Chapter 16 of 55 · Rudra Samhita - Parvati Khanda · Overall chapter 111 of 464
Assuring the Devas
The oppressed gods come to Brahma, who confirms directly that only a son of Shiva can kill Taraka and that this requires Shiva to marry Parvati - then personally orders Taraka to abandon heaven for an earthly kingdom instead, while dispatching the gods to actively work toward the Shiva-Parvati union.
Brahma said
Then all the gods bowed to the lord of subjects. Oppressed by Taraka, full of great devotion, they praised me. I heard the praise and understood the heart of the matter. Extremely pleased, I answered the residents of heaven: "Welcome, gods. I hope you exercise your rights without any obstruction. Why have you all come here? Tell me." Hearing me, all the residents of heaven bowed down, suffering and distressed from Taraka, and spoke.
The devas said
Lord of the worlds, by your boon Taraka the daitya has become insolent. The deceiver has forcibly seized our positions and taken them himself. Do you not know the misery that has come upon us? To have it quickly ended we have taken refuge in you. Wherever we are, he obstructs us day and night. Wherever we flee, we see Taraka there. Lord of everything, all our miseries come from Taraka. Father, we are suffering greatly. Agni, Yama, Varuna, Nirriti, Vayu and all the other guardians of the worlds have come under his sway. All follow the dharma of humans and pay him tribute. They are never independent and serve the great daitya. Always under his control, the gods suffer so. All of us do what he wishes and get our living from him. The immensely strong daitya Taraka has seized all our women and the host of apsaras. No sacrifices are being held. Ascetics are not performing austerities. Gifts and other dharma exist nowhere in the worlds. His commander is a very wicked danava, Krouncha, who has gone to the nether region of Patala and constantly obstructs the subjects there. Creator of the universe, Taraka is evil and has no compassion. The deceitful one has seized the three worlds by force. We will go wherever you tell us. Protector of the world, our enemies the asuras have barred us from our own places. We have no refuge but you. You are ruler, creator and saviour. All of us have been scorched by the fire called Taraka and are very agitated. All our cruel attempts have been drained of energy, like herbs against a sannipata fever. Our hope of victory rested on Hari's Sudarshana chakra, but hurled at his throat it was ineffective, like a flower offering round an idol's neck.
Brahma said
Sage, I heard the gods' words and replied to them all in words suited to the occasion.
Brahma said
The daitya Taraka has succeeded because of my words. Residents of heaven, it is not fitting that I kill him. His death from a source that led to his prosperity is not proper. A man who has reared a poisonous tree cannot himself be the cause of cutting it. Shankara is the right person to do every task for you, but he can only be the cause; he cannot himself counter this. I have myself worked out the means to destroy the wicked Taraka, and I will tell you. Taraka cannot be killed by me, Hari or Hara. By my boon no other god can do it. I tell you the truth. Gods, if a son is born from Shiva's energy, he alone can kill the daitya Taraka and no one else. Best of gods, I have told you the means. Act as I have said. Success will certainly come through Mahadeva's favour. Earlier Sati Dakshayani gave up her body. She has now been born from Menaka's womb, as you know. Girisha will certainly accept her hand. So, residents of heaven, act on this means: make excellent efforts so that his seed is discharged into Parvati, Menaka's daughter. Shambhu holds up his seed, and no one else can do this; everyone else is weak and lacks the strength. The mountain king's daughter is now in the prime of youth. While Hara is performing austerity on Mount Himalaya, she serves him constantly. By her father Himalaya's word Kali Shivaa is there. With her two friends she serves Parameshvara as he sits in meditation. She is the most beautiful woman in the three worlds. Standing before him, she worships him. Mahesha is absorbed in meditation with no distraction in his mind. Kali must become Chandrashekhara's wife. Gods, without delay, make excellent efforts so this comes about. I will myself go to where the daitya Taraka is and restrain him from his wicked deceit. Immortals, now return to your abodes.
Brahma said
Having said this to the gods, I went quickly to the asura Taraka and, very cheerfully, spoke to him. I said: "You are ruling our kingdom of heaven, full of the essence of energy. This is more than you desired when you tormented yourself in excellent austerities. I gave you an excellent boon but did not give you the kingdom of heaven. So give up heaven and rule a kingdom on earth, where you can also perform all deeds worthy of the gods. Best of asuras, do this without hesitation." Having said this, I kindled understanding in the asura. Then I remembered auspicious Shiva, lord of everything, and vanished. Taraka left heaven and went to earth. He settled in the city called Shonita and ruled the whole kingdom. Having heard my words, all the gods bowed to me. Cheerful, they went to Shakra's region, met Shakra, and, controlling themselves, consulted together. Cheerful, all the Maruts said to Maghavan: "There must be liking and desire in Shambhu for Shivaa. Maghavan, this is what must be done; so Brahma has said." Everything that had happened was reported to the lord of the gods, and having reported it, all the gods happily returned to their abodes.
Retold in our own words from Bibek Debroy's English translation of the Shiva Purana (Penguin Classics). Names, numbers and the order of events follow the source.