tat - that; deva-helanam - offense to the demigods; tasya - of him (Viśvarūpa); dharma-alīkam - cheating in religious principles (pretending to be the priest of the demigods, but secretly acting as the priest of the demons also); sura-īśvaraḥ - the king of the demigods; ālakṣya - observing; tarasā - quickly; bhītaḥ - being afraid (that the demons would gain strength by being blessed by Viśvarūpa); tat - his (Viśvarūpa's); śīrṣāṇi - heads; acchinat - cut off; ruṣā - with great anger.

Once upon a time, however, the King of heaven, Indra, understood that Viśvarūpa was secretly cheating the demigods by offering oblations on behalf of the demons. He became extremely afraid of being defeated by the demons, and in great anger at Viśvarūpa he cut Viśvarūpa’s three heads from his shoulders.