वामनेत्रप्रकंपं च वक्त्रशोषं मनोमयम्। स्वकानां वक्त्रपद्मानां म्लानतां च व्यलोकयत्
He saw trembling in the eyes, dryness in the mouth born of anxiety, and the withering of the lotus-like faces of his own people.
दुष्टांश्च प्राणिनो रौद्रान्सोपश्यद्दुष्टवादिनः। तदचिंत्यैव दितिजो न्यस्तचित्तोभवत्क्षणात्
He saw wicked beings, fierce and uttering evil words; then, in that very moment, the son of Diti became inwardly dejected.
यावद्गजघटाघंटा घनत्काररवोत्कटाम्। तद्वत्तुरंगसंघातहेषोत्साहविभूषिताम्
Meanwhile, the clamor of elephant battalions, resounding with the harsh noise of bells, and the neighing of eager horses adorned the scene.
सैन्यैस्सेनान्तरोदग्र ध्वजराजैर्विराजिताम्। विमानैश्चाद्भुताकारैश्चलितामलचामरैः
The army shone with lofty banners, with splendid chariots of wondrous form, their pure yak-tail fans waving.
विभूषणपिनद्धां च किन्नरोद्गीतनादिताम्। नाना नाकतरूत्फुल्ल कुसुमापीडधारिणीम्
It was adorned with ornaments, resounding with the songs of Kinnaras, and crowned with garlands of various heavenly flowers in full bloom.
विशोकास्त्रपरिस्फार चर्मनिर्मलदर्शिनीं। विद्युत्पुष्टद्युतिधरां नानावाद्यविनादिताम्
He saw the army, its shields gleaming, free from sorrow, flashing with the brilliance of lightning, and resounding with many musical instruments.
सेनां नाकसदां दैत्यः प्रासादस्थो व्यलोकयत्। सचिंतयामास तदा किंचिद्विभ्रांतमानसः
From his palace, the demon beheld the army of the gods; then, his mind somewhat disturbed, he began to ponder.
अपूर्वः को भवेद्योद्धा यो मया न विनिर्जितः। ततश्चिंताकुलो दैत्यः शुश्राव कटुकाक्षरम्। सिद्धवंदिभिरुद्घुष्टमिदं हृदयदारुणम्
'Who could be this new warrior, whom I have not yet defeated?' Thus troubled by these thoughts, the demon heard harsh words proclaimed by accomplished bards, words that struck the heart.
जयातुलशक्तिदीधितिपंजरभुजदंडप्रचंडतर। रभससुरवदनकुमुदविकासनविलासनेत्र कुमारवर
Victory to the peerless one, whose radiance is like a cage of blazing power, whose arms are mighty, whose eyes delight in the blooming of the lotus-like faces of the eager gods—victory to the noble Kumāra!
जय दितिजकुलमहोदधि बडवानल मधुरमयूररथ सुरमकुट कोटि कुंचित चरण नखांकुर महासेन
Victory to you, O Mahāsena, blazing like the submarine fire to the great ocean of the demon race, riding the sweet peacock chariot, whose toe-nails are marked by the crowns of countless gods!
जय चलितललित चूडाकलापनवविमलकमल। दंडकांत दैत्येशवंश दुःसह दावानल
Victory to you, whose crest-jewel sways gracefully, pure as a new lotus, beloved of Daṇḍaka, the forest fire to the unbearable lineage of the demon lord!
जय विशाखविभोजय बालसप्तवासर भुवनालिशोकशमन जय सकललोक दितिसुतधुरंधरनाशक स्कंद
Victory to you, O lord Viśākha, child of seven days, remover of the sorrows of all the worlds; victory to you, Skanda, destroyer of all the demon-lords who burden the worlds!
श्रुत्वैतत्तारकः सर्वमुद्घुष्टं देववंदिभिः। सस्मार ब्रह्मणो वाक्यं वधं बालादुपस्थितं
Hearing all this, Tāraka, as proclaimed by the divine bards, remembered the words of Brahmā and the impending death at the hands of the boy.
स्मृत्वा धर्मौघविध्वंसी सदा वीरपदानुगः। मंदिरान्निर्जगामाशु शोकग्रस्तेन चेतसा
Recalling that he was always a follower of the path of heroes, yet a destroyer of righteousness, he quickly left his palace, his mind seized by grief.
कालनेमिमुखा दैत्याः संत्रस्ता भ्रांतचेतसः। स्वेष्वनीकेषु च तदा त्वरा विस्मितचेतसः
The demons, led by Kālanemi, were terrified and bewildered in mind; in their own ranks, they were hastily amazed and anxious.
हिरण्यकशिपुः प्राह दानवानां धुरंधरः। त्रपाकरं भवेन्मह्यं बालस्यास्य पलायनम्
Hiraṇyakaśipu, the chief among the Dānavas, spoke: 'The flight of this boy would bring me shame.'
यद्यहं हंतवे यामि सोपि वै कमलाश्रितः। हत्वाहं बालकं चैनं दुःस्पर्शः स्यामकारणं
'If I go to kill him, he is protected by Lakṣmī; if I kill this boy, I will become untouchable for no reason.'
यात धावत गृह्णीत योजयध्वं वरूथिनीम्। कुमारं तारको दृष्ट्वा बभाषे भीषणाकृतिः
'Go, run, seize him! Assemble the battalions!' Seeing the boy, Tāraka, of terrifying appearance, spoke.
किं बाल योद्धुकामोसि क्रीडकंदुकलीलया। येनातपो निसृष्टस्ते सत्संगरविभाषक
'Why, boy, do you wish to fight, as if it were a game? By whom have you been sent, O speaker of noble assemblies?'
बालत्वादथ ते बुद्धिरेवं स्वल्पार्थदर्शिनी। कुमारोपि तमग्रस्थं बभाषे हर्षवत्तमं
'Because of your childhood, your understanding is limited to small matters.' Yet the boy, facing him, spoke with utmost joy.
शृणु तारक शास्त्रार्थ इह नैव निरूप्यते। शस्त्रैरर्था न दृश्यंते समरे निर्भरं भये
'Listen, Tāraka: the meaning of scripture is not determined here; in battle, meanings are not seen through weapons, especially in great fear.'
शिशुत्वं मावमंस्था मे शिशुः कष्टो भुजंगमः। दुष्प्रेक्षो भास्करो बालस्तथाहं दुर्जयः शिशुः
'Do not underestimate my childhood; a child-serpent is dangerous, the sun is hard to look at though young, and so am I—a child, but unconquerable.'
अल्पाक्षरो न मंत्रः किं सस्फुरो दैत्य दृश्यते। कुमारे प्रोक्तवत्येवं दैत्यश्चिक्षेप मुद्गरं
'A mantra may have few syllables, yet, demon, it is seen to be powerful.' When the boy spoke thus, the demon hurled a mace.
कुमारस्तं निरासोग्रं चक्रेणामोघवर्चसा। ततश्चिक्षेप दैत्येंद्रो भिंदिपालमयोमयं
The boy, with his unfailing brilliance, repelled that fierce weapon with his discus; then the lord of the demons hurled an iron club.
करेण तं च जग्राह कार्तिकेयोमरारिहा। गदां मुमोच दैत्याय समुत्थाय खरस्वनाम्
Kārtikeya, destroyer of the enemies of the gods, caught it with his hand and, rising up, hurled a roaring mace at the demon.
तया हतस्ततो दैत्यश्चकम्पेचलराडिव। मेने च दुर्जयं दैत्यस्तदाबालं सुदुःसहं
Struck by that, the demon shook like the lord of mountains; the demon then considered the boy to be truly invincible and exceedingly formidable.
चिंतयामास बुद्ध्या वै प्राप्तः कालो न संशयः। कंपितं च समालोक्य कालनेमि पुरोगमाः
He thought with his mind, 'Surely, the destined time has come.' Seeing the trembling, those led by Kālanemi—
सर्वे देत्यैश्वरा जघ्नुः कुमारं रणदारुणं। स तैः प्रहारैरस्पृष्टस्तथा क्लैशैर्महाद्युतिः1.44.
All the demon lords attacked the boy in the dreadful battle; but by their blows and torments, the radiant one was untouched.
स बालो बलिभिर्वेगैरयुध्यद्दानवै रणे। रणशौण्डाश्च दैत्येंद्रा पुःनर्जघ्नुः शिलीमुखैः
That boy fought in battle with the powerful demons with great force; and again, the demon lords, skilled in war, struck him with arrows.
कुमारं समरे दैत्या बलिनो देवकंटकाः। कुमारस्य व्यथा नाभूद्दैत्यास्त्रनिहतस्य तु
The mighty demons, thorns to the gods, attacked the boy in battle; but the boy felt no pain, though struck by the demons' weapons.