The Sadguru said:
In ancient times, there was a sage named Medhātithi, a treasury of penance. He performed a great and severe penance on the bank of the Maṇimuktā river.
śrīsadgururuvāca
purā medhātithirnāma munirāsīttaponidhiḥ
tapaścakre mahāghoraṃ maṇimuktānadītaṭe
पुरा · purā — in ancient times
मेधातिथिर्नाम · medhātithir-nāma — named Medhātithi
मुनिः · muniḥ — the sage
आसीत् · āsīt — was
तपोनिधिः · taponidhiḥ — a treasury of penance
तपः · tapaḥ — penance
चक्रे · cakre — performed
महाघोरम् · mahāghoram — very severe
मणिमुक्तानदीतटे · maṇimuktānadītaṭe — on the bank of the Maṇimuktā river
पुरा मेधातिथिर्नाम मुनिः तपोनिधिः आसीत्। सः मणिमुक्तानदीतटे महाघोरं तपः चक्रे।
in ancient times · named Medhātithi · the sage · was · a treasury of penance · penance · performed · very severe · on the bank of the Maṇimuktā river
This verse introduces the protagonist, Sage Medhātithi, and establishes the setting of the Maṇimuktā river, which serves as the sacred backdrop for the divine manifestation of the Goddess.