The Consecration of Kaushiki

Verse 1 (skanda.8.67.1)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । आजग्मुः कौशिकीं द्रष्टुमथ विन्ध्यं दिवौकसः । आदित्या वसवो रुद्रा मरुत्वान् मरुतोश्विनौ

sanatkumāra uvāca | ājagmuḥ kauśikīṁ draṣṭumatha vindhyaṁ divaukasaḥ | ādityā vasavo rudrā marutvān marutośvinau

Sanatkumara said: Then the dwellers of heaven came to the Vindhya to behold Kaushiki - the Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, Indra, the Maruts, and the two Ashvins,

Verse 2 (skanda.8.67.2)

धर्माङ्गिरोशनो दक्षवसिष्ठभृगुकश्यपाः । पुलस्त्यपुलहागस्त्यसनकात्रिसनन्दनाः

dharmāṅgirośano dakṣavasiṣṭhabhṛgukaśyapāḥ | pulastyapulahāgastyasanakātrisanandanāḥ

Dharma, Angiras, Ushanas, Daksha, Vasishtha, Bhrigu, Kashyapa, Pulastya, Pulaha, Agastya, Sanaka, Atri and Sanandana,

Verse 3 (skanda.8.67.3)

अप्सरोयक्षगर्न्वाः सिद्धा नागा महोरगाः । उपवेदाश्च यज्ञाश्च वेदा विद्या सरस्वती

apsaroyakṣagarnvāḥ siddhā nāgā mahoragāḥ | upavedāśca yajñāśca vedā vidyā sarasvatī

Apsarases, Yakshas, Gandharvas, Siddhas, Nagas, great serpents, the Upavedas, the Sacrifice, the Vedas, Learning, and Sarasvati,

Verse 4 (skanda.8.67.4)

समुद्राः सरितः शैलास्तीर्थानि विविधानि च । मातरो लोकपालाश्च नक्षत्राणि ध्रुवो ग्रहाः

samudrāḥ saritaḥ śailāstīrthāni vividhāni ca | mātaro lokapālāśca nakṣatrāṇi dhruvo grahāḥ

the Oceans, Rivers, Mountains, various sacred fords, the Mother-goddesses, the World-guardians, the Constellations, Dhruva, and the Planets.

Verse 5 (skanda.8.67.5)

अथोचुर्देवता देवीं द्युतिमत्यो महाद्युतिम् । प्रहृष्टा हृष्टमनसामासीनामसुरद्विषः

athocurdevatā devīṁ dyutimatyo mahādyutim | prahṛṣṭā hṛṣṭamanasāmāsīnāmasuradviṣaḥ

Then those radiant gods, filled with joy, spoke to the greatly radiant goddess, sitting among the joyful-hearted enemies of the Asuras:

Verse 6 (skanda.8.67.6)

दानवेन्द्रौ महासत्वौ त्वया त्रैलोक्यकण्टकौ । निघ्नत्या देवि लोकानां दुःखशल्यमपाकृतम्

dānavendrau mahāsatvau tvayā trailokyakaṇṭakau | nighnatyā devi lokānāṁ duḥkhaśalyamapākṛtam

'O goddess, by you slaying those two mighty demon-lords, thorns to the three worlds, the painful thorn of all the worlds has been removed.'

Verse 7 (skanda.8.67.7)

ऋषयः पावनं देवि हविर्जुह्वति साम्प्रतम् । छन्दांस्यधीयते चोच्चैराचरन्ति व्रतानि च

ṛṣayaḥ pāvanaṁ devi havirjuhvati sāmpratam | chandāṁsyadhīyate coccairācaranti vratāni ca

'O goddess, the sages now offer the purifying oblation once again; they recite the Vedic metres aloud, and observe their vows.'

Verse 8 (skanda.8.67.8)

यज्ञोयमधुना विप्रैरिज्यते बहुदक्षिणः । उटजेषु च विश्वस्ता मुनयः शेरते सुखम्

yajñoyamadhunā viprairijyate bahudakṣiṇaḥ | uṭajeṣu ca viśvastā munayaḥ śerate sukham

'Now, once more, sacrifice with abundant sacrificial gifts is offered by the brahmins; and the sages, at ease, sleep in peace in their leaf-huts.'

Verse 9 (skanda.8.67.9)

आसते निर्भया देवि सन्तः सन्मार्गमाश्रिताः । आविर्भूतः पुनर्लोके विच्छिन्नः सत्क्रियापथः

āsate nirbhayā devi santaḥ sanmārgamāśritāḥ | āvirbhūtaḥ punarloke vicchinnaḥ satkriyāpathaḥ

'The virtuous, following the righteous path, sit fearless once more, O goddess; the path of righteous action, once broken, has reappeared in the world.'

Verse 10 (skanda.8.67.10)

लोकपालाः शिरांस्युच्चैस्त्वत्प्रसादाच्च बिभ्रति । पृक्तः पुष्परजोभिश्च सुखो वाति समीरणः

lokapālāḥ śirāṁsyuccaistvatprasādācca bibhrati | pṛktaḥ puṣparajobhiśca sukho vāti samīraṇaḥ

'By your grace, the World-guardians now hold their heads high once more; and the wind, mingled with flower-pollen, blows gently and pleasantly.'

Verse 11 (skanda.8.67.11)

जलानि देवि सरितः स्वच्छानि शिशिराणि च । त्वत्प्रसादान्महायोगे वहन्ति विगतक्लमाः

jalāni devi saritaḥ svacchāni śiśirāṇi ca | tvatprasādānmahāyoge vahanti vigataklamāḥ

'O goddess of great yoga, by your grace, the waters of the rivers flow clear and cool once more, free from all weariness.'

Verse 12 (skanda.8.67.12)

इदानीञ्च पुनर्जाता गिरयो गिरिजात्मजे । विज्वराः शिशिरस्वादुनिर्ज्झरोदकवाहिनः

idānīñca punarjātā girayo girijātmaje | vijvarāḥ śiśirasvādunirjjharodakavāhinaḥ

'And now, O daughter of the mountain, the mountains too have been reborn, freed of their fever, bearing sweet, cool waterfalls once more.'

Verse 13 (skanda.8.67.13)

फणान् स्वस्तिकचक्राङ्कानुच्चैर्दधति भोगिनः । उदन्वन्तश्च विश्वासादिदानीं सुखमासते

phaṇān svastikacakrāṅkānuccairdadhati bhoginaḥ | udanvantaśca viśvāsādidānīṁ sukhamāsate

'Serpents now raise high their hoods marked with the auspicious swastika-wheel sign; and the oceans, trusting once more, now rest at ease.'

Verse 14 (skanda.8.67.14)

भ्रमन्त्यप्सरसो देवि त्वत्प्रसादाच्च सांप्रतम् । सच्चेतोविमले व्योम्नि विलासालसलोचनाः

bhramantyapsaraso devi tvatprasādācca sāṁpratam | saccetovimale vyomni vilāsālasalocanāḥ

'By your grace, O goddess, the Apsarases now wander again, their eyes languid with playful grace, across the sky, clear as a virtuous mind.'

Verse 15 (skanda.8.67.15)

सिद्धाङ्गनाश्च सेवन्ते विश्वस्ता देवि सांप्रतम् । शिखरेषु महीध्राणामुत्फुल्लान् चन्दनद्रुमान्

siddhāṅganāśca sevante viśvastā devi sāṁpratam | śikhareṣu mahīdhrāṇāmutphullān candanadrumān

'And the wives of the Siddhas, at ease once more, O goddess, now frequent the blossoming sandalwood trees upon the peaks of the great mountains.'

Verse 16 (skanda.8.67.16)

स्वभावान्मधुपानाच्च रक्तोत्पलविलोचनाः । विचरन्त्यधुना यक्षा गन्धमादनसानुषु

svabhāvānmadhupānācca raktotpalavilocanāḥ | vicarantyadhunā yakṣā gandhamādanasānuṣu

'The Yakshas, their eyes red like lotuses from wine drunk of their own accord, now wander freely upon the ridges of Mount Gandhamadana.'

Verse 17 (skanda.8.67.17)

सुखं बिभर्त्ति वसुधामिदानीं विगतक्लमः । शेषः फणैः स्व रत्नांशुवितानपरिवेषिभिः

sukhaṁ bibhartti vasudhāmidānīṁ vigataklamaḥ | śeṣaḥ phaṇaiḥ sva ratnāṁśuvitānapariveṣibhiḥ

'And Shesha, freed of weariness, now bears the earth with ease upon his hoods, ringed all about with the canopy of his own jewels' radiance.'

Verse 18 (skanda.8.67.18)

माता त्वमसि लोकानां भीतानामभयप्रदा । वृणु देवि वरानिष्टानभिषिच्यस्व चाच्युते

mātā tvamasi lokānāṁ bhītānāmabhayapradā | vṛṇu devi varāniṣṭānabhiṣicyasva cācyute

'You are the mother of all the worlds, giver of refuge to the frightened. Choose, O goddess, whatever boons you desire, and let yourself, O unfailing one, be consecrated.'

Verse 19 (skanda.8.67.19)

एवमुक्ता सुरैर्देवी प्राह किञ्चित् स्मयन्निव । इच्छामि पितरं द्रष्टुमसमग्रेन्दुमौलिनम्

evamuktā surairdevī prāha kiñcit smayanniva | icchāmi pitaraṁ draṣṭumasamagrendumaulinam

Thus addressed by the gods, the goddess, smiling faintly, said: 'I wish to see my father, who wears the crescent moon upon his crown,'

Verse 20 (skanda.8.67.20)

सुप्रसन्नं प्रसन्नाञ्च जननीं शैलनन्दनाम् । पितृभ्यां चाध्वनुज्ञाता मभिषेक्ष्यथ मां ततः

suprasannaṁ prasannāñca jananīṁ śailanandanām | pitṛbhyāṁ cādhvanujñātā mabhiṣekṣyatha māṁ tataḥ

'-well pleased, and my mother too, well pleased, the Daughter of the Mountain; only when given leave by both my parents shall you then consecrate me.'

Verse 21 (skanda.8.67.21)

एवमुक्ताः सुरा दध्युरव्यग्रमनसस्तदा । सपत्नीकं महादेवममितद्युतिपौरुषम्

evamuktāḥ surā dadhyuravyagramanasastadā | sapatnīkaṁ mahādevamamitadyutipauruṣam

Thus addressed, the gods, their minds undistracted, then meditated upon Mahadeva, of boundless radiance and manhood, together with his consort.

Verse 22 (skanda.8.67.22)

अथ ते ददृशुर्देवा देवदेवमुमापतिम् । तेजसामिव सर्वेषां संघातं पुरतः स्थितम्

atha te dadṛśurdevā devadevamumāpatim | tejasāmiva sarveṣāṁ saṁghātaṁ purataḥ sthitam

Then those gods beheld the God of gods, the Lord of Uma, standing before them, like a concentrated mass of all forms of radiance.

Verse 23 (skanda.8.67.23)

जटानां प्रान्तबभ्रूणां शिरसा भारमुन्नतम् । बिभ्राणं ज्वलितं वह्निं दीप्तानामर्चिषामिव

jaṭānāṁ prāntababhrūṇāṁ śirasā bhāramunnatam | bibhrāṇaṁ jvalitaṁ vahniṁ dīptānāmarciṣāmiva

He bore upon his head a high, heavy mass of matted locks, tawny at their tips, like a blazing fire with dazzling flames.

Verse 24 (skanda.8.67.24)

कर्पूरभङ्गगौरेण स्नातं पुण्येन भस्मना । प्रान्तहेमलताजालं रौप्यं गिरिमिवोच्छ्रितम्

karpūrabhaṅgagaureṇa snātaṁ puṇyena bhasmanā | prāntahemalatājālaṁ raupyaṁ girimivocchritam

Bathed in sacred ash, white as a fragment of camphor, he appeared like a silver mountain rising high, its edges laced with golden creepers.

Verse 25 (skanda.8.67.25)

तेजसा स्वेन तेजांसि तिरयन्तं दिवौकसाम् । मध्यन्दिने प्रदीपानामर्चींषीव दिवाकरम्

tejasā svena tejāṁsi tirayantaṁ divaukasām | madhyandine pradīpānāmarcīṁṣīva divākaram

With his own radiance he outshone the radiance of all the dwellers of heaven, as the sun at midday outshines the flames of lamps.

Verse 26 (skanda.8.67.26)

सुधाम्बुस्यन्दिनीं तन्वीमेकतः परिवेषिणीम् । दधानं मौलिना किञ्चित्कुटिलामैन्दवीं कलाम्

sudhāmbusyandinīṁ tanvīmekataḥ pariveṣiṇīm | dadhānaṁ maulinā kiñcitkuṭilāmaindavīṁ kalām

On one side of his crown he bore a slender crescent digit of the moon, dripping ambrosial water, slightly curved, its own halo about it.

Verse 27 (skanda.8.67.27)

विजिह्मामुज्ज्वलां गुर्वीं धूसरां भस्मरेणुना । सैंहीं वसानमालम्बा मीषद्भङ्गवतीं त्वचम्

vijihmāmujjvalāṁ gurvīṁ dhūsarāṁ bhasmareṇunā | saiṁhīṁ vasānamālambā mīṣadbhaṅgavatīṁ tvacam

He wore, hanging loosely, a lion's hide - crooked, brilliant, heavy, grey with ash-dust, slightly folded.

Verse 28 (skanda.8.67.28)

छुरितोपान्तकायेन फणरत्नमरीचिभिः । महता भोगपतिना वक्षःस्थलविसर्पिणा

churitopāntakāyena phaṇaratnamarīcibhiḥ | mahatā bhogapatinā vakṣaḥsthalavisarpiṇā

His body's edges gleamed with the jewel-light of hoods, from a great lord of serpents that spread across his chest.

Verse 29 (skanda.8.67.29)

भवानीं चास्य पार्श्वस्थां दीप्यमानां स्वतेजसा । वसानामंशुकं रक्तं कल्पपादपसंभवम्

bhavānīṁ cāsya pārśvasthāṁ dīpyamānāṁ svatejasā | vasānāmaṁśukaṁ raktaṁ kalpapādapasaṁbhavam

And beside him stood Bhavani, blazing with her own radiance, wearing a red garment born of the wish-fulfilling tree,

Verse 30 (skanda.8.67.30)

मन्दारमालामुत्फुल्लां मत्तालिकुलसेविताम् । दधानामुत्तमाङ्गेन स्वरेणूत्करपिञ्जराम्

mandāramālāmutphullāṁ mattālikulasevitām | dadhānāmuttamāṅgena svareṇūtkarapiñjarām

bearing upon her head a fully-blossomed mandara garland, thronged with intoxicated bees, tawny with its own showering pollen,

Verse 31 (skanda.8.67.31)

स्वःशिल्पिघटितैश्चित्रै रत्नांशुपरिवेषिभिः । शातकुंभमयैः श्लाघ्यैर्भूषितां भूषणोत्तमैः

svaḥśilpighaṭitaiścitrai ratnāṁśupariveṣibhiḥ | śātakuṁbhamayaiḥ ślāghyairbhūṣitāṁ bhūṣaṇottamaiḥ

adorned with the finest ornaments, wrought by the divine artisan, colourful, ringed with the light of jewels, made of fine gold, worthy of praise,

Verse 32 (skanda.8.67.32)

बिभ्रतीं रुचिरां शुद्धां शरच्चन्द्रांशुनिर्मलाम् । शिरोधरेणामहतीमेकावलिमनुत्तमाम्

bibhratīṁ rucirāṁ śuddhāṁ śaraccandrāṁśunirmalām | śirodhareṇāmahatīmekāvalimanuttamām

and wearing about her neck a lovely, pure, unsullied necklace of a single strand, spotless as the rays of the autumn moon, supreme and unrivalled.

Verse 33 (skanda.8.67.33)

अथोत्थाय सुरास्सर्वे कौशिकीं चानतानना । तयोश्चरणपद्मेषु निपेतुस्तुष्टमानसाः

athotthāya surāssarve kauśikīṁ cānatānanā | tayoścaraṇapadmeṣu nipetustuṣṭamānasāḥ

Then all the gods rose, and Kaushiki too, her face bowed, and, their minds filled with joy, fell at the lotus feet of that divine couple.

Verse 34 (skanda.8.67.34)

अथोद्वीक्ष्य महादेवः कौशिकीमिदमब्रवीत् । अजेया सर्वभूतानां महायोगा महाद्युतिः

athodvīkṣya mahādevaḥ kauśikīmidamabravīt | ajeyā sarvabhūtānāṁ mahāyogā mahādyutiḥ

Then, looking upon Kaushiki, Mahadeva said this: 'Unconquerable by all beings, a great yogini, of great radiance -'

Verse 35 (skanda.8.67.35)

विचरिष्यसि लोकाँस्त्वं सर्वत्राप्रतिघातिनी । इमाश्च देवताः सर्वास्त्वत्प्रसादादनिन्दिते

vicariṣyasi lokā~stvaṁ sarvatrāpratighātinī | imāśca devatāḥ sarvāstvatprasādādanindite

'-you shall wander through the worlds, unhindered everywhere; and, O blameless one, all these gods, by your grace,'

Verse 36 (skanda.8.67.36)

भक्त्या बल्युपहारैश्च पूजयिष्यन्ति मानवाः । वरदा चापि भक्तानां भविष्यसि सदानघे

bhaktyā balyupahāraiśca pūjayiṣyanti mānavāḥ | varadā cāpi bhaktānāṁ bhaviṣyasi sadānaghe

'-men shall worship you with devotion and offerings; and, O sinless one, you shall ever be a granter of boons to your devotees.'

Verse 37 (skanda.8.67.37)

अभिषिच्यस्व च क्षिप्रं सुरैरसुरसूदनि । कृत्स्नं रक्ष च भूर्लोकं पूज्यमाना सदाव्यये

abhiṣicyasva ca kṣipraṁ surairasurasūdani | kṛtsnaṁ rakṣa ca bhūrlokaṁ pūjyamānā sadāvyaye

'And now, O slayer of the Asuras, be swiftly consecrated by the gods, and, ever worshipped, O unfailing one, protect the whole earth.'

Verse 38 (skanda.8.67.38)

शर्वाणी च परिष्वज्य मूर्ध्नि चाघ्राय कौशिकीम् । प्राह प्रीता महाभागा मत्प्रभावाद् भविष्यसि

śarvāṇī ca pariṣvajya mūrdhni cāghrāya kauśikīm | prāha prītā mahābhāgā matprabhāvād bhaviṣyasi

And Sharvani, embracing Kaushiki and kissing her head, said, greatly pleased: 'By my own power, you shall become -'

Verse 39 (skanda.8.67.39)

अर्चयन्ति यथा मां च सुरा यक्षा महोरगाः । गन्धर्वा मुनयः सिद्धास्तथा त्वामप्यनिन्दिते

arcayanti yathā māṁ ca surā yakṣā mahoragāḥ | gandharvā munayaḥ siddhāstathā tvāmapyanindite

'-just as the gods, Yakshas, great serpents, Gandharvas, sages and Siddhas worship me, so too, O blameless one, shall they worship you.'

Verse 40 (skanda.8.67.40)

अर्चयिष्यन्ति सर्वत्र भक्ताः स्तोस्यन्ति चाव्यये । एवं तस्यै वरं दत्त्वा गिरिजावृषभध्वजौ

arcayiṣyanti sarvatra bhaktāḥ stosyanti cāvyaye | evaṁ tasyai varaṁ dattvā girijāvṛṣabhadhvajau

'-your devotees shall worship you everywhere, and shall sing your praises, O unfailing one.' Having thus given her this boon, Girija and the Bull-bannered One,

Verse 41 (skanda.8.67.41)

नमस्कृतौ तदा देवैरन्तर्दधतुरव्ययौ । अथेन्द्रो विश्वकर्माणमादिदेश तदा प्रभुः

namaskṛtau tadā devairantardadhaturavyayau | athendro viśvakarmāṇamādideśa tadā prabhuḥ

-honoured with salutations by the gods, then, unfailing, both vanished from sight. Then Indra, the lord, instructed Vishvakarma:

Verse 42 (skanda.8.67.42)

सुधर्मेव सभा दिव्या क्रियतामिह साम्प्रतम् । ऋतूँश्च सर्वाँ स्तत्रेत्थमादिदेश शतक्रतुः

sudharmeva sabhā divyā kriyatāmiha sāmpratam | ṛtū~śca sarvā~ statretthamādideśa śatakratuḥ

'Let a divine assembly-hall, like Sudharma itself, be built here at once.' And Indra likewise instructed all the Seasons thus:

Verse 43 (skanda.8.67.43)

नानापुष्पोत्करैः क्षिप्रं भूमिः सम्यग् विभूष्यताम् । क्षुपगुल्मलतावृक्ष पुष्परेणुसुगन्धयः

nānāpuṣpotkaraiḥ kṣipraṁ bhūmiḥ samyag vibhūṣyatām | kṣupagulmalatāvṛkṣa puṣpareṇusugandhayaḥ

'Let the ground be swiftly and properly adorned with heaps of many kinds of flowers; let the breezes, fragrant with the flower-pollen of shrubs, bushes, creepers and trees,'

Verse 44 (skanda.8.67.44)

आक्षिपन्तो मनांस्यत्र सुखा वान्तु समीरणाः । सिञ्चन्तु वारिभिः पुण्यैर्विन्ध्यप्रस्थं पयोमुचः

ākṣipanto manāṁsyatra sukhā vāntu samīraṇāḥ | siñcantu vāribhiḥ puṇyairvindhyaprasthaṁ payomucaḥ

'-blow here pleasantly, captivating the mind; let the rain-clouds sprinkle the plateau of the Vindhya with sacred waters.'

Verse 45 (skanda.8.67.45)

तारं नदन्तु शिखिनः प्रहृष्टाः सर्वतोदिशम् । नृत्यन्तु परितश्चित्रान्दर्शयन्तः पृथग्विधान्

tāraṁ nadantu śikhinaḥ prahṛṣṭāḥ sarvatodiśam | nṛtyantu paritaścitrāndarśayantaḥ pṛthagvidhān

'Let the peacocks cry loudly in every direction, delighted; let them dance all about, displaying their various colourful feathers,'

Verse 46 (skanda.8.67.46)

रसान्भावान्विलासाँश्च सर्वेप्यप्सरसां गणाः । प्रतिसार्या सुवीणाश्च गन्धर्वा मधुरस्वरम्

rasānbhāvānvilāsā~śca sarvepyapsarasāṁ gaṇāḥ | pratisāryā suvīṇāśca gandharvā madhurasvaram

'-let all the hosts of Apsarases display their moods, feelings and graceful charms; and let the Gandharvas, skilled with the vina, play sweetly,'

Verse 47 (skanda.8.67.47)

लयतालसमं गेयं गायन्तु च समन्ततः । आहन्यन्तां समन्ताच्च देवदुन्दुभयो भृशम्

layatālasamaṁ geyaṁ gāyantu ca samantataḥ | āhanyantāṁ samantācca devadundubhayo bhṛśam

'-let them sing songs in perfect rhythm and beat, all around; and let the drums of the gods be struck loudly on every side,'

Verse 48 (skanda.8.67.48)

पाणिभिः कठिनैस्तूर्णं चित्ररूपा महास्वनाः । मन्दानिलसमुद्धूता लीनालिकुलपंक्तयः

pāṇibhiḥ kaṭhinaistūrṇaṁ citrarūpā mahāsvanāḥ | mandānilasamuddhūtā līnālikulapaṁktayaḥ

'-swiftly, by firm hands, of many forms and loud sound; let flowers, stirred by the gentle breeze, with rows of bees clinging to them,'

Verse 49 (skanda.8.67.49)

पतन्त्वस्मिन्प्रदेशे च दिव्याः कुसुमवृष्टयः । उच्छ्रियन्तां समन्ताच्च पताकाश्चित्रमूर्तयः

patantvasminpradeśe ca divyāḥ kusumavṛṣṭayaḥ | ucchriyantāṁ samantācca patākāścitramūrtayaḥ

'-fall in this place as divine showers of blossoms; and let colourful banners of various shapes be raised on every side,'

Verse 50 (skanda.8.67.50)

ध्वजाश्च विविधाकारा हेमदण्डाः सुसंस्कृताः । अथाशु निर्ममे तत्र विश्वकर्मा महाद्युतिः

dhvajāśca vividhākārā hemadaṇḍāḥ susaṁskṛtāḥ | athāśu nirmame tatra viśvakarmā mahādyutiḥ

'-and flags of various shapes, on golden, well-finished poles.' Then the greatly radiant Vishvakarma swiftly fashioned there

Verse 51 (skanda.8.67.51)

नानारत्नोज्ज्वलस्तम्भां विचित्रमणिवेदिकाम् । वज्रस्फटिकनिर्यूहां जाम्बूनदमयीं शुभाम्

nānāratnojjvalastambhāṁ vicitramaṇivedikām | vajrasphaṭikaniryūhāṁ jāmbūnadamayīṁ śubhām

an auspicious platform of gold, its pillars ablaze with many kinds of jewels, its altar set with wondrous gems, its entrance-hall of diamond and crystal,

Verse 52 (skanda.8.67.52)

इन्द्रनीलोरुसोपानां मुक्तादामावलम्बिनीम । सध्वजां सपताकां च घण्टास्वन निनादिताम्

indranīlorusopānāṁ muktādāmāvalambinīma | sadhvajāṁ sapatākāṁ ca ghaṇṭāsvana nināditām

with great steps of sapphire, hung with strings of pearls, adorned with banners and flags, resounding with the sound of bells,

Verse 53 (skanda.8.67.53)

तपोनियमयज्ञानां साक्षात् सिद्धिमिवोद्गताम् । भिन्नकालानि पुष्पाणि ददृशुर्देवतास्तदा

taponiyamayajñānāṁ sākṣāt siddhimivodgatām | bhinnakālāni puṣpāṇi dadṛśurdevatāstadā

appearing as though it were the very Perfection of austerity, discipline and sacrifice made manifest. Then the gods beheld flowers of every season blooming together -

Verse 54 (skanda.8.67.54)

समं सुपुण्यगन्धीनि विचित्राणि बहूनि च । पुष्पकिञ्जल्कगर्भाश्च सुखस्पर्शाः सुगन्धयः

samaṁ supuṇyagandhīni vicitrāṇi bahūni ca | puṣpakiñjalkagarbhāśca sukhasparśāḥ sugandhayaḥ

-together, most fragrant, many and varied; and breezes, born of flower-pollen, soft to the touch and sweetly scented, blowing all around.

Verse 55 (skanda.8.67.55)

नादयन्तो मुहुर्घण्टा ववुस्तत्र समीरणाः । प्रजगुः सुरगन्धर्वा ननृतुश्चाप्सरोगणाः

nādayanto muhurghaṇṭā vavustatra samīraṇāḥ | prajaguḥ suragandharvā nanṛtuścāpsarogaṇāḥ

There the breezes blew, repeatedly ringing the bells; the gods and Gandharvas sang, and the hosts of Apsarases danced.

Verse 56 (skanda.8.67.56)

ऋषयस्तुष्टुवुर्गीभिः पुण्याभिः कौशिकीं तदा । सर्वरत्नौषधैर्गन्धैः पूर्णाः पुण्यैश्च वारिभिः

ṛṣayastuṣṭuvurgībhiḥ puṇyābhiḥ kauśikīṁ tadā | sarvaratnauṣadhairgandhaiḥ pūrṇāḥ puṇyaiśca vāribhiḥ

The sages then praised Kaushiki with sacred hymns. Vessels filled with all manner of jewels, herbs, fragrances and sacred waters -

Verse 57 (skanda.8.67.57)

आनीतास्तत्र कलशा हेमरत्नमयाः शुभाः । पद्मरागमयैः सिंहैश्चतुर्भिर्वज्रकेशरैः

ānītāstatra kalaśā hemaratnamayāḥ śubhāḥ | padmarāgamayaiḥ siṁhaiścaturbhirvajrakeśaraiḥ

-auspicious pitchers of gold and jewels were brought there. With four lions made of rubies, their manes of diamond,

Verse 58 (skanda.8.67.58)

उच्छ्वसद्भिरिव श्रीमदुह्यमानं हिरण्मयम् । सर्वरत्नप्रभाजालखचितोपान्तमण्डलम्

ucchvasadbhiriva śrīmaduhyamānaṁ hiraṇmayam | sarvaratnaprabhājālakhacitopāntamaṇḍalam

-that seemed almost to breathe, glorious, borne up - a golden throne, its rim inlaid with a network of the radiance of every jewel,

Verse 59 (skanda.8.67.59)

कल्पयामास देव्याश्च विश्वकर्मा वरासनम् । स्तुतिभिर्जयशब्दैश्च स्तूयमाना समन्ततः

kalpayāmāsa devyāśca viśvakarmā varāsanam | stutibhirjayaśabdaiśca stūyamānā samantataḥ

-Vishvakarma fashioned as the goddess's excellent throne. Praised on every side with hymns and cries of victory,

Verse 60 (skanda.8.67.60)

ऋषिभिर्देवताभिश्च देवदेवसुता ततः । तस्मिन् सिंहासने दिव्ये निषसादाथ कौशिकी

ṛṣibhirdevatābhiśca devadevasutā tataḥ | tasmin siṁhāsane divye niṣasādātha kauśikī

by the sages and the gods, the daughter of the God of gods, Kaushiki, then took her seat upon that divine throne,

Verse 61 (skanda.8.67.61)

कृतस्वस्त्ययना विप्रैः सुहुते जातवेदसि । वसाना वाससी शुक्ले कल्पद्रुमसमुद्भवे

kṛtasvastyayanā vipraiḥ suhute jātavedasi | vasānā vāsasī śukle kalpadrumasamudbhave

her benediction-rites performed by the brahmins as the sacred fire was well-fed with offerings, wearing two white garments born of the wish-fulfilling tree,

Verse 62 (skanda.8.67.62)

मुक्तादामावबद्धाङ्गी शुक्लस्रगनुलेपना । ततः सप्तर्षयो विष्णुर्धर्मो यज्ञः प्रजापतिः

muktādāmāvabaddhāṅgī śuklasraganulepanā | tataḥ saptarṣayo viṣṇurdharmo yajñaḥ prajāpatiḥ

her limbs bound with strings of pearls, adorned with a white garland and sacred unguents. Then the Seven Sages, Vishnu, Dharma, Yajna, Prajapati,

Verse 63 (skanda.8.67.63)

आदित्याः कश्यपो रुद्रा लोकपाला हुताशनाः । शैलेन्द्राः पृथिवी गङ्गा चन्द्रमा मरुतोश्विनौ

ādityāḥ kaśyapo rudrā lokapālā hutāśanāḥ | śailendrāḥ pṛthivī gaṅgā candramā marutośvinau

the Adityas, Kashyapa, the Rudras, the World-guardians, the Fire-gods, the great mountains, the Earth, the Ganga, the Moon, the Maruts and the two Ashvins,

Verse 64 (skanda.8.67.64)

समुद्रा वसवो लक्ष्मीः सन्ध्या कीर्तिः सरस्वती । नागेन्द्रा विहगेशाश्च विविधाश्च सरिद्वराः

samudrā vasavo lakṣmīḥ sandhyā kīrtiḥ sarasvatī | nāgendrā vihageśāśca vividhāśca saridvarāḥ

the Oceans, the Vasus, Lakshmi, Sandhya, Kirti, Sarasvati, the great serpent-lords, the lords of birds, and the various best of rivers,

Verse 65 (skanda.8.67.65)

आदाय कलशान् सर्बानभ्यषिञ्चन्त कौशिकीम् । पूर्णेन्दुबिम्बप्रतिमं रत्नदण्डं महाद्युतिम्

ādāya kalaśān sarbānabhyaṣiñcanta kauśikīm | pūrṇendubimbapratimaṁ ratnadaṇḍaṁ mahādyutim

taking up all those pitchers, consecrated Kaushiki. Indra himself then took up, and held aloft over her, a great, splendid parasol, its handle of jewels, like the very orb of the full moon,

Verse 66 (skanda.8.67.66)

जग्राह विततं छत्रं स्वयमेव शतक्रतुः । चामरैर्हेमदण्डैश्च दीर्घैश्चन्द्रांशुनिर्मलैः

jagrāha vitataṁ chatraṁ svayameva śatakratuḥ | cāmarairhemadaṇḍaiśca dīrghaiścandrāṁśunirmalaiḥ

and, with long golden-handled fly-whisks, spotless as moonbeams,

Verse 67 (skanda.8.67.67)

बीजयामासु रायस्तैर्लोकपालास्तदाव्ययाम् । उवाच च ततः श्रीमान् कौशिकीं पाकशासनः

bījayāmāsu rāyastairlokapālāstadāvyayām | uvāca ca tataḥ śrīmān kauśikīṁ pākaśāsanaḥ

the World-guardians fanned the unfailing goddess. Then the glorious Indra said to Kaushiki:

Verse 68 (skanda.8.67.68)

पाहि कृत्स्नां भुवं देवि भगिनी त्वं ममाव्यये । भक्ताननुगृहाणेशे जहि चामरकण्टकान् । विचरस्व समस्तांश्च लोकान् सिद्धगणार्चिता

pāhi kṛtsnāṁ bhuvaṁ devi bhaginī tvaṁ mamāvyaye | bhaktānanugṛhāṇeśe jahi cāmarakaṇṭakān | vicarasva samastāṁśca lokān siddhagaṇārcitā

'O goddess, protect the whole earth; you are my sister, O unfailing one. O sovereign lady, be gracious to your devotees, and slay the thorns of the immortals' foes; wander through all the worlds, worshipped by the hosts of the Siddhas.'

Verse 69 (skanda.8.67.69)

इति वचनमथोक्त्वा कौशिकीं देवराज स्त्रिदशगणसमेतः शुभ्रलोलोरुहारः । उदपतदथ विन्ध्याद्विक्षिपन्व्योम्नि नीलान् । सलिलभरविनम्रानम्बुवाहान्समन्तात्

iti vacanamathoktvā kauśikīṁ devarāja stridaśagaṇasametaḥ śubhraloloruhāraḥ | udapatadatha vindhyādvikṣipanvyomni nīlān | salilabharavinamrānambuvāhānsamantāt

Having thus spoken this word to Kaushiki, the king of the gods, accompanied by the host of the Thirty gods, his great pure garland swaying, then rose up from the Vindhya, scattering all about in the sky the dark, water-laden rainclouds bowed down with their burden.

Verse 70 (skanda.8.67.70)

य इमं शृणुयान्नित्यं पठेद्वा सत्समागमे । इह लोके सुखं प्राप्य स याति परमां गतिम्

ya imaṁ śṛṇuyānnityaṁ paṭhedvā satsamāgame | iha loke sukhaṁ prāpya sa yāti paramāṁ gatim

Whoever constantly hears or recites this account in the company of the virtuous, attains happiness in this world and goes to the supreme goal.