किमर्थं स्वामिना तत्र किंप्रभावा वद स्वयम्
For what reason, O Lord, is it there? By what power? Tell me yourself.
हिरण्याक्षस्य दायादस्त्रैलोक्यस्य भयावहः
He is the heir of Hiraṇyākṣa, a terror to the three worlds.
स ज्ञात्वा जनकं ध्वस्तं विष्णुना प्रभविष्णुना
Knowing that his father had been destroyed by Viṣṇu, the mighty lord,
यावद्वर्षसहस्रांतं शीर्णपर्णा शनः स्थितः
He remained for a thousand years, subsisting on fallen leaves, gradually.
वरुपूजोपहारैश्च नैवेद्यैर्विविधैस्ततः
With various offerings, worship, and gifts, and with diverse foods,
ज्ञात्वा रुद्रमसंतुष्टं ततो रौद्रं तपोऽकरोत्
Recognizing Rudra as satisfied, then he performed fierce austerity.
ततस्तुष्टो महादेवो वृषारूढ उमापतिः
Then the great god, Mahādeva, mounted on the bull, husband of Umā, was pleased.
तत्र प्रोवाच संहृष्टस्तारनादेन नादयन् ६.७०.
There, delighted, he spoke, resounding with the roar of Tāraka.
भोभोस्तारक तुष्टोऽस्मि साहसं मेदृशं कुरु
O Tāraka, I am pleased with you; perform such a feat.
अजेयः सर्वदेवानां त्वत्प्रसादादहं विभो
By your favor, O Lord, I am unconquerable by all the gods.
त्वया यत्प्रार्थितं दैत्य त्वमेको बलवानिह
Whatever you have requested, O Daitya, you alone are powerful here.
एवमुक्त्वा महादेवः स्वमेव भवनं गतः
Having spoken thus, Mahādeva returned to his own abode.
ततो दानवसैन्येन महता परिवारितः
Then, surrounded by a great army of Dānavas,
अथाभवन्महायुद्धं देवानां दानवैः सह
Then there was a great battle between the gods and the Dānavas.
तत्राभवत्क्षयो नित्यं देवानां रणमूर्धनि
There, destruction always befell the gods at the height of battle.
ततश्चक्रुरुपायांस्ते विजयाय दिवौकसः
Then the dwellers of heaven devised means for victory.
अन्यान्यपि शरीरस्य रक्षणार्थं प्रयत्नतः
Other means too, for the protection of the body, were diligently employed.
ससृजुस्ते सुराधीशा दानवेभ्यो दिवानिशम् ॥ ६.७०.
The lords of the gods created these, day and night, against the Dānavas.
मुद्गरा भिंडिपालाश्च शतघ्न्योऽथ वरेषवः विशेषाहवसंबन्धव्यूहानां प्रक्रियाश्च याः
Maces, slings, machines for hurling a hundred missiles, and excellent arrows, as well as the arrangements for special battles and formations—
तथान्यानि विचित्राणि कूटयुद्धान्यनेकशः
And likewise, many other varied and cunning forms of warfare.
न च ते विजयं प्रापुस्तथापि द्विजसत्तमाः
Yet, O best of twice-born, they did not attain victory.
अथ प्राह सहस्राक्षो भयत्रस्तो बृहस्पतिम्
Then the thousand-eyed one, terrified by fear, spoke to Bṛhaspati.
यथायथा रणार्थाय सदुपायान्करोम्यहम्
However many good means I employ for the sake of battle—
तदुपायं सुराचार्य स्वबुद्ध्या त्वं प्रचिन्तय ॥ येन मे स्याज्जयो युद्धे तव कीर्तिरनिन्दिता
You, teacher of the gods, consider with your own wisdom a means by which I may gain victory in battle and your fame remain unstained.
प्रहृष्टवदनो ज्ञात्वा जयोपायं महाहवे
Having understood the means of victory in the great battle, his face became radiant with joy.
मया शक्र परिज्ञातः स उपायो महाहवे
O Śakra, I have discerned that means for victory in the great battle.
यदाभीष्टं वरं तेन प्रार्थितस्त्रिपुरांतकः
When the destroyer of Tripura was entreated for the desired boon—
अजेयः सर्वदेवानां त्वत्प्रसादादहं विभो ६.७०.३० न तं स्वयं महादेवः स्वशिष्यं सूदयिष्यति
By your favor, O Lord, I am unconquerable by all the gods; even so, the great god will not himself slay his own disciple.
यो वै पिता स पुत्रः स्याच्छ्रुतिवाक्यमिदं स्मृतम्
He who is a father may become a son—this is a statement remembered from the Vedas.
येन सेनाधिपत्ये तं विनियोज्य महाहवम्
Appointing him as commander in that great battle—