नार्येका योद्धुकामास्ति समाह्वयति साम्प्रतम् । अहं गच्छामि संग्रामे त्वं वा गच्छ बलान्वितः
"Brother, what should be done here? Speak truly, O wise one. A single woman wishes to fight and now challenges us. Either I will go to battle, or you may go, strong as you are."
यद्रोचते निशुम्भात्र तत्कर्तव्यं मया किल । निशुम्भ उवाच न मया न त्वया वीर गन्तव्यं रणमूर्धनि
"Whatever Niśumbha desires here, that indeed I shall do." Niśumbha said: "Neither I nor you, O hero, should go to the forefront of battle."
प्रेषयस्व महाराज त्वरितं धूम्रलोचनम् । स गत्वा तां रणे जित्वा गृहीत्वा चारुलोचनाम्
"Send quickly, O king, Dhūmralocana. Let him go, defeat her in battle, and seize the lovely-eyed one."
आगमिष्यति शुम्भात्र विवाहः संविधीयताम् । व्यास उवाच तन्निशम्य वचस्तस्य शुम्भो भ्रातुः कनीयसः ॥ ३५ कोपात्सम्प्रेषयामास पार्श्वस्थं धूम्रलोचनम् । शुम्भ उवाच धूम्रलोचन गच्छाशु सैन्येन महताऽऽवृतः
"He will return here, O Śumbha, and the marriage shall be arranged." Vyāsa said: Hearing the words of his younger brother, Śumbha, in anger, sent for Dhūmralocana, who stood nearby. Śumbha said:
गृहीत्वाऽऽनय तां मुग्धां स्ववीर्यमदमोहिताम् । देवो वा दानवो वापि मनुष्यो वा महाबलः
"Dhūmralocana, go swiftly, surrounded by a great army. Seize and bring that innocent one, intoxicated by her own strength, whether god, demon, or mighty human—
तत्पार्ष्णिग्राहतां प्राप्तो हन्तव्यस्तरसा त्वया । तत्पार्श्ववर्तिनीं कालीं हत्वा संगृह्य तां पुनः
"—whoever comes to her aid, you must quickly slay. Kill Kālī, who stands by her side, and after capturing her, return at once having accomplished this excellent task."
शीघ्रमत्र समागच्छ कृत्वा कार्यमनुत्तमम् । रक्षणीया त्वया साध्वी मुञ्चन्ती मृदुमार्गणान्
"Protect that virtuous woman, even if she releases gentle arrows; with great care, O hero, for she is tender-bodied and slender-waisted."
यत्नेन महता वीर मृदुदेहा कृशोदरी । तत्सहायाश्च हन्तव्या ये रणे शस्त्रपाणयः
"Her allies who bear weapons in battle must be slain. In any case, she herself must not be killed; she must be protected with utmost effort."
सर्वथा सा न हन्तव्या रक्षणीया प्रयत्नतः । व्यास उवाच इत्यादिष्टस्तदा राज्ञा तरसा धूम्रलोचनः
Vyāsa said: Thus commanded by the king, Dhūmralocana swiftly—
प्रणम्य शुम्भं सैन्येन भूतः शीघ्रं ययौ रणे । असाधूनां सहस्राणां षष्ट्या तेषां वृतस्तथा
—having bowed to Śumbha, departed quickly to battle with his army, accompanied by sixty thousand wicked ones.
स ददर्श ततो देवीं रम्योपवनसंस्थिताम् । दृष्ट्वा तां मृगशावाक्षीं विनयेन समन्वितः
There he saw the Goddess standing in a beautiful grove; seeing her, doe-eyed, he spoke with humility—
उवाच वचनं श्लक्ष्णं हेतुमद्रसभूषितम् । शृणु देवि महाभागे शुम्भस्त्वद्विरहातुरः
—and addressed her with gentle, reasoned, and dignified words: "Listen, O illustrious Goddess, Śumbha is tormented by separation from you."
दूतं प्रेषितवान्पार्श्वे तव नीतिविशारदः । रसभङ्गभयोद्विग्नः सामपूर्वं त्वयि स्वयम्
A messenger, skilled in diplomacy, was sent to your side, anxious about the risk of losing pleasure, and first approached you with gentle words.
तेनागत्य वचः प्रोक्तं विपरीतं वरानने । वचसा तेन मे भर्ता चिन्ताविष्टमना नृपः
He came and spoke words, O beautiful-faced one, that were contrary; by those words, my husband, the king, became troubled in mind.
बभूव रसमार्गज्ञे शुम्भः कामविमोहितः । दूतेन तेन न ज्ञातं हेतुगर्भं वचस्तव
Shumbha, expert in the ways of pleasure, was bewildered by desire; through that messenger, he did not perceive the underlying intent of your words.
यो मां जयति संग्रामे यदुक्तं कठिनं वचः । न ज्ञातस्तेन संग्रामो द्विविधः खलु मानिनि
The harsh words spoken, 'Whoever conquers me in battle,' were not understood by him; O proud one, he did not know that battle is of two kinds.
रतिजोऽथोत्साहजश्च पात्रभेदे विवक्षितः । रतिजस्त्वयि वामोरु शत्रोरुत्साहजः स्मृतः
One arises from passion, the other from zeal, distinguished by the nature of the opponent; passion is toward you, O slender-thighed one, zeal is remembered for the enemy.
सुखदः प्रथमः कान्ते दुःखदश्चारिजः स्मृतः । जानाम्यहं वरारोहे भवत्या मानसं किल
The first brings pleasure, O beloved, while the one born of enmity brings pain; I know, O radiant one, your mind indeed.
रतिसंग्रामभावस्ते हृदये परिवर्तते । इति तज्ज्ञं विदित्वा मां त्वत्सकाशं नराधिपः
The disposition for battle born of passion turns in your heart; knowing this, the king sent me to your presence.
प्रेषयामास शुम्भोऽद्य बलेन महताऽऽवृतम् । चतुरासि महाभागे शृणु मे वचनं मृदु
Today Shumbha has sent a great force, surrounding you; O illustrious one, you are clever, listen to my gentle words.
भज शुम्भं त्रिलोकेशं देवदर्पनिबर्हणम् । पट्टराज्ञी प्रिया भूत्वा भुंक्ष्व भोगाननुत्तमान्
Accept Shumbha, lord of the three worlds, destroyer of the pride of the gods; become his beloved queen and enjoy unsurpassed pleasures.
जेष्यति त्वां महाबाहुः शुम्भः कामबलार्थवित् । विचित्रान्कुरु हावांस्त्वं सोऽपि भावान्करिष्यति
Mighty-armed Shumbha, master of the power of desire, will conquer you; display varied gestures, and he too will respond with feelings.
भविष्यति कालिकेयं तत्र वै नर्मसाक्षिणी । एवं सङ्गरयोगेन पतिर्मे परमार्थवित्
This Kali will be present there as witness to your playfulness; thus, through the union of battle, my husband, knowing the highest truth—
जित्वा त्वां सुखशय्यायां परिश्रान्तां करिष्यति । रक्तदेहां नखाघातैर्दन्तैश्च खण्डिताधराम्
Having defeated you, he will place you, exhausted, upon a bed of pleasure; your body reddened, lips wounded by nails and teeth.
स्वेदक्लिन्नां प्रभग्नां त्वां संविधास्यति भूपतिः । भविता मानसः कामो रतिसंग्रामजस्तव
Sweat-soaked and broken, he will arrange you, O queen; desire will arise in your mind from the battle of passion.
दर्शनाद्वश एवास्ते शुम्भः सर्वात्मना प्रिये । वचनं कुरु मे पथ्यं हितकृच्चापि पेशलम्
From the very sight, Shumbha is entirely under your sway, O beloved; speak to me words that are proper, beneficial, and pleasing.
भज शुम्भं गणाध्यक्षं माननीयातिमानिनी । मन्दभाग्याश्च ते नूनं ह्यस्त्रयुद्धप्रियाश्च ये
Accept Shumbha, chief of the hosts, O proud one among the proud; surely, those of little fortune are fond of weapon-battle.
न तदर्हासि कान्ते त्वं सदा सुरतवल्लभे । अशोकं कुरु राजानं पादाघातविकासितम्
You are not suited for that, O beloved, always dear to pleasure; make the king joyful, whose face blooms from the touch of your feet.
बकुलं सीधुसेकेन तथा कुरबकं कुरु
Make the bakula blossom with wine, and likewise make the kurabaka bloom.
देव्यासह युद्धाय चण्डमुण्डप्रेषणम् व्यास उवाच इत्युक्त्वा विररामासौ वचनं धूम्रलोचनः । प्रत्युवाच तदा काली प्रहस्य ललितं वचः
The sending of Chanda and Munda for battle with the goddess.