The Boon to Shveta

Verse 1 (skanda.8.166.1)

व्यास उवाच । भगवन् सर्वधर्मज्ञ महायोगबलान्वित । श्रुतमेतन्मया कृत्स्नं स्कन्दस्य चरितं महत्

vyāsa uvāca | bhagavan sarvadharmajña mahāyogabalānvita | śrutametanmayā kṛtsnaṁ skandasya caritaṁ mahat

Vyasa said: O Lord, knower of all dharma, endowed with the power of great yoga, I have heard this whole great account of Skanda's deeds.

Verse 2 (skanda.8.166.2)

त्वत्तः परमयोगेश गुह्यं भगवतः परम् । ततः परं स देवेशस्त्रिपुरारिर्वृषध्वजः

tvattaḥ paramayogeśa guhyaṁ bhagavataḥ param | tataḥ paraṁ sa deveśastripurārirvṛṣadhvajaḥ

O supreme master of yoga, from you I have heard this most secret matter of the Lord. Thereafter, that Lord of gods, the foe of Tripura, the bull-bannered one—

Verse 3 (skanda.8.166.3)

संप्रेष्य सहितं देवैर्महासेनापतिं गुहम् । संन्यस्य देवताः स्कन्दे किमन्यदकरोत् प्रभुः

saṁpreṣya sahitaṁ devairmahāsenāpatiṁ guham | saṁnyasya devatāḥ skande kimanyadakarot prabhuḥ

—having sent the gods together with the great general Guha, and having entrusted the deities to Skanda, what else did the Lord do?

Verse 4 (skanda.8.166.4)

क्व जगाम च देवेशः किमुवाचाचलात्मजा । कानि चैनमुमा प्राह शंसैतत् पृच्छतो मम

kva jagāma ca deveśaḥ kimuvācācalātmajā | kāni cainamumā prāha śaṁsaitat pṛcchato mama

Where did the Lord of gods go? What did the mountain's daughter say to him? What words did Uma speak to him? Tell this to me who ask.

Verse 5 (skanda.8.166.5)

सूत उवाच । व्यासेनैवं तदा पृष्ट आख्यातुमुपचक्रमे । सर्वागमपरार्थज्ञो ब्रह्मसूनुर्महातपाः

sūta uvāca | vyāsenaivaṁ tadā pṛṣṭa ākhyātumupacakrame | sarvāgamaparārthajño brahmasūnurmahātapāḥ

Suta said: Thus questioned by Vyasa, the son of Brahma, the great ascetic who knows the ultimate meaning of all scriptures, began to relate the tale.

Verse 6 (skanda.8.166.6)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । संन्यस्य षण्मुखे देवान् देवदेवो भवस्तदा । जगाम सहितो देव्या मन्दरं हेमकन्दरम्

sanatkumāra uvāca | saṁnyasya ṣaṇmukhe devān devadevo bhavastadā | jagāma sahito devyā mandaraṁ hemakandaram

Sanatkumara said: Having entrusted the gods to the six-faced Skanda, the god of gods, Bhava, then went together with the Goddess to Mount Mandara with its golden caverns.

Verse 7 (skanda.8.166.7)

तस्तस्थावासने तत्र हैमे महति सुप्रभे । नानारत्नसमाकीर्णे हेमशृङ्ग इवोच्छ्रिते

tastasthāvāsane tatra haime mahati suprabhe | nānāratnasamākīrṇe hemaśṛṅga ivocchrite

There he sat upon a great, radiant golden seat, studded with many jewels, rising high like a peak of gold.

Verse 8 (skanda.8.166.8)

तस्य पार्श्वे स्थिता देवी रराज हिमवत्सुता । व्यभ्रे वियति पूर्णेन्दो रोहिणीव समीपगा

tasya pārśve sthitā devī rarāja himavatsutā | vyabhre viyati pūrṇendo rohiṇīva samīpagā

Beside him the Goddess, the daughter of Himavat, shone forth, like Rohini close by the full moon in a cloudless sky.

Verse 9 (skanda.8.166.9)

सोवाच परमेशानं प्रणम्य गिरिजा तदा । सहधर्मचरी यस्मात् प्रिया चाहमतीव ते

sovāca parameśānaṁ praṇamya girijā tadā | sahadharmacarī yasmāt priyā cāhamatīva te

Then Girija, having bowed to the Supreme Lord, said: Since I am your companion in dharma and am exceedingly dear to you,

Verse 10 (skanda.8.166.10)

पूर्वप्रणयलब्धा च तेन पृच्छाम्यशङ्किता । पावनानि पवित्राणि नामानि तव कामद

pūrvapraṇayalabdhā ca tena pṛcchāmyaśaṅkitā | pāvanāni pavitrāṇi nāmāni tava kāmada

and by the affection I have long enjoyed, I ask without hesitation: O granter of desires, tell me of your holy, purifying names,

Verse 11 (skanda.8.166.11)

सार्थानि श्रोतुमिच्छामि कथितानि त्वया विभो । एवं पृष्टस्तदा गौर्या प्राह सर्वं सुराधिपः

sārthāni śrotumicchāmi kathitāni tvayā vibho | evaṁ pṛṣṭastadā gauryā prāha sarvaṁ surādhipaḥ

along with their meanings, as spoken by you yourself, O Lord. Thus questioned by Gauri, the lord of the gods spoke of it all.

Verse 12 (skanda.8.166.12)

सर्वयज्ञफलैस्तुल्यं नाम्नामर्थप्रबोधनम् । मम देवि परं गुह्यं ब्रह्माद्या यद्विजानते

sarvayajñaphalaistulyaṁ nāmnāmarthaprabodhanam | mama devi paraṁ guhyaṁ brahmādyā yadvijānate

O Goddess, this awakening to the meaning of my names equals the fruit of all sacrifices; it is my supreme secret, known to Brahma and the other gods.

Verse 13 (skanda.8.166.13)

तत् प्रवक्ष्यामि ते देवि येन देवत्वमाप्यते । रुजः सर्वगतो यस्माद् द्रावयामि जगत्यहम्

tat pravakṣyāmi te devi yena devatvamāpyate | rujaḥ sarvagato yasmād drāvayāmi jagatyaham

O Goddess, I shall tell you that by which one attains divinity. Since I dispel all pervasive afflictions from the world,

Verse 14 (skanda.8.166.14)

रोदनं हन्मि यस्माच्च रुद्रस्तस्मादहं प्रिये । संहरामि जगत् कृत्स्नमन्तकाले यतो ह्यहम्

rodanaṁ hanmi yasmācca rudrastasmādahaṁ priye | saṁharāmi jagat kṛtsnamantakāle yato hyaham

and because I destroy weeping, O beloved, I am therefore called Rudra. And because at the time of dissolution I withdraw the entire universe,

Verse 15 (skanda.8.166.15)

मृत्युहर्त्ता यतश्चापि हरस्तेन प्रकीर्त्तितः । पुरं शरीरमाख्यातं सर्वेषां प्राणिनामिह

mṛtyuharttā yataścāpi harastena prakīrttitaḥ | puraṁ śarīramākhyātaṁ sarveṣāṁ prāṇināmiha

and since I also take away death, I am proclaimed as Hara. Here the body of all beings is called "pura" (a stronghold),

Verse 16 (skanda.8.166.16)

सर्वप्राणिगतं यस्मात् तत्पुरं शयनं मम । तस्मात् पुरुष इत्येव मम नाम महर्द्धिमत्

sarvaprāṇigataṁ yasmāt tatpuraṁ śayanaṁ mama | tasmāt puruṣa ityeva mama nāma maharddhimat

and since that pura, present in all beings, is my resting place, therefore my greatly majestic name is "Purusha."

Verse 17 (skanda.8.166.17)

कदाचिन्नैव जातोहं न च मे जन्म यत् क्वचित् । अजस्ततोहमीशानि सर्वदैव प्रकीर्त्तितः

kadācinnaiva jātohaṁ na ca me janma yat kvacit | ajastatohamīśāni sarvadaiva prakīrttitaḥ

O Ishani, I was never born; my birth exists nowhere at all; therefore I am forever proclaimed as Aja, the Unborn.

Verse 18 (skanda.8.166.18)

अभावं मयि गत्वा तु जगत् स्थावरजङ्गमम् । पुनर्भवति मत्तश्च भवस्तेन निरूपितः

abhāvaṁ mayi gatvā tu jagat sthāvarajaṅgamam | punarbhavati mattaśca bhavastena nirūpitaḥ

The world, moving and unmoving, having merged into non-existence in me, arises again from me alone; therefore I am designated as Bhava.

Verse 19 (skanda.8.166.19)

महतामपि देवानामहमेव महान् यतः । न च मत्तो महानन्यो महादेवस्ततो ह्यहम्

mahatāmapi devānāmahameva mahān yataḥ | na ca matto mahānanyo mahādevastato hyaham

Since among even the great gods I alone am the greatest, and none is greater than I, therefore I am Mahadeva.

Verse 20 (skanda.8.166.20)

पालयामि पशून् यस्मात् सृजामि च यदृच्छया । तेषाञ्च पतिरेवाहं तस्मात् पशुपतिः स्मृतः

pālayāmi paśūn yasmāt sṛjāmi ca yadṛcchayā | teṣāñca patirevāhaṁ tasmāt paśupatiḥ smṛtaḥ

Since I protect creatures and create them by my own will, and I alone am their lord, therefore I am remembered as Pashupati.

Verse 21 (skanda.8.166.21)

ईश एवाहमन्येषां न च मामीशते परे । नयामि चेशतां भक्तानीशानस्तेन कीर्त्तितः

īśa evāhamanyeṣāṁ na ca māmīśate pare | nayāmi ceśatāṁ bhaktānīśānastena kīrttitaḥ

I alone am the lord of others; none else rules over me; and I lead my devotees to lordship, therefore I am called Ishana.

Verse 22 (skanda.8.166.22)

दिशो हि मम वासांसि सर्वदिक्षु वसाम्यहम् । वासश्चाहं दिशां यस्माद् दिग्वासास्तेन संस्मृतः

diśo hi mama vāsāṁsi sarvadikṣu vasāmyaham | vāsaścāhaṁ diśāṁ yasmād digvāsāstena saṁsmṛtaḥ

The directions are my garments; I dwell in all directions; and since I am the covering of the directions, I am remembered as Digvasas, clad in the quarters.

Verse 23 (skanda.8.166.23)

भूतानां शङ्करो यस्मात् तेनाहं शङ्करः स्मृतः । लोकानां शिबकृद् यस्माच्छिवस्तस्मादहं स्मृतः

bhūtānāṁ śaṅkaro yasmāt tenāhaṁ śaṅkaraḥ smṛtaḥ | lokānāṁ śibakṛd yasmācchivastasmādahaṁ smṛtaḥ

Since I bring welfare to beings, I am remembered as Shankara; and since I do what is auspicious for the worlds, I am thus remembered as Shiva.

Verse 24 (skanda.8.166.24)

नीलं येन ममाङ्गस्य संरक्तं लोहितत्विषम् । नीललोहित इत्येव तेनाहं परिकीर्तितः

nīlaṁ yena mamāṅgasya saṁraktaṁ lohitatviṣam | nīlalohita ityeva tenāhaṁ parikīrtitaḥ

Because the blue of my body is mingled with a reddish hue, I am for that reason proclaimed as Nilalohita.

Verse 25 (skanda.8.166.25)

शूली शूलेन संप्रोक्तो लकुलेन च लाकुली । रुद्रेति कीर्तिते देवि अग्निष्टोमफलं स्मृतम्

śūlī śūlena saṁprokto lakulena ca lākulī | rudreti kīrtite devi agniṣṭomaphalaṁ smṛtam

I am called Shuli because of the trident, and Lakuli because of the staff. O Goddess, by uttering the name "Rudra," the fruit of the Agnishtoma sacrifice is obtained.

Verse 26 (skanda.8.166.26)

हरेत्यभिहिते चापि गोसवस्य फलं लभेत् । भवेति कीर्तिते सद्यः सर्वपापैर्विमुच्यते

haretyabhihite cāpi gosavasya phalaṁ labhet | bhaveti kīrtite sadyaḥ sarvapāpairvimucyate

By uttering "Hara," one obtains the fruit of the Gosava sacrifice. By reciting "Bhava," one is instantly freed from all sins.

Verse 27 (skanda.8.166.27)

पुरुषेति परं सौख्यमजेति च सलोकताम् । ईशानेति महैश्वर्यं महादेवेति चाक्षयम्

puruṣeti paraṁ saukhyamajeti ca salokatām | īśāneti mahaiśvaryaṁ mahādeveti cākṣayam

By saying "Purusha," supreme happiness; by "Aja," dwelling in my world; by "Ishana," great sovereignty; and by "Mahadeva," the imperishable state is attained.

Verse 28 (skanda.8.166.28)

दिग्वासेति परं मोक्षं शङ्करेति सुखं महत् । शिवेति शिवमत्यर्थं शूलीति परमं बलम्

digvāseti paraṁ mokṣaṁ śaṅkareti sukhaṁ mahat | śiveti śivamatyarthaṁ śūlīti paramaṁ balam

By "Digvasas," supreme liberation; by "Shankara," great happiness; by "Shiva," utmost auspiciousness; and by "Shuli," supreme strength is obtained.

Verse 29 (skanda.8.166.29)

लाकुलीति परांल्लोकान् कीर्तर्येल्लभते नरः । सर्वयज्ञफलानीह कीर्त्तयन्नीललोहितम्

lākulīti parāṁllokān kīrtaryellabhate naraḥ | sarvayajñaphalānīha kīrttayannīlalohitam

By reciting "Lakuli," a man attains the highest worlds. By glorifying the name "Nilalohita," one obtains here the fruits of all sacrifices.

Verse 30 (skanda.8.166.30)

लभते देवि मद्भक्तो मयि चावासमव्ययम् । एवं तत् कथितं व्यास नाम्नामर्थप्रबोधनम्

labhate devi madbhakto mayi cāvāsamavyayam | evaṁ tat kathitaṁ vyāsa nāmnāmarthaprabodhanam

O Goddess, my devotee thus attains imperishable abode in me. O Vyasa, thus has been told this awakening to the meaning of the names.

Verse 31 (skanda.8.166.31)

शूलिना देवदेवेन देव्याः प्रियहितेच्छया । किमन्यत् पृच्छसि ब्रह्मन् वद यावद् ब्रवीमि ते

śūlinā devadevena devyāḥ priyahitecchayā | kimanyat pṛcchasi brahman vada yāvad bravīmi te

This the trident-bearing god of gods spoke, desiring the pleasure and welfare of the Goddess. O Brahman, what else do you wish to ask? Speak, while I tell you.

Verse 32 (skanda.8.166.32)

व्यास उवाच । श्वेतजीवप्रदो रुद्र इति पूर्वं त्वया मुने । प्रोक्तं परमधर्मज्ञ तन्मे ब्रूहि समासतः

vyāsa uvāca | śvetajīvaprado rudra iti pūrvaṁ tvayā mune | proktaṁ paramadharmajña tanme brūhi samāsataḥ

Vyasa said: O sage, O knower of the supreme dharma, you earlier said that Rudra gave life back to Shveta. Tell me that briefly.

Verse 33 (skanda.8.166.33)

प्रददौ कथमीशानस्तज्जीवं मुनये विभो । किमर्थं क्व च योगेश कश्चासौ श्वेत उच्यते

pradadau kathamīśānastajjīvaṁ munaye vibho | kimarthaṁ kva ca yogeśa kaścāsau śveta ucyate

O mighty one, how did Ishana grant that life to the sage? Why, and where, O lord of yoga? And who is this one called Shveta?

Verse 34 (skanda.8.166.34)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । शृणु वत्स यथा दत्तं पुनर्जन्म पिनाकिना । यमेन ह्रियमाणाय श्वेताय विगतायुषे

sanatkumāra uvāca | śṛṇu vatsa yathā dattaṁ punarjanma pinākinā | yamena hriyamāṇāya śvetāya vigatāyuṣe

Sanatkumara said: Listen, child, how the trident-bearer gave rebirth to Shveta, who was being carried off by Yama, his life having ended.

Verse 35 (skanda.8.166.35)

आसीद् दर्भध्वजो नाम बृहस्पतिसमो मुनिः । सर्वविद्याविनीतात्मा यस्य पुत्रः कुशध्वजः

āsīd darbhadhvajo nāma bṛhaspatisamo muniḥ | sarvavidyāvinītātmā yasya putraḥ kuśadhvajaḥ

There was a sage named Darbhadhvaja, equal to Brihaspati, whose mind was disciplined in every branch of learning. His son was named Kushadhvaja.

Verse 36 (skanda.8.166.36)

बभूव सुमहातेजा विश्वामित्र इवापरः । प्रियस्तस्याभवत्पुत्रः श्वेतो नाम महाद्युतिः

babhūva sumahātejā viśvāmitra ivāparaḥ | priyastasyābhavatputraḥ śveto nāma mahādyutiḥ

He was of very great splendor, like a second Vishvamitra. His beloved son, of great radiance, was named Shveta.

Verse 37 (skanda.8.166.37)

तस्य जन्मप्रभृत्येव कुशध्वजसुतस्य वै । छायेवानपगा भक्तिर्बभूव वृषभध्वजे

tasya janmaprabhṛtyeva kuśadhvajasutasya vai | chāyevānapagā bhaktirbabhūva vṛṣabhadhvaje

From the very birth of that son of Kushadhvaja, devotion to the bull-bannered one remained unwavering, like a shadow that never departs.

Verse 38 (skanda.8.166.38)

तिष्ठतो गच्छतश्चापि स्वपतस्तप्यतस्तथा । सर्वभावेन देवेशं ध्यायन् तस्थौ महामुनिः

tiṣṭhato gacchataścāpi svapatastapyatastathā | sarvabhāvena deveśaṁ dhyāyan tasthau mahāmuniḥ

Whether standing, walking, sleeping, or performing austerity, that great sage remained ever meditating on the Lord of gods with his whole being.

Verse 39 (skanda.8.166.39)

अथ कालेन विप्रेन्द्र विपृथुर्नाम दानवः । वव्रे दुहितरं गत्वा श्वेतस्य पितरं बली

atha kālena viprendra vipṛthurnāma dānavaḥ | vavre duhitaraṁ gatvā śvetasya pitaraṁ balī

Then, in time, O best of brahmins, a powerful danava named Vipṛthu went to Shveta's father and asked for his daughter in marriage.

Verse 40 (skanda.8.166.40)

न च तस्मै सुतां प्रादात् तामसौ सुरविद्विषे । स तेन निहतो रात्रौ बलाद् दर्भध्वजोपि च

na ca tasmai sutāṁ prādāt tāmasau suravidviṣe | sa tena nihato rātrau balād darbhadhvajopi ca

He did not give his daughter to that foe of the gods. For this, the danava by force slew Darbhadhvaja too, that very night.

Verse 41 (skanda.8.166.41)

जामाता कांक्षितश्चासीत् तेन चक्रगदाधरः । विष्णुः परमधर्मात्मा दुहित्रा चास्य सुव्रत

jāmātā kāṁkṣitaścāsīt tena cakragadādharaḥ | viṣṇuḥ paramadharmātmā duhitrā cāsya suvrata

O virtuous one, that daughter of his had wished, as her bridegroom, for Vishnu, the supremely righteous bearer of discus and mace.

Verse 42 (skanda.8.166.42)

तस्य तं दुहिता ज्ञात्वा हतं पितरमात्मनः । जगाम तपसे साध्वी परहेतोर्महाव्रता

tasya taṁ duhitā jñātvā hataṁ pitaramātmanaḥ | jagāma tapase sādhvī parahetormahāvratā

Learning that her father had been slain, that virtuous daughter, devoted to great vows, went forth to perform austerity for the sake of vengeance on the enemy.

Verse 43 (skanda.8.166.43)

श्वेतोपि तत्ततो ज्ञात्वा वैराग्यं परमास्थितः । नर्मदातीरमासाद्य एकचित्तो जितेन्द्रियः

śvetopi tattato jñātvā vairāgyaṁ paramāsthitaḥ | narmadātīramāsādya ekacitto jitendriyaḥ

Shveta too, learning all this, took to supreme dispassion; and having reached the bank of the Narmada, with a single-pointed mind and mastered senses,

Verse 44 (skanda.8.166.44)

रुद्रमेवार्पितावस्थस्तन्निष्ठस्तत्परायणः । तप्यमानस्तपो घोरं तस्थौ युक्तस्तपोधनः

rudramevārpitāvasthastanniṣṭhastatparāyaṇaḥ | tapyamānastapo ghoraṁ tasthau yuktastapodhanaḥ

having offered his whole state of being to Rudra alone, fixed on him, wholly devoted to him, that wealth-in-austerity remained absorbed in yoga, practicing severe penance.

Verse 45 (skanda.8.166.45)

अथागात् सुमहान् कालस्तप्यतस्तस्य धीमतः । आयुर्यद्विहितं धात्रा तत्तस्य क्षयमभ्यगात्

athāgāt sumahān kālastapyatastasya dhīmataḥ | āyuryadvihitaṁ dhātrā tattasya kṣayamabhyagāt

Thus a very great span of time passed as that wise one practiced austerity. The lifespan that the Creator had allotted him began to reach its end.

Verse 46 (skanda.8.166.46)

क्षीणायुषमथो ज्ञात्वा श्वेतं मृत्युविचेष्टितम् । सुतो विवस्वतो हृष्टः कालमृत्युपुरोगमान्

kṣīṇāyuṣamatho jñātvā śvetaṁ mṛtyuviceṣṭitam | suto vivasvato hṛṣṭaḥ kālamṛtyupurogamān

Knowing that Shveta's life was exhausted and he was now subject to death, the son of Vivasvat, delighted, sent forth, with Kala and Mrityu leading the way,

Verse 47 (skanda.8.166.47)

किङ्करान् प्रेषयामास तमानेतुं द्विजोत्तमम् । तमथाभ्येत्य ते दूताः स्थिताः श्वेतजिघांसया

kiṅkarān preṣayāmāsa tamānetuṁ dvijottamam | tamathābhyetya te dūtāḥ sthitāḥ śvetajighāṁsayā

his servants, to fetch that excellent brahmin. Those messengers then approached and stood there, intent on seizing Shveta.

Verse 48 (skanda.8.166.48)

तान् दृष्ट्वा स तदा श्वेतो यमदूतानवस्थितान् । हाहेति मरणाद्भीतस्त्रासाद् दुःखपरिप्लुतः

tān dṛṣṭvā sa tadā śveto yamadūtānavasthitān | hāheti maraṇādbhītastrāsād duḥkhapariplutaḥ

Seeing those Yama-messengers standing there, Shveta, terrified of death, cried out "alas, alas!" and was overwhelmed with sorrow from fear.

Verse 49 (skanda.8.166.49)

अन्वचिन्तयदव्यग्रः परित्राणाय शङ्करम् । अथ चिन्तितमात्रस्तु गिरीन्द्रशिखरस्थितः

anvacintayadavyagraḥ paritrāṇāya śaṅkaram | atha cintitamātrastu girīndraśikharasthitaḥ

Yet, undisturbed, he called to mind Shankara for protection. And the very moment he was thought of, the god, seated on the peak of the king of mountains—

Verse 50 (skanda.8.166.50)

भक्तानुग्रहकृद्देवः श्वेतं वेद यमार्द्दितम् । तं तथा दुःखितं ज्ञात्वा भक्तं मृत्युवशं गतम्

bhaktānugrahakṛddevaḥ śvetaṁ veda yamārdditam | taṁ tathā duḥkhitaṁ jñātvā bhaktaṁ mṛtyuvaśaṁ gatam

—the god who bestows grace upon his devotees, knew that Shveta was being harassed by Yama. Thus, knowing this devotee, in such distress, to have come under the sway of death,

Verse 51 (skanda.8.166.51)

शङ्करः प्रहसन् देवीमिदमाह सुरेश्वरः । श्वेतो नाम मुनिर्देवि मद्भक्तस्तपसैधितः

śaṅkaraḥ prahasan devīmidamāha sureśvaraḥ | śveto nāma munirdevi madbhaktastapasaidhitaḥ

Shankara, smiling, said this to the Goddess: O Goddess, the sage named Shveta, matured through austerity, is my devotee.

Verse 52 (skanda.8.166.52)

क्षीणायुरभवन्मूढो मृत्युपाशविमोहितः । व्यवस्थैषा पुरा सृष्टा ब्रह्मणा लोककर्तृणा

kṣīṇāyurabhavanmūḍho mṛtyupāśavimohitaḥ | vyavasthaiṣā purā sṛṣṭā brahmaṇā lokakartṛṇā

His life has run out, and he is bewildered, caught in the noose of death. This arrangement was established long ago by Brahma, the maker of the worlds—

Verse 53 (skanda.8.166.53)

प्राणिनामायुषो हानिः कालसंस्थानसंक्षये । ब्रह्मापि हि सृजँल्लोकान् मूढो भवति शैलजे

prāṇināmāyuṣo hāniḥ kālasaṁsthānasaṁkṣaye | brahmāpi hi sṛja~llokān mūḍho bhavati śailaje

that creatures' lifespan is lost when the order of time reaches its close. O daughter of the mountain, even Brahma, while creating the worlds, becomes subject to delusion,

Verse 54 (skanda.8.166.54)

मृत्युदुःखान्विताँल्लोकान् यस्मात्सृजति मोहितः । सोपि भक्तो ममात्यन्तं ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः

mṛtyuduḥkhānvitā~llokān yasmātsṛjati mohitaḥ | sopi bhakto mamātyantaṁ brahmā lokapitāmahaḥ

since, so deluded, he creates worlds bound up with death and sorrow. Yet even he, Brahma, the grandfather of the worlds, is exceedingly devoted to me.

Verse 55 (skanda.8.166.55)

तस्य भक्तिविशेषाच्च गौरवाच्च गिरीन्द्रजे । अनुज्ञाता मयाप्येषा सृष्टिर्मृत्युसमन्विता

tasya bhaktiviśeṣācca gauravācca girīndraje | anujñātā mayāpyeṣā sṛṣṭirmṛtyusamanvitā

O daughter of the mountain-lord, because of his special devotion and dignity, this creation bound up with death has been sanctioned even by me.

Verse 56 (skanda.8.166.56)

तथा तु स मुनिर्देवि मयि सर्वार्पितक्रियः । एकभक्तितया तस्य दृढं प्रीतोस्मि पार्वति

tathā tu sa munirdevi mayi sarvārpitakriyaḥ | ekabhaktitayā tasya dṛḍhaṁ prītosmi pārvati

But that sage, O Goddess, has offered up all his actions to me alone. O Parvati, by his one-pointed devotion I am deeply pleased.

Verse 57 (skanda.8.166.57)

त्राता तस्य भविष्यामि जीवयिष्यामि तं मुनिम् । ततो भर्तुर्वचः श्रुत्वा गिरिजा वाक्यमब्रवीत्

trātā tasya bhaviṣyāmi jīvayiṣyāmi taṁ munim | tato bharturvacaḥ śrutvā girijā vākyamabravīt

I shall be his protector; I shall restore that sage to life. Then, hearing her husband's words, Girija spoke:

Verse 58 (skanda.8.166.58)

एवं कुरु महादेव भक्तानुग्रहमीप्सितम् । शरणं को भवेदन्यस्तस्य भक्तिमतो मुनेः

evaṁ kuru mahādeva bhaktānugrahamīpsitam | śaraṇaṁ ko bhavedanyastasya bhaktimato muneḥ

O Mahadeva, do just so—this grace upon your devotee is desired. Who else could be a refuge for that devoted sage?

Verse 59 (skanda.8.166.59)

एवमुक्तः स पार्वत्या देवदेवो वृषध्वजः । नन्दीश्वरपुरोगाँस्तान् गणेशान् गणपाधिपः

evamuktaḥ sa pārvatyā devadevo vṛṣadhvajaḥ | nandīśvarapurogā~stān gaṇeśān gaṇapādhipaḥ

Thus addressed by Parvati, the bull-bannered god of gods, lord of the ganas, called those lords of the ganas headed by Nandishvara,

Verse 60 (skanda.8.166.60)

शंकुकर्णञ्च गणपं तथान्यांश्च सहस्रशः । मुनेः श्वेतस्य रक्षार्थं प्रेषयामास शूलधृक्

śaṁkukarṇañca gaṇapaṁ tathānyāṁśca sahasraśaḥ | muneḥ śvetasya rakṣārthaṁ preṣayāmāsa śūladhṛk

along with the gana-lord Shankukarna and thousands of others, and sent them, the trident-bearer, for the protection of the sage Shveta.

Verse 61 (skanda.8.166.61)

महाबलास्ते गणनायकेन्द्रा आज्ञां गृहीत्वा परमेशवक्त्रात् । तूर्ण ययुः श्वेतमुनेरुपान्तं दूतान् दिधक्षन्त इवान्तकस्य

mahābalāste gaṇanāyakendrā ājñāṁ gṛhītvā parameśavaktrāt | tūrṇa yayuḥ śvetamunerupāntaṁ dūtān didhakṣanta ivāntakasya

Those mighty foremost leaders of the ganas, having received the command from the mouth of the Supreme Lord, went swiftly to the vicinity of the sage Shveta, as if eager to burn up the messengers of Death.

Verse 62 (skanda.8.166.62)

ते गत्वा श्वेतमैक्षन्त यमदूतैरथादिर्तम् । मृगमेकमिवारण्ये व्याधैर्बहुभिरावृतम्

te gatvā śvetamaikṣanta yamadūtairathādirtam | mṛgamekamivāraṇye vyādhairbahubhirāvṛtam

Arriving there, they saw Shveta being tormented by the Yama-messengers, like a single deer surrounded by many hunters in a forest.

Verse 63 (skanda.8.166.63)

ग्रीवायां कालपाशेन हस्तपादे च यन्त्रितम् । मृत्युना स्वयमाकृष्टं स्रवद्रुधिरचक्षुषा

grīvāyāṁ kālapāśena hastapāde ca yantritam | mṛtyunā svayamākṛṣṭaṁ sravadrudhiracakṣuṣā

His neck was bound with the noose of time, his hands and feet fettered, and Death himself, his eyes streaming blood, was dragging him along.

Verse 64 (skanda.8.166.64)

विकृतास्यैर्महादंष्ट्रैस्संरक्तश्मश्रुमूर्धजैः । विद्युत्सदृशनेत्रैश्च लोहदण्डोग्रपाणिभिः । यमदूतैर्महाघोरैः क्षिप्यमाणं समन्ततः

vikṛtāsyairmahādaṁṣṭraissaṁraktaśmaśrumūrdhajaiḥ | vidyutsadṛśanetraiśca lohadaṇḍograpāṇibhiḥ | yamadūtairmahāghoraiḥ kṣipyamāṇaṁ samantataḥ

He was being dragged about on every side by the utterly terrifying Yama-messengers—their faces hideous, their fangs huge, their beards and hair blood-red, their eyes like lightning, fearsome iron staves in their hands.

Verse 65 (skanda.8.166.65)

दृष्ट्वा तथा तं मुनिमार्त्तमुच्चैः क्रोशन्तमीशेत्यसकृद् गणेन्द्रः । मुमोच पाशान्मुनिमाशु तस्मात् पाशात्पशूनामिव बन्धमीशः

dṛṣṭvā tathā taṁ munimārttamuccaiḥ krośantamīśetyasakṛd gaṇendraḥ | mumoca pāśānmunimāśu tasmāt pāśātpaśūnāmiva bandhamīśaḥ

Seeing that afflicted sage crying out repeatedly and loudly "O Ishvara!", the lord of the ganas at once freed the sage from those bonds, as a master frees his cattle from their fetters.

Verse 66 (skanda.8.166.66)

गच्छध्वं यमकिङ्करा मुनिमितस्त्यक्त्वा शरीरैर्दृढैर्भक्तो ह्येष सुरासुरेश्वरमजं शम्भुं जगत्कारणम् । यः स्रष्टा पवनाग्निशक्रमरुतां ब्रह्मादिभिर्वन्दितस्त्राता सोस्य वृषेन्द्रकेतुरजितो नैनं यमो द्रक्ष्यति

gacchadhvaṁ yamakiṅkarā munimitastyaktvā śarīrairdṛḍhairbhakto hyeṣa surāsureśvaramajaṁ śambhuṁ jagatkāraṇam | yaḥ sraṣṭā pavanāgniśakramarutāṁ brahmādibhirvanditastrātā sosya vṛṣendraketurajito nainaṁ yamo drakṣyati

"Go hence, servants of Yama, leaving this sage, with your sturdy bodies intact; for he is a devotee of Shambhu, lord of gods and demons, the unborn cause of the universe, creator of wind, fire, Indra, and the Maruts, honored by Brahma and the rest. That unconquered, bull-bannered one is his protector; Yama shall never lay eyes upon him."

Verse 67 (skanda.8.166.67)

ते दृष्ट्वा गणपान् दूताः कालमृत्युपुरस्सराः । भयान्मुक्त्वा मुनिं श्वेतमब्रुवन् दूरतः स्थिताः

te dṛṣṭvā gaṇapān dūtāḥ kālamṛtyupurassarāḥ | bhayānmuktvā muniṁ śvetamabruvan dūrataḥ sthitāḥ

Those messengers, led by Kala and Mrityu, seeing the ganas, released the sage Shveta out of fear, and standing at a distance, said:

Verse 68 (skanda.8.166.68)

पूर्णः कालो मुनेरस्य क्षीणमायुर्गणेश्वराः । किमनेन विमुञ्चध्वं नयामैनं यमान्तिकम्

pūrṇaḥ kālo munerasya kṣīṇamāyurgaṇeśvarāḥ | kimanena vimuñcadhvaṁ nayāmainaṁ yamāntikam

"O lords of the ganas, this sage's time is up; his life is exhausted. Why this concern for him? Release him to us—we would take him to Yama's presence."

Verse 69 (skanda.8.166.69)

अथ नन्दीश्वरः प्राह क्रुद्धस्तान् प्रदहन्निव । अक्षता गच्छत क्षिप्रं कृपणा यमकिङ्कराः

atha nandīśvaraḥ prāha kruddhastān pradahanniva | akṣatā gacchata kṣipraṁ kṛpaṇā yamakiṅkarāḥ

Then Nandishvara, enraged, as if scorching them, said: "Depart quickly, wretched servants of Yama, while you are still unharmed."

Verse 70 (skanda.8.166.70)

यावच्चैते न कुप्यन्ति प्रमथेन्द्राः सुरोषणाः । मा वः सिंहा इवारण्ये वारणान्मदमोहितान् । सकृदेव समाहत्य करिष्यन्ति गतायुषः

yāvaccaite na kupyanti pramathendrāḥ suroṣaṇāḥ | mā vaḥ siṁhā ivāraṇye vāraṇānmadamohitān | sakṛdeva samāhatya kariṣyanti gatāyuṣaḥ

"Before these fiercely enraged lords of the Pramathas grow angry—go; else, like lions in the forest that fell rut-maddened elephants with a single strike, they will finish you off, lifeless, with a single blow."

Verse 71 (skanda.8.166.71)

अथैवमुक्ता गणनायकेन नन्दीश्वरेणामितविक्रमेण । भीता ययुस्ते पितृराजदूता गत्वा च चक्रुः कथयां यमस्य

athaivamuktā gaṇanāyakena nandīśvareṇāmitavikrameṇa | bhītā yayuste pitṛrājadūtā gatvā ca cakruḥ kathayāṁ yamasya

Thus addressed by the gana-leader Nandishvara of boundless might, the messengers of the king of the ancestors fled in fear, and going to him, reported the matter to Yama.

Verse 72 (skanda.8.166.72)

तेषामुपश्रुत्य तदा वचांसि तीव्राणि नन्दीश्वरभाषितानि । आदित्यसूनुः प्रचुकोप मोहात् स्वयं प्रयातुं च मतिं चकार

teṣāmupaśrutya tadā vacāṁsi tīvrāṇi nandīśvarabhāṣitāni | ādityasūnuḥ pracukopa mohāt svayaṁ prayātuṁ ca matiṁ cakāra

Hearing from them the harsh words spoken by Nandishvara, the son of Aditya, out of delusion, grew furious and resolved to go there himself.

Verse 73 (skanda.8.166.73)

अथाभ्ययात् क्रोधविरक्तनेत्रः सर्वैर्वृतो मृत्युपुरस्सरैस्तैः । विनिःश्वसन्नाग इव प्रचण्डो जगद्दिधक्षन्निव कृत्स्नमेकः

athābhyayāt krodhaviraktanetraḥ sarvairvṛto mṛtyupurassaraistaiḥ | viniḥśvasannāga iva pracaṇḍo jagaddidhakṣanniva kṛtsnamekaḥ

Then, his eyes reddened with rage, surrounded by all those led by Mrityu, hissing like a fierce serpent, he advanced as if alone he would burn up the entire universe.

Verse 74 (skanda.8.166.74)

दृष्टा मुनिं श्वेतमपेतमोहं वृतं गणेन्द्रैर्हरतुल्यरूपैः । मुञ्चध्वमेनं तरसेत्यवोचन् नन्दीश्वराद्यान् ग्रहराजसूनुः

dṛṣṭā muniṁ śvetamapetamohaṁ vṛtaṁ gaṇendrairharatulyarūpaiḥ | muñcadhvamenaṁ tarasetyavocan nandīśvarādyān graharājasūnuḥ

Seeing the sage Shveta, now free of delusion, surrounded by the lords of the ganas whose forms resembled Hara's own, the son of the lord of planets said to Nandishvara and the others, "Release him at once!"

Verse 75 (skanda.8.166.75)

कस्त्वं यम श्वेतमुनिं विनेतुं भवस्य धन्यः प्रमथेशभक्तम् । संरक्ष्यमाणं स्वयमेव मूढं गच्छाकृतात्मन्निति नन्द्युवाच

kastvaṁ yama śvetamuniṁ vinetuṁ bhavasya dhanyaḥ pramatheśabhaktam | saṁrakṣyamāṇaṁ svayameva mūḍhaṁ gacchākṛtātmanniti nandyuvāca

Nandi said: "Who are you, O Yama, to lead away this blessed sage Shveta, devotee of the lord of the Pramathas, protected by Bhava himself? Begone, you fool, undisciplined one!"

Verse 76 (skanda.8.166.76)

अथ श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य नन्दिनः परुषं महत् । यमः प्रोवाच संक्रुद्ध इदं सर्वगणाधिपम्

atha śrutvā vacastasya nandinaḥ paruṣaṁ mahat | yamaḥ provāca saṁkruddha idaṁ sarvagaṇādhipam

Then, hearing this harsh great speech of Nandi, Yama, greatly enraged, said this to the lord of all the ganas:

Verse 77 (skanda.8.166.77)

गणेन्द्रा गतजीवोयं विप्रस्तिष्ठति मूढवत् । किमनेन विमुञ्चध्वं मा वृथा खेदमाप्स्यथ

gaṇendrā gatajīvoyaṁ viprastiṣṭhati mūḍhavat | kimanena vimuñcadhvaṁ mā vṛthā khedamāpsyatha

"O lords of the ganas, this brahmin's life is gone, yet he stands here as if oblivious. Why insist on him? Let him go; do not suffer needless distress.

Verse 78 (skanda.8.166.78)

रक्षितोपि चिरं ह्येष मामेव समुपैष्यति । कालेन परिपूर्णेन क्षीणायुरिह कश्चन

rakṣitopi ciraṁ hyeṣa māmeva samupaiṣyati | kālena paripūrṇena kṣīṇāyuriha kaścana

Even if protected for a long while, he will come to me in the end. Here, when time reaches its fullness, anyone's life is exhausted.

Verse 79 (skanda.8.166.79)

तपोधर्मसमायुक्तो विद्वानपि न जीवति । यदनेन कृतं कर्म धर्म्यं गर्हितमेव वा

tapodharmasamāyukto vidvānapi na jīvati | yadanena kṛtaṁ karma dharmyaṁ garhitameva vā

Even a learned man endowed with austerity and virtue does not live on. Whatever deed this one has done, whether righteous or reprehensible,

Verse 80 (skanda.8.166.80)

सन्त्यज्य तदिमं देहं प्राप्नोतु गणपाधिपाः । ममायत्तमिदं सर्वं भूतग्रामपरीक्षणम्

santyajya tadimaṁ dehaṁ prāpnotu gaṇapādhipāḥ | mamāyattamidaṁ sarvaṁ bhūtagrāmaparīkṣaṇam

O lords of the ganas, let him, having relinquished this body, obtain its due result. This whole scrutiny of the multitude of beings is under my authority alone.

Verse 81 (skanda.8.166.81)

पुण्यपापीयसोर्नित्थं कर्मणोः प्रविचारणम् । तेनार्पयत मे क्षिप्रं श्वेतमेनं गतायुषम्

puṇyapāpīyasornitthaṁ karmaṇoḥ pravicāraṇam | tenārpayata me kṣipraṁ śvetamenaṁ gatāyuṣam

The proper discernment of both meritorious and sinful deeds is my task. Therefore hand over to me at once this Shveta, whose life has ended.

Verse 82 (skanda.8.166.82)

अथवैनं गृहीत्वेह सर्व एव गणेश्वराः । प्रयाम शूलिनोभ्यासं नियतं स विमोक्ष्यति

athavainaṁ gṛhītveha sarva eva gaṇeśvarāḥ | prayāma śūlinobhyāsaṁ niyataṁ sa vimokṣyati

Or else, O lords of the ganas, taking him with you, let all of us go to the presence of the trident-bearer; he will surely set him free."

Verse 83 (skanda.8.166.83)

पितृराजवचः श्रुत्वा नन्दीश्वरपुरोगमाः । एवमस्त्विति तं प्राहुर्यमं क्रोधवशं गतम्

pitṛrājavacaḥ śrutvā nandīśvarapurogamāḥ | evamastviti taṁ prāhuryamaṁ krodhavaśaṁ gatam

Hearing the words of the lord of the ancestors, Nandishvara and the others said to that wrathful Yama, "So be it."

Verse 84 (skanda.8.166.84)

ततस्ते सहिताः सर्वे श्वेतश्च मुनिसत्तमः । जगन्नाथं हरं द्रष्टुमाजग्मुविन्ध्यपर्वतम्

tataste sahitāḥ sarve śvetaśca munisattamaḥ | jagannāthaṁ haraṁ draṣṭumājagmuvindhyaparvatam

Then all of them together, along with Shveta, best of sages, arrived at the Vindhya mountain to behold the lord of the universe, Hara.

Verse 85 (skanda.8.166.85)

न्यवेदयद्यथावृत्तं नन्दी सर्वगणाधिपः । प्रणम्य परया भक्त्या भवायामिततेजसे

nyavedayadyathāvṛttaṁ nandī sarvagaṇādhipaḥ | praṇamya parayā bhaktyā bhavāyāmitatejase

Nandi, lord of all the ganas, bowing with utmost devotion to Bhava of measureless splendor, reported all that had happened.

Verse 86 (skanda.8.166.86)

श्रुत्वा तु भगवान् वाक्यं नन्दिना संप्रभाषितम् । प्राह वैवस्वतं साक्षात् स्निग्धगम्भीरया गिरा

śrutvā tu bhagavān vākyaṁ nandinā saṁprabhāṣitam | prāha vaivasvataṁ sākṣāt snigdhagambhīrayā girā

Having heard the account related by Nandi, the Lord spoke directly to Vaivasvata in a voice both gentle and deep:

Verse 87 (skanda.8.166.87)

श्वेतस्यास्य परा भक्तिर्मयि प्रेतगणाधिप । अतः क्षीणायुषोप्यस्य मृत्युर्न प्रभविष्यति

śvetasyāsya parā bhaktirmayi pretagaṇādhipa | ataḥ kṣīṇāyuṣopyasya mṛtyurna prabhaviṣyati

"O lord of the hosts of the dead, this Shveta's devotion to me is supreme. Therefore, even though his life is spent, death shall have no power over him.

Verse 88 (skanda.8.166.88)

महता तपसा भक्त्या मयि भावितचेतसः । मत्प्रसादाज्जितो मृत्युः श्वेतेनानेन तापन

mahatā tapasā bhaktyā mayi bhāvitacetasaḥ | matprasādājjito mṛtyuḥ śvetenānena tāpana

O son of the sun, by my grace, this Shveta, whose mind is fixed on me through great austerity and devotion, has conquered death.

Verse 89 (skanda.8.166.89)

ममादेशात्त्वयाप्यस्य नैव कार्यः पराभवः । किन्न वेत्सि रवेः पुत्र मद्भक्ता नरपुङ्गवाः

mamādeśāttvayāpyasya naiva kāryaḥ parābhavaḥ | kinna vetsi raveḥ putra madbhaktā narapuṅgavāḥ

By my command, you too must not bring about his defeat. Do you not know, O son of the sun, that my devotees are foremost among men?

Verse 90 (skanda.8.166.90)

न पश्यन्ति तवावासं देहभेदेप्युपस्थिते । अस्य भक्तिविशेषेण परेण परितोषितः

na paśyanti tavāvāsaṁ dehabhedepyupasthite | asya bhaktiviśeṣeṇa pareṇa paritoṣitaḥ

Even when the body falls, they do not behold your abode. Being supremely pleased by his exceptional devotion,

Verse 91 (skanda.8.166.91)

अनेनैव शरीरेण अमरत्वं ददाम्यहम् । इति मत्वा विसन्देहस्त्वरा गच्छ स्वमालयम्

anenaiva śarīreṇa amaratvaṁ dadāmyaham | iti matvā visandehastvarā gaccha svamālayam

I grant it immortality in this very body. Knowing this, without any doubt, go swiftly to your own abode."

Verse 92 (skanda.8.166.92)

इति देववचः श्रुत्वा प्रणम्य तपनात्मजः । परमार्थमविज्ञाय प्रोवाचेदं पिनाकिनम्

iti devavacaḥ śrutvā praṇamya tapanātmajaḥ | paramārthamavijñāya provācedaṁ pinākinam

Hearing these words of the god, the son of the sun, bowing, yet not grasping the ultimate purport, said this to the trident-bearer:

Verse 93 (skanda.8.166.93)

त्वयैव भगवन्नेषा स्थितिः सृष्टा पुरातनी । कर्मण्यस्मिन्नियुक्तोहं जन्ममृत्युविचारणे

tvayaiva bhagavanneṣā sthitiḥ sṛṣṭā purātanī | karmaṇyasminniyuktohaṁ janmamṛtyuvicāraṇe

"O Lord, this ancient order was established by you yourself. I am appointed to this very task, the determination of birth and death.

Verse 94 (skanda.8.166.94)

अधिकारनिवृत्तौ हि शक्रस्यापि वृषध्वज । त्वयैव पवनः सृष्टो ह्यहं चैव सुरेश्वर

adhikāranivṛttau hi śakrasyāpi vṛṣadhvaja | tvayaiva pavanaḥ sṛṣṭo hyahaṁ caiva sureśvara

O bull-bannered one, if one steps away from one's office, even Indra's role becomes void. O lord of the gods, you yourself created both the wind and me.

Verse 95 (skanda.8.166.95)

न केनचिदयं पन्थाः कालमृत्युक्षयात्मकः । व्यभिचीर्णो महादेव कालातिक्रमधारणात्

na kenacidayaṁ panthāḥ kālamṛtyukṣayātmakaḥ | vyabhicīrṇo mahādeva kālātikramadhāraṇāt

O Mahadeva, this path, whose nature is the exhaustion wrought by time and death, has never been transgressed by anyone through overriding time's course.

Verse 96 (skanda.8.166.96)

एवमेतां परां सृष्टिं विचिन्त्य विबुधेश्वर । मोक्तुमर्हसि विप्राग्र्यं काले पूर्णे गतायुषम्

evametāṁ parāṁ sṛṣṭiṁ vicintya vibudheśvara | moktumarhasi viprāgryaṁ kāle pūrṇe gatāyuṣam

O lord of the wise, considering this supreme order of creation, you ought to release to me this excellent brahmin, whose life has ended now that his time is complete.

Verse 97 (skanda.8.166.97)

एवं स्थितिरभिन्ना स्यादहं च न विमानितः । मृत्युश्चान्तःशरीरस्थः श्वेतस्तद्वरमाप्स्यति

evaṁ sthitirabhinnā syādahaṁ ca na vimānitaḥ | mṛtyuścāntaḥśarīrasthaḥ śvetastadvaramāpsyati

Thus the order would remain unbroken, and I too would not be dishonored. And death, dwelling within Shveta's very body, would thereby attain its due."

Verse 98 (skanda.8.166.98)

इत्युक्तं प्रेतराजेन श्रुत्वा वाक्यं वृषध्वजः । दिप्ताङ्गार इवैकस्मात् संहार इव पावकः

ityuktaṁ pretarājena śrutvā vākyaṁ vṛṣadhvajaḥ | diptāṅgāra ivaikasmāt saṁhāra iva pāvakaḥ

Hearing this speech spoken by the king of the dead, the bull-bannered one became, all at once, like a blazing ember, like the fire of dissolution.

Verse 99 (skanda.8.166.99)

जगत्क्षोभ इवाकस्मादुत्प्रेक्ष्यः समपद्यत । नन्दीशस्य ततः स्कन्धमुपाश्रित्य पिनाकधृक्

jagatkṣobha ivākasmādutprekṣyaḥ samapadyata | nandīśasya tataḥ skandhamupāśritya pinākadhṛk

He suddenly seemed as if to shake the whole universe. Then the trident-bearer, leaning upon Nandishvara's shoulder,

Verse 100 (skanda.8.166.100)

इदं प्राह वचो व्यास तं दृष्ट्वा यममास्थितम् । अहो दिनकृतः सूनोरस्य शाठ्यप्रभाषितम्

idaṁ prāha vaco vyāsa taṁ dṛṣṭvā yamamāsthitam | aho dinakṛtaḥ sūnorasya śāṭhyaprabhāṣitam

seeing Yama standing before him, O Vyasa, spoke these words: "Ah, behold the deceitful speech of this son of the sun!

Verse 101 (skanda.8.166.101)

कार्कश्यं वचसः पश्य प्रत्युत्तरसमीरितम् । परित्रातो मया श्वेतो यम गच्छेति भाषितः

kārkaśyaṁ vacasaḥ paśya pratyuttarasamīritam | paritrāto mayā śveto yama gaccheti bhāṣitaḥ

See the harshness of his speech, uttered in reply! I said, 'I have protected Shveta; go now, Yama'—

Verse 102 (skanda.8.166.102)

मुञ्च श्वेतमिति प्राह मामेव गतचेतनः । किन्त्वयं मूढ एव स्यादुत पौरुषगर्वितः

muñca śvetamiti prāha māmeva gatacetanaḥ | kintvayaṁ mūḍha eva syāduta pauruṣagarvitaḥ

'release Shveta,' I myself said this; yet this one must be a fool, or else swollen with pride in his own might.

Verse 103 (skanda.8.166.103)

गच्छेति को मयाज्ञप्ते स्थातुमत्र भवत्यलम् । प्रत्युत्तरं पुनः प्राह मामेव पुरतः स्थितः

gaccheti ko mayājñapte sthātumatra bhavatyalam | pratyuttaraṁ punaḥ prāha māmeva purataḥ sthitaḥ

When I command 'Go,' who dares remain here? Yet standing right before me, this one dares answer back again."

Verse 104 (skanda.8.166.104)

एवं स भगवानुक्त्वा जगत्प्रभवकारणः । तिर्यग् दृष्टि समाधाय सरोषं यममैक्षत

evaṁ sa bhagavānuktvā jagatprabhavakāraṇaḥ | tiryag dṛṣṭi samādhāya saroṣaṁ yamamaikṣata

Having spoken thus, the Lord, the cause of the world's origin, cast a sidelong glance and looked upon Yama with wrath.

Verse 105 (skanda.8.166.105)

स तेन चक्षुषा दग्धो निपपात महीतले । महावृक्ष इवारण्ये महावायुसमीरितः । भस्मसात्त्वं ययौ तूर्णं प्रजहास ततो भवः

sa tena cakṣuṣā dagdho nipapāta mahītale | mahāvṛkṣa ivāraṇye mahāvāyusamīritaḥ | bhasmasāttvaṁ yayau tūrṇaṁ prajahāsa tato bhavaḥ

Scorched by that gaze, he fell to the ground, like a great tree in the forest shaken by a mighty wind, and was instantly reduced to ashes. Then Bhava laughed.

Verse 106 (skanda.8.166.106)

श्वेतं ततस्तं प्रणतं मुनिं तु सगद्गदं मृत्युभयाद्विषण्णम् । पस्पर्श मूर्ध्नि त्रिपुरासुरारिर्वचो न भेतव्यमिति ब्रुवाणः

śvetaṁ tatastaṁ praṇataṁ muniṁ tu sagadgadaṁ mṛtyubhayādviṣaṇṇam | pasparśa mūrdhni tripurāsurārirvaco na bhetavyamiti bruvāṇaḥ

Then the foe of the Tripura demons touched the head of that sage Shveta, who bowed low, his voice choked, downcast with fear of death, saying, "Do not be afraid."

Verse 107 (skanda.8.166.107)

प्रादाद्वरं शूलधरश्च तस्मै मृत्युर्न ते विप्र भविष्यतीति । ददौ च नित्यं गणपत्वमेव प्रोवाच चैनं परितुष्ट ईशः

prādādvaraṁ śūladharaśca tasmai mṛtyurna te vipra bhaviṣyatīti | dadau ca nityaṁ gaṇapatvameva provāca cainaṁ parituṣṭa īśaḥ

The trident-bearer granted him a boon: "O brahmin, death shall not touch you," and gave him eternal ganahood too, and the Lord, well pleased, said further to him:

Verse 108 (skanda.8.166.108)

क्रुद्धश्च यस्मादहमर्कसूनोरस्मिन् गिरौ पुण्यतमस्ततोयम् । वत्स्यामि चेहाचलराजमूर्ध्नि क्रोधेश्वरस्तेन भविष्यतीह

kruddhaśca yasmādahamarkasūnorasmin girau puṇyatamastatoyam | vatsyāmi cehācalarājamūrdhni krodheśvarastena bhaviṣyatīha

"Since I grew angry at the son of the sun upon this mountain, it has thereby become most sacred, and I shall dwell here upon the summit of this king of mountains; thus it shall come to be known here as Krodheshvara.

Verse 109 (skanda.8.166.109)

विन्ध्यप्रदेशेमरसिद्धजुष्टे क्रोधेश्वरे पुण्यगिरौ पुमांसः । त्यक्ष्यन्ति ये देहमपेतमोहास्तेषां गतिः श्वेतसमा स्मृता मे

vindhyapradeśemarasiddhajuṣṭe krodheśvare puṇyagirau pumāṁsaḥ | tyakṣyanti ye dehamapetamohāsteṣāṁ gatiḥ śvetasamā smṛtā me

On this holy Vindhya mountain called Krodheshvara, frequented by gods and siddhas, those men who, free of delusion, relinquish the body here—their fate shall be reckoned by me as equal to Shveta's own.

Verse 110 (skanda.8.166.110)

द्रक्ष्यन्ति श्वेतेश्वरमत्र ये च ते चापि दिव्या गणपा ममैव । तवैव नाम्ना च नदी सुपुण्या श्वेतस्य गङ्गेति भविष्यतीयम्

drakṣyanti śveteśvaramatra ye ca te cāpi divyā gaṇapā mamaiva | tavaiva nāmnā ca nadī supuṇyā śvetasya gaṅgeti bhaviṣyatīyam

And those who behold Shveteshvara here will likewise attain my own divine ganahood. And after your very name, O Shveta, this most holy river shall come to be called Shveta-Ganga.

Verse 111 (skanda.8.166.111)

सन्तर्पणान्नैकविधं पितॄणां स्वर्लोकदं स्थानमतीव यस्याम् । इत्युक्तमात्रे जगदीश्वरेण श्वेतो मुनिर्दिव्यवपुर्बभूव

santarpaṇānnaikavidhaṁ pitṝṇāṁ svarlokadaṁ sthānamatīva yasyām | ityuktamātre jagadīśvareṇa śveto munirdivyavapurbabhūva

a place, through offerings there, exceedingly potent in granting the heavenly world to the ancestors in many ways." The very moment the Lord of the universe said this, the sage Shveta acquired a divine body.

Verse 112 (skanda.8.166.112)

नन्दीशचण्डेशसमानधर्मा प्रणम्य देवं पुरतः स्थितोभूत् । दृष्ट्वाथ सूनुं विगतासुमर्कः शोकाभितप्तस्त्वरितो जवेन

nandīśacaṇḍeśasamānadharmā praṇamya devaṁ purataḥ sthitobhūt | dṛṣṭvātha sūnuṁ vigatāsumarkaḥ śokābhitaptastvarito javena

Now equal in status to Nandisha and Chandesha, he bowed to the god and stood before him. Meanwhile, seeing his son lifeless, the Sun, tormented by grief, hastened there swiftly,

Verse 113 (skanda.8.166.113)

ब्रह्मादिभिः शक्रपुरस्सरैस्तैः सार्द्धं जगत्कारणमाजगाम । विज्ञापयामासुरथामरास्ते आदित्यसूनु प्रतिजीवहेतोः

brahmādibhiḥ śakrapurassaraistaiḥ sārddhaṁ jagatkāraṇamājagāma | vijñāpayāmāsurathāmarāste ādityasūnu pratijīvahetoḥ

and came, together with Brahma and the rest, led by Indra, to the cause of the universe. Then those gods made supplication for the revival of the son of Aditya.

Verse 114 (skanda.8.166.114)

मूढो यतोयं जगदीश्वरेश कृच्छ्रं ततस्तीव्रमिदं प्रयातः । प्रसीद देवेश कुरु प्रसादं जीवत्वयं प्रेतगणाधिराजः

mūḍho yatoyaṁ jagadīśvareśa kṛcchraṁ tatastīvramidaṁ prayātaḥ | prasīda deveśa kuru prasādaṁ jīvatvayaṁ pretagaṇādhirājaḥ

"O supreme lord of the universe, since he acted out of folly and thus met with this dire distress, be gracious, O lord of gods, show mercy—let this king of the hosts of the dead live again.

Verse 115 (skanda.8.166.115)

यथापुरा चैष भवत्विदानीमार्त्तिं हि नश्छिन्धि सुरासुरेश । विज्ञप्तिमेवं त्रिदिवालयानां ब्रह्मादिशक्रार्कपुरस्सराणाम्

yathāpurā caiṣa bhavatvidānīmārttiṁ hi naśchindhi surāsureśa | vijñaptimevaṁ tridivālayānāṁ brahmādiśakrārkapurassarāṇām

Let him become as before, even now; O lord of gods and demons, dispel our distress"—thus was the supplication of the dwellers of heaven, led by Brahma, Indra, and the Sun.

Verse 116 (skanda.8.166.116)

श्रुत्वा यमं तं करुणायमान उत्तिष्ठ पुत्रेति विभुर्बभाषे । दिव्यं ततः पूर्ववदद्रिकल्पं विभ्रत् स देहं ग्रहराजसूनुः

śrutvā yamaṁ taṁ karuṇāyamāna uttiṣṭha putreti vibhurbabhāṣe | divyaṁ tataḥ pūrvavadadrikalpaṁ vibhrat sa dehaṁ graharājasūnuḥ

Hearing this, the Lord, moved with compassion, said, "Rise, my son!" Then that son of the lord of planets rose, bearing his divine body, mountain-like, just as before.

Verse 117 (skanda.8.166.117)

प्रोत्थाय तूर्णं भगवन्तमाशु ननाम पद्भ्यां सहसा गृहीत्वा । ब्रह्मादयस्ते च सुरेन्द्रसंघा दृष्ट्वा ततस्तान् प्रणतानवोचत्

protthāya tūrṇaṁ bhagavantamāśu nanāma padbhyāṁ sahasā gṛhītvā | brahmādayaste ca surendrasaṁghā dṛṣṭvā tatastān praṇatānavocat

Rising up at once, he swiftly bowed to the Lord, suddenly clasping his feet. Then, seeing Brahma and the assembled hosts of gods bowed before him, the Lord said to them:

Verse 118 (skanda.8.166.118)

ब्रह्मार्कविष्णुज्वलनादिनाथः कर्ता सुराणां सुरनाथ एकः । सुरेश्वरः सोमजटार्धमौलिर्देवाः प्रयात स्वनिकेतनानि

brahmārkaviṣṇujvalanādināthaḥ kartā surāṇāṁ suranātha ekaḥ | sureśvaraḥ somajaṭārdhamaulirdevāḥ prayāta svaniketanāni

"I am the lord of Brahma, the Sun, Vishnu, Agni, and the rest—the sole maker of the gods, the lord of gods, whose crown bears matted locks half-crowned with the moon. Go now, O gods, to your own abodes.

Verse 119 (skanda.8.166.119)

विज्ञप्तिरेषा सफला कृता वो मैवं कृथास्त्वं पुनरात्ममोहम् । प्रेतेश्वरं चेति वचोभ्युवाच जग्मुस्ततो देवगणाः प्रणम्य

vijñaptireṣā saphalā kṛtā vo maivaṁ kṛthāstvaṁ punarātmamoham | preteśvaraṁ ceti vacobhyuvāca jagmustato devagaṇāḥ praṇamya

This your petition has been fulfilled." And he said to the lord of the dead, "Do not again fall into such self-delusion." Having spoken thus, the hosts of gods then departed, having paid their homage.

Verse 120 (skanda.8.166.120)

प्रगृह्य सौरिं पितृराजमाशु श्वेतोपि तस्थौ मरणाद्विहीनः । नन्दी यथा निर्वृतदुःखभावस्तथैव विप्रः परमेशभक्तः

pragṛhya sauriṁ pitṛrājamāśu śvetopi tasthau maraṇādvihīnaḥ | nandī yathā nirvṛtaduḥkhabhāvastathaiva vipraḥ parameśabhaktaḥ

Taking the hand of the sun's son, the king of the ancestors, Shveta too remained there, freed from death—just as Nandi abides free of sorrow, so did that brahmin, devotee of the Supreme Lord.

Verse 121 (skanda.8.166.121)

इति कथितमिदं ते श्वेतमृत्युप्रणाशं हिमगिरितनयाया भर्तुरीशस्य शम्भोः । फलमवितथभक्ति प्राप्तिसंपद्विशेषं जगति शरणमेकं तं शरण्यं नमस्ये

iti kathitamidaṁ te śvetamṛtyupraṇāśaṁ himagiritanayāyā bharturīśasya śambhoḥ | phalamavitathabhakti prāptisaṁpadviśeṣaṁ jagati śaraṇamekaṁ taṁ śaraṇyaṁ namasye

Thus has this tale of the destruction of Shveta's death been told to you—the special fruit born of true devotion to Shambhu, the Lord, husband of the mountain's daughter. To him, the one refuge worthy of refuge in this world, I bow.