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.
स पपाताथ निःसंज्ञो ययौ नन्दी ततस्त्वरन्
Then he fell down unconscious, and Nandi quickly departed from there.
पञ्च दानवशार्दुला नन्दिनं समुपाद्रवन्
Five tiger-like Daityas rushed toward Nandi.
नानाप्रहरणा युद्धे गणनाथमभिद्रवन्
Armed with various weapons in battle, they charged at the Lord of the Ganas.
समपश्यन्त देवास्तं पितामहपुरोगमाः
The gods, led by the Grandfather, beheld him.
साहाय्यं क्रियतां शंभोरेतदन्तरमुत्तमम्
Let assistance be rendered to Shambhu at this most critical moment.
समापतन्त वेगेन शिवसैन्यमथाम्बरात्
Then, the army of Shiva swiftly descended from the sky.
आपगानां महावेगं पतन्तीनां महार्णवे
Like mighty rivers plunging into the great ocean.
बलयोर्घोरसंकाशो सुरप्रमथयोरथ
The clash between the two armies, of gods and demons, appeared terrifying.
रथाद् भार्गवमाक्रामत् सिंहः क्षुद्रमृगं यथा
Bhargava leapt from his chariot like a lion upon a small animal.
निपात्य रक्षिणः सर्वानथ शुक्रं न्यवेदयत्
Having struck down all the guards, he then reported to Shukra.