Adhyaya 102

Verse 1

कुंजल उवाच । सर्वं वत्स प्रवक्ष्यामि यत्त्वयोक्तं ममाधुना । उभयोर्देवनं यत्तु यस्माज्जातं द्विजोत्तम

Kuṁjala said: “Dear child, I shall now tell you everything that you have just asked me—especially that sacred ‘devana’ of the two, from which it arose, O best of the twice-born.”

Verse 2

एकदा तु महादेवी पार्वती प्रमदोत्तमा । क्रीडमाना महात्मानमीश्वरं वाक्यमब्रवीत्

Once, the great Goddess Pārvatī—foremost among lovely women—while playfully sporting, spoke these words to the great-souled Lord, Īśvara.

Verse 3

ममोरसि महादेव जातं महत्सु दोहदम् । दर्शयस्व ममाग्रे त्वं काननं काननोत्तमम्

O Mahādeva, a great longing has arisen within my heart. Please show me, before my eyes, the finest of forests—the most excellent woodland.

Verse 4

श्रीमहादेव उवाच । एवमस्तु महादेवि नंदनं देवसंकुलम् । दर्शयिष्यामि ते पुण्यं द्विजसिद्धनिषेवितम्

Śrī Mahādeva said: “So be it, O Mahādevī. I shall show you holy Nandana, thronged with devas—pure and frequented by perfected siddhas and venerable brāhmaṇas.”

Verse 5

एवमाभाष्य तां देवीं तया सह गणैस्ततः । स गंतुमुत्सुको देवो नंदनं वनमेव तु

Having thus addressed the Goddess, the god—together with her and the attendant hosts—then grew eager to depart for Nandana, that very celestial grove.

Verse 6

सर्वगं सुंदरं दिव्यपृष्ठमाभरणैर्युतम् । घंटामालाभिसंयुक्तं किंकिणीजालमालिनम्

All-pervading and beautiful, with a divine back adorned with ornaments—arrayed with garlands of bells and festooned with a net of tinkling kinkiṇīs.

Verse 7

चामरैः पट्टसूत्रैश्च मुक्तामालासुशोभितम् । हंसचंद्रप्रतीकाशं वृषभं चारुलक्षणम्

Adorned with yak-tail fans, silken cords, and shining garlands of pearls, there stood a handsome bull of fair and auspicious marks, radiant like a swan and the moon.

Verse 8

समारूढो महादेवो गणकोटिसमावृतः । नंदिभृंगिमहाकालस्कंदचंडमनोहराः

Mahādeva, borne forth in procession, was surrounded by crores of gaṇas—Nandin, Bhṛṅgī, Mahākāla, Skanda, Caṇḍa, and the charming attendants as well.

Verse 9

वीरभद्रो गणेशश्च पुष्पदंतो मणीश्वरः । अतिबलःसुबलो नाम मेघनादो घटावहः

There were Vīrabhadra and Gaṇeśa, Puṣpadanta and Maṇīśvara; also Atibala, one named Subala, Meghanāda, and Ghaṭāvaha—these are the names mentioned.

Verse 10

घंटाकर्णश्च कालिंदः पुलिंदो वीरबाहुकः । केशरी किंकरो नाम चंडहासः प्रजापतिः

And there were Ghaṇṭākarṇa and Kāliṇda, Pulinda and Vīrabāhuka; Keśarī and one named Kiṅkara; also Caṇḍahāsa, a Prajāpati.

Verse 11

एते चान्ये च बहवः सनकाद्यास्तपोबलाः । गणैश्च कोटिसंख्यातैः सशिवः परिवारितः

These and many others—mighty through austerity, such as Sanaka and the rest—were present; and Śiva himself was surrounded by hosts of gaṇas numbering in crores.

Verse 12

नंदनं वनमेवापि सेवितं देवकिन्नरैः । प्रविवेश महादेवो गणैर्देव्यासमन्वितः

Mahādeva, accompanied by the Goddess and attended by his gaṇas, entered the Nandana grove, frequented by the divine Kinnaras.

Verse 13

दर्शयामास देवेशो गिरिजायै सुशोभनम् । नानापादपसंपन्नं बहुपुष्पसमाकुलम्

The Lord of the gods showed Girijā a most beautiful sight—filled with many kinds of trees and plants, and crowded with abundant flowers.

Verse 14

दिव्यं रंभावनाकीर्णं पुष्पवद्भिस्तु चंपकैः । मल्लिकाभिः सुपुष्पाभिर्मालतीजालसंकुलम्

It was a celestial grove, filled with plantain trees, adorned with flowering campaka trees, and thickly interwoven with clusters of mālatī and abundantly blossoming mallikā (jasmine).

Verse 15

नित्यं पुष्पितशाखाभिः पाटलानां वनोत्तमैः । राजमानं महावृक्षैश्चंदनैश्चारुगंधिभिः

Ever adorned with the flower-laden branches of excellent pāṭalā groves, it shone splendidly with great sandalwood trees of delightful fragrance.

Verse 16

देवदारुवनैर्जुष्टं तुंगवृक्षैः समाकुलम् । सरलैर्नालिकेरैश्च तद्वत्पूगीफलद्रुमैः

It was adorned with forests of deodar and crowded with lofty trees—filled with pines and coconut palms, and likewise with areca-nut (betel-nut) trees bearing their fruits.

Verse 17

खर्जूरपनसैर्दिव्यैः फलभारावनामितैः । परिमलोद्गारसंयुक्तैर्गुरुवृक्षसमाकुलम्

It was filled with celestial date-palms and jackfruit trees, their branches bowed low beneath the burden of fruit, and thick with lofty trees that poured forth rich fragrance.

Verse 18

अग्नितेजः समाभासैः सप्तपर्णैः सुशोभितम् । राजवृक्षैः कदंबैश्च पुष्पशोभान्वितं सदा

It is beautifully adorned with saptaparṇa trees whose radiance resembles the brilliance of fire, and with royal trees and kadamba trees—ever graced with the splendor of blossoms.

Verse 19

जंबूनिंबमहावृक्षैर्मातुलिगैः समाकुलम् । नारंगैः सिंधुवारैश्च प्रियालैः शालतिंदुकैः

It was densely filled with great jambu and neem trees, and with citron trees; and also with oranges, sindhuvāra shrubs, priyāla trees, and śāla and tinduka trees.

Verse 20

उदुंबरैः कपित्थैश्च जंबूपादपशोभितम् । लकुचैः पुष्पसौगंधैः स्फुटनागैः समाकुलम्

Adorned with udumbara and kapittha trees, beautified by jambu trees, and filled with lakuca trees fragrant with blossoms, it was crowded with blossoming nāga trees.

Verse 21

चूतैश्च फलराजाद्यैर्नीलैश्चैव घनोपमैः । नीलैः शालवनैर्दिव्यैर्जालानां तु वनैस्ततः

There were mango trees and other lordly fruit-bearing trees, and also dark-blue, cloud-like groves; and then divine śāla forests, dark-hued as well, along with forests of creepers and clustered thickets.

Verse 22

तमालैस्तु विशालैश्च सेवितं तपनोपमैः । शोभितं नंदनं पुण्यं शिवेन परिदर्शितम्

Adorned with great tamāla trees and attended by sun-like radiant beings, that holy Nandana grove—splendid in beauty—was shown by Śiva.

Verse 23

शोभितं च द्रुमैश्चान्यैः सर्वैर्नीलवनोपमैः । सर्वकामफलोपेतैः कल्याणफलदायकैः

And it was adorned with other trees as well—altogether resembling the Nīlavaṇa forest—endowed with fruits that fulfill every desire and bestow auspicious results.

Verse 24

कल्पद्रुमैर्महापुण्यैः शोभितं नंदनं वनम् । नानापक्षिनिनादैश्च संकुलं मधुरस्वरैः

The Nandana grove was adorned with highly meritorious wish-fulfilling trees, and it was filled with the sweet calls of many kinds of birds.

Verse 25

कोकिलानां रुतैः पुण्यैरुद्घुष्टं मधुकारिभिः । मकरंदविलुब्धानां पक्षिणां रुतनादितम्

It resounded with the holy calls of cuckoos, was loudly filled with the humming of bees, and was made vocal by the cries of birds bewitched by nectar.

Verse 26

नानवृक्षैः समाकीर्णं नानामृगगणायुतम् । वृक्षेभ्यो विविधैः पुष्पैस्सौगंधैः पतितैर्भुवि

It was filled with many kinds of trees and thronged with herds of diverse animals; and the ground was strewn with fragrant flowers of many varieties fallen from the trees.

Verse 27

सा च भू राजते पुत्र पूजिते वसुगंधिभिः । तत्र वाप्यो महापुण्याः पद्मसौगंधनिर्मलाः

And that land, my son, shines—revered by those fragrant as the Vasus. There, the sacred stepwells are of surpassing merit, pure and clear, suffused with the perfume of lotuses.

Verse 28

तोयैस्ताः पूरिताः पुत्र हंसकारंडसेविताः । तडागैः सागरप्रख्यैस्तोयसौगंधपूजितैः

My son, those places were filled with water and frequented by hamsas and kāraṇḍa birds; they were adorned with tanks like the ocean, revered for the fragrance of their waters.

Verse 29

नंदनं भाति सर्वत्र गणैरप्सरसां महत् । विमानैः कलशैः शुभ्रैर्हेमदंडैः सुशोभनैः

Everywhere the great Nandana shines, filled with the hosts of Apsarās—adorned with splendid vimānas, bright kalaśa finials, and beautifully gleaming golden pillars.

Verse 30

नंदनो वनराजस्तु प्रासादैस्तु सुधान्वितैः । यत्र तत्र प्रभात्येव किन्नराणां महागणैः

Nandana, the king of forests, is adorned with mansions filled with celestial splendor; and everywhere at dawn it shines forth, thronged by great hosts of Kinnaras.

Verse 31

गंधर्वैरप्सरोभिश्च सुरूपाभिर्द्विजोत्तम । देवतानां विनोदैश्च मुनिवृंदैः सुयोगिभिः

O best of the twice-born, it was filled with Gandharvas and Apsarās of exquisite beauty, with the delightful sports of the devas, and with hosts of sages—excellent yogins.

Verse 32

सर्वत्र शुशुभे पुण्यसंस्थानं नंदनस्य च

Everywhere the sacred precincts shone brilliantly—along with those of Nandana.

Verse 33

एवं समालोक्य महानुभावो भवः सुदेव्यासहितो महात्मा । श्रीनंदनं पुण्यवतां निवासं सुखाकरं शांतिगुणोपपन्नम्

Having thus looked upon it, the great and noble Lord Bhava (Śiva), accompanied by the virtuous goddess Sudevī, beheld Śrīnandana—an abode for the meritorious, a source of happiness, and endowed with the qualities of peace.

Verse 34

आदित्यतेजः समतेजसां गणैः प्रभाति वै रश्मिभिर्जातरूपः । पुष्पैः फलैः कामगुणोपपन्नः कल्पद्रुमो नंदनकाननेपि

Jātarūpa shines with sun-like brilliance, outshining hosts of equally radiant beings with its rays; endowed with blossoms and fruits that fulfill every desire, it is like the wish-granting tree even in Nandana grove.

Verse 35

एवंविधं पादपराजमेव संवीक्ष्य देवी च शिवं बभाषे । अस्याभिधानं कथयस्व नाथ सर्वस्य पुण्यस्य नगस्य पुण्यम्

Seeing such a wondrous foot-ornament, the Goddess spoke to Śiva: “O Lord, tell me its name—this most auspicious (object), the very ‘merit of merit,’ the blessed one among blessed treasures.”

Verse 36

तेजस्विनां सूर्यवरः समंतात्स देव देवीं च शिवो बभाषे । शिव उवाच । अस्य प्रतिष्ठा महती शुभाख्या देवेषु मुख्यो मधुसूदनश्च

Then Śiva—the radiant one, like the foremost of suns—addressed the Goddess all around. Śiva said: “Its consecration is exceedingly great and bears the auspicious name; and among the gods, Madhusūdana (Viṣṇu) is the foremost.”

Verse 37

नदीषु मुख्या सुरनिम्नगापि विसृष्टिकर्त्तापि यथैव धाता । सुखावहानां च यथा सुचंद्रो भूतेषु मुख्या च यथैव पृथ्वी

Among rivers, the celestial Gaṅgā is foremost; among creators, the Ordainer Dhātṛ (Brahmā) is foremost. Among bestowers of happiness, the beautiful moon is foremost; and among beings and elements, the Earth is foremost.

Verse 38

नगेंद्रराजो हि यथा नगानां जलाशयेष्वेव यथा समुद्रः । महौषधीनामिव देवि चान्नं महीधराणां हिमवान्यथैव

Just as the king of mountains is foremost among mountains, and just as the ocean is foremost among bodies of water; just as food is chief among great medicines, O Devī—so too Himavān is foremost among the bearers of mountains.

Verse 39

विद्यासु मध्ये च यथात्मविद्या लोकेषु सर्वेषु यथा नरेंद्रः । तथैव मुख्यस्तरुराज एष सर्वातिथिर्देवपतेः प्रियोयम्

Just as self-knowledge is foremost among all branches of learning, and just as a king is foremost among all people in every world, so too this king of trees is supreme—welcoming all guests—and is dear to the Lord of the gods.

Verse 40

श्रीपार्वत्युवाच । गुणान्नु शंभो मम कीर्त्तयस्व वृक्षाधिपस्यास्य शुभान्सुपुण्यान् । आकर्ण्य देवो वचनं बभाषे देव्यास्तु सर्वं सुतरोर्हि तस्य

Śrī Pārvatī said: “O Śaṃbhu, recount to me the auspicious and supremely meritorious virtues of this lord of trees.” Hearing her words, the Deva replied: “O Devī, I shall tell you everything about that excellent tree.”

Verse 41

यं यं कल्पयंति सुपुण्यदेवा देवोपमा देववराश्च कांते । तं तं हि तेभ्यः प्रददाति वृक्षः कल्पद्रुमो नाम वरिष्ठ एषः

Beloved, whatever the highly meritorious gods—godlike beings and the foremost of deities—may wish for, that very thing this tree grants them. This supreme tree is known as the Kalpadruma, the wish-fulfilling tree.

Verse 42

अस्माच्च सर्वे प्रभवंति पुण्या दुःप्राप्यमत्रैव तपोधिकास्ते । जीवाधिकं रत्नमयं सुदिव्यं देवास्तु भुंजंति महाप्रधानाः

From this sacred source all merit arises. Here itself, in abundance, are gained the fruits of austerity that are otherwise hard to obtain. A supremely divine excellence, jewel-like and greater even than life, is enjoyed by the foremost among the gods.

Verse 43

शुश्राव देवी वचनं शिवस्य आश्चर्यभूतं मनसा विचिंत्य । तस्यानुमत्या परिकल्पितं च स्त्रीरत्नमेकं सुगुणं सुरूपम्

The Goddess heard Śiva’s words and, pondering them in her mind as something wondrous, then—having obtained his consent—arranged a single jewel among women, endowed with virtues and beautiful in form.

Verse 44

सर्वांगरूपां सगुणां सुरूपां तस्मात्सुवृक्षाद्गिरिजा प्रलेभे । विश्वस्य मोहाय यथोपविष्टा साहाय्यरूपा मकरध्वजस्य

From that excellent tree, Girijā obtained a beautiful, well-formed figure, complete in every limb and quality, so that, as she sat there, she became a helper to Makaradhvaja (Kāma) for the delusion of the world.

Verse 45

क्रीडानिधानं सुखसिद्धिरूपं सर्वोपपन्ना कमलायताक्षी । पद्मानना पद्मकरा सुपद्मा चामीकरस्यापि यथा सुमूर्तिः

She is the treasure-house of delight, the embodiment of perfectly attained happiness—endowed with every excellence, lotus-eyed; lotus-faced, lotus-handed, most auspicious like a lotus—like a flawless, well-formed image even of pure gold.

Verse 46

प्रभासु तद्वद्विमला सुतेजा लीला सुतेजाश्च सुकुंचितास्ते । प्रलंबकेशाः परिसूक्ष्मबद्धाः पुष्पैः सुगंधैः परिलेपिताश्च

At Prabhāsa there were likewise women who were pure and radiant—playful and shining—gracefully curled in form; with long hair finely and delicately arranged, and anointed with fragrant flowers.

Verse 47

प्रबद्धकुंता दृढकेशबंधैर्विभाति सा रूपवरेण बाला । सीमंतमार्गे च मुक्ताफलानां माला विभात्येव यथा तरूणाम्

With her curly locks neatly bound by firm hair-bands, the young maiden shines with exquisite beauty; and along the parting of her hair a garland of pearls gleams—like the fresh, tender shoots of a young tree.

Verse 48

सीमंतमूले तिलकं सुदेव्या यथोदितो दैत्यगुरुः सतेजाः । भालेषु पद्मे मृगनाभिपद्म समुत्थतेजः प्रकरैर्विभाति

At the root of the hair-parting, on Sudevī’s forehead, the tilaka shines—just as the radiant preceptor of the Daityas is described. Upon her lotus-like brow, the musk-scented lotus-mark gleams, resplendent with spreading rays of rising brilliance.

Verse 49

सीमंतमूले तिलकस्य तेजः प्रकाशयेद्रूपश्रियं सुलोके । केशेषु मुक्ताफलके च भाले तस्याः सुशोभां विकरोति नित्यम्

At the root of the hair-parting, the radiance of the tilaka reveals and enhances her beauty before the world; and on her hair and on her forehead, the pearl-ornament continually spreads an exquisite splendor.

Verse 50

यथा सुचंद्रः परिभाति भासा सा रम्यचेष्टेव विभाति तद्वत् । संपूर्णचंद्रोपि यथा विभाति ज्योत्स्नावितानेन हिमांशुजालः

Just as a beautiful moon shines with its radiance, so she shines—her movements all graceful. And just as the full moon shines, so too does the Lord of the cool rays, spread out beneath a canopy of moonlight.

Verse 51

तस्यास्तु वक्त्रं परिभाति तद्वच्छोभाकरं विश्वविशारदं च । हिमांशुरेवापि कलंकयुक्तः संक्षीयते नित्यकलाविहीनः

Her face shines—radiant and exquisite, as though illuminating the world with discerning splendor. Even the moon, though luminous, bears a blemish and continually wanes, never remaining full in all its phases.

Verse 52

संपूर्णमस्त्येव सदैव हृष्टं तस्यास्तु वक्त्रं परिनिष्कलंकम् । गंधं विकाशं कमले स्वकीयं ततः समालोक्य सुखं न लेभे

Her face was truly perfect—ever joyful and wholly without blemish. Yet, beholding the lotus’s own fragrance and its full blossoming, she found no happiness thereafter.

Verse 53

पद्मानना सर्वगुणोपपन्ना मदीयभावैः परिनिर्मितेयम् । गंधं स्वकीयं तु विपश्य पद्मं तस्या मुखाद्वाति जगत्समीरः

Lotus-faced and endowed with every virtue, she has been fashioned from my own inner essence. Behold, O Lotus (Brahmā): her fragrance is truly her own—yet from her mouth the world-wind blows forth across the universe.

Verse 54

लज्जाभियुक्तः सहसा बभूव जलं समाश्रित्य सदैव तिष्ठति । कतिमतिनियतबुद्ध्यासौ धियो वदंति सुमदननृपतेः कोशं समुद्र कलाभिः

Overcome by shame, he suddenly became so; taking refuge in the waters, he remains there continually. People of disciplined understanding speak of King Sumadana’s treasure as vast and manifold as the portions of the ocean.

Verse 55

सुवरदशनरत्नैर्हास्यलीलाभियुक्ता अरुणअधरबिंबंशोभमानस्तु आस्यः

Her face, adorned with jewel-like lovely teeth and graced with the playful charm of a smile, shone with the splendor of her crimson, bimba-like lips.

Verse 56

सुभ्रूः सुनासिका तस्याः सुकर्णौ रत्नभूषितौ । हेमकांतिसमोपेतौ कपोलौ दीप्तिसंयुतौ

Her eyebrows were beautiful; her nose was finely shaped; her lovely ears were adorned with jewels. Her cheeks, suffused with a golden radiance, shone with brilliance.

Verse 57

रेखात्रयं प्रशोभेत ग्रीवायां परिसंस्थितम् । सौभाग्यशीलशृंगारैस्तिस्रो रेखा इहैव हि

Three lines, beautifully set upon the neck, are held here to be signs of auspicious fortune, virtuous character, and graceful adornment.

Verse 58

सुस्तनौ कठिनौ पीनौ वर्तुलाकारसन्निभौ । तस्याः कंदर्पकलशावभिषेकाय कल्पितौ

Her breasts—well-formed, firm, full, and rounded—seemed as though fashioned like Kāma’s twin ceremonial pitchers, prepared for an abhiṣeka, the sacred anointing.

Verse 59

अंसावतीव शोभेते सुसमौ मानसान्वितौ । सुभुजौ वर्तुलौ श्लक्ष्णौ सुवर्णौ लक्षणान्वितौ

His shoulders shone like those of a noble woman—well-proportioned and endowed with poise. His arms were beautiful, rounded, smooth, golden-hued, and marked with auspicious signs.

Verse 60

सुसमौ करपद्मौ तु पद्मवर्णौ सुशीतलौ । दिव्यलक्षणसंपन्नौ पद्मस्वस्तिकसंयुतौ

His lotus-like hands and feet were perfectly proportioned—lotus-hued and delightfully cool—endowed with divine marks, and bearing the auspicious lotus and svastika signs.

Verse 61

सरलाः पद्मसंयुक्ता अंगुल्यस्तु नखान्विताः । नखानि च सुतीक्ष्णानि जलबिंदुनिभानि च

Her fingers were straight and lotus-like, furnished with nails; and those nails were exceedingly sharp, resembling drops of water.

Verse 62

पद्मगर्भप्रतीकाशो वर्णस्तदंगसंभवः । पद्मगंधा च सर्वांगे पद्मेव भाति भामिनी

Her complexion shone like the heart of a lotus, as though born from the very essence of her limbs; and lotus-fragrant in every part, the radiant lady gleamed like a lotus itself.

Verse 63

सर्वलक्षणसंपन्ना नगकन्या सुशोभना । रक्तोत्पलनिभौ पादौ सुश्लक्ष्णौ चातिशोभनौ

The mountain-maiden, endowed with every auspicious mark, was exceedingly beautiful. Her feet, like red lotuses, were very smooth and exceptionally lovely.

Verse 64

रत्नज्योतिः समाकारा नखाः पादाग्रसंभवाः । यथोद्दिष्टं च शास्त्रेषु तथा चांगेषु दृश्यते

The nails, arising at the tips of her feet, bore the appearance of gem-like radiance; and just as the śāstras describe, so it was seen upon her limbs.

Verse 65

सर्वाभरणशोभांगी हारकंकणनूपुरा । मेखलाकटिसूत्रेण कांचीनादेन राजते

Her limbs shone with the beauty of every ornament—necklace, bracelets, and anklets; and she glittered with jeweled girdle and waist-cord, resonant with the sweet sound of her waist-belt (kancī).

Verse 66

नीलेन पट्टवस्त्रेण परां शोभां गता शुभा । कंचुकेनापि दिव्येन सुरक्तेन गुणान्विता

Adorned with a blue silk garment, the auspicious lady attained supreme splendor; and with a divine bodice (kancuka), richly red, she was endowed with excellent qualities.

Verse 67

पार्वती कल्पिताद्भावाद्गुणं प्राप्ता महोदयम् । कल्पद्रुमान्मुदं लेभे शंकरं वाक्यमब्रवीत्

From the state of mind she had fashioned within herself, Pārvatī attained an exalted virtue. Rejoicing in the wish-fulfilling Kalpadruma tree, she spoke these words to Śaṅkara.

Verse 68

यथोक्तं तु त्वया देव तथा दृष्टो मया द्रुमः । यादृशं कल्प्यते भावस्तादृशं परिदृश्यते

O Deva, just as you described, so indeed I have seen the tree. As one imagines and conceives a state of mind, so it appears to one’s perception.

Verse 69

सूत उवाच । अथ सा चारुसर्वांगी तयोः पार्श्वं समेत्य च । पादांबुजं ननामाथ सा भक्त्या भवयोस्तदा

Sūta said: Then that beautiful, well-proportioned lady approached the side of the two of them, and in devotion she bowed down at that time to their lotus-feet.

Verse 70

उवाच वचनं स्निग्धं हृद्यं हारि च सा तदा । कस्मात्सृष्टा त्वया नाथ मातर्वद स्वकारणम्

Then she spoke words that were tender, heart-pleasing, and captivating: “O Lord, for what purpose were I created by you? Tell me the true reason, as a mother would.”

Verse 71

श्रीदेव्युवाच । वृक्षस्य कौतुकाद्भावान्मया वै प्रत्ययः कृतः । सद्यः प्राप्तं फलं भद्रे भवती रूपसंपदा

Śrī Devī said: “Out of curiosity about the nature of this tree, I indeed put it to the test. And at once, dear one, the fruit has appeared—your beauty and splendor.”

Verse 72

अशोकसुंदरी नाम्ना लोके ख्यातिं प्रयास्यसि । सर्वसौभाग्यसंपन्ना मम पुत्री न संशयः

You will become renowned in the world by the name “Aśokasundarī.” Endowed with every good fortune, you are my daughter—of this there is no doubt.

Verse 73

सोमवंशेषु विख्यातो यथा देवः पुरंदरः । नहुषोनाम राजेंद्रस्तव नाथो भविष्यति

Just as the god Purandara (Indra) is renowned among the Soma (Lunar) dynasty, so too, O king of kings, a ruler named Nahuṣa will become your lord.

Verse 74

एवं दत्वा वरं तस्यै जगाम गिरिजा गिरिम् । कैलासं शंकरेणापि मुदा परमया युता

Having thus granted her the boon, Girijā went to the mountain—Kailāsa—together with Śaṅkara, filled with supreme joy.

Verse 102

इति श्रीपद्मपुराणे भूमिखंडे वेनोपाख्याने गुरुतीर्थमाहात्म्ये च्यवनचरित्रे द्व्यधिकशततमोऽध्यायः

Thus ends the one-hundred-and-second chapter in the Śrī Padma Purāṇa, in the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa, in the episode of Vena, in the glorification of Guru-tīrtha, and in the narrative of Cyavana.