Verse 1

Verse 1

Setting out to learn the truth of Aniruddha's captivity, you reached Bana's city, your glory spread wide. Locked in battle with Hara (Shiva) himself, your fame was purified even by that fight; you conquered the world's weapons with your own irresistible missiles, striking again and again with unfailing arrows that vanquished even the enemy's finest arrows. In the thick of that battle you showed a mother's tenderness toward Bali's son, restrained your own eagerness though ready for the final blow, and raised up a burning fever-weapon to answer Shiva's own fever-missile -- yet in the end you granted your favour, giving wide fame to Bana, Bali's wretched son, when he returned to you having lost his multitude of arms. Pleased by Shiva's hymn of praise, you mercifully granted Bana the exalted station of your own attendant, and by that same compassion for Bali's son, protected him and made your own side rejoice. Thus, in this most superhuman deed, you brought Aniruddha home together with his bride, freeing him who had been bound by that mighty noose-weapon. Then you returned again to your own cowherd home, filling all Vrindavana with festivity, your work complete. Glory to you, O hero, supreme lord born in the dynasty of the cowherd king!