The Mountain of Vows and the Demons at Mandara

Verse 1 (skanda.8.112.1)

देव्युवाच । देव्याः शृणुत भूयोपि यथा दानं विना शुभाः । अयमेवोपवासेन यथा धर्मोभिलभ्यते

devyuvāca | devyāḥ śṛṇuta bhūyopi yathā dānaṁ vinā śubhāḥ | ayamevopavāsena yathā dharmobhilabhyate

The Goddess said: Hear again, O auspicious goddesses, how merit is obtained by fasting alone, without any gift-giving.

Verse 2 (skanda.8.112.2)

एकभक्तेन यो देव्यो मासं मार्गशिरं क्षपेत् । स तेन कर्मणा देव्यो गोमान् भवति नित्यशः

ekabhaktena yo devyo māsaṁ mārgaśiraṁ kṣapet | sa tena karmaṇā devyo gomān bhavati nityaśaḥ

O goddesses, whoever passes the month of Margashira eating only once a day, by that deed becomes ever possessed of many cows.

Verse 3 (skanda.8.112.3)

पौषमासेन पुत्राँश्च बहूनाप्नोति धार्मिकान् । माघमासे च कुर्वाणो भूयः प्राप्नोति वै प्रियाः

pauṣamāsena putrām̐śca bahūnāpnoti dhārmikān | māghamāse ca kurvāṇo bhūyaḥ prāpnoti vai priyāḥ

By observing it in Pausha he obtains many righteous sons; by doing so in Magha he further attains beloved things.

Verse 4 (skanda.8.112.4)

एकभक्तन्तु कुर्वाणः फाल्गुने मासि नित्यशः । स्त्रीषु सौभाग्यमाप्नोति स्त्रियश्च परमप्रियाः

ekabhaktantu kurvāṇaḥ phālgune māsi nityaśaḥ | strīṣu saubhāgyamāpnoti striyaśca paramapriyāḥ

He who eats but once daily throughout the month of Phalguna gains good fortune among women, and wives who are exceedingly dear to him.

Verse 5 (skanda.8.112.5)

यः क्षपेदेकभक्तेन चैत्रमासं नरोत्तमः । धनधान्यसमृद्धे स कुले जायेत रूपवान्

yaḥ kṣapedekabhaktena caitramāsaṁ narottamaḥ | dhanadhānyasamṛddhe sa kule jāyeta rūpavān

That best of men who passes the month of Chaitra eating once a day is born handsome in a family abounding in wealth and grain.

Verse 6 (skanda.8.112.6)

वैशाखं यः क्षपेन्मासमेकभक्तेन मानवः । याति स श्रेष्ठतां लोके पूजितो धनवानपि

vaiśākhaṁ yaḥ kṣapenmāsamekabhaktena mānavaḥ | yāti sa śreṣṭhatāṁ loke pūjito dhanavānapi

The man who passes the month of Vaishakha eating once a day attains preeminence in the world, becoming honoured and wealthy as well.

Verse 7 (skanda.8.112.7)

ज्येष्ठमूलं तु यो मासमेकभक्तं समाचरेत् । भ्रातॄणां भवति ज्येष्ठो भोगं प्राप्नोति पुष्कलम्

jyeṣṭhamūlaṁ tu yo māsamekabhaktaṁ samācaret | bhrātṝṇāṁ bhavati jyeṣṭho bhogaṁ prāpnoti puṣkalam

He who observes the single-meal vow through the month of Jyeshtha becomes the eldest among his brothers and obtains abundant enjoyment.

Verse 8 (skanda.8.112.8)

आषाढं चापि यो मासमेकभक्तं समाचरेत् । स राज्ञो मान्यतां प्राप्य कामानाप्नोति पुष्कलान्

āṣāḍhaṁ cāpi yo māsamekabhaktaṁ samācaret | sa rājño mānyatāṁ prāpya kāmānāpnoti puṣkalān

He who observes it through Ashadha attains the regard of kings and obtains his desires in abundance.

Verse 9 (skanda.8.112.9)

श्रावणे चापि यो मासे तथा चैवाचरेन्नरः । सेनापत्यं स संप्राप्य बलवानभिजायते

śrāvaṇe cāpi yo māse tathā caivācarennaraḥ | senāpatyaṁ sa saṁprāpya balavānabhijāyate

The man who so observes it in the month of Shravana obtains the office of a commander and is born mighty.

Verse 10 (skanda.8.112.10)

यस्तु भाद्रपदं मासमेकभक्तं समाचरेत् । स तेन कर्मणा देव्यो धनवानभिजायते

yastu bhādrapadaṁ māsamekabhaktaṁ samācaret | sa tena karmaṇā devyo dhanavānabhijāyate

O goddesses, he who observes the single-meal vow through Bhadrapada is born wealthy by that deed.

Verse 11 (skanda.8.112.11)

योपि चाश्वयुजं मासमेकभक्तेन तिष्ठति । वाणिज्यं फलते तस्य कृषिः पशुगणास्तथा

yopi cāśvayujaṁ māsamekabhaktena tiṣṭhati | vāṇijyaṁ phalate tasya kṛṣiḥ paśugaṇāstathā

He who abides in this vow through Ashvina finds his trade, his farming, and his herds of cattle all flourish.

Verse 12 (skanda.8.112.12)

कार्तिकं त्वपि यो मासमेकभक्तेन तिष्ठति । सोश्वमेधफलं प्राप्य वह्निलोके महीयते

kārtikaṁ tvapi yo māsamekabhaktena tiṣṭhati | sośvamedhaphalaṁ prāpya vahniloke mahīyate

He who abides in this vow through Kartika obtains the fruit of the Ashvamedha sacrifice and is exalted in the world of Fire.

Verse 13 (skanda.8.112.13)

यः क्षपेदेकभक्तेन यावज्जीवं नरोत्तमः । विमानेनार्कवर्णेन शक्रलोकं स गच्छति

yaḥ kṣapedekabhaktena yāvajjīvaṁ narottamaḥ | vimānenārkavarṇena śakralokaṁ sa gacchati

The best of men who keeps the single-meal vow for his whole life goes to the world of Indra upon a chariot bright as the sun.

Verse 14 (skanda.8.112.14)

संवत्सरं तु यः पूर्णमेकभक्तेन तिष्ठति । स पार्थिवसमो भूत्वा महीं पाति महेन्द्रवत्

saṁvatsaraṁ tu yaḥ pūrṇamekabhaktena tiṣṭhati | sa pārthivasamo bhūtvā mahīṁ pāti mahendravat

He who abides in this vow for a full year, becoming the equal of a king, protects the earth as great Indra does the heavens.

Verse 15 (skanda.8.112.15)

अहोरात्रं तूपवासं कुर्यादेकं नरोत्तमः । दशानां स सुवर्णानां फलं प्राप्नोति शोभितम्

ahorātraṁ tūpavāsaṁ kuryādekaṁ narottamaḥ | daśānāṁ sa suvarṇānāṁ phalaṁ prāpnoti śobhitam

The best of men who keeps a single fast of a full day and night obtains the resplendent fruit of giving ten pieces of gold.

Verse 16 (skanda.8.112.16)

मासे मासे त्वहोरत्रं यः करोति नरोत्तमः । स तेन कर्मणा शुद्धो विद्वान् भवति धार्मिकः

māse māse tvahorātraṁ yaḥ karoti narottamaḥ | sa tena karmaṇā śuddho vidvān bhavati dhārmikaḥ

The best of men who does this day-and-night fast every month becomes, through that deed, purified, learned, and righteous.

Verse 17 (skanda.8.112.17)

चतुर्दशीमष्टमीं च पक्षयोरुभयोरपि । अहोरात्रं क्षपेद्यस्तु सम्वत्सरमशेषतः

caturdaśīmaṣṭamīṁ ca pakṣayorubhayorapi | ahorātraṁ kṣapedyastu samvatsaramaśeṣataḥ

He who, on the fourteenth and eighth days of both fortnights, keeps the day-and-night fast throughout the whole year -

Verse 18 (skanda.8.112.18)

स तेन कर्मणा युक्तः सर्वपापविवर्जितः । न याति नरकं देव्यो यमञ्च न स पश्यति

sa tena karmaṇā yuktaḥ sarvapāpavivarjitaḥ | na yāti narakaṁ devyo yamañca na sa paśyati

- endowed with that merit, he is freed from all sin; O goddesses, he goes not to hell, nor does he behold Yama.

Verse 19 (skanda.8.112.19)

मासे मासे च यः कुर्यात् त्रिरात्रक्षपणं बुधः । कौबेरं लोकमासाद्य स विन्देत् परमं सुखम्

māse māse ca yaḥ kuryāt trirātrakṣapaṇaṁ budhaḥ | kauberaṁ lokamāsādya sa vindet paramaṁ sukham

The wise man who keeps a three-night fast every month attains the world of Kubera and finds supreme happiness there.

Verse 20 (skanda.8.112.20)

चतुर्थेहनि यो भुंक्ते प्रयतात्मा शुचिर्नरः । गान्धर्वं स पदं प्राप्य मोदते शक्रवद्दिवि

caturthehani yo bhuṅkte prayatātmā śucirnaraḥ | gāndharvaṁ sa padaṁ prāpya modate śakravaddivi

The restrained and pure man who eats only on the fourth day attains the rank of a Gandharva and rejoices in heaven like Indra.

Verse 21 (skanda.8.112.21)

पञ्चमेहनि यो भुंक्ते प्रतिमासमतन्द्रितः । वायुलोकं समासाद्य स्वर्गलोकं स गच्छति

pañcamehani yo bhuṅkte pratimāsamatandritaḥ | vāyulokaṁ samāsādya svargalokaṁ sa gacchati

He who, untiring, eats only on the fifth day each month attains the world of Vayu and goes on to the heavenly world.

Verse 22 (skanda.8.112.22)

यो भुंक्ते दिवसे षष्ठे नित्यं नियममास्थितः । वारुणं लोकमासाद्य सोपि विन्देत् महत्पदम्

yo bhuṅkte divase ṣaṣṭhe nityaṁ niyamamāsthitaḥ | vāruṇaṁ lokamāsādya sopi vindet mahatpadam

He who, ever fixed in the vow, eats on the sixth day attains the world of Varuna and likewise finds a great station.

Verse 23 (skanda.8.112.23)

सप्तमेहनि यो भुंक्ते जितद्वन्द्वो दृढव्रतः । आदित्यलोकमासाद्य सोपि विन्देत् महत्पदम्

saptamehani yo bhuṅkte jitadvandvo dṛḍhavrataḥ | ādityalokamāsādya sopi vindet mahatpadam

He of firm vow, who has conquered the pairs of opposites, and eats on the seventh day, attains the world of Aditya and likewise finds a great station.

Verse 24 (skanda.8.112.24)

अष्टमे चैव यो भुंक्ते दिवसे मानवः शुचिः । वैष्णवं लोकमासाद्य स भवेत् परमद्युतिः

aṣṭame caiva yo bhuṅkte divase mānavaḥ śuciḥ | vaiṣṇavaṁ lokamāsādya sa bhavet paramadyutiḥ

The pure man who eats on the eighth day attains the world of Vishnu and becomes supremely radiant.

Verse 25 (skanda.8.112.25)

नवमेहनि यो भुंक्ते नरो नियममास्थितः । स वसूनां प्रियो भूत्वा चरते वसुभिः सह

navamehani yo bhuṅkte naro niyamamāsthitaḥ | sa vasūnāṁ priyo bhūtvā carate vasubhiḥ saha

He who, holding to the vow, eats on the ninth day becomes dear to the Vasus and roams together with them.

Verse 26 (skanda.8.112.26)

दशमेहनि भुक्त्वा तु दशाहस्य फलं लभेत् । अश्विभ्यां च समो भूत्वा सूर्यवज्ज्वलते सदा

daśamehani bhuktvā tu daśāhasya phalaṁ labhet | aśvibhyāṁ ca samo bhūtvā sūryavajjvalate sadā

By eating on the tenth day he obtains the fruit of a ten-day fast, and becoming equal to the Ashvin twins, blazes ever like the sun.

Verse 27 (skanda.8.112.27)

मानुष्यञ्च पुनः प्राप्य दशभार्या लभेत सः । सुबर्णमक्षयं चैव न चाकाले म्रियेत सः

mānuṣyañca punaḥ prāpya daśabhāryā labheta saḥ | subarṇamakṣayaṁ caiva na cākāle mriyeta saḥ

Attaining human birth again, he obtains ten wives and imperishable gold, and he does not die before his time.

Verse 28 (skanda.8.112.28)

एकादशे तु यो भुंक्ते दिवसे मानवः शुचिः । एकदश्याः फलं प्राप्य स रुद्रगणतां लभेत्

ekādaśe tu yo bhuṅkte divase mānavaḥ śuciḥ | ekadaśyāḥ phalaṁ prāpya sa rudragaṇatāṁ labhet

The pure man who eats on the eleventh day, obtaining the fruit of the Ekadashi vow, attains the state of Rudra's attendants.

Verse 29 (skanda.8.112.29)

स्थित्वा तत्र शतान्यष्टावतिसौख्यसमन्वितः । ब्राह्मणत्वमनुप्राप्य यज्वा स इह जायते

sthitvā tatra śatānyaṣṭāvatisaukhyasamanvitaḥ | brāhmaṇatvamanuprāpya yajvā sa iha jāyate

Having dwelt there eight hundred years in great happiness, he is then born here as a brahmin devoted to sacrifice.

Verse 30 (skanda.8.112.30)

द्वादशे दिवसे यस्तु देव्यो भुंक्ते सदा नरः । द्वादशाहं स संप्राप्य शक्रलोकमवाप्नुयात्

dvādaśe divase yastu devyo bhuṅkte sadā naraḥ | dvādaśāhaṁ sa saṁprāpya śakralokamavāpnuyāt

O goddesses, the man who ever eats on the twelfth day, gaining the fruit of the twelve-day fast, attains the world of Indra.

Verse 31 (skanda.8.112.31)

तत्रोष्य स सुखं भूय इह जातो नरोत्तमः । राजा वा राजमात्रो वा धन्वा वा सुमहान् भवेत्

tatroṣya sa sukhaṁ bhūya iha jāto narottamaḥ | rājā vā rājamātro vā dhanvā vā sumahān bhavet

After dwelling there in happiness, born here as an excellent man, he becomes a king, or the equal of a king, or a mighty archer.

Verse 32 (skanda.8.112.32)

त्रयोदशे तु यो नित्यमश्नाति दिवसे नरः । वसेत् स भार्गवस्थानं प्राप्य दिव्यसुखान्वितः

trayodaśe tu yo nityamaśnāti divase naraḥ | vaset sa bhārgavasthānaṁ prāpya divyasukhānvitaḥ

The man who ever eats on the thirteenth day dwells, attaining the abode of Bhrigu, endowed with heavenly bliss.

Verse 33 (skanda.8.112.33)

अथ चेन्मानुषो भूयस्स नरो जायते शुभाः । धनधान्यसमाकीर्णे जायते सत्कुले शुभः

atha cenmānuṣo bhūyassa naro jāyate śubhāḥ | dhanadhānyasamākīrṇe jāyate satkule śubhaḥ

O auspicious ones, should that man be born again among humans, he is born auspicious, in a fine family abounding in wealth and grain.

Verse 34 (skanda.8.112.34)

चतुर्दश तु यो नित्यं दिवसानि क्षपेन्नरः । तौषितं लोकमासाद्य भवेद् गणपतिर्वरः

caturdaśa tu yo nityaṁ divasāni kṣapennaraḥ | tauṣitaṁ lokamāsādya bhaved gaṇapatirvaraḥ

The man who fasts steadily for fourteen days attains the Tushita world and becomes an excellent lord of a divine host.

Verse 35 (skanda.8.112.35)

अर्धमासं क्षपेद्यस्तु नित्यमेव ह्यतन्द्रितः । देवराजेन तुल्योसौ भूत्वा स्वर्गेवतिष्ठति

ardhamāsaṁ kṣapedyastu nityameva hyatandritaḥ | devarājena tulyosau bhūtvā svargevatiṣṭhati

He who, untiring, fasts continuously for half a month becomes the equal of the king of the gods and dwells in heaven.

Verse 36 (skanda.8.112.36)

इह राजा महाभूमौ भूय एवाभिजायते । यस्तु मासं क्षपेद्धीरो जितक्रोधो जितेन्द्रियः

iha rājā mahābhūmau bhūya evābhijāyate | yastu māsaṁ kṣapeddhīro jitakrodho jitendriyaḥ

He is born again here as a king upon the great earth. And the steadfast man who, having conquered anger and his senses, fasts for a whole month -

Verse 37 (skanda.8.112.37)

विमानेन स दिव्येन अप्सरोभिस्समावृतः । पूज्यमानो यथा देवः स्तूयमानश्च सर्वशः

vimānena sa divyena apsarobhissamāvṛtaḥ | pūjyamāno yathā devaḥ stūyamānaśca sarvaśaḥ

- rides upon a divine chariot, surrounded by celestial nymphs, honoured like a god and praised on every side,

Verse 38 (skanda.8.112.38)

ज्वलन्नादित्यसंकाशो नित्यं सुखमुपाश्नुते । सर्वलोकेषु वसते बहून्यब्दायुतानि तु

jvalannādityasaṅkāśo nityaṁ sukhamupāśnute | sarvalokeṣu vasate bahūnyabdāyutāni tu

and blazing like the sun, ever enjoys happiness, dwelling through many thousands of years in all the worlds.

Verse 39 (skanda.8.112.39)

ततो ब्रह्मसदं प्राप्य ब्रह्मणा स सुपूजितः । ब्रह्मलोके निवसते यथा ब्रह्मा नरोत्तमः

tato brahmasadaṁ prāpya brahmaṇā sa supūjitaḥ | brahmaloke nivasate yathā brahmā narottamaḥ

Then attaining Brahma's assembly, well honoured by Brahma himself, that excellent man dwells in the world of Brahma like Brahma.

Verse 40 (skanda.8.112.40)

अथ चेत्पुनरायाति ब्राह्मणो भवतीश्वरः । योगञ्च तत्र लभते योगैश्वर्यं समश्नुते

atha cetpunarāyāti brāhmaṇo bhavatīśvaraḥ | yogañca tatra labhate yogaiśvaryaṁ samaśnute

Should he return again, he becomes a brahmin and a lord, and there he attains yoga and enjoys the majesty of yogic power.

Verse 41 (skanda.8.112.41)

योगीशस्स ततो भूत्वा शम्भोर्गणपतिर्भवेत् । सर्वेषां चोपवासानां विधिं परमपुण्यदम्

yogīśassa tato bhūtvā śambhorgaṇapatirbhavet | sarveṣāṁ copavāsānāṁ vidhiṁ paramapuṇyadam

Becoming lord of yogis, he then becomes a gana-chief of Shambhu. Thus I have told the supremely merit-giving ordinance of all these fasts.

Verse 42 (skanda.8.112.42)

देव्यः शृणुध्वं मत्तोन्यं यथावदनुपूर्वशः । स्नातः शुचिरथाचान्तो हुताग्निः सुसमाहितः

devyaḥ śṛṇudhvaṁ mattonyaṁ yathāvadanupūrvaśaḥ | snātaḥ śuciraathācānto hutāgniḥ susamāhitaḥ

O goddesses, now hear from me, in due order, another rite. Having bathed, being pure, having sipped water, offered oblation into the fire, and being well composed -

Verse 43 (skanda.8.112.43)

दीक्षयित्वा तथात्मानमुपवासं चरेद् बुधः । स्नायात्त्रिषवणं चैव जुहुयादग्निमेव च

dīkṣayitvā tathātmānamupavāsaṁ cared budhaḥ | snāyāttriṣavaṇaṁ caiva juhuyādagnimeva ca

- thus consecrating himself, the wise man should keep the fast, bathe at the three daily junctures, and offer oblations into the fire.

Verse 44 (skanda.8.112.44)

वाग्यतो क्रोधनो दान्तो धार्मिकः सत्यवाग् घृणी । जपन्सदैव गायत्रीं पवित्राणि च नित्यशः

vāgyato akrodhano dānto dhārmikaḥ satyavāg ghṛṇī | japansadaiva gāyatrīṁ pavitrāṇi ca nityaśaḥ

Restrained in speech, free of anger, self-controlled, righteous, truthful, and compassionate, let him ever recite the Gayatri and other purifying hymns.

Verse 45 (skanda.8.112.45)

रुद्रानथ गणान् वापि रात्रौ च स्थण्डिलेशयः । कुशानास्तीर्य विधिवत् स्त्रीशूद्रैः परिवर्जितः

rudrānatha gaṇān vāpi rātrau ca sthaṇḍileśayaḥ | kuśānāstīrya vidhivat strīśūdraiḥ parivarjitaḥ

Meditating upon Rudra or his hosts, he should at night lie upon bare ground spread duly with kusha grass, avoiding the company of women and shudras.

Verse 46 (skanda.8.112.46)

समश्नीयात् ततो देव्यो वीतशोको विमत्सरः । यावन्त्यहानि तिष्ठेत तावद्विप्राँस्तु भोजयेत्

samaśnīyāt tato devyo vītaśoko vimatsaraḥ | yāvantyahāni tiṣṭheta tāvadviprām̐stu bhojayet

O goddesses, thereafter, free from grief and ill-will, let him eat, and let him feed as many brahmins as the days he observed the vow.

Verse 47 (skanda.8.112.47)

ततः पूर्णे तु काले वै ब्राह्मणानां शतं वरम् । सहस्रमथवा शक्त्या पूजयित्वा तु सर्वशः

tataḥ pūrṇe tu kāle vai brāhmaṇānāṁ śataṁ varam | sahasramathavā śaktyā pūjayitvā tu sarvaśaḥ

Then, when the period is complete, having according to his means honoured in every way a hundred, or even a thousand, excellent brahmins -

Verse 48 (skanda.8.112.48)

हविष्यं भोजनं दत्त्वा गाश्च वासांसि च क्रमात् । सुवर्णं तिलपात्रं च एकैकस्य प्रदापयेत् । ततस्तत्फलमाप्नोति यदन्यैर्दुर्लभं व्रतैः

haviṣyaṁ bhojanaṁ dattvā gāśca vāsāṁsi ca kramāt | suvarṇaṁ tilapātraṁ ca ekaikasya pradāpayet | tatastatphalamāpnoti yadanyairdurlabhaṁ vrataiḥ

having given them consecrated food, and in turn cows, garments, and to each a vessel of gold and sesame - thereby he obtains a fruit hard to gain by other vows.

Verse 49 (skanda.8.112.49)

वृषभं यस्तु नीलाङ्गमुत्सृजेत नरोत्तमः । अन्यं वापि महाभागाः स पितॄँस्तारयेन्नरः

vṛṣabhaṁ yastu nīlāṅgamutsṛjeta narottamaḥ | anyaṁ vāpi mahābhāgāḥ sa pitṝm̐stārayennaraḥ

O most blessed goddesses, that excellent man who sets free a bull dark-limbed, or of any other colour, ferries his ancestors across.

Verse 50 (skanda.8.112.50)

यावन्ति तस्य रोमाणि वृषभस्य महात्मनः । तावन्त्येव सहस्राणि वर्षाणां दिवि मोदते

yāvanti tasya romāṇi vṛṣabhasya mahātmanaḥ | tāvantyeva sahasrāṇi varṣāṇāṁ divi modate

As many as are the hairs of that noble bull's body, for that many thousands of years does he rejoice in heaven.

Verse 51 (skanda.8.112.51)

तिलपात्राणि यो दद्याद्विप्रेभ्यः शुद्धमानसः । अमावास्यां समासाद्य कृष्णानां सुसमाहितः

tilapātrāṇi yo dadyādviprebhyaḥ śuddhamānasaḥ | amāvāsyāṁ samāsādya kṛṣṇānāṁ susamāhitaḥ

He of pure mind who, on the day of the new moon, with focused heart, gives to brahmins vessels of black sesame,

Verse 52 (skanda.8.112.52)

स पितॄँस्तर्पयित्वा तु अक्षयं नरपुंगवः । पितृलोकं समाप्नोति चिरञ्च सुखमश्नुते

sa pitṝm̐starpayitvā tu akṣayaṁ narapuṅgavaḥ | pitṛlokaṁ samāpnoti cirañca sukhamaśnute

that bull among men, having satisfied his forefathers imperishably, attains the world of the ancestors and enjoys happiness for a long age.

Verse 53 (skanda.8.112.53)

उपवासविधिस्त्वेष कथितो मे शुभाननाः । चान्द्रायणविधिं भूयः शृणुध्वं सुसमाहिताः

upavāsavidhistveṣa kathito me śubhānanāḥ | cāndrāyaṇavidhiṁ bhūyaḥ śṛṇudhvaṁ susamāhitāḥ

O fair-faced ones, thus have I told the ordinance of fasting. Now hear again, with focused mind, the rite of the Chandrayana vow.

Verse 54 (skanda.8.112.54)

यस्तु चान्द्रायणं कुर्याद्यथोक्तं सुसमाहितः । स सोमलोकमासाद्य सोमेन समतां व्रजेत्

yastu cāndrāyaṇaṁ kuryādyathoktaṁ susamāhitaḥ | sa somalokamāsādya somena samatāṁ vrajet

He who, with focused mind, performs the Chandrayana as prescribed attains the world of the Moon and reaches equality with Soma.

Verse 55 (skanda.8.112.55)

प्राजापत्यं तु यः कुर्यादेकशो बहुशोपि वा । प्रजापतिसमो भूत्वा तस्य लोके महीयते

prājāpatyaṁ tu yaḥ kuryādekaśo bahuśopi vā | prajāpatisamo bhūtvā tasya loke mahīyate

He who performs the Prajapatya vow once, or many times, becomes the equal of Prajapati and is exalted in his world.

Verse 56 (skanda.8.112.56)

यस्तु सान्तपनं कृच्छ्रं करोति नरसत्तमः । आत्मानमुद्धरेत् कृच्छ्रात् सोग्निलोकं च गच्छति

yastu sāntapanaṁ kṛcchraṁ karoti narasattamaḥ | ātmānamuddharet kṛcchrāt sognilokaṁ ca gacchati

That best of men who performs the Santapana penance uplifts himself by that austerity and goes to the world of Agni.

Verse 57 (skanda.8.112.57)

महासान्तपनं यश्च करोति सुमहामनाः । सर्वज्ञतामवाप्नोति ब्रह्मलोकं च विन्दति

mahāsāntapanaṁ yaśca karoti sumahāmanāḥ | sarvajñatāmavāpnoti brahmalokaṁ ca vindati

The great-souled man who performs the Mahasantapana obtains omniscience and attains the world of Brahma.

Verse 58 (skanda.8.112.58)

तुलापुरुषकं यश्च कुरुते द्विजसत्तमः । स मुक्तस्सर्वपापैस्तु गच्छेत दिवमूर्जितः

tulāpuruṣakaṁ yaśca kurute dvijasattamaḥ | sa muktassarvapāpaistu gaccheta divamūrjitaḥ

That best of twice-born who performs the Tulapurusha rite is freed from all sins and goes forth mighty to heaven.

Verse 59 (skanda.8.112.59)

अतिकृच्छ्रेण तु नरः शर्वस्य भवनं व्रजेत् । कृच्छ्रातिकृच्छ्रेण तथा गाणपत्यमवाप्नुयात्

atikṛcchreṇa tu naraḥ śarvasya bhavanaṁ vrajet | kṛcchrātikṛcchreṇa tathā gāṇapatyamavāpnuyāt

By the Atikrichchhra penance a man attains the abode of Sharva; by the Krichchhratikrichchhra likewise he obtains the rank of a gana-lord.

Verse 60 (skanda.8.112.60)

यस्तु सर्वाणि कृच्छ्राणि कुरुते नरसत्तमः । स यं प्रार्थयते कामं तमेव समुपाश्नुते

yastu sarvāṇi kṛcchrāṇi kurute narasattamaḥ | sa yaṁ prārthayate kāmaṁ tameva samupāśnute

That best of men who performs all the Krichchhra penances obtains whatever desire he prays for.

Verse 61 (skanda.8.112.61)

यस्य कस्यचिदेतेषां कर्ता स्यात् सुसमाहितः । स तेन शुद्धो भवति देवत्वञ्चापि विन्दति

yasya kasyacideteṣāṁ kartā syāt susamāhitaḥ | sa tena śuddho bhavati devatvañcāpi vindati

Whoever, with a focused mind, performs any one of these becomes purified thereby and attains even divinity.

Verse 62 (skanda.8.112.62)

पयोभक्षस्तु यो नित्यं नरः संवत्सरं वसेत् । यावकं चोपयुञ्जानो गोमूत्रेणाभिसंस्कृतम्

payobhakṣastu yo nityaṁ naraḥ saṁvatsaraṁ vaset | yāvakaṁ copayuñjāno gomūtreṇābhisaṁskṛtam

The man who lives a full year on milk alone, or subsists on barley gruel treated with cow's urine,

Verse 63 (skanda.8.112.63)

पिण्याकफलभक्षो वा अक्षारलवणोपि वा । सोश्वमेधफलं प्राप्य ब्रह्मलोकं समश्नुते

piṇyākaphalabhakṣo vā akṣāralavaṇopi vā | sośvamedhaphalaṁ prāpya brahmalokaṁ samaśnute

or eats only oilcake and fruit, without salt or alkali - he obtains the fruit of the Ashvamedha and attains the world of Brahma.

Verse 64 (skanda.8.112.64)

सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो विमुक्तस्सर्वबन्धनैः । विमानेनार्कवर्णेन ब्रह्मवच्चरते च सः

sarvapāpavinirmukto vimuktassarvabandhanaiḥ | vimānenārkavarṇena brahmavaccarate ca saḥ

Freed from all sin, released from every bond, he moves about like Brahma upon a chariot bright as the sun.

Verse 65 (skanda.8.112.65)

यस्त्वेतान्येव सर्वाणि व्यस्तानि नरसत्तमः । यावदुच्छ्वासमाशेते महात्मा नष्टकिल्विषः

yastvetānyeva sarvāṇi vyastāni narasattamaḥ | yāvaducchvāsamāśete mahātmā naṣṭakilviṣaḥ

That best of men who observes all these vows severally, one after another, for as long as he draws breath, that great soul, sin destroyed,

Verse 66 (skanda.8.112.66)

स लोकान्वा महासत्वो यथेष्टान् मोक्षमेव वा । ऐश्वर्यं वा महत् प्राप्य दीप्यमानोवतिष्ठते

sa lokānvā mahāsatvo yatheṣṭān mokṣameva vā | aiśvaryaṁ vā mahat prāpya dīpyamānovatiṣṭhate

that being of great strength stands resplendent, having attained whatever worlds he desires, or liberation itself, or great sovereignty.

Verse 67 (skanda.8.112.67)

एतान्येव च सर्वाणि दानानि च तपांसि च । विना मन्त्रेण सततं शूद्राणामपि सर्वशः

etānyeva ca sarvāṇi dānāni ca tapāṁsi ca | vinā mantreṇa satataṁ śūdrāṇāmapi sarvaśaḥ

All these gifts and austerities alike are ever ordained in full even for shudras, though without the accompanying mantras -

Verse 68 (skanda.8.112.68)

विधीयते न सन्देहो एवमाह प्रजापतिः । अमन्त्रास्ते स्मृताः सर्वे शूद्रा विगतकल्मषाः

vidhīyate na sandeho evamāha prajāpatiḥ | amantrāste smṛtāḥ sarve śūdrā vigatakalmaṣāḥ

- without doubt, so has Prajapati declared. Shudras, performing them without mantras, are remembered as freed from all taint.

Verse 69 (skanda.8.112.69)

स्त्रीणां तु दैवतं भर्ता न ततोन्यद्विधीयते । स गतिः परमं धाम स धर्मः परमः स्मृतः

strīṇāṁ tu daivataṁ bhartā na tatonyadvidhīyate | sa gatiḥ paramaṁ dhāma sa dharmaḥ paramaḥ smṛtaḥ

For women, the husband alone is the deity; nothing else is ordained for them. He is their refuge, their supreme abode, remembered as their highest duty.

Verse 70 (skanda.8.112.70)

तेन या त्वभ्यनुज्ञाता इमं धर्मं समाचरेत् । सा फलं तस्य धर्मस्य प्राप्नोति सुसमाहिता

tena yā tvabhyanujñātā imaṁ dharmaṁ samācaret | sā phalaṁ tasya dharmasya prāpnoti susamāhitā

The woman who, permitted by him, observes this duty obtains, with focused mind, the fruit of that duty.

Verse 71 (skanda.8.112.71)

या तु तेनाननुज्ञाता धर्मं किञ्चित् समाचरेत् । न तत्फलं सा लभते लभते च सती फलम्

yā tu tenānanujñātā dharmaṁ kiñcit samācaret | na tatphalaṁ sā labhate labhate ca satī phalam

But she who, unpermitted by him, performs any such duty does not obtain its fruit; it is the devoted wife who alone obtains the fruit.

Verse 72 (skanda.8.112.72)

या तु भर्त्राभ्यनुज्ञाता कृत्वा धर्मं सुपुष्कलम् । दद्यात्तु पत्युर्या नारी तस्यानन्तं भवेत् फलम्

yā tu bhartrābhyanujñātā kṛtvā dharmaṁ supuṣkalam | dadyāttu patyuryā nārī tasyānantaṁ bhavet phalam

That woman who, permitted by her husband, performs abundant good deeds and offers the fruit to him obtains a fruit that is boundless.

Verse 73 (skanda.8.112.73)

यच्च प्रार्थयते किञ्चिदिह लोके परत्र वा । तत्सर्वं प्राप्नुते देव्यः सुभगा चापि जायते

yacca prārthayate kiñcidiha loke paratra vā | tatsarvaṁ prāpnute devyaḥ subhagā cāpi jāyate

O goddesses, whatever she desires in this world or the next, all that she obtains, and she is born fortunate as well.

Verse 74 (skanda.8.112.74)

वश्यश्चास्या भवेद् भर्त्ता प्रिया तस्य च सा तदा । पुत्रप्रजा च भति न च दुःखं समश्नुते

vaśyaścāsyā bhaved bhartā priyā tasya ca sā tadā | putraprajā ca bhati na ca duḥkhaṁ samaśnute

Her husband becomes devoted to her and she becomes dear to him; she is blessed with sons and offspring and does not experience sorrow.

Verse 75 (skanda.8.112.75)

एष धर्मो मयाख्यातो युष्माकं लोकमातरः । अतो भूयश्च किं त्वन्यच्छ्रोतुमिच्छथ शोभनाः

eṣa dharmo mayākhyāto yuṣmākaṁ lokamātaraḥ | ato bhūyaśca kiṁ tvanyacchrotumicchatha śobhanāḥ

This duty, O mothers of the world, have I told you. Beyond this, O radiant ones, what else do you wish to hear?

Verse 76 (skanda.8.112.76)

अयं हि धर्मः सुमहानतिप्रभः सुदुष्करश्चाप्यकृत्मभिर्वराः । न चैनमन्यस्य शठस्य कस्यचिदधर्मिणो वा कथयीत धर्मवित्

ayaṁ hi dharmaḥ sumahānatiprabhaḥ sudukṣkaraścāpyakṛtmabhirvarāḥ | na cainamanyasya śaṭhasya kasyacidadharmiṇo vā kathayīta dharmavit

This duty, O excellent ones, is exceedingly great, exceedingly potent, and hard indeed for the uncultivated to accomplish. Let one who knows this duty never declare it to any deceitful or unrighteous person.

Verse 77 (skanda.8.112.77)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततस्ताः सहिताः सर्वा देव्यो लोकस्य मातरः । पूजयित्वा महादेवीमूचुः संहृष्टचेतसः

sanatkumāra uvāca | tatastāḥ sahitāḥ sarvā devyo lokasya mātaraḥ | pūjayitvā mahādevīmūcuḥ saṁhṛṣṭacetasaḥ

Sanatkumara said: Then all those goddesses, the mothers of the world, gathered together, honoured the great Goddess, and spoke with joyful hearts -

Verse 78 (skanda.8.112.78)

अहो धर्मस्त्वयाख्यातः सर्वामरनमस्कृते । यस्य संसेवनात् क्षिप्रं प्राप्यते सुमहत् फलम्

aho dharmastvayākhyātaḥ sarvāmaranamaskṛte | yasya saṁsevanāt kṣipraṁ prāpyate sumahat phalam

Ah, O you to whom all the gods bow, wondrous is the duty you have declared, by whose observance a very great fruit is quickly obtained!

Verse 79 (skanda.8.112.79)

इतो वीक्षामहे देवि गिरेरस्य वनं शुभम् । पुष्पजातिसमाकीर्णं बहुपक्षिगणावृतम्

ito vīkṣāmahe devi girerasya vanaṁ śubham | puṣpajātisamākīrṇaṁ bahupakṣigaṇāvṛtam

O Goddess, from here we would gaze upon the lovely forest of this mountain, strewn with flowers of every kind and thronged with many flocks of birds.

Verse 80 (skanda.8.112.80)

तत उत्थाय सा देवी सहिता देवमातृभिः । मन्दरस्य गिरेर्दिव्यं द्रष्टुं तद्वनमुत्तमम्

tata utthāya sā devī sahitā devamātṛbhiḥ | mandarasya girerdivyaṁ draṣṭuṁ tadvanamuttamam

Then arising, that Goddess, together with the mothers of the gods, went forth to behold that supreme, divine forest of Mount Mandara.

Verse 81 (skanda.8.112.81)

विचचार महायोगा चक्षुर्दत्वा सुखापहम् । मानश्शिलानि शृङ्गाणि सौवर्णानि च वीक्षती

vicacāra mahāyogā cakṣurdatvā sukhāpaham | mānaśśilāni śṛṅgāṇi sauvarṇāni ca vīkṣatī

That great yogini wandered through it, casting her gaze upon its pleasing sights, beholding jewelled boulders and golden peaks.

Verse 82 (skanda.8.112.82)

रम्याणि सिततोयानि गिरेः प्रस्रवणानि च । सरांस्युत्पलपूर्णानि वापीश्च सुमनोहराः । तुतोष गिरिजा दृष्ट्वा पार्श्वसंस्थं च नन्दिनम्

ramyāṇi sitatoyāni gireḥ prasravaṇāni ca | sarāṁsyutpalapūrṇāni vāpīśca sumanoharāḥ | tutoṣa girijā dṛṣṭvā pārśvasaṁsthaṁ ca nandinam

Seeing the mountain's lovely springs of clear water, its lotus-filled lakes, and its charming step-wells, and seeing Nandin standing at her side, the daughter of the mountain was well pleased.

Verse 83 (skanda.8.112.83)

तदा शुभावती नाम मेरुकन्या सुमध्यमा । उवाच हिमवत्पुत्रीं दर्शयंती शुभं वनम्

tadā śubhāvatī nāma merukanyā sumadhyamā | uvāca himavatputrīṁ darśayaṁtī śubhaṁ vanam

Then Shubhavati, the slender-waisted daughter of Meru, showing the daughter of Himavat that beautiful forest, said -

Verse 84 (skanda.8.112.84)

इदं पर्वतकन्ये त्वं पश्य केलिकलाशुभम् । वनं सर्वर्तुसंपन्नं यथाधित्वं सुभाषितम्

idaṁ parvatakanye tvaṁ paśya kelikalāśubham | vanaṁ sarvartusaṁpannaṁ yathādhitvaṁ subhāṣitam

O daughter of the mountain, behold this forest, auspicious with playful charms, abounding in every season, exactly as it has been fairly described.

Verse 85 (skanda.8.112.85)

अयं प्रसूते सुमहान् सपर्वस्यास्य शोभने । विदुषामथ कृच्छ्रेषु यथायुक्तं सुभाषितम्

ayaṁ prasūte sumahān saparvasyāsya śobhane | viduṣāmatha kṛcchreṣu yathāyuktaṁ subhāṣitam

O splendid one, this great mountain arises with all its ridges, exactly as the wise, even in difficult passages, have fittingly described.

Verse 86 (skanda.8.112.86)

तथा स्वर्णोपलो भाति गिरेः शिखर उत्तमः । यथा लक्षणवद्विद्वान् प्रगीय इव सामगः

tathā svarṇopalo bhāti gireḥ śikhara uttamaḥ | yathā lakṣaṇavadvidvān pragīya iva sāmagaḥ

The mountain's supreme, gold-studded peak shines forth just as a learned, auspicious singer of the Samaveda appears while chanting his hymn.

Verse 87 (skanda.8.112.87)

अयं च मणिमान्नित्यं शैलाग्रः प्रतिभास्वरः । भाति उद्यन्निवादित्य उभयस्तो महायुगे

ayaṁ ca maṇimānnityaṁ śailāgraḥ pratibhāsvaraḥ | bhāti udyannivāditya ubhayasto mahāyuge

This peak, ever set with gems, shines resplendent, as if it were the sun rising at either dawn of a great cosmic age.

Verse 88 (skanda.8.112.88)

अयं वैदूर्यशिखर इन्द्रनीलतलोपलः । भाति शर्वाणि विभ्राणः स्थलेश्वरहरोपरि

ayaṁ vaidūryaśikhara indranīlatalopalaḥ | bhāti śarvāṇi vibhrāṇaḥ sthaleśvaraharopari

This peak of cat's-eye beryl, its base of sapphire stone, shines forth bearing splendour, as though it were Hara, lord of the earth's high places.

Verse 89 (skanda.8.112.89)

अयं मत्तो गजो मत्तः करेणुभिरिवावृतः । कृत्वाभ्यंजनयः सुभ्रु पल्लवः शिरसा नतः

ayaṁ matto gajo mattaḥ kareṇubhirivāvṛtaḥ | kṛtvābhyaṁjanayaḥ subhru pallavaḥ śirasā nataḥ

O fair-browed one, this tree stands like a rutting elephant surrounded by its cow-elephants, its shoots anointed, its head bowed low.

Verse 90 (skanda.8.112.90)

अहो सुरूपं पश्येमं वनराजियुतं शुभे । यौवराज्येभिषिक्तं वै जयंतमिव चामरैः

aho surūpaṁ paśyemaṁ vanarājiyutaṁ śubhe | yauvarājyebhiṣiktaṁ vai jayaṁtamiva cāmaraiḥ

Behold, O auspicious one, how lovely is this grove, lined with rows of trees, as though Jayanta himself were being anointed heir-apparent with waving fly-whisks.

Verse 91 (skanda.8.112.91)

पादपं चैव शर्वाणि पश्यैनं करपल्लवैः । मातुः समीपे नृत्यन्तं पुत्रं प्रियमिवौरसम्

pādapaṁ caiva śarvāṇi paśyainaṁ karapallavaiḥ | mātuḥ samīpe nṛtyantaṁ putraṁ priyamivaurasam

And, O Sharvani, look at this tree, dancing near its mother with shoots for hands, like a beloved, own-born son.

Verse 92 (skanda.8.112.92)

मन्ये प्रियावासमिमं देवताया वनस्य ह । अतीव दृश्यते शोभा नेदृशी दृष्टवत्यहम्

manye priyāvāsamimaṁ devatāyā vanasya ha | atīva dṛśyate śobhā nedṛśī dṛṣṭavatyaham

I think this must be the beloved dwelling of this forest's deity - its beauty appears surpassing; never before have I beheld the like.

Verse 93 (skanda.8.112.93)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । तस्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा शुभावत्या गिरेः सुता । निरैक्षिष्ट तरुं बालं हिमवत्तनयाव्यया

sanatkumāra uvāca | tasyāstadvacanaṁ śrutvā śubhāvatyā gireḥ sutā | niraikṣiṣṭa taruṁ bālaṁ himavattanayāvyayā

Sanatkumara said: Hearing Shubhavati's words, the undying daughter of the mountain gazed intently upon that young tree.

Verse 94 (skanda.8.112.94)

तथा सा देवदेवी तं विचरन्ती महागिरौ । अपश्यद्बालसूर्याभं बालाशोकं सुपुष्पितम्

tathā sā devadevī taṁ vicarantī mahāgirau | apaśyadbālasūryābhaṁ bālāśokaṁ supuṣpitam

As that Goddess of gods wandered upon the great mountain, she saw a young, richly flowering ashoka tree, radiant as the infant sun.

Verse 95 (skanda.8.112.95)

आताम्रपल्लवशतैः कृत्वाञ्जलिमवस्थितम् । तं दृष्टवा गिरिजा देवी परां प्रीतिमगान्मुने

ātāmrapallavaśataiḥ kṛtvāñjalimavasthitam | taṁ dṛṣṭavā girijā devī parāṁ prītimagānmune

It stood as though holding out its hundreds of coppery shoots in cupped, folded hands. Seeing it, O sage, the Goddess Girija was filled with supreme delight.

Verse 96 (skanda.8.112.96)

मनसाचिन्तयच्चैव पुत्रोयं पादपो मम । एष मे तनयः श्लाघ्यो भविता नन्दिवर्धनः

manasācintayaccaiva putroyaṁ pādapo mama | eṣa me tanayaḥ ślāghyo bhavitā nandivardhanaḥ

And she thought within her mind: this tree shall be my son; this praiseworthy child of mine shall be a source of ever-growing joy.

Verse 97 (skanda.8.112.97)

भगवत्यागते ह्येनमनुज्ञाता स्वयंभुवा । ग्रहीष्यामि प्रियं पुत्रं वालाशोकस्य पादपम्

bhagavatyāgate hyenamanujñātā svayaṁbhuvā | grahīṣyāmi priyaṁ putraṁ vālāśokasya pādapam

When the Self-born Lord comes here, having received his consent, I shall accept this young ashoka tree as my dear son.

Verse 98 (skanda.8.112.98)

मम चायमपुत्राया भविता पादपोत्तमः । पुत्रः पुत्रवतां श्रेष्ठाः पुत्रशोकविनाशनः

mama cāyamaputrāyā bhavitā pādapottamaḥ | putraḥ putravatāṁ śreṣṭhāḥ putraśokavināśanaḥ

For me, who am without a son, this excellent tree shall become a son - one that shall rank among the sons of blessed mothers and shall banish the sorrow of childlessness.

Verse 99 (skanda.8.112.99)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । सैवं विनिश्चित्य तदा पादपं प्रति शोभना । अन्यं देशं पक्रिम्य उमा तत्राभ्यपश्यत

sanatkumāra uvāca | saivaṁ viniścitya tadā pādapaṁ prati śobhanā | anyaṁ deśaṁ pakrimya umā tatrābhyapaśyat

Sanatkumara said: Having thus resolved concerning the tree, the radiant Uma then moved on to another spot and looked about there.

Verse 100 (skanda.8.112.100)

अथास्मिन्नन्तरेभूवन्नुत्पातास्तत्र भीषणाः । वायुवेगो महानासीद् गिरिवृक्षनिपातनः

athāsminnantarebhūvannutpātāstatra bhīṣaṇāḥ | vāyuvego mahānāsīd girivṛkṣanipātanaḥ

Meanwhile, fearful portents began to appear there. A mighty gale arose, one that flattened the mountain's very trees.

Verse 101 (skanda.8.112.101)

शिखरं पर्वतेन्द्रस्य अपतद् व्यसनं विना । पादपाश्च विना वातमुन्मूलाः संबभूविरे

śikharaṁ parvatendrasya apatad vyasanaṁ vinā | pādapāśca vinā vātamunmūlāḥ saṁbabhūvire

Without any apparent cause, a peak of the lord of mountains fell, and trees, though there was no wind, were uprooted from their very roots.

Verse 102 (skanda.8.112.102)

उल्काः पतन्ति चाकाशाद्वाति वायुरशोभनः । अक्षि सव्यं स्फुरच्चापि देव्यास्तत् कालिनन्दन

ulkāḥ patanti cākāśādvāti vāyuraśobhanaḥ | akṣi savyaṁ sphuraccāpi devyāstat kālinandana

O son of Kali, meteors began falling from the sky, an ill-omened wind began to blow, and even the Goddess's left eye began to throb.

Verse 103 (skanda.8.112.103)

तान् वीक्ष्य विस्मिता देवी शैलादिमिदमब्रवीत् । सखीश्च सर्वकालेया इदं वचनकोविदाः

tān vīkṣya vismitā devī śailādimidamabravīt | sakhīśca sarvakāleyā idaṁ vacanakovidāḥ

Beholding these signs, the astonished Goddess spoke these words to Shailadi (Nandin) and to her articulate companions -

Verse 104 (skanda.8.112.104)

देव्युवाच । प्रमत्तो भाति शैलोयं वृक्षैस्तैः सर्वतो युतः । भयं महदिदं मन्ये नैतदाकस्मिकं स्मृतम्

devyuvāca | pramatto bhāti śailoyaṁ vṛkṣaistaiḥ sarvato yutaḥ | bhayaṁ mahadidaṁ manye naitadākasmikaṁ smṛtam

The Goddess said: This mountain, with all its trees on every side, appears as though maddened. I sense great danger in this - it is remembered that such things do not happen without cause.

Verse 105 (skanda.8.112.105)

न चानिमित्तमुत्पाता भवन्त्येते दुरासदाः । तथा कुरु यथा मे नो भयं यच्छन्त्यशोभनाः

na cānimittamutpātā bhavantyete durāsadāḥ | tathā kuru yathā me no bhayaṁ yacchantyaśobhanāḥ

These fearsome portents do not occur without a cause. Act, therefore, so that these ill omens grant us no further fear.

Verse 106 (skanda.8.112.106)

ततो नन्दी प्रणम्याह देवदेवीं कृताञ्जलिः । कुतो भयं भवानि त्वां या त्वं माता दिवौकसाम्

tato nandī praṇamyāha devadevīṁ kṛtāñjaliḥ | kuto bhayaṁ bhavāni tvāṁ yā tvaṁ mātā divaukasām

Then Nandin, bowing with folded hands, said to the Goddess of gods: O Bhavani, what fear can there be for you, who are the mother of the dwellers in heaven?

Verse 107 (skanda.8.112.107)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । तस्यैवं वदतो व्यास देवीं विश्वस्य मातरम् । अन्धकोपि तदा दैत्यः पातालान्मन्दरं ययौ

sanatkumāra uvāca | tasyaivaṁ vadato vyāsa devīṁ viśvasya mātaram | andhakopi tadā daityaḥ pātālānmandaraṁ yayau

Sanatkumara said: O Vyasa, even as he was thus speaking to the Goddess, the mother of the universe, the demon Andhaka too arrived at Mandara from the netherworld.

Verse 108 (skanda.8.112.108)

प्रह्लादप्रमुखैर्दैत्यैर्दानवैश्च सहस्रशः । वृतः श्रीमान् महादैत्यः शक्रो देवगणैरिव

prahlādapramukhairdaityairdānavaiśca sahasraśaḥ | vṛtaḥ śrīmān mahādaityaḥ śakro devagaṇairiva

Surrounded by demons headed by Prahlada and by thousands of danavas, that glorious great demon appeared like Indra encircled by his hosts of gods.

Verse 109 (skanda.8.112.109)

स दैत्यानां मतेनैव वरिष्ठानां महासुरः । आगतो मन्दरं द्रष्टुं यथेन्द्रो नन्दनं वनम्

sa daityānāṁ matenaiva variṣṭhānāṁ mahāsuraḥ | āgato mandaraṁ draṣṭuṁ yathendro nandanaṁ vanam

That great demon, at the very counsel of the foremost among the demons, had come to see Mandara, just as Indra goes to see the Nandana grove.

Verse 110 (skanda.8.112.110)

प्रह्लादश्चानुह्रादश्च शिनिर्बाष्कलिरेव च । तुण्डस्तुहुण्डो वातापी बलिर्बाणो विरोचनः

prahlādaścānuhrādaśca śinirbāṣkalireva ca | tuṇḍastuhuṇḍo vātāpī balirbāṇo virocanaḥ

Prahlada, Anuhrada, Shini, and Bashkali; Tunda, Tuhunda, Vatapi, Bali, Bana, and Virochana -

Verse 111 (skanda.8.112.111)

इल्वलो नमुचिर्व्यंसो विप्रचित्तिर्महासुरः । सुन्दो निसुन्दो नरको धेनुकोरिष्ट एव च

ilvalo namucirvyaṁso vipracittirmahāsuraḥ | sundo nisundo narako dhenukoriṣṭa eva ca

Ilvala, Namuchi, Vyamsa, the great demon Vipracitti; Sunda, Nisunda, Naraka, Dhenuka, and Arishta -

Verse 112 (skanda.8.112.112)

मुरः कार्त्तस्वनश्चैव हस्ती दुर्योधनो मयः । तारकस्तारकाक्षश्च विद्युन्माली प्रभाकरः

muraḥ kārttasvanaścaiva hastī duryodhano mayaḥ | tārakastārakākṣaśca vidyunmālī prabhākaraḥ

Mura, Karttasvana, Hasti, Duryodhana, Maya; Taraka, Tarakaksha, Vidyunmali, and Prabhakara -

Verse 113 (skanda.8.112.113)

हालाहलश्च कुम्भश्च संवरः कालसंवरः । धुन्धुस्तथेन्द्रदमनो हयग्रीवः शतोदरः

hālāhalaśca kumbhaśca saṁvaraḥ kālasaṁvaraḥ | dhundhustathendradamano hayagrīvaḥ śatodaraḥ

Halahala, Kumbha, Samvara, Kalasamvara; Dhundhu likewise, Indradamana, Hayagriva, and Shatodara -

Verse 114 (skanda.8.112.114)

मेघनादः सिंहनादो दुन्दुभिः शतदुन्दुभिः । कालनेमिर्बको दंडो विपाकः पाक एव च

meghanādaḥ siṁhanādo dundubhiḥ śatadundubhiḥ | kālanemirbako daṇḍo vipākaḥ pāka eva ca

Meghanada, Simhanada, Dundubhi, Shatadundubhi; Kalanemi, Baka, Danda, Vipaka, and Paka -

Verse 115 (skanda.8.112.115)

वृषपर्वा शतावर्तः पुलोमा शरभस्तथा । बलो गगनमूर्धा च सूचीरोमा महायशाः

vṛṣaparvā śatāvartaḥ pulomā śarabhastathā | balo gaganamūrdhā ca sūcīromā mahāyaśāḥ

Vrishaparva, Shatavarta, Puloma, Sharabha likewise; Bala, Gaganamurdha, and the illustrious Suchiroma -

Verse 116 (skanda.8.112.116)

असिलोमा प्रलम्बश्च शंभुर्देवान्तकस्तथा । महिषो भीमसेनश्च वायुर्वादित्र एव च । अन्धकानुचराप्येते मंदरं समुपागताः

asilomā pralambaśca śaṁbhurdevāntakastathā | mahiṣo bhīmasenaśca vāyurvāditra eva ca | andhakānucarāpyete maṁdaraṁ samupāgatāḥ

Asiloma and Pralamba, Shambhu and Devantaka likewise, Mahisha and Bhimasena, and Vayu and Vaditra - these companions of Andhaka too arrived together at Mandara.

Verse 117 (skanda.8.112.117)

ते शस्त्रवंतो जितदेवसंघा महानुभावा धर्मपथच्युताश्च । सर्वे च शूरा ह्यनिवर्तिनश्च सहान्धका मन्दरगा बभूवुः

te śastravaṁto jitadevasaṁghā mahānubhāvā dharmapathacyutāśca | sarve ca śūrā hyanivartinaśca sahāndhakā mandaragā babhūvuḥ

Armed, having once vanquished the assembled gods, of mighty power yet fallen from the path of dharma, all of them heroic and never turning back from battle - together with Andhaka, they all came to Mandara.

Verse 118 (skanda.8.112.118)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । तद् गजानामिव कुलं मत्तानां कालिनन्दन । वर्षतामिव मेघानां सविषाणां सरीसृपाम्

sanatkumāra uvāca | tad gajānāmiva kulaṁ mattānāṁ kālinandana | varṣatāmiva meghānāṁ saviṣāṇāṁ sarīsṛpām

Sanatkumara said: O son of Kali, that host was like a herd of maddened elephants, like a mass of raining clouds, or like a swarm of venomous serpents.

Verse 119 (skanda.8.112.119)

दर्पितानां वराहाणां महाकुलमिवोल्वणम् । मन्दरे दानवकुलं तथा तत् प्रचचार ह

darpitānāṁ varāhāṇāṁ mahākulamivolvaṇam | mandare dānavakulaṁ tathā tat pracacāra ha

Or like a vast, ferocious herd of infuriated boars - so did that clan of danavas roam over Mandara.

Verse 120 (skanda.8.112.120)

सोन्धको विचरँस्तत्र सखीभिः सहितां तदा । अपश्यद् देवदेवी तु वृकः सिंहवधूमिव

sondhako vicaram̐statra sakhībhiḥ sahitāṁ tadā | apaśyad devadevī tu vṛkaḥ siṁhavadhūmiva

Roaming there, that Andhaka caught sight of the Goddess of gods, together with her companions, as a wolf might catch sight of a lion's mate.

Verse 121 (skanda.8.112.121)

दृष्ट्वा भगवतीं देवीं स दैत्यो मूढचेतनः । प्रणामं नाकरोद् व्यास अन्ववैक्षत केवलम्

dṛṣṭvā bhagavatīṁ devīṁ sa daityo mūḍhacetanaḥ | praṇāmaṁ nākarod vyāsa anvavaikṣata kevalam

Seeing the blessed Goddess, that deluded demon offered no obeisance, O Vyasa; he merely stared at her fixedly.

Verse 122 (skanda.8.112.122)

तं दृष्ट्वानिमिषं दैत्यं पश्यन्तमचलात्मजाम् । प्रह्लादस्तु महाबुद्धिरिदमाह वचोर्थवत्

taṁ dṛṣṭvānimiṣaṁ daityaṁ paśyantamacalātmajām | prahlādastu mahābuddhiridamāha vacorthavat

Seeing that demon gazing unblinking at the mountain's daughter, Prahlada, of great wisdom, spoke this meaningful word -

Verse 123 (skanda.8.112.123)

इयं लोकस्य जननी हिमवत्तनयाव्यया । उमेति जगति ख्याता तपोयोगबलान्विता

iyaṁ lokasya jananī himavattanayāvyayā | umeti jagati khyātā tapoyogabalānvitā

This is the undying daughter of Himavat, mother of the world, renowned throughout creation as Uma, endowed with the power of austerity and yoga.

Verse 124 (skanda.8.112.124)

यस्य पुत्रोभवद् ब्रह्मा प्रजापत्यं च यो ददौ । वरेण यश्च पुत्रस्य पुत्रतां ब्रह्मणो गतः

yasya putrobhavad brahmā prajāpatyaṁ ca yo dadau | vareṇa yaśca putrasya putratāṁ brahmaṇo gataḥ

He whose consort became, by boon, as it were, a son to Brahma, and who granted Brahma the office of Prajapati, thereby attaining the status of Brahma's own son -

Verse 125 (skanda.8.112.125)

अस्माकं देवतानाञ्च यो ददाति वराञ्छुभान् । आरध्यः सर्वलोकानां देवानां च महायशाः

asmākaṁ devatānāñca yo dadāti varāñchubhān | ārādhyaḥ sarvalokānāṁ devānāṁ ca mahāyaśāḥ

he who bestows auspicious boons even upon us gods, worshipped by all worlds and all deities alike, of great renown -

Verse 126 (skanda.8.112.126)

यः स्थितः सर्वमाविश्य भूतग्राममशेषतः । यस्यात्मना सर्वमिदं धार्यते जगदव्ययम्

yaḥ sthitaḥ sarvamāviśya bhūtagrāmamaśeṣataḥ | yasyātmanā sarvamidaṁ dhāryate jagadavyayam

he who abides pervading the entire host of beings without exception, by whose very self this whole imperishable universe is sustained -

Verse 127 (skanda.8.112.127)

यः स्वेच्छया सर्वमिदं निमेषार्धेन संक्षिपेत् । पत्नीयं तस्य देवस्य परमेशस्य धीमतः । शक्ता हीयं जगत्सर्वं क्षणेन दितिजाधिप

yaḥ svecchayā sarvamidaṁ nimeṣārdhena saṅkṣipet | patnīyaṁ tasya devasya parameśasya dhīmataḥ | śaktā hīyaṁ jagatsarvaṁ kṣaṇena ditijādhipa

he who at will could withdraw this entire universe within half the blink of an eye - it is of that supreme, wise Lord that this is the consort. O lord of the sons of Diti, she is able to destroy this whole world in an instant.

Verse 128 (skanda.8.112.128)

दग्धुं वाप्यथवा हर्तुं क्षेप्तुं नरक एव वा । कथमस्याः प्रणामं त्वं नाकरोर्दैत्य मोहितः

dagdhuṁ vāpyathavā hartuṁ kṣeptuṁ naraka eva vā | kathamasyāḥ praṇāmaṁ tvaṁ nākarordaitya mohitaḥ

She is able to burn it to ash, or to seize it away, or even to cast it into hell. O demon, why, deluded, did you fail to bow before her?

Verse 129 (skanda.8.112.129)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । अथैवं ब्रुवतस्तस्य धर्मयुक्तं सुरद्विषः । देवीभिः सहिता देवी क्षणेनान्तर्हिता मुने

sanatkumāra uvāca | athaivaṁ bruvatastasya dharmayuktaṁ suradviṣaḥ | devībhiḥ sahitā devī kṣaṇenāntarhitā mune

Sanatkumara said: Even as that foe of the gods was speaking these righteous words, O sage, the Goddess, together with her companion goddesses, vanished from sight in an instant.

Verse 130 (skanda.8.112.130)

अदृश्याः समपद्यन्त ताः स्त्रियो लोकमातरः

adṛśyāḥ samapadyanta tāḥ striyo lokamātaraḥ

Those women, the mothers of the world, became invisible. [Note: the second line of this verse is lost in the source manuscript - marked there by a dash-run indicating illegible text - so only the surviving line is given here.]

Verse 131 (skanda.8.112.131)

अथ ते तासु नष्टासु मन्दरस्य शुभं वनम् । पादचारेण संप्राप्ता बहुदृश्यसमावृतम्

atha te tāsu naṣṭāsu mandarasya śubhaṁ vanam | pādacāreṇa saṁprāptā bahudṛśyasamāvṛtam

Then, when those goddesses had vanished, those demons proceeded on foot into Mandara's lovely forest, thronged with many sights.

Verse 132 (skanda.8.112.132)

बलाभिः कलनीषंडैः सातिमुक्तप्रियंगुभिः । चंपकैर्बकुलैर्लोध्रैरशोकैर्नागसाह्वयैः

balābhiḥ kalanīṣaṇḍaiḥ sātimuktapriyaṅgubhiḥ | caṁpakairbakulairlodhrairaśokairnāgasāhvayaiḥ

That forest, adorned with groves of bala and plantain, with atimukta creepers and priyangu, with champaka, bakula, lodhra, ashoka, and naga-kesara trees -

Verse 133 (skanda.8.112.133)

पुन्नागैस्तिलकैश्चैव देवदारुवनैरपि । सरलैर्नारिकेलैश्च पद्मषंडैश्च शोभितम्

punnāgaistilakaiścaiva devadāruvanairapi | saralairnārikelaiśca padmaṣaṇḍaiśca śobhitam

and further beautified with punnaga and tilaka trees, groves of deodar, sarala pines, coconut palms, and clusters of lotuses.

Verse 134 (skanda.8.112.134)

गह्वरैश्च नितम्बैश्च गुहाभिर्निर्झरैरपि । न तस्माद्रमणीयं हि पृथिव्यां विद्यते क्वचित्

gahvaraiśca nitambaiśca guhābhirnirjharairapi | na tasmādramaṇīyaṁ hi pṛthivyāṁ vidyate kvacit

and possessed of deep glens, sloping ridges, caves, and cascades. Truly, nowhere upon the earth was there a place more delightful than this.

Verse 135 (skanda.8.112.135)

अथ ते दैत्यपास्सर्वे व्यचरन्त महागिरौ । बहुनिर्झरसंकीर्णे नानापादपसंकुले

atha te daityapāssarve vyacaranta mahāgirau | bahunirjharasaṅkīrṇe nānāpādapasaṅkule

Then all those demon lords began to roam that great mountain, strewn with many cascades and thronged with trees of every kind.

Verse 136 (skanda.8.112.136)

तत्र ते विचरन्तस्तु एकस्मिन्निर्झरे स्थितान् । सिद्धानपश्यन् सप्तर्षीन् योगयुक्तान् महामुनीन्

tatra te vicarantastu ekasminnirjhare sthitān | siddhānapaśyan saptarṣīn yogayuktān mahāmunīn

As they roamed there, they saw, seated beside one cascade, the seven great sages, siddhas absorbed in yogic union.

Verse 137 (skanda.8.112.137)

उपविष्टान् शिलापट्टे मिथः कथयतः कथाः । धर्मयुक्ताश्च चित्रार्था मार्मिकाः सुसुखावहाः

upaviṣṭān śilāpaṭṭe mithaḥ kathayataḥ kathāḥ | dharmayuktāśca citrārthā mārmikāḥ susukhāvahāḥ

They sat upon a slab of stone, exchanging among themselves tales full of dharma, wondrous in meaning, touching, and deeply delightful.

Verse 138 (skanda.8.112.138)

तान्दृष्ट्वा सोन्धकोपृच्छत् प्रह्लादमसुरोत्तमम् । क इमे ऋषयो ह्यत्र किमर्थञ्चेह संगताः

tāndṛṣṭvā sondhakopṛcchat prahlādamasurottamam | ka ime ṛṣayo hyatra kimarthañceha saṅgatāḥ

Seeing them, Andhaka asked Prahlada, foremost of demons: Who are these sages, and for what purpose have they gathered here?

Verse 139 (skanda.8.112.139)

तमुवाच तदा धीमानसुरो देवकण्टकम् । हिरण्यकशिपोः पुत्रो बुद्ध्वा मध्यं समास्थितः

tamuvāca tadā dhīmānasuro devakaṇṭakam | hiraṇyakaśipoḥ putro buddhvā madhyaṁ samāsthitaḥ

Then that wise demon, the son of Hiranyakashipu, understanding the matter, adopting a measured stance, spoke thus to that thorn-in-the-side-of-the-gods -

Verse 140 (skanda.8.112.140)

प्रह्लाद उवाच । एतेन्धक महात्मान ऋषयस्सप्त संगताः । भृगुरत्रिर्मरीचिश्च विश्वामित्रोङ्गिरास्तथा

prahlāda uvāca | etendhaka mahātmāna ṛṣayassapta saṅgatāḥ | bhṛguratrirmarīciśca viśvāmitroṅgirāstathā

Prahlada said: O Andhaka, these are the seven great-souled sages gathered here - Bhrigu, Atri, Marichi, Vishvamitra, and Angiras,

Verse 141 (skanda.8.112.141)

भरद्वाजो वसिष्ठश्च योगसिद्धास्तपोधनाः । इहागता महात्मानस्तपसा दग्धकिल्बिषाः

bharadvājo vasiṣṭhaśca yogasiddhāstapodhanāḥ | ihāgatā mahātmānastapasā dagdhakilbiṣāḥ

and Bharadvaja and Vasishtha - all perfected in yoga, rich in austerity, great souls whose sins have been burned away by their tapas, who have come here.

Verse 142 (skanda.8.112.142)

नैषान्निष्कारणं मन्ये मन्दरागमनं प्रभो । इतो वयमिहैकान्ते स्थित्वा सर्वेसुरेश्वराः । जानीम किमिमे कार्यमिह कुर्वन्ति साधकाः

naiṣānniṣkāraṇaṁ manye mandarāgamanaṁ prabho | ito vayamihaikānte sthitvā sarvesureśvarāḥ | jānīma kimime kāryamiha kurvanti sādhakāḥ

O lord, I do not think their coming to Mandara is without cause. Let all of us, lords of the demons, remain here in some hidden spot, and let us learn what task these ascetics are performing here.

Verse 143 (skanda.8.112.143)

एते वै निभृता भूतास्तूष्णीं कृत्वा यथाबलाः । मतं गृह्णीम् सर्वेषां तूष्णीं तिष्ठत दैत्यपाः

ete vai nibhṛtā bhūtāstūṣṇīṁ kṛtvā yathābalāḥ | mataṁ gṛhṇīma sarveṣāṁ tūṣṇīṁ tiṣṭhata daityapāḥ

These beings sit still and quiet, each holding silence as best he can. Let us take the counsel of all present; be silent and wait, O lords of the demons.

Verse 144 (skanda.8.112.144)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततस्ते समयं कृत्वा स्थिता असुरपुंगवाः । योस्माकं तु वदेत् किञ्चिद् वध्यो नः स भवेदिति

sanatkumāra uvāca | tataste samayaṁ kṛtvā sthitā asurapuṅgavāḥ | yosmākaṁ tu vadet kiñcid vadhyo naḥ sa bhavediti

Sanatkumara said: Then those foremost demons stood still, having made this pact: whoever among us should speak even a word shall be liable to be slain by the rest.

Verse 145 (skanda.8.112.145)

तत्र तेषु स्थितेष्वेवमसुरेषु दुरात्मसु । ऋषयस्ते तपोयुक्ता वाक्यान्यूचुः परस्परम्

tatra teṣu sthiteṣvevamasureṣu durātmasu | ṛṣayaste tapoyuktā vākyānyūcuḥ parasparam

While those evil-minded demons stood there thus, those sages, absorbed in austerity, spoke these words to one another -

Verse 146 (skanda.8.112.146)

न शुद्धोयं गिरेर्देशोद्य गच्छामोन्यतो द्विजाः । इहागमो हि दैत्यानां दृश्यते सुदुरात्मनाम्

na śuddhoyaṁ girerdeśodya gacchāmonyato dvijāḥ | ihāgamo hi daityānāṁ dṛśyate sudurātmanām

This part of the mountain is no longer pure, O brahmins; let us go elsewhere. For here we perceive the arrival of demons of exceedingly wicked nature.

Verse 147 (skanda.8.112.147)

भवान्यपि गतान्यत्र असुराणां भयार्दिता । असुरास्ते दुरात्मानो येषामेष क्षयो ध्रुवः

bhavānyapi gatānyatra asurāṇāṁ bhayārditā | asurāste durātmāno yeṣāmeṣa kṣayo dhruvaḥ

Bhavani herself, distressed by fear of the demons, has gone elsewhere. These evil-souled demons are surely destined for destruction.

Verse 148 (skanda.8.112.148)

गतास्ते निधनं सर्वे धर्मं ये नाशयन्नुत । राज्यार्थं यदि तैः क्रूरैर्न धर्मो नाशितो भवेत्

gātāste nidhanaṁ sarve dharmaṁ ye nāśayannuta | rājyārthaṁ yadi taiḥ krūrairna dharmo nāśito bhavet

All those who have destroyed dharma have gone to destruction. Had those cruel ones not destroyed dharma for the sake of kingship -

Verse 149 (skanda.8.112.149)

नैवं ते निधनं सर्वे प्राप्ताः स्युरमरद्विषः । स्वराज्यपरिसंतुष्टा भवेयुर्यदि संस्थिताः । तेपि सर्वेषु लोकेषु बभुः पूज्याः सुरा इव

naivaṁ te nidhanaṁ sarve prāptāḥ syuramaradviṣaḥ | svarājyaparisaṁtuṣṭā bhaveyuryadi saṁsthitāḥ | tepi sarveṣu lokeṣu babhuḥ pūjyāḥ surā iva

then all those enemies of the gods would not have met with destruction thus. Had they remained content and settled within their own kingdoms, they too would have been honoured in all the worlds, like the gods themselves.

Verse 150 (skanda.8.112.150)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । अंगिरास्तानुवाचेदं न तेषां कामिनं त्विह । राज्यहेतोः प्रवृत्तानामधर्मः ससुपस्थितः

sanatkumāra uvāca | aṅgirāstānuvācedaṁ na teṣāṁ kāminaṁ tviha | rājyahetoḥ pravṛttānāmadharmaḥ sasupasthitaḥ

Sanatkumara said: Angiras said to them this: those driven by desire find no true end here, for whoever, seeking a kingdom, resorts to unrighteousness has already fallen into ruin.

Verse 151 (skanda.8.112.151)

उपार्जयति राज्यं वै धर्म एव हि कामिनः । सोधर्मं नैव कुर्वीत स्थैर्यं राज्यं न किंचन

upārjayati rājyaṁ vai dharma eva hi kāminaḥ | sodharmaṁ naiva kurvīta sthairyaṁ rājyaṁ na kiṁcana

It is dharma alone that truly secures a kingdom for one who desires it; let him therefore never commit unrighteousness - otherwise a kingdom has no stability whatsoever.

Verse 152 (skanda.8.112.152)

अत्रिरुवाच । अधर्मे राज्यमिच्छन्ति जयन्ति युधि सर्वदा । नो प्रियाश्चैव लोकस्य भवन्ति हितजीविनः

atriruvāca | adharme rājyamicchanti jayanti yudhi sarvadā | no priyāścaiva lokasya bhavanti hitajīvinaḥ

Atri said: Those who desire a kingdom through unrighteousness, even should they ever triumph in battle, do not become beloved by the world, nor do they live lives beneficial to it.

Verse 153 (skanda.8.112.153)

धार्मिकास्त्वचिरेणैव हत्वा शत्रूनविक्लवाः । राज्येषु संप्रतिष्ठन्ते तस्माद्धर्मं समाश्रयेत्

dhārmikāstvacireṇaiva hatvā śatrūnaviklavāḥ | rājyeṣu saṁpratiṣṭhante tasmāddharmaṁ samāśrayet

Righteous men, however, unshaken, slaying their enemies, become well established in their kingdoms in no long time. Therefore one should resort to dharma alone.

Verse 154 (skanda.8.112.154)

ये तु राज्यं बलेनैव धर्मं त्यक्त्वाशुभेरताः । इच्छन्तोपि न तद्राज्यं प्राप्नुवन्ति कदाचन

ye tu rājyaṁ balenaiva dharmaṁ tyaktvāśubherataḥ | icchantopi na tadrājyaṁ prāpnuvanti kadācana

But those who, abandoning dharma and devoted to evil deeds, desire a kingdom by force alone, never attain that kingdom, however much they may desire it.

Verse 155 (skanda.8.112.155)

अथ यत् प्राप्यते राज्यं तैस्तु क्रूरेण कर्मणा । न चिरं तद् भवेत्तेषां विद्विष्टाश्च भवन्त्यत

atha yat prāpyate rājyaṁ taistu krūreṇa karmaṇā | na ciraṁ tad bhavetteṣāṁ vidviṣṭāśca bhavantyata

And even the kingdom that they gain through cruel deeds does not remain long theirs, and for this very reason they become objects of universal hatred.

Verse 156 (skanda.8.112.156)

भृगुरुवाच । धर्म एष पुरा प्राप्तो ह्यसुराणां भयावहः । ब्रह्मणा सृष्टिकामेन न च ते वर्तयन्त्युत

bhṛguruvāca | dharma eṣa purā prāpto hyasurāṇāṁ bhayāvahaḥ | brahmaṇā sṛṣṭikāmena na ca te vartayantyuta

Bhrigu said: This dharma, fearsome as it is to speak of, was long ago granted also to the demons by Brahma, who desired the continuance of creation; yet they do not conduct themselves by it.

Verse 157 (skanda.8.112.157)

स्वभावेन च ते सर्वे दारुणा वै निसर्गतः । दारुणाभिगमाच्चैव तत्कर्म समुपाश्रिताः

svabhāvena ca te sarve dāruṇā vai nisargataḥ | dāruṇābhigamāccaiva tatkarma samupāśritāḥ

By their very nature, from birth itself, they are all cruel, and it is precisely because of that cruel disposition that they have taken refuge in such deeds.

Verse 158 (skanda.8.112.158)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । असुरान्प्रति तेषां तु एवं कथयतां तदा । आगाद् धाता विधाता च कृतान्तश्चेति ते त्रयः

sanatkumāra uvāca | asurānprati teṣāṁ tu evaṁ kathayatāṁ tadā | āgād dhātā vidhātā ca kṛtāntaśceti te trayaḥ

Sanatkumara said: While they were thus conversing about the demons, those three - Dhata, Vidhata, and Kritanta (Yama) - arrived there together.

Verse 159 (skanda.8.112.159)

तांस्ते संपूज्य विधिवत् परस्परमनुव्रताः । उपविष्टाः शिलास्वेव मनुयोपि च ते त्रयः

tāṁste saṁpūjya vidhivat parasparamanuvratāḥ | upaviṣṭāḥ śilāsveva manuyopi ca te trayaḥ

Those sages duly honoured the three of them, and, following one another, those three also sat down upon the rocks.

Verse 160 (skanda.8.112.160)

उपविष्टाँश्चर्षयस्ताननमञ्च बहुमानतः । ऊचुः क्वेदं भवन्तोद्य प्रस्थिता लोकधारिणः

upaviṣṭām̐ścarṣayastānanamañca bahumānataḥ | ūcuḥ kvedaṁ bhavantodya prasthitā lokadhāriṇaḥ

Seeing them seated, the sages bowed with great respect and asked: O sustainers of the world, from where have you set out to come here today?

Verse 161 (skanda.8.112.161)

धातोवाच । ब्रह्मलोकाद्ध्युपावृत्य वयमद्य गता द्विजाः । ब्रह्मणा स्म समाज्ञप्ताः कश्यपस्य ततोन्तिकम्

dhātovāca | brahmalokāddhyupāvṛtya vayamadya gatā dvijāḥ | brahmaṇā sma samājñaptāḥ kaśyapasya tatontikam

Dhata said: O brahmins, we have today returned from the world of Brahma. Commanded by Brahma, we had gone into the presence of Kashyapa.

Verse 162 (skanda.8.112.162)

भूयोपि मुनयः प्रोचुः किमुक्तः कश्यपो द्विजः । अथाब्रवीन्मुनीन् धाता कश्यपं तु यदुक्तवान्

bhūyopi munayaḥ procuḥ kimuktaḥ kaśyapo dvijaḥ | athābravīnmunīn dhātā kaśyapaṁ tu yaduktavān

The sages then asked further: What was said to the brahmin Kashyapa? Then Dhata told the sages what had indeed been said to Kashyapa.

Verse 163 (skanda.8.112.163)

यत्त्वया ज्ञापितो ब्रह्मन् ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः । असुरा अपि मे पुत्रा देवाश्चापि प्रियाः प्रभो

yattvayā jñāpito brahman brahmā lokapitāmahaḥ | asurā api me putrā devāścāpi priyāḥ prabho

Regarding that which you conveyed, O brahmin, to Brahma, the grandsire of the worlds - he said: 'The demons too are my sons, O lord, and the gods too are dear to me.'

Verse 164 (skanda.8.112.164)

तेषां नैव यथान्योन्यं वैरं स्याल्लोकभावन । तथा कुर्वमरश्रेष्ठ भवेयं निर्वृतस्ततः

teṣāṁ naiva yathānyonyaṁ vairaṁ syāllokabhāvana | tathā kurvamaraśreṣṭha bhaveyaṁ nirvṛtastataḥ

'O nurturer of the worlds, act so that there be no mutual enmity between them, O best of the immortals - thereby shall I attain peace.'

Verse 165 (skanda.8.112.165)

तत्राहं ब्रह्मणाज्ञप्तो ब्रवीमि त्वां महामुने । देवासुरं यथावृत्तमन्योन्यं सख्यमेव च

tatrāhaṁ brahmaṇājñapto bravīmi tvāṁ mahāmune | devāsuraṁ yathāvṛttamanyonyaṁ sakhyameva ca

Thus commanded by Brahma, O great sage, I tell you what has come to pass between the gods and the demons, and of their mutual friendship as well.

Verse 166 (skanda.8.112.166)

अमृतोत्पादनं चैव राज्यं संस्थाञ्च कृत्स्नशः । त्वयोक्तं भगवान् सर्वं भविष्यमृषिसत्तम

amṛtotpādanaṁ caiva rājyaṁ saṁsthāñca kṛtsnaśaḥ | tvayoktaṁ bhagavān sarvaṁ bhaviṣyamṛṣisattama

And concerning the production of the nectar of immortality, the kingship, and its whole arrangement - O blessed one, O best of sages - all that is to come, you yourself have already declared.

Verse 167 (skanda.8.112.167)

कथयामास लोकेशो देवासुरविचेष्टितम् । निवेद्य तस्य तत्सर्वं ब्रह्मणा प्रेषिता वयम् । इहागता भगवतीं द्रष्टुं हिमगिरेः सुताम्

kathayāmāsa lokeśo devāsuravicaṣṭitam | nivedya tasya tatsarvaṁ brahmaṇā preṣitā vayam | ihāgatā bhagavatīṁ draṣṭuṁ himagireḥ sutām

That lord of the worlds (Kashyapa) then narrated the future conduct of gods and demons. Having reported all this to Brahma, we have been sent forth by him, and have come here to behold the blessed daughter of the Himalaya.

Verse 168 (skanda.8.112.168)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । तानेव वादिनो भूय ऋषयस्ते तपोधनाः । पप्रच्छुर्नियतात्मानः सर्व एव तदा मुने

sanatkumāra uvāca | tāneva vādino bhūya ṛṣayaste tapodhanāḥ | papracchurniyatātmānaḥ sarva eva tadā mune

Sanatkumara said: O sage, then those self-controlled sages, rich in austerity, all together questioned those same speakers once more -

Verse 169 (skanda.8.112.169)

देवासुराणां यद् वृत्तं भविष्यं कथितं शुभाः । तद्वयं श्रोतुमिच्छामो यदि वोनुग्रहे मतिः

devāsurāṇāṁ yad vṛttaṁ bhaviṣyaṁ kathitaṁ śubhāḥ | tadvayaṁ śrotumicchāmo yadi vonugrahe matiḥ

O auspicious ones, that future course of events between gods and demons which you have spoken of - we wish to hear it, if your mind is inclined to grace us.

Verse 170 (skanda.8.112.170)

किञ्च विज्ञापिता देवी युष्माभिः सुरसत्तमाः । कथयध्वं च तत्सर्व यद्यनुग्राह्यता हि नः

kiñca vijñāpitā devī yuṣmābhiḥ surasattamāḥ | kathayadhvaṁ ca tatsarva yadyanugrāhyatā hi naḥ

And, O foremost of gods, whatever it was you informed the Goddess of - tell us all of that too, if we are worthy of your grace.

Verse 171 (skanda.8.112.171)

तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा त्रयस्ते देवसत्तमाः । त्वमाचक्ष्व कृतान्तेति वाक्यमूचुर्महाबलाः । ततः स तेषां बहुचित्रकारणं यथा भविष्यं कथयाञ्चकार । सुरासुराणां जगतश्च कारणं पुरा विधात्रा विहितं यथार्थवद्

teṣāṁ tadvacanaṁ śrutvā trayaste devasattamāḥ | tvamācakṣva kṛtānteti vākyamūcurmahābalāḥ | tataḥ sa teṣāṁ bahucitrakāraṇaṁ yathā bhaviṣyaṁ kathayāñcakāra | surāsurāṇāṁ jagataśca kāraṇaṁ purā vidhātrā vihitaṁ yathārthavad

Hearing their words, those three mighty, most excellent gods spoke, saying: 'You, O Kritanta, tell it.' Then he (Yama) related to them, truthfully, the many wondrous causes of what was to come - the cause of the gods, the demons, and the world, as it had of old been truly ordained by the Ordainer.