Tamra's Words of Persuasion to the Goddess

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.5.11.1)

व्यास उवाच । इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा महिषो मदविह्वलः । मन्त्रिवृद्धान् समाहूय राजा वचनमब्रवीत्

vyāsa uvāca | iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā mahiṣo madavihvalaḥ | mantrivṛddhān samāhūya rājā vacanamabravīt

Vyasa said: Hearing his words, Mahisha, distraught with pride, that king summoned his senior ministers and spoke to them.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.5.11.2)

राजोवाच । मन्त्रिणः किं च कर्तव्यं विश्रब्धं ब्रूत मा चिरम् । आगता देवविहिता मायेयं शाम्बरीव किम्

rājovāca | mantriṇaḥ kiṁ ca kartavyaṁ viśrabdhaṁ brūta mā ciram | āgatā devavihitā māyeyaṁ śāmbarīva kim

The king said: O ministers, what is to be done? Speak candidly, without delay. Has this woman come here as some Shambari-illusion, arranged by the gods?

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.5.11.3)

कार्येऽस्मिन्निपुणा यूयमुपायेषु विचक्षणाः । सामादिषु च कर्तव्यः कोऽत्र मह्यं ब्रुवन्तु च

kārye'sminnipuṇā yūyamupāyeṣu vicakṣaṇāḥ | sāmādiṣu ca kartavyaḥ ko'tra mahyaṁ bruvantu ca

You are skilled in this matter, expert in every approach. Tell me which of the four means — conciliation and the rest — should be applied here.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.5.11.4)

मन्त्रिण ऊचुः । सत्यं सदैव वक्तव्यं प्रियञ्च नृपसत्तम । कार्यं हितकरं नूनं विचार्य विबुधैः किल

mantriṇa ūcuḥ | satyaṁ sadaiva vaktavyaṁ priyañca nṛpasattama | kāryaṁ hitakaraṁ nūnaṁ vicārya vibudhaiḥ kila

The ministers said: O best of kings, truth must always be spoken, and what is pleasant too; the wise, indeed, must always act only after deliberation, in a way that is truly beneficial.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.5.11.5)

सत्यं च हितकृद्राजन्प्रियं चाहितकृद्भवेत् । यथौषधं नृणां लोके ह्यप्रियं रोगनाशनम्

satyaṁ ca hitakṛdrājanpriyaṁ cāhitakṛdbhavet | yathauṣadhaṁ nṛṇāṁ loke hyapriyaṁ roganāśanam

O king, what is true and beneficial may sometimes prove unpleasant — just as, in this world, medicine, unpleasant though it is, destroys disease.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.5.11.6)

सत्यस्य श्रोता मन्ता च दुर्लभः पृथिवीपते । वक्तापि दुर्लभः कामं बहवश्चाटुभाषकाः

satyasya śrotā mantā ca durlabhaḥ pṛthivīpate | vaktāpi durlabhaḥ kāmaṁ bahavaścāṭubhāṣakāḥ

O lord of the earth, one who hears and accepts the truth is rare; a speaker of truth is rare too — flatterers, on the other hand, are many.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.5.11.7)

कथं ब्रूमोऽत्र नृपते विचारे गहने त्विह । शुभं वाप्यशुभं वापि को वेत्ति भुवनत्रये

kathaṁ brūmo'tra nṛpate vicāre gahane tviha | śubhaṁ vāpyaśubhaṁ vāpi ko vetti bhuvanatraye

O king, how then shall we speak in this deeply perplexing matter? Who in the three worlds truly knows whether it bodes well or ill?

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.5.11.8)

राजोवाच । स्वस्वमत्यनुसारेण ब्रुवन्त्वद्य पृथक्पृथक् । येषां हि यादृशो भावस्तच्छ्रुत्वा चिन्तयाम्यहम्

rājovāca | svasvamatyanusāreṇa bruvantvadya pṛthakpṛthak | yeṣāṁ hi yādṛśo bhāvastacchrutvā cintayāmyaham

The king said: Let each of you speak today separately, according to your own understanding; hearing what each of you truly thinks, I shall then deliberate.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.5.11.9)

बहूनां मतमाज्ञाय विचार्य च पुनः पुनः । यच्छ्रेयस्तद्धि कर्तव्यं कार्यं कार्यविचक्षणैः

bahūnāṁ matamājñāya vicārya ca punaḥ punaḥ | yacchreyastaddhi kartavyaṁ kāryaṁ kāryavicakṣaṇaiḥ

Having learned the opinions of many, and having deliberated again and again, those skilled in such matters should do only what is truly best.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.5.11.10)

व्यास उवाच । तस्यैवं वचनं श्रुत्वा विरूपाक्षो महाबलः । उवाच तरसा वाक्यं रञ्जयन्पृथिवीपतिम्

vyāsa uvāca | tasyaivaṁ vacanaṁ śrutvā virūpākṣo mahābalaḥ | uvāca tarasā vākyaṁ rañjayanpṛthivīpatim

Vyasa said: Hearing these words, the mighty Virupaksha spoke at once, delighting the lord of the earth.

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.5.11.11)

विरूपाक्ष उवाच । राजन्नारी वराकीयं सा ब्रूते मदगर्विता । विभीषिकामात्रमिदं ज्ञातव्यं वचनं त्वया

virūpākṣa uvāca | rājannārī varākīyaṁ sā brūte madagarvitā | vibhīṣikāmātramidaṁ jñātavyaṁ vacanaṁ tvayā

Virupaksha said: O king, this is nothing but a wretched woman, arrogant with pride, who speaks so; understand this to be an idle threat, and nothing more.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.5.11.12)

को बिभेति स्त्रियो वाक्यैर्दुरुक्तै रणदुर्मदैः । अनृतं साहसं चेति जानन्नारीविचेष्टितम्

ko bibheti striyo vākyairduruktai raṇadurmadaiḥ | anṛtaṁ sāhasaṁ ceti jānannārīviceṣṭitam

Who fears the harsh, battle-mad words of a woman, knowing full well that a woman's conduct is nothing but falsehood and bravado?

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.5.11.13)

जित्वा त्रिभुवनं राजन्नद्य कान्ताभयेन वै । दीनत्वेऽप्ययशो नूनं वीरस्य भुवने भवेत्

jitvā tribhuvanaṁ rājannadya kāntābhayena vai | dīnatve'pyayaśo nūnaṁ vīrasya bhuvane bhavet

O king, having conquered all three worlds, to be reduced to fear before a woman today would surely bring a hero shame throughout the world.

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.5.11.14)

तस्माद्याम्यहमेकाकी युद्धाय चण्डिकां प्रति । हनिष्ये तां महाराज निर्भयो भव साम्प्रतम्

tasmādyāmyahamekākī yuddhāya caṇḍikāṁ prati | haniṣye tāṁ mahārāja nirbhayo bhava sāmpratam

Therefore I myself shall go alone to fight this Chandika; I shall slay her, O great king — be fearless now.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.5.11.15)

सेनावृतोऽहं गत्वा तां शस्त्रास्त्रैर्विविधैः किल । निषूदयामि दुर्मर्षां चण्डिकां चण्डविक्रमाम्

senāvṛto'haṁ gatvā tāṁ śastrāstrairvividhaiḥ kila | niṣūdayāmi durmarṣāṁ caṇḍikāṁ caṇḍavikramām

Surrounded by my army, going there, I shall destroy that intolerable Chandika, of such fierce valor, with weapons of every kind.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.5.11.16)

बद्ध्वा सर्पमयैः पाशैरानयिष्ये तवान्तिकम् । वशगा तु सदा ते स्यात्पश्य राजन् बलं मम

baddhvā sarpamayaiḥ pāśairānayiṣye tavāntikam | vaśagā tu sadā te syātpaśya rājan balaṁ mama

Or, binding her with nooses of serpents, I shall bring her into your presence; she shall then remain forever subject to you. Behold, O king, my strength!

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.5.11.17)

व्यास उवाच । विरूपाक्षवचः श्रुत्वा दुर्धरो वाक्यमब्रवीत् । सत्यमुक्तं वचो राजन् विरूपाक्षेण धीमता

vyāsa uvāca | virūpākṣavacaḥ śrutvā durdharo vākyamabravīt | satyamuktaṁ vaco rājan virūpākṣeṇa dhīmatā

Vyasa said: Hearing Virupaksha's words, Durdhara spoke: 'True indeed, O king, are the words spoken by wise Virupaksha —'

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.5.11.18)

ममापि वचनं श्लक्ष्णं श्रोतव्यं धीमता त्वया । कामातुरैषा सुदती लक्ष्यतेऽप्यनुमानतः

mamāpi vacanaṁ ślakṣṇaṁ śrotavyaṁ dhīmatā tvayā | kāmāturaiṣā sudatī lakṣyate'pyanumānataḥ

'— yet you, O wise one, must hear my own gentle counsel too. This lovely-toothed woman appears, by inference, to be tormented with desire.'

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.5.11.19)

भवत्येवंविधा कामं नायिका रूपगर्विता । भीषयित्वा वरारोहा त्वां वशे कर्तुमिच्छति

bhavatyevaṁvidhā kāmaṁ nāyikā rūpagarvitā | bhīṣayitvā varārohā tvāṁ vaśe kartumicchati

'Heroines proud of their own beauty often behave in exactly this way; this excellent lady wishes, by frightening you, to bring you under her sway.'

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.5.11.20)

हावोऽयं मानिनीनां वै तं वेत्ति रसवित्तमः । वक्रोक्तिरेषा कामिन्याः प्रियं प्रति परायणम्

hāvo'yaṁ māninīnāṁ vai taṁ vetti rasavittamaḥ | vakroktireṣā kāminyāḥ priyaṁ prati parāyaṇam

'This is the coy display of proud women — only a true connoisseur of romantic sentiment understands it; a lustful woman's oblique speech like this is meant for her beloved alone.'

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.5.11.21)

वेत्ति कोऽपि नरः कामं कामशास्त्रविचक्षणः । यदुक्तं नाम बाणैस्त्वा वधिष्ये रणमूर्धनि

vetti ko'pi naraḥ kāmaṁ kāmaśāstravicakṣaṇaḥ | yaduktaṁ nāma bāṇaistvā vadhiṣye raṇamūrdhani

'Only a man skilled in the science of love truly understands this. As for her saying, "I shall kill you with arrows on the battlefield" —'

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.5.11.22)

हेतुगर्भमिदं वाक्यं ज्ञातव्यं हेतुवित्तमैः । बाणास्तु मानिनीनां वै कटाक्षा एव विश्रुताः

hetugarbhamidaṁ vākyaṁ jñātavyaṁ hetuvittamaiḥ | bāṇāstu māninīnāṁ vai kaṭākṣā eva viśrutāḥ

'— that speech, pregnant with hidden meaning, must be grasped by those skilled in such reasoning. It is well known that the "arrows" of proud women are their sidelong glances.'

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.5.11.23)

पुष्पाञ्जलिमयाश्चान्ये व्यङ्ग्यानि वचनानि च । का शक्तिरन्यबाणानां प्रेरणे त्वयि पार्थिव

puṣpāñjalimayāścānye vyaṅgyāni vacanāni ca | kā śaktiranyabāṇānāṁ preraṇe tvayi pārthiva

'Her other "arrows" are handfuls of flowers, and ironic, double-edged words. O king, what power could any other arrow really have to be loosed at you?'

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.5.11.24)

तादृशीनां न सा शक्तिर्ब्रह्मविष्णुहरादिषु । ययोक्तं नेत्रबाणैस्त्वां हनिष्ये मन्द पार्थिवम्

tādṛśīnāṁ na sā śaktirbrahmaviṣṇuharādiṣu | yayoktaṁ netrabāṇaistvāṁ haniṣye manda pārthivam

'Such women have no such power even against Brahma, Vishnu, and Hara — as for her saying, "O dull-witted king, I shall slay you with the arrows of my eyes" —'

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.5.11.25)

विपरीतं परिज्ञातं तेनारसविदा किल । पातयिष्यामि शय्यायां रणमय्यां पतिं तव

viparītaṁ parijñātaṁ tenārasavidā kila | pātayiṣyāmi śayyāyāṁ raṇamayyāṁ patiṁ tava

'— that was understood in a reversed sense by our minister, ignorant of the true sentiment. "I shall lay your lord low upon a bed made a battlefield" —'

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.5.11.26)

विपरीतरतिकीडाभाषणं ज्ञेयमेव तत् । करिष्ये विगतप्राणं यदुक्तं वचनं तया

viparītaratikīḍābhāṣaṇaṁ jñeyameva tat | kariṣye vigataprāṇaṁ yaduktaṁ vacanaṁ tayā

'— that is nothing but the language of love-play in its reversed posture. And what she said, "I shall render him lifeless" —'

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.5.11.27)

वीर्यं प्राणा इति प्रोक्तं तद्विहीनं न चान्यथा । व्यङ्ग्याधिक्येन वाक्येन वरयत्युत्तमा नृप

vīryaṁ prāṇā iti proktaṁ tadvihīnaṁ na cānyathā | vyaṅgyādhikyena vākyena varayatyuttamā nṛpa

'— vīrya itself is called the vital breath, and to be "deprived of it" means nothing but the languor that follows love-play. O king, an excellent woman chooses her lover through speech rich in just such double meaning.'

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.5.11.28)

तद्वै विचारतो ज्ञेयं रसग्रन्थविचक्षणैः । इति ज्ञात्वा महाराज कर्तव्यं रससंयुतम्

tadvai vicārato jñeyaṁ rasagranthavicakṣaṇaiḥ | iti jñātvā mahārāja kartavyaṁ rasasaṁyutam

'This can only be grasped, through careful reflection, by those skilled in the treatises on aesthetic sentiment. Understanding this, O great king, one should act in keeping with that sentiment.'

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.5.11.29)

सामदानद्वयं तस्या नान्योपायोऽस्ति भूपते । रुष्टा वा गर्विता वापि वशगा मानिनी भवेत्

sāmadānadvayaṁ tasyā nānyopāyo'sti bhūpate | ruṣṭā vā garvitā vāpi vaśagā māninī bhavet

'For her, O king, only these two means apply — conciliation and gift; there is no other way. Whether angry or proud, a self-respecting woman can always be won over.'

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.5.11.30)

तादृशैर्मधुरैर्वाक्यैरानयिष्ये तवान्तिकम् । किं बहूक्तेन मे राजन् कर्तव्या वशवर्तिनी

tādṛśairmadhurairvākyairānayiṣye tavāntikam | kiṁ bahūktena me rājan kartavyā vaśavartinī

'With just such sweet words I shall bring her into your presence. Why say more, O king? She must be brought under your sway, one way or another.'

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.5.11.31)

गत्वा मयाधुनैवेयं किङ्करीव सदैव ते । व्यास उवाव इत्थं निशम्य तद्वाक्यं ताम्रस्तत्त्वविचक्षणः

gatvā mayādhunaiveyaṁ kiṅkarīva sadaiva te | vyāsa uvāva itthaṁ niśamya tadvākyaṁ tāmrastattvavicakṣaṇaḥ

'Going there myself, this very moment, I shall make her forever subject to you, as it were a servant.' Vyasa said: Hearing these words, Tamra, skilled in discerning the true nature of things —

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.5.11.32)

उवाच वचनं राजन्निशामय मयोदितम् । हेतुमद्धर्मसहितं रसयुक्तं नयान्वितम्

uvāca vacanaṁ rājanniśāmaya mayoditam | hetumaddharmasahitaṁ rasayuktaṁ nayānvitam

— spoke: 'O king, hear what I have to say — reasoned, in keeping with dharma, rich in sentiment, and grounded in sound policy.'

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.5.11.33)

नैषा कामातुरा बाला नानुरक्ता विचक्षणा । व्यङ्ग्यानि नैव वाक्यानि तयोक्तानि तु मानद

naiṣā kāmāturā bālā nānuraktā vicakṣaṇā | vyaṅgyāni naiva vākyāni tayoktāni tu mānada

'O bestower of honor, this young woman is neither tormented by desire nor in love, clever though she is. The words she spoke carry no hidden meaning at all.'

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.5.11.34)

चित्रमत्र महाबाहो यदेका वरवर्णिनी । निरालम्बा समायाति चित्ररूपा मनोहरा

citramatra mahābāho yadekā varavarṇinī | nirālambā samāyāti citrarūpā manoharā

'It is a wonder indeed, O mighty-armed one, that a woman of such excellent beauty, of wondrous, enchanting form, has come here quite alone, without any support.'

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.5.11.35)

अष्टादशभुजा नारी न श्रुता न च वीक्षिता । केनापि त्रिषु लोकेषु पराक्रमवती शुभा

aṣṭādaśabhujā nārī na śrutā na ca vīkṣitā | kenāpi triṣu lokeṣu parākramavatī śubhā

'A woman of eighteen arms, so full of prowess and so auspicious, has never before been heard of, nor seen, by anyone in the three worlds.'

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.5.11.36)

आयुधान्यपि तावन्ति धृतानि बलवन्ति च । विपरीतमिदं मन्ये सर्वं कालकृतं नृप

āyudhānyapi tāvanti dhṛtāni balavanti ca | viparītamidaṁ manye sarvaṁ kālakṛtaṁ nṛpa

'So many powerful weapons has she taken up besides. O king, I hold that all this is unnatural — the very working of Time itself.'

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.5.11.37)

स्वप्नानि दुर्निमित्तानि मया दृष्टानि वै निशि । तेन जानाम्यहं नूनं वैशसं समुपागतम्

svapnāni durnimittāni mayā dṛṣṭāni vai niśi | tena jānāmyahaṁ nūnaṁ vaiśasaṁ samupāgatam

'I have seen ill-omened dreams at night; from them I know for certain that calamity has drawn near.'

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.5.11.38)

कृष्णाम्बरधरा नारी रुदती च गृहाङ्गणे । दृष्टा स्वप्नेऽप्युषःकाले चिन्तितव्यस्तदत्ययः

kṛṣṇāmbaradharā nārī rudatī ca gṛhāṅgaṇe | dṛṣṭā svapne'pyuṣaḥkāle cintitavyastadatyayaḥ

'In a dream at dawn I saw a woman clad in black, weeping in the courtyard of a house — this calamity must be reflected upon.'

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.5.11.39)

विकृताः पक्षिणो रात्रौ रोरुवन्ति गृहे गृहे । उत्पाता विविधा राजन् प्रभवन्ति गृहे गृहे

vikṛtāḥ pakṣiṇo rātrau roruvanti gṛhe gṛhe | utpātā vividhā rājan prabhavanti gṛhe gṛhe

'At night, ill-omened birds shriek in house after house; various portents, O king, are breaking out in house after house.'

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.5.11.40)

तेन जानाम्यहं नूनं कारणं किञ्चिदेव हि । यत्त्वां प्रार्थयते बाला युद्धाय कृतनिश्चया

tena jānāmyahaṁ nūnaṁ kāraṇaṁ kiñcideva hi | yattvāṁ prārthayate bālā yuddhāya kṛtaniścayā

'From all this I know for certain there is some hidden cause here — that this young woman, resolved on battle, is truly challenging you.'

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.5.11.41)

नैषास्ति मानुषी नो वा गान्धर्वी न तथासुरी । देवैः कृतेयं ज्ञातव्या माया मोहकरी विभो

naiṣāsti mānuṣī no vā gāndharvī na tathāsurī | devaiḥ kṛteyaṁ jñātavyā māyā mohakarī vibho

'She is neither human, nor a gandharva woman, nor an asura woman. O mighty one, this must be understood as an illusion, wrought by the gods to delude us.'

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.5.11.42)

कातरत्वं न कर्तव्यं ममैतन्मतमित्यलम् । कर्तव्यं सर्वथा युद्धं यद्भाव्यं तद्भविष्यति

kātaratvaṁ na kartavyaṁ mamaitanmatamityalam | kartavyaṁ sarvathā yuddhaṁ yadbhāvyaṁ tadbhaviṣyati

'Even so, one must not become fainthearted — this indeed is my view. Battle must be waged in any case; whatever is destined will come to pass.'

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.5.11.43)

को वेद दैवकर्तव्यं शुभं वाप्यशुभं तथा । अवलम्ब्य धिया धैर्यं स्थातव्यं वै विचक्षणैः

ko veda daivakartavyaṁ śubhaṁ vāpyaśubhaṁ tathā | avalambya dhiyā dhairyaṁ sthātavyaṁ vai vicakṣaṇaiḥ

'Who knows whether fate's decree bodes well or ill? The wise must always remain steadfast, holding fast to patience through their intellect.'

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.5.11.44)

जीवितं मरणं पुंसां दैवाधीनं नराधिप । कोऽपि नैवान्यथा कर्तुं समर्थो भुवनत्रये

jīvitaṁ maraṇaṁ puṁsāṁ daivādhīnaṁ narādhipa | ko'pi naivānyathā kartuṁ samartho bhuvanatraye

'O lord of men, the life and death of men remain subject to fate; no one at all, in the three worlds, is capable of making it otherwise.'

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.5.11.45)

महिष उवाच । गच्छ ताम्र महाभाग युद्धाय कृतनिश्चयः । तामानय वरारोहां जित्वा धर्मेण मानिनीम्

mahiṣa uvāca | gaccha tāmra mahābhāga yuddhāya kṛtaniścayaḥ | tāmānaya varārohāṁ jitvā dharmeṇa māninīm

Mahisha said: Go, O most fortunate Tamra, resolved for battle. Conquer that excellent, self-respecting lady righteously, and bring her here.

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.5.11.46)

न भवेद्वशगा नारी सङ्ग्रामे यदि सा तव । हन्तव्या नान्यथा कामं माननीया प्रयत्नतः

na bhavedvaśagā nārī saṅgrāme yadi sā tava | hantavyā nānyathā kāmaṁ mānanīyā prayatnataḥ

'If, in battle, that woman does not come under your sway, then let her be slain; otherwise, honor her with every effort.'

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.5.11.47)

वीरस्त्वमसि सर्वज्ञ कामशास्त्रविशारदः । येन केनाप्युपायेन जेतव्या वरवर्णिनी

vīrastvamasi sarvajña kāmaśāstraviśāradaḥ | yena kenāpyupāyena jetavyā varavarṇinī

'You are a hero, all-knowing, skilled in the science of love; that excellent woman must be won over by whatever means.'

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.5.11.48)

त्वरन्वीर महाबाहो सैन्येन महता वृतः । तत्र गत्वा त्वया ज्ञेया विचार्य च पुनः पुनः

tvaranvīra mahābāho sainyena mahatā vṛtaḥ | tatra gatvā tvayā jñeyā vicārya ca punaḥ punaḥ

'Hasten, O hero, O mighty-armed one, surrounded by a great army. Going there, after repeated deliberation, you must ascertain —'

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.5.11.49)

किमर्थमागता चेयं ज्ञातव्यं तद्धि कारणम् । कामाद्वा वैरभावाच्च माया कस्येयमित्युत

kimarthamāgatā ceyaṁ jñātavyaṁ taddhi kāraṇam | kāmādvā vairabhāvācca māyā kasyeyamityuta

'— for what purpose she has come; that cause must be discovered. Whether from desire or from enmity, and whose illusion this may be —'

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.5.11.50)

आदौ तन्निश्चयं कृत्वा ज्ञातव्यं तच्चिकीर्षितम् । पश्चाद्युद्धं प्रकर्तव्यं यथायोग्यं यथाबलम्

ādau tanniścayaṁ kṛtvā jñātavyaṁ taccikīrṣitam | paścādyuddhaṁ prakartavyaṁ yathāyogyaṁ yathābalam

'— first ascertain that with certainty, and learn her true intention, and only afterward wage battle, as is fitting and to the extent of your strength.'

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.5.11.51)

कातरत्वं न कर्तव्यं निर्दयत्वं तथा न च । यादृशं हि मनस्तस्याः कर्तव्यं तादृशं त्वया

kātaratvaṁ na kartavyaṁ nirdayatvaṁ tathā na ca | yādṛśaṁ hi manastasyāḥ kartavyaṁ tādṛśaṁ tvayā

'You should show neither cowardice nor cruelty. Whatever her state of mind may be, you should act to match it.'

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.5.11.52)

व्यास उवाच । इति तद्भाषितं श्रुत्वा ताम्रः कालवशं गतः । निर्गतः सैन्यसंयुक्तः प्रणम्य महिषं नृपम्

vyāsa uvāca | iti tadbhāṣitaṁ śrutvā tāmraḥ kālavaśaṁ gataḥ | nirgataḥ sainyasaṁyuktaḥ praṇamya mahiṣaṁ nṛpam

Vyasa said: Hearing these words, Tamra, drawn under the sway of Time, bowed to King Mahisha and set out, accompanied by his army.

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.5.11.53)

गच्छन्मार्गे दुरात्मासौ शकुनान्वीक्ष्य दारुणान् । विस्मयञ्च भयं प्राप यममार्गप्रदर्शकान्

gacchanmārge durātmāsau śakunānvīkṣya dāruṇān | vismayañca bhayaṁ prāpa yamamārgapradarśakān

That evil-souled one, going along the road, seeing terrible omens pointing toward the path of Yama, was struck with both wonder and fear.

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.5.11.54)

सगत्वा तां समालोक्य देवीं सिंहोपरिस्थिताम् । स्तूयमानां सुरैः सर्वैः सर्वायुधविभूषिताम्

sagatvā tāṁ samālokya devīṁ siṁhoparisthitām | stūyamānāṁ suraiḥ sarvaiḥ sarvāyudhavibhūṣitām

Going there, he beheld the Goddess, seated upon her lion, praised by every god, adorned with every weapon.

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.5.11.55)

तामुवाच विनीतः सन् वाक्यं मधुरया गिरा । सामभावं समाश्रित्य विनयावनतः स्थितः

tāmuvāca vinītaḥ san vākyaṁ madhurayā girā | sāmabhāvaṁ samāśritya vinayāvanataḥ sthitaḥ

Being humble, bowed low in courtesy, resorting to a conciliatory manner, he addressed her with sweet words.

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.5.11.56)

देवि दैत्येश्वरः शृङ्गी त्वद्रूपगुणमोहितः । स्पृहां करोति महिषस्त्वत्पाणिग्रहणाय च

devi daityeśvaraḥ śṛṅgī tvadrūpaguṇamohitaḥ | spṛhāṁ karoti mahiṣastvatpāṇigrahaṇāya ca

'O Goddess, Mahisha, the horned lord of the daityas, enchanted by your beauty and your virtues, desires to take your hand in marriage.'

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.5.11.57)

भावं कुरु विशालाक्षि तस्मिन्नमरदुर्जये । पतिं तं प्राप्य मृद्वङ्गि नन्दने विहराद्भुते

bhāvaṁ kuru viśālākṣi tasminnamaradurjaye | patiṁ taṁ prāpya mṛdvaṅgi nandane viharādbhute

'O wide-eyed one, incline your heart toward him, unconquerable even by the immortals. O soft-limbed one, having gained him for husband, sport wondrously in the Nandana garden.'

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.5.11.58)

सर्वाङ्गसुन्दरं देहं प्राप्य सर्वसुखास्पदम् । सुखं सर्वात्मना ग्राह्यं दुःखं हेयमिति स्थितिः

sarvāṅgasundaraṁ dehaṁ prāpya sarvasukhāspadam | sukhaṁ sarvātmanā grāhyaṁ duḥkhaṁ heyamiti sthitiḥ

'Having obtained a body beautiful in every limb, the very seat of every happiness, it is only fitting that happiness be embraced wholeheartedly, and sorrow set aside.'

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.5.11.59)

करभोरु किमर्थं ते गृहीतान्यायुधान्यलम् । पुष्पकन्दुकयोग्यास्ते कराः कमलकोमलाः

karabhoru kimarthaṁ te gṛhītānyāyudhānyalam | puṣpakandukayogyāste karāḥ kamalakomalāḥ

'O one with thighs like an elephant's trunk, why have you taken up so many weapons? Your hands, soft as the lotus, are fit only for flowers and playballs.'

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.5.11.60)

भ्रूचापे विद्यमानेऽपि धनुषा किं प्रयोजनम् । कटाक्षा विशिखाः सन्ति किं बाणैर्निष्प्रयोजनैः

bhrūcāpe vidyamāne'pi dhanuṣā kiṁ prayojanam | kaṭākṣā viśikhāḥ santi kiṁ bāṇairniṣprayojanaiḥ

'When the very bow of your eyebrows already exists, what need is there for a real bow? When your sidelong glances are your arrows, what use are these purposeless shafts?'

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.5.11.61)

संसारे दुःखदं युद्धं न कर्तव्यं विजानता । लोभासक्ताः प्रकुर्वन्ति सङ्ग्रामञ्च परस्परम्

saṁsāre duḥkhadaṁ yuddhaṁ na kartavyaṁ vijānatā | lobhāsaktāḥ prakurvanti saṅgrāmañca parasparam

'One who truly understands should never wage a war that brings only sorrow in this world. It is those attached to greed alone who engage in mutual strife.'

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.5.11.62)

पुष्पैरपि न योद्धव्यं किं पुनर्निशितैः शरैः । भेदनं निजगात्राणां कस्य तज्जायते मुदे

puṣpairapi na yoddhavyaṁ kiṁ punarniśitaiḥ śaraiḥ | bhedanaṁ nijagātrāṇāṁ kasya tajjāyate mude

'One should not fight even with flowers, still less with sharp arrows! Whose heart could take joy in the wounding of one's own limbs?'

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.5.11.63)

तस्मात्त्वमपि तन्वङ्गि प्रसादं कर्तुमर्हसि । भर्तारं भज मे नाथं देवदानवपूजितम्

tasmāttvamapi tanvaṅgi prasādaṁ kartumarhasi | bhartāraṁ bhaja me nāthaṁ devadānavapūjitam

'Therefore, O slender-limbed one, you too ought to show grace. Accept my lord as your husband — he who is worshipped by gods and danavas alike.'

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.5.11.64)

स तेऽत्र वाञ्छितं सर्वं करिष्यति मनोरथम् । त्वं पट्टमहिषी राज्ञः सर्वथा नात्र संशयः

sa te'tra vāñchitaṁ sarvaṁ kariṣyati manoratham | tvaṁ paṭṭamahiṣī rājñaḥ sarvathā nātra saṁśayaḥ

'He shall fulfill your every desire and wish; you shall in every way become the chief queen of the king — of this there is no doubt.'

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.5.11.65)

वचनं कुरु मे देवि प्राप्स्यसे सुखमुत्तमम् । सङ्ग्रामे जयसन्देहः कष्टं प्राप्य न संशयः

vacanaṁ kuru me devi prāpsyase sukhamuttamam | saṅgrāme jayasandehaḥ kaṣṭaṁ prāpya na saṁśayaḥ

'Accept my word, O Goddess, and you shall obtain the highest happiness. In battle, victory is always uncertain, while suffering is certain — of that there is no doubt.'

Verse 66 (devibhagavatam.5.11.66)

जानासि राजनीतिं त्वं यथावद्वरवर्णिनि । भुङ्क्ष्व राज्यसुखं पूर्णं वर्षाणामयुतायुतम्

jānāsi rājanītiṁ tvaṁ yathāvadvaravarṇini | bhuṅkṣva rājyasukhaṁ pūrṇaṁ varṣāṇāmayutāyutam

'O excellent lady, you understand statecraft well; enjoy the full happiness of a kingdom for tens of thousands of years.'

Verse 67 (devibhagavatam.5.11.67)

पुत्रस्ते भविता कान्तः सोऽपि राजा भविष्यति । यौवने क्रीडयित्वान्ते वार्धक्ये सुखमाप्स्यसि

putraste bhavitā kāntaḥ so'pi rājā bhaviṣyati | yauvane krīḍayitvānte vārdhakye sukhamāpsyasi

'You shall have a handsome son, who will himself become a king. Having played through your youth, in old age you shall find happiness.'