नमस्कृत्वाऽथ तामूचे कृतांजलिपुटा स्थिता
Then, standing with folded hands, she bowed and spoke.
तथान्यासामपींद्राणि देवतानामसंशयम्
So too, without doubt, do the queens of the other gods.
अप्यहं नरकं रौद्रं प्रगच्छामींद्रवल्लभे
Even if I must go to the terrible hell, O beloved of Indra,
अनादिमध्यपर्य्यन्ता ज्ञानैश्वर्यसम न्विता
She is endowed with knowledge and sovereignty, without beginning, middle, or end.
यामाराधयते विष्णुर्ब्रह्मा रुद्रश्च वासवः
She is worshipped by Vishnu, Brahma, Rudra, and Vasava.
यया व्याप्तमिदं सर्वं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम्
By her, all this—the three worlds, with moving and unmoving beings—is pervaded.
ममाज्ञां पालयन्ति स्म देवदानवपन्नगाः
The gods, demons, and serpents once obeyed my command.
किंनरा गुह्का यक्षाः किं पुनर्मर्त्यधर्मिणः
Even the Kinnaras, Guhyakas, and Yakshas did so—how much more, then, should mortals who follow dharma?
तन्नूनं वज्रघातेन चूर्णयिष्यामि ते शिरः
Therefore, I shall surely shatter your head with a blow of the thunderbolt.
धैर्यमालंब्य तां प्राह भूय एव सुरेश्वरीम् ६.६२.
Steadying himself with courage, he again addressed the queen of the gods.
यस्याः प्राप्तं त्वयैश्वर्यं परा तां तोषयाम्यहम्
She by whom you have attained supreme sovereignty—I will strive to please her.
तथापि वधयोग्यां मां मन्यसे विक्षिपायुधम्
Yet you consider me, who wields weapons, fit for death.
तच्छुत्वा कुरु यच्छ्रेयो विचिन्त्य मनसा ततः मां निषूदयितुं शक्ताः पार्वत्यां शरणं गताम्
Hearing this, reflect in your mind on what is best, and do what you must; you are not able to destroy me, who has taken refuge in Parvati.
तस्माद्द्रुतं दिवं गच्छ मा त्वं कोपं वृथा कुरु
Therefore, quickly return to heaven; do not let your anger be wasted in vain.
चिन्तयामास तदिदं मरणे कृतनिश्चया
Resolving upon death, she pondered this matter.
न प्रसीदति मे देवी यस्मात्पर्वतनंदिनी
Since the goddess, daughter of the mountain, does not show me favor—
तन्नूनं ज्वलनं दीप्तं सेवयिष्यामि सत्वरम्
I will surely approach the blazing fire at once.
दुग्धकुंदेन्दुसंकाशं संजातं सहसा वृषम्
Suddenly, a bull appeared, shining like milk, jasmine, and the moon.
चतुर्भुजां प्रसन्नास्यां दिव्यरूपसमन्विताम्
She beheld a four-armed figure, with a serene face and adorned with a divine form.
ततः सम्यक्समालोक्य ज्ञात्वा तां पर्वतात्मजाम् ६.६२.
Then, observing her well, he recognized her as the daughter of the mountain.
नमस्ते देवदेवेशि नमस्ते सर्ववासिनि
Salutations to you, O goddess of gods, salutations to you who dwell in all things.
शक्रादयोऽपि देवास्ते परमार्थेन नो विदुः
Even the gods, beginning with Indra, do not truly know you.
यस्याः सर्वं महीव्योमजलाग्निपवनात्मकम्
She whose essence is all—earth, sky, water, fire, and wind.
न तस्या जन्मनि ब्रह्मा न नाशाय महेश्वरः
Neither Brahma at her birth, nor Shiva at her dissolution, can comprehend her.
तथाष्टगुणमैश्वर्यं यस्याः स्वाभाविकं परम्
She whose supreme and natural sovereignty possesses eightfold powers—
यस्या रूपाण्यनेकानि सम्यग्ध्यानपरायणाः
She whose forms are many, to whom those devoted to true meditation turn—
हृदि संकल्प्य यद्रूपं ध्यानेनार्चंति योगिनः
The form which, conceived in the heart, yogis worship through meditation—
तां देवीं मानुषी भूत्वा कथं स्तौमि महेश्वरीम्
How can I, being human, praise that great goddess, the supreme Lady?
असंदिग्धं प्रदास्यामि यत्ते हृदि सदा स्थितम्
I will give you, without any doubt, that which always abides in your heart.
तत्किं तेन करिष्यामि सांप्रतं जरयावृता ॥ ६.६२.
But what shall I do with it now, as I am covered by old age?