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.
स्वायुधेभ्यश्चायुधानि वितीर्यविससर्ज ताम्
Distributing weapons from her own, she dispatched her.
हंसयुग्यशतैर्युक्तमारुरोह कुमारिका
The maiden mounted a chariot yoked with hundreds of swans.
बद्धाञ्जलिपुटा नेमुः प्रधृतासिपरंपराः
With hands joined in reverence, bearing drawn swords in succession, they bowed.
अवरुह्य तले सैन्यं वर्तमानमगाहत
Descending to the ground, they entered the army that was present.
मन्त्रिणीदण्डनाथे च सभये वाचमूचतुः
The minister and the chief of justice, filled with fear, spoke these words.
अकाण्डे किं महाराज्ञ्या प्रेषितासि रणं प्रति
Why have you been sent by the great queen, unseasonably, to the battlefield?
त्वं मूर्तं जीवितमसि श्रीदेव्या बालिके यतः
O girl, you are the very embodiment of life for Lady Śrīdevī.
इति ताभ्यां प्रार्थितापि प्राचलद्दृढनिश्चया
Though entreated thus by them, she proceeded, firm in her resolve.
सहैव तस्या रक्षार्थं चेलतुः पार्श्वयोर्द्वयोः
Both of them went along at her sides, for the sake of her protection.
प्रभूतसेनायुक्ताभ्यां निर्जगाम कुमारिका
Accompanied by those two, each with a great army, the maiden set out.