03.219
मार्कण्डेय उवाच॥
Markandeya said;
श्रिया जुष्टं महासेनं देवसेनापतिं कृतम्। सप्तर्षिपत्न्यः षड्देव्यस्तत्सकाशमथागमन् ॥०३-२१९-१॥
Adorned with beauty, Mahasena, made the commander of the gods' army, was approached then by the wives of the seven Ṛṣis, the six goddesses. (03-219-1)
ऋषिभिः सम्परित्यक्ता धर्मयुक्ता महाव्रताः। द्रुतमागम्य चोचुस्ता देवसेनापतिं प्रभुम् ॥०३-२१९-२॥
Having been completely abandoned by the sages, those great observers of vows endowed with righteousness quickly came and spoke to the lord, the commander of the divine army. (03-219-2)
वयं पुत्र परित्यक्ता भर्तृभिर्देवसंमितैः। अकारणाद्रुषा तात पुण्यस्थानात्परिच्युताः ॥०३-२१९-३॥
We, dear son, have been abandoned by our husbands, who were as gods, and, without any reason, have fallen from the virtuous place due to their anger. (03-219-3)
अस्माभिः किल जातस्त्वमिति केनाप्युदाहृतम्। असत्यमेतत्संश्रुत्य तस्मान्नस्त्रातुमर्हसि ॥०३-२१९-४॥
Someone has indeed said 'you are born of us.' This is untrue; therefore, having heard it, you ought to protect us. (03-219-4)
अक्षयश्च भवेत्स्वर्गस्त्वत्प्रसादाद्धि नः प्रभो। त्वां पुत्रं चाप्यभीप्सामः कृत्वैतदनृणो भव ॥०३-२१९-५॥
O lord, may heaven be eternal for us, indeed by your grace. We also desire you as a son; having done this, be free from (any) debt. (03-219-5)
स्कन्द उवाच॥
Skanda said;
मातरो हि भवत्यो मे सुतो वोऽहमनिन्दिताः। यच्चाभीप्सथ तत्सर्वं सम्भविष्यति वस्तथा ॥०३-२१९-६॥
Indeed, you are mothers to me, O blameless ones, and I am your son. Whatever you desire, all of that will come to pass for you just so. (03-219-6)
मार्कण्डेय उवाच॥
Mārkaṇḍeya said.
एवमुक्ते ततः शक्रं किं कार्यमिति सोऽब्रवीत्। उक्तः स्कन्देन ब्रूहीति सोऽब्रवीद्वासवस्ततः ॥०३-२१९-७॥
Thus, when those words were spoken, then Śakra (Indra) said, "What should be done?" Addressed by Skanda, "Speak," so then Vāsava (Indra) replied. (03-219-7)
अभिजित्स्पर्धमाना तु रोहिण्या कन्यसी स्वसा। इच्छन्ती ज्येष्ठतां देवी तपस्तप्तुं वनं गता ॥०३-२१९-८॥
But Abhijit, the younger sister of Rohiṇī, in competition and wishing to become eldest, the goddess went to the forest to perform penance. (03-219-8)
तत्र मूढोऽस्मि भद्रं ते नक्षत्रं गगनाच्च्युतम्। कालं त्विमं परं स्कन्द ब्रह्मणा सह चिन्तय ॥०३-२१९-९॥
I am bewildered there—may well-being be to you; the star has fallen from the sky. Skanda, together with Brahmā, consider this supreme time. (03-219-9)
धनिष्ठादिस्तदा कालो ब्रह्मणा परिनिर्मितः। रोहिण्याद्योऽभवत्पूर्वमेवं सङ्ख्या समाभवत् ॥०३-२१९-१०॥
At that time, Brahmā completely established the period beginning with Dhaniṣṭhā. Before that, enumeration began with Rohiṇī in the same way. (03-219-10)
एवमुक्ते तु शक्रेण त्रिदिवं कृत्तिका गताः। नक्षत्रं शकटाकारं भाति तद्वह्निदैवतम् ॥०३-२१९-११॥
After Śakra had thus spoken, the Kṛttikās went to heaven. That cart-shaped constellation shines and its deity is Agni. (03-219-11)
विनता चाब्रवीत्स्कन्दं मम त्वं पिण्डदः सुतः। इच्छामि नित्यमेवाहं त्वया पुत्र सहासितुम् ॥०३-२१९-१२॥
And Vinata said to Skanda, "You are my son, the giver of piṇḍa (offerings). I always wish to sit with you, O son." (03-219-12)
स्कन्द उवाच॥
Skanda said.
एवमस्तु नमस्तेऽस्तु पुत्रस्नेहात्प्रशाधि माम्। स्नुषया पूज्यमाना वै देवि वत्स्यसि नित्यदा ॥०३-२१९-१३॥
Let it be so. My salutations to you; because of affection for your son, direct me. O lady, being continually worshipped by your daughter-in-law, you will always reside here. (03-219-13)
मार्कण्डेय उवाच॥
Mārkaṇḍeya said.
अथ मातृगणः सर्वः स्कन्दं वचनमब्रवीत्। वयं सर्वस्य लोकस्य मातरः कविभिः स्तुताः ॥ इच्छामो मातरस्तुभ्यं भवितुं पूजयस्व नः ॥०३-२१९-१४॥
Then the entire host of mothers spoke to Skanda, saying: "We, the mothers of all the world, praised by poets, desire to become your mothers; honor us." (03-219-14)
स्कन्द उवाच॥
Skanda said;
मातरस्तु भवत्यो मे भवतीनामहं सुतः। उच्यतां यन्मया कार्यं भवतीनामथेप्सितम् ॥०३-२१९-१५॥
But mothers, you are mine, and I am your son; let it be stated, what should be done by me which is then desired by you. (03-219-15)
मातर ऊचुः॥
The mothers said;
यास्तु ता मातरः पूर्वं लोकस्यास्य प्रकल्पिताः। अस्माकं तद्भवेत्स्थानं तासां चैव न तद्भवेत् ॥०३-२१९-१६॥
But the place which was formerly assigned in this world to those mothers—that should become ours, and not theirs. (03-219-16)
भवेम पूज्या लोकस्य न ताः पूज्याः सुरर्षभ। प्रजास्माकं हृतास्ताभिस्त्वत्कृते ताः प्रयच्छ नः ॥०३-२१९-१७॥
O best of gods, let us become honored among people, not they. Our children were taken away by them for your sake; return them to us. (03-219-17)
स्कन्द उवाच॥
Skanda said.
दत्ताः प्रजा न ताः शक्या भवतीभिर्निषेवितुम्। अन्यां वः कां प्रयच्छामि प्रजां यां मनसेच्छथ ॥०३-२१९-१८॥
The offspring already given cannot be enjoyed by you. I shall give you another offspring, whichever you desire in your mind. (03-219-18)
मातर ऊचुः॥
The mother said.
इच्छाम तासां मातॄणां प्रजा भोक्तुं प्रयच्छ नः। त्वया सह पृथग्भूता ये च तासामथेश्वराः ॥०३-२१९-१९॥
We desire to enjoy the offspring of those mothers; grant them to us. Together with you, those who are separated, as well as the lords of those mothers. (03-219-19)
स्कन्द उवाच॥
Skanda said;
प्रजा वो दद्मि कष्टं तु भवतीभिरुदाहृतम्। परिरक्षत भद्रं वः प्रजाः साधु नमस्कृताः ॥०३-२१९-२०॥
I entrust the subjects to you; the distress has, however, been cited by you. May you protect the welfare of your subjects who have been properly saluted. (03-219-20)
मातर ऊचुः॥
The mothers said.
परिरक्षाम भद्रं ते प्रजाः स्कन्द यथेच्छसि। त्वया नो रोचते स्कन्द सहवासश्चिरं प्रभो ॥०३-२१९-२१॥
Let us protect your good subjects, O Skanda, as you desire. O lord Skanda, long association with you is not pleasing to us. (03-219-21)
स्कन्द उवाच॥
Skanda said.
यावत्षोडश वर्षाणि भवन्ति तरुणाः प्रजाः। प्रबाधत मनुष्याणां तावद्रूपैः पृथग्विधैः ॥०३-२१९-२२॥
For as long as sixteen years last, the young people are, and they torment human beings during that time with various kinds of forms. (03-219-22)
अहं च वः प्रदास्यामि रौद्रमात्मानमव्ययम्। परमं तेन सहिता सुखं वत्स्यथ पूजिताः ॥०३-२१९-२३॥
I will also give you my fierce, imperishable, supreme self; united with that, you will reside in happiness, honored. (03-219-23)
मार्कण्डेय उवाच॥
Markandeya said.
ततः शरीरात्स्कन्दस्य पुरुषः काञ्चनप्रभः। भोक्तुं प्रजाः स मर्त्यानां निष्पपात महाबलः ॥०३-२१९-२४॥
Then, from Skanda’s body, a man of golden radiance and great strength descended to consume the creatures of mortals. (03-219-24)
अपतत्स तदा भूमौ विसञ्ज्ञोऽथ क्षुधान्वितः। स्कन्देन सोऽभ्यनुज्ञातो रौद्ररूपोऽभवद्ग्रहः ॥ स्कन्दापस्मारमित्याहुर्ग्रहं तं द्विजसत्तमाः ॥०३-२१९-२५॥
He then fell to the ground, unconscious and overwhelmed by hunger. Permitted by Skanda, he assumed a fierce form and became a graha (spirit). The best of Brāhmaṇas call that graha 'Skanda-apasmāra.' (03-219-25)
विनता तु महारौद्रा कथ्यते शकुनिग्रहः। पूतनां राक्षसीं प्राहुस्तं विद्यात्पूतनाग्रहम् ॥०३-२१९-२६॥
Vinatā, who is very fierce, is described as the affliction caused by birds. The demoness Pūtanā is known as Pūtanā-possession. (03-219-26)
कष्टा दारुणरूपेण घोररूपा निशाचरी। पिशाची दारुणाकारा कथ्यते शीतपूतना ॥ गर्भान्सा मानुषीणां तु हरते घोरदर्शना ॥०३-२१९-२७॥
Difficult and terrible in form, the dreadful night-wanderer. The female demon with a fierce shape is called Śītapūtanā. She, terrible in appearance, takes away the fetuses of women. (03-219-27)
अदितिं रेवतीं प्राहुर्ग्रहस्तस्यास्तु रैवतः। सोऽपि बालाञ्शिशून्घोरो बाधते वै महाग्रहः ॥०३-२१९-२८॥
They call the Revati (nakṣatra) as Aditi; its planet is Raivata. That great, terrible planet also afflicts children and infants. (03-219-28)
दैत्यानां या दितिर्माता तामाहुर्मुखमण्डिकाम्। अत्यर्थं शिशुमांसेन सम्प्रहृष्टा दुरासदा ॥०३-२१९-२९॥
Diti, who is the mother of the demons, they call her 'mukhamaṇḍikā'. She is exceedingly delighted with the flesh of children and is hard to approach. (03-219-29)
कुमाराश्च कुमार्यश्च ये प्रोक्ताः स्कन्दसम्भवाः। तेऽपि गर्भभुजः सर्वे कौरव्य सुमहाग्रहाः ॥०३-२१९-३०॥
O Kauravya, the boys and girls who are said to be born from Skanda, they too, all being womb-born, are very powerful seizing beings. (03-219-30)
तासामेव कुमारीणां पतयस्ते प्रकीर्तिताः। अज्ञायमाना गृह्णन्ति बालकान्रौद्रकर्मिणः ॥०३-२१९-३१॥
It is those very maidens whose husbands are declared; and, unrecognized, men of cruel actions take away children. (03-219-31)
गवां माता तु या प्राज्ञैः कथ्यते सुरभिर्नृप। शकुनिस्तामथारुह्य सह भुङ्क्ते शिशून्भुवि ॥०३-२१९-३२॥
O king, the cow named Surabhi, called the mother of cows by the wise, is mounted by a bird, which then eats the calves on the earth together with her. (03-219-32)
सरमा नाम या माता शुनां देवी जनाधिप। सापि गर्भान्समादत्ते मानुषीणां सदैव हि ॥०३-२१९-३३॥
O lord of men, Sarama by name, the goddess and mother of dogs, indeed always takes up the offspring of women. (03-219-33)
पादपानां च या माता करञ्जनिलया हि सा। करञ्जे तां नमस्यन्ति तस्मात्पुत्रार्थिनो नराः ॥०३-२१९-३४॥
She who is the mother of trees and dwells in the karanja tree—men desiring sons worship her in the karanja tree; therefore.
इमे त्वष्टादशान्ये वै ग्रहा मांसमधुप्रियाः। द्विपञ्चरात्रं तिष्ठन्ति सततं सूतिकागृहे ॥०३-२१९-३५॥
These eighteen other planetary beings, who are fond of meat and honey, indeed constantly remain in the birthing house for seven nights. (03-219-35)
कद्रूः सूक्ष्मवपुर्भूत्वा गर्भिणीं प्रविशेद्यदा। भुङ्क्ते सा तत्र तं गर्भं सा तु नागं प्रसूयते ॥०३-२१९-३६॥
When Kadru had become of subtle form and entered the pregnant woman, she ate the embryo there; then she gave birth to a nāga. (03-219-36)
गन्धर्वाणां तु या माता सा गर्भं गृह्य गच्छति। ततो विलीनगर्भा सा मानुषी भुवि दृश्यते ॥०३-२१९-३७॥
But the mother of the Gandharvas, having conceived the embryo and then lost it, thereafter appears as a human woman on earth. (03-219-37)
या जनित्री त्वप्सरसां गर्भमास्ते प्रगृह्य सा। उपविष्टं ततो गर्भं कथयन्ति मनीषिणः ॥०३-२१९-३८॥
The one who, having received the embryo of the Apsarases, remains—her, when seated, the wise then call (the) embryo. (03-219-38)
लोहितस्योदधेः कन्या धात्री स्कन्दस्य सा स्मृता। लोहितायनिरित्येवं कदम्बे सा हि पूज्यते ॥०३-२१९-३९॥
The daughter of Lohita, the ocean, who is considered the nurse of Skanda, is known as Lohitāyani; thus, she is indeed worshipped at Kadamba. (03-219-39)
पुरुषेषु यथा रुद्रस्तथार्या प्रमदास्वपि। आर्या माता कुमारस्य पृथक्कामार्थमिज्यते ॥०३-२१९-४०॥
Just as Rudra stands among men, so also among women does the noble lady. The noble mother of the boy is sought apart for the sake of desire. (03-219-40)
एवमेते कुमाराणां मया प्रोक्ता महाग्रहाः। यावत्षोडश वर्षाणि अशिवास्ते शिवास्ततः ॥०३-२१९-४१॥
In this way, I have described to you the great afflictions affecting boys. For sixteen years, they are inauspicious; after that, they become auspicious. (03-219-41)
ये च मातृगणाः प्रोक्ताः पुरुषाश्चैव ये ग्रहाः। सर्वे स्कन्दग्रहा नाम ज्ञेया नित्यं शरीरिभिः ॥०३-२१९-४२॥
Those who are called mother-goddess groups and those male grahas mentioned— all these are known by the name Skanda-grahas and should always be recognized as such by embodied beings. (03-219-42)
तेषां प्रशमनं कार्यं स्नानं धूपमथाञ्जनम्। बलिकर्मोपहारश्च स्कन्दस्येज्या विशेषतः ॥०३-२१९-४३॥
Their pacification should be accomplished by bathing, incense, anointing, offering of oblations and gifts, and especially the worship of Skanda. (03-219-43)
एवमेतेऽर्चिताः सर्वे प्रयच्छन्ति शुभं नृणाम्। आयुर्वीर्यं च राजेन्द्र सम्यक्पूजानमस्कृताः ॥०३-२१९-४४॥
Thus, O king, all these, when properly worshipped and revered, bestow good fortune, life, and energy upon people. (03-219-44)
ऊर्ध्वं तु षोडशाद्वर्षाद्ये भवन्ति ग्रहा नृणाम्। तानहं सम्प्रवक्ष्यामि नमस्कृत्य महेश्वरम् ॥०३-२१९-४५॥
But after the sixteenth year, the planetary influences that affect men—those I will now fully explain, having bowed to Maheśvara (the Great Lord). (03-219-45)
यः पश्यति नरो देवाञ्जाग्रद्वा शयितोऽपि वा। उन्माद्यति स तु क्षिप्रं तं तु देवग्रहं विदुः ॥०३-२१९-४६॥
Whoever sees the gods, whether awake or even lying down, quickly becomes deranged—such a person is known as being possessed by a deva-graha (divine possession). (03-219-46)
आसीनश्च शयनश्च यः पश्यति नरः पितॄन्। उन्माद्यति स तु क्षिप्रं स ज्ञेयस्तु पितृग्रहः ॥०३-२१९-४७॥
If a man, whether sitting or lying down, sees the ancestors and quickly becomes mad, he should indeed be recognized as possessed by an ancestral spirit. (03-219-47)
अवमन्यति यः सिद्धान्क्रुद्धाश्चापि शपन्ति यम्। उन्माद्यति स तु क्षिप्रं ज्ञेयः सिद्धग्रहस्तु सः ॥०३-२१९-४८॥
Whoever despises the siddhas and is cursed by the angered, quickly becomes mad; he should be recognized as possessed by a siddha spirit. (03-219-48)
उपाघ्राति च यो गन्धान्रसांश्चापि पृथग्विधान्। उन्माद्यति स तु क्षिप्रं स ज्ञेयो राक्षसो ग्रहः ॥०३-२१९-४९॥
He who smells odors and also tastes things of various kinds, and quickly becomes mad, is to be recognized as possessed by a Rākṣasa spirit. (03-219-49)
गन्धर्वाश्चापि यं दिव्याः संस्पृशन्ति नरं भुवि। उन्माद्यति स तु क्षिप्रं ग्रहो गान्धर्व एव सः ॥०३-२१९-५०॥
If the divine Gandharvas also touch a man on earth, he quickly becomes mad; that is indeed an afflicting spirit of the Gandharvas. (03-219-50)
आविशन्ति च यं यक्षाः पुरुषं कालपर्यये। उन्माद्यति स तु क्षिप्रं ज्ञेयो यक्षग्रहस्तु सः ॥०३-२१९-५१॥
When yakṣas enter a man at a particular time, and he quickly becomes insane, he should be recognized as one possessed by a yakṣa. (03-219-51)
अधिरोहन्ति यं नित्यं पिशाचाः पुरुषं क्वचित्। उन्माद्यति स तु क्षिप्रं पैशाचं तं ग्रहं विदुः ॥०३-२१९-५२॥
They know as the seizure of a piśāca that condition in which piśācas always, at times, ascend upon a man, and he quickly becomes mad. (03-219-52)
यस्य दोषैः प्रकुपितं चित्तं मुह्यति देहिनः। उन्माद्यति स तु क्षिप्रं साधनं तस्य शास्त्रतः ॥०३-२१९-५३॥
When the mind of a person is agitated by faults and becomes deluded, he becomes insane; but his remedy, according to the śāstra, should be applied quickly. (03-219-53)
वैक्लव्याच्च भयाच्चैव घोराणां चापि दर्शनात्। उन्माद्यति स तु क्षिप्रं सत्त्वं तस्य तु साधनम् ॥०३-२१९-५४॥
He quickly becomes mad from despondency and fear, and even from seeing terrifying things; but strength of mind is his means of support. (03-219-54)
कश्चित्क्रीडितुकामो वै भोक्तुकामस्तथापरः। अभिकामस्तथैवान्य इत्येष त्रिविधो ग्रहः ॥०३-२१९-५५॥
There is one who desires to play, another who desires to enjoy, and yet another who desires to approach—thus, this is the threefold nature of grasping. (03-219-55)
यावत्सप्ततिवर्षाणि भवन्त्येते ग्रहा नृणाम्। अतः परं देहिनां तु ग्रहतुल्यो भवेज्ज्वरः ॥०३-२१९-५६॥
For as long as seventy years these planets influence men; after that, for embodied beings, fever acts like a planet. (03-219-56)
अप्रकीर्णेन्द्रियं दान्तं शुचिं नित्यमतन्द्रितम्। आस्तिकं श्रद्दधानं च वर्जयन्ति सदा ग्रहाः ॥०३-२१९-५७॥
The planets always avoid a person who is self-controlled, pure, ever alert, whose senses are disciplined, and who possesses steadfast faith. (03-219-57)
इत्येष ते ग्रहोद्देशो मानुषाणां प्रकीर्तितः। न स्पृशन्ति ग्रहा भक्तान्नरान्देवं महेश्वरम् ॥०३-२१९-५८॥
Thus, this description of the planets for humans has been given to you. The planets do not affect devotees, men devoted to the deity, the great Lord. (03-219-58)
