इति श्रीस्कांदे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां द्वितीये वैष्णवखण्डे कार्तिकमासमाहात्म्ये जलंधरोपाख्याने वृन्दाग्निप्रवेशवर्णनंनामैकविंशोऽध्यायः
Thus ends the twenty-first chapter, named 'The Description of Vṛndā's Entry into Fire', in the story of Jalandhara, within the greatness of the month of Kārtika, in the second Vaiṣṇava section of the eighty-one-thousand-verse Śrī Skanda Mahāpurāṇa.
चकार मायया गौरीं त्र्यंबकं मोहयन्निव
By his illusion, he made Gaurī appear, as if bewildering Tryambaka.
रथोपरि च तां बद्धां रुदन्तीं पार्वतीं शिवः
On the chariot, bound and weeping, was Pārvatī, with Śiva beside her.
गौरीं तथाविधां दृष्ट्वा शिवोऽप्युद्विग्नमानसः
Seeing Gaurī in such a state, Śiva too became deeply troubled in mind.
ततो जलंधरो वेगात्त्रिभिर्विव्याध सायकैः
Then Jalandhara, with speed, struck with three arrows.
ततो जज्ञे स तां मायां विष्णुना च प्रबोधितः
Then that illusion was dispelled, awakened by Viṣṇu.
तस्याऽतीव महारौद्रं रूपं दृष्ट्वा महासुराः
Seeing her exceedingly fierce form, the great demons were terrified.
ततः शापं ददौ रुद्रस्तयोः शुंभनिशुंभयोः
Then Rudra pronounced a curse upon those two, Śumbha and Niśumbha.
पुनर्जलंधरो वेगाद्ववर्ष निशितैः शरैः
Again Jalandhara, with force, showered sharp arrows.
यावद्रुद्रश्च चिच्छेद तस्य बाणगणं जवात्
Until Rudra swiftly cut down his multitude of arrows.
वृषस्तेन प्रहारेण परावृत्तो रणांगणात् 2.4.22.
The bull, struck by that blow, turned away from the battlefield.
ततः परमसंक्रुद्धो रुद्रो रौद्रवपुर्धरः
Then Rudra, extremely enraged, assumed a fierce form.
प्रदहद्रोदसी वेगात्पपात वसुधातले
Burning the heavens with speed, he fell to the earth.
रथात्कायः पपाताऽस्य नादयन्वसुधातलम्
His body fell from the chariot, resounding upon the earth.
वृन्दादेहोद्भवं तेजस्तद्गौर्यां विलयं गतम्
The energy arising from Vṛndā's body entered Gaurī and was dissolved.
प्रणम्य शिरसा रुद्रं शशंसुर्विष्णुचेष्टितम् देवा ऊचुः महादेव त्वया देवा रक्षिताः शत्रुजाद्भयात्
Bowing their heads to Rudra, the gods reported Viṣṇu's actions. The gods said: 'Great god, by you the gods have been protected from the fear born of enemies.'
किंचिदन्यत्समुद्भूतं तत्र किं करवामहे
Something else has arisen there; what should we do?
शरण्यां मोहिनीं मायां सा वः कार्यं करिष्यति
That enchanting illusion, Mohinī, is your refuge; she will accomplish your task.
देवाश्च तुष्टुवुर्मूलप्रकृतिं भक्तवत्सलाम्
And the gods praised the primal nature, who is fond of her devotees.
यदिच्छया विश्वमिदं भवाऽभवौ तनोति मूलप्रकृतिं नताः स्म ताम्
By whose will this entire universe comes into being and ceases to be—bowing to that primal nature, we honor her.
या हि त्रयोविंशतिभेदशब्दिता जगत्यशेषे समधिष्ठिता परा 2.4.22.
She who is spoken of as having twenty-three forms, who pervades and governs all that exists in the world, the supreme one.
यद्भक्तियुक्ताः पुरुषास्तु नित्यं दारिद्र्यभीमोहपराभवादीन्
Those people who are always devoted to her with faith are freed from poverty, delusion, defeat, and the like.
दारिद्यमोहदुःखानि न कदाचित्स्पृशंति तम्
Poverty, delusion, and suffering never touch those devoted to her.
इत्थं स्तुवंतस्ते देवास्तेजोमण्डलमास्थितम्
Thus, as the gods praised her, she remained within a radiant circle of light.
तन्मध्याद्भारतीं सर्वे शुश्रुवुर्व्योमचारिणीम् शक्तिरुवाच अहमेव त्रिधा भिन्ना तिष्ठामि त्रिविधैर्गुणैः
From its center, all heard the voice of Bhāratī, who moved through the sky. Śakti spoke: 'I alone, divided threefold, exist through the three qualities.'
गौरी लक्ष्मी स्वरा चेति रजःसत्त्वतमोगुणैः
'Gaurī, Lakṣmī, and Sarasvatī—these are my forms, arising from the qualities of passion, goodness, and darkness.'
देवानां विस्मयोत्फुल्लनेत्राणां तत्तदा नृप
The gods, their eyes wide with astonishment, beheld this, O king.
ततः सर्वेऽपि ते देवा गत्वा तद्वाक्यनोदिताः
Then all those gods, following her words, departed.
ततस्तास्तान्सुरान्दृष्ट्वा प्रणतान्भक्तवत्सलाः
Seeing those gods who had come and bowed, she who is fond of her devotees spoke.
निर्वपध्वं ततः कार्यं भवतां सिद्धिमेष्यति
'Now perform the required rite; your purpose will be fulfilled.'