Nandi's Entry into Austerity

Verse 1 (skanda.8.20.1)

व्यास उवाच। उमाहरौ तु देवेशौ चक्रतुर्यत्तु संगतौ । तन्मे सर्वमशेषेण कथयस्व महामुने

vyāsa uvāca| umāharau tu deveśau cakraturyattu saṁgatau | tanme sarvamaśeṣeṇa kathayasva mahāmune

Vyasa said: 'That which Uma and Hara, the two lords of gods, did when they came together — tell me all of that in full, O great sage.'

Verse 2 (skanda.8.20.2)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। उमाहरौ तु संगम्य परस्परमनिन्दितौ

sanatkumāra uvāca| umāharau tu saṁgamya parasparamaninditau

Sanatkumara said: Uma and Hara, that blameless pair, having come together with one another... (the remainder of this verse is lost in the manuscript)

Verse 3 (skanda.8.20.3)

शिलादस्यात्मजं विप्रं शक्तिवारणम्

śilādasyātmajaṁ vipraṁ śaktivāraṇam

The brahmin son of Shilada, a queller of hostile might... (the source is very heavily damaged around this verse; only this fragment survives)

Verse 4 (skanda.8.20.4)

स चाप्ययोनिजः पुत्र आराध्य च महेश्वरम् । रुद्रेण समतां लब्ध्वा महागणपतिर्बभौ

sa cāpyayonijaḥ putra ārādhya ca maheśvaram | rudreṇa samatāṁ labdhvā mahāgaṇapatirbabhau

He too, a son not born from a womb, having worshipped Maheshvara and attained equality with Rudra, shone forth as the great lord of the ganas.

Verse 5 (skanda.8.20.5)

व्यास उवाच। कथं नन्दी समुत्पन्नः कथं चाराध्य शंकरम् । समत्वमन्वगाच्छम्भोः प्रतीहारत्वमेव च

vyāsa uvāca| kathaṁ nandī samutpannaḥ kathaṁ cārādhya śaṁkaram | samatvamanvagācchambhoḥ pratīhāratvameva ca

Vyasa said: 'How was Nandi born, and how, having worshipped Shankara, did he attain equality with Shambhu, and also the office of his gate-keeper?'

Verse 6 (skanda.8.20.6)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। अभूदृषिः सुधर्मात्मा शिलादो नाम वीर्यवान् । तस्याभूत् शीलवृत्तित्वं शिलादस्तेन सोऽभवत्

sanatkumāra uvāca| abhūdṛṣiḥ sudharmātmā śilādo nāma vīryavān | tasyābhūt śīlavṛttitvaṁ śilādastena so'bhavat

Sanatkumara said: There was a mighty sage of righteous soul named Shilada. He possessed such excellence of character and conduct that by this he came to be called Shilada.

Verse 7 (skanda.8.20.7)

अपश्यल्लम्बमानांस्तान् गतीर्यान् स पितॄन् द्विजः । विच्छिन्नसंततिर्घोरं निरयं वै प्रपेदुषः

apaśyallambamānāṁstān gatīryān sa pitṝn dvijaḥ | vicchinnasaṁtatirghoraṁ nirayaṁ vai prapeduṣaḥ

That brahmin saw his forefathers hanging there, those who, their lineage broken, had fallen into a terrible hell.

Verse 8 (skanda.8.20.8)

तैरुक्तोऽपत्यकामो वै तं देवं लोकमव्ययम् । आराधय महादेवं सुतार्थं द्विजसत्तम

tairukto'patyakāmo vai taṁ devaṁ lokamavyayam | ārādhaya mahādevaṁ sutārthaṁ dvijasattama

They said to him: 'Desiring offspring, worship that imperishable, world-sustaining god — worship Mahadeva for the sake of a son, O best of brahmins.'

Verse 9 (skanda.8.20.9)

योऽयमुत्तारणे शक्तः स ते पुत्रं प्रदास्यति । तेषां वाक्यं ततः श्रुत्वा जगाम शरणं शिवम्

yo'yamuttāraṇe śaktaḥ sa te putraṁ pradāsyati | teṣāṁ vākyaṁ tataḥ śrutvā jagāma śaraṇaṁ śivam

'He who is capable of delivering us across — he alone will grant you a son.' Having heard their words, he went for refuge to Shiva.

Verse 10 (skanda.8.20.10)

तस्य वर्षसहस्रेण तप्यमानस्य शूलधृक् । शर्वः सोमो गणवृतो वरदोऽस्मीत्यभाषत

tasya varṣasahasreṇa tapyamānasya śūladhṛk | śarvaḥ somo gaṇavṛto varado'smītyabhāṣata

When he had practised austerity for a thousand years, the trident-bearer, Sharva, in the form of Soma, surrounded by his ganas, said: 'I am the giver of boons.'

Verse 11 (skanda.8.20.11)

सोमं स दृष्ट्वा देवेशं प्रणतः पादयोर्विभोः । हर्षगद्गदया वाचा तुष्टाव विबुधेश्वरम्

somaṁ sa dṛṣṭvā deveśaṁ praṇataḥ pādayorvibhoḥ | harṣagadgadayā vācā tuṣṭāva vibudheśvaram

Having seen Soma, the lord of gods, he bowed at the feet of that mighty one, and, in a voice choked with joy, praised the lord of the wise.

Verse 12 (skanda.8.20.12)

शिलाद उवाच। नमः परमदेवाय महेशाय महात्मने । स्रष्ट्रे सर्वसुरेशानां ब्रह्मणः पतये नमः

śilāda uvāca| namaḥ paramadevāya maheśāya mahātmane | sraṣṭre sarvasureśānāṁ brahmaṇaḥ pataye namaḥ

Shilada said: 'Salutation to the supreme god, the great-souled Mahesha; salutation to the creator of all the lords of gods, the lord of Brahma.'

Verse 13 (skanda.8.20.13)

नमः कामांगनाशाय योगसंभवहेतवे । नमः पर्वतवासाय ध्यानगम्याय ते नमः

namaḥ kāmāṁganāśāya yogasaṁbhavahetave | namaḥ parvatavāsāya dhyānagamyāya te namaḥ

'Salutation to the destroyer of Kama's body, the cause from which yoga arises; salutation to you, the dweller on the mountain, attainable through meditation.'

Verse 14 (skanda.8.20.14)

ऋषीणां पतये नित्यं देवानां पतये नमः । लोकानां पतये चैव योगिनां पतये नमः

ṛṣīṇāṁ pataye nityaṁ devānāṁ pataye namaḥ | lokānāṁ pataye caiva yogināṁ pataye namaḥ

'Salutation ever to the lord of sages, salutation to the lord of gods; salutation to the lord of the worlds, and salutation to the lord of yogis.'

Verse 15 (skanda.8.20.15)

प्रधानाय नमो नित्यं सर्गिणे । वरदाय च भक्तानां नमः सर्वगताय च

pradhānāya namo nityaṁ sargiṇe | varadāya ca bhaktānāṁ namaḥ sarvagatāya ca

'Salutation ever to the Primal Cause... (a portion of the text is lost here)... to the creator; salutation to the giver of boons to devotees, and to the all-pervading one.'

Verse 16 (skanda.8.20.16)

तन्मात्रेन्द्रियभूतानां विकाराय गुणैः सह । पतये चैव नमस्ते प्रभविष्णवे

tanmātrendriyabhūtānāṁ vikārāya guṇaiḥ saha | pataye caiva namaste prabhaviṣṇave

'To him who is the transformation of the subtle elements, senses, and gross elements, together with the gunas... (a portion of the text is lost here)... and to the lord, salutation to you, the powerful one.'

Verse 17 (skanda.8.20.17)

जगतः पतये चैव जगत्स्रष्ट्रे नमः सदा । प्रकृतेः पतये नित्यं पुरुषात्परगामिने

jagataḥ pataye caiva jagatsraṣṭre namaḥ sadā | prakṛteḥ pataye nityaṁ puruṣātparagāmine

'Salutation ever to the lord of the world, and to the creator of the world; salutation always to the lord of Prakriti, who goes beyond Purusha.'

Verse 18 (skanda.8.20.18)

ईश्वराय नमो नित्यं योगगम्याय । संसारोत्पत्तिनाशाय सर्वकामप्रदाय च

īśvarāya namo nityaṁ yogagamyāya | saṁsārotpattināśāya sarvakāmapradāya ca

'Salutation ever to Ishvara, attainable through yoga... (a portion of the text is lost here)... to him who is the cause of the arising and dissolution of the world, and the granter of all desires.'

Verse 19 (skanda.8.20.19)

शरण्याय नमो नित्यं नमो भस्मांगरूपिणे । नमस्ते योग्रहस्ताय तेजसां पतये नमः

śaraṇyāya namo nityaṁ namo bhasmāṁgarūpiṇe | namaste yograhastāya tejasāṁ pataye namaḥ

'Salutation ever to him who is our refuge, salutation to him whose form is smeared with ashes; salutation to you, whose hand holds the yoke of yoga... (a portion is lost here)... salutation to the lord of all splendours.'

Verse 20 (skanda.8.20.20)

सूर्यानिलहुताशाम्बुचन्द्राकाशधराय च । स्थिताय सर्वदा नित्यं नमस्त्रैलोक्यवेधसे

sūryānilahutāśāmbucandrākāśadharāya ca | sthitāya sarvadā nityaṁ namastrailokyavedhase

'And to him who bears the forms of the sun, wind, fire, water, moon, and sky; to him who abides eternally, salutation to the maker of the three worlds.'

Verse 21 (skanda.8.20.21)

स्तोतस्यान्यांगतो देव विश्रामस्तव हंक्ष्यते । यस्माद्धेतुस्त्वमेवास्य जगतः स्थितिनाशयोः

stotasyānyāṁgato deva viśrāmastava haṁkṣyate | yasmāddhetustvamevāsya jagataḥ sthitināśayoḥ

'O god, for one who praises you, repose shall be attained through you (this line is uncertain in the source); since you alone are the cause of this world's preservation and dissolution.'

Verse 22 (skanda.8.20.22)

अशरण्यस्य देवेश त्वत्तश्च शरणार्थिनः । प्रसादं परमालक्ष्य वरदो भव विश्वधृक्

aśaraṇyasya deveśa tvattaśca śaraṇārthinaḥ | prasādaṁ paramālakṣya varado bhava viśvadhṛk

'O lord of gods, for one who has no other refuge and seeks refuge in you alone — beholding my utmost need for your grace, be the giver of boons, O sustainer of the universe.'

Verse 23 (skanda.8.20.23)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। यः स्तोत्रमेतदमलं पठति द्विजन्मा प्रातः शुचिर्नियमवान् पुरतो द्विजानाम् । तं ब्रह्मराक्षसपिशाचसभूतयक्षा हिंसन्ति नो द्विपदपन्नग पूताः

sanatkumāra uvāca| yaḥ stotrametadamalaṁ paṭhati dvijanmā prātaḥ śucirniyamavān purato dvijānām | taṁ brahmarākṣasapiśācasabhūtayakṣā hiṁsanti no dvipadapannaga pūtāḥ

Sanatkumara said: 'That twice-born one who recites this pure hymn in the morning, pure and disciplined, before brahmins — him the brahma-rakshasas, pishachas, bhutas, and yakshas do not harm; nor do men, nor serpents (the text is partly damaged here) — being purified.'

Verse 24 (skanda.8.20.24)

ततः स भगवान् देवः स्तूयमानः सहोमया । उवाच वरदोऽस्मीति ब्रूहि यत्ते मनोगतम्

tataḥ sa bhagavān devaḥ stūyamānaḥ sahomayā | uvāca varado'smīti brūhi yatte manogatam

Then that blessed god, being praised, together with Uma, said: 'I am the giver of boons; tell me what is in your heart.'

Verse 25 (skanda.8.20.25)

तमेवंवादिनं देवं शिलादोऽभ्यर्चयत् तदा । उवाच चेदं देवेशं स वाचा सज्जमानया

tamevaṁvādinaṁ devaṁ śilādo'bhyarcayat tadā | uvāca cedaṁ deveśaṁ sa vācā sajjamānayā

Shilada then worshipped the god who spoke thus, and said this to the lord of gods with a voice faltering with emotion —

Verse 26 (skanda.8.20.26)

भगवन् यदि तुष्टोऽसि यदि देयो वरश्च मे । इच्छाम्यात्मसमं पुत्रं मृत्युहीनमयोनिजम्

bhagavan yadi tuṣṭo'si yadi deyo varaśca me | icchāmyātmasamaṁ putraṁ mṛtyuhīnamayonijam

'O Blessed One, if you are pleased, and if a boon is to be given to me, I desire a son equal to myself, free from death, not born from a womb.'

Verse 27 (skanda.8.20.27)

एवमुक्त्वा ततो देवः प्रीयमाणस्त्रिलोचनः । एवमस्त्विति तं प्रोच्य तत्रैवान्तरधीयत

evamuktvā tato devaḥ prīyamāṇastrilocanaḥ | evamastviti taṁ procya tatraivāntaradhīyata

Thus addressed, the three-eyed god, well pleased, said to him, 'So be it,' and vanished right there.

Verse 28 (skanda.8.20.28)

गते तस्मिन्महेष्वासे ऋषिः परमपूजितः । स्वमाश्रममुपागम्य ऋषिभ्योऽकथयत्ततः

gate tasminmaheṣvāse ṛṣiḥ paramapūjitaḥ | svamāśramamupāgamya ṛṣibhyo'kathayattataḥ

When that great archer had departed, the sage, most highly honoured, returned to his own hermitage and then related what had happened to the sages.

Verse 29 (skanda.8.20.29)

सर्वकामानलप्रख्यः कुमारः प्रत्यभाषत । स तं दृष्ट्वा तथोद्भूतं कुमारं दीप्ततेजसम्

sarvakāmānalaprakhyaḥ kumāraḥ pratyabhāṣata | sa taṁ dṛṣṭvā tathodbhūtaṁ kumāraṁ dīptatejasam

(One full verse preceding this is entirely lost in the manuscript.) The boy, radiant like fire, fulfiller of all desires, spoke out. Seeing that boy, thus arisen, blazing with splendour —

Verse 30 (skanda.8.20.30)

राक्षसोऽयमिति ज्ञात्वा भयान्नोपससार तम् । कुमारोऽपि तथोद्भूतः पितरं दीप्ततेजसम्

rākṣaso'yamiti jñātvā bhayānnopasasāra tam | kumāro'pi tathodbhūtaḥ pitaraṁ dīptatejasam

— thinking, 'This is a rakshasa,' he did not approach him out of fear. The boy too, thus arisen, toward his blazing father —

Verse 31 (skanda.8.20.31)

उपासर्पत दीनात्मा तात तातेति चाब्रवीत् । स तातेत्युच्यमानोऽपि यदा तन्नाभ्यनन्दत । अथ वायुस्तदाकाशे निनादं प्राह सुस्वरम्

upāsarpata dīnātmā tāta tāteti cābravīt | sa tātetyucyamāno'pi yadā tannābhyanandata | atha vāyustadākāśe ninādaṁ prāha susvaram

— drew near, distressed, crying out, 'Father, father!' But when, even though called 'father,' he did not welcome him, then the Wind spoke forth in the sky, in a clear, resounding voice.

Verse 32 (skanda.8.20.32)

वायुरुवाच। सालंकायन पुत्रस्ते योऽसौ देवेन शंभुना । अयोनिजः पुरा दत्तः स एष प्रतिनन्दय

vāyuruvāca| sālaṁkāyana putraste yo'sau devena śaṁbhunā | ayonijaḥ purā dattaḥ sa eṣa pratinandaya

Vayu said: 'O descendant of Alankayana, this is your very son, who was formerly given to you by the god Shambhu, not born from a womb. Welcome him.'

Verse 33 (skanda.8.20.33)

यस्मान्नन्दिकरस्तेऽयं सदैव द्विजसत्तम । तस्मान्नन्दीति नाम्ना यं भविष्यति सुतस्तव

yasmānnandikaraste'yaṁ sadaiva dvijasattama | tasmānnandīti nāmnā yaṁ bhaviṣyati sutastava

'Since he shall ever be a bringer of joy to you, O best of brahmins, therefore this son of yours shall be named Nandi.'

Verse 34 (skanda.8.20.34)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। ततः स वायुवचनान्नन्दिनं परिसष्वजे । गृहीत्वा स्वाश्रमं तेन चानयद् दृष्टिवर्धनम्

sanatkumāra uvāca| tataḥ sa vāyuvacanānnandinaṁ parisaṣvaje | gṛhītvā svāśramaṁ tena cānayad dṛṣṭivardhanam

Sanatkumara said: Then, at Vayu's word, he embraced Nandi, and, taking that child who delighted the sight, brought him to his own hermitage.

Verse 35 (skanda.8.20.35)

चूडानामव्रतादीनि कर्माण्यस्य चकार सः । कृत्वा चाध्यापयामास वेदान् साङ्गानशेषतः

cūḍānāmavratādīni karmāṇyasya cakāra saḥ | kṛtvā cādhyāpayāmāsa vedān sāṅgānaśeṣataḥ

He performed for him the rites beginning with the tonsure and other observances; and having done so, he taught him the Vedas together with all their limbs, in full.

Verse 36 (skanda.8.20.36)

आयुर्वेदं च गान्धर्वं धर्मशास्त्रं सलक्षणम् । हस्तिनां चरितं चैव नवनिध्योश्च लम्भनम्

āyurvedaṁ ca gāndharvaṁ dharmaśāstraṁ salakṣaṇam | hastināṁ caritaṁ caiva navanidhyośca lambhanam

He taught him the science of medicine, the art of music, the scriptures of sacred law with their marks, the lore of elephants, and the means of obtaining the nine treasures.

Verse 37 (skanda.8.20.37)

शिल्पानि चैव सर्वाणि निमित्तज्ञानमेव च । भूतग्रामचिकित्सां च मातॄणां चरितं च यत्

śilpāni caiva sarvāṇi nimittajñānameva ca | bhūtagrāmacikitsāṁ ca mātṝṇāṁ caritaṁ ca yat

He taught him all the crafts, the knowledge of omens, the healing of the host of beings, and whatever pertains to the lore of the Divine Mothers.

Verse 38 (skanda.8.20.38)

भुजगानां च सर्वेषां यच्च किञ्चिद् विचेष्टितम् । यच्च शास्त्रसमूहानामष्टौ व्याकरणानि च

bhujagānāṁ ca sarveṣāṁ yacca kiñcid viceṣṭitam | yacca śāstrasamūhānāmaṣṭau vyākaraṇāni ca

Whatever pertains to the movements of all serpents, and the eight systems of grammar among the collected sciences — these too he taught him.

Verse 39 (skanda.8.20.39)

तथा चैव पुराणानि इतिहासमशेषतः । पंचस्थानानि यानि स्युर्ज्योतिर्गणविचारणे

tathā caiva purāṇāni itihāsamaśeṣataḥ | paṁcasthānāni yāni syurjyotirgaṇavicāraṇe

Likewise the Puranas, and history in its entirety, and the five divisions belonging to the calculation of the stars.

Verse 40 (skanda.8.20.40)

मातृभूतग्रहं तन्त्रं योगिनां मतमुत्तमम् । अब्दैरधीतवान् सर्वं व्यास षट्पंचभिस्ततः

mātṛbhūtagrahaṁ tantraṁ yogināṁ matamuttamam | abdairadhītavān sarvaṁ vyāsa ṣaṭpaṁcabhistataḥ

The tantra of the Mothers, the possessing spirits, and the planets, and the supreme doctrine of the yogis — all this, O Vyasa, he mastered over eleven years.

Verse 41 (skanda.8.20.41)

दक्षः शुचिरदीनात्मा प्रियवागनसूयकः । सर्वलोकप्रियो नित्यं नानानयननन्दनः

dakṣaḥ śuciradīnātmā priyavāganasūyakaḥ | sarvalokapriyo nityaṁ nānānayananandanaḥ

He was skilled, pure, of undaunted spirit, sweet-spoken, and free from envy; ever beloved by all the world, a delight to eyes of every kind.

Verse 42 (skanda.8.20.42)

तस्याथ सप्तमे वर्षे ऋषिदेवौ तपोधनौ । आश्रमं समनुप्राप्तौ शिलादस्याहतौजसौ

tasyātha saptame varṣe ṛṣidevau tapodhanau | āśramaṁ samanuprāptau śilādasyāhataujasau

Then, in his seventh year, two sages who were also gods, rich in austerity, of unassailable splendour, arrived at Shilada's hermitage.

Verse 43 (skanda.8.20.43)

तावभ्यर्च्य यथान्यायं शिलादः सुमहातपाः । सुखासीनौ समानम्य आसने परमार्चितौ

tāvabhyarcya yathānyāyaṁ śilādaḥ sumahātapāḥ | sukhāsīnau samānamya āsane paramārcitau

Shilada, that great ascetic, having duly honoured them and seated them comfortably at ease, greatly worshipped them on their seats.

Verse 44 (skanda.8.20.44)

मित्रावरुणनामानौ तपोयोगबलान्वितौ । अभिज्ञौ सर्वभूतानां त्रिलोके सचराचरे

mitrāvaruṇanāmānau tapoyogabalānvitau | abhijñau sarvabhūtānāṁ triloke sacarācare

They were named Mitra and Varuna, endowed with the power of austerity and yoga, knowers of all beings, moving and unmoving, in the three worlds.

Verse 45 (skanda.8.20.45)

ताभ्यां समर्थितः सोऽपि निषसाद वरासने

tābhyāṁ samarthitaḥ so'pi niṣasāda varāsane

Requested by them, he too sat down upon an excellent seat. (The second line of this verse is lost in the manuscript.)

Verse 46 (skanda.8.20.46)

उवाच गुणवान् सम्यक् कुलवंशविवर्धनः । तमाहूय च संतुष्टः पुत्रं नन्दिनमच्युतः

uvāca guṇavān samyak kulavaṁśavivardhanaḥ | tamāhūya ca saṁtuṣṭaḥ putraṁ nandinamacyutaḥ

The virtuous increaser of the family line spoke fittingly; and the unfailing Shilada, well pleased, summoned his son Nandi —

Verse 47 (skanda.8.20.47)

तयोः पादेषु शिरसा पातयत्तमनिन्दितम् । तौ तु तस्याशिषं दिव्यौ प्रयुक्तावथ नित्यताम् गुरुशुश्रूषणे भावं लोकांश्चैव तथाक्षयान्

tayoḥ pādeṣu śirasā pātayattamaninditam | tau tu tasyāśiṣaṁ divyau prayuktāvatha nityatām guruśuśrūṣaṇe bhāvaṁ lokāṁścaiva tathākṣayān

— and made that blameless son bow his head at their feet. Then those two divine ones bestowed upon him a blessing — everlasting devotion in service to elders, and imperishable worlds as well.

Verse 48 (skanda.8.20.48)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। शिलादस्तावथालंब्य आशिषं देवयोस्तदा । विसृज्य नन्दिनं भीतः सोऽपृच्छदृषिसत्तमौ

sanatkumāra uvāca| śilādastāvathālaṁbya āśiṣaṁ devayostadā | visṛjya nandinaṁ bhītaḥ so'pṛcchadṛṣisattamau

Sanatkumara said: Shilada then, having received the blessing of those two gods, sent Nandi away, and, afraid, questioned those two foremost sages —

Verse 49 (skanda.8.20.49)

शिलाद उवाच। किमर्थं मम पुत्रस्य दीर्घमायुरुभावपि । प्रयुक्तवन्तौ धन्यस्य न आशिषं मुनिसत्तमौ

śilāda uvāca| kimarthaṁ mama putrasya dīrghamāyurubhāvapi | prayuktavantau dhanyasya na āśiṣaṁ munisattamau

Shilada said: 'O two foremost of sages, why did you not both bestow upon my fortunate son the blessing of long life?'

Verse 50 (skanda.8.20.50)

मित्रावरुणावूचतुः। तवैष तनयस्तात स्वल्पायुः सर्वसंमतः । इतोन्यद्वर्षमेकं वै जीवितं धारयिष्यति

mitrāvaruṇāvūcatuḥ| tavaiṣa tanayastāta svalpāyuḥ sarvasaṁmataḥ | itonyadvarṣamekaṁ vai jīvitaṁ dhārayiṣyati

Mitra and Varuna said: 'O father, this son of yours, though esteemed by all, is short-lived; beyond this, he shall retain life for one more year only.'

Verse 51 (skanda.8.20.51)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। ततः स शोकसंतप्तोऽपत्यव्यसनदुःखितः । विसृज्य ऋषिशार्दूलावेकाकी विललाप च

sanatkumāra uvāca| tataḥ sa śokasaṁtapto'patyavyasanaduḥkhitaḥ | visṛjya ṛṣiśārdūlāvekākī vilalāpa ca

Sanatkumara said: Then he, burning with grief, distressed by the calamity concerning his child, having sent away those two tigers among sages, wept alone.

Verse 52 (skanda.8.20.52)

तस्य शोकाद्विलपतः स्वरं श्रुत्वा सुतः शुभम् । नन्द्यागात्तं तथापश्यत्पितरं दुःखितं भृशम्

tasya śokādvilapataḥ svaraṁ śrutvā sutaḥ śubham | nandyāgāttaṁ tathāpaśyatpitaraṁ duḥkhitaṁ bhṛśam

Hearing the sound of his father weeping in grief, his auspicious son Nandi came there, and saw his father thus greatly afflicted.

Verse 53 (skanda.8.20.53)

नन्द्युवाच। केन त्वं तात दुःखेन दूयमानः प्ररोदिषि । दुःखं ते कुत उत्पन्नं ज्ञातुमिच्छाम्यहं पितः

nandyuvāca| kena tvaṁ tāta duḥkhena dūyamānaḥ prarodiṣi | duḥkhaṁ te kuta utpannaṁ jñātumicchāmyahaṁ pitaḥ

Nandi said: 'By what sorrow, father, afflicted, do you weep? Whence has your grief arisen? I wish to know, O father.'

Verse 54 (skanda.8.20.54)

शिलाद उवाच। पुत्र त्वं किमु वर्षेण जीवितं संप्रहास्यसि । ऊचतुस्तावृषी इत्येवं ततो मां विशत्

śilāda uvāca| putra tvaṁ kimu varṣeṇa jīvitaṁ saṁprahāsyasi | ūcatustāvṛṣī ityevaṁ tato māṁ viśat

Shilada said: 'My son, will you, after just one year, give up your life?' Thus did those two sages speak; and from then this grief has entered me (the text is slightly damaged here).

Verse 55 (skanda.8.20.55)

नन्द्युवाच। सत्यं देवऋषी तात न तावनृतमूचतुः । तथापि तन्न मृत्युर्मे प्रभविष्यति मा शुचः

nandyuvāca| satyaṁ devaṛṣī tāta na tāvanṛtamūcatuḥ | tathāpi tanna mṛtyurme prabhaviṣyati mā śucaḥ

Nandi said: 'Father, those two divine sages spoke truly; they did not speak falsely. Even so, death shall have no power over me — do not grieve.'

Verse 56 (skanda.8.20.56)

शिलाद उवाच। किं तपः किं परिज्ञानं को योगः कः श्रमश्च ते । येन त्वं दारुणं मृत्युं वञ्चयिष्यसि पुत्रक

śilāda uvāca| kiṁ tapaḥ kiṁ parijñānaṁ ko yogaḥ kaḥ śramaśca te | yena tvaṁ dāruṇaṁ mṛtyuṁ vañcayiṣyasi putraka

Shilada said: 'What austerity, what special knowledge, what yoga, what effort is yours, my son, by which you will cheat terrible death?'

Verse 57 (skanda.8.20.57)

नन्द्युवाच। न तात तपसा मृत्युं वंचयिष्ये न विद्यया । महादेवप्रसादेन मृत्युं जेष्यामि नान्यथा

nandyuvāca| na tāta tapasā mṛtyuṁ vaṁcayiṣye na vidyayā | mahādevaprasādena mṛtyuṁ jeṣyāmi nānyathā

Nandi said: 'Father, I shall not cheat death by austerity, nor by learning. By the grace of Mahadeva alone shall I conquer death, and by no other means.'

Verse 58 (skanda.8.20.58)

द्रक्ष्यामि शंकरं देवं ततो मृत्युर्न मे भवेत् । नष्टे मृत्यौ त्वया सार्धं चिरं वत्स्यामि निर्वृतः

drakṣyāmi śaṁkaraṁ devaṁ tato mṛtyurna me bhavet | naṣṭe mṛtyau tvayā sārdhaṁ ciraṁ vatsyāmi nirvṛtaḥ

'I shall behold the god Shankara, and then death shall have no power over me. When death is destroyed, I shall dwell long together with you, in perfect peace.'

Verse 59 (skanda.8.20.59)

शिलाद उवाच। मया वर्षसहस्रेण तपस्तप्त्वा सुदुश्चरम् । महादेवः पुरा दृष्टो लब्धस्त्वं मे यतः सुतः । कथं द्रष्टा महादेवमेतदिच्छामि वेदितुम्

śilāda uvāca| mayā varṣasahasreṇa tapastaptvā suduścaram | mahādevaḥ purā dṛṣṭo labdhastvaṁ me yataḥ sutaḥ | kathaṁ draṣṭā mahādevametadicchāmi veditum

Shilada said: 'By performing austerity most difficult to accomplish for a thousand years, I formerly beheld Mahadeva, and thus obtained you as my son. How will you behold Mahadeva? This I wish to know.'

Verse 60 (skanda.8.20.60)

नन्द्युवाच। न चापि तपसा देवो दृश्यते नापि विद्यया । मनसा देवो दृश्यते परमेश्वरः

nandyuvāca| na cāpi tapasā devo dṛśyate nāpi vidyayā | manasā devo dṛśyate parameśvaraḥ

Nandi said: 'Nor indeed is the god seen through austerity, nor through learning (the text is slightly damaged here). Through the mind alone is the Supreme Lord seen.'

Verse 61 (skanda.8.20.61)

अहमेतद्विजानामि येन द्रक्ष्यामि शंकरम् । त्वया विसृष्टो गत्वाहमचिरेण त्रिलोचनम्

ahametadvijānāmi yena drakṣyāmi śaṁkaram | tvayā visṛṣṭo gatvāhamacireṇa trilocanam

'I know this, by which I shall behold Shankara. Sent forth by you, having gone, I shall soon behold the three-eyed one.'

Verse 62 (skanda.8.20.62)

द्रष्टा तात न सन्देहो विसृजाशु ततस्तु माम् । अचिरेणैव कालेन मृत्युदुःखविवर्जितम्

draṣṭā tāta na sandeho visṛjāśu tatastu mām | acireṇaiva kālena mṛtyuduḥkhavivarjitam

'I shall see him, father, there is no doubt; therefore send me forth quickly. In no long time, freed from the sorrow of death —'

Verse 63 (skanda.8.20.63)

द्रक्ष्यसे मां कृतार्थं च तस्मान्मां त्वं विसर्जय । तिष्ठन्तं वा शयानं वा धावन्तं पतितं तथा

drakṣyase māṁ kṛtārthaṁ ca tasmānmāṁ tvaṁ visarjaya | tiṣṭhantaṁ vā śayānaṁ vā dhāvantaṁ patitaṁ tathā

'— you shall see me fulfilled. Therefore send me forth. Whether standing, or lying down, or running, or fallen —'

Verse 64 (skanda.8.20.64)

न प्रतीक्षेत मां मृत्युरिति बुद्ध्वा शमं व्रज । यदि मृत्युसहस्राणि यमकोटिशतानि च

na pratīkṣeta māṁ mṛtyuriti buddhvā śamaṁ vraja | yadi mṛtyusahasrāṇi yamakoṭiśatāni ca

'— death shall never wait for me; knowing this, go in peace. Even if a thousand deaths and a hundred crores of Yamas —'

Verse 65 (skanda.8.20.65)

अभिद्रवन्ति संतप्ता दण्डपाशोद्यतायुधाः । व्यथां तथापि ते कर्तुं न समर्थाः कदाचन

abhidravanti saṁtaptā daṇḍapāśodyatāyudhāḥ | vyathāṁ tathāpi te kartuṁ na samarthāḥ kadācana

'— enraged, weapons of rod and noose upraised, rush upon me — even so, they shall never be able to cause me distress.'

Verse 66 (skanda.8.20.66)

न ममैते करिष्यन्ति व्यथां लोम्ना तथैव हि । अवतीर्य जलं दिव्यं भावं शुद्धं समाश्रितः

na mamaite kariṣyanti vyathāṁ lomnā tathaiva hi | avatīrya jalaṁ divyaṁ bhāvaṁ śuddhaṁ samāśritaḥ

'They shall not cause distress even to a single hair of mine; for, having descended into the divine water, and taken refuge in a pure state of being —'

Verse 67 (skanda.8.20.67)

अभ्यस्य रौद्रमध्यायं ततो द्रक्ष्यामि शङ्करम् । जपतश्चाभियुक्तस्य रुद्रभावयुतस्य च न मृत्युकालबहवः करिष्यन्ति मम व्यथाम्

abhyasya raudramadhyāyaṁ tato drakṣyāmi śaṅkaram | japataścābhiyuktasya rudrabhāvayutasya ca na mṛtyukālabahavaḥ kariṣyanti mama vyathām

'— and by practising the Rudra chapter, I shall then behold Shankara. For one devoted to recitation and filled with the nature of Rudra, the many forms of death and time itself shall not be able to cause me distress.'

Verse 68 (skanda.8.20.68)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। तमेवं वादिनं मत्वा ब्रुवाणं शुद्धया धिया । व्यसर्जयन्नदीनात्मा धृत्या पुत्रं महातपाः

sanatkumāra uvāca| tamevaṁ vādinaṁ matvā bruvāṇaṁ śuddhayā dhiyā | vyasarjayannadīnātmā dhṛtyā putraṁ mahātapāḥ

Sanatkumara said: Recognising that he spoke thus with a pure mind, that great ascetic, undismayed, with firm resolve, sent forth his son.

Verse 69 (skanda.8.20.69)

अभिवन्द्य पितुः पादौ शिरसा स महायशाः । प्रदक्षिणं समावृत्य संप्रतस्थे विनिश्चितः

abhivandya pituḥ pādau śirasā sa mahāyaśāḥ | pradakṣiṇaṁ samāvṛtya saṁpratasthe viniścitaḥ

Having bowed his head at his father's feet, that greatly renowned one, having circumambulated him, set forth with firm resolve.

Verse 70 (skanda.8.20.70)

अभिवन्द्य ऋषीन् सर्वान् स दिदृक्षुरुदारधीः । मुनिर्देवमनाश्चैव प्रणतार्तिहरं शिवम्

abhivandya ṛṣīn sarvān sa didṛkṣurudāradhīḥ | munirdevamanāścaiva praṇatārtiharaṁ śivam

Having saluted all the sages, that noble-minded sage, longing to behold him, his mind fixed on Shiva, remover of the suffering of those who bow to him —