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."
अहं हि मानुषो भूत्वा ह्यज्ञानेन समावृतः ब्रह्मविद्यासहायोस्मि भवतां कार्यसिद्धये॥ ८.
"Indeed, I shall become human, enveloped in ignorance; I will be aided by the knowledge of Brahman for the accomplishment of your purpose."
जनकस्य गृहे साक्षाद्ब्रह्मविद्या जनिष्यति ८.
"In the house of Janaka, the knowledge of Brahman will be born in person."
तपसा महता युक्तो ब्रह्मविद्यां यदेच्छति ८.
"Endowed with great austerity, whoever desires the knowledge of Brahman—"
एवं संभाष्य भगवान्विष्णुः परममङ्गलः ८.
Thus having spoken, the Blessed Viṣṇu, supremely auspicious,
तथा ब्रह्मांशसंभूतो जाम्बवान्नृक्षकुञ्जरः ८.
Likewise, Jāmbavān, the bear-king, was born from a portion of Brahmā.
यो वै चैकादशो रुद्रो हनूमान्स महाकपिः ८.
And Hanūmān, the great monkey, is that eleventh Rudra.
मैंदादयोऽथ कपयस्ते सर्वे सुरसत्तमाः ८.
Then Mainda and the other monkeys—all these are the best of the gods.
तथैव विष्णुरुत्पन्नः कौशल्यानंदवर्द्धनः ८.
In the same way, Viṣṇu was born, increasing the joy of Kauśalyā.
शेषोपि भक्त्या विष्णोश्च तपसाऽवातरद्भुवि॥ ८.
Śeṣa also descended to earth through devotion to Viṣṇu and through austerity.
दोर्दण्डावपि विष्णोश्च अवतीर्णौ प्रतापिनौ ८.
Even the mighty arms of Viṣṇu, blazing with power, incarnated.