The Dialogue of Shiva and Parvati

Verse 1 (shiva.rudra.76.1)

भवान्युवाच । किमुक्तं गिरिराजाय त्वया योगिंस्तपस्विना । तदुत्तरं शृणु विभो मत्तो ज्ञानिविशारद

bhavānyuvāca kimuktaṁ girirājāya tvayā yogiṁstapasvinā taduttaraṁ śṛṇu vibho matto jñāniviśārada

Bhavani said: "O yogi, O ascetic, hear from me the answer to what you told the king of mountains, O Lord, O you most skilled among knowers."

Verse 2 (shiva.rudra.76.2)

तपःशक्त्यान्वितः शम्भो करोषि विपुलं तपः । तव बुद्धिरियं जाता तपस्तप्तुं महात्मनः

tapaḥśaktyānvitaḥ śambho karoṣi vipulaṁ tapaḥ tava buddhiriyaṁ jātā tapastaptuṁ mahātmanaḥ

"O Shambhu, endowed with the power of austerity, you perform vast austerities; this resolve of yours, O great soul, has arisen to practice austerity."

Verse 3 (shiva.rudra.76.3)

सा शक्तिः प्रकृतिर्ज्ञेया सर्वेषामपि कर्मणाम् । तया विरच्यते सर्वं पाल्यते च विनाश्यते

sā śaktiḥ prakṛtirjñeyā sarveṣāmapi karmaṇām tayā viracyate sarvaṁ pālyate ca vināśyate

"That power is to be known as Prakriti, the source underlying all action. By her everything is created, sustained, and destroyed."

Verse 4 (shiva.rudra.76.4)

कस्त्वं का प्रकृतिःसूक्ष्मा भगवंस्तद्विमृश्यताम् । विना प्रकृत्या च कथं लिङ्गरूपी महेश्वरः

kastvaṁ kā prakṛtiḥsūkṣmā bhagavaṁstadvimṛśyatām vinā prakṛtyā ca kathaṁ liṅgarūpī maheśvaraḥ

"Who are you, O Lord, and what is that subtle Prakriti — let this be considered. And without Prakriti, how could Maheshvara bear the linga-form at all?"

Verse 5 (shiva.rudra.76.5)

अर्चनीयोऽसि वन्द्योऽसि ध्येयोऽसि प्राणिनां सदा । प्रकृत्या च विचार्येति हृदा सर्वं तदुच्यताम्

arcanīyo'si vandyo'si dhyeyo'si prāṇināṁ sadā prakṛtyā ca vicāryeti hṛdā sarvaṁ taducyatām

"You are ever worthy of worship, of reverence, and of meditation for all living beings. Weighing this together with Prakriti, tell me all of it from your heart."

Verse 6 (shiva.rudra.76.6)

ब्रह्मोवाच । पार्वत्यास्तद्वचः श्रुत्वा महोतिकरणे रतः । सुविहस्य प्रसन्नात्मा महेशो वाक्यमब्रवीत्

brahmovāca pārvatyāstadvacaḥ śrutvā mahotikaraṇe rataḥ suvihasya prasannātmā maheśo vākyamabravīt

Brahma said: "Hearing Parvati's words, Mahesha, delighting in this great sport, his heart well pleased, laughed and spoke."

Verse 7 (shiva.rudra.76.7)

महेश्वर उवाच । तपसा परमेणैव प्रकृतिं नाशयाम्यहम् । प्रकृत्या रहितः शम्भुरहं तिष्ठामि तत्त्वतः

maheśvara uvāca tapasā parameṇaiva prakṛtiṁ nāśayāmyaham prakṛtyā rahitaḥ śambhurahaṁ tiṣṭhāmi tattvataḥ

Maheshvara said: "By supreme austerity alone do I destroy Prakriti. In truth I, Shambhu, remain wholly free of Prakriti."

Verse 8 (shiva.rudra.76.8)

तस्माच्च प्रकृतेः सद्भिर्न कार्यः सङ्ग्रहः क्वचित् । स्थातव्यं निर्विकारैश्च लोकाचारविवर्जितैः

tasmācca prakṛteḥ sadbhirna kāryaḥ saṅgrahaḥ kvacit sthātavyaṁ nirvikāraiśca lokācāravivarjitaiḥ

"Therefore, the virtuous should never form any attachment to Prakriti; the changeless ought to remain free of worldly custom."

Verse 9 (shiva.rudra.76.9)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्युक्ता शम्भुना तात लौकिकव्यवहारतः । सुविहस्य हृदा काली जगाद मधुरं वचः

brahmovāca ityuktā śambhunā tāta laukikavyavahārataḥ suvihasya hṛdā kālī jagāda madhuraṁ vacaḥ

Brahma said: "Thus addressed by Shambhu, in keeping with worldly custom, O son, Kali laughed warmly and spoke these sweet words."

Verse 10 (shiva.rudra.76.10)

काल्युवाच । यदुक्तं भवता योगिन्वचनं शङ्कर प्रभो । सा च किं प्रकृतिर्न स्यादतीतस्तां भवान्कथम्

kālyuvāca yaduktaṁ bhavatā yoginvacanaṁ śaṅkara prabho sā ca kiṁ prakṛtirna syādatītastāṁ bhavānkatham

Kali said: "O yogi, O Lord Shankara, as for the words you have just spoken — is that speech itself not Prakriti? How then are you beyond her?"

Verse 11 (shiva.rudra.76.11)

एतद्विचार्य वक्तव्यं तत्त्वतो हि यथातथम् । प्रकृत्या सर्वमेतच्च बद्धमस्ति निरन्तरम्

etadvicārya vaktavyaṁ tattvato hi yathātatham prakṛtyā sarvametacca baddhamasti nirantaram

"This should be weighed and stated exactly as it truly is. All of this, without exception, remains ceaselessly bound by Prakriti."

Verse 12 (shiva.rudra.76.12)

तस्मात्त्वया न वक्तव्यं न कार्यं किञ्चिदेव हि । वचनं रचनं सर्वं प्राकृतं विद्धि चेतसा

tasmāttvayā na vaktavyaṁ na kāryaṁ kiñcideva hi vacanaṁ racanaṁ sarvaṁ prākṛtaṁ viddhi cetasā

"Therefore nothing should be spoken, and nothing done, by you as though beyond her. Know in your mind that all speech and every act of creation belong to Prakriti."

Verse 13 (shiva.rudra.76.13)

यच्छृणोषि यदश्नासि यत्पश्यसि करोषि यत् । तत्सर्वं प्रकृतेः कार्यं मिथ्यावादो निरर्थकः

yacchṛṇoṣi yadaśnāsi yatpaśyasi karoṣi yat tatsarvaṁ prakṛteḥ kāryaṁ mithyāvādo nirarthakaḥ

"Whatever you hear, whatever you eat, whatever you see, whatever you do — all of it is the work of Prakriti alone; to claim otherwise is a false and empty statement."

Verse 14 (shiva.rudra.76.14)

प्रकृतेः परमश्चेत्त्वं किमर्थं तप्यसे तपः । त्वया शम्भोऽधुना ह्यस्मिन्गिरौ हिमवति प्रभो

prakṛteḥ paramaścettvaṁ kimarthaṁ tapyase tapaḥ tvayā śambho'dhunā hyasmingirau himavati prabho

"If you are truly beyond Prakriti, then why, O Shambhu, O Lord, do you now perform this austerity upon this mountain, Himavat?"

Verse 15 (shiva.rudra.76.15)

प्रकृत्या गिलितोऽसि त्वं न जानासि निजं हर । निजं जानासि चेदीश किमर्थं तप्यसे तपः

prakṛtyā gilito'si tvaṁ na jānāsi nijaṁ hara nijaṁ jānāsi cedīśa kimarthaṁ tapyase tapaḥ

"You have been swallowed by Prakriti, O Hara — you do not know your own true nature. If, O Lord, you do know your own self, then why do you perform austerity?"

Verse 16 (shiva.rudra.76.16)

वाग्वादेन च किं कार्यं मम योगिंस्त्वया सह । प्रत्यक्षे ह्यनुमानस्य न प्रमाणं विदुर्बुधाः

vāgvādena ca kiṁ kāryaṁ mama yogiṁstvayā saha pratyakṣe hyanumānasya na pramāṇaṁ vidurbudhāḥ

"O yogi, what purpose is served by mere verbal debate with you? The wise know that inference carries no authority where direct perception stands."

Verse 17 (shiva.rudra.76.17)

इन्द्रियाणां गोचरत्वं यावद्भवति देहिनाम् । तावत्सर्वं विमन्तव्यं प्राकृतं ज्ञानिभिर्धिया

indriyāṇāṁ gocaratvaṁ yāvadbhavati dehinām tāvatsarvaṁ vimantavyaṁ prākṛtaṁ jñānibhirdhiyā

"As long as embodied beings remain within the range of the senses, so long must all of this, the wise should judge with careful thought, be reckoned as belonging to Prakriti."

Verse 18 (shiva.rudra.76.18)

किं बहूक्तेन योगीश शृणु मद्वचनं परम् । सा चाहं पुरुषोऽसि त्वं सत्यं सत्यं न संशयः

kiṁ bahūktena yogīśa śṛṇu madvacanaṁ param sā cāhaṁ puruṣo'si tvaṁ satyaṁ satyaṁ na saṁśayaḥ

"What use, O lord of yogis, in saying more? Hear this, my final word: I am she, Prakriti, and you are Purusha — this is true, truly true, without doubt."

Verse 19 (shiva.rudra.76.19)

मदनुग्रहतस्त्वं हि सगुणो रूपवान्मतः । मां विना त्वं निरीहोऽसि न किञ्चित्कर्तुमर्हसि

madanugrahatastvaṁ hi saguṇo rūpavānmataḥ māṁ vinā tvaṁ nirīho'si na kiñcitkartumarhasi

"It is only by my grace that you are held to be endowed with qualities and form. Without me you are without power, unable to accomplish anything at all."

Verse 20 (shiva.rudra.76.20)

पराधीनःसदा त्वं हि नानाकर्मकरो वशी । निर्विकारी कथं त्वं हि न लिप्तश्च मया कथम्

parādhīnaḥsadā tvaṁ hi nānākarmakaro vaśī nirvikārī kathaṁ tvaṁ hi na liptaśca mayā katham

"You are ever dependent upon another, governed by control, the doer of manifold deeds. How then can you be changeless? And how can you remain untouched by me?"

Verse 21 (shiva.rudra.76.21)

प्रकृतेः परमोऽसि त्वं यदि सत्यं वचस्तव । तर्हि त्वया न भेतव्यं समीपे मम शङ्कर

prakṛteḥ paramo'si tvaṁ yadi satyaṁ vacastava tarhi tvayā na bhetavyaṁ samīpe mama śaṅkara

"If what you say is true, that you are beyond Prakriti, then, O Shankara, you should have no fear in remaining close to me."

Verse 22 (shiva.rudra.76.22)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्याः साङ्ख्यशास्त्रोदितं शिवः । वेदान्तमतसंस्थो हि वाक्यमूचे शिवां प्रति

brahmovāca ityākarṇya vacastasyāḥ sāṅkhyaśāstroditaṁ śivaḥ vedāntamatasaṁstho hi vākyamūce śivāṁ prati

Brahma said: "Hearing her words, spoken according to Sankhya doctrine, Shiva, standing firm in the view of Vedanta, spoke this reply to Shiva (Parvati)."

Verse 23 (shiva.rudra.76.23)

श्रीशिव उवाच । इत्येवं त्वं यदि ब्रूषे गिरिजे साङ्ख्यधारिणी । प्रत्यहं कुरु मे सेवामनिषिद्धां सुभाषिणि

śrīśiva uvāca ityevaṁ tvaṁ yadi brūṣe girije sāṅkhyadhāriṇī pratyahaṁ kuru me sevāmaniṣiddhāṁ subhāṣiṇi

Shri Shiva said: "O Girija, if you speak thus, holding to the Sankhya doctrine, O sweetly-speaking one, then render me service each day — this shall not be forbidden."

Verse 24 (shiva.rudra.76.24)

यद्यहं ब्रह्म निर्लिप्तो मायया परमेश्वरः । वेदान्तवेद्यो मायेशस्त्वं करिष्यसि किं तदा

yadyahaṁ brahma nirlipto māyayā parameśvaraḥ vedāntavedyo māyeśastvaṁ kariṣyasi kiṁ tadā

"But if I am Brahman, untouched by Maya, the supreme lord, knowable through Vedanta, the master of Maya himself — then what will you do?"

Verse 25 (shiva.rudra.76.25)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्येवमुक्त्वा गिरिजां वाक्यमूचे गिरिं प्रभुः । भक्तानुरञ्जनकरो भक्तानुग्रहकारकः

brahmovāca ityevamuktvā girijāṁ vākyamūce giriṁ prabhuḥ bhaktānurañjanakaro bhaktānugrahakārakaḥ

Brahma said: "Having spoken thus to Girija, the Lord, who delights his devotees and grants them his grace, then spoke these words to the mountain."

Verse 26 (shiva.rudra.76.26)

श्रीशिव उवाच । अत्रैव सोऽहं तपसा परेण गिरे तव प्रस्थवरेऽतिरम्ये । चरामि भूमौ परमार्थभाव- स्वरूपमानन्दमयं सुलोचयन्

śrīśiva uvāca atraiva so'haṁ tapasā pareṇa gire tava prasthavare'tiramye carāmi bhūmau paramārthabhāva- svarūpamānandamayaṁ sulocayan

Shri Shiva said: "Right here, O mountain, on this most beautiful and excellent tableland of yours, I move about upon the earth, engaged in supreme austerity, clearly beholding the blissful form of the highest truth."

Verse 27 (shiva.rudra.76.27)

तपस्तप्तुमनुज्ञा मे दातव्या पर्वताधिप । अनुज्ञया विना किञ्चित्तपः कर्तुं न शक्यते

tapastaptumanujñā me dātavyā parvatādhipa anujñayā vinā kiñcittapaḥ kartuṁ na śakyate

"Grant me your leave to perform austerity, O lord of mountains; without such leave, no austerity at all can be undertaken."

Verse 28 (shiva.rudra.76.28)

ब्रह्मोवाच । एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य देवदेवस्य शूलिनः । प्रणम्य हिमवाञ्छम्भुमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्

brahmovāca etacchrutvā vacastasya devadevasya śūlinaḥ praṇamya himavāñchambhumidaṁ vacanamabravīt

Brahma said: "Hearing these words of the trident-wielding God of gods, Himavat bowed to Shambhu and spoke thus."

Verse 29 (shiva.rudra.76.29)

हिमवानुवाच । त्वदीयं हि जगत्सर्वं सदेवासुरमानुषम् । किमप्यहं महादेव तुच्छो भूत्वा वदामि ते

himavānuvāca tvadīyaṁ hi jagatsarvaṁ sadevāsuramānuṣam kimapyahaṁ mahādeva tuccho bhūtvā vadāmi te

Himavat said: "This whole universe, with its gods, demons, and humans, belongs to you alone. What indeed, O Mahadeva, can I, so insignificant, say to you?"

Verse 30 (shiva.rudra.76.30)

ब्रह्मोवाच । एवमुक्तो हिमवता शङ्करो लोकशङ्करः । विहस्य गिरिराजं तं प्राह याहीति सादरम्

brahmovāca evamukto himavatā śaṅkaro lokaśaṅkaraḥ vihasya girirājaṁ taṁ prāha yāhīti sādaram

Brahma said: "Thus addressed by Himavat, Shankara, bringer of joy to the world, laughed and, with courtesy, bade the mountain-king to go."

Verse 31 (shiva.rudra.76.31)

शङ्करेणाभ्यनुज्ञातःस्वगृहं हिमवान्ययौ । सार्धं गिरिजया वै स प्रत्यहं दर्शने स्थितः

śaṅkareṇābhyanujñātaḥsvagṛhaṁ himavānyayau sārdhaṁ girijayā vai sa pratyahaṁ darśane sthitaḥ

Having received Shankara's leave, Himavat returned to his own home; and thereafter he remained committed to daily darshan, together with Girija.

Verse 32 (shiva.rudra.76.32)

पित्रा विनापि सा काली सखीभ्यां सह नित्यशः । जगाम शङ्कराभ्याशं सेवायै भक्तितत्परा

pitrā vināpi sā kālī sakhībhyāṁ saha nityaśaḥ jagāma śaṅkarābhyāśaṁ sevāyai bhaktitatparā

But Kali, even apart from her father, went daily, with her two companions, to Shankara's presence for service, ever devoted and intent.

Verse 33 (shiva.rudra.76.33)

निषिषेध न तां कोऽपि गणो नन्दीश्वरादिकः । महेशशासनात्तात तच्छासनकरः शुचिः

niṣiṣedha na tāṁ ko'pi gaṇo nandīśvarādikaḥ maheśaśāsanāttāta tacchāsanakaraḥ śuciḥ

No attendant, O son — not Nandishvara nor any other — forbade her, since those pure ones acted only in accordance with Mahesha's own command.

Verse 34 (shiva.rudra.76.34)

साङ्ख्यवेदान्तमतयोः शिवयोः शिवदः सदा । संवादः सुखकृच्चोक्तोऽभिन्नयोः सुविचारतः

sāṅkhyavedāntamatayoḥ śivayoḥ śivadaḥ sadā saṁvādaḥ sukhakṛccokto'bhinnayoḥ suvicārataḥ

Thus has been recounted, with careful thought, this ever-auspicious and delightful dialogue between the two Shivas — Shiva and Shiva (Parvati) — who, holding the views of Sankhya and Vedanta respectively, are in truth not different from one another.

Verse 35 (shiva.rudra.76.35)

गिरिराजस्य वचनात्तनयां तस्य शङ्करः । पार्श्वे समीपे जग्राह गौरवादपि गोपरः

girirājasya vacanāttanayāṁ tasya śaṅkaraḥ pārśve samīpe jagrāha gauravādapi goparaḥ

At the mountain-king's word, Shankara — though himself the protector of all — out of due regard took his daughter to remain close by his side.

Verse 36 (shiva.rudra.76.36)

उवाचेदं वचः कालीं सखीभ्यां सह गोपतिः । नित्यं मां सेवतां यातु निर्भीता ह्यत्र तिष्ठतु

uvācedaṁ vacaḥ kālīṁ sakhībhyāṁ saha gopatiḥ nityaṁ māṁ sevatāṁ yātu nirbhītā hyatra tiṣṭhatu

The lord of the herds spoke this word to Kali and her two companions: "Let her come daily to serve me, and remain here without fear."

Verse 37 (shiva.rudra.76.37)

एवमुक्त्वा तु तां देवीं सेवायै जगृहे हरः । निर्विकारो महायोगी नानालीलाकरः प्रभुः

evamuktvā tu tāṁ devīṁ sevāyai jagṛhe haraḥ nirvikāro mahāyogī nānālīlākaraḥ prabhuḥ

Having said this, Hara — changeless, the great yogi, the Lord of manifold divine plays — accepted that goddess into his service.

Verse 38 (shiva.rudra.76.38)

इदमेव महद्धैर्यं धीराणां सुतपस्विनाम् । विघ्नवन्त्यपि सम्प्राप्य यद्विघ्नैर्न विहन्यते

idameva mahaddhairyaṁ dhīrāṇāṁ sutapasvinām vighnavantyapi samprāpya yadvighnairna vihanyate

This alone is the great fortitude of steadfast, truly disciplined souls: that even when obstacles come upon them, they are never overthrown by those obstacles.

Verse 39 (shiva.rudra.76.39)

ततः स्वपुरमायातो गिरिराट् परिचारकैः । मुमोदातीव मनसि सप्रियः स मुनीश्वर

tataḥ svapuramāyāto girirāṭ paricārakaiḥ mumodātīva manasi sapriyaḥ sa munīśvara

Then, O lord of sages, the mountain-king returned to his own city with his attendants, and, together with his beloved wife, rejoiced greatly in his heart.

Verse 40 (shiva.rudra.76.40)

हरश्च ध्यानयोगेन परमात्मानमादरात् । निर्विघ्नेन स्वमनसा त्वासीच्चिन्तयितुं स्थितः

haraśca dhyānayogena paramātmānamādarāt nirvighnena svamanasā tvāsīccintayituṁ sthitaḥ

And Hara, through the practice of meditation, remained there, reverently contemplating the Supreme Self, his mind free from any disturbance.

Verse 41 (shiva.rudra.76.41)

काली सखीभ्यां सहिता प्रत्यहं चन्द्रशेखरम् । सेवमाना महादेवं गमनागमने स्थिता

kālī sakhībhyāṁ sahitā pratyahaṁ candraśekharam sevamānā mahādevaṁ gamanāgamane sthitā

Kali, with her two companions, served Mahadeva, the moon-crested one, every day, remaining occupied in her daily comings and goings.

Verse 42 (shiva.rudra.76.42)

प्रक्षाल्य चरणौ शम्भोः पपौ तच्चरणोदकम् । वह्निशौचेन वस्त्रेण चक्रे तद्गात्रमार्जनम्

prakṣālya caraṇau śambhoḥ papau taccaraṇodakam vahniśaucena vastreṇa cakre tadgātramārjanam

Washing Shambhu's feet, she drank that foot-water; with a cloth purified by fire, she wiped his body clean.

Verse 43 (shiva.rudra.76.43)

षोडशेनोपचारेण सम्पूज्य विधिवद्धरम् । पुनःपुनः सुप्रणम्य ययौ नित्यं पितुर्गृहम्

ṣoḍaśenopacāreṇa sampūjya vidhivaddharam punaḥpunaḥ supraṇamya yayau nityaṁ piturgṛham

Having worshipped Hara with due rite through the sixteen ritual offerings, and bowing to him again and again, she would return each day to her father's house.

Verse 44 (shiva.rudra.76.44)

एवं संसेवमानायाः शङ्करं ध्यानतत्परम् । व्यतीयाय महान्कालः शिवाया मुनिसत्तम

evaṁ saṁsevamānāyāḥ śaṅkaraṁ dhyānatatparam vyatīyāya mahānkālaḥ śivāyā munisattama

Thus, O foremost of sages, a long span of time passed for Shiva (Parvati) as she continually rendered service to Shankara, who remained absorbed in meditation.

Verse 45 (shiva.rudra.76.45)

कदाचित्सहिता काली सखीभ्यां शङ्कराश्रमे । वितेने सुन्दरं गानं सुतालं स्मरवर्धनम्

kadācitsahitā kālī sakhībhyāṁ śaṅkarāśrame vitene sundaraṁ gānaṁ sutālaṁ smaravardhanam

Once, Kali, together with her two friends, sang a beautiful, well-measured song at Shankara's hermitage, a song that stirred desire.

Verse 46 (shiva.rudra.76.46)

कदाचित्कुशपुष्पाणि समिधं नयति स्वयम् । सखीभ्यां स्थानसंस्कारं कुर्वती न्यवसत्तदा

kadācitkuśapuṣpāṇi samidhaṁ nayati svayam sakhībhyāṁ sthānasaṁskāraṁ kurvatī nyavasattadā

At other times she herself brought kusha grass, flowers, and sacrificial twigs, and, with her companions, remained there tending and purifying the place.

Verse 47 (shiva.rudra.76.47)

कदाचिन्नियता गेहे स्थिता चन्द्रभृतो भृशम् । वीक्षन्ती विस्मयामास सकामा चन्द्रशेखरम्

kadācinniyatā gehe sthitā candrabhṛto bhṛśam vīkṣantī vismayāmāsa sakāmā candraśekharam

At times, restrained yet remaining close by, filled with longing, she gazed upon Chandrashekhara with deep wonder.

Verse 48 (shiva.rudra.76.48)

ततस्तप्तेन भूतेशस्तां निस्सङ्गां परिस्थिताम् । सोऽचिन्तयत्तदा वीक्ष्य भूतदेहे स्थितेति च

tatastaptena bhūteśastāṁ nissaṅgāṁ paristhitām so'cintayattadā vīkṣya bhūtadehe sthiteti ca

Then Bhuteśa, taking note of her, seeing her standing there detached yet devoted, reflected within himself upon her steadfastness in body and discipline.

Verse 49 (shiva.rudra.76.49)

नाग्रहीद्गिरिशः कालीं भार्यार्थे निकटे स्थिताम् । महालावण्यनिचयां मुनीनामपि मोहिनीम्

nāgrahīdgiriśaḥ kālīṁ bhāryārthe nikaṭe sthitām mahālāvaṇyanicayāṁ munīnāmapi mohinīm

Girisha did not yet take Kali as wife, though she stood close to him, a treasury of great beauty, one able to bewilder even sages.

Verse 50 (shiva.rudra.76.50)

महादेवः पुनर्दृष्ट्वा तथा तां संयतेन्द्रियाम् । स्वसेवने रतां नित्यं सदयः समचिन्तयत्

mahādevaḥ punardṛṣṭvā tathā tāṁ saṁyatendriyām svasevane ratāṁ nityaṁ sadayaḥ samacintayat

Mahadeva, seeing her again, so restrained in her senses and ever devoted to his own service, reflected compassionately within his heart.

Verse 51 (shiva.rudra.76.51)

यदैवैषा तपश्चर्याव्रतं काली करिष्यति । तदा च तां ग्रहीष्यामि गर्वबीजविवर्जिताम्

yadaivaiṣā tapaścaryāvrataṁ kālī kariṣyati tadā ca tāṁ grahīṣyāmi garvabījavivarjitām

(He thought:) "Only when this Kali undertakes the vow and discipline of austerity — once entirely free of the very seed of pride — shall I then take her."

Verse 52 (shiva.rudra.76.52)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इति सञ्चिन्त्य भूतेशो द्रुतं ध्यानसमाश्रितः । महयोगीश्वरोऽभूद्वै महालीलाकरः प्रभुः

brahmovāca iti sañcintya bhūteśo drutaṁ dhyānasamāśritaḥ mahayogīśvaro'bhūdvai mahālīlākaraḥ prabhuḥ

Brahma said: "Having thought thus, Bhutesha quickly resorted once more to meditation, becoming the great lord of yogis, the Lord of vast divine play."

Verse 53 (shiva.rudra.76.53)

ध्यानासक्तस्य तस्याथ शिवस्य परमात्मनः । हृदि नासीन्मुने काचिदन्या चिन्ता व्यवस्थिता

dhyānāsaktasya tasyātha śivasya paramātmanaḥ hṛdi nāsīnmune kācidanyā cintā vyavasthitā

For that Shiva, the Supreme Self, absorbed in meditation, O sage, no other thought at all remained lodged in his heart.

Verse 54 (shiva.rudra.76.54)

काली त्वनुदिनं शम्भुं सद्भक्त्या समसेवत । विचिन्तयन्ती सततं तस्य रूपं महात्मनः

kālī tvanudinaṁ śambhuṁ sadbhaktyā samasevata vicintayantī satataṁ tasya rūpaṁ mahātmanaḥ

But Kali served Shambhu day after day with true devotion, ceaselessly dwelling in thought upon the form of that great soul.

Verse 55 (shiva.rudra.76.55)

हरो ध्यानपरः कालीं नित्यं प्रैक्षत सुस्थिताम् । विस्मृत्य पूर्वचिन्तां तां पश्यन्नपि न पश्यति

haro dhyānaparaḥ kālīṁ nityaṁ praikṣata susthitām vismṛtya pūrvacintāṁ tāṁ paśyannapi na paśyati

Hara, absorbed in meditation, would daily look upon Kali seated steadily before him, yet, having set aside that earlier thought, even in seeing her he did not truly see.

Verse 56 (shiva.rudra.76.56)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे देवाः शक्राद्या मुनयश्च ते । ब्रह्माज्ञया स्मरं तत्र प्रेषयामासुरादरात्

etasminnantare devāḥ śakrādyā munayaśca te brahmājñayā smaraṁ tatra preṣayāmāsurādarāt

Meanwhile the gods headed by Shakra, and those sages, by Brahma's command, respectfully dispatched Smara (Kama) to that place.

Verse 57 (shiva.rudra.76.57)

तेन कारयितुं योगं काल्या रुद्रेण कामतः । महावीर्येणासुरेण तारकेण प्रपीडिताः

tena kārayituṁ yogaṁ kālyā rudreṇa kāmataḥ mahāvīryeṇāsureṇa tārakeṇa prapīḍitāḥ

— in order to bring about, through desire, Rudra's union with Kali, for they had been grievously tormented by the mighty demon Taraka.

Verse 58 (shiva.rudra.76.58)

गत्वा तत्र स्मरः सर्वमुपायमकरोन्निजम् । चुक्षुभे न हरः किञ्चित्तं च भस्मीचकार ह

gatvā tatra smaraḥ sarvamupāyamakaronnijam cukṣubhe na haraḥ kiñcittaṁ ca bhasmīcakāra ha

Going there, Smara resorted to every device of his own; yet Hara was not disturbed in the slightest, and burned him to ashes.

Verse 59 (shiva.rudra.76.59)

पार्वत्यपि विगर्वाभून्मुने तस्य निदेशतः । ततस्तपो महत्कृत्वा शिवं प्राप पतिं सती

pārvatyapi vigarvābhūnmune tasya nideśataḥ tatastapo mahatkṛtvā śivaṁ prāpa patiṁ satī

Parvati too, O sage, by his own guidance, became free of pride; and then, having performed great austerity, that virtuous one attained Shiva as her husband.

Verse 60 (shiva.rudra.76.60)

बभूवतुस्तौ सुप्रीतौ पार्वतीपरमेश्वरौ । चक्रतुर्देवकार्यं हि परोपकरणे रतौ

babhūvatustau suprītau pārvatīparameśvarau cakraturdevakāryaṁ hi paropakaraṇe ratau

Parvati and the Supreme Lord both became greatly delighted, and, devoted to the good of others, together accomplished the work of the gods.