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.
देवसेनोवाच। ब्रह्मणो मानसी कन्या देवसेनाऽहमीश्वरी
Devasena said: I am Devasena, the mind-born daughter of Brahma, the sovereign.
मातृकासु च विख्याता स्कन्दसेना च सुव्रता
Among the Mothers I am renowned, and as Skanda's army, steadfast in vows.
पुत्रदाऽहमपुत्राय प्रियदात्री प्रियाय च
I grant sons to the sonless, and beloved gifts to the beloved.
सुखं दुःखं भयं शोकं हर्षं मंगलमेव च
Happiness, sorrow, fear, grief, joy, and auspiciousness as well,
कर्मणा बहुपुत्री च वंशहीनश्च कर्मणा
By action, one has many sons; by action, one is without lineage.
कर्मणा मृतपुत्रश्च कर्मणा चिरजीविनः 2.43.
By action, one's sons die; by action, some live long lives.
तस्मात्कर्म परं राजन्सर्वेभ्यश्च श्रुतौ श्रुतम्
Therefore, O king, action is supreme, as has been heard in all scriptures.
इत्येवमुक्त्वा सा देवी गृहीत्वा बालकं मुने
Thus speaking, the goddess took the child in her arms, O sage.
राजा ददर्श तं बालं सस्मितं कनकप्रभम्
The king saw that child, smiling, with a golden radiance.
गृहीत्वा बालकं देवी गगनं गन्तुमुद्यता
Taking the child, the goddess prepared to ascend to the sky.