मोक्षं वाञ्छसि चेद्देवि कृत्वा कान्तं स्वरूपिणम्
If, O goddess, you wish for liberation, having made your beloved of your own form,
शिवश्च मङ्गले मोक्षे संहर्ता न च दृश्यते
Śiva is not seen as the destroyer in auspiciousness or in liberation.
तं च संहारकर्तारं यदि वाञ्छसि सुन्दरि
If you desire him as the agent of destruction, O beautiful one,
न भविष्यति मोक्षस्ते स्वाभीष्टं देवसेवनम्
Then liberation will not be yours, nor the worship of the gods as you wish.
शीघ्रं पितुर्गृहं गच्छ तत्र द्रक्ष्यसि शंकरम्
Quickly go to your father's house; there you will see Śaṅkara.
इत्युक्त्वा पार्वतीं विप्रस्तत्रैवान्तरधीयत
Having spoken thus to Pārvatī, the sage vanished there itself.
पार्वत्यागमनं श्रुत्वा मेनका च हिमालयः
Hearing of Pārvatī's coming, Menakā and Himālaya,
संस्थाप्य मंगलघटान्राजवर्त्मनि राधिके
Having placed auspicious pots along the royal path, O Rādhikā,
पट्टसूत्रसन्निबद्धरसालपल्लवान्वितैः 4.40.
With branches of the rasāla tree bound with silken threads,
पतिपुत्रवतीयोषित्समूहैर्दीपहस्तकैः
With groups of women, married and with sons, holding lamps,
सुपुण्यैर्ब्राह्मणैश्चापि मुनिभिर्ब्रह्मचारिभिः
And with most virtuous brāhmaṇas, as well as sages and celibates,
पुरोहितैश्च संयुक्तैः कुर्वद्भिर्मङ्गलध्वनिम् ।। सुचारुमालतीमालाहस्तैः शस्तैः प्रशंसितैः
And with officiating priests, making auspicious sounds, holding beautiful garlands of mālatī flowers, praised and excellent.
नानाप्रकारवाद्यैश्च शंखध्वनिसुनादितैः
With various kinds of musical instruments and the resounding sound of conch shells,
प्रविश्य नगरं दुर्गा ददर्श पितरौ पुरः
Durga entered the city and saw her parents before her.
प्रसन्नवदना देवी चालिभिः प्रणनाम तौ
The goddess, with a cheerful face, bowed to them along with her companions.
हे वत्से वत्सेत्युच्चार्य रुदन्तौ प्रेमविह्वलौ
Crying out, 'O child, O child!' the two, overwhelmed with love, wept.
स्त्रियो निर्मंच्छनं चक्रुर्विप्रा युयुजुराशिषम्
The women performed auspicious rites, and the Brahmins bestowed blessings.
मङ्गलं कारयामास पाठयामास छान्दसम्
They arranged for auspicious ceremonies and recited Vedic hymns.
सुखेन वसतौ तौ हि हर्षनिर्भरमानसौ 4.40.
The two lived happily, their minds filled with abundant joy.
मेनकाकन्यया सार्द्धमुवास प्राङ्गणे मुदा
She stayed joyfully in the courtyard together with Menaka's daughter.
सहसैक आजगाम मेनकासन्निधिं मुदा
Suddenly, one person came joyfully into Menaka's presence.
कृत्वा विभूतिगात्रोऽतिवृद्धोऽतीव जरातुरः
Having adorned his body with sacred ashes, extremely aged and greatly afflicted by old age,
जगौ मम गुणाख्यानं कृत्वा नृत्यं मनोहरम्
He sang of my virtues and performed a captivating dance.
आजग्मुर्नागरा बाला बालिका हर्षविह्वलाः
The young girls of the city, overwhelmed with joy, arrived.
श्रुत्वा तु सुन्दरं गीतं सुतानस्वरसंयुतम्
Hearing the beautiful song, accompanied by melodious notes,
मूर्छां संप्राप सा दुर्गा ददर्श हृदि शङ्करम्
Durga fainted, and in her heart she beheld Shankara.
विभूतिभूषणं रम्यमस्थिमालां सुनिर्मलाम्
Adorned with sacred ashes, wearing a beautiful and spotless garland of bones,
मालाहस्तं पंचवक्त्रं नागयज्ञोपवीतकम्
Holding a garland in his hand, five-faced, wearing a serpent as his sacred thread,
हृदयस्थं हरं दृष्ट्वा मनसा तं ननाम सा 4.40.
Seeing Hara within her heart, she bowed to him in her mind.
एवं दत्त्वा शिवस्तस्य चान्तर्धानं चकार सः
Thus, having given (a boon), Shiva then disappeared from sight.