The Kaumudi Festival

Verse 1 (skanda.8.75.1)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । सोष्टाभिर्दानवैस्सार्धं गत्वा तत्पुरमन्तिके । निवेदयामास पितुः कृतार्थोन्धक आगतः

sanatkumāra uvāca | soṣṭābhirdānavaissārdhaṁ gatvā tatpuramantike | nivedayāmāsa pituḥ kṛtārthondhaka āgataḥ

Sanatkumara said: Going together with eight Danavas near that city, Andhaka, his purpose fulfilled, announced to his father that he had come.

Verse 2 (skanda.8.75.2)

प्रियाख्यातुस्ततो व्यास हिरण्याक्षोसुरेश्वरः । ददौ रत्नान्यनेकानि तथा कामानभीप्सितान्

priyākhyātustato vyāsa hiraṇyākṣosureśvaraḥ | dadau ratnānyanekāni tathā kāmānabhīpsitān

O Vyasa, then Hiranyaksha, the lord of Asuras, gave many jewels and desired objects to the bearer of the pleasant news.

Verse 3 (skanda.8.75.3)

स्वयं राजा तदा सर्वैः सुहृद्भिः सहवाहनैः । सह स्त्रीभिर्ययौ तूर्णं सोमस्तारागणैरिव

svayaṁ rājā tadā sarvaiḥ suhṛdbhiḥ sahavāhanaiḥ | saha strībhiryayau tūrṇaṁ somastārāgaṇairiva

The king himself then swiftly set out with all his friends and their mounts, together with the women, like the moon with its host of stars.

Verse 4 (skanda.8.75.4)

स गत्वा नातिदूरेथ वने साशोकचम्पके । आससाद सुतं श्रीमान् सोमो बुधमिवापरम्

sa gatvā nātidūretha vane sāśokacampake | āsasāda sutaṁ śrīmān somo budhamivāparam

Going not far, into that forest thick with ashoka and champaka trees, the glorious one met his son, like the Moon meeting another Mercury.

Verse 5 (skanda.8.75.5)

कृतार्थं स सुतं दृष्ट्वा तुष्टोभूद्दानवेश्वरः । स्नेहात्स तं परिष्वज्य मूर्ध्न्युपाघ्राय चासकृत्

kṛtārthaṁ sa sutaṁ dṛṣṭvā tuṣṭobhūddānaveśvaraḥ | snehātsa taṁ pariṣvajya mūrdhnyupāghrāya cāsakṛt

Seeing his son, his purpose fulfilled, the lord of the Danavas was delighted; embracing him with affection, he repeatedly kissed his head.

Verse 6 (skanda.8.75.6)

कथं केन च कालेन के च लब्धा वरास्त्वया । पृष्टः स कथयामास यथावृत्तमशेषतः

kathaṁ kena ca kālena ke ca labdhā varāstvayā | pṛṣṭaḥ sa kathayāmāsa yathāvṛttamaśeṣataḥ

'How, and in how much time, and what boons have you obtained?' Thus asked, he related the entire account just as it had happened.

Verse 7 (skanda.8.75.7)

तस्य तद्वरदानञ्च तथा माहात्म्यमेव च । श्रुत्वा तेसुरशार्दूलाः प्रणेदुः सागरा इव

tasya tadvaradānañca tathā māhātmyameva ca | śrutvā tesuraśārdūlāḥ praṇeduḥ sāgarā iva

Hearing of that granting of boons and his greatness, those tigers among Asuras roared aloud, like the roaring of oceans.

Verse 8 (skanda.8.75.8)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततस्तं रथमारोप्य हिरण्याक्षोन्धकं सुतम् । सुहृद्भिस्तैः सहैवाशु प्रविवेश स्वकं पुरम्

sanatkumāra uvāca | tatastaṁ rathamāropya hiraṇyākṣondhakaṁ sutam | suhṛdbhistaiḥ sahaivāśu praviveśa svakaṁ puram

Sanatkumara said: Then, seating his son Andhaka upon a chariot, Hiranyaksha, together with those friends, swiftly entered his own city.

Verse 9 (skanda.8.75.9)

स पुत्रसहितो भाति दैत्यः संपूर्णमानसः । चरन् राशिमिवादित्यो यथा सह शनैश्चरः

sa putrasahito bhāti daityaḥ saṁpūrṇamānasaḥ | caran rāśimivādityo yathā saha śanaiścaraḥ

That Daitya, his heart fully satisfied, shone forth with his son, as the sun, together with Saturn, shines moving through a zodiac sign.

Verse 10 (skanda.8.75.10)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततः प्रविश्य दैत्येन्द्रः सुहृद्वर्गमुवाच सः । अध्वर्युरिव सान्नाय्ये यथान्यानृत्विजः स्थितान्

sanatkumāra uvāca | tataḥ praviśya daityendraḥ suhṛdvargamuvāca saḥ | adhvaryuriva sānnāyye yathānyānṛtvijaḥ sthitān

Sanatkumara said: Then, entering, the demon-lord spoke to his group of friends, like an adhvaryu priest addressing the other officiating priests standing at the milk-offering.

Verse 11 (skanda.8.75.11)

हिरण्याक्ष उवाच । शृणुध्वं यदिदानीं मे कृत्यं हृदि चिरस्थितम् । कर्तव्यं सह सर्वैस्तु युष्माभिर्भीमविक्रमैः

hiraṇyākṣa uvāca | śṛṇudhvaṁ yadidānīṁ me kṛtyaṁ hṛdi cirasthitam | kartavyaṁ saha sarvaistu yuṣmābhirbhīmavikramaiḥ

Hiranyaksha said: 'Listen now to what task has long been fixed in my heart, to be accomplished together with all of you, O terrible in valour,'

Verse 12 (skanda.8.75.12)

मया मनीषितं पूर्व कृतकृत्य इहागते । अन्धके नगरेस्मिन्वै कर्ताहं कौमुदीमिति

mayā manīṣitaṁ pūrva kṛtakṛtya ihāgate | andhake nagaresminvai kartāhaṁ kaumudīmiti

'-which I had long intended: now that Andhaka has come here, his purpose fulfilled, I shall hold in this city the festival called Kaumudi.'

Verse 13 (skanda.8.75.13)

मखघ्नस्य च देवस्य देवरात्रिं महाप्रभाम् । करिष्यामीति तत्सर्वं क्रियतामविशंकया

makhaghnasya ca devasya devarātriṁ mahāprabhām | kariṣyāmīti tatsarvaṁ kriyatāmaviśaṁkayā

'And I shall hold the great, radiant "night of the god" for the god who destroyed the sacrifice; let all of this be carried out without hesitation.'

Verse 14 (skanda.8.75.14)

घुष्यतां नगरे ह्यस्मिंश्चत्वरेषु सभासु च । कौमुदीदिवसानष्टौ सप्त चैव ममाज्ञया

ghuṣyatāṁ nagare hyasmiṁścatvareṣu sabhāsu ca | kaumudīdivasānaṣṭau sapta caiva mamājñayā

'Let it be proclaimed in this city, at the crossroads and in the assembly-halls, by my command, that there shall be eight - or seven - days of Kaumudi,'

Verse 15 (skanda.8.75.15)

तावदेव च देवस्य सन्तु मे देवरात्रयः । सुहृदो ये च दैत्येन्द्रा दानवाश्च महाबलाः

tāvadeva ca devasya santu me devarātrayaḥ | suhṛdo ye ca daityendrā dānavāśca mahābalāḥ

'-and for that same span, let there be nights of the god as well. And whatever friends, demon-lords and mighty Danavas there are,'

Verse 16 (skanda.8.75.16)

सर्वासु दिक्षु तेपीह समायान्तु रमन्तु च । अस्मत्पक्षे च ये विप्राः शुक्रप्रभृतयः शुभाः

sarvāsu dikṣu tepīha samāyāntu ramantu ca | asmatpakṣe ca ye viprāḥ śukraprabhṛtayaḥ śubhāḥ

'-in all directions, let them all come here and celebrate. And whatever brahmins are on our side, headed by the auspicious Shukra,'

Verse 17 (skanda.8.75.17)

नागा रक्षांसि यक्षाश्च गन्धर्वा मनुजास्तथा । तेपि सर्वे समायान्तु रमन्तु च मया सह

nāgā rakṣāṁsi yakṣāśca gandharvā manujāstathā | tepi sarve samāyāntu ramantu ca mayā saha

'-Nagas, Rakshasas, Yakshas, Gandharvas, and men as well - let them all come and celebrate together with me.'

Verse 18 (skanda.8.75.18)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । त एवमुक्ता दैत्येन्द्रा हिरण्याक्षेण धीमता । तथा चक्रुस्तदा सर्वं यथोक्तममरद्विषा

sanatkumāra uvāca | ta evamuktā daityendrā hiraṇyākṣeṇa dhīmatā | tathā cakrustadā sarvaṁ yathoktamamaradviṣā

Sanatkumara said: Thus addressed by the wise Hiranyaksha, those demon-lords then did everything just as commanded by that enemy of the immortals.

Verse 19 (skanda.8.75.19)

दूतान् संप्रैषयन् क्षिप्रं दैत्यानां दानवैस्सह । तथान्येषां च पक्षाणामात्मनः शक्तिनन्दन

dūtān saṁpraiṣayan kṣipraṁ daityānāṁ dānavaissaha | tathānyeṣāṁ ca pakṣāṇāmātmanaḥ śaktinandana

O son of Shakti, they swiftly sent messengers to the Daityas together with the Danavas, and likewise to the other allies of their own side,

Verse 20 (skanda.8.75.20)

निमन्त्रयति वो राजा हिरण्याक्षो महाबलः । सुहृद्वर्गैस्तु सहिता गच्छध्वं तं दिदृक्षवः

nimantrayati vo rājā hiraṇyākṣo mahābalaḥ | suhṛdvargaistu sahitā gacchadhvaṁ taṁ didṛkṣavaḥ

-saying: 'The mighty king Hiranyaksha invites you; go there together with your groups of friends, desiring to see him.'

Verse 21 (skanda.8.75.21)

घण्टिकश्चाहतैर्वस्त्रैर्वेष्टितः सुविभूषितः । आरूढः पाण्डरं मत्तं गजं समवघोषयत्

ghaṇṭikaścāhatairvastrairveṣṭitaḥ suvibhūṣitaḥ | ārūḍhaḥ pāṇḍaraṁ mattaṁ gajaṁ samavaghoṣayat

A bell-crier, wrapped in fresh, unbleached garments, well-adorned, mounted on a white, rutting elephant, made this proclamation:

Verse 22 (skanda.8.75.22)

राजा जयति दैत्येन्द्रो हिरण्याक्षः प्रतापवान् । हता दैत्यद्विषः सर्वे दानवानाञ्च शत्रवः

rājā jayati daityendro hiraṇyākṣaḥ pratāpavān | hatā daityadviṣaḥ sarve dānavānāñca śatravaḥ

'Victorious is the king, the demon-lord, the mighty Hiranyaksha! All the enemies of the Daityas and the foes of the Danavas have been slain!'

Verse 23 (skanda.8.75.23)

जयाय दितिपुत्राणामादित्यानां भयाय च । प्रातःप्रभृति राजा व आज्ञापयति कौमुदीम्

jayāya ditiputrāṇāmādityānāṁ bhayāya ca | prātaḥprabhṛti rājā va ājñāpayati kaumudīm

'For the victory of Diti's sons, and for the terror of the Adityas, from tomorrow morning the king commands you to observe the Kaumudi,'

Verse 24 (skanda.8.75.24)

देवरात्रिं च देवस्य रुद्रस्य सुरनाशनीम् । सुसंमृष्टोपलिप्ताभी रथ्याभिः क्रियतां पुरम्

devarātriṁ ca devasya rudrasya suranāśanīm | susaṁmṛṣṭopaliptābhī rathyābhiḥ kriyatāṁ puram

'-and the god Rudra's "night of the god," destroyer of the gods. Let the city's streets be swept clean and plastered.'

Verse 25 (skanda.8.75.25)

वासोभिरहतैः सर्वे भवन्तु पुरवासिनः । स्रग्विणः सशिरःस्नाता दत्तभुक्ता यथाक्रमम्

vāsobhirahataiḥ sarve bhavantu puravāsinaḥ | sragviṇaḥ saśiraḥsnātā dattabhuktā yathākramam

'Let all the city's inhabitants be clothed in fresh garments, garlanded, having bathed with head-washing, having given gifts and eaten in due order.'

Verse 26 (skanda.8.75.26)

गायन्तु गायनाश्चैव नृत्यन्तु नटनर्तकाः । उच्छ्रियन्तां पताकाश्च गृहवीथ्यापणेषु च

gāyantu gāyanāścaiva nṛtyantu naṭanartakāḥ | ucchriyantāṁ patākāśca gṛhavīthyāpaṇeṣu ca

'Let the singers sing, and let actors and dancers dance; let banners be raised over houses, streets and marketplaces.'

Verse 27 (skanda.8.75.27)

गृहाणि चोपलिप्तानि नित्यमेव भवन्तु च । पुष्पप्रकरजुष्टानि धूपैर्नानाविधैरपि

gṛhāṇi copaliptāni nityameva bhavantu ca | puṣpaprakarajuṣṭāni dhūpairnānāvidhairapi

'And let houses be freshly plastered every day, adorned with heaps of flowers and with incense of many kinds.'

Verse 28 (skanda.8.75.28)

स्रग्दामवन्ति सर्वाणि वनमालाकुलानि च । ब्राह्मणाश्चैव भोज्यन्तां क्रियन्तां वाचानि च

sragdāmavanti sarvāṇi vanamālākulāni ca | brāhmaṇāścaiva bhojyantāṁ kriyantāṁ vācāni ca

'Let all of them be hung with garlands and thronged with forest-flower wreaths; let brahmins be fed, and let their blessings be recited.'

Verse 29 (skanda.8.75.29)

ब्रह्मघोषाश्च सर्वत्र पुण्याहोदीरणानि च । दीपरात्रौ च सर्वत्र राजमार्गे गृहेषु च

brahmaghoṣāśca sarvatra puṇyāhodīraṇāni ca | dīparātrau ca sarvatra rājamārge gṛheṣu ca

'Let there be the sound of Vedic recitation everywhere, and proclamations of "auspicious day!"; and on the night of lamps, everywhere, on the royal road and in the houses,'

Verse 30 (skanda.8.75.30)

अनन्तराः क्रियन्तां वै प्रचुरस्नेहवर्त्तयः । तरुणाः सह योषिद्भिस्समन्तात्पर्यटन्तु च

anantarāḥ kriyantāṁ vai pracurasnehavarttayaḥ | taruṇāḥ saha yoṣidbhissamantātparyaṭantu ca

'-let uninterrupted rows of lamps, rich with oil, be lit; and let young men, together with their women, wander about on every side,'

Verse 31 (skanda.8.75.31)

रममाणा हसन्तश्च गायन्तो नृत्तसेविनः । भाण्डवाद्यानि वाद्यन्तां नृत्यन्तां दैत्ययोषितः

ramamāṇā hasantaśca gāyanto nṛttasevinaḥ | bhāṇḍavādyāni vādyantāṁ nṛtyantāṁ daityayoṣitaḥ

'-enjoying themselves, laughing, singing, delighting in dance; let musical instruments be played, and let the Daitya women dance.'

Verse 32 (skanda.8.75.32)

महादेवस्य पूजां च गन्धपुष्पादिकीं शुभाम् । उपहाराँश्च विविधान् स्नपनानि महान्ति च

mahādevasya pūjāṁ ca gandhapuṣpādikīṁ śubhām | upahārā~śca vividhān snapanāni mahānti ca

'And offer to Ishvara the auspicious worship of Mahadeva with sandal, flowers and the like, various offerings, and great ablutions,'

Verse 33 (skanda.8.75.33)

वलयः पुष्कला श्चैव भक्ष्यभोज्यैरलंकृताः । दीपांश्च विविधाकारान् पानानि च रसाँस्तथा

valayaḥ puṣkalā ścaiva bhakṣyabhojyairalaṁkṛtāḥ | dīpāṁśca vividhākārān pānāni ca rasā~stathā

'-abundant bangles, adorned with delicacies and food, lamps of various shapes, drinks and juices as well,'

Verse 34 (skanda.8.75.34)

फलानि च विचित्राणि मांसपक्वमनूपकम् । सुवर्णमणिचित्राणि ईश्वराय प्रयच्छत

phalāni ca vicitrāṇi māṁsapakvamanūpakam | suvarṇamaṇicitrāṇi īśvarāya prayacchata

'-and varied fruits, cooked meat of marsh-animals, and offerings colourful with gold and jewels - present all these to Ishvara.'

Verse 35 (skanda.8.75.35)

बद्ध्यन्तां पशवश्चात्र भोज्यन्तां द्विजसत्तमाः । यो न कुर्यादिदं सर्वं पुरवासी जनः क्वचित् । पातयेत्तस्य शारीरं राजा दण्डं महायशाः

baddhyantāṁ paśavaścātra bhojyantāṁ dvijasattamāḥ | yo na kuryādidaṁ sarvaṁ puravāsī janaḥ kvacit | pātayettasya śārīraṁ rājā daṇḍaṁ mahāyaśāḥ

'Let animals be tethered here, and let the finest of brahmins be fed. Whatever citizen anywhere fails to do all this, the greatly renowned king shall inflict bodily punishment upon him.'

Verse 36 (skanda.8.75.36)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । एवं स घोषयित्वा तु घाण्टिको हस्तिपृष्ठतः । जगाम स्वगृहं भूयः कौमुदी चाभ्यवर्तत

sanatkumāra uvāca | evaṁ sa ghoṣayitvā tu ghāṇṭiko hastipṛṣṭhataḥ | jagāma svagṛhaṁ bhūyaḥ kaumudī cābhyavartata

Sanatkumara said: Having thus proclaimed it from the elephant's back, the bell-crier went again to his own home; and the Kaumudi festival began.

Verse 37 (skanda.8.75.37)

यथोक्तं तत्तदा सर्वमकुर्वत पुरे जनाः । राजापि संयतः स्नातः शुचिः प्रयतमानसः

yathoktaṁ tattadā sarvamakurvata pure janāḥ | rājāpi saṁyataḥ snātaḥ śuciḥ prayatamānasaḥ

The people of the city then did all just as commanded; and the king too, disciplined, bathed, pure, his mind under control,

Verse 38 (skanda.8.75.38)

दिवसे दिवसे व्यास स्नपयामास यत्नवान् । पञ्चगव्येन शुद्धेन तैलेन च सुगन्धिना

divase divase vyāsa snapayāmāsa yatnavān | pañcagavyena śuddhena tailena ca sugandhinā

-O Vyasa, day after day, diligently performed the ablutions of the deity with pure panchagavya and fragrant oil,

Verse 39 (skanda.8.75.39)

क्षीरेण सर्पिषा दध्ना रसैश्च बहुभिः शुभैः । पुष्पैः फलैश्च बीजैश्च रत्नैश्चाद्भिः समन्वितैः

kṣīreṇa sarpiṣā dadhnā rasaiśca bahubhiḥ śubhaiḥ | puṣpaiḥ phalaiśca bījaiśca ratnaiścādbhiḥ samanvitaiḥ

-with milk, ghee, curds and many auspicious essences, with flowers, fruits, seeds, jewels, and water combined,

Verse 40 (skanda.8.75.40)

भस्मना गन्धयुक्तेन उदकेन सुगन्धिना । एकैकस्य स्वयं राजा घटानां दशभिः शतैः

bhasmanā gandhayuktena udakena sugandhinā | ekaikasya svayaṁ rājā ghaṭānāṁ daśabhiḥ śataiḥ

-with fragrant ash, and with sweet-scented water; the king himself, with a thousand pitchers, ten hundred for each ablution,

Verse 41 (skanda.8.75.41)

दिवसे दिवसे व्यास त्र्यम्बकं सोभ्यसेचयत् । गन्धैः पुष्पैश्च धूपैश्च जप्यैर्बलिभिरेव च

divase divase vyāsa tryambakaṁ sobhyasecayat | gandhaiḥ puṣpaiśca dhūpaiśca japyairbalibhireva ca

-O Vyasa, bathed Tryambaka day after day; and, with sandal, flowers, incense, japa and offerings alike,

Verse 42 (skanda.8.75.42)

पूजयित्वा ततो राजा विप्रानन्यानभोजयत् । स कृत्वा पशुभिर्मेध्यै रत्नैर्मणिभिरेव च

pūjayitvā tato rājā viprānanyānabhojayat | sa kṛtvā paśubhirmedhyai ratnairmaṇibhireva ca

-having worshipped him, the king then fed the other brahmins. Having made offerings with sacrificial animals, with jewels and gems alike,

Verse 43 (skanda.8.75.43)

बलिशय्यासनाद्यैश्च स्तूयमानो गृहान्ययौ । तथैवान्येपि दैत्येद्राः सोन्धकश्च महाबलः

baliśayyāsanādyaiśca stūyamāno gṛhānyayau | tathaivānyepi daityedrāḥ sondhakaśca mahābalaḥ

-and with offerings, beds, seats and the like, praised, he would return home; and likewise the other demon-lords, and the mighty Andhaka too,

Verse 44 (skanda.8.75.44)

चक्रुः सर्वे मुनिश्रेष्ठ यथा राजा तथैव ते । अन्धकं स गृहीत्वा तु हिरण्याक्षः प्रतापवान्

cakruḥ sarve muniśreṣṭha yathā rājā tathaiva te | andhakaṁ sa gṛhītvā tu hiraṇyākṣaḥ pratāpavān

-O finest of sages, all of them did just as the king did. Then the mighty Hiranyaksha, taking Andhaka,

Verse 45 (skanda.8.75.45)

पद्भ्यामपातयद् व्यास रुद्रस्येदमुदाहरन् । एष देवः सदा पुत्र तवास्तु सुमुखः प्रभुः

padbhyāmapātayad vyāsa rudrasyedamudāharan | eṣa devaḥ sadā putra tavāstu sumukhaḥ prabhuḥ

-O Vyasa, made him fall at Rudra's feet, saying: 'My son, may this god the Lord ever be well-disposed toward you,'

Verse 46 (skanda.8.75.46)

अस्मिन् भक्तिस्त्वया कार्या भाविता परमेश्वरे । एष वन्द्यश्च पूज्यश्च अतो नास्ति परो गुरुः । पूजयेथाः सदैवैनं भक्तितः परमेश्वरम्

asmin bhaktistvayā kāryā bhāvitā parameśvare | eṣa vandyaśca pūjyaśca ato nāsti paro guruḥ | pūjayethāḥ sadaivainaṁ bhaktitaḥ parameśvaram

'-you must ever cultivate devotion to this Supreme Lord. He is to be revered and worshipped; there is no higher teacher than he. Always worship this Supreme Lord with devotion.'

Verse 47 (skanda.8.75.47)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । स एवमुक्त्वा प्रणिपत्य शंकरं महासुरः सोसुरदानवेश्वरः । जगाम धीमान् पुनरेव निर्वृतो निवेशनं देवपतिर्यथा स्वकम्

sanatkumāra uvāca | sa evamuktvā praṇipatya śaṁkaraṁ mahāsuraḥ sosuradānaveśvaraḥ | jagāma dhīmān punareva nirvṛto niveśanaṁ devapatiryathā svakam

Sanatkumara said: Having thus spoken and bowed to Shankara, that great Asura, the wise lord of the Asuras and Danavas, then, contented, returned once more to his own dwelling, like the lord of the gods returning to his own.