स्वाहाकारस्वधाकारवषट्कारविवर्जिताः
They were devoid of the utterances 'svāhā', 'svadhā', and 'vaṣaṭ'.
देवतायतनं नास्ति तथा नो शिवपूजनम्
There were no temples for the gods, nor any worship of Shiva.
सदाचारजनो नास्ति दया मानविवर्जिता
There were no people of good conduct; compassion and respect for humanity were absent.
एवं व्यास पुरे तस्मिन्नष्टप्रायमिदं जगत्
Thus, Vyasa, in that city, this world was nearly destroyed.
तेन देवगणाः सर्वे हतप्राया हतौजसः
Because of him, all the hosts of gods were nearly destroyed, their strength overcome.
अन्योन्यकृतसंधाना मंत्रं कृत्वा समा हिताः 5.1.43.
Having formed an alliance with one another, they consulted together and took counsel.
त्रिदशाः कथयामासुरात्मव्यसनकारणम्
The gods began to speak about the cause of their own distress.
जगाम त्रिदशैः सार्धं महाकालवनोतमम्
He went together with the gods to the most excellent Mahakala forest.
यत्रावंती पुरी दिव्या सर्वतीर्थनिषेविता
There is the divine city of Avanti, honored by all sacred waters.
स्नानं दानं जपं होमं कृत्वा रुद्रसरे तदा
There, after performing bathing, giving, recitation, and offering in the lake of Rudra,
ब्रह्मोवाच देवदेव महादेव भक्तानामभयंकर
Brahma said: O God of gods, great Lord, remover of fear for your devotees,
त्रिपुरोनाम दैत्येंद्रो देवानां कदनं महत्
Tripura, the lord of the demons, has become a great destroyer of the gods.
वासयित्वा पुरस्तिस्रो विस्तीर्णा विचरत्यथ
After establishing three vast cities before him, he now moves about freely.
एवं कृत्वा प्रजाः सर्वाः क्षयं नीताश्चराचराः
Having done so, he has brought all beings, moving and unmoving, to ruin.
ऋषीणामाश्रमाः सर्वे यतीनामायतनानि च ।। एवं कृत्वा सुराः सर्वे भ्रष्टराज्याः पराजिताः ।ऽ
All the hermitages of the sages and the dwellings of ascetics have been destroyed; thus, all the gods, deprived of their kingdoms, have been defeated.
विचरंति यथा मर्त्यास्त्रिपुरेण दुरात्मना ।। 5.1.43.
Now, because of the wicked Tripura, the gods wander as mortals do.
तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन वधस्तस्य विचिंत्यताम्
Therefore, by every possible effort, let the destruction of that one be considered.
इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य ब्रह्मणः संशितात्मनः
Hearing these words of Brahma, whose mind was resolute,
जयोपायं करिष्यामि दैत्यस्यास्य दुरात्मनः
I will devise a means of victory over this wicked demon.
तपश्चरत यूयं वा आत्मनो जयकांक्षिणः
You all should undertake austerities, desiring your own victory.
इत्युक्त्वा सर्वदेवानां तत्रैवांतर्हितः शिवः
Having spoken thus, Shiva vanished from there in the presence of all the gods.
जयार्थं तस्य दैत्यस्य त्रिपुरस्य दुरात्मनः
For the sake of victory over that demon, the wicked Tripura,
महिषैश्च महामेध्यैः पशुपुष्पार्घतर्पणैः पूजयित्वा तदा देवीं तामीडे वृषभध्वजः
Having worshipped the Goddess with great sacrificial buffaloes, offerings of animals, flowers, water, and libations, the Bull-bannered One then praised her.
दुर्गां भगवतीं भद्रां दुर्गसंसारतारणीम्
He praised Durgā, the Blessed One, the Auspicious, who ferries beings across the difficult ocean of worldly existence.
दैत्यमेदोमदोन्मत्तां रक्ताख्यां रक्तदंतिकाम्
He praised her who is intoxicated by the blood and marrow of demons, called Rakta, with blood-red teeth.
महिषवाहिनीं श्यामां यक्षासनपरिग्रहाम् 5.1.43.
He praised the dark-hued one who rides a buffalo, who is attended by yakṣas and seated upon their throne.
पूजयित्वा प्रसन्नात्मा ध्यानमास्थाय संस्थितः प्रसन्नवदना भूत्वा प्रत्यक्षं प्राह चंडिका
Having worshipped her, his mind serene, established in meditation, the gracious-faced Caṇḍikā appeared before him and spoke.
सर्वं त्वयोक्तं यच्छामि जगतामुपकारकम्
I grant you everything you have asked for, which brings benefit to the worlds.
येन हन्मि महादैत्यं त्रिपुरं देवकंटक म्
By which I shall slay the great demon, Tripura, the thorn of the gods.
मया दत्तं सुरश्रेष्ठ दैत्यनाशकरं परम्
By me, O best of gods, the supreme weapon for the destruction of demons has been given.