दश पञ्च च सेनान्यः सह यान्तु युयुत्सया
Let ten or five commanders go together, eager for battle.
अल्पैस्तु रक्षिता वै स्यात्तेनैवासौ सुनिग्रहा
With only a few, it can be well guarded, and thus she will be easily subdued.
विषङ्ग गुप्तरूपेण पार्ष्णिग्राहं समाचर
Carry out a covert attack from behind, in a hidden and secret manner.
सज्जाश्च लन्तु सेनान्यो दिक्पालविजयोद्धताः
The generals are prepared, their armies eager for victory over the guardians of the directions.
त्वं गुप्तवेषस्तां दुष्टां सन्निपत्य दृढं जहि
You, in a concealed disguise, approach that wicked one and strike her down firmly.
तस्याः समूलनाशेन शक्तिवृन्दं विनश्यति
With her complete destruction, the entire host of her powers will be annihilated.
सर्वेषामेव पश्चाद्यो रथश्चलति भासुरः
After all, the radiant chariot that moves at the rear of all is his.
महामुक्तातपत्रेण सर्वोद्ध्व परिशोभितः
It is adorned above with a great, pearl-studded parasol, shining on all sides.
उत्तङ्गकेतुसंघातलिखितांबुदमण्डलः
Its canopy is marked with a cluster of tall banners, depicting a circle of clouds.
निबृतं संनिपत्य त्वं चिह्नेनानेन लक्षिताम्
Approach quietly and recognize her by this sign.
पुरतश्चलिते सैन्ये सत्त्वशालिनि सा वधूः
When the army advances in front, that valiant lady will be there.
भवत्सहायभूतायां सेनेन्द्राणामिहाभिधा
Here are named the commanders of the armies who will be your allies.
आद्यो मदनको नाम दीर्घजिह्वो द्वितीयकः
The first is named Madanaka, the second is Dīrghajihva.
थुक्लसः पुण्ड्रकेतुश्च चण्डबाहुश्च कुक्कुरः
Thuklasa, Puṇḍraketu, Caṇḍabāhu, and Kukkura are next.
चन्द्रगुप्तश्च पञ्चैते दश चोक्ताश्चमूवराः
Candragupta is the fifth; these five, along with five others, are called the ten commanders.
आगमिष्यन्ति सेनान्यो दमनाद्या महाबलाः
The powerful generals, beginning with Damana, will arrive.
तथा गुप्तसमाचारः पार्ष्णिग्राहं समाचर
Thus, act secretly and carry out the attack from behind.
निषङ्ग त्वं हि तभसे जयसिद्धिमनुत्तमाम्
By your secret effort, you will obtain unsurpassed victory and success.
विषङ्गं प्रेषयामास रक्षितं सैन्यपालकैः
Viṣaṅga was sent, protected by the guardians of the army.
युवराजानुजे दैत्ये सूर्यो ऽस्तगिरिमाययौ
As the sun set behind the mountain, the prince's younger brother, the Daitya, arrived.
अन्धकारः समभवत्तस्य बाह्यचिकीर्षया
Darkness arose there, by his intention to act externally.
नीलकण्ठनिभच्छायं निबिडं पप्रथे तमः
A dense gloom spread, with a hue like that of blue-throated Śiva.
उज्जिहानमिव क्षोणीविवरेभ्यः सहस्रशः
It surged forth from the earth's crevices by the thousands, as if rising up.
क्वचिद्दीपप्रभाजाले कृतकातरचेष्टितम्
In some places, the network of lamp-light seemed to move about in anxious gestures.
आबद्धमैत्रकमिव स्फुरच्छाद्वलमण्डले
It appeared as if friendly bonds were formed in the circles of trembling moss.
गुप्तप्रविष्टमिव च श्यामासु वनपङ्क्तिषु
And as if it had entered secretly into the dark lines of the forests.
त्रियामावामनयना नीलकञ्चुकरोचिषा
Night, with her three watches and dark-blue garment of rays, cast down her gaze.
असुराणां प्रदुष्टानां रात्रिरेव बलावहा
For the wicked Asuras, night alone brought strength.
अथ प्रचलितं सैन्यं विषङ्गेण महौजसा
Then the army moved, with uncertainty, possessing great might.
दमनाद्याश्च सेनान्यः श्मामकङ्कटधारिणः
And the generals, beginning with Damana, bearing dry shields.