The Dispute of Kshupa and Dadhichi

Verse 1 (skanda.8.31.1)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । एतस्मिन्नन्तरे देवो देवीमाह गिरीन्द्रजाम् । व्रजाम दातुं यक्षाय वरं भक्ताय भाविनि

sanatkumāra uvāca | etasminnantare devo devīmāha girīndrajām | vrajāma dātuṁ yakṣāya varaṁ bhaktāya bhāvini

Sanatkumara said: Meanwhile the Lord said to the Goddess, daughter of the mountain-king: 'Let us go, O Bhavani, to grant a boon to our devoted Yaksha.'

Verse 2 (skanda.8.31.2)

भक्तो मम वरारोहे तपसा दग्धकिल्बिषः । अर्हो वरमसौ लब्धुमस्मत्तो भुवनेश्वरि

bhakto mama varārohe tapasā dagdhakilbiṣaḥ | arho varamasau labdhumasmatto bhuvaneśvari

O fair one, he is my devotee, his sins burnt away by austerity; O Bhuvaneshvari, he deserves to receive a boon from us.

Verse 3 (skanda.8.31.3)

एवमुक्त्वा ततो देवः सह देव्या जगत्पतिः । जगाम यक्षो यत्रास्ते कृशो धमनिसंततः । दिव्यं चक्षुरदाच्चैव येनापश्यत् स शंकरम्

evamuktvā tato devaḥ saha devyā jagatpatiḥ | jagāma yakṣo yatrāste kṛśo dhamanisaṁtataḥ | divyaṁ cakṣuradāccaiva yenāpaśyat sa śaṁkaram

Having said this, the Lord of the world went there with the Goddess, to where the Yaksha was, emaciated, his veins standing out; and He gave him divine sight, by which he beheld Shankara.

Verse 4 (skanda.8.31.4)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । अथ यक्षस्तदा व्यास शनैरुन्मील्य लोचने । अपश्यत् सगणं देवं वृषकेतुमुपाश्रितम्

sanatkumāra uvāca | atha yakṣastadā vyāsa śanairunmīlya locane | apaśyat sagaṇaṁ devaṁ vṛṣaketumupāśritam

Sanatkumara said: Then, O Vyasa, the Yaksha, slowly opening his eyes, beheld the bull-bannered God, together with His ganas, near him.

Verse 5 (skanda.8.31.5)

देवदेव उवाच । वरं ददामि ते पूर्वं त्रैलोक्ये नर्शनं तथा । सारत्वं च शरीरस्य पश्य मां विगतज्वरः

devadeva uvāca | varaṁ dadāmi te pūrvaṁ trailokye narśanaṁ tathā | sāratvaṁ ca śarīrasya paśya māṁ vigatajvaraḥ

The God of gods said: I first grant you this boon - vision of Me throughout the three worlds, and soundness of body; behold Me now, freed from your affliction.

Verse 6 (skanda.8.31.6)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततः स लब्ध्वा तु वरं शरीरेणाक्षतेन च । पादयोः प्रणतस्तस्थौ कृत्वा शिरसि चाञ्जलिम्

sanatkumāra uvāca | tataḥ sa labdhvā tu varaṁ śarīreṇākṣatena ca | pādayoḥ praṇatastasthau kṛtvā śirasi cāñjalim

Sanatkumara said: Then, having obtained the boon, his body unharmed, he stood bowed at the Lord's feet, hands folded in añjali upon his head.

Verse 7 (skanda.8.31.7)

उवाच च तदेशेन वरदोस्मीति चोदितः । भगवन् भक्तिमव्यग्रां त्वय्यनन्यां विधत्स्व मे

uvāca ca tadeśena varadosmīti coditaḥ | bhagavan bhaktimavyagrāṁ tvayyananyāṁ vidhatsva me

Urged on by the God's word 'I am the boon-giver,' he said: O Lord, grant me unwavering, exclusive devotion to You.

Verse 8 (skanda.8.31.8)

अन्नदत्वं च लोकानां गाणपत्यं तथाक्षयम् । अविमुक्ते च ते स्थाने वसेयं सर्वदा यथा । एतमिच्छामि देवेश दत्तं वरमनुत्तमम्

annadatvaṁ ca lokānāṁ gāṇapatyaṁ tathākṣayam | avimukte ca te sthāne vaseyaṁ sarvadā yathā | etamicchāmi deveśa dattaṁ varamanuttamam

And may I become a giver of food to the worlds, and obtain imperishable lordship of the ganas, and may I always dwell in Your place, Avimukta. This supreme boon, O Lord of gods, is what I desire.

Verse 9 (skanda.8.31.9)

देवदेव उवाच । जरामरणसंत्यक्तः सर्वशोकविवर्जितः । भविष्यसि गणाध्यक्षो वरदः सर्वपूजितः

devadeva uvāca | jarāmaraṇasaṁtyaktaḥ sarvaśokavivarjitaḥ | bhaviṣyasi gaṇādhyakṣo varadaḥ sarvapūjitaḥ

The God of gods said: Freed from old age and death, rid of all sorrow, you shall become a lord of the ganas, a boon-giver, worshipped by all.

Verse 10 (skanda.8.31.10)

अजय्यश्चापि सर्वेषां योगैश्वर्यसमन्वितः । अन्नदश्चापि लोकेभ्यः क्षेत्रपालो भविष्यसि

ajayyaścāpi sarveṣāṁ yogaiśvaryasamanvitaḥ | annadaścāpi lokebhyaḥ kṣetrapālo bhaviṣyasi

Unconquerable by all, endowed with the lordship of yoga, a giver of food to the worlds, you shall become a Kshetrapala.

Verse 11 (skanda.8.31.11)

महाबलो महासत्वो ब्रह्मण्यो थ मम प्रियः । त्र्यक्षश्च दण्डपाणिश्च महायोगी तथैव च

mahābalo mahāsatvo brahmaṇyo tha mama priyaḥ | tryakṣaśca daṇḍapāṇiśca mahāyogī tathaiva ca

Of great strength, of great being, devoted to Brahmins and dear to Me; you shall also be three-eyed, mace-bearing, and a great yogi.

Verse 12 (skanda.8.31.12)

उद्भ्रमः संभ्रमश्चैव गणौ ते परिचारकौ । तवाज्ञया करिष्येते लोकस्योद्भ्रमसंभ्रमौ

udbhramaḥ saṁbhramaścaiva gaṇau te paricārakau | tavājñayā kariṣyete lokasyodbhramasaṁbhramau

Udbhrama and Sambhrama shall be your two attendant ganas; by your command they shall cause agitation and confusion in the world.

Verse 13 (skanda.8.31.13)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । एवं स भगवान् व्यास यक्षं कृत्वा गणेश्वरम् । जगाम धाम देवेशः सह तेन सुरेश्वरः

sanatkumāra uvāca | evaṁ sa bhagavān vyāsa yakṣaṁ kṛtvā gaṇeśvaram | jagāma dhāma deveśaḥ saha tena sureśvaraḥ

Sanatkumara said: Thus, O Vyasa, having made the Yaksha a lord of ganas, the God of gods, Lord of the suras, went with him to His abode.

Verse 14 (skanda.8.31.14)

अथ दृष्ट्वा ततो देवीं देवदेवो वृषध्वजः । तप्यतो मन्दरस्याशु वरदानार्थमब्रवीत्

atha dṛṣṭvā tato devīṁ devadevo vṛṣadhvajaḥ | tapyato mandarasyāśu varadānārthamabravīt

Then, having seen the Goddess, the bull-bannered God of gods spoke to her at once, concerning Mandara who was performing austerities, in order to grant him a boon.

Verse 15 (skanda.8.31.15)

देवदेव उवाच । देवि फुल्लारविन्दाक्षि गमिष्यामि सुमध्यमे । मन्दरं पर्वतश्रेष्ठमनुग्रहवरेप्सया

devadeva uvāca | devi phullāravindākṣi gamiṣyāmi sumadhyame | mandaraṁ parvataśreṣṭhamanugrahavarepsayā

The God of gods said: O Goddess, lotus-eyed, slender-waisted one, I shall go to Mandara, the best of mountains, desiring to bestow the boon of My grace.

Verse 16 (skanda.8.31.16)

सभार्यः ससुतश्चैव स हि मां ससुहृज्जनः । प्रपन्न स्तापस श्रेष्ठो मन्दरः पर्वतोत्तमः

sabhāryaḥ sasutaścaiva sa hi māṁ sasuhṛjjanaḥ | prapanna stāpasa śreṣṭho mandaraḥ parvatottamaḥ

For he, Mandara, foremost of mountains, best among ascetics, has taken refuge in Me together with his wife, sons, and kinfolk.

Verse 17 (skanda.8.31.17)

अद्य वर्षसहस्राणि पञ्च दिव्यानि पार्वति । तप्यते तपतां श्रेष्ठो मयि सर्वात्मभावतः

adya varṣasahasrāṇi pañca divyāni pārvati | tapyate tapatāṁ śreṣṭho mayi sarvātmabhāvataḥ

Today, O Parvati, for five thousand divine years, he, the foremost of ascetics, has been performing austerity, wholly devoted to Me.

Verse 18 (skanda.8.31.18)

देव्युवाच । नय मामपि देवेश मन्दरं चारुकन्दरम् । न रंस्येहं विना देव त्वया सर्वजगत्पते

devyuvāca | naya māmapi deveśa mandaraṁ cārukandaram | na raṁsyehaṁ vinā deva tvayā sarvajagatpate

The Goddess said: Take me too, O Lord of gods, to Mandara of the lovely caves. O Lord of the whole world, I shall find no delight here without You.

Verse 19 (skanda.8.31.19)

ततो देवः प्रहस्यैनामुवाच परमेश्वरः । अविमुक्तं न मोक्तव्यं कथं त्वं यातुमिच्छसि

tato devaḥ prahasyaināmuvāca parameśvaraḥ | avimuktaṁ na moktavyaṁ kathaṁ tvaṁ yātumicchasi

Then the Supreme Lord, smiling, said to her: Avimukta must never be abandoned - how then do you wish to go elsewhere?

Verse 20 (skanda.8.31.20)

देव्युवाच । इह चैव निवत्स्यामि गमिष्यामि च मन्दरम् । अविमुक्तमिदं स्थानं ततो देव भविष्यति

devyuvāca | iha caiva nivatsyāmi gamiṣyāmi ca mandaram | avimuktamidaṁ sthānaṁ tato deva bhaviṣyati

The Goddess said: I shall dwell here, and I shall also go to Mandara; thus, O God, that place too shall become 'Avimukta.'

Verse 21 (skanda.8.31.21)

देवदेव उवाच । एवमेतद् वरारोहे यथा वदसि पार्वति । ऐश्वर्यात् सर्वगा हि त्वं यथाहं देवि सर्वशः

devadeva uvāca | evametad varārohe yathā vadasi pārvati | aiśvaryāt sarvagā hi tvaṁ yathāhaṁ devi sarvaśaḥ

The God of gods said: So be it, O fair Parvati, as you say. By your sovereign power you too, O Goddess, are all-pervading in every way, even as I am.

Verse 22 (skanda.8.31.22)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततः स भगवान् देवो वृषमारुह्य सर्वगम् । सोमः सनन्दी सगणो मन्दरं प्रययौ हरः

sanatkumāra uvāca | tataḥ sa bhagavān devo vṛṣamāruhya sarvagam | somaḥ sanandī sagaṇo mandaraṁ prayayau haraḥ

Sanatkumara said: Then the Blessed Lord Hara, mounting the all-pervading bull, set out for Mandara, together with Soma, Nandin, and His ganas.

Verse 23 (skanda.8.31.23)

स गत्वा भुवनेशानस्तप्यमानं परं तपः । अपश्यन्मन्दरं तत्र दृष्टवा चैन मुवाच ह

sa gatvā bhuvaneśānastapyamānaṁ paraṁ tapaḥ | apaśyanmandaraṁ tatra dṛṣṭavā caina muvāca ha

Having gone there, the Lord of the worlds saw Mandara performing supreme austerity; and having seen him, He spoke to him.

Verse 24 (skanda.8.31.24)

वरदोस्मि गिरीशान तुष्टस्ते तपसा भृशम् । वरं वृणु यथेष्टन्त्वं सर्वं तत् प्रददामि ते

varadosmi girīśāna tuṣṭaste tapasā bhṛśam | varaṁ vṛṇu yatheṣṭantvaṁ sarvaṁ tat pradadāmi te

O lord of the mountain, I am the boon-giver, greatly pleased by your austerity. Choose whatever boon you desire; I shall grant you all of it.

Verse 25 (skanda.8.31.25)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । स एवमुक्तश्शर्वेण दृष्ट्वा त्रिभुवनेश्वरम् । सोमं सनन्दिनं चैव प्रणम्य वृषवाहनम्

sanatkumāra uvāca | sa evamuktaśśarveṇa dṛṣṭvā tribhuvaneśvaram | somaṁ sanandinaṁ caiva praṇamya vṛṣavāhanam

Sanatkumara said: Thus addressed by Sharva, he, having seen the Lord of the three worlds, bull-mounted, together with Soma and Nandin, having bowed to Him...

Verse 26 (skanda.8.31.26)

पुनः पुनर्हरं दृष्टवा देवीञ्चैव पुनः पुनः । पुनः पुनर्गणञ्चैव नन्दिनञ्च ननाम सः

punaḥ punarharaṁ dṛṣṭavā devīñcaiva punaḥ punaḥ | punaḥ punargaṇañcaiva nandinañca nanāma saḥ

...beholding Hara again and again, and the Goddess again and again, and the ganas and Nandin as well, he bowed to them repeatedly.

Verse 27 (skanda.8.31.27)

तं तथा व्याकुलं दृष्टवा हर्षजास्राविलेक्षणः । वरेणच्छन्दयामास भूय एव हरो गिरिम्

taṁ tathā vyākulaṁ dṛṣṭavā harṣajāsrāvilekṣaṇaḥ | vareṇacchandayāmāsa bhūya eva haro girim

Seeing him thus overwhelmed, Hara, his eyes dimmed with tears of joy, once again invited the mountain to choose a boon.

Verse 28 (skanda.8.31.28)

देवदेव उवाच । वरं वृणीष्व भद्रं ते वरदोहं तवाचल । यथेष्टं दातुमिच्छामि वरं वरय भूधर

devadeva uvāca | varaṁ vṛṇīṣva bhadraṁ te varadohaṁ tavācala | yatheṣṭaṁ dātumicchāmi varaṁ varaya bhūdhara

The God of gods said: Choose a boon, may blessing be upon you; I am your boon-giver, O mountain. I wish to give you whatever you desire - ask, O bearer of the earth.

Verse 29 (skanda.8.31.29)

मन्दर उवाच । भगवन् यदि तुष्टोसि देवदेव जगत्पते । मयि ते वासिच्छामि सोमस्य सगणस्य च

mandara uvāca | bhagavan yadi tuṣṭosi devadeva jagatpate | mayi te vāsicchāmi somasya sagaṇasya ca

Mandara said: O Lord, God of gods, Lord of the world, if You are pleased, I desire that You dwell in me, together with Soma and Your ganas.

Verse 30 (skanda.8.31.30)

इच्छामि देवदेवेश पादस्पर्शेन ते सदा । पवित्रीकृतमात्मानं सोमेन सगणेन च

icchāmi devadeveśa pādasparśena te sadā | pavitrīkṛtamātmānaṁ somena sagaṇena ca

O Lord of the gods, I desire that my own self, together with Soma and the ganas, be forever purified by the touch of Your feet.

Verse 31 (skanda.8.31.31)

नान्यं वरमिहेच्छामि त्वत्तो देव जगद्गुरो । एष एव वरो मह्यं दीयतां भुवनेश्वर

nānyaṁ varamihecchāmi tvatto deva jagadguro | eṣa eva varo mahyaṁ dīyatāṁ bhuvaneśvara

I desire no other boon from You here, O God, Guru of the world; let this alone be the boon given to me, O Lord of the worlds.

Verse 32 (skanda.8.31.32)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । एवमस्त्विति तं प्राह मन्दरं वरदस्तदा । सनन्दी सह देव्या च निवत्स्यामि सदा त्वयि

sanatkumāra uvāca | evamastviti taṁ prāha mandaraṁ varadastadā | sanandī saha devyā ca nivatsyāmi sadā tvayi

Sanatkumara said: Then the boon-giver said to Mandara: 'So be it. I, together with Nandin and the Goddess, shall dwell forever upon you.'

Verse 33 (skanda.8.31.33)

त्वं चापि भूभृतां श्रेष्ठो जरामरणवर्जितः । अभेद्यश्चैव वज्रेण मत्प्रसादाद् भविष्यसि

tvaṁ cāpi bhūbhṛtāṁ śreṣṭho jarāmaraṇavarjitaḥ | abhedyaścaiva vajreṇa matprasādād bhaviṣyasi

'And you too shall become the foremost of mountains, free from old age and death, and by My grace unbreakable even by the thunderbolt.'

Verse 34 (skanda.8.31.34)

रम्यश्च सर्वभूतानां हेमरत्नविभूषितः । अप्सरोगणसंकीर्णः सुरसिद्धनिषेवितः

ramyaśca sarvabhūtānāṁ hemaratnavibhūṣitaḥ | apsarogaṇasaṁkīrṇaḥ surasiddhaniṣevitaḥ

'You shall be delightful to all beings, adorned with gold and jewels, thronged with hosts of apsaras, and served by gods and siddhas.'

Verse 35 (skanda.8.31.35)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततोसृजद् गृहं तत्र जाम्बूनदमयं महत् । मनसातिगुणं व्यास न तेनास्ति समं क्वचित्

sanatkumāra uvāca | tatosṛjad gṛhaṁ tatra jāmbūnadamayaṁ mahat | manasātiguṇaṁ vyāsa na tenāsti samaṁ kvacit

Sanatkumara said: Then He created there a great mansion of gold, surpassing thought itself, O Vyasa; nothing anywhere equals it.

Verse 36 (skanda.8.31.36)

न तादृग् ब्रह्मणोप्यस्ति किमुतान्यस्य कस्यचित् । तेजसा वर्ष्मणा कान्त्या वृषनाम्नातिविश्रुतम्

na tādṛg brahmaṇopyasti kimutānyasya kasyacit | tejasā varṣmaṇā kāntyā vṛṣanāmnātiviśrutam

Not even Brahma has one like it, let alone anyone else; it became greatly renowned, by its splendour, its form, and its beauty, under the name 'Vrisha.'

Verse 37 (skanda.8.31.37)

व्यास उवाच । भगवन् ब्रह्मणः सूनो सर्वयोगेश्वरेश्वर । न मे तृप्तिस्त्वयाख्याते देवदेवस्य च चेष्टिते

vyāsa uvāca | bhagavan brahmaṇaḥ sūno sarvayogeśvareśvara | na me tṛptistvayākhyāte devadevasya ca ceṣṭite

Vyasa said: O Lord, son of Brahma, Lord of all lords of yoga, I am not satisfied by what you have told of the deeds of the God of gods.

Verse 38 (skanda.8.31.38)

स वृषो दयितश्चैव वाहनत्त्वं महाबलः । केनागमन्महाशब्दो महेशस्य महात्मनः

sa vṛṣo dayitaścaiva vāhanattvaṁ mahābalaḥ | kenāgamanmahāśabdo maheśasya mahātmanaḥ

That mighty, beloved bull of great renown - how did he come to attain the vehicle-hood of the great-souled Mahesha?

Verse 39 (skanda.8.31.39)

कस्य पुत्रः कस्य नप्ता कथं जज्ञे तथैव च । किं तपः किं फलं तस्य एतदिच्छामि वेदितुम्

kasya putraḥ kasya naptā kathaṁ jajñe tathaiva ca | kiṁ tapaḥ kiṁ phalaṁ tasya etadicchāmi veditum

Whose son, whose grandson is he, and how was he born? What austerity did he perform, and what its fruit - this I wish to know.

Verse 40 (skanda.8.31.40)

अभवज्जलदः पूर्वं वाहनं रुद्रवल्लभम् । स कथं तत् परित्यज्य वृषभे मतिमादधे

abhavajjaladaḥ pūrvaṁ vāhanaṁ rudravallabham | sa kathaṁ tat parityajya vṛṣabhe matimādadhe

Formerly the cloud was Rudra's beloved vehicle - how, abandoning that, did He come to fix His mind upon the bull?

Verse 41 (skanda.8.31.41)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । पुरा वेदः सुतो जज्ञे ब्रह्मणः प्रथमोद्भुतः । द्वितीयश्चैव यज्ञोभूत् तं च लोके न्ययुंजत

sanatkumāra uvāca | purā vedaḥ suto jajñe brahmaṇaḥ prathamodbhutaḥ | dvitīyaścaiva yajñobhūt taṁ ca loke nyayuṁjata

Sanatkumara said: Long ago Veda was born as Brahma's first son, and the second was Yajna, whom he appointed to a task in the world.

Verse 42 (skanda.8.31.42)

स लोकाप्यायनकरः प्रयुक्तो ब्रह्महणा स्वयम् । प्रजा विवर्द्धयिषता नावर्द्धयदशेषतः

sa lokāpyāyanakaraḥ prayukto brahmahaṇā svayam | prajā vivarddhayiṣatā nāvarddhayadaśeṣataḥ

Though employed by Brahma himself - who desired to make his creatures flourish - as the cause of the worlds' nourishment, Yajna did not fully cause them to flourish.

Verse 43 (skanda.8.31.43)

यज्ञ उवाच । भगवन् लोकसिद्ध्यर्थं प्रयुक्तोहं स्वयंभुवा । न च मेस्ति तथा वीर्यमन्यमिच्छ नमस्तव

yajña uvāca | bhagavan lokasiddhyarthaṁ prayuktohaṁ svayaṁbhuvā | na ca mesti tathā vīryamanyamiccha namastava

Yajna said: O Lord, the Self-born Brahma has employed me for the world's success, but I do not have such power; seek another - salutation to You.

Verse 44 (skanda.8.31.44)

देवदेव उवाच । जीमूतो भव लोकानां तव सिद्धिर्भविष्यति । ततोमृताभिरद्भिस्त्वं लोकान् संवर्धयिष्यति

devadeva uvāca | jīmūto bhava lokānāṁ tava siddhirbhaviṣyati | tatomṛtābhiradbhistvaṁ lokān saṁvardhayiṣyati

The God of gods said: Become a cloud for the worlds; then success shall be yours. Then, with immortal waters, you shall nourish the worlds.

Verse 45 (skanda.8.31.45)

यज्ञ उवाच । जीमूतत्वं यदि मम लोकसिद्धिकरं शुभम् । अस्मद्भवन्तं पृष्ठेन वहेयं विद्युतालय

yajña uvāca | jīmūtatvaṁ yadi mama lokasiddhikaraṁ śubham | asmadbhavantaṁ pṛṣṭhena vaheyaṁ vidyutālaya

Yajna said: If becoming a cloud is auspicious for me and brings about the worlds' success, then, O abode of lightning, may I carry You upon my back.

Verse 46 (skanda.8.31.46)

आत्मानमथ स ज्ञात्वा नातितेजसमच्युतः । तताप सुमहद् व्यास तपो यज्ञः सुदुश्चरम्

ātmānamatha sa jñātvā nātitejasamacyutaḥ | tatāpa sumahad vyāsa tapo yajñaḥ suduścaram

Then, not finding himself of sufficient power, the imperishable Yajna, O Vyasa, performed a very great and arduous austerity.

Verse 47 (skanda.8.31.47)

अथ तुष्टस्तदा देवः शर्वो यज्ञस्य सुव्रत । उवाच वरदोस्मीति स वव्रे वरदं वरम्

atha tuṣṭastadā devaḥ śarvo yajñasya suvrata | uvāca varadosmīti sa vavre varadaṁ varam

Then, O virtuous one, the God Sharva, pleased with Yajna's austerity, said 'I am the boon-giver'; and he chose a boon from the boon-giver.

Verse 48 (skanda.8.31.48)

यथाहं यज्ञभावेन वहामि त्वां महाप्रभ । तथैव जलदत्वेपि वहेयं त्वाह मव्ययम्

yathāhaṁ yajñabhāvena vahāmi tvāṁ mahāprabha | tathaiva jaladatvepi vaheyaṁ tvāha mavyayam

Just as, in my form as Yajna, O great Lord, I carry You, so also, even in cloud-form, may I carry You, the imperishable one.

Verse 49 (skanda.8.31.49)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । एवमस्त्विति सं प्रोच्य वाहनत्वे व्यकल्पयत् । जीमूतं व्यास भगवान् यज्ञमूर्तिमतिप्रभम्

sanatkumāra uvāca | evamastviti saṁ procya vāhanatve vyakalpayat | jīmūtaṁ vyāsa bhagavān yajñamūrtimatiprabham

Sanatkumara said: Saying 'So be it,' the Lord, O Vyasa, made Yajna, of exceedingly radiant form, His vehicle, in the form of a cloud.

Verse 50 (skanda.8.31.50)

यदा तु यजतो व्यास दक्षस्य सुमहात्मनः । शिरश्छिन्नं शरेणाशु यज्ञस्यामिततेजसः । तदा शिरस्कं तं यज्ञं वाहनत्वादपानुदत

yadā tu yajato vyāsa dakṣasya sumahātmanaḥ | śiraśchinnaṁ śareṇāśu yajñasyāmitatejasaḥ | tadā śiraskaṁ taṁ yajñaṁ vāhanatvādapānudata

But, O Vyasa, when the head of Yajna, of measureless splendour, was suddenly severed by an arrow during great Daksha's sacrifice, then He removed that Yajna, head and all, from the position of vehicle.

Verse 51 (skanda.8.31.51)

व्यास उवाच । कथं यज्ञं स दक्षस्य भगवानाहनच्छुभम् । कारणं चात्र किं विप्र येन तं हतवान् प्रभुः

vyāsa uvāca | kathaṁ yajñaṁ sa dakṣasya bhagavānāhanacchubham | kāraṇaṁ cātra kiṁ vipra yena taṁ hatavān prabhuḥ

Vyasa said: How did the Lord slay the auspicious sacrifice of Daksha, O Brahmin? And what was the reason for which He destroyed it?

Verse 52 (skanda.8.31.52)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । शापः पूर्वं समाख्यातः कारणं मुनिसत्तम । इदञ्च शृणु मे भूयो विस्तरेण पुरातनम्

sanatkumāra uvāca | śāpaḥ pūrvaṁ samākhyātaḥ kāraṇaṁ munisattama | idañca śṛṇu me bhūyo vistareṇa purātanam

Sanatkumara said: The curse, the reason for it, has already been told before, O best of sages; now hear from me again this ancient account, in detail.

Verse 53 (skanda.8.31.53)

पुरा हि ब्रह्मणो वक्त्रात् क्षुवतोभिविनिःसृतः । बद्धगोध्वांगुलित्रश्च शरी तूणी शरासनी

purā hi brahmaṇo vaktrāt kṣuvatobhiviniḥsṛtaḥ | baddhagodhvāṁgulitraśca śarī tūṇī śarāsanī

Long ago, from the mouth of Brahma as he sneezed, there emerged a man wearing a bound leather finger-guard, armed with arrows, quiver, and bow.

Verse 54 (skanda.8.31.54)

खङ्गी किरीटमाली च कुण्डली कवची तथा । महोरस्को महोत्साहः पुरुषः काञ्चनप्रभः

khaṅgī kirīṭamālī ca kuṇḍalī kavacī tathā | mahorasko mahotsāhaḥ puruṣaḥ kāñcanaprabhaḥ

Bearing a sword, crowned, garlanded, wearing earrings, and armoured, he was broad-chested, of great vigour - a man of golden splendour.

Verse 55 (skanda.8.31.55)

क्षुप इत्येव नाम्ना तं ब्रह्मा स्वयमभाषत । तमिन्द्रो वरयामास राजानं भुवि लोकपम्

kṣupa ityeva nāmnā taṁ brahmā svayamabhāṣata | tamindro varayāmāsa rājānaṁ bhuvi lokapam

Brahma himself named him 'Kshupa.' Indra chose him as king on earth, a guardian of the world.

Verse 56 (skanda.8.31.56)

सोब्रवीद्यदि मे वज्रमायुधं स्वं प्रयच्छसि । ततः स्यां भुवि राजाहं नान्यथा रोचते मम

sobravīdyadi me vajramāyudhaṁ svaṁ prayacchasi | tataḥ syāṁ bhuvi rājāhaṁ nānyathā rocate mama

He said: If you give me your weapon, the vajra, then I shall be king on earth; otherwise it does not please me.

Verse 57 (skanda.8.31.57)

इन्द्र उवाच । चिन्तितं करमेतत्ते वज्रमेष्यति नान्यथा । एवं भवतु भद्रं ते भव राजा प्रजाहितः

indra uvāca | cintitaṁ karametatte vajrameṣyati nānyathā | evaṁ bhavatu bhadraṁ te bhava rājā prajāhitaḥ

Indra said: What you have thought of shall come to you - the vajra shall be yours, no other way. So be it; blessings upon you - become a king devoted to your subjects' welfare.

Verse 58 (skanda.8.31.58)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । स एवमुक्तस्तेजस्वी राजा भुवि बभूव ह । च्यावनिश्च दधीचोस्य सखा समभवत्तदा

sanatkumāra uvāca | sa evamuktastejasvī rājā bhuvi babhūva ha | cyāvaniśca dadhīcosya sakhā samabhavattadā

Sanatkumara said: Thus addressed, that radiant one became king on earth; and it was then that Chyavani-Dadhichi became his friend.

Verse 59 (skanda.8.31.59)

स तेन सह संगत्य सुखासीनो वरासने । चक्रे कथा विचित्रार्थाः प्रीयमाणः पुनः पुनः

sa tena saha saṁgatya sukhāsīno varāsane | cakre kathā vicitrārthāḥ prīyamāṇaḥ punaḥ punaḥ

Meeting with him, seated comfortably upon an excellent seat, he engaged again and again, delighted, in conversations on various matters.

Verse 60 (skanda.8.31.60)

अथाभवत्तयोर्व्यास रागो जातिकृतः पुनः । क्षत्रं श्रेष्ठं न वा श्रेष्ठं ब्रह्म श्रेष्ठं न वेति च

athābhavattayorvyāsa rāgo jātikṛtaḥ punaḥ | kṣatraṁ śreṣṭhaṁ na vā śreṣṭhaṁ brahma śreṣṭhaṁ na veti ca

Then, O Vyasa, a passion born of caste-pride arose again between the two: whether the Kshatriya is superior, or not, whether the Brahmin is superior, or not.

Verse 61 (skanda.8.31.61)

क्षुपोब्रवीत् क्षत्रमिति दधीचो ब्रह्म चेति ह । अथू तां कारणे चोभौ न न्यवर्तत कश्चन

kṣupobravīt kṣatramiti dadhīco brahma ceti ha | athū tāṁ kāraṇe cobhau na nyavartata kaścana

Kshupa said 'Kshatriya is superior,' and Dadhichi said 'Brahmin is superior.' On this matter, neither of the two would yield.

Verse 62 (skanda.8.31.62)

अथ तीक्ष्णतया चैव तपोधिकतया तथा । ब्राह्मणत्वस्य चाग्र्यत्वात्तथा दैवकृतेन च

atha tīkṣṇatayā caiva tapodhikatayā tathā | brāhmaṇatvasya cāgryatvāttathā daivakṛtena ca

Then, by his sharpness, by his greater austerity, by the pre-eminence of Brahminhood, and by the working of fate...

Verse 63 (skanda.8.31.63)

कुद्धो दधीचस्तं व्यास वामहस्तेन मूर्धनि । आजघान महातेजा वज्रेणातडयत् स च

kuddho dadhīcastaṁ vyāsa vāmahastena mūrdhani | ājaghāna mahātejā vajreṇātaḍayat sa ca

...the enraged, greatly radiant Dadhichi, O Vyasa, struck him on the head with his left hand; and Kshupa struck him with the vajra.

Verse 64 (skanda.8.31.64)

वज्रेण स द्विधा छिन्नः शक्रमाह्वयदव्ययः । सोवदत् त्वं महायोगः शक्तः सन्धातुमात्मना

vajreṇa sa dvidhā chinnaḥ śakramāhvayadavyayaḥ | sovadat tvaṁ mahāyogaḥ śaktaḥ sandhātumātmanā

Split in two by the vajra, the imperishable Dadhichi called upon Indra. Indra said: You are a great yogi, capable of rejoining yourself by your own power.

Verse 65 (skanda.8.31.65)

स्वं देहं स तथाभूतं दधीचो योगमायया । सन्धयामास शर्वञ्च शरणं समपद्यत

svaṁ dehaṁ sa tathābhūtaṁ dadhīco yogamāyayā | sandhayāmāsa śarvañca śaraṇaṁ samapadyata

Then Dadhichi, by his yogic power, rejoined his own body which had been split, and took refuge in Sharva.

Verse 66 (skanda.8.31.66)

स सुरेश्वरमाराध्य प्राप्यावध्यत्वमुत्तमम् । वज्रास्थित्वमभेद्यत्वमजरत्वञ्च शङ्करात्

sa sureśvaramārādhya prāpyāvadhyatvamuttamam | vajrāsthitvamabhedyatvamajaratvañca śaṅkarāt

Having worshipped the Lord of the gods, he obtained from Shankara supreme invulnerability, bones as hard as the vajra, unbreakability, and freedom from old age.

Verse 67 (skanda.8.31.67)

सर्वभूतानुकम्पित्वं महायोगित्वमेव च । पुनरागात् क्षुपं द्रष्टुं पुनः सख्यमभूत् तयोः

sarvabhūtānukampitvaṁ mahāyogitvameva ca | punarāgāt kṣupaṁ draṣṭuṁ punaḥ sakhyamabhūt tayoḥ

He also obtained compassion for all beings and great yogic power. He came again to see Kshupa, and friendship arose between the two once more.

Verse 68 (skanda.8.31.68)

रागो जातिकृतो यश्च पूर्ववत् स बभूव ह । वामपादेन चाप्येनं क्षुप स समताडयत्

rāgo jātikṛto yaśca pūrvavat sa babhūva ha | vāmapādena cāpyenaṁ kṣupa sa samatāḍayat

But the same caste-born passion arose again as before, and Kshupa struck him with his left foot.

Verse 69 (skanda.8.31.69)

पुनश्च वज्रमादाय स चैनमहनत्तदा । न चार्तिं न व्यथां तस्य तद्वज्रमकरोन्मुने

punaśca vajramādāya sa cainamahanattadā | na cārtiṁ na vyathāṁ tasya tadvajramakaronmune

And again, taking up the vajra, he struck him; but that vajra, O sage, caused him neither pain nor injury.

Verse 70 (skanda.8.31.70)

अवध्यत्वमथो ज्ञात्वा क्षुपस्तस्य महात्मनः । नारायणं समासाद्य वरार्थं समराधयत्

avadhyatvamatho jñātvā kṣupastasya mahātmanaḥ | nārāyaṇaṁ samāsādya varārthaṁ samarādhayat

Then, learning of that great soul's invulnerability, Kshupa approached Narayana and worshipped him for the sake of a boon.

Verse 71 (skanda.8.31.71)

वरदोस्मीति तुष्टेन विष्णुना स च चोदितः । प्रोवाच प्रणतो विष्णुमिदं व्यास महामनाः

varadosmīti tuṣṭena viṣṇunā sa ca coditaḥ | provāca praṇato viṣṇumidaṁ vyāsa mahāmanāḥ

Pleased, Vishnu said 'I am the boon-giver' and urged him on. Then, O Vyasa, the great-minded Kshupa, bowing, spoke this to Vishnu.

Verse 72 (skanda.8.31.72)

क्षुप उवाच । दधीचो नाम विप्रर्षिरवध्योक्षय एव च । सखा मम हृषीकेश स च मामाह नित्यदा

kṣupa uvāca | dadhīco nāma viprarṣiravadhyokṣaya eva ca | sakhā mama hṛṣīkeśa sa ca māmāha nityadā

Kshupa said: O Hrishikesha, there is a Brahmin sage named Dadhichi, invulnerable and imperishable; he is my friend, and he always says to me...

Verse 73 (skanda.8.31.73)

बिभेम्यहं न देवस्य राक्षसस्यासुरस्य वा । पिशाचस्याथ यक्षस्य वयसो मानुषस्य वा

bibhemyahaṁ na devasya rākṣasasyāsurasya vā | piśācasyātha yakṣasya vayaso mānuṣasya vā

'...I fear neither god, nor rakshasa, nor asura, nor pishacha, nor yaksha, nor bird, nor man.'

Verse 74 (skanda.8.31.74)

बिभेमीति यथा ब्रूयात् तथा त्वं कर्तुमर्हसि । एवमुक्तो नरेशेन स विष्णुर्लोकभावनः

bibhemīti yathā brūyāt tathā tvaṁ kartumarhasi | evamukto nareśena sa viṣṇurlokabhāvanaḥ

'Bring it about that he might say, "I am afraid."' Thus addressed by the king, Vishnu, the nurturer of the worlds...

Verse 75 (skanda.8.31.75)

तथास्त्विति च तं प्रोच्य दधीचस्याश्रमं ययौ । स प्रविश्याश्रमं व्यास दधीचेनाभिपूजितः

tathāstviti ca taṁ procya dadhīcasyāśramaṁ yayau | sa praviśyāśramaṁ vyāsa dadhīcenābhipūjitaḥ

...said 'So be it' to him and set out for Dadhichi's ashram. Entering the ashram, O Vyasa, he was honoured by Dadhichi.

Verse 76 (skanda.8.31.76)

अभिवाद्याञ्जलिं कृत्वा दधीचमिदमब्रवीत् । भगवन् ब्रह्मणश्रेष्ठ पितामहसमद्युते

abhivādyāñjaliṁ kṛtvā dadhīcamidamabravīt | bhagavan brahmaṇaśreṣṭha pitāmahasamadyute

Having greeted him with folded hands, he said this to Dadhichi: 'O Lord, best of Brahmins, radiant as the Grandsire...'

Verse 77 (skanda.8.31.77)

वरमेकं वृणेहं यं तं भवान्दातुमर्हति । प्रसादितोहं विप्रेन्द्र क्षुपेण शुभकर्मणा

varamekaṁ vṛṇehaṁ yaṁ taṁ bhavāndātumarhati | prasāditohaṁ viprendra kṣupeṇa śubhakarmaṇā

'...I ask for a single boon, which you are able to give. I have been sent, O foremost of Brahmins, at the request of the righteous Kshupa.'

Verse 78 (skanda.8.31.78)

वरदोस्मीति चाप्युक्तो वरं वव्रे महामुने । प्रोक्तं त्वया बिभेमीति ब्रूहि तन् मदनुग्रहात्

varadosmīti cāpyukto varaṁ vavre mahāmune | proktaṁ tvayā bibhemīti brūhi tan madanugrahāt

Told 'I am the boon-giver,' O great sage, he asked for this boon: 'Say the words, "I am afraid," as a favour to me.'

Verse 79 (skanda.8.31.79)

अभयं सर्वभूतेभ्यो ब्राह्मणस्य न संशयः । अवध्यश्चापि सर्वेषां महायोगबलान्वितः

abhayaṁ sarvabhūtebhyo brāhmaṇasya na saṁśayaḥ | avadhyaścāpi sarveṣāṁ mahāyogabalānvitaḥ

'A Brahmin's fearlessness before all beings is beyond doubt; and endowed with the power of great yoga, he is inviolable to all.'

Verse 80 (skanda.8.31.80)

अभीतस्त्वं तथाप्यद्य मदर्थं वद तत् प्रभो । दधीचश्चैव मुक्तोपि विष्णुना मधुरं तदा

abhītastvaṁ tathāpyadya madarthaṁ vada tat prabho | dadhīcaścaiva muktopi viṣṇunā madhuraṁ tadā

'You are indeed unafraid, yet today, for my sake, O Lord, say that word.' But Dadhichi, though thus entreated sweetly by Vishnu...

Verse 81 (skanda.8.31.81)

उवाच न बिभेमीति भूयो भूयो जनार्दनम् । नाहं वक्ष्ये बिभेमीति नोक्तं नाप्युच्यते मया

uvāca na bibhemīti bhūyo bhūyo janārdanam | nāhaṁ vakṣye bibhemīti noktaṁ nāpyucyate mayā

...said again and again to Janardana: 'I do not fear. I will never say "I am afraid" - it has not been said before, nor shall it ever be said by me.'

Verse 82 (skanda.8.31.82)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । एवमुक्तश्चक्रपाणिश्च्यावनिं क्रोधमूर्च्छितः । उवाच चक्रमुद्यम्य भयमस्य विदर्शयन्

sanatkumāra uvāca | evamuktaścakrapāṇiścyāvaniṁ krodhamūrcchitaḥ | uvāca cakramudyamya bhayamasya vidarśayan

Sanatkumara said: Thus addressed, the discus-bearer, overcome with anger, raised his discus, and, showing Chyavani the threat, said...

Verse 83 (skanda.8.31.83)

एवमेव हि कर्तव्या ये भूत्वा बलवत्तराः । अस्वामिन इव प्रेम्णा ब्रुवते दुर्बलं जनम्

evameva hi kartavyā ye bhūtvā balavattarāḥ | asvāmina iva premṇā bruvate durbalaṁ janam

'This is exactly how the more powerful must deal with those who, out of false affection, address the weak as if they were not their master.'

Verse 84 (skanda.8.31.84)

न चेद् द्रक्ष्यसि भीतोस्मीत्येतच्चक्र ततस्तव । सुनसं शिर आदाय महीं सं प्रापयिष्यति

na ced drakṣyasi bhītosmītyetaccakra tatastava | sunasaṁ śira ādāya mahīṁ saṁ prāpayiṣyati

'If you do not now say "I am afraid," this discus of yours shall take your fine head and send it down to the earth.'

Verse 85 (skanda.8.31.85)

दधीचिरुवाच । किं वृथा चक्रमुद्यम्य विष्णो त्वं क्लेशमिच्छसि । नाहं चक्रस्य ते गम्यः प्रसादात् त्र्यम्बकस्य तु

dadhīciruvāca | kiṁ vṛthā cakramudyamya viṣṇo tvaṁ kleśamicchasi | nāhaṁ cakrasya te gamyaḥ prasādāt tryambakasya tu

Dadhichi said: 'Why, O Vishnu, do you seek trouble in vain, raising your discus? By the grace of Tryambaka I am beyond your discus's reach.'

Verse 86 (skanda.8.31.86)

किन्तु जिज्ञासया यामि लोकपालशरण्यताम् । तेषां निष्क्रियतां ज्ञात्वा ततो यास्यामि शंकरम्

kintu jijñāsayā yāmi lokapālaśaraṇyatām | teṣāṁ niṣkriyatāṁ jñātvā tato yāsyāmi śaṁkaram

'But out of curiosity I go to test the world-guardians' power to grant refuge; having learned their powerlessness, I shall then go to Shankara.'

Verse 87 (skanda.8.31.87)

एवमुक्त्वा च्यावनिस्तु प्राद्रवद् वरुणं प्रति । शरणं तं प्रपन्नश्च सं प्रादादभयं प्रभुः

evamuktvā cyāvanistu prādravad varuṇaṁ prati | śaraṇaṁ taṁ prapannaśca saṁ prādādabhayaṁ prabhuḥ

Having said this, Chyavani ran toward Varuna and took refuge with him; and the Lord Varuna granted him fearlessness.

Verse 88 (skanda.8.31.88)

तत्र विष्णोश्च देवस्य वरुणस्य च धीमतः । युद्धं समभवद् घोरं बहूनब्दान् विभीषणम्

tatra viṣṇośca devasya varuṇasya ca dhīmataḥ | yuddhaṁ samabhavad ghoraṁ bahūnabdān vibhīṣaṇam

There a terrible, dreadful war took place between the God Vishnu and the wise Varuna, lasting many years.

Verse 89 (skanda.8.31.89)

निगृहीतेथ वरुणे च्यावनिर्यममभ्ययात् । स चाप्यभयद स्तस्मै विष्णुना निर्जितो युधि

nigṛhītetha varuṇe cyāvaniryamamabhyayāt | sa cāpyabhayada stasmai viṣṇunā nirjito yudhi

When Varuna was overpowered, Chyavani went to Yama; he too granted him fearlessness, but he too was defeated by Vishnu in battle.

Verse 90 (skanda.8.31.90)

ततोग्निमभ्ययाद् व्यास सोपि तेनाभिनिर्जितः । ततः स मुष्टिमादाय कुशानां च्यावनिस्तदा

tatognimabhyayād vyāsa sopi tenābhinirjitaḥ | tataḥ sa muṣṭimādāya kuśānāṁ cyāvanistadā

Then, O Vyasa, he went to Agni; he too was defeated by Vishnu. Then Chyavani, taking a handful of kusha grass...

Verse 91 (skanda.8.31.91)

स्वमाश्रममुपागम्य तिष्ठतिष्ठेत्यभाषत । जिज्ञासार्थं लोकपालानहं शरण मेयिवान्

svamāśramamupāgamya tiṣṭhatiṣṭhetyabhāṣata | jijñāsārthaṁ lokapālānahaṁ śaraṇa meyivān

...returned to his own ashram and said, 'Wait, wait! I went for refuge to the world-guardians only to test them.'

Verse 92 (skanda.8.31.92)

अबलास्ते च सर्वेपि मय्येव बलमुत्तमम् । अद्य गर्वञ्च दर्पञ्च बलं यच्च तवाद्भुतम् । तत्सर्वं नाशयिष्यामि तिष्ठेदानीं जनार्दन

abalāste ca sarvepi mayyeva balamuttamam | adya garvañca darpañca balaṁ yacca tavādbhutam | tatsarvaṁ nāśayiṣyāmi tiṣṭhedānīṁ janārdana

'And they are all powerless; supreme strength is in me alone. Today, O Janardana, I shall destroy your pride, your arrogance, and your wondrous strength - stand now.'

Verse 93 (skanda.8.31.93)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततो युद्धं समभवत् तुमुलं लोमहर्षणम् । नारायणस्य च व्यास च्यावनेश्च महात्मनः

sanatkumāra uvāca | tato yuddhaṁ samabhavat tumulaṁ lomaharṣaṇam | nārāyaṇasya ca vyāsa cyāvaneśca mahātmanaḥ

Sanatkumara said: Then, O Vyasa, a tumultuous, hair-raising battle took place between Narayana and the great-souled Chyavana.

Verse 94 (skanda.8.31.94)

यान्यस्त्राणि शरा ये च नारायणकरच्युताः । योगेन तान् दधीचोसौ कुशमुष्टौ न्ययेशयत्

yānyastrāṇi śarā ye ca nārāyaṇakaracyutāḥ | yogena tān dadhīcosau kuśamuṣṭau nyayeśayat

Whatever weapons and arrows fell from Narayana's hand, Dadhichi, by his yogic power, made them lie enclosed within his handful of kusha grass.

Verse 95 (skanda.8.31.95)

ततो विष्णोर्योगबलाद् गात्रेभ्यः संप्रजज्ञिरे । देवा युयुधिरे सर्वे विष्णुना सह दंशिताः

tato viṣṇoryogabalād gātrebhyaḥ saṁprajajñire | devā yuyudhire sarve viṣṇunā saha daṁśitāḥ

Then, by Vishnu's yogic power, gods sprang forth from his limbs, and all of them, armoured, fought alongside Vishnu.

Verse 96 (skanda.8.31.96)

तानप्यशेषतः सर्वान् सायुधान् सह वाहनैः । कुशमुष्टौ स संक्रुद्धो विष्णुवर्जं न्यवेशयत्

tānapyaśeṣataḥ sarvān sāyudhān saha vāhanaiḥ | kuśamuṣṭau sa saṁkruddho viṣṇuvarjaṁ nyaveśayat

Those too, entirely - all of them, with their weapons and mounts, except Vishnu - the enraged Dadhichi made lie enclosed within his handful of kusha.

Verse 97 (skanda.8.31.97)

ततस्सर्वामरैर्व्यास कुशमुष्टौ प्रवेशितैः । योगेन तेजसा चैव दधीचेन महात्मना

tatassarvāmarairvyāsa kuśamuṣṭau praveśitaiḥ | yogena tejasā caiva dadhīcena mahātmanā

Then, O Vyasa, all the gods having thus been made to enter the handful of kusha, by the yogic power and radiance of the great-souled Dadhichi...

Verse 98 (skanda.8.31.98)

विष्णुं संविग्नरूपं तु कोपावेशात् प्रमोहितम् । तत्रागम्य स्वयं ब्रह्मा तदा वचनमब्रवीत्

viṣṇuṁ saṁvignarūpaṁ tu kopāveśāt pramohitam | tatrāgamya svayaṁ brahmā tadā vacanamabravīt

...Vishnu, whose form had grown distressed, bewildered by the onrush of anger - then Brahma himself came there and spoke these words.

Verse 99 (skanda.8.31.99)

किन्तवानेन गोविन्द तथा यत्नेन सदद्विजे । कृतेनाथ दधीचस्य शर्वाल्लब्धवरस्य तु

kintavānena govinda tathā yatnena sadadvije | kṛtenātha dadhīcasya śarvāllabdhavarasya tu

'What is this, O Govinda, that you have done with such effort against this good Brahmin, Dadhichi, who has obtained a boon from Sharva?'

Verse 100 (skanda.8.31.100)

किन्न वेत्सि यथा ह्येष प्रसादात् पारमेश्वरात् । अवध्यत्वं सुयोगित्वं गुणैश्वर्यत्वमेव च

kinna vetsi yathā hyeṣa prasādāt pārameśvarāt | avadhyatvaṁ suyogitvaṁ guṇaiśvaryatvameva ca

'Do you not know that, by the grace of the Supreme Lord, he has obtained invulnerability, excellent yogic power, and lordship of these qualities...'

Verse 101 (skanda.8.31.101)

वज्रास्थिसारताञ्चैव लब्धवान् स्वयमीश्वरात् । न चैवं त्वद्विधा देव ब्राह्मणेषु विकुर्वते

vajrāsthisāratāñcaiva labdhavān svayamīśvarāt | na caivaṁ tvadvidhā deva brāhmaṇeṣu vikurvate

'...and the hardness of the vajra in his very bones, from the Lord Himself? Those like you, O God, should not behave thus toward Brahmins.'

Verse 102 (skanda.8.31.102)

तस्मादाशु निवर्तस्व क्षमयैनं द्विजोत्तमम् । ततो ब्रह्मवचः श्रुत्वा स विष्णुर्लोकभावनः

tasmādāśu nivartasva kṣamayainaṁ dvijottamam | tato brahmavacaḥ śrutvā sa viṣṇurlokabhāvanaḥ

'Therefore turn back at once, and beg forgiveness of this best of Brahmins.' Then, hearing Brahma's words, Vishnu, nurturer of the worlds...

Verse 103 (skanda.8.31.103)

योगेन तद्बलं ज्ञात्वा दधीचस्य महात्मनः । क्षामयामास विप्रेन्द्रं स्वं चावासमथाभ्यगात्

yogena tadbalaṁ jñātvā dadhīcasya mahātmanaḥ | kṣāmayāmāsa viprendraṁ svaṁ cāvāsamathābhyagāt

...having recognized, through yoga, the power of the great-souled Dadhichi, begged forgiveness of that foremost Brahmin, and then returned to his own abode.

Verse 104 (skanda.8.31.104)

ब्रह्मापि तमृषिं सान्त्व्य पूजयित्वा त्रिलोकपः । जगामादर्शनं व्यास सह सर्वामरैस्तदा

brahmāpi tamṛṣiṁ sāntvya pūjayitvā trilokapaḥ | jagāmādarśanaṁ vyāsa saha sarvāmaraistadā

Brahma too, O Vyasa, the lord of the three worlds, having consoled and honoured that sage, then departed from sight, together with all the gods.

Verse 105 (skanda.8.31.105)

दधीचोपि महातेजास्तपस्तेपे स्वकाश्रमे । महादेवप्रसादार्थमुग्रं वाय्वम्बुभोजनः

dadhīcopi mahātejāstapastepe svakāśrame | mahādevaprasādārthamugraṁ vāyvambubhojanaḥ

Dadhichi too, of great splendour, subsisting on air and water alone, performed fierce austerity in his own ashram, for the sake of Mahadeva's grace.

Verse 106 (skanda.8.31.106)

अथास्य युक्तस्य तदा तपसा भास्करद्युतेः । तुतोष भगवान् त्र्यक्षस्तुष्टश्चैवाब्रवीदिदम्

athāsya yuktasya tadā tapasā bhāskaradyuteḥ | tutoṣa bhagavān tryakṣastuṣṭaścaivābravīdidam

Then the Blessed three-eyed Lord was pleased by his austerity, radiant as the sun; and, being pleased, He said this.

Verse 107 (skanda.8.31.107)

देवदेव उवाच । च्यावने तपसानेन तव तुष्टोस्मि सुव्रत । ब्रूहि यत्ते भिलषितं कृतमेव हि तन्मया

devadeva uvāca | cyāvane tapasānena tava tuṣṭosmi suvrata | brūhi yatte bhilaṣitaṁ kṛtameva hi tanmayā

The God of gods said: 'O Chyavana, O virtuous one, I am pleased with you for this austerity. Tell me what you desire - consider it already granted by Me.'

Verse 108 (skanda.8.31.108)

दधीचिरुवाच । भगवन् यदि तुष्टोसि यदि देयो वरश्च मे । इच्छामि विष्णुना सार्धं सर्वान्देवाँस्त्वया जितान्

dadhīciruvāca | bhagavan yadi tuṣṭosi yadi deyo varaśca me | icchāmi viṣṇunā sārdhaṁ sarvāndevā~stvayā jitān

Dadhichi said: 'O Lord, if you are pleased and a boon is to be given to me, I desire, together with Vishnu, all the gods conquered by You.'

Verse 109 (skanda.8.31.109)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततः प्रहस्य वरदो दधीचमृषिसत्तमम् । एवमस्त्विति तं प्राह प्रणतार्तिहरो हरः

sanatkumāra uvāca | tataḥ prahasya varado dadhīcamṛṣisattamam | evamastviti taṁ prāha praṇatārtiharo haraḥ

Sanatkumara said: Then the boon-giver Hara, remover of the suffering of the bowed, laughing, said to Dadhichi, best of sages: 'So be it.'

Verse 110 (skanda.8.31.110)

तस्मिन्दत्ते तदा तेन त्र्यम्बकेण वरे शुभे । अमन्यत स्थितं वैरं क्षुपेण सह वै ऋषिः

tasmindatte tadā tena tryambakeṇa vare śubhe | amanyata sthitaṁ vairaṁ kṣupeṇa saha vai ṛṣiḥ

When that auspicious boon had been given by Tryambaka, the sage reflected that his enmity with Kshupa still remained.

Verse 111 (skanda.8.31.111)

ध्यायन्तं तं तथा दृष्ट्वा भगवान् गोवृषध्वजः । उवाच वरमन्यञ्च ब्रूहि विप्र ददामि ते

dhyāyantaṁ taṁ tathā dṛṣṭvā bhagavān govṛṣadhvajaḥ | uvāca varamanyañca brūhi vipra dadāmi te

Seeing him thus lost in thought, the bull-bannered Lord said: 'Ask for another boon, O Brahmin; I shall give it to you.'

Verse 112 (skanda.8.31.112)

दधीचिरुवाच । यस्मात् स्थितमिदं वैरं वरदानात् तव प्रभो । इह तस्मात्तव स्थानं नाम्नैतेन भवत्वज

dadhīciruvāca | yasmāt sthitamidaṁ vairaṁ varadānāt tava prabho | iha tasmāttava sthānaṁ nāmnaitena bhavatvaja

Dadhichi said: 'Since this enmity, O Lord, O Unborn one, arose here because of Your granting of boons, therefore let this, Your place, become known by this very name.'

Verse 113 (skanda.8.31.113)

देवदेव उवाच । स्थानेश्वरमिति ख्यातं नाम्नैतत् स्थानमुत्तमम् । भवितृ क्रोशपर्यन्तं नानापुष्पलताकुलम्

devadeva uvāca | sthāneśvaramiti khyātaṁ nāmnaitat sthānamuttamam | bhavitṛ krośaparyantaṁ nānāpuṣpalatākulam

The God of gods said: 'This supreme place shall become known by the name "Sthaneshvara," extending a krosha around, filled with various flowers and creepers.'

Verse 114 (skanda.8.31.114)

अत्र योभ्यर्चयेन्मां तु परं नियममास्थितः । त्रिरात्रोपोषितः सम्यक् स्नात्वा नद्यां तु मानवः

atra yobhyarcayenmāṁ tu paraṁ niyamamāsthitaḥ | trirātropoṣitaḥ samyak snātvā nadyāṁ tu mānavaḥ

'Whoever, keeping supreme discipline, having duly fasted three nights and bathed in the river, worships Me here...'

Verse 115 (skanda.8.31.115)

ब्राह्मणं भोजयित्वा च चरुं धर्मेण संयुतः । सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो मम लोकमवाप्नुयात्

brāhmaṇaṁ bhojayitvā ca caruṁ dharmeṇa saṁyutaḥ | sarvapāpavinirmukto mama lokamavāpnuyāt

'...and, in accordance with dharma, feeds a Brahmin a charu-offering, becomes freed from all sin and attains My world.'

Verse 116 (skanda.8.31.116)

स्थाणुतीर्थं च भवितृ तथैतत् पापनाशनम् । अश्वमेधफलं ह्यत्र स्नातः प्राप्नोति पुष्कलम्

sthāṇutīrthaṁ ca bhavitṛ tathaitat pāpanāśanam | aśvamedhaphalaṁ hyatra snātaḥ prāpnoti puṣkalam

'And this shall also become the Sthanu-tirtha, a destroyer of sin; one who bathes here obtains the abundant fruit of an Ashvamedha sacrifice.'

Verse 117 (skanda.8.31.117)

अयञ्चापि वटः श्रीमान् स्थितोहं यत्र सांप्रतम् । वरं दातुं मदाख्यानो नाम्ना स्थाणुवटो महान्

ayañcāpi vaṭaḥ śrīmān sthitohaṁ yatra sāṁpratam | varaṁ dātuṁ madākhyāno nāmnā sthāṇuvaṭo mahān

'And this glorious banyan tree, where I now stand to grant boons, shall become known by My own name as the great Sthanu-vata.'

Verse 118 (skanda.8.31.118)

भविष्यति न सन्देहः फलञ्चाप्यस्य मे शृणु । योत्र तिष्ठेदहोरात्रं संयतो नियताशनः

bhaviṣyati na sandehaḥ phalañcāpyasya me śṛṇu | yotra tiṣṭhedahorātraṁ saṁyato niyatāśanaḥ

'This shall be so, without doubt; and hear from Me also its fruit. Whoever stays here a day and night, self-controlled, with regulated diet...'

Verse 119 (skanda.8.31.119)

चीर्णं स्वयं भवेत्तेन स्थाणुव्रतमनुत्तमम् । सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो गणपस्स भवेन्मम

cīrṇaṁ svayaṁ bhavettena sthāṇuvratamanuttamam | sarvapāpavinirmukto gaṇapassa bhavenmama

'...shall thereby have himself observed the supreme Sthanu-vrata, and, freed from all sin, shall become a Ganapa of Mine.'

Verse 120 (skanda.8.31.120)

अकम्पनो नाम महान् महायोगबलान्वितः । यश्च प्राणान्नियमवान् यमवानथवा पुनः

akampano nāma mahān mahāyogabalānvitaḥ | yaśca prāṇānniyamavān yamavānathavā punaḥ

'There is a great one named Akampana, endowed with great yogic power; and whoever, restraining the breath, self-disciplined, or otherwise...'

Verse 121 (skanda.8.31.121)

परित्यजेत मनुजस्तस्य पुण्यफलं महत् । सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तः सर्वबन्धविवर्जितः । गणोश्वरो नन्दिसमः स मे भवति सर्वगः

parityajeta manujastasya puṇyaphalaṁ mahat | sarvapāpavinirmuktaḥ sarvabandhavivarjitaḥ | gaṇośvaro nandisamaḥ sa me bhavati sarvagaḥ

'...renounces everything there - great is the fruit of merit for that man; freed from all sin, released from every bond, he becomes, like Nandin, an all-pervading lord of My ganas.'

Verse 122 (skanda.8.31.122)

स्थानेश्वरे यस्त्विह चैकरात्रं स्थित्वा क्षपेत् सर्वमशेषतो हि । स सर्वपापप्रविमुक्तचेता गणेश्वरो मे भवितातिभीमः

sthāneśvare yastviha caikarātraṁ sthitvā kṣapet sarvamaśeṣato hi | sa sarvapāpapravimuktacetā gaṇeśvaro me bhavitātibhīmaḥ

'Whoever, staying here at Sthaneshvara for a single night, gives up everything entirely - his mind wholly freed of all sin, he becomes an exceedingly mighty Ganeshvara of Mine.'