The Slaying of Hiranyakashipu and Sharabha's Release of Narasimha

Verse 1 (skanda.8.71.1)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । शासतस्तस्य दैत्यस्य हिरण्यकशिपोस्तदा । अगात् कालो महान् व्यास त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम्

sanatkumāra uvāca | śāsatastasya daityasya hiraṇyakaśipostadā | agāt kālo mahān vyāsa trailokyaṁ sacarācaram

Sanatkumara said: While that demon Hiranyakashipu thus ruled, a great span of time passed, O Vyasa, over the three worlds together with all moving and unmoving things.

Verse 2 (skanda.8.71.2)

दर्पेण महताविष्टः श्रीमदोद्वृत्तचेतनः । अवमेने सुरान्सर्वान् न च धर्ममवैक्षत

darpeṇa mahatāviṣṭaḥ śrīmadodvṛttacetanaḥ | avamene surānsarvān na ca dharmamavaikṣata

Possessed by great pride, his mind corrupted by the intoxication of prosperity, he disdained all the gods and paid no heed to righteousness.

Verse 3 (skanda.8.71.3)

स देवान् सहितान् सर्वाञ्छक्राद्यान् क्रोधमूर्च्छितः । चालितानपि राज्ये स्वे कृच्छ्रमापादयद् भृशम्

sa devān sahitān sarvāñchakrādyān krodhamūrcchitaḥ | cālitānapi rājye sve kṛcchramāpādayad bhṛśam

Overcome with rage, he, having driven all the gods together, Indra and the rest, from their own kingdoms, brought them to great distress.

Verse 4 (skanda.8.71.4)

सन्ताप्यमानास्ते सर्वे ब्रह्माणं शरणं ययुः । भगवन् भूतभव्येश पितामह महाद्युते

santāpyamānāste sarve brahmāṇaṁ śaraṇaṁ yayuḥ | bhagavan bhūtabhavyeśa pitāmaha mahādyute

All of them, greatly tormented, went for refuge to Brahma: 'O Lord, ruler of past and future, O Grandsire, of great radiance,'

Verse 5 (skanda.8.71.5)

हिरण्यकशिपुर्दैत्यस्त्वत्तो लब्धवरोनघ । त्रैलोक्यं कृत्स्नमाक्रम्य राज्यं नो हृतवान्दिवः

hiraṇyakaśipurdaityastvatto labdhavaronagha | trailokyaṁ kṛtsnamākramya rājyaṁ no hṛtavāndivaḥ

'-the demon Hiranyakashipu, O sinless one, having obtained a boon from you, has overrun the whole three worlds and seized our heavenly kingdom.'

Verse 6 (skanda.8.71.6)

अनिशं चावमानन्नः प्रयुंक्ते वैरयातनम् । तेन विद्रावितास्सर्वे शरणं वयमागताः

aniśaṁ cāvamānannaḥ prayuṁkte vairayātanam | tena vidrāvitāssarve śaraṇaṁ vayamāgatāḥ

'He ceaselessly insults us and inflicts the torment of enmity; driven away by him, all of us have come for refuge.'

Verse 7 (skanda.8.71.7)

प्रसादं कुरु देवेश स न स्यान्नो यथा रिपुः । त्यक्तधर्मा जगच्छत्रुर्हिरण्यकशिपुर्बली

prasādaṁ kuru deveśa sa na syānno yathā ripuḥ | tyaktadharmā jagacchatrurhiraṇyakaśipurbalī

'Show us grace, O Lord of gods, so that he may no longer remain our enemy - that mighty Hiranyakashipu, who has abandoned righteousness, the enemy of the world.'

Verse 8 (skanda.8.71.8)

एवं प्रोक्तस्तदा देवैर्देवः कमलवाहनः । प्रोवाचेदं महाप्रज्ञ देवानां प्रियकृद्वचः

evaṁ proktastadā devairdevaḥ kamalavāhanaḥ | provācedaṁ mahāprajña devānāṁ priyakṛdvacaḥ

Thus addressed by the gods, the lotus-borne god, of great wisdom, spoke this word, welcome to the gods:

Verse 9 (skanda.8.71.9)

क्षीणं तद् दैत्यराजस्य तपस्तस्य दुरात्मनः । कृच्छ्रं गमितवान् यो वो राज्यञ्च हृतवान् रिपुः

kṣīṇaṁ tad daityarājasya tapastasya durātmanaḥ | kṛcchraṁ gamitavān yo vo rājyañca hṛtavān ripuḥ

'The austerity of that evil-souled demon-king, who has brought you to distress and, as an enemy, seized your kingdom, has now been exhausted.'

Verse 10 (skanda.8.71.10)

तेनाहं प्रार्थितः पूर्वं सर्वावध्यत्वमुत्तमम् । अन्तरं भाषितश्चासौ मया संज्ञाविमोहितः

tenāhaṁ prārthitaḥ pūrvaṁ sarvāvadhyatvamuttamam | antaraṁ bhāṣitaścāsau mayā saṁjñāvimohitaḥ

'By him I was earlier asked for the excellent boon of invulnerability to all; and he, his mind confounded, was told by me of an exception.'

Verse 11 (skanda.8.71.11)

यदैवान्तरमाहाथ दैत्यराजो विचेतनः । तदैव मनसा तोषमहमागां महाबलाः

yadaivāntaramāhātha daityarājo vicetanaḥ | tadaiva manasā toṣamahamāgāṁ mahābalāḥ

'The very moment that thoughtless demon-king stated his exception, O mighty ones, I felt contentment in my mind.'

Verse 12 (skanda.8.71.12)

ते यूयमद्य गच्छध्वं विष्णोर्भवनमुत्तमम् । तं ब्रूत सहितास्सर्वे तस्य नाशार्थमच्युतम्

te yūyamadya gacchadhvaṁ viṣṇorbhavanamuttamam | taṁ brūta sahitāssarve tasya nāśārthamacyutam

'So go now, all of you together, to Vishnu's excellent abode, and tell that Unfailing One, for that demon's destruction,'

Verse 13 (skanda.8.71.13)

नरसिंहवपुः कृत्वा सकृदाहत्य हंस्यति । हिरण्यकशिपुं दैत्यं ततो निर्वृतिमेष्यथ

narasiṁhavapuḥ kṛtvā sakṛdāhatya haṁsyati | hiraṇyakaśipuṁ daityaṁ tato nirvṛtimeṣyatha

'-that, having assumed the form of Narasimha, and striking once, he shall slay the demon Hiranyakashipu; then you shall attain peace.'

Verse 14 (skanda.8.71.14)

एवमस्त्विति ते सर्वे प्रणिपत्य पितामहम् । आजग्मुः सहिता देवा विष्णोर्भवनमादृताः

evamastviti te sarve praṇipatya pitāmaham | ājagmuḥ sahitā devā viṣṇorbhavanamādṛtāḥ

Saying 'So be it,' all of them, bowing to the Grandsire, the gods, together and reverent, went to Vishnu's abode.

Verse 15 (skanda.8.71.15)

अथ दृष्ट्वा महातेजा विष्णुर्देवानुपस्थितान् । उवाच श्लक्ष्णया वाचा वचश्चोक्तिमनोहरम्

atha dṛṣṭvā mahātejā viṣṇurdevānupasthitān | uvāca ślakṣṇayā vācā vacaścoktimanoharam

Then the greatly radiant Vishnu, seeing the gods before him, spoke with gentle voice a word, pleasing in its expression:

Verse 16 (skanda.8.71.16)

स्वागतं भवतामस्तु किमर्थं यूयमागताः । पूज्या भवन्तस्सर्वे मे सुहृदोतिगरीयसः

svāgataṁ bhavatāmastu kimarthaṁ yūyamāgatāḥ | pūjyā bhavantassarve me suhṛdotigarīyasaḥ

'Welcome to you all; for what purpose have you come? All of you are worthy of worship to me, my dear and most honoured friends.'

Verse 17 (skanda.8.71.17)

यद्वो मनोगतं किञ्चिन्मया कार्यं दिवौकसः । क्षिप्रं तद् ब्रूत संक्षिप्तं कर्ताहमविचारितम्

yadvo manogataṁ kiñcinmayā kāryaṁ divaukasaḥ | kṣipraṁ tad brūta saṁkṣiptaṁ kartāhamavicāritam

'Whatever is in your mind, O dwellers of heaven, whatever work you have for me - tell me that swiftly, in brief; I shall do it without hesitation.'

Verse 18 (skanda.8.71.18)

विष्णुनैवं तदा प्रोक्ता देवाः शक्रपुरोगमाः । ऊचुः प्रहृष्टवदनाः संस्तुवन्तो जनार्दनम्

viṣṇunaivaṁ tadā proktā devāḥ śakrapurogamāḥ | ūcuḥ prahṛṣṭavadanāḥ saṁstuvanto janārdanam

Thus addressed by Vishnu, the gods, led by Indra, their faces alight with joy, spoke, praising Janardana:

Verse 19 (skanda.8.71.19)

हिरण्यकशिपोर्देव दैत्यराजो महाबलात् । भयं नः सुमहज्जातं राज्यं चापहृतं दिवः

hiraṇyakaśipordeva daityarājo mahābalāt | bhayaṁ naḥ sumahajjātaṁ rājyaṁ cāpahṛtaṁ divaḥ

'O god, from the mighty demon-king Hiranyakashipu great fear has arisen for us, and our heavenly kingdom has been seized.'

Verse 20 (skanda.8.71.20)

अवमानः प्रयुक्तश्च तेनास्मभ्यं सुरोत्तम । भुनक्ति स जगत् कृत्स्नं ब्रह्मद्विट् कश्यपात्मजः

avamānaḥ prayuktaśca tenāsmabhyaṁ surottama | bhunakti sa jagat kṛtsnaṁ brahmadviṭ kaśyapātmajaḥ

'And he has inflicted insult upon us, O finest of gods; that enemy of Brahmins, son of Kashyapa, enjoys the whole world.'

Verse 21 (skanda.8.71.21)

स यथा वध्यते दैत्यस्त्वया सर्वारिसूदन । तथा कुरु हृषीकेश वरोयं नः प्रदीयताम्

sa yathā vadhyate daityastvayā sarvārisūdana | tathā kuru hṛṣīkeśa varoyaṁ naḥ pradīyatām

'O slayer of all foes, so act, O Hrishikesha, that this demon may be slain by you; grant us this boon.'

Verse 22 (skanda.8.71.22)

ततो विष्णुश्चिरं ध्यात्वा वधोपायं प्रचिन्त्य च । प्राह देवान् सुरश्रेष्ठो वचसाप्याययन्निव

tato viṣṇuściraṁ dhyātvā vadhopāyaṁ pracintya ca | prāha devān suraśreṣṭho vacasāpyāyayanniva

Then Vishnu, having meditated long and pondered a means of slaying him, that foremost of gods spoke to the gods, as though comforting them with his words:

Verse 23 (skanda.8.71.23)

एवमस्तु सुरश्रेष्ठाः सर्वं कर्तास्मि वो वचः । महाबलस्य दैत्येन्द्रो यतो युष्मान्वदाम्यहम्

evamastu suraśreṣṭhāḥ sarvaṁ kartāsmi vo vacaḥ | mahābalasya daityendro yato yuṣmānvadāmyaham

'So be it, O finest of gods; I shall do all that you ask. Now hear what I say to you regarding that mighty demon-lord.'

Verse 24 (skanda.8.71.24)

आविशन्तु भवन्तोपि शरीरं मम सुव्रताः । सर्वदेवमयो भूत्वा दृप्तं हंस्यामि वो रिपुम्

āviśantu bhavantopi śarīraṁ mama suvratāḥ | sarvadevamayo bhūtvā dṛptaṁ haṁsyāmi vo ripum

'You too, O ones of good vows, enter into my body; becoming composed of all the gods, I shall slay your proud enemy.'

Verse 25 (skanda.8.71.25)

ततो देवास्तदा सर्वे विविशुर्वैष्णवीं तनुम् । स चापि बलवान् भूत्वा रूपं कृत्वा भयानकम्

tato devāstadā sarve viviśurvaiṣṇavīṁ tanum | sa cāpi balavān bhūtvā rūpaṁ kṛtvā bhayānakam

Then all the gods entered into Vishnu's body; and he too, having become mighty, assuming a fearsome form,

Verse 26 (skanda.8.71.26)

नारसिंहं महातेजा नखदंष्ट्राविभूषणम् । जगाम विलसन् विष्णुर्हिरष्यकशिपोः पुरम्

nārasiṁhaṁ mahātejā nakhadaṁṣṭrāvibhūṣaṇam | jagāma vilasan viṣṇurhiraṣyakaśipoḥ puram

-that greatly radiant Vishnu, resplendent with the man-lion form, adorned with claws and fangs, went, gleaming, to the city of Hiranyakashipu.

Verse 27 (skanda.8.71.27)

उद्यानं स बहिस्तस्य सर्वर्तुकुसुमैर्वृतम् । नृसिंहो दैत्यसिंहस्य दृष्ट्वा तस्थौ सुविस्मितः

udyānaṁ sa bahistasya sarvartukusumairvṛtam | nṛsiṁho daityasiṁhasya dṛṣṭvā tasthau suvismitaḥ

Narasimha, beholding outside the city that garden of the demon-lion, thick with the flowers of every season, stood there greatly astonished.

Verse 28 (skanda.8.71.28)

चम्पकाशोकजातीभिः कदम्बैर्बकुलैरपि । तथा सुरभिपुष्पैश्च समन्तादुपशोभितम्

campakāśokajātībhiḥ kadambairbakulairapi | tathā surabhipuṣpaiśca samantādupaśobhitam

It was adorned all about with champaka, ashoka, jati, kadamba, bakula, and other fragrant flowers,

Verse 29 (skanda.8.71.29)

सरोभिः पद्मसंछन्नैर्हंसचक्राह्वशोभितैः । वृक्षैः कामफलैश्चैव वैभ्राजसदृशं वनम्

sarobhiḥ padmasaṁchannairhaṁsacakrāhvaśobhitaiḥ | vṛkṣaiḥ kāmaphalaiścaiva vaibhrājasadṛśaṁ vanam

-a forest resembling Vaibhraja, with lakes covered in lotuses and adorned with swans and chakravaka birds, and trees bearing wish-fulfilling fruit.

Verse 30 (skanda.8.71.30)

तद्बभञ्ज नृसिंहस्तु खेलगामी मदोत्कटः । सरांसि क्षोभयामास करीव स मदोल्बणः

tadbabhañja nṛsiṁhastu khelagāmī madotkaṭaḥ | sarāṁsi kṣobhayāmāsa karīva sa madolbaṇaḥ

Playfully wandering, wildly excited, Narasimha broke that garden to pieces; like an elephant maddened with rut, he churned up its lakes.

Verse 31 (skanda.8.71.31)

स रेजे वनमध्यस्थः परिसर्पन्नितस्ततः । मेरोरचलराजस्य स्थितं शृङ्गमिवोच्छ्रितम्

sa reje vanamadhyasthaḥ parisarpannitastataḥ | meroracalarājasya sthitaṁ śṛṅgamivocchritam

Standing in the midst of the forest, prowling here and there, he shone like a towering peak of Meru, king of mountains, standing firm.

Verse 32 (skanda.8.71.32)

अथाभ्येत्य नृसिंहं तं वनपाला रुषान्विताः । बलिनो वारयामासुस्ताँश्चैवाभ्यहनद् बली

athābhyetya nṛsiṁhaṁ taṁ vanapālā ruṣānvitāḥ | balino vārayāmāsustā~ścaivābhyahanad balī

Then the strong garden-keepers, filled with anger, approached that Narasimha and tried to stop him; and that mighty one struck them down.

Verse 33 (skanda.8.71.33)

हतशेषास्ततस्तत्र प्रविलीनास्तु येसुराः । ते गत्वा कथयामासुर्हिरण्यकशिपोस्तदा

hataśeṣāstatastatra pravilīnāstu yesurāḥ | te gatvā kathayāmāsurhiraṇyakaśipostadā

Then those Asuras there who had escaped alive, fleeing, went and reported all this to Hiranyakashipu.

Verse 34 (skanda.8.71.34)

तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा दैत्यराजो महाबलः । प्रह्लादञ्चानुह्रादञ्च नमुचिं बाष्कलिं बलिम्

teṣāṁ tadvacanaṁ śrutvā daityarājo mahābalaḥ | prahlādañcānuhrādañca namuciṁ bāṣkaliṁ balim

Hearing their words, the mighty demon-king summoned Prahlada, Anuhrada, Namuchi, Bashkali, Bali,

Verse 35 (skanda.8.71.35)

विप्रचित्तिप्रधानाँश्च सर्वानाहूय दानवान् । प्रोवाच त्वरितं गत्वा बद्ध्वा सिंहं ममान्तिकम्

vipracittipradhānā~śca sarvānāhūya dānavān | provāca tvaritaṁ gatvā baddhvā siṁhaṁ mamāntikam

-and all the Danavas headed by Vipracitti, and said: 'Go quickly, bind that lion, and bring him into my presence.'

Verse 36 (skanda.8.71.36)

समानयत दैत्येन्द्रा न हन्तव्यः कथञ्चन । क्रीडनं सिंहपोतोसौ देव्या मम भविष्यति

samānayata daityendrā na hantavyaḥ kathañcana | krīḍanaṁ siṁhapotosau devyā mama bhaviṣyati

'Bring him here, O demon-lords; he must not be killed in any way. That lion-cub shall become a plaything for my queen.'

Verse 37 (skanda.8.71.37)

इति श्रुत्वासुरास्सर्वे विप्रचित्तिपुरोगमाः । उद्यानं सहिता गत्वा नृसिंहं ददृशुः स्थितम्

iti śrutvāsurāssarve vipracittipurogamāḥ | udyānaṁ sahitā gatvā nṛsiṁhaṁ dadṛśuḥ sthitam

Hearing this, all the Asuras, led by Vipracitti, went together to the garden and saw Narasimha standing there.

Verse 38 (skanda.8.71.38)

दूरस्थाश्चिक्षिपुः पाशाँस्ताँन्स चिच्छेद माधवः । अथ विद्रावयामास दानवान् केशरी भृशम्

dūrasthāścikṣipuḥ pāśā~stā~nsa ciccheda mādhavaḥ | atha vidrāvayāmāsa dānavān keśarī bhṛśam

Standing at a distance, they cast their nooses at him; Madhava cut them all; then that lion put the Danavas to violent flight.

Verse 39 (skanda.8.71.39)

ततो हतसहायास्ते दैत्या विमनसो ययुः । पार्श्वं दानवराजस्य सर्वञ्चाकथयँस्तदा

tato hatasahāyāste daityā vimanaso yayuḥ | pārśvaṁ dānavarājasya sarvañcākathaya~stadā

Then those Daityas, their companions slain, went dejected to the side of the demon-king and told him everything.

Verse 40 (skanda.8.71.40)

अथ क्रुद्धः स्वयं राजा हिरण्यकशिपुर्बली । रथमास्थाय सन्नद्धा नृसिंहं प्राद्रवद्रुषा

atha kruddhaḥ svayaṁ rājā hiraṇyakaśipurbalī | rathamāsthāya sannaddhā nṛsiṁhaṁ prādravadruṣā

Then, enraged, the mighty king Hiranyakashipu himself, mounting his chariot, armed, charged at Narasimha in fury.

Verse 41 (skanda.8.71.41)

स रथः सिंहराजेन सायुधः पर्वतोपमः । संभ्राम्य पातितस्तूर्णं चूर्णमागान्महीतले

sa rathaḥ siṁharājena sāyudhaḥ parvatopamaḥ | saṁbhrāmya pātitastūrṇaṁ cūrṇamāgānmahītale

That chariot, mountain-like, with its weapons, was whirled about by the lion-king and swiftly hurled down, and turned to powder upon the ground.

Verse 42 (skanda.8.71.42)

ततो भग्नरथो दैत्यः क्रोधात्संरक्तलोचनः । वृक्षमुत्पाट्य वेगेन नृसिंहाय व्यसर्जयत्

tato bhagnaratho daityaḥ krodhātsaṁraktalocanaḥ | vṛkṣamutpāṭya vegena nṛsiṁhāya vyasarjayat

Then that demon, his chariot broken, his eyes red with rage, uprooted a tree and hurled it swiftly at Narasimha.

Verse 43 (skanda.8.71.43)

अथासौ पतितो गात्रे सिंहराजस्य पादपः । गृहीत्वा स तदा सिंहो हिरण्यशिपुं सकृत् । तलेनाहत्य तं प्राणैर्व्ययोजयत सत्वरम्

athāsau patito gātre siṁharājasya pādapaḥ | gṛhītvā sa tadā siṁho hiraṇyaśipuṁ sakṛt | talenāhatya taṁ prāṇairvyayojayata satvaram

That tree, having fallen upon the lion-king's body, was cast aside; then that lion, seizing Hiranyakashipu, struck him once with his palm and swiftly parted him from his life.

Verse 44 (skanda.8.71.44)

सिंहनादं महत् कृत्वा नखैर्वज्रमयैर्विभुः । उरो बिभेद दैत्यस्य महाशैलोपमं हरिः

siṁhanādaṁ mahat kṛtvā nakhairvajramayairvibhuḥ | uro bibheda daityasya mahāśailopamaṁ hariḥ

Uttering a great lion-roar, the Lord, with his thunderbolt-like claws, tore open the chest of that demon, mighty as a great mountain.

Verse 45 (skanda.8.71.45)

हते तस्मिन्महादैत्ये विष्णुना शक्तिनन्दन । दानवा न हताः ये तु विविशुस्ते रसातलम्

hate tasminmahādaitye viṣṇunā śaktinandana | dānavā na hatāḥ ye tu viviśuste rasātalam

O son of Shakti, when that great demon was slain by Vishnu, those Danavas who were not slain entered into Rasatala.

Verse 46 (skanda.8.71.46)

दिवो राज्यं पुनः शक्रो लेभे निष्कण्टकं महत् । दिवौकसश्च सर्वे ते स्वानि राज्यानि भेजिरे

divo rājyaṁ punaḥ śakro lebhe niṣkaṇṭakaṁ mahat | divaukasaśca sarve te svāni rājyāni bhejire

Indra regained the great, thornless kingdom of heaven once more; and all the dwellers of heaven returned to their own kingdoms.

Verse 47 (skanda.8.71.47)

अथागत्य ततो देवः शूलपाणिर्वृषध्वजः । सुरैर्विज्ञापितो व्यास यत्ते कथितवानहम्

athāgatya tato devaḥ śūlapāṇirvṛṣadhvajaḥ | surairvijñāpito vyāsa yatte kathitavānaham

Then the god, the Bearer of the trident, the Bull-bannered One, came there, petitioned by the gods, O Vyasa, as I have told you before,

Verse 48 (skanda.8.71.48)

विष्णोस्त्याजयितुं रूपं सैंहमद्भुतकर्मणः । शरभस्स तदा भूत्वा हिमवच्छिखरोपमः

viṣṇostyājayituṁ rūpaṁ saiṁhamadbhutakarmaṇaḥ | śarabhassa tadā bhūtvā himavacchikharopamaḥ

-to make Vishnu, of wondrous deeds, abandon his lion-form. He then became Sharabha, resembling a peak of the Himalaya,

Verse 49 (skanda.8.71.49)

चतुर्भिः पृष्ठजैः पादैस्तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रो महाबलः । नरसिंहसमीपं तु गत्वागर्जत् समाहितः

caturbhiḥ pṛṣṭhajaiḥ pādaistīkṣṇadaṁṣṭro mahābalaḥ | narasiṁhasamīpaṁ tu gatvāgarjat samāhitaḥ

-with four extra feet upon his back, sharp-fanged, mighty; and, going near Narasimha, composed, he roared.

Verse 50 (skanda.8.71.50)

अथ सिंहस्तदा दृष्ट्वा शरभं समुपस्थितम् । क्रोधेन महताविष्टस्तलेनैनमताडयत्

atha siṁhastadā dṛṣṭvā śarabhaṁ samupasthitam | krodhena mahatāviṣṭastalenainamatāḍayat

Then the lion, seeing Sharabha standing before him, filled with great rage, struck him with his palm.

Verse 51 (skanda.8.71.51)

स हतस्तेन सिंहेन शरभो नैव चुक्षुभे । ततः शरभमाहत्य वज्रदेहं महाबलम

sa hatastena siṁhena śarabho naiva cukṣubhe | tataḥ śarabhamāhatya vajradehaṁ mahābalama

Struck by that lion, Sharabha was not in the least disturbed. Then, having struck Sharabha, mighty and thunderbolt-bodied,

Verse 52 (skanda.8.71.52)

आत्मनैवागमत् कृच्छ्रं स्पर्शात्तस्य महात्मनः । ततो विष्णुश्चिरं ध्यात्वा ज्ञात्वा शङ्करमागतम्

ātmanaivāgamat kṛcchraṁ sparśāttasya mahātmanaḥ | tato viṣṇuściraṁ dhyātvā jñātvā śaṅkaramāgatam

he himself, the lion, came to distress by the very touch of that great soul. Then Vishnu, having reflected long and recognising that it was Shankara who had come,

Verse 53 (skanda.8.71.53)

प्रणम्य शिरसा तं वै स्तोतुमेवं प्रचक्रमे । नमः शर्वाय रुद्राय सेनान्ये शर्मदाय च

praṇamya śirasā taṁ vai stotumevaṁ pracakrame | namaḥ śarvāya rudrāya senānye śarmadāya ca

bowing his head to him, began to praise him thus: 'Salutation to Sharva, to Rudra, to the Commander of the gods, and to the giver of happiness,'

Verse 54 (skanda.8.71.54)

नमः परमदेवाय ब्रह्मणे परमाय च । कालाय यमरूपाय कालदण्डाय वै नमः

namaḥ paramadevāya brahmaṇe paramāya ca | kālāya yamarūpāya kāladaṇḍāya vai namaḥ

'-salutation to the Supreme God, to the supreme Brahman; salutation to Time, to him of the form of Yama, to the rod of Time,'

Verse 55 (skanda.8.71.55)

नमः लान्तकर्त्रे च कालेकालहराय च । नमः पिनाकहस्ताय रौद्रबाणधराय च

namaḥ lāntakartre ca kālekālaharāya ca | namaḥ pinākahastāya raudrabāṇadharāya ca

'-salutation to him who brings dissolution, to him who takes away Time itself; salutation to the Pinaka-bearer, wielder of the fierce arrow,'

Verse 56 (skanda.8.71.56)

चण्डाय वामदेवाय सर्वयोगेश्वराय च । नमो विद्याधिपतये ब्रह्मणः पतये नमः

caṇḍāya vāmadevāya sarvayogeśvarāya ca | namo vidyādhipataye brahmaṇaḥ pataye namaḥ

'-to Chanda, to Vamadeva, to the Lord of all Yoga; salutation to the Lord of learning, salutation to the Lord of Brahma,'

Verse 57 (skanda.8.71.57)

नमोसुरवरघ्नाय कालचक्राय ते नमः । संवर्त्तकाग्निचक्राय प्रलयान्तकराय च

namosuravaraghnāya kālacakrāya te namaḥ | saṁvarttakāgnicakrāya pralayāntakarāya ca

'-salutation to the slayer of the finest Asuras, salutation to you, the wheel of Time; to the wheel of the dissolution-fire, to him who brings the end at dissolution,'

Verse 58 (skanda.8.71.58)

नरनारायणेशाय नरनारायणात्मने । ममैव वरदात्रे च सर्वकामप्रदाय च

naranārāyaṇeśāya naranārāyaṇātmane | mamaiva varadātre ca sarvakāmapradāya ca

'-to the Lord of Nara-Narayana, to the very self of Nara-Narayana; to the giver of my own boon, and the granter of all desires,'

Verse 59 (skanda.8.71.59)

शरभाय सुरूपाय व्याघ्रचर्मसुवाससे । नन्दीश्वरगणेशाय गणानां पतये नमः

śarabhāya surūpāya vyāghracarmasuvāsase | nandīśvaragaṇeśāya gaṇānāṁ pataye namaḥ

'-to Sharabha, of beautiful form, clad in tiger-skin; to the Lord of Nandishvara's Ganas, salutation to the Lord of the Ganas,'

Verse 60 (skanda.8.71.60)

इन्द्रियाणामथेशाय मनसस्पतये नमः । नमः प्रधानपतये सुराणां पतये नमः

indriyāṇāmatheśāya manasaspataye namaḥ | namaḥ pradhānapataye surāṇāṁ pataye namaḥ

'-to the Lord of the senses, salutation to the Lord of the mind; salutation to the Lord of Pradhana, salutation to the Lord of the gods,'

Verse 61 (skanda.8.71.61)

नमोस्तु भावपतये तत्त्वानां पतये नमः । चराचराणां पतये भूतानां पतये नमः

namostu bhāvapataye tattvānāṁ pataye namaḥ | carācarāṇāṁ pataye bhūtānāṁ pataye namaḥ

'-salutation to the Lord of existence, salutation to the Lord of the principles; salutation to the Lord of moving and unmoving things, salutation to the Lord of beings,'

Verse 62 (skanda.8.71.62)

त्रैलोक्यपतये चैव लोकानां पतये नमः । योगदाय नमो मह्यं तथैवैश्वर्यदाय च

trailokyapataye caiva lokānāṁ pataye namaḥ | yogadāya namo mahyaṁ tathaivaiśvaryadāya ca

'-and to the Lord of the three worlds, salutation to the Lord of the worlds; salutation to him who gives me yoga, and likewise to the giver of sovereignty,'

Verse 63 (skanda.8.71.63)

अवध्यत्वप्रदात्रे च तथैवाजप्यदाय च । भगवंस्त्वत्प्रतिष्ठोस्मि त्वन्निष्ठस्त्वत्परायणः । शरणं त्वां प्रपन्नोहं प्रसीद मम सर्वदा

avadhyatvapradātre ca tathaivājapyadāya ca | bhagavaṁstvatpratiṣṭhosmi tvanniṣṭhastvatparāyaṇaḥ | śaraṇaṁ tvāṁ prapannohaṁ prasīda mama sarvadā

'-and to the giver of invulnerability, and likewise the giver of what is beyond even japa. O Lord, I am established in you, devoted to you, wholly given to you; I have taken refuge in you - be gracious to me always.'

Verse 64 (skanda.8.71.64)

य इमं शृणुयान्नित्यं शुचिः प्रयतमानसः । स रुद्रलोकमासाद्य देवस्य गणपो भवेत्

ya imaṁ śṛṇuyānnityaṁ śuciḥ prayatamānasaḥ | sa rudralokamāsādya devasya gaṇapo bhavet

Whoever, pure and with a disciplined mind, ever hears this hymn, attains the world of Rudra and becomes a Gana-lord of the god.

Verse 65 (skanda.8.71.65)

धन्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं स्वर्ग्यं पापप्रणाशनम् । श्रावणं श्रवणं चास्य तथानुस्मरणं सदा

dhanyaṁ yaśasyamāyuṣyaṁ svargyaṁ pāpapraṇāśanam | śrāvaṇaṁ śravaṇaṁ cāsya tathānusmaraṇaṁ sadā

It brings fortune, fame, long life, heaven, and destroys sin - both the reciting and hearing of it, and its constant recollection.

Verse 66 (skanda.8.71.66)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । स एवं स्तूयमानस्तु विष्णुना भुवनेश्वरः । हृषीकेशमुवाचेदं वचः परमपूजितम्

sanatkumāra uvāca | sa evaṁ stūyamānastu viṣṇunā bhuvaneśvaraḥ | hṛṣīkeśamuvācedaṁ vacaḥ paramapūjitam

Sanatkumara said: Thus praised by Vishnu, the Lord of the worlds spoke this most worthy word to Hrishikesha:

Verse 67 (skanda.8.71.67)

तुभ्यं विष्णो मया दत्तः पुण्यो ह्येष वरः शुभः । अयोनौ सज्जमानस्य स्वयोनौ प्रतिपादनम्

tubhyaṁ viṣṇo mayā dattaḥ puṇyo hyeṣa varaḥ śubhaḥ | ayonau sajjamānasya svayonau pratipādanam

'O Vishnu, this sacred, auspicious boon is granted to you by me: restoration to your own true nature, for one clinging to a form not truly his own.'

Verse 68 (skanda.8.71.68)

स त्वं विष्णुर्महातेजा मत्तो लब्धवरस्सदा । कृतं कार्यं त्वया सर्वं हिरण्यकशिपुर्हतः । एहि गच्छ शुभां योनिमात्मनः परमाद्भुताम्

sa tvaṁ viṣṇurmahātejā matto labdhavarassadā | kṛtaṁ kāryaṁ tvayā sarvaṁ hiraṇyakaśipurhataḥ | ehi gaccha śubhāṁ yonimātmanaḥ paramādbhutām

'So you, O greatly radiant Vishnu, having ever received boons from me - your whole task is accomplished, Hiranyakashipu is slain. Come, go now to your own auspicious, most wondrous form.'

Verse 69 (skanda.8.71.69)

ततस्तमाक्रमत् पादैः सिंहं शरभसत्तमः । अयोजयच्च देहेन पुनर्दिव्येन केशवम्

tatastamākramat pādaiḥ siṁhaṁ śarabhasattamaḥ | ayojayacca dehena punardivyena keśavam

Then that finest of Sharabhas trod upon the lion with his feet, and united Keshava once more with his own divine body.

Verse 70 (skanda.8.71.70)

विष्णवेथ वरं दत्त्वा दैत्यघ्नं स वृषध्वजः । प्रकृतिस्थो भवेत्युक्त्वा तत्रैवान्तरधीयत

viṣṇavetha varaṁ dattvā daityaghnaṁ sa vṛṣadhvajaḥ | prakṛtistho bhavetyuktvā tatraivāntaradhīyata

Having thus given the boon to Vishnu, slayer of the demon, the Bull-bannered One, saying 'Return to your own nature,' vanished then and there.

Verse 71 (skanda.8.71.71)

दत्वा तस्मै वरमनुपमं विष्णवे लोकधाता । दैत्यघ्नत्वं सुरपुरवधूलोचनैः पीयमानः । नीलाम्भोदद्युतिनिभमुरः प्रोद्वहच्छूलपाणिर्धाम स्वीयं परममुनिभिर्वन्द्यमानो जगाम

datvā tasmai varamanupamaṁ viṣṇave lokadhātā | daityaghnatvaṁ surapuravadhūlocanaiḥ pīyamānaḥ | nīlāmbhodadyutinibhamuraḥ prodvahacchūlapāṇirdhāma svīyaṁ paramamunibhirvandyamāno jagāma

Having thus given Vishnu, the sustainer of the worlds, that matchless boon of demon-slaying, drunk in with the eyes of the celestial city's brides, the Trident-bearer, his chest gleaming like a dark raincloud, bore himself away, honoured by the greatest sages, to his own abode.