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.
सहस्रादित्यसंकाशां पश्चिमाभिमुखीं स्थिताम्
She stood facing west, shining like a thousand suns.
नर्मालापविनोदेन सेव्यमानां रथोत्तमे
Attended with gentle conversation and amusement, upon a splendid chariot,
पुरोगतं महत्सैन्यं वीक्षमाण सकौतुकम्
she gazed with curiosity at the great army advancing ahead.
पृष्ठवंशे रथेन्द्रस्य घट्टयामास सैनिकैः
The soldiers pressed upon the rear line of the lord of chariots.
महाकलकलं चक्रुरणिमाद्याः परःशतम्
The hosts of animā and other powers made a tremendous clamor.
कठोरवज्रनिर्धातनिष्ठुरैः शक्तिमण्डलैः
With circles of weapons harsh as thunder-forged adamant,
आकस्मिकरणोत्साहविपर्याविष्टविग्रहम्
their forms were seized by sudden zeal for battle and confusion.
विपाटैः पाटयामासुरदृश्यैरन्धकारिणः
With invisible, blinding blows, they struck the dark ones.
अदृश्यमानशस्त्राणामदृश्यनिजवर्मणाम्
Their weapons unseen, their own armor invisible,
इतस्ततो बहु क्लिष्टं छन्नवर्मितमर्मवत्
here and there, many were afflicted, their vital points hidden by armor.
पूर्वानुक्रम तस्तत्र संप्राप्तं सुमहद्भयम्
Then, as before, a great terror arose there.
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे भण्डश्चण्डदुर्मत्रिपण्डितः
Meanwhile, Bhaṇḍa, fierce, wicked, and cunning,
ललितासैन्यनाशाय युद्धाय प्रजिघाय सः
prepared for battle, intent on destroying Lalitā’s army.
नागच्छति तथा चक्रे कुटिलाक्षो महारणम्
But Kuṭilākṣa did not come, so he waged a great war.
अत्यन्ततुमुलं चासीच्छक्तीनां सैनिके महत्
There was an extremely tumultuous clash of weapons among the great army.
इतस्ततः शिथिलतां कण्टके निन्युरुद्धताः
Here and there, the reckless ones slackened their grip on the thorns.
चमूभिश्च प्रणहिता न्यपतञ्छत्रुकोटयः
Countless parasol canopies, deployed by the armies, fell down.
बकावलीनिबिडतः शैलराज इवाबभौ
Densely packed with lines of cranes, he appeared like a mountain king.
मुक्त एकः शरोदेव्यास्तालवृन्तमचूर्णयत्
Released by Sharodevi, a single arrow shattered a palm leaf fan.
कामेश्वरीमुखा नित्या महान्तं क्रोधमाययुः
The Nityas, led by Kameshvari, were seized by great anger.