The Fetching of the Nectar

Verse 1 (skanda.8.113.1)

व्यास उवाच । यत्तेषां कथितं तेन कृतान्तेन महात्मना । ऋषीणां मन्दरे पूर्वं तत्सर्वं कथयस्व मे

vyāsa uvāca | yatteṣāṁ kathitaṁ tena kṛtāntena mahātmanā | ṛṣīṇāṁ mandare pūrvaṁ tatsarvaṁ kathayasva me

Vyasa said: Tell me all that which that great-souled Kritanta (Yama) once told those sages on Mandara.

Verse 2 (skanda.8.113.2)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । भविष्यत्यसुराणां तु हिरण्यकशिपोः सुतः । इन्द्रो महाबलो विद्वान् प्रह्लादोसुरपुङ्गवः

sanatkumāra uvāca | bhaviṣyatyasurāṇāṁ tu hiraṇyakaśipoḥ sutaḥ | indro mahābalo vidvān prahlādosurapuṅgavaḥ

Sanatkumara said: Among the demons, Hiranyakashipu's son, the mighty and learned Prahlada, foremost of demons, shall become their Indra.

Verse 3 (skanda.8.113.3)

सोमृतं सह देवैस्तु कृत्वा सुरगणाधिपः । जित्वा युद्धेमृतं देवान्नीतवान्दैत्यपुङ्गवः । विष्णुना निर्जितो युद्धे पुत्रं राज्येभिषेक्ष्यति

somṛtaṁ saha devaistu kṛtvā suragaṇādhipaḥ | jitvā yuddhemṛtaṁ devānnītavāndaityapuṅgavaḥ | viṣṇunā nirjito yuddhe putraṁ rājyebhiṣekṣyati

That bull among demons, having together with the gods produced the nectar, and having conquered the gods in battle, shall carry off the nectar; but being defeated in battle by Vishnu, he shall then consecrate his own son to the kingship.

Verse 4 (skanda.8.113.4)

व्यास उवाच । कथं तदमृतं देवैरसुरैश्च महाबलैः । मथितं ब्रह्मणः पुत्र एतदिच्छामि वेदितुम्

vyāsa uvāca | kathaṁ tadamṛtaṁ devairasuraiśca mahābalaiḥ | mathitaṁ brahmaṇaḥ putra etadicchāmi veditum

Vyasa said: O son of Brahma, how was that nectar churned by the gods and the mighty demons together? This I wish to know.

Verse 5 (skanda.8.113.5)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ब्रह्मणाभ्येत्य शक्रत्वे प्रह्लादोसुरपुङ्गवः । अभिषिक्तस्तदा व्यास असुरान् प्रजुगोपह

sanatkumāra uvāca | brahmaṇābhyetya śakratve prahlādosurapuṅgavaḥ | abhiṣiktastadā vyāsa asurān prajugopaha

Sanatkumara said: Approaching Brahma, Prahlada, foremost of demons, was then consecrated to the rank of Indra, and, O Vyasa, thereafter protected the demons.

Verse 6 (skanda.8.113.6)

अथ देवैस्तदा संख्यमसुराणां बभूव ह । अमन्त्रयन्त देवाश्च भगवन्तं पितामहम्

atha devaistadā saṅkhyamasurāṇāṁ babhūva ha | amantrayanta devāśca bhagavantaṁ pitāmaham

Then a battle took place between the gods and the demons, and the gods took counsel with the blessed Grandsire.

Verse 7 (skanda.8.113.7)

देवा ऊचुः । भगवन्नसुरैर्देवा हन्यन्ते युधि मर्त्यवत् । न म्रियन्ते यथा देवास्तथाज्ञापय सुव्रत

devā ūcuḥ | bhagavannasurairdevā hanyante yudhi martyavat | na mriyante yathā devāstathājñāpaya suvrata

The gods said: O Lord, in battle the gods are being slain by the demons as though they were mortals. O one of good vows, ordain something so that the gods may not die.

Verse 8 (skanda.8.113.8)

स एवमुक्तस्तानाह ब्रह्मा देवान्सवासवान् । क्षीरोदादमृतं शीघ्रमुत्पादयत गच्छत

sa evamuktastānāha brahmā devānsavāsavān | kṣīrodādamṛtaṁ śīghramutpādayata gacchata

Thus addressed, Brahma said to the gods together with Indra: Go quickly, and produce the nectar of immortality from the Ocean of Milk.

Verse 9 (skanda.8.113.9)

मन्वन्तरेषु सर्वेषु ये ये देवा भवन्ति ते । क्षीरोदादमृतं सर्वं जनयन्ति सुरैस्सह

manvantareṣu sarveṣu ye ye devā bhavanti te | kṣīrodādamṛtaṁ sarvaṁ janayanti suraissaha

In every manvantara, whatever gods there are, they all together produce the whole nectar from the Ocean of Milk.

Verse 10 (skanda.8.113.10)

तदश्नन्ति च देवेशास्तेन तृप्तिश्च जायते । उत्तिष्ठन्ति मृताश्चैव पीत्वा च न म्रियन्ति ते

tadaśnanti ca deveśāstena tṛptiśca jāyate | uttiṣṭhanti mṛtāścaiva pītvā ca na mriyanti te

That, the lords of the gods consume, whence contentment arises; even the slain rise again, and having drunk it, they die no more.

Verse 11 (skanda.8.113.11)

देवा ऊचुः । कथं तदमृतं देवा भुवि मन्वन्तरेश्वराः । उत्पादयन्ति तत्सर्वमुपायं कथयस्व नः

devā ūcuḥ | kathaṁ tadamṛtaṁ devā bhuvi manvantareśvarāḥ | utpādayanti tatsarvamupāyaṁ kathayasva naḥ

The gods said: O God, how do the gods, the lords of the manvantara, upon this earth produce that nectar? Tell us that whole method.

Verse 12 (skanda.8.113.12)

ब्रह्मोवाच । वारुण्यां सोमपुर्यां तु क्षीरोदं तत्सरः शुभम् । समुद्रा यत्र ते सप्त सदा सन्निहिताः शुभाः

brahmovāca | vāruṇyāṁ somapuryāṁ tu kṣīrodaṁ tatsaraḥ śubham | samudrā yatra te sapta sadā sannihitāḥ śubhāḥ

Brahma said: In the western quarter, in Somapuri, lies that auspicious Ocean of Milk, where those seven auspicious oceans are ever gathered together.

Verse 13 (skanda.8.113.13)

इरा माला सिनीवाली कुहू राका इरावती । सावित्री चैव गायत्री सुरभी कद्रुरेव च

irā mālā sinīvālī kuhū rākā irāvatī | sāvitrī caiva gāyatrī surabhī kadrureva ca

There dwell Ira, Mala, Sinivali, Kuhu, Raka, Iravati, Savitri, Gayatri, Surabhi, and Kadru -

Verse 14 (skanda.8.113.14)

अदितिश्च दितिश्चैव देविका विश्वसंभवा । गावः सर्वसहा यत्र सर्वकामदुघाः शुभाः

aditiśca ditiścaiva devikā viśvasaṁbhavā | gāvaḥ sarvasahā yatra sarvakāmadughāḥ śubhāḥ

and Aditi and Diti, and Devika from whom the universe arose - and there too are the all-bearing cows, auspicious, granting every desire,

Verse 15 (skanda.8.113.15)

क्षरन्ति वत्सलाः क्षीरं षड्रसं ह्यमृतोपमम् । ऋषयः फेनपा यत्र तपोदमशमात्मकाः

kṣaranti vatsalāḥ kṣīraṁ ṣaḍrasaṁ hyamṛtopamam | ṛṣayaḥ phenapā yatra tapodamaśamātmakāḥ

which, out of affection, pour forth milk of six flavours, like unto nectar itself; and where dwell the foam-drinking sages, given wholly to austerity, restraint, and tranquility.

Verse 16 (skanda.8.113.16)

ओषध्यस्तत्र याः काश्चिल्लोकेस्मिन्देवसत्तमाः । ग्राम्यारण्याश्च दिव्याश्च मानुषाश्च सहस्रशः

oṣadhyastatra yāḥ kāścillokesmindevasattamāḥ | grāmyāraṇyāśca divyāśca mānuṣāśca sahasraśaḥ

O foremost of gods, whatever herbs there are in this world - of village, of forest, of the divine realm, and of mankind - by the thousand, they too are found there.

Verse 17 (skanda.8.113.17)

वृक्षान्वल्लीर्वीरुधश्च गुल्मानन्यांश्च तादृशान् । प्रक्षिप्य भेषजञ्चैव सोमं राजानमेव च

vṛkṣānvallīrvīrudhaśca gulmānanyāṁśca tādṛśān | prakṣipya bheṣajañcaiva somaṁ rājānameva ca

Casting into it trees, creepers, and vines, and other such shrubs, together with medicinal herbs and King Soma himself -

Verse 18 (skanda.8.113.18)

श्रियं लक्ष्मीं तथा ख्यातिं यशस्तुष्टिं तथैव च । कीर्त्तिं श्रद्धां धारणां च ऊहापोहे तथैव च

śriyaṁ lakṣmīṁ tathā khyātiṁ yaśastuṣṭiṁ tathaiva ca | kīrttiṁ śraddhāṁ dhāraṇāṁ ca ūhāpohe tathaiva ca

and casting in Shri and Lakshmi, Khyati and Yashas, Tushti likewise, Kirti, Shraddha, Dharana, and Uha and Apoha (reasoning and counter-reasoning) as well -

Verse 19 (skanda.8.113.19)

बलं धर्ममथोर्ज्जश्च तृप्तिं देवीं सरस्वतीम् । तीर्थानि चैव सर्वाणि दानानि विविधानि च

balaṁ dharmamathorjjaśca tṛptiṁ devīṁ sarasvatīm | tīrthāni caiva sarvāṇi dānāni vividhāni ca

and Bala and Dharma, and Urja too, Tripti and the goddess Sarasvati, all the sacred fords, and gifts of every kind -

Verse 20 (skanda.8.113.20)

वृषं रथं ध्वजं चैव गजमश्वं तथैव च । अष्टौ च मंगलान्यत्र तथा छन्दांसि चाक्षिपन्

vṛṣaṁ rathaṁ dhvajaṁ caiva gajamaśvaṁ tathaiva ca | aṣṭau ca maṅgalānyatra tathā chandāṁsi cākṣipan

and the bull, the chariot, the banner, the elephant, and the horse likewise, and the eight auspicious signs, and the Vedic metres too - all these they cast in there.

Verse 21 (skanda.8.113.21)

वेदान् विद्याश्च याः काश्चिद्याश्चैता लोकमातरः । मन्त्रान्यज्ञान् सुवर्णं च मन्त्रोपकरणानि च

vedān vidyāśca yāḥ kāścidyāścaitā lokamātaraḥ | mantrānyajñān suvarṇaṁ ca mantropakaraṇāni ca

The Vedas, whatever sciences there were, these mother-goddesses of the world, the mantras, the sacrifices, gold, and the implements of ritual as well -

Verse 22 (skanda.8.113.22)

यत्किञ्चिच्छोभनं चैव तृप्तिमद्रसवच्च ह । प्रक्षिप्य तत्र तत्सर्वं ततो मन्थानमावहन्

yatkiñcicchobhanaṁ caiva tṛptimadrasavacca ha | prakṣipya tatra tatsarvaṁ tato manthānamāvahan

whatever else was beautiful and rich with satisfying essence - having cast all of this into that place, they then brought forth the churning-rod.

Verse 23 (skanda.8.113.23)

मन्दरं पर्वतश्रेष्ठमकूपारञ्च कच्छपम् । तस्य पृष्ठे च मन्थानं मन्दरं पर्वतेश्वरम्

mandaraṁ parvataśreṣṭhamakūpārañca kacchapam | tasya pṛṣṭhe ca manthānaṁ mandaraṁ parvateśvaram

They brought Mandara, most excellent of mountains, and the tortoise named Akupara; and upon that tortoise's back was set Mandara, that lord of mountains, as the churning-rod.

Verse 24 (skanda.8.113.24)

कृत्वा विष्णुगृहीतं ते वासुकिं प्रग्रहं तथा । यतो मुखं ततो दैत्या यतः पुच्छं ततः सुराः

kṛtvā viṣṇugṛhītaṁ te vāsukiṁ pragrahaṁ tathā | yato mukhaṁ tato daityā yataḥ pucchaṁ tataḥ surāḥ

Making the serpent Vasuki, held fast by Vishnu, into the churning-rope, the demons stationed themselves at the head, and the gods at the tail.

Verse 25 (skanda.8.113.25)

कर्षन्तस्तं तु मन्थानं मथ्नन्ति बहुलास्समाः । ततो वर्षसहस्रेण तस्मादुत्थास्यते हयः

karṣantastaṁ tu manthānaṁ mathnanti bahulāssamāḥ | tato varṣasahasreṇa tasmādutthāsyate hayaḥ

Pulling that churning-rod, they shall churn for many years. Then, after a thousand years, from it a horse shall arise.

Verse 26 (skanda.8.113.26)

गावश्चैव सहाभागा गजो मत्तश्च वै शुभः । वृषभो भीमनादश्च कन्याः कीचकवेणवः

gāvaścaiva sahābhāgā gajo mattaśca vai śubhaḥ | vṛṣabho bhīmanādaśca kanyāḥ kīcakaveṇavaḥ

together with cows of fair share, a fine rutting elephant, a bull with a fearsome bellow, and maidens slender as bamboo-reeds,

Verse 27 (skanda.8.113.27)

अष्टमङ्गलकञ्चैव भिषग् धन्वन्तरिस्तथा । श्रीर्लक्ष्मीरेवमाद्याश्च वारुणी च मदोत्कटा

aṣṭamaṅgalakañcaiva bhiṣag dhanvantaristathā | śrīrlakṣmīrevamādyāśca vāruṇī ca madotkaṭā

the eight auspicious symbols, the physician Dhanvantari too, Shri and Lakshmi and the like, and Varuni, the wine, brimming with intoxication.

Verse 28 (skanda.8.113.28)

ओषध्यश्च तथा दिव्या ग्राम्यारण्याः समानुषाः । वृक्षादयश्च ते सर्वे ततः सोमश्च पार्थिवः

oṣadhyaśca tathā divyā grāmyāraṇyāḥ samānuṣāḥ | vṛkṣādayaśca te sarve tataḥ somaśca pārthivaḥ

and the divine herbs, and those of village and forest and of men, and all the trees and the like, shall likewise arise from it - and thereafter the earthly Soma, the Moon.

Verse 29 (skanda.8.113.29)

अमृतं तत् समाहृत्य विषं तच्च दुरासदम् । यज्ञादीँश्चैव तत् सर्वान् यत्किञ्चित्तत्र संभृतम्

amṛtaṁ tat samāhṛtya viṣaṁ tacca durāsadam | yajñādīm̐ścaiva tat sarvān yatkiñcittatra saṁbhṛtam

That nectar too shall be brought forth, and that formidable poison, and sacrifices and all else, whatever was gathered together there.

Verse 30 (skanda.8.113.30)

एवं मन्वन्तरेष्वत्र देवैः सासुरमानुषैः । मथ्यते त्वमृतं देवास्तच्च संजायते तथा

evaṁ manvantareṣvatra devaiḥ sāsuramānuṣaiḥ | mathyate tvamṛtaṁ devāstacca saṁjāyate tathā

Thus, O gods, in every manvantara the nectar is churned by the gods together with the demons and men, and it comes into being in just this manner.

Verse 31 (skanda.8.113.31)

तस्माद्यूयमितो गत्वा दानवैस्सह देवताः । मन्थध्वममृतं क्षिप्रं ततः प्राप्स्यथ तद्धितम्

tasmādyūyamito gatvā dānavaissaha devatāḥ | manthadhvamamṛtaṁ kṣipraṁ tataḥ prāpsyatha taddhitam

Therefore, O gods, go forth from here and, together with the danavas, churn the nectar swiftly; thereby you shall obtain that which is beneficial.

Verse 32 (skanda.8.113.32)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । त एवमुक्ता देवेशा ब्रह्मणा लोककर्तृणा । इमं लोकमुपावृत्य तथाकुर्वन्त सर्वशः

sanatkumāra uvāca | ta evamuktā deveśā brahmaṇā lokakartṛṇā | imaṁ lokamupāvṛtya tathākurvanta sarvaśaḥ

Sanatkumara said: Thus instructed by Brahma, the maker of the worlds, those lords of the gods returned to this world and did exactly as told, in every particular.

Verse 33 (skanda.8.113.33)

तस्मिंस्तु मथ्यमाने वै विषमग्रे समुत्थितम् । देवासुरत्रासकरं तत्पपौ शङ्करस्तदा

tasmiṁstu mathyamāne vai viṣamagre samutthitam | devāsuratrāsakaraṁ tatpapau śaṅkarastadā

As that ocean was being churned, first of all there arose the poison that terrified gods and demons alike; that, Shankara then drank.

Verse 34 (skanda.8.113.34)

ततस्तस्मात् पुनरपि ह्युदतिष्ठन् पयोनिधेः । रत्नानि बहुचित्राणि तान्यगृह्णन्त देवताः

tatastasmāt punarapi hyudatiṣṭhan payonidheḥ | ratnāni bahucitrāṇi tānyagṛhṇanta devatāḥ

Then again, many wondrous jewels arose from that ocean of milk, and these the gods took up.

Verse 35 (skanda.8.113.35)

असुरा जगृहुर्नैनान्यशपँस्ताँस्ततोसुरान् । मङ्गलान्यवमन्यन्त तेन ते निधनं गताः

asurā jagṛhurnaināṇyaśapam̐stām̐statosurān | maṅgalānyavamanyanta tena te nidhanaṁ gatāḥ

The demons did not take these jewels; and those jewels then cursed the demons. Because they scorned auspicious things, they came to their ruin thereby.

Verse 36 (skanda.8.113.36)

रत्नान्यूचुः । यस्माद्यूयं दुरात्मानो नास्मान्नन्दथ दारुणाः । तस्मात् समीहितं यद्वस्तत्तथा न भविष्यति

ratnānyūcuḥ | yasmādyūyaṁ durātmāno nāsmānnandatha dāruṇāḥ | tasmāt samīhitaṁ yadvastattathā na bhaviṣyati

The jewels said: Since you, evil-souled and cruel, did not rejoice in receiving us, therefore whatever it is you desire shall not come to pass as you wish.

Verse 37 (skanda.8.113.37)

वारुणीं नाप्यगृह्णन्तासुरा मदबलावहाम् । यस्मात्ततोसुरास्ते वै दुरात्मानश्च सर्वशः

vāruṇīṁ nāpyagṛhṇantāsurā madabalāvahām | yasmāttatosurāste vai durātmānaśca sarvaśaḥ

The demons did not take Varuni either, though she brought the power of intoxication - and it is for this very reason that they remained, in every way, demons of evil disposition.

Verse 38 (skanda.8.113.38)

तत उच्चैःश्रवा नाम वाजी परमशोभनः । हस्ती चैव चतुर्दन्तो भिषक् च सुमहायशाः

tata uccaiḥśravā nāma vājī paramaśobhanaḥ | hastī caiva caturdanto bhiṣak ca sumahāyaśāḥ

Then arose the horse named Uchchaihshravas, exceedingly beautiful, and the four-tusked elephant, and the illustrious physician,

Verse 39 (skanda.8.113.39)

घृताची पूर्वचित्तिश्च देवी रम्भा मनोरमा । अमृतं च ततः सोमो गृहीत्वोत्थितवान् सुराः

ghṛtācī pūrvacittiśca devī rambhā manoramā | amṛtaṁ ca tataḥ somo gṛhītvotthitavān surāḥ

and Ghritachi, and Purvachitti, and the lovely goddess Rambha. And thereafter, O gods, Soma arose, holding aloft the nectar itself.

Verse 40 (skanda.8.113.40)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । तत उत्सृज्य ते रत्नान्यसुरा दर्पिता भृशम् । सोमहस्ताद् बलेनैव अमृतं जगृहुस्तदा

sanatkumāra uvāca | tata utsṛjya te ratnānyasurā darpitā bhṛśam | somahastād balenaiva amṛtaṁ jagṛhustadā

Sanatkumara said: Then, abandoning those jewels, the demons, wild with excessive pride, then by force seized the nectar from Soma's very hand.

Verse 41 (skanda.8.113.41)

तान्देवाः सहिताभ्येत्य ऊचुः सान्त्वेन मोहितान् । न युक्तं कर्तुमेवं वः सहिता उपयुञ्ज्महे

tāndevāḥ sahitābhyetya ūcuḥ sāntvena mohitān | na yuktaṁ kartumevaṁ vaḥ sahitā upayuñjmahe

The gods came together to those bewildered demons and said in conciliatory words: It is not fitting for you to act thus; let us all together partake of it.

Verse 42 (skanda.8.113.42)

सख्यं हि नोस्तु सुदृढं मा नो बलमदान्विताः । क्लेशमेनं वृथा येह कुरुध्वं दानवेश्वराः

sakhyaṁ hi nostu sudṛḍhaṁ mā no balamadānvitāḥ | kleśamenaṁ vṛthā yeha kurudhvaṁ dānaveśvarāḥ

Let there be firm friendship between us; O lords of the danavas, do not, intoxicated with your own strength, create this pointless strife for us.

Verse 43 (skanda.8.113.43)

तांस्तथावादिनः सर्वान् प्रह्लादो दानवेश्वरः । इदमाह महामायो धर्मं कृत्वा तु पृष्ठतः

tāṁstathāvādinaḥ sarvān prahlādo dānaveśvaraḥ | idamāha mahāmāyo dharmaṁ kṛtvā tu pṛṣṭhataḥ

To all of them speaking thus, Prahlada, lord of the danavas, that great trickster, having set dharma aside, spoke as follows -

Verse 44 (skanda.8.113.44)

प्रह्लाद उवाच । यदा रत्नान्यगृहणीध्वं सागरादुत्थितानि वै । तदा न यूयमस्माभिः किञ्चिदुक्ताः सुरेश्वराः

prahlāda uvāca | yadā ratnānyagṛhaṇīdhvaṁ sāgarādutthitāni vai | tadā na yūyamasmābhiḥ kiñciduktāḥ sureśvarāḥ

Prahlada said: O lords of the gods, when you took the jewels arisen from the ocean, we said nothing at all to you then.

Verse 45 (skanda.8.113.45)

इदमेवं वयं सर्वे रत्नं गृह्णीम देवताः । नैतद् विना हि युद्धेन दास्यामो वयमद्य वै

idamevaṁ vayaṁ sarve ratnaṁ gṛhṇīma devatāḥ | naitad vinā hi yuddhena dāsyāmo vayamadya vai

O gods, just so, all of us now take this jewel for ourselves. Without a battle, we shall not give it up today.

Verse 46 (skanda.8.113.46)

इदमस्मद्गतं देवा अमृतं सर्वमङ्गलम् । युद्धेन यदि वः कार्यं गृह्णीध्वं यदि शक्यते

idamasmadgataṁ devā amṛtaṁ sarvamaṅgalam | yuddhena yadi vaḥ kāryaṁ gṛhṇīdhvaṁ yadi śakyate

O gods, this nectar, source of every blessing, has now come into our possession. If you must have it through battle, then take it - if you can.

Verse 47 (skanda.8.113.47)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । त एवमुक्तास्तैः क्रूरैर्देवा भीता इवाभवन् । विवर्णवदना दीना न किञ्चित्ताँस्तदोचिरे

sanatkumāra uvāca | ta evamuktāstaiḥ krūrairdevā bhītā ivābhavan | vivarṇavadanā dīnā na kiñcittām̐stadocire

Sanatkumara said: Thus addressed by those cruel ones, the gods became as if frightened. Their faces paled, and, dejected, they said nothing at all in reply.

Verse 48 (skanda.8.113.48)

व्रीडितास्तेन महासत्वा विनिवृत्ताः सुरेश्वराः । निरुत्साहा बभूवुर्हि हता स्मेति च चिन्तयन्

vrīḍitāstena mahāsatvā vinivṛttāḥ sureśvarāḥ | nirutsāhā babhūvurhi hatā smeti ca cintayan

Ashamed at this, those mighty lords of the gods drew back and became dispirited, thinking to themselves, 'We are defeated.'

Verse 49 (skanda.8.113.49)

तांस्तथा चिन्तयानाँस्तु सहस्राक्षः पुरन्दरः । उवाच किं विषादेन युद्धेनैनान्निहन्महे

tāṁstathā cintayānām̐stu sahasrākṣaḥ purandaraḥ | uvāca kiṁ viṣādena yuddhenaināannihanmahe

Seeing them thus dejected, thousand-eyed Purandara said: What use is despondency? Let us slay them in battle.

Verse 50 (skanda.8.113.50)

विष्णुरुवाच । अबुद्धिरेषा शक्रस्य युद्धं प्रति सुरेश्वराः । नहि युद्धे सुराः शक्याः सर्वे हन्तुं महाबलाः

viṣṇuruvāca | abuddhireṣā śakrasya yuddhaṁ prati sureśvarāḥ | nahi yuddhe surāḥ śakyāḥ sarve hantuṁ mahābalāḥ

Vishnu said: O lords of the gods, this notion of Shakra's regarding battle is unwise, for in open combat the gods are not able to slay all those mighty demons.

Verse 51 (skanda.8.113.51)

तस्मात्ते न पिबन्ति स्म यावदेवामृतं शुभम् । तावदेव हरिष्यामि मायामास्थाय तच्छलात्

tasmātte na pibanti sma yāvadevāmṛtaṁ śubham | tāvadeva hariṣyāmi māyāmāsthāya tacchalāt

Therefore, before they drink this auspicious nectar, I shall, resorting to illusion, carry it off from them by that very trick.

Verse 52 (skanda.8.113.52)

सन्नह्यध्वं सुरास्सर्वे व्यूहं कृत्वावतिष्ठत । गृहीत्वा यावदमृतमिहायामि दिवौकसः

sannahyadhvaṁ surāssarve vyūhaṁ kṛtvāvatiṣṭhata | gṛhītvā yāvadamṛtamihāyāmi divaukasaḥ

Arm yourselves, all you gods, and stand fast in battle-array, dwellers of heaven, until I return here bearing the nectar.

Verse 53 (skanda.8.113.53)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततः सं मोहनीं मायामास्थाय विबुधेश्वरः । यज्ञश्रीरूपमास्थाय जगाम दितिजान्प्रति

sanatkumāra uvāca | tataḥ saṁmohanīṁ māyāmāsthāya vibudheśvaraḥ | yajñaśrīrūpamāsthāya jagāma ditijānprati

Sanatkumara said: Then that lord of the enlightened, resorting to the illusion of enchantment, taking on the form of Yajnashri, went toward the sons of Diti.

Verse 54 (skanda.8.113.54)

स गत्वासुरराजं तमिदमाह महाबलः । यज्ञश्रीरूपसंपन्नः पद्महस्तोमलेक्षणः

sa gatvāsurarājaṁ tamidamāha mahābalaḥ | yajñaśrīrūpasaṁpannaḥ padmahastomalekṣaṇaḥ

Going to that lord of demons, that mighty one, endowed with the beauty of Yajnashri, lotus-handed and lotus-eyed, spoke thus -

Verse 55 (skanda.8.113.55)

विष्णुरुवाच । अबलान् दैवतान् ज्ञात्वा बलिनस्सुदुरासदान् । यज्ञश्रीरस्मि संप्राप्ता दानवान् बलदर्पितान्

viṣṇuruvāca | abalān daivatān jñātvā balinassudurāsadān | yajñaśrīrasmi saṁprāptā dānavān baladarpitān

Vishnu said: Knowing the gods to be weak, I, Yajnashri, have come to you - you powerful, formidable danavas, intoxicated with your own strength.

Verse 56 (skanda.8.113.56)

प्रतिगृह्णन्तु मां सर्वे दानवाः सुरविद्विषः । गतास्ते निधनं देवा यूयं देवा न संशयः

pratigṛhṇantu māṁ sarve dānavāḥ suravidviṣaḥ | gatāste nidhanaṁ devā yūyaṁ devā na saṁśayaḥ

Let all you danavas, enemies of the gods, accept me. Those gods have gone to their ruin - now you are the gods, without doubt.

Verse 57 (skanda.8.113.57)

ततोसुरास्तदोत्थाय प्रह्लादश्चैव दानवः । प्रदक्षिणमुपावृत्य हस्तेस्य कलशं ददुः

tatosurāstadotthāya prahlādaścaiva dānavaḥ | pradakṣiṇamupāvṛtya hastesya kalaśaṁ daduḥ

Then the demons and the danava Prahlada, rising up, circumambulated her and placed the pitcher of nectar in her hands.

Verse 58 (skanda.8.113.58)

स प्राह दानवान् देवः स्त्रीरूपाकृष्टमानसान् । नेदं मयि भवन्तोद्य क्षेप्तुमर्हन्ति सर्वशः

sa prāha dānavān devaḥ strīrūpākṛṣṭamānasān | nedaṁ mayi bhavantodya kṣeptumarhanti sarvaśaḥ

That God then said to the danavas, their minds now captivated by her feminine form: You should not, in any way, cast blame upon me for this today.

Verse 59 (skanda.8.113.59)

मायामास्थाय विबुधा माहार्षुस्ते कदाचन । ते हि सर्वे दुराचारा मायानिकृतिमाश्रिताः

māyāmāsthāya vibudhā māhārṣuste kadācana | te hi sarve durācārā māyānikṛtimāśritāḥ

'Never before have the wise ones resorted to illusion to seize anything from you; it is they - all of them - who are ill-behaved, given to trickery and deceit,' - (thus, deceptively, that form spoke).

Verse 60 (skanda.8.113.60)

प्रह्लाद उवाच । जाने मायाविदस्ते वै निकृत्या बलिनश्च ह । माययैव वयं तान्वै निहंस्यामः सुदंशितान्

prahlāda uvāca | jāne māyāvidaste vai nikṛtyā balinaśca ha | māyayaiva vayaṁ tānvai nihaṁsyāmaḥ sudaṁśitān

Prahlada said: I know well that they are versed in illusion, skilled in deceit, and mighty; yet by illusion alone shall we destroy those well-armoured ones.

Verse 61 (skanda.8.113.61)

निकृत्या निकृतिज्ञास्तु हन्तव्या दुष्टचेतसः । मायाविदश्च मायाभिरिति धर्मः प्रभाषितम्

nikṛtyā nikṛtijñāstu hantavyā duṣṭacetasaḥ | māyāvidaśca māyābhiriti dharmaḥ prabhāṣitam

Those who are versed in deceit and are evil of heart should be slain by deceit, and those versed in illusion should be slain by illusion - so has dharma declared.

Verse 62 (skanda.8.113.62)

त्वन्तु नो गतिरद्येह तथा चैव परायणम् । त्वया दत्तमिदं सर्वे उपयक्ष्याम शोभने

tvantu no gatiradyeha tathā caiva parāyaṇam | tvayā dattamidaṁ sarve upayakṣyāma śobhane

You alone are our refuge here today, and you alone our ultimate resort, O splendid one; whatever you give, all of us shall gladly accept.

Verse 63 (skanda.8.113.63)

त्वञ्चेन्न यच्छसेस्माकं तद्धि ते परमं हितम् । वयं च त्वां तथा सर्वे नावमंस्यामहे सदा

tvañcenna yacchasesmākaṁ taddhi te paramaṁ hitam | vayaṁ ca tvāṁ tathā sarve nāvamaṁsyāmahe sadā

Even should you choose not to give it to us, that too would be for your own supreme good; and we, all of us, shall likewise never show you disrespect.

Verse 64 (skanda.8.113.64)

ततः स तं तदा धीमान् प्रहस्य शुभदर्शनः । उवाच यत् त्वया गीतं सत्यं तच्च करोमि ते

tataḥ sa taṁ tadā dhīmān prahasya śubhadarśanaḥ | uvāca yat tvayā gītaṁ satyaṁ tacca karomi te

Then that wise one, of beautiful form, smiling, said to him: What you have spoken is true - so shall I do for you.

Verse 65 (skanda.8.113.65)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततो निरीक्षतां तेषां विष्णुः कृत्वा स्वकं वपुः । प्रगृह्यामृतमुत्पत्य देवेभ्यः प्रददौ विभुः

sanatkumāra uvāca | tato nirīkṣatāṁ teṣāṁ viṣṇuḥ kṛtvā svakaṁ vapuḥ | pragṛhyāmṛtamutpatya devebhyaḥ pradadau vibhuḥ

Sanatkumara said: Thereupon, even as they all looked on, Vishnu resumed his own true form, and, seizing the nectar and flying up, the Lord bestowed it upon the gods.