बिभेद मार्गणैस्तीक्ष्णैः प्रह्लादं सर्वमर्मसु
With sharp arrows he pierced Prahlada in all his vital spots.
बिभेद हृदये बाह्वोर्वदने च नरोत्तमम्
He pierced the best of men in the heart, the arms, and the face.
चिच्छेदैकेन बाणेन चन्द्रार्धाकारवर्चसा
With a single arrow, shining like a crescent moon, he cut it apart.
अधिज्यं लाघवात् कृत्वा ववर्ष निशिताञ्शरान्
With speed, he strung his bow and showered sharp arrows.
कार्मुकं च क्षुरप्रेण चिच्छेद पुरुषोत्तमः
The supreme person cut the bow with a razor-edged arrow.
समादत्तं तदा साध्यो मुने चिच्छेद लाघवात्
Then, O sage, he swiftly cut what had been taken up.
परिघं दारुणां दीर्घं सर्वलोहमयं दृढम्
A fierce, long, and sturdy club, made entirely of iron,
भ्राम्यमाणं स चिच्छेद नाराचेन महामुनिः
As it was being whirled, the great sage cut it with a broad-headed arrow.
मुद्गरं भ्राम्य वेगेन प्रचिक्षेप नराग्रजे
The foremost of men hurled a mace with great speed.
चिच्छेद दशधा साध्यः स छिन्नो न्यपतद् भुवि
The adept cut it into ten pieces, and thus shattered, it fell to the ground.
प्रचिक्षेप नराग्र्याय तं च चिच्छेद धर्मजः
He hurled it at the best of men, but the righteous one cut it apart.
तां च चिच्छेद बलवान् क्षुरप्रेण महातपाः
The mighty ascetic, powerful and austere, cut it with a razor-edged arrow.
समादाय ततो बाणैरवतस्तार नारद
Then, taking up arrows, he protected himself, O Nārada.
नाराचेन जघानाथ हृदये सुरतापसः
With a broad-headed arrow, the lord struck the ascetic of Surata in the heart.
निपपात रथोपस्थे तमपोवाह सारथिः
He fell onto the chariot floor, and the charioteer carried him away.
सुदृढं चापमादाय भूयो योद्धमुपागतः
Taking up a very strong bow, he again approached for battle.
गच्छ दैत्येन्द्र योत्स्यामः प्रातस्त्वाह्निकमाचर
Go, O lord of the Daityas; we shall fight in the morning—perform your daily rites.
जगाम नैमिषारण्यं क्रियां चक्रे तदाऽह्निकीम्
He went to Naimisha forest and performed his daily rituals there.
रात्रौ चिन्तयते युद्धे कथं जेष्यामि दाम्भिकम्
At night, he pondered how he might defeat the deceitful one in battle.
दिव्यं वर्षसस्रं तु दैत्यो देवं न चाजयत्
But for a thousand divine years, the demon did not conquer the god.
पीतवाससमभ्येत्य दानवो वाक्यमब्रवीत्
The demon approached, clad in yellow garments, and spoke these words:
विजेतुं नाद्य शक्नोमि एतन्मे कारणं वद
Today I am unable to conquer; tell me the reason for this.
साध्यो विप्रवरो धीमान् मृधे देवासुरैरपि
That wise and excellent Brāhmaṇa is to be honored, even by gods and demons in battle.
तत्कथं यत्प्रतिज्ञातं तदसत्यं भविष्यति
How then will that which has been vowed become untrue?
तस्मात्तवाग्रतो विष्णो करिष्ये कायशोधनम्
Therefore, O Viṣṇu, before you I shall perform bodily purification.
शिरःस्नातस्तदा तस्थौ गृणन् ब्रह्म सनातनम्
Having bathed his head, he then stood, praising the eternal Brahman.
गच्छ जेष्यसि भक्त्या तं न युद्धेन कथञ्चन
Go; you will conquer him through devotion, not by battle in any way.
जितो ऽयं त्वत्प्रसादेन शक्रः किमुत धर्मजः
By your grace, Indra has been conquered—what then of Dharmaja?
न स्थातुं त्वत्प्रसादेव शक्यं किमु करोम्यज
It is not possible to stand against your favor; O unborn one, what can I do?
धर्मं प्रवर्त्तापयितुं तपश्चर्यां समास्थितः
He has undertaken austerity in order to establish righteousness.