कृत्वैव रूपं भयदं च भैरवं भृङ्गित्वमीसेन कृतं स्वभक्त्या
Having assumed a form that inspires fear, Bhairava, the lord, made it by his own devotion.
संकीर्तनीयं द्विजसत्तमेषु धर्मायुरारोग्यधनैषिणा सदा
It is to be recited among the best of twice-born, by those seeking righteousness, long life, health, and wealth, always.
निष्पादितं स्वकं कार्यं तन्मे व्याख्यातुमर्हसि
My own task has been accomplished; you ought to explain it to me.
कृतं लोकहितं ब्रह्मन्नात्मनश्च तथा हितम्
O Brahman, what has been done is for the welfare of the world and likewise for oneself.
ते निर्जिताः सुरगणैः पातालगमनोत्सुकाः
Those were defeated by the hosts of gods, eager to go to the netherworld.
लतावितासंछन्नं मत्तसत्त्वसमाकुलम्
Covered by creepers and filled with intoxicated beings.
माधवीकुसुमामोदं ऋष्यर्चितहरं गिरिम्
The mountain, fragrant with mādhavī blossoms, worshipped by sages and pleasing to Hara.
मयतारपुरोगास्ते निवासं समरोचयन्
Led by Maya and Tāra, they chose that place for their dwelling.
विवाति शीतः शनकैर्दक्षिणो गन्धसंयुतः
The southern wind blows gently, cool and mixed with fragrance.
कुर्वन्तो लोकसंपूज्ये विद्धेषं देवतागणे
Performing acts worthy of universal honor among the hosts of gods.
स चापि ददृशे गच्छन् पथि गोमातरं हरिः
And Hari, while traveling on the path, saw a cow-mother.
ददृशे दानवान् सर्वान् संहृष्टान् भोगसंयुतान्
He saw all the Dānavas, delighted and enjoying pleasures.
ते चाप्याययुरव्यग्रा विकिरन्तः शेरोत्करान्
They too approached, untroubled, scattering heaps of arrows.
छादयामास विप्रर्षे गिरीन् वृष्ट्या यथा घनः
O sage among the twice-born, he covered the mountains with rain as a cloud does.
पाकं जघान तीक्ष्णाग्रैर्मार्गणैः कङ्गवाससैः
He struck Pāka with sharp-tipped arrows, clad in feathers.
पाकशासनतां शक्रः सर्वामरपतिर्विभुः
Śakra, the lord of all the immortals, became the chastiser of Pāka.
सुपुङ्खैर्दारयामास ततो ऽभूत् स पुरन्दरः
With well-feathered arrows he tore him apart; thus he became Purandara.
तच्चापि विजितं ब्रह्मन् रसातलमुपागमत्
And that which was conquered, O Brāhman, went down to the netherworld.
त्र्यम्बकेन मुनिश्रेष्ठ किमन्यच्छ्रोतुमिच्छसि
O best of sages, what else do you wish to hear from me, told by Tryambaka?
एष मे संशयो ब्रह्मन् हृदि संपरिवर्तते
O Brāhman, this doubt turns again and again in my heart.
हते हिरण्यकशिपौ यच्चकारारिमर्दनः
What did the destroyer of enemies do after Hiraṇyakaśipu was slain?
विभो नाथो ऽसि मे देहि शक्रहन्तारमात्मजम्
O Lord, you are my master; grant me a son who will slay Indra.
शौचाचारसमायुक्ता स्थास्यसे दशतीर्दश
Endowed with purity and good conduct, you will remain for ten tens of years.
जनयिष्यसि पुत्रं त्वं शत्रुघ्नं नान्यथा प्रिये
You will bear a son, O beloved, who will be the slayer of enemies—no other way.
गर्भाधानं ऋषिः कृत्वा जगामोदयपर्वतम्
After performing the rite of conception, the sage went to Mount Udaya.
तमाश्रममुपागम्य दितिं वचनमब्रवीत्
Coming to that hermitage, he spoke to Diti.
बाञमित्यब्रवीद् देवी भाविकर्मप्रचोदिता
Prompted by destined deeds, the goddess said, 'Bāṇa.'
विनीतात्मा च कार्यार्था छिद्रान्वेषी भुजङ्गवत्
With a disciplined mind, intent on his purpose, he sought out flaws like a serpent.
दशवर्षशतान्ते तु शिरःस्नाता तपस्विनी
At the end of a hundred years, the ascetic, having bathed her head, was purified.
सुष्वाप केशप्रान्तैस्तु संश्लिष्टचरणाभवत्
She slept well, with her feet entwined at the ends of her hair.