in-law are superior to your husband, the wielder of the Pinaka bow. This very day, go quickly from my house back to your groom.

Verse 36 (skanda.7.374.36)

तस्य तद्वाक्यमाकर्ण्य सा देवी शंकरप्रिया। विनिंद्य पितरं दक्षं ध्यात्वा देवं महेश्वरम्

tasya tadvākyamākarṇya sā devī śaṁkarapriyā| viniṁdya pitaraṁ dakṣaṁ dhyātvā devaṁ maheśvaram

Hearing his words, that goddess, beloved of Shankara, having reproached her father Daksha, and meditating upon the god Maheshvara,

Verse 37 (skanda.7.374.37)

श्वेतवस्त्रा जले स्नात्वा ददाहात्मानमात्मना। याचितस्तु शिवो भर्त्ता पुनर्जन्मांतरे तया

śvetavastrā jale snātvā dadāhātmānamātmanā| yācitastu śivo bharttā punarjanmāṁtare tayā

Clad in white garments, having bathed in the water, she consumed herself in fire by her own power; and she prayed that Shiva alone be her husband in a life yet to come.

Verse 38 (skanda.7.374.38)

पिता मे हिमवानस्तु मेनागर्भे भवाम्यहम्। अत्रांतरे हिमवता तपसा तोषितो हरः। प्रत्यक्षं दर्शनं दत्त्वा हिमवंतं वचोऽब्रवीत्

pitā me himavānastu menāgarbhe bhavāmyaham| atrāṁtare himavatā tapasā toṣito haraḥ| pratyakṣaṁ darśanaṁ dattvā himavaṁtaṁ vaco'bravīt

[She prayed:] Let Himavan be my father, let me be born in Mena's womb. Meanwhile, pleased by Himavan's austerity, Hara, granting him a direct vision of himself, spoke these words to Himavan.

Verse 39 (skanda.7.374.39)

एषा दत्ता सुता तुभ्यं परिणेष्यामि तामहम्। देवानां कार्य्यसिद्ध्यर्थं गिरिराजो भविष्यसि

eṣā dattā sutā tubhyaṁ pariṇeṣyāmi tāmaham| devānāṁ kāryasiddhyarthaṁ girirājo bhaviṣyasi

This daughter is given to you; I myself shall marry her. For the fulfillment of the gods' purpose, you shall become the king of mountains.

Verse 40 (skanda.7.374.40)

आत्ममूर्त्तौ प्रविष्टां तां ज्ञात्वा देवो महेश्वरः। शशाप दक्षं कुपितः समागत्याथ तद्गृहम्

ātmamūrttau praviṣṭāṁ tāṁ jñātvā devo maheśvaraḥ| śaśāpa dakṣaṁ kupitaḥ samāgatyātha tadgṛham

When the god Maheshvara learned that she had entered into her own true form, he, enraged, came to that house and cursed Daksha.

Verse 41 (skanda.7.374.41)

त्यक्त्वा देहमिमं ब्राह्म्यं क्षत्रियाणां कुले भव। स्वायंभुवत्वं संत्यज्य दक्ष प्राचेतसो भव

tyaktvā dehamimaṁ brāhmyaṁ kṣatriyāṇāṁ kule bhava| svāyaṁbhuvatvaṁ saṁtyajya dakṣa prācetaso bhava

[Shiva said:] Abandoning this brahmin body, be born into a line of kshatriyas; O Daksha, giving up your identity as a son of Svayambhu, become the son of Prachetas.

Verse 42 (skanda.7.374.42)

स्वस्यां सुतायामूढायां पुत्रमुत्पादयिष्यसि। एवं शप्त्वा महादेवो ययौ कैलासपर्वतम्

svasyāṁ sutāyāmūḍhāyāṁ putramutpādayiṣyasi| evaṁ śaptvā mahādevo yayau kailāsaparvatam

You shall beget a son upon your own married daughter. Having thus cursed him, Mahadeva went to Mount Kailasa.

Verse 43 (skanda.7.374.43)

स्वायभुवोऽपि कालेन दक्षः प्राचेतसोऽभवत्। भवानीं स सुतां लब्ध्वा गिरिस्तुष्टो हिमालयः

svāyabhuvo'pi kālena dakṣaḥ prācetaso'bhavat| bhavānīṁ sa sutāṁ labdhvā giristuṣṭo himālayaḥ

In time, Daksha, son of Svayambhu, became Daksha, son of Prachetas. Having obtained Bhavani as his daughter, the mountain Himalaya was well pleased.

Verse 44 (skanda.7.374.44)

मेनापि तां सुतां लब्ध्वा धन्यं मेने गृहाश्रमम्। तां दृष्ट्वा जायमानां च स्वेच्छयैव वराननाम्

menāpi tāṁ sutāṁ labdhvā dhanyaṁ mene gṛhāśramam| tāṁ dṛṣṭvā jāyamānāṁ ca svecchayaiva varānanām

Mena too, having obtained that daughter, considered her household life blessed. Beholding her, born by her very own will, that fair-faced one —

Verse 45 (skanda.7.374.45)

मेना हिमवतः पत्नी प्राहेदं पर्वतेश्वरम्। पश्य बालामिमां राजन्राजीवसदृशाननाम्

menā himavataḥ patnī prāhedaṁ parvateśvaram| paśya bālāmimāṁ rājanrājīvasadṛśānanām

Mena, Himavan's wife, said to that lord of mountains: O king, behold this child, whose face resembles a lotus,

Verse 46 (skanda.7.374.46)

हिताय सर्वभूतानां जातां च तपसा शुभाम्। सोऽपि दृष्ट्वा महादेवीं तरुणादित्यसन्निभाम्

hitāya sarvabhūtānāṁ jātāṁ ca tapasā śubhām| so'pi dṛṣṭvā mahādevīṁ taruṇādityasannibhām

born, for the welfare of all beings, radiant through the power of austerity. He too, beholding that great goddess, resplendent like the rising sun,

Verse 47 (skanda.7.374.47)

कपर्दिनीं चतुर्वक्त्रां त्रिनेत्रामतिलालसाम्। अष्टहस्तां विशालाक्षीं चंद्रावयवभूषणाम्

kapardinīṁ caturvaktrāṁ trinetrāmatilālasām| aṣṭahastāṁ viśālākṣīṁ caṁdrāvayavabhūṣaṇām

wearing matted locks, four-faced, three-eyed, most captivating, eight-armed, wide-eyed, adorned with the crescent moon —

Verse 48 (skanda.7.374.48)

प्रणम्य शिरसा भूमौ तेजसा तु सुविह्वलः। भीतः कृतांजलिः स्तब्धः प्रोवाच परमेश्वरीम्

praṇamya śirasā bhūmau tejasā tu suvihvalaḥ| bhītaḥ kṛtāṁjaliḥ stabdhaḥ provāca parameśvarīm

bowing his head to the ground, utterly overwhelmed by her radiance, afraid, with folded hands, transfixed, he spoke to that supreme goddess.

Verse 49 (skanda.7.374.49)

हिमवानुवाच। का त्वं देवि विशालाक्षि शंस मे संशयो महान्

himavānuvāca| kā tvaṁ devi viśālākṣi śaṁsa me saṁśayo mahān

Himavan said: Who are you, O wide-eyed Goddess? Tell me — I am filled with a great doubt.

Verse 50 (skanda.7.374.50)

देव्युवाच। मां विद्धि परमां शक्तिं महेश्वरसमाश्रयाम्। अनन्यामव्ययामेकां यां पश्यंति मुमुक्षवः

devyuvāca| māṁ viddhi paramāṁ śaktiṁ maheśvarasamāśrayām| ananyāmavyayāmekāṁ yāṁ paśyaṁti mumukṣavaḥ

The Goddess said: Know me to be the supreme Shakti, wholly dependent on Maheshvara, without a second, imperishable, one — she whom those who seek liberation behold.

Verse 51 (skanda.7.374.51)

दिव्यं ददामि ते चक्षुः पश्य मे रूपमैश्वरम्। एतावदुक्त्वा विज्ञानं दत्त्वा हिमवते स्वयम्

divyaṁ dadāmi te cakṣuḥ paśya me rūpamaiśvaram| etāvaduktvā vijñānaṁ dattvā himavate svayam

I grant you a divine eye — behold my majestic form. Having said this much, she herself bestowed divine insight upon Himavan.

Verse 52 (skanda.7.374.52)

सूर्यकोटिप्रतीकाशं तेजोबिंबं निराकुलम्। ज्वालामालासहस्राढ्यं कालानलशतोपमम्

sūryakoṭipratīkāśaṁ tejobiṁbaṁ nirākulam| jvālāmālāsahasrāḍhyaṁ kālānalaśatopamam

He beheld an undisturbed orb of radiance, resembling ten million suns, rich with a thousand garlands of flame, like a hundred fires of universal dissolution.

Verse 53 (skanda.7.374.53)

दंष्ट्राकरालमुद्धर्षं जटामंडलमंडितम्। प्रशांतं सौम्यवदनमनंताश्चर्यसंयुतम्

daṁṣṭrākarālamuddharṣaṁ jaṭāmaṁḍalamaṁḍitam| praśāṁtaṁ saumyavadanamanaṁtāścaryasaṁyutam

He was terrible with fangs, yet exuberant, adorned with a wheel of matted locks, and yet peaceful and gentle of countenance, filled with endless wonders.

Verse 54 (skanda.7.374.54)

चंद्रावयवलक्ष्माणं चंद्रकोटिसमप्रभम्। किरीटिनं गदाहस्तं नुपुरैरुपशोभितम्

caṁdrāvayavalakṣmāṇaṁ caṁdrakoṭisamaprabham| kirīṭinaṁ gadāhastaṁ nupurairupaśobhitam

He bore the mark of the crescent moon, resplendent as ten million moons, crowned, mace in hand, adorned with anklets.

Verse 55 (skanda.7.374.55)

दिव्यमाल्यांबरधरं दिव्यगंधानुलेपनम्। शंखचक्रधरं काम्यं त्रिनेत्रं कृत्तिवाससम्

divyamālyāṁbaradharaṁ divyagaṁdhānulepanam| śaṁkhacakradharaṁ kāmyaṁ trinetraṁ kṛttivāsasam

He wore celestial garlands and garments, anointed with divine fragrance, bearing the conch and discus, most beautiful, three-eyed, and clad in an animal hide.

Verse 56 (skanda.7.374.56)

अंडस्थं चांडबाह्यस्थं बाह्यमभ्यंतरं परम्। सर्वशक्तिमयं शुभ्रं सर्वालंकारसंयुतम्

aṁḍasthaṁ cāṁḍabāhyasthaṁ bāhyamabhyaṁtaraṁ param| sarvaśaktimayaṁ śubhraṁ sarvālaṁkārasaṁyutam

He dwelt within the cosmic egg and outside it too, in the outer and the inner, and yet beyond both; he was all-powerful, radiant, and adorned with every ornament.

Verse 57 (skanda.7.374.57)

ब्रह्मेन्द्रोपेन्द्रयोगीन्द्रैर्वन्द्यमान पदांबुजम्। सर्वतः पाणिपादांतं सर्वतोऽक्षिशिरोमुखम्

brahmendropendrayogīndrairvandyamāna padāṁbujam| sarvataḥ pāṇipādāṁtaṁ sarvato'kṣiśiromukham

His lotus feet were venerated by Brahma, Indra, Upendra, and the lords of yogis; he had hands and feet extending on every side, eyes, heads, and faces on every side.

Verse 58 (skanda.7.374.58)

सर्वमावृत्य तिष्ठंतं ददर्श परमेश्वरम्। दृष्ट्वा नन्दीश्वरं देवं देव्या महेश्वरं परम्

sarvamāvṛtya tiṣṭhaṁtaṁ dadarśa parameśvaram| dṛṣṭvā naṁdīśvaraṁ devaṁ devyā maheśvaraṁ param

He beheld that Supreme Lord, standing pervading all things. Having, through the Goddess's grace, seen the god Nandishvara, the supreme Maheshvara,

Verse 59 (skanda.7.374.59)

भयेन च समाविष्टः स राजा हृष्टमानसः। आत्मन्याधाय चात्मानमोंकारं समनुस्मरन्

bhayena ca samāviṣṭaḥ sa rājā hṛṣṭamānasaḥ| ātmanyādhāya cātmānamoṁkāraṁ samanusmaran

that king, though overcome with fear, was joyful in mind; fixing his own self within himself, and continually recollecting the syllable Om,

Verse 60 (skanda.7.374.60)

नाम्नामष्टसहस्रेण स्तुत्वाऽसौ हिमवान्गिरिः

nāmnāmaṣṭasahasreṇa stutvā'sau himavāngiriḥ

that mountain Himavan praised him with a thousand and eight names.

Verse 61 (skanda.7.374.61)

भूयः प्रणम्य भूतात्मा प्रोवाचेदं कृतांजलिः। यदेतदैश्वरं रूपं जातं ते परमेश्वरि

bhūyaḥ praṇamya bhūtātmā provācedaṁ kṛtāṁjaliḥ| yadetadaiśvaraṁ rūpaṁ jātaṁ te parameśvari

Bowing once more, that soul made of all beings spoke with folded hands: O supreme Goddess, this majestic form of yours that has now appeared —

Verse 62 (skanda.7.374.62)

भीतोऽस्मि सांप्रतं दृष्ट्वा तत्त्वमन्यत्प्रदर्शय। एवमुक्ता च सा देवी तेन शैलेन पार्वती

bhīto'smi sāṁprataṁ dṛṣṭvā tattvamanyatpradarśaya| evamuktā ca sā devī tena śailena pārvatī

having seen it, I am now afraid; show me instead some other true form. Thus addressed by that mountain, the goddess Parvati —

Verse 63 (skanda.7.374.63)

संहृत्य दर्शयामास स्वरूपमपरं परम्। नीलोत्पलदलप्रख्यं नीलोत्पलसुगंधिकम्

saṁhṛtya darśayāmāsa svarūpamaparaṁ param| nīlotpaladalaprakhyaṁ nīlotpalasugaṁdhikam

withdrawing that form, showed another, supreme form — resembling the petal of a blue lotus, fragrant as the blue lotus itself.

Verse 64 (skanda.7.374.64)

द्विनेत्रं द्विभुजं सौम्यं नीलालकविभूषितम्। रक्तपादांबुजतलं सुरक्तकरपल्लवम्

dvinetraṁ dvibhujaṁ saumyaṁ nīlālakavibhūṣitam| raktapādāṁbujatalaṁ suraktakarapallavam

two-eyed, two-armed, gentle, adorned with dark curling locks, her lotus-soles tinted red, her tender hands a lovely red.

Verse 65 (skanda.7.374.65)

श्रीमद्विशालसद्वृत्तं ललाटतिलकोज्ज्वलम्। भूषितं चारुसर्वांगं भूषणैरतिकोमलम्

śrīmadviśālasadvṛttaṁ lalāṭatilakojjvalam| bhūṣitaṁ cārusarvāṁgaṁ bhūṣaṇairatikomalam

glorious, broad and well-rounded, radiant with the tilaka upon her brow, every limb of hers beautiful, adorned with the most delicate ornaments.

Verse 66 (skanda.7.374.66)

दधानं चोरसा मालां विशालां हेमनिर्मिताम्। ईषत्स्मितं सुबिंबोष्ठं नूपुरारावशोभितम्

dadhānaṁ corasā mālāṁ viśālāṁ hemanirmitām| īṣatsmitaṁ subiṁboṣṭhaṁ nūpurārāvaśobhitam

bearing upon her breast a great garland wrought of gold, lightly smiling, her lips like the bimba fruit, resplendent with the ringing of her anklets.

Verse 67 (skanda.7.374.67)

प्रसन्नवदनं दिव्यं चारुभ्रूमहिमास्पदम्। तदीदृशं समालोक्य स्वरूपं शैलसत्तमः। भयं संत्यज्य हृष्टात्मा बभाषे परमेश्वरीम्

prasannavadanaṁ divyaṁ cārubhrūmahimāspadam| tadīdṛśaṁ samālokya svarūpaṁ śailasattamaḥ| bhayaṁ saṁtyajya hṛṣṭātmā babhāṣe parameśvarīm

her face serene, divine, the very seat of the glory of lovely brows — beholding this form, that finest of mountains, casting off his fear, joyfully spoke to the supreme Goddess.

Verse 68 (skanda.7.374.68)

हिमवानुवाच। अद्य मे सफलं जन्म अद्य मे सफलाः क्रियाः। यन्मे साक्षात्त्वमव्यक्ता प्रसन्ना दृष्टिगोचरा। इदानीं किं मया कार्यं तन्मे ब्रूहि महेश्वरि

himavānuvāca| adya me saphalaṁ janma adya me saphalāḥ kriyāḥ| yanme sākṣāttvamavyaktā prasannā dṛṣṭigocarā| idānīṁ kiṁ mayā kāryaṁ tanme brūhi maheśvari

Himavan said: Today my birth is fulfilled, today all my deeds are fulfilled, for you, the unmanifest one, have graciously become visible to me directly. O great Goddess, tell me now what I must do.

Verse 69 (skanda.7.374.69)

महेश्वर्युवाच। शिवपूजा त्वया कार्या ध्यानेन तपसा सदा। अहं तस्मै प्रदातव्या केनचित्कारणेन वै

maheśvaryuvāca| śivapūjā tvayā kāryā dhyānena tapasā sadā| ahaṁ tasmai pradātavyā kenacitkāraṇena vai

Maheshvari said: You must always worship Shiva through meditation and austerity. And for a certain reason, I too must be given in marriage to him.

Verse 70 (skanda.7.374.70)

यादृशस्तु त्वया दृष्टो ध्येयो वै तादृशस्त्वया। एक एव शिवो देवः सर्वाधारो धराधरः

yādṛśastu tvayā dṛṣṭo dhyeyo vai tādṛśastvayā| eka eva śivo devaḥ sarvādhāro dharādharaḥ

Just as you have seen him, so should you meditate upon him. Shiva alone is the one god who supports all things, and who upholds the earth.

Verse 71 (skanda.7.374.71)

सारस्वत उवाच। तपश्च कृतवान्रुद्रः समागम्य हिमाचलम्। तस्योमा परमां भक्तिं चकार शिवसंनिधौ

sārasvata uvāca| tapaśca kṛtavānrudraḥ samāgamya himācalam| tasyomā paramāṁ bhaktiṁ cakāra śivasaṁnidhau

Sarasvata said: Rudra too, coming to the Himalaya, performed austerity. Uma showed the utmost devotion in the presence of Shiva.

Verse 72 (skanda.7.374.72)

देवकार्येण केनापि देवो वै ज्ञापितः प्रभुः। उपयेमे हरो देवीमुमां त्रिभुवनेश्वरीम्

devakāryeṇa kenāpi devo vai jñāpitaḥ prabhuḥ| upayeme haro devīmumāṁ tribhuvaneśvarīm

Made mindful by some purpose of the gods, that lord god then married the goddess Uma, mistress of the three worlds.

Verse 73 (skanda.7.374.73)

स शप्तः शंभुना पूर्वं दक्षः प्राचेतसो नृपः। विनिंद्य पूर्ववैरेण गंगाद्वारेऽयजद्धरिम्

sa śaptaḥ śambhunā pūrvaṁ dakṣaḥ prācetaso nṛpaḥ| viniṁdya pūrvavaireṇa gaṁgādvāre'yajaddharim

That king Daksha, son of Prachetas, previously cursed by Shambhu, out of old enmity reviling him, performed a sacrifice to Hari at Gangadvara.

Verse 74 (skanda.7.374.74)

देवाश्च यज्ञभागार्थमाहूता विष्णुना स्वयम्। सहैव मुनिभिः सर्वैरागता मुनिपुंगवाः

devāśca yajñabhāgārthamāhūtā viṣṇunā svayam| sahaiva munibhiḥ sarvairāgatā munipuṁgavāḥ

Vishnu himself invited the gods for their share in the sacrifice, and the foremost of sages arrived there, together with all the other sages.

Verse 75 (skanda.7.374.75)

दृष्ट्वा देवकुलं कृत्स्नं शंकरेण विनाऽऽगतम्। दधीचो नाम विप्रर्षिः प्राचेतसमथाब्रवीत्

dṛṣṭvā devakulaṁ kṛtsnaṁ śaṁkareṇa vinā''gatam| dadhīco nāma viprarṣiḥ prācetasamathābravīt

Beholding the whole assembly of gods, arrived there without Shankara, the brahmin sage named Dadhichi then said this to Prachetas.

Verse 76 (skanda.7.374.76)

दधीचिरुवाच। ब्रह्माद्यास्तु पिशाचांता यस्याज्ञानुविधायिनः। स हि वः सांप्रतं रुद्रो विधिना किं न पूज्यते

dadhīciruvāca| brahmādyāstu piśācāṁtā yasyājñānuvidhāyinaḥ| sa hi vaḥ sāṁprataṁ rudro vidhinā kiṁ na pūjyate

Dadhichi said: He whose command is obeyed by all, from Brahma down to the very pishachas — why is that Rudra not now duly worshipped by you?

Verse 77 (skanda.7.374.77)

दक्ष उवाच। सर्वेष्वेव हि यज्ञेषु न भागः परिकल्पितः। न मंत्रा भार्यया सार्द्धं शंकरस्येति नेष्यते

dakṣa uvāca| sarveṣveva hi yajñeṣu na bhāgaḥ parikalpitaḥ| na maṁtrā bhāryayā sārddhaṁ śaṁkarasyeti neṣyate

Daksha said: In all sacrifices, no share has been allotted for Shankara; nor are there mantras for him together with his wife — this is not sanctioned.

Verse 78 (skanda.7.374.78)

विहस्य दक्षं कुपितो वचः प्राह महामुनिः। शृण्वतां सर्वदेवानां सर्वज्ञानमयः स्वयम्

vihasya dakṣaṁ kupito vacaḥ prāha mahāmuniḥ| śṛṇvatāṁ sarvadevānāṁ sarvajñānamayaḥ svayam

Laughing at Daksha, that great sage, angered, spoke this word — himself the embodiment of all knowledge — as all the gods listened.

Verse 79 (skanda.7.374.79)

यतः प्रवृत्तिर्विश्वात्मा यश्चासौ भुवनेश्वरः। न त्वं पूजयसे रुद्रं देवैः संपूज्यते हरः

yataḥ pravṛttirviśvātmā yaścāsau bhuvaneśvaraḥ| na tvaṁ pūjayase rudraṁ devaiḥ saṁpūjyate haraḥ

He from whom all activity proceeds, the very soul of the universe, the lord of all worlds — though you do not worship Rudra, Hara is worshipped by the gods regardless.

Verse 80 (skanda.7.374.80)

दक्ष उवाच। अस्थिमालाधरो नग्नः संहर्ता तामसो हरः। विषकंठः शूलहस्तः कपाली नागवेष्टितः

dakṣa uvāca| asthimālādharo nagnaḥ saṁhartā tāmaso haraḥ| viṣakaṁṭhaḥ śūlahastaḥ kapālī nāgaveṣṭitaḥ

Daksha said: Hara wears a garland of bones, goes naked, is a destroyer, and is of a dark nature; his throat is stained with poison, he holds a trident, bears a skull, and is entwined with serpents.

Verse 81 (skanda.7.374.81)

ईश्वरो हि जगत्स्रष्टा प्रभुर्योऽसौ सनातनः। सत्त्वात्मकोऽसौ भगवानिज्यते सर्वकर्मसु

īśvaro hi jagatsraṣṭā prabhuryo'sau sanātanaḥ| sattvātmako'sau bhagavānijyate sarvakarmasu

Rather, the true Ishvara, the creator of the world, that eternal lord — that god of pure sattva alone — is the one worshipped in all sacred rites.

Verse 82 (skanda.7.374.82)

दधीचिरुवाच। किं त्वया भगवानेष सहस्रांशुर्न दृश्यते। सर्वलोकैकसंहर्ता कालात्मा परमेश्वरः

dadhīciruvāca| kiṁ tvayā bhagavāneṣa sahasrāṁśurna dṛśyate| sarvalokaikasaṁhartā kālātmā parameśvaraḥ

Dadhichi said: Do you not see this very lord, the thousand-rayed sun? He is the sole destroyer of all the worlds, the supreme lord in the very form of time.

Verse 83 (skanda.7.374.83)

एष रुद्रो महादेवः कपर्द्दी चाग्रणीर्हरः। आदित्यो भगवान्सूर्यो नीलग्रीवो विलोहितः

eṣa rudro mahādevaḥ kapardī cāgraṇīrharaḥ| ādityo bhagavānsūryo nīlagrīvo vilohitaḥ

This very one is Rudra, Mahadeva, the matted-locked, foremost Hara; this is Aditya, the lord Sun, the blue-throated one, the ruddy one.

Verse 84 (skanda.7.374.84)

दक्ष उवाच। य एते द्वादशादित्या आगता यज्ञभागिनः। सर्वे सूर्या इति ज्ञेया न ह्यन्यो विद्यते रविः

dakṣa uvāca| ya ete dvādaśādityā āgatā yajñabhāginaḥ| sarve sūryā iti jñeyā na hyanyo vidyate raviḥ

Daksha said: These twelve Adityas who have come to receive their portion in the sacrifice — these alone are to be known as the Sun; no other sun exists apart from them.

Verse 85 (skanda.7.374.85)

एवमुक्ते तु मुनयः समायाता दिदृक्षवः। बाढमित्यब्रुवन्दक्षं तस्य साहाय्यकारिणः

evamukte tu munayaḥ samāyātā didṛkṣavaḥ| bāḍhamityabruvandakṣaṁ tasya sāhāyyakāriṇaḥ

When this had been said, the sages who had come there, eager to see, and were partial to Daksha, said 'quite so' and became his supporters.

Verse 86 (skanda.7.374.86)

तपसाविष्टमनसो न पश्यंति वृषध्वजम्। सहस्रशोऽथ शतशो बहुशोऽथ य एव हि

tapasāviṣṭamanaso na paśyaṁti vṛṣadhvajam| sahasraśo'tha śataśo bahuśo'tha ya eva hi

Those whose minds were absorbed in their own austerity could not see the bull-bannered god — whether they numbered in the thousands, the hundreds, or however many they were.

Verse 87 (skanda.7.374.87)

देवांश्च सर्वे भागार्थमागता वासवादयः। नापश्यन्देवमीशानमृते नारायणं हरिम्

devāṁśca sarve bhāgārthamāgatā vāsavādayaḥ| nāpaśyandevamīśānamṛte nārāyaṇaṁ harim

Even all the gods, headed by Vasava, who had come there for their share, could not see the god Ishana, apart from Narayana Hari.

Verse 88 (skanda.7.374.88)

रुद्रं क्रोधपरं दृष्ट्वा ब्रह्मा ब्रह्मासनाद्ययौ। अन्तर्हिते भगवति दक्षो नारायणं हरिम्

rudraṁ krodhaparaṁ dṛṣṭvā brahmā brahmāsanādyayau| antarhite bhagavati dakṣo nārāyaṇaṁ harim

Seeing Rudra full of wrath, Brahma rose from his seat and departed. When that lord had vanished, Daksha —

Verse 89 (skanda.7.374.89)

रक्षकं जगतां देवं जगाम शरणं स्वयम्। प्रवर्तयामास च तं यज्ञं दक्षोऽथ निर्भयः

rakṣakaṁ jagatāṁ devaṁ jagāma śaraṇaṁ svayam| pravartayāmāsa ca taṁ yajñaṁ dakṣo'tha nirbhayaḥ

went himself for refuge to that god, protector of the worlds, and, now unafraid, set the sacrifice in motion once more.

Verse 90 (skanda.7.374.90)

रक्षको भगवान्विष्णुः शरणागतरक्षकः। पुनः प्राहाध्वरे दक्षं दधीचो भगवन्नृप

rakṣako bhagavānviṣṇuḥ śaraṇāgatarakṣakaḥ| punaḥ prāhādhvare dakṣaṁ dadhīco bhagavannṛpa

Lord Vishnu is indeed the protector of those who take refuge in him. Then, once more, at that sacrifice, Dadhichi said to King Daksha: O lord king,

Verse 91 (skanda.7.374.91)

निर्भयः शृणु दक्ष त्वं यज्ञभंगो भविष्यति। अपूज्यपूजनाद्दक्ष पूज्यस्य च विवर्जनात्

nirbhayaḥ śṛṇu dakṣa tvaṁ yajñabhaṁgo bhaviṣyati| apūjyapūjanāddakṣa pūjyasya ca vivarjanāt

Listen without fear, O Daksha — your sacrifice shall surely be broken; for, O Daksha, from worshipping the unworthy and shunning the worthy —

Verse 92 (skanda.7.374.92)

नरः पापमवाप्नोति महद्वै नात्र संशयः। असतां प्रग्रहो यत्र सतां चैव विमानता

naraḥ pāpamavāpnoti mahadvai nātra saṁśayaḥ| asatāṁ pragraho yatra satāṁ caiva vimānatā

a man incurs great sin — of this there is no doubt. Where the wicked are honored and the virtuous are disregarded,

Verse 93 (skanda.7.374.93)

दण्डो देवकृतस्तत्र सद्यः पतति दारुणः। एवमुक्त्वा स विप्रर्षिः शशापेश्वरविद्विषः

daṇḍo devakṛtastatra sadyaḥ patati dāruṇaḥ| evamuktvā sa viprarṣiḥ śaśāpeśvaravidviṣaḥ

there, a dread punishment ordained by the gods swiftly falls. Having said this, that brahmin sage cursed those hostile to Ishvara.

Verse 94 (skanda.7.374.94)

यस्माद्बहिष्कृतो देवो भवद्भिः परमेश्वरः। भविष्यध्वं त्रयीबाह्याः सर्वेऽपीश्वरविद्विषः

yasmādbahiṣkṛto devo bhavadbhiḥ parameśvaraḥ| bhaviṣyadhvaṁ trayībāhyāḥ sarve'pīśvaravidviṣaḥ

Since you have excluded the supreme god Parameshvara, therefore, O you all who are hostile to Ishvara, you shall become excluded from the three Vedas.

Verse 95 (skanda.7.374.95)

मिथ्यारीतिसमाचारा मिथ्याज्ञानप्रभाषिणः। प्राप्ते कलियुगे घोरे कलिजैः किल पीडिताः

mithyārītisamācārā mithyājñānaprabhāṣiṇaḥ| prāpte kaliyuge ghore kalijaiḥ kila pīḍitāḥ

You shall follow false customs and speak false knowledge; when the dreadful Kali age arrives, you shall indeed be afflicted by the ills born of Kali.

Verse 96 (skanda.7.374.96)

कृत्वा तपोबलं घोरं गच्छध्वं नरकं पुनः। भविष्यति हृषीकेशः स्वामी वोऽपि पराङ्मुखः

kṛtvā tapobalaṁ ghoraṁ gacchadhvaṁ narakaṁ punaḥ| bhaviṣyati hṛṣīkeśaḥ svāmī vo'pi parāṅmukhaḥ

Even performing the most fierce austerities, you shall still go again to hell; even Hrishikesha, your own lord, shall turn away from you.

Verse 97 (skanda.7.374.97)

सारस्वत उवाच। एवमुक्त्वा स ब्रह्मर्षिर्विरराम तपोनिधिः। जगाम मनसा रुद्रमशेषाध्वरनाशनम्

sārasvata uvāca| evamuktvā sa brahmarṣirvirarāma taponidhiḥ| jagāma manasā rudramaśeṣādhvaranāśanam

Sarasvata said: Having said this, that brahmarshi, a treasury of austerity, fell silent, and turned in his mind toward Rudra, the destroyer of the entire sacrifice.

Verse 98 (skanda.7.374.98)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे देवी महादेवं महेश्वरम्। गत्वा विज्ञापयामास ज्ञात्वा दक्षमखं शिवा

etasminnaṁtare devī mahādevaṁ maheśvaram| gatvā vijñāpayāmāsa jñātvā dakṣamakhaṁ śivā

Meanwhile, having learned of Daksha's sacrifice, the goddess Shiva went to the great god Maheshvara and made her plea to him.

Verse 99 (skanda.7.374.99)

देव्युवाच। दक्षो यज्ञेन यजते पिता मे पूर्वजन्मनि। तेन त्वं दूषितः पूर्वमहं चातीव दुःखिता। विनाशयस्व तं यज्ञं वरमेनं वृणोम्यहम्

devyuvāca| dakṣo yajñena yajate pitā me pūrvajanmani| tena tvaṁ dūṣitaḥ pūrvamahaṁ cātīva duḥkhitā| vināśayasva taṁ yajñaṁ varamenaṁ vṛṇomyaham

The Goddess said: Daksha, who was my father in a former birth, is now performing a sacrifice. He reviled you once before, and I too was deeply grieved by it. Destroy that sacrifice — this is the boon I ask of you.

Verse 100 (skanda.7.374.100)

सारस्वत उवाच। एवं विज्ञापितो देव्या देवदेवो महेश्वरः। ससर्ज सहसा रुद्रं दक्षयज्ञजिघांसया

sārasvata uvāca| evaṁ vijñāpito devyā devadevo maheśvaraḥ| sasarja sahasā rudraṁ dakṣayajñajighāṁsayā

Sarasvata said: Thus entreated by the Goddess, the god of gods, Maheshvara, at once brought forth a Rudra, with the intent to destroy Daksha's sacrifice.

Verse 101 (skanda.7.374.101)

सहस्रशिरसं क्रूरं सहस्राक्षं महाभुजम्। सहस्रपाणिं दुर्द्धर्षं युगांतानलसन्निभम्

sahasraśirasaṁ krūraṁ sahasrākṣaṁ mahābhujam| sahasrapāṇiṁ durddharṣaṁ yugāṁtānalasannibham

He was thousand-headed, fierce, thousand-eyed, mighty-armed, thousand-handed, unassailable, resembling the fire of the world's dissolution.

Verse 102 (skanda.7.374.102)

दंष्ट्राकरालं दुष्प्रेक्ष्यं शंखचक्रधरं प्रभुम्। दण्डहस्तं महानादं शार्ङ्गिणं भूतिभूषणम्

daṁṣṭrākarālaṁ duṣprekṣyaṁ śaṅkhacakradharaṁ prabhum| daṇḍahastaṁ mahānādaṁ śārṅgiṇaṁ bhūtibhūṣaṇam

terrible with fangs, hard to look upon, that lord bearing the conch and discus, a staff in hand, roaring mightily, bow-bearing, adorned with ash.

Verse 103 (skanda.7.374.103)

वीरभद्र इति ख्यातं देवदेवसमन्वितम्। स जातमात्रो देवेशमुपतस्थे कृतांजलिः

vīrabhadra iti khyātaṁ devadevasamanvitam| sa jātamātro deveśamupatasthe kṛtāṁjaliḥ

He became known by the name Virabhadra, wholly devoted to the god of gods. As soon as he was born, he presented himself, with folded hands, before the lord of gods.

Verse 104 (skanda.7.374.104)

तमाह दक्षस्य मखं विनाशय शमस्तु तं। विनिन्द्य मां स यजते गंगाद्वारे गणेश्वर

tamāha dakṣasya makhaṁ vināśaya śamastu taṁ| viniṁdya māṁ sa yajate gaṁgādvāre gaṇeśvara

[Shiva] said to him: Destroy the sacrifice of Daksha, let it be brought to an end. O lord of the ganas, having reviled me, he now performs sacrifice at Gangadvara.

Verse 105 (skanda.7.374.105)

ततो बंधप्रमुक्तेन सिंहेनेव च लीलया। वीरभद्रेण दक्षस्य नाशार्थं रोम चोद्धुतम्

tato baṁdhapramuktena siṁheneva ca līlayā| vīrabhadreṇa dakṣasya nāśārthaṁ roma coddhutam

Then, playfully, like a lion freed from its bonds, Virabhadra, for the destruction of Daksha, plucked out one of his own hairs.

Verse 106 (skanda.7.374.106)

रोम्णा सहस्रशो रुद्रा निसृष्टास्तेन धीमता। रोमजा इति विख्याता स्तत्र साहाय्यकारिणः

romṇā sahasraśo rudrā nisṛṣṭāstena dhīmatā| romajā iti vikhyātāstatra sāhāyyakāriṇaḥ

That wise Virabhadra, from that single hair, brought forth thousands of Rudras; they became known as 'Romaja' (hair-born), and became his helpers there.

Verse 107 (skanda.7.374.107)

शूलशक्तिगदाहस्ता दण्डोपलकरास्तथा। कालाग्निरुद्रसंकाशा नादयन्तो दिशो दश

śūlaśaktigadāhastā daṇḍopalakarāstathā| kālāgnirudrasaṁkāśā nādayanto diśo daśa

They bore in their hands tridents, spears, and maces, and also staves and stones; they resembled the fire of universal dissolution, and made the ten directions resound.

Verse 108 (skanda.7.374.108)

सर्वे वृषसमारूढाः सभार्याश्चातिभीषणाः। समाश्रित्य गणश्रेष्ठं ययुर्दक्षमखं प्रति

sarve vṛṣasamārūḍhāḥ sabhāryāścātibhīṣaṇāḥ| samāśritya gaṇaśreṣṭhaṁ yayurdakṣamakhaṁ prati

All of them, mounted upon bulls, together with their wives, most fearsome, following that foremost of ganas, marched toward Daksha's sacrifice.

Verse 109 (skanda.7.374.109)

देवांगनासहस्राढ्यमप्सरोगीतिनादितम्। वीणावेणुनिनादाढ्यं वेदवादाभिनादितम्

devāṁganāsahasrāḍhyamapsarogītināditam| vīṇāveṇuninādāḍhyaṁ vedavādābhināditam

That sacrificial hall was thronged with thousands of divine women, resounding with the songs of apsaras, rich with the sound of vina and flute, and echoing with the recitation of the Vedas.

Verse 110 (skanda.7.374.110)

दृष्ट्वा दक्षं समासीनं देवैब्रह्मर्षिभिः सह। उवाच स वृषारूढो दक्षं वीरः स्मयन्निव

dṛṣṭvā dakṣaṁ samāsīnaṁ devairbrahmarṣibhiḥ saha| uvāca sa vṛṣārūḍho dakṣaṁ vīraḥ smayanniva

Beholding Daksha seated together with the gods and brahmarshis, that hero, mounted upon the bull, spoke to Daksha, as if smiling.

Verse 111 (skanda.7.374.111)

वयं ह्यचतुराः सर्वे शर्वस्यामिततेजसः। भागार्थलिप्सया प्राप्ता भागान्यच्छ त्वमीप्सितान्

vayaṁ hyacaturāḥ sarve śarvasyāmitatejasaḥ| bhāgārthalipsayā prāptā bhāgānyaccha tvamīpsitān

We are all simple servants of Sharva, of boundless splendor, and have come here desiring our share — give us the portions we seek.

Verse 112 (skanda.7.374.112)

भागो भवद्भ्यो देयस्तु नास्मभ्यमिति कथ्यताम्। ततो वयं विनिश्चित्य करिष्यामो यथोचितम्

bhāgo bhavadbhyo deyastu nāsmabhyamiti kathyatām| tato vayaṁ viniścitya kariṣyāmo yathocitam

If you say, 'the share is to be given to you gods, not to us,' then we shall decide accordingly, and do what is fitting.

Verse 113 (skanda.7.374.113)

एवमुक्ता गणेशेन प्रजापतिपुरःसराः

evamuktā gaṇeśena prajāpatipuraḥsarāḥ

Thus addressed by the lord of the ganas, those who stood with the Prajapati [began to respond].

Verse 114 (skanda.7.374.114)

देवा ऊचुः। प्रमाणं नो विजानीथ भागं मंत्रा इति धुवम्

devā ūcuḥ| pramāṇaṁ no vijānīta bhāgaṁ mantrā iti dhuvam

The gods said: Know for certain that the authority for our portion lies in the mantras themselves.

Verse 115 (skanda.7.374.115)

मंत्रा ऊचुः। सुरा यूयं तमोभूतास्तमोपहतचेतसः। ये नाध्वरस्य राजानं पूजयेयुर्महेश्वरम्

mantrā ūcuḥ| surā yūyaṁ tamobhūtāstamopahatacetasaḥ| ye nādhvarasya rājānaṁ pūjayeyurmaheśvaram

The mantras said: O gods, you have become creatures of darkness, your minds struck down by tamas — for you have failed to worship Maheshvara, the very king of this sacrifice.

Verse 116 (skanda.7.374.116)

ईश्वरः सर्वभूतानां सर्वदेवतनुर्हरः। गण उवाच। पूज्यते सर्वयज्ञेषु कथं दक्षो न पूजयेत्

īśvaraḥ sarvabhūtānāṁ sarvadevatanurharaḥ| gaṇa uvāca| pūjyate sarvayajñeṣu kathaṁ dakṣo na pūjayet

Ishvara is the lord of all beings; Hara is the very embodiment of all the gods. The gana said: He is worshipped in every sacrifice — how then could Daksha fail to worship him?

Verse 117 (skanda.7.374.117)

मंत्राः प्रमाणं न कृता युष्माभिर्बलगर्वितैः। यस्मादसह्यं तस्मान्नो नाशयाम्यद्य गर्वितम्

mantrāḥ pramāṇaṁ na kṛtā yuṣmābhirbalagarvitaiḥ| yasmādasahyaṁ tasmānno nāśayāmyadya garvitam

Puffed up with the pride of your own strength, you have not even accepted the authority of the mantras; since this is unbearable, today I shall destroy this arrogant sacrifice.

Verse 118 (skanda.7.374.118)

इत्युक्त्वा यज्ञशालां तां देवोऽहन्गणपुंगवः। गणेश्वराश्च संक्रुद्धा यूपानुत्पाट्य चिक्षिपुः

ityuktvā yajñaśālāṁ tāṁ devo'hangaṇapuṁgavaḥ| gaṇeśvarāśca saṁkruddhā yūpānutpāṭya cikṣipuḥ

Having said this, that foremost of the ganas struck down that sacrificial hall; and the enraged lords of the ganas tore up the sacrificial posts and hurled them away.

Verse 119 (skanda.7.374.119)

प्रस्तोतारं सहोतारमध्वर्युं च गणेश्वरः। गृहीत्वा भीषणाः सर्वे गंगास्रोतसि चिक्षिपुः

prastotāraṁ sahotāramadhvaryuṁ ca gaṇeśvaraḥ| gṛhītvā bhīṣaṇāḥ sarve gaṁgāsrotasi cikṣipuḥ

Those fearsome lords of the ganas seized the prastotri, the hotri, and the adhvaryu priests, and cast them all into the current of the Ganga.

Verse 120 (skanda.7.374.120)

वीरभद्रोऽपि दीप्तात्मा वज्रयुक्तं करं हरेः। व्यष्टंभयददीनात्मा तथान्येषां दिवौकसाम्

vīrabhadro'pi dīptātmā vajrayuktaṁ karaṁ hareḥ| vyaṣṭaṁbhayadadīnātmā tathānyeṣāṁ divaukasām

The radiant, undaunted Virabhadra also stopped short Indra's very thunderbolt-wielding hand, and likewise those of the other gods.

Verse 121 (skanda.7.374.121)

भगनेत्रे तथोत्पाट्य कराग्रेणैव लीलया। निहत्य मुष्टिना दंडैः सप्ताश्वं च न्यपातयत्

bhaganetre tathotpāṭya karāgreṇaiva līlayā| nihatya muṣṭinā daṁḍaiḥ saptāśvaṁ ca nyapātayat

With a mere flick of his fingertips, he playfully tore out the eyes of the god Bhaga, and with blows of fist and staff, struck down the seven-horsed Sun himself.

Verse 122 (skanda.7.374.122)

तथा चंद्रमसं देवं पादांगुष्ठेन लीलया। धर्षयामास वलवान्स्मयमानो गणेश्वरः

tathā caṁdramasaṁ devaṁ pādāṁguṣṭhena līlayā| dharṣayāmāsa valavānsmayamāno gaṇeśvaraḥ

That mighty, smiling lord of the ganas likewise, with playful ease, trampled the god Chandra beneath the tip of his foot.

Verse 123 (skanda.7.374.123)

वह्नेर्हस्तद्वयं छित्त्वा जिह्वामुत्पाट्य लीलया। जघान मूर्ध्नि पादेन मुनीनपि मुनीश्वरान्

vahnerhastadvayaṁ chittvā jihvāmutpāṭya līlayā| jaghāna mūrdhni pādena munīnapi munīśvarān

He cut off both of Fire's hands, playfully tore out his tongue, and struck even the greatest of sages upon the head with his foot.

Verse 124 (skanda.7.374.124)

तथा विष्णुं सगरुडं समायातं महाबलः। विव्याध निशितैर्बाणैः स्तंभयित्वा सुदर्शनम्

tathā viṣṇuṁ sagaruḍaṁ samāyātaṁ mahābalaḥ| vivyādha niśitairbāṇaiḥ staṁbhayitvā sudarśanam

That mighty one also pierced Vishnu, who had arrived mounted upon Garuda, with sharp arrows, and rendered his very Sudarshana chakra immobile.

Verse 125 (skanda.7.374.125)

ततः सहस्रशो भद्रः ससर्ज गरुडान्बहून्। वैनतेयादभ्यधिकान्गरुडं ते प्रदुद्रुवुः

tataḥ sahasraśo bhadraḥ sasarja garuḍānbahūn| vainateyādabhyadhikāngaruḍaṁ te pradudruvuḥ

Then Bhadra [Virabhadra] brought forth thousands of garudas, even mightier than Vinata's own son, and they rushed at Garuda.

Verse 126 (skanda.7.374.126)

तान्दृष्ट्वा गरुडो धीमान्पलायनपरोऽभवत्। तत्स्थितो माधवो वेगाद्यथा गौः सिंहपीडिता

tāndṛṣṭvā garuḍo dhīmānpalāyanaparo'bhavat| tatsthito mādhavo vegādyathā gauḥ siṁhapīḍitā

Beholding them, the wise Garuda made to flee; and Madhava, remaining there, was as helpless in that onslaught as a cow harried by a lion.

Verse 127 (skanda.7.374.127)

अंतर्हिते वैनतेये विष्णौ च पद्मसंभवः। आगत्य वारयामास वीरभद्रं शिवप्रियम्

antarhite vainateye viṣṇau ca padmasaṁbhavaḥ| āgatya vārayāmāsa vīrabhadraṁ śivapriyam

When Vinata's son had vanished, and Vishnu too had withdrawn, the lotus-born Brahma came and sought to restrain Virabhadra, Shiva's own beloved.

Verse 128 (skanda.7.374.128)

प्रसादयामास स तं गौरवात्परमेष्ठिनः। तेऽदृश्यं नैव जानंति रुद्रं तत्रागतं सुराः

prasādayāmāsa sa taṁ gauravātpārameṣṭhinaḥ| te'dṛśyaṁ naiva jānaṁti rudraṁ tatrāgataṁ surāḥ

Out of reverence for Brahma, the supreme one, he thereupon appeased him. Yet those gods did not even know that Rudra himself had come there, unseen.

Verse 129 (skanda.7.374.129)

स देवो विष्णुना ज्ञातो ब्रह्मणा च दधीचिना। तुष्टाव भगवान्ब्रह्मा दक्षो विष्णुदिवौकसः

sa devo viṣṇunā jñāto brahmaṇā ca dadhīcinā| tuṣṭāva bhagavānbrahmā dakṣo viṣṇudivaukasaḥ

That god was recognized by Vishnu, by Brahma, and by Dadhichi. Then the lord Brahma, Daksha, Vishnu, and the other dwellers of heaven offered him praise.

Verse 130 (skanda.7.374.130)

विशेषात्पार्वतीं देवीमीश्वरार्द्धशरीरिणीम्। स्तोत्रैर्नानाविधैर्दक्षः प्रणम्य च कृताञ्जलिः

viśeṣātpārvatīṁ devīmīśvarārddhaśarīriṇīm| stotrairnānāvidhairdakṣaḥ praṇamya ca kṛtāñjaliḥ

Daksha especially praised the goddess Parvati, embodying half the body of Ishvara, with folded hands and many kinds of hymns of praise.

Verse 131 (skanda.7.374.131)

ततो भगवती प्राह प्रहसंती महेश्वरम्। त्वमेव जगतः स्रष्टा संहर्ता चैव रक्षकः

tato bhagavatī prāha prahasaṁtī maheśvaram| tvameva jagataḥ sraṣṭā saṁhartā caiva rakṣakaḥ

Then that goddess, smiling, said to Maheshvara: You alone are the creator of the world, you alone the destroyer, and you alone its protector.

Verse 132 (skanda.7.374.132)

अनुग्राह्यो भगवता दक्षश्चापि दिवौकसः। ततः प्रहस्य भगवान्कर्पद्दी नीललोहितः। उवाच प्रणतान्देवान्दक्षं प्राचेतसं हरः

anugrāhyo bhagavatā dakṣaścāpi divaukasaḥ| tataḥ prahasya bhagavānkapardī nīlalohitaḥ| uvāca praṇatāndevāndakṣaṁ prācetasaṁ haraḥ

Now the Lord should grant his grace to Daksha and to the other dwellers of heaven as well. Then the matted-haired, blue-red lord Hara, smiling, spoke to the bowing gods and to Daksha, son of Prachetas.

Verse 133 (skanda.7.374.133)

गच्छध्वं देवताः सर्वाः प्रसन्नो भवतामहम्। संपूज्यः सर्वयज्ञेषु प्रथमं देवकर्मणि

gacchadhvaṁ devatāḥ sarvāḥ prasanno bhavatāmaham| saṁpūjyaḥ sarvayajñeṣu prathamaṁ devakarmaṇi

Go now, all you gods; I am pleased with you. Henceforth I shall be worshipped first, in all sacrifices and in all rites of the gods.

Verse 134 (skanda.7.374.134)

त्वं चापि शृणु मे दक्ष वचनं सर्वरक्षणम्। त्यक्त्वा लोकेषणामेनां मद्भक्तो भव यत्नतः

tvaṁ cāpi śṛṇu me dakṣa vacanaṁ sarvarakṣaṇam| tyaktvā lokeṣaṇāmenāṁ madbhakto bhava yatnataḥ

You too, O Daksha, listen to this word of mine, protective of all — abandoning this desire for worldly things, become my devotee with diligence.

Verse 135 (skanda.7.374.135)

भविष्यसि गणेशानः कल्पांतेऽनुग्रहान्मम। तावत्तिष्ठ ममादेशात्स्वाधिकारेषु निर्वृतः। इत्युक्त्वाऽदर्शनं प्राप्तो दक्षस्यामिततेजसः

bhaviṣyasi gaṇeśānaḥ kalpāṁte'nugrahānmama| tāvattiṣṭha mamādeśātsvādhikāreṣu nirvṛtaḥ| ityuktvā'darśanaṁ prāpto dakṣasyāmitatejasaḥ

By my grace, at the end of the kalpa, you shall become a lord of the ganas. Until then, remain, by my command, content within your own domains. Having said this, that god of boundless splendor passed from Daksha's sight.

Verse 136 (skanda.7.374.136)

दधीचिना शिवो दृष्टो विज्ञप्तः शापमोचने। कथं शापं मया दत्तं तरिष्यंति तवाज्ञया

dadhīcinā śivo dṛṣṭo vijñaptaḥ śāpamocane| kathaṁ śāpaṁ mayā dattaṁ tariṣyaṁti tavājñayā

Seeing Shiva, Dadhichi appealed to him about release from a curse: how, by your command, will they cross beyond the curse I myself have pronounced?

Verse 137 (skanda.7.374.137)

शिव उवाच। भविष्यंति त्रयीबाह्याः संप्राप्ते तु कलौ युगे। पठिष्यंति च ये वेदास्ते विप्राः स्वर्गगामिनः

śiva uvāca| bhaviṣyaṁti trayībāhyāḥ saṁprāpte tu kalau yuge| paṭhiṣyaṁti ca ye vedāste viprāḥ svargagāminaḥ

Shiva said: When the Kali age comes, they shall indeed become excluded from the three Vedas; but those brahmins who nonetheless recite the Vedas shall still go to heaven.

Verse 138 (skanda.7.374.138)

आगमा विष्णुरचिता पठ्यन्ते ये द्विजातिभिः। तेपि स्वर्गं प्रयास्यंति मत्प्रसादान्न संशयः

āgamā viṣṇuracitā paṭhyaṁte ye dvijātibhiḥ| tepi svargaṁ prayāsyaṁti matprasādānna saṁśayaḥ

Those scriptures composed under Vishnu's authority, which are studied by the twice-born, shall also, by my grace, lead them to heaven — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 139 (skanda.7.374.139)

कलिकालप्रभावेन येषां पाठो न विद्यते। गृहस्थधर्माचरणं कर्तव्यं मम पूजनम्

kalikālaprabhāvena yeṣāṁ pāṭho na vidyate| gṛhasthadharmācaraṇaṁ kartavyaṁ mama pūjanam

Those for whom, by the influence of the Kali age, such recitation is not attained, should practice the duties of the householder, and should worship me.

Verse 140 (skanda.7.374.140)

अवश्यं च मया कार्यं तेषां पापविमोचनम्। भिक्षां भ्रमामि मध्याह्ने अतीते भस्मगुंठितः

avaśyaṁ ca mayā kāryaṁ teṣāṁ pāpavimocanam| bhikṣāṁ bhramāmi madhyāhne atīte bhasmaguṁṭhitaḥ

I must surely undertake to free them from their sin. Smeared with ashes, I wander about for alms once midday has passed.

Verse 141 (skanda.7.374.141)

जटाजूटधरः शांतो भिक्षापात्रकरो द्विजः। यो ददाति च मे भिक्षां स्वर्गं याति स मानवः

jaṭājūṭadharaḥ śāṁto bhikṣāpātrakaro dvijaḥ| yo dadāti ca me bhikṣāṁ svargaṁ yāti sa mānavaḥ

Wearing matted locks, serene, holding an alms-bowl, appearing as a brahmin — whoever gives me alms, that man goes to heaven.

Verse 142 (skanda.7.374.142)

उपानहौ वा च्छत्रं वा कौपीनं वा कमंडलुम्। यो ददाति तपस्विभ्यो नरो मुक्तः स पातकैः। दधीचेः स वरान्दत्त्वा वभाषे सह विष्णुना

upānahau vā cchatraṁ vā kaupīnaṁ vā kamaṁḍalum| yo dadāti tapasvibhyo naro muktaḥ sa pātakaiḥ| dadhīceḥ sa varāndattvā vabhāṣe saha viṣṇunā

Whatever man gives sandals, an umbrella, a loincloth, or a water-pot to ascetics, is freed from his sins. Having granted this boon to Dadhichi, he then spoke together with Vishnu.

Verse 143 (skanda.7.374.143)

रुद्र उवाच। यस्ते मित्रं स मे मित्रं यस्ते रिपुः स मे रिपुः। यस्त्वां पूजयते विष्णो स मां पूजयते ध्रुवम्

rudra uvāca| yaste mitraṁ sa me mitraṁ yaste ripuḥ sa me ripuḥ| yastvāṁ pūjayate viṣṇo sa māṁ pūjayate dhruvam

Rudra said: Whoever is your friend is my friend; whoever is your enemy is my enemy. O Vishnu, whoever worships you surely worships me as well.

Verse 144 (skanda.7.374.144)

यः स्तौति त्वां स मां स्तौति प्रियो यस्ते स मे प्रियः। अहं यत्र च तत्र त्वं नास्ति भेदः परस्परम्

yaḥ stauti tvāṁ sa māṁ stauti priyo yaste sa me priyaḥ| ahaṁ yatra ca tatra tvaṁ nāsti bhedaḥ parasparam

Whoever praises you praises me; whoever is dear to you is dear to me as well. Wherever I am, there you are too — there is no difference at all between us.

Verse 145 (skanda.7.374.145)

कृष्ण उवाच। एवमेतत्परं देव वक्तव्यं यत्तथैव तत्। अर्द्धनारीनरवपुर्यदा दृष्टो मया पुरा

kṛṣṇa uvāca| evametatparaṁ deva vaktavyaṁ yattathaiva tat| arddhanārīnaravapuryadā dṛṣṭo mayā purā

Krishna said: O supreme god, this is exactly as it ought to be said. When, long ago, I beheld that body, half-woman and half-man,

Verse 146 (skanda.7.374.146)

नेयं नारी मया दृष्टा दृष्टं रूपं किलात्मनः। शंखचक्रगदाहस्तं वनमालाविभूषितम्

neyaṁ nārī mayā dṛṣṭā dṛṣṭaṁ rūpaṁ kilātmanaḥ| śaṁkhacakragadāhastaṁ vanamālāvibhūṣitam

I did not see it then as some other woman — indeed, I saw there my own very form, bearing conch, discus, and mace, adorned with a forest garland.

Verse 147 (skanda.7.374.147)

श्रीवत्सांकं पीतवस्त्रं कौस्तुभेन विराजितम्। द्वितीयार्द्धं मया दृष्टं शूलहस्तं त्रिलोचनम्

śrīvatsāṁkaṁ pītavastraṁ kaustubhena virājitam| dvitīyārddhaṁ mayā dṛṣṭaṁ śūlahastaṁ trilocanam

marked with the Shrivatsa sign, clad in yellow garments, resplendent with the Kaustubha jewel. And I beheld its other half too, holding a trident, three-eyed,

Verse 148 (skanda.7.374.148)

चंद्रावयवसंयुक्तं जटाजूटकपालिनम्। एकीभावं प्रपन्नोहं यथा पूर्वं तथाऽधुना। न मां गौरी प्रपश्येत प्रपश्यामि तथैव च

caṁdrāvayavasaṁyuktaṁ jaṭājūṭakapālinam| ekībhāvaṁ prapanno'haṁ yathā pūrvaṁ tathā'dhunā| na māṁ gaurī prapaśyeta prapaśyāmi tathaiva ca

bearing the crescent moon, matted locks, and a skull. Then, as now, I remain one with that same unity — Gauri does not see me as separate, nor do I see her as separate.

Verse 149 (skanda.7.374.149)

ईश्वर उवाच। आवयोरंतरं नास्ति चैकरूपावुभावपि। यो जानाति स जानाति सत्यलोकं स गच्छति

īśvara uvāca| āvayorantaraṁ nāsti caikarūpāvubhāvapi| yo jānāti sa jānāti satyalokaṁ sa gacchati

Ishvara said: There is no difference between us — we two are indeed of one form. Whoever truly knows this, knows in truth, and goes to the Satyaloka.

Verse 150 (skanda.7.374.150)

इत्युक्त्वा स ययौ तत्र कैलासं पर्वतोत्तमम्। कृष्णोपि मंदरं प्राप्तो देवकार्येण केनचित्

ityuktvā sa yayau tatra kailāsaṁ parvatottamam| kṛṣṇopi maṁdaraṁ prāpto devakāryeṇa kenacit

Having said this, he went from there to Kailasa, the finest of mountains. Krishna too, for some purpose of the gods, arrived at Mount Mandara.

Verse 151 (skanda.7.374.151)

अत्रांतरे दैत्यराजो महादेवप्रसादतः। हिरण्यनेत्रतनयो बाधतेसौ जगत्त्रयम्

atrāṁtare daityarājo mahādevaprasādataḥ| hiraṇyanetratanayo bādhatesau jagattrayam

Meanwhile, the son of Hiranyanetra, king of the daityas by the grace of Mahadeva, began to afflict the three worlds.

Verse 152 (skanda.7.374.152)

अमरत्वं हराल्लब्ध्वा कामांधो नैव पश्यति। हरांगधारिणीं देवीं दिव्यरूपां सुलोचनाम्

amaratvaṁ harāllabdhvā kāmāṁdho naiva paśyati| harāṁgadhāriṇīṁ devīṁ divyarūpāṁ sulocanām

Having obtained immortality from Hara, and blinded by desire, he failed to see that this goddess, who bore Hara's very body, of divine form and beautiful eyes —

Verse 153 (skanda.7.374.153)

ममेति स च जानाति याचते च हरं प्रति। हरोऽपि कार्यव्यसनस्त्यक्त्वा कैलासपर्वतम्

mameti sa ca jānāti yācate ca haraṁ prati| haro'pi kāryavyasanastyaktvā kailāsaparvatam

[was not for him]; yet he thought her his own, and began to beg her of Hara. Hara too, sensing the trouble this task would bring, left Mount Kailasa,

Verse 154 (skanda.7.374.154)

मंदरं समनुप्राप्तो देवं द्रष्टुं जनार्द्दनम्। परस्परं समालोच्यामुंचद्देवीं स मंदरे

maṁdaraṁ samanuprāpto devaṁ draṣṭuṁ janārddanam| parasparaṁ samālocyāmuṁcaddevīṁ sa maṁdare

and came to Mount Mandara to see the god Janardana. Having conferred together, he left the Goddess there on Mandara.

Verse 155 (skanda.7.374.155)

नारायणगृहे देवी स्थिता देवीगणैर्वृता। अत्रांतरे गौतमस्तु गोवधान्मलिनीकृतः

nārāyaṇagṛhe devī sthitā devīgaṇairvṛtā| atrāṁtare gautamastu govadhānmalinīkṛtaḥ

The Goddess remained in Narayana's dwelling, surrounded by her divine attendants. Meanwhile Gautama, defiled by the killing of a cow,

Verse 156 (skanda.7.374.156)

पवित्रीकरणायास्य भिक्षुरूपधरो हरः। गौतमस्य गृहं प्राप्तो मंदरं चांधको गतः

pavitrīkaraṇāyāsya bhikṣurūpadharo haraḥ| gautamasya gṛhaṁ prāpto maṁdaraṁ cāṁdhako gataḥ

assumed the guise of a mendicant to purify him, and went to Gautama's house; and Andhaka, meanwhile, went to Mount Mandara.

Verse 157 (skanda.7.374.157)

ययाचे पार्वतीं दुष्टो युद्धं चक्रे स विष्णुना। हारितं तु गणैः सर्वैर्देवीं दैत्यो न पश्यति

yayāce pārvatīṁ duṣṭo yuddhaṁ cakre sa viṣṇunā| hāritaṁ tu gaṇaiḥ sarvairdevīṁ daityo na paśyati

That wicked one begged for Parvati, and waged war with Vishnu. Though defeated by all the ganas, the daitya still could not lay eyes upon the Goddess.

Verse 158 (skanda.7.374.158)

स्त्रीरूपधारी कृष्णोऽसौ गौरीं रक्षति मंदिरे। गौरीणां तु शतं चक्रे हरिस्तत्र स मायया

strīrūpadhārī kṛṣṇo'sau gaurīṁ rakṣati maṁdire| gaurīṇāṁ tu śataṁ cakre haristatra sa māyayā

Taking on the form of a woman, Krishna himself protected Gauri within that dwelling. There, by his own illusive power, Hari fashioned a hundred women in Gauri's likeness.

Verse 159 (skanda.7.374.159)

विष्णोर्देहसमुद्भूता दिव्यरूपा वरस्त्रियः। अन्धको नैव जानाति कैषा गौरी नु पार्वती

viṣṇordehasamudbhūtā divyarūpā varastriyaḥ| andhako naiva jānāti kaiṣā gaurī nu pārvatī

Those fair women, of divine form, had sprung forth from Vishnu's own body. Andhaka could not tell which among them was truly Gauri, which Parvati.

Verse 160 (skanda.7.374.160)

विलंबस्तत्र सञ्जातो मोहितो विष्णुमायया। तावच्छिवः समायातः कृत्वा गौतमपावनम्

vilaṁbastatra sañjāto mohito viṣṇumāyayā| tāvacchivaḥ samāyātaḥ kṛtvā gautamapāvanam

Bewildered by Vishnu's illusion, a delay arose there. Meanwhile Shiva, having purified Gautama, arrived at that place.

Verse 161 (skanda.7.374.161)

भिक्षामात्रेण चान्नेन गौतमो निर्मलीकृतः। सोंधकेन तदा युद्धं चक्रे रुद्रोऽपि कोपितः

bhikṣāmātreṇa cānnena gautamo nirmalīkṛtaḥ| soṁdhakena tadā yuddhaṁ cakre rudro'pi kopitaḥ

By mere alms-food alone, Gautama was made pure once more. Then Rudra too, enraged, joined battle with Andhaka.

Verse 162 (skanda.7.374.162)

अमरोऽसौ हराज्जातः शूले प्रोतः सुदारुणे। शूलस्थस्तु स्तुतिं चक्रे तस्य तुष्टो महेश्वरः

amaro'sau harājjātaḥ śūle protaḥ sudāruṇe| śūlasthastu stutiṁ cakre tasya tuṣṭo maheśvaraḥ

Being immortal through Hara's own boon, though impaled upon the terrible trident, he lived on; and there, impaled, he offered praise, at which Maheshvara grew pleased with him.

Verse 163 (skanda.7.374.163)

गणेशत्वं ददौ तस्मै यावदाभूतसंप्लवम्। स्वसरूपामुमादेवीं कृष्णस्तस्मै ददौ स्वयम्

gaṇeśatvaṁ dadau tasmai yāvadābhūtasaṁplavam| svasarūpāmumādevīṁ kṛṣṇastasmai dadau svayam

He granted him the status of a lord of the ganas until the dissolution of all beings. And Krishna himself revealed to him the goddess Uma in her true form.

Verse 164 (skanda.7.374.164)

गौरीरूपाः स्त्रियश्चान्या धरित्र्यां तास्तु प्रेषिताः। कृत्वा नामानि सर्वासां लोके पूज्या भविष्यथ

gaurīrūpāḥ striyaścānyā dharitryāṁ tāstu preṣitāḥ| kṛtvā nāmāni sarvāsāṁ loke pūjyā bhaviṣyatha

Those other women, in Gauri's likeness, were then sent down to the earth. Naming each of them, [it was declared]: you shall all be worshipped in this world.

Verse 165 (skanda.7.374.165)

एता ये पूजयिष्यंति पूजयिष्यन्ति ते शिवाम्। शिवां ये पूजयिष्यंति तेऽर्चयन्ते हरं हरिम्

etā ye pūjayiṣyaṁti pūjayiṣyaṁti te śivām| śivāṁ ye pūjayiṣyaṁti te'rcayaṁte haraṁ harim

Whoever worships these shall be worshipping Shiva herself; and whoever worships Shiva shall be honoring both Hara and Hari together.

Verse 166 (skanda.7.374.166)

उमां समादाय ययौ हरो गिरिं वृषं समारुह्य सुरासुरार्चितः। हरिस्तु रेमे रमया सहांधके हते च देवाः सुरराजमाययुः

umāṁ samādāya yayau haro giriṁ vṛṣaṁ samāruhya surāsurārcitaḥ| haristu reme ramayā sahāṁdhake hate ca devāḥ surarājamāyayuḥ

Taking Uma with him, Hara, mounted upon his bull, honored by gods and demons alike, returned to the mountain. Hari, in turn, took his delight with Rama (Lakshmi); and with Andhaka slain, all the gods returned to the lord of the gods.

Verse 167 (skanda.7.374.167)

ब्रह्मेशनारायणपुण्यचेतसां शृण्वन्ति चित्रं चरितं महात्मनाम्। मुच्यंति पापैः कलिकालसंभवैर्यास्यंति नाकं गणवृन्दवंदिताः

brahmeśanārāyaṇapuṇyacetasāṁ śṛṇvaṁti citraṁ caritaṁ mahātmanām| mucyaṁti pāpaiḥ kalikālasaṁbhavairyāsyaṁti nākaṁ gaṇavṛndavaṁditāḥ

Those who hear this wondrous story of Brahma, Ishvara, and Narayana, the great and holy souls, are freed from the sins born of the Kali age, and, honored by the hosts of ganas, go to heaven.

Verse 168 (skanda.7.374.168)

एवं काले वर्त्तमाने हरः कैलासपर्वते। रक्षोदानवदैत्यैस्तु गृह्यतेऽसौ वरान्बहून्

evaṁ kāle varttamāne haraḥ kailāsaparvate| rakṣodānavadaityaistu gṛhyate'sau varānbahūn

As time thus passed, Hara, dwelling upon Mount Kailasa, was besieged by rakshasas, danavas, and daityas, all seeking many boons from him.

Verse 169 (skanda.7.374.169)

ब्रह्मदत्तवरो रौद्रस्तारकाख्यो महासुरः। तेन सर्वं जगद्व्याप्तं तस्य नष्टा सुरा रणे

brahmadattavaro raudrastārakākhyo mahāsuraḥ| tena sarvaṁ jagadvyāptaṁ tasya naṣṭā surā raṇe

There was a great asura named Taraka, fierce by nature, who had received a boon from Brahma; by him the whole world was overrun, and the gods were destroyed by him in battle.

Verse 170 (skanda.7.374.170)

महादेवसुतेनाजौ हंतव्योऽसौ ससर्ज तम्। कार्तिकेयमुमापुत्रं रुद्रवीर्यसमुद्भवम्

mahādevasutenājau haṁtavyo'sau sasarja tam| kārtikeyamumāputraṁ rudravīryasamudbhavam

He could only be slain in battle by a son of Mahadeva; and so Mahadeva brought forth Kartikeya, son of Uma, born from Rudra's own seed.

Verse 171 (skanda.7.374.171)

देवैरिन्द्रादिभिः सर्वैः सेनाध्यक्ष्येभिषेचितः। तेनापि दैवयोगेन तारकाख्यो निपातितः

devairindrādibhiḥ sarvaiḥ senādhyakṣyebhiṣicitaḥ| tenāpi daivayogena tārakākhyo nipātitaḥ

Anointed by all the gods, headed by Indra, as their commander-in-chief, by him too, through the working of fate, that Taraka was struck down.

Verse 172 (skanda.7.374.172)

कैलासशिखरासीनो देवदेवो जगद्गुरुः। उमया सह संतुष्टो नन्दिभद्रादिभिर्वृतः

kailāsaśikharāsīno devadevo jagadguruḥ| umayā saha saṁtuṣṭo nandibhadrādibhirvṛtaḥ

Seated upon the peak of Kailasa, the god of gods, teacher of the world, content together with Uma, surrounded by Nandi, Bhadra, and others,

Verse 173 (skanda.7.374.173)

स्कन्देन गजवक्त्रेण धनाध्यक्षेण संयुतम्। अथ हासपरं देवं शनैः प्रोवाच तं शिवा

skandena gajavaktreṇa dhanādhyakṣeṇa saṁyutam| atha hāsaparaṁ devaṁ śanaiḥ provāca taṁ śivā

together with Skanda, elephant-faced Ganesha, and Kubera, lord of wealth. Then, as the god sat there full of mirth, Shiva quietly spoke to him.

Verse 174 (skanda.7.374.174)

केन देव प्रकारेण तोषं यास्यसि शंकर। मर्त्यानां केन दानेन तपसा नियमेन वा

kena deva prakāreṇa toṣaṁ yāsyasi śaṁkara| martyānāṁ kena dānena tapasā niyamena vā

O god Shankara, by what means do you become pleased? By what gift of mortal men, by what austerity, or by what observance?

Verse 175 (skanda.7.374.175)

केन वा कर्मणा देव केन मन्त्रेण वा पुनः। स्नानेन केन देवेश केन धूपेन तुष्यसि

kena vā karmaṇā deva kena mantreṇa vā punaḥ| snānena kena deveśa kena dhūpena tuṣyasi

By what deed, O god, or by what mantra? By what bathing, O lord of gods, and by what incense are you pleased?

Verse 176 (skanda.7.374.176)

पुष्पेण केन मे नाथ केन पत्रेण शंकर। कया संतुष्यसे स्तुत्या साहसेन च केन वै

puṣpeṇa kena me nātha kena patreṇa śaṁkara| kayā saṁtuṣyase stutyā sāhasena ca kena vai

By what flower, O lord, by what leaf, O Shankara? By what hymn of praise, and by what act of daring are you pleased?

Verse 177 (skanda.7.374.177)

नैवेद्येन च केन त्वं केन होमेन तुष्यसि। केन कष्टेन वा देव केनार्घेण मम प्रभो

naivedyena ca kena tvaṁ kena homena tuṣyasi| kena kaṣṭena vā deva kenārgheṇa mama prabho

By what offering of food, by what oblation are you pleased? By what hardship endured, O my lord, or by what water-offering?

Verse 178 (skanda.7.374.178)

षोडशैते मया प्रश्नाः पृष्टा मे निर्णयं वद

ṣoḍaśaite mayā praśnāḥ pṛṣṭā me nirṇayaṁ vada

These sixteen questions I have asked you; tell me their definite answer.

Verse 179 (skanda.7.374.179)

शंकर उवाच। साधु पृष्टं त्वया देवि कथयिष्ये मम प्रियम्। शिवपूजाप्रकारोऽयं क्रियते वचसा गुरोः

śaṁkara uvāca| sādhu pṛṣṭaṁ tvayā devi kathayiṣye mama priyam| śivapūjāprakāro'yaṁ kriyate vacasā guroḥ

Shankara said: You have asked well, O Goddess; I shall tell you what is dear to me. This manner of worshipping Shiva is to be carried out according to the guru's word.

Verse 180 (skanda.7.374.180)

अभयं सर्वजंतूनां दानं देवि मम प्रियम्। सत्यं तपः समाख्यातं परदारविवर्जनम्

abhayaṁ sarvajaṁtūnāṁ dānaṁ devi mama priyam| satyaṁ tapaḥ samākhyātaṁ paradāravivarjanam

O Goddess, giving freedom from fear to all beings is the gift dear to me. Truth is declared to be austerity, and the avoidance of another's wife.

Verse 181 (skanda.7.374.181)

प्रियो मे नियमो देवि कर्म तल्लोकरञ्जनम्। मयों नमः शिवायेति मन्त्रोऽयमुररीकृतः

priyo me niyamo devi karma tallokarañjanam| mayo naṁ namaḥ śivāyeti mantro'yamurarīkṛtaḥ

O Goddess, the observance dear to me is that deed which delights the world. This mantra, 'Namah Shivaya,' has been embraced by me as my own.

Verse 182 (skanda.7.374.182)

सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो मम देवि स वल्लभः। पापत्यागो भवेत्स्नानं धूपो मे गौग्गुलः प्रियः

sarvapāpavinirmukto mama devi sa vallabhaḥ| pāpatyāgo bhavetsnānaṁ dhūpo me gauggulaḥ priyaḥ

O Goddess, he who is freed from all sin is dear to me. The abandonment of sin is the true bathing, and the incense of guggulu is dear to me.

Verse 183 (skanda.7.374.183)

धत्तूरकस्य पुष्पं मे बिल्वपत्रं मम प्रियम्। स्तुतिः शिवशिवायेति साहसं रणकर्मणि

dhattūrakasya puṣpaṁ me bilvapatraṁ mama priyam| stutiḥ śivaśivāyeti sāhasaṁ raṇakarmaṇi

The flower of datura is dear to me, the bilva leaf is dear to me; the recitation of 'Shiva, Shiva' is my praise, and valor in the deed of battle.

Verse 184 (skanda.7.374.184)

न बिभेति नरो यस्तु तस्याग्रे संभवाम्यहम्। हंतकारो गवां यस्तु नैवेद्यं मम वल्लभम्

na bibheti naro yastu tasyāgre saṁbhavāmyaham| haṁtakāro gavāṁ yastu naivedyaṁ mama vallabham

Whatever man is unafraid, before him I appear. [As for offerings:] the food-offering dear to me is one untainted by any harm to cattle.

Verse 185 (skanda.7.374.185)

पूर्णाहुत्या परा प्रीतिर्जायते मम सुन्दरि। शुश्रूषा वल्लभं कष्टं यतीनां च तपस्विनाम्

pūrṇāhutyā parā prītirjāyate mama sundari| śuśrūṣā vallabhaṁ kaṣṭaṁ yatīnāṁ ca tapasvinām

O beautiful one, from the final oblation, supreme delight arises in me. Service to ascetics and to those performing austerity is the hardship dear to me.

Verse 186 (skanda.7.374.186)

सूर्योदये महादेवि मध्याह्नेऽस्तमने तथा। अर्घो यो दीयते सूर्ये वल्लभोऽसौ मम प्रिये

sūryodaye mahādevi madhyāhne'stamane tathā| argho yo dīyate sūrye vallabho'sau mama priye

O great Goddess, O beloved, whatever water-offering is given to the Sun at sunrise, midday, and sunset — that is dear to me.

Verse 187 (skanda.7.374.187)

किं दानैः किं तपोभिर्वा किं यज्ञैर्भाववर्जितैः। दया सत्यं घृणाऽस्तेयं दंभपैशुन्यवर्जितम्। भक्त्या यद्दीयते स्तोकं देवि तद्वल्लभं मम

kiṁ dānaiḥ kiṁ tapobhirvā kiṁ yajñairbhāvavarjitaiḥ| dayā satyaṁ ghṛṇā'steyaṁ daṁbhapaiśunyavarjitam| bhaktyā yaddīyate stokaṁ devi tadvallabhaṁ mama

What use are gifts, austerities, or sacrifices performed without true feeling? Compassion, truth, abhorrence of sin, freedom from theft, and freedom from hypocrisy and slander — O Goddess, whatever little is given with devotion, that alone is dear to me.

Verse 188 (skanda.7.374.188)

एवं यावत्कथयति प्रश्नान्सूक्ष्मान्यथोदितान्। तावद्ब्रह्मादिभिर्देवैर्विष्णुस्तत्र ययौ स्वयम्

evaṁ yāvatkathayati praśnānsūkṣmānyathoditān| tāvadbrahmādibhirdevairviṣṇustatra yayau svayam

Even as he was thus answering these subtle questions in this manner, Vishnu himself, together with Brahma and the other gods, arrived at that place.

Verse 189 (skanda.7.374.189)

विष्णुरुवाच। नाहं पालयितुं शक्तस्त्वं ददासि वरान्बहून्। दैत्यानां दानवादीनां राक्षसानां महेश्वर

viṣṇuruvāca| nāhaṁ pālayituṁ śaktastvaṁ dadāsi varānbahūn| daityānāṁ dānavādīnāṁ rākṣasānāṁ maheśvara

Vishnu said: O Maheshvara, I am unable to keep sustaining the world, for you keep granting so many boons to the daityas, danavas, and rakshasas.

Verse 190 (skanda.7.374.190)

विकृतिं यांति पश्चात्ते कष्टं वध्या भवंति मे। पत्रेण पुष्पमात्रेण ॐकारेण शिवेन च। मुक्तिं याति नरो देव भवभक्तिं करोतु कः

vikṛtiṁ yāṁti paścātte kaṣṭaṁ vadhyā bhavaṁti me| patreṇa puṣpamātreṇa oṁkāreṇa śivena ca| muktiṁ yāti naro deva bhavabhaktiṁ karotu kaḥ

Afterward they turn corrupt, and it becomes my painful task to slay them. O god, with a mere leaf, a mere flower, the syllable Om, and the name of Shiva alone, a man attains liberation — so who, then, will trouble to perform devotion to Bhava at all?

Verse 191 (skanda.7.374.191)

इन्द्रादयोऽपि ये देवा यज्ञैराप्याययंति ते। न यजंति द्विजा यज्ञान्भिक्षादानेन तुष्यसि

indrādayo'pi ye devā yajñairāpyāyayaṁti te| na yajaṁti dvijā yajñānbhikṣādānena tuṣyasi

Even Indra and the other gods, who are nourished by sacrifices, will be neglected; the twice-born will stop performing sacrifices at all, since you are satisfied by the mere giving of alms.

Verse 192 (skanda.7.374.192)

रुद्र उवाच। इन्द्रादिभिर्न मे कार्यं ब्रह्मा मे किं करिष्यति। येन केन प्रकारेण प्रजाः पाल्यास्त्वयाऽधुना

rudra uvāca| indrādibhirna me kāryaṁ brahmā me kiṁ kariṣyati| yena kena prakāreṇa prajāḥ pālyāstvayā'dhunā

Rudra said: I have no concern with Indra and the rest — what indeed can Brahma do to me? By whatever means you can, you must now go on protecting all beings.

Verse 193 (skanda.7.374.193)

मदीया प्रकृतिस्त्वेषा तां कथं त्यक्तुमुत्सहे। त्वयाहं ब्रह्मणा देवैर्वरकर्मणि योजितः

madīyā prakṛtistveṣā tāṁ kathaṁ tyaktumutsahe| tvayāhaṁ brahmaṇā devairvarakarmaṇi yojitaḥ

This very nature is my own — how could I abandon it? It was you, Brahma, and the other gods who assigned me to this very task of granting boons.

Verse 194 (skanda.7.374.194)

इदानीमेव किं नष्टं मुक्त्वा देवीं तवाग्रतः। भूत्वा मूर्तिं परित्यज्य एकाकी विचराम्यहम्

idānīmeva kiṁ naṣṭaṁ muktvā devīṁ tavāgrataḥ| bhūtvā mūrtiṁ parityajya ekākī vicarāmyaham

What indeed is lost, right now? Leaving the Goddess here before you, giving up this very form, I shall wander alone.

Verse 195 (skanda.7.374.195)

इत्युक्त्वा स शिवो देवस्तत्रैवांतरधीयत। गते तस्मिञ्छिवे तत्र संक्षोभः सुमहानभूत्

ityuktvā sa śivo devastatraivāṁtaradhīyata| gate tasmiñchive tatra saṁkṣobhaḥ sumahānabhūt

Having said this, the god Shiva vanished there at once. When Shiva had thus departed, a very great turmoil arose there.

Verse 196 (skanda.7.374.196)

उमा प्रोवाच चेन्द्रादीन्ब्रह्मविष्णुगणांस्तथा। इदानीं किं मया कार्यं भवद्भिः शिववर्जितैः

umā provāca cendrādīnbrahmaviṣṇugaṇāṁstathā| idānīṁ kiṁ mayā kāryaṁ bhavadbhiḥ śivavarjitaiḥ

Uma said to Indra and the others, and to Brahma, Vishnu, and the ganas: What am I now to do, together with all of you, deprived as we are of Shiva?

Verse 197 (skanda.7.374.197)

अत्रान्तरे च ये चान्ये देवास्तत्र समागताः। ऋषयश्चैव सिद्धाश्च तथा नारदपर्वतौ

atrāntare ca ye cānye devāstatra samāgatāḥ| ṛṣayaścaiva siddhāśca tathā nāradaparvatau

Meanwhile, whatever other gods had gathered there, and the sages and siddhas, as well as Narada and Parvata —

Verse 198 (skanda.7.374.198)

गंगासरस्वतीनद्यो नागा यक्षाः समागताः। ब्रह्मादिभिः समालोच्य कथमेतद्भविष्यति

gaṁgāsarasvatīnadyo nāgā yakṣāḥ samāgatāḥ| brahmādibhiḥ samālocya kathametadbhaviṣyati

the rivers Ganga and Sarasvati, the nagas and yakshas — all these gathered there too. Brahma and the others deliberated together on how this matter would now unfold.

Verse 199 (skanda.7.374.199)

विष्णुरुवाच। सहैव गम्यतां तत्र यत्र देवो गतः शिवः। स्वल्पा यासेन ते यान्तु नराः स्वर्गं शिवाज्ञया

viṣṇuruvāca| sahaiva gamyatāṁ tatra yatra devo gataḥ śivaḥ| svalpā yāsena te yāntu narāḥ svargaṁ śivājñayā

Vishnu said: Let us all go together to wherever the god Shiva has gone. By Shiva's own command, let men go to heaven with but little effort.

Verse 200 (skanda.7.374.200)

सत्यलोके नरा यान्तु देवा यान्तु धरातलम्। रक्षोदानवदैत्यानां वरान्यच्छतु शंकरः

satyaloke narā yāntu devā yāntu dharātalam| rakṣodānavadaityānāṁ varānyacchatu śaṁkaraḥ

Let men go to the Satyaloka, let the gods go to the surface of the earth. Let Shankara continue to grant boons to rakshasas, danavas, and daityas.

Verse 201 (skanda.7.374.201)

तेषां बाधा मया कार्या यै च स्युर्धर्मलोपकाः। हृष्टे शिवे मया कार्या व्यवस्था स्वर्गगामिनाम्

teṣāṁ bādhā mayā kāryā yai ca syurdharmalopakāḥ| hṛṣṭe śive mayā kāryā vyavasthā svargagāminām

I myself shall check those among them who become destroyers of dharma. And once Shiva is content, I myself shall arrange the order of those who are to go to heaven.

Verse 202 (skanda.7.374.202)

त्रयीधर्मं परित्यज्य येऽन्यं धर्ममुपासते। ते नरा नरकं यांतु यावदाभूतसंप्लवम्

trayīdharmaṁ parityajya ye'nyaṁ dharmamupāsate| te narā narakaṁ yāṁtu yāvadābhūtasaṁplavam

Those men who abandon the dharma of the triple Veda and worship some other doctrine shall go to hell, until the dissolution of all beings.

Verse 203 (skanda.7.374.203)

यदाऽदृश्यः शिवो जातः प्रविवेश गिरेर्वनम्। गिरीणां मध्यमास्थाय त्यक्त्वा दिव्ये स वाससी

yadā'dṛśyaḥ śivo jātaḥ praviveśa girervanam| girīṇāṁ madhyamāsthāya tyaktvā divye sa vāsasī

When Shiva, become invisible, entered the mountain's forest, he stationed himself amid the mountains and cast off both his divine garments.

Verse 204 (skanda.7.374.204)

गजाजिनं परित्यज्य त्यक्त्वा मूर्त्तिं महेश्वरः। भित्त्वा भूमितलं देवः स्थाणुरूपो बभूव सः

gajājinaṁ parityajya tyaktvā mūrttiṁ maheśvaraḥ| bhittvā bhūmitalaṁ devaḥ sthāṇurūpo babhūva saḥ

Casting off even the elephant hide, and abandoning his very form, the god Maheshvara pierced through the ground of the earth and took on the form of a fixed pillar.

Verse 205 (skanda.7.374.205)

यस्मात्स्वंयभूर्भवति भवंस्तस्मात्स्वयं हरः। अत्रांतरे सुराः सर्वे न पश्यंति महेश्वरम्। ज्ञानातीतं कलातीतं दिव्यध्यानबहिः स्थितम्

yasmātsvaṁyabhūrbhavati bhavaṁstasmātsvayaṁ haraḥ| atrāṁtare surāḥ sarve na paśyaṁti maheśvaram| jñānātītaṁ kalātītaṁ divyadhyānabahiḥ sthitam

Since he abides, self-existent, of his own being, Hara himself became that pillar. Meanwhile, all the gods could not see Maheshvara, who stood beyond knowledge, beyond all measure, and outside the reach even of divine meditation.

Verse 206 (skanda.7.374.206)

यदा देवा व्याकुलाः संपतंति रविर्वायुरंबरं तोयमुर्वी। निजे स्थाने वर्त्तमाना उमायाः शशंसुर्वै देवदेवं सुराणाम्

yadā devā vyākulāḥ saṁpataṁti ravirvāyurambaraṁ toyamurvī| nije sthāne varttamānā umāyāḥ śaśaṁsurvai devadevaṁ surāṇām

When the gods, in their distress, began to falter — the Sun, the Wind, the Sky, the Waters, and the Earth, though each remaining in its own place, were thrown into disorder — they made their plea to Uma concerning that god of gods of all the gods.

Verse 207 (skanda.7.374.207)

स्वर्गे धरित्र्यां चरितं तलेषु देवेषु मर्त्येषु सरीसृपेषु। स्थूलेषु सूक्ष्मेषु यथा तथैव सत्यं हि वाच्यं पदमस्मदीयम्

svarge dharitryāṁ caritaṁ taleṣu deveṣu martyeṣu sarīsṛpeṣu| sthūleṣu sūkṣmeṣu yathā tathaiva satyaṁ hi vācyaṁ padamasmadīyam

[They said:] Just as our conduct has been in heaven, on earth, in the netherworlds, among gods, mortals, and reptiles, in gross and in subtle forms alike — so, in truth, must our very own place be declared.

Verse 208 (skanda.7.374.208)

ततो देवाः प्रचलिताः कृत्वा गौरीं पुरस्सरम्। नंदिभद्रादयः सर्वे देवा इंद्रादयस्तथा

tato devāḥ pracalitāḥ kṛtvā gaurīṁ purassaram| naṁdibhadrādayaḥ sarve devā iṁdrādayastathā

Then, placing Gauri at their head, all the gods set out — Nandi, Bhadra, and all the other attendants, and Indra with all the other gods.

Verse 209 (skanda.7.374.209)

स्कन्देन सहिता देवी सिंहारूढा ययौ स्वयम्। अधिरुह्य गरुत्मंतं ययौ विष्णुः सनातनः

skandena sahitā devī siṁhārūḍhā yayau svayam| adhiruhya garutmaṁtaṁ yayau viṣṇuḥ sanātanaḥ

Together with Skanda, the Goddess herself set out, mounted upon a lion. The eternal Vishnu went forth, mounted upon Garuda.

Verse 210 (skanda.7.374.210)

हंसाधिरूढो भगवान्ब्रह्मा याति स पृष्ठतः। ऐरावतं समारुह्य देवराजोऽगमत्स्वयम्

haṁsādhirūḍho bhagavānbrahmā yāti sa pṛṣṭhataḥ| airāvataṁ samāruhya devarājo'gamatsvayam

Lord Brahma, mounted upon his swan, followed behind. Mounted upon Airavata, the king of the gods himself set forth.

Verse 211 (skanda.7.374.211)

गंगा सरस्वती देवी यमुना च महानदी। देवताश्च गताः सर्वे नागा यक्षाः सकिंनराः

gaṁgā sarasvatī devī yamunā ca mahānadī| devatāśca gatāḥ sarve nāgā yakṣāḥ sakiṁnarāḥ

Ganga, the goddess Sarasvati, and the great river Yamuna, and all the gods, the nagas, the yakshas together with the kinnaras — all set out.

Verse 212 (skanda.7.374.212)

गताः संक्षेपतः सर्वे यत्र देवो महेश्वरः। अधिरुह्य गिरेः शृंगमंबा देवी व्यवस्थिता

gatāḥ saṁkṣepataḥ sarve yatra devo maheśvaraḥ| adhiruhya gireḥ śṛṅgamaṁbā devī vyavasthitā

In brief, they all went to that place where the god Maheshvara was. Ascending the mountain's peak, mother Goddess Amba established herself there.

Verse 213 (skanda.7.374.213)

विष्णुर्मुक्त्वा गरुत्मंतं स्थितो रैवतके गिरौ। स्तुतिं चक्रे तदा देवी जगुर्गीतं सुसंयताः

viṣṇurmuktvā garutmaṁtaṁ sthito raivatake girau| stutiṁ cakre tadā devī jagurgītaṁ susaṁyatāḥ

Vishnu, alighting from Garuda, took his place upon Mount Raivataka. Then the Goddess offered her praise, and the well-composed hosts sang out in song.

Verse 214 (skanda.7.374.214)

ऐरावतपदाक्रांतो न चचाल स पर्वतः। भित्त्वा भूमितलं तत्र नागराजः समागतः

airāvatapadākrāṁto na cacāla sa parvataḥ| bhittvā bhūmitalaṁ tatra nāgarājaḥ samāgataḥ

Even trodden by the footsteps of Airavata, that mountain did not waver. There, piercing through the ground, the king of serpents too arrived.

Verse 215 (skanda.7.374.215)

गंगाद्याः सरितः सर्वास्तेन रंध्रेण चागताः। ब्रह्मा विष्णुर्यदा देवाः स्तुतिं चक्रुः समंततः

gaṁgādyāḥ saritaḥ sarvāstena raṁdhreṇa cāgatāḥ| brahmā viṣṇuryadā devāḥ stutiṁ cakruḥ samaṁtataḥ

Ganga and all the other rivers came there through that very fissure. When Brahma, Vishnu, and all the gods offered their praise from every side,

Verse 216 (skanda.7.374.216)

ददर्श रूपं भगवान्भवो देवस्तदा हरः

dadarśa rūpaṁ bhagavānbhavo devastadā haraḥ

then the lord Bhava, the god Hara, at last showed his own form.

Verse 217 (skanda.7.374.217)

ततो हृष्टाः सुराः सर्वे अंबा हृष्टा गणाश्च ते। गम्यतां देव कैलासं देव्येति संप्रमोदितः

tato hṛṣṭāḥ surāḥ sarve aṁbā hṛṣṭā gaṇāśca te| gamyatāṁ deva kailāsaṁ devyeti saṁpramoditaḥ

Then all the gods rejoiced, and mother Amba and all the ganas rejoiced as well. [They said:] O god, let us now go to Kailasa with the Goddess — and, delighted, they rejoiced greatly.

Verse 218 (skanda.7.374.218)

ईश्वर उवाच। यदि हृष्टाः सुराः सर्वे गंगाद्याः सरितस्तथा। गिरौ रैवतके विष्णुरंबा चात्रैव तिष्ठतु

īśvara uvāca| yadi hṛṣṭāḥ surāḥ sarve gaṁgādyāḥ saritastathā| girau raivatake viṣṇuraṁbā cātraiva tiṣṭhatu

Ishvara said: Since all the gods, and Ganga and the other rivers likewise, are so joyful, let Vishnu and Amba both remain established right here on Mount Raivataka.

Verse 219 (skanda.7.374.219)

सरस्वती च यमुना रेवा चास्मिन्व्यवस्थिताः। स्वर्णरूपं जलं यस्मात्स्वर्णरेखेति सा नदी

sarasvatī ca yamunā revā cāsminvyavasthitāḥ| svarṇarūpaṁ jalaṁ yasmātsvarṇarekheti sā nadī

Let Sarasvati, Yamuna, and Reva also remain established here. Since its water is golden in hue, this river shall be called Svarnarekha.

Verse 220 (skanda.7.374.220)

वस्त्रापथमिदं क्षेत्रं भवो देवोऽत्र तिष्ठतु। तीर्थमेतन्मया प्रोक्तं भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायकम्। अत्र स्नातो नरो नारी मुच्यते सर्वपातकैः

vastrāpathamidaṁ kṣetraṁ bhavo devo'tra tiṣṭhatu| tīrthametanmayā proktaṁ bhuktimuktipradāyakam| atra snāto naro nārī mucyate sarvapātakaiḥ

This field shall be Vastrapatha, and let the god Bhava himself remain here. This tirtha, I declare, grants both worldly enjoyment and liberation. A man or woman who bathes here is freed from every sin.

Verse 221 (skanda.7.374.221)

इति प्रोच्य शिवो देवः कलां न्यस्य भवे तदा। पश्यतां सर्वदेवानां ययौ कैलासपर्वतम्

iti procya śivo devaḥ kalāṁ nyasya bhave tadā| paśyatāṁ sarvadevānāṁ yayau kailāsaparvatam

Having said this, the god Shiva, establishing a fraction of himself in Bhava, went forth to Mount Kailasa, in full view of all the gods.

Verse 222 (skanda.7.374.222)

अंबेति स्कन्दवदनात्कलां न्यस्य गिरौ तदा। देवेन सहिता देवी वृषारूढा ययौ स्वयम्

aṁbeti skandavadanātkalāṁ nyasya girau tadā| devena sahitā devī vṛṣārūḍhā yayau svayam

Establishing a fraction of herself, under the name 'Amba,' out of the very face of Skanda, upon that mountain, the Goddess herself, mounted upon the bull, went along together with the god.

Verse 223 (skanda.7.374.223)

नारायणो रैवतके गिरौ रम्ये स्थितः स्वयम्। कल्पादौ च युगादौ च स्थितो विष्णुः सदा गिरौ

nārāyaṇo raivatake girau ramye sthitaḥ svayam| kalpādau ca yugādau ca sthito viṣṇuḥ sadā girau

Narayana himself remained established upon the lovely mountain Raivataka. At the beginning of each kalpa and at the beginning of each yuga, Vishnu is ever established upon this mountain.

Verse 224 (skanda.7.374.224)

बहुरात्रस्थितो देवः कृत्वा दैत्यनिबर्हणम्। रेमे रैवतके देवो यावदाभूतसंप्लवम्

bahurātrasthito devaḥ kṛtvā daityanibarhaṇam| reme raivatake devo yāvadābhūtasaṁplavam

Remaining there for many nights, having accomplished the destruction of the daityas, that god took his delight upon Raivataka, until the dissolution of all beings.

Verse 225 (skanda.7.374.225)

नारसिंहेन रूपेण हिरण्यकशिपुर्हतः। हत्वा तदा गतस्तत्र नारसिंहं मुमोच ह

nārasiṁhena rūpeṇa hiraṇyakaśipurhataḥ| hatvā tadā gatastatra nārasiṁhaṁ mumoca ha

In the form of Narasimha, Hiranyakashipu was slain. Having slain him, he then went to that very place, and there set aside his Narasimha form.

Verse 226 (skanda.7.374.226)

महावराहरूपेण हिरण्याक्षो निपातितः। तदेव मुक्त्वा देवेशः स्थितो रैवतके गिरौ

mahāvarāharūpeṇa hiraṇyākṣo nipātitaḥ| tadeva muktvā deveśaḥ sthito raivatake girau

In the form of the great Boar, Hiranyaksha was struck down. Setting aside that form too, the lord of gods remained established upon Mount Raivataka.

Verse 227 (skanda.7.374.227)

स पृथुं पार्थिवं कृत्वा देवकार्येण वै नृप। गिरौ रैवतके देव उवास सुरपूजितः

sa pṛthuṁ pārthivaṁ kṛtvā devakāryeṇa vai nṛpa| girau raivatake deva uvāsa surapūjitaḥ

O king, for the sake of the gods' purposes, he made Prithu a king, and that god, worshipped by the gods, continued to dwell upon Mount Raivataka.

Verse 228 (skanda.7.374.228)

अत्रागत्य पृथुः पूर्वं चक्रे देवप्रपूजनम्। जपमाला तदा कण्ठे पृथुना संनिवेशिता। दामोदरेति देवेशनाम चक्रे पृथुः स्वयम्

atrāgatya pṛthuḥ pūrvaṁ cakre devaprapūjanam| japamālā tadā kaṇṭhe pṛthunā saṁniveśitā| dāmodareti deveśanāma cakre pṛthuḥ svayam

Coming here, Prithu first performed worship of the god; then Prithu placed a rosary of japa-beads about his neck; and Prithu himself gave that lord of gods the name 'Damodara' (bound at the waist).

Verse 229 (skanda.7.374.229)

वस्त्रापथे देववरो भवः स्थितो दामोदरो रैवतके व्यवस्थितः। अंबेतिदेवी गिरिमूर्ध्नि संस्थिता देवाश्च सर्वे परितः प्रतिष्ठिताः

vastrāpathe devavaro bhavaḥ sthito dāmodaro raivatake vyavasthitaḥ| aṁbetidevī girimūrdhni saṁsthitā devāśca sarve paritaḥ pratiṣṭhitāḥ

In Vastrapatha, the finest of gods, Bhava, took his place, and Damodara was established upon Raivataka; the goddess Amba was established upon the mountain's summit, and all the gods were established all around.

Verse 230 (skanda.7.374.230)

क्षेत्राधिपास्तीर्थवरस्य रक्षका देवेन मुक्ता भवसंनिधानतः। पश्यंति ये देववरं भवाभिधं मुच्यंति ते यांति दिवं नरा भुवः

kṣetrādhipāstīrthavarasya rakṣakā devena muktā bhavasaṁnidhānataḥ| paśyaṁti ye devavaraṁ bhavābhidhaṁ mucyaṁti te yāṁti divaṁ narā bhuvaḥ

The presiding lords of that field, the guardians of that finest of tirthas, were released by the god himself, through their nearness to Bhava. Whoever beholds that finest of gods, named Bhava, is freed, and such men go from this earth up to heaven.

Verse 231 (skanda.7.374.231)

वस्त्रापथस्य क्षेत्रस्य भवस्य च मया तव। उत्पत्तिः कथिता राजन्किमन्यच्छ्रोतुमिच्छसि

vastrāpathasya kṣetrasya bhavasya ca mayā tava| utpattiḥ kathitā rājankimanyacchrotumicchasi

O king, thus have I told you the origin of the field of Vastrapatha, and of Bhava. What else do you now wish to hear?

Verse 232 (skanda.7.374.232)

शृणोति पठते यश्च कथां चेमां समंततः। सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तः स्वर्गलोके महीयते

śṛṇoti paṭhate yaśca kathāṁ cemāṁ samaṁtataḥ| sarvapāpavinirmuktaḥ svargaloke mahīyate

Whoever hears or reads this whole tale, in its entirety, is freed from all sin, and is exalted in the world of heaven.

Verse 233 (skanda.7.374.233)

ब्रह्मघ्नश्च सुरापश्च भ्रूणहा गुरुतल्पगः। स्वर्णरेखाजले स्नातो मुच्यते सर्वपातकैः

brahmaghnaśca surāpaśca bhrūṇahā gurutalpagaḥ| svarṇarekhājale snāto mucyate sarvapātakaiḥ

Even a slayer of a brahmin, a drinker of liquor, a killer of an unborn child, and one who defiles his guru's bed — bathing in the waters of the Svarnarekha, he is freed from every sin.

Verse 234 (skanda.7.374.234)

ये च कीटपतंगाद्याः स्वर्णरेखाजले मृताः। सर्वपातकनिर्मुक्तास्ते प्रयांति सुरालयम्

ye ca kīṭapataṁgādyāḥ svarṇarekhājale mṛtāḥ| sarvapātakanirmuktāste prayāṁti surālayam

Even the insects, moths, and such small creatures that die in the waters of the Svarnarekha, freed from every sin, go on to the abode of the gods.

Verse 235 (skanda.7.374.235)

स्वर्णरेखाजले स्नात्वा संध्यां श्राद्धं करोति यः। वस्त्रापथे भवं पूज्य ब्रह्मलोकं स गच्छति

svarṇarekhājale snātvā saṁdhyāṁ śrāddhaṁ karoti yaḥ| vastrāpathe bhavaṁ pūjya brahmalokaṁ sa gacchati

Whoever bathes in the waters of the Svarnarekha, performs the twilight rite and the shraddha, and worships Bhava at Vastrapatha, goes to the world of Brahma.