Critical Edition
मार्कण्डेय उवाच उपविष्टं ततः स्कन्दं हिरण्यकवचस्रजम् हिरण्यचूडमुकुटं हिरण्याक्षं महाप्रभम्
M. N. Dutt: Markandeya said : Skanda was adorned with a golden armlet and garland; he wore a crest and crown of gold; his eyes were gold coloured and they were very bright.
लोहिताम्बरसंवीतं तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रं मनोरमम् सर्वलक्षणसंपन्नं त्रैलोक्यस्यापि सुप्रियम्
M. N. Dutt: He had sharp teeth, he was clad in a red garment, he looked very handsome, he had a most charming appearance, he possessed all good characteristics, he was the favorite of the three worlds.
ततस्तं वरदं शूरं युवानं मृष्टकुण्डलम् अभजत्पद्मरूपा श्रीः स्वयमेव शरीरिणी
M. N. Dutt: He was a giver of boons, he was brave and youthful and he was adorned with ear-rings. When he was resting, the goddess of wealth, looking like a lotus and assuming a body, came to him.
श्रिया जुष्टः पृथुयशाः स कुमारवरस्तदा निषण्णो दृश्यते भूतैः पौर्णमास्यां यथा शशी
M. N. Dutt: When he became thus possessed of the goddess of wealth, that illustrious and delicate being looked like the full moon.
अपूजयन्महात्मानो ब्राह्मणास्तं महाबलम् इदमाहुस्तदा चैव स्कन्दं तत्र महर्षयः
M. N. Dutt: The high-souled Brahmanas worshipped that greatly powerful one and the great Rishis spoke thus to Skanda.
हिरण्यवर्ण भद्रं ते लोकानां शंकरो भव त्वया षड्रात्रजातेन सर्वे लोका वशीकृताः
M. N. Dutt: The Rishis said: O golden egg-born one, may prosperity come to you. May you be the cause of doing good to the world. Though you have been born in six nights, all the worlds have come to your subjection.
अभयं च पुनर्दत्तं त्वयैवैषां सुरोत्तम तस्मादिन्द्रो भवानस्तु त्रैलोक्यस्याभयंकरः
M. N. Dutt: O foremost of celestials, you have removed all their fears, therefore become the Indra of the three worlds and thus remove their cause of apprehension.
स्कन्द उवाच किमिन्द्रः सर्वलोकानां करोतीह तपोधनाः कथं देवगणांश्चैव पाति नित्यं सुरेश्वरः
M. N. Dutt: Skanda said: O great ascetics, what Indra does with all this worlds? How does that lord of the celestials unceasingly protect the hosts of gods?
ऋषय ऊचुः इन्द्रो दिशति भूतानां बलं तेजः प्रजाः सुखम् तुष्टः प्रयच्छति तथा सर्वान्दायान्सुरेश्वरः
M. N. Dutt: The Rishis said: Indra gives strength, power, effspring and happiness to all beings. When propetiated that lord of the celestials bestows on all creatures all the objects of their desire.
दुर्वृत्तानां संहरति वृत्तस्थानां प्रयच्छति अनुशास्ति च भूतानि कार्येषु बलसूदनः
AI Translation: He destroys the wicked and bestows on those who are virtuous. He instructs the creatures in their duties, O destroyer of Bala.
असूर्ये च भवेत्सूर्यस्तथाचन्द्रे च चन्द्रमाः भवत्यग्निश्च वायुश्च पृथिव्यापश्च कारणैः
AI Translation: When there is no sun, there is the sun, and likewise the moon when there is no moon. Fire and wind, earth and water become the causes.
एतदिन्द्रेण कर्तव्यमिन्द्रे हि विपुलं बलम् त्वं च वीर बलश्रेष्ठस्तस्मादिन्द्रो भवस्व नः
AI Translation: This should be done by Indra, for Indra has great strength. And you are the best of the strong, therefore be Indra for us.
शक्र उवाच भवस्वेन्द्रो महाबाहो सर्वेषां नः सुखावहः अभिषिच्यस्व चैवाद्य प्राप्तरूपोऽसि सत्तम
M. N. Dutt: Indra said: O mighty armed one, O excellent being, make us happy by becoming the lord of all of us. You are worthy of the honour; therefore we shall instal you this very day.
स्कन्द उवाच शाधि त्वमेव त्रैलोक्यमव्यग्रो विजये रतः अहं ते किंकरः शक्र न ममेन्द्रत्वमीप्सितम्
M. N. Dutt: Skanda said: O Indra, continue to rule over the three worlds with self-possession and with a desire for (new) conquests. I shall remain your humble servant. I do not desire to get your sovereignity.
शक्र उवाच बलं तवाद्भुतं वीर त्वं देवानामरीञ्जहि अवज्ञास्यन्ति मां लोका वीर्येण तव विस्मिताः
M. N. Dutt: Indra said: O hero, your prowess is wonderful. Therefore vanquish the enemies of the celestials. People have been greatly astonished to see your unirivalled prowess.
इन्द्रत्वेऽपि स्थितं वीर बलहीनं पराजितम् आवयोश्च मिथो भेदे प्रयतिष्यन्त्यतन्द्रिताः
AI Translation: Even if he is established in the position of Indra, he will be defeated if he is weak in strength. They will strive without fatigue in our mutual separation.
Supplementary Passages:
3.218.16 After 16ab, S (except G3) ins.: *1069 त्वत्तेजसावमंस्यन्ति लोका मां सुरसत्तम
भेदिते च त्वयि विभो लोको द्वैधमुपेष्यति द्विधाभूतेषु लोकेषु निश्चितेष्वावयोस्तथा विग्रहः संप्रवर्तेत भूतभेदान्महाबल
AI Translation: When you are divided, O Lord, the world will be divided into two. When the worlds are divided into two, and we are also determined to be so, There will be
तत्र त्वं मां रणे तात यथाश्रद्धं विजेष्यसि तस्मादिन्द्रो भवानद्य भविता मा विचारय
M. N. Dutt: O greatly powerful one, when they will form themselves into two distinct factions, war as before would be the result of that disunion. In that war you will undoubtedly be able to defeat me at your pleasure and then to become the lord of all the worlds. Don't think on this subject.
स्कन्द उवाच त्वमेव राजा भद्रं ते त्रैलोक्यस्य ममैव च करोमि किं च ते शक्र शासनं तद्ब्रवीहि मे
M. N. Dutt: Skanda said: O Indra, you are my king as well as that of the three worlds. May prosperity come to you. Tell me if I can obey any of your commands.
शक्र उवाच यदि सत्यमिदं वाक्यं निश्चयाद्भाषितं त्वया यदि वा शासनं स्कन्द कर्तुमिच्छसि मे शृणु
AI Translation: Śakra said: If this speech is true and spoken by you with certainty, Or if you wish to obey Skanda, then listen to me.
अभिषिच्यस्व देवानां सेनापत्ये महाबल अहमिन्द्रो भविष्यामि तव वाक्यान्महाबल
AI Translation: "Be consecrated as the general of the gods, O mighty one! " "I shall become Indra, O mighty one, by your words."
स्कन्द उवाच दानवानां विनाशाय देवानामर्थसिद्धये गोब्राह्मणस्य त्राणार्थं सेनापत्येऽभिषिञ्च माम्
M. N. Dutt: Skand said: Instal me (then) as the generallisimo (of the celestial army) for the destruction of the Danavas, for the good of the celestials and for the well-being of Brahmanas and kine.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच सोऽभिषिक्तो मघवता सर्वैर्देवगणैः सह अतीव शुशुभे तत्र पूज्यमानो महर्षिभिः
AI Translation: Markandeya said: He was consecrated by Maghavā (Indra) along with all the groups of gods. He shone greatly there, being worshipped by the great sages.
Supplementary Passages:
3.218.23 After the ref., G1 ins.: *1070 तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा स्कन्दस्य बलवृत्रहा ऋषिभिस्तं महासेनं हृष्टो देवगणैः सह सौवर्णे रत्नखचिते तरुणारुणभास्वरे दिव्यासने समास्थाप्य विमलैः पुण्यवारिभिः महासेनं तदा शक्रः सेनापत्येऽभिषिक्तवान्
तस्य तत्काञ्चनं छत्रं ध्रियमाणं व्यरोचत यथैव सुसमिद्धस्य पावकस्यात्ममण्डलम्
AI Translation: The golden parasol that he held shone forth, like the halo of a well-kindled fire.
विश्वकर्मकृता चास्य दिव्या माला हिरण्मयी आबद्धा त्रिपुरघ्नेन स्वयमेव यशस्विना
M. N. Dutt: O foremost of men, that illustrious deity, the vanquisher of Tripura (Indra) Lord Shiva with his wife came there and put round his neck the celestial garland of gold mady by Vishwakarma.
आगम्य मनुजव्याघ्र सह देव्या परंतप अर्चयामास सुप्रीतो भगवान्गोवृषध्वजः
AI Translation: Having come, O tiger among men, along with the queen, O scorcher of enemies, The Blessed One, the bull-bannered one, was delighted and worshipped.
रुद्रमग्निं द्विजाः प्राहू रुद्रसूनुस्ततस्तु सः रुद्रेण शुक्रमुत्सृष्टं तच्छ्वेतः पर्वतोऽभवत् पावकस्येन्द्रियं श्वेते कृत्तिकाभिः कृतं नगे
M. N. Dutt: The semen ejaculated by Rudra converted in the form of a white mountain. The constalations Krittikas etc. had transmitted the was fire semen at that white mountain made of Rudras semen.
Supplementary Passages:
3.218.27 After 27ab, S (except G3) ins.: *1071 कीर्त्यते सुमहातेजाः कुमारोऽद्भुतदर्शनः After 27cd, T1 G1 M1 ins.: *1072 तच्छुक्लं भक्षयामास वह्निस्तस्माद्गुहोऽभवत्
पूज्यमानं तु रुद्रेण दृष्ट्वा सर्वे दिवौकसः रुद्रसूनुं ततः प्राहुर्गुहं गुणवतां वरम्
M. N. Dutt: As Rudra was seen by all the dwellers of heaven to honour Guha (Skanda), the foremost of all accomplished beings is for this reason called the son of Rudra.
अनुप्रविश्य रुद्रेण वह्निं जातो ह्ययं शिशुः तत्र जातस्ततः स्कन्दो रुद्रसूनुस्ततोऽभवत्
M. N. Dutt: The child had his birth from the action of Rudra entering into the constitution of the deity of fire and for this reasort Skanda is called the son of Rudra.
रुद्रस्य वह्नेः स्वाहायाः षण्णां स्त्रीणां च तेजसा जातः स्कन्दः सुरश्रेष्ठो रुद्रसूनुस्ततोऽभवत्
M. N. Dutt: O descendant of Bharata, as Rudra, that fire god, (Skanda) Svaha and the six wives (of the seven Rishis) were the cause of the birth of the great deity Skanda, so was he for that reason called the son of Rudra.
अरजे वाससी रक्ते वसानः पावकात्मजः भाति दीप्तवपुः श्रीमान्रक्ताभ्राभ्यामिवांशुमान्
M. N. Dutt: That son of the deity of fire was clad in a pair of red cloths. He thus looked like the sun peeing from behind a mass of red clouds.
कुक्कुटश्चाग्निना दत्तस्तस्य केतुरलंकृतः रथे समुच्छ्रितो भाति कालाग्निरिव लोहितः
M. N. Dutt: The red cock given to him by the fire god became his sign. When sitting on the flag-staff of his car it looked like the very image of the all destroying fire.
Supplementary Passages:
3.218.32 After 32, N G3 ins.: *1073 या चेष्टा सर्वभूतानां प्रभा शान्तिर्बलं तथा अग्रतस्तस्य सा शक्तिर्देवानां जयवर्धिनी
विवेश कवचं चास्य शरीरं सहजं ततः युध्यमानस्य देवस्य प्रादुर्भवति तत्सदा
AI Translation: Then the natural armor entered his body. When the god is fighting, it always appears.
शक्तिर्वर्म बलं तेजः कान्तत्वं सत्यमक्षतिः ब्रह्मण्यत्वमसंमोहो भक्तानां परिरक्षणम्
AI Translation: Power, armor, strength, splendor, attractiveness, truth, indestructibility, Devotion to Brahman, non-delusion, protection of devotees,
निकृन्तनं च शत्रूणां लोकानां चाभिरक्षणम् स्कन्देन सह जातानि सर्वाण्येव जनाधिप
AI Translation: The cutting down of enemies and the protection of the people, All these, O Lord of men, are born together with Skanda.
एवं देवगणैः सर्वैः सोऽभिषिक्तः स्वलंकृतः बभौ प्रतीतः सुमनाः परिपूर्णेन्दुदर्शनः
M. N. Dutt: Thus installed by all the celestial, he looked pleased and complacient. Dressed in his best style, he looked as beautiful as the full moon.
इष्टैः स्वाध्यायघोषैश्च देवतूर्यरवैरपि देवगन्धर्वगीतैश्च सर्वैरप्सरसां गणैः
M. N. Dutt: The much esteemed incantation of the Vedic hymns, the music of the celestial musicians, the songs of the celestial and the Gandharvas then rose on all sides.
एतैश्चान्यैश्च विविधैर्हृष्टतुष्टैरलंकृतैः क्रीडन्निव तदा देवैरभिषिक्तः स पावकिः
AI Translation: Thus, with these and other various delighted and satisfied gods, adorned, the son of Pavaka was consecrated, as if playing with the gods.
Supplementary Passages:
3.218.38 After 38ab, B D (except D1-3.5) G3 ins.: *1074 सुसंवृतः पिशाचानां गणैर्देवगणैस्तथा
अभिषिक्तं महासेनमपश्यन्त दिवौकसः विनिहत्य तमः सूर्यं यथेहाभ्युदितं तथा
AI Translation: The gods did not see the great army consecrated. Having destroyed the darkness, the sun rose as it does here.
अथैनमभ्ययुः सर्वा देवसेनाः सहस्रशः अस्माकं त्वं पतिरिति ब्रुवाणाः सर्वतोदिशम्
AI Translation: Then all the armies of the gods, in thousands, approached him, saying, "You are our lord," from all directions.
ताः समासाद्य भगवान्सर्वभूतगणैर्वृतः अर्चितश्च स्तुतश्चैव सान्त्वयामास ता अपि
AI Translation: Having approached them, the Blessed One, surrounded by the hosts of all beings, was worshipped and praised, and he also consoled them.
शतक्रतुश्चाभिषिच्य स्कन्दं सेनापतिं तदा सस्मार तां देवसेनां या सा तेन विमोक्षिता
AI Translation: And Śatakratu, having anointed Skanda as general, recalled that army of gods which had been released by him.
अयं तस्याः पतिर्नूनं विहितो ब्रह्मणा स्वयम् इति चिन्त्यानयामास देवसेनां स्वलंकृताम्
AI Translation: This must be her husband, appointed by Brahma himself." Thinking thus, he summoned the army of gods, adorned.
स्कन्दं चोवाच बलभिदियं कन्या सुरोत्तम अजाते त्वयि निर्दिष्टा तव पत्नी स्वयंभुवा
AI Translation: And he said to Skanda, "O conqueror of the strong, this girl is destined to be your wife, O best of gods, even before you were born, as foretold by the self-existent one.
तस्मात्त्वमस्या विधिवत्पाणिं मन्त्रपुरस्कृतम् गृहाण दक्षिणं देव्याः पाणिना पद्मवर्चसम्
AI Translation: Therefore, you should properly take her hand, preceded by the mantra, and the right hand of the goddess, which has the luster of a lotus.
Supplementary Passages:
3.218.45 After 45, G1 ins.: *1075 एवमुक्तो भगवता महासेनो महाबलः दृष्ट्वा कमलपत्राक्षीं तनुमध्यां यशस्विनीम् अतीव रूपसंपन्नां सर्वाभरणभूषिताम् सर्वलक्षणसंपन्नां देवसेनां शुचिस्मिताम्
एवमुक्तः स जग्राह तस्याः पाणिं यथाविधि बृहस्पतिर्मन्त्रविधिं जजाप च जुहाव च
AI Translation: Thus addressed, he took her hand in the proper manner. Brihaspati recited the mantra and offered oblations.
Supplementary Passages:
3.218.46 After 46ab, G1 ins.: *1076 जग्राह भरतश्रेष्ठ देवसेनापतिस्ततः
एवं स्कन्दस्य महिषीं देवसेनां विदुर्बुधाः षष्ठीं यां ब्राह्मणाः प्राहुर्लक्ष्मीमाशां सुखप्रदाम् सिनीवालीं कुहूं चैव सद्वृत्तिमपराजिताम्
M. N. Dutt: She was also called by the Brahmanas as Shashti, Lakshmi, Asha, Sukhaprada, Sinivali, Kuhu, Sadvritti and Aprajita.
Supplementary Passages:
3.218.47 After 47, S (except G3) ins.: *1077 इत्येवमादिभिर्देवी नामभिः परिकीर्त्यते
यदा स्कन्दः पतिर्लब्धः शाश्वतो देवसेनया तदा तमाश्रयल्लक्ष्मीः स्वयं देवी शरीरिणी
AI Translation: When the eternal Lord Skanda was obtained by the Goddess of the Gods, then the embodied Goddess Lakshmi herself resorted to him.
श्रीजुष्टः पञ्चमीं स्कन्दस्तस्माच्छ्रीपञ्चमी स्मृता षष्ठ्यां कृतार्थोऽभूद्यस्मात्तस्मात्षष्ठी महातिथिः
M. N. Dutt: When Skanda was married to Devasena, the goddess of wealth in her embodied form waited upon him with diligence. As Skanda attained celebrity on the fifth lunar day, it was called Sripanchami; and as he obtained his object in the sixth, that day was considered to be a great tihi.