नानासुगन्धिगन्धाढ्या नानाबन्दिजनस्तुताः नानावाद्यपरिस्पन्दाश् चाग्रेसरमहारथाः
Rich with many fragrances, praised by various attendants, resounding with diverse musical instruments, the foremost great chariots advanced.
नानाशौर्यकथासक्तास् तस्मिन्सैन्ये महासुराः तद्बलं दैत्यसिंहस्य भीमरूपं व्यजायत
In that army, the mighty heroes were engaged in tales of valor; thus the force of the lion among Daityas appeared in a terrifying form.
प्रमत्तचण्डमातंगतुरंगरथसंकुलम् प्रतस्थे ऽमरयुद्धाय बहुपत्तिपताकि तत्
Filled with intoxicated, fierce elephants, horses, and chariots, that army, bearing many banners, set forth for battle with the gods.
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे वायुर् देवदूतो ऽम्बरालये दृष्ट्वा स दानवबलं जगामेन्द्रस्य शंसितुम्
Meanwhile, Vayu, the divine messenger, seeing that host of Danavas from the sky, went to inform Indra.
स गत्वा तु सभां दिव्यां महेन्द्रस्य महात्मनः शशंस मध्ये देवानां तत्कार्यं समुपस्थितम्
Having reached the splendid assembly of the great-souled Mahendra, he reported in the midst of the gods the matter that had arisen.
तच्छ्रुत्वा देवराजस्तु निमीलितविलोचनः बृहस्पतिमुवाचेदं वाक्यं काले महाभुजः
Hearing this, the king of the gods, eyes closed, spoke these timely words to Brihaspati, the mighty-armed.
सम्प्राप्तो ऽति विमर्दो ऽयं देवानां दानवैः सह कार्यं किमत्र तद्ब्रूहि नीत्युपायसमन्वितम्
A great conflict has now arisen between the gods and the Danavas; what should be done here? Tell me, with a policy full of proper means.
एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु वचनं महेन्द्रस्य गिरांपतिः इत्युवाच महाभागो बृहस्पतिरुदारधीः
Hearing these words of Mahendra, the lord of speech, the illustrious and noble-minded Brihaspati spoke thus:
सामपूर्वा स्मृता नीतिश् चतुरङ्गा पताकिनी जिगीषतां सुरश्रेष्ठ स्थितिरेषा सनातनी
The policy that begins with conciliation, and is fourfold with banners and all divisions, is the eternal stance for those who seek victory, O best of gods.
साम भेदस्तथा दानं दण्डश्चाङ्गचतुष्टयम् नीतौ क्रमाद्देशकालरिपुयोग्यक्रमादिदम्
Conciliation, division, gifts, and punishment—these are the four limbs of policy, to be applied in order according to place, time, enemy, and circumstance.
न शान्तिगोचरे लुब्धः क्रूरो लब्धसमाश्रयः संतापितः खलो याति साध्यतां भ्रष्टसंशयः
A greedy, cruel person who has found support, when agitated, cannot be pacified; the wicked, having lost doubt, cannot be subdued.
साम दैत्येषु नैवास्ति यतस्ते लब्धसंश्रयाः जातिधर्मेण वा भेद्या दानं प्राप्तश्रिये च किम्
Among the Daityas, conciliation is not possible, for they have secured their support; nor can they be divided by birth or duty, nor is giving effective for those who have already attained prosperity.
एको ऽभ्युपायो दण्डो ऽत्र भवतां यदि रोचते दुर्जनेषु कृतं साम महद्याति च वन्ध्यताम्
Here, only one means remains—punishment—if it pleases you; conciliation with the wicked becomes utterly fruitless.
भवादिति व्यवस्यन्ति क्रूराः साम महात्मनाम् ऋजुतामार्यबुद्धित्वं दयानीतिव्यतिक्रमम्
The cruel always think that conciliation by the great-hearted is weakness, straightness, noble-mindedness, or an excess of compassion.
मन्यन्ते दुर्जना नित्यं साम चापि भयोदयात् तस्माद् दुर्जनम् आक्रान्तुं श्रेयान्पौरुषसंश्रयः
The wicked always believe that conciliation arises from fear; therefore, to subdue the wicked, reliance on strength is better.
आक्रान्ते तु क्रिया युक्ता सतामेतन्महाव्रतम् दुर्जनः सुजनत्वाय कल्पते न कदाचन
When attacked, action is proper for the virtuous—this is their great vow; the wicked never become virtuous.
सुजनो ऽपि स्वभावस्य त्यागं वाञ्छेत्कदाचन एवं मे बुध्यते बुद्धिर् यूयमत्र व्यवस्यत
Even a good person may sometimes wish to abandon his nature; thus my mind understands—now you must decide here.
एवमुक्तः सहस्राक्ष एवमेवेत्युवाच तम् कर्तव्यतां स संचिन्त्य प्रोवाचामरसंसदि
Thus addressed, the thousand-eyed one replied, 'So be it,' and, having considered what should be done, spoke in the assembly of the gods.
सावधानेन मे वाचं शृणुध्वं नाकवासिनः भवन्तो यज्ञभोक्तारस् तुष्टात्मानो ऽतिसात्त्विकाः
Listen attentively to my words, O dwellers of heaven; you are the enjoyers of sacrifices, satisfied in soul, exceedingly pure in nature.
स्वे महिम्नि स्थिता नित्यं जगतः परिपालकाः भवतश्चानिमित्तेन बाधने दानवेश्वराः
Ever established in your own greatness, you are the protectors of the world; and, O lords of the gods, the Daitya chiefs oppose you without cause.
तेषां सामादि नैवास्ति दण्ड एव विधीयताम् क्रियतां समरोद्योगः सैन्यं संयोज्यतां मम
For them, conciliation and the like are of no use; let only punishment be applied. Prepare for battle—assemble my army.
आद्रियन्तां च शस्त्राणि पूज्यन्तामस्त्रदेवताः वाहनानि च यानानि योजयन्तु ममामराः
Let the weapons be honored, let the deities of arms be worshipped; let vehicles and chariots be readied for me by the immortals.
यमं सेनापतिं कृत्वा शीघ्रमेवं दिवौकसः इत्युक्ताः समनह्यन्त देवानां ये प्रधानतः
Appoint Yama as commander of the army, and quickly, O dwellers of heaven—thus instructed, the chief among the gods made preparations.
वाजिनामयुतेनाजौ हेमघण्टापरिष्कृतम् नानाश्चर्यगुणोपेतं सम्प्राप्तं सर्वदैवतैः
A chariot yoked with ten thousand steeds, adorned with golden bells, endowed with wondrous qualities, was brought by all the gods.
रथं मातलिना कॢप्तं देवराजस्य दुर्जयम् यमो महिषमास्थाय सेनाग्रे समवर्तत
Matali prepared an unconquerable chariot for the king of the gods; Yama, mounting his buffalo, took position at the head of the army.
चण्डकिंकरवृन्देन सर्वतः परिवारितः कल्पकालोद्धतज्वालापूरिताम्बरलोचनः
Surrounded on all sides by a host of fierce attendants, his eyes blazing like the flames at the end of the age, he filled the sky.
हुताशनश्छागरूढः शक्तिहस्तो व्यवस्थितः पवनो ऽङ्कुशपाणिस्तु विस्तारितमहाजवः
Agni, mounted on a ram, stood holding a spear; Vayu, with an elephant goad in hand, displayed his immense speed.
भुजगेन्द्रसमारूढो जलेशो भगवान्स्वयम् नरयुक्तरथे देवो राक्षसेशो वियच्चरः
The blessed lord of waters himself rode a great serpent; the lord of the Rakshasas, moving through the sky, was on a chariot drawn by men.
तीक्ष्णखड्गयुतो भीमः समरे समवस्थितः महासिंहरवो देवो धनाध्यक्षो गदायुधः
The dreadful god, armed with a sharp sword, stood firm in battle; the god of wealth, with a lion’s roar, wielded a mace.
चन्द्रादित्यावश्विनौ च चतुरङ्गबलान्वितौ राजभिः सहितास्तस्थुर् गन्धर्वा हेमभूषणाः
The Moon, the Sun, and the Ashvins, accompanied by fourfold armies, stood together with kings and the Gandharvas adorned with gold.