ततोऽस्त्रविस्फुलिंगांकं तमः शुक्लं व्यजायत १८.
Then, from that missile, white light, marked by sparks, arose in the darkness.
ततस्तमसि संशांते दैत्येन्द्राः प्राप्तचक्षुषः १८.
When the darkness subsided, the Daitya lords regained their sight.
अथादाय धनुर्घोरमिषुं चाशीविषोपमम् १८.
Then, taking a terrible bow and an arrow like a venomous serpent,
राक्षसेन्द्रस्तथायांतं दृषट्वा तं स पदानुगः १८.
The lord of the Rākṣasas, seeing him approach, along with his followers,
नादानं न च सन्धानं न मोक्षो वास्य लक्ष्यते १८.
No sound of drawing, no fitting, nor release could be perceived from him.
ध्वजं शरेण तीक्ष्णेन निचकर्तामरद्विषः १८.
With a sharp arrow, he cut down the banner of the foe of the gods.
कालकल्पेन बाणेन तं च वक्षस्याताडयत् १९.
With an arrow fashioned by Time, he struck him upon the chest.
दैत्येंद्रो राक्षसेन्द्रेण क्षितिकंपेनगो यथा १८.
The lord of the demons, by the lord of the rakshasas, was shaken as the earth quakes.
पदातिरासाद्य रथं रक्षो वामकरेण च १८.
A foot-soldier approached the chariot, and a rakshasa with his left hand.
ततः खड्गेन च शिरश्छेत्तुमैच्छदमर्षणः कुजंभस्य वशं प्राप्तं दृष्ट्वा निर्ऋतिमाहवे॥ १८.
Then, enraged, he wished to cut off the head with a sword, seeing Nirriti subdued by Kujambha in battle.
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे देवो वरुणः पाशभृद्धृतः १८.
Meanwhile, the god Varuna, bearer of the noose, arrived.
ततो बद्धभुजं दैत्यं विफलीकृतपौरुषम् १८.
Then, the demon, his arms bound, his strength rendered futile.
स तु तेन प्रहारेण स्रोतोभिः क्षतजं स्रवन् १८.
By that blow, blood flowed from his wounds in streams.
तदवस्थागतं दृष्ट्वा कुजंभं महिषासुरः १८.
Seeing Kujambha in such a condition, Mahishasura,
निर्ऋति वरुणं चैव तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रोत्कटाननः १८.
Nirriti and Varuna, both, fierce-faced with sharp fangs,
त्यक्त्वा रथावुभौ भीतौ पदाती प्रद्रुतौ द्रुतम् १८.
Abandoning their chariots, both terrified, the foot-soldiers fled swiftly.
क्रुद्धोऽथ महिषो दैत्यो वरुणं समुपाद्रवत् १८.
Then, enraged, the demon Mahisha rushed toward Varuna.
चक्रे शस्त्रं विसृष्टं हि हिमसंघातमुल्बणम् १८.
He released a weapon, formidable as a mass of snow.
वायुना तेन चंडंन संशुष्केण हिमेन च १८.
By that, with fierce wind and desiccating snow,
गात्राण्यसुरसैन्यानामदह्यंत समंततः १८.
The bodies of the demon armies were burned all around.
न शेकुश्चलिंतुं तत्र नास्त्राण्यादातुमेव च १८.
They were unable to move there, nor even to take up their weapons.
अंसमालिंग्य पाणिभ्यामुपविष्टो ह्यधोमुखः १८.
Embracing their shoulders with their hands, they sat, faces turned downward.
रणेच्छां दूरतस्त्यक्त्वा तस्थुस्ते जीवितार्थिनः १८.
Having abandoned the desire for battle from afar, they stood, seeking only to preserve their lives.
भोभोः श्रृंगारिणः क्रूराः सर्वशस्त्रास्त्रपारगाः १८.
O horned ones, cruel and skilled in all weapons and missiles!
एकैकोऽपि क्षमो ग्रस्तुं जगत्सर्वं चराचरम् १८.
Each one alone is capable of devouring the entire world, both moving and unmoving.
किं त्रस्तनयनाश्चैव समरे परिनिर्जिताः १८.
Why are your eyes filled with fear, and why have you been utterly defeated in battle?
राज्ञश्च तारकस्यापि दर्शयिष्यथ किं मुखम् १८.
What face will you show to King Tāraka now?
इति ते प्रोच्यमानापि नोचुः किंचिन्महासुराः १८.
Though thus addressed, the great asuras did not say anything.
मूकास्तथाभवन्दैत्या मृतकल्पा महारणे १८.
The daityas became mute, as if dead, on that great battlefield.
मत्वा कालक्षमं कार्यं कालनेमिर्महासुरः १८.
Then the great asura Kālanemi, considering the time ripe for action, resolved to act.