न जानीमो वयं देवि किंचिच्छंभुविचेष्टितम्
O goddess, we do not know anything of Shiva's actions.
इति तेषां भयार्तानामाकर्ण्य वचनं शुभम्
Hearing their auspicious words, spoken in fear,
शरणागतसंत्राणं तपसि स्थितया मया
I, established in asceticism, protect those who seek refuge.
उपायेन समाकृष्य हनिष्यामि महासुरम्
By means of a strategy, I will draw in and slay the great Asura.
धर्मगे धर्मभेत्तारः शलभत्वं व्रजंति हि 1.3.1.10.
Those who break dharma in the realm of dharma indeed become like moths.
जग्मुर्यथागतं सर्वे निर्भया हृष्टचेतसः
All of them departed as they had come, fearless and with joyful hearts.
गतेषु तेषु देवेषु गौरी कमललोचना
When those gods had departed, Gauri, the lotus-eyed one,
सा देवी दिक्षु शैलेषु चतुर्ष्वरुणभूभृतः
That goddess wandered in the directions and on the four peaks of the reddish mountains.
यदा कैलासशिखरादागता शैलकन्यका
When the mountain maiden had come down from the summit of Kailasa,
दुन्दुभिः सत्यवत्याख्या तथा चानवमी परा
There was Dundubhi, known as Satyavati, and also another, Anavami by name.
विमुञ्चतातिथिं श्रांतं क्षुत्पिपासा समन्वितम्
Release the weary guest, afflicted by hunger and thirst.
सीमाशलस्थितान्वीरांस्तानादिश्य बलाधिकान्
She instructed those mighty warriors stationed at the mountain boundary.
तस्यां तपत्यां तन्वंग्यां न तापः कश्चिदप्यभूत्
While she, slender-bodied, was performing austerity, no suffering whatsoever arose.
विरोधीनि च सत्त्वानि मुमुचुः पूर्वमत्सरम्
Even the hostile beings abandoned their former enmity.
योजनद्वयपर्यंतं सीमाशैलेषु संस्थितैः 1.3.1.10.
Up to a distance of two yojanas, those stationed on the mountain boundary—
नोदभूत्कश्चन त्रासो न च दृष्टो भयोदयः
No fear arose in anyone, nor was any sign of terror seen.
कृतार्था मुनयः सर्वे प्रशंसंतो नगात्मजाम्
All the accomplished sages praised the daughter of the mountain.
सा च गौरी तपो घोरं कुर्वती च दिवानिशम्
And Gauri, performing severe austerity day and night,
महिषश्च महावीर्यो मृगयां कर्तुमुद्यतः
Mahisha, of great might, set out to hunt.
दैत्यसैन्यसमायुक्तो मृगयूथान्यनेकशः
Accompanied by an army of demons, he pursued many herds of wild animals.
धन्विभिर्बलिभिर्वीरैर्मृगाः केचिदनुद्रुताः
Some animals were chased by warriors, strong and armed with bows.
अनुव्रजन्तो दितिजा मृगांस्तान्हंतुमुद्यताः
The sons of Diti followed, intent on slaying those animals.
किमत्रेति तदा पृष्टा बटुका दुष्टदानवैः
Then, when asked 'What is this?' by the wicked demon boys,
न केनचित्प्रवेष्टव्यं बलिना मुनिसेवितम्
No one, however strong, may enter here—this place is frequented by sages.
इति तेषां वचः श्रुत्वा बलिनो दुष्टदानवाः 1.3.1.10.
Having heard their words, the powerful and wicked Dānavas...
मायया पक्षिरूपास्ते प्रविश्याश्रममादरात्
By their magic, they assumed the forms of birds and respectfully entered the hermitage.
सा पुनर्ल्लसितारण्ये सर्वर्तुकुसुमान्विते
She again wandered in the forest, adorned with flowers of all seasons.
रूपलावण्यते तस्या निश्चयं तपसि स्थितम्
Her beauty and charm were firmly established in her austerity.
स स्मरार्तो वृद्धरूपः प्रविवेशाश्रमं तदा
Afflicted by desire, he took on the form of an old man and entered the hermitage at that time.
वृद्धोऽपृच्छत्किमर्थं तु तपोऽस्या इति तास्तथा
The old man asked, 'For what purpose is your austerity?' Thus did they inquire.