सृष्टिप्रलय संज्ञौ द्वौ ग्लहौ जयपराजयौ
The two called creation and dissolution are the moves, and victory and defeat.
भवतोः खेलसमयो यः सा स्थितिरुदाहृता
The time of play between you two is called existence.
न देवी जेष्यति पतिं नेशः शक्तिं विजेष्यति
The goddess will not defeat her lord, nor will the lord defeat his power.
देवः सर्वज्ञनाथोपि न किंचिदवबुध्यति 4.2.88.
Even the god, lord of all knowledge, does not comprehend anything.
लीलात्मा गुणवानेष विचारादतिनिर्गुणः
This one, whose nature is play and who possesses qualities, is, through discernment, entirely beyond qualities.
मध्यस्थोपि हि सर्वस्य माध्यस्थ्यमवलंबतै
Even though he is impartial to all, he maintains impartiality.
त्वं शक्तिरस्य देवस्य सर्वेषां मान्यभूः परा
You are the power of this god, the supreme one honored by all.
परं त्वं सर्वजगतां जनयित्र्येकिका ध्रुवम्
You alone are certainly the supreme mother of all worlds.
त्वमात्मानं न जानासि त्र्यक्षमायाविमोहिता
You do not know yourself, deluded by the three-eyed one's māyā.
अन्या अपि हि याः सत्यः पातिव्रत्यपरायणाः
Even those others who are true, devoted to fidelity to their husbands—
अथवास्तामियं वार्ता प्रस्तुतं प्रब्रवीम्यहम्
Or else, let me now speak about this matter which has arisen.
अपूर्वमिव संवीक्ष्य परिप्राप्तस्तवांतिकम्
As if encountering something unprecedented, I have come near to you.
आश्चर्यहेतुरेवायं यत्पुंजातं त्रयीतले
The very cause of wonder is this: that mankind has arisen upon the threefold Vedic path.
सालंकारं समानं च सानंदमुखपंकजम् 4.2.88.
With equal adornment and a lotus-like face full of joy.
विषादे कारणं चैतद्यतो जातमिदं जगत्
This is the reason for sorrow, since from this the world has come into being.
तदेव तत्र नो दृष्टं भवद्वंद्वं भवापहम्
There, indeed, we saw your pair, O remover of worldly existence.
तदेव नाभवत्तत्र समभूदन्यदेव हि
There, that alone was not present; truly, something else arose.
तानि वाक्यानि चाकर्ण्य द्रुहिणेन ययेततः
Hearing those words, Brahmā then departed from there.
शप्तश्च वीक्षमाणानां देवर्षीणां प्रजापतिः
And the lord of creatures was cursed by the Devarṣis who were watching.
दधीचिना समं केचिद्दुर्वासः प्रमुखा द्विजाः
Some Brāhmaṇas, led by Durvāsas, together with Dadhīci, also joined.
प्रावर्तत महायागो हृष्टपुष्टमहाजनः
A great sacrifice was begun, with the people joyful and prosperous.
भगिन्योपि च या देवि तव तत्र सभर्तृकाः
And your sisters, O goddess, were also there with their husbands.
इति देवी समाकर्ण्य सती दक्षकुमारिका
Thus, having heard, the goddess Satī, daughter of Dakṣa,
उवाच च भवत्वेवं शरणं भव एव मे 4.2.88.
Spoke: 'So be it; let you alone be my refuge.'
द्रुतमेव समुत्तस्थौ प्रणनाम च शंकरम्
She immediately rose up and bowed to Śaṅkara.
चरणौ शरणं ते मे देह्यनुज्ञा सदाशिव
Grant me your feet as my refuge, O Sadāśiva, give me permission.
मा निषेधीः प्रार्थयामि यास्यमि पितुरंतिकम्
Do not forbid me, I beg you; I will go to my father's presence.
अथोक्ता शंभुना देवी मृडान्युत्तिष्ठ भामिनि
Then the goddess was addressed by Śambhu: 'Rise, O gracious lady.'
लक्ष्म्या अपि च सौभाग्यं ब्रह्माण्यै कांतिरुत्तमा
Even Lakshmi possesses good fortune, and Brahmani has supreme radiance.
त्वया च शक्तिमानस्मि महदैश्वर्यरक्षणे
Through you, I am empowered to protect great sovereignty.