जंजल्पाकौ जजपतुः सर्वमंत्राधिकं सदा
They constantly recited all the supreme mantras with clear articulation.
प्रदक्षिणानमस्कारैर्मुद्राबंधैर्नवैर्नवैः
With circumambulations, salutations, and ever-new gestures of mudrā,
पंचब्रह्मषडंगाद्यैरर्चयामासतुः शिवम्
They worshipped Śiva with the five Brahmas, the six limbs, and other rites.
वेधोविष्णू समाराध्य शिवज्ञानमवापतुः
By worshipping Viṣṇu and Brahmā, they attained the knowledge of Śiva.
इतीदमश्रावि मया रहस्यं पितुः शिलादस्य मुखात्पुरा यत्
Thus I once heard this secret from the mouth of my father Śilāda.
तथापि कौतुकेनाहमाक्रांतो मुनयोऽप्यमी
Yet, even so, I am seized by curiosity, as are these sages.
शृणु त्वमवधानेन मार्कंडेय महामते
Listen attentively, O Markandeya, great in wisdom.
ननु जानासि तत्पूर्वं यथा दाक्षायणी शिवः
Surely you know how, in former times, Dakshayani became the wife of Shiva.
यथा च सा क्रुधा भर्तुर्द्रुहि दक्षप्रजापतौ
And how, angered by her husband, she opposed Daksha, the lord of progenitors.
तदा हराज्ञानिघ्नेन वीरभद्रेण यत्कृतम्
Then, by the command of Hara, Virabhadra acted as he was ordered.
अश्रौषीस्तस्य दक्षस्य गणैः शीर्षासखंडनम्
You have heard how Daksha’s head was severed by the ganas.
दंतघातं रवेः पाणिपाटनं जातवेदसः
The breaking of teeth, the cutting off of Surya’s hands, and the wounding of Agni.
सा च देवी पुनर्जन्म लेभे हिमवतो गृहे
That goddess was born again in the house of Himavat.
देवः स्थाणुवने तां च परिचर्यापरं रहः 1.3.2.17.
The god, devoted to her service, dwelled with her in the forest of Sthanu, in secret.
जितेंद्रियं च तं देवं क्वापि यातं गणैः सह
That god, self-controlled, went somewhere with his ganas.
उपयम्याथ तां देवो वृत्तांतैश्चित्तखंडिभिः
Then the god approached her, whose mind was troubled by past events.
वैधव्यखिन्नया रत्या प्रार्थिता शैलनंदिनी
The daughter of the mountain, distressed by widowhood, sought union with him.
पुनश्च मेनया मात्रा पित्रा च हिमभूभृता
Again, by her mother Mena and her father Himavat.
तदा शुंभनिशुंभाख्यौ लेभाते वेधसो वरम्
Then Shumbha and Nishumbha obtained a boon from the Creator.
इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा जातत्रासैः सुपर्वभिः
Hearing those words, the gods, filled with fear, trembled.
माभैष्ट भद्र कालेन तथा प्रतिविधीयते
Do not fear, O blessed one; in time, it will be countered accordingly.
दत्ताभयान्मुकुंदादीन्विसृज्यांधकसूदनः
Having granted safety, Andhakasudana dismissed Mukunda and the others.
कदाचिन्मर्मलक्ष्येण प्रीत्या कालीति निंदिता
Once, because of a hidden wound, she was affectionately called 'Kali.'
यत्रोत्क्षिप्तवती चर्म स्वेच्छया परमेश्वरी 1.3.2.17.
There, the supreme goddess cast off her skin by her own will.
सा च त्वक्कौशिकी नाम्ना काली विंध्याद्रिवासिनी
And she, named Kauśikī of the skin, is Kālī, dwelling on Mount Vindhya.
देवी च गौरी शिखरे तस्मिन्नेव मनोहरे
And the goddess Gaurī was on that same beautiful peak.
क्रमेण दौर्हृदवती भूत्वा प्रासूत पार्वती
Gradually, having become one with longing, she gave birth to Pārvatī.
तौ चागमविदः प्राहुर्नारायणचतुर्मुखौ
Those two, Nārāyaṇa and the Four-faced One, are said by the tradition to have spoken.
वर्धमानौ च तौ बालौ पित्रोरालोकमानयोः
And those two children, growing, gazed upon their parents.
जातु वीणानिनादेन कदाचिच्चित्रलेखनैः
Sometimes with the sound of the vīṇā, sometimes with drawing pictures,