Nilakantha: How Mahadeva's Throat Turned Blue

Verse 1 (skanda.8.114.1)

व्यास उवाच । कथं तदुत्थितं घोरं विषं सूर्यायुतप्रभम् । कथं पीतं भगवता शङ्करेणामितौजसा

vyāsa uvāca | kathaṁ tadutthitaṁ ghoraṁ viṣaṁ sūryāyutaprabham | kathaṁ pītaṁ bhagavatā śaṅkareṇāmitaujasā

Vyasa said: How did that terrible poison, blazing like ten thousand suns, arise, and how did the blessed Shankara, of boundless splendour, drink it?

Verse 2 (skanda.8.114.2)

कथञ्च देवदेवस्य कण्ठे कुन्देन्दुसप्रभे । नीलो वर्णः समुत्पन्न एतदिच्छामि वेदितुम्

kathañca devadevasya kaṇṭhe kundendusaprabhe | nīlo varṇaḥ samutpanna etadicchāmi veditum

And how did a dark blue hue arise upon the throat of the God of gods, that throat radiant as the jasmine flower and the moon? This I wish to know.

Verse 3 (skanda.8.114.3)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । कस्मिन्देशे महापुण्ये एतदाख्यानमुत्तमम् । वृत्तं ब्रह्मपुरोगाय कस्मिन् काले महाद्युते

sanatkumāra uvāca | kasmindeśe mahāpuṇye etadākhyānamuttamam | vṛttaṁ brahmapurogāya kasmin kāle mahādyute

Sanatkumara said: In what most holy land, O greatly radiant one, and at what time did this excellent tale occur, in the presence of Brahma?

Verse 4 (skanda.8.114.4)

एतदाख्याहि नः सम्यग् यथावृत्तं तपोधन । नीलकण्ठः कथं देवः शर्वस्त्रिभुवनेश्वरः

etadākhyāhi naḥ samyag yathāvṛttaṁ tapodhana | nīlakaṇṭhaḥ kathaṁ devaḥ śarvastribhuvaneśvaraḥ

Tell us this fully and truly, O rich in austerity, just as it happened - how did the god Sharva, lord of the three worlds, come to be called Nilakantha, the blue-throated one?

Verse 5 (skanda.8.114.5)

सूत उवाच । यथा श्रुतं मया पूर्वं वायुना जगदायुना । कथ्यमानं द्विजश्रेष्ठाः सत्रे वर्षसहस्रिके

sūta uvāca | yathā śrutaṁ mayā pūrvaṁ vāyunā jagadāyunā | kathyamānaṁ dvijaśreṣṭhāḥ satre varṣasahasrike

Suta said: O foremost of the twice-born, as I once heard it told by Vayu, the life-breath of the world, during a sacrificial session lasting a thousand years -

Verse 6 (skanda.8.114.6)

नीलता केन कण्ठस्य देवदेवस्य शूलिनः । तदहं कीर्तयिष्यामि शृणुध्वं संश्रितव्रताः

nīlatā kena kaṇṭhasya devadevasya śūlinaḥ | tadahaṁ kīrtayiṣyāmi śṛṇudhvaṁ saṁśritavratāḥ

- by what cause the throat of the trident-bearing God of gods became blue - that shall I now recount. Listen, O you devoted to your vows.

Verse 7 (skanda.8.114.7)

उत्तरे शैलराजस्य सरांसि सरितो ह्रदाः । कीर्णेषु देशेषु पर्वतेषु च

uttare śailarājasya sarāṁsi sarito hradāḥ | kīrṇeṣu deśeṣu parvateṣu ca

To the north of the king of mountains are lakes, rivers, and pools... [note: the source manuscript is damaged here, obscuring the description of what fills these regions] ...in lands and mountains thronged with [that which is lost] -

Verse 8 (skanda.8.114.8)

गिरिशृङ्गेषु तुङ्गेषु गह्वरोपवनेषु च । भक्षा महात्मानो मुनयः शंसितव्रताः

giriśṛṅgeṣu tuṅgeṣu gahvaropavaneṣu ca | bhakṣā mahātmāno munayaḥ śaṁsitavratāḥ

upon lofty mountain peaks, and in caves and groves, dwell great-souled sages of praised vows, subsisting on [the word naming their food is lost here in the source] -

Verse 9 (skanda.8.114.9)

संस्तुवन्ति महादेवं यजन्तोत्र यथाविधि । ऋग्यजुःसामवेदैश्च नृत्यगीतार्चनादिभिः

saṁstuvanti mahādevaṁ yajantotra yathāvidhi | ṛgyajuḥsāmavedaiśca nṛtyagītārcanādibhiḥ

there, duly performing worship, they praise Mahadeva with the hymns of the Rig, Yajur, and Sama Vedas, and with dance, song, adoration, and the like.

Verse 10 (skanda.8.114.10)

प्रवृत्ते ज्योतिषां चक्रे मध्यं प्राप्ते दिवाकरे

pravṛtte jyotiṣāṁ cakre madhyaṁ prāpte divākare

[Note: the first line of this verse is lost in the source manuscript; only the second line survives.] ...when the wheel of the luminaries has turned and the sun has reached the meridian -

Verse 11 (skanda.8.114.11)

दैवता नियतात्मानः सर्वे तिष्ठन्ति तां कलाम् । नियमानि समाप्यान्ते तस्मिन् काले दिवौकसाम्

daivatā niyatātmānaḥ sarve tiṣṭhanti tāṁ kalām | niyamāni samāpyānte tasmin kāle divaukasām

all the self-controlled gods stand still at that very moment; and at that time the observances of the dwellers in heaven are brought to completion.

Verse 12 (skanda.8.114.12)

तेषां मध्ये गतो वायुः प्राणिनां जीवितोद्भवः । नमस्ते नीलकण्ठाय इत्युवाच सदागतिः

teṣāṁ madhye gato vāyuḥ prāṇināṁ jīvitodbhavaḥ | namaste nīlakaṇṭhāya ityuvāca sadāgatiḥ

Among them went Vayu, the very source of the breath of living beings, and the ever-moving one said: 'Salutation to Nilakantha.'

Verse 13 (skanda.8.114.13)

तच्छ्रुत्वा भावितात्मानो मुनयः संशितव्रताः । बालखिल्या इति ख्याताः पतङ्गसहचारिणः

tacchrutvā bhāvitātmāno munayaḥ saṁśitavratāḥ | bālakhilyā iti khyātāḥ pataṅgasahacāriṇaḥ

Hearing this, those sages of purified soul and rigorous vows, known as the Balakhilyas, companions of the sun in his course,

Verse 14 (skanda.8.114.14)

अष्टाशीतिसहस्राणि मुनीनामूर्ध्वरेतसाम् । ते स्म पृच्छन्ति वै वायुं वायुपर्णाम्बुभोजनाः

aṣṭāśītisahasrāṇi munīnāmūrdhvaretasām | te sma pṛcchanti vai vāyuṁ vāyuparṇāmbubhojanāḥ

eighty-eight thousand sages of retained seed, subsisting on air, leaves, and water alone, then questioned Vayu -

Verse 15 (skanda.8.114.15)

बालखिल्या ऊचुः । नीलकण्ठेति यत् प्रोक्तं त्वया पवनसत्तम । तद्वयं श्रोतुमिच्छाम त्वत्प्रसादात् प्रभञ्जन

bālakhilyā ūcuḥ | nīlakaṇṭheti yat proktaṁ tvayā pavanasattama | tadvayaṁ śrotumicchāma tvatprasādāt prabhañjana

The Balakhilyas said: O best of winds, that which you spoke as 'Nilakantha' - that we wish to hear, by your grace, O mighty gale.

Verse 16 (skanda.8.114.16)

नीलता केन कण्ठस्य प्रकारेणाम्बिकापतेः । श्रोतुमिच्छामहे सम्यक् त्वद्वक्त्रात्तु विशेषतः

nīlatā kena kaṇṭhasya prakāreṇāmbikāpateḥ | śrotumicchāmahe samyak tvadvaktrāttu viśeṣataḥ

By what manner did the throat of Ambika's lord become blue - this we wish to hear fully and in particular from your own mouth.

Verse 17 (skanda.8.114.17)

एतत्पुण्यं यदस्माभिस्तद्धि नः परमं हितम् । वाचो याः संप्रवर्तन्ते सर्वास्तास्तु त्वयेरिताः

etatpuṇyaṁ yadasmābhistaddhi naḥ paramaṁ hitam | vāco yāḥ saṁpravartante sarvāstāstu tvayeritāḥ

This meritorious tale, which we shall hear from you, is our supreme good. Whatever speech comes forth anywhere, all of it is set in motion by you.

Verse 18 (skanda.8.114.18)

वर्णस्थानगते वायौ वाग्विधिः संप्रवर्तते । ज्ञानं विज्ञानमुत्साहस्त्वत्तो वायो प्रवर्तते

varṇasthānagate vāyau vāgvidhiḥ saṁpravartate | jñānaṁ vijñānamutsāhastvatto vāyo pravartate

It is only when breath rests in the places of articulation that the working of speech proceeds. Knowledge, discernment, and vigour too, O Vayu, proceed from you alone.

Verse 19 (skanda.8.114.19)

न योगेन सर्वे वर्णाः प्रवर्तिताः । यतो वाचो निवर्तन्ते देहबद्धाश्च दुर्लभाः

na yogena sarve varṇāḥ pravartitāḥ | yato vāco nivartante dehabaddhāśca durlabhāḥ

[Note: the opening of this line is damaged in the source.] ...not through yoga alone are all sounds set in motion; that point from which speech turns back is rarely reached by those bound within a body.

Verse 20 (skanda.8.114.20)

तत्रापि तेस्ति सद्भावः सर्वगस्त्वं सदानिल । नान्यः सर्वगतो देवस्त्वदृतेस्ति समीरण

tatrāpi testi sadbhāvaḥ sarvagastvaṁ sadānila | nānyaḥ sarvagato devastvadṛtesti samīraṇa

Even there your presence abides, for you, O ever-moving one, are all-pervading. Apart from you, O breeze, there exists no other deity that pervades all things.

Verse 21 (skanda.8.114.21)

स चैव जीवलोकोयं धारितः पवन त्वया । एष वै जीवलोकस्ते प्रत्यक्षो जीवितोद्भव

sa caiva jīvalokoyaṁ dhāritaḥ pavana tvayā | eṣa vai jīvalokaste pratyakṣo jīvitodbhava

This whole world of living beings, O wind, is sustained by you alone. This world of the living, O source of life, is directly evident to you.

Verse 22 (skanda.8.114.22)

वेत्थ वाचस्पतिं देवं मनोनायकमीश्वरम् । ब्रूहि त्वं केन देशेस्य किं कृता रूपविक्रिया

vettha vācaspatiṁ devaṁ manonāyakamīśvaram | brūhi tvaṁ kena deśesya kiṁ kṛtā rūpavikriyā

You know the god Vachaspati, lord and leader of the mind. Tell us - in what land of his, and by what cause, did this transformation of his form come about?

Verse 23 (skanda.8.114.23)

श्रुत्वा वाक्यं ततस्तेषामृषीणां भावितात्मनाम् । प्रत्युवाच महातेजा वायुर्लोकनमस्कृतः

śrutvā vākyaṁ tatasteṣāmṛṣīṇāṁ bhāvitātmanām | pratyuvāca mahātejā vāyurlokanamaskṛtaḥ

Having heard the words of those sages of purified soul, that greatly radiant Vayu, revered by the whole world, then replied.

Verse 24 (skanda.8.114.24)

वायुरुवाच । पुरा कृतयुगे विप्रा वेदनिर्णयतत्परः । वसिष्ठो नाम धर्मात्मा मानसो वै प्रजापतिः

vāyuruvāca | purā kṛtayuge viprā vedanirṇayatatparaḥ | vasiṣṭho nāma dharmātmā mānaso vai prajāpatiḥ

Vayu said: O brahmins, long ago in the Krita Yuga, there was a righteous mind-born Prajapati named Vasishtha, devoted to determining the truth of the Vedas.

Verse 25 (skanda.8.114.25)

पप्रच्छ कार्तिकेयं वै मयूरवरवाहनम् । क्रौञ्चदेहान्तकरणं देव्या हृदयनन्दनम्

papraccha kārtikeyaṁ vai mayūravaravāhanam | krauñcadehāntakaraṇaṁ devyā hṛdayanandanam

He questioned Karttikeya, whose splendid mount is the peacock, who brought about the destruction of Kraunucha's form, and who is the delight of the Goddess's heart,

Verse 26 (skanda.8.114.26)

महिषासुरनारीणां नयनाञ्जनतस्करम् । महासेनं महात्मानं मेघस्तनितनिस्वनम्

mahiṣāsuranārīṇāṁ nayanāñjanataskaram | mahāsenaṁ mahātmānaṁ meghastanitanisvanam

who steals the very kohl from the eyes of the wives of the buffalo-demon Mahisha, the great-souled Mahasena, whose voice resounds like thunder,

Verse 27 (skanda.8.114.27)

उमामनोहर्षकरं बालकं छद्मरूपिणम् । बहुमङ्गलसंयुक्तां कथां पापप्रणाशनीम् । वसिष्ठः प्रार्थयामास तस्मिन् काले महातपाः

umāmanoharṣakaraṁ bālakaṁ chadmarūpiṇam | bahumaṅgalasaṁyuktāṁ kathāṁ pāpapraṇāśanīm | vasiṣṭhaḥ prārthayāmāsa tasmin kāle mahātapāḥ

the child who delights Uma's heart, who takes on many disguised forms - of him, that great ascetic Vasishtha, at that time, sought a tale rich in blessings and destructive of sin.

Verse 28 (skanda.8.114.28)

वसिष्ठ उवाच । शुचिं प्रपद्ये वरदं ब्रह्मण्यममितौजसम् । भक्तानुकम्पिनं नित्यं सर्वज्ञं प्रियदर्शनम्

vasiṣṭha uvāca | śuciṁ prapadye varadaṁ brahmaṇyamamitaujasam | bhaktānukampinaṁ nityaṁ sarvajñaṁ priyadarśanam

Vasishtha said: I take refuge in him who is pure, the granter of boons, devoted to brahmins, of boundless splendour, ever compassionate to his devotees, all-knowing, and pleasing to behold.

Verse 29 (skanda.8.114.29)

नमस्ते ष्यन्द अग्निगर्भ नमोस्तु ते

namaste ṣyanda agnigarbha namostu te

[Note: the first line of this verse is entirely lost in the source, and the opening of the second line is also missing; only this fragment survives.] Salutation to you... O one born of Agni's seed, salutation to you.

Verse 30 (skanda.8.114.30)

नमस्ते शरजन्माय नमस्ते कृत्तिकासुत । नमो द्वादशनेत्राय षण्मुखाय नमोस्तु ते

namaste śarajanmāya namaste kṛttikāsuta | namo dvādaśanetrāya ṣaṇmukhāya namostu te

Salutation to you, born amid the reeds; salutation to you, son of the Krittikas; salutation to the twelve-eyed one, salutation to you, six-faced one.

Verse 31 (skanda.8.114.31)

नमस्ते शक्तिहस्ताय दिव्यस्र

namaste śaktihastāya divyasra

[Note: the latter half of this line and the entire second line are lost in the source; only this opening fragment survives.] Salutation to you, spear-handed one, of divine...

Verse 32 (skanda.8.114.32)

नमो हिरण्यरेताय नमस्ते भृतशम्भवे । नमः कुक्कुटहस्ताय तथा छागप्रियाय च

namo hiraṇyaretāya namaste bhṛtaśambhave | namaḥ kukkuṭahastāya tathā chāgapriyāya ca

Salutation to the one of golden seed, salutation to you who arose through nurture; salutation to the cock-bannered one, and to him who is fond of the goat.

Verse 33 (skanda.8.114.33)

नमस्ते रक्तवासाय नमो नीलशिखण्डिने । नमोत्यन्तकुमाराय सर्वदैवतपूजिते

namaste raktavāsāya namo nīlaśikhaṇḍine | namotyantakumārāya sarvadaivatapūjite

Salutation to you, clad in red; salutation to the blue-crested one; salutation to the eternal youth, worshipped by all the gods.

Verse 34 (skanda.8.114.34)

नमः क्रौञ्चविनाशाय महिषासुरघातिने । नमस्ते ऊर्णव मूर्त्तये

namaḥ krauñcavināśāya mahiṣāsuraghātine | namaste ūrṇava mūrttaye

Salutation to the destroyer of Kraunucha, to the slayer of the buffalo-demon Mahisha. [Note: this line has two gaps in the source, damaged and illegible; only the fragments 'urnava' and 'murttaye' survive.] Salutation to you, of the form of...

Verse 35 (skanda.8.114.35)

नमस्ते बालरूपाय उन्मत्तललिताय च । यदेतद् दृश्यते स्थाणोः शुभं शुभ्राञ्जनोपमम्

namaste bālarūpāya unmattalalitāya ca | yadetad dṛśyate sthāṇoḥ śubhaṁ śubhrāñjanopamam

Salutation to you of childlike form, and to the wildly playful one. Now, that auspicious thing seen upon Sthanu, resembling bright collyrium -

Verse 36 (skanda.8.114.36)

तत् किमर्थं समुत्पन्नं कण्ठे कुन्देन्दुसन्निभे । एतदाप्ताय दान्ताय भक्ताय तव पृच्छते

tat kimarthaṁ samutpannaṁ kaṇṭhe kundendusannibhe | etadāptāya dāntāya bhaktāya tava pṛcchate

why has that arisen upon that throat, resembling jasmine and moon - tell this to your trusted, self-restrained devotee, who now asks it of you.

Verse 37 (skanda.8.114.37)

ब्रूहि मङ्गलसंयुक्तां कथां पुण्यसमाश्रिताम् । एवं स्तुतो च वसिष्ठेन मुनिना भावितात्मना

brūhi maṅgalasaṁyuktāṁ kathāṁ puṇyasamāśritām | evaṁ stuto ca vasiṣṭhena muninā bhāvitātmanā

Tell us this auspicious tale, resting upon merit. Thus praised by the sage Vasishtha, of purified soul -

Verse 38 (skanda.8.114.38)

श्रुत्वा वाक्यं ततस्तस्य वसिष्ठस्य महात्मनः । प्रत्युवाच महातेजा दैत्यारिः पावकोद्भवः

śrutvā vākyaṁ tatastasya vasiṣṭhasya mahātmanaḥ | pratyuvāca mahātejā daityāriḥ pāvakodbhavaḥ

Having heard the words of that great-souled Vasishtha, the greatly radiant foe of the demons, born of fire, replied.

Verse 39 (skanda.8.114.39)

यदुक्तं भवता प्रश्नं यन्मां पृच्छसि वै द्विज । श्रूयतां वदतां श्रेष्ठ कथ्यमानमिदं मया

yaduktaṁ bhavatā praśnaṁ yanmāṁ pṛcchasi vai dvija | śrūyatāṁ vadatāṁ śreṣṭha kathyamānamidaṁ mayā

The question you have posed, which you now ask of me, O brahmin - hear it, O best of speakers, as I now relate it.

Verse 40 (skanda.8.114.40)

उमोत्सङ्गोपविष्टेन यथा पूर्वं मया श्रुतः । पार्वत्याश्चैव संवादः शंकरस्य महात्मनः

umotsaṅgopaviṣṭena yathā pūrvaṁ mayā śrutaḥ | pārvatyāścaiva saṁvādaḥ śaṅkarasya mahātmanaḥ

As I once heard it, seated in Uma's lap, that very dialogue between Parvati and the great-souled Shankara -

Verse 41 (skanda.8.114.41)

तमहं संप्रवक्ष्यामि यथातथ्यं महामुने । कैलासशिखरे रम्ये नानाधातुविचित्रिते

tamahaṁ saṁpravakṣyāmi yathātathyaṁ mahāmune | kailāsaśikhare ramye nānādhātuvicitrite

that dialogue, O great sage, I shall now relate exactly as it was - upon the lovely peak of Kailasa, variegated with many minerals,

Verse 42 (skanda.8.114.42)

तरुणादित्यसंकाशे तप्तकाञ्चनसन्निभे । वज्रस्फटिकसोपाने चित्रपट्टशिलातले

taruṇādityasaṅkāśe taptakāñcanasannibhe | vajrasphaṭikasopāne citrapaṭṭaśilātale

resembling the young morning sun, gleaming like molten gold, with steps of diamond and crystal, upon a ground of many-hued flat stone,

Verse 43 (skanda.8.114.43)

जाम्बूनदमये दिव्ये नानारत्नविभूषिते । नानाद्रुमलताकीर्णे नानापुष्पफलोदके

jāmbūnadamaye divye nānāratnavibhūṣite | nānādrumalatākīrṇe nānāpuṣpaphalodake

made of Jambunada gold, divine, adorned with many jewels, thronged with many trees and creepers, and furnished with many flowers, fruits, and waters,

Verse 44 (skanda.8.114.44)

हंसकारण्डवाकीर्णे चक्रवाकोपशोभिते । षट्पदोद्गीतकमले धारासंपातनादिते

haṁsakāraṇḍavākīrṇe cakravākopaśobhite | ṣaṭpadodgītakamale dhārāsaṁpātanādite

thronged with swans and karandava-ducks, adorned with ruddy geese, its lotuses humming with the songs of bees, resounding with the fall of cascading streams,

Verse 45 (skanda.8.114.45)

मत्तक्रौञ्चमयूराणां नादैर्विक्रुष्टकन्दरे । अप्सरोगणसंकीर्णे किन्नरैश्चोपशोभिते

mattakrauñcamayūrāṇāṁ nādairvikruṣṭakandare | apsarogaṇasaṅkīrṇe kinnaraiścopaśobhite

its caves ringing with the cries of amorous krauncha-birds and peacocks, thronged with hosts of apsaras, adorned with kinnaras,

Verse 46 (skanda.8.114.46)

जीवन्जीवकदात्यूहविरुतैश्च प्रणादिते । कोकिलारावमधुरे सिद्धचारणसेविते

jīvañjīvakadātyūhavirutaiśca praṇādite | kokilārāvamadhure siddhacāraṇasevite

resounding with the calls of jivanjivaka and datyuha birds, sweet with the cuckoo's song, frequented by siddhas and charanas,

Verse 47 (skanda.8.114.47)

सौरभेयनिनादाढ्ये मेघस्तनितनिस्वने । विनायकभयोद्विग्नैः कुञ्जरैर्मुक्तकन्दरे

saurabheyaninādāḍhye meghastanitanisvane | vināyakabhayodvignaiḥ kuñjarairmuktakandare

rich with the bellowing of the bull Sourabheya, echoing like thundering clouds, its caves abandoned by elephants fleeing in dread of Vinayaka,

Verse 48 (skanda.8.114.48)

वंशवादित्रनिर्घोषे श्रोत्रेन्द्रियमनोहरे । दोलाललितविक्षेपैर्वनितासिद्धसेविते

vaṁśavāditranirghoṣe śrotrendriyamanohare | dolālalitavikṣepairvanitāsiddhasevite

resounding with the notes of flutes and instruments, delightful to the ear, frequented by women and siddhas with the graceful swaying of swings,

Verse 49 (skanda.8.114.49)

ध्वजैर्ल्लम्बितदोलानां घण्टानां विरुताकुले । बल्लकीघोषबहुले नृत्तव्यापारसंकुले

dhvajairllambitadolānāṁ ghaṇṭānāṁ virutākule | ballakīghoṣabahule nṛttavyāpārasaṅkule

filled with the sound of bells and banners hanging from swings, abounding in the music of the vallaki-lute, thronged with the bustle of dance,

Verse 50 (skanda.8.114.50)

मुखैर्दर्द्दरवाद्यैश्च वल्गितास्फोटिते तथा । क्रीडाचेष्टाविनोदानां रवैराक्रन्दकन्दरे

mukhairdarddaravādyaiśca valgitāsphoṭite tathā | krīḍāceṣṭāvinodānāṁ ravairākrandakandare

resounding too with drums sounded by the mouth, and with leaping and clapping, its caves echoing with the clamour of games, sport, and merriment,

Verse 51 (skanda.8.114.51)

हासैः सन्त्रासजननैर्विकरालैस्तथा मुखैः । देहबन्धैर्विचित्रैश्च प्रक्रीडितगणेश्वरे

hāsaiḥ santrāsajananairvikarālaistathā mukhaiḥ | dehabandhairvicitraiśca prakrīḍitagaṇeśvare

where, with laughter that struck terror and with grotesque faces, and with bodies bent into wondrous shapes, the lord of the ganas sported at play -

Verse 52 (skanda.8.114.52)

व्याघ्रसिंहमुखैर्घोरैस्सर्पाखुवदनैरपि । मृगमेषमुखैश्चान्यैर्गजवाजिमुखैस्तथा

vyāghrasiṁhamukhairghoraissarpākhuvadanairapi | mṛgameṣamukhaiścānyairgajavājimukhaistathā

with some ganas bearing fearsome faces of tigers and lions, others of serpents and mice, others still of deer and rams, and others again of elephants and horses,

Verse 53 (skanda.8.114.53)

विडालवदनैश्चोग्रैः क्रोष्टुकाकारमूर्त्तिभिः । ह्रस्वैर्दीर्घैः कृशैः स्थूलैर्लम्बोदरमहोदरैः

viḍālavadanaiścograiḥ kroṣṭukākāramūrttibhiḥ | hrasvairdīrghaiḥ kṛśaiḥ sthūlairlambodaramahodaraiḥ

some with fierce cat-faces, others shaped like jackals - short ones and tall, thin ones and stout, some with hanging bellies and some with vast bellies,

Verse 54 (skanda.8.114.54)

ह्रस्वजंघैः प्रलम्बोष्ठैस्तालजंघैस्तथापरैः । गोकर्णैरेककर्णैश्च महाकर्णैरकर्णकैः

hrasvajaṅghaiḥ pralambauṣṭhaistālajaṅghaistathāparaiḥ | gokarṇaireka karṇaiśca mahākarṇairakarṇakaiḥ

some with short shins, others with hanging lips, others still with shins thick as palm trees - some with cow-ears, some one-eared, some huge-eared, and some earless,

Verse 55 (skanda.8.114.55)

एकपादैर्महापादैर्बहुपादैरपादकैः । एकमूर्धभिरत्युग्रैर्बहुमूर्धभिरुल्बणैः

ekapādairmahāpādairbahupādairapādakaiḥ | ekamūrdhabhiratyugrairbahumūrdhabhirulbaṇaiḥ

some one-footed, some huge-footed, some many-footed, some footless - some exceedingly fierce with a single head, some monstrous with many heads,

Verse 56 (skanda.8.114.56)

अमूर्धभिश्च गणपैर्महामूर्धभिरेव च । एकनेत्रैर्महानेत्रैर्बहुनेत्रैश्च सर्वशः

amūrdhabhiśca gaṇapairmahāmūrdhabhireva ca | ekanetrairmahānetrairbahunetraiśca sarvaśaḥ

and some leaders of the hosts headless, and others huge-headed - in every way, some one-eyed, some huge-eyed, and some many-eyed,

Verse 57 (skanda.8.114.57)

कबन्धाकृतिभिश्चान्यैरनेत्रैर्गणनायकैः । एकनासैर्महानासैर्बहुनासैरनासिकैः

kabandhākṛtibhiścānyairanetrairgaṇanāyakaiḥ | ekanāsairmahānāsairbahunāsairanāsikaiḥ

and other leaders of the hosts shaped like headless trunks, eyeless - some one-nosed, some huge-nosed, some many-nosed, and some noseless,

Verse 58 (skanda.8.114.58)

एकवक्त्रैर्महावक्त्रैर्बहुवक्त्रैरवक्त्रकैः । एकदंष्ट्रैर्महादंष्ट्रैर्बहुदष्ट्रैरदंष्ट्रकैः

ekavaktrairmahāvaktrairbahuvaktrairavaktrakaiḥ | ekadaṁṣṭrairmahādaṁṣṭrairbahudaṣṭrairadaṁṣṭrakaiḥ

some one-mouthed, some huge-mouthed, some many-mouthed, and some mouthless - some one-tusked, some huge-tusked, some many-tusked, and some tuskless,

Verse 59 (skanda.8.114.59)

एकहस्तैर्महाहस्तैर्बहुहस्तैरहस्तकैः । विश्वरूपैर्विरूपैश्च सुरूपै रूपवर्जितैः । एवंविधैर्महायोगैर्भूतैर्भूतपतिर्वृतः

ekahastairmahāhastairbahuhastairahastakaiḥ | viśvarūpairvirūpaiśca surūpai rūpavarjitaiḥ | evaṁvidhairmahāyogairbhūtairbhūtapatirvṛtaḥ

some one-armed, some huge-armed, some many-armed, and some armless - of every form, of misshapen form, of fair form, and of no form at all - by such beings of great yogic power, the Lord of Beings was surrounded.

Verse 60 (skanda.8.114.60)

विशुद्धरत्नाङ्गविभूषिताङ्गदा शिलातले हेममये मनोरमे । सुखोपविष्टं मदनाङ्गनाशनं चुचोद वाक्यं गिरिराज्यनन्दना

viśuddharatnāṅgavibhūṣitāṅgadā śilātale hemamaye manorame | sukhopaviṣṭaṁ madanāṅganāśanaṁ cucoda vākyaṁ girirājyanandanā

Adorned in her limbs with armlets set with pure jewels, the daughter of the mountain-king spoke this word to the destroyer of Kama's body, comfortably seated upon that lovely golden slab -

Verse 61 (skanda.8.114.61)

देव्युवाच । भगवन् भूतभव्येश गोवृषाङ्कितशासन । तव कण्ठे महादेव भ्राजतेम्बुदसन्निभम्

devyuvāca | bhagavan bhūtabhavyeśa govṛṣāṅkitaśāsana | tava kaṇṭhe mahādeva bhrājatembudasannibham

The Goddess said: O Lord, master of the past and future, whose banner is marked with a bull, O Mahadeva, upon your throat there gleams something resembling a raincloud.

Verse 62 (skanda.8.114.62)

नात्युल्वणं शुभं शुभ्रं नीलाञ्जनचयोपमम् । किमिदं देव दीप्तं ते कण्ठे कामाङ्गनाशन । को हेतुः कारणं किं वा येनेदं नीलमीश्वर । एतत्सर्वं यथान्यायं श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वतः

nātyulvaṇaṁ śubhaṁ śubhraṁ nīlāñjanacayopamam | kimidaṁ deva dīptaṁ te kaṇṭhe kāmāṅganāśana | ko hetuḥ kāraṇaṁ kiṁ vā yenedaṁ nīlamīśvara | etatsarvaṁ yathānyāyaṁ śrotumicchāmi tattvataḥ

Not too dark, auspicious, bright, resembling a mass of dark collyrium - what is this, O God, that shines upon your throat, O destroyer of Kama's body? What is its cause, what its reason, O Lord, by which it became blue? All this I wish to hear truly, exactly as it happened.

Verse 63 (skanda.8.114.63)

श्रुत्वा वाक्यं ततो देव्याः पार्वत्याः पार्वतीप्रियः । कथां मङ्गलसंयुक्तां कथयामास शङ्करः

śrutvā vākyaṁ tato devyāḥ pārvatyāḥ pārvatīpriyaḥ | kathāṁ maṅgalasaṁyuktāṁ kathayāmāsa śaṅkaraḥ

Then, having heard the goddess Parvati's words, Shankara, beloved of Parvati, began to tell that auspicious tale.

Verse 64 (skanda.8.114.64)

महेश्वर उवाच । मथ्यमानेमृते पूर्वं क्षीरोदे सुरदानवैः । अग्रे समुत्थितं घोरं विषं कालानलप्रभम्

maheśvara uvāca | mathyamānemṛte pūrvaṁ kṣīrode suradānavaiḥ | agre samutthitaṁ ghoraṁ viṣaṁ kālānalaprabham

Maheshvara said: Long ago, when the gods and danavas churned the Ocean of Milk for the nectar, there first arose a terrible poison, blazing like the fire of doomsday.

Verse 65 (skanda.8.114.65)

कालमृत्युरिवोद्भूतं युगान्तादित्यवर्चसम् । त्रैलोक्योत्सादसूर्याभं विस्फुरत्तत् समन्ततः

kālamṛtyurivodbhūtaṁ yugāntādityavarcasam | trailokyotsādasūryābhaṁ visphurattat samantataḥ

It arose as if Death himself, incarnate as Time, blazing with the splendour of the sun at the end of an age, flashing on every side as though a sun bent on the destruction of the three worlds.

Verse 66 (skanda.8.114.66)

तं दृष्टवा सुरसंघाश्च दैत्याश्चैव वरानने । विषण्णवदनाः सर्वे गतास्ते ब्रह्मणोन्तिकम्

taṁ dṛṣṭavā surasaṅghāśca daityāścaiva varānane | viṣaṇṇavadanāḥ sarve gātāste brahmaṇontikam

Seeing it, O fair-faced one, the hosts of gods and the demons alike, all with downcast faces, went to Brahma's presence.

Verse 67 (skanda.8.114.67)

दृष्टवा सुरगणान् भीतान्ब्रह्मोवाच महाद्युतिः । मयाष्टगुणमैश्वर्यं भवतां संप्रकल्पितम्

dṛṣṭavā suragaṇān bhītānbrahmovāca mahādyutiḥ | mayāṣṭaguṇamaiśvaryaṁ bhavatāṁ saṁprakalpitam

Seeing the frightened hosts of gods, the greatly radiant Brahma said: I have fashioned for you a sovereignty endowed with eight qualities.

Verse 68 (skanda.8.114.68)

त्रैलोक्यस्येश्वरा यूयं सर्वे च विगतज्वराः । विमानचारिणः सर्वे सर्वे स्वच्छन्दचारिणः

trailokyasyeśvarā yūyaṁ sarve ca vigatajvarāḥ | vimānacāriṇaḥ sarve sarve svacchandacāriṇaḥ

You are all lords of the three worlds, all free from anguish, all travelling in celestial chariots, all moving freely as you wish.

Verse 69 (skanda.8.114.69)

प्रजाभिः सत्कृताः सम्यङ् नित्यं बहुमता मम । किमर्थे वा महाप्रज्ञा भृशमुद्विग्नचेतसः

prajābhiḥ satkṛtāḥ samyaṅ nityaṁ bahumatā mama | kimarthe vā mahāprajñā bhṛśamudvignacetasaḥ

Well honoured by your subjects, ever held in high regard by me - why then, O ones of great wisdom, are your minds so exceedingly agitated?

Verse 70 (skanda.8.114.70)

केन व्यावर्तितैश्वर्या येन मां समुपस्थिताः । प्रजासर्गे न सोत्रास्ति योज्ञान्मम निवर्तयेत्

kena vyāvartitaiśvaryā yena māṁ samupasthitāḥ | prajāsarge na sotrāsti yojñānmama nivartayet

By what has your sovereignty been shaken, that you have come to me thus? In the whole creation of beings there is none who can turn back my command.

Verse 71 (skanda.8.114.71)

अध्यात्मे चाधिभूते च अधिदैवे च नित्यशः । प्रजाकर्मविपाके च शक्ता यूयं प्रवर्तितुम्

adhyātme cādhibhūte ca adhidaive ca nityaśaḥ | prajākarmavipāke ca śaktā yūyaṁ pravartitum

In the realm of the self, in the realm of created beings, and in the realm of the gods, and ever in the ripening of the deeds of creatures, you are able to act with full power.

Verse 72 (skanda.8.114.72)

किं कार्यं कारणं किं वा कुतो वा भयमागतम् । येन यूयं समुद्विग्ना मृगा सिंहार्दिता इव

kiṁ kāryaṁ kāraṇaṁ kiṁ vā kuto vā bhayamāgatam | yena yūyaṁ samudvignā mṛgā siṁhārditā iva

What is the matter, what the cause, or from where has this fear come, that has left you so agitated, like deer harried by a lion?

Verse 73 (skanda.8.114.73)

एतत्सर्वं यथान्यायं शीघ्रमाख्यातुमर्हथ । श्रुत्वा वाक्यं ततस्तस्य ब्रह्मणः सुमहात्मनः

etatsarvaṁ yathānyāyaṁ śīghramākhyātumarhatha | śrutvā vākyaṁ tatastasya brahmaṇaḥ sumahātmanaḥ

All this you should quickly relate to me, exactly as it stands. Then, having heard the words of that great-souled Brahma -

Verse 74 (skanda.8.114.74)

ऊचुस्त ऋषिभिः सार्धं सुरदैत्येन्द्रदानवाः । सुरासुरगणैर्ब्रह्मन् मथ्यमाने महोदधौ

ūcusta ṛṣibhiḥ sārdhaṁ suradaityendradānavāḥ | surāsuragaṇairbrahman mathyamāne mahodadhau

the gods, the lords of the demons, and the danavas, together with the sages, spoke: O Brahma, while the great ocean was being churned by the hosts of gods and demons,

Verse 75 (skanda.8.114.75)

भुजङ्गभृङ्गसंकाशं नीलजीमूतसन्निभम् । प्रादुर्भूतं विषं घोरं संवर्त्ताग्निसमप्रभम्

bhujaṅgabhṛṅgasaṅkāśaṁ nīlajīmūtasannibham | prādurbhūtaṁ viṣaṁ ghoraṁ saṁvarttāgnisamaprabham

there arose a terrible poison, resembling a serpent, dark as a bee, like a blue-black raincloud, blazing like the fire of universal dissolution.

Verse 76 (skanda.8.114.76)

कालमृत्युरिवोद्भूतं युगान्ताग्निसमप्रभम् । त्रैलोक्योत्सादसूर्याभं विस्फुरत्तत् समन्ततः

kālamṛtyurivodbhūtaṁ yugāntāgnisamaprabham | trailokyotsādasūryābhaṁ visphurattat samantataḥ

It arose as if Death himself incarnate as Time, blazing with the fire of the world's end, like a sun bent on annihilating the three worlds, flashing on every side.

Verse 77 (skanda.8.114.77)

तेजसामिव संघातं सुमहत् समुपस्थितम् । विषण्णवदनाः सर्वे दृष्टोद्भूतं महाविषम्

tejasāmiva saṅghātaṁ sumahat samupasthitam | viṣaṇṇavadanāḥ sarve dṛṣṭodbhūtaṁ mahāviṣam

As if a vast mass of every fiery splendour had gathered together and appeared. Seeing that great poison arisen, all our faces fell in dismay.

Verse 78 (skanda.8.114.78)

विषेणोत्तिष्ठता तेन कालानलसमत्विषा । निर्दग्धो रक्तगौराङ्गः कृतः कृष्णो जनार्दनः

viṣeṇottiṣṭhatā tena kālānalasamatviṣā | nirdagdho raktagaurāṅgaḥ kṛtaḥ kṛṣṇo janārdanaḥ

By the rising radiance of that poison, blazing like the fire of doomsday, Janardana, whose form was ruddy-fair, was scorched and turned dark.

Verse 79 (skanda.8.114.79)

तं दृष्टवा रक्तगौराङ्गं कृतं कृष्णं जनार्दनम् । सर्वे भीता वयं ब्रह्मँस्त्वामेव शरणं गताः

taṁ dṛṣṭavā raktagaurāṅgaṁ kṛtaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ janārdanam | sarve bhītā vayaṁ brahmam̐stvāmeva śaraṇaṁ gatāḥ

Seeing Janardana, once ruddy-fair, thus turned dark, we all became afraid, O Brahma, and have come to you alone for refuge.

Verse 80 (skanda.8.114.80)

सुराणामसुराणाञ्च श्रुत्वा वाक्यं भयावहम् । प्रत्युवाच महातेजा ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः

surāṇāmasurāṇāñca śrutvā vākyaṁ bhayāvaham | pratyuvāca mahātejā brahmā lokapitāmahaḥ

Having heard this fearsome report from the gods and demons, the greatly radiant Brahma, grandsire of the worlds, replied.

Verse 81 (skanda.8.114.81)

शृण्वन्तु देवताः सर्वे ऋषयश्च तपोधनाः । यत्तदग्रे समुद्भूतं मथ्यमाने महोदधौ

śṛṇvantu devatāḥ sarve ṛṣayaśca tapodhanāḥ | yattadagre samudbhūtaṁ mathyamāne mahodadhau

Let all the gods and the sages rich in austerity listen: that which first arose when the great ocean was churned -

Verse 82 (skanda.8.114.82)

विषं कालानलप्रख्यं कालकूटमिति श्रुतम् । तस्य प्रोद्भूतमात्रस्य विराजन्ते न देवताः

viṣaṁ kālānalaprakhyaṁ kālakūṭamiti śrutam | tasya prodbhūtamātrasya virājante na devatāḥ

that poison, resembling the fire of doomsday, is known as Kalakuta. The very instant it arose, even the gods no longer shone with their former splendour.

Verse 83 (skanda.8.114.83)

तस्य विष्णुरहं वापि सर्वे वा सुरपुङ्गवाः । शक्नुवन्ति न वै सोढुं वेगमन्यत्र शङ्करात्

tasya viṣṇurahaṁ vāpi sarve vā surapuṅgavāḥ | śaknuvanti na vai soḍhuṁ vegamanyatra śaṅkarāt

Neither Vishnu, nor I, nor all the foremost gods together are able to withstand its violent onrush - none, except Shankara.

Verse 84 (skanda.8.114.84)

इत्युक्त्वा पद्मगर्भाभः पद्मयोनिरयोनिजः । मामेवं स्तोतुमारेभे ब्रह्मा वेदविदां वरः

ityuktvā padmagarbhābhaḥ padmayonirayonijaḥ | māmevaṁ stotumārebhe brahmā vedavidāṁ varaḥ

Having said this, Brahma - radiant as the lotus's own womb, born of the lotus, unborn of a mother's womb, foremost among knowers of the Veda - then began to praise me thus.

Verse 85 (skanda.8.114.85)

ब्रह्मोवाच । नमस्तुभ्यं विरूपाक्ष नमस्ते नैकचक्षुषे । नमःपिनाकहस्ताय वज्रहस्ताय वै नमः

brahmovāca | namastubhyaṁ virūpākṣa namaste naikacakṣuṣe | namaḥpinākahastāya vajrahastāya vai namaḥ

Brahma said: Salutation to you, O odd-eyed one; salutation to you of many eyes; salutation to the one who holds the Pinaka bow, salutation to the one who holds the thunderbolt.

Verse 86 (skanda.8.114.86)

नमस्त्रिशूलहस्ताय दण्डपाशासिपाणये । नमस्त्रैलोक्यनाथाय भूतानां पतये नमः

namastriśūlahastāya daṇḍapāśāsipāṇaye | namastrailokyanāthāya bhūtānāṁ pataye namaḥ

Salutation to the trident-bearer, to the one whose hands hold rod, noose, and sword; salutation to the lord of the three worlds, salutation to the master of all beings.

Verse 87 (skanda.8.114.87)

नमः सुरारिहन्त्रे च सोमसूर्याग्निचक्षुषे । ब्रह्मणे चैव रुद्राय विष्णवे चैव ते नमः

namaḥ surārihantre ca somasūryāgnicakṣuṣe | brahmaṇe caiva rudrāya viṣṇave caiva te namaḥ

Salutation to the destroyer of the enemies of the gods, to him whose eyes are the moon, sun, and fire; salutation to you as Brahma, as Rudra, and as Vishnu too.

Verse 88 (skanda.8.114.88)

सांख्याय चैव योगाय भूतग्रामाय वै नमः । मन्मथाङ्गविनाशाय कालकालाय वै नमः

sāṅkhyāya caiva yogāya bhūtagrāmāya vai namaḥ | manmathāṅgavināśāya kālakālāya vai namaḥ

Salutation to Sankhya, to Yoga, to the whole host of beings; salutation to the destroyer of Kama's limbs, salutation to Time's own Time.

Verse 89 (skanda.8.114.89)

रुद्राय वसुरेताय देवदेवाय रंहसे । उष्णीषिणे सुवक्त्राय सहस्राक्षाय मीढुषे

rudrāya vasuretāya devadevāya raṁhase | uṣṇīṣiṇe suvaktrāya sahasrākṣāya mīḍhuṣe

To Rudra, whose seed is the source of the Vasus, to the God of gods, to the swift-moving one; to him who wears the turban, of fair face, of a thousand eyes, the bestower of rain.

Verse 90 (skanda.8.114.90)

कपर्दिने करालाय शङ्कराय हराय च । विरूपाय सुरूपाय शिवाय वरदाय च

kapardine karālāya śaṅkarāya harāya ca | virūpāya surūpāya śivāya varadāya ca

To him of matted locks, to the terrible one, to Shankara, to Hara; to him of misshapen form, of fair form, to Shiva, and to the bestower of boons.

Verse 91 (skanda.8.114.91)

त्रिपुरघ्ने मखघ्नाय मातॄणां पतये नमः । बुद्धाय चैव शुद्धाय मुक्ताय केवलाय च

tripuraghne makhaghnāya mātṝṇāṁ pataye namaḥ | buddhāya caiva śuddhāya muktāya kevalāya ca

To the destroyer of Tripura, to the destroyer of the sacrifice, salutation to the lord of the Mother-goddesses; to the awakened one, the pure one, the liberated one, and to the absolute alone.

Verse 92 (skanda.8.114.92)

लोकत्रयविधात्रे च शक्राय वरदाय च । अग्रायाथ तथोग्राय विप्रायानन्तचक्षुषे

lokatrayavidhātre ca śakrāya varadāya ca | agrāyātha tathogrāya viprāyānantacakṣuṣe

To the ordainer of the three worlds, to the mighty bestower of boons; to the foremost one, and likewise to the fierce one, to the brahmin, to him of infinite eyes.

Verse 93 (skanda.8.114.93)

रजसे चैव सत्वाय तमसेव्यक्तयोनये । नित्याय चैवानित्याय नित्यानित्याय वै नमः

rajase caiva satvāya tamasevyaktayonaye | nityāya caivānityāya nityānityāya vai namaḥ

To rajas, to sattva, and to tamas, to him whose womb is the unmanifest; salutation to the eternal, to the transient, and to that which is both eternal and transient.

Verse 94 (skanda.8.114.94)

व्यक्ताय चैवाव्यक्ताय व्यक्ताव्यक्ताय वै नमः । चिन्त्याय चैवाचिन्त्याय चिन्त्याचिन्त्याय वै नमः

vyaktāya caivāvyaktāya vyaktāvyaktāya vai namaḥ | cintyāya caivācintyāya cintyācintyāya vai namaḥ

Salutation to the manifest, to the unmanifest, and to that which is both manifest and unmanifest; salutation to the conceivable, to the inconceivable, and to that which is both.

Verse 95 (skanda.8.114.95)

सूक्ष्माय चैवासूक्ष्माय सूक्ष्मासूक्ष्माय वै नमः । भक्तानामार्तिनाशाय प्रियनरायणाय च

sūkṣmāya caivāsūkṣmāya sūkṣmāsūkṣmāya vai namaḥ | bhaktānāmārtināśāya priyanārāyaṇāya ca

Salutation to the subtle, to the gross, and to that which is both subtle and gross; to him who destroys the anguish of his devotees, and to him who is dear to Narayana.

Verse 96 (skanda.8.114.96)

उमाप्रियाय शर्वाय नन्दिवक्त्राङ्कनाय च । पक्षमासार्धमासाय ऋतुसंवत्सराय च

umāpriyāya śarvāya nandivaktrāṅkanāya ca | pakṣamāsārdhamāsāya ṛtusaṁvatsarāya ca

To the beloved of Uma, to Sharva, and to him whose emblem marks Nandin's face; to the fortnight, the month, the half-month, and to the season and the year.

Verse 97 (skanda.8.114.97)

बहुरूपाय मुण्डाय दण्डिनेथ वरूथिने । रथिने धन्विने नित्यं जटिने ब्रह्मचारिणे

bahurūpāya muṇḍāya daṇḍinetha varūthine | rathine dhanvine nityaṁ jaṭine brahmacāriṇe

To the many-formed one, the shaven-headed one, the staff-bearer, and the armour-clad one; to the charioteer, the bowman, the ever matted-haired one, and the celibate student.

Verse 98 (skanda.8.114.98)

ऋग्यजुःसामरूपाय पुरुषायेश्वराय च । नमस्ते भगवन्विरूपाक्ष नमस्ते भगवञ्छिव

ṛgyajuḥsāmarūpāya puruṣāyeśvarāya ca | namaste bhagavanvirūpākṣa namaste bhagavañchiva

To him whose form is the Rig, Yajur, and Sama, to the Cosmic Person, and to the Lord; salutation to you, O blessed Virupaksha, salutation to you, O blessed Shiva.

Verse 99 (skanda.8.114.99)

नमस्ते देवदेवेश नमस्ते भूतभावन । इत्येवमादिचरितैः स्तुतं स्तुत्यं नमोस्तुते

namaste devadeveśa namaste bhūtabhāvana | ityevamādicaritaiḥ stutaṁ stutyaṁ namostute

Salutation to you, O lord of the gods of gods; salutation to you, O source of all beings. Thus with these and other such deeds have I praised you - salutation to you, worthy of praise.

Verse 100 (skanda.8.114.100)

प्रणम्य मूर्ध्ना प्रणतोस्मि रुद्रं जगद्गुरुं देववरं त्रिनेत्रम् । सूक्ष्मोसि योगातिशयाधिगम्यं तेजोनिधे व्यक्तमुपैमि रुद्रम्

praṇamya mūrdhnā praṇatosmi rudraṁ jagadguruṁ devavaraṁ trinetram | sūkṣmosi yogātiśayādhigamyaṁ tejonidhe vyaktamupaimi rudram

Bowing my head, I do homage to Rudra, the world's guru, the best of gods, the three-eyed one. O treasury of splendour, subtle you are, attainable only through the utmost yoga - yet I approach you, Rudra, in your manifest form.

Verse 101 (skanda.8.114.101)

ज्ञात्वा तु भक्तिं मम देवदेव प्रसीद गङ्गाम्बुनिषिक्तकेश । त्वां सौरभेयाम्बुदचित्रयानं शिवं प्रयत्नात् शरणं गतोस्मि

jñātvā tu bhaktiṁ mama devadeva prasīda gaṅgāmbuniṣiktakeśa | tvāṁ saurabheyāmbudacitrayānaṁ śivaṁ prayatnāt śaraṇaṁ gatosmi

Knowing my devotion, O God of gods, be gracious, O you whose hair is drenched by the waters of the Ganga. I have earnestly come for refuge to you, O Shiva, whose wondrous mount is the bull, dark as a raincloud.

Verse 102 (skanda.8.114.102)

एवं तेन तदा पूर्वं ब्रह्मणा लोककर्तृणा । स्तुतोहं विविधैः स्तोत्रैर्वेदवेदाङ्गसंभवैः

evaṁ tena tadā pūrvaṁ brahmaṇā lokakartṛṇā | stutohaṁ vividhaiḥ stotrairvedavedāṅgasaṁbhavaiḥ

Thus of old I was praised by that Brahma, maker of the worlds, with manifold hymns arising from the Vedas and Vedangas.

Verse 103 (skanda.8.114.103)

ततः प्रीतो ह्यहं तस्य ब्रह्मणोथ महात्मनः । नतस्तं मुख्यया वृत्त्या पितामहमथाब्रुवम्

tataḥ prīto hyahaṁ tasya brahmaṇotha mahātmanaḥ | natastaṁ mukhyayā vṛttyā pitāmahamathābruvam

Then, pleased with that great-souled Brahma, bowing to him in the proper manner, I then spoke to that Grandsire -

Verse 104 (skanda.8.114.104)

भगवन् भूतभव्येश भूताधिप महातपः । किं कार्यं ते मया ब्रह्मन् कर्तव्यं वद सुव्रत । श्रुत्वा वाक्यं ततो ब्रह्मा प्रत्युवाचाम्बुजेक्षणे

bhagavan bhūtabhavyeśa bhūtādhipa mahātapaḥ | kiṁ kāryaṁ te mayā brahman kartavyaṁ vada suvrata | śrutvā vākyaṁ tato brahmā pratyuvācāmbujekṣaṇe

'O Lord, master of past and future, ruler of all beings, of great austerity! O Brahma, what task must I perform for you? Tell me, O one of good vows.' Having heard these words, O lotus-eyed one, Brahma then replied.

Verse 105 (skanda.8.114.105)

ब्रह्मोवाच । भूतभव्यभवन्नाथ श्रूयतां कारणेश्वर । सुरासुरगणैर्देव मथ्यमाने महोदधौ

brahmovāca | bhūtabhavyabhavannātha śrūyatāṁ kāraṇeśvara | surāsuragaṇairdeva mathyamāne mahodadhau

Brahma said: O lord of the past, present, and future, O master of causes, hear me. O God, while the great ocean was being churned by the hosts of gods and demons,

Verse 106 (skanda.8.114.106)

मयूरभृङ्गसकाशं नीलजीमूतसन्निभम् । प्रादुर्भूतं विषं घोरं संवर्त्ताग्निसमप्रभम्

mayūrabhṛṅgasakāśaṁ nīlajīmūtasannibham | prādurbhūtaṁ viṣaṁ ghoraṁ saṁvarttāgnisamaprabham

there arose a terrible poison, resembling a peacock and a bee, like a dark-blue raincloud, blazing like the fire of universal dissolution.

Verse 107 (skanda.8.114.107)

कालमृत्युरिवोद्भूतं युगान्तादित्यवर्च्चसम् । त्रैलोक्योत्सादसूर्याभं विस्फुरत् तत् समन्ततः

kālamṛtyurivodbhūtaṁ yugāntādityavarccasam | trailokyotsādasūryābhaṁ visphurat tat samantataḥ

It arose as if Death himself incarnate as Time, with the splendour of the sun at an age's end, like a sun bent on the ruin of the three worlds, flashing on every side.

Verse 108 (skanda.8.114.108)

विषेणोत्तिष्ठता तेन कालानलसमत्विषा । निर्दग्धो रक्तगौराङ्गः कृतः कृष्णो जनार्दनः

viṣeṇottiṣṭhatā tena kālānalasamatviṣā | nirdagdho raktagaurāṅgaḥ kṛtaḥ kṛṣṇo janārdanaḥ

By the rising glare of that poison, radiant as the fire of doomsday, Janardana, once ruddy-fair, was scorched and made dark.

Verse 109 (skanda.8.114.109)

तं दृष्टवा रक्तगौराङ्गं कृतं कृष्णं जनार्दनम् । ततः सर्वे वयं भीतास्त्वामेव शरणं गताः

taṁ dṛṣṭavā raktagaurāṅgaṁ kṛtaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ janārdanam | tataḥ sarve vayaṁ bhītāstvāmeva śaraṇaṁ gatāḥ

Seeing that ruddy-fair Janardana thus turned dark, all of us, in fear, have come to you alone for refuge.

Verse 110 (skanda.8.114.110)

तत् पिबस्व महादेव लोकानां हितकाम्यया । भवानग्रस्य भोक्ता वै भवान्देववरः प्रभुः

tat pibasva mahādeva lokānāṁ hitakāmyayā | bhavānagrasya bhoktā vai bhavāndevavaraḥ prabhuḥ

O Mahadeva, drink that, for the sake of the welfare of the worlds. You alone are the enjoyer of the first portion of all things; you alone are the foremost lord among the gods.

Verse 111 (skanda.8.114.111)

भवांस्तस्य महावेगं समर्थः सन्नियच्छितुम् । नान्यः कश्चित् पुमाञ्छक्तो जगत्यस्मिँश्चराचरे

bhavāṁstasya mahāvegaṁ samarthaḥ sanniyacchitum | nānyaḥ kaścit pumāñchakto jagatyasmim̐ścarācare

You alone are capable of restraining its mighty force; no other being, in this whole world of the moving and unmoving, is able to do so.

Verse 112 (skanda.8.114.112)

पातुमेको महादेव समर्थस्त्वं महाद्युते । तस्यैवोग्रप्रभावस्य कालानलसमत्विषः

pātumeko mahādeva samarthastvaṁ mahādyute | tasyaivograprabhāvasya kālānalasamatviṣaḥ

You alone, O Mahadeva of great splendour, are capable of drinking that poison of terrible power, radiant as the fire of doomsday.

Verse 113 (skanda.8.114.113)

वेगं सोढुं महादेव समर्थोन्यो न विद्यते । तस्यैवं ब्रुवतो देवि ब्रह्मणः परमेष्ठिनः

vegaṁ soḍhuṁ mahādeva samarthonyo na vidyate | tasyaivaṁ bruvato devi brahmaṇaḥ parameṣṭhinaḥ

O Mahadeva, there exists no other capable of enduring its violent force. O Goddess, while that supreme Brahma was thus speaking -

Verse 114 (skanda.8.114.114)

बाढमित्येव तद्वाक्यं प्रतिगृह्य वरानने । तदहं पातुमारब्धो विषमन्तकसन्निभम्

bāḍhamityeva tadvākyaṁ pratigṛhya varānane | tadahaṁ pātumārabdho viṣamantakasannibham

O fair-faced one, accepting that request with 'So be it,' I then began to drink that poison, terrible as Death himself.

Verse 115 (skanda.8.114.115)

लोकत्रयहितार्थाय सुरदैत्येन्द्रसन्निधौ । पिबतो मे महाघोरं विषं सुरगणार्चिते । कण्ठे समभवत् क्षिप्रं कृष्णं कृष्णाम्बुजेक्षणे

lokatrayahitārthāya suradaityendrasannidhau | pibato me mahāghoraṁ viṣaṁ suragaṇārcite | kaṇṭhe samabhavat kṣipraṁ kṛṣṇaṁ kṛṣṇāmbujekṣaṇe

For the good of the three worlds, in the presence of the gods and the lords of the demons, O you worshipped by the hosts of gods, as I drank that most terrible poison, swiftly it turned dark upon my throat, O you of dark-lotus eyes.

Verse 116 (skanda.8.114.116)

तद् दृष्ट्वोत्पलपत्राभं कण्ठे सक्तं महाविषम् । तक्षकं नागराजानं लेलिहानमिवोरगम्

tad dṛṣṭvotpalapatrābhaṁ kaṇṭhe saktaṁ mahāviṣam | takṣakaṁ nāgarājānaṁ lelihānamivoragam

Seeing that great poison, dark as a blue lotus petal, clinging to my throat, it appeared as though the serpent-king Takshaka himself lay coiled there, flickering his tongue.

Verse 117 (skanda.8.114.117)

अथोवाच महातेजा ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः । शोभसे त्वं महादेव कण्ठेनानेन सुव्रत

athovāca mahātejā brahmā lokapitāmahaḥ | śobhase tvaṁ mahādeva kaṇṭhenānena suvrata

Then the greatly radiant Brahma, grandsire of the worlds, said: You shine all the more, O Mahadeva, O one of good vows, adorned by this very throat.

Verse 118 (skanda.8.114.118)

इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा मया गिरिवरात्मजे । पश्यतां सुरसंघानां दैत्यानाञ्च वरानने

iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā mayā girivarātmaje | paśyatāṁ surasaṅghānāṁ daityānāñca varānane

Hearing these words of his, O daughter of the mountain-king, O fair-faced one, before the very eyes of the hosts of gods and demons -

Verse 119 (skanda.8.114.119)

यक्षगन्धर्वसिद्धानां पिशाचोरगरक्षसाम् । धृतं कण्ठे विषं घोरं ततः श्रीकण्ठता मम

yakṣagandharvasiddhānāṁ piśācoragarakṣasām | dhṛtaṁ kaṇṭhe viṣaṁ ghoraṁ tataḥ śrīkaṇṭhatā mama

before the yakshas, gandharvas, siddhas, pishachas, serpents, and rakshasas, that terrible poison was held fast in my throat - and thence came my epithet Shrikantha, 'the fair-throated one.'

Verse 120 (skanda.8.114.120)

तत्कालकूटं विषमुग्रतेजः कण्ठे धृतं पर्वतराजकन्ये । पश्यन् समस्तः सुरदैत्यसंघो हृष्टः परं विस्मयमाजगाम

tatkālakūṭaṁ viṣamugratejaḥ kaṇṭhe dhṛtaṁ parvatarājakanye | paśyan samastaḥ suradaityasaṅgho hṛṣṭaḥ paraṁ vismayamājagāma

O daughter of the mountain-king, seeing that fiercely radiant Kalakuta poison held fast in my throat, the whole assembly of gods and demons, filled with joy, was overcome with the greatest wonder.

Verse 121 (skanda.8.114.121)

ततः सुरगणाः सर्वे सयक्षोरगराक्षसाः । ऊचुः प्राञ्जलयो देवि मत्तमातङ्गगामिनि

tataḥ suragaṇāḥ sarve sayakṣoragarākṣasāḥ | ūcuḥ prāñjalayo devi mattamātaṅgagāmini

Then all the hosts of gods, together with the yakshas, serpents, and rakshasas, spoke with folded hands: O Goddess, O you whose gait is like a rutting elephant's -

Verse 122 (skanda.8.114.122)

अहो बलं वीर्यपराक्रमस्ते अहो वपुर्योगबलं तवेदम् । अहो विभूतिस्तव देवदेव गङ्गाजलप्लावितचन्द्रमौले

aho balaṁ vīryaparākramaste aho vapuryogabalaṁ tavedam | aho vibhūtistava devadeva gaṅgājalaplāvitacandramaule

Ah, your strength, your prowess and might! Ah, this body of yours, this power of yoga! Ah, O God of gods, this majesty of yours - you whose moon-crowned head is drenched in the waters of the Ganga!

Verse 123 (skanda.8.114.123)

त्वमेव विष्णुश्चतुराननस्त्वं त्वमेव सूर्यो रजनीकरस्त्वम् । त्वमेव कालो नियतिस्त्वमेव त्वमेव मृत्युर्धनदस्त्वमेव

tvameva viṣṇuścaturānanastvaṁ tvameva sūryo rajanīkarastvam | tvameva kālo niyatistvameva tvameva mṛtyurdhanadastvameva

You alone are Vishnu, you the four-faced Brahma; you alone are the sun, you the moon. You alone are Time, you alone Destiny; you alone are Death, you alone the Lord of Wealth.

Verse 124 (skanda.8.114.124)

त्वमेव सूक्ष्मः पुरुषोव्ययस्त्वं त्वमेव सूक्ष्माच्च परं च सूक्ष्मम् । व्यक्तं त्वमेव प्रकृतिस्त्वमेव त्वमेव सत्वं च भवोद्भवं च

tvameva sūkṣmaḥ puruṣovyayastvaṁ tvameva sūkṣmācca paraṁ ca sūkṣmam | vyaktaṁ tvameva prakṛtistvameva tvameva satvaṁ ca bhavodbhavaṁ ca

You alone are the subtle Person, you the imperishable; you alone are subtler than the subtlest. You alone are the manifest, you alone Prakriti; you alone are Sattva, and the very origin of creation.

Verse 125 (skanda.8.114.125)

त्वमेव भूमिः सलिलं त्वमेव त्वमेव वह्निः पवनस्त्वमेव । त्वमेव खं भूतभविष्यभव्यं त्वमेव भूतं भवभव्ययुक्तम्

tvameva bhūmiḥ salilaṁ tvameva tvameva vahniḥ pavanastvameva | tvameva khaṁ bhūtabhaviṣyabhavyaṁ tvameva bhūtaṁ bhavabhavyayuktam

You alone are the earth, you alone the water; you alone the fire, you alone the wind. You alone are space, the past and the future; you alone are all that has been, joined with the present and what is yet to come.

Verse 126 (skanda.8.114.126)

त्वमेव यज्ञो नियमस्त्वमेव त्वमेव सर्वं प्रकरोषि धर्मम् । त्वमेव सर्वस्य चराचरस्य पृथग् विभक्ता प्रलये च गोप्ता

tvameva yajño niyamastvameva tvameva sarvaṁ prakaroṣi dharmam | tvameva sarvasya carācarasya pṛthag vibhaktā pralaye ca goptā

You alone are the sacrifice, you alone the discipline; you alone bring to pass all dharma. You alone are the one who distinguishes and separates all this moving and unmoving world, and its protector at the time of dissolution.

Verse 127 (skanda.8.114.127)

इत्येवमुक्त्वा वचनं सुरेन्द्राः प्रणम्य मां सिद्धगणाश्च हृष्टाः । व्यपेतशोकाः प्रविभक्तसोमा गता विमनैरनिलोग्रवेगाः

ityevamuktvā vacanaṁ surendrāḥ praṇamya māṁ siddhagaṇāśca hṛṣṭāḥ | vyapetaśokāḥ pravibhaktasomā gatā vimanairanilogravegāḥ

Having spoken these words thus, the joyful lords of the gods and the siddha hosts bowed to me and, freed of their sorrow, having duly divided the Soma among themselves, departed in their chariots, swift as the fierce rushing wind.

Verse 128 (skanda.8.114.128)

इत्येतत् परमं गुह्यं पुण्यात्पुण्यतरं महत् । स्वयं स्वयंभुवा प्रोक्तं स्तोत्रं पापप्रणाशनम्

ityetat paramaṁ guhyaṁ puṇyātpuṇyataraṁ mahat | svayaṁ svayaṁbhuvā proktaṁ stotraṁ pāpapraṇāśanam

Thus is this supremely secret, great hymn, more meritorious than merit itself, destroyer of sin, spoken by the Self-born One himself.

Verse 129 (skanda.8.114.129)

यस्तु धारयते नित्यं मत्परो नियमे स्थितः । ब्रह्मोद्गीतं शिवं ह्येतत् सर्वरोगनिबर्हणम्

yastu dhārayate nityaṁ matparo niyame sthitaḥ | brahmodgītaṁ śivaṁ hyetat sarvaroganibarhaṇam

Whoever, devoted to me, keeps to the vow and holds this hymn ever in mind - this auspicious hymn sung forth by Brahma - it destroys every disease.

Verse 130 (skanda.8.114.130)

गतिं तस्य प्रवक्ष्यामि परत्रेह च देहिनः । विषं तस्य वरारोहे स्थावरं जंगमं तथा

gatiṁ tasya pravakṣyāmi paratreha ca dehinaḥ | viṣaṁ tasya varārohe sthāvaraṁ jaṅgamaṁ tathā

O fair-hipped one, I shall now tell the destiny of that embodied soul, both here and in the world beyond. Whatever poison afflicts him - whether from a plant or a creature -

Verse 131 (skanda.8.114.131)

संप्राप्य गात्रं सुश्रोणि क्षिप्रं सप्रतिहन्यते । शममेत्य शुभं घोरं दुःस्वप्नं चापकर्षति

saṁprāpya gātraṁ suśroṇi kṣipraṁ sapratihanyate | śamametya śubhaṁ ghoraṁ duḥsvapnaṁ cāpakarṣati

- O shapely-hipped one, upon reaching his body is swiftly repelled and rendered harmless. This auspicious hymn also drives away terrible nightmares.

Verse 132 (skanda.8.114.132)

स्त्रीषु वल्लभतां याति सभायां पार्थिवस्य च । विवादे जयमाप्नोति युद्धे चैव न संशयः

strīṣu vallabhatāṁ yāti sabhāyāṁ pārthivasya ca | vivāde jayamāpnoti yuddhe caiva na saṁśayaḥ

He becomes beloved among women, and also in a king's assembly. He attains victory in debate, and in battle too - without doubt.

Verse 133 (skanda.8.114.133)

गच्छतोध्वनि च क्षेमं सत्वं चैवोपजायते । शरीरभेदे वक्ष्यामि गतिं तस्य वरानने

gacchatodhvani ca kṣemaṁ satvaṁ caivopajāyate | śarīrabhede vakṣyāmi gatiṁ tasya varānane

While travelling on the road, safety comes to him, and inner strength arises within him. O fair-faced one, I shall now tell his destiny after the shedding of the body.

Verse 134 (skanda.8.114.134)

हरिश्मश्रुर्नीलकण्ठः शशाङ्काङ्कितमूर्धजः । त्र्यक्षोभेद्यस्त्रिशूली च वृषकेतुर्महाबलः

hariśmaśrurnīlakaṇṭhaḥ śaśāṅkāṅkitamūrdhajaḥ | tryakṣobhedyastriśūlī ca vṛṣaketurmahābalaḥ

With tawny beard, blue-throated, his hair marked by the crescent moon, three-eyed, invulnerable, trident-bearing, bull-bannered, mighty of strength -

Verse 135 (skanda.8.114.135)

नन्दितुल्यवपुश्चैव नन्दितुल्यपराक्रमः । विचरत्यखिलं सिद्धः सप्तलोकं ममाज्ञया

nanditulyavapuścaiva nanditulyaparākramaḥ | vicaratyakhilaṁ siddhaḥ saptalokaṁ mamājñayā

- his body like Nandin's, his prowess like Nandin's, that perfected being wanders through all the seven worlds entire, by my command.

Verse 136 (skanda.8.114.136)

न हन्यते गतिस्तस्य वायोरिव नभस्तले । मम पार्श्वचरो भूत्वा तिष्ठत्याभूतसंप्लवम्

na hanyate gatistasya vāyoriva nabhastale | mama pārśvacaro bhūtvā tiṣṭhatyābhūtasaṁplavam

His movement, like the wind's across the sky, is never obstructed. Becoming my own attendant, he abides thus until the dissolution of all beings.

Verse 137 (skanda.8.114.137)

येपि चैतद्वरारोहे सदा शृण्वन्ति मानवाः । तेषां चैव प्रवक्ष्यामि फलं फलसहस्रदे

yepi caitadvarārohe sadā śṛṇvanti mānavāḥ | teṣāṁ caiva pravakṣyāmi phalaṁ phalasahasrade

And, O fair-hipped one, those humans too who ever listen to this hymn - their fruit also shall I now declare, O you who bestow a thousand blessings.

Verse 138 (skanda.8.114.138)

ब्राह्मणो वेदमाप्नोति क्षत्रियो विन्दते महीम् । वैश्यस्तु लभते लाभं शूद्रः प्राप्नोति सद्गतिम्

brāhmaṇo vedamāpnoti kṣatriyo vindate mahīm | vaiśyastu labhate lābhaṁ śūdraḥ prāpnoti sadgatim

A brahmin obtains the Veda, a kshatriya obtains dominion over the earth, a vaishya obtains profit, a shudra obtains a blessed destiny.

Verse 139 (skanda.8.114.139)

व्याधितो मुच्यते रोगाद् बद्धो मुच्येत बन्धनात् । गुर्विणी जनयेत् पुत्रं कन्या विन्दति सत्पतिम्

vyādhito mucyate rogād baddho mucyeta bandhanāt | gurviṇī janayet putraṁ kanyā vindati satpatim

The sick is freed from illness, the bound is freed from bondage. The pregnant woman brings forth a son, the maiden finds a worthy husband.

Verse 140 (skanda.8.114.140)

नष्टञ्च लभते द्रव्यमिह लोके परत्र च । गवां शतसहस्रस्य सम्यग् दत्तस्य यत्फलम्

naṣṭañca labhate dravyamiha loke paratra ca | gavāṁ śatasahasrasya samyag dattasya yatphalam

He recovers lost property, in this world and the next. The very fruit that comes from the proper gift of a hundred thousand cows -

Verse 141 (skanda.8.114.141)

तत्फलं समवाप्नोति श्रुत्वा मर्त्यः कथामिमाम् । अक्षरं वाथ पादं वा श्लोकं श्लोकार्धमेव वा

tatphalaṁ samavāpnoti śrutvā martyaḥ kathāmimām | akṣaraṁ vātha pādaṁ vā ślokaṁ ślokārdhameva vā

that very fruit a mortal obtains by hearing this tale - whether he hears but a single syllable, a quarter-verse, a whole verse, or even half a verse.

Verse 142 (skanda.8.114.142)

अथवा सर्वमध्यायं देवब्राह्मणसंसदि । यः पठेन्मानवो नित्यं मद्गतेनान्तरात्मना

athavā sarvamadhyāyaṁ devabrāhmaṇasaṁsadi | yaḥ paṭhenmānavo nityaṁ madgatenāntarātmanā

Or the man who daily recites this entire chapter in an assembly of gods and brahmins, with his inner soul fixed upon me,

Verse 143 (skanda.8.114.143)

श्रद्दधानः सदोद्युक्तो रुद्रलोके महीयते । पठस्व देवि भद्रन्ते पाठयस्व च बान्धवान्

śraddadhānaḥ sadodyukto rudraloke mahīyate | paṭhasva devi bhadrante pāṭhayasva ca bāndhavān

Full of faith and ever diligent, he is exalted in the world of Rudra. Recite it yourself, O Goddess - blessings upon you - and have your kinsfolk recite it too.

Verse 144 (skanda.8.114.144)

अतः परतरं स्तोत्रं न भूतं न भविष्यति । नापि यक्षाः पिशाचा वा न भूता न विनायकाः

ataḥ parataraṁ stotraṁ na bhūtaṁ na bhaviṣyati | nāpi yakṣāḥ piśācā vā na bhūtā na vināyakāḥ

No hymn greater than this has ever existed, nor shall exist. Neither yakshas, nor pishachas, nor bhutas, nor vinayakas -

Verse 145 (skanda.8.114.145)

कुर्युर्विघ्नं गृहे तत्र यत्रायं तिष्ठते स्तवः । यथाविमुक्तं क्षेत्रेषु क्षेत्रं श्रेष्ठं प्रकल्पितम्

kuryurvighnaṁ gṛhe tatra yatrāyaṁ tiṣṭhate stavaḥ | yathāvimuktaṁ kṣetreṣu kṣetraṁ śreṣṭhaṁ prakalpitam

can create any obstacle in that house where this hymn abides. Just as, among sacred fields, the field of Avimukta (Kashi) is held to be the most excellent,

Verse 146 (skanda.8.114.146)

तथा स्तवो वरिष्ठोयं स्तवानां ब्रह्मनिर्मितः । यश्चैनं श्रावयेच्छ्राद्धे ब्राह्मणान् पादमन्ततः

tathā stavo variṣṭhoyaṁ stavānāṁ brahmanirmitaḥ | yaścainaṁ śrāvayecchrāddhe brāhmaṇān pādamantataḥ

so is this hymn, fashioned by Brahma, the most excellent of all hymns. Whoever, at a shraddha rite, causes brahmins to hear even a mere quarter-verse of it,

Verse 147 (skanda.8.114.147)

अक्षय्यमन्नपानं वै पितॄँस्तस्योपतिष्ठति । मनसा चिन्तितं यच्च यच्च वाचाप्युदाहृतम्

akṣayyamannapānaṁ vai pitṝm̐stasyopatiṣṭhati | manasā cintitaṁ yacca yacca vācāpyudāhṛtam

his ancestors receive imperishable food and drink. And whatever is thought in the mind, and whatever is uttered by speech -

Verse 148 (skanda.8.114.148)

सर्वं संपद्यते तस्य स्तवस्यास्यानुकीर्तनात् । श्रुत्वैतत् परमं गुह्यं येपि स्युः पापयोनयः

sarvaṁ saṁpadyate tasya stavasyāsyānukīrtanāt | śrutvaitat paramaṁ guhyaṁ yepi syuḥ pāpayonayaḥ

all of it is accomplished through the recitation of this hymn. Having heard this most secret hymn, even those born of a sinful womb -

Verse 149 (skanda.8.114.149)

स्त्रियः शूद्राश्च तेपीह रुद्रलोकं व्रजन्त्युत । यदा मानुष्यतामेति कदाचित् कालपर्ययात्

striyaḥ śūdrāśca tepīha rudralokaṁ vrajantyuta | yadā mānuṣyatāmeti kadācit kālaparyayāt

women and shudras too go from this world to the world of Rudra. And should they, through the passage of time, ever again attain human birth,

Verse 150 (skanda.8.114.150)

वेदवेदाङ्गतत्त्वज्ञो विमले जायते कुले । देवभक्तश्च भवति धर्मञ्च कुरुते तदा

vedavedāṅgatattvajño vimale jāyate kule | devabhaktaśca bhavati dharmañca kurute tadā

they are then born in a spotless family, knowers of the truth of the Vedas and Vedangas; they become devoted to the gods and practise righteousness.

Verse 151 (skanda.8.114.151)

इतिहासमिदं पुण्यं सर्वकिल्विषनाशनम् । ऊक्तं मयात्र तुष्टेन स्वयमेवाम्बुजेक्षणे

itihāsamidaṁ puṇyaṁ sarvakilviṣanāśanam | ūktaṁ mayātra tuṣṭena svayamevāmbujekṣaṇe

O lotus-eyed one, this meritorious history, destructive of every sin, has here been told by me myself, gladly, of my own accord.