The Invitation of the Brahmins for the Taking of the Tree-Son

Verse 1 (skanda.8.159.1)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । पार्वत्या निश्चयं ज्ञात्वा भगवान् त्र्यम्बकस्तदा । सुमालिं पिङ्गल यक्षं प्राह वाक्यविदां वरः

sanatkumāra uvāca | pārvatyā niścayaṁ jñātvā bhagavān tryambakastadā | sumāliṁ piṅgala yakṣaṁ prāha vākyavidāṁ varaḥ

Sanatkumara said: Knowing Parvati's resolve, the three-eyed lord, foremost among the eloquent, then spoke to the yakshas Sumali and Pingala.

Verse 2 (skanda.8.159.2)

भक्तिमन्तं महायोगं पुरा लब्धवरं गणम् । पार्श्वस्थं नन्दिनं तत्र भगवान् शङ्करः स्वयम्

bhaktimantaṁ mahāyogaṁ purā labdhavaraṁ gaṇam | pārśvasthaṁ nandinaṁ tatra bhagavān śaṅkaraḥ svayam

There, to devoted, great-yogi Nandi, the gana who had earlier received his boon, stationed at his very side, the lord Shankara himself said -

Verse 3 (skanda.8.159.3)

पर्वतेन्द्रसुताशोकं तरुं पुत्रं ग्रहीष्यति । त्वय्यायत्तं च तत्सर्वं तस्मात् कुरु ममाज्ञया

parvatendrasutāśokaṁ taruṁ putraṁ grahīṣyati | tvayyāyattaṁ ca tatsarvaṁ tasmāt kuru mamājñayā

'The daughter of the mountain-king shall take the ashoka tree as her son. All of this depends upon you; so carry it out at my command.'

Verse 4 (skanda.8.159.4)

यत्राशोकतरुस्तत्र यथान्नमुपलक्षितम् । भवेत् सुप्रचुरं वीर तथा कुरु गणेश्वर

yatrāśokatarustatra yathānnamupalakṣitam | bhavet supracuraṁ vīra tathā kuru gaṇeśvara

'O hero, O lord of the ganas, arrange that wherever the ashoka tree stands, suitable food should be abundantly available there.'

Verse 5 (skanda.8.159.5)

प्रदेशश्च गिरेस्तस्य यथा रम्यो भविष्यति । तथा विधत्स्व यक्षेन्द्र यत्राशोकतरुः स्थितः

pradeśaśca girestasya yathā ramyo bhaviṣyati | tathā vidhatsva yakṣendra yatrāśokataruḥ sthitaḥ

'O lord of yakshas, arrange that the region of the mountain where the ashoka tree stands should become truly delightful.'

Verse 6 (skanda.8.159.6)

इत्युक्तः परमेशेन पिङ्गलः पिङ्गलेक्षणः । उवाच सोमया सार्धं त्रिदशानां पतिं पतिम्

ityuktaḥ parameśena piṅgalaḥ piṅgalekṣaṇaḥ | uvāca somayā sārdhaṁ tridaśānāṁ patiṁ patim

Thus commanded by the Supreme Lord, tawny-eyed Pingala, together with Soma, said to that lord, sovereign even of the gods.

Verse 7 (skanda.8.159.7)

गणाधिप यथाज्ञप्तं तत् करिष्यामि यज्ञहन् । यथा सोमः स नन्दी च प्रसन्नो मे भविष्यति

gaṇādhipa yathājñaptaṁ tat kariṣyāmi yajñahan | yathā somaḥ sa nandī ca prasanno me bhaviṣyati

'O lord of the ganas, O slayer of the sacrifice, I shall do exactly as commanded, so that Soma and Nandi too shall become pleased with me.'

Verse 8 (skanda.8.159.8)

इत्युक्त्वा सोभ्यनुज्ञातो यक्षो लोकान्तदस्तदा । तस्याशोकतरोः पार्श्वे विदधावन्नमुत्तमम्

ityuktvā sobhyanujñāto yakṣo lokāntadastadā | tasyāśokataroḥ pārśve vidadhāvannamuttamam

Having said this, and now given leave, that yaksha, swift through the three worlds, set about arranging excellent provisions beside that ashoka tree.

Verse 9 (skanda.8.159.9)

सुमालावथ निष्क्रान्ते सिंहक्रोधस्त्रिलोचनः । नन्दिनं तेजसां राशिर्दिण्डि चण्डेश्वरोब्रवीत्

sumālāvatha niṣkrānte siṁhakrodhastrilocanaḥ | nandinaṁ tejasāṁ rāśirdiṇḍi caṇḍeśvarobravīt

When Sumali had departed, the three-eyed lord, wrathful as a lion, that mass of splendour, Chandeshvara, spoke to Nandi, bearer of the drum.

Verse 10 (skanda.8.159.10)

ब्रह्मण्यान् ब्राह्मणान् नन्दिन् देवी यज्ञेन यक्ष्यति । श्वः प्रभाते महाबुद्धे तत्र विप्रैः प्रयोजनम्

brahmaṇyān brāhmaṇān nandin devī yajñena yakṣyati | śvaḥ prabhāte mahābuddhe tatra vipraiḥ prayojanam

'O Nandi, O wise one, tomorrow at dawn the Goddess will honour brahmins, friends of the sacred, with a sacrifice; there brahmins are needed.'

Verse 11 (skanda.8.159.11)

स त्वं मत्प्रहितो देव यत्र यत्र वदाम्यहम् । तत्र तत्र गतो विप्रान् निमन्त्रय पदत्रये

sa tvaṁ matprahito deva yatra yatra vadāmyaham | tatra tatra gato viprān nimantraya padatraye

'You, sent by me, O god, go wherever I direct and there invite the brahmins throughout the three worlds.'

Verse 12 (skanda.8.159.12)

औदकायां विरूपास्य ब्राह्मणा ब्रह्मसंभवाः । उपासते ये वरुणं पातालतलसंश्रयाः

audakāyāṁ virūpāsya brāhmaṇā brahmasaṁbhavāḥ | upāsate ye varuṇaṁ pātālatalasaṁśrayāḥ

'The brahmins dwelling in the watery realm, born of Brahma, strange of face, who, sheltered in the depths of the netherworld, worship Varuna -'

Verse 13 (skanda.8.159.13)

ये सुरेव्यासुऽराद्याश्च रसावयवमुत्तम । पिबन्ति फेनपा नाम तान्निमन्त्रय मा चिरम्

ye surevyāsu'rādyāśca rasāvayavamuttama | pibanti phenapā nāma tānnimantraya mā ciram

'And those, known as the Phenapas, gods and asuras and the like, who drink the finest essence of that ocean's savour, invite them without delay.'

Verse 14 (skanda.8.159.14)

संयमन्यां तथा चैव ये यमं पर्युपासते । ब्राह्मणा ब्रह्मणा तुल्यास्तान्निमन्त्रय भूतप

saṁyamanyāṁ tathā caiva ye yamaṁ paryupāsate | brāhmaṇā brahmaṇā tulyāstānnimantraya bhūtapa

'O lord of the bhutas, in Samyamani too, the brahmins equal to Brahma who wait upon Yama - invite them as well.'

Verse 15 (skanda.8.159.15)

तथोदयगिरेः शृङ्गे सत्यो नाम महाह्रदः । राजहंसानुचरितः कान्ततामरसावृतः

tathodayagireḥ śṛṅge satyo nāma mahāhradaḥ | rājahaṁsānucaritaḥ kāntatāmarasāvṛtaḥ

'On the peak of the eastern mountain there is a great lake called Satya, thronged with royal swans and covered with lovely lotuses.'

Verse 16 (skanda.8.159.16)

वसन्ति यत्र ते सत्याः सत्यानाम तपोधनाः । सत्येन येषामादित्यो दिनं नयति नित्यशः

vasanti yatra te satyāḥ satyānāma tapodhanāḥ | satyena yeṣāmādityo dinaṁ nayati nityaśaḥ

'There dwell the truthful ascetics named Satya, by whose truth the sun daily carries the day forward.'

Verse 17 (skanda.8.159.17)

तेषां निष्कल्मषस्तस्मिन् ह्रदे स्नातो दिवाकरः । प्रत्यहं कुरुते देवः प्रयाणं शुभकर्मकृत्

teṣāṁ niṣkalmaṣastasmin hrade snāto divākaraḥ | pratyahaṁ kurute devaḥ prayāṇaṁ śubhakarmakṛt

'Bathing in their stainless lake, the sun-god, ever doing what is auspicious, sets out on his journey each day.'

Verse 18 (skanda.8.159.18)

तेषां प्रणम्य शिरसा ह्यात्मानं सन्निवेद्य च । सद्भावं दर्शयन्नग्रे नन्दीश्वर निमन्त्रय

teṣāṁ praṇamya śirasā hyātmānaṁ sannivedya ca | sadbhāvaṁ darśayannagre nandīśvara nimantraya

'O lord Nandi, bow your head to them, announce yourself, and, showing sincere respect before them, invite them.'

Verse 19 (skanda.8.159.19)

ये चादित्यरथं शश्वत् परिवार्य व्रजन्त्युत । अथर्वाङ्गिरसस्तांश्च निमन्त्रय गण द्विजान्

ye cādityarathaṁ śaśvat parivārya vrajantyuta | atharvāṅgirasastāṁśca nimantraya gaṇa dvijān

'O gana, invite too those brahmins of the Atharvangirasa lineage who ever travel encircling the chariot of the sun.'

Verse 20 (skanda.8.159.20)

ये च चक्रचराः सिद्धा ये कपोतोञ्छवृत्तयः । उपासते ये च शक्रं तानामन्त्रय वै द्विजान्

ye ca cakracarāḥ siddhā ye kapotoñchavṛttayaḥ | upāsate ye ca śakraṁ tānāmantraya vai dvijān

'Invite too those siddha brahmins who wander the wheeling path, who live gleaning like doves, and who worship Indra.'

Verse 21 (skanda.8.159.21)

ततो ब्रह्मसदो गत्वा ब्रह्मण्यान् ब्रह्मणः प्रियान् । ब्रह्माणं च सपत्नीकं ब्राह्मणांश्च निमन्त्रय

tato brahmasado gatvā brahmaṇyān brahmaṇaḥ priyān | brahmāṇaṁ ca sapatnīkaṁ brāhmaṇāṁśca nimantraya

'Then, going to Brahma's abode, invite the brahmins who are friends of the sacred and dear to Brahma, and Brahma himself together with his consort.'

Verse 22 (skanda.8.159.22)

क्षीरोदवेलानिलयास्तपोवननिवासिनः । ब्रह्मणो भवनादेत्य बालखिल्यान् निमन्त्रय

kṣīrodavelānilayāstapovananivāsinaḥ | brahmaṇo bhavanādetya bālakhilyān nimantraya

'Coming from Brahma's abode, invite too the Balakhilya sages, who dwell on the shore of the milk-ocean, resident in penance-groves.'

Verse 23 (skanda.8.159.23)

ये मां सदाराः ससुताः साग्निहोत्रपरिच्छदाः । भक्ता येषामहं नित्यं प्रसादसुमुखोग्रणीः

ye māṁ sadārāḥ sasutāḥ sāgnihotraparicchadāḥ | bhaktā yeṣāmahaṁ nityaṁ prasādasumukhograṇīḥ

'Those who, with their wives, sons, and fire-offering equipage, are my devotees, to whom I have ever been foremost, gracious and well-disposed -'

Verse 24 (skanda.8.159.24)

तान् बालखिल्यान् वागीश व्यालानिव दुरासदान् । आमन्त्रय यतो भूत्वा सुयशाः सुयशापते

tān bālakhilyān vāgīśa vyālāniva durāsadān | āmantraya yato bhūtvā suyaśāḥ suyaśāpate

'O lord of speech, invite those Balakhilyas, unapproachable as serpents, with due restraint, O glorious lord of glory!'

Verse 25 (skanda.8.159.25)

सञ्चरँश्च त्रिभुवनं वायुरव्याहतो यथा । यान्यतः पश्यसे विप्रान् सर्वानेव निमन्त्रय

sañcara~śca tribhuvanaṁ vāyuravyāhato yathā | yānyataḥ paśyase viprān sarvāneva nimantraya

'Roaming the three worlds unimpeded, like the wind, wherever you see any brahmins, invite every one of them.'

Verse 26 (skanda.8.159.26)

ये चापि प्रमथाः केचिद् गोचरे ते सुरारिहन् । ते च सर्वे समायान्तु विप्राणां परिवेशकाः

ye cāpi pramathāḥ kecid gocare te surārihan | te ca sarve samāyāntu viprāṇāṁ pariveśakāḥ

'O slayer of the gods' foes, whatever pramathas come within your sight, let them all come too, to serve as attendants for the brahmins' feast.'

Verse 27 (skanda.8.159.27)

कपर्दिनैवमुक्तस्तु नन्दी सूर्यसमप्रभः । शूलं ज्वलन्तमुद्यम्य प्रययौ वरुणालयम्

kapardinaivamuktastu nandī sūryasamaprabhaḥ | śūlaṁ jvalantamudyamya prayayau varuṇālayam

Thus commanded by the matted-locked Shiva, Nandi, radiant as the sun, raised his blazing trident and set out for Varuna's abode.

Verse 28 (skanda.8.159.28)

सागरं सोम्बराकारं साम्बरोम्बगोचरः । आससाद प्रवल्गन्तं रङ्गस्थमिव वारणम्

sāgaraṁ sombarākāraṁ sāmbarombagocaraḥ | āsasāda pravalgantaṁ raṅgasthamiva vāraṇam

Moving through the sky, Nandi drew near that ocean, vast as the heavens, surging and heaving, as one approaches a rearing elephant in an arena.

Verse 29 (skanda.8.159.29)

स तं तिमिशताकीर्णमर्णवं प्रमथाग्रणीः । प्रविवेश प्रदीप्तोर्कः पयोदनिचयं यथा

sa taṁ timiśatākīrṇamarṇavaṁ pramathāgraṇīḥ | praviveśa pradīptorkaḥ payodanicayaṁ yathā

That foremost of the pramathas entered that ocean, teeming with hundreds of great sea-creatures, as the blazing sun enters a mass of clouds.

Verse 30 (skanda.8.159.30)

सुतले स तु पाताले गां गजेन्द्रेन्द्रविक्रमः । अपश्यत् क्षरतीं क्षीरं दिव्यं तदमृताकरम्

sutale sa tu pātāle gāṁ gajendrendravikramaḥ | apaśyat kṣaratīṁ kṣīraṁ divyaṁ tadamṛtākaram

Mighty as the lordly elephant, he beheld in the netherworld called Sutala that divine earth, streaming milk like a very mine of nectar.

Verse 31 (skanda.8.159.31)

सुरभीमभिवाद्यैव शङ्करानुचरोरिहा । विवेश नन्दी वरुणो यत्रास्ते सगणोर्चितः

surabhīmabhivādyaiva śaṅkarānucarorihā | viveśa nandī varuṇo yatrāste sagaṇorcitaḥ

Shankara's attendant, foe-destroying Nandi, saluted the cow Surabhi and entered where Varuna, honoured with his retinue, was present.

Verse 32 (skanda.8.159.32)

स दिव्यवस्त्राभरणं पुत्रपौत्रगणान्वितम् । अपश्यदम्बुगोप्तामादित्ययुतसन्निभम्

sa divyavastrābharaṇaṁ putrapautragaṇānvitam | apaśyadambugoptāmādityayutasannibham

He beheld the guardian of the waters, clad in divine raiment and ornaments, surrounded by his sons and grandsons, blazing like ten thousand suns.

Verse 33 (skanda.8.159.33)

वरुणं द्वारपालेन पूर्वमेव निवेदितः । प्रविवेश तदा नन्दी वरुणस्य निवेशनम्

varuṇaṁ dvārapālena pūrvameva niveditaḥ | praviveśa tadā nandī varuṇasya niveśanam

Having been announced beforehand by the doorkeeper, Nandi then entered Varuna's dwelling.

Verse 34 (skanda.8.159.34)

स चाप्यपात्तदा राजा दूरादेव प्रहृष्टवत् । दृष्ट्वा नन्दिनमुत्तस्थौ पूजयन्मन्मथार्दनम्

sa cāpyapāttadā rājā dūrādeva prahṛṣṭavat | dṛṣṭvā nandinamuttasthau pūjayanmanmathārdanam

That king too, seeing Nandi from afar, rose at once, delighted, honouring the attendant of the god who overthrew Manmatha.

Verse 35 (skanda.8.159.35)

तस्यार्घं गाञ्च पाद्यञ्च निवेद्य वरुणः स्वयम् । आसीनं तमपां गोप्ता पप्रच्छ वदतां वरः

tasyārghaṁ gāñca pādyañca nivedya varuṇaḥ svayam | āsīnaṁ tamapāṁ goptā papraccha vadatāṁ varaḥ

Having offered him arghya, a cow, and water for the feet, Varuna himself, that guardian of the waters, foremost among speakers, questioned Nandi as he sat.

Verse 36 (skanda.8.159.36)

भगवन् किं चिरस्याद्य त्वया वयमपेक्षिताः । दर्शनं देवदेवस्य मन्यामस्तव दर्शनात्

bhagavan kiṁ cirasyādya tvayā vayamapekṣitāḥ | darśanaṁ devadevasya manyāmastava darśanāt

'O lord, after so long a time you have thought of us today - through the sight of you we deem ourselves to have beheld the God of gods himself.'

Verse 37 (skanda.8.159.37)

विवक्षोरिव ते वक्त्रमिन्द्रगोपायतेनघ । वद सर्वानभिप्रायान् कर्ता तेहं न संशयः

vivakṣoriva te vaktramindragopāyatenagha | vada sarvānabhiprāyān kartā tehaṁ na saṁśayaḥ

'O sinless one, your face, eager to speak, glows red as the indragopa insect - tell me your whole purpose; have no doubt, I shall accomplish it.'

Verse 38 (skanda.8.159.38)

वरुणेनैवमुक्तस्तु तत्परेण शिलादजः । ततः स वरुणं प्राह दानवैरपराजितम्

varuṇenaivamuktastu tatpareṇa śilādajaḥ | tataḥ sa varuṇaṁ prāha dānavairaparājitam

Thus earnestly addressed by Varuna, Nandi, son of Shilada, then spoke to Varuna, unconquered by the danavas.

Verse 39 (skanda.8.159.39)

अशोकतरुकं पुत्रं गिरिपुत्री ग्रहीष्यति । क्रीडार्थमुमया सार्ध निमन्त्रयति ते हरः

aśokatarukaṁ putraṁ giriputrī grahīṣyati | krīḍārthamumayā sārdha nimantrayati te haraḥ

'The mountain's daughter is going to take the ashoka tree as her son. For the celebration, together with Uma, Hara invites you.'

Verse 40 (skanda.8.159.40)

तद्देव पुत्राभिवृतः सदारः सह फेनपैः । श्वो याहि मन्दरगिरिं प्रीतिं वर्द्धय शूलिनः

taddeva putrābhivṛtaḥ sadāraḥ saha phenapaiḥ | śvo yāhi mandaragiriṁ prītiṁ varddhaya śūlinaḥ

'So, O god, with your sons, your wife, and the Phenapas, go tomorrow to Mount Mandara and increase the joy of the trident-bearer.'

Verse 41 (skanda.8.159.41)

इत्युक्त्वा सोभ्युनुज्ञातो वरुणेन गणेश्वरः । निष्क्रान्तो वरुणावासाच्छ्वेताभ्रादिव भास्करः

ityuktvā sobhyunujñāto varuṇena gaṇeśvaraḥ | niṣkrānto varuṇāvāsācchvetābhrādiva bhāskaraḥ

Having said this, and granted leave by Varuna, the lord of the ganas emerged from Varuna's abode, as the sun emerges from white clouds.

Verse 42 (skanda.8.159.42)

स पूज्यमानः सिद्धैश्च चारणैश्च सुरैरपि । प्रापोदयगिरिं नन्दी हरेषुस्त्रिपुरं यथा

sa pūjyamānaḥ siddhaiśca cāraṇaiśca surairapi | prāpodayagiriṁ nandī hareṣustripuraṁ yathā

Honoured by siddhas, charanas, and gods alike, Nandi reached the eastern mountain, as Hara's arrow once reached the triple city.

Verse 43 (skanda.8.159.43)

सोथ तस्य गिरेः शृङ्गे रञ्जिते तापनैः करैः । निलिल्ये गरुडः पक्षी प्रभञ्जनपथे यथा

sotha tasya gireḥ śṛṅge rañjite tāpanaiḥ karaiḥ | nililye garuḍaḥ pakṣī prabhañjanapathe yathā

Then, on that mountain-peak, tinged by the sun's rays, he alighted, as the bird Garuda alights along the pathway of the wind.

Verse 44 (skanda.8.159.44)

ह्रदं तत्रार्णवाकारं काञ्चनाम्बुजशोभितम् । शीर्णोत्पलतरङ्गाढ्यमपश्यत्सोप्सरोवृतम्

hradaṁ tatrārṇavākāraṁ kāñcanāmbujaśobhitam | śīrṇotpalataraṅgāḍhyamapaśyatsopsarovṛtam

There he saw a lake, vast as the ocean, adorned with golden lotuses, rich with waves scattering blue water-lilies, thronged with apsarases.

Verse 45 (skanda.8.159.45)

ह्रदस्य तस्य रोधस्सु साशोकेषु सहस्रशः । अपश्यत ऋषीन् सत्यानादित्यायुतसन्निभान्

hradasya tasya rodhassu sāśokeṣu sahasraśaḥ | apaśyata ṛṣīn satyānādityāyutasannibhān

On the shores of that lake, set with ashoka trees, he saw thousands of the sages called Satya, blazing like ten thousand suns.

Verse 46 (skanda.8.159.46)

स तान् तपोधनान् दृष्ट्वा तपनाभान् तपोधनान् । नन्दी प्रह्वाञ्जलिपुटो ह्यासाद्यावन्दत द्विजान्

sa tān tapodhanān dṛṣṭvā tapanābhān tapodhanān | nandī prahvāñjalipuṭo hyāsādyāvandata dvijān

Seeing those wealth-of-austerity sages, radiant as the sun, Nandi, palms joined and bowing low, drew near and paid homage to those twice-born ones.

Verse 47 (skanda.8.159.47)

ते सर्वे नियमान् हित्वा नियमस्थास्तपोधनाः । नन्दिनं समयुज्यन्त वासद्रुममिवाण्डजाः

te sarve niyamān hitvā niyamasthāstapodhanāḥ | nandinaṁ samayujyanta vāsadrumamivāṇḍajāḥ

All those disciplined ascetics, setting aside their observances, gathered around Nandi, as birds gather to their roosting tree.

Verse 48 (skanda.8.159.48)

तैः सूर्यकिरणापीतैः पीतचीराम्बरैरपि । संवृतः स बभौ नन्दी जम्बुद्वीप इवाचलैः

taiḥ sūryakiraṇāpītaiḥ pītacīrāmbarairapi | saṁvṛtaḥ sa babhau nandī jambudvīpa ivācalaiḥ

Surrounded by them, their bark-garments yellow, tinged golden by the sun's rays, Nandi shone, as Jambudvipa shines encircled by its mountains.

Verse 49 (skanda.8.159.49)

स पूज्यमानो गणपः सत्यः सत्यैस्तपोधनैः । अतीव प्रबभौ व्यास तीर्थेष्विव महेश्वरः

sa pūjyamāno gaṇapaḥ satyaḥ satyaistapodhanaiḥ | atīva prababhau vyāsa tīrtheṣviva maheśvaraḥ

O Vyasa, honoured thus by those truthful ascetics named Satya, the lord of the ganas shone exceedingly, as Maheshvara himself shines at holy fords.

Verse 50 (skanda.8.159.50)

ते नन्दिनं सुखासीनं सत्यं सत्यास्तपोधनाः । ऊचुर्हर्षाकुलैर्वाक्यैर्विस्मिताननलोचनाः

te nandinaṁ sukhāsīnaṁ satyaṁ satyāstapodhanāḥ | ūcurharṣākulairvākyairvismitānanalocanāḥ

To Nandi, seated comfortably, that truthful one, those ascetics named Satya, their faces and eyes wide with wonder, spoke with words full of joy.

Verse 51 (skanda.8.159.51)

नन्दीश्वर चिरस्याद्य ह्युदयो ह्युदयप्रभः । समाक्रान्तस्त्वया तात धर्मेण निरयो यथा

nandīśvara cirasyādya hyudayo hyudayaprabhaḥ | samākrāntastvayā tāta dharmeṇa nirayo yathā

'O lord Nandi, after so long a time, the dawn has today truly risen on the mountain of sunrise - you, dear one, have overspread it, as righteousness overspreads hell.'

Verse 52 (skanda.8.159.52)

किमिहानघ देवेशस्त्रिनेत्रस्त्रिपुरार्दनः । विहर्तुमागतो देवो दृष्टोस्माभिस्ततो भवान्

kimihānagha deveśastrinetrastripurārdanaḥ | vihartumāgato devo dṛṣṭosmābhistato bhavān

'O sinless one, has the three-eyed lord of gods, destroyer of the triple city, come here to sport? Is that why we have beheld you here?'

Verse 53 (skanda.8.159.53)

सत्यं सुचरितं शुद्धं तपोस्माभिर्गणेश्वर । सहोमं यत् त्वया सार्धं द्रक्ष्याम इह शङ्करम्

satyaṁ sucaritaṁ śuddhaṁ taposmābhirgaṇeśvara | sahomaṁ yat tvayā sārdhaṁ drakṣyāma iha śaṅkaram

'O lord of the ganas, our truthful, well-conducted, pure austerity has borne fruit, that we shall behold Shankara here, together with Uma, in your company.'

Verse 54 (skanda.8.159.54)

एवं कपीन्द्रवदनो वन्दमानाँस्तपोधनान् । स सत्यान् सत्यवचन इदमाह शिलादजः

evaṁ kapīndravadano vandamānā~stapodhanān | sa satyān satyavacana idamāha śilādajaḥ

Thus to those praising ascetics, the ape-faced Nandi, son of Shilada, truthful in speech, said this to those named Satya.

Verse 55 (skanda.8.159.55)

मन्दरं शैलं न कथञ्चित्त्यजेदजः । अहन्तु कार्यवानागां युष्माकमिममाश्रमम्

mandaraṁ śailaṁ na kathañcittyajedajaḥ | ahantu kāryavānāgāṁ yuṣmākamimamāśramam

The opening of this verse is lost in the source - 'The unborn Shiva shall not leave Mount Mandara under any circumstance; I myself have come to this hermitage of yours on a certain errand.'

Verse 56 (skanda.8.159.56)

अशोकतरुकं पुत्रं गिरिपुत्री ग्रहीष्यति । निमन्त्रयति वस्तत्र सवाञ्छर्वो द्विजोत्तमान्

aśokatarukaṁ putraṁ giriputrī grahīṣyati | nimantrayati vastatra savāñcharvo dvijottamān

'The mountain's daughter is going to take the ashoka tree as her son. Sharva, with his own wish behind it, invites all of you, O foremost twice-born, to that place.'

Verse 57 (skanda.8.159.57)

मानयन्तो भवं सर्वे साम्बमम्बापतिं द्रुतम् । श्वो गच्छत तपोनित्या मन्दरं धरणीधरम्

mānayanto bhavaṁ sarve sāmbamambāpatiṁ drutam | śvo gacchata taponityā mandaraṁ dharaṇīdharam

'All of you, honouring Bhava - the lord of Uma, together with Amba - go swiftly tomorrow, ever devoted to your austerities, to Mount Mandara, the earth-bearer.'

Verse 58 (skanda.8.159.58)

तत्र शर्वममराधिपप्रभुं तारकाधिपविभूषणं शिवम् । द्रक्ष्यथेशमसुरप्रमर्दनं देवतार्तिनिखिलं हरं हरम्

tatra śarvamamarādhipaprabhuṁ tārakādhipavibhūṣaṇaṁ śivam | drakṣyatheśamasurapramardanaṁ devatārtinikhilaṁ haraṁ haram

'There you shall behold Sharva, lord even over the lords of the gods, Shiva adorned with the crescent moon, the sovereign crusher of asuras, and Hara who takes away every sorrow of the gods.'