ब्रूहि शुम्भं निशुम्भं च यदि जीवितुमिच्छथ
"Speak to Śumbha and Niśumbha, if you wish to live.
वासवो लभतां स्वर्गं देवाः सन्तु गतव्यथा
Let Indra regain heaven, and let the gods be free from distress.
नोचेद् बलावलेपेन भवन्तो योद्धुमिच्छथ
Otherwise, if you are proud of your strength, you may choose to fight.
यतस्तु सा शिवं दौत्ये न्ययोजयत् नारद
Therefore, Nārada, she sent Śiva as her messenger.
हुङ्कृत्वाभ्यद्रवन् सर्वे यत्र कात्यायनी स्थिता
With a roar, they all rushed to where Kātyāyanī stood.
प्रासैः सुनीक्ष्णैः परिघैश्च विस्तृतैर्ववर्षतुदैत्यवरौ सुरेश्वरीम्
The two great demons showered the queen of the gods with sharp spears and massive clubs.
जघान चान्यात् रणचण्डविक्रमा महासुरान् बाणशतैर्महेश्वरी
And Maheśvarī, with fierce valor in battle, struck down other great demons with hundreds of arrows.
महाजलक्षेपहतप्रभावान् ब्राह्मी तथान्यानसुरांश्चकार
Brāhmī, by hurling great torrents of water, deprived other demons of their power.
शक्त्या कुमारी कुलिशेन चैन्द्री तुण्डेन चक्रेण वराहरूपिणी
With her power, Kumari struck with the thunderbolt; Indrani with her beak; Varaha-formed with the discus.
रुद्रस्त्रिशूलेन तथैव चान्यान् विनायकश्चापि परश्वधेन
Rudra struck with his trident, and others likewise; Vinayaka too attacked with his axe.
पेतुः पृथिव्यां भुवि चापि भूतैस्ते भक्ष्यमाणाः प्रलयं प्रजग्मुः
They fell upon the earth, and those beings, devoured, met their destruction.
विमुक्तकेशास्तरलेक्षणा भयात् ते रक्तबीजं शरणं हि जग्मुः
With loosened hair and flashing eyes, out of fear, they sought refuge in Raktabija.
विद्रावयन् भूतगणान् समन्ताद् विवेश कोपात् स्फुरिताधरश्च
Driving away the hosts of spirits from all sides, he entered, furious, his lips trembling.
यो रक्तबिन्दुर्न्यपतत् पृथिव्यां स तत्प्रमाणस्त्वसुरो ऽपि जज्ञे
Wherever a drop of his blood fell upon the earth, an asura of equal measure was born.
पिबस्व चण्डे रुधिरं त्वरातेर्वितत्य वक्त्रं वडवानलाभम्
Drink the blood, O Chandi, quickly, spreading your mouth wide like the consuming fire.
ओष्ठं नभस्पृक् पृथिवीं स्पूशन्तं कृत्वाधरं तिष्ठति चर्ममुण्डा
With her lip touching the sky and her lower lip the earth, she stands, clad in hide and skulls.
बिभेद शूलेन तथाप्युरस्तः क्षतोद्भवान्ये न्यपतंश्च वक्त्रे
She pierced him with the trident, yet from the wounds, more drops fell into her mouth.
तं हीनवीर्यं शतधा चकार चक्रेण चामीकरभूषितेन
She made him powerless and shattered him into a hundred pieces with her golden-adorned discus.
हा तात ह भ्रातरिति ब्रुवन्तः क्त यासि तिष्ठस्व मुहूर्त्तमेहि
Crying 'Alas, father! Alas, brother!' they called out, 'Where are you going? Stay a moment, come!'
निपातिता धरणितले मृडान्या प्रदुद्रुवुर्गिरिवरमुह्य दैत्याः
Struck down upon the earth by Mridani, the daityas fled, hiding in the great mountain.
विशीर्मचक्राक्षरथो निशुम्भः क्रोधान्मृडानीं समुपाजगाम
With his chariot shattered by the discus, Nishumbha, enraged, approached Mridani.
संस्तम्भमोहज्वरपीडिते ऽथ चित्रे यथासौ लिखितो बभूव
Afflicted by paralysis, delusion, and fever, he became as if painted, motionless.
अनेन वीर्येण सुरास्त्वया जिता अनेन मां प्रार्थयसे बलेन
With this strength, the gods have been conquered by you; with this power, you seek me.
प्रोवाच चिन्तयित्वाथ वचनं वदतां वरः
After reflecting, he spoke these words, the best among speakers.
शतधा यास्यते भीरु आमपात्रमिवाम्भसि
You will be shattered into a hundred pieces, O timid one, like a clay pot in water.
करोमि बुद्धि तस्मात् त्वं मां भजस्वायतेक्षणे
Therefore, I resolve; you, with wide eyes, accept me.
निवर्त्तय मतिं युद्धाद् भार्या मे भव साम्प्रतम्
Turn your mind away from battle; become my wife at this moment.
विहस्य भावगम्भीरं निशुम्भं वाक्यमब्रवीत्
With a deep, serious expression, Niśumbha laughed and spoke.
भवान् यदिह भार्यार्थो ततो मां जय संयुगे
If you desire marriage here, then defeat me in combat.
प्रचिक्षेप तदा वेगात् कौशिकीं प्रति नारद
Then, Nārada hurled it swiftly toward Kauśikī.