जीवग्राहं च सा ग्राह्या भवद्भिर्ज्वलदायुधैः
She must be captured alive by you, with blazing weapons.
सम्प्रेषणमनौचित्यं तथाप्येष विधेः क्रमः
Though sending her is improper, still this is the order of fate.
द्विशतं चाक्षौहिणीनां तत्सहायतयाहिनोत्
With the help of two hundred akshauhinis, she struck us.
बद्धभ्रुकुटयः शस्त्रपाणयो निर्ययुर्गृहात्
With furrowed brows and weapons in hand, they came out from their homes.
उत्पाता विविधा जाता वित्रस्तं चाभवज्जगत्
Various omens arose, and the world became terrified.
विथीषु यानैश्चलितान्पौरवृद्धपुरन्ध्रयः
In the streets, the elderly women of the city watched the vehicles passing by.
मङ्गलारार्तिकं चक्रुर्द्वारेद्वारे पुराङ्गनाः
At every gate, the women of the city performed auspicious rituals and waved lamps.
आसीत्तेषां विनिर्याणे घूर्णमान इवार्णवः
As they set out, it was as if the ocean itself was churning.
क्रोधोद्यद्भ्रुकुटीक्रूरवदना निर्ययुः पुरात्
With brows raised in anger and fierce faces, they departed from the city.
तेषामायुधचक्राणि चूर्णयामः शितैशरैः
We shattered their circles of weapons with sharp arrows.
दुर्विदग्धां तां ललितां बन्दीकुर्मश्च सर्वरम्
We captured that cunning and charming one, making her a prisoner before all.
आसेदुरग्निप्राकारसमीपं भण्डसूनवः
The sons of Bhanda approached the vicinity of the fiery rampart.
भ्रुकुटीकुटिलाश्चक्रुः सिंहनादंमहात्तरम्
With brows twisted in frowns, they let out mighty lion-roars.
उत्पातवारिदोत्सृष्टघोरनिर्घातरंहसा
With the terrible speed of thunder released from a storm-cloud of omens.
क्षोभयामास शक्तीनां श्रवांसि च मनांसि च
She agitated the senses, the ears, and the minds of the powers.
विविधायुधसम्पातमूर्च्छद्वैमानिकच्छटम्
A dazzling array of celestial weapons and their radiance appeared.
आगतान्युद्धकृत्याय बाला कौतूहलं दधे
The maiden, eager for battle, became filled with curiosity as they arrived.
समस्तशक्तिचक्राणां पूज्य विक्रमशालिनी
She, revered by all circles of powers, is endowed with heroic might.
या सदा नववर्षेव सर्वविद्यामहाखनिः
She is ever, as if newly arisen, the great mine of all knowledge.
महाराज्ञी पादपीठे नित्यमाहितसंनिधिः
The great queen, ever present at the footstool, abides constantly.
तानागतान्भण्डसुतान्संहरिष्यामि सत्वरम्
I will swiftly destroy those sons of Bhaṇḍa who have come here.
मातर्भण्डमहादैत्यसूनवो योद्धुमागताः
Mother, the sons of the great demon Bhaṇḍa have come to fight.
सफुरन्ताविव मे बाहू युद्धकण्डूययानया
My arms, stirred by the itch for battle, seem to tremble.
अहं हि वालिका नित्यं क्रीडनेष्वनुरागिणी
For I am always a girl, fond of play.
इति विज्ञापिता देवी प्रत्युवाच कुमारिकाम्
Thus addressed, the goddess replied to the maiden.
नवीनयुद्धशिक्षा च कुमारी त्वं ममैकिका
O maiden, you alone are my new disciple in the art of battle.
ममोच्छ्वसितमेवासि न त्वं याहि महाहवम्
You are but my own breath; do not go to the great battle.
संत्येव समरे कर्तुं वत्से त्वं किं प्रमाद्यसि
Indeed, you are able to act in battle, my child; why do you hesitate?
कौमारकौतुकाविष्टा पुनर्युद्धमयाचत
Again, seized by the wonder of youth, she requested battle.
अनुज्ञां कृतवत्येव गाढमाश्लिष्य बाहुभिः
Having received permission, she embraced her tightly with her arms.