Muka's Report and the Council of War

Verse 1 (skanda.8.63.1)

१ तदनु जयति दीर्घः पीनबाहूरुपादः पृथुरुचिरसुवक्षाश्चोन्नतांसः सुनेत्रः । अथ निर्जित्य समरे देवान् देवद्विषस्तदा । आजग्मुः सहिता विन्ध्यं शिखरालीनतोयदम्

1 tadanu jayati dīrghaḥ pīnabāhūrupādaḥ pṛthurucirasuvakṣāśconnatāṁsaḥ sunetraḥ | atha nirjitya samare devān devadviṣastadā | ājagmuḥ sahitā vindhyaṁ śikharālīnatoyadam

And after him, too, victorious is he - long of arm, thigh and foot, broad and lovely of chest, high-shouldered, fine-eyed! Then, having conquered the gods in battle, those foes of the gods came together to the Vindhya, its peaks wreathed in clinging clouds.

Verse 2 (skanda.8.63.2)

प्रस्थाप्य विधिवत् सर्वान् तौ तदा दैत्यदानवान् । रेमाते सहितौ विन्ध्ये किन्नरोद्गीतकन्दरे

prasthāpya vidhivat sarvān tau tadā daityadānavān | remāte sahitau vindhye kinnarodgītakandare

Having duly dismissed all the Daityas and Danavas, the two of them then sported together on the Vindhya, in caverns echoing with the songs of Kinnaras.

Verse 3 (skanda.8.63.3)

आरक्षिकस्तयोस्तत्र मूको नाम महासुरः । अपश्यच्छिखरे देवीं ज्वलन्तीमिव तेजसा

ārakṣikastayostatra mūko nāma mahāsuraḥ | apaśyacchikhare devīṁ jvalantīmiva tejasā

There, their guard, a great Asura named Muka, saw upon a peak a goddess-like woman blazing, as it were, with radiance.

Verse 4 (skanda.8.63.4)

पुण्यलक्षणसंपूर्णां पुण्याभरणभूषिताम् । आगतां तत्र तां सिद्धिं पुण्यानां कर्मणामिव

puṇyalakṣaṇasaṁpūrṇāṁ puṇyābharaṇabhūṣitām | āgatāṁ tatra tāṁ siddhiṁ puṇyānāṁ karmaṇāmiva

Complete with auspicious marks, adorned with sacred ornaments - she who had come there was like the very Perfection of meritorious deeds.

Verse 5 (skanda.8.63.5)

अथ मूकस्तदा देवीं विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचनः । दृष्ट्वा जगाम मनसा शुंभं दानवसत्तमम्

atha mūkastadā devīṁ vismayotphullalocanaḥ | dṛṣṭvā jagāma manasā śuṁbhaṁ dānavasattamam

Then Muka, his eyes wide with astonishment at seeing that goddess-like woman, at once thought in his mind of Shumbha, foremost of demons.

Verse 6 (skanda.8.63.6)

यथेयं चारुसर्वाङ्गी प्रधाना सर्वयोषिताम् । तथा पुंसां प्रधानोसौ शुम्भो दैत्येन्द्रचन्द्रमाः

yatheyaṁ cārusarvāṅgī pradhānā sarvayoṣitām | tathā puṁsāṁ pradhānosau śumbho daityendracandramāḥ

'As this lovely-limbed one is foremost among all women, so is that Shumbha, moon among demon-lords, foremost among men.'

Verse 7 (skanda.8.63.7)

विस्तीर्णवक्षसस्तस्य विशालजघनस्थला । अनुरूपा भवेत् पत्नी दीर्घाक्षस्यासितेक्षणा

vistīrṇavakṣasastasya viśālajaghanasthalā | anurūpā bhavet patnī dīrghākṣasyāsitekṣaṇā

'For him of the broad chest, this one of ample hips and dark, long eyes, would make a fitting wife.'

Verse 8 (skanda.8.63.8)

इति संचिन्त्य मनसा तामुवाच सुमध्यमाम् । का त्वं त्रस्त समुद्भ्रान्तसृगशाव विलोचने

iti saṁcintya manasā tāmuvāca sumadhyamām | kā tvaṁ trasta samudbhrāntasṛgaśāva vilocane

Having thus reflected in his mind, he spoke to that slender-waisted one: 'Who are you, O one whose eyes are like a startled, bewildered fawn's?'

Verse 9 (skanda.8.63.9)

कः पिता तेनवद्याङ्गि का वा माता तवानघे । किमर्थं वा वसस्यत्र गिरौ दानवसेविते

kaḥ pitā tenavadyāṅgi kā vā mātā tavānaghe | kimarthaṁ vā vasasyatra girau dānavasevite

'Who is your father, O flawless-limbed one, or who is your mother, O sinless one? And why do you dwell here on this mountain frequented by demons?'

Verse 10 (skanda.8.63.10)

एवमुक्ताश्च मूकेन महायोगा सुरेश्वरी । विज्ञाय मनसा कालं प्राप्तं शुंभनिशुंभयोः

evamuktāśca mūkena mahāyogā sureśvarī | vijñāya manasā kālaṁ prāptaṁ śuṁbhaniśuṁbhayoḥ

Thus addressed by Muka, that great yogini, the goddess-empress, knowing in her mind that the appointed time for Shumbha and Nishumbha had arrived,

Verse 11 (skanda.8.63.11)

स्मितपूर्वमिदं प्राह वाक्यं वाक्यविशारदा । मानुषीं मां विजानीहि गिरावस्मिन् कृतालयाम्

smitapūrvamidaṁ prāha vākyaṁ vākyaviśāradā | mānuṣīṁ māṁ vijānīhi girāvasmin kṛtālayām

spoke this word, skilled in speech as she was, first smiling: 'Know me to be a human woman, who has made her dwelling on this mountain.'

Verse 12 (skanda.8.63.12)

आत्रेयः स्वर्गतो विद्वान् पिता चक्रचरो मम । विहाय मां पुरो बालां माताप्यनुगता पतिम्

ātreyaḥ svargato vidvān pitā cakracaro mama | vihāya māṁ puro bālāṁ mātāpyanugatā patim

'My father, the learned Atreya, a wanderer by choice, has gone to heaven; and my mother, leaving me behind as a young girl, followed her husband.'

Verse 13 (skanda.8.63.13)

आज्ञप्तास्मि तदा मात्रा प्रदायास्त्राणि दानव । वस विन्ध्ये गिरौ रम्ये योगं च कुरु सर्वदा

ājñaptāsmi tadā mātrā pradāyāstrāṇi dānava | vasa vindhye girau ramye yogaṁ ca kuru sarvadā

'I was then instructed by my mother, O demon, after she gave me weapons: "Dwell on the lovely Vindhya mountain, and ever practise yoga."'

Verse 14 (skanda.8.63.14)

साहं वचनमार्यायाः पालयन्ती नगोत्तमे । वसामि सिंहशार्दूल मातङ्गमृगसेविते

sāhaṁ vacanamāryāyāḥ pālayantī nagottame | vasāmi siṁhaśārdūla mātaṅgamṛgasevite

'So I, obeying my noble mother's word, dwell on this finest of mountains, frequented by lions, tigers, elephants and deer.'

Verse 15 (skanda.8.63.15)

इति देव्या वचः श्रुत्वा मूकः संहृष्टमानसः । जगाम दानवश्रेष्ठं शुम्भं द्रष्टुं कृतत्वरः

iti devyā vacaḥ śrutvā mūkaḥ saṁhṛṣṭamānasaḥ | jagāma dānavaśreṣṭhaṁ śumbhaṁ draṣṭuṁ kṛtatvaraḥ

Hearing this word of the goddess, Muka, his mind greatly delighted, hastened away to see Shumbha, foremost of demons.

Verse 16 (skanda.8.63.16)

अथ शुंभं समासाद्य हर्षेणोत्फुल्ललोचनः । आचचक्ष इवाकारैरपूर्वं रत्नदर्शनम्

atha śuṁbhaṁ samāsādya harṣeṇotphullalocanaḥ | ācacakṣa ivākārairapūrvaṁ ratnadarśanam

Then, reaching Shumbha, his eyes wide with joy, he described, as it were through his very gestures, the vision of an unprecedented jewel.

Verse 17 (skanda.8.63.17)

तं दृष्टवा विस्मयोत्फुल्लं रक्तायतविलोचनः । मूकमाह तदा शुंभः कस्मात्तुष्टोसि दानव

taṁ dṛṣṭavā vismayotphullaṁ raktāyatavilocanaḥ | mūkamāha tadā śuṁbhaḥ kasmāttuṣṭosi dānava

Seeing him so wide-eyed with astonishment, Shumbha, his own long eyes reddened, then said to Muka: 'Why are you so delighted, O demon?'

Verse 18 (skanda.8.63.18)

एवमुक्तः स शुंभेन मूको वचनमब्रवीत् । अपूर्वमद्य दृष्टं मे स्त्रीरत्नं शिखरे गिरेः

evamuktaḥ sa śuṁbhena mūko vacanamabravīt | apūrvamadya dṛṣṭaṁ me strīratnaṁ śikhare gireḥ

Thus asked by Shumbha, Muka spoke this word: 'Today I have seen an unprecedented jewel among women, upon the peak of the mountain.'

Verse 19 (skanda.8.63.19)

न तादृशी मनुष्येषु न देवेष्वपि सुन्दरी । न रक्षस्सु न यक्षेषु न गन्धर्वपुरेषु वा

na tādṛśī manuṣyeṣu na deveṣvapi sundarī | na rakṣassu na yakṣeṣu na gandharvapureṣu vā

'No such beauty exists among men, nor even among the gods, nor among the Rakshasas, nor among the Yakshas, nor in the cities of the Gandharvas,'

Verse 20 (skanda.8.63.20)

न नागेषु न सिद्धेषु न दैत्यपतिवेश्मसु । दृष्टपूर्वा मया राजन् यादृशी सा वरांगना

na nāgeṣu na siddheṣu na daityapativeśmasu | dṛṣṭapūrvā mayā rājan yādṛśī sā varāṁganā

'-nor among the Nagas, nor the Siddhas, nor in the mansions of the demon-lords, O king, have I ever before seen such an excellent woman as she.'

Verse 21 (skanda.8.63.21)

का त्वं कस्य किमर्थं वा वससीह गिराविति । पृ । ष्टाब्रवीन्मया वाक्यमात्रेयदुहिता ह्यहम्

kā tvaṁ kasya kimarthaṁ vā vasasīha girāviti | pṛ | ṣṭābravīnmayā vākyamātreyaduhitā hyaham

'Who are you, whose daughter, and why do you dwell here on this mountain?' - so asked, she spoke this word to me: 'I am indeed the daughter of Atreya,'

Verse 22 (skanda.8.63.22)

वसामि चात्र विन्ध्यस्य शिखरे मातुराज्ञया । इति भर्त्तुः समाख्याय विरराम स दानवः

vasāmi cātra vindhyasya śikhare māturājñayā | iti bharttuḥ samākhyāya virarāma sa dānavaḥ

'-and I dwell here on the peak of the Vindhya by my mother's command.' Having thus reported to his lord, that demon fell silent.

Verse 23 (skanda.8.63.23)

अथ शुंभस्य हृदये मूकस्य वचसा सह । कामोवकाशमकरोद्विनाशाय सुरद्विषाम्

atha śuṁbhasya hṛdaye mūkasya vacasā saha | kāmovakāśamakarodvināśāya suradviṣām

Then, together with Muka's words, Desire made a place in Shumbha's heart, for the destruction of the enemies of the gods.

Verse 24 (skanda.8.63.24)

ततः प्रोवाच दैत्येन्द्रः कामाकुलितमानसः । गच्छ मूक मदर्थे तां प्रलोभय सुमध्यमाम्

tataḥ provāca daityendraḥ kāmākulitamānasaḥ | gaccha mūka madarthe tāṁ pralobhaya sumadhyamām

Then the demon-lord, his mind agitated by desire, said: 'Go, Muka, and on my behalf entice that slender-waisted one.'

Verse 25 (skanda.8.63.25)

एवमुक्तः स शुंभेन द्रुतमुत्थाय दानवः । प्रययौ यत्र सा देवी प्रागनेनाभिलक्षिता

evamuktaḥ sa śuṁbhena drutamutthāya dānavaḥ | prayayau yatra sā devī prāganenābhilakṣitā

Thus commanded by Shumbha, the demon rose swiftly and went to where that goddess-like woman, first sighted by him, was.

Verse 26 (skanda.8.63.26)

तं दृष्टवा दानवं देवी कृताञ्जलिमुपस्थितम् । किमर्थमागतोसीति मूकं पृष्टवती तदा

taṁ dṛṣṭavā dānavaṁ devī kṛtāñjalimupasthitam | kimarthamāgatosīti mūkaṁ pṛṣṭavatī tadā

Seeing that demon standing before her with joined palms, the goddess then asked Muka: 'For what purpose have you come?'

Verse 27 (skanda.8.63.27)

एवं पृष्टोथ कौशिक्या प्राहेत्थं मूकदानवः । आर्ये दूतोस्मि शुम्भस्य त्वत्समीपमुपागतः

evaṁ pṛṣṭotha kauśikyā prāhetthaṁ mūkadānavaḥ | ārye dūtosmi śumbhasya tvatsamīpamupāgataḥ

Thus asked by Kaushiki, the demon Muka spoke thus: 'O noble lady, I am Shumbha's envoy, come here into your presence.'

Verse 28 (skanda.8.63.28)

अथ देवी स्मितं कृत्वा प्रसन्नमभिवीक्ष्य तम् । इत्थमाहागतं दूतं किं स आहा सुरेश्वरः

atha devī smitaṁ kṛtvā prasannamabhivīkṣya tam | itthamāhāgataṁ dūtaṁ kiṁ sa āhā sureśvaraḥ

Then the goddess, smiling and looking upon him kindly, said this to the envoy who had come: 'What does that Lord of demons say?'

Verse 29 (skanda.8.63.29)

इति पृष्टस्तदा देव्या प्राह मूकः कृताञ्जलिः । आर्ये दैत्येश्वरः शुंभः पत्नीत्वेन वृणोति ते

iti pṛṣṭastadā devyā prāha mūkaḥ kṛtāñjaliḥ | ārye daityeśvaraḥ śuṁbhaḥ patnītvena vṛṇoti te

Thus asked by the goddess, Muka, with joined palms, said: 'O noble lady, Shumbha, lord of the Daityas, chooses you as his wife -'

Verse 30 (skanda.8.63.30)

तस्य दानवसिंहस्य जेतुः शक्रस्य संयुगे । भवाग्र्या सर्वपत्नीनां पत्नी मृगविलोचने

tasya dānavasiṁhasya jetuḥ śakrasya saṁyuge | bhavāgryā sarvapatnīnāṁ patnī mṛgavilocane

'-that lion among demons, conqueror of Indra in battle; O deer-eyed one, become the foremost of all his wives.'

Verse 31 (skanda.8.63.31)

एवमुक्ता तदा तेन विहस्याहामरेश्वरी । स्वबाहूनवलोक्येत्थं युद्धशुल्का मवेहि माम्

evamuktā tadā tena vihasyāhāmareśvarī | svabāhūnavalokyetthaṁ yuddhaśulkā mavehi mām

Thus addressed by him, the goddess-empress, laughing, looking upon her own arms, said thus: 'Know me to be one whose bride-price is battle.'

Verse 32 (skanda.8.63.32)

मां विनिर्जित्य दैत्योसौ पत्नीं वै कर्तुमर्हति । मया वा निहतो यातु काकगोमायुभक्ष्यताम्

māṁ vinirjitya daityosau patnīṁ vai kartumarhati | mayā vā nihato yātu kākagomāyubhakṣyatām

'That demon may make me his wife only after conquering me in battle; or else, slain by me, let him go to be food for crows and jackals.'

Verse 33 (skanda.8.63.33)

एवमुक्तवतीं देवीमाह मूको हसन्निव । पत्या दानवदैत्यानां किं ते युद्धेन भामिनि

evamuktavatīṁ devīmāha mūko hasanniva | patyā dānavadaityānāṁ kiṁ te yuddhena bhāmini

To the goddess who had spoken thus, Muka said, as if laughing: 'O lady, what need have you of battle with the lord of the Daityas and Danavas?'

Verse 34 (skanda.8.63.34)

क्रुद्धस्य यस्य समरे न शशाक निरीक्षितुम् । मुखमैरावतस्कन्धगतोपि बलवृत्रहा

kruddhasya yasya samare na śaśāka nirīkṣitum | mukhamairāvataskandhagatopi balavṛtrahā

'-he whose enraged face, in battle, even mighty Indra, slayer of Vritra, mounted upon the shoulders of Airavata, could not bear to look upon,'

Verse 35 (skanda.8.63.35)

तृणानि मम दैत्येन्द्राः सर्वेपि रणमूर्धनि

tṛṇāni mama daityendrāḥ sarvepi raṇamūrdhani

'-to me, all the demon-lords are but blades of grass at the height of battle!'

Verse 36 (skanda.8.63.36)

निवेदयस्व शुंभस्य गच्छ त्वं दानवाधम । दौत्येनासि यतः प्राप्तो मयातो न विहन्यसे

nivedayasva śuṁbhasya gaccha tvaṁ dānavādhama | dautyenāsi yataḥ prāpto mayāto na vihanyase

'Go and report this to Shumbha, O lowest of demons; since you have come here as a messenger, you shall not be struck down by me.'

Verse 37 (skanda.8.63.37)

अथ प्रणम्य तां मूको ययौ पार्श्वं सुरद्विषः । अनुज्ञातश्च तेनासावाख्यातुमुपचक्रमे

atha praṇamya tāṁ mūko yayau pārśvaṁ suradviṣaḥ | anujñātaśca tenāsāvākhyātumupacakrame

Then, bowing to her, Muka went to the side of that foe of the gods; and, given leave by him, began to relate everything.

Verse 38 (skanda.8.63.38)

सा मया प्रार्थिता कन्या त्वदर्थे दानवोत्तम । उवाच युद्धशुल्कास्मि जित्वा मां नेतुमर्हसि

sā mayā prārthitā kanyā tvadarthe dānavottama | uvāca yuddhaśulkāsmi jitvā māṁ netumarhasi

'That maiden, O foremost of demons, was requested by me on your behalf; she said, "I am to be won only at a battle-price - you must conquer me before taking me."'

Verse 39 (skanda.8.63.39)

भूयश्चोक्तवती राजन् गर्वमालम्ब्य साङ्गना । तृणानि मम संग्रामे दैत्या इति सविस्मया

bhūyaścoktavatī rājan garvamālambya sāṅganā | tṛṇāni mama saṁgrāme daityā iti savismayā

'And further, O king, that woman said, taking on an air of pride and wonder: "In battle, all the Daityas are to me but blades of grass."'

Verse 40 (skanda.8.63.40)

तत्तदा वचनं तस्या मूकेनोक्तं निशाम्य सः । क्रोधाद्दर्पाच्च कामाच्च ममृषे नासुरोत्तमः

tattadā vacanaṁ tasyā mūkenoktaṁ niśāmya saḥ | krodhāddarpācca kāmācca mamṛṣe nāsurottamaḥ

Hearing that word of hers, as reported by Muka, that foremost of Asuras could not bear it, out of anger, pride and desire alike.

Verse 41 (skanda.8.63.41)

अथोत्थाय सभां रम्यामगच्छद्दानवाधिपः । स्फाटिकस्तम्भनिर्व्यूहां विचित्रमणितोरणाम्

athotthāya sabhāṁ ramyāmagacchaddānavādhipaḥ | sphāṭikastambhanirvyūhāṁ vicitramaṇitoraṇām

Then, rising, the lord of the demons went to his lovely assembly-hall, built with crystal pillars, its archways set with many kinds of jewels.

Verse 42 (skanda.8.63.42)

तस्यां सिंहासने हैमे स्वास्तीर्णे महति स्थिरे । निषसाद महाबाहुः सुखायां वरुणो यथा

tasyāṁ siṁhāsane haime svāstīrṇe mahati sthire | niṣasāda mahābāhuḥ sukhāyāṁ varuṇo yathā

There, upon a great, firm, well-spread golden throne, that mighty-armed one sat down comfortably, like Varuna on his own throne.

Verse 43 (skanda.8.63.43)

अनु तस्य निशुंभोपि निषसाद वरासने । रत्नाङ्गदांशुनिवहच्छुरितोरःस्थलस्तदा

anu tasya niśuṁbhopi niṣasāda varāsane | ratnāṅgadāṁśunivahacchuritoraḥsthalastadā

After him, Nishumbha too sat down upon an excellent seat, his chest then gleaming with the mass of light from his jewelled armlets.

Verse 44 (skanda.8.63.44)

तयोरनु महासत्वा विविशुर्दैत्यदानवाः । दरीं हिमवतो रम्यां वारिश्यामा इवाम्बुदाः

tayoranu mahāsatvā viviśurdaityadānavāḥ | darīṁ himavato ramyāṁ vāriśyāmā ivāmbudāḥ

After the two of them, the mighty Daityas and Danavas entered the hall, like water-dark clouds entering a lovely cave of the Himalaya.

Verse 45 (skanda.8.63.45)

अथ तेषूपविष्टेषु दैत्यदानवराजसु । प्रोवाच वचनं शुम्भो घनस्तनितनिस्वनः

atha teṣūpaviṣṭeṣu daityadānavarājasu | provāca vacanaṁ śumbho ghanastanitanisvanaḥ

Then, when those Daitya and Danava kings had taken their seats, Shumbha, his voice like the rumble of a thundercloud, spoke this word:

Verse 46 (skanda.8.63.46)

आरक्षिको गिरो विन्ध्ये मदीयो मूकदानवः । विन्ध्यस्य शिखरे कन्यां दृष्टवान् चारुरूपिणीम्

ārakṣiko giro vindhye madīyo mūkadānavaḥ | vindhyasya śikhare kanyāṁ dṛṣṭavān cārurūpiṇīm

'My guard on the Vindhya mountain, the demon Muka, saw upon the peak of the Vindhya a maiden of beautiful form.'

Verse 47 (skanda.8.63.47)

युद्धशुल्काहमित्याह न मदर्थेनेन सार्थिता । तृणानि मम दैत्येन्द्रा भूयश्चोक्तवती किल

yuddhaśulkāhamityāha na madarthenena sārthitā | tṛṇāni mama daityendrā bhūyaścoktavatī kila

'She said, "My bride-price is battle" - and when he pleaded on my behalf, she said further, so it is told, "To me the demon-lords are but blades of grass."'

Verse 48 (skanda.8.63.48)

जित्वा तां प्रसभं कन्यां समरे गर्वशालिनीम् । विचेष्टमाना मवशामद्यैवानेतुमुत्सहे

jitvā tāṁ prasabhaṁ kanyāṁ samare garvaśālinīm | viceṣṭamānā mavaśāmadyaivānetumutsahe

'Having forcibly conquered that proud maiden in battle, I am resolved to bring her here this very day, helpless, however much she may struggle.'

Verse 49 (skanda.8.63.49)

अथ तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा शंभुर्नाम महासुरः । प्रहस्योच्चैर्महाबाहुरिदमाहासुरेश्वरम्

atha tasya vacaḥ śrutvā śaṁbhurnāma mahāsuraḥ | prahasyoccairmahābāhuridamāhāsureśvaram

Then, hearing his words, the great Asura named Shambhu, laughing loudly, that mighty-armed one, said this to the lord of the Asuras:

Verse 50 (skanda.8.63.50)

वामप्रकृतयः सर्वाः स्वभावेन वराङ्गनाः । परिसान्त्व्या सकृद् राजन् तां त्वमादातुमर्हसि

vāmaprakṛtayaḥ sarvāḥ svabhāvena varāṅganāḥ | parisāntvyā sakṛd rājan tāṁ tvamādātumarhasi

'All excellent women are, by nature, contrary of temperament; they need only be soothed once, O king - you should thus simply take her.'

Verse 51 (skanda.8.63.51)

श्रुत्वाथ वचनं शम्भोर्मयो दानवसत्तमः । प्रोवाचाभिनवोत्फुल्लनीलनीरजलोचनः

śrutvātha vacanaṁ śambhormayo dānavasattamaḥ | provācābhinavotphullanīlanīrajalocanaḥ

Then, hearing Shambhu's words, Maya, foremost of demons, his eyes like freshly-blossomed blue lotuses, spoke:

Verse 52 (skanda.8.63.52)

आकारः कः पुनस्तस्याः का वा चेष्टा सुराधिप । पार्श्वस्थानि च कान्यस्याः सदोपकरणानि वा

ākāraḥ kaḥ punastasyāḥ kā vā ceṣṭā surādhipa | pārśvasthāni ca kānyasyāḥ sadopakaraṇāni vā

'But what is her appearance, O lord, and what her manner? And what are the things always kept about her, and her equipment?'

Verse 53 (skanda.8.63.53)

इत्युक्तवति दैत्येन्द्रे मये मत्तेभविक्रमे । अथ दैत्यपतिर्मूकं पार्श्वस्थं समचोदयत्

ityuktavati daityendre maye mattebhavikrame | atha daityapatirmūkaṁ pārśvasthaṁ samacodayat

When the demon-lord Maya, mighty as a rutting elephant, had spoken thus, the lord of the Daityas then urged Muka, who stood nearby, to answer.

Verse 54 (skanda.8.63.54)

यं प्रश्नं पृष्टवाँस्तत्र मयो मतिमतां वरः । मूकस्तु तं तदा सर्वमाख्यातुमुपचक्रमे

yaṁ praśnaṁ pṛṣṭavā~statra mayo matimatāṁ varaḥ | mūkastu taṁ tadā sarvamākhyātumupacakrame

The question that Maya, foremost of the wise, had asked there - that Muka then began to answer in full.

Verse 55 (skanda.8.63.55)

सदा सुसंस्थिता व्यक्षा करालदशनानना । अष्टबाहुर्घनश्यामा सुनासा वल्गुनिस्वना

sadā susaṁsthitā vyakṣā karāladaśanānanā | aṣṭabāhurghanaśyāmā sunāsā valgunisvanā

'She always stands composed, with striking eyes and formidable teeth in her mouth, eight-armed, dark as a cloud, fine-nosed, sweet-voiced.'

Verse 56 (skanda.8.63.56)

सा र्श्वस्थानि सदा तस्याः सर्वप्रहरणानि च । तनुत्राणि च मुख्यानि चित्राण्याभरणानि च

sā rśvasthāni sadā tasyāḥ sarvapraharaṇāni ca | tanutrāṇi ca mukhyāni citrāṇyābharaṇāni ca

'Always at her side are all her weapons, her principal armour, and her many-coloured ornaments.'

Verse 57 (skanda.8.63.57)

अत्यादित्यं वपुस्तस्याः कान्तिश्चातिनिशाकरा । इत्याख्याय तदा मूको विरेमे दैत्यसंसदि

atyādityaṁ vapustasyāḥ kāntiścātiniśākarā | ityākhyāya tadā mūko vireme daityasaṁsadi

'Her body outshines the sun, and her radiance surpasses even the moon.' Having thus reported, Muka then fell silent in the assembly of the demons.

Verse 58 (skanda.8.63.58)

अथ दीर्घं विनिःश्वस्य तदा मय महासुरः । प्रोवाच सदसि स्वन्तं वचो वचनकोविदः

atha dīrghaṁ viniḥśvasya tadā maya mahāsuraḥ | provāca sadasi svantaṁ vaco vacanakovidaḥ

Then, sighing deeply, the great Asura Maya, skilled in speech, spoke in that assembly a word revealing his own mind:

Verse 59 (skanda.8.63.59)

नूनमुत्पादिता देवैः कृत्या युधि पराजितैः । विन्ध्यं महीध्रमायाता विनाशाय सुरद्विषाम्

nūnamutpāditā devaiḥ kṛtyā yudhi parājitaiḥ | vindhyaṁ mahīdhramāyātā vināśāya suradviṣām

'Surely this is a Kritya, a magical female weapon produced by the gods who were defeated in battle, come to the Vindhya mountain for the destruction of the enemies of the gods.'

Verse 60 (skanda.8.63.60)

तदलं ते तया राजन् सन्ति कन्याः सुमध्यमाः । दीर्घाक्ष्यश्चारुसर्वाङ्ग्यो दैत्यदानववेश्मसु

tadalaṁ te tayā rājan santi kanyāḥ sumadhyamāḥ | dīrghākṣyaścārusarvāṅgyo daityadānavaveśmasu

'Enough of her, O king! There are slender-waisted maidens, long-eyed and lovely of every limb, in the mansions of the Daityas and Danavas.'

Verse 61 (skanda.8.63.61)

सम्यगाहृत्य ता राजन्ननुरूपाः कलस्वनाः । यथेष्टं क्रीड सततं प्रासादोदरसंस्थितः

samyagāhṛtya tā rājannanurūpāḥ kalasvanāḥ | yatheṣṭaṁ krīḍa satataṁ prāsādodarasaṁsthitaḥ

'Bring them here properly, O king - suitable, sweet-voiced ones - and sport with them as you please, always dwelling within your palace.'

Verse 62 (skanda.8.63.62)

एवमुक्ते तदा वाक्ये मयेनासुरसंसदि । प्राह वाक्यं तदा शुम्भो विहस्येत्थं महासुरः

evamukte tadā vākye mayenāsurasaṁsadi | prāha vākyaṁ tadā śumbho vihasyetthaṁ mahāsuraḥ

When Maya had thus spoken this word in the assembly of the Asuras, the great Asura Shumbha then laughed and spoke this word:

Verse 63 (skanda.8.63.63)

यदि सा दैवतैः सृष्टा कृत्या दानवशासने । अहत्वा दानवानाशु तदा सा न विरंस्यते

yadi sā daivataiḥ sṛṣṭā kṛtyā dānavaśāsane | ahatvā dānavānāśu tadā sā na viraṁsyate

'If she was indeed created by the gods as a Kritya for the destruction of demon-rule, then she will not cease until she has swiftly slain demons.'

Verse 64 (skanda.8.63.64)

यावदेव न कृत्यास्मानभियुंक्ते कृतोद्यमा । तावदेव प्रसह्याशु तां वशे कर्तुमर्हथ

yāvadeva na kṛtyāsmānabhiyuṁkte kṛtodyamā | tāvadeva prasahyāśu tāṁ vaśe kartumarhatha

'So long as this Kritya, once roused to action, has not yet attacked us, so long should you swiftly and forcibly bring her under control.'

Verse 65 (skanda.8.63.65)

ततोनुमेनिरे सर्वे दैत्यदानवसत्तमाः । वचनं दैत्यराजस्य कालेनाभिप्रचोदिताः

tatonumenire sarve daityadānavasattamāḥ | vacanaṁ daityarājasya kālenābhipracoditāḥ

Then all the foremost of the Daityas and Danavas, impelled by fate, approved the word of the king of the demons.

Verse 66 (skanda.8.63.66)

अथ सदसि समस्तान् दैत्यसिंहाँस्तदानीं । त्रिदशपतिविजेता वाक्यमेतद् विहृत्य । उदपतदवलम्बिस्वच्छशुभ्रोरुहारो । नवजलभरनम्रः प्रावृषीवाम्बुवाहः

atha sadasi samastān daityasiṁhā~stadānīṁ | tridaśapativijetā vākyametad vihṛtya | udapatadavalambisvacchaśubhroruhāro | navajalabharanamraḥ prāvṛṣīvāmbuvāhaḥ

Then, having spoken this word to all the lion-like Daityas assembled there, the conqueror of the lord of the gods rose up, a great pure white garland hanging upon him, like a raincloud bowed down with a fresh burden of water in the monsoon.