महारुंडा प्रतीच्यां च देवी स्वप्नेश्वरी शुभा
In the west is the goddess Maharunda, the auspicious goddess Svapneshvari.
तत्र स्वप्नेश्वरं लिंगं देवीं स्वप्नेश्वरीं तथा
There, the linga of Svapneshvara and the goddess Svapneshvari as well.
उपोषणपरो धीमान्नारीवा पुरुषोपि वा
A wise person, whether woman or man, devoted to fasting—
अद्यापि प्रत्ययस्तत्र कार्य एष विजानता
Even today, this practice should be observed by one who understands.
अष्टम्यां च चतुर्दश्यां नवम्यां निशि वा दिवा
On the eighth, fourteenth, or ninth day, whether at night or by day,
स्वप्नेश्वर्याश्च वारुण्यां दुर्गादेवी व्यवस्थिता
In the Varuni of Svapneshvari, the goddess Durga is established.
कथं च काश्यां सा सेव्या समाचक्ष्वेति मामिह
How should she be served in Kashi? Tell me this here.
दुर्गा नामाभवद्देव्या यथा सेव्या च साधकैः
How the goddess named Durga came to be, and how she is to be served by practitioners.
दुर्गो नाम मदादैत्यो रुरु दैत्यांगजोभवत्
There was a Daitya named Durga, who was born as the elephant among the Daityas, Ruru.
ततस्तेनाखिला लोका भूर्भुवःस्वर्मुखा अपि
Then, by him, all the worlds, including Bhur, Bhuvah, and Svah, were overtaken.
स्वयमिंद्रः स्वयं वायुः स्वयं चंद्रः स्वयं यमः
He himself became Indra, he himself became Vayu, he himself became Chandra, and he himself became Yama.
स्वयमीशानरुद्रार्क वसूनां पदमाददे
He himself seized the position of Ishana, Rudra, Arka, and the Vasus.
न वेदाध्ययनं चक्रुर्ब्राह्मणास्तद्भयादिताः
The Brahmins, out of fear of him, did not study the Vedas.
विध्वस्ता बहुशः साध्व्यस्तैरमार्गकृतास्पदैः
Many virtuous women were ruined by those who established places for unrighteous acts.
अभोक्षिषुर्दुराचाराः क्रूरकर्मपरिग्रहाः
The wicked, devoted to cruel deeds, consumed (enjoyed) unrighteously.
ज्योतींषि न प्रदीप्यंति तद्भयाकुलितान्यहो 4.2.71.
Out of fear of him, even the lights were not kindled, being agitated—alas!
धर्मक्रियाविलुप्ताश्च प्रवृत्ताः सुकृतेतराः
Righteous acts and rituals were lost, and only unrighteous deeds prevailed.
सस्यानि तद्भयात्सूते त्वनुप्तापि वसुंधरा
The earth, out of fear of him, produced crops even without being sown.
बंदीकृताः सुरर्षीणां पत्न्यस्तेनातिदर्पिणा
The wives of the divine sages were taken captive by that exceedingly arrogant one.
मर्त्या अमर्त्यान्स्वगृहं प्राप्तानपि भयार्दिताः
Mortals, terrified, did not welcome even immortals who came to their homes.
न कौलीन्यं न सद्वृत्तं महत्त्वाय प्रकल्पते
Neither noble lineage nor good conduct was considered worthy of greatness.
विपद्यपि हि ते धन्या न ये दैन्यप्रणोदिताः
Even in misfortune, those are truly blessed who are not driven by misery.
पंचत्वमेव हि वरं लोके लाघववर्ज्जितम्
Indeed, in this world, it is better to die than to live with disgrace.
त एव लोके जीवंति पुण्यभाजस्त एव वै
Only those who possess merit truly live in this world—only they.
कदाचित्संपदुदयः कदाचिद्विपदुद्गमः
Sometimes prosperity arises, and sometimes adversity emerges.
उदयानुदयौ प्राज्ञैर्द्रष्टव्यौ पुष्पवंतयोः 4.2.71.
The wise should regard both the rise and fall (of fortune) as like the blossoming and withering of flowers.
यस्त्वापदं समासाद्य दैन्यग्रस्तो विपद्यते
But he who, having encountered misfortune, is overcome by dejection and fails.
आपद्यपि हि ये धीरा इह लोके परत्र च
Even in adversity, those who are steadfast—both in this world and the next—
भ्रष्टराज्याश्च विबुधा महेशं शरणं गताः
The wise, though deprived of their kingdoms, sought refuge in the great Lord.
माहेश्वरीं समासाद्य भवान्याज्ञां प्रहृष्टवत्
Having approached the goddess of Maheśvara, joyfully received the command of Bhavānī.