The Power of Bali's Sacrifice

Verse 1 (skanda.7.382.1)

राजोवाच विचित्रमिदमाख्यानं त्वत्प्रसादाच्छ्रुतं मया । दृष्ट्वा नारायणं शक्रं नारदो मंदरे गिरौ

rājovāca vicitramidamākhyānaṁ tvatprasādācchrutaṁ mayā | dṛṣṭvā nārāyaṇaṁ śakraṁ nārado maṁdare girau

The king said: By your grace I have heard this wondrous account - Narada, upon Mount Mandara, beheld Narayana and Shakra -

Verse 2 (skanda.7.382.2)

किं चकार मुनींद्रोऽथ तन्मे विस्तरतो मुने । वद संसारसरणोद्भूतमायाप्रपीडितम् । कथामृतजलौघेन वितृषं कुरु मां प्रभो

kiṁ cakāra munīṁdro'tha tanme vistarato mune | vada saṁsārasaraṇodbhūtamāyāprapīḍitam | kathāmṛtajalaughena vitṛṣaṁ kuru māṁ prabho

Then what did that lord of sages do? Tell me that in detail, O sage. Afflicted by the illusion born of the path of worldly existence, quench my thirst, O lord, with the flood of the nectar of this tale.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.382.3)

सारस्वत उवाच अथासौ नारदो देवं ज्ञात्वा शप्तं द्विजन्मना । भृगुणा च तथा पूर्वं नान्यथैतद्भविष्यति

sārasvata uvāca athāsau nārado devaṁ jñātvā śaptaṁ dvijanmanā | bhṛguṇā ca tathā pūrvaṁ nānyathaitadbhaviṣyati

Sarasvata said: Then Narada, knowing that the god had been cursed of old by the twice-born Bhrigu, and that this could not now be otherwise -

Verse 4 (skanda.7.382.4)

भविष्यं यद्भवं देव वर्तमानं विचिंत्यताम् । अयं च वामनो भूत्वा विष्णुर्यास्यति तां पुरीम्

bhaviṣyaṁ yadbhavaṁ deva vartamānaṁ viciṁtyatām | ayaṁ ca vāmano bhūtvā viṣṇuryāsyati tāṁ purīm

'What is to come, O god, should be considered as already present. This one, becoming Vamana, Vishnu shall go to that city,'

Verse 5 (skanda.7.382.5)

निग्रहं स बलेः पश्चात्करिष्यति मम प्रियम् । युद्धं विना कथं स्थेयं वर्तमानं महोल्बणम्

nigrahaṁ sa baleḥ paścātkariṣyati mama priyam | yuddhaṁ vinā kathaṁ stheyaṁ vartamānaṁ maholbaṇam

'and thereafter shall subdue Bali - this is dear to me. But how shall this great present situation endure without a war?'

Verse 6 (skanda.7.382.6)

देवदानवयुद्धानि दैत्यगन्धर्व रक्षसाम् । निवारितानि सर्वाणि सरीसृपपतत्रिणाम्

devadānavayuddhāni daityagandharva rakṣasām | nivāritāni sarvāṇi sarīsṛpapatatriṇām

'Wars between gods and danavas, between daityas, gandharvas, and rakshasas, even between reptiles and birds - all have ceased -'

Verse 7 (skanda.7.382.7)

सापत्नजः कलिर्नास्ति मम भाग्यपरिक्षये । देवेन्द्रो गुरुणा पूर्वं वारितः किं करोम्यहम्

sāpatnajaḥ kalirnāsti mama bhāgyaparikṣaye | devendro guruṇā pūrvaṁ vāritaḥ kiṁ karomyaham

'there is no rivalry-born strife left for the decline of my own fortune. Devendra has already been restrained by his guru - what shall I do?'

Verse 8 (skanda.7.382.8)

माननीयो गुरुर्मेऽयमतस्तं न शपाम्यहम् । युद्धार्थं तु ततो यत्नो न सिध्यति करोमि किम्

mānanīyo gururme'yamatastaṁ na śapāmyaham | yuddhārthaṁ tu tato yatno na sidhyati karomi kim

'This guru is worthy of my regard, so I shall not curse him. Yet the effort for war does not succeed - what shall I do?'

Verse 9 (skanda.7.382.9)

केनापि दैवयोगेन पुरुषार्थो न सिध्यति । तथापि यत्नः कर्तव्यः पुरुषार्थे विपश्चिता । दैवं पुरुषकारेण विनापि फलति क्वचित्

kenāpi daivayogena puruṣārtho na sidhyati | tathāpi yatnaḥ kartavyaḥ puruṣārthe vipaścitā | daivaṁ puruṣakāreṇa vināpi phalati kvacit

'By some chance of fate, human effort may not succeed; still, the wise should exert themselves in their endeavour - fate sometimes bears fruit even without human effort.'

Verse 10 (skanda.7.382.10)

यदुक्तं तद्वचो व्यर्थं यतः सिद्धिः प्रयत्नतः । बलिं गत्वा भणिष्यामि यथा युद्धं करिष्यति

yaduktaṁ tadvaco vyarthaṁ yataḥ siddhiḥ prayatnataḥ | baliṁ gatvā bhaṇiṣyāmi yathā yuddhaṁ kariṣyati

'What was said is in vain, for success comes only through effort. I shall go to Bali and speak such words that he shall wage war.'

Verse 11 (skanda.7.382.11)

न श्रोष्यति स चेद्वाक्यं निश्चितं तं शपाम्यहम् । इत्युक्त्वा स ययौ वेगान्नारदो बलिमंदिरे । निमेषांतरमात्रेण शिष्याभ्यां गगने स्थितः

na śroṣyati sa cedvākyaṁ niścitaṁ taṁ śapāmyaham | ityuktvā sa yayau vegānnārado balimaṁdire | nimeṣāṁtaramātreṇa śiṣyābhyāṁ gagane sthitaḥ

'If he does not heed my word, I shall surely curse him.' Having said this, Narada went swiftly to Bali's palace; in but an instant, with his two disciples, he stood there in the sky,

Verse 12 (skanda.7.382.12)

प्रासादे शैलसंकाशे सप्तभौमे महोज्ज्वले । तस्योपरि सभा दिव्या निर्मिता विश्वकर्मणा

prāsāde śailasaṁkāśe saptabhaume mahojjvale | tasyopari sabhā divyā nirmitā viśvakarmaṇā

above the mountain-like, seven-storeyed, exceedingly resplendent palace, atop which stood a divine assembly-hall built by Vishvakarma.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.382.13)

तस्यां सिंहासनं दिव्यं तत्रासीनो बलिर्नृप । दैत्यैः परिवृतः सर्वैः प्रौढिहास्यकथापरैः

tasyāṁ siṁhāsanaṁ divyaṁ tatrāsīno balirnṛpa | daityaiḥ parivṛtaḥ sarvaiḥ prauḍhihāsyakathāparaiḥ

There stood a divine throne, upon which, O king, Bali was seated, surrounded by all the daityas engaged in dignified jests and tales,

Verse 14 (skanda.7.382.14)

ऋषिभिर्ब्राह्मणैः शांतैस्त थैवोशनसा स्वयम् । पुत्रमित्रकलत्रैश्च संवृतो दिव्यमन्दिरे

ṛṣibhirbrāhmaṇaiḥ śāṁtaista thaivośanasā svayam | putramitrakalatraiśca saṁvṛto divyamandire

by peaceful sages and brahmins, and by Shukra himself, surrounded, together with his sons, friends, and wives, in that divine palace.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.382.15)

देवांगनाकरग्राहगृहीतैर्दिव्यचामरैः । संवीज्यमानो दैत्येन्द्रः स्तूयमानः स चारणैः

devāṁganākaragrāhagṛhītairdivyacāmaraiḥ | saṁvījyamāno daityendraḥ stūyamānaḥ sa cāraṇaiḥ

That lord of daityas, fanned by divine yak-tail whisks held in the hands of celestial women, praised by bards,

Verse 16 (skanda.7.382.16)

यावदास्ते मदोन्मत्ता मन्त्रयंति परस्परम् । दैत्यदानवमुख्या ये ते सर्वे युद्धकांक्षिणः

yāvadāste madonmattā mantrayaṁti parasparam | daityadānavamukhyā ye te sarve yuddhakāṁkṣiṇaḥ

while, intoxicated with pride, they counselled among themselves - all those foremost of daityas and danavas, all eager for war -

Verse 17 (skanda.7.382.17)

उत्थायोत्थाय भाषंते प्रगल्भंते सुरैः सह । अस्मदीयमिदं सर्वं त्रैलोक्यं सांप्रतं गतम्

utthāyotthāya bhāṣaṁte pragalbhaṁte suraiḥ saha | asmadīyamidaṁ sarvaṁ trailokyaṁ sāṁprataṁ gatam

rising again and again, they boasted boldly of the gods: 'This entire three worlds now belongs to us.'

Verse 18 (skanda.7.382.18)

शुक्रबुद्ध्या विना युद्धं प्राप्स्यते किं महोदयः । दैत्येन्द्रो देवराजेन स्नेहं च कुरुतो यदि

śukrabuddhyā vinā yuddhaṁ prāpsyate kiṁ mahodayaḥ | daityendro devarājena snehaṁ ca kuruto yadi

'Without Shukra's counsel, would we have achieved this great triumph in war? If the lord of daityas maintains friendship with the king of gods -'

Verse 19 (skanda.7.382.19)

ऐरावणं सदा मत्तं कथं नो याचते बलिः । चतुरं तुरगं कस्मान्नार्पयति दिवाकरः

airāvaṇaṁ sadā mattaṁ kathaṁ no yācate baliḥ | caturaṁ turagaṁ kasmānnārpayati divākaraḥ

'-then why does Bali not demand the ever-rutting Airavata? Why does not the sun offer his swift steed?'

Verse 20 (skanda.7.382.20)

यावन्नाक्रम्यते लुब्धो धनाध्यक्षो रणाजिरे । तावन्नार्पयते वित्तं यदा तत्संचितं सुरैः

yāvannākramyate lubdho dhanādhyakṣo raṇājire | tāvannārpayate vittaṁ yadā tatsaṁcitaṁ suraiḥ

'As long as the greedy lord of wealth is not overpowered on the battlefield, why would he offer up his hoarded treasure to us?'

Verse 21 (skanda.7.382.21)

न दर्शयति रत्नानि जलराशी रसातलात् । यावन्न मन्दरं क्षिप्त्वा विमथ्नीमो वयं च तम्

na darśayati ratnāni jalarāśī rasātalāt | yāvanna mandaraṁ kṣiptvā vimathnīmo vayaṁ ca tam

'Until we hurl Mount Mandara and churn it, why would the mass of waters show its gems from the netherworld?'

Verse 22 (skanda.7.382.22)

यथामृतकलाश्चन्द्राद्भुज्यन्ते क्रमशः सुरैः । एवं भागं बलेः कस्मान्न ददाति जलात्मकः

yathāmṛtakalāścandrādbhujyante kramaśaḥ suraiḥ | evaṁ bhāgaṁ baleḥ kasmānna dadāti jalātmakaḥ

'Just as the digits of the moon are enjoyed by the gods in turn, why does not the lord of the waters give Bali his share?'

Verse 23 (skanda.7.382.23)

स्वर्धुनी शीतलो वातः पद्मर्किजल्कवासितः । स्वर्गे वाति शनैर्यद्वत्तथा न बलिमंदिरे

svardhunī śītalo vātaḥ padmarkijalkavāsitaḥ | svarge vāti śanairyadvattathā na balimaṁdire

'The cool breeze of the celestial river, fragrant with lotus-pollen, blows gently in heaven as it does not in Bali's palace - why?'

Verse 24 (skanda.7.382.24)

इन्द्रचापोद्यता मेघा जलं मुंचंति भूतले । बलिखङ्गोद्धुताः स्वर्गं पुनस्ते यांति भूतलात्

indracāpodyatā meghā jalaṁ muṁcaṁti bhūtale | balikhaṅgoddhutāḥ svargaṁ punaste yāṁti bhūtalāt

'The rain-clouds, bows raised, shed their water upon the earth, and then, driven off by Bali's sword, they go back from earth to heaven.'

Verse 25 (skanda.7.382.25)

अस्मदीये धरापृष्ठे यमो मारयते जनम् । नैवं स्वर्गे न पाताले पश्याहो कार्यकारणम्

asmadīye dharāpṛṣṭhe yamo mārayate janam | naivaṁ svarge na pātāle paśyāho kāryakāraṇam

'On our earth, Yama slays men; not so in heaven or the netherworld - behold this reasoning.'

Verse 26 (skanda.7.382.26)

आयुर्वृत्तिं सुतान्सौख्यमस्माकं लिखति स्वयम् । ललाटे चित्रगुप्तोऽसौ न देवानां तु तत्समम्

āyurvṛttiṁ sutānsaukhyamasmākaṁ likhati svayam | lalāṭe citragupto'sau na devānāṁ tu tatsamam

'Our lifespan, livelihood, and the happiness of our sons - Chitragupta himself writes on our forehead; for the gods it is not the same.'

Verse 27 (skanda.7.382.27)

वर्षाशीतातपाः काला वर्तंते भुवि सांप्रतम् । न स्वर्गे नैव पाताले भीता भूमौ भ्रमंति हि

varṣāśītātapāḥ kālā vartaṁte bhuvi sāṁpratam | na svarge naiva pātāle bhītā bhūmau bhramaṁti hi

'The seasons of rain, cold, and heat now occur only on earth, not in heaven or the netherworld - frightened, they wander only upon the earth.'

Verse 28 (skanda.7.382.28)

एकवीर्योद्भवा यूयं स्वस्रीया देवदानवाः । भूमौ स्थिता वयं कस्माद्देवाः केनोपरिकृताः ।

ekavīryodbhavā yūyaṁ svasrīyā devadānavāḥ | bhūmau sthitā vayaṁ kasmāddevāḥ kenoparikṛtāḥ |

'You gods and we danavas are born of the same power, cousins through our mothers; why are we confined to the earth, and by whom were the gods placed above?'

Verse 29 (skanda.7.382.29)

समुद्रे मथ्यमाने तु दैत्येन्द्रो वंचितः सुरैः । एकतः सर्वदेवाश्च बलिश्चैवैकतः स्थितः

samudre mathyamāne tu daityendro vaṁcitaḥ suraiḥ | ekataḥ sarvadevāśca baliścaivaikataḥ sthitaḥ

'When the ocean was churned, the lord of daityas was deceived by the gods - on one side stood all the gods, and on the other Bali alone.'

Verse 30 (skanda.7.382.30)

उत्पन्नेषु च रत्नेषु भाग्यं वै यस्य यादृशम् । गजाश्वकल्पवृक्षाद्याश्चंद्रगोगणदंतिनः

utpanneṣu ca ratneṣu bhāgyaṁ vai yasya yādṛśam | gajāśvakalpavṛkṣādyāścaṁdragogaṇadaṁtinaḥ

'As the gems arose, each got as his fortune allowed - the elephant, the horse, the wish-tree and the like, the moon, the herds of cattle, the elephants -'

Verse 31 (skanda.7.382.31)

गृहीत्वा ह्यमृतं देवैर्वयं पाने नियोजिताः । एतया चूर्णिता यूयं न जानीथातिगर्विताः

gṛhītvā hyamṛtaṁ devairvayaṁ pāne niyojitāḥ | etayā cūrṇitā yūyaṁ na jānīthātigarvitāḥ

'the gods took the amrita and set us to drinking [something else], and by that same trick they crushed us - you, greatly proud, do not know this!'

Verse 32 (skanda.7.382.32)

पीतावशेषं पीयूषं सत्यलोके धृतं सुरैः । अहोतिकुटिला देवाः कस्माच्छेषं न दीयते

pītāvaśeṣaṁ pīyūṣaṁ satyaloke dhṛtaṁ suraiḥ | ahotikuṭilā devāḥ kasmāccheṣaṁ na dīyate

'The nectar left over after drinking was kept by the gods in Satyaloka - O crooked gods, why was the remainder not given to us?'

Verse 33 (skanda.7.382.33)

सुरामृतमिति ज्ञात्वा पीयूषाद्वंचिता वयम् । तिलतैलमेवमिष्टं यैर्न दृष्टं घृतं क्वचित्

surāmṛtamiti jñātvā pīyūṣādvaṁcitā vayam | tilatailamevamiṣṭaṁ yairna dṛṣṭaṁ ghṛtaṁ kvacit

'Thinking it to be liquor-nectar, we were cheated of the true nectar. We were satisfied even with sesame oil, we who never once saw ghee.'

Verse 34 (skanda.7.382.34)

विष्णोर्वक्रचरित्राणां संख्या कर्तु न शक्यते । तथापि कथ्यते तुष्टैर्हृष्टैस्तैर्यदनुष्ठितम्

viṣṇorvakracaritrāṇāṁ saṁkhyā kartu na śakyate | tathāpi kathyate tuṣṭairhṛṣṭaistairyadanuṣṭhitam

'The number of Vishnu's crooked deeds cannot be counted; still, those pleased and delighted tell of what he did -'

Verse 35 (skanda.7.382.35)

गौरांगी सुन्दरी सुभ्रूः पीनोन्नतपयोधरा । सुकेशा चंद्रवदना कर्णासक्तविलोचना

gaurāṁgī sundarī subhrūḥ pīnonnatapayodharā | sukeśā caṁdravadanā karṇāsaktavilocanā

'fair-limbed, beautiful, fine-browed, with full and high breasts, lovely-haired, moon-faced, her eyes reaching to her ears,'

Verse 36 (skanda.7.382.36)

वलित्रयांकिता मध्ये बाला मुष्ट्यापि गृह्यते । स्थलारविंदचरणा लतेव भुजभूषिता

valitrayāṁkitā madhye bālā muṣṭyāpi gṛhyate | sthalāraviṁdacaraṇā lateva bhujabhūṣitā

'her waist marked with three folds, slender enough to be grasped in a fist, her feet like lotuses, her arms adorned like creepers -'

Verse 37 (skanda.7.382.37)

सा सर्वाभरणोपेता सर्वलक्षणसंयुता । त्रैलोक्यमोहिनी देवी संजाताऽमृतमन्थने

sā sarvābharaṇopetā sarvalakṣaṇasaṁyutā | trailokyamohinī devī saṁjātā'mṛtamanthane

'that goddess, adorned with every ornament, endowed with every auspicious mark, enchanting the three worlds, arose from the churning of the nectar.'

Verse 38 (skanda.7.382.38)

अमृतादुत्थिता पूर्वं यस्य सा तस्य तद्ध्रुवम् । त्रैलोक्यं वशगं तस्य यस्य सा चारुलोचना

amṛtādutthitā pūrvaṁ yasya sā tasya taddhruvam | trailokyaṁ vaśagaṁ tasya yasya sā cārulocanā

'Whatever arose before the nectar surely belonged to whoever obtained it - and the three worlds would be under the sway of whoever won that lovely-eyed one.'

Verse 39 (skanda.7.382.39)

तया संमोहिताः सर्वे देवदानवराक्षसाः । विमुच्य मन्थनं सर्वे तां ग्रहीतुं समुद्यताः

tayā saṁmohitāḥ sarve devadānavarākṣasāḥ | vimucya manthanaṁ sarve tāṁ grahītuṁ samudyatāḥ

'Enchanted by her, all the gods, danavas, and rakshasas, abandoning the churning, rushed forward to seize her.'

Verse 40 (skanda.7.382.40)

एका स्त्री बहवो देवा दानवादैत्यराक्षसाः । विवादः सुमहाञ्जातः कथमत्र भविष्यति

ekā strī bahavo devā dānavādaityarākṣasāḥ | vivādaḥ sumahāñjātaḥ kathamatra bhaviṣyati

'One woman, and so many gods, danavas, daityas, and rakshasas - so great a dispute arose that how could it be resolved?'

Verse 41 (skanda.7.382.41)

आगत्य विष्णुना सर्वे भुजे धृत्वा निवारिताः । अस्यार्थे किमहो वादः क्रियते भोः परस्परम्

āgatya viṣṇunā sarve bhuje dhṛtvā nivāritāḥ | asyārthe kimaho vādaḥ kriyate bhoḥ parasparam

'Then Vishnu came and, seizing them all by the arm, restrained them: Why, alas, is this dispute being carried on among yourselves over her?'

Verse 42 (skanda.7.382.42)

अमृतार्थे समारम्भो महिलार्थे विनश्यति । संकेतं प्रथमं कृत्वा विष्णुना चुंबिता पुनः

amṛtārthe samārambho mahilārthe vinaśyati | saṁketaṁ prathamaṁ kṛtvā viṣṇunā cuṁbitā punaḥ

'The undertaking begun for the sake of nectar is being ruined for the sake of a woman. First making a certain sign, Vishnu then kissed her again,'

Verse 43 (skanda.7.382.43)

दिव्यरूपधरः स्रग्वी वनमालाविभूषितः । कौस्तुभोद्द्योतिततनुः शंखचक्रगदाधरः

divyarūpadharaḥ sragvī vanamālāvibhūṣitaḥ | kaustubhoddyotitatanuḥ śaṁkhacakragadādharaḥ

'bearing a divine form, garlanded, adorned with the forest-flower garland, his body radiant with the Kaustubha gem, holding conch, discus, and mace -'

Verse 44 (skanda.7.382.44)

तस्या हस्ते शुभां मालां दत्त्वा विष्णुः पुरः स्थितः । उद्धृत्य बाहुं सर्वेषां बभाषे वचनं हरिः

tasyā haste śubhāṁ mālāṁ dattvā viṣṇuḥ puraḥ sthitaḥ | uddhṛtya bāhuṁ sarveṣāṁ babhāṣe vacanaṁ hariḥ

'placing an auspicious garland in her hand, Vishnu stood before them, and raising the arms of all present, Hari spoke these words -'

Verse 45 (skanda.7.382.45)

कुर्वंतु कुण्डलं सर्वे तिष्ठन्तु स्वयमासने । विलोक्य स्वेच्छया लक्ष्मीर्वरमालां प्रयच्छतु

kurvaṁtu kuṇḍalaṁ sarve tiṣṭhantu svayamāsane | vilokya svecchayā lakṣmīrvaramālāṁ prayacchatu

'Let all of you form a circle and take your own seats; let Lakshmi, gazing at her own will, present the garland to the chosen bridegroom.'

Verse 46 (skanda.7.382.46)

स्वयंवरविभेदं यः करिष्यत्यतिलंपटः । स वध्यः सहितैः सर्वैः परस्त्रीलुब्धको यथा

svayaṁvaravibhedaṁ yaḥ kariṣyatyatilaṁpaṭaḥ | sa vadhyaḥ sahitaiḥ sarvaiḥ parastrīlubdhako yathā

'Whoever, exceedingly lustful, shall disrupt this svayamvara shall be liable to death, together with all his kin, just as one who lusts after another's wife.'

Verse 47 (skanda.7.382.47)

परदारकृतं पापं स्त्रीवध्या तस्य जायताम् । अन्योऽपि यः करोत्येवमेवमस्तु तदुच्यताम्

paradārakṛtaṁ pāpaṁ strīvadhyā tasya jāyatām | anyo'pi yaḥ karotyevamevamastu taducyatām

'Let the sin committed against another's wife become equal to the murder of a woman for him; and for anyone else who does likewise, let it be declared the same.'

Verse 48 (skanda.7.382.48)

साधारणं हरिं ज्ञात्वा तथेत्युक्त्वा तथा कृतम् । देवदानवदैत्यानां गंधर्वोरगरक्षसाम् । मध्ये योऽभिमतो भर्ता स ते सत्यं भवेदिति

sādhāraṇaṁ hariṁ jñātvā tathetyuktvā tathā kṛtam | devadānavadaityānāṁ gaṁdharvoragarakṣasām | madhye yo'bhimato bhartā sa te satyaṁ bhavediti

'Knowing Hari to be impartial, they agreed it should be so, and it was done accordingly. Among the gods, danavas, daityas, gandharvas, nagas, and rakshasas, whoever seemed to her the desired husband, he alone would be the true one - so it was declared.'

Verse 49 (skanda.7.382.49)

तेनासौ मोहिता पूर्वं दृष्टिदानेन कर्षिता । आद्यं संमोहनं स्त्रीणां चक्रे दृष्टिनिरीक्षणम्

tenāsau mohitā pūrvaṁ dṛṣṭidānena karṣitā | ādyaṁ saṁmohanaṁ strīṇāṁ cakre dṛṣṭinirīkṣaṇam

'Thus she was first enchanted, drawn in by the gift of a gaze. The first enchantment of women is the mere exchange of glances.'

Verse 50 (skanda.7.382.50)

एवमेवेति तत्कर्णे हस्तं दत्त्वा यदुच्यते । दधाति हृदि यं नारी कामबाणप्रपीडिता

evameveti tatkarṇe hastaṁ dattvā yaducyate | dadhāti hṛdi yaṁ nārī kāmabāṇaprapīḍitā

'When, in agreement, a hand is placed at her ear and something whispered, then the woman, pierced by love's arrow, holds in her heart -'

Verse 51 (skanda.7.382.51)

तमेव वरयेदत्र कश्चिन्नास्त्येव संशयः । संजाते कलहे पूर्वं हरिणा तं निवर्तितुम्

tameva varayedatra kaścinnāstyeva saṁśayaḥ | saṁjāte kalahe pūrvaṁ hariṇā taṁ nivartitum

'-that very one she chooses there, and of this there is no doubt. When the earlier quarrel had arisen, Hari, in order to draw her aside -'

Verse 52 (skanda.7.382.52)

यदा गृहीता सर्वैः सा हरिं नैव विमुंचति । त्वमेव भर्ता साऽऽचष्टे मुंच मां व्रज दूरतः

yadā gṛhītā sarvaiḥ sā hariṁ naiva vimuṁcati | tvameva bhartā sā''caṣṭe muṁca māṁ vraja dūrataḥ

'-when she was seized by all of them, she would never let go of Hari; she would tell each of the others that he alone was her husband, and beg to be released so she might go far away.'

Verse 53 (skanda.7.382.53)

मुक्त्वा दूरं ततो विष्णुः प्रविष्टः सुरमण्डले । तदा सर्वे च मामुक्त्वा यथास्थानं स्वयं गताः

muktvā dūraṁ tato viṣṇuḥ praviṣṭaḥ suramaṇḍale | tadā sarve ca māmuktvā yathāsthānaṁ svayaṁ gatāḥ

'Vishnu, having led me far away, entered among the circle of gods; and then all of them, releasing me, went back each to his own place.'

Verse 54 (skanda.7.382.54)

आचष्ट विजया पूर्वं सर्वान्देवान्यथाक्रमम् । सा च निरीक्षते पश्चात्तं विचार्य विमुञ्चति

ācaṣṭa vijayā pūrvaṁ sarvāndevānyathākramam | sā ca nirīkṣate paścāttaṁ vicārya vimuñcati

Vijaya then recounted to them all the gods in order; and she, gazing upon each in turn, having considered him, would let him go.

Verse 55 (skanda.7.382.55)

उदासीनः शिवः शांतो गौरीकांतस्त्रिलोचनः । नान्यां निरीक्षते नित्यं ध्यानासक्तस्त्रिलोचनः

udāsīnaḥ śivaḥ śāṁto gaurīkāṁtastrilocanaḥ | nānyāṁ nirīkṣate nityaṁ dhyānāsaktastrilocanaḥ

'Shiva is indifferent, tranquil, beloved of Gauri, three-eyed; he, ever intent on meditation, never looks upon another woman.'

Verse 56 (skanda.7.382.56)

पितामहोयमित्युक्तं यदा सख्या तदा तया । नमस्कृत्य गतं दूरे कृत्वा मौनं न पश्यति

pitāmahoyamityuktaṁ yadā sakhyā tadā tayā | namaskṛtya gataṁ dūre kṛtvā maunaṁ na paśyati

When her friend said, 'This is the Grandsire,' then, bowing to him, she passed on far off, and, keeping silent, did not look at him again.

Verse 57 (skanda.7.382.57)

आदित्यं पद्मकं मुञ्च दहनं दहनात्मकम् । वाति वातो गता दूरे वरुणो मे पिता यतः

ādityaṁ padmakaṁ muñca dahanaṁ dahanātmakam | vāti vāto gatā dūre varuṇo me pitā yataḥ

'Let go of the Sun - the burner of lotuses, of a fiery nature; the wind has gone far off; Varuna, since he is my father -'

Verse 58 (skanda.7.382.58)

पौलोमीवदनासक्तो देवेन्द्रो मे न रोचते

paulomīvadanāsakto devendro me na rocate

'-Devendra, attached to Paulomi's face, does not please me.'

Verse 59 (skanda.7.382.59)

वधबंधकृतच्छेदभेददण्डविकर्ष णम् । कुर्वन्न कुरुते सौम्यं रूपं वैवस्वतो यमः

vadhabaṁdhakṛtacchedabhedadaṇḍavikarṣa ṇam | kurvanna kurute saumyaṁ rūpaṁ vaivasvato yamaḥ

'Yama, son of Vivasvat, ever engaged in slaying, binding, severing, and punishment, does not bear a gentle form.'

Verse 60 (skanda.7.382.60)

देवदानवगंधर्वदैत्यपन्नगराक्षसान्

devadānavagaṁdharvadaityapannagarākṣasān

Thus, passing over gods, danavas, gandharvas, daityas, serpents, and rakshasas -

Verse 61 (skanda.7.382.61)

दृष्ट्वात्युग्रांस्ततो याति दृष्टोऽसौ पुरुषो त्तमः । कर्णांतलोचनभ्रांतवक्त्रं दृष्ट्यावलोक्य तम्

dṛṣṭvātyugrāṁstato yāti dṛṣṭo'sau puruṣo ttamaḥ | karṇāṁtalocanabhrāṁtavaktraṁ dṛṣṭyāvalokya tam

seeing them all too fierce, she moved on; then she beheld that most excellent of men, gazing with her eyes reaching to her ears upon his face -

Verse 62 (skanda.7.382.62)

सौभाग्यातिशयाक्रांतं रम्यं काममनोहरम् । संजातपुलकोद्भेदस्वेदवारिकणांकितम् ।

saubhāgyātiśayākrāṁtaṁ ramyaṁ kāmamanoharam | saṁjātapulakodbhedasvedavārikaṇāṁkitam |

overcome with the excess of his beauty, lovely, captivating to desire, her skin bristling with the thrill of passion, marked with beads of perspiration -

Verse 63 (skanda.7.382.63)

देवदानवदैत्येन्द्रक्रोधदृष्टिनिरीक्षितम् । रम्यं रामा वरं चक्रे ददौ मालां ततः स्वयम्

devadānavadaityendrakrodhadṛṣṭinirīkṣitam | ramyaṁ rāmā varaṁ cakre dadau mālāṁ tataḥ svayam

watched by the angry glances of the gods, danavas, and lords of daityas, the lovely goddess chose him as her husband, and herself gave him the garland.

Verse 64 (skanda.7.382.64)

दैत्याः परस्परं प्रोचुः प्रेक्ष्य तत्सुरचेष्टितम् । विभागं पश्य देवानां स्वर्गे सर्वे स्वयं गताः

daityāḥ parasparaṁ procuḥ prekṣya tatsuraceṣṭitam | vibhāgaṁ paśya devānāṁ svarge sarve svayaṁ gatāḥ

[Back to the daitya courtiers:] The daityas said to one another, watching that scheming of the gods: 'Behold the gods' division of shares - they have all gone off, of their own accord, to heaven -'

Verse 65 (skanda.7.382.65)

पातालस्य तले यूयं मानवा धरणीतले । देवास्त्रिभुवने यांतु न वयं स्वर्गगामिनः

pātālasya tale yūyaṁ mānavā dharaṇītale | devāstribhuvane yāṁtu na vayaṁ svargagāminaḥ

'-you are at the bottom of Patala, mortals are on the earth's surface, and the gods roam the three worlds - are we then not to go to heaven?'

Verse 66 (skanda.7.382.66)

मानवाः क्षत्रिया राज्यं कुर्वंतु पृथिवीतले । पातालं तु परित्यज्य धात्री यदि तु रक्ष्यते

mānavāḥ kṣatriyā rājyaṁ kurvaṁtu pṛthivītale | pātālaṁ tu parityajya dhātrī yadi tu rakṣyate

'Let mortal kshatriyas rule the kingdom on the surface of the earth; but if, abandoning Patala, the earth is to be protected -'

Verse 67 (skanda.7.382.67)

दैत्यदानवजैः कैश्चिद्राक्षसैस्तन्न शोभनम् । अथ किं बहुनोक्तेन राजा त्रिभुवने बलिः

daityadānavajaiḥ kaiścidrākṣasaistanna śobhanam | atha kiṁ bahunoktena rājā tribhuvane baliḥ

'-by some daityas, danavas, or rakshasas, that would not be fitting. What need of many words - let Bali be king over the three worlds -'

Verse 68 (skanda.7.382.68)

संविभज्याथ रत्नानि समं राज्यं विधीयताम् । यावदेवं प्रगल्भंते तावत्पश्यंति नारदम्

saṁvibhajyātha ratnāni samaṁ rājyaṁ vidhīyatām | yāvadevaṁ pragalbhaṁte tāvatpaśyaṁti nāradam

'-dividing the gems equally, let the kingdom be apportioned equally.' While they were boasting thus, they suddenly beheld Narada,

Verse 69 (skanda.7.382.69)

गगनात्समुपायांतं द्वितीयमिव भास्करम् । ब्रह्मदंडकरासक्तयुद्धपुस्तकधारिणम्

gaganātsamupāyāṁtaṁ dvitīyamiva bhāskaram | brahmadaṁḍakarāsaktayuddhapustakadhāriṇam

coming down from the sky like a second sun, holding in his hand the brahma-staff, and bearing a book concerning war,

Verse 70 (skanda.7.382.70)

कृष्णाजिनधरं शांतं छत्रवीणाकमण्डलून् । मौंजीगुणत्रयासक्तग्रंथिप्रवरमेखलम्

kṛṣṇājinadharaṁ śāṁtaṁ chatravīṇākamaṇḍalūn | mauṁjīguṇatrayāsaktagraṁthipravaramekhalam

clad in a black antelope-skin, peaceful, carrying an umbrella, a vina, and a water-pot, wearing an excellent girdle of triple munja-grass cord,

Verse 71 (skanda.7.382.71)

ब्रह्मरूपधरं शांतं दिव्यरुद्राक्षभूषितम् । गत कल्पकृतग्रंथिसूत्रमालावलंबितम्

brahmarūpadharaṁ śāṁtaṁ divyarudrākṣabhūṣitam | gata kalpakṛtagraṁthisūtramālāvalaṁbitam

bearing the form of a brahmin, peaceful, adorned with divine rudraksha beads, a knotted thread-garland hanging down, made in a bygone age,

Verse 72 (skanda.7.382.72)

विरंचिहरसंवादो जन्माहंकारगर्वितः । संक्रुद्धैः क्रियते कोऽद्य चिंतातत्परमानसम् ।

viraṁciharasaṁvādo janmāhaṁkāragarvitaḥ | saṁkruddhaiḥ kriyate ko'dya ciṁtātatparamānasam |

[thinking to himself:] 'Who today, proud with the arrogance of his birth, provokes a dispute even between Brahma and Hara?' - his mind intent on scheming.

Verse 73 (skanda.7.382.73)

आयातं नारदं दृष्ट्वा विस्मिताः समुपस्थिताः । प्रभो प्रसादः क्रियतामागंतव्यं गृहे मम

āyātaṁ nāradaṁ dṛṣṭvā vismitāḥ samupasthitāḥ | prabho prasādaḥ kriyatāmāgaṁtavyaṁ gṛhe mama

Seeing Narada arrive, they, astonished, rose up to greet him: 'O lord, show us your favour - you must come to my house.'

Verse 74 (skanda.7.382.74)

धन्योऽहं कृतपुण्योऽहं यस्य मे त्वं गृहागतः । इत्युक्तो बलिना विप्रो विवेशासुरमंदिरे । आसनं पाद्यमर्घ्यं च दत्त्वा संपूजितो द्विजः

dhanyo'haṁ kṛtapuṇyo'haṁ yasya me tvaṁ gṛhāgataḥ | ityukto balinā vipro viveśāsuramaṁdire | āsanaṁ pādyamarghyaṁ ca dattvā saṁpūjito dvijaḥ

'Blessed am I, meritorious am I, that you have come to my house!' Thus addressed by Bali, the brahmin entered the palace of the asura; offering him a seat, water for the feet, and a guest-offering, the brahmin was duly honoured.

Verse 75 (skanda.7.382.75)

प्रविश्य सहिताः सर्वे संविष्टा दैत्यदानवाः । शुक्रेण सहितो दैत्यो बभाषे नारदं बलिः

praviśya sahitāḥ sarve saṁviṣṭā daityadānavāḥ | śukreṇa sahito daityo babhāṣe nāradaṁ baliḥ

Having entered, all the daityas and danavas together sat down; the daitya Bali, together with Shukra, then spoke to Narada.

Verse 76 (skanda.7.382.76)

इदं राज्यमिमे दारा इमे पुत्रा अहं बलिः । ब्रूहि येनात्र ते कार्यं दानं मे प्रथमं व्रतम्

idaṁ rājyamime dārā ime putrā ahaṁ baliḥ | brūhi yenātra te kāryaṁ dānaṁ me prathamaṁ vratam

'This is my kingdom, these my wives, these my sons; I am Bali. Tell me what business brings you here; giving is my foremost vow.'

Verse 77 (skanda.7.382.77)

नारद उवाच भक्त्या तुष्यंति ये विप्रास्ते विप्रा भूमिदेवताः । न तु ये पूजिताः शक्त्या पुनर्याचंति तेऽधमाः॥ ।

nārada uvāca bhaktyā tuṣyaṁti ye viprāste viprā bhūmidevatāḥ | na tu ye pūjitāḥ śaktyā punaryācaṁti te'dhamāḥ |

Narada said: 'Those brahmins who are content with devotion alone are truly brahmins, gods on earth; but those who, though already worshipped to the full extent of one's power, ask for more - they are base.'

Verse 78 (skanda.7.382.78)

त्वयाऽहं पूजितो हृष्टो न वित्तैर्मे प्रयोजनम् । हृष्टोऽहं तव राज्येन यज्ञैर्दानैर्व्रतैस्तथा ॥ ७८. । देवैः कृतं विप्रियं ते किंचित्पश्याम्यहं बले । त्वया संपूज्यमानोऽपि देवराजो न तुष्यति

tvayā'haṁ pūjito hṛṣṭo na vittairme prayojanam | hṛṣṭo'haṁ tava rājyena yajñairdānairvrataistathā 78. | devaiḥ kṛtaṁ vipriyaṁ te kiṁcitpaśyāmyahaṁ bale | tvayā saṁpūjyamāno'pi devarājo na tuṣyati

'I am pleased, honoured by you; I have no need of your wealth. I am delighted by your kingdom, by your sacrifices, gifts, and vows alike. Yet I see something unpleasant, O Bali, done to you by the gods - even though honoured by you, the king of the gods is not satisfied.'

Verse 79 (skanda.7.382.79)

न क्षमंति सुराः सर्वे तव राज्यं धरातले । स्वर्गे मे तापको जातो देवानां तव विग्रहे ।

na kṣamaṁti surāḥ sarve tava rājyaṁ dharātale | svarge me tāpako jāto devānāṁ tava vigrahe |

'All the gods cannot tolerate your rule over the earth; in heaven a great anguish has arisen among the gods over their rivalry with you.'

Verse 80 (skanda.7.382.80)

संनह्य प्रथमं याति यः सैन्यं शत्रुभूमिषु । स क्षत्रियो विजयते तस्य राज्यं च वर्धते

saṁnahya prathamaṁ yāti yaḥ sainyaṁ śatrubhūmiṣu | sa kṣatriyo vijayate tasya rājyaṁ ca vardhate

'That kshatriya who, arming himself, marches his army first into enemy territory - he it is who wins victory, and his kingdom prospers.'

Verse 81 (skanda.7.382.81)

उच्छेदस्तव राज्यस्य भविष्यति श्रुतं मया । एवं ज्ञात्वा यथायुक्तं तच्छीघ्रं तु विधीयताम्

ucchedastava rājyasya bhaviṣyati śrutaṁ mayā | evaṁ jñātvā yathāyuktaṁ tacchīghraṁ tu vidhīyatām

'The destruction of your kingdom shall come to pass - I have heard it. Knowing this, whatever is fitting should be done at once.'

Verse 82 (skanda.7.382.82)

बलिरुवाच यैर्गुणैः कुरुते राज्यं राजा तान्वद मे विभो । दानं पात्रे प्रदातव्यं मया त्वमपि तं वद

baliruvāca yairguṇaiḥ kurute rājyaṁ rājā tānvada me vibho | dānaṁ pātre pradātavyaṁ mayā tvamapi taṁ vada

Bali said: 'Tell me, O lord, the qualities by which a king rules his kingdom well. I must give gifts to a worthy recipient - tell me who that is too.'

Verse 83 (skanda.7.382.83)

नारद उवाच षड्विंशद्गुणसंपन्नो राजा राज्यं करोति च । स राज्यफलमाप्नोति शृणु तत्कथयाम्यहम्

nārada uvāca ṣaḍviṁśadguṇasaṁpanno rājā rājyaṁ karoti ca | sa rājyaphalamāpnoti śṛṇu tatkathayāmyaham

Narada said: 'A king endowed with twenty-six virtues rules his kingdom well, and he obtains the fruit of kingship. Listen - I shall tell you of them.'

Verse 84 (skanda.7.382.84)

चरेद्धर्मानकटुको मुंचेत्स्नेहमनास्तिके । अनृशंसश्चरेदर्थं चरेत्काममनुद्धतः

careddharmānakaṭuko muṁcetsnehamanāstike | anṛśaṁsaścaredarthaṁ caretkāmamanuddhataḥ

'He should practise dharma without harshness; he should withhold his affection from an unbeliever; without cruelty he should pursue wealth; without arrogance he should pursue desire.'

Verse 85 (skanda.7.382.85)

प्रियं ब्रूयादकृपणः शूरः स्यादविकत्थनः । दाता चाऽऽयामवर्जः स्यात्प्रगल्भः स्यादनिष्ठुरः

priyaṁ brūyādakṛpaṇaḥ śūraḥ syādavikatthanaḥ | dātā cā''yāmavarjaḥ syātpragalbhaḥ syādaniṣṭhuraḥ

'He should speak kindly, without meanness; he should be brave without boasting; he should be generous without ostentation; he should be resolute without cruelty.'

Verse 86 (skanda.7.382.86)

संदधीत न चानार्यान्विगृह्णीयान्न बंधुभिः । नानाप्तैश्चारयेच्चारान्कुर्यात्कार्यमपीडयन्

saṁdadhīta na cānāryānvigṛhṇīyānna baṁdhubhiḥ | nānāptaiścārayeccārānkuryātkāryamapīḍayan

'He should not make alliance with the base; he should not quarrel with his own kin; he should not employ spies through untrustworthy men; he should accomplish his tasks without oppression.'

Verse 87 (skanda.7.382.87)

अर्थान्ब्रूयान्न चापत्सु गुणान्ब्रूयान्न चात्मनः । आदद्यान्न च साधुभ्यो नासत्पुरुषमाश्रयेत्

arthānbrūyānna cāpatsu guṇānbrūyānna cātmanaḥ | ādadyānna ca sādhubhyo nāsatpuruṣamāśrayet

'He should not disclose matters even in times of distress; he should not praise his own virtues; he should not take from the virtuous; he should not rely on a wicked man.'

Verse 88 (skanda.7.382.88)

नापरीक्ष्य नयेद्दण्डं न च मंत्रं प्रकाशयेत् । विसृजेन्न च लुब्धेभ्यो विश्वसेन्नापकारिषु

nāparīkṣya nayeddaṇḍaṁ na ca maṁtraṁ prakāśayet | visṛjenna ca lubdhebhyo viśvasennāpakāriṣu

'He should not inflict punishment without examination; he should not reveal his counsel; he should not release the greedy from punishment; he should not trust those who do harm.'

Verse 89 (skanda.7.382.89)

आप्तैः सुगुप्तदारः स्याद्रक्ष्यश्चान्यो घृणी नृपः । स्त्रियं सेवेत नात्यर्थं मृष्टं भुंजीत नाऽहितम्

āptaiḥ suguptadāraḥ syādrakṣyaścānyo ghṛṇī nṛpaḥ | striyaṁ seveta nātyarthaṁ mṛṣṭaṁ bhuṁjīta nā'hitam

'He should keep his wives well guarded by trustworthy people; the compassionate king should protect others too; he should not indulge excessively in women; he should not eat rich food that is unwholesome.'

Verse 90 (skanda.7.382.90)

अस्तेयः पूजयेन्मान्यान्गुरुं सेवेदमायया । अर्च्यो देवो न दम्भेन श्रियमिच्छेदकुत्सिताम्

asteyaḥ pūjayenmānyānguruṁ sevedamāyayā | arcyo devo na dambhena śriyamicchedakutsitām

'Free from theft, he should honour those worthy of honour; he should serve his guru without deceit; he should worship the god without hypocrisy; he should desire prosperity that is not blameworthy.'

Verse 91 (skanda.7.382.91)

सेवेत प्रणयं कृत्वा दक्षः स्यादथ कालवित् । सांत्ववाक्यं सदा वाच्यमनुगृह्णन्न चाक्षिपेत्

seveta praṇayaṁ kṛtvā dakṣaḥ syādatha kālavit | sāṁtvavākyaṁ sadā vācyamanugṛhṇanna cākṣipet

'He should show favour with affection; he should be skilful and know the right time for action; he should always speak conciliatory words; while showing grace, he should not reproach.'

Verse 92 (skanda.7.382.92)

प्रहरेन्न च विप्राय हत्वा शत्रून्न शेषयेत् । क्रोधं कुर्यान्न चाकस्मान्मृदुः स्यान्नापकारिषु

praharenna ca viprāya hatvā śatrūnna śeṣayet | krodhaṁ kuryānna cākasmānmṛduḥ syānnāpakāriṣu

'He should not strike a brahmin; having slain his enemies, he should leave none remaining; he should not become angry without cause; he should not be gentle toward wrongdoers.'

Verse 93 (skanda.7.382.93)

एवं राज्ये चिरं स्थेयं यदि श्रेय इहेच्छसि । तपःस्वाध्यायदानानि तीर्थयात्राऽऽश्रमाणि च

evaṁ rājye ciraṁ stheyaṁ yadi śreya ihecchasi | tapaḥsvādhyāyadānāni tīrthayātrā''śramāṇi ca

'Thus one may remain long in his kingdom, if you desire welfare here. Austerity, Vedic study, giving, pilgrimage to sacred fords, and the stages of life -'

Verse 94 (skanda.7.382.94)

योगेनात्मप्रबोधस्य कलां नार्हंति षोडशीम् । त्वया संसारवैराग्यं कर्त्तव्यं विप्रपूजनम्

yogenātmaprabodhasya kalāṁ nārhaṁti ṣoḍaśīm | tvayā saṁsāravairāgyaṁ karttavyaṁ viprapūjanam

'-do not equal a sixteenth part of the awakening of the self through yoga. You should cultivate detachment from worldly existence, and worship of brahmins.'

Verse 95 (skanda.7.382.95)

यष्टव्यं विविधैर्यज्ञैर्ध्येयो नारायणो हरिः । प्रसंगेन समायातो यास्ये रैवतके गिरौ

yaṣṭavyaṁ vividhairyajñairdhyeyo nārāyaṇo hariḥ | prasaṁgena samāyāto yāsye raivatake girau

'You should offer various sacrifices; Narayana Hari should be meditated upon. Having come here in passing, I shall go on to Mount Raivataka.'

Verse 96 (skanda.7.382.96)

तत्रास्ते भगवान्विष्णुर्नदी त्रैलोक्यपावनी । तत्रास्ते च शिवावृक्षो बहुपुष्पफलान्वितः । तत्र गत्वा करिष्यामि व्रतं तद्विष्णुवल्लभम्

tatrāste bhagavānviṣṇurnadī trailokyapāvanī | tatrāste ca śivāvṛkṣo bahupuṣpaphalānvitaḥ | tatra gatvā kariṣyāmi vrataṁ tadviṣṇuvallabham

'There dwells the lord Vishnu; there is a river that purifies the three worlds; there too stands the Shiva-tree, laden with many flowers and fruits. Going there, I shall perform that vow dear to Vishnu.'

Verse 97 (skanda.7.382.97)

बलिरुवाच कोऽयं रैवतकोनाम व्रतं किं विष्णुवल्लभम् । शिवावृक्षास्तु के प्रोक्तास्तत्कथं कथयस्व मे

baliruvāca ko'yaṁ raivatakonāma vrataṁ kiṁ viṣṇuvallabham | śivāvṛkṣāstu ke proktāstatkathaṁ kathayasva me

Bali said: 'What is this called Raivataka, and what vow is dear to Vishnu? What is meant by the Shiva-tree? Tell me all this.'

Verse 98 (skanda.7.382.98)

नारद उवाच पुरा युगादौ दैत्येन्द्र सपक्षाः पर्वताः कृताः । संचिंत्य ब्रह्मणा पश्चादचलास्ते कृताः पुनः

nārada uvāca purā yugādau daityendra sapakṣāḥ parvatāḥ kṛtāḥ | saṁciṁtya brahmaṇā paścādacalāste kṛtāḥ punaḥ

Narada said: 'Long ago, at the start of the age, O lord of daityas, the mountains were made with wings; afterward, upon reflection, Brahma made them immovable once more.'

Verse 99 (skanda.7.382.99)

उत्पतंति महाकाया निपतंति यदृच्छया । मेरुमंदरकैलासा वचसा संस्थिताः स्थिराः

utpataṁti mahākāyā nipataṁti yadṛcchayā | merumaṁdarakailāsā vacasā saṁsthitāḥ sthirāḥ

'Their huge bodies would fly up and fall down wherever they willed; Meru, Mandara, and Kailasa were made to stand firm, fixed by his word.'

Verse 100 (skanda.7.382.100)

वारिता न स्थिता ये तु त इंद्रेण स्थिरीकृताः । मेरोर्दक्षिण शृंगे तु कुमुदेति स पर्वतः

vāritā na sthitā ye tu ta iṁdreṇa sthirīkṛtāḥ | merordakṣiṇa śṛṁge tu kumudeti sa parvataḥ

'Those that, though forbidden, would not stay still, were made firm by Indra. On the southern peak of Meru there stood a mountain named Kumuda,'

Verse 101 (skanda.7.382.101)

दिव्यः सपक्षः सौवर्णो दिव्यवृक्षैः समावृतः । तस्योपरि पुरी दिव्या वैष्णवी विष्णुना कृता

divyaḥ sapakṣaḥ sauvarṇo divyavṛkṣaiḥ samāvṛtaḥ | tasyopari purī divyā vaiṣṇavī viṣṇunā kṛtā

'divine, winged, golden, surrounded by divine trees; atop it a divine city of Vishnu was made by Vishnu himself.'

Verse 102 (skanda.7.382.102)

तस्या मध्ये गृहं दिव्यं यस्मिल्लँक्ष्मीः सदा स्थिता । मेरोः शृंगे पुरी रम्या गृहं तत्र मनोरमम्

tasyā madhye gṛhaṁ divyaṁ yasmillaṃkṣmīḥ sadā sthitā | meroḥ śṛṁge purī ramyā gṛhaṁ tatra manoramam

'In its midst was a divine house, in which Lakshmi always dwelt; on Meru's peak was that lovely city, and there a charming house.'

Verse 103 (skanda.7.382.103)

तत्रास्ते स भवो देवो भवानी यत्र संस्थिता । सभा माहेश्वरी रम्या सौवर्णी रत्नमंडिता

tatrāste sa bhavo devo bhavānī yatra saṁsthitā | sabhā māheśvarī ramyā sauvarṇī ratnamaṁḍitā

'There too dwelt the god Bhava, where Bhavani abode; there was the lovely assembly-hall of Maheshvara, of gold, adorned with gems.'

Verse 104 (skanda.7.382.104)

तत्रास्ते भगवान्विष्णुर्देवैर्ब्रह्मादिभिर्वृतः । तस्यां विष्णुः सदा याति देवं द्रष्टुं महेश्वरम्

tatrāste bhagavānviṣṇurdevairbrahmādibhirvṛtaḥ | tasyāṁ viṣṇuḥ sadā yāti devaṁ draṣṭuṁ maheśvaram

'There dwelt the lord Vishnu, surrounded by the gods, Brahma and the rest; to that hall Vishnu would always go, to behold the god Maheshvara.'

Verse 105 (skanda.7.382.105)

सौवर्णैः कुमुदैर्यस्मादसौ सर्वत्र मंडितः । कुमुदेति कृतं नाम देवैस्तत्र समागतैः

sauvarṇaiḥ kumudairyasmādasau sarvatra maṁḍitaḥ | kumudeti kṛtaṁ nāma devaistatra samāgataiḥ

'Since it was everywhere adorned with golden kumuda lotuses, the name Kumuda was given to it by the gods who had gathered there.'

Verse 106 (skanda.7.382.106)

एकदा भगवान्रुद्रो गिरौ तस्मिन्समागतः । द्रष्टुं तच्छिखरे रम्ये तां पुरीं विष्णुपालिताम्

ekadā bhagavānrudro girau tasminsamāgataḥ | draṣṭuṁ tacchikhare ramye tāṁ purīṁ viṣṇupālitām

'Once the lord Rudra came to that mountain, to behold, upon its lovely peak, that city protected by Vishnu.'

Verse 107 (skanda.7.382.107)

गृहागतं हरं दृष्ट्वा हरिणा स तु पूजितः । लक्ष्म्या संपूजिता गौरी हर्षिता तत्र संस्थिता

gṛhāgataṁ haraṁ dṛṣṭvā hariṇā sa tu pūjitaḥ | lakṣmyā saṁpūjitā gaurī harṣitā tatra saṁsthitā

'Seeing Hara arrive at his house, he was honoured by Hari; Gauri was honoured by Lakshmi, and, delighted, took her seat there.'

Verse 108 (skanda.7.382.108)

एकासनोपविष्टौ तौ मंत्रयंतौ परस्परम् । हरेण कारणं ज्ञात्वा तत्सर्वं कथितं हरेः

ekāsanopaviṣṭau tau maṁtrayaṁtau parasparam | hareṇa kāraṇaṁ jñātvā tatsarvaṁ kathitaṁ hareḥ

'The two of them, seated on a single seat, conversed with each other; when Hara asked the reason, Hari told him everything.'

Verse 109 (skanda.7.382.109)

त्वयेयं नगरी कार्या मंदरे पर्वतोत्तमे । प्रष्टव्यः कारणं नाहमवश्यं तद्भविष्यति

tvayeyaṁ nagarī kāryā maṁdare parvatottame | praṣṭavyaḥ kāraṇaṁ nāhamavaśyaṁ tadbhaviṣyati

[Hara said:] 'You should build a city like this on Mandara, the best of mountains too.' [Vishnu replied:] 'I should not be asked the reason - it shall surely come to pass.'

Verse 110 (skanda.7.382.110)

हर एव विजानाति कारणं कतमोऽपि न । एवं तथेति तौ प्रोक्त्वा संस्थितौ पर्वतोऽपि सः

hara eva vijānāti kāraṇaṁ katamo'pi na | evaṁ tatheti tau proktvā saṁsthitau parvato'pi saḥ

'Hara alone knows the reason, no one else.' Having said 'so be it' to one another, the two remained there; and that mountain too stood by.

Verse 111 (skanda.7.382.111)

तं दृष्ट्वा संगतं रुद्रं कुमुदः स्वयमाययौ । धन्योऽहं कृतपुण्योऽहं यस्य मे गृहमागतौ

taṁ dṛṣṭvā saṁgataṁ rudraṁ kumudaḥ svayamāyayau | dhanyo'haṁ kṛtapuṇyo'haṁ yasya me gṛhamāgatau

Seeing Rudra arrived there together with Vishnu, Kumuda himself came forward: 'Blessed am I, meritorious am I, that both of you have come to my house.'

Verse 112 (skanda.7.382.112)

द्वाभ्यामुक्तो गिरिवरो ददाव किं वरं तव । इत्युक्तः पर्वतस्ताभ्यां वरं वव्रे स मूढधीः

dvābhyāmukto girivaro dadāva kiṁ varaṁ tava | ityuktaḥ parvatastābhyāṁ varaṁ vavre sa mūḍhadhīḥ

Addressed by the two, that excellent mountain said: 'What boon shall I give you?' Then, thus asked by the two in turn, that mountain, of dull understanding, chose a boon for himself.

Verse 113 (skanda.7.382.113)

भविष्यत्कार्यहेतुत्वाद्भविष्यति न तद्वृथा । यत्राहं तत्र वस्तव्यं भवद्भ्यामस्तु मे वरः

bhaviṣyatkāryahetutvādbhaviṣyati na tadvṛthā | yatrāhaṁ tatra vastavyaṁ bhavadbhyāmastu me varaḥ

'Since it will serve a purpose yet to come, it shall not be given in vain: wherever I am, there you two must dwell - let this be my boon.'

Verse 114 (skanda.7.382.114)

मत्सन्निधौ समागत्य स्थातव्यं ब्रह्मवासरम् । तथेत्युक्त्वा सपत्नीकौ गतौ हरिहरावुभौ

matsannidhau samāgatya sthātavyaṁ brahmavāsaram | tathetyuktvā sapatnīkau gatau hariharāvubhau

'Coming into my presence, you must abide there for a whole day of Brahma.' 'So be it,' said the two, and Hari and Hara, together with their consorts, departed.

Verse 115 (skanda.7.382.115)

पञ्चमो यो मनुः पूर्वं रैवतो नाम विश्रुतः । तस्योत्पत्तौ तु यद्वृत्तं कुमुदाग्रे शृणुष्व तत्

pañcamo yo manuḥ pūrvaṁ raivato nāma viśrutaḥ | tasyotpattau tu yadvṛttaṁ kumudāgre śṛṇuṣva tat

'Now hear what happened at the birth of the fifth Manu, formerly renowned by the name Raivata, in connection with Kumuda.'

Verse 116 (skanda.7.382.116)

ऋषिरासीन्महाभाग ऋतवागिति विश्रुतः । तस्यापुत्रस्य पुत्रोऽभूद्रेवत्यन्ते महात्मनः

ṛṣirāsīnmahābhāga ṛtavāgiti viśrutaḥ | tasyāputrasya putro'bhūdrevatyante mahātmanaḥ

'There was a great and fortunate sage renowned as Ritavak; to him, though sonless, a son was born, at the conjunction of the Revati nakshatra, to that great soul.'

Verse 117 (skanda.7.382.117)

स तस्य विधिवच्चक्रे जातकर्मादिकाः क्रियाः । तथोपनयनाद्याश्च स चाशीलोऽभवन्नृप

sa tasya vidhivaccakre jātakarmādikāḥ kriyāḥ | tathopanayanādyāśca sa cāśīlo'bhavannṛpa

'He duly performed for him the birth-rites and the rest, as well as the sacred-thread ceremony and so on; but the boy grew up ill-behaved, O king.'

Verse 118 (skanda.7.382.118)

यतः प्रभृति जातोऽसौ ततः प्रभृत्यसावृषिः । दीर्घरोगपरामर्शमवापातीव दुर्द्धरम्

yataḥ prabhṛti jāto'sau tataḥ prabhṛtyasāvṛṣiḥ | dīrgharogaparāmarśamavāpātīva durddharam

'From the time he was born, that sage began to suffer from a prolonged illness, exceedingly hard to overcome.'

Verse 119 (skanda.7.382.119)

माता चास्य परामार्तिं कुष्ठरोगाभिपीडिता । जगाम चिन्तां स ऋषिः किमेतदिति दुःखितः

mātā cāsya parāmārtiṁ kuṣṭharogābhipīḍitā | jagāma cintāṁ sa ṛṣiḥ kimetaditi duḥkhitaḥ

'And his mother too fell into great distress, afflicted with leprosy. The sage, grieved, fell into anxious thought, wondering what the cause of this could be.'

Verse 120 (skanda.7.382.120)

मूर्खस्तु मंदधीः पुत्रो दुःखं जनयते पितुः । अमार्गगो विशेषेण दुःखाद्दुःखतरं हि तत्

mūrkhastu maṁdadhīḥ putro duḥkhaṁ janayate pituḥ | amārgago viśeṣeṇa duḥkhādduḥkhataraṁ hi tat

'A foolish, dull-witted son causes his father grief; one who strays from the right path especially so - that is a grief worse than grief.'

Verse 121 (skanda.7.382.121)

अपुत्रता मनुष्याणां श्रेयसे न कुपुत्रता । सुहृदां नोपकाराय पितॄणां नापि तृप्तये

aputratā manuṣyāṇāṁ śreyase na kuputratā | suhṛdāṁ nopakārāya pitṝṇāṁ nāpi tṛptaye

'For men, having no son at all is better for their welfare than having a bad son; a bad son brings no benefit to friends, nor satisfaction to the ancestors.'

Verse 122 (skanda.7.382.122)

सुपुत्रो हृदयेऽभ्येति मातापित्रोर्दिनेदिने । पित्रोर्दुःखाय धिग्जन्म तस्य दुष्कृतकर्मणः

suputro hṛdaye'bhyeti mātāpitrordinedine | pitrorduḥkhāya dhigjanma tasya duṣkṛtakarmaṇaḥ

'A good son draws close to the hearts of his mother and father day by day; but shame on the birth of that one whose deeds are wicked, causing his parents grief.'

Verse 123 (skanda.7.382.123)

धन्यास्ते तनया ये स्युः सवर्लोकाभिसंमताः । परोपकारिणः शांताः साधुकर्मण्यनुव्रताः

dhanyāste tanayā ye syuḥ savarlokābhisaṁmatāḥ | paropakāriṇaḥ śāṁtāḥ sādhukarmaṇyanuvratāḥ

'Blessed are those sons who are esteemed by the whole world - who help others, who are peaceful, who are devoted to virtuous deeds.'

Verse 124 (skanda.7.382.124)

अनिर्वृतं निरानंदं दुःखशोकपरिप्लुतम् । नरकाय न स्वर्गाय कुपुत्रत्वं हि जन्मिनः

anirvṛtaṁ nirānaṁdaṁ duḥkhaśokapariplutam | narakāya na svargāya kuputratvaṁ hi janminaḥ

'Discontented, joyless, overwhelmed with grief and sorrow - having a bad son leads a being to hell, not to heaven.'

Verse 125 (skanda.7.382.125)

करोति सुहृदां दैन्यमहितानां तथा मुदम् । अकाले तु जरां पित्रोः कुपुत्रः कुरुते किल

karoti suhṛdāṁ dainyamahitānāṁ tathā mudam | akāle tu jarāṁ pitroḥ kuputraḥ kurute kila

'It brings misery to friends and joy to enemies; a bad son indeed brings premature old age upon his parents.'

Verse 126 (skanda.7.382.126)

नारद उवाच एवं सोऽत्यन्तदुष्टस्य पुत्रस्य चरितैर्मुनिः । दह्यमानमनोवृत्तिर्वृद्धगर्गमपृच्छत

nārada uvāca evaṁ so'tyantaduṣṭasya putrasya caritairmuniḥ | dahyamānamanovṛttirvṛddhagargamapṛcchata

Narada said: 'Thus that sage, his very mind burning from the deeds of his utterly wicked son, questioned the aged Garga.'

Verse 127 (skanda.7.382.127)

ऋतवागुवाच सुव्रतेन पुरा वेदा अधीता विधिना मया । समाप्य विद्या विधवत्कृतो दारपरिग्रहः

ṛtavāguvāca suvratena purā vedā adhītā vidhinā mayā | samāpya vidyā vidhavatkṛto dāraparigrahaḥ

Ritavak said: 'Long ago, keeping good vows, I studied the Vedas according to rule; having completed my learning, I duly took a wife.'

Verse 128 (skanda.7.382.128)

सदारेण हि याः कार्याः श्रौतस्मार्त्तादिकाः क्रियाः । ताः कृताश्च विधानेन कामं समनुरुध्य च

sadāreṇa hi yāḥ kāryāḥ śrautasmārttādikāḥ kriyāḥ | tāḥ kṛtāśca vidhānena kāmaṁ samanurudhya ca

'Whatever rites, both Shrauta and Smarta, are to be performed together with one's wife, those I performed according to rule, following my desire besides.'

Verse 129 (skanda.7.382.129)

पुत्रार्थं जनितश्चायं पुंनाम्नो विच्युतौ मुने । सोऽयं किमात्मदोषेण मातुर्दोषेण किं मम । अस्मद्दुःखावहो जातो दौःशील्याद्वद कोविद

putrārthaṁ janitaścāyaṁ puṁnāmno vicyutau mune | so'yaṁ kimātmadoṣeṇa māturdoṣeṇa kiṁ mama | asmadduḥkhāvaho jāto dauḥśīlyādvada kovida

'This son was begotten for the sake of continuing the male line, yet he has strayed from it, O sage. Is this because of some fault of his own, or of his mother's, or of mine? He was born bringing us grief through his wickedness - tell me, O learned one.'

Verse 130 (skanda.7.382.130)

गर्ग उवाच रेवत्यन्ते मुनिश्रेष्ठ जातोऽयं तनयस्तव । तेन दुःखाय ते दुष्टे काले यस्मादजायत

garga uvāca revatyante muniśreṣṭha jāto'yaṁ tanayastava | tena duḥkhāya te duṣṭe kāle yasmādajāyata

Garga said: 'O foremost of sages, this son of yours was born at the conjunction of the Revati nakshatra; therefore he brings you grief, since he was born in an inauspicious time.'

Verse 131 (skanda.7.382.131)

तवापचारो नैवास्य मातुर्नापि कुलस्य च । अन्यद्दौःशील्यहेतुत्वं रेवत्यंत उपागतम्

tavāpacāro naivāsya māturnāpi kulasya ca | anyaddauḥśīlyahetutvaṁ revatyaṁta upāgatam

'It is no fault of yours, nor of his mother's, nor of your lineage; the cause of his wickedness is something else - it lies in his birth at the Revati-conjunction.'

Verse 132 (skanda.7.382.132)

रेवती अश्विनोर्मध्यमाश्लेषामघयोस्तथा । ज्येष्ठामूलर्क्षयोः प्रोक्तं गंडांतं तु भयावहम्

revatī aśvinormadhyamāśleṣāmaghayostathā | jyeṣṭhāmūlarkṣayoḥ proktaṁ gaṁḍāṁtaṁ tu bhayāvaham

'The junctures between Revati and Ashvini, between Ashlesha and Magha, and between Jyeshtha and Mula - these are declared to be gandanta, knot-points, and are said to be fearsome.'

Verse 133 (skanda.7.382.133)

गंडत्रये तु ये जाता नरनारीतुरंगमाः । तिष्ठंति न चिरं गेहे तिष्ठन्तोऽपि भयंकराः । एवमुक्तोऽथ गर्गेण चुक्रोधातीव कोपनः

gaṁḍatraye tu ye jātā naranārīturaṁgamāḥ | tiṣṭhaṁti na ciraṁ gehe tiṣṭhanto'pi bhayaṁkarāḥ | evamukto'tha gargeṇa cukrodhātīva kopanaḥ

'Men, women, or horses born in any of these three knot-junctures do not remain long in the household - and even if they do remain, they bring terror.' Thus told by Garga, that irritable man grew exceedingly enraged.

Verse 134 (skanda.7.382.134)

ऋतवागुवाच यस्मान्ममैक पुत्रस्य रेवत्यन्ते समुद्भवः

ṛtavāguvāca yasmānmamaika putrasya revatyante samudbhavaḥ

Ritavak said: 'Since my only son was born at the conjunction of Revati -'

Verse 135 (skanda.7.382.135)

रेवती किं न जानाति मां विप्रः शापयिष्यति । जाज्वल्यमाना गगनात्तस्मात्पततु रेवती

revatī kiṁ na jānāti māṁ vipraḥ śāpayiṣyati | jājvalyamānā gaganāttasmātpatatu revatī

'-does Revati not know that I, a brahmin, shall curse her? Therefore let Revati, blazing, fall from the sky!'

Verse 136 (skanda.7.382.136)

नारद उवाच तेनैवं व्याहृते वाक्ये रेवत्यृक्षं पपात ह । पश्यतः सर्वलोकस्य विस्मयाविष्टचेतसः

nārada uvāca tenaivaṁ vyāhṛte vākye revatyṛkṣaṁ papāta ha | paśyataḥ sarvalokasya vismayāviṣṭacetasaḥ

Narada said: 'As soon as those words were uttered by him, the Revati star truly fell, before the eyes of the whole world, their minds seized with astonishment.'

Verse 137 (skanda.7.382.137)

ईश्वरेच्छाप्रभावेन पतिता गिरिमूर्द्धनि । रेवत्यृक्षं निपतितं कुमुदाद्रौ समन्ततः

īśvarecchāprabhāvena patitā girimūrddhani | revatyṛkṣaṁ nipatitaṁ kumudādrau samantataḥ

'By the power of the Lord's own will, it fell upon a mountain-top; the Revati star fell entirely upon Mount Kumuda.'

Verse 138 (skanda.7.382.138)

सुराष्ट्रदेशे स प्राप्तः पतितो भूतले शुभे । हिमाचलस्य पुत्रो य उज्जयंतो गिरिर्महान्

surāṣṭradeśe sa prāptaḥ patito bhūtale śubhe | himācalasya putro ya ujjayaṁto girirmahān

'It arrived in the land of Saurashtra, falling upon that auspicious ground - where the great mountain Ujjayanta, son of the Himalaya, also stood.'

Verse 139 (skanda.7.382.139)

कुमुदेन समं मैत्री कृता पूर्वं परस्परम् । यत्र त्वं स्थास्यसे स्थाता तत्राहमपि निश्चितम्

kumudena samaṁ maitrī kṛtā pūrvaṁ parasparam | yatra tvaṁ sthāsyase sthātā tatrāhamapi niścitam

'Ujjayanta had made friendship with Kumuda earlier, promising that wherever Kumuda would abide, there Ujjayanta too would surely abide.'

Verse 140 (skanda.7.382.140)

इति कृत्वा गृहीत्वाथ गंगावारि सयामुनम् । सारस्वतं तथा पुण्यं सिंचितुं तं समागतः

iti kṛtvā gṛhītvātha gaṁgāvāri sayāmunam | sārasvataṁ tathā puṇyaṁ siṁcituṁ taṁ samāgataḥ

'Having made this pact, Ujjayanta took the waters of the Ganga together with the Yamuna, and the sacred Sarasvati too, and came there to comfort him.'

Verse 141 (skanda.7.382.141)

आहूतसंप्लवं यावत्संस्थितौ तौ परस्परम् । कुमुदाद्रिश्च तत्पातात्ख्यातो रैवतकोऽभवत्

āhūtasaṁplavaṁ yāvatsaṁsthitau tau parasparam | kumudādriśca tatpātātkhyāto raivatako'bhavat

'The two of them remained together until the next summoned deluge. And Mount Kumuda, from that fall, became renowned as Raivataka.'

Verse 142 (skanda.7.382.142)

अतीव रम्यः सर्वस्यां पृथिव्यां पृथिवीपते । कुमुदाद्रिश्च सौवर्णो रेवतीच्यवनात्पुनः

atīva ramyaḥ sarvasyāṁ pṛthivyāṁ pṛthivīpate | kumudādriśca sauvarṇo revatīcyavanātpunaḥ

'Exceedingly lovely upon the whole earth, O lord of the earth, was Mount Kumuda, all of gold; and then, from the falling of Revati,'

Verse 143 (skanda.7.382.143)

पंकजाभः स बाह्येन जातो वर्णेन भूपते । मेरुवर्णः स मध्ये तु सौवर्णः पर्वतोत्तमः

paṁkajābhaḥ sa bāhyena jāto varṇena bhūpate | meruvarṇaḥ sa madhye tu sauvarṇaḥ parvatottamaḥ

'-it became, on its outside, lotus-hued in colour, O king; while within, that excellent mountain remained golden, the colour of Meru.'

Verse 144 (skanda.7.382.144)

ततः सञ्जनयामास कन्यां रैवतको गिरिः । रेवतीकांति संभूतां रेवतीसदृशाननाम्

tataḥ sañjanayāmāsa kanyāṁ raivatako giriḥ | revatīkāṁti saṁbhūtāṁ revatīsadṛśānanām

'Then Mount Raivataka brought forth a daughter, born of Revati's own splendour, her face resembling Revati's own.'

Verse 145 (skanda.7.382.145)

प्रमुचो नाम राजर्षिस्तेन दृष्टा वरांगना । पितृवद्रेवतीनाम कृतं तस्या नृपोत्तम

pramuco nāma rājarṣistena dṛṣṭā varāṁganā | pitṛvadrevatīnāma kṛtaṁ tasyā nṛpottama

'A royal sage named Pramucha beheld that lovely maiden; like a father, he gave her the name Revati, O best of kings.'

Verse 146 (skanda.7.382.146)

रेवतीति च विख्याता सा सर्वत्र वरांगना । सर्वतेजोमयं स्थानं सर्वतीर्थजलाश्रयम्

revatīti ca vikhyātā sā sarvatra varāṁganā | sarvatejomayaṁ sthānaṁ sarvatīrthajalāśrayam

'And she became renowned everywhere as Revati, that lovely maiden. There is a place there, full of every splendour, the abode of the waters of every sacred ford,'

Verse 147 (skanda.7.382.147)

गंगाजलप्रवाहैश्च संयुक्तं यामुनैस्तथा । स्थितं सारस्वतं तोयं तत्र गर्तेषु तत्त्रयम्

gaṁgājalapravāhaiśca saṁyuktaṁ yāmunaistathā | sthitaṁ sārasvataṁ toyaṁ tatra garteṣu tattrayam

'joined with the flowing waters of the Ganga and likewise of the Yamuna; the waters of the Sarasvati too abide there - all three in those pools.'

Verse 148 (skanda.7.382.148)

विख्यातं रेवतीकुंडं यत्र जाता च रेवती । स्मरणाद्दर्शनात्स्नानात्सर्वपापक्षयो भवेत्

vikhyātaṁ revatīkuṁḍaṁ yatra jātā ca revatī | smaraṇāddarśanātsnānātsarvapāpakṣayo bhavet

'That is the renowned Revati-kunda, where Revati was born; by remembering it, by seeing it, or by bathing in it, the destruction of all sin comes about.'

Verse 149 (skanda.7.382.149)

सा बाला वर्द्धिता तेन प्रमुंचेन महात्मना । यौवनं तु तया प्राप्तं तस्मिन्रैवतके गिरौ

sā bālā varddhitā tena pramuṁcena mahātmanā | yauvanaṁ tu tayā prāptaṁ tasminraivatake girau

'That girl was raised by the great-souled Pramucha; and she attained youth there, upon that Mount Raivataka.'

Verse 150 (skanda.7.382.150)

तां तु यौवनसंपन्नां दृष्ट्वाऽथ प्रमुचो मुनि । एकांते चिन्तयामास कोऽस्या भर्ता भविष्यति

tāṁ tu yauvanasaṁpannāṁ dṛṣṭvā'tha pramuco muni | ekāṁte cintayāmāsa ko'syā bhartā bhaviṣyati

Then, seeing her come of age, the sage Pramucha pondered in solitude: 'Who shall become her husband?'

Verse 151 (skanda.7.382.151)

हूत्वाहूत्वा स पप्रच्छ गुरुं वह्निं द्विजोत्तमः । प्रसादं कुरु मे ब्रूहि कोऽस्या भर्ता भविष्यति

hūtvāhūtvā sa papraccha guruṁ vahniṁ dvijottamaḥ | prasādaṁ kuru me brūhi ko'syā bhartā bhaviṣyati

That foremost of brahmins invoked his teacher, Agni, again and again, and asked him: 'Show me your favour - tell me, who shall become her husband?'

Verse 152 (skanda.7.382.152)

अन्योऽस्याः सदृशः कोऽपि वंशे नास्ति करोमि किम् । वह्निकुण्डात्समुत्थाय प्रोक्तवान्हव्यवाहनः

anyo'syāḥ sadṛśaḥ ko'pi vaṁśe nāsti karomi kim | vahnikuṇḍātsamutthāya proktavānhavyavāhanaḥ

'There is no one else in my lineage equal to her - what shall I do?' Then, rising from the fire-pit, Agni, the carrier of oblations, spoke:

Verse 153 (skanda.7.382.153)

शृणु मे वचनं विप्र योऽस्या भर्ता भविष्यति । प्रियव्रतान्वयभवो महाबलपराक्रमः

śṛṇu me vacanaṁ vipra yo'syā bhartā bhaviṣyati | priyavratānvayabhavo mahābalaparākramaḥ

'Listen to my words, brahmin - he who shall become her husband: born in the lineage of Priyavrata, of great strength and valour,'

Verse 154 (skanda.7.382.154)

पुत्रो विक्रमशीलस्य कालिंदीजठरोद्भवः । दुर्दमो नाम भविता भर्ता ह्यस्या महीपतिः

putro vikramaśīlasya kāliṁdījaṭharodbhavaḥ | durdamo nāma bhavitā bhartā hyasyā mahīpatiḥ

'the son of Vikramashila, born of Kalindi's womb, named Durdama - he shall be her husband, a lord of the earth.'

Verse 155 (skanda.7.382.155)

अत्रांतरे समायातो दुर्दमः स महीपतिः । गिरौ मृगवधाकांक्षी मुनिं गेहे न पश्यति । प्रियेऽयि तातः क्व गत एहि सत्यं ब्रवीहि मे

atrāṁtare samāyāto durdamaḥ sa mahīpatiḥ | girau mṛgavadhākāṁkṣī muniṁ gehe na paśyati | priye'yi tātaḥ kva gata ehi satyaṁ bravīhi me

Meanwhile that very king Durdama arrived, upon the mountain, desiring to hunt deer; not seeing the sage at home, he called out: 'O my dear, where has father gone? Come, tell me the truth.'

Verse 156 (skanda.7.382.156)

नारद उवाच अग्निशालास्थितेनैव तच्छ्रुतं वचनं प्रियम् । प्रियेत्यामन्त्रणं कोऽयं करोति मम वेश्मनि ।

nārada uvāca agniśālāsthitenaiva tacchrutaṁ vacanaṁ priyam | priyetyāmantraṇaṁ ko'yaṁ karoti mama veśmani |

Narada said: 'Standing in the fire-chamber, the sage heard that fond word, and wondered who was calling out my dear in his house.'

Verse 157 (skanda.7.382.157)

स ददर्श महात्मानं राजानं दुर्दमं मुनिः । जहर्ष दुर्दमं दृष्ट्वा मुनिः प्राह स गौतमम्

sa dadarśa mahātmānaṁ rājānaṁ durdamaṁ muniḥ | jaharṣa durdamaṁ dṛṣṭvā muniḥ prāha sa gautamam

'That sage then saw the great-souled king Durdama; and seeing Durdama, the sage rejoiced, and said to Gautama:'

Verse 158 (skanda.7.382.158)

शिष्यं विनयसम्पन्नमर्घ्यं पाद्यं समानय । एकं तावदयं भूपश्चिरकालादुपागतः

śiṣyaṁ vinayasampannamarghyaṁ pādyaṁ samānaya | ekaṁ tāvadayaṁ bhūpaścirakālādupāgataḥ

'O well-behaved disciple, bring the guest-offering and water for the feet - for this king has come after a long time.'

Verse 159 (skanda.7.382.159)

जामाता सांप्रतं राजा योग्यास्य च सुता मम । ततः स चिंतयामास राजा जामातृ कारणम्

jāmātā sāṁprataṁ rājā yogyāsya ca sutā mama | tataḥ sa ciṁtayāmāsa rājā jāmātṛ kāraṇam

'Now this king is a fit son-in-law for my daughter.' Then that king began to wonder about this talk of a son-in-law.

Verse 160 (skanda.7.382.160)

मौनेन विधिना राजा जगृहेऽर्घ्यं द्विजाज्ञया । तमासनगतं विप्रो गृहीतार्घ्यं महामुनिः

maunena vidhinā rājā jagṛhe'rghyaṁ dvijājñayā | tamāsanagataṁ vipro gṛhītārghyaṁ mahāmuniḥ

'By the rule of silence, the king accepted the guest-offering at the brahmin's bidding. To him, seated, the great sage brahmin, having received his own offering -'

Verse 161 (skanda.7.382.161)

प्रस्तुतं प्राह राजेन्द्रं नृपते कुशलं पुरे । कोशे बले च मित्रे च भृत्यामात्य प्रजासु च । तथात्मनि महाबाहो यत्र सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितम्

prastutaṁ prāha rājendraṁ nṛpate kuśalaṁ pure | kośe bale ca mitre ca bhṛtyāmātya prajāsu ca | tathātmani mahābāho yatra sarvaṁ pratiṣṭhitam

'-then addressed that king, opening the conversation, asking whether all was well in his city - in his treasury, his army, his allies, his servants, ministers, and subjects, and, O mighty-armed one, in himself, upon whom all of this depends.'

Verse 162 (skanda.7.382.162)

पत्नी च ते कुशलिनी याऽत्र स्थाने हि तिष्ठति । अन्यासां कुशलं ब्रूहि याः संति तव मंदिरे

patnī ca te kuśalinī yā'tra sthāne hi tiṣṭhati | anyāsāṁ kuśalaṁ brūhi yāḥ saṁti tava maṁdire

'And is your wife well, she who dwells in this very place? Tell me too of the welfare of the others who are in your palace.'

Verse 163 (skanda.7.382.163)

राजोवाच त्वत्प्रसादादकुशलं नास्ति राज्ये क्वचिन्मम । जातकौतूहलोऽस्म्यस्मि मम भार्याऽत्र का मुने

rājovāca tvatprasādādakuśalaṁ nāsti rājye kvacinmama | jātakautūhalo'smyasmi mama bhāryā'tra kā mune

The king said: 'By your grace, there is no ill in any part of my kingdom. But I am filled with curiosity - which wife of mine, O sage, do you mean here?'

Verse 164 (skanda.7.382.164)

प्रमुच उवाच रेवती ते वरा भार्या किं न वेत्सि नृपोत्तम । त्रैलोक्यसुन्दरी या तु कथं सा विस्मृता तव

pramuca uvāca revatī te varā bhāryā kiṁ na vetsi nṛpottama | trailokyasundarī yā tu kathaṁ sā vismṛtā tava

Pramucha said: 'Revati is your excellent wife - do you not know this, O best of kings? How could you have forgotten her, that beauty of the three worlds?'

Verse 165 (skanda.7.382.165)

राजोवाच सुभद्रां शांतपापां च कावेरीतनयां तथा । सूरात्मजानुजातां च कदंबां च वरप्रजाम्

rājovāca subhadrāṁ śāṁtapāpāṁ ca kāverītanayāṁ tathā | sūrātmajānujātāṁ ca kadaṁbāṁ ca varaprajām

The king said: 'Subhadra, Shantapapa, and likewise Kaveri's daughter, and she born after the Sun's daughter, and Kadamba, of excellent lineage -'

Verse 166 (skanda.7.382.166)

विपाठां नंदिनीं चैव वेद्मि भार्यां गृहे मम । तिष्ठन्ति नैव जानामि भार्या मे रेवती कुतः ॥।३६७ । ऋषिरुवाच ॥ । प्रियेति सांप्रतं प्रोक्ता रेवती सा प्रिया तव । तदन्यथा न भविता वचनं नृपसत्तम

vipāṭhāṁ naṁdinīṁ caiva vedmi bhāryāṁ gṛhe mama | tiṣṭhanti naiva jānāmi bhāryā me revatī kutaḥ |367 | ṛṣiruvāca | priyeti sāṁprataṁ proktā revatī sā priyā tava | tadanyathā na bhavitā vacanaṁ nṛpasattama

'-and Vipatha, and Nandini too - these I know as wives in my house. But how could Revati be my wife? I do not know of her.' The sage said: 'The very one you just now called my dear is Revati, your beloved. That word shall not prove otherwise, O best of kings.'

Verse 167 (skanda.7.382.167)

राजोवाच नास्ति भावकृतो दोषः क्षम्यतां तद्वचो मम । विनिर्गतं वचोवक्त्रान्नाहं जाने द्विजोत्तम

rājovāca nāsti bhāvakṛto doṣaḥ kṣamyatāṁ tadvaco mama | vinirgataṁ vacovaktrānnāhaṁ jāne dvijottama

The king said: 'There was no fault of intention; let that word of mine be forgiven. It slipped out from my mouth unknowingly - I did not know, O foremost of brahmins.'

Verse 168 (skanda.7.382.168)

ऋषिरुवाच नास्ति भावकृतो दोषः परिवेद्मि कुरुष्व तत् । वह्निना कथितस्त्वं मे जामाताद्य भविष्यसि

ṛṣiruvāca nāsti bhāvakṛto doṣaḥ parivedmi kuruṣva tat | vahninā kathitastvaṁ me jāmātādya bhaviṣyasi

The sage said: 'There is no fault of intention, I recognise this - do as I say. Agni has told me that you shall become my son-in-law this very day.'

Verse 169 (skanda.7.382.169)

इत्यादिवचनै राजा भार्या मेने स रेवतीम् । ऋषिस्तथोद्यतः कर्तुं विवाहं विधि पूर्वकम् । उवाच कन्या पितरं किञ्चिन्मे श्रूयतां पितः

ityādivacanai rājā bhāryā mene sa revatīm | ṛṣistathodyataḥ kartuṁ vivāhaṁ vidhi pūrvakam | uvāca kanyā pitaraṁ kiñcinme śrūyatāṁ pitaḥ

With such words, the king accepted Revati as his wife. The sage then made ready to perform the marriage according to rule. But the maiden said to her father: 'Something of mine should be heard, father.'

Verse 170 (skanda.7.382.170)

यदि मे पतिना तात विवाहं कर्तुमिच्छसि । रेवत्यृक्षं विवाहं मे तत्करोतु प्रसादतः

yadi me patinā tāta vivāhaṁ kartumicchasi | revatyṛkṣaṁ vivāhaṁ me tatkarotu prasādataḥ

'If you wish, father, to have my marriage performed with my intended husband, let the Revati star preside over my marriage, by its favour.'

Verse 171 (skanda.7.382.171)

ऋषिरुवाच रेवत्यृक्षश्च न वै भद्रे चन्द्रयोगे दिवि स्थितम् । ऋक्षाण्यन्यान्यपि संति सुभ्रूर्वैवाहकानि च

ṛṣiruvāca revatyṛkṣaśca na vai bhadre candrayoge divi sthitam | ṛkṣāṇyanyānyapi saṁti subhrūrvaivāhakāni ca

The sage said: 'But, good girl, the Revati star does not stand now in the sky in conjunction with the moon. There are other stars too, fair-browed one, suitable for marriage.'

Verse 172 (skanda.7.382.172)

कन्योवाच तात तेन विना कालो विकलः प्रतिभाति मे । विवाहो विकले तात मद्विधायाः कथं भवेत् ॥ १७४ । प्रमुञ्च उवाच ऋतवागिति विख्यातस्तपस्वी रेवतीं प्रति । चकार कोपं क्रुद्धेन तेनर्क्षं तन्निपातितम्

kanyovāca tāta tena vinā kālo vikalaḥ pratibhāti me | vivāho vikale tāta madvidhāyāḥ kathaṁ bhavet 174 | pramuñca uvāca ṛtavāgiti vikhyātastapasvī revatīṁ prati | cakāra kopaṁ kruddhena tenarkṣaṁ tannipātitam

The maiden said: 'Father, without it, this time seems incomplete to me. How can a marriage in an incomplete time be right for one like me?' Pramucha said: 'The ascetic renowned as Ritavak grew angry at Revati; enraged, he it was who caused that star to fall.'

Verse 173 (skanda.7.382.173)

मया चास्मै प्रतिज्ञाता भार्येति विदितं तव । न चेच्छसि विवाहं त्वं संकटं नः समागतम्

mayā cāsmai pratijñātā bhāryeti viditaṁ tava | na cecchasi vivāhaṁ tvaṁ saṁkaṭaṁ naḥ samāgatam

'I have already promised her to him as his wife, as you know. If you do not wish for this marriage, then trouble has come upon us.'

Verse 174 (skanda.7.382.174)

कन्योवाच ऋतवागेव स मुनिः किमेतत्तप्तवान्स्वयम् । न त्वया मम तातेन ब्रह्मबन्धोः सुताऽस्मि किम्

kanyovāca ṛtavāgeva sa muniḥ kimetattaptavānsvayam | na tvayā mama tātena brahmabandhoḥ sutā'smi kim

The maiden said: 'Was it that very sage Ritavak himself who performed this? Am I not, father, the daughter of a true brahmin-kinsman through you?'

Verse 175 (skanda.7.382.175)

ऋषिरुवाच ब्रह्मबन्धोः सुता न त्वं तपस्वी नास्ति मेऽधिकः । सुता त्वं च मया देया नान्यत्कर्तुं समुत्सहे

ṛṣiruvāca brahmabandhoḥ sutā na tvaṁ tapasvī nāsti me'dhikaḥ | sutā tvaṁ ca mayā deyā nānyatkartuṁ samutsahe

The sage said: 'You are not the daughter of an ordinary kinsman - no ascetic is greater than I. You are my daughter, and by me you must be given - I cannot bring myself to do otherwise.'

Verse 176 (skanda.7.382.176)

कन्योवाच तपस्वी यदि मे तातस्तत्किमृक्षमिदं दिवि । समारोप्य विवाहो मे कस्मान्न क्रियते पुनः

kanyovāca tapasvī yadi me tātastatkimṛkṣamidaṁ divi | samāropya vivāho me kasmānna kriyate punaḥ

The maiden said: 'If my father is truly such a great ascetic, then why can he not restore that star to the sky, and only then perform my marriage?'

Verse 177 (skanda.7.382.177)

ऋषिरुवाच एवं भवतु भद्रं ते भद्रे प्रीतिमती भव । आरोपयामीन्दुमार्गे रेवत्यृक्षं कृते तव

ṛṣiruvāca evaṁ bhavatu bhadraṁ te bhadre prītimatī bhava | āropayāmīndumārge revatyṛkṣaṁ kṛte tava

The sage said: 'So be it, good fortune to you; be content, good girl. I shall restore the Revati star to the moon's path, for your sake.'

Verse 178 (skanda.7.382.178)

ततस्तपःप्रभावेन रेवत्यृक्षं महामुनिः । यथा पूर्वं तथा चक्रे सोमयोगि द्विजोत्तमः । विवाहं दुहितुः कृत्वा जामातरमुवाच ह

tatastapaḥprabhāvena revatyṛkṣaṁ mahāmuniḥ | yathā pūrvaṁ tathā cakre somayogi dvijottamaḥ | vivāhaṁ duhituḥ kṛtvā jāmātaramuvāca ha

Then, by the power of his austerity, the great sage restored the Revati star, conjoined once more with the moon as before, O foremost of brahmins. Having performed his daughter's marriage, he then spoke to his son-in-law.

Verse 179 (skanda.7.382.179)

औद्वाहिकं ते भूपाल कथ्यतां किं ददाम्यहम् । दुष्प्रापमपि दास्यामि विद्यते मे महत्तपः

audvāhikaṁ te bhūpāla kathyatāṁ kiṁ dadāmyaham | duṣprāpamapi dāsyāmi vidyate me mahattapaḥ

'Tell me, O king, what shall I give you as a wedding-gift? Even what is hard to obtain, I shall give - for I possess great ascetic power.'

Verse 180 (skanda.7.382.180)

राजोवाच मनोः स्वायंभुवस्याहमुत्पन्नः संततौ मुने । मन्वंतराधिपं पुत्रं त्वत्प्रसादाद्वृणोम्यहम्

rājovāca manoḥ svāyaṁbhuvasyāhamutpannaḥ saṁtatau mune | manvaṁtarādhipaṁ putraṁ tvatprasādādvṛṇomyaham

The king said: 'I was born in the lineage of Svayambhuva Manu, O sage. By your grace, I ask for a son who shall be the lord of a Manvantara.'

Verse 181 (skanda.7.382.181)

ऋषिरुवाच भविष्यति महीपालो महाबलपराक्रमः । रेवती रेवतीकुण्डे स्नात्वा पुत्रं जनिष्यति

ṛṣiruvāca bhaviṣyati mahīpālo mahābalaparākramaḥ | revatī revatīkuṇḍe snātvā putraṁ janiṣyati

The sage said: 'There shall be born a great and mighty king; Revati, having bathed in the Revati-kunda, shall bear that son.'

Verse 182 (skanda.7.382.182)

एवं कृत्वा गतो राजा सा च पुत्रमजीजनत् । रैवतेति कृतं नाम बभूव स मनुर्नृपः

evaṁ kṛtvā gato rājā sā ca putramajījanat | raivateti kṛtaṁ nāma babhūva sa manurnṛpaḥ

So it was done, and the king departed; and she bore a son. He was given the name 'Raivata,' and he became a king and Manu.

Verse 183 (skanda.7.382.183)

अमुना च तदा प्रोक्तमस्मिन्रैवतके गिरौ । स्त्रियः स्नानं करिष्यंति तासां पुत्रा महाबलाः । दीर्घायुषो भविष्यंति दुःखदारिद्र्यवर्जिताः

amunā ca tadā proktamasminraivatake girau | striyaḥ snānaṁ kariṣyaṁti tāsāṁ putrā mahābalāḥ | dīrghāyuṣo bhaviṣyaṁti duḥkhadāridryavarjitāḥ

And he then declared: 'Whatever women shall bathe on this Mount Raivataka - their sons shall be mighty, long-lived, and free from sorrow and poverty.'

Verse 184 (skanda.7.382.184)

नारद उवाच इत्युक्ते पर्वतो राजन्दीर्घो भूत्वा पपात सः । एतौ तौ संस्मृतौ देवौ सभार्यौ हरिशंकरौ

nārada uvāca ityukte parvato rājandīrgho bhūtvā papāta saḥ | etau tau saṁsmṛtau devau sabhāryau hariśaṁkarau

Narada said: 'Having said this, O king, that mountain, having become elongated, settled into its final shape. Then those two gods, Hari and Shankara, together with their consorts, were remembered.'

Verse 185 (skanda.7.382.185)

स्मृतमात्रौ तदाऽऽयातौ तेन बद्धौ पुरा यतः । यत्राहं तत्र स्थातव्यं भवद्भ्यामिति निश्चितम्

smṛtamātrau tadā''yātau tena baddhau purā yataḥ | yatrāhaṁ tatra sthātavyaṁ bhavadbhyāmiti niścitam

'The moment they were remembered, they came there, for they had been bound of old by his words - that wherever he was, there the two of them must dwell - so it had been resolved.'

Verse 186 (skanda.7.382.186)

अतो विष्णुहरौ देवौ स्थितौ तौ पर्वतोत्तमे । गिरौ रैवतके रम्ये स्वर्णरेखानदीजले । आराधयद्धरिं देवं रेवती तां च सोब्रवीत्

ato viṣṇuharau devau sthitau tau parvatottame | girau raivatake ramye svarṇarekhānadījale | ārādhayaddhariṁ devaṁ revatī tāṁ ca sobravīt

'Therefore the two gods, Vishnu and Hara, took their place on that excellent, lovely Mount Raivataka, in the waters of the river Svarnarekha. Revati worshipped the god Hari, and he spoke to her -'

Verse 187 (skanda.7.382.187)

भवताच्चंद्रयोगस्ते गगने ब्राह्मणाज्ञया । अन्यद्वृणीष्व तुष्टोऽहं वरं मनसि यत्स्थितम्

bhavatāccaṁdrayogaste gagane brāhmaṇājñayā | anyadvṛṇīṣva tuṣṭo'haṁ varaṁ manasi yatsthitam

'-"By the brahmin's command, your conjunction with the moon in the sky has come about. Ask now for another boon - I am pleased; whatever is in your heart."'

Verse 188 (skanda.7.382.188)

रेवत्युवाच गिरौ रैवतके देव स्थातव्यं भवता सदा । मया स्नानं कृतं यत्र तत्र स्नास्यंति ये जनाः

revatyuvāca girau raivatake deva sthātavyaṁ bhavatā sadā | mayā snānaṁ kṛtaṁ yatra tatra snāsyaṁti ye janāḥ

Revati said: 'O god, you should abide always upon Mount Raivataka. Whatever people shall bathe where I have bathed -'

Verse 189 (skanda.7.382.189)

तेषां विष्णुपुरे वासो भवत्विति वृतं मया । एवमस्तु तदा प्रोच्य गिरौ रैवतके स्थितः । दामोदरश्चतुर्बाहुः स्वयं रुद्रोपि संस्थितः

teṣāṁ viṣṇupure vāso bhavatviti vṛtaṁ mayā | evamastu tadā procya girau raivatake sthitaḥ | dāmodaraścaturbāhuḥ svayaṁ rudropi saṁsthitaḥ

'-let them dwell in Vishnu's city; this is the boon I choose.' 'So be it,' he said, and then the four-armed Damodara took his place upon Mount Raivataka, and Rudra too established himself there of his own accord.

Verse 190 (skanda.7.382.190)

गंगाद्याः सरितः सर्वाः संस्थिता विष्णुना सह । क्षीरोदे मथ्यमाने तु यदा वृक्षः समुत्थितः

gaṁgādyāḥ saritaḥ sarvāḥ saṁsthitā viṣṇunā saha | kṣīrode mathyamāne tu yadā vṛkṣaḥ samutthitaḥ

All the rivers, beginning with the Ganga, took their place there together with Vishnu. And when, at the churning of the ocean of milk, a certain tree arose -

Verse 191 (skanda.7.382.191)

आमर्द्दे देवदैत्यानां तेन सामर्दकी स्मृता ॥ । अस्मिन्वृक्षे स्थिता लक्ष्मीः सदा पितृगृहे नृप

āmardde devadaityānāṁ tena sāmardakī smṛtā | asminvṛkṣe sthitā lakṣmīḥ sadā pitṛgṛhe nṛpa

amid the struggle of the gods and daityas, it was thereby remembered as the 'Samardaki' tree. Lakshmi, O king, always dwells in this tree, in her father's house.

Verse 192 (skanda.7.382.192)

शिवालक्ष्मीः स्मृतो वृक्षः सेव्यते सुरसत्तमैः । देवैर्ब्रह्मादिभिः सर्वैर्वृक्षोऽसौ वैष्णवः स्मृतः

śivālakṣmīḥ smṛto vṛkṣaḥ sevyate surasattamaiḥ | devairbrahmādibhiḥ sarvairvṛkṣo'sau vaiṣṇavaḥ smṛtaḥ

This tree is remembered as 'Shiva-Lakshmi,' and is served by the foremost of gods; it is remembered by all the gods, beginning with Brahma, as belonging to Vishnu.

Verse 193 (skanda.7.382.193)

सर्वैः संचिंत्य मुक्तोऽसौ गिरौ रैवतके पुरा । अस्य वृक्षस्य यात्रां ये करिष्यंति हरेर्दिने

sarvaiḥ saṁciṁtya mukto'sau girau raivatake purā | asya vṛkṣasya yātrāṁ ye kariṣyaṁti harerdine

Considered by all, it was of old established upon Mount Raivataka. Those who shall make a pilgrimage to this tree on a day dear to Hari -

Verse 194 (skanda.7.382.194)

फाल्गुने च सिते पक्ष एकादश्यां नृपोत्तम । तेषां पुत्राश्च पौत्राश्च भविष्यंति गुणाधिकाः । प्रांते विष्णुपुरे वासो जायतेनात्र संशयः

phālgune ca site pakṣa ekādaśyāṁ nṛpottama | teṣāṁ putrāśca pautrāśca bhaviṣyaṁti guṇādhikāḥ | prāṁte viṣṇupure vāso jāyatenātra saṁśayaḥ

'-on the eleventh of the bright fortnight of Phalguna, O best of kings, their sons and grandsons shall become exceedingly virtuous; and at the end, dwelling in Vishnu's city surely comes about - of this there is no doubt.'

Verse 195 (skanda.7.382.195)

बलिरुवाच कथमेतद्व्रतं कार्यं वैष्णवं विष्णुवल्लभम् । रात्रौ जागरणं कार्यं विधिना केन तद्वद

baliruvāca kathametadvrataṁ kāryaṁ vaiṣṇavaṁ viṣṇuvallabham | rātrau jāgaraṇaṁ kāryaṁ vidhinā kena tadvada

Bali said: 'How is this Vaishnava vow, dear to Vishnu, to be performed? By what rule is the night-vigil to be kept - tell me that.'

Verse 196 (skanda.7.382.196)

नारद उवाच फाल्गुनस्य सिते पक्ष एकादश्यामुपोषितः । स्नात्वा नद्यां तडागे वा वाप्यां कूपे गृहेऽपि वा

nārada uvāca phālgunasya site pakṣa ekādaśyāmupoṣitaḥ | snātvā nadyāṁ taḍāge vā vāpyāṁ kūpe gṛhe'pi vā

Narada said: 'On the eleventh of the bright fortnight of Phalguna, having fasted, and having bathed in a river, a pond, a step-well, a well, or even at home -'

Verse 197 (skanda.7.382.197)

गत्वा गिरौ वने वाऽपि यत्र सा प्राप्यते शिवा । पूज्या पुष्पैः शुभै रात्रौ कार्यं जागरणं नरैः

gatvā girau vane vā'pi yatra sā prāpyate śivā | pūjyā puṣpaiḥ śubhai rātrau kāryaṁ jāgaraṇaṁ naraiḥ

'-going to the mountain or to the forest, wherever that auspicious tree is to be found, it should be worshipped with fine flowers, and men should keep a vigil there at night.'

Verse 198 (skanda.7.382.198)

अष्टाधिकशतैः कार्या फलैस्तस्याः प्रदक्षिणा । प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य नगं भोक्तव्यं तु फलं नरैः

aṣṭādhikaśataiḥ kāryā phalaistasyāḥ pradakṣiṇā | pradakṣiṇīkṛtya nagaṁ bhoktavyaṁ tu phalaṁ naraiḥ

'Circumambulation of it should be performed one hundred and eight times, with fruit offered at each turn; having circumambulated the tree, men should then eat of its fruit.'

Verse 199 (skanda.7.382.199)

करकं जलपूर्णं तु कर्त्तव्यं पात्रसंयुतम् । हविष्यान्नं तु कर्त्तव्यं दीपः कार्यो विधानतः

karakaṁ jalapūrṇaṁ tu karttavyaṁ pātrasaṁyutam | haviṣyānnaṁ tu karttavyaṁ dīpaḥ kāryo vidhānataḥ

'A water-pot filled with water, together with its vessel, should be prepared; sacred food should be made ready; and a lamp should be lit according to the rule.'

Verse 200 (skanda.7.382.200)

एवं जागरणं कार्यं कथाश्रवणतत्परैः । मुच्यंते देहिनः पापैः कलिजैः कायसंभवैः

evaṁ jāgaraṇaṁ kāryaṁ kathāśravaṇatatparaiḥ | mucyaṁte dehinaḥ pāpaiḥ kalijaiḥ kāyasaṁbhavaiḥ

'Thus the vigil should be kept by those intent on hearing the sacred tale. Embodied beings are freed thereby from sins born of the Kali age and from those born of the body.'

Verse 201 (skanda.7.382.201)

देहांते ते नराः सर्वे पूज्यंते हरिमंदिरे

dehāṁte te narāḥ sarve pūjyaṁte harimaṁdire

'At the end of the body, all such men are honoured in Hari's abode.'

Verse 202 (skanda.7.382.202)

सारस्वत उवाच इत्युक्त्वा नारदो दैत्यं ययौ रैवतकं गिरिम् । दैत्येन्द्रो मंत्रयामास किंकार्यं सांप्रतं मया

sārasvata uvāca ityuktvā nārado daityaṁ yayau raivatakaṁ girim | daityendro maṁtrayāmāsa kiṁkāryaṁ sāṁprataṁ mayā

Sarasvata said: Having said this to the daitya, Narada went on to Mount Raivataka. The lord of daityas then took counsel: 'What should I do now?'

Verse 203 (skanda.7.382.203)

न रोचते सुरैः सार्द्धं विग्रहो मे सुरोत्तमाः

na rocate suraiḥ sārddhaṁ vigraho me surottamāḥ

'War with the gods does not please me, O foremost of daityas.'

Verse 204 (skanda.7.382.204)

मंत्रिण ऊचुः नास्ति क्षमा भृशं तेषां क्षत्रियाणां गृहे सताम् । अशक्तमपि मंस्यंते स्वयमायांति ते यतः । तस्मात्स्वयं प्रयास्यामो देवेन्द्रं सहिता वयम्

maṁtriṇa ūcuḥ nāsti kṣamā bhṛśaṁ teṣāṁ kṣatriyāṇāṁ gṛhe satām | aśaktamapi maṁsyaṁte svayamāyāṁti te yataḥ | tasmātsvayaṁ prayāsyāmo devendraṁ sahitā vayam

The ministers said: 'Kshatriyas dwelling in comfort at home have no real patience; they will consider you weak, since they will come of their own accord. Therefore let us go, all together, to face Devendra ourselves.'

Verse 205 (skanda.7.382.205)

इति श्रुत्वा ददौ ढक्कां प्रथमं सुरविग्रहे । गृहीत्वा वाहिनीं दैत्याः प्रस्थिता मेरु पर्वते

iti śrutvā dadau ḍhakkāṁ prathamaṁ suravigrahe | gṛhītvā vāhinīṁ daityāḥ prasthitā meru parvate

Hearing this, he gave the order for the first time for war against the gods. Taking their army, the daityas set out for Mount Meru,

Verse 206 (skanda.7.382.206)

यत्र सा नगरी रम्या देवराजस्य पूर्वतः । आगच्छमानां तां ज्ञात्वा वाहिनीं मेरुपर्वते

yatra sā nagarī ramyā devarājasya pūrvataḥ | āgacchamānāṁ tāṁ jñātvā vāhinīṁ meruparvate

where lay that lovely city of the king of gods, to its east. Learning that the army was approaching Mount Meru,

Verse 207 (skanda.7.382.207)

देवराजसमादेशाच्चलिता देव वाहिनी । सुमेरोः पूर्वदिग्भागे युद्धमासीत्परस्परम्

devarājasamādeśāccalitā deva vāhinī | sumeroḥ pūrvadigbhāge yuddhamāsītparasparam

the army of gods marched forth at the command of the king of gods. On the eastern side of Sumeru a battle broke out between the two,

Verse 208 (skanda.7.382.208)

देवसैन्यं यदा सर्वं दैत्यसैन्येनसंयुतम् । महाप्रलयसादृश्यं युद्धं वृत्तं तदा तयोः ।

devasainyaṁ yadā sarvaṁ daityasainyenasaṁyutam | mahāpralayasādṛśyaṁ yuddhaṁ vṛttaṁ tadā tayoḥ |

and when the whole army of gods clashed with the army of daityas, a battle resembling the great dissolution of the world took place between them.

Verse 209 (skanda.7.382.209)

ऐरावणं समारुह्य देवराजः समागतः । रथमारुह्य दैत्येन्द्रो युद्धायान्ये समागताः

airāvaṇaṁ samāruhya devarājaḥ samāgataḥ | rathamāruhya daityendro yuddhāyānye samāgatāḥ

Mounted on Airavata, the king of gods came forward; mounted on his chariot, the lord of daityas came too; the others came forward for battle.

Verse 210 (skanda.7.382.210)

देवा यज्ञभुजो यस्मात्तस्मान्न युद्ध कांक्षिणः । ऐरावणो बलिं दृष्ट्वा न चचालाग्रतो मृधे

devā yajñabhujo yasmāttasmānna yuddha kāṁkṣiṇaḥ | airāvaṇo baliṁ dṛṣṭvā na cacālāgrato mṛdhe

Since the gods live off sacrificial offerings, they were not eager for war; Airavata, seeing Bali, would not advance forward into the battle.

Verse 211 (skanda.7.382.211)

संग्रामे विमुखो याति दिग्गजैः परिवेष्टितः । अध्वरे बाहुना येन संकल्पं कृतवान्बलिः

saṁgrāme vimukho yāti diggajaiḥ pariveṣṭitaḥ | adhvare bāhunā yena saṁkalpaṁ kṛtavānbaliḥ

Turning away from the battle, he retreated, surrounded by the elephants of the quarters - for Bali, with his own arm, had made a solemn vow at the sacrifice.

Verse 212 (skanda.7.382.212)

तेन वै स सुरान्सर्वान्वारयामास संयुगे । वारिता विमुखा यांति देवराजः करोतु किम्

tena vai sa surānsarvānvārayāmāsa saṁyuge | vāritā vimukhā yāṁti devarājaḥ karotu kim

By that vow he restrained all the gods in the battle; restrained, they turned back and retreated - what could the king of gods do?

Verse 213 (skanda.7.382.213)

कुलिशं न कुरुते कर्म भुजमुक्तं न गच्छति

kuliśaṁ na kurute karma bhujamuktaṁ na gacchati

His thunderbolt would not do its work; once released from his arm, it would not fly.

Verse 214 (skanda.7.382.214)

एवं बहूनि युद्धानि निवृत्तानि तदा तयोः । न हंतुं शक्यंते युद्धे देवैर्दैत्या महाबलाः

evaṁ bahūni yuddhāni nivṛttāni tadā tayoḥ | na haṁtuṁ śakyaṁte yuddhe devairdaityā mahābalāḥ

Thus many battles between the two ended inconclusively; the mighty daityas could not be slain by the gods in battle.

Verse 215 (skanda.7.382.215)

बलाकांक्षाः स्थिता देवा गुरुणा ते प्रबोधिताः । अमरा देवताः सर्व इति शुक्रेण वारिताः

balākāṁkṣāḥ sthitā devā guruṇā te prabodhitāḥ | amarā devatāḥ sarva iti śukreṇa vāritāḥ

The gods, desiring renewed strength, were counselled by their guru; and Shukra restrained the daityas too, saying 'the gods are all immortal' [so there was no gain in reckless slaughter].

Verse 216 (skanda.7.382.216)

अवतारं हरेर्ज्ञात्वा पञ्चमं वामनं स्थितम् । अतिहृष्टोऽमरावत्यां राज्यं चक्रे सुरेश्वरः

avatāraṁ harerjñātvā pañcamaṁ vāmanaṁ sthitam | atihṛṣṭo'marāvatyāṁ rājyaṁ cakre sureśvaraḥ

Knowing of Hari's fifth incarnation, established as Vamana, the lord of gods, greatly delighted, continued to rule in Amaravati.

Verse 217 (skanda.7.382.217)

ननर्त्त युद्धे दैत्येन्द्रः स्वगृहे यजते सुरान् । पातालाभिसृता दैत्या राज्यं कुर्वंति मानवाः

nanartta yuddhe daityendraḥ svagṛhe yajate surān | pātālābhisṛtā daityā rājyaṁ kurvaṁti mānavāḥ

The lord of daityas triumphed in war, and at home worshipped the gods with sacrifices; the daityas remained settled toward Patala too, and men carried on their rule on earth.

Verse 218 (skanda.7.382.218)

तदा देवगणाः सर्वे मन्त्रयन्ति सुरैः सह । दैत्यो लोकद्वयं शास्ति स्वर्गं शास्ति सुरेश्वरः

tadā devagaṇāḥ sarve mantrayanti suraiḥ saha | daityo lokadvayaṁ śāsti svargaṁ śāsti sureśvaraḥ

Then all the hosts of gods took counsel together: 'The daitya rules two worlds, while the lord of gods rules only heaven.'

Verse 219 (skanda.7.382.219)

क्षंतव्यं तावदेवास्य वामनो रैवतं गिरिम् । यावद्याति सुरैः कार्यं मौनं दैत्यजितैरपि

kṣaṁtavyaṁ tāvadevāsya vāmano raivataṁ girim | yāvadyāti suraiḥ kāryaṁ maunaṁ daityajitairapi

'This should be endured for now, until Vamana goes to Mount Raivataka; the gods, even defeated by the daityas, should keep silent for the time being.'

Verse 220 (skanda.7.382.220)

यदाप्रभृति सञ्जातो वामनो धरणीतले । तदाप्रभृति दैत्यानां दुनिर्मित्तानि जज्ञिरे

yadāprabhṛti sañjāto vāmano dharaṇītale | tadāprabhṛti daityānāṁ dunirmittāni jajñire

From the time Vamana was born upon the earth, from that time onward, evil omens began to arise for the daityas.

Verse 221 (skanda.7.382.221)

शिवा प्रविश्य नगरे रौति सा विस्वरं निशि । भ्रमन्ति नगरे काका दिवारात्रं विराविणः

śivā praviśya nagare rauti sā visvaraṁ niśi | bhramanti nagare kākā divārātraṁ virāviṇaḥ

Jackals, entering the city, howled discordantly at night; crows wandered about the city, cawing day and night.

Verse 222 (skanda.7.382.222)

सर्प्पाः सर्प्पंति गेहेषु कृष्णा रौद्रा विषोल्बणाः । कंका गृध्रा बका भ्रांता भ्रमन्ति नगरोपरि

sarppāḥ sarppaṁti geheṣu kṛṣṇā raudrā viṣolbaṇāḥ | kaṁkā gṛdhrā bakā bhrāṁtā bhramanti nagaropari

Black, fierce, intensely venomous serpents crept about in the houses; herons, vultures, and cranes wheeled in confusion above the city.

Verse 223 (skanda.7.382.223)

जायन्ते विमुखा गर्भाः स्त्रीषु गोषु मृगीषु वा । घृतं दुग्धं च नैवास्ति तिले तैलं न विद्यते

jāyante vimukhā garbhāḥ strīṣu goṣu mṛgīṣu vā | ghṛtaṁ dugdhaṁ ca naivāsti tile tailaṁ na vidyate

Malformed offspring were born to women, cows, or deer; there was no ghee, no milk, and no oil was to be found in sesame.

Verse 224 (skanda.7.382.224)

जने जानपदो नित्यं युध्यते च परस्परम् । काली करालवदना दीर्घकेशी विलोचना

jane jānapado nityaṁ yudhyate ca parasparam | kālī karālavadanā dīrghakeśī vilocanā

Among the people, the citizens constantly quarrelled with one another; a dark, terrifying-faced figure, long-haired, wide-eyed -

Verse 225 (skanda.7.382.225)

अज्ञाता रुदती याति नगरे सा गृहं प्रति । कोऽयं न ज्ञायते कस्मात्तपस्वी भस्मगुंठितः

ajñātā rudatī yāti nagare sā gṛhaṁ prati | ko'yaṁ na jñāyate kasmāttapasvī bhasmaguṁṭhitaḥ

unrecognised, went weeping through the city, from house to house. No one knew who this ash-smeared ascetic was, or from where he came -

Verse 226 (skanda.7.382.226)

यतिर्मौनव्रती नग्न पुरो याति गृहेगृहे । डमरूड्डामरुं पश्चाद्धुंकारं विदधाति च

yatirmaunavratī nagna puro yāti gṛhegṛhe | ḍamarūḍḍāmaruṁ paścāddhuṁkāraṁ vidadhāti ca

a silent, naked ascetic went before, house to house, and after him a damaru resounded with a tumultuous roar.

Verse 227 (skanda.7.382.227)

अकाले कुपिता मेघा जलं मुञ्चंति पुष्कलम् । करकैः पूरिता गर्भा गर्जंति गिरयो बहु

akāle kupitā meghā jalaṁ muñcaṁti puṣkalam | karakaiḥ pūritā garbhā garjaṁti girayo bahu

At the wrong season, raging clouds released abundant rain; laden with hail, they thundered - the mountains roared greatly.

Verse 228 (skanda.7.382.228)

समजायत भूकंपो दिग्दाहश्चाप्यजायत । मिलित्वा श्वगणः सर्वो मुखमुच्चैर्विधाय च

samajāyata bhūkaṁpo digdāhaścāpyajāyata | militvā śvagaṇaḥ sarvo mukhamuccairvidhāya ca

An earthquake occurred, and a fiery glow on the horizon too appeared; the packs of dogs, gathering together, raised their muzzles high and -

Verse 229 (skanda.7.382.229)

रौति रात्रौ पुरे नित्यं घूकः शब्दं विशब्दते । बलिराज्यक्षयो जातो दिवि केतूदयो निशि ।

rauti rātrau pure nityaṁ ghūkaḥ śabdaṁ viśabdate | balirājyakṣayo jāto divi ketūdayo niśi |

howled every night in the city; the owl uttered its discordant cry. The decline of Bali's kingdom had begun; a comet arose in the sky at night.

Verse 230 (skanda.7.382.230)

आदित्यमण्डले वेधः कीलकैर्दृश्यते कृतः । कबन्धसंकुले व्योम्नि चन्द्रमा न प्रकाशते

ādityamaṇḍale vedhaḥ kīlakairdṛśyate kṛtaḥ | kabandhasaṁkule vyomni candramā na prakāśate

A piercing, as if made with pegs, was seen in the orb of the sun; in a sky crowded with headless trunk-shapes, the moon did not shine.

Verse 231 (skanda.7.382.231)

स जातो रोहिणीवेधो यो जातो युगव्यत्यये । नक्षत्राणि दिवा लोकैर्गण्यन्ते गुणवत्तरैः

sa jāto rohiṇīvedho yo jāto yugavyatyaye | nakṣatrāṇi divā lokairgaṇyante guṇavattaraiḥ

That piercing of Rohini occurred, which occurs only at the turning of an age; the stars, even by day, were counted by the most learned of men.

Verse 232 (skanda.7.382.232)

बीजानां व्यत्ययो जज्ञे भूमिस्त्रीगोमृगीषु च । अश्वा ह्रेषंति सहसा मदं कुर्वंति नो गजाः

bījānāṁ vyatyayo jajñe bhūmistrīgomṛgīṣu ca | aśvā hreṣaṁti sahasā madaṁ kurvaṁti no gajāḥ

Seeds went awry in the earth, in women, cows, and deer alike; horses neighed suddenly, and elephants showed no rut.

Verse 233 (skanda.7.382.233)

मन्त्रिणां मंत्रितो मन्त्रो भिद्यते राज्यसंक्षये । घृताहुत्या हुतो वह्निर्ज्वलति न तदा द्विजैः

mantriṇāṁ maṁtrito mantro bhidyate rājyasaṁkṣaye | ghṛtāhutyā huto vahnirjvalati na tadā dvijaiḥ

The counsel deliberated by the ministers fell into confusion, as the kingdom declined; the fire, offered oblations of ghee by the brahmins, would not blaze up.

Verse 234 (skanda.7.382.234)

प्रचण्डः पावनो वाति वात्यया घूर्णितद्रुमः । ध्वजा ज्वलन्ति चैत्येषु नभो भवति धूसरम्

pracaṇḍaḥ pāvano vāti vātyayā ghūrṇitadrumaḥ | dhvajā jvalanti caityeṣu nabho bhavati dhūsaram

A fierce purifying wind blew, whirling and bending the trees; banners on the shrines burst into flame of their own accord, and the sky turned ashen grey.

Verse 235 (skanda.7.382.235)

एते चान्ये च बहव उत्पाता बलिनो गृहे । संजाता वामने जाते नारदागमनादनु

ete cānye ca bahava utpātā balino gṛhe | saṁjātā vāmane jāte nāradāgamanādanu

These and many other portents arose in Bali's house, once Vamana was born, following Narada's visit.

Verse 236 (skanda.7.382.236)

अन्यच्च जायते रौद्रं यद्दिवा स्वप्नदर्शनम् । संनह्यंते यदा दैत्याः पतिता निपतंति च

anyacca jāyate raudraṁ yaddivā svapnadarśanam | saṁnahyaṁte yadā daityāḥ patitā nipataṁti ca

Another terrible thing occurred: dream-visions appeared even by day; whenever the daityas armed themselves, they would stumble and fall.

Verse 237 (skanda.7.382.237)

निमित्तानि स सैन्यस्य दृष्ट्वैवं न प्रवर्त्तते । सदा संतिष्ठते गेहे राज्यं च कुरुते बलिः

nimittāni sa sainyasya dṛṣṭvaivaṁ na pravarttate | sadā saṁtiṣṭhate gehe rājyaṁ ca kurute baliḥ

Seeing these omens for his army, Bali did not march out; he remained always at home, and continued to govern his kingdom.

Verse 238 (skanda.7.382.238)

शरीरे न सुखं तस्य गात्रभंगः शिरोव्यथा । ज्वरितो न सुखं शेते न भुंक्ते न पिबत्यसौ । न भुक्तं जीर्यते लोकः सर्वोपि व्याकुलीकृतः

śarīre na sukhaṁ tasya gātrabhaṁgaḥ śirovyathā | jvarito na sukhaṁ śete na bhuṁkte na pibatyasau | na bhuktaṁ jīryate lokaḥ sarvopi vyākulīkṛtaḥ

There was no comfort in his body; his limbs ached, his head throbbed; feverish, he found no comfortable sleep, nor did he eat or drink; what he did eat would not digest; the whole people were thrown into confusion.

Verse 239 (skanda.7.382.239)

विपरीतं जगद्दृष्ट्वा बलिर्व्याकुलमानसः । मन्त्रयामास किमिदं ब्राह्मणैः सह दुःखितः

viparītaṁ jagaddṛṣṭvā balirvyākulamānasaḥ | mantrayāmāsa kimidaṁ brāhmaṇaiḥ saha duḥkhitaḥ

Seeing the world turned upside down, Bali, his mind troubled, took counsel with the brahmins, distressed: 'What is this?'

Verse 240 (skanda.7.382.240)

शुक्रं गुरुं समानीय सभायां संनिवेश्य च । पप्रच्छ कुशलं दैत्यो भक्त्या परमया युतः । विपरीतमिदं सर्वं वर्त्तते तद्वदस्व मे

śukraṁ guruṁ samānīya sabhāyāṁ saṁniveśya ca | papraccha kuśalaṁ daityo bhaktyā paramayā yutaḥ | viparītamidaṁ sarvaṁ varttate tadvadasva me

Bringing his guru Shukra and seating him in the assembly, the daitya, with the utmost devotion, asked after his welfare, and said: 'All of this is turned contrary - tell me why.'

Verse 241 (skanda.7.382.241)

नारदेन यदुक्तं मे गुरो सत्यं भविष्यति । उत्पातशांतिकं ब्रूहि ब्राह्मणैः सहितो मम

nāradena yaduktaṁ me guro satyaṁ bhaviṣyati | utpātaśāṁtikaṁ brūhi brāhmaṇaiḥ sahito mama

'What Narada told me, O guru, shall come to pass. Tell me, together with the brahmins, the rite for the pacification of these portents.'

Verse 242 (skanda.7.382.242)

शुक्र उवाच उत्पातशांतये कार्यो यज्ञः सर्वस्वदक्षिणः । ब्राह्मणैः क्षत्रियैः सार्द्धं द्वादशाब्दो विधीयताम्

śukra uvāca utpātaśāṁtaye kāryo yajñaḥ sarvasvadakṣiṇaḥ | brāhmaṇaiḥ kṣatriyaiḥ sārddhaṁ dvādaśābdo vidhīyatām

Shukra said: 'For the pacification of these portents, a sacrifice should be performed, with the whole of one's wealth as sacrificial fee; together with brahmins and kshatriyas, let a twelve-year rite be undertaken.'

Verse 243 (skanda.7.382.243)

ऋषयो ब्राह्मणा ये च मुनयो ब्रह्मचारिणः । आगच्छन्तु महायज्ञे ये च दूरेऽपि संस्थिताः

ṛṣayo brāhmaṇā ye ca munayo brahmacāriṇaḥ | āgacchantu mahāyajñe ye ca dūre'pi saṁsthitāḥ

'Let the sages, brahmins, ascetics, and celibate students, even those dwelling far away, come to the great sacrifice.'

Verse 244 (skanda.7.382.244)

नगरात्पूर्वदिग्भागे कर्त्तव्यो यज्ञमण्डपः । यस्य यस्याभिरुचितं देयं दानं त्वया नृप । तथा करिष्य इत्युक्त्वा यज्ञार्थं तत्परोभवत्

nagarātpūrvadigbhāge karttavyo yajñamaṇḍapaḥ | yasya yasyābhirucitaṁ deyaṁ dānaṁ tvayā nṛpa | tathā kariṣya ityuktvā yajñārthaṁ tatparobhavat

'To the east of the city a sacrificial pavilion should be built. Whatever each person desires, O king, that gift should be given by you.' 'So I shall do,' he said, and became intent on preparing for the sacrifice.

Verse 245 (skanda.7.382.245)

आनाय्य ब्राह्मणान्सर्वान्कुशलान्यज्ञकर्मणि । गृहीता यज्ञदीक्षा तैर्यज्ञे वै सर्व दक्षिणे

ānāyya brāhmaṇānsarvānkuśalānyajñakarmaṇi | gṛhītā yajñadīkṣā tairyajñe vai sarva dakṣiṇe

Bringing together all the brahmins skilled in sacrificial ritual, the consecration for the sacrifice was taken up by them, for a sacrifice with everything given as the fee.

Verse 246 (skanda.7.382.246)

ब्राह्मणाय मया देयं सर्वस्वमिह याचिते । शरीरपुत्रमित्राणि दारान्दास्यामि याचितः

brāhmaṇāya mayā deyaṁ sarvasvamiha yācite | śarīraputramitrāṇi dārāndāsyāmi yācitaḥ

'Whatever is asked of me here, I shall give the whole of it to the brahmin; if asked, I shall give even my body, sons, friends, and wife.'

Verse 247 (skanda.7.382.247)

दातव्यं सततं दानं ब्राह्मणेभ्यो मयाध्वरे । वारितेनापि न स्थेयं दातव्यं निश्चितं मया । याचितश्चेन्न दास्यामि तदा व्यर्थो ममाऽध्वरः

dātavyaṁ satataṁ dānaṁ brāhmaṇebhyo mayādhvare | vāritenāpi na stheyaṁ dātavyaṁ niścitaṁ mayā | yācitaścenna dāsyāmi tadā vyartho mamā'dhvaraḥ

'A continuous stream of gifts shall be given by me to the brahmins in this sacrifice; even if restrained, I shall not stop - I am resolved to give. If asked and I do not give, then my sacrifice is in vain.'

Verse 248 (skanda.7.382.248)

विधाय मण्डपं दिव्यं बहुयोजनविस्तरम् । तत्र दानानि दीयन्ते भोजनाच्छादनानि च

vidhāya maṇḍapaṁ divyaṁ bahuyojanavistaram | tatra dānāni dīyante bhojanācchādanāni ca

Having built a divine pavilion, many yojanas in extent, gifts were given there, along with food and clothing.

Verse 249 (skanda.7.382.249)

सप्तर्षयः समायाता गगनाद्धरणीतले । दिग्भ्यः समागताः सर्वे ब्राह्मणाः संति ये भुवि

saptarṣayaḥ samāyātā gaganāddharaṇītale | digbhyaḥ samāgatāḥ sarve brāhmaṇāḥ saṁti ye bhuvi

The Seven Sages came down from the sky to the earth; all the brahmins on earth gathered from every direction.

Verse 250 (skanda.7.382.250)

क्षत्रियाश्च समायाता विगृह्य विविधं वसु । निवेदयन्ति ते राज्ञे प्रारब्धे यज्ञकर्मणि

kṣatriyāśca samāyātā vigṛhya vividhaṁ vasu | nivedayanti te rājñe prārabdhe yajñakarmaṇi

Kshatriyas too gathered, bringing various treasures; they offered them to the king, once the sacrificial rite had begun.

Verse 251 (skanda.7.382.251)

आसमुद्रात्समायाता नटनर्त्तकयाचकाः । गीतवादित्रनिर्घोषो वेदध्वनिविमिश्रितः

āsamudrātsamāyātā naṭanarttakayācakāḥ | gītavāditranirghoṣo vedadhvanivimiśritaḥ

Actors, dancers, and beggars came from as far as the ocean; the sound of song and instruments mingled with the chanting of the Vedas.

Verse 252 (skanda.7.382.252)

त्रैलोक्यं बधिरीचक्रे देहिदेहीति याचितम् । मा देहीति वचो नास्ति स्तोकं देहीति चैव न

trailokyaṁ badhirīcakre dehidehīti yācitam | mā dehīti vaco nāsti stokaṁ dehīti caiva na

The cry 'give, give!' deafened the three worlds; there was no word of 'do not give,' nor even 'give but a little.'

Verse 253 (skanda.7.382.253)

यद्यद्यो याचते वस्तु तत्तस्मै तत्र दीयते । ब्राह्मणो हि न सोऽप्यस्ति यो हि तं बहु याचते

yadyadyo yācate vastu tattasmai tatra dīyate | brāhmaṇo hi na so'pyasti yo hi taṁ bahu yācate

Whatever thing anyone asked for was given to him there and then; there was no brahmin left who could still ask much more of him.

Verse 254 (skanda.7.382.254)

भोजनाच्छादनार्थं च न गृह्णंति द्विजातयः । सुवर्णरत्नरौप्याणि तथाश्वरथकुंजरान्

bhojanācchādanārthaṁ ca na gṛhṇaṁti dvijātayaḥ | suvarṇaratnaraupyāṇi tathāśvarathakuṁjarān

The twice-born took nothing more than food and clothing; they did not accept gold, gems, silver, horses, chariots, or elephants.

Verse 255 (skanda.7.382.255)

गृहगोभूमिग्रामांश्च न गृह्णंति द्विजातयः । बलिराज्येन संतुष्टाः किं कुर्वति धनेन ते

gṛhagobhūmigrāmāṁśca na gṛhṇaṁti dvijātayaḥ | balirājyena saṁtuṣṭāḥ kiṁ kurvati dhanena te

The twice-born did not accept houses, cattle, land, or villages; content with Bali's good governance, what use had they for wealth?

Verse 256 (skanda.7.382.256)

एवं प्रवर्तते यज्ञो महान्सर्वस्वदक्षिणः

evaṁ pravartate yajño mahānsarvasvadakṣiṇaḥ

Thus proceeded the great sacrifice, with all of Bali's wealth given as the sacrificial fee.

Verse 257 (skanda.7.382.257)

नृत्यंति गायंति पठंति चान्ये स्तुवंति यज्ञं बहुदानयुक्तम् । ब्रह्मेन्द्र रुद्रग्रहसूर्यचंद्राः प्रसादिता आहुतिभिश्च मन्त्रैः

nṛtyaṁti gāyaṁti paṭhaṁti cānye stuvaṁti yajñaṁ bahudānayuktam | brahmendra rudragrahasūryacaṁdrāḥ prasāditā āhutibhiśca mantraiḥ

Some danced, some sang, some recited; others praised the sacrifice, so rich in gifts. Brahma, Indra, Rudra, the planets, the sun, and the moon were propitiated by the oblations and by the mantras.

Verse 258 (skanda.7.382.258)

बलिं प्रशंसंति गुरुं तथान्ये होतारमेके परिवारमेके । प्रजापतेर्नापि सुराधिपस्य समाप्यते चेदथ यास्यति धुवम् । प्रदाय राज्यं द्विजपुंगवेभ्यः सपुत्रमित्रैः सहितो रसातलम्

baliṁ praśaṁsaṁti guruṁ tathānye hotārameke parivārameke | prajāpaternāpi surādhipasya samāpyate cedatha yāsyati dhuvam | pradāya rājyaṁ dvijapuṁgavebhyaḥ saputramitraiḥ sahito rasātalam

They praised Bali, and others praised his guru; some praised the officiating priest, some his retinue. 'Not even Prajapati's, nor the lord of gods' sacrifice equals this - if it is completed, he shall surely go on; but should he give away his kingdom to the foremost of brahmins, he, together with his sons and friends, shall go down to Rasatala.'

Verse 259 (skanda.7.382.259)

इतीति वाचः प्रवदंति वाडवाः शृण्वंति दैत्याः किमिदं वदंति । बलेः पुरःस्थाः कथयंति संगता बलिः प्रहृष्टः प्रददाति याचितम्

itīti vācaḥ pravadaṁti vāḍavāḥ śṛṇvaṁti daityāḥ kimidaṁ vadaṁti | baleḥ puraḥsthāḥ kathayaṁti saṁgatā baliḥ prahṛṣṭaḥ pradadāti yācitam

Such words the brahmins spoke among themselves; the daityas heard them, wondering what they were saying; standing before Bali, gathered together, they spoke these things - and Bali, greatly delighted, continued to give whatever was asked.