जाता दैत्यास्ततो विप्रा इंद्रोपद्रवकारकाः २०.
Then, O Brāhmaṇas, the Daityas were born, causing trouble for Indra.
निवातकवचाः सर्वे रवरावकसंज्ञकाः २०.
All were called Nivātakavacas and also known as Ravarāvakas.
तारको नमुचेः पुत्रस्तपसा परमेण हि २०.
Tāraka, son of Namuci, through supreme austerity,
वरान्ददौ यथेष्टांश्च तारकाय दुरात्मने २०.
Received whatever boons he desired from Brahmā, though wicked in mind.
तच्छत्वा वचनं तस्य ब्रह्मणः परमेष्ठिनः २०.
He spoke thus to the supreme Brahmā, the lord of creation.
यदि मे त्वं प्रसन्नऽसि अजरामरतां प्रभो २०.
If you are pleased with me, O Lord, grant me immortality and freedom from old age.
एवमुक्तस्तदा तेन तारकेण दुरात्मना २०.
Thus addressed by Tāraka, the evil-minded one, at that time,
जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्युरेतज्जानीहि तत्त्वतः २०.
Know this truth: for one who is born, death is certain.
ब्रह्मोवाच तदा दैत्यजेयत्वं तवानघ २०.
Brahmā said: Then, O sinless one, you shall be unconquerable by the Daityas.
तदा स तारकः प्राह ब्रह्माणं प्रणतः प्रभो २०.
Then Tāraka, bowing to Brahmā, spoke, O Lord.
एवं लब्धवरो भूत्वा तारको हि महाबलः २०.
Thus, having obtained the boon, Tāraka became exceedingly powerful.
मुचुकुन्दं समाश्रित्य देवास्ते जयिनोऽभवन् २०.
The gods, taking refuge with Mucukunda, became victorious.
मुचुकुन्दबलेनैव जयमापुःसुरास्तदा २०.
Indeed, by the strength of Mucukunda, the gods attained victory at that time.
भवितव्यमिति स्मृत्वा गतास्ते ब्रह्मणः पदम् २०.
Remembering that it was destined to be, they went to the abode of Brahmā.
बलिना सह पातालमास्तेऽसौ मधुसूदनः २०.
With the mighty one, Madhusūdana remains in the netherworld.
दैत्येंद्रैश्च महाभाग त्रातुमर्हसि नः प्रभो २०.
O greatly fortunate one, together with the lords of the Daityas, you must protect us, O Lord.
हे देवाः क्रियतामाशु मम वाक्यं हि तत्त्वतः २०.
O gods, let my words be carried out quickly and truly.
युद्धे पुनस्तारकं च वधिष्यति न संशयः २०.
Again, in battle, Tāraka will be slain—of this there is no doubt.
दारापरिग्रही देवास्तथा नीतिर्विधीयताम् २०.
Let the gods take a wife, and let the proper course of action be established.
यूयं देवा विजानीध्वमित्युवाचाशरीरवाक् २०.
You gods, know this—so spoke a bodiless voice.
श्रुत्वा नभोगतां वाणीमाजग्मुस्ते हिमालयम् २०.
Hearing that voice coming from the sky, they went to Himālaya.
हिमालयं महाभागाः सर्वे कार्यार्थगौरवात् २०.
All the greatly fortunate ones went to Himālaya, due to the importance of the task.
तारकस्त्रासयत्यस्मान्साहाय्यं तद्वधे कुरु तस्मात्सर्वे वयं याता महेंद्रसहिता विभो॥ २०.
Tāraka is frightening us; grant your assistance for his destruction. Therefore, all of us, together with Mahendra, have come to you, O Lord.
एवमभ्यर्थितो देवैर्हिमवान्गिरिसत्तमः २०.
Thus entreated by the gods, Himavān, the best of mountains—
महेन्द्र मुद्दिश्य तदा ह्युपहाससमन्वितः २०.
Then, addressing Mahendra, with a touch of mockery—
किं कुर्मः सुरकार्यं च तारकस्य वधं प्रति २०.
What shall we do for the sake of the gods, regarding the slaying of Tāraka?
तदा वयं घातयामस्तारकं सह बांधवैः २०.
Then, we shall slay Tāraka along with his kin.
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सर्वे देवास्तमब्रुवन् तारकस्य महाभाग एतत्कार्यं विचंत्यताम्॥ २०.
Hearing these words, all the gods said to him: O greatly fortunate one, consider well this matter of Tāraka.
येन साध्यो भवेच्छत्रुस्तारको हि महाबलः २०.
By whom could the mighty Tāraka, that formidable enemy, be overcome?
केनोपायेन भो देवास्तारकं हंतुमिच्छथ २०.
By what means, O gods, do you wish to slay Tāraka?