सहस्रयुग्यसिंहाढ्यमारुरोह रणोद्धतः
Eager for battle, he mounted a chariot drawn by a thousand lion-yoked steeds.
घातको नाम वै खड्गश्चन्द्रहाससमाकृतिः
There was a sword named Ghātaka, shaped like the moon's radiance.
वोढुं तासां भरं भूमिरक्षमेव दिवं ययौ
Unable to bear their weight, the earth ascended to the heavens.
केषाञ्चित्स्कन्धमारूढाः केचिच्चेलुर्महारथाः
Some mounted upon shoulders, others rode great chariots.
दुःखदुखेन ते चेलुरन्योन्याश्लेषपीडिताः
They moved with pain upon pain, afflicted by each other's embrace.
केचित्पादेन नागानां मर्दिता न्यपतन्भुवि
Some, crushed by the feet of serpents, fell to the ground.
वज्रनिष्पेषसदृशो मेघनादो व्यधीयत
A thunderous sound arose, like the striking of a thunderbolt.
भण्डदैत्यमुखोत्थेन विदीर्णमभवज्जगत्
The world was torn apart by the cries issuing from the mouths of the demon Bhaṇḍa.
उडूनि न्यपतन्व्योम्नो भूमिर्देलायिताभवत्
Stars fell from the sky, and the earth trembled.
शक्तीनां कटकं चासीदकाण्डत्रासविह्वलम्
The ranks of weapons were shaken, overwhelmed by terror at the calamity.
शक्तयो भयविभ्रष्टान्यायुधानि पुनर्दधुः
The weapons, cast aside in fear, were once again taken up.
दैत्येन्द्रसिंहनादेन चमूनाथधनुःस्वनैः
By the lion-roar of the demon king and the thunder of the army chiefs' bows.
निश्चित्य ललिता देवी स्वयं योद्धुं प्रचक्रमे
Determined, the goddess Lalitā herself began to prepare for battle.
भण्डदैत्येन दुष्टेन स्वयमुद्योगमास्थिता
Against the wicked demon Bhaṇḍa, she herself undertook the effort.
चतुर्वेदमहाचक्रपुरुषार्थमहाभयः
The great wheel of the four Vedas, the supreme purpose of life, and the immense danger.
नवपर्वस्थदेवीभिराकृष्टगुरुधन्विभिः
With goddesses stationed at the nine joints, drawn by mighty bows.
पर्वस्थानेषु सर्वेषु पालितः सर्वतो दिशम्
At every joint, all directions were guarded.
महाराज्ञीचक्रराजो रथेन्द्रः प्रचलन्बभौ
The great queen, lord of the wheel, and the chariot king moved forth, shining.
गेयचक्रं तु बालाग्रे किरिचक्रं तु बृष्ठतः
The singing wheel was at the front of the line, the Kirī wheel at the rear.
नृसिंहोष्ट्रनरव्यालमृगपक्षिहयास्तथा
With men-lions, camels, humans, tigers, beasts, birds, and horses as well.
एतादृशश्च तिर्यञ्चो ऽप्यन्ये वाहनतां गताः
And such creatures, even those of other kinds, have become vehicles.
वह्निप्राकारचक्रस्य न पर्याप्तं चमूपतेः
The circle of fire-walls was not sufficient for the commander of the army.
विततान समस्तानां सैन्यानां निर्गमैषिणी
She stretched out, desiring the departure of all the armies.
निर्जगामा ग्निपुरता वरद्वारात्प्रतापिनी
The blazing city of fire emerged from the great gate, radiant.
महामुक्तातपत्रं तद्दिवि दीप्तमदृश्यत
That great, shining umbrella of pearls was seen in the sky.
अभवंल्ललितासैन्ये उत्पातास्तु द्विषां बले
In Lalita's army, omens arose; in the enemy's force, calamities.
प्रसर्पद्विशिखैः स्तोमबद्धान्धतमसच्छटम्
With masses of arrows spreading, the darkness was bound and scattered.
ह्नीयमाणशिरश्छन्नदैत्यश्वेतातपत्रकम्
The white umbrella of the demon, covered with severed heads, was diminished.
दृश्यते केवलं दृष्टं रजोमात्रं च सूर्च्छितम्
Only dust was seen, and what was visible was merely stained with dust.
दैत्यकेशसहस्रैस्तु शैवालाङ्कुरकोमला
With thousands of demon hairs, soft as sprouts of moss.