एतासां चरितं जन्म फलं प्राधान्यमेव च
Their deeds, birth, fruits, and preeminence—
सौतिरुवाच कथां कथितुमारेभे पुराणोक्तां पुरातनीम्
The sūta said: He began to narrate an ancient tale as told in the Purāṇas.
श्रीनारायण उवाच ब्रह्मलोके ब्रह्मसभामगम्यां सुमनोहराम्
Śrī Nārāyaṇa said: In Brahmaloka, in Brahmā’s assembly, which was exceedingly delightful—
गत्वा निवेदनं चक्रुर्मुने त्वाहारहेतुकम् 2.40.
They went and made a request to you, O sage, for the sake of food.
यज्ञरूपो हि भगवान्कलया च बभूव सः
The Lord, in the form of sacrifice, appeared there by a portion of himself.
हविर्ददति विप्राश्च भक्त्या च क्षत्रियादयः
Brāhmaṇas offered oblations, and the kṣatriyas and others did so with devotion.
देवा विषण्णास्ते सर्वे तत्सभां च पुनर्ययुः
All the gods, being dejected, returned again to that assembly.
ब्रह्मा श्रुत्वा तु मनसा श्रीकृष्णं शरणं ययौ
Hearing this, Brahmā mentally took refuge in Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
प्रकृतिः कलया चैव सर्वशक्तिस्वरूपिणी
Prakṛti, by her portion, is the embodiment of all powers.
ग्रीष्ममध्याह्नमार्त्तण्ड प्रभान्यक्कारकारिणी
She causes the radiance of the midday summer sun to be subdued.
ईषद्धास्यप्रसन्नास्या भक्तानुग्रहकारिणी
With a slight smile and a gracious face, she bestows favor upon devotees.
विधिस्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सम्भ्रमात्समुवाच ताम्
Hearing those words, the Creator, with agitation, addressed her.
ब्रह्मोवाच दग्धुं न शक्तस्स्वहुतं हुताशश्च त्वया विना
Brahmā said: Without you, O Fire, even the oblation offered cannot be burned.
त्वन्नामोच्चार्य्य मन्त्रान्ते यद्दास्यति हविर्नरः 2.40.
When a man utters your name at the end of the mantra and offers the oblation—
अग्नेः सम्पत्स्वरूपा च श्रीरूपा च गृहेश्वरी
From Agni came the form of prosperity, and the goddess of beauty, the mistress of the household.
ब्रह्मणश्च वचः श्रुत्वा सा विषण्णा बभूव ह
Hearing the words of Brahma, she became dejected.
स्वाहोवाच ब्रह्मंस्तदन्यद्यत्किंचित्स्वप्नवद्भ्रम एव च
She spoke: 'O Brahma, all else is merely illusion, like a dream.'
विधाता जगतां त्वं च शम्भुर्मृत्युञ्जयः प्रभुः
You are the creator of the worlds, and Shambhu, the lord who conquers death.
सर्वाद्यपूज्यो देवानां गणेषु च गणेश्वरः
You are the foremost, worshipped by all the gods, and among their hosts, the lord of the hosts.
ऋषयो मुनयश्चैव पूजिता यं निषेव्य च
The sages and ascetics worship and serve you.
पद्मास्या पाद्ममित्युक्त्वा पद्मलाभानुसारतः
She was called Padma by those with lotus-like faces, following the tradition of receiving the lotus.
तपस्तेपे लक्षवर्षमेकपादेन पाद्मजा
Padmajā performed austerities for a hundred thousand years, standing on one foot.
अतीव कमनीयं च रूपं दृष्ट्वा च सुन्दरी
Seeing her exceedingly beautiful form, the lovely one,
विज्ञाय तदभिप्रायं सर्वज्ञस्तामुवाच सः 2.40.
Understanding her intention, the omniscient one spoke to her.
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच नाम्ना नाग्नजिती कन्या कान्ते नग्नजितस्य च
Śrī Kṛṣṇa said: 'By name, you are Nāgnajitī, the maiden, beloved of Nāgnajit.'
अधुनाऽग्नेर्दाहिका त्वं भव पत्नी च भाविनि
Now, O blessed one, become the burning power of Agni and his wife.
वह्निस्त्वां भक्तिभावेन सम्पूज्य च गृहेश्वरीम्
With devotion, Agni will worship you as the mistress of the household.
इत्युक्त्वाऽन्तर्दधे देवो देवीमाश्वास्य नारद
Having spoken thus, the god disappeared, comforting the goddess, O Nārada.
ध्यानैश्च सामवेदोक्तैर्ध्यात्वा तां जगदम्बिकाम्
By meditating with the hymns of the Sāma Veda, he contemplated her, the Mother of the World.
तदा दिव्यं वर्षशतं स रेमे रामया सह
Then, for a hundred divine years, he enjoyed life with Rāmā.