सौवर्णपुङ्खानपराञ्शरान् जग्राह षोडश
He took up sixteen arrows, each with golden feathers and sharp points.
हत्वा सारथिमेकेन ध्वजमेकेन चिच्छिदे
With one arrow he killed the charioteer, and with another he cut down the banner.
छिन्ने धनुषु खङ्गं च चर्म चादत्तवान् बली
When his bow was broken, the mighty one took up his sword and shield.
शरैश्चतुर्भिश्चिच्छेद ततः शूलं समाददे
With four arrows he cut them apart, then seized a spear.
क्रोष्टुको मुदितो ऽरण्ये मृगराजवधूं यथा
He rejoiced in the forest like a jackal with the lion's mate.
शरैश्चिच्छद संक्रुद्धा न्यपतिन्निहतो ऽसुरः
Enraged, he was struck down by arrows and the demon fell.
समाद्रवत वेगेन करालास्यश्च दानवः
With terrifying speed, the demon with a dreadful mouth rushed forward.
दुर्द्धरो दुर्मुखश्चैव बिडालनयनो ऽपरः
Durddhara, Durmukha, and another with cat-like eyes also advanced.
कात्यायनीमाद्रवन्त नानाशस्त्रास्त्रपाणयः
They charged at Kātyāyanī, wielding various weapons and missiles.
वादयामास हसती तथा डमरुकं वरम्
She laughed and began to play the excellent ḍamaru drum.
तथा तथा भूतगणा नृत्यन्ति च हस्न्ति च
In the same way, the hosts of spirits danced and laughed.
अभ्यघ्नंस्तांश् च जग्राह केशेषु परमेश्वरी
The Supreme Lady struck them and seized them by the hair.
ननर्त वीणां परिवादयन्ती पपौ च पानं जगतो जनित्री
The Mother of the World danced, playing the vīṇā, and drank wine.
विस्रस्तवस्त्रा व्यसवश्च जाताः ततस्तु तान् वीक्ष्य महासुरेन्द्रान्
Her garments loosened, her life-force spent; seeing this, the great lords of the demons—
तुण्डेन पुच्छेन तथोरसान्यान् निःश्वासवातेन च भूतसंघान्
With her beak, tail, and chest, and with the wind of her breath, she drove away the hosts of spirits.
दुद्राव सिंहं युधि हन्तुकामः ततो ऽम्बका क्रोधवशं जगाम
Desiring to slay the lion in battle, he fled; then Ambikā was overcome by wrath.
संक्षोभयययंस्तोयनिधीन् घनांश् च विध्वंसयन् प्राद्वताथ गुर्गाम्
Agitating the oceans and dispersing the clouds, she then advanced toward the fortress.
करं प्रचिच्छेद च हस्तिनो ऽग्रं स चापि भृयो महिषो ऽभिजातः
She severed the trunk of the elephant, and that mighty buffalo, born of a noble lineage, was also struck down.
शक्तिं प्रचिक्षेप हुताशदत्तां सा कुण्ठिताग्रा न्यपतनमार्षे
She hurled the spear given by the fire-god, but its tip was blunted and it fell to the ground.
गदां समाविध्य धनेश्वरस्य क्षिप्तातु भग्ना न्यपतत् पृथिव्याम्
She swung the mace of the lord of wealth, and when thrown, it broke and fell upon the earth.
निरस्य तत्कोपितया च मुक्तो दण्डस्तु याम्यो बहुखण्डतां गतः
Having repelled it, she released the staff in anger, and the staff of Yama was shattered into many fragments.
संत्यज्य सिंहं महिषासुरस्य दुर्गाधिरूढा सहसैव पृष्ठम्
Abandoning the lion of the buffalo-demon, Durga swiftly mounted its back.
सा चापि पद्भ्यां मृदुकोमलाभ्यां ममर्द तं क्लिन्नमिवाजिनं हि
With her soft and tender feet, she pressed him, as if moistening a hide.
ततो ऽस्य शूलेन बिबेद कण्ठं तस्मात् पुमान् खङ्गधरो विनिर्गतः
Then she pierced his throat with her spear, and from it emerged a man bearing a sword.
शिरः प्रचिच्छेद वरासिनास्य हाहाकृतं दैत्यबलं तदाभूत्
She cut off his head with her excellent sword, and the demon army cried out in distress.
संताड्यमानाः प्रमथैर्भवान्याः पातलमेवाविविशुर्भयार्ताः
Struck by the attendants of Bhavani, terrified, they entered the netherworld.
नारायणीं सर्वजगत्प्रतिष्ठां कात्यायनीं घोरमुखीं सुरूपाम्
Narayani, the foundation of all worlds, Katyayani, fierce-faced and beautiful in form.
भूयो भविष्याम्यमरार्थमेवमुक्त्वा सुरांस्तान् प्रविवेश दुर्गा
Saying, 'I will again be born for the sake of the gods,' Durga entered among them.
महत्कौतूहलं मे ऽद्य विस्तराद् ब्रह्मवित्तम
Today I have great curiosity, O knower of Brahman, tell me in detail.
शुम्भासुरवधार्थाय लोकानां हितकाम्यया
For the destruction of the demon Shumbha, desiring the welfare of the worlds.