The Tale of Yatudhani

Verse 1 (skanda.8.119.1)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततस्ते दैवतास्सर्वे कृमिलां नाम वै पुरीम् । उपागता ह्यवैक्षन्त तत्र चेदं महामुने

sanatkumāra uvāca | tataste daivatāssarve kṛmilāṁ nāma vai purīm | upāgatā hyavaikṣanta tatra cedaṁ mahāmune

Sanatkumara said: Then all those gods arrived at the city named Krimila, and there, O great sage, they beheld this -

Verse 2 (skanda.8.119.2)

ब्राह्मणी गौतमी नाम रुद्राणीव यथापरा । धार्मिकी च वदान्या च तपसा दग्धकिल्विषा

brāhmaṇī gautamī nāma rudrāṇīva yathāparā | dhārmikī ca vadānyā ca tapasā dagdhakilviṣā

there was a brahmin woman named Gautami, as though a second Rudrani, righteous and generous, her sins burned away by austerity.

Verse 3 (skanda.8.119.3)

तस्यास्तपसि सक्ताया ब्रह्मलोकं गते पतौ । कृष्णसर्पेण महता सुतो दष्टो ममार ह

tasyāstapasi saktāyā brahmalokaṁ gate patau | kṛṣṇasarpeṇa mahatā suto daṣṭo mamāra ha

While she was absorbed in her austerities, her husband having already gone to the world of Brahma, her son, bitten by a great black serpent, died.

Verse 4 (skanda.8.119.4)

तं देशमागमत्तत्र व्याधोर्जुनक इत्युत । स आगतस्तदापश्यद्विषेण समभिप्लुतम्

taṁ deśamāgamattatra vyādhorjunaka ityuta | sa āgatastadāpaśyadviṣeṇa samabhiplutam

At that very place there then arrived a hunter named Arjunaka. Arriving, he saw the boy utterly overcome by the poison.

Verse 5 (skanda.8.119.5)

स गत्वा गौतमीं प्राह सुतोयं ते तपोधने । दष्टोहिना ममाराशु किन्नैनमवबुध्यसे

sa gatvā gautamīṁ prāha sutoyaṁ te tapodhane | daṣṭohinā mamārāśu kinnainamavabudhyase

He went to Gautami and said: O rich in austerity, this is your son - bitten by a serpent, he has died suddenly. Why do you not perceive it?

Verse 6 (skanda.8.119.6)

सा तथोक्ता समागम्य पुत्रं दृष्ट्वा गतायुषम् । रुरोद बहुधा व्यास मृतापत्या महाव्रता

sā tathoktā samāgamya putraṁ dṛṣṭvā gatāyuṣam | ruroda bahudhā vyāsa mṛtāpatyā mahāvratā

Thus told, she came there, and seeing her son bereft of life, O Vyasa, that woman of great vows, now bereaved of her child, wept aloud in many ways.

Verse 7 (skanda.8.119.7)

तस्या विलपमानाया व्याधः सोर्जुनकस्तदा । बिलं खनित्वा निष्कृष्य तमहिं समबन्धत

tasyā vilapamānāyā vyādhaḥ sorjunakastadā | bilaṁ khanitvā niṣkṛṣya tamahiṁ samabandhata

While she thus wailed, that hunter Arjunaka dug open the serpent's burrow, dragged it out, and bound it fast.

Verse 8 (skanda.8.119.8)

स बद्धस्तेन दुष्टात्मा कृष्णसर्पः सुदुःखितः । उवाच तं तदा व्याधं योसावर्जुनकः स्मृतः

sa baddhastena duṣṭātmā kṛṣṇasarpaḥ suduḥkhitaḥ | uvāca taṁ tadā vyādhaṁ yosāvarjunakaḥ smṛtaḥ

Bound thus, that evil-hearted black serpent, in great distress, said to that hunter Arjunaka -

Verse 9 (skanda.8.119.9)

किं मया तव बद्धेन नाधर्मं परिपश्यसि । न चैव भक्ष्या मर्त्यानां वयं किं मां न मुञ्चसि

kiṁ mayā tava baddhena nādharmaṁ paripaśyasi | na caiva bhakṣyā martyānāṁ vayaṁ kiṁ māṁ na muñcasi

What have you gained by binding me? Do you not see the injustice in this? We serpents are not even fit food for mortals. Why do you not release me?

Verse 10 (skanda.8.119.10)

अर्जुन उवाच । त्वामाद्य खण्डशः कृत्वा भक्षं दास्यामि वहिर्णे । त्वयायं भक्षितो यस्मादृषिपुत्रो ममार ह

arjuna uvāca | tvāmādya khaṇḍaśaḥ kṛtvā bhakṣaṁ dāsyāmi vahirṇe | tvayāyaṁ bhakṣito yasmādṛṣiputro mamāra ha

Arjuna said: Today I shall cut you to pieces and offer you as food to the fire, for it is you who have consumed this sage's son - that is, brought about his death.

Verse 11 (skanda.8.119.11)

सर्प उवाच । कालेन चोदितोहं तं दष्टवानृषिपुत्रकम् । न मां दोषेणार्जुनक क्षेप्तुमर्हसि तत्त्वतः

sarpa uvāca | kālena coditohaṁ taṁ daṣṭavānṛṣiputrakam | na māṁ doṣeṇārjunaka kṣeptumarhasi tattvataḥ

The serpent said: It was Time (Kala) that impelled me to bite that sage's son. O Arjunaka, in truth you ought not to lay this fault upon me.

Verse 12 (skanda.8.119.12)

अर्जुन उवाच । चोदितो यदि कालेन दष्टवानसि पन्नग । निमित्तं त्वं हि मरणे तस्माद्धंस्यामि ते भृशम्

arjuna uvāca | codito yadi kālena daṣṭavānasi pannaga | nimittaṁ tvaṁ hi maraṇe tasmāddhaṁsyāmi te bhṛśam

Arjuna said: O serpent, even if you bit him impelled by Time, you are still the direct agent of his death. Therefore I shall surely slay you.

Verse 13 (skanda.8.119.13)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततस्सा गौतमी व्यास कालं मृत्युमथाकरोत् । दुःखेन परमेणार्ता कालो भीतस्ततोभ्यगात्

sanatkumāra uvāca | tatassā gautamī vyāsa kālaṁ mṛtyumathākarot | duḥkhena parameṇārtā kālo bhītastatobhyagāt

Sanatkumara said: O Vyasa, then that Gautami, afflicted with supreme sorrow, invoked Time and Death themselves; and Time, in fear, then came there.

Verse 14 (skanda.8.119.14)

काल उवाच । अहं हि सर्वसत्वानां कालो नास्त्यत्र संशयः । चोदितो मृत्युनैवाहं हतवानृषिपुत्रकम्

kāla uvāca | ahaṁ hi sarvasatvānāṁ kālo nāstyatra saṁśayaḥ | codito mṛtyunaivāhaṁ hatavānṛṣiputrakam

Kala said: I am indeed the Time of all beings, without doubt. But it was Death (Mrityu) alone who impelled me, and I who slew the sage's son.

Verse 15 (skanda.8.119.15)

अर्जुन उवाच । त्वया वा मृत्युना वायं चोदितो दष्टवान्यदि । वधे निमित्तमेषोस्य तस्मादेनं निहन्म्यहम्

arjuna uvāca | tvayā vā mṛtyunā vāyaṁ codito daṣṭavānyadi | vadhe nimittameṣosya tasmādenaṁ nihanmyaham

Arjuna said: Whether impelled by you or by Death, this serpent did the biting - either way, it is this very serpent that is the instrument of his death. Therefore I shall kill it.

Verse 16 (skanda.8.119.16)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । अथ मृत्युस्तदाभेत्य तं देशं सुमहामनाः । गौतम्यास्तपसो भीत इदं प्रोवाच सुस्वरम्

sanatkumāra uvāca | atha mṛtyustadābhetya taṁ deśaṁ sumahāmanāḥ | gautamyāstapaso bhīta idaṁ provāca susvaram

Sanatkumara said: Then Death himself, of very great mind, arrived at that place, and, fearing Gautami's austerity, spoke thus in a gentle voice -

Verse 17 (skanda.8.119.17)

अहमप्येष संबद्धं नियत्या सुसमाहितः । मारयामि न मे दोषं कर्तुमर्हसि सुव्रते

ahamapyeṣa saṁbaddhaṁ niyatyā susamāhitaḥ | mārayāmi na me doṣaṁ kartumarhasi suvrate

O one of good vows, I too, being wholly bound by Destiny (Niyati), do the slaying only in that bondage; you ought not to fasten fault upon me.

Verse 18 (skanda.8.119.18)

अर्जुन उवाच । नियतिर्वास्तु मृत्युर्वा कालो वाप्यस्तु कारणम् । कृष्णसर्पो निमित्तं तु तस्माद्वध्यो न संशयः

arjuna uvāca | niyatirvāstu mṛtyurvā kālo vāpyastu kāraṇam | kṛṣṇasarpo nimittaṁ tu tasmādvadhyo na saṁśayaḥ

Arjuna said: Whether Niyati be the cause, or Death, or Time - the black serpent is still the direct instrument, and it alone is to be slain, without doubt.

Verse 19 (skanda.8.119.19)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । अथागान्नियतिस्तत्र उवाचेदं च सा तदा । गौतमीं दुःखितां व्यास भीता प्राह तदा वचः

sanatkumāra uvāca | athāgānniyatistatra uvācedaṁ ca sā tadā | gautamīṁ duḥkhitāṁ vyāsa bhītā prāha tadā vacaḥ

Sanatkumara said: Then Niyati too arrived there, and, O Vyasa, in fear, spoke these words to the grieving Gautami -

Verse 20 (skanda.8.119.20)

कृतान्तवशगा साध्वि जन्तून्नित्यमतन्द्रिता । पाशैर्बद्ध्वा वशं मृत्योर्नयामि वरवर्णिनि

kṛtāntavaśagā sādhvi jantūnnityamatandritā | pāśairbaddhvā vaśaṁ mṛtyornayāmi varavarṇini

O virtuous one, ever subject to Kritanta (Yama), untiring, I bind creatures with my snares and lead them into the power of Death, O fair one.

Verse 21 (skanda.8.119.21)

कृतान्त उवाच । अहं हि किङ्करः साध्वि यमस्य सुमहात्मनः । तेन प्रचोदितो जन्तून्नयामि यमसादनम्

kṛtānta uvāca | ahaṁ hi kiṅkaraḥ sādhvi yamasya sumahātmanaḥ | tena pracodito jantūnnayāmi yamasādanam

Kritanta said: O virtuous one, I am but a servant of the great-souled Yama. Impelled by him, I lead creatures to the abode of Yama.

Verse 22 (skanda.8.119.22)

अर्जुन उवाच । यमोपि वा कृतान्तो वा एते वाप्यस्य कारणम् । नैवमेवं दुराचारो विमोक्ष्येत कदाचन

arjuna uvāca | yamopi vā kṛtānto vā ete vāpyasya kāraṇam | naivamevaṁ durācāro vimokṣyeta kadācana

Arjuna said: Whether Yama be the cause, or Kritanta, or all of these together - this wicked serpent can never in this manner be let go free.

Verse 23 (skanda.8.119.23)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततो यमस्तदा व्यास स्वयमेव महामनाः । तत्रागात्तामिदं चैव गौतमीं सोभ्युवाच ह

sanatkumāra uvāca | tato yamastadā vyāsa svayameva mahāmanāḥ | tatrāgāttāmidaṁ caiva gautamīṁ sobhyuvāca ha

Sanatkumara said: O Vyasa, then Yama himself, of great mind, came there in person, and spoke to Gautami thus -

Verse 24 (skanda.8.119.24)

नाहं नैते महासत्वास्त पुत्रस्य कारणम् । मरणे तस्य वीक्षस्व शृणु चापि वचो मम

nāhaṁ naite mahāsatvāsta putrasya kāraṇam | maraṇe tasya vīkṣasva śṛṇu cāpi vaco mama

Neither I, nor these mighty beings, am the true cause of your son's death. Behold the truth of his dying, and hear my words as well.

Verse 25 (skanda.8.119.25)

जन्तूनां देहसंयोगो धर्माधर्मकृतः शुभे । वियोगश्चापि देहेन ताभ्यामेव क्षयात्पुनः

jantūnāṁ dehasaṁyogo dharmādharmakṛtaḥ śubhe | viyogaścāpi dehena tābhyāmeva kṣayātpunaḥ

O auspicious one, the union of creatures with a body comes about through dharma and adharma; and separation from the body likewise comes when those two are exhausted.

Verse 26 (skanda.8.119.26)

देहिनां धर्म एवैक आयुषो हेतुरुच्यते । तत्क्षये मरणं प्रोक्तं कालो मृत्युश्च स स्मृतः

dehināṁ dharma evaika āyuṣo heturucyate | tatkṣaye maraṇaṁ proktaṁ kālo mṛtyuśca sa smṛtaḥ

It is dharma alone that is declared to be the cause of embodied beings' lifespan. When that is exhausted, death comes - and that same exhaustion is what is remembered as Time and Death.

Verse 27 (skanda.8.119.27)

कृते वर्षसहस्रैस्तु चतुर्भिः काल उच्यते । त्रेतायान्तु त्रिसाहस्रो द्वापरे द्विसहस्रिकः

kṛte varṣasahasraistu caturbhiḥ kāla ucyate | tretāyāntu trisāhasro dvāpare dvisahasrikaḥ

In the Krita age, this Time (the span of full human life) is said to be four thousand years; in the Treta, three thousand; in the Dvapara, two thousand;

Verse 28 (skanda.8.119.28)

कलौ तु शतमेवाहुः कालं जन्तोर्महाव्रते । अकालेन्यत्ततः प्रोक्तं तच्चापि मरणं शृणु

kalau tu śatamevāhuḥ kālaṁ jantormahāvrate | akālenyattataḥ proktaṁ taccāpi maraṇaṁ śṛṇu

and in the Kali age, O one of great vows, a mere hundred years is said to be a creature's full span. Death that comes short of that is called untimely death (akala) - hear of that too.

Verse 29 (skanda.8.119.29)

इन्द्रियेष्वस्य ये देवा वसन्ति द्विपदां वरे । तेस्य सर्वे हरन्त्येकं भागं दैवतसत्तमाः

indriyeṣvasya ye devā vasanti dvipadāṁ vare | tesya sarve harantyekaṁ bhāgaṁ daivatasattamāḥ

O best among two-legged beings, whatever gods dwell within a creature's senses - all those foremost deities take away one portion of its lifespan -

Verse 30 (skanda.8.119.30)

चक्षुषा पश्यतो दुष्टं दुष्टं च ब्रुवतस्तथा । शृण्वतो मन्वतश्चैव बुध्यतश्चापि पश्यतः

cakṣuṣā paśyato duṣṭaṁ duṣṭaṁ ca bruvatastathā | śṛṇvato manvataścaiva budhyataścāpi paśyataḥ

- when it looks upon evil with its eyes, when it speaks evil, when it hears, thinks, understands, or perceives evil -

Verse 31 (skanda.8.119.31)

तथा स्पर्शयतश्चैव जिघ्रतो भुञ्जतोपि वा । आदानाद् गमानाच्चैव आनन्दोत्सर्गतस्तथा

tathā sparśayataścaiva jighrato bhuñjatopi vā | ādānād gamānāccaiva ānandotsargatastathā

and likewise when it touches, smells, or eats wrongly; in taking, in going, and in the release of pleasure -

Verse 32 (skanda.8.119.32)

भागं भूतानि चान्यं तु हरन्ति पुनरेव हि । सुदुष्टं वर्ततस्तेषु भागञ्च व्याधयोपरम्

bhāgaṁ bhūtāni cānyaṁ tu haranti punareva hi | suduṣṭaṁ vartatasteṣu bhāgañca vyādhayoparam

- other elemental beings likewise take another portion, when it behaves most wickedly toward them; and diseases too take a further portion.

Verse 33 (skanda.8.119.33)

अपरं पितरो भागं देवाश्चान्यमतोपरम् । अपरं चर्षयो वह्निश्चन्द्रादित्यौ ग्रहास्तथा

aparaṁ pitaro bhāgaṁ devāścānyamataoparam | aparaṁ carṣayo vahniścandrādityau grahāstathā

The ancestors take yet another portion, the gods another still; and the sages, Agni, the sun and moon, and the planets each take their own portions as well.

Verse 34 (skanda.8.119.34)

तस्यैवं देहिनः साध्वि यावदेवाहृतं भवेत् । तावदेव स जीवेत अकालः स च वक्ष्यते

tasyaivaṁ dehinaḥ sādhvi yāvadevāhṛtaṁ bhavet | tāvadeva sa jīveta akālaḥ sa ca vakṣyate

O virtuous one, in this way, however much of the embodied one's lifespan is thus taken away, so long does he live short of his full term - and this is what is called untimely death.

Verse 35 (skanda.8.119.35)

यथा च म्रियते जन्तुरकाले तपसैधिते । तथा शृणु ममाद्येह गदतो वरवर्णिनि

yathā ca mriyate janturakāle tapasaidhite | tathā śṛṇu mamādyeha gadato varavarṇini

O you enriched by austerity, hear now from me, as I tell it here, how a creature comes to die before its due time, O fair one.

Verse 36 (skanda.8.119.36)

यावन्न हीयते तस्य जन्तोरायुर्महाव्रते । तावत्स जीवितं प्राप्य तस्यान्ते म्रियते पुनः

yāvanna hīyate tasya jantorāyurmahāvrate | tāvatsa jīvitaṁ prāpya tasyānte mriyate punaḥ

O one of great vows, so long as that creature's allotted lifespan is not diminished, it continues to obtain life, and dies only at the very end of that span.

Verse 37 (skanda.8.119.37)

तस्य येनापराधेन आयुर्देवा हरन्ति तत् । तेनाधर्मो महान्तस्य उत्पन्नो जीवितान्तकः

tasya yenāparādhena āyurdevā haranti tat | tenādharmo mahāntasya utpanno jīvitāntakaḥ

By whatever transgression the gods take away his lifespan - through that very unrighteousness a great adharma arises for him, one that brings his life to its close.

Verse 38 (skanda.8.119.38)

प्रादुर्भूतस्तदा साध्वि व्याधिर्मर्माणि कृन्तति । स कृत्तमर्मा ह्यवशो देहं त्यक्त्वा महाव्रते

prādurbhūtastadā sādhvi vyādhirmarmāṇi kṛntati | sa kṛttamarmā hyavaśo dehaṁ tyaktvā mahāvrate

Then, O virtuous one, disease, having arisen, cuts into his vital points. O one of great vows, his vital points thus severed, he helplessly abandons the body,

Verse 39 (skanda.8.119.39)

अन्यद्देहं समासाद्य गतिमन्यां प्रपद्यते । येस्य व्याधिं न कुरुते सोधर्मोनुग्रहात् पुनः

anyaddehaṁ samāsādya gatimanyāṁ prapadyate | yesya vyādhiṁ na kurute sodharmonugrahāt punaḥ

and, obtaining a new body, attains another destiny. But he for whom, by some grace, that adharma does not produce disease,

Verse 40 (skanda.8.119.40)

देवानां देहवासानां तमप्यन्येन हन्ति वै । विषशस्त्रप्रपतनैर्जन्तुभिश्च पृथग्विधैः । अन्यैश्च बहुभिर्घोरैर्नात्र दोषः प्रपश्यतः

devānāṁ dehavāsānāṁ tamapyanyena hanti vai | viṣaśastraprapatanairjantubhiśca pṛthagvidhaiḥ | anyaiśca bahubhirghorairnātra doṣaḥ prapaśyataḥ

such a one is slain by other means by those very gods dwelling in his body - by poison, by weapons, by falling, by various creatures, and by many other terrible means. In this, understand, there is no fault to be found in anyone.

Verse 41 (skanda.8.119.41)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततस्सा तपसा दृष्टवा गौतमी सुमहाव्रता । तमर्जुनकमाहेदं वचनं दुःखवर्जिता

sanatkumāra uvāca | tatassā tapasā dṛṣṭavā gautamī sumahāvratā | tamarjunakamāhedaṁ vacanaṁ duḥkhavarjitā

Sanatkumara said: Then that Gautami of great vows, having perceived this truth through her own austerity, freed of her sorrow, spoke these words to Arjunaka -

Verse 42 (skanda.8.119.42)

गौतम्युवाच । मुञ्चार्जुनक नायं मे पन्नगो वधमर्हति । आविष्टोयमधर्मेण दैवतैश्चादशत् सुतम्

gautamyuvāca | muñcārjunaka nāyaṁ me pannago vadhamarhati | āviṣṭoyamadharmeṇa daivataiścādaśat sutam

Gautami said: Release him, Arjunaka; this serpent does not deserve death. Possessed by adharma, and impelled by the gods, it bit my son.

Verse 43 (skanda.8.119.43)

ईश्वरास्ते महात्मानो जन्तूनाविश्य चेतनान् । अचेतनाँश्च सर्वेत्र प्रयुञ्जन्ति यथातथम्

īśvarāste mahātmāno jantūnāviśya cetanān | acetanām̐śca sarvetra prayuñjanti yathātatham

Those great-souled lords, entering into both sentient and insentient creatures alike, everywhere direct them exactly as is fitting.

Verse 44 (skanda.8.119.44)

मृत एष स्वधर्मेण नास्ति दोषस्तपस्विनाम् । गच्छध्वं दैवताः सर्वे स्वान् गृहान् किमिहास्यते

mṛta eṣa svadharmeṇa nāsti doṣastapasvinām | gacchadhvaṁ daivatāḥ sarve svān gṛhān kimihāsyate

My son has died by his own dharma; there is no fault in you ascetics. Go, all you gods, to your own abodes - why linger here longer?

Verse 45 (skanda.8.119.45)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततस्ता देवताः सर्वाः प्रेषिता ब्रह्मयोषिता । सममूचुस्तदा व्यास गौतमीं तामिदं वचः

sanatkumāra uvāca | tatastā devatāḥ sarvāḥ preṣitā brahmayoṣitā | samamūcustadā vyāsa gautamīṁ tāmidaṁ vacaḥ

Sanatkumara said: Then those gods, thus dismissed by that brahmin woman, O Vyasa, all together spoke these words to Gautami -

Verse 46 (skanda.8.119.46)

देवा ऊचुः । तुष्टाः स्म तव धर्मज्ञे तपसा दग्धकिल्बिषे । जीवतामेष ते पुत्रः स्वधर्मे चावतिष्ठतु

devā ūcuḥ | tuṣṭāḥ sma tava dharmajñe tapasā dagdhakilbiṣe | jīvatāmeṣa te putraḥ svadharme cāvatiṣṭhatu

The gods said: O knower of dharma, O you whose sins are burned away by austerity, we are pleased with you. Let this son of yours live once more, and remain steadfast in his own duty.

Verse 47 (skanda.8.119.47)

सर्प एष स्वयं साध्वि अधर्मो मूर्तिमान् स्थितः । व्याधरूपी च धर्मोयं पश्यैतौ सुमहाव्रते

sarpa eṣa svayaṁ sādhvi adharmo mūrtimān sthitaḥ | vyādharūpī ca dharmoyaṁ paśyaitau sumahāvrate

O virtuous one, this serpent is himself Adharma in bodily form; and this hunter is Dharma in disguise. O one of great vows, behold these two.

Verse 48 (skanda.8.119.48)

परीक्षा ते कृता ह्येषा देवैरेतैर्महाव्रते । तवाक्षया भविष्यन्ति लोकाः सर्वे न संशयः

parīkṣā te kṛtā hyeṣā devairetairmahāvrate | tavākṣayā bhaviṣyanti lokāḥ sarve na saṁśayaḥ

O one of great vows, this test of you was set by us, these gods. All the worlds shall be yours, imperishably, without doubt.

Verse 49 (skanda.8.119.49)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततस्ते सहसा तत्र देवा इन्द्रपुरोगमाः । अवैक्षन्त यथावृत्तं तच्च सर्वं न्यवेदयम्

sanatkumāra uvāca | tataste sahasā tatra devā indrapurogamāḥ | avaikṣanta yathāvṛttaṁ tacca sarvaṁ nyavedayam

Sanatkumara said: Then those gods, with Indra at their head, immediately witnessed all that had happened there. This is all I have now related to you.

Verse 50 (skanda.8.119.50)

स्नात्वा चान्यदगच्छन्ते पुनस्तीर्थं समाहिताः । सर्व एव महाभागास्तथान्यानि पुनः पुनः

snātvā cānyadagacchante punastīrthaṁ samāhitāḥ | sarva eva mahābhāgāstathānyāni punaḥ punaḥ

Having bathed, all those most blessed ones, with focused minds, went on again to another sacred ford, and so again and again to yet others.

Verse 51 (skanda.8.119.51)

क्रमेण विहरन्तस्ते कृत्यामभ्यागमत्पुनः । यत्र कृत्या हता पूर्वं देवेन्द्रेण महौजसा

krameṇa viharantaste kṛtyāmabhyāgamatpunaḥ | yatra kṛtyā hatā pūrvaṁ devendreṇa mahaujasā

Wandering thus in due sequence, they came once more to that place where the sorceress-being had earlier been slain by the greatly mighty Indra.

Verse 52 (skanda.8.119.52)

व्यास उवाच । केन सोत्पादिता कृत्या किमर्थं कस्य वा विभो । कथं च निहता भूय एतदिच्छामि वेदितुम्

vyāsa uvāca | kena sotpāditā kṛtyā kimarthaṁ kasya vā vibho | kathaṁ ca nihatā bhūya etadicchāmi veditum

Vyasa said: O lord, by whom was that sorceress-being created, for what purpose, and whose was she? And how was she slain? This I now wish to know.

Verse 53 (skanda.8.119.53)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । तृणबिन्दुरिति ख्यात आसीद्राजा महाबलः । स प्रोवाच मुनीन् सप्त इदं वचनकोविदः

sanatkumāra uvāca | tṛṇabinduriti khyāta āsīdrājā mahābalaḥ | sa provāca munīn sapta idaṁ vacanakovidaḥ

Sanatkumara said: There was a mighty king renowned by the name Trinabindu. That king, skilled in speech, said this to seven sages -

Verse 54 (skanda.8.119.54)

याजयध्वं हि मां विप्रा दास्ये वित्तं हि वो बहु । तेब्रुवन्न वयं साधो याजयाम नरेश्वर

yājayadhvaṁ hi māṁ viprā dāsye vittaṁ hi vo bahu | tebruvanna vayaṁ sādho yājayāma nareśvara

O brahmins, perform a sacrifice for me; I shall give you abundant wealth. They said: O good sir, O lord of men, we shall not perform this sacrifice for you.

Verse 55 (skanda.8.119.55)

स दीक्षितो यदान्येन अनावृष्ट्या महामनाः । ते वै बुभुक्षयाविष्टा यज्ञं प्राप्ता यदृच्छया

sa dīkṣito yadānyena anāvṛṣṭyā mahāmanāḥ | te vai bubhukṣayāviṣṭā yajñaṁ prāptā yadṛcchayā

When that great-minded king took consecration under another priest, and there was, at that time, a famine from want of rain, those very sages, overcome by hunger, chanced to arrive at that sacrifice.

Verse 56 (skanda.8.119.56)

अथ तानब्रवीद्राजा ब्रूत किं प्रददानि वः । ऊचुस्ते क्रुद्धवदनाः सुतं नो दत्स्व पार्थिव

atha tānabravīdrājā brūta kiṁ pradadāni vaḥ | ūcuste kruddhavadanāḥ sutaṁ no datsva pārthiva

Then the king said to them: Tell me, what shall I give you? With angry faces they said: O king, give us your own son.

Verse 57 (skanda.8.119.57)

तेभ्यः सत्कृत्य पुत्रञ्च धनञ्चैव स पार्थिवः । प्रणम्य बहुमानेन पाराशर्योपपादयत्

tebhyaḥ satkṛtya putrañca dhanañcaiva sa pārthivaḥ | praṇamya bahumānena pārāśaryopapādayat

That king, honouring them, and bowing with great respect, then delivered up both his son and his wealth into the hands of the sage descended from Parashara.

Verse 58 (skanda.8.119.58)

तथा तस्यानतस्यैवं द्रव्यं हित्वा तपोधनाः । सुतं गृहीत्वागच्छन्ते सौकुमार्यात् स बालकः

tathā tasyānatasyaivaṁ dravyaṁ hitvā tapodhanāḥ | sutaṁ gṛhītvāgacchante saukumāryāt sa bālakaḥ

Leaving behind the wealth of that bowing king, those sages, rich in austerity, took only his son and departed - and since the boy was of tender frailty -

Verse 59 (skanda.8.119.59)

क्षुत्तृषाभ्यर्दितस्तत्र अध्वना च ममार ह । दावाग्नौ ते च तं न्यस्य निरीक्षन्तोवतस्थिरे

kṣuttṛṣābhyarditastatra adhvanā ca mamāra ha | dāvāgnau te ca taṁ nyasya nirīkṣantovatasthire

he died along the way, afflicted by hunger and thirst. Then, casting his body into a forest fire, those sages stood there, looking on.

Verse 60 (skanda.8.119.60)

तेषां तत्रेक्षतां व्यास आजगाम नराधिपः । उवाच तानृषीँश्चेदं प्रहसन् दिव्यकुण्डलः

teṣāṁ tatrekṣatāṁ vyāsa ājagāma narādhipaḥ | uvāca tānṛṣīm̐ścedaṁ prahasan divyakuṇḍalaḥ

O Vyasa, while they stood there looking on, the king arrived at that very place. Smiling, that lord of men, adorned with divine earrings, said this to those sages -

Verse 61 (skanda.8.119.61)

तृणबिन्दुरुवाच । यूयं प्रतिग्रहं मत्तो नागृह्णत तपोधनाः । याजयध्वं न चैवास्मान् मुनयस्तपसैधिताः

tṛṇabinduruvāca | yūyaṁ pratigrahaṁ matto nāgṛhṇata tapodhanāḥ | yājayadhvaṁ na caivāsmān munayastapasaidhitāḥ

Trinabindu said: You, O rich in austerity, did not accept any gift from me; and you, O sages enriched by tapas, did not perform the sacrifice for me either.

Verse 62 (skanda.8.119.62)

इह दोषं न पश्यध्वं मरणेस्य शिशोर्द्विजाः । अधर्म्ये चायशस्ये च अहो धर्मे हि वो मतिः

iha doṣaṁ na paśyadhvaṁ maraṇesya śiśordvijāḥ | adharmye cāyaśasye ca aho dharme hi vo matiḥ

O twice-born, you see no fault in the death of this child - a death both unrighteous and shameful. Astonishing, how firmly your minds are fixed on dharma!

Verse 63 (skanda.8.119.63)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततस्ते तमनादृत्य अनुक्त्वा किञ्चिदेव च । जग्मुरन्यां दिशं व्यास वने क्षुत्परिपीडिताः

sanatkumāra uvāca | tataste tamanādṛtya anuktvā kiñcideva ca | jagmuranyāṁ diśaṁ vyāsa vane kṣutparipīḍitāḥ

Sanatkumara said: Then, disregarding him, saying nothing in reply, O Vyasa, they set off in another direction, distressed by hunger there in the forest.

Verse 64 (skanda.8.119.64)

तृणबिन्दुश्च तपसा तत्र वृक्षान् बहूँस्तदा । असृजत् तत्क्षणाद् व्यास तेषां सुखहितेप्सया

tṛṇabinduśca tapasā tatra vṛkṣān bahūm̐stadā | asṛjat tatkṣaṇād vyāsa teṣāṁ sukhahitepsayā

Then Trinabindu, by his own austerity, instantly created many trees there, O Vyasa, desiring the comfort and welfare of those very sages.

Verse 65 (skanda.8.119.65)

ते च तद्वनमासाद्य बहून् वृक्षान् फलान्वितान् । अपश्यन्त तदा व्यास परां तुष्टिं च ते ययुः

te ca tadvanamāsādya bahūn vṛkṣān phalānvitān | apaśyanta tadā vyāsa parāṁ tuṣṭiṁ ca te yayuḥ

Arriving at that forest, they saw many trees laden with fruit, and, O Vyasa, they were filled with the greatest contentment.

Verse 66 (skanda.8.119.66)

गृहीत्वा बिभिदुश्चैव ददृशुश्चैव तेष्वथ । सुवर्णमन्नं भक्षाँश्च तथा रौप्यञ्च सुप्रभम्

gṛhītvā bibhiduścaiva dadṛśuścaiva teṣvatha | suvarṇamannaṁ bhakṣām̐śca tathā raupyañca suprabham

Plucking those fruits and breaking them open, they found within them gold, grain, various foods, and shining silver as well.

Verse 67 (skanda.8.119.67)

तृणुबिन्दुकृतं तच्च तेमन्यन्त तपोन्विताः । ततस्ते तद्वनं त्यक्त्वा ऋष्यः सप्त सुव्रताः । अन्यां दिशं प्रपद्यन्त तृणबिन्दुश्चुकोप च

tṛṇubindukṛtaṁ tacca temanyanta taponvitāḥ | tataste tadvanaṁ tyaktvā ṛṣyaḥ sapta suvratāḥ | anyāṁ diśaṁ prapadyanta tṛṇabinduścukopa ca

Those ascetics realized that all this was Trinabindu's doing. Then those seven sages of good vows, abandoning that forest, made off in another direction, and Trinabindu became enraged.

Verse 68 (skanda.8.119.68)

उवाच तानृषीन् गत्वा प्रणतः प्राञ्जलिश्च सः । मन्युनातिपरीतात्मा संविग्नोथ नराधिपः

uvāca tānṛṣīn gatvā praṇataḥ prāñjaliśca saḥ | manyunātiparītātmā saṁvignotha narādhipaḥ

That king, his mind entirely overcome with wrath and agitation, going to those sages, bowing with folded hands, said -

Verse 69 (skanda.8.119.69)

तृणबिन्दुरुवाच । नैवास्मि पतितो विप्रा दुष्टकर्मा न चैव ह । न चैव वर्जितो विप्रैर्न चायज्वा न पापकृत्

tṛṇabinduruvāca | naivāsmi patito viprā duṣṭakarmā na caiva ha | na caiva varjito viprairna cāyajvā na pāpakṛt

Trinabindu said: O brahmins, I am neither fallen, nor of wicked deeds, nor shunned by brahmins, nor without sacrifice, nor a sinner.

Verse 70 (skanda.8.119.70)

नराधिपानां वंशेस्मि जातः शुद्धे तपोधनाः । सम्यक् प्रजाः पालयामि किं मां न बहु मन्यत

narādhipānāṁ vaṁśesmi jātaḥ śuddhe tapodhanāḥ | samyak prajāḥ pālayāmi kiṁ māṁ na bahu manyata

O rich in austerity, I was born in a pure lineage of kings, and I rightly protect my subjects. Why then do you hold me in such little regard?

Verse 71 (skanda.8.119.71)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा ऋषयस्ते महाव्रताः । ऊचुर्न ते वयं राजन् प्रतिगृहणीम सर्वथा

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā ṛṣayaste mahāvratāḥ | ūcurna te vayaṁ rājan pratigṛhaṇīma sarvathā

Hearing his words, those sages of great vows said: O king, we shall in no way accept anything from you.

Verse 72 (skanda.8.119.72)

शोभनोसि गुणैर्युक्तः प्रजापालः प्रजापतिः । सन्तुष्टाः स्मो न ते द्रव्यं प्रतिगृह्णीम भूपते

śobhanosi guṇairyuktaḥ prajāpālaḥ prajāpatiḥ | santuṣṭāḥ smo na te dravyaṁ pratigṛhṇīma bhūpate

You are excellent, endowed with virtues, a protector of your subjects, like unto Prajapati himself. We are content - but, O lord of the earth, we shall not accept your wealth.

Verse 73 (skanda.8.119.73)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । त एवमुक्त्वा राजानं सर्व एव ययुर्मुने । सोपि राजा महामन्युस्तदा दीप्तं हुताशनम्

sanatkumāra uvāca | ta evamuktvā rājānaṁ sarva eva yayurmune | sopi rājā mahāmanyustadā dīptaṁ hutāśanam

Sanatkumara said: O sage, having thus spoken to the king, they all departed. Then that king too, overwhelmed with great wrath, went to the blazing sacred fire -

Verse 74 (skanda.8.119.74)

जुहाव कृत्यां तस्माच्च चकार सुमहाबलाम् । यातुधानीमिति ख्यातामुवाचेदं च तां तदा

juhāva kṛtyāṁ tasmācca cakāra sumahābalām | yātudhānīmiti khyātāmuvācedaṁ ca tāṁ tadā

and, offering oblations into it, thereby produced an exceedingly powerful sorceress-being, renowned by the name Yatudhani. Then he spoke to her thus -

Verse 75 (skanda.8.119.75)

गत्वा सप्त मुनीन् कृत्ये भक्षयस्व महाबले । उपधार्य हि नामानि वसिष्ठादीँस्तपोधनान्

gatvā sapta munīn kṛtye bhakṣayasva mahābale | upadhārya hi nāmāni vasiṣṭhādīm̐stapodhanān

O sorceress, O mighty one, go and devour those seven sages - Vasishtha and the others, rich in austerity - once you have ascertained their names.

Verse 76 (skanda.8.119.76)

सा गत्वा तु शुभान्नाम दिव्यां पुष्करिणीं शुभाम् । तस्यास्तीरं समासाद्य तस्थौ तान् वै प्रतीक्षती

sā gatvā tu śubhānnāma divyāṁ puṣkariṇīṁ śubhām | tasyāstīraṁ samāsādya tasthau tān vai pratīkṣatī

She went and reached the bank of a divine, auspicious pool called Shubhanna, and stationed herself there, waiting for them.

Verse 77 (skanda.8.119.77)

ऋषयस्तेपि संविग्नाः क्षुत्तृष्णाव्याकुलेन्द्रियाः । अन्यान्देशान् विमार्गन्तः शुभां वापीं ययुस्ततः

ṛṣayastepi saṁvignāḥ kṣuttṛṣṇāvyākulendriyāḥ | anyāndeśān vimārgantaḥ śubhāṁ vāpīṁ yayustataḥ

Those sages too, distressed and their senses in disarray from hunger and thirst, searching for other places, then arrived at that auspicious pool.

Verse 78 (skanda.8.119.78)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । तेषां तद्गमने व्यास दृष्ट्वा दोषं पुरन्दरः । परिव्राजकवेषेण श्वद्वितीयोभ्यगच्छत

sanatkumāra uvāca | teṣāṁ tadgamane vyāsa dṛṣṭvā doṣaṁ purandaraḥ | parivrājakaveṣeṇa śvadvitīyobhyagacchat

Sanatkumara said: O Vyasa, seeing the danger in their going there, Indra, taking the guise of a wandering mendicant, came there accompanied by a dog.

Verse 79 (skanda.8.119.79)

तं दृष्ट्वा तेब्रुवन् सर्वे परस्परमनुल्वणम् । हसन्तं तं महाबाहुं त्रिदण्डव्यग्रपाणिनम्

taṁ dṛṣṭvā tebruvan sarve parasparamanulvaṇam | hasantaṁ taṁ mahābāhuṁ tridaṇḍavyagrapāṇinam

Seeing him - smiling, mighty-armed, his hand busy with a triple staff, looking quite unremarkable - they all said to one another -

Verse 80 (skanda.8.119.80)

ऋषय ऊचुः । नूनमेष दिवारात्रौ नित्यमेव ह्यतन्द्रितः । चखाद यत एषोत्र ततोयं पीवरोभवत्

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | nūnameṣa divārātrau nityameva hyatandritaḥ | cakhāda yata eṣotra tatoyaṁ pīvarobhavat

The sages said: Surely this fellow eats untiringly, day and night, without ever slackening - that must be why he has grown so plump.

Verse 81 (skanda.8.119.81)

अथवोत्तानहस्तोयं नित्यमेव प्रयाचकः । तपःस्वाध्यायविक्रेता तेनायं पीवरोभवत्

athavottānahastoyaṁ nityameva prayācakaḥ | tapaḥsvādhyāyavikretā tenāyaṁ pīvarobhavat

Or perhaps this fellow is an ever-outstretched beggar, one who sells his own austerities and Vedic study; that is why he has grown so stout.

Verse 82 (skanda.8.119.82)

तमेवं बहुधा कल्प्य ऋषयस्ते तपोधनाः । पप्रच्छुरमितात्मानं कस्त्वमित्येव वादिनः

tamevaṁ bahudhā kalpya ṛṣayaste tapodhanāḥ | papracchuramitātmānaṁ kastvamityeva vādinaḥ

Thus imagining many things about him, those sages, rich in austerity, questioned that one of boundless self, saying only, 'Who are you?'

Verse 83 (skanda.8.119.83)

इन्द्र उवाच । अहं परिव्राड् विप्रेन्द्रा आगच्छामि दशेरकात् । प्रयास्यामि शुभां वापीं नाम्नाहं तु शुनस्सखा

indra uvāca | ahaṁ parivrāḍ viprendrā āgacchāmi daśerakāt | prayāsyāmi śubhāṁ vāpīṁ nāmnāhaṁ tu śunassakhā

Indra said: O foremost of brahmins, I am a wandering mendicant, coming from Dasheraka, and I am on my way to that auspicious pool. My name is Shvasakha, 'friend of dogs.'

Verse 84 (skanda.8.119.84)

श्वानो मम सदा हीष्टाः शुनां चैव सदा ह्यहम् । तस्माच्छुनः सखा नाम्ना ख्यातोहं द्विजसत्तमाः

śvāno mama sadā hīṣṭāḥ śunāṁ caiva sadā hyaham | tasmācchunaḥ sakhā nāmnā khyātohaṁ dvijasattamāḥ

Dogs are ever dear to me, and I too am ever dear to dogs. Therefore, O best of the twice-born, I am known by the name Shvasakha, 'friend of dogs.'

Verse 85 (skanda.8.119.85)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततस्ते सह तेनैव शुभां पुष्करिणीं ययुः । ददृशुस्तां च कृत्यां ते तया चैव निवारिताः

sanatkumāra uvāca | tataste saha tenaiva śubhāṁ puṣkariṇīṁ yayuḥ | dadṛśustāṁ ca kṛtyāṁ te tayā caiva nivāritāḥ

Sanatkumara said: Then they went, together with him, toward that auspicious pool, and there they saw that sorceress-being; and she herself barred their way.

Verse 86 (skanda.8.119.86)

यदि वा रोचते विप्रा अस्यामभ्यवगाहितुम् । नामानि कथयित्वेह चरध्वं सुखमव्ययाः

yadi vā rocate viprā asyāmabhyavagāhitum | nāmāni kathayitveha caradhvaṁ sukhamavyayāḥ

(The sorceress said:) O brahmins, if it pleases you to bathe in this pool, then, telling your names here, go your way in peace, O undying ones.

Verse 87 (skanda.8.119.87)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततस्ते तां तदा कन्यामूचुरेवं भवत्विति । श्वसखा चेदमाहैनानृषीन् सर्वानरिदन्दमः

sanatkumāra uvāca | tataste tāṁ tadā kanyāmūcurevaṁ bhavatviti | śvasakhā cedamāhaināanṛṣīn sarvānaridandamaḥ

Sanatkumara said: Then they said to that maiden, 'So be it.' Meanwhile Shvasakha, subduer of enemies, said this to all those sages -

Verse 88 (skanda.8.119.88)

विप्रा इयं यातुधानी नेयं प्रकृतमानुषी । भवितव्यं हि कार्येण यथेयं वदते हि वः

viprā iyaṁ yātudhānī neyaṁ prakṛtamānuṣī | bhavitavyaṁ hi kāryeṇa yatheyaṁ vadate hi vaḥ

O brahmins, this is a Yatudhani, a demonic sorceress - she is no ordinary human woman. There must be some purpose behind why she speaks to you so.

Verse 89 (skanda.8.119.89)

ते यूयं यदि मन्यध्वं श्रेयः परमकं हितम् । तथा नामानि विब्रूत यथेयं नोपधारयेत्

te yūyaṁ yadi manyadhvaṁ śreyaḥ paramakaṁ hitam | tathā nāmāni vibrūta yatheyaṁ nopadhārayet

If you wish for your supreme welfare and good, then declare your names in such a way that she cannot properly grasp them.

Verse 90 (skanda.8.119.90)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । एवं भवत्विति प्रोच्य ते व्यास मुनयः शुभाः । नामानि तस्याः श्राव्यैव यथेष्टं ते जगाहिरे

sanatkumāra uvāca | evaṁ bhavatviti procya te vyāsa munayaḥ śubhāḥ | nāmāni tasyāḥ śrāvyaiva yatheṣṭaṁ te jagāhire

Sanatkumara said: O Vyasa, saying 'So be it,' those auspicious sages, merely uttering their names for her to hear, entered the pool as they wished.

Verse 91 (skanda.8.119.91)

नैरुक्तानि स्वनामानि दुर्बोधानि च तेब्रुवन् । न मेने यानि कृत्या सा ततस्ते जलमाविशन्

nairuktāni svanāmāni durbodhāni ca tebruvan | na mene yāni kṛtyā sā tataste jalamāviśan

They spoke their names in an obscure, etymologically-veiled fashion that the sorceress could not properly comprehend; and then they entered the water.

Verse 92 (skanda.8.119.92)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । तेषामलक्षयित्वा सा नामानि तु शिखोद्भवा । श्वसखं प्राह ब्रूहि त्वं ततो यास्यसि वा न वा

sanatkumāra uvāca | teṣāmalakṣayitvā sā nāmāni tu śikhodbhavā | śvasakhaṁ prāha brūhi tvaṁ tato yāsyasi vā na vā

Sanatkumara said: Unable to make out their names, that sorceress, born of the sacrificial flame, said to Shvasakha: Now you tell your name - only then shall you go on, and not otherwise.

Verse 93 (skanda.8.119.93)

श्वसख उवाच । शुनामस्मि सखा क्रूरे श्वभिश्च सह संगतः । श्वसखं तेन मां विद्धि यातुधानि निशाचरि

śvasakha uvāca | śunāmasmi sakhā krūre śvabhiśca saha saṅgataḥ | śvasakhaṁ tena māṁ viddhi yātudhāni niśācari

Shvasakha said: O cruel one, I am a friend of dogs, always keeping company with dogs. Know me, therefore, O Yatudhani, O night-roamer, as Shvasakha.

Verse 94 (skanda.8.119.94)

यातुधान्युवाच । सकृदेव पुनर्ब्रूहि नाम त्वं मानुषाधम । ततो यास्यसि विप्राणां समीपं विदितो मम

yātudhānyuvāca | sakṛdeva punarbrūhi nāma tvaṁ mānuṣādhama | tato yāsyasi viprāṇāṁ samīpaṁ vidito mama

Yatudhani said: Speak your name once again, O basest of men. Only then, once truly known by me, shall you go to those brahmins.

Verse 95 (skanda.8.119.95)

श्वसख उवाच । शुनामस्मि सखा देवः सख्यं मेनपगं श्वभिः । श्वसखा तेन हन्मि त्वा यातुधानि निशामय

śvasakha uvāca | śunāmasmi sakhā devaḥ sakhyaṁ menapagaṁ śvabhiḥ | śvasakhā tena hanmi tvā yātudhāni niśāmaya

Shvasakha said: I am that very god who is a friend of dogs; my friendship with dogs never departs. Hear this, O Yatudhani - I, Shvasakha, am the one who now slays you.

Verse 96 (skanda.8.119.96)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । स एवमुक्त्वा तां क्रूरां त्रिदण्डेन सुरेश्वरः । मूर्ध्न्याजघान तेनाशु भस्मसादभवच्च सा

sanatkumāra uvāca | sa evamuktvā tāṁ krūrāṁ tridaṇḍena sureśvaraḥ | mūrdhnyājaghāna tenāśu bhasmasādabhavacca sā

Sanatkumara said: Having said this, the lord of the gods struck that cruel being upon the head with his triple staff, whereupon she instantly turned to ash.

Verse 97 (skanda.8.119.97)

तृणबिन्दुसुतश्चासौ कृत्यया हतमात्रया । शक्रेण जीवितस्तूर्णं पितरं समुपागमत्

tṛṇabindusutaścāsau kṛtyayā hatamātrayā | śakreṇa jīvitastūrṇaṁ pitaraṁ samupāgamat

The very moment that sorceress was slain, Trinabindu's own son, revived at once by Shakra, hastened to rejoin his father.

Verse 98 (skanda.8.119.98)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । एवं तां स निहत्येन्द्रः श्वसखा शक्तिनन्दन । मृणालविसपद्मानि ऋषीणामहरत्पुनः

sanatkumāra uvāca | evaṁ tāṁ sa nihatyendraḥ śvasakhā śaktinandana | mṛṇālavisapadmāni ṛṣīṇāmaharatpunaḥ

Sanatkumara said: O descendant of Shakti, having thus slain her, Indra, still in the guise of Shvasakha, once more made off with the sages' lotus-stalks, roots, and lotuses.

Verse 99 (skanda.8.119.99)

ततस्ते सम्यगुत्तीर्णा अपश्यन्तो रुषान्विताः । चक्रिरे शपथान् विप्राः परस्परमनुव्रताः

tataste samyaguttīrṇā apaśyanto ruṣānvitāḥ | cakrire śapathān viprāḥ parasparamanuvratāḥ

When they had fully emerged from the bath and did not find their things, those angry brahmins began, one to another, taking oaths of accusation against each other.

Verse 100 (skanda.8.119.100)

ततस्ते सर्व एवैत्य श्वसखं मुनिसत्तमाः । अब्रुवन् त्वयि शंका नो ब्रूहि येन विमुच्यसे

tataste sarva evaitya śvasakhaṁ munisattamāḥ | abruvan tvayi śaṅkā no brūhi yena vimucyase

Then all those foremost sages, coming to Shvasakha, said: Our suspicion falls upon you; tell us how you might clear yourself of it.

Verse 101 (skanda.8.119.101)

श्वसख उवाच । यो वो हरति मूलानि पुष्पाणि च फलानि च । स सुखी मिष्टमश्नातु ससुहृत् सपरिग्रहः

śvasakha uvāca | yo vo harati mūlāni puṣpāṇi ca phalāni ca | sa sukhī miṣṭamaśnātu sasuhṛt saparigrahaḥ

Shvasakha said: Whoever it was who took your roots, flowers, and fruits - let him eat sweetly and happily, together with his friends and family.

Verse 102 (skanda.8.119.102)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततस्ते ऋषयो व्यास ऊचुः सर्वे पुरन्दरम् । त्वया गृहीतं द्रव्यं नस्तत् प्रयच्छस्व नः पुनः

sanatkumāra uvāca | taste ṛṣayo vyāsa ūcuḥ sarve purandaram | tvayā gṛhītaṁ dravyaṁ nastat prayacchasva naḥ punaḥ

Sanatkumara said: O Vyasa, then all those sages said to Indra (Purandara): It is you who took our property; give it back to us again.

Verse 103 (skanda.8.119.103)

तेषां स भगवान् व्यास मूलानि च फलानि च । सर्वाण्येवाददत् प्रीत इदं चोवाच तानृषीन्

teṣāṁ sa bhagavān vyāsa mūlāni ca phalāni ca | sarvāṇyevādadat prīta idaṁ covāca tānṛṣīn

O Vyasa, then that blessed Indra, well pleased, returned to them all their roots and fruits, and said this to those sages -

Verse 104 (skanda.8.119.104)

इन्द्र उवाच । इयं कृत्या हता विप्रा युष्मदर्थे पुरा कृता । मया हितार्थं युष्माकं त्रिदण्डेन तपोधनाः । क्रुद्धेन राज्ञा युष्माकं कृतैषा तृणबिन्दुना

indra uvāca | iyaṁ kṛtyā hatā viprā yuṣmadarthe purā kṛtā | mayā hitārthaṁ yuṣmākaṁ tridaṇḍena tapodhanāḥ | kruddhena rājñā yuṣmākaṁ kṛtaiṣā tṛṇabindunā

Indra said: O brahmins, this was that same sorceress created long ago for your destruction. O rich in austerity, it was for your own good that I slew her with my triple staff. She was created against you by the wrathful King Trinabindu himself.

Verse 105 (skanda.8.119.105)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । तामागम्य ततो देवा ऋषयश्च तपोधनाः । विष्णुं तं स्नपयाञ्चक्रुस्तीर्थे ऋषिगणार्च्चिते

sanatkumāra uvāca | tāmāgamya tato devā ṛṣayaśca tapodhanāḥ | viṣṇuṁ taṁ snapayāñcakrustīrthe ṛṣigaṇārccite

Sanatkumara said: Then, arriving there, the gods and the sages, rich in austerity, bathed Vishnu at that ford, worshipped by the hosts of sages.

Verse 106 (skanda.8.119.106)

ततस्ते हिमवच्छैलं समागम्य मुदान्विताः । अयाजययन् तदा विष्णुमश्वमेधेन सुव्रताः

tataste himavacchailaṁ samāgamya mudānvitāḥ | ayājayan tadā viṣṇumaśvamedhena suvratāḥ

Then those sages of good vows, arriving at the Himalaya mountain, filled with joy, had Vishnu perform the Ashvamedha sacrifice.

Verse 107 (skanda.8.119.107)

तस्मिन् यजति देवेशस्त्र्यम्बकः सगणेश्वरः । यज्ञं प्रति मुदा युक्त आजगाम विहायसा

tasmin yajati deveśastryambakaḥ sagaṇeśvaraḥ | yajñaṁ prati mudā yukta ājagāma vihāyasā

While that sacrifice was in progress, the lord of the gods, Tryambaka, together with the lord of his hosts, came joyfully through the sky to that sacrifice.

Verse 108 (skanda.8.119.108)

व्यास उवाच । अहो बत त्वयेदं मे कथितं ब्रह्मणः सुत । यातुधान्या उपाख्यानं परं गुह्यं सुदुर्विदम्

vyāsa uvāca | aho bata tvayedaṁ me kathitaṁ brahmaṇaḥ suta | yātudhānyā upākhyānaṁ paraṁ guhyaṁ sudurvidam

Vyasa said: Ah, O son of Brahma, you have told me this most secret and exceedingly hard-to-fathom tale of Yatudhani.

Verse 109 (skanda.8.119.109)

इदं हि गुह्यं परमं महार्थवत् सदा यशस्यं परमं च पावनम् । त्वया महायोग यथावदीरितं पुरामृतं पूर्णशशिप्रभं यथा

idaṁ hi guhyaṁ paramaṁ mahārthavat sadā yaśasyaṁ paramaṁ ca pāvanam | tvayā mahāyoga yathāvadīritaṁ purāmṛtaṁ pūrṇaśaśiprabhaṁ yathā

This is indeed a most secret tale, laden with great meaning, ever glorious and supremely purifying. O great yogi, you have related it exactly as it was, like ancient nectar radiant as the full moon.