Devi Bhagavata Purana — Skandha 1 — Chapter 4
DB 1 4.1
देवीसर्वोत्तमेतिकथनम् ऋषय ऊचुः सौम्य व्यासस्य भार्यायां कस्यां जातः सुतः शुकः । कथं वा कीदृशो येन पठितेयं सुसंहिता
devīsarvottametikathanam ṛṣaya ūcuḥ saumya vyāsasya bhāryāyāṃ kasyāṃ jātaḥ sutaḥ śukaḥ | kathaṃ vā kīdṛśo yena paṭhiteyaṃ susaṃhitā
The telling of how the Goddess is highest of all. The seers said: Gentle one, of which wife of Vyāsa was the son Śuka born? How, or of what kind, was he, by whom this fine collection was recited?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.2
अयोनिजस्त्वया प्रोक्तस्तथा चारणिजः शुकः । सन्देहोऽस्ति महांस्तत्र कथयाद्य महामते
ayonijastvayā proktastathā cāraṇijaḥ śukaḥ | sandeho'sti mahāṃstatra kathayādya mahāmate
Śuka has been called by you not born of a womb, and also born of a fire-drill. There is a great doubt about that; tell (us) now, O greatly wise one.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.3
गर्भयोगी श्रुतः पूर्वं शुको नाम महातपाः । कथं च पठितं तेन पुराणं बहुविस्तरम्
garbhayogī śrutaḥ pūrvaṃ śuko nāma mahātapāḥ | kathaṃ ca paṭhitaṃ tena purāṇaṃ bahuvistaram
We have heard before of one named Śuka, a yogin (even) in the womb, of great austerity. And how was the Purāṇa of great extent recited by him?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.4
सूत उवाच पुरा सरस्वतीतीरे व्यासः सत्यवतीसुतः । आश्रमे कलविंकौ तु दृष्ट्वा विस्मयमागतः प्रथमस्कन्धे देवीसर्वोत्तमेतिकथनं नाम चतुर्थोऽध्यायः
sūta uvāca purā sarasvatītīre vyāsaḥ satyavatīsutaḥ | āśrame kalaviṃkau tu dṛṣṭvā vismayamāgataḥ prathamaskandhe devīsarvottametikathanaṃ nāma caturtho'dhyāyaḥ
The Sūta said: Long ago on the bank of the Sarasvatī, Vyāsa, son of Satyavatī, seeing two sparrows in his hermitage, was struck with wonder. — In the first book, the fourth chapter, called "The telling of how the Goddess is highest of all."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.5
जातमात्रं शिशुं नीडे मुक्तमण्डान्मनोहरम् । ताम्रास्यं शुभसर्वाङ्गं पिच्छांकुरविवर्जितम्
jātamātraṃ śiśuṃ nīḍe muktamaṇḍānmanoharam | tāmrāsyaṃ śubhasarvāṅgaṃ picchāṃkuravivarjitam
(He saw) a nestling just born in the nest, freed from its eggshell, charming, with a coppery face, with all its limbs fair, without a trace of feathers.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.6
तौ तु भक्ष्यार्थमत्यन्तं रतौ श्रमपरायणौ । शिशोश्चंचुपुटे भक्ष्यं क्षिपन्तौ च पुनः पुनः
tau tu bhakṣyārthamatyantaṃ ratau śramaparāyaṇau | śiśoścaṃcupuṭe bhakṣyaṃ kṣipantau ca punaḥ punaḥ
And those two, exceedingly devoted to (getting) food, given over to toil, again and again dropping food into the cup of the nestling's beak,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.7
अङ्गेनाङ्गानि बालस्य घर्षयन्तौ मुदान्वितौ । चुम्बन्तौ च मुखं प्रेम्णा कलविंकौ शिशोः शुभम्
aṅgenāṅgāni bālasya gharṣayantau mudānvitau | cumbantau ca mukhaṃ premṇā kalaviṃkau śiśoḥ śubham
the two sparrows, filled with joy, rubbing their limbs against the limbs of the young one, and lovingly kissing the little one's fair face —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.8
वीक्ष्य प्रेमाद्भुतं तत्र बाले चटकयोस्तदा । व्यासश्चिन्तातुरः कामं मनसा समचिन्तयत्
vīkṣya premādbhutaṃ tatra bāle caṭakayostadā | vyāsaścintāturaḥ kāmaṃ manasā samacintayat
Seeing there the wondrous love of the two sparrows for their young, Vyāsa, greatly troubled with thought, reflected in his mind:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.9
तिरश्चामपि यत्प्रेम पुत्रे समभिलक्ष्यते । किं चित्रं यन्मनुष्याणां सेवाफलमभीप्सताम्
tiraścāmapi yatprema putre samabhilakṣyate | kiṃ citraṃ yanmanuṣyāṇāṃ sevāphalamabhīpsatām
Since such love for a son is plainly seen even in beasts, what wonder is it in the case of human beings, who desire the fruit of (a son's) service?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.10
किमेतौ चटकौ चास्य विवाहं सुखसाधनम् । विरच्य सुखिनौ स्यातां दृष्ट्वा वध्वा मुखं शुभम्
kimetau caṭakau cāsya vivāhaṃ sukhasādhanam | viracya sukhinau syātāṃ dṛṣṭvā vadhvā mukhaṃ śubham
Is it that these two sparrows, having arranged for him a marriage, a means of happiness, will be happy on seeing the fair face of the bride?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.11
अथवा वार्धके प्राप्ते परिचर्यां करिष्यति । पुत्रः परमधर्मिष्ठः पुण्यार्थं कलविंकयोः
athavā vārdhake prāpte paricaryāṃ kariṣyati | putraḥ paramadharmiṣṭhaḥ puṇyārthaṃ kalaviṃkayoḥ
Or (do they think): when old age comes, the son, most righteous, will render service, for the sake of the two sparrows' merit;
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.12
अर्जयित्वाथवा द्रव्यं पितरौ तर्पयिष्यति । अथवा प्रेतकार्याणि करिष्यति यथाविधि
arjayitvāthavā dravyaṃ pitarau tarpayiṣyati | athavā pretakāryāṇi kariṣyati yathāvidhi
or, having earned wealth, he will gratify his parents; or he will perform the funeral rites according to the rule;
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.13
अथवा किं गयाश्राद्धं गत्वा संवितरिष्यति । नीलोत्सर्गं च विधिवत्प्रकरिष्यति बालकः
athavā kiṃ gayāśrāddhaṃ gatvā saṃvitariṣyati | nīlotsargaṃ ca vidhivatprakariṣyati bālakaḥ
or is it that the young one, having gone (to Gayā), will offer the Gayā-śrāddha, and will duly perform the release of the blue (bull)?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.14
संसारेऽत्र समाख्यातं सुखानामुत्तमं सुखम् । पुत्रगात्रपरिष्वंगो लालनञ्च विशेषतः
saṃsāre'tra samākhyātaṃ sukhānāmuttamaṃ sukham | putragātrapariṣvaṃgo lālanañca viśeṣataḥ
In this world (of birth and death) the highest of pleasures is declared (to be) this: the embrace of a son's limbs, and especially fondling (him).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.15
अपुत्रस्य गतिर्नास्ति स्वर्गो नैव च नैव च । पुत्रादन्यतरन्नास्ति परलोकस्य साधनम्
aputrasya gatirnāsti svargo naiva ca naiva ca | putrādanyatarannāsti paralokasya sādhanam
For one without a son there is no (good) course, and no heaven at all, none at all; there is no other means to the world beyond than a son.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.16
मन्वादिभिश्च मुनिभिर्धर्मशास्त्रेषु भाषितम् । पुत्रवान्स्वर्गमाप्नोति नापुत्रस्तु कथञ्चन
manvādibhiśca munibhirdharmaśāstreṣu bhāṣitam | putravānsvargamāpnoti nāputrastu kathañcana
And it has been said by Manu and the other sages in the books of dharma: the man who has a son attains heaven, but one without a son by no means (does).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.17
दृश्यतेऽत्र समक्षं तन्नानुमानेन साध्यते । पुत्रवान्मुच्यते पापादाप्तवाक्यं च शाश्वतम्
dṛśyate'tra samakṣaṃ tannānumānena sādhyate | putravānmucyate pāpādāptavākyaṃ ca śāśvatam
That is seen here before one's very eyes; it is not established by inference. One who has a son is freed from sin — and the word of the trustworthy is eternal.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.18
आतुरे मृत्युकालेऽपि भूमिशय्यागतो नरः । करोति मनसा चिन्तां दुःखितः पुत्रवर्जितः
āture mṛtyukāle'pi bhūmiśayyāgato naraḥ | karoti manasā cintāṃ duḥkhitaḥ putravarjitaḥ
Even at the hour of death, when suffering (his final) illness, a man laid on a bed on the ground, sorrowing and bereft of a son, makes this reflection in his mind:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.19
धनं मे विपुलं गेहे पात्राणि विविधानि च । मन्दिरं सुन्दरं चैतत्कोऽस्य स्वामी भविष्यति
dhanaṃ me vipulaṃ gehe pātrāṇi vividhāni ca | mandiraṃ sundaraṃ caitatko'sya svāmī bhaviṣyati
"My wealth in the house is ample, and my vessels of many kinds, and this beautiful mansion — who will be its master?"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.20
मृत्युकाले मनस्तस्य दुःखेन भ्रमते यतः । अतोऽस्य दुर्गतिर्नूनं भ्रान्तचित्तस्य सर्वथा
mṛtyukāle manastasya duḥkhena bhramate yataḥ | ato'sya durgatirnūnaṃ bhrāntacittasya sarvathā
Since at the time of death his mind wanders about in grief, therefore for him, whose thought is confused, an evil course is certain in every way.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.21
एवं बहुविधां चिन्तां कृत्वा सत्यवतीसुतः । निःश्वस्य बहुधा चोष्णं विमनाः सम्बभूव ह
evaṃ bahuvidhāṃ cintāṃ kṛtvā satyavatīsutaḥ | niḥśvasya bahudhā coṣṇaṃ vimanāḥ sambabhūva ha
Having thus made reflection of many kinds, the son of Satyavatī, sighing hot (breath) again and again, became downcast.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.22
विचार्य मनसात्यर्थं कृत्वा मनसि निश्चयम् । जगाम च तपस्तप्तुं मेरुपर्वतसनिधौ
vicārya manasātyarthaṃ kṛtvā manasi niścayam | jagāma ca tapastaptuṃ meruparvatasanidhau
Having pondered very much in his mind and made his decision, he went to perform austerities near Mount Meru.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.23
मनसा चिन्तयामास कं देवं समुपास्महे । वरप्रदाननिपुणं वाञ्छितार्थप्रदं तथा
manasā cintayāmāsa kaṃ devaṃ samupāsmahe | varapradānanipuṇaṃ vāñchitārthapradaṃ tathā
He considered in his mind: which god shall we worship — one skilled in granting boons and a giver of the desired object?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.24
विष्णुं रुद्रं सुरेन्द्रं वा ब्रह्माणं वा दिवाकरम् । गणेशं कार्तिकेयं च पावकं वरुणं तथा
viṣṇuṃ rudraṃ surendraṃ vā brahmāṇaṃ vā divākaram | gaṇeśaṃ kārtikeyaṃ ca pāvakaṃ varuṇaṃ tathā
Viṣṇu, Rudra, or the lord of the gods (Indra), or Brahmā, or the sun; Gaṇeśa, and Kārtikeya, and Fire, and Varuṇa too —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.25
एवं चिन्तयतस्तस्य नारदो मुनिसत्तमः । यदृच्छया समायातो वीणापाणिः समाहितः
evaṃ cintayatastasya nārado munisattamaḥ | yadṛcchayā samāyāto vīṇāpāṇiḥ samāhitaḥ
While he was thinking thus, Nārada, best of sages, came by chance, lute in hand, composed (in mind).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.26
तं दृष्ट्वा परमप्रीतो व्यासः सत्यवतीसुतः । कृत्वार्घ्यमासनं दत्त्वा पप्रच्छ कुशलं मुनिम्
taṃ dṛṣṭvā paramaprīto vyāsaḥ satyavatīsutaḥ | kṛtvārghyamāsanaṃ dattvā papraccha kuśalaṃ munim
Seeing him, Vyāsa the son of Satyavatī was extremely pleased; having made the offering of water and given (him) a seat, he asked the sage after his welfare.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.27
श्रुत्वाथ कुशलप्रश्नं पप्रच्छ मुनिसत्तमः । चिन्तातुरोऽसि कस्मात्त्वं द्वैपायन वदस्व मे
śrutvātha kuśalapraśnaṃ papraccha munisattamaḥ | cintāturo'si kasmāttvaṃ dvaipāyana vadasva me
Then, having heard the inquiry about his welfare, the best of sages asked: "Why are you afflicted with worry, Dvaipāyana? Tell me."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.28
व्यास उवाच अपुत्रस्य गतिर्नास्ति न सुखं मानसे यतः । तदर्थं दुःखितश्चाहं चिन्तयामि पुन पुनः
vyāsa uvāca aputrasya gatirnāsti na sukhaṃ mānase yataḥ | tadarthaṃ duḥkhitaścāhaṃ cintayāmi puna punaḥ
Vyāsa said: Since for one without a son there is no (good) course and no happiness in the mind, for that reason I am grieved and think (of it) again and again.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.29
तपसा तोषयाम्यद्य कं देवं वाच्छितार्थदम् । इति चिन्तातुरोऽस्म्यद्य त्वामहं शरणं गतः
tapasā toṣayāmyadya kaṃ devaṃ vācchitārthadam | iti cintāturo'smyadya tvāmahaṃ śaraṇaṃ gataḥ
"Which god, the giver of what is wished for, shall I today gratify by austerity?" — thus I am afflicted with worry today; I have come to you for refuge.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.30
सर्वज्ञोऽसि महर्षे त्वं कथयाशु कृपानिधे । कं देवं शरणं यामि यो मे पुत्रं प्रदास्यति
sarvajño'si maharṣe tvaṃ kathayāśu kṛpānidhe | kaṃ devaṃ śaraṇaṃ yāmi yo me putraṃ pradāsyati
You are all-knowing, great seer; tell (me) quickly, treasury of compassion: to which god shall I go for refuge, who will grant me a son?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.31
सूत उवाच इति व्यासेन पृष्टस्तु नारदो वेदविन्मुनिः । उवाच परया प्रीत्या कृष्णं प्रति महामनाः
sūta uvāca iti vyāsena pṛṣṭastu nārado vedavinmuniḥ | uvāca parayā prītyā kṛṣṇaṃ prati mahāmanāḥ
Sūta said: Thus questioned by Vyāsa, Nārada, the sage who knows the Vedas, great of mind, spoke with the greatest affection to Kṛṣṇa (Dvaipāyana).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.32
नारद उवाच पाराशर्य महाभाग यत्त्वं पृच्छसि मामिह । तमेवार्थं पुरा पृष्टः पित्रा मे मधुसूदनः
nārada uvāca pārāśarya mahābhāga yattvaṃ pṛcchasi māmiha | tamevārthaṃ purā pṛṣṭaḥ pitrā me madhusūdanaḥ
Nārada said: Descendant of Parāśara, greatly fortunate one, that very matter which you ask me here, Madhusūdana was formerly asked by my father.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.33
ध्यानस्थं च हरिं दृष्ट्वा पिता मे विस्मयं गतः । पर्यपृच्छत देवेशं श्रीनाथं जगतः पतिम्
dhyānasthaṃ ca hariṃ dṛṣṭvā pitā me vismayaṃ gataḥ | paryapṛcchata deveśaṃ śrīnāthaṃ jagataḥ patim
Seeing Hari absorbed in meditation, my father was struck with wonder, and he questioned the lord of the gods, the husband of Śrī, the master of the world —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.34
कौस्तुभोद्भासितं दिव्यं शङ्खचक्रगदाधरम् । पीताम्बरं चतुर्बाहुं श्रीवत्साङ्कितवक्षसम्
kaustubhodbhāsitaṃ divyaṃ śaṅkhacakragadādharam | pītāmbaraṃ caturbāhuṃ śrīvatsāṅkitavakṣasam
(He was) radiant with the Kaustubha gem, divine, bearing conch, discus and mace, clad in yellow garments, four-armed, his chest marked with the śrīvatsa,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.35
कारणं सर्वलोकानां देवदेवं जगद्गुरुम् । वासुदेवं जगन्नाथं तप्यमानं महत्तपः
kāraṇaṃ sarvalokānāṃ devadevaṃ jagadgurum | vāsudevaṃ jagannāthaṃ tapyamānaṃ mahattapaḥ
the cause of all the worlds, god of gods, teacher of the world, Vāsudeva, lord of the universe — (thus my father saw him) practising great austerity.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.36
ब्रह्मोवाच देवदेव जगन्नाथ भूतभव्यभवत्प्रभो । तपश्चरसि कस्मात्त्वं किं ध्यायसि जनार्दन
brahmovāca devadeva jagannātha bhūtabhavyabhavatprabho | tapaścarasi kasmāttvaṃ kiṃ dhyāyasi janārdana
Brahmā said: God of gods, lord of the universe, lord of what has been, what will be and what is — why do you practise austerity, and upon whom do you meditate, Janārdana?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.37
विस्मयोऽयं ममात्यर्थं त्वं सर्वजगतां प्रभुः । ध्यानयुक्तोऽसि देवेश किं च चित्रमतः परम्
vismayo'yaṃ mamātyarthaṃ tvaṃ sarvajagatāṃ prabhuḥ | dhyānayukto'si deveśa kiṃ ca citramataḥ param
This is an exceedingly great wonder to me: you are the lord of all the worlds, yet you are engaged in meditation, lord of the gods — what marvel could be greater than this?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.38
त्वन्नाभिकमलाज्जातः कर्ताहमखिलस्य ह । त्वत्तः कोऽप्यधिकोऽस्त्यत्र तं देवं ब्रूहि मापते
tvannābhikamalājjātaḥ kartāhamakhilasya ha | tvattaḥ ko'pyadhiko'styatra taṃ devaṃ brūhi māpate
I, born from the lotus of your navel, am the maker of everything. Is there anyone here higher than you? Tell (me) of that god, husband of Mā (Lakṣmī).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.39
जानाम्यहं जगन्नाथ त्वमादिः सर्वकारणम् । कर्ता पालयिता हर्ता समर्थः सर्वकार्यकृत्
jānāmyahaṃ jagannātha tvamādiḥ sarvakāraṇam | kartā pālayitā hartā samarthaḥ sarvakāryakṛt
I know, lord of the world, that you are the beginning, the cause of all, the maker, the protector, the destroyer, capable, the doer of every deed.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.40
इच्छया ते महाराज सृजाम्यहमिदं जगत् । हरः संहरते काले सोऽपि ते वचने सदा
icchayā te mahārāja sṛjāmyahamidaṃ jagat | haraḥ saṃharate kāle so'pi te vacane sadā
By your will, great king, I create this world; Hara destroys it at the (proper) time, and he too is always (subject) to your word.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.41
सूर्यो भ्रमति चाकाशे वायुर्वाति शुभाशुभः । अग्निस्तपति पर्जन्यो वर्षतीश त्वदाज्ञया
sūryo bhramati cākāśe vāyurvāti śubhāśubhaḥ | agnistapati parjanyo varṣatīśa tvadājñayā
The sun moves in the sky, the wind blows auspicious and inauspicious, fire burns, and the rain-cloud rains — by your command, lord.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.42
त्वं तु ध्यायसि कं देवं संशयोऽयं महान्मम । त्वत्तः परं न पश्यामि देवं वै भुवनत्रये
tvaṃ tu dhyāyasi kaṃ devaṃ saṃśayo'yaṃ mahānmama | tvattaḥ paraṃ na paśyāmi devaṃ vai bhuvanatraye
But which god do you meditate on? This is a great doubt of mine. I see no god at all in the three worlds higher than you.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.43
कृपां कृत्वा वदस्वाद्य भक्तोऽस्मि तव सुव्रत । महतां नैव गोप्यं हि प्रायः किञ्चिदिति स्मृतिः
kṛpāṃ kṛtvā vadasvādya bhakto'smi tava suvrata | mahatāṃ naiva gopyaṃ hi prāyaḥ kiñciditi smṛtiḥ
Show favour and tell (me) now; I am your devotee, you of good vows. For the great, indeed, almost nothing is to be kept secret — such is the tradition.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.44
तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य हरिराह प्रजापतिम् । शृणुष्वैकमना ब्रह्मंस्त्वां ब्रवीमि मनोगतम्
tacchrutvā vacanaṃ tasya harirāha prajāpatim | śṛṇuṣvaikamanā brahmaṃstvāṃ bravīmi manogatam
Hearing that speech of his, Hari said to the lord of creatures: Listen with single mind, Brahmā; I tell you what is in my heart.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.45
यद्यपि त्वां शिवं मां च स्थितिसृष्ट्यन्तकारणम् । ते जानन्ति जनाः सर्वे सदेवासुरमानुषाः
yadyapi tvāṃ śivaṃ māṃ ca sthitisṛṣṭyantakāraṇam | te jānanti janāḥ sarve sadevāsuramānuṣāḥ
Although all those people — gods, demons and men together — know you, Śiva and me as the cause of maintenance, creation and end,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.46
स्रष्टा त्वं पालकश्चाहं हरः संहारकारकः । कृताः शक्त्येति संतर्कः क्रियते वेदपारगैः
sraṣṭā tvaṃ pālakaścāhaṃ haraḥ saṃhārakārakaḥ | kṛtāḥ śaktyeti saṃtarkaḥ kriyate vedapāragaiḥ
"You are the creator, I the maintainer, and Hara the one who destroys" — thus the reasoning is made by those versed in the Vedas: (we) have been made (so) by the Power.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 1 4.47
जगत्संजनने शक्तिस्त्वयि तिष्ठति राजसी । सात्त्विकी मयि रुद्रे च तामसी परिकीर्तिता
jagatsaṃjanane śaktistvayi tiṣṭhati rājasī | sāttvikī mayi rudre ca tāmasī parikīrtitā
For the generation of the world the rājasic power abides in you; the sāttvic in me, and the tāmasic is declared (to be) in Rudra.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.48
तया विरहितस्त्वं न तत्कर्मकरणे प्रभुः । नाहं पालयितुं शक्तः संहर्तुं नापि शङ्करः
tayā virahitastvaṃ na tatkarmakaraṇe prabhuḥ | nāhaṃ pālayituṃ śaktaḥ saṃhartuṃ nāpi śaṅkaraḥ
Deprived of her, you are not able to do that work; I am not able to protect, nor Śaṅkara to destroy.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.49
तदधीना वयं सर्वे वर्तामः सततं विभो । प्रत्यक्षे च परोक्षे च दृष्टान्तं शृणु सुव्रत
tadadhīnā vayaṃ sarve vartāmaḥ satataṃ vibho | pratyakṣe ca parokṣe ca dṛṣṭāntaṃ śṛṇu suvrata
We all continually exist subject to her, mighty one, both in what is seen and in what is unseen. Hear an illustration, you of good vows.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.50
शेषे स्वपिमि पर्यङ्के परतन्त्रो न संशयः । तदधीनः सदोत्तिष्ठे काले कालवशं गतः
śeṣe svapimi paryaṅke paratantro na saṃśayaḥ | tadadhīnaḥ sadottiṣṭhe kāle kālavaśaṃ gataḥ
I sleep on Śeṣa as my couch, dependent on another — there is no doubt of it. Subject to her I always rise up at the (right) time, having come under the sway of time.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.51
तपश्चरामि सततं तदधीनोऽस्म्यहं सदा । कदाचित्सह लक्ष्या च विहरामि यथासुखम्
tapaścarāmi satataṃ tadadhīno'smyahaṃ sadā | kadācitsaha lakṣyā ca viharāmi yathāsukham
I constantly practise austerity — in that too I am always subject to her; sometimes I take my pleasure with Lakṣmī as I please.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.52
कदाचिद्दानवैः सार्धं संग्रामं प्रकरोम्यहम् । दारुणं देहदमनं सर्वलोकभयङ्करम्
kadāciddānavaiḥ sārdhaṃ saṃgrāmaṃ prakaromyaham | dāruṇaṃ dehadamanaṃ sarvalokabhayaṅkaram
Sometimes I wage war together with the Dānavas — a terrible (war), wearing down the body, terrifying to all the worlds.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.53
प्रत्यक्षं तव धर्मज्ञ तस्मिन्नेकार्णवे पुरा । पञ्चवर्षसहस्राणि बाहुयुद्धं मया कृतम्
pratyakṣaṃ tava dharmajña tasminnekārṇave purā | pañcavarṣasahasrāṇi bāhuyuddhaṃ mayā kṛtam
Before your very eyes, knower of dharma, long ago in that single ocean, I fought a battle of arms for five thousand years.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.54
तौ कर्णमलजौ दुष्टौ दानवौ मदगर्वितौ । देव देव्याः प्रसादेन निहतौ मधुकैटभौ
tau karṇamalajau duṣṭau dānavau madagarvitau | deva devyāḥ prasādena nihatau madhukaiṭabhau
Those two wicked dānavas, born from the wax of (your) ear, drunk with pride — Madhu and Kaiṭabha — were slain, O god, by the Goddess's favour.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.55
तदा त्वया न किं ज्ञातं कारणं तु परात्परम् । शक्तिरूपं महाभाग किं पृच्छसि पुनः पुनः
tadā tvayā na kiṃ jñātaṃ kāraṇaṃ tu parātparam | śaktirūpaṃ mahābhāga kiṃ pṛcchasi punaḥ punaḥ
Then how was it not known by you that the cause is higher than the highest, and is of the form of Śakti? Why, O greatly fortunate one, do you ask again and again?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.56
यदिच्छः पुरुषो भूत्वा विचरामि महार्णवे । कच्छपः कोलसिंहश्च वामनश्च युगे युगे
yadicchaḥ puruṣo bhūtvā vicarāmi mahārṇave | kacchapaḥ kolasiṃhaśca vāmanaśca yuge yuge
Do I wander in the great ocean, having become a Man (Puruṣa) as I wish — and a tortoise, a boar, a lion, and a dwarf, age after age?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 1 4.57
न कस्यापि प्रियो लोके तिर्यग्योनिषु सम्भवः । नाभवं स्वेच्छया वामवराहादिषु योनिषु
na kasyāpi priyo loke tiryagyoniṣu sambhavaḥ | nābhavaṃ svecchayā vāmavarāhādiṣu yoniṣu
To no one in the world is birth among the animal wombs dear; not by my own wish was I born in the wombs of the dwarf, the boar, and the rest.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 1 4.58
विहाय लक्ष्या सह संविहारं को याति मत्स्यादिषु हीनयोनिषु । शय्यां च मुक्त्वा गरुडासनस्थः करोमि युद्धं विपुलं स्वतन्त्रः
vihāya lakṣyā saha saṃvihāraṃ ko yāti matsyādiṣu hīnayoniṣu | śayyāṃ ca muktvā garuḍāsanasthaḥ karomi yuddhaṃ vipulaṃ svatantraḥ
Who would abandon dalliance with Lakṣmī and go into the low wombs of fish and the like? And who, if independent, would leave his couch, mount on Garuḍa, and wage vast war?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.59
पुरा पुरस्तेऽज शिरो मदीयं गतं धनुर्ज्यास्खलनात्क्व चापि । त्वया तदा वाजिशिरो गृहीत्वा संयोजितं शिल्पिवरेण भूयः
purā puraste'ja śiro madīyaṃ gataṃ dhanurjyāskhalanātkva cāpi | tvayā tadā vājiśiro gṛhītvā saṃyojitaṃ śilpivareṇa bhūyaḥ
Formerly, O unborn one, my head went off before you, from the slipping of the bowstring — and somewhere (it vanished); then you, taking a horse's head, had it joined on again by the best of craftsmen.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.60
हयाननोऽहं परिकीर्तितश्च प्रत्यक्षमेतत्तव लोककर्तः । विडम्बनेयं किल लोकमध्ये कथं भवेदात्मपरो यदि स्याम्
hayānano'haṃ parikīrtitaśca pratyakṣametattava lokakartaḥ | viḍambaneyaṃ kila lokamadhye kathaṃ bhavedātmaparo yadi syām
And I have been proclaimed 'Horse-faced'; this is plain before you, O maker of the world. How could this mockery in the midst of the world come about, if I were my own master?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.61
तस्मान्नाहं स्वतन्त्रोऽस्मि शक्त्यधीनोऽस्मि सर्वथा । तामेव शक्तिं सततं ध्यायामि च निरन्तरम्
tasmānnāhaṃ svatantro'smi śaktyadhīno'smi sarvathā | tāmeva śaktiṃ satataṃ dhyāyāmi ca nirantaram
Therefore I am not independent; I am in every way subject to Śakti. It is that very Śakti that I meditate on constantly, without cease.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.62
नातः परतरं किञ्चिज्जानामि कमलोद्भव । नारद उवाच इत्युक्तं विष्णुना तेन पद्मयोनेस्तु सन्निधौ
nātaḥ parataraṃ kiñcijjānāmi kamalodbhava | nārada uvāca ityuktaṃ viṣṇunā tena padmayonestu sannidhau
Beyond this I know nothing higher, O lotus-born one. Nārada said: This was spoken by that Viṣṇu in the presence of the lotus-born (Brahmā).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.63
तेन चाप्यहमुक्तोऽस्मि तथैव मुनिपुङ्गव । तस्मात्त्वमपि कल्याण पुरुषार्थाप्तिहेतवे
tena cāpyahamukto'smi tathaiva munipuṅgava | tasmāttvamapi kalyāṇa puruṣārthāptihetave
And by him I too was told the very same, O best of sages. Therefore you also, O auspicious one, for the sake of attaining the goals of man,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.64
असंशयं हृदम्भोजे भज देवीपदाम्बुजम् । सर्वं दास्यति सा देवी यद्यदिष्टं भवेत्तव
asaṃśayaṃ hṛdambhoje bhaja devīpadāmbujam | sarvaṃ dāsyati sā devī yadyadiṣṭaṃ bhavettava
without doubt worship the Goddess's lotus feet in the lotus of your heart. That Goddess will grant everything, whatever is desired by you.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 4.65
सूत उवाच नारदेनैवमुक्तस्तु व्यासः सत्यवतीसुतः । देवीपादाब्जनिष्णातस्तपसे प्रययौ गिरौ
sūta uvāca nāradenaivamuktastu vyāsaḥ satyavatīsutaḥ | devīpādābjaniṣṇātastapase prayayau girau
Sūta said: Thus addressed by Nārada, Vyāsa, the son of Satyavatī, devoted to the Goddess's lotus feet, went to the mountain for austerity.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition