महादेव्याश्च हृदये कः प्रसंगः प्रवर्तते
What connection arises in the heart of the great goddess?
मन्त्रिणीं पुरतः कृत्वा प्रचेलुर्ललितां प्रति
Placing the minister at the front, they proceeded toward Lalita.
व्यतीतायां विभावर्यां रथेन्द्रं पर्यवारयन्
When the night had passed, they surrounded the lord of chariots.
अधस्तात्सैन्यमावेश्य तदारुरुहतू रथम्
Having stationed the army below, they then ascended the chariot.
तत्तत्सर्वगतैः शक्तिचक्रैः सम्यङ् निवेदितैः
With all the circles of powers, properly reported by those present everywhere.
ते व्यजिज्ञपतां देव्या अष्टाङ्गस्पृष्टभूतले
They informed the goddess, touching the earth with eight limbs.
कूटयुद्धप्रकारेण दैत्यैरपकृतं खलैः
Through deceitful warfare, the demons carried off what was theirs, O wicked ones.
कुहकव्यवहारेण जयसिद्धिं तु काक्षति
By means of deceptive conduct, he seeks victory and success.
शरादिकपरामर्शो न जातस्तेन जीवति
No contact with arrows and the like has occurred; thus he lives.
वयं सर्वा हि जीवामः साधयामः समीहितम्
We all indeed live and accomplish what is intended.
मायाविनश्च दैत्येन्द्रास्तत्र मन्त्रो विधीयताम्
O lords of the Daityas, masters of illusion, let the mantra be established there.
कूटयुद्धं न कुर्वन्ति न विशन्ति चमूमिमाम्
They do not engage in deceitful warfare, nor do they enter this army.
शिबिरं बहुविस्तारं योजनानां शतावधि
The encampment is vast, extending for hundreds of yojanas.
अस्मत्सेनानिवेशस्य द्विषां दर्पशमाय च
It is for the arrangement of our army and to subdue the pride of the enemies.
वह्निप्राकाराचक्रस्य द्वारन्दक्षिणतो भवेत्
The southern gate of the fiery rampart should be established.
द्वारे च बहवः कल्प्याः परिवारा उदायुधाः
At the gate, many armed guards should be stationed.
अनालस्या अनिद्राश्च विधेयाः सततोद्यताः
They must be tireless, sleepless, and always vigilant.
अशक्यमेव भवति प्रौढमाक्रमणं हठात्
A sudden, forceful assault becomes truly impossible.
पश्यतोहरवत्सर्वं विलुठन्ति महद्बलम्
While he looks on helplessly, the mighty force plunders everything like a lion.
शुचिदन्तरुचा मुक्ता वहन्ती ललिताब्रवीत्
Lalita, radiant with pure inner brilliance and adorned with pearls, spoke.
अयं कुशलधीमार्गोनीतिरेषा सनातनी
This is the eternal path of skillful intelligence.
परचक्राक्रमः कार्यो जिगीषद्भिर्महाजनैः
Those who wish to conquer must undertake an assault on the enemy's forces.
ज्वालामालिनिकां नित्यामाहूयेदमुवाच ह
She called upon the ever-blazing, garlanded with flames, and spoke these words.
त्वया विधीयतां रक्षा बलस्यास्य महीयसः
By you, let the protection of this great army be arranged.
त्रिंशद्योजनमुन्नद्धं ज्वालाकारत्वमाव्रज
Assume the form of a flame, stretching thirty yojanas in height.
वह्निज्वालात्वमापन्ना संरक्ष सकलं बलम्
Having taken the form of fire's blaze, protect the entire army.
महेन्द्रोत्तरभूभागं चलितुं चक्र उद्यमम्
The wheel began its movement toward the northern region of Mahendra.
चतुर्दशीतिथिमयी तथेति प्रणनाम ताम्
She, composed of the fourteenth lunar day, bowed to her, saying, 'So be it.'
कुण्डलीकृत्य जज्वालशालरूपेण सा पुनः
Once again, she blazed forth, taking the form of a sala tree, coiled like a ring.
बभासे दण्डनाथाया मन्त्रिनाथचमूरपि
She shone for the lord of punishment, as well as for the commander and the army.