तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन मासनक्षत्रपूजनैः
Therefore, with all effort, through the worship of months and constellations—
नारी तपोधना भूत्वा प्रख्याता सांभरायणी
A woman, endowed with austerity, became renowned as Sāṃbharāyaṇī.
कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य देवराजः शतक्रतुः
Then, at a certain time, the king of the gods, Śatakratu (Indra)—
पूर्वेन्द्रात्परतः पूर्वे ये बभूवुः सुरेश्वराः
Those lords of the gods who existed before the previous Indra, and even before them—
एवमुक्तस्तदा तेन देवेन्द्रेणामलद्युतिः 4.107.
Thus addressed at that time by the lord of the gods, shining with spotless radiance,
नाहं चिरंतनान्वेद्मि देवराज सुरेश्वरान्
I do not know the ancient lords of the gods, O king of the gods.
ततः पप्रच्छ देवेन्द्रः कोस्माभिर्मुनिपुंगवः
Then the best of sages was questioned by Indra, with what means?
बृहस्पतिश्चिरं ध्यात्वा ततः प्राह शचीपतिम्
Bṛhaspati, after meditating for a long time, then spoke to the husband of Śacī.
इत्युक्तस्तेन देवेन्द्रः कौतूहलसमन्वितः
Thus addressed by him, Indra was filled with curiosity.
सा तौ दृष्ट्वा समायांतौ देवराजबृहस्पती
She, seeing those two—Indra and Bṛhaspati—who had arrived,
यद्वां कार्यं महाभागौ सकलं तदिहोच्यताम्
O highly fortunate one, whatever your purpose is, let it be told here in full.
यदि कर्तुं मया शक्यं तत्करिष्ये विमृश्य च
If I am able to do it, I will accomplish it after due consideration.
यच्च कार्यं महाभागे पृष्टं तत्कथयस्व नः
And, O highly fortunate one, tell us what you have been asked regarding the matter.
यदि स्मरसि कल्याणि पूर्वेन्द्रचरितानि वै
If you remember, O auspicious one, the deeds of the former Indras,
तस्मात्पूर्वतरो यस्य तस्यापि प्रथमश्च यः ।। 4.107.
Therefore, whoever is earlier, and who is the very first among them,
तेषां पूर्वतरा ये च वेद्मि तानखिलानहम्
Of those who are earlier, I know them, but not all.
मन्वंतराण्यनेकानि सृष्टीश्च त्रिदिवौकसाम्
Many Manvantaras and the creations of the dwellers in heaven—
एवमुक्त्वा ततस्ताभ्यां सुहृष्टा सांभरायणी
Having thus spoken, then, with those two, Sāṃbharāyaṇī was delighted.
स्वायंभुवे यस्तु मनौ मनौ स्वारोचिषे च यः
He who was in the Svāyambhuva Manu, and in the Svārociṣa Manu,
ये बभूवुर्हि देवेन्द्रास्तस्य तस्य तपस्विनी
Those who became Indras in each of those times, to him, the ascetic,
कथयामास चाश्चर्यं तच्चापि कथयामि ते
She began to recount that wondrous tale, and I shall also tell it to you.
शंकुकर्णस्तदा दैत्यो बभूवात्यंतदुर्जयः इन्द्रस्यासाद्य भवनं प्रविवेश सुनिर्भयः
Then the demon Śaṃkukarṇa became exceedingly difficult to conquer; having reached Indra’s abode, he entered utterly without fear.
तं दृष्ट्वा सहसा प्राप्तं शक्रः शय्यातलेऽलुठत्
Seeing him suddenly arrive, Indra rolled off his bed.
दानवः शक्रशयने तस्मिन्नुपविवेश ह
The demon sat down upon Indra’s couch.
अथ देवाः समाजग्मुर्भयाद्द्रष्टुं सुरद्विषम् 4.107.
Then the gods, out of fear, gathered to see the enemy of the gods.
वासुदेवोऽपि तत्रागात्तं द्रष्टुं देवकंटकम्
Vāsudeva also came there to see that thorn of the gods.
धन्योऽहं कृतकृत्योहं यस्य मे गरुडध्वजः
Blessed am I, my purpose is fulfilled, for Garuḍa-bannered one is mine.
ततः करे समालंब्य शयनाभ्याशमानयत्
Then, taking him by the hand, he led him near the bed.
ततः कृष्णस्तु सहसा गृह्य दोर्भ्यां शनैः शनैः ममार दानवेन्द्रोऽसौ बलाद्भग्नास्थिपञ्जरः
Then Krishna, swiftly seizing him with both arms, slowly and steadily, the lord of the demons died, his cage of bones crushed by force.
निर्जगाम ततः शक्रः शय्यामूलादवाक्छिराः
Then Indra emerged from the foot of the bed, his head bowed down.