09.043
Library: Story of Skanda and significance of Samantapanchaka.
जनमेजय उवाच॥
Janamejaya said:
सरस्वत्याः प्रभावोऽयमुक्तस्ते द्विजसत्तम। कुमारस्याभिषेकं तु ब्रह्मन्व्याख्यातुमर्हसि ॥९-४३-१॥
The influence of Saraswati has been described to you, O noble Brahman. Now, you should explain the consecration ceremony of the prince.
यस्मिन्काले च देशे च यथा च वदतां वर। यैश्चाभिषिक्तो भगवान्विधिना येन च प्रभुः ॥९-४३-२॥
At the time and place, as the best among speakers, the blessed one was anointed by the prescribed method by the lord.
स्कन्दो यथा च दैत्यानामकरोत्कदनं महत्। तथा मे सर्वमाचक्ष्व परं कौतूहलं हि मे ॥९-४३-३॥
"As Skanda caused great destruction among the demons, tell me everything, for my curiosity is immense."
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaishampayana spoke:
कुरुवंशस्य सदृशमिदं कौतूहलं तव। हर्षमुत्पादयत्येतद्वचो मे जनमेजय ॥९-४३-४॥
O Janamejaya, this curiosity of yours, akin to that of the Kuru dynasty, brings joy through my words.
हन्त ते कथयिष्यामि शृण्वानस्य जनाधिप। अभिषेकं कुमारस्य प्रभावं च महात्मनः ॥९-४३-५॥
"Indeed, O king, I will tell you about the consecration of the prince and the glory of the great soul as you listen."
तेजो माहेश्वरं स्कन्नमग्नौ प्रपतितं पुरा। तत्सर्वभक्षो भगवान्नाशकद्दग्धुमक्षयम् ॥९-४३-६॥
Once, the energy of Lord Shiva fell into the fire, and it was all-consuming. The Lord managed to burn even the indestructible.
तेनासीदति तेजस्वी दीप्तिमान्हव्यवाहनः। न चैव धारयामास गर्भं तेजोमयं तदा ॥९-४३-७॥
By his power, the fire became very brilliant and radiant. However, he did not hold the energy-filled embryo at that time.
स गङ्गामभिसङ्गम्य नियोगाद्ब्रह्मणः प्रभुः। गर्भमाहितवान्दिव्यं भास्करोपमतेजसम् ॥९-४३-८॥
He, by the command of Brahma, approached Ganga and placed the divine embryo, which had the splendor similar to the sun.
अथ गङ्गापि तं गर्भमसहन्ती विधारणे। उत्ससर्ज गिरौ रम्ये हिमवत्यमरार्चिते ॥९-४३-९॥
Then Ganga, unable to bear the embryo, released it on the beautiful Himalayas, a mountain revered by the gods.
स तत्र ववृधे लोकानावृत्य ज्वलनात्मजः। ददृशुर्ज्वलनाकारं तं गर्भमथ कृत्तिकाः ॥९-४३-१०॥
He, the son of fire, grew there covering the worlds. Then the Krittikas saw that fiery form, the embryo.
शरस्तम्बे महात्मानमनलात्मजमीश्वरम्। ममायमिति ताः सर्वाः पुत्रार्थिन्योऽभिचक्रमुः ॥९-४३-११॥
In the pillar of arrows stood the great soul, the son of fire, the lord. All those desiring sons approached, saying, "This is mine."
तासां विदित्वा भावं तं मातॄणां भगवान्प्रभुः। प्रस्नुतानां पयः षड्भिर्वदनैरपिबत्तदा ॥९-४३-१२॥
Understanding the feelings of the mothers, the divine lord, with his six mouths, drank their flowing milk at that time.
तं प्रभावं समालक्ष्य तस्य बालस्य कृत्तिकाः। परं विस्मयमापन्ना देव्यो दिव्यवपुर्धराः ॥९-४३-१३॥
The goddesses known as the Krittikas, observing the extraordinary power of the boy, were filled with great wonder, as they bore their divine forms.
यत्रोत्सृष्टः स भगवान्गङ्गया गिरिमूर्धनि। स शैलः काञ्चनः सर्वः सम्बभौ कुरुसत्तम ॥९-४३-१४॥
The divine presence, released by the Ganges on the mountain peak, made the entire golden mountain shine brilliantly, O best of the Kurus.
वर्धता चैव गर्भेण पृथिवी तेन रञ्जिता। अतश्च सर्वे संवृत्ता गिरयः काञ्चनाकराः ॥९-४३-१५॥
The earth, nourished by the womb, was thus adorned, and consequently, all the mountains turned into golden mines.
कुमारश्च महावीर्यः कार्त्तिकेय इति स्मृतः। गाङ्गेयः पूर्वमभवन्महायोगबलान्वितः ॥९-४३-१६॥
Kumāra, known for his great strength, is remembered as Kārttikeya. In the past, he was the son of Ganga and was endowed with the power of great yoga.
स देवस्तपसा चैव वीर्येण च समन्वितः। ववृधेऽतीव राजेन्द्र चन्द्रवत्प्रियदर्शनः ॥९-४३-१७॥
He, the divine being, endowed with penance and strength, grew immensely, O King, and became as pleasing to behold as the moon.
स तस्मिन्काञ्चने दिव्ये शरस्तम्बे श्रिया वृतः। स्तूयमानस्तदा शेते गन्धर्वैर्मुनिभिस्तथा ॥९-४३-१८॥
He lies on the divine golden arrow-pillar, surrounded by splendor, while being praised by both Gandharvas and sages.
तथैनमन्वनृत्यन्त देवकन्याः सहस्रशः। दिव्यवादित्रनृत्तज्ञाः स्तुवन्त्यश्चारुदर्शनाः ॥९-४३-१९॥
Thus, thousands of divine maidens danced around him, playing divine musical instruments and skilled in dance, praising him who was beautiful to behold.
अन्वास्ते च नदी देवं गङ्गा वै सरितां वरा। दधार पृथिवी चैनं बिभ्रती रूपमुत्तमम् ॥९-४३-२०॥
The river Ganga, revered as the best among rivers, followed the deity. The earth supported and carried this magnificent form.
जातकर्मादिकास्तस्य क्रियाश्चक्रे बृहस्पतिः। वेदश्चैनं चतुर्मूर्तिरुपतस्थे कृताञ्जलिः ॥९-४३-२१॥
Brihaspati conducted the birth and other ceremonies for him. The Veda, personified as the four-faced deity, attended him with reverence, hands folded in respect.
धनुर्वेदश्चतुष्पादः शस्त्रग्रामः ससङ्ग्रहः। तत्रैनं समुपातिष्ठत्साक्षाद्वाणी च केवला ॥९-४३-२२॥
The science of archery, which is fourfold and includes a collection of weapons, was directly approached by pure speech there.
स ददर्श महावीर्यं देवदेवमुमापतिम्। शैलपुत्र्या सहासीनं भूतसङ्घशतैर्वृतम् ॥९-४३-२३॥
He beheld the mighty Lord Shiva, the consort of Uma, seated with Parvati, the daughter of the mountain, surrounded by hundreds of spirit groups.
निकाया भूतसङ्घानां परमाद्भुतदर्शनाः। विकृता विकृताकारा विकृताभरणध्वजाः ॥९-४३-२४॥
The groups of ghostly assemblies appeared most wondrous, with distorted forms and adorned with distorted ornaments and banners.
व्याघ्रसिंहर्क्षवदना बिडालमकराननाः। वृषदंशमुखाश्चान्ये गजोष्ट्रवदनास्तथा ॥९-४३-२५॥
There are those with faces of tigers, lions, and bears, others with faces of cats and crocodiles; some have faces of bulls and mosquitoes, while others resemble elephants and camels.
उलूकवदनाः केचिद्गृध्रगोमायुदर्शनाः। क्रौञ्चपारावतनिभैर्वदनै राङ्कवैरपि ॥९-४३-२६॥
Some have faces like owls, while others resemble vultures and jackals. Their faces are similar to curlews, pigeons, and herons.
श्वाविच्छल्यकगोधानां खरैडकगवां तथा। सदृशानि वपूंष्यन्ये तत्र तत्र व्यधारयन् ॥९-४३-२७॥
Dogs, jackals, cattle, donkeys, sheep, and cows were also present; others assumed similar forms in various places.
केचिच्छैलाम्बुदप्रख्याश्चक्रालातगदायुधाः। केचिदञ्जनपुञ्जाभाः केचिच्छ्वेताचलप्रभाः ॥९-४३-२८॥
Some appeared like mountains and clouds, armed with discus, firebrand, and mace; some looked like a mass of collyrium; some shone with the radiance of a white mountain.
सप्तमातृगणाश्चैव समाजग्मुर्विशां पते। साध्या विश्वेऽथ मरुतो वसवः पितरस्तथा ॥९-४३-२९॥
The seven groups of mothers, along with the Sādhyas, Viśvedevas, Maruts, Vasus, and ancestors, assembled, O lord of the people.
रुद्रादित्यास्तथा सिद्धा भुजगा दानवाः खगाः। ब्रह्मा स्वयम्भूर्भगवान्सपुत्रः सह विष्णुना ॥९-४३-३०॥
The Rudras, Ādityas, perfected beings, serpents, demons, and birds, along with Brahmā, the self-born divine, and his son, are together with Viṣṇu.
शक्रस्तथाभ्ययाद्द्रष्टुं कुमारवरमच्युतम्। नारदप्रमुखाश्चापि देवगन्धर्वसत्तमाः ॥९-४३-३१॥
Indra, along with Nārada and the foremost of gods and Gandharvas, approached to see the best of boys, Acyuta.
देवर्षयश्च सिद्धाश्च बृहस्पतिपुरोगमाः। ऋभवो नाम वरदा देवानामपि देवताः ॥ तेऽपि तत्र समाजग्मुर्यामा धामाश्च सर्वशः ॥९-४३-३२॥
The divine sages and perfected beings, led by Brihaspati, along with the Ribhus, who are known as bestowers of boons and even deities among the gods, also gathered there, including all the Yamas and abodes.
स तु बालोऽपि भगवान्महायोगबलान्वितः। अभ्याजगाम देवेशं शूलहस्तं पिनाकिनम् ॥९-४३-३३॥
Despite being young, he, endowed with great yogic power, approached the lord of the gods, who holds a trident and is the bearer of the bow Pinaka.
तमाव्रजन्तमालक्ष्य शिवस्यासीन्मनोगतम्। युगपच्छैलपुत्र्याश्च गङ्गायाः पावकस्य च ॥९-४३-३४॥
Seeing him approach, Shiva simultaneously thought of the daughter of the mountain, Ganga, and the fire.
किं नु पूर्वमयं बालो गौरवादभ्युपैष्यति। अपि मामिति सर्वेषां तेषामासीन्मनोगतम् ॥९-४३-३५॥
The thought in everyone's mind was, 'Will this boy, out of respect, approach me first?'
तेषामेतमभिप्रायं चतुर्णामुपलक्ष्य सः। युगपद्योगमास्थाय ससर्ज विविधास्तनूः ॥९-४३-३६॥
He noticed the intention of the four and simultaneously made an effort to create various forms.
ततोऽभवच्चतुर्मूर्तिः क्षणेन भगवान्प्रभुः। स्कन्दः शाखो विशाखश्च नैगमेषश्च पृष्ठतः ॥९-४३-३७॥
Then, in an instant, the divine lord manifested in four forms: Skanda, Shakha, Vishakha, and Naigamesha at the back.
एवं स कृत्वा ह्यात्मानं चतुर्धा भगवान्प्रभुः। यतो रुद्रस्ततः स्कन्दो जगामाद्भुतदर्शनः ॥९-४३-३८॥
Thus, the divine lord, having divided himself into four, from whom Rudra and then the wonderfully appearing Skanda emerged.
विशाखस्तु ययौ येन देवी गिरिवरात्मजा। शाखो ययौ च भगवान्वायुमूर्तिर्विभावसुम् ॥ नैगमेषोऽगमद्गङ्गां कुमारः पावकप्रभः ॥९-४३-३९॥
Viśākhā went to the place where the goddess, daughter of the great mountain, had gone. Śākha and the divine embodiment of wind, Vibhāvasu, also went. Naigameṣa, the prince with the brilliance of fire, proceeded to the Ganga.
सर्वे भास्वरदेहास्ते चत्वारः समरूपिणः। तान्समभ्ययुरव्यग्रास्तदद्भुतमिवाभवत् ॥९-४३-४०॥
All four of them, with their shining bodies and similar appearance, approached calmly, and it seemed as if something wonderful had happened.
हाहाकारो महानासीद्देवदानवरक्षसाम्। तद्दृष्ट्वा महदाश्चर्यमद्भुतं रोमहर्षणम् ॥९-४३-४१॥
There was a tremendous uproar among the gods, demons, and rākṣasas. Witnessing this astonishing and marvelous event was truly hair-raising.
ततो रुद्रश्च देवी च पावकश्च पितामहम्। गङ्गया सहिताः सर्वे प्रणिपेतुर्जगत्पतिम् ॥९-४३-४२॥
Then Rudra, Devi, Pavaka, and the grandfather, accompanied by Ganga, all bowed down to the Lord of the universe.
प्रणिपत्य ततस्ते तु विधिवद्राजपुङ्गव। इदमूचुर्वचो राजन्कार्त्तिकेयप्रियेप्सया ॥९-४३-४३॥
After bowing, they respectfully addressed the best of kings with the intention to please Kārttikeya, saying these words, O king.
अस्य बालस्य भगवन्नाधिपत्यं यथेप्सितम्। अस्मत्प्रियार्थं देवेश सदृशं दातुमर्हसि ॥९-४३-४४॥
O Lord, you should grant this boy the sovereignty as desired, for the sake of our beloved, O Lord of the gods, in a manner that is appropriate.
ततः स भगवान्धीमान्सर्वलोकपितामहः। मनसा चिन्तयामास किमयं लभतामिति ॥९-४३-४५॥
Then the wise and blessed grandsire of all worlds, in his mind, pondered what this one should obtain.
ऐश्वर्याणि हि सर्वाणि देवगन्धर्वरक्षसाम्। भूतयक्षविहङ्गानां पन्नगानां च सर्वशः ॥९-४३-४६॥
All the wealth and prosperity of gods, gandharvas, rakshasas, beings, yakshas, birds, and serpents are indeed complete and entire.
पूर्वमेवादिदेशासौ निकायेषु महात्मनाम्। समर्थं च तमैश्वर्ये महामतिरमन्यत ॥९-४३-४७॥
"Previously, he had commanded in the assemblies of the great souls, and the wise one considered him capable of sovereignty."
ततो मुहूर्तं स ध्यात्वा देवानां श्रेयसि स्थितः। सेनापत्यं ददौ तस्मै सर्वभूतेषु भारत ॥९-४३-४८॥
Then, after meditating for a moment, he, focused on the welfare of the gods, appointed him as the general among all beings, O Bharata.
सर्वदेवनिकायानां ये राजानः परिश्रुताः। तान्सर्वान्व्यादिदेशास्मै सर्वभूतपितामहः ॥९-४३-४९॥
The great-grandfather of all beings summoned all the renowned kings from the divine assemblies to his presence.
ततः कुमारमादाय देवा ब्रह्मपुरोगमाः। अभिषेकार्थमाजग्मुः शैलेन्द्रं सहितास्ततः ॥९-४३-५०॥
Then, the gods, led by Brahma, took the prince and arrived together at the lord of mountains for his consecration.
पुण्यां हैमवतीं देवीं सरिच्छ्रेष्ठां सरस्वतीम्। समन्तपञ्चके या वै त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुता ॥९-४३-५१॥
The sacred goddess Sarasvati, daughter of Himavat, renowned as the best of rivers, is celebrated in the three worlds, especially in the region of Samantapanchaka.
तत्र तीरे सरस्वत्याः पुण्ये सर्वगुणान्विते। निषेदुर्देवगन्धर्वाः सर्वे सम्पूर्णमानसाः ॥९-४३-५२॥
At the sacred bank of the river Sarasvati, which is endowed with all virtues, all the gods and Gandharvas sat down with their minds fully composed.
