शिवशब्दामृतास्वादः शिवार्चनकथाक्रमः
One tastes the nectar of the word 'Śiva' and learns the order of worshipping Śiva.
उवाच करुणामूर्तिररुणाद्रीशमानमन् ब्रह्मोवाच श्रूयतां वत्स पार्वत्याश्चरितं यत्पुरातनम्
The embodiment of compassion spoke, honoring the Lord of Aruṇādri. Brahmā said: Listen, dear one, to the ancient story of Pārvatī.
अरुणाद्रीशमाश्रित्य यथा सा निर्वृताभवत्
How she attained supreme bliss by taking refuge in the Lord of Aruṇādri.
रत्नसिंहासनं दिव्यं रत्नतोरणसंयुतम्
There was a divine throne of jewels, adorned with a jeweled archway.
परार्ध्य दृषदास्तीर्णं बद्धमुक्तावितानकम्
Spread with precious stones of the highest value, and draped with a canopy of pearls.
प्रलंबमालिकाजालनिनदद्भृंगसंकुलम् 1.3.1.3.
It was surrounded by garlands of hanging flowers, filled with the humming of bees.
पार्वतीसिंहसंचारपरित्रस्तमहागजम्
The great elephant, frightened by Pārvatī’s lion-mount, moved about.
आसेवितपुरोरंगं दिक्पालकनिषेवितम्
The forecourt was frequented by noble animals and attended by the guardians of the directions.
ब्रह्मर्षिभिस्तथा देवैः सिद्धै राजर्षिभिवृतम्
It was filled with Brahmarṣis, gods, Siddhas, and royal sages.
रुद्राक्षधारसुभगैरापूर्णं शिवतत्परैः
It was crowded with devotees devoted to Śiva, adorned with beautiful rudrākṣa beads.
घंटाटंकारसुभगैर्वेदध्वनिविमिश्रितैः
It was graced by the sweet sound of bells, mingled with the chanting of the Vedas.
अलंचकार भगवन्भक्तानुग्रहकाम्यया
The Blessed Lord decorated it, wishing to show favor to his devotees.
अंबिकासहितः श्रीमान्विजहार दयानिधिः
The compassionate Lord, together with Ambikā, joyfully wandered there.
गणानां विकटैर्नृत्यै रमयामास पार्वतीम्
He delighted Pārvatī with the wild dances of the gaṇas.
वरान्प्रदाय विविधान्भक्तलोकाय वाञ्छितान्
Having granted various desired boons to the devotees,
विजहारोमया सार्द्धं रत्नप्रासादपंक्तिषु 1.3.1.3.
I departed together with her through rows of jeweled palaces.
केलिपर्वतशृंगेषु हेमरंभावनांतरे
On the peaks of playful mountains, within golden banana groves,
वातेन मंदगतिना विहारविहतश्रमः
With gentle breezes moving slowly, our fatigue from wandering was dispelled.
रतिरूपां शिवां देवीं सर्वसौभाग्यसुन्दरीम्
The goddess, beautiful in every auspicious way, appeared as the very form of delight.
रमणं जानती मुग्धा पश्चादभ्येत्य सादरम्
Innocently, knowing the pleasure, she then approached with respect.
पिदधे लीलया शंभोः किमेतदिति कौतुकात्
Playfully, out of curiosity, she covered Śambhu, wondering, 'What is this?'
अन्धकारोऽभवत्तत्र चिरकालं भयंकरः
There arose a terrible darkness for a long time.
देवीलीलासमुत्थेन तमसाभूज्जगत्क्षयः
From the goddess's playful act, a darkness arose that brought destruction to the world.
शून्यं ज्योतिः प्रचारेण विनाशं प्रत्यपद्यत
The light, deprived of its movement, became void and met with destruction.
नापि जीवाः समभवन्नव्यक्तं केवलं स्थितम्
No living beings remained; only the unmanifest persisted.
तपसा लब्धस्फूर्तीनां विचारः समपद्यत 1.3.1.3.
Deliberation arose among those who had regained awareness through austerity.
भगवानपि सर्वात्मा न नूनं कालमाक्षिपत्
Even the Lord, the Self of all, surely did not hasten the time.
तेनेदमखिलं जातं निस्तेजो भुवनत्रयम्
Thus, the entire three worlds became devoid of light.
का गतिर्लब्धराज्यानां तपसो देवजन्मनाम्
What is the fate of those who have gained sovereignty, of the gods born through austerity?
इति निश्चित्य मनसा वीक्ष्य ते ज्ञानचक्षुषा
Thus, having resolved in their minds, they observed with the eye of knowledge.