Andhaka's Departure for Austerity

Verse 1 (skanda.8.73.1)

व्यास उवाच । अन्धकः कस्य पुत्रोसौ किं वीर्यः किं पराक्रमः । कथञ्च निहतः संख्ये सर्वमेतद्वदस्व मे

vyāsa uvāca | andhakaḥ kasya putrosau kiṁ vīryaḥ kiṁ parākramaḥ | kathañca nihataḥ saṁkhye sarvametadvadasva me

Vyasa said: Whose son was that Andhaka? What was his valour, his prowess? And how was he slain in battle? Tell me all this.

Verse 2 (skanda.8.73.2)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । शृणु व्यास महाबुद्धे सर्वमेतद्यथाभवत् । अन्धकस्य पुरावृत्तं सर्वं वक्ष्यामि ते द्विज

sanatkumāra uvāca | śṛṇu vyāsa mahābuddhe sarvametadyathābhavat | andhakasya purāvṛttaṁ sarvaṁ vakṣyāmi te dvija

Sanatkumara said: Listen, O Vyasa, of great wisdom, to all this just as it happened; O brahmin, I shall tell you the whole ancient history of Andhaka.

Verse 3 (skanda.8.73.3)

कश्यपस्य सुतौ दित्यां दैत्यौ तौ संबभूवतुः । हिरण्यकशिपुर्ज्येष्ठो हिरण्याक्षस्ततोनुजः

kaśyapasya sutau dityāṁ daityau tau saṁbabhūvatuḥ | hiraṇyakaśipurjyeṣṭho hiraṇyākṣastatonujaḥ

Two Daitya sons of Kashyapa were born to Diti; Hiranyakashipu was the elder, and Hiranyaksha the younger.

Verse 4 (skanda.8.73.4)

ज्येष्ठस्तत्राभवद्राजा हिरण्यकशिपुस्तदा । तस्मिन्विनिहते वीरे नरसिंहेन धीमता

jyeṣṭhastatrābhavadrājā hiraṇyakaśipustadā | tasminvinihate vīre narasiṁhena dhīmatā

There, the elder, Hiranyakashipu, became king; when that hero was slain by the wise Narasimha,

Verse 5 (skanda.8.73.5)

हिरण्याक्षोभवद्राजा सर्वदैत्यनमस्कृतः । अपुत्रः स तपस्तेपे पुत्रहेतोरिति श्रुतिः

hiraṇyākṣobhavadrājā sarvadaityanamaskṛtaḥ | aputraḥ sa tapastepe putrahetoriti śrutiḥ

Hiranyaksha became king, honoured by all the Daityas. Being sonless, he performed austerity for the sake of a son - so it is heard.

Verse 6 (skanda.8.73.6)

स शंकुकर्णं संप्राप्य सिन्धुसागरसङ्गमे । तपस्तेपे दितेः पुत्रो देवं द्रष्टुं पिनाकिनम्

sa śaṁkukarṇaṁ saṁprāpya sindhusāgarasaṅgame | tapastepe diteḥ putro devaṁ draṣṭuṁ pinākinam

That son of Diti, arriving at Shankukarna, at the confluence of the Sindhu and the ocean, performed austerity to behold the god Pinakin.

Verse 7 (skanda.8.73.7)

व्यास उवाच । कथं तदभवद्दिव्यं पवित्रं लोकविश्रुतम् । शंकुकर्णं महेशस्य क्षेत्रं सर्वार्थसाधकम् । यत्फलं पुण्यसंपच्च तन्मे व्याख्यातुमर्हसि

vyāsa uvāca | kathaṁ tadabhavaddivyaṁ pavitraṁ lokaviśrutam | śaṁkukarṇaṁ maheśasya kṣetraṁ sarvārthasādhakam | yatphalaṁ puṇyasaṁpacca tanme vyākhyātumarhasi

Vyasa said: How did that divine, sacred, world-renowned Shankukarna, Mahesha's field that fulfils every purpose, come to be? Please explain to me its fruit and its store of merit.

Verse 8 (skanda.8.73.8)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । पुरा हि भगवान्देवः कपर्दी नीललोहितः । सिन्धुसागरमागम्य लोकानुग्रहहेतवे

sanatkumāra uvāca | purā hi bhagavāndevaḥ kapardī nīlalohitaḥ | sindhusāgaramāgamya lokānugrahahetave

Sanatkumara said: Long ago, the Lord god, Kapardin, of dark-red hue, came to the confluence of the Sindhu and the ocean, for the sake of the worlds' welfare,

Verse 9 (skanda.8.73.9)

तपःकर्तुं समारेभे यदचिन्त्यं सुरासुरैः । दशस्वपि ततो दिक्षु रक्षणार्थं जगत्पतिः

tapaḥkartuṁ samārebhe yadacintyaṁ surāsuraiḥ | daśasvapi tato dikṣu rakṣaṇārthaṁ jagatpatiḥ

-and began an austerity inconceivable to gods and demons alike. Then, for protection in all ten directions, the Lord of the world

Verse 10 (skanda.8.73.10)

स्थापयामास गणपान् निकुम्भादीन्सहस्रशः । शकुकर्णं महादंष्ट्रं स्थूलाक्षं स्थूलनासिकम्

sthāpayāmāsa gaṇapān nikumbhādīnsahasraśaḥ | śakukarṇaṁ mahādaṁṣṭraṁ sthūlākṣaṁ sthūlanāsikam

-stationed Gana-lords by the thousand, headed by Nikumbha - Shankukarna, great-fanged, thick-eyed, thick-nosed,

Verse 11 (skanda.8.73.11)

ह्रस्वपादकरं चैव दारितास्यं विभीषणम् । शार्दूलचर्मसंछन्नं द्वीपिचर्मोत्तरच्छदम्

hrasvapādakaraṁ caiva dāritāsyaṁ vibhīṣaṇam | śārdūlacarmasaṁchannaṁ dvīpicarmottaracchadam

-short of foot and hand, wide-mouthed, terrible, clad in tiger-skin, with a leopard-skin covering above,

Verse 12 (skanda.8.73.12)

शंकुकर्णमिति ख्यातं गणेशं सुमहाबलम् । समाहूय समीपन्तु भगवानिदमब्रवीत्

śaṁkukarṇamiti khyātaṁ gaṇeśaṁ sumahābalam | samāhūya samīpantu bhagavānidamabravīt

-known as Shankukarna, an exceedingly mighty Gana-lord - calling him near, the Lord said this:

Verse 13 (skanda.8.73.13)

स्वैस्त्वं गणेश्वरैस्सार्धं न विशेयुर्यथा सुराः । तथा पाहि वनं वत्स यावदेतद् व्रतं मम

svaistvaṁ gaṇeśvaraissārdhaṁ na viśeyuryathā surāḥ | tathā pāhi vanaṁ vatsa yāvadetad vrataṁ mama

'Together with your own Gana-lords, guard this forest, my child, so that the gods may not enter, for as long as this vow of mine lasts.'

Verse 14 (skanda.8.73.14)

एवं स कृत्वा रक्षां तु महादेवो वृषध्वजः । तपस्तेपे महत्तत्र घोरं परमदुश्चरम्

evaṁ sa kṛtvā rakṣāṁ tu mahādevo vṛṣadhvajaḥ | tapastepe mahattatra ghoraṁ paramaduścaram

Having thus arranged for protection, Mahadeva, the Bull-bannered One, performed great, terrible, most difficult austerity there.

Verse 15 (skanda.8.73.15)

अथाजग्मुस्सुरास्तत्र सर्वे शक्रपुरोगमाः । निरुद्धाः शकुकर्णेन न चेलुः पदमग्रतः

athājagmussurāstatra sarve śakrapurogamāḥ | niruddhāḥ śakukarṇena na celuḥ padamagrataḥ

Then all the gods, led by Indra, came there; but, blocked by Shankukarna, they could not take a single step forward.

Verse 16 (skanda.8.73.16)

देवा ऊचुः । भो गणेशा वयं देवं शर्वमुग्रं कपर्दिनम् । द्रष्टुं कार्येण संप्राप्तास्तन्नो दर्शयतानघाः । आकुलास्तमपश्यन्तो नश्याम प्रमथेश्वराः

devā ūcuḥ | bho gaṇeśā vayaṁ devaṁ śarvamugraṁ kapardinam | draṣṭuṁ kāryeṇa saṁprāptāstanno darśayatānaghāḥ | ākulāstamapaśyanto naśyāma pramatheśvarāḥ

The gods said: 'O Gana-lord, we have come with business to see the fierce god Sharva, Kapardin; O sinless one, show him to us. O lord of the Pramathas, troubled and unable to see him, we shall perish.'

Verse 17 (skanda.8.73.17)

शंकुकर्ण उवाच । न युष्माभिः सुराः शक्यो देवो द्रष्टुं कथञ्चन । तपः कुरुत भद्र वस्ततो द्रक्ष्यथ शङ्करम्

śaṁkukarṇa uvāca | na yuṣmābhiḥ surāḥ śakyo devo draṣṭuṁ kathañcana | tapaḥ kuruta bhadra vastato drakṣyatha śaṅkaram

Shankukarna said: 'O gods, that god cannot be seen by you in any way; perform austerity, good sirs, and then you shall see Shankara.'

Verse 18 (skanda.8.73.18)

देवा ऊचुः । मा लोकानां विनाशः स्याद् गणेश्वर महाद्युते । इति प्रयच्छ नो द्वारं प्रसादं कुरु नः प्रभो

devā ūcuḥ | mā lokānāṁ vināśaḥ syād gaṇeśvara mahādyute | iti prayaccha no dvāraṁ prasādaṁ kuru naḥ prabho

The gods said: 'O greatly radiant Lord of the Ganas, let there not be destruction of the worlds; give us passage, O Lord, show us favour.'

Verse 19 (skanda.8.73.19)

शंकुकर्ण उवाच । लोका नश्यन्तु यूयं वा न प्रवेशः प्रदीयते । विनष्टान् पुनरेवेशः स्रक्ष्यते भुवनेश्वरः

śaṁkukarṇa uvāca | lokā naśyantu yūyaṁ vā na praveśaḥ pradīyate | vinaṣṭān punareveśaḥ srakṣyate bhuvaneśvaraḥ

Shankukarna said: 'Let the worlds perish, or you yourselves - entry shall not be granted. The Lord, the Lord of the worlds, will create anew whatever is destroyed.'

Verse 20 (skanda.8.73.20)

स्रष्टा स एव भूतानां स विनाशयिता तथा । तं विना कः सुराः शक्तो लोकान्नाशयितुं विभुम्

sraṣṭā sa eva bhūtānāṁ sa vināśayitā tathā | taṁ vinā kaḥ surāḥ śakto lokānnāśayituṁ vibhum

'He alone is the Creator of beings, and he alone the Destroyer likewise. O gods, apart from that mighty Lord, who is able to destroy the worlds?'

Verse 21 (skanda.8.73.21)

यच्छाम न वयं द्वारमाज्ञा नः पारमेश्वरी । त एवमुक्ताः संचिन्त्य जग्मुर्ब्रह्मसदः सुराः

yacchāma na vayaṁ dvāramājñā naḥ pārameśvarī | ta evamuktāḥ saṁcintya jagmurbrahmasadaḥ surāḥ

'We shall not grant passage; the Lord's own command is upon us.' Thus addressed, the gods, after reflecting, went to Brahma's assembly.

Verse 22 (skanda.8.73.22)

ततो निवेदयामासुर्ब्रह्मणस्ते सुरोत्तमाः । अथ ब्रह्मा सुरानाह मया सह पुनः सुराः

tato nivedayāmāsurbrahmaṇaste surottamāḥ | atha brahmā surānāha mayā saha punaḥ surāḥ

Then those foremost of gods reported it to Brahma. Then Brahma said to the gods: 'Together with me once more, O gods,'

Verse 23 (skanda.8.73.23)

गच्छध्वं गणपान् यावत् प्रत्यापत्तिं नयामि वः । ततस्ते ब्रह्मणा सार्धं विष्णुना च दिवौकसः

gacchadhvaṁ gaṇapān yāvat pratyāpattiṁ nayāmi vaḥ | tataste brahmaṇā sārdhaṁ viṣṇunā ca divaukasaḥ

'-let us go to the Gana-lords; I shall bring you satisfaction.' Then those dwellers of heaven, together with Brahma and Vishnu,

Verse 24 (skanda.8.73.24)

तमेव पुनराजग्मुस्तिष्ठते यत्र शङ्करः । अथ तान्पुनरेवासौ रुरोध गणपेश्वरः

tameva punarājagmustiṣṭhate yatra śaṅkaraḥ | atha tānpunarevāsau rurodha gaṇapeśvaraḥ

again came to that same place where Shankara abided. But that Lord of the Ganas once again blocked them,

Verse 25 (skanda.8.73.25)

शंकुकर्णो गणाध्यक्षस्तेजसा प्रज्वलन्निव । अथ ब्रह्मा तमाहेदं सान्त्वमर्थयुतं वचः

śaṁkukarṇo gaṇādhyakṣastejasā prajvalanniva | atha brahmā tamāhedaṁ sāntvamarthayutaṁ vacaḥ

-Shankukarna, chief of the Ganas, blazing with radiance. Then Brahma spoke this soothing, meaningful word to him:

Verse 26 (skanda.8.73.26)

गणेश्वर न देवानां दौष्ट्यं किञ्चिद्धि विद्यते । तव प्रसादात्पश्यन्तु देवा देवं वृषध्वजम्

gaṇeśvara na devānāṁ dauṣṭyaṁ kiñciddhi vidyate | tava prasādātpaśyantu devā devaṁ vṛṣadhvajam

'O Lord of the Ganas, there is indeed no wickedness in the gods at all; by your grace, let the gods behold the god, the Bull-bannered One.'

Verse 27 (skanda.8.73.27)

शिरसा प्रणातास्तुभ्यं देवाश्चेन्द्रपुरोगमाः । अहं च विष्णुना सार्धं प्रयाचेम गणेश्वर

śirasā praṇātāstubhyaṁ devāścendrapurogamāḥ | ahaṁ ca viṣṇunā sārdhaṁ prayācema gaṇeśvara

'The gods, led by Indra, bow their heads to you; and I, together with Vishnu, beg this of you, O Lord of the Ganas.'

Verse 28 (skanda.8.73.28)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा ब्रह्मणः स गणेश्वरः । क्रुद्धः पट्टिशमुद्यम्य वचः प्रोवाच निष्ठुरम्

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā brahmaṇaḥ sa gaṇeśvaraḥ | kruddhaḥ paṭṭiśamudyamya vacaḥ provāca niṣṭhuram

Hearing Brahma's word, that Lord of the Ganas, enraged, raising his pattisha-blade, spoke this harsh word:

Verse 29 (skanda.8.73.29)

न मे गुरुतरो देवाः प्रणामो भवतां न्वयम् । आज्ञा गरीयसी शम्भोर्न प्रवेशोस्ति कश्चन

na me gurutaro devāḥ praṇāmo bhavatāṁ nvayam | ājñā garīyasī śambhorna praveśosti kaścana

'O gods, this bow of yours does not weigh more upon me than my duty; Shambhu's command is graver still - there is to be no entry at all.'

Verse 30 (skanda.8.73.30)

प्रतिषिद्धान् कथं ब्रह्मन्नियुक्ता रक्षणाय च । ईशाज्ञां समतिक्रम्य प्रयच्छाम प्रवेशनम्

pratiṣiddhān kathaṁ brahmanniyuktā rakṣaṇāya ca | īśājñāṁ samatikramya prayacchāma praveśanam

'O Brahma, how, having been forbidden and appointed for protection, could we grant entry, transgressing the Lord's command?'

Verse 31 (skanda.8.73.31)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा गणेशस्य महात्मनः । एकान्तं प्रययौ ब्रह्मा लज्जया परयान्वितः

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā gaṇeśasya mahātmanaḥ | ekāntaṁ prayayau brahmā lajjayā parayānvitaḥ

Hearing that word of the great-souled Gana-lord, Brahma withdrew to one side, overcome with great shame.

Verse 32 (skanda.8.73.32)

देवाः सर्वे ततो दृष्ट्वा व्रीडायुक्तं पितामहम् । क्रुद्धा मन्युपरीताङ्गा वाक्यमूचुर्गणेश्वरम्

devāḥ sarve tato dṛṣṭvā vrīḍāyuktaṁ pitāmaham | kruddhā manyuparītāṅgā vākyamūcurgaṇeśvaram

Then all the gods, seeing the Grandsire filled with shame, enraged, their bodies overcome with fury, spoke this word to the Lord of the Ganas:

Verse 33 (skanda.8.73.33)

गणाधिप न ते लज्जा गुरुमाक्रोशसे कथम् । नैवं त्वां विब्रुवन्तं हि शंस्यते वृषभध्वजः

gaṇādhipa na te lajjā gurumākrośase katham | naivaṁ tvāṁ vibruvantaṁ hi śaṁsyate vṛṣabhadhvajaḥ

'O lord of the Ganas, have you no shame, that you insult your elder? The Bull-bannered One would surely not approve of you speaking so.'

Verse 34 (skanda.8.73.34)

अवमानं पुनर्मैवं त्वमस्माकं कृथा गण । माद्य ते वयमुद्युक्ता नाशयिष्याम जीवितम्

avamānaṁ punarmaivaṁ tvamasmākaṁ kṛthā gaṇa | mādya te vayamudyuktā nāśayiṣyāma jīvitam

'O Gana, do not insult us again in this way; do not think we are unable - today we shall destroy your very life.'

Verse 35 (skanda.8.73.35)

तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा शंकुकर्णो रुषान्वितः । वचः प्रोवाच संक्रुद्धस्तिर्यग् वीक्ष्य दिवौकसः

teṣāṁ tadvacanaṁ śrutvā śaṁkukarṇo ruṣānvitaḥ | vacaḥ provāca saṁkruddhastiryag vīkṣya divaukasaḥ

Hearing their words, Shankukarna, filled with fury, greatly enraged, glancing sideways at the dwellers of heaven, spoke this word:

Verse 36 (skanda.8.73.36)

गुरवः किं भवन्तो मे येन शङ्केमराधिपाः । प्रसाद्य शङ्करं यूयं गता देवत्वमुत्तमम्

guravaḥ kiṁ bhavanto me yena śaṅkemarādhipāḥ | prasādya śaṅkaraṁ yūyaṁ gatā devatvamuttamam

'Are you my superiors, O lords of the immortals, that I should fear you? You attained your excellent godhood only by propitiating Shankara.'

Verse 37 (skanda.8.73.37)

गणभूताः सुरेशस्य यूयमप्यमरोत्तमाः । वयमप्यतियोगीशा गणपास्तस्य शूलिनः

gaṇabhūtāḥ sureśasya yūyamapyamarottamāḥ | vayamapyatiyogīśā gaṇapāstasya śūlinaḥ

'You too, O finest of immortals, are but Ganas of the Lord of gods; we too are Ganas of that trident-bearer, masters of supreme yoga.'

Verse 38 (skanda.8.73.38)

समाना यूयमस्माकं हीना वा त्रिदिवौकसः । यस्माद्वयं सुरेशानं पश्यामोनुचराम च

samānā yūyamasmākaṁ hīnā vā tridivaukasaḥ | yasmādvayaṁ sureśānaṁ paśyāmonucarāma ca

'O dwellers of the three heavens, you are our equals, or even lesser - since we behold and personally attend the Lord of gods,'

Verse 39 (skanda.8.73.39)

सर्वैरेव सुरैस्तस्माद्वयं पूज्याः सदाधिकाः । पश्यामो निर्भया यूयं प्रवेशं कुरुतामराः

sarvaireva suraistasmādvayaṁ pūjyāḥ sadādhikāḥ | paśyāmo nirbhayā yūyaṁ praveśaṁ kurutāmarāḥ

'-therefore we are to be worshipped by all the gods, ever more so. We are fearless in beholding him - go on, O immortals, try to enter!'

Verse 40 (skanda.8.73.40)

यावदद्य गणेशानां बलं द्रक्ष्यथ दारुणम् । यद्वो बलं च योगश्च यत्तपो यश्च वः श्रमः

yāvadadya gaṇeśānāṁ balaṁ drakṣyatha dāruṇam | yadvo balaṁ ca yogaśca yattapo yaśca vaḥ śramaḥ

'Today you shall see the terrible strength of the Gana-lords. Whatever strength, yoga, austerity and effort you possess,'

Verse 41 (skanda.8.73.41)

तत्सर्वं दर्शयध्वं वै ततो द्रक्ष्यथ मे बलम् । तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सर्वे देवाः सुगर्विताः

tatsarvaṁ darśayadhvaṁ vai tato drakṣyatha me balam | tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā sarve devāḥ sugarvitāḥ

'-show it all; then you shall see my strength.' Hearing his words, all the gods, greatly proud,

Verse 42 (skanda.8.73.42)

प्रगृहीतायुधाः क्षिप्रं शंकुकर्णं विदुद्रुवुः । तेषामापततां व्यास सुराणां शूरमानिनाम्

pragṛhītāyudhāḥ kṣipraṁ śaṁkukarṇaṁ vidudruvuḥ | teṣāmāpatatāṁ vyāsa surāṇāṁ śūramāninām

-swiftly, weapons raised, charged at Shankukarna. O Vyasa, of those charging gods, proud of their own heroism,

Verse 43 (skanda.8.73.43)

बलं जग्राह योगेन शंकुकर्णो महाबलः । निगृहीतबलास्ते तु सर्व एव सुरोत्तमाः

balaṁ jagrāha yogena śaṁkukarṇo mahābalaḥ | nigṛhītabalāste tu sarva eva surottamāḥ

-the mighty Shankukarna seized their strength by yoga; and all those foremost gods, their strength thus seized,

Verse 44 (skanda.8.73.44)

नाशक्नुवन् पदं दातुं तस्थुः स्तम्भा इवाचलाः । निगृहीतेषु देवेषु विष्णुः प्रहरतां वरः

nāśaknuvan padaṁ dātuṁ tasthuḥ stambhā ivācalāḥ | nigṛhīteṣu deveṣu viṣṇuḥ praharatāṁ varaḥ

-they could not even take a step, standing motionless like pillars. With the gods thus overpowered, Vishnu, finest among strikers,

Verse 45 (skanda.8.73.45)

अभिदुद्राव वेगेन शंकुकर्णं गणेश्वरम् । स योगेन तदा विष्णोर्देहमस्तम्भयद्बली

abhidudrāva vegena śaṁkukarṇaṁ gaṇeśvaram | sa yogena tadā viṣṇordehamastambhayadbalī

-charged with speed at the Lord of the Ganas, Shankukarna. That mighty one, by yoga, then paralysed Vishnu's very body.

Verse 46 (skanda.8.73.46)

स योगं पुनरास्थाय विष्णुरैश्वर्यसंयुतः । युयुधे शंकुकर्णेन स चैनं प्रत्ययुध्यत

sa yogaṁ punarāsthāya viṣṇuraiśvaryasaṁyutaḥ | yuyudhe śaṁkukarṇena sa cainaṁ pratyayudhyata

Vishnu, endowed with his own sovereign power, again resorting to yoga, fought with Shankukarna; and he fought back against him.

Verse 47 (skanda.8.73.47)

तयोस्तु योगेश्वरयो र्युक्तयोर्मुनिसत्तम । बभूव सुमहद् युद्धं योगेनैव परस्परम्

tayostu yogeśvarayo ryuktayormunisattama | babhūva sumahad yuddhaṁ yogenaiva parasparam

O finest of sages, between those two masters of yoga, thus engaged, there arose a very great battle, fought by yoga alone against each other.

Verse 48 (skanda.8.73.48)

विनिगृह्य स तं विष्णुं गणेशः शर्ववल्लभः । पितरं मम योगेन युयोध परमाद्भुतः

vinigṛhya sa taṁ viṣṇuṁ gaṇeśaḥ śarvavallabhaḥ | pitaraṁ mama yogena yuyodha paramādbhutaḥ

Overpowering Vishnu, that Gana-lord, beloved of Sharva, most wondrous, fought by yoga against my own father, Brahma.

Verse 49 (skanda.8.73.49)

स सूक्ष्मं योगमास्थाय ब्रह्मा भूतान्यथाविशत् । यद्यद्विशत्यसौ भूतं ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः

sa sūkṣmaṁ yogamāsthāya brahmā bhūtānyathāviśat | yadyadviśatyasau bhūtaṁ brahmā lokapitāmahaḥ

Resorting to subtle yoga, Brahma then entered into the elements; but whatever element Brahma, the Grandsire of the worlds, entered,

Verse 50 (skanda.8.73.50)

तत्र तत्र स्थितं ह्यग्रे शकुकर्णमवैक्षत । स भूतानि समुत्सृज्य तन्मात्राण्याविशत् प्रभुः

tatra tatra sthitaṁ hyagre śakukarṇamavaikṣata | sa bhūtāni samutsṛjya tanmātrāṇyāviśat prabhuḥ

-there, each time, he saw Shankukarna standing before him. So the Lord, giving up the elements, entered into the subtle essences.

Verse 51 (skanda.8.73.51)

इन्द्रियाण्यथ तत्त्वानि भावाँश्चैव पितामहः । तत्र तत्र स योगात्मा योगं परममास्थितम्

indriyāṇyatha tattvāni bhāvā~ścaiva pitāmahaḥ | tatra tatra sa yogātmā yogaṁ paramamāsthitam

Then the Grandsire entered into the senses, the principles, and the states of being; but there too, that self of yoga,

Verse 52 (skanda.8.73.52)

अपश्यत् स्थूलशिरसं शकुकर्णं महाबलम् । अथास्मिन्नन्तरे व्यास देवदेवस्य शूलिनः

apaśyat sthūlaśirasaṁ śakukarṇaṁ mahābalam | athāsminnantare vyāsa devadevasya śūlinaḥ

-in supreme yoga, saw the thick-headed, mighty Shankukarna. Then, O Vyasa, meanwhile, for the Trident-bearer, the God of gods,

Verse 53 (skanda.8.73.53)

दिव्यं वर्षसहस्रं तु प्रययौ द्वादशात्मकम् । समाप्तं चाभवद् व्यास व्रतं तस्य महात्मनः

divyaṁ varṣasahasraṁ tu prayayau dvādaśātmakam | samāptaṁ cābhavad vyāsa vrataṁ tasya mahātmanaḥ

-a thousand divine years, made of twelve periods, passed by; and, O Vyasa, that great soul's vow came to completion.

Verse 54 (skanda.8.73.54)

स समाप्ते व्रते तस्मिन् युगान्ताग्निसमद्युतिः । अवैक्षत दिशः सर्वा जीवयन्निव शङ्करः

sa samāpte vrate tasmin yugāntāgnisamadyutiḥ | avaikṣata diśaḥ sarvā jīvayanniva śaṅkaraḥ

When that vow was completed, Shankara, radiant as the fire of dissolution, looked out upon all the directions, as though giving them life.

Verse 55 (skanda.8.73.55)

सोपश्यन्निगृहीताँस्तान् सर्वानेव दिवौकसः । साम्नैव स तदा देवः शकुकर्णं न्यवारयत्

sopaśyannigṛhītā~stān sarvāneva divaukasaḥ | sāmnaiva sa tadā devaḥ śakukarṇaṁ nyavārayat

Seeing all those dwellers of heaven thus overpowered, the god then restrained Shankukarna with gentle words alone:

Verse 56 (skanda.8.73.56)

सम्यगाज्ञा कृता वत्स त्वया मे गणपेश्वर । मुञ्च देवानिमान्सर्वान् मावमंस्था गणेश्वर

samyagājñā kṛtā vatsa tvayā me gaṇapeśvara | muñca devānimānsarvān māvamaṁsthā gaṇeśvara

'My child, O Lord of the Ganas, my command has been well fulfilled by you; release all these gods now - do not disdain them, O Lord of the Ganas.'

Verse 57 (skanda.8.73.57)

एवं देवेन संप्रोक्तः शंकुकर्णो गणाधिपः । विमुच्य देवताः सर्वास्तस्थो देवसमीपतः

evaṁ devena saṁproktaḥ śaṁkukarṇo gaṇādhipaḥ | vimucya devatāḥ sarvāstastho devasamīpataḥ

Thus addressed by the god, Shankukarna, the lord of the Ganas, releasing all the gods, stood near the god.

Verse 58 (skanda.8.73.58)

सुरा अपि तदा सर्वे व्रीडया परया युताः । प्रणेमुर्देवदेवेशं भक्त्या परमया विभुम्

surā api tadā sarve vrīḍayā parayā yutāḥ | praṇemurdevadeveśaṁ bhaktyā paramayā vibhum

All the gods too, then, filled with great shame, bowed to the mighty Lord of gods, the God of gods, with supreme devotion.

Verse 59 (skanda.8.73.59)

तांस्तदा व्रीडितान्देवः प्रहस्य विदितात्मवान् । उवाच ब्रह्मणा सार्धं विष्णुमाभाष्य सुस्वरम्

tāṁstadā vrīḍitāndevaḥ prahasya viditātmavān | uvāca brahmaṇā sārdhaṁ viṣṇumābhāṣya susvaram

The god, whose self is ever known, smiling at those ashamed gods, spoke with sweet voice, addressing Brahma together with Vishnu:

Verse 60 (skanda.8.73.60)

गणेश्वरोयं देवेशा मच्छासनपरस्सदा । यदनेन कृतं किञ्चिद् व्येतु तद्वः सुरोत्तमाः । कर्तव्यं यच्च तद् ब्रूत यदर्थं यूयमागताः

gaṇeśvaroyaṁ deveśā macchāsanaparassadā | yadanena kṛtaṁ kiñcid vyetu tadvaḥ surottamāḥ | kartavyaṁ yacca tad brūta yadarthaṁ yūyamāgatāḥ

'This Lord of the Ganas, O gods, is ever devoted to my command; O foremost of gods, let whatever he has done pass from your minds. And tell me what must be done - the purpose for which you have come.'

Verse 61 (skanda.8.73.61)

ब्रह्मोवाच । शंकुकर्णो ह्ययं श्रीमान गणेशो येन नो बलम् । हतं योगेन देवेश वरोस्मै संप्रदीयताम् । अस्मभ्यं परतो दद्यास्सदा दर्शनमात्मनः

brahmovāca | śaṁkukarṇo hyayaṁ śrīmāna gaṇeśo yena no balam | hataṁ yogena deveśa varosmai saṁpradīyatām | asmabhyaṁ parato dadyāssadā darśanamātmanaḥ

Brahma said: 'This glorious Gana-lord Shankukarna, by whom our strength was overcome through yoga - O Lord of gods, let a boon be given to him. And henceforth, grant us always your own vision.'

Verse 62 (skanda.8.73.62)

देवदेव उवाच । अस्यैवेदं भवेन्नाम्ना पवित्रं लोकविश्रुतम् । शंकुकर्णमिति ख्यातं तथा स्थूलेश्वरं शुभम्

devadeva uvāca | asyaivedaṁ bhavennāmnā pavitraṁ lokaviśrutam | śaṁkukarṇamiti khyātaṁ tathā sthūleśvaraṁ śubham

The God of gods said: 'This place shall become sacred and world-renowned by his very name, known as Shankukarna, and also as Sthuleshvara, auspicious,'

Verse 63 (skanda.8.73.63)

समन्ताद्योजनमितं सर्वतीर्थसमन्वितम् । सर्वयज्ञफलैर्जुष्टं सर्वदानफलैर्युतम्

samantādyojanamitaṁ sarvatīrthasamanvitam | sarvayajñaphalairjuṣṭaṁ sarvadānaphalairyutam

'-extending a yojana all about, endowed with every sacred ford, possessed of the fruits of every sacrifice, joined with the fruits of every gift.'

Verse 64 (skanda.8.73.64)

योत्रागत्य चरुं कृत्वा मां यत्नेनार्चयिष्यति । अहोरात्रोपवासेन मम लोकं स यास्यति

yotrāgatya caruṁ kṛtvā māṁ yatnenārcayiṣyati | ahorātropavāsena mama lokaṁ sa yāsyati

'Whoever comes here, prepares an offering, and worships me with effort, fasting for a day and a night, shall go to my world.'

Verse 65 (skanda.8.73.65)

यत्किञ्चिन्नियमं कृत्वा योत्र संवत्सरं वसेत् । स योगं परमं प्राप्य शंकुकर्णसमो भवेत्

yatkiñcinniyamaṁ kṛtvā yotra saṁvatsaraṁ vaset | sa yogaṁ paramaṁ prāpya śaṁkukarṇasamo bhavet

'Whoever, observing any discipline, dwells here for a year, shall attain supreme yoga and become equal to Shankukarna.'

Verse 66 (skanda.8.73.66)

यश्च प्राणानिह क्षेत्रे त्यजेन्नियममास्थितः । स देहभेदमासाद्य महागणपतिर्भवेत्

yaśca prāṇāniha kṣetre tyajenniyamamāsthitaḥ | sa dehabhedamāsādya mahāgaṇapatirbhavet

'And whoever, observing discipline, gives up his life-breaths in this field, shall, at the parting of the body, become a great Gana-lord.'

Verse 67 (skanda.8.73.67)

पितॄणामक्षयं श्राद्धमिह दत्तं भविष्यति । इयं चैश्वर्यसंपन्नास्तपोयोगबलान्विताः

pitṝṇāmakṣayaṁ śrāddhamiha dattaṁ bhaviṣyati | iyaṁ caiśvaryasaṁpannāstapoyogabalānvitāḥ

'Shraddha offered here to the ancestors shall become imperishable. And these dwellers, endowed with majesty, possessed of the strength of austerity and yoga,'

Verse 68 (skanda.8.73.68)

नित्यं द्रक्ष्यथ मां देवाः प्रयात विगतज्वराः । ततो देवो वरं दत्त्वा देवेभ्यः प्रभुरीश्वरः

nityaṁ drakṣyatha māṁ devāḥ prayāta vigatajvarāḥ | tato devo varaṁ dattvā devebhyaḥ prabhurīśvaraḥ

'-O gods, shall ever see me; go now, freed of your anguish.' Then the god, the mighty Lord, having given this boon to the gods,

Verse 69 (skanda.8.73.69)

प्रकामं दर्शनं नित्यं तत्रैवान्तरधीयत । गते तस्मिन्महादेवे ब्रह्मा सुरवरैर्वृतः

prakāmaṁ darśanaṁ nityaṁ tatraivāntaradhīyata | gate tasminmahādeve brahmā suravarairvṛtaḥ

-granting them constant vision at will, vanished then and there. When that Mahadeva had departed, Brahma, surrounded by the finest gods,

Verse 70 (skanda.8.73.70)

तत्र लिङ्गं प्रतिष्ठाप्य चक्रे तीर्थान्यनेकशः । दशाश्वमेधिकं तीर्थं पुण्यं पञ्चाश्वमेधिकम्

tatra liṅgaṁ pratiṣṭhāpya cakre tīrthānyanekaśaḥ | daśāśvamedhikaṁ tīrthaṁ puṇyaṁ pañcāśvamedhikam

-establishing a linga there, created many sacred fords: the sacred ford Dashashvamedhika, and Panchashvamedhika,

Verse 71 (skanda.8.73.71)

सुराणां चैव तीर्थानि कृत्वा स्वभवनं ययौ । एतत्ते कथितं व्यास सिन्धुसागरसङ्गमे

surāṇāṁ caiva tīrthāni kṛtvā svabhavanaṁ yayau | etatte kathitaṁ vyāsa sindhusāgarasaṅgame

-and, having made the sacred fords of the gods, went to his own abode. This, O Vyasa, I have told you regarding the confluence of the Sindhu and the ocean,

Verse 72 (skanda.8.73.72)

परं भगवतः स्थानं पवित्रं लोकविश्रुतम् । सिद्धचारणसंकीर्णमप्सरोगणसेवितम्

paraṁ bhagavataḥ sthānaṁ pavitraṁ lokaviśrutam | siddhacāraṇasaṁkīrṇamapsarogaṇasevitam

-the Lord's supreme abode, sacred and world-renowned, thronged with Siddhas and Charanas, served by hosts of Apsarases,

Verse 73 (skanda.8.73.73)

बहुपुष्पफलोपेतं सदा विहगनादितम् । तस्मिन् गत्वा वने व्यास हिरण्याक्षः प्रतापवान्

bahupuṣpaphalopetaṁ sadā vihaganāditam | tasmin gatvā vane vyāsa hiraṇyākṣaḥ pratāpavān

-abundant with flowers and fruit, ever resonant with the calls of birds. Going into that forest, O Vyasa, the mighty Hiranyaksha

Verse 74 (skanda.8.73.74)

पुत्रहेतोस्तपस्तेपे ध्यायमानस्त्रिलोचनम् । अथ देवस्तदा गत्वा सगणो वृषभध्वजः

putrahetostapastepe dhyāyamānastrilocanam | atha devastadā gatvā sagaṇo vṛṣabhadhvajaḥ

-performed austerity for the sake of a son, meditating upon the three-eyed one. Then the god, the Bull-bannered One, going there together with his Ganas,

Verse 75 (skanda.8.73.75)

रम्यं हिमगिरेः शृंगं मैनाकमिति विश्रुतम् । तस्थौ परमयोगीशः परं ब्रह्म सनातनम्

ramyaṁ himagireḥ śṛṁgaṁ mainākamiti viśrutam | tasthau paramayogīśaḥ paraṁ brahma sanātanam

-to the lovely peak of the snow-mountain known as Mainaka, remained there - the supreme Lord of yoga, the eternal Supreme Brahman.

Verse 76 (skanda.8.73.76)

तस्यागत्य तदा देवी संस्थिता पृष्ठतः शनैः । कराभ्यां पद्मतुल्याभ्यां नेत्रे शम्भोर्न्यमीलयत्

tasyāgatya tadā devī saṁsthitā pṛṣṭhataḥ śanaiḥ | karābhyāṁ padmatulyābhyāṁ netre śambhornyamīlayat

Then the goddess, coming there, standing softly behind him, with her two lotus-like hands closed Shambhu's eyes.

Verse 77 (skanda.8.73.77)

जानीते नेति संचिन्त्य क्रीडार्थं हिमवत्सुता । अथ तस्मिन् क्षणे व्यास जगदन्धमजायत

jānīte neti saṁcintya krīḍārthaṁ himavatsutā | atha tasmin kṣaṇe vyāsa jagadandhamajāyata

The daughter of Himavat did this playfully, thinking, 'He will not know'; then, O Vyasa, in that very instant, the world became blind,

Verse 78 (skanda.8.73.78)

अप्रदृश्यं हि तमसा तथाभूतं पुरा यथा । अथ देवस्तदा बुद्ध्वा तृतीयं नेत्रमव्ययम्

apradṛśyaṁ hi tamasā tathābhūtaṁ purā yathā | atha devastadā buddhvā tṛtīyaṁ netramavyayam

-invisible in darkness, just as it had once been before creation. Then the god, realising this, created his unfailing third eye,

Verse 79 (skanda.8.73.79)

ललाटेसृजदूर्ध्वस्थं युगान्ताग्निसमप्रभम् । तेजसा तस्य नेत्रस्य स गिरिर्भस्मसादभूत्

lalāṭesṛjadūrdhvasthaṁ yugāntāgnisamaprabham | tejasā tasya netrasya sa girirbhasmasādabhūt

-created it, standing upright upon his forehead, radiant as the fire of the aeon's end. By the radiance of that eye, that mountain was reduced to ashes.

Verse 80 (skanda.8.73.80)

पार्वती पितरं दृष्ट्वा तथा दग्धं पिनाकिना । अपनीय करौ तस्थौ विषण्णा पतिपार्श्वतः

pārvatī pitaraṁ dṛṣṭvā tathā dagdhaṁ pinākinā | apanīya karau tasthau viṣaṇṇā patipārśvataḥ

Parvati, seeing her father thus burnt by Pinakin, withdrew her hands and, distressed, stood at her husband's side.

Verse 81 (skanda.8.73.81)

अथ देवस्तदा दृष्ट्वा विषण्णवदनामुमाम् । सौम्येन चक्षुषापश्यच्छैलं तं पुनरेव तु

atha devastadā dṛṣṭvā viṣaṇṇavadanāmumām | saumyena cakṣuṣāpaśyacchailaṁ taṁ punareva tu

Then the god, seeing Uma's face distressed, looked again upon that mountain with his gentle eye.

Verse 82 (skanda.8.73.82)

स तथा दृष्टमात्रस्तु पुनः पौराणिकोभवत् । प्रकृतिस्थं पुनर्दृष्ट्वा देवी पितरमव्ययम् । प्रणम्योवाच भर्तारं हृषितास्या गिरीन्द्रजा

sa tathā dṛṣṭamātrastu punaḥ paurāṇikobhavat | prakṛtisthaṁ punardṛṣṭvā devī pitaramavyayam | praṇamyovāca bhartāraṁ hṛṣitāsyā girīndrajā

The moment he thus looked, it became once again as it was before. Seeing her unfailing father restored to his own nature, the daughter of the mountain-king, her face now joyful, bowed and said to her husband:

Verse 83 (skanda.8.73.83)

शैल एष त्वया देव किमर्थं भस्मसात् कृतः । किमर्थं प्रकृतिस्थश्च पुनरेव कृतः प्रभो

śaila eṣa tvayā deva kimarthaṁ bhasmasāt kṛtaḥ | kimarthaṁ prakṛtisthaśca punareva kṛtaḥ prabho

'O god, why did you reduce this mountain to ashes? And why, O Lord, did you restore it once again to its own nature?'

Verse 84 (skanda.8.73.84)

तस्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा प्रोवाच परमेश्वरः । लोचने मे त्वया देवि यस्मिन्काले निमीलिते

tasyāstadvacanaṁ śrutvā provāca parameśvaraḥ | locane me tvayā devi yasminkāle nimīlite

Hearing her word, the Supreme Lord said: 'O goddess, at the very time you closed my eyes,'

Verse 85 (skanda.8.73.85)

अन्धास्समभवँल्लोकास्तदा सर्वे तमोवृताः । प्रकाशार्थं ततो देवि नेत्रमेतन्मया कृतम्

andhāssamabhava~llokāstadā sarve tamovṛtāḥ | prakāśārthaṁ tato devi netrametanmayā kṛtam

'-all the worlds became blind, then, wrapped in darkness. So, O goddess, I created this eye for the sake of light,'

Verse 86 (skanda.8.73.86)

ललाटे सुमहद्येन दग्धोयमचलोत्तमः । त्वाञ्च दीनां पितृवधादुपलक्ष्य ततः शुभे

lalāṭe sumahadyena dagdhoyamacalottamaḥ | tvāñca dīnāṁ pitṛvadhādupalakṣya tataḥ śubhe

'-a great eye upon the forehead, by which this finest of mountains was burnt. And then, O auspicious one, seeing you distressed at your father's seeming death,'

Verse 87 (skanda.8.73.87)

प्रियार्थं तव सुश्रोणि प्रकृतिस्थः पुनः कृतः । अस्मिंश्च तमसा ग्रस्ते लोके तीव्रेण सर्वतः

priyārthaṁ tava suśroṇi prakṛtisthaḥ punaḥ kṛtaḥ | asmiṁśca tamasā graste loke tīvreṇa sarvataḥ

'-for your pleasure, O fair one, I restored it once again to its own nature. And in this world, seized on every side by intense darkness,'

Verse 88 (skanda.8.73.88)

उत्पन्नोन्धः प्रभावेण मम देवि तथैव च । तप्यमानाय दास्यामि हिरण्याक्षाय तं सुतम्

utpannondhaḥ prabhāveṇa mama devi tathaiva ca | tapyamānāya dāsyāmi hiraṇyākṣāya taṁ sutam

'-a blind being was born by my power, O goddess, likewise; that son I shall give to Hiranyaksha, who is performing austerity.'

Verse 89 (skanda.8.73.89)

एवमुक्त्वा स भगवान् प्रगृह्यान्धं गणैर्वृतः । सिन्धुसागरमागम्य हिरण्याक्षमुवाच ह

evamuktvā sa bhagavān pragṛhyāndhaṁ gaṇairvṛtaḥ | sindhusāgaramāgamya hiraṇyākṣamuvāca ha

Having said this, the Lord, taking up the blind one, surrounded by his Ganas, came to the confluence of the Sindhu and the ocean, and spoke to Hiranyaksha:

Verse 90 (skanda.8.73.90)

पश्य मां त्वं दितेः पुत्र चक्षुर्दिव्यं ददामि ते । शर्वोहमागतो दैत्य वरं ब्रूहि यथेप्सितम्

paśya māṁ tvaṁ diteḥ putra cakṣurdivyaṁ dadāmi te | śarvohamāgato daitya varaṁ brūhi yathepsitam

'Behold me, O son of Diti; I grant you divine sight. I, Sharva, have come, O demon; tell me the boon you desire.'

Verse 91 (skanda.8.73.91)

स प्रोत्थाय हिरण्याक्षः प्रणम्य शिरसा भवम् । वरं संप्रार्थयद् देवं पुत्रं दत्त्वेति सत्वरम्

sa protthāya hiraṇyākṣaḥ praṇamya śirasā bhavam | varaṁ saṁprārthayad devaṁ putraṁ dattveti satvaram

Rising up, Hiranyaksha, bowing his head to Bhava, quickly requested this boon of the god: 'Give me a son.'

Verse 92 (skanda.8.73.92)

तमुवाच सुरश्रेष्ठः शिरसा पादयोर्नतम् । अयन्ते सुरशार्दूल पुत्रः पुत्रशताग्रजः

tamuvāca suraśreṣṭhaḥ śirasā pādayornatam | ayante suraśārdūla putraḥ putraśatāgrajaḥ

That foremost of gods said to him, his head bowed at his feet: 'O tiger among demons, this shall be your son, foremost among a hundred sons.'

Verse 93 (skanda.8.73.93)

मावज्ञामन्ध इत्यस्य कुर्यास्त्वमसुराधिप । भविता ते महानेष तपोवीर्थबलान्वितः

māvajñāmandha ityasya kuryāstvamasurādhipa | bhavitā te mahāneṣa tapovīrthabalānvitaḥ

'O lord of the Asuras, do not disdain him as "the blind one"; he shall become great to you, endowed with the strength of austerity and valour.'

Verse 94 (skanda.8.73.94)

न कस्यचित्वयं वध्यो मत्तोन्यस्य भविष्यति । ततः स भगवान्देवस्तस्मै दत्त्वा सुतं शुभम्

na kasyacitvayaṁ vadhyo mattonyasya bhaviṣyati | tataḥ sa bhagavāndevastasmai dattvā sutaṁ śubham

'He shall not be slayable by anyone other than myself.' Then the Lord god, having given him that auspicious son,

Verse 95 (skanda.8.73.95)

जगाम शिखरं रम्यं मैनाकं पुनरेव तु । आदायान्धं सुतं सोपि हिरण्याक्षो महासुरः

jagāma śikharaṁ ramyaṁ mainākaṁ punareva tu | ādāyāndhaṁ sutaṁ sopi hiraṇyākṣo mahāsuraḥ

went again to the lovely peak of Mainaka. And that great Asura Hiranyaksha too, taking his blind son,

Verse 96 (skanda.8.73.96)

स्वमश्मकपुरं यात्वा भार्यामाह मनस्विनीम् । अयं तुभ्यं सुतो देवि दत्तो भगवता स्वयम्

svamaśmakapuraṁ yātvā bhāryāmāha manasvinīm | ayaṁ tubhyaṁ suto devi datto bhagavatā svayam

went to his own city of Ashmaka and said to his high-spirited wife: 'O lady, this son has been given to you by the Lord himself,'

Verse 97 (skanda.8.73.97)

संवर्द्धयैनं योगेन मा प्रमादं कृथाः क्वचित् । तस्याः स्नेहेन तं दृष्टवा स्तनाभ्यां प्रस्नुतं पयः

saṁvarddhayainaṁ yogena mā pramādaṁ kṛthāḥ kvacit | tasyāḥ snehena taṁ dṛṣṭavā stanābhyāṁ prasnutaṁ payaḥ

'-raise him with care; never be negligent in any way.' Seeing him with love, milk flowed from her breasts.

Verse 98 (skanda.8.73.98)

संवर्ध्यमानः कालेन सोन्धकः समवर्द्धत । यदा तु यौवनं प्राप्तस्तदैवं समचिन्तयत्

saṁvardhyamānaḥ kālena sondhakaḥ samavarddhata | yadā tu yauvanaṁ prāptastadaivaṁ samacintayat

Thus being raised, that Andhaka grew with time; and when he attained youth, he then reflected thus:

Verse 99 (skanda.8.73.99)

धिग् जीवितं ममान्धस्य मृत्युरेव वरो मम । योहमन्धो न पश्यामि गृह संबन्धिबान्धवान्

dhig jīvitaṁ mamāndhasya mṛtyureva varo mama | yohamandho na paśyāmi gṛha saṁbandhibāndhavān

'Shame on my life as a blind man; death is better for me. I, blind, cannot see my home, my kinsmen, my relatives,'

Verse 100 (skanda.8.73.100)

धन्यास्ते पुरुषा लोके ये स्वयं यान्त्यविक्लवाः । दृष्ट्वा दृष्टवा मुखं बन्धूनाभाष्य हि यथासुखम्

dhanyāste puruṣā loke ye svayaṁ yāntyaviklavāḥ | dṛṣṭvā dṛṣṭavā mukhaṁ bandhūnābhāṣya hi yathāsukham

'-blessed are those men in the world who walk about unimpeded, who, seeing again and again the faces of their kinsmen, speak with them happily.'

Verse 101 (skanda.8.73.101)

कार्यं भवेच्च लोष्टेन तृणेनाथ शवेन वा । न मयानुगृहीतेन धिङ्मामशुभकारिणम्

kāryaṁ bhavecca loṣṭena tṛṇenātha śavena vā | na mayānugṛhītena dhiṅmāmaśubhakāriṇam

'Even a clod of earth, a blade of grass, or a corpse can serve some purpose - not I, though favoured with life; shame on me, the doer of no good.'

Verse 102 (skanda.8.73.102)

सुतस्नेहादयं दैत्यः सदा मां रक्षते पिता । हन्तव्यं न विहन्त्येष कोषक्षयकरं हि माम्

sutasnehādayaṁ daityaḥ sadā māṁ rakṣate pitā | hantavyaṁ na vihantyeṣa koṣakṣayakaraṁ hi mām

'Out of love for his son, this Daitya, my father, ever protects me; he does not strike down me, who ought to be struck down, who only drains his treasury.'

Verse 103 (skanda.8.73.103)

नायं स्नेहेन संमूढो जानातीमां मम व्यथाम् । अहमेव करिष्यामि यत्कार्यं बुद्धिमत्तमैः

nāyaṁ snehena saṁmūḍho jānātīmāṁ mama vyathām | ahameva kariṣyāmi yatkāryaṁ buddhimattamaiḥ

'Confounded by love, he does not know this anguish of mine. I myself shall do what the wisest men would do -'

Verse 104 (skanda.8.73.104)

तपो महत्समास्थाय चक्षुष्मान् भविता ह्यहम् । स एवं परिनिश्चिन्त्य बहुधान्धः सुबुद्धिमान्

tapo mahatsamāsthāya cakṣuṣmān bhavitā hyaham | sa evaṁ pariniścintya bahudhāndhaḥ subuddhimān

'-undertaking great austerity, I shall surely become sighted.' Thus, having resolved this fully, in many ways, that wise blind one,

Verse 105 (skanda.8.73.105)

आमन्त्र्य सहितं मात्रा पितरं तं प्रणम्य च । जगाम तपसे धीमान् संकल्प्य कृतनिश्चयः

āmantrya sahitaṁ mātrā pitaraṁ taṁ praṇamya ca | jagāma tapase dhīmān saṁkalpya kṛtaniścayaḥ

-taking leave of his father together with his mother, bowing to them, that wise one, resolved with firm decision, set out for austerity.

Verse 106 (skanda.8.73.106)

पित्रा शोकपरिप्लुतेक्षणमुखेनायासखिन्नात्मना । मात्रा चासकृदश्रुपातमुखया संवीक्ष्यमाणश्चिरम् । तत्तीव्राधृतिखेददृष्टिविरह प्रक्ष्वेडितोन्धः श्वसन् । ध्यायन्देवमुमापतिं स तपसे यातो गृहादन्धकः

pitrā śokapariplutekṣaṇamukhenāyāsakhinnātmanā | mātrā cāsakṛdaśrupātamukhayā saṁvīkṣyamāṇaściram | tattīvrādhṛtikhedadṛṣṭiviraha prakṣveḍitondhaḥ śvasan | dhyāyandevamumāpatiṁ sa tapase yāto gṛhādandhakaḥ

Watched for a long time by his father, whose eyes and face were flooded with grief, his soul weary with distress, and by his mother, whose face was streaming with repeated tears - that blind one, sighing, hailed by the sight of that intense grief, impatience and sorrow of separation, meditating upon the god, the Lord of Uma, Andhaka went forth from home for austerity.