हाटकेश्वरमाहात्म्यात्स्वर्गलोकः प्रपूरितः
saw the heavenly realm filled because of the greatness of Hāṭakeśvara.
तस्मात्तत्क्रियतां कर्म येनोच्छेदं प्रगच्छति
Therefore, perform that act by which this cessation will occur.
ततः संवर्तको वायुः शक्रादेशात्समंततः
Then, at Indra's command, the wind of dissolution blew everywhere.
एवं नाशमनुप्राप्ते तस्मिंस्तीर्थे स्थलोच्चये ६.८.
Thus, when that sacred place was destroyed and the ground was raised,
ततः कालेन महता वल्मीकः समपद्यत
after a long time, an anthill arose there.
अथ पातालतो नागास्तेन मार्गेण कौतुकात्
Then, out of curiosity, serpents came from the netherworld along that path.
तत्र ते मानवान्भोगान्भुक्त्वा चैव यथेच्छया
There, having enjoyed human pleasures as they wished,
ततो नागबिलः ख्यातः स सर्वस्मिन्धरातले
then the Nāga-cave, renowned throughout the earth,
कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य भगवान्पाकशासनः
At some point in time, the revered lord Yama,
ततः पितामहादेशं लब्ध्वा मार्गेण तेन सः
then, having received the command of the Grandfather (Brahmā), by that path,
अथाऽभूत्पापनिर्मुक्तस्तत्क्षणात्तस्य दर्शनात्
then, freed from sin at that very moment by seeing him,
स दृष्ट्वा तत्प्रभावं तल्लिंगं देवस्य शूलिनः
he, having seen that power, that liṅga of the god with the trident,
यदि कश्चित्पुमानत्र त्रिशंकुरिव भूपतिः
If any man here, like King Triśaṅku,
यापयिष्यति तन्नूनं मामस्मात्त्रिदशालयात् ६.८.
should send me from this abode of the gods,
ततश्च त्वरया युक्तो रक्तशृंगं नगोत्तमम्
then, filled with urgency, to the great mountain Raktaśṛṅga,
कस्मिन्काले च सर्वं नो विस्तरात्सूत कीर्तय
At what time did all this happen? Tell us in detail, Sūta.
रक्तशृंगो गिरिः कोऽयं संक्षिप्तस्तत्र तेन यः
What is this mountain Raktaśṛṅga, which was thus mentioned there?
विवाहिता रमानाम श्रेष्ठरूपगुणान्विता
He married a woman named Ramā, endowed with the best beauty and qualities.
अथ तस्या ययौ कालः सुप्रभूतः सुतं विना
Then, for her, time passed without a son being born.
ध्यायमाना सुराधीशं देवदेवं महेश्वरम्
Meditating on the lord of the gods, the great god Maheśvara,
नियता नियताहारा स्नानजप्यपरायणा
Disciplined, moderate in food, devoted to bathing and recitation,
ततो वर्षसहस्रांते तस्यास्तुष्टो महेश्वरः
Then, at the end of a thousand years, Maheśvara was pleased with her.
सा वव्रे मम पुत्रोऽस्तु भगवंस्त्वत्प्रसादतः
She chose: 'Let me have a son, O Lord, by your grace.'
वेदाध्ययन संपन्नो यज्ञकर्मसमुद्यतः ६.८.
Endowed with Vedic study, intent on sacrificial rites,
अवध्यः सर्वशस्त्राणां महातेजोभिरन्वितः
He was invulnerable to all weapons, endowed with immense brilliance.
यज्वा दानपतिः शूरो वेदवेदांगपारगः अजेयः संगरे चैव कृत्स्नैरपि सुरासुरैः
A performer of sacrifices, a lord of gifts, a hero, accomplished in the Vedas and their branches, unconquerable in battle even by all the gods and demons together.
एवमुक्त्वा स देवेशस्ततश्चादर्शनं गतः
Having spoken thus, the lord of the gods then became invisible.
ततश्च सुषुवे पुत्रं दशमे मासि शोभनम्
Then, in the tenth month, she gave birth to a splendid son.
तस्य चक्रे पिता नाम प्राप्ते द्वादशमे दिने ॥। प्रसिद्धं वृत्र इत्येव पूजयित्वा द्विजोत्तमान्
On the twelfth day after his birth, his father gave him a name—famed as Vṛtra—after honoring the foremost twice-born.
अथासौ ववृधे बालः शुक्लपक्षे यथोडुराट्
Then that boy grew, like the waxing moon in the bright fortnight.