शुक्रतुल्यं विचारज्ञं दक्षांसेन ससर्ज सः
He created, by a portion of Daksha, one who was equal to Shukra and skilled in discernment.
धूमिनीनामधेयां च भगिनीं भण्डदानवः
Bhaṇḍa the demon had a sister named Dhūminī.
ब्रह्माण्डं खण्डयामास शौर्यवीर्यसमुच्छ्रितः
Rising in valor and strength, he split the cosmic egg.
पलायनपराः सद्यः स्वे स्वे धाम्नि सदावसन्
Immediately, those intent on fleeing always remained in their own abodes.
श्वसितुं चापि पटवो नाभवन्नाकिनां गणाः
The groups of celestials were not even able to breathe skillfully.
केचिद्दिगन्तकोणेषु केचित्कुञ्जेषु भूभृताम्
Some were in the corners of the horizon, some in the caves of the mountains.
भ्रष्टाधिकारा ऋभवो विचेरुश्छन्नवेषकाः
The ṛbhus, deprived of authority, wandered about in disguise.
मत्वा तृणायितान्सर्वांल्लोकान्भण्डः शशासह
Bhaṇḍa, considering all the worlds as mere grass, ruled over them.
तृतीयमुदभूद्रूपं महायागानलान्मुने
O sage, a third form arose from the fires of the great sacrifice.
पाशाङ्कुशधनुर्वाणपरिष्कृतचतुर्भुजाम्
She was adorned with four arms, holding a noose, goad, bow, and arrows.
जघान भण्डदैत्येन्द्रं युद्धे युद्धविशारदा
She slew Bhaṇḍa, the lord of the demons, in battle, skilled as she was in the art of war.
कथं बभञ्ज तं संख्ये तत्सर्वं वद विस्तरात्
How did she break him in battle? Tell me all of that in detail.
पुरा दाक्षायणीं त्यक्त्वा पितुर्यज्ञविनाशनम्
Long ago, after abandoning Dākṣāyaṇī, he destroyed his father-in-law's sacrifice.
उपास्यमानो मुनिभिरद्वन्द्वगुणलक्षणः
He was worshipped by sages, marked by qualities free from duality.
सापि शङ्करमा राध्य चिरकालं मनस्विनी
She, the noble-minded one, worshipped Śaṅkara for a long time.
योगेन स्वां तनुं त्यक्त्वा सुतासीद्धिमभूभृतः
Through yoga, she abandoned her own body and became the daughter of the mountain king.
तस्य शुश्रूषणार्थाय स्थापयामास चान्तिके
For the sake of serving him, she stationed herself nearby.
ब्रह्मणोक्ताः समाहूय मदनं चेदमब्रुवन्
Summoned by Brahmā's command, they called Madana and spoke these words.
तपश्चचार सुचिरं मनोवाक्कायकर्मभिः
He performed austerities for a long time, with mind, speech, and bodily actions.
वरेण च्छन्दयामास वरदः सर्वदेहिनाम्
The bestower of boons, who grants wishes to all embodied beings, offered him a boon.
चराचरयुतं चैतत्सृजामि त्वत्प्रसादतः
By your grace, I will create this world filled with moving and unmoving beings.
तदा प्रादुरभूस्त्वं हि जगन्मोहनरूपधृक्
Then you appeared, indeed, taking a form that bewilders the universe.
विजयत्वमजेयत्वं प्रादा त्प्रमुदितो हरिः
Delighted, Hari granted you victory and invincibility.
साक्षिभूतः स्वजनतो भवान्भजतु निर्वृन्तिम्
May you, as a witness among your own people, attain fulfillment.
मनसो निर्वृतिं प्राप्य वर्तते ऽद्यापि मन्मथ
Having attained the satisfaction of the mind, Manmatha still continues to exist today.
अमोघं बलवीर्यं ते न ते मोघः पराक्रमः
Your strength and power are unfailing; your valor is never in vain.
ब्रह्मदत्तवरो ऽयं हि तारको नाम दानवः
This demon named Tāraka has a boon granted by Brahmā.
शिवपुत्रादृते ऽन्यत्र न भयं तस्य विद्यते
Except for the son of Śiva, there is no danger to him from anyone else.
स्वकराच्च भवेत्कार्यं भवतो नान्यतः क्वचित्
The effect arises only from one's own action, never from any other source.
हिमाचलतले रम्ये वर्तते मुनिभिर्वृतः
On the beautiful slopes of the Himalayas, he dwells, surrounded by sages.