तदा सुरैः कथितं सर्वमेतद्वाण्या चोक्तं यत्पुरा कार्यहेतोः २०.
Then the gods recounted everything that had been spoken before by Vāṇī for the sake of this task.
शिवस्य पुत्रेण च धीमता यदा वध्यो दैत्यस्तारको वै महात्मा २०.
That great-souled demon Tāraka is to be slain by the wise son of Śiva.
तस्मात्तदेनत्क्रियतां भवद्भिर्यथा महेशः कुरुते परिग्रहम् २०.
Therefore, let that be accomplished by you all, so that Maheśa may take a consort.
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा प्रहस्योचुः सुरास्तदा २०.
Hearing those words, the gods then laughed and spoke.
सुराणां च गिरे वाक्यं कुरु शीघ्रं महामते २०.
O wise one, quickly carry out the words of the gods and the mountain.
इत्युक्तो गिरिराजोऽथ देवैः स्वगृहमामाविशत् २०.
Thus addressed by the gods, the king of mountains then entered his own abode.
जनितव्या सुकन्यैका सुरकार्यार्थसिद्धये २०.
A single virtuous daughter must be born to fulfill the purpose of the gods.
प्रियं न भवति स्त्रीणां कन्याजननसेव च २०.
The bearing of a daughter is never pleasing to women.
प्रहस्य मेना प्रोवाच स्वपतिं च हिमालयम् २०.
Smiling, Menā spoke to her husband, Himālaya.
कन्या सदा दुःखकरी नृणां पते स्त्रीणां तथा शोककरी महामते २०.
A daughter always brings sorrow to men, and to women, O wise lord, she brings great grief.
हिमवांस्तदुपश्रुत्या प्रियाया वचनं तदा २०.
Himavān, hearing his beloved's words at that time—
येनयेन प्रकारेण परेषामुपजीवनम् २०.
By whatever means others may subsist—
स्त्रियापि चैव तत्कार्यं परोपकरणान्वितम् दधार जठरे कन्यां मेना भाग्यवती तदा॥ २०.
Even a woman, when her actions are for the benefit of others, may undertake such a task; thus, the fortunate Menā bore a daughter in her womb.
महाविद्या महामाया महामेधास्वरूपिणी २०.
She was the embodiment of great knowledge, great illusion, and supreme intelligence.
तां विभूतिं विशालाक्षी जठरे परमां सती २०.
That supreme power, Sati of wide eyes, was carried in the womb.
स्तुतिं चक्रुस्तदा देवा ऋषयो यक्षकिन्नराः २०.
Then the gods, sages, yakṣas, and kinnaras offered praise.
एतस्मिन्नंतरे जाता गिरिजा नाम नामतः २०.
Meanwhile, a maiden named Girijā was born.
देवदुंदुभयो नेदुर्ननृतुश्चाप्सरोगणाः २०.
Divine drums resounded, and the hosts of Apsarases danced.
पुष्पवर्षेण महता ववृषुर्विबुधास्तथा २०.
The gods showered a great rain of flowers.
यदावतीर्णा गिरिजा महासती तदैव दैत्या भयमाविशंस्ते २०.
When Girijā, the great and virtuous one, descended, at that very moment the demons were seized by fear.
वर्द्धमाना तदा साध्वी रराज प्रतिवासरम् २१.
As she grew, that virtuous woman shone brighter each day.
महेशो हिमवद्द्रोण्यां तताप परमं तपः २१.
Maheśa performed supreme austerity in the valley of Himavat.
एतत्तपो जुषाणं तं महेशं हिमवान्ययौ २१.
Himavat approached Maheśa, who was engaged in that austerity.
यावत्समागतो द्रष्टं नंदिनासौ निवारितः २१.
As he came to see him, Nandin stopped him.
पुनर्विज्ञापयामास नंदिना हिमवान्गिरिः २१.
Again, Himavat informed Nandin.
तदाकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य नंदिनः परमेश्वरः २१.
Hearing the words of Nandin, the supreme lord,
तथेति मत्वा नंदी तं पर्वतं च हिमाचलम् २१.
Nandin, accepting this, along with Himāchala, the mountain,
दृष्ट्वा तदानीं सकलेश्वरं प्रभुं तपो जुषाणं विनिमीलितेक्षणम्॥ २१.
Then, seeing the lord of all, absorbed in austerity, with eyes closed,
कपर्द्धिनं चंद्रकलाविभूषणं वेदांतवेद्यं परमात्मनि स्थितम् २१.
With matted hair, adorned with the crescent moon, known through the Vedas, established in the Supreme Self,
उवाच वाक्यं जगदेकमंगलं हिमालयो वाक्यविदां वरिष्ठः॥ २१.
Himalaya, foremost among speakers, spoke words auspicious for the world.