अथ शक्रस्य वृत्तांतं परमं शृणु सुन्दरि
Now, O beautiful one, hear the supreme account of Indra.
एकदा च गुरोः कोपात्प्रकृतेरवहेलनात्
Once, due to the guru's anger and disregard for nature—
शक्रस्त्यक्तगुरुर्दैवग्रस्तो दैत्यनिपीडितः
Indra, having abandoned his guru, afflicted by fate, was oppressed by the demons.
तदाज्ञया विश्वरूपं चकार च पुरोहितम्
By that command, he made Viśvarūpa his priest.
दैत्यदौहित्रस्य भावं विज्ञाय च विचक्षणः
Perceiving the intention of the Daitya's daughter, the wise one understood.
विश्वरूपपिता त्वष्टा श्रुत्वा सद्यश्चुकोप ह 4.47.
Hearing this, Tvaṣṭṛ, the father of Viśvarūpa, became instantly enraged.
यज्ञकुंडात्समुत्तस्थौ वृत्रो नाम महासुरः
From the sacrificial fire-pit arose Vṛtra, the great asura.
शक्रो महामुनेरस्थ्नां वज्रं कृत्वा सुदारुणम्
Indra fashioned a most terrible thunderbolt from the sage's bones.
ब्रह्महत्या शुनासीरं दुद्राव हतचेतनम्
Brahmahatyā, the personification of Brahminicide, pursued him, bereft of consciousness.
सप्ततालप्रमाणा सा शुष्ककण्ठोष्ठतालुका
She was as tall as seven palm trees, with a parched throat, lips, and palate.
धावंतं परिधावंती बलिष्ठा हतचेतनम्
As he fled, she, powerful and relentless, chased after him, devoid of sense.
इंद्रो दृष्ट्वा च तां घोरां स्मारंस्मारं गुरोः पदम्
Seeing that dreadful being, Indra kept recalling his teacher's feet.
तत्र गंतुं न शक्ता सा ब्रह्मणः शापकारणात्
She was unable to go there because of Brahmā's curse.
अथात्र नहुषो भूपस्त्रिलोकेशो बभूव ह
Then Nahusha, the king, became the lord of the three worlds.
शची श्रुत्वा महाभीता तारकां शरणं ययौ
Hearing this, Śacī, greatly afraid, sought refuge with Tārā.
शचीमाश्वास्य स्वगुरुर्जगाम तत्सरो मुदा 4.47.
Her own teacher comforted Śacī and joyfully went to that lake.
बृहस्पतिरुवाच त्वदीश्वरं स्वरेणैव निशामय भयं त्यज
Bṛhaspati said: 'Listen with your own voice to your lord; abandon fear.'
सूक्ष्मरूपं परित्यज्य स्वरूपं च दधार सः
He abandoned his subtle form and assumed his own true form.
दृष्ट्वा ननाम संप्रीत्या संप्रीतं त्यक्तकोपकम्
Seeing him, she bowed with joy, and he, pleased, let go of his anger.
निधाय वक्षसि प्रेम्णा रुरोद प्रेमविह्वलः पुटांजलिः पुलकितो भक्तिनम्रात्मकंधरः
Placing her on his chest with love, he wept, overwhelmed with affection, hands joined, his body thrilled, bowing with devotion.
भृत्यापराधं सततं न गृह्णाति सदीश्वरः
The true Lord never accepts the faults of his servant.
दुर्बलः सबलो वाऽपि को दंडं कर्तुमक्षमः
Who, whether weak or strong, is incapable of administering punishment?
त्वत्प्रसादात्सुरश्रेष्ठ कृपया वर्द्धितस्त्वया
By your grace, O best of gods, I have been nurtured through your compassion.
स्वयं विधातुः पौत्रश्च पुनः स्रष्टुं स्वयं क्षमः उवाच वचनं प्रीत्या प्रसन्नवदनेक्षणः
Being the grandson of the Creator himself, and now able to create again on my own, he spoke these words with affection, his face beaming with delight.
संप्राप्य परमैश्वर्यं पूर्वस्माच्च चतुर्गुणम्
Having attained supreme sovereignty, four times greater than before,
हतशत्रुर्मत्प्रसादाद्गत्वा पश्य शचीं सतीम्
With his enemies vanquished by my favor, he went and beheld Śacī, the virtuous one.
ददर्श पुरतो घोरां ब्रह्महत्यां सुदुःसहाम्
He saw before him the dreadful Brahmahatyā, unbearable in her terror.
बृहस्पतिर्महाभीतः सस्मार मधुसूदनम्
Bṛhaspati, greatly afraid, remembered Madhusūdana.
स्वल्पाक्षरा च बह्वर्था तां शुश्राव बृहस्पतिः
Bṛhaspati heard that brief yet profound utterance.
राधिके वचनं श्रुत्वा शिष्यं रक्षाधुनेति च
Hearing Rādhikā’s words, ‘Now protect your disciple,’