The Birth of Ashokasundari

Verse 1 (padma.2.102.1)

कुञ्जल उवाच । सर्वं वत्स प्रवक्ष्यामि यत्त्वयोक्तं ममाधुना। उभयोर्देवनं यत्तु यस्माज्जातं द्विजोत्तम

kuñjala uvāca sarvaṁ vatsa pravakṣyāmi yattvayoktaṁ mamādhunā ubhayordevanaṁ yattu yasmājjātaṁ dvijottama

Kunjala said: My child, I shall relate all that you have just asked me — that play of the two of them, from which all this arose, O best of the twice-born.

Verse 2 (padma.2.102.2)

एकदा तु महादेवी पार्वती प्रमदोत्तमा। क्रीडमाना महात्मानमीश्वरं वाक्यमब्रवीत्

ekadā tu mahādevī pārvatī pramadottamā krīḍamānā mahātmānamīśvaraṁ vākyamabravīt

Once the great goddess Parvati, most excellent among women, while at play, spoke this word to the great lord Ishvara:

Verse 3 (padma.2.102.3)

ममोरसि महादेव जातं महत्सु दोहदम्। दर्शयस्व ममाग्रे त्वं काननं काननोत्तमम्

mamorasi mahādeva jātaṁ mahatsu dohadam darśayasva mamāgre tvaṁ kānanaṁ kānanottamam

'O Mahadeva, a great longing has arisen within my heart — show me the finest of all groves, the very best among forests.'

Verse 4 (padma.2.102.4)

श्रीमहादेवउवाच । एवमस्तु महादेवि नन्दनं देवसङ्कुलम् । दर्शयिष्यामि ते पुण्यं द्विजसिद्धनिषेवितम्

śrīmahādevauvāca evamastu mahādevi nandanaṁ devasaṅkulam darśayiṣyāmi te puṇyaṁ dvijasiddhaniṣevitam

Shri Mahadeva said: 'So be it, great goddess. I shall show you Nandana, thronged with gods, that holy grove served by brahmins and siddhas.'

Verse 5 (padma.2.102.5)

एवमाभाष्य तां देवीं तया सह गणैस्ततः । स गन्तुमुत्सुको देवो नन्दनं वनमेव तु

evamābhāṣya tāṁ devīṁ tayā saha gaṇaistataḥ sa gantumutsuko devo nandanaṁ vanameva tu

Having spoken thus to the goddess, then, eager, together with her and with his hosts, that god set out for the Nandana forest —

Verse 6 (padma.2.102.6)

सर्वगं सुन्दरं दिव्यपृष्ठमाभरणैर्युतम्। घंटामालाभिसंयुक्तं किङ्किणीजालमालिनम्

sarvagaṁ sundaraṁ divyapṛṣṭhamābharaṇairyutam ghaṁṭāmālābhisaṁyuktaṁ kiṅkiṇījālamālinam

— he mounted a bull, all-pervading, beautiful, with a divine back adorned with ornaments, strung with garlands of bells and a net of tinkling anklets,

Verse 7 (padma.2.102.7)

चामरैः पट्टसूत्रैश्च मुक्तामालासुशोभितम्। हंसचंद्रप्रतीकाशं वृषभं चारुलक्षणम्

cāmaraiḥ paṭṭasūtraiśca muktāmālāsuśobhitam haṁsacaṁdrapratīkāśaṁ vṛṣabhaṁ cārulakṣaṇam

with chowries and silken cords, beautifully adorned with pearl garlands, white as a swan or the moon, a bull of the finest marks —

Verse 8 (padma.2.102.8)

समारूढो महादेवो गणकोटिसमावृतः। नन्दिभृङ्गिमहाकालस्कन्दचण्डमनोहराः

samārūḍho mahādevo gaṇakoṭisamāvṛtaḥ nandibhṛṅgimahākālaskandacaṇḍamanoharāḥ

mounted thus, Mahadeva, surrounded by tens of millions of his hosts — Nandi, Bhringi, Mahakala, Skanda, Chanda, Manohara,

Verse 9 (padma.2.102.9)

वीरभद्रो गणेशश्च पुष्पदन्तो मणीश्वरः । अतिबलःसुबलो नाम मेघनादो घटावहः

vīrabhadro gaṇeśaśca puṣpadanto maṇīśvaraḥ atibalaḥsubalo nāma meghanādo ghaṭāvahaḥ

Virabhadra, Ganesha, Pushpadanta, Manishvara, Atibala, one named Subala, Meghanada, Ghatavaha,

Verse 10 (padma.2.102.10)

घण्टाकर्णश्च कालिन्दः पुलिन्दो वीरबाहुकः। केशरी किंकरो नाम चण्डहासः प्रजापतिः

ghaṇṭākarṇaśca kālindaḥ pulindo vīrabāhukaḥ keśarī kiṁkaro nāma caṇḍahāsaḥ prajāpatiḥ

Ghantakarna, Kalinda, Pulinda, Virabahuka, Keshari, one named Kinkara, Chandahasa, Prajapati —

Verse 11 (padma.2.102.11)

एते चान्ये च बहवः सनकाद्यास्तपोबलाः। गणैश्च कोटिसंख्यातैः सशिवः परिवारितः

ete cānye ca bahavaḥ sanakādyāstapobalāḥ gaṇaiśca koṭisaṁkhyātaiḥ saśivaḥ parivāritaḥ

these and many others, of ascetic power like Sanaka and his brothers, together with hosts numbering in the tens of millions, Shiva, surrounded thus,

Verse 12 (padma.2.102.12)

नन्दनं वनमेवापि सेवितं देवकिन्नरैः। प्रविवेश महादेवो गणैर्देव्यासमन्वितः

nandanaṁ vanamevāpi sevitaṁ devakinnaraiḥ praviveśa mahādevo gaṇairdevyāsamanvitaḥ

entered the Nandana forest, itself served by gods and Kinnaras, together with the goddess and accompanied by his hosts.

Verse 13 (padma.2.102.13)

दर्शयामास देवेशो गिरिजायै सुशोभनम् । नानापादपसम्पन्नं बहुपुष्पसमाकुलम्

darśayāmāsa deveśo girijāyai suśobhanam nānāpādapasampannaṁ bahupuṣpasamākulam

The Lord of gods showed Girija that beautiful place, rich with trees of every kind, thronged with countless flowers,

Verse 14 (padma.2.102.14)

दिव्यं रम्भावनाकीर्णं पुष्पवद्भिस्तु चम्पकैः । मल्लिकाभिः सुपुष्पाभिर्मालतीजालसंकुलम्

divyaṁ rambhāvanākīrṇaṁ puṣpavadbhistu campakaiḥ mallikābhiḥ supuṣpābhirmālatījālasaṁkulam

divine, filled with clusters of plantain trees, rich with blossoming champaka, dense with malati-vines and the finest jasmine flowers,

Verse 15 (padma.2.102.15)

नित्यं पुष्पितशाखाभिः पाटलानां वनोत्तमैः। राजमानं महावृक्षैश्चंदनैश्चारुगंधिभिः

nityaṁ puṣpitaśākhābhiḥ pāṭalānāṁ vanottamaiḥ rājamānaṁ mahāvṛkṣaiścaṁdanaiścārugaṁdhibhiḥ

resplendent with the finest groves of patala, ever in flower, and with great, fragrant sandalwood trees,

Verse 16 (padma.2.102.16)

देवदारुवनैर्जुष्टं तुंगवृक्षैः समाकुलम्। सरलैर्नालिकेरैश्च तद्वत्पूगीफलद्रुमैः

devadāruvanairjuṣṭaṁ tuṁgavṛkṣaiḥ samākulam saralairnālikeraiśca tadvatpūgīphaladrumaiḥ

frequented with forests of devadaru, filled with towering trees, with pine, coconut and areca-palms as well,

Verse 17 (padma.2.102.17)

खर्जूरपनसैर्दिव्यैः फलभारावनामितैः। परिमलोद्गारसंयुक्तैर्गुरुवृक्षसमाकुलम्

kharjūrapanasairdivyaiḥ phalabhārāvanāmitaiḥ parimalodgārasaṁyuktairguruvṛkṣasamākulam

with divine date-palms and jackfruit trees bowed down with the weight of their fruit, thick with heavy, fragrance-exuding trees,

Verse 18 (padma.2.102.18)

अग्नितेजः समाभासैः सप्तपर्णैः सुशोभितम् । राजवृक्षैः कदंबैश्च पुष्पशोभान्वितं सदा

agnitejaḥ samābhāsaiḥ saptaparṇaiḥ suśobhitam rājavṛkṣaiḥ kadaṁbaiśca puṣpaśobhānvitaṁ sadā

beautiful with saptaparna trees glowing like the brilliance of fire, ever adorned with the blossoms of rajavriksha and kadamba,

Verse 19 (padma.2.102.19)

जंबूनिंबमहावृक्षैर्मातुलिगैः समाकुलम् । नारंगैः सिंधुवारैश्च प्रियालैः शालतिंदुकैः

jaṁbūniṁbamahāvṛkṣairmātuligaiḥ samākulam nāraṁgaiḥ siṁdhuvāraiśca priyālaiḥ śālatiṁdukaiḥ

thick with great jambu and neem trees and citron, with orange, sindhuvara, priyala, shala and tinduka trees,

Verse 20 (padma.2.102.20)

उदुंबरैः कपित्थैश्च जंबूपादपशोभितम् । लकुचैः पुष्पसौगंधैः स्फुटनागैः समाकुलम्

uduṁbaraiḥ kapitthaiśca jaṁbūpādapaśobhitam lakucaiḥ puṣpasaugaṁdhaiḥ sphuṭanāgaiḥ samākulam

adorned with gular and kaith trees, resplendent with jambu trees, thick with fragrant lakucha-blossoms and bursting nagakesara flowers,

Verse 21 (padma.2.102.21)

चूतैश्च फलराजाद्यैर्नीलैश्चैव घनोपमैः । नीलैः शालवनैर्दिव्यैर्जालानां तु वनैस्ततः

cūtaiśca phalarājādyairnīlaiścaiva ghanopamaiḥ nīlaiḥ śālavanairdivyairjālānāṁ tu vanaistataḥ

with mango trees and other kings of fruit, dark as clouds, with divine dark shala-forests and forests of jala-trees too,

Verse 22 (padma.2.102.22)

तमालैस्तु विशालैश्च सेवितं तपनोपमैः । शोभितं नंदनं पुण्यं शिवेन परिदर्शितम्

tamālaistu viśālaiśca sevitaṁ tapanopamaiḥ śobhitaṁ naṁdanaṁ puṇyaṁ śivena paridarśitam

served by broad tamala trees, glossy as with sunlight — the holy Nandana, thus shown by Shiva, was adorned,

Verse 23 (padma.2.102.23)

शोभितं च द्रुमैश्चान्यैः सर्वैर्नीलवनोपमैः । सर्वकामफलोपेतैः कल्याणफलदायकैः

śobhitaṁ ca drumaiścānyaiḥ sarvairnīlavanopamaiḥ sarvakāmaphalopetaiḥ kalyāṇaphaladāyakaiḥ

and adorned too with other trees resembling dark forests, bearing fruits granting every desire, bestowing auspicious fruit.

Verse 24 (padma.2.102.24)

कल्पद्रुमैर्महापुण्यैः शोभितं नंदनं वनम् । नानापक्षिनिनादैश्च संकुलं मधुरस्वरैः

kalpadrumairmahāpuṇyaiḥ śobhitaṁ naṁdanaṁ vanam nānāpakṣininādaiśca saṁkulaṁ madhurasvaraiḥ

Adorned with kalpa-trees of the greatest holiness, the Nandana forest was thronged with the sweet cries of various birds.

Verse 25 (padma.2.102.25)

कोकिलानां रुतैः पुण्यैरुद्घुष्टं मधुकारिभिः । मकरंदविलुब्धानां पक्षिणां रुतनादितम्

kokilānāṁ rutaiḥ puṇyairudghuṣṭaṁ madhukāribhiḥ makaraṁdavilubdhānāṁ pakṣiṇāṁ rutanāditam

resounding with the holy, honeyed calls of cuckoos, and echoing with the cries of birds drawn irresistibly to the nectar,

Verse 26 (padma.2.102.26)

नानवृक्षैः समाकीर्णं नानामृगगणायुतम् । वृक्षेभ्यो विविधैः पुष्पैस्सौगंधैः पतितैर्भुवि

nānavṛkṣaiḥ samākīrṇaṁ nānāmṛgagaṇāyutam vṛkṣebhyo vividhaiḥ puṣpaissaugaṁdhaiḥ patitairbhuvi

filled with trees of every kind, thronged with herds of various animals, the ground strewn with the fragrant flowers fallen from the trees.

Verse 27 (padma.2.102.27)

सा च भू राजते पुत्र पूजिते वसुगंधिभिः । तत्र वाप्यो महापुण्याः पद्मसौगंधनिर्मलाः

sā ca bhū rājate putra pūjite vasugaṁdhibhiḥ tatra vāpyo mahāpuṇyāḥ padmasaugaṁdhanirmalāḥ

That ground, my son, shone as if worshipped by those very fragrances. There too were great and holy step-wells, pure with the fragrance of lotuses,

Verse 28 (padma.2.102.28)

तोयैस्ताः पूरिताः पुत्र हंसकारंडसेविताः। तडागैः सागरप्रख्यैस्तोयसौगंधपूजितैः

toyaistāḥ pūritāḥ putra haṁsakāraṁḍasevitāḥ taḍāgaiḥ sāgaraprakhyaistoyasaugaṁdhapūjitaiḥ

filled with water, my son, frequented by swans and karandava birds; and with lakes vast as the sea, honored with fragrant water.

Verse 29 (padma.2.102.29)

नंदनं भाति सर्वत्र गणैरप्सरसां महत्। विमानैः कलशैः शुभ्रैर्हेमदंडैः सुशोभनैः

naṁdanaṁ bhāti sarvatra gaṇairapsarasāṁ mahat vimānaiḥ kalaśaiḥ śubhrairhemadaṁḍaiḥ suśobhanaiḥ

Nandana shone everywhere, greatly, with hosts of apsaras, with aerial cars and with fine, shining pitchers on golden shafts.

Verse 30 (padma.2.102.30)

नंदनो वनराजस्तु प्रासादैस्तु सुधान्वितैः। यत्र तत्र प्रभात्येव किन्नराणां महागणैः

naṁdano vanarājastu prāsādaistu sudhānvitaiḥ yatra tatra prabhātyeva kinnarāṇāṁ mahāgaṇaiḥ

Nandana, king of forests, was set with stucco-white palaces — wherever one looked, it gleamed with great hosts of Kinnaras,

Verse 31 (padma.2.102.31)

गंधर्वैरप्सरोभिश्च सुरूपाभिर्द्विजोत्तम । देवतानां विनोदैश्च मुनिवृंदैः सुयोगिभिः

gaṁdharvairapsarobhiśca surūpābhirdvijottama devatānāṁ vinodaiśca munivṛṁdaiḥ suyogibhiḥ

O best of the twice-born, with gandharvas and apsaras of lovely form, with the sportive delights of gods, thronged with hosts of well-disciplined sage-yogis —

Verse 32 (padma.2.102.32)

सर्वत्र शुशुभे पुण्यसंस्थानं नंदनस्य च

sarvatra śuśubhe puṇyasaṁsthānaṁ naṁdanasya ca

everywhere, that holy region of Nandana shone thus in every part.

Verse 33 (padma.2.102.33)

एवं समालोक्य महानुभावो भवः सुदेव्यासहितो महात्मा। श्रीनंदनं पुण्यवतां निवासं सुखाकरं शांतिगुणोपपन्नम्

evaṁ samālokya mahānubhāvo bhavaḥ sudevyāsahito mahātmā śrīnaṁdanaṁ puṇyavatāṁ nivāsaṁ sukhākaraṁ śāṁtiguṇopapannam

Having thus beheld it, that magnificent, great-souled Bhava, together with the goddess, gazed upon holy Nandana, the abode of the meritorious, the source of happiness, endowed with the quality of peace —

Verse 34 (padma.2.102.34)

आदित्यतेजः समतेजसां गणैः प्रभाति वै रश्मिभिर्जातरूपः। पुष्पैः फलैः कामगुणोपपन्नः कल्पद्रुमो नंदनकाननेपि

ādityatejaḥ samatejasāṁ gaṇaiḥ prabhāti vai raśmibhirjātarūpaḥ puṣpaiḥ phalaiḥ kāmaguṇopapannaḥ kalpadrumo naṁdanakānanepi

— radiant with rays like the sun's, amid hosts of equally splendid trees, glowing with its own light — and there in the Nandana grove they beheld too the Kalpa-tree, with its flowers and fruits, endowed with every desired quality.

Verse 35 (padma.2.102.35)

एवंविधं पादपराजमेव संवीक्ष्य देवी च शिवं बभाषे। अस्याभिधानं कथयस्व नाथ सर्वस्य पुण्यस्य नगस्य पुण्यम्

evaṁvidhaṁ pādaparājameva saṁvīkṣya devī ca śivaṁ babhāṣe asyābhidhānaṁ kathayasva nātha sarvasya puṇyasya nagasya puṇyam

Having beheld such a king of trees, the goddess spoke to Shiva: 'My Lord, tell me the name of this tree, and the merit of this wholly holy tree.'

Verse 36 (padma.2.102.36)

तेजस्विनां सूर्यवरः समंतात्स देव देवीं च शिवो बभाषे । शिव उवाच । अस्य प्रतिष्ठा महती शुभाख्या देवेषु मुख्यो मधुसूदनश्च

tejasvināṁ sūryavaraḥ samaṁtātsa deva devīṁ ca śivo babhāṣe śiva uvāca asya pratiṣṭhā mahatī śubhākhyā deveṣu mukhyo madhusūdanaśca

That best of radiant beings, shining like the sun on every side, Shiva spoke to the goddess. Shiva said: 'Its glory is great and its name auspicious; as Madhusudana is foremost among the gods,'

Verse 37 (padma.2.102.37)

नदीषु मुख्या सुरनिम्नगापि विसृष्टिकर्त्तापि यथैव धाता । सुखावहानां च यथा सुचंद्रो भूतेषु मुख्या च यथैव पृथ्वी

nadīṣu mukhyā suranimnagāpi visṛṣṭikarttāpi yathaiva dhātā sukhāvahānāṁ ca yathā sucaṁdro bhūteṣu mukhyā ca yathaiva pṛthvī

'— as the celestial river is foremost among rivers, as the Creator himself is among creators; as the moon is among the bringers of joy, as the earth is foremost among beings,'

Verse 38 (padma.2.102.38)

नगेंद्रराजो हि यथा नगानां जलाशयेष्वेव यथा समुद्रः । महौषधीनामिव देवि चान्नं महीधराणां हिमवान्यथैव

nageṁdrarājo hi yathā nagānāṁ jalāśayeṣveva yathā samudraḥ mahauṣadhīnāmiva devi cānnaṁ mahīdharāṇāṁ himavānyathaiva

'— as the king of mountains is among mountains, as the ocean is among bodies of water; O goddess, as grain is foremost among great healing herbs, as Himavat is among mountains,'

Verse 39 (padma.2.102.39)

विद्यासु मध्ये च यथात्मविद्या लोकेषु सर्वेषु यथा नरेंद्रः। तथैव मुख्यस्तरुराज एष सर्वातिथिर्देवपतेः प्रियोयम्

vidyāsu madhye ca yathātmavidyā lokeṣu sarveṣu yathā nareṁdraḥ tathaiva mukhyastarurāja eṣa sarvātithirdevapateḥ priyoyam

'— as knowledge of the Self is foremost among sciences, as the king is foremost among all people in the world — even so this is the foremost king of trees, dear to the lord of gods, host to every guest.'

Verse 40 (padma.2.102.40)

श्रीपार्वत्युवाच । गुणान्नु शंभो मम कीर्त्तयस्व वृक्षाधिपस्यास्य शुभान्सुपुण्यान् । आकर्ण्य देवो वचनं बभाषे देव्यास्तु सर्वं सुतरोर्हि तस्य

śrīpārvatyuvāca guṇānnu śaṁbho mama kīrttayasva vṛkṣādhipasyāsya śubhānsupuṇyān ākarṇya devo vacanaṁ babhāṣe devyāstu sarvaṁ sutarorhi tasya

Shri Parvati said: 'O Shambhu, tell me of the auspicious, holy qualities of this lord of trees.' Hearing this, the god told the goddess all the qualities of that excellent tree.

Verse 41 (padma.2.102.41)

यं यं कल्पयंति सुपुण्यदेवा देवोपमा देववराश्च कांते । तं तं हि तेभ्यः प्रददाति वृक्षः कल्पद्रुमो नाम वरिष्ठ एषः

yaṁ yaṁ kalpayaṁti supuṇyadevā devopamā devavarāśca kāṁte taṁ taṁ hi tebhyaḥ pradadāti vṛkṣaḥ kalpadrumo nāma variṣṭha eṣaḥ

'O beloved, whatever the gods of great merit, god-like and finest among gods, may desire — this most excellent tree, named Kalpadruma, grants them exactly that.'

Verse 42 (padma.2.102.42)

अस्माच्च सर्वे प्रभवंति पुण्या दुःप्राप्यमत्रैव तपोधिकास्ते। जीवाधिकं रत्नमयं सुदिव्यं देवास्तु भुंजंति महाप्रधानाः

asmācca sarve prabhavaṁti puṇyā duḥprāpyamatraiva tapodhikāste jīvādhikaṁ ratnamayaṁ sudivyaṁ devāstu bhuṁjaṁti mahāpradhānāḥ

'From it arise all holy things, hard to obtain even for the greatest of ascetics here; the most eminent gods enjoy from it wholly divine jewels, more precious even than life.'

Verse 43 (padma.2.102.43)

शुश्राव देवी वचनं शिवस्य आश्चर्यभूतं मनसा विचिंत्य । तस्यानुमत्या परिकल्पितं च स्त्रीरत्नमेकं सुगुणं सुरूपम्

śuśrāva devī vacanaṁ śivasya āścaryabhūtaṁ manasā viciṁtya tasyānumatyā parikalpitaṁ ca strīratnamekaṁ suguṇaṁ surūpam

The goddess heard Shiva's word, and, reflecting in her mind upon this wonder, with his very permission there was conceived and fashioned a single jewel among women, of fine qualities and lovely form.

Verse 44 (padma.2.102.44)

सर्वांगरूपां सगुणां सुरूपां तस्मात्सुवृक्षाद्गिरिजा प्रलेभे। विश्वस्य मोहाय यथोपविष्टा साहाय्यरूपा मकरध्वजस्य

sarvāṁgarūpāṁ saguṇāṁ surūpāṁ tasmātsuvṛkṣādgirijā pralebhe viśvasya mohāya yathopaviṣṭā sāhāyyarūpā makaradhvajasya

From that excellent tree Girija obtained a maiden, beautiful in every limb, endowed with virtue, of lovely form — seated as if to enchant the whole world, in the very form of an aid to the god of love.

Verse 45 (padma.2.102.45)

क्रीडानिधानं सुखसिद्धिरूपं सर्वोपपन्ना कमलायताक्षी । पद्मानना पद्मकरा सुपद्मा चामीकरस्यापि यथा सुमूर्तिः

krīḍānidhānaṁ sukhasiddhirūpaṁ sarvopapannā kamalāyatākṣī padmānanā padmakarā supadmā cāmīkarasyāpi yathā sumūrtiḥ

She was a treasury of playfulness, the very form of happiness and accomplishment, endowed with every quality, lotus-eyed, lotus-faced, lotus-handed — as fine as a beautiful image of gold.

Verse 46 (padma.2.102.46)

प्रभासु तद्वद्विमला सुतेजा लीला सुतेजाश्च सुकुंचितास्ते । प्रलंबकेशाः परिसूक्ष्मबद्धाः पुष्पैः सुगंधैः परिलेपिताश्च

prabhāsu tadvadvimalā sutejā līlā sutejāśca sukuṁcitāste pralaṁbakeśāḥ parisūkṣmabaddhāḥ puṣpaiḥ sugaṁdhaiḥ parilepitāśca

Pure and radiant too in her own splendor, playful yet full of brilliance, with curling, long, finely-bound tresses, adorned with fragrant flowers.

Verse 47 (padma.2.102.47)

प्रबद्धकुंता दृढकेशबंधैर्विभाति सा रूपवरेण बाला। सीमंतमार्गे च मुक्ताफलानां माला विभात्येव यथा तरूणाम्

prabaddhakuṁtā dṛḍhakeśabaṁdhairvibhāti sā rūpavareṇa bālā sīmaṁtamārge ca muktāphalānāṁ mālā vibhātyeva yathā tarūṇām

With her curls bound in firm knots, that maiden shone with the finest beauty; along the parting of her hair a string of pearls shone, as a garland shines upon young trees.

Verse 48 (padma.2.102.48)

सीमंतमूले तिलकं सुदेव्या यथोदितो दैत्यगुरुः सतेजाः । भालेषु पद्मे मृगनाभिपद्म समुत्थतेजः प्रकरैर्विभाति

sīmaṁtamūle tilakaṁ sudevyā yathodito daityaguruḥ satejāḥ bhāleṣu padme mṛganābhipadma samutthatejaḥ prakarairvibhāti

At the root of her hair-parting, the tilaka-mark of that goddess shone as if it were the rising, radiant Guru of the demons (the planet Venus); upon her brow, the rays from a lotus-shaped musk-mark glowed with risen splendor.

Verse 49 (padma.2.102.49)

सीमंतमूले तिलकस्य तेजः प्रकाशयेद्रूपश्रियं सुलोके । केशेषु मुक्ताफलके च भाले तस्याः सुशोभां विकरोति नित्यम्

sīmaṁtamūle tilakasya tejaḥ prakāśayedrūpaśriyaṁ suloke keśeṣu muktāphalake ca bhāle tasyāḥ suśobhāṁ vikaroti nityam

At the root of the hair-parting, the radiance of the tilaka lit up her beauty in this world; the pearl-ornament in her hair and upon her brow ever increased her loveliness.

Verse 50 (padma.2.102.50)

यथा सुचंद्रः परिभाति भासा सा रम्यचेष्टेव विभाति तद्वत्। संपूर्णचंद्रोपि यथा विभाति ज्योत्स्नावितानेन हिमांशुजालः

yathā sucaṁdraḥ paribhāti bhāsā sā ramyaceṣṭeva vibhāti tadvat saṁpūrṇacaṁdropi yathā vibhāti jyotsnāvitānena himāṁśujālaḥ

As the beautiful moon shines with its own light, so she shone with her lovely bearing; and as even the full moon glows, spreading its canopy of moonlight, its mass of cool rays —

Verse 51 (padma.2.102.51)

तस्यास्तु वक्त्रं परिभाति तद्वच्छोभाकरं विश्वविशारदं च। हिमांशुरेवापि कलंकयुक्तः संक्षीयते नित्यकलाविहीनः

tasyāstu vaktraṁ paribhāti tadvacchobhākaraṁ viśvaviśāradaṁ ca himāṁśurevāpi kalaṁkayuktaḥ saṁkṣīyate nityakalāvihīnaḥ

— even so her face, a source of beauty, skilled in enchanting the whole world, shone forth; whereas the moon itself, bearing its blemish, forever wanes, deprived of its full digits.

Verse 52 (padma.2.102.52)

संपूर्णमस्त्येव सदैव हृष्टं तस्यास्तु वक्त्रं परिनिष्कलंकम् । गंधं विकाशं कमले स्वकीयं ततः समालोक्य सुखं न लेभे

saṁpūrṇamastyeva sadaiva hṛṣṭaṁ tasyāstu vaktraṁ pariniṣkalaṁkam gaṁdhaṁ vikāśaṁ kamale svakīyaṁ tataḥ samālokya sukhaṁ na lebhe

Her face was ever complete, ever joyous, and wholly without blemish. Beholding its own fragrance and its own blossoming thus surpassed, even the lotus found no happiness.

Verse 53 (padma.2.102.53)

पद्मानना सर्वगुणोपपन्ना मदीयभावैःपरिनिर्मितेयम्। गंधं स्वकीयं तु विपश्य पद्मं तस्या मुखाद्वाति जगत्समीरः

padmānanā sarvaguṇopapannā madīyabhāvaiḥparinirmiteyam gaṁdhaṁ svakīyaṁ tu vipaśya padmaṁ tasyā mukhādvāti jagatsamīraḥ

Lotus-faced, endowed with every virtue, she seemed fashioned wholly from his own loving will. Seeing its own fragrance thus outdone, the lotus grew pale; from her very face, as it were, blew the whole fragrant breeze of the world.

Verse 54 (padma.2.102.54)

लज्जाभियुक्तः सहसा बभूव जलं समाश्रित्य सदैव तिष्ठति । कतिमतिनियतबुद्ध्यासौ धियो वदंति सुमदननृपतेः कोशं समुद्र कलाभिः

lajjābhiyuktaḥ sahasā babhūva jalaṁ samāśritya sadaiva tiṣṭhati katimatiniyatabuddhyāsau dhiyo vadaṁti sumadananṛpateḥ kośaṁ samudra kalābhiḥ

[Note: source text shows irregular spacing/meter in this verse.] Overcome with shame, the lotus at once took refuge in the water and ever after dwells there; with this same fixed understanding the wise speak of her as a very treasury of the god of love, endowed with the digits of the moon.

Verse 55 (padma.2.102.55)

सुवरदशनरत्नैर्हास्यलीलाभियुक्ता अरुणअधरबिंबंशोभमानस्तु आस्यः

suvaradaśanaratnairhāsyalīlābhiyuktā aruṇaadharabiṁbaṁśobhamānastu āsyaḥ

[Note: source text shows irregular spacing/meter in this verse.] Her fine teeth were like jewels, she was full of playful laughter, and her face shone with a lower lip red as the bimba fruit.

Verse 56 (padma.2.102.56)

सुभ्रूः सुनासिका तस्याः सुकर्णौ रत्नभूषितौ । हेमकांतिसमोपेतौ कपोलौ दीप्तिसंयुतौ

subhrūḥ sunāsikā tasyāḥ sukarṇau ratnabhūṣitau hemakāṁtisamopetau kapolau dīptisaṁyutau

Her eyebrows and her nose were lovely, her two ears adorned with jewels; her two cheeks, possessed of a golden radiance, were full of brilliance.

Verse 57 (padma.2.102.57)

रेखात्रयं प्रशोभेत ग्रीवायां परिसंस्थितम् । सौभाग्यशीलशृंगारैस्तिस्रो रेखा इहैव हि

rekhātrayaṁ praśobheta grīvāyāṁ parisaṁsthitam saubhāgyaśīlaśṛṁgāraistisro rekhā ihaiva hi

Three lines shone beautifully upon her neck; these three lines here marked good fortune, character and grace.

Verse 58 (padma.2.102.58)

सुस्तनौ कठिनौ पीनौ वर्तुलाकारसन्निभौ । तस्याः कंदर्पकलशावभिषेकाय कल्पितौ

sustanau kaṭhinau pīnau vartulākārasannibhau tasyāḥ kaṁdarpakalaśāvabhiṣekāya kalpitau

Her two breasts were lovely, firm, full, and rounded in form — as though fashioned as two pitchers for the anointing-rite of the god of love.

Verse 59 (padma.2.102.59)

अंसावतीव शोभेते सुसमौ मानसान्वितौ। सुभुजौ वर्तुलौ श्लक्ष्णौ सुवर्णौ लक्षणान्वितौ

aṁsāvatīva śobhete susamau mānasānvitau subhujau vartulau ślakṣṇau suvarṇau lakṣaṇānvitau

Her shoulders were exceedingly beautiful, well-matched and pleasing to the mind; her arms were rounded, soft, of golden hue, and marked with auspicious signs.

Verse 60 (padma.2.102.60)

सुसमौ करपद्मौ तु पद्मवर्णौ सुशीतलौ । दिव्यलक्षणसंपन्नौ पद्मस्वस्तिकसंयुतौ

susamau karapadmau tu padmavarṇau suśītalau divyalakṣaṇasaṁpannau padmasvastikasaṁyutau

Her two hands, lotus-hued, well matched and cool, were endowed with divine marks — bearing the signs of the lotus and the svastika.

Verse 61 (padma.2.102.61)

सरलाः पद्मसंयुक्ता अंगुल्यस्तु नखान्विताः। नखानि च सुतीक्ष्णानि जलबिंदुनिभानि च

saralāḥ padmasaṁyuktā aṁgulyastu nakhānvitāḥ nakhāni ca sutīkṣṇāni jalabiṁdunibhāni ca

Her fingers were straight, marked with the lotus, and tipped with nails; her nails were finely sharp, resembling drops of water.

Verse 62 (padma.2.102.62)

पद्मगर्भप्रतीकाशो वर्णस्तदंगसंभवः । पद्मगंधा च सर्वांगे पद्मेव भाति भामिनी

padmagarbhapratīkāśo varṇastadaṁgasaṁbhavaḥ padmagaṁdhā ca sarvāṁge padmeva bhāti bhāminī

Her complexion, arising from her very limbs, resembled the inner whorl of a lotus; fragrant as a lotus in every limb, that lovely woman shone just like a lotus itself.

Verse 63 (padma.2.102.63)

सर्वलक्षणसंपन्ना नगकन्या सुशोभना। रक्तोत्पलनिभौ पादौ सुश्लक्ष्णौ चातिशोभनौ

sarvalakṣaṇasaṁpannā nagakanyā suśobhanā raktotpalanibhau pādau suślakṣṇau cātiśobhanau

Endowed with every auspicious mark, that mountain-born maiden was most beautiful; her two feet, resembling red lotuses, were exceedingly soft and lovely.

Verse 64 (padma.2.102.64)

रत्नज्योतिः समाकारा नखाः पादाग्रसंभवाः। यथोद्दिष्टं च शास्त्रेषु तथा चांगेषु दृश्यते

ratnajyotiḥ samākārā nakhāḥ pādāgrasaṁbhavāḥ yathoddiṣṭaṁ ca śāstreṣu tathā cāṁgeṣu dṛśyate

The nails at the tips of her feet had the very radiance and form of gems; just as described in the scriptures of beauty, so it appeared in her limbs.

Verse 65 (padma.2.102.65)

सर्वाभरणशोभांगी हारकंकणनूपुरा। मेखलाकटिसूत्रेण कांचीनादेन राजते

sarvābharaṇaśobhāṁgī hārakaṁkaṇanūpurā mekhalākaṭisūtreṇa kāṁcīnādena rājate

Her limbs were adorned with every ornament — necklace, bracelets and anklets; she shone the more with the tinkling of the jeweled girdle-cord at her waist.

Verse 66 (padma.2.102.66)

नीलेन पट्टवस्त्रेण परां शोभां गता शुभा । कंचुकेनापि दिव्येन सुरक्तेन गुणान्विता

nīlena paṭṭavastreṇa parāṁ śobhāṁ gatā śubhā kaṁcukenāpi divyena suraktena guṇānvitā

Clad in fine blue silk, that auspicious one had attained the highest beauty; with a divine, deep-hued bodice too, she seemed full of every grace.

Verse 67 (padma.2.102.67)

पार्वती कल्पिताद्भावाद्गुणं प्राप्ता महोदयम्। कल्पद्रुमान्मुदं लेभे शंकरं वाक्यमब्रवीत्

pārvatī kalpitādbhāvādguṇaṁ prāptā mahodayam kalpadrumānmudaṁ lebhe śaṁkaraṁ vākyamabravīt

Thus Parvati, through her own conceived wish, obtained this greatly virtuous daughter; from the Kalpa-tree she found joy, and she spoke this word to Shankara —

Verse 68 (padma.2.102.68)

यथोक्तं तु त्वया देव तथा दृष्टो मया द्रुमः । यादृशं कल्प्यते भावस्तादृशं परिदृश्यते

yathoktaṁ tu tvayā deva tathā dṛṣṭo mayā drumaḥ yādṛśaṁ kalpyate bhāvastādṛśaṁ paridṛśyate

'O Lord, just as you told me, so have I found this tree to be — whatever intention is conceived before it, that very thing appears manifest.'

Verse 69 (padma.2.102.69)

सूत उवाच । अथ सा चारुसर्वांगी तयोः पार्श्वं समेत्य च । पादांबुजं ननामाथ सा भक्त्या भवयोस्तदा

sūta uvāca atha sā cārusarvāṁgī tayoḥ pārśvaṁ sametya ca pādāṁbujaṁ nanāmātha sā bhaktyā bhavayostadā

Suta said: Then that maiden, beautiful in every limb, approaching the two of them, bowed with devotion at the lotus feet of Shiva and Parvati,

Verse 70 (padma.2.102.70)

उवाच वचनं स्निग्धं हृद्यं हारि च सा तदा। कस्मात्सृष्टा त्वया नाथ मातर्वद स्वकारणम्

uvāca vacanaṁ snigdhaṁ hṛdyaṁ hāri ca sā tadā kasmātsṛṣṭā tvayā nātha mātarvada svakāraṇam

and spoke a gentle, heartfelt and captivating word: 'My Lord, for what reason was I created? Mother, tell me the cause of my own being.'

Verse 71 (padma.2.102.71)

श्रीदेव्युवाच । वृक्षस्य कौतुकाद्भावान्मया वै प्रत्ययः कृतः । सद्यः प्राप्तं फलं भद्रे भवती रूपसंपदा

śrīdevyuvāca vṛkṣasya kautukādbhāvānmayā vai pratyayaḥ kṛtaḥ sadyaḥ prāptaṁ phalaṁ bhadre bhavatī rūpasaṁpadā

Shri Devi said: 'Out of a wondering longing regarding this tree, a resolve was made by me; O auspicious one, you have been obtained at once as the fruit of it, together with this beauty of yours.'

Verse 72 (padma.2.102.72)

अशोकसुंदरी नाम्ना लोके ख्यातिं प्रयास्यसि । सर्वसौभाग्यसंपन्ना मम पुत्री न संशयः

aśokasuṁdarī nāmnā loke khyātiṁ prayāsyasi sarvasaubhāgyasaṁpannā mama putrī na saṁśayaḥ

'You shall attain fame in the world under the name Ashokasundari; you are my daughter, endowed with every good fortune — of this there is no doubt.'

Verse 73 (padma.2.102.73)

सोमवंशेषु विख्यातो यथा देवः पुरंदरः । नहुषोनाम राजेंद्रस्तव नाथो भविष्यति

somavaṁśeṣu vikhyāto yathā devaḥ puraṁdaraḥ nahuṣonāma rājeṁdrastava nātho bhaviṣyati

'A king of kings named Nahusha, renowned in the lunar dynasty like the god Purandara (Indra) himself, shall become your lord.'

Verse 74 (padma.2.102.74)

एवं दत्वा वरं तस्यै जगाम गिरिजा गिरिम् । कैलासं शंकरेणापि मुदा परमया युता

evaṁ datvā varaṁ tasyai jagāma girijā girim kailāsaṁ śaṁkareṇāpi mudā paramayā yutā

Having thus granted her this boon, Girija, together with Shankara, filled with the highest joy, went to the mountain, to Kailasa.