न विशेषं समासं च श्रुतं न व्यासमीप्सितम्
I have not heard the distinctions, the summary, nor the intent of Vyāsa.
किं किं तपः कठोरं च चकार पार्वती स्वयम्
What severe austerities did Pārvatī herself perform?
रतिः केन प्रकारेण जीवयामास मन्मथम्
By what means did Rati revive Manmatha?
तयो रहसि संभोगं पापिनां पापमोचनम्
Their union in secret is the remover of the sins of the sinful.
दम्पतीविरहोक्तिश्च कर्णज्वाला च योषितः
The words of separation between husband and wife, and the burning in the ears of women—
अग्निज्वाला विषज्वाला क्षमा सोढुं च योषितः
The burning of fire, the burning of poison—how can women endure it?
राधिकावचनं श्रुत्वा विस्मितश्चकिताननः
Hearing Rādhikā's words, he became astonished, his face filled with wonder.
दम्पतीविरहोक्तिं च यां राधा श्रोतुमक्षमा
And the words of separation between husband and wife, which Rādhā was unable to hear.
इत्येवं मानसे कृत्वा मायेशो माययाऽन्वितः 4.40.
Thus, having resolved in his mind, the Lord of Māyā, accompanied by Māyā,
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच प्राणाधिदेवि प्राणेशि प्राणाधारे मनोहरे
Śrī Kṛṣṇa said: O goddess presiding over life, O mistress of life, O sustainer of life, O enchanting one,
वटमूलाद्गते रुद्रे पार्वती तपसे ययौ
When Rudra departed from beneath the banyan tree, Pārvatī went to undertake austerities.
गत्वा सा स्वर्णदीतीरं स्नात्वा त्रिषवणं मुदा
Having gone to the bank of the golden river, she bathed three times daily with joy.
वर्षमेकं च संपूर्णमनाहारा स्वभक्तितः
For a full year, she remained without food, devoted solely to her worship.
ग्रीष्मे च परितो वह्निं प्रज्वलन्तं दिवानिशम् कृत्वा प्रतस्थौ तन्मध्ये संततं जपती मनुम्
In the summer, she surrounded herself with blazing fires day and night, and standing in their midst, she continuously recited her mantra.
शश्वत्स्मशाने वर्षासु कृत्वा योगासनं शिवा
During the rains, Śivā always established her yogic seat in the cremation ground.
शीते जलान्तरे शश्वत्प्रतस्थौ भक्तिपूर्वकम्
In winter, she constantly stood in the water, with devotion.
एवं कृत्वा परं वर्षमप्राप्य शंकरं सती
Having performed thus for another year, Satī did not obtain Śaṃkara.
तामग्निकुण्डं विशतीं तपसाऽतिकृशां सतीम्
Entering the fire-pit, emaciated by her austerities, Satī—
अतीव वामनो बालो विप्ररूपी स्वतेजसा 4.40.
A very short, young boy, in the form of a brāhmaṇa, radiant with his own splendor,
शुक्लयज्ञोपवीती च शुक्लवासाश्च सस्मितः
Wearing a white sacred thread and white garments, smiling,
निर्जने बालकं दृष्ट्वा स्निग्धा सापि जगाद ह
Seeing the boy in that lonely place, she, affectionate, spoke to him.
को भवानिति पप्रच्छ तं शिशुं पुरतः स्थितम्
She asked the child standing before her, 'Who are you?'
श्रुत्वा शैलसुता प्रश्नं प्रहस्य परमेश्वरः
Hearing the question of the daughter of the mountain, the Supreme Lord smiled.
शंकर उवाच का त्वं कान्ताऽतिकान्तारे तपश्चरसि सुन्दरि
Śaṃkara said: Who are you, O beautiful one, performing austerities in this deep forest?
वद कस्य कुले जाता कस्य कन्या च काऽभिधा
Tell me, in which family were you born? Whose daughter are you? What is your name?
अहो वा तपसां राशिः स्वयं मूर्तिमती सती
Ah, what a heap of austerities! Satī herself, embodied, stands before me.
स्वयं तेजःस्वरूपा वा मूलप्रकृतिरीश्वरी
Are you yourself the embodiment of radiance, or the primal nature, the supreme Lady?
किं वा त्रिलोके लक्ष्मीस्त्वं संपद्रूपा सनातनी
Or are you Lakshmi in the three worlds, the eternal form of prosperity?
किं वाम्बिका त्वं देवानां स्वयं मूर्तिमती सती 4.40.
Or are you Ambika, the manifest form of the gods, truly existing as Sati?
रागाधिष्ठातृदेवी वा स्वयं साक्षात्सरस्वती
Or are you the goddess presiding over passion, or Sarasvati herself, directly present?