The Boons to Jaigishavya, Kubera, and the Panchachudas

Verse 1 (skanda.8.30.1)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। उद्यानानि ततो देवः स्थानानि च तथात्मनः । आख्याय हिमवत्पुत्र्या विचचार तदा पुनः

sanatkumāra uvāca| udyānāni tato devaḥ sthānāni ca tathātmanaḥ | ākhyāya himavatputryā vicacāra tadā punaḥ

Sanatkumara said: Then the god, having thus described to the daughter of Himavat the gardens and his own sacred places, wandered on again.

Verse 2 (skanda.8.30.2)

सोपश्यत तदा विप्रं तप्यमानं परं तपः । पुत्रं शतशलाकस्य जैगीषव्यं तपोधनम्

sopaśyata tadā vipraṁ tapyamānaṁ paraṁ tapaḥ | putraṁ śataśalākasya jaigīṣavyaṁ tapodhanam

He then saw a brahmin performing supreme austerity — Jaigishavya, rich in austerity, the son of Shatashalaka.

Verse 3 (skanda.8.30.3)

स लिङ्गं देवदेवस्य प्रतिष्ठाप्यार्चयन् सदा । भस्मशायी भस्मदिग्धो नृत्तगीतैरतोषयत्

sa liṅgaṁ devadevasya pratiṣṭhāpyārcayan sadā | bhasmaśāyī bhasmadigdho nṛttagītairatoṣayat

He, having installed the linga of the God of gods, worshipped it constantly; lying on ashes, smeared with ash, he pleased the god with dance and song.

Verse 4 (skanda.8.30.4)

जप्येन वृषनादैश्च तपसा भावितः शुचिः । तमेवं वर्तमानं तु भक्त्या परमया युतम्

japyena vṛṣanādaiśca tapasā bhāvitaḥ śuciḥ | tamevaṁ vartamānaṁ tu bhaktyā paramayā yutam

Purified by austerity, through recitation and bull-like roars of devotion; to him, thus conducting himself, endowed with supreme devotion —

Verse 5 (skanda.8.30.5)

भगवान् सहसाभ्येत्य इदं वचनमब्रवीत् । जैगीषव्य महाबुद्धे पश्य मां दिव्यचक्षुषा

bhagavān sahasābhyetya idaṁ vacanamabravīt | jaigīṣavya mahābuddhe paśya māṁ divyacakṣuṣā

— the Blessed One, suddenly approaching, said this word: 'O Jaigishavya of great wisdom, see me with a divine eye.'

Verse 6 (skanda.8.30.6)

तुष्टोस्मि वरदश्चास्मि ब्रूहि यत्ते मनोगतम् । स एवमुक्तो देवेन सोमं दृष्ट्वा त्रिलोचनम् प्रणम्य शिरसा पादाववदत् परया मुदा

tuṣṭosmi varadaścāsmi brūhi yatte manogatam | sa evamukto devena somaṁ dṛṣṭvā trilocanam praṇamya śirasā pādāvavadat parayā mudā

'I am pleased, and I am the giver of boons; tell me what is in your heart.' He, thus addressed by the god, having seen the three-eyed Soma, bowed his head at his feet and spoke with the greatest joy.

Verse 7 (skanda.8.30.7)

जैगीषव्य उवाच। नमः सर्वार्थसिद्धाय योगसिद्धाय वै नमः । नमः पिनाकहस्ताय हिमवन्निलयाय च

jaigīṣavya uvāca| namaḥ sarvārthasiddhāya yogasiddhāya vai namaḥ | namaḥ pinākahastāya himavannilayāya ca

Jaigishavya said: 'Salutation to him by whom all aims are accomplished, salutation to the accomplished in yoga; salutation to him whose hand holds the Pinaka, and who dwells on the Himalaya.'

Verse 8 (skanda.8.30.8)

नमः पवनवेगाय ध्येयाय ध्यानिभिः सदा । नमः सोमाय हेम्ने च हेममालाधराय च

namaḥ pavanavegāya dhyeyāya dhyānibhiḥ sadā | namaḥ somāya hemne ca hemamālādharāya ca

'Salutation to him swift as the wind, ever to be meditated upon by meditators; salutation to Soma, to the golden one, and to him who wears a golden garland.'

Verse 9 (skanda.8.30.9)

नमो गणाधिपतये नमः शान्तेन्द्रियाय च । योगसाहाय्यकर्त्रे च सहसोपशमाय च

namo gaṇādhipataye namaḥ śāntendriyāya ca | yogasāhāyyakartre ca sahasopaśamāya ca

'Salutation to the lord of the ganas, and to him of tranquil senses; to the helper in yoga, and to him who instantly grants peace.'

Verse 10 (skanda.8.30.10)

नमो मृत्युहरायैव नमः शोकहराय च । नमः सिद्धिप्रदात्रे च सिद्धसिद्धिप्रदाय च

namo mṛtyuharāyaiva namaḥ śokaharāya ca | namaḥ siddhipradātre ca siddhasiddhipradāya ca

'Salutation to the remover of death, and to the remover of sorrow; to the giver of accomplishment, and to the giver of accomplishment to the accomplished.'

Verse 11 (skanda.8.30.11)

धारिणे सर्वलोकानां सर्वलोकेश्वराय च । नमो दशार्धवर्णाय संसारापनुदाय च

dhāriṇe sarvalokānāṁ sarvalokeśvarāya ca | namo daśārdhavarṇāya saṁsārāpanudāya ca

'To the sustainer of all the worlds, and to the lord of all the worlds; salutation to him of the five syllables, and to the dispeller of worldly existence.'

Verse 12 (skanda.8.30.12)

नमः संसारपाराय अपारपरमाय च । स्वयं मन्त्रे च मनसे दुर्विज्ञेयाय वै नमः

namaḥ saṁsārapārāya apāraparamāya ca | svayaṁ mantre ca manase durvijñeyāya vai namaḥ

'Salutation to him who is the far shore of worldly existence, and to him who is beyond the boundless; salutation to the mantra itself, to the mind, and to him hard to comprehend.'

Verse 13 (skanda.8.30.13)

नमः कालकलाज्ञाय सकलाया कलाय च । नमस्तत्त्वाधिवासाय प्रेताधिपतये नमः

namaḥ kālakalājñāya sakalāyā kalāya ca | namastattvādhivāsāya pretādhipataye namaḥ

'Salutation to him who knows the measure of time, and to the whole and the part; salutation to him who dwells in the essence of things, salutation to the lord of the departed.'

Verse 14 (skanda.8.30.14)

नमः क्रोधविहीनाय क्रोधाधिपतये नमः । नमः श्रमाय श्रमिणे श्रमापनयनाय च

namaḥ krodhavihīnāya krodhādhipataye namaḥ | namaḥ śramāya śramiṇe śramāpanayanāya ca

'Salutation to him free from anger, salutation to the lord of anger; salutation to toil, to the toiler, and to the remover of toil.'

Verse 15 (skanda.8.30.15)

नमो ज्ञानरसज्ञाय ज्ञानिने ज्ञानहारिणे । सक्ताय चैव तपसि ऐश्वर्यनिरताय च

namo jñānarasajñāya jñānine jñānahāriṇe | saktāya caiva tapasi aiśvaryaniratāya ca

'Salutation to him who knows the essence of knowledge, to the knower, to him who takes away knowledge; to him devoted to austerity, and delighting in sovereignty.'

Verse 16 (skanda.8.30.16)

नमो ज्ञानानुबन्धाय अज्ञानविनिवर्तिने । नमः सर्वानुभावाय भावानुगतचेतसे

namo jñānānubandhāya ajñānavinivartine | namaḥ sarvānubhāvāya bhāvānugatacetase

'Salutation to him bound to knowledge, and to him who turns back ignorance; salutation to him of all majesty, whose mind follows true being.'

Verse 17 (skanda.8.30.17)

नमः शमदमाध्वाय मृत्युदूतापहारिणे । नमः शैलादिनाथाय शैलादिगणपाय च

namaḥ śamadamādhvāya mṛtyudūtāpahāriṇe | namaḥ śailādināthāya śailādigaṇapāya ca

'Salutation to the path of tranquillity and self-control, and to him who wards off the messengers of death; salutation to the lord of Shilada's line, and to the lord of ganas of that lineage.'

Verse 18 (skanda.8.30.18)

नमो योगरहस्याय योगदाय नमो नमः । मह्यं सर्वात्मना कामान् प्रयच्छ भगवन् प्रभो

namo yogarahasyāya yogadāya namo namaḥ | mahyaṁ sarvātmanā kāmān prayaccha bhagavan prabho

'Salutation to the secret of yoga, and salutation, salutation to the giver of yoga. Grant me, O Blessed Lord, with your whole self, my desires.'

Verse 19 (skanda.8.30.19)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। स एवं स्तूयमानश्च भक्त्या परमयापि च । तुष्टस्तुतोष भूयोस्य इदं चैनमुवाच ह

sanatkumāra uvāca| sa evaṁ stūyamānaśca bhaktyā paramayāpi ca | tuṣṭastutoṣa bhūyosya idaṁ cainamuvāca ha

Sanatkumara said: He, thus praised with supreme devotion, being pleased, was pleased with him yet more, and said this to him —

Verse 20 (skanda.8.30.20)

देवदेव उवाच। अजरश्चामरश्चैव सर्वशोकविवर्जितः । महायोगी महावीर्यो योगैश्वर्यसमन्वितः

devadeva uvāca| ajaraścāmaraścaiva sarvaśokavivarjitaḥ | mahāyogī mahāvīryo yogaiśvaryasamanvitaḥ

The God of gods said: 'Ageless and immortal, and free from all sorrow; a great yogin, of great valour, endowed with the sovereignty of yoga —'

Verse 21 (skanda.8.30.21)

प्रभावाच्चास्य गुह्यस्य क्षेत्रस्य मम शाश्वतम् । योगेष्टगुणमैश्वर्यं प्राप्स्यसे परमं महत्

prabhāvāccāsya guhyasya kṣetrasya mama śāśvatam | yogeṣṭaguṇamaiśvaryaṁ prāpsyase paramaṁ mahat

'— and, by the power of this secret, eternal field of mine, you shall obtain the supreme, great sovereignty, the quality desired in yoga.'

Verse 22 (skanda.8.30.22)

भविष्यसि द्विजश्रेष्ठ योगाचार्यश्च विश्रुतः । यश्चेदं त्वत्कृतं लिङ्गं नियमेनार्चयिष्यति

bhaviṣyasi dvijaśreṣṭha yogācāryaśca viśrutaḥ | yaścedaṁ tvatkṛtaṁ liṅgaṁ niyamenārcayiṣyati

'You shall become, O best of brahmins, a renowned teacher of yoga. And whoever worships, with due observance, this linga established by you —'

Verse 23 (skanda.8.30.23)

योनयः सप्त गत्वा तु योगेशत्वमवाप्स्यति । जैगीषव्य गुहाञ्चेमां प्राप्य यो योक्ष्यते द्विजः

yonayaḥ sapta gatvā tu yogeśatvamavāpsyati | jaigīṣavya guhāñcemāṁ prāpya yo yokṣyate dvijaḥ

'— having passed through seven wombs, shall obtain lordship of yoga. O Jaigishavya, whatever brahmin, having reached this cave, engages in yoga here —'

Verse 24 (skanda.8.30.24)

सप्तरात्रं स युक्तात्मा सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते । मासेन पूर्वां जातिं च पूर्वाधीतं च वेत्स्यति

saptarātraṁ sa yuktātmā sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate | māsena pūrvāṁ jātiṁ ca pūrvādhītaṁ ca vetsyati

'— he, disciplined, for seven nights, is freed from all sins. In a month he shall know his former birth and what he formerly studied.'

Verse 25 (skanda.8.30.25)

एकरात्रं गतिं शुद्धां द्वाभ्यां तारयते पितॄन् । त्रिरात्रेण व्यतीताँश्च परान् सप्त च तारयेत् अतो भूयश्च किं तेद्य जैगीषव्य ददान्यहम्

ekarātraṁ gatiṁ śuddhāṁ dvābhyāṁ tārayate pitṝn | trirātreṇa vyatītā~śca parān sapta ca tārayet ato bhūyaśca kiṁ tedya jaigīṣavya dadānyaham

'By one night of practice, he attains a pure destiny; by two nights he delivers his ancestors; by three nights he delivers those beyond, seven generations. What more than this shall I give you today, Jaigishavya?'

Verse 26 (skanda.8.30.26)

जैगीषव्य उवाच। भगवन् देवदेवेश इच्छेयं मे मनोगता । अतोहं नान्यदिच्छामि योगाक्षय्यात् परं हि तम्

jaigīṣavya uvāca| bhagavan devadeveśa iccheyaṁ me manogatā | atohaṁ nānyadicchāmi yogākṣayyāt paraṁ hi tam

Jaigishavya said: 'O Blessed One, God of gods, this is my heart's wish; beyond this I desire nothing else higher than that imperishable yoga.'

Verse 27 (skanda.8.30.27)

त्वयि भक्तिश्च नित्यं स्यात् सोमे सगणपेश्वरे । अनुत्सेकं तथा क्षान्तिं शमं दममथापि च

tvayi bhaktiśca nityaṁ syāt some sagaṇapeśvare | anutsekaṁ tathā kṣāntiṁ śamaṁ damamathāpi ca

'May my devotion to you, Soma, together with the lord of ganas, ever be firm; and freedom from arrogance, forbearance, tranquillity, and also self-control.'

Verse 28 (skanda.8.30.28)

न चाप्यभिभवं कुर्यान्न च तेजोवमाननाम् । एतान्वरानहं देव सदेच्छामि महाद्युते

na cāpyabhibhavaṁ kuryānna ca tejovamānanām | etānvarānahaṁ deva sadecchāmi mahādyute

'And may I never do violence to others, nor disrespect any splendour. These boons, O god of great splendour, I ever desire.'

Verse 29 (skanda.8.30.29)

देवदेव उवाच। एते तव भविष्यन्ति अजय्यत्वं च योगिभिः । इच्छतो दर्शनं चैव भविष्यति च ते मम

devadeva uvāca| ete tava bhaviṣyanti ajayyatvaṁ ca yogibhiḥ | icchato darśanaṁ caiva bhaviṣyati ca te mama

The God of gods said: 'These shall be yours, and invincibility even by yogins; and, when you desire it, my sight shall also be granted to you.'

Verse 30 (skanda.8.30.30)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। ततः स भगवान् देवः पाराशर्योमया सह । सनन्दी सगणश्चैव भक्तानुग्रहलिप्सया

sanatkumāra uvāca| tataḥ sa bhagavān devaḥ pārāśaryomayā saha | sanandī sagaṇaścaiva bhaktānugrahalipsayā

Sanatkumara said: Then that Blessed God, O son of Parashara, together with Uma, with Nandi, and with his ganas, desiring to show grace to a devotee —

Verse 31 (skanda.8.30.31)

तप्यतो यक्षराजस्य कृत्वा हृदि महेश्वरम् । वरदानाय देवेशो जगाम पुरतस्तदा

tapyato yakṣarājasya kṛtvā hṛdi maheśvaram | varadānāya deveśo jagāma puratastadā

— went, in order to grant a boon, before the king of yakshas, who was performing austerity with Maheshvara fixed in his heart.

Verse 32 (skanda.8.30.32)

अथ दृष्टवा त्रिपादञ्च ह्रस्वबाहूरुपादकम् । तप्यमानं तपो घोरं सुतं विस्रवसस्तदा

atha dṛṣṭavā tripādañca hrasvabāhūrupādakam | tapyamānaṁ tapo ghoraṁ sutaṁ visravasastadā

Then, having seen him three-footed, short of arm, thigh, and foot, performing terrible austerity, the son of Vishravas —

Verse 33 (skanda.8.30.33)

दृष्ट्वोवाच ततो देवः कुबेरं दीप्ततेजसम् । तपसा भावितं व्यास त्वगस्थिपरिसंस्थितम्

dṛṣṭvovāca tato devaḥ kuberaṁ dīptatejasam | tapasā bhāvitaṁ vyāsa tvagasthiparisaṁsthitam

— having seen him, the god then spoke to Kubera, radiant with splendour, purified by austerity, O Vyasa, reduced to mere skin and bone.

Verse 34 (skanda.8.30.34)

देवदेव उवाच। भो भो विस्रवसः पुत्र चक्षुर्दिव्यं ददामि ते । सोमं पश्य महासत्व मां त्वं दिव्येन चक्षुषा

devadeva uvāca| bho bho visravasaḥ putra cakṣurdivyaṁ dadāmi te | somaṁ paśya mahāsatva māṁ tvaṁ divyena cakṣuṣā

The God of gods said: 'O son of Vishravas, I give you a divine eye. Behold me, O great being, Soma, with divine sight.'

Verse 35 (skanda.8.30.35)

ततस्स दृष्ट्वा देवेशं साम्बं नन्दिपुरस्सरम् । प्रणम्य कर्षितस्सम्यगुत्थातुं न शशाक ह

tatassa dṛṣṭvā deveśaṁ sāmbaṁ nandipurassaram | praṇamya karṣitassamyagutthātuṁ na śaśāka ha

Then, having seen the God of gods, together with Ambika, preceded by Nandi, he bowed, but, being emaciated, was not able to rise properly.

Verse 36 (skanda.8.30.36)

अबलं तं समालक्ष्य उत्थानेशक्तमीश्वरः । उवाचोत्तिष्ठ भद्रन्ते बलं पौराणमस्तु ते

abalaṁ taṁ samālakṣya utthāneśaktamīśvaraḥ | uvācottiṣṭha bhadrante balaṁ paurāṇamastu te

Seeing him weak, unable to rise, Ishvara said: 'Rise up; may good come to you; may your former strength be yours.'

Verse 37 (skanda.8.30.37)

तत उत्थाय जानुभ्यां कुबेरो ह्यवतिष्ठत । पार्श्वगां चैव नेत्रेण देवीमालोकयन् स्थितः

tata utthāya jānubhyāṁ kubero hyavatiṣṭhata | pārśvagāṁ caiva netreṇa devīmālokayan sthitaḥ

Then Kubera rose and stood upon his knees, and stood gazing with his eye upon the Goddess standing at Shiva's side.

Verse 38 (skanda.8.30.38)

इयं सा पर्वतसुता सर्वलोकनमस्कृता । माता लोकत्रयस्यास्य महायोगबलान्विता

iyaṁ sā parvatasutā sarvalokanamaskṛtā | mātā lokatrayasyāsya mahāyogabalānvitā

(He thought:) 'This is that daughter of the mountain, saluted by all the worlds, the mother of these three worlds, endowed with the power of great yoga.'

Verse 39 (skanda.8.30.39)

अहोस्यास्तपसो वीर्यमहो दीप्तिरहो बलम् । या प्रभोः सर्वलोकस्य पत्नीत्वं प्रजगाम ह

ahosyāstapaso vīryamaho dīptiraho balam | yā prabhoḥ sarvalokasya patnītvaṁ prajagāma ha

'Ah, the might of her austerity! Ah, her radiance! Ah, her strength! — she who attained the state of being the wife of the lord of all the worlds.'

Verse 40 (skanda.8.30.40)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। तमेवंभूतमनसमीक्षमाणं च पार्वतीम् । बुबोध देवी बुद्ध्वा च चुकोप परमेश्वरी

sanatkumāra uvāca| tamevaṁbhūtamanasamīkṣamāṇaṁ ca pārvatīm | bubodha devī buddhvā ca cukopa parameśvarī

Sanatkumara said: The Supreme Goddess perceived him, his mind thus engaged, gazing at Parvati; and, having perceived this, she grew angry.

Verse 41 (skanda.8.30.41)

सा क्रुद्ध्वा तु कुबेरस्य वाममक्षि सुदीप्तिमत् । विशुष्कं कक्षमादीप्ता ददाहाग्नेः शिखा यथा

sā kruddhvā tu kuberasya vāmamakṣi sudīptimat | viśuṣkaṁ kakṣamādīptā dadāhāgneḥ śikhā yathā

She, enraged, blazing, burned Kubera's left eye, radiant though it was, as a flame of fire burns dry brushwood.

Verse 42 (skanda.8.30.42)

पुनश्चास्य विनाशाय कुबेरस्य शुभानना । मतिं दध्रे तपोयोनिरथैनामवदद्धरः

punaścāsya vināśāya kuberasya śubhānanā | matiṁ dadhre tapoyonirathaināmavadaddharaḥ

And again, the fair-faced one, her mind born of ascetic power, resolved on the destruction of Kubera; then Hara spoke to her —

Verse 43 (skanda.8.30.43)

मा क्रुधो देवि यक्षस्य भक्तस्यास्य तपस्विनः । यशस्वी धार्मिकश्चायं भक्तस्त्वाञ्च विशेषतः

mā krudho devi yakṣasya bhaktasyāsya tapasvinaḥ | yaśasvī dhārmikaścāyaṁ bhaktastvāñca viśeṣataḥ

'Do not be angry, O goddess, with this yaksha, this ascetic devotee. He is renowned and righteous, and a devotee of you especially.'

Verse 44 (skanda.8.30.44)

कौतूहलतया ह्येष त्वान्निरीक्षितवान् शुभे । प्रसादं कुरु बालस्य धनदस्य महेश्वरि

kautūhalatayā hyeṣa tvānnirīkṣitavān śubhe | prasādaṁ kuru bālasya dhanadasya maheśvari

'Out of mere curiosity, O auspicious one, he gazed at you. Show grace to this child, this giver of wealth, O Maheshvari.'

Verse 45 (skanda.8.30.45)

देव्युवाच। एष सकृन्मां देवेश वीक्षतेविनयात् प्रभो । मिनोति न गुणान् देव कस्मान्मम पुरः स्थितः

devyuvāca| eṣa sakṛnmāṁ deveśa vīkṣatevinayāt prabho | minoti na guṇān deva kasmānmama puraḥ sthitaḥ

The Goddess said: 'O lord of gods, O lord, this one gazed at me but once, from lack of discretion. But, O god, why does he not measure his own worth, standing before me?'

Verse 46 (skanda.8.30.46)

तेजसां योप्रमेयानां कुर्यान्मोहेन लंघनम् । सोल्पवीर्यो विनश्येत पतङ्गोग्निमिवागतः

tejasāṁ yoprameyānāṁ kuryānmohena laṁghanam | solpavīryo vinaśyeta pataṅgognimivāgataḥ

'Whoever, out of delusion, transgresses against immeasurable splendours, being of little power, perishes, like a moth coming into fire.'

Verse 47 (skanda.8.30.47)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। तामेवं क्रोधताम्राक्षीं क्रुद्धां संप्रेक्ष्य शंकरीम् । उवाच मधुरं श्लक्ष्णं गिरीन्द्रतनयां वचः

sanatkumāra uvāca| tāmevaṁ krodhatāmrākṣīṁ kruddhāṁ saṁprekṣya śaṁkarīm | uvāca madhuraṁ ślakṣṇaṁ girīndratanayāṁ vacaḥ

Sanatkumara said: Seeing Shankari thus enraged, her eyes red with anger, he spoke sweet, gentle words to the daughter of the king of mountains —

Verse 48 (skanda.8.30.48)

ब्रवीमि त्वां महाभागे मा क्रुधो जगतोरणि । त्वया सृष्टं जगत् सर्व प्रकृतिस्त्वं सुरेश्वरि

bravīmi tvāṁ mahābhāge mā krudho jagatoraṇi | tvayā sṛṣṭaṁ jagat sarva prakṛtistvaṁ sureśvari

'I say to you, O illustrious one, do not be angry, O source of the world. All this world was created by you; you are Prakriti, O queen of gods.'

Verse 49 (skanda.8.30.49)

पुत्रस्तेयं यतो देवि तस्मान्न क्रोद्धुमर्हसि । मातरं चैव पुत्रस्य वीक्षमाणस्य शोभने

putrasteyaṁ yato devi tasmānna kroddhumarhasi | mātaraṁ caiva putrasya vīkṣamāṇasya śobhane

'Since this one is your son, O goddess, therefore you should not be angry — nor should a son who looks upon his mother be blamed, O beautiful one.'

Verse 50 (skanda.8.30.50)

न दोषोस्ति न चैवास्य त्वयि चेतो विमोहितम् । तस्मात् त्वमेव देव्यस्य प्रपन्नस्य नतस्य च । प्रसादं कुरु देवेशे कुबेरस्य यथेप्सितम्

na doṣosti na caivāsya tvayi ceto vimohitam | tasmāt tvameva devyasya prapannasya natasya ca | prasādaṁ kuru deveśe kuberasya yathepsitam

'There is no fault, and his mind is not deluded toward you. Therefore, O goddess, do show grace, as is fitting, to Kubera, who has taken refuge and bows to you.'

Verse 51 (skanda.8.30.51)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। सा तथा देवदेवेन प्रोक्ता गिरिवरात्मजा । प्रसादमकरोत्तस्य प्रसन्ना चेदमब्रवीत्

sanatkumāra uvāca| sā tathā devadevena proktā girivarātmajā | prasādamakarottasya prasannā cedamabravīt

Sanatkumara said: She, the daughter of the best of mountains, thus addressed by the God of gods, showed grace to him and, gracious, said this —

Verse 52 (skanda.8.30.52)

देव्युवाच। कुबेर यत्ते दुरितं क्षान्तं तत्ते मयानघ । तुष्टास्मि मा कृथाश्चैवं पुनस्तेजस्विलंघनम्

devyuvāca| kubera yatte duritaṁ kṣāntaṁ tatte mayānagha | tuṣṭāsmi mā kṛthāścaivaṁ punastejasvilaṁghanam

The Goddess said: 'O Kubera, whatever wrong of yours there was, it is forgiven by me, O sinless one. I am pleased; only do not again transgress against those of splendour.'

Verse 53 (skanda.8.30.53)

यत् त्विदन्ते मया दग्धमीक्षमाणस्य लोचनम् । एतत्तथैव भवतु पिङ्गलं दीप्तिमच्च ह

yat tvidante mayā dagdhamīkṣamāṇasya locanam | etattathaiva bhavatu piṅgalaṁ dīptimacca ha

'But that eye of yours, which I burned as you gazed — let it remain even so, tawny and radiant.'

Verse 54 (skanda.8.30.54)

अनेन चाङ्कितो लोके भविष्यसि न संशयः । एकाक्षिपिङ्गलो नाम्ना ख्यातस्सर्वत्रपूजितः

anena cāṅkito loke bhaviṣyasi na saṁśayaḥ | ekākṣipiṅgalo nāmnā khyātassarvatrapūjitaḥ

'And marked by this, you shall be, without doubt, known in the world by the name Ekakshipingala, honoured everywhere.'

Verse 55 (skanda.8.30.55)

चरितं यत्तपश्चेदमक्षयं तच्च तेव्ययम् । सौभाग्यमुत्तमं चैव मत्प्रसादाद् भविष्यति

caritaṁ yattapaścedamakṣayaṁ tacca tevyayam | saubhāgyamuttamaṁ caiva matprasādād bhaviṣyati

'And this austerity you have practised shall be imperishable and unchanging for you; and supreme good fortune shall come to you by my grace.'

Verse 56 (skanda.8.30.56)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। एवमुक्त्वा ततो देवी विरराम शुभानना । भगवान् वरदोस्मीति कुवेरमवदत्ततः

sanatkumāra uvāca| evamuktvā tato devī virarāma śubhānanā | bhagavān varadosmīti kuveramavadattataḥ

Sanatkumara said: Having said this, the fair-faced Goddess fell silent. Then the Blessed One said to Kubera: 'I am the giver of boons.'

Verse 57 (skanda.8.30.57)

अथैव मुक्तो देवेन कुवेरो हृष्टमानसः । तुष्टाव देवं देवीं च शिरसा प्राञ्जलिर्नतः

athaiva mukto devena kuvero hṛṣṭamānasaḥ | tuṣṭāva devaṁ devīṁ ca śirasā prāñjalirnataḥ

Then, thus addressed by the god, Kubera, his mind delighted, praised the god and the Goddess, his head bowed and his palms joined.

Verse 58 (skanda.8.30.58)

कुवेर उवाच। नमः पट्टिशहस्ताय किरीटवरधारिणे । नमो वलयधारिण्यै धारिण्यै दर्पणस्य च

kuvera uvāca| namaḥ paṭṭiśahastāya kirīṭavaradhāriṇe | namo valayadhāriṇyai dhāriṇyai darpaṇasya ca

Kubera said: 'Salutation to him whose hand holds the pattisha, who wears an excellent crown; salutation to her who wears bracelets, and who holds a mirror.'

Verse 59 (skanda.8.30.59)

नमः सर्वाङ्गकेशाय दीर्घकेश्यै नमो नमः । नमो मेखलधारिण्यै नमो मौञ्जीधराय च

namaḥ sarvāṅgakeśāya dīrghakeśyai namo namaḥ | namo mekhaladhāriṇyai namo mauñjīdharāya ca

'Salutation to him whose whole body is hair, and salutation, salutation to her of long hair; salutation to her who wears a girdle, and to him who wears the munja-grass cord.'

Verse 60 (skanda.8.30.60)

नमश्चित्रशिखडिन्यै नमः पिङ्गजटाभृते । नमो ज्ञानाय तनवे भूताधिपतये नमः

namaścitraśikhaḍinyai namaḥ piṅgajaṭābhṛte | namo jñānāya tanave bhūtādhipataye namaḥ

'Salutation to her of the wondrous crest, salutation to him who bears tawny matted locks; salutation to knowledge, to the subtle one, salutation to the lord of beings.'

Verse 61 (skanda.8.30.61)

नमस्ताराभिधारिण्यै सिंहोरस्काय वै नमः । नमो रत्नाग्र्यधारिण्यै नमश्चन्द्रार्धमौलये

namastārābhidhāriṇyai siṁhoraskāya vai namaḥ | namo ratnāgryadhāriṇyai namaścandrārdhamaulaye

'Salutation to her who bears the stars, salutation to him of lion-like chest; salutation to her who bears the finest jewels, salutation to him crested with the half-moon.'

Verse 62 (skanda.8.30.62)

नमः प्रकृतये चैव नमोस्तु पुरुषाय च । नमोस्तु बुद्धये चैव अहंकाराय वै नमः

namaḥ prakṛtaye caiva namostu puruṣāya ca | namostu buddhaye caiva ahaṁkārāya vai namaḥ

'Salutation to Prakriti, and salutation to Purusha; salutation to intellect, and salutation to ego.'

Verse 63 (skanda.8.30.63)

नमोस्तु रतये चैव सुखाय च नमो नमः । नमः कृत्यै कर्मणे च आरम्भाय समाप्तये

namostu rataye caiva sukhāya ca namo namaḥ | namaḥ kṛtyai karmaṇe ca ārambhāya samāptaye

'Salutation to delight, and salutation, salutation to happiness; salutation to action and to deed, to the beginning and to the completion.'

Verse 64 (skanda.8.30.64)

नमो यज्ञाय मन्त्राय दक्षिणायै ऋचे नमः । नमः साम्नेथ यजुषे छन्दसे स्तुतये नमः

namo yajñāya mantrāya dakṣiṇāyai ṛce namaḥ | namaḥ sāmnetha yajuṣe chandase stutaye namaḥ

'Salutation to the sacrifice, to the mantra, to the sacrificial fee, salutation to the Rig-verse; salutation to the Sama, to the Yajus, to the metre, to praise.'

Verse 65 (skanda.8.30.65)

नमो ग्रये च वेद्यै च स्वाहायै हविषे नमः । नमो लक्ष्म्यै श्रिये चैव नमो धर्माय वेधसे

namo graye ca vedyai ca svāhāyai haviṣe namaḥ | namo lakṣmyai śriye caiva namo dharmāya vedhase

'Salutation to the foremost and to the altar, salutation to Svaha and to the oblation; salutation to Lakshmi and to Shri, salutation to Dharma, to the ordainer.'

Verse 66 (skanda.8.30.66)

इच्छायै रतये चैव नमः सम्पद्विरागिणे । नमः सिद्ध्यै तथा पुष्ट्यै तुष्ट्यै क्षान्त्यै नमो नमः

icchāyai rataye caiva namaḥ sampadvirāgiṇe | namaḥ siddhyai tathā puṣṭyai tuṣṭyai kṣāntyai namo namaḥ

'Salutation to desire and to delight, salutation to him detached amid prosperity; salutation to accomplishment, and to nourishment, to satisfaction, and salutation, salutation to forbearance.'

Verse 67 (skanda.8.30.67)

नमस्स्वधायै कव्याय हव्याय च नमो नमः । नमो वेद्याय विद्यायै नमः शर्वाय भक्तये

namassvadhāyai kavyāya havyāya ca namo namaḥ | namo vedyāya vidyāyai namaḥ śarvāya bhaktaye

'Salutation to Svadha, and salutation, salutation to the offering to ancestors and to the offering to gods; salutation to that which is to be known, and to knowledge; salutation to Sharva, to devotion.'

Verse 68 (skanda.8.30.68)

लयायोत्पत्तये चैव स्थित्यै संसारणाय च । मोक्षाय मुक्तये चैव नमः कालाय मृत्यवे

layāyotpattaye caiva sthityai saṁsāraṇāya ca | mokṣāya muktaye caiva namaḥ kālāya mṛtyave

'Salutation to dissolution and to creation, to preservation and to transmigration; to liberation and to freedom; salutation to Time, to Death.'

Verse 69 (skanda.8.30.69)

नमस्ते भगवन् देव सह देव्या जगत्पते । दिश नो भूतभव्येश यन्मे मनसि संस्थितम्

namaste bhagavan deva saha devyā jagatpate | diśa no bhūtabhavyeśa yanme manasi saṁsthitam

'Salutation to you, O Blessed God, lord of the world, together with the Goddess. O lord of what has been and what shall be, grant us what is fixed in my mind.'

Verse 70 (skanda.8.30.70)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। य इमं पठते नित्यं स्तवं प्रातस्समुत्थितः । जपंश्च विप्रो वैश्यो वा शूद्रः क्षत्रिय एव वा

sanatkumāra uvāca| ya imaṁ paṭhate nityaṁ stavaṁ prātassamutthitaḥ | japaṁśca vipro vaiśyo vā śūdraḥ kṣatriya eva vā

Sanatkumara said: Whoever recites this hymn constantly, rising in the morning — brahmin, vaishya, shudra, or kshatriya —

Verse 71 (skanda.8.30.71)

तस्य तुष्टो धनेशस्तु प्रयच्छति महद्धनम् । सोमश्च भगवान् तुष्टो गतिमिष्टां प्रयच्छति

tasya tuṣṭo dhaneśastu prayacchati mahaddhanam | somaśca bhagavān tuṣṭo gatimiṣṭāṁ prayacchati

— to him, the lord of wealth, pleased, grants great riches; and the Blessed Soma, pleased, grants the desired destiny.

Verse 72 (skanda.8.30.72)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। एवं हि संस्तुतस्तेन कुबेरेण जगत्पतिः । उवाच वरदोस्मीति ब्रूहि विश्रवसस्सुत

sanatkumāra uvāca| evaṁ hi saṁstutastena kubereṇa jagatpatiḥ | uvāca varadosmīti brūhi viśravasassuta

Sanatkumara said: Thus praised by Kubera, the lord of the world said: 'I am the giver of boons; speak, son of Vishravas.'

Verse 73 (skanda.8.30.73)

कुबेर उवाच। त्वत्तः प्रसादं सततं भक्तिं च त्वयि शाश्वतीम् । भगवन् त्वाञ्च पश्येयं वर एषोस्तु मे विभो

kubera uvāca| tvattaḥ prasādaṁ satataṁ bhaktiṁ ca tvayi śāśvatīm | bhagavan tvāñca paśyeyaṁ vara eṣostu me vibho

Kubera said: 'From you, constant grace, and eternal devotion to you; and, O Blessed Lord, may I ever behold you — let this be my boon, O mighty one.'

Verse 74 (skanda.8.30.74)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। एवमस्त्विति तत्सर्वं प्रदाय भगवान् शिवः । आत्मना सह सख्यं च ददावात्यन्तिकं तदा

sanatkumāra uvāca| evamastviti tatsarvaṁ pradāya bhagavān śivaḥ | ātmanā saha sakhyaṁ ca dadāvātyantikaṁ tadā

Sanatkumara said: Saying 'So be it,' the Blessed Shiva, having granted all this, then gave him also eternal friendship with himself.

Verse 75 (skanda.8.30.75)

देवदेव उवाच। गृहाण चैतां शिबिकां नरयुक्तामसंगिनीम् । लोकान् यथेष्टाँल्लोकेश यामारुह्य चरिष्यसि

devadeva uvāca| gṛhāṇa caitāṁ śibikāṁ narayuktāmasaṁginīm | lokān yatheṣṭā~llokeśa yāmāruhya cariṣyasi

The God of gods said: 'And take this palanquin, borne by men, unattached; mounted on it, O lord of the world, you shall roam through the worlds as you wish.'

Verse 76 (skanda.8.30.76)

इमां चैवाशनिं दिव्यामप्रतीघातलक्षणाम् । गृहाणायुधमेतत्ते भविष्यत्यरिदुस्सहम्

imāṁ caivāśaniṁ divyāmapratīghātalakṣaṇām | gṛhāṇāyudhametatte bhaviṣyatyaridussaham

'And take this divine thunderbolt, marked by irresistibility; this weapon of yours shall be unbearable to your enemies.'

Verse 77 (skanda.8.30.77)

अस्त्रञ्च ते प्रयच्छामि तव नाम्ना भविष्यति । कौबेरमिति विख्यातं मोहनं सर्वदेहिनाम्

astrañca te prayacchāmi tava nāmnā bhaviṣyati | kauberamiti vikhyātaṁ mohanaṁ sarvadehinām

'And I grant you a weapon, which shall be known by your very name — Kaubera — a bewilderer of all embodied beings.'

Verse 78 (skanda.8.30.78)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। ततस्स देवस्तुष्टात्मा मालां स्वीयामनिन्दिताम् । आबबद्धास्य शिरसि भास्कराकारवर्चसम्

sanatkumāra uvāca| tatassa devastuṣṭātmā mālāṁ svīyāmaninditām | ābabaddhāsya śirasi bhāskarākāravarcasam

Sanatkumara said: Then that god, pleased at heart, bound his own blameless garland, radiant as the sun, upon his head.

Verse 79 (skanda.8.30.79)

कुशेशयानां फुल्लानां स्रग्दाम च मनोरमम् । आबबद्धास्य कण्ठे वै प्रीयमाण उमापतिः

kuśeśayānāṁ phullānāṁ sragdāma ca manoramam | ābabaddhāsya kaṇṭhe vai prīyamāṇa umāpatiḥ

And the delighted husband of Uma bound a lovely garland of blossoming lotuses upon his neck.

Verse 80 (skanda.8.30.80)

प्रकामं दर्शनञ्चास्य दत्त्वा चैव धनेशताम् । जगाम भगवान् सोमस्ततोन्यं देशमीप्सितम्

prakāmaṁ darśanañcāsya dattvā caiva dhaneśatām | jagāma bhagavān somastatonyaṁ deśamīpsitam

Having granted him abundant vision of himself, and lordship of wealth, the Blessed Soma then went to another desired place.

Verse 81 (skanda.8.30.81)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। य इदं तु कुबेरस्य वरदानमशेषतः । शृणुयाच्छ्रावयेद्वापि नित्यं विप्रान् समाहितः

sanatkumāra uvāca| ya idaṁ tu kuberasya varadānamaśeṣataḥ | śṛṇuyācchrāvayedvāpi nityaṁ viprān samāhitaḥ

Sanatkumara said: Whoever, composed, hears this boon-giving to Kubera in its entirety, or constantly causes brahmins to hear it —

Verse 82 (skanda.8.30.82)

धनवान् रूपसंपन्नः पुत्रपौत्रसमन्वितः । कुलज्ञानबलोपेतो जायते स मृतो नरः

dhanavān rūpasaṁpannaḥ putrapautrasamanvitaḥ | kulajñānabalopeto jāyate sa mṛto naraḥ

— that man, having died, is reborn wealthy, endowed with beauty, together with sons and grandsons, endowed with lineage, knowledge, and strength.

Verse 83 (skanda.8.30.83)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। अथ देवी महाभागा सहिता शंभुना तदा । संचिन्त्य पंचचूडास्तु तपन्त्योप्सरसः शुभाः

sanatkumāra uvāca| atha devī mahābhāgā sahitā śaṁbhunā tadā | saṁcintya paṁcacūḍāstu tapantyopsarasaḥ śubhāḥ

Sanatkumara said: Then the illustrious Goddess, together with Shambhu, then, thinking of the auspicious apsarases performing austerity, the Panchachudas —

Verse 84 (skanda.8.30.84)

कृशाङ्ग्यो भक्तिमत्यश्च तपसा दग्धकिल्बिषाः । कारुण्याहृतचेतस्का देवं वचनमब्रवीत्

kṛśāṅgyo bhaktimatyaśca tapasā dagdhakilbiṣāḥ | kāruṇyāhṛtacetaskā devaṁ vacanamabravīt

— those slender-limbed, devoted ones, their sins burnt away by austerity, Parvati, her heart moved by compassion, said this word to the god —

Verse 85 (skanda.8.30.85)

एतासां तप्यमानानां योषितां वरमुत्तमम् । ददामीप्सितमीशान तन्मेनुज्ञातुमर्हसि । तस्या विज्ञप्तिमाकर्ण्य भगवानिदमब्रवीत्

etāsāṁ tapyamānānāṁ yoṣitāṁ varamuttamam | dadāmīpsitamīśāna tanmenujñātumarhasi | tasyā vijñaptimākarṇya bhagavānidamabravīt

'O Ishana, to these women performing austerity I wish to give an excellent, desired boon; grant me leave for this.' Having heard her request, the Blessed One said this —

Verse 86 (skanda.8.30.86)

देवदेव उवाच। एवं कुरु महाभागे भक्तानुग्रहमीप्सितम् । वैदिक्योप्सरसो ह्येताः पंचचूडा इति स्मृताः

devadeva uvāca| evaṁ kuru mahābhāge bhaktānugrahamīpsitam | vaidikyopsaraso hyetāḥ paṁcacūḍā iti smṛtāḥ

The God of gods said: 'Do so, O illustrious one; the grace desired for devotees should be granted. These apsarases of the Vedic tradition are known as the Panchachudas —'

Verse 87 (skanda.8.30.87)

त्वां कृत्वा हृदि तप्यन्ते वर आभ्यः प्रदीयताम् । ततः सा देवदेवेन तथा समनुचोदिता । पंचचूडाः समागम्य वच एतदुवाच ह

tvāṁ kṛtvā hṛdi tapyante vara ābhyaḥ pradīyatām | tataḥ sā devadevena tathā samanucoditā | paṁcacūḍāḥ samāgamya vaca etaduvāca ha

'— they perform austerity, having fixed you in their hearts; let a boon be given to them.' Then she, thus urged by the God of gods, came to the Panchachudas and spoke this word —

Verse 88 (skanda.8.30.88)

तुष्टास्म्यप्सरसः साक्षात् पश्यध्वं मां शुचिस्मिताः । ददामि वो वरानिष्टान् ये वो हृदयसंस्थिताः

tuṣṭāsmyapsarasaḥ sākṣāt paśyadhvaṁ māṁ śucismitāḥ | dadāmi vo varāniṣṭān ye vo hṛdayasaṁsthitāḥ

'I am pleased, O apsarases; behold me here in person, O pure-smiling ones. I grant you the desired boons that are fixed in your hearts.'

Verse 89 (skanda.8.30.89)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। ता एवमुक्ताः पार्वत्या वैदिक्योप्सरसः शुभाः । देवीं दृष्ट्वा प्रणम्यैनां शिरसा पादयोर्नताः

sanatkumāra uvāca| tā evamuktāḥ pārvatyā vaidikyopsarasaḥ śubhāḥ | devīṁ dṛṣṭvā praṇamyaināṁ śirasā pādayornatāḥ

Sanatkumara said: Thus addressed by Parvati, those auspicious Vedic apsarases, having seen the Goddess and bowed to her, prostrated their heads at her feet.

Verse 90 (skanda.8.30.90)

अश्रुपूर्णेक्षणा दीनाः संस्तभ्यात्मानमात्मना । शिरस्यञ्जलिमाधाय तुष्टुवुः सहिताः समम्

aśrupūrṇekṣaṇā dīnāḥ saṁstabhyātmānamātmanā | śirasyañjalimādhāya tuṣṭuvuḥ sahitāḥ samam

Their eyes filled with tears, humble, composing themselves by their own will, placing their joined palms on their heads, they praised her together, all as one.

Verse 91 (skanda.8.30.91)

अप्सरस ऊचुः। नमः सिद्ध्यै नमस्तुष्ट्यै क्रियायै बुद्धये नमः । नमः कीर्त्यै नमः सत्यै उल्काजायै तथेष्टये

apsarasa ūcuḥ| namaḥ siddhyai namastuṣṭyai kriyāyai buddhaye namaḥ | namaḥ kīrtyai namaḥ satyai ulkājāyai tatheṣṭaye

The apsarases said: 'Salutation to Siddhi, salutation to Tushti, to Kriya, salutation to Buddhi; salutation to Kirti, salutation to Satya, to Ulkaja, and to Ishti.'

Verse 92 (skanda.8.30.92)

नमः पृथिव्यै कल्याण्यै श्रियै लक्ष्म्यै नमो नमः । नमः सुधायै स्वाहायै स्वधायै दितये नमः

namaḥ pṛthivyai kalyāṇyai śriyai lakṣmyai namo namaḥ | namaḥ sudhāyai svāhāyai svadhāyai ditaye namaḥ

'Salutation to Prithivi, the auspicious one, salutation, salutation to Shri and Lakshmi; salutation to Sudha, to Svaha, to Svadha, salutation to Diti.'

Verse 93 (skanda.8.30.93)

नमोस्तु तडिते चैव सौदामन्यै नमो नमः । सवित्र्यै चाथ गायत्र्यै वेदमात्रे नमो नमः

namostu taḍite caiva saudāmanyai namo namaḥ | savitryai cātha gāyatryai vedamātre namo namaḥ

'Salutation be to Lightning, and salutation, salutation to Saudamani; salutation, salutation to Savitri and Gayatri, the mother of the Vedas.'

Verse 94 (skanda.8.30.94)

नमः पर्वतकन्यायै मतये स्मृतये नमः । नमः पर्वतवासिन्यै रुद्राण्यै च नमो नमः

namaḥ parvatakanyāyai mataye smṛtaye namaḥ | namaḥ parvatavāsinyai rudrāṇyai ca namo namaḥ

'Salutation to the mountain's daughter, salutation to Mati and Smriti; salutation to her who dwells on the mountain, and salutation, salutation to Rudrani.'

Verse 95 (skanda.8.30.95)

नमः प्रकृतये चैव ज्योत्स्नायै ऋद्धये नमः । शोभायै दीप्तये चैव भास्करग्रहरश्मये

namaḥ prakṛtaye caiva jyotsnāyai ṛddhaye namaḥ | śobhāyai dīptaye caiva bhāskaragraharaśmaye

'Salutation to Prakriti, and to Jyotsna, salutation to Riddhi; to Shobha and to Dipti, and to the ray of the sun and planets.'

Verse 96 (skanda.8.30.96)

गत्यायै गतये चैव इन्द्राण्यै मुक्तये नमः । नियत्यै सरिते चैव गङ्गायै सूतये नमः

gatyāyai gataye caiva indrāṇyai muktaye namaḥ | niyatyai sarite caiva gaṅgāyai sūtaye namaḥ

'To Gatya and to Gati, salutation to Indrani and to Mukti; to Niyati and to the river, salutation to Ganga and to Suti.'

Verse 97 (skanda.8.30.97)

हेतवे प्रीतये चैव नमः करणवृत्तये । नमः सन्ततये चैव इरायै वृत्तये नमः

hetave prītaye caiva namaḥ karaṇavṛttaye | namaḥ santataye caiva irāyai vṛttaye namaḥ

'To Hetu and to Priti, salutation to Karanavritti; salutation to Santati, to Ira, salutation to Vritti.'

Verse 98 (skanda.8.30.98)

वारुण्यै च शरण्यायै शान्त्यै कान्त्यै नमो नमः । कौशिक्यै च नमस्तेस्तु कात्यायन्यै नमो नमः

vāruṇyai ca śaraṇyāyai śāntyai kāntyai namo namaḥ | kauśikyai ca namastestu kātyāyanyai namo namaḥ

'To Varuni and to Sharanya, salutation, salutation to Shanti and Kanti; and salutation be to you, Kaushiki, and salutation, salutation to Katyayani.'

Verse 99 (skanda.8.30.99)

नमः सन्नतये चैव महिम्ने च नमो नमः । अणिमायै नमस्तेस्तु लघिमायै नमो नमः

namaḥ sannataye caiva mahimne ca namo namaḥ | aṇimāyai namastestu laghimāyai namo namaḥ

'Salutation to Sannati, and salutation, salutation to Mahiman; salutation be to you, Anima, and salutation, salutation to Laghima.'

Verse 100 (skanda.8.30.100)

पूजायै ते नमश्चैव शितिबाह्वे च सृप्तये । संज्ञायै च नमस्तेस्तु गिरेथ स्मृतये नमः

pūjāyai te namaścaiva śitibāhve ca sṛptaye | saṁjñāyai ca namastestu giretha smṛtaye namaḥ

'Salutation to you, Puja, and to Shitibahu and Sripti; salutation be to you, Sanjna, and to Giri, salutation to Smriti.'

Verse 101 (skanda.8.30.101)

नमस्तेस्तु सरस्वत्यै जिह्वायै दृष्टये नमः । नमो महिषघातिन्यै तथा शुंभनिशुंभयोः

namastestu sarasvatyai jihvāyai dṛṣṭaye namaḥ | namo mahiṣaghātinyai tathā śuṁbhaniśuṁbhayoḥ

'Salutation be to you, Sarasvati, to the tongue, salutation to sight; salutation to the slayer of the buffalo-demon, and likewise of Shumbha and Nishumbha.'

Verse 102 (skanda.8.30.102)

नमः सिंहरथिन्यै च शूलिन्यै च नमो नमः । नमो मुद्गरधारिण्यै कवचिन्यै नमो नमः

namaḥ siṁharathinyai ca śūlinyai ca namo namaḥ | namo mudgaradhāriṇyai kavacinyai namo namaḥ

'Salutation to her whose chariot is a lion, and salutation, salutation to her who bears the trident; salutation to her who bears the mace, and salutation, salutation to her who bears armour.'

Verse 103 (skanda.8.30.103)

नमः कुण्डलधारिण्यै धारिण्यै जगतो नमः । नमो धनुर्धरायै च खडगिन्यै च नमो नमः

namaḥ kuṇḍaladhāriṇyai dhāriṇyai jagato namaḥ | namo dhanurdharāyai ca khaḍaginyai ca namo namaḥ

'Salutation to her who bears earrings, salutation to her who sustains the world; salutation to her who bears the bow, and salutation, salutation to her who bears the sword.'

Verse 104 (skanda.8.30.104)

नमः पिच्छध्वजिन्यै च धारिण्यै पट्टिशस्य च । नमोस्तु भूतमात्रे च स्कन्दमात्रे नमो नमः

namaḥ picchadhvajinyai ca dhāriṇyai paṭṭiśasya ca | namostu bhūtamātre ca skandamātre namo namaḥ

'Salutation to her whose banner is a feather, and to her who bears the pattisha; salutation be to the mother of beings, and salutation, salutation to the mother of Skanda.'

Verse 105 (skanda.8.30.105)

विशाखशाखयोर्मात्रे नैगमेशस्य चैव हि । जात्यै सर्वसुराणां च देवतायै वनस्य च

viśākhaśākhayormātre naigameśasya caiva hi | jātyai sarvasurāṇāṁ ca devatāyai vanasya ca

'To the mother of Vishakha and Shakha, and indeed of Naigamesha; to the birth-giver of all the gods, and to the goddess of the forest.'

Verse 106 (skanda.8.30.106)

आर्यायै च नमो नित्यं शिखण्डिन्यै नमो नमः । नमो नीलशिखण्डिन्यै दीर्घवेण्यै नमो नमः

āryāyai ca namo nityaṁ śikhaṇḍinyai namo namaḥ | namo nīlaśikhaṇḍinyai dīrghaveṇyai namo namaḥ

'And salutation ever to Arya, and salutation, salutation to Shikhandini; salutation to Nilashikhandini, and salutation, salutation to Dirghaveni.'

Verse 107 (skanda.8.30.107)

नमोस्तु तनुमध्यायै देवतायै धनस्य च । नमो धृत्यै नमश्चित्यै कीर्तये च नमो नमः

namostu tanumadhyāyai devatāyai dhanasya ca | namo dhṛtyai namaścityai kīrtaye ca namo namaḥ

'Salutation be to her of slender waist, and to the goddess of wealth; salutation to Dhriti, salutation to Chiti, and salutation, salutation to Kirti.'

Verse 108 (skanda.8.30.108)

स्त्रीणां सौभाग्यदायिन्यै धारिण्यै च नमो नमः । राकानुमतये चैव सिनीवाल्यै नमो नमः

strīṇāṁ saubhāgyadāyinyai dhāriṇyai ca namo namaḥ | rākānumataye caiva sinīvālyai namo namaḥ

'To her who bestows good fortune upon women, and salutation, salutation to Dharini; and to Raka and Anumati, salutation to Sinivali.'

Verse 109 (skanda.8.30.109)

नमः क्रियायै श्रद्धायै मेधायै च नमो नमः । नमोस्तु धारणायै च ऊहायै च नमो नमः

namaḥ kriyāyai śraddhāyai medhāyai ca namo namaḥ | namostu dhāraṇāyai ca ūhāyai ca namo namaḥ

'Salutation to Kriya, to Shraddha, and salutation, salutation to Medha; salutation be to Dharana, and salutation, salutation to Uha.'

Verse 110 (skanda.8.30.110)

अपोहायै नमस्तेस्तु वषट्प्रकृतये नमः । नमः समाधये चैव स्पृहायै चित्तये नमः

apohāyai namastestu vaṣaṭprakṛtaye namaḥ | namaḥ samādhaye caiva spṛhāyai cittaye namaḥ

'Salutation be to you, Apoha, salutation to the essence of the vashat-call; salutation to Samadhi, to Spriha, salutation to Chitti.'

Verse 111 (skanda.8.30.111)

वेदनायै नमस्तेस्तु बृहदुक्थ्यै नमो नमः । नमः प्रभायै शुद्धायै शुद्धये शुचये नमः

vedanāyai namastestu bṛhadukthyai namo namaḥ | namaḥ prabhāyai śuddhāyai śuddhaye śucaye namaḥ

'Salutation be to you, Vedana, and salutation, salutation to Brihaduktha; salutation to Prabha, the pure, to Shuddhi, salutation to Shuchi.'

Verse 112 (skanda.8.30.112)

नमस्त्र्यम्बकभार्यायै विद्यायै च नमो नमः । दीक्षायै दक्षिणायै च ज्वालायै च नमो नमः

namastryambakabhāryāyai vidyāyai ca namo namaḥ | dīkṣāyai dakṣiṇāyai ca jvālāyai ca namo namaḥ

'Salutation to the wife of Tryambaka, and salutation, salutation to Vidya; to Diksha and Dakshina, and salutation, salutation to Jvala.'

Verse 113 (skanda.8.30.113)

इन्द्रियाणां प्रवृत्त्यै च निवृत्त्यै चैव कर्मणाम् । श्रुतये सर्ववेदानां भवान्यै च नमो नमः

indriyāṇāṁ pravṛttyai ca nivṛttyai caiva karmaṇām | śrutaye sarvavedānāṁ bhavānyai ca namo namaḥ

'To the activity of the senses, and to the cessation of deeds; to the hearing of all the Vedas, and salutation, salutation to Bhavani.'

Verse 114 (skanda.8.30.114)

दुर्गायै दुर्गतारिण्यै धारिण्यै सर्वदेहिनाम् । नमस्ते सर्वदेवत्ये नमस्ते लोकभाविनि

durgāyai durgatāriṇyai dhāriṇyai sarvadehinām | namaste sarvadevatye namaste lokabhāvini

'To Durga, who delivers from difficulty, who sustains all embodied beings; salutation to you, embodiment of all gods, salutation to you, creator of the worlds.'

Verse 115 (skanda.8.30.115)

नमः शान्त्यै नमः कान्त्यै नमः पत्न्यै हरस्य च । नमोस्त्वदित्यै दानव्यै वितानायै नमो नमः

namaḥ śāntyai namaḥ kāntyai namaḥ patnyai harasya ca | namostvadityai dānavyai vitānāyai namo namaḥ

'Salutation to Shanti, salutation to Kanti, salutation to the wife of Hara; salutation be to Aditi, to Danavi, and salutation, salutation to Vitana.'

Verse 116 (skanda.8.30.116)

नमः शिवायै कर्त्र्यै च प्रभावायै नमो नमः । मृकण्ड्वै मार्द्दबाह्वै च तथा सुरभये नमः

namaḥ śivāyai kartryai ca prabhāvāyai namo namaḥ | mṛkaṇḍvai mārddabāhvai ca tathā surabhaye namaḥ

'Salutation to Shiva, the doer, and salutation, salutation to Prabhava; to Mrikandu and to Mriduvahu, and likewise salutation to Surabhi.'

Verse 117 (skanda.8.30.117)

विनतायै तथा लक्ष्म्यै सुरसायै नमो नमः । नमस्ते शितिकण्ठिन्यै नमस्ते सर्वतः सदा । दिश नः सुमनाः सर्वं यत् किंचिद् हदये स्थितम्

vinatāyai tathā lakṣmyai surasāyai namo namaḥ | namaste śitikaṇṭhinyai namaste sarvataḥ sadā | diśa naḥ sumanāḥ sarvaṁ yat kiṁcid hadaye sthitam

'To Vinata, likewise to Lakshmi, and salutation, salutation to Surasa; salutation to you, blue-throated one, salutation to you always, from every side. Grant us, with a kind mind, all that is fixed in our hearts.'

Verse 118 (skanda.8.30.118)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। य इदं पठते नित्यं नरः स्त्री वा समाहितः । स रात्रिषु कृतं पापं त्यजेत् सर्वमशेषतः

sanatkumāra uvāca| ya idaṁ paṭhate nityaṁ naraḥ strī vā samāhitaḥ | sa rātriṣu kṛtaṁ pāpaṁ tyajet sarvamaśeṣataḥ

Sanatkumara said: Whatever man or woman, composed, constantly recites this, sheds entirely all sin committed at night.

Verse 119 (skanda.8.30.119)

शयानो जपते यश्च प्रयतो व्यास नित्यशः । दिवाकृतं स जह्यात्तु मृतश्च सुगतिं व्रजेत्

śayāno japate yaśca prayato vyāsa nityaśaḥ | divākṛtaṁ sa jahyāttu mṛtaśca sugatiṁ vrajet

And whoever, O Vyasa, disciplined, constantly recites it while lying down, sheds what was done by day; and, having died, attains a good destiny.

Verse 120 (skanda.8.30.120)

यश्चैतच्छृणुयान्नित्यं द्विजान् वा श्रावयेत् सदा । स देहभेदमासाद्य पञ्चचूडप्रियो भवेत्

yaścaitacchṛṇuyānnityaṁ dvijān vā śrāvayet sadā | sa dehabhedamāsādya pañcacūḍapriyo bhavet

And whoever constantly hears this, or ever causes brahmins to hear it, becomes, upon the dissolution of the body, dear to the Panchachudas.

Verse 121 (skanda.8.30.121)

यश्चेदं प्रजपन् मर्त्त्यस्त्यजेत् प्राणान् सुदुस्त्यजान् । विमाने सूर्यसंकाशे अप्सरोगणसेविते

yaścedaṁ prajapan marttyastyajet prāṇān sudustyajān | vimāne sūryasaṁkāśe apsarogaṇasevite

And whatever mortal, reciting this, gives up his life-breaths, so hard to relinquish, attains a celestial car, radiant as the sun, attended by hosts of apsarases —

Verse 122 (skanda.8.30.122)

सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो रमेद्वर्षायुतं शतम् । यश्च भक्त्या परमया तिथौ नियमवान्नरः

sarvapāpavinirmukto ramedvarṣāyutaṁ śatam | yaśca bhaktyā paramayā tithau niyamavānnaraḥ

— freed from all sin, he rejoices there for a hundred thousand years. And whatever man, with supreme devotion, disciplined on the proper day —

Verse 123 (skanda.8.30.123)

देवीभ्यर्च्य जपते सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते । जपनादेव तपसा देहे भिन्ने च भक्तिमान् । स भूत्वानुचरो देव्याः पुण्ये लोके महीयते

devībhyarcya japate sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate | japanādeva tapasā dehe bhinne ca bhaktimān | sa bhūtvānucaro devyāḥ puṇye loke mahīyate

— worships the Goddess and recites this, is freed from all sins. By that very recitation, through austerity, that devoted one, when the body is broken, becomes an attendant of the Goddess, and is exalted in her sacred world.

Verse 124 (skanda.8.30.124)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। ताभिरेव स्तुता देवी स्थिता देवस्य सन्निधौ । उवाच हृष्यमाणास्या पञ्चचूडा इदं वचः

sanatkumāra uvāca| tābhireva stutā devī sthitā devasya sannidhau | uvāca hṛṣyamāṇāsyā pañcacūḍā idaṁ vacaḥ

Sanatkumara said: The Goddess, thus praised by them, standing in the presence of the god, her face delighted, said this word to the Panchachudas —

Verse 125 (skanda.8.30.125)

शृणुताप्सरसः सर्वास्तपसोस्य महत्फलम् । यच्चापि परया भक्त्या मां प्रपन्नाः स्थ शोभनाः

śṛṇutāpsarasaḥ sarvāstapasosya mahatphalam | yaccāpi parayā bhaktyā māṁ prapannāḥ stha śobhanāḥ

'Hear, all you apsarases, the great fruit of this austerity, and of the fact that, with supreme devotion, you beautiful ones have taken refuge in me.'

Verse 126 (skanda.8.30.126)

अजराश्च विशोकाश्च नित्यं मुदितमानसाः । प्रियाश्च सर्वलोकस्य भविष्यथ ममाज्ञया

ajarāśca viśokāśca nityaṁ muditamānasāḥ | priyāśca sarvalokasya bhaviṣyatha mamājñayā

'Ageless, and free from sorrow, ever joyful of mind, and dear to the entire world, shall you become, by my command.'

Verse 127 (skanda.8.30.127)

ब्रूत यच्चापि किंचिद्वो हृदि स्थितमशंकिताः । सर्वं दास्यामि तद्वोहं मा चिरायत दुर्व्यथाः

brūta yaccāpi kiṁcidvo hṛdi sthitamaśaṁkitāḥ | sarvaṁ dāsyāmi tadvohaṁ mā cirāyata durvyathāḥ

'And tell me, without hesitation, whatever else is fixed in your hearts; I shall grant you all of it — do not delay, you who have suffered greatly.'

Verse 128 (skanda.8.30.128)

पञ्चचूडा ऊचुः। देवि पुंसां स्त्रियः सर्वाः कार्यार्थं विदितं च ते । अर्थिनस्ते च नस्तावत् यावत् कार्यं समाप्यते । समाप्ते चैव ते कार्ये परा इव भवन्ति नः

pañcacūḍā ūcuḥ| devi puṁsāṁ striyaḥ sarvāḥ kāryārthaṁ viditaṁ ca te | arthinaste ca nastāvat yāvat kāryaṁ samāpyate | samāpte caiva te kārye parā iva bhavanti naḥ

The Panchachudas said: 'O goddess, all women exist for men's purposes — this is known to you. Men are desirous of us only until their purpose is fulfilled; once their purpose is fulfilled, they become to us as if strangers.'

Verse 129 (skanda.8.30.129)

तद् देवि यदि तुष्टासि यदि देयो वरश्च नः । सर्वस्त्रीणां महादेवि भवन्तु पुरुषा वशाः

tad devi yadi tuṣṭāsi yadi deyo varaśca naḥ | sarvastrīṇāṁ mahādevi bhavantu puruṣā vaśāḥ

'Therefore, O goddess, if you are pleased, and if a boon is to be given to us — O great goddess, let men become subject to all women.'

Verse 130 (skanda.8.30.130)

देव्युवाच। अद्यप्रभृति लोकेषु सर्वस्त्रीणां नराः सदा । वश्या भवन्तु सर्वत्र सर्वकार्यकराश्च ह

devyuvāca| adyaprabhṛti lokeṣu sarvastrīṇāṁ narāḥ sadā | vaśyā bhavantu sarvatra sarvakāryakarāśca ha

The Goddess said: 'From this day forward, in the worlds, let men ever be subject to all women, everywhere, and doers of all their bidding.'

Verse 131 (skanda.8.30.131)

अदौ पश्चाच्च सर्वाभ्यो हिरण्यं पशवः स्त्रियः । सर्वभोगांश्च दास्यन्तु वशगाः सर्वथापि च

adau paścācca sarvābhyo hiraṇyaṁ paśavaḥ striyaḥ | sarvabhogāṁśca dāsyantu vaśagāḥ sarvathāpi ca

'From the beginning and thereafter, subject in every way, they shall give to all women gold, cattle, other women, and all enjoyments.'

Verse 132 (skanda.8.30.132)

व्यलीकान्यपि कुर्वन्त्यो बहूनि विविधानि च । प्रिया एव भविष्यन्ति पापं न च भवेत् सदा

vyalīkānyapi kurvantyo bahūni vividhāni ca | priyā eva bhaviṣyanti pāpaṁ na ca bhavet sadā

'Even while doing many and various deceitful things, women shall remain ever dear to men, and no sin shall ever accrue to the women for this.'

Verse 133 (skanda.8.30.133)

मातरं पितरं भ्रातॄन् सुह्रदोथ सुतानपि । अर्कायाणि करिष्यन्ति स्त्रीणां वश्यत्वमागताः

mātaraṁ pitaraṁ bhrātṝn suhradotha sutānapi | arkāyāṇi kariṣyanti strīṇāṁ vaśyatvamāgatāḥ

'Mother, father, brothers, friends, and even sons — men, having come under the sway of women, shall show them the deference due to the sun.'

Verse 134 (skanda.8.30.134)

पश्यन्तोपि व्यलीकानि दोषान् वैकृत्यमेव च । नैव द्रवन्ति ते पुंसां मद्वरान्मोहितेन्द्रियाः

paśyantopi vyalīkāni doṣān vaikṛtyameva ca | naiva dravanti te puṁsāṁ madvarānmohitendriyāḥ

'Even seeing deceptions, faults, and perversity, men, their senses bewildered by my boon, shall not turn away from women.'

Verse 135 (skanda.8.30.135)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। ततः सा देवदेवस्य पत्नी हिमवतः सुता । माल्यदाम गृहीत्वा तु भ्रामयन्ती शुभानना

sanatkumāra uvāca| tataḥ sā devadevasya patnī himavataḥ sutā | mālyadāma gṛhītvā tu bhrāmayantī śubhānanā

Sanatkumara said: Then she, the wife of the God of gods, the daughter of Himavat, taking a garland-string and swinging it, that fair-faced one —

Verse 136 (skanda.8.30.136)

भव नार्य इति प्राह हसन्ती प्रियमव्यया । भ्राम्यमाणस्य दाम्नोस्य यान्य शीर्यन्त भूतले

bhava nārya iti prāha hasantī priyamavyayā | bhrāmyamāṇasya dāmnosya yānya śīryanta bhūtale

— laughing, said, 'Become women' — that dear, unchanging one. Of that garland, as it was swung, whatever parts fell scattered upon the earth —

Verse 137 (skanda.8.30.137)

कुसुमान्यभवँस्तानि नार्यः कमललोचनाः । ता उवाच पुरा यूयं जराक्षयविवर्जिताः

kusumānyabhava~stāni nāryaḥ kamalalocanāḥ | tā uvāca purā yūyaṁ jarākṣayavivarjitāḥ

— those flowers became lotus-eyed women. She said to them: 'From now on, you shall be free from old age and decay —'

Verse 138 (skanda.8.30.138)

जगन्मोहकराः सर्वाः पुंसां हृदयबन्धनाः । दृष्टिस्पर्शविलासेषु आविश्य जगतीत्रयम्

jaganmohakarāḥ sarvāḥ puṁsāṁ hṛdayabandhanāḥ | dṛṣṭisparśavilāseṣu āviśya jagatītrayam

'— all of you bewitchers of the world, binders of the hearts of men; entering the three worlds through your gaze, touch, and graceful movements —'

Verse 139 (skanda.8.30.139)

पुरुषाँस्त्रीवशाँश्च करिष्यथ । नराः सर्वे च युष्मासु भविष्यन्ति सदा रताः

puruṣā~strīvaśā~śca kariṣyatha | narāḥ sarve ca yuṣmāsu bhaviṣyanti sadā ratāḥ

(a portion of this line is lost in the source) '— you shall make men subject to women. And all men shall be ever devoted to you.'

Verse 140 (skanda.8.30.140)

वृत्तिः शुभा भवित्री च सर्वासां मम तेजसा । पुंसां स्त्रीभोगसिद्ध्यर्थं स्त्रीणां रत्यर्थमेव च

vṛttiḥ śubhā bhavitrī ca sarvāsāṁ mama tejasā | puṁsāṁ strībhogasiddhyarthaṁ strīṇāṁ ratyarthameva ca

'A blessed livelihood shall come to be for all of you, by my power — for men, for the fulfilment of the enjoyment of women, and for women, for the sake of pleasure itself.'

Verse 141 (skanda.8.30.141)

क्रियाः शुभाङ्गसंस्कारा दिव्या ये मानुषाश्च ह । बहुरूपाश्च ता भूत्वा विविशुः सर्वदाङ्गनाः

kriyāḥ śubhāṅgasaṁskārā divyā ye mānuṣāśca ha | bahurūpāśca tā bhūtvā viviśuḥ sarvadāṅganāḥ

Rites of auspicious bodily adornment, both divine and human — with these, having become of many forms, those women, ever adorned, entered the world.

Verse 142 (skanda.8.30.142)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। एवं देवी तदा व्यास सृष्ट्वा ता वै विसृज्य च । उवाचाप्सरसो ब्रूत किं वो भूयः करोम्यहम्

sanatkumāra uvāca| evaṁ devī tadā vyāsa sṛṣṭvā tā vai visṛjya ca | uvācāpsaraso brūta kiṁ vo bhūyaḥ karomyaham

Sanatkumara said: Thus, O Vyasa, the Goddess, having created and released them, said to the apsarases: 'Tell me, what more shall I do for you?'

Verse 143 (skanda.8.30.143)

तास्तुष्टमनसश्चापि ऊचुर्व्यास भवेम हि । देवानां मानुषाणां च अवश्याश्चैव रक्षसाम् । ता उवाच ततो देवो एवं लोके भविष्यथ

tāstuṣṭamanasaścāpi ūcurvyāsa bhavema hi | devānāṁ mānuṣāṇāṁ ca avaśyāścaiva rakṣasām | tā uvāca tato devo evaṁ loke bhaviṣyatha

O Vyasa, they, their minds content, said: 'May we indeed be beyond the control of gods, men, and rakshasas.' The god then said to them: 'So shall you be in the world.'

Verse 144 (skanda.8.30.144)

ततः स सहितो देव्या सनन्दी परमेश्वरः । गणैः सर्वैश्च सहितो गृहान्स्वानाविशत् प्रभुः

tataḥ sa sahito devyā sanandī parameśvaraḥ | gaṇaiḥ sarvaiśca sahito gṛhānsvānāviśat prabhuḥ

Then that supreme lord, together with the Goddess, with Nandi, and with all his ganas, that lord entered his own abode.

Verse 145 (skanda.8.30.145)

भगनयननिपाती दैत्यदर्पापहारी सुरकमलहिमौघः कामयज्ञाग्निहन्ता । जलदवृषभयायी सर्वदुःखान्तकारी समरवृषभकेतुश्चन्द्रमौलिर्जगाम

bhaganayananipātī daityadarpāpahārī surakamalahimaughaḥ kāmayajñāgnihantā | jaladavṛṣabhayāyī sarvaduḥkhāntakārī samaravṛṣabhaketuścandramaulirjagāma

He who felled Bhaga's eye, who took away the pride of the daityas, who is like a flood of cooling snow upon the lotus of the gods, who slew the fire of Kama's sacrifice; who rides upon a cloud-dark bull, the ender of all sorrows, whose banner bears a bull set up in battle, the moon-crested one — departed.

Verse 146 (skanda.8.30.146)

व्यास उवाच। भगवन् पिङ्गलः केन गणत्वं समुपागतः । अन्नदत्वञ्च संप्राप्तो वाराणस्यां महाद्युतिः

vyāsa uvāca| bhagavan piṅgalaḥ kena gaṇatvaṁ samupāgataḥ | annadatvañca saṁprāpto vārāṇasyāṁ mahādyutiḥ

Vyasa said: O Lord, by what means did Pingala attain the lordship of a gana, and how did that greatly radiant one obtain the position of giver-of-food at Varanasi?

Verse 147 (skanda.8.30.147)

क्षेत्रपालः कथं जातः प्रियत्वं च कथं गतः । एतदिच्छामि कथितं श्रोतुं ब्रह्मसुत त्वया

kṣetrapālaḥ kathaṁ jātaḥ priyatvaṁ ca kathaṁ gataḥ | etadicchāmi kathitaṁ śrotuṁ brahmasuta tvayā

How did he become Kshetrapala, the guardian of this sacred field, and how did he come to be dear to you? O son of Brahma, I wish to hear this told by you in full.

Verse 148 (skanda.8.30.148)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। शृणु व्यास यथा लेभे गणेशत्वं स पिंगलः । अन्नदत्वं च लोकानां स्थानं वाराणसीं च हि

sanatkumāra uvāca| śṛṇu vyāsa yathā lebhe gaṇeśatvaṁ sa piṁgalaḥ | annadatvaṁ ca lokānāṁ sthānaṁ vārāṇasīṁ ca hi

Sanatkumara said: Listen, O Vyasa, how that Pingala obtained lordship of the ganas, the office of feeding all the worlds, and his abode at Varanasi.

Verse 149 (skanda.8.30.149)

पूर्णभद्रसुतः श्रीमानासीद् यक्षः प्रतापवान् । हरिकेश इति ख्यातो ब्रह्मण्यो धार्मिकश्च ह

pūrṇabhadrasutaḥ śrīmānāsīd yakṣaḥ pratāpavān | harikeśa iti khyāto brahmaṇyo dhārmikaśca ha

There was a glorious and mighty yaksha, son of Purnabhada, known by the name Harikesha — devoted to brahmins and righteous by nature.

Verse 150 (skanda.8.30.150)

तस्य जन्मप्रभृत्येव भवे भक्तिरनुत्तमा । तदाशीस्तन्नमस्कारस्तन्निष्ठस्तत्परायणः

tasya janmaprabhṛtyeva bhave bhaktiranuttamā | tadāśīstannamaskārastanniṣṭhastatparāyaṇaḥ

From the moment of his birth, he had unsurpassed devotion to Bhava; his every blessing, salutation, faithfulness, and devotion were directed to Him alone.

Verse 151 (skanda.8.30.151)

आसीनश्च शयानश्च गच्छन्तिष्ठन्ननुव्रजन् । भुञ्जानोथ पिबन् वापि रुद्रमेवान्वचिन्तयत्

āsīnaśca śayānaśca gacchantiṣṭhannanuvrajan | bhuñjānotha piban vāpi rudramevānvacintayat

Whether sitting or lying down, walking, standing, or following along, eating or even drinking, he thought only of Rudra.

Verse 152 (skanda.8.30.152)

तमेवं युक्तमनसं पूर्णभद्रः पिताब्रवीत् । न त्वा पुत्रमहं मन्ये दुर्जातो यस्त्वमन्यथा

tamevaṁ yuktamanasaṁ pūrṇabhadraḥ pitābravīt | na tvā putramahaṁ manye durjāto yastvamanyathā

To him, his mind thus ever fixed on that alone, his father Purnabhada said: "I do not consider you my son; one who behaves so differently from his kin is ill-born."

Verse 153 (skanda.8.30.153)

नहि यक्षकुलीनाना मेतद् वृत्तं भवत्युत । गुह्यका बत यूयं वै स्वभावात् क्रूरचेतसः

nahi yakṣakulīnānā metad vṛttaṁ bhavatyuta | guhyakā bata yūyaṁ vai svabhāvāt krūracetasaḥ

"This is not the conduct proper to one born in a yaksha family. Alas — you Guhyakas are cruel-hearted by nature,"

Verse 154 (skanda.8.30.154)

क्रव्यादाश्चैव किं भक्षा हिंसाशीलाश्च पुत्रक । मैवं कार्षीर्न नो वृत्तिरेवं दृष्टा महात्मनाम् । स्वयंभुवा यथा सृष्टा सैव वृत्तिः प्रशस्यते

kravyādāścaiva kiṁ bhakṣā hiṁsāśīlāśca putraka | maivaṁ kārṣīrna no vṛttirevaṁ dṛṣṭā mahātmanām | svayaṁbhuvā yathā sṛṣṭā saiva vṛttiḥ praśasyate

"Flesh-eaters, of violent nature, my son — do not act thus! This is not the conduct seen among the great ones; rather, that mode of life which is created by the Self-existent [Brahma] alone is deemed praiseworthy."

Verse 155 (skanda.8.30.155)

हरिकेश उवाच। सृष्टा चैवा प्रशस्ता च गर्हिता साधुभिः सदा । वृत्तिः स्वयंभुविहिता त्यक्तव्या यदि नो भवेत्

harikeśa uvāca| sṛṣṭā caivā praśastā ca garhitā sādhubhiḥ sadā | vṛttiḥ svayaṁbhuvihitā tyaktavyā yadi no bhavet

Harikesha said: Even the mode of conduct ordained by the Self-existent has ever been, among the virtuous, sometimes praised and sometimes censured; if such conduct proves unfit, it ought to be forsaken.

Verse 156 (skanda.8.30.156)

आश्रमान्तरजं कर्म न कुर्युर्गृहिणस्ततः । हित्वा मनुष्यभावं च कर्मभिर्विविधैश्च ह

āśramāntarajaṁ karma na kuryurgṛhiṇastataḥ | hitvā manuṣyabhāvaṁ ca karmabhirvividhaiśca ha

Householders should not perform the rites proper to another stage of life; setting aside the ordinary human condition, through various different actions,

Verse 157 (skanda.8.30.157)

देवत्वं नो विमार्गेयुर्मानुष्यं जातिमेव च । अथ चेद्विहितं तेषां कर्म तत्प्राप्तिसंसृतम् । ममापि विहितं पश्य कर्म तन्नात्र संशयः

devatvaṁ no vimārgeyurmānuṣyaṁ jātimeva ca | atha cedvihitaṁ teṣāṁ karma tatprāptisaṁsṛtam | mamāpi vihitaṁ paśya karma tannātra saṁśayaḥ

one should not, abandoning one's human birth, seek godhood by improper means. But if a person's own ordained duty itself leads toward that higher attainment, then see — my own ordained duty is likewise such; of this there is no doubt.

Verse 158 (skanda.8.30.158)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। स एवमुक्तः पुत्रेण पूर्णभद्रः प्रतापवान् । उवाच निष्क्रम क्षिप्रं गच्छ त्वं यत्र रोचते

sanatkumāra uvāca| sa evamuktaḥ putreṇa pūrṇabhadraḥ pratāpavān | uvāca niṣkrama kṣipraṁ gaccha tvaṁ yatra rocate

Sanatkumara said: Thus addressed by his son, the mighty Purnabhada said: "Go forth at once — leave, and go wherever you please."

Verse 159 (skanda.8.30.159)

ततः स निर्गत स्त्यक्त्वा गृहसंबन्धिबान्धवान् । वाराणसीम् समासाद्य तपस्तेपे सुदुश्चरम्

tataḥ sa nirgata styaktvā gṛhasaṁbandhibāndhavān | vārāṇasīm samāsādya tapastepe suduścaram

Then he went forth, abandoning his household kin and relatives, and having reached Varanasi, undertook the most difficult austerities.

Verse 160 (skanda.8.30.160)

स्थाणुभूतो ह्यनिमिषः शुष्ककाष्ठोपलोपमः । संनियम्येन्द्रियग्राममवातिष्ठत निश्चलः

sthāṇubhūto hyanimiṣaḥ śuṣkakāṣṭhopalopamaḥ | saṁniyamyendriyagrāmamavātiṣṭhata niścalaḥ

Motionless as a post, unblinking, like a dry log or stone, he stood utterly still, having fully restrained the whole company of his senses.

Verse 161 (skanda.8.30.161)

अथ तस्यैवमनिशं तत्परस्य तदाशिषः । सहस्रमेकं वर्षाणां दिव्यमत्यतिवर्तत

atha tasyaivamaniśaṁ tatparasya tadāśiṣaḥ | sahasramekaṁ varṣāṇāṁ divyamatyativartata

Thus, for him, wholly intent and unceasing in that one longing, a full thousand celestial years passed by.

Verse 162 (skanda.8.30.162)

वल्मीकेन समाक्रान्तो भक्ष्यमाणः पिपीलिकैः । वज्रसूचीमुखैर्व्यास विध्यमानस्तथैव च

valmīkena samākrānto bhakṣyamāṇaḥ pipīlikaiḥ | vajrasūcīmukhairvyāsa vidhyamānastathaiva ca

O Vyasa, he became overrun by an anthill, gnawed at by ants, pierced continually by those with mouths like thunderbolt-needles.

Verse 163 (skanda.8.30.163)

निर्मांसरुधिरत्वग् वै कुन्दशंखेन्दुसप्रभः । अस्थिशेषो भवत् सर्वो देवश्चैवममन्यत

nirmāṁsarudhiratvag vai kundaśaṁkhendusaprabhaḥ | asthiśeṣo bhavat sarvo devaścaivamamanyata

Bereft of flesh, blood and skin, bright as jasmine, conch, and moon, he was reduced to a mere remnant of bones — and the god himself took approving notice of it.

Verse 164 (skanda.8.30.164)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे देवी व्यज्ञापयत शंकरम् । उद्यानं पुनरेवेदं द्रष्टुमिच्छामि सर्वद

etasminnantare devī vyajñāpayata śaṁkaram | udyānaṁ punarevedaṁ draṣṭumicchāmi sarvada

Meanwhile the Goddess petitioned Shankara: "I wish to see this garden once again, always."

Verse 165 (skanda.8.30.165)

क्षेत्रस्य चैव माहात्म्यं श्रोतुं कौतूहलं हि मे । यतश्च प्रियमेतत्ते यच्चास्य फलमुत्तमम्

kṣetrasya caiva māhātmyaṁ śrotuṁ kautūhalaṁ hi me | yataśca priyametatte yaccāsya phalamuttamam

"I am eager to hear the greatness of this sacred field, since it is dear to you, and also what its supreme fruit may be."

Verse 166 (skanda.8.30.166)

इति विज्ञापितो देवः पार्वत्या भुवनेश्वरः । सर्वं पृष्टं यथान्यायमाख्यातुमुपचक्रमे

iti vijñāpito devaḥ pārvatyā bhuvaneśvaraḥ | sarvaṁ pṛṣṭaṁ yathānyāyamākhyātumupacakrame

Thus petitioned by Parvati, the Lord of the worlds began, in due order, to relate all that had been asked.

Verse 167 (skanda.8.30.167)

निर्जगाम च देवेशः पार्वत्या सह शंकरः । उद्यानं दर्शयामास देव्या देवः पिनाकधृक्

nirjagāma ca deveśaḥ pārvatyā saha śaṁkaraḥ | udyānaṁ darśayāmāsa devyā devaḥ pinākadhṛk

The Lord of gods, Shankara, went forth together with Parvati; the Pinaka-bearing god began to show the garden to the Goddess.

Verse 168 (skanda.8.30.168)

प्रफुल्लनानाविधगुल्मशोभितं लताप्रतानावनतं मनोरमम् । विरूढपुष्पैः परितः प्रियंगुभिः सुपुष्पितैः कण्टकितैश्च केतकैः

praphullanānāvidhagulmaśobhitaṁ latāpratānāvanataṁ manoramam | virūḍhapuṣpaiḥ paritaḥ priyaṁgubhiḥ supuṣpitaiḥ kaṇṭakitaiśca ketakaiḥ

That garden was adorned on every side with shrubs in full and varied bloom, bent low under the weight of spreading creepers, altogether delightful — surrounded by flowering priyangu plants and by thorny ketaki blossoms in full flower.

Verse 169 (skanda.8.30.169)

तमालगुल्मैर्निचितं सुगन्धिभिर्निकामपुष्पैर्बकुलैश्च सर्वशः । अशोकपुंनागवनैस्सुपुष्पितैर्द्विरेफमालाकुलपुष्पसंचयैः

tamālagulmairnicitaṁ sugandhibhirnikāmapuṣpairbakulaiśca sarvaśaḥ | aśokapuṁnāgavanaissupuṣpitairdvirephamālākulapuṣpasaṁcayaiḥ

It was thick everywhere with tamala shrubs, filled with fragrant, richly flowering bakula trees, and adorned with groves of ashoka and punnaga in full bloom, their clustered blossoms thronged with rows of bees.

Verse 170 (skanda.8.30.170)

क्वचित् प्रफुल्लाम्बुजरेणुरूषितै विहङ्गमैश्चारुकलप्रणादिभिः । विनादितं सारसहंसमद्गुभिः प्रमत्तदात्यूहरुतैश्च वल्गुभिः

kvacit praphullāmbujareṇurūṣitai vihaṅgamaiścārukalapraṇādibhiḥ | vināditaṁ sārasahaṁsamadgubhiḥ pramattadātyūharutaiśca valgubhiḥ

In places it resounded with the sweet, melodious cries of birds dusted with the pollen of blooming lotuses; it echoed with the calls of cranes, swans, diving-birds, and intoxicated cataka-birds.

Verse 171 (skanda.8.30.171)

क्वचिच्च चक्राह्वरुतोपनादितं क्वचिच्च कादम्बकदम्बकैर्युतम् । क्वचिच्च कारण्डवनादनादितं क्वचिच्च मत्तालिकुलाकुलीकृतम्

kvacicca cakrāhvarutopanāditaṁ kvacicca kādambakadambakairyutam | kvacicca kāraṇḍavanādanāditaṁ kvacicca mattālikulākulīkṛtam

In one place it echoed with the cries of chakravaka birds, in another it was thronged with flocks of kadamba geese, elsewhere it resounded with the calls of karandava ducks, and elsewhere it was thick with swarms of intoxicated bees.

Verse 172 (skanda.8.30.172)

मदाकुलाभिर्भ्रमराङ्गनाभिर्निषेवितं चारुसुगंधिपुष्पम् । क्वचित् सपुष्पैः सहकारवृक्षैर्लतोपगूढैस्तिलकैश्च गूढम्

madākulābhirbhramarāṅganābhirniṣevitaṁ cārusugaṁdhipuṣpam | kvacit sapuṣpaiḥ sahakāravṛkṣairlatopagūḍhaistilakaiśca gūḍham

Its lovely, fragrant flowers were frequented by swarms of intoxicated female bees; in places it was hidden by blossoming mango trees and by tilaka trees entwined with creepers.

Verse 173 (skanda.8.30.173)

प्रगीतविद्याधरसिद्धधारणं प्रनृत्तनित्यानुगताप्सरोगणम् । प्रहृष्टनानाविधपक्षिसेवितं प्रमत्तहारीतकुलोपनादितम्

pragītavidyādharasiddhadhāraṇaṁ pranṛttanityānugatāpsarogaṇam | prahṛṣṭanānāvidhapakṣisevitaṁ pramattahārītakulopanāditam

It rang with the songs of vidyadharas and siddhas, and troupes of apsaras danced there without ceasing; joyous birds of every kind frequented it, and flocks of intoxicated harita-birds filled it with their calls.

Verse 174 (skanda.8.30.174)

मृगेन्द्रनादाकुलसन्नमानसैः क्वचित्क्वचिद्बद्धकदम्बकं मृगैः । प्रफुल्लनानाविधचारुपङ्कजै स्सरस्तडागैरुपशोभितं क्वचित्

mṛgendranādākulasannamānasaiḥ kvacitkvacidbaddhakadambakaṁ mṛgaiḥ | praphullanānāvidhacārupaṅkajai ssarastaḍāgairupaśobhitaṁ kvacit

Here and there herds of deer stood huddled together, their hearts stirred by the lion's roar; in places it was adorned with lakes and pools full of many kinds of lovely, fully-blossomed lotuses.

Verse 175 (skanda.8.30.175)

निविडनिचुललीनानीलकण्ठाभिरामं मदमुदितविहङ्गवातनादाभिरामम् । कुसुमिततरुशाखालीनमत्तद्विरेफं नवकिशलयशोभाशोभित प्रान्तशाखम्

niviḍaniculalīnānīlakaṇṭhābhirāmaṁ madamuditavihaṅgavātanādābhirāmam | kusumitataruśākhālīnamattadvirephaṁ navakiśalayaśobhāśobhita prāntaśākham

It was charming with blue-necked peacocks nestling in dense thickets of reeds, charming with the sounds of joyous, intoxicated birds; its flowering branches were thick with drunken bees, and its outer boughs were adorned with the beauty of tender new shoots.

Verse 176 (skanda.8.30.176)

क्वचिच्च दन्तिक्षतचारुवीरुत् क्वचिल्लतालिङ्गितचारुवृक्षम् । क्वचिद्विलासालसगामिनीभिर्निषेवितं किम्पुरुषाङ्गनाभिः

kvacicca dantikṣatacāruvīrut kvacillatāliṅgitacāruvṛkṣam | kvacidvilāsālasagāminībhirniṣevitaṁ kimpuruṣāṅganābhiḥ

In places lovely creepers lay torn by elephants, in places lovely trees stood embraced by vines; in places it was frequented by Kimpurusha women moving with a slow, graceful, languorous gait.

Verse 177 (skanda.8.30.177)

पारावतध्वनिविकूजितगारु शृंगैरभ्रंकषैः सितमनोहरचारुरूपैः । आकीर्णपुष्पनिकरप्रविविक्तहासैर्विभ्राजितं त्रिदशदेवकुलैरनेकैः

pārāvatadhvanivikūjitagāru śṛṁgairabhraṁkaṣaiḥ sitamanoharacārurūpaiḥ | ākīrṇapuṣpanikarapraviviktahāsairvibhrājitaṁ tridaśadevakulairanekaiḥ

It echoed with the cooing of doves; its cloud-touching peaks were white, lovely, and beautiful in form; strewn with clusters of flowers like so many bright smiles, it was made resplendent by many hosts of the gods.

Verse 178 (skanda.8.30.178)

फुल्लोत्पलाम्बुजसहस्रवितानयुक्तैस्तोयाशयैस्समनुशोभितदेवमार्गम् । मार्गान्तरागलितपुष्पविचित्रभक्तै स्सम्बद्धगुल्मविटपैर्विहगैरुपेतम्

phullotpalāmbujasahasravitānayuktaistoyāśayaissamanuśobhitadevamārgam | mārgāntarāgalitapuṣpavicitrabhaktai ssambaddhagulmaviṭapairvihagairupetam

The path of the gods was beautified by pools canopied with thousands of blooming lotuses and water-lilies; between its stretches lay strewn a rich scatter of fallen flowers, and it was frequented by birds perched on the interlaced branches of the shrubs.

Verse 179 (skanda.8.30.179)

तुङ्गाग्रैर्नील पुष्पस्तबकभरनतप्रान्तशाखैरशोकैर्मत्तालिव्रातगीतश्रुतिसुखजननैर्भासितं तन्मनोज्ञैः । रात्रौ चन्द्रप्रभासा कुमुमिततिलकैरेकतां संप्रयातं छायासुप्तप्रबुद्धस्थितहरिणकुलालुप्तदर्भाङ्कुराग्रम्

tuṅgāgrairnīla puṣpastabakabharanataprāntaśākhairaśokairmattālivrātagītaśrutisukhajananairbhāsitaṁ tanmanojñaiḥ | rātrau candraprabhāsā kumumitatilakairekatāṁ saṁprayātaṁ chāyāsuptaprabuddhasthitahariṇakulāluptadarbhāṅkurāgram

It shone with tall ashoka trees, their outer branches bent low under clusters of blue blossoms, their charm delighting the ear with the humming of drunken bee-swarms; at night the moon's radiance seemed to merge as one with the flowering tilaka trees; and the tips of the durva-grass shoots were left uncropped by herds of deer that slept and woke there in the shade.

Verse 180 (skanda.8.30.180)

हंसानां पक्षवात प्रचलितकमलस्वच्छविस्तीर्णतोयं तोयानां तीरजातप्रविकचकदलीवाटनृत्तन्मयूरम् । मायूरैः पक्षचन्द्रैः क्वचिदपि पतितं रञ्जितक्ष्माप्रदेशं देशे देशे निलीनप्रमुदितविलसन्मत्तहारीतवृन्दम्

haṁsānāṁ pakṣavāta pracalitakamalasvacchavistīrṇatoyaṁ toyānāṁ tīrajātapravikacakadalīvāṭanṛttanmayūram | māyūraiḥ pakṣacandraiḥ kvacidapi patitaṁ rañjitakṣmāpradeśaṁ deśe deśe nilīnapramuditavilasanmattahārītavṛndam

Its clear, broad waters were set astir by lotuses stirred by the wing-beats of swans; peacocks danced amid the blossoming plantain groves born along the banks; here and there the ground was tinted by fallen, crescent-marked peacock feathers; and everywhere flocks of joyous, playful, intoxicated harita-birds lay nestled from sight.

Verse 181 (skanda.8.30.181)

सारङ्गैः क्वचिदुपसेवितप्रदेशं संछन्नं कुसुमचयैः क्वचिद्विचित्रैः । हृष्टाभिः क्वचिदपि किन्नराङ्गनाभिः क्षीबाभिः सुमधुरगीतवृक्षषण्डम्

sāraṅgaiḥ kvacidupasevitapradeśaṁ saṁchannaṁ kusumacayaiḥ kvacidvicitraiḥ | hṛṣṭābhiḥ kvacidapi kinnarāṅganābhiḥ kṣībābhiḥ sumadhuragītavṛkṣaṣaṇḍam

In places its regions were frequented by deer, in places covered over with wondrous heaps of flowers; and here and there its clusters of trees rang with the sweetest singing of joyous, intoxicated Kinnara women.

Verse 182 (skanda.8.30.182)

संसृष्टैः क्वचिदुपरि प्रकीर्णपुष्पै रावासैः परिवृतपादपं मुनीनाम् । आमूलात्फलनिचितैः क्वचिद्विशालैरुत्तुङ्गैः पनसमहीरुहैरुपेतम्

saṁsṛṣṭaiḥ kvacidupari prakīrṇapuṣpai rāvāsaiḥ parivṛtapādapaṁ munīnām | āmūlātphalanicitaiḥ kvacidviśālairuttuṅgaiḥ panasamahīruhairupetam

In places its trees, ringed about by the dwellings of sages, were strewn from above with a mingling of fallen flowers; in places it had vast, towering jackfruit trees laden with fruit from root to crown.

Verse 183 (skanda.8.30.183)

फुल्लातिमुक्तकलतागृहलीनसिद्धं सिद्धाङ्गनाकनकनूपुररावरम्यम् । रम्य प्रियंगुतरुमञ्जरिसक्तभृङ्गं भृङ्गावलीशबलिताम्रकदम्बपुष्पम्

phullātimuktakalatāgṛhalīnasiddhaṁ siddhāṅganākanakanūpurarāvaramyam | ramya priyaṁgutarumañjarisaktabhṛṅgaṁ bhṛṅgāvalīśabalitāmrakadambapuṣpam

Siddhas dwelt hidden within bowers of blossoming atimukta creepers, made charming by the jingling of the golden anklets of siddha-women; bees clung to the clustered blossoms of the lovely priyangu trees, and the copper-hued kadamba flowers were streaked by rows of bees.

Verse 184 (skanda.8.30.184)

पुष्पोत्करानिल विघूर्णितपादापग्र मग्रे सुरेभविनिपाटितवंशगुल्मम् । गुल्मान्तरप्रसृतभीत मृगीसमूह मूहावतां तनुभृतामपवर्गदातृ

puṣpotkarānila vighūrṇitapādāpagra magre surebhavinipāṭitavaṁśagulmam | gulmāntaraprasṛtabhīta mṛgīsamūha mūhāvatāṁ tanubhṛtāmapavargadātṛ

The tree-tops swayed in the breeze that scattered heaps of flowers; the divine elephant trampled through the bamboo thickets; frightened does ran scattered among the groves — and thus this garden was one that granted liberation to embodied beings.

Verse 185 (skanda.8.30.185)

चन्द्रांशुजालधवलैस्तिलकैर्मनोज्ञैः सिन्दूरकुंकुमकुसुम्भनिभैरशोकैः । चामीकरप्रतिसमैरथ कर्णिकारैः पुष्पोत्करैरुपचितं सुविशालशाखैः

candrāṁśujāladhavalaistilakairmanojñaiḥ sindūrakuṁkumakusumbhanibhairaśokaiḥ | cāmīkarapratisamairatha karṇikāraiḥ puṣpotkarairupacitaṁ suviśālaśākhaiḥ

Its vast branches were laden with heaps of blossoms — lovely tilaka trees white as moonbeams, ashoka trees hued like vermilion, saffron, and safflower, and karnikara trees bright as pure gold.

Verse 186 (skanda.8.30.186)

क्वचिदञ्जनचूर्णाभैः क्वचिद्विद्रुमसन्निभैः । क्वचित्काञ्चनसंकाशैः पुष्पैराचितभूतलम्

kvacidañjanacūrṇābhaiḥ kvacidvidrumasannibhaiḥ | kvacitkāñcanasaṁkāśaiḥ puṣpairācitabhūtalam

In places the ground was strewn with flowers dark as powdered collyrium, in places red as coral, and in places golden as pure gold.

Verse 187 (skanda.8.30.187)

पुन्नागेषु द्विजशतविरुतं रक्ताशोकस्तबकभरनतम् । रम्योपान्तं क्लमहरपवनं फुल्लाब्जेषु भ्रमरविलसितम्

punnāgeṣu dvijaśatavirutaṁ raktāśokastabakabharanatam | ramyopāntaṁ klamaharapavanaṁ phullābjeṣu bhramaravilasitam

Among the punnaga trees rang the chatter of hundreds of birds; the trees bent low under clusters of red ashoka blossoms; its borders were lovely, its breeze dispelled all weariness, and bees sported upon the blooming lotuses.

Verse 188 (skanda.8.30.188)

सकलभुवनभर्ता लोकनाथस्तदानीं तुहिनशिखरिपुत्र्या सार्धमिष्टैर्गणेशैः । विविधतरुविशालं मत्तहृष्टान्यपुष्टमुपवनमतिरम्यं दर्शयामास देव्याः

sakalabhuvanabhartā lokanāthastadānīṁ tuhinaśikhariputryā sārdhamiṣṭairgaṇeśaiḥ | vividhataruviśālaṁ mattahṛṣṭānyapuṣṭamupavanamatiramyaṁ darśayāmāsa devyāḥ

Then the Lord of all the worlds, together with the mountain-king's daughter and his beloved lords of the ganas, showed the Goddess that most delightful grove — vast with manifold trees, thronged with intoxicated, joyous, well-nourished birds.

Verse 189 (skanda.8.30.189)

देव्युवाच। उद्यानं दर्शितं देव शोभया परया युतम् । क्षेत्रस्य तु गुणान् सर्वान् पुनर्वक्तुमिहार्हसि

devyuvāca| udyānaṁ darśitaṁ deva śobhayā parayā yutam | kṣetrasya tu guṇān sarvān punarvaktumihārhasi

The Goddess said: O Lord, you have shown me this garden, filled with the highest beauty. Now please speak to me once again of all the virtues of this sacred field.

Verse 190 (skanda.8.30.190)

अस्य क्षेत्रस्य महात्म्यमविमुक्तस्य तत्तदा । श्रुत्वा हि नहि मे तृप्तिरतो भूयो वदस्व मे

asya kṣetrasya mahātmyamavimuktasya tattadā | śrutvā hi nahi me tṛptirato bhūyo vadasva me

Even having heard the greatness of this Avimukta field, I am still not satisfied — therefore speak to me of it further.

Verse 191 (skanda.8.30.191)

देवदेव उवाच। इदं गुह्यतमं क्षेत्रं सदा वाराणसी मम । सर्वेषामेव जन्तूनां हेतुर्मोक्षस्य सर्वदा

devadeva uvāca| idaṁ guhyatamaṁ kṣetraṁ sadā vārāṇasī mama | sarveṣāmeva jantūnāṁ heturmokṣasya sarvadā

The God of gods said: This most secret field is always my Varanasi — it is, for all beings without exception, the eternal cause of liberation.

Verse 192 (skanda.8.30.192)

अस्मिन् सिद्धाः सदा देवि मदीयं व्रतमास्थिताः । नानालिङ्गधरा नित्यं मम लोकाभिकांक्षिणः

asmin siddhāḥ sadā devi madīyaṁ vratamāsthitāḥ | nānāliṅgadharā nityaṁ mama lokābhikāṁkṣiṇaḥ

Here, O Devi, siddhas ever established in my vow, bearing various emblems, always longing only for my world,

Verse 193 (skanda.8.30.193)

अभ्यस्यन्ति परं योगं युक्तात्मानो जितेन्द्रियाः । नानावृक्षलताकीर्णे नानाविहगसेविते

abhyasyanti paraṁ yogaṁ yuktātmāno jitendriyāḥ | nānāvṛkṣalatākīrṇe nānāvihagasevite

with disciplined minds and conquered senses, practice the supreme yoga in this place, thick with various trees and creepers and frequented by many birds —

Verse 194 (skanda.8.30.194)

कमलोत्पलपुष्पाढ्यैः सरोभिः समलंकृते । अप्सरोगणगन्धर्वैः सदा संसेविते शुभे

kamalotpalapuṣpāḍhyaiḥ sarobhiḥ samalaṁkṛte | apsarogaṇagandharvaiḥ sadā saṁsevite śubhe

adorned with lakes rich in lotus and water-lily blossoms, this auspicious place, forever frequented by hosts of apsaras and gandharvas.

Verse 195 (skanda.8.30.195)

रोचते मे इहावासो येन कार्येण तच्छृणु । मन्मना मम भक्तश्च मयि सर्वार्पितक्रियः

rocate me ihāvāso yena kāryeṇa tacchṛṇu | manmanā mama bhaktaśca mayi sarvārpitakriyaḥ

Dwelling here pleases Me — hear the reason. My devotee, whose mind is fixed on Me, who has offered every action to Me,

Verse 196 (skanda.8.30.196)

यथा मोक्षमिहाप्नोति अन्यत्र न तथा क्वचित् । जपध्यानोद्यतानां च ज्ञानेष्वारक्तचेतसाम्

yathā mokṣamihāpnoti anyatra na tathā kvacit | japadhyānodyatānāṁ ca jñāneṣvāraktacetasām

attains liberation here as nowhere else. And for those devoted to japa and meditation, whose minds are absorbed in knowledge,

Verse 197 (skanda.8.30.197)

तमोमोहहतानां च वाराणस्यां गतिर्नॄणाम् । अत्रोत्क्रमणकाले तुव स्वयमेव महेश्वरः

tamomohahatānāṁ ca vārāṇasyāṁ gatirnṝṇām | atrotkramaṇakāle tuva svayameva maheśvaraḥ

and for men overcome by darkness and delusion — for them Varanasi itself is the highest refuge. Here, at the hour of departure, Maheshvara himself,

Verse 198 (skanda.8.30.198)

ददाति तारकं ब्रह्म येनासौ तन्मयो भवेत् । एवं मम पुरं दिव्यं गुह्याद् गुह्यतरं महत्

dadāti tārakaṁ brahma yenāsau tanmayo bhavet | evaṁ mama puraṁ divyaṁ guhyād guhyataraṁ mahat

bestows the liberating Taraka-Brahma, by which one becomes wholly identified with That. Thus my divine city is a secret greater than the greatest secret,

Verse 199 (skanda.8.30.199)

ब्रह्मादयो विजानन्ति ये च सिद्धा मुमुक्षवः । अतः प्रियमिदं क्षेत्रं यस्माच्चेह रतिर्मम

brahmādayo vijānanti ye ca siddhā mumukṣavaḥ | ataḥ priyamidaṁ kṣetraṁ yasmācceha ratirmama

known only to Brahma and the other gods, and to the siddhas who desire liberation. Therefore this field is dear to Me, since My delight abides here.

Verse 200 (skanda.8.30.200)

विमुक्तं न मया यस्माद् मोक्ष्यते वा कदा च न । मम क्षेत्रमिदं तस्मादविमुक्तमिदं स्मृतम्

vimuktaṁ na mayā yasmād mokṣyate vā kadā ca na | mama kṣetramidaṁ tasmādavimuktamidaṁ smṛtam

Since it has never been abandoned by Me, nor ever will be, this field of mine is therefore remembered as 'Avimukta' — the never-forsaken.

Verse 201 (skanda.8.30.201)

नैमिशेथ कुरुक्षेत्रे गङ्गाद्वारेथ पुष्करे । स्नानात् संसेवनाच्चापि न मोक्षः प्राप्यते यतः

naimiśetha kurukṣetre gaṅgādvāretha puṣkare | snānāt saṁsevanāccāpi na mokṣaḥ prāpyate yataḥ

Neither at Naimisha, nor at Kurukshetra, nor at Gangadvara, nor at Pushkara is liberation obtained merely by bathing there or dwelling there,

Verse 202 (skanda.8.30.202)

इह संप्राप्यते येन तत एतद् विशिष्यते । प्रयागे वा भवेन् मोक्ष इह वा मत्परिग्रहात्

iha saṁprāpyate yena tata etad viśiṣyate | prayāge vā bhaven mokṣa iha vā matparigrahāt

whereas it is obtained here — for this reason this place is distinguished above them. Liberation may occur at Prayaga, or here too, through taking refuge in Me.

Verse 203 (skanda.8.30.203)

प्रयागादपि तीर्थाग्र्यादिदमेव महत् स्मृतम् । जैगीषव्यः परा सिद्धिं यो गतः स महातपाः

prayāgādapi tīrthāgryādidameva mahat smṛtam | jaigīṣavyaḥ parā siddhiṁ yo gataḥ sa mahātapāḥ

Even beyond Prayaga, foremost of tirthas, this alone is held to be greater. Jaigishavya, the great ascetic who attained supreme perfection,

Verse 204 (skanda.8.30.204)

अस्य क्षेत्रस्य माहात्म्याद् भक्त्या च मम भावतः । जैगीषव्यगुहा प्रेष्ठा योगिनां स्थानमिष्यते

asya kṣetrasya māhātmyād bhaktyā ca mama bhāvataḥ | jaigīṣavyaguhā preṣṭhā yogināṁ sthānamiṣyate

through the greatness of this field and through devotion and loving faith in Me — his cave has become most dear, and is regarded as the abode of yogis.

Verse 205 (skanda.8.30.205)

ध्यायतस्तत्र मां नित्यं योगाग्निर्दीप्यते भृशम् । कैवल्यं परमं याति देवानामपि दुर्लभम्

dhyāyatastatra māṁ nityaṁ yogāgnirdīpyate bhṛśam | kaivalyaṁ paramaṁ yāti devānāmapi durlabham

For one who meditates on Me there constantly, the fire of yoga blazes forth intensely; he attains supreme kaivalya, rare even for the gods.

Verse 206 (skanda.8.30.206)

अत्र सिद्धिं परां प्राप्तो मार्कण्डेयो महातपाः । बालखिल्यास्तथा सिद्धा अस्मिन् क्षेत्रे सुदुर्लभे

atra siddhiṁ parāṁ prāpto mārkaṇḍeyo mahātapāḥ | bālakhilyāstathā siddhā asmin kṣetre sudurlabhe

Here the great ascetic Markandeya attained supreme perfection; and in this most rare field, the Balakhilyas too became siddhas.

Verse 207 (skanda.8.30.207)

आत्रेया भार्गवाः सिद्धा अस्मिन् क्षेत्रे सुदुर्लभे । अव्यक्तलिङ्गै र्मुनिभिः सर्वसिद्धान्तवेदिभिः

ātreyā bhārgavāḥ siddhā asmin kṣetre sudurlabhe | avyaktaliṅgai rmunibhiḥ sarvasiddhāntavedibhiḥ

In this most rare field, the Atreya and Bhargava sages also became siddhas — sages bearing unmanifest marks, knowers of every doctrine.

Verse 208 (skanda.8.30.208)

इह संप्राप्यते मोक्षो दुर्लभोन्यत्र कर्हिचित् । तेभ्यश्चाहं प्रयच्छामि योगैश्वर्यमनुत्तमम्

iha saṁprāpyate mokṣo durlabhonyatra karhicit | tebhyaścāhaṁ prayacchāmi yogaiśvaryamanuttamam

Here liberation is attained, which elsewhere is ever hard to reach. To them I grant the unsurpassed sovereignty of yoga,

Verse 209 (skanda.8.30.209)

आत्मनश्चैव सायुज्यमीप्सितं स्थानमेव च १ । कुवेरः स महासत्वस्तथा सर्वार्पितक्रियः

ātmanaścaiva sāyujyamīpsitaṁ sthānameva ca 1 | kuveraḥ sa mahāsatvastathā sarvārpitakriyaḥ

together with union (sayujya) with My own self and the desired station itself. Kubera, that mighty being, who likewise had offered all his deeds to Me,

Verse 210 (skanda.8.30.210)

क्षेत्रसंसेवनादेव धनेशत्वमवाप ह

kṣetrasaṁsevanādeva dhaneśatvamavāpa ha

obtained lordship over wealth through mere dwelling in and service of this field. [The remainder of this verse is lost — illegible in the surviving source.]

Verse 211 (skanda.8.30.211)

इहैवाराध्य मां देवि सिद्धिं यास्यत्यनुत्तमाम् । पराशरसुतो योगी ऋषिर्व्यासो महातपाः

ihaivārādhya māṁ devi siddhiṁ yāsyatyanuttamām | parāśarasuto yogī ṛṣirvyāso mahātapāḥ

Having worshipped Me here alone, O Devi, the sage Vyasa, son of Parashara, the great ascetic yogi, shall attain unsurpassed perfection,

Verse 212 (skanda.8.30.212)

मम भक्तो भविष्यश्च वेदसंस्थाप्रवर्तकः । रमते सोपि पद्माक्षि क्षेत्रेस्मिन्मुनिपुंगवः

mama bhakto bhaviṣyaśca vedasaṁsthāpravartakaḥ | ramate sopi padmākṣi kṣetresminmunipuṁgavaḥ

and shall become My devotee and the propagator of the Vedic order. O lotus-eyed one, he too, foremost among sages, delights in this very field.

Verse 213 (skanda.8.30.213)

ब्रह्मापि ऋषिभिः सार्धं विष्णुर्वायुर्दिवाकरः । देवराजस्तथा शक्रो अपि चान्ये दिवौकसः

brahmāpi ṛṣibhiḥ sārdhaṁ viṣṇurvāyurdivākaraḥ | devarājastathā śakro api cānye divaukasaḥ

Brahma too, together with the sages, and Vishnu, Vayu, the Sun, the king of gods Indra, and all the other dwellers of heaven,

Verse 214 (skanda.8.30.214)

उपासते महात्मानः सर्वेशमिह सुव्रते । अनन्यमनसो भूत्वा मामेवोपासते सदा

upāsate mahātmānaḥ sarveśamiha suvrate | ananyamanaso bhūtvā māmevopāsate sadā

O virtuous one, come here to worship the Lord of all; with undivided minds, they worship Me alone, always.

Verse 215 (skanda.8.30.215)

आलर्कश्च पुरीमेतां मत्प्रसादादवाप्स्यति । स चैनां पूर्ववत् कृत्वा चतुवर्णसमाकुलाम्

ālarkaśca purīmetāṁ matprasādādavāpsyati | sa caināṁ pūrvavat kṛtvā catuvarṇasamākulām

Through My grace, Alarka will obtain this city; having restored it, as before, filled with the four varnas,

Verse 216 (skanda.8.30.216)

स्फीतां जनपदाकीर्णां भुक्त्वा च सुचिरं तदा । मयि सर्वार्पितप्राणो मामेव प्रतिपत्स्यते

sphītāṁ janapadākīrṇāṁ bhuktvā ca suciraṁ tadā | mayi sarvārpitaprāṇo māmeva pratipatsyate

prosperous and thronged with people, having long enjoyed that city, at last, with his life wholly offered to Me, he shall attain to Me alone.

Verse 217 (skanda.8.30.217)

ततः प्रभृति चार्वंगि येपि क्षेत्रनिवासिनः । गृहिणो लिंगिनो वापि मद्भक्ता मत्परायणाः

tataḥ prabhṛti cārvaṁgi yepi kṣetranivāsinaḥ | gṛhiṇo liṁgino vāpi madbhaktā matparāyaṇāḥ

Thereafter, O fair-limbed one, whoever dwells in this field — whether householders or ascetics bearing the sacred mark — becoming My devotees, wholly devoted to Me,

Verse 218 (skanda.8.30.218)

मत्प्रसादाद् गमिष्यन्ति मोक्षं परमदुर्गमम् । विषयासक्तचित्तोपि त्यक्तधर्मरतिर्नरः

matprasādād gamiṣyanti mokṣaṁ paramadurgamam | viṣayāsaktacittopi tyaktadharmaratirnaraḥ

shall attain, by My grace, that most hard-to-reach liberation. Even a man whose mind is attached to sense-objects, should he forsake his delight in dharma,

Verse 219 (skanda.8.30.219)

इह क्षेत्रे मृतश्चापि संसारं न पुनर्विशेत् । ये पुनर्निर्ममा धीराः सिद्धाः स्युर्विजितेन्द्रियाः

iha kṣetre mṛtaścāpi saṁsāraṁ na punarviśet | ye punarnirmamā dhīrāḥ siddhāḥ syurvijitendriyāḥ

and dies in this field, he does not enter samsara again; and those who are free of possessiveness, steadfast, and self-controlled become perfected beings.

Verse 220 (skanda.8.30.220)

व्रतिन स्थानिरावस्थाः सर्वतो मयि भाविताः । देहभेदं समासाद्य धीमन्तः सर्गवर्जिताः

vratina sthānirāvasthāḥ sarvato mayi bhāvitāḥ | dehabhedaṁ samāsādya dhīmantaḥ sargavarjitāḥ

Those who observe their vows, dwelling in various fixed states, their minds wholly absorbed in Me on every side — such wise ones, upon the dissolution of the body, become freed from further creation,

Verse 221 (skanda.8.30.221)

प्रपत्स्यन्ते परं मोक्षं प्रसन्ने मयि सुव्रते । जन्मान्त्तरसहस्रेषु युञ्जन् योगमवाप्नुयात् । तदिहैव परं मोक्षं मरणादधि गच्छति

prapatsyante paraṁ mokṣaṁ prasanne mayi suvrate | janmānttarasahasreṣu yuñjan yogamavāpnuyāt | tadihaiva paraṁ mokṣaṁ maraṇādadhi gacchati

and attain the supreme liberation when I am pleased, O virtuous one. What one practicing yoga elsewhere might attain only across a thousand births, that same supreme liberation is reached here through death alone.

Verse 222 (skanda.8.30.222)

ब्रह्मघ्नगोघ्नगुरुतल्पगचौरवृत्तिर्न मो प है नियतस्ववृत्तिः । संसारभूतदृढपाशविमुक्तशोको वाराणसीं मम पुरीं समुपैति लोकः

brahmaghnagoghnagurutalpagacauravṛttirna mo pa hai niyatasvavṛttiḥ | saṁsārabhūtadṛḍhapāśavimuktaśoko vārāṇasīṁ mama purīṁ samupaiti lokaḥ

Even one whose conduct has included the slaying of a brahmin, the slaying of a cow, defiling the guru's bed, and theft — [a few syllables are illegible/lost in the source at this point] — becoming one of restrained and disciplined conduct, freed from grief through release from the firm noose of worldly existence, such a person attains My city of Varanasi.

Verse 223 (skanda.8.30.223)

एतत् संक्षेपतो देवि क्षेत्रस्यास्य महत् फलम् । अविमुक्तस्य कथितं मया ते गुह्यमुत्तमम्

etat saṁkṣepato devi kṣetrasyāsya mahat phalam | avimuktasya kathitaṁ mayā te guhyamuttamam

O Devi, this, in brief, is the great fruit of this field; this supreme secret of Avimukta has now been told to you by Me.

Verse 224 (skanda.8.30.224)

अतः परतरं नास्ति सिद्धं गुह्यमधीश्वरि । एतद् बुध्यन्ति योगज्ञा ये च योग परा भुवि

ataḥ parataraṁ nāsti siddhaṁ guhyamadhīśvari | etad budhyanti yogajñā ye ca yoga parā bhuvi

O Mistress of gods, there is no accomplished secret beyond this. Only those who know yoga, and who on this earth are devoted to the highest yoga, understand it.

Verse 225 (skanda.8.30.225)

एतदेव परं ज्ञानमेतदेव परं शिवम् । एतदेव परं ब्रह्म एतदेव परं पदम्

etadeva paraṁ jñānametadeva paraṁ śivam | etadeva paraṁ brahma etadeva paraṁ padam

This alone is the supreme knowledge; this alone is the supreme auspiciousness; this alone is the supreme Brahman; this alone is the supreme abode.

Verse 226 (skanda.8.30.226)

वाराणसी तु भुवनत्रयसारभूता रम्या पुरी मम सदा गिरिराजपुत्रि । यत्रागता विविधदुष्कृतकारिणोपि पापक्षयाद्विरजसः श्रुति यांति मुक्तिम्

vārāṇasī tu bhuvanatrayasārabhūtā ramyā purī mama sadā girirājaputri | yatrāgatā vividhaduṣkṛtakāriṇopi pāpakṣayādvirajasaḥ śruti yāṁti muktim

Varanasi, O daughter of the mountain-king, is the essence of the three worlds, My ever-lovely city — where even those who have committed manifold evil deeds, having come here, become free of stain through the destruction of their sin, and attain liberation.

Verse 227 (skanda.8.30.227)

य आगच्छेत् कथंचिच्च पुरीं वाराणसीं नरः । तमुपायं प्रकुर्वीत निर्गच्छेन्न पुनर्यथा

ya āgacchet kathaṁcicca purīṁ vārāṇasīṁ naraḥ | tamupāyaṁ prakurvīta nirgacchenna punaryathā

A man who, by whatever means, arrives at the city of Varanasi should adopt such a course that he does not leave it again.

Verse 228 (skanda.8.30.228)

यदीच्छेत् सफलं जन्म कोन्यं वेद्याफलं तथा । काशीपुर्यां त्यजेद् देहं यदीच्छेत् परमं पदम्

yadīcchet saphalaṁ janma konyaṁ vedyāphalaṁ tathā | kāśīpuryāṁ tyajed dehaṁ yadīcchet paramaṁ padam

If one desires a truly fruitful birth — and what other fruit is there worth knowing beside this? — then, desiring the supreme abode, one should give up the body in the city of Kashi.

Verse 229 (skanda.8.30.229)

एतत्स्मृतं प्रियतमं मम देवि विश्वं क्षेत्रं विचित्रतरुगुल्मनिकामपुष्पम् । अस्मिन्मृतास्तनुभृतः पदमाप्नुवन्ति मोक्षाख्यमेवशिवतापि न संशयोत्र

etatsmṛtaṁ priyatamaṁ mama devi viśvaṁ kṣetraṁ vicitratarugulmanikāmapuṣpam | asminmṛtāstanubhṛtaḥ padamāpnuvanti mokṣākhyamevaśivatāpi na saṁśayotra

This, O Devi, is the entire field remembered as most dear to Me — filled with wondrous trees and shrubs and an abundance of flowers. Embodied beings who die here attain that auspicious state called liberation — of this there is no doubt.