भगवान्व्यो मवाण्या तु निमज्जाप्स्विति गर्जितम्
The Blessed Lord, in a voice like thunder, said, "Plunge into the waters!"
निममज्ज सरस्यां तु गङ्गायां पुनरुत्थितः
He plunged into the lake, into the Gaṅgā, and then rose up again.
स मुहुर्तं स्थितस्तूष्णीं नखलीनकपालकः
He stood for a moment in silence, the skull still pressed to his fingernails.
भिक्षार्थं नगरीमेनां प्रविवेश वशी शिवः
For the sake of alms, the self-controlled Śiva entered that city.
सो ऽपश्यदग्रतः काञ्चित्काञ्चीं श्रीदेवताकृतिम्
There, before him, he saw a certain woman, radiant in the form of a divine goddess.
क्षणाद्ब्रह्मकपालं तत्प्रच्युतं तन्नखाग्रतः
In an instant, the skull of Brahmā slipped from the tip of his fingernail.
प्रसन्नवदनांभोजो बहु मेने मुहुः परम्
He regarded her, whose face was like a lotus in full bloom, again and again, with utmost reverence.
देवता सैव कामाक्षीत्यासीत्संभावना पुरः
It was believed there that this very goddess was Kāmākṣī.
स्वस्थः स्वस्थानमगमच्छ्लाघमानः परां श्रियम्
Restored to himself, he returned to his own abode, exulting in supreme fortune.
प्रभावं श्रीमहादेव्याः कामदं शृण्वतां सदा
Such is the power of Śrī Mahādevī, the wish-fulfilling one, for all who ever listen.
सन्तानरहितो ऽतिष्ठद्बहुकालं शुचाकुलः
He remained for a long time, afflicted by purity, without offspring.
उवाचाचारसंशुद्धः सर्वशास्त्रार्थवेदिनम्
He spoke, purified by conduct, knowing the meaning of all scriptures.
किं कुर्वे यदि संतानसंपत्स्यात्तन्निवेदय
What should I do so that offspring may be obtained? Please tell me that.
एता पुण्यतमाः प्रोक्ताः पुरीणामुत्तमोत्तमाः
These have been declared as the most sacred and highest of cities.
अर्चयन्ति ह्ययोध्यायां मनुष्या अधिदेवताम्
Indeed, in Ayodhya, people worship the presiding deity.
एनामेवर्चयन्त्यन्ये सर्वे श्रीदेवतां नृप
Others likewise worship this very goddess, O king, all of them.
नारिकेलफलालीभिः पनसैः कदलीफलैः
With coconut fruits, jackfruits, and bananas.
अभीष्टमचिरेणैव संप्रदास्यति सैव नः
She will grant us the desired boon very soon.
स्वाङ्गजप्राप्तये भूयो विससर्ज विशांपतिः
For the attainment of his own offspring, the lord of the people again sent forth.
अर्चयामास राजेन्द्रो भक्त्या परमया युतः
The king worshipped with supreme devotion.
अयोध्यादेवताधामामशिषत्तत्र सङ्गतः
He approached the abode of the Ayodhya deity, together with his companions.
किञ्चिन्निद्रालसस्यास्य पुरतस्त्रिपुरांबिका
A little drowsiness appeared before him, caused by Tripura’s Mother.
स्थित्वा वाचमुवाचेमां मन्दमिन्दुमतीसुतम्
Standing, she spoke these gentle words to the son of Indumatī.
विश्वासघातकर्माणि संति पूर्वकृतानि ते
Deeds of betrayal and broken trust have been committed by you in the past.
स्नात्वा कम्पासरस्यां च तत्र मां पश्य पावनीम्
Bathe in the Kampā lake and there behold me, the purifier.
कामकोष्ठं विपाप्मापि सप्तद्वारबिलान्वितम्
The chamber of desire, even for the sinful, is furnished with seven-gated caves.
प्राङ्मुखी तत्र वर्ते ऽहं महासिंहासनेश्वरी
There I dwell, facing east, as the goddess upon the great lion throne.
चक्रेश्वरी महाराज्ञी ह्यदृश्या स्थूलचक्षुषाम्
The queen, the goddess of the wheel, is invisible to those with gross vision.
सौन्दर्यसारसीमा सा सर्वाभरणभूषिता
She was the very limit of beauty, adorned with all ornaments.
महालक्ष्मीस्वरूपेण किं वा कृत्यात्मना स्थिता
She stood there in the form of Mahalakshmi, or perhaps as the very embodiment of action.