Kurma Purana

आस्ते भगवती दुर्गा तत्र साक्षान्महेश्वरी

There dwells the blessed Durgā herself, the great goddess.

पीत्वा योगामृतं लब्ध्वा साक्षादानन्दमैश्वरम्

Having drunk the nectar of yoga, she attains the very bliss of sovereignty.

राक्षसानां पुराणि स्युः सरांसि शतशो द्विजाः

O twice-born, there are hundreds of ancient cities of the Rākṣasas, which are lakes.

स्फाटिकस्तम्भसंयुक्तं यक्षाणाममितौजसाम्

There is one adorned with crystal pillars, belonging to Yakṣas of immeasurable might.

प्राकारगोपुरोपेतं मणितोरणमण्डितम्

It is furnished with ramparts, gates, and towers, and decorated with jeweled arches.

ध्यात्वास्ते तत् परं ज्योतिरात्मानं विष्णुमव्ययम्

There, meditating, abides the supreme, imperishable light, Viṣṇu himself.

श्रीदेव्याः सर्वरत्नाढ्यं हैमं सुमणितोरणम्

There is the golden gateway, adorned with all jewels, of the blessed goddess.

अनन्तविभवा लक्ष्मीर्जगत्संमोहनोत्सुका

Lakshmi, of infinite power, eager to enchant the worlds,

विचिन्त्य जगतोयोनिं स्वशक्तिकिरणोज्ज्वला

Having contemplated the source of the universe, radiant with the rays of her own energy,

सरांसि तत्र चत्वारि विचित्रकमलाश्रया

There are four lakes, each adorned with wondrous lotuses,

रत्नसोपानसंयुक्तं सरोभिश्चोपशोभितम्

Joined with jeweled stairways and beautified by those lakes,

कर्णिकारवनं द्विव्यं तत्रास्ते शङ्करोमया

There stands a divine grove of karṇikāra trees, composed of Shankara’s essence,

रम्यप्रासादसंयुक्तं घण्टाचामरभूषितम्

Adorned with delightful palaces, decorated with bells and yak-tail fans,

मृदङ्गमुरजोद्घुष्टं वीणावेणुनिनादितम्

Resounding with the music of mṛdaṅgas and murajas, filled with the melodies of vīṇās and flutes,

भास्वद्भित्तिसमाकीर्णं महाप्रासादसंकुलम्

Crowded with great palaces, its shining walls gleaming everywhere,

तत्र सा वसते देवी नित्यं योगपरायणा

There, the goddess dwells, ever devoted to yoga,

पश्यन्ति तत्र मुनयः सिद्धा ये ब्रह्मवादिनः

There, sages and perfected beings who speak of Brahman behold her,

सरांसि सिद्धजुष्टानि देवभोग्यानि सत्तमाः

The lakes there are enjoyed by the siddhas, and are fit for the gods, O best of men,

सन्धर्वाणां पुरशतं दिव्यस्त्रीभिः समावृतम्

Hundreds of cities of gandharvas are there, surrounded by celestial women,

क्रीडन्ति मुदिता नित्यं विलासैर्भोगतत्पराः

They play there, ever joyful, intent on pleasures and delights,

वसन्ति तत्राप्सरसो रम्भाद्या रतिलालसाः

There dwell the apsarases, led by Rambha, eager for love,

सा पुरी सर्वरत्नाढ्या नैकप्रस्त्रवणैर्युता

That city is endowed with all gems, and filled with countless streams,

रुद्राणां शान्तरजसामीश्वरार्पितचेतसाम्

There reside Rudranis of tranquil and passionate natures, their minds devoted to the Lord,

समासते परं ज्योतिरारूढाः स्थानमुत्तमम्

Having ascended to the supreme light, they attain the highest place,

नन्दीश्वरस्य कपिले तत्रास्ते सुयशा यतिः

There, in Kapila, dwells the illustrious sage Nandishvara.

दीप्तमायतनं पुण्यं भास्करस्यामितौजसः

There is the radiant, sacred abode of Bhāskara, the sun of immeasurable brilliance.

रमते तत्र रम्यो ऽसौ भगवान् शीतदीधितिः

There, that delightful Lord of cool rays, the Moon, finds joy.

सहस्त्रयोजनायामं सुवर्णमणितोरणम्

It stretches a thousand yojanas in length, with golden and jeweled gateways.

सावित्र्या सह विश्वात्मा वासुदेवादिभिर्युतः

There, the Soul of the Universe abides with Sāvitrī, accompanied by Vāsudeva and others.