The Granting of Gaurishikhara

Verse 1 (skanda.8.69.1)

व्यास उवाच । भगवन् सर्वलोकज्ञ पितामहसमद्युते । तपः कृत्वा तदा देवी पुष्कलं हिमवत्सुता

vyāsa uvāca | bhagavan sarvalokajña pitāmahasamadyute | tapaḥ kṛtvā tadā devī puṣkalaṁ himavatsutā

Vyasa said: O Lord, knower of all worlds, radiant as the Grandsire, having performed abundant austerity, the daughter of Himavat then

Verse 2 (skanda.8.69.2)

वरं यथेप्सितं लब्ध्वा ब्रह्मणो गौरवर्णताम् । किमन्यदकरोद्विप्र तपसोन्ते महामुने

varaṁ yathepsitaṁ labdhvā brahmaṇo gauravarṇatām | kimanyadakarodvipra tapasonte mahāmune

having obtained from Brahma the desired boon of a golden complexion, what else did she do, O brahmin, at the end of her austerity, O great sage?

Verse 3 (skanda.8.69.3)

सोमनन्दी च शार्दूलः किमवाप वरं शुभम् । एतन्मे पृच्छतो ब्रूहि भक्ताय प्रणताय च

somanandī ca śārdūlaḥ kimavāpa varaṁ śubham | etanme pṛcchato brūhi bhaktāya praṇatāya ca

And what auspicious boon did Somanandin the lion obtain? Tell me this, as I ask, your devoted and bowed disciple.

Verse 4 (skanda.8.69.4)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । नमस्कृत्य महादेवं परमं ब्रह्म शाश्वतम् । यं पठन्ति सदा सांख्याः पुरुषं पंचविंशकम्

sanatkumāra uvāca | namaskṛtya mahādevaṁ paramaṁ brahma śāśvatam | yaṁ paṭhanti sadā sāṁkhyāḥ puruṣaṁ paṁcaviṁśakam

Sanatkumara said: Having bowed to Mahadeva, the supreme, eternal Brahman, whom the Sankhyas ever call the twenty-fifth principle, the Purusha,

Verse 5 (skanda.8.69.5)

योगिनश्चैव षड्विंशं ब्रह्माद्याश्च दिवौकसः । प्रणम्य परया भक्त्या शिरसा तं त्रिलोचनम्

yoginaścaiva ṣaḍviṁśaṁ brahmādyāśca divaukasaḥ | praṇamya parayā bhaktyā śirasā taṁ trilocanam

-and whom the Yogins call the twenty-sixth, and whom Brahma and the other dwellers of heaven also worship - having bowed my head with supreme devotion to that three-eyed one,

Verse 6 (skanda.8.69.6)

गौर्या समागमो व्यास शङ्करस्य यथाभवत् । तत् प्रवक्ष्यामि ते सर्वं शृणु योगविदां वर

gauryā samāgamo vyāsa śaṅkarasya yathābhavat | tat pravakṣyāmi te sarvaṁ śṛṇu yogavidāṁ vara

-I shall relate to you, O Vyasa, best among knowers of yoga, all of how Gauri's reunion with Shankara came about; listen.

Verse 7 (skanda.8.69.7)

तस्मिन् हिमवतः शृङ्गे तपः कृत्वा सुदुष्करम् । गौराङ्गी सा तदा भूत्वा शुद्धहेमसमप्रभा

tasmin himavataḥ śṛṅge tapaḥ kṛtvā suduṣkaram | gaurāṅgī sā tadā bhūtvā śuddhahemasamaprabhā

On that peak of the Himalaya, having performed most difficult austerity, she then became fair-limbed, radiant as pure gold.

Verse 8 (skanda.8.69.8)

दर्शने शङ्करस्याथ शर्वाणी मतिमादधे । मन्दरं गिरिमागम्य सहिता सोमनन्दिना

darśane śaṅkarasyātha śarvāṇī matimādadhe | mandaraṁ girimāgamya sahitā somanandinā

Then Sharvani resolved to see Shankara, and came to Mount Mandara, accompanied by Somanandin,

Verse 9 (skanda.8.69.9)

अपश्यद्भवने भर्तुर्द्वारमूले समास्थितम् । नन्दिनं गणपं देवी दीप्तपट्टिशधारिणम्

apaśyadbhavane bharturdvāramūle samāsthitam | nandinaṁ gaṇapaṁ devī dīptapaṭṭiśadhāriṇam

and at the door of her husband's abode, the goddess saw Nandin the Gana-lord standing there, bearing a gleaming pattisha-blade.

Verse 10 (skanda.8.69.10)

ततो नन्दीश्वरं दृष्ट्वा भक्तं प्रेम्णा गिरीन्द्रजा । एहि वत्स चिराद् दृष्टस्त्वमित्युक्तवती तदा

tato nandīśvaraṁ dṛṣṭvā bhaktaṁ premṇā girīndrajā | ehi vatsa cirād dṛṣṭastvamityuktavatī tadā

Then, seeing the devoted Nandishvara, the daughter of the mountain-king said to him lovingly: 'Come, my child - I see you after so long!'

Verse 11 (skanda.8.69.11)

नन्दी संप्रेक्ष्य तां चापि गौराङ्गीं हेमसप्रभाम् । हर्षेण महता युक्तः पादयोरपतद् भृशम्

nandī saṁprekṣya tāṁ cāpi gaurāṅgīṁ hemasaprabhām | harṣeṇa mahatā yuktaḥ pādayorapatad bhṛśam

Nandi too, beholding her fair-limbed, radiant as gold, filled with great joy, fell prostrate at once at her feet.

Verse 12 (skanda.8.69.12)

प्रणम्य स तदा धीमानस्तुवत् पर्वतात्मजाम् । नमः सिद्ध्यै महादेव्यै रतये गतये नमः

praṇamya sa tadā dhīmānastuvat parvatātmajām | namaḥ siddhyai mahādevyai rataye gataye namaḥ

Having bowed, that wise one then praised the daughter of the mountain: 'Salutation to Siddhi, the great goddess; salutation to Rati, to Gati,'

Verse 13 (skanda.8.69.13)

त्वं क्रिया कारणं त्वं च प्रकृतिर्मुक्तिरेव च । कान्तिर्द्युतिस्तथा तुष्टिश्शान्तिः स्वस्त्ययनं परम्

tvaṁ kriyā kāraṇaṁ tvaṁ ca prakṛtirmuktireva ca | kāntirdyutistathā tuṣṭiśśāntiḥ svastyayanaṁ param

'-you are Action, you are Cause, you are Nature, you are Liberation itself; you are Beauty, Radiance, Contentment, Peace, and the supreme Benediction,'

Verse 14 (skanda.8.69.14)

दक्षिणा नियतिर्मृत्युः सन्ध्या विद्युदहः क्षपा । पृथिवी कौशिकी श्रीश्च शर्वाणी शर्ववल्लभा

dakṣiṇā niyatirmṛtyuḥ sandhyā vidyudahaḥ kṣapā | pṛthivī kauśikī śrīśca śarvāṇī śarvavallabhā

'-you are Dakshina, Niyati, Mrityu, Sandhya, Vidyut, Day, Night, Earth, Kaushiki, Shri, Sharvani, the beloved of Sharva,'

Verse 15 (skanda.8.69.15)

गणमाता दितिश्चैव पवित्रा विन्ध्यवासिनी । कृष्णा कात्यायनी गौरी भूतमाता तथेश्वरी

gaṇamātā ditiścaiva pavitrā vindhyavāsinī | kṛṣṇā kātyāyanī gaurī bhūtamātā tatheśvarī

'-you are the Mother of the Ganas, and Diti, the pure Dweller of the Vindhya, Krishna, Katyayani, Gauri, and the Mother of all beings, and Ishvari.'

Verse 16 (skanda.8.69.16)

भव देवि प्रसन्ना मे भक्तस्य प्रणतस्य च । अथ देवी तदा दृष्ट्वा नन्दिनं पादयोर्नतम्

bhava devi prasannā me bhaktasya praṇatasya ca | atha devī tadā dṛṣṭvā nandinaṁ pādayornatam

'Be gracious to me, O goddess, your devotee bowed at your feet.' Then the goddess, seeing Nandi bowed at her feet,

Verse 17 (skanda.8.69.17)

प्रोवाच वरदास्मीति स च वव्रे वरं शुभम् । प्रसन्नां नित्यमेव त्वामिच्छामि वरमुत्तमम्

provāca varadāsmīti sa ca vavre varaṁ śubham | prasannāṁ nityameva tvāmicchāmi varamuttamam

said, 'I grant a boon'; and he chose this auspicious boon: 'The excellent boon I desire is that you be ever gracious to me.'

Verse 18 (skanda.8.69.18)

एवमस्त्विति सा प्रोच्य प्रविवेशायतेक्षणा । अग्रतोस्या ययौ नन्दी सोमनन्दी च पृष्ठतः

evamastviti sā procya praviveśāyatekṣaṇā | agratosyā yayau nandī somanandī ca pṛṣṭhataḥ

Saying 'So be it,' that wide-eyed goddess entered; Nandi went before her, and Somanandin behind.

Verse 19 (skanda.8.69.19)

चन्द्रलेखोभयोर्मध्ये ग्रहयोरिव सा बभौ । दूरादेव समालोक्य देवदेवो मुदान्वितः

candralekhobhayormadhye grahayoriva sā babhau | dūrādeva samālokya devadevo mudānvitaḥ

She shone between them like a crescent moon between two planets; and the God of gods, seeing her from afar, filled with joy,

Verse 20 (skanda.8.69.20)

आजगाम महातेजाः संभ्रमोत्फुल्ललोचनः । पपात पादयोर्देवी देवदेवस्य धीमतः

ājagāma mahātejāḥ saṁbhramotphullalocanaḥ | papāta pādayordevī devadevasya dhīmataḥ

-that greatly radiant one came forward, his eyes wide with eager excitement. The goddess fell at the feet of the wise God of gods.

Verse 21 (skanda.8.69.21)

अथ देवस्तदायातां देवीं गिरिवरात्मजाम् । समुवाच सुरश्रेष्ठः समालोक्य मुहुर्मुहुः

atha devastadāyātāṁ devīṁ girivarātmajām | samuvāca suraśreṣṭhaḥ samālokya muhurmuhuḥ

Then the god, that foremost of divinities, looking again and again at the goddess, the daughter of the finest of mountains, who had come to him, spoke to her:

Verse 22 (skanda.8.69.22)

दिष्ट्यासि प्रीतवदना दिष्ट्या च सफलं तपः । दिष्ट्या चेदं वरं वर्णं गौरं कनकसप्रभम्

diṣṭyāsi prītavadanā diṣṭyā ca saphalaṁ tapaḥ | diṣṭyā cedaṁ varaṁ varṇaṁ gauraṁ kanakasaprabham

'By good fortune your face is joyful; by good fortune your austerity has borne fruit; by good fortune you now have this excellent golden hue, radiant as gold.'

Verse 23 (skanda.8.69.23)

प्रियन्नः सर्वथा देवि परमं यत्त्वमागता । प्रतिज्ञां पूरयित्वेह शार्दूलोयं कुतश्च ते

priyannaḥ sarvathā devi paramaṁ yattvamāgatā | pratijñāṁ pūrayitveha śārdūloyaṁ kutaśca te

'It is most pleasing to us in every way, O goddess, that you have come, having fulfilled your vow here. And whence comes this lion of yours?'

Verse 24 (skanda.8.69.24)

एवमुक्ता तदा देवी भर्त्रा प्रणयपेशलम् । कथयामास देवाय सर्वञ्चरितमात्मनः

evamuktā tadā devī bhartrā praṇayapeśalam | kathayāmāsa devāya sarvañcaritamātmanaḥ

Thus addressed by her husband with tender affection, the goddess then related to the god the whole of her own story.

Verse 25 (skanda.8.69.25)

देव्युवाच । प्रागहं यत्त्वया देव कृष्णवर्णेति भाषिता । तदा मन्युपरीताङ्गी गौरवर्णसमीप्सया

devyuvāca | prāgahaṁ yattvayā deva kṛṣṇavarṇeti bhāṣitā | tadā manyuparītāṅgī gauravarṇasamīpsayā

The goddess said: O Lord, when you once called me 'dark-complexioned,' my body then overcome with sorrow, desiring a golden complexion,

Verse 26 (skanda.8.69.26)

हिमवच्छिखरं गत्वा तपोहं महदास्थिता । चिन्तयन्ती सदैव त्वामेकपादेन संस्थिता

himavacchikharaṁ gatvā tapohaṁ mahadāsthitā | cintayantī sadaiva tvāmekapādena saṁsthitā

-I went to a peak of the Himalaya and undertook great austerity, ever thinking of you, standing upon one foot.

Verse 27 (skanda.8.69.27)

यस्मिन्निव दिने तत्र तपोहं समुपाश्रिता । तस्मिन्नेवैष शार्दूलः सोमनन्दी ममाग्रतः

yasminniva dine tatra tapohaṁ samupāśritā | tasminnevaiṣa śārdūlaḥ somanandī mamāgrataḥ

On the very day I began that austerity there, this very lion, Somanandin, came and stood before me,

Verse 28 (skanda.8.69.28)

व्यतिष्ठत महादेव भक्त्या परमया युतः । दिव्यं वर्षसहस्रं तत्तपोयुक्ताहमास्थिता

vyatiṣṭhata mahādeva bhaktyā paramayā yutaḥ | divyaṁ varṣasahasraṁ tattapoyuktāhamāsthitā

-stood, O Mahadeva, filled with supreme devotion. For a thousand divine years I remained engaged in that austerity,

Verse 29 (skanda.8.69.29)

तावन्तं कालमेषोपि ममातिष्ठत् समीपतः । स्तब्धलाङ्गूलनेत्रास्यो निराहारो विलोकयन्

tāvantaṁ kālameṣopi mamātiṣṭhat samīpataḥ | stabdhalāṅgūlanetrāsyo nirāhāro vilokayan

and for that same length of time this lion too remained near me, his tail, eyes and mouth utterly still, without food, gazing at me.

Verse 30 (skanda.8.69.30)

आगतस्तपसश्चान्ते ब्रह्मा मम वरप्रदः । तमहं पूर्वमस्यार्थे वरं संप्रार्थय विभो

āgatastapasaścānte brahmā mama varapradaḥ | tamahaṁ pūrvamasyārthe varaṁ saṁprārthaya vibho

At the end of my austerity Brahma, the bestower of my boon, came; and I first requested him on this lion's behalf, O Lord.

Verse 31 (skanda.8.69.31)

तेनायममरो देव जराशोकविवर्जितः । ममैवानुचरः पार्श्वे कृतो योगी च शङ्कर । वर्णं चेदमदरव तवादेशात ९ पितामहः

tenāyamamaro deva jarāśokavivarjitaḥ | mamaivānucaraḥ pārśve kṛto yogī ca śaṅkara | varṇaṁ cedamadarava tavādeśāta 9 pitāmahaḥ

By him, O god, this lion was made immortal, free from old age and sorrow, and made my own attendant at my side, a yogi; and, O Shankara, at your own command, the Grandsire granted me this complexion.

Verse 32 (skanda.8.69.32)

देवदेव उवाच । परितुष्टोस्मि ते देवि वरं वृणु यथेप्सितम् । मृगेन्द्रोयं गणश्रेष्ठः सोमनन्दी महाबलः

devadeva uvāca | parituṣṭosmi te devi varaṁ vṛṇu yathepsitam | mṛgendroyaṁ gaṇaśreṣṭhaḥ somanandī mahābalaḥ

The God of gods said: I am well pleased with you, O goddess; choose whatever boon you desire. This lord of beasts, foremost of the Ganas, mighty Somanandin,

Verse 33 (skanda.8.69.33)

यादृशो मम नन्दीशस्तादृशस्ते भविष्यति । यदन्यद् ब्रूहि तत्सर्वं करिष्यामि तव प्रिये

yādṛśo mama nandīśastādṛśaste bhaviṣyati | yadanyad brūhi tatsarvaṁ kariṣyāmi tava priye

-shall become to you as Nandishvara is to me. Tell me whatever else you desire; I shall do it all, my beloved.

Verse 34 (skanda.8.69.34)

देव्युवाच । यस्मिन्देशे महादेव तपश्चरितमुत्तमम् । तं भूयोपि त्वया सार्द्धं द्रष्टुमिच्छामि शङ्कर

devyuvāca | yasmindeśe mahādeva tapaścaritamuttamam | taṁ bhūyopi tvayā sārddhaṁ draṣṭumicchāmi śaṅkara

The goddess said: O Mahadeva, that place where I performed my excellent austerity - I wish, O Shankara, to see it again together with you.

Verse 35 (skanda.8.69.35)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । एवमुक्तस्य पार्वत्या प्रोवाच परमेश्वरः । रोचते चारुसर्वाङ्गि गन्तुं तत्र ममाव्यये

sanatkumāra uvāca | evamuktasya pārvatyā provāca parameśvaraḥ | rocate cārusarvāṅgi gantuṁ tatra mamāvyaye

Sanatkumara said: Thus addressed by Parvati, the Supreme Lord replied: 'It pleases me too, O lovely-limbed, unfailing one, to go there.'

Verse 36 (skanda.8.69.36)

रम्यं तद्धिमवच्छृङ्ग तप्तं यत्र तपस्त्वया । नन्दिनं स तदाहूय गणपाँश्च सहस्रशः

ramyaṁ taddhimavacchṛṅga taptaṁ yatra tapastvayā | nandinaṁ sa tadāhūya gaṇapā~śca sahasraśaḥ

'That lovely peak of the Himalaya, where you performed your austerity.' Then, calling Nandin and the thousands of Ganas,

Verse 37 (skanda.8.69.37)

जगाम सहितो देव्या हिमवन्तं महागिरिम् । देवैर्विद्याधरैस्सिद्धैर्गन्धर्वैर्मुनिसत्तमैः

jagāma sahito devyā himavantaṁ mahāgirim | devairvidyādharaissiddhairgandharvairmunisattamaiḥ

he went, together with the goddess, to the great mountain Himavat, accompanied by gods, Vidyadharas, Siddhas, Gandharvas and the finest of sages,

Verse 38 (skanda.8.69.38)

वन्द्यमानोसकृद्देवः स्तूयमानश्च सर्वशः । नन्दिनः पृष्ठमारूढः प्रक्रीडितगणेश्वरः

vandyamānosakṛddevaḥ stūyamānaśca sarvaśaḥ | nandinaḥ pṛṣṭhamārūḍhaḥ prakrīḍitagaṇeśvaraḥ

-repeatedly honoured and praised from every side, the god mounted upon Nandin's back, the lord of the Ganas playing about him.

Verse 39 (skanda.8.69.39)

हिमवद्गिरिमागम्य तं प्रदेशमुपागमत । स तं शिखरमासाद्य रम्य धातुविभूषितम्

himavadgirimāgamya taṁ pradeśamupāgamata | sa taṁ śikharamāsādya ramya dhātuvibhūṣitam

Coming to the Himalaya mountain, he arrived at that place; and, reaching that peak, lovely and adorned with mineral ores,

Verse 40 (skanda.8.69.40)

तुतोष परमप्रीतो रेमे च सगणेश्वरः । आगतं तमथो दृष्ट्वा मूर्तिमानचलस्तदा । उपतस्थे महादेवं प्रणिपत्य कृताञ्जलिः

tutoṣa paramaprīto reme ca sagaṇeśvaraḥ | āgataṁ tamatho dṛṣṭvā mūrtimānacalastadā | upatasthe mahādevaṁ praṇipatya kṛtāñjaliḥ

he was greatly delighted and sported there with the lord of the Ganas. Then, seeing him arrive, the mountain itself, taking bodily form, approached Mahadeva, bowing with joined palms.

Verse 41 (skanda.8.69.41)

कृत्वा तदर्घकुण्डन्तु तस्मिञ्छिखरसत्तमे । वरदानेन शैलेन्द्रमन्वगृहणात् पिनाकधृक्

kṛtvā tadarghakuṇḍantu tasmiñchikharasattame | varadānena śailendramanvagṛhaṇāt pinākadhṛk

Having made an offering-vessel there upon that finest of peaks, the Bearer of the Pinaka bow graced the lord of the mountains with a boon:

Verse 42 (skanda.8.69.42)

अमरो जरया त्यक्तः सर्वदुःखविवर्जितः । अभेद्यश्चैव वज्रेण मत्प्रसादाद् भविष्यसि

amaro jarayā tyaktaḥ sarvaduḥkhavivarjitaḥ | abhedyaścaiva vajreṇa matprasādād bhaviṣyasi

'By my grace you shall become immortal, free of old age, free of all sorrow, and unbreakable even by the thunderbolt.'

Verse 43 (skanda.8.69.43)

पुण्यस्त्वमचलश्रेष्ठ भविता पापमोचनः । गौरीशिखर इत्येव लोके ख्यातिं गमिष्यसि

puṇyastvamacalaśreṣṭha bhavitā pāpamocanaḥ | gaurīśikhara ityeva loke khyātiṁ gamiṣyasi

'You shall be sacred, O finest of mountains, a releaser from sin, and shall become famed in the world by the very name Gaurishikhara.'

Verse 44 (skanda.8.69.44)

दूरादेव नगश्रेष्ठ दृष्ट्वा त्वामुच्छ्रितं जनाः । सवपापैर्विमोक्ष्यन्ते यास्यन्ति च परां गतिम्

dūrādeva nagaśreṣṭha dṛṣṭvā tvāmucchritaṁ janāḥ | savapāpairvimokṣyante yāsyanti ca parāṁ gatim

'O finest of mountains, people who behold you rising even from afar shall be freed from all their sins and shall go to the supreme goal.'

Verse 45 (skanda.8.69.45)

त्रिरात्रमुषितो यस्त्वामभिरुह्य शुचिव्रतः । दृष्ट्वा गौरीमथाभ्यर्च्य ब्राह्मणं तर्पयिष्यति

trirātramuṣito yastvāmabhiruhya śucivrataḥ | dṛṣṭvā gaurīmathābhyarcya brāhmaṇaṁ tarpayiṣyati

'Whoever, observing a pure vow, ascends you and dwells there for three nights, and, having beheld Gauri and worshipped her, satisfies a brahmin,'

Verse 46 (skanda.8.69.46)

नारी वाथ नरो वापि लोकं गौर्याः स यास्यति । यश्चेह त्यक्ष्यते प्राणान्नियमेन समाहितः

nārī vātha naro vāpi lokaṁ gauryāḥ sa yāsyati | yaśceha tyakṣyate prāṇānniyamena samāhitaḥ

'-whether man or woman, shall go to the world of Gauri. And whoever, disciplined and composed, shall give up his life-breaths here,'

Verse 47 (skanda.8.69.47)

स गाणपत्यं संप्राप्य मया सार्धं चरिष्यति । गौर्याश्चात्रैव सान्निध्यं सर्वदा ते भविष्यति

sa gāṇapatyaṁ saṁprāpya mayā sārdhaṁ cariṣyati | gauryāścātraiva sānnidhyaṁ sarvadā te bhaviṣyati

'-he shall attain the rank of a Gana-lord and shall roam together with me. And Gauri's presence shall ever abide here with you.'

Verse 48 (skanda.8.69.48)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा तं नगश्रेष्ठं देवदेवस्त्रिलोचनः । पार्वत्या सहितस्तत्र परिचक्राम सर्वतः

sanatkumāra uvāca | ityuktvā taṁ nagaśreṣṭhaṁ devadevastrilocanaḥ | pārvatyā sahitastatra paricakrāma sarvataḥ

Sanatkumara said: Having thus spoken to that finest of mountains, the three-eyed God of gods, together with Parvati, wandered about there in every direction.

Verse 49 (skanda.8.69.49)

अथापश्यच्छिलां व्यास सौवर्णां मणिभूषिताम् । कथयामास तां देव्यै शिलां पश्येति स प्रभुः

athāpaśyacchilāṁ vyāsa sauvarṇāṁ maṇibhūṣitām | kathayāmāsa tāṁ devyai śilāṁ paśyeti sa prabhuḥ

Then, O Vyasa, he saw a golden rock, adorned with jewels; the Lord pointed it out to the goddess, saying, 'Behold this rock.'

Verse 50 (skanda.8.69.50)

तमाह देवी देवेशमिह तप्तं मया तपः । प्रियमेवं मम स्थानं सोमनन्दिन एव च

tamāha devī deveśamiha taptaṁ mayā tapaḥ | priyamevaṁ mama sthānaṁ somanandina eva ca

The goddess said to the Lord of gods: 'Here I performed my austerity; this place is dear to me, and to Somanandin as well.'

Verse 51 (skanda.8.69.51)

अथ तामनुजग्राह शिलां प्रीत्या भवस्तदा । शुचिरस्यां निराहारं त्रिरात्रं यः करिष्यति

atha tāmanujagrāha śilāṁ prītyā bhavastadā | śucirasyāṁ nirāhāraṁ trirātraṁ yaḥ kariṣyati

Then Bhava graciously blessed that rock with love: 'Whoever, pure, shall fast without food upon it for three nights,'

Verse 52 (skanda.8.69.52)

भवेत्तप्तं तपस्तेन लोकञ्च तव यास्यति । एकपादेन यो मर्त्यस्तिष्ठेदेकमहः शुचिः

bhavettaptaṁ tapastena lokañca tava yāsyati | ekapādena yo martyastiṣṭhedekamahaḥ śuciḥ

'-shall thereby have performed austerity, and shall go to your world. Whatever mortal, pure, stands on one foot for a single day,'

Verse 53 (skanda.8.69.53)

तपनाभिमुखो भूत्वा त्वद्भक्तस्त्वत्परायणः । सोपि यास्यति ते लोकं गणपश्च भविष्यति

tapanābhimukho bhūtvā tvadbhaktastvatparāyaṇaḥ | sopi yāsyati te lokaṁ gaṇapaśca bhaviṣyati

'-facing the sun, your devotee, devoted to you - he too shall go to your world, and shall become a Gana-lord.'

Verse 54 (skanda.8.69.54)

प्राणान् परित्यजेद्यश्च शिलायामिह दुस्त्यजान् । सोपि तप्ततपा भूत्वा ब्रह्मलोकं गमिष्यति

prāṇān parityajedyaśca śilāyāmiha dustyajān | sopi taptatapā bhūtvā brahmalokaṁ gamiṣyati

'And whoever gives up his hard-to-abandon life upon this rock, he too, his austerity fulfilled, shall go to the world of Brahma.'

Verse 55 (skanda.8.69.55)

इमञ्च पर्वतोद्देशमास्पदं सोमनन्दिनः । योभिगच्छेदहोरात्रं सोपि नन्दिसमो भवेत्

imañca parvatoddeśamāspadaṁ somanandinaḥ | yobhigacchedahorātraṁ sopi nandisamo bhavet

'And whoever visits this mountain-spot, the abode of Somanandin, for a day and a night, he too shall become equal to Nandi.'

Verse 56 (skanda.8.69.56)

अथापृच्छत् पुनर्देवः पार्वतीं विचरन प्रभुः । कथमेतानि कुण्डानि बभूवुरिह शैलजै

athāpṛcchat punardevaḥ pārvatīṁ vicarana prabhuḥ | kathametāni kuṇḍāni babhūvuriha śailajai

Then, as they wandered, the Lord asked Parvati again: 'How did these ponds come to be here, O daughter of the mountain?'

Verse 57 (skanda.8.69.57)

एवं पृष्टा पुनर्देवी वाक्यमेतज्जगाद ह । यदाहमागता देव तपस्तप्तुमिह प्रभो

evaṁ pṛṣṭā punardevī vākyametajjagāda ha | yadāhamāgatā deva tapastaptumiha prabho

Thus asked, the goddess spoke this word: 'O Lord, when I came here, O god, to perform austerity,'

Verse 58 (skanda.8.69.58)

स्तनयोः प्रस्रुते धारे महत्यौ मे तदासकृत् । एते ताभ्यां कृते कुण्डे सिततोये महाप्लवे

stanayoḥ prasrute dhāre mahatyau me tadāsakṛt | ete tābhyāṁ kṛte kuṇḍe sitatoye mahāplave

'-two great streams flowed continually from my breasts; these two ponds, full of clear, vast water, were made by them.'

Verse 59 (skanda.8.69.59)

तपस्तप्तुमलङ्करानहं त्यक्तवती यदा । तदा तेभ्यः स्रुता देव जलधारापतद् द्रुतम्

tapastaptumalaṅkarānahaṁ tyaktavatī yadā | tadā tebhyaḥ srutā deva jaladhārāpatad drutam

'When, to perform austerity, I set aside my ornaments, then, O god, a stream of water swiftly flowed forth from them,'

Verse 60 (skanda.8.69.60)

तथा चेदमपां कुण्डं द्वितीयं मे कृतं शुभम् । ब्रह्मणश्च यदा लब्धं गौरवर्णत्वमुत्तमम्र

tathā cedamapāṁ kuṇḍaṁ dvitīyaṁ me kṛtaṁ śubham | brahmaṇaśca yadā labdhaṁ gauravarṇatvamuttamamra

'-and thus this second auspicious pond of water was made by me. And when I obtained from Brahma this excellent golden complexion,'

Verse 61 (skanda.8.69.61)

शरीरान्मे तदा देव कृष्णा कोशी विनिष्क्रमत् । तस्यां कोश्यां समुत्पन्नमेतत् कुण्डं तृतीयकम्

śarīrānme tadā deva kṛṣṇā kośī viniṣkramat | tasyāṁ kośyāṁ samutpannametat kuṇḍaṁ tṛtīyakam

'-then, O god, the dark Koshi issued forth from my body; this third pond arose from that Koshi.'

Verse 62 (skanda.8.69.62)

अस्मिन् प्रदेशे देवेश त्वामभ्यर्च्य यथाविधि । हविर्भिर्मन्त्रयुक्ताभिरग्निकार्यं कृतं मया

asmin pradeśe deveśa tvāmabhyarcya yathāvidhi | havirbhirmantrayuktābhiragnikāryaṁ kṛtaṁ mayā

'In this place, O Lord of gods, having duly worshipped you, I performed the fire-rite with mantra-accompanied oblations.'

Verse 63 (skanda.8.69.63)

इमानि पादपस्थानि वल्कलानि समासते । इदं कृष्णाजिनं शुभ्रं स्थापितं तत् पुरा मया

imāni pādapasthāni valkalāni samāsate | idaṁ kṛṣṇājinaṁ śubhraṁ sthāpitaṁ tat purā mayā

'These bark-garments hanging on trees, and this pure black antelope-skin - these I placed here long ago.'

Verse 64 (skanda.8.69.64)

अथ श्रुत्वा महादेवः पार्वत्या वचनं प्रभुः । प्रत्युवाच तदा देवीं प्रीत्या परमया युतः

atha śrutvā mahādevaḥ pārvatyā vacanaṁ prabhuḥ | pratyuvāca tadā devīṁ prītyā paramayā yutaḥ

Then, hearing Parvati's words, the Lord Mahadeva, filled with supreme affection, replied to the goddess:

Verse 65 (skanda.8.69.65)

स्तनतोयेन यत् पूर्णे तव कुण्डे शशिप्रभे । स्तनकुण्डेति तेनैते यास्येते ख्यातिमुत्तमाम्

stanatoyena yat pūrṇe tava kuṇḍe śaśiprabhe | stanakuṇḍeti tenaite yāsyete khyātimuttamām

'Those two moon-bright ponds of yours, filled with the water of your breasts, shall for that reason become famed by the excellent name Stanakunda.'

Verse 66 (skanda.8.69.66)

उपवासी नरो योत्र स्नात्वाभ्यर्च्य च देवताः । तर्पयित्वा पितॄन्सर्वान् ब्राह्मणान्भोजयिष्यति

upavāsī naro yotra snātvābhyarcya ca devatāḥ | tarpayitvā pitṝnsarvān brāhmaṇānbhojayiṣyati

'A man who fasts, bathes here, worships the gods, offers tarpana to all his ancestors and feeds brahmins -'

Verse 67 (skanda.8.69.67)

तद् भवेदक्षयं तस्य गणश्चैव भविष्यति । अलंकारात् स्रुता धारा येयं तव वरानने

tad bhavedakṣayaṁ tasya gaṇaścaiva bhaviṣyati | alaṁkārāt srutā dhārā yeyaṁ tava varānane

'-that shall become imperishable for him, and he shall become a Gana-lord. And, O fair-faced one, this stream that flowed from your ornaments,'

Verse 68 (skanda.8.69.68)

एषालंकारधारेति नाम्ना ख्यातिं गमिष्यति । अस्यां स्नात्वा नरो यस्तु पितॄन्संतर्पयिष्यति

eṣālaṁkāradhāreti nāmnā khyātiṁ gamiṣyati | asyāṁ snātvā naro yastu pitṝnsaṁtarpayiṣyati

'-shall become famed by the name Alankaradhara. Whatever man bathes here and offers tarpana to his ancestors,'

Verse 69 (skanda.8.69.69)

अक्षयं तद् भवेच्छ्राद्धमश्वमेधञ्च विन्दति । नीलतोयमिदं यत्ते महत् कुण्डं शुभोदकम्

akṣayaṁ tad bhavecchrāddhamaśvamedhañca vindati | nīlatoyamidaṁ yatte mahat kuṇḍaṁ śubhodakam

'-that shraddha of his shall become imperishable, and he shall gain the fruit of the Ashvamedha. And this great, auspicious-watered pond of yours, with its dark blue water,'

Verse 70 (skanda.8.69.70)

नीलकुण्डमिति ख्यातिमेतत् सर्वत्र यास्यति । योस्मिन्नियमवान् स्नात्वा तर्पयेत्पितृदेवताः

nīlakuṇḍamiti khyātimetat sarvatra yāsyati | yosminniyamavān snātvā tarpayetpitṛdevatāḥ

'-shall everywhere become known by the name Nilakunda. Whoever, disciplined, bathes here and offers tarpana to the ancestors and gods,'

Verse 71 (skanda.8.69.71)

तस्याक्षयं भवेत् सर्वं पापेभ्यस्स प्रमुच्यते । मृतश्च स नरो देवि यत्र तत्र यथा तथा

tasyākṣayaṁ bhavet sarvaṁ pāpebhyassa pramucyate | mṛtaśca sa naro devi yatra tatra yathā tathā

'-all that shall become imperishable for him, and he shall be freed from sins. And, O goddess, whatever man dies anywhere, in any manner,'

Verse 72 (skanda.8.69.72)

कौशिक्या विन्ध्यवासिन्या महागणपतिर्भवेत् । अग्निकार्यमिह स्नात्वा यः कुर्याद् ब्राह्मणः शुचिः

kauśikyā vindhyavāsinyā mahāgaṇapatirbhavet | agnikāryamiha snātvā yaḥ kuryād brāhmaṇaḥ śuciḥ

'-shall, through Kaushiki, the Dweller of the Vindhya, become a great Gana-lord. And whatever pure brahmin bathes here and performs the fire-rite,'

Verse 73 (skanda.8.69.73)

अग्निहोत्रं हुतं तेन भवेद् द्वादशवार्षिकम् । एवमुक्त्वा महादेवः प्रोत्थाय मुनिसत्तम

agnihotraṁ hutaṁ tena bhaved dvādaśavārṣikam | evamuktvā mahādevaḥ protthāya munisattama

'-his fire-offering shall be counted equal to a twelve-year Agnihotra.' Having thus spoken, O finest of sages, Mahadeva rose up,

Verse 74 (skanda.8.69.74)

गृहीत्वा पादपस्थानि वल्कलानि तदा प्रभुः । नदी भवेति संप्रोच्य चिक्षेप प्रहसन्निव

gṛhītvā pādapasthāni valkalāni tadā prabhuḥ | nadī bhaveti saṁprocya cikṣepa prahasanniva

and, taking up the bark-garments hanging on the trees, the Lord, saying 'Become a river,' as though smiling, cast them down.

Verse 75 (skanda.8.69.75)

तान्यभूवंस्तदा व्यास नदी स्वच्छजला शुभा । तटजैर्विविधैर्वृक्षैर्हंसचक्राह्वशोभिता

tānyabhūvaṁstadā vyāsa nadī svacchajalā śubhā | taṭajairvividhairvṛkṣairhaṁsacakrāhvaśobhitā

Those, O Vyasa, then became a river, auspicious and clear-watered, adorned by various trees on its banks, and by swans and chakravaka birds.

Verse 76 (skanda.8.69.76)

तामुवाच सुरश्रेष्ठः पुण्यतोयां महानदीम् । चीरेभ्यो निस्सृता यस्मात् त्वमत्र सरितां वरा

tāmuvāca suraśreṣṭhaḥ puṇyatoyāṁ mahānadīm | cīrebhyo nissṛtā yasmāt tvamatra saritāṁ varā

The foremost of gods said to that great, sacred-watered river: 'Since you have arisen here from bark-garments, you, O finest of rivers,'

Verse 77 (skanda.8.69.77)

लोके पुण्यतमा तस्मान्निश्चीरेति भविष्यसि । त्वयि स्नात्वा नरः क्षिप्रं सर्वपापैर्विमुच्यते

loke puṇyatamā tasmānniścīreti bhaviṣyasi | tvayi snātvā naraḥ kṣipraṁ sarvapāpairvimucyate

'-shall be the most sacred in the world, and shall become known as Nishchiri. A man who bathes in you is swiftly freed from all sins.'

Verse 78 (skanda.8.69.78)

पितॄन्सन्तर्पयेद्यस्तु श्राद्धं तस्याक्षयं भवेत् । कपिलाञ्चात्र यो दद्याद् ब्राह्मणाय समाहितः

pitṝnsantarpayedyastu śrāddhaṁ tasyākṣayaṁ bhavet | kapilāñcātra yo dadyād brāhmaṇāya samāhitaḥ

'Whoever offers tarpana to his ancestors here, his shraddha becomes imperishable; and whoever, composed, gives a tawny cow to a brahmin here,'

Verse 79 (skanda.8.69.79)

गोसहस्रफलं तस्य भविष्यति वरानने । अग्रमारुह्य यस्मात्त्वमत्र तप्तवती तपः

gosahasraphalaṁ tasya bhaviṣyati varānane | agramāruhya yasmāttvamatra taptavatī tapaḥ

'-shall gain the fruit of a thousand cows, O fair-faced one. And since you performed austerity here, having climbed to its summit,'

Verse 80 (skanda.8.69.80)

अग्रारण्यमिति ख्यातिमेतद्यास्यति सर्वतः । महाफलं महापुण्यं सर्वसिद्धिप्रदं शुभम्

agrāraṇyamiti khyātimetadyāsyati sarvataḥ | mahāphalaṁ mahāpuṇyaṁ sarvasiddhipradaṁ śubham

'-this place shall everywhere become known as Agraranya, of great fruit, great sanctity, granter of all accomplishment, and auspicious.'

Verse 81 (skanda.8.69.81)

पञ्चयोजनसंस्थानं गौरीशिखरमुत्तमम् । इहोपोष्य शुचिः स्नात्वा भक्त्या परमया युतः

pañcayojanasaṁsthānaṁ gaurīśikharamuttamam | ihopoṣya śuciḥ snātvā bhaktyā paramayā yutaḥ

'This excellent Gaurishikhara, extending five yojanas - whoever fasts here, bathes purely, filled with supreme devotion,'

Verse 82 (skanda.8.69.82)

देहभेदं समासाद्य विमानस्थो विराजते । कृष्णाजिनं महापुण्यं सर्वपापहरं तव

dehabhedaṁ samāsādya vimānastho virājate | kṛṣṇājinaṁ mahāpuṇyaṁ sarvapāpaharaṁ tava

'-at the parting of his body, shall shine forth, seated in a celestial chariot. Your black antelope-skin, of great sanctity, remover of all sin -'

Verse 83 (skanda.8.69.83)

इदं द्रक्ष्यति यो विप्रः स्वर्गस्तस्य न दुर्लभः । यत्फलं नैमिशारण्ये पुष्करेषु च यत्फलम्

idaṁ drakṣyati yo vipraḥ svargastasya na durlabhaḥ | yatphalaṁ naimiśāraṇye puṣkareṣu ca yatphalam

'-whatever brahmin beholds it, heaven is not hard for him to attain. Whatever fruit is gained in Naimisharanya, and whatever fruit at Pushkara,'

Verse 84 (skanda.8.69.84)

तदेव लभते देवि दृष्टवा कृष्णाजिनं द्विजः । वत्स्यामि चैव सततं त्वया सार्धमिह प्रिये

tadeva labhate devi dṛṣṭavā kṛṣṇājinaṁ dvijaḥ | vatsyāmi caiva satataṁ tvayā sārdhamiha priye

'-that very fruit, O goddess, a brahmin obtains by beholding this black antelope-skin. And, my beloved, I shall dwell here always together with you.'

Verse 85 (skanda.8.69.85)

आवामिह स्थितौ देवि योर्चयिष्यति मानवः । आवयोर्गणपो भूत्वा जगत् सर्वं चरिष्यति

āvāmiha sthitau devi yorcayiṣyati mānavaḥ | āvayorgaṇapo bhūtvā jagat sarvaṁ cariṣyati

'Whatever man worships us, O goddess, as we abide here, he shall become our own Gana-lord and shall roam through the whole world.'

Verse 86 (skanda.8.69.86)

एवं नगेन्द्रं स तदानुगृह्य मुनीन्द्र सार्धं गिरिराजपुत्र्या । देवैस्ससिद्धैरनुगम्यमानः शर्वः पुनर्मन्दरमाजगाम

evaṁ nagendraṁ sa tadānugṛhya munīndra sārdhaṁ girirājaputryā | devaissasiddhairanugamyamānaḥ śarvaḥ punarmandaramājagāma

Having thus blessed the lord of mountains, O foremost of sages, Sharva, together with the daughter of the king of mountains, followed by the gods and Siddhas, returned once more to Mandara.