अयं च मङ्गलाध्यायो यस्य गेहं च तिष्ठति
And this auspicious chapter, wherever it remains in a house,
यात्राकाले च पुण्याहे यः शृणोति समाहितः
Whoever listens attentively during a journey or on a holy day,
नारायण उवाच देवैश्च मुनिभिः सार्द्धमवसत्तत्र संसदि
Narayana said: Along with the gods and sages, he resided there in the assembly.
दक्षिणे शंकरस्तस्य वामे ब्रह्मा प्रजापतिः
On his right was Shankara; on his left, Brahma, the lord of creatures.
तथा धर्मसमीपे च सूर्य्यः शक्रः कलानिधिः
Nearby were Dharma, Surya, Shakra, and the moon.
ननर्त्त नर्त्तकश्रेणी जगुर्गन्धर्व किन्नराः
A troupe of dancers performed; Gandharvas and Kinnaras sang.
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तत्र द्रष्टुं शङ्करनन्दनम्
Meanwhile, there, to see the son of Shankara,
अत्यन्तनम्रवदन ईषन्मुद्रितलोचनः
With a face extremely humble and eyes slightly smiling,
तपःफलाशी तेजस्वी ज्वलदग्निशिखोपमः
Desiring the fruit of austerity, radiant, resembling a blazing flame,
प्रणम्य विष्णुं ब्रह्माणं शिवं धर्मं रविं सुरान्
He bowed to Vishnu, Brahma, Shiva, Dharma, Ravi, and the gods.
प्रधानद्वारमासाद्य शिवतुल्यपराक्रमम्
Approaching the main entrance, possessing prowess equal to Shiva,
शनैश्चर उवाच विष्णुप्रमुखदेवानां मुनीनामनुरोधतः
Shanaishcara said: At the request of the gods led by Vishnu and the sages,
आज्ञां देहि च मां गन्तुं पार्वतीसन्निधिं बुध
Grant me permission, O wise one, to go to Parvati's presence.
विशालाक्ष उवाच मार्गं दातुं न शक्तोऽहं विना मन्मातुराज्ञया
Vishalaksha said: I am not able to grant passage without my mother's command.
इत्युक्त्वाऽभ्यन्तरभ्येत्य प्रेरितः स शिवाज्ञया
Having spoken thus, he entered within, impelled by the command of Shiva.
शनिरभ्यन्तरं गत्वा चानमन्नम्रकन्धरः
Shani, having entered inside, bowed with his neck bent low.
सखीभिः पञ्चभिः शश्वत्सेवितां श्वेतचामरैः
There, served always by five companions with white chowries,
वह्निशुद्धांशुकाधानां रत्नभूषणभूषिताम्
adorned with garments purified by fire and decorated with jeweled ornaments,
नतं सूर्य्यसुतं दृष्ट्वा दुर्गा संभाष्य सत्वरम्
Seeing the bowed son of Surya, Durga quickly addressed him.
पार्वत्युवाच किं न पश्यसि मां साधो बालकं वा ग्रहेश्वर
Parvati said: Why do you not look at me, O holy one, or at the child, O lord of the planets?
शनिरुवाच शुभाशुभं च यत्कर्म कोटिकल्पैर्न लुप्यते
Shani said: The result of good or evil deeds is not destroyed even in millions of aeons.
कर्मणा जायते जन्तुर्ब्रह्मेन्द्रार्य्यममन्दिरे
By karma a being is born, whether in the abodes of Brahma, Indra, Aryaman, or Yama.
कर्मणा नरकं याति वैकुण्ठं याति कर्मणा
By karma one goes to hell, by karma one attains Vaikuntha.
कर्मणा सुन्दरः शश्वद्व्याधियुक्तः स्वकर्मणा
By karma one is always beautiful, or afflicted with disease by one's own deeds.
कर्मणा धनवाँल्लोको दैन्ययुक्तः स्वकर्मणा
By karma a person becomes wealthy, or, by his own deeds, is beset by poverty.
सुभार्यश्च सुपुत्रश्च सुखी शश्वत्स्वकर्मणा
By his own deeds, one has a good wife and good son, and is always happy.
इतिहासं चातिगोप्यं शृणु शङ्करवल्लभे
Now hear a very secret history, O beloved of Shankara.
आबाल्यात्कृष्णभक्तोऽहं कृष्णध्यानैकमानसः
From childhood I have been devoted to Krishna, my mind intent solely on meditation upon Krishna.
पिता ददौ विवाहे तु कन्यां चित्ररथस्य च
My father gave my wife in marriage to Citraratha.
एकदा सा त्वृतुस्नाता सुवेषं स्वं विधाय च
Once, after her ritual bath at the proper season, she adorned herself in her own attire.