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.
दासोऽहमवदच्छंभुः पार्वत्या परितोषितः २३.
Śaṃbhu, pleased by Pārvatī, said, 'I am your servant.'
त्वरितेनावदच्छंभुस्त्वामाह्वयति संप्रति नारदेन समायुक्तः पार्षदैः परिवारितः॥ २३.
Śaṃbhu quickly said, 'He is now summoning you,' together with Nārada and surrounded by his attendants.
सुपर्णमारुह्य तदा महात्मा योगीश्वराणां प्रभुरच्युतो महान् २३.
Then, the great soul, the mighty lord among yogis, ascended Suparṇa and departed.
तं दृष्ट्वा त्वरितं देवो योगिध्येयांघ्रिपंकजः २३.
Seeing him hastening, the god whose lotus feet are meditated upon by yogis beheld him.
तदा हरिहरौ देवावैकपद्येन तिष्ठतः २३.
At that time, Hari and Hara, the two gods, stood together as one.
गिरिजातपसा विष्णो जितोऽहं नात्र संशयः २३.
By the austerity of Girijā, O Viṣṇu, I have been conquered—there is no doubt of this.
यथार्थेन च भो विष्णो कथयामि तवाग्रतः २३.
And now, O Viṣṇu, I will tell you the truth, right before you.
न च संकल्पविधिना मया पाणिग्रहः कृतः २३.
I have not performed the marriage by the prescribed rite of resolve.
यत्कार्यं तन्न जानामि सर्वं पाणिग्रहोचितम् २३.
I do not know what should be done—everything appropriate for the marriage ceremony.
यावद्वक्तुं समारेभे तावद्ब्रह्मा समागतः २३.
As I was about to speak, at that very moment, Brahmā arrived.