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.
अवलोक्य भृशोद्विग्ना नित्या दधुरतिश्रमम्
Seeing this, the Nityas became greatly agitated and grew exceedingly weary.
क्रोधमुद्वीक्ष्य सम्नाज्ञ्या युद्धाय दधुरुद्यमम्
Observing the wrath, at the command, they prepared themselves for battle.
ऊचुर्वाचमकाण्डोत्थां युद्धकौतुकगद्गदाम्
They spoke words, trembling with excitement for battle, arising from the tumult.
दण्डिनीमन्त्रनाथादिमहाशक्त्याभपालिताम्
Protected by the great Shaktis, headed by Dandini, Mantrini, and others.
पार्ष्णिग्राहेण युद्धेन बाधन्ते रथपुङ्गवम्
With flank attacks in battle, they harassed the foremost chariot.
शमयामो वयं दर्पं क्षणमात्रं विलोकय
We shall subdue this pride—just watch for a moment.
ताभ्यां प्रदीपिते युद्धे द्रष्टुं शक्ताः सुरद्विषः
With the battle inflamed by those two, the enemies of the gods were able to witness it.
आज्ञां देहि महाराज्ञि मर्दनार्थं दुरात्मनाम्
O great queen, give the command for the destruction of the wicked.
तया संप्रेषिता ताभिः कुण्डलीकृत कार्मुका
Sent by her, those women, with their bows drawn in a circle—
बालारुणमिव क्रोधारुणं वक्त्रं वितन्वती
Her face, flushed with anger, shone like the early red of dawn.