The Emptying of Varanasi

Verse 1 (skanda.8.26.1)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। एवं नन्दीश्वरो व्यास उत्पन्नोनुचरश्च ह । अभवद् देवदेवस्य सेनापत्येभिषेचितः

sanatkumāra uvāca| evaṁ nandīśvaro vyāsa utpannonucaraśca ha | abhavad devadevasya senāpatyebhiṣecitaḥ

Sanatkumara said: Thus, O Vyasa, Nandishvara was born and became an attendant, consecrated to the office of commander of the God of gods.

Verse 2 (skanda.8.26.2)

व्यास उवाच। देव्या सहाथ भगवानासीनस्तत्र कामदः । अकरोत् किं महादेव एतदिच्छामि वेदितुम्

vyāsa uvāca| devyā sahātha bhagavānāsīnastatra kāmadaḥ | akarot kiṁ mahādeva etadicchāmi veditum

Vyasa said: 'What did the Blessed Mahadeva, seated there together with the Goddess, that fulfiller of desires, do? This I wish to know.'

Verse 3 (skanda.8.26.3)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। भगवान् हिमवच्छृङ्गे शर्वो देव्याः प्रियेप्सया । गणेशैर्विविधाकारैर्हासं सञ्जनयन्मुहुः

sanatkumāra uvāca| bhagavān himavacchṛṅge śarvo devyāḥ priyepsayā | gaṇeśairvividhākārairhāsaṁ sañjanayanmuhuḥ

Sanatkumara said: On the peak of the Himalaya, the Blessed Sharva, desiring to please the Goddess, again and again causing laughter with his ganas of various forms —

Verse 4 (skanda.8.26.4)

देवीं बालेन्दुतिलको रामयञ्च रराम च । महानुभावैः सर्वज्ञैः कामरूपधरैः शुभैः

devīṁ bālendutilako rāmayañca rarāma ca | mahānubhāvaiḥ sarvajñaiḥ kāmarūpadharaiḥ śubhaiḥ

— he, whose forehead-mark was the crescent moon, delighting the Goddess, sported with her, together with those majestic, omniscient, auspicious ones who take on forms at will.

Verse 5 (skanda.8.26.5)

अथ देव्याससादैका मातरं परमेश्वरी । आसीनां काञ्चने शुभ्रे स्वादासने परमार्चिते

atha devyāsasādaikā mātaraṁ parameśvarī | āsīnāṁ kāñcane śubhre svādāsane paramārcite

Then the supreme Goddess, alone, approached her mother, who was seated on a bright golden, most highly honoured, pleasant seat.

Verse 6 (skanda.8.26.6)

साथ दृष्टवा सतीं देवीमागतां शुभरूपिणीम् । आसनेन महार्हेण सम्भावय दनिन्दिताम्

sātha dṛṣṭavā satīṁ devīmāgatāṁ śubharūpiṇīm | āsanena mahārheṇa sambhāvaya daninditām

She, seeing that faithful Goddess of auspicious form arrive, honoured that blameless one with a most worthy seat.

Verse 7 (skanda.8.26.7)

आसीनां तां च सोवाच मेना हिमवतः प्रिया । चिरस्यागमनं ह्यद्य तव पुत्रि शुभेक्षणे

āsīnāṁ tāṁ ca sovāca menā himavataḥ priyā | cirasyāgamanaṁ hyadya tava putri śubhekṣaṇe

To her, thus seated, Mena, the beloved of Himavat, said: 'After a long time indeed have you come today, my daughter, O fair-eyed one.'

Verse 8 (skanda.8.26.8)

दरिद्रक्रीडनैस्तेद्य भर्ता क्रीडति संगतः । ये दरिद्रा भवन्ति स्म तथैव च निराश्रयाः उमे त एवं क्रीडन्ति यथा तव पतिः शुभे

daridrakrīḍanaistedya bhartā krīḍati saṁgataḥ | ye daridrā bhavanti sma tathaiva ca nirāśrayāḥ ume ta evaṁ krīḍanti yathā tava patiḥ śubhe

'Your husband today keeps company with beggarly playfellows and sports with them. O Uma, those who are poor and homeless — it is they who sport in this way, just as your husband does, O auspicious one.'

Verse 9 (skanda.8.26.9)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। सैवमुक्ता तु मात्राथ नातिहृष्टमना भवत् । महत्या क्षमया युक्ता न किञ्चित्तामुवाच ह

sanatkumāra uvāca| saivamuktā tu mātrātha nātihṛṣṭamanā bhavat | mahatyā kṣamayā yuktā na kiñcittāmuvāca ha

Sanatkumara said: Thus addressed by her mother, she did not become very pleased at heart; but, endowed with great patience, she said nothing to her.

Verse 10 (skanda.8.26.10)

विसृष्टा सा तदा मात्रा गत्वा देवमुवाच ह । भगवन्देवदेवेश नेह वत्स्यामि भूधरे । अन्यं वृणु ममावासं भुवनेश महाद्युते

visṛṣṭā sā tadā mātrā gatvā devamuvāca ha | bhagavandevadeveśa neha vatsyāmi bhūdhare | anyaṁ vṛṇu mamāvāsaṁ bhuvaneśa mahādyute

Taking leave of her mother, she went and said to the god: 'O Blessed One, God of gods, I shall not dwell here on this mountain. Choose another dwelling for me, O lord of the world, O one of great splendour.'

Verse 11 (skanda.8.26.11)

देवदेव उवाच। सदा त्वमुच्यमाना वै मया वासार्थमीश्वरि । अन्यत्र रोचितवती नावासं देवि कर्हिचित्

devadeva uvāca| sadā tvamucyamānā vai mayā vāsārthamīśvari | anyatra rocitavatī nāvāsaṁ devi karhicit

The God of gods said: 'Though I have always urged you, O queen, regarding a dwelling, you have never before wished for a home elsewhere, O goddess.'

Verse 12 (skanda.8.26.12)

इदानीं स्वयमेव त्वं वासमन्यत्र शोभने । कस्मान्मृगयसे देवि ब्रूहि तन्मे शुचिस्मिते

idānīṁ svayameva tvaṁ vāsamanyatra śobhane | kasmānmṛgayase devi brūhi tanme śucismite

'Now, of your own accord, why do you seek a dwelling elsewhere, O beautiful goddess? Tell me that, O pure-smiling one.'

Verse 13 (skanda.8.26.13)

देव्युवाच। गृहं गताहं देवेश पितुरद्य महात्मनः । दृष्टा च मे तत्र माता विजने लोकभावनी

devyuvāca| gṛhaṁ gatāhaṁ deveśa pituradya mahātmanaḥ | dṛṣṭā ca me tatra mātā vijane lokabhāvanī

The Goddess said: 'O lord of gods, I went today to the house of my great-souled father, and there I saw my mother, in that solitary place, she who is the nurturer of the world.'

Verse 14 (skanda.8.26.14)

आसनादिभिरभ्यर्च्य सा मामेवमभाषत । उमे तव सदा भर्ता दरिद्रक्रीडनैः शुभे

āsanādibhirabhyarcya sā māmevamabhāṣata | ume tava sadā bhartā daridrakrīḍanaiḥ śubhe

Having honoured me with a seat and the like, she said this to me: 'O Uma, O auspicious one, your husband ever, with beggarly playfellows —'

Verse 15 (skanda.8.26.15)

क्रीडते न हि देवानां क्रीडा भवति तादृशी । यत्किल त्वं महादेव गणैस्तैर्विविधैः शुभैः रमसे तदनिष्टं हि मम मातुर्वृषध्वज

krīḍate na hi devānāṁ krīḍā bhavati tādṛśī | yatkila tvaṁ mahādeva gaṇaistairvividhaiḥ śubhaiḥ ramase tadaniṣṭaṁ hi mama māturvṛṣadhvaja

— sports; such sport is not fitting for the gods. What you, Mahadeva, do — sporting with those various, auspicious ganas — this, O Bull-bannered one, is displeasing to my mother.'

Verse 16 (skanda.8.26.16)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। ततो देवः प्रहस्याह देवीं हासयितुं प्रभुः । एवमेतन्न सन्देहः कस्मान्मन्युरभूत्तव

sanatkumāra uvāca| tato devaḥ prahasyāha devīṁ hāsayituṁ prabhuḥ | evametanna sandehaḥ kasmānmanyurabhūttava

Sanatkumara said: Then that lord, the god, laughing, said to the Goddess, seeking to make her laugh: 'It is indeed so, without doubt; but why has this become a cause of anger for you?'

Verse 17 (skanda.8.26.17)

कृत्तिवासा ह्यवासा वा श्मशाननिलयश्च ह । अनिकेतो ह्यरण्येषु पर्वतानां गुहासु च

kṛttivāsā hyavāsā vā śmaśānanilayaśca ha | aniketo hyaraṇyeṣu parvatānāṁ guhāsu ca

'I am indeed clad in hides, or without dwelling; I abide in cremation grounds; homeless, I wander in forests and in mountain caves.'

Verse 18 (skanda.8.26.18)

विचरामि गणैर्नग्नैर्वृतोम्भोजविलोचने । मा क्रुधो देवि मातुस्त्वं तथ्यं मातावदत्तव नहि मातृसमो बन्धुर्जन्तूनामस्ति शोभने

vicarāmi gaṇairnagnairvṛtombhojavilocane | mā krudho devi mātustvaṁ tathyaṁ mātāvadattava nahi mātṛsamo bandhurjantūnāmasti śobhane

'I roam surrounded by naked ganas, O lotus-eyed one. Do not be angry with your mother, O goddess; your mother has spoken the truth to you. For there is no kinsman equal to a mother for living beings, O beautiful one.'

Verse 19 (skanda.8.26.19)

देव्युवाच। न मेस्ति बन्धुभिः किञ्चित्कृत्यं सुरवरेश्वर । तथा कुरु महादेव यथान्यत्र वसामहे

devyuvāca| na mesti bandhubhiḥ kiñcitkṛtyaṁ suravareśvara | tathā kuru mahādeva yathānyatra vasāmahe

The Goddess said: 'O lord of the best of gods, I have no business with kinsmen. Do this, O Mahadeva, so that we may dwell elsewhere.'

Verse 20 (skanda.8.26.20)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। स एवमुक्तो देवेशो देव्या देवेश्वरः प्रभुः । पार्श्वस्थं गणपं प्राह निकुम्भं नाम विश्रुतम्

sanatkumāra uvāca| sa evamukto deveśo devyā deveśvaraḥ prabhuḥ | pārśvasthaṁ gaṇapaṁ prāha nikumbhaṁ nāma viśrutam

Sanatkumara said: That lord, the God of gods, thus addressed by the Goddess, spoke to the lord of ganas standing at his side, named Nikumbha, renowned —

Verse 21 (skanda.8.26.21)

गणेश्वर निकुम्भ त्वं गत्वा वाराणसीं शुभाम् । शून्या कुरु महाबाहो उपायेनैव मा बलात्

gaṇeśvara nikumbha tvaṁ gatvā vārāṇasīṁ śubhām | śūnyā kuru mahābāho upāyenaiva mā balāt

'O lord of ganas, Nikumbha, go to the auspicious city of Varanasi; O mighty-armed one, empty it — but by means of stratagem, never by force.'

Verse 22 (skanda.8.26.22)

तत्र राजा निवसति दिवोदासः प्रतापवान् । धार्मिको मम भक्तश्च महायोगी महाबलः

tatra rājā nivasati divodāsaḥ pratāpavān | dhārmiko mama bhaktaśca mahāyogī mahābalaḥ

'There dwells a king, Divodasa, mighty, righteous, my devotee, a great yogin, of great strength.'

Verse 23 (skanda.8.26.23)

सर्वं तथा गतः कुर्या यथा स्मै नापराध्यसे । तस्यैव चापराधेन शून्यां वाराणसीं कुरु

sarvaṁ tathā gataḥ kuryā yathā smai nāparādhyase | tasyaiva cāparādhena śūnyāṁ vārāṇasīṁ kuru

'Having gone there, act in such a way that you do not offend him; but by his own offence, make Varanasi empty.'

Verse 24 (skanda.8.26.24)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। स एवमुक्तस्तेजस्वी निकुम्भो गणसत्तम । उवाच देवं प्रणतः प्राञ्जलिर्हषिताननः

sanatkumāra uvāca| sa evamuktastejasvī nikumbho gaṇasattama | uvāca devaṁ praṇataḥ prāñjalirhaṣitānanaḥ

Sanatkumara said: That splendid Nikumbha, best of the ganas, thus addressed, bowed to the god, with joined palms and a joyful face, and said —

Verse 25 (skanda.8.26.25)

तथा करिष्ये देवेश यथा स हि नराधिपः । भविष्यत्यपराधीश त्वं च तुष्टो भविष्यसि शून्या वाराणसी चैव भविष्यति न संशयः

tathā kariṣye deveśa yathā sa hi narādhipaḥ | bhaviṣyatyaparādhīśa tvaṁ ca tuṣṭo bhaviṣyasi śūnyā vārāṇasī caiva bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ

'I shall act, O lord of gods, in such a way that that king shall become an offender, and you shall be pleased; and Varanasi shall indeed become empty — of this there is no doubt.'

Verse 26 (skanda.8.26.26)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। एवमुक्त्वा निकुम्भोसौ प्रणम्य शिरसा हरम् । जगाम पुण्यां लोकेषु पुरीं वाराणसीं प्रभुः

sanatkumāra uvāca| evamuktvā nikumbhosau praṇamya śirasā haram | jagāma puṇyāṁ lokeṣu purīṁ vārāṇasīṁ prabhuḥ

Sanatkumara said: Having spoken thus, that lord Nikumbha, having bowed his head to Hara, went to that sacred city among the cities of the world, Varanasi.

Verse 27 (skanda.8.26.27)

तत्रासौ दर्शनं स्वप्ने नापिताय ददौ गणः । मंडूकाक्षाय रूपं च स्वं तस्यादर्शयत्तदा

tatrāsau darśanaṁ svapne nāpitāya dadau gaṇaḥ | maṁḍūkākṣāya rūpaṁ ca svaṁ tasyādarśayattadā

There, that lord of ganas gave a vision, in a dream, to a barber named Mandukaksha, and showed him his own form.

Verse 28 (skanda.8.26.28)

निकुम्भउवाच। मण्डूकाक्ष निकुम्भोहं गणपः शोकनाशनः । तवानुग्रहकृत् प्राप्तो यद् ब्रवीमि कुरुष्व तत्

nikumbhauvāca| maṇḍūkākṣa nikumbhohaṁ gaṇapaḥ śokanāśanaḥ | tavānugrahakṛt prāpto yad bravīmi kuruṣva tat

Nikumbha said: 'O Mandukaksha, I am Nikumbha, a lord of ganas, a dispeller of grief. I have come to show you favour; do what I tell you.'

Verse 29 (skanda.8.26.29)

दिवोदासगृहद्वारि कुरुष्व त्वं ममालयम् । स्थापयस्व च तत्रार्चा मद्रूपसदृशीं शुभाम्

divodāsagṛhadvāri kuruṣva tvaṁ mamālayam | sthāpayasva ca tatrārcā madrūpasadṛśīṁ śubhām

'At the gate of Divodasa's house, build for me a dwelling, and there install an auspicious image resembling my own form.'

Verse 30 (skanda.8.26.30)

वित्तं च ते प्रदास्यामि पुत्रान् सौभाग्यमेव च । प्रियत्वं चैव सर्वत्र गतिं चानुत्तमां पुनः

vittaṁ ca te pradāsyāmi putrān saubhāgyameva ca | priyatvaṁ caiva sarvatra gatiṁ cānuttamāṁ punaḥ

'And I shall give you wealth, and sons, and good fortune; and being beloved everywhere, and again an unsurpassed destiny.'

Verse 31 (skanda.8.26.31)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। एवमुक्तो निकुम्भेन नापितो नृपतिं तदा । गत्वावदद् दिवोदासमिन्द्रवैवस्वतोपमम्

sanatkumāra uvāca| evamukto nikumbhena nāpito nṛpatiṁ tadā | gatvāvadad divodāsamindravaivasvatopamam

Sanatkumara said: Thus addressed by Nikumbha, the barber then went and told King Divodasa, who was like Indra and Yama in majesty —

Verse 32 (skanda.8.26.32)

नापित उवाच। स्वामिन् तव गृहद्वारि करिष्ये गणपालयम् । स्थापयिष्ये गणेशञ्च तन्मेनुज्ञातुमर्हसि

nāpita uvāca| svāmin tava gṛhadvāri kariṣye gaṇapālayam | sthāpayiṣye gaṇeśañca tanmenujñātumarhasi

The barber said: 'My lord, at the gate of your house I shall build a dwelling for a lord of ganas, and shall install him; you should grant me leave for this.'

Verse 33 (skanda.8.26.33)

तथेति सोप्यनुज्ञातश्चक्रे तत्र तदालयम् । प्रत्यस्थापयदर्चाञ्च यादृशं दृष्टवानसौ

tatheti sopyanujñātaścakre tatra tadālayam | pratyasthāpayadarcāñca yādṛśaṁ dṛṣṭavānasau

'So be it,' the king said; and he, thus permitted, built the dwelling there, and installed the image just as he had seen it in the dream.

Verse 34 (skanda.8.26.34)

तस्य पूजां च महतीं प्रावर्त्तयत शोभनाम् । गणेशस्य महासत्वः स च तां प्रत्यगृह्णत

tasya pūjāṁ ca mahatīṁ prāvarttayata śobhanām | gaṇeśasya mahāsatvaḥ sa ca tāṁ pratyagṛhṇata

He instituted a great and beautiful worship of him; and that great being, the lord of ganas, accepted it.

Verse 35 (skanda.8.26.35)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। स तस्मै कर्मणा तेन वित्तं यद्यत्समीहितम् । पशूँश्चैव हि पुत्रांश्च सौभाग्यं चाददत् प्रभुः

sanatkumāra uvāca| sa tasmai karmaṇā tena vittaṁ yadyatsamīhitam | paśū~ścaiva hi putrāṁśca saubhāgyaṁ cādadat prabhuḥ

Sanatkumara said: By that deed, the lord bestowed on him whatever wealth was desired, and cattle, and sons, and good fortune.

Verse 36 (skanda.8.26.36)

तस्य तां वृद्धिमतुलां नापितस्याभिवीक्ष्य तु । आरिराधयिषुर्लोकस्तस्य पूजां चकार ह

tasya tāṁ vṛddhimatulāṁ nāpitasyābhivīkṣya tu | ārirādhayiṣurlokastasya pūjāṁ cakāra ha

Beholding that incomparable prosperity of the barber, the people, desiring to gain such favour themselves, began to worship him as well.

Verse 37 (skanda.8.26.37)

चक्रु र्यात्रास्तथा केचिदुपवासान् तथापरे । होमं जप्यं तथैवान्ये पूजां चान्ये वरार्थिनः

cakru ryātrāstathā kecidupavāsān tathāpare | homaṁ japyaṁ tathaivānye pūjāṁ cānye varārthinaḥ

Some performed pilgrimages, others fasts; others still, oblations and recitation; and others, worship — all desiring boons.

Verse 38 (skanda.8.26.38)

उपहाराँस्तथैवान्ये गीतं नृत्तं तथापरे । तेभ्यस्तथाभ्युपेतेभ्यो निकुम्भः स महायशाः ददौ सर्वानभिप्रायान् ये ये तेषामभीप्सिताः

upahārā~stathaivānye gītaṁ nṛttaṁ tathāpare | tebhyastathābhyupetebhyo nikumbhaḥ sa mahāyaśāḥ dadau sarvānabhiprāyān ye ye teṣāmabhīpsitāḥ

Others still, offerings; others, song and dance. To all those who approached him thus, that greatly renowned Nikumbha granted all their wishes, whatever each of them desired.

Verse 39 (skanda.8.26.39)

एवं तं कामदं ज्ञात्वा दिवोदासो नृपस्तदा । उवाच महिषीं व्यास कदाचित् पुत्रलिप्सया । देवि सर्वानभिप्रायान् जनेभ्योयं प्रयच्छति

evaṁ taṁ kāmadaṁ jñātvā divodāso nṛpastadā | uvāca mahiṣīṁ vyāsa kadācit putralipsayā | devi sarvānabhiprāyān janebhyoyaṁ prayacchati

Knowing him thus to be a fulfiller of desires, King Divodasa, O Vyasa, once said to his queen, out of a wish for a son: 'O queen, this lord of ganas grants all their wishes to the people.'

Verse 40 (skanda.8.26.40)

गणेश्वरं त्वमप्येनमपत्यार्थं प्रसादय । सैवमुक्ता तदा गत्वा गणेशं प्राप्य शोभना

gaṇeśvaraṁ tvamapyenamapatyārthaṁ prasādaya | saivamuktā tadā gatvā gaṇeśaṁ prāpya śobhanā

'You too should propitiate this lord of ganas for the sake of offspring.' Thus addressed, that beautiful queen then went and approached the lord of ganas —

Verse 41 (skanda.8.26.41)

उवाच भगवन् देव अनपत्याहमीश्वर । उपवासं करिष्यामि तव देवाभिराधने

uvāca bhagavan deva anapatyāhamīśvara | upavāsaṁ kariṣyāmi tava devābhirādhane

— and said: 'O Blessed One, O god, O lord, I am without offspring. I shall undertake a fast for your propitiation, O god.'

Verse 42 (skanda.8.26.42)

तावन्न भोक्ष्ये यावन्मे वरो दत्तस्त्वया प्रभो । जाते च पुत्रे दास्यामि शतानां दशतीर्दश

tāvanna bhokṣye yāvanme varo dattastvayā prabho | jāte ca putre dāsyāmi śatānāṁ daśatīrdaśa

'I shall not eat until the boon has been given to me by you, O lord. And when a son is born, I shall give a thousand —'

Verse 43 (skanda.8.26.43)

त्वामुद्दिश्य द्विजातिभ्यो गोधेनूनां गणेश्वर । तथा घटसहस्स्रेण दध्नश्चैव घृतस्य च । क्षीरस्य पंचगव्यस्य करिष्ये स्नपनं च ते

tvāmuddiśya dvijātibhyo godhenūnāṁ gaṇeśvara | tathā ghaṭasahassreṇa dadhnaścaiva ghṛtasya ca | kṣīrasya paṁcagavyasya kariṣye snapanaṁ ca te

'— milch-cows to the twice-born, in your honour, O lord of ganas. And with a thousand pitchers of curd, and of ghee, and of milk, and of the five products of the cow, I shall bathe you.'

Verse 44 (skanda.8.26.44)

ब्राह्मणानां सहस्राणां शतं चापि सुपूजितम् । पुरस्ताद् भोजयिष्ये ते पुत्रे जाते न संशयः

brāhmaṇānāṁ sahasrāṇāṁ śataṁ cāpi supūjitam | purastād bhojayiṣye te putre jāte na saṁśayaḥ

'And I shall feed a hundred thousand well-honoured brahmins in your presence, when a son is born — of this there is no doubt.'

Verse 45 (skanda.8.26.45)

बहून् दास्यति राजा च ग्रामान् दासीस्तथैव च । सदा सत्रञ्च पूजां च करिष्यति तव प्रभो

bahūn dāsyati rājā ca grāmān dāsīstathaiva ca | sadā satrañca pūjāṁ ca kariṣyati tava prabho

'And the king shall give many villages, and female servants as well; and he shall ever perform sacrificial rites and worship for you, O lord.'

Verse 46 (skanda.8.26.46)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। सा तमुक्त्वा तथा व्यास तस्थौ नियममास्थिता । सोपवासा तदा पूजां महतीं तस्य कुर्वती

sanatkumāra uvāca| sā tamuktvā tathā vyāsa tasthau niyamamāsthitā | sopavāsā tadā pūjāṁ mahatīṁ tasya kurvatī

Sanatkumara said: Having spoken thus to him, O Vyasa, she remained fixed in her vow, fasting, performing great worship of him.

Verse 47 (skanda.8.26.47)

तां तथा तिष्ठतीं देवः प्रोवाच स गणेश्वरः । उत्तिष्ठ नास्ति ते पुत्रो मा खेदं त्वं वृथा कृथाः

tāṁ tathā tiṣṭhatīṁ devaḥ provāca sa gaṇeśvaraḥ | uttiṣṭha nāsti te putro mā khedaṁ tvaṁ vṛthā kṛthāḥ

To her, thus remaining, that lord of ganas said: 'Rise up; you shall have no son. Do not needlessly grieve.'

Verse 48 (skanda.8.26.48)

एवं तेन गणेशेन निकुम्भेन महात्मना । असकृत् प्रोच्यमाना सा नियमाद् विरराम ह

evaṁ tena gaṇeśena nikumbhena mahātmanā | asakṛt procyamānā sā niyamād virarāma ha

Thus, repeatedly told this by that great-souled lord of ganas, Nikumbha, she desisted from her vow.

Verse 49 (skanda.8.26.49)

ततो नराधिपं देवी प्रोवाच विमना तदा । आर्यपुत्र न मे पुत्रं गणपोसौ प्रयच्छति । ब्रवीति नास्ति ते पुत्रो मा वृथा नियमं कृथाः

tato narādhipaṁ devī provāca vimanā tadā | āryaputra na me putraṁ gaṇaposau prayacchati | bravīti nāsti te putro mā vṛthā niyamaṁ kṛthāḥ

Then the queen, downcast, said to the king: 'My noble husband, this lord of ganas does not grant me a son. He says, you shall have no son; do not needlessly persist in your vow.'

Verse 50 (skanda.8.26.50)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। एवं महिष्या स प्रोक्तः स्वयमेव नराधिपः । सदा सनियमस्तस्थौ गणेशस्याग्रतो नृपः

sanatkumāra uvāca| evaṁ mahiṣyā sa proktaḥ svayameva narādhipaḥ | sadā saniyamastasthau gaṇeśasyāgrato nṛpaḥ

Sanatkumara said: Thus told by the queen, the king himself then remained ever before the lord of ganas, keeping the vow himself.

Verse 51 (skanda.8.26.51)

तमप्युवाच नृपतिं निकुम्भो नियमस्थितम् । मा स्था वृथेह नृपते न ते पुत्रं ददाम्यहम्

tamapyuvāca nṛpatiṁ nikumbho niyamasthitam | mā sthā vṛtheha nṛpate na te putraṁ dadāmyaham

To him too, the king thus fixed in his vow, Nikumbha said: 'Do not remain here in vain, O king; I shall not give you a son.'

Verse 52 (skanda.8.26.52)

एवमुक्तः स राजेन्द्रो निकुम्भेन महाबलः । क्रोधरक्तेक्षणः प्राह तमुत्थाय गणेश्वरम्

evamuktaḥ sa rājendro nikumbhena mahābalaḥ | krodharaktekṣaṇaḥ prāha tamutthāya gaṇeśvaram

Thus addressed by Nikumbha, that mighty lord of kings, his eyes red with rage, rose up and said to that lord of ganas —

Verse 53 (skanda.8.26.53)

राजोवाच। गणो वा त्वं पिशाचो वा भूतो वा राक्षसोपि वा । कृतघ्नस्त्वं न सन्देहो न त्वं पूजामिहार्हसि

rājovāca| gaṇo vā tvaṁ piśāco vā bhūto vā rākṣasopi vā | kṛtaghnastvaṁ na sandeho na tvaṁ pūjāmihārhasi

The king said: 'Whether you are a gana, or a pishacha, or a bhuta, or even a rakshasa — you are ungrateful, there is no doubt; you do not deserve worship here.'

Verse 54 (skanda.8.26.54)

मम चैव गृहद्वारि पौरैश्चैव समर्चितः । विषये मम वासी च न च पुत्रं प्रयच्छसि

mama caiva gṛhadvāri pauraiścaiva samarcitaḥ | viṣaye mama vāsī ca na ca putraṁ prayacchasi

'You dwell at the very gate of my house, honoured by the citizens; you reside in my domain, and yet you do not grant me a son.'

Verse 55 (skanda.8.26.55)

पूजार्हो न भवाँस्तस्मान्मत्तो दण्डं त्वमर्हसि । नृशंसश्चावलिप्तश्च निष्ठुरो मत्सरान्वितः

pūjārho na bhavā~stasmānmatto daṇḍaṁ tvamarhasi | nṛśaṁsaścāvaliptaśca niṣṭhuro matsarānvitaḥ

'You are therefore not worthy of worship; from me you deserve punishment — cruel, arrogant, harsh, and full of envy that you are.'

Verse 56 (skanda.8.26.56)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। ततोस्य भेदयामास निलयं गजयूथपैः । स्थण्डिलं च बभञ्जाशु ददाहार्चां च सुप्रभाम्

sanatkumāra uvāca| tatosya bhedayāmāsa nilayaṁ gajayūthapaiḥ | sthaṇḍilaṁ ca babhañjāśu dadāhārcāṁ ca suprabhām

Sanatkumara said: Then he had his dwelling destroyed by teams of elephants, quickly broke his platform, and burned that radiant image.

Verse 57 (skanda.8.26.57)

निकुम्भोपि कृतार्थः सन्नाकाशे संस्थितः प्रभुः । उवाच तं दिवोदासं प्रदहन्निव तेजसा

nikumbhopi kṛtārthaḥ sannākāśe saṁsthitaḥ prabhuḥ | uvāca taṁ divodāsaṁ pradahanniva tejasā

Nikumbha too, his purpose now accomplished, that lord, standing in the sky, said to that Divodasa, as if burning him with his splendour —

Verse 58 (skanda.8.26.58)

यथेष्टं संप्रयच्छन्ति देवा वरमभीप्सितम् । न दत्तो यद्यसौ कोपः कस्तत्र भवतोभवत्

yatheṣṭaṁ saṁprayacchanti devā varamabhīpsitam | na datto yadyasau kopaḥ kastatra bhavatobhavat

'The gods grant a desired boon as they see fit; if it was not granted, what cause was there there for your anger?'

Verse 59 (skanda.8.26.59)

यस्मान्ममालयो भग्नस्त्वया निरपकारिणः । तस्माद् वर्षसहस्रं ते पुरी शून्या भविष्यति

yasmānmamālayo bhagnastvayā nirapakāriṇaḥ | tasmād varṣasahasraṁ te purī śūnyā bhaviṣyati

'Since you have destroyed my dwelling, though I did you no wrong, therefore your city shall become empty for a thousand years.'

Verse 60 (skanda.8.26.60)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। स एवमुक्त्वा राजानं निकुम्भः परमात्मवान् । देवेशाय निवेद्यैवं तस्थौ पार्श्वगतः प्रभोः

sanatkumāra uvāca| sa evamuktvā rājānaṁ nikumbhaḥ paramātmavān | deveśāya nivedyaivaṁ tasthau pārśvagataḥ prabhoḥ

Sanatkumara said: Having thus spoken to the king, Nikumbha, of supreme self-mastery, having reported this to the God of gods, remained at the side of that lord.

Verse 61 (skanda.8.26.61)

राजापि तस्य वाक्येन तथ्येनार्थेन चैव हि । व्रीडा परां समासाद्य गृहानभ्यगमत् तदा

rājāpi tasya vākyena tathyenārthena caiva hi | vrīḍā parāṁ samāsādya gṛhānabhyagamat tadā

The king too, by his true and meaningful words, having been overcome with the deepest shame, then returned to his home.

Verse 62 (skanda.8.26.62)

अथ सा तेन शापेन पुरी वाराणसी तदा । शून्या समभवत् क्षिप्रं विशुद्धा मृगसेविता

atha sā tena śāpena purī vārāṇasī tadā | śūnyā samabhavat kṣipraṁ viśuddhā mṛgasevitā

Then, by that curse, the city of Varanasi swiftly became empty, purified, frequented only by deer.

Verse 63 (skanda.8.26.63)

तां तु शून्यां स विज्ञाय देव्या सह पिनाकधृक् । सगणो नन्दिना सार्धमाजगाम महाद्युतिः

tāṁ tu śūnyāṁ sa vijñāya devyā saha pinākadhṛk | sagaṇo nandinā sārdhamājagāma mahādyutiḥ

Knowing it to be empty, the trident-bearer of great splendour, together with the Goddess, with his ganas, and with Nandi, then came there.

Verse 64 (skanda.8.26.64)

स तत्र मानसं दिव्यं विमानं सूर्यवर्चसम् । अनौपम्यगुणं देवो मनसैव विनिर्ममे

sa tatra mānasaṁ divyaṁ vimānaṁ sūryavarcasam | anaupamyaguṇaṁ devo manasaiva vinirmame

There the god, by mind alone, created a divine celestial car, born of the mind, radiant as the sun, of incomparable quality.

Verse 65 (skanda.8.26.65)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। न मे प्रभवति प्रज्ञा कृत्स्नशस्तन्निरूपणे । एतावच्छक्यते वक्तुमनौपम्यगुणं हि तत्

sanatkumāra uvāca| na me prabhavati prajñā kṛtsnaśastannirūpaṇe | etāvacchakyate vaktumanaupamyaguṇaṁ hi tat

Sanatkumara said: My understanding is not equal to describing it in full; only this much can be said — that it was truly of incomparable quality.

Verse 66 (skanda.8.26.66)

देवोद्यानानि रम्याणि नन्दनाद्यानि यानि तु । तेभ्यः श्रेष्ठतमं श्रीमदुद्यानमसृजत् प्रभुः

devodyānāni ramyāṇi nandanādyāni yāni tu | tebhyaḥ śreṣṭhatamaṁ śrīmadudyānamasṛjat prabhuḥ

And of the delightful gardens of the gods, beginning with Nandana, the Lord created a garden more splendid and excellent than all of them.

Verse 67 (skanda.8.26.67)

तस्मिन् विमाने गिरिराजपुत्री सर्वर्द्धियुक्ते वचसामगम्ये । रेमे नवेन्दीवरफुल्लनेत्रा देवी न सस्मार वचः स्वमातुः

tasmin vimāne girirājaputrī sarvarddhiyukte vacasāmagamye | reme navendīvaraphullanetrā devī na sasmāra vacaḥ svamātuḥ

In that celestial car, endowed with every splendour, beyond the reach of words, the daughter of the king of mountains, the Goddess, her eyes like freshly-blossomed blue lotuses, took her delight, and no longer remembered her mother's words.