अस्माकं जातिधर्मेण विरूढं वैरमक्षयम् १५.
By the law of our lineage, our enmity is deep-rooted and unending.
किं तु तत्तपसा साध्यं मन्येहं सुरसंगमम् १५.
Yet I think that union with the gods can be achieved only through austerity.
ततः सुरान्विजेष्यामो भोक्ष्यामोऽथ जगत्त्रयम् १५.
Then we shall conquer the gods and enjoy the three worlds.
अयुक्तश्चपलः प्राप्तामपि रक्षितुमक्षमः १५.
One who is unsteady and reckless is unable to protect even what he has gained.
साधुसाध्वित्यथोचुस्ते वचनं तस्य विस्मिताः १५.
Amazed, they said, 'Well spoken, well spoken,' in response to his words.
सर्वर्तुकुसुमाकीर्णनानौषधिविदिपितम् १५.
That cave was filled with flowers of every season and various medicinal herbs.
अनेकाकारबहुलं पृथक्पक्षिकुलाकुलम् १५.
It was abundant with many forms, crowded with flocks of different birds.
प्राप्य तत्कंदरं दैत्यश्चकार विपुलं तपः १५.
Reaching that cave, the daitya performed great austerities.
निराहारः पंचतपा वर्षायुतमभूत्किल १५.
He remained without food, practicing the fivefold austerity, for ten thousand years, it is said.
मांसस्याग्नौ जुहावैव ततो निर्मांसतां गतः १५.
He offered his own flesh into the fire, and thus became devoid of flesh.
जज्वलुः सर्वभूतानि तेजसा तस्य सर्वतः १५.
All beings shone everywhere with the radiance of his energy.
एतस्मिन्नंतरे ब्रह्मा परमं तोषमागतः १५.
Meanwhile, Brahma attained supreme satisfaction.
प्राप्य तं शैलराजानं हंसस्यंदनमास्थितः १५.
Having reached the king of mountains, he arrived riding his swan-chariot.
उत्तिष्ठ पुत्र तपसो नास्त्यसाध्यं तवाधुना १५.
Rise up, son; now there is nothing unattainable for you through austerity.
इत्युक्तस्तारको दैत्यः प्रांजलिः प्राह तं विभुम्॥ १५.
Thus addressed, Taraka the demon, with hands joined, spoke to that lord.
वयं प्रभो जातिधर्माः कृतवैराः सहमरैः १५.
O lord, by nature we are born enemies of the gods.
तेषामहं समुद्धर्ता भवेयमिति मे मतिः १५.
It is my resolve to become their deliverer.
स्यामहं चामरैश्चैष वरो मम हृदिस्थितः १५.
May I exist together with the gods; this boon abides in my heart.
तमुवाच ततो दैत्यं विरंचोऽमरनायकः जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्युः सत्यमेतच्छ्रुतीरितम्॥ १५.
Then Virincha, leader of the immortals, spoke to the demon: 'For one who is born, death is certain; this is the truth spoken in the scriptures.'
इति संचिंत्य वरय वरं यस्मान्न शंकसे १५.
Therefore, reflect and choose a boon about which you have no doubt.
वासराणां च सप्तानां वर्जयित्वा तु बालकम् १५.
Except for a child among seven days, of the days, exclude him.
वव्रे महासुरो मृत्युं ब्रह्माणं मानमोहितः १५.
The great demon, deluded by pride, chose death from Brahma.
जगाम त्रिदिवं देवो दैत्योऽपि स्वकमालयम् १५.
The god went to heaven, and the demon returned to his own abode.
परिवव्रुः फलाकीर्णं वृक्षं शकुनयो यथा १५.
Like birds circling a fruit-laden tree.
ब्रह्मणाभिहि तस्थाने महार्णवतटोत्तरे १५.
By Brahma's command, they stood at the northern shore of the great ocean.
कांतिर्द्युतिर्धृतिर्मेधा श्रीरखंडा च दानवम् १५.
Splendor, brilliance, fortitude, intelligence, and prosperity adorned the demon.
कालागरुविलिप्तांगं महामुकुटमंडितम् १५.
His limbs were smeared with black aloe, and he was adorned with a great crown.
नृत्यंत्यप्सरसः श्रेष्ठा गन्धर्वा गाययंति च ग्रहा अग्रेसरास्तस्य जीवादेशप्रभाषिणः॥ १५.
The foremost apsaras danced, the gandharvas sang, and the planets, led by their chiefs, proclaimed his command.
एवं स्वकाद्बाहुबलात्स दैत्यः संप्राप्य राज्यं परिमोदमानः १५.
Thus, that demon, having attained the kingdom by his own strength of arms, rejoiced greatly.
राज्येन बुद्बुदाभेन स्त्रीभिरक्षैश्च पानकैः १६.
With a kingdom as fleeting as a bubble, with women, guards, and intoxicating drinks—