The Origin of Kaushiki

Verse 1 (skanda.8.58.1)

व्यास उवाच। । वरान् गृहीत्वा रुद्राणी तस्मिञ्छिखरिसत्तमे

vyāsa uvāca| | varān gṛhītvā rudrāṇī tasmiñchikharisattame

Vyasa said: Having received the boons, Rudrani, upon that foremost of peaks...

Verse 2 (skanda.8.58.2)

अकरोत् किमिति ब्रूहि सर्वं देव्या विचेष्टितम्

akarot kimiti brūhi sarvaṁ devyā viceṣṭitam

—what did she do? Tell me all of the Goddess's doings.

Verse 3 (skanda.8.58.3)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। । स्वयम्भुवि गते देवी तपसो विरराम ह । सा तुष्टा वरलाभेन चिन्तयन्ती तदा वरम्

sanatkumāra uvāca| | svayambhuvi gate devī tapaso virarāma ha | sā tuṣṭā varalābhena cintayantī tadā varam

Sanatkumara said: When the Self-born had departed, the Goddess ceased her austerity. Satisfied with the boon she had obtained, she then reflected upon it...

Verse 4 (skanda.8.58.4)

न्यवैक्षत दिशः सर्वाः प्रसन्नवदनेक्षणा । कस्यैतत् कथयामीति देवं हित्वेति चाब्रवीत्

nyavaikṣata diśaḥ sarvāḥ prasannavadanekṣaṇā | kasyaitat kathayāmīti devaṁ hitveti cābravīt

—she looked about in every direction, her face and eyes calm, wondering to herself, apart from the god, to whom she might tell of this.

Verse 5 (skanda.8.58.5)

शास्त्रज्ञं कञ्चिदुद्दिश्य यथार्थं शास्त्रचिन्तकः

śāstrajñaṁ kañciduddiśya yathārthaṁ śāstracintakaḥ

—like a student of the scriptures, seeking out some master of them, wishing to share the true meaning with him...

Verse 6 (skanda.8.58.6)

पुत्रलभ्भकृतं हर्षं चिन्तयन्त्या मुहुर्मुहुः

putralabhbhakṛtaṁ harṣaṁ cintayantyā muhurmuhuḥ

—pondering again and again the joy that had arisen at the promise of a son.

Verse 7 (skanda.8.58.7)

अपतज्जलमत्यर्थं शीतलं सु सुगन्धि च । बह्वभूत् सरसि स्वच्छं तस्यास्तत्तेजसा जलम्

apatajjalamatyarthaṁ śītalaṁ su sugandhi ca | bahvabhūt sarasi svacchaṁ tasyāstattejasā jalam

Water fell, exceedingly cool and fragrant; by her radiance, abundant clear water came into being in a lake.

Verse 8 (skanda.8.58.8)

शिष्ये बुद्धिगुणेनेव गुरुणा ज्ञानमाहितम् । विगाहमाना सा देवी तत्सरो विमलोदकम्

śiṣye buddhiguṇeneva guruṇā jñānamāhitam | vigāhamānā sā devī tatsaro vimalodakam

—like knowledge instilled by a teacher into a disciple's mind through its very excellence. That Goddess, bathing in that lake of pure water...

Verse 9 (skanda.8.58.9)

रेजे वियन्मध्यगता दीप्तेव सवितुः प्रभा । विगाहमाना व्यजहत् कृष्णां कोशीं तदानघा

reje viyanmadhyagatā dīpteva savituḥ prabhā | vigāhamānā vyajahat kṛṣṇāṁ kośīṁ tadānaghā

—she shone like the sun's radiance blazing in the midst of the sky; and, bathing there, that sinless one cast off her dark outer sheath.

Verse 10 (skanda.8.58.10)

सा विरेजे तया मुक्ता कलेवेन्दोर्घनात्यये । तस्याः कोश्याः समभवत् कौशिकी लोकविश्रुता । विश्वं सिसृक्षतो धातुर्देहादिव पुरा निशा

sā vireje tayā muktā kalevendorghanātyaye | tasyāḥ kośyāḥ samabhavat kauśikī lokaviśrutā | viśvaṁ sisṛkṣato dhāturdehādiva purā niśā

Freed from it, she shone like the crescent moon once the clouds have parted. From that sheath was born Kaushiki, renowned throughout the world — just as, long ago, Night was born from the body of the Creator, who desired to bring forth the universe.

Verse 11 (skanda.8.58.11)

विम्बाधरा तीक्ष्णसुचारुदंष्ट्रा प्रसन्नताराधिपचारुवक्त्रा । सुजातनीलांचितदीर्घकेशी किञ्चित्समभ्युन्नतरोमराजी

vimbādharā tīkṣṇasucārudaṁṣṭrā prasannatārādhipacāruvaktrā | sujātanīlāṁcitadīrghakeśī kiñcitsamabhyunnataromarājī

Her lips were like the bimba-fruit, her teeth sharp and lovely, her face as beautiful as the serene moon; her hair was fine, dark, and long, and a faint line of down rose along her waist.

Verse 12 (skanda.8.58.12)

सुसंस्थिताभ्यां चरणाम्बुजाभ्यां प्रदक्षिणावर्तनिमग्ननाभिः । विगूढजान्वस्थिशिरा सुगुल्फा विनाकृतेवाम्बुरुहेण लक्ष्मीः

susaṁsthitābhyāṁ caraṇāmbujābhyāṁ pradakṣiṇāvartanimagnanābhiḥ | vigūḍhajānvasthiśirā sugulphā vinākṛtevāmburuheṇa lakṣmīḥ

—her feet were like well-formed lotuses, her navel deep and spiraling clockwise, her knee-bones concealed, her ankles delicate — she seemed like Lakshmi herself, but without the lotus.

Verse 13 (skanda.8.58.13)

प्रसन्नरूपा प्रथमोद्गतस्तनी प्रफुल्लनीलाम्बुजचारुलोचना

prasannarūpā prathamodgatastanī praphullanīlāmbujacārulocanā

—of serene beauty, her breasts just newly formed, her eyes lovely as full-blossomed blue lotuses.

Verse 14 (skanda.8.58.14)

सुसंस्कृतैर्वज्रमणिप्रवेकिभिर्विभूषिता चाभरणै स्सुमध्यमा

susaṁskṛtairvajramaṇipravekibhirvibhūṣitā cābharaṇai ssumadhyamā

—adorned with finely crafted ornaments set with diamonds and the choicest gems, slender-waisted.

Verse 15 (skanda.8.58.15)

साङ्गदा बद्धकेयूरा कटकोद्भासितत्विषा

sāṅgadā baddhakeyūrā kaṭakodbhāsitatviṣā

—wearing armlets and bound bracelets, her splendor enhanced by her bangles.

Verse 16 (skanda.8.58.16)

बिभर्त्ति सा भुजानष्टौ सायुधानपराजिता

bibhartti sā bhujānaṣṭau sāyudhānaparājitā

She, unconquerable, bore eight arms, each holding a weapon.

Verse 17 (skanda.8.58.17)

बद्धगोधाङ्गुलित्राणा कवचं बिभ्रती शुभम्

baddhagodhāṅgulitrāṇā kavacaṁ bibhratī śubham

—wearing an archer's leather finger-guard, bearing a splendid coat of mail.

Verse 18 (skanda.8.58.18)

दुर्भेद्यं सहजं भास्वत् सेन्द्रैरपि सुरासुरैः

durbhedyaṁ sahajaṁ bhāsvat sendrairapi surāsuraiḥ

—that mail, innate to her and radiant, was impenetrable even by the gods and demons together with Indra.

Verse 19 (skanda.8.58.19)

निबद्धतूणीरयुगा प्रगृहीतशरासना । वसाना पद्मकिञ्जल्करुचिरे वाससी तदा

nibaddhatūṇīrayugā pragṛhītaśarāsanā | vasānā padmakiñjalkarucire vāsasī tadā

—wearing a pair of quivers bound at her back, bow in hand, clad then in two garments lovely as lotus-filaments.

Verse 20 (skanda.8.58.20)

जानुभ्यामवनिं गत्वा शिरस्याधाय चाञ्जलिम् । व्यज्ञापयत सा देवी ब्रूहि किङ्करवाणि ते

jānubhyāmavaniṁ gatvā śirasyādhāya cāñjalim | vyajñāpayata sā devī brūhi kiṅkaravāṇi te

Touching the ground with her knees, and raising her joined palms to her head, that Goddess said: Tell me, what shall I do for you?

Verse 21 (skanda.8.58.21)

मूर्ध्न्युपाघ्राय तां देवीं परिष्वज्य च पीडितम्

mūrdhnyupāghrāya tāṁ devīṁ pariṣvajya ca pīḍitam

Smelling her upon the head, and embracing her tightly...

Verse 22 (skanda.8.58.22)

भवानी प्राह संहृष्टा मूर्त्तिस्थानं ममाव्यये

bhavānī prāha saṁhṛṣṭā mūrttisthānaṁ mamāvyaye

Bhavani, greatly delighted, said: You are an imperishable embodiment of my very own form.

Verse 23 (skanda.8.58.23)

जरामरणहीना त्वं शोकदुःखविवर्जिता । भविष्यसि महायोगा संयुगेष्वपराजिता

jarāmaraṇahīnā tvaṁ śokaduḥkhavivarjitā | bhaviṣyasi mahāyogā saṁyugeṣvaparājitā

You shall be free of old age and death, untouched by sorrow and grief; you shall become endowed with great yogic power, unconquered in battles.

Verse 24 (skanda.8.58.24)

कौशिकीति च नाम्ना त्वं लोके ख्यातिं गमिष्यसि । अन्यैश्चनामभिः श्लाघ्यैर्गुणकर्माभिसंश्रयैः

kauśikīti ca nāmnā tvaṁ loke khyātiṁ gamiṣyasi | anyaiścanāmabhiḥ ślāghyairguṇakarmābhisaṁśrayaiḥ

You shall become renowned in the world by the name Kaushiki; and by other praiseworthy names as well, rooted in your qualities and deeds.

Verse 25 (skanda.8.58.25)

तव भक्ताः स्मरिष्यन्ति येति दुर्गेषु संस्थिताः । दुर्गाणि ते तरिष्यन्ति त्वत्प्रसादाद्वरानने

tava bhaktāḥ smariṣyanti yeti durgeṣu saṁsthitāḥ | durgāṇi te tariṣyanti tvatprasādādvarānane

Your devotees, who remember you when beset by hardships, shall cross over those hardships by your grace, O fair-faced one.

Verse 26 (skanda.8.58.26)

वरा वरेण्या वरदा दुर्गा सर्वार्थसाधनी । इत्थं त्वां नामभिर्दिव्यैः स्तोष्यन्ति मुनयः सदा

varā vareṇyā varadā durgā sarvārthasādhanī | itthaṁ tvāṁ nāmabhirdivyaiḥ stoṣyanti munayaḥ sadā

Vara, Varenya, Varada, Durga, and Sarvarthasadhani — by these divine names, sages shall ever sing your praise.

Verse 27 (skanda.8.58.27)

जापैः प्रणतिभिर्होमैरुपहारैः पृथग्विधैः । प्राणिनः पूजयिष्यन्ति भवतीं भुवि सर्वदा

jāpaiḥ praṇatibhirhomairupahāraiḥ pṛthagvidhaiḥ | prāṇinaḥ pūjayiṣyanti bhavatīṁ bhuvi sarvadā

With recitations, prostrations, fire-offerings, and various kinds of offerings, beings shall worship you on earth forever.

Verse 28 (skanda.8.58.28)

सिंहयुक्तं ततो देवी रथमादित्यवर्चसम् । ससर्ज सपताकं च किंकिणीजालमण्डितम् । विन्ध्यं गिरिवरं चास्या निवासाय समादिशत्

siṁhayuktaṁ tato devī rathamādityavarcasam | sasarja sapatākaṁ ca kiṁkiṇījālamaṇḍitam | vindhyaṁ girivaraṁ cāsyā nivāsāya samādiśat

Then the Goddess created for her a chariot yoked with a lion, radiant as the sun, bannered, adorned with a net of small bells; and she appointed the excellent mountain Vindhya as her abode.

Verse 29 (skanda.8.58.29)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। । सैव मुक्ता तदा देवी प्रणम्य भुवनेश्वरीम् । आरुरोह रथं दिव्यं कार्तस्वरमयं शुभम्

sanatkumāra uvāca| | saiva muktā tadā devī praṇamya bhuvaneśvarīm | āruroha rathaṁ divyaṁ kārtasvaramayaṁ śubham

Sanatkumara said: That Goddess, thus given leave, having bowed to the queen of the worlds, mounted that divine, auspicious, golden chariot.

Verse 30 (skanda.8.58.30)

व्योमगेन रथेनाथ नानारत्नांशुमालिना । जगामाशु ततो विन्ध्यं नानाद्रुमलतान्वितम्

vyomagena rathenātha nānāratnāṁśumālinā | jagāmāśu tato vindhyaṁ nānādrumalatānvitam

Then, in that sky-traveling chariot, garlanded with the rays of many gems, she swiftly went to the Vindhya, covered with many trees and creepers.

Verse 31 (skanda.8.58.31)

विहङ्गविरुतैर्विन्ध्यः स्वागतेनेव कौशिकीम् । अपूजयदमेयां तां तत्र प्राप्तां तदानघाम्

vihaṅgavirutairvindhyaḥ svāgateneva kauśikīm | apūjayadameyāṁ tāṁ tatra prāptāṁ tadānaghām

With the calls of its birds, as if in welcome, the Vindhya honored that immeasurable, sinless Kaushiki, now arrived there.

Verse 32 (skanda.8.58.32)

वारिभिर्विमलैः शोक्तंनिर्झरोदरनिःसृतैः

vāribhirvimalaiḥ śoktaṁnirjharodaraniḥsṛtaiḥ

—with pure waters flowing out from within its cascades...

Verse 33 (skanda.8.58.33)

स पुष्पनिकरैः पुण्यैरर्घञ्चास्यै ददन्निव

sa puṣpanikaraiḥ puṇyairarghañcāsyai dadanniva

—and, as if offering her an arghya with masses of sacred flowers...

Verse 34 (skanda.8.58.34)

अथ मृगपतिनागं त्रस्तपर्यन्तनागं चकितहरिणयूथक्षुण्णदर्भाङ्कुराग्रम् । वरमहिषविषाणच्छिन्नगुल्मावतानं गिरिवरमति रम्यं कौशिकी साभ्यपश्यत्

atha mṛgapatināgaṁ trastaparyantanāgaṁ cakitahariṇayūthakṣuṇṇadarbhāṅkurāgram | varamahiṣaviṣāṇacchinnagulmāvatānaṁ girivaramati ramyaṁ kauśikī sābhyapaśyat

Then Kaushiki beheld that most lovely, excellent mountain — where lions frighten the elephants at its edges, where the tips of the kusha-shoots lie trampled by startled herds of deer, and where the thickets are torn by the horns of great buffaloes.

Verse 35 (skanda.8.58.35)

व्यरोचयत सा देवी वासाय शिखरं गिरेः

vyarocayata sā devī vāsāya śikharaṁ gireḥ

That Goddess chose, for her dwelling, a peak of that mountain.

Verse 36 (skanda.8.58.36)

उत्फुल्लं पादपालीनविहङ्गगणनादितम्

utphullaṁ pādapālīnavihaṅgagaṇanāditam

—a peak in full bloom, resounding with the calls of birds nestled among its trees.

Verse 37 (skanda.8.58.37)

निर्झरोदकसंपर्कहरितोपलशाद्वलम् । नानाद्रुमलतापुष्पसुरभीकृतमारुतम्

nirjharodakasaṁparkaharitopalaśādvalam | nānādrumalatāpuṣpasurabhīkṛtamārutam

—its rocks green with the touch of waterfall waters, its breeze made fragrant by the many trees, vines, and flowers.

Verse 38 (skanda.8.58.38)

तुहिननिकरशीतैर्निर्झराम्बुप्रवाहैर्निचितपृथुनितम्बोत्तुङ्गपर्यन्तसानुम् । गिरिवरशिखरं तत्साध्युवासाथ देवी कुसुमिततरुशाखाश्लिष्टमत्तद्विरेफम्

tuhinanikaraśītairnirjharāmbupravāhairnicitapṛthunitambottuṅgaparyantasānum | girivaraśikharaṁ tatsādhyuvāsātha devī kusumitataruśākhāśliṣṭamattadvirepham

—its broad flanks and towering, far-stretching ridges thick with waterfall-streams, cool as gathered snow. Upon that peak of the excellent mountain, its blossoming branches clung to by intoxicated bees, the Goddess then took up her dwelling.

Verse 39 (skanda.8.58.39)

य इदं पठते नित्यं शृणुयाद्वा समाहितः । कौशिक्याः संभवं सम्यक् स याति परमां गतिम्

ya idaṁ paṭhate nityaṁ śṛṇuyādvā samāhitaḥ | kauśikyāḥ saṁbhavaṁ samyak sa yāti paramāṁ gatim

Whoever ever recites this, or, with composed mind, hears it — this true account of Kaushiki's origin — attains to the supreme destiny.