Vasishtha's Boon

Verse 1 (skanda.8.15.1)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। प्रविष्टे भवनं देवे सूपविष्टे वरासने । सवह्निर्मन्मथः क्रूरो देवं वेद्धुमना भवत्

sanatkumāra uvāca| praviṣṭe bhavanaṁ deve sūpaviṣṭe varāsane | savahnirmanmathaḥ krūro devaṁ veddhumanā bhavat

Sanatkumara said: When the god had entered his abode and was well seated upon his fine throne, cruel Manmatha, together with Vahni, conceived the intent to strike the god.

Verse 2 (skanda.8.15.2)

तमनाचारसंयुक्तं दुरात्मानं कुलाधमम् । लोकान् सर्वान् तापयानं सर्वेष्वकरुणात्मकम्

tamanācārasaṁyuktaṁ durātmānaṁ kulādhamam | lokān sarvān tāpayānaṁ sarveṣvakaruṇātmakam

That evil-minded one, lowest of his lineage, given to misconduct, tormenting all the worlds, was merciless toward every being.

Verse 3 (skanda.8.15.3)

ऋषीणां विघ्नकर्तारं नियमानां व्रतैः सह । चक्राह्वयस्य रूपेण रत्या सह समागतम्

ṛṣīṇāṁ vighnakartāraṁ niyamānāṁ vrataiḥ saha | cakrāhvayasya rūpeṇa ratyā saha samāgatam

A creator of obstacles to the sages' observances and vows, he had come there in the form of the Chakravaka bird, together with Rati.

Verse 4 (skanda.8.15.4)

अथाततायिनं व्यास वेद्धुकामं सुरेश्वरम् । नयनेन तृतीयेन सावज्ञं तमवैक्षत

athātatāyinaṁ vyāsa veddhukāmaṁ sureśvaram | nayanena tṛtīyena sāvajñaṁ tamavaikṣata

O Vyasa, then the Lord of the gods looked with contempt, through his third eye, upon that assassin who intended to strike him.

Verse 5 (skanda.8.15.5)

ततोस्य नेत्रजो वह्निर्ज्वालामालासहस्रवान् । संवृत्य रतिभर्तारमदहत् सपरिच्छदम्

tatosya netrajo vahnirjvālāmālāsahasravān | saṁvṛtya ratibhartāramadahat saparicchadam

Then fire born of his eye, garlanded with a thousand flames, enveloped Rati's husband along with his retinue and burned him to ashes.

Verse 6 (skanda.8.15.6)

स दह्यमानः करुणमार्त्तोक्रोशत विस्वरम् । प्रसादयँश्च तं देवं पपात स महीतले

sa dahyamānaḥ karuṇamārttokrośata visvaram | prasādaya~śca taṁ devaṁ papāta sa mahītale

As he burned, tormented and pitiable, he cried out in a broken voice, and while trying to appease the god, he fell to the ground.

Verse 7 (skanda.8.15.7)

आशु सोग्निपरीताङ्गो मन्मथो लोकतापनः । पपात भस्मसाच्चैव क्षणेन समपद्यत

āśu sogniparītāṅgo manmatho lokatāpanaḥ | papāta bhasmasāccaiva kṣaṇena samapadyata

Swiftly, his body enveloped in fire, Manmatha, the tormentor of the worlds, fell, and in a moment turned entirely to ashes.

Verse 8 (skanda.8.15.8)

पत्नी तु करुणं तस्य विललाप सुदुःखिता । देवं देवीञ्च रुदती अयाचत् करुणायती

patnī tu karuṇaṁ tasya vilalāpa suduḥkhitā | devaṁ devīñca rudatī ayācat karuṇāyatī

His wife, deeply grieved, wailed pitifully, and weeping, in her sorrow she begged mercy from the god and the goddess.

Verse 9 (skanda.8.15.9)

तस्यास्तत् क्रन्दनं श्रुत्वा देवौ तौ करुणात्मकौ । ऊचतुस्तां समालोक्य समाश्वास्य च दुःखिताम्

tasyāstat krandanaṁ śrutvā devau tau karuṇātmakau | ūcatustāṁ samālokya samāśvāsya ca duḥkhitām

Hearing her lament, those two compassionate deities looked upon the sorrowing woman, consoled her, and spoke to her.

Verse 10 (skanda.8.15.10)

दग्ध एष ध्रुवं भद्रे नास्योत्पत्तिरिहेष्यते । अशरीरोपि ते काले कार्यं सर्वं करिष्यति

dagdha eṣa dhruvaṁ bhadre nāsyotpattiriheṣyate | aśarīropi te kāle kāryaṁ sarvaṁ kariṣyati

'O gentle one, he is indeed burnt, and no birth for him is to be looked for here again; yet even without a body, in due time he shall accomplish for you every task.'

Verse 11 (skanda.8.15.11)

यदा तु विष्णुर्भविता वसुदेवसुतः शुभे । तदा तस्य सुतो ह्येष पतिस्ते भविता रते

yadā tu viṣṇurbhavitā vasudevasutaḥ śubhe | tadā tasya suto hyeṣa patiste bhavitā rate

'O auspicious one, when Vishnu shall become the son of Vasudeva, then this one, indeed, shall be born as his son, and he shall become your husband, O Rati.'

Verse 12 (skanda.8.15.12)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। ततः सा तं वरं लब्ध्वा कामपत्नी शुभानना । जगामेष्टं तदा देशं प्रीतियुक्ता गतक्लमा

sanatkumāra uvāca| tataḥ sā taṁ varaṁ labdhvā kāmapatnī śubhānanā | jagāmeṣṭaṁ tadā deśaṁ prītiyuktā gataklamā

Sanatkumara said: Then Kama's wife, of lovely countenance, having obtained that boon, went, freed of her weariness and filled with joy, to the place she desired.

Verse 13 (skanda.8.15.13)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। एवं दग्ध्वा स कामं तु शङ्करो मूढचेतसम् । प्रोवाच हिमवत्पुत्रीं भक्त्या मुनिवरस्य ह

sanatkumāra uvāca| evaṁ dagdhvā sa kāmaṁ tu śaṅkaro mūḍhacetasam | provāca himavatputrīṁ bhaktyā munivarasya ha

Sanatkumara said: Having thus burnt Kama, of deluded mind, Shankara then, with affection, spoke to the daughter of Himavan about the excellent sage.

Verse 14 (skanda.8.15.14)

वसिष्ठो नाम विप्रेन्द्रो मां कृत्वा हृदि तप्यते । तस्याहं वरदानाय प्रयास्यामि महाव्रते

vasiṣṭho nāma viprendro māṁ kṛtvā hṛdi tapyate | tasyāhaṁ varadānāya prayāsyāmi mahāvrate

'O woman of great vows, there is a foremost Brahmin named Vasishtha, who practices austerity holding me in his heart; I shall go to grant him a boon.'

Verse 15 (skanda.8.15.15)

एवमुक्त्वा स देवीं तु भक्त्या प्रीत्या तदा विभुः । जगाम तपतोभ्यासं वसिष्ठस्य मुनेर्विभुः

evamuktvā sa devīṁ tu bhaktyā prītyā tadā vibhuḥ | jagāma tapatobhyāsaṁ vasiṣṭhasya munervibhuḥ

Having thus spoken to the Goddess with affection and love, the mighty Lord then went to the presence of the sage Vasishtha, who was performing austerities.

Verse 16 (skanda.8.15.16)

ततो मुनिवरश्रेष्ठं वरिष्ठं तपतां वरम् । वसिष्ठमृषिशार्दूलं तप्यमानं परन्तपः

tato munivaraśreṣṭhaṁ variṣṭhaṁ tapatāṁ varam | vasiṣṭhamṛṣiśārdūlaṁ tapyamānaṁ parantapaḥ

Then the Vanquisher of foes beheld Vasishtha, the foremost and most excellent of sages, the tiger among seers, best among those practicing austerity, engaged in his penance.

Verse 17 (skanda.8.15.17)

पूर्णे वर्षसहस्रे तु ज्वलमानमिवानलम् । उवाच भगवान् गत्वा ब्रूहि किन्ते ददान्यहम्

pūrṇe varṣasahasre tu jvalamānamivānalam | uvāca bhagavān gatvā brūhi kinte dadānyaham

When a thousand years had been completed, the Blessed Lord approached him, who blazed like fire, and said: 'Tell me, what shall I give you?'

Verse 18 (skanda.8.15.18)

ददामि दिव्यं चक्षुस्ते पश्य मां सगणं द्विज । दृष्टवा तु स तमीशानं प्रणम्य शिरसा प्रभुम् । शिरस्यञ्जलिमाधाय तुष्टाव हृषिताननः

dadāmi divyaṁ cakṣuste paśya māṁ sagaṇaṁ dvija | dṛṣṭavā tu sa tamīśānaṁ praṇamya śirasā prabhum | śirasyañjalimādhāya tuṣṭāva hṛṣitānanaḥ

'I grant you the divine eye — behold me, O Brahmin, together with my retinue.' Seeing that Lord Ishana, and bowing his head to the mighty one, he placed his joined palms upon his head and, his face beaming with joy, praised him.

Verse 19 (skanda.8.15.19)

वसिष्ठ उवाच। नमः कनकलिङ्गाय वेदलिङ्गाय वै नमः । नमः सहस्रलिङ्गाय वह्निलिङ्गाय वै नमः

vasiṣṭha uvāca| namaḥ kanakaliṅgāya vedaliṅgāya vai namaḥ | namaḥ sahasraliṅgāya vahniliṅgāya vai namaḥ

Vasishtha said: Salutation to the one whose Linga is gold, salutation indeed to the one whose Linga is the Veda; salutation to the one of a thousand Lingas, salutation indeed to the one whose Linga is fire.

Verse 20 (skanda.8.15.20)

नमः पुराणलिङ्गाय श्रुतिलिङ्गाय वै नमः । नमः परमलिङ्गाय ब्रह्मलिङ्गाय वै नमः

namaḥ purāṇaliṅgāya śrutiliṅgāya vai namaḥ | namaḥ paramaliṅgāya brahmaliṅgāya vai namaḥ

Salutation to the one whose Linga is the Purana, salutation indeed to the one whose Linga is the Shruti; salutation to the one of the supreme Linga, salutation indeed to the one whose Linga is Brahman.

Verse 21 (skanda.8.15.21)

नमस्त्रैलोक्यलिङ्गाय दाहलिङ्गाय वै नमः । नमः पर्वतलिङ्गाय स्थितिलिङ्गाय वै नमः

namastrailokyaliṅgāya dāhaliṅgāya vai namaḥ | namaḥ parvataliṅgāya sthitiliṅgāya vai namaḥ

Salutation to the one whose Linga is the three worlds, salutation indeed to the one whose Linga is fire's consuming power; salutation to the one whose Linga is the mountain, salutation indeed to the one whose Linga is stability.

Verse 22 (skanda.8.15.22)

नमो रहस्यलिङ्गाय सप्तद्वीपाध्वलिङ्गिने । नमः सर्वार्थलिङ्गाय सर्वलोकाङ्गलिङ्गिने

namo rahasyaliṅgāya saptadvīpādhvaliṅgine | namaḥ sarvārthaliṅgāya sarvalokāṅgaliṅgine

Salutation to the one whose Linga is the mystery, whose Linga is the path of the seven continents; salutation to the one whose Linga holds all meaning, and whose Linga is the very body of all the worlds.

Verse 23 (skanda.8.15.23)

नमोस्त्वव्यक्तलिङ्गाय बुद्धिलिङ्गाय वै नमः । नमोहङ्कारलिङ्गाय भूतलिङ्गाय वै नमः

namostvavyaktaliṅgāya buddhiliṅgāya vai namaḥ | namohaṅkāraliṅgāya bhūtaliṅgāya vai namaḥ

Salutation to the one whose Linga is the Unmanifest, salutation indeed to the one whose Linga is intellect; salutation to the one whose Linga is Ahamkara, salutation indeed to the one whose Linga is the elements.

Verse 24 (skanda.8.15.24)

नम इन्द्रियलिङ्गाय नमस्तन्मात्रलिङ्गिने । नमः पुरुषलिङ्गाय भावलिङ्गाय वै नमः

nama indriyaliṅgāya namastanmātraliṅgine | namaḥ puruṣaliṅgāya bhāvaliṅgāya vai namaḥ

Salutation to the one whose Linga is the senses, salutation to the one whose Linga is the subtle elements; salutation to the one whose Linga is Purusha, salutation indeed to the one whose Linga is all existence.

Verse 25 (skanda.8.15.25)

नमः सत्वोर्ध्वलिङ्गाय तमोलिङ्गाय वै नमः । नमो रजोर्ध्वलिङ्गाय सत्त्वलिङ्गाय वै नमः

namaḥ satvordhvaliṅgāya tamoliṅgāya vai namaḥ | namo rajordhvaliṅgāya sattvaliṅgāya vai namaḥ

Salutation to the one whose Linga rises above Sattva, salutation indeed to the one whose Linga is Tamas; salutation to the one whose Linga rises above Rajas, salutation indeed to the one whose Linga is Sattva.

Verse 26 (skanda.8.15.26)

नमो गगनलिङ्गाय तेजोलिङ्गाय वै नमः । नमो वामूर्ध्वलिङ्गाय शब्दलिङ्गाय वै नमः

namo gaganaliṅgāya tejoliṅgāya vai namaḥ | namo vāmūrdhvaliṅgāya śabdaliṅgāya vai namaḥ

Salutation to the one whose Linga is the sky, salutation indeed to the one whose Linga is radiance; salutation to the one whose Linga rises to the left, salutation indeed to the one whose Linga is sound.

Verse 27 (skanda.8.15.27)

नम ऋक्स्तुतलिङ्गाय यजुर्लिङ्गाय वै नमः । नमोऽथर्वलिङ्गाय सामलिङ्गाय वै नमः

nama ṛkstutaliṅgāya yajurliṅgāya vai namaḥ | namo'tharvaliṅgāya sāmaliṅgāya vai namaḥ

Salutation to the one whose Linga is praised in the Rig Veda, salutation indeed to the one whose Linga is the Yajur; salutation to the one whose Linga is the Atharva, salutation indeed to the one whose Linga is the Sama.

Verse 28 (skanda.8.15.28)

नमो यज्ञाङ्गलिङ्गाय यज्ञलिङ्गाय वै नमः । नमोऽनन्तलिङ्गाय वेदानुगतलिङ्गिने

namo yajñāṅgaliṅgāya yajñaliṅgāya vai namaḥ | namo'nantaliṅgāya vedānugataliṅgine

Salutation to the one whose Linga is the limbs of the sacrifice, salutation indeed to the one whose Linga is the sacrifice itself; salutation to the one of the endless Linga, whose Linga follows the course of the Vedas.

Verse 29 (skanda.8.15.29)

दिश नः परमं योगमपत्यं मत्समं तथा । ब्रह्म चैवाक्षयं देव शमञ्चैव परं विभो । अक्षयत्वं च वंशस्य धर्मे च मतिमक्षयाम्

diśa naḥ paramaṁ yogamapatyaṁ matsamaṁ tathā | brahma caivākṣayaṁ deva śamañcaiva paraṁ vibho | akṣayatvaṁ ca vaṁśasya dharme ca matimakṣayām

'Grant us the supreme yoga, and likewise a son equal to myself; and, O Lord, imperishable Brahman-knowledge and the highest tranquility; and imperishability for our lineage, and an unfailing devotion to Dharma.'

Verse 30 (skanda.8.15.30)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। एवं स भगवान् व्यास वसिष्ठेनामितात्मना । स्तूयमानस्तुतोषाथ तुष्टश्चेदं तमब्रवीत्

sanatkumāra uvāca| evaṁ sa bhagavān vyāsa vasiṣṭhenāmitātmanā | stūyamānastutoṣātha tuṣṭaścedaṁ tamabravīt

Sanatkumara said: O Vyasa, thus praised by the boundless-souled Vasishtha, that Blessed Lord became pleased, and being satisfied, spoke to him thus.

Verse 31 (skanda.8.15.31)

भगवानुवाच। तुष्टस्तेहं ददाम्येतत् तव सर्वं मनोगतम् । योगं च परमं सूक्ष्ममक्षयं सर्वकामिकम्

bhagavānuvāca| tuṣṭastehaṁ dadāmyetat tava sarvaṁ manogatam | yogaṁ ca paramaṁ sūkṣmamakṣayaṁ sarvakāmikam

The Lord said: 'Pleased with you, I grant you all that is in your heart, and the supreme, subtle, imperishable yoga that fulfills every desire.'

Verse 32 (skanda.8.15.32)

पुत्रञ्च त्वत्समं दिव्यं तपोयोगबलान्वितम् । ज्ञानानि च ऋषिश्रेष्ठ प्रतिभास्यन्ति चैव ते

putrañca tvatsamaṁ divyaṁ tapoyogabalānvitam | jñānāni ca ṛṣiśreṣṭha pratibhāsyanti caiva te

'And a divine son equal to yourself, endowed with the power of austerity and yoga; and, O foremost of sages, knowledge shall also manifest to you.'

Verse 33 (skanda.8.15.33)

दमः शमस्तथा कीर्तिस्तुष्टिरक्रोध एव च । नित्यं तव भविष्यन्ति अमरत्वं च सर्वशः

damaḥ śamastathā kīrtistuṣṭirakrodha eva ca | nityaṁ tava bhaviṣyanti amaratvaṁ ca sarvaśaḥ

'Self-restraint, tranquility, fame, contentment, and freedom from anger shall ever be yours; and immortality in every respect.'

Verse 34 (skanda.8.15.34)

अवश्यत्वमसह्यत्वमक्षयत्वञ्च सर्वदा । वंशस्य चाक्षतिर्विप्र धर्मे च मतिरव्यया । ब्रूहि चान्यानपि वरान् ददामि ऋषिसत्तम

avaśyatvamasahyatvamakṣayatvañca sarvadā | vaṁśasya cākṣatirvipra dharme ca matiravyayā | brūhi cānyānapi varān dadāmi ṛṣisattama

'Certainty of purpose, invincibility, and everlasting imperishability shall also be yours. O Brahmin, your lineage shall remain unbroken, and your devotion to Dharma unwavering. Ask also for other boons, O best of sages, and I shall grant them.'

Verse 35 (skanda.8.15.35)

वसिष्ठ उवाच। भगवन् विदितं सर्वं भूतं यद्वर्तनं विभो । भविष्यं येन जानीयां तन्मे देव विधीयताम्

vasiṣṭha uvāca| bhagavan viditaṁ sarvaṁ bhūtaṁ yadvartanaṁ vibho | bhaviṣyaṁ yena jānīyāṁ tanme deva vidhīyatām

Vasishtha said: 'O Lord, O mighty one, I already know all that has come to pass; grant me, O god, that by which I may also know the future.'

Verse 36 (skanda.8.15.36)

देव उवाच। भविष्यं स्वेच्छया कुर्यामिति ज्ञातुं न शक्यते । तदपि मत्प्रसादेन ज्ञास्यसि निर्वृतो भव

deva uvāca| bhaviṣyaṁ svecchayā kuryāmiti jñātuṁ na śakyate | tadapi matprasādena jñāsyasi nirvṛto bhava

The god said: 'It cannot be known what the future will bring by one's own will alone; yet, by my grace, you shall know it — be at peace.'

Verse 37 (skanda.8.15.37)

वसिष्ठ उवाच। भगवन् विदितं सर्वं भविष्यं देवसत्तम । तस्यापि तत्तथा देव यथा वा मन्यसे प्रभो

vasiṣṭha uvāca| bhagavan viditaṁ sarvaṁ bhaviṣyaṁ devasattama | tasyāpi tattathā deva yathā vā manyase prabho

Vasishtha said: 'O Lord, O best of gods, let the future too be known to me; O god, O Lord, let that be so, in whatever way you deem fit.'

Verse 38 (skanda.8.15.38)

देवदेव उवाच। भविष्यं नान्यथा कुर्यादिति मे निश्चिता मतिः । कथं कुर्यात्तदन्यथा

devadeva uvāca| bhaviṣyaṁ nānyathā kuryāditi me niścitā matiḥ | kathaṁ kuryāttadanyathā

The God of gods said: 'It is my firm resolve that the future shall not turn out otherwise — how, indeed, could it happen otherwise?'

Verse 39 (skanda.8.15.39)

तथा तन्नात्र सन्देहो विहितं यद्यथा मया । तस्मात्तेनुग्रहं कर्ता भूयः पुत्रस्तवाव्यय

tathā tannātra sandeho vihitaṁ yadyathā mayā | tasmāttenugrahaṁ kartā bhūyaḥ putrastavāvyaya

'And thus, there is no doubt in this regard: whatever has been ordained by me shall come to pass exactly so; therefore, O undecaying one, I shall bestow further grace upon you through your son.'

Verse 40 (skanda.8.15.40)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। एवमुक्त्वा ततो देवः कपर्दी नीललोहितः । पश्यतस्तस्य विप्रर्षेः क्षणादन्तरधीयत

sanatkumāra uvāca| evamuktvā tato devaḥ kapardī nīlalohitaḥ | paśyatastasya viprarṣeḥ kṣaṇādantaradhīyata

Sanatkumara said: Having spoken thus, the matted-haired god of blue-and-red hue vanished in an instant, even as that Brahmin-sage looked on.