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.
विशङ्कटोदरं सालं प्रविवेश गतक्लमा
Without fatigue, she entered the sala tree with the gaping hollow.
वामपक्षे रथं स्वीयं दक्षिणे श्यामलारथम्
On her left was her own chariot; on the right, the chariot of Shyamala.
एवं संवेश्य परितश्चक्रराजरथस्य च
In this way, she stationed herself all around the chariot of the king of the circle.
ज्वलद्दण्डायुधोदग्रां स्तम्भिनीं नाम देवताम्
She placed there the goddess named Stambhini, fierce with blazing staff and weapon.
पूषण्युदितभूयिष्ठे पुनर्युद्धमुपाश्रयत्
When the sun had risen high, she again engaged in battle.
अग्निप्राकारकद्वारान्निर्जगाम् महारवा
With a great roar, she emerged from the gateway flanked by walls of fire.
भूयः संज्वरमापन्नः प्रचण्डो भण्डदानवः
Once more, the fierce demon Bhanda was seized by fever.
विषङ्गेण विशुक्रेणासममात्मसुतैरपि
With Vishanga and Vishukra, and with his own sons as well, he was not equal.
चतुर्बाहुमुखान्पुत्रांश्चतुर्जलधिसन्निभान्
His sons, with four arms and faces, resembling the four oceans,
प्रेषयामास युद्धाय भण्डश्चण्डक्रुधा ज्वलन्
Bhanda, blazing with fierce wrath, sent them to battle.