कृष्ण उवाच शंकरस्य महादेव्याः संवादं कुरुसत्तम
Krishna said: O best of the Kurus, hear the conversation between Shankara and the great goddess.
कैलासशिखरे रम्ये बहुपुष्पफलोपगे
On the beautiful summit of Kailasa, adorned with many flowers and fruits—
कदंबबकुलामोद वशीकृतमधुव्रते
Where the fragrance of kadamba and bakula trees captivates the bees—
मृगर्क्षगजसिंहैश्च शाखामृगगणावृते
Surrounded by herds of deer, antelope, elephants, and lions—
तपस्विभिर्महाभागैः सेवमानं समंततः
Attended on all sides by great and fortunate ascetics—
अप्सरोभिः परिवृतमुमा नत्वाब्रवीदिदम् भगवन्देवदेवेश शूलपाणे वृषध्वज
Surrounded by apsaras, Uma, having bowed, spoke these words: 'O Lord, God of gods, wielder of the trident, bull-bannered one—'
कथयस्व महेशान तृतीयाव्रतमुत्तमम्
'O great Lord, tell me about the excellent third vow.'
नारी स्वर्गं शुभं रूपमारोग्यं श्रियमुत्तमाम् विहस्य शंकरः प्राह किं व्रतेन तव प्रिये
A woman attains heaven, auspicious form, health, and supreme prosperity. Smiling, Shankara said, 'Of what use is a vow to you, my dear?'
ये कामास्त्रिषु लोकेषु दिव्या भूम्यंतीरक्षजाः 4.21.
Those desires that exist in the three worlds—divine, earthly, and aquatic—
उमोवाच किंचित्त्रिभुवनाभोगभूषणे शशिभूषणे
Umā said: O you who are adorned with the moon, who are the ornament of the enjoyments of the three worlds,
भक्त्या स्त्रियो हि मां देव प्रजपंति शुभाशुभम्
With devotion, women recite to me, O god, both auspicious and inauspicious things.
सुशीलास्तपसा काश्चिच्छ्वश्रुभिः पीडिता भृशम्
Some, of virtuous conduct, are greatly afflicted by austerities and tears.
एवं वहुविधैर्दुःखैः पीड्यमानास्तु दारुणैः
Thus, being tormented by many kinds of harsh sufferings,
येन ताः सुखसंभोगरूपलावण्यसंपदा तन्मे कथय तत्त्वेन व्रतानामुत्तमं व्रतम्
By what means do they attain happiness, enjoyment, beauty, charm, and prosperity? Tell me truly, which is the supreme vow among vows.
मुखं प्रक्षाल्य हस्तौ च पादौ चैव समाहिताः
Having washed the face, hands, and feet, with concentration,
उपवासस्य नियमं दंतधावनपूर्वकम्
They observe the rule of fasting, beginning with brushing the teeth.
स्नात्वा तीर्थजले शुभ्रे वाससी परिधाय च
After bathing in pure water at a sacred place and putting on clean garments,
अर्चयंति सदा देवि त्वां भक्त्या भक्तवत्सले
They always worship you, O goddess, with devotion, O you who are fond of devotees.
यदृच्छालाभसंपन्नैर्धूपदीपार्चनादिभिः 4.21.
With whatever is obtained by chance, through incense, lamps, worship, and the like.
पात्रे ताम्रमये शुद्धे जलाक्षतविमिश्रिते
In a pure copper vessel, mixed with water and unbroken rice,
शिरसि प्रक्षिपेत्तोयं ध्यायंती मनसेप्सितम्
One should pour that water on the head, meditating on the desired object in the mind.
भद्रेश्वरा ततो देवी ललिता शंकरप्रिया
Then, O goddess Bhadreśvarā, Lalitā, beloved of Śaṃkara,
सौभाग्यारोग्यपुत्रार्थमर्थार्थं हरवल्लभे
For the sake of good fortune, health, sons, and wealth, O beloved of Hara,
दत्त्वा हिरण्यं तत्तस्मै प्राश्नीयाच्च कुशोदकम्
Having given gold to that one, one should also drink water with kuśa grass.
ध्यायमाना उमां दैवीं हरिते यवसंस्तरे
Meditating on the divine Umā, seated on a green bed of barley,
यथाशक्ति द्विजान्पूज्य ततो भुञ्जीत वाग्यता
Having worshipped the twice-born according to one's ability, then one should eat, observing silence.
द्वितीये पार्वतीनाम तृतीये शंकरप्रिया
In the second month, she is called Pārvatī; in the third, she is beloved of Śaṃkara.
दक्षस्य दुहिता षष्ठे मैनाकी सप्तमे स्मृता
In the sixth, she is known as the daughter of Dakṣa; in the seventh, as Mainākī.
दशमे मासि विख्याता देवि सौभाग्यदायिनी ।।4.21.
In the tenth month, the goddess is renowned as the bestower of good fortune.
कुशोदकं पयः सर्प्पिर्गोमूत्रं गोमय फलम्
Kuśa water, milk, clarified butter, cow urine, cow dung, and fruit—