The Seven Sages Test Parvati

Verse 1 (shiva.rudra.88.1)

नारद उवाच । गतेषु तेषु देवेषु विधिविष्ण्वादिकेषु च । सर्वेषु मुनिषु प्रीत्या किं बभूव ततः परम्

nārada uvāca gateṣu teṣu deveṣu vidhiviṣṇvādikeṣu ca sarveṣu muniṣu prītyā kiṁ babhūva tataḥ param

Narada said: "After those gods -- Brahma, Vishnu, and the rest -- and all the sages had departed, what happened then? Tell me, out of your affection for me."

Verse 2 (shiva.rudra.88.2)

किं कृतं शम्भुना तात वरं दातुं समागतः । कियत्कालेन च कथं तद्वद प्रीतिमावह

kiṁ kṛtaṁ śambhunā tāta varaṁ dātuṁ samāgataḥ kiyatkālena ca kathaṁ tadvada prītimāvaha

"What did Shambhu do, O father, having come to grant the boon? In how much time, and in what manner -- tell me, and bring me joy."

Verse 3 (shiva.rudra.88.3)

ब्रह्मोवाच । गतेषु तेषु देवेषु ब्रह्मादिषु निजाश्रमम् । तत्तपः सुपरीक्षार्थं समाधिस्थोऽभवद्भवः

brahmovāca gateṣu teṣu deveṣu brahmādiṣu nijāśramam tattapaḥ suparīkṣārthaṁ samādhistho'bhavadbhavaḥ

Brahma said: "When those gods, Brahma and the rest, had gone to their own abodes, Bhava entered deep meditation in order to properly test that penance."

Verse 4 (shiva.rudra.88.4)

स्वात्मानमात्मना कृत्वा स्वात्मन्येव व्यचिन्तयत् । परात्परतरं स्वस्थं निर्मायं निरवग्रहम्

svātmānamātmanā kṛtvā svātmanyeva vyacintayat parātparataraṁ svasthaṁ nirmāyaṁ niravagraham

"Having settled his own self within his own self, he pondered, in that very self, upon That which is higher than the highest -- self-abiding, free of illusion, unconstrained."

Verse 5 (shiva.rudra.88.5)

तद्वस्तुभूतो भगवानीश्वरो वृषभध्वजः । अविज्ञातगतिःसूतिःस हरः परमेश्वरः

tadvastubhūto bhagavānīśvaro vṛṣabhadhvajaḥ avijñātagatiḥsūtiḥsa haraḥ parameśvaraḥ

"That Bhagavan Ishvara, the bull-bannered one, having become one with that very Reality -- Hara, the Supreme Lord, whose course and origin none can know --"

Verse 6 (shiva.rudra.88.6)

ब्रह्मोवाच । गिरिजा हि तदा तात तताप परमं तपः । तपसा तेन रुद्रोऽपि परं विस्मयमागतः

brahmovāca girijā hi tadā tāta tatāpa paramaṁ tapaḥ tapasā tena rudro'pi paraṁ vismayamāgataḥ

Brahma said: "Then, O son, Girija performed the most intense austerity; by that penance even Rudra was struck with the greatest wonder."

Verse 7 (shiva.rudra.88.7)

समाधेश्चलितस्सोऽभूद्भक्ताधीनोऽपि नान्यथा । वसिष्ठादीन्मुनीन्सप्त सस्मार सूतिकृद्धरः

samādheścalitasso'bhūdbhaktādhīno'pi nānyathā vasiṣṭhādīnmunīnsapta sasmāra sūtikṛddharaḥ

"He became moved from his meditation -- for he is ever subject to his devotees, and never otherwise -- and Hara, the giver of birth to all, called to mind the seven sages beginning with Vasishtha."

Verse 8 (shiva.rudra.88.8)

सप्तापि मुनयः शीघ्रमाययुः स्मृतिमात्रतः । प्रसन्नवदनाः सर्वे वर्णयन्तो विधिं बहु

saptāpi munayaḥ śīghramāyayuḥ smṛtimātrataḥ prasannavadanāḥ sarve varṇayanto vidhiṁ bahu

"All seven sages came swiftly, the very moment they were remembered; all of them, with joyful faces, praising his greatness at length,"

Verse 9 (shiva.rudra.88.9)

प्रणम्य तं महेशानं तुष्टुवुर्हर्षनिर्भराः । वाण्या गद्गदया बद्धकरा विनतकन्धराः

praṇamya taṁ maheśānaṁ tuṣṭuvurharṣanirbharāḥ vāṇyā gadgadayā baddhakarā vinatakandharāḥ

"having bowed to that great Lord, filled with joy they praised him, with faltering voice, hands joined, heads bowed low."

Verse 10 (shiva.rudra.88.10)

सप्तर्षय ऊचुः । देवदेव महादेव करुणासागर प्रभो । जाता वयं सुधन्या हि त्वया यदधुना स्मृताः

saptarṣaya ūcuḥ devadeva mahādeva karuṇāsāgara prabho jātā vayaṁ sudhanyā hi tvayā yadadhunā smṛtāḥ

The seven sages said: "O God of gods, Mahadeva, ocean of compassion, O Lord! We have become most fortunate indeed, in that you have now remembered us."

Verse 11 (shiva.rudra.88.11)

किमर्थं संस्मृता नाथ शासनं देहि तद्धि नः । स्वदाससदृशीं स्वामिन्कृपां कुरु नमोऽस्तु ते

kimarthaṁ saṁsmṛtā nātha śāsanaṁ dehi taddhi naḥ svadāsasadṛśīṁ svāminkṛpāṁ kuru namo'stu te

"For what purpose have we been remembered, O Lord? Give us your command. Show grace, O Master, upon us who are like your own servants; salutations to you."

Verse 12 (shiva.rudra.88.12)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य मुनीनां तु विज्ञप्तिं करुणानिधिः । प्रोवाच विहसन्प्रीत्या प्रोत्फुल्लनयनाम्बुजः

brahmovāca ityākarṇya munīnāṁ tu vijñaptiṁ karuṇānidhiḥ provāca vihasanprītyā protphullanayanāmbujaḥ

Brahma said: "Having heard the sages' submission, the treasure of compassion, smiling with love, his lotus eyes wide with delight, spoke."

Verse 13 (shiva.rudra.88.13)

महेश्वर उवाच । हे सप्तमुनयस्ताताः शृणुतारं वचो मम । अस्मद्धितकरा यूयं सर्वज्ञानविचक्षणाः

maheśvara uvāca he saptamunayastātāḥ śṛṇutāraṁ vaco mama asmaddhitakarā yūyaṁ sarvajñānavicakṣaṇāḥ

Maheshvara said: "O seven sages, dear ones, listen to my full word; you are well-wishers to us, and skilled in all knowledge."

Verse 14 (shiva.rudra.88.14)

तपश्चरति देवेशी पार्वती गिरिजाधुना । गौरीशिखरसंज्ञे हि पर्वते दृढमानसा

tapaścarati deveśī pārvatī girijādhunā gaurīśikharasaṁjñe hi parvate dṛḍhamānasā

"The goddess Parvati, Girija, is now performing austerity, firm of resolve, upon the mountain named Gaurishikhara."

Verse 15 (shiva.rudra.88.15)

मां पतिं प्राप्तुकामा हि सा सखीसेविता द्विजाः । सर्वान्कामान्विहायान्यान्परं निश्चयमागता

māṁ patiṁ prāptukāmā hi sā sakhīsevitā dvijāḥ sarvānkāmānvihāyānyānparaṁ niścayamāgatā

"Desiring to attain me as her husband, attended by her companions, having abandoned every other desire, she has arrived at a supreme resolve."

Verse 16 (shiva.rudra.88.16)

तत्र गच्छत यूयं मच्छासनान्मुनिसत्तमाः । परीक्षां दृढतायास्तत्कुरुत प्रेमचेतसः

tatra gacchata yūyaṁ macchāsanānmunisattamāḥ parīkṣāṁ dṛḍhatāyāstatkuruta premacetasaḥ

"Go there, O best of sages, by my command; test, with loving hearts, the firmness of her resolve."

Verse 17 (shiva.rudra.88.17)

सर्वथा छलसंयुक्तं वचनीयं वचश्च वः । न संशयः प्रकर्तव्यः शासनान्मम सुव्रताः

sarvathā chalasaṁyuktaṁ vacanīyaṁ vacaśca vaḥ na saṁśayaḥ prakartavyaḥ śāsanānmama suvratāḥ

"Your words must in every way carry deception, as a test; entertain no doubt about this -- carry out my command, O virtuous ones."

Verse 18 (shiva.rudra.88.18)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्याज्ञप्ताश्च मुनयो जग्मुस्तत्र द्रुतं हि ते । यत्र राजति सा दीप्ता जगन्माता नगात्मजा

brahmovāca ityājñaptāśca munayo jagmustatra drutaṁ hi te yatra rājati sā dīptā jaganmātā nagātmajā

Brahma said: "Thus commanded, the sages went there quickly, to where that radiant World-Mother, daughter of the mountain, dwelt in splendor."

Verse 19 (shiva.rudra.88.19)

तत्र दृष्ट्वा शिवा साक्षात्तपःसिद्धिरिवापरा । मूर्ता परमतेजस्का विलसन्ती सुतेजसा

tatra dṛṣṭvā śivā sākṣāttapaḥsiddhirivāparā mūrtā paramatejaskā vilasantī sutejasā

"There they beheld Shiva (Parvati) in person, as if another embodiment of the perfection of penance itself, supremely radiant, shining with her own great splendor."

Verse 20 (shiva.rudra.88.20)

हृदा प्रणम्य तां ते तु ऋषयस्सप्त सुव्रताः । सन्नता वचनं प्रोचुः पूजिताश्च विशेषतः

hṛdā praṇamya tāṁ te tu ṛṣayassapta suvratāḥ sannatā vacanaṁ procuḥ pūjitāśca viśeṣataḥ

"Bowing to her with their hearts, those seven virtuous sages, having especially honored her, spoke to her humbly."

Verse 21 (shiva.rudra.88.21)

ऋषय ऊचुः । शृणु शैलसुते देवि किमर्थं तप्यते तपः । इच्छसि त्वं सुरं कं च किं फलं तद्वदाधुना

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ śṛṇu śailasute devi kimarthaṁ tapyate tapaḥ icchasi tvaṁ suraṁ kaṁ ca kiṁ phalaṁ tadvadādhunā

The sages said: "Listen, O goddess, daughter of the mountain: for what purpose is this penance performed? Which god do you desire, and what fruit do you seek? Tell us now."

Verse 22 (shiva.rudra.88.22)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्युक्ता सा शिवा देवी गिरीन्द्रतनया द्विजैः । प्रत्युवाच वचः सत्यं सुगूढमपि तत्पुरः

brahmovāca ityuktā sā śivā devī girīndratanayā dvijaiḥ pratyuvāca vacaḥ satyaṁ sugūḍhamapi tatpuraḥ

Brahma said: "Thus questioned by the twice-born ones, the goddess Shiva, daughter of the king of mountains, replied before them with true words, though deeply veiled."

Verse 23 (shiva.rudra.88.23)

पार्वत्युवाच । मुनीश्वराःसंशृणुत मद्वाक्यं प्रीतितो हृदा । ब्रवीमि स्वविचारं वै चिन्तितो यो धिया स्वया

pārvatyuvāca munīśvarāḥsaṁśṛṇuta madvākyaṁ prītito hṛdā bravīmi svavicāraṁ vai cintito yo dhiyā svayā

Parvati said: "O lords of sages, listen with love and with your heart to my words; I shall speak my own thought, which I have long weighed in my mind."

Verse 24 (shiva.rudra.88.24)

करिष्यथ प्रहासं मे श्रुत्वा वाचो ह्यसम्भवाः । सङ्कोचो वर्णनाद्विप्रा भवत्येव करोमि किम्

kariṣyatha prahāsaṁ me śrutvā vāco hyasambhavāḥ saṅkoco varṇanādviprā bhavatyeva karomi kim

"Hearing my words, which may sound impossible, you will surely laugh; there is shame in the telling, O brahmins -- yet what else can I do?"

Verse 25 (shiva.rudra.88.25)

इदं मनो हि सुदृढमवशं परकर्मकृत् । जलोपरि महाभित्तिं चिकीर्षति महोन्नताम्

idaṁ mano hi sudṛḍhamavaśaṁ parakarmakṛt jalopari mahābhittiṁ cikīrṣati mahonnatām

"This mind of mine is exceedingly firm, uncontrolled, bent on another's task; it wishes to build a great, towering wall upon water."

Verse 26 (shiva.rudra.88.26)

सुरर्षेः शासनं प्राप्य करोमि सुदृढं तपः । रुद्रः पतिर्भवेन्मे हि विधायेति मनोरथम्

surarṣeḥ śāsanaṁ prāpya karomi sudṛḍhaṁ tapaḥ rudraḥ patirbhavenme hi vidhāyeti manoratham

"Having received the command of the sage of the gods, I perform this firm penance, with only this desire -- that Rudra become my husband."

Verse 27 (shiva.rudra.88.27)

अपक्षो मन्मनः पक्षी व्योम्नि उड्डीयते हठात् । तदाशां शङ्करः स्वामी पिपर्त्तु करुणानिधिः

apakṣo manmanaḥ pakṣī vyomni uḍḍīyate haṭhāt tadāśāṁ śaṅkaraḥ svāmī piparttu karuṇānidhiḥ

"My mind, a wingless bird, forcibly wishes to fly through the sky; may my Lord Shankara, treasure of compassion, fulfill that hope."

Verse 28 (shiva.rudra.88.28)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्या विहस्य मुनयश्च ते । सम्मान्य गिरिजां प्रीत्या प्रोचुश्छलवचो मृषा

brahmovāca ityākarṇya vacastasyā vihasya munayaśca te sammānya girijāṁ prītyā procuśchalavaco mṛṣā

Brahma said: "Hearing her words, those sages laughed, and, honoring Girija with affection, spoke deceitful, false words."

Verse 29 (shiva.rudra.88.29)

ऋषय ऊचुः । न ज्ञातं तस्य चरितं वृथापण्डितमानिनः । देवर्षेः क्रूरमनसः सुज्ञा भूत्वाप्यगात्मजे

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ na jñātaṁ tasya caritaṁ vṛthāpaṇḍitamāninaḥ devarṣeḥ krūramanasaḥ sujñā bhūtvāpyagātmaje

The sages said: "O daughter of the mountain, though you have become wise, you have not truly known the character of that divine sage -- vainly proud of his learning, and cruel of heart."

Verse 30 (shiva.rudra.88.30)

नारदः कूटवादी च परचित्तप्रमन्थकः । तस्य वार्ताश्रवणतो हानिर्भवति सर्वथा

nāradaḥ kūṭavādī ca paracittapramanthakaḥ tasya vārtāśravaṇato hānirbhavati sarvathā

"Narada is a deceitful speaker, a churner of others' minds; from merely listening to his talk, harm follows in every case."

Verse 31 (shiva.rudra.88.31)

तत्र त्वं शृणु सद् बुद्ध्या चेतिहासं सुशोभितम् । क्रमात्त्वां बोधयन्तो हि प्रीत्या तमुपधारय

tatra tvaṁ śṛṇu sad buddhyā cetihāsaṁ suśobhitam kramāttvāṁ bodhayanto hi prītyā tamupadhāraya

"Therefore listen with a clear mind to this fitting account; understanding it step by step, hold it lovingly in your heart."

Verse 32 (shiva.rudra.88.32)

ब्रह्मपुत्रो हि यो दक्षः सुषुवे पितुराज्ञया । स्वपत्न्यामयुतं पुत्रानयुङ्क्त तपसि प्रियान्

brahmaputro hi yo dakṣaḥ suṣuve piturājñayā svapatnyāmayutaṁ putrānayuṅkta tapasi priyān

"Daksha, the son of Brahma, by his father's command, begot in his wife ten thousand beloved sons, and set them to austerity."

Verse 33 (shiva.rudra.88.33)

ते सुताः पश्चिमदिशि नारायणसरो गताः । तपोऽर्थे ते प्रतिज्ञाय नारदस्तत्र वै ययौ

te sutāḥ paścimadiśi nārāyaṇasaro gatāḥ tapo'rthe te pratijñāya nāradastatra vai yayau

"Those sons went to the western quarter, to Lake Narayana; having taken the vow to perform penance there, Narada too went there."

Verse 34 (shiva.rudra.88.34)

कूटोपदेशमाश्राव्य तत्र तान्नारदो मुनिः । तदाज्ञया च ते सर्वे पितुर्न गृहमाययुः

kūṭopadeśamāśrāvya tatra tānnārado muniḥ tadājñayā ca te sarve piturna gṛhamāyayuḥ

"There the sage Narada delivered to them a deceptive teaching, and by his instruction none of them returned to their father's house."

Verse 35 (shiva.rudra.88.35)

तच्छ्रुत्वा कुपितो दक्षः पित्राश्वासितमानसः । उत्पाद्य पुत्रान्प्रायुङ्क्त सहस्रप्रमितांस्ततः

tacchrutvā kupito dakṣaḥ pitrāśvāsitamānasaḥ utpādya putrānprāyuṅkta sahasrapramitāṁstataḥ

"Hearing this, Daksha -- his mind having been consoled by his father -- grew angry; he then begot a further thousand sons and set them likewise to austerity."

Verse 36 (shiva.rudra.88.36)

तेऽपि तत्र गताः पुत्राः तपोऽर्थं पितुराज्ञया । नारदोऽपि ययौ तत्र पुनस्तत्स्वोपदेशकृत्

te'pi tatra gatāḥ putrāḥ tapo'rthaṁ piturājñayā nārado'pi yayau tatra punastatsvopadeśakṛt

"Those sons too went there for austerity by their father's command; Narada again went there, once more to give his own teaching."

Verse 37 (shiva.rudra.88.37)

ददौ तदुपदेशं ते तेभ्यो भ्रातृपथं ययुः । आययुर्न पितुर्गेहं भिक्षुवृत्तिरताश्च ते

dadau tadupadeśaṁ te tebhyo bhrātṛpathaṁ yayuḥ āyayurna piturgehaṁ bhikṣuvṛttiratāśca te

"He gave them that same teaching; they followed the path of their brothers -- they did not return to their father's house, but became devoted to a mendicant's life."

Verse 38 (shiva.rudra.88.38)

इत्थं नारदसद्वृत्तिर्विश्रुता शैलकन्यके । अन्यां शृणु हि तद्वृत्तिं वैराग्यकरणीं नृणाम्

itthaṁ nāradasadvṛttirviśrutā śailakanyake anyāṁ śṛṇu hi tadvṛttiṁ vairāgyakaraṇīṁ nṛṇām

"Thus, O mountain's daughter, is Narada's true conduct well known; hear now another such account of his, one that gives rise to dispassion in men."

Verse 39 (shiva.rudra.88.39)

विद्याधरश्चित्रकेतुर्यो बभूव पुराकरोत् । स्वोपदेशमयं दत्त्वा तस्मै शून्यं च तद्गृहम्

vidyādharaścitraketuryo babhūva purākarot svopadeśamayaṁ dattvā tasmai śūnyaṁ ca tadgṛham

"There was, in ancient times, a Vidyadhara named Chitraketu; having given him this same teaching, he too made that one's house empty."

Verse 40 (shiva.rudra.88.40)

प्रह्लादाय स्वोपदेशान्हिरण्यकशिपोः परम् । दत्त्वा दुःखं ददौ चायं परबुद्धिप्रभेदकः

prahlādāya svopadeśānhiraṇyakaśipoḥ param dattvā duḥkhaṁ dadau cāyaṁ parabuddhiprabhedakaḥ

"Likewise, having given his teaching to Prahlada, son of Hiranyakashipu, this piercer of others' understanding brought sorrow upon them."

Verse 41 (shiva.rudra.88.41)

मुनिना निजविद्या यच्छ्राविता कर्णरोचना । स स्वगेहं विहायाशु भिक्षां चरति प्रायशः

muninā nijavidyā yacchrāvitā karṇarocanā sa svagehaṁ vihāyāśu bhikṣāṁ carati prāyaśaḥ

"Whoever's ear finds this sage's teaching pleasing, he quickly abandons his own home and generally takes to begging alms."

Verse 42 (shiva.rudra.88.42)

नारदो मलिनात्मा हि सर्वदोज्ज्वलदेहवान् । जानीमस्तं विशेषेण वयं तत्सहवासिनः

nārado malinātmā hi sarvadojjvaladehavān jānīmastaṁ viśeṣeṇa vayaṁ tatsahavāsinaḥ

"Narada is truly impure of soul, though his body ever appears radiant; we, who have lived in his company, know him especially well."

Verse 43 (shiva.rudra.88.43)

बकं साधुं वर्णयन्ति न मत्स्यानत्ति सर्वथा । सहवासी विजानीयाच्चरित्रं सहवासिनाम्

bakaṁ sādhuṁ varṇayanti na matsyānatti sarvathā sahavāsī vijānīyāccaritraṁ sahavāsinām

"People praise the crane as saintly, yet it never once fails to devour fish; only one who lives with another truly comes to know that companion's character."

Verse 44 (shiva.rudra.88.44)

लब्ध्वा तदुपदेशं हि त्वमपि प्राज्ञसम्मता । वृथैव मूर्खीभूता त्वं तपश्चरसि दुष्करम्

labdhvā tadupadeśaṁ hi tvamapi prājñasammatā vṛthaiva mūrkhībhūtā tvaṁ tapaścarasi duṣkaram

"Having received his teaching, you too, though held to be wise, have needlessly become foolish, performing this difficult, futile penance."

Verse 45 (shiva.rudra.88.45)

यदर्थमीदृशं बाले करोषि विपुलं तपः । सोदासीनो निर्विकारो मदनारिर्न संशयः

yadarthamīdṛśaṁ bāle karoṣi vipulaṁ tapaḥ sodāsīno nirvikāro madanārirna saṁśayaḥ

"O girl, he for whose sake you perform such vast penance is indifferent, unchanging, and the enemy of Kama -- of this there is no doubt."

Verse 46 (shiva.rudra.88.46)

अमङ्गलवपुर्धारी निर्लज्जोऽसदनोऽकुली । कुवेषी प्रेतभूतादिसङ्गी नग्नो हि शूलभृत्

amaṅgalavapurdhārī nirlajjo'sadano'kulī kuveṣī pretabhūtādisaṅgī nagno hi śūlabhṛt

"He bears an inauspicious form, is shameless, dwells among vile places, and is of no respectable family; ill-clad, in the company of ghosts and spirits, naked, and bearing a trident."

Verse 47 (shiva.rudra.88.47)

स धूर्तस्तव विज्ञानं विनाश्य निजमायया । मोहयामास सद्युक्त्या कारयामास वै तपः

sa dhūrtastava vijñānaṁ vināśya nijamāyayā mohayāmāsa sadyuktyā kārayāmāsa vai tapaḥ

"That rogue, having destroyed your discernment by his own maya, deluded you with clever persuasion, and made you undertake this penance."

Verse 48 (shiva.rudra.88.48)

ईदृशं हि वरं लब्ध्वा किं सुखं सम्भविष्यति । विचारं कुरु देवेशि त्वमेव गिरिजात्मजे

īdṛśaṁ hi varaṁ labdhvā kiṁ sukhaṁ sambhaviṣyati vicāraṁ kuru deveśi tvameva girijātmaje

"Having obtained such a husband, what happiness could there be? Consider this yourself, O goddess, daughter of the mountain."

Verse 49 (shiva.rudra.88.49)

प्रथमं दक्षजां साध्वीं विवाह्य सुधिया सतीम् । निर्वाहं कृतवान्नैव मूढः किञ्चिद्दिनानि हि

prathamaṁ dakṣajāṁ sādhvīṁ vivāhya sudhiyā satīm nirvāhaṁ kṛtavānnaiva mūḍhaḥ kiñciddināni hi

"Formerly that fool, having married the virtuous Sati, daughter of Daksha, could not even sustain her for many days."

Verse 50 (shiva.rudra.88.50)

तां तथैव स वै दोषं दत्त्वात्याक्षीत् स्वयं प्रभुः । ध्यायन्स्वरूपमकलमशोकमरमत्सुखी

tāṁ tathaiva sa vai doṣaṁ dattvātyākṣīt svayaṁ prabhuḥ dhyāyansvarūpamakalamaśokamaramatsukhī

"Having laid that very fault upon her, the Lord himself abandoned her, and, meditating on his own formless, sorrowless nature, remained happily alone."

Verse 51 (shiva.rudra.88.51)

एकलः परनिर्वाणो ह्यसङ्गोऽद्वय एव च । तेन नार्याः कथं देवि निर्वाहः सम्भविष्यति

ekalaḥ paranirvāṇo hyasaṅgo'dvaya eva ca tena nāryāḥ kathaṁ devi nirvāhaḥ sambhaviṣyati

"He is solitary, ever absorbed in supreme dissolution, unattached, and without a second -- how then, O goddess, could sustaining a wife be possible for him?"

Verse 52 (shiva.rudra.88.52)

अद्यापि शासनं प्राप्य गृहमायाहि दुर्मतिम् । त्यजास्माकं महाभागे भविष्यति च शं तव

adyāpi śāsanaṁ prāpya gṛhamāyāhi durmatim tyajāsmākaṁ mahābhāge bhaviṣyati ca śaṁ tava

"Even now, O most fortunate one, accept our counsel and go home, giving up this ill-conceived resolve; good will come to you."

Verse 53 (shiva.rudra.88.53)

त्वद्योग्यो हि वरो विष्णुः सर्वसद्गुणवान्प्रभुः । वैकुण्ठवासी लक्ष्मीशो नानाक्रीडाविशारदः

tvadyogyo hi varo viṣṇuḥ sarvasadguṇavānprabhuḥ vaikuṇṭhavāsī lakṣmīśo nānākrīḍāviśāradaḥ

"A husband worthy of you is truly Vishnu -- endowed with every virtue, the Lord who dwells in Vaikuntha, husband of Lakshmi, skilled in manifold divine sports."

Verse 54 (shiva.rudra.88.54)

तेन ते कारयिष्यामो विवाहं सर्वसौख्यदम् । इतीदृशं त्यज हठं सुखिता भव पार्वति

tena te kārayiṣyāmo vivāhaṁ sarvasaukhyadam itīdṛśaṁ tyaja haṭhaṁ sukhitā bhava pārvati

"We shall arrange your marriage with him, one that will bestow every happiness; so give up this obstinacy, and be happy, O Parvati."

Verse 55 (shiva.rudra.88.55)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्येवं वचनं श्रुत्वा पार्वती जगदम्बिका । विहस्य च पुनः प्राह मुनीन्ज्ञानविशारदान्

brahmovāca ityevaṁ vacanaṁ śrutvā pārvatī jagadambikā vihasya ca punaḥ prāha munīnjñānaviśāradān

Brahma said: "Hearing these words, Parvati, mother of the universe, smiling once more, spoke to the sages, those masters of knowledge."

Verse 56 (shiva.rudra.88.56)

पार्वत्युवाच । सत्यं भवद्भिः कथितं स्वज्ञानेन मुनीश्वराः । परन्तु मे हठो नैव मुक्तो भवति हे द्विजाः

pārvatyuvāca satyaṁ bhavadbhiḥ kathitaṁ svajñānena munīśvarāḥ parantu me haṭho naiva mukto bhavati he dvijāḥ

Parvati said: "O lords of sages, what you have said out of your own knowledge is true; yet, O twice-born, my resolve shall not be released in any way."

Verse 57 (shiva.rudra.88.57)

स्वतनोः शैलजातत्वात्काठिन्यं सहजं स्थितम् । इत्थं विचार्य सुधिया मां निषेद्धुं न चार्हथ

svatanoḥ śailajātatvātkāṭhinyaṁ sahajaṁ sthitam itthaṁ vicārya sudhiyā māṁ niṣeddhuṁ na cārhatha

"Since my body is born of a mountain, hardness is natural to it; having weighed this well, you ought not to forbid me."

Verse 58 (shiva.rudra.88.58)

सुरर्षेर्वचनं पथ्यं त्यक्ष्ये नैव कदाचन । गुरूणां वचनं पथ्यमिति वेदविदो विदुः

surarṣervacanaṁ pathyaṁ tyakṣye naiva kadācana gurūṇāṁ vacanaṁ pathyamiti vedavido viduḥ

"I will never abandon the beneficial word of the divine sage; those versed in the Vedas know that a guru's word is always for one's good."

Verse 59 (shiva.rudra.88.59)

गुरूणां वचनं सत्यमिति येषां दृढा मतिः । तेषामिहामुत्र सुखं परमं नासुखं क्वचित्

gurūṇāṁ vacanaṁ satyamiti yeṣāṁ dṛḍhā matiḥ teṣāmihāmutra sukhaṁ paramaṁ nāsukhaṁ kvacit

"Those whose mind firmly holds the guru's word to be true attain supreme happiness both here and hereafter, and never sorrow."

Verse 60 (shiva.rudra.88.60)

गुरूणां वचनं सत्यमिति यद्धृदये न धीः । इहामुत्रापि तेषां हि दुःखं न च सुखं क्वचित्

gurūṇāṁ vacanaṁ satyamiti yaddhṛdaye na dhīḥ ihāmutrāpi teṣāṁ hi duḥkhaṁ na ca sukhaṁ kvacit

"Those in whose heart there is no faith that the guru's word is true find only sorrow, here and hereafter, and happiness never."

Verse 61 (shiva.rudra.88.61)

सर्वथा न परित्याज्यं गुरूणां वचनं द्विजाः । गृहं वसेद्वा शून्यं स्यान्मे हठः सुखदः सदा

sarvathā na parityājyaṁ gurūṇāṁ vacanaṁ dvijāḥ gṛhaṁ vasedvā śūnyaṁ syānme haṭhaḥ sukhadaḥ sadā

"The guru's word, O twice-born, must never under any circumstance be abandoned; whether my home is settled or left empty, my resolve will always bring happiness."

Verse 62 (shiva.rudra.88.62)

यद्भवद्भिः सुभणितं वचनं मुनिसत्तमाः । तदन्यथा तद्विवेकं वर्णयामि समासतः

yadbhavadbhiḥ subhaṇitaṁ vacanaṁ munisattamāḥ tadanyathā tadvivekaṁ varṇayāmi samāsataḥ

"As for what you, O best of sages, have so well said, let me now briefly set forth the discernment contrary to it."

Verse 63 (shiva.rudra.88.63)

गुणालयो विहारी च विष्णुः सत्यं प्रकीर्तितः । सदाशिवोऽगुणः प्रोक्तस्तत्र कारणमुच्यते

guṇālayo vihārī ca viṣṇuḥ satyaṁ prakīrtitaḥ sadāśivo'guṇaḥ proktastatra kāraṇamucyate

"Vishnu is truly renowned as an abode of qualities, one who engages in play; Sadashiva is declared to be beyond qualities -- the reason for this is now told."

Verse 64 (shiva.rudra.88.64)

शिवो ब्रह्माविकारः स भक्तहेतोर्धृताकृतिः । प्रभुतां लौकिकीं नैव सन्दर्शयितुमिच्छति

śivo brahmāvikāraḥ sa bhaktahetordhṛtākṛtiḥ prabhutāṁ laukikīṁ naiva sandarśayitumicchati

"Shiva is unchanging Brahman itself; it is only for the sake of his devotees that he assumes a form; he never wishes to display worldly majesty."

Verse 65 (shiva.rudra.88.65)

अतः परमहंसानां धार्यते सुप्रिया गतिः । अवधूतस्वरूपेण परानन्देन शम्भुना

ataḥ paramahaṁsānāṁ dhāryate supriyā gatiḥ avadhūtasvarūpeṇa parānandena śambhunā

"Therefore he is most dear to the paramahamsas -- Shambhu, of supreme bliss, held in the very form of the unattached avadhuta."

Verse 66 (shiva.rudra.88.66)

भूषणादिरुचिर्मायालिप्तानां ब्रह्मणो न च । स प्रभुर्निर्गुणोऽजो निर्मायोऽलक्ष्यगतिर्विराट्

bhūṣaṇādirucirmāyāliptānāṁ brahmaṇo na ca sa prabhurnirguṇo'jo nirmāyo'lakṣyagatirvirāṭ

"Fondness for ornaments and the like belongs to those smeared with maya, not to Brahman; that Lord is qualityless, unborn, free of maya, of imperceptible course, and all-pervading."

Verse 67 (shiva.rudra.88.67)

धर्मजात्यादिभिः शम्भुर्नानुगृह्णाति वै द्विजाः । गुरोरनुग्रहेणैव शिवं जानामि तत्त्वतः

dharmajātyādibhiḥ śambhurnānugṛhṇāti vai dvijāḥ guroranugraheṇaiva śivaṁ jānāmi tattvataḥ

"Shambhu, O twice-born, shows favor to none on the basis of caste, family, or the like; it is only by my guru's grace that I truly know Shiva in essence."

Verse 68 (shiva.rudra.88.68)

चेच्छिवः स हि मे विप्रा विवाहं न करिष्यति । अविवाहा सदाहं स्यां सत्यं सत्यं वदाम्यहम्

cecchivaḥ sa hi me viprā vivāhaṁ na kariṣyati avivāhā sadāhaṁ syāṁ satyaṁ satyaṁ vadāmyaham

"If that Shiva does not marry me, O brahmins, then I shall remain unmarried forever -- this is the truth, the very truth I speak."

Verse 69 (shiva.rudra.88.69)

उदयति यदि भानुः पश्चिमे दिग्विभागे प्रचलति यदि मेरुः शीततां याति वह्निः । विकसति यदि पद्मं पर्वताग्रे शिलायां न हि चलति हठो मे सत्यमेतद्ब्रवीमि

udayati yadi bhānuḥ paścime digvibhāge pracalati yadi meruḥ śītatāṁ yāti vahniḥ vikasati yadi padmaṁ parvatāgre śilāyāṁ na hi calati haṭho me satyametadbravīmi

"Should the sun rise in the western quarter, should Meru move from its place, should fire turn cold, should a lotus bloom on bare rock atop a mountain -- only then would my resolve waver; this I speak in truth."

Verse 70 (shiva.rudra.88.70)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्युक्त्वा तान्प्रणम्याशु मुनीन्सा पर्वतात्मजा । विरराम शिवं स्मृत्वा निर्विकारेण चेतसा

brahmovāca ityuktvā tānpraṇamyāśu munīnsā parvatātmajā virarāma śivaṁ smṛtvā nirvikāreṇa cetasā

Brahma said: "Having said this, the mountain's daughter quickly bowed to the sages and fell silent, calling Shiva to mind with an unwavering heart."

Verse 71 (shiva.rudra.88.71)

ऋषयोऽपीत्थमाज्ञाय गिरिजायाः सुनिश्चयम् । प्रोचुर्जयगिरं तत्र ददुश्चाशिषमुत्तमाम्

ṛṣayo'pītthamājñāya girijāyāḥ suniścayam procurjayagiraṁ tatra daduścāśiṣamuttamām

"Thus recognizing Girija's firm resolve, the sages then proclaimed words of triumph and gave her their supreme blessing."

Verse 72 (shiva.rudra.88.72)

अथ प्रणम्य तां देवीं मुनयो हृष्टमानसाः । शिवस्थानं द्रुतं जग्मुस्तत्परीक्षाकरा मुने

atha praṇamya tāṁ devīṁ munayo hṛṣṭamānasāḥ śivasthānaṁ drutaṁ jagmustatparīkṣākarā mune

"Then, bowing to that goddess, those sages who had come to test her, their minds delighted, went quickly, O sage, to Shiva's abode."

Verse 73 (shiva.rudra.88.73)

तत्र गत्वा शिवं नत्वा वृत्तान्तं विनिवेद्य तत् । तदाज्ञां समनुप्राप्य स्वर्लोकं जग्मुरादरात्

tatra gatvā śivaṁ natvā vṛttāntaṁ vinivedya tat tadājñāṁ samanuprāpya svarlokaṁ jagmurādarāt

"Having gone there and bowed to Shiva, they related the whole account; and, having received his leave, they returned with due reverence to the heavenly world."