छिद्रमन्वेषमाणस्तु सुसूक्ष्ममपि च द्विजाः
O twice-born, seeking even the smallest opening—
ततश्च दशमे मासि संप्राप्ते प्रसवोद्भवे
Then, when the tenth month had arrived and birth was imminent—
निद्रावशं तु संप्राप्ता विसंज्ञा समपद्यत
She, overcome by sleep, fell into unconsciousness.
तां विसंज्ञामथो वीक्ष्य त्यक्त्वा पादौ शतक्रतुः तेनाऽसौ सप्तधा चके गर्भं शस्त्रेण देवपः
Seeing her thus insensible, Śatakratu abandoned her feet; with his weapon, the lord of the gods divided the embryo into seven parts.
अथाऽपश्यत्क्षणात्सप्त वालकान्पूर्णविग्रहान्
Then, in an instant, he saw seven boys, each with a complete form.
जाता एकोनपञ्चाशदथ तत्रैव बालकाः निश्चक्रामोदरातूर्णं दित्या यावन्न लक्षितः ॥ ६.२२.
Altogether, forty-nine boys were born there; they quickly emerged from Diti’s womb before she could notice.
ततः प्रभाते विमले प्रोद्गते रविमंडले
Then, at dawn, when the sun’s disk had risen clear—
ततोऽभ्येत्य सहस्राक्षो दुर्गंधेन समावृतः
Then the thousand-eyed one approached, surrounded by a foul odor.
तं दृष्ट्वा तादृशं शक्रं दितिः प्रोवाच सादरम्
Seeing Indra in such a state, Diti addressed him respectfully.
किं त्वं शक्र निरु त्साहस्तेजोद्युतिविवर्जितः
Why are you, O Śakra, devoid of energy, courage, and brilliance?
किं त्वया निहतो विप्रोगुरुर्वाबालकोऽथवा
Have you killed a brāhmaṇa, a guru, or a child?
हतो नखांभसा वा त्वं घृष्टः शूर्पानिलेन च
Have you been struck by the water from someone’s nails, or scraped by the wind of a winnowing basket?
रात्रौ प्रविष्टः सुप्ताया जठरे तव पापकृत्
Did you, O wrongdoer, enter my womb at night while I slept?
कृन्तश्चैकोनपञ्चाशत्कृत्वो गर्भो मया शुभे
And did you, O auspicious one, cut the embryo forty-nine times?
ततो भीत्या विनिष्क्रान्तस्त्वया देवि न लक्षितः
Then, out of fear, you slipped away unnoticed by me, O goddess.
तस्मात्प्रार्थय मत्तस्त्वं वरं यन्मनसेप्सि तम् ॥ ६.२२.
Therefore, ask from me whatever boon you desire in your heart.
रुदन्तो वारिता मन्दं मा रुदन्तु मुहुर्मुहुः
Crying, they were gently restrained: 'Do not cry again and again.'
मरुतो नामविख्यातास्तस्मात्संतुजगत्रये
From them, renowned as the Maruts, the three worlds were shaken.
यज्ञभागभुजः सर्वे भविष्यंति मया सह
All those who partake of the sacrificial share shall exist together with me.
बहुभिर्यास्यति ख्यातिं बालमंडनमित्यतः न भविष्यंति छिद्राणि तस्या गर्भे कथंचन
Because of many reasons, it will become renowned as Bālamaṇḍana; therefore, there will never be any defects in her womb.
प्राप्ते प्रसवकाले तु या जलं प्राशयिष्यति
When the time of birth arrives, she who gives her water to drink—
दितिरुवाच तवोच्छेदाय देवेश याचितः प्राङ्मया हरः
Diti said: For your destruction, O Lord of the gods, I had previously asked Hara.
त्वया चैकोनपंचाशत्प्रकारः स विनिर्मितः
And by you, he was fashioned in fifty-one ways.
यज्ञभागस्य भोक्तारो दितेः शक्रस्य शासनात्
By the command of Śakra, the sons of Diti shall be the enjoyers of the sacrificial share.
अथ प्राह सहस्राक्षो देवाचार्यं बृहस्पतिम्
Then the thousand-eyed one addressed Bṛhaspati, the preceptor of the gods.
लिंगं संस्थापयामास स्वयमेव द्विजोत्तमाः
He himself established the liṅga, O best of twice-born.
त्रिकालं पूजयामासपुष्पधूपानुलेपनैः
He worshipped it three times a day with flowers, incense, and ointments.
ततो वर्षसहस्रांते तुष्टस्तस्य महेश्वरः
Then, at the end of a thousand years, Maheśvara was pleased with him.
मातुर्द्रोहकृतं पापं यातु मे त्रिपुरांतक पूजयिष्यंति सद्भक्त्या स्नानं कृत्वा समाहिताः
O Tripurāntaka, may the sin committed by harming my mother depart from me; those who worship with true devotion, having bathed and with focused mind—
सूत उवाच स तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय जगामादर्शनं हरः
Sūta said: Having thus promised, Hara became invisible.