योनिभक्षो वृषपर्वा लिंगभक्षोथ वै कुरुः। निःप्रभः सप्रभः श्रीमांस्तथैव च निरूदरः
Yonibhaksha, Vrishaparva, Lingabhaksha, and also Vairuru; Nihprabha, Saprabha, the illustrious one, and likewise Nirudara.
एकचक्रो महाचक्रो द्विचक्रः कुलसंभवः। शरभः शलभश्चैव क्रपथः क्रापथः क्रथः
Ekachakra, Mahachakra, Dvichakra, Kulasambhava, Sharabha, Shalabha, Krapatha, Krapatha, and Kratha.
बृहद्वांतिर्महाजिह्वः शंकुकर्णो महाध्वनिः। दीर्घजिह्वोर्कनयनो मृडकायो मृडप्रियः
Brihadvanti, Mahajihva, Shankukarṇa, Mahadhvani, Dirghajihva, Urkanayana, Mridakaya, and Mridapriya.
वायुर्गरिष्ठो नमुचिश्शम्बरो विज्वरो विभुः। विष्वक्सेनश्चंद्रहर्ता क्रोधवर्द्धन एव च
Vayu, Garishta, Namuchi, Shambara, Vijvara, Vibhu, Vishvaksena, Chandraharta, and Krodhavardhana as well.
कालकः कलकांतश्च कुंडदः समरप्रियः। गरिष्ठश्च वरिष्ठश्च प्रलंबो नरकः पृथुः
Kalaka, Kalakanta, Kundada, beloved of battle, Garishta, Varishta, Pralamba, Naraka, and Prithu.
इंद्रतापन वातापी केतुमान्बलदर्पितः। असिलोमा सुलोमा च बाष्कलि प्रमदो मदः
Indratapana, Vatapi, Ketuman, proud in strength, Asiloma, Suloma, Bashkali, Pramada, and Mada.
सृगालवदनश्चैव केशी च शरदस्तथा। एकाक्षश्चैव राहुश्च वृत्रः क्रोधविमोक्षणः
There were also Sṛgāla-faced, Keśī, Śarada, Ekākṣa, Rāhu, Vṛtra, and Krodhavimokṣaṇa.
एते चान्ये च बहवो दानवा बलवर्द्धनाः। ब्रह्माणं पर्युपासंत वाक्यं चेदमथोचिरे
These and many other powerful Dānavas gathered around Brahmā, and spoke these words:
त्वया सृष्टाः स्म भगवंस्त्रैलोक्यं भवता हि नः। दत्तं सुरवरश्रेष्ठ देवेभ्यधिकाः कृताः
O Lord, we were created by you; you have not given us the three worlds, but you have granted the best of boons to the gods, making them superior.
भगवन्निह किं कुर्मो यज्ञे तव पितामह। यद्धितं तद्वदास्माकं समर्थाः कार्यनिर्णये
O Lord, Grandfather, what should we do here at your sacrifice? Tell us what is beneficial for us, for we are capable of carrying out any task.
किमेभिस्ते वराकैश्च अदितेर्गर्भसंभवैः। दैवतैर्निहतैः सर्वैः पराभूतैश्च सर्वदा
What use are these wretched ones, the gods born from Aditi's womb, who are always defeated and slain by us?
पितामहोसि सर्वेषामस्माकं दैवतैः सह। तव यज्ञसमाप्तौ च पुनरस्मासु दैवतैः
You are the Grandfather of all, both ours and the gods'; at the completion of your sacrifice, let the gods return to us again.
श्रियं प्रति विरोधश्च भविष्यति न संशयः। इदानीं प्रेक्षणं कुर्मः सहिताः सर्वदानवैः
There will surely be conflict regarding prosperity; now, together with all the Dānavas, we will simply observe.
पुलस्त्य उवाच। सगर्वं तु वचस्तेषां श्रुत्वा देवो जनार्दनः। शक्रेण सहितः शंभुमिदमाह महायशाः
Pulastya said: Hearing their proud words, the illustrious god Janārdana, together with Śakra, spoke these words to Śaṃbhu:
विघ्नं प्रकर्तुं वै रुद्र आयाता दनुपुंगवाः। ब्रह्मणामंत्रिताश्चेह विघ्नार्थं प्रयतंति ते
The foremost Dānavas have come here, summoned by Brahmā, along with Rudra, to create obstacles; they are striving to cause hindrance.
अस्माभिस्तु क्षमाकार्या यावद्यज्ञः समाप्यते। समाप्ते तु क्रतावस्मिन्युद्धं कार्यं दिवौकसां
But we must be patient until the sacrifice is completed; when the rite is finished, the gods should engage in battle.
यथानिर्दानवा भूमिस्तथा कार्यं त्वया विभो। जयार्थं चेह शक्रस्य भवता च मया सह
O mighty one, you must act so that the earth is rid of Dānavas, and for the victory of Śakra, together with you and me.
द्विजानां परिवेष्टारो मरुतः परिकल्पिताः। दानवानां धनं यच्च गृहीत्वा तद्यजामहे
The Maruts have been appointed as attendants for the twice-born; taking the wealth of the Dānavas, we will offer it in sacrifice.
अत्रागतेषु विप्रेषु दुःखितेषु जनेष्विह। व्ययं तस्य करिष्यामो दासभावे निवेशिताः
When the Brāhmaṇas have arrived here and the people are afflicted, we will bring about his downfall, having been reduced to servitude.
वदंतमेवं तं विष्णुं ब्रह्मा वचनमब्रवीत्। एते दनुसुताः क्रुद्धा युष्माकं कोपनेप्सिताः
As Viṣṇu was speaking thus, Brahmā said: These sons of Danu are angry and wish to provoke your wrath.
भवता च क्षमा कार्या रुद्रेण सह दैवतैः। कृते युगावसाने तु समाप्तिं चक्रतौ गते
You must be patient, together with Rudra and the gods; when the rite is completed at the end of the age, then act.
मया च प्रेषिता यूयमेते च दनुपुंगवाः। संधिर्वा विग्रहो वापि सर्वैः कार्यस्तदैव हि
I have sent both you and these foremost Dānavas; whether peace or conflict, let all act accordingly at that time.
पुलस्त्य उवाच। पुनस्तान्दानवान्ब्रह्मा वाक्यमाह स्वयंप्रभुः। दानवैर्न विरोधोत्र यज्ञे मम कथंचन
Pulastya said: Then Brahmā himself spoke to the Dānavas: 'There must be no conflict with the gods at my sacrifice.'
मैत्रभावस्थिता यूयमस्मत्कार्ये च नित्यशः। दानवा ऊचुः। सर्वमेतत्करिष्यामः शासनं ते पितामह
'You must always remain friendly and support my purpose.' The Dānavas said: 'We will do everything as you command, Grandfather.'
अस्माकमनुजा देवा भयं तेषां न विद्यते। पुलस्त्य उवाच। एतच्छुत्वा तदा तेषां परितुष्टः पितामहः
The gods are our descendants; they have nothing to fear from them. Pulastya said: Upon hearing this, their grandfather was pleased.
मुहूर्तं तिष्ठतां तेषामृषिकोटिरुपागता। श्रुत्वा पैतामहं यज्ञं तेषां पूजां तु केशवः
As they stood for a moment, a multitude of sages arrived. Hearing of their ancestral sacrifice, Keśava accepted their worship.
आसनानि ददौ तेषां तदा देवः पिनाकधृत्। वसिष्ठोर्घं ददौ तेषां ब्रह्मणा परिचोदितः
Then the god who bears the Pināka gave them seats. Vasiṣṭha, prompted by Brahmā, offered them libations.
गामर्घं च ततो दत्वा पृष्ट्वा कुशलमव्ययम्। निवेशं पुष्करे दत्वा स्थीयतामिति चाब्रवीत्
After giving them cow-offerings, and inquiring about their unchanging welfare, he granted them a dwelling at Puṣkara and said, 'Remain here.'
ततस्ते ऋषयः सर्वे जटाजिनधरास्तथा। शोभयंतः सरःश्रेष्ठं गङ्गामिव दिवौकसः
Then all the sages, wearing matted locks and deerskins, adorned the excellent lake, like the celestials beautifying the Ganges.
मुंडाः काषायिणश्चैके दीर्घश्मश्रुधराः परे। विरलैर्दशनैः केचिच्चिपिटाक्षास्तथा परे
Some were shaven-headed and clad in ochre robes; others had long beards. Some had sparse teeth, and others bulging eyes.