92 - The greatness of Vaishnavi

Varäha said:

1. The goddess Vaishnavi who went to Mandara for performing penance, was the great power representing Rajas.

2. She was doing penance all by herself (at the place) Višhälã. After a long time, her mind became agitated.

3-4. As a result of this agitation there arose hundreds of beautiful damsels with black curly hair and red lips, wearing bracelets and anklets.

5-7. Seeing them all, the goddess created a city with numerous mansions with golden balconies, crystal stairs and water fountains, with jewelled windows and gardens, all on broad roads.

8. The ladies thus created were innumerable, but I shall tell you the names of the more important among them.

9-12. Vidyutprabhä, Chandrakänti, Süryakänti, Gambhïrä, Chärukešhi, Sujätä, Mañjukešhini, Ghrutächi, Urvašhi, Shašhini, Shilamandita, Chärukanyä, Višhäläkshi, Dhanyä, Chandraprabhä, Girisutä, Süryaprabhä, Amrutä, Svayamprabhä, Chärumukhi, Shivaduti, Vibhävarï, Jayä, Vijayä, Jayanti, Aparàjità and several others in hundreds occupied that fine city.

13. All these in the retinue of the goddess were bearing the rope and the noose, and she herself was seated on the throne.

14. Attended on by these, she began to perform the vrata called Kaumära.

15. While she was thus engaged in penance, duly attended on by them, there appeared before her Närada, the son of Brahma.

16-17. Seeing that great sage, she directed Vidyutprabhä to give him a seat and water for washing the feet.

18. Thereupon Vidyutprabhä offered to Närada ãsana (seat), Padya (water for feet) and arghya (holy water).

19. When Närada bowed to her and took his seat, she asked him in great joy.

20. ‘‘O great sage, welcome to you. From which world are you coming now? Be pleased to say with what purpose you have come?”.

21-22. Asked by the goddess thus, Närada who knew all the worlds, said: “From’ Brahmaloka I went to Indraloka and from there to Rudra’s mountain (Kailäsa): From there I have come here to see you”. Saying so, he looked intently at the goddess.

23. Seeing her for a while, Närada became wonder-struck.

24. “How wonderful is her form, how wonderful is her lustre, how wonderful her courage, how wonderful her selflessness in that She is undergoing all this strain,

25. In no other woman can this beauty be seen, be she belong to Devas, Gandharvas, Siddhas, Yakshas Kinnaras or Rakshasas”.  Thinking thus, his wonder was redoubled.

26. He bowed to her and then jumped into the sky and quickly went to the city of the Räkshasa chief.

27. That city was known as and was within the ocean. He went there to the Asura whose form was like a buffalo.

28. When he saw the sage, he duly honoured him with devotion.

29. Thus pleased, Närada told him about the matchless beauty of the goddess doing penance.

Närada said:

30. “O lord of Asuras, by means of a boon, the entire universe has become yours. Now hear about a jewel among damsels.

31. From Brahmaloka I happened to go to the Mandara Mountain. There I saw a city, Devipura, full of hundreds of young women.

32. The chief among them is performing penance. Like her we cannot find one among gods, demons or Yakshas.

33. I have not seen one like her in all my wanderings all over the world.

34. She is honoured by and Devas, Gandharvas, Rushis, Siddhas, Charanas and Daityas.

35. Seeing that benevolent Goddess, I rushed here to you. She cannot be won without winning Devas and Gandharvas.”

36. Thus informing him, Narada immediately disappeared.