यावद्भावा ह्यनेकाश्च इंद्रियार्थास्तथैव च ८.
As long as there are many states and likewise the objects of the senses.
जितेंद्रियाणां शांतानां तन्निष्ठानां महात्मनाम् ८.
For those who have conquered the senses, who are peaceful, steadfast in that, and great-souled.
तदा ब्रह्मादयो देवा ऋषयश्च विपश्चितः तत्सर्वं कथयान्यं च रावणस्य तपोबलम्॥ ८.
Then Brahma and the other gods, as well as the wise sages, narrated everything, including the extraordinary power of Ravana's austerities.
कुबेरोऽधिकृतस्तेन शंकरेण महात्मना ८.
Kubera was appointed by the great-souled Shankara.
आगच्छत्त्वरया युक्तः समारुह्य स्ववाहनम् ८.
He came swiftly, mounting his own vehicle.
त्वया दृष्टोऽथ वात्रासौ कथ्यतामविलंबितम् ८.
If you have seen him here, speak without delay.
तदोवाच महातेजा रावणो लोकरावणः ८.
Then Ravana, radiant and renowned among the worlds, spoke.
शिक्षापयितुमारब्धो मैवं कार्यमिति प्रभो तथा त्वं भव रे मूढ मा मूढत्वमुपार्जय॥ ८.
He began to instruct, saying, 'Do not act in this way, O Lord. Thus, become wise; do not acquire foolishness.'
अहं मूढः कृतस्तेन कुबेरेण महात्मना ८.
I was made foolish by Kubera, the great-souled one.
कुबेरः स हि नंदिन्किमागतस्तव मंदिरम् ८.
Has Kubera, indeed, come to your abode, Nandi?
रावणस्य वचः श्रुत्वा ह्यवोचं त्वरितोऽप्यहम् ८.
Hearing Ravana's words, I quickly replied.
उभयोः समनां ज्ञात्वा वृथा जल्पसि दुर्मते ८.
Knowing the equality of both, you speak vainly, O misguided one.
यथा भवद्भिः पृष्टोऽहं वदनार्थे महात्मभिः शिवेन दत्तं सालूप्यं न गृहीतं मया तदा॥ ८.
As I was questioned by you great souls for the sake of speech, the proximity granted by Shiva was not accepted by me at that time.
याचितं च मया शंभोर्वदनं वानरस्य च ८.
I requested from Shambhu the face of the monkey as well.
निराभिमानिनो ये च निर्दभा निष्परिग्रहाः ८.
Those who are free from pride, pure, and without possessions—
तथावदन्मया सार्द्धं रावणस्तपसो बलात् ८.
In this way, Ravana, by the power of his austerity, spoke together with me.
उपहासकरं वाक्यं पौलस्त्यस्य तदा सुराः ८.
At that time, the gods found the words of the descendant of Pulastya to be mocking.
ईदृशान्येव वक्त्राणि येषां वै संभवंति हि मां पुरस्कृत्य सहसा हनिष्यति न संशयः॥ ८.
Such faces indeed arise for those; having placed me at the forefront, he will suddenly kill them, without doubt.
एवं शप्तो मया ब्रह्मन्रावणो लोकरावणः ८.
Thus, O Brahman, Ravana, the terror of the worlds, was cursed by me.
पीठिकारूपसंस्थेन विना तेन सुरोत्तमाः ८.
Without him, who was seated in the form of a throne, the excellent gods—
देवदेवो महादेवो विष्णुरूपी महेश्वरः ८.
The god of gods, the great god, Maheśvara, is of the form of Viṣṇu.
अहं हि सर्वदेवानां पुरोवर्ती भवाम्यतः वैकुंठमागता गीर्भिर्विष्णुं स्तोतुं प्रचक्रिरे॥ ८.
Indeed, I stand before all the gods; therefore, those who came from Vaikuṇṭha began to praise Viṣṇu with words.
नमो भगवते तुभ्यं देवदेव जगत्पते ८.
Salutations to you, O Blessed Lord, god of gods, lord of the universe.
एतल्लिंगं त्वया विष्णो धृतं वै पिण्डिरूपिणा ८.
This liṅga, O Viṣṇu, was assumed by you in the form of a mass.
तथा कमठरूपेण धृतो वै मंदराचलः ८.
Likewise, in the form of a tortoise, you bore Mount Mandara.
हिरण्यकशिपुर्दैत्यो हतो नृहरिरूपिणा ८.
The demon Hiraṇyakaśipu was slain by you in the form of Narasiṃha.
भृगूणामन्वये भूत्वा कृतवीर्यात्मजो हतः ८.
Being born in the lineage of Bhṛgu, the son of Kṛtavīrya was slain.
रावमस्य भयादस्मात्त्रातुं भूयोर्हसि त्वरम्॥ ८.
Because of the fear of Rāvaṇa, you must quickly descend to protect the earth.
एवं संप्रार्थितो देवैर्भगवान्भूतभावनः ८.
Thus entreated by the gods, the Blessed Lord, creator of beings,
हे देवाः श्रूयतां वाक्यं प्रस्तावसदृशं महत् अवतारान्प्रकुर्वन्तु वानरीं तनुमाश्रिताः॥ ८.
"O gods, listen to these words, fitting to the occasion: let them perform descents, taking on the form of monkeys."