तदा नभोगता वाणी ह्युवाच परिसांत्व्य तान् २८.
Then a voice from the sky spoke, consoling them.
दैत्यान्विजित्य संग्रामे जयिनो हि भविष्यथ॥ २८.
Having conquered the demons in battle, you will indeed be victorious.
वाचं तु खेचरीं श्रुत्वा देवाः सर्वे समुत्सुकाः २८.
Hearing the celestial voice, all the gods became eager.
युद्धकामाः सुरा यावत्तावत्सर्वे समागताः २८.
As soon as the gods desired battle, all gathered together.
ब्रह्मणा नोदिता पूर्वं तपः परममाश्रिता आगता दुहिता मृत्योः सेना नामैकसुंदरी॥ २८.
Previously urged by Brahmā, she undertook supreme austerity; the daughter of Death, named Senā, most beautiful, arrived.
तां दृष्ट्वा तेऽब्रुवन्सर्वे देवं पशुपतिं प्रति २८.
Seeing her, they all spoke to the god Paśupati.
ब्रह्मणो वचनाच्चैव कुमारेण तदा वृता २८.
By Brahmā's command, she was then chosen by the Kumāra.
तदा शंखाश्च भेर्यश्च पटहानकगोमुखाः २८.
Then conches, drums, kettledrums, and cow-horns sounded.
तेन नादेन महता पूरितं च नभस्तलम् परस्परमथोचुस्ताः सुतो मम ममेति च॥ २८.
With that great sound, the sky was filled; then they said to each other, 'He is my son, he is mine.'
एवं विवादमापन्नाः सर्वास्ता मातृकादयः २८.
Thus, all the Mothers and others fell into dispute.
पार्वत्यां शंकराज्जातो देवकार्यार्थसिद्धये २८.
Born from Śaṃkara and Pārvatī, for the fulfillment of the gods' purpose.
गुहेनोक्तास्तदा सर्वा ऋषिपत्न्यश्च कृत्तिकाः २८.
At that time, Guha spoke to all, including the wives of the sages and the Kṛttikās.
तथा मातृगणस्तेन स्वामिना स्थापितो दिवि २८.
Thus, the host of Mothers was established in heaven by the Lord.
इंद्रं प्रोवाच भगवान्कुमारः शंकरात्मजः २८.
The blessed Kumāra, son of Śaṃkara, spoke to Indra.
इंद्रेणोक्तः कुमारो हि तारकेण प्रपीडिताः २८.
The son was addressed by Indra, for they were oppressed by Tāraka.
किं पृच्छसि महाभाग अस्मान्पदपरिच्युतान् प्रहस्येंद्रं प्रति तदा मा भैषीत्यभयं ददौ॥ २८.
Why do you ask us, O greatly fortunate one, who have fallen from our position? Then, laughing at Indra, he gave him assurance, saying, 'Do not fear.'
यावत्कथयतस्तस्य शांकरेश्च महात्नः २८.
While that great-souled son of Śaṅkara was speaking,
आजगाम महादैत्यो दैत्यसेनाभिरावृतः २८.
The great demon arrived, surrounded by armies of demons.
रणकर्कशतूर्याणि डिंडिमान्यद्भुतानि च २८.
Harsh battle drums and wondrous ḍiṇḍima drums sounded.
वाद्यभेदा आवाद्यंत तस्मिन्दैत्यसमागमे २८.
Various kinds of instruments were played at that gathering of demons.
उवाच नारदो वाक्यं तारकं देवकण्टकम्॥ २८.
Nārada spoke these words to Tāraka, the scourge of the gods.
पुरा देवैः कृतो यत्नो वधार्थं नात्र संशयः २८.
Once, the gods made efforts to kill you—of this there is no doubt.
कुमारोऽयं च शर्वस्य तवार्थं चोपपादितः २८.
And this son of Śarva has been brought forth for your sake.
नारदोक्तं निशम्याथ तारकः प्रहसन्निव २८.
Hearing Nārada's words, Tāraka laughed as if in scorn.
मम वाक्यं महर्षे त्वं वद शीघ्रं यथातथम् २८.
Great sage, quickly speak my words as they truly are.
मूढभावं समाश्रित्य कर्तुमिच्छसि नान्यथा २८.
You wish to act out of delusion; there is no other way.
तत्प्रभावेऽमरावत्यां स्थितोऽसि त्वं न चान्यथा २८.
By that power, you remain in Amarāvatī, and not otherwise.
त्वां हनिष्याम्यहं मन्दलोकपालैः सहैव हि २८.
I will slay you, along with the foolish guardians of the worlds.
तथेति मत्वा भगवान्स नारदो ययौ सुराञ्छक्रपुरोगमांश्च २८.
Thinking 'So be it,' the venerable Nārada went to the gods, with Indra at their head.
भवद्भिः श्रूयतां देवा वचनं मम नान्यथा २८.
Hear my words, O gods, just as they are—there is no other way.