The Story of Shashthi

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.9.46.1)

नारद उवाच । अनेकानां च देवीनां श्रुतमाख्यानमुत्तमम् । अन्यासां चरितं ब्रह्मन् वद वेदविदांवर

nārada uvāca | anekānāṁ ca devīnāṁ śrutamākhyānamuttamam | anyāsāṁ caritaṁ brahman vada vedavidāṁvara

Narada said: I have heard the excellent stories of many goddesses. Now, O Brahmin, tell me the stories of others, O best of the knowers of the Veda.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.9.46.2)

श्रीनारायण उवाच । सर्वासां चरितं विप्र वेदेषु च पृथक्पृथक् । पूर्वोक्तानां च देवीनां कासां श्रोतुमिहेच्छसि

śrīnārāyaṇa uvāca | sarvāsāṁ caritaṁ vipra vedeṣu ca pṛthakpṛthak | pūrvoktānāṁ ca devīnāṁ kāsāṁ śrotumihecchasi

Shri Narayana said: The stories of all of them are told separately in the Vedas, O Brahmin. Among the goddesses already spoken of, which do you now wish to hear?

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.9.46.3)

नारद उवाच । षष्ठी मङ्गलचण्डी च मनसा प्रकृतेः कला । उत्पत्तिमासां चरितं श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वतः

nārada uvāca | ṣaṣṭhī maṅgalacaṇḍī ca manasā prakṛteḥ kalā | utpattimāsāṁ caritaṁ śrotumicchāmi tattvataḥ

Narada said: Shashthi, Mangalachandi, and Manasa are portions of Prakriti. I wish to hear truly of their origin and their story.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.9.46.4)

श्रीनारायण उवाच । षष्ठांशा प्रकृतेर्या च सा च षष्ठी प्रकीर्तिता । बालकानामधिष्ठात्री विष्णुमाया च बालदा

śrīnārāyaṇa uvāca | ṣaṣṭhāṁśā prakṛteryā ca sā ca ṣaṣṭhī prakīrtitā | bālakānāmadhiṣṭhātrī viṣṇumāyā ca bāladā

Shri Narayana said: She who is the sixth portion of Prakriti is proclaimed as Shashthi; the presiding deity of children, the Maya of Vishnu, the bestower of children,

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.9.46.5)

मातृकासु च विख्याता देवसेनाभिधा च या । प्राणाधिकप्रिया साध्वी स्कन्दभार्या च सुव्रता

mātṛkāsu ca vikhyātā devasenābhidhā ca yā | prāṇādhikapriyā sādhvī skandabhāryā ca suvratā

renowned among the Mother-goddesses, known by the name Devasena; dearer than life, virtuous, the wife of Skanda, of pure vows.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.9.46.6)

आयुःप्रदा च बालानां धात्री रक्षणकारिणी । सततं शिशुपार्श्वस्था योगेन सिद्धियोगिनी

āyuḥpradā ca bālānāṁ dhātrī rakṣaṇakāriṇī | satataṁ śiśupārśvasthā yogena siddhiyoginī

She grants long life to children, is their nurse and protector; she is ever present at the side of infants, a perfected yogini through her yogic power.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.9.46.7)

तस्याः पूजाविधिं ब्रह्मनितिहासमिदं शृणु । यच्छ्रुतं धर्मवक्येण सुखदं पुत्रदं परम्

tasyāḥ pūjāvidhiṁ brahmanitihāsamidaṁ śṛṇu | yacchrutaṁ dharmavakyeṇa sukhadaṁ putradaṁ param

Hear now, O Brahmin, this account of her manner of worship, as heard from the mouth of Dharma — bringing happiness, bestowing sons, supreme.

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.9.46.8)

राजा प्रियव्रतश्चासीत्स्वायम्भुवमनोः सुतः । योगीन्द्रो नोद्वहद्भार्यां तपस्यासु रतः सदा

rājā priyavrataścāsītsvāyambhuvamanoḥ sutaḥ | yogīndro nodvahadbhāryāṁ tapasyāsu rataḥ sadā

There was a king, Priyavrata, the son of Svayambhuva Manu; a lord among yogis, he did not marry, ever devoted to austerities.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.9.46.9)

ब्रह्माज्ञया च यत्नेन कृतदारो बभूव ह । सुचिरं कृतदारश्च न लेभे तनयं मुने

brahmājñayā ca yatnena kṛtadāro babhūva ha | suciraṁ kṛtadāraśca na lebhe tanayaṁ mune

By Brahma's command, and with effort, he became married; long after his marriage, O sage, he still had no son.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.9.46.10)

पुत्रेष्टियज्ञं तं चापि कारयामास कश्यपः । मालिन्यं तस्य कान्तायै मुनिर्यज्ञचरुं ददौ

putreṣṭiyajñaṁ taṁ cāpi kārayāmāsa kaśyapaḥ | mālinyaṁ tasya kāntāyai muniryajñacaruṁ dadau

The sage Kashyapa had him perform the Putreshti sacrifice for a son. That sage gave the sacrificial oblation-cake to Malini, his wife.

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.9.46.11)

भुक्त्वा च तं चरुं तस्याः सद्यो गर्भो बभूव ह । दधार तं च सा देवी दैवं द्वादशवत्सरम्

bhuktvā ca taṁ caruṁ tasyāḥ sadyo garbho babhūva ha | dadhāra taṁ ca sā devī daivaṁ dvādaśavatsaram

Having eaten that cake, a pregnancy immediately came upon her; that Devi bore it for twelve divine years.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.9.46.12)

ततः सुषाव सा ब्रह्मन् कुमारं कनकप्रभम् । सर्वावयवसम्पन्नं मृतमुत्तारलोचनम्

tataḥ suṣāva sā brahman kumāraṁ kanakaprabham | sarvāvayavasampannaṁ mṛtamuttāralocanam

Then, O Brahmin, she gave birth to a boy radiant as gold, perfect in every limb — but dead, his eyes rolled back.

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.9.46.13)

तं दृष्ट्वा रुरुदुः सर्वा नार्यश्च बान्धवस्त्रियः । मूर्च्छामवाप तन्माता पुत्रशोकेन भूयसा

taṁ dṛṣṭvā ruruduḥ sarvā nāryaśca bāndhavastriyaḥ | mūrcchāmavāpa tanmātā putraśokena bhūyasā

Seeing him, all the women and the kinswomen wept; his mother fell into a swoon from the overwhelming grief for her son.

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.9.46.14)

श्मशानं च ययौ राजा गहीत्वा बालकं मुने । रुरोद तत्र कान्तारे पुत्रं कृत्वा स्ववक्षसि

śmaśānaṁ ca yayau rājā gahītvā bālakaṁ mune | ruroda tatra kāntāre putraṁ kṛtvā svavakṣasi

The king, O sage, took the child and went to the cremation ground; there in that forest he wept, holding his son to his own chest.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.9.46.15)

नोत्सृजद् बालकं राजा प्राणांस्त्यक्तुं समुद्यतः । ज्ञानयोगं विसस्मार पुत्रशोकात्सुदारुणात्

notsṛjad bālakaṁ rājā prāṇāṁstyaktuṁ samudyataḥ | jñānayogaṁ visasmāra putraśokātsudāruṇāt

The king would not let go of the child, and was ready to give up his own life; through his most terrible grief for his son, he forgot all his knowledge and discipline as a yogi.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.9.46.16)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तत्र विमानं च ददर्श सः । शुद्धस्फटिकसङ्काशं मणिराजविनिर्मितम्

etasminnantare tatra vimānaṁ ca dadarśa saḥ | śuddhasphaṭikasaṅkāśaṁ maṇirājavinirmitam

Meanwhile, there he beheld a celestial chariot, resembling pure crystal, fashioned from the finest of jewels,

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.9.46.17)

तेजसा ज्वलितं शश्वच्छोभितं क्षौमवाससा । नानाचित्रविचित्राढ्यं पुष्पमालाविराजितम्

tejasā jvalitaṁ śaśvacchobhitaṁ kṣaumavāsasā | nānācitravicitrāḍhyaṁ puṣpamālāvirājitam

blazing with splendor, ever adorned with silken cloth, richly decorated with various wondrous pictures, resplendent with garlands of flowers.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.9.46.18)

ददर्श तत्र देवीं च कमनीयां मनोहराम् । श्वेतचम्पकवर्णाभां शश्वत्सुस्थिरयौवनाम्

dadarśa tatra devīṁ ca kamanīyāṁ manoharām | śvetacampakavarṇābhāṁ śaśvatsusthirayauvanām

There he beheld a Devi, enchanting, lovely, radiant with the hue of the white champaka, ever fixed in unfading youth,

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.9.46.19)

ईषद्धास्यप्रसन्नास्यां रत्नभूषणभूषिताम् । कृपामयीं योगसिद्धां भक्तानुग्रहकातराम्

īṣaddhāsyaprasannāsyāṁ ratnabhūṣaṇabhūṣitām | kṛpāmayīṁ yogasiddhāṁ bhaktānugrahakātarām

her face gently smiling and joyful, adorned with jeweled ornaments, full of compassion, perfected in yoga, eager to bestow grace on her devotees.

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.9.46.20)

दृष्ट्वा तां पुरतो राजा तुष्टाव परमादरात् । चकार पूजनं तस्या विहाय बालकं भुवि

dṛṣṭvā tāṁ purato rājā tuṣṭāva paramādarāt | cakāra pūjanaṁ tasyā vihāya bālakaṁ bhuvi

Seeing her before him, the king praised her with the greatest reverence, and, setting the child down upon the ground, performed her worship.

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.9.46.21)

पप्रच्छ राजा तां तुष्टां ग्रीष्मसूर्यसमप्रभाम् । तेजसा ज्वलितां शान्तां कान्तां स्कन्दस्य नारद

papraccha rājā tāṁ tuṣṭāṁ grīṣmasūryasamaprabhām | tejasā jvalitāṁ śāntāṁ kāntāṁ skandasya nārada

The king questioned her, well pleased, radiant as the summer sun, blazing with splendor, peaceful — the beloved wife of Skanda, O Narada.

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.9.46.22)

राजोवाच । का त्वं सुशोभने कान्ते कस्य कान्तासि सुव्रते । कस्य कन्या वरारोहे धन्या मान्या च योषिताम्

rājovāca | kā tvaṁ suśobhane kānte kasya kāntāsi suvrate | kasya kanyā varārohe dhanyā mānyā ca yoṣitām

The king said: "Who are you, O radiant, lovely one? Whose beloved are you, O one of pure vows? Whose daughter are you, O fair-formed one, blessed and honored among women?"

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.9.46.23)

नृपेन्द्रस्य वचः श्रुत्वा जगन्मङ्गलचण्डिका । उवाच देवसेना सा देवानां रणकारिणी

nṛpendrasya vacaḥ śrutvā jaganmaṅgalacaṇḍikā | uvāca devasenā sā devānāṁ raṇakāriṇī

Hearing the words of the lord of kings, she who is the auspicious protectress of the world, Devasena, who wages war for the gods, spoke.

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.9.46.24)

देवानां दैत्यग्रस्तानां पुरा सेना बभूव सा । जयं ददौ सा तेभ्यश्च देवसेना च तेन सा

devānāṁ daityagrastānāṁ purā senā babhūva sā | jayaṁ dadau sā tebhyaśca devasenā ca tena sā

Of old, when the gods were beset by the Daityas, she became their army; she gave them victory, and for that she is called Devasena.

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.9.46.25)

श्रीदेवसेनोवाच । ब्रह्मणो मानसी कन्या देवसेनाहमीश्वरी । सृष्ट्वा तां मनसा धाता ददौ स्कन्दाय भूमिप

śrīdevasenovāca | brahmaṇo mānasī kanyā devasenāhamīśvarī | sṛṣṭvā tāṁ manasā dhātā dadau skandāya bhūmipa

Shri Devasena said: "I, Devasena, am the mind-born daughter of Brahma, the sovereign goddess. Having created me in his mind, the Ordainer gave me to Skanda, O lord of the earth.

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.9.46.26)

मातृकासु च विख्याता स्कन्दभार्या च सुव्रता । विश्वे षष्ठीति विख्याता षष्ठांशा प्रकृतेः परा

mātṛkāsu ca vikhyātā skandabhāryā ca suvratā | viśve ṣaṣṭhīti vikhyātā ṣaṣṭhāṁśā prakṛteḥ parā

"Renowned among the Mother-goddesses, the wife of Skanda, of pure vows; known throughout the world as Shashthi, the supreme sixth portion of Prakriti.

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.9.46.27)

अपुत्राय पुत्रदाहं प्रियादात्री प्रियाय च । धनदाहं दरिद्रेभ्यः कर्मिभ्यश्च स्वकर्मदा

aputrāya putradāhaṁ priyādātrī priyāya ca | dhanadāhaṁ daridrebhyaḥ karmibhyaśca svakarmadā

"I give sons to the sonless, a beloved wife to him who has none; I give wealth to the poor, and to those who perform rites I give the fruit of their own deeds.

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.9.46.28)

सुखं दुःखं भयं शोको हर्षो मङ्गलमेव च । सम्पत्तिश्च विपत्तिश्च सर्वं भवति कर्मणा

sukhaṁ duḥkhaṁ bhayaṁ śoko harṣo maṅgalameva ca | sampattiśca vipattiśca sarvaṁ bhavati karmaṇā

"Happiness, sorrow, fear, grief, joy, and auspiciousness itself; prosperity and adversity — all these come about through one's own deeds.

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.9.46.29)

कर्मणा बहुपुत्रश्च वंशहीनः स्वकर्मणा । कर्मणा मृतपुत्रश्च कर्मणा चिरजीवनः

karmaṇā bahuputraśca vaṁśahīnaḥ svakarmaṇā | karmaṇā mṛtaputraśca karmaṇā cirajīvanaḥ

"By deeds one has many sons; by his own deeds one is left without lineage; by deeds one's sons die; by deeds one lives long.

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.9.46.30)

कर्मणा गुणवांश्चैव कर्मणा चाङ्गहीनकः । कर्मणा बहुभार्यश्च भार्याहीनश्च कर्मणा

karmaṇā guṇavāṁścaiva karmaṇā cāṅgahīnakaḥ | karmaṇā bahubhāryaśca bhāryāhīnaśca karmaṇā

"By deeds one is virtuous; by deeds one is deprived of limbs; by deeds one has many wives; by deeds one has no wife at all.

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.9.46.31)

कर्मणा रूपवान्धर्मी रोगी शश्वत्स्वकर्मणा । कर्मणा च भवेद्व्याधिः कर्मणाऽऽरोग्यमेव च

karmaṇā rūpavāndharmī rogī śaśvatsvakarmaṇā | karmaṇā ca bhavedvyādhiḥ karmaṇā''rogyameva ca

"By deeds one is handsome and righteous; by his own deeds one is ever diseased; by deeds comes illness, and by deeds comes health itself.

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.9.46.32)

तस्मात्कर्म परं राजन् सर्वेभ्यश्च श्रुतौ श्रुतम् । इत्येवमुक्त्वा सा देवी गृहीत्वा बालकं मुने

tasmātkarma paraṁ rājan sarvebhyaśca śrutau śrutam | ityevamuktvā sā devī gṛhītvā bālakaṁ mune

"Therefore, O king, deeds are supreme above all — thus it has been heard in the Veda." Having spoken thus, that Devi, O sage, took hold of the child,

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.9.46.33)

महाज्ञानेन सा देवी जीवयामास लीलया । राजा ददर्श तं बालं सस्मितं कनकप्रभम्

mahājñānena sā devī jīvayāmāsa līlayā | rājā dadarśa taṁ bālaṁ sasmitaṁ kanakaprabham

and by her great knowledge, that Devi, with playful ease, brought him to life. The king beheld that child, smiling, radiant as gold.

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.9.46.34)

देवसेना च पश्यन्तं नृपमापृच्छ्य सा तदा । गृहीत्वा बालकं देवी गगनं गन्तुमुद्यता

devasenā ca paśyantaṁ nṛpamāpṛcchya sā tadā | gṛhītvā bālakaṁ devī gaganaṁ gantumudyatā

Then Devasena, taking leave of the king who was watching, took the child, the Devi ready to depart into the sky.

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.9.46.35)

पुनस्तुष्टाव तां राजा शुष्ककण्ठोष्ठतालुकः । नृपस्तोत्रेण सा देवी परितुष्टा बभूव ह

punastuṣṭāva tāṁ rājā śuṣkakaṇṭhoṣṭhatālukaḥ | nṛpastotreṇa sā devī parituṣṭā babhūva ha

The king again praised her, his throat, lips, and palate parched dry; by the king's hymn, that Devi became fully satisfied.

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.9.46.36)

उवाच तं नृपं ब्रह्मन् वेदोक्तं कर्मनिर्मितम् । देव्युवाच । त्रिषु लोकेषु त्वं राजा स्वायम्भुवमनोः सुतः

uvāca taṁ nṛpaṁ brahman vedoktaṁ karmanirmitam | devyuvāca | triṣu lokeṣu tvaṁ rājā svāyambhuvamanoḥ sutaḥ

She spoke to that king, O Brahmin, words taught in the Veda, fashioned for his deed. The Devi said: "In the three worlds you are a king, the son of Svayambhuva Manu.

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.9.46.37)

मम पूजां च सर्वत्र कारयित्वा स्वयं कुरु । तदा दास्यामि पुत्रं ते कुलपद्मं मनोहरम्

mama pūjāṁ ca sarvatra kārayitvā svayaṁ kuru | tadā dāsyāmi putraṁ te kulapadmaṁ manoharam

"Have my worship performed everywhere, and perform it yourself as well; then I shall give you a son, the enchanting lotus of your lineage —

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.9.46.38)

सुव्रतं नाम विख्यातं गुणवन्तं सुपण्डितम् । जातिस्मरं च योगीन्द्रं नारायणकलात्मकम्

suvrataṁ nāma vikhyātaṁ guṇavantaṁ supaṇḍitam | jātismaraṁ ca yogīndraṁ nārāyaṇakalātmakam

"— renowned by the name Suvrata, virtuous, most learned, one who remembers his past lives, a lord among yogis, of the very nature of a portion of Narayana,

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.9.46.39)

शतक्रतुकरं श्रेष्ठं क्षत्रियाणां च वन्दितम् । मत्तमातङ्गलक्षाणां धृतवन्तं बलं शुभम्

śatakratukaraṁ śreṣṭhaṁ kṣatriyāṇāṁ ca vanditam | mattamātaṅgalakṣāṇāṁ dhṛtavantaṁ balaṁ śubham

"one who will perform a hundred sacrifices, foremost, revered by Kshatriyas, possessing the auspicious strength of a hundred thousand rutting elephants,

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.9.46.40)

धनिनं गुणिनं शुद्धं विदुषां प्रियमेव च । योगिनां ज्ञानिनां चैव सिद्धिरूपं तपस्विनाम्

dhaninaṁ guṇinaṁ śuddhaṁ viduṣāṁ priyameva ca | yogināṁ jñānināṁ caiva siddhirūpaṁ tapasvinām

"wealthy, virtuous, pure, and beloved by the learned; the very embodiment of accomplishment among yogis, the wise, and ascetics;

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.9.46.41)

यशस्विनं च लोकेषु दातारं सर्वसम्पदाम् । इत्येवमुक्त्वा सा देवी तस्मै तद्बालकं ददौ

yaśasvinaṁ ca lokeṣu dātāraṁ sarvasampadām | ityevamuktvā sā devī tasmai tadbālakaṁ dadau

"famed throughout the worlds, a giver of every kind of prosperity." Having spoken thus, that Devi gave that child to him.

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.9.46.42)

राजा चकार स्वीकारं पूजार्थं च प्रियव्रतः । जगाम देवी स्वर्गं च दत्त्वा तस्मै शुभं वरम्

rājā cakāra svīkāraṁ pūjārthaṁ ca priyavrataḥ | jagāma devī svargaṁ ca dattvā tasmai śubhaṁ varam

King Priyavrata gave his consent for her worship. The Devi, having given him this auspicious boon, departed for heaven.

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.9.46.43)

आजगाम सहामात्यः स्वगृहं हृष्टमानसः । आगत्य कथयामास वृत्तान्तं पुत्रहेतुकम्

ājagāma sahāmātyaḥ svagṛhaṁ hṛṣṭamānasaḥ | āgatya kathayāmāsa vṛttāntaṁ putrahetukam

He returned to his own home together with his ministers, his mind delighted; arriving, he related the whole account concerning his son.

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.9.46.44)

श्रुत्वा बभूवुः सन्तुष्टा नरा नार्यश्च नारद । मङ्गलं कारयामास सर्वत्र पुत्रहेतुकम्

śrutvā babhūvuḥ santuṣṭā narā nāryaśca nārada | maṅgalaṁ kārayāmāsa sarvatra putrahetukam

Hearing it, O Narada, the men and women were all filled with joy; he had auspicious celebrations performed everywhere on account of his son.

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.9.46.45)

देवीं च पूजयामास ब्राह्मणेभ्यो धनं ददौ । राजा च प्रतिमासेषु शुक्लषष्ठ्यां महोत्सवम्

devīṁ ca pūjayāmāsa brāhmaṇebhyo dhanaṁ dadau | rājā ca pratimāseṣu śuklaṣaṣṭhyāṁ mahotsavam

He worshipped the Devi and gave wealth to the Brahmins. And, month after month, the king held a great festival on the sixth day of the bright fortnight,

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.9.46.46)

षष्ट्या देव्याश्च यत्नेन कारयामास सर्वतः । बालानां सूतिकागारे षष्ठाहे यत्नपूर्वकम्

ṣaṣṭyā devyāśca yatnena kārayāmāsa sarvataḥ | bālānāṁ sūtikāgāre ṣaṣṭhāhe yatnapūrvakam

carefully performing worship of the goddess Shashthi everywhere; and, most carefully, on the sixth day after birth, in the lying-in chamber of infants,

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.9.46.47)

तत्पूजां कारयामास चैकविंशतिवासरे । बालानां शुभकार्ये च शुभान्नप्राशने तथा

tatpūjāṁ kārayāmāsa caikaviṁśativāsare | bālānāṁ śubhakārye ca śubhānnaprāśane tathā

he had her worship performed, and likewise on the twenty-first day, and at every auspicious ceremony for children, including the first solid-food feeding.

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.9.46.48)

सर्वत्र वर्धयामास स्वयमेव चकार ह । ध्यानं पूजाविधानं च स्तोत्रं मत्तो निशामय

sarvatra vardhayāmāsa svayameva cakāra ha | dhyānaṁ pūjāvidhānaṁ ca stotraṁ matto niśāmaya

He himself made her worship flourish everywhere. Now hear from me her meditation, manner of worship, and hymn —

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.9.46.49)

यच्छ्रुतं धर्मवक्त्रेण कौथुमोक्तं च सुव्रत । शालग्रामे घटे वाथ वटमूलेऽथवा मुने

yacchrutaṁ dharmavaktreṇa kauthumoktaṁ ca suvrata | śālagrāme ghaṭe vātha vaṭamūle'thavā mune

— as heard from the mouth of Dharma, as taught in the Kauthuma branch of the Veda, O one of pure vows. On a shalagrama, or in a water-pot, or at the root of a banyan tree, O sage,

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.9.46.50)

भित्त्यां पुत्तलिकां कृत्वा पूजयेद्वा विचक्षणः । षष्ठांशां प्रकृतेः शुद्धां प्रतिष्ठाप्य च सुप्रभाम्

bhittyāṁ puttalikāṁ kṛtvā pūjayedvā vicakṣaṇaḥ | ṣaṣṭhāṁśāṁ prakṛteḥ śuddhāṁ pratiṣṭhāpya ca suprabhām

or having made a figure on a wall, the wise man should worship her — establishing the pure, radiant sixth portion of Prakriti,

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.9.46.51)

सुपुत्रदां च शुभदा दयारूपां जगत्प्रसूम् । श्वेतचम्पकवर्णाभां रत्नभूषणभूषिताम्

suputradāṁ ca śubhadā dayārūpāṁ jagatprasūm | śvetacampakavarṇābhāṁ ratnabhūṣaṇabhūṣitām

the giver of fine sons, auspicious, of the very form of compassion, the Mother of the world, radiant with the hue of the white champaka, adorned with jeweled ornaments.

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.9.46.52)

पवित्ररूपां परमां देवसेनां परां भजे । इति ध्यात्वा स्वशिरसि पुष्पं दत्त्वा विचक्षणः

pavitrarūpāṁ paramāṁ devasenāṁ parāṁ bhaje | iti dhyātvā svaśirasi puṣpaṁ dattvā vicakṣaṇaḥ

"I worship the supreme, most pure Devasena." Meditating thus, the wise man, having placed a flower upon his own head,

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.9.46.53)

पुनर्ध्यात्वा च मूलेन पूजयेत्सुव्रतां सतीम् । पाद्यार्घ्याचमनीयैश्च गन्धपुष्पप्रदीपकैः

punardhyātvā ca mūlena pūjayetsuvratāṁ satīm | pādyārghyācamanīyaiśca gandhapuṣpapradīpakaiḥ

should meditate again and worship, with the root-mantra, that virtuous, pure-vowed goddess — with the water for the feet, the arghya, the sipping-water, with fragrance, flowers, and lamps,

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.9.46.54)

नैवेद्यैर्विविधैश्चापि फलेन शोभनेन च । ॐ ह्रीं षष्ठीदेव्यै स्वाहेति विधिपूर्वकम्

naivedyairvividhaiścāpi phalena śobhanena ca | oṁ hrīṁ ṣaṣṭhīdevyai svāheti vidhipūrvakam

with various food-offerings and with fine fruit — reciting "Oṁ hrīṁ ṣaṣṭhīdevyai svāhā" according to rule.

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.9.46.55)

अष्टाक्षरं महामन्त्रं यथाशक्ति जपेन्नरः । ततः स्तुत्वा च प्रणमेद्भक्तियुक्तः समाहितः

aṣṭākṣaraṁ mahāmantraṁ yathāśakti japennaraḥ | tataḥ stutvā ca praṇamedbhaktiyuktaḥ samāhitaḥ

A man should recite this eight-syllabled great mantra as best he is able; then, having praised her, filled with devotion and composure, he should bow.

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.9.46.56)

स्तोत्रं च सामवेदोक्तं वरं पुत्रफलप्रदम् । अष्टाक्षरं महामन्त्रं लक्षधा यो जपेत्ततः

stotraṁ ca sāmavedoktaṁ varaṁ putraphalapradam | aṣṭākṣaraṁ mahāmantraṁ lakṣadhā yo japettataḥ

This hymn is taught in the Samaveda, excellent, granting the fruit of sons. Whoever recites this eight-syllabled great mantra a hundred thousand times —

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.9.46.57)

सुपुत्रं स लभेन्नूनमित्याह कमलोद्भवः । स्तोत्रं शृणु मुनिश्रेष्ठ सर्वकामशुभावहम्

suputraṁ sa labhennūnamityāha kamalodbhavaḥ | stotraṁ śṛṇu muniśreṣṭha sarvakāmaśubhāvaham

— certainly obtains a fine son, so declares the Lotus-born one. Hear now the hymn, O foremost of sages, which brings every auspicious desire,

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.9.46.58)

वाञ्छाप्रदं च सर्वेषां गूढं वेदेषु नारद । नमो देव्यै महादेव्यै सिद्ध्यै शान्त्यै नमो नमः

vāñchāpradaṁ ca sarveṣāṁ gūḍhaṁ vedeṣu nārada | namo devyai mahādevyai siddhyai śāntyai namo namaḥ

which grants the wishes of all, hidden within the Vedas, O Narada: "Salutation to the Devi, the great Devi, to Siddhi, to Shanti, salutation again and again.

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.9.46.59)

शुभायै देवसेनायै षष्ठ्यै देव्यै नमो नमः । वरदायै पुत्रदायै धनदायै नमो नमः

śubhāyai devasenāyai ṣaṣṭhyai devyai namo namaḥ | varadāyai putradāyai dhanadāyai namo namaḥ

"Salutation again and again to the auspicious Devasena, to the goddess Shashthi. Salutation again and again to the boon-giver, the giver of sons, the giver of wealth.

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.9.46.60)

सुखदायै मोक्षदायै षष्ठ्यै देव्यै नमो नमः । सृष्ट्यै षष्ठांशरूपायै सिद्धायै च नमो नमः

sukhadāyai mokṣadāyai ṣaṣṭhyai devyai namo namaḥ | sṛṣṭyai ṣaṣṭhāṁśarūpāyai siddhāyai ca namo namaḥ

"Salutation again and again to the giver of happiness, the giver of liberation, the goddess Shashthi. Salutation again and again to Creation herself, to her who is of the form of the sixth portion, to the perfected one.

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.9.46.61)

मायायै सिद्धयोगिन्यै षष्ठीदेव्यै नमो नमः । सारायै शारदायै च परादेव्यै नमो नमः

māyāyai siddhayoginyai ṣaṣṭhīdevyai namo namaḥ | sārāyai śāradāyai ca parādevyai namo namaḥ

"Salutation again and again to Maya, the perfected yogini, the goddess Shashthi. Salutation to the essence, to Sharada, and to the supreme Devi.

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.9.46.62)

बालाधिष्ठातृदेव्यै च षष्ठीदेव्यै नमो नमः । कल्याणदायै कल्याण्यै फलदायै च कर्मणाम्

bālādhiṣṭhātṛdevyai ca ṣaṣṭhīdevyai namo namaḥ | kalyāṇadāyai kalyāṇyai phaladāyai ca karmaṇām

"Salutation again and again to the presiding deity of children, the goddess Shashthi; to the giver of well-being, the auspicious one, the giver of the fruit of deeds.

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.9.46.63)

प्रत्यक्षायै स्वभक्तानां षष्ठ्यै देव्यै नमो नमः । पूज्यायै स्कन्दकान्तायै सर्वेषां सर्वकर्मसु

pratyakṣāyai svabhaktānāṁ ṣaṣṭhyai devyai namo namaḥ | pūjyāyai skandakāntāyai sarveṣāṁ sarvakarmasu

"Salutation again and again to her who reveals herself directly to her devotees, the goddess Shashthi; to the beloved of Skanda, worshipped by all in every rite.

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.9.46.64)

देवरक्षणकारिण्यै षष्ठीदेव्यै नमो नमः । शुद्धसत्त्वस्वरूपायै वन्दितायै नृणां सदा

devarakṣaṇakāriṇyai ṣaṣṭhīdevyai namo namaḥ | śuddhasattvasvarūpāyai vanditāyai nṛṇāṁ sadā

"Salutation again and again to the protectress of the gods, the goddess Shashthi; to her who is of pure sattva nature, ever revered by men.

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.9.46.65)

हिंसाक्रोधवर्जितायै षष्ठीदेव्यै नमो नमः । धनं देहि प्रियां देहि पुत्रं देहि सुरेश्वरि

hiṁsākrodhavarjitāyai ṣaṣṭhīdevyai namo namaḥ | dhanaṁ dehi priyāṁ dehi putraṁ dehi sureśvari

"Salutation again and again to her who is free of violence and anger, the goddess Shashthi. Grant me wealth, grant me a beloved wife, grant me a son, O queen of the gods;

Verse 66 (devibhagavatam.9.46.66)

मानं देहि जयं देहि द्विषो जहि महेश्वरि । धर्मं देहि यशो देहि षष्ठीदेव्यै नमो नमः

mānaṁ dehi jayaṁ dehi dviṣo jahi maheśvari | dharmaṁ dehi yaśo dehi ṣaṣṭhīdevyai namo namaḥ

"grant me honor, grant me victory, destroy my enemies, O great goddess; grant me righteousness, grant me fame — salutation to the goddess Shashthi.

Verse 67 (devibhagavatam.9.46.67)

देहि भूमिं प्रजां देहि विद्यां देहि सुपूजिते । कल्याणं च जयं देहि षष्ठीदेव्यै नमो नमः

dehi bhūmiṁ prajāṁ dehi vidyāṁ dehi supūjite | kalyāṇaṁ ca jayaṁ dehi ṣaṣṭhīdevyai namo namaḥ

"Grant me land, grant me offspring, grant me knowledge, O well-worshipped one; grant me well-being and victory — salutation to the goddess Shashthi."

Verse 68 (devibhagavatam.9.46.68)

इति देवीं च संस्तूय लेभे पुत्रं प्रियव्रतः । यशस्विनं च राजेन्द्रः षष्ठीदेव्याः प्रसादतः

iti devīṁ ca saṁstūya lebhe putraṁ priyavrataḥ | yaśasvinaṁ ca rājendraḥ ṣaṣṭhīdevyāḥ prasādataḥ

Having thus praised the Devi, that lord of kings, Priyavrata, obtained a famed son through the grace of the goddess Shashthi.

Verse 69 (devibhagavatam.9.46.69)

षष्ठीस्तोत्रमिदं ब्रह्मन् यः शृणोति तु वत्सरम् । अपुत्रो लभते पुत्रं वरं सुचिरजीविनम्

ṣaṣṭhīstotramidaṁ brahman yaḥ śṛṇoti tu vatsaram | aputro labhate putraṁ varaṁ sucirajīvinam

O Brahmin, whoever listens to this hymn of Shashthi for a full year — he who has no son obtains an excellent, long-lived son.

Verse 70 (devibhagavatam.9.46.70)

वर्षमेकं च यो भक्त्या सम्पूज्येदं शृणोति च । सर्वपापाद्विनिर्मुक्तो महावन्ध्या प्रसूयते

varṣamekaṁ ca yo bhaktyā sampūjyedaṁ śṛṇoti ca | sarvapāpādvinirmukto mahāvandhyā prasūyate

Whoever, with devotion, worships and listens to this for one year — he is freed from all sins, and even a woman who was thought completely barren gives birth,

Verse 71 (devibhagavatam.9.46.71)

वीरं पुत्रं च गुणिनं विद्यावन्तं यशस्विनम् । सुचिरायुष्यवन्तं च सूते देवीप्रसादतः

vīraṁ putraṁ ca guṇinaṁ vidyāvantaṁ yaśasvinam | sucirāyuṣyavantaṁ ca sūte devīprasādataḥ

— to a heroic, virtuous, learned, famed son, blessed with a long life, through the grace of the Devi.

Verse 72 (devibhagavatam.9.46.72)

काकवन्ध्या च या नारी मृतवत्सा च या भवेत् । वर्षं श्रुत्वा लभेत्पुत्रं षष्ठीदेवीप्रसादतः

kākavandhyā ca yā nārī mṛtavatsā ca yā bhavet | varṣaṁ śrutvā labhetputraṁ ṣaṣṭhīdevīprasādataḥ

A woman who bears only a single child, or one whose children have died, having listened for a year, obtains a son through the grace of the goddess Shashthi.

Verse 73 (devibhagavatam.9.46.73)

रोगयुक्ते च बाले च पिता माता शृणोति चेत् । मासेन मुच्यते बालः षष्ठीदेवीप्रसादतः

rogayukte ca bāle ca pitā mātā śṛṇoti cet | māsena mucyate bālaḥ ṣaṣṭhīdevīprasādataḥ

And when a child is afflicted with disease, if the father and mother listen to this, the child is freed within a month, through the grace of the goddess Shashthi.