तत्रेतिहासो यो वृत्तस्तं निशामय सुव्रत
Now, listen attentively, O virtuous one, to the ancient tale that happened there.
आसीत्काश्यां शुभाचारः सदातिथिजनप्रियः
There was in Kāśī a man of good conduct, always dear to guests and people.
भर्तृशुश्रूषणरता गृहकर्मसुपेशला
His wife was devoted to serving her husband, skilled in household duties.
मूलर्क्षप्रथमेपादे तथा केंद्रे बृहस्पतौ
When the first foot of the root sign arose, and Jupiter was in the center—
सुरूपा विनयाचारा पित्रोश्च प्रियकारिणी
She was beautiful, modest in conduct, and did what pleased her parents.
यथायथा समैधिष्ट सा कन्या पितृमंदिरे
As time went by, that maiden matured in her father's house.
कस्मै देया वरा कन्या सुरम्येयं सुलक्षणा
To whom should this excellent, well-featured maiden be given as a bride?
कुलेन वयसा चापि शीलेनापि श्रुतेन च 4.1.47.
Considering family, age, character, and learning—
इति चिंतयतस्तस्य ज्वरोभूदतिदारुणः
As he pondered thus, a most terrible fever afflicted him.
तन्मूलर्क्षविपाकेन चिंताख्येन ज्वरेण च
From the ripening of that root sign and from the fever called anxiety—
पितर्युपरते तस्याः कन्यायाः सा जनन्यपि
When her father passed away, that maiden's mother also departed.
धर्मोयं सहचारिण्या जीवताजीवतापि वा
This is the law: whether the companion lives or dies.
नापत्यं पाति नो माता न पिता नैव बांधवाः
Neither offspring, nor mother, nor father, nor even relatives protect.
सुलक्षणापि दुःखार्ता पित्रोः पंचत्वमाप्तयोः
Though she was virtuous, she was afflicted with sorrow when both her parents died.
चिंतामवाप महतीमनाथा दैन्यमागता
She, now without support, fell into great anxiety and distress.
दुस्तरं पारमाप्स्यामि स्त्रीत्वं सर्वाभिभावि यत्
How will I cross this insurmountable state of womanhood, which overcomes all?
तददत्ता कथं स्वैरमहमन्यं वरं वृणे
Unbestowed by anyone, how can I freely choose another husband?
स्वाधीनोपि न तत्तेन वृतेनापि हि किं भवेत् 4.1.47.
Even if I am independent, what would come from such a choice?
युवभिर्बहुभिर्नित्यं प्रार्थितापि मुहुर्मुहुः
Though you all, many and youthful, have constantly and repeatedly sought me,
पित्रोरुपरतिं दृष्ट्वा वात्सल्यं च तथाविधम्
Seeing the death of my parents and their deep affection,
याभ्यामुत्पादिता चाहं याभ्यां च परिपालिता
By whom I was born and by whom I was protected,
अहो देहोप्यहोंगत्वं यथा पित्रोः पुरो मम
Alas, even my body and my very being were before my parents.
ब्रह्मचर्यं दृढं कृत्वा तप उग्रं चचार ह
Resolving to maintain strict celibacy, she undertook severe austerity.
तस्यां तपस्यमानायामेकाच्छागी लघीयसी
While she was performing austerities, she subsisted on a single, light meal.
तृणपर्णादिकं किंचित्सायमभ्यवहृत्य सा
In the evening, she would partake of a little grass, leaves, and such.
तत इत्थं व्यतीतासु पंचषा सुसमासु च
Thus, five or six years passed in this way, all well observed.
सन्निधावुत्तरार्कस्य तपस्यतीं सुलक्षणाम्
In the presence of the setting sun, the virtuous woman continued her austerities.
ततो गिरिजया शंभुर्विज्ञप्तः करुणात्मना 4.1.47.
Then, moved by compassion, Śaṃbhu was petitioned by Girijā.
शर्वाणीगिरमाकर्ण्य ततः शर्वः कृपानिधिः
Hearing the words of Śarvāṇī, then Śarva, the ocean of compassion,
सुलक्षणे प्रसन्नोस्मि वरं वरय सुव्रते
"O auspicious one, I am pleased with you; choose a boon, O virtuous lady."