03.218
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca॥
Markandeya said.
upaviṣṭaṃ tataḥ skandaṃ hiraṇyakavacasrajam। hiraṇyacūḍamukuṭaṃ hiraṇyākṣaṃ mahāprabham ॥03-218-1॥
Then Skanda was seen seated, adorned with golden armor and garland, crowned with a golden diadem, possessing golden eyes, and having great brilliance. (03-218-1)
lohitāmbara-saṁvītaṁ tīkṣṇa-daṁṣṭraṁ manoramam। sarva-lakṣaṇa-sampannaṁ trailokyasya api supriyam॥03-218-2॥
Clothed in red garments, possessing sharp fangs and beauty, endowed with every mark of excellence, he is dearly beloved even to the three worlds. (03-218-2)
tatastaṃ varadaṃ śūraṃ yuvānaṃ mṛṣṭakuṇḍalam | abhajat padmarūpā śrīḥ svayam eva śarīriṇī ॥03-218-3॥
Then, Śrī herself, embodied and in the form of a lotus, embraced that heroic young bestower of boons with polished earrings. (03-218-3)
śriyā juṣṭaḥ pṛthuyashāḥ sa kumāravaras tadā। niṣaṇṇo dṛśyate bhūtaiḥ paurṇamāsyāṃ yathā śaśī ॥03-218-4॥
At that time, the excellent prince, endowed with splendour and great fame, seated there, was seen by all beings like the moon on a full-moon night. (03-218-4)
apūjayanmahātmāno brāhmaṇāstaṃ mahābalam। idamāhustadā caiva skandaṃ tatra maharṣayaḥ ॥03-218-5॥
The great-souled brāhmaṇas did not honor that greatly powerful one. Then, the great sages there spoke this about Skanda. (03-218-5)
hiraṇyavarṇa bhadraṃ te lokānāṃ śaṅkaro bhava। tvayā ṣaḍrātrajātena sarve lokā vaśīkṛtāḥ ॥03-218-6॥
O golden-hued one, may auspiciousness be yours; be the auspicious one of the worlds. By you, born after six nights, all the worlds have been subdued. (03-218-6)
abhayaṃ ca punardattaṃ tvayaiva eṣāṃ surottama। tasmād indro bhavān astu trailokyasya abhayaṅkaraḥ ॥03-218-7॥
Fearlessness has again been granted to these by you alone, O best of the gods; therefore, may you, Indra, be the giver of fearlessness to the three worlds. (03-218-7)
skanda uvāca॥
Skanda said.
kim indraḥ sarvalokānāṃ karotīha tapodhanāḥ| kathaṃ devagaṇāṃś caiva pāti nityaṃ sureśvaraḥ ॥03-218-8॥
O ascetics, what does Indra do for all the worlds here? And how does the lord of the gods always protect the hosts of the gods? (03-218-8)
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ॥
The sages said;
indro diśati bhūtānāṁ balaṁ tejaḥ prajāḥ sukham। tuṣṭaḥ prayacchati tathā sarvān dāyān sureśvaraḥ॥03-218-9॥
Indra bestows strength, splendor, offspring, and happiness upon beings; when pleased, the lord of the gods grants all gifts in this way. (03-218-9)
durvṛttānāṃ saṃharati vṛttasthānāṃ prayacchati| anuśāsti ca bhūtāni kāryeṣu balasūdanaḥ ॥03-218-10॥
Bala-sūdana removes the wicked, bestows upon the righteous, and instructs all beings in their duties. (03-218-10)
asūrye ca bhavet sūryas tathā candre ca candramāḥ। bhavati agniḥ ca vāyuḥ ca pṛthivī āpaḥ ca kāraṇaiḥ॥03-218-11॥
When there is no sun, the sun may appear; similarly, in the absence of the moon, the moon arises. Fire, wind, earth, and waters manifest due to their respective causes. (03-218-11)
etad indreṇa kartavyam indre hi vipulaṃ balam. tvaṃ ca vīra balaśreṣṭhas tasmād indro bhavasva naḥ ॥03-218-12॥
This task must be done by Indra, for Indra indeed possesses great strength. You too, O hero, are the greatest in strength; therefore, become Indra for us. (03-218-12)
śakra uvāca॥
Indra said.
bhavasvendro mahābāho sarveṣāṃ naḥ sukhāvahaḥ। abhiṣicyasva caivādya prāptarūpo'si sattama ॥03-218-13॥
O mighty-armed one, become our Indra, the bringer of happiness to us all. Today, consecrate yourself, for you have attained the position, O best one. (03-218-13)
skanda uvāca॥
Skanda said;
śādhi tvam eva trailokyam avyagraḥ vijaye rataḥ। ahaṃ te kiṅkaraḥ śakra na mama indratvam īpsitam ॥03-218-14॥
You alone should rule the three worlds, undisturbed and intent on victory. I am your servant, O Indra; the status of Indra is not desired by me. (03-218-14)
śakra uvāca॥
Indra said;
balaṃ tavādbhutaṃ vīra tvaṃ devānāmarīñjahi। avajñāsyanti māṃ lokā vīryeṇa tava vismitāḥ॥03-218-15॥
Your strength is wonderful, hero; you, destroyer of the gods’ enemies, conquer them. The worlds, astonished by your prowess, will disregard me. (03-218-15)
indratve'pi sthitaṃ vīra balahīnaṃ parājitam। āvayoś ca mitho bhede prayatiṣyanty atandritāḥ॥03-218-16॥
Even a hero, though possessing the status of Indra, if deprived of strength and defeated, will be overcome. In causing division between the two of us, the tireless (ones) will strive. (03-218-16)
bhedite ca tvayi vibho loko dvaidham upeṣyati। dvidhābhūteṣu lokeṣu niściteṣv āvayos tathā ॥03-218-17॥
And when you are divided, O Lord, the world will become dual. Thus, in those worlds that have split, this division will be set between us. (03-218-17)
vigrahaḥ sampravarteta bhūtabhedān mahābala ॥03-218-17॥
O mighty one, conflict may arise due to differences among beings. (03-218-17)
tatra tvaṃ māṃ raṇe tāta yathāśraddhaṃ vijeṣyasi। tasmād indro bhavān adya bhavitā mā vicāraya॥03-218-18॥
There, dear one, you will conquer me in battle as your faith allows. Therefore, today you will be Indra—do not doubt. (03-218-18)
skanda uvāca॥
Skanda said.
tvam eva rājā bhadraṃ te trailokyasya mamaiva ca। karomi kiṃ ca te śakra śāsanaṃ tad bravīhi me॥03-218-19॥
You alone are the king; may there be auspiciousness to you, of the three worlds and of myself as well. What shall I do for you, Śakra? That command, tell to me. (03-218-19)
śakra uvāca॥
Indra said.
yadi satyam idaṁ vākyaṁ niścayād bhāṣitaṁ tvayā। yadi vā śāsanaṁ Skanda kartum icchasi me śṛṇu॥03-218-20॥
If this statement has been spoken by you with certainty and is true; or if, Skanda, you wish to carry out my command, then listen to me. (03-218-20)
abhiṣicyasva devānāṁ senāpatye mahābala। aham indro bhaviṣyāmi tava vākyāt mahābala ॥03-218-21॥
O mighty one, anoint yourself as the general of the gods. By your word, I shall become Indra, O mighty one. (03-218-21)
skanda uvāca॥
Skanda said;
dānavānāṃ vināśāya devānām artha-siddhaye। go-brāhmaṇasya trāṇārthaṃ senāpatye'bhiṣiñca mām ॥03-218-22॥
Anoint me as general for the destruction of the Dānavas, the accomplishment of the gods' purpose, and for the protection of cows and Brāhmaṇas. (03-218-22)
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca॥
Mārkaṇḍeya said.
so'bhiṣikto maghavatā sarvair devagaṇaiḥ saha। atīva śuśubhe tatra pūjyamāno maharṣibhiḥ ॥03-218-23॥
Consecrated by Indra along with all the assemblies of gods, he shone greatly there, honored by the great sages. (03-218-23)
tasya tat kāñcanaṃ chatraṃ dhriyamāṇaṃ vyarocata। yathaiva susamiddhasya pāvakasya ātma-maṇḍalam ॥03-218-24॥
That golden parasol of his, held above, shone brilliantly, just like the radiant disk of a well-kindled fire. (03-218-24)
viśvakarmakṛtā cāsya divyā mālā hiraṇmayī। ābaddhā tripuraghnena svayameva yaśasvinā ॥03-218-25॥
A divine garland of gold, made by Viśvakarman, was bound upon him by the glorious Tripuraghna himself. (03-218-25)
āgamya manujavyāghra saha devyā parantapa। arcayāmāsa suprīto bhagavāngo-vṛṣadhvajaḥ ॥03-218-26॥
O tiger among men, after approaching together with the goddess, the well-pleased Lord Śiva, whose banner bears a bull, worshipped. (03-218-26)
rudram agniṁ dvijāḥ prāhū rudrasūnus tatastu saḥ। rudreṇa śukram utsṛṣṭaṁ tac chvetaḥ parvato 'bhavat॥ pāvakasya indriyaṁ śvete kṛttikābhiḥ kṛtaṁ nage॥03-218-27॥
The twice-born invoked Agni as Rudra; then, the son of Rudra, by Rudra's released seed, became the white mountain. The essence of Pāvaka was established on the Śveta mountain by the Kṛttikās. (03-218-27)
pūjyamānaṁ tu rudreṇa dṛṣṭvā sarve divaukasaḥ। rudrasūnuṁ tataḥ prāhurguhaṁ guṇavatāṁ varam ॥03-218-28॥
But when they saw Guha, the son of Rudra, being honored by Rudra, all the gods then addressed Guha, the best among the virtuous. (03-218-28)
anupraviśya rudreṇa vahniṃ jāto hy ayaṃ śiśuḥ. tatra jātas tataḥ skando rudrasūnus tato 'bhavat ॥03-218-29॥
Having entered the Fire by Rudra, this child was indeed born there. There, from that birth, Skanda, the son of Rudra, was thus born. (03-218-29)
rudrasya vahneḥ svāhāyāḥ ṣaṇṇāṃ strīṇāṃ ca tejasā। jātaḥ skandaḥ suraśreṣṭho rudrasūnustato'bhavat ॥03-218-30॥
Skanda, the best among gods, was born by the energy of Rudra, Agni, Svāhā, and six women; thus, he became the son of Rudra. (03-218-30)
araje vāsasī rakte vasānaḥ pāvakātmajaḥ। bhāti dīptavapuḥ śrīmān raktābhrābhyām ivāṁśumān॥03-218-31॥
Hanuman, son of Pāvaka, clad in clean red garments, shines forth with brilliant splendour, radiant like the sun between two red clouds. (03-218-31)
kukkuṭaś cāgninā dattaḥ tasya ketur alaṅkṛtaḥ। rathe samucc h rito bhāti kālāgnir iva lohitaḥ॥03-218-32॥
The rooster, placed together with fire as his adorned banner, shines elevated on the chariot, red like the fire of time (destruction). (03-218-32)
viveśa kavacaṃ cāsya śarīraṃ sahajaṃ tataḥ | yudhyamānasya devasya prādurbhavati tat sadā ॥03-218-33॥
He entered both the armor and then his body, which is natural; and for the fighting god, that always appears. (03-218-33)
śaktir-varma balaṃ tejaḥ kāntatvaṃ satyam-akṣatiḥ। brahmaṇyatvam-asaṃmoho bhaktānāṃ parirakṣaṇam ॥03-218-34॥
Power, armor, strength, radiance, charm, truth, inviolability, devotion to the sacred, clarity of mind, and the protection of devotees. (03-218-34)
nikṛntanaṁ ca śatrūṇāṁ lokānāṁ cābhirakṣaṇam। skandena saha jātāni sarvāṇyeva janādhipa ॥03-218-35॥
O king, both the destruction of enemies and the protection of the worlds—all of these indeed have come into being together with Skanda. (03-218-35)
evaṃ devagaṇaiḥ sarvaiḥ so'bhiṣiktaḥ swalaṅkṛtaḥ। babhau pratītaḥ sumanāḥ paripūrṇendudarśanaḥ॥03-218-36॥
Thus, having been anointed and well adorned by all the groups of gods, he radiated with a cheerful mind, appearing like the full moon. (03-218-36)
iṣṭaiḥ svādhyāyaghoṣaiś ca devatūryaravair api। devagandharvagītaiś ca sarvair apsarasāṁ gaṇaiḥ ॥03-218-37॥
By offerings, recitations of sacred texts, celestial musical instruments, songs by gods and Gandharvas, and by all the groups of Apsarases. (03-218-37)
etaiś cānyaiś ca vividhair hṛṣṭatuṣṭair alaṅkṛtaiḥ। krīḍan-niva tadā devair abhiṣiktaḥ sa pāvakiḥ॥03-218-38॥
He, Pāvaki, then as if sporting, was anointed by the gods and adorned by these and other various joyful and contented (beings). (03-218-38)
abhiṣiktaṃ mahāsenam apaśyanta divaukasāḥ। vinihatya tamaḥ sūryaṃ yathehābhyuditaṃ tathā ॥03-218-39॥
The dwellers of heaven saw the anointed Mahāsena, just as here (we see) the sun risen after having destroyed darkness. (03-218-39)
athainam abhyayuḥ sarvā deva-senāḥ sahasraśaḥ। asmākaṃ tvaṃ patir iti bruvāṇāḥ sarvato diśam॥03-218-40॥
Then, all the divine armies, by the thousands, approached him from every direction, saying, “You are our lord.” (03-218-40)
tāḥ samāsādya bhagavān sarvabhūtagaṇair vṛtaḥ। arcitaś ca stutaś caiva sāntvayāmāsa tā api ॥03-218-41॥
The blessed one, surrounded by hosts of all beings, having approached those women, and being worshipped and praised, also consoled them. (03-218-41)
śatakratuś cābhiṣicya skandaṃ senāpatiṃ tadā। sasmāra tāṃ devasenāṃ yā sā tena vimokṣitā ॥03-218-42॥
Indra, having then anointed Skanda as commander of the army, remembered Devasena—she who was released by him. (03-218-42)
ayaṁ tasyāḥ patir nūnaṁ vihito brahmaṇā svayam| iti cintyānayāmāsa devasenāṁ svalaṅkṛtām ॥03-218-43॥
Thinking, 'This is certainly the husband appointed for her by Brahmā himself,' he led the well-adorned Devasenā. (03-218-43)
skandaṃ covāca balabhid iyaṃ kanyā surottama। ajāte tvayi nirdiṣṭā tava patnī svayambhuvā ॥03-218-44॥
Balabhit (Indra) said to Skanda: "O best of the gods, this girl was appointed as your wife by Svayambhū (Brahmā) when you were not yet born." (03-218-44)
tasmāttvamasyā vidhivatpāṇiṁ mantrapuraskṛtam। gṛhāṇa dakṣiṇaṁ devyāḥ pāṇinā padmavarcasam ॥03-218-45॥
Therefore, you should, according to ritual and with mantras, take the hand of the lady—her right hand, radiant as a lotus—with your own hand. (03-218-45)
evam-uktaḥ sa jagrāha tasyāḥ pāṇiṁ yathā-vidhi. bṛhaspatir mantra-vidhiṁ jajāpa ca juhāva ca ॥03-218-46॥
Thus addressed, he took her hand according to the prescribed rites. Bṛhaspati performed the mantra procedure, reciting and offering oblations. (03-218-46)
evaṁ skandasya mahiṣīṁ devasenāṁ vidur budhāḥ। ṣaṣṭhīṁ yāṁ brāhmaṇāḥ prāhur lakṣmīm āśāṁ sukhapradām॥ sinīvālīṁ kuhūṁ caiva sadvṛttim aparājitām॥03-218-47॥
Thus, the wise recognize Devasena, the queen of Skanda. Brāhmaṇas call her Ṣaṣṭhī, Lakṣmī, Āśā (Hope), the bestower of happiness, Sinīvālī, Kuhū, one of good conduct, and the unconquered one. (03-218-47)
yadā skandaḥ patir labdhaḥ śāśvato devasenayā। tadā tam āśrayal lakṣmīḥ svayaṃ devī śarīriṇī ॥03-218-48॥
When Skanda became the eternal husband of Devasena, then goddness Lakṣmī herself, in embodied form, resorted to him. (03-218-48)
śrījuṣṭaḥ pañcamīṃ skandastasmācchrīpañcamī smṛtā। ṣaṣṭhyāṃ kṛtārtho'bhūdyasmāttasmātṣaṣṭhī mahātithiḥ॥03-218-49॥
Since Skanda was honored by auspiciousness on the fifth day, that day is called Śrī Pañcamī. Because he achieved his purpose on the sixth day, that sixth day is regarded as a great sacred day. (03-218-49)
