कालरात्रीं समाहूय कांत्या त्रैलोक्यसुंदरीम्
Summoning Kālarātrī, whose beauty surpasses that of the three worlds,
कालरात्री समासाद्य तं दैत्यं दुष्टचेष्टितम्
Kālarātrī, having confronted that demon of wicked deeds,
त्रिलोकीं लभतामिंद्रस्त्वं तु याहि रसातलम्
"Let Indra obtain the three worlds; as for you, descend to the netherworld."
अथ चेद्गर्वलेशोऽस्ति तदायाहि समाजये
"But if there remains even a trace of pride, then come and contend with me."
इति वक्तुं महादेव्या महामंगलरूपया
Thus spoke the great goddess, the embodiment of supreme auspiciousness.
अतो यदुचितं कर्तुं तद्विधेहि महासुर 4.2.71.
"Therefore, do what is fitting now, O great Asura."
इत्याकर्ण्य वचो देव्या महाकाल्याः स दैत्यराट्
Hearing these words of the goddess Mahākālī, the king of the demons—
त्रैलोक्यमोहिनी ह्येषा प्राप्ता मद्भाग्यगौरवैः
"This one, who bewilders the three worlds, has come because of my great fortune and merit.
एतदर्थं हि देवर्षि नृपा बंदी कृता मया
For this purpose, O devarṣi, I have taken the gods and kings captive.
अवश्यं यस्य योग्यं यत्तत्तस्येहोपतिष्ठते
Surely, whatever is appropriate for someone, that alone befalls him here.
अंतःपुरचरा एतां नयंत्वंतःपुरं महत्
"Let the women of the inner palace lead her into the great inner chambers."
अहो महोदयश्चाद्य जातो मम महामते
"Ah, today a great fortune has arisen for me, O wise one!"
नृत्यंतु पितरश्चाद्य मोदंतां बांधवाः सुखम्
"Let my ancestors dance today, let my kinsmen rejoice in happiness!"
इति यावत्समायातास्तां नेतुं सौविदल्लकाः
So then, as the palace attendants approached to lead her away—
वयं दूत्यः परवशा राजनीतिविदुत्तम
We are messengers, subject to others' will, O best among those skilled in royal policy.
अल्पोपि दूतसंबाधां न विदध्यात्कदाचन 4.2.71.
One should never create even a small gathering of messengers.
दूतीषु कोनुरागोयं महाराजाल्पिकास्विह
What affection is there among messengers, O great king, especially when they are few here?
विजित्य समरे तां तु स्वामिनीं मम दैत्यप
Having conquered her in battle, O lord of the Daityas, she has become my mistress.
अद्यैव ते महासौख्यं भावितस्याविलोकनात्
Today itself, you will attain great happiness by beholding her, who is destined for you.
संपत्स्यंतेऽद्य ते कामाः सर्वे ये चिरचिंतिताः
Today all your desires, long cherished in your mind, will be fulfilled.
सर्वरूपमयी चैव तां भवान्द्रष्टुमर्हति
She, who is composed of all forms, is indeed worthy for you to behold.
धृतायामपि चैकस्यां कस्ते कामो भविष्यति
Even if only one is held, what desire of yours would remain unfulfilled?
ततो निवारयैतान्मामादित्सून्सौविदल्लकान्
Therefore, restrain these others who wish to give her to me, O Suvidallaka.
तामेव बह्वमंस्तैकां दूतीं मृत्योरिवासुरः
He considered only her, the single messenger, as significant, just as a demon regards death.
इति तेन समादिष्टाः सर्वे वर्पवरा मुने
Thus instructed by him, all the best among the Varpa, O sage,
सा तान्भस्मीचकाराशु हुंकारजनिताग्निना 4.2.71.
She immediately reduced them to ashes with fire produced from her utterance of 'hum'.
क्षणेनैव तया दूत्या दैत्त्यास्त्र्ययुतसंमितान्
In a moment, that messenger destroyed ten thousand Daityas.
सीरपाणिं पाशपाणिं सुरेंद्रदमनं हनुम्
Bring her, this wicked one, bound with nooses—she who holds a plough and a noose, who subdued the lord of the gods—O Dānavas.
बद्ध्वा पाशैरिमां दुष्टामानयंत्वाशु दानवाः
Bind this wicked one with nooses and quickly bring her, O Dānavas.
इति दैत्याधिपादेशाद्दुर्धरप्रमुखास्ततः
Then, at the command of the lord of the Daityas, Durdhara and the others,