रक्षणार्थं च सर्वेषां भार्गवं मुनिसत्तमम् । समाहूय च संपूज्य स्थाप्य यज्ञे गुरुं परम्
For the protection of all, they summoned the illustrious sage Bhargava, honored him, and installed him as the supreme priest in the sacrifice.
व्यास उवाच इति सन्दिश्य दैत्येन्द्रान्महिषः पापधीस्तदा । जगाम त्वरितो राजन्भवनं स्वं मुदान्वितः
Vyāsa said: Having thus instructed the lords of the demons, Mahisha, whose mind was wicked, departed swiftly and joyfully to his own palace, O King.
भयातुरेन्द्रादिदेवैः सुरगुरुणा सह परामर्शवर्णनम् व्यास उवाच गते दूते सुरेन्द्रोऽपि समाहूय सुरानथ । यमवायुधनाध्यक्षवरुणानिदमूचिवान्
Vyāsa said: When the messenger had gone, the lord of the gods also summoned the gods, O lord, and addressed Yama, Vāyu, Dhanada, and Varuṇa as follows.
महिषो नाम दैत्येन्द्रो रम्भपुत्रो महाबलः । वरदर्पमदोन्मत्तो मायाशतविचक्षणः
Mahisha, the lord of the demons, son of Rambha, is of great strength, intoxicated by the pride of boons, maddened by arrogance, and skilled in a hundred kinds of magic.
तस्य दूतोऽद्य सम्प्राप्तः प्रेषितस्तेन भोः सुराः । स्वर्गकामेन लुब्धेन मामुवाचेदृशं वचः
Today, a messenger sent by him has arrived, O gods; desiring heaven and driven by greed, he spoke these words to me.
त्यज देवालयं शक्र यथेच्छं व्रज वासव । सेवां वा कुरु दैत्यस्य महिषस्य महात्मनः
Abandon the temple of the gods, O Śakra, and go wherever you wish, O Vāsava; or serve the great-souled demon Mahisha.
दयावान्दानवेन्द्रोऽसौ स ते वृत्तिं विधास्यति । नतेषु भृत्यभूतेषु न कुप्यति कदाचन
That lord of the Dānavas is compassionate; he will provide for your livelihood. He never becomes angry with those who submit and become his servants.
नोचेद्युद्धाय देवेश सेनोद्योगं कुरु स्वयम् । गते मयि स दैत्येन्द्रस्त्वरितः समुपेष्यति
But if not, O lord of the gods, prepare your army yourself for battle; for when I have gone, that lord of the demons will quickly approach.
इत्युक्त्वा स गतो दूतो दानवस्य दुरात्मनः । किं कर्तव्यमतः कार्यं चिन्तयध्वं सुरोत्तमाः
Having spoken thus, the messenger of that wicked demon departed. Now, O best of gods, consider what should be done.
दुर्बलोऽपि न चोपेक्ष्यः शत्रुर्बलवता सुराः । विशेषेण सदोद्योगी बलवान्बलदर्पितः
Even a weak enemy should not be disregarded by the gods, especially one who is ever diligent, strong, and proud of his strength.
उद्यमः किल कर्तव्यो यथाबुद्धि यथाबलम् । दैवाधीनो भवेन्नूनं जयो वाथ पराजयः
Indeed, effort must be made according to one’s understanding and strength; victory or defeat will surely depend on fate.
सन्धियोगो न चात्रास्ति खले सन्धिर्निरर्थकः । सर्वथा साधुभिः कार्यं विचार्य च पुनः पुनः
There can be no alliance here; a treaty with the wicked is useless. In every way, actions should be carefully considered again and again by the wise.
यानमप्यधुना नैव कर्तव्यं सहसा पुनः । प्रेक्षकाः प्रेषणीयाश्च शीघ्रगाः सुप्रवेशकाः
At present, no hasty march should be undertaken; rather, swift and skillful spies should be sent as observers.
इङ्गितज्ञाश्च निःसङ्गा निःस्पृहाः सत्यवादिनः । सेनाभियोगं प्रस्थानं बलसंख्यां यथार्थतः
They should be perceptive, impartial, unattached, and truthful, to ascertain the enemy’s military preparations, movements, and the true strength of his forces.
वीराणां च परिज्ञानं कृत्वायान्तु त्वरान्विताः । ज्ञात्वा दैत्यपतेस्तस्य सैन्यस्य च बलाबलम्
Having accurately assessed the valor of the warriors and the strengths and weaknesses of the demon lord and his army, let them return quickly.
करिष्यामि ततस्तूर्णं यानं वा दुर्गसंग्रहम् । विचार्य खलु कर्तव्यं कार्यं बुद्धिमता सदा । सहसा विहितं कार्यं दुःखदं सर्वथा भवेत्
Then, having learned this, I will promptly undertake either a campaign or the securing of fortresses. Indeed, the wise should always act after careful deliberation; actions done in haste invariably bring sorrow.
तस्माद्विमृश्य कर्तव्यं सुखदं सर्वथा बुधैः । नात्र भेदविधिर्न्याय्यो दानवेषु च सर्वथा
Therefore, the wise should always act after reflection, so that the result is happiness. Here, sowing discord among the Dānavas is by no means appropriate.
एकचित्तेषु कार्येऽस्मिंस्तस्माच्चारा व्रजन्तु वै । ज्ञात्वा बलाबलं तेषां पश्चान्नीतिर्विचार्य च
Since they are united in purpose regarding this matter, let spies be sent; after learning their strengths and weaknesses, strategy should then be considered.
विधेया विधिवत्तज्ज्ञैस्तेषु कार्यपरेषु च । अन्यथा विहितं कार्यं विपरीतफलप्रदम्
Actions must be performed properly by those who know the prescribed rules and are devoted to their duties; otherwise, if performed incorrectly, the action yields the opposite result.
सर्वथा तद्भवेन्नूनमज्ञातमौषधं यथा । व्यास उवाच इति सञ्चिन्त्य तैः सर्वैः प्रणिधिं कार्यवेदिनम्
In every way, it is certain to be so, just as an unknown medicine; Vyāsa said: Thus reflecting, all of them sent an expert in the matter to investigate.
प्रेषयामास देवेन्द्रः परिज्ञानाय पार्थिव । दूतस्तु त्वरितो गत्वा समागम्य सुराधिपम्
Then Indra dispatched a messenger to ascertain the facts about the king; the messenger, hurrying there, met with the lord of the gods.
निवेदयामास तदा सर्वसैन्यबलाबलम् । ज्ञात्वा तद्बलमुद्योगं तुराषाडतिविस्मितः
At that time, he reported all the strengths and weaknesses of the entire army; learning of their power and preparations, Turaṣāḍa was greatly astonished.
देवानचोदयत्तूर्णं समाहूय पुरोहितम् । मन्त्रं मन्त्रविदां श्रेष्ठं चकार त्रिदशेश्वरः
He quickly summoned the gods and called the chief priest; the lord of the gods performed the most excellent ritual among those who know mantras.
उवाचाङ्गिरसश्रेष्ठं समासीनं वरासने । इन्द्र उवाच भो भो देवगुरो विद्वन्किं कर्तव्यं वदस्व नः
He addressed the best of the Angirases, who was seated on a noble seat; Indra said: O revered teacher of the gods, wise one, tell us what must be done.
सर्वज्ञोऽसि समुत्पन्ने कार्ये त्वं गतिरद्य नः । दानवो महिषो नाम महावीर्यो मदान्वितः
You are all-knowing; in this situation, you are our refuge today. The demon named Mahiṣa, full of great strength and intoxication,
योद्धुकामः समायाति बहुभिर्दानवैर्वृतः । तत्र प्रतिक्रिया कार्या त्वया मन्त्रविदाधुना
Desires to fight and is approaching, surrounded by many demons; therefore, you, who are skilled in mantras, must now devise a countermeasure.
तेषां शुक्रस्तथा त्वं मे विघ्नहर्ता सुसंयतः । व्यास उवाच तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं प्राह तुरासाहं बृहस्पतिः
Among them, Śukra is their obstacle-remover, and you, self-controlled one, are ours; Vyāsa said: Hearing these words, Bṛhaspati spoke to Turaṣāha.
विचिन्त्य मनसा कामं कार्यसाधनतत्परः । गुरुरुवाच स्वस्थो भव सुरेन्द्र त्वं धैर्यमालम्ब्य मारिष
After considering in his mind, intent on accomplishing the task, the guru said: Compose yourself, O lord of the gods, take courage, O Indra.
व्यसने च समुत्पन्ने न त्याज्यं धैर्यमाशु वै । जयाजयौ सुराध्यक्ष दैवाधीनौ सदैव हि
Even when adversity arises, courage must never be abandoned; victory and defeat, O lord of the gods, are always dependent on fate.
स्थातव्यं धैर्यमालम्ब्य तस्माद् बुद्धिमता सदा । भवितव्यं भवत्येव जानन्नेव शतक्रतो
Therefore, the wise must always stand firm, relying on courage; whatever is destined will certainly happen, O Śatakratu, knowing this.