सूत उवाच अन्यदेहांतरे ह्यासीच्चंडाली सा विगर्हिता
Sūta said: In another birth, that woman, despised, was born as a cāṇḍālī.
अथ सा भ्रममाणाऽत्र क्षेत्रे प्राप्ता तृषार्दिता ६.६२.
Then, as she wandered in that region, she was overcome by thirst.
अथापश्यत्स्तोकजलां सा तत्र लघुकूपिकाम्
There she saw a small well containing a little water.
ततो दयां समाश्रित्य त्यक्त्वा स्नेहं सुतोद्भवम्
Relying on compassion, she abandoned the affection arising from her children.
जलाभावे तथा सा च समस्तैर्बालकैः सह
In the absence of water, she remained there with all the children.
ततो नृपगृहे जाता तत्प्रभावाद्द्विजोत्तमाः
Then, by the power of that act, she was born in the house of a king, O best of Brāhmaṇas.
स्वकुलोच्छेदनकरी सर्वं सूत ब्रवीहि नः
O Sūta, tell us everything that caused the destruction of her lineage.
देवतायतने दृष्टा गौरी हेममयी शुभा
In a temple of the goddess, she saw Gaurī, auspicious and made of gold.
ततस्तां विजने प्राप्य गत्वा देशांतरं मुदा तावदन्वेषमाणास्तां संप्राप्ता नृपसेवकाः
Then, finding her alone, she went joyfully to another land; meanwhile, the king’s servants, searching for her, found her.
अथ ते तां समालोक्य भर्त्सयित्वा मुहुर्मुहुः
Seeing her, they scolded her again and again.
ततः सुवर्णमादाय त्यक्त्वा तां रुधिरप्लुताम्
Then, taking the gold and abandoning her, covered in blood,
यत्तया पार्वती स्पृष्टा ततो वै खण्डशः कृता ६.६२.
Because she had touched Pārvatī, she was then cut into pieces.
समुद्रप्रतिमं चारु पद्मिनीखंडमंडितम्
Beautiful as the ocean, adorned with clusters of lotuses,
सेवितं बहुभिर्हंसैर्बकैश्चक्रैः समंततः
It was frequented by many swans, cranes, and chakravāka birds all around.
प्रासादं तत्समीपस्थं साधु दृष्टिमनोहरम्
Nearby stood a splendid palace, delightful to behold.
ततस्तत्र तपस्तेपे गौरीं संस्थाप्य भक्तितः
There, having installed Gaurī with devotion, she performed austerities.
प्रातः स्नात्वा तु हेमंते गौरीं संपूज्य भक्तितः
In the morning, after bathing in winter, she worshipped Gaurī with devotion.
ततश्च शिशिरे प्राप्ते सायं प्रातः समाहिता
Then, when winter came, she remained composed, morning and evening.
वसंते नृत्यगीतैश्च तोषयामास पार्वतीम्
In the spring, she pleased Parvati with dance and song.
पञ्चाग्निसाधका ग्रीष्मे फलाहारं तपस्विनी
In the summer, the ascetic woman practiced the five-fire austerity, subsisting on fruit.
वर्षासु च जलाहारा भूत्वा सा विष कन्यका ६.६२.
During the rains, that poison maiden lived on water alone.
एवमाराधयंत्याश्च तस्या देवीं गिरेः सुताम्
Thus, as she worshipped the goddess, daughter of the mountain,
मुखं वलिभिराक्रान्तं पलितैरंकितं शिरः
Her face was marked by wrinkles, her hair streaked with gray.
कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य तत्परीक्षार्थमेव सा
Then, at some point in time, for the sake of testing her,
सुधावदातं सूर्याभं कैलासशिखरोपमम्
She appeared radiant as nectar, shining like the sun, resembling the peak of Kailasa.
समास्थाय वृता स्त्रीभिर्देवानां सर्वतो दिशम्
Surrounded by women, she took her place, facing every direction of the gods.
पांडुरेणातपत्रेण ध्रियमाणेन मूर्धनि
A pale parasol was held above her head.
गन्धर्वैर्गीयमानासीत्ततः प्रोवाच सादरम्
As the Gandharvas sang, she then spoke with respect.
अनेन तपसा तुष्टा पुष्कलेन तवाधुना त्रैलोक्येऽपि स्वयं प्राप्ता दयां कृत्वा तवोपरि
Now, satisfied by your abundant austerity, I myself have come to you in the three worlds, showing you compassion.
त्वया महत्तपस्तप्तं ध्यायंत्या हरवल्लभाम् ६.६२.
You have performed great austerity, meditating on the beloved of Hara.