Sanatkumara's Promise

Verse 1 (skanda.8.2.1)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । प्रपद्ये देवमीशानं सर्वज्ञमपराजितम् । महादेवं महात्मानं विश्वस्य जगतः पतिम्

sanatkumāra uvāca | prapadye devamīśānaṁ sarvajñamaparājitam | mahādevaṁ mahātmānaṁ viśvasya jagataḥ patim

Sanatkumara said: I take refuge in the god Ishana, the omniscient, the unconquered, the great Mahadeva, the great soul, lord of this entire universe.

Verse 2 (skanda.8.2.2)

शक्तिरप्रतिघा यस्य ऐश्वर्यञ्चैव सर्वशः । स्वामित्वञ्च विभुत्वञ्च स्वकृतानि प्रचक्षते

śaktirapratighā yasya aiśvaryañcaiva sarvaśaḥ | svāmitvañca vibhutvañca svakṛtāni pracakṣate

Whose power is unopposed, and whose sovereignty extends in every respect — his lordship and his greatness are declared to be self-wrought, not derived from another.

Verse 3 (skanda.8.2.3)

तस्मै देवाय सोमाय प्रणम्य प्रयतः शुचिः । पुराणाख्यानजिज्ञासोर्वक्ष्ये स्कन्दोद्भवं शुभम्

tasmai devāya somāya praṇamya prayataḥ śuciḥ | purāṇākhyānajijñāsorvakṣye skandodbhavaṁ śubham

Having bowed, pure and restrained, to that god Soma (Shiva, lord accompanied by Uma), I shall now, for one desirous of hearing the Purana's tale, tell the auspicious birth of Skanda.

Verse 4 (skanda.8.2.4)

देहावतारो देवस्य रुद्रस्य परमात्मनः । प्राजापत्याभिषेकश्च हरणं शिरसस्तथा

dehāvatāro devasya rudrasya paramātmanaḥ | prājāpatyābhiṣekaśca haraṇaṁ śirasastathā

I shall tell of the bodily descent of the Supreme God Rudra, his consecration as Prajapati, and likewise the severing of the head at the sacrifice.

Verse 5 (skanda.8.2.5)

दर्शनं षट्कुलीयानां चक्रस्य च विसर्जनम् । नैमिशस्योद्भवश्चैव सत्रस्य च समापनम्

darśanaṁ ṣaṭkulīyānāṁ cakrasya ca visarjanam | naimiśasyodbhavaścaiva satrasya ca samāpanam

I shall tell of the vision of the Six Families, the dispersal of the sacrificial wheel, the origin of Naimisha, and the completion of the sacrificial session.

Verse 6 (skanda.8.2.6)

ब्रह्मणश्चागमस्तत्र तपसश्चरणन्तथा । शर्वस्य दर्शनञ्चैव देव्याश्चैव समुद्भवः

brahmaṇaścāgamastatra tapasaścaraṇantathā | śarvasya darśanañcaiva devyāścaiva samudbhavaḥ

I shall tell of Brahma's coming there, his practice of austerity, his vision of Sharva (Shiva), and the birth of the Goddess.

Verse 7 (skanda.8.2.7)

सत्या विवादश्च तथा दक्षशापस्तथैव च । सेनायाश्च समुत्पत्तिर्यथा देव्याः स्वयंवरः

satyā vivādaśca tathā dakṣaśāpastathaiva ca | senāyāśca samutpattiryathā devyāḥ svayaṁvaraḥ

I shall tell of Sati's dispute, Daksha's curse, the origin of Sena, and the Goddess's own self-choice of a husband.

Verse 8 (skanda.8.2.8)

देवानां वरदानञ्च वसिष्ठस्य च धीमतः । पराशरस्य चोत्पत्तिर्व्यासस्य च महात्मनः

devānāṁ varadānañca vasiṣṭhasya ca dhīmataḥ | parāśarasya cotpattirvyāsasya ca mahātmanaḥ

I shall tell of the granting of boons to the gods, and the birth of the wise Vasishtha, of Parashara, and of the great soul Vyasa.

Verse 9 (skanda.8.2.9)

वसिष्ठकौशिकाभ्याञ्च वैरोद्भवसमापनम् । वाराणस्याश्च शून्यत्वं क्षेत्रमाहात्म्यवर्णनम्

vasiṣṭhakauśikābhyāñca vairodbhavasamāpanam | vārāṇasyāśca śūnyatvaṁ kṣetramāhātmyavarṇanam

I shall tell of the origin and ending of the enmity between Vasishtha and Kaushika, the desolation of Varanasi, and the description of the greatness of that sacred field.

Verse 10 (skanda.8.2.10)

रुद्रस्य चात्र सान्निध्यं नन्दिनश्चाप्यनुग्रहः । गणानां दर्शनञ्चैव कथनञ्चाप्यशेषतः

rudrasya cātra sānnidhyaṁ nandinaścāpyanugrahaḥ | gaṇānāṁ darśanañcaiva kathanañcāpyaśeṣataḥ

I shall tell of Rudra's presence there, Nandin's grace, the vision of the ganas, and their complete account.

Verse 11 (skanda.8.2.11)

कालीव्याहरणञ्चैव तपश्चरणमेव च । सोमनन्दिसमुत्पत्तिर्वरदानं तथैव च

kālīvyāharaṇañcaiva tapaścaraṇameva ca | somanandisamutpattirvaradānaṁ tathaiva ca

I shall tell of the calling forth of Kali, the practice of austerity, the birth of Soma and Nandi, and likewise the granting of boons.

Verse 12 (skanda.8.2.12)

गौरीत्वं पुत्रलम्भश्च देव्या उत्पत्तिरेव च । कौशिक्या भूतमातृत्वं सिंहस्य रथता तथा

gaurītvaṁ putralambhaśca devyā utpattireva ca | kauśikyā bhūtamātṛtvaṁ siṁhasya rathatā tathā

I shall tell of her becoming Gauri, the gaining of a son, and the Goddess's own origin, as well as Kaushiki becoming the mother of beings, and the lion serving as her mount.

Verse 13 (skanda.8.2.13)

गौर्याश्च निलयो विन्ध्ये विन्ध्यसूर्यसमागमः । अगस्त्यस्य च माहात्म्यं वधः सुन्दनिसुन्दयोः

gauryāśca nilayo vindhye vindhyasūryasamāgamaḥ | agastyasya ca māhātmyaṁ vadhaḥ sundanisundayoḥ

I shall tell of Gauri's dwelling on the Vindhya, the meeting of the Vindhya and the sun, the greatness of Agastya, and the slaying of Sunda and Nisunda.

Verse 14 (skanda.8.2.14)

निशुम्भशुम्भनिर्णाशो महिषस्य वधस्तया । अभिषेकश्च कौशिक्याः सर्वदेवैः प्रकीर्तितः

niśumbhaśumbhanirṇāśo mahiṣasya vadhastayā | abhiṣekaśca kauśikyāḥ sarvadevaiḥ prakīrtitaḥ

I shall tell of the destruction of Nishumbha and Shumbha, and likewise the slaying of Mahisha, and the consecration of Kaushiki, glorified by all the gods.

Verse 15 (skanda.8.2.15)

देवानां च तदा हर्षाद्वरदानमथापि च । अन्धकस्य तथोत्पत्तिः पृथिव्याश्चैव बन्धनम्

devānāṁ ca tadā harṣādvaradānamathāpi ca | andhakasya tathotpattiḥ pṛthivyāścaiva bandhanam

I shall tell of the granting of boons by the joyful gods at that time, and likewise the birth of Andhaka and the binding of the earth.

Verse 16 (skanda.8.2.16)

हिरण्याक्षवधश्चैव हिरण्यकशिपोस्तथा । बलशंशमनं चैव देव्याः समय एव च

hiraṇyākṣavadhaścaiva hiraṇyakaśipostathā | balaśaṁśamanaṁ caiva devyāḥ samaya eva ca

I shall tell of the slaying of Hiranyaksha and likewise of Hiranyakashipu, the subduing of Bala, and the Goddess's pact.

Verse 17 (skanda.8.2.17)

देवानां गमनं चैवं अग्नेर्दूतत्वमेव च । देवानां वरदानं च शुक्रस्य च विसर्जनम्

devānāṁ gamanaṁ caivaṁ agnerdūtatvameva ca | devānāṁ varadānaṁ ca śukrasya ca visarjanam

I shall tell of the going of the gods, Agni's role as messenger, the granting of boons to the gods, and the dismissal of Shukra.

Verse 18 (skanda.8.2.18)

दूतस्य च तथोत्पत्तिर्देव्याश्चान्धकदर्शनम् । शैलादिदैन्यसम्मर्द्दो देव्याश्च शतरूपता

dūtasya ca tathotpattirdevyāścāndhakadarśanam | śailādidainyasammarddo devyāśca śatarūpatā

I shall tell of the birth of the messenger, the Goddess's encounter with Andhaka, the crushing distress of the mountain-lord and others, and the Goddess taking a hundred forms.

Verse 19 (skanda.8.2.19)

आर्यावरप्रदानं च शैवादिस्तव एव च । देवस्यागमनं चैव वृत्तस्य कथनं तथा

āryāvarapradānaṁ ca śaivādistava eva ca | devasyāgamanaṁ caiva vṛttasya kathanaṁ tathā

I shall tell of Arya's granting of a boon, the Shaiva hymn of praise, the coming of the god, and the account of what took place.

Verse 20 (skanda.8.2.20)

पतिव्रतायाश्चाख्यानं गुरुशुश्रषणस्य च । आख्यानं पञ्चचूडायास्तैजसश्चाप्यधृष्यता

pativratāyāścākhyānaṁ guruśuśraṣaṇasya ca | ākhyānaṁ pañcacūḍāyāstaijasaścāpyadhṛṣyatā

I shall tell of the tale of the devoted wife, the tale of service to one's teacher, the tale of Panchachuda, and the invincibility of the radiant one.

Verse 21 (skanda.8.2.21)

दूतस्यागमनं चैव संवादोथ विसर्जनम् । अन्धकासुरसंवादो मन्दरागमनं तथा

dūtasyāgamanaṁ caiva saṁvādotha visarjanam | andhakāsurasaṁvādo mandarāgamanaṁ tathā

I shall tell of the coming of the messenger, the dialogue and then the dismissal, the dialogue with the demon Andhaka, and the arrival at Mount Mandara.

Verse 22 (skanda.8.2.22)

गणानामागमश्चैव संख्यानश्रवणं तथा । विग्रहश्चान्धकस्याथ युद्धेन महता तथा

gaṇānāmāgamaścaiva saṁkhyānaśravaṇaṁ tathā | vigrahaścāndhakasyātha yuddhena mahatā tathā

I shall tell of the arrival of the ganas, the hearing of their number, and then the conflict with Andhaka, together with the great battle.

Verse 23 (skanda.8.2.23)

शरीरार्धप्रदानं च अशोकसुतसंग्रहः । भस्मसोमोद्भवश्चैव श्मशानवसतिस्तथा

śarīrārdhapradānaṁ ca aśokasutasaṁgrahaḥ | bhasmasomodbhavaścaiva śmaśānavasatistathā

I shall tell of the giving of half of his body, the gathering of Ashoka's son, the origin of Bhasma and Soma, and likewise the dwelling in the cremation ground.

Verse 24 (skanda.8.2.24)

उत्पत्तिर्यक्षराजस्य कुबेरस्य च धीमतः । निग्रहो भुजगेन्द्राणां शिखरस्य च पातनम्

utpattiryakṣarājasya kuberasya ca dhīmataḥ | nigraho bhujagendrāṇāṁ śikharasya ca pātanam

I shall tell of the birth of the wise king of Yakshas, Kubera, the subduing of the lords of serpents, and the falling of the peak.

Verse 25 (skanda.8.2.25)

त्रैलोक्यस्य सशक्रस्य वशीकरणमेव च । देवसेनाप्रदानं च सेनापत्याभिषेचनम्

trailokyasya saśakrasya vaśīkaraṇameva ca | devasenāpradānaṁ ca senāpatyābhiṣecanam

I shall tell of the subjugation of the three worlds together with Indra, the giving of Devasena, and the consecration to the office of commander of the army.

Verse 26 (skanda.8.2.26)

नारदाख्यागमश्चैव तारकप्रेषितस्य ह । वधश्च तारकस्योग्रो यात्रा भद्रवटस्य च

nāradākhyāgamaścaiva tārakapreṣitasya ha | vadhaśca tārakasyogro yātrā bhadravaṭasya ca

I shall tell of the coming of the one named Narada, sent by Taraka, the fierce slaying of Taraka, and the journey to Bhadravata.

Verse 27 (skanda.8.2.27)

महिषस्य वधश्चैव क्रौञ्चस्य च निबर्हणम् । शक्तेरुद्धरणं चैव तारकस्य वधः शुभः

mahiṣasya vadhaścaiva krauñcasya ca nibarhaṇam | śakteruddharaṇaṁ caiva tārakasya vadhaḥ śubhaḥ

I shall tell of the slaying of Mahisha, the destruction of Krauncha, the raising of the divine spear, and the auspicious slaying of Taraka.

Verse 28 (skanda.8.2.28)

देवासुरभयोत्पत्तिस्त्रैपुरं युद्धमेव च । प्रह्लादविग्रहश्चैव कृतघ्नाख्यानमेव च । महाभाग्यं ब्राह्मणानां विस्तरेण प्रकीर्त्यते

devāsurabhayotpattistraipuraṁ yuddhameva ca | prahlādavigrahaścaiva kṛtaghnākhyānameva ca | mahābhāgyaṁ brāhmaṇānāṁ vistareṇa prakīrtyate

I shall tell of the arising of fear among gods and demons, the war of the Tripuras, the conflict with Prahlada, and the tale of the ingrate — and the great fortune of brahmins shall be proclaimed at length.

Verse 29 (skanda.8.2.29)

एतज्ज्ञात्वा यथावद्धि कुमारानुचरो भवेत् । बलवान्मतिसम्पन्नः पुत्रं चाप्नोति संमतम्

etajjñātvā yathāvaddhi kumārānucaro bhavet | balavānmatisampannaḥ putraṁ cāpnoti saṁmatam

One who knows this properly becomes a follower of Kumara, becomes strong and endowed with wisdom, and obtains a worthy son.