नारद उवाच संकष्टनाशनंनाम स्तोत्रमेतत्पठेन्नरः
Nārada said: A man should recite this hymn called 'The Remover of Distress.'
इति देवाः स्तुतिं यावत्कुर्वंति दनुजद्विषः
Thus, as long as the gods, the enemies of the Dānavas, were offering praise—
सहसोत्थाय दैत्यारिः सक्रोधः खिन्नमानसः
Suddenly, the enemy of the Daityas rose up, filled with anger and a troubled mind.
तैराहूतो गमिष्यामि युद्धायाद्य त्वरान्वितः
Summoned by them, I will go today, eager for battle.
तत्कथं ते मम भ्राता युद्धे वध्यः कृपानिधे
How then, O ocean of compassion, can my brother be slain by you in battle?
श्रीभगवानुवाच रुद्रांशसंभवत्वाच्च ब्रह्मणो वचनादपि 2.4.16.
The Blessed Lord said: Because he was born from a portion of Rudra, and also by the word of Brahmā—
विष्णुर्वेगाद्ययौ योद्धुं यत्र देवाः स्तुवंति ते
Viṣṇu, with great speed, went to fight where the gods were praising you.
अथाऽरुणानुजात्युग्रपक्षवातप्रपीडिताः
Then, the followers of Aruṇa, afflicted by the fierce winds of his wings—
ततो जलंधरो दृष्ट्वा दैत्यान्वात्याप्रपीडितान्
Thereupon, seeing the Daityas oppressed by the storm, Jalandhara—
ततः समभवद्युद्धं विष्णुदैत्येंद्रयोर्महत्
Then a great battle arose between Viṣṇu and the lord of the Daityas.
विष्णुर्दैत्यस्य बाणौघैर्ध्वजं छत्रं धनुर्हयान्
Viṣṇu, with volleys of arrows, struck down the demon's banner, umbrella, bow, and horses.
ततो दैत्यः समुत्पत्य गदापाणिस्त्वरान्वितः
Then the demon leapt up, mace in hand, rushing forward with speed.
विष्णुर्गदां स्वखङ्गेन चिच्छेद प्रहसन्निव
Viṣṇu, as if laughing, cut down the mace with his own sword.
ततस्तौ बाहुयुद्धेन युयुधाते महाबलौ
Then those two mighty ones fought each other with their arms.
एवं तौ सुचिरं युद्धं कृत्वा विष्णुः प्रतापवान्
Thus, after fighting for a long time, Viṣṇu, full of splendor—
अदेयमपि ते दद्मि यत्ते मनसि वर्तते ।। 2.4.16.
Even what cannot be given, I grant you—whatever is in your mind.
जलंधर उवाच यदि भावुक तुष्टोऽसि वरमेनं ददस्व मे
Jalandhara said: If you are truly pleased, grant me this boon.
तदा जलंधरपुरमगमद्रमया सह
Then he went to the city of Jalandhara together with Rama.
जलंधरस्तु देवानामधिकारेषु दानवान्
But Jalandhara placed the Dānavas in authority over the domains of the gods.
देवगंधर्वसिद्धेषु यत्किंचिद्रत्नसंयुतम्
Whatever treasures adorned with jewels were among the gods, Gandharvas, and Siddhas,
पातालभुवने दैत्यं निशुंभं स महाबलम्
In the subterranean world, he subdued the mighty Daitya Niśumbha.
देवगंधर्वसिद्धाऽऽद्यान्सर्पराक्षसमानुषान्
He brought under his control the gods, Gandharvas, Siddhas, and others—serpents, Rākṣasas, and humans.
एवं जलंधरः कृत्वा देवान्स्ववशवर्तिनः
Thus, having made the gods obedient to his will, Jalandhara
न कश्चिद्व्याधितो नैव दुःखी नैव कृतस्तथा
No one was afflicted by disease, nor was anyone sorrowful or harmed.
एवं महीं शासति दानवेंद्रे धर्मेण सम्यक्च दिदृक्षयाऽहम्
Thus, when the lord of the Dānavas ruled the earth righteously and with true intent, I wished to see it.
संप्रहस्य तदा वाक्यं स्नेहपूर्वं च वै नृप
Then, with a smile, he spoke these words to the king, filled with affection.
कुत आगम्यते ब्रह्मन्किचिद्दृष्टं त्वया प्रभो
From where have you come, O Brahman? Have you seen anything, O lord?
तत्रोमया समासीनं दृष्टवानस्मि शंकरम्
There I saw Śaṅkara seated.
योजनायुतविस्तीर्णे कल्पवृक्षमहावने
In a great forest of wish-fulfilling trees, stretching for ten thousand yojanas.
तद्दृष्ट्वा महदाश्चर्यं विस्मयो मेऽभवत्तदा
Seeing that great wonder, I was filled with astonishment at that time.