चन्द्रभागानदीतीरे वटमूले मनोहरे । तत्र तस्थौ महादेवो देवविस्तारहेतवे
On the charming bank of the river Chandrabhaga, beneath a banyan tree, there Mahadeva stood, for the sake of the gods' cause.
दूतं कृत्वा चित्ररथं गन्धर्वेश्वरमीप्सितम् । शीघ्रं प्रस्थापयामास शङ्खचूडान्तिकं मुदा
Appointing Chitraratha, the lord of the Gandharvas, as his messenger, he joyfully sent him quickly to Shankhachuda.
सर्वेश्वराज्ञया शीघ्रं ययौ तन्नगरं परम् । महेन्द्रनगरोत्कृष्टं कुबेरभवनाधिकम्
By the command of the Lord of all, he swiftly went to that supreme city, surpassing even Mahendra's city and Kubera's palace.
पञ्चयोजनविस्तीर्णं दैर्घ्ये तद् द्विगुणं भवेत् । स्फटिकाकारमणिभिर्निर्मितं यानवेष्टितम्
It was five yojanas wide and twice as long, built of crystal-like jewels, encircled by vehicles.
सप्तभिः परिखाभिश्च दुर्गमाभिः समन्वितम् । ज्वलदग्निनिभैः शश्वत्कल्पितं रत्नकोटिभिः
It was fortified with seven moats, difficult to cross, always adorned with blazing, fire-like, countless jewels.
युक्तं च वीथीशतकैर्मणिवेदिविचित्रितैः । परितो वणिजां सौधैर्नानावस्तुविराजितैः
It was furnished with hundreds of streets, adorned with gem-studded platforms, and surrounded by the mansions of merchants, resplendent with various goods.
सिन्दूराकारमणिभिर्निर्मितैश्च विचित्रितैः । भूषितं भूषितैर्दिव्यैराश्रमैः शतकोटिभिः
It was decorated with vermilion-colored jewels, beautifully crafted, and adorned with countless divine hermitages.
गत्वा ददर्श तन्मध्ये शङ्खचूडालयं परम् । अतीव वलयाकारं यथा पूर्णेन्दुमण्डलम्
Having entered, he saw in the midst of it the supreme abode of Shankhachuda, exceedingly circular, like the full moon's disk.
ज्वलदग्निशिखाक्ताभिः परिखाभिश्चतसृभिः । तद्दुर्गमं च शत्रूणामन्येषां सुगमं सुखम्
It was made difficult for enemies by four moats filled with blazing tongues of fire, yet easy and pleasant for others.
अत्युच्चैर्गगनस्पर्शिमणिशृङ्गविराजितम् । राजितं द्वादशद्वारैर्द्वारपालसमन्वितम्
It shone with jewel peaks touching the sky, exceedingly high, and was adorned with twelve gates, each with its own gatekeeper.
मणीन्द्रसारनिर्माणैः शोभितं लक्षमन्दिरैः । शोभितं रत्नसोपानै रत्नस्तम्भविराजितम्
It was splendid with a hundred thousand mansions built of the best jewels, shining with jewel stairways and radiant jewel pillars.
तद् दृष्ट्वा पुष्पदन्तोऽपि वरं द्वारं ददर्श सः । द्वारे नियुक्तं पुरुषं शूलहस्तं च सस्मितम्
Seeing that, Pushpadanta also saw the excellent gate, where a man was stationed, holding a trident, smiling.
तिष्ठन्तं पिङ्गलाक्षं च ताम्रवर्णं भयङ्करम् । कथयामास वृत्तान्तं जगाम तदनुज्ञया
Standing there was a man with tawny eyes and coppery complexion, fearsome; he recounted the events and, with his permission, proceeded.
अतिक्रम्य च तद्द्वारं जगामाभ्यन्तरं पुनः । न कोऽपि रक्षति श्रुत्वा दूतरूपं रणस्य च
Passing through that gate, he entered further inside; hearing that he was a messenger and the news of battle, no one stopped him.
गत्वा सोऽभ्यन्तरद्वारं द्वारपालमुवाच ह । रणस्य सर्ववृत्तान्तं विज्ञापयत माचिरम्
Having reached the inner gate, he spoke to the gatekeeper, 'Quickly inform about all the events of the battle.'
स च तं कथयित्वा च दूतो गन्तुमुवाच ह । स गत्वा शङ्खचूडं तं ददर्श सुमनोहरम्
After telling him, the messenger was told to proceed; going in, he saw Shankhachuda, exceedingly charming.
राजमण्डलमध्यस्थं स्वर्णसिंहासने स्थितम् । मणीन्द्ररचितं दिव्यं रत्नदण्डसमन्वितम्
Seated at the center of the royal domain, upon a golden throne, adorned with a divine scepter crafted by the lord of jewels.
रत्नकृत्रिमपुष्पैश्च प्रशस्तैः शोभितं सदा । भृत्येन मस्तकन्यस्तं स्वर्णच्छत्रं मनोहरम्
Always resplendent with exquisite artificial flowers made of gems, and a captivating golden parasol placed upon his head by a servant.
सेवितं पार्षदगणै रुचिरैः श्वेतचामरैः । सुवेषं सुन्दरं रम्यं रत्नभूषणभूषितम्
Attended by groups of courtiers, with elegant white fly-whisks, beautifully attired, handsome and delightful, adorned with jewel ornaments.
माल्येन लेपनं सूक्ष्मं सुवस्त्रं दधतं मुने । दानवेन्द्रैः परिवृतं सुवेषैश्च त्रिकोटिभिः
Wearing a fine garland, subtle ointment, and splendid garments, O sage, surrounded by three crore demon chiefs, all splendidly dressed.
शतकोटिभिरन्यैश्च भ्रमद्भिरस्त्रपाणिभिः । एवंभूतञ्च तं दृष्ट्वा पुष्पदन्तः सविस्मयः
And by a hundred crore others, roaming with weapons in hand; seeing him thus, Pushpadanta was filled with wonder.
उवाच स च वृत्तान्तं यदुक्तं शङ्करेण च । पुष्पदन्त उवाच राजेन्द्र शिवभृत्योऽहं पुष्पदन्ताभिधः प्रभो
He spoke the account as told by Shankara; Pushpadanta said: 'O king, I am a devotee of Shiva, known as Pushpadanta, O lord.'
यदुक्तं शङ्करेणैव तद् ब्रवीमि निशामय । राज्यं देहि च देवानामधिकारं च साम्प्रतम्
What was spoken by Shankara, I now declare; listen: Grant the kingdom to the gods and their authority at this time.
देवाश्च शरणापन्ना देवेशं श्रीहरिं परम् । हरिर्दत्त्वास्य शूलं च तेन प्रस्थापितः शिवः
The gods, having sought refuge in the supreme lord Hari, received the trident from him, and with it Shiva was dispatched.
पुष्पभद्रानदीतीरे वटमूले त्रिलोचनः । विषयं देहि तेषां च युद्धं वा कुरु निश्चितम्
At the bank of the Pushpabhadra river, beneath a banyan tree, the three-eyed one says: 'Grant them territory, or else certainly wage war.'
गत्वा वक्ष्यामि किं शम्भुमथ तद्वद मामपि । दूतस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा शङ्खचूडः प्रहस्य च
Go and tell Shambhu, or else inform me as well; hearing the messenger's words, Shankhachuda laughed.
प्रभातेऽहं गमिष्यामि त्वं च गच्छेत्युवाच ह । स गत्वोवाच तं तूर्णं वटमूलस्थमीश्वरम्
He said, 'In the morning I will go; you may depart.' So he went swiftly and reported to the lord beneath the banyan tree.
शङ्खचूडस्य वचनं तदीयं तन्मुखोदितम् । एतस्मिन्नन्तरे स्कन्द आजगाम शिवान्तिकम्
He conveyed Shankhachuda's words, as spoken from his mouth; meanwhile, Skanda arrived before Shiva.
वीरभद्रश्च नन्दी च महाकालः सुभद्रकः । विशालाक्षश्च बाणश्च पिङ्गलाक्षो विकम्पनः
Virabhadra, Nandi, Mahakala, Subhadraka, Vishalaksha, Bana, Pingalāksha, and Vikampana.
विरूपो विकृतिश्चैव मणिभद्रश्च बाष्कलः । कपिलाख्यो दीर्घदंष्ट्रो विकटस्ताम्रलोचनः
Virupa, Vikriti, Manibhadra, Bashkala, Kapila, Dirghadamshtra, Vikata, and Tamralochana.