The Long Sacrificial Session at Naimisha

Verse 1 (skanda.8.5.1)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। तन्नैमिशं समासाद्य ऋषयो दीप्ततेजसः । दिव्यं सत्रं समासन्त महद्वर्षसहस्रिकम्

sanatkumāra uvāca| tannaimiśaṁ samāsādya ṛṣayo dīptatejasaḥ | divyaṁ satraṁ samāsanta mahadvarṣasahasrikam

Sanatkumara said: Having reached that Naimisha, the sages of blazing radiance undertook a great divine sacrificial session lasting a thousand years.

Verse 2 (skanda.8.5.2)

एकाग्रमनसः सर्वे निर्ममा निरहंकृताः । ध्यायन्तो नित्यमीशेशं सदारतनयाग्नयः

ekāgramanasaḥ sarve nirmamā nirahaṁkṛtāḥ | dhyāyanto nityamīśeśaṁ sadāratanayāgnayaḥ

All of them, single-minded, free of possessiveness and ego, together with their wives, sons and sacred fires, meditated ceaselessly upon the Lord of lords.

Verse 3 (skanda.8.5.3)

तन्निष्ठास्तत्पराः सर्वे तद्युक्तास्तदुपाश्रयाः । सर्वक्रियाः प्रकुर्वाणास्तमेव मनसा गताः

tanniṣṭhāstatparāḥ sarve tadyuktāstadupāśrayāḥ | sarvakriyāḥ prakurvāṇāstameva manasā gatāḥ

Devoted wholly to him, intent on him, united with him and taking refuge in him, they performed all their rites while their minds remained fixed on him alone.

Verse 4 (skanda.8.5.4)

तेषां तं भावमालक्ष्य मातरिश्वा महातपाः । सर्वप्राणि चरः श्रीमान् सर्वभूतप्रवर्तकः

teṣāṁ taṁ bhāvamālakṣya mātariśvā mahātapāḥ | sarvaprāṇi caraḥ śrīmān sarvabhūtapravartakaḥ

Perceiving their devotion, Matarishvan — of great austerity, moving through all living beings, glorious, and the mover of all creatures —

Verse 5 (skanda.8.5.5)

ददौ स रूपी भगवान् दर्शनं सत्रिणां शुभः । तन्ते दृष्ट्वार्चयित्वा च मातरिश्वानमव्यम्

dadau sa rūpī bhagavān darśanaṁ satriṇāṁ śubhaḥ | tante dṛṣṭvārcayitvā ca mātariśvānamavyam

...that glorious lord, taking bodily form, granted a vision of himself to those performing the rite; having beheld and worshipped that imperishable Matarishvan...

Verse 6 (skanda.8.5.6)

आसीनमासने पुण्ये ऋषयः संश्रितव्रताः । पप्रच्छुरुद्भवं कृत्स्नं जगतः प्रलयन्तथा

āsīnamāsane puṇye ṛṣayaḥ saṁśritavratāḥ | papracchurudbhavaṁ kṛtsnaṁ jagataḥ pralayantathā

...the sages, steadfast in their vows, asked him — as he sat upon a sacred seat — about the entire origin of the world, and likewise its dissolution,

Verse 7 (skanda.8.5.7)

स्थितिञ्च कृत्स्नां वंशांश्च युगमन्वन्तराणि च । वंशानुचरितं कृत्स्नं दिव्यमानं तथैव च

sthitiñca kṛtsnāṁ vaṁśāṁśca yugamanvantarāṇi ca | vaṁśānucaritaṁ kṛtsnaṁ divyamānaṁ tathaiva ca

and about the entire subsistence of the world, the lineages, the ages and the manvantaras, the whole genealogical history, and the divine reckoning of time.

Verse 8 (skanda.8.5.8)

अष्टानां देवयोनीनामुत्पत्तिं प्रलयन्तथा । पितृसर्गं तथा शेषं ब्रह्मणो मानमेव च

aṣṭānāṁ devayonīnāmutpattiṁ pralayantathā | pitṛsargaṁ tathā śeṣaṁ brahmaṇo mānameva ca

The origin and dissolution of the eight classes of divine beings, the creation of the ancestral spirits, and the full measure of Brahma's own life-span.

Verse 9 (skanda.8.5.9)

चन्द्रादित्यगतिं सर्वां ताराग्रहगतिं तथा । स्थितिं सर्वेश्वराणां च द्वीपधर्ममशेषतः

candrādityagatiṁ sarvāṁ tārāgrahagatiṁ tathā | sthitiṁ sarveśvarāṇāṁ ca dvīpadharmamaśeṣataḥ

The entire course of the moon and the sun, the movement of the stars and planets, the order of all the world-guardians, and the nature of the continents in full.

Verse 10 (skanda.8.5.10)

वर्णाश्रमव्यवस्थानं यज्ञानां च प्रवर्तनम् । एतत्सर्वमशेषेण कथयामास स प्रभुः

varṇāśramavyavasthānaṁ yajñānāṁ ca pravartanam | etatsarvamaśeṣeṇa kathayāmāsa sa prabhuḥ

They also asked of the order of the varnas and ashramas, and the establishment of sacrifices; and that lord related all of this fully, without omission.

Verse 11 (skanda.8.5.11)

दिव्यवर्षसहस्रं च तेषां तदभियात्तथा । अथ दिव्येन रूपेण सामवाग् दिङ्निरीक्षणा

divyavarṣasahasraṁ ca teṣāṁ tadabhiyāttathā | atha divyena rūpeṇa sāmavāg diṅnirīkṣaṇā

Thus a thousand divine years passed for them; then, in divine form, she appeared — her speech the melody of the Sama, her gaze surveying the directions,

Verse 12 (skanda.8.5.12)

यजुर्घ्राणाथर्वशिरा शब्दजिह्वा शुभा सतो । न्यायश्रोत्रा निरुक्तत्वगृक्पादपद गामिनी

yajurghrāṇātharvaśirā śabdajihvā śubhā sato | nyāyaśrotrā niruktatvagṛkpādapada gāminī

the Yajurveda her nostrils, the Atharva her head, sound her tongue, auspicious in truth; Nyaya her ears, Nirukta her skin, the Rig her lotus-feet, moving thus,

Verse 13 (skanda.8.5.13)

कालबाहूर्वर्षकरा दिवसाङ्गुलिधारिणी । कलादिभिः पर्वभिश्च मासैः कररुहैस्तथा

kālabāhūrvarṣakarā divasāṅgulidhāriṇī | kalādibhiḥ parvabhiśca māsaiḥ kararuhaistathā

Time her arms, the years her hands, the days her fingers; the kalas, the ritual periods and the months serving as her very nails.

Verse 14 (skanda.8.5.14)

कल्पेन चोरसा दिव्या शिक्षाविद्योन्नतस्तनी । छन्दोविजितमध्या च मीमांसानाभिरेव च

kalpena corasā divyā śikṣāvidyonnatastanī | chandovijitamadhyā ca mīmāṁsānābhireva ca

The Kalpa formed her divine breast, Shiksha and higher learning her raised bosom; Chandas her slender waist, and Mimamsa her very navel.

Verse 15 (skanda.8.5.15)

पुराणविस्तीर्णकटिर्धर्मशास्त्रमनोरथा । आश्रमोरुर्वर्णजानुर्यज्ञगुल्फा फलाङ्गुलिः

purāṇavistīrṇakaṭirdharmaśāstramanorathā | āśramorurvarṇajānuryajñagulphā phalāṅguliḥ

The Puranas her broad hips, Dharmashastra her aspiration; the Ashramas her thighs, the Varnas her knees, sacrifice her ankles, and the fruits of action her toes.

Verse 16 (skanda.8.5.16)

लोकवेदशरीरा च रोमभिश्छान्दसैः शुभैः । श्रद्धा शुभाचारवस्त्रा योगधर्माभिभाषिणी

lokavedaśarīrā ca romabhiśchāndasaiḥ śubhaiḥ | śraddhā śubhācāravastrā yogadharmābhibhāṣiṇī

The world and the Vedas were her body, and the sacred meters her radiant hair; virtuous conduct her very garment, and she spoke ever of the way of yoga.

Verse 17 (skanda.8.5.17)

वेदीमध्याद्विनिःसृत्य प्रवृत्ता परमाम्भसा । तस्यान्ते वभृथे प्लुत्य वायुना सह संगताः

vedīmadhyādviniḥsṛtya pravṛttā paramāmbhasā | tasyānte vabhṛthe plutya vāyunā saha saṁgatāḥ

Issuing forth from the middle of the altar, she flowed onward with her supreme waters; at the close of that rite, having plunged into the concluding bath, she met with Vayu.

Verse 18 (skanda.8.5.18)

तामपृच्छन्त कान्वेषा वायुं देवं महाधियम् । उवाच स महातेजा ऋषीन्धर्मानुभावितान्

tāmapṛcchanta kānveṣā vāyuṁ devaṁ mahādhiyam | uvāca sa mahātejā ṛṣīndharmānubhāvitān

They asked the greatly wise god Vayu, 'Who is she?' And that radiant one then spoke in answer to the sages, purified by dharma.

Verse 19 (skanda.8.5.19)

शुद्धाः स्थ तपसा सर्वे महान्धर्मश्च बः कृतः । यस्मादियं नदी पुण्या ब्रह्मलोकादिहागता

śuddhāḥ stha tapasā sarve mahāndharmaśca baḥ kṛtaḥ | yasmādiyaṁ nadī puṇyā brahmalokādihāgatā

'All of you are purified by your austerity, and you have accomplished a great dharma; because of this, this sacred river has come here from Brahmaloka.'

Verse 20 (skanda.8.5.20)

इयं सरस्वती नाम ब्रह्मलोकविभूषणा । प्रथमं मर्त्त्यलोकेस्मिन् युष्मत्सिद्ध्यर्थमागता । नास्याः पुण्यतमा लोके त्रिषु लोकेषु विद्यते

iyaṁ sarasvatī nāma brahmalokavibhūṣaṇā | prathamaṁ marttyalokesmin yuṣmatsiddhyarthamāgatā | nāsyāḥ puṇyatamā loke triṣu lokeṣu vidyate

'This is Sarasvati, the very ornament of Brahmaloka; she has come here to the mortal world for the first time, for the sake of your success. There is none more sacred than her in the three worlds.'

Verse 21 (skanda.8.5.21)

ऋषय ऊचुः। कथमेषा महापुण्या प्रवृत्ता ब्रह्मलोकगा । कारणं किञ्च तत्रासीदेतदिच्छाम वेदितुम्

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ| kathameṣā mahāpuṇyā pravṛttā brahmalokagā | kāraṇaṁ kiñca tatrāsīdetadicchāma veditum

The sages said: 'How has this greatly sacred river, dweller of Brahmaloka, come to flow here? What was the cause of it? We wish to know this.'

Verse 22 (skanda.8.5.22)

वायुरुवाच। अत्र वो वर्त्तयिष्यामि इतिहासं पुरातनम् । ब्रह्मणश्चैव संवादं पुरा यज्ञस्य चैव हि

vāyuruvāca| atra vo varttayiṣyāmi itihāsaṁ purātanam | brahmaṇaścaiva saṁvādaṁ purā yajñasya caiva hi

Vayu said: 'I shall relate to you here an ancient tale — a dialogue that once took place between Brahma and Yajna himself.'

Verse 23 (skanda.8.5.23)

यज्ञैरिष्ट्वा पुरा देवो ब्रह्मा दीप्तेन तेजसा । असृजत्सर्वभूतानि स्थावराणि चराणि च

yajñairiṣṭvā purā devo brahmā dīptena tejasā | asṛjatsarvabhūtāni sthāvarāṇi carāṇi ca

In ancient times, having sacrificed with sacrifices, the god Brahma, with his blazing radiance, created all beings, both moving and unmoving.

Verse 24 (skanda.8.5.24)

स दृष्ट्वा दीप्तिमान्देवो दीप्त्या परमया युतः । अवेक्षमाणस्ताँल्लोकाँश्चतुर्भिर्मुखपङ्कजैः

sa dṛṣṭvā dīptimāndevo dīptyā paramayā yutaḥ | avekṣamāṇastā~llokā~ścaturbhirmukhapaṅkajaiḥ

That resplendent god, endowed with supreme brilliance, surveying those worlds with his four lotus-faces,

Verse 25 (skanda.8.5.25)

देवादीन् मानुषादींश्च दृष्ट्वा दृष्ट्वा महामनाः । अमन्यत न मेन्योस्ति समो लोके न चाधिकः

devādīn mānuṣādīṁśca dṛṣṭvā dṛṣṭvā mahāmanāḥ | amanyata na menyosti samo loke na cādhikaḥ

having gazed again and again upon the gods, men, and other beings, that great-minded one thought: 'In this world there is none equal to me, and none greater.'

Verse 26 (skanda.8.5.26)

योहमेताः प्रजाः सर्वाः सप्तलोकप्रतिष्ठिताः । देवमानुषतिर्यक्षु ग्रसामि विसृजामि च

yohametāḥ prajāḥ sarvāḥ saptalokapratiṣṭhitāḥ | devamānuṣatiryakṣu grasāmi visṛjāmi ca

'It is I who, among these creatures established in the seven worlds — gods, men and beasts — devour them, and I who release them again.'

Verse 27 (skanda.8.5.27)

अहं स्रष्टा हि भूतानां नान्यः कश्चन विद्यते । नियन्ता लोककर्ता च न ममास्ति समः क्वचित्

ahaṁ sraṣṭā hi bhūtānāṁ nānyaḥ kaścana vidyate | niyantā lokakartā ca na mamāsti samaḥ kvacit

'I alone am the creator of beings; no other exists. I am the ruler and the maker of the world; none is equal to me anywhere.'

Verse 28 (skanda.8.5.28)

तस्यैवं मन्यमानस्य यज्ञ आगान्महामनाः । उवाच चैनं दीप्तात्मा मैवं मंस्था महामते

tasyaivaṁ manyamānasya yajña āgānmahāmanāḥ | uvāca cainaṁ dīptātmā maivaṁ maṁsthā mahāmate

While Brahma was thinking thus, the great-minded Yajna came near and, radiant in spirit, said to him: 'Do not think in this way, O greatly wise one.'

Verse 29 (skanda.8.5.29)

अयं हि तव संमोहो विनाशाय भविष्यति । न युक्तमीदृशन्तेद्य सत्वस्थस्यात्मयोनिनः

ayaṁ hi tava saṁmoho vināśāya bhaviṣyati | na yuktamīdṛśantedya satvasthasyātmayoninaḥ

'This delusion of yours will bring about your own ruin. Such a thought is unfitting today for you, the self-born, established as you are in truth.'

Verse 30 (skanda.8.5.30)

स्रष्टा त्वञ्चैव नान्योस्ति तथापि न यशस्करम् । अहं धर्त्ता हि भूतानां भुवनस्य तथैब च

sraṣṭā tvañcaiva nānyosti tathāpi na yaśaskaram | ahaṁ dharttā hi bhūtānāṁ bhuvanasya tathaiba ca

'It is true that you alone are the creator, none other — yet it does not become you to boast of it thus. For I am the sustainer of all beings, and of this world as well.'

Verse 31 (skanda.8.5.31)

करोमि न च संमोहं यथा त्वं देव कत्थसे । तमुवाच तदा ब्रह्मा न त्वं धारयिता विभो

karomi na ca saṁmohaṁ yathā tvaṁ deva katthase | tamuvāca tadā brahmā na tvaṁ dhārayitā vibho

'I do not fall into delusion, nor do I boast as you do, O god.' Then Brahma said to him: 'You, mighty one, are not the sustainer.'

Verse 32 (skanda.8.5.32)

अहमेव हि भूतानां धर्त्ता हर्ता तथैव च । मया सृष्टानि भूतानि त्वमेवात्र विमुह्यसे

ahameva hi bhūtānāṁ dharttā hartā tathaiva ca | mayā sṛṣṭāni bhūtāni tvamevātra vimuhyase

'I alone am the sustainer of beings, and their destroyer as well. All beings were created by me; it is you who are deluded in this matter.'

Verse 33 (skanda.8.5.33)

अथागत्तत्र संविग्नो वेदः परमदीप्तिमान् । उवाच चैव तौ वेदो नैत देवमिति प्रभुः

athāgattatra saṁvigno vedaḥ paramadīptimān | uvāca caiva tau vedo naita devamiti prabhuḥ

Then the Veda, exceedingly radiant, came there in agitation; and the lordly Veda said to those two: 'This is not right, O god.'

Verse 34 (skanda.8.5.34)

अहं श्रेष्ठो यत्कृतोस्मि न वदाम्यनृतं क्वचित् । शृणुध्वं मम यः कर्त्ता भूतानां युवयोश्च ह

ahaṁ śreṣṭho yatkṛtosmi na vadāmyanṛtaṁ kvacit | śṛṇudhvaṁ mama yaḥ karttā bhūtānāṁ yuvayośca ha

'I am supreme, and by whom I was made — I never speak falsely. Hear from me who is truly the maker of creatures, and of both of you.'

Verse 35 (skanda.8.5.35)

परमेशो महादेवो रुद्रः सर्वगतः प्रभुः । येनाहं तव दत्तश्च कृतस्त्वञ्च प्रजापतिः

parameśo mahādevo rudraḥ sarvagataḥ prabhuḥ | yenāhaṁ tava dattaśca kṛtastvañca prajāpatiḥ

'It is the supreme Lord, Mahadeva Rudra, the all-pervading master, by whom I was given to you, and by whom you were made Prajapati.'

Verse 36 (skanda.8.5.36)

यज्ञोयं यत्प्रसूतिश्च अहं यत्रास्मि संस्थितः । सर्वं तस्मात्प्रसूतं वै नान्यः कर्त्तास्ति नः क्वचित्

yajñoyaṁ yatprasūtiśca ahaṁ yatrāsmi saṁsthitaḥ | sarvaṁ tasmātprasūtaṁ vai nānyaḥ karttāsti naḥ kvacit

'This Yajna, from whom he sprang, and I too, in whom I abide — everything has proceeded from him alone; there is no other maker of either of us, anywhere.'

Verse 37 (skanda.8.5.37)

तमेवंवादिनं देवो ब्रह्मा वेदनमभाषत । अहं श्रुतीनां सर्वासां नेता स्रष्टा तथैव च

tamevaṁvādinaṁ devo brahmā vedanamabhāṣata | ahaṁ śrutīnāṁ sarvāsāṁ netā sraṣṭā tathaiva ca

To the Veda speaking thus, the god Brahma replied: 'I am the leader of all the scriptures, and their creator as well.'

Verse 38 (skanda.8.5.38)

मत्प्रसादाद्धि वेदस्त्वं यज्ञश्चायं न संशयः । मूढौ युवामधर्मो वा भवद्भ्यामन्यथा कृतः

matprasādāddhi vedastvaṁ yajñaścāyaṁ na saṁśayaḥ | mūḍhau yuvāmadharmo vā bhavadbhyāmanyathā kṛtaḥ

'It is by my grace alone that you are the Veda, and that this is the Yajna — there is no doubt of it. You are both deluded, and this wrong has been done by you two.'

Verse 39 (skanda.8.5.39)

प्रायश्चित्तं चरध्वं वः किल्बिषान्मोक्ष्यथस्ततः । एवमुक्ते तदा तेन महाञ्छब्दो बभूव ह

prāyaścittaṁ caradhvaṁ vaḥ kilbiṣānmokṣyathastataḥ | evamukte tadā tena mahāñchabdo babhūva ha

'Perform penance; only then will you be freed from your sin.' When this was said, a great sound arose at that very moment.

Verse 40 (skanda.8.5.40)

आदित्यमण्डलाकारमदृश्यत च मण्डलम् । महच्छब्देन महता उपरिष्टाद् वियत्स्थितम्

ādityamaṇḍalākāramadṛśyata ca maṇḍalam | mahacchabdena mahatā upariṣṭād viyatsthitam

A disc, shaped like the orb of the sun, appeared amid a great sound, stationed high up in the sky.

Verse 41 (skanda.8.5.41)

स चापि तस्माद्विभ्रष्टो भूतलं समुपाश्रितः । हिमवत्कुञ्जमासाद्य नानाविहगनादितम्

sa cāpi tasmādvibhraṣṭo bhūtalaṁ samupāśritaḥ | himavatkuñjamāsādya nānāvihaganāditam

Falling from there, it came down to rest upon the earth, reaching a Himalayan glade resounding with the cries of many birds.

Verse 42 (skanda.8.5.42)

व्योमगश्च चिरं भूत्वा भूमिगः संबभूव ह । ततो ब्रह्मा दिशः सर्वा निरीक्ष्य मुखपङ्कजैः

vyomagaśca ciraṁ bhūtvā bhūmigaḥ saṁbabhūva ha | tato brahmā diśaḥ sarvā nirīkṣya mukhapaṅkajaiḥ

Having roamed the sky for a long while, it came at last to move upon the earth. Then Brahma, surveying every direction with his lotus-faces,

Verse 43 (skanda.8.5.43)

चतुर्भिर्न वियत्स्थं तमपश्यत्स पितामहः । स मुखं पञ्चमं दीप्तमसृजन् मूर्घ्नि संस्थितम्

caturbhirna viyatsthaṁ tamapaśyatsa pitāmahaḥ | sa mukhaṁ pañcamaṁ dīptamasṛjan mūrghni saṁsthitam

with his four faces the Grandsire could not see it, stationed as it was in the sky; so he created a fifth, blazing face, set upon his crown.

Verse 44 (skanda.8.5.44)

तेनापश्यद्वियत्स्थं तं सूर्यायुतसमप्रभम् । आदित्यमण्डलाकारं शब्दवद् घोरदर्शनम्

tenāpaśyadviyatsthaṁ taṁ sūryāyutasamaprabham | ādityamaṇḍalākāraṁ śabdavad ghoradarśanam

With that fifth face he beheld it, stationed in the sky, blazing as ten thousand suns, shaped like the orb of the sun, roaring and terrible to behold.

Verse 45 (skanda.8.5.45)

तत्सृष्ट्वा पञ्चमं तस्य शिरो वै क्रोधजं महत । संवर्तकाग्निसदृशं ग्रसिष्यत्तमवर्धत

tatsṛṣṭvā pañcamaṁ tasya śiro vai krodhajaṁ mahata | saṁvartakāgnisadṛśaṁ grasiṣyattamavardhata

That fifth head of his, born of great wrath, resembling the fire of universal dissolution, grew ever larger, ready to devour that being.

Verse 46 (skanda.8.5.46)

वर्द्धमानं तदा तत्तु वडवामुखसन्निभम् । दीप्तिमच्छब्दवच्चैव देवोसौ दीप्तमण्डलः

varddhamānaṁ tadā tattu vaḍavāmukhasannibham | dīptimacchabdavaccaiva devosau dīptamaṇḍalaḥ

As it grew, it came to resemble the mouth of the submarine fire, blazing and roaring; that god now bore a fiery, radiant visage.

Verse 47 (skanda.8.5.47)

हस्ताङ्गुष्ठनखेनाशु वामेनावज्ञयैव हि । चकर्त्त तन्महद्घोरं ब्रह्मणः पञ्चमं शिरः

hastāṅguṣṭhanakhenāśu vāmenāvajñayaiva hi | cakartta tanmahadghoraṁ brahmaṇaḥ pañcamaṁ śiraḥ

Then, with the nail of his left thumb, swiftly and almost carelessly, he severed that great and terrible fifth head of Brahma.

Verse 48 (skanda.8.5.48)

दीप्तिकृत्तशिराः सोथ दुःखेनोस्रेण चार्दितः । पपात मूढचेता वै योगधर्मविवर्जितः

dīptikṛttaśirāḥ sotha duḥkhenosreṇa cārditaḥ | papāta mūḍhacetā vai yogadharmavivarjitaḥ

Brahma, his blazing head thus severed, tormented by anguish and by the heat, fell down, his mind bewildered and bereft of the discipline of yoga.

Verse 49 (skanda.8.5.49)

स विदंष्ट्रो महाहस्ती विशृङ्गो हरगोपतिः । विरश्मिरिव चादित्यः पतितो भूतले बभौ

sa vidaṁṣṭro mahāhastī viśṛṅgo haragopatiḥ | viraśmiriva cādityaḥ patito bhūtale babhau

That fearsome severed head — fanged, huge as an elephant's trunk, hornless — lay fallen upon the ground, gleaming like the sun stripped of its rays.

Verse 50 (skanda.8.5.50)

ततः सुप्तोत्थित इव संज्ञां लब्ध्वा महातपाः । मण्डलस्थं महादेवमस्तौषीद्दीनया गिरा

tataḥ suptotthita iva saṁjñāṁ labdhvā mahātapāḥ | maṇḍalasthaṁ mahādevamastauṣīddīnayā girā

Then, as though awakening from sleep, that great ascetic regained his senses, and with a plaintive voice began to praise the Great God stationed within that disc.

Verse 51 (skanda.8.5.51)

ब्रह्मोवाच। नमः सहस्रनेत्राय शतनेत्राय वै नमः । नमो विवृतवक्त्राय शतवक्त्राय वै नमः

brahmovāca| namaḥ sahasranetrāya śatanetrāya vai namaḥ | namo vivṛtavaktrāya śatavaktrāya vai namaḥ

Brahma said: Salutation to the thousand-eyed one, salutation to the hundred-eyed one; salutation to the one of manifest countenance, salutation to the hundred-mouthed one.

Verse 52 (skanda.8.5.52)

नमः सहस्रवक्त्राय सर्ववक्त्राय वै नमः । नमः सहस्रपादाय सर्वपादाय वै नमः

namaḥ sahasravaktrāya sarvavaktrāya vai namaḥ | namaḥ sahasrapādāya sarvapādāya vai namaḥ

Salutation to the thousand-mouthed one, salutation to the all-mouthed one; salutation to the thousand-footed one, salutation to the all-footed one.

Verse 53 (skanda.8.5.53)

सहस्रपाणये चैव सर्वतःपाणये नमः । नमः सर्वस्य स्रष्ट्रे च द्रष्ट्रे सर्वस्य ते नमः

sahasrapāṇaye caiva sarvataḥpāṇaye namaḥ | namaḥ sarvasya sraṣṭre ca draṣṭre sarvasya te namaḥ

Salutation to the thousand-handed one, salutation to the one whose hands are everywhere; salutation to you, the creator of all, and the seer of all.

Verse 54 (skanda.8.5.54)

नम आदित्यवर्णाय शिरसश्छेदनाय च । सृष्टिप्रलयकर्त्रे च स्थितिकर्त्रे तथा नमः

nama ādityavarṇāya śirasaśchedanāya ca | sṛṣṭipralayakartre ca sthitikartre tathā namaḥ

Salutation to the one of sun-bright hue, and to the severer of my head; salutation to the maker of creation and dissolution, and likewise to the sustainer of all.

Verse 55 (skanda.8.5.55)

नमः सहस्रलिङ्गाय सहस्रचरणाय च । संहारलिङ्गिने चैव जललिङ्गाय वै नमः

namaḥ sahasraliṅgāya sahasracaraṇāya ca | saṁhāraliṅgine caiva jalaliṅgāya vai namaḥ

Salutation to the one of a thousand lingas, and of a thousand feet; salutation to the one whose linga is dissolution, and whose linga is the waters.

Verse 56 (skanda.8.5.56)

अन्तश्चराय सर्वाय प्रकृतेः पूरणाय च । व्यापिने सर्वसत्त्वानां पुरुषप्रेरकाय च

antaścarāya sarvāya prakṛteḥ pūraṇāya ca | vyāpine sarvasattvānāṁ puruṣaprerakāya ca

Salutation to the one who moves within all things, who fulfils Prakriti; who pervades all beings, and who impels the Purusha.

Verse 57 (skanda.8.5.57)

इन्द्रियार्थविशिष्टाय तथा नियमकारिणे । भूतभव्याय सर्वाय नित्यमध्यवदाय च

indriyārthaviśiṣṭāya tathā niyamakāriṇe | bhūtabhavyāya sarvāya nityamadhyavadāya ca

Salutation to the one distinguished as the very object of the senses, and the ordainer of discipline; to the one who exists unchanging through past and future.

Verse 58 (skanda.8.5.58)

त्वमेव स्रष्टा लोकानां मंत्रदाता तथा विभो । शरणागताय दान्ताय प्रसादं कर्तुमर्हसि

tvameva sraṣṭā lokānāṁ maṁtradātā tathā vibho | śaraṇāgatāya dāntāya prasādaṁ kartumarhasi

You alone, O mighty Lord, are the creator of the worlds and the giver of sacred mantras; be pleased to show your grace to me, who have taken refuge and am self-controlled.

Verse 59 (skanda.8.5.59)

तस्यैवं स्तुवतः सम्यग्भावेन परमेण ह । स तस्मै देवदेवेशो दिव्यं चक्षुर्ददौ तदा

tasyaivaṁ stuvataḥ samyagbhāvena parameṇa ha | sa tasmai devadeveśo divyaṁ cakṣurdadau tadā

As he thus praised him with sincere and supreme devotion, that Lord of the gods of gods then granted him a divine eye.

Verse 60 (skanda.8.5.60)

चक्षुषा तेन स तदा ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः । विमाने सूर्यसंकाशे तेजोराशिमपश्यत

cakṣuṣā tena sa tadā brahmā lokapitāmahaḥ | vimāne sūryasaṁkāśe tejorāśimapaśyata

With that eye, Brahma, the grandsire of the worlds, then beheld a mass of radiance seated within a sun-bright celestial chariot.

Verse 61 (skanda.8.5.61)

तस्य मध्यात् ततो वाचं महतीं सम शृण्वत । गंभीरां मधुरा युक्तामर्थ संपन्नलक्षणाम्

tasya madhyāt tato vācaṁ mahatīṁ sama śṛṇvata | gaṁbhīrāṁ madhurā yuktāmartha saṁpannalakṣaṇām

From its midst he then heard a great voice — deep, sweet, well-formed and rich in meaning.

Verse 62 (skanda.8.5.62)

विशदां पुत्रपुत्रेति पूर्वं देवेन चोदिताम् । अंबरात्पुत्र उत्पन्नो यस्तुभ्यं नीललोहितः

viśadāṁ putraputreti pūrvaṁ devena coditām | aṁbarātputra utpanno yastubhyaṁ nīlalohitaḥ

That clear voice, repeating again and again 'my son, my son,' had earlier been inspired by that same god: 'From the sky a son has been born to you — he who is Nilalohita.'

Verse 63 (skanda.8.5.63)

यच्च पूर्वं मया प्रोक्तस्त्वं तदा सुतमार्गणे । मदीयो गणपो यस्ते मन्मूर्तिश्च भविष्यति

yacca pūrvaṁ mayā proktastvaṁ tadā sutamārgaṇe | madīyo gaṇapo yaste manmūrtiśca bhaviṣyati

'And that which I told you before, when you sought a son — that my own leader of the ganas would become your son, my very image —'

Verse 64 (skanda.8.5.64)

स प्राप्य परमं ज्ञानं मूढं त्वां विनयिष्यति । तस्येयं फलनिष्पतिः शिरसश्छेदनं तव

sa prāpya paramaṁ jñānaṁ mūḍhaṁ tvāṁ vinayiṣyati | tasyeyaṁ phalaniṣpatiḥ śirasaśchedanaṁ tava

'That son, having attained supreme knowledge, will discipline you, deluded one — and the cutting off of your head is the fruit of that very act.'

Verse 65 (skanda.8.5.65)

मयैव कारिता तेन निर्वृतश्चाधुना भव । ऊर्ध्वगं ज्ञानरूपं तु शिरोदिव्यं समुत्थितम्

mayaiva kāritā tena nirvṛtaścādhunā bhava | ūrdhvagaṁ jñānarūpaṁ tu śirodivyaṁ samutthitam

'It was I alone who caused him to do this — now be at peace. That divine head of yours has risen upward, transformed into the very form of knowledge.'

Verse 66 (skanda.8.5.66)

अस्य चैवोत्पथस्थस्य यज्ञस्य तु महामते । शिरश्छेत्स्यत्यसावेव कस्मिंश्चित् कारणान्तरे । स्तवेनानेन तुष्टोस्मि किं ददानि च तेन

asya caivotpathasthasya yajñasya tu mahāmate | śiraśchetsyatyasāveva kasmiṁścit kāraṇāntare | stavenānena tuṣṭosmi kiṁ dadāni ca tena

'And this Yajna too, O greatly wise one, who has strayed from the right path — his head shall likewise be severed by that same son, on some other occasion. I am well pleased by this hymn of yours; what more shall I grant you?'

Verse 67 (skanda.8.5.67)

वायुरुवाच। ततः स भगवान् हृष्टः प्रणम्य शुभया गिरा । उवाच प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा लक्ष्यालक्ष्यं तमीश्वरम्

vāyuruvāca| tataḥ sa bhagavān hṛṣṭaḥ praṇamya śubhayā girā | uvāca prāñjalirbhūtvā lakṣyālakṣyaṁ tamīśvaram

Vayu said: Then that blessed Brahma, filled with joy, bowed low and, with palms joined, spoke in an auspicious voice to that Lord who was both visible and unseen.

Verse 68 (skanda.8.5.68)

भगवन्नैव मे दुःखं दर्शनात्ते प्रबाधते । इच्छामि शिरसो ह्यस्य धारणं सर्वदा त्वया

bhagavannaiva me duḥkhaṁ darśanātte prabādhate | icchāmi śiraso hyasya dhāraṇaṁ sarvadā tvayā

'O Lord, the sight of you does not distress me at all. I only wish that this head of mine be held by you forever.'

Verse 69 (skanda.8.5.69)

नाहं स्मरेयमेतच्च शिरसश्छेदनं विभो । भूयश्चाधर्मकार्येभ्यस्त्वयैवेच्छे निवारणम्

nāhaṁ smareyametacca śirasaśchedanaṁ vibho | bhūyaścādharmakāryebhyastvayaivecche nivāraṇam

'May I never again recall this cutting off of my head, O mighty one; and from any future deeds of unrighteousness, I desire protection from you alone.'

Verse 70 (skanda.8.5.70)

तथा च कृत्यमुद्दिश्य पश्येयं त्वा यथासुखम् । विज्ञप्ति ब्रह्मणः श्रुत्वा प्रोवाच भुवनेश्वरः

tathā ca kṛtyamuddiśya paśyeyaṁ tvā yathāsukham | vijñapti brahmaṇaḥ śrutvā provāca bhuvaneśvaraḥ

'And to that end, may I ever behold you in happiness.' Having heard Brahma's entreaty, the Lord of the worlds then spoke —

Verse 71 (skanda.8.5.71)

स एव सुतसंज्ञस्ते मन्मूर्त्तिर्नीललोहितः । शिरश्छेत्स्यति यज्ञस्य विभर्त्स्यति शिरश्च ते

sa eva sutasaṁjñaste manmūrttirnīlalohitaḥ | śiraśchetsyati yajñasya vibhartsyati śiraśca te

'That very one known as your son, Nilalohita, who is my own image — he shall sever the head of Yajna, and he shall also bear this head of yours.'

Verse 72 (skanda.8.5.72)

इत्युक्त्वा देवदेवेशस्तत्रैवान्तरधीयत । गते तस्मिन्महादेवे ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः । सयज्ञः सहवेदश्च स्वं लोकं प्रत्यपद्यत

ityuktvā devadeveśastatraivāntaradhīyata | gate tasminmahādeve brahmā lokapitāmahaḥ | sayajñaḥ sahavedaśca svaṁ lokaṁ pratyapadyata

Having said this, the Lord of the gods of gods vanished then and there. When the Great God had departed, Brahma, grandsire of the worlds, together with Yajna and the Veda, returned to his own world.

Verse 73 (skanda.8.5.73)

वायुरुवाच। य इमं शृणुयान्मर्त्यो गुह्यं वेदार्थसंमितम् । स देहभेदमासाद्य सायुज्यं ब्रह्मणो व्रजेत्

vāyuruvāca| ya imaṁ śṛṇuyānmartyo guhyaṁ vedārthasaṁmitam | sa dehabhedamāsādya sāyujyaṁ brahmaṇo vrajet

Vayu said: Whatever mortal hears this secret account, replete with the meaning of the Veda, attains, upon the dissolution of the body, union with Brahma.

Verse 74 (skanda.8.5.74)

यश्चेमं पठते नित्यं ब्राह्मणानां समीपतः । स सर्वपापनिर्मुक्तो रुद्रलोके महीयते

yaścemaṁ paṭhate nityaṁ brāhmaṇānāṁ samīpataḥ | sa sarvapāpanirmukto rudraloke mahīyate

And whoever recites this constantly in the presence of brahmins is freed from all sin and is exalted in the world of Rudra.

Verse 75 (skanda.8.5.75)

नापुत्रशिष्ययोगिभ्य इदमाख्यानमैश्वरम् । आख्येयं चापि नाज्ञाय न शठाय न मानिने

nāputraśiṣyayogibhya idamākhyānamaiśvaram | ākhyeyaṁ cāpi nājñāya na śaṭhāya na mānine

This divine account should not be told to one without a son, without a disciple, or without yogic discipline; nor should it be told to the ignorant, the deceitful, or the arrogant.

Verse 76 (skanda.8.5.76)

इदं महद्दिव्यमघशासनं पठेत् सदा ब्राह्मणवैद्यसंसदि । कृतावकाशो भवतीह मानवः शरीरभेदे प्रविशेत् पितामहम्

idaṁ mahaddivyamaghaśāsanaṁ paṭhet sadā brāhmaṇavaidyasaṁsadi | kṛtāvakāśo bhavatīha mānavaḥ śarīrabhede praviśet pitāmaham

This great, divine, sin-destroying teaching should always be recited in the assembly of brahmins and the learned; through it a man gains merit here, and upon the dissolution of the body he enters into the Grandsire.