स्वस्त्यस्तु लोकेभ्य इति जपन्तः परमर्षयः
Chanting 'May there be well-being for all the worlds,' the great sages recited their prayers.
दृष्ट्वोचुः किमिदं लोकाः क्षुब्धाः संशयमागताः
Seeing this, they said: 'What is this? The people are disturbed and have become doubtful.'
तदागच्छत वो युक्तं द्रष्टुं चक्रगदाधरम्
It is fitting for you all to go and see the bearer of the discus and mace.
पितामहं पुरस्कृत्य मुरारिसदनं गताः
Led by the Grandsire, they went to the abode of the enemy of Mura.
दैत्यो राक्षसो वापि पार्थिवो वा तदुच्यताम्
Whether it is a demon, a Rākṣasa, or a king—let that be told.
दैत्यो राक्षसो वापि पार्थिवो वा तदुच्यताम्
Whether it is a demon, a Rākṣasa, or a king—let that be told.
कथं च नहतः संख्ये विष्णुना तद् वदस्व मे
And how was he slain in battle by Viṣṇu? Tell me that.
विचित्रमिदमाख्यानं पुण्यं पापप्रणाशनम्
This account is marvelous, meritorious, and destroys sin.
स ददर्श रणे शस्तान् दितिपुत्रान् सुरोत्तमैः
He saw in battle the sons of Diti, armed, facing the best of the gods.
आराधयामास विभुं ब्रह्माणमपराजितम्
He worshipped the mighty, unconquered Brahmā.
स च वव्रे वरं दैत्यो वरमेनं पितामहात्
And that demon asked the Grandsire for a boon.
स स मद्धस्तसंस्पृष्टस्त्वमरो ऽपि मरत्वतः
Touched by my hand, even an immortal would become mortal.
ततो ऽभ्यागान्महातेजा मुरः सुरगिरिं बली
Then the mighty Mura, full of great energy, went to the mountain of the gods.
न कश्चिद् युयुधे तेन समं दैत्येन नारद
O Nārada, no one fought on equal terms with that demon.
न चास्य सह योद्धुं वै मतिं चक्रे पुरन्दरः
And even Purandara did not resolve to fight with him.
प्रविशन्तं न तं कश्चिन्निवारयितुमुत्सहेत्
No one was able to stop him as he entered.
देहि युद्धं सहस्राक्ष नो चेत् स्वर्गं परित्यज
'Give battle, O thousand-eyed one, or else abandon heaven.'
स्वर्गराज्यं परित्यज्य भूचरः समजायत
Abandoning the kingdom of heaven, he became one who roamed the earth.
सकलत्रो महातेजाः सह देवैः सुतेन च
With all his kin, the mighty one of great splendor, together with the gods and his son,
मुरुश्चापि महाभोगान् बुभुजे स्वर्गसंस्थितः
Mura too, abiding in heaven, enjoyed immense pleasures.
मुरमासाद्य मोदन्ते स्वर्गे सुकुतिनो यथा
Those who are virtuous rejoice in heaven upon meeting Mura, just as they ought.
एकाकी कुञ्जरारूढं सरयूं निम्नगां प्रति
Alone, mounted on an elephant, he went towards the river Sarayu.
ददृशो रघुनामानं दीक्षितं यज्ञकर्मणि
He saw the one named Raghu, consecrated for the sacrificial rite.
नो चेन्निवर्ततां यज्ञो नेष्टव्या देवतास्त्वया
Unless the sacrifice is stopped, the deities should not be worshipped by you.
प्रोवाच बुद्धिमान् ब्रह्मन् वसिष्ठस्तपतां वरः
Then the wise Brahmin Vasiṣṭha, foremost among ascetics, spoke.
प्रहर्तुमिच्छसि यदि तं निवारय चान्तकम्
If you wish to strike him, then also restrain Antaka (Death).
तस्मिञ्जिते हि विजितं सर्वं मन्यस्व भूतलम्
If he is conquered, consider the entire earth as conquered.
जगाम धर्मराजानं विजेतुं दण्डपाणिनम्
He went to conquer Dharmarāja, the wielder of the staff.
स समारुह्य महिषं केशवान्तिकमागमत्
Mounting his buffalo, he approached Keśava.
स चाह गच्छ मामद्य प्रेपयस्व महासुरम्
And he said, 'Go now; send forth the great asura to me.'