The Devi's Narration to the Gods on Parvati's Birth

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.7.31.1)

जनमेजय उवाच । धराधराधीशमौलावाविरासीत्परं महः । यदुक्तं भवता पूर्वं विस्तरात्तद्वदस्व मे

janamejaya uvāca | dharādharādhīśamaulāvāvirāsītparaṁ mahaḥ | yaduktaṁ bhavatā pūrvaṁ vistarāttadvadasva me

Janamejaya said: That supreme radiance which, as you told me before, appeared upon the crest of the Lord of Mountains — please tell it to me now in full detail.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.7.31.2)

को विरज्येत मतिमान् पिबञ्छक्तिकथामृतम् । सुधां तु पिबतां मृत्युः स नैतच्छृण्वतो भवेत्

ko virajyeta matimān pibañchaktikathāmṛtam | sudhāṁ tu pibatāṁ mṛtyuḥ sa naitacchṛṇvato bhavet

What wise person, drinking the nectar-like tale of Shakti, could ever turn away from it? Death still comes even to those who drink the gods' own ambrosia — but it can never touch one who listens to this.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.7.31.3)

व्यास उवाच । धन्योऽसि कृतकृत्योऽसि शिक्षितोऽसि महात्मभिः । भाग्यवानसि यद्देव्यां निर्व्याजा भक्तिरस्ति ते

vyāsa uvāca | dhanyo'si kṛtakṛtyo'si śikṣito'si mahātmabhiḥ | bhāgyavānasi yaddevyāṁ nirvyājā bhaktirasti te

Vyasa said: Blessed are you, fulfilled are you, well-instructed by great souls; fortunate indeed are you, for your devotion to the Devi is free of all pretense.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.7.31.4)

शृणु राजन्पुरा वृत्तं सतीदेहेऽग्निभर्जिते । भ्रान्तः शिवस्तु बभ्राम क्वचिद्देशे स्थिरोऽभवत्

śṛṇu rājanpurā vṛttaṁ satīdehe'gnibharjite | bhrāntaḥ śivastu babhrāma kvaciddeśe sthiro'bhavat

Listen, O King, to what happened long ago: when Sati's body had been consumed by fire, grief-stricken Shiva wandered aimlessly, until at last he grew still in a certain place.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.7.31.5)

प्रपञ्चभानरहितः समाधिगतमानसः । ध्यायन्देवीस्वरूपं तु कालं निन्ये स आत्मवान्

prapañcabhānarahitaḥ samādhigatamānasaḥ | dhyāyandevīsvarūpaṁ tu kālaṁ ninye sa ātmavān

Unaware of the world entirely, his mind absorbed in samadhi, that self-possessed one passed his days meditating only upon the Devi's true form.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.7.31.6)

सौभाग्यरहितं जातं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम् । शक्तिहीनं जगत्सर्वं साब्धिद्वीपं सपर्वतम्

saubhāgyarahitaṁ jātaṁ trailokyaṁ sacarācaram | śaktihīnaṁ jagatsarvaṁ sābdhidvīpaṁ saparvatam

Meanwhile the three worlds, with everything moving and unmoving in them, lost all good fortune; the whole universe, with its oceans, islands and mountains, was drained of its power.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.7.31.7)

आनन्दः शुष्कतां यातः सर्वेषां हृदयान्तरे । उदासीनाः सर्वलोकाश्चिन्ताजर्जरचेतसः

ānandaḥ śuṣkatāṁ yātaḥ sarveṣāṁ hṛdayāntare | udāsīnāḥ sarvalokāścintājarjaracetasaḥ

Joy withered away in every heart; all beings turned listless, their minds worn thin with anxiety.

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.7.31.8)

सदा दुःखोदधौ मग्ना रोगग्रस्तास्तदाभवन् । ग्रहाणां देवतानां च वैपरीत्येन वर्तनम्

sadā duḥkhodadhau magnā rogagrastāstadābhavan | grahāṇāṁ devatānāṁ ca vaiparītyena vartanam

Everyone sank forever into an ocean of sorrow and fell prey to illness; even the planets and the gods began to move against their natural course.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.7.31.9)

अधिभूताधिदैवानां सत्यभावान्नृपाभवन् । अथाऽस्मिन्नेव काले तु तारकाख्यो महसुरः

adhibhūtādhidaivānāṁ satyabhāvānnṛpābhavan | athā'sminneva kāle tu tārakākhyo mahasuraḥ

The reality of every calamity — worldly and celestial alike — began to make itself felt, O King. It was at this very time that a great demon named Taraka —

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.7.31.10)

ब्रह्मदत्तवरो दैत्योऽभवत्त्रैलोक्यनायकः । शिवौरसस्तु यः पुत्रः स ते हन्ता भविष्यति

brahmadattavaro daityo'bhavattrailokyanāyakaḥ | śivaurasastu yaḥ putraḥ sa te hantā bhaviṣyati

having received a boon from Brahma, that demon became lord of the three worlds — for the boon decreed that only a son born of Shiva's own body could ever slay him.

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.7.31.11)

इति कल्पितमृत्युः स देवदेवैर्महासुरः । शिवौरससुताभावाज्जगर्ज च ननन्द च

iti kalpitamṛtyuḥ sa devadevairmahāsuraḥ | śivaurasasutābhāvājjagarja ca nananda ca

Knowing his death had thus been made all but impossible, that great demon roared in triumph and rejoiced before the very gods, since Shiva had, at that time, no son born of his own body at all.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.7.31.12)

तेन चोपद्रुताः सर्वे स्वस्थानात्प्रच्युताः सुराः । शिवौरससुताभावाच्चिन्तामापुर्दुरत्ययाम्

tena copadrutāḥ sarve svasthānātpracyutāḥ surāḥ | śivaurasasutābhāvāccintāmāpurduratyayām

Harassed by him, all the gods were driven from their own abodes, and — with no son of Shiva's own body existing anywhere — they fell into a despair from which there seemed no escape.

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.7.31.13)

नाङ्गना शङ्करस्यास्ति कथं तत्सुतसम्भवः । अस्माकं भाग्यहीनानां कथं कार्यं भविष्यति

nāṅganā śaṅkarasyāsti kathaṁ tatsutasambhavaḥ | asmākaṁ bhāgyahīnānāṁ kathaṁ kāryaṁ bhaviṣyati

Shankara has no wife at all — how then could a son of his ever be born? How, then, will our helpless cause ever be accomplished?

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.7.31.14)

इति चिन्तातुराः सर्वे जग्मुर्वैकुण्ठमण्डले । शशंसुर्हरिमेकान्ते स चोपायं जगाद ह

iti cintāturāḥ sarve jagmurvaikuṇṭhamaṇḍale | śaśaṁsurharimekānte sa copāyaṁ jagāda ha

Thus troubled, they all went together to Vaikuntha and, in private, laid their distress before Hari; and he told them of a way out.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.7.31.15)

कुतश्चिन्तातुराः सर्वे कामकल्पद्रुमा शिवा । जागर्ति भूवनेशानी मणिद्वीपाधिवासिनी

kutaścintāturāḥ sarve kāmakalpadrumā śivā | jāgarti bhūvaneśānī maṇidvīpādhivāsinī

Vishnu said: Why are you all so anxious? The auspicious Devi — a very wishing-tree granting every desire, the Sovereign of all worlds, who dwells on Manidvipa — is ever awake and watching.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.7.31.16)

अस्माकमनया देव तदुपेक्षास्ति नान्यथा । शिक्षैवेयं जगन्मात्रा कृतास्मच्छिक्षणाय च

asmākamanayā deva tadupekṣāsti nānyathā | śikṣaiveyaṁ jaganmātrā kṛtāsmacchikṣaṇāya ca

O gods, this misfortune of ours is nothing but the result of our own neglect of her — nothing else. The Mother of the world has arranged this very lesson only in order to instruct us.

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.7.31.17)

लालने ताडने मातुर्नाकारुण्यं यथार्भके । तद्वदेव जगन्मातुर्नियन्त्र्या गुणदोषयोः

lālane tāḍane māturnākāruṇyaṁ yathārbhake | tadvadeva jaganmāturniyantryā guṇadoṣayoḥ

Just as a mother's tenderness is no less present in chastising her child than in caressing it, so too the Mother of the world governs both merit and fault out of that same unbroken compassion.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.7.31.18)

अपराधो भवत्येव तनयस्य पदे पदे । कोऽपरः सहते लोके केवलं मातरं विना

aparādho bhavatyeva tanayasya pade pade | ko'paraḥ sahate loke kevalaṁ mātaraṁ vinā

A child errs, after all, at every single step — yet who in this world, other than a mother, ever bears with him?

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.7.31.19)

तस्माद्यूयं पराम्बां तां शरणं यात मा चिरम् । निर्व्याजया चित्तवृत्त्या सा वः कार्यं विधास्यति

tasmādyūyaṁ parāmbāṁ tāṁ śaraṇaṁ yāta mā ciram | nirvyājayā cittavṛttyā sā vaḥ kāryaṁ vidhāsyati

Therefore go, without delay, and take refuge in that Supreme Mother; approach her with a heart free of all pretense, and she will surely accomplish what you need.

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.7.31.20)

इत्यादिश्य सुरान्सर्वान्महाविष्णुः स्वजायया । संयुतो निर्जगामाशु देवैः सह सुराधिपः

ityādiśya surānsarvānmahāviṣṇuḥ svajāyayā | saṁyuto nirjagāmāśu devaiḥ saha surādhipaḥ

Having thus instructed all the gods, great Vishnu, together with his own consort, and with Indra, lord of the gods, and the other deities, at once set out.

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.7.31.21)

आजगाम महाशैलं हिमवन्तं नगाधिपम् । अभवंश्च सुराः सर्वे पुरश्चरणकर्मिणः

ājagāma mahāśailaṁ himavantaṁ nagādhipam | abhavaṁśca surāḥ sarve puraścaraṇakarmiṇaḥ

They arrived at the great mountain, Himavan, lord of all mountains, and all the gods set themselves to the disciplined rite of purashcharana.

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.7.31.22)

अम्बायज्ञविधानज्ञा अम्बायज्ञं च चक्रिरे । तृतीयादिव्रतान्याशु चक्रुः सर्वे सुरा नृप

ambāyajñavidhānajñā ambāyajñaṁ ca cakrire | tṛtīyādivratānyāśu cakruḥ sarve surā nṛpa

Knowing the proper procedure of the Amba-yajna, they performed that sacrifice to the Mother; and, O King, all the gods swiftly undertook the tritiya and other vows as well.

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.7.31.23)

केचित्समाधिनिष्णाताः केचिन्नामपरायणाः । केचित्सूक्तपराः केचिन्नामपारायणोत्सुकाः

kecitsamādhiniṣṇātāḥ kecinnāmaparāyaṇāḥ | kecitsūktaparāḥ kecinnāmapārāyaṇotsukāḥ

Some absorbed themselves in deep meditation, some devoted themselves wholly to repeating her Name; some gave themselves to reciting the hymns, others eagerly took up continuous recitation of her names.

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.7.31.24)

मन्त्रपारायणपराः केचित्कृच्छ्रादिकारिणः । अन्तर्यागपराः केचित्केचिन्न्यासपरायणाः

mantrapārāyaṇaparāḥ kecitkṛcchrādikāriṇaḥ | antaryāgaparāḥ kecitkecinnyāsaparāyaṇāḥ

Some devoted themselves to reciting the mantra again and again, some undertook the kricchra and other austere vows; some gave themselves to the inward sacrifice, others to the discipline of ritual nyasa.

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.7.31.25)

हृल्लेखया पराशक्तेः पूजां चक्रुरतन्द्रिताः । इत्येवं बहुवर्षाणि कालोऽगाज्जनमेजय

hṛllekhayā parāśakteḥ pūjāṁ cakruratandritāḥ | ityevaṁ bahuvarṣāṇi kālo'gājjanamejaya

Tirelessly, they worshipped the Supreme Shakti with the hrillekha mantra. In this way, O Janamejaya, many years passed by.

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.7.31.26)

अकस्माच्चैत्रमासीयनवम्यां च भृगोर्दिने । प्रादुर्बभूव पुरतस्तन्महः श्रुतिबोधितम्

akasmāccaitramāsīyanavamyāṁ ca bhṛgordine | prādurbabhūva puratastanmahaḥ śrutibodhitam

Then suddenly, on the ninth day of the month of Chaitra, on a Friday, that supreme radiance which the Vedas themselves proclaim appeared before them.

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.7.31.27)

चतुर्दिक्षु चतुर्वेदैर्मूर्तिमद्भिरभिष्टुतम् । कोटिसूर्यप्रतीकाशं चन्द्रकोटिसुशीतलम्

caturdikṣu caturvedairmūrtimadbhirabhiṣṭutam | koṭisūryapratīkāśaṁ candrakoṭisuśītalam

Praised on every side by the four Vedas in embodied form, it blazed like ten million suns, yet was cool as ten million moons.

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.7.31.28)

विद्युत्कोटिसमानाभमरुणं तत्परं महः । नैव चोर्ध्वं न तिर्यक्च न मध्ये परिजग्रभत्

vidyutkoṭisamānābhamaruṇaṁ tatparaṁ mahaḥ | naiva cordhvaṁ na tiryakca na madhye parijagrabhat

That supreme light, red as dawn, radiant as ten million lightning-flashes, could not be grasped as above, or to the side, or in the middle — it fit within no boundary at all.

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.7.31.29)

आद्यन्तरहितं तत्तु न हस्ताद्यङ्गसंयुतम् । न च स्त्रीरूपमथवा न पुंरूपमथोभयम्

ādyantarahitaṁ tattu na hastādyaṅgasaṁyutam | na ca strīrūpamathavā na puṁrūpamathobhayam

It was without beginning or end, possessed of no hands or limbs of any kind; it was neither a woman's form, nor a man's, nor both together.

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.7.31.30)

दीप्त्या पिधानं नेत्राणां तेषामासीन्महीपते । पुनश्च धैर्यमालम्ब्य यावत्ते ददृशुः सुराः

dīptyā pidhānaṁ netrāṇāṁ teṣāmāsīnmahīpate | punaśca dhairyamālambya yāvatte dadṛśuḥ surāḥ

Its blazing brilliance, O King, dazzled their very eyes shut; but then, gathering their courage once more, as the gods looked again —

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.7.31.31)

तावत्तदेव स्त्रीरूपेणाभाद्दिव्यं मनोहरम् । अतीव रमणीयाङ्गीं कुमारीं नवयौवनाम्

tāvattadeva strīrūpeṇābhāddivyaṁ manoharam | atīva ramaṇīyāṅgīṁ kumārīṁ navayauvanām

at that very moment, that same divine radiance took on a captivating feminine form — a maiden of newly-blossomed youth, of the most exquisite limbs.

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.7.31.32)

उद्यत्पीनकुचद्वन्द्वनिन्दिताम्भोजकुड्मलाम् । रणत्किङ्किणिकाजालसिञ्जन्मञ्जीरमेखलाम्

udyatpīnakucadvandvaninditāmbhojakuḍmalām | raṇatkiṅkiṇikājālasiñjanmañjīramekhalām

Her two full, rising breasts put even the lotus-bud to shame; her girdle, strung with tinkling bells, chimed sweetly with her anklets at every step.

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.7.31.33)

कनकाङ्गदकेयूरग्रैवेयकविभूषिताम् । अनर्घ्यमणिसम्भिन्नगलबन्धविराजिताम्

kanakāṅgadakeyūragraiveyakavibhūṣitām | anarghyamaṇisambhinnagalabandhavirājitām

She was adorned with golden armlets, bracelets, and a jeweled necklace, and shone with a throat-ornament set with priceless gems.

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.7.31.34)

तनुकेतकसंराजन्नीलभ्रमरकुन्तलाम् । नितम्बबिम्बसुभगां रोमराजिविराजिताम्

tanuketakasaṁrājannīlabhramarakuntalām | nitambabimbasubhagāṁ romarājivirājitām

Over her slender form her dark curling tresses, black as bees, cascaded like ketaki blossoms; her rounded, shapely hips were made lovelier still by the fine line of down that graced them.

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.7.31.35)

कर्पूरशकलोन्मिश्रताम्बूलपूरिताननाम् । कनत्कनकताटङ्कविटङ्कवदनाम्बुजाम्

karpūraśakalonmiśratāmbūlapūritānanām | kanatkanakatāṭaṅkaviṭaṅkavadanāmbujām

Her mouth was filled with betel mixed with flakes of camphor; her lotus-face was set off by gleaming golden earrings that swung as she moved.

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.7.31.36)

अष्टमीचन्द्रबिम्बाभललाटामायतभ्रुवम् । रक्तारविन्दनयनामुन्नसां मधुराधराम्

aṣṭamīcandrabimbābhalalāṭāmāyatabhruvam | raktāravindanayanāmunnasāṁ madhurādharām

Her forehead was like the crescent moon of the eighth night, her brows long and arching; her eyes were red lotuses, her nose finely raised, her lips sweet.

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.7.31.37)

कुन्दकुड्मलदन्ताग्रां मुक्ताहारविराजिताम् । रत्नसम्भिन्नमुकुटां चन्द्ररेखावतंसिनीम्

kundakuḍmaladantāgrāṁ muktāhāravirājitām | ratnasambhinnamukuṭāṁ candrarekhāvataṁsinīm

The tips of her teeth were like jasmine buds; she was adorned with a pearl necklace, wore a crown set with gems, and bore the crescent moon itself as an ornament.

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.7.31.38)

मल्लिकामालतीमालाकेशपाशविराजिताम् । काश्मीरबिन्दुनिटिलां नेत्रत्रयविलासिनीम्

mallikāmālatīmālākeśapāśavirājitām | kāśmīrabinduniṭilāṁ netratrayavilāsinīm

Garlands of mallika and malati blossoms adorned her braided hair; a dot of saffron marked her brow, and her three eyes played with radiant grace.

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.7.31.39)

पाशाङ्कुशवराभीतिचतुर्बाहुं त्रिलोचनाम् । रक्तवस्त्रपरीधानां दाडिमीकुसुमप्रभाम्

pāśāṅkuśavarābhīticaturbāhuṁ trilocanām | raktavastraparīdhānāṁ dāḍimīkusumaprabhām

Four-armed, she held noose and goad, and made the gestures of boon-giving and fearlessness; three-eyed, robed in red, her radiance was like the pomegranate flower.

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.7.31.40)

सर्वशृङ्गारवेषाढ्यां सर्वदेवनमस्कृताम् । सर्वाशापूरिकां सर्वमातरं सर्वमोहिनीम्

sarvaśṛṅgāraveṣāḍhyāṁ sarvadevanamaskṛtām | sarvāśāpūrikāṁ sarvamātaraṁ sarvamohinīm

She was arrayed in every ornament of beauty, saluted by every god, the fulfiller of every desire, the mother of all, and the enchantress of all.

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.7.31.41)

प्रसादसुमुखीमम्बां मन्दस्मितमुखाम्बुजाम् । अव्याजकरुणामूर्तिं ददृशुः पुरतः सुराः

prasādasumukhīmambāṁ mandasmitamukhāmbujām | avyājakaruṇāmūrtiṁ dadṛśuḥ purataḥ surāḥ

There before them the gods beheld that Mother — her face gracious and gentle, her lotus-mouth touched with a soft smile, the very embodiment of unfeigned compassion.

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.7.31.42)

दृष्ट्वा तां करुणामुर्तिं प्रणेमुः सकलाः सुराः । वक्तुं नाशक्नुवन् किञ्चिद्वाष्पसंरुद्धनिःस्वनाः

dṛṣṭvā tāṁ karuṇāmurtiṁ praṇemuḥ sakalāḥ surāḥ | vaktuṁ nāśaknuvan kiñcidvāṣpasaṁruddhaniḥsvanāḥ

Seeing that embodiment of compassion, all the gods bowed low; their voices choked with tears, they found themselves unable to utter a single word.

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.7.31.43)

कथञ्चित्स्थैर्यमालम्ब्य भक्त्या चानतकन्धराः । प्रेमाश्रुपूर्णनयनास्तुष्टुवुर्जगदम्बिकाम्

kathañcitsthairyamālambya bhaktyā cānatakandharāḥ | premāśrupūrṇanayanāstuṣṭuvurjagadambikām

Somehow steadying themselves, heads bowed in devotion, their eyes brimming with tears of love, they at last offered praise to the Mother of the world.

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.7.31.44)

देवा ऊचुः । नमो देव्यै महादेव्यै शिवायै सततं नमः । नमः प्रकृत्यै भद्रायै नियताः प्रणताः स्म ताम्

devā ūcuḥ | namo devyai mahādevyai śivāyai satataṁ namaḥ | namaḥ prakṛtyai bhadrāyai niyatāḥ praṇatāḥ sma tām

The gods said: Salutation to the Devi, salutation to the great Devi, salutation forever to the auspicious one; salutation to gracious Prakriti — devoutly we bow before her.

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.7.31.45)

तामग्निवर्णां तपसा ज्वलन्तीं वैरोचनीं कर्मफलेषु जुष्टाम् । दुर्गां देवीं शरणमहं प्रपद्ये सुतरसि तरसे नमः

tāmagnivarṇāṁ tapasā jvalantīṁ vairocanīṁ karmaphaleṣu juṣṭām | durgāṁ devīṁ śaraṇamahaṁ prapadye sutarasi tarase namaḥ

I take refuge in the Devi Durga, fire-hued, blazing with austerity, radiant, worshipped through the fruits of action — O you who ferry us safely across, who ferry us with ease, salutation to you.

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.7.31.46)

देवीं वाचमजनयन्त देवास्तां विश्वरूपाः पशवो वदन्ति । सा नो मन्द्रेषमूर्जं दुहाना धेनुर्वागस्मानुपसुष्टुतैतु

devīṁ vācamajanayanta devāstāṁ viśvarūpāḥ paśavo vadanti | sā no mandreṣamūrjaṁ duhānā dhenurvāgasmānupasuṣṭutaitu

That speech which the gods brought forth as the Devi — every form of being speaks it. May that speech, sweet and nourishing like a cow yielding her milk, come and bless us.

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.7.31.47)

कालरात्रिं ब्रह्मस्तुतां वैष्णवीं स्कन्दमातरम् । सरस्वतीमदितिं दक्षदुहितरं नमामः पावनां शिवाम्

kālarātriṁ brahmastutāṁ vaiṣṇavīṁ skandamātaram | sarasvatīmaditiṁ dakṣaduhitaraṁ namāmaḥ pāvanāṁ śivām

Kalaratri, praised by Brahma; Vaishnavi, mother of Skanda; Sarasvati, Aditi, and the daughter of Daksha — to that purifying, auspicious one we bow.

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.7.31.48)

महालक्ष्म्यै च विद्महे सर्वशक्त्यै च धीमहि । तन्नो देवी प्रचोदयात्

mahālakṣmyai ca vidmahe sarvaśaktyai ca dhīmahi | tanno devī pracodayāt

We know her as Mahalakshmi; we meditate upon her as the power of all things. May that Devi inspire and guide our understanding.

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.7.31.49)

नमो विराट्स्वरूपिण्यै नमः सूत्रात्ममूर्तये । नमोऽव्याकृतरूपिण्यै नमः श्रीब्रह्ममूर्तये

namo virāṭsvarūpiṇyai namaḥ sūtrātmamūrtaye | namo'vyākṛtarūpiṇyai namaḥ śrībrahmamūrtaye

Salutation to her whose form is the cosmic Viraj; salutation to her who is embodied as the Sutratma; salutation to her whose form is the Unmanifest; salutation to her who is the very form of Brahman.

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.7.31.50)

यदज्ञानाज्जगद्भाति रज्जुसर्पस्रगादिवत् । यज्ज्ञानाल्लयमाप्नोति नुमस्तां भुवनेश्वरीम्

yadajñānājjagadbhāti rajjusarpasragādivat | yajjñānāllayamāpnoti numastāṁ bhuvaneśvarīm

She through whose ignorance this world appears — as a rope seems a serpent or a garland — and through whose knowledge it dissolves away: to that Sovereign of all worlds we bow.

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.7.31.51)

नुमस्तत्पदलक्ष्यार्थां चिदेकरसरूपिणीम् । अखण्डानन्दरूपां तां वेदतात्पर्यभूमिकाम्

numastatpadalakṣyārthāṁ cidekarasarūpiṇīm | akhaṇḍānandarūpāṁ tāṁ vedatātparyabhūmikām

To her who is the true, indicated meaning of the word 'That'; whose very essence is pure undivided consciousness; whose form is unbroken bliss, the very ground of all that the Veda ultimately means — to her we bow.

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.7.31.52)

पञ्चकोशातिरिक्तां तामवस्थात्रयसाक्षिणीम् । नुमस्त्वम्पदलक्ष्यार्थां प्रत्यगात्मस्वरूपिणीम्

pañcakośātiriktāṁ tāmavasthātrayasākṣiṇīm | numastvampadalakṣyārthāṁ pratyagātmasvarūpiṇīm

To her who transcends the five sheaths, who witnesses all three states of experience, who is the true, indicated meaning of the word 'Thou', whose very nature is the innermost Self — to her we bow.

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.7.31.53)

नमः प्रणवरूपायै नमो ह्रीङ्कारमूर्तये । नानामन्त्रात्मिकायै ते करुणायै नमो नमः

namaḥ praṇavarūpāyai namo hrīṅkāramūrtaye | nānāmantrātmikāyai te karuṇāyai namo namaḥ

Salutation to her whose form is the Pranava, salutation to her embodied as Hrim; to you who are the very soul of every mantra, compassionate one, salutation again and again.

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.7.31.54)

इति स्तुता तदा देवैर्मणिद्वीपाधिवासिनी । प्राह वाचा मधुरया मत्तकोकिलनिःस्वना

iti stutā tadā devairmaṇidvīpādhivāsinī | prāha vācā madhurayā mattakokilaniḥsvanā

Thus praised by the gods, the Devi who dwells on Manidvipa spoke, her voice as sweet as a koel intoxicated with joy —

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.7.31.55)

श्रीदेव्युवाच । वदन्तु विबुधाः कार्यं यदर्थमिह सङ्गताः । वरदाहं सदा भक्तकामकल्पद्रुमास्मि च

śrīdevyuvāca | vadantu vibudhāḥ kāryaṁ yadarthamiha saṅgatāḥ | varadāhaṁ sadā bhaktakāmakalpadrumāsmi ca

The Devi said: O wise gods, tell me the purpose for which you have gathered here; I am ever the giver of boons, the very wishing-tree that fulfills my devotees' desires.

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.7.31.56)

तिष्ठन्त्यां मयि का चिन्ता युष्माकं भक्तिशालिनाम् । समुद्धरामि मद्भक्तान्दुःखसंसारसागरात्

tiṣṭhantyāṁ mayi kā cintā yuṣmākaṁ bhaktiśālinām | samuddharāmi madbhaktānduḥkhasaṁsārasāgarāt

While I stand here, what is there for devoted souls like you to fear? I myself lift my devotees out of the sorrowful ocean of worldly existence.

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.7.31.57)

इति प्रतिज्ञां मे सत्यां जानीथ विबुधोत्तमाः । इति प्रेमाकुलां वाणीं श्रुत्वा सन्तुष्टमानसाः

iti pratijñāṁ me satyāṁ jānītha vibudhottamāḥ | iti premākulāṁ vāṇīṁ śrutvā santuṣṭamānasāḥ

Know this promise of mine, O foremost among the wise, to be true. Hearing this speech, so full of loving warmth, the gods' hearts grew content.

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.7.31.58)

निर्भया निर्जरा राजन्नूचुर्दुःखं स्वकीयकम् । देवा ऊचुः । नाज्ञातं किञ्चिदप्यत्र भवत्यास्ति जगत्त्रये

nirbhayā nirjarā rājannūcurduḥkhaṁ svakīyakam | devā ūcuḥ | nājñātaṁ kiñcidapyatra bhavatyāsti jagattraye

Now fearless, O King, the immortals told her of their own sorrow. The gods said: O Goddess, nothing at all, in any of the three worlds, is unknown to you.

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.7.31.59)

सर्वज्ञया सर्वसाक्षिरूपिण्या परमेश्वरि । तारकेणासुरेन्द्रेण पीडिताः स्मो दिवानिशम्

sarvajñayā sarvasākṣirūpiṇyā parameśvari | tārakeṇāsurendreṇa pīḍitāḥ smo divāniśam

O Supreme Goddess, you who know all things and witness all things — we are tormented, day and night, by the demon-king Taraka.

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.7.31.60)

शिवाङ्गजाद्वधस्तस्य निर्मितो ब्रह्मणा शिवे । शिवाङ्गना तु नैवास्ति जानासि त्वं महेश्वरि

śivāṅgajādvadhastasya nirmito brahmaṇā śive | śivāṅganā tu naivāsti jānāsi tvaṁ maheśvari

O auspicious one, Brahma has ordained that only a son sprung from Shiva's own body can slay him — yet Shiva has no wife at all, as you, O great Goddess, surely know.

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.7.31.61)

सर्वज्ञपुरतः किं वा वक्तव्यं पामरैर्जनैः । एतदुद्देशतः प्रोक्तमपरं तर्कयाम्बिके

sarvajñapurataḥ kiṁ vā vaktavyaṁ pāmarairjanaiḥ | etaduddeśataḥ proktamaparaṁ tarkayāmbike

What more can lowly beings like us say before one who knows all? This much we have said only to point the way; the rest, O Mother, you yourself must judge.

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.7.31.62)

सर्वदा चरणाम्भोजे भक्तिः स्यात्तव निश्चला । प्रार्थनीयमिदं मुख्यमपरं देहहेतवे

sarvadā caraṇāmbhoje bhaktiḥ syāttava niścalā | prārthanīyamidaṁ mukhyamaparaṁ dehahetave

That our devotion to your lotus feet remain forever unshaken — this alone is our chief prayer; everything else is asked only for the body's sake.

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.7.31.63)

इति तेषां वचः श्रुत्वा प्रोवाच परमेश्वरी । मम शक्तिस्तु या गौरी भविष्यति हिमालये

iti teṣāṁ vacaḥ śrutvā provāca parameśvarī | mama śaktistu yā gaurī bhaviṣyati himālaye

Hearing their words, the Supreme Goddess spoke: My own power, in the form called Gauri, shall be born in the house of Himalaya.

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.7.31.64)

शिवाय सा प्रदेया स्यात्सा वः कार्यं विधास्यति । भक्तिर्यच्चरणाम्भोजे भूयाद्युष्माकमादरात्

śivāya sā pradeyā syātsā vaḥ kāryaṁ vidhāsyati | bhaktiryaccaraṇāmbhoje bhūyādyuṣmākamādarāt

She shall be given to Shiva in marriage, and she will accomplish your purpose; and may your devotion to her lotus feet remain, with reverence, ever your own.

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.7.31.65)

हिमालयो हि मनसा मामुपास्तेऽतिभक्तितः । ततस्तस्य गृहे जन्म मम प्रियकरं मतम्

himālayo hi manasā māmupāste'tibhaktitaḥ | tatastasya gṛhe janma mama priyakaraṁ matam

Himalaya worships me in his heart with the deepest devotion; therefore, to take birth in his house seems to me a pleasing thing indeed.

Verse 66 (devibhagavatam.7.31.66)

व्यास उवाच । हिमालयोऽपि तच्छ्रुत्वात्यनुग्रहकरं वचः । बाष्पैः संरुद्धकण्ठाक्षो महाराज्ञीं वचोऽब्रवीत्

vyāsa uvāca | himālayo'pi tacchrutvātyanugrahakaraṁ vacaḥ | bāṣpaiḥ saṁruddhakaṇṭhākṣo mahārājñīṁ vaco'bravīt

Vyasa said: Himalaya too, hearing this most gracious word, his throat and eyes choked with tears, spoke these words to the great Queen —

Verse 67 (devibhagavatam.7.31.67)

महत्तरं तं कुरुषे यस्यानुग्रहमिच्छसि । नोचेत्क्वाहं जडः स्थाणुः क्व त्वं सच्चित्स्वरूपिणी

mahattaraṁ taṁ kuruṣe yasyānugrahamicchasi | nocetkvāhaṁ jaḍaḥ sthāṇuḥ kva tvaṁ saccitsvarūpiṇī

Whomever you wish to favor, you make great beyond measure — for otherwise, where am I, an inert mass of stone, and where are you, whose very nature is being and consciousness itself?

Verse 68 (devibhagavatam.7.31.68)

असम्भाव्यं जन्मशतैस्त्वत्पितृत्वं ममानघे । अश्वमेधादिपुण्यैर्वा पुण्यैर्वा तत्समाधिजैः

asambhāvyaṁ janmaśataistvatpitṛtvaṁ mamānaghe | aśvamedhādipuṇyairvā puṇyairvā tatsamādhijaiḥ

O sinless one, that I should become your father seems impossible to me — even across hundreds of lifetimes, even through the merit of the Ashvamedha and other great rites, even through the merit born of deepest meditation.

Verse 69 (devibhagavatam.7.31.69)

अद्य प्रपञ्चे कीर्तिः स्याज्जगन्माता सुताभवत् । अहो हिमालयस्यास्य धन्योऽसौ भाग्यवानिति

adya prapañce kīrtiḥ syājjaganmātā sutābhavat | aho himālayasyāsya dhanyo'sau bhāgyavāniti

Today this fame shall spread through the world: that the Mother of the universe herself was born as a daughter — 'Ah, how blessed is this Himalaya, how fortunate!' — so will everyone say.

Verse 70 (devibhagavatam.7.31.70)

यस्यास्तु जठरे सन्ति ब्रह्माण्डानां च कोटयः । सैव यस्य सुता जाता को वा स्यात्तत्समो भुवि

yasyāstu jaṭhare santi brahmāṇḍānāṁ ca koṭayaḥ | saiva yasya sutā jātā ko vā syāttatsamo bhuvi

She, within whose very womb ten million universes exist — that she herself should be born as one's daughter — who on earth could ever equal such fortune?

Verse 71 (devibhagavatam.7.31.71)

न जानेऽस्मत्पितॄणां किं स्थानं स्यान्निर्मितं परम् । एतादृशानां वासाय येषां वंशेऽस्ति मादृशः

na jāne'smatpitṝṇāṁ kiṁ sthānaṁ syānnirmitaṁ param | etādṛśānāṁ vāsāya yeṣāṁ vaṁśe'sti mādṛśaḥ

I cannot even imagine what surpassing place my ancestors must have earned, that in their lineage one such as I should be born to receive this.

Verse 72 (devibhagavatam.7.31.72)

इदं यथा च दत्तं मे कृपया प्रेमपूर्णया । सर्ववेदान्तसिद्धं च त्वद्रूपं ब्रूहि मे तथा

idaṁ yathā ca dattaṁ me kṛpayā premapūrṇayā | sarvavedāntasiddhaṁ ca tvadrūpaṁ brūhi me tathā

Just as you have granted me this in your love-filled grace, so too tell me of that true form of yours which the whole of Vedanta itself establishes.

Verse 73 (devibhagavatam.7.31.73)

योगं च भक्तिसहितं ज्ञानं च श्रुतिसम्मतम् । वदस्व परमेशानि त्वमेवाहं यतो भवेः

yogaṁ ca bhaktisahitaṁ jñānaṁ ca śrutisammatam | vadasva parameśāni tvamevāhaṁ yato bhaveḥ

Tell me too of yoga joined with devotion, and of the knowledge the scriptures themselves affirm, O Supreme Goddess, by which I too might come to know that I am, indeed, none other than you.

Verse 74 (devibhagavatam.7.31.74)

व्यास उवाच । इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा प्रसन्नमुखपङ्कजा । वक्तुमारभताम्बा सा रहस्यं श्रुतिगूहितम्

vyāsa uvāca | iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā prasannamukhapaṅkajā | vaktumārabhatāmbā sā rahasyaṁ śrutigūhitam

Vyasa said: Hearing these words of his, that Mother, her lotus face alight with pleasure, began to speak of that mystery which the Vedas themselves have kept hidden.