वेदिमध्यगतौ नित्यं पार्वतीपरमेश्वरौ ओषधिप्रस्थमासाद्य पुरं हिम वतः प्रियम्
Parvatī and the Supreme Lord, always present in the center of the altar, reached the Oṣadhiprastha, the beloved city beneath the snowy mountain.
अत्र नः संशयो जातः श्रद्धेयमपि ते वचः
Here, a doubt has arisen for us, though your words are worthy of faith.
परं यत्कारणं कृत्स्नं तद्ब्रवीमि निबोध्यताम्
I shall tell you in full the supreme reason for all this; listen attentively.
य एष ओषधिप्रस्थे विवाहः प्रागभू त्तयोः
This marriage of the two, which took place at Oṣadhiprastha, occurred previously.
वैवस्वतेऽन्तरे पूर्वं संजातो द्विजसत्तमाः
It happened in a former age, O best of twice-born, during the interval of Vaivasvata.
हाटकेश्वरजे क्षेत्रे यश्चोद्वाहस्तयोरभूत्
And in the field born of Hāṭakeśvara, their wedding was celebrated.
पार्वतीहरयोः सूत सोऽस्माभिर्विस्तराच्छ्रुतः
O Sūta, the marriage of Pārvatī and Hara in that place has been heard by us in detail.
हाटकेश्वरजे क्षेत्रे दक्षयज्ञे मनोहरे ६.७७.
In the field born of Hāṭakeśvara, at the delightful sacrifice of Dakṣa.
सोऽस्माकं कीर्तनीयश्च त्वया सूतकुलोद्वह
That event is to be recounted by us, and by you, O foremost of Sūtas.
विवाहसमयं सम्यग्देवदेवस्य शूलिनः
The time of the marriage of the god of gods, the wielder of the trident.
ब्रह्मणो दक्षिणांगुष्ठाद्दक्षः प्राचेतसोऽभवत्
From the right thumb of Brahmā, Dakṣa, the son of Pracetas, was born.
तासां ज्येष्ठतमा साध्वी सतीनाम शुचिस्मिता ॥ बभूव कन्यका सर्वैर्गुणैर्युक्ताऽऽयतेक्षणा
Among his virtuous daughters, the eldest was Satī, pure-smiling, a maiden endowed with all qualities, with wide eyes.
न देवी न च गंधर्वी नासुरी न च नागजा
She was neither a goddess, nor a Gandharvī, nor an Asurī, nor born of the Nāgas.
ततः पुण्यतमं क्षेत्रं कन्यादानस्य स क्षमम्
Then, that most sacred field became suitable for the giving away of the maiden.
ततश्चोद्वाहयोग्यानि वसुनि विविधान्यपि
Then, various kinds of wealth suitable for a wedding were brought forth.
अथ चैत्रस्य शुक्लस्य नक्षत्रे भगदैवते
Next, during the bright fortnight of Caitra, under the star presided over by Bhaga,
सर्वैः सुरगणैः सार्धं देवविष्णुपुरःसरैः ६.७७.
together with all the hosts of gods, with Vishnu at their head,
सिद्धैः साध्यगणैर्भूतैः प्रेतैर्वैनायकैस्तथा
along with Siddhas, Sadhyas, Bhutas, Pretas, and also the Vinayakas,
एतस्मिन्नंतरे दक्षः संप्रहृष्टतनूरुहः
at that moment, Daksha, his body hair standing on end with joy,
वाद्यमानैर्महावाद्यैः सूतमागधबन्दिभिः
with great instruments being played by charioteers, bards, and minstrels,
ततः सर्वे सुरास्तत्र स्वयं दक्षेण पूजिताः परिवार्याखिलां वेदिं मंडपांतरवर्तिनीम्
then all the gods there, personally honored by Daksha, surrounded the entire altar, which was within the pavilion.
ततः पितामहं प्राह दक्षः प्रीतिपुरःसरम्
Then Daksha, filled with affection, spoke to the Grandfather (Brahma).
स्वयमेव सुताऽस्माकं येन स्यात्सुभगा सती
Let our daughter Sati herself become fortunate by whomsoever she chooses.
बाढमित्येव सोऽप्युक्त्वा प्रहृष्टेनांतरात्मना
He too, replying 'So be it,' with joy in his heart,
संप्रदानक्रियां कृत्वा तत्रैव विधिपूर्वकम् मातॄणां पुरतो वेधाः सतीशाभ्यां यथोचितम्
performed the giving-away ceremony there itself, according to the prescribed rite, in the presence of the Mothers, by the Creator together with Sati, as was proper.
अथ वेदिं समासाद्य गृह्योक्तविधिनाऽखिलम्
Then, approaching the altar, all was done according to the household ritual.
यथायथा स रम्याणि वीक्षतेंऽगानि कौतुकात् ६.७७.
As she curiously gazed upon his beautiful limbs one by one,
तेनैकं वदनं मुक्त्वा तस्या वस्त्रावगुंठितम्
leaving only one face uncovered, the rest of hers was veiled with cloth.
न शंभोर्लज्जया वक्त्रं प्रत्यक्षं स व्यलोकयत्
Out of modesty before Shambhu, she did not look directly at his face.
ततस्तद्दर्शनार्थाय स उपायं व्यलो कयत्
Then, in order to see her, he devised a means.