ततो देवैः समुनिभिः प्रोक्ता देवी त्विदं वचः। अधुना दर्शिते मार्गे मर्यादां कर्तुमर्हसि
Then the assembled gods spoke these words to the goddess: 'Now that the path is shown, you should establish a standard.'
फलं किं भविता देवि कल्पितैस्तरुपुत्रकैः। इत्युक्ता हर्षपूर्णांगी प्रोवाचातिशुभां गिरं
'What fruit will come, O goddess, from these imagined tree-children?' Thus addressed, she, her body filled with joy, spoke most auspicious words.
एकं निरुदके ग्रामे यः कूपं कारयेद्बुधः। बिंदौबिंदौ च तोयस्य स वसेद्वत्सरं दिवि
'Whoever, in a waterless village, causes a well to be made, for each drop of water, he shall dwell in heaven for a year.'
दशकूपसमावापी दशवापीसमो ह्रदः। दशह्रदसमा कन्या दशकन्यासमो द्रुमः
'A pond equals ten wells, a lake equals ten ponds, a daughter equals ten lakes, and a tree equals ten daughters.'
एषा वै शुभ मर्यादा नियता लोकभाविनी। इत्युक्तास्तु ततो विप्रा बृहस्पतिपुरोगमाः
'This, indeed, is the auspicious standard, established for the world.' Thus addressed, the Brahmins, led by Brhaspati, then—
जग्मुः स्वमंदिराण्येव भवानीं वंद्य मातरं। गतेषु तेषु देवोपि शंकरः पर्वतात्मजां
Returned to their own homes, having worshipped Bhavani, the mother; after they departed, the god Shankara, with the mountain-born lady—
पाणिनालम्ब्यमानेन न स्वमावासमगच्छत। चित्तप्रसादजननं प्रासादाट्टालगोपुरं
Holding her hand, did not return to his own abode; he entered a palace with towers and gateways, delightful to the mind.
लंबमौक्तिकदामानं मालिकाकुलवेदिकं। सुनद्धकलधौतं च क्रीडागृहमनोगतं
Adorned with hanging pearl garlands, with platforms crowded with flower wreaths, and thoroughly washed with fragrant water, the playhouse captured their thoughts.
प्रकीर्णकुसुमामोद मत्तालिकुलकूजितम्। किन्नरोद्गीतसंगीत गृहांतरितभित्तिकम्
Scattered with the fragrance of flowers, filled with the cooing of intoxicated bees, with walls echoing the songs sung by kinnara musicians.
सुगंधिधूपसंघातं मनःप्राप्यमलक्षितं। क्रीडामयूरनारीभिरभितो रभसार्पितं
Filled with the scent of fine incense, imperceptible to the mind's grasp, and surrounded on all sides by playful peahens and women moving swiftly.
हंससंघातसंदिष्ट स्फटिकस्तभंतोरणं। अनाविलमसंभ्रांत्या बहुशः किन्नराकुलं
With crystal pillars and gateways assigned by flocks of swans, pure and untroubled, often crowded with Kinnaras without confusion.
शुकैर्यत्राभिदृश्यंते पद्मरागविनिर्मिताः। भित्तयो जातिसंभ्रांत्या प्रतिबिंबितमौक्तिकाः1.43.
There, walls made of padmarāga gems are seen with parrots, and with pearls reflected in them, appearing as if of different kinds.
तत्राक्षैः प्रियया देवो विहर्तुमुपचक्रमे। स्वछेंद्रनीलभूभागे क्रीडंतौ यत्र संस्थितौ
There, the Lord began to sport with his beloved, both standing on a ground clear as sapphire.
वपुः सहायतां प्राप्तौ विनोदरसनिर्वृतौ। एवं प्रक्रीडतोस्तत्र देवीशंकरयोस्तदा
Their forms united in companionship, delighted by the taste of amusement; thus, the goddess and Śaṅkara played there at that time.
प्रादुर्भूतो महाशब्दः पतितांबरगोचरः। तच्छ्रुत्वा कौतुकाद्देवी किमेतदिति शंकरम्
Then a great sound appeared, visible as falling garments; hearing it, the goddess curiously asked Śaṅkara, 'What is this?'
पर्यपृच्छत्सुरवरं हरं विस्मितपूर्वकं। उवाच देवो नैतत्ते दृष्टपूर्वं शुचिस्मिते
She questioned the best of gods, Hara, with astonishment; the god replied, 'O pure-smiling one, you have not seen this before.'
एते गणेशाः क्रीडंते शैलेस्मिन्मत्प्रियाः सदा। तपसा ब्रह्मचर्येण नामभिः क्षेत्रसेवनैः
'These are my beloved Gaṇeśas, always playing on this mountain, through austerity, celibacy, names, and service to sacred places.'
यैरहं तोषितः पूर्वं त एते मनुजोत्तमाः। मत्समीपमनुप्राप्ता मम हृद्याः शुभानने
'By whom I was formerly pleased—these are the best of men, who have come near me, dear to my heart, O auspicious-faced one.'
कामरूपा महोत्साहा महारूपगुणान्विताः। कर्मभिर्विस्मयं तेषां प्रयामि बलशालिनाम्
'Assuming forms at will, of great enthusiasm, endowed with great qualities and forms, by their deeds I am amazed at their strength.'
सामरस्यास्य जगतः सृष्टिसंहरणक्षमाः। ब्रह्मचन्द्रेंद्र गंधर्वैस्सकिन्नरमहोरगैः
'They are capable of the harmony, creation, and dissolution of this world, along with Brahmā, Candra, Indra, Gandharvas, Kinnaras, and great serpents.'
विवर्जितोप्यहं नित्यं नैभिर्विरहितो रमे। हृद्या मे चारुसर्वाङ्गि त एते क्रीडिता गिरौ
'Though I am always apart from them, O lovely-limbed one, I am never separated from these dear ones, who play on the mountain.'
इत्युक्ता तु तदा देवी त्यक्त्वा तं विस्मयाकुला। गवाक्षांतरमासाद्य प्रेक्षते चकितानना
Thus addressed, the goddess, filled with wonder, left him, approached a window, and gazed out with a startled face.
यावंतस्ते कृशा दीर्घा ह्रस्वाः स्थूला महोदराः। व्याघ्रेभवदनाः केचित्केचिन्मेषाजरूपिणः
She saw them—some thin, some tall, some short, some stout, some with great bellies, some with tiger faces, others in the form of sheep and goats.
अनेकप्राणिरूपाश्च ज्वालास्याः कृष्णपिंगलाः। सौम्या भीमाः स्मितमुखाः कृष्णपिंगजटास्सदा
With many forms of living beings, with flaming mouths, dark and tawny, gentle and terrible, smiling faces, always with dark tawny matted hair.
नानाविहंगवदना नानाविधसुराननाः। कौशेयचर्मवसना नग्नाश्चान्यो विरूपिणः
With faces of various birds, faces of various gods, some clothed in silk or animal skins, others naked and misshapen.
गोकर्णा गजकर्णाश्च बहुवक्त्रेक्षणोदराः। बहुपादा बहुभुजा दिव्यनानास्त्रपाणयः
With cow ears, elephant ears, many mouths, eyes, and bellies, many feet, many arms, holding various divine weapons.
अनेककुसुमापीडा नानाव्याकुलभीषणाः। कृतनानायुधधरा नानाकवचभूषणाः
Adorned with many kinds of flowers, variously fierce and terrifying, bearing many weapons and adorned with various armors.
विचित्रवाहनारूढा दिव्यरूपा वियच्चराः। वीणावाद्यरवोद्घुष्टा नानास्थानकनर्तकाः
Mounted on wondrous vehicles, of divine forms, moving through the sky, resounding with the music of vīṇās, dancing in various postures.
गणेशांस्तांस्तथा दृष्ट्वा देवी प्रोवाच शंकरम्। देव्युवाच-। गणेशाः कतिसंख्याताः किंनामानः किमात्मकाः
Seeing those hosts, the goddess spoke to Śaṅkara: The goddess said: How many are the Gaṇeśas, what are their names, and of what nature are they?
एकैकशो मम ब्रूहि निष्ठिता ये पृथक्पृथक्। शंकर उवाच-। कोटिकोटिश्च संख्याता नानाविख्यातपौरुषाः
Tell me each one individually, those who are established separately. Śaṅkara said: They are counted in crores upon crores, renowned for their various deeds and valor.