मार्कण्डेय उवाच ततो ब्रह्मर्षयः सर्वे सिद्धा देवर्षयस्तथा। हव्यवाहं पुरस्कृत्य ब्रह्माणं शरणं गताः॥
Markandeya said : Thereupon the Brahmarshis, the Siddhas, the celestials, saints, with Havyavaha as their spokesman, sought the protection of Brahma.
अग्निरुवाच योऽसौ विश्रवसः पुत्रो दशग्रीवो महाबलः। अवध्यो वरदानेन कृतो भगवता पुरा॥
The highly powerful, ten-headed son of Vishrava cannot be slain for the boon, that was given him before by you.
स बाधते प्रजाः सर्वा विप्रकारैर्महाबलः। ततो नस्त्रातु भगवन् नान्यस्त्राता हि विद्यते॥
The mighty powerful one is oppressing the creatures in every possible way; therefore save us, O lord; there is none else except you to save us.
ब्रह्मोवाच न स देवासुरैः शक्यो युद्धे जेतुं विभावसो। विहितं तत्र यत् कार्यमभितस्तस्य निग्रहः॥
Brahma said: O Vibhavasu, he cannot slain in battle either by the celestials or the Asuras I have already ordained what is necessary for this purpose. But his death is near.
तदर्थमवतीर्णोऽसौ मन्नियोगाच्चतुर्भुजः। विष्णुः प्रहरतां श्रेष्ठः स तत् कर्म करिष्यति।॥
For this purpose and at my command the four-headed god has already been incarnated; Vishnu, the foremost of repressors, shall accomplish this.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच पितामहस्ततस्तेषां संनिधौ शक्रमब्रवीत्। सर्वैर्दवगणैः सार्धं सम्भव त्वं महीतले॥
In their presence then the Grandfather said to Shakra, “You also take your birth on earth, with all these celestials.
विष्णोः सहायानृक्षीषु वानरीषु च सर्वशः। जनयध्वं सुतान् वीरान् कामरूपबलान्वितान्॥
You all beget on monkeys and bears heroic and powerful sons capable of assuring forms at will to help Vishnu."
ततो भागानुभागेन देवगन्धर्वपन्नगाः। अवतर्तुं महीं सर्वे मन्त्रयामासुरञ्जसा॥
At this, the celestial, the Gandharvas and the Danavas quickly assembled to consult as to how they should he born on earth according to their respective parts.
तेषां समक्षं गन्धर्वी दुन्दुभी नाम नामतः। शशास वरदो देवो गच्छ कार्यार्थसिद्धये॥
In their presence the Deity, conferring boons commanded a Gandharvi named Dundubhi saying, “Go there for accomplishing this object.”
पितामहवचः श्रुत्वा गन्धर्वी दुन्दुभी ततः। मन्थरा मानुषे लोके कुब्जा समभवत् तदा॥
Hearing the words of Grandfather, Dundubhi became born on earth as the haunchbacked Manthara.
शक्रप्रभृतयश्चैव सर्वे ते सुरसत्तमाः। वानरक्षवरस्त्रीषु जनयामासुरात्मजान्॥
And all the leading celestial, Shakra and others begot offspring on the wives of the foremost of monkeys and bears.
तेऽन्ववर्तन् पितृन् सर्वे यशसा च बलेन च। भेत्तारो गिरिशृङ्गाणां शालतालशिलायुधाः॥
They all took after their fathers, in strength and fame; they were capable of breaking down mountain summits and their weapons were trees of Shala and Tala.
वलासंहननाः सर्वे सर्वे चौघबलास्तथा। कामवीर्यबलाश्चैव सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः॥ वनौकसः॥
Their bodies were as hard as adamant and they were all endued with very great strength; they were all skilled in the art of warfare and could summon any amount of strength at their will.
नागायुतसमप्राणा वायुवेगसमा जवे। यत्रेच्छकनिवासाश्च केचिदत्र
They were gifted with the strength of an Ayuta elephants and were like the wind in speed; some of them lived wherever they liked; others lived in woods.
एवं विधाय तत् सर्वं भगवाँल्लोकभावनः। मन्थरां बोधयामास यद् यत् कार्यं यथा यथा॥
Having ordained all this the worshipful creator instructed Manthara as to what she should do.
सा तद्वचः समाज्ञाय तथा चक्रे मनोजवा। इतश्चेतश्च गच्छन्ती वैरसन्धुक्षणे रता॥
Understanding his words she, quick as thought, did accordingly. She moved about here and there fanning quarrels.