ज्ञानेन तं समालोच्य वरमीदृग्गुणोदयम्
Considering with knowledge that such a husband is endowed with these virtues—
एषां गुणानामाधारो वरोस्तीति विनिश्चितम्
It is certain that the husband is the foundation of these qualities.
परं स सुखलभ्यो न नितरां सुभगाकृतिः 4.2.59.
He is truly attainable by great happiness, not merely by a charming appearance.
तीर्थभारैः स सुलभो न कौलीन्येन कन्यके
He is easily attained by the weight of holy acts, not by noble lineage, O maiden.
न सौंदर्येण वपुषा न बुद्ध्या न पराक्रमैः
Not by beauty, nor by form, nor by intelligence, nor by valor—
महातपः सहायेन दमदानदयायुजा
But with the companion of great austerity, joined with self-control, charity, and compassion.
इति श्रुत्वाथ सा कन्या पितरं प्रणिपत्य च
Hearing this, the maiden then bowed to her father.
तपस्तताप परमं यदसाध्यं तपस्विभिः
She undertook the highest austerity, which even ascetics could not accomplish.
क्व सा बालातिमृद्वंगी क्व च तत्तादृशं तपः
How could that tender, delicate girl perform such severe penance?
धारासारा सुवर्षासु महावातवतीष्वलम्
In torrents of rain and fierce winds, she endured without faltering.
श्रुत्वा गर्जरवं घोरं दृष्ट्वा विद्युच्चमत्कृतीः
Hearing the terrible roar of thunder and seeing the dazzling flashes of lightning,
तडित्स्फुरंतीत्वसकृत्तमिस्रासु तपोवने
With lightning constantly flickering in the dark forest of penance,
तपर्तुरेव साक्षाच्च कुमारी कैतवात्किल 4.2.59.
The maiden truly performed austerity, without any deceit.
जलाभिलाषिणी बाला न मनागपि सा पिबत्
Though longing for water, the young girl did not drink even a little.
रोमांच कंचुकवती वेपमानतनुच्छदा
Her body shivered, covered with goosebumps like a garment.
निशीथिनीषु शिशिरे श्रयंती सारसं रसम्
On cold nights, she sought the essence of the lotus for shelter.
मनस्विनामपि मनोरागतां सृजते मधौ
Even in spring, which stirs desire in the minds of the resolute,
वसंते निवसंती सा वने बालाचलंमनः
She remained in the forest during spring, her mind unmoved like a child’s.
बंधुजीवेऽधररुचिं कलहंसे कलागतीः
She found the red hue of her lips in the bandhujīva flower, and the grace of her voice in the call of the swan.
अपास्तभोगसंपर्का भोगिनां वृत्तिमाश्रिता
She avoided all contact with pleasures, adopting the way of the serpents.
शाणेन मणिवल्लीढा कृशाप्यायादनर्घताम्
Though thin, she shone with inestimable worth, polished like a gem by the whetstone.
निरीक्ष्य तां तपस्यंतीं विधिः संशुद्धमानसाम्
Seeing her engaged in penance, her mind purified,
सा चतुर्वक्त्रमालोक्य हंसयानोपरिस्थितम् 4.2.59.
She beheld the Four-faced One, seated above a swan vehicle.
सर्वेभ्यः पावनेभ्योपि कुरु मामतिपावनीम्
She said, 'Make me even purer than all that is purifying.'
स्रष्टा तदिष्टमाकर्ण्य नितरां तुष्टमानसः
The Creator, hearing that desired request, became exceedingly pleased in his mind.
तेभ्यः पवित्रमतुलं त्वमेधि वरतो मम
To you I grant, by my boon, the purest and incomparable sanctity.
तिस्रः कोट्योऽर्धकोटी च संति तीर्थानि कन्यके
There are three crores and half a crore of sacred fords, O maiden.
तानि सर्वाणि तीर्थानि त्वत्तनौ प्रतिलोम वै
All those sacred fords are indeed present, in reverse order, upon your body.
इत्युक्त्वांतर्दधे वेधाः सापि निर्धूतकल्मषा
Having spoken thus, the Creator vanished, and she too became free from all sin.
कदाचित्तां समालोक्य खेलंतीमुटजाजिरे
Once, seeing her playing in the hut's courtyard—