स तदा लब्धतीर्थो ऽपि न बबाधे निरायुधम् ।
मानयन्स मृधे धर्मं विष्वक्सेनं प्रकोपयन् ॥ ४ ॥
sa tada labdha-tirtho 'pi
sah-that Hiranyaksa; tada-then; labdha-tirthah-having gained an excellent opportunity; api-although; na-not; babadhe-attacked; nirayudham-having no weapon; manayan-respecting; sah-Hiranyaksa; mrdhe-in battle; dharmam-the code of combat; visvaksenam-the Supreme Personality of Godhead; prakopayan-making angry.
Even though he had an excellent opportunity to strike his unarmed foe without obstruction, the demon respected the law of single combat, thereby kindling the fury of the Supreme Lord.