The Description of Parvati's Austerity

Verse 1 (shiva.rudra.85.1)

ब्रह्मोवाच । त्वयि देवमुने याते पार्वती हृष्टमानसा । तपःसाध्यं हरं मेने तपोऽर्थं मन आदधे

brahmovāca tvayi devamune yāte pārvatī hṛṣṭamānasā tapaḥsādhyaṁ haraṁ mene tapo'rthaṁ mana ādadhe

Brahma said: O sage among the gods, when you had gone, Parvati, her heart glad, resolved that Hara was attainable only through austerity, and fixed her mind wholly on tapas.

Verse 2 (shiva.rudra.85.2)

ततः सख्यौ समादाय जयां च विजयां तथा । मातरं पितरं चैव सखीभ्यां पर्यपृच्छत

tataḥ sakhyau samādāya jayāṁ ca vijayāṁ tathā mātaraṁ pitaraṁ caiva sakhībhyāṁ paryapṛcchata

Then, taking with her both her companions, Jaya and Vijaya, she asked, through those two friends, the permission of both her mother and her father.

Verse 3 (shiva.rudra.85.3)

प्रथमं पितरं गत्वा हिमवन्तं नगेश्वरम् । पर्यपृच्छत्सुप्रणम्य विनयेन समन्विता

prathamaṁ pitaraṁ gatvā himavantaṁ nageśvaram paryapṛcchatsupraṇamya vinayena samanvitā

First going to her father, Himavan, lord of mountains, and bowing to him with due humility, the two friends made this request of him.

Verse 4 (shiva.rudra.85.4)

सख्यावूचतुः - हिमवन् श्रूयतां पुत्रीवचनं कथ्यतेऽधुना ॥ सा स्वयं चैव देहस्य रूपस्यापि तथा पुनः

sakhyāvūcatuḥ - himavan śrūyatāṁ putrīvacanaṁ kathyate'dhunā sā svayaṁ caiva dehasya rūpasyāpi tathā punaḥ

The two friends said: "O Himavan, hear now the word your daughter has sent us to speak. She herself wishes to render fruitful once more her own body and her form."

Verse 5 (shiva.rudra.85.5)

भवतो हि कुलस्यास्य साफल्यं कर्तुमिच्छति । तपसा साधनीयोऽसौ नान्यथा दृश्यतां व्रजेत्

bhavato hi kulasyāsya sāphalyaṁ kartumicchati tapasā sādhanīyo'sau nānyathā dṛśyatāṁ vrajet

"She wishes also to bring success to this lineage of yours; this can be accomplished only through austerity, and by no other means is it ever seen achieved."

Verse 6 (shiva.rudra.85.6)

तस्माच्च पर्वतश्रेष्ठ देयाज्ञा भवताधुना । तपः करोतु गिरिजा वनं गत्वेति सादरम्

tasmācca parvataśreṣṭha deyājñā bhavatādhunā tapaḥ karotu girijā vanaṁ gatveti sādaram

"Therefore, O best of mountains, grant now this permission: let Girija go to the forest and perform her austerity, with all due respect."

Verse 7 (shiva.rudra.85.7)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्येवं च तदा पृष्टः सखीभ्यां मुनिसत्तम । पार्वत्या सुविचार्याथ गिरिराजोऽब्रवीदिदम्

brahmovāca ityevaṁ ca tadā pṛṣṭaḥ sakhībhyāṁ munisattama pārvatyā suvicāryātha girirājo'bravīdidam

Brahma said: O best of sages, thus asked by the two friends on Parvati's behalf, the king of mountains, having reflected well, spoke as follows.

Verse 8 (shiva.rudra.85.8)

हिमालय उवाच । मह्यं च रोचतेऽत्यर्थं मेनायै रुच्यतां पुनः । यथेदं भवितव्यं च किमतः परमुत्तमम्

himālaya uvāca mahyaṁ ca rocate'tyarthaṁ menāyai rucyatāṁ punaḥ yathedaṁ bhavitavyaṁ ca kimataḥ paramuttamam

Himalaya said: "This pleases me exceedingly; let it now please Mena too. Whatever is to come to pass, let it come to pass -- what could be better than this?"

Verse 9 (shiva.rudra.85.9)

साफल्यं तु मदीयस्य कुलस्य च न संशयः । मात्रे तु रुच्यते चेद्वै ततः शुभतरं नु किम्

sāphalyaṁ tu madīyasya kulasya ca na saṁśayaḥ mātre tu rucyate cedvai tataḥ śubhataraṁ nu kim

"There is no doubt of the success of my own lineage; but if this pleases her mother as well, what could be more auspicious still?"

Verse 10 (shiva.rudra.85.10)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्येवं वचनं पित्रा प्रोक्तं श्रुत्वा तु ते तदा । जग्मतुर्मातरं सख्यौ तदाज्ञप्ते तया सह

brahmovāca ityevaṁ vacanaṁ pitrā proktaṁ śrutvā tu te tadā jagmaturmātaraṁ sakhyau tadājñapte tayā saha

Brahma said: Having heard this word spoken by her father, and with his consent, the two friends then went to her mother.

Verse 11 (shiva.rudra.85.11)

गत्वा तु मातरं तस्याः पार्वत्यास्ते च नारद । सुप्रणम्य करौ बध्वोचतुर्वचनमादरात्

gatvā tu mātaraṁ tasyāḥ pārvatyāste ca nārada supraṇamya karau badhvocaturvacanamādarāt

O Narada, reaching Parvati's mother, the two of them bowed to her respectfully, joined their hands, and spoke these words with reverence.

Verse 12 (shiva.rudra.85.12)

सख्यावूचतुः मातस्त्वं वचनं पुत्र्याः शृणु देवि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥ सुप्रसन्नतया तद्वै श्रुत्वा कर्तुमिहार्हसि

sakhyāvūcatuḥ mātastvaṁ vacanaṁ putryāḥ śṛṇu devi namo'stu te suprasannatayā tadvai śrutvā kartumihārhasi

The two friends said: "O mother, O goddess, salutations to you. Hear now the word of your own daughter, and, hearing it with a glad heart, be pleased to grant it."

Verse 13 (shiva.rudra.85.13)

तप्तुकामा तु ते पुत्री शिवार्थं परमं तपः । प्राप्तानुज्ञा पितुश्चैव तुभ्यं च परिपृच्छति

taptukāmā tu te putrī śivārthaṁ paramaṁ tapaḥ prāptānujñā pituścaiva tubhyaṁ ca paripṛcchati

"Your daughter wishes to perform the highest austerity for the sake of Shiva; having received her father's permission, she now asks yours as well."

Verse 14 (shiva.rudra.85.14)

इयं स्वरूपसाफल्यं कर्तुकामा पतिव्रते । त्वदाज्ञा यदि जायेत तप्यते च तथा तपः

iyaṁ svarūpasāphalyaṁ kartukāmā pativrate tvadājñā yadi jāyeta tapyate ca tathā tapaḥ

"O ever-faithful one, she wishes to render her own true nature fruitful; if only your permission is granted, she will undertake that very austerity."

Verse 15 (shiva.rudra.85.15)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्युक्त्वा च ततःसख्यौ तूष्णीमास्तां मुनीश्वर । नाङ्गीचकार मेना सा तद्वाक्यं खिन्नमानसा

brahmovāca ityuktvā ca tataḥsakhyau tūṣṇīmāstāṁ munīśvara nāṅgīcakāra menā sā tadvākyaṁ khinnamānasā

Brahma said: O lord of sages, having said this, the two friends then fell silent; but Mena did not accept that request, her mind troubled.

Verse 16 (shiva.rudra.85.16)

ततः सा पार्वती प्राह स्वयमेवाथ मातरम् । करौ बद्ध्वा विनीतात्मा स्मृत्वा शिवपदाम्बुजम्

tataḥ sā pārvatī prāha svayamevātha mātaram karau baddhvā vinītātmā smṛtvā śivapadāmbujam

Then Parvati herself, joining her hands, her mind made humble, and calling to mind Shiva's own lotus feet, spoke thus to her mother.

Verse 17 (shiva.rudra.85.17)

पार्वत्युवाच । मातस्तप्तुं गमिष्यामि प्रातः प्राप्तुं महेश्वरम् । अनुजानीहि मां गन्तुं तपसेऽद्य तपोवनम्

pārvatyuvāca mātastaptuṁ gamiṣyāmi prātaḥ prāptuṁ maheśvaram anujānīhi māṁ gantuṁ tapase'dya tapovanam

Parvati said: "Mother, I shall go to perform austerity, to attain Maheshvara. Grant me your leave to go this very day to the forest of austerity, for tapas."

Verse 18 (shiva.rudra.85.18)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचः पुत्र्या मेना दुःखमुपागता । सोपाहूय तदा पुत्रीमुवाच विकला सती

brahmovāca ityākarṇya vacaḥ putryā menā duḥkhamupāgatā sopāhūya tadā putrīmuvāca vikalā satī

Brahma said: Hearing her daughter's words, Mena fell into sorrow; calling her to her side, that virtuous but now distraught mother spoke as follows.

Verse 19 (shiva.rudra.85.19)

मेनोवाच । दुःखितासि शिवे पुत्री तपस्तप्तुं पुरा यदि । तपश्चर गृहेऽद्य त्वं न बहिर्गच्छ पार्वति

menovāca duḥkhitāsi śive putrī tapastaptuṁ purā yadi tapaścara gṛhe'dya tvaṁ na bahirgaccha pārvati

Mena said: "O Shive, my daughter, if you truly wish now to perform austerity, then perform it here in this very house, O Parvati -- do not go out."

Verse 20 (shiva.rudra.85.20)

कुत्र यासि तपः कर्तुं देवाः सन्ति गृहे मम । तीर्थानि च समस्तानि क्षेत्राणि विविधानि च

kutra yāsi tapaḥ kartuṁ devāḥ santi gṛhe mama tīrthāni ca samastāni kṣetrāṇi vividhāni ca

"Where would you even go to perform austerity? The very gods are present in this house of mine, and every sacred ford and manifold holy field besides."

Verse 21 (shiva.rudra.85.21)

कर्तव्यो न हठः पुत्रि गन्तव्यं न बहिः क्वचित् । साधितं किं त्वया पूर्वं पुनः किं साधयिष्यसि

kartavyo na haṭhaḥ putri gantavyaṁ na bahiḥ kvacit sādhitaṁ kiṁ tvayā pūrvaṁ punaḥ kiṁ sādhayiṣyasi

"Do not be obstinate, my daughter; there is no need to go anywhere outside at all. What have you not already accomplished before, that you must now accomplish it again?"

Verse 22 (shiva.rudra.85.22)

शरीरं कोमलं वत्से तपस्तु कठिनं महत् । एतस्मात्तु त्वया कार्यं तपोऽत्र न बहिर्व्रज

śarīraṁ komalaṁ vatse tapastu kaṭhinaṁ mahat etasmāttu tvayā kāryaṁ tapo'tra na bahirvraja

"Your body, my child, is delicate, and austerity is a great hardship indeed. For this very reason you should perform your tapas here -- do not go outside."

Verse 23 (shiva.rudra.85.23)

स्त्रीणां तपोवनगतिर्न श्रुता कामनार्थिनी । तस्मात्त्वं पुत्रि मा कार्षीः तपोऽर्थं गमनं प्रति

strīṇāṁ tapovanagatirna śrutā kāmanārthinī tasmāttvaṁ putri mā kārṣīḥ tapo'rthaṁ gamanaṁ prati

"It has never been heard of that women go to the forest of austerity in pursuit of a desire; therefore, my daughter, do not undertake this going forth for the sake of tapas."

Verse 24 (shiva.rudra.85.24)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्येवं बहुधा पुत्री तन्मात्रा विनिवारिता । संवदे न सुखं किञ्चिद्विनाराध्य महेश्वरम्

brahmovāca ityevaṁ bahudhā putrī tanmātrā vinivāritā saṁvade na sukhaṁ kiñcidvinārādhya maheśvaram

Brahma said: Thus forbidden many times over by her mother, the daughter found not the least happiness anywhere, short of worshipping Maheshvara.

Verse 25 (shiva.rudra.85.25)

तपोनिषिद्धा तपसे वनं गन्तुं च मेनया । हेतुना तेन सोमेति नाम प्राप शिवा तदा

taponiṣiddhā tapase vanaṁ gantuṁ ca menayā hetunā tena someti nāma prāpa śivā tadā

Because Mena forbade her from going to the forest to perform austerity, Shiva (Parvati) then received, from those very words "do not," the name born of them -- Uma.

Verse 26 (shiva.rudra.85.26)

अथ तां दुःखितां ज्ञात्वा मेना शैलप्रिया शिवाम् । निदेशं सा ददौ तस्याः पार्वत्यास्तपसे मुने

atha tāṁ duḥkhitāṁ jñātvā menā śailapriyā śivām nideśaṁ sā dadau tasyāḥ pārvatyāstapase mune

Then Mena, so dear to the mountain, seeing her daughter's sorrow, at last, O sage, gave Parvati her leave for austerity.

Verse 27 (shiva.rudra.85.27)

मातुराज्ञां च सम्प्राप्य सुव्रता मुनिसत्तम । ततः स्वान्ते सुखं लेभे पार्वती स्मृतशङ्करा

māturājñāṁ ca samprāpya suvratā munisattama tataḥ svānte sukhaṁ lebhe pārvatī smṛtaśaṅkarā

O best of sages, having obtained her mother's leave, the virtuous Parvati, her mind ever fixed on Shankara, then found happiness within herself.

Verse 28 (shiva.rudra.85.28)

मातरं पितरं साथ प्रणिपत्य मुदा शिवा । सखीभ्यां च शिवं स्मृत्वा तपस्तप्तुं समुद्गता

mātaraṁ pitaraṁ sātha praṇipatya mudā śivā sakhībhyāṁ ca śivaṁ smṛtvā tapastaptuṁ samudgatā

Then, having joyfully bowed to her mother and father, and, together with her two friends, having called Shiva to mind, Shiva (Parvati) set out to perform austerity.

Verse 29 (shiva.rudra.85.29)

हित्वा मतान्यनेकानि वस्त्राणि विविधानि च । वल्कलानि धृतान्याशु मौञ्जीं बद्ध्वा तु शोभनाम्

hitvā matānyanekāni vastrāṇi vividhāni ca valkalāni dhṛtānyāśu mauñjīṁ baddhvā tu śobhanām

Giving up many former notions and every manner of fine garment, she quickly put on bark-cloth and bound about her a lovely girdle of munja grass.

Verse 30 (shiva.rudra.85.30)

हित्वा हारं तथा चर्म मृगस्य परमं धृतम् । जगाम तपसे तत्र गङ्गावतरणं प्रति

hitvā hāraṁ tathā carma mṛgasya paramaṁ dhṛtam jagāma tapase tatra gaṅgāvataraṇaṁ prati

Giving up her necklace, too, and the fine deerskin she had once worn, she set out for tapas toward Gangavatarana, the descent of the Ganga.

Verse 31 (shiva.rudra.85.31)

शम्भुना कुर्वता ध्यानं यत्र दग्धो मनोभवः । गङ्गावतरणो नाम प्रस्थो हिमवतःस च

śambhunā kurvatā dhyānaṁ yatra dagdho manobhavaḥ gaṅgāvataraṇo nāma prastho himavataḥsa ca

The very place on Himavan where Shambhu, absorbed in meditation, had burned Manobhava, is known by the name Gangavatarana-prastha.

Verse 32 (shiva.rudra.85.32)

हरशून्योऽथ ददृशे स प्रस्थो हिमभूभृतः । काल्या तत्रेत्य भोस्तात पार्वत्या जगदम्बया

haraśūnyo'tha dadṛśe sa prastho himabhūbhṛtaḥ kālyā tatretya bhostāta pārvatyā jagadambayā

O dear one, arriving there, Kali, Parvati, mother of the universe, beheld that terrace of the snowy mountain now empty, void of Hara.

Verse 33 (shiva.rudra.85.33)

यत्र स्थित्वा पुरा शम्भुः तप्तवान्दुस्तरं तपः । तत्र क्षणं तु सा स्थित्वा बभूव विरहार्दिता

yatra sthitvā purā śambhuḥ taptavāndustaraṁ tapaḥ tatra kṣaṇaṁ tu sā sthitvā babhūva virahārditā

Where Shambhu had once stood and performed that austerity, so hard to endure, she stood for a moment, and there she was struck with the pain of separation.

Verse 34 (shiva.rudra.85.34)

हा हरेति शिवा तत्र रुदन्ती सा गिरेः सुता । विललापातिदुःखार्ता चिन्ताशोकसमन्विता

hā hareti śivā tatra rudantī sā gireḥ sutā vilalāpātiduḥkhārtā cintāśokasamanvitā

There, crying "Alas, Hara!" the mountain's daughter, Shiva, wept and lamented, overcome with grief, filled with anxiety and sorrow.

Verse 35 (shiva.rudra.85.35)

ततश्चिरेण सा मोहं धैर्यात्संस्तभ्य पार्वती । नियमायाभवत्तत्र दीक्षिता हिमवत्सुता

tataścireṇa sā mohaṁ dhairyātsaṁstabhya pārvatī niyamāyābhavattatra dīkṣitā himavatsutā

Then, after a long while, steadying that grief through her own fortitude, Parvati, Himavan's daughter, took there her vow of strict discipline.

Verse 36 (shiva.rudra.85.36)

तपश्चकार सा तत्र शृङ्गितीर्थे महोत्तमे । गौरीशिखर नामासीत्तत्तपःकरणाद्धि तत्

tapaścakāra sā tatra śṛṅgitīrthe mahottame gaurīśikhara nāmāsīttattapaḥkaraṇāddhi tat

There, at the great and excellent Shringi-tirtha, she performed her austerity; and because of her tapas there, that place became known by the name Gaurishikhara.

Verse 37 (shiva.rudra.85.37)

सुन्दराश्च द्रुमास्तत्र पवित्राश्शिवया मुने । आरोपिताः परीक्षार्थं तपसः फलभागिनः

sundarāśca drumāstatra pavitrāśśivayā mune āropitāḥ parīkṣārthaṁ tapasaḥ phalabhāginaḥ

O sage, beautiful and sacred trees were planted there by Shiva, as if set there to test and to share in the very fruit of her austerity.

Verse 38 (shiva.rudra.85.38)

भूभिशुद्धिं ततः कृत्वा वेदीं निर्माय सुन्दरी । तथा तपःसमारब्धं मुनीनामपि दुष्करम्

bhūbhiśuddhiṁ tataḥ kṛtvā vedīṁ nirmāya sundarī tathā tapaḥsamārabdhaṁ munīnāmapi duṣkaram

Then, having purified the ground and fashioned a beautiful altar, that lovely one began that austerity, difficult even for sages.

Verse 39 (shiva.rudra.85.39)

विगृह्य मनसा सर्वाणीन्द्रियाणि सहाशु सा । समुपस्थानिके तत्र चकार परमं तपः

vigṛhya manasā sarvāṇīndriyāṇi sahāśu sā samupasthānike tatra cakāra paramaṁ tapaḥ

Swiftly withdrawing all her senses together with her mind, she stood there close by and gave herself over to the highest austerity.

Verse 40 (shiva.rudra.85.40)

ग्रीष्मे च परितो वह्निं प्रज्वलन्तं दिवानिशम् । कृत्वा तस्थौ च तन्मध्ये सततं जपती मनुम्

grīṣme ca parito vahniṁ prajvalantaṁ divāniśam kṛtvā tasthau ca tanmadhye satataṁ japatī manum

In the summer, having kindled fires blazing on every side, day and night, she stood in their midst, ceaselessly reciting the mantra.

Verse 41 (shiva.rudra.85.41)

सततं चैव वर्षासु स्थण्डिले सुस्थिरासना । शिलापृष्ठे च संसिक्ता बभूव जलधारया

satataṁ caiva varṣāsu sthaṇḍile susthirāsanā śilāpṛṣṭhe ca saṁsiktā babhūva jaladhārayā

In the rainy season, seated firmly and continuously upon the bare ground, upon the surface of a rock, she remained ever drenched by streaming rain.

Verse 42 (shiva.rudra.85.42)

शीते जलान्तरे शश्वत्तस्थौ सा भक्तितत्परा । अनाहारातपत्तत्र नीहारेषु निशासु च

śīte jalāntare śaśvattasthau sā bhaktitatparā anāhārātapattatra nīhāreṣu niśāsu ca

In winter, wholly devoted, she stood ceaselessly in the midst of water, without food, exposed to the open sky amid the frost and through the nights.

Verse 43 (shiva.rudra.85.43)

एवं तपः प्रकुर्वाणा पञ्चाक्षरजपे रता । दध्यौ शिवं शिवा तत्र सर्वकामफलप्रदम्

evaṁ tapaḥ prakurvāṇā pañcākṣarajape ratā dadhyau śivaṁ śivā tatra sarvakāmaphalapradam

Thus performing austerity, absorbed in the recitation of the five-syllabled mantra, Shiva (Parvati) meditated there upon Shiva, the giver of the fruit of every desire.

Verse 44 (shiva.rudra.85.44)

स्वारोपितान् शुभान्वृक्षान्सखीभिस्सिञ्चती मुदा । प्रत्यहं सावकाशे सा तत्रातिथ्यमकल्पयत्

svāropitān śubhānvṛkṣānsakhībhissiñcatī mudā pratyahaṁ sāvakāśe sā tatrātithyamakalpayat

Watering with joy, together with her friends, the auspicious trees she herself had planted, she performed the rites of hospitality there each day, whenever occasion allowed.

Verse 45 (shiva.rudra.85.45)

वातश्चैव तथा शीतवृष्टिश्च विविधा तथा । दुस्सहोऽपि तथा घर्मस्तया सेहे सुचित्तया

vātaścaiva tathā śītavṛṣṭiśca vividhā tathā dussaho'pi tathā gharmastayā sehe sucittayā

Wind, and cold, and rain of every kind, and unbearable heat besides -- all this she endured with a steady and unwavering mind.

Verse 46 (shiva.rudra.85.46)

दुःखं च विविधं तत्र गणितं न तयागतम् । केवलं मन आधाय शिवे सासीत्स्थिता मुने

duḥkhaṁ ca vividhaṁ tatra gaṇitaṁ na tayāgatam kevalaṁ mana ādhāya śive sāsītsthitā mune

The manifold sufferings there she never once counted as having befallen her; fixing her mind on Shiva alone, O sage, she remained there, unmoved.

Verse 47 (shiva.rudra.85.47)

प्रथमं फलभोगेन द्वितीयं पर्णभोजनैः । तपः प्रकुर्वती देवी क्रमान्निन्येऽमिताः समाः

prathamaṁ phalabhogena dvitīyaṁ parṇabhojanaiḥ tapaḥ prakurvatī devī kramānninye'mitāḥ samāḥ

First subsisting on fruit alone, then on leaves alone, the goddess, performing austerity in this order, passed countless years.

Verse 48 (shiva.rudra.85.48)

ततः पर्णान्यपि शिवा निरस्य हिमवत्सुता । निराहाराभवद्देवी तपश्चरणसंरता

tataḥ parṇānyapi śivā nirasya himavatsutā nirāhārābhavaddevī tapaścaraṇasaṁratā

Then Shiva, Himavan's daughter, gave up even leaves, and the goddess, wholly absorbed in the practice of austerity, took no food at all.

Verse 49 (shiva.rudra.85.49)

आहारे त्यक्तपर्णाभूद्यस्माद्धिमवतः सुता । तेन देवैरपर्णेति कथिता नामतः शिवा

āhāre tyaktaparṇābhūdyasmāddhimavataḥ sutā tena devairaparṇeti kathitā nāmataḥ śivā

Because Himavan's daughter had given up even leaves in her diet, she was, for that very reason, named by the gods with the name Aparna, "the leafless one."

Verse 50 (shiva.rudra.85.50)

एकपादस्थिता सासीच्छिवं संस्मृत्य पार्वती । पञ्चाक्षरं जपन्ती च मनुं तेपे तपो महत्

ekapādasthitā sāsīcchivaṁ saṁsmṛtya pārvatī pañcākṣaraṁ japantī ca manuṁ tepe tapo mahat

Standing upon a single foot, remembering Shiva, reciting the five-syllabled mantra, Parvati performed a mighty austerity.

Verse 51 (shiva.rudra.85.51)

चीरवल्कलसंवीता जटासङ्घातधारिणी । शिवचिन्तनसंसक्ता जिगाय तपसा मुनीन्

cīravalkalasaṁvītā jaṭāsaṅghātadhāriṇī śivacintanasaṁsaktā jigāya tapasā munīn

Clad in bark-cloth garments, bearing masses of matted locks, wholly absorbed in thoughts of Shiva, she surpassed even the sages in austerity.

Verse 52 (shiva.rudra.85.52)

एवं तस्यास्तपस्यन्त्या चिन्तयन्त्या महेश्वरम् । त्रीणि वर्षसहस्राणि जग्मुः काल्यास्तपोवने

evaṁ tasyāstapasyantyā cintayantyā maheśvaram trīṇi varṣasahasrāṇi jagmuḥ kālyāstapovane

Thus, as she performed austerity and meditated upon Maheshvara, three thousand years passed for Kali in that forest of austerity.

Verse 53 (shiva.rudra.85.53)

षष्टिवर्षसहस्राणि यत्र तेपे तपो हरः । तत्र क्षणमथोषित्वा चिन्तयामास सा शिवा

ṣaṣṭivarṣasahasrāṇi yatra tepe tapo haraḥ tatra kṣaṇamathoṣitvā cintayāmāsa sā śivā

Where Hara had once performed austerity for sixty thousand years, there, having dwelt a moment, Shiva (Parvati) reflected thus.

Verse 54 (shiva.rudra.85.54)

नियमस्थां महादेव किं मां जानासि नाधुना । येनाहं सुचिरं तेन नानुयाता तपोरता

niyamasthāṁ mahādeva kiṁ māṁ jānāsi nādhunā yenāhaṁ suciraṁ tena nānuyātā taporatā

"O Mahadeva, do you even now not recognize me, established as I am in strict discipline -- for so long devoted to austerity, and still I have not attained him?"

Verse 55 (shiva.rudra.85.55)

लोके वेदे च गिरिशो मुनिभिर्गीयते सदा । शङ्करः स हि सर्वज्ञः सर्वात्मा सर्वदर्शनः

loke vede ca giriśo munibhirgīyate sadā śaṅkaraḥ sa hi sarvajñaḥ sarvātmā sarvadarśanaḥ

"In this world, and in the Vedas, Girisha is ever sung by the sages: Shankara, the all-knowing, the very soul of all, the all-seeing one."

Verse 56 (shiva.rudra.85.56)

सर्वभूतिप्रदो देवः सर्वभावानुभावनः । भक्ताभीष्टप्रदो नित्यं सर्वक्लेशनिवारणः

sarvabhūtiprado devaḥ sarvabhāvānubhāvanaḥ bhaktābhīṣṭaprado nityaṁ sarvakleśanivāraṇaḥ

"That god is the giver of all prosperity, the one who partakes of every state of being, who ever grants his devotees their heart's desire, and who removes every affliction."

Verse 57 (shiva.rudra.85.57)

सर्वकामान्परित्यज्य यदि चाहं वृषध्वजे । अनुरक्ता तदा सोऽत्र सम्प्रसीदतु शङ्करः

sarvakāmānparityajya yadi cāhaṁ vṛṣadhvaje anuraktā tadā so'tra samprasīdatu śaṅkaraḥ

"If, having given up every desire, I remain devoted to the bull-bannered Shiva, then may Shankara here be well pleased with me."

Verse 58 (shiva.rudra.85.58)

यदि नारदतन्त्रोक्तमन्त्रो जप्तः शराक्षरः । सुभक्त्या विधिना नित्यं सम्प्रसीदतु शङ्करः

yadi nāradatantroktamantro japtaḥ śarākṣaraḥ subhaktyā vidhinā nityaṁ samprasīdatu śaṅkaraḥ

"If I have duly recited, with true devotion and according to rite, this five-syllabled mantra declared in the Narada-tantra, then may Shankara be pleased."

Verse 59 (shiva.rudra.85.59)

यदि भक्त्या शिवस्याहं निर्विकारा यथोदितम् । सर्वेश्वरस्य चात्यन्तं सम्प्रसीदतु शङ्करः

yadi bhaktyā śivasyāhaṁ nirvikārā yathoditam sarveśvarasya cātyantaṁ samprasīdatu śaṅkaraḥ

"If I am, in devotion to Shiva, unwavering exactly as it has been declared, then may Shankara, lord of all, be greatly pleased."

Verse 60 (shiva.rudra.85.60)

एवं चिन्तयती नित्यं तेपे सा सुचिरं तपः । अधोमुखी निर्विकारा जटावल्कलधारिणी

evaṁ cintayatī nityaṁ tepe sā suciraṁ tapaḥ adhomukhī nirvikārā jaṭāvalkaladhāriṇī

Reflecting thus continually, her face bowed low, her resolve unwavering, wearing matted locks and bark-cloth, she performed austerity for a very long time.

Verse 61 (shiva.rudra.85.61)

तथा तया तपस्तप्तं मुनीनामपि दुष्करम् । स्मृत्वा च पुरुषास्तत्र परमं विस्मयं गताः

tathā tayā tapastaptaṁ munīnāmapi duṣkaram smṛtvā ca puruṣāstatra paramaṁ vismayaṁ gatāḥ

Beholding and recalling that austerity, difficult even for sages, performed by her in this way, even the great men there were struck with the utmost wonder.

Verse 62 (shiva.rudra.85.62)

तत्तपोदर्शनार्थं हि समाजग्मुश्च तेऽखिलाः । धन्यान्निजान्मन्यमाना जगदुश्चेति सम्मताः

tattapodarśanārthaṁ hi samājagmuśca te'khilāḥ dhanyānnijānmanyamānā jagaduśceti sammatāḥ

All of them gathered there together to witness that austerity, counting themselves most blessed, and, in full agreement, spoke thus.

Verse 63 (shiva.rudra.85.63)

महतां धर्मवृद्धेषु गमनं श्रेय उच्यते । प्रमाणं तपसो नास्ति मान्यो धर्मःसदा बुधैः

mahatāṁ dharmavṛddheṣu gamanaṁ śreya ucyate pramāṇaṁ tapaso nāsti mānyo dharmaḥsadā budhaiḥ

"To approach the great, those established in righteousness, is called the highest good; austerity knows no measure -- righteousness is ever held dear by the wise."

Verse 64 (shiva.rudra.85.64)

श्रुत्वा दृष्ट्वा तपोऽस्यास्तु किमन्यैः क्रियते तपः । अस्मात्तपोऽधिकं लोके न भूतं न भविष्यति

śrutvā dṛṣṭvā tapo'syāstu kimanyaiḥ kriyate tapaḥ asmāttapo'dhikaṁ loke na bhūtaṁ na bhaviṣyati

"Having heard of and beheld her austerity, what further austerity can now be performed by anyone? Greater than this, no austerity has ever been, nor shall ever be, in this world."

Verse 65 (shiva.rudra.85.65)

जल्पन्त इति ते सर्वे सुप्रशस्य शिवातपः । जग्मुः स्वं धाम मुदिताः कठिनाङ्गाश्च ये ह्यपि

jalpanta iti te sarve supraśasya śivātapaḥ jagmuḥ svaṁ dhāma muditāḥ kaṭhināṅgāśca ye hyapi

Speaking thus, praising Shiva's austerity again and again, all of them, even the most hardened of ascetics, went, well pleased, each to his own abode.

Verse 66 (shiva.rudra.85.66)

अन्यच्छृणु महर्षे त्वं प्रभावं तपसोऽधुना । पार्वत्या जगदम्बायाः पराश्चर्यकरं महत्

anyacchṛṇu maharṣe tvaṁ prabhāvaṁ tapaso'dhunā pārvatyā jagadambāyāḥ parāścaryakaraṁ mahat

Brahma said: Now hear, O great sage, yet another power of that austerity -- of the austerity of Parvati, mother of the universe, most wondrous indeed.

Verse 67 (shiva.rudra.85.67)

तदाश्रमगता ये च स्वभावेन विरोधिनः । तेऽप्यासँस्तत्प्रभावेण विरोधरहितास्तदा

tadāśramagatā ye ca svabhāvena virodhinaḥ te'pyāsa~statprabhāveṇa virodharahitāstadā

Whatever creatures, by their very nature, were hostile to one another, if they came to that hermitage, became, through the power of her austerity, wholly free of enmity.

Verse 68 (shiva.rudra.85.68)

सिंहा गावश्च सततं रागादिदोषसंयुताः । तन्महिम्ना च ते तत्र नाबाधन्त परस्परम्

siṁhā gāvaśca satataṁ rāgādidoṣasaṁyutāḥ tanmahimnā ca te tatra nābādhanta parasparam

Lions and cows, ever bound by passion and other such faults, never, by her very greatness, did harm to one another there.

Verse 69 (shiva.rudra.85.69)

अथान्ये च मुनिश्रेष्ठ मार्जारा मूषकादयः । निसर्गाद्वैरिणो यत्र विक्रियन्ते स्म न क्वचित्

athānye ca muniśreṣṭha mārjārā mūṣakādayaḥ nisargādvairiṇo yatra vikriyante sma na kvacit

O best of sages, and others too -- cats and mice and the like, natural enemies to one another -- were never provoked or disturbed there.

Verse 70 (shiva.rudra.85.70)

वृक्षाश्च सफलास्तत्र तृणानि विविधानि च । पुष्पाणि च विचित्राणि तत्रासन्मुनिसत्तम

vṛkṣāśca saphalāstatra tṛṇāni vividhāni ca puṣpāṇi ca vicitrāṇi tatrāsanmunisattama

O best of sages, there were trees laden with fruit, grasses of every kind, and flowers of wondrous variety, all present there.

Verse 71 (shiva.rudra.85.71)

तद्वनं च तदा सर्वं कैलासेनोपमान्वितम् । जातं च तपसस्तस्याः सिद्धिरूपमभूत्तदा

tadvanaṁ ca tadā sarvaṁ kailāsenopamānvitam jātaṁ ca tapasastasyāḥ siddhirūpamabhūttadā

That whole forest then became comparable to Kailasa itself, and it became, as it were, the very visible form of the accomplishment of her austerity.