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Veṅkaṭācala-māhātmya · Chapter 4

Chapter 4

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Veṅkaṭācala-māhātmya · Chapter 4

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।। अथ उद्यानवासिन्याः पद्मावत्याः समीपे नारदागमनम् ।। ।। धरण्युवाच ।। ।। उक्तं भगवता तस्य वियत्पुत्रस्य नाम च ।। अयोनिजायास्तत्पुत्र्याः किं नाम च तदाऽकरोत्।।१।। ।। श्रीसूत उवाच ।। ।। इति पृष्टः पुनः प्राह श्रीवराहो जगत्पतिः ।। २ ।। ।। श्रीवराह उवाच ।। ।। आकाशराजो मतिमांस्तां दृष्ट्वा कमलेशयाम् ।। ३ ।। पद्मिनीति च नाम्ना वै चकार वसुधासुताम् ।। तां तु यौवनसम्पन्नां सखीभिः परिवारिताम् ।। ४ ।। आरामे विहरंतीं च शुककोकिलनादिते ।। यदृच्छयाऽऽगतस्तत्र नारदो मुनिसत्तमः ।। ५ ।। वनलक्ष्मीमिवालोक्य विस्मयादिदमब्रवीत् ।। ६ ।। ।। नारद उवाच ।। ।। कासि कस्य सुता भीरु हस्तं दर्शय मे तव ।। इत्युक्ता सा सुचार्वंगी स्वात्मानं मुनयेऽब्रवीत्।। ७ ।। वियद्राजसुता ब्रह्मँल्लक्षणानि वदस्व मे ।। इत्युक्तः स तदा प्राह नारदो मुनिसत्तमः ।। ८ ।। ।। अथ नारदोदीरित पद्मावतीशरीरलक्षणानि ।। ।। नारदउवाच ।। शृणु त्वं चारुवदने लक्षणानि वदामि ते ।। पादौ प्रतिष्ठितौ सुभ्रु रक्तपद्मदलान्वितौ ।। ९ ।। पादांगुल्यः समा रक्ता रक्ततुंगनखान्विताः ।। गुल्फौ गूढौ समावेतौ जंघे चारोमशे शुभे ।। 2.1.4.१० ।। जानुनी समसुस्निग्धे समावूरू क्रमादुरू ।। नितंबौ पृथुलौ पीनौ जघनं चिंत्यमेव हि ।। ११ ।। नाभिर्मंडलवान्निम्नः पार्श्वौ ते मेदुरावुभौ ।। त्रिवलीललितं मध्यं रोमराजिविराजितम् ।। १२ ।। स्तनौ पीनौ घनौ स्निग्धाबुन्नतौ मग्नचूचुकौ ।। करौ ते रक्तपद्माभौ पद्मरेखासमन्वितौ ।। सुसूक्ष्मौ रक्तसत्पर्व निरन्तरसमांगुली ।। १३ ।। शुकतुंडसमाकारनखपंक्तिविराजितौ ।। दीर्घौ च कोमलौ भद्रे भुजौ ते पुष्पदंडवत् ।। १४ ।। पृष्ठं ते वेदिवद्भाति विलग्नमृजु मध्यमम् ।। कंठस्तु रक्तो दीर्घश्च स्कन्धौ चावनतौ शुभे ।। १५ ।। मुखं प्रसन्नं सततमकलंकशशिप्रभम् ।। कपोलौ कनकादर्शसदृशौ कुंडलोज्ज्वलौ ।। १६ ।। तिलपुष्पसमाकारा नासिका ते शुभानने ।। अकलंकाष्टमीचंद्रसदृशोऽतिमनोहरः ।। १७।। दृश्यतेऽयं ललाटस्ते नीलालकसुशोभितः ।। मूर्धा ते समवृत्तश्च स्निग्धायतकचान्वितः ।। १८ ।। स्मितसंशोभिदशनं बिंबाधरसमन्वितम् ।। मुखं ते विष्णुयोग्यं स्यादिति मे निश्चिता मतिः ।।१९।। नाभिस्ते दक्षिणावर्त आवर्त इव गांगजः ।। त्वं हि क्षीराब्धिसम्भूता लक्ष्मीरिव हि दृश्यसे ।। 2.1.4.२० ।। ।। श्रीवराह उवाच ।। इत्युक्त्वा पूजितस्ताभिर्नारदोऽन्तर्दधे तदा ।। एतच्छ्रुत्वाऽथ तत्सख्यस्तामूचुः पद्मिनीं सखीम् ।।२१।। अथ पद्मावत्याः स्वसखीभिः साकं पुष्पाटवी गमनम् ।। ।। वनं गच्छाम पुष्पार्थं वसन्तः समुपागतः ।। कर्णिकाराश्च चूताश्च चंपकाः पारिभद्रकाः ।।२२।। पलाशाः पाटलाः कुन्दा रक्ताशोकाश्च पुष्पिताः।। पद्मिन्यः सिन्धुवाराश्च मालत्यो यूथिकालताः।।२३।। कह्लारकरवीराश्च संघर्षादिव पुष्पिताः ।। पुष्पावचयनं कुर्मो वनेऽस्मिन्सुमनोहरे ।।२४।। इत्युक्त्वा ता वनं जग्मुराकाशतनयायुताः ।। पुष्पाण्याहरमाणास्तु विचरन्त्यस्ततस्ततः ।। २५ ।। कंचिद्गजेंद्रं ददृशुः शुभ्रदन्तद्वयोज्ज्वलम् ।। गण्डभित्तितलोद्भूतमदधाराद्वयोज्ज्वलम्।।२६।। उन्नतं करिणीयूथैः समुपेतं रजोज्ज्वलम् ।। फूत्कारिपुष्करप्रोद्यच्छीकरापूरिताननम्।। २७ ।। दृष्ट्वा चोद्विग्नहृदया वनस्पतिमुपाश्रिताः ।। एतस्मिन्नंतरे चाशु ददृशुर्हयमुत्तमम्।।२८।। अथ मृगयार्थं पुष्पाटवीं प्रति श्रीनिवासागमनम्।। अकलंकेन्दुधवलं जाम्बूनदपरिष्कृतम् ।। स्फुरद्विद्युल्लतायुक्तशरन्मेघमिवोन्नतम् ।। २९ ।। तस्मिंस्तु पुरुषं कृष्णं मदनाकारवर्चसम्।। पुंडरीकदलाकारकर्णान्तायतलोचनम् ।। 2.1.4.३० ।। सुसूक्ष्मक्षौमसंवीतनीलचूलिकयोज्ज्वलम् ।। पद्मरागमणिद्योतिस्फुरत्कुंडलमण्डितम् ।। ३१ ।। सुवर्णरत्नखचितशार्ङ्गदिव्यधनुर्धरम् ।। अपरेण करेणैव वहन्तं काञ्चनं शरम् ।।३२।। पीतकक्षोमसंवीतकटिदेशं सुमध्यमम् ।। रत्नकंकणकेयूरकटिसूत्रविराजितम।।३३।। विशालवक्षः संशोभिदक्षिणावर्तसंयुतम् ।। स्वर्णयज्ञोपवीतेन स्फुरत्स्कन्धं मनोहरम्।।३४।। ईहामृगं समुद्दिश्य महावेगादनुद्रुतम् ।। तं दृष्ट्वा विस्मिता नार्यः सस्मितास्तस्थुरत्र वै ।।३५।। तं दृष्ट्वा हयमारूढं गजेन्द्रो नम्रमस्तकः ।। तुण्डमुद्धृत्य गर्जन्वै विनिर्वृत्य ययौ वनम् ।।३६।। तस्मिन्गते गजे तत्र हयारूढः समाययौ ।। ईहामृगं विचिन्वानः पुष्पलावीसमीपतः।।३७।। ।। अथ भगवतः कन्यकानां चान्योन्यसंवादः।। ।। ताः समेत्य स चोवाच तुरगोपरि संस्थितः।। अत्रागतो मृगः कश्चिदीहामृग इतीरितः ।।३८।। दृष्टो वा भवतीभिः स ब्रूत मे कन्यका इति ।।३९। ।। श्रीवराह उवाच ।। ।। प्रत्यूचुस्तास्तु तं कन्या दृष्टोस्माभिर्न कश्चन ।।2.1.4.४०।। किमर्थमागतोस्माकं वनं वरधनुर्धरः ।। अत्रावध्या मृगाः सर्वे वर्तमाना निषादप ।।४१।। आशु गच्छ वनादस्मादाकाशनृपपालितात् ।। इति तासां वचः श्रुत्वा हयादवरुरोह सः ।। ४२ ।। कास्तु यूयमियं चापि कन्यकांबुजसन्निभा ।। सुभगा चारुसर्वांगी पीनोन्नतपयोधरा ।। ब्रूत मेऽहं गमिष्यामि श्रुत्वा स्वस्यालयं गिरिम् ।। ४३ ।। इति तस्या वचः श्रुत्वा धरण्यात्मजयेरिता ।। सखी पद्मावती प्राह निषादं पर्वतालयम् ।। ४४ ।। आकाशराजतनया वसुधातलसंभवा ।। अस्माकं नायिका शूर पद्मिनीनाम नामतः ।। ४५ ।। ब्रूहि त्वं सुभगाकार किन्नामा कस्य वा सुतः ।। जातिः का कुत्र ते वासः किमर्थं त्वमिहागतः ।। इति पृष्टः स ताः प्राह मन्दस्मितमुखांबुजः ।। ४६ ।। दिवाकरकुलं प्राहुरस्माकं तु पुराविदः ।। यस्य नामान्यनंतानि पावनानि मनीषिणाम् ।। ४७ ।। वर्णतो नामतश्चापि कृष्णं प्राहुस्तपस्विनः ।। ब्रह्मद्विषां सुरारीणां यस्य चक्रं भयावहम् ।। ४८ ।। यस्य शंखध्वनिं श्रुत्वा मोहमीयुर्हि वैरिणः ।। यस्य वै धनुषस्तुल्यं धनुर्नैवामरेष्वपि ।। ४९ ।। तं मां वीरपतिं प्राहुर्वेंकटाद्रिनिवासिनम् ।। तस्मादद्रितटात्सोऽहं निषादैरनुगैर्वृतः ।। 2.1.4.५० ।। मृगयार्थं हयारूढो युष्माकं वनमागतः ।। मयाप्यनुद्रुतः कश्चिन्मृगो वायुगतिर्ययौ ।। ५१ ।। तमदृष्ट्वा वनं पश्यन्दृष्टवान्सुभगामिमाम् ।। कामादिहागतोऽहं वो मया किं लभ्यते न्वियम् ।। ५२ ।। इति कृष्णवचः श्रुत्वा कुद्धास्ताः पुनरब्रुवन् ।। आकाशराजो दृष्ट्वा त्वां कृत्वा निगडबन्धनम् ।। यावन्नयति तावत्त्वं गच्छ शीघ्रं स्वमालयम् ।।५३।। तर्जितस्ताभिरेवं स हयमारुह्य शीघ्रगम् ।। युक्तः स्वानुचरैः सर्वैर्ययौ द्रुततरं गिरिम् ।। ५४ ।। इति श्रीस्कांदे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां द्वितीये वैष्णवखण्डे श्रीवेंकटाचलमाहात्म्ये धरणीवराहसंवाद उद्यानवासिन्याः पद्मावत्यास्समीपे नारदागमन श्रीनिवासमृगयादिवर्णनंनाम चतुर्थोऽध्यायः ।। ४ ।।

|| atha udyānavāsinyāḥ padmāvatyāḥ samīpe nāradāgamanam || || dharaṇyuvāca || || uktaṃ bhagavatā tasya viyatputrasya nāma ca || ayonijāyāstatputryāḥ kiṃ nāma ca tadā'karot||1|| || śrīsūta uvāca || || iti pṛṣṭaḥ punaḥ prāha śrīvarāho jagatpatiḥ || 2 || || śrīvarāha uvāca || || ākāśarājo matimāṃstāṃ dṛṣṭvā kamaleśayām || 3 || padminīti ca nāmnā vai cakāra vasudhāsutām || tāṃ tu yauvanasampannāṃ sakhībhiḥ parivāritām || 4 || ārāme viharaṃtīṃ ca śukakokilanādite || yadṛcchayā''gatastatra nārado munisattamaḥ || 5 || vanalakṣmīmivālokya vismayādidamabravīt || 6 || || nārada uvāca || || kāsi kasya sutā bhīru hastaṃ darśaya me tava || ityuktā sā sucārvaṃgī svātmānaṃ munaye'bravīt|| 7 || viyadrājasutā brahma~llakṣaṇāni vadasva me || ityuktaḥ sa tadā prāha nārado munisattamaḥ || 8 || || atha nāradodīrita padmāvatīśarīralakṣaṇāni || || nāradauvāca || śṛṇu tvaṃ cāruvadane lakṣaṇāni vadāmi te || pādau pratiṣṭhitau subhru raktapadmadalānvitau || 9 || pādāṃgulyaḥ samā raktā raktatuṃganakhānvitāḥ || gulphau gūḍhau samāvetau jaṃghe cāromaśe śubhe || 2.1.4.10 || jānunī samasusnigdhe samāvūrū kramādurū || nitaṃbau pṛthulau pīnau jaghanaṃ ciṃtyameva hi || 11 || nābhirmaṃḍalavānnimnaḥ pārśvau te medurāvubhau || trivalīlalitaṃ madhyaṃ romarājivirājitam || 12 || stanau pīnau ghanau snigdhābunnatau magnacūcukau || karau te raktapadmābhau padmarekhāsamanvitau || susūkṣmau raktasatparva nirantarasamāṃgulī || 13 || śukatuṃḍasamākāranakhapaṃktivirājitau || dīrghau ca komalau bhadre bhujau te puṣpadaṃḍavat || 14 || pṛṣṭhaṃ te vedivadbhāti vilagnamṛju madhyamam || kaṃṭhastu rakto dīrghaśca skandhau cāvanatau śubhe || 15 || mukhaṃ prasannaṃ satatamakalaṃkaśaśiprabham || kapolau kanakādarśasadṛśau kuṃḍalojjvalau || 16 || tilapuṣpasamākārā nāsikā te śubhānane || akalaṃkāṣṭamīcaṃdrasadṛśo'timanoharaḥ || 17|| dṛśyate'yaṃ lalāṭaste nīlālakasuśobhitaḥ || mūrdhā te samavṛttaśca snigdhāyatakacānvitaḥ || 18 || smitasaṃśobhidaśanaṃ biṃbādharasamanvitam || mukhaṃ te viṣṇuyogyaṃ syāditi me niścitā matiḥ ||19|| nābhiste dakṣiṇāvarta āvarta iva gāṃgajaḥ || tvaṃ hi kṣīrābdhisambhūtā lakṣmīriva hi dṛśyase || 2.1.4.20 || || śrīvarāha uvāca || ityuktvā pūjitastābhirnārado'ntardadhe tadā || etacchrutvā'tha tatsakhyastāmūcuḥ padminīṃ sakhīm ||21|| atha padmāvatyāḥ svasakhībhiḥ sākaṃ puṣpāṭavī gamanam || || vanaṃ gacchāma puṣpārthaṃ vasantaḥ samupāgataḥ || karṇikārāśca cūtāśca caṃpakāḥ pāribhadrakāḥ ||22|| palāśāḥ pāṭalāḥ kundā raktāśokāśca puṣpitāḥ|| padminyaḥ sindhuvārāśca mālatyo yūthikālatāḥ||23|| kahlārakaravīrāśca saṃgharṣādiva puṣpitāḥ || puṣpāvacayanaṃ kurmo vane'sminsumanohare ||24|| ityuktvā tā vanaṃ jagmurākāśatanayāyutāḥ || puṣpāṇyāharamāṇāstu vicarantyastatastataḥ || 25 || kaṃcidgajeṃdraṃ dadṛśuḥ śubhradantadvayojjvalam || gaṇḍabhittitalodbhūtamadadhārādvayojjvalam||26|| unnataṃ kariṇīyūthaiḥ samupetaṃ rajojjvalam || phūtkāripuṣkaraprodyacchīkarāpūritānanam|| 27 || dṛṣṭvā codvignahṛdayā vanaspatimupāśritāḥ || etasminnaṃtare cāśu dadṛśurhayamuttamam||28|| atha mṛgayārthaṃ puṣpāṭavīṃ prati śrīnivāsāgamanam|| akalaṃkendudhavalaṃ jāmbūnadapariṣkṛtam || sphuradvidyullatāyuktaśaranmeghamivonnatam || 29 || tasmiṃstu puruṣaṃ kṛṣṇaṃ madanākāravarcasam|| puṃḍarīkadalākārakarṇāntāyatalocanam || 2.1.4.30 || susūkṣmakṣaumasaṃvītanīlacūlikayojjvalam || padmarāgamaṇidyotisphuratkuṃḍalamaṇḍitam || 31 || suvarṇaratnakhacitaśārṅgadivyadhanurdharam || apareṇa kareṇaiva vahantaṃ kāñcanaṃ śaram ||32|| pītakakṣomasaṃvītakaṭideśaṃ sumadhyamam || ratnakaṃkaṇakeyūrakaṭisūtravirājitama||33|| viśālavakṣaḥ saṃśobhidakṣiṇāvartasaṃyutam || svarṇayajñopavītena sphuratskandhaṃ manoharam||34|| īhāmṛgaṃ samuddiśya mahāvegādanudrutam || taṃ dṛṣṭvā vismitā nāryaḥ sasmitāstasthuratra vai ||35|| taṃ dṛṣṭvā hayamārūḍhaṃ gajendro namramastakaḥ || tuṇḍamuddhṛtya garjanvai vinirvṛtya yayau vanam ||36|| tasmingate gaje tatra hayārūḍhaḥ samāyayau || īhāmṛgaṃ vicinvānaḥ puṣpalāvīsamīpataḥ||37|| || atha bhagavataḥ kanyakānāṃ cānyonyasaṃvādaḥ|| || tāḥ sametya sa covāca turagopari saṃsthitaḥ|| atrāgato mṛgaḥ kaścidīhāmṛga itīritaḥ ||38|| dṛṣṭo vā bhavatībhiḥ sa brūta me kanyakā iti ||39| || śrīvarāha uvāca || || pratyūcustāstu taṃ kanyā dṛṣṭosmābhirna kaścana ||2.1.4.40|| kimarthamāgatosmākaṃ vanaṃ varadhanurdharaḥ || atrāvadhyā mṛgāḥ sarve vartamānā niṣādapa ||41|| āśu gaccha vanādasmādākāśanṛpapālitāt || iti tāsāṃ vacaḥ śrutvā hayādavaruroha saḥ || 42 || kāstu yūyamiyaṃ cāpi kanyakāṃbujasannibhā || subhagā cārusarvāṃgī pīnonnatapayodharā || brūta me'haṃ gamiṣyāmi śrutvā svasyālayaṃ girim || 43 || iti tasyā vacaḥ śrutvā dharaṇyātmajayeritā || sakhī padmāvatī prāha niṣādaṃ parvatālayam || 44 || ākāśarājatanayā vasudhātalasaṃbhavā || asmākaṃ nāyikā śūra padminīnāma nāmataḥ || 45 || brūhi tvaṃ subhagākāra kinnāmā kasya vā sutaḥ || jātiḥ kā kutra te vāsaḥ kimarthaṃ tvamihāgataḥ || iti pṛṣṭaḥ sa tāḥ prāha mandasmitamukhāṃbujaḥ || 46 || divākarakulaṃ prāhurasmākaṃ tu purāvidaḥ || yasya nāmānyanaṃtāni pāvanāni manīṣiṇām || 47 || varṇato nāmataścāpi kṛṣṇaṃ prāhustapasvinaḥ || brahmadviṣāṃ surārīṇāṃ yasya cakraṃ bhayāvaham || 48 || yasya śaṃkhadhvaniṃ śrutvā mohamīyurhi vairiṇaḥ || yasya vai dhanuṣastulyaṃ dhanurnaivāmareṣvapi || 49 || taṃ māṃ vīrapatiṃ prāhurveṃkaṭādrinivāsinam || tasmādadritaṭātso'haṃ niṣādairanugairvṛtaḥ || 2.1.4.50 || mṛgayārthaṃ hayārūḍho yuṣmākaṃ vanamāgataḥ || mayāpyanudrutaḥ kaścinmṛgo vāyugatiryayau || 51 || tamadṛṣṭvā vanaṃ paśyandṛṣṭavānsubhagāmimām || kāmādihāgato'haṃ vo mayā kiṃ labhyate nviyam || 52 || iti kṛṣṇavacaḥ śrutvā kuddhāstāḥ punarabruvan || ākāśarājo dṛṣṭvā tvāṃ kṛtvā nigaḍabandhanam || yāvannayati tāvattvaṃ gaccha śīghraṃ svamālayam ||53|| tarjitastābhirevaṃ sa hayamāruhya śīghragam || yuktaḥ svānucaraiḥ sarvairyayau drutataraṃ girim || 54 || iti śrīskāṃde mahāpurāṇa ekāśītisāhasryāṃ saṃhitāyāṃ dvitīye vaiṣṇavakhaṇḍe śrīveṃkaṭācalamāhātmye dharaṇīvarāhasaṃvāda udyānavāsinyāḥ padmāvatyāssamīpe nāradāgamana śrīnivāsamṛgayādivarṇanaṃnāma caturtho'dhyāyaḥ || 4 ||

English translation

Dharaṇī said :

1. The name of that son of Viyat was mentioned by the Lord (i.e. you). What name did he give to that daughter (who was) not born of a womb?

Śrī Sūta said :

2. On being asked thus, Śrī Varāha , the Lord of the universe, said again:

Śrī Varāha said :

3-6. The intelligent king Ākāśa , on seeing that girl lying on a lotus, called that daughter of the earth by the name Padminī .

She attained the prime of youth. She was once sporting about in a garden reverberating with the sounds of parrots and cuckoos. Nārada , the excellent sage, came there by chance. On seeing her who appeared like the goddess of the forest Nārada was surprised and he spoke thus:

Nārada said :

7-8. Who are you, O timid girl? Whose daughter (are you)? Show me your hand.

On being asked thus that girl of fascinating limbs introduced herself to the sage: “O Brāhmaṇa , I am the daughter of King Viyat. Tell what (good) marks I have (on my palm etc.).” On being requested thus Nārada, the excellent sage, said:

[ The Physical Marks of Padmāvatī as Read by Nārada ]:—

Nārada said :

9. Listen, O lady of charming face; I shall tell your distinctive features. Your feet are good; O lady of excellent eyebrows. They are like red lotuses with (soft) petals.

10. The toes of the feet are red and straight and even, having red and elevated (vault-like) nails. The ankles are uniform and concealed; the splendid shanks are devoid of hair.

11. The knees are equal and exceedingly smooth and shining. The thighs are equal and gradually thick; the buttocks are large and stout and the loins are thought-provoking.

12. The navel is circular and deep; both the sides are thick; the middle is fascinating due to the three folds of the skin shining with curly hair.

13. The breasts are plump, thick-set and protruding with the nipples sunk within. Your hands have the lustre of red lotus with the lotus-line (on the palm). They are tender with straight and even fingers with excellent red joints when placed together; there is no space left in between the fingers.

14. The nails of the hands are like the beaks of a parrot. Your hands shine thereby. Your arms are long and delicate like the stalk of a flower, O gentle lady.

15. Your back appears like the altar; the middle is tender, delicate and straight. The neck is red and long, O splendid lady, and the shoulders stoop downwards.

16. The face is always pleasant and has the lustre of the moon devoid of its black spot; the cheeks are like a golden mirror, shining brilliantly with ear-rings.

17-19. O lady of splendid face, your nose has the shape of a flower of gingelly plant.Your forehead is exceedingly charming, resembling the spotless moon on the eighth day (of a fortnight). It is rendered more splendid by the dark forelocks. Your head has the shape of a regular circle. It has smooth long glossy tresses. Your face shines with your lips like the Biṃba fruit (Momordica monadelpha). The teeth sparkle when you smile. This is my definite conclusion that your face will be befitting Viṣṇu .

20. Your navel has a turn to the right like an eddy in Gaṅgā . You look like Lakṣmī born of the Milk Ocean.

Śrī Varāha said :

21. After saying thus and after being worshipped by them Nārada vanished. On hearing this her friends and attendants, spoke to their friend Padminī:

22-24. “It is the advent of spring season. Let us go to the park for gathering flowers. Karṇikāras (Pterospermum acerifolium), Cūtas (Mango trees), Caṃpakas , Pāribhadrakas (Erythrina fulgens), Palāśas (Butea frondosa), Pāṭalas (Trumpet flowers), Kundas (Jasmine), and Raktāśokas (Red Aśoka ) have blossomed. Padminīs (Lotus flowers), Sindhuvāras (Vitex negundo), Mālatīs (Jasmine), Yūthikā creepers (Jasminum auriculatum), Kahlāras (white esculent water-lily), Karavīras (Oleanders) are vying with one another in blossoming. Let us gather flowers in this park that is very pleasant and charming.”

[ Departure of Padmāvatī to the Flower-Park along with her Friends and Attendants ]:—

25. After saying this, they went to the park accompanied by the daughter of Ākāśa. They wandered here and there gathering flowers.

26-27. They saw a certain lordly elephant. He shone brilliantly with his two white and sparkling tusks. He was resplendent with two streams of ichor flowing from his broad cheeks. He was lofty with dust particles (scattered all over the body). He was accompanied by herds of cow-elephants. With a hissing of the tip of his tongue he sprayed his own face with waters coming out of his trunk.

28. On seeing him they became frightened and resorted to a tree (for refuge). In the meantime they immediately espied an excellent horse.

[ Śrīnivāsa ’s Arrival at the Flower-Park in the Course of Hunting ]:—

29. The horse was as white as the spotless moon. It was well-adorned with gold trappings and outfit. It was as lofty (and bright) as the autumnal cloud with glittering streaks of lightning.

30. On the horse they saw a dark-complexioned man having the splendour and features of Madana (i.e. god of love). His eyes had the shape of lotus-petals and they extended as far as his ears.

31. A brilliant blue crest tied with a silk cloth of very fine texture (adorned his head). He was adorned with ear-rings sparkling with rubies and jewels.

32. He held a divine Śārṅga bow covered with gold and studded with gems. With his other hand he held a golden arrow.

33. His waist shone with the hips covered with a yellow silk cloth. He was resplendent with bejewelled bangles, armlets and waist-band.

34. A curl of hair with a right twist shone on his broad chest. He was charming with a golden sacred thread shining over his shoulder.

35. He had been speedily chasing a wolf. On seeing him the maidens were struck with wonder. They stood there itself.

36. On seeing him seated on a horse the lordly elephant bowed down his head, lifted his trunk, turned back and went to the forest trumpeting.

37. When the elephant had gone back, the horse-rider came there looking for the wolf to the presence of those girls plucking the flowers.

[ Dialogue between the Lord and the Maidens ]:—

38-39. Approaching them, the rider on the horseback said: “Did an animal called wolf come this way? Was it seen by you all? Tell me, O girls”

Śrī Varāha said :

40-42. The girls replied to him: “Nothing was seen by us. Why have you come to our park wielding an excellent bow. O leader of hunters, none of the animals living here should be killed. Go away quickly from this park which is in the protective jurisdiction of King Ākāśa.”

On hearing the words of those maidens he got down from the horse.

43. “Who are you all? Who is this lotus-like maiden? She has excellent magnificence. All her limbs are fascinating. Her breasts are plump and protruding. Tell me. After hearing the same I shall go back to my abode in the mountain.”

44. On hearing these words of his the friend and attendant of Padmāvatī urged by the daughter of Dharaṇī said to the hunter, a resident of the mountain:

45. “This is the daughter of King Ākāśa. She was born out of the bowels of the earth. O hero, she is our leader and her name is Padminī.

46. Tell us, O youth of handsome features, what is your name? Whose son are you? What is your caste? Where is your residence? Why have you come here?”

On being asked thus he replied to them with a smile on his lotus-like face:

47. “Those conversant with ancient traditions say that our family is that of the Sun. Our names are innumerable. They sanctify learned men.

48. By colour and name the ascetics say that I am Kṛṣṇa . My discus instills fear in the minds of the enemies of Suras and those who hate Brāhmaṇas .

49. On hearing the sound of my conch enemies become confounded. Even among the immortal beings there is no bow equal to mine.

50-52. They call me the lord of heroes, residing in Veṅkaṭādri . It was from the ridge of that mountain that I surrounded (i.e. accompanied) by my Niṣāda followers have come for hunting, riding on a horse, to your park. A certain animal moving rapidly like the wind has been pursued by me. It went away somewhere. Unable to see it I have now seen this maiden of exalted magnificence. I have come here with love. Can this maiden be obtained by me?”

53-54. On hearing these words of Kṛṣṇa they became infuriated and said: “If King Ākāśa sees you, he will bind you with fetters and take you away. Before this happens go quickly to your own abode.”

Threatened by them thus, he mounted the swift horse. Accompanied by all his followers, he went back to the mountain quickly.

Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 22878, revision 70987 (2016-06-09T02:25:41Z). English is G. V. Tagare’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-skanda-purana/d/doc370683.html and the archival publication witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.