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."
सापि शंभोर्गिरं श्रुत्वा मुखपीयूषवर्षिणीम्
She, too, having heard Śambhu's words, which poured nectar from his lips,
त्र्यक्षं प्रत्यक्षमावीक्ष्य वरदानोन्मुखं पुरः
Beholding the three-eyed one directly before her, eager to grant a boon,
किं वृणे यावदित्थं सा चिंतयेच्चारुमध्यमा
That graceful-waisted lady wondered, 'What should I ask for?' and thus reflected.
आत्मार्थं जीवलोकेस्मिन्को न जीवति मानवः
'In this world of living beings, no human truly lives for their own sake.'
अनया मत्तपोवृत्ति साक्षिण्या बह्वनेहसम्
'With this ascetic practice of mine as witness, let there be great benefit for others.'
परामृश्य मनस्येतत्प्राह त्र्यक्षं सुलक्षणा
Having considered this in her mind, the auspicious one spoke to the three-eyed lord:
अजशावी वराक्येषा तर्हि प्रागनुगृह्यताम्
"This poor she-goat, then, let her be favored first."
इति वाचं निशम्येशः परोपकृतिशालिनीम् 4.1.47.
Hearing these words, the Lord, who delights in doing good for others,
देवदवस्ततः प्राह देवि पश्य गिरींद्रजे
Then the god addressed the goddess, "O daughter of the mountain, behold!
ते धन्याः सर्वलोकेषु सर्वधर्माश्रयाश्च ते
Blessed are those in all the worlds who are devoted to all dharmas;