बभुस्ते राक्षसास्तत्र किंशुका इव पुष्पिणः । शिलीमुखक्षताः सर्वे वसन्ते च वने रणे
There, those Rākṣasas, all wounded by arrows, looked like blossoming kiṃśuka trees in the forest during spring, amidst the battle.
बभूव तुमुलं युद्धं ताम्रेण सह संयुगे । विस्मयं परमं जग्मुर्देवा ये प्रेक्षकाः स्थिताः
A tumultuous battle arose with Tāmra in that conflict, and the gods who stood watching were filled with utmost amazement.
ताम्रो मुसलमादाय लोहजं दारुणं दृढम् । जघान मस्तके सिंहं जहास च ननर्द च
Tāmra, seizing a massive, iron club, fierce and strong, struck the lion on the head, laughing and roaring as he did so.
नर्दमानं तदा तं तु दृष्ट्वा देवी रुषान्विता । खड्गेन शितधारेण शिरश्चिच्छेद सत्वरा
Seeing him roaring at that moment, the goddess, filled with anger, swiftly cut off his head with her sharp-edged sword.
छिन्ने शिरसि ताम्रस्तु विशीर्षो मुसली बली । बभ्राम क्षणमात्रं तु पपात रणमस्तके
When his head was severed, Tāmra, though headless and mighty, wandered for a moment and then fell to the ground in the midst of battle.
पतितं ताम्रमालोक्य चिक्षुराख्यो महाबलः । खड्गमादाय तरसा दुद्राव चण्डिकां प्रति
Seeing Tāmra fallen, Cikṣura, of great strength, seized his sword and rushed swiftly towards Caṇḍikā.
भगवत्यपि तं दृष्ट्वा खड्गपाणिमुपागतम् । दानवं पञ्चभिर्बाणैर्जघान तरसा रणे
Even the Blessed Goddess, seeing him approach with sword in hand, struck the demon in battle with five arrows, swiftly.
एकेन पातितं खड्गं द्वितीयेन तु तत्करः । कण्ठाच्च मस्तकं तस्य कृन्तितं चापरैः शरैः
With one arrow she knocked down his sword, with a second his hand; and with other arrows she severed his head from his neck.
एवं तौ निहतौ कूरौ राक्षसौ रणदुर्मदौ । भग्नं सैन्यं तयोस्तूर्णं दिक्षु सन्त्रस्तमानसम्
Thus those two fierce, battle-mad rakshasas were slain; their army was swiftly broken, fleeing in all directions, hearts terrified.
देवाश्च मुदिताः सर्वे दृष्ट्वा तौ निहतौ रणे । पुष्पवृष्टिं मुदा चक्रुर्जयशब्दं नभःस्थिताः
All the gods rejoiced, seeing those two slain in battle; they showered flowers in delight and proclaimed victory from the sky.
ऋषयो देवगन्धर्वा वेतालाः सिद्धचारणाः । ऊचुस्ते जय देवीति चाम्बिकेति पुनः पुनः
The sages, divine gandharvas, vetalas, siddhas, and charanas repeatedly cried out, 'Victory to the Goddess!' and 'O Ambika!'
असिलोमबिडालाख्यवधवर्णनम् व्यास उवाच तौ तया निहतौ श्रुत्वा महिषो विस्मयान्वितः । प्रेषयामास दैतेयांस्तद्वधार्थं महाबलान्
Vyasa said: Hearing that those two had been slain by her, Mahisha was astonished and sent mighty daityas for her destruction.
असिलोमबिडालाख्यप्रमुखान् युद्धदुर्मदान् । सैन्येन महता युक्तान्सायुधान्सपरिच्छदान्
He dispatched Asiloma and Bidala, foremost among warriors, mad for battle, equipped with a great army, weapons, and armor.
ते तत्र ददृशुर्देवीं सिंहस्योपरि संस्थिताम् । अष्टादशभुजां दिव्यां खड्गखेटकधारिणीम्
There they saw the Goddess seated upon a lion, radiant with eighteen arms, holding sword and shield.
असिलोमाग्रतो गत्वा तामुवाच हसन्निव । विनयावनतः शान्तो देवीं दैत्यवधोद्यताम्
Asiloma advanced before them and addressed her, as if smiling, humble and peaceful, though she was intent on destroying the demons.
असिलोमोवाच देवि ब्रूहि वचः सत्यं किमर्थमिह सुन्दरि । आगतासि किमर्थं वा हंसि दैत्यान्निरागसः
Asiloma said: Goddess, speak truthfully—why have you come here, O beautiful one? For what reason do you slay the innocent daityas?
कारणं कथयाद्य त्वं त्वया सन्धिं करोम्यहम् । काञ्चनं मणिरत्नानि भाजनानि वराणि च
Tell me your purpose today; I will make peace with you. Gold, jewels, gems, vessels, and boons—
यानीच्छसि वरारोहे गहीत्वा गच्छ मा चिरम् । किमर्थं युद्धकामासि दुःखसन्तापवर्धनम्
Whatever you desire, O lovely one, take and depart without delay. Why do you seek battle, which only increases suffering and pain?
कथयन्ति महात्मानो युद्धं सर्वसुखापहम् । कोमलेऽतीव ते देहे पुष्पघातासहे भृशम्
The wise say that battle destroys all happiness. Your body is exceedingly delicate, unable to bear even the touch of flowers.
किमर्थं शस्त्रसम्पातान्सहसीति विसिस्मिये । चातुर्यस्य फलं शान्तिः सततं सुखसेवनम्
Why do you endure the blows of weapons? I am amazed. The fruit of cleverness is peace and constant enjoyment of happiness.
तत्किमर्थं दुःखहेतुं संग्रामं कर्तुमिच्छसि । संसारेऽत्र सुखं ग्राह्यं दुःखं हेयमिति स्थितिः
So why do you wish to wage war, which brings only suffering? In this world, happiness should be sought and suffering avoided—such is the way.
तत्सुखं द्विविधं प्रोक्तं नित्यानित्यप्रभेदतः । आत्मज्ञानं सुखं नित्यमनित्यं भोगजं स्मृतम्
That happiness is said to be of two kinds, distinguished as eternal and non-eternal; self-knowledge is eternal happiness, while pleasure from enjoyment is called non-eternal.
नाशात्मकं तु तत्त्याज्यं वेदशास्त्रार्थचिन्तकैः । सौगतानां मतं चेत्त्वं स्वीकरोषि वरानने
That which is perishable should be renounced, as taught by the meaning of the Vedas and scriptures. If you accept the doctrine of the Buddhists, O beautiful one—
तथापि यौवनं प्राप्य भुंक्ष्व भोगाननुत्तमान् । परलोकस्य सन्देहो यदि तेऽस्ति कृशोदरि
Still, having attained youth, enjoy supreme pleasures. If you have doubts about the afterlife, O slender-waisted one—
स्वर्गभोगपरा नित्यं भव भामिनि भूतले । अनित्यं यौवनं देहे ज्ञात्वेति सुकृतं चरेत्
O beautiful one, always be devoted to the enjoyments of heaven while on earth; knowing that youth in the body is impermanent, act righteously.
परोपतापनं कार्यं वर्जनीयं सदा बुधैः । अविरोधेन कर्तव्यं धर्मार्थकामसेवनम्
The wise should always avoid actions that cause harm to others; one should pursue righteousness, wealth, and desire in ways that do not cause conflict.
तस्मात्त्वमपि कल्याणि मतिं धर्मे सदा कुरु । अपराधं विना दैत्यान्कस्मान्मारयसेऽम्बिके
Therefore, O auspicious one, you too should always set your mind on righteousness; O Mother, why do you slay the Daityas without any offense?
दयाधर्मोऽस्य देहोऽस्ति सत्ये प्राणाः प्रकीर्तिताः । तस्माद्दया तथा सत्यं रक्षणीयं सदा बुधैः
Compassion is the virtue of this body, and life-breaths are said to be rooted in truth; therefore, compassion and truth should always be protected by the wise.
कारणं वद सुश्रोणि दानवानां वधे तव । देव्युवाच त्वया पृष्टं महाबाहो किमर्थमिह चागता
Tell me, O lovely-hipped one, the reason for your slaying of the Dānavas. The Goddess said: O mighty-armed one, you have asked why I have come here.
तदहं सम्प्रवक्ष्यामि हनने च प्रयोजनम् । विचरामि सदा दैत्य सर्वलोकेषु सर्वदा
Therefore I shall explain to you the purpose of the slaying; O Daitya, I always move about in all worlds.