मूढाय च विरक्ताय आत्मसंभाविताय च २३.
To one who is deluded, dispassionate, and self-conceited,
तस्मान्मया विचार्यैव भवद्भिर्ऋषिसत्तमाः २३.
Therefore, after due consideration by me, O best of sages,
तच्छ्रुत्वा गिरिराजस्य वचनं ते महर्षयः २३.
Hearing the words of the mountain king, those great sages,
यया कृतं तपस्तीव्रं यया चाराधितः शिवः २३.
She has performed intense austerities, and has worshipped Śiva.
अस्यास्तस्य च भोः शैल न जानासि च किंचन २३.
O mountain, you know nothing of her or of him.
शिवाय गिरिजामेनां कुरुष्य वचनं हि नः २३.
Give Girijā to Śiva, fulfill our request.
उवाच त्वरया युक्तः पर्वतान्पर्वतेश्वरः मैनाक क्रियतामद्य शंसध्वं च यथातथम्॥ २३.
The lord of mountains, eager, spoke to the other mountains: 'Maināka, let it be done today; tell everything as it truly is.'
मेना तदा उवाचेदं वाक्यं वाक्यविशारदा २३.
Then Menā, skilled in speech, spoke these words.
उत्पन्नेयं महाभागा देवकार्यार्थमेव च २३.
She was born, most fortunate, solely for the purpose of the gods.
अनयाराधितो रुद्रो रुद्रेण परिभाविता २३.
By her, Rudra has been worshipped, and she has been honored by Rudra.
निमित्तमात्रं च कृतं तया वै शिवपूजने २३.
She was made merely an instrument in the worship of Shiva.
परितुष्टो हिमाद्रिश्च वाक्यं चेदमुवाच ह २३.
Himavan, being greatly pleased, then spoke these words.
ततः समानीय सुलोचनां तां श्यामां नितंबार्षितमेखलां शुभाम् २३.
Then, bringing forth that beautiful, dark-complexioned, wide-eyed maiden, adorned with a girdle upon her hips—
लावण्यामृतवापिकां सुवदनां गौरीं सुवासां शुभां दृष्ट्वा ते ह्यृषयोऽपि मोहमगन्भ्रांतास्तदा संभ्रमात् २३.
Seeing Gauri, lovely-faced, adorned in splendid garments, a pool of the nectar of beauty, even the sages became bewildered and deluded in their minds at that moment.
एवं तदा ते ह्यृषयोऽपि मोहिता रूपेण तस्याः किमुताथ देवताः २३.
Thus, even those sages were enchanted by her form at that time—what then of the gods?
ततः पुनश्चैत्य शिवं शिवप्रियाः शशंसुरस्मा ऋषयस्तदानीम्॥ २३.
Then again, those sages, devoted to Shiva, announced this to Shiva at that time.
भूषिता हि गिरीन्द्रेण स्वसुता नास्ति संशयः २३.
There is no doubt that the daughter of the mountain lord has been adorned by him.
गच्छ शीघ्रं महादेव पार्वतीमात्मजन्मने २३.
Go quickly, O Mahadeva, to Parvati, your own daughter.
विवाहो हि महाभागा न दृष्टो न श्रुतोऽपि वा २३.
O highly fortunate one, such a marriage has neither been seen nor even heard of.
तदोचुर्ऋषयः सर्वे प्रहसंतः सदाशिवम् २३.
Then all the sages, laughing, spoke to Sadashiva.
तथा ऋषिगणांश्चैव यक्षगन्धर्वपन्नगान् २३.
Likewise, summon the hosts of sages, yakshas, gandharvas, and serpents.
एतांश्चान्यांश्च सुबहूनानयस्वेति सत्वरम् २३.
And quickly bring these and many others as well.
उवाच नारदं देवो विष्णुमानय सत्वरम् २३.
The god said to Narada, 'Bring Vishnu here quickly.'
शंभोर्वचनमादाय शिरसा लोकपावनः २३.
Taking Shambhu's command upon his head, the purifier of the worlds—
ददर्श देवं परमासने स्थितं श्रिया च देव्या परिसेव्यमानम् २३.
He saw the god seated upon the supreme throne, being attended by the goddess Shri herself.
महार्हरत्नावृतचारुकुण्डलं महाकिरीटोत्तमरत्नभास्वतम् २३.
Adorned with splendid earrings set with precious gems, and a great crown shining with the finest jewels.
उवाच नारदोऽभ्येत्य शंभोर्वाक्यमथादरात् २३.
Narada, having approached, respectfully spoke Shambhu's words.
एह्येहि त्वं महाविष्णो महादेवं त्वरान्वितः २३.
Come, come, O great Vishnu, hasten to Mahadeva.
प्रहस्य भगवान्प्राह नारदं प्रति वै तदा विज्ञातार्थोऽपि भगवान्नारदं परिपृष्टवान्॥ २३.
Then, the Blessed Lord laughed and spoke to Nārada, even though he already knew the matter, the Lord questioned Nārada.
तपसा महता रुद्रः पार्वत्या परितोषितः २३.
By great austerity, Rudra was pleased by Pārvatī.