तस्मिन्सुतुमुले गाढे देवदैत्यक्षयावहे १७.
In that fierce and intense battle, causing destruction of gods and demons.
व्योमो यमेन युयुधे ह्यग्निना तीक्ष्णकोपनः १७.
In the sky, Yama fought with Agni, who was fiercely enraged.
द्वन्द्वयुद्ध रताः सर्वे अन्योन्यबलकांक्षिणः॥ १७.
All were engaged in single combat, each desiring the strength of the other.
तथैव ते देववरा महाभुजाः संग्रामशूरा जयिनस्तदाऽभवन् १७.
In the same way, those foremost gods, great-armed and heroic in battle, became victorious at that time.
दृष्ट्वा सुरैर्दैत्यवरान्पराजितान्पलायमानानथ कान्दिशीकान् १७.
Seeing the best of the Daityas defeated and fleeing by the gods, and also the Kāndiśīkas,
हे दैत्याः परमार्ताश्च कस्माद्यूयं भयातुराः १७.
O Daityas, why are you so greatly distressed and seized by fear?
स्वंस्वं पराक्रमं वीरा युद्धाय कृतनिश्चयाः १७.
O heroes, firmly resolved for battle, display your own valor!
गदाभिः पट्टिशैः खड्गैः शक्तितोमरमुद्गरैः १७.
With maces, spears, swords, javelins, lances, and clubs,
तदा देवाश्च युयुधुर्दधीचास्थिसमुद्भवैः १७.
Then the gods fought with weapons made from Dadhīci’s bones.
पुनर्दैत्या हता देवैः प्राप्तास्तेपि पराजयम् १७.
Again, the Daityas were slain by the gods and suffered defeat.
यदा हि ते दैत्यवराः सुरेशैर्निहन्यमानाश्च विदुद्रुवुर्दिशः १७.
When those foremost Daityas were being struck down by the lords of the gods, they fled in all directions.
वृत्रेण कोपिना चैवं धिक्कृता दैत्यपुंगवाः १७.
Thus, the leading Daityas were reproached by the angry Vṛtra.
हे धूम्राक्ष महाकाल महादैत्य वृकासुर १७.
O Dhūmrākṣa, Mahākāla, great Daitya, Vṛkāsura,
स्वर्गद्वारं विहायैव क्षत्रियाणां मनस्विनाम् १७.
Abandoning the gateway to heaven, O noble-minded kṣatriyas,
संगरे मरणं येषां ते यांति परमं पदम् १७.
Those for whom death occurs in battle attain the highest state.
त्यजन्ति संगरं ये वै ते यांति निरयं ध्रुवम्॥ १७.
But those who abandon the fight certainly go to hell.
ये ब्राह्मणार्थे भृत्यार्थे स्वार्थे वै शस्त्रपाणयः १७.
Those who, for the sake of a brāhmaṇa, a servant, or themselves, take up arms,
शस्त्रघातहता ये वै मृता वा संगरे तथा १७.
Those who are struck down by weapons or die in battle,
शस्त्रैर्विच्छिन्नदेहा ये गवार्थे स्वामिकारणात् १७.
Those whose bodies are cut apart by weapons for the sake of cows or their master,
तस्माद्रणेऽपि ये शूराः पापिनो निहताः पुरः १७.
Therefore, even those sinful ones who are slain in battle, if they are brave,
अथवा तीर्थगमनं वेदाध्ययनमेव च १७.
Alternatively, pilgrimage to sacred places and the study of the Vedas—
ऐकपद्येन तान्येव कलां नार्हंति षोडशीम् १७.
Even all these together do not equal a sixteenth part of it.
तस्माद्युद्धावदानं च कर्तव्यमविशंकितैः १७.
Therefore, acts of valor in battle should be performed without hesitation.
यूयं सर्वे शौरवृत्त्या समेताः कुलेन शीलेन महानुभावाः १७.
All of you, united by courage, noble lineage, and virtue, are truly great souls.
त एव सर्वे खलु पापलोकान्गच्छंति नूनं वचनात्स्मृतेश्च॥ १७.
Indeed, all those very ones surely go to evil worlds, as declared by scripture and tradition.
ये पापिष्ठास्त्वधर्म्मस्था ब्रह्मघ्ना गुरुतल्पगाः १७.
Those who are most sinful, unrighteous, slayers of Brahmins, or violators of their teacher's bed—
तस्माद्भवद्भिर्योद्धव्यं स्वामिकार्यभरक्षमैः १७.
Therefore, you must fight, bearing your master's cause with steadfastness.
चक्रुस्ते वचंनं तस्य असुराश्च सुरान्प्रति १७.
The Asuras accepted his words and advanced against the Devas.
तस्मिन्प्रवृत्ते तुमुले विगाढे वृत्रो महादैत्यपतिः स एकः १७.
As that fierce and deep battle began, Vṛtra, the mighty lord of the Daityas, stood alone.
श्रृणु वाक्यं मया चोक्तं धर्म्मार्थसहितं हितम् १७.
Hear the words I have spoken, which are righteous, beneficial, and just.