Vishnu's Journey to the Abode of the Gods

Verse 1 (skanda.8.110.1)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । विनिर्गम्य कुमारोपि रम्यात् स्वभवनात्तदा । रराम गणपैः सार्धं क्रीडनैर्बहुभिः शुभैः

sanatkumāra uvāca | vinirgamya kumāropi ramyāt svabhavanāttadā | rarāma gaṇapaiḥ sārdhaṁ krīḍanairbahubhiḥ śubhaiḥ

Sanatkumara said: Then the prince too came forth from his lovely dwelling and, together with the ganas, took his pleasure in many delightful sports.

Verse 2 (skanda.8.110.2)

आनयामास तञ्चापि वराहस्य सुतं प्रभुः । वृकं विमुच्य पाशेभ्य उत्ससर्ज हसन् विभुः

ānayāmāsa tañcāpi varāhasya sutaṁ prabhuḥ | vṛkaṁ vimucya pāśebhya utsasarja hasan vibhuḥ

That mighty lord had the Boar's son brought to him as well, and, freeing Vrika from his bonds, released him, laughing as he did so.

Verse 3 (skanda.8.110.3)

उत्सृष्टं धावमानञ्च पुनर्जग्राह वेगितम् । पुनरेवोत्सृजच्चैनं जग्राह च पुनः पुनः । एवं रराम तेनासौ वराहोभ्यागमच्च तम्

utsṛṣṭaṁ dhāvamānañca punarjagrāha vegitam | punarevotsṛjaccainaṁ jagrāha ca punaḥ punaḥ | evaṁ rarāma tenāsau varāhobhyāgamacca tam

The moment he was released, Vrika ran off with speed, but the prince caught him again; then let him go once more, catching him again and again - thus he sported with him, and in the meantime the Boar himself arrived there.

Verse 4 (skanda.8.110.4)

शिलां गृहीत्वा महतीं संक्रुद्धोन्तकसन्निभः । चिक्षेप कार्त्तिकेयाय नादयन् जलदो यथा

śilāṁ gṛhītvā mahatīṁ saṁkruddhontakasannibhaḥ | cikṣepa kārttikeyāya nādayan jalado yathā

Enraged like Death himself, the Boar seized a huge boulder and, roaring like a thundercloud, hurled it at Kartikeya.

Verse 5 (skanda.8.110.5)

तामापतन्तीं बहुधा नदन्तीं विहायसा मृत्युसमानरूपाम् । जग्राह वेगेन महातिवेगां कोकामुखः प्रज्वलितामिवोल्काम्

tāmāpatantīṁ bahudhā nadantīṁ vihāyasā mṛtyusamānarūpām | jagrāha vegena mahātivegāṁ kokāmukhaḥ prajvalitāmivolkām

As it hurtled through the sky, roaring again and again, terrible as death itself, exceedingly swift, Kokavaktra caught it with speed, as though catching a blazing meteor.

Verse 6 (skanda.8.110.6)

ततश्चक्रं सहस्रारं युगान्ताग्निसमप्रभम् । विनायकस्याव्यग्राय गणाय व्यसृजत् प्रभुः

tataścakraṁ sahasrāraṁ yugāntāgnisamaprabham | vināyakasyāvyagrāya gaṇāya vyasṛjat prabhuḥ

Then that lord Kartikeya loosed his thousand-spoked discus, blazing like the fire of universal dissolution, against that unshaken ganapati.

Verse 7 (skanda.8.110.7)

तदन्तकप्रतीकाशं चक्रं सर्वसुरारिहम् । विवेश सगणस्तूर्णं ततस्तद् विन्यवर्तत

tadantakapratīkāśaṁ cakraṁ sarvasurāriham | viveśa sagaṇastūrṇaṁ tatastad vinyavartata

That discus, terrible as Death, the slayer of all enemies of the gods, struck him and his fellow ganas at once - and then, at once, turned back.

Verse 8 (skanda.8.110.8)

तन्निवृत्तं पुनश्चक्रमकृत्वा कार्यमुज्ज्वलम् । न जग्राह तदा विष्णुरवमेने च तत्तदा

tannivṛttaṁ punaścakramakṛtvā kāryamujjvalam | na jagrāha tadā viṣṇuravamene ca tattadā

When that radiant discus returned without having accomplished its task, Vishnu did not take it back, but scorned it at that moment.

Verse 9 (skanda.8.110.9)

तत्तदानचितं तेन चक्रं दानवघातिना । विष्णुना प्रययौ क्षिप्रं स्वमेव भवनं प्रति

tattadānacitaṁ tena cakraṁ dānavaghātinā | viṣṇunā prayayau kṣipraṁ svameva bhavanaṁ prati

Scorned thus by that Vishnu, slayer of danavas, the discus swiftly departed for its own abode.

Verse 10 (skanda.8.110.10)

तस्मिञ्चक्रे तदा याते भगवान्नन्दिवर्धनः । वृक्षमुत्पाट्य वेगेन कुमारमभिजघ्निवान्

tasmiñcakre tadā yāte bhagavānnandivardhanaḥ | vṛkṣamutpāṭya vegena kumāramabhijaghnivān

When that discus had departed, the blessed Nandivardhana tore up a tree and struck at the prince with it, with great force.

Verse 11 (skanda.8.110.11)

अगण्य तं प्रहारन्तु भगवाननलात्मजः । शक्तिं संवर्त्तिकां क्रोधाच्चिक्षेप च ननाद च

agaṇya taṁ prahārantu bhagavānanalātmajaḥ | śaktiṁ saṁvarttikāṁ krodhāccikṣepa ca nanāda ca

Disregarding that blow, the blessed son of Agni hurled his spear called Samvartika in wrath, and roared.

Verse 12 (skanda.8.110.12)

सा दहन्तीव तेजांसि नदन्ती बहुधा तदा । हन्तुं वराहं प्रययौ शक्तिर्दिव्य इवाशुगः

sā dahantīva tejāṁsi nadantī bahudhā tadā | hantuṁ varāhaṁ prayayau śaktirdivya ivāśugaḥ

As though consuming every radiance, roaring again and again, that divine spear sped toward the Boar to slay him, swift as an arrow.

Verse 13 (skanda.8.110.13)

तामापतन्तीं वेगेन भगवान्नन्दिवर्धनः । जघानास्त्रैर्बहुविधैर्नादयन् सिंहराडिव

tāmāpatantīṁ vegena bhagavānnandivardhanaḥ | jaghānāstrairbahuvidhairnādayan siṁharāḍiva

As it came rushing toward him with speed, the blessed Nandivardhana struck at it with weapons of many kinds, roaring like a lion.

Verse 14 (skanda.8.110.14)

तानि सा भस्मसात् कृत्वा शक्तिः संवर्त्तिका शुभा । विवेश हृदयं तस्य कामिनीव दृढं प्रिया

tāni sā bhasmasāt kṛtvā śaktiḥ saṁvarttikā śubhā | viveśa hṛdayaṁ tasya kāminīva dṛḍhaṁ priyā

That auspicious spear Samvartika reduced all those weapons to ashes and entered his heart, like a devoted beloved clinging fast to her lover.

Verse 15 (skanda.8.110.15)

स तया भिन्नहृदयो योगेन परमेण ह । योगीव देहं तं त्यक्त्वा देहेनान्येन तस्थिवान्

sa tayā bhinnahṛdayo yogena parameṇa ha | yogīva dehaṁ taṁ tyaktvā dehenānyena tasthivān

His heart pierced by it, he, by the power of supreme yoga, abandoned that body like a yogi, and took up his abode in another form.

Verse 16 (skanda.8.110.16)

सोन्यद्देहं समास्थाय पौराणं सुरसत्तमः । देवैः सर्वैः परिवृतो जगाम भवमन्दिरम्

sonyaddehaṁ samāsthāya paurāṇaṁ surasattamaḥ | devaiḥ sarvaiḥ parivṛto jagāma bhavamandiram

That best of gods, assuming his own ancient form once more, surrounded by all the gods, made his way to the dwelling of Bhava.

Verse 17 (skanda.8.110.17)

तत्रापश्यन्महादेवं जटामुकुटधारिणम् । चन्द्रलेखांशुजालौघनिरस्ततिमिरोत्करम्

tatrāpaśyanmahādevaṁ jaṭāmukuṭadhāriṇam | candralekhāṁśujālaughanirastatimirotkaram

There he beheld Mahadeva, crowned with matted locks, the mass of his crescent moon's rays dispelling every gathering of darkness.

Verse 18 (skanda.8.110.18)

भद्रपीठे समासीनं काञ्चने मणिभूषणे । भ्राजमानं श्रियात्यर्थं पार्वत्या पार्श्वसंस्थया

bhadrapīṭhe samāsīnaṁ kāñcane maṇibhūṣaṇe | bhrājamānaṁ śriyātyarthaṁ pārvatyā pārśvasaṁsthayā

He sat upon a golden throne of auspicious form, adorned with jewels, resplendent with surpassing beauty, Parvati seated at his side.

Verse 19 (skanda.8.110.19)

गणैश्च विविधाकारैर्बहुभिः कामरूपिभिः । नृत्तगीतप्रियैर्नित्यं समन्तात् परिवारितम्

gaṇaiśca vividhākārairbahubhiḥ kāmarūpibhiḥ | nṛttagītapriyairnityaṁ samantāt parivāritam

All about him he was surrounded by hosts of ganas of many forms, able to change their shape at will, ever fond of dance and song.

Verse 20 (skanda.8.110.20)

तं दृष्टवा शंकरं विष्णुः प्रसन्नेनान्तरात्मना । तुष्टाव विविधैः स्तोत्रैरिदञ्चोवाच सुस्वरम्

taṁ dṛṣṭavā śaṁkaraṁ viṣṇuḥ prasannenāntarātmanā | tuṣṭāva vividhaiḥ stotrairidañcovāca susvaram

Seeing Shankara, Vishnu, his inner soul filled with joy, praised him with various hymns and, in a sweet voice, spoke as follows -

Verse 21 (skanda.8.110.21)

वाराहं रूपमास्थाय त्वत्तेजोबृंहितेन मे । रणे विक्रम्य भगवन् हिरण्याक्षो निषूदितः

vārāhaṁ rūpamāsthāya tvattejobṛṁhitena me | raṇe vikramya bhagavan hiraṇyākṣo niṣūditaḥ

"Assuming the form of the Boar, and strengthened by your own radiance, O lord, striving valiantly in battle, I have slain Hiranyaksha.

Verse 22 (skanda.8.110.22)

त्वं देव कारणं नित्यं संभूतेः प्रलयस्य च । त्वया सर्वमिदं व्याप्तं जगदव्यक्तमूर्त्तिना

tvaṁ deva kāraṇaṁ nityaṁ saṁbhūteḥ pralayasya ca | tvayā sarvamidaṁ vyāptaṁ jagadavyaktamūrttinā

You, O god, are the eternal cause both of creation and of dissolution. By you, in your unmanifest form, this entire universe is pervaded.

Verse 23 (skanda.8.110.23)

त्वत्प्रसादेन देवेश ब्रह्माहं शक्र एव च । पूज्याः स्म लोके सततं तथैवान्ये दिवौकसः

tvatprasādena deveśa brahmāhaṁ śakra eva ca | pūjyāḥ sma loke satataṁ tathaivānye divaukasaḥ

O lord of gods, it is by your grace alone that Brahma, and I, and Shakra, and the other dwellers of heaven besides, remain ever worthy of worship in this world.

Verse 24 (skanda.8.110.24)

त्वयि प्रीते महादेव सर्वे प्रीता वयं प्रभो । त्वयि क्रुद्धे विनाशो नो भविता नात्र संशयः

tvayi prīte mahādeva sarve prītā vayaṁ prabho | tvayi kruddhe vināśo no bhavitā nātra saṁśayaḥ

O Mahadeva, O lord, when you are pleased, all of us are pleased; and should you grow angry, our destruction would surely follow - of that there is no doubt."

Verse 25 (skanda.8.110.25)

स्तुवन्तमेवं भगवान् विष्णुं चन्द्रार्धशेखरः । सहस्रसूर्यतेजस्कः प्रीतः प्रोवाच शंकरः

stuvantamevaṁ bhagavān viṣṇuṁ candrārdhaśekharaḥ | sahasrasūryatejaskaḥ prītaḥ provāca śaṁkaraḥ

To Vishnu praising him thus, the blessed Shankara - crescent moon upon his brow, radiant as a thousand suns - spoke, well pleased -

Verse 26 (skanda.8.110.26)

भक्त्या तुष्टोस्मि ते विष्णो देवकार्योद्यमेन च । वरं वरय भद्रन्ते यस्ते मनसि वर्तते

bhaktyā tuṣṭosmi te viṣṇo devakāryodyamena ca | varaṁ varaya bhadrante yaste manasi vartate

"Vishnu, I am pleased by your devotion and by your zeal in the work of the gods. Blessings upon you; ask now for whatever boon is in your heart."

Verse 27 (skanda.8.110.27)

विष्णुरुवाच । यदि तुष्टोसि नो देव यदि देयो वरश्च नः । यत्तत् पापहरं दिव्यं व्रतमादेष्टुमर्हसि

viṣṇuruvāca | yadi tuṣṭosi no deva yadi deyo varaśca naḥ | yattat pāpaharaṁ divyaṁ vratamādeṣṭumarhasi

Vishnu said: "O god, if you are pleased with us, and if a boon is indeed to be granted to us, then be pleased to teach us that divine, sin-destroying observance -

Verse 28 (skanda.8.110.28)

यदाश्रित्य वयं सर्वे सशक्रास्सार्वकामिकम् । युद्धे जेष्याम दैतेयान् दुःखशोकविवर्जिताः

yadāśritya vayaṁ sarve saśakrāssārvakāmikam | yuddhe jeṣyāma daiteyān duḥkhaśokavivarjitāḥ

- relying on which, all of us together with Shakra, by its power that grants every desire, might conquer the sons of Diti in battle, free from grief and sorrow."

Verse 29 (skanda.8.110.29)

देवदेव उवाच । हन्त वः कथयिष्यामि गुह्यमेतत् सनातनम् । व्रतं पाशुपतं दिव्यं येन कामानवाप्स्यथ

devadeva uvāca | hanta vaḥ kathayiṣyāmi guhyametat sanātanam | vrataṁ pāśupataṁ divyaṁ yena kāmānavāpsyatha

The god of gods said: "Very well, I shall tell you this eternal mystery - the divine observance of the Pashupata, by which you shall attain your desires."

Verse 30 (skanda.8.110.30)

इत्युक्त्वा देवदेवेशो देवानां हितकाम्यया । ययौ दिवमथामन्त्र्य देवीं गिरिवरात्मजाम्

ityuktvā devadeveśo devānāṁ hitakāmyayā | yayau divamathāmantrya devīṁ girivarātmajām

Sanatkumara said: So saying, the lord of gods, out of concern for the gods' welfare, took leave of the goddess, daughter of the king of mountains, and set out for heaven.

Verse 31 (skanda.8.110.31)

अथ हिमगिरितुल्यचारुमूर्त्तिं वृषभवरं भगवाँस्तदाधिरूढः । सुरगणसहितः प्रभुस्सुमेरुं व्रतमुपदेष्टुमना जगाम शर्वः

atha himagiritulyacārumūrttiṁ vṛṣabhavaraṁ bhagavā~stadādhirūḍhaḥ | suragaṇasahitaḥ prabhussumeruṁ vratamupadeṣṭumanā jagāma śarvaḥ

Then, mounted upon his excellent bull, beautiful in form as the Himalaya itself, that lord Sharva, accompanied by the hosts of gods and intent upon teaching the observance, set out for Mount Sumeru.