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—
एष एव उपायोऽत्र मया ते परिकीर्तितः
This indeed is the means here, which I have declared to you.
ततो देवगणैः सर्वैः समेतः पाकशासनः ॥। तमर्थं प्रोक्तवाञ्छंभुं विनयावनतः स्थितः
Then Pākaśāsana, together with all the hosts of gods, humbly approached Śambhu and spoke to him of this matter.
सुतस्य जननार्थाय कुरु यत्नं वृषध्वज
For the sake of begetting a son, make effort, O Bull-bannered One.
प्राप्नोम्यहं च संग्रामे विजयं त्वत्प्रसादतः
And by your favor, I shall attain victory in battle.
नान्यथा विजयो मे स्यात्संग्रामे दानवैः सह॥। इति मां प्राह देवेज्यो ज्ञात्वा सम्यङ्महामतिः
There is no other way for me to achieve victory in battle against the demons—so spoke the wise lord of the gods to me, having understood the matter well.
अथोवाच विहस्योच्चैः शंकरस्त्रिदशेश्वरम्
Then Śaṅkara, lord of the immortals, laughed and spoke aloud.
पुत्रमुत्पादयिष्यामि सर्वदैत्यविनाशकम् ६.७०.
I shall bring forth a son who will destroy all the demons.
एवमुक्त्वा महादेवो गत्वा कैलास पर्वतम्
Having spoken thus, Mahādeva departed for Mount Kailāsa.
हावैर्भावैः समोपेतं हास्यैरन्यैस्तदात्मिकैः
He was accompanied by gestures, moods, and laughter, all characteristic of himself.
अथ देवगणाः सर्वे भयसंत्रस्तमानसाः
Then all the hosts of gods, their minds shaken with fear,