सप्तर्षिकांश्च शैलन्द्रः सूपविष्टो ऽवलोकयन्
The lord of mountains, seated comfortably, gazed upon the seven great sages.
प्रोवाच वचनं श्रीमान् धर्मसाधनमात्मनः
The illustrious one spoke words that established his own righteousness.
पितॄणामपि दौहित्रीं प्रतीच्छेमां मयोद्यताम्
May you accept this granddaughter, offered by me, even on behalf of the ancestors.
प्रादात् प्रतीच्छ भगवन् इदमुच्चैरुदीरयन्
He loudly declared, 'O blessed one, I give her—accept this!'
निराश्रयो ऽहं किरिशृङ्गवासी सुतां प्रतीच्छासि तवाद्रिराज
I am without support, dwelling on the mountain peaks; accept my daughter, O king of mountains.
सा चापि संस्पर्शमवाप्य शंभोः परां मुदं लब्धवती सुरर्षे
And she, upon touching Shambhu, attained supreme joy, O sage among the gods.
दत्त्वा च लाजान् कलमस्य शुक्लांस्ततो विरिञ्चो गिरिजामुवाच
After offering the white grains of rice and the husked barley, then Brahma spoke to the mountain's daughter.
समदृष्टिः स्थिरा भूत्वा कुरुष्वाग्नेः प्रदक्षिणम्
With steady and equal gaze, perform the circumambulation of the fire.
यथार्करश्मिसंतप्ता प्राप्य वृष्टिमिवावनिः
Just as the earth, scorched by the rays of the sun, receives the rain.
लज्जया सापि दृष्टेति शनैर्ब्रह्माणमब्रवीत्
Out of modesty, she slowly spoke to Brahma, saying, 'I have looked.'
कृतो लाजाश्च हविषा समं क्षिप्ता हुताशने
Oblations of parched grain, together with sacrificial offerings, were cast into the fire.
किं याचसि च दास्यामि मुञ्चस्वेति हरो ऽब्रवीत्
What do you ask for? I shall give it. Release her—so spoke Hara.
सौभाग्यं निजगोत्रीयं ततो मोक्षमवाप्स्यसि
You will obtain prosperity for your own lineage, and thereafter you will attain liberation.
सौभाग्यं निजगोत्रीयं यो ऽस्यास्तं शृणु वच्मि ते
Hear from me what prosperity for her own lineage is—listen, I will tell you.
एतदीयो हि सौभाग्यो दत्तो ऽस्मद्गोत्रमेव हि
Indeed, this prosperity has been given to her, belonging to our own lineage.
मालिनी निजगोत्रस्य शुभचारित्रमालिनी
Mālinī, adorned with virtuous conduct, belongs to her own lineage.
तदा कालीमुखं ब्रह्म ददर्श शशिनो ऽधिकम्
Then, he saw the face of Kālī, surpassing even the moon in radiance.
तच्छुक्रं बालुकायां च खिलीचक्रे ससाध्वसः
That semen fell upon the sand, and he became greatly afraid.
अमी महर्षयो धन्या वालखिल्याः पितामह
These great sages, the blessed Vālakhilyas, O Pitāmaha,
अष्टाशीतिसहस्राणि वालखिल्या इति स्मृताः
Are said to be eighty-four thousand in number, known as the Vālakhilyas.
रेमे सहोमया रात्रिं प्रभाते पुनरुत्थितः
He spent the night with Uma, and at dawn he arose again.
संपूजितः पर्वतपार्थिवेन स मन्दरं शीघ्रमुपादजगाम
Honored by the lord of the mountain, he swiftly went to Mandara.
विसर्ज्य भूतैः सहितो महीध्रमध्यावसन्मन्दरमष्टमूर्तिः
Having taken leave, accompanied by spirits, the Eight-formed One dwelt in the midst of the great mountain Mandara.
विश्वकर्माणमाहूय प्रोवाच कुरु मे गुहम्
Summoning Viśvakarman, he said: Build me a cave.
योजनानि चतुःषष्टिः प्रमाणेन हिरण्मयम्
Let it be sixty-four yojanas in measure, made of gold.
शुद्धस्फटिकसोपानं वैडूर्यकृतपरूपकम्
With stairs of pure crystal and adorned with lapis lazuli.
ततो देवपतिश्चक्रे यज्ञं गार्हस्थ्यलक्षणम्
Then the lord of the gods performed a sacrifice marked by household rites.
तथा सतस्त्रिनेत्रस्य महान् कालो ऽभ्यगान्मुने
Thus, O sage, a great period passed for the three-eyed one.
ततः कदाचिन्नर्मार्थं कालीत्युक्ता भवेन हि
Then, once, for the sake of amusement, she was called 'Kālī' by Bhava.
वाचा दुरुक्तां बीभत्सं न प्ररोहति वाक्क्षतम्
A harsh and repulsive word, once spoken, does not heal the wound it causes.