स्वकीयैर्वाहनैः सर्वे ययुविष्णपुरं प्रति । मुदिताः शकुनान्दृष्ट्वा कार्यसिद्धिकराञ्छुभान्
All of them, delighted by seeing auspicious birds that ensure the success of their endeavor, went towards Vishnu's city on their own vehicles.
ववुर्वाताः शुभाः शान्ताः सुगन्धाः शुभशंसिनः । पक्षिणश्च शिवा वाचस्तत्रोचुः पथि सर्वशः
Auspicious, gentle, fragrant breezes blew, bearing good omens; and everywhere along the way, auspicious birds uttered propitious words.
निर्मलं चाभवद्व्योम दिशश्च विमलास्तथा । गमने तत्र देवानां सर्वं शुभमिवाभवत्
The sky became clear, and the directions likewise pure; for the gods on their journey, everything appeared auspicious.
देव्याः स्वरूपोद्भववर्णनम् व्यास उवाच तरसा तेऽथ सम्प्राप्य वैकुण्ठं विष्णुवल्लभम् । ददृशुः सर्वशोभाढ्यं दिव्यसद्मविराजितम्
Vyasa said: Then, swiftly reaching Vaikuntha, beloved of Vishnu, they beheld it resplendent with every kind of beauty, adorned with divine mansions.
सरोवापीसरिद्भिश्च संयुतं सुखदं शुभम् । हंससारसचक्राह्वैः कूजद्भिश्च विराजितम्
It was endowed with lakes, ponds, and rivers, delightful and auspicious, and graced by flocks of swans, cranes, and chakravaka birds, all singing melodiously.
चम्पकाशोककह्लारमन्दारबकुलावृतैः । मल्लिकातिलकाम्रातयुतैः कुरबकादिभिः
It was surrounded by campaka, ashoka, kahlara, mandara, and bakula trees, together with jasmine, tilaka, mango, kurabaka, and others.
कोकिलारावसन्नादैः शिखण्डैर्नृत्यरञ्जितैः । भ्रमरारावरम्यैश्च दिव्यैरुपवनैर्युतम्
It was adorned with divine groves, where the calls of cuckoos resounded, peacocks danced in delight, and bees hummed sweetly.
सुनन्दनन्दनाद्यैश्च पार्षदैर्भक्तितत्परैः । संस्तुवद्भिर्युतं भक्तैरनन्यभववृत्तिभिः
It was filled with attendants like Sunanda and Nandana, devoted to service, and with worshippers whose minds were wholly fixed in devotion, singing praises.
प्रासादै रत्नखचितैः काञ्चनैश्चित्रमण्डितैः । अभ्रंलिहैर्विराजद्भिः संयुतं शुभसद्मकैः
It was adorned with palaces inlaid with jewels, decorated with gold, shining like clouds, and filled with auspicious dwellings.
गायद्भिर्देवगन्धर्वैर्नृत्यद्भिरप्सरोगणैः । रञ्जितं किन्नरैः शश्वद्रक्तकण्ठेर्मनोहरैः
It was enlivened by gods and gandharvas singing, hosts of apsaras dancing, and kinnaras, ever charming with their melodious voices.
मुनिभिश्च तथा शान्तैर्वेदपाठकृतादरैः । स्तुवद्भिः श्रुतिसूक्तैश्च मण्डितं सदनं हरेः
There were also peaceful sages, reverently reciting the Vedas, and praising with hymns from the scriptures, adorning the abode of Hari.
ते च विष्णुगृहं प्राप्य द्वारपालौ शुभाकृती । वीक्ष्योचुर्जयविजयौ हेमयष्टिधरौ स्थितौ
And when they reached Vishnu's abode, they saw the two doorkeepers, Jay and Vijay, of auspicious form, standing there holding golden staffs.
गत्वैकोऽप्युभयोर्मध्ये निवेदयतु सङ्गतान् । द्वारस्थान् ब्रह्मरुद्रादीन्विष्णुदर्शनलालसान्
Let one of you go between the two and announce to him those assembled at the gate—Brahma, Rudra, and the others—who long to see Vishnu.
व्यास उवाच विजयस्तद्वचः श्रुत्वा गत्वाथ विष्णुसन्निधौ । सर्वान्समागतान्देवान्प्रणम्योवाच सत्वरः
Vyasa said: Hearing these words, Vijay went to Vishnu's presence, and, after bowing, quickly announced that all the assembled gods had arrived.
विजय उवाच देवदेव महाराज रमाकान्त सुरारिहन् । समागताः सुराः सर्वे द्वारि तिष्ठन्ति वै विभो
Vijaya said: O Lord of gods, great king, beloved of Lakshmi, destroyer of the enemies of the gods, all the gods have assembled and are standing at your door, O mighty one.
ब्रह्मा रुद्रस्तथेन्द्रश्च वरुणः पावको यमः । स्तुवन्ति वेदवाक्यैस्त्वाममरा दर्शनार्थिनः
Brahma, Rudra, Indra, Varuna, Agni, and Yama—all the immortals, desiring your audience, praise you with words from the Vedas.
व्यास उवाच तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं विष्णर्विजयस्य रमापतिः । निर्जगाम गृहात्तूर्णं सुरान्समधिकोत्सवः
Vyasa said: Hearing Vijaya's words, Vishnu, the husband of Lakshmi, quickly left his house, filled with even greater joy to see the gods.
गत्वा वीक्ष्य हरिर्देवान्द्वारस्थाञ्छ्रमकर्शितान् । प्रीतिप्रवणया दृष्ट्या प्रीणयामास दुःखितान्
Going forth, Hari saw the gods standing at the door, worn out by hardship, and with a gaze full of affection, he comforted those who were distressed.
प्रणेमुस्ते सुराः सर्वे देवदेवं जनार्दनम् । तुष्टुवुश्च सुरारिघ्नं वाग्भिर्वेदविनिश्चितम्
All the gods bowed to Janardana, Lord of gods, and praised the destroyer of the enemies of the gods with words established in the Vedas.
देवा ऊचुः देवदेव जगन्नाथ सृष्टिस्थित्यन्तकारक । दयासिन्धो महाराज त्राहि नः शरणागतान्
The gods said: O Lord of gods, Lord of the universe, cause of creation, preservation, and destruction, ocean of compassion, great king, protect us who have come to you for refuge.
विष्णुरुवाच विशन्तु निर्जराः सर्वे कुशलं कथयन्तु वः । आसनेषु किमर्थं वै मिलिताः समुपागताः
Vishnu said: Let all the immortals enter and tell me of your well-being. For what reason have you all gathered here and taken your seats?
चिन्तातुराः कथं जाता विषण्णा दीनमानसाः । ब्रह्मरुद्रेण सहिताः कार्यं प्रब्रूत सत्वरम्
How have you become so troubled, despondent, and downcast in spirit, even though you are with Brahma and Rudra? Quickly tell me what needs to be done.
देवा ऊचुः महिषेण महाराज पीडिताः पापकर्मणा । असाध्येनातिदुष्टेन वरदृप्तेन पापिना
The gods said: O great king, we are afflicted by Mahisha, who is wicked in deed, unconquerable, extremely evil, and arrogant from the boon he received.
यज्ञभागानसौ भुंक्ते ब्राह्मणैः प्रतिपादितान् । अमरा गिरिदुर्गेषु भ्रमन्ति च भयातुराः
He consumes the shares of sacrifice allotted by the Brahmins, and the immortals, terrified, wander among the mountain fortresses.
वरदानेन धातुः स दुर्जयो मधुसूदन । तस्मात्त्वां शरणं प्राप्ता ज्ञात्वा तत्कार्यगौरवम्
By the boon given by the Creator, O slayer of Madhu, he is invincible; therefore, knowing the gravity of this matter, we have come to you for refuge.
समर्थोऽसि समुद्धर्तुं दैत्यमायाविशारद । कुरु कृष्ण वधोपायं तस्य दानवमर्दन
You are capable of rescuing us from the demon skilled in sorcery; O Krishna, destroyer of the Danavas, devise a means to slay him.
धात्रा तस्मै वरो दत्तो ह्यवध्योऽसि नरैः किल । का स्त्री त्वेवंविधा बाला या हन्यात्तं शठं रणे
The Creator granted him the boon that he cannot be slain by men; what woman, even a young girl, could kill that deceitful one in battle?
उमा मा वा शची विद्या का समर्थास्य घातने । महिषस्यातिदुष्टस्य वरदानबलादपि
Could Uma, or Shachi, or Vidya, or any woman, even with great power, be capable of killing Mahisha, who is so wicked and strengthened by the boon?
विचिन्त्य बुद्ध्या यत्सर्वं मरणस्यास्य कारणम् । कुरु कार्यं च देवानां भक्तवत्सल भूधर
Consider with your wisdom all that could be the cause of his death, and, O beloved of the devotees, do what is necessary for the gods, O mountain-like one.
व्यास उवाच श्रुत्वा तद्वचनं विष्णुस्तानुवाच हसन्निव । युद्धं कृतं पुरास्माभिस्तथापि न मृतो ह्यसौ
Vyasa said: Hearing these words, Vishnu replied to them with a smile: 'We have fought him before, yet he has not been slain.'