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.
चांद्रायणानि कृच्छ्राणि तथा सांतपनानि च
He performed Chandrayana, Krichchhra, and also Santapana austerities.
स्नात्वा त्रिषवणं पश्चाद्भस्मस्नान परायणः
After bathing three times daily, he became devoted to bathing with ashes.
चक्रे पूजां स्वयं तस्य स्नापयित्वा यथाविधि ६.८२.
He himself performed worship for him, having bathed him according to the proper rite.
एवं तस्य व्रतस्थस्य जपपूजापरस्य च अब्रवीद्वरदोऽस्मीति वृणुष्वेष्टं द्विजोत्तम
Thus, as he observed the vow and was devoted to recitation and worship, the bestower of boons said, 'I am pleased; ask for whatever you desire, O best of twice-born.'
पक्षपातः कृतोऽस्माकं तमहं प्रार्थयामि वै
Favor has been shown to us; this I indeed request.
त्वयात्रैव सदा लिंगे स्थेयं हर ममाधुना
May I always remain here in the liṅga with you, O Hara, from now on.
त्वं च तद्रूपसंपन्नो विशेषाद्बलवेगभाक्
And you, endowed with that very form, will especially possess great strength and power.
भविष्यसि न संदेहो मत्प्रसादाद्विहंगम
You shall become so, without doubt, O bird, by my grace.
ततोऽस्य पक्षौ संजातौ तत्क्षणादेव सुन्दरौ
Then, at that very moment, his two beautiful wings appeared.
ततः प्रणम्य तं देवं प्रहष्टः स विहंगमः
Then, having bowed to that god, the bird rejoiced greatly.