स सर्वां पृथिवीं जित्वा वशीकृत्य नराधिपान्
Having conquered the whole earth, he brought all the kings under his control.
न दुर्भिक्षं न च व्याधिर्नाकालमरणं तथा
There was no famine, no disease, nor untimely death.
तस्यैवं शासतो राज्यं क्षात्रधर्मरतस्य वै
While he ruled in this way, devoted to the duty of a kṣatriya—
अस्माकं हि गृहे काचिढ्ढौंढा नामेति राक्षसी
In our house, there was a rākṣasī named Ḍhauṃḍhā.
रक्षया कंडकेनापि भेषजैर्वा नराधिप
Not even by a thorn or by medicines, O king, could she be restrained.
पौराणां वचनं श्रुत्वा रघुर्विस्मयमागतः 4.132.
Hearing the words of the elders, Raghu was filled with wonder.
कथमेषा नियंतव्या मया दुष्कृतकारिणी
How am I to restrain this doer of evil deeds?
रक्षणात्प्रोच्यते राजा पृथिवीपालनात्पतिः
Because of protection, he is called 'rājā'; from guarding the earth, he is called 'pati.'
वशिष्ठ उवाच ढौंढा नामेति विख्याता राक्षसी मालिनः सुता
Vasiṣṭha said: The rākṣasī named Ḍhauṃḍhā is known as the daughter of Mālin.
तया चाराधितः शंभुरुग्रेण तपसा पुरा
Long ago, she worshipped Śaṃbhu with severe austerity.
यत्ते मनोभिलषितं तद्ददाम्यविचारितम्
Whatever your mind desires, I grant to you without hesitation.
न च वध्यां सुरादीनां मनुजानां च शंकर
But do not wish for the death of gods, others like them, or humans, O Shankara.
शीतोष्णवर्षासमये दिवा रात्रौ बहिर्गृहे
In cold, heat, and rain, by day and night, whether outside or at home—
शंकर उवाच उन्मत्तेभ्यः शिशुभ्यश्च भयं ते संभविष्यति
Shankara said: From madmen and children, you will experience fear.
एवं दत्वा वरं तस्यै भगवान्भगनेत्रहा
Thus, having granted her the boon, the blessed one, destroyer of Bhaga's eye—
एवं लब्धवरा सा तु राक्षसी कामरूपिणी 4.132.
So, having received the boon, that demoness, able to assume any form—
अडाडयेति गृह्णाति सिद्धमंत्रं कुटुंबिनी
Uttering 'aḍāḍa,' the housewife takes up the accomplished mantra.
एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं ढौंढायाश्चरितं मया
All this I have told you—the deeds of Dhautdha.
अद्य पञ्चदशी शुक्ला फाल्गुनस्य नराधिप
Today is the fifteenth day of the bright half of Phalguna, O king.
अभयप्रदानं लोकानां दीयतां पुरुषोत्तम
Let fearlessness be granted to the people, O best of men.
दारुजानि च खंडानि गृहीत्वा समरोत्सुकाः
Taking pieces of wood, eager for the ritual—
संचयं शुष्ककाष्ठानामुपलानां च कारयेत्
Let a collection of dry wood and kindling be made.
ततः किलकिलाशब्दैस्तालशब्दैर्मनोहरैः जल्पंतु स्वेच्छया लोका निःशंका यस्य यन्मतम्
Then, with crackling sounds and delightful clapping, let people converse freely, each according to their own belief, without fear.
तेन शब्देन सा पापा होमेन च निरा कृता
By that sound, and by the offering, that sinner was driven away.
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच सर्वं चकार विधिवदुक्तं तेन च धीमता
Shri Krishna said: All was done properly, as instructed, by that wise one.
गता सा राक्षसी नाशं तेन चोग्रेण कर्मणा 4.132.
That demoness was destroyed by that fierce act.
सर्वदुष्टापहो होमः सर्वरोगोपशांतिदः
The offering removes all evildoers and brings peace from all diseases.
सर्वसारातिविश्वेयं पूर्वमासीद्युधिष्ठिर
This was the supreme essence in ancient times, O Yudhishthira.
अस्यां निशागमे पार्थ संरक्ष्याः शिशवो गृहे
O Partha, when night falls, children should be kept safe in the house.
आकारयेच्छिशुप्रायान्खड्गव्यग्र करान्नरान् रक्षंति तेषां दातव्यं गुडं पक्वान्नमेव च
Gather boys of tender age, with swords ready in hand; those who protect should be given jaggery and cooked food.