तदा तवाऽपि दैत्येंद्र समृद्धिः संस्मृता मया
Then, O lord of the Daityas, I also remembered your prosperity.
त्वत्समृद्धिमिमां पश्यन्स्त्रीरत्नरहितां धुवम्
Beholding this prosperity of yours, though lacking the jewel among women,
अप्सरोनागकन्याद्या यद्यपि त्वद्वशे स्थिताः
Even though Apsarases, Nāga maidens, and others are under your control,
यस्या लावण्यजलधौ निमग्नश्चतुराननः
Yet she, in whose ocean of beauty even the Four-faced One is immersed,
वीतरागोऽपि हि यथा मदनारिः स्वलीलया 2.4.17.
Even the passionless enemy of Madana, by his own play,
यस्याः पुनः पुनः पश्यन्रूपं धाताऽपि सर्जने
Whose form, when seen again and again, inspires the Creator himself in creation—
अतः स्त्रीरत्नसंभोक्तुः समृद्धिस्तस्य सा वरा
Therefore, the woman-jewel whom he enjoyed became his great fortune.
एवमुक्त्वा तमामंत्र्य गते सति स दैत्यराट्
Having spoken thus and taken leave of him, when he had departed, the king of the Daityas—
अथ संप्रेषयामास स दूतं सिंहिकासुतम्
Then he sent a messenger, the son of Siṃhikā.
कैलासमगमद्राहुः कुर्वञ्छुक्लेंदुवर्चसम्
Rāhu reached Kailāsa, shining with the radiance of the bright moon.
निवेदितस्तदेशाय नंदिना प्रविवेश सः
Announced to the lord of that place by Nandin, he entered.
सर्वरत्नेश्वरस्य त्वमाज्ञां शृणु वृषध्वज
Hear the command of the Lord of all jewels, O Bull-bannered One.
स्मशानवासिनो नित्यमस्थिभारवहस्य च
Of him who dwells always in the cremation ground, bearing the burden of bones.
अहं रत्नाधिनाथोऽस्मि सा च स्त्रीरत्नसंज्ञिका
I am the lord of jewels, and she is known as the woman-jewel.
अभवत्पुरुषो रौद्रस्तीव्राशनिसमस्वनः ।। 2.4.17.
A fierce man arose, whose voice was like a thunderbolt.
सिंहास्यः प्रललज्जिह्वः स ज्वलन्नयनो महान्
He had the face of a lion, a quivering tongue, and great blazing eyes.
स तं खादितुमायांतं दृष्ट्वा राहुर्भयातुरः
Seeing him coming to devour, Rāhu was seized by fear.
स च राहुर्महाबाहो मेघगम्भीरया गिरा
And Rāhu, mighty-armed, with a voice deep as thunderclouds—
ब्राह्मणं मां महादेव खादितुं समुपागतः
O great god, I am a Brāhmaṇa whom you have come to devour.
नैवाऽसौ वध्यतामेति दूतोऽयं परवान्यतः
He is not to be slain; he is a messenger and under another's command.
राहुं त्यक्त्वाऽथ पुरुषस्तदा रुद्रं व्यजिज्ञपत् पुरुष उवाच क्षुधा मां वाधतेऽत्यंतं क्षुत्क्षामश्चाऽस्मि सर्वथा
Then, leaving Rāhu, that man addressed Rudra: The man said: Hunger torments me greatly; I am utterly emaciated by hunger.
किं भक्षयामि देवेश तदाज्ञापय मां प्रभो ईश्वर उवाच भक्षयस्वात्मनः शीघ्रं मांसं त्वं हस्तपादयोः
What shall I eat, O Lord of gods? Command me, Master. Īśvara said: Quickly eat the flesh of your own hands and feet.
हस्तपादोद्भवं मांसं शिरःशेषो यथाऽभवत्
He ate the flesh of his hands and feet, so that only the head remained.
दृष्ट्वा शिरोऽवशेषं तं सुप्रसन्नस्तदा शिवः
Seeing him with only the head remaining, Śiva was then greatly pleased.
त्वदर्चां ये न कुर्वंति नैव ते मे प्रियंकराः ।। 2.4.17.
Those who do not perform your worship are certainly not dear to me.
* नार्चयन्तीह ये पूर्वं तेषामर्चा वृथा भवेत्
Those who did not worship here before—their worship now becomes fruitless.
राहुर्विमुक्तो यस्तेन सोऽपि तद्बर्बरे स्थले
He who was released from Rāhu, even he remained in that barbaric place.
ततः स राहुः पुनरेव जातमात्मानमस्मिन्निति मन्यमानः
Then that Rāhu, thinking 'I have been born again here,'
निर्जगामाऽऽशु दैत्यानां कोटिभिः परिवारितः
He swiftly emerged, surrounded by millions of Daityas.
गच्छतोऽस्याऽग्रतः शुक्रो राहुर्दृष्टिपथेऽभवत्
As he advanced, Śukra and Rāhu came into his line of sight.