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.
तं पराजेष्यसे भक्त्या तस्माच्छुश्रूष धर्मजम्
You will defeat him through devotion; therefore, serve Dharmaja.
अब्रवीद्वचनं हृष्टः समाहूयान्धकं मुनेष
Joyful, he summoned Andhaka and spoke these words, O sage:
मयोत्सृष्टमिदं राज्यं प्रतीच्छस्व महाभुज
This kingdom, relinquished by me, accept it, O mighty-armed one.
प्रह्लादो ऽपि तदागच्छत् पुण्यं बदरिकाश्रमम्
Prahlāda also then came to the sacred hermitage of Badarikā.
कृताञ्जलिपुटो भूत्वा ववन्दे चरणौ तयोः
With hands joined in reverence, he bowed at their feet.
किमर्थं प्रणतो ऽसीह मामजित्वा महासुर
For what reason have you bowed here, O great demon, without conquering me?
त्वं हि नारायणो ऽनन्तः पीतवासा जनार्दनः
For you are Nārāyaṇa, the infinite one, clad in yellow, O Janārdana.
त्वमव्ययो महेशानः शाश्वतः पुरुषोत्तमः
You are the imperishable, the great lord, the eternal, the supreme person.
जपन्ति स्नातकास्त्वां च यजन्ति त्वां च याज्ञिकाः
The learned, having completed their studies, recite your name, and those engaged in sacrifice worship you.
महामीनो हयशिरास्त्वमेव वरकच्छपः
You are the great fish, the horse-headed one, and indeed the noble tortoise.