तस्माद्विरम वत्सैतत्किं नु तेन विना तव । एवं भगवतस्तस्य श्रुत्वा वाक्यं सुदारुणम्
Therefore, desist from this, my child—what would you do without it? Thus, having heard these harsh words of the Blessed Lord—
दीनः पादांबुजद्वंद्वे दंडवत्पतितोऽर्जुनः । ततो विहस्य भगवान्दोर्भ्यामुत्थाप्य तं विभुः
Arjuna, dejected, fell prostrate like a staff at the Lord's lotus feet; then the Blessed Lord, smiling, raised him up with his arms.
उवाच परमप्रेम्णा भक्ताय भक्तवत्सलः । तत्किं तत्कथनेनात्र द्रष्टव्यं चेत्त्वया हि यत्
The Lord, affectionate to his devotees, spoke to his devotee with supreme love: 'Why speak of that here, if you are to see it yourself?'
यस्यां सर्वं समुत्पन्नं यस्यामद्यापि तिष्ठति । लयमेष्यति तां देवीं श्रीमत्त्रिपुरसुंदरीम्
That goddess from whom all arises, in whom all still abides, and into whom all will dissolve—worship the glorious Tripurasundari with supreme devotion.
आराध्य परया भक्त्या तस्यै स्वं च निवेदय । तां विनैतत्पदं दातुं न शक्नोमि कदाचन
Offer yourself to her as well; without her, I am never able to grant that supreme state.
श्रुत्वैतद्भगवद्वाक्यं पार्थो हर्षाकुलेक्षणः । श्रीमत्यास्त्रिपुरादेव्या ययौ श्रीपादुकातलम्
Hearing these words of the Blessed Lord, Partha, his eyes brimming with joy, went to the glorious footstool of the illustrious Tripura goddess.
तत्र गत्वा ददर्शैनां श्रीचिंतामणिवेदिकाम् । नानारत्नैर्विरचितैः सोपानैरतिशोभिताम्
There, having arrived, he beheld her at the platform of the wish-fulfilling gem, adorned with steps fashioned from various jewels.
तत्र कल्पतरुं नाना पुष्पैः फलभवैर्नतम् । सर्वर्त्तुकोमलदलैः स्नवन्माध्वीकशीकरैः
There stood the wish-fulfilling tree, bowed down with many flowers and fruits, with ever-tender leaves and dripping with honeyed dew.
वर्षद्भिर्वायुनालोलैः पल्लवैरुज्ज्वलीकृतम् । शुकैश्च कोकिलगणैः सारिकाभिः कपोतकैः
Its shining foliage was stirred by the wind, raining down, and it was brightened by parrots, flocks of cuckoos, mynas, and doves.
लीलाचकोरकै रम्यैः पक्षिभिश्च निनादितम् । यत्र गुंजद्भृंगराज कोलाहलसमाकुलम्
It resounded with charming playful chakora birds and other birds, and was filled with the tumult of humming king bees.
मणिभिर्भास्वरैरुद्यद्दावानल मनोहरम् । श्रीरत्नमंदिरं दिव्यं तले तस्य महाद्भुतम्
A splendid, divine jewel temple, wondrous in its beauty, shone with radiant gems like blazing fire on its floor.
रत्नसिंहासनं तत्र महाहैमाभिमोहनम् । तत्र बालार्कसंकाशां नानालंकारभूषिताम्
There was a throne of jewels, magnificent and golden, enchanting to behold; upon it sat one adorned with various ornaments, shining like the rising sun.
नवयौवनसंपन्नां सृणिपाशधनुः शरैः । राजच्चतुर्भुजलतां सुप्रसन्नां मनोहराम्
She was endowed with youthful vigor, holding a noose, bow, and arrows, a royal four-armed creeper, serene and captivating.
ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेशादि किरीटमणिरश्मिभिः । विराजितपदांभोजामणिमादिभिरावृताम्
Her lotus feet were radiant, surrounded by gems and other jewels, and she was adorned with crowns whose jewels shone like those of Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshvara.
प्रसन्नवदनां देवीं वरदां भक्तवत्सलाम् । अर्जुनोऽहमिति ज्ञातः प्रणम्य च पुनःपुनः
The goddess, with a cheerful face, bestower of boons and affectionate to devotees, was recognized by me as Arjuna; I bowed again and again.
विहितांजलिरेकांते स्थितो भक्तिभरान्वितः । सा तस्योपासितं ज्ञात्वा प्रसादं च कृपानिधिः
Standing aside with hands joined, filled with devotion, she, knowing his worship, bestowed her grace, being a treasury of compassion.
उवाच कृपया देवी तस्य स्मरणविह्वला । भगवत्युवाच-। किं वा दानं त्वया वत्स कृतं पात्राय दुर्लभम्
The goddess, overwhelmed with remembrance, spoke to him with kindness: 'O child, what rare gift have you given to a worthy recipient?'
इष्टं यज्ञेन केनात्र तपो वा किमनुष्ठितम् । भगवत्यमला भक्तिः का वा प्राक्समुपार्ज्जिता
'What sacrifice have you performed here, or what austerity undertaken? What pure devotion did you previously acquire, O blessed one?'
किं वास्मिन्दुर्लभं लोके किं वा कर्म शुभं महत् । प्रसादस्त्वयि येनायं प्रपन्ने च मुदा किल
'What is rare in this world, or what great auspicious deed has been done, by which this grace has come to you, and you have approached with joy?'
गूढातिगूढश्चानन्य लभ्यो भगवता कृतः । नैतादृङ्मर्त्यलोकानां न च भूतलवासिनाम्
'This favor, hidden and exceedingly rare, is granted by the Lord; it is not found among mortals or those dwelling on earth.'
स्वर्गिणां देवतादीनां तपस्वीश्वरयोगिनाम् । भक्तानां नैव सर्वेषां नैव नैव च नैव च
'Nor among the gods in heaven, nor among ascetics, lords, yogis, nor among all devotees—no, not at all, not at all.'
प्रसादस्तु कृतो वत्स तव विश्वात्मना यथा । तदेहि भज बुद्ध्वैव कुलकुंडं सरो मम
'O child, this grace has been granted to you by the Soul of the Universe; therefore, come, worship after knowing my family pond.'
सर्वकामप्रदा देवी त्वनया सह गम्यताम् । तत्रैव विधिवत्स्नात्वा द्रुतमागम्यतामिह
'The goddess who grants all desires, go with her; there, bathe according to the prescribed method and quickly return here.'
तदैव तत्र गत्वा स स्नात्वा पार्थस्तथागतः । आगतं तं कृतस्नानं न्यासमुद्रार्पणादिकम्
Then, going there, Partha bathed as instructed; having arrived, having bathed, he performed the offering of gestures and other rites.
कारयित्वा ततो देव्या तस्य वै दक्षिणश्रुतौ । सद्यः सिद्धिकरी बाला विद्यानिगदिता परा
Afterwards, by the goddess, in his right ear, the supreme knowledge was spoken, which immediately grants success, the young maiden's secret.
हकारार्द्धपरा द्वीपा द्वितीया विश्वभूषिता । अनुष्ठानं च पूजां च जपं च लक्षसंख्यकम्
The second, adorned with the world, is the half 'ha' syllable, the dvipa; the observance, worship, and recitation were performed in hundreds of thousands.
कोरकैः करवीराणां प्रयोगं च यथातथम् । निर्वर्त्य तमुवाचेदं कृपया परमेश्वरी
With the proper use of oleander flowers, the ritual was completed as prescribed; then the supreme goddess spoke to him kindly.
अनेनैव विधानेन क्रियतां मदुपासनम् । ततो मयि प्रसन्नायां तवानुग्रहकारणात्
'Let my worship be performed in this very manner; then, when I am pleased, for the sake of your blessing...'
ततस्तु तत्र पर्य्यंतेष्वधिकारो भविष्यति । इत्ययं नियमः पूर्वं स्वयं भगवता कृतः
Then, at the end there, authority will be established; this rule was formerly made by the Blessed Lord himself.
श्रुत्वैवमर्जुनस्तेन वर्मणा तां समर्चयत् । ततः पूजां जपं चैव कृत्वा देवी प्रसादिता
Hearing thus, Arjuna worshipped her with that armor; then, after performing worship and recitation, the goddess was pleased.