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?
तदा सुरैः कथितं सर्वमेतद्वाण्या चोक्तं यत्पुरा कार्यहेतोः २०.
Then the gods recounted everything that had been spoken before by Vāṇī for the sake of this task.
शिवस्य पुत्रेण च धीमता यदा वध्यो दैत्यस्तारको वै महात्मा २०.
That great-souled demon Tāraka is to be slain by the wise son of Śiva.
तस्मात्तदेनत्क्रियतां भवद्भिर्यथा महेशः कुरुते परिग्रहम् २०.
Therefore, let that be accomplished by you all, so that Maheśa may take a consort.
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा प्रहस्योचुः सुरास्तदा २०.
Hearing those words, the gods then laughed and spoke.
सुराणां च गिरे वाक्यं कुरु शीघ्रं महामते २०.
O wise one, quickly carry out the words of the gods and the mountain.
इत्युक्तो गिरिराजोऽथ देवैः स्वगृहमामाविशत् २०.
Thus addressed by the gods, the king of mountains then entered his own abode.
जनितव्या सुकन्यैका सुरकार्यार्थसिद्धये २०.
A single virtuous daughter must be born to fulfill the purpose of the gods.
प्रियं न भवति स्त्रीणां कन्याजननसेव च २०.
The bearing of a daughter is never pleasing to women.
प्रहस्य मेना प्रोवाच स्वपतिं च हिमालयम् २०.
Smiling, Menā spoke to her husband, Himālaya.
कन्या सदा दुःखकरी नृणां पते स्त्रीणां तथा शोककरी महामते २०.
A daughter always brings sorrow to men, and to women, O wise lord, she brings great grief.