Parvati's Birth

Brahma said

Out of love, for the birth and to accomplish the gods' task, the couple remembered the mother of the world. Earlier, because of her father, Chandika had given up her body by yoga. She now wished to be born through the mountain's beloved. She cheerfully grants everything desired and wanted to make her own words come true. So Maheshvari, with all her portions, entered the mountain's mind. He became extremely delighted and radiant with a brightness he had not had before. With that mass of energy the great-minded one was as unassailable as fire. At an extremely auspicious time the mountain sank into samadhi and placed Shivaa's whole portion in his beloved. By Devi's favour the mountain's wife meditated, fixed her mind on the mountain, who was now a reservoir of compassion and happiness, and conceived. The refuge of the entire universe now dwelt in the mountain's beloved, and Mena grew more radiant, as if standing in the midst of a circle of light. Her signs of pregnancy increased her husband's joy. The auspicious one was happy to have conceived one who would bring the gods the happiness they desired. Her body was weak and she could not wear all her ornaments. Her face was pale like a lodhra flower, like the hour of night when few stars are left and the moon is waning. Sage, when he breathed the fragrance of her mouth, which carried the scent of earth, the lord of mountains in private was not satisfied and his love grew. He asked her friends, "Does Mena want anything? She is shy and asks me for nothing." Whenever she desired anything in her difficult pregnancy, he saw that it was quickly brought, and there was nothing in the three worlds he would not do. As she passed the first stage her body grew heavy. Mena shone like a young creeper putting out new leaves and flowers. The mountain thought his pregnant queen like the earth with a treasury in its womb, or the shami tree with fire hidden in it. His mind glad over his wife, the wise one performed all the proper rites, in keeping with his wealth, his high position and the shrutis.

At the right time he felt Mena was about to deliver. She looked like the sky covered with clouds, and he had her taken to the delivery chamber with physicians. Looking at his beloved, auspicious in every limb, the lord of mountains rejoiced. Because the mother of the universe was in her womb, Mena was extremely radiant then. Sage, Vishnu and the other gods and sages came and praised Shivaa while she was still within the womb.

The devas said

Durga, victory to you; wise Jagadamba, Maheshvari, victory to you. You are true to your vows and supremely devoted to truth. You are trisatya, truth in form, established in truth, delighted by truth, the womb of truth and truth itself, the truth among all that is true. Your sight is truth. We are afflicted and have taken refuge in you. Beloved of Shiva, Maheshani, destroyer of the gods' misery, mother of the three worlds, Sharvani, pervasive, affectionate to devotees, lady of the three worlds, manifest yourself and accomplish the gods' task. Maheshvari, it is by your favour that we all have a protector, and all who are happy get that excellent happiness from you. Amba, without you nothing in the three worlds is beautiful.

Brahma said

So they extolled Maheshani, still in the womb, in many ways, and pleased, went back to their abodes.

Nine months were complete and the tenth began. It was clear that Kalika Jagadamba's stay in the womb was over. An excellent hour came; planets and stars were calm, the sky clear and all the directions bright. There were auspicious signs on earth with its forests, villages and oceans, and lotuses opened in lakes, rivers and ponds. Lord among sages, the breezes that blew were pleasant to the touch, the virtuous were delighted and the wicked miserable. Gods gathered in the sky and sounded their drums; flowers rained down and excellent gandharvas sang; vidyadhara women and apsaras danced in the sky, and the gods and others held grand festivities there. Then, in her full potency, Devi Shivaa Sati appeared before Mena in her own form. The season was spring, the month Madhu, the day navami, and the nakshatra Mrigashira. Like the Ganga from the moon's disc, she was born at midnight. Like Lakshmi from the ocean, at the right time Shivaa came from Menaka's womb in her own form. Bhava was pleased at her birth. A slow, heavy breeze blew, carrying auspicious scents. Flowers rained, then water. The fires that blazed were calm and the clouds rumbled. At her birth everything in Himachala's city turned pleasant and all miseries were destroyed.

Then Vishnu and the other gods came, happy and delighted, wishing to see Jagadamba. They praised Shivaa Amba Kalika, desired by Shiva, Mahamaya, divine in form, a dweller in Shiva's world. The gods said: "Jagadamba, Mahadevi, giver of every success, you always accomplish the gods' tasks; we bow to you. Affectionate to devotees, you bring the gods welfare in every way. You have satisfied Mena's wish. Now please satisfy Hara's." So extolling Shivaa, Vishnu and the other gods bowed, praised the goal of the virtuous, and went gladly to their abodes.

Narada, when Devi was born Menaka looked at her and rejoiced. She was dark, with a complexion like blue lotus petals. Looking at her divine form, the mountain's beloved gained knowledge, and knowing this was Parameshani she praised her gladly.

Mena said

Jagadamba, Maheshani, you have shown great compassion. Ambika, radiant, you have appeared before me. Shivaa, you are the original among all the Shaktis, mother of the three worlds. Devi, you are Shiva's beloved, always supremely praised by all the gods. Maheshani, favour me: stay in my meditation in the form in which you have appeared before me, but otherwise take my daughter's form.

Brahma said

Hearing Mena, the mountain's wife, Devi Shivaa replied happily.

Devi said

Mena, earlier you served me well. Greatly pleased by your devotion, I appeared before you to give a boon: "Ask for a boon." Hearing me, you asked an excellent boon and said, "Mahadevi, become my daughter and secure the gods' welfare." Granting you the boon affectionately, I went back to my abode. Beloved of the mountain, the time has come and I have become your daughter. So that you remember me, I have taken this divine form; had I taken a mortal form you would not have known it was I. You two may think of me as your daughter or in my divine form. I will live with you. Show me affection. Afterwards you will gain a destination with me. Playing wonderful pastimes on earth, I will accomplish the gods' task. I will become Shambhu's wife and save the virtuous.

Brahma said

Shivaa Ambika said this and fell silent. As her mother watched lovingly, using her own maya she instantly took a daughter's form.