पुरतो नन्दिनं कृत्वा जिघांसन्ति स्म दानवान्
Placing Nandina at the front, they sought to slay the Dānavas.
भूयो निवृत्ता बलिनः कार्त्तस्वरपुरोगमाः
The mighty ones, led by Kārtasvara, turned back again.
नन्दिषेणो व्याघ्रमुखो निवृत्तश्चापि वेगवान्
Nandiṣeṇa, Vyāghramukha, and the swift Vegavān also withdrew.
कार्त्तस्वरो निववृते गदामादाय नारद
O Nārada, Kārtasvara turned back, taking up his mace.
तं पट्टिशं भ्राम्य जघान मूर्ध्नि कार्तस्वरं विस्वरमुन्नदन्तम्
Whirling his spear, he struck Kārtasvara on the head as he roared loudly.
बबन्ध वीरः सह पट्टिशेन गणेश्वरं चाप्यथ नन्दिषेणम्
Then the hero bound the lord of the Gaṇas and Nandiṣeṇa together with the spear.
विशाखः कपितो ऽभ्येत्य शक्तिपाणिरवस्थितः
Viśākha, son of Kapi, approached, standing ready with spear in hand.
संयोधयामास बली विशाखं कुक्कुटध्वजम्
The mighty one engaged Viśākha, the bearer of the cock-banner, in battle.
शाखश्च नैगमेयश्च तूर्णमाद्रवतां रिपुम्
Śākha and Naigameya swiftly charged at the enemy.
शाखश्च नैगमेयश्च तूर्णमाद्रवतां रिपुम्
Śākha and Naigameya swiftly charged at the enemy.
ते प्राप्ताः शम्बरं तूर्णं प्रेक्ष्यमाणा गणेश्वराः
They reached Śambara at once, as the lords of the Gaṇas looked on.
जगाम विलयं तूर्णमाकासादिव भूतलम्
He quickly vanished, as if the earth had dissolved into the sky.
दिशो ऽथ भेजे देवर्षे कुमारः सैन्यमर्दयत्
Then, O divine sage, the youth turned to the directions and struck down the army.
विषण्णारूपा भयविह्वलाङ्गी जगाम सुक्रं शरणं भयार्ता
Her form dejected, limbs trembling with fear, she, distressed and terrified, sought shelter with Śukra.
अन्धको ऽभ्येत्य शुक्रं तु इदं वचनमब्रवीत्
And Andhaka approached Śukra and spoke these words:
अथान्यानपि विप्रर्षे गन्धर्वसुरकिन्नरान्
Then, O sage among the twice-born, he summoned also the Gandharvas, Asuras, and Kinnaras.
अनाथेन यथा नारी प्रमथैरपि काल्यते
Just as a woman without protector is tormented by evil ones,
अक्षयाः प्रमथाश्चामी कुरुक्षेत्रफलं यथा
So too are these inexhaustible fiends, like the fruit of Kurukṣetra.
जयेम च परान् युद्धे तथा त्वं कुर्तुमर्हसि
And as we conquer others in battle, so should you act accordingly.
त्वद्धितार्थ यतिष्यामि करिष्यामि तव प्रियम्
For your benefit I will strive and do what pleases you.
आर्वतयामास तदा विधानेन शुचिव्रतः
Then, pure in vow, he performed the rite according to ordinance.
ये हताः प्रथमं युद्धे दानवास्ते समुत्थिताः
Those Dānavas who were first slain in battle rose up again.
युद्धायाभ्यागतेष्वेव नन्दी शङ्करमब्रवीत्
As the warriors approached for battle, Nandī spoke to Śaṅkara:
अविचिन्त्यमसह्यं च मृतानां जीवनं पुनः
The revival of the dead is inconceivable and unbearable.
ते समुज्जीविता भूयो भार्गावेणाथ विद्याया
They were revived again by Bhārgava’s knowledge.
संजातं स्वल्पमेवेश शुक्रविद्याबलाक्षयम्
But, O Lord, the power of Śukra’s knowledge has become slightly diminished.
प्रत्युवाच प्रभुः प्रीत्य स्वार्थसाधनमुत्तमम्
The Lord replied with affection, revealing the highest means for his own purpose.
अहं तं संयमिष्यामि यथायोगं समेत्य हि
I will restrain him as is fitting, having come together with him.
समाजगाम दैत्यानां चमुं शुक्रजिघृक्षया
He approached the host of the Daityas, desiring to seize Śukra.
संरुरोध तदा मार्गं सिहस्येव पशुर्वने
Then he blocked the path, like a lion does to a beast in the forest.