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.
त्वां हनिष्यामि रे मूढ नान्यथा मम भाषितम्॥ २८.
I will kill you, fool—my words are not otherwise.
मुचुकुन्दं समासाद्य लोकपालैश्च पूजितः २८.
Having approached Mucukunda, he was honored by the guardians of the worlds.
तस्य वाक्यं निशम्योचुः सर्वे देवाः सवासवाः २८.
Hearing his words, all the gods together with Indra spoke.
जानासि त्वं हि देवर्षे कुमारस्य बलाबलम् २८.
O divine sage, you indeed know the strength and weakness of Kumara.
प्रहस्य नारदो वाक्यमुवाच तस्य सन्निधौ २८.
Narada, laughing, spoke these words in their presence.
जानीध्वममराः सर्वे कुमारं जयिनं सुराः २८.
Know, O gods, all of you immortals, that Kumara is the victor.
नारदस्य वचः श्रुत्वा सर्वे देवा मुदान्विताः २८.
Hearing Narada’s words, all the gods became filled with joy.
कुमारं गजमारोप्य देवेन्द्रो ह्यग्रगोऽभवत् २८.
Placing Kumara upon the elephant, Indra took the lead.
तदा दुन्दुभयो नेदुर्भेरीतूर्याण्यनेकशः २८.
Then drums resounded, and many kinds of trumpets and instruments played.
गजं दत्त्वा महेंद्राय कुमारो यानमारुहत् विचित्रचित्रं सुमहत्तथाश्चर्यसमन्वितम्॥ २८.
Having given the elephant to Mahendra, Kumara mounted his vehicle, wondrous, immense, and full of marvels.
विमानमारुह्य तदा महायशाः स शांकरिः सर्वगणैरुपेतः २८.
Then the illustrious son of Shiva, surrounded by all the hosts, ascended that celestial chariot.
प्राचे तसं छत्र महामणिप्रभं रत्नैरुपेतं बहुभिर्विराजितम् २८.
A great, radiant parasol adorned with many jewels was held above him, shining with precious stones.
संमीलितास्तदा सव देवा इन्द्रपुरोगमाः २८.
Then all the assembled gods, with Indra at their head, gathered together.
यमेऽपि स्वगणैः सार्द्धं मरुद्भिश्च सदागतिः ईशोऽपि प्रमथैः सार्द्धं नैर्ऋतो व्याधिभिः सह॥ २८.
Yama with his attendants, the Maruts ever moving, Shiva with the Pramathas, and Nirriti with the spirits, all assembled.
एवं तेऽष्टौ लोकपा योद्धुकामाः सर्वे मिलित्वा तारकं हंतुमेव २८.
Thus, all eight guardians of the world, desiring battle, gathered together to slay Taraka.
एवं ते योद्धुकामा हि अवतेरुश्च भूतलम् २८.
Thus, eager for battle, they descended to the earth.
पातालाच्च समायातास्तारकस्योपजीविनः २८.
And from the netherworld came those who lived by Taraka’s favor.
तारको हि समायातो विमानेन विराजितः २८.
Indeed, Taraka arrived, resplendent in his celestial chariot.
चामरैर्विज्यमानो हि शुशुभे दैत्यराट् स्वयम्॥ २८.
Fanned with chowries, the lord of the Daityas shone brilliantly.
एवं देवाश्च दैत्याश्च अंतर्वेद्यां स्थितास्तदा २८.
Thus, at that time, the gods and the Daityas stood on the battlefield.