बलवान् दानवपतिरजेयो देवदानवै
The mighty son of Danu was invincible by gods and demons alike.
वज्रं परिभ्राम्य बलस्य मूर्ध्नि चिक्षेप हे मूढ हतो ऽस्युदीर्य
He whirled the thunderbolt and hurled it at Bala's head, saying, 'Fool, you are slain!' But it shattered.
बलो ऽद्रवद् देवपतिश्च भीतः पराङ्मुखो ऽभृत् समरान्महर्षे
Bala fled, and the lord of the gods, frightened, turned his back and withdrew from the battle, O great sage.
तिष्ठस्व राजासि चराचरस्य न राजधर्मे गदितं पलायनम्
'Stand your ground! You are king of all that moves and does not move. Flight is not spoken of in the kingly code.'
उपेत्याह श्रूयतां वाक्यमीश त्वं मे नाथो भूतभव्येश विष्णो
Approaching, he said: 'Hear my words, O Lord! You are my refuge, O Vishnu, Lord of past and future.'
आयुधं देहि भगवान् त्वामहं शरणं गतः
'Grant me a weapon, O Blessed One; I have taken refuge in you.'
प्रार्थयस्वायुधं वह्निं स ते दास्यत्यसंशयम्
'Pray for a weapon from Agni; he will surely give it to you.'
शरणं पावकमगादिदं चोवाच नारद
He sought refuge with Agni, and Nārada spoke these words.
एष चाहूयते जम्भस्तस्माद्देह्यायुधं मम
'Now Jambha is being summoned; therefore, give me a weapon.'
यत्त्वं दर्प परित्यज्य मामेव शरणं गतः
'Because you have abandoned pride and taken refuge in me alone—'
प्रादादिन्द्राय भगवान् रोचमानो दिवं गतः
The Blessed One, shining, gave a weapon to Indra and ascended to heaven.
प्रत्युद्ययौ तदा जम्भं हन्तुकामो ऽरिमर्दनः
Then the destroyer of enemies advanced to meet Jambha, intent on slaying him.
क्रोधं चक्रे तदा जम्भ निजघान गजाधिपम्
Jambha, in anger, struck down the lord of elephants.
निपपात यथा शैलः शक्रवज्रहतः पुरा
He fell like a mountain once struck by Indra's thunderbolt.
त्यक्त्वैव मन्दरगिरिं पपात वसुधातले
Abandoning Mandara mountain, he fell to the earth.
मा मा शक्र पतस्वाद्य भूतले तिष्ठ वासव
'Do not fall, O Śakra! Remain on the earth today, O Vāsava.'
प्राह चैतान् कथं योत्स्ये अपत्रः शत्रुभिः सहः
He said to them, 'How can I fight the enemy without wings?'
युध्यस्व त्वं समारुह्यप्रेषयिष्याम यदा रथम्
'Fight on! Mount the chariot; when it is ready, we shall send it to you.'
वानरध्वजसंयुक्तं हरिभिर्हरिभिर्युतम्
Adorned with the banner of a monkey, and surrounded on all sides by monkeys,
शक्राय प्रेषयामासुर्विश्वावसुपुरोगमाः
They sent messengers, led by Viśvāvasu, to Indra.
प्राह योत्स्ये कथं युद्धे संयमिष्ये कथं हयान्
He said, 'How shall I fight in battle? How shall I restrain the horses?'
ततो ऽहं घातये शत्रून् नान्यथेति कथञ्चन
Then I will destroy the enemies—there is no other way, by any means.
विद्यते स्वयमेवाश्वांस्त्वं संयन्तुमिहार्हसि
There are horses here already; you must yourself restrain them.
क्षमातलं निपपातैव परिभ्रष्टस्रगम्बरः
He fell to the ground, his garland and garments slipping away.
पतमानं सहस्राक्षं दृष्ट्वा भूः समकम्पत
Seeing Indra falling, the earth trembled.
भार्याब्रवीत् प्रभो बालं बहिः कुरु यथासुखम्
His wife said, 'Lord, take the child outside as you wish.'
सा चाह श्रूयतां नाथ दैवज्ञपरिभाषितम्
She also said, 'Listen, lord, to what the astrologer has declared.'
यद्बाह्यतो मुनिश्रेष्ठ तद् भवेद् द्विगुणं मुने
Whatever is outside, O best of sages, will become double, O sage.
निराशङ्को बहिः शीघ्रं प्राक्षिपत् क्ष्मातले द्विजः
Without hesitation, the Brahmin quickly cast the child outside onto the ground.
निवारितो गता वेला अर्द्धूहानिर्भविष्यति
The appointed time has passed; only half the harm will occur.