The Lord's Guardian Hosts and the Humbling of Rukmi's Pride

Verse 1 (skanda.7.464.1)

प्रह्लाद उवाच। कृत्वाऽभिषेकं तीर्थेषु यथावद्दत्तदक्षिणः। पूजयेच्च ततो देवं कृष्णाख्यं पुरुषं परम्

prahlāda uvāca| kṛtvā'bhiṣekaṁ tīrtheṣu yathāvaddattadakṣiṇaḥ| pūjayecca tato devaṁ kṛṣṇākhyaṁ puruṣaṁ param

Prahlada said: Having duly performed the ritual bathing at the tirthas and given the prescribed gifts, one should then worship the Lord known as Krishna, the Supreme Person.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.464.2)

ऋषय ऊचुः। पूजाविधिं तु कृष्णस्य श्रोतुकामाः समासतः। कथयाऽऽचरणोपेतं यथावद्दैत्यसत्तम

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ| pūjāvidhiṁ tu kṛṣṇasya śrotukāmāḥ samāsataḥ| kathayā'ācaraṇopetaṁ yathāvaddaityasattama

The sages said: O best of demons, we wish to hear in brief the mode of worshipping Krishna. Tell us of it truly, together with its proper observances.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.464.3)

द्वारपालाश्च के तत्र कः पूर्वं कश्च पृष्ठतः। पुरीयं सर्वतो दैत्य तिष्ठते केन पालिता

dvārapālāśca ke tatra kaḥ pūrvaṁ kaśca pṛṣṭhataḥ| purīyaṁ sarvato daitya tiṣṭhate kena pālitā

Who are the door-guardians there? Who stands to the east, and who behind? O demon, by whom is this city protected on every side?

Verse 4 (skanda.7.464.4)

आनुपूर्व्यात्समासेन पूजनीया यथाविधि। कथयस्व विधिज्ञोऽसि कृष्णैकचरणप्रियः

ānupūrvyātsamāsena pūjanīyā yathāvidhi| kathayasva vidhijño'si kṛṣṇaikacaraṇapriyaḥ

Tell us, in order and in brief, those who are to be duly worshipped — you who know the proper rites, and are devoted solely to the feet of Krishna.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.464.5)

श्रीप्रह्लाद उवाच। श्रूयतां पूजनं विप्राः श्रुतपूर्वं विधानतः। कलौ कृष्णस्य विप्रेन्द्रा यथावदनुपूर्वशः

śrīprahlāda uvāca| śrūyatāṁ pūjanaṁ viprāḥ śrutapūrvaṁ vidhānataḥ| kalau kṛṣṇasya viprendrā yathāvadanupūrvaśaḥ

Shri Prahlada said: Listen, O brahmins, to the worship of Krishna as it has been heard before, according to due rite; O chief of brahmins, hear it in its proper order for the Kali age.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.464.6)

पूर्वद्वारस्थितान्देवाञ्छुणुध्वं सुसमाहिताः। जयंतः प्रथमं पूज्यः सर्वपापहरः शुभः

pūrvadvārasthitāndevāñchuṇudhvaṁ susamāhitāḥ| jayaṁtaḥ prathamaṁ pūjyaḥ sarvapāpaharaḥ śubhaḥ

Hear, with focused minds, of the gods stationed at the eastern gate. First to be worshipped is Jayanta, auspicious and remover of every sin.

Verse 7 (skanda.7.464.7)

स्थापितो देवराजेन पूजार्थं केशवस्य हि। तस्यैवानुचरान्वक्ष्ये तान्निबोधत सत्तमाः

sthāpito devarājena pūjārthaṁ keśavasya hi| tasyaivānucarānvakṣye tānnibodhata sattamāḥ

He was installed by the king of gods for the very purpose of guarding Keshava's worship. I shall now tell you of his attendants — learn of them, O worthy ones.

Verse 8 (skanda.7.464.8)

वज्रनाभः सुनाभश्च वज्रबाहुर्महा हनुः। वज्रदंष्ट्रो वज्रधारी वज्रहा वज्रलोचनः

vajranābhaḥ sunābhaśca vajrabāhurmahā hanuḥ| vajradaṁṣṭro vajradhārī vajrahā vajralocanaḥ

Vajranabha, Sunabha, Vajrabahu, Mahahanu, Vajradamshtra, Vajradhari, Vajraha, and Vajralochana —

Verse 9 (skanda.7.464.9)

श्वेतमूर्धा श्वेतमाली जयन्तानुचराश्च ते। एते शस्त्रोद्यतकरा रक्षन्ते तमहर्निशम्

śvetamūrdhā śvetamālī jayantānucarāśca te| ete śastrodyatakarā rakṣaṁte tamaharniśam

Shvetamurdha and Shvetamali — these are the attendants of Jayanta; weapons raised in hand, they guard him day and night.

Verse 10 (skanda.7.464.10)

पूर्वद्वारे सुसंनद्धा जयन्तोद्देशकारिणः। पूर्वद्वारे च रक्षार्थं नरनाथो विनायकः

pūrvadvāre susaṁnaddhā jayaṁtoddeśakāriṇaḥ| pūrvadvāre ca rakṣārthaṁ naranātho vināyakaḥ

At the eastern gate, fully armed, they carry out Jayanta's command. For the protection of the eastern gate there is also Naranatha Vinayaka.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.464.11)

तरुणार्कश्च वै सूर्यो देव्यो वै सहमातरः। ईश्वरश्चापि दुर्वासा नागराजस्तु तक्षकः

taruṇārkaśca vai sūryo devyo vai sahamātaraḥ| īśvaraścāpi durvāsā nāgarājastu takṣakaḥ

The Sun as Tarunarka, the goddesses called Sahamatarah, Durvasas as Ishvara, and Takshaka the king of serpents —

Verse 12 (skanda.7.464.12)

सेनानीः कार्तिकेयश्च राक्षसश्च महाहनुः। तत्र दीर्घनखोनाम दानवः सुप्रतिष्ठितः

senānīḥ kārtikeyaśca rākṣasaśca mahāhanuḥ| tatra dīrghanakhonāma dānavaḥ supratiṣṭhitaḥ

The general Kartikeya, the rakshasa Mahahanu, and the danava named Dirghanakha are firmly established there.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.464.13)

विश्वावसुश्च गन्धर्वो मेनका च वराप्सराः। सनत्कुमारसहितो वसिष्ठो भगवानृषिः

viśvāvasuśca gandharvo menakā ca varāpsarāḥ| sanatkumārasahito vasiṣṭho bhagavānṛṣiḥ

The gandharva Vishvavasu, the excellent apsaras Menaka, and the blessed sage Vasishtha together with Sanatkumara —

Verse 14 (skanda.7.464.14)

एते पूज्याः पूर्वतस्तु न्यग्रोधश्च महाद्रुमः। पूर्वद्वारस्थिता ह्येत आग्नेयाञ्छृणुताथ मे

ete pūjyāḥ pūrvatastu nyagrodhaśca mahādrumaḥ| pūrvadvārasthitā hyeta āgneyāñchṛṇutātha me

These are to be worshipped in the east, along with the great banyan tree. These stand at the eastern gate. Now hear from me of those at the south-eastern (fire) quarter.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.464.15)

ज्वालामुखोऽथ रक्ताक्षः स्मशाननिलयः क्रथः। मांसादो रुधिराहारः कृष्णः कृष्णजटाधरः

jvālāmukho'tha raktākṣaḥ smaśānanilayaḥ krathaḥ| māṁsādo rudhirāhāraḥ kṛṣṇaḥ kṛṣṇajaṭādharaḥ

Jvalamukha, Raktaksha, Kratha who dwells in the cremation ground, the flesh-eater, the blood-drinker Krishna, and the one bearing dark matted locks —

Verse 16 (skanda.7.464.16)

त्रासनो भञ्जनश्चैव ह्याग्न्येय्यां दिशि संस्थिताः। दिशं रक्षंति संनद्धा दक्षिणां शृणुताथ मे

trāsano bhañjanaścaiva hyāgnyeyyāṁ diśi saṁsthitāḥ| diśaṁ rakṣaṁti saṁnaddhā dakṣiṇāṁ śṛṇutātha me

Trasana and Bhanjana too stand in the south-eastern quarter; armed, they guard that direction. Now hear from me of the southern quarter.

Verse 17 (skanda.7.464.17)

दण्डपाणिर्महानादः पाशहस्तः सुलोचनः। अनिवर्त्यक्रमश्चैव तथा दुंदुभिनिस्वनः

daṇḍapāṇirmahānādaḥ pāśahastaḥ sulocanaḥ| anivartyakramaścaiva tathā duṁdubhinisvanaḥ

Dandapani, Mahanada, Pashahasta, Sulochana, Anivartyakrama, and Dundubhinisvana —

Verse 18 (skanda.7.464.18)

खरस्वनो घर्घरवाक्तथा मौनप्रियः सदा। मल्लिकाक्षश्च एतेषां प्रणतो द्वारपालकः

kharasvano gharghara vāktathā maunapriyaḥ sadā| mallikākṣaśca eteṣāṁ praṇato dvārapālakaḥ

Kharasvana, Gharghara-vak, and the one ever fond of silence — among them Mallikaksha is their humble gatekeeper.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.464.19)

दक्षिणद्वाररक्षार्थं दुन्दुभिश्च विनायकः। महिषार्कश्च वै सूर्यो भूषणश्च तथेश्वरः

dakṣiṇadvārarakṣārthaṁ duṁdubhiśca vināyakaḥ| mahiṣārkaśca vai sūryo bhūṣaṇaśca tatheśvaraḥ

For the protection of the southern gate stands Dundubhi Vinayaka; also the Sun as Mahishaarka, and Ishvara as Bhushana.

Verse 20 (skanda.7.464.20)

चण्डिका च तथा देवी ह्यूर्द्ध्वबाहुश्च राक्षसः। पद्माक्षः क्षेत्रपालश्च नागश्चाश्वतरस्तथा

caṇḍikā ca tathā devī hyūrddhvabāhuśca rākṣasaḥ| padmākṣaḥ kṣetrapālaśca nāgaścāśvatarastathā

The goddess Chandika, the rakshasa Urdhvabahu, the field-guardian Padmaksha, and the serpent Ashvatara —

Verse 21 (skanda.7.464.21)

चित्रांगदश्च गन्धर्व उर्वशी च वराप्सराः। यो राजा सर्ववृक्षाणां शालश्चापि महाद्रुमः

citrāṁgadaśca gandharva urvaśī ca varāpsarāḥ| yo rājā sarvavṛkṣāṇāṁ śālaścāpi mahādrumaḥ

The gandharva Chitrangada, the excellent apsaras Urvashi, and the Sala, great tree, king of all trees —

Verse 22 (skanda.7.464.22)

सनातन ऋषिश्रेष्ठो ह्यगस्त्यश्च महातपाः। एते याम्यदिशि द्वारं रक्षन्ति सुसमाहिताः

sanātana ṛṣiśreṣṭho hyagastyaśca mahātapāḥ| ete yāmyadiśi dvāraṁ rakṣaṁti susamāhitāḥ

Sanatana, and the great ascetic, best of sages, Agastya — these, with focused minds, guard the gate on Yama's side, the south.

Verse 23 (skanda.7.464.23)

गीतकृन्नर्तको नग्नः कंबली दहनप्रियः। हसनो नेत्रभंगश्च भ्रूविकारो विजृंभकः

gītakṛnnartako nagnaḥ kaṁbalī dahanapriyaḥ| hasano netrabhaṁgaśca bhrūvikāro vijṛṁbhakaḥ

Gitakrit, the dancer, the naked one, Kambali, the fire-lover, Hasana, Netrabhanga, Bhruvikara, and Vijrimbhaka —

Verse 24 (skanda.7.464.24)

मुशली प्रभुरेतेषां संनद्धो वर्तते द्विजाः। रक्षन्ति नैर्ऋतीमाशां पश्चिमां शृणुतापरान्

muśalī prabhureteṣāṁ saṁnaddho vartate dvijāḥ| rakṣaṁti nairṛtīmāśāṁ paścimāṁ śṛṇutāparān

O brahmins, Mushali, fully armed, is their lord. They guard the south-western quarter. Now hear further of those at the western direction.

Verse 25 (skanda.7.464.25)

स्वस्तिकः शंखमूर्द्धा च नीलवासाः शुभाननः। पाशहस्तः शूलहस्त एकपादैकलोचनः

svastikaḥ śaṅkhamūrddhā ca nīlavāsāḥ śubhānanaḥ| pāśahastaḥ śūlahasta ekapādaikalocanaḥ

Svastika, Shankhamurdha, the blue-clad one, the auspicious-faced one, the one with a noose in hand, the one with a trident in hand, and the one-footed, one-eyed being —

Verse 26 (skanda.7.464.26)

पश्चिमायां दिशि तथा पुष्पदन्तो विनायकः। उद्धवार्कश्च वै सूर्यः शिवः सत्राजितेश्वरः

paścimāyāṁ diśi tathā puṣpadanto vināyakaḥ| uddhavārkaśca vai sūryaḥ śivaḥ satrājiteśvaraḥ

In the western direction is Pushpadanta Vinayaka; the Sun as Uddhavaarka, and Shiva as Satrajiteshvara.

Verse 27 (skanda.7.464.27)

तुंबरुर्नामगन्धर्वो घृताची च वराप्सराः। महोदरश्च नागेन्द्रो राक्षसश्च घटोत्कचः

tuṁbarurnāmagandharvo ghṛtācī ca varāpsarāḥ| mahodaraśca nāgendro rākṣasaśca ghaṭotkacaḥ

The gandharva Tumburu, the excellent apsaras Ghritachi, the serpent-king Mahodara, and the rakshasa Ghatotkacha —

Verse 28 (skanda.7.464.28)

दैत्यः पञ्चजनोनाम ऋषिः कश्यप एव च। देवी कपालिनीनाम अश्वत्थस्तु महाद्रुमः

daityaḥ pañcajanonāma ṛṣiḥ kaśyapa eva ca| devī kapālinīnāma aśvatthastu mahādrumaḥ

The demon Panchajana, the sage Kashyapa, the goddess Kapalini, and the great tree Ashvattha (the peepal) —

Verse 29 (skanda.7.464.29)

कपिलः क्षेत्रपालश्च प्रतीचीं पान्ति वै दिशम्। नमस्कार्यास्तथा पूज्या वायव्यो शृणुतापरान्

kapilaḥ kṣetrapālaśca pratīcīṁ pānti vai diśam| namaskāryāstathā pūjyā vāyavyo śṛṇutāparān

The field-guardian Kapila too — these all protect the western quarter and are worthy of homage and worship. Now hear further of those at the north-western (wind) quarter.

Verse 30 (skanda.7.464.30)

भंजनो भैरवश्चैव कालिकोऽथ घटोदरः। झंझकामर्दनः पिंगो रुरुः सर्वभुजोव्रणी

bhaṁjano bhairavaścaiva kāliko'tha ghaṭodaraḥ| jhaṁjhakāmardanaḥ piṁgo ruruḥ sarvabhujovraṇī

Bhanjana, Bhairava, Kalika, Ghatodara, Jhanjhakamardana, Pinga, Ruru, and Sarvabhujavrani —

Verse 31 (skanda.7.464.31)

सुपार्श्वः प्रभुरेतेषां संनद्धः पालयन्दिशम्। उदीच्यां दिशि विप्रेन्द्राः श्यामलश्च गणाधिपः

supārśvaḥ prabhureteṣāṁ saṁnaddhaḥ pālayaṁdiśam| udīcyāṁ diśi viprendrāḥ śyāmalaśca gaṇādhipaḥ

Suparshva, fully armed, is their lord, guarding that quarter. O chief of brahmins, in the northern direction is Shyamala, lord of the ganas.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.464.32)

मन्वन्तको विरूपाक्षो गोलकः श्वेत संप्लुतः। उन्मत्तः प्रभुरेतेषामुदीच्यां पालयन्दिशम्

manvaṁtako virūpākṣo golakaḥ śveta saṁplutaḥ| unmattaḥ prabhureteṣāmudīcyāṁ pālayaṁdiśam

Manvantaka, Virupaksha, Golaka, Shvetasampluta — their lord Unmatta guards the northern quarter.

Verse 33 (skanda.7.464.33)

मूलस्थानश्च वै सूर्य्य इन्द्रेशश्च महेश्वरः। देवी कण्ठेश्वरीनाम क्षेत्रपालश्च खञ्जनः

mūlasthānaśca vai sūryya iṁdreśaśca maheśvaraḥ| devī kaṇṭheśvarīnāma kṣetrapālaśca khañjanaḥ

The Sun as Mulasthana, Maheshvara as Indresha, the goddess named Kantheshvari, and the field-guardian Khanjana —

Verse 34 (skanda.7.464.34)

वासुकिर्नागराजश्च कूर्मपृष्ठश्च दानवः। सनकश्च ऋषिश्रेष्ठो गोलको राक्षसस्तथा

vāsukirnāgarājaśca kūrmapṛṣṭhaśca dānavaḥ| sanakaśca ṛṣiśreṣṭho golako rākṣasastathā

Vasuki the king of serpents, the danava Kurmaprishtha, the sage Sanaka, and the rakshasa Golaka —

Verse 35 (skanda.7.464.35)

नारदोनाम गन्धर्वो रंभा चैव वराप्सराः। एते पूज्याः प्रयत्नेन प्लक्षोनाम महाद्रुमः

nāradonāma gandharvo raṁbhā caiva varāpsarāḥ| ete pūjyāḥ prayatnena plakṣonāma mahādrumaḥ

The gandharva named Narada, the excellent apsaras Rambha — these are to be worshipped with care, along with the great tree called Plaksha.

Verse 36 (skanda.7.464.36)

यक्षेशः सवितानाम श्यामः पूज्यः प्रयत्नतः। ऐशान्यां दिशि विप्रेन्द्राः स्थिता ये तान्वदाम्यहम्

yakṣeśaḥ savitānāma śyāmaḥ pūjyaḥ prayatnataḥ| aiśānyāṁ diśi viprendrāḥ sthitā ye tānvadāmyaham

The lord of yakshas named Savita, the dark one, is to be worshipped with diligence. O chief of brahmins, now I tell you of those stationed in the north-eastern quarter.

Verse 37 (skanda.7.464.37)

दुर्धरो भैरवारावः किंकिणीको महाबलः। करालो विकटो मूलो बलिभुक्तो बलिप्रियः

durdharo bhairavārāvaḥ kiṁkiṇīko mahābalaḥ| karālo vikaṭo mūlo balibhukto balipriyaḥ

Durdhara, Bhairavarava, Kinkinika, Mahabala, Karala, Vikata, Mula, Balibhukta, and Balipriya —

Verse 38 (skanda.7.464.38)

एतेषां क्षेत्रपालानां सस्त्रीणां च द्विजोत्तमाः। नेता प्रभुश्च स्वामी च जयन्तः पालकस्तथा

eteṣāṁ kṣetrapālānāṁ sastrīṇāṁ ca dvijottamāḥ| netā prabhuśca svāmī ca jayaṁtaḥ pālakastathā

O best of brahmins, of these field-guardians together with their consorts, Jayanta is the leader, lord, master, and protector.

Verse 39 (skanda.7.464.39)

निगृह्णात्यनुगृह्णाति रक्षिता पुरवासिनाम्। जयन्तादेशमादाय ते दुष्टान्घातयन्ति च

nigṛhṇātyanugṛhṇāti rakṣitā puravāsinām| jayaṁtādeśamādāya te duṣṭānghātayanti ca

As protector of the city's inhabitants, he both restrains and favours. Taking Jayanta's command, they slay the wicked.

Verse 40 (skanda.7.464.40)

नागस्थलस्थितः स्वामी जयन्तः पालकः सदा। नागराजैः परिवृतः पूजनीयः प्रयत्नतः

nāgasthalasthitaḥ svāmī jayaṁtaḥ pālakaḥ sadā| nāgarājaiḥ parivṛtaḥ pūjanīyaḥ prayatnataḥ

Established at Nagasthala, the lord Jayanta is ever the protector; surrounded by serpent-kings, he is to be worshipped with diligence.

Verse 41 (skanda.7.464.41)

मांसप्रियमुखाश्चैत ऐशानीं पांति वै दिशम्। सहस्रशीर्षको देवः शेषो नागस्थलस्थितः। अनन्तो वासुकिश्चैव तक्षकः पद्म एव च

māṁsapriyamukhāścaita aiśānīṁ pāṁti vai diśam| sahasraśīrṣako devaḥ śeṣo nāgasthalasthitaḥ| ananto vāsukiścaiva takṣakaḥ padma eva ca

These, fond of flesh as offering, guard the north-eastern quarter. The thousand-headed god Shesha resides at Nagasthala, along with Ananta, Vasuki, Takshaka, and Padma.

Verse 42 (skanda.7.464.42)

शंखः कंबलकश्चैव नागश्चाश्वतरस्तथा। मुक्तकः कालियश्चैव जनकोऽथापराजितः

śaṅkhaḥ kaṁbalakaścaiva nāgaścāśvatarastathā| muktakaḥ kāliyaścaiva janako'thāparājitaḥ

Shankha, Kambalaka, the serpent Ashvatara, Muktaka, Kaliya, Janaka, and Aparajita —

Verse 43 (skanda.7.464.43)

कर्कोटकमुखा नागास्ते च सन्ति सहस्रशः। ते पूज्या गंधपुष्पैश्च बलिभिर्धूपदीपकैः

karkoṭakamukhā nāgāste ca saṁti sahasraśaḥ| te pūjyā gaṁdhapuṣpaiśca balibhirdhūpadīpakaiḥ

The serpents headed by Karkotaka are there in their thousands; they are to be worshipped with fragrance, flowers, offerings, incense, and lamps.

Verse 44 (skanda.7.464.44)

पायसेन च मांसेन ह्यन्नाद्यैः सुरया तथा। ततः संपूज्य देवशं जयंतं रक्षिणां वरम्

pāyasena ca māṁsena hyannādyaiḥ surayā tathā| tataḥ saṁpūjya devaśaṁ jayaṁtaṁ rakṣiṇāṁ varam

As well as with milk-pudding, meat, food offerings, and liquor. Then, having duly worshipped the god Jayanta, best of guardians,

Verse 45 (skanda.7.464.45)

गन्धपुष्पोपहारैश्च धूपवस्त्रादिभूषणैः। ततो गच्छेद्द्विजश्रेष्ठाः कृष्णं देवकिनन्दनम्। संपूज्यः प्रथमं तत्र गणेशो रुक्मिसंज्ञकः

gandhapuṣpopahāraiśca dhūpavastrādibhūṣaṇaiḥ| tato gacchedvijaśreṣṭhāḥ kṛṣṇaṁ devakinandanam| saṁpūjyaḥ prathamaṁ tatra gaṇeśo rukmisaṁjñakaḥ

with fragrance, flowers, gifts, incense, cloth, and other ornaments — O best of brahmins, one should then go to Krishna, son of Devaki, where first of all the Ganesha named Rukmi is worshipped.

Verse 46 (skanda.7.464.46)

ऋषय ऊचुः। कथं स रुक्मिदैत्येन्द्रो यो दुष्टो गणतां गतः। साक्षाद्भगवतो द्वारि प्रत्यहं पूज्यते नरः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ| kathaṁ sa rukmidaityendro yo duṣṭo gaṇatāṁ gataḥ| sākṣādbhagavato dvāri pratyahaṁ pūjyate naraḥ

The sages said: How is it that that wicked Rukmi, lord of demons, who attained the state of a gana, is worshipped daily by men right at the door of the Lord himself?

Verse 47 (skanda.7.464.47)

श्रीप्रह्लाद उवाच। कृष्णाय रुक्मिणीं दातुं यदा भीष्मक उद्यतः। तद्द्वेषात्क्रोधसंयुक्तो रुक्मी चैद्यममन्यत

śrīprahlāda uvāca| kṛṣṇāya rukmiṇīṁ dātuṁ yadā bhīṣmaka udyataḥ| taddveṣātkrodhasaṁyukto rukmī caidyamamanyata

Shri Prahlada said: When Bhishmaka was preparing to give his daughter Rukmini to Krishna, Rukmi, filled with jealous anger at this, favoured Shishupala, king of Chedi, instead.

Verse 48 (skanda.7.464.48)

यदा जहार भगवान्रुक्मिणीमंबिकालयात्। सर्वान्विद्राव्य वै भूपाञ्जरासन्धमुखान्रणे

yadā jahāra bhagavānrukmiṇīmaṁbikālayāt| sarvānvidrāvya vai bhūpāñjarāsandhamukhānraṇe

When the Lord abducted Rukmini from the temple of Ambika, having routed in battle all the kings headed by Jarasandha,

Verse 49 (skanda.7.464.49)

तदा रुक्मी महाबाहुर्भीष्मकस्य सुतो बली। नाहत्वा विनिवर्तिष्ये तमहं यादवं रणे

tadā rukmī mahābāhurbhīṣmakasya suto balī| nāhatvā vinivartiṣye tamahaṁ yādavaṁ raṇe

then Rukmi, mighty-armed and powerful son of Bhishmaka, vowed: 'I shall not return without slaying that Yadava in battle.'

Verse 50 (skanda.7.464.50)

प्रतिज्ञां सर्वभूपानां शृण्वतां कृतवान्द्विजाः। एवमुक्त्वा स सन्नद्धो युद्धाय परिधावितः

pratijñāṁ sarvabhūpānāṁ śṛṇvatāṁ kṛtavāndvijāḥ| evamuktvā sa sannaddho yuddhāya paridhāvitaḥ

O brahmins, he made this vow in the hearing of all the kings. Having spoken thus, he armed himself and rushed forth to battle.

Verse 51 (skanda.7.464.51)

अक्षौहिण्या दलेनैवायुद्ध्यत्कृष्णेन भो द्विजाः। स युध्यमानः कृष्णेन वध्यमानो हतौजसः

akṣauhiṇyā dalenaivāyuddhyatkṛṣṇena bho dvijāḥ| sa yudhyamānaḥ kṛṣṇena vadhyamāno hataujasaḥ

O brahmins, he fought against Krishna with a whole akshauhini army. Fighting with Krishna, he was struck down and stripped of his strength.

Verse 52 (skanda.7.464.52)

बद्धो भगवता तत्र कृत्वा वैरूप्यमेव च। रामेण बंधनान्मुक्तो मरणाय मतिं दधौ

baddho bhagavatā tatra kṛtvā vairūpyameva ca| rāmeṇa baṁdhanānmukto maraṇāya matiṁ dadhau

There the Lord bound him and disfigured him. Freed from his bonds by Balarama, he resolved to die.

Verse 53 (skanda.7.464.53)

रुक्मिणी भ्रातरं दृष्ट्वा मरणे कृतनिश्चयम्। उवाच कृष्णं वैदर्भी भ्रातरं ह्यानयस्व मे

rukmiṇī bhrātaraṁ dṛṣṭvā maraṇe kṛtaniścayam| uvāca kṛṣṇaṁ vaidarbhī bhrātaraṁ hyānayasva me

Seeing her brother resolved upon death, Rukmini, princess of Vidarbha, said to Krishna: 'Bring my brother back to me.'

Verse 54 (skanda.7.464.54)

ततस्तत्प्रियकामार्थमनुमान्य जनार्द्दनः। चकार पार्षदां मध्ये प्रवरं विघ्ननाशनम्

tatastatpriyakāmārthamanumānya janārddanaḥ| cakāra pārṣadāṁ madhye pravaraṁ vighnanāśanam

Then, to please her, and granting him honour, Janardana made him, among his own attendants, a foremost remover of obstacles.

Verse 55 (skanda.7.464.55)

एतस्मात्कारणाद्विप्राः प्रथमं पूज्यते सदा। गंधधूपाक्षतैर्वस्त्रैर्मोदकैस्तं प्रतर्पयेत्

etasmātkāraṇādviprāḥ prathamaṁ pūjyate sadā| gaṁdhadhūpākṣatairvastrairmodakaistaṁ pratarpayet

For this reason, O brahmins, he is always worshipped first; one should gratify him with fragrance, incense, unbroken rice, cloth, and sweet modaka cakes.

Verse 56 (skanda.7.464.56)

तस्मिंस्तुष्टे जगन्नाथस्तुष्टो भवति नान्यथा

tasmiṁstuṣṭe jagannāthastuṣṭo bhavati nānyathā

Only when he is pleased does the Lord of the universe become pleased — not otherwise.