तथा विशेषेण मुने नृपाणां धर्मार्थकामेषु सदा रतानाम् । मुक्ताश्च यस्मात्खलु तत्पिबन्ति कथं न पेयं रहितैश्च तेभ्यः
Thus, especially for kings, O sage, who are always devoted to righteousness, wealth, and desire, and even for the liberated who drink it—how could it not be drunk by those deprived of these?
यैः पूजिता पूर्वभवे भवानी सत्कुन्दपुष्पैरथ चम्पकैश्च । बैल्वैर्दलैस्ते भुवि भोगयुक्ता नृपा भवन्तीत्यनुमेयमेवम्
Those kings who, in a previous birth, worshipped Bhavānī with fresh jasmine or campaka flowers, or with bilva leaves, are seen to enjoy pleasures on earth—thus it is to be inferred.
ये भक्तिहीना समवाप्य देहं तं मानुषं भारतभूमिभागे । यैर्नार्चिता ते धनधान्यहीना रोगान्विताः सन्ततिवर्जिताश्च
Those who, lacking devotion, obtain a human body in the land of Bharata, but do not worship Her, remain deprived of wealth and grain, afflicted by disease, and without offspring.
भ्रमन्ति नित्यं किल दासभूता आज्ञाकराः केवलभारवाहाः । दिवानिशं स्वार्थपराः कदापि नैवाप्नुवन्त्यौदरपूर्तिमात्रम्
They wander constantly, indeed as servants, obeying orders, bearing only burdens; day and night, intent on their own interests, yet never attaining even the mere satisfaction of hunger.
अन्धाश्च मूका बधिराश्च खञ्जाः कुष्ठान्विता ये भुवि दुःखभाजः । तत्रानुमानं कविभिर्विधेयं नाराधिता तैः सततं भवानी
Those who are blind, mute, deaf, lame, or afflicted with leprosy, who suffer misery on earth—by inference of the wise, it is to be understood that they have not constantly worshipped Bhavani.
ये राजभोगान्वितऋद्धिपूर्णाः संसेव्यमाना बहुभिर्मनुष्यैः । दृश्यन्ति ये वा विभवैः समेता- स्तैः पूजिताम्बेत्यनुमेयमेव
Those who are seen endowed with royal enjoyments, full of prosperity, served by many people, or possessed of wealth—by them, it is to be inferred, the Mother is worshipped.
तस्मात्सत्यवतीसूनो देव्याश्चरितमुत्तमम् । कथयस्व कृपां कृत्वा दयावानसि साम्प्रतम्
Therefore, O son of Satyavati, out of compassion, narrate the supreme deeds of the Goddess; you are merciful at this time.
हत्वा तं महिषं पापं स्तुता सम्पूजिता सुरैः । क्व गता सा महालक्ष्मीः सर्वतेजःसमुद्भवा
Having slain that wicked Mahisha, praised and worshipped by the gods, where did that Mahalakshmi, source of all radiance, go?
कथितं ते महाभाग गतान्तर्धानमाशु सा । स्वर्गे वा मृत्युलोके वा संस्थिता भुवनेश्वरी
O fortunate one, I have told you: she quickly became invisible; whether in heaven or in the mortal world, the Lady of the Universe abides.
लयं गता वा तत्रैव वैकुण्ठे वा समाश्रिता । अथवा हेमशैले सा तत्त्वतो मे वदाधुना
Or she may have dissolved there itself, or taken refuge in Vaikuntha, or perhaps at Hemashaila—tell me truly now.
व्यास उवाच पूर्वं मया ते कथितं मणिद्वीपं मनोहरम् । क्रीडास्थानं सदा देव्या वल्लभं परमं स्मृतम्
Vyasa said: Previously I described to you the enchanting Mani-dvipa, always remembered as the supreme and beloved playground of the Goddess.
यत्र ब्रह्मा हरिः स्थाणुः स्त्रीभावं ते प्रपेदिरे । पुरुषत्वं पुनः प्राप्य स्वानि कार्याणि चक्रिरे
There, Brahma, Hari, and Sthanu assumed female forms; regaining their male forms, they performed their respective duties.
यः सुधासिन्धुमध्येऽस्ति द्वीपः परमशोभनः । नानारूपैः सदा तत्र विहारं कुरुतेऽम्बिका
In the midst of the nectar ocean is that most splendid island, where Ambika always delights in various forms.
स्तुता सम्पूजिता देवैः सा तत्रैव गता शिवा । यत्र संक्रीडते नित्यं मायाशक्तिः सनातनी
Praised and worshipped by the gods, She, the auspicious one, went there—where the eternal power of Maya ever sports.
देवास्तां निर्गतां वीक्ष्य देवीं सर्वेश्वरीं तथा । रविवंशोद्भवं चक्रुर्भूमिपालं महाबलम्
Seeing the Goddess, the Sovereign of all, depart, the gods then established a mighty king, born of the solar dynasty.
अयोध्याधिपतिं वीरं शत्रुघ्नं नाम पार्थिवम् । सर्वलक्षणसम्पन्नं महिषस्यासने शुभे
They made Shatrughna, the valiant lord of Ayodhya, a king endowed with all auspicious marks, seat him upon the noble throne of Mahisha.
दत्त्वा राज्यं तदा तस्मै देवा इन्द्रपुरोगमाः । स्वकीयैर्वाहनैः सर्वे जग्मुः स्वान्यालयानि ते
Then the gods, led by Indra, gave him the kingdom; all of them departed to their own abodes on their respective vehicles.
गतेषु तेषु देवेषु पृथिव्यां पृथिवीपते । धर्मराज्यं बभूवाथ प्रजाश्च सुखितास्तथा
When the gods had departed from the earth, O king, a righteous rule prevailed, and the people were likewise happy.
पर्जन्यः कालवर्षी च धरा धान्यगुणावृता । पादपाः फलपुष्पाढ्या बभूवुः सुखदाः सदा
The clouds rained in due season, the earth was rich with grain and virtue, and the trees, laden with fruit and flowers, always brought happiness.
गावश्च क्षीरसम्पना घटोध्न्यः कामदा नृणाम् । नद्यः सुमार्गगाः स्वच्छाः शीतोदाः खगसंयुताः
The cows were abundant in milk, yielding pots full, granting desires to men; the rivers flowed in good courses, clear, with cool waters, and filled with birds.
ब्राह्मणा वेदतत्त्वाश्च यज्ञकर्मरतास्तथा । क्षत्रिया धर्मसंयुक्ता दानाध्ययनतत्पराः
The Brahmins were devoted to the essence of the Vedas and engaged in sacrificial rites; likewise, the Kshatriyas were joined with righteousness and intent on giving and study.
शस्त्रविद्यारता नित्यं प्रजारक्षणतत्पराः । न्यायदण्डधराः सर्वे राजानः शमसंयुताः
They were always devoted to the science of weapons and the protection of their people; all the kings, bearing the staff of justice, were endowed with tranquility.
अविरोधस्तु भूतानां सर्वेषां सम्बभूव ह । आकरा धनदा नृणां व्रजा गोयूथसंयुताः
There was no hostility among any beings; all mines were sources of wealth for people, and herds of cattle filled the pastures.
ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वैश्याः शूद्राश्च नृपसत्तम । देवीभक्तिपराः सर्वे सम्बभूवुर्धरातले
O best of kings, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras—all became devoted to the worship of the Goddess upon the earth.
सर्वत्र यज्ञयूपाश्च मण्डपाश्च मनोहराः । मखैः पूर्णा धराश्चासन् ब्राह्मणैः क्षत्रियैः कृतैः
Everywhere there were sacrificial posts and beautiful pavilions; the earth was filled with sacrifices performed by Brahmins and Kshatriyas.
पतिव्रतधरा नार्यः सुशीलाः सत्यसंयुताः । पितृभक्तिपराः पुत्रा आसन्धर्मपरायणाः
Women upheld fidelity to their husbands, were of good character, and truthful; sons were devoted to their fathers and steadfast in righteousness.
न पाखण्डं न वाधर्मः कुत्रापि पृथिवीतले । वेदवादा शास्त्रवादा नान्ये वादास्तथाभवन्
Nowhere on earth was there hypocrisy or unrighteousness; only discussions of the Vedas and scriptures prevailed, and no other doctrines arose.
कलहो नैव केषाञ्चिन्न दैन्यं नाशुभा मतिः । सर्वत्र सुखिनो लोकाः काले च मरणं तथा
There was no quarrel among anyone, nor poverty, nor evil-mindedness; everywhere people were happy, and death came at its proper time.
सुहृदां न वियोगश्च नापदश्च कदाचन । नानावृष्टिर्न दुर्भिक्षं न मारी दुःखदा नृणाम्
There was never separation from friends, nor any calamity; there was no irregular rain, no famine, nor any disease that brought suffering to people.
न रोगो न च मात्सर्यं न विरोधः परस्परम् । सर्वत्र सुखसम्पन्ना नरा नार्यः सुखान्विताः
There was no illness, no envy, and no mutual hostility; everywhere men and women were filled with happiness and prosperity.