On the Merit of a Tree-Son

Verse 1 (skanda.8.158.1)

व्यास उवाच । अन्धकं गणपं कृत्वा देव्या सह महेश्वरः । किं चक्रेतः परं ब्रूहि नुद कौतूहलं मम

vyāsa uvāca | andhakaṁ gaṇapaṁ kṛtvā devyā saha maheśvaraḥ | kiṁ cakretaḥ paraṁ brūhi nuda kautūhalaṁ mama

Vyasa said: Having made Andhaka a lord of the ganas, what did Maheshvara, together with the Goddess, do next? Tell me, and dispel my curiosity.

Verse 2 (skanda.8.158.2)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । जित्वान्धकं ततो व्यास कृत्वा च गणनायकम् । गिरीन्द्रसुतया सार्धं विजहार सुरार्त्तिहा

sanatkumāra uvāca | jitvāndhakaṁ tato vyāsa kṛtvā ca gaṇanāyakam | girīndrasutayā sārdhaṁ vijahāra surārttihā

Sanatkumara said: O Vyasa, having conquered Andhaka and made him a leader of the ganas, the lord who ends the sorrow of the gods began to roam about with the daughter of the mountain-king.

Verse 3 (skanda.8.158.3)

अथ भूतेशजननी षडाननतनूकरी । अपृच्छत् पुत्रसम्बद्धं प्रश्नं प्रश्नविदां वरा

atha bhūteśajananī ṣaḍānanatanūkarī | apṛcchat putrasambaddhaṁ praśnaṁ praśnavidāṁ varā

Then the wife of the lord of bhutas, mother of the six-faced Kartikeya, foremost among those skilled in questioning, asked a question concerning sons.

Verse 4 (skanda.8.158.4)

किमर्थं गीयते देव गाथेयं सद्भिरुत्तमा । वरं भूमिरुहाः पञ्च न च कोष्ठरुहा दश

kimarthaṁ gīyate deva gātheyaṁ sadbhiruttamā | varaṁ bhūmiruhāḥ pañca na ca koṣṭharuhā daśa

'O god, why is this excellent verse sung by the virtuous, that five tree-born sons are better, while even ten womb-born sons do not equal them?'

Verse 5 (skanda.8.158.5)

षोडशेहाङ्गमङ्गानि भित्त्वा पुत्रोभिजायते । तस्मात्पुत्रात् कथं श्रेष्ठः कोष्ठजाद् भुविजः सुतः

ṣoḍaśehāṅgamaṅgāni bhittvā putrobhijāyate | tasmātputrāt kathaṁ śreṣṭhaḥ koṣṭhajād bhuvijaḥ sutaḥ

'Here a son is born by piercing through the sixteen limbs, developing within the womb - so how can a son born of the earth be superior to that womb-born son?'

Verse 6 (skanda.8.158.6)

इत्येवं वृच्छतीं पृच्छां शिक्षां दीक्षां क्रियां मतिम् । उमामनुपमां देव इदं वचनमब्रवीत्

ityevaṁ vṛcchatīṁ pṛcchāṁ śikṣāṁ dīkṣāṁ kriyāṁ matim | umāmanupamāṁ deva idaṁ vacanamabravīt

As incomparable Uma asked this question with such learning, discipline, method, and insight, the god spoke these words to her.

Verse 7 (skanda.8.158.7)

सूक्ष्मार्थं एष रम्भोरु यं पृच्छसि वरानने । अहं ते तं प्रवक्ष्यामि शैलेन्द्रतनयेव्यये

sūkṣmārthaṁ eṣa rambhoru yaṁ pṛcchasi varānane | ahaṁ te taṁ pravakṣyāmi śailendratanayevyaye

'O fair-thighed, fair-faced one, the question you ask has a subtle meaning; I shall explain it to you, O imperishable daughter of the mountain-king.'

Verse 8 (skanda.8.158.8)

कोष्ठजात्तनयाद्यस्माद् भूमिजस्तनयो वरः । शाल्मलौ वैतरण्यां च असिपत्रवनेषु च

koṣṭhajāttanayādyasmād bhūmijastanayo varaḥ | śālmalau vaitaraṇyāṁ ca asipatravaneṣu ca

'The son born of the earth is superior to the womb-born son for this reason - in the Shalmali tree, in the river Vaitarani, and in the forest of sword-leaves -'

Verse 9 (skanda.8.158.9)

कुम्भीपाके रौरवे च महारौरव एव च । एवमाद्येषु चान्येषु कुकृतैरनुवेष्टितान् । शास्यतो मृत्युवचनाद्राक्षसैः क्रूरकर्मभिः

kumbhīpāke raurave ca mahāraurava eva ca | evamādyeṣu cānyeṣu kukṛtairanuveṣṭitān | śāsyato mṛtyuvacanādrākṣasaiḥ krūrakarmabhiḥ

'in Kumbhipaka, Raurava, Maharaurava, and other hells like these, the fathers, enveloped by their own evil deeds, being punished at Yama's word by cruel-acting rakshasas -'

Verse 10 (skanda.8.158.10)

पितॄँस्तथाशुभैर्घोरैर्वेष्टितान् राक्षासार्दितान् । सत्पुत्रस्त्रायते देवि नेतरः पापनिश्चयः

pitṝ~stathāśubhairghorairveṣṭitān rākṣāsārditān | satputrastrāyate devi netaraḥ pāpaniścayaḥ

'- fathers surrounded by such inauspicious, terrible torments, tormented by rakshasas, only a true son can save, O Goddess; no other, resolved upon sin, can do so.'

Verse 11 (skanda.8.158.11)

नरस्य न च सत्पुत्राः सर्व एव भवन्त्युत । एक एवात्र भवति यः पितॄँस्त्रायते भयात्

narasya na ca satputrāḥ sarva eva bhavantyuta | eka evātra bhavati yaḥ pitṝ~strāyate bhayāt

'Not all of a man's sons are true sons; among them, only one is the sort who saves the fathers from that terror.'

Verse 12 (skanda.8.158.12)

तत्र ये दुष्टचारित्राः पुत्रसंख्यां न ते गताः । शठो यद्वद्बलीवर्दः षण्ढो वापि नराधिपः

tatra ye duṣṭacāritrāḥ putrasaṁkhyāṁ na te gatāḥ | śaṭho yadvadbalīvardaḥ ṣaṇḍho vāpi narādhipaḥ

'Among them, those of wicked character are not even counted as sons - just as a vicious bull is no true bull, or as a eunuch is no true king.'

Verse 13 (skanda.8.158.13)

तत्रापि चोद्यते दुःखं दुःखं च नरकं विदुः । यत् पितॄँस्त्रायते तस्मात् सुतः पुत्रस्ततः स्मृतः

tatrāpi codyate duḥkhaṁ duḥkhaṁ ca narakaṁ viduḥ | yat pitṝ~strāyate tasmāt sutaḥ putrastataḥ smṛtaḥ

'There too, only suffering is engendered, and hell itself is known as suffering. It is because he saves the fathers that the word "putra," son, is derived.'

Verse 14 (skanda.8.158.14)

नान्यः सम्बद्धको देवि पितुः पुत्रस्य चोभयोः । पाति पुत्रं पिता तस्मात् पुत्रो यत् त्रायते भयात्

nānyaḥ sambaddhako devi pituḥ putrasya cobhayoḥ | pāti putraṁ pitā tasmāt putro yat trāyate bhayāt

'O Goddess, there is no other bond between father and son but this: the father protects the son, and therefore the son saves him from terror in turn.'

Verse 15 (skanda.8.158.15)

इन्द्रियाणां तु प्राबल्यात् तत् पुत्रेष्वपि पार्वति । पापकान्यपि कुर्वन्ति ते सत्पुत्रा भवन्त्युत

indriyāṇāṁ tu prābalyāt tat putreṣvapi pārvati | pāpakānyapi kurvanti te satputrā bhavantyuta

'But, Parvati, on account of the strength of the senses, even among sons some commit sinful acts, and yet they remain true sons.'

Verse 16 (skanda.8.158.16)

इमे हि तरवो देवि दक्षशापाद् हतेन्द्रियाः । पापकानि न कुर्वन्ति संवृतैः करणैश्च ह

ime hi taravo devi dakṣaśāpād hatendriyāḥ | pāpakāni na kurvanti saṁvṛtaiḥ karaṇaiśca ha

'But these trees, O Goddess, deprived of their senses by Daksha's curse, commit no sinful acts, their faculties being wholly restrained.'

Verse 17 (skanda.8.158.17)

एतस्मात् कारणाद् देवि कोष्ठजानां शतादपि । एको भूमिरुहः पुत्रः शस्यते न तु कोष्ठजः

etasmāt kāraṇād devi koṣṭhajānāṁ śatādapi | eko bhūmiruhaḥ putraḥ śasyate na tu koṣṭhajaḥ

'For this very reason, O Goddess, a single tree-born son is praised above even a hundred womb-born sons, not the womb-born one.'

Verse 18 (skanda.8.158.18)

छेदं भेदं तथा त्रासं पाटनञ्च निशाचरैः । कुर्वद्भिस्तरवः पुत्राः पितॄणां

chedaṁ bhedaṁ tathā trāsaṁ pāṭanañca niśācaraiḥ | kurvadbhistaravaḥ putrāḥ pitṝṇāṁ

'Even while they are being cut, split, terrified, and torn apart by night-demons, the tree-sons rescue the fathers - the remainder of this verse is lost in the source.'

Verse 19 (skanda.8.158.19)

उमोवाच । छेदं भेदं त्रासनं च राक्षसैर्निरयोपगैः । कथं पितॄणां तरवो वारयन्ति यमक्षये

umovāca | chedaṁ bhedaṁ trāsanaṁ ca rākṣasairnirayopagaiḥ | kathaṁ pitṝṇāṁ taravo vārayanti yamakṣaye

Uma said: 'How can trees ward off the cutting, splitting, and terror inflicted by hell-dwelling rakshasas in Yama's realm of dissolution?'

Verse 20 (skanda.8.158.20)

देवदेव उवाच । शृणुष्व छेदं भेदं च पितॄणां यमसादने । यथा वै पारयन्त्येते तरवो नागनन्दिनि

devadeva uvāca | śṛṇuṣva chedaṁ bhedaṁ ca pitṝṇāṁ yamasādane | yathā vai pārayantyete taravo nāganandini

The God of gods said: 'Listen, O daughter of the mountain-lord, how these trees carry the fathers safely across the cutting and splitting inflicted in Yama's abode -'

Verse 21 (skanda.8.158.21)

एते निरुद्यमा देवि विहीनाः करणैरुत । यज्ञेर्थितास्ते देवानां तरवो

ete nirudyamā devi vihīnāḥ karaṇairuta | yajñerthitāste devānāṁ taravo

'These trees, O Goddess, though without effort and without faculties, plead on behalf of the gods' sacrifice - the rest of this verse is lost in the source.'

Verse 22 (skanda.8.158.22)

दक्षशापेन भगवन् वयं ह्युपहतेन्द्रियाः

dakṣaśāpena bhagavan vayaṁ hyupahatendriyāḥ

The first line of this verse is entirely lost in the source. In what survives, the trees say: 'O lord, by Daksha's curse we have been deprived of our senses.'

Verse 23 (skanda.8.158.23)

तमोबाहुल्यतां प्राप्ता निष्क्रिया निष्परिक्रमाः । असुखाः करणैर्हीना महता तमसावृताः

tamobāhulyatāṁ prāptā niṣkriyā niṣparikramāḥ | asukhāḥ karaṇairhīnā mahatā tamasāvṛtāḥ

'We have fallen into great darkness, without action, without motion, joyless for want of faculties, and enveloped in profound tamas.'

Verse 24 (skanda.8.158.24)

एतां दशामनुप्रप्ता धर्मयुक्तान् कुरुष्व नः । इत्येषां वचनं श्रुत्वा देवः सलिलसम्भवः

etāṁ daśāmanupraptā dharmayuktān kuruṣva naḥ | ityeṣāṁ vacanaṁ śrutvā devaḥ salilasambhavaḥ

'Having fallen into this state, make us worthy of dharma once more.' Hearing their words, the water-born god, Brahma -

Verse 25 (skanda.8.158.25)

यज्ञवृक्षार्थमाहेदं वृक्षान् वृक्षपतिर्वचः । स्थावराः स्वागतं वोस्तु तुष्यामि शरणैषिणाम् । नाशयाम्येष वो वत्सा दक्षशापकृतं तमः

yajñavṛkṣārthamāhedaṁ vṛkṣān vṛkṣapatirvacaḥ | sthāvarāḥ svāgataṁ vostu tuṣyāmi śaraṇaiṣiṇām | nāśayāmyeṣa vo vatsā dakṣaśāpakṛtaṁ tamaḥ

- Brahma, lord of the trees, spoke these words for the sake of the sacrificial trees: 'O immobile ones, welcome. I am pleased with those who seek refuge. My children, I shall destroy this darkness wrought by Daksha's curse.'

Verse 26 (skanda.8.158.26)

शाला बिल्वाः पलाशाश्च वरुणाः किंशुकास्तथा । रोहीतकाश्च ये चान्ये यज्ञांगप्रभवा द्रुमाः

śālā bilvāḥ palāśāśca varuṇāḥ kiṁśukāstathā | rohītakāśca ye cānye yajñāṁgaprabhavā drumāḥ

'The sala, the bilva, the palasha, the varuna, the kimshuka, the rohitaka, and whatever other trees serve as constituents of the sacrifice -'

Verse 27 (skanda.8.158.27)

ते सूपयुक्ता यज्ञेषु त्वक्पत्रफलशाखिनः । मूर्त्तीः सुभास्वराः प्राप्य मम लोके निवत्स्यथ

te sūpayuktā yajñeṣu tvakpatraphalaśākhinaḥ | mūrttīḥ subhāsvarāḥ prāpya mama loke nivatsyatha

'Those whose bark, leaves, fruit, and branches are well employed in sacrifices - they, attaining radiant forms, shall dwell in my world.'

Verse 28 (skanda.8.158.28)

एषां यज्ञियवृक्षाणां यूयमप्यनुगामिनः । यज्ञोपयुक्ता गच्छध्वं तेषामेव सलोकताम्

eṣāṁ yajñiyavṛkṣāṇāṁ yūyamapyanugāminaḥ | yajñopayuktā gacchadhvaṁ teṣāmeva salokatām

'You too, following these sacrificial trees, being employed in sacrifice, shall attain the same world as they.'

Verse 29 (skanda.8.158.29)

स्थाणुलिङ्गोपयुक्ताश्च जनैर्भक्तिपुरस्सरैः । धर्मेण शुद्धदेहाश्च गतिमिष्टामवाप्स्यथ

sthāṇuliṅgopayuktāśca janairbhaktipurassaraiḥ | dharmeṇa śuddhadehāśca gatimiṣṭāmavāpsyatha

'Employed by devoted people as lingas of Shiva, your bodies purified by righteousness, you shall attain the destiny you desire.'

Verse 30 (skanda.8.158.30)

उपयोगं च गच्छन्तो यज्ञायतनवस्तुषु । दक्षशापतमोमुक्ता मम लोके चरिष्यथ

upayogaṁ ca gacchanto yajñāyatanavastuṣu | dakṣaśāpatamomuktā mama loke cariṣyatha

'Coming into use among the furnishings of the sacrificial precinct, freed from the darkness of Daksha's curse, you shall roam in my world.'

Verse 31 (skanda.8.158.31)

पुत्रहीनो नरो यश्च पुत्रकान्वः करिष्यति । तं भयात् त्रायतां चैव धर्मो वो भविता महान्

putrahīno naro yaśca putrakānvaḥ kariṣyati | taṁ bhayāt trāyatāṁ caiva dharmo vo bhavitā mahān

'Whatever childless man makes one of you his son, save that man from terror; by this you shall gain great merit.'

Verse 32 (skanda.8.158.32)

तरव ऊचुः । कथं वयं पुत्रकृतास्तान् पितॄन्निरयोपगान्

tarava ūcuḥ | kathaṁ vayaṁ putrakṛtāstān pitṝnnirayopagān

The trees said: 'How, once made sons, can we save those fathers gone to hell?' - the rest of this verse is lost in the source.

Verse 33 (skanda.8.158.33)

सोमविक्रयिणो ये च ये च विश्वस्तघातिनः । ये च प्राणिवधे युक्ताः पृष्ठमांसाशिनश्च ये

somavikrayiṇo ye ca ye ca viśvastaghātinaḥ | ye ca prāṇivadhe yuktāḥ pṛṣṭhamāṁsāśinaśca ye

'Those who sell soma, those who slay in betrayal of trust, those given to killing living beings, and those who eat flesh behind another's back -'

Verse 34 (skanda.8.158.34)

राज्ञामाक्रोशका ये च ये च पिण्डापहारकाः । एते स्वकर्मभिर्घोरैर्वेष्टिता लोमहर्षणैः

rājñāmākrośakā ye ca ye ca piṇḍāpahārakāḥ | ete svakarmabhirghorairveṣṭitā lomaharṣaṇaiḥ

'Those who curse kings, and those who steal the offerings meant for the dead - all these are bound fast by their own terrible, hair-raising deeds.'

Verse 35 (skanda.8.158.35)

पच्यन्ते निरये घोरे क्रोशन्तो भैरवान् रवान् । अहो भृशं यातनाभिरशिवाभिरभिद्रुताः

pacyante niraye ghore krośanto bhairavān ravān | aho bhṛśaṁ yātanābhiraśivābhirabhidrutāḥ

'They are roasted in dreadful hells, screaming with terrible cries. Alas, how sorely they are tormented by these inauspicious agonies.'

Verse 36 (skanda.8.158.36)

शास्यन्ते मृत्युवचनाद्राक्षसैर्भीमविक्रमैः । तानेव तुद्यमानाँश्च कुट्यमानाँश्च राक्षसैः

śāsyante mṛtyuvacanādrākṣasairbhīmavikramaiḥ | tāneva tudyamānā~śca kuṭyamānā~śca rākṣasaiḥ

'They are punished at Death's command by rakshasas of fearsome might. Those very fathers, being beaten and pounded by rakshasas -'

Verse 37 (skanda.8.158.37)

पितॄन्निरयसंमग्नानुद्धरिष्यामहे कथम्

pitṝnnirayasaṁmagnānuddhariṣyāmahe katham

'- how could we possibly rescue those fathers sunk in hell?'

Verse 38 (skanda.8.158.38)

ब्रह्मोवाच । ताँस्तथा तुद्यमानांश्च कुट्यमानाँश्च राक्षसैः । पितॄन्निरय संमग्नान् यूयमभ्युद्धरिष्यथ

brahmovāca | tā~stathā tudyamānāṁśca kuṭyamānā~śca rākṣasaiḥ | pitṝnniraya saṁmagnān yūyamabhyuddhariṣyatha

Brahma said: 'Those very fathers, thus beaten and pounded by rakshasas, sunk in hell - you yourselves shall lift them up.'

Verse 39 (skanda.8.158.39)

निरयस्थान् यथा चैतान् पितॄन् निस्तारयिष्यथ । तन्मे सुमनसो भूत्वा निशामयत पादपाः

nirayasthān yathā caitān pitṝn nistārayiṣyatha | tanme sumanaso bhūtvā niśāmayata pādapāḥ

'How you shall carry those hell-bound fathers across, hear from me, O trees, with a glad heart.'

Verse 40 (skanda.8.158.40)

पुत्रप्रकृतका यूयं यस्य यस्य भविष्यथ । तस्य तस्य स्मृताः शीघ्रं तं देशं यास्यथानघाः

putraprakṛtakā yūyaṁ yasya yasya bhaviṣyatha | tasya tasya smṛtāḥ śīghraṁ taṁ deśaṁ yāsyathānaghāḥ

'For whatever man you become a made-son, the moment he thinks of you, O sinless ones, you shall swiftly go to that place.'

Verse 41 (skanda.8.158.41)

निरयप्राप्तान् पितॄन् क्लेशैरुपद्रुतान् । सुखाय धास्यथ यथा स्थावरास्तन्निबोधत

nirayaprāptān pitṝn kleśairupadrutān | sukhāya dhāsyatha yathā sthāvarāstannibodhata

'The opening of this verse is lost in the source - you shall establish in happiness those hell-bound fathers tormented by afflictions; hear how this shall be, O immobile ones.'

Verse 42 (skanda.8.158.42)

मन्त्रवद् विधितश्चैव यो वः संस्कारमन्तशः । गर्भाधानादिभिः कृत्वा पुत्रत्वे कल्पयेन्नरः

mantravad vidhitaścaiva yo vaḥ saṁskāramantaśaḥ | garbhādhānādibhiḥ kṛtvā putratve kalpayennaraḥ

'Whatever man, with mantras and according to due rite, performing the rituals beginning with garbhadhana even in their final form, shall ordain you as his son -'

Verse 43 (skanda.8.158.43)

ये चापि पूर्वजातान् यो विधिना निष्परिग्रहान् । पुत्रप्रकृतकान् कुर्य्युस्ताँश्च निस्तारयिष्यथ

ye cāpi pūrvajātān yo vidhinā niṣparigrahān | putraprakṛtakān kuryyustā~śca nistārayiṣyatha

'And those already-grown, unclaimed trees which someone shall duly make into made-sons - those too you shall carry across.'

Verse 44 (skanda.8.158.44)

सर्वकामाँश्च दास्यध्वं सुखञ्चैव तथोत्तमम् । कर्मक्षयं च सर्वेषां लोकाँश्चैव तथाक्षयान्

sarvakāmā~śca dāsyadhvaṁ sukhañcaiva tathottamam | karmakṣayaṁ ca sarveṣāṁ lokā~ścaiva tathākṣayān

'You shall grant them every desire, supreme happiness, the exhaustion of all their karma, and imperishable worlds as well.'

Verse 45 (skanda.8.158.45)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततः शैलसुता भूयोपृच्छत्तद्विधिमुत्तमम् । तां पृच्छतीं महादेव इदं वचनमब्रवीत्

sanatkumāra uvāca | tataḥ śailasutā bhūyopṛcchattadvidhimuttamam | tāṁ pṛcchatīṁ mahādeva idaṁ vacanamabravīt

Sanatkumara said: Then the mountain-born Goddess again asked about that excellent rite. To her asking, Mahadeva spoke these words.

Verse 46 (skanda.8.158.46)

देवि नागेन्द्रनासोरु नागेन्द्रगतिगामिनि । शृणुष्व येन विधिना गृह्यतेवनिजः सुतः

devi nāgendranāsoru nāgendragatigāmini | śṛṇuṣva yena vidhinā gṛhyatevanijaḥ sutaḥ

'O Goddess, whose thighs are like the trunk of the lordly elephant, who moves with the elephant's gait, listen, by what rite a forest-born son is taken -'

Verse 47 (skanda.8.158.47)

श्वो भूतेहं भुविरुहं ग्रहीष्यामीति पार्वति । सोपवासा भवेन्नारी शुचिशीला शुचिव्रता

śvo bhūtehaṁ bhuviruhaṁ grahīṣyāmīti pārvati | sopavāsā bhavennārī śuciśīlā śucivratā

'Resolving, "Tomorrow at dawn I shall take this earth-born tree as my son," O Parvati, the woman should observe a fast, keep herself pure in conduct and pure in vow.'

Verse 48 (skanda.8.158.48)

ततः शतसहस्रांशावस्तशृङ्गं गते रवौ । उदिते विमले चापि चन्द्रे चन्द्रनिभानने

tataḥ śatasahasrāṁśāvastaśṛṅgaṁ gate ravau | udite vimale cāpi candre candranibhānane

'Then, O moon-faced one, when the sun of a hundred thousand rays has gone to the mountain of setting, and the spotless moon has risen -'

Verse 49 (skanda.8.158.49)

आपद्भावेन सुभगे परेण परमात्मिके । विप्रानामन्त्रयेद्रात्रौ पावनान् वेदवादिनः

āpadbhāvena subhage pareṇa paramātmike | viprānāmantrayedrātrau pāvanān vedavādinaḥ

'O fortunate, supremely soul-attuned one, that night, as though in a moment of dire need, she should invite pure, Veda-reciting brahmins.'

Verse 50 (skanda.8.158.50)

श्रुतीनामाकरा ह्येते रत्नानामिव सागराः । विप्रा विप्राधिपमुखि पूजनीयाः सहस्रशः

śrutīnāmākarā hyete ratnānāmiva sāgarāḥ | viprā viprādhipamukhi pūjanīyāḥ sahasraśaḥ

'These brahmins are mines of the sacred texts, as the ocean is a mine of gems, O you whose face rivals the lord of brahmins; they should be honoured by the thousand.'

Verse 51 (skanda.8.158.51)

यत्र मन्त्रविदो विप्रा न प्राश्नन्त्युत्तमं हविः । न तत्र देवा देवेशे हविर्भुञ्जन्ति कर्हिचित्

yatra mantravido viprā na prāśnantyuttamaṁ haviḥ | na tatra devā deveśe havirbhuñjanti karhicit

'Where mantra-knowing brahmins do not partake of the choicest offering, there, O lord of gods, the gods too never partake of that offering.'

Verse 52 (skanda.8.158.52)

न स्कन्दते न व्यथते नैनमाक्रमते तमः । वरिष्ठमेतद्दानानां यद् ब्राह्मणमुखे हुतम्

na skandate na vyathate nainamākramate tamaḥ | variṣṭhametaddānānāṁ yad brāhmaṇamukhe hutam

'It never perishes, never decays, and darkness never overtakes it - the best of all gifts is that which is offered into a brahmin's mouth.'

Verse 53 (skanda.8.158.53)

ब्रह्मणत्वे महासत्वे अणधातुस्तु भक्षणे । ब्रह्म भक्षयते यस्माद् ब्राह्मणस्तेन स स्मृतः

brahmaṇatve mahāsatve aṇadhātustu bhakṣaṇe | brahma bhakṣayate yasmād brāhmaṇastena sa smṛtaḥ

'In the great-souled state of brahminhood, the root "an" means "to partake" - because he partakes of the Absolute, he is thus called a brahmana.'

Verse 54 (skanda.8.158.54)

जायन्ते ये पुनर्जाता ह्युपनीता महात्मभिः । ततो देवि द्विजाख्येयं तेषु नित्यं निपात्यते

jāyante ye punarjātā hyupanītā mahātmabhiḥ | tato devi dvijākhyeyaṁ teṣu nityaṁ nipātyate

'Those who, invested with the sacred thread by great souls, are thus born a second time - it is upon them, O Goddess, that the name "twice-born" is ever conferred.'

Verse 55 (skanda.8.158.55)

वियदित्युच्यते व्योम प्रकारः प्रापणे स्मृतः । दिवं संप्रापयन्त्येते देवि विप्रास्ततः स्मृता

viyadityucyate vyoma prakāraḥ prāpaṇe smṛtaḥ | divaṁ saṁprāpayantyete devi viprāstataḥ smṛtā

'The sky is called "viyat," and the prefix "pra" denotes causing to reach - since these brahmins bring their patrons all the way to heaven, they are, O Goddess, therefore called "vipra."'

Verse 56 (skanda.8.158.56)

सत्यसारमया ह्येते विप्राः सृष्टाः स्वयंभुवा । सिद्धिर्न तेष्वतुष्टेषु शक्या प्राप्तुं सुरैरपि

satyasāramayā hyete viprāḥ sṛṣṭāḥ svayaṁbhuvā | siddhirna teṣvatuṣṭeṣu śakyā prāptuṁ surairapi

'These brahmins are made of the very essence of truth, created by the Self-born One. Even the gods cannot attain success while these remain displeased.'

Verse 57 (skanda.8.158.57)

अहं नारायणोनन्तो ब्रह्मा शक्रोनिलः शिखी । तद्दानं नाभिनन्दामो विप्रा यत्र न पूजिताः

ahaṁ nārāyaṇonanto brahmā śakronilaḥ śikhī | taddānaṁ nābhinandāmo viprā yatra na pūjitāḥ

'I myself, and Narayana, Ananta, Brahma, Indra, Vayu, and Agni - none of us welcome any gift in which brahmins are not honoured.'

Verse 58 (skanda.8.158.58)

येषां प्रसादात् सुलभा आयुर्धर्मो बलं सुखम् । श्रीर्यशः स्वर्गवासश्च तान् विप्रानर्चयेद् बुधः

yeṣāṁ prasādāt sulabhā āyurdharmo balaṁ sukham | śrīryaśaḥ svargavāsaśca tān viprānarcayed budhaḥ

'By whose grace long life, righteousness, strength, happiness, fortune, fame, and a place in heaven are easily won, those brahmins the wise should honour.'

Verse 59 (skanda.8.158.59)

विप्रानामन्त्रयित्वाथ शुचिवस्त्रा शुचिस्मिता । शयीत सनमस्कारा सदर्भा भूमिमाश्रिता

viprānāmantrayitvātha śucivastrā śucismitā | śayīta sanamaskārā sadarbhā bhūmimāśritā

'Having invited the brahmins, the woman, in pure garments, her smile pure, should make her salutation and lie down upon the bare ground, spread with kusha grass.'

Verse 60 (skanda.8.158.60)

गमयित्वा ततो रात्रिं सवितर्युत्थितेपि च । भक्ष्यभोज्यं समादाय व्रजेत् यत्र भवेत्तरुः

gamayitvā tato rātriṁ savitaryutthitepi ca | bhakṣyabhojyaṁ samādāya vrajet yatra bhavettaruḥ

'Having passed that night, and as soon as the sun has risen, taking foods to eat and to enjoy, she should go to where the tree stands.'

Verse 61 (skanda.8.158.61)

ततस्तं सपताकं च सातपत्रं सभूषणम् । तरुकं प्रमदा कृत्वा तरुच्छायानुगामिनी

tatastaṁ sapatākaṁ ca sātapatraṁ sabhūṣaṇam | tarukaṁ pramadā kṛtvā tarucchāyānugāminī

'Then, having adorned that tree with a banner, a parasol, and ornaments, the woman, following in its shade -'

Verse 62 (skanda.8.158.62)

यथोपपन्नमन्नं तु भोजयित्वा द्विजोत्तमान् । पुण्याहं कारयित्वाथ ऋत्विजा ह्यथवात्मना

yathopapannamannaṁ tu bhojayitvā dvijottamān | puṇyāhaṁ kārayitvātha ṛtvijā hyathavātmanā

'Having fed the foremost brahmins with the best food available, and then having the auspicious formula pronounced, whether by a priest or by herself -'

Verse 63 (skanda.8.158.63)

तृप्तानां ब्राह्मणानां च तत्त्वेनाकूतमात्मनः । निवेद्य परमुद्दिश्य सद्भावेन परेण ह

tṛptānāṁ brāhmaṇānāṁ ca tattvenākūtamātmanaḥ | nivedya paramuddiśya sadbhāvena pareṇa ha

'Having declared her own intention truthfully before the satisfied brahmins, with the utmost sincerity, dedicating it to the Supreme -'

Verse 64 (skanda.8.158.64)

अपुत्रा भगवन्तोहं पुत्रप्रकृतकं तरुम् । ग्रहीष्ये तदनुज्ञां वै कर्तुमर्हथ मेनघाः

aputrā bhagavantohaṁ putraprakṛtakaṁ tarum | grahīṣye tadanujñāṁ vai kartumarhatha menaghāḥ

'O venerable ones, I am childless; therefore I shall take this tree as my made-son - O sinless ones, be pleased to grant me your permission.'

Verse 65 (skanda.8.158.65)

ततस्तैरभ्यनुज्ञातं तं तरुं तरुणं प्रिये । भूमिदेवसमक्षं वै गृह्णीयात्तनयं प्रिये

tatastairabhyanujñātaṁ taṁ taruṁ taruṇaṁ priye | bhūmidevasamakṣaṁ vai gṛhṇīyāttanayaṁ priye

'When they have granted permission, O beloved, she should take that young tree as her son right there in the presence of the earthly gods, the brahmins.'

Verse 66 (skanda.8.158.66)

अनेन विधिना देवि गृहीतस्तरुकः सुतः । पितॄणां निरयस्थानां मधु सोमञ्च वर्षति

anena vidhinā devi gṛhītastarukaḥ sutaḥ | pitṝṇāṁ nirayasthānāṁ madhu somañca varṣati

'A tree-son taken by this rite, O Goddess, showers honey and soma upon the hell-dwelling fathers.'

Verse 67 (skanda.8.158.67)

गृहीतो विधिनानेन सुभ्रु भूमिरुहात्मजः । शुभे सुखाय भवति विपरीतेन दुःखदः

gṛhīto vidhinānena subhru bhūmiruhātmajaḥ | śubhe sukhāya bhavati viparītena duḥkhadaḥ

'O fair-browed one, an earth-born son taken by this rite brings happiness, O auspicious one; but taken by a contrary rite, it brings only sorrow.'

Verse 68 (skanda.8.158.68)

सत्पुत्राणां शताच्चापि देवि चन्द्रनिभानने । एको भूमिरुहः श्रेष्ठः पुत्रत्वे कल्पितः सुतः

satputrāṇāṁ śatāccāpi devi candranibhānane | eko bhūmiruhaḥ śreṣṭhaḥ putratve kalpitaḥ sutaḥ

'O moon-faced Goddess, a single tree, ordained as a son, is superior even to a hundred true-born sons.'

Verse 69 (skanda.8.158.69)

इत्येतत्ते मया शिष्टं श्लिष्टमृष्ट वचोरणि । यथा भूमिरुहः पुत्रो विशिष्टः कोष्ठजात् सुतात्

ityetatte mayā śiṣṭaṁ śliṣṭamṛṣṭa vacoraṇi | yathā bhūmiruhaḥ putro viśiṣṭaḥ koṣṭhajāt sutāt

'O sweet-voiced one, thus have I explained to you, briefly and coherently, how a tree-son excels a womb-born son.'

Verse 70 (skanda.8.158.70)

ततः पुनर्देवदेवी प्रणिपत्य महेश्वरम् । प्रणयात् कौतुकाच्चैव इदं वचनमब्रवीत्

tataḥ punardevadevī praṇipatya maheśvaram | praṇayāt kautukāccaiva idaṁ vacanamabravīt

Then the goddess of the gods, bowing once more to Maheshvara, out of affection and curiosity spoke these words.

Verse 71 (skanda.8.158.71)

प्रोषिते त्वयि देवेश भ्रमन्त्या मन्दरे मया । अशोकतरुको दृष्टः कोमलः सुमनोरमः

proṣite tvayi deveśa bhramantyā mandare mayā | aśokataruko dṛṣṭaḥ komalaḥ sumanoramaḥ

'O lord of gods, while you were away, wandering upon Mount Mandara I saw a tender, most lovely young ashoka tree.'

Verse 72 (skanda.8.158.72)

आसीच्च मे तदा भाव एष मे तरुपोतकः । भविष्यति सुतो रुद्रे निर्विघ्नं पुनरागते

āsīcca me tadā bhāva eṣa me tarupotakaḥ | bhaviṣyati suto rudre nirvighnaṁ punarāgate

'Then this thought arose in me - that this young sapling would become my son, once you, O Rudra, had returned unhindered.'

Verse 73 (skanda.8.158.73)

आभ्यां च मे महादेव कुचाभ्यां द्विजपावन । क्षीरमागात् सुधासारं पुत्रस्नेहात् सुखप्रदम्

ābhyāṁ ca me mahādeva kucābhyāṁ dvijapāvana | kṣīramāgāt sudhāsāraṁ putrasnehāt sukhapradam

'And, O Mahadeva, purifier of the twice-born, from these two breasts of mine, out of maternal love, there flowed milk sweet as the essence of nectar.'

Verse 74 (skanda.8.158.74)

तमहं देव गृहणीयां पुत्रप्रकृतकं तरुम् । यदि मे कुरुषेनुज्ञां तवाहं वशवर्तिनी

tamahaṁ deva gṛhaṇīyāṁ putraprakṛtakaṁ tarum | yadi me kuruṣenujñāṁ tavāhaṁ vaśavartinī

'O god, if you grant me leave, I would take that tree as my made-son; I am wholly subject to your will.'

Verse 75 (skanda.8.158.75)

देवैः पुत्रफले क्षिप्ते स हि मे तरुपोतकः । तुष्टिप्रदो ह्यपुत्रायाः पुत्रको भवितानघ

devaiḥ putraphale kṣipte sa hi me tarupotakaḥ | tuṣṭiprado hyaputrāyāḥ putrako bhavitānagha

'O sinless one, since the gods themselves have withheld from me the fruit of a son, let this young sapling become a satisfying son to me, who am without a child.'

Verse 76 (skanda.8.158.76)

इत्येवं भाषमाणान्तु भवानीं भगवान् भवः । सद्भावान्निःसृतं वाक्यमवदत् परतापनः

ityevaṁ bhāṣamāṇāntu bhavānīṁ bhagavān bhavaḥ | sadbhāvānniḥsṛtaṁ vākyamavadat paratāpanaḥ

To Bhavani, thus speaking, the blessed lord Bhava, tormentor of foes, spoke these words that flowed from a heart of true affection.

Verse 77 (skanda.8.158.77)

देवि फुल्लारविन्दाक्षि कथं नाम न ते सुतः । भविष्यति तपस्विन्या ऐश्वर्यपरमे मया

devi phullāravindākṣi kathaṁ nāma na te sutaḥ | bhaviṣyati tapasvinyā aiśvaryaparame mayā

'O Goddess, whose eyes are like blooming lotuses, how could you, O ascetic one, fail to have a son, when I, source of all lordship, am here?'

Verse 78 (skanda.8.158.78)

शक्ता जनयितुं पुत्रान् तपसा त्वमनिन्दिते । अहं च ते प्रदास्यामि पुत्रान् परमशोभनान्

śaktā janayituṁ putrān tapasā tvamanindite | ahaṁ ca te pradāsyāmi putrān paramaśobhanān

'O blameless one, you yourself are capable of begetting sons through austerity, and I too shall grant you sons of surpassing beauty.'

Verse 79 (skanda.8.158.79)

अथवायमनुग्राह्यस्तवाशोकतरुः प्रिये । अनुज्ञाता मया देवि कुर्वशोकतरुं सुतम्

athavāyamanugrāhyastavāśokataruḥ priye | anujñātā mayā devi kurvaśokataruṁ sutam

'Or rather, beloved, this ashoka tree of yours is indeed worthy of grace. You have my leave, O Goddess - make this ashoka tree your son.'

Verse 80 (skanda.8.158.80)

अनुकूलं पतिं ज्ञात्वा तं तामरसलोचना । प्रणिपत्याव्यया तुष्टा इदमाह महेश्वरम्

anukūlaṁ patiṁ jñātvā taṁ tāmarasalocanā | praṇipatyāvyayā tuṣṭā idamāha maheśvaram

Knowing her husband thus favourably disposed, the lotus-eyed, imperishable Goddess, delighted, bowed and said this to Maheshvara.

Verse 81 (skanda.8.158.81)

देव जानाम्यहं धर्मं यथा स्त्रीणां न विद्यते । दैवतं पतिमुत्सृज्य पूजनीयं हि यद् भवेत्

deva jānāmyahaṁ dharmaṁ yathā strīṇāṁ na vidyate | daivataṁ patimutsṛjya pūjanīyaṁ hi yad bhavet

'O god, I know this law - that for women there exists no deity to be worshipped apart from their husband.'

Verse 82 (skanda.8.158.82)

अनामन्त्र्य हि भर्त्तारं यद्ददाति यदर्चति । न फलं विन्दते तस्य नारी इत्येव नः श्रुतम्

anāmantrya hi bharttāraṁ yaddadāti yadarcati | na phalaṁ vindate tasya nārī ityeva naḥ śrutam

'Whatever a woman gives or worships without consulting her husband, its fruit she does not obtain - so we have heard.'

Verse 83 (skanda.8.158.83)

या तु भर्तारमामन्त्र्य नारी धर्म समाचरेत् । तस्या देवाश्च तुष्यन्ति धर्मश्च सुमहान् विभो

yā tu bhartāramāmantrya nārī dharma samācaret | tasyā devāśca tuṣyanti dharmaśca sumahān vibho

'But, O mighty one, the woman who practises dharma with her husband's consent - with her the gods too are pleased, and great merit accrues.'

Verse 84 (skanda.8.158.84)

अवमन्य तु या नारी भर्तारं दैवतं गुरुम् । स्वबुद्ध्या कुरुते पुण्यं निरयं सा प्रपद्यते

avamanya tu yā nārī bhartāraṁ daivataṁ gurum | svabuddhyā kurute puṇyaṁ nirayaṁ sā prapadyate

'But the woman who, disregarding her husband - who is both her deity and her teacher - performs pious acts by her own judgment alone, falls into hell.'

Verse 85 (skanda.8.158.85)

अतीतमपि या नारी भर्तारं परिपृच्छति । अनुमान्य यथावद्धि जीवन्तमिव शोभना

atītamapi yā nārī bhartāraṁ paripṛcchati | anumānya yathāvaddhi jīvantamiva śobhanā

'The virtuous woman who, even after her husband has passed away, duly asks his leave as though he still lived -'

Verse 86 (skanda.8.158.86)

अनुज्ञाता हि सा तेन प्रीयमाणेन चेतसा । धर्मकृत्येषु देवेश फलं प्राप्नोति पुष्कलम्

anujñātā hi sā tena prīyamāṇena cetasā | dharmakṛtyeṣu deveśa phalaṁ prāpnoti puṣkalam

'- to her, with a pleased heart, he grants his consent, O lord of gods, and she attains abundant fruit in her righteous undertakings.'

Verse 87 (skanda.8.158.87)

तपोपवासो दानं च आर्जवं सत्यमेव च । पतिशुश्रूषणस्यैते कलां नार्घन्ति षोडशीम्

tapopavāso dānaṁ ca ārjavaṁ satyameva ca | patiśuśrūṣaṇasyaite kalāṁ nārghanti ṣoḍaśīm

'Austerity, fasting, charity, honesty, and truth - all these together are not worth a sixteenth part of service to one's husband.'

Verse 88 (skanda.8.158.88)

या ह्यन्यनरलोलापि सद्भावाच्छयनासने । शुश्रूषां कुरुते भर्तुः सा सत्येव विभाव्यते

yā hyanyanaralolāpi sadbhāvācchayanāsane | śuśrūṣāṁ kurute bhartuḥ sā satyeva vibhāvyate

'The woman who, though her mind might waver toward another man, yet serves her husband with true devotion in bed and at his side, is regarded as a woman of true virtue.'

Verse 89 (skanda.8.158.89)

इत्येवं गिरितनया गिरीशमुक्त्वा गिर्यग्रे गिरितरुपुष्पपुञ्जचित्रे । तेनाग्य्रा सह विचचार चारुरूपा भानोर्भा इव सह भानुना भवानी । इति तौ सुरपूजितावपरस्परपूजितौ । सहितौ प्रविचेरतुः प्रवरेश्वरवन्दितौ

ityevaṁ giritanayā girīśamuktvā giryagre giritarupuṣpapuñjacitre | tenāgyrā saha vicacāra cārurūpā bhānorbhā iva saha bhānunā bhavānī | iti tau surapūjitāvaparasparapūjitau | sahitau praviceratuḥ pravareśvaravanditau

Thus, having spoken to Girisha, the mountain-born Goddess, of lovely form, roamed with her supreme lord upon the mountain-peak bright with clusters of mountain-flowers, as sunlight roams together with the sun. Thus that pair, worshipped by the gods and worshipping each other, revered by the noblest of lords, went about together.