अर्थं षोडशनाम्नां च सर्वेषामीप्सितं वरम्
The meaning of all sixteen names and the boon desired by all.
केन वा पूजिता साऽऽदौ द्वितीये केन वा पुरा
By whom was she worshipped at first, and by whom again in ancient times?
नारायण उवाच ज्ञात्वा पुनः पृच्छसि त्वं कथयामि यथागमम्
Narayana said: Knowing, you ask again; I shall tell you according to the tradition.
दुर्गो दैत्ये महाविघ्ने भवबन्धे च कर्म्मणि
Durga is in the demon, in the great obstacle, in bondage to worldly action.
महाभयेऽतिरोगे चाप्याशब्दो हन्तृवाचकः
In great danger and severe illness, the sound 'ā' signifies the destroyer.
यशसा तेजसा रूपैर्नारायणसमा गुणैः
By fame, by brilliance, by forms, and by virtues, she is equal to Nārāyaṇa.
ईशानः सर्वसिद्ध्यर्थे चाशब्दो दातृवाचकः 2.57.
Īśāna, for the sake of all accomplishments, the sound 'ā' signifies the giver.
सृष्टा माया पुरा सृष्टौ विष्णुना परमात्मना
Māyā was created in the beginning of creation by Viṣṇu, the Supreme Self.
शिवे कल्याणरूपा च शिवदा च शिवप्रिया
In Śiva, she is of auspicious form, bestower of auspiciousness, and beloved of Śiva.
सद्बुद्ध्यधिष्ठातृदेवी विद्यमाना युगे युगे
The goddess who presides over right understanding exists in every age.
यथा नित्यो हि भगवान्नित्या भगवती तथा
Just as the Lord is eternal, so too is the Goddess eternal.
आब्रह्मस्तम्बपर्यन्तं सर्वं मिथ्यैव कृत्रिमम्
Everything from Brahmā down to a blade of grass is indeed false and artificial.
सिद्धैश्वर्यादिकं सर्वं यस्यामस्ति युगे युगे
All perfections and powers exist in her in every age.
सर्वान्मोक्षं प्रापयति जन्ममृत्युजरादिकम्
She leads all to liberation from birth, death, old age, and the rest.
मङ्गलं मोक्षवचनं चाशब्दो दातृवाचकः
Auspiciousness and the word of liberation—the sound 'ā' signifies the giver.
हर्षे सम्पदि कल्याणे मंगलं परिकीर्तितम्
In joy, in prosperity, in auspiciousness, it is called maṅgala, 'blessing.'
अम्बेति मातृवचनो वन्दने पूजने सदा 2.57.
The word 'amba,' meaning 'mother,' is always used in salutation and worship.
विष्णुभक्ता विष्णुरूपा विष्णोः शक्तिस्वरूपिणी
Devoted to Viṣṇu, of Viṣṇu's form, she is the very embodiment of Viṣṇu's power.
गौरः पीते च निर्लिप्ते परे ब्रह्मणि निर्मले
She is fair, clothed in yellow, untouched, supreme, pure, and the highest Brahman.
गुरुः शम्भुश्च सर्वेषां तस्य शक्तिः या सती
Guru and Śambhu of all—she who is Satī is his power.
तिथिभेदे पर्वभेदे कल्पभेदेऽन्यभेदके
In the difference of lunar days, in the difference of festivals, in the difference of aeons, and in other distinctions—
महोत्सवविशेषे च पर्वन्निति सुकीर्तिता
And especially in great festivals, she is well praised as Parvan.
पर्वतस्य सुता देवी साऽऽविर्भूता च पर्वते
The goddess, daughter of the mountain, manifested upon the mountain.
सर्वकाले सना प्रोक्तो विस्तृते च तनीति च
She is called Sanā at all times, and also known as Tanī in detail.
अर्थः षोडशनाम्नां च कीर्त्तितश्च महामुने
O great sage, the meaning of her sixteen names has been proclaimed.
प्रथमे पूजिता सा च कृष्णेन परमात्मना
She was first worshipped by Krishna, the Supreme Self.
मधुकैटभभीतेन ब्रह्मणा सा द्वितीयतः ।। 2.57.
Next, she was worshipped by Brahmā, who was fearful of Madhu and Kaiṭabha.
भ्रष्टश्रिया महेन्द्रेण शापाद्दुर्वाससः पुरा
Long ago, Indra, deprived of his splendor by the curse of Durvāsas, worshipped her.
तदा मुनीन्द्रैः सिद्धेन्द्रैर्देवैश्च मुनिपुङ्गवैः
Then, the foremost sages, the chief of Siddhas, the gods, and eminent sages worshipped her.
तेजस्सु सर्वदेवानां साऽऽविर्भूता पुरा मुने
O sage, she then manifested from the radiance of all the gods.