Shiva's Sojourn on Mount Mandara

Verse 1 (shiva.vayaviya.24.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः । अन्तर्धानगतो देव्या सह सानुचरो हरः । क्व यातः कुत्र वा वासः किं कृत्वा विरराम ह

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | antardhānagato devyā saha sānucaro haraḥ | kva yātaḥ kutra vā vāsaḥ kiṁ kṛtvā virarāma ha

The sages said: Hara, having vanished together with the Goddess and his attendants — where did he go? Where is his abode? What did he do, and where did he come to rest?

Verse 2 (shiva.vayaviya.24.2)

वायुरुवाच । महीधरवरः श्रीमान् मन्दरश्चित्रकन्दरः । दयितो देवदेवस्य निवासस्तपसोऽभवत्

vāyuruvāca | mahīdharavaraḥ śrīmān mandaraścitrakandaraḥ | dayito devadevasya nivāsastapaso'bhavat

Vayu said: The glorious Mandara, foremost of mountains, with its wondrous caves, became the beloved dwelling and place of austerity of the God of gods.

Verse 3 (shiva.vayaviya.24.3)

तपो महत्कृतं तेन वोढुं स्वशिरसा शिवौ । चिरेण लब्धं तत्पादपङ्कजस्पर्शजं सुखम्

tapo mahatkṛtaṁ tena voḍhuṁ svaśirasā śivau | cireṇa labdhaṁ tatpādapaṅkajasparśajaṁ sukham

He had performed great austerity in order to bear the divine couple upon his own head, and after a long time obtained the bliss born of the touch of their lotus feet.

Verse 4 (shiva.vayaviya.24.4)

तस्य शैलस्य सौन्दर्यं सहस्रवदनैरपि । न शक्यं विस्तराद्वक्तुं वर्षकोटिशतैरपि

tasya śailasya saundaryaṁ sahasravadanairapi | na śakyaṁ vistarādvaktuṁ varṣakoṭiśatairapi

The beauty of that mountain cannot be described in full detail, even with a thousand mouths, even over hundreds of millions of years.

Verse 5 (shiva.vayaviya.24.5)

शक्यमप्यस्य सौन्दर्यं न वर्णयितुमुत्सहे । पर्वतान्तरसौन्दर्यं साधारणविधारणात्

śakyamapyasya saundaryaṁ na varṇayitumutsahe | parvatāntarasaundaryaṁ sādhāraṇavidhāraṇāt

Even were it possible, I do not venture to describe its beauty as I might the ordinary beauty found among other mountains.

Verse 6 (shiva.vayaviya.24.6)

इदं तु शक्यते वक्तुमस्मिन्पर्वतसुन्दरे । ऋद्ध्या कयापि सौन्दर्यमीश्वरावासयोग्यता

idaṁ tu śakyate vaktumasminparvatasundare | ṛddhyā kayāpi saundaryamīśvarāvāsayogyatā

This much, however, can be said: that whatever beauty this lovely mountain possesses, through some transcendent splendor, has rendered it fit to be the abode of the Lord.

Verse 7 (shiva.vayaviya.24.7)

अत एव हि देवेन देव्याः प्रियचिकीर्षया । अतीव रमणीयोऽयं गिरिरन्तःपुरीकृतः

ata eva hi devena devyāḥ priyacikīrṣayā | atīva ramaṇīyo'yaṁ girirantaḥpurīkṛtaḥ

For this very reason, out of desire to please the Goddess, the God made this exceedingly delightful mountain into his own inner palace.

Verse 8 (shiva.vayaviya.24.8)

मेखलाभूमयस्तस्य विमलोपलपादपाः । शिवयोर्नित्यसान्निध्यान्न्यक्कुर्वन्त्यखिलं जगत्

mekhalābhūmayastasya vimalopalapādapāḥ | śivayornityasānnidhyānnyakkurvantyakhilaṁ jagat

The terraced grounds of that mountain, with their spotless rocks and trees, by virtue of the constant presence of Shiva and his consort, surpass the whole world in glory.

Verse 9 (shiva.vayaviya.24.9)

पितृभ्यां जगतो नित्यं स्नानपानोपयोगतः । अवाप्तपुण्यसंस्कारः प्रसरद्भिरितस्ततः

pitṛbhyāṁ jagato nityaṁ snānapānopayogataḥ | avāptapuṇyasaṁskāraḥ prasaradbhiritastataḥ

Through their constant use for bathing and drinking by the parents of the universe, the waters, flowing hither and thither, obtained a sacred consecration.

Verse 10 (shiva.vayaviya.24.10)

लघुशीतलसंस्पर्शैरच्छाच्छैर्निर्झराम्बुभिः । अधिराज्येन चाद्रीणामद्रीरेषोऽभिषिच्यते

laghuśītalasaṁsparśairacchācchairnirjharāmbubhiḥ | adhirājyena cādrīṇāmadrīreṣo'bhiṣicyate

With the light, cool touch of its crystal-clear cascading waters, and with the sovereignty over all mountains, this mountain is, as it were, consecrated.

Verse 11 (shiva.vayaviya.24.11)

निशासु शिखरप्रान्तर्वर्तिना स शिलोच्चयः । चन्द्रेणाचलसाम्राज्यच्छत्रेणेव विराजते

niśāsu śikharaprāntarvartinā sa śiloccayaḥ | candreṇācalasāmrājyacchatreṇeva virājate

At night, with the moon resting upon the edge of its peak, that mass of rock shines forth as though crowned with the very parasol of sovereignty over all mountains.

Verse 12 (shiva.vayaviya.24.12)

स शैलश्चञ्चलीभूतैर्बालैश्चामरयोषिताम् । सर्वपर्वतसाम्राज्यचामरैरिव वीज्यते

sa śailaścañcalībhūtairbālaiścāmarayoṣitām | sarvaparvatasāmrājyacāmarairiva vījyate

That mountain, with the swaying hairs of the yak-cow's tail, is fanned as though with the very fly-whisks of sovereignty over all mountains.

Verse 13 (shiva.vayaviya.24.13)

प्रातरभ्युदिते भानौ भूधरो रत्नभूषितः । दर्पणे देहसौभाग्यं द्रष्टुकाम इव स्थितः

prātarabhyudite bhānau bhūdharo ratnabhūṣitaḥ | darpaṇe dehasaubhāgyaṁ draṣṭukāma iva sthitaḥ

When the sun rises at dawn, that jewel-adorned mountain appears as though eager to behold, in a mirror, the beauty of its own form.

Verse 14 (shiva.vayaviya.24.14)

कूजद्विहङ्गवाचालैर्वातोद्धृतलताभुजैः । विमुक्तपुष्पैः सततं व्यालम्बिमृदुपल्लवैः

kūjadvihaṅgavācālairvātoddhṛtalatābhujaiḥ | vimuktapuṣpaiḥ satataṁ vyālambimṛdupallavaiḥ

Resounding with the chirping of birds, its liana-arms uplifted by the wind, ever shedding flowers, its tender shoots hanging low —

Verse 15 (shiva.vayaviya.24.15)

लताप्रतानजटिलैस्तरुभिस्तापसैरिव । जयाशिषा सहाभ्यर्च्य निषेव्यत इवाद्रिराट्

latāpratānajaṭilaistarubhistāpasairiva | jayāśiṣā sahābhyarcya niṣevyata ivādrirāṭ

— by trees, tangled with spreading vines like matted-locked ascetics, that king of mountains is, as it were, worshiped with blessings of victory and thus attended.

Verse 16 (shiva.vayaviya.24.16)

अधोमुखैरूर्ध्वमुखैः शृङ्गैस्तिर्यङ्मुखैस्तथा । प्रपतन्निव पाताले भूपृष्ठादुत्पतन्निव

adhomukhairūrdhvamukhaiḥ śṛṅgaistiryaṅmukhaistathā | prapatanniva pātāle bhūpṛṣṭhādutpatanniva

With peaks facing downward, upward, and sideways, it appears as though falling into the netherworld, and as though soaring up from the surface of the earth.

Verse 17 (shiva.vayaviya.24.17)

परीतः सर्वतो दिक्षु भ्रमन्निव विहायसि । पश्यन्निव जगत्सर्वं नृत्यन्निव निरन्तरम्

parītaḥ sarvato dikṣu bhramanniva vihāyasi | paśyanniva jagatsarvaṁ nṛtyanniva nirantaram

Extending in every direction, it seems as though wandering through the sky, as though beholding the entire universe, as though dancing without cease.

Verse 18 (shiva.vayaviya.24.18)

गुहामुखैः प्रतिदिनं व्यात्तास्यो विपुलोदरैः । अजीर्णलावण्यतया जृम्भमाण इवाचलः

guhāmukhaiḥ pratidinaṁ vyāttāsyo vipulodaraiḥ | ajīrṇalāvaṇyatayā jṛmbhamāṇa ivācalaḥ

With its cave-mouths gaping wide each day, its vast bellies, that mountain seems, as it were, to yawn from its own undiminished beauty.

Verse 19 (shiva.vayaviya.24.19)

ग्रसन्निव जगत्सर्वं पिबन्निव पयोनिधिम् । वमन्निव तमोऽन्तस्थं माद्यन्निव खमम्बुदैः

grasanniva jagatsarvaṁ pibanniva payonidhim | vamanniva tamo'ntasthaṁ mādyanniva khamambudaiḥ

It seems, as it were, to devour the whole world, as though drinking the very ocean, as though vomiting forth the darkness within, and as though intoxicating the sky itself with its clouds.

Verse 20 (shiva.vayaviya.24.20)

निवासभूमयस्तास्ता दर्पणप्रतिमोदराः । तिरस्कृतातपाः स्निग्धाश्रमच्छायामहीरुहाः

nivāsabhūmayastāstā darpaṇapratimodarāḥ | tiraskṛtātapāḥ snigdhāśramacchāyāmahīruhāḥ

Its various dwelling-grounds, their hollows like mirrors, shielding out the harsh sun, are graced with great trees casting a rich, cool shade over the hermitages.

Verse 21 (shiva.vayaviya.24.21)

सरित्सरस्तडागादिसम्पर्कशिशिरानिलाः । तत्र तत्र निषण्णाभ्यां शिवाभ्यां सफलीकृताः

saritsarastaḍāgādisamparkaśiśirānilāḥ | tatra tatra niṣaṇṇābhyāṁ śivābhyāṁ saphalīkṛtāḥ

Those grounds, their air cooled by contact with rivers, lakes, and pools, were rendered fruitful by Shiva and his consort, seated here and there upon them.

Verse 22 (shiva.vayaviya.24.22)

तमिमं सर्वतः श्रेष्ठं स्मृत्वा साम्बस्त्रियम्बकः । रैभ्याश्रमसमीपस्थश्चान्तर्धानं गतो ययौ

tamimaṁ sarvataḥ śreṣṭhaṁ smṛtvā sāmbastriyambakaḥ | raibhyāśramasamīpasthaścāntardhānaṁ gato yayau

Recalling this mountain, supreme above all others, Tryambaka, together with Amba, who had been stationed near the hermitage of Raibhya, vanished and went there.

Verse 23 (shiva.vayaviya.24.23)

तत्रोद्यानमनुप्राप्य देव्या सह महेश्वरः । रराम रमणीयासु देव्यान्तःपुरभूमिषु

tatrodyānamanuprāpya devyā saha maheśvaraḥ | rarāma ramaṇīyāsu devyāntaḥpurabhūmiṣu

Having reached that garden there, Maheshvara sported together with the Goddess amid the delightful grounds of her own inner palace.

Verse 24 (shiva.vayaviya.24.24)

तथा गतेषु कालेषु प्रवृद्धासु प्रजासु च । दैत्यौ शुम्भनिशुम्भाख्यौ भ्रातरौ सम्बभूवतुः

tathā gateṣu kāleṣu pravṛddhāsu prajāsu ca | daityau śumbhaniśumbhākhyau bhrātarau sambabhūvatuḥ

As time thus passed and creatures multiplied, two demon brothers named Shumbha and Nishumbha came into being.

Verse 25 (shiva.vayaviya.24.25)

ताभ्यां तपोबलाद्दत्तं ब्रह्मणा परमेष्ठिना । अवध्यत्वं जगत्यस्मिन्पुरुषैरखिलैरपि

tābhyāṁ tapobalāddattaṁ brahmaṇā parameṣṭhinā | avadhyatvaṁ jagatyasminpuruṣairakhilairapi

To those two, through the power of their austerity, the supreme Brahma granted immunity from death at the hands of any male whatsoever in this world.

Verse 26 (shiva.vayaviya.24.26)

अयोनिजा तु या कन्या ह्यम्बिकांशसमुद्भवा । अजातपुंस्पर्शरतिरविलङ्घ्यपराक्रमा

ayonijā tu yā kanyā hyambikāṁśasamudbhavā | ajātapuṁsparśaratiravilaṅghyaparākramā

Except by a maiden not born of a womb, one arisen from a portion of Ambika herself, one who has never known desire for the touch of any male, whose valor is unassailable —

Verse 27 (shiva.vayaviya.24.27)

तया तु नौ वधः सङ्ख्ये तस्यां कामाभिभूतयोः । इति चाभ्यर्थितो ब्रह्मा ताभ्यां प्राह तथास्त्विति

tayā tu nau vadhaḥ saṅkhye tasyāṁ kāmābhibhūtayoḥ | iti cābhyarthito brahmā tābhyāṁ prāha tathāstviti

— by her alone, in battle, should our deaths come, when we are overcome with desire for her. Thus entreated by the two of them, Brahma said: "So be it."

Verse 28 (shiva.vayaviya.24.28)

ततः प्रभृति शक्रादीन्विजित्य समरे सुरान् । निःस्वाध्यायवषट्कारं जगच्चक्रतुरक्रमात्

tataḥ prabhṛti śakrādīnvijitya samare surān | niḥsvādhyāyavaṣaṭkāraṁ jagaccakraturakramāt

From then on, having conquered Indra and the other gods in battle, they gradually reduced the world to one bereft of Vedic recitation and sacrificial invocation.

Verse 29 (shiva.vayaviya.24.29)

तयोर्वधाय देवेशं ब्रह्माभ्यर्थितवान्पुनः । विनिन्द्यापि रहस्यम्बां क्रोधयित्वा यथा तथा

tayorvadhāya deveśaṁ brahmābhyarthitavānpunaḥ | vinindyāpi rahasyambāṁ krodhayitvā yathā tathā

For the destruction of those two, Brahma once again entreated the lord of gods — somehow, even by secretly disparaging Amba, provoking her to anger,

Verse 30 (shiva.vayaviya.24.30)

तद्वर्णकोशजां शक्तिमकामां कन्यकात्मिकाम् । निशुम्भशुम्भयोर्हन्त्रीं सुरेभ्यो दातुमर्हसि

tadvarṇakośajāṁ śaktimakāmāṁ kanyakātmikām | niśumbhaśumbhayorhantrīṁ surebhyo dātumarhasi

— you ought to bestow upon the gods a power, born from the very sheath of her complexion, free of desire, of the nature of a maiden, one who shall be the slayer of Shumbha and Nishumbha.

Verse 31 (shiva.vayaviya.24.31)

एवमभ्यर्थितो धात्रा भगवान्नीललोहितः । कालीत्याह रहस्यं वां निन्दयन्निव सस्मितः

evamabhyarthito dhātrā bhagavānnīlalohitaḥ | kālītyāha rahasyaṁ vāṁ nindayanniva sasmitaḥ

Thus entreated by the Creator, the lord of the dark-blue and red hue, smiling, as though in mockery, secretly addressed the Goddess as "Kali."

Verse 32 (shiva.vayaviya.24.32)

ततः क्रुद्धा तदा देवी सुवर्णा वर्णकारणात् । स्मयन्ती चाह भर्तारमसमाधेयया गिरा

tataḥ kruddhā tadā devī suvarṇā varṇakāraṇāt | smayantī cāha bhartāramasamādheyayā girā

Then the Goddess, of lovely form, enraged over the matter of her complexion, though smiling, spoke to her husband in an agitated tone —

Verse 33 (shiva.vayaviya.24.33)

देव्युवाच । ईदृशे मम वर्णेऽस्मिन्न रतिर्भवतोऽस्ति चेत् । एवावन्तं चिरं कालं कथमेषा नियम्यते

devyuvāca | īdṛśe mama varṇe'sminna ratirbhavato'sti cet | evāvantaṁ ciraṁ kālaṁ kathameṣā niyamyate

The Goddess said: If you have no desire for this complexion of mine, then how has this bond been sustained for so very long a time?

Verse 34 (shiva.vayaviya.24.34)

अरत्या वर्तमानोऽपि कथं च रमसे मया । न ह्यशक्यं जगत्यस्मिन्नीश्वरस्य जगत्प्रभोः

aratyā vartamāno'pi kathaṁ ca ramase mayā | na hyaśakyaṁ jagatyasminnīśvarasya jagatprabhoḥ

How, then, do you take your pleasure with me, even while feeling no delight? Nothing indeed is impossible for the Lord, the master of this universe.

Verse 35 (shiva.vayaviya.24.35)

स्वात्मारामस्य भवतो रतिर्न सुखसाधनम् । इति हेतोः स्मरो यस्मात्प्रसभं भस्मसात्कृतः

svātmārāmasya bhavato ratirna sukhasādhanam | iti hetoḥ smaro yasmātprasabhaṁ bhasmasātkṛtaḥ

You, who delight in your own self alone, for whom sensual union is no means to happiness — for this very reason you once forcibly reduced Kama himself to ashes.

Verse 36 (shiva.vayaviya.24.36)

या च नाभिरता भर्तुरपि सर्वाङ्गसुन्दरी । सा वृथैव हि जायेत सर्वैरपि गुणान्तरैः

yā ca nābhiratā bharturapi sarvāṅgasundarī | sā vṛthaiva hi jāyeta sarvairapi guṇāntaraiḥ

A woman, however beautiful in every limb, who fails to win the delight of her own husband, is born in vain, whatever other virtues she may possess.

Verse 37 (shiva.vayaviya.24.37)

भर्तुर्भोगैकशेषो हि सर्ग एवैष योषिताम् । तथासत्यन्यथा भूता नारी कुत्रोपयुज्यते

bharturbhogaikaśeṣo hi sarga evaiṣa yoṣitām | tathāsatyanyathā bhūtā nārī kutropayujyate

This very creation of women exists solely to remain in the enjoyment of the husband; if this is not so, of what use is a woman otherwise?

Verse 38 (shiva.vayaviya.24.38)

तस्माद्वर्णमिमं त्यक्त्वा त्वया रहसि निन्दितम् । वर्णान्तरं भजिष्ये वा न भजिष्यामि वा स्वयम्

tasmādvarṇamimaṁ tyaktvā tvayā rahasi ninditam | varṇāntaraṁ bhajiṣye vā na bhajiṣyāmi vā svayam

Therefore, abandoning this complexion which you have secretly disparaged, I shall myself take on another complexion — or I shall not.

Verse 39 (shiva.vayaviya.24.39)

इत्युक्त्वोत्थाय शयनाद्देवी साचष्ट गद्गदम् । ययाचेऽनुमतिं भर्तुस्तपसे कृतनिश्चया

ityuktvotthāya śayanāddevī sācaṣṭa gadgadam | yayāce'numatiṁ bhartustapase kṛtaniścayā

Having said this, rising from her bed, speaking with a choked voice, the Goddess, her mind now resolved, begged her husband's leave to perform austerity.

Verse 40 (shiva.vayaviya.24.40)

तथा प्रणयभङ्गेन भीतो भूतपतिः स्वयम् । पादयोः प्रणमन्नेव भवानीं प्रत्यभाषत

tathā praṇayabhaṅgena bhīto bhūtapatiḥ svayam | pādayoḥ praṇamanneva bhavānīṁ pratyabhāṣata

Fearful of this rupture in their affection, Bhutapati himself, bowing at her very feet, spoke thus to Bhavani —

Verse 41 (shiva.vayaviya.24.41)

ईश्वर उवाच । अजानती च क्रीडोक्तिं प्रिये किं कुपितासि मे । रतिः कुतो वा जायेत त्वत्तश्चेदरतिर्मम

īśvara uvāca | ajānatī ca krīḍoktiṁ priye kiṁ kupitāsi me | ratiḥ kuto vā jāyeta tvattaścedaratirmama

The Lord said: O beloved, why are you angry with me, not understanding my playful jest? If I truly had no desire for you, whence would our union arise at all?

Verse 42 (shiva.vayaviya.24.42)

माता त्वमस्य जगतः पिताहमधिपस्तथा । कथं तदुपपद्येत त्वत्तो नाभिरतिर्मम

mātā tvamasya jagataḥ pitāhamadhipastathā | kathaṁ tadupapadyeta tvatto nābhiratirmama

You are the mother of this universe, and I am its father and sovereign lord; how then could it be fitting that I hold no delight in you?

Verse 43 (shiva.vayaviya.24.43)

आवयोरभिकामोऽपि किमसौ कामकारितः । यतः कामसमुत्तेः प्रागेव जगदुद्भवः

āvayorabhikāmo'pi kimasau kāmakāritaḥ | yataḥ kāmasamutteḥ prāgeva jagadudbhavaḥ

Is this very mutual desire of ours, then, caused by Kama? For the emergence of the universe took place even before the very arising of Kama himself.

Verse 44 (shiva.vayaviya.24.44)

पृथग्जनानां रतये कामात्मा कल्पितो मया । ततः कथमुपालब्धः कामदाहादहं त्वया

pṛthagjanānāṁ rataye kāmātmā kalpito mayā | tataḥ kathamupālabdhaḥ kāmadāhādahaṁ tvayā

Kama was fashioned by me solely for the sensual delight of ordinary beings; why then do you reproach me for having burned Kama to ashes?

Verse 45 (shiva.vayaviya.24.45)

मां वै त्रिदशसामान्यं मन्यमानो मनोभवः । मनाक्परिभवं कुर्वन्मया वै भस्मसात्कृतः

māṁ vai tridaśasāmānyaṁ manyamāno manobhavaḥ | manākparibhavaṁ kurvanmayā vai bhasmasātkṛtaḥ

It was Manobhava, who, taking me for an ordinary god, dared to show me even the slightest disrespect, whom I burned to ashes.

Verse 46 (shiva.vayaviya.24.46)

विहारोऽप्यावयोरस्य जगतस्त्राणकारणात् । ततस्तदर्थं त्वय्यद्य क्रीडोक्तिं कृतवानहम्

vihāro'pyāvayorasya jagatastrāṇakāraṇāt | tatastadarthaṁ tvayyadya krīḍoktiṁ kṛtavānaham

This very sporting of ours, too, is only for the sake of protecting this world; and it was for that very purpose that I spoke this playful word to you today.

Verse 47 (shiva.vayaviya.24.47)

स चायमचिरादर्थस्तवैवाविष्करिष्यते । क्रोधस्य जनकं वाक्यं हृदि कृत्वेदमब्रवीत्

sa cāyamacirādarthastavaivāviṣkariṣyate | krodhasya janakaṁ vākyaṁ hṛdi kṛtvedamabravīt

And this very purpose shall soon be revealed to you. Keeping in his own heart the reason for the word that had provoked her anger, he spoke thus.

Verse 48 (shiva.vayaviya.24.48)

देव्युवाच । श्रुतपूर्वं हि भगवंस्तव चाटुवचो मया । येनैवमतिधीराहमपि प्रागभिवञ्चिता

devyuvāca | śrutapūrvaṁ hi bhagavaṁstava cāṭuvaco mayā | yenaivamatidhīrāhamapi prāgabhivañcitā

The Goddess said: O Lord, I have heard this flattering speech of yours before as well, by which I, though ever so resolute, have already been deceived once.

Verse 49 (shiva.vayaviya.24.49)

प्राणानप्यप्रिया भर्तुर्नारी या न परित्यजेत् । कुलाङ्गना शुभा सद्भिः कुत्सितैव हि गम्यते

prāṇānapyapriyā bharturnārī yā na parityajet | kulāṅganā śubhā sadbhiḥ kutsitaiva hi gamyate

A woman who, though displeasing to her husband, does not give up even her very life, is regarded by the virtuous as contemptible, however noble and auspicious her birth.

Verse 50 (shiva.vayaviya.24.50)

भूयसी च तवाप्रीतिरगौरमिति मे वपुः । क्रीडोक्तिरपि कालीति घटते कथमन्यथा

bhūyasī ca tavāprītiragauramiti me vapuḥ | krīḍoktirapi kālīti ghaṭate kathamanyathā

Your very great displeasure itself shows that this body of mine is not fair; otherwise, how could even your jesting word "Kali" possibly be fitting?

Verse 51 (shiva.vayaviya.24.51)

सद्भिर्विगर्हितं तस्मात्तव कार्ष्ण्यमसम्मतम् । अनुत्सृज्य तपोयोगात्स्थातुमेवेह नोत्सहे

sadbhirvigarhitaṁ tasmāttava kārṣṇyamasammatam | anutsṛjya tapoyogātsthātumeveha notsahe

Therefore, without abandoning this dark hue, censured by the virtuous, unacceptable to you, I do not dare to remain here, forsaking the practice of austerity.

Verse 52 (shiva.vayaviya.24.52)

शिव उवाच । यद्येवंविधतापस्ते तपसा किं प्रयोजनम् । ममेच्छया स्वेच्छया वा वर्णान्तरवती भव

śiva uvāca | yadyevaṁvidhatāpaste tapasā kiṁ prayojanam | mamecchayā svecchayā vā varṇāntaravatī bhava

Shiva said: If such is your unwavering resolve, what need is there for austerity at all? Simply take on another complexion, by my will or by your own.

Verse 53 (shiva.vayaviya.24.53)

देव्युवाच । नेच्छामि भवतो वर्णं स्वयं वा कर्तुमन्यथा । ब्रह्माणं तपसाराध्य क्षिप्रं गौरी भवाम्यहम्

devyuvāca | necchāmi bhavato varṇaṁ svayaṁ vā kartumanyathā | brahmāṇaṁ tapasārādhya kṣipraṁ gaurī bhavāmyaham

The Goddess said: I do not wish for my complexion to be changed either by your will, or by my own act alone. By worshiping Brahma through austerity, I shall myself swiftly become Gauri.

Verse 54 (shiva.vayaviya.24.54)

ईश्वर उवाच । मत्प्रसादात्पुरा ब्रह्मा ब्रह्मत्वं प्राप्तवान्पुरा । तमाहूय महादेवि तपसा किं करिष्यसि

īśvara uvāca | matprasādātpurā brahmā brahmatvaṁ prāptavānpurā | tamāhūya mahādevi tapasā kiṁ kariṣyasi

The Lord said: O great Goddess, Brahma himself, in ancient times, attained his very Brahma-hood only through my grace. By summoning him and performing austerity, what would you gain?

Verse 55 (shiva.vayaviya.24.55)

देव्युवाच । त्वत्तो लब्धपदा एव सर्वे ब्रह्मादयः सुराः । तथाप्याराध्य तपसा ब्रह्माणं त्वन्नियोगतः

devyuvāca | tvatto labdhapadā eva sarve brahmādayaḥ surāḥ | tathāpyārādhya tapasā brahmāṇaṁ tvanniyogataḥ

The Goddess said: I know full well that Brahma and all the other gods have obtained their very stations from you alone; nonetheless, in accordance with your own ordinance, having worshiped Brahma through austerity —

Verse 56 (shiva.vayaviya.24.56)

पुरा किल सती नाम्ना दक्षस्य दुहिताऽभवम् । जगतां पतिमेव त्वां पतिं प्राप्तवती तथा

purā kila satī nāmnā dakṣasya duhitā'bhavam | jagatāṁ patimeva tvāṁ patiṁ prāptavatī tathā

Formerly, indeed, I was born as Sati, the daughter of Daksha, and in that same way I obtained you, the very Lord of the universe, as my husband.

Verse 57 (shiva.vayaviya.24.57)

एवमद्यापि तपसा तोषयित्वा द्विजं विधिम् । गौरी भवितुमिच्छामि को दोषः कथ्यतामिह

evamadyāpi tapasā toṣayitvā dvijaṁ vidhim | gaurī bhavitumicchāmi ko doṣaḥ kathyatāmiha

— so too, even now, having pleased the twice-born Brahma through austerity, I wish to become Gauri. Tell me, what fault is there in this?

Verse 58 (shiva.vayaviya.24.58)

एवमुक्तो महादेव्या वामदेवः स्मयन्निव । न तां निर्बन्धयामास देवकार्यचिकीर्षया

evamukto mahādevyā vāmadevaḥ smayanniva | na tāṁ nirbandhayāmāsa devakāryacikīrṣayā

Thus addressed by the great Goddess, Vamadeva, as though smiling, desiring that the purpose of the gods be accomplished, did not press her further.