नहि नहि परिभवमस्त्यशुभं च स्तुतिबलिकुसुमकराः सततं ये
There is truly no misfortune or disgrace for those who always offer you praise, strength, and flowers.
प्राप्तो मयाद् भुततमो भवतां प्रसादात् संग्राममूर्ध्वि सुरशत्रुजयः प्रमर्दात्
By your grace I have attained the utmost victory over the enemies of the gods in battle.
दुःस्वप्ननाशो भविता न संशयो वरस्तथान्यो व्रियतामभीप्सितः
The destruction of evil dreams will surely occur—there is no doubt; now choose another boon as you desire.
पुनरपि देवरिपूनपरांस्त्वं प्रदह हुताशनतुल्यशरीरे
Again, you shall burn up the enemies of the gods, your body blazing like fire.
अन्धासुरस्याप्रतिपोषणे रता नाम्ना प्रसिद्धा भुवनेषु चर्चिका
You are devoted to the destruction of the demon Andha, and are renowned in the worlds by the name Carcikā.
तं विप्रचित्तिं लवणं तथापरौ शुम्भं निशुम्भं दशनप्रहारिमी
Vipracitti, Lavaṇa, and others, as well as Śumbha and Niśumbha, and the ten-fanged assailant—
संभूय देव्यामितसत्यधामया सुरा भरिष्यामि च शाकम्भरी वै
Together with the goddess of boundless truth and power, I shall bear the gods as Śākambharī.
दुर्वृत्तचेष्टान् विनिहत्य दैत्यान् भूयः समेष्यामि सुरालयं हि
Having slain the wicked-acting Daityas, I shall again return to the abode of the gods.
महालिरूपेण विनष्टजीवितं कृत्वा समष्यामि पुनस्त्रिविष्टपम्
Assuming the form of Mahālī, after destroying life, I shall once more return to heaven.
विसृज्य भूतानि जगाम देवी खं सिद्धसंघैरनुगम्यमाना
Having dismissed the beings, the goddess departed into the sky, followed by hosts of perfected beings.
श्रोतव्यमेतन्नियतैः सदैव रक्षोघ्नमेतद्भगवानुवाच
This should always be listened to by the devoted; this, which destroys demons, was spoken by the Blessed Lord.
एतन्मे विस्तराद् ब्रह्मन् कथयस्वामितद्युते
O Brahman, tell me this in detail, as you are devoted to me.
यशोवृद्धिं कुमारस्य कार्तिकेयस्य नारद
O Nārada, the fame of the youth Kārtikeya increased.
तेनाक्रान्तो ऽभवद् ब्रह्मन् मन्दतेजा हुताशनः
Because of this, O Brahman, the fire-god of great radiance was overcome.
तैश्चापि प्रहितस्तूर्णं ब्रह्मलोकं जगाम ह
He was quickly sent by them and went to the world of Brahma.
तां दृष्ट्वा प्राह कुटिले तेज एतत्सुदुर्द्धरम्
Seeing her, he said: 'O crooked one, this radiance is very difficult to bear.'
तस्मात् प्रतीच्छ पुत्रो ऽयं तव धन्यो भविष्यति
Therefore, accept this child; he will become blessed for you.
प्रक्षिपस्वाम्भसि मम प्राह वह्निं महापगा
He said to the great river: 'Cast the fire into the water for me.'
मांसमस्थीनि रुधिरं मेदोन्त्ररेतसी त्वचः
Flesh, bones, blood, marrow, intestines, semen, and skin—
हिरण्यरेता लोकेषु तेन गीतश्च पावकः
Because of his golden seed, he is sung in the worlds as Pāvaka.
धारयन्ती तदा गर्भं ब्रह्मणः स्थानमागता
At that time, she bore the embryo, having reached the abode of Brahma.
दृष्ट्वा पप्रच्छ गेनायं तव गर्भः समाहितः
Seeing her, he asked: 'Is your embryo well established?'
तदशक्तेन तेनाद्य निक्षिप्तं मयि सत्तम
Then, unable to bear it, O noble one, it was deposited in me today.
गर्भस्य वर्त्तते कालो न पपात च कर्हिचित्
The time of the embryo continues; it never fell at any time.
तत्रास्ति योजनशतं रौद्रं शरवणं महत्
There is a great, fierce place called Śaravaṇa, a hundred yojanas wide.
दशवर्षसहस्रान्ते ततो बालो भविष्यति
After ten thousand years, then the boy will be born.
आगत्य गर्भं तत्याज सुखेनैवाद्रिनन्दिनी
Having come, the daughter of the mountain easily abandoned the embryo.
आपोमयी मन्त्रवशात् संजाता-कुटिला सती
By the power of mantra, the crooked one became composed of water.
तन्निवासरताश्चान्ये पादपा मृगपक्षिणः
Other residents there were trees, beasts, and birds.
बालार्कदीप्तिः संजातो बालः कमललोचनः
The boy, with the radiance of the rising sun and lotus-like eyes, was born.