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.
महापाशुपतं शस्त्रं करे कृत्वा च शंकरः
Taking the great Pāśupata weapon in his hand, Śaṃkara—
उज्जहार तदा शंभुर्दैत्यनाशाय सत्वरः
Then Śaṃbhu swiftly raised it for the destruction of the demon.
स्तुतिं कृत्वा ययौ वाग्भिः पृष्ठतोऽनुययुः सुराः
Having offered praise, he departed with words, and the gods followed behind him.
मायिनं तं त्रिधा भित्त्वा मायायुद्धेन शंकरः
Śaṃkara, by means of magical warfare, split that sorcerer into three.
जयाशिषा प्रयुंजाना ऋषयः सिद्धचारणाः
The sages, siddhas, and celestial beings bestowed blessings of victory.
अप्सरा ननृतुस्तत्र गंधर्वा ललितं जगुः 5.1.43.
There, the apsarases danced and the gandharvas sang sweetly.
जयशब्दस्तदा जातः प्राणिनां च गृहेगृहे
Then, cries of victory arose in every household among living beings.
प्रवर्तंते तदा यज्ञा महोत्सवसदक्षिणाः
At that time, sacrifices commenced, accompanied by great festivals and generous gifts.
उज्जितो दानवो यस्मात्त्रैलोक्ये स्थापितं यशः
Because the demon was slain, fame was established throughout the three worlds.
कृतं नाम ह्यवंत्या वा उज्जयिनी पापनाशिनी
The city called Avanti, or Ujjayinī, destroyer of sin, was thus named.