विशुक्रमुक्ततर्षास्त्रव्याकुलाः शक्तयो ऽवन्
Stricken by the weapon of thirst unleashed by Viśukra, the Śaktis became distressed.
रूक्षयन्कर्णकुहरमङ्गदौर्वल्यमाहवन्
They suffered dryness, weakness in the ear passages, and exhaustion in the battle.
आविर्बभूव शक्तीनामतितीव्रस्तृषाज्वरः
An exceedingly intense fever of thirst arose among the Śaktis.
मन्त्रिणी सह पोत्रिण्या भृशं चिन्तामवाप ह
The queen, together with the charioteer’s wife, fell into deep anxiety.
सखि पोत्रिणि दुष्टस्य तर्षास्त्रमिदमागतम्
Friend, O charioteer’s wife, this affliction of thirst has come upon the wicked one.
शक्तीनां मण्डलेनात्र समरे समुपेक्षितम्
In this battle, the circle of Śaktis has been neglected.
विशुष्कतालुमूलत्वा द्वक्तुमप्यालि न क्षमाः
Their throats were so parched that they were unable even to speak.
कृता चापकृतिर्दैत्यैरुपायः प्रविचिन्त्यताम्
A wrong has been done by the Daityas; let a means be considered.
एकापि शक्तिर्नैवास्ति या तर्षेण न पीडिता
There is not even one Śakti who is not afflicted by thirst.
रन्ध्रप्रहारिणो हन्त बाणैर्निघ्नन्ति दानवाः
Alas, the Dānavas strike through gaps, killing with arrows.
त्वदीयरथपर्वस्थो यो ऽस्ति शीतमहार्णवः
That great cold ocean, which is on the axle of your chariot—
नाल्पैः पानीयपानाद्यैरेतासां तर्षसंक्षयः
The thirst of these cannot be quenched by drinking a little water.
सर्वतर्षप्रशमनं महाबलविवर्धनम्
There is something that allays every thirst and greatly increases strength.
आजुहाव सुधासिंधुमाज्ञां चक्रेश्वरी रणे
In battle, the queen commanded and summoned the ocean of nectar.
स मदालसरक्ताक्षो हेमाभः स्रग्विभूषितः
He appeared, intoxicated, with bloodshot eyes, golden in hue, adorned with garlands.
प्रणम्य दण्डनाथां तां तदाज्ञापरिपारकः
Bowing to her, the mistress of punishment, he fulfilled her command.
क्वचित्तापिच्छवच्छ्यामं क्वचिच्च धवलद्युतिम्
At some places he was dark as a peacock’s tail, at others shining white.
ववर्ष सिंधुराजो ऽयं वायुना बहुलीकृतः
This king of rivers, made abundant by the wind, poured down.
निषिच्यमानो मध्ये ऽब्धिः शक्तिसैन्ये पपात ह
As he was being poured in the midst, the ocean fell upon the army of Śaktis.
दुर्बलः प्रबलश्च स्यात्तद्ववर्ष सुरांबुधिः
Thus, the ocean of nectar rained down, making the weak strong.
प्रपिबन्त्यः पिपासार्तैर्मुखैः शक्तय उत्थिताः
The energies arose, their mouths parched with thirst, eagerly drinking.
तथा सैन्यस्य परितो महाप्राकारमण्डलम्
In the same way, around the army, there was a great circle of ramparts.
चकार विस्मयकरी कदंबवनवासिनी
The dweller of the Kadamba forest performed a wondrous act.
अथ ताः शक्तयो भूरि पिबन्ति स्म रणान्तरे
Then, in the midst of battle, those energies drank deeply and abundantly.
यस्या यस्या मनःप्रीती रुचिः स्वादो यथायथा
Each one, according to her own delight, taste, and pleasure, as she wished.
संततं मध्यधाराभिः प्रववर्ष सुरांबुधिः
Constant streams poured forth from the ocean of liquor.
हैताली लाङ्गलेया च तालजातास्तथा सुराः
There were liquors called Haitālī, Lāṅgaleyā, and those made from palm trees.
सुस्वादुसौरभाद्याश्च शुभगन्धसुखप्रदाः
And others, delicious and fragrant, bestowing pleasant scent and delight.
कटुकाश्च कषायाश्च मधुरास्तिक्ततास्पृशः
Some were pungent, astringent, sweet, and touched with bitterness.
ईषदम्लाश्च कट्वम्ला मधुराम्लास्तथा पराः
Some were slightly sour, some sharp-sour, and others sweet-sour in taste.