बभूव गर्भं तस्याश्च हुताशस्यैव तेजसा
She conceived, by the power of Agni's energy.
ततः सुषाव पुत्रांश्च रमणीयान्मनोहरान्
Then she gave birth to sons, delightful and charming.
ऋषयो मुनयश्चैव ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रियादयः
The sages, ascetics, and indeed the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and others,
स्वाहायुक्तं च मन्त्रं च यो गृह्णाति प्रशस्तकम् 2.40.
Whoever takes up the mantra joined with 'svāhā', which is excellent,
विषहीनो यथा सर्पो वेदहीनो यथा द्विजः
Just as a snake without venom, or a twice-born without the Veda,
फलशाखाविहीनश्च यथा वृक्षो हि निन्दितः
And just as a tree lacking fruit and branches is indeed condemned,
परितुष्टा द्विजाः सर्वे देवाः संप्रापुराहुतिम्
All the twice-born became satisfied, and the gods received the offering.
इत्येवं वर्णितं सर्वं स्वाहोपाख्यानमुत्तमम्
Thus, everything concerning the supreme account of 'svāhā' has been described.
नारद उवाच संपूज्य वह्निस्तुष्टाव येन तां वद मे प्रभो
Nārada said: After worshipping, by whom did the fire become pleased? Tell me, Lord.
नारायण उवाच वदामि श्रूयतां ब्रह्मन्सावधानं निशामय
Nārāyaṇa said: I shall tell you, O Brahmin; listen carefully and attentively.
सर्वयज्ञारम्भकाले शालग्रामे घटेऽथवा
At the commencement of every sacrifice, whether in a Śālagrāma or a pot,
स्वाहां मन्त्राङ्गभूतां च मन्त्रसिद्धिस्वरूपिणीम्
One should meditate on 'svāhā', which is a limb of the mantra and embodies its accomplishment,
इति ध्यात्वा च मूलेन दत्त्वा पाद्यादिकं नरः
Having meditated thus with the root mantra, and having offered water and other items,
ॐ ह्रीं श्रीं वह्निजायायै देव्यै स्वाहेत्यनेन च 2.40.
With the mantra: 'Om hrīṃ śrīṃ to the goddess, wife of Agni, svāhā',
वह्निरुवाच मन्त्राणां फलदात्री च धात्री च जगतां सती
Agni said: She is the giver of fruits for mantras, the sustainer of worlds, the virtuous one,
सिद्धिस्वरूपा सिद्धा च सिद्धिदा सर्वदा नृणाम्
She is the form of accomplishment, accomplished herself, and always grants success to people.
संसारसाररूपा च घोरसंसारतारिणी
She is the essence of worldly existence and rescues from the dreadful cycle of birth.
षोडशैतानि नामानि यः पठेद्भक्तिसंयुतः
Whoever recites these sixteen names with devotion,
नाङ्गहीनो भवेत्तस्य सर्वकर्मसु शोभनम्
For him, there will be no deficiency of limbs, and all actions will be auspicious.
नारायण उवाच पितॄणां वै तृप्तिकरं श्राद्धानां फलवर्द्धनम्
Nārāyaṇa said: It brings satisfaction to the ancestors and increases the fruits of śrāddha rites.
सृष्टेरादौ पितृगणान्ससर्ज जगतां विधिः
At the beginning of creation, the Lord of the world fashioned the hosts of ancestors.
सप्त दृष्ट्वा पितृगणान्सिद्धिरूपान्मनोहरान्
Seeing seven groups of ancestors, perfect and enchanting in form,
स्नानं तर्पणपर्य्यन्तं श्राद्धान्तं देवपूजनम्
He established the rites from bathing up to offerings, ending with the śrāddha and worship of the gods.
नित्यं न कुर्य्याद्यो विप्रस्त्रिसन्ध्यं श्राद्धतर्पणम्
A brāhmaṇa who does not daily perform the three sandhyās, śrāddha, and offerings,
हरिसेवाविहीनश्च श्रीहरेरनिवेद्यभुक्
Who neglects service to Hari and does not partake of food offered to Śrī Hari,
ब्रह्मा श्राद्धादिकं सृष्ट्वा जगाम पितृहेतवे
Brahmā, having created the śrāddha and related rites, departed for the sake of the ancestors.
सर्वे प्रजग्मुः क्षुधिता विषण्णा ब्रह्मणः सभाम्
All, hungry and dejected, went to the assembly of Brahmā.
ब्रह्मा च मानसीं कन्यां ससृजे तां मनोहराम्
Brahmā then created a daughter by his mind, enchanting in appearance.
विद्यावतीं गुणवतीमपि रूपवतीं सतीम् 2.41.
She was learned, virtuous, beautiful, and devoted.
विशुद्धां प्रकृतेरंशां सस्मितां वरदां शुभाम्
Pure, a portion of Prakṛti, smiling, bestower of boons, and auspicious.