The Marriage of Uma

Verse 1 (skanda.8.13.1)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। विस्तृते हिमवत्पृष्ठे विमानशतसंकुले । अभवत् स तु कालेन शैलपुत्र्याः स्वयंवरः

sanatkumāra uvāca| vistṛte himavatpṛṣṭhe vimānaśatasaṁkule | abhavat sa tu kālena śailaputryāḥ svayaṁvaraḥ

Sanatkumāra said: On the vast summit of Himavat, crowded with hundreds of celestial chariots, in the course of time the svayamvara of the Mountain's Daughter took place.

Verse 2 (skanda.8.13.2)

अथ पर्वतराजोसौ हिमवान् ध्यानकोविदः । दुहितुर्देवदेवेन ज्ञात्वा तदभिमन्त्रितम्

atha parvatarājosau himavān dhyānakovidaḥ | duhiturdevadevena jñātvā tadabhimantritam

Then Himavat, the king of mountains, skilled in meditation, having come to know that the God of gods had inwardly accepted his daughter.

Verse 3 (skanda.8.13.3)

जानन्नपि महाशैलः समाचारक्रियेप्सया । स्वयंवरं ततो देव्याः सर्वलोकेष्वघोषयत्

jānannapi mahāśailaḥ samācārakriyepsayā | svayaṁvaraṁ tato devyāḥ sarvalokeṣvaghoṣayat

Even knowing this, the great mountain, wishing to observe the proper worldly custom, had the Goddess's svayamvara proclaimed throughout all the worlds.

Verse 4 (skanda.8.13.4)

देवदानवसिद्धानां सर्वलोकनिवासिनाम् । वृणुयात् परमेशानं समक्षं येन मे सुता

devadānavasiddhānāṁ sarvalokanivāsinām | vṛṇuyāt parameśānaṁ samakṣaṁ yena me sutā

[He declared:] In the presence of gods, dānavas, siddhas, and the dwellers of all the worlds, may my daughter choose the Supreme Lord as her husband.

Verse 5 (skanda.8.13.5)

तदेव सुकृतं श्लाघ्यं ममाभ्युदयसम्मतम् । इति संचिन्त्य शैलेन्द्रः कृत्वा हृदि महेश्वरम्

tadeva sukṛtaṁ ślāghyaṁ mamābhyudayasammatam | iti saṁcintya śailendraḥ kṛtvā hṛdi maheśvaram

That alone would be a praiseworthy merit, fit for my prosperity, he thought; and so the lord of mountains held Maheśvara in his heart.

Verse 6 (skanda.8.13.6)

आब्रह्मकेषु लोकेषु देव्याः शैलेन्द्रसत्तमः । कृत्वा रत्नाकुलं देशं स्वयंवरमचीकरत्

ābrahmakeṣu lokeṣu devyāḥ śailendrasattamaḥ | kṛtvā ratnākulaṁ deśaṁ svayaṁvaramacīkarat

The best of mountain-lords proclaimed to all the worlds up to Brahmā's realm, prepared a jewel-strewn ground, and arranged the Goddess's svayamvara there.

Verse 7 (skanda.8.13.7)

अथैवमाघोषितमात्र एव स्वयंवरे व्यास महीध्रपुत्र्याः । देवादयः सर्वजगन्निवासाः समाययुर्दिव्यगृहीतवेषाः

athaivamāghoṣitamātra eva svayaṁvare vyāsa mahīdhraputryāḥ | devādayaḥ sarvajagannivāsāḥ samāyayurdivyagṛhītaveṣāḥ

O Vyāsa, as soon as the Mountain-Daughter's svayamvara was thus proclaimed, the gods and all the dwellers of the universe arrived there, having assumed divine forms.

Verse 8 (skanda.8.13.8)

प्रफुल्लपद्मासनसन्निविष्टः सिद्धैर्वृतो योगिभिरप्रमेयैः । विज्ञापितस्तेन महीध्रराजा पितामहस्तत्र समाजगाम

praphullapadmāsanasanniviṣṭaḥ siddhairvṛto yogibhiraprameyaiḥ | vijñāpitastena mahīdhrarājā pitāmahastatra samājagāma

Seated on his blossomed lotus-throne, surrounded by siddhas and countless yogis, Grandsire Brahmā, informed by the mountain-king, arrived there.

Verse 9 (skanda.8.13.9)

अक्ष्णां सहस्रं सुरराट् स बिभ्रद् दिव्याङ्गहारस्रगुदात्तरूपः । ऐरावतं सर्वगजेन्द्रमुख्यं स्रवन्मदासारकृतप्रवाहम्

akṣṇāṁ sahasraṁ surarāṭ sa bibhrad divyāṅgahārasragudāttarūpaḥ | airāvataṁ sarvagajendramukhyaṁ sravanmadāsārakṛtapravāham

Bearing his thousand eyes, adorned with divine gestures and garlands, of majestic form, the King of the Gods came mounted on Airāvata, foremost of all elephants, streaming rivers of rut.

Verse 10 (skanda.8.13.10)

आरुह्य सर्वामरराट् स वज्रं बिभ्रत्समागात् पुरतः सुराणाम् । तेजः प्रतापाऽधिकदिव्यरूपः प्रोद्भासयन् सर्वदिशो विवस्वान्

āruhya sarvāmararāṭ sa vajraṁ bibhratsamāgāt purataḥ surāṇām | tejaḥ pratāpā'dhikadivyarūpaḥ prodbhāsayan sarvadiśo vivasvān

Mounted, the king of all the immortals came bearing his thunderbolt, advancing before the gods; and the Sun, of surpassing splendour and heightened divine form, came illuminating every quarter.

Verse 11 (skanda.8.13.11)

हैमं विमानं स चलत्पताकमारुह्य आगात् त्वरितं जवेन । मणिप्रदीप्तोज्ज्वलकुण्डलश्च वह्न्यर्कतेजःप्रतिमे विमाने

haimaṁ vimānaṁ sa calatpatākamāruhya āgāt tvaritaṁ javena | maṇipradīptojjvalakuṇḍalaśca vahnyarkatejaḥpratime vimāne

Mounted on a golden chariot with fluttering banners, he came swiftly with great speed, his bright earrings blazing with gems, seated in a car resplendent as the light of fire and sun.

Verse 12 (skanda.8.13.12)

समभ्यगात् कश्यपविप्रसूनुरादित्य आराद् भगनामधारी । पीनाङ्गयष्टिः सुकृताङ्गहारस्तेजोबलाज्ञासदृशप्रभावः

samabhyagāt kaśyapaviprasūnurāditya ārād bhaganāmadhārī | pīnāṅgayaṣṭiḥ sukṛtāṅgahārastejobalājñāsadṛśaprabhāvaḥ

The son of the sage Kaśyapa, the Āditya named Bhaga, drew near — his limbs full and firm, his gestures graceful, his majesty unrivalled in splendour, strength, and command.

Verse 13 (skanda.8.13.13)

दण्डं समादाय कृतान्त आगादारुह्य भीमं महिषं जवेन । महामहीध्रोच्छ्रय पीनगात्रः स्वर्णादिरत्नाचितचारुवेषः

daṇḍaṁ samādāya kṛtānta āgādāruhya bhīmaṁ mahiṣaṁ javena | mahāmahīdhrocchraya pīnagātraḥ svarṇādiratnācitacāruveṣaḥ

Kṛtānta (Yama), wielding his staff, came swiftly mounted on his fearsome buffalo — his massive frame towering like a great mountain, arrayed in a beautiful garb set with gold and gems.

Verse 14 (skanda.8.13.14)

समीरणः सर्वजगद्विभर्त्ता विमानमारुह्य समभ्यगाद्धि । सन्तापयन्सर्वसुरासुरेशाँस्तेजोधिक स्तेजसि सन्निविश्य

samīraṇaḥ sarvajagadvibharttā vimānamāruhya samabhyagāddhi | santāpayansarvasurāsureśā~stejodhika stejasi sanniviśya

Samīraṇa (the Wind-god), sustainer of all the worlds, also came mounted on his chariot, and settling into his own splendour, he scorched all the lords of gods and demons with his surpassing radiance.

Verse 15 (skanda.8.13.15)

वह्निः समभ्येत्य सुरेन्द्रमध्ये ज्वलन् प्रतस्थौ वरवेषधारी । नानामणिप्रज्वलिताङ्गयष्टिर्जगच्चरन्दिव्यविमानमग्र्यम्

vahniḥ samabhyetya surendramadhye jvalan pratasthau varaveṣadhārī | nānāmaṇiprajvalitāṅgayaṣṭirjagaccarandivyavimānamagryam

Fire too, blazing and arrayed in splendid garb, came and took his place amid the lords of the gods; his form ablaze with manifold jewels, he traversed the world in the foremost of divine chariots.

Verse 16 (skanda.8.13.16)

आरुह्य सर्वद्रविणाधिपेशः स राजराजस्त्वरितोभ्यगाच्च । आप्याययन् सर्वसुरासुरेशान् कान्त्या च वेषेण च चारुरूपः

āruhya sarvadraviṇādhipeśaḥ sa rājarājastvaritobhyagācca | āpyāyayan sarvasurāsureśān kāntyā ca veṣeṇa ca cārurūpaḥ

Mounted, the lord of all wealth, the King of Kings, came swiftly too, gladdening all the lords of gods and demons with his beauty of form, radiance, and attire.

Verse 17 (skanda.8.13.17)

ज्वलन्महारत्नविचित्ररूपं विमानमारुह्य शशी समागात् । श्यामाङ्गयष्टिः सुविचित्रवेषः सर्व स्रगाबद्धसुगन्धिमालः

jvalanmahāratnavicitrarūpaṁ vimānamāruhya śaśī samāgāt | śyāmāṅgayaṣṭiḥ suvicitraveṣaḥ sarva sragābaddhasugandhimālaḥ

The Moon too arrived, mounted on a chariot marvelous with blazing great gems, his form dark-hued, his attire richly varied, wreathed everywhere with fragrant garlands.

Verse 18 (skanda.8.13.18)

तार्क्ष्यं समारुह्य महीध्रकल्पं गदाधरोसौ त्वरितं समेतः । तथाश्विनौ देवभिषग्वरौ तौ एकं विमानं त्वरयाभिरुह्य

tārkṣyaṁ samāruhya mahīdhrakalpaṁ gadādharosau tvaritaṁ sametaḥ | tathāśvinau devabhiṣagvarau tau ekaṁ vimānaṁ tvarayābhiruhya

Gadādhara (Viṣṇu) came swiftly mounted on Tārkṣya (Garuḍa), vast as a mountain; and the two Aśvins, foremost of divine physicians, mounted together in haste upon a single chariot.

Verse 19 (skanda.8.13.19)

मनोहरावुज्ज्वलचारुवेषावाजग्मतुर्देवसदः सुवीरौ । शेषः सहस्रं स्फुरदग्निवर्णं बिभ्रत् फटानां ज्वलनार्कतेजाः

manoharāvujjvalacāruveṣāvājagmaturdevasadaḥ suvīrau | śeṣaḥ sahasraṁ sphuradagnivarṇaṁ bibhrat phaṭānāṁ jvalanārkatejāḥ

Charming, radiant, and beautifully attired, those two heroes arrived at the divine assembly; and Śeṣa too came, bearing his thousand hoods gleaming like fire, blazing with the splendour of flame and sun.

Verse 20 (skanda.8.13.20)

सार्धं स नागैरपरैर्महात्मा विमानमारुह्य समभ्यगाच्च । दितेः सुतानां च महासुराणां वह्न्यर्कशक्रानिलतुल्यभासाम्

sārdhaṁ sa nāgairaparairmahātmā vimānamāruhya samabhyagācca | diteḥ sutānāṁ ca mahāsurāṇāṁ vahnyarkaśakrānilatulyabhāsām

That great being came mounted on his chariot together with other serpent-lords, and with the sons of Diti, the mighty asuras, whose splendour rivalled that of fire, sun, Indra, and wind.

Verse 21 (skanda.8.13.21)

वरानुरूपं प्रविधाय वेषं वृन्दं समागात् पुरतः सुराणाम् । गन्धर्वराजः स च चारुरूपी दिव्याङ्गनो दिव्यविमानचारी

varānurūpaṁ pravidhāya veṣaṁ vṛndaṁ samāgāt purataḥ surāṇām | gandharvarājaḥ sa ca cārurūpī divyāṅgano divyavimānacārī

Having arrayed himself in garb befitting the occasion, the King of the Gandharvas — of beautiful form, attended by celestial women, riding a divine chariot — came before the gods with his whole retinue.

Verse 22 (skanda.8.13.22)

गन्धर्वसंघैः सहितोप्सरोभिः शक्राज्ञया तत्र समाजगाम । अन्ये च देवास्त्रिदिवौकसेशाः पृथक् पृथक् चारुगृहीतवेषाः

gandharvasaṁghaiḥ sahitopsarobhiḥ śakrājñayā tatra samājagāma | anye ca devāstridivaukaseśāḥ pṛthak pṛthak cārugṛhītaveṣāḥ

He came there together with hosts of Gandharvas and Apsarases, by Indra's command; and the other gods, lords of the heavens, arrived separately too, each arrayed in beautiful garb.

Verse 23 (skanda.8.13.23)

आजग्मुरारुह्य विमानपृष्ठं गन्धर्वयक्षोरगकिन्नराश्च । शचीपतिस्तत्र सुरेन्द्रसंघे राजाधिकाराधिकलक्ष्यमूर्त्तिः

ājagmurāruhya vimānapṛṣṭhaṁ gandharvayakṣoragakinnarāśca | śacīpatistatra surendrasaṁghe rājādhikārādhikalakṣyamūrttiḥ

Gandharvas, Yakṣas, serpent-beings and Kinnaras too arrived, mounted upon their chariots; and there, amid the assembly of the gods, Śacī's lord stood out, his kingly authority and splendid form marking him above all.

Verse 24 (skanda.8.13.24)

राज्ञां बलैश्वर्यकृतप्रमोहो वृथाधिकं यत्नमुपाचकार । हेतुस्त्रिलोकस्य जगत्प्रसूतिर्माता च तेषां ससुरासुराणाम्

rājñāṁ balaiśvaryakṛtapramoho vṛthādhikaṁ yatnamupācakāra | hetustrilokasya jagatprasūtirmātā ca teṣāṁ sasurāsurāṇām

Deluded by the strength and splendour of kings, he made an excessive but futile effort — for she is the cause of the three worlds, the mother of creation, and the mother of all, gods and demons alike.

Verse 25 (skanda.8.13.25)

पत्नी च शंभोः पुरुषस्य धाम्नो गीता पुराणैः प्रकृतिः परार्था । दक्षस्य कोपाद् हिमवद्गृहं सा कार्यार्थमागात् परमेशपत्नी

patnī ca śaṁbhoḥ puruṣasya dhāmno gītā purāṇaiḥ prakṛtiḥ parārthā | dakṣasya kopād himavadgṛhaṁ sā kāryārthamāgāt parameśapatnī

She is Śambhu's consort, the radiance of the Supreme Puruṣa, the highest Prakṛti extolled in the ancient scriptures; through Dakṣa's wrath, that consort of the Supreme Lord had, for a purpose, come to dwell in Himavat's house.

Verse 26 (skanda.8.13.26)

एवं यतस्तान्न विदुः सुरेशा मोहस्ततस्तान्पर आविवेश । वरार्थमाजग्मुरतो विमूढा ईशेन यस्माद् वृडिताः कृतास्ते

evaṁ yatastānna viduḥ sureśā mohastatastānpara āviveśa | varārthamājagmurato vimūḍhā īśena yasmād vṛḍitāḥ kṛtāste

Since the lords of the gods did not know this, a great delusion overtook them; deluded thus, they came seeking her as a bride, and for that reason the Lord made them ashamed.

Verse 27 (skanda.8.13.27)

ततः प्रनृत्ताभि रथाप्सरोभिर्गन्धर्वसंघैश्च सुगीतशब्दैः । स्थितैश्च नानाविधरूपवेषै देवासुरादित्रिदिवोकसंघैः

tataḥ pranṛttābhi rathāpsarobhirgandharvasaṁghaiśca sugītaśabdaiḥ | sthitaiśca nānāvidharūpaveṣai devāsurāditridivokasaṁghaiḥ

Then, amid dancing troupes of Apsarases and Gandharva choirs singing sweetly, and with hosts of gods, asuras, and other heaven-dwellers standing there in their manifold forms and garbs.

Verse 28 (skanda.8.13.28)

विमानपृष्ठे मणिहेमचित्रे स्थिता चलच्चामरबीजिताङ्गी । सर्वर्तुपुष्पां सुसुगन्धमालां प्रगृह्य देवी प्रसभं प्रतस्थे

vimānapṛṣṭhe maṇihemacitre sthitā calaccāmarabījitāṅgī | sarvartupuṣpāṁ susugandhamālāṁ pragṛhya devī prasabhaṁ pratasthe

Seated upon a chariot resplendent with gems and gold, her limbs fanned by waving chowries, the Goddess, holding a fragrant garland woven of flowers of every season, stepped forth resolutely.

Verse 29 (skanda.8.13.29)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। मालां प्रगृह्य देव्यान्तु स्थितायां देवसंसदि । शक्राद्यैरागतैर्देवैः स्वयंवर उपागतैः

sanatkumāra uvāca| mālāṁ pragṛhya devyāntu sthitāyāṁ devasaṁsadi | śakrādyairāgatairdevaiḥ svayaṁvara upāgataiḥ

Sanatkumāra said: While the Goddess stood in the assembly of the gods, garland in hand, with Indra and the other gods who had come to the svayamvara present there.

Verse 30 (skanda.8.13.30)

देव्या जिज्ञासया शम्भुर्भूत्वा पञ्चशिखः शिशुः । उत्सङ्गतलसंसुप्तो बभूव सहसा विभुः

devyā jijñāsayā śambhurbhūtvā pañcaśikhaḥ śiśuḥ | utsaṅgatalasaṁsupto babhūva sahasā vibhuḥ

To test the Goddess, Śambhu suddenly took the form of a five-tufted child, and the all-pervading Lord became, as it were, fast asleep in her lap.

Verse 31 (skanda.8.13.31)

अकस्मादथ तं देवी शिशुं पञ्चशिखं स्थितम् । ज्ञात्वा योगसमाधानाज्जहृषे प्रीतिसंयुता

akasmādatha taṁ devī śiśuṁ pañcaśikhaṁ sthitam | jñātvā yogasamādhānājjahṛṣe prītisaṁyutā

Suddenly noticing that five-tufted child resting there, and recognizing him through her yogic concentration, the Goddess rejoiced, filled with love.

Verse 32 (skanda.8.13.32)

अथ सा शुद्धसंकल्पा कांक्षितप्राप्तसत्फला । निर्वृतेव तदा तस्थौ कृत्वा हृदि तमेव तु

atha sā śuddhasaṁkalpā kāṁkṣitaprāptasatphalā | nirvṛteva tadā tasthau kṛtvā hṛdi tameva tu

Of pure resolve, having attained the good fruit she desired, she then sat as though perfectly content, holding him alone within her heart.

Verse 33 (skanda.8.13.33)

ततो दृष्टवा शिशुं देवा देव्या उत्सङ्गवर्त्तिनम् । कोयमत्रेति संमन्त्र्य चुक्रुधुर्भृशमर्दिताः

tato dṛṣṭavā śiśuṁ devā devyā utsaṅgavarttinam | koyamatreti saṁmantrya cukrudhurbhṛśamarditāḥ

Then, seeing the child resting in the Goddess's lap, the gods deliberated among themselves, Who is this here? — and, deeply troubled, grew furious.

Verse 34 (skanda.8.13.34)

वज्रमाकारयत्तस्य बाहुमुत्क्षिप्य वृत्रहा । स बाहुरुत्थितस्तस्य तथैव समतिष्ठन

vajramākārayattasya bāhumutkṣipya vṛtrahā | sa bāhurutthitastasya tathaiva samatiṣṭhana

Vṛtra's slayer raised his arm, lifting his thunderbolt against him; but his upraised arm remained fixed exactly as it was, unable to move.

Verse 35 (skanda.8.13.35)

स्तम्भितः शिशुरूपेण देवदेवेन शम्भुना । वज्रं क्षेप्तुं नो शशाक बाहुञ्चालयितुं न च

stambhitaḥ śiśurūpeṇa devadevena śambhunā | vajraṁ kṣeptuṁ no śaśāka bāhuñcālayituṁ na ca

Paralyzed by the God of gods, Śambhu, in that child's guise, he could neither hurl his thunderbolt nor even move his arm.

Verse 36 (skanda.8.13.36)

भगो नाम ततो देव आदित्यः काश्यपो बली । उत्क्षिप्य मुशलं दीप्तं क्षेप्तुमैच्छद्विमोहितः

bhago nāma tato deva ādityaḥ kāśyapo balī | utkṣipya muśalaṁ dīptaṁ kṣeptumaicchadvimohitaḥ

Then the mighty god named Bhaga, the Āditya, son of Kaśyapa, deluded, raised his blazing club, wishing to hurl it.

Verse 37 (skanda.8.13.37)

तस्यापि भगवान् बाहुं तथैवास्तम्भयत्तदा । शिरः प्रकम्पयन् विष्णुः सकोपस्तमवैक्षत

tasyāpi bhagavān bāhuṁ tathaivāstambhayattadā | śiraḥ prakampayan viṣṇuḥ sakopastamavaikṣata

The Lord froze his arm just the same; then Viṣṇu, shaking his head, gazed upon that child in anger.

Verse 38 (skanda.8.13.38)

तस्यापि शिरसो देवः खालित्यं प्रचकार ह । पूषा दन्तान्दशन्दन्तैः शर्वमैक्षत मोहितः

tasyāpi śiraso devaḥ khālityaṁ pracakāra ha | pūṣā dantāndaśandantaiḥ śarvamaikṣata mohitaḥ

The Lord made even his head bald; and Pūṣan too, deluded, gnashed his teeth and glared at Śarva.

Verse 39 (skanda.8.13.39)

तस्यापि दशनाः पेतुर्दृष्टमात्रस्य शम्भुना । यमस्य स्तम्भितो दण्डस्तेजो वह्नेः शशेः प्रभा

tasyāpi daśanāḥ peturdṛṣṭamātrasya śambhunā | yamasya stambhito daṇḍastejo vahneḥ śaśeḥ prabhā

The moment Śambhu merely glanced at him, Pūṣan's teeth fell out; Yama's staff was frozen still, as were the fire's blaze and the moon's radiance.

Verse 40 (skanda.8.13.40)

बलं वायोस्तथान्येषां तस्मिन्सर्वदिवौकसाम् । बलन्तेजश्च योगञ्च तथैवास्तम्भयद्विभुः

balaṁ vāyostathānyeṣāṁ tasminsarvadivaukasām | balantejaśca yogañca tathaivāstambhayadvibhuḥ

The strength of Vāyu, and likewise the strength, splendour, and power of all the other heaven-dwellers present there — the all-pervading Lord froze them all in the very same way.

Verse 41 (skanda.8.13.41)

अथ तेषु स्थितेष्वेवं मन्युमत्सु सुरेषु तु । ब्रह्मा परमसंविग्नो ध्यानमास्थाय सादरम्

atha teṣu sthiteṣvevaṁ manyumatsu sureṣu tu | brahmā paramasaṁvigno dhyānamāsthāya sādaram

While the gods stood there thus, filled with wrath, Brahmā, deeply anxious, respectfully entered into meditation.

Verse 42 (skanda.8.13.42)

बुबुधे देवदेवेशमुमोत्सङ्गसमास्थितम् । स बुद्ध्वा परमेशानं शीघ्रमुत्थाय सादरम्

bubudhe devadeveśamumotsaṅgasamāsthitam | sa buddhvā parameśānaṁ śīghramutthāya sādaram

He recognized the Lord of the gods seated in Umā's lap; and having recognized the Supreme Lord, he rose quickly and respectfully.

Verse 43 (skanda.8.13.43)

ववन्दे चरणौ शम्भोरस्तुवच्च पितामहः। पौराणैः सामसंगीतैः पुण्याख्यैर्गुह्यनामभिः

vavande caraṇau śambhorastuvacca pitāmahaḥ| paurāṇaiḥ sāmasaṁgītaiḥ puṇyākhyairguhyanāmabhiḥ

Grandsire Brahmā bowed at Śambhu's feet and praised him with the ancient sāman hymns and with his sacred, secret names.

Verse 44 (skanda.8.13.44)

अजस्त्वममरो देवः स्रष्टा हर्ता विभुः परः । प्रधानपुरुषस्तत्त्वं ब्रह्म ध्येयं तदक्षरम्

ajastvamamaro devaḥ sraṣṭā hartā vibhuḥ paraḥ | pradhānapuruṣastattvaṁ brahma dhyeyaṁ tadakṣaram

You are the unborn, immortal God, the creator, the destroyer, the supreme all-pervading one; you are the principle of Prakṛti and Puruṣa, the meditated Brahman, the imperishable.

Verse 45 (skanda.8.13.45)

अमृतं परमात्मा च ईश्वरः कारणं महत् । ब्रह्मकृत् प्रकृतेः स्रष्टा सर्वसृक् परमेश्वरः

amṛtaṁ paramātmā ca īśvaraḥ kāraṇaṁ mahat | brahmakṛt prakṛteḥ sraṣṭā sarvasṛk parameśvaraḥ

You are immortality, the Supreme Self, the Lord, the great cause; the maker of Brahmā, the creator of Prakṛti, the creator of all, the Supreme Lord.

Verse 46 (skanda.8.13.46)

न त्वं वै देवदेवेश शक्यो ज्ञातुं दिवौकसैः । मुनिभिर्वापि योगज्ञैर्ज्ञातुं देव न शक्यते

na tvaṁ vai devadeveśa śakyo jñātuṁ divaukasaiḥ | munibhirvāpi yogajñairjñātuṁ deva na śakyate

O Lord of the gods, you cannot be known even by the heaven-dwellers; O God, you cannot be known even by sages versed in yoga.

Verse 47 (skanda.8.13.47)

अप्रमेयो महादेव वर्तसे त्वं स्वलीलया । महासर्गे महाकल्पे त्वमेकस्तिष्ठसि प्रभो

aprameyo mahādeva vartase tvaṁ svalīlayā | mahāsarge mahākalpe tvamekastiṣṭhasi prabho

O Mahādeva, you are immeasurable, existing by your own play; O Lord, at the great dissolution and the great creation you alone remain.

Verse 48 (skanda.8.13.48)

अहमेव न जानामि चेष्टां तव महेश्वर । कथं विदन्ति त्रिदशा गंभीरं गहनात्मकम्

ahameva na jānāmi ceṣṭāṁ tava maheśvara | kathaṁ vidanti tridaśā gaṁbhīraṁ gahanātmakam

O Maheśvara, even I do not know your workings — how then can the gods know your profound and mysterious nature?

Verse 49 (skanda.8.13.49)

इयञ्च प्रकृतिर्देव सदा ते सृष्टिकारणम् । पत्नीरूपं समास्थाय जगत्कारणमागता

iyañca prakṛtirdeva sadā te sṛṣṭikāraṇam | patnīrūpaṁ samāsthāya jagatkāraṇamāgatā

O God, this Prakṛti, ever the cause of your creation, has come here as the cause of the universe, having assumed the form of your consort.

Verse 50 (skanda.8.13.50)

नमस्तुभ्यं सदेशान देव्याश्चैव सदा नमः । प्रसादात्तव देवेश नियोगाच्च मया प्रजाः

namastubhyaṁ sadeśāna devyāścaiva sadā namaḥ | prasādāttava deveśa niyogācca mayā prajāḥ

Salutations to you always, O Īśāna, and salutations always to the Goddess too; O Lord of gods, it is by your grace and command that I have created the beings of this world.

Verse 51 (skanda.8.13.51)

देवाद्यास्त इमे सृष्टा मूढास्त्वद्योगमोहिताः । कुरु प्रसादमेतेषां यथापूर्वं भवन्त्विमे

devādyāsta ime sṛṣṭā mūḍhāstvadyogamohitāḥ | kuru prasādameteṣāṁ yathāpūrvaṁ bhavantvime

These gods and others were created by me, but they have grown deluded, bewildered by your yogic power. Show them your grace, that they may become as before.

Verse 52 (skanda.8.13.52)

तत एवं तदा ब्रह्मा विज्ञाप्य परमेश्वरम् । स्तम्भितान्सर्वदेवाँस्तानिदमाह महाद्युतिः

tata evaṁ tadā brahmā vijñāpya parameśvaram | stambhitānsarvadevā~stānidamāha mahādyutiḥ

Having thus petitioned the Supreme Lord, the resplendent Brahmā then spoke these words to all those paralyzed gods.

Verse 53 (skanda.8.13.53)

मूढाः स्थ देवताः सर्वे नैनं बुद्ध्यथ शंकरम् । देवदेवमिहायातं ममैवोत्पत्तिकारणम्

mūḍhāḥ stha devatāḥ sarve nainaṁ buddhyatha śaṁkaram | devadevamihāyātaṁ mamaivotpattikāraṇam

O gods, you are all deluded — you do not recognize this Śaṅkara, the God of gods, who has come here, who is himself the very cause of my origin.

Verse 54 (skanda.8.13.54)

अयं रुद्रो महादेवः शर्वो भीमः कपर्द्दवान् । उग्र ईशान आत्मा च अजः शंकर एव च

ayaṁ rudro mahādevaḥ śarvo bhīmaḥ kaparddavān | ugra īśāna ātmā ca ajaḥ śaṁkara eva ca

This is Rudra, Mahādeva, Śarva, the Terrible One, the matted-locked Kapardin, the Fierce, Īśāna, the Self, the Unborn, and Śaṅkara himself.

Verse 55 (skanda.8.13.55)

देवदेवः परं धाम ईशः पशुपतिः पतिः । जगत्स्रष्टा जगद्धर्ता जगत्संस्थितिकारणम्

devadevaḥ paraṁ dhāma īśaḥ paśupatiḥ patiḥ | jagatsraṣṭā jagaddhartā jagatsaṁsthitikāraṇam

He is the God of gods, the highest abode, the Lord, Paśupati, the Master, the creator of the universe, its sustainer, and the cause of its continuance.

Verse 56 (skanda.8.13.56)

गच्छध्वं शरणं शीघ्रमेत मेवामरेश्वराः । सार्ध मयैव देवेशं परमात्मान मव्ययम्

gacchadhvaṁ śaraṇaṁ śīghrameta mevāmareśvarāḥ | sārdha mayaiva deveśaṁ paramātmāna mavyayam

O lords of the immortals, go quickly, together with me, to seek refuge in this very God of gods, the imperishable Supreme Self.

Verse 57 (skanda.8.13.57)

ब्रह्मणो वचनं श्रुत्वा देवो नारायणः प्रभुः । प्रहस्य विबुधान् सर्वान् बोधयामास लोकपाः

brahmaṇo vacanaṁ śrutvā devo nārāyaṇaḥ prabhuḥ | prahasya vibudhān sarvān bodhayāmāsa lokapāḥ

Hearing Brahmā's words, the divine lord Nārāyaṇa too, smiling, set about instructing all the gods and the world-guardians.

Verse 58 (skanda.8.13.58)

एवमेव न सन्देहो यथाह पद्मसंभवः । पूर्वसर्गे नु विबुधा मया सार्धं महेश्वरः

evameva na sandeho yathāha padmasaṁbhavaḥ | pūrvasarge nu vibudhā mayā sārdhaṁ maheśvaraḥ

There is no doubt at all — it is exactly as the Lotus-born has said. O gods, in the former creation, Maheśvara existed together with me.

Verse 59 (skanda.8.13.59)

बहुरूपेण रूपेण जगद् व्याप्य व्यवस्थितः । तस्मात् सर्वात्मना भूत्वा गच्छध्वं शरणं हरम्

bahurūpeṇa rūpeṇa jagad vyāpya vyavasthitaḥ | tasmāt sarvātmanā bhūtvā gacchadhvaṁ śaraṇaṁ haram

He pervades this whole world, abiding in manifold forms; therefore, with your whole being, go and take refuge in Hara.

Verse 60 (skanda.8.13.60)

ततस्ते स्तम्भिताः सर्वे तथैव त्रिदिवौकसः । प्रणेमुर्मनसा शर्वं भावशुद्धेन चेतसा

tataste stambhitāḥ sarve tathaiva tridivaukasaḥ | praṇemurmanasā śarvaṁ bhāvaśuddhena cetasā

Then all those paralyzed heaven-dwellers bowed to Śarva in their minds, with pure and devoted hearts.

Verse 61 (skanda.8.13.61)

अथ तेषां प्रसन्नोभूद् देवदेवो महेश्वरः । यथापूर्वं चकाराशु देवतानां तनूस्तदा

atha teṣāṁ prasannobhūd devadevo maheśvaraḥ | yathāpūrvaṁ cakārāśu devatānāṁ tanūstadā

Then the God of gods, Maheśvara, became pleased with them, and at once restored the bodies of the gods to their former state.

Verse 62 (skanda.8.13.62)

तत एवं प्रवृत्ते तु सर्वदेवनिवारणे । वपुश्चकार देवेशस्त्र्यक्षं परममद्भुतम्

tata evaṁ pravṛtte tu sarvadevanivāraṇe | vapuścakāra deveśastryakṣaṁ paramamadbhutam

When the deliverance of all the gods was thus accomplished, the Lord of gods then assumed a three-eyed, supremely wondrous form.

Verse 63 (skanda.8.13.63)

तेजसा यस्य देवास्ते चक्षुरभ्यर्थयन् विभुम् । तेभ्यः परमकं चक्षुः स्ववपुर्दृष्टिशक्तिमत्

tejasā yasya devāste cakṣurabhyarthayan vibhum | tebhyaḥ paramakaṁ cakṣuḥ svavapurdṛṣṭiśaktimat

Awed by its splendour, the gods entreated the all-pervading Lord for the boon of sight; and he granted them that supreme eye, endowed with the power of vision, born of his own form.

Verse 64 (skanda.8.13.64)

प्रादात् परमदेवेशः अपश्यंस्ते तदा प्रभुम् । ते दृष्टवा परमेशानं तृतीयेक्षणधारिणम्

prādāt paramadeveśaḥ apaśyaṁste tadā prabhum | te dṛṣṭavā parameśānaṁ tṛtīyekṣaṇadhāriṇam

The Supreme Lord of gods granted it, and then they were able to behold the Lord; they gazed upon the Supreme Lord, bearing his third eye.

Verse 65 (skanda.8.13.65)

ब्रह्माद्या नेमिरे तूर्ण्णं सर्व एव सुरेश्वराः । तस्य देवी तदा हृष्टा समक्षं त्रिदिवौकसाम्

brahmādyā nemire tūrṇṇaṁ sarva eva sureśvarāḥ | tasya devī tadā hṛṣṭā samakṣaṁ tridivaukasām

Brahmā and all the other lords of the gods bowed at once; and then the Goddess, joyful, came before him in the presence of all the heaven-dwellers.

Verse 66 (skanda.8.13.66)

पादयोः स्थापयामास स्रग्मालाममितद्युतेः । साधु साध्विति संप्रोच्य देवतास्ते पुनर्विभुम्

pādayoḥ sthāpayāmāsa sragmālāmamitadyuteḥ | sādhu sādhviti saṁprocya devatāste punarvibhum

She placed the garland of flowers at the feet of the Lord of boundless splendour; and then the gods, exclaiming well done, well done, turned again to the Lord.

Verse 67 (skanda.8.13.67)

सह देव्या नमश्चक्रुः शिरोभिर्भूतलाश्रितैः । अथास्मिन्नन्तरे व्यास ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः

saha devyā namaścakruḥ śirobhirbhūtalāśritaiḥ | athāsminnantare vyāsa brahmā lokapitāmahaḥ

Together with the Goddess, they bowed with heads touching the earth. Then, O Vyāsa, meanwhile, Brahmā, the grandsire of the worlds...

Verse 68 (skanda.8.13.68)

हिमवन्तं महाशैलमिदमाह महाद्युतिः । श्लाघ्यः पूज्यश्च वन्द्यश्च सर्वेषां नस्त्वमेव हि

himavantaṁ mahāśailamidamāha mahādyutiḥ | ślāghyaḥ pūjyaśca vandyaśca sarveṣāṁ nastvameva hi

...the resplendent Brahmā said this to the great mountain Himavat: You alone are worthy of praise, worship, and veneration by all of us.

Verse 69 (skanda.8.13.69)

शर्वेण सह संबन्धो यस्य ते भूदयं महान् । क्रियताञ्चाशु उद्वाहः किमर्थं स्थीयते परम्

śarveṇa saha saṁbandho yasya te bhūdayaṁ mahān | kriyatāñcāśu udvāhaḥ kimarthaṁ sthīyate param

Since this great bond with Śarva has now come to be yours, let the marriage be performed at once — why delay any further?

Verse 70 (skanda.8.13.70)

ततः प्रणम्य हिमवान् तं देवं प्रत्यभाषत । त्वमेव कारणं देव येन शर्वोदयन्मम

tataḥ praṇamya himavān taṁ devaṁ pratyabhāṣata | tvameva kāraṇaṁ deva yena śarvodayanmama

Then Himavat bowed and replied to that god: O God, it is you who are the cause by which Śarva has become gracious to me.

Verse 71 (skanda.8.13.71)

प्रसादः सहसोत्पन्नो हेतुश्चापि त्वमेव हि । उद्वाहन्तु यथायोग्यं तद्विधत्स्व पितामह

prasādaḥ sahasotpanno hetuścāpi tvameva hi | udvāhantu yathāyogyaṁ tadvidhatsva pitāmaha

This grace has arisen suddenly, and you alone are its cause; therefore, O Grandsire, arrange the marriage in whatever manner is fitting.

Verse 72 (skanda.8.13.72)

तत एवं वचः श्रुत्वा गिरिराजः पितामहः । उद्वाहः क्रियतां देव इति देवमुवाच ह

tata evaṁ vacaḥ śrutvā girirājaḥ pitāmahaḥ | udvāhaḥ kriyatāṁ deva iti devamuvāca ha

Hearing these words, the grandsire, the King of Mountains, said to the god: O God, let the marriage now be performed.

Verse 73 (skanda.8.13.73)

तमाह शङ्करो देवं यथेष्टमिति लोकपम् । तत्क्षणाच्च ततो व्यास ब्रह्मणा कल्पितं पुरम्

tamāha śaṅkaro devaṁ yatheṣṭamiti lokapam | tatkṣaṇācca tato vyāsa brahmaṇā kalpitaṁ puram

Śaṅkara said to that world-guardian god: As you wish, so be it. And at that very moment, O Vyāsa, Brahmā fashioned a city.

Verse 74 (skanda.8.13.74)

उद्वाहार्थं महेशस्य नानारत्नोपशोभितम् । रत्नानि मणयश्चित्रा हेम मौक्तिकमेव च

udvāhārthaṁ maheśasya nānāratnopaśobhitam | ratnāni maṇayaścitrā hema mauktikameva ca

It was for the wedding of Maheśa, adorned with various gems; there were splendid jewels, gems, gold, and pearls.

Verse 75 (skanda.8.13.75)

मूर्त्तिमन्त उपागम्य अलञ्चक्रुः पुरोत्तमम् । चित्रा मारकती भूमिः सौवर्णस्तम्भशोभिता

mūrttimanta upāgamya alañcakruḥ purottamam | citrā mārakatī bhūmiḥ sauvarṇastambhaśobhitā

These, taking embodied form, came and adorned the excellent city; its floor was wondrous emerald, adorned with golden pillars.

Verse 76 (skanda.8.13.76)

भास्वत्स्फाटिकाभित्तिर्मुक्ताहारप्रलम्बिता । तस्मिन् शिवपुरे रम्ये उद्वाहार्थं विनिर्मिते

bhāsvatsphāṭikābhittirmuktāhārapralambitā | tasmin śivapure ramye udvāhārthaṁ vinirmite

Its walls were of gleaming crystal, hung with strings of pearls — all this in that lovely city of Śiva, built expressly for the wedding.

Verse 77 (skanda.8.13.77)

शुशुभे देवदेवस्य महेशस्य महात्मनः । सोमादित्यौ समं तत्रा भासयेतां महामहीम्

śuśubhe devadevasya maheśasya mahātmanaḥ | somādityau samaṁ tatrā bhāsayetāṁ mahāmahīm

It shone in splendour, fitting the great-souled Maheśa, the God of gods; there the sun and moon together illuminated that vast ground.

Verse 78 (skanda.8.13.78)

सौरभेयं मनोरम्यं गन्धमादाय मारुतः । प्रववौ सुखसंस्पर्श ईशे भक्तिं प्रदर्शयन्

saurabheyaṁ manoramyaṁ gandhamādāya mārutaḥ | pravavau sukhasaṁsparśa īśe bhaktiṁ pradarśayan

The wind blew, carrying a delightful fragrance and bearing a pleasant touch, as though displaying its devotion to the Lord.

Verse 79 (skanda.8.13.79)

समुद्रास्तत्र चत्वारः शक्राद्याश्च सुरोत्तमाः । देवनद्यो महानद्यः सिद्धा मुनय एव च

samudrāstatra catvāraḥ śakrādyāśca surottamāḥ | devanadyo mahānadyaḥ siddhā munaya eva ca

There were the four oceans, Indra and the other foremost gods, the divine rivers, the great rivers, siddhas, and sages too.

Verse 80 (skanda.8.13.80)

गन्धर्वाप्सरसः सर्वे नागा यक्षाः सराक्षसाः । गुह्यकाः खेचराश्चान्ये किन्नरा देवचारणाः

gandharvāpsarasaḥ sarve nāgā yakṣāḥ sarākṣasāḥ | guhyakāḥ khecarāścānye kinnarā devacāraṇāḥ

All the Gandharvas and Apsarases, Nāgas, Yakṣas, and Rākṣasas, Guhyakas, sky-wanderers, Kinnaras, and the divine Cāraṇas were there too.

Verse 81 (skanda.8.13.81)

तुम्बुरुर्नारदो हाहा हूहूश्चैव तु सामगाः । रत्नान्यादाय वाद्यांश्च तत्राजग्मुर्मुदा युताः

tumbururnārado hāhā hūhūścaiva tu sāmagāḥ | ratnānyādāya vādyāṁśca tatrājagmurmudā yutāḥ

Tumburu, Nārada, Hāhā, and Hūhū, those chanters of the sāman hymns, came there too, joyfully bringing jewels and musical instruments.

Verse 82 (skanda.8.13.82)

ऋषयः कृत्स्नशस्तत्र वेदगीतान् तपोधनाः । पुण्यान् वैवाहिकान् मन्त्रान् जेपुः संहृष्टमानसाः

ṛṣayaḥ kṛtsnaśastatra vedagītān tapodhanāḥ | puṇyān vaivāhikān mantrān jepuḥ saṁhṛṣṭamānasāḥ

All the sages, rich in austerity, gathered there and recited the sacred wedding mantras chanted in the Vedas, their minds filled with joy.

Verse 83 (skanda.8.13.83)

जगतो मातरः सर्वा देवकन्याश्च कृत्स्नशः । गायन्ति हृषिताः सर्वा उद्वाहे परमेष्ठिनः

jagato mātaraḥ sarvā devakanyāśca kṛtsnaśaḥ | gāyanti hṛṣitāḥ sarvā udvāhe parameṣṭhinaḥ

All the mothers of the world and all the daughters of the gods, joyous, sang together at the wedding of the Supreme Lord.

Verse 84 (skanda.8.13.84)

ऋतवः षट् समं तत्र नानागन्धसुखावहाः । उद्वाहः शङ्करस्येति मूर्त्तिमन्त उपस्थिताः

ṛtavaḥ ṣaṭ samaṁ tatra nānāgandhasukhāvahāḥ | udvāhaḥ śaṅkarasyeti mūrttimanta upasthitāḥ

There too, all six seasons, bringing delight with their manifold fragrances, arrived in embodied form, as if knowing this is Śaṅkara's wedding.

Verse 85 (skanda.8.13.85)

नीलजीमूतसंधातमन्द्रध्वानप्रहर्षितैः । केकायमानैः शिखिभिर्नृत्यमानैश्च सर्वशः

nīlajīmūtasaṁdhātamandradhvānapraharṣitaiḥ | kekāyamānaiḥ śikhibhirnṛtyamānaiśca sarvaśaḥ

Delighted by the deep rumble of the massing dark clouds, peacocks everywhere cried out and danced.

Verse 86 (skanda.8.13.86)

विलोलपिङ्गलस्पष्टविद्युल्लेखावभासिता । कुमुदापीतशुक्लाभिर्बलाकाभिश्च शोभिता

vilolapiṅgalaspaṣṭavidyullekhāvabhāsitā | kumudāpītaśuklābhirbalākābhiśca śobhitā

That season shone with flickering, vivid streaks of tawny lightning, and was adorned with rows of cranes white and pale as kumuda-lilies.

Verse 87 (skanda.8.13.87)

प्रत्यग्रसंजातशिलीन्ध्रकन्दला लता द्रुमाभ्युद्गतचारुपल्लवा । शुभाम्बुधाराप्रणयप्रबोधितैर्मदालसैर्भेकगणैश्च नादिता

pratyagrasaṁjātaśilīndhrakandalā latā drumābhyudgatacārupallavā | śubhāmbudhārāpraṇayaprabodhitairmadālasairbhekagaṇaiśca nāditā

With freshly sprung mushrooms and shoots, and lovely new leaves budding on vines and trees, that season resounded with the calls of frogs, languid with passion, roused by the touch of the auspicious rain-streams.

Verse 88 (skanda.8.13.88)

प्रियेषु मानोन्नतमानसानां सुनिश्चितानामपि कामिनीनाम् । मयूरकेकाभिरुतैः क्षणेन मनोहरैर्मानविभङ्गकर्त्री

priyeṣu mānonnatamānasānāṁ suniścitānāmapi kāminīnām | mayūrakekābhirutaiḥ kṣaṇena manoharairmānavibhaṅgakartrī

Even in women resolutely proud toward their lovers, that season, with the enchanting cries of peacocks, broke down their pride in an instant.

Verse 89 (skanda.8.13.89)

तथा त्रिवर्णोज्ज्वलचारुमूर्तिना शशाङ्कलेखाकुटिलेन सर्वतः । पयोदसंघातसमीपवर्त्तिना महेन्द्रचापेन भृशं विराजिता

tathā trivarṇojjvalacārumūrtinā śaśāṅkalekhākuṭilena sarvataḥ | payodasaṁghātasamīpavarttinā mahendracāpena bhṛśaṁ virājitā

It was greatly adorned by the rainbow — of splendid triple-hued form, curved like a crescent moon, appearing close by the massed clouds.

Verse 90 (skanda.8.13.90)

विचित्रपुष्पस्पर्शात् सुगन्धिभिर्घनाम्बुसंपृक्ततया सुशीतलैः । विकम्पयन्ती पवनैर्मनोहरैः सुराङ्गनानामलकावलीः शुभाः

vicitrapuṣpasparśāt sugandhibhirghanāmbusaṁpṛktatayā suśītalaiḥ | vikampayantī pavanairmanoharaiḥ surāṅganānāmalakāvalīḥ śubhāḥ

With cool, delightful breezes, fragrant from the touch of varied flowers and mingled with the rain-cloud's moisture, it set trembling the lovely tresses of the celestial women.

Verse 91 (skanda.8.13.91)

गर्जत्पयोदस्थगितेन्दुबिम्बा नवाम्बुसेकोद्गतचारुदूर्वा । निरीक्षिता सादरमुत्सुकाभिर्निःश्वासधूम्रं पथिकाङ्गनाभिः

garjatpayodasthagitendubimbā navāmbusekodgatacārudūrvā | nirīkṣitā sādaramutsukābhirniḥśvāsadhūmraṁ pathikāṅganābhiḥ

The moon's orb was veiled by thundering clouds, lovely dūrvā-grass sprang up from the fresh rains; eager travelers' wives gazed upon it with longing, their sighs rising like smoke.

Verse 92 (skanda.8.13.92)

हंसनूपुरशब्दाढ्या समुन्नतपयोधरा । चलद्विद्युल्लताकाञ्ची स्पष्टपद्मविलोचना

haṁsanūpuraśabdāḍhyā samunnatapayodharā | caladvidyullatākāñcī spaṣṭapadmavilocanā

Rich with the anklet-like sounds of geese, her breasts full and high, her girdle the flickering lightning, her eyes clear as lotuses...

Verse 93 (skanda.8.13.93)

असितजलदवृन्दध्वानवित्रस्तहंसा विमलसलिलधारापातताम्रोत्पलाग्रा । सुरभिकुसुमरेणुक्लृप्तसर्वाङ्गशोभा गिरिदुहितृविवाहे प्रावृडागाद्विभूत्यै

asitajaladavṛndadhvānavitrastahaṁsā vimalasaliladhārāpātatāmrotpalāgrā | surabhikusumareṇuklṛptasarvāṅgaśobhā giriduhitṛvivāhe prāvṛḍāgādvibhūtyai

With her geese startled by the roar of dark cloud-masses, the tips of her lotuses reddened by falling drops of pure water, her every limb adorned by the pollen of fragrant flowers, the rainy season came to the Mountain-Daughter's wedding to add its splendour.

Verse 94 (skanda.8.13.94)

मेघकञ्चुकनिर्मुक्ता पद्मकोशोद्गतस्तनी । हंसनूपुरनिर्ह्रादा सर्वरम्यदिगन्तरा

meghakañcukanirmuktā padmakośodgatastanī | haṁsanūpuranirhrādā sarvaramyadigantarā

Freed from her cloud-garment, her breasts risen like lotus-buds, resounding with the anklet-tinkle of geese, making every quarter of the sky lovely, she [Autumn]...

Verse 95 (skanda.8.13.95)

विस्तीर्णपुलिनश्रोणी कूजत्सारसमेखला । प्रफुल्लेन्दीवराभोगविलोचनमनोहरा

vistīrṇapulinaśroṇī kūjatsārasamekhalā | praphullendīvarābhogavilocanamanoharā

With her broad sandbanks for hips, her girdle the calling of sāras-cranes, her eyes lovely as full-blown blue lotuses...

Verse 96 (skanda.8.13.96)

पक्वबिम्बाधरपुटा कुन्ददन्तप्रहासिनी । नवश्यामालताश्यामरोमराजि परिष्कृता

pakvabimbādharapuṭā kundadantaprahāsinī | navaśyāmālatāśyāmaromarāji pariṣkṛtā

Her lower lip red as a ripe bimba-fruit, her smile bright as kunda-blossoms, adorned with a dark line of down like a fresh dark creeper...

Verse 97 (skanda.8.13.97)

चन्द्रांशुहारवर्येण सौधोरःस्थलसर्पिणा । प्रह्लादयन्ती चेतांसि सर्वेषां त्रिदिवौकसाम्

candrāṁśuhāravaryeṇa saudhoraḥsthalasarpiṇā | prahlādayantī cetāṁsi sarveṣāṁ tridivaukasām

Adorned with garlands fine as moonbeams draping the breast of white mansions, she gladdened the hearts of all the heaven-dwellers.

Verse 98 (skanda.8.13.98)

प्रमदालिकुलोद्गीतमधुरस्वनभाषिणी । चलत्कुमुदसंघातचारुकुण्डलशोभिनी

pramadālikulodgītamadhurasvanabhāṣiṇī | calatkumudasaṁghātacārukuṇḍalaśobhinī

Speaking in sweet tones like the humming of intoxicated bee-swarms, adorned with lovely earrings of swaying kumuda-clusters, she [Autumn]...

Verse 99 (skanda.8.13.99)

रक्ताशोकाग्रशाखोत्थपल्लवाङ्गुलिधारिणी । तत्पुष्पसंचयमयैर्वासोभिः समलंकृता

raktāśokāgraśākhotthapallavāṅgulidhāriṇī | tatpuṣpasaṁcayamayairvāsobhiḥ samalaṁkṛtā

Bearing fingers that were the young shoots sprung from the red aśoka's branch-tips, adorned with garments woven of clusters of those very blossoms...

Verse 100 (skanda.8.13.100)

रक्तोत्पलाग्रचरणा जातीपुष्पनखावली । कदलीस्तम्भचारूरुः शशाङ्कवदना शुभा

raktotpalāgracaraṇā jātīpuṣpanakhāvalī | kadalīstambhacārūruḥ śaśāṅkavadanā śubhā

Her feet red as lotus-tips, her nails like jasmine blossoms, her thighs lovely as plantain-stems, her face like the moon, that auspicious Autumn...

Verse 101 (skanda.8.13.101)

पद्मकिञ्जल्कसंपृक्तपवनप्रकरैः सुरान् । प्रेम्णा स्पृशन्ती कान्तेव शरदागान्मनोरमा

padmakiñjalkasaṁpṛktapavanaprakaraiḥ surān | premṇā spṛśantī kānteva śaradāgānmanoramā

Touching the gods lovingly with breezes laden with lotus pollen, like a beloved come near, the enchanting autumn arrived.

Verse 102 (skanda.8.13.102)

निर्मुक्ता सितमेघकञ्चुकपुटा पूर्णेन्दुबिम्बानना । नीलाम्भोजविलोचनाब्जमुकुलप्रोद्भिन्नचारुस्तनो । नानापुष्परजःसुगन्धिपवना प्रह्लादनी चेतसाम् । तत्रागात् कलहंसनूपुररवा देव्या विवाहे शरत्

nirmuktā sitameghakañcukapuṭā pūrṇendubimbānanā | nīlāmbhojavilocanābjamukulaprodbhinnacārustano | nānāpuṣparajaḥsugandhipavanā prahlādanī cetasām | tatrāgāt kalahaṁsanūpuraravā devyā vivāhe śarat

Freed from her white cloud-garment, her face like the full moon's orb, her eyes like blue lotuses, her lovely breasts blossoming like lotus-buds, her breeze fragrant with the pollen of every flower, gladdening every heart, resounding with the anklet-cry of wild geese — autumn came there to the Goddess's wedding.

Verse 103 (skanda.8.13.103)

अत्यर्थशीतलांभोभिः प्लावयन्तौ गिरेः शिलाः । ऋतू हेमन्तशिशिरौ वाजग्मतुरभिद्युती

atyarthaśītalāṁbhobhiḥ plāvayantau gireḥ śilāḥ | ṛtū hemantaśiśirau vājagmaturabhidyutī

Drenching the mountain's rocks with exceedingly cold waters, the two radiant seasons, Hemanta and Śiśira, arrived as well.

Verse 104 (skanda.8.13.104)

ताभ्यामृतुभ्यां प्राप्ताभ्यां हिमवान् स नगोत्तमः । प्रालेयचूर्णवर्षिभ्यां क्षिप्रं रौप्य इवाबभौ

tābhyāmṛtubhyāṁ prāptābhyāṁ himavān sa nagottamaḥ | prāleyacūrṇavarṣibhyāṁ kṣipraṁ raupya ivābabhau

With the coming of those two seasons, showering powdery frost, that best of mountains, Himavat, at once gleamed like silver.

Verse 105 (skanda.8.13.105)

तेन प्रालेयवर्षेण घनेन स हिमाचलः । शोभनेन तदा रेजे क्षीरोद इव सागरः

tena prāleyavarṣeṇa ghanena sa himācalaḥ | śobhanena tadā reje kṣīroda iva sāgaraḥ

With that dense fall of frost, the snowy mountain then shone splendidly, like the ocean of milk.

Verse 106 (skanda.8.13.106)

हिमस्थानेषु हेमन्तोऽत्र नाशयामास पादपान् । साधूपचारान् सहसाकृतार्थ इव दुर्जनः

himasthāneṣu hemanto'tra nāśayāmāsa pādapān | sādhūpacārān sahasākṛtārtha iva durjanaḥ

There, in the snowy regions, Hemanta destroyed the trees, just as a wicked man, once his purpose is served, suddenly destroys the good deeds done for him.

Verse 107 (skanda.8.13.107)

प्रालेयपटलच्छन्नैः शृङ्गैः स शुशुभे नगः । छत्रैरिव महाभोगैः पाण्डरैः पृथिवीपतिः

prāleyapaṭalacchannaiḥ śṛṅgaiḥ sa śuśubhe nagaḥ | chatrairiva mahābhogaiḥ pāṇḍaraiḥ pṛthivīpatiḥ

With its peaks covered by a layer of frost, the mountain shone like a king adorned with great white parasols.

Verse 108 (skanda.8.13.108)

पाण्डराणि विशालानि श्रीमन्ति सुभगानि च । अद्रिशृङ्गाणि तुङ्गानि सौधानीव चकाशिरे

pāṇḍarāṇi viśālāni śrīmanti subhagāni ca | adriśṛṅgāṇi tuṅgāni saudhānīva cakāśire

The mountain's white, vast, splendid, and lovely lofty peaks gleamed like so many white palaces.

Verse 109 (skanda.8.13.109)

तस्याचलेन्द्रस्य दरीष्वतीव विचित्रसारङ्गकुलाकुलासु । प्रालेयधाराः शशिपादगौरा गोक्षीरधारा इव सन्निपेतुः

tasyācalendrasya darīṣvatīva vicitrasāraṅgakulākulāsu | prāleyadhārāḥ śaśipādagaurā gokṣīradhārā iva sannipetuḥ

In the caves of that lord of mountains, thronged thick with herds of varied deer, streams of frost, white as moonbeams, fell like streams of cow's milk.

Verse 110 (skanda.8.13.110)

बहुकुसुमरजोभिरुत्कराङ्गा हिमकणसङ्गसु शीतलाः समीराः । ववुरमरगणेश्वराम्बराणि प्रतनुतमानि शनैर्विकम्पयन्तः

bahukusumarajobhirutkarāṅgā himakaṇasaṅgasu śītalāḥ samīrāḥ | vavuramaragaṇeśvarāmbarāṇi pratanutamāni śanairvikampayantaḥ

Cool breezes, laden with the pollen of many flowers, chilled by the touch of snow-particles, blew there, gently rippling the fine garments of the hosts of gods.

Verse 111 (skanda.8.13.111)

विधूतरूक्षानीलवीतदोषः प्रोद्भिन्नचूताङ्कुरकर्णपूरः । वसन्तकालश्च तमद्रिपुत्रीसेवार्थमागाद्धिमवन्तमाशु

vidhūtarūkṣānīlavītadoṣaḥ prodbhinnacūtāṅkurakarṇapūraḥ | vasantakālaśca tamadriputrīsevārthamāgāddhimavantamāśu

Free from all harsh, dark blemish, wearing an earring of fresh mango-shoots, spring too came swiftly to that Himavat, to render service to the Mountain's Daughter.

Verse 112 (skanda.8.13.112)

तस्मिन्नृतावद्रिसुताविवाहसिषेवया तं गिरिमभ्युपेते । प्रादुर्बभूवुः कुसुमावतंसाः समन्ततः पादपगुल्मषण्डाः

tasminnṛtāvadrisutāvivāhasiṣevayā taṁ girimabhyupete | prādurbabhūvuḥ kusumāvataṁsāḥ samantataḥ pādapagulmaṣaṇḍāḥ

When that season arrived at the mountain to serve at the Mountain-Daughter's wedding, clusters of trees and shrubs sprang up on every side, crowned with blossoms.

Verse 113 (skanda.8.13.113)

ववुः सुगन्धाः सुभगाः सुशीता विचित्रपुष्पाग्ररजोत्कराङ्गाः । मनोभवोद्रेककराः सुराणां सुरङ्गनानाञ्च मुहुः समीराः

vavuḥ sugandhāḥ subhagāḥ suśītā vicitrapuṣpāgrarajotkarāṅgāḥ | manobhavodrekakarāḥ surāṇāṁ suraṅganānāñca muhuḥ samīrāḥ

Fragrant, pleasant, and cool breezes blew again and again, their bodies laden with the pollen from the tips of many-hued flowers, arousing desire in the gods and their consorts.

Verse 114 (skanda.8.13.114)

स्वच्छाम्बुपूर्णाश्च तथा नलिन्यः पद्मोत्पलानां कुसुमैरुपेताः । ईषत्समुद्भिन्नपयोधराग्रा नार्यो यथा रम्यतमा बभूवुः

svacchāmbupūrṇāśca tathā nalinyaḥ padmotpalānāṁ kusumairupetāḥ | īṣatsamudbhinnapayodharāgrā nāryo yathā ramyatamā babhūvuḥ

The lotus-pools, filled with clear water and studded with lotus and blue-lotus blooms, became as lovely as women with breasts just faintly beginning to swell.

Verse 115 (skanda.8.13.115)

ऋतोः स्वभावाच्च मदोद्भवाच्च फुल्लासु शाखासु निलीनपक्षाः । श्रोत्राभिरामं त्रिदशाङ्गनानां पुंस्कोकिलाश्चाविकलं विनेदुः

ṛtoḥ svabhāvācca madodbhavācca phullāsu śākhāsu nilīnapakṣāḥ | śrotrābhirāmaṁ tridaśāṅganānāṁ puṁskokilāścāvikalaṁ vineduḥ

By the very nature of the season and the onset of passion, male cuckoos hidden among the blossoming branches sang out continuously, delighting the ears of the celestial women.

Verse 116 (skanda.8.13.116)

नात्युष्णशीतानि सरःपयांसि किञ्जल्कचूर्णैः कपिलीकृतानि । चक्राह्वयुग्मैरुपनादितानि पपुः प्रहृष्टाः सुरदन्तिमुख्याः

nātyuṣṇaśītāni saraḥpayāṁsi kiñjalkacūrṇaiḥ kapilīkṛtāni | cakrāhvayugmairupanāditāni papuḥ prahṛṣṭāḥ suradantimukhyāḥ

The pools' waters, neither too hot nor too cold, tinted golden with pollen-dust and echoing with the calls of pairs of cakravāka birds — from these the chief elephants of the gods drank joyfully.

Verse 117 (skanda.8.13.117)

प्रियङ्गुसंवृतवराः वृताश्चापि प्रियङ्गवः । तर्जयन्त इवान्योन्यं मञ्जरीभिश्चकाशिरे

priyaṅgusaṁvṛtavarāḥ vṛtāścāpi priyaṅgavaḥ | tarjayanta ivānyonyaṁ mañjarībhiścakāśire

The finest trees entwined by priyaṅgu-creepers, and the priyaṅgu-creepers themselves entwined in turn, shone as though threatening one another with their clustered blossoms.

Verse 118 (skanda.8.13.118)

हिमशुक्लेषु शृङ्गेषु तिलकाः कुसुमोत्कराः । शुशुभुः कार्यमुद्दिश्य वृद्धा इव समागताः

himaśukleṣu śṛṅgeṣu tilakāḥ kusumotkarāḥ | śuśubhuḥ kāryamuddiśya vṛddhā iva samāgatāḥ

On the snow-white peaks, the tilaka trees, laden with masses of blossoms, shone forth like elders gathered together for some purpose.

Verse 119 (skanda.8.13.119)

फुल्लाशोकलतास्तत्र रेजिरे शालसंश्रिताः । कामिन्य इव कान्तानां कण्ठालम्बितमूर्त्तयः

phullāśokalatāstatra rejire śālasaṁśritāḥ | kāminya iva kāntānāṁ kaṇṭhālambitamūrttayaḥ

There, the blossoming aśoka-creepers, clinging to the śāla trees, shone forth like women clasped about the necks of their beloveds.

Verse 120 (skanda.8.13.120)

समदालिकुलोद्गीतलताकुसुमसंचयाः । परस्परं हि मालत्यो भाषन्त्य इव रेजिरे

samadālikulodgītalatākusumasaṁcayāḥ | parasparaṁ hi mālatyo bhāṣantya iva rejire

The clustered blossoms of the creepers, hummed over by swarms of intoxicated bees — those jasmine-flowers shone as though conversing with one another.

Verse 121 (skanda.8.13.121)

नीलानि नीलाम्बुरुहैः पयांसि गौराणि गौरैश्च मृणालदण्डैः । तथैव चित्राणि भृशं कृतानि मत्तद्विरेफार्धविदष्टपत्रैः

nīlāni nīlāmburuhaiḥ payāṁsi gaurāṇi gauraiśca mṛṇāladaṇḍaiḥ | tathaiva citrāṇi bhṛśaṁ kṛtāni mattadvirephārdhavidaṣṭapatraiḥ

The waters were dark with dark blue lotuses, and white with white lotus-stalks, and made wonderfully varied by leaves half-bitten by intoxicated bees.

Verse 122 (skanda.8.13.122)

हैमानि विस्तीर्णजलेषु केषुचिन्निरन्तरं मारकतानि केषुचित् । वैदूर्यनालानि सरस्सु केषुचित् प्रजज्ञिरे पद्मवनानि सर्वतः

haimāni vistīrṇajaleṣu keṣucinnirantaraṁ mārakatāni keṣucit | vaidūryanālāni sarassu keṣucit prajajñire padmavanāni sarvataḥ

In the broad waters, lotus-groves sprang up everywhere — in some places golden, in others emerald-hued throughout, and elsewhere with stalks like cat's-eye gems.

Verse 123 (skanda.8.13.123)

वाप्यस्तत्राभवन् रम्याः कमलोत्पलभूषिताः । नानाविहङ्गसंघुष्टा हेमसोपानपंक्तयः

vāpyastatrābhavan ramyāḥ kamalotpalabhūṣitāḥ | nānāvihaṅgasaṁghuṣṭā hemasopānapaṁktayaḥ

There too were lovely stepwells, adorned with lotus and blue lotus, echoing with the cries of many birds, lined with rows of golden steps.

Verse 124 (skanda.8.13.124)

शृङ्गाणि तस्य तु गिरेः कर्णिकारैः सुपुष्पितैः । समुच्छ्रितान्यविरलैर्हैमानीव बभुर्मुने

śṛṅgāṇi tasya tu gireḥ karṇikāraiḥ supuṣpitaiḥ | samucchritānyaviralairhaimānīva babhurmune

O sage, that mountain's peaks, thickly covered with fully blossoming karṇikāra trees, shone as though wrought of gold.

Verse 125 (skanda.8.13.125)

ईषदुद्भिन्नकुसुमैः पाटलैश्चापि पाटला । संबभूवुर्दिशः सर्वाः पवनाकम्पिमूर्त्तिभिः

īṣadudbhinnakusumaiḥ pāṭalaiścāpi pāṭalā | saṁbabhūvurdiśaḥ sarvāḥ pavanākampimūrttibhiḥ

With their faintly opened blossoms, quivering in the breeze, the pāṭala flowers made every quarter of the sky itself take on their rosy hue.

Verse 126 (skanda.8.13.126)

कृष्णाञ्जनाद्रिशृङ्गाभा नीलाशोकमहीरुहाः । गिरौ ववृधिरे फुल्लाः स्पर्धयेव परस्परम्

kṛṣṇāñjanādriśṛṅgābhā nīlāśokamahīruhāḥ | girau vavṛdhire phullāḥ spardhayeva parasparam

Dark aśoka trees, gleaming like the peaks of the black collyrium-mountain, grew and blossomed on the mountain, as though vying with one another.

Verse 127 (skanda.8.13.127)

चञ्चरीकविघुष्टानि किंशुकानां वनानि च । पर्वतस्य नितम्बेषु सर्वेष्वेवाभिजज्ञिरे

cañcarīkavighuṣṭāni kiṁśukānāṁ vanāni ca | parvatasya nitambeṣu sarveṣvevābhijajñire

Forests of kiṁśuka trees, resounding with the hum of bees, sprang up over every slope of the mountain.

Verse 128 (skanda.8.13.128)

तमालगुल्मैस्तस्यासीच्छोभा हिमवतस्तदा । नीलजीमूतसंघातैर्निलीनैरिव सन्धिषु

tamālagulmaistasyāsīcchobhā himavatastadā | nīlajīmūtasaṁghātairnilīnairiva sandhiṣu

With clusters of tamāla trees, Himavat's beauty then appeared as though masses of dark clouds lay hidden in its crevices.

Verse 129 (skanda.8.13.129)

निकामपुष्पैः सुविशालशाखैः समुच्छ्रितैश्चम्पकपादपैश्च । प्रमत्तपुंस्कोकिलसंप्रलापैर्हिमाचलोतीव तदा रराज

nikāmapuṣpaiḥ suviśālaśākhaiḥ samucchritaiścampakapādapaiśca | pramattapuṁskokilasaṁpralāpairhimācalotīva tadā rarāja

With towering campaka trees, their branches wide-spread and thick with blossom, and with the cries of passionate cuckoos, the snowy mountain then shone with exceeding splendour.

Verse 130 (skanda.8.13.130)

श्रुत्वा शब्दान् ऋतुमदकलान् सर्वतः कोकिलानाम् चञ्चत्पक्षाः सुमधुररुतं नीलकण्ठा विनेदुः । तेषां शब्दैरुपचितबलः पुष्पचापेषुहस्तः सज्जीभूतस्त्रिदशवनिता वेद्धुमङ्गेष्वनङ्गः

śrutvā śabdān ṛtumadakalān sarvataḥ kokilānām cañcatpakṣāḥ sumadhurarutaṁ nīlakaṇṭhā vineduḥ | teṣāṁ śabdairupacitabalaḥ puṣpacāpeṣuhastaḥ sajjībhūtastridaśavanitā veddhumaṅgeṣvanaṅgaḥ

Hearing on every side the sweet, passion-laden calls of the cuckoos, the peacocks too, fluttering their feathers, cried out in melodious tones; strengthened by those sounds, Ananga, bow of flowers and arrows in hand, made himself ready to pierce the limbs of the celestial women.

Verse 131 (skanda.8.13.131)

पटुसूर्यातपश्चापि प्रायः सोष्णजलाशयः । देवीविवाहसेवार्थं ग्रीष्म आगाद्धिमाचलम्

paṭusūryātapaścāpi prāyaḥ soṣṇajalāśayaḥ | devīvivāhasevārthaṁ grīṣma āgāddhimācalam

With its sharp sunlight and mostly warm waters, Summer too came to the snowy mountain, to render service at the Goddess's wedding.

Verse 132 (skanda.8.13.132)

स चापि तरुभिस्तत्र बहुभिः कुसुमोत्करैः । शोभयामास शृङ्गाणि प्रालेयाद्रेः समन्ततः

sa cāpi tarubhistatra bahubhiḥ kusumotkaraiḥ | śobhayāmāsa śṛṅgāṇi prāleyādreḥ samantataḥ

It too, with the abundant blossoms of many trees, adorned the peaks of the snowy mountain on every side.

Verse 133 (skanda.8.13.133)

तस्यापि च ऋतोस्तत्र वायवः सुमनोहराः । ववुः पाटलविस्तीर्णकदम्बार्जुनगन्धिनः

tasyāpi ca ṛtostatra vāyavaḥ sumanoharāḥ | vavuḥ pāṭalavistīrṇakadambārjunagandhinaḥ

In that season too, there blew exceedingly delightful winds, fragrant with pāṭala, kadamba, and arjuna blossoms in full spread.

Verse 134 (skanda.8.13.134)

वाप्यः प्रफुल्लपद्मौघाः केसरारुणमूर्त्तयः । अभवन् तटसंघुष्टकलहंसकदम्बकाः

vāpyaḥ praphullapadmaughāḥ kesarāruṇamūrttayaḥ | abhavan taṭasaṁghuṣṭakalahaṁsakadambakāḥ

The stepwells, thick with blossoming lotuses, glowing red with pollen, echoed at their banks with flocks of wild geese.

Verse 135 (skanda.8.13.135)

तथा कुरबकाश्चापि कुसुमापाण्डुमूर्तयः । सर्वेषु जज्ञुः शृङ्गेषु भ्रमरावलिसेविताः

tathā kurabakāścāpi kusumāpāṇḍumūrtayaḥ | sarveṣu jajñuḥ śṛṅgeṣu bhramarāvalisevitāḥ

The kurabaka shrubs too, their flowers pale-white in hue, thronged with rows of bees, sprang up on every peak.

Verse 136 (skanda.8.13.136)

बकुलाश्च नितम्बेषु विशालेषु महीभृतः । उत्ससर्जुर्मनोज्ञानि कुसुमानि समन्ततः

bakulāśca nitambeṣu viśāleṣu mahībhṛtaḥ | utsasarjurmanojñāni kusumāni samantataḥ

And on the broad slopes of the mountain, the bakula trees too scattered their lovely blossoms all around.

Verse 137 (skanda.8.13.137)

इति कुसुमविचित्रसर्ववेषा विविधविहङ्गमनादरम्यदेशाः । हिमगिरितनयाविवाहभूत्यै षडुपययुर्ऋतवो मुनिप्रवीर

iti kusumavicitrasarvaveṣā vividhavihaṅgamanādaramyadeśāḥ | himagiritanayāvivāhabhūtyai ṣaḍupayayurṛtavo munipravīra

Thus, O foremost of sages, all six seasons, arrayed wondrously in flowers, their regions made lovely by the cries of many birds, came together to grace the wedding of the Mountain's Daughter.

Verse 138 (skanda.8.13.138)

तत एवं प्रवृत्ते तु सर्वभूतसमागमे । नानावाद्यसमाकीर्णे ब्रह्मा मम पिता स्वयम्

tata evaṁ pravṛtte tu sarvabhūtasamāgame | nānāvādyasamākīrṇe brahmā mama pitā svayam

When this gathering of all beings, filled with the sounds of many musical instruments, had thus come about, then my father Brahmā himself...

Verse 139 (skanda.8.13.139)

शैलपुत्रीमलंकृत्य योगाभरणसंपदा । पुरं प्रवेशयामास तामादाय लोकवित्

śailaputrīmalaṁkṛtya yogābharaṇasaṁpadā | puraṁ praveśayāmāsa tāmādāya lokavit

...that all-knowing Brahmā, having adorned the Mountain's Daughter with a wealth of fitting ornaments, took her and led her into the city.

Verse 140 (skanda.8.13.140)

ततस्तु पुनरेवेशं ब्रह्मा व्यज्ञापयद्विभुम् । हविर्जुहोमि वह्नौ तु उपाध्यायपदे स्थितः

tatastu punareveśaṁ brahmā vyajñāpayadvibhum | havirjuhomi vahnau tu upādhyāyapade sthitaḥ

Then Brahmā once again addressed the all-pervading Lord: Taking the place of the officiating priest, I shall offer the oblation into the fire.

Verse 141 (skanda.8.13.141)

ददासि मह्यं यद्याज्ञां कर्तव्योयं क्रियाविधिः । तमाह शङ्करो देवं देवदेवो जगत्पतिः

dadāsi mahyaṁ yadyājñāṁ kartavyoyaṁ kriyāvidhiḥ | tamāha śaṅkaro devaṁ devadevo jagatpatiḥ

If you grant me leave, let this rite be performed. Then Śaṅkara, the God of gods, Lord of the universe, spoke to that god.

Verse 142 (skanda.8.13.142)

यत्त्वदिष्टं सुरेशान तत्कुरुष्व यथेप्सितम् । कर्तास्मि वचनं सर्वं ब्रह्मँस्तव जगद्विभोः

yattvadiṣṭaṁ sureśāna tatkuruṣva yathepsitam | kartāsmi vacanaṁ sarvaṁ brahma~stava jagadvibhoḥ

O Lord of the gods, do as you wish, whatever pleases you; O Brahmā, ruler of the universe, I shall carry out everything you say.

Verse 143 (skanda.8.13.143)

ततः प्रणम्य हृष्टात्मा ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः । हस्तं देवस्य देव्याश्च योगबन्धे युयोज ह

tataḥ praṇamya hṛṣṭātmā brahmā lokapitāmahaḥ | hastaṁ devasya devyāśca yogabandhe yuyoja ha

Then, bowing, the joyful Brahmā, grandsire of the worlds, joined the hands of the God and the Goddess in the ritual bond.

Verse 144 (skanda.8.13.144)

ज्वलनश्च स्वयं तत्र कृताञ्जलिरुपस्थितः । श्रुतिगीतैर्महामन्त्रैर्मूर्तिमद्भिरुपस्थितैः

jvalanaśca svayaṁ tatra kṛtāñjalirupasthitaḥ | śrutigītairmahāmantrairmūrtimadbhirupasthitaiḥ

And Fire himself stood there too, hands folded in reverence, together with the great Vedic mantras present there in embodied form.

Verse 145 (skanda.8.13.145)

यथोक्तविधिना हुत्वा सर्पिस्तदमृत च हि । त्रिश्च तं ज्वलनं देवं कारयित्वा प्रदक्षिणम्

yathoktavidhinā hutvā sarpistadamṛta ca hi | triśca taṁ jvalanaṁ devaṁ kārayitvā pradakṣiṇam

Having offered oblations of ghee and ambrosia according to the prescribed rite, and having led that fire-god around them thrice in circumambulation.

Verse 146 (skanda.8.13.146)

मुक्त्वा हस्तसमायोगं सहितः सर्वदेवतैः । सुतैश्च मानसैः सर्वैः प्रहृष्टेनान्तरात्मना

muktvā hastasamāyogaṁ sahitaḥ sarvadevataiḥ | sutaiśca mānasaiḥ sarvaiḥ prahṛṣṭenāntarātmanā

Then, releasing the joined hands, together with all the gods and all his mind-born sons, with a heart full of joy.

Verse 147 (skanda.8.13.147)

वृत्ते उद्वाहकार्ये तु प्रणनाम वृषध्वजम् । योगेनैव तयोर्व्यास तदोमापरमेशयोः

vṛtte udvāhakārye tu praṇanāma vṛṣadhvajam | yogenaiva tayorvyāsa tadomāparameśayoḥ

When the marriage rite was thus accomplished, he bowed to the bull-bannered Lord. Thus, O Vyāsa, the marriage of Umā and the Supreme Lord took place entirely through yoga.

Verse 148 (skanda.8.13.148)

उद्वाहः स परो वृत्तो यं देवा न विदुः क्वचित् । इति ते सर्वमाख्यातं स्वयंवरमिदं शुभम् । उद्वाहश्चैव देवस्य शृण्वतः परमाद्भुतम्

udvāhaḥ sa paro vṛtto yaṁ devā na viduḥ kvacit | iti te sarvamākhyātaṁ svayaṁvaramidaṁ śubham | udvāhaścaiva devasya śṛṇvataḥ paramādbhutam

That supreme marriage was thus accomplished, which the gods themselves never truly perceived. Thus have I related to you in full this auspicious svayamvara, and this most wondrous marriage of the God, for you who listen.