The
warriors started the battle with the beating of drums. The goddess meditated
on the Timeless Lord, but had only wrath in her mind. Out of Durgas head
came the power of the Timeless Lord as if it was symbolic of victory.
Immediately after birth from the forehead she set out for the battlefield.
She created an uproar in the field just as a lion does when it walks about
and roars in the jungle. (There was so much killing in the battlefield
that) it seemed that the wearer of the trident, Shiva, having become annoyed
with all the three worlds had come to destroy them; as if Vishnu had become
annoyed and he had taken ups his special sword called Naidag. As Durga
attacked the demons the latter fell upon her swinging swords and raining
arrows. She made a thrust into the camp of the demons and pushed them
back. She got hold of many by their hair and threw them. Thus, she raised
a tumult in the enemy ranks. The goddess was seething with rage and she
rotated many a well known warriors above her head and threw them away.||41||
Both
the armies faced each other and ordered their ranks. They pulled out their
swords and washed them with blood (of the enemy). Many soldiers and swords
surrounded Shrinatjib. It seemed as if many bridesmaids were surrounding
a bridegroom to have a glimpse of him.||42||
As
the armies clashed with each other the drums were continuously beaten.
They took out the sharp swords in their hands. These swords habitual of
taking flesh struck the warriors. These were the nights of suffering for
both men and horses. Companion friends of Durga came to the field in the
form of kites crying “we have to drink blood.” (In this way
the goddess) killed the entire army of demons. The fleeing soldiers (who
could save themselves) told the story to king Sumbh as to how blood drops
(from the goddess and her companion-friend) . All those forms who had
sprouted from the blood of Shronitjib were killed in the battlefield.
Thus the moment of death came to so many. The brave warriors fought valiantly
and laid their lives as if their mothers had not given birth to them.||43||
Now
begins the fight of Nisumbh.
Sumbh heard the wailing of Shronatbij. When Durga entered the battlefield none could face her. Many matted hair warriors boasted that they will set out for the battlefield with the beating drum. When the armies moved up front the earth seemed to tremble as does a boat in a vast river. As the horses moved the dust caused by their hooves seemed as if the earth moved up to Indra kaing along her petition. ||44||
Sumbh heard the wailing of Shronatbij. When Durga entered the battlefield none could face her. Many matted hair warriors boasted that they will set out for the battlefield with the beating drum. When the armies moved up front the earth seemed to tremble as does a boat in a vast river. As the horses moved the dust caused by their hooves seemed as if the earth moved up to Indra kaing along her petition. ||44||
The
brave men found a new opportunity for themselves and the formed an army
of warriors. They went upfront before Durga empress as the hajis go to
Ka’aba at Mecca. They shot arrows and used swords and daggers on
each side of the field to invite the warriors. The injured soldiers swirl
around as engrossed in public weal does qazi, in a mosque. Some injured
by spears sit like one saying namaz, the muslim prayer. Some feel irritated
(at their helplessness) before Durga and rebuke their horses. They run
like hungry leopards (after prey) before the goddess. These were the warriors
who never felt satisfied with combats but now they had it to their fill.||45||
Drums
tied on horseback and other kind were beaten. The demons with heavy matted
hair on their heads form regular groups and enter the battlefield back
to back. The had tasselled spears and they look likea group of rishies
going to the Ganga to have a bath.||46||
Both
the armies led by Durga and the demons moved forward to face each other
and they prick each other like thorns. The warriors have covered the entire
field with raining arrows. They have taken out their sharp swords with
which the warriors are cut to pieces. As soon as the armies approached
each other there was a fierce clash.||47||
When the drums were sounded both armies clashed fiercely with each other.
Now Durga picked out selected targets from among the enemy camp whom she
made targets of her arrows. She killed many on elephants, in chariots
and on foot. The blood stained red tips of arrows stench in the armour
of the dead looked like blossoms on the pomegranate plant. Durga was in
rage and she took her sword in her right hand and moved ahead. She killed
several thousands of brave demons like Hirnayakshipu. She alone was overpowering
the army force. May Akal Purkh ever bless her blows.||49||
 |
Again
the drums were sounded and both the armies clashed against each
other. Then Nisumbh put armour on his steed and made it dance
around on the field. He send for a huge bow on special request
from the king of Multan. Durga on her part moved forward in the
field to fill the entire battlefield with blood and flesh. Durga
took a step forward and made ablow of her sword ar Nisumbh. The
blow was so strong that the sword sawed Nisumbh’s body ,
cut through the armour of the horse, slayed the horse into two
and touched the earth. The brave Nisumbh fell down from his horse
bowing to sumbh. (Impressed by the bravery and prowess of Nisumbh,
the poet appreciates him saying) “Worth appreciation is
he and worth appreciation is his prowess; the fearless was he
chews betel-leaf also deserves appreciation. Equally worth appreciation
is the way he faced the arrows and the way he made his steed move
swiftly.” ||50|| |