परस्परं वंचयंतौ सिंहाविव महाबलौ ३०.
The two mighty ones deceived each other like lions.
पार्वतं मतमाश्रित्य शक्त्या शक्तिं निजघ्नतुः ३०.
Taking a mountain as their ground, they struck each other's spears.
अन्योन्यसाधकौ भूत्वा महाबलपराक्रमौ ३०.
Both, being equally matched and of great strength and valor,
मूर्ध्नि कण्ठे तथा बाह्वोर्जान्वोश्चैव कटीतटे ३०.
On the head, neck, arms, knees, and at the sides of the waist,
तदा तौ युध्यमानौ च हन्तुकामौ महाबलौ ३०.
Then those two mighty ones, fighting and seeking to slay each other,
ऊचुः परस्परं सर्वे कोऽस्मिन्युद्धे विजेष्यते ३०.
All of them said to each other, 'Who will be victorious in this battle?'
तारकं हि सुराश्चाद्य कुमारोऽयं हनिष्यति ३०.
'Today, indeed, this boy will slay Tāraka,' said the gods.
श्रुत्वा तदा तां गगने समीरितां तदैव वाचं प्रमथैः परीतः ३०.
Hearing that proclamation uttered in the sky, surrounded by the Pramathas,
शक्त्या तया महाबाहुराजघान स्तनांतरे ३०.
With that spear, the mighty-armed one struck him in the chest.
तं प्रहारमना दृत्य तारको दैत्यपुंगवः ३०.
Enduring that blow with courage, Tāraka, the foremost of the demons,
तेन शक्तिप्रहारेण शांकरिर्मूर्च्छितोऽभवत् ३०.
By that spear-strike, the son of Śiva became unconscious.
यथा सिंहो मदोन्मत्तो हंतुकामस्तथैव च ३०.
Just as a lion, maddened with pride, seeks to kill, so too did he.
एवं परस्परेणैव कुमारश्चैव तारकः ३०.
In this way, Kumāra and Tāraka contended with each other.
अभ्यासपरमावास्तामन्योन्यविजिगीषया ३०.
Both remained intent on practice, each desiring victory over the other.
धाराभिश्च अणीभीश्च सुप्रयुक्तौ च जघ्नतुः ३०.
With streams and sharp weapons, skillfully employed, they struck each other.
विस्मयं परमं प्राप्ता नोचुः किंचन तस्य वै ३०.
They were filled with utmost astonishment and said nothing about it.
हिमालयोऽथ मेरुश्च श्वेतकूटश्च दर्दुरः ३०.
Then Himālaya, Meru, Śvetakūṭa, and Dardura,
लोकालोकौ महाशैलौ मानसोत्तरपर्वतः ३०.
Lokāloka, the great mountains, Mānasottara, and the northern range,
उदयाद्रिर्महेंद्रश्च तथैवास्तगिरिर्महान्॥ ३०.
Udayādri, Mahendra, and likewise the great western mountain,
एते चान्ये च बहवः पर्वताश्च महाप्रभाः ३०.
And many other radiant mountains as well,
ततः स दृष्ट्वा तान्सर्वान्भयभीतांश्च शांकरिः ३०.
Seeing all of them fearful and terrified, the son of Śiva,
मा खिद्यत महाभागा मा चिंता क्रियतां नगाः ३०.
Said: 'Do not be distressed, O blessed ones, let no worry arise, O mountains.'
एवं समाश्वास्य तदा मनस्वी तान्पर्वतान्देवगणैः समेतान् ३०.
Thus consoling those mountains, joined by the hosts of gods, the high-minded one,
कार्त्तिकेयस्ततः शक्त्या निचकर्त रिपोः शिरः एवं स जयमापेदे कार्त्तिकेयो महाप्रभुः॥ ३०.
Then Kārttikeya, with his spear, cut off the enemy's head; thus the mighty Kārttikeya attained victory.
ददृशुस्तं सुरगणा ऋषयो गुह्यकाः खगाः ३०.
The hosts of gods, seers, guhyakas, and birds beheld him.
हर्षेण महताविष्टास्तुष्टुवुस्तं कुमारकम् ३०.
Filled with great joy, they praised that Kumāra.
एवं विजयमापन्नं दृष्ट्वा सर्वे मुदा युताः ३०.
Seeing him thus attaining victory, all were filled with joy.
परिष्वज्य तु गाढेन गिरिजापि तुतोष वै ३०.
Then Girijā embraced him tightly and was truly delighted.
लालयामास तन्वंगी पार्वती रुचिरेक्षणा ३०.
Parvatī, slender and beautiful-eyed, fondly caressed him.
आर्यासनगता साध्वी शुशुभे मितभाषिणी ३०.
That noble lady, seated in the seat of honor, shone forth, speaking but little.