देवतानां तु रक्षार्थं श्रूयतामत्र कारणम्
For the protection of the gods, let the cause here be heard.
असुरो द्रोहणोनाम बलवान्योगमायिकः
There is an asura named Drohaṇa, powerful and endowed with magical power.
तस्य दैत्यस्य बलिनो दैत्याः परपुरंजयाः
The Daityas, powerful and conquerors of enemy cities, were his followers.
सेंद्रान्निहंतुमिच्छंतो माया प्रच्छन्नचारकाः समुद्ययुः सुरान्हंतुमुद्यता उद्यतायुधाः
Desiring to slay Indra and the gods, they rose up, masters of illusion and secret movement, armed and ready for battle.
तेषां कपालपातेन भूमिनिष्कंपनेन च 5.1.6.
By the falling of their skulls and the trembling of the earth,
लोकस्थितिविनाशाथ तेषामासीत्समुद्यमः
there arose among them an endeavor for the destruction of the world’s order and stability.
देवानुग्रहकर्ता त्वं गुणस्मृतिनिषेवितः
You are the bestower of grace upon the gods, honored through the remembrance of virtues.
दिव्यदृष्टिभिरत्यर्थं यशोऽर्थं भीम नंदिताः
With divine vision, you are exceedingly praised for your fame and might, O fearsome one.
ध्यानसाधननिष्पन्नं यदन्येषां न विद्यते
What is attained through the practice of meditation is not found among others.
मनोवाक्कायभावेन दुष्करं दुश्चरं तपः
Austerity, difficult to perform and hard to practice, is accomplished by mind, speech, and body.
महता तनुसाध्येन बहुकालार्जितेन वः
By you, it has been achieved through great effort, with a body subdued and over a long period of time.
ऊचुरुन्नाम्य वक्त्राणि स्थिता जानुभिरीश्वरम्
They bowed their faces and, kneeling, spoke to the Lord.
तदस्माकं प्रवृत्तानां मानुषाणां वरप्रद
O bestower of boons, for us mortals who have come forth,
रक्षां कुरुष्व देवेश भक्तानामभयंकर
grant protection, O Lord of the gods, giver of fearlessness to your devotees.
सुदुर्लभान्यपि पुनर्दास्यामि वो वरान्बहून् ।। 5.1.6.
Even those boons that are exceedingly rare, I will again grant to you, many in number.
एवमुक्ते भगवता ब्रह्मा वचनमब्रवीत्
When the Blessed One had spoken thus, Brahmā replied with these words:
प्राप्ता वयं च भगवन्सुपर्याप्तो महावरः
O Blessed One, we have received the great boon, and it is more than sufficient.
शिव उवाच लोकेऽस्मिन्मम ये भक्ता मया विनिहताश्च ये
Śiva said: In this world, those who are my devotees and those whom I have slain,
सार्धं तत्र जटाजूटैः शिरोभिः शूलपाणयः
together with their matted locks and heads, bearing tridents in their hands,
येषां विनिग्रहार्थाय युष्मत्संबोधनाय च
for the purpose of restraining them and for addressing you,
कृतो मेऽनुग्रहस्तेषां भक्तानां भक्तिमिच्छताम्
I have bestowed my grace upon those devotees who desire devotion.
महाकालवने देवा आगतस्य ममानघाः
In the great Kāla forest, O sinless ones, the gods came to me.
नामद्वययुतं गुह्यं लोके ख्यातं भविष्यति
A secret name with two words will become renowned in the world.
कपालव्रतचर्या च मया ह्येषा प्रकीर्तिता
Indeed, this observance of the skull vow has been proclaimed by me.
कपालपाणिः संतुष्टो भिक्षा व्रतसमन्वितः 5.1.6.
Kapālapāṇi, satisfied and endowed with the vow of alms,
नंदितः सर्वभूतेषु प्रियाप्रियसमः सदा
Honored among all beings, always equal to friend and foe,
जितेंद्रियोऽसर्वसंगो मृद्भस्मोदकसंग्रही
Self-controlled, unattached to all, gathering clay, ashes, and water,
पुण्यतीर्थाश्रमोपेतः स्वरे देवे समाहितः
Dwelling in holy hermitages and sacred fords, his mind fixed on the Lord,
कपालव्रतमास्थाय पुरा चीर्णं मया स्वयम्
Having undertaken the skull vow, I myself practiced it in ancient times.
कपालव्रतमेतद्धि दुर्धरं परमाद्भुतम्
This skull vow is indeed difficult to sustain and supremely wondrous.