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.
ददर्श चक्षुरुन्मील्य भिक्षुकं गायकं पुरः
Opening his eyes, he saw a beggar singer standing before him.
दातुं ययौ सा रत्नानि स्वर्णपात्रस्थितानि च
She went forth to give him jewels, and also those set in a golden vessel.
पुनश्च नर्तनं कर्तुमुद्यतः कौतुकेन च
Again, he prepared to dance, moved by curiosity.
भिक्षुकं भर्त्सयामास बहिः कर्तुमुवाच तम्
He rebuked the beggar and told him to go outside.
याञ्चामिमां प्रकुर्वन्तं दूरं कुरु सुभाषिणम्
Remove this eloquent one, who is making requests, far away.
ददर्श पुरतो भिक्षुं प्राङ्गणस्थं मनोहरम्
He saw the charming beggar standing in the courtyard before him.
तन्मूर्तिध्यानविश्लेषशोकादुद्विग्नमानसः
His mind was agitated by the sorrow of separation from meditation on that form.
आज्ञां चकार स्वचरं बहिः कर्तुं च भिक्षुकम्
He ordered his attendant to take the beggar outside.
न शशाक बहिः कर्तुं समीपं गन्तुमक्षमः 4.40.
He was unable to send him out, nor was he able to approach him.
किरीटिनं कुण्डलिनं पीताम्बरधरं परम्
He saw one adorned with a crown and earrings, wearing a yellow garment, supreme.