13.084
kārttikeyotpattiḥ
The origin of Kārttikeya;
devā ūcuḥ॥
The gods said.
asuras tārako nāma tvayā dattavaraḥ prabho। surān ṛṣīṁś ca kliśnāti vadhas tasya vidhīyatām॥13-84-1॥
O lord, the demon named Tāraka, who has received a boon from you, is tormenting the gods and sages; therefore, please arrange for his destruction. (13-84-1)
tasmādbhayaṁ samutpannamasmākaṁ vai pitāmaha। paritrāyasva no deva na hyanyā gatirasti naḥ ॥13-84-2॥
O grandsire, from that, fear has arisen for us indeed; protect us, O god, for we truly have no other refuge. (13-84-2)
brahmovāca॥
Brahmā said.
samo'ham sarvabhūtānām adharmaṃ neha rocare. hanyatāṃ tārakaḥ kṣipraṃ surarṣigaṇabādhakaḥ ॥13-84-3॥
I am impartial to all beings, and I do not favor unrighteousness here. Let Tāraka, who troubles the assemblies of the divine sages, be slain quickly. (13-84-3)
vedā dharmāś ca notsādaṃ gaccheyuḥ surasattamāḥ। vihitaṃ pūrvam evātra mayā vai vyetu vo jvaraḥ॥13-84-4॥
O best among the gods, the Vedas and dharmas should not come to destruction. What was ordained by me long ago here, let your affliction be dispelled. (13-84-4)
devā ūcuḥ॥
The gods said;
varadānād bhagavato daiteyo balagarvitaḥ। devair na śakyate hantuṃ sa kathaṃ praśamaṃ vrajet ॥13-84-5॥
Due to the boon of the blessed one, the son of Diti, proud of his strength, cannot be killed by the gods; so how could he meet his end? (13-84-5)
sa hi naiva sma devānāṃ nāsurāṇāṃ na rakṣasām। vadhyaḥ syāmiti jagrāha varaṃ tvattaḥ pitāmaha ॥13-84-6॥
He indeed never accepted to be liable to be slain by gods, Asuras, or Rākṣasas—thus he accepted that boon from you, O Grandfather. (13-84-6)
devāś ca śaptā rudrāṇyā prajocchede purā kṛte। na bhaviṣyati vo'patyam iti sarvajagatpate॥13-84-7॥
O lord of all the worlds, the gods were once cursed by Rudrāṇī regarding the destruction of their progeny: "You will have no offspring." (13-84-7)
brahmovāca॥
Brahmā said.
hutāśano na tatrāsīc chāpakāle surottamāḥ। sa utpādayitāpatyaṃ vadhārthaṃ tridaśadviṣām ॥13-84-8॥
The Fire-god was not present there at the time of the curse, O best among the gods. He begot an offspring to destroy the enemies of the gods. (13-84-8)
tad vai sarvān atikramya deva-dānava-rākṣasān। mānuṣān atha gandharvān nāgān atha ca pakṣiṇaḥ ॥13-84-9॥
That indeed surpassed all—the gods, asuras, rākṣasas, humans, gandharvas, nāgas, and also birds. (13-84-9)
astreṇāmoghapātena śaktyā taṃ ghātayiṣyati। yato vo bhayam utpannaṃ ye cānye suraśatravaḥ ॥13-84-10॥
He will slay him with a spear— a weapon with unfailing strike; because of whom fear has arisen for you and for the other enemies of the gods. (13-84-10)
sanātano hi saṅkalpaḥ kāma ityabhidhīyate। rudrasya tejaḥ praskannamagnau nipatitaṃ ca tat ॥13-84-11॥
Indeed, resolve is eternal, which is called desire. The energy of Rudra flowed into and fell into the fire. (13-84-11)
tattejo'gnirmahadbhūtaṃ dvitīyamiva pāvakam। vadhārthaṃ devaśatrūṇāṃ gaṅgāyāṃ janayiṣyati ॥13-84-12॥
That splendor, like a second fire and a great being, will be generated in Gaṅgā for the destruction of the enemies of the gods. (13-84-12)
sa tu nāvāpa taṃ śāpaṃ naṣṭaḥ sa hutabhuktadā। tasmād vo bhayahṛd devāḥ samutpatsyati pāvakiḥ॥13-84-13॥
But he did not incur that curse—he, who was destroyed, the giver to the consumer of the oblation (fire). Therefore, O gods, the remover of fear, the son of Pāvaka, will be born for you. (13-84-13)
anviṣyatāṃ vai jvalanastathā cādya niyujyatām। tārakasya vadhopāyaḥ kathito vai mayānaghāḥ ॥13-84-14॥
Let fire be sought and thus also employed today. The means for Tāraka's destruction has indeed been described by me, O blameless ones. (13-84-14)
na hi tejasvināṃ śāpās tejaḥsu prabhavanti vai। balāny atibalaṃ prāpya nabalāni bhavanti vai॥13-84-15॥
Indeed, the curses of the powerful do not affect the powerful; lesser strengths, when encountered by excessive strength, certainly become powerless. (13-84-15)
hanyād avadhyān varadān api caiva tapasvinaḥ। saṅkalpābhiruciḥ kāmaḥ sanātanatamo'nalaḥ॥13-84-16॥
Desire, the most ancient fire, pleased by the power of resolve, may destroy even ascetics endowed with boons who are otherwise invincible. (13-84-16)
jagatpatir-anirdeśyaḥ sarvagaḥ sarvabhāvanaḥ। hṛcchayaḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ jyeṣṭho rudrād-api prabhuḥ॥13-84-17॥
He is the lord of the world, indescribable, all-pervading, creator of all, the indweller in the hearts of all beings, the eldest, and a lord even greater than Rudra. (13-84-17)
anviṣyatāṃ sa tu kṣipraṃ tejorāśirhutāśanaḥ। sa vo manogataṃ kāmaṃ devaḥ sampādayiṣyati॥13-84-18॥
But let it be quickly searched, that mass of brilliance, Agni; that god will accomplish for you the desire existing in your mind. (13-84-18)
etadvākyam upaśrutya tato devā mahātmanaḥ। jagmuḥ saṁsiddhasaṅkalpāḥ paryeṣanto vibhāvasum ॥13-84-19॥
Having listened to this speech, then the gods, their purpose achieved, went in search of fire to the great-souled one. (13-84-19)
tatas trailokyam ṛṣayo vyacinvanta suraiḥ saha। kāṅkṣanto darśanaṃ vahneḥ sarve tad-gatamānasāḥ ॥13-84-20॥
Then the sages of all three worlds, together with the gods, searched everywhere, all desiring the sight of Agni, their minds fixed upon him. (13-84-20)
pareṇa tapasā yuktāḥ śrīmanto lokaviśrutāḥ। lokānanvacaransiddhāḥ sarva eva bhṛgūdvaha॥ naṣṭamātmani saṃlīnaṃ nādhijagmurhutāśanam॥13-84-21॥
Endowed with supreme austerity, wealth, and fame in the worlds, all the perfected beings wandered among the worlds, O best of the Bhṛgus. The fire, being lost and merged into themselves, they did not attain. (13-84-21)
tataḥ sañjāta-santrāsān agneḥ darśana-lālasān। jale-caraḥ klānta-manāḥ tejasā agneḥ pradīpitaḥ॥ uvāca devān maṇḍūkaḥ rasātala-tala-utthitaḥ॥13-84-22॥
Then, the frog, whose mind was weary, frightened, desiring a vision of Agni, and inflamed by the radiance of Agni, who had arisen from the bottom of the netherworld, spoke to the gods. (13-84-22)
rasātalatale devā vasaty agnir iti prabho। santāpād iha samprāptaḥ pāvaka-prabhavād aham ॥13-84-23॥
O lord, it is said that fire dwells at the bottom of the netherworld. O master, I have arrived here due to the heat, because of the brilliance of the fire. (13-84-23)
sa saṁsupto jale devā bhagavān havya-vāhanaḥ. apaḥ saṁsṛjya tejobhis tena santāpitā vayam ॥13-84-24॥
He, the revered Agni, sleeping in the water, O gods, having mingled his energies with the waters, has afflicted us. (13-84-24)
tasya darśanam iṣṭaṃ vo yadi devā vibhāvasoḥ. tatra enam abhigacchadhvaṃ kāryaṃ vo yadi vahninā ॥13-84-25॥
If the sight of him is desired by you, O gods of Fire, then approach him there to accomplish your work by means of fire. (13-84-25)
gamyatāṁ sādhayiṣyāmo vayaṁ hyagnibhayātsurāḥ। etāvaduktvā maṇḍūkastvarito jalamāviśat ॥13-84-26॥
"Let it be gone; we will accomplish it, O gods, indeed out of fear of fire." Having spoken thus, the frog quickly entered the water. (13-84-26)
hutāśanas tu bubudhe maṇḍūkasya atha paiśunam. śaśāpa sa tam āsādya na rasān vetsyasīti vai ॥13-84-27॥
Agni perceived the frog’s maliciousness and, approaching him, cursed him: "You will not enjoy tastes." (13-84-27)
taṁ sa saṁyujya śāpena maṇḍūkaṁ pāvako yayau। anyatra vāsāya vibhur na ca devān adarśayat ॥13-84-28॥
Pāvaka, having afflicted the frog with a curse, went elsewhere to dwell. The powerful one did not show himself to the gods. (13-84-28)
devās tvanugrahaṃ cakrur maṇḍūkānāṃ bhṛgūdvaha। yat tac chṛṇu mahābāho gadato mama sarvaśaḥ ॥13-84-29॥
The gods showed favour to the frogs, O best of the Bhṛgus. Hear in full what that was, O mighty-armed, as I recount it to you. (13-84-29)
devā ūcuḥ॥
The gods said:
agniśāpād jihvā api rasa-jñāna-bahiṣkṛtāḥ। sarasvatīṃ bahu-vidhāṃ yūyam uccārayiṣyatha ॥13-84-30॥
Though your tongues, due to Agni's curse, are deprived of the sense of taste, you all will still utter speech (Sarasvatī) in many forms. (13-84-30)
bilavāsagatāṁścaiva nirādānānacetasaḥ। gatāsūnapi vaḥ śuṣkānbhūmiḥ sandhārayiṣyati ॥ tamogatāyāmapi ca niśāyāṁ vicariṣyatha ॥13-84-31॥
Those of you who have crawled into holes, have lost possessions, are unconscious, or have died—even your dry bodies will be supported by the earth. When darkness falls, you will also wander about at night. (13-84-31)
ity uktvā tāṃs tato devāḥ puna revam imāṃ mahīm। pariyur jvalanasya arthe na ca avindan hutāśanam॥13-84-32॥
Thus, having said this to them, the gods again searched this earth for fire, but they did not find (the) fire. (13-84-32)
atha tān dviradaḥ kaścit surendra-dviradopamaḥ। aśvattha-sthaḥ agniḥ iti evam prāha devān bhṛgūdvaha॥13-84-33॥
Then, someone equal to Indra’s elephant, that elephant, Agni standing on the aśvattha tree, thus spoke to the gods, O best of the Bhṛgus. (13-84-33)
śaśāpa jvalanaḥ sarvān dviradān krodhamūrcchitaḥ। pratīpā bhavatāṃ jihvā bhavitrīti bhṛgūdvaha ॥13-84-34॥
Overcome with anger, Agni cursed all the elephants: "Your tongue will become contrary," thus he said, O best of the Bhṛgus. (13-84-34)
ity-uktvā niḥsṛto'śvatthād agnir vāraṇa-sūcitaḥ। praviveśa śamī-garbham atha vahniḥ suṣupsayā॥13-84-35॥
Having thus spoken, Agni departed from the aśvattha tree, indicated by the elephants, and then the fire, wishing to sleep, entered into the womb of the śamī tree. (13-84-35)
anugrahaṁ tu nāgānāṁ yaṁ cakruḥ śṛṇu taṁ prabho। devā bhṛgukulaśreṣṭha prītāḥ satyaparākramaḥ ॥13-84-36॥
O best of the Bhṛgu family, O lord, listen to the favor that the gods, pleased and truly valiant, showed to the nāgas. (13-84-36)
devā ūcuḥ॥
The gods said;
pratīpayā jihvayāpi sarvāhārān kariṣyatha. vācaṃ coccārayiṣyadhvam uccair avyañjitākṣaram ॥ ity uktvā punar evāgnim anusasrur divaukasah ॥13-84-37॥
Even with your tongue acting contrariwise, you will be able to take all foods, and you will utter speech loudly with indistinct letters. Having thus spoken, the celestials again followed Agni. (13-84-37)
aśvatthān niḥsṛtaś cāgniḥ śamī-garbha-gatās tadā. śukena khyāpito vipra taṃ devāḥ samupādravan ॥13-84-38॥
O brāhmaṇa, fire having emerged from the aśvattha tree and entered the womb of the śamī tree, was revealed by the śuka bird; the gods then approached it. (13-84-38)
śaśāpa śukam agniḥ tu vāg-vihīnaḥ bhaviṣyasi। jihvāṃ ca āvartayām āsa tasya api hutabhuk tadā ॥13-84-39॥
Agni cursed the parrot, saying, "You will become unable to speak." Then, at that time, Agni also rolled back his tongue. (13-84-39)
dṛṣṭvā tu jvalanaṁ devāḥ śukam ūcur dayānvitāḥ. bhavitā na tvam atyantaṁ śakune naṣṭavāg iti ॥13-84-40॥
Seeing the fire, the gods, moved by compassion, said to the parrot: "You will not entirely lose your speech, O parrot." (13-84-40)
āvṛttajihvasya sato vākyaṃ kāntaṃ bhaviṣyati। bālasyeva pravṛddhasya kalamavyaktam adbhutam ॥13-84-41॥
The speech of a person with a restrained tongue will become pleasing, just as the voice of a grown person, though marvelous, is as indistinct as that of a child. (13-84-41)
ity uktvā taṁ śamī-garbhe vahnim ālakṣya devatāḥ। tad eva āyatanam cakruḥ puṇyaṁ sarva-kriyāsu api॥13-84-42॥
Having said thus, when the deities saw the fire within the śamī tree, they made that very place its abode, which is held sacred in all rituals. (13-84-42)
tataḥ prabhṛti cāpy agniḥ śamī-garbheṣu dṛśyate। utpādane tathopāyam anujagmuś ca mānavāḥ ॥13-84-43॥
From that time onward, fire is seen within the interiors of the śamī wood, and humans have thus adopted this means for producing it. (13-84-43)
āpo rasātale yāstu saṁsṛṣṭāś citrabhānunā। tāḥ parvataprasravaṇair ūṣmāṁ muñcanti bhārgava॥ pāvakenādhiśayatā santaptās tasya tejasā॥13-84-44॥
O Bhārgava, the waters in the netherworld, which have been mixed with Citrabhānu (the Sun), those waters, heated and pervaded by his radiance, release their heat through mountain springs by the power of fire. (13-84-44)
tato'gnirdevatā dṛṣṭvā babhūva vyathitastadā। kimāgamanamityevaṃ tānapṛcchata pāvakaḥ ॥13-84-45॥
Then Agni, having seen the gods, became disturbed at that moment. Pāvaka (Fire) asked them, "What is the reason for your arrival?" (13-84-45)
tamūcur vibudhāḥ sarve te caiva paramarṣayaḥ। tvāṃ niyokṣyāmahe kārye tadbhavāṃ kartum arhati॥ kṛte ca tasmin bhavitā tavāpi sumahān guṇaḥ॥ 13-84-46॥
All the gods and indeed those great sages said to him: "We shall appoint you for this task, for you are worthy to carry it out. And when this is accomplished, there will be very great merit for you also." (13-84-46)
agniruvāca॥
Agni said.
brūta yadbhavatāṁ kāryaṁ sarvaṁ kartāsmi tatsurāḥ। bhavatāṁ hi niyojyo'ham mā vo'trāstu vicāraṇā ॥13-84-47॥
Tell me what task you wish, O gods; I will accomplish all that. Truly, I am to be employed by you; let there be no discussion about this for you here. (13-84-47)
devā ūcuḥ॥
The gods said.
asuras tārako nāma brahmaṇo vara-darpitaḥ। asmān prabādhate vīryāt vadhas tasya vidhīyatām॥13-84-48॥
The demon Tāraka, empowered by a boon from Brahma, is tormenting us with his strength; let arrangements be made for his destruction. (13-84-48)
imān devagaṇāṁs tāta prajāpatigaṇāṁs tathā। ṛṣīṁś cāpi mahābhāgān paritrāyasva pāvaka ॥13-84-49॥
O fire, please protect these groups of gods, groups of progenitors, and also the greatly fortunate sages, O dear one. (13-84-49)
apatyaṃ tejasā yuktaṃ pravīraṃ janaya prabho। yad bhayaṃ no'surāt tasmān nāśayet dhavyavāhana ॥13-84-50॥
O Lord, produce an offspring endowed with brilliance and excellent heroism. Whatever fear we have from the demon, may O Agni, destroy it. (13-84-50)
śaptānāṃ no mahādevyā nānyad asti parāyaṇam। anyatra bhavato vīryaṃ tasmāt trāyasva nas tataḥ॥13-84-51॥
For us, cursed by Mahādevī, there is no other refuge; elsewhere your might (is effective); therefore, protect us from that. (13-84-51)
ity uktaḥ sa tatha ity uktvā bhagavān haviya-kavya-bhuk jagāma atha durādharṣaḥ gaṅgāṃ bhāgīrathīṃ prati ॥13-84-52॥
Thus addressed, he replied, 'So be it,' and the venerable, unassailable eater of oblations to gods and ancestors then proceeded towards the Gaṅgā, the river Bhāgīrathī. (13-84-52)
tayā cāpy abhavan miśro garbhaś cāsy abhavat tadā। vavṛdhe sa tadā garbhaḥ kakṣe kṛṣṇagatir yathā॥13-84-53॥
Through her, a mixed embryo was also formed, and then that embryo of his grew in the womb, like (one) with dark motion. (13-84-53)
tejasā tasya garbhasya gaṅgā vihvalacetanā। santāpam agamat tīvraṃ sā soḍhuṃ na śaśāka ha ॥13-84-54॥
On account of the brilliance of his embryo, the goddess Gaṅgā, her mind greatly agitated, experienced severe torment. She was truly unable to bear it. (13-84-54)
āhite jvalanenātha garbhe tejaḥsamanvite। gaṅgāyāmasuraḥ kaścidbhairavaṃ nādamutsṛjat ॥13-84-55॥
When fire was established and (the being) endowed with brilliance was within the womb, then a certain asura in the Ganga emitted a terrifying sound. (13-84-55)
abuddhāpatitenātha nādena vipulena sā। vitrastodbhrāntanayanā gaṅgā viplutalocanā॥ visañjñā nāśakadgarbhaṃ sandhārayitumātmanā॥13-84-56॥
Then, startled by the sudden, loud sound, Gaṅgā—terrified, her eyes wide and bewildered—lost consciousness and was unable to sustain the child of Śakada within herself. (13-84-56)
sā tu tejaḥ-parītāṅgī kampamānā ca jāhnavī। uvāca vacanaṃ vipra tadā garbha-bala-uddhatā॥ na te śaktāsmi bhagavan tejaso'sya vidhāraṇe॥13-84-57॥
But she, Jāhnavī—her body enveloped by brilliance, trembling and agitated by the force of the embryo—then spoke these words, O Brāhmaṇa: "O revered one, I am not able to sustain this energy." (13-84-57)
vimūḍhāsmi kṛtānena tathāsvāsthyaṃ kṛtaṃ param। vihvalā cāsmi bhagavaṃstejo naṣṭaṃ ca me'nagha ॥13-84-58॥
I am bewildered by this, and have thus suffered great illness; I am also distressed, O revered one, and my vigor is lost, O sinless one. (13-84-58)
dhāraṇe nāsya śaktāhaṁ garbhasya tapatāṁ vara। utsrakṣye'hamimaṁ duḥkhānna tu kāmātkathañcana॥13-84-59॥
O best among the austere, I am not able to sustain this embryo. I shall let it go because of pain, but not at all from desire. (13-84-59)
na cetaso'sti saṃsparśo mama deva vibhāvaso। āpadarthe hi sambandhaḥ susūkṣmo'pi mahādyute ॥13-84-60॥
O god Agni, there is no contact with my mind; at the time of misfortune, even a very subtle connection matters, O greatly radiant one. (13-84-60)
yad atra guṇasampannam itaraṃ vā hutāśana। tvayy eva tad ahaṃ manye dharmādharmau ca kevalau ॥13-84-61॥
O Fire, whatever here is virtuous or otherwise—I consider both righteousness and unrighteousness to reside exclusively in you. (13-84-61)
tām uvāca tato vahnir dhāryatāṃ dhāryatām ayam। garbho mat-tejasā yuktaḥ mahā-guṇa-phala-udayaḥ ॥13-84-62॥
Then Agni said to her: Let this embryo, endowed with my energy and possessing the manifestation of great virtuous qualities, be borne. (13-84-62)
śaktā hy asi mahīṁ kṛtsnāṁ voḍhuṁ dhārayituṁ tathā। na hi te kiñcid aprāpyaṁ madretodhāraṇādṛte ॥13-84-63॥
You are certainly able to bear and sustain the entire earth; there is indeed nothing unattainable for you except retaining my seed. (13-84-63)
sā vahninā vāryamāṇā devaiś cāpi sarid-varā। samutsasarja taṃ garbhaṃ merau giri-vare tadā॥13-84-64॥
She, the foremost river, when restrained by Agni and the gods, then released that embryo upon Meru, the best of mountains. (13-84-64)
samarthā dhāraṇe cāpi rudratejaḥ-pradharṣitā। nāśakat taṃ tadā garbhaṃ sandhārayitum ojasā ॥13-84-65॥
Even though she was capable of holding, being overpowered by Rudra's energy, she was not able at that time to bear the embryo by her strength. (13-84-65)
sā samutsṛjya taṃ duḥkhāddīptavaiśvānaraprabham। darśayāmāsa cāgnistāṃ tadā gaṅgāṃ bhṛgūdvaha ॥ papraccha saritāṃ śreṣṭhāṃ kaccidgarbhaḥ sukhodayaḥ ॥13-84-66॥
She, overwhelmed by sorrow, abandoned him who was blazing with the radiance of Vaiśvānara. Then Agni showed her to Gaṅgā, O Bhṛgūdvaha. (Agni) asked the best of rivers whether the offspring had arisen without trouble. (13-84-66)
kīdṛg-varṇo'pi vā devi kīdṛg-rūpaś ca dṛśyate. tejasā kena vā yuktaḥ sarvam etad bravīhi me ॥13-84-67॥
O goddess, of what kind is the color, or what kind is the form that is seen? With what brilliance is it endowed? Tell me all this. (13-84-67)
gaṅgovāca॥
Gaṅgā spoke.
jātarūpaḥ sa garbho vai tejasā tvamivānala। suvarṇo vimalo dīptaḥ parvataṃ cāvabhāsayat ॥13-84-68॥
That embryo, golden in color, indeed by its brilliance, like fire, became pure shining gold, and lit up the mountain. (13-84-68)
padmotpalavimiśrāṇāṃ hradānām iva śītalaḥ। gandho'sya sa kadambānāṃ tulyo vai tapatāṃ vara ॥13-84-69॥
O best among the afflicted, the fragrance of this is as cool as the lakes filled with lotuses and blue-lotuses and is equal to that of kadamba trees. (13-84-69)
tejasā tasya garbhasya bhāskarasyeva raśmibhiḥ. yad dravyaṁ parisaṁsṛṣṭaṁ pṛthivyāṁ parvateṣu vā ॥ tatsarvaṁ kāñcanībhūtaṁ samantāt pratyadṛśyata ॥13-84-70॥
By the radiance of its core, like the sun's rays, whatever substance was spread on the earth or on the mountains, all of it was seen to have become golden on every side. (13-84-70)
paryadhāvat śailāṁś ca nadīḥ prasravaṇāni ca. vyadīpayat tejasā ca trailokyaṁ sacarācaram ॥13-84-71॥
He circled the mountains, rivers, and springs, and with his radiance illuminated the three worlds, with all that moves and does not move. (13-84-71)
evaṁ-rūpaḥ sa bhagavān putras te havyavāhana। sūryavaiśvānara-samaḥ kāntyā soma iva aparaḥ ॥ evam uktvā tu sā devī tatraiva antaradhīyata ॥13-84-72॥
That son of yours, O Agni, possessed such a form, brilliant like Sūrya and Vaiśvānara, another Soma in splendor. Having spoken thus, the goddess vanished then and there. (13-84-72)
pāvakāś cāpi tejasvī kṛtvā kāryaṃ divaukasām। jagāmeṣṭaṃ tato deśaṃ tadā bhārgavanandana ॥13-84-73॥
Then Agni, the brilliant one, having accomplished the task of the heavenly beings, went from there to the desired place, O son of Bhṛgu. (13-84-73)
etaiḥ karma-guṇair loke nāma agneḥ parigīyate। hiraṇya-retā iti vai ṛṣibhir vibudhaiḥ tathā ॥ pṛthivī ca tadā devī khyātā vasumatīti vai ॥13-84-74॥
By these qualities and actions, Agni's name is proclaimed in the world as 'Hiranya-Retā,' thus indeed by sages and wise men. Similarly, at that time, the goddess Earth was known as Vasumatī. (13-84-74)
sa tu garbho mahātejā gāṅgeyaḥ pāvakodbhavaḥ। divyaṃ śaravaṇaṃ prāpya vavṛdhe'dbhutadarśanaḥ ॥13-84-75॥
But that embryo, possessed of great brilliance, the son of Gaṅgā and born from Pāvaka, having reached the divine lake of reeds, grew there with a wondrous appearance. (13-84-75)
dadṛśuḥ kṛttikās taṃ tu bālārkasadṛśadyutim। jātasnehāś ca taṃ bālaṃ pupuṣuḥ stanyavisravaiḥ॥13-84-76॥
The Krittika goddesses saw him, whose radiance resembled the rising sun; with newly arisen affection, they nourished that boy with streams of milk. (13-84-76)
tataḥ sa kārttikeyatvam avāpa paramadyutiḥ। skannatvāt skandatāṃ cāpi guhāvāsād guho'bhavat॥13-84-77॥
Then that one of supreme splendor became Kārtikeya; because he was dropped, he was called Skanda, and because he dwelt in a cave, he became Guha. (13-84-77)
evaṃ suvarṇamutpannamapatyaṃ jātavedasaḥ। tatra jāmbūnadaṃ śreṣṭhaṃ devānāmapi bhūṣaṇam॥13-84-78॥
Thus, gold that is produced is considered the offspring of Jātavedas. Among them, Jāmbūnada gold is the best and is an ornament even for the gods. (13-84-78)
tataḥ prabhṛti cāpy etaj jātarūpam udāhṛtam। yat suvarṇaṃ sa bhagavān agniḥ īśaḥ prajāpatiḥ॥13-84-79॥
From then onwards, this refined gold has also been called so; for that gold is the revered Agni, the lord, Prajāpati. (13-84-79)
pavit rāṇāṃ pavitraṃ hi kanakaṃ dvijasattama। agniṣomātmakaṃ caiva jātarūpam udāhṛtam ॥13-84-80॥
O best of twice-born, gold is indeed the purest among pure things. Gold is spoken of as having the very nature of Agni and Soma. (13-84-80)
ratnānām uttamaṃ ratnaṃ bhūṣaṇānāṃ tathottamam | pavitraṃ ca pavitrāṇāṃ maṅgalānāṃ ca maṅgalam ॥13-84-81॥
It is the best among jewels, the best among ornaments; it is pure among pure things, and auspicious among auspicious things. (13-84-81)
