तपोवीर्यसमोपेता सर्वदेवाभिवंदिता
Endowed with the power of austerity, honored by all the gods.
प्रोवाच वासुदेवं च तां विलोक्य चिरं द्विजाः ॥ ६.८१.
The twice-born, having gazed at her for a long time, spoke to Vāsudeva.
यथा च दीयते दानं यच्च तत्रास्ति चाद्भुतम्
As gifts are given, and whatever wonder is there—
नाश्चर्यं चित्रमेतच्च ब्रह्मचर्यं तदद्भुतम्
This is not astonishing or marvelous; but celibacy—that is truly wondrous.
विशेषेण च नारीभिरत्र न श्रद्दधाम्यहम्
Especially among women, I do not believe this here.
विकारः खलु कर्तव्यो नाधि काराय यौवनम्
Indeed, change must occur; youth is not to be relied upon.
अन्योन्यं मैथुनं चक्रुः कामबाणप्रपीडिताः अप्येताः पुरुषाभावे मन्यंते पंचसायकम्
Afflicted by the arrows of desire, they have engaged in intercourse with each other; even in the absence of men, they consider the god of love with five arrows.
नाग्निस्तृप्यति काष्ठानां नापगानां महोदधिः
Just as fire is never satisfied with wood, nor the great ocean with rivers—
न परत्र भयादेता मर्यादां विदधुः स्त्रियः
Not out of fear for the next world do these women maintain restraint.
मौनव्रतधराऽप्येवं हृदि कोपं दधार सा
Even though she observed the vow of silence, she harbored anger in her heart.
एतस्मिन्नंतरे तस्य पक्षिनाथस्य तत्क्षणात्
Meanwhile, at that very moment, for the lord of birds—
मांसपिंडमयो रौद्रः सर्वरोगविवर्जितः ॥ ६.८१.
A fierce being made of flesh appeared, free from all diseases.
इति श्रीस्कान्दे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां षष्ठे नागरखण्डे हाटकेश्वरक्षेत्रमाहात्म्ये सुपर्णपक्षपातवर्णनंनामैकाशीतितमोऽध्यायः
Thus, in the glorious Skanda Mahāpurāṇa, in the section of eighty-one thousand verses, in the sixth Nāgara-khaṇḍa, in the greatness of the Hāṭakeśvara-kshetra, this is the eighty-first chapter, called 'The Description of Suparṇa's Partiality.'
विस्मितश्चिंतयामास किमिदं सांप्रतं स्थितम्
Astonished, he began to ponder: 'What is this that has now occurred?'
अपि वज्रप्रहारेण यस्य रोमापि न च्युतम्
Even when struck by the thunderbolt, not a single hair of his was dislodged.
नूनमेतेन या स्त्रीणां कृता निंदा महात्मना
Surely, by this act, a reproach against women was made by that great soul.
अनया पातितौ पक्षौ तपःशक्तिप्रभावतः
By her, both wings were cast down through the power and influence of her austerity.
ततः प्रसादयामास शांडिलीं गरुडध्वजः
Then the bearer of the Garuda banner sought to appease Shandili.
तत्किमर्थं महाभागे त्वया चैवेदृशः कृतः
O exalted one, for what reason did you perform such an act?
स्त्रीनिंदा विहितानेन स्वमत्यापि जगद्गुरो
By this, a reproach against women has been enacted, even by you, O teacher of the world.
एतस्मात्कारणादस्य निग्रहोऽयं मया कृतः
For this reason, I have imposed this restraint upon him.
मम वाक्यानुरोधेन यदिमां मन्यसे शुभे
If, O auspicious one, you regard me favorably in accordance with my words,
नान्यथा जायते देव विशेषात्कोपयुक्तया ॥ ६.८२.
Otherwise, O god, it does not occur, especially when anger is involved.
तस्मादेष ममादेशादाराध यतु शंकरम्
Therefore, at my command, worship Shankara closely.
अथवा पुंडरीकाक्ष रूपमीदृग्व्यवस्थितः
Or, O lotus-eyed one, this form remains thus established.
गरुडं दैन्यसंयुक्तं भासपिंडोपमं स्थितम्
Garuda, afflicted with distress, stands resembling a mass of light.
एष एव वरश्चास्या द्विपदेश्या द्विजोत्तम
This alone is the boon for her, O best of twice-born, concerning the two-footed.
तस्मादाराधय क्षिप्रं त्वं देवं शशिशेखरम्
Therefore, quickly worship the god crowned with the moon.
येन ते तत्प्रभावेन भूयः स्यात्तादृशं वपुः
By whose power, you will again possess such a form.
तच्छ्रुत्वा गरुडस्तूर्णं धृतपाशुपतव्रतः
Hearing this, Garuda promptly undertook the vow of Pashupata.