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.
एकत्वमिव संप्राप्तास्तिमिरेणातिभूयसा
All became as one, through the overwhelming darkness.
कूटेन युद्धकृत्येन विजिगीषुर्महेश्वरीम्
With deceitful war tactics, they sought to conquer the great goddess.
यथा तस्य निशायुद्धानुरूपो वेषसंग्रहः
Their attire was suited to the night-battle, just as the situation required.
न च दुन्दुभिनिस्वानो न च मर्द्दलगर्जितम्
There was no sound of drums, nor the roar of cymbals.
गुप्ताचाराः प्रचलितास्तिमिरेण समावृताः
They advanced in secrecy, concealed by the darkness.
पश्चिमाभिमुखं यान्ति ललितायाः पताकिनीम्
They moved westward, toward the banner of Lalitā.
निश्वासमपि सस्वानमकुर्वन्तः पदेपदे
At every step, they did not even make a sound with their breathing.
भूयः पुरस्य दिग्भागं गत्वा मन्दपराक्रमाः
Again, having reached the city's direction, they advanced with little vigor.
आगत्य निभृतं पृष्ठे कवचच्छन्नविग्रहाः
Having arrived quietly behind, their forms concealed by armor,
अपश्यन्नतिदीप्ताभिः शक्तिभिः परिवारितम्
they saw her surrounded by exceedingly radiant weapons.