सुखदं प्रीतिदं चैव फलदं सर्वकर्मणाम्
She grants happiness, delight, and the fruits of all actions.
अंगहीनं च तत्कर्म न भवेद्भारते भुवि
Any rite lacking this element does not succeed on the earth of Bhārata.
भार्य्याहीनो लभेद्भार्य्यां सुशीलां सुन्दरीं पराम्
One who is without a wife obtains a wife who is virtuous, beautiful, and supreme.
पतिव्रतां सुव्रतां च शुद्धां च कुलजां वराम्
A wife who is devoted to her husband, steadfast in vows, pure, born in a noble family, and excellent.
भूमिहीनो लभेद्भूमिं प्रजाहीनो लभेत्प्रजाः
One who lacks land obtains land; one who lacks offspring obtains offspring.
मासमेकमिदं श्रुत्वा मुच्यते नात्र संशयः
By hearing this for one month, one is freed—there is no doubt about this.
नारद उवाच अन्यासां चरितं ब्रह्मन्वद वेदविदां वर
Nārada said: O Brahman, tell me the deeds of the others, O best among those versed in the Vedas.
नारायण उवाच पूर्वोक्तानां च देवीनां त्वं कासां श्रोतुमिच्छसि
Nārāyaṇa said: Of the previously mentioned goddesses, which ones do you wish to hear about?
नारद उवाच उत्पत्तिमासां चरितं श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वतः
Nārada said: I wish to hear, in truth, their origin and deeds.
नारायण उवाच बालकाधिष्ठातृदेवी विष्णुमाया च बालदा
Nārāyaṇa said: The goddess who presides over children, Viṣṇumāyā, who grants children,
मातृकासु च विख्याता देवसेनाभिधा च सा
Among the Mothers she is renowned, and she is also called Devasenā.
आयुःप्रदा च बालानां पात्री रक्षणकारिणी
She grants longevity to children and is the vessel who provides protection.
तस्याः पूजाविधौ ब्रह्मन्नितिहासविधिं शृणु
O Brahman, listen to the historical procedure for her worship.
राजा प्रियव्रतश्चासीत्स्वायम्भुव मनोः सुतः
There was a king named Priyavrata, son of Svāyambhuva Manu.
ब्रह्माज्ञया च यत्नेन कृतदारो बभूव सः
By Brahmā's command and with effort, he took a wife.
पुत्रेष्टियज्ञं तं चापि कारयामास कश्यपः 2.43.
Kaśyapa performed for him the Putreṣṭi sacrifice.
भुक्त्वा चरुं च तस्याश्च सद्यो गर्भो बभूव ह
Having eaten the oblation, she immediately conceived.
ततः सुषाव सा ब्रह्मन्कुमारं कनकप्रभम्
Then, O Brahman, she gave birth to a boy shining like gold.
तं दृष्ट्वा रुरुदुः सर्वा नार्य्यो वै बान्धवस्त्रियः
Seeing him, all the women and female relatives wept.
श्मशानं च ययौ राजा गृहीत्वा बालकं मुने
The king went to the cremation ground, taking the boy, O sage.
नोत्सृज्य बालकं राजा प्राणांस्त्यक्तुं समुद्यतः
The king, not abandoning the boy, prepared to give up his own life.
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तत्र विमानं च ददर्श ह
Meanwhile, at that moment, he saw a celestial chariot there.
तेजसा ज्वलितं शश्वच्छोभितं क्षौमवाससा
Radiant with brilliance, ever shining, clad in fine linen garments.
ददर्श तत्र देवीं च कमनीयां मनोहराम्
There he beheld the goddess, beautiful and enchanting.
ईषद्धास्यप्रसन्नास्यां रत्नभूषणभूषिताम्
Her face was gently smiling and serene, adorned with jeweled ornaments.
दृष्ट्वा तां पुरतो राजा तुष्टाव परमादरात् 2.43.
Seeing her before him, the king praised her with utmost reverence.
पप्रच्छ राजा तां दृष्ट्वा ग्रीष्मसूर्य्यसमप्रभाम्
The king, beholding her, whose radiance was like the summer sun, inquired.
प्रियव्रत उवाच कस्य कन्या वरारोहे धन्या मान्या च योषिताम्
Priyavrata said: Whose daughter are you, O noble lady, blessed and honored among women?
नृपेन्द्रस्य वचः श्रुत्वा जगन्मङ्गलदायिनी
Hearing the king's words, she who bestows auspiciousness upon the world,
देवानां दैत्यभीतानां पुरा सेना बभूव सा
Once, she was the army of the gods, when they feared the demons.