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.
एतत्सृजामि पाम्यद्मि त्वल्लीलाप्रेरितोंगने
All this I create and sustain, O lady, impelled by your divine play.
शिवा शिवोदितं चेति श्रुत्वाप्याह महेश्वरम्
Having heard these words spoken by Shiva, Devi replied to the Great Lord.
मनो मे चरणद्वंद्वे तव स्थास्यति निश्चलम्
My mind will remain unwavering at your twin feet.
शंभुः कात्यायनीवाक्यामिति श्रुत्वा तदाब्रवीत् 4.2.88.
Hearing these words of Katyayani, Shambhu then spoke.
मच्छक्ति धारिणी त्वं वा सृजैवान्यां क्रतुक्रियाम्
You, who bear my power, may perform another sacrificial rite.
अन्यानाशु विधेहि त्वमृषीनार्त्विज्यकर्मणि
Swiftly appoint others to the duties of officiating priests for the sages.
पितुर्यज्ञोत्सवो नाथ द्रष्टव्योऽत्र मया ध्रुवम्
O Lord, I must certainly witness my father's sacrificial festival here.
कः प्रतीपयितुं शक्तश्चेतो वा जलमेव वा
Who is able to oppose—whether mind or even water?
निशम्येति पुनः प्राह सर्वज्ञो भूतनायकः
Hearing this, the all-knowing Lord of beings spoke again.
अद्य प्राचीं यियासुं त्वां वारयेत्पंगुवासरः
Today, the day is inauspicious; one who is lame would hinder your journey eastward.