The Sanction for Skanda's Consecration

Verse 1 (skanda.8.163.1)

व्यास उवाच । शार्वं तेजः समादाय वह्निः किं कृतवांस्तदा । कथं स्कन्दस्समुत्पन्नः कस्मिँस्थाने महाद्युतिः

vyāsa uvāca | śārvaṁ tejaḥ samādāya vahniḥ kiṁ kṛtavāṁstadā | kathaṁ skandassamutpannaḥ kasmi~sthāne mahādyutiḥ

Vyasa said: Having received Shiva's fiery seed, what did Agni then do? Where was the mighty-radiant Skanda born?

Verse 2 (skanda.8.163.2)

सेनापत्ये कथञ्चासावभिषिक्तः सुरोत्तमैः । किमर्थमभिषिक्तश्च कस्मिन्देशेपि वा प्रभो

senāpatye kathañcāsāvabhiṣiktaḥ surottamaiḥ | kimarthamabhiṣiktaśca kasmindeśepi vā prabho

'How was he consecrated as commander-in-chief by the foremost gods? For what reason, and in what land, O lord?'

Verse 3 (skanda.8.163.3)

तारकश्च कथं तेन निहतो रणमूर्धनि । एतदिच्छाम्यहं वेत्तु त्वत्प्रसादान्महामुने

tārakaśca kathaṁ tena nihato raṇamūrdhani | etadicchāmyahaṁ vettu tvatprasādānmahāmune

'And how was Taraka slain by him at the forefront of battle? O great sage, I wish to know this by your grace.'

Verse 4 (skanda.8.163.4)

इति विज्ञापितो धीमान् व्यासेनाक्लिष्टकर्मणा । प्रोवाच वदतां श्रेष्ठः पितामहसुतस्तदा

iti vijñāpito dhīmān vyāsenākliṣṭakarmaṇā | provāca vadatāṁ śreṣṭhaḥ pitāmahasutastadā

Thus questioned by Vyasa, tireless in his labour, the wise Sanatkumara, son of the Grandsire, foremost among speakers, then replied.

Verse 5 (skanda.8.163.5)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । अथ त्रैलोचनं तेजः सुतसंकल्पसंभवम् । न धारयितुमुत्सेहे दीप्तिमानपि पावकः

sanatkumāra uvāca | atha trailocanaṁ tejaḥ sutasaṁkalpasaṁbhavam | na dhārayitumutsehe dīptimānapi pāvakaḥ

Sanatkumara said: Then even blazing Agni was unable to bear that fiery seed of the three-eyed lord, born of his resolve to have a son.

Verse 6 (skanda.8.163.6)

दाहात्मकोपि भूतानां दह्यमानस्स तेजसा । गङ्गामभ्यर्थयामास धारणे तस्य तेजसः

dāhātmakopi bhūtānāṁ dahyamānassa tejasā | gaṅgāmabhyarthayāmāsa dhāraṇe tasya tejasaḥ

Though he himself is the burner of creatures, scorched by that fiery seed, he begged Ganga to bear that fire within her.

Verse 7 (skanda.8.163.7)

सा तेनाभ्यर्थिता देवी हुताशेन त्रिलोकगा । एवमस्त्विति साशङ्कमुवाच मधुरस्वरा

sā tenābhyarthitā devī hutāśena trilokagā | evamastviti sāśaṅkamuvāca madhurasvarā

Thus entreated by the fire, the goddess Ganga, who courses through the three worlds, said in her sweet voice, though with some misgiving, 'So be it.'

Verse 8 (skanda.8.163.8)

तत्तेजो देवदेवस्य तेजस्वी हव्यवाहनः । तदा संक्रामयाञ्चक्रे गङ्गायां योगमायया

tattejo devadevasya tejasvī havyavāhanaḥ | tadā saṁkrāmayāñcakre gaṅgāyāṁ yogamāyayā

Then the radiant fire-bearer, by his power of illusion, transferred that seed of the God of gods into Ganga.

Verse 9 (skanda.8.163.9)

ज्ञात्वापि दुर्धरं तत्सा प्रतिपेदे वरानना । अर्थिप्रणयनिर्भङ्गदोषभीता सरिद्वरा

jñātvāpi durdharaṁ tatsā pratipede varānanā | arthipraṇayanirbhaṅgadoṣabhītā saridvarā

Though she knew it hard to bear, fearing the fault of refusing a suppliant's request, that fair-faced, foremost of rivers accepted it.

Verse 10 (skanda.8.163.10)

अथ सा क्षिप्रमभवन्मन्थरालसगामिनी । प्रभावात्तेजसस्तस्य श्यामोन्मुखपयोधरा

atha sā kṣipramabhavanmantharālasagāminī | prabhāvāttejasastasya śyāmonmukhapayodharā

Then, by the power of that seed, she swiftly became slow and languid in her flow, and her breasts darkened at their tips.

Verse 11 (skanda.8.163.11)

भिन्नाञ्जनरुचा तन्व्या रोमराज्या रराज सा । घनराज्या घनापाये लेखेवानुष्णदीधितेः

bhinnāñjanarucā tanvyā romarājyā rarāja sā | ghanarājyā ghanāpāye lekhevānuṣṇadīdhiteḥ

She shone with a delicate line of down, dark as collyrium, as a bank of clouds shines with the crescent moon's streak when the clouds part.

Verse 12 (skanda.8.163.12)

जगाम च तदा ग्लानिं किञ्चिदाविप्लुतेक्षणा । नोपलेभे तदा देवी रतिं शय्यासनेषु च

jagāma ca tadā glāniṁ kiñcidāviplutekṣaṇā | nopalebhe tadā devī ratiṁ śayyāsaneṣu ca

She grew somewhat faint, her gaze a little clouded, and that goddess found no comfort anywhere, on her bed or her seat.

Verse 13 (skanda.8.163.13)

अमृतस्यन्दिभिः शीतैः स्पृष्टापि शशिनः करैः । मम्लौ सा तेजसा तेन दह्यमाना तदानघा

amṛtasyandibhiḥ śītaiḥ spṛṣṭāpi śaśinaḥ karaiḥ | mamlau sā tejasā tena dahyamānā tadānaghā

Though touched by the moon's cool, nectar-dripping rays, that faultless goddess withered, burning as she was with that fire.

Verse 14 (skanda.8.163.14)

शरस्तम्बाभिराजिते । सोत्ससर्ज तदा तेजो हरस्योग्रं शुभेहनि

śarastambābhirājite | sotsasarja tadā tejo harasyograṁ śubhehani

The opening of this verse is lost in the source - at a spot bright with thickets of reed, on an auspicious day, she released Hara's fierce seed.

Verse 15 (skanda.8.163.15)

शरमध्यात् समभवद् बालो बालपराक्रमः । षड्वक्त्रो द्वादशभुजः सूर्यकोटिसमद्युतिः

śaramadhyāt samabhavad bālo bālaparākramaḥ | ṣaḍvaktro dvādaśabhujaḥ sūryakoṭisamadyutiḥ

From the midst of those reeds a child was born, mighty even in infancy, six-faced, twelve-armed, radiant as a myriad suns.

Verse 16 (skanda.8.163.16)

समिध्य विधिना तत्र पावकं पावकत्विषः । विश्वामित्रस्तदा चक्रे जातकर्म सुजन्मनः

samidhya vidhinā tatra pāvakaṁ pāvakatviṣaḥ | viśvāmitrastadā cakre jātakarma sujanmanaḥ

There, duly kindling the fire, Vishvamitra performed the birth-rites for that nobly born child, radiant as fire itself.

Verse 17 (skanda.8.163.17)

कृत्तिकास्तं तदा दृष्ट्वा प्रस्नुतोरुपयोधराः । आजग्मुरन्तिकं तस्य

kṛttikāstaṁ tadā dṛṣṭvā prasnutorupayodharāḥ | ājagmurantikaṁ tasya

Seeing him, the Krittikas, their breasts swelling with milk, came near to him. The rest of this verse is lost in the source.

Verse 18 (skanda.8.163.18)

उपतस्थुश्च तं वेदास्सोपवेदास्ससंग्रहाः । कला विद्याश्च निखिला लक्ष्मीर्मेधा सरस्वती

upatasthuśca taṁ vedāssopavedāssasaṁgrahāḥ | kalā vidyāśca nikhilā lakṣmīrmedhā sarasvatī

The Vedas, with their subsidiary sciences and their compendia, all the arts and branches of learning, Lakshmi, Medha, and Sarasvati - all came and waited upon him.

Verse 19 (skanda.8.163.19)

कान्तिर्धर्मो दया क्षान्तिर्धृतिर्धैर्यं पराक्रमः । योगस्तेजो बल प्रज्ञा स्थितिगाम्भीर्यसत्क्रियाः

kāntirdharmo dayā kṣāntirdhṛtirdhairyaṁ parākramaḥ | yogastejo bala prajñā sthitigāmbhīryasatkriyāḥ

Splendour, righteousness, compassion, forbearance, resolve, courage, valour, yogic power, brilliance, strength, wisdom, steadfastness, gravity, and right conduct - all these too attended upon him.

Verse 20 (skanda.8.163.20)

अथातो धनुरादाय दिव्यमद्भुतविक्रमः । सन्धाय लीलया बाणं स मुमोच गिरौ

athāto dhanurādāya divyamadbhutavikramaḥ | sandhāya līlayā bāṇaṁ sa mumoca girau

Then that boy of astonishing prowess took up a divine bow and, fitting an arrow with playful ease, loosed it toward a mountain. The rest of this verse is lost in the source.

Verse 21 (skanda.8.163.21)

प्रोद्भिन्नं सहसा तेन भूभृतः शिखरोत्तमम् । पपाताशु परित्रस्तभीतोद्भ्रान्तविहङ्गमम्

prodbhinnaṁ sahasā tena bhūbhṛtaḥ śikharottamam | papātāśu paritrastabhītodbhrāntavihaṅgamam

By that arrow the mountain's finest peak was suddenly split, and, its birds frightened and wheeling in terror, it swiftly came crashing down.

Verse 22 (skanda.8.163.22)

तद् दृष्ट्वा महदाश्चर्यं सत्वानां तन्निवासिनाम् । विस्मयश्च भयञ्चैव युगपत् संबभूवतुः

tad dṛṣṭvā mahadāścaryaṁ satvānāṁ tannivāsinām | vismayaśca bhayañcaiva yugapat saṁbabhūvatuḥ

Seeing that great wonder, the creatures dwelling there felt astonishment and fear arise together at once.

Verse 23 (skanda.8.163.23)

अथ प्रेक्ष्य भयं तस्मादात्मनो बलसूदनः । मातॄः संप्रेषयामास विनाशायामितद्युतेः

atha prekṣya bhayaṁ tasmādātmano balasūdanaḥ | mātṝḥ saṁpreṣayāmāsa vināśāyāmitadyuteḥ

Seeing this cause for fear, Indra, slayer of Bala, sent forth the Mother-goddesses to destroy that boy of boundless splendour.

Verse 24 (skanda.8.163.24)

आगत्य मातरस्तत्र दृष्ट्वा तं तेजसां निधिम् । तमेव शरणं जग्मुस्तत्तेजोहृतचेतसः

āgatya mātarastatra dṛṣṭvā taṁ tejasāṁ nidhim | tameva śaraṇaṁ jagmustattejohṛtacetasaḥ

Coming there, seeing that treasure-house of splendour, the Mothers, their minds captivated by his radiance, themselves took refuge in him.

Verse 25 (skanda.8.163.25)

आजगाम ततः क्रुद्धः सह व्रातैर्दिवौकसाम् । ऐरावतगजस्कन्धमारूढः पाकशासनः

ājagāma tataḥ kruddhaḥ saha vrātairdivaukasām | airāvatagajaskandhamārūḍhaḥ pākaśāsanaḥ

Then, enraged, Indra himself came there, mounted upon the shoulder of the elephant Airavata, together with hosts of the gods.

Verse 26 (skanda.8.163.26)

आगच्छतः सुरान्दृष्ट्वा ननादोच्चैर्महाद्युतिः । अभ्यद्रवच्च संक्रुद्धः सिंहो मत्तान् गजानिव

āgacchataḥ surāndṛṣṭvā nanādoccairmahādyutiḥ | abhyadravacca saṁkruddhaḥ siṁho mattān gajāniva

Seeing the gods approaching, that mighty-radiant boy roared loudly and charged in fury, as a lion charges upon rutting elephants.

Verse 27 (skanda.8.163.27)

बभूवुस्तेन नादेन मुहुर्मूढा दिवौकसः । अभूदैरावणस्यापि मदध्वंसः कपोलयोः

babhūvustena nādena muhurmūḍhā divaukasaḥ | abhūdairāvaṇasyāpi madadhvaṁsaḥ kapolayoḥ

At that roar the gods were repeatedly dazed, and even the rut on Airavata's temples vanished.

Verse 28 (skanda.8.163.28)

अर्चींषि च प्रदीप्तानि विससर्ज सहस्रशः । त्रिलोचनसुतस्तेषां सुराणां सुरदर्पहा

arcīṁṣi ca pradīptāni visasarja sahasraśaḥ | trilocanasutasteṣāṁ surāṇāṁ suradarpahā

That son of the three-eyed one, crusher of the gods' own pride, hurled forth thousands of blazing flames.

Verse 29 (skanda.8.163.29)

अर्च्चिर्भिर्हतकान्तीनि मुखान्यसुरविद्विषाम् । बभूवुर्हिमदग्धानि सरोजानि सरःस्विव

arccirbhirhatakāntīni mukhānyasuravidviṣām | babhūvurhimadagdhāni sarojāni saraḥsviva

The faces of those foes of the asuras lost their lustre before those flames, as lotuses in a pond wither, scorched by frost.

Verse 30 (skanda.8.163.30)

अथ वज्रं समादाय ज्वलितं ज्वलनद्युतेः । रोषादाताम्रनेत्रान्तो विससर्ज शतक्रतुः

atha vajraṁ samādāya jvalitaṁ jvalanadyuteḥ | roṣādātāmranetrānto visasarja śatakratuḥ

Then Indra, taking up his blazing thunderbolt, radiant as fire, the corners of his eyes reddened with rage, hurled it.

Verse 31 (skanda.8.163.31)

तेन वज्रप्रहारेण स द्विमूर्त्तिस्तदाभवत् । द्वाभ्यामपि च मूर्त्तिभ्यामभ्यधावत् पुरन्दरम्

tena vajraprahāreṇa sa dvimūrttistadābhavat | dvābhyāmapi ca mūrttibhyāmabhyadhāvat purandaram

By that blow of the thunderbolt he at once became two-formed, and with both forms alike he charged straight at Indra.

Verse 32 (skanda.8.163.32)

अथ दर्पं विहायाशु प्रणेमे पाकशासनः । तेजसां निधये तस्मै प्राह चैवं विनिर्जितः

atha darpaṁ vihāyāśu praṇeme pākaśāsanaḥ | tejasāṁ nidhaye tasmai prāha caivaṁ vinirjitaḥ

Then, at once casting off his pride, Indra bowed to that treasure-house of splendour, and, thus vanquished, spoke to him.

Verse 33 (skanda.8.163.33)

गृहाण राज्यमप्येयत् प्रार्थनीयं मनस्विनाम् । त्वमेव युक्तो लोकानां पालने पावकात्मज

gṛhāṇa rājyamapyeyat prārthanīyaṁ manasvinām | tvameva yukto lokānāṁ pālane pāvakātmaja

'Take this kingdom too, desired even by the great-souled. O son of fire, you alone are fit to govern the worlds.'

Verse 34 (skanda.8.163.34)

सत्स्वप्यन्येषु तेजस्सु तमसां विनिहन्तृषु । अग्नावेव हविः पुण्यं हूयते

satsvapyanyeṣu tejassu tamasāṁ vinihantṛṣu | agnāveva haviḥ puṇyaṁ hūyate

'Even though other bright things that dispel darkness exist, it is into fire alone that the sacred oblation is poured.' - the rest of this verse is lost in the source.

Verse 35 (skanda.8.163.35)

प्राह प्रभवतां श्रेष्ठो विहस्य विबुधाधिपम्

prāha prabhavatāṁ śreṣṭho vihasya vibudhādhipam

That foremost of the mighty, smiling, spoke to Indra, lord of the gods - the rest of this verse is lost in the source.

Verse 36 (skanda.8.163.36)

शाधि शक्र त्वमेवेदं राज्यं चिरमभीप्सितम् । अनेन बहुदोषेण नाहमर्थी पुरन्दर

śādhi śakra tvamevedaṁ rājyaṁ ciramabhīpsitam | anena bahudoṣeṇa nāhamarthī purandara

'O Shakra, rule this kingdom yourself, long desired as it is. O Purandara, I have no wish for this thing, so full of faults.'

Verse 37 (skanda.8.163.37)

निशाम्य तद्वचः श्रीमान् स्कन्दस्याक्लिष्टचेतसः । अर्थवद्वचनं श्लक्ष्णं पुनराह शचीपतिः

niśāmya tadvacaḥ śrīmān skandasyākliṣṭacetasaḥ | arthavadvacanaṁ ślakṣṇaṁ punarāha śacīpatiḥ

Hearing that meaningful, gentle speech of glorious, untroubled Skanda, Indra, lord of Shachi, spoke again.

Verse 38 (skanda.8.163.38)

दर्शय नो विचित्राणि कार्यजातान्यनेकधा । संगतानि विभिन्नानि त्रैलोक्यराज्यग्रहणं स्वनुबद्धमनव्ययम्

darśaya no vicitrāṇi kāryajātānyanekadhā | saṁgatāni vibhinnāni trailokyarājyagrahaṇaṁ svanubaddhamanavyayam

One verse at this point is entirely lost in the source and has been omitted. Indra continued: 'Show us your many wondrous and mighty deeds, joined together and yet distinct. The taking of the kingdom of the three worlds is naturally and imperishably bound to you.' The end of this verse's middle line is lost in the source.

Verse 39 (skanda.8.163.39)

एवमुक्तवति प्राह सम्भवत्यनलद्युतिः । स्निग्धगम्भीरया वाचा स्मितपूर्वमिदं वचः

evamuktavati prāha sambhavatyanaladyutiḥ | snigdhagambhīrayā vācā smitapūrvamidaṁ vacaḥ

When this had been said, that just-born child, radiant as fire, spoke these words with a gentle, grave voice, smiling first.

Verse 40 (skanda.8.163.40)

न विचालयितुं चेतः शक्र शक्ता हठान्मम । न वारि सरितां पत्युरलातैः संप्रतप्यते

na vicālayituṁ cetaḥ śakra śaktā haṭhānmama | na vāri saritāṁ patyuralātaiḥ saṁpratapyate

'O Shakra, you are not able to shake my resolve by force. The ocean's waters are not heated by burning brands.'

Verse 41 (skanda.8.163.41)

राज्यं राजीवपत्राक्ष न जातु मनसाप्यहम् । दोषाणां नित्यमावासं कामये पाकशासन

rājyaṁ rājīvapatrākṣa na jātu manasāpyaham | doṣāṇāṁ nityamāvāsaṁ kāmaye pākaśāsana

'O lotus-eyed one, O Pakashasana, I do not desire, even in my mind, a kingdom, ever the abode of faults.'

Verse 42 (skanda.8.163.42)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा पुनर्वक्तुमियेष सः । सुधानिष्यन्दिभिः स्कन्दं स्नपयन्निव लोचनैः

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā punarvaktumiyeṣa saḥ | sudhāniṣyandibhiḥ skandaṁ snapayanniva locanaiḥ

Hearing his words, Indra, as if bathing Skanda with eyes dripping nectar, desired to speak once more.

Verse 43 (skanda.8.163.43)

आकरे तेजसां श्लाघ्ये नैतच्चित्रं त्वयि प्रभो । शक्ता एवं न सज्जन्ते भोगेषु सुमहत्स्वपि

ākare tejasāṁ ślāghye naitaccitraṁ tvayi prabho | śaktā evaṁ na sajjante bhogeṣu sumahatsvapi

'O lord, this is no wonder in you, praiseworthy mine of splendour that you are. The truly capable are never attached to enjoyments in this way, however great.'

Verse 44 (skanda.8.163.44)

सेनापत्येभिषिच्यस्व सुराणामर्थसिद्धये । वपुः संमानयामीह नाहमाज्ञापये विभो

senāpatyebhiṣicyasva surāṇāmarthasiddhaye | vapuḥ saṁmānayāmīha nāhamājñāpaye vibho

'Consent to be consecrated as commander-in-chief, for the fulfilment of the gods' purpose. I honour your very form, O mighty one; I do not command you.'

Verse 45 (skanda.8.163.45)

अथ तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा पुरुहूतं महाभुजः । द्वादशाक्षः सहस्राक्षमिदमाहोरुविक्रमः

atha tadvacanaṁ śrutvā puruhūtaṁ mahābhujaḥ | dvādaśākṣaḥ sahasrākṣamidamāhoruvikramaḥ

Then, hearing those words, the mighty-armed, twelve-eyed, tremendously valorous child spoke thus to thousand-eyed Indra.

Verse 46 (skanda.8.163.46)

मम प्रभवति श्रीमान् लोकानां प्रभुरव्ययः । अनन्यभूरमेयात्मा वृषकेतुः पुरन्दर

mama prabhavati śrīmān lokānāṁ prabhuravyayaḥ | ananyabhūrameyātmā vṛṣaketuḥ purandara

'O Purandara, over me it is the glorious, imperishable lord of the worlds, without any other refuge, of immeasurable being, the bull-bannered Shiva, who alone holds sway.'

Verse 47 (skanda.8.163.47)

तमाराध्य प्रभुं भक्त्या गृहाणाज्ञां शतक्रतो । तामहं प्रतिपत्स्यामि यामसौ दास्यति प्रभुः

tamārādhya prabhuṁ bhaktyā gṛhāṇājñāṁ śatakrato | tāmahaṁ pratipatsyāmi yāmasau dāsyati prabhuḥ

'O Shatakratu, worship that lord with devotion and obtain his command. Whatever command that lord gives, that alone I shall accept.'

Verse 48 (skanda.8.163.48)

तस्याभिप्रायमाज्ञाय देवदेवो वृषध्वजः । आजगाम सपत्नीको दिदृक्षुस्तनयं तदा

tasyābhiprāyamājñāya devadevo vṛṣadhvajaḥ | ājagāma sapatnīko didṛkṣustanayaṁ tadā

Learning his intent, the God of gods, the bull-bannered Shiva, came there then with his consort, eager to behold his son.

Verse 49 (skanda.8.163.49)

स्वाहया सहितो वह्निर्गङ्गा च सरितां वरा । कृत्तिकाश्च सुसंहृष्टाः श्वेतं शिखरिणां वरम्

svāhayā sahito vahnirgaṅgā ca saritāṁ varā | kṛttikāśca susaṁhṛṣṭāḥ śvetaṁ śikhariṇāṁ varam

Agni together with Svaha, Ganga, foremost of rivers, and the Krittikas too, greatly rejoicing, all set out for Mount Shveta, foremost among mountains.

Verse 50 (skanda.8.163.50)

युगपत्ते तदा तत्र श्वेतस्य शिखरोत्तमे । चिन्तयामासुरायान्तः कन्नु स्कन्दोभियास्यति

yugapatte tadā tatra śvetasya śikharottame | cintayāmāsurāyāntaḥ kannu skandobhiyāsyati

As they all arrived together upon that finest peak of Mount Shveta, each thought: 'To which of us will Skanda go first?'

Verse 51 (skanda.8.163.51)

अथ तेषामभिप्रायं ज्ञात्वा मतिमतां वरः । षोढा समभवत् स्कन्दो योगीशो बलवत्तदा

atha teṣāmabhiprāyaṁ jñātvā matimatāṁ varaḥ | ṣoḍhā samabhavat skando yogīśo balavattadā

Knowing their thought, Skanda, foremost among the wise, lord of yogis, then mightily became six-fold.

Verse 52 (skanda.8.163.52)

स्कन्दोभ्यगान्महादेवं विशाखो हिमवत्सुताम् । नैगमेषो ययौ गङ्गां वह्निं शाखो महाद्युतिः

skandobhyagānmahādevaṁ viśākho himavatsutām | naigameṣo yayau gaṅgāṁ vahniṁ śākho mahādyutiḥ

Skanda went to Mahadeva, Vishakha to the daughter of the Himalaya, Naigamesha to Ganga, and mighty-radiant Shakha to Agni.

Verse 53 (skanda.8.163.53)

स्वाहां जगाम संहृष्टः काकपक्षधरो गुहः । कृत्तिकाः षण्मुखः श्रीमान् वेगादभिससार च

svāhāṁ jagāma saṁhṛṣṭaḥ kākapakṣadharo guhaḥ | kṛttikāḥ ṣaṇmukhaḥ śrīmān vegādabhisasāra ca

Greatly delighted, top-knotted Guha went to Svaha, and the glorious six-faced one swiftly hastened to the Krittikas.

Verse 54 (skanda.8.163.54)

मनोरथान् स सर्वेषां देवदेवात्मजः प्रभुः । युगपद्योगिनामीशः पूरयामास मूर्तिभिः

manorathān sa sarveṣāṁ devadevātmajaḥ prabhuḥ | yugapadyogināmīśaḥ pūrayāmāsa mūrtibhiḥ

That lord, son of the God of gods, sovereign of yogis, fulfilled the heartfelt wishes of all of them simultaneously through his several forms.

Verse 55 (skanda.8.163.55)

अथ तस्मै ददौ शम्भुरस्त्रग्रामं चतुर्विधम् । सुधाकणपरिस्रावि चूडारत्नं च पार्वती

atha tasmai dadau śambhurastragrāmaṁ caturvidham | sudhākaṇaparisrāvi cūḍāratnaṁ ca pārvatī

Then Shambhu gave him a fourfold arsenal of weapons, and Parvati gave him a crest-jewel that dripped drops of nectar.

Verse 56 (skanda.8.163.56)

स्वमनोनिर्मलां गङ्गा विशुद्धाममृतोद्भवाम् । एकावलिं ददौ तस्मै गुहायोत्फुल्ललोचना

svamanonirmalāṁ gaṅgā viśuddhāmamṛtodbhavām | ekāvaliṁ dadau tasmai guhāyotphullalocanā

Ganga, her eyes alight with joy, gave to Guha a single strand of pearls, pure as her own mind, spotless, born of nectar.

Verse 57 (skanda.8.163.57)

द्विषत्प्राणहरां गुर्वीममोघां हव्यवाहनः । अर्चिष्मतीं ददौ चास्मै शक्तिं शक्ताय सूनवे

dviṣatprāṇaharāṁ gurvīmamoghāṁ havyavāhanaḥ | arciṣmatīṁ dadau cāsmai śaktiṁ śaktāya sūnave

Agni gave to his mighty son a spear, weighty, unfailing, flame-crested, that took the life-breath of foes.

Verse 58 (skanda.8.163.58)

पताकां महतीं रक्तां ज्वलत्पावकसप्रभाम् । किङ्किणीनादितां दिव्यां प्रादात् स्वाहा महात्मने

patākāṁ mahatīṁ raktāṁ jvalatpāvakasaprabhām | kiṅkiṇīnāditāṁ divyāṁ prādāt svāhā mahātmane

Svaha gave to that great soul a great red banner, blazing like fire, resounding with tinkling bells, divine.

Verse 59 (skanda.8.163.59)

सुपुण्यगन्धामुत्फुल्लां स्वरजःपरिपिञ्जराम् । कृत्तिकाश्च ददुस्तस्मै मालामञ्चितकेसराम्

supuṇyagandhāmutphullāṁ svarajaḥparipiñjarām | kṛttikāśca dadustasmai mālāmañcitakesarām

The Krittikas too gave him a garland, most fragrant, fully bloomed, golden with its own pollen, adorned with filaments.

Verse 60 (skanda.8.163.60)

अथाजग्मुः सुराः सर्वे पितामहपुरःसराः । श्वेताद्रेः शिखरं रम्यं वृषकेतुं दिदृक्षवः

athājagmuḥ surāḥ sarve pitāmahapuraḥsarāḥ | śvetādreḥ śikharaṁ ramyaṁ vṛṣaketuṁ didṛkṣavaḥ

Then all the gods, with the Grandsire at their head, eager to behold the bull-bannered Shiva, came to the lovely peak of Mount Shveta.

Verse 61 (skanda.8.163.61)

तानागतान् समं सर्वान् तदा तत्र दिवौकसः । दृष्ट्वा संभावयामास महादेवः प्रसन्नया

tānāgatān samaṁ sarvān tadā tatra divaukasaḥ | dṛṣṭvā saṁbhāvayāmāsa mahādevaḥ prasannayā

Beholding all those gods who had arrived there together, Mahadeva received them with gracious favour.

Verse 62 (skanda.8.163.62)

प्रणम्य देवदेवेशं लब्ध्वानुज्ञां दिवौकसः । शिलासु शशिगौरीषु निषेदुरमितौजसः

praṇamya devadeveśaṁ labdhvānujñāṁ divaukasaḥ | śilāsu śaśigaurīṣu niṣeduramitaujasaḥ

Bowing to the sovereign lord of gods and receiving his leave, those boundlessly radiant gods took their seats upon rocks white as the moon.

Verse 63 (skanda.8.163.63)

प्रोत्तुङ्गशिखरः श्वेतो द्युतिमानपि भूधरः । तेजसां सन्निपातेन बभूव द्युतिमत्तरः

prottuṅgaśikharaḥ śveto dyutimānapi bhūdharaḥ | tejasāṁ sannipātena babhūva dyutimattaraḥ

That mountain of towering peaks, Shveta, itself radiant, grew even more radiant still through the confluence of all that splendour.

Verse 64 (skanda.8.163.64)

अथ प्रचोदितः सर्वैर्विबुधैर्विबुधाधिपः । व्यज्ञापयन्महादेवं प्रणम्य वदतां वरः

atha pracoditaḥ sarvairvibudhairvibudhādhipaḥ | vyajñāpayanmahādevaṁ praṇamya vadatāṁ varaḥ

Then, urged on by all the gods, Indra, lord of the gods, foremost among speakers, bowed to Mahadeva and made his petition.

Verse 65 (skanda.8.163.65)

तारकाख्येन नो लक्ष्मीरामृष्टा प्रसभं प्रभो । वज्रं वक्षःस्थले तस्य कठिने कुण्ठतां ययौ

tārakākhyena no lakṣmīrāmṛṣṭā prasabhaṁ prabho | vajraṁ vakṣaḥsthale tasya kaṭhine kuṇṭhatāṁ yayau

'O lord, that one called Taraka has forcibly wrested away our fortune. Even my thunderbolt grows blunted against his hard chest.'

Verse 66 (skanda.8.163.66)

चक्रं हरेः सहस्रारं ज्वलितं ज्वलितौजसः । आसाद्य मृदुतां भेजे कण्ठं तस्यामरद्विषः

cakraṁ hareḥ sahasrāraṁ jvalitaṁ jvalitaujasaḥ | āsādya mṛdutāṁ bheje kaṇṭhaṁ tasyāmaradviṣaḥ

'The blazing thousand-spoked discus of radiant Vishnu itself grows soft on reaching that foe of the gods' throat.'

Verse 67 (skanda.8.163.67)

दण्डो वैवस्वतस्यापि प्रदीप्तानलभास्वरः । अलातमिव तोयौघे निर्वाणो दानवोरसि

daṇḍo vaivasvatasyāpi pradīptānalabhāsvaraḥ | alātamiva toyaughe nirvāṇo dānavorasi

'The rod of Vaivasvata too, blazing bright as kindled fire, is quenched upon that danava's chest, as a firebrand is quenched in a flood of water.'

Verse 68 (skanda.8.163.68)

समरे रिपुदुर्वारो महापाशः प्रचेतसः । तस्य कण्ठे समभवन्मन्त्रेणेव वशीकृतः

samare ripudurvāro mahāpāśaḥ pracetasaḥ | tasya kaṇṭhe samabhavanmantreṇeva vaśīkṛtaḥ

'Even the great noose of Prachetas, irresistible to foes in battle, becomes upon his throat as though bound and tamed by a spell.'

Verse 69 (skanda.8.163.69)

उत्पाट्य प्रसभं तेन नन्दने कल्पपादपाः । निवेशिता यथाकामं स्वगृहोद्यानभूमिषु

utpāṭya prasabhaṁ tena nandane kalpapādapāḥ | niveśitā yathākāmaṁ svagṛhodyānabhūmiṣu

'He has forcibly torn up the wish-fulfilling trees of Nandana and planted them as he pleased in the gardens of his own home.'

Verse 70 (skanda.8.163.70)

समीपे तस्य साशङ्कस्तालवृन्तायतेनिलः । स्वपुष्पनिकरैर्भीता ऋतवस्तमुपासते

samīpe tasya sāśaṅkastālavṛntāyatenilaḥ | svapuṣpanikarairbhītā ṛtavastamupāsate

'Near him the wind moves timidly, gentle as a fan of palm-leaves, and the seasons, fearful of their own flowers, wait upon him in service.'

Verse 71 (skanda.8.163.71)

हविर्भुजि हुतं हव्यमाच्छिनत्ति बलादसौ । मिषतां सर्वदेवानां देवदेव दितेः सुतः

havirbhuji hutaṁ havyamācchinatti balādasau | miṣatāṁ sarvadevānāṁ devadeva diteḥ sutaḥ

'O God of gods, that son of Diti forcibly snatches away even the oblation offered into the sacred fire, before the very eyes of all the gods.'

Verse 72 (skanda.8.163.72)

अभिषिच्य सुराः स्कन्दं सेनापत्ये महाद्युतिम् । जेतुमिच्छन्ति दैत्येन्द्र प्रसादात्तव शङ्कर

abhiṣicya surāḥ skandaṁ senāpatye mahādyutim | jetumicchanti daityendra prasādāttava śaṅkara

'O Shankara, the gods wish, by your grace, to consecrate the mighty-radiant Skanda as commander-in-chief and thereby conquer that lord of daityas.'

Verse 73 (skanda.8.163.73)

एवं विज्ञापितस्तत्र वज्रिणा वृषभध्वजः । दादावनुज्ञां स्कन्दाय सेनापत्याभिषेचने

evaṁ vijñāpitastatra vajriṇā vṛṣabhadhvajaḥ | dādāvanujñāṁ skandāya senāpatyābhiṣecane

Thus petitioned by the thunderbolt-wielder, the bull-bannered lord granted his consent for Skanda's consecration as commander-in-chief.

Verse 74 (skanda.8.163.74)

अथ विबुधसमूहैर्वन्दितो वन्दनीयो मदनतनुविहन्ता बालचर्न्द्रार्धमौलिः । तनयमभिसमीक्ष्य स्नेहसंफुल्लनेत्रः शशिकिरणसिताद्रेराशु सोन्तर्बभूव

atha vibudhasamūhairvandito vandanīyo madanatanuvihantā bālacarndrārdhamauliḥ | tanayamabhisamīkṣya snehasaṁphullanetraḥ śaśikiraṇasitādrerāśu sontarbabhūva

Then Shiva, worshipped by the assembled gods yet himself worthy of worship, destroyer of Madana's body, crescent-crowned, gazing upon his son with eyes bright with affection, swiftly vanished into the recesses of that mountain, white as moonbeams.