The Skanda Purana

by G. V. Tagare | 1950 | 2,545,880 words

This page describes The Grace of Shri Vasudeva which is chapter 10 of the English translation of the Skanda Purana, the largest of the eighteen Mahapuranas, preserving the ancient Indian society and Hindu traditions in an encyclopedic format, detailling on topics such as dharma (virtous lifestyle), cosmogony (creation of the universe), mythology (itihasa), genealogy (vamsha) etc. This is the tenth chapter of the Vasudeva-mahatmya of the Vaishnava-khanda of the Skanda Purana.

Chapter 10 - The Grace of Śrī Vāsudeva

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Sāvarṇi said:

1. O Skanda, how was Goddess Śrī, who was submerged in the sea, regained by Indra? Tell me the whole episode associated with Nārāyaṇa.

Skanda said:

2. Devendra who was devoid of Śrī was defeated by Dānavas who themselves were bereft of Śrī. He was deprived of his position and all the retinue.

3. Along with the Lords of (different) quarters like Varuṇa and others he wandered in different mountains, valleys, places overgrown with creepers and forests.

4. They wore garments made of barks and skins. They consumed the flesh of animals and birds. The behaviour and garments of Devas, Daityas, men and reptiles (Nāgas) were all alike.

5. In all their homes the utensils were made of earth only. Women (wives) of all of them were wretched and miserable like female Piśācas (ogresses).

6. At first there was total absence of rainfall for twelve years on the earth. Then during the course of a year there were few showers at some places, while there was none elsewhere.

7. In this way they passed one hundred years in poverty and suffering. But due to their powerful destiny they did not die even in extreme misery.

8. They lived like hellish beings in hells but were almost dead. Even though they tried to gain Śrī by performing sacrifice etc., they did not succeed.

9. Then at the end of one thousand years Devas who were beggarly-attired due to the curse of Durvāsas, sought refuge in God Brahmā.

10. Devas including Indra and others, paid obeisance to him and narrated the tale of their misery. But due to his omniscience he already knew the plight of the Suras.

11. God Brahmā, along with Śaṅkara who was capable of warding off his misery, censured Indra and expressed the desire (to Indra) to propitiate Viṣṇu.

12. By his penance he (Indra) propitiated him, to whom penance was dear. Then he, accompanied with all categories of Devas, went to the Milk-Ocean.

13. On the beautiful northern shore of that ocean, they who had taken the vow of fasting, performed penance, standing on one leg with arms raised up.

14. With their minds concentrated, they meditated in their heart on Keśava, Vāsudeva, the consort of Lakṣmī, the destroyer of all troubles and miseries.

15. At the end of a hundred years Lord Viṣṇu, Śrī Kṛṣṇa himself, showed favour unto the poor Devas who were extremely miserable.

16. He whose form was invisible even to self-knowing performers of great penance, manifested himself out of grace with the brilliance of a million suns.

17. At first, a very brilliant disc of refulgence suddenly flashed forth. All the Devas saw that unparalleled white cloud.

18. God Brahmā and Śiva espied within it the Four-armed Lord of Ramā, of bluish-dark complexion like a cloud, holding in his hands a mace, a conch, a lotus and a discus.

19. He was adorned with a crown, a girdle, bracelets of gold, earrings etc. He was wearing yellow silken garment and his person was divinely beautiful.

20. With their minds overwhelmed with ecstasy, both of them prostrated themselves like a staff. Devas seeing him through his desire (to be seen by them), bowed down to him with joy.

21. Like a penniless person getting a treasure-trove, they became overjoyed. With their palms folded in reverence, all the Devas devoutly praised him.

Devas prayed:

22. Oṃ, obeisance to you, O venerable Lord Vāsudeva. We meditate upon you. Bow to you, Pradyumna, Aniruddha, Saṅkarṣaṇa (i.e. all the Vyūhas of Vāsudeva).

23. (Obeisance to you) of the form of Oṃkāra, Brahman who have manifested your threefold form, the cause of the creation, maintenance and destruction of the Cosmic Egg, one devoid of (three) Guṇas.

24. (Bow to you) whose form gives delight to the eyes, the destroyer of the troubles of those who how down to you; obeisance to you Keśava, the form of the supreme being.

25. Bow to (you) Kṛṣṇa who give delight to all his devotees, the fascinator (deluder) of Kāla, Māyā and others, who are forever delightful, who abide by the proper Dharma.

26. Obeisance to you who are famous as being capable of saving persons who are submerged in the ocean of worldly existence, to one of beautiful form, dark like a cloud.

27. Repeated obeisance to the wielder of the mace, lotus, conchshell and discus with your long arms, the protector of Devas, cows, Brāhmaṇas and of Dharma.

28. Bow to the most excellent one, the bestower of desired boons to those who seek refuge, one worthy of being known through Vedas and Āgamas, and who are the essence of all Vedas.

29. We pay obeisance to you, O Viṣṇu, whose resplendent, beautiful form exists within a halo of light, who are greater than the greatest.

30. Repeated obeisance to you, the great one, whose greatness is far beyond the ken of speech and mind, who are of imperishable form, who abide within the hearts of all.

31. You alone are the one who give happiness to those who resort to you. Hence we who are deeply troubled by great adversity, have sought refuge in you.

32. Due to our offensive behaviour towards Durvāsas, a devotee of the God of Gods, we became bereft of Śrī and have been reduced to this wretched plight.

33. O Lord, abandoning us who are devoid of clothes, food, drink, residence etc., even Dharma went away along with Śrī. You are the Supreme Lord to protect us.

34. Inasmuch as it is well-known that we as well as Dharma are yours, it behoves you to restore us to happiness as before.

Skanda said:

35. The Lord, the store of mercy, who was thus implored by Devas, addressed the Suras, delighting them with a voice deep like the rumbling of a cloud.

The Lord said:

36. All the misery suffered by you on account of your offensive behaviour towards the good (sage Durvāsas) is known to me. I shall advise you a remedy for removing it, upon which you act this very day.

37. After throwing all medicinal plants in the sea, you, along with Asuras, churn it with Mount Mandara (as the churning rod) and (Vāsuki), the king of cobras, as the strap (to churn it).

38. First enter into an agreement with Dānavas, and then begin the churning of the ocean. I shall help you. You need not get depressed.

39. After getting the Nectar and the (favourable) glance of Śrī, you wilt be much more brilliant than before. Daityas who are averse to me, will be the sufferers.

Skanda said:

40. After saying this, Viṣṇu, destroyer of the distress of his devotees, vanished. Devas bowed down to him and began to act according to what he had said.

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