Brahma's Journey to Grant the Goddess's Boon

Verse 1 (skanda.8.53.1)

व्यास उवाच। । देवी भगवती सा हि हिमवत्तनयाव्यया । कियन्तं कालमचरत्तपः परमदुश्चरम्

vyāsa uvāca| | devī bhagavatī sā hi himavattanayāvyayā | kiyantaṁ kālamacarattapaḥ paramaduścaram

Vyasa said: That blessed, imperishable Goddess, the daughter of Himavat — for how long a time did she perform that supreme austerity, so hard to accomplish?

Verse 2 (skanda.8.53.2)

कथं लब्धवती चापि वरं वरशतारणिः

kathaṁ labdhavatī cāpi varaṁ varaśatāraṇiḥ

And how did she, the very source of a hundred boons, obtain hers?

Verse 3 (skanda.8.53.3)

एतदिच्छामि कथितं सर्व वै द्विजसत्तम

etadicchāmi kathitaṁ sarva vai dvijasattama

This I wish to hear told in full, O best of the twice-born.

Verse 4 (skanda.8.53.4)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। । शृणु काले व्यतीते हि तपो देव्याः सुदुश्चरम् । प्रयता प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा समाधाय मनस्तथा

sanatkumāra uvāca| | śṛṇu kāle vyatīte hi tapo devyāḥ suduścaram | prayatā prāñjalirbhūtvā samādhāya manastathā

Sanatkumara said: Hear now of the Goddess's most arduous austerity, as time went on. Disciplined, with joined palms, having thus composed her mind...

Verse 5 (skanda.8.53.5)

दिवाकरेभिसन्धाय चक्षुषी मन एव च । तस्थौ वृक्षावबद्धेव दार्वर्च्चानिमिषेक्षणा

divākarebhisandhāya cakṣuṣī mana eva ca | tasthau vṛkṣāvabaddheva dārvarccānimiṣekṣaṇā

fixing both her eyes and her mind upon the sun, she stood motionless, as if bound to a tree, her unblinking gaze like that of a wooden image.

Verse 6 (skanda.8.53.6)

सुवर्चलेन सादित्यमीक्षती पर्यवर्तत

suvarcalena sādityamīkṣatī paryavartata

together with Suvarchala, gazing upon the sun, she turned along with it.

Verse 7 (skanda.8.53.7)

एकपादोर्ध्वबाहुश्च निरुच्छ्वासा बभूव ह

ekapādordhvabāhuśca nirucchvāsā babhūva ha

standing on one foot, arms upraised, she became without breath.

Verse 8 (skanda.8.53.8)

दिव्यं वर्षसहस्रं सा निश्चलोपलवत् स्थिता । व्याघ्रद्वितीया रुद्राणी तपोयुक्ता शुभव्रता

divyaṁ varṣasahasraṁ sā niścalopalavat sthitā | vyāghradvitīyā rudrāṇī tapoyuktā śubhavratā

For a thousand divine years she remained motionless as stone; Rudrani, with only a tiger for company, absorbed in austerity, of auspicious vows.

Verse 9 (skanda.8.53.9)

न चास्या ग्लानिरभवन्न बलक्षय एव वा । पूर्ववच्च हि सा देवी तपसो वावतिष्ठत

na cāsyā glānirabhavanna balakṣaya eva vā | pūrvavacca hi sā devī tapaso vāvatiṣṭhata

Neither weariness nor loss of strength came upon her; the Goddess remained fixed in her austerity, just as before.

Verse 10 (skanda.8.53.10)

तस्यास्तपःप्रभावेण सर्वं सस्थाणुजंगमम्

tasyāstapaḥprabhāveṇa sarvaṁ sasthāṇujaṁgamam

By the power of her austerity, everything, both fixed and moving...

Verse 11 (skanda.8.53.11)

अभावोपहतं यद्वज्जगदार्त्तमतिष्ठत

abhāvopahataṁ yadvajjagadārttamatiṣṭhata

the world became afflicted, as though struck with the calamity of dissolution.

Verse 12 (skanda.8.53.12)

नातिदीप्तोभवत् सूर्यश्चन्द्रमा न प्रकाशते

nātidīptobhavat sūryaścandramā na prakāśate

The sun no longer blazed brightly; the moon did not shine.

Verse 13 (skanda.8.53.13)

ज्योतींषि तिमिराण्यासन् व्योम्नि सिद्धा न यान्ति च

jyotīṁṣi timirāṇyāsan vyomni siddhā na yānti ca

The heavenly lights became darkened, and the Siddhas ceased to move through the sky.

Verse 14 (skanda.8.53.14)

मम्लुश्च देवमाल्यानि विमानानि च पेतिरे

mamluśca devamālyāni vimānāni ca petire

The garlands of the gods withered, and the celestial cars fell from the sky.

Verse 15 (skanda.8.53.15)

स्वर्गेपि न सुखं तेषामौत्सुक्यं चापि जायते

svargepi na sukhaṁ teṣāmautsukyaṁ cāpi jāyate

Even in heaven there was no happiness for them, and anxious distress arose.

Verse 16 (skanda.8.53.16)

धूमायन्ति दिशः सर्वास्त्रैलोक्यञ्चैव कृत्स्नशः । विद्याधृतां गतिर्भग्ना प्रज्वलन्त्यायुधानि च

dhūmāyanti diśaḥ sarvāstrailokyañcaiva kṛtsnaśaḥ | vidyādhṛtāṁ gatirbhagnā prajvalantyāyudhāni ca

All the directions, and the whole of the three worlds, gave off smoke; the movement of the Vidyadharas was broken, and weapons burst into flame of themselves.

Verse 17 (skanda.8.53.17)

मृगा व्याघ्राश्च सिंहाश्च विडालोलूकमूषिकाः

mṛgā vyāghrāśca siṁhāśca viḍālolūkamūṣikāḥ

Deer, tigers, and lions, cats, owls, and mice...

Verse 18 (skanda.8.53.18)

पन्नगा नकुलाश्चैव एकस्थाः सञ्चरन्त्युत

pannagā nakulāścaiva ekasthāḥ sañcarantyuta

and serpents and mongooses moved about together, side by side, in the same place.

Verse 19 (skanda.8.53.19)

ततो देवाः समागत्य ऊचुः सर्वे परस्परम् । विपर्ययोयं नाकस्मात् त्रैलोक्यस्यास्य दृश्यते

tato devāḥ samāgatya ūcuḥ sarve parasparam | viparyayoyaṁ nākasmāt trailokyasyāsya dṛśyate

Then the gods, gathering together, said to one another: 'This upheaval throughout the triple world does not appear to be without cause.'

Verse 20 (skanda.8.53.20)

कारणं महदत्रास्ति नेदं निष्कारणं भवेत् । तस्माद्वयमजानन्त एतं सर्व विपर्ययम्

kāraṇaṁ mahadatrāsti nedaṁ niṣkāraṇaṁ bhavet | tasmādvayamajānanta etaṁ sarva viparyayam

'There is surely some great cause here; this cannot be without reason. So, not knowing the cause of all this upheaval...'

Verse 21 (skanda.8.53.21)

किन्तिष्ठामः समुद्विग्ना गच्छाम ब्रह्मणोन्तिकम् । इत्युक्त्वा ते सुराः सर्वे बृहस्पतिपुरोगमाः

kintiṣṭhāmaḥ samudvignā gacchāma brahmaṇontikam | ityuktvā te surāḥ sarve bṛhaspatipurogamāḥ

'—why do we sit here in distress? Let us go to Brahma's presence.' Having said this, all those gods, with Brihaspati at their head...

Verse 22 (skanda.8.53.22)

वैराजभवनं गत्वा ब्रह्माणं संप्रणेमिरे

vairājabhavanaṁ gatvā brahmāṇaṁ saṁpraṇemire

went to the Vairaja palace and bowed low before Brahma.

Verse 23 (skanda.8.53.23)

पूजिता ब्रह्मणा सम्यगुपविष्टा यथार्हतः

pūjitā brahmaṇā samyagupaviṣṭā yathārhataḥ

duly honored by Brahma, they sat down, each in his proper place.

Verse 24 (skanda.8.53.24)

पृष्टास्तेनागमे हेतुमूचु र्हृच्छोकपीडिताः । भगवन् लोकतत्त्वं च सर्वं प्रत्यक्षवद् विभोः

pṛṣṭāstenāgame hetumūcu rhṛcchokapīḍitāḥ | bhagavan lokatattvaṁ ca sarvaṁ pratyakṣavad vibhoḥ

Asked by him the reason for their coming, they, their hearts stricken with grief, said: 'O lord, O mighty one, the true nature of all the worlds is to you as if seen directly.'

Verse 25 (skanda.8.53.25)

लोकोयं विपरीतोद्य किमर्थं शंस नः प्रभो

lokoyaṁ viparītodya kimarthaṁ śaṁsa naḥ prabho

'This world today has become topsy-turvy; tell us why, O lord.'

Verse 26 (skanda.8.53.26)

तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा भीतानां सर्वयोगवित्

teṣāṁ tadvacanaṁ śrutvā bhītānāṁ sarvayogavit

Having heard those words of the frightened gods, he who knows all yoga...

Verse 27 (skanda.8.53.27)

उवाच मधुरं श्लक्ष्णमिदं गम्भीरवद्वचः । एषा हैमवती देवी रुद्राणी लोकधारणी

uvāca madhuraṁ ślakṣṇamidaṁ gambhīravadvacaḥ | eṣā haimavatī devī rudrāṇī lokadhāraṇī

spoke this sweet, gentle, and grave word: 'This Goddess, the daughter of Himavat, Rudrani, sustainer of the worlds...'

Verse 28 (skanda.8.53.28)

तपश्चरति युक्तात्मा योगमास्थाय निश्चलम्

tapaścarati yuktātmā yogamāsthāya niścalam

'...is practicing austerity, her soul disciplined, established in unwavering yoga.'

Verse 29 (skanda.8.53.29)

अद्य वर्षसहस्रं हि दिव्यं तस्याः समाधिना । वर्षाणां द्वे शते चैव तथान्यच्छरदां शतम्

adya varṣasahasraṁ hi divyaṁ tasyāḥ samādhinā | varṣāṇāṁ dve śate caiva tathānyaccharadāṁ śatam

'It is now a thousand divine years of her deep meditation — two hundred years, and yet another hundred autumns...'

Verse 30 (skanda.8.53.30)

तपश्चरन्त्या योगेन तस्यैषा तपसः सुराः । प्रभावो येन लोकानां विपरीतत्वमागतम्

tapaścarantyā yogena tasyaiṣā tapasaḥ surāḥ | prabhāvo yena lokānāṁ viparītatvamāgatam

'—as she thus practices austerity through yoga. This, O gods, is the power of her austerity, through which this upheaval has come upon the worlds.'

Verse 31 (skanda.8.53.31)

देवा ऊचुः। । यदि तस्याः प्रभावेण महोत्पातभयं त्विदम् । अतो भूयो दहेल्लोकाँस्तस्मात्तां सन्निवारय

devā ūcuḥ| | yadi tasyāḥ prabhāveṇa mahotpātabhayaṁ tvidam | ato bhūyo dahellokā~stasmāttāṁ sannivāraya

The gods said: 'If this great and fearsome calamity comes from her power, then she may go on to burn the worlds further still; therefore restrain her.'

Verse 32 (skanda.8.53.32)

सा हि देवी तपोयुक्ता अतो भूयो विभावरी । लोकानिमान् सहास्माभिर्दहेदपि न संशयः

sā hi devī tapoyuktā ato bhūyo vibhāvarī | lokānimān sahāsmābhirdahedapi na saṁśayaḥ

'For that Goddess, engaged in austerity, exceedingly radiant, might well burn up these worlds, along with us — of this there is no doubt.'

Verse 33 (skanda.8.53.33)

तस्माललोकहितार्थाय अस्माकं वचनादपि । तथा कुरु यथा साध्वी विनिवर्त्तेत शोभना

tasmālalokahitārthāya asmākaṁ vacanādapi | tathā kuru yathā sādhvī vinivartteta śobhanā

'Therefore, for the welfare of the worlds, even at our request, do what is needed so that this virtuous, lovely one might turn back from her penance.'

Verse 34 (skanda.8.53.34)

पितामह उवाच। । एवं भवतु गच्छध्वं निर्वृता भवता नघाः । वरप्रदानेनेष्टेन रुद्राणीं स्थापयाम्यहम्

pitāmaha uvāca| | evaṁ bhavatu gacchadhvaṁ nirvṛtā bhavatā naghāḥ | varapradāneneṣṭena rudrāṇīṁ sthāpayāmyaham

The Grandsire said: 'So be it; go now, at peace, you sinless ones. I myself shall settle Rudrani by granting her the desired boon.'

Verse 35 (skanda.8.53.35)

गतेष्वथ तु देवेषु ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः । विमानं काञ्चनं शुभ्रं वेदिकाशतसंकुलम्

gateṣvatha tu deveṣu brahmā lokapitāmahaḥ | vimānaṁ kāñcanaṁ śubhraṁ vedikāśatasaṁkulam

Then, when the gods had departed, Brahma, the grandfather of the worlds, prepared a golden, radiant celestial car, crowded with a hundred platforms...

Verse 36 (skanda.8.53.36)

किङ्किणीजालसन्नद्धं मुक्तादामावभासितम् । इन्द्रनीलमयैः स्तम्भै र्जालैर्जाम्बूनदैस्तथा

kiṅkiṇījālasannaddhaṁ muktādāmāvabhāsitam | indranīlamayaiḥ stambhai rjālairjāmbūnadaistathā

—strung about with networks of tiny bells, illumined with strands of pearls, with pillars of sapphire and lattices of fine gold...

Verse 37 (skanda.8.53.37)

घंटाभिर्विश्वरूपाभिः समन्तात् परिवारितम्

ghaṁṭābhirviśvarūpābhiḥ samantāt parivāritam

surrounded on every side with bells of every kind.

Verse 38 (skanda.8.53.38)

वज्रेन्द्रनील वैदूर्यमहानीलादिभासितम्

vajrendranīla vaidūryamahānīlādibhāsitam

shining with diamonds, sapphires, cat's-eye gems, great sapphires, and the like.

Verse 39 (skanda.8.53.39)

स्तूपिकाभिश्च योग्याभिः स्फाटिकाङ्काभिरावृतम्

stūpikābhiśca yogyābhiḥ sphāṭikāṅkābhirāvṛtam

covered with fitting spires marked with crystal.

Verse 40 (skanda.8.53.40)

सर्वलोहमयं तद् वै स्वयं देवेन निर्मितम्

sarvalohamayaṁ tad vai svayaṁ devena nirmitam

made wholly of metal, fashioned by the god himself.

Verse 41 (skanda.8.53.41)

पञ्च भूतमयं तद्धि प्रकृतिस्थमथापि च । शब्दाभिजालसम्बद्धं घण्टेन्द्रियसुशब्दवत्

pañca bhūtamayaṁ taddhi prakṛtisthamathāpi ca | śabdābhijālasambaddhaṁ ghaṇṭendriyasuśabdavat

composed of the five elements, yet grounded in Prakriti; bound together by a web of sound, resonant, like the senses themselves, with the sweet ringing of bells.

Verse 42 (skanda.8.53.42)

मुक्तादामाष्टकैर्युक्तं किङ्किणीषोडशावृतम् । विंशति र्वेदिकाश्चात्र विमानं तन्महाप्रभम्

muktādāmāṣṭakairyuktaṁ kiṅkiṇīṣoḍaśāvṛtam | viṁśati rvedikāścātra vimānaṁ tanmahāprabham

fitted with eight strands of pearls, ringed with sixteen rows of little bells; that celestial car of great splendor had twenty platforms.

Verse 43 (skanda.8.53.43)

शतार्द्धलक्षणै र्दिव्यैर्मणिमूभि स्तथाचितम् । आसनैर्बहुभिर्युक्तं लोकस्थानैः समन्ततः

śatārddhalakṣaṇai rdivyairmaṇimūbhi stathācitam | āsanairbahubhiryuktaṁ lokasthānaiḥ samantataḥ

adorned as well with fifty divine, auspicious gems; furnished with many seats, and places for the worlds all around.

Verse 44 (skanda.8.53.44)

आरुरोह विमानं तद् ब्रह्मा स्वमुनिभि स्सह । वेदैः सह तथा मन्त्रैः शास्त्रैः सर्वै स्तथैव च

āruroha vimānaṁ tad brahmā svamunibhi ssaha | vedaiḥ saha tathā mantraiḥ śāstraiḥ sarvai stathaiva ca

Brahma mounted that celestial car, together with his own sages, together with the Vedas, the mantras, and likewise all the scriptures.

Verse 45 (skanda.8.53.45)

मध्ये तस्यासनं दिव्यं स्वर्णपद्मोपगं दृढम्

madhye tasyāsanaṁ divyaṁ svarṇapadmopagaṁ dṛḍham

In its middle was a divine, firm seat, set upon a golden lotus.

Verse 46 (skanda.8.53.46)

सुखोपविष्टस्तत्रासौ ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः

sukhopaviṣṭastatrāsau brahmā lokapitāmahaḥ

There, seated comfortably, was Brahma, grandfather of the worlds.

Verse 47 (skanda.8.53.47)

तस्य पार्श्वे तु सावित्री गायत्री चैव सुप्रभा । ऋग्वेदो दक्षिणेनास्य यजुर्वेदश्च पश्चिमे

tasya pārśve tu sāvitrī gāyatrī caiva suprabhā | ṛgvedo dakṣiṇenāsya yajurvedaśca paścime

By his side were Savitri and radiant Gayatri; the Rigveda stood at his right, and the Yajurveda to the west.

Verse 48 (skanda.8.53.48)

उत्तरे सामवेदस्तु अग्रतोथर्वणस्तथा । प्रायश्चित्तानि धर्माश्च नियमाश्च तपांसि च

uttare sāmavedastu agratotharvaṇastathā | prāyaścittāni dharmāśca niyamāśca tapāṁsi ca

the Samaveda to the north, and the Atharvaveda in front; the rites of atonement, the codes of dharma, the observances, and austerities were there too...

Verse 49 (skanda.8.53.49)

दानानि च विचित्राणि क्रतवः सेष्टयस्तथा

dānāni ca vicitrāṇi kratavaḥ seṣṭayastathā

...manifold forms of charity, sacrifices, and votive rites.

Verse 50 (skanda.8.53.50)

सप्तव्याहृतयः पुण्यास्तथा लोकाश्च सर्वशः

saptavyāhṛtayaḥ puṇyāstathā lokāśca sarvaśaḥ

the seven sacred utterances, and all the worlds in their entirety.

Verse 51 (skanda.8.53.51)

पर्वताश्चैव नद्यश्च तथा लोकस्य मातरः । लोकपालाः प्रजाध्यक्षा दक्षो धर्मस्तथैव च

parvatāścaiva nadyaśca tathā lokasya mātaraḥ | lokapālāḥ prajādhyakṣā dakṣo dharmastathaiva ca

the mountains and the rivers, and likewise the Mothers of the world; the guardians of the quarters, the lords of creatures, Daksha, and Dharma as well...

Verse 52 (skanda.8.53.52)

भृगुरत्रिर्वसिष्ठश्च पुलस्त्यः पुलहः क्रतुः । मरीचिरङ्गिराश्चैव रुचिश्चैव महायशाः

bhṛguratrirvasiṣṭhaśca pulastyaḥ pulahaḥ kratuḥ | marīciraṅgirāścaiva ruciścaiva mahāyaśāḥ

Bhrigu, Atri, Vasishtha, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Marichi, Angiras, and the glorious Ruchi...

Verse 53 (skanda.8.53.53)

ऋभुः सनातनश्चैव विराजश्च महातपाः । पितरश्चैव देवाश्च ब्रह्मणो याः प्रसूतयः

ṛbhuḥ sanātanaścaiva virājaśca mahātapāḥ | pitaraścaiva devāśca brahmaṇo yāḥ prasūtayaḥ

Ribhu, Sanatana, and Viraja of great austerity; the ancestors and the gods, and all the offspring of Brahma...

Verse 54 (skanda.8.53.54)

पृथिवी वायुराकाशमापो ज्योतिस्तथैव च

pṛthivī vāyurākāśamāpo jyotistathaiva ca

earth, air, ether, water, and fire likewise...

Verse 55 (skanda.8.53.55)

एते चैव यथोद्दिष्टाः सागरा दिश एव च

ete caiva yathoddiṣṭāḥ sāgarā diśa eva ca

—these, as just described, and the oceans and the directions as well...

Verse 56 (skanda.8.53.56)

विद्याश्च धर्मकाराश्च अग्रतस्तेवतस्थिरे । ब्रह्मदण्डश्च दण्डश्च कलशः काञ्चनस्तथा

vidyāśca dharmakārāśca agratastevatasthire | brahmadaṇḍaśca daṇḍaśca kalaśaḥ kāñcanastathā

—the personified sciences and the makers of dharma stood before him; the Brahma-staff, the staff, and the golden water-vessel...

Verse 57 (skanda.8.53.57)

कमण्डलुश्च तस्यासीत् पार्श्वयोरुभयोरपि । यज्ञोपवीतं श्रीमच्च ओङ्कारश्च तथाग्रतः

kamaṇḍaluśca tasyāsīt pārśvayorubhayorapi | yajñopavītaṁ śrīmacca oṅkāraśca tathāgrataḥ

and his water-pot stood on both his sides; the resplendent sacred thread and the syllable Om were there before him.

Verse 58 (skanda.8.53.58)

अक्षसूत्रं च योगश्च जप्यं चैवाग्रतः स्थिताः

akṣasūtraṁ ca yogaśca japyaṁ caivāgrataḥ sthitāḥ

the rosary, and yoga, and the recitation of mantras stood before him as well.

Verse 59 (skanda.8.53.59)

स्वाहा स्वधा वषट् वौष डग्निश्चैतानि पार्श्वतः

svāhā svadhā vaṣaṭ vauṣa ḍagniścaitāni pārśvataḥ

Svaha, Svadha, Vashat, Vaushat, and Agni — these stood at his side.

Verse 60 (skanda.8.53.60)

यमाश्च नियमाश्चैव साधनानि बहूनि च । धर्मस्यैतानि सर्वाणि पार्श्वस्थान्यभवँस्ततः

yamāśca niyamāścaiva sādhanāni bahūni ca | dharmasyaitāni sarvāṇi pārśvasthānyabhava~stataḥ

the yamas and niyamas, and the many other disciplines of practice — all these, belonging to dharma, then stood by his side.

Verse 61 (skanda.8.53.61)

दया कृपाथ दानञ्च श्रद्धा चैव ह्रिया सह । ऋषीणां पार्श्वगाः सर्वा दक्षिणा यज्ञपार्श्वगा

dayā kṛpātha dānañca śraddhā caiva hriyā saha | ṛṣīṇāṁ pārśvagāḥ sarvā dakṣiṇā yajñapārśvagā

Compassion, mercy, and charity, faith together with modesty — all these stood by the side of the sages; the sacrificial fee stood beside the sacrifice.

Verse 62 (skanda.8.53.62)

ततो देवाश्च ये केचिद् ब्रह्मलोकनिवासिनः । सर्वे समधिरुह्याशु समन्तादवतस्थिरे

tato devāśca ye kecid brahmalokanivāsinaḥ | sarve samadhiruhyāśu samantādavatasthire

Then whatever gods dwelt in the world of Brahma all quickly mounted up and took their places all around.

Verse 63 (skanda.8.53.63)

एवं तेषु विमानं तत् समारूढेषु सर्वशः । सुखासीनेषु सर्वेषु ब्रह्मा समनुचोदयत्

evaṁ teṣu vimānaṁ tat samārūḍheṣu sarvaśaḥ | sukhāsīneṣu sarveṣu brahmā samanucodayat

Thus, when they had all fully boarded that celestial car and were all comfortably seated, Brahma set it moving.

Verse 64 (skanda.8.53.64)

तच्चोदितं योगविदग्रगामिना महाविमानोत्तमसर्वगामिना

taccoditaṁ yogavidagragāminā mahāvimānottamasarvagāminā

Set in motion by that foremost knower of yoga, that great, excellent, all-traveling celestial car moved on...

Verse 65 (skanda.8.53.65)

ययौ प्रभावेण मनोनुगामिना यथा मनः सर्वसृजेव हेतुना

yayau prabhāveṇa manonugāminā yathā manaḥ sarvasṛjeva hetunā

—it moved by his power, following the mind's own swiftness, as though driven by the very cause that creates all things.