ब्रह्मणो ऽधिकतेजो ऽस्या विनिवेद्य प्रतिष्ठितः
Having reported to Brahmā that her radiance was superior, he stood there.
यूयं यत्तेजसा नूनं विक्षिप्तास्तु हतप्रभाः
Surely, you have been scattered and your brilliance destroyed by her radiance.
सतारकं हि महिषं विदध्वं निहतं रणे
Indeed, arrange for the buffalo, along with the stars, to be slain in battle.
जग्मुः स्वान्येव धिष्ण्यानि सद्यो वै विगतज्वराः
They immediately returned to their own abodes, their distress gone.
निवर्त्य तपसस्तस्मात् सदारो ह्यनयद्गृहान्
Turning away from austerities, he, with his wife, went home.
विचचार महाशैलान् सेरुप्राग्र्यान् महामतिः
The great-minded one wandered among the lofty mountains with their excellent peaks.
तेनार्चितः श्रद्धयासौ तां रात्रिमवसद्धरः
Honored by him with faith, the Lord spent that night there.
इहैव तिष्ठस्व विभो तपःसाधनाकारणात्
Remain here, O Lord, for the purpose of accomplishing austerities.
तस्थावाश्रममाश्रित्य त्यक्त्वा वासं निराश्रयम्
He remained, taking refuge in the hermitage, having abandoned his dwelling and without any shelter.
तं देशमगमत् काली गिरिराजसुता शुभा
To that place came Kālī, the auspicious daughter of the mountain king.
स्वागतेनाभिसंपूज्य तस्थौ योगरतो हरः
Welcoming her with hospitality, Hara, devoted to yoga, remained there.
ववन्दे चरणौ शौवौ सखीभिः सह भामिनी
The radiant lady, together with her companions, bowed to his noble feet.
न युक्तं चैवमुक्त्वाथ सगणो ऽन्तर्दधे ततः
Then, having said 'This is not proper,' he vanished along with his attendants.
अन्तर्दुःखेन दह्यन्ती पितरं प्राह पार्वती
Burning with inner sorrow, Pārvatī spoke to her father.
आराधनाय देवस्य शङ्करस्य पिनाकिनः
For the worship of the god Śaṅkara, the wielder of the bow.
ललिताख्या तपस्तेपे हराराधनाकाम्यया
She, called Lalitā, undertook austerities desiring to worship Hara.
समित्कुशफलं चापि मूलाहरणमादितः
She began by gathering sacred sticks, grass, fruits, and roots.
कृतस्तु तेजसा युक्तो भद्रमस्त्विति साब्रवीत्
Having performed the rite, endowed with energy, she said, 'May there be well-being.'
ततो ऽस्यास्तुष्टिमगमच्छ्रद्धया त्रिपुरान्तकृत्
Then Tripurāntaka, with faith, became pleased with her.
यज्ञोपवीती छत्री च मृगाजिनधरस्तथा
Wearing the sacred thread, carrying an umbrella, and clad in a deerskin as well.
प्रत्याश्रमं पर्यटन् स तं काल्याश्रममागतः
Wandering from hermitage to hermitage, he came to Kālī's hermitage.
पूजयित्वा यथान्यायं पर्यपृच्छदिदं ततः
Having worshipped her according to custom, he then asked this:
क्व च त्वं प्रतिगन्तासि मम शीघ्रं निवेदय
Where and when will you depart? Quickly tell me.
अथातस्तीर्थयात्रायां गमिष्यामि पृथूदकम्
Now, for the pilgrimage, I will go to Pṛthūdaka.
पथि स्नानेन च फलं केषु किं लब्दवानसि
By bathing on the way, in which places, what merit have you obtained?
ततो ऽथ तीर्थे कुब्जाम्रे जयन्ते चण्डिकेश्वरे
Then, at the holy place Kubjāmra and at Jayanta Caṇḍikeśvara.
सरस्वत्यामग्निकुण्डे भद्रायां तु त्रिविष्टपे
On the Sarasvati, at the fire altar, and at Bhadra in the heavenly realm,
निथ्कामेन कृतं स्नानं ततो ऽभ्यागां तवाश्रमम्
I performed a bath there, without desire, and then I came to your hermitage.
पृच्छामि यदहं त्वां वै तत्र न क्रोद्धुमर्हसि
I wish to ask you something; do not be angry with me for that.
बाल्ये ऽपि संयततनुस्तत्तु श्लाघ्यं द्विजन्मनाम्
Even in childhood, self-restraint of the body is praiseworthy among the twice-born.